As I mentioned a bit ago, I'm playing on the Test Server now (as Talies, a
Half-Elven Bard, naturally.) One thing I noticed right off - there's a
LOT higher percentage of Bards on the Test Server, vs. other servers I've
played on. I didn't have to wonder too long, either - as soon as I made
6th level, I found just how powerful I really was! Fighting yellow-to-me
Gnome Enchanters, while their spells would waste me pretty effectively, I'd
just run in, wail on their pet, wail on them and then back off - they'd
always run out of mana before they could finish me off, and then run away
while I dealt with their pet. Rather then following, I was retreating and
healing - I healed faster than they could possibly gain their mana back
especially since they were running away) And since the most common PvP
tactic is "Root'em and Pummel'em", I'm pretty well immune to that. I am
*NOT* immune to fear, charm or other annoying "Take control" things (as I
learned while trying to test a potential bug.*)

Now understand this: I never provoked any attacks. I always went in
unarmed, greeted them warmly, and even if they attacked me, I asked them
not to, then warned them to stop interfering with the mail (I was on the
FedEx Quest). Finally, I'd have to whip out the sword, and go at it. The
first time I did that was to a necromancer, she and her enchanter buddy
were wailing on me for all they were worth (1 pt, 2 pt, miss miss miss),
and saying how fun it was, and "En Guarde!" etc. I was laughing at the
computer watching this, but I had to keep saying things like "Don't make me
hurt you..." So finally, I drew my Fine Steel Longsword, and swung at the
necromancer (who'd been draining my health). *crunch* 12 points. Not much,
true, but she panicked "RUN AWAY!!!" Her buddy left me his pet and fled,
and would go a little ways, cast choke on me, then summon another pet. It
was funny, really. I killed three of his pets before catching up to him at
the entrance to Ak'anon where he begged for backup. 3 Spellcasters, all
hitting me, and I *STILL* got the enchanter down to less than half a
bubble, doing the death crawl to get away. I was hurting m'self, and
didn't really want to kill him, so I turned, kicked in Selo's and
high-tailed it out of there. Nearly died anyway, to a nicely timed and
well executed backstab, but fortunately, the Hymn twisted with Selo's saved
m'life.

Now THAT'S a great one to tell the grandkids.

Word of warning to would-be travelers: Faction hits *are* implemented, and
they look functional.

Talies the Wanderer, Test Server, Bristlebane, Rallos Zek (as Tallies)