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Just wanted to say that being the new month we are already on the top of the list for a few voting websites if not near the top.  Keep the votes coming, every single vote counts!

Also, hence the title of the post, I just met someone who was new to Pandora and gave them a tour.  Our strategy of pro actively assisting new players is working.  Talia, the new Pandorian I met said one of the reasons she liked Pandora is because everyone was very nice compared to other shards.  Other shards she found people were rude and unhelpful.  I believe people are scanning the voting site and selecting the  top 5-10 shards spending a few minutes on each then deciding on a home.  Please keep up the hard work and assisting new players when you see them and answering question on world chat.  It is working!

Pandorians,
I logged in yesterday and began hunting ToT's. To my surprise there was much competition and several people in both the mines and the dojo! While one might be dismayed at the sight of competition and fewer monsters to hack and slash, I was the opposite. To me it was a small sign of growth and activity within our shard. Then a new player asked for help and I assisted him for the next hour or so, and another new player right after that.  Another sign of growth.  Konstatine is right about summer down time and inactivity. But I believe that is more apparent on other shards and there is still those UO players that need there fix! And I believe they are coming to Pandora! Thank you all in joining me with this new campaign to aggresively help new players familiarize themselves with Pandora. Thank you GMNollkoll for recent event activity (not buttkissing! just showing appreciation : D  ).  Please continue to camp Insula and scout for new players.

Long live Pandora,
Mephala, HooDeHoo

I had the idea of an incentive based opportunity to promote forums activity. Simple solution, another coin store, Forum Coins, but, while giving a few tour guides to some Pandora newcomers lately, one realizes how we have enough coin systems.  Therefore, lets post some suggestions on how we could entice activity for our forum. I don't know about some of you but for me, I like to sneak on the forums at work and get updated  Here are a few of my suggestions:

-1 vote token per X amount of posts
-a special lantern that increases in levels and "ambiance" as you reach certain posts benchmarks (I remember a request in the forums for some lanterns) perhaps 8 different lanterns and you get awarded a new one for each benchmark you surpass in posts. Of course level one would be pretty simple while level 8 would be more complex
-titles, not my favorite
- some form of specialized "knighthood" from the King himself, Kon. Again based on a level system.

Only thing is, do we all start from 0 posts if we kick this off or do we get grandfathered in and our old posts are respected? #nigel

First, thank you Vorspire for putting on a little event, it was different and exciting not knowing what was coming.

Anybody ever find out what the four random bag drops do from last nights event?

After the Abyssal Cleaners did anything else happen?

I think we can all agree this is a rather slow/low time for Pandora.  I find myself asking what can we as players do?  There is several active discussion about email blasts and posting fliers.  All good work.  I finally had an idea to present to the forum and ask for input and support.

With so many different free shards out there, it is difficult to pick one and/or tell them apart. We have a new player city, and a new player system well in place. But does that truly show all that Pandora has to offer? My idea in a nutshell is camping where New Players arrive and personally escorting them around Pandora such as a tour. Then of course assisting them in finding a guild and equipment.  I am talking about actual hands on personal touch. 

I visit other shards and they are all the same in regards to entering there realm.  No one around.  All sorts of shard unique items that confuse new players. Etc...

With this method, look at how much impact 1 player can make in a shard.  Successfully escorting 1 new player a week and them becoming active Pandorians would be a victory to me. 

Kon may have stats on when new players arrive more frequently or any other information that would be helpful for us.

To extend it, perhaps an incentive reward system where when a new player is a week old they are asked by survey who assisted them or who was instrumental in there initial Pandora experience and that player would get the credit. This can obviously be further extended on.

Just a rough idea that needs refinement and input from the veterans of Pandora

Just curious on any patch updates or future plans for the shard? 

So my brother and I have a 3 month revolving gaming cycle.  We will stick to one game then go to the next, all coming full circle and eventually back to UO.  We live about 5 states away and generally game together once a week cycling through first person shooters on PS3, Age of Empires and of course, UO.  Every UO cycle, we would find a new shard, beginning painfully from scratch.  This cycle we cleverly decided to find the best shard and keep returning to UO, specifically to a specific shard.  Behold Pandora.  We have played 5 different free shards and OSI since before The Second Age.  We are very happy to be back to Pandora and see how well it is maintained and active.  We have donated, we have voted, we are home.