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Everything posted by Nonek
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What is BF4 and whom are DICE? (One assumes they are not the d4 and upwards that we're all familiar with.)
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Inventory management
Nonek replied to rjshae's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
Is it possible that we could have collapsible portions of the pack for each member? I think the original Dungeon Siege did this, but basically you click the inventory button and all the pack pops up, however with the pack being split into individual sections for characters we get the option to collapse sections according to our wishes. Delineates a little more clearly that each members personal possessions and carrying capacity are his alone. Thought it might be a nice little touch for added verisimilitude. -
So, about priests...
Nonek replied to Fashion Mage's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
My problem with this mindset is that a cleric's faith in-game either never actually matters besides being roleplaying flavor, or the DM goes overboard and it makes the cleric class completely unplayable. (Whoops, you stepped on a spider without reciting the Three Prayers of Ethallion to send its soul to the afterlife? You lose all your powers forever.) The idea itself that clerics have to bow and scrape before a deity who can arbitrarily take away their powers at any moment is even setting specific: On Eberron, for example, every cleric is an ideocleric in practical terms (people in Eberron can invent, and subsequently become clerics of, new religions). Really, the issue of "What's the exact in-world difference between different spellcaster types?" is a question of worldbuilding, not mechanics. As far as Project Eternity is concerned, Obsidian, if my cleric character ever loses their powers because I made a wrong dialogue choice, I will never forgive you. Personally i'm on the exact opposite side of the fence, I want deep and meaningful choices and consequences, where if I choose to spurn my gods law and disdain his teachings I expect to be cast down for it. Obviously this shouldn't be a small thing, it should be a momentous decision and have both foreshadowing and warnings, but I don't want the game to totally ignore the faith and church I belong to. More reactivity is always better. Now the interesting thing for me is what of those others who have fallen? In church lore they will have been cast down into the pits of hell to writhe in the fires of their own villainy, but in reality there has to be a fair number of failed clerics. Is there an enemy god to their faith, who welcomes fallen clerics? Is their a pariah deity like Woedicca, who accepts the cast outs and the disenfranchised? Or do the clerics seek answers beyond their deity, and realise that their faith is enough, that they need not tradition, stricture and dogma, and how will their old faith respond to such dangerous individuals. Enemies of the faith, might be an interesting role to assume, and perhaps if enough followers start listening to that prophets ideas then a new faith and its instigator might be born. A new kind of church, pioneering a new method of belief, which in a few centuries will be the dominant religion and have become what it arose to challenge. -
Why does CND use the rune of Baldur the old norse god? I mean of the Aesir he was probably the nicest and most reasonable, but he still represented a fairly bloodthirsty approach to the world, taking thralls, holmgangs, glorious death in battle, viking raids and all that fun stuff. Seems a bit weird that peacemongers would equate themselves with him.
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Fanfare of Obligation: Renaissance Crusade?
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Unfortunately I can attest to this, it's gotten to the point where I expect a young native Englishman to be lazy and unmotivated, while an eager immigrant who's travelled far from home on his own initiative will usually work hard and without stint. They oftentimes possess better written English as well as general education. It's saddening, but true. It doesn't help when our daily newspapers (if they can be called that) are whipping up storms of racism and xenophobia. I find this especially galling when directed against the Polish community, who we welcomed in their hundreds when fighting in the Battle of Britain, but now suddenly find undesirable. On the subject of the riots I hope none of our Scandinavian cousins have been too hurt, either physically or financially.
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- Scandinavian opportunism
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Wait for a stone Monkey to leap out of the egg, and the spirit of this Monkey was irrepressible.
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- project eternity
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Recently finished a runthrough of Icewind Dale 2, and something felt very off about the UI, I was always pointing my cursor at the wrong place. Then again that was only when I was too lazy to use the shortcuts. Personally I liked Torments UI the most, out of all the Infinity Engine games, though I wish it was collapsible.
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chanters
Nonek replied to Hormalakh's topic in Pillars of Eternity: General Discussion (NO SPOILERS)
Charm of Making as in that used in Excalibur? If so I have no utterance but for, HELL YES! -
Are the death in life and life in death couple important enough to be used on the UI, rather than the rather nondescript statue in the alcove? Don't know whether the button layout will feel "right" until played unfortunately. You forgot the add bacon and make breakfast option.
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So, about priests...
Nonek replied to Fashion Mage's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
From the limited descriptions we have of Wizards it seems to me that the two are at almost diametrically opposite alignments, a Priest relies on faith and belief, a Wizard uses the scientific methods of cause and effect that are gathered in his grimoires to alter the world to his liking. At least that's my take on the Wizard, he uses metaphysical tools to manipulate reality, and these are his spells. The Priest meanwhile calls upon his beliefs, strengthened by ritual, dogma and tradition rather than observed phenomena. -
So, about priests...
Nonek replied to Fashion Mage's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
One of my players back in the day was writhing on the crux of this dilemna, he liked the skillset of the Cleric class but was disdainful of organised religion, deities and faith, his modern sensibilities at war with his roleplaying persona. I advised him to go with a Druid, as my iteration were guardians of life and dealt with healing and the natural world, rather than a deities dogma. I don't know whether Eternities skin shifters will be so inclined to healing, and a less faith intensive approach. My paladin player however (a very ferociously atheistic gentleman) simply roleplayed a believer, hyping himself up through gregorian chant, the beautiful architecture and artistry of the renaissance and the more lyrical and touching passages from the good book, such as 1 Corinthians 13. -
Inventory management
Nonek replied to rjshae's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
Now this I like, clear demarcation, ease of use and also a choice over what we hold dear enough to keep with us at all times, utility versus sentiment. That's personally what I was looking for, I may not be a fan of the stash, but this description of the shared pack sits very well with my personal sensibilities. -
Likes: Protagonists involvement with the plot, ingenious. West Harbour, more in essence than implementation, nice to have an origin. Ambiguous nature of the supposed anatgonist, Ammon Jerro. Framing of the protagonist and his trial, makes one wary of ones actions. As mentioned before the stronghold, its management and upkeep. Nolaloth's valley, for some reason this location struck me as enormously evocative. Central concept of the King of Shadows. Returning to West Harbour to unite the Sword of Gith. Daeghun, a disapproving and distant father figure, very original and well rounded character. Lorne Starlings genesis and slow reveal, was hoping to redeem this gentleman. Dislikes: Most of the companions, dry, dull and somewhat cliche. Not as bad as Bioware caricatures, but near. Less choice than i'm used to in an Obsidian game. Too much filler combat, once again not as bad as DA2, but still became a grind. The Forgotten Realms specifically Neverwinter, as generic and overpowered as ever. Never liked this setting. I will add that I do not think the dislikes i've mentioned really need to be stated, as with Mask of the Betrayer Obsidian proved they knew what they had done wrong, and how to improve upon it. Overall I liked the game, it told a well structured story, with surprising depth and numerous twists. I believe it merely needed a little cutting and trimming to bring the high points more into focus and diminish the negative aspects, still better than the modern dull brown alternating combat and conversation simulators which pass for RPG's lately.
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Arcanum, found an old save post Isle of Despair, think I was a little enraptured by "Arronax's" appearance. Got to the temple of the Derian Ka and performed the awakening quest for Torian Kel, with many interjections by Geoffrey. What an absolutely fascinating character Torian is, a rich background, a believable motivation and excellent voice acting, really helps bring flavour and depth to the setting.
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Inventory management
Nonek replied to rjshae's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
Hopefully as Osvir states this does not mean that companions and the main character cannot have keepsakes and such. Currently i'm playing through Arcanum and each companion has their alloted role and items they hold dear, for instance my elven mage keeps the Newspapers involving the IFS Zephyr and the Garringsburg robbery upon him at all times. Virgil wears the pilgrims robe found in the Panarii temple in Shrouded Hills, the notes from elder Joachim as well as a Panarii pamphlet. Magnus has Roan's study on dwarven culture, the bracelet unearthed by the Schuylers and a tin of dwarven snuff. Garfield Thelonius Remmington has a pack of Earl Grey tea on hand at all times etcetera, etcetera. Seems such a simple and yet effective tool for roleplaying, rather than a shared pack full of nondescript loot, a collection of items and curios that the companions hold dear that somewhat defines them. -
Discourse?
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Character Portraits: Variety
Nonek replied to Lephys's topic in Pillars of Eternity: General Discussion (NO SPOILERS)
I vote for a full range of Mr Avellone stick figures, with differing expressions and poses.- 10 replies
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Inventory management
Nonek replied to rjshae's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
I prefer micromanaging my equipment, but then again i'm against the endless waves of loot that have been in crpg's since virtually the get go. However this mechanic seems suited to handling all that stuff, even if I don't particularly care for the unexplained instant teleportation to the stash. -
Inventory management
Nonek replied to rjshae's topic in Pillars of Eternity: Stories (Spoiler Warning!)
Hope we have some visual representation of a backpack or such, little tired of them being mentioned in game narratives and yet clearly not existing visually in any manner whatsoever. -
chanters
Nonek replied to Hormalakh's topic in Pillars of Eternity: General Discussion (NO SPOILERS)
Allright I might not be playing a Cipher first playthrough, this sounds extremely interesting. I wonder what the Chanter is mechanically doing with his recitations? Calling up lingering cultural soul powers, harnessing the remaining power of ambient old souls, uniting the souls of the gathered into a greater whole through points of commonality? Or perhaps more interestingly, he simply does not know. -
My thoughts are with the gentlemans family and friends, hopefully this brutal and cowardly murder will be punished with an adequate sentence, and its instigators (those who radicalised the murderers) captured for punishment as well.
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Food and resting.
Nonek replied to amarok's topic in Pillars of Eternity: General Discussion (NO SPOILERS)
Proposal. Rations, can be gathered from many sources: Bought at markets, at inns, or stores. Given by goodwives, hunted down, gathered from the flora etcetera. If present in inventory will be consumed automatically at midday or whenever camp is set up (if implemented.) Rangers and Druids gain an automatic ration at mealtimes, except in the most lifeless or blighted lands. Variance of quality, offering different benefits: Examples. Ships biscuit and a tot of brackish water. You can live on it, but you recieve a slight penalty to stamina for the next 24 hour period. Keeps virtually forever. Salted meat, dried fruit and small beer. Hearty tasteless vittles, they keep you strong and in fighting trim. If Stored properly will stay fresh for the duration of your journey. Meat and potato pasty, followed by a slice of warm blackberry pie and washed down with a flask of cider. Tasty, stodgy grub that will keep you working hard, for the next 24 hours you recieve a slight bonus to stamina. Keeps for maybe a day. Spoiled Food. It keeps you alive, but you sicken and recieve a mediocre penalty to stamina, possibility of a disease ravaging the character. Poisoned Food. Some scoundrel has poisoned your rations, set up camp as soon as possible to try and treat the affliction through purging, healing and rest, or stagger onwards in the hope of finding aid. Orlan Oatcake. To an Orlan this is a hearty filling meal, to every other race it is a mild stimulant that can grow addictive with repeated consumption. Tastes absolutely foul to all other races, but grants a mediocre bonus to stamina. Keeps for about a week if wrapped up and stored well. -
Perhaps they do possess more facets than we've seen so far, but i'm rather pessimistic because they've so far shown only one form of humour, the squeeing and snarky (whatever that means) approach, which passes for wit in their games. They also seem to have an extremely limited grasp of tactical and strategic issues, which would seem to be of paramount importance to the Astartes, especially considering the Emperors bendiction upon their founding. Thus we're left with the grimdark aspect, which they've proven time and again they cannot do. It seems like i'm harshly criticising the company, but i'm just very doubtful as to the viability of Bioware being a good aesthetic match for 40k. They are at their strongest when pioneering senseless feelgood fluff, such as their Citadel dlc for ME3, where Shepard has a party and socialises while Earth is harvested and indoctrinated. There's nothing wrong with Biowares games, they're good brainless fun, and thus a little divorced from the magnificently moody melange of the fourty first millenia.