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Scenarios in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #5
I like Pre-made parties a lot.

However, I would warn against starting a series with your first scenario. I did just that, and regetted it. You'll become a much better designer through the process of designing, and no matter how good your first scenario is, there will always be some things (probably a lot) that you could have done a lot better. If it's the first in a series, you're tying yourself into working on the same storyline (even if you come up with a much better one) and some design mistakes in your first work will most likely perpetuate through the series. For example, the outdoor terrain of Revenge is pretty poor. I could have made it a lot better. But I had to keep it that way for consistency's sake, beacause that's the way it was in Isle of Boredom.

So, I recommend making a stand-alone for your first effort.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
The dilemma...BoE/BoA in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #7
I started playing your scenario. It does show a certain amount of promise, but it just isn't very fun to play. A couple of reasons for that, but mainly there's just way too much combat.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Another question in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #8
I always have one character with 20 strength when I start.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
The dilemma...BoE/BoA in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #5
If you prefer BoE, stick with BoE.

Also, before you design any more scenarios, it would probably be a good idea to read a few of the articles floating about the place. And, of course, play a few of the classics if you haven't already.

Welcome to the community! :)

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Thoroughly disgusted in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #21
You'll notice that all the BoA scenarios have been uploaded quickly. Within three or four days, A Perfect Forest will be sitting on the Quality scenarios table, complete with a list of user reviews. If Stareye updates it, they'll get the new version up in a jiffy. If it recieves more ratings, they'll update the score and the reviews.

It's not a case of "We don't have time to look after BoE." It's a case of "We don't really give two hoots."

Note that they list "working on upcoming games" which are five or six months from being released, as being more urgent than providing prompt customer service.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Thoroughly disgusted in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #12
I once suggested that if they don't have time to take care of the tables, why on earth not hand them over to the community to handle. She said she'd think about it. Perhaps it would be a good idea to remind them of that option.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Newbie... in General
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #69
(Just noticed this topic)

Well, I suppose I should say G'day. The Lyceum is basically the place to be to talk about Blades (Exile or Avernum). It's where most the major designers hang around, you can rate scenarios, and if you're feeling particularly brave, wander into Advanced Scenario Discussion.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Thoroughly disgusted in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #9
Yes, Revenge got put back up. After a whole bunch of annoyed emails. And being replaced with Frahhamn's Revenge.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Thoroughly disgusted in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #3
Not like it's the first time a scenario has vanished like a fart in the wind, either...

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Favourite SPIDWEB game in General
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #29
BoE.

Then BoA.

Then Geneforge.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Magic and Progress in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #7
Hmm. Surprised Stareye hasn't popped his head in yet. He loves this sort of stuff. In A Perfect Forest he's got a *mmpphh*

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
A few questions about making a scenario... in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #2
1) Small map is generally better. Unless there's something really special about your outdoors. Keep a few sections spare, though - you can't add new ones later.

2) Personally, I build all the sequences individually and then join them up. (Sequences being when a whole bunch of stuff happens quickly - I build my scenarios mostly out of these) But it's probably not the best method to copy. Maybe do all the plot stuff first - get the core of the scenario done, and then add however many details you think the scenario needs.

3) I like hard battles, but only if they're clever. Tougher monsters and more monsters are two things that should probably be avoided when designing combat. Do something else to stretch the party - like let the bad guys get the first hit.

4) A lot of twists is a good thing, as long as they aren't forced or implausible. Generally, if it takes a big chunk of text to explain a twist, it's not so hot. But everyone loves a good story-scenario.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
What things are you looking for in a scenario? in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #8
What I want to see in a scenario: Something I've never seen before.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Personality problems in Blades of Avernum Editor
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #3
I find it amusing that someone calling himself Roderick Glossop starts a topic called Personality Problems. :P But then, that was probably intentional.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Personality problems in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #3
I find it amusing that someone calling himself Roderick Glossop starts a topic called Personality Problems. :P But then, that was probably intentional.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
The Election-save files in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #7
Actually, the fact that the character has an incurable disease is an integral part of the storyline. Also, it's important that you have no food.

The stats aren't that unimportant. You can win that fight if you know what you're doing. But probably not without magic.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Some Musings on Tactics in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #8
I found it interesting that Vahkohs is very vulnerable to Cloud of Blades for some reason.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Poll: Password protected scenarios: what do you think? in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #4
New designers tend to feel very protective of their work. Older designers realize this is just silly. I passworded Isle of Boredom, Ugantan Nightmare, and Deadly Goblins. I left To Live in Fear, Revenge, and Areni open. There's no need for passwords.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Where should I start designing? in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #99
A bit of both, really. Being a farmer means I'm constantly confronted with the harsh realities. I've seen thousands of animals die, because of humans, because of other animals, and sometimes because of their own stupidity. My religion and worldview shapes what I think and feel about these things.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Where should I start designing? in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #97
Djur, no need to attack him.

How do you seperate conscience from religion? I can't. My religion is central to my beliefs about what is right and wrong. If I believed that God didn't exist and that we all evolved, I'd believe that there was no right or wrong, and I wouldn't feel guilty about anything. But then, maybe that's just me.

Obviously, you disagree with me over a few points. That's okay. I was simply putting forward my view on the issue, seeing as I'm usually the voice of conservatism around here - I've been involved in gosh knows how many debates over on the General board about homosexuality, abortion, animal rights and whatnot.

I wasn't in any way trying to justify witchcraft. We both agree that's a bad thing. My point was simply that an artistic representation of a bad thing is not necessarily a bad thing in of itself - citing the Passion once again, we watch the Son of God as he is brutally murdered. That's a bad thing - doesn't make it an evil movie.

Regarding the second passage, I presume you're making the point that violence is bad, and BoE involves a lot of virtual killing, so BoE is bad. It's an understandable point of view. Personally, it's like a chess game for me - I enjoy it for the tactics. I very much doubt anyone does enjoy it for the 'violence', such as there is - there's a million 'better' games for that. There are one or two scenarios that seem to delight in the gore and have detailed descriptions of violent scenes - New Life and Burned to the Ground come to mind. I don't enjoy these, or pretend that there's nothing wrong with them. But that doesn't make the medium bad.

Anyway, you have your own opinions, and I'd be suprised if anything I said changed your mind at all. I'd be willing to continue this discussion if you are. Regardless, nice to have you drop by again. You could stick around, you know. However you feel about BoE itself, you can still chat with those who do play it.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
How did you guys get your scenario ideas? in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #15
quote:
Originally written by The Hexamethonium Man:

So THAT's how you got the idea for that dream sequence in Revenge! :P
*dies laughing*

I really should have seen that coming. But I didn't.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Worth it? in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #1
Not much difference whether you register now or later. But if you register now, you can play what there is now, and if some new exciting scenario gets made, you can have a chance of testing it.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Where should I start designing? in Blades of Exile
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #93
I'm a devout Christian, and BoE doesn't bother me at all. Okay, there's 'demons'. But they aren't anything like real demons. You can hack them to death. In Quests of the Spheres, there's one who died from natural causes. I think the scenario Demon provides a pretty good explanation of the BoE demon, which shares pretty much nothing with real demons apart from the name.

I think there is often a tendency among Christians to be over-sensitive about anything spiritual or supernatural. We all accept violence is a bad thing, but that doesn't mean Ben-Hur or The Passion of the Christ are inherently evil films. And given that we believe that a supernatural realm actually exists, one is forced to wonder why so many Christians are so opposed to anyone actually dealing with it. I know some people who think Lord of the Rings is evil - and it was written by a devout Catholic.

Anyhow, I'm just saying that there's no argument against using Demons in art that really stands up to logical thought. Because they're evil? See above point about the Passion and Ben-Hur. Spiritualism? For Christians, surely the spiritual world is just another set of facts. Besides, I'm sure Aceron and others wouldn't consider Frank Peretti's "This Present Dankness" to be morally bankrupt. Gross inaccuracy? While the vast majority of representations of demons (including and especially the BoE one) are incredibly inaccurate, so are Disney films when it comes to animals, or just about any movie regarding violence.

One argument that could stand up pretty well is "It's wrong to glorify evil". I can see this one as a strong defensible position. However, BoE doesn't do this. The Demons are the baddies.

Anyhow, This is all pretty much irrelevant to me, as I see Blades demons as purely ficticious inventions that only share a name with the actual things that everyone worrries about - much like the 'priests' in BoE.

--------------------
Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
How did you guys get your scenario ideas? in Blades of Avernum
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #9
Coming up with ideas is easy. All you have to do is stare at the screen until little beads of blood appear on your forehead.

--------------------
Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00
Requests for BoA Scenario Format 3 in Blades of Avernum Editor
BoE Posse
Member # 112
Profile #45
That list looks pretty good to me. I'd probably add 8.4 as a priority as well, but otherwise, great.

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Rate my scenarios!

Areni
Revenge
To Live in Fear
Deadly Goblins
Ugantan Nightmare
Isle of Boredom
Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00

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