Writs is Good... N stuff

[cruxvader]

Oh, I have a dear request of you. Can we have these on a guild board as to do missions instead of a line up one after another quest line? Please? Because I just hate the master format, it gets tiring. Unless it's done perfectly right.



[1ST]Cheasy Intro![/1ST]

Yes my brethren, killing is like the ocean. The water is there all the time, how can you tell where you are while at sea? What distinguishes what from what? The stars do, and just as the seafarers use the stars as guides, so also must we use political intrigue, personal interest, and historical waysides come within the stories portrayed to give credence and reason and value to each and every death.

[1ST]1[/1ST]

Quest Name: Locking on Heaven's Door (lame pun I know but it works in a subtle evil way)

Prelude: Who does the locksmith care about the most, and what is the reaction his family takes when they find out he's dead. Those two boys of his will seek vengeance, and with a planned script, in anywhere between 600-800 in-game days, you may find your character at ends with some very young, dedicated and talented warriors. And perhaps after they yield to thy characters power, you decide not to kill them with their revenge strike, but lead and train them.

In city FILLINTHEBLANK (has to be a city due to the locksmith's presence is heightened by the cityscape, however if applied to a town it can be altered with few minor modifications.

Concept: Kill the Locksmith!
Writs issued: 1
Challenge Rating: 8 of 10
Now, after receiving this quest from either a Noble, Commander of Military

(As he needs access in specific places: He hires the player.)

((Under the 'so called treaty'[the commander hates the politics that citizens are usurped by, and won't hesitate to use force to get his way] The treaty will not allow any affairs amist the citizens. He seeks instead, to hire someone to kill the locksmith and retrieve the town master key, a prototype in which almost all the locks in town are based on. The Morag Tong accepts his proposal and the player is dispatched to location X to carry out the assignment. The writ is issued.))


Aftermath: The family of the locksmith will seek revenge on the PC, as they are only fathered by the locksmith (The mother died awhile ago) And will in a matter of Game days, give or take around 800, attempt to either nobly, or subltely assassinate the player. However, the player will have the option to train them, such that their trauma rating is overcome by the players personality rating and speechcraft. Indeed, the text responses and the like will be based on the speechcraft skill.

Additionally, it can be based on the method of killing.

The locksmith is honorable, is lawfully aligned, and thus will comply with any procedure. He by no means shrinks from a fight, if asked.

If kill is honorable: I.E. In front of him with a weapon drawn, or challenged/ informed by talking to the locksmith
Then the time for the son's reaction is either increased or decreased.

This meter is used to measure the proximity meter for the time in days the response is quickened from his sons.

Options include, putting special beer in the sons stash, by doing so, the base day reaction time takes a x2 on the modifier.

Base days: 30 days (60 drunk normal beer) (90 drunk expensive liquor/wine this is due to depression(caused by the death of the father, and exacerbated by the wine) not just mere laziness)

You also can fill the sons stash with some poisoned drink, eliminating the following variables all together. Or, if you want, we can have one as the drunk, the other remains as sane without alcohol and works off the base 30 days.

(For the children to learn to fight, they require training, and as such, will do so (by training) The modifiers below show the length of time)

Head on head kill, without warning -10 days
Challenged on the spot and killed shortly thereafter - 8 days
Informed before hand one day - 5 days
Informed before hand two days -2 days
Informed before hand three days 0
Informed before hand one week +8 days
Also, taking into account if he was sneak attacked. -4 days
Also, taking into account if he was sneak attacked with a bow. -8 days
Also, taking into account if he was killed and made into undead via spell. -20 days

The option remains as to planting a series of notes to drive the two brothers apart, if so, the attacks are individualized.

After all that mess is over and the time elapses for their revenge, the two will fight together, side by side.

If alcohol is fed to one of the brothers, the time span for him to attack, though increased, he is accompanied by a group of mercenaries.

The other brother, in this scenario, will endevor to study the magicks, and will wait approximately x1.5 the days the drunk brother took to attack, except as a more powerful opponent.


Once one or more of the brothers are dead, and at least one is left alive and yields at near death health rating, the following speech options ensue:

Speechcraft skill layout draft:

If speechcraft is 30 or below
Options include
Ending Response: Get out of here, before I finish you like your father
Give me your gold! Now!
Strip bare naked! Thats right! I said Do it!

If speechcraft is 30-40 add options
Give me your sword and we'll call it even. I might not kill you or your brother.
Where is your brother?
(In which case the telling is based on a 90 or higher disposition rating, which means a high personality and some spells probably need to be used before succeedence)


Speechcraft 40-50

Where is your brother? (80)
Far be it from me to take the life of a son who handles a fight so well...
Which leads into: Why don't you join me?
(In which case the acceptance is based on a 70 or higher disposition rating.)

50-60
Where is your brother (70)
Why don't you join me (60)


60-70
Where is your brother (60)
Why don't you join me (50)


70-80
Where is your brother (50)
Why don't you join me (40)

80-90
Where is your brother (40)
Why don't you join me (30)

90-100
Where is your brother (30)
Why don't you join me (20)


Now, as a matter of precaution, the player can request for more writs from master (Y) after gathering knowledge in town of the brothers plans against him. That can be based off of a complex information gathering quest.

Information Gathering quest

Personality, if high, helps greatly, due to the fact that many in town view you as a noble, or venerable being. I would include fame, but I just don't like how it's interpreted in the game, nor do i like the way it's distributed, so I'll leave that out of the factors for now. However, since infamy is acquired usually through willed evil or dark acts, that principle still applies to people's general trust of you, and due to the fact that many in town may disdain the morag tong, you won't be necessarily liked.

Most of the Information Gathering is gained through actual intimidation.

// on a side note, I was imagining Balmora as the cityscape for the whole quest, so... if you don't have a better idea, might be good to stick with it
[1ST]2[/1ST]

Writ: Some Secrets are to be kept Dormant
Writs issued: 1
Challenge Rating: 6 of 10
Concept:Why does the bookkeeper stay every night late searching for clues long forgotten by many of the scholars and teachers? Once a secret is discovered, a controversy is at ends! Yet it is the assassin that discovers the facts, and he judges if the truth be told or supressed.

Quite simply, this young, aspiring, and rather bright student is researching his way into a hole which he may not be able to dig himself out of. However, knowing these secrets are very dangerous, he takes refuge in (FORT X or RUIN X or HOUSE X or CAVE X) ((can be random or planned)) (would be really cool though if he sought a wise scholar out to assist him, in a tower or something, and was crashing in his basement. But just as easily he could seek sanctuary in a church)

Alright, so he may have some friends that sympathize with him, and act as a few eyes and ears, against the character.

When these npcs, the friends of the bookkeeper, (quite social for a bookkeeper, he has many friends) find out that there's a new vigilante in town, their immediate actions will be to lead him astray, or lure him into a trap (Have some fun with this guys! pitch in)
By either of the impending devices
- a group of stone-anstronotchs(dunno spelling) Will move out of the calls of the cave which the player is told where the location of the player is.
- a rumor which places him in the middle of nowhere
-a rumor which leads to another providence
- a rumor which says he went to cyrodill itself, to the imperial city to seek council from the elder scrolls for his impending doom!
- whatever you think of goes here


However, this rather bright student is... bright, and will be able to plan for the assassins attack, so as long as he keeps his wits about him (cue potions of drain intellect etc. and stuff of the sort)

He will set up a series of traps, physical and technological, that lead up to his location wherever it is.
because this is mainly a physical thing, i'll leave it for later

Oh, and guess what?! The big secret is what? Dwermer, I thought you'd never guess
make it like a massive armored robot, or something of equal importance.

blah.

[1ST]3[/1ST]

Writ: A Heart, Wrenched.
Challenge: 5 of 10
writs issued: 4
Concept: Who leads the young into battle so early? The old men! And what way to stop pointless feuds! The mother who is concerned for her child cries out for mercy, but after repeated pleas they are vehemently ignored! Thus, when a rally is sent forth, and mothers coincide, who do they send on this trivalent but privilege of a mission?

You, Foolio!
After the briefing from the master, you're requested by the league of soccer moms to kill the designers and modders of the evil video game... Whoops, mind slip! And guess what else, you're in for it big this time, not one kill, but four!

These are polictians

You make this one, i'm lazy
Just make sure it's very interesting!
And each one dynamically different
And maybe some revenge is taken on you this time. (Since they are men and women in power)

We could also do character political ultimatiums... as in portrayal of the extremes of the political system, the four courners of politics so to speak... whatever those four corners are... and have the character kill them all... which would be neat in a symbolic sort of way.

[1ST]4[/1ST]

Writ: Helping a Brother Ascend
Challenge rating: 9 of 10
Writs issued: 1
Concept: When an associate of the Morag Tong, namely one of the dark brotherhood, fails in a mission of crucial importance, there is much upheaval. Mainly because the target was a leader of the Morag Tong! This may lead to an assassination war! Better keep the peace! Both ends are in on this one, even the dark brotherhood has dispatched an advocate in the halls of the Morag to play diplomat. they both brief you on the importance of this mission, as the consequences would be dire.

You find the assassin in hiding, in a cave some say, through a string of weak rumors
lead you to a general area. However, he is trained in the art of stealth, finding him will be extremely difficult. Even moreso, fighting him. He's a trained assassin?

I really wanna make this more of a second to the main quest thing... Therein the two guilds are at odds, and it's up to well written and spoken political intrigue to get a positive result of the two factions. Or the main character can do a dynamo and do the opposite. Whatever works for you.

If the latter is initiated it'll become a set of quests to it's own.

[1ST]5[/1ST]

Quest: The Self-Righteousness of the few outweighs the Righteousness of the Many
Challenge rating: 7 of 10
Writs issued: 1
Concept: The priesthood has always kept themselves clean in the sight of all men. But when a commoner who watches everyday the corruption, and aspires for righteousness in place of an evil and slothful seer, who does he seek to do the bidding which is beyond his place by a namesake?

Well, you learn of the crusader's location via the layman. He tells you where he is and at what time he is there. Eventually, you find him and destroy him. Of course, he is heavily armored and skilled with a large maul. And probably holy armor. After all he is holy...ish. You know, beside all the murdering. Unless doing it in the name of God makes you holy. But it probably does the opposite.


[1ST]6[/1ST]
Quest: Defense of the High-Brow!
A interesting guardian is always a preference for a young prince or heir to a house, especially a snobby and debaucherous one. Thus, when the noble seeks a clear path for his son, he needs those who are reliable. But how far will you go obeying this child's demands, or where does the line draw between order issuing, the respect of the father to the son?

Okay, so this is an idea i stole from Mech Warrior 2 mercenaries, where you escort Prince Abdul I think his name was, part of the faction with the blue symbol. Anyway, the moral of the story was that he's snobby and does what he wants. At times he may argue with the PC of what he wants to do and be all defiant and go places even when told not to before hand and crap. Hopefully this will add a story element to the game.

I was also thinking he could be the son of a noble in the Morag Tong of all places, which may have some interesting implications due to the title prince. An assassins son in power of a house... Or better yet an assassin house? is that even possible...

Oh yeah, we can also do the whole female reverse thing where you're escorting an empathetic kind and gentle princess instead of a snobby prince. Inwhich case giving the player massive boobie rights and head trauma. Just kidding about the boobie rights.
Anyway, the point is to make it fun, dynamic and interesting. Maybe get some real people on this job for the voice actors. I have a few ideas myself, and if i ask for a few favors from people around me I might be able to get some decent actors.


[1ST]7[/1ST]
Even the Nords need a good stealthy character once in awhile! Sure, they can hack and slash all they want, but the fact of the matter is, sometimes that bosmer in town is alert due to his greed. Perhaps his envy for a higher place in the town council will allow the player to undo his deeds.

Oh this is indeed generic. probably a vague mental implementation of the kill fargoth quest in morrowind. IN fact I know it is. You can ignore it.


OR! You could do a whole albino Nord thing, where the guy is very skittish and doesn't communicate very well due to the fact that he has been a social outcast since a young age, and has a dark back-story which the character progressively discovers... etc

[1ST]8[/1ST]
And we all know of the crusader who's dying wish was to eliminate the one who did him in. As a matter of pure honor alone, the man who hears his words may continue his legacy through vengeance on those responsible.

Hmm. I dunno. This sounds more of a seperate side quest then one associated for the morag tong. Sort of like finding farloth on the side of the road type of deal. Except this is very honorable oriented, and it's seriously his last breath. If we do the voice acting right it can be very compelling.

[1ST]9[/1ST]

That crusader who always goes to the noble seamstress bar goes to get his fix every night. The hard working layman of the church knows for certain of it, and while he comes to the church every night flaunting his victories, he grows weary of his presence and envious of his position. He arranges the preclusion to the factors involved, and lays down his life to the priesthood, and showing valor and truth in diction and speech, he awaits one last task to be completed before the need for another crusader rises. The death of a crusader.

This idea was a reaction to a hypocritical notion I recieved while in Sudan: I was a crusader (I used to play Paladins all the time) And was talking to a fellow dunmer at the house of pleasures. I seriously think I was there for some mission, probably part of the main quest, when I ventured to click on the background info button, only to discover that he was a crusader. INFACT! Many of the people said if you wanted to see a real crusader to visit him?!!? Which I found insane, seeing how the term crusader comes with a sense of moral urgency and all. So I decided to kill him or something for smiting my name in a fire of self-righteous fury or righteous depending on your opinion and stuff.

Anyway, the idea originally was to have the priest see his downfall due to the fact that he was unholy, and did more harm then good... Perhaps the whole envy thing can be replaced by righteous anger that he's sinning... or maybe he has been sinning for years, and noone has done anything about it until now, etc.

more on this possibly later?

[1ST]10[/1ST]
A noble, venerable man has seen better days in his rule with the class. Though he has a strive to be honest in most things concerning the city, there were times he had to compromise for his stay on the council. His near death wish, is to have those who corrupt the government of the city to be eliminated.

I really like this one! Because it's probably one of the few implementations of the morag tong I actually agree with! the fact of the matter is, some political issues take so long, that it's easier to have people removed, or at least these are the thoughts of the employer.

This can be made into a very intriguing story if you map it out right...

more on this later?

[1ST]11[/1ST]

again, stole the idea (read it from d and d dungeon masters guide 3rd edition, quest ideas location) Actually i've had alot of original ideas, in-case you were wondering. Sometimes you just can't remember every one.

A funeral for a most respected, and short-lived mage is interrupted by the causeat of his death. His very uncanonical rival makes his presence known through a well planned necromancy spell casted on the contents of the coffin. Along with this, a group of skeletons and a lich make sure that the attendants get the best out of their time. The family, enraged, seeks a solution to the problem.

I like this idea! it's so fun and adventuresome! you could kick start a campagin with it... as the dm's guide suggests. Anyway, this also doesn't have to be tied into the morag tong. And it could be the death of a saint or something instead of a mage, but you'd have to fix the rivalry issue.

[1ST]12[/1ST]
Even the most feared of barbarians have their problems. A love interest is usurped by a husband who's appreciation for a mate does not exceed a plate of food. He seeks a way to get the woman of his dreams.

once again doesn't have to be tied in with the morag tong. This could have some funny dialogue and some scenes I imagine.

more on this later?

[1ST]13[/1ST]
An aristocrat brings new and rather unappealing ways into the law of the house. Knowing that he is familiar in power and execution such that of the imperials, the mother of the house seeks a way to suspend, or perhaps completely annul imperial influence.

Base idea: The layout: The new sheriff in town (Aristrocrat) has powers to make law, and he exersices the power to make some new laws which in turn annoys the villages (House Members).

This is generic too. Kinda.

Okay, I've sinned enough for today muahah.

[Seniosh]

Hmm some of it is very confusing. In particular, the first one, the mechanics might be hard, and i can't quite understand exactly what you are saying with the policitican

((Under the 'so called treaty'[the commander hates the politics that citizens are usurped by, and won't hesitate to use force to get his way] The treaty will not allow any affairs amist the citizens. He seeks instead, to hire someone to kill the locksmith and retrieve the town master key, a prototype in which almost all the locks in town are based on. The Morag Tong accepts his proposal and the player is dispatched to location X to carry out the assignment. The writ is issued.))

yeah, that's a bit confusing. PLUS, this is the Silgrad Tower Morag Tong, so balmora's out. Better to be Silgrad.

But aside from that they're more organized than before. Just maybe clean them up a bit. The last ones are disorganized.

A good way to organize things is have someone else read it, and they can help you organize it more clearly. Of course it helps if it isn't online, so if you have friends who are willing to go over it, that'd probably help

[bob196045]

Nice Ideas

I agree with Seniosh, its a bit confusing in some places. But nice ideas !

lets split these up and take them 1 at a time

These to me seem like higher level writs, the first one just to start, if the player is going to have the option to train others, the player should be at level 6 minimum, most likely level 7 would be preferred. The Writ may not be that hard to perform, but the aftermath of it requires more of a leadership role. I wouldn't expect a Thrall or Tinker to have trainees, but a Brother(Sister) or a Knower, that seems possible.

Added notes to consider- not to critize but to think upon so we have a good reason for doing what we do

As a member of the Tong all Writs performed are considered legal

1)The family may not like it and their is nothing to say that they wouldn't want revenge. But why against the assasin, he/she is just performing the duty.

2)Why not just hire a thief and steal the key- Is their a rivalry between the Locksmith and the Commander, maybe they oppose each other politically

All in All very good :goodjob:

Enjoy
Bob

[cruxvader]

Revised first post!

Maybe... I dunno. The fact of the matter is locks are all the same in the game, so unless we made a custom lock system (Play the Nintendo AD&D Hillsfar game for more information, and goto town and try picking a lock (it's actually a neat game/probably a ripoff though.)

Locksmith and Commanders... a fight over a political thing. hmm...

You know what? I don't know?
I really think that it should be a bit more reflective of the culture...
but if you think that reflects the culture...

the fact of the matter is the assassin did kill the father, so there will be at least some sort of revenge... Certainly there is the consideration that in another quest if the situation is the same, the son might choose to go straight for the commander instead of for the assassin.

anyway, once you say something is law it becomes very effective so... As for the morag tong's roll... it was business. But that also makes them responsible. So they are a viable target for revenge as any.

You're right, I guess political upheaval would work...

I just never really imagined that it could be drawn out to the execution

or maybe I just denied the fact that it could.
anyway.

What did you think of the sort of ... I wanna say civil war? Between the Tong and the Hood?

[Seniosh]

well all locks are not the same... they're just picked the same. Just because they have a similar design does not mean they will have the same key. Every lock has a different combination of tumblers of varying heights. The key that pushes those tumblers to the correct height is the one which opens the lock. Now unless this is a stupid town, every lock will be made with different tumblers, thus requiring a different key. there is no "master key" because no key can duplicate 100 other keys at the same time, and if every key was the same, there's no point to keys is there?

Plus, i'm not a lore expert, but the "true" or "original" purpose of the Tong was to prevent all-out wars between the houses, not to help people eliminate political opposition for petty reasons. That's what i've gained from the in-game books and such, but i'm not sure how that compares to actual morrowind. The Tong is supposed to help clear corruption, not help it. That is the purpose of Honorable Writs - not just anyone can be killed.

Plus, how would the family know who the assassin was? the entire point of hiring an assassin is that nobody sees them go in, nobody sees them go out. the only hint anyone gets is a cloaked figure handing a bloodstained writ to the authorities.

also, wouldn't the family really want to get revenge on the politican? it's a case of don't shoot the messanger

But i talk too much. the rest of them are certainly more organized, i just like typing tons of stuff.

[bob196045]

What Seniosh Says be true

The Morag Tong

is a means to resolving conflicts of such a grievous nature between Chimer groups that no other course of action was appropriate. Thats their purpose to its true origin

and I did overlook the other obvious consideration which was pointed out, how would they know who the assasin was Valid point!

possibly some answers which of course will lead to more questions but hey thats what were here for

********************
Taking into consideration the condition of the Morag Tong as it has been planned I think this writ "might" be accepted

Again: if the family wants revenge the revenge would go against the requestor (ie Commander/politician

And Also again: considering the condition of the tong as it is planned it is possible that another member gave the PC up as the doer. Maybe a renigade tong member, payed off to disclose the info to the brothers. hrug:

Enjoy
Bob

[Seniosh]

Hmm, what exactly is the condition of the Tong? Would you describe them as under assault, and trying to keep afloat by taking slightly more dishonorable writs than normal?

I think that's a good idea, and that the post-quest can focus on regaining (or not) the purity of the Tong, giving them a better name, ect ect. Maybe i'll have a really really large important quest to highlight exactly how essential the Tong is?

As it is, i'll have to rethink the logistics of the mainquest, because i didn't write it with Silgrad in mind, so i have to figure out what takes place where, give a place for steadhelm, figure who's going to die, or how the advancement is going to work otherwise.

Maybe writs such as these will convince you of the need to reform the Tong? Prehaps you can refuse to take the writ? who knows what i'll think up. That just comes after i do unique dialogue for 4 more guys (pain in the neck!)

[bob196045]

Originally posted by Seniosh
Hmm, what exactly is the condition of the Tong? Would you describe them as under assault, and trying to keep afloat by taking slightly more dishonorable writs than normal?

I only quoted this portion of your reply cause this is the only thing I need to respond too and its probably something we all should have discussed in the beginning

I did not hold objection to the orignal idea you had for the Tong becasue I like it.
I don't think we should change that, but if you feel it needs to be re-thought then we can do that also.

But yes: considering that the idea is that they are under assualt I think their might be a tendency to take on writs that would normally be considered questionable.

The player being the one who is trying to uncover the conspiracy within the tong may have to perform some of these things to gain the trust of the current leaders.

Maybe this could be one of the botched quests, were the family finds out who the assasin is :eek:

Enjoy
Bob

[cruxvader]

In that case I say we hire a khajitt to write the writs: They're very practical.

[Seniosh]

Well also bob i didn't quite know what you meant by the "condition" of the tong. They're definitely not at full force though. Helseth and the DB are trying to slowly undermine, and.... wow writ idea for the lockcksmith.

The politician is under helseth's orders to have the MT assassinate the locksmith. The politician then leaks the agent's identity (you) to the locksmith, in a petty attempt to try and discredit or harm the Morag Tong. If you kill the two brothers, the Tong's reputation will be damaged, whereas if you have high enough persuasion, they will listen to you, and then go for the politician, publicly discrediting him, and setting back helseth's attempts.

Possibly i could have many quests with dual outcomes, and depending on which outcome you chose, some counter is raised, which plays a part near the end. Maybe if you've been nice, the Morag Tong will get a nice base to operate from, but if not, some of your men will be killed by angry citizens?