470 replies to this topic

[HighTimeRodeo]

Hey there!

I've been wanting to see a Sarevok romance out for the longest time, and I wanted to offer my help, if you need it, maybe to help move things along a little (seeing how this thread seems to be incredibly slow-moving lately). I can't offer much except some writing and editing experience, though I'm also pretty good with flowcharts if you're still thinking of making one . Oh, and I'm a decent beta reader, I think. And I have some time on my hands.

So... I'd be really excited to be involved if you want me to be, but I won't be insulted if it's a no.

If you'd like to do the flowcharts, please feel free.

I have to apologize, my attention has wandered. I'm currently trying to finish the first game and I should be able to work on the mod when that's done.

[Erdbeere]

If you'd like to do the flowcharts, please feel free.

I have to apologize, my attention has wandered. I'm currently trying to finish the first game and I should be able to work on the mod when that's done.

Understandable. Yes, I can definitely do a flowchart.

Do you have a general narrative in mind for the romance yet? I assume it is it going to start with that previously posted flirt option to look at Sarevok and proceed from there, but what happens after that? Do they get physically intimate before they really start talking to each other in-depth? What are the different endings for the romance and how will the player get there?

I'll be sifting through the thread for more information, but if you could answer these questions (or at least part of them) it would really help a lot.

[HighTimeRodeo]

If you'd like to do the flowcharts, please feel free.

I have to apologize, my attention has wandered. I'm currently trying to finish the first game and I should be able to work on the mod when that's done.

Understandable. Yes, I can definitely do a flowchart.

Do you have a general narrative in mind for the romance yet? I assume it is it going to start with that previously posted flirt option to look at Sarevok and proceed from there, but what happens after that? Do they get physically intimate before they really start talking to each other in-depth? What are the different endings for the romance and how will the player get there?

I'll be sifting through the thread for more information, but if you could answer these questions (or at least part of them) it would really help a lot.

Yeah. It'll start with flirting, intimacy and then in-depth stuff.

I have an encounter written if you'd like to proof-read. I have no real first hand knowledge of the subject, but I have a, ehm, vivid imagination.

[Erdbeere]

Yeah. It'll start with flirting, intimacy and then in-depth stuff.

I have an encounter written if you'd like to proof-read. I have no real first hand knowledge of the subject, but I have a, ehm, vivid imagination.

Sure, I'd love to. Send it over.

[Erdbeere]

So, I've had absolutely nothing to do this afternoon (obviously ) and I know I'm totally new to the thread and all, and none of you know me, and it's like I'm sticking my nose where it don't belong, but it'd be a shame to let my enthusiasm go to waste, no? Going through the thread again I noticed that there still seems to b a bit of a hole when it comes to how the romance actually progresses (a certain framework is missing), and I had some thoughts on that so I figured maybe I could share.

I'm really not trying to be pushy or steal anyone's thunder here. Feel free to change everything and anything about this and criticize to your liking, it's just my thoughts on how the romance might progress. Paragraphs in parentheses are thoughts that I don't think are essential to build the initial romance but that should probably be added eventually.


The whole thing starts out purely physical, with the PC's interest being established in the first lovetalk or flirt (looking Sarevok over, or whatever it ended up being). They become physically intimate very soon. I could see the PC, after the first, uh, romantic encounter seeking out Sarevok before resting one evening to talk to him about what happened, and ending up doing something entirely different than talking (or, if the PC is not the sort to have scruples, could just be coming back for more in the first place). After that, I can actually see Sarevok seeing out the PC one night, because by that time he might be kind of intrigued. Part of his motivation would probably be his usual M.O. of seeking power.

That part of the romance should be interspersed with certain talks (some of them possibly pillow talks) during which Sarevok should still be fairly dismissive and extremely reluctant to open up - tenderness from him at this stage is unrealistic, IMO.

(I can also see a character reaction or two happening suring this phase ? just as an example, Jaheira, if she?s in the party, might confront the PC after catching her coming out of Sarevok?s room in the morning, or something of the sort. Also, if the PC is actually in a relationship with Anomen [other mod romances can be added later] you?d think that he would figure out fairly early that something?s going on, so any kind of romance conflict could also be placed here.)

Somewhere during this phase there will also be the Tamoko Wraith encounter as well as the role reversal challenge in the pocket plane. Both of these should trigger Sarevok's opening up about her a bit (though still quite guarded, and I could see him getting irritated if the PC presses him about it).

(As was discussed earlier in this thread, there probably should be an option for a PC who just isn?t inclined that way to choke off any romance beyond the physical, but I think it would be most productive to add that later, once the initial thing is written, so let?s leave that out for now).

This is followed by them slowly growing closer, if the PC so desires, by discussing personal questions (Irenicus? torture, Gorion, etc) . By this stage the plot should have progressed at least as far as Abazigal/Sendai, unless an extra quest or something of the sort is added. More NPCs might comment on what?s happening during this stage as they figure out something's going on.

After the demise of the first of Abazigal or Sendai (and the third challenge) I can see a big talk happening during which there is discussion of what might or might not happen at the Throne of Bhaal. I don't remember at which point exactly Sarevok offers to become your general if you ascend, but for any evil-aligned PC he should hint at it or expand on it here. The PC might like to take him up on it and they might then talk about godly power and plot what they?ll do with it. I think this is the point where Sarevok would really start to be drawn to an evil character.

For a good character, this talk should fit in neatly with the alignment change dialogues and maybe expand on Sarevok?s eventual decision to rething his views. The PC should be given some pretty convincing arguments to make, including, possibly, why she doesn?t see caring for someone else as a weakness, which might lead to her getting the chance to admit that she does, in fact, care for Sarevok. By this stage, he probably wouldn?t be full of enthusiasm, but I can see them being far enough along with the conversations and all that he?d actually put some thought into it instead of being scornful and plain dismissive.

After that, I could see some of the more intimate flirts and lovetalks happening.



So, um, whatcha think?

[HighTimeRodeo]

So, I've had absolutely nothing to do this afternoon (obviously ) and I know I'm totally new to the thread and all, and none of you know me, and it's like I'm sticking my nose where it don't belong, but it'd be a shame to let my enthusiasm go to waste, no? Going through the thread again I noticed that there still seems to b a bit of a hole when it comes to how the romance actually progresses (a certain framework is missing), and I had some thoughts on that so I figured maybe I could share.

I'm really not trying to be pushy or steal anyone's thunder here. Feel free to change everything and anything about this and criticize to your liking, it's just my thoughts on how the romance might progress. Paragraphs in parentheses are thoughts that I don't think are essential to build the initial romance but that should probably be added eventually.


The whole thing starts out purely physical, with the PC's interest being established in the first lovetalk or flirt (looking Sarevok over, or whatever it ended up being). They become physically intimate very soon. I could see the PC, after the first, uh, romantic encounter seeking out Sarevok before resting one evening to talk to him about what happened, and ending up doing something entirely different than talking (or, if the PC is not the sort to have scruples, could just be coming back for more in the first place). After that, I can actually see Sarevok seeing out the PC one night, because by that time he might be kind of intrigued. Part of his motivation would probably be his usual M.O. of seeking power.

That part of the romance should be interspersed with certain talks (some of them possibly pillow talks) during which Sarevok should still be fairly dismissive and extremely reluctant to open up - tenderness from him at this stage is unrealistic, IMO.

(I can also see a character reaction or two happening suring this phase ? just as an example, Jaheira, if she?s in the party, might confront the PC after catching her coming out of Sarevok?s room in the morning, or something of the sort. Also, if the PC is actually in a relationship with Anomen [other mod romances can be added later] you?d think that he would figure out fairly early that something?s going on, so any kind of romance conflict could also be placed here.)

Somewhere during this phase there will also be the Tamoko Wraith encounter as well as the role reversal challenge in the pocket plane. Both of these should trigger Sarevok's opening up about her a bit (though still quite guarded, and I could see him getting irritated if the PC presses him about it).

(As was discussed earlier in this thread, there probably should be an option for a PC who just isn?t inclined that way to choke off any romance beyond the physical, but I think it would be most productive to add that later, once the initial thing is written, so let?s leave that out for now).

This is followed by them slowly growing closer, if the PC so desires, by discussing personal questions (Irenicus? torture, Gorion, etc) . By this stage the plot should have progressed at least as far as Abazigal/Sendai, unless an extra quest or something of the sort is added. More NPCs might comment on what?s happening during this stage as they figure out something's going on.

After the demise of the first of Abazigal or Sendai (and the third challenge) I can see a big talk happening during which there is discussion of what might or might not happen at the Throne of Bhaal. I don't remember at which point exactly Sarevok offers to become your general if you ascend, but for any evil-aligned PC he should hint at it or expand on it here. The PC might like to take him up on it and they might then talk about godly power and plot what they?ll do with it. I think this is the point where Sarevok would really start to be drawn to an evil character.

For a good character, this talk should fit in neatly with the alignment change dialogues and maybe expand on Sarevok?s eventual decision to rething his views. The PC should be given some pretty convincing arguments to make, including, possibly, why she doesn?t see caring for someone else as a weakness, which might lead to her getting the chance to admit that she does, in fact, care for Sarevok. By this stage, he probably wouldn?t be full of enthusiasm, but I can see them being far enough along with the conversations and all that he?d actually put some thought into it instead of being scornful and plain dismissive.

After that, I could see some of the more intimate flirts and lovetalks happening.



So, um, whatcha think?

It looks great. We're thinking of making Watcher's Keep mandatory for it. What do you think of the idea?

Oh, do you want that encounter e-mailed?

[Erdbeere]

It looks great. We're thinking of making Watcher's Keep mandatory for it. What do you think of the idea?

Oh, do you want that encounter e-mailed?

Yes please. Do you need me to PM you my email or do you want to just use the form?

Oh, I'm glad you don't mind me butting in and adding my $.02 to everything.

I'm of two minds on the Watcher's Keep issue, actually. Before, the idea of tying the romance to in-game events instead of using only timers was discussed, which makes sense since ToB is so short and gameplay is fairly linear. We know the PC will be arriving in Amkethran before going off to slay Sendai, so we can put an early LT to trigger when Amkethran is first entered and a later one after reaching Sendai's enclave, for example. The issue with Watcher's Keep is that it's the most non-linear aspect of ToB since you can play through it at any time. If we were getting LTs to trigger while in Watcher's Keep, I wouldn't know which ones those would be since we couldn't be sure at what point in the relationship the player is at.

If we can work around this issue, I'd be all for it. Maybe we could create some not-so-specific LTs that could happen at any point in the romance?

[Kaeloree]

Please don't make Watcher's Keep mandatory. Personally, I hate that, as I either tend to do it in SoA or don't do it at all.

This really looks like it's shaping up, ladies and gents--I can't wait to see more material!

[Thanatos.]

I can solemly say that I have never done the Keep. And I don't plan to. Besides, love in ToB failing because of its shortness isn't that big a deal. You can still add your own quests and such to it.

[Erdbeere]

Then we should probably keep it optional for now, if Rodeo agrees. We could maybe add some optional talks there, easter egg style, if we have leftover material. But first we need to worry about the actual romance.

A quest might be a nice idea for later, though I can't imagine what it might be.

I'm also working on a lovetalk, but dialogue isn't my strong point, and I'm trying very hard to stay away from action text, so I don't know whether it's any good or complete rubbish. I'll post it once I'm done. That is... can I post something here that hints at intimacy? It isn't graphic or explicit in any form, but I'm not overly familiar with the forum rules for that.

[GeN1e]

What's written below is my personal take on how to build a non-linear romance in a not-too-linear game.

1) Timer, so you won't be getting several talks in a row. As per BG2.
2) Some talks should trigger only under certain conditions, to add a sense of non-linearity. It does not cover dialogs that fire nonetheless, but with conditions excluding each other (like being a human or non-human). These go without timing, naturally.
3) Every talk should have options to allow you to earn 'influence points' or 'love progression' or whatever else you call it. Kotor2.
4) Every talk should have somewhat different variations, depending largely on the 'influence' or other curcumstances. Like saying in before 'you stupid bitch', which would terminate Bioware styled romance instantly, but in our case we can apoligize for having a really bad day. If she likes us a lot already, she'll understand and forgive.
5) And finally - do not enforce a player to do anything.

4th can be really difficult and effort consuming if approached very seriously, so no wonder they don't make a romance tamagochi out of an RPG. But having roughly a dozen of instances of that here and there won't hurt at all. It can be even reduced to merely having few possibilities at the end:
a) +~Influence(Interval(0,10))~+ ~You know, I think it's better for us to break. Really~
b) +~Influence(Interval(10,20))~+ ~You're a great friend and comrade, and I hoped for more, but I feel it won't work out. Maybe later, but not now.~
c) +~Influence(Interval(20,30))~+ ~Let's be together till the end.~



So, getting back to Sarevok and WK. It's wonderfully fine to set the amount of influence gained there to sky levels, making the romance an easy walkthrough. But at the same time none prevents earning the same amount by carefully picking dialog options in other talks. It will much harder for a player to get ~Let's be together till the end.~ this way, but still possible.

[Erdbeere]

What's written below is my personal take on how to build a non-linear romance in a not-too-linear game.

1) Timer, so you won't be getting several talks in a row. As per BG2.
2) Some talks should trigger only under certain conditions, to add a sense of non-linearity. It does not cover dialogs that fire nonetheless, but with conditions excluding each other (like being a human or non-human). These go without timing, naturally.
3) Every talk should have options to allow you to earn 'influence points' or 'love progression' or whatever else you call it. Kotor2.
4) Every talk should have somewhat different variations, depending largely on the 'influence' or other curcumstances. Like saying in before 'you stupid bitch', which would terminate Bioware styled romance instantly, but in our case we can apoligize for having a really bad day. If she likes us a lot already, she'll understand and forgive.
5) And finally - do not enforce a player to do anything.

4th can be really difficult and effort consuming if approached very seriously, so no wonder they don't make a romance tamagochi out of an RPG. But having roughly a dozen of instances of that here and there won't hurt at all. It can be even reduced to merely having few possibilities at the end:
a) +~Influence(Interval(0,10))~+ ~You know, I think it's better for us to break. Really~
b) +~Influence(Interval(10,20))~+ ~You're a great friend and comrade, and I hoped for more, but I feel it won't work out. Maybe later, but not now.~
c) +~Influence(Interval(20,30))~+ ~Let's be together till the end.~



So, getting back to Sarevok and WK. It's wonderfully fine to set the amount of influence gained there to sky levels, making the romance an easy walkthrough. But at the same time none prevents earning the same amount by carefully picking dialog options in other talks. It will much harder for a player to get ~Let's be together till the end.~ this way, but still possible.

Thank you. Okay, I'll reply to the points one by one. I'm only speaking for myself here, of course.

1) I think we've pretty much agreed to make most of the talks event-dependent. Personally I do think it makes the most sense.

2) I do like this idea in addition to the ones that fire nonetheless. I think we should definitely have one talk that depends on the PC's class, and I think towards the end the talks will be very different depending on whether the romance is headed in an evil or good direction, but we could probably add a few conditional talks like you propose. Since those can't be an integral part of the romance though as they're optional, we should worry abut them last.

3 & 4) So sort of a NWN2-style influence rating? It seems doable, but it would be a LOT of work - not to mention it would give us yet another factor to consider when it comes to the epilogues, apart from which ending the main character chooses, whether they're good or evil, whether Sarevok has been redeemed or not, it would now also depend on the influence rating of the romance. That seems kinda tricky. And apart from Watcher's Keep, ToB really is very linear compared to SoA and its gazillion quests, so I don't know whether it would be worth all the extra work.
Having every dialogue have different choices depending on the influence is, once again, a LOT of work. And I'm very concerned about this mod getting done in the first place, without adding some rather ambitious work. It is also something that can always be added much later if it's felt that it would improve the romance.

5) I'll definitely agree with you on that one. There should always be an "out" for the player. However, Sarevok isn't a patient and understanding kind of guy, so I could definitely see some situations where, if the PC doesn't do as he wants her to, the romance will end. In fact the talk I just wrote is kinda like that.


Now, what does everybody else think? Cause as I said, I'm just butting in here trying to provide a bit of fresh wind and these are nothing but my personal thoughts on these suggestions.

Edited by Erdbeere, 12 March 2009 - 01:37 PM.

[Erdbeere]

Posting this without some of the extra comments I'd like to make on it, since I want to see how it works without them first.

But let me say that once again, dialogue is not my strong point, and as some people have stated previously Sarevok isn't easy to write. I'm kinda unsure as to whether this works at all. I tried my very best to stay away from action text completely, though maybe a little could be added if people think it's necessary.

I should also point out that I have no issues with having my work criticized, dismissed, ripped apart and smeared with a huge red marker and I welcome any and all criticism. Oh, and this is my first time trying to write in .d - I used Kulyok's tutorial and I hope I did it right.

The setting is before rest in the pocket plane or at an inn, after Sarevok and the PC have already gotten intimate once.


IF ~~ sa2lt
SAY ~And here you are, coming to my room again, <CHARNAME>, like a dog begging for another treat.~ //could use a better metaphor, I can?t think of any right now though
++ ~Don?t flatter yourself, Sarevok. I was on my way to bathe and nothing more.~ + sa2lt.1
++ ~I?ve come to talk to you, not for treats of one sort or another.~ + sa2lt.2
++ ~Yes, I suppose, though I do not care for the way you phrase it.~ + sa2lt.3
++ ~How wrong you are. The treat is mine, and I?ve come to make you beg for it.~ + sa2lt.4
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.1
SAY ~And you expect me to believe this?~
++ ~It is the truth, Sarevok. Something you would know little about.~ + sa2lt.go
++ ~Think what you want. What happened was a mistake, one I will be sure not to make again.~ + sa2lt.go
++ ~No, I suppose not.~ + sa2lt.5
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.2
SAY ~Is that so? Very well then, sister, come in and speak your mind. What is it you wish to talk about?~
++ ~I?ve come to tell you that what happened between us was a mistake, and I won?t let it happen again.~ + sa2lt.6
++ ~I?ve been wondering how you feel about what happened the other night? between us.~ + sa2lt.7
++ ~I just wanted to know your take on bedding me the other night. Is it a thrill for you?~ + sa2lt.8
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.3
SAY ~Come to bed then, sister, and I will make you beg.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.4
SAY ~Is that so? Come to bed then, sister, and we will find out just who will be the one begging.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.5
SAY ~Then what is it you want? I do not have the patience for your squirming.~
++ ~I?ve come to tell you that what happened between us was a mistake, and I won?t let it happen again.~ + sa2lt.6
++ ~I?ve been wondering how you feel about what happened the other night? between us.~ + sa2lt.7
++ ~I just wanted to know your take on bedding me the other night. Is it a thrill for you?~ + sa2lt.8
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.6
SAY ~I see. So you are overcome with guilt now, like a weakling. Bah, spare me talk of your rediscovered conscience.~
IF ~~ + sa2lt.go2
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.7
SAY ~Call it what it is, fool. I bedded you.~
IF ~~ + sa2lt.8
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.8
SAY ~So far, I can?t say that it hasn?t been? interesting.~
++ ~That?s all?~ + sa2lt.9
++ ~That isn?t an answer, Sarevok.~ + sa2lt.9
++ ~Interesting?~ + sa2lt.9
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.9
SAY ~What are you expecting to hear, <CHARNAME>? You should know me enough by now not to expect meaningless flattery from my mouth. And I will not tolerate games.~ //I?m pretty sure I?m stealing from Aeryn here, but I can?t think of how else to phrase it right now. Really sorry.
++ ~Games?~ + sa2lt.10
++ ~No games, then.~ + sa2lt.10
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.10
SAY ~It is a simple choice, dear sister. Stay, and let me show you pleasure once more ? or flee back to your room, like a coward. But do not waste my time with idle chatter.~
++ ~Very well, I will stay.~ + sa2lt.stay
++ ~I can?t. I?m sorry.~ + sa2lt.go1
++ ~There isn?t a way in the hells I will share your bed again. Not after that speech.~ + sa2lt.go
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.stay
SAY ~Come then, let me take you to bed.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.go
SAY ~Very well then. I will not waste my energy trying to convince you otherwise.~
IF ~~ + sa2lt.go2
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.go1
SAY ~Bah, you really are a fool, and a weak-minded one at that.~
IF ~~ + sa2lt.go2
END

IF ~~ sa2lt.go2
SAY ~Go, but do not come crawling back to me once you realize your folly.~ // ends romance
IF ~~ EXIT
END

[Thanatos.]

[Erdbeere]

Is that in response to my dialogue then? Cause that gives me a bit of a confidence boost.

[HighTimeRodeo]

Wow, alot of good points and not all what I understood.

I can honestly take or leave Watcher's Keep. I try to go through it and only managed to do it once and even that gave me claustrophobia. I like the idea of setting timers and certain conditions.

As for dialog, I think we're concentrating on, pardon if I offend anyone, wishy washy PC's. How do we know the PC would let Sarevok say 'Call it what it was, fool. I bedded you'? My PC's, good or evil, would let him have it just for that.

The dialog looked great, Erdbeere. I'd try it out, but my computer won't read what I code and I'll get you that encounter asap.

[Erdbeere]

Wow, alot of good points and not all what I understood.

I can honestly take or leave Watcher's Keep. I try to go through it and only managed to do it once and even that gave me claustrophobia. I like the idea of setting timers and certain conditions.

As for dialog, I think we're concentrating on, pardon if I offend anyone, wishy washy PC's. How do we know the PC would let Sarevok say 'Call it what it was, fool. I bedded you'? My PC's, good or evil, would let him have it just for that.

The dialog looked great, Erdbeere. I'd try it out, but my computer won't read what I code and I'll get you that encounter asap.

We can totally add more dialogue paths, or change Sarevok's answer to that bit! I think that's a pretty essential thing to do for any dialogue, actually... have a few different people go through each one and comment on important PC dialogue choices that seem to be missing. In this particular case, I was trying to make Sarevok his usual cold, cruel self since it's set towards the beginning, where he really doesn't care for the PC all that much.

I actually do enjoy Watcher's Keep every once in a while. What I don't like about it that it's very difficult to justify going through it in ToB on roleplaying grounds. "Hey, Bhaalspawn are murdering everyone and the world is ending and you need to go claim your heritage and stop Melissan at all cost!" "Okay, let's go tackle this massive dungeon that has nothing to do with any of that."

Here's another thought I just had: In order to keep Sarevok in character (or at least as close to it as possible), we need to be very careful with the way we write him towards the beginning of the romance. He's still evil and cruel, and he doesn't have any sort of affection for the PC to start with, and the way I see it, his motivation for this whole thing is twofold:
1. He sees this as a means to gain power by getting closer to the PC
2. He wants to get laid
And I'm pretty sure he'd rank them in that order. Thoughts?

[Erdbeere]

So I have to confess at this point that I'm a teacher - just saying because I think this is a very teacher-ish thing to do.

I was thinking we need some sort of a list of short-term and long-term goals, so we can figure out what we need to do right away and what we should do later. So I made such a list, though of course it isn't complete yet. Feel free to add.


1. Get this mod its own workspace. In order to do that (I think it was mentioned a few pages back) we have to demonstrate a high level of quality and that we have the drive to finish this mod. High level of quality is something that's difficult to plan for, since it's somewhat subjective, but I think elements that will help are to double-check all dialogues that have been posted so far for spelling and logical progression, and having a plausible narrative for the mod. Maybe getting the existing dialogues written in .d will also help. As for drive to finish the mod - we need more material as well as a good plan for when to finish what and how, and I think being well-organized will also help. I do think we need a workspace soon if at all possible because it's a pain to have to go looking through sixteen pages for dialogue samples and ideas on different topics - and since several people are working on this, it's important to stay on top of what everyone else has written / proposed / planned.

2. Plan out the entire mod. Eventually we'll need to have an idea about the exact number of lovetalks, at what point and in what order they occur, and what their content will be. If we don't do this the talks may feel disjointed. We want to have the romance "flow", and make the player feel like one talk progresses naturally into the next one. At no point should they feel like there is a chunk missing. After that's done we can feel free to write a lot of the mod material.

3. Get a coder. Before attempting to find someone who will code this mod for us, we'll have to have most of the mod already finished. We should have all dialogue in .d eventually - it's not difficult to do the simple stuff, I tried it yesterday for the first time using Kulyok's tutorial and didn't have much trouble. I'm sure there were a few errors but most of the grunt work can be done by us so that a coder won't faint when they see all the work they have cut out for them.

4. Get the mod all finished and have a giant party. I'll bring the cake.

[Erdbeere]

I've been mulling over the sibling issue trying to find a somewhat elegant solution. Here is an idea I came up with. I was thinking we could simply add this or a similar dialogue close to the beginning of ToB, before the romance even starts at all.


IF ~~ sa0lt
SAY ~A word, sister.~
++~What is it?~ + sa0lt.1
++~Not now, Sarevok.~ + sa0lt.1
++~(ignore him)~ + sa0lt.1
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.1
SAY ~Ha! I see the look in your eyes.~
= ~You despise that I call you my sister, do you not?~
++~You are imagining things.~ + sa0lt.2
++~How could I not?~ + sa0lt.3
++~You are not my brother, Sarevok. Not anymore.~ + sa0lt.5
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.2
SAY ~No, <CHARNAME>, I do not believe I am.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.4
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.3
SAY ~How indeed.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.4
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.4
SAY ~It must irk you greatly to hear your would-be murderer claim kinship.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.5
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.5
SAY ~But you cannot deny that we are kin.~
++~Bhaal?s taint is gone from you now. It was all that marked us as siblings.~ + sa0lt.6
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.6
SAY ~We may not be siblings in the flesh, this much is true. Not as we might have been if the father we shared had been a mortal.~
= ~ And you are correct, the taint is gone from me. This bond may no longer be, sister, but it is not so easily forgotten.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.7
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.7 //Only if Sarevok has a piece of PC?s soul, otherwise the dialogue exits in the previous line. I'm not sure how to code that though.
SAY ~And a new bond has already taken its place.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END


Basically, the only function of the dialogue is to establish the PC and Sarevok not being biologically related as an in-game fact. One node has a single PC reply, but I think we might be able to get away with it because it's the PC stating a fact, not an opinion, and I wanted to keep this dialogue fairly simple and to be sure it makes the point it needs to make.

This may not be the best solution, but I prefer the idea of keeping this issue fairly subtle and not turning it into a huge conversation after the romance has already started. This way I think it keeps players getting squicked out over the potential incest to a minimum. Thoughts? Suggestions? Rotten tomatoes?

[HighTimeRodeo]

I've been mulling over the sibling issue trying to find a somewhat elegant solution. Here is an idea I came up with. I was thinking we could simply add this or a similar dialogue close to the beginning of ToB, before the romance even starts at all.


IF ~~ sa0lt
SAY ~A word, sister.~
++~What is it?~ + sa0lt.1
++~Not now, Sarevok.~ + sa0lt.1
++~(ignore him)~ + sa0lt.1
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.1
SAY ~Ha! I see the look in your eyes.~
= ~You despise that I call you my sister, do you not?~
++~You are imagining things.~ + sa0lt.2
++~How could I not?~ + sa0lt.3
++~You are not my brother, Sarevok. Not anymore.~ + sa0lt.5
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.2
SAY ~No, <CHARNAME>, I do not believe I am.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.4
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.3
SAY ~How indeed.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.4
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.4
SAY ~It must irk you greatly to hear your would-be murderer claim kinship.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.5
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.5
SAY ~But you cannot deny that we are kin.~
++~Bhaal?s taint is gone from you now. It was all that marked us as siblings.~ + sa0lt.6
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.6
SAY ~We may not be siblings in the flesh, this much is true. Not as we might have been if the father we shared had been a mortal.~
= ~ And you are correct, the taint is gone from me. This bond may no longer be, sister, but it is not so easily forgotten.~
IF ~~ + sa0lt.7
END

IF ~~ sa0lt.7 //Only if Sarevok has a piece of PC?s soul, otherwise the dialogue exits in the previous line. I'm not sure how to code that though.
SAY ~And a new bond has already taken its place.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END


Basically, the only function of the dialogue is to establish the PC and Sarevok not being biologically related as an in-game fact. One node has a single PC reply, but I think we might be able to get away with it because it's the PC stating a fact, not an opinion, and I wanted to keep this dialogue fairly simple and to be sure it makes the point it needs to make.

This may not be the best solution, but I prefer the idea of keeping this issue fairly subtle and not turning it into a huge conversation after the romance has already started. This way I think it keeps players getting squicked out over the potential incest to a minimum. Thoughts? Suggestions? Rotten tomatoes?

Actually the whole Sibling thing was dealt with Cannonically if you ask Sarevok the right questions during the opening talks with him. I don't remember what leads to the question, but if you ask him 'aren't you still a Bhaalspawn', he'll say no and that it was only a matter of history and memory.

That's not exact, but I don't have it infront of me at the moment.

Power and then getting laid? Yeah, sounds like a guy to me. XD

You said he should start out cold, cruel and evil, typical bad boy, but at what time does he start to warm up to you? When does he start caring more and controlling less?

And he wouldn't be too callous or cruel to the PC, the experience with Tamoko would restrain him from being too... Forgive the reference, but I'm forcefully watching Young and the Restless at the moment, too Victor Newman, for those who get the reference.

For those who don't, Drow Matrons with opposite parts.

It sounds like fun and if someone would like to write a tragic epilogue for Sarevok and the PC, go ahead, because I'm too romantic for something like that.

By the by, should we start thinking of a name other than 'Sarevok Romance'? I've got a few, but I'd like to hear other ideas on the subject.