Quests & Plots

Aristeaus · Post by **Aristeaus** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:15 am

Out of curiousity for myself primarily. From what ive read through the forum people say the roleplay within the game is becomming stagnant. I would ask all the people here to throw what they would like to see within Illarion here for all to read, and maybe give ideas to the plot makers within the game. Everyone here is a roleplayer, everyone here has thier own unique ideas and inspiritations. If all of these are viewed perhaps something can come from it. Many thanks all

Thalodos Artemetus · Post by **Thalodos Artemetus** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:02 pm

Personally i would like to see more quests that don't take place in Trollsbane.
I don't think i need to explain the reasons for that do i?

Aegohl · Post by **Aegohl** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:09 pm

That was planned with my city projects, but those projects never really panned out. The only physical result of that project that still remains (aside from a board dedicated to Greenbriar which hangs in oblivion, for the most part) is that there is now GM's who are assigned to the various cities:

(The updated list)
Trollsbane: Arien Edhel
Silverbrand: Estralis Seborian
Greenbriar: Rinya
Varshikar: Papoitsi
Tol Vanima: Damien

That being said, while it is our general hope that all GM's do quests, it's not always the case. Some are busy, some are just more involved with other things, some have other excuses. In any case, a player should never be afraid of coming up with an idea for a quest and sending it along to the GM it belongs to.

Post by **Estralis Seborian** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:23 pm

I just want to mention that we offer you, the players, all the support we can offer. All who remember that dragon quest, don't think that was my plot. It was a plot, created by a player (Irania) and it was realized in no time.

I try to do quests outside TB all the time. But there has to be a start and I usually warp around to find players, and hey, surprise, they are at the shop. Thus, the first contact takes place there, usually. I agree with city-quests, but as long as there are so few players caring for certain cities, we have to keep the quests more "general", not excluding players who want to partizipate. I have plans for dwarf-only and orc-only quests, but most chars online are humans and humans camouflaged as elves.

My personal wishes: We need more specialized characters. Play a wood trader. Play a miner. Play a baker. And do not play a jack of all trades or a "adventurer". If we all specialize on something, we can add more "tasks" to the game. From these takes, conflicts and quests could arise. But if we all play FriedeFreudeEierkuchenCharaktere (chars that do all the same and hug each other), we end up in dullness.

By the end of the day, the cool quests are those who are inspired by characters. Of course, I can log into my GM char, spawn some monsters in a cave, send out some players to beat up those monsters to gain a reward, but hey, is THAT what you want?! I don't think so. You want lies, treason, honor, glory, fame, bravery and such things instead of ctrl-click-slash-slash-poof!

Moathia · Post by **Moathia** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:10 pm

The problem with doing quests anywhere other than Trollsbane is that those other places tend to be nearly deserted, I've never actually seen a halfling char in Greenbrair, the Varshikarians spend more time in Trollsbane, Aristeaus, and Athian. There have been some groups of people in Vanima, but they only show up once every so often.

Fooser · Post by **Fooser** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:42 pm

Moathia wrote:The problem with doing quests anywhere other than Trollsbane is that those other places tend to be nearly deserted, I've never actually seen a halfling char in Greenbrair, the Varshikarians spend more time in Trollsbane, Aristeaus, and Athian. There have been some groups of people in Vanima, but they only show up once every so often.

Exactly, there just arent enough people to fill the spots, and when someone tries, they generally have to stand there for hours IG waiting for anybody, and it just isn't worth it. The IG city structure has pretty much collapsed

Japheth · Post by **Japheth** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:45 pm

My most successful quests have been those inspired by other players. Donal Mason was the creative force behind the monster hunting quest, while Dravish and Devrah are currently being very creative over in my Drakhen quest.

So, in other words. The more player requests that you send, the more quests you are likely to see.

Athian · Post by **Athian** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:21 pm

agreeing with Moathia, trollsbane is where everything seems to happen. any time i go anywhere else it's always completely deserted, thusly i go back to Trollsbane, plus they still got them anvils and forges i need to use, so i work there to. Quests that happen in other people would only cause people to run to said spotfor a short time. when it's Trollsbane though, it's more like the quests come to you

Pocal · Post by **Pocal** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:29 pm

I think it would take a higher player base being online at times to make the other cities RP centers. I normally see 3-10 people online at most times when I'm at my comp. And most are at TB. If we could handle 30+ say, then TB would be too crowded and maybe people would move to some of the other cities or at least away from TB slightly.

Post by **Estralis Seborian** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:57 pm

That is one of the reasons why we will decline any requests for new cities. I've done some work on a town portal system that would make town travels much more easy than the taking the road or books.

Anyway, I want to state something: We GMs are normal players just like everybody else. Most of us became GMs because we were the ones who encouraged / inspired / helped the former GMs to / in quests. The only difference is that we have some more rights on the server, can spawn monsters, warp around and do some shape changing. Those are just special effects, what I want to say is that YOU are the true gamemaster of your own part of the Illarion world. Give us a hint what you want to see and we will help you. Give us no hint, slash monsters and craft useless items for hours and we can't provide anything but generic "get item to receive reward" quests.

Pocal · Post by **Pocal** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:06 pm

I liked the idea someone gave of race-specific quests, or at least a quest that is focused on a certain race/ few people but is open.

Edit: I'm gonna try to spend an hour or so trying to think of some things like this. Got one idea already that just came to mind while typing this edit.

Thalodos Artemetus · Post by **Thalodos Artemetus** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:18 pm

To be honest with you a quest really doesn't need that many players...
In fact the fewer the number particiapating the better.

Usually when there are 15+ people taking part in a quest.. it is well crap.
There is always the same 5-6 players who butt in and take the lead, excluding everyone else, who usuallyeither leave, walk around thinking wtf is happening or saying stupid things that have been typed over and over again.

And gathering players shouldn't be much of a problem either, i'm sure many flock to the destination of which a global message displays. For instance the drow event in vanima, that was brilliant and i wouldn't have known about it unless there was a global message.

As for ideas on quests i'd be happy to suggest a few ideas to Damien or any other gm.

(btw on another note, i don't mean to be a pain in the arse, but have you ever considered making 'Drows' a playable race. you have the graphocs for each gender and the roleplaying possibilities are endless)

Pocal · Post by **Pocal** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:22 pm

Also, are personal quests available? Like if we give you info form our chars background would it be possible to see if part of it can come to life in game? (I told my story for Nymus in RPG, "Searching for Justice" if any GMs can use that...would help fill out my char to get more info ig regarding that stuff.)

Devrah Liioness · Post by **Devrah Liioness** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:33 pm

Ooh, I am with Thalodos, drows as a playable race would be so freaking r0xx0r. Actually, I have an idea to add to that. As drow would be a new race and would have to be played specifically, what if we had something similar to what some custom UO shards have? In order to play a drow you have to have a certain amount of RP experience points given out by GM's for excellent roleplaying during quests and when viewed by invisible GM's. This would prevent too many drows from wandering around being completely out of character, and it would also encourage people to show creative RP during quests instead of the typical "Rawr, I'm a brave warrior" crap.

Pocal · Post by **Pocal** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:33 pm

But what about people who gain these RP points and don't want to be a drow?

Devrah Liioness · Post by **Devrah Liioness** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:36 pm

Ehhm, they can be proud?

I suppose there could be some kind of thing like posting their name in a thread once they've reached a certain amount and then they have the option to play a drow if they want to, or maybe some other kind of reward, like having a quest of their choice realized.

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:43 pm

My suggestion in general is this>..

Something that allows the PLAYERS to play, not the characters.

This means something that even a newbie with no skill whatsoever can enjoy himself. It doesn't help if the Town Guards rip to shreds everything in front of them...

Or else I'd like something with the factions avalable... The WHITE FLAME dislike orcs a bit, while the SHADOW HOARDE is for orc rights.. Can't you use this to seperate the players?

Misjbar · Post by **Misjbar** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:50 pm

Or else I'd like something with the factions avalable... The WHITE FLAME dislike orcs a bit, while the SHADOW HOARDE is for orc rights.. Can't you use this to seperate the players?

Ever heared of the term roleplay Hadrian?

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:58 pm

The only reason why i know about their existance is due to the boards.. which is a private board...

The only reason why my char knows about it is because an orc told him that a group with Gabon as Leader and Moshran as god... He doesn;t know the name...

But see the Orc buying things quest... that was good because some wanted to get money [Liles.. ect] and others didn't want him because he was an orc [White Flame], or for war [Pendar]; and soem went against the indisctimation

That is what i like.. choises, not.. "ooh lets rip these dragons/spiders/drow to shreds"

Ziel Oden · Post by **Ziel Oden** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:01 pm

1. Make drows avialable. Me vote WOOT for Dev's idea.

2. I like massive damage quest. Some things NO ONE can prevent. Aka, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, fire breathing beholder gods.

3. Im tired of seeing: "<basic race> walks along and does something" Make it more itneresting! I see human/orcs/elves/lizards/halflings/dwarfs everyday! I've only seen a Dragon/Goblin ONCE! I call that, uniteresting.

Teh Ziel has Spokenith!

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:12 pm

1) We HAVE goblins?

2) If drows were avalable.. they'd be a Drow/Elf war... *applauds the idea*

3) If a dragon walks into town, and speaks.. everyoen will know its a GM quest... so it will be stupid, everyone following it ect..

4) I'm sure if in RL a cow walked into your house it would seem strange.. what are you expecting? A troll walking into Trollsbane?

Ziel Oden · Post by **Ziel Oden** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:17 pm

1. Yes
.
2. Mm, and this is a contrediction WHY?

3. ... If a dragon walked up to you would you "Follow" it? Hell no! That would be the only case you would find me running.

4. This is what we call a quest. an odd occurance.

Post by **Nitram** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:18 pm

Hadrian_Abela wrote:1) We HAVE goblins?

yes

Hadrian_Abela wrote:2) If drows were avalable.. they'd be a Drow/Elf war... *applauds the idea*

...drows are aviable. But never for players. And they will never be aviable for players

Hadrian_Abela wrote:3) If a dragon walks into town, and speaks.. everyoen will know its a GM quest... so it will be stupid, everyone following it ect..

hmm...the gm's should try a dragon, that don't speaks, and kills simply everyone

Hadrian_Abela wrote:4) I'm sure if in RL a cow walked into your house it would seem strange.. what are you expecting? A troll walking into Trollsbane?

Exspecialy if the troll is mangenta colored. *g*

Tonkin · Post by **Tonkin** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:42 pm

I am a newer player and do not know what quests have been done before, but I have some ideas myself and a few off other games I have played. One why not make quests where any characters can participate, even craftsmen. Such as scavenger hunts. A gm hides items throughout the land and then pins up a note telling of how he was robbed but the thiefs were caught and put to death (or were killed when caught) and one mentioned they had stashed his belongings throughout the land. The gm can post a small reward (10 copper) for the return of each item.

I am not sure what the current client can support. Can responsive npc's be added to the map? If so make a longer lasting monster bash quest. A npc halfling from greenbrier runs into trolls bane and tells of a dragon attack but they dont know where the dragon came from or went to, so it must be found. Make it so the dragons must be searched for and they might occasionally attack a town or area when there are few players on.

There are always natural disasters, but ones that require some responce, A fire in greenbrier, a flood in trolls bane, things that everone can help with but that dont require high fighting skills.

Basically I think we need to extend quests over long periods, but periods when something can always be done, not just certain times when the most people are on. If I show up 30 min after something major happens, I do not feal included, but if no matter what time I log on I can contribute I will enjoy it more. For example, a lumberjack stumbles onto a foul smelling cave, but doesnt go in. He can tell others about it and it would eventually get back to someone who knows what it is and can attack the dragon.

I am not great at rp yet, but hopefully someone can figure ways to rp some of these ideas if anyone likes them and include me, so my rp can be better.

Post by **Nitram** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:59 pm

The natural disasters are technicaly hard to realice.

But at the rest: indeed

Thalodos Artemetus · Post by **Thalodos Artemetus** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:01 pm

Ziel Oden wrote:1. Make drows avialable. Me vote WOOT for Dev's idea.

*cough*

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:29 pm

@ Ziel.. that was NOT a contradiction.. there are no elf/dwarf wars... so well we have to pick on SOMEBODY

Natural disasters...fires could be easy enough i suppose... have an invisable GM remove the fire when someone #me's trowing water on them...

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:44 pm

You can already put out fires by throwing buckets of water on them.

Pocal · Post by **Pocal** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:52 pm

I like the treasure hunt idea. It would be a fun, relatively easy thing for players to do. I used to do those kinds of quests when I gm'd a RO private server.

Misjbar · Post by **Misjbar** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:38 pm

Hadrian_Abela wrote:@ Ziel.. that was NOT a contradiction.. there are no elf/dwarf wars... so well we have to pick on SOMEBODY

Natural disasters...fires could be easy enough i suppose... have an invisable GM remove the fire when someone #me's trowing water on them...

We have a fucked up elf player base. Sorry to say this, but I really dislike the whole elven thing we have here. Yay for good relations between the elves and the dwarves. Yay for the good relations between the elves and Varshikar. Yay for the good relations between us and Troll's Bane, which can even be seen on the internal Vanima boards.

I do wish we had a different elven society, but I guess that is just personal opinion. Sorry, just ranting here. I have more opinions on this, but I do not feel like writing them right now.