New Questing/plot system

[DM_Kev]

This system has already been implemented into 2 faction regions of UTT2 and the results look very impressive. It will eventually be added to all main faction areas.

This concerns all quests which can be recieved from NPCs.

1. All NPC's now have a character level check on them before you speak with them. If your character is much too high (or low) a level to take on the quest, he/she will sppeak a line to indicate that you are not the intended reciever of the quest (something like your not worthy or your too important etc). This helps lower level characters head in a more suitable (and safer!) direction and also prevents higher level character from farming some easy bonus XP. Dungeon crawl sections are also kept clear of characters unsuitable for them.

2. I have created and implemented the concept of ranking tokens for each area. Starting off very simply, this system soon turns into a massive linkage of variables and conditions all over the world.

Basically, when you serve a region by taking on its quests, you will be given a tiny, near weightless token which cannot be dropped, transferred or sold. This token denotes to the NPCs your 'rank' in their society. There are many versions of each regions tokens which can be obtained by completing harder and more complex quests and tasks. On the completion of harder tasks, your token will be removed and a new version placed in your inventory. Higher ranks will give you access to new quests and improved stores. NPC's will also begin to start greeting you by a title when you begin to hit high ranks in a society.

The token ranking system also helps to make quests more persistent. Once you carry a token, it makes a number of quests you have completed unavailible. Instead, those NPCs no longer offering those quests will often offer a completely new quest when they discover your new rank. (Many NPCs now have multiple quests attached to them).

NPCS in different regions may also show recognition of your rank in another area. Rivendell NPCS will react to a high ranking PC from Lorien for example and offer him/her larger and more demanding tasks and give him/her access to their best merchants.

A very nice system which im sure will be enjoyed and inject some more life into your characters activities.

[SPM]

Hey, that sounds like a wild idea Kev. When you say rank, does this mean we'll actually have epic level characters with an offical title or Lord or Lady or somesuch?

[DM_Kev]

In some respects yes. Titles won't be visible however - thats up to the character to promote them self through their actions.

These titles are to be used by the NPCs when you speak to them. For example, if you are carrying a heavily upgraded token for Minas Tirith, rather than calling you sir/madam in dialouges, the npcs will call you my lord/lady instead. If you carry no token, you may be referred to as peasant perhaps :)

[ghost81]

All sounds good to me, I especially like the ranking effecting what stores/quests are available to you.

One question though, you said that tokens may have effect in different areas, does this mean that if someone start in Lorien, and builds up their rank there, they won't be able to do the lowest end quests in Rivendell?

[DM_Kev]

If those quests are targetted for a much lower level yes. So if you have attained a high rank in Lorien by completing some pretty challenging quests, the NPCs in Rivendell wont waste time giving you little errands to run, they will move straight on to some more challenging tasks for you.

[ghost81]

Thats good, cos really it means you have the option. You can travel from place to place and do all the low level quests, or you could build yourself up in an area then travel the world looking for more challenging quests. That I like the sound of. Also depending on where you start the game acn be different for you with each character you create.

[DM_Kev]

Yep, UTT2 is really going for the big R factor - replayability :)

[SPM]

Woot, love the idea Kev!!!! Nice work!!! I was just curious cause the rules state (or did when i started anyhow) that you can't call yourself a title unless it's been given to you. I think it would be great to play a peasant type one day and actally meet a lord/lady/general (whatever) in the lands. Adds spice! :)

[Fasin]

Thats a great idea from the point of view of quest allocation to. I like the notion that an NPC can come to trust in your abilities, it does indeed give the feeling that just because the world resets at reset the characters story does not... It also means that the likes of Bree which is always popular, wont become obsolete as a place to find work. A respected higher level character could show up and be offered a quest more challenging than finding Nob's harp for example. I like that idea a lot its got plenty of milage.

[Ulfur]

Aye, sounds very promising!...:)

Ursa
Thorgrim Orcbane

[Ulfur]

What about the possibility of re-doing quests that are not tied to the storyline? Say for example you make the Queen spider quest in Mirkwood with a couple friends and someone else gets the Spider shawl, would be bad if you then blew your only chance of having a nice cloak like that. Just a thought. :)

Ursa
Thorgrim Orcbane

[Fasin]

I would suppose that the quest originator being the one who claims the reward would have their reputations updated. So you could always do the quest again with other friends or on your own.

That sparks an interesting thought. Will solo completion of a quest entail the same reputation change as doing it in a large party. And will all party members reap the same benefits or just the quest taker.

[Ulfur]

Would make sense for all members in the party to gain the same amount of reputation, since it's a team job. Somewhat more reputation for finishing the quest solo also makes sense, if it's a quest that requires a fighting effort (not delivery of a letter, etc.). One shouldn't gain reputation more than once for one and the same quest, though. My 2 coppers.

Ursa, ranger9/druid15
Thorgrim Orcbane, fighter4/cleric20

[Argon Balros]

well as for wanting the spider shawl as an example even if you could'nt do the quest theres nothing to stop you killing the queen again. and as for only the person claiming the reward getting the reward item. if it updated everyones status so they could buy better items and give some gold it would be better than rewarding with an item.
i think it would eliminate another posabilyt for an arguement not that its a major problem here as most players here are very mature.

[Fasin]

perhaps the reputation "points" (guessing here) could be shared among party members.

[DM_Kev]

What reputation points? :P

[Fasin]

thought that the reputation tokens (for whatever faction) would have a numeric value attached to them and the dialogue (mister / sir / m'lord / oi yee) would check on that. Was just wondering aloud about how the system might work for partles vs solo reputations on quest completion.

[DM_Kev]

Your on the right lines. You just get given a new token altogether and the old one is removed.

[Fasin]

Yeah that was kind of what I meant. So. just the quest originator/collector will be updated then. Might it be a good idea if the Reputation Quests were designed as solos, its hard on a party when only the leader (or guy who talks to the NPC) gets all the kudos, but it makes sense that a lone hero who goes to slay the fell beast will earn the brownie points rather that the guy who led a mob. Just a thought. I know thats somewhat against the RP/party policies here. Just curious as to how that would work, that was why i said "reputation points". :)

[Fasin]

my point being that reputations should be attached to individuals because we cant attach them to parties as they change constantly. Suppose Guild reputations might be a possibility. As Kail used to put it "For Orome and the Silverswords!" :)

[Argon Balros]

i supose it works from a rp point of veiw that if i guy leads a party to do a great deed he will get more respect than those he leads

[Fasin]

Indeed, but Ive often been in parties when the geezer with the wee crown on his portrait was the one to do the party invite and not the majority of the work. Still, heh heh, life is like that innit. :)