Marathon and Plot Hooks

I am making some progress on “Blood & Gold”, but I’ve been a little distracted this week. The reason is because I am running the Chicago Marathon this year (my first time in a long while) and it’s this next Sunday! I hope the weather is nice…

After the marathon, I will probably feel like spending the next several weeks sitting in my chair in front of my computer and not running—or very little running. That bodes well for me making some good progress on “Blood & Gold” in the next few weeks.

I’ve just started putting major conversations and plot mechanics in place, and I hope to have most of the plot and conversations done by the end of October or early November. One of the features I am proudest of is the multiple plot hooks that players will be able to choose from in the opening cutscene. I would be lying if I said that each plot hook will lead to a completely different game experience--I just don’t have enough time or resources to do something like that. But each choice will start the player off in a different direction and have some perks associated with it (think opening vignettes in Troika’s “Temple of Elemental Evil”). For instance, the hook you choose will determine where your characters call home during the adventure. Your choice will also lead to different starting quests. I am also toying with the idea of making some special rewards—such as magical items—available to characters based on the path they follow at the start.

Some of the plot hooks are as follows:

1) Aiding a Friend – you have been called to Deadsnows by Observer Kerilla Gemstar of the Hospice of Marthammor. She is concerned about the disappearance of one of her clerics, an old friend of yours.

2) Couriers – you are engaged to carry important documents from Silverymoon to Deadsnows. The documents are to be delivered to Lady Icespear (the nominal ruler of Deadsnows) and seem to concern some agreement between the Silvermaches and Deadsnows.

3) Duty Calls – A Harper agent in Deadsnows has observed unusual orc activity in the region. You are called upon by the Harpers to investigate.

4) Gold Fever – After hearing tales of the gold rush in Deadsnows, you set out in hopes of striking it rich either as a prospector or as a mercenary.

5) Law & Order – you have heard of the troubles visited upon Deadsnows by the sudden influx of prospectors and are headed to town so that you might help restore order in the area.

What do you think? Are there other hooks you would like to see?

I promise some more screen shots next time. Maybe some interior shots.