A healer has been killed at the local asylum and now you are trying to find out what happened. (This is a small scenario written for the "Bioware Writing Competition".)
Hi BB, [QUOTE]Firstly, you have made a considerable number of grammatical errors. At least six. [/QUOTE] I am not above reproach ? I have never said I was. In fact, I have admitted that anyone can be ?word blind?, especially with their own work. The important point here, however, is that you point these errors out to me so that I can improve on my work. [QUOTE]Secondly, I can?t see how this could possibly succeed as a side quest. A main quest, yes; but, coming into a ?side quest,? I know my memories. I know who my PC is and where they have been. Therefore, I don?t like it when I have to rediscover myself, and I don?t like having a familiar/unfamiliar voice talking in my ear.[/QUOTE] If anything, that is why it can serve as a side-quest. You are correct in that you do believe you recall your memories, but either because of insanity or a Suggestion spell, your recollection is wrong. After all, does a madman know he is mad? I know someone under the power of suggestion does not know it. ;) [QUOTE]I did suspect Blather as being Dark Heart; but, after going upstairs to confront the alleged Dark Heart, I found myself locked-in to suffocating her, without even knowing the effect it would have. [/QUOTE] Incorrect. You are NOT ?locked-in to suffocating her?. You can choose to trust her. You obviously just did not have the trusting nature to play it that way. ;) [QUOTE]Be very glad that most do not share the exacting standards you have used in no less than three modified scoring systems, or you would find yourself in the very same position you?ve greatly helped put dozens, if not hundreds of other modules in. I strongly suggest you reconsider those scores, using your absolutely phenomenal rating of ?Alesmoke? as your guide. That vote just BLEW my mind, coming from you. (Have reviewed 60 mods thus far) [/QUOTE] This makes no sense! How can I use a scale that scores a module 9.0 to score another one that I previously scored a 2.0 with a different value? It simply does not add up. My systems have remained consistent throughout. I admit that my last system does average the score out for the lower scoring modules. However, the overall effect remains consistent as I do break the score down further with modules scoring 7.75 or greater. Lance. P.S. I know there are no original quests. I have never denied that. _________________________ World of Althéa Blog: Link
Posted by Boozehound at 22:36:41 Voted10.00
Oh, yeah. "This was a [whodunnit/whodunwhat] quest, of which I have seen many..." Sound familiar? Like I said, there are no 'original' quests.
Posted by Boozehound at 22:21:46 Voted10.00
****************SPOILERS*************** Firstly, you have made a considerable number of grammatical errors. At least six. Secondly, I can?t see how this could possibly succeed as a side quest. A main quest, yes; but, coming into a ?side quest,? I know my memories. I know who my PC is and where they have been. Therefore, I don?t like it when I have to rediscover myself, and I don?t like having a familiar/unfamiliar voice talking in my ear. I did suspect Blather as being Dark Heart; but, after going upstairs to confront the alleged Dark Heart, I found myself locked-in to suffocating her, without even knowing the effect it would have. Bummer. This story is quite original, the characters were relatively well developed, and the writing is decidedly above average. (8.5) Be very glad that most do not share the exacting standards you have used in no less than three modified scoring systems, or you would find yourself in the very same position you?ve greatly helped put dozens, if not hundreds of other modules in. I strongly suggest you reconsider those scores, using your absolutely phenomenal rating of ?Alesmoke? as your guide. That vote just BLEW my mind, coming from you. (Have reviewed 60 mods thus far)
Posted by imported_beer at on03/19/06
Actually, after playing a few more modules, I'll revise and give this a 10. It never took away from the spirit of PnP, never became a "pretty" but meaningless game, every action seemed linked directly to quest as well to something larger. You are a great DM in absentia. Kudos.
Posted by Lance at on03/30/06
Hi Arik, Thanks for your vote. :) Making the alternative-reality endings was a deliberate decision to allow a branching storyline depending upon the player's choice of actions. I guess you knew this though. I thought of it this way: If a player did play the game without replaying, then the experience would be different for different players ? and it was this that I hoped might add appreciation to its overall creativity (as two stories in one). It is not necessarily something I would have done in a bigger module, but I thought it was worth doing for the competition. :) Thanks for appreciating the start of the module. There were one or two others that quite liked it as well, but as you say, the majority appeared to prefer the ending. It just goes to show how players? interests differ. The after-endings were just bonuses, as you probably know by now. :) Lance. _________________________ World of Althéa Blog: Link
Posted by Arik at on03/19/06
Weirdly, I got the opposite impression from this to a lot of people. I thought the opening was great - you're quickly introduced to Karl and you aren't slowed down by an unnecessary introduction, simply allowed to take the situation as it comes. The earpiece device allowed for a very interesting flavour. The maze-like structure of the lower level, combined with the dialogue of "Blather" and the lack of opening exposition created a feeling of not having all the information that your character should know, of the mind being constrained - and this adds enormously to the denoument. It's all immensely clever. It's the ending I don't like so much - or rather, I like it enough, but not so much when I replayed it. Having alternate realities for different endings is a massive peeve for me, as I think it detracts from the integrity of the storyline - given the theme of the module, the idea that the PC could have literally branched off into one perception of reality could have added to the module's effect, but as it is the impression was of a DM fudging his rolls. I also wasn't a fan of the ending skits, which weren't my idea of module funny. Still an enormously classy module though.
Posted by imported_beer at on03/19/06
It is obvious when these games are played to figure out who has been playing CRPGs all their lives and who have actually done PnP. I actually liked the fact that I did not have to try different options to get an immersive experience. Afterall when did we ever get to find out what different rolls did to our game in the past. I like that you respect the imagination and intelligence of the player without trying to drive home the obvious. The ending skits were definately PnP as I played them in a different media. Made for a more satisfying resolution.
Posted by Lance at on03/30/06
Hi Helden, Thanks for your vote of confidence. :) I am glad that you found it enjoyable. :) Lance. _________________________ World of Althéa Blog: Link
Posted by Lance at on03/30/06
Hi Tyrannus, I am sorry you did not like the writing. I am guessing that you simply did not like the story, as it is not clear if you found anything technically wrong. :( BTW, didn't I just vote on a module done by you .... I cannot see a connection to your name though. Lance. _________________________ World of Althéa Blog: Link
Posted by Helden at on03/18/06
I liked this one a lot. Imaginative, with a good solid storyline that kept you moving nicely through the module. The plot twists were well thought through. The writing was good with no obvious spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. I liked the different endings and the post module conversations the characters had, that was a nice touch. This one deserves to do well.
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