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Choose My Adventure: On such a Neverwinter's day

Larry Everett
- Columnist
Updated ·6 min read
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Choose My Adventure: On such a Neverwinter's day

This past weekend, I believe I've worked out all the mechanics I will need to complete our Neverwinter Foundry quest. It contains a total of three boss fights. I don't want to give any spoilers at this point, but I'll say that one of them has a very cool mechanic that I made using the Foundry story tree. I admit that at first I saw only the limitations of the Foundry, but after diving in full-steam this weekend, I've realized that some of the tools are quite robust.

One of my favorite tools is the dialogue tree. There are a few limitations on what dialogue can affect, but if you think outside the box as some creators have, you can actually make varying levels of difficulty for your dungeons or even allow players to bypass some content.

Today's Choose My Adventure is a bit different from the norm. I've included the first half of my script for the quest after the break. There is no poll this time, but that doesn't mean that I don't want your input. After all, we are making this Neverwinter quest together. After you've read through the script, give your suggestions on possible changes in the comments -- I will certainly consider all of them. Enjoy!



The player enters the house and is greeted by WINSTON THE BUTLER.

WINSTON THE BUTLER
Sir, you are late to the party. Master Reed is nearly done with his performance. It has been spectacular. Apparently, he has been using real magic this time.

PLAYER (choice 1)
I'd better hurry then.

PLAYER (choice 2)
Real magic? Not the parlor tricks he usually uses?

WINSTON (1)
Before you go, Ima wishes to speak with you. She is in the kitchen.
(Sound effect: cheering from the next room.)

PLAYER (1a)
No, I'm late as it is. I'll speak to her after the show. Thanks, Winston.

PLAYER (1b)
I'll make it quick. Thanks, Winston.

(end tree 1)

WINSTON (2)
Yes, sir. It seems our cook, Ima, used to be a bit of a sorceress. She has been teaching him a few trick to improve his act. She is in the kitchen if you wish to speak with her, sir.
(Sound effect: cheering from the next room.)

PLAYER (2a)
No, I'm late as it is. I'll speak with her after the show. Thanks, Winston.

PLAYER (2b)
I'll speak with her right away. I'd like to know what kind of trouble Reed has got himself into before I watch the show. Thanks, Winston.

(end tree 2)

Ima, the cook


The quest path leads to the adjacent room, but the PLAYER can travel to the kitchen where he can speak to IMA THE COOK. If the PLAYER chooses to do this, the PLAYER finds IMA in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner.

IMA THE COOK
[Nickname], you're finally here. I was hoping that you would arrive sooner. I need you to stop Reed from performing his last trick. No one else will listen to me. Reed has been practicing magic that he is not supposed to.

PLAYER (1)
Let me guess -- he's been practicing Black Magic.

PLAYER (2)
What is he doing that he's not supposed to?

IMA (1)
How did you guess? I started teaching him simple spells. Healing spells. But Reed insisted on reading about the dark arts, especially about making his dreams come to life. One particular spell seemed to catch his eye: Somnus Interminatis. This spell will bring to life a person's deepest dreams. If the desires are good, then good things come to life, but if deep down he is selfish or spiteful...

PLAYER (1)
We both know that Reed isn't the most giving person. I will do what I can.

IMA (1)
If you cannot stop him, you will have to fight his desires physically. You are a warrior. You are his only hope if he does cast the spell.

(end tree 1)

IMA (2)
Reed has delved into Black Magic. I started teaching him simple spells. Healing spells. But Reed insisted on reading about the dark arts, especially about making his dreams come to life. One particular spell seemed to catch his eye: Somnus Interminatis. This spell will bring to life a person's deepest dreams. If the desires are good, then good things come to life, but if deep down he is selfish or spiteful...

PLAYER (2)
That does not sound good. I will do what I can to stop him.

IMA (2)
If you cannot stop him, you will have to fight his desires physically. You are a warrior. You are his only hope if he does cast the spell.

(end tree 2)

And for my last trick

At this point, the PLAYER must speak to REED, who is in another room. The room is full of guests, all nobles; no one appears to be a fighter of any sort. As the PLAYER enters REED's proximity, he makes a declaration.

REED
And for my last trick...

The PLAYER runs up to speak to REED, but REED continues with his trick.

REED
Ladies and gentlemen, for my last trick I ask you this: What is your darkest desire? What is your deepest passion? Are you a secret sultry woman of the night? Do you wish to rule over a multitude of minions? Or perhaps you just wish to sit all day having nothing at all to do with your time? Today, I will make your desires come to life. With the wave of my hand and the words I speak. Your dreams will be made manifest! SOMNUS INTERMINATIS!

Simon

With REED's words, a portal appears in the room, and creatures appear attacking the guests and REED. The PLAYER has no option but to defend the partygoers. When the fight is done, REED falls to the floor, and SIMON, one of the guests, kneels down next to him. The PLAYER also checks on REED, talking to SIMON.

SIMON
He seems to be in some sort of trance. Look, his eyes are still open. What do we do?

PLAYER (1)
Stay here and watch over him. I will see what I can do about these monsters.

PLAYER (2) (option available if the PLAYER has spoken to IMA THE COOK)
Reed has made his darkest dreams come true. And if I were to guess, I'd say they will filter through that portal.

SIMON (1)
I will do that. Be careful.

PLAYER (1)
I will be back as soon as I can.

SIMON (2)
That does not sound good. I will take care of Reed.

PLAYER (2)
Yes, you stay here. I will jump through the portal. Perhaps I can head off the nightmares before they arrive in the real world.

The PLAYER jumps through the portal into the dream world.

That's our script so far. I'd love your feedback!

Choose My Adventure - The Larry Edition

Larry Everett loves MMOs, but sometimes when he gets stuck in one particular MMO, he loses sight of everything else he's missing. Direct his game time in Choose My Adventure on Wednesdays and on The Stream Team.