185 réponses à ce sujet

[Jaldaen]

This is just a feeler thread to find out if there are enough people to help put one of these together. I have no toolset experience, but I am a published pen and paper game industry writer and would be willing to storyboard/write a Human Commoner Origin. I've read through all the Human Commoner threads I could find and I fully understand that this undertaking would require a lot of work. I also know that I'd need some very good modders to help bring the origin to life.

So if you are an experienced modder (level designer, graphic artist, voice actor, etc), who would like to make a Human Commoner origin possible, then let me know in this thread (introduce yourself, let me know your credentials, etc.). I can't promise anything will come of this until I feel there is enough support for it to make it possible because I only feel comfortable with the writing part and not all the rest.

Introduction

Call me Joseph. I am an award-winning pen and paper game writer (think Dungeons and Dragons type stuff) and currently working on a bunch of children's books and a master's degree in library science. I've played all the origins for DA:O and have completed the game. I'm about halfway through on my second playthrough. My favorite origins are: Dwarf Noble and City Elf (female). I like most of the other origins, but these are my favorites.

Initial Thoughts

I like the idea of this origin being from a "guardsman/woman's" point of view. I think this type of origin would offer a lot of tension and playability while not stepping on the toes of the other origins. I know some folks would love to have an assasin type, but I think the Dwarven Commoner has that feel already and so I'd want to avoid that. However, I am open to changing my mind about the direction of this origin if someone comes up with a better idea that sparks my interest.

Right now I'm considering the following starting locations/assumptions:

1) Denerim City Guard: In this origin, you would play a good/corrupt city guard dealing with local criminals/nobles/etc. You are the guard that nabs Daveth, which is how you first meet Duncan. While carrying out your duties, you stumble upon something [probably one of Arl Howe’s schemes] that gets you in way over your head. You are eventually framed and captured, but Duncan steps in before your execution and conscripts you into the Grey Wardens.

Denerim Guard Intro:
You were born in Denerim, the largest city and capital of Ferelden. It is a place rife with political intrigue and beset by crime. As one of the city guards, your task is to protect the people of Denerim from thieves and killers. Unfortunately, the crime lords and noble families in the city do not make it easy for you or your comrades. Each day brings you a new set of problems and today is likely to be no different.

2) Blight Refugee: In this origin, you are a human commoner (occupation still to be determined, possibly Chasind), forced to flee your village before [or after] the darkspawn attack. On the way to Lothering, your caravan is attacked by darkspawn and one or more of your loved ones [your spouse, child, father/mother, etc.] are killed and/or dragged off. You hunt down the darkspawn, kill them, and save one or more of your family members. Duncan arrives on the scene, is impressed with your prowess, and recruits you into the Wardens. 

Blight Refugee Intro:
You have lived your entire life in a freehold near Lake Calenhad. It is a quiet and tightly-knit community, but rumors of a new Blight and recent darkspawn attacks in the surrounding area have convinced your father to seek refuge with your uncle within the city walls of Denerim. You have many preparations to make before your family departs tomorrow morning and leaves behind the only home you’ve ever known.

3) Militia Man (Replaced Parent of the Mage): you are recruited into the army [along with your brother] to march on Ostagar; combat training followed by meeting Ducan [who is impressed by your abilities, perhaps mentioning that your father/mother/grandparent was once a warden]; ambushed by darkspawn on your way to Ostagar, your brother dies; after surviving the attack you are recruited by Duncan) [Thanks to Maximus741000 for the idea]

Militia Intro:
You have lived your entire life in a quiet freehold near Lake Calenhad. However, when king Cailan sent out the call, your arl began enlisting men and women for his army. Your father, who once served in battle against the Orlesians, has sent you and your brother to do your duty and protect your country. He has taught you everything you know about how to fight. But will it be enough to survive the battles ahead...


These are ranked according to the feeback I got from my Human Commer poll. They still have a long way before they are fleshed out, but these are the options I'm currently investigating. Please feel free to comment on and make suggestions about the Denerim Guard/Blight Refugee storylines as those are the ones that garnered the most interest.

Timetable

I don't want to commit to any timetables without having enough support behind this project to have a reasonable expectation that it would be finished and see the light of day. The more people we have dedicated to this process, then the faster things get done. In short... it'll be done when it's done.

Other Stuff

Since I've never done a roleplaying game mod before, I am probably missing a whole bunch of stuff I should be asking about or stating in this thread, so if you know what I should be doing/saying, then let me know so that I learn.

Thanks and Merry Christmas
Joseph

PS: If you know of someone already working on this type of project who is in need of a writer, then I'd also be open to helping if the project sounds interesting to me.

Modifié par Jaldaen, 12 janvier 2010 - 10:47 .

[Jaldaen]

You can find a group page for this project here:

http://social.bioware.com/group/941/

Anyone can join, though if you do, then please introduce yourself, tell me what you think about this idea, and let me know if there is anything you could help with.

You can also find the project page here:

http://social.biowar...m/project/1485/

It's listed as a Gameplay Mod... is that right? I think it is, but like I said... I've never done something like this before.

Good Night,
Joseph

Modifié par Jaldaen, 19 janvier 2010 - 01:53 .

[Jaldaen]

So after sleeping on this idea I think the guardsman/watchman/sheriff-based origin could work out quite. However, one very important question which would need to be answered would be where to set the story.

Denerim
This would be the obvious place because its so developed and has the set up for a guardsman origin.
Pros

• Most of the areas would already be designed.
  
  
• There is a lot of background material to work with for a guardsman origin in this city.

Cons

• The City Elf origin is already located there.

Redcliff/Lothering
These would require more work, but also allow for more exploration of the areas around these sites. These areas would probably lend themselves more to a sheriff origin (possibily involving the investigation of surrounding farmlands).
Pros:

• Do not have an origin attached to them.
  
  
• Some of the areas are already set up.

Cons:

• This would require more work to set up areas outside of Redcliff/Lothering.

New Location

Pros:

• This offers the greatest amount of flexibility with storyline.

Cons:

• Would require building all new levels including characters, locations, etc.
  
  
• Would take a lot longer to finish the project.

So any preferences? Any other Pros and cons to these locations (these are just off the top of my head).

Thanks,
Joseph

Modifié par Jaldaen, 19 janvier 2010 - 01:53 .

[Wizard of thay]

Human commoner idea very interesting.

Points to consider: Why would Duncan recruit as a Grey Warden.
What options for NPC specialisation.
Who is the bad guy in the origin/ the motivation to join the grey wardens?
How would this origin affect conversations with Companions.
Origin would need to cover a number of tutorials for gameplay..

location.
Redcliffe: whilst no origin starting there could potentialy clash with Allistar.
so the castle woud have to be out.
that leaves the village with a number of NPC's already with personalities already
established.
the dwarf and his thugs
the black smith
the templars who are bribed.
the inn and its inhabitants
Interestingly this is where the bioware human commoner origin was before it was cut.
was going to be set on a farm.

Lothering: to my knowledge would not class with any particular companion.
but never really explored there...

Denerim: again would be a good option. but would clash with the elvish origin to some extent
(and the human noble???)
but lots to area to look at.

some further suggstions:
Haven: the town where the Urn resides. could be an interesting pace to start
Town where shale resides could also be interesting. similar to Lothering in many ways but could give some interesting dialogue with shale...

A further sugestion I would make would possible be to use one of the smaller villages as the starting place, then a journey with your family/guide/friend to denerim.
that way new locations reduced.
something like
1) start lothering
2) basic tutorials covered
3) reason to leave village...fllight from enemies/village due to crime/ possesion of some object
trade caravan where you are a guard of some mcgufin.
4) journey and ambush to cover cobat tutorial.
5) arrive denerim. captured/revenge on enemies. deliver object
6) meet duncan
7) join grey wardens.

Modifié par Wizard of thay, 26 décembre 2009 - 07:40 .

[Wizard of thay]

oh and what will become a useful link:



http://dragonage.wik...Dragon_Age_Wiki

[Jaldaen]

Thanks Wizard of Thay... you've given me a lot to think about (I hadn't thought about a caravan hook, but that could be interesting, too) and the Dragon Age Wiki will indeed become a best friend of mine if this mod gets enough interest/help.

[Wizard of thay]

Never a problem, and let us never forget old vladimir:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propp

[Jaldaen]

Wizard of Thay,



Very interesting link.



Thanks,

Joseph

[LDiCesare]

A human commoner origin would indeed be a very good thing to have.

I don't know if I could contribute, but in terms of locations, I'd favor an existing location because when you get back there, you will know some people and may have a specific quest or something associated to your origin later in the game. Of course, you don't have to be in the same location for that (you might have a sister who's a mage and you meet her at the Circle even though your origin started elsewhere for instance), but I think it would be nicer.

Lothering looks like a good place to start, what with the Bann joining Loghain, it also offers some opportunities when you get back there.

[Jaldaen]

LDiCesare,



Thanks for your imput. Lothering seems to be a popular choice from this thread and the one in general. I like your idea that there might be a character or two from your origin that are not in the origin's location... sort of like Gorim.



Best Wishes,

Joseph

[Jaldaen]

[Material Moved to First Post for Ease of Reference]

Modifié par Jaldaen, 28 décembre 2009 - 05:51 .

[Catwall]

I'll add my enthusiastic support for the idea of a Human Commoner origin. Scenario 4, as a commoner married to an apostate definitely piqued my interest the most so far, but the idea of playing a streetwise Denerim guard also appeals. Strong ideas both.
I can offer my services as a female VA, if this project takes off. I have a lot of experience in voice acting for mods in the Elder Scrolls community, as well as radio experience in "real life". I've been busy reading tuts in the audio forum all day, and while there seems to be plenty of differences in the way audio is formatted and implemented for DA compared to ES titles, I'm not particularly daunted.

Cheers.

Modifié par leafstray, 28 décembre 2009 - 03:06 .

[Jaldaen]

leafstray,



Thanks for your interest in this project. It'll be a while before VA is needed (I have to storyboard and then write the script), but I'll add you to this project's contact list for future reference.



I also like the Denerim Guard and Married to an Apostate options. Too bad I can't do them both, but I think one will be enough of a workload.



Good Night.

[Challseus]

Scenario 4 sounds very interesting.

[Thibbledorf26]

I think Origins need to have some strong family or clan link which will be meaningful for your character in the end. For example if you were a human noble or dalish elf etc. that would give you a strong background link and be mentioned in the end-game video. What link would a guardsman have?



Scenario 4 is interesting.

[tmp7704]

I'd imagine you could re-use Bioware's own area files (they posted them in project http://social.biowar...m/project/1331/) to create "pre-darkspawn" Lothering for your background... basically just removing the refugee camp area and cleaning things up a bit. This would give player some (better) insight into the impact the Blight has on Ferelden and hopefully provide them with motivation to continue their Grey Warden duty.



Scenario #3 seems sensible for a low-key origin like that given the presence of bandits in the area later, perhaps it could be the same guys the player ran into the trouble with in their origin story? Not sure about the 'tracking leaders down to Denerim' part, seems too "grand" so to speak and other origin stories tend to happen in more enclosed, relatively small areas.

[Jaldaen]

Thibbledorf26,



I hadn't thought about how to work in the character's background into the end-game video. I'll have to ponder what links could be created. For example, the Denerim guard origin might make mention of you destroying a major criminal organization, taking it over, or letting it survive. In order to do this, I'd set up a sidequest involving the criminal organization that set you up and led to your conscription by Duncan. Perhaps the mysterious K or D is behind the organization.



I'm sure I could think of meaningful connections/endings for the other origins I'm considering... but I agree that if I can't than it's probably not the best origin.

[Jaldaen]

tmp7704,



Good points... I think you're right about tracking down the leaders to Denerim... perhaps that could be a later quest after Ostagar.

[Legori2010]

Jaldaen First may i say that it is great to see someone with-in the community making alot of effort to bring the players more content and the idea of a Human Commoner Origin being a great one. I'd like to offer help but unfortunately  i am unfamiliar with the toolset at present but if i may offer a Scenario for you.

The few that people and yourself have mentioned throughout this thread are fantastic, so much creativity. After playing the game once completly with a Human Noble, and reached the Landmets with my City Elf and the Landsmet with my Second Human Noble, i also have played many of the Origins to find a character that i like, i settle on the Human Noble but i feel a Human Commoner would be better.

My idea would be as follow's.

Lothering Start
You are the son of the Local Drunk... (First Quest could be, goto the Tavern and bring your father back etc)
But during this first quest you can recieve combat training by entering the Tavern and seeing your father argueing with the local guards, you kill one to find the others run away while saying you will pay for it, you take your father home to find the guards with your mother in your home, a fight breaks out and your mother and father are killed in it(Can tie in with the Noble speach when asked about your family) with the Blood on your body you fall into the street infront of more guards before striking them down in the pressence of Duncan to he stops the battle and to save you being hanged etc he recruits you into the Grey Wardens after seeing your skill with a blade...

another could be but not in as much details, Duncan is returning with his final recruit from up North, passing by Lothering he stops to restock etc in which you get into a fight with his recruit, after successfully killing the recuit Duncan insists on you taking his place as he doesnt have time to find another...

Anyways those are my ideas, they may not be great but they serve to give ideas from the. also should you need testing done with the preoject im happy to lend a hand.

[Jaldaen]

Legori2010,



Thanks for your ideas... I like elements of both of them. I never thought of having your character kill one of Duncan's recruits and him insisting on you replacing the lost recruit. Very interesting. Not certain if I will actually use either of these, but they certainly helping to get the creative juices flowing. Thanks.



As for helping with testing, that would be great... once I get to the modding stage.

[Maximus741000]

It's certainly a worthy goal to create a Human Commoner origin. As it was shown in the trailers, the Warden PC was depicted as a commoner, even the Sacred Ashes trailer showed him with a commoner's accent.



I was hoping to submit my idea for the origin plot.



You start off as a farmer with your parents and your brother in the town of Gwaren (which is in fact the teyrnir of Teyrn Loghain, the teyrn himself would make a cameo apperance here). He's recruiting soldiers to join his army, and you and your brother Jason and friend Alran immediately join up, which is your first quest. Your first combat is a test of mettle against your fellow recruits in a training session. After the training, you meet Duncan for the first time in search of potential wardens, he expresses his amazement at your abilities, and comments that you will be going to Ostagar. You return home to get some rest before your battalion marches to Ostagar in the morning. The next morning you're well on your way when you're ambushed by a darkspawn incursion. They scatter the other soldiers, and soon only you and your companions are the only ones left. You have to fight your way to the watchtower on the map and find your commander. When you find him, he's already dead, and Alran is slain and your brother injured. But Duncan catches up to you and helps you out of the situation and remarks that your skill is worthy of the ranks of the grey wardens, and offers to recruit you, after you've taken your wounded brother home. As soon as that's done and you've prepared, you proceed to join the Grey Wardens.

[Jaldaen]

Maximus741000,

Thanks for your contribution... I do have to admit that the idea of the peasant to soldier to Warden idea has merit. I'll have to add it to my list of possibilities as option #8.

Modifié par Jaldaen, 29 décembre 2009 - 12:20 .

[Jaldaen]

I decided to drop #2 and #3 as options because I feel more passionate about the other options on the table. I'll probably drop one of the Highever options, too, but I'm waiting to see if I get inspired by either of them... or if there is interest in one of them over the other.

[ladydesire]

Hmm... I seem to see a very well thought out series of posts (with a bit of classical literature indirectly referenced in the first post ). I would like to see how this project turns out.

[Hammer Fang]

I was considering something similar. In fact, I've spent the last month building a level based on a old AD&D campaign I ran 20 something years ago. I still had the box of stuff in the garage.



In this mod, I was going to introduce a new origin for both the human commoner, and a dwarf surface-er. They where to be inducted into Daggerfall's milita. I have a year's with of campaign notes, sides quests, and story lines, including a area full of NPC, evil doers, and people who just get in the way. I've spent the last month working in the toolset learning how to build some really nice looking levels.



Daggersfall is located just west of Redcliff, where the Crow's River empties into Calenhad lake.



I have already spent considerable time with the art and levels on this project, and offer it as a possible location if you wish to lend your writing skills to my campaign. I do not intend to half ass this, and am committed. All levels will be original, and Daggersfall will be the location of all my future mods. If your interested, let me know and we can discuss it more.