Developing the Underdark

[Eldebryn]

I love the UD. In fact, I think it's the smaller number of players that I love, because I'm able to establish a more solid basis with the consistent players of the UD. And as to your mention Rainbow, we're just discussing ideas.

And Melisende, I love the idea of your quest. However, I doubt many will accomplish it because they'd have to go through that maze, which means that for most builds they'd have to party up with other epics. Perhaps it's a caravan heading to another city and we could just stick it somewhere deep in the caverns? You know, like past the helmed horrors or something like that?

You mean like a small area with humanoid hostiles in the Underdark? low CR humans/elves etc?

That sounds pretty doable...

[nwnolan]

It could be done however the UD population wants it. I was under the impression thought that since this was going to be a quest for UDers that was on the surface then this would be a higher end only quest, something that is even harder than going through the basilisk's. Which I would imagine that since it'd be harder to do the quest XP/Gold would match that.

I only suggested the helmed horrors because I don't really know where any of the higher level areas are such as the Duergar compound or the driders or the pit fiend. We could even make it an off to the side area that doesn't have monster spawns in it so it'd either act as a resting stop for players or it'd be the attack sight for those who have the quest.

[Broham2]

It could be done however the UD population wants it. I was under the impression thought that since this was going to be a quest for UDers that was on the surface then this would be a higher end only quest, something that is even harder than going through the basilisk's. Which I would imagine that since it'd be harder to do the quest XP/Gold would match that.

I only suggested the helmed horrors because I don't really know where any of the higher level areas are such as the Duergar compound or the driders or the pit fiend. We could even make it an off to the side area that doesn't have monster spawns in it so it'd either act as a resting stop for players or it'd be the attack sight for those who have the quest.

An easy/easier route to the 'surface', with the surface being a non-connected surface area (similar to the DM Map 'Bridge' I think its called) where this caravan is located, and the guards/etc. Would make sense and be viable for a lower-ish CR area.

Give them tunnel-monkeys some tastes of sunshine every now and then too. Throw in an Elistraeen grove for some wanton slaughter (so long as it isnt connected directly to other surface areas) and it might be a cool place to add in.

[Gruk]

i've reconsidered after last event Saturday ( totally awsome btw, well worth the wait ) i think they found how and why drow will interact with the surface and i think its great ideas , im purposly vague in order not to give out any spoilers , but im more encline to follow where this plot leads and see what kind of aftermath it'll bring to the setting afterwards ... i dont think it'll feel like 2 seperate servers after they're done , not for a lot of people anyway...

i just hope all implicated have the motivation and time to see it through,

and thank you.

[Melisende]

The event was grand, Gruk, but it is altogether unclear where things will lead. Regardless, expanding and improving the Underdark setting should be a goal in and of itself.

As for my idea, Broham has got it exactly right. I was proposing a single enclosed surface area reachable via a secret passage that the quest giver reveals once the quest is accepted. There would be only one two way area transition, to the caravan and then back.

I also like Broham's suggestion for a truly evil quest Perhaps the task could be to bring back the head of a priestess of Eilastraee, with the quest coming from an ambitious priestess of Lolth, who has learned of a nearby sanctuary of the followers of the Dark Maiden. She hires the player so that she can subsequently take full and sole credit for the deed.

[Gruk]

The event was grand, Gruk, but it is altogether unclear where things will lead. Regardless, expanding and improving the Underdark setting should be a goal in and of itself.

hey that's true , and those ideas are still great i think , i just find myself thinking only about Darkhold and evrything around it , but its true that does not mean evrything else dont matter , i certainly didnt mean it like that.

[C_aribou]

(...)

I also like Broham's suggestion for a truly evil quest Perhaps the task could be to bring back the head of a priestess of Eilastraee, with the quest coming from an ambitious priestess of Lolth, who has learned of a nearby sanctuary of the followers of the Dark Maiden. She hires the player so that she can subsequently take full and sole credit for the deed.

Oh I really like that idea! More quests! More evil ones as well! More Drow-religious related quests! *Nodnod* Gives people a little more lore too!

[DM Sword]

My general understanding is that scripting quests is about as much fun as covering your body in paper cuts and then taking a bath in salty lemon juice, and thrice as time consuming as performing so many paper cuts on yourself, and juicing all those lemons. So by all means, if any of you are up to the task of scripting a quest, have at it.

[Gruk]

My general understanding is that scripting quests is about as much fun as covering your body in paper cuts and then taking a bath in salty lemon juice, and thrice as time consuming as performing so many paper cuts on yourself, and juicing all those lemons. So by all means, if any of you are up to the task of scripting a quest, have at it.

didnt know that ... are bosses less complicated ? Like the Piend fiend now pays around 100 XP and 5 000 Gold, thats really cool, it covers expanses , characters take time to share the loot i find its a good motivator for party & tactics and brings RP in the rebound because people gather and plan the hunt more carefully and then talk about it to others.

heres a few ideas of what might ;

- Myconids ; i saw a boss there in an event once a gigantic mushroom man , one could be guarding the existing magic box in the big room dead center of the map

- Helmed horrors ; maybe not a boss but a larger stronger golem could defend the center of the bridge

- Mist lake ; an event had a shadow dragon there once , or maybe somthing inspired of chaos in cloakwood mannor , a pale master or a demi-lich .

- ''underdark''- ( the bebilith and vampiric wolf map ) , that is one of the biggest and widest cave in UD , i always pictured somthing BIG living in it , a gargantuan spider in the center perhaps.

The new crypt & bone dragon is really great idea how to transform existing areas making the most of them i think. Also, this looks pretty awsome i cant wait to see it in action :

http://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=20359

[Blackman D]

creatures are a lot easier than writing quests

[Karond]

My general understanding is that scripting quests is about as much fun as covering your body in paper cuts and then taking a bath in salty lemon juice, and thrice as time consuming as performing so many paper cuts on yourself, and juicing all those lemons. So by all means, if any of you are up to the task of scripting a quest, have at it.

It is a bitch to type the quest backwards. But, I can make one, I only need information on how to make the quest resettable for the server, otherwise it would be a one-shot quest.

[Melisende]

As I mentioned, I am willing to flesh out the quest(s) in terms of the concept and the dialogue trees. Assuming that the staff gives the go ahead on either or both of the ideas I presented, I could subsequently turn over whatever I have written to someone for in-game implementation.

For the alchemist's cauldron quest a new stand-alone surface map with a caravan and a single two-way transition would be required (in addition to a number of NPCs).

For a bring me the head of Eilastraee's priestess quest a grove near the Darkwoods would likely be suitable (with appropriate NPCs).

I would think that for the effort involved to be justifiable, the quest(s) should be of the repeatable variety.

[Gruk]

It is a bitch to type the quest backwards. But, I can make one, I only need information on how to make the quest resettable for the server, otherwise it would be a one-shot quest.

I can barely make my windows work im not about to script anything , but you'd have gratefull players for you're work down in UD if you do. If you need guinea pigs for beta testing that i can do.

If you do rewrite anything consider Melissendre's suggestion their pretty solid i think.