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Server transfer

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:32 am
by Ricold
Sorry about the downtime yesterday, taking a full manual backup has never been the most smooth of exercises.

I'm starting the process of moving our hosting out from under us. We will be trying desperately not to have more than a few days downtime, but.... you all by now know that my plans have never happened as intended.

So downtime will happen, the odd post may be lost.

I also remind the staff not to post while the board is disabled please. I know you can log in as normal, just keep half an eye on the top of the page where it may say in FULL CAPS that the board is offline.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 5:04 pm
by SpellArcher
Thanks Ric.

Can't see the warning you're referring to, so posting. Though I couldn't get in yesterday so maybe only Loremasters could?

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:46 pm
by Ricold
Bump. Just a reminder that this is still (slowly) happening. If I can get decently organised, downtime will be sometime next week

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 9:33 pm
by Ricold
Welcome to the shores of Naggaroth. We will be setting up camp here while the island makes it's way over.

Or in real terms: The site looks like it has transferred with success. Please return to your normal posting. Keep your eyes on www.ulthuan.net. When it stops giving the board offline message, then you can go back to using that web address. It'll point to the same site you're reading now.

Someone else might be able to explain that one better.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 10:37 am
by Daeron
By the looks of it, the DNS migration happened. The migration can be finalized tonight.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 6:54 pm
by Daeron
And done. Please go to http://ulthuan.net

You may have to delete your ulthuan.net cookies to log in.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 4:00 am
by Swordmaster of Hoeth
Thanks a lot guys!

What is it going to change from the point of view of a regular forum member?

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:29 am
by Ferny
Swordmaster of Hoeth wrote:Thanks a lot guys!

What is it going to change from the point of view of a regular forum member?
Probably nothing, although technically (literally, technically :P) we are in the gentle hands of our dark brothers. However, unlike in the game setting, I think Daeron and his team will get on just fine with the HE crew :)

I think Asraii migrated over to druchii.net not so long ago and to my knowledge there hasn't been any change to functionality or moderation/staffing there?

Many thanks Ric, Daeron and anyone else behind the scenes who have made the transfer so smooth!

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 10:23 am
by Swordmaster of Hoeth
In that case Malekith is the Big Boss now? :-P

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 1:14 pm
by Ricold
Swordmaster of Hoeth wrote:Thanks a lot guys!

What is it going to change from the point of view of a regular forum member?
Two: Daeron is now an administrator, and I'm going to give up on it soon.

But otherwise nothing, we've changed backends.

Oh, I suppose if we crash our server it'll take the Druchii down with us.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 2:37 pm
by Ferny
Swordmaster of Hoeth wrote:In that case Malekith is the Big Boss now? :-P
Well, it is The End Times :P .

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 4:39 am
by Swordmaster of Hoeth
End Times ... horrible ...

Another question, if you don't mind. The way it looks from the point of view of an ordinary forum member is that people post on druchii as they used to, those on ulthuan the same so that there is no "one forum to rule them all". But are there any plans to revitalize both in the future? Any joint projects etc.?

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 7:56 pm
by Rork
Swordmaster of Hoeth wrote:In that case Malekith is the Big Boss now? :-P
Khorne is your lord now, oddly enough :twisted:

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 8:21 am
by Daeron
Swordmaster of Hoeth wrote:End Times ... horrible ...

Another question, if you don't mind. The way it looks from the point of view of an ordinary forum member is that people post on druchii as they used to, those on ulthuan the same so that there is no "one forum to rule them all". But are there any plans to revitalize both in the future? Any joint projects etc.?
This was the initial plan: bringing all forums together under 1 host, with each their own domain. This was the highest priority, since it reduces costs (to a third) and allows a few webmasters to support all 3 of the communities if needed.

Bringing the forums together under 1 joint site is optional. This decision lies with all of you.
It can be done at any point in time of our choosing..

I think the biggest deciding factor should be whether it's beneficial for the community. I'm in favour but.. I also think our individual communities have a unique and strong identity. This has been part of our history, army, fun and flair. I wouldn't want to compromise too much on this identity. In other words: it needs to be done "right", and not be just a merged forum.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 9:12 pm
by SpellArcher
Rork wrote:Khorne is your lord now, oddly enough
I fear so!

Image

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 7:17 am
by Rork
My corrupting influence is working!

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 2:44 pm
by Daeron
A quick heads-up. In an attempt to cut costs, we'll be making a few modifications to our hosting plan. This should not affect the server in any way... In theory, at least.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 10:34 am
by Swordmaster of Hoeth
Daeron wrote:This was the initial plan: bringing all forums together under 1 host, with each their own domain. This was the highest priority, since it reduces costs (to a third) and allows a few webmasters to support all 3 of the communities if needed.

Bringing the forums together under 1 joint site is optional. This decision lies with all of you.
It can be done at any point in time of our choosing..

I think the biggest deciding factor should be whether it's beneficial for the community. I'm in favour but.. I also think our individual communities have a unique and strong identity. This has been part of our history, army, fun and flair. I wouldn't want to compromise too much on this identity. In other words: it needs to be done "right", and not be just a merged forum.
Hi Daeron,

I didn't ask about the way forums are going to operate from the user point of view. I don't mind either. I wonder if the fact that two (three?) forums are joining on the same server also means that there will be some initiatives to re-vitalize them? I would like to know if there are any plans as to which direction the forums are going to take. Do you, as admins, want it to be the ones that support T9A only? Or is it for more systems? If yes, then which ones and how do you want to do so etc.?

Cheers!

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 1:58 pm
by Calisson
Swordmaster of Hoeth wrote:I wonder if the fact that two (three?) forums are joining on the same server also means that there will be some initiatives to re-vitalize them? I would like to know if there are any plans as to which direction the forums are going to take. Do you, as admins, want it to be the ones that support T9A only? Or is it for more systems? If yes, then which ones and how do you want to do so etc.?
As Daeron said, the migration was a first step which allows to consider more.
What matters is the wish of the 3 communities.
Last year, trend seemd to wish to share possibly Painting and Modelling, the rest remaining separated.
At the moment, there is no specific plan to do "more".

-=-=-
Now, what can be done, rather than merely witness our decay into oblivion?

As you mention, T9A is an opportunity.
Let's analyse it.

-=-=-
Our 3 websites have two added values compared to T9A website:

1. We are specialized in 1 faction.
T9A has specialized factions sub-forums, but not with the atmosphere, the developed forums and the rich archives that we have in our 3 forums.
For that reason, I am now much less enthusiastic about the idea of merging the 3 websites into a single elven one. Having tools and certain forums in common, yes. But we have a vital need to preserve our 3 separate identities, else we would lose one added value compared to T9A forum.
A caveat: we are tuned to WH8 fluff, not to the approximatively related T9A fluff. The feeling of the factions remains, but every name changes.

2. We are not specialized in T9A.
In T9A forum, you meet only enthusiastic supporters of T9A. People have matured enough and do not criticize anymore AoS, perceived as an alternative game fitting legitimally the needs of certain players. But you would not expect to discuss AoS tactics or KoW tactics there. Here, we can. So we must keep doing so.

-=-=-
A possibility to consider, when the T9A fluff for our factions will be released (full rulebook soon; then HE said to come before DE), is to get closer to that fluff rather than to keep adhering to the dead WH8 fluff.
This should help attract young members, who more and more will not have been exposed to WH8.
In principle, we should also get some taste of AoS fluff, but there, even the factions as we know do not really exist. And I do not like that fluff...

I can only hope that the added value of being more fluffy than T9A website will help to revive our old websites. Sure, it did not do much for Asrai.org yet, but on the other hand, they did nothing to adapt to T9A fluff.
Once we are adapted to T9A fluff, it will be up to us as T9A users to advertize in T9A website subforums, and tell that there are specialized websites with a dedicated fluffy atmosphere and experienced players to meet.

But besides the fluff, we should remain open to all other games.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 10:12 pm
by Ferny
Swordmaster - what's the fluff like for KoW? Is that something which could be built on here, assuming more KoWers come over?

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 6:40 am
by Prince of Spires
Activity on the forum is a bit up and down. But overal, I think it's more up then down lately. Summertime is always a bit slower then other times, so nothing new there.

With this in mind, I prefer keeping the forums separate. We're not big enough to compete with other generic WH forums. Which means we have to do something else to have a reason to exist. And that means finding a niche and being the biggest in there. Our niche is HE (or HBE), and we're doing that reasonably well. So let's keep doing that.

It will take some time to grow a larger following in T9A players but we're slowly moving in that direction.

I do think we have room for more cross-forum initiatives. We've become virtual roommates, so we're more likely to run into each other. So we can look into organizing activities together.

A more concrete area where we could work together perhaps is in non-WH related games. I think it's an area where non of the forums has a big presence. And perhaps if we combine our user base there, then we'll have enough users to get some interesting discussions on KoW or other similar games.

Rod

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:50 am
by Swordmaster of Hoeth
Thanks for the replies.

My understanding is that the focus will be on Warhammer in its various forms in general and on T9A in particular, despite the fact it has its own forum.

@ Ferny

Could you be more specific? I am not sure what would you like to know in particular.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 12:29 pm
by Ferny
Well, I know there's a world called Mantica, and I know that it is populated by races broadly analagous to the old WH world, but I know nothing of their fluff.

By contrast, the old WH was built on fluff. I've even seen people argue that part of the reason balance was always so hit or miss was because it was roleplay and storytelling first and gaming second (I'm not sure I buy that, but I take the point).

The new T9A background I don't know so well (at all), but it is being built and is getting high-level attention. I'm very curious to see how they handle HBE.

KoW has been around a bit longer than T9A but a lot less time than Warhammer, in its various iterations and editions. I was wondering where it stands with fluff - does it have it as well as just stats? Does it put fluff into its ABs and RB? Does it have fluff books? Could the world be used for storytelling and roleplay, as was done in the past on this forum with warhammer world? Do races have solid traits and tropes? Are there exciting dramatis personae which you can follow, love or hate (or love to hate)? I really know next to nothing about Mantica fluff, even though I've played the game a couple of times.

Re: Server transfer

Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 11:52 am
by Swordmaster of Hoeth
Hi Ferny,

Sorry for a long delay in replying. I am not visiting this forum that often these days.

There are 3 books that has been released for 2nd edition of KoW so far:

1. Kings of War v.2 - main resource, 200+ book with background, rules and army lists.
2. Uncharted Empires - 76 pages, additional army lists.
3. Destiny of Kings - 58 pages, campaign book.

Main book has about 40 pages of general background, about world of Mantica, main races and their history. In addition, each army list has a a few pages of dedicated background plus each unit has a few sentences of a description. Uncharted Empires follows what is done for army lists in the main rulebook.

Destiny of Kings provides rules for campaigns in general and several scenarios with additional background story about the forces involved.

There are no novels in the world of Mantica so far. You can have some stories in the IronWatch fan based magazine but I haven't read these.

There is also Dungeon Saga, that is a skirmish type of a game, closer to RPG experience I think but again, I haven't read the rule book. I am sure that they would add some background stories there though.

In general, I learned that it is far better to approach KoW as an autonomous system, not a substitute for Warhammer. It really deserves that. I understand that comparisons are simply too tempting to avoid but you would give yourself a favor if you didn't do that. And if you really must then compare it to the second edition of Warhammer too.

I would not compare KoW to T9A either because T9A is not a game designed from scratch and even if the background is being developed further it is still heavily based in what was developed for Warhammer over a few decades.

The foundations you have for background in the world of Mantica are solid. The forces may look often familiar but they are quite unique, as far as it is possible in the fantasy world settings. Yes, there are some heroes and villeins, some tragic stories that explain the current state of conflict, the reasons why different factions treat each other the way they do etc. It is the world to be explored. In fact, this stage is perfect for you to create something unique for your own.

Generic forces such as Elves, Dwarves or Orcs have their unique twist. Humans are actually more versatile, as they have 4 different army lists and not all of them are good (important for the purpose of allies). But there are also very unique armies, such as Night-Stalkers or Trident Realms (think Fishmen) and people showed fantastic creativity in making models/units for these.

Hope that helps.