So, I just found this server 2 days ago thanks to an email I got from Google Alerts triggered by the keyword Eilistraee from a post made by MazeOfThorns some time ago. I went through the hoops of downloading the files and such and have gotten into the server. Naturally given I came here on my own and have no friends here I made a throw away character first so I could get a feel for the mood of the world. Human, male, fighter. Generic as it gets. I went around the keep for a bit and did a couple quests. Noticed a few broke NPCs and at least one quest.

So after about an hour on that character I hoped off to try making a CG Drow, since that is why I really came. After going through the subrace process I go to enter the game world and I click on the option to go to the recommended location. I had gained the impression through some reading around here that such a character would go to the Eilistraee temple to start. When I clicked recommended, it took me to the same island as the human fighter. The NPCs I spoke with did not even seem to acknowledge that my character was Drow.. So that's broke.

So I wrote that character off, and went and remade essentially the same character and instead of clicking recommended I clicked to go to Underport(?) and.. ended up on the same Island. Double broke.. Or is it triple broke?

So figuring that perhaps a surging population of Drizzt fanboys may have been to blame for Eilistraee being removed all together(wouldn't be the first server to do such a thing) I figured I may as well try for an Evil Drow. So.. I made a wizard and went to Underport. I find that the starting area of Underport while it has a higher population density than the Island above, it seems to have less.. Life.

So I am forced to ask, with so many glaring problems on a server that has been open for a minimum of six months.. Am I the problem? Am I doing something wrong?

Heya!

Firstly, welcome to Amia (Despite your struggles!)

Secondly, Drow starts are notoriously weird and difficult. This has to do with the Underdark undergoing nuuumerous changes due to in-character events. So the starting point for Drow has been in flux for a while. That being said, Drow (Either good or evil) can be highly rewarding if you can make it past the initial awkwardness. NPC's (With the exception of some gate guards in major cities, and others in the Underdark) won't have separate conversations due to your being drow. It's not that they're broken, it's just that the racial tensions often come from players instead of that level of detail in the NPC setting.

Some Drow players will have more to say on how to make it through the early stage. But as a non-drow player I can still fill you in on some stuff.

Eilistraeen Drow have an unusually large shrine on Amia, which is accessible near the cliffs around Kampo's Storehouse. The Eilistraeen shrine is one of Amia's largest landmarks, so you will find that as an Eilistraeen drow you'll be more readily accepted than you might have imagined. Typically, the Elven players will be more cautious (Or even violent in the case of some Shevarashans); and the current Elven community is very strong.

The biggest struggle with any drow character, be it evil or good, is that the drow community fluctuates from being active and inactive-- making it difficult at times to play. This is especially true for evil drow, who are more or less in an isolated environment from the rest of the server. It's a kind of micro-community. So to experience the political intrigue of competing drow houses, and all the levels of drow society in the underdark will be difficult. Not impossible, but difficult-- hell, from this conversation alone you might be able to stir some interest in regular Underdark players. The current Underdark city is on Amia B, by the way. There are two of them, I think.

That's why in my opinion, Eilistraeen Drow will be easier to play because they can more realistically interact (Even if it's with hostility/caution/etc) with 'surface' players and characters.

The Eilistraeen Shrine used to be very populated with players as well. It's since decreased due to both internal and external tension, In-character and Out of character issues both. So you may find it less occupied than before, but doesn't mean an Eilistraeen drow is any less rewarding to play. I would just suggest that you consider roleplay themes and directions that push your character into interacting with non-drow surfacers primarily, rather than hoping that you'll have many other drow players as a hub/community.

First of all, Hello and Welcome!

The real problems, as I can see it right now is the fact, that...

1) Shrine of Eilistraee (Or Temple as you said), is currently not occupied by anyone, because most of the players that focused on Eilstraeen drows went to something else, or aren't around anymore.

2) Underport was removed due RP plot some time ago and I believe that possibility to start there wasn't yet cancelled by designers.

3) Early stage is not that difficult as it might be seen. You are (unlike before) allowed to enter cities like Cordor, where you can take most of the quests, aswell as meet players. On the other hand, Kohlingen and even Winya can be for you quite problematic, as long as you will not prove you really are Eilistraeen.


Anyway, I still wish you good luck and have fun!

EDIT: I see that Mr.Hackums was faster, so...

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Reynard d'Aubernon - Retired
Balaeyi Elandinai Haeren - Active
Jaezred Kilr'ae - Active

I'm not entirely sure where the Drow start has you going currently. But once you're in, if you can navigate your way to the Eilistraeen Shrine as a good drow you can bind there and start from there every other time you log in.

Someone I'm sure can help you navigate there. I understand it might be troublesome or exhausting for a new player-- but once you get to where you want to be, you won't have any trouble starting in a familiar or sensible location again.

The difficulty of playing Drow as a new player won't leave you either-- but if it's truly your passion, you should definitely pursue it anyway. You will find that even as an Eilistraeen drow you will be barred entry into many of the major cities, which makes it difficult to reach into some player hubs and difficult to reach some supplies & quests. However, you can build trust with characters in leadership positions around settlements and earn your way in through merit and time, too.

To the OP:

I understand your frustration. Here's the thing... there have been a lot of changes in Amia in the past year, maybe two. I mean big, groundchanging changes. We have small team of developers, all volunteers mind you, who work really hard to make the changes. As I understand it, there was some issue that kept causing the servers to crash and it was quite elusive, as in took a long time to find and fix. Amia is a work in progress, and always will be. That's by design, not by accident. The roleplay that occurs changes our world, that's a good thing. It just takes some time for the backbone to catch up with the head, so to speak.

As for starting drow. Well, I've never played one personally, so take what you will from my statements. I'd say playing a Drow is about as hard a way to get to know Amia as there is. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just thinking that for your first real character, it will be really hard. A human will be more accepted, easier to assimilate, and more will offer to help you. Amis isn't that hard to learn, it's not that hard to level, and it's not that hard to find areas to roleplay in and people to do it with, but... to someone new to it, Amia can be a daunting place, especially if you didn't have friends here already.

So... all that said, if you have questions or need a hand, I play Ally Talley, a halfling in Bendir Dale, feel free to find her and we can see where it leads, or, send me a tell if you need help with anything. Happy to help, and welcome to Amia!

Welcome!

I believe the alternate start point for Eilistraeean drow is listed as Kampos Storehouse on the entry mirror conversation. It's been a long time since I made a new drow PC.

There is actually not a bind point in the Shrine of Eilistraee. The closest one is Kampos (right outside of it).

Also you mentioned "Keep". Are you starting on server A, or server B? You will be much better off (if not an evil drow) if you start on server A. Even using the default location should start you in Cordor, where all of the starter quests are. To get to the Shrine of Eilistraee you can use the Kampos banner in the Travel Agency.

If the drow is evil then you should start on server B. You'll want to start in L'obsul, not Nec'perya. To my knowledge there are no starter quests in Nec'perya and you have to pay for the boat ride to get to L'obsul. If you chose the wrong start location at character creation, don't fret. Just choose the L'obsul banner in the Travel Agency.

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Iim'mur'ss - Grandmaster Shadowdancer / Aaralyn - Diplomat / Oleander - Toxic Desert Flower

(Rith'tar just doesn't want you to think it's occupied Avenger! Better to keep all you melding elves and humans out bwaa ahaha!)

Welcome!

Let me know your play times and I'm happy to bring out Rith'tar to give you a tour.

Currently CG drow are allowed in Cordor and that's a good place to start since there is a fetch quest right off the bat - or boat - first door to your right. You'll see announcements as you get off the boat.
That will get to level 3.

Please feel free to PM me with questions or you can also hit me up in game, my other character is Drusus Vel. Lets get you set up!

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2015 Mr. AMIA with the Fabulous Estara ~ 2015 Best Developed SOB Character: Rith'tar

Welp, I am still not completely sure what was going on, or what is going on. Last night I was ending up at.. Fortress Wilton? Or something like that on Ruathym island? On Amia B. I never even knew there was a teleport/transportation hub until this morning when I logged those same characters on and when I clicked the mirror instead of sending me to Ruathym it sent me to the teleport hub. So..I am starting to find stuff now. Mostly by accident than any deliberate effort.

The first time you enter the world through the mirror, it takes you directly to a location. The second time, you end up in the Travel Agency which is the small OOC room/teleportation hub. You'll continue to end up there the first time you log in for a reset, or if you swap between servers.

Actually, with the mirror, first time log in doesn't actually immediately send you to a start location. You have the option, if I recall correctly. It asks if you are new to the server and the like and will mention sending you to a starting location for your character. It's possible it was just overlooked, though. But yes. Either way, the second time and onwards will always bring you to the Travel Agency where all the flags for the towns are.

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He logged on to B first time.... I'd suggest A, much easier to start on.

Yep, first step as a goodie drow should be to go on A and do the regular newbie quest from the delivery service in Cordor. That'll get you some basic gear and up to level 3. You can also do the starter quests in Wiltun if you want, but they don't have the equipment rewards the Cordor ones do, IIRC.

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Named Most Influential Character, Amia Awards 2011