A thread for Quest ideas so we don't clutter up other threads. People seem to be getting into Quests, so i thought it'd be a good idea.

Repost from Of Snow And Stars thread:

EDIT: Lulzy idea: Make Tyrion the reincarnation of Oghren or Varric. Who says dwarves can't be badass fighters? Varric would probably fit better...

 

I'm of extremely mixed opinion on quests. Most of them are very much hit-or-miss for me, and it has been a long time where I saw a Quest's beginning which would encourage me to play it.

I'm also a firm believer in indie systems and low rules settings for this kind of stuff, but it seems like the most popular quests have complicated character creations and various numbers running on the background. They keyword here is seems, since the GM can (and arguably should) always pretend it's a lot more complicated than it actually is.

Also, while I've had my share of RPG games in established worlds, I've never really saw the full appeal of running the game completely by the book - in this case, actually moving the character through the familiar plot of the books. First, the immersion is ruined since we know the source material, and second, players cheat. Thus, quest givers actually cheat to get their power back, and establish an AU setting.

This whole intricate balance is also another hit-or-miss moment for me.

Couple this with all the laziest quest starts at early childhood (where you can wiggle your eyes at someone, supposedly influencing your placement), or quest starts that have you "bring in" another character (say bringing Oghren to stand in for Tyrion - the seventh hell is this thing, I mean Oghren, seriously?) which is idiotic, since you are bringing a bloody forum of silly people to play as the first character already. In an unlikely event that people will try to keep faithful to the intended personality, you either have memories of another universe which need to be somewhat incorporated into the mess, or are absolutely useless and irrelevant...

...

Damn, I've just realized that I've started this in a rant mode. Bad Nauro. What I wanted to say, that despite most of the Quests infuriating me a lot by their execution, there are a few gems in the mess. And with my medium-importance wish to attempt a Quest (which I see as a different format RPG game, and I like running those), I figure if I ever get to it, I should run at least somewhat along with tested patterns, even though some might feel silly for me.

...

What I am trying to get to, is that this being the Dark Lord Potter forum, I guess there could be a market for a Harry Potter quest of some sort, eh?


If there's actually a market for a hypocritical quest runner, who would try to ruin everyone's day by pitting Harry Potter against near-canon and near-cannon experiences alike, speak up, and I you might just convince me. (After all, I'm easily persuaded to waste my time)

And for what I have in mind, the Harry Potter in question would not be a cannoneer, but rather a canon Harry Potter, starting mental age - 18, starting death count - 1, and then I'd ruin everything with all manner of shenanigans, including time, age and plot holes the size of Hagrid.

I'll think about this, and hear what you think, and we'll just see if anything happens out of this, and how it does it it does.

The probability of this taking off might decrease or increase dependent on whether my planned real life RPG campaign takes off. If it doesn't, I would remain with a huge craving for something rpg-like, so...

 

Lol, are you still upset at that?

 

You don't have the only quest on the internet, and this wasn't aimed at you specifically. Mind, I read through the start to actually come to like it in your quest's case. I don't think I've done that with any other childhood starts.

 

Well no, but it was pretty specific to my early writing for ADOTN, which admittedly, was rough as fuck.

On-Topic: Most Quest writers are first timers and writing something not very well thought out or developed, meaning it starts out rough doesn't get much better. Those who do have a plan and a story to tell wind up getting deluged by the mass of players who want to play and develop their own expectations of the story, and the content discussion rapidly outstrips the content update making it very difficult to keep track of the story.

So it's really a needle in a haystack sort of thing.

 

It's just like any other type of fanwork really. You're right though, most of the better quests abstract the mechanics pretty far and focus on the storytelling.

 

A question about a vague and probably implausible idea:

Do you think running two (or more, possibly, though it'd probably be even harder) Quests that take place in the same continuity is possible? As in, two Quests, each focusing on a different character, both taking place in the same fandom, at the same time in the story and each Quest having the possibility to affect the other?

I'd imagine it'd be hell to keep everything straight, and simultaneously easier and harder if there was only one GM. You also might need separate the player base, having some pople controlling one character and the other players controlling the second character.

Could it be pulled off? (Most likely by an extremely experienced Quest Master?) Or would it just be a recipe for chaos and disaster?

 

It is theoretically possible, and I have seen it proposed/started before. It never worked out in my experience.

There is no reason it can't be done, but things tend towards fuckery. A single QM and divided playerbase base would go a long way to preventing that - having them been separate social groups to keep discussion private would also be helpful.

I'd imagine it's more strain on the QM though, keeping things ~fair, and adjusting things accounting for two sets of actions instead of one.

 

Bit more on topic post, some ideas I've had, but will probably never get to, if my progress on preparing for Of Snow and Stars is any evidence:

For the Naruto fandom:

Jiraiya-Quest: You start out as a young Jiraiya, just joining the academy and then joining Team 7 under the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. You'd end up fighting the second and third shinobi wars, which we don't know much about opening a lot of room for original stuff. It's also far back enough that you could throw canon out the window.

I'd probably ignore Kaguya, and the whole Juubi, thing.

Kakashi-Quest - pretty much the same as above, except you'd start closer to canon and we know more specifics about Kakashi's history, than Jiraiya's. Another potential starting place is when he's assigned Team 7.

For Code Geass:

Lelouch-Quest: A variety of potential starting places, but I'd probably start off right after he learns of his mother's death and his sister being crippled, but before his confrontation by the Emperor. It could spin of tons of different ways from there.

Naoto-Quest: Kallen's older brother and original leader of the group that'd become the Black Knights. People'd play as a freedom fighter, trying to liberate their country from Britannia. A Vague idea, but one that has potential, i think

For Dresden Files:

Dresden-Quest: Again, tons of starting points, but I'd probably start fairly early. Like, right after Dresden killed Justin DuMorne. Who says he'll even go to Chicago?

For Fairy Tail:

Gray-Quest: You Village has just been destroyed by Deliora. Your parents are dead. What do?

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@vanRopen: Yeah, that's abut what I figured.

Might also be easier to have two characters in a single quest. As in, each update, the player pick choices for two different characters. If one character gets a bit too far ahead, then that storyline get's put 'on hold' until the other catches up.

The only things is, it might lead to the Quest being too easy if the characters ever meet up, because the player's would probably have them team up to fight evil, or w/e.

 

God I would play the shit out of a Lelouch-Quest. Actually, I want a Code Geass-ASoiaF crossover. Had the idea in one of Mazrick's threads...

Lelouch as Viserys. Either do it reincarnation style, or make a full fusion universe - I think it would be an interesting world.


Two characters simultaneously is just too messy - you might as well just make it two quests at that point, especially if the action/characters are far apart. Still, I think it's a waste unless the characters are opposed to one another from the get go, or at least working towards different goals - and the player bases for each are kept separate.

 

I guess that for the two-quests thing to work, it would depend on how honorable the players actually are. You could have the quests separate and need both a password and an invitation to join one side but then it all goes to hell if someone has a double account or tells another player what happens in the quest. Ideally, the players from one quest wouldn't know which character the other quest is controlling and each quest would have an objective given to them at the beginning of it that they have to works towards, which would somewhat limit their actions and make the questers compete against each other. Preferably from an original work rather than a fandom or for a story without the main characters so they wouldn't figure out who the other character is because of him/her acting OOC.

Perhaps something about a magic academy with people from different backgrounds and make it a story about conspiracy with the goal chosen at random. It could be to get the highest marks in the classes (by either studying or sabotaging others), woo certain character (be it because yours is in love or because you are both nobles and your family ordered you), figure out who wronged you in some way and get revenge (physical or getting them expelled/fired), solve a mystery or investigate a rumor you heard when the story began, free the mages from government control or start a revolt, win a competition, get a friend out of trouble, escape the place, become a famous hero or villain, etc. The matter is accomplishing your goal before the other quest does theirs.

It could be an original work or something like a next/previous generation or simply something that happens in another place like Durmstrang.

 

On that DAO/ASOIAF Quest idea: On further thought, making Aegon/Young Griff the MC would probably work out better. The Grey Wardens have that whole Griffin theme thing going on, so it could work out?

 

The two quests in the same continuity sounds like something that would work better in a nation builder/dynasty quest.

For example: a setting like Warhammer Fantasy with the player base split between two elector dukes of the Empire. The win-condition could be becoming the Emperor or seeing the rival dynasty dead. Would be quite similar to Crusader Kings like that.

Doing it with two titular MC's is setting rather high expectations for the players not to make meta-knowledge influenced decisions.

 

I've been running a quest for a few months, a bit on low update speed atm due to deadlines. (Work ones ) I'll probably try a DLP one when I either finish the current one or when it dies for other reasons (right now it's popular enough that's not really a risk.)

I don't really know all fandoms, so a HP or Naruto one would be more likely than the others. Not Marvel again, anyway. I think DLP would be mildly less retarded in their choices than SB/SV, so perhaps it would be fun to give it a try here.

Alternatively, it would be very interesting to see what would happen if DLP and SB got the exact same origin point and background plot, but otherwise their votes were separate. I imagine that DLP would have their character sleuthing around or gaining info, while SB starts shoving missiles up the nearest villain's ass.

 

I always though a quest in the land of water, would b e exciting. I've always though about doing. I was thinking about doing one where your born a few years before the Kyuubi attack. We could explore the shit hole that Kirigakure. It could involve you helping he resistance, or becoming a missing-nin. Sadly I have 0 writing experience.

 

Random idea for a HP quest:

Player Character is the heir of a "dark" pureblood family. A few examples that could work: Avery, Rosier or Yaxley. After Voldemort's resurrection and subsequent Azkaban breakout, the PC would be essentially pressganged to join up as a Death Eater junior or run away to avoid that and become a pariah in the blood purity supremacist circles.

If going with the 'forced into DE' option, it'd hopefully be a struggle with balancing morality and survival, while looking for a way out. The runaway option would present opportunity to explore HP-verse outside of the strict 'Light vs Dark' setting, or just sign up with Dumbledore.

Pureblood family start also opens more options from start: you could attend major pureblood gatherings, but there's nothing to stop you from actually interacting with muggleborns either.

 

Skyrim Quest

You are an Imperial Guardsman in the hold of Falkreath shortly prior to the first dragon attack at Helgen. Word reaches you and the rest of the guardsmen a day or so later when the first of the refugees make it through the wastelands to safety. Well, safer at least. When the first dragon attacks there is no Dragonborn to help you fight it. Your only assistance will come from your brothers in arms as you battle to save the town.

After that, well, who knows what will happen when adventure calls?

Spoiler

Probably an arrow to the knee.

 

Hrmm, definitely glad I made this thread, it's coming in handy for a variety of the ideas that keep popping up.

First off, I was actually contemplating maybe turning this into a Quest, at some point. I simply can't decide which way I want to take the story, so leaving Naruto's direction in the hand of others is a bit of win/win. Who knows, might do it eventually.

Second idea: SAO-Klein Quest - Klein's always been a favorite character of mine, from this fandom. Players would start off after Klein logs in for the first time and we'd go from there. Most likely, I'd end the Quest when SAO is beaten, because Klein doesn't have much of a presence from there on out, nor is the danger as high in the series. I probably wouldn't do all 100 floors of Aincrad, but we'd definitely see more of them than in canon.

Third Idea: A One-Piece Quest. Not sure if I'd go with a young Luffy or a young Zoro, but it seems like an idea that has potential.

 

I also had some ideas that people are free to use if they really want (even if in my experience it is less the ideas that are sparse than the time and writers necessary to bring them to fruition). Should you choose one I will be more than happy to help you out any way I can.


Number 1: A golden Age

Setting: The Roman Empire at the time of Julius Caesar (or to be more concrete 48 b.c which should be more or less in the middle of a civil war)

The Republic is in disarray, the forces of Caesar and Pompeius battle each other around the known world and only the gods know who of them will manage to win. You are the only surviving son of a poor and impoverished Equites family who lost everything, other than the family name and some land, in a house-fire and now have to decide how you will rebuild your family and lead them to glory and prosperity. Will you join the Legions, try for the public service or will you dirty your hands and ignore personal honor trying to be an merchant?

No magic, no crossover just a realistic quest in a historical setting, a setting that is full of interesting characters and opportunities for change. Depending on what the players and the GM choose this could follow history or create its own history.



Number 2: Crusader King

Setting: England at the time of Richard Lionheart (1189)

This is the crowing of young Richard, who after this day will be king of perhaps the second most important kingdom in the Occident. Already there are whispers of a promise and a crusade and the chivalry of the western world is preparing itself for the third crusade. You are the third son of a Count and till now more or less stumbled through life. The sight of a man, only a few years older than you, taking the throne however motivates you and you decide to change your life and make something out of your life. What that is you are unsure but the road toward it will be surely hard and full of adevnture

My other realistic idea. with so many fantasy world modeled after this period one has to wonder why so few choose to do something with it. This setting ad starting date would allow for many different choices (for example remain in England/France or accompany the crusade, hell maybe you could even rescue Barbarossa from drowning) and the cast of characters is fast and relatively well researched.


Number 3: Rise of a Sith

Setting: SWtoR

You are a slave of the Sith Empire, an empire the rest of the galaxy had no idea existed till it conquered large parts of it only a few decades ago. Now there is a fragile peace between the Republic and the Empire with both states preparing for the next round. Both sides are questing for every advantage they can get which lead the Empire to open its Sith Academy to people outside the existing hierarchy. Tis is you chance for freedom for since childhood you showed some talent with the force and only the war stopped the Jedi from getting you. The training will be hard, even dealdy and after that onyl more misery awaits but at teh same time this opportunity offer sthe one thing you, and million other slaves, crave. The chance to be masters of your own fate. And what will you fate be? Will you join your oppressors and help them conquer the galaxy or will you try to escape and join the Jedi, will you known for your kindness or will your name be cause of despair on a thousands planets? What young acolyte will you choose?

Once again we have a massive world, a multitude of opportunities and planets to explore and the hard work of Bioware to exploit. The game should offer some rough guideline, at least at the start, and the setting is well described and full of interesting characters.


I personally would use a system similar to what Hash uses in his quests since it offers certain freedoms that more traditional system don´t offer but I guess you could use many modified fantasy RPG systems (at least those not to reliant on magic)


What do you think of them?

 

Reposting from the Plot Bunny thread: