Entertainer Archive

Having just started another new entertainer character (Estemus on Bria) I'm struck once again by two relatively simple things that should be added at some point just because it makes sense. Sensible staging.

Yes, I know the PC cantinas have a stage, as do hotels. But lets face it, neither is very sensible. NPC cantinas, which most need some sense of order as they get the most activity, have no staging at all. The result is an incomprehensible mix of scantily clad women gyrating near the doors and dozens of sentients clamoring and not looking like much more than some brothel scene than a bar. NPC cantinas have a T shape which sort of works...assuming you only want one headliner to have the attention. The hotel stage...well, the few I have scene wouldn't fit three entertainers on it.

A few thoughts I had on making this more sensible: the most obvious is more staging thought. Perhaps clearing out some of the alcoves that can be set as stages. Preferably clearing out two on one side and redesigning so it fits a larger stage area.

Second, assigned staging. I mean by this perhaps seperating out the stage areas to have a musician and a dancer area. Leave it possible to play anywhere but offer a healing bonus or otherwise some benefit for the seperation. Wouldn't it be nice if Dancers could perform shows without having to stick their heads in my stomach while I'm playing? It's not that interesting in there...I'm an Ithorian! In my wildest hopes I would love to see a more traditional real life club set up, with band pits and tiered stages and perhaps even cages that master entertainers could play in...but I know that's extremely unlikely.

Third, limit buffing. I've had a radical idea about this...buffing is in theory happening because the entertainers are being watched and listened to, and helping the player "relax". Do most people relax standing at ready with weapons in full body armor watching each others shoulders? No, they sit down, have a drink, and unwind. I Would really really love to see buffing only be possible on sitting targets. And I would really really love it if PC's got bonuses to their buffs if they drank drinks or ate while in the cantinas.

Fourth, of course, is one I think few would disagree with...add more lighting! Yes, I know two cantinas seen in teh movies were dimly lit....but lets limit the access to the cannon for a bit. Entertainers pride is in their clothing and appearence, and spending the several thousnd credits for your brightly colored costume so it can appear another bright shade of grey in the cantina really sucks. Really. Sure, we can get around this by turning on the personal light...but again, where's the attention to canon in having dozens of people with flashlights hanging around a cantina?

Partially along with Four, perhaps more personal lighting? I know the effects the higher tiers have, and frankly they're pretty but useless. Glow-globe arakyd droids would be alogical step for an entertainer to carry - especially as they could carry ent packages. But even glow-sticks, radiant headgear or reflective panels on clothes could be useful to draw attention to an entertainer, as well as create some pleasing effects.

Anyway just some thoughts.

Flicker Skylighter
Fatal Exceptions
Master Ranger

Estemus Ithorius
Fatal Exceptions
Master Entertainer, Musician