Is there any way to check is a character is dormant but hasn't reached the auto delete point? Of the three cabals I was looking into, there's only one I haven't spoken (IG) with someone about...Fired off a note, of course, but still no response and I've never seen the person in the game. Do I just have to hope for a response and wait and see if he shows up on the Battlefield forum?

Sorry, there's no way to check. If you're interested in that cabal or want more information, you can try going to said cabal and finding someone that is not a leader in that cabal. If you can't find anyone inside of the cabal, you can try again later or ask around about certain people or if they know anyone that is in a certain cabal. If all else fails the lyceum has some information about various cabals plus the help files (but I'm certain you've looked at those).

If you find you're really interested in a cabal and you've decided to join, you can write a note stating you'd like to join. Then RP this out just as if you were allready a member of said cabal. Sure, you don't have their nice cabal powers, but you can act like you are an active member. If you still can't find a cabal leader, the probably is high that an immortal of the cabal can bump you up.

Good luck!

Worked pretty well. One more thing...

In another thread, it was mentioned that joining the Fortress would probably bring in lots of RP and such. How do the Heralds compare?

If you are stuck between the two, you should think of what you would like to learn with this character. Within Heralds, you’ll be able to role play constantly and vocally, but you may often find yourself restricted to a half empty Inn (maybe even role playing with Olin). In Fortress you’re going to be constantly in motion (or should be in my opinion) fighting darkness/aiding the light. You’ll be subjected to a vast amount of player killing opportunities. That’s not to say that Heralds are completely void of this, but you will get significantly more within Fortress. In Herald, you could find yourself surrounded by lots of quirky personalities that may allow your own role play to flourish, but in fort you may still find this, yet it will be significantly less. In Heralds, you will not have to bother yourself with cabal item retrieval, but you’ll find you will spend a great deal of time in cabal wars while in Fortress.

Both cabals can help you as a player learn more about this game while having a great experience, but it’s all really up to what you want to do/learn with this character.

You’ll be subjected to a vast amount of player killing opportunities.

...you’ll find you will spend a great deal of time in cabal wars while in Fortress.

That right there is almost enough for me to completely rule out the Fortress. :P

Thanks for the info.

Ok, let me speak from my personal experience then. I used to play Heralds and only Heralds. I loved playing Heralds, but when some big bad person came to the Inn... well, I was toast. Did it make me a better role player in the end? Sure, I think I do just fine. That being said, after playing only Heralds for so long, I was significantly lacking in player killing skills. When I finally decided to try out different cabals, I looked like I was a total newb again. I think if you want to play a herald for your first character, go for it. It will most likely be a really great experience for you, but I will urge you not to continue playing consecutive Heralds. This is a player killing and role playing mud, and to take in the whole experience of what Carrion Fields is try something else for your next character. You will at least have a wonderful basis for your next character by being a Herald. Oh, and identify everything.

Good Luck!

Oh, wherever I decide to go, the next character will be something different. And believe me, I've come to terms with the fact that CF is a PK mud--that being said, I've never really been a hard core PK type. Essentially, it's not something I want to be the center of a character, though I don't mind PK itself to a moderate degree.

And there's another thing...I don't really want to log in and find myself defending/attacking in a cabal raid every day. I haven't completely ruled out the Fortress--there are other factors to consider, of course--but bleh, I was in a situation like that on the last mud I played (every freaking day :x), and it kinda left me burnt out when it comes to that stuff.

It's the best way to learn and get comfortable with it. You can't completely avoid PK on CF, so getting yourself used to it is always a good idea. Once you come to terms with dying (or killing people) you'll find yourself having even more fun.

Actually, while I tend to not be a big PK'er, I do enjoy cabal raiding and defending and retrieving. It's a really interesting dynamic of the game. Even if you decide not to go for a cabal that has an active raiding theme with this character, try and plan to do it with one down the road.

There will be no white flag above my door. - Dido

Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to cry
So come on courage
Teach me to be shy
Cause it's not hard to fall - Damien Rice

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter, footsteps even lighter - Kelly Clarkso

You don't have to cabal, but if you want to accelerate the learning process it is a good way to go about it. I played about 5 or 6 uncabal'd characters when I first started just to get a feel of the gameplay and figure stuff out. Until this mud I hadn't played a mud since I was in high school and it was on a bulletin board system, mid 90's or so. So when I started I was totally lost.

I've seen you play and you are a good role player. You are new and it shows but you'll do well in or out of a cabal. The first cabal'd character I played was in fortress and I learned tons because your cabal mates are more likely going to take the time to take you around and show you were to get stuff when there is down time. They'll probably take a look at you and realize you need this (outfitting), while interactions with other characters they may or might not do this. They might just want you for ranking and that's it.