Collaboration on Forgotten Realms Theme

[JonnieR]

There has been a tremendous amount of work done on converting art and other elements for DC. But most of it was focused on general use, which is great, but even so may not be adequate for a specific mod.

If we could focus the the art, spells and logic development resources on a "killer" mod we might be able to provide the impetus for DC to finally become the success we all know it can be.

We have to decide what mod proposal to put our efforts behind (I have some ideas, as I am sure others have also).

[manikus]

This is a valid point and I agree at least 100%, , I think the real issue keeping DC from taking off is that it is still at version .914.
I talk about this game in a lot of places and about 50% lose interest as soon as I mention that it's not an MMORPG, and the rest when they hear that we're still in Beta (after 10 years or so now). Once we can say, "This does everything FRUA does (plus some)." We'll start picking up people.

There is a goal to have a default mod ready to go by version 1.0. There is no reason why it can't be a collaboration.

[JonnieR]

Manikus and other interested parties,

I agree that the fact that DC is still at version 0.914 is the most important thing holding DC back. I have two interrelated mods in mind that would stretch the DC engine. The primary element lacking in the current version is a more robust magic spell list. Clever use of magical abilities and strategic combat ability would be very crucial to the PC's survival in these mods

The mods are versatile with regard to location so a forgotten realms location would be possible. The stories are complete as well as all of the maps, encounters, creatures and NPCs. Each of mods could be designed to run on the old FRUA engine, so if DC were to upgrade the magical spells I don't see why we couldn't run these mods on DC. I started designing the first major location for the first mod on DC and stopped because of the lack of magic spells and unpredictable results (I could not get the magic-users sleep spells to work) made play-testing extremely difficult. The PC's never made it past the first encounter.

None the less I would be willing to make the effort if others are interested.

PS: It seems to me that if DC could get to version 1.00 that it would attract some commercial attention.

[manikus]

Have you done any coding of the designs in DC?
You mention that they could take place in the Forgotten Realms, but that you already have maps done...?

I'm really interested in doing a mod that is set in the Realms and utilizes the locations/aspects of them. I don't know if this would be easy to do with your stories or not. I'm certainly interested in what you have, though.

Uatu and I are gathering resources for a Forgotten Realms total conversion for DC (which isn't much of a stretch in some areas), as we don't have a particular story that we're working with at the moment.

[JonnieR]

I had originally written these mods for an unidentified "fantasy realm" (probably biased toward Greyhawk). However give me a few days and I see about converting them into a plausible story that will fit the FRs. I have alot of literature and info on the Forgotten Realms and I am sure I can come with something. I am leaning toward the north northeast and the "great desert". Perhaps based the good guys (the ones with shiny armor) out of Silverymoon. (musings at this point

This mod is good for 20 - 40 hours playing time so it should be interesting enough

[manikus]

Silverymoon...my favorite city in all of the realms.

[JonnieR]

Cool. (BTW when I refer to maps I mean dungeons, citadels, towns, tombs, towers, etc. which can be put in any setting)

Silverymoon is also the headquarters of the Harpers. The North is a perfect setting for this adventure since it involves Dragons who have played an important role in the North's history. Also the North is really not a kingdom/country like Cormyr or Amn, it is really a set of city/states like Neverwinter, Waterdeep and Silverymoon.

There have been occasions in the past when evil forces have invaded the North hoping to take advantage of the fact there is no united mlitary force. Although the harpers and the Lord's alliance have come together in the past to meet these threats.

The network of rangers and others who patrol the North are supported by both the Harpers and the Lords Alliance.

There are also references in ancient scrolls to a cold-blooded reptilian race from the far North from which evolved the more common lizardmen in the realms (common lizardmen have been described as a degenerated facsimile of the original northern species by one scholar.)

An important element in my story is a race of cold-blooded lizard-like creatures called the Morg who worship and emulate evil dragons.

I am working on integrating the story and geography of my mod with the Forgotten Realms North territory. I have soucrebooks on the FRs and a 232 page tome devoted to the North itself so I have enough background material. I'll email the story-line to manikus and Uatu if you're interested.

[manikus]

I'm definitely interested.
I might not get around to reading it until the end of the month though, I'm in the first stage of finals and won't be done til then...but it might be nice to have something non-school related for breaks.

P.S. - if you email it to me as an attachment, make sure and send a separate email ahead of time saying that you're mailing me the story idea as an attachment. Otherwise, it won't get opened.

[Uatu]

An adventure based in Silverymoon (Luruar) sounds like a great idea! There aren't many resources out there on Luruar, though, so I guess we would just create it out of scratch (based on descriptions and such). Priestesses of Lurue would be cool in DC

As for draconian-like monsters, the Realms do have something called dragon-kin (a different kind of dragon-like bipedal monster with humanoid characteristics). There are also dragonmen, who are man-like magical constructs borne from enchanted dragons' teeth...

[JonnieR]

Uatu,

I have a preliminary email that describes the mod I had in mind, I have a summary verision of it on MS word, but I don't know your email address. You email the address my private emai at jrscherzi@comcast.net. I have already send a copy to Manikus.

JonnieR