66 replies to this topic

[SimDing0]

Ashara, on Aug 2 2005, 05:04 PM, said:

I see little reason for doing 'another' Bhaalspawn's life story, of a kid who discovers his powers and battles/embraces his heritage.

Right, which is why I don't think that's a very good idea either. I'm just saying, I can only envisage trying to squeeze even more from the already overstretched Bhaalspawn saga leading to awkward and contrived plots. If you've got a great tale planned out that could continue the series, then sure, I might be wrong, but it still seems to me that the concept of After the End revolves primarily around bending the story to the "coolness" factor of continuing with one's favourite PC regardless of the cost. Yes, we might be fascinated by the story of Anakin Skywalker (or not...), but I don't think that means it'd be a good thing for the plot to limp awkardly into *yet another* Darth Vader movie when the tale's already been concluded.

[Rabain]

Level 1 Son/Daughter of Bhaalspawn 17 years down the line from ToB? Has to live up to dad/mom's reputation in the realms? Has no special abilites (perhaps one use of Summon Dad/Mom per day).

[Andyr]

I think it might be an interesting idea to do a TC starting at low levels, re-using areas from the BG games but not necessarily Bhaalspawn related.

If Bhaal were to be involved, I would suggest the new stomping grounds to be the Planes - though that'd need massive area editing.

[Caedwyr]

True. Dump the Bhaalspawn PC into the Planescape setting, and all of a sudden they aren't quite so overpowered in comparison to everyone. The Ravenloft setting would be another one that could provide a challenge, and it would also provide a very strong RP base.

Personally, I find lowering the level of the PC too much of a Deus Ex Machina device, and those have been overused enough in various RPGs.

[Adder]

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Level 1 Son/Daughter of Bhaalspawn 17 years down the line from ToB? Has to live up to dad/mom's reputation in the realms? Has no special abilites (perhaps one use of Summon Dad/Mom per day).

I think this idea would make most room for an interesting plotline. Let's say, 25 years in the future, the kid is about 20 years old. (PC was 20 when he started adventuring IIRC) Her reasons for adventuring could vary, depending on if the PC ascended or not and/or his alignment. However this should be adressed only in the beginning of the game/mod, or one could easily have to code up to four different plotlines

Also, meeting some of Dad's old buddies on her travels could be lovely (not joinable). Some would have become old and retired by this time and most of them far more powerful. This would give some interesting dialogues.
Her travel-compagnions would be about Level 1 too, of course. Some of them could be the descendants of joinable NPCs, for example Mazzy's son who is sick of being pushed by his mother to be a hero/knight and choose to become a rogue instead. Valygars son who became a mage, only grudgingly accepted by his father. Keldorns little daughter Vesper who wants to be a paladin just like him. Or Viconias half-drow daughter who is a cleric/mage (guess whom I picture to be her father ) As an alternative to her (if PC romanced Viconia in SoA) Aeries daughter who is a bard (maybe sired by Haer'Dalis but not neccessarily).

[Kulyok]

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Plus, every time you bring back an NPC, you have to answer the question - why not others...

I have to agree: I myself was disappointed when I saw Minsc and others in BG2, instead of my favourites.

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Level 1 Son/Daughter of Bhaalspawn 17 years down the line from ToB? Has to live up to dad/mom's reputation in the realms? Has no special abilites (perhaps one use of Summon Dad/Mom per day).

I would be very uncomfortable and disturbed by the idea that my PC had a child in the Bhaalspawn saga. In my opinion, it would be even worse than the situation with Diablo protagonist in Diablo II, who's been possessed by the very monster he defeated.

Edited by Kulyok, 03 August 2005 - 03:10 AM.

[Delight]

Caedwyr, on Aug 3 2005, 12:51 AM, said:

True.  Dump the Bhaalspawn PC into the Planescape setting, and all of a sudden they aren't quite so overpowered in comparison to everyone.  The Ravenloft setting would be another one that could provide a challenge, and it would also provide a very strong RP base.

Mmmm...
Rrravenloft ...
I remember discussing this idea on Imoen Romance forum...
I had an idea that after rejecting the offer to become god, PC would be sucked into the Demiplane of Dread...
Without other party members (Ultima VIII anyone?)...

[jester]

I think after a certain point you can skip levelling althogether. I am only interested in levelling until I get a workable charcter, then I want to put his abilities to use. Level one sucks, but a decent midrange and just give me enough story to spend a year or so on the game.

I would have loved to be a lonesome bard travelling the SC to find traces of the Bhaalspawn (not unlike Balduran himself) who saved the day on many occasions. Though it is a challenge in its own right as the obviously only vague hints in IWD2 show.

[Mongoose87]

A somewhat different approach could be used: Charname is assumed to have ascended to godhood and the PC is approched by this new god to become his/her High Priest. The behaviour of the god would reflect the laignment of the PC as a good god would not approch someone evil or an evil god approch someone good. The story follows the priest trying to establish the faith in Faerun.

[Mongoose87]

I was thinking the PC could recieve spell like abilities granted by the god, if not a priest. I also realised one could not play their old PC like this, but it would be a non-cheese excuse for starting with a mid-level character.

[Forgotten Angel]

I find the idea of this fascinating. I've always loved the Planescape setting for tabletop RPGs. Tried PST, but I never could get into playing as the Nameless One. I've a bit of a hard time putting myself in the shoes of a male protagonist, though I very much wanted to like it.

A post-ToB 'mod,' if you will, would be a wonderful adventure. I agree that new NPCs would be a must; much as I love some of the Bioware bunch, more and more when I replay the game, I find myself using mod characters instead. I think retaining the PC's level as is would be neccessary, however, the new companions needn't be so high and mighty. In fact, as someone (I apologize for forgetting the name) mentioned previously, keeping lower level NPCs alive and well could be an interesting challenge. The main PC really needn't level any more past a certain point, probably, though where to draw the line, I don't know. Personally, as far as 'levels' for my PC go, I'd be plenty happy with gaining special abilities along the course of the storyline. These abilities wouldn't need to be anything incredibly powerful, just something interesting. Too tired to define 'interesting' at the moment, however.

I'd think that the whole thing would be doable, probably along the scope of some of the big mods out there now. Should plans ever come to fruition for anything, I'd be happy to help with storyline ideas or a bit of writing and such. Definiting intriguing. Ashara, you do come up with the most interesting things.

[Kulyok]

And, of course, there is also an obvious approach: a group of young and eager adventurers is going to research the paths of the Bhaalspawn wars. Of course, they may never find out what'll happen to CHARNAME, but the events of TOB influenced many people and caused unrest in many groups (Zhentarim come to mind, or the remaining Bhaalspawn cults) - and a hero, obviously, needs to step forward.

Sigh! Why do I have this strange idea that they absolutely have to start in Evereska?