Drew wrote:Ok so I think that difficulty-wise this should be played right after the game system, I think its slightly more difficult than GS so you d need some equipment but not that difficult to be played after other expansions.
The artifacts are indeed a problem though. Its true that players most luckily will have got these artifacts by then. Do players even need these artifacts for this quest pack? They could just be erased considering the players already have them or alternatively replaced by some piece of equipment or potions maybe? Or just let them be in case players have missed (or lost dying) any of them in GS? Im not sure to be honest just saying what comes to my mind. What do you think?
I think it d be better to discuss on Facebook or something to work on it faster (PMs here arent the best way of chatting) and just post frequent updates on the topic so that the community can help too.
So first I think we have to discuss all the things we need to work on:
1-Storyline. The story is plain. In my opinion we should either let the stories intact (maybe just change half the gold rewards) and write a strong Opening and Closure. Or rework all the quest stories and enhance, them making them stick and just keep the point of them intact. I think reworking all the quests would be better cause they are tooo plain, what do you think?
2-Maps/Notes. Id keep the maps intact, only small changes, maybe add a boss in Q9 like you did and maybe change a couple notes, but Id want to keep the Maps and Notes as close to the originals as possible. I mean its a rework after all, I would change only what seems necessary. What do u think.
3-Quest10. I think if we properly wrap up the storyline we dont need too. With enhancements in each quest's story and an opening and closing i think we dont need a Q10. I suggest we only make one if we cant wrap things up till Q9.
4-Artifacts. Mentioned before. I'd also just stick to the game system since the original writer wanted that, so I wouldnt add any new artifacts etc.
5-Visuals. I can do all the Photoshop. I can merge maps with story/notes, make the credits, the cover, the intro, etc. But I can't make the art for the cover, I remember you have a friend that draws amazingly so maybe you could take care of it? Or otherwise im open to suggestions.
Well, I agree about almost everything you wrote except about the cover and I do not use facebook, so better to post the discussion on the forum in this post so anyone else can join in.
I quoted DREW's message here for this this purpose and the following is my reply:
1 STORYLINE: yes, all the stories are too plain and need a boost; they look like written by a very young player (as it probably happened).
2 MAPS/NOTES: maps are not bad, we can leave them as they are unless the story will make a necessary change; OK for reducing the rewards (in number and value); now almost all notes are about finding a good reward (with a trap in the treasure chest); I would remove some reward notes (also to make more space in the note section) and write something more interesting that can improve the plot instead.
3 QUEST n.10: we'll see later if required or not, otherwise 9 quests are enough for me;
4 ARTIFACTS: I do not like the idea of re-discovering the same artifacts again, I'd prefer to create new ones. Maybe something that could be used limited times and then discarded (for example similar to the Sky Orb in the Elf Quest Pack or some new spell scrolls) so they will not affect the expansions gameplay. Also a party of Heroes that has already found the classic artifacts would like to use them in future quests so better not to declare that they can't be used anymore use and need to be found once more (it will also be boring for them).
So, I will think to 3 new artifacts that are not too much invasive for the gameplay and that can be used only for this questpack because they will be discarded later. I am thinking to 2 special weapona and 1 magic item:
1. special ARROWS that can be used with any standard crossbow and higly improve the damage inflict (they are limited in number);
2. a magic weapon (maybe a spear) that is required to kill the final boss and will self destruct once you kill him;
3. a healing stone (or a scroll) that once used allows each Hero to roll 1 red die to cure as many BP as the result of the roll (works only once or at least twice);
5 VISUALS/LAYOUT: better not to ask for a real cover, my friend did that one for "Attack to the Sleep-Wizard" and took a lot of months because he did it during his free time. It will also cost something (tough the price will be cheap anyway) so better not to ask for a cover because it's not really worth it as this is a "minor" questpack. At least I will ask for a black/white sketch, it will be useful anyway.
. Some players may claim "there are a lot of weapons here, why I can't take any?"
menacing the villagers, like in quest 2 and I don't want to repeat.