Hard Look at RID Forts

Arev · Post by **Arev** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:17 pm

Gentlemen,

After May 1st, the Regal Imperial Defenders will no longer be able to 'control' several cities effectively with the auto-pack inactive citizens feature in place. While this is a good thing for the grand scheme of the game, it unfortunately means RID simply won't be able to manage several cities with our thinly spread numbers. I had to buy a third account to ensure Fort Keen was able to maintain its 30 citizens. We have, on average, a dozen members on (with /who), although with GU8, we may realize we have more on, but the issue remains that despite members with multiple accounts, RID cities will no longer be RID villages at our current rate of active-inactive memberships. Remember, it is not about an account being active, but whether or not that character is logging in.

So, this forces us to ask hard questions:

1. Do we prioritize certain cities to move (new) members to?

2. Do we require members maintain citizenship in an RID city?

3. How do we qualify an 'RID city'?

4. Is there a point in which we say, "You can't move to that city, this city needs more citizens."?

5. Is RID city consolidation in the near future?

Look, fellas, as much as you may not want to hear it, but if RID doesn't maintain a certain percentage of citizenship in our cities, which we won't be able to since we'll need to recruit actively outside of the PA to maintain rank, our cities will be very easy to take over. That's the cold, hard truth. Fort Nar Shadda's biggest strength is that it's on Dantooine and allows many types of building styles, Forts Keen, Victory, Oasis, and Endeavor are limited to two. (I didn't include Sarlaac, since it is really an exception to the rule, but I don't believe it is an RID city either. Likewise, I didn't count Forts Legacy and and Sparta for obvious reasons. Fort Victory/D'aroo is an ambiguous area.)

I'm sure there is more I'm forgetting, but I'm bushed. I'll see you all tomorrow.

Bovive · Post by **Bovive** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:26 pm

Whatever you guys feel is best.

Bovive · Post by **Bovive** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:06 am

Thinking about this some more, I 100% agree with Arev. I do not do much to promote new citizens to Fort Oasis because Lexx seems to always have that covered. I always promote people to either Nar Shadda or Fort Keen because that is where the active RID Mayors reign control. I'm not sure how easy it will be to "require" RID members to maintain citizenship, but only because I have never been a mayor. I guess if you are notified that someone is no longer a citizen each mayor could keep track. Here is my opinion on qualifying a RID City:

1) Accepted as an Official RID City by the Council
2) Run by a RID Mayor that we feel is dedicated to RID (Tired of losing cities to dumb ass people that leave for another guild and honestly really steal the city).
3) Have an active Mayor that does promote the city. We cannot be given the task to run it for them or to be their "recruitment team".
4) Cities with a shuttleport already should be given preference to maintain it. I would think it would be very hard to get it back after being lost.
5) I don't have a fifth idea.

This 90 day deal is gonna hit us hard, that I am sure of. I can activate my alts every time before the 90 days is up to keep Nar Shadda active if that is needed by Daiho. If we choose say three cities to be our top dogs I will work to place the new TCG structures in each city. I already have a Diner in Nar Shadda and Fort Oasis. I have a barn in Fort Oasis, but damnit Barns really suck. I may be willing to help cover the costs of getting a Diner in Fort Keen, but not 100% of the costs. However, if Daiho has not decorated the Diner in Nar Shadda yet, I will give him a certain amount of time to do so before I move it to Fort Keen (Arev, I know u will decorate it). Last I checked the Nar Shadda Diner was undecorated and set on private. I will not see a Diner go to waste. I also stated the stipulations of it being decorated before, but never game a time frame. If it is not decorated I will give Daiho 30 days to do so. I also believe that we should have a guild treasury to pay for structures and such for the cities we choose to promote. Yes, I know that you guys know I am a rich bastard billionaire. I don't mind helping, but I'm not gonna give away credits left and right or I'll just be a poor bitch again lol. Anyways, I have tons of stuff to donate for the treasury, or decorate new structures. Ok, I typed too much (AARRGGHHH, I'm turning into Lexx!!!!)

Post by **Lexx Yovel** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:44 am

I don't want to sound like a greedy, self-centered person, but Fort Oasis I feel, has sort of been the priority city since our founding. It's our capital, and was the city established not long after RID's founding. It's always been recognized by others as the "RID" city, and has been home to a number of events, including server-wide celebrations and guild meetings. I know how much people hate Tatooine though... lol.

Though, that's not to say we need to be so quick to jump to a decision right now. Lets think about what cities we have "control" over so to speak:

1.) Fort Oasis: Ran by me (obviously a RID member). Used to only accept RID members, but now I've been moving in un-guilded neutrals and Imperials (un-guilded due to certain security measures

)

2.) Fort Endeavour: Ran by my alt (also obviously a RID member). It's a Level 2 city, but should soon be level 3. It's on Tatooine, right near Fort Tusken. It has like no RID members. It accepts any neutrals and Imperials.

3.) Fort Sparta: This one we don't need to concern ourselves with. It's virtually completely operated by Darkachilles and his -AI- guild. We try to maintain good ties with them, but that's about it. They have it covered.

4.) Fort Legacy: This one we don't need to concern ourselves with either. It's ran by Osar of RMNT, and has no RID citizens to my knowledge. He's probably going to struggle with maintaining it, and I'll help him however possible, though he should be able to handle it.

5.) Fort Victory: This one we should be helpful with. It's ran by Erougn. While he's no longer a RID member, the location is unique in that it's very close to the Restuss Imperial Base. Fortunately, Erougn seems to be doing a good job maintaining it.

6.) Sarlaac City: This one is ran by Rett of RID. It'll soon be transferred to Piffe (Daiho's alt), at least as a temporary measure, since Rett hasn't been playing much. It currently has enough to maintain city status, so we'll let it run its course.

7.) Fort Nar Shadda: Ran by Daiho of RID, seems to be well covered.

8.) Fort Keen: Ran by Arev. Not much more needs to be said.

So given this information, we have like four cities we have *true* influence over: Fort Oasis, Fort Endeavour, Fort Nar Shadda and Fort Keen. I am confident I can ensure the security of Fort Oasis and Fort Endeavour. So that leaves Fort Keen and Fort Nar Shadda.

I believe we should wait until GU8, when the official citizen inactivity list comes out. That way, we can judge just how severe citizen inactivity really is. It's quite possible we're overestimating the amount of citizens that don't really log on.

Also, I agree with Bovive in that we can't run cities for them. Too many times, mayors contact me, looking for me to help them and their cities. I have to gently tell them they're the mayor, and it's ultimately their responsibility.

I don't think we need to really do a Council vote to determine which cities are RID cities, though I think we can make a general judgment call as to which cities should receive priority. Obviously, cities like Fort Sparta wouldn't receive this priority, since as far as I'm concerned, -AI- can deal with it.

Also, we do sort of require RID-city citizenship for all members, alts included. It's sort of an unwritten rule which I haven't voiced clearly... though now would probably be the time to tell all current members that if you don't have citizenship in a RID city on *all* your characters, now would be the time to do so. We provide free-housing and enough maintenance credits to last them several months... so it's not like they can't, unless they're really need the lots for factories or something.

Bovive · Post by **Bovive** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:49 am

Agreed. I was unaware of the current Mayors. I knew Daiho might take over Sarlaac City on an Alt but I did not know that he did so. Be careful with Sarlaac City, I know people from there that may want to run against him if not spoken to first. I believed that Fort Oasis was doing quite well, but everything changes come that 90 day deal. IMO Fort Oasis is ALWAYS #1. However, if it is not in danger I suggest Fort Keen and Nar Shadda as the other two. Fort Endeavour, never been there. Perhaps we can talk about this a bit more, I am ignorant to the details surrounding that city. Screw Erougn, I was done with him a long time ago. No RID Mayor = Not our city. That's just a fact.

Post by **Lexx Yovel** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:56 am

Yeah, good call on Sarlaac City. I'm going to make sure that Rett send out a city-wide mail which clarifies that Piffe is a very close friend of Rett, and then he'll make a great mayor of the city.

And yeah, I do generally agree with No RID Mayor = No RID city. It's mostly a symbolic gesture to recognize the city as affiliated with us. Though Erougn can certainly get his own city covered on his own.

I'll check my PM's now

Arev · Post by **Arev** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:54 am

On the other hand, what if we said that it is a privilege to be recognized as an RID city and that those which qualified would received priority with citizenship? I'm looking at the situation like this: While I agree, once GU8 arrives we'll receive a clearer picture on the situation, but I'm looking at the 'defense' of our cities from potential takeover, because with fewer active members, it'll be hard to move people around to defend our cities in such situations.

I also agree that Fort Oasis should be viewed as our priority city. But then which city is #2? #3?

I agree with Bovive's qualifications as an RID city, except for #3. Despite what jokes you may make, the Council should serve as a 'bailout' in many ways, helping to rally support for our cities. If the Executive Council is made up of the Leader and Officers of the PA, then it should be willing to muster support for its mayors.

I also appreciate the offer for the Diner, Bo. You will see it decorated promptly. My secret: I have helpers in Fort Keen. For the past 8 months, I've always had women help me run the city.

Lexx, from this discussion, it is worth amending the our RID Fort listing?