Sie Ming …But in that time the alchemic community has added over a dozen pages of new information [to the alchemy guide]. You see: Jasper (young)

You see: Pacific Zephyr

You see: Wanderer

You see: Azaroth

You see: Sie Ming[Council of Honesty, CoH]

You see: Morgan

You see: Firedog

You see: Alec

You see: Bill[Flounder, CVL]

You see: Freya

You see: Drifter

You see: Reel Big Fish

You see: Alexis

You see: Libra[Wind Faerie, Fae]

You see: Sara

You see: Minax

You see: Fleur Woodbine

You see: Morril

You see: Nimue[Lady of Mist, K*B]

You see: Riva Iron-hand

You see: Argus[Mixologist, OEB]

Kat Firedog is in town now.

Sie Ming Thanks Kat

Azaroth Hiya Kat

Sie Ming I’d like to turn the floor over to Azaroth now and let him tell you a bit about the United Alchemists of Sosoria[UAS].

[polite applause from the crowd]

Azaroth Well…I suppose as everyone knows pretty much all I do is impromptu, and those [communication] Crystals are really messing up my typing…

Drifter [laughs out loud]

Azaroth The UAS is basically an attempt at unifying all alchemists from every shard. We strive to improve the skill, and generally make it more fun for everyone. I have talked to

Excalibur Bane(The leader of the UBB) …

[at this point the journal

is interrupted, and we resume part way through Morgan’s speech on Poisoning]

Morgan I think there is little I could tell most of

you : Morgan says about poisoning. I would like to say, though [the alchemy board dialogs] have brought out wonderful ideas; the discussions are often long but theres is much good thought behind them. …Now, the state of poisoning… …hrmm…

Sie Ming *chuckles* [I asked Morgan to say something about “The State of Poisoning”, a rather ambiguous topic at best]

Morgan Well, I poison as a benefit to my adventuring, but most use it as either PvP or to generate sales. I personally sell

up to 50 poisoned blades a week, but I wish to see it put to more use than that. The point of this [at this point Wanderer

arrives and *waves* and asks if he is late.] is that through our discussions on the alchemy board we generate new ideas. Although it seems we have long fallen on deaf ears.

Firedog *raises eyebrow*

Freya *grins*

Morgan *Laughs*

Morgan I am glad that we have Firedog to listen to

us

Firedog *blushes*

Morgan Well, I am too windy. Well, met fellow alchemist! And with that, I

say… GRILL HIM

Azaroth *laughs*

Firedog Well met, Morgan.

Sie Ming Thank you Morgan, please remain [seated] on the pedestal. At this time I would like to introduce our guest of honor. Many of you know that Firedog is the resident alchemist on the development team, and he has taken time (his free time nodoubt) to be with us this evening. We’ll let him say a few words to begin and then see if he is willing to be grilled for a little while. Thanks for coming

Firedog.

[at this point the crowd explodes with clapping, after some time of this, Firedog rises and moves toward the podium, only to fall from the stage. He does not appear to be injured.]

Drifter *laughs*

Firedog *grumbles*

Sie Ming Obviously Firedog wants to [be off the stage and out] among the alchemists.

Firedog *Firedog has lost mouse control and will return shortly*

Bill *laughs*

Sie Ming Until Firedog is back among us, let me explain the rules of the trivia contest. I’ll shout out the questions, and you write down the answers. Then at the end, you

can e-mail them in, and we’ll see who the winner is. After everyone has a chance to email we’ll post the answers and the winner. [Firedog makes his way back onto the stage] And now back to your regularly scheduled developer

Firedog Thank you, all. There was a time when I had a good long speech written out. But I seem to be having trouble with the cut and paste bit. Anybody given a speech before?

Morgan Just today.

Drifter A small one.

Azaroth Yes, several times *smiles*

Firedog How does one cut and paste text into here?

Azaroth …Hrm…I don’t believe it can be done, Firedog…

Sie Ming I don’t think you can

Azaroth You should try Xena’s UO curse tool

Sie Ming We use third party programs for that.

Argus *cough*

Freya yeah and get banned…

Morgan Post it on the board…

Firedog Okay, then the short version will have to do.

Mr Potion [Read] this pasted speech with a macro. Just create a macro, Firedog

Firedog Got it… Hang on just a second… Sie, want to speak some more while I handle this? [at this point I think Firedog is cutting and pasting his speech into his macro.cfg file]

Azaroth I can dance to distract the crowd..??

Sie Ming Certainly.

Firedog Dance, Sie Ming! Dance!

Azaroth *Laughs*

Drifter *Laughs out loud*

Sie Ming I would dance for you, but I have a bad back. And that’s just as well for all of us. For those of you who don’t know her, Libra is tonight’s hostess. *motions Libra to stand* She prepared the meal that we will all enjoy in just a bit, and it really looks good.

Libra *smiles*

[The applause that greets this is easily greater than all the other introductions and announcements combined]

Libra Thank you.

Firedog Hail, alchemists.

Sie Ming It looks like Firedog might be ready?

Firedog Got it! Hail alchemists. First, I’d like to thank Sie Ming and all of

the rest of you involved both for organizing this event and for keeping the lines of communication open through the Alchemy Board. Thanks also for inviting me to your gathering. As always, I’ve been following along with your discussions, and I’m keeping my ears (eyes?) and my mind open.

However, remember that all of these discussions, even if endorsed by the entire alchemy board and President Clinton himself, are still things that will be taken under consideration and not necessarily things that will be implemented. Also, I don’t have any dates, and I won’t for a while. [at this point a good portion of the crowd bursts out laughing] Hey… wait a minute, I’ve had dates. But that’s not relevant This doesn’t mean that I’m being evasive, just that for the sake of the company and the public (including you folks)I don’t want to write checks that I can’t cash. *whew* This is har work haard

hard

Ugh Disclaimers aside, there are some interesting ideas on the board, and I’ll address a few of them here. *checks to see who’s nodding off*

Sie Ming *blinks*

Azaroth *wakes up* What?

Morgan *laughs*

Firedog First, something that you’ve all been talking

about for a long time: potion stacking.

potion stacking.

oops

That was for emphasis. Stacking is absolutely something that we’ve discussed implementing. Of course, it depends upon whether or not it causes any unforeseen problems, and whether it’s technologically viable, but we do agree that it would make life easier. Admittedly, it does aid in the macroing of potion use, which could be a problem. Still, I’d say that it’s a fairly high-priority task eventually. Julius Caeser uhhh hi what is this? Drifter gathering of alchemists Julius Caeser is it? >who made this? Sie Ming follow me and I’ll tell you Julius Caeser can i have some stuff? what? Sie Ming it’s a gathering of alchemists, and yes, you can have some stuff if you wait until the event is over Julius Caeser where is the GM? [wanders over to the food and decorations and takes some] oops Sie Ming Would you mind returning those, please? [he does so] thanks. Julius Caeser miss, wanna makeme some G heals Rini what is going on here Julius Caeser rini, start taking stuff Rini why Julius Caeser its good stuff Morgan please do not be so rude. Rinoa let us be. Libra Rini, come over here. Rini what is going on Julius Caeser *YELLS* WHO MADE THIS Morgan Please do not steal that, son. kinko who’s the thief Azaroth Julius, please refrain from theft. Firedog 20 angry alchemists Argus and many with [murder] counts to spare. Julius Caeser So? Firedog Ever eaten 40 GE

potions at once? Julius Caeser huh? Morgan please, you are embarrassing our shard. Jonathon Davis WHAT THE #$%@ IS GOING ON IN THERE Azaroth Oh my Kinko how profane Rinoa my the language Sie Ming Firedog, can you do anything about this? Firedog Unfortunately, no. I’m only on as me. Sie Ming Okay, I’ve paged a councilor. Firedog Thanks Jonathon Davis I DUNNO WHAT IS GOING ON HERE Now, about potion prices. Of course we don’t have a button for “correct the economy”. (I’m not sure who brought that one up.) One of the problems is that every alchemist is out there grinding the same potions every day. The more alchemists, the more of a glut you’ll have, especially since so many potions are created for skill advancement. This problem will hopefully be helped by a greater diversity of potions. Not every alchemist will be able to grind every potion, nor will they want to. The more diversity is introduced into the alchemy community, the more you can control your prices, especially when potions appear that can only be purchased in any form from an alchemist. Right now, an adventurer who doesn’t want to pay face value for a Greater heal can usually find somebody else to undercut the price or even just make do with regulars from shops in large quantities (if he’s desperate). As alchemists research and learn new potions to advance, rather than merely grinding 1500 greater heals, there will be more diversity, and less of a need to dump potions on the market. Prices will rise if each alchemist grinds only 50 potions of 30 different types instead of 1500 of the same potion. As you begin to diversify and the best alchemists begin to concentrate on the most powerful potions, there should be a little less of a glut on the base potions. Another point on this subject: there should be a balance between creating potions for profit and creating potions for use. Introducing new potions that make the alchemist into a more viable adventurer means that you can turn your potions into a profit in a different way.



Azaroth Here Here!

Firedog (I knew that Az would

like that one…)

Azaroth *sticks out tongue at

Firedog*

Firedog Now, my biggest goal:

Alchemy versus magery. *ducks*

Sie Ming *winces*

Morgan *laughs*

Firedog Now, before you get all upset, I’m not saying that there is or ever will be even competition between the two classes, nor am I claiming that alchemy should duplicate a mage’s power. I can guarantee you that it won’t be that way. Remember

that I didn’t say “exact duplicate” to magery. I said “viable alternative”.

Alchemy really exists as an augmentation to /all/ professions, and it should work as a companion to other professions by offering potions that accessorize well (hmmm… that’s probably a bit too linguistically liberal) with other classes’ skills.

Sie Ming *cheers*

Firedog That means different potions that help everybody — mages, warriors, bards, archers, thieves, and even other alchemists — to do their jobs better. To maintain balance, there will be more of a focus on helping professions that aren’t mages. However, this doesn’t mean that alchemy should be the equivalent of any of these professions individually. That’s part of alchemy’s interest: a broad spectrum of ability, but not the best at most of them (although alchemists are still essential for the

best poisoning). No poisoning yourself to get out of this…

Morgan *chuckles*

Firedog Okay. Another topic. Creating multiple potions at once I personally think that this is a dangerous idea for the game. One of my jobs is to protect the balance of the game and every player’s (even non-alchemists) experience in it. [there is some cheering for this statement] Every other profession requires practice to increase. Yes, you can cook 1000 fish steaks at once, but you don’t get a skill increase for each one individually, and you don’t create something that will negatively impact every other fisherman in the game. This is a very important thing. [Firedog notices some people looting the food and decorations] Hey…. Last topic before questions: Changing existing potions. Unfortunately, changes to existing potions are going to have to be kept to a minimum, and changing required reagents is similarly difficult. Why? Because there are currently tens of thousands of each potion out in the world, and there’s no way that we can predict the effects on game balance of changing the nature of any of them. Adding potions is an easier way to protect your world (and ours) from explosive imbalances. I will be fixing bugs in the system, however,

including the problem with cure potions. That’s all that I have prepared for you, although I’d be glad to answer (vaguely and without any guarantees) a few questions for you…Thanks, and keep your eyes on the burners…

[There is thunderous applause at this point, even the looters (who appear to be a confused lot at best join in the cheering. After a bit things settle down again]

Sie Ming Sie Ming Thanks for coming. Counselor Leofric: You are most welcome, maybe my presence will make things go easier. bloodclot this food is good Counselor Leofric: please take one and leave others for the guests bloodclot very well. I think we will find that this is a tough way to do a question and answer session.

Wanderer Perhaps we can all get a chance to approach the podium and ask our questions in turn?

Sie Ming Let us do it that way. If you would like to ask a question please from a line at the base of the podium behind Kinko. Firedog will recognize you, and then you can ask your

question.

Firedog I’ll just answer from here to avoid tripping over each other.

Sie Ming [in reference to the disruptions chronicled in the side bar] Perhaps we should just continue. Kinko, go ahead and start.

Kinko Okay, is there a time limit to being young?

Sie Ming Hey now, only alchemy related questions tonight.

Kinko Awe…

Okay…

No questions then. *Smiles*

Sie Ming Go ahead wanderer.

Wanderer Hello, my name is Wanderer and I’m an alcoholic er…alchemst

Firedog We love you wanderer [laughter from the crowd] please continue

Wanderer *Smiles* Is there any chance we’ll be seeing alchemist specific magical items?

Firedog Yes. There is definitely a chance…

[the crowd goes wild with gasps, cheering and comments]

Firedog Now that chance may be very small… But there’s a chance.

[the crowd goes wild with hoots of laughter]

Wanderer *pouts* Good to hear it is being considered.

Firedog (Just covering my a** here) [“*”‘s are Firedog’s, not mine] Sorry for the language. I definitely would like to do that.

Azaroth Small is better than nonexistent

Reel Big Fish Durable Accurate Mortar and Pestle of Ruin. *Smiles*

Sie Ming Thank you Wanderer, Mr potion?

Mr. Potion Greetings Firedog…

Will GM Alchemists be able to grind all new potions by default?

Firedog Yes and no. There will be some that are immediately available.–but– Some will require more work. You’ll hear more about that as it’s developed.

[There is a break in the journal here, at least one answer is lost, it is the answer to Bill’s question about whether poisoning will always result in a lose of karma.]

Firedog Nimue?

Numue Are there going to be more skills added to improve alchemy kinda like meditation improved magery?



Firedog Um…

mayyyyyyybe *winks*

Sie Ming (taste id?)

Azaroth Oooh I have a question…

Damn

Sie took it *Smiles*

Wanderer ack!

Read my lips: No new skills!

Firedog Kat?

Kat Would there be a way to restrict vendor sales to certain fames (not selling toreds or thieves)? I do not [own a] vendor; I will not help PKs.

Firedog There are a lot of things under discussion right now, and I’m not sure personally how they will affect alchemy or the world in general.

[rather a long time passes here after someone takes the communication crystals from the back of the seating area. It takes a while to figure out that not everyone can hear, and a bit of time to put the spare crystals out. Then there is some discussion on who was asking the question when all of that started, and some thought as to what (if anything) could be done to keep the crystals from being stolen in the future. As it is several screens of information, and I’ve been working on this for a few hours now, I will refrain from posting it]

Drifter will alchemists really need it [taste identification]?

Firedog Well… I’m not going to talk much about this yet, because it’s still being discussed. I’d just like to remind you that most mules and mages /don’t/ have taste ID. So…. If I were going to help alchemists out… I *might* use taste ID more or something like that. Wanderer [do] you have a

horde of lawyers behind you huh? Firedog No. I’m just supposed to be careful about saying things that we might never do. Wanderer I understand, was

just joking

Drifter Thank you.

Azaroth Morgan’s question now?

Firedog Yup.

Azaroth Morgan doesn’t really see a difference between 85 and 100 poisoning skill. Are there any plans to change this. And make higher poisoning more beneficial?

Firedog I’m not looking at that script right /now/. BUT, I will. This update will be thorough and as carefully tested as possible.

[a councilor appears at this point, and a communication crystal runs out of charges. In the midst of all this, a conversation –a nice one in which Libra receives

some well deserved complements– is picked up by the comm crystals. It’s all rather confusing in the journal.]

Hythlodaeus Hello from Atlantic!

On the upcoming “research system,” I used to read on www.owo.com back in early beta about such things as needing gloves to work with nightshade so that you don’t poison yourself, boiling reagents as part of making potions and similar things, and saw the pictures of all sorts of alchemical equipment and I was quite disappointed when I actually played and alchemy was just a simple menu. Will the research system bring much more complexity and thought to the practice of alchemy?

Firedog Well, the gloves are definitely news to me. I would have to say that I can’t say much here either.*sigh* : But I do intend To bring more interest to the profession. Within the limitations of time and technology

Hythlodaeus Thank you, one other question? Do you think for newbie alchemist robes the darker reds could be thrown into the mix more? I think most people prefer it to pink. *winks* (Not a high priority I understand)

Firedog Well, I’ll look into that.

Sie Ming Thank you Hythlodaeus. Buzz, you’re next.

Buzz Aldridge Has a general time frame been set for the new alchemy to be added? and are the potions [to be added] listed [already]?

Firedog Um… not yet. And you KNOW I hate talking about times. The potions are listed.Or at least the /possible/ potions. Like a potion that improved your lockpicking, for instance… Would really be helpful for a thief. Or musicianship for a bard. Mind you, these are all just examples. Minax Like a Lubricant! Azaroth I think lubricants

would be a hit. Kinko Hmmmm…. Azaroth *Laugh* I’m not serious here



Morril Forgetfulness Potions still on the Burner

Firedog They’re definitely on the list. I don’t know if they will be in the initial potion update.

Azaroth I thought they were off the list! That’s good news.

Drifter Very good news.

Firedog /nothing/ is off the list that I have. Not every potion on that list will make the game, however.Testing first.

Balancing next.

Then we decide.

Wanderer How are you going to manage the problem of all potion recipes will most likely be posted the day after they’re discovered; hus removing the necessity of researching them ?

Firedog Well… I can’t. There are going to be ways around that, though.: Trust me. I’m /very/ into that. And I depend upon all of you to protect your profession. The better you

keep your recipes, the more you control your price.

Hythlodaeus If new potions use the new reagents, will the supplies of the monsters that carry them be increased? The lich lords especially My fear is crowding of spawns

Firedog Maybe. I’m not sure yet. There are already HUGE stockpiles of all of them. When necro appears [many of those stockpiles will be used up quite quickly].

Wanderer *mutters something about HIM not having any stockpiles*

Sie Ming Has everyone had a chance to ask at least one question? (assuming you wanted to) Lets let Ashen ask his question Go ahead Ashen…

Ashen Dymrak Thank you, would a potion that gives players small control of their statistics be out of the question ,lets say a 1 to 1 swap of 2 attributes?

Firedog No. But that’s a very thorny issue. It’s a possibility.

Ashen Dymrak I can imagine. I would suggest making it rather hard to make. *Smiles*

Firedog Of course. There will be several potions that are extremely hard to make. But that’s an issue for another time.

Drifter Even for a Grand Master? Cool!

Ashen Dymrak And one more small thing? Considering the overall move to more well characters with a single purpose instead of jacks of all trades would a bonus for the assassin when using a poisoned weapon be a possibility

Firedog Yes. A possibility.

Ashen Dymrak Great, methinks the assassin has alot of possibilities.

Firedog Assassins are not currently a big topic, but they’re one of mine…

Sie Ming Argus’s question will be the last this evening.

Argus a question about the term “hard to make” this may sound odd at first… but I fear with the aforementioned hoards of regs hard to make just means reserved for those hoarders has there been consideration for some sort of failure penalty? as examples… poison or explosion on failure of the most exciting potions? Or even worse… loss of skill points for the most desirable? i.e. giving something of yourself to create something grand? I fear the effect that macroers and hoarders will have.

Rinoa *chuckles*

Firedog That might be a bit too far… but it’s not going to be just the hoarders who make the tough potions.

Argus Good enough then. Thanks for the time.

Sie Ming Thank you Argus, and everyone else who asked questions. And especially a big thanks to Firedog for answering them.

Firedog No problem. I’d like to thank all of you, as well.

[at this point the crowd goes wild with appreciation. clapping, cheering and general whooping it up overcomes the alchemists for a period, but things calm down finally]

Sie Ming It is getting late, and I would like to know if you want to have the trivia contest or if you

would like to get to the party?

[There was a lot of support for having the trivia party yet this evening, but it turned out it was nearly all coming from Azaroth.]

Sie Ming I think we’ll get to the drinking then, and save the trivia for another day, but first I have a few more things to say (as if I don’t always). It looks like Firedog does too, so lets let Firedog go first.

Firedog *grins*

kinko *hic*

[Throughout this next section the cheering and clapping was nearly continuous. At several spots the speakers had to pause and wait for it to dye down, but it is presented here uninterrupted]

Firedog *grins*Couple of quick things. Thanks to Sie for setting up this great spread. Sorry that the twinks stole half of it…: Also, ALL of you KEEP IT UP! I’m listening. I’m watching the discussions. I want to keep you with me

on this. You’re the best board that I’ve seen for discussion. Out of ALL of them. I’m not going to be here for the party… (Gotta fix the Reactive Armor bug)But thanks again for letting me come.

Sie Ming You see: Owen Simeon

You see: Morgan

You see: BloodClot

You see: Ackrylis (young)

You see: Sie Ming

You see: Counselor Leofric

You see: crystalguard (tame)

You see: Lietgardis

You see: Ashen Dymrak Atl

You see: Buzz Aldridge

You see: Hythlodaeus

You see: kinko

You see: Rinoa

You see: Jasper (young)

You see: Azaroth

You see: Bill[Flounder, CVL]

You see: Freya

You see: Drifter

You see: Reel Big Fish

You see: Alexis

You see: Libra

You see: Minax

You see: Fleur Woodbine

You see: Morril

You see: Nimue

You see: Argus Thank you so much for those kind words, Firedog, it means a lot to us to know that you’re watch and listening to what we

say. We know that so of our ideas are off the wall and need to be brought back to earth, but just knowing that someone is listening (even when you decide against ideas) is quite wonderful.

I would like to close by saying that it is so nice to finally meet many of you in person (as it were).And as our chairs are leaving us, let us dismiss to the food and drink, for it will not last much longer either at the rate these chairs are disappearing.