City of Eilistraee - Server News

Chat Beta Server Details

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:45:24 GMT

In about fifteen minutes from this posting (at 6pm GMT) I'll start up the server.

To connect you first need the pwc file. You can download this file here (lisse_linath_chatxb.zip). Unzip this file into your "My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\pwc" folder. This should put a file called "lisse_linath"chatxb.pwc" in that directory. Without this file you won't be able to connect to the server.

Then it's just a matter of connecting. I'll try to post it in the GameSpy server list (under the name "City of Eilistraee Chat Beta"), but I've been unable to show NWN1 servers in that list, so I doubt that this one will show up. So instead you'll have to direct connect to the following IP:

87.194.222.87:5125

Note, that is 5125 (and not 5121 as is the default for most servers) since I'm still hosting a NWN1 server on that port. There should be no password or anything and the server is a local vault server, so you can just use a locally saved character you have. Though I do request that you try not to have a character with MotB items since players without the expansion won't be able to see them.

If you want to create a new character you could use a trainer module from the Vault (like this one) to level up and give yourself a few items... not that any of that really matters much as you won't be able to do much with them anyway.

I'll also be online in AIM, ICQ and MSN if you have problems connecting, though since I prefer not to switch back and forth between NWN2 and my desktop I'd rather that any questions you have you ask inside (unless you have problems connecting of course).

Hope to see you all inside and hope all goes well.

Oh, and remember, the two areas I've got are very early versions. So don't expect too much.

[EDIT] And that's the end of the test. Thank you to Sancha who was pretty much the only one who showed up. Been quite useful, though I'm also quite sad that nobody else showed. Makes me wonder why I even bother. Ah well.

Love -x-x-x-

Shir'le

Chat Beta Server; 1 Dec '07 6pm GMT

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:49:20 GMT

On Saturday the 1^st of December 2007, from 6pm GMT (7pm European Time, 1pm EST, 11am MST) I'll (attempt to) host a server to beta-test the chat system I've been working on. I'm planning to keep the server up for two hours or so, but if things go well and there are a fair number of people I'll keep it up longer (and if things go badly it might be up shorter than that).

Note that this will be a beta of the chat system. I'm hoping to use this on the server itself, but don't expect much of anything beyond being able to chat (no quests, nothing to fight, no areas to explore, nothing). Though I am planning to use an early version of one of the areas for the server, this is more because I need some area to test things in and might as well use that (and give people a bit of an idea of what I'm thinking).

The server will be local-vault, meaning that you can use characters you've got stored locally (not that level or items or anything like that matters). And I'd suggest that people try to refrain from using Mask of the Betrayer equipment since, as I understand it, those without the expansion won't be able to see those items. For the rest people with and without the expansion should be able to join as long as they're up to the latest version.

I'll announce connection details closer to the time itself (probably on Saturday), though I expect that there will be issues with the server showing up in GameSpy, so you will have to direct-connect (I'll provide IP and all of course). At that time I'll also share the PWC files you'll need to play on the server (no way to get around that unfortunately).

But to give you a bit of a teaser and to warm you up to using the chat system I already have the player manual for the chat system (which I've named "ChatX"). The player manual is one of four (planned) manuals, the other three dealing with installation and modification of the system. But you don't need those to know how to use it. I know there's a lot there, but don't worry too much if you don't quite understand (feel free to ask questions though). People should be able to chat normally and the system is probably much easier to understand from using than from reading documentation. Either way, here's the manual:

ChatX Player Manual

And remember, Saturday the 1^st of December 2007 at 6pm GMT. I hope to see you all there and have some fun chatting and roleplaying.

[EDIT] I forgot to mention… since my chat system is based so much on Star Wars Galaxies' (old) chat system (using moods and socials and even the same variables) it might be helpful looking at a reference sheet for their chat system. I've pretty much got all of their moods and socials and chat commands and variables, so that gives you an idea of what's there and how much of it is there (really, there's a lot). Of course I don't have any chat bubbles, the keyboard/mouse controls (in NWN2) are completely different and the system commands (or "advanced commands" as they put it) are different too so you can ignore those; it's really just for the Socials, Moods, Chat list and Variables.

SWG Quick Reference Card

Love -x-x-x-

Shir'le

Status Report - Chat System Beta Soon

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:00:52 GMT

It's been a long while since I've given any updates, so I thought I'd make a post as to the status of things regarding the server.

First of all, early this year I started despairing, thinking it might not be possible to create a server after all. The game itself seemed to be, to be honest, rather shoddy in the multiplayer department, building requirements are way up from NWN1, I couldn't find anyone who was actually able and willing to help build things (particularly areas) and on top of that the announcement of no Linux server coupled with me having all kinds of computer problems (the system that was hosting Mianyr died, forcing me to move it to the system I was planning to host Lisse Linath on). Then for work I got transferred to London, meaning I had to move house and what not, all of which pretty much completely taking up my time.

But I've settled back in now and, after playing Mask of the Betrayer, started working on Neverwinter Nights 2 again.

What I've been doing the last two months or so is work on my scripted chat replacement system. Using NWNX4 (which, for those that don't know, allows for external functionality such as database support) I've been creating a database-driven chat system which aims to provide more roleplaying-oriented chat functionality. This is perhaps not vital to Lisse Linath, but it's something I really wanted to do and something I hope will greatly enrich the server.

The last few weeks I've been trying to get things to a state where I can start testing it online, but it's all been taking a bit longer than planned (I keep side-tracking myself with things). But I think I'm pretty close now; hopefully will take only a few more days to tie up some ends (and I'm leaving implementation of some advanced features for later), particularly if I decide to just leave DMFI in there (I had some issues yesterday replacing DMFI's language system with my own… at best mine was twice as slow as theirs). Then I'll have to put together an area or two (most likely I'll use an early version of the Lisse Linath common room for this) and put it up for some online tests.

And that's where you come in. My current plan is to host a server to test my chat system on Saturday the 1^st of December (likely somewhere in the evening UK time). The server will run off my main system (instead of my second system which is still hosting Mianyr) while I'm playing on that system too, but hopefully my system'll spread the load over my two cores. Then I hope that a number of you will log in, getting a sneak-preview of one of the areas for Lisse Linath, using the chat functionality to talk and roleplay a bit with each other. You don't have to do anything more than just talk, though now and again I might ask some specific things (like trying to use party chat).

I'm in the process of writing some documentation explaining how to use it, though that should be fairly simple to understand. It's just a very deep and powerful system with lots of options. I'll make this available before I put up the server (I hope to provide it by the end of this week).

I'll provide more details regarding the server closer to the actual date. Likely it'll have to be through some direct connect, since I'm having trouble getting servers I host to appear in the GameSpy server list (in NWN1 at least, but I'm guessing NWN2 will be the same). And of course I'll put up the required PWC files and such (not using any haks or anything yet so it should just be those). And I'll put it up as a local vault server as well I think.

One fear I have is that the system might be very lag-inducing since I'm doing a fair amount of string manipulation. And on top of that there are a lot of things that'll have to be tested to see if the broadcasts and such are working (if people are getting the messages they're supposed to get and not getting the message they're not supposed to get). So I could really, really use people willing to help me out there.

As such I hope to see you when I've got the test server up and I'll keep you informed of how things are progressing.

Once the tests is concluded and I've fixed up whatever issues crop up the plan is to start full-steam on the server directly and start looking more seriously to people to help out. This'll likely be next year (i.e. January) after my break, though if things go well with the test I might make a start on (continuing) coding some systems in December.

Phew, big update. But that's the status of things right now. Feel free to ask any questions.

Love -x-x-x-

Shir'le

Bad News - No Linux Server

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 10:31:54 GMT

I got word that it seems likely that there won't be a Linux dedicated server for Neverwinter Nights 2. To quote Rich Taylor:

Rich Toaylor wrote:

7 - Linux Dedicated Server. I wish I had good news here, but I don't. You don't need to sell me on the importance of a Linux dedicated server. I felt it was important to have one from the beginning. Unfortunately, there were major systems decisions made along the way of developing NWN2 that make it borderline impossible to create a Linux dedicated server port at this time. By the time I learned of these changes and what it would mean about the possability of a Linux Server, it was too late to reverse the changes. While I won't say that there will never be a Linux dedicated server, I will say that it is unlikely.

This is really bad news for us. Because as I've said: no Linux server, no Lisse Linath. Until now I've been running under the assumption that there would be a Linux server (after all, how can you make a multiplayer game where players host their own server and not provide a Linux server), but it seems I was wrong to assume such.

So what now? I don't feel comfortable that I'm able to host a stable dedicated server under Winblows, but it seems I have no choice but to try. So I'll give that a show over the weekend. Though even if that works that also means that because the OS requires more resources it also imposes greater limits on the module (luckily I never intended it to be huge to begin with).

I must say though that with the previous stunts that Obsidian pulled (the nude skin nonsense and their statements saying that "if you like adult rated games then this isn't the game for you", basically telling me they don't want me to play this game) and now this my enthusiasm for NWN2 is reaching damn near zero.

Anyway, I'll keep you informed.

Love -x-x-x-

Shir'le

Chosen of Eilistraee to Develop NWN2 Server!

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:23:39 GMT

Without many people knowing it has been in the work for months now, the first ideas beginning well over a year ago (or even longer ago if you count the initial discussion I had with a friend regarding a similar idea for NWN1 that we eventually decided not to pursue), but with the release of NWN2 I feel it's about time to let all of you know:

I'm working on a persistent, roleplaying server for Neverwinter Nights 2, revolving around drow and the goddess Eilistraee.

The server takes place about a decade into the future of the Forgotten Realms; long enough away that its background might be plausible but close enough that it will be familiar enough to everyone. It takes place in a newly formed city named "Lisse Linath" (derived from the drow "Lisse' Linath" meaning "Harmony Song") deep in the Forest of Amtar (i.e. the Shining South). Though to many the city is better known as the City of Eilistraee.

Things aren't easy in the city though, as one would expect with a city full of drow on the surface would have problems. Relations with the Wild Elves of the forest are strained at best. The forest and mountains are full of dangers including bandits, gnoll and even giants. The evil half-drow rulers of Dambrath to the south pose a constant threat and then there is the Lolthian city posing an ever more dire danger in the Underdark below. Even in the city itself there are numerous conflicts; various organizations have entered the city to keep an eye on these drow, acceptance between all the races flooding into the city seeking refuge is quite difficult and the various Eilistraeen sects making a base in it can't seem to agree on much of anything.

Within all of this turmoil and danger the players enter. Do they choose to try and put an end to any of the problems and how do they go about this? Perhaps they'll go out of the city to fight the numerous threats coming from without. Or perhaps they choose to remain within the relative safety of the city, getting enrolled in the various schemes and intrigue between all the factions and individuals. Or perhaps they'll make a home for themselves letting all the conflict pass by them and simply trying to live their lives in peace.

Roleplaying is, without a doubt, the primary goal of the server and much of it should come from the players themselves (including the DMs). But there should a number of other things for players to occupy themselves; a detailed crafting and resource-gathering system based on Obsidian's crafting system, a variety of quest in separated quest areas where a party can enjoy a pre-crafted story without interruption by other players, a number of mini-games which, if they have little to do with the background of the server, should at least allow for an enjoyable diversion for a while, a number of monsters out in the wilds for players to hunt (which will not be a means to advance in levels so nobody is required to take this action) or test your mettle against other players in one of various player versus player arenas.

If the thought of roleplaying an Eilistraeen (drow or otherwise) or the thought of roleplaying with drow and Eilistraeens (as friend or foe) intrigues you, if any of the above sounds interesting, then take a look at our (beta) website and read and discuss the designs and development of the server with us in our server forums. And, perhaps, even help us make this server a reality.

We hope that some day at least one of your characters will call Lisse Linath home.

Love -x-x-x-

Shir'le