Emjajoas

Alright, so: I've been skimming what's been going on lately with the whole B&P Quest thing. As someone who has yet to QM (my first quest'll be going live in like 4 days), but who is interested in making cool quests, I'm wondering if you guys could help me out with some questions I have. I've got big plans for my second quest, so I'd like a bit of advice. I've been really motivated these past couple days because of a few trailers that were released, so I was hoping to make another quest after my first to kind of... siphon that motivation towards something cool while giving the series itself a rather large tip of my figurative hat. Anyways, what are some pointers you guys have as far as: 1. How linear is too linear? You can make significant choices during a linear storyline; it just changes the direction the line is going. Is linear good? Is linear bad? 2. How much freedom is too much? If you have, for example, a map, and the heroes have to go investigate certain strange occurances in this town, is the freedom to wander around the map as they please too much freedom? Based on their actions/choices/how they interact with NPCs, are eight to ten outcomes too many? 3. Is it better for quests to have more freedom, or be more linear in nature? 4. What do you think of battles that are not necessarily not meant to be won, but instead too hard to win at a certain point in time in most cases? Something that's not impossible to win, but would be hard to win without proper preperation (and thus would not lead to a Failed Quest)? Is that a good plot device? A bad plot device? Is it annoying? Should it be clearly stated if it won't lead to a Failed Quest? Is it okay to lose a battle if it helps you gain information to win the next one? 5. Are Hidden Specials/Weakness Specials cool as far as enemies go? A discoverable weakness that can be "read in a book(so to speak)" or discovered while in battle? Or is a Hidden Special that is akin to a "special move?" that requires certain circumstances to fulfill cool? 6. Instead of fighting a plethora of weaker enemies, would a smaller number of more powerful enemies be cool? Perhaps a "gauntlet" of six to eight boss fights with plot-centric breaks in between to recover, research your enemy, or perhaps somehow sabotage them? 7. How many NPCs is too many? The quest I'm planning would have about 14 "important" NPCs, plus a few "non-important" ones such as shopkeepers, bartenders citizens, etc. 8. If part of the quest (not a large part) requires the Questees to research enemy weaknesses to use against their enemies, is that going to far? Should battles only matter when they happen, or if they are foreshadowed, should you give the heroes a chance to look up said weaknesses? 9. Based on what I've asked, is this Quest feasible? Does it sound cool/fun? Would you want to go on a quest like this? 10. Would you not want to go on a quest like this? If so, why? Is my inexperience as a QM going to affect this Quest so negatively that it'll make it unrealistic to do? 11. If the answer to #9 was a yes, would anyone be interested in helping out or building for this quest? It's still a few months off my radar; however, I plan on working hard on it and having most things done until I pitch in in perhaps six months. Someone with knowledge of the Fate/ franchise would probably be best, as it's what I'm basing a lot of this quest off of, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth and deny any help. All help would be greatly appreciated it. _________________________________ Those are the only questions I have at the moment. Sorry in advance for the text wall and the annoying questions, but I really want to contribute to this RPG like a lot of others have before me, and I'm (as I said) really motivated right now. Thanks in advance to those who answer my questions! Also thanks for being cool enough for me to (finally) get really invested in this after a year. Took me long enough.

Current Sign-ups for Quest 109: Dreamscape: Alexander Vandangant, Level 23.33 Hunter (Wedge09) Louis Argenshire, Level 1 Knight (Captain Settle) Sign-ups Extended to August 11th.

Current Sign-ups for Quest #109: Dreamscape: Grimwald Gijinko, Level 16 Sage (LordoftheNoobs) Darksten, Level 9 Ranger (Comrade Commander) Alexander Vandangant, Level 23.33 Hunter (Wedge09)

Congratz, WBD! Hope you have a great trip!

Em frowns, staring at the doors of the Hall. He sighs, going to take a seat, and decides it best to give his shield a good wipe. Perhaps he should speak with his questmates about their upcoming adventure; some way to formulate a strategy, or at least get everyone on the same page. He was looking forward to the quest, not only because he would get a chance to face the Regret, but because he was familiar with everyone going. He continues to wipe his shield down, thoughts echoing about his head.

"Seerus said as much while he was here," Em replies with a solemn nod and a continued glare. "I'm glad we're likeminded. I'd feel insulted if you weren't at the very least looking forward to playing with your toys, as it seems."

Em rises slowly, striding towards the commotion. He glares daggers at the Regret, his face pulled into a frown. He had been chosen. Good. Em grinds his teeth before calling to the monstrosity: "I've been looking forward to our match for a while now. Don't disappoint."

You could probably leave out the building an artwork for another time, but writing about your race and the ethereal deck is something you should definitely work on, Lind. It'd be a pretty good read, I'm sure. Also, if I've got time tomorrow, I'll start helping out with the wiki; I can do item pages at the very least and start transfering things from the treasury.

Are we going to be doing Hero pages, as well? That's something everyone could be doing for themselves.

Em runs his hand through his hair. "What have I done? I suppose I've taken down a crime syndicate, found some old artifacts, helped out the Proggs with some Oculoid problems, and most recently killed off what could have been a civilization of shades before taking a rather... painful explosion." Em shrugs with a frown. "So not that much, either."

Em holds up his hands in mock surrender. "I meant no ill will," he says, eyebrows raised. "But yes, anyone can be killed. And I intend to do everything I can to end him. I think, despite you saying otherwise, that makes me rather stupid." Em grins, though it's more sad than joyful. "How have you been, at any rate? You have... grown plenty since I saw you last."

"Heckz," Em mutters, stopping while passing the man. "There's courageous and stupid. The two are closely related, but by the sound of things you're the latter. The Regret is powerful enough to crush any of us alone. Together, we only stand a chance if we don't misstep. He's got some sort of... artifact that holds great power. I don't really know the details, I'm not one for magic." Em nods to the Sand Queen in greeting, though remains focused on Heckz. "He was powerful enough to enslave half the Proggs. He was powerful enough to plague us heroes with... very realistic dreams for a few nights." Em shudders slightly. "On top of that, he's got an army willing to march to the gates of hell backing him, with figureheads strong enough to pose a threat without their near-omnipotent leader. They're not to be trifled with. The Regret is immortal and omnipotent. He's vying for the position of God, and he's seriously contesting it. The few times I've enounctered him, well..." _______________________ A regal-looking woman walks into the hall, looking to be troubled. She rushes hurriedly to the Quest Board with graceful strides, glancing at the sign-ups for Quest #109: Dreamscape. "This simply won't do! One man alone won't be enough to save my son," she sobs. "I had hoped for more help..." She glances around the hall at the cast of heroes absorbed in their merriment before departing, her brow creased with worry.

If I decide to go Dragoon I'll probably stick with that for the rest of my career, but it means getting Shadeaux rep in before I'm 30. I can probably manage that because I'm a little shy of eighteen, but there'd need to be Shadeaux quests between now and then. Still not quite sure, though.

I like Paragon over Prophet, especially now that I've got a taste for high-SP builds and classes, but as an original Ranger I'll probably be going Mime too (though that might be cool in its own right).

That's what I'm doing right now; I had just hoped someone might already know. edit: It's Pretzel in the back row with 32, but Hoke otherwise with 30. I'm gunning for your spots. Watch out. My SP'll be through the roof before long.

Little curious; who has the highest SP in the game right now, and how much do they have?

Em returns to the Marketplace, selling his scrap metal x4 for 100 gold, his bow (WP:5) for 25 gold, his Quality Cutlass (WP:6) for 30 gold, his Aging Starbeam Blade (WP: 9, damages undead, double WP from dusk until dawn, breaks after one use, longsword) for 45 gold, his fashionable shield (sp:7) for 35 gold, and his ranger's quiver for 10 gold. Gold = 328 + 100 + 25 + 30 + 45 + 35 + 10 = 573. He then buys five shield upgrades (573 - 80 = 493, 493 - 90 = 403, 403 - 100 = 303, 303 - 110 = 193, 193 - 120 = 73 gold). (from SP:7 to SP: 12) With his 73 remaining gold, he buys one Ambrosia (73 - 65 = 8). He then approaches Fabian, asking if he would take the White Marksman's Hat (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) and Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by (Asleep) for 30 gold for the pair.

Em nods to Atramor as he buys the other grating stone. (238 + 90 = 318)

"Pleasure doing business," Em nods to the ladies, gaining 237 gold (1 + 75 + 162 = 238).

Em looks worriedly at Sorrow before realizing he was not there to bid. He sighs lightly, hoping everyone's attention wouldn't be focused on him any longer.

Em glances between the bidding members awkwardly; he had quested with them both, and favoured neither. Boomingham seemed interested in the item; he felt guilty for not being able to give it to the man, but he needed a better shield if he was going to face the Regret. He waits patiently until Erdy wins the bid. "I suppose it's yours for 162 gold, Erdathcath." he says with a nod. Turning to Karie, he tosses her a grating stone. "75 is fair," he nods.

Em strides back into the hall, placing his two Grating Stones and Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently) on the table in front of him. "Looking to trade these Grating Stones and Crimson Haze for shield upgrades. I'd be willing to part with them for 80, 90, and 100 gold respectively. I will also trade the Grating Stones for Bright Polish, as it will come out to the same thing." He gestures towards his bag. "Any other equipment I'm not using I can negotiate a price for."

Em enters the marketplace, first merging his Crescent Shield with his Topaz for 50 gold (181 - 50 = 131) and then increasing his Crescent Shield's SP by 2 (131 - 60 = 71 - 70 = 1). He then taps on his shield, testing its new durability, before naming it: Vigilant.

"Goodbye, Punii; Goodbye, Nervo; Goodbye, Trajin; Goodbye, Hadrius; Goodbye, Pius; Goodbye, Marcus; May your travels be safe," Em calls solemnly. He waves to the Proggs as they leave, the corners of his mouth gravitating towards his chin. "May all our travels be safe," he mutters, striding out of the hall towards the marketplace.

"Yes. It's going to be a struggle. It's going to hurt. It's going to be terrible, Punii, and we're all going to come out with scars." Em nods. "But the important thing is that we're going to come out. We can win so long as we still stand. Keep your chin up-- or keep your head held high, I suppose."