Nonek
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Allright who do I send the bill to for cleaning the vomit off my screen from reading that?
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Something that stretches the mind, makes it stop and wake up. Some of the riddles on the Moredhel boxes in Betrayal at Krondor were quite twisty, lore puzzles that require me to learn certain aspects of the gameworlds backstory are always nice, because i'm getting enmeshed in the lore and that is being rewarded, and i've always liked those which are simple tests of logic. The statues of two children with identical clothing and long blond hair stand on a stage, their hair is drawn over their faces and hangs down to their waists, so that they appear to be virtually identical. In pre-pubescent trilling tones they each speak: "I am a girl." Says the child on the left. "I am a boy." Says the child on the right. "One of us always lies, and one always tells the truth." They both intone. You can answer the riddle correctly, or rely on your special skills to move on: For instance a wizard might try to dispel the magic of the lock, the thief might figure out a way to open the lock without the test, the cipher might call up the souls of the children and have them whisper the answer to him, while the fighter might wrench a statue from its base and smash a hole in the door. -
Had my telly box recording a series of programs about the more interesting and bloody battles of history, called "instruments of death." Finally had a chance to sit down and watch it today, it's rather good and though it does not go into as much detail as i'd like i'd still recommend it. Covers such bloody battles as Naseby, Towton, Hastings and Boudicca's last battle against the legions somewhere on Watling street. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcDCMhyOLAc
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Recite before the battle and then use battlecries mid battle to remind your struggling companions of the heroic example, a single word or phrase pronounced with all the chanters skill and soul may serve just as well in the midst of an ambush. Remember the Red Ford. The eyes of Valheim are upon us. How the little pigs shall squeal, the giver of rings pronounced. There cannot be two skies, in the wake of his words came war.
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I wouldn't mind starting with a known repertoire of the greatest saga poems, and upgrading them or adding new ones as we progress through the game. Sitting among the Glenfathans, listening to their warrior poets. Speaking to the souls of the dead from long vanished civilisations. Marvelling at the life story of a long dead battle king, carved on the walls of his crypt. Swapping tales with a stranger from far distant lands, where even the gods bear strange names. Until finally you get to add your own works to the long tale of the ages, ensuring your fame and immortality amongst the Chanters. A poem as strong in its effects as your own awakened soul, and shaped by your actions.
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Strangely enough Mac Lir's island home, the Isle of Man, does have a language mixing both celtic and norse elements. Us nerds do carry a lot of useless informations around in the old brain box don't we?
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Isn't it a mistake to call the indigenous Britains "celtic," their DNA is not linked to the european dominating tribesmen but has found its closest match in the basque region of Spain. In fact that DNA is still the base matter of the british isles, with the influences of the germanic/scandinavian peoples peaking in the obvious areas of Yorkshire, Anglia etcetera. Obviously the major cities, reflecting their international aspects have become melting pots of races and peoples but the backwoods and shires remain split between these two racial groups. Roman auxilliaries and such do not even register upon the scale. Sorry I was recently involved in a long term study of genetic markers throughout the isles, and i've become somewhat finicky as regards the "celtic" appelation. I can see AGX's point however, too often the celtic and germanic cultures are merged. It's as bad as seeing the lowlander William Wallace in a highlanders kilt and pictish warpaint, somewhere an historians quietly weeping. N.B. Mind you the culture of the British Isles was decidely celtic, most likely the results of a small group of conquering warrior noblemen imposing their will upon the indigenous population.
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No singing or music, but the recitation of heroic near Homeric stanzas, tales that inspire and maybe summon up the souls of heroes long past.
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With my vast and awesome psychic powers I Nonekdamus predict that I shall once again be proven a greedy deluded fraud. Heed my words ye of little faith.
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Don't mind the restrained and subtle approach, for one things it's far more rare than the over stylised cartoonish approach, and secondly it makes the fantastical elements when they appear seem all the more...well...fantastic. I'm far more interested in the Aumaua's cultural background, societal mores and unique worldview rather than whether they are as outlandish looking as possible. Then again I thought the decision to add horns to the Qunari was somewhat of a mistake, they had a strong enough image in Sten, his slight but markedly different looks and his utterly alien philosophy.
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I thought us Shep's who died at the end of ME2 were going to play the Vincent Vega bloke. Wonder what happened to the galaxy without a Mr Protagonista? Everybody else seemed fairly unmotivated/incompetent.
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I'm all in favour of as many mechanics being implemented as possible, so long as they're internally consistent. This short sighted view that rpg's should strip everything away that's superfluous to the story results in such games as Dragon Age 2, where we have nothing but alternate combat and conversation in corridors. Fun but lifeless, pointless and catered for the lowest common denominator. If we must prepare, research and use caution when we step into the wilderness then it becomes a much more trying endeavour, and all the more satisfying when we overcome thanks to our ingenuity, planning and determination. Even the presence of backhouses can be used to build flavour. Infiltrating that enemy castle, you notice that one guard keeps rushing off to the jakes because of his irritable bowels, thus opening a weakness in the outer perimeter. Seeking to spring an accomplice from the old Irongate prison you acquire a map from an escapee, who made his dash for freedom through a weakened grate set under the water closet. The more features that are present, the more opportunity for depth and role playing. Adding complexity to an rpg isn't a bad thing in and of itself, so long as it's used to add life and options to the gameworld.
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Exactly Popeye, they only need to be in the background. You trek through the slums to reach that hidden guildhouse you've been hunting for, and in passing can gather information from the beggars and doxies on the street corners. That trek across the farmers lands shaves ten miles off your journey, while passing farmer Giles warns you of the cruel robber baron who rules this land, and his goodwife sells you a few rations or herbs. Subtle world building, that affects how the characters judge their own society. They may see more freedom in the Glenfathan barbarians huts than is evident in their homelands, and realise that the good king Johan is the latest in a long line of bloodthirsty tyrants, propping themselves up on conquest and divine right. Or that he is a much needed symbol of unity, in a dangerous land where the strongest are all too eager to tear down any leader who shows the merest glimpse of freedom. Edit: I don't think McMan's arguing for a grimdark caricature, more an internally consistent worldview. Like the good, bad and neutral aspects that are all bound up in the NCR in New Vegas.
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I don't know, you don't need much representation of the social order to go a long way. It helps lay a more cohesive foundation for the world, and acknowledges that we're not operating in a consequence free sphere. That noble and kind Paladin in your ranks, may look down on the lower classes as weak souls who are lesser humans, and it is her duty to give charity and protect these weaklings. At the other end of the scale we have something like Dragon Age 2, where the mages are struggling for freedom in a feudal system, an utterly ridiculous raison d'etre because that entire world is culturally and socially undeveloped. Plus you can place peasants in almost any situation, the young man seeking his fortune in the city, only to be found lying bloody in an alley. His sister selling herself on a street corner, hoping to earn enough coin to run back home. A farmer seling his crop at the city gate, marvelling at the splendours. Or perhaps a trio of young martyrs, hanged for daring to convene a union. In my opinion, you can add a lot of flavour without too much meat.
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I like the general idea McMan, something similar to the first chapter of the Witcher, where you experience the grinding poverty and desperation of the villeins. Rather than the renaissance fayre happy peasants cavorting in the fields, that we are fed in so many rpg's. Perhaps not as resolutely stark and grim as the Witcher, but something that acknowledges the agrarian social order and its reliance on what amounts to slave labour. Perhaps a fermenting sense of civil unrest is abroad in the Shires, with a charismatic Wat Tyler preaching to the masses. Maybe the stronghold we hope to seize is the domain of an ironfisted robber baron, and we have a chance to change the lives of the lower classes. Or perhaps a cult similar to the Wicker Man (NOT NICHOLAS CAGE) flourishes in the heart of a drowsing hamlet, and some ancient bane awakens from its centuries of slumber. It sounds like an admirable springboard for both adventure and scene setting.
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With full stamina yes I agree that fighters will be able to take a dozen hits, or whatever number seems appropriate. However i'm hoping as stated earlier to circumvent most combats, not overuse rest mechanics, and only join combat when it's absolutely necessary. If that's a viable tactic. For me the limited health with a stamina cushion will make the protagonist and company a touch more vulnerable, i've had my fill of playing invulnerable supermen. I'd rather win through superior tactics, strategy and cunning. It's only a personal desire however, I don't expect it to be foisted on others.
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Hit point bloat WILL happen. Do you think they'll do a hardcore simulation withn no healing magic AND you die from 2-3 sword cuts? Yes, without the shield of Stamina, i'm hoping that is exactly what will happen when 2-3 sword cuts interact with your raw health. Thus that assassin with a blade at your throat is a threat, rather than a minor nick hardly worth bothering over. Attacks that punch straight through stamina are fearsome etcetera. I'll admit that i'm a touch masochistic in crpg's however.
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Oh I don't know what exists just thinking of possibilities, the rest anywhere predilection may be tied to difficulty possibly?
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Spider Man: Escape from the bathtub. Spider Man and the Plughole of Doom. Spider Man and the rolled up Newspaper.
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Choose other front line fighters, seek to achieve the objective without combat, cast Aid like spells that temporarily buff your health before entering combat, use a defensive feat that sacifices stamina at a higher rate but protects health or maybe there are soul powers that can provide some manner of buffing?
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Always thought Total War ripped off Shadow of the Horned Rat and Dark Omen to a certain extent, seems everything comes full circle.
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The healing's just what i've been looking for in an rpg, life and death being beyond even magic sounds good, and a weapons blow being a thing to fear is what should have been done long ago. Hit point bloat is a horrible thing. For the play style I hope to utilise, that of scouting, sneaking and trying to only face the enemy on my own terms, this is encouraging news.
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Wouldn't mind some Dead Money-esque areas, no strike that i'd positively adore them. Nice atmospheric build up of tension, reliance on sound and enviromental hints and unexpected occurences. Not too many jump scares though, they age very quickly. Throw in some sickening tragedy and thoughtful sadism as well.
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Good lord no! I expect a lot better of Obsidian characters.
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Yarrrrr! Need I say more, matey?
Nonek replied to Felithvian's topic in Pillars of Eternity: General Discussion (NO SPOILERS)
Aye ramming speed matey, I have a hankering for the finest of booty. To plunder the poop deck, and make lasses shudder in fear when faced with me plank. Every port of negotiable virtue shall welcome me salty mariners, and leave us loose of coinpurse for the long voyage ahead, for it be dry and thirsty work on the high seas. Aye me one good eye shall weep bitter tears to be deprived of such warm havens.
