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Ravenloft - Prisoners of the Mist
SERVER HOMEPAGE: http://www.nwnravenloft.com
Ravenloft is an original DnD setting based on gothic horror themes, similar to stories of H.P. Lovecraft, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire etc. The world may easily appear gloomy to people more familiar with high fantasy, but also having a strong sense of mystery rather than the bland and obvious.
Mainly, our aspiration is to have an atmosphere that's immersing, with stories that reaches out to the players as they partake in making them, for a rich and vivid roleplay experience.
In that sense, don't let being unfamiliar with the setting discourage you. We don't strive to be different from others simply by bringing the Ravenloft setting to the list of NwN PWs, and we won't test you in Ravenloft trivia or expect you to read books before joining the server. Our primary goal - our outset - is to create a place where roleplay, in all its forms, thrives.
So what does this mean?
Some might already worry that we are dedicated to ultra-realism: micro-management of every movement, no chance of adventure and achievement, every character sitting safe behind locked and barred doors, trembling in fear of what may be going on outside.
This is not what we aim for.
What we want to give you is the opportunity. Something you can shape yourself and with others. The opportunity to roleplay in as many situations as possible in as much detail as you desire. We want the world to react in a manner that inspires and encourages you to roleplay. We will not rigidly force you into roleplaying in certain ways, partly because we believe that forced roleplay will never be good roleplay. and thus enforcing wouldn't serve anyone. But we also want to have faith in your ability to roleplay, and to encourage you to think creatively and independently.
This doesn't mean that we'll tear down every 3rd edition rule. Balance is needed, because risk is needed for progress to make sense. We may even choose to do things to adjust this balance better, as long as it isn't at the expense of the roleplay. But when we do change things, it's always ultimately for the sake of roleplay.
What you really should expect is a NWN experience that to a much lesser degree rely on out of character mechanics disrupting your roleplay, and instead, more in-character mechanics that further it, providing meaningful material for it. We aren't focused on whether the way you decide to explore the world is true to real life, but rather we aspire to make the world you explore alive. We want to give you a better opportunity to act in character, so we want the world to act better in character. We want the world to roleplay along with you too.
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To easily join our server without having to worry about downloading the right packages and addons, we generally recommend that you use our game launcher available here: http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=43767.0
Using this, you don't have to worry about downloading any of the packages below.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Optional but recommended - Music package. Extract to the 'music' subfolder. (3259) | 530.61 MB |
| Main download package. Extract to the folder you installed NWN. (1283) | 472.86 MB |
While starting out may seem a little daunting at first, it is worth it. Once you get to know a few people or even join one of the various factions, it only gets better. There's a lot of quality RP to be found and the atmosphere is great. The community in general is very helpful, so if you're new and just starting out, don't hesitate to send a tell with questions.
Just like Kendaric said, getting into the server might be quite harsh. There is little hand-holding compared to other active RP Persistent Worlds but it all pays off in a very rewarding way. The setting is also what sets it apart from the competition. It's extremely atmospheric and given the limitations of the NWN engine, the developer team made a tremendous job at bringing the world to life - with all its unpleasantries and what have you.
What I like the most about the server is how it mechanically supports IC behaviour - there is an automatic script system that will support and grant you experience based on your RP contribution. And there is plenty of that to be found - due to active and helpful community along with DMs willing to throw in events or else to keep things interesting and engaging.
If you'd like to be challenged in a mechanical and roleplaying way then Ravenloft: Prisoners of the Mist is definitely something that you will enjoy.
PotM is an excellent persistent world with a vibrant and active community; Zarathustra217 and Bluebomber4ever have put in a painstaking amount of time into this baby of theirs, and it shows; there's frequently 50+ people around during primetime, and an exceptionally active DM team.
Speaking as someone who has taken part in great roleplaying both as a DM and a player here, I can think of no other place I'd rather play on. While I have gone to other servers and experienced them, something about PotM keeps drawing me back. If your old PW, the one you used to play on and loved to bits, is no more, give PotM a try. I don't think you'll regret it. My recommendation to newcomers is to play an outlander (someone who isn't native to the setting) first. That way, you can learn about the setting alongside your character. The Mists take people from a myriad of different worlds, including Abeir-Toril, Krynn, Eberron, Cerilia, Athas, and others...
I would also recommend, if you're new, to play a human, elf, dwarf, halfling, half-elf, or gnome. Half-orcs, half-drow, full drow, tieflings, aasimar, and other unusual subraces will likely be labeled as outcasts by the indigenous population, and non-humans in general will be subject to prejudice by natives. There's a variety of things you can do to earn money, including delivery quests which will be safe for newbies to do... During the day. Night is dangerous, and unless you're strong, brave, or foolish enough to stand against the danger that lurks in the darkness, stay indoors!
The community at large is generally very accommodating of new players, and even those who are hostile to your character with theirs are chill, approachable, and easygoing out-of-character. The Community Council is always happy to field questions from new players who are looking for advice or help, so don't be shy if you encounter a councilor, he or she is here to assist you!
PoTM is, hands down, the dopest mod I ever played. Dopest mod I ever played!
Not only is each area beautifuly done, they make sense-flow in to the next seamlessly.
It's funny when I pop in to some other servers just for kicks now, because I forget that PoTM has a custom spawning system. I'm shocked when I'm reminded how it used to work. What they've done with spawns is just one of the many instances in which they've managed to make PoTM in to something original and exceptional.
The dev and dm teams are both dedicated to what they do and do it very well. The playerbase is large, varied and -always- keeps things interesting.
I should stop here, I've pretty much said what I came to say and am just gonna spend forever telling you about it when you could be rolling up a character and seeing for yourself-which you should. Unless you wanna have a life or something lame like that.
I've been a part of the Ravenloft community since around 2007-2008 and haven't found a server that can top this one to this day. It has quality scripting and areas made by the developers that continue to improve, the DM team is very dedicated to the community and talented in bringing their plotlines to life in the perfect setting of gothic horror. I definitely recommend this server if you are looking for topnotch Roleplay, exciting adventures within the community, and an all around fun time.
As someone who has played Ravenloft both as a faithful player, and as a casual one i will give to the best of my ability a honest review of the server. Despite the fact it may rub some people the wrong way.
Ravenloft, has a incredibly immerseive world, that does a beyoned spledid job of actually getting your heart racing as you try your best to not be killed by something horrible in the night. It also has a plethora of good scripts and mechanics to keep players busy to avoid bordom. But it also has short commings with any server. Over the years key things have become irksome and have tainted my love for the server. Among such, a unbudging desire to add in newer content that benifits characters of a design scale. For some time we were kept on our toes about a huge update that was to come in. And when it had, it was less then lack luster and was mostly only that of a new area. Which setting wise was appealing, but for those of us who have played here years with almost zero new additions in way of character design it was more then a little disheartening. Specially when suggestions and requests had been made.
Over the years, like with all staffs there have been favorite DMs and ones not so favored. But in my last go around with the server it was very aparent certain groups are favored, while others are entirely ignored if not ostrasized completely. The two most dm backed and favored factions being the Ezrites and Lathandrites. Booth of which were given special gear just for joining. While other factions, even ones which were apart of the setting were completely unsupported and ignored at times. The faction system in place strongly works against anything new, and supports only those chosen as favorites by the staff. With the number of years iv played POTM, iv almost the same number of good memories as bad. Things have been been spendid beyoned belief, as well as incredibly bad to the point iv left at times.
PoTM does possess many unique features that other servers have yet to match. One of which i mentioned already being the depth of the setting, but also the way the setting has been replicated. To the best of their ability the staff has made the world of Ravenloft feel like a world. Each trip you take carries the feel of time passing as you try to reach your destination. Even as day turns to night you have to worry about the change in time. Where as in most servers the time/hour of the time is almost entirely meaningless and you can get anywhere by running for a few moments.
Over all i would recomend the server to those who enjoy the dark twisted setting POTM offers, as well as enjoys investing time in the creating of a character and building their story slowly over time. However i would also recomend keeping your hope for change of any sort tightly leashed. The server is slow to change, if ever. Over the many years iv been there, the majority of changes have been mechanical or superficial changes to maps. The clothing and head options are severaly limited, along with many maps being dated and near unchanged since many of us first saw them upon joining.
As a whole though, if i were to rate the server id do it like so,
Setting: 10/10
Staff: 5/10
Mechanics: 8/10
Areas: 9/10
Content (Monsters): 5/10
Content (Placeables): 5/10
Content (Character Options): 3/10
Roleplay Experience: 10/10
To be fair, the above things carry different weight for each player. For me, i believe in that a server should when possible atleast listen to the desire of the players who play on the server. Since without a interested party there isnt really a server. And at this time i dont feel as if POTM is doing as good as it could be doing. It is more then likely it will live on for some time yet, but as the game gets older and more and more servers shut down and pack up. More players are leaving and seeking out new homes, allowing them to be picky about which server they fall into next if at all. At this rate, i do not think PoTM will be around as one of the final servers when NWN finally goes out for good. I feel as if the server has become a bit stuck and to focused on a single aspect of the server and has begun to neglect other parts.
Brutal server. I gave up after a week and a half because I was not getting anywhere. It looks really cool to start and they have some really unique systems but the risk reward ratio is badly out of wack.
Healing. You cannot buy it, other players don't sell it so if you want it you either need to be a caster or learn herbalism. Heal kits only work after rest so they arent much use either. Unless you want to try your luck in a crypt where dozens of undead at a time will swarm you, some of which need magic to hit, and try your luck getting their knuckles.
X.P. General rule seems to be if you can kill it it is not worth much if any xp. There is no starting area or low level area. You are expected to go into places that spawn creatures that can only be hit by magic weapons without healing or magic weapons. On top of that if you die, and you will, you drop your weapons and money so you end up getting killed over and over trying to get your stuff back. Sometimes if you are extra lucky it will drag out into night time so you also have to avoid werewolves and wererats which are so common as to take away the horror mystique. Did I forget the death curse that cripples you for 18 minutes ? You have to ignore this though if you want to make sure no one else takes your stuff and obviously if you were killed with normal stats a 6 con and no weapons makes getting your stuff back brutal.
Ninja everything. This is especially annoying. Zombies, rats, wolves, snow cats all use stealth so walking along and then suddenly being dead is a common occurance. This pretty much makes exploring pointless unless in a large group if you can find one, which is hard.
Treasue. Everything you find at low levels is worthless. You may find the odd scroll but usually you find gems and mundane items that are worth 1-9 gp. Trickle down economics at work here where players sell what the find to those lower level than them, maybe by level 6-8 you might start finding things that make your character better. How you get to level 6-8 is a whole other question.
Crafting system is wicked. RP xp system is also excellent. Weather and fatigue systems add nicely to realism. This is a server for masochists.
Best server ive ever played for NWN. Good for thousands of hours of gameplay. Im currently at 1000.
Nice server, with too restrictive rules and rude and abrupt staff. Terrible!
Retardedly hard starting areas. Community is hostile/toxic.
Cant see a damn thing anywhere. (hence the mist that doesnt do away for about 119 hours of gameplay)
half the people you run into either are english speaking hostile or broken english speaking hostile.
Also, out of all the servers i have played (well over 100) this is THE WORST STAFF (rude/toxic) i have EVER talked to/winessed.
Absolutely terrible.
avoid at all costs.
Loved this: "english speaking hostile or broken english speaking hostile."
Is this playable offline / shared as open source somewhere ?
No, and it probably never will be to be honest. Competition would probably squash it really fast and they can't have that.