Pay it Forward! Back for a summer event!

[Tayne]

<p><span>Greetings folks.<p>I'm the organizer of the Pay it Forward event on the Freeport server.</p><p>What is Pay it Forward, you ask? Well it's a day when adventurers and crafters come together to donate crafted goods, items rotting away in your bank, plat, rares, masters ... you name it ... to young adventurers, asking only that they perform some random good deed for a complete stranger in return.</p><p>This event creates an incredible surge of goodwill on our server (which is already awesome as is!) and I thought I'd announce the next event for our server here (last time folks said they wanted more advanced notice). Word of the event spread to other servers and by the time it launched we had 90% of all servers game-wide participating in the event. It was unbelievably awesome, the generosity and kindness and the wonderful feedback from those who enjoyed the day.</p><p>On Freeport in February we had more than 60 people come out to donate items in the 3-hour event, held on the Isle of Mara. Everyone had a blast and walked away feeling like a million bucks -- both the givers and the receivers. The general comments were "Oh I wish I'd made more stuff" and "This was so much fun!"</p><p>People gave away adornments, rares from all tiers 10-90, fabled items, incredibly wonderful crafted items from levels 10 to 90, furniture, master spells, armour, poisons, weapons, 40-slot bags, and some even went with players who arrived on Mara and bought them housing in the city. Others even offered to craft thurga gear and AA mirrors, free of charge. No item was considered "too small" .. anything anyone did was absolutely wonderful because it's the message behind the giving -- to pay it forward and make the server a better place.</p><p>The only condition was that the person who received something had to do some good turn in kind. It was a very uplifting and fun couple of hours on Mara this past October (our second event). And it was remarkable to watch the goodwill spread as many who received items went out and ran dungeons for lower levels, or bailed someone out on a quest.</p><p>You can give away anything you like -- from crafted goods to plat, masters, expert spells or even high-level gear rotting in your bank. 40-slot bags, totems: jaguar, escape, wolf, sabertooth, etc, along with non-rare crafted goods like armour, bows and weapons are all happily gobbled up by young adventurers. Tinkered fireworks were also a big hit last time <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Let's plan to meet in Mara again in crafting/house area on Aug. 25, 2012 at 4 p.m. EST (this gives folks living in Oz a chance to participate, not too late for Euro types, and middle-of-the-road time for Left and Right coasters).</p><p>So here's the breakdown:</p><p><span style="color: #00ffff;">WHAT:</span> <strong>Pay it Forward 4</strong></p><p><span style="color: #00ffff;">WHO:</span> Anyone who cares to help make the server a better place and has items they're willing to give away, crafted or not, with no strings attached (well except for maybe a good deed or two).</p><p><span style="color: #00ffff;">WHEN:</span> Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 at 4 p.m. (EST)</p><p><span style="color: #00ffff;">WHERE: </span>Isle of Mara, next to the crafting houses just off the docks</p><p>I'll make a few announcements in game too, but for those of your friends and guildies who don't use the forums, please feel free to pass this along. I'll also likely be dropping by your server in various incarnations of Fille and Fillle and Filllle to harass you all with news of the event! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>It might also be a nice time to recruit for your guild, too, by giving you a chance to talk to the folks who show up.</p><p>For those of you interested in setting up a Pay it Forward event on another server that's not Freeport, please feel free to drop me a private message and I'll fill you in on more details. Or post in this thread about your server and location and time on Aug. 25.</p><p>Thank you in advance for all your kindness.</p><p>Fille (Jayne)</p><p>PLEASE NOTE:</p><p>*Unrest's event starts at 1pm (EST) and will run throughout the day.</p><p>*Butcherblock server will host its event at 8pm (CST) on Mara </p><p>*Nagafen folks will meet up on the Moors because it allows for immunity and lets players enjoy the event.</p><p>*Splitpaw server will host its event at 4pm GMT on Mara</p></span></p>

[Tayne]

<p>For Nagafen server only:</p><p>Please note that on Aug. 25 at 4pm EST naggy folks can meet up on Moors (immunity there so players can enjoy the event).</p><p>Send a tell to Jarack if you need any questions answered as he's graciously stepped up and volunteered to host.</p><p>Cheer!</p><p>Also note, on Guk server Kattapault is hosting -- please direct any questions her way! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Morgania434]

<p>I love your Pay it Forward events Jayne!! But this happens to be the opening Headstart day of THAT OTHER GAME!!! So Morgie won't be there <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> Good luck and have a blast !!! I know this really helps out the people still playing with good will!</p>

[Tayne]

<p><cite>Morgania434 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I love your Pay it Forward events Jayne!! But this happens to be the opening Headstart day of THAT OTHER GAME!!! So Morgie won't be there <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /> Good luck and have a blast !!! I know this really helps out the people still playing with good will!</p></blockquote><p>Doors open on that, cough, other game at 3am EST (if not earlier), gives you time to register your toon names, come back for an hour for PIF and then head into blissful sunset ... At least that's my plan <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Tayne]

<p>Gems has graciously agreed to host it on Everfrost, any questions, please contact her in game.</p>

[Tayne]

<p>Taysa and her guild Knights of Freeport have also stepped up and volunteered to host it on AB! YAY! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Send her an in game email or tell if you have questions. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Tayne]

<p>Butcherblock will also host, by Hykata at 8pm (CST) .. just show up and enjoy the fun. YAY!</p>

[Tayne]

<p>Great news! Unrest is participating in a daylong Pay it Forward event starting at 1pm EST (that's 10 am PDT) to about 6pm EST (that's 3pm PDT).</p><p>Please send questions to either Lynarra or Darkpit for details on Unrest.</p><p>YAY!</p>

[Tayne]

<p>More great news! Arkix from Permafrost is stepping up to host for his server!</p><p>Any questions direct his way!</p><p>This is awesome guys!</p>

[Tayne]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WHO TO TALK TO ON YOUR SERVER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS:</span></strong></p><p>FREEPORT: Fille</p><p>NAGAFEN: Jarack -- Meet on Moors (immunity)</p><p>GUK: Kattapault</p><p>EVERFROST: Gems</p><p>AB: Taysa</p><p>UNREST: Lynarra or Darkpit</p><p>PERMAFROST: Arkix</p><p>BUTCHERBLOCK: Hykata -- running at 8pm CST on Mara.</p><p>OASIS: need a volunteer</p><p>CRUSHBONE: need a volunteer</p><p><strong></strong></p><p>SPLITPAW: Giavania -- Splitpaw running event at 4pm GMT.</p><p><strong></strong></p>

[Tayne]

<p>Organizers, here are a few tips and tricks to running the event that we on Freeport have learned from past events:</p><p>1. Advertise early and often at different times of the day. Let 1-9 and crafting channel know. Ask folks to dig into their bank vaults and dust off items that are just sitting there rotting away that some other player could possibly use. Ask crafters to whip up a few items of their specialities, from 44 slot bags to boxes, to poisons and health/mana regeneration, to non-rare weapons and armour, to food and even furniture (even a level 92 likes some nice swag for their home). We've usually had at least three people who have offered to craft Thurga gear on demand, and with the prices of reactants dropping at lower levels, you can often craft a few rare goodies to really make someone's day. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> Some even just come out and donate plat -- I know one guy on our server has plans to donate at least 1K worth. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> You can use the tinyurl I've created to direct folks here if they have any questions: tinyurl.com/EQ2payitforward .. if that helps any.</p><p>2. Remember to remind folks that if they receive something they have to then go out and bail out some stranger with a good deed. And it has to be a stranger .. doing something nice for a fellow guildie is an everyday thing. What's special about this event is the goodwill it breeds when some random stranger helps out another. What's a good deed? Rescuing someone from getting eaten by a mob when you're out and about. Bailing out some younger player who's stuck in a dungeon or offering to run a dungeon group for folks in 1-9. Helping another player finish off a part of a questline that they're struggling with. Showing a lost player how to get somewhere. Explaining how to pick AA points for a certain class for another new player .. the possibilities are endless <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>3. On the day of the event, add those coming to donate into a raid group with you. This helps tremendously with communication so that one guy doesn't receive 100 goodies and is overwhelmed, and another is standing there with nothing. While in raid you all can communicate with each other about who's giving what to whom. It's a bit chaotic on the day of the event, but it's a good chaos and a lot of fun.</p><p>4. Have a few players use the portable gazebo by the docks so folks arriving can see where you are.</p><p>5. Make tinkered fireworks! Everyone likes to celebrate and these are relatively inexpensive to make and players seem to really enjoy them.</p><p>Other than that, however you approach the event is completely up to you. The point is that it's open to everyone and is inclusive .. which often doesn't happen in an MMO. We want to show new and old players alike that our community is vibrant and wonderful and most of all -- helpful.</p><p>Best of luck to you all, and thank you so very much for stepping up and volunteering! Hope you have a blast.</p>

[Squeecha]

<p>I guesses the Freeport Guides will has to start stocking up on shinies again......</p>

[Tayne]

<p><cite>Squeecha wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I guesses the Freeport Guides will has to start stocking up on shinies again......</p></blockquote><p>+1,000 thumbs up! I'm so glad you will be there !<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Arsonance]

<p>Time to get craftin isnt it? better send my pack pony out for a lot of trips.</p>

[rowanleigh]

<p>Hi~</p><p>I am busy coordinating the Butcherblock Decorating Challenge and this, and I have run into a snag here on this event. I work until 8:00 pm CSt, and am desperately looking for someone to be the Day of Coordinator.  I could do the event but it wouldn't get started until almost 9:30 pm.  Anyone on Butcherblock interested in being the Day of coordinator? I will make this as easy as possible by making a schedule. I did plan on raffling items at certain times for everyone in raid chat, (adorns, high level tradeskill raid items, shineys) and I do have food ready to be passed out(the SS high level ones) . I just need a day of coordinator so it doesn't happen late in the day.</p><p>Let me know if anyone on Butcherblock can help out.</p>

[funnyg480]

<p>I would love Crushbone to do this but, I dont even know where to start never did anything like this. Would someone be willing to help on Crushbone so next one I could do . I would love that. Backstabbber Dirge</p>

[rowanleigh]

<p>Note time change:</p><p>Due to the fact that I can't be at Butcherblock's event at the official time, we will be moving Butcherblock's time to 9:30 pm-10:30 pm CST on Isle of Mara.</p><p>Please come by for the festivies, I plan on all particpants recieving goodie bags and their will be raffle drawings at 9:45 pm, 10:00 pm and 10:15 pm.As well as a special event at the close, involving pigs and races. Come see on by! </p>

[Tayne]

<p><cite>funnyg480 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I would love Crushbone to do this but, I dont even know where to start never did anything like this. Would someone be willing to help on Crushbone so next one I could do . I would love that. Backstabbber Dirge</p></blockquote><p>Hon, you can. It's not overwhelming. You only have to advertise in 1-9 and then crafting channel for the next week at different times. Point folks to this forum for more info and then on the day of, organize those coming in .. put them in a raid group with you and chat as you give items away. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> It's much MUCH easier than you think. Let me know if you can pick it up for Crushbone. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Tayne]

<p>Less than a day or so until the event! Just wanted to drop a short note to say thank you so much to the server volunteers, you guys are awesome! I hope your event goes incredibly well and that you enjoy yourselves!</p><p>Shame we never got Oasis and Crushbone, but there's always next time <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[foodcity]

<p>i almost forgot about this <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" /> life has been busy, hehe..... i need to get to crafting all the repair kits for the players on unrest <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" /></p>

[zimona]

<p>The players in the Legion of Legends of Butcherblock will be participating in this and plan on being on Mara at 8pm CST!! We are so looking forward to seeing you all there. Person to contact is either Tramine or Izellia. See you there <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>/e starts packing up the horses.</p>

[zimona]

<p>repair kits ?</p>

[Tayne]

<p>yes carpenters make portable armour repair kits that are incredibly useful while out in a dungeon etc .. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Thanks Zim for stepping up to help on Butcherblock! That's awesome!</p>

[foodcity]

<p>that was a blast on unrest server <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> we also had a drawing for 600 plat <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> also, me, darkpit, and sunissa are willing to plan for the next one on unrest server <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> possibly in my house <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> when is it? next NoTD, frostfell, heroes fest???</p>

[Darkpit]

<p>Thanks to all the showed up to show their support. The event was amazing, and it was a lot of fun. Thousand of items was given out and the plat drawing at the end was great. it start with 100p, and with the generous donation from 2 people it went to 600p. So again i want to thank everyone especialy those that help me manage the confusion at first. Cheers to good times, and more to come. we actualy had a lot more come and give us their stuff and then leave.</p><p><img src="http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb414/davidbecker11/PiF.jpg" width="1024" height="576" /></p>

[devlin3373]

<p>So far, the event isn't going so well on Nagafen. I just recently heard about it, but was excited to help out the new players.  It was due to start at 4pm est in the Moors. No announcemnts, and Jarack did not show up. I did my best to announce it in lv 1-9 chat after it was due to start, and visited all the starter area and shouted info about it in Common language. It is now 5:30 pm est. So far one low level person has shown up that I have seen. There were four or five players from my guild wishing to donate items and help, and a few people from other guilds have been inquiring about how to donate in 1-9 chat. They have been asking for Jarack. I will do my best to keep trying to generate activity in it.</p>

[Darkpit]

<p>im sorry to hear that, as my co-host never showed up either.</p>

[devlin3373]

<p>Have helped two players now, lol. I will keep posting about it in 1-9. I am offering to help higher level players too, I have plenty of things in my bags taking up space, someone may want it. I tend to be a packrat. I never met a house item I didn't keep.</p>

[Tayne]

<p>Aw Dev, I'm sorry it didn't go well on Naggy but don't be discouraged. Usually the first time it runs on a server it's a little bumpy. The next event will get more word of mouth going and you'll likely have more.</p><p>It was a huge success on Freeport again. The community is so incredibly generous and kind. We had more than 300 folks show up to get items with at least 100 people as donators with bags stuffed with all kinds of goodies. The event couldn't have been better, it was wonderful to see so many come out.</p><p>And as cheesy as it sounds, these events really cannot happen without the generosity of the community and their efforts. I just babble at you in 1-9 and crafting channel and you all rise beautifully to the challenge. Thank YOU for making it such a wonderful event.</p><p>And a special thank you to the five guides who showed up to give away their coveted shinies. I was overwhelmed with how many of you came out and I'm so grateful you donated time and energy and goodwill to the event. Thank you!</p>

[foodcity]

<p>this was so fun on unrest server <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" /> something random and somewhat odd that we did was a sort of air show on our flying mounts, hehe <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" /> still though.... when is the next one?! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Skyana]

<p>This was a huge sucess on the AB Server, big props to Taysa and Arquenniel of the Knights of Freeport for putitng it together there.  I think we had over five guilds there helping hand out stuff to folks.</p>

[Tayne]

<p>Aw that's fabulous!! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>You'll have to add a few more details, I'd love to know how it went on .. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[rowanleigh]

<p>Butcherblock survived the many time changes to have a great 1st time event! We had more goodies to give than players who took them, and I think next time it will be better organized-which I caught the criticism of our disorganization in level chat, plus we had the "Beavis and Butthead" dude starting his own auction on the isle. Of course there is always "that" guy at these events, you know the one who at ANY concert, including the CSO's Handel's Messiah concert who is going to stand up light his lighter and yell "FREEBIRD", so I found it rather amusing and just ignored the whole thing. Why feed the trolls?</p><p>We had fun, foinix our guide was so AWESOME! and did a lot of fun things. We had raffle drawings, and we had chocolate pudding fight and A "Run Naked through the pig fields of mara, did I say naked enough times there?"  race.</p><p>Now on to the absoulute best part-my thanks and gratitude to:</p><p>first and foremost, Malice of Wonderland for their AWESOME organizing skills, crafting and showing out in full force! they rose to the challenge, including me surprising them with the "HEY! we will have chocolate pudding fight and Malice is hosting it!" in level chat. Hathun and his crew were excellent.Gerand organized my raid for me, I am totally lost in that arena, thank you! Twylight handled the announcing for me. I could not have done this without all of Malice's help. </p><p>Prymordial donated 17! distilled manas for the raffle drawing. That was awesome. </p><p>Adriessah, Nawtic and Eleise for crafting  before and at the event!</p><p>Legion of legends for being present and giving stuff away.</p><p>Foinix! our guide for being awesome and a great sport.</p><p>Norrathan crafting alliance as always-our server is always in your debt.</p><p>And the tons of other people who helped, gave away stuff, showed up, answered questions when I wasn't there, and were just generally awesome! I know I missed some by name, but please know you have my gratitude and a appreciation.</p><p>We have a better plan for better organization next time, and more people who are willing to help with setup and promotion and running the event.</p><p>My server is the best! thanks again everyone!</p>

[Dexella]

<p><cite>foodcity wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>this was so fun on unrest server <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" /> <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">something random and somewhat odd that we did was a sort of air show on our flying mounts</span></strong>, hehe <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" /> still though.... when is the next one?! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Did anyone get a screenshot of this? I'd love to see it and include it in a wrap-up feature! </p>

[Tayne]

<p>Ack! How clumsy of me .. and of course a BIG BIG thank you to Dexella who went above and beyond in helping to get the word out with adding the event to player's in-game calendar and doing that lovely writeup. I've thank you over and over in private messages, but I really should be singing your praises publically too. Thank you for everything!</p>

[Skyana]

<p>With the various player run festivals on AB we have experience with trying to get the word out.   So I believe Taysa was not only heralding the channels ( our term for advertising) she did a shout out in all of the lowbie zones as well periodically.   We had about 15 folks at once standing out just handing out stuff to anyone that showed up, there were probably a good 20+ all together that helped with it.  I didn't keep track of all the guild names but I think more then 5 less then 10 guilds participated in the hand out.   We had crafters on call to outfit folks that needed help with things.  I know I took time myself to completely outfit a couple of new folks to the game.    Arquienelle (Forgive my spelling) did a wonderful job coordinating the whole thing.   Players were given everything from plat, armor, potions, ammo, weapons, masters, food, drink and house items.</p><p>We got a lot of, wow this community is friendly and supportive, wow we are impressed and lots of thank yous.  So thanks for thinking this up!</p>