Pamatronic
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The Grand Escape - and its aftermath
🕑 Added 2023-06-11 18:06:30 +0000 UTCIts been a while, but Here we are again with the next big progress update. And just like last time, there is quite a bit to show, so lets get into.
Spoiler Warning!
I´m not gonna show everything here, but If you are one of these types who likes immersion, you maybe want to skip out on reading this one. The next stable Beta is not far away and might be more interesting to you.
With that out of the way, lets go over the new content:
The most immediately notable addition are actual visible quests. with Objectives and quest markers and all the good stuff, so this time the mod actually looks like something which was made by someone competent. And we got two of these quests in a finished state now, and with options for extensions later on.
1: The Grand Escape
So, you managed to get yourself captured and are now at the camp. what now?
First, you will be woken up by the orcs and a entry scene will commence.
There is a percentage based selector in the MCM, similar to the one found in Prison alternative. (For this initial version the orks will only throw some insults at you. I want to get the New Base mechanics to work before implementing modular elements like scenes)
After that, the orcs will go to bed and you will be presented with the option for an escape attempt.
It shall be noted that you will be suffering from debuffs at this stage, which will reduce your movement speed and greatly impede your combat capabilities, which means getting detected will be very dangerous.
You can decline this option, which will result in the regular Jail outcome (Vanilla or PA), potential transfer to the orc stronghold will become available later in Phase 2 of the overall project.
Should you however choose to take your chances, the quest "The Grand Escape" Begins!
From now On you have one primarily Objective: GET OUT!
While Not waking up the Guards might be somewhat trivialized by a high sneak skill or certain Illusion spells, there are a few traps placed there which do make noise upon triggering them, while will wake the camp up.
Still, If you have played video games in your life before, this likely isn't to much of a challenge to you, so lets get Back to the Bonus objectives.
Your Inventory:
Since you probably have a bit of emotional attachment to your weapons/armor/other valuables, you probably want to get it back before leaving. Because spoiler: the orcs wont just leave it there after breaking up their camp.
Your stuff will be in a locked chest, which can either be lockpicked (if you can find a lockpick), or you can try stealing the key from one of the guards.
Your Followers:
The system supports up to 3(!) followers, which will be hold in the Big cage. And if you are planning with their continued assistance in the future, you might want to get them out (foreshadowing).
Similar to the Inventory chest, the cage can be opened by lockpicking, or by finding the keys (different key than the one for the chest). After the cage is open, you need to unbind them and decide on a tactic in case you get discovered:
- Stay close to the player and ignore combat
- Flee on your own
Especially the latter might be interesting to create a distraction to make your own escape easier, but keep in mind that followers will not be able to fight in this state and can be recaptured independently from you.
I´ve made it away from the camp, what now?
So, you´ve managed to get away from the camp without waking up the guards (or after shaking them of. For our little example, lets assume you were completely incompetent (or careful) and left al your Gear and friends behind.
At this point, you will still suffer from extreme Debuffs and should find a safe place to sleep and rest immediately (an Inn or your player home). You could alternativly try to find some more lockpicks or weapons/gear first and try to retrieve you missing gear/followers first, but this will still be incredibly dangerous.
After some deliberation, we decide that we are are more important then everyone else and make a B-Line to the next Inn where we do sleep, thereby completing the escape quest and getting rid of any Debuffs.
The Aftermath
BUUUT, because we have left behind inventory and/or followers, the next quest " The Grand Escape - Aftermath immediatly starts and gives us the chance to retrieve our stuff and friends (or whats left of them...)
The markers Lead us Back to the campsite. The Camp is broken up and the Guards are gone. If it weren't for certain... leftovers..... You wouldn't know there was ever a camp here. There is already a structure set up to enable multiple aftermath scenarios for you stuff and followers. I´ve kept it very basic for now and all options will still be inside the former camp, but A future version could for example include a former follower balancing on a log somewhere ;)
Lethal/Nonlethal outcomes for followers are available already, and we have one outcome for your possessions:
The Note will give you a hint where your stuff can be found (Quest items will never be removed from the player, so even if you are to dumb to figure this out, you wont loose anything essential). Names mentined in the Note will make an appearance later when the Stronghold will be build.
This concludes our little tour (sorry for the Textwall)
I hope you like it so far. Making these actual quest was a bit new to me, so it took some trial and error to get it right, But I´m rather happy with how it turned out.
There is still some work to be done in regards to the ai-packages and factions to make sure Followers and campguards behave properly depending on the current situation and state of the escape attempt, But all of that can be done with proven vanilla methods and I don't expect any technical hurdles. The only "Danger" I foresee is some additional time requirement for optimizing the packages and fringe case testing, especially if there are any predators around
Beta with these new features will be available very soon.
The only other Part after that which might require some effort is the dynamic trap-system which is employed by the hunting parties at higher levels.
But I had plenty of time already to think of ways to implement that and are confident it can be done reasonably fast.
Until then, as always, thanks for your unwavering support and patience.
There is a bit on my plate this week with work and university, But I´m really having a lot of fun with this Project as well, And I can only do it because of you :)
Comments
gamecp9
huge hats off to you, Pama ;)
Pamatronic
I guess that can actually be arranged
Bob
This is a whole lot more complex and awesome than I was expecting - huge hats off to you, Pama ;)
SkatingJesus
This just sounds even more amazing than what I expected. I already said it, but I can't wait! (maybe some crux ending for some of our followers)
