So…I am a new character to The Coral Gate, what exactly do I see and know?

The Coral Gate proper
The city itself is large for its time, having around 8,000 to 9,000 people living in and around it at any given time. Surrounding the city is a large wall, built from mostly coral, taken from the sea and magically hardened. Within the city, is the fabled Coral Gate. Not the Gate from lore, but the physical Coral Gate that separates the wealthy in the town from the rest. Here there are more guards, and frequently the Grand Dukes guards are nearby. Only the very well to do, or proper born are admitted into this part of the city.

As for the swamps around Coral Gate, who knows how many people or creatures live there, but one thing is certain, they must be of a hardy stock to survive long out there. If you were to approach the city gates, you would be turned away unless you have proof you are a resident here. There was a plague a little over a year ago and it wiped out most of the slums (shanty town) and the few meager farms that lay to the north of the city. People continue to report periodic outbreaks, so the guards are in no humor to let just any stranger into the city.

The Shantytown or slums
As is the case with most large cities, not everyone can fit or afford to live within the safety of the walls. Some, of course, choose to live there to avoid unwanted attention while they go about their business. The slums are a dirty place, where the residents live by their own laws and codes, generally lending a cautious hand to a neighbor in need.

Borlo, Captain of the town guard, is stationed in Shanty Town. He handles petty disputes, murders and everything in between. Most consider him a good guy who will have a drink with everyone but will still make sure that the residents of the slums are protected from those who would take advantage of them. If a situation arises that Borlo can’t handle, he can send for help from the Grand Duke, typically in the form of Legionnaire Havram. He is one of the Emperor’s own from the Capital. With Havram comes “the Witch”, Bethann is believed to be her name, but she only responds to Havram or Borlo, so few other people try to talk to her.

What is a typical game day like in Shanty Town?
Most players will want to find someone to hang out with. If you didn’t bring a friend, make some! Surviving, much less prospering solo in Coral Gate will be a challenge. Only the most skilled players will be able to pull off a solo adventuring career. It can be done, for sure, but don’t expect to stroll around alone and not have difficulties. It’s sort of like this; would you stroll around the slums of a major city by yourself and not expect to have problems? Certainly not a wise move for most of us! Sure there are some people with the skill set to get along just fine, but generally it would be a problem. The same translates into the game. The monsters of Coral Gate are pretty tough. At low levels, a single person will not usually be able to defeat a fully grown monster. A full grown lizard man would easily out last a low level character, where as a small or baby lizard man would be a good match for a low level character. So if you ask “what do I see?” and the monster says “a small or baby creature type” then you can expect it to be a challenge for a solo character. Anything else, bring a friend or two or three! Coral Gate is a game of friends. (Except for the occasional maniac who can go it alone!)

Ok, so the land is dangerous, I get that, what else can I expect? Typically a group will work to advance their characters through experience gain. Players can do this by role-playing with NPC’s and each other, by defeating monsters, and completing quests.

How exactly does it work? The staff members of the game are empowered and expected to give generous role-playing experience to players for everything from good costuming, cabin decorations, and interactions. A staff member will wait for the right moment and give the players involved Experience Tags for what they have done.

When a hostile (or possibly friendly) monster is defeated, experience is given out as well. Usually the player who “searches” the monster will be given the experience, so don’t run off if you defeat something, as someone else might search your kill and take your experience. Looting someone’s kill is considered an in play action, and people generally frown upon this behavior. Experience Tags may be freely given or traded between characters, but cannot be stolen in game once a player has a hold of it.

Lastly quests, NPC’s (Non-Player Characters, or Stock Actors) will be a regular part of Coral Gate. Not every NPC will be important or involved in some world saving scheme! In fact, the majority will be mundane people going about their business in the town. They will be a part the community. Players will see them going about their business, role-play with them and hopefully get to know them. There will of course be NPC’s with specific business in the town. They might come from the City looking for help or resources. An example follows below. (Some Actors may be given the opportunity to create their own town NPC to be played with Director approval from time to time. This will come outside of the normal volunteer monstering time though.)

“Louie the Alchemist’s apprentice comes to Shanty Town at the behest of his master, Schim the Skilled. Louie has been tasked with bringing back a bag full of skeleton parts (20), a hand full of Ivey leaves (5) and a couple of pieces of broken iron (2). Louie is a skilled potion maker in his own right, but not much use with a sword. He would either post a notice on the bulletin board in the town guard headquarters, or move about town looking for help. When someone brought him what he needed, he would (usually!) pay them for their time and efforts. After a while he may build trust with these people and ask them to do more dangerous and rewarding tasks for him. In turn, he would increase the rewards, or allow them to purchase some of his master’s powerful potions. “

Not every NPC has quests, nor will every NPC reward you for everything! They are normal people, which leads into the next topic.

NPC’s, Monsters and Intelligence
Expect the people and creatures of Coral Gate to act with a level of intelligence that fits the being. Animals will act like animals, and intelligent creatures will act with intelligence. A marauding lizard man band will not usually venture towards the guard post in the center of town. They realize the town guard and a lot of other people will be there and it is suicide. They will instead seek to ambush the weak or unwary on outer trails, or maybe try a surprise attack a bit closer to town. So with that said, if you stand around in the center of town by the guard post, you will not see a lot of combat. You may do plenty of role-playing and still watch your back from the unsavory beggar or thief, but if you want the real action it will take place out of sight of the middle of town.

This gives an over view of what to expect at Coral Gate, we can’t wait to see you in game!