26.11 Narrative

Feedback

• Factions & Main Quest Connection

• Individual Feedback:

  • Marius (Anti-Magic):

    • mirror images combat
      
    • Thorns concept: integration integration.
    • faction: possible access to caves or unique areas easier
      

  • David(Coven):

    • Artifacts act like "batteries": provide buffs and can also debuff.
    • Focus on the final fight and the role of the last artifact.
      

  • Carl(Merchant):

    •  mental artifact.
    • Game design issue:
      • Are dialogues planned?
      • how could powers function?
      • Faction has minimal influence on the main quest

  • Melissa:

    • Win condition: reaching a location rather than defeating a foe (design ).

Thorns

• Thorns:
  • Visual indicators for artifact locations.
  • Special thorns (e.g., 1m tall) for unique identification.
  • Clearings surrounded by thorns point at artefact
    

Main Quest

Flow Overview

1. Start the Run:

   • Tutorial or similar combat introduction.
   • Village exploration introduces nightmares and quest motivation.

2. Nightmares & Objectives:

   • 1st Nightmare: Subjective and cryptic.
   • Collect 3 Artifacts to stop the coven, break the curse, and end nightmares.

Artifact Discovery

• How do players find them?

  • Ask merchants for leads.
    • Example: Narrow down regions through dialogue or item clues.
  • Use magic sub-quests for specific info:
    • Escort someone to a shrine, retrieve magical knowledge.
  • Anti-magic faction quests:
    • Hear rumors in exchange for completing tasks (e.g., training grounds quest).

• What are the artifacts?

  • Players can identify them visually.
  • Additional quest elements include:
    • Coven involvement.
    • Dreams offering guidance.
    • Breaking faction-held artifacts.

Player Awareness

• How do players figure out their purpose?
  • Trial and error.
  • Nightmares.
  • Coven encounters.
  • Merchant interactions.

Coven Encounters

• When do they occur?
  • Stop rituals during quests.
  • Random encounters after completing objectives.
  • Optional mini-boss fights with generals tied to specific artifacts.

Ending

• Too early?
  • Warning system in place.
  • Early arrival leads to failure or death.
• Boss fight?

Biomes

1. Needle Forest:

   • Dense thorns, small clearings.
   • Final coven boss area, ruins.

2. Mountainous Region:

   • Broad trees, large clearings.
   • Dense mixed forest with shrubs.

3. Asian-Inspired Dense Forest:

   • Dry terrain with tall mountains.

4. European Deciduous Forest:

   • No birch trees.

5. Swamp:

   • Wet and overgrown terrain.