The Prestige

[Rosencrat]

Now, far be it from me to dictate the direction of this server. One voice is, in the end, one voice, incapable of enacting change on its own. Yet a single voice can pose a suggestion.

So, instead of bushing my idea with rabid determination, I shall set it out simply as an idea, to be changed, modified and critiqued by the people before finally being either put in the trash or enacted.

Now, with that out of the way…

My idea is the creation of new prestige classes.

The Definition of Prestige Class, as written in WoWiki, is…

“…many heroes choose to follow more dedicated, specific paths to power and renown (or infamy, as the case may be). Through organizations, old traditions and esoteric ways, PCs can discover and gain levels in prestige classes, which specialize in particular abilities, skills, and areas of expertise.

Note: The concept of prestige class is more of a game mechanic than having anything to do with lore…”

Our prestige class list is based solely upon the list dredged from WoWwiki. It is a list that containing only combat-oriented classes: Lightbringer, Marksman, Assassin, Steam Warrior, Necromancer, Witch Doctor…

Now, if this server had characters based solely on combat we would be fine with this list. But in the end, CotH is a server divided evenly between warriors and everymen. We have fishermen and doctors, scientists and writers, wanderers and explorers. Where are there prestige classes? After all, the definition of Prestige Class is someone who, with the intent of gaining renown, infamy or fortune, specializes in a certain area of expertise. Why must that area revolve only around combat? What can these people who are incapable of combat use to differentiate themselves from the rest?

Now I've seen posts floating around the forum concerning Role-Playing. Threads talking about pushing back the boundaries of magic and about characters being special and individual being good. So why don't we take the next logical step and create ways for these ‘normal' people to take their art and take it to new, beautiful levels.

Some ideas…

Diplomat- Some of us are born with special skills. Warriors, Mages, Assassins all have talents that they use in their profession. And for those who have agile minds and gilded tongues, they become Diplomats. This class is reserved for people who prefer using words as their weapons; they can talk, swindle, negotiate, lie, coerce and weave into and out of many situations. They are charismatic and pleasant. They are ruthless and benevolent. They start wars with lies and end massacres with the truth. They are Diplmats, masters of discussion, debate and Oration.

Scientist- There is so many beautiful, magical things in this world. Alchemy, Runes, Magic…With magic and science at our fingertips we are constrained only by our imagination. And Scientists have very grand imaginations. Scientists are those with massive intellects who specialize in certain fields. They conduct research on herbs, craft runes and spells, dissect furblogs and the Scourge, mix potions and push the limits of our knowledge into fantastical places. Not always sane but always interesting, Scientists are masters of magic and the sciences.

Explorer- Azeroth is vast. I mean really, really vast. And it takes hearty, stalewart wanderers to explore and settle its farthest reaches. Explorers are races that thrive in the unknown. They are only comfortable when they are clinging to cliffs and crossing rope bridges. Their motives are not always the same. Some wish to conquer the outdoors and settle distant lands. Others look to marvel at what has never been seen. And still others explore for wealth and fame. Explorers can survive in places that are inhospitable, navigate through dangerous lands and do what most cannot.

Artist- Instruments. Plays. Poetry. Books. Painting. Singing. Artists come in many shapes and sizes. Yet they all share a common passion. An artist is someone who relishes expressing there vast creativity. They create beauty wherever they go, crafting wonder out of the simplest things. Some seek fame, others fortune. And still a few others simple enjoy the raw pleasure at creating something beautiful. Artists feed the soul and mind of Azeroth.

These are but a few suggestions. We can branch out into so many unusual places…Arms Dealers, Engineers, Settlers, Mind Weavers…We can go as far as our imagination takes us.

Now, an argument against this may be that why create a prestige class when one can simply ‘say' they are masters in these specific fields. Well, that is true. Many characters already have basic strengths in the more mundane areas. But for those who have made it their life to become masters in the areas, who excel and study and train, shouldn't they be rewarded with a step above?

Why not try and give the everyman a chance to prove themselves and be different?

[angorianka]

I like the overall idea, however I do see some disagreements towards some of the points.

What marks the already existing Prestige Classes is that they in nearly every case require training from the master of the class. In that case the master Doctor would have his apprentice, striving to become a Doctor himself.

My suggestion nr 1 is that if those Prestige classes for everyman are made, they don't have to be same well monitored as 'hero' classes. I would propose that the requirement is for the apprentice of the class to write a storyline of him learning the craft, and the ones that already gained those classes to teach the apprentices.

My suggestion/ problem nr 2 is that there is a difference between a Prestige class which is made for heroes who gain special abilities, and a profession. After all I don't see a big difference between an Artist and an Inscriptionist. Both need to find herbs (also minerals) and grind them to pigment, the difference is that Inscriptionist would make ink of it while artist would grind it to paint. Otherwise he would need to make graphite, extract coal for drawing, make linen canvas and stretch them over wooden frame, such things. Except of these practical skills, what an Artist needs is creativity and practice and that is 90% dependent on the person and their basic education (but hey, inscription has a trainer too).

Diplomat even more depends on the player, since it's the player that will have to solve all the problems. I'm just not so sure if there will be a lot of work for a diplomat in the current world that he would be paid for. Most of conflicts are PC factions against NPC factions.

Overall I'm not sure if it's worth the bother to make those as Prestige Classes instead of normal Professions, since Prestige Classes have to be closely monitored by GMs because of lore. Professions as artist tool making, being a doctor or even a diplomat require the player to look it up on the internet or in the books, not as much in WoW lore guide.

[Rosencrat]

Every good point deserves a counter-point.

1) Your suggestion of writing a 'storyline' to learn the craft is something that all prestige classes, new or old, must do on CotH. There would be little difference between the new or old: Both require a 'Master', IC or a Made-Up NPC, to learn from. They can either train IC on the server or work it out IC on the forums via storylines.

The distinction between 'Hero' class and 'everyman' class is a bit trickier. I would like to hear more opinions on this, but 'Prestige' classes are less 'heroes' (for there are technically no true blood Player 'Heroes' in this game, in the classical sense of people who are known the world over and who do daring missions in dangerous lands) and more individuals who have, through training, honed their skills to the pinnacle.

2) Their is a difference between these Prestige Classes and Professions. A Profession is, defined by WoWwiki, a "large, trade-oriented set of skills that player characters may incrementally learn in order to gather, make, or enhance items that can be used in World of Warcraft gameplay." A Prestige Class is defined as a "dedicated, specific path(s) to power and renown (or infamy, as the case may be)...specialize in particular abilities, skills, and areas of expertise." A Prestige Class is less about making/crafting things then the ability to use certain RP points/skills, in this case oration skills, artistic skills/scientific skills.

Ex/ Not everyone can go around calling themselves a scientist. One must have a large intellect, a desire to explore/test new things and formal training in the arts and sciences of their chosen field of study.

Also, Prestige Classes are lore, yes. But these are prestige classes without names: many heroes in Lore History have been beautiful artists and powerful speakers and researchers.

[Kaghuros]

The Prestige Class system stands as a means to prevent players from becoming a combat class like WoWwiki mentions if they are clearly incapable of playing it true to its intent, or might abuse its powers. That being said, professions do not allow one character to hold their skills over another character. If you're a diplomat, you'd better damn well back it up with good oration. An Assassin just needs a knife and the freedom to say "I can stab you and you can't react."

Basically, I love it when people play normal professions, and if you work up to it I encourage you to be a master artist or a pioneering explorer. Make maps of continents you travel to and continue RP, do what you will as it can't hurt others if you claim to be the best explorer. If it's unreasonable, no one will listen to you, and you can't Character Kill with a map.

Look at Doctor Mansfield if you want to see a master of common character development. He's a doctor, and he's good, and he's done the RP to back it up.

[Terant]

you can't Character Kill with map.

...Is that a challenge?

*Ahem* To seriousness. Kagh is right. The reason we need(ed) the prestige system is to make sure people don't just go around trying to claim increased powers and PKing all the time. It's perfectly acceptable to claim some pretty epic non-combat related skills if you do a little work for it, without need of a formal system like the WoWwiki prestige class one we have.

[angorianka]

*Nod* for what I myself means is that everyman prestige classes shouldn't have the need to be monitored same closely.

I also don't like the idea that my character can't be an artist before having her training (I already have a full GHI bag of paint, paper and whatnot. I did my research on making these things and what minerals or plants can give good pigments if in-game ones are not enough). I have a system for her to draw making GHI items with description on what is on the drawing. After Christmas I planned to start writing her storyline and sometimes draw myself what she is drawing (fun fun!).

So let me be that Artist without training. I myself had only one year training with drawing and they never taught us 'how' to draw, they gave us paper and pencils and told us 'to' draw.

If a Master Artist was a everyman-prestige though, then sure. I'm up to role play that and I'm up to back it up with a set of stories.

You just need to write where is the point at which some of those classes become Prestige.

[Beltharean]

If anyone would like me too make them a custom proffesions, I know I have a script for a functioning custom prof, I love GHI so send ne a tell on Eli or Narn and what ever it is... I can make it!

I'll be starting on a whittling proffesion later today.