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Dark Souls Discussion Thread

Started by Hibou, August 15, 2013, 10:40:58 PM

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Lmns Crn

Okay so I'm reviving an old thread because I had to brag.

Shortly after starting this thread I hit a serious block in Dark Souls (more properly, two blocks at the same time: a Block O. and a Block S., if you gather my meaning). I tried that fight a bunch of times, got discouraged, and put the game down until today.

So today I got the notion to try a couple things differently. Got a shiny new sword, a couple of levels of Dex to use it properly, and a fancy miracle to make it glow a pretty color. Rounded up a pair of phantoms to back me up, and burned those bosses down in the first attempt.

I am become Death.
I move quick: I'm gonna try my trick one last time--
you know it's possible to vaguely define my outline
when dust move in the sunshine

Hibou

Quote from: Lmns Crn
Okay so I'm reviving an old thread because I had to brag.

Shortly after starting this thread I hit a serious block in Dark Souls (more properly, two blocks at the same time: a Block O. and a Block S., if you gather my meaning). I tried that fight a bunch of times, got discouraged, and put the game down until today.

So today I got the notion to try a couple things differently. Got a shiny new sword, a couple of levels of Dex to use it properly, and a fancy miracle to make it glow a pretty color. Rounded up a pair of phantoms to back me up, and burned those bosses down in the first attempt.

I am become Death.

Having summons is a whole new experience. I'm playing yet another character right now, a level 30 Sunbro on 360. It really helps if you get invaded, too
[spoiler=GitHub]https://github.com/threexc[/spoiler]

Hibou

I'm currently level 51 on 360 as a tanky bastard sword sunbro if anyone needs help with Four Kings, Ornstein & Smough, Tomb of the Giants or even Demon Ruins. Will be advancing to level 60 soon and will be looking for summons too. Playing under account Gluten Ex
[spoiler=GitHub]https://github.com/threexc[/spoiler]

SA

#108
A friend and I have been discussing D-Souls-style NPCs in tabletop rpgs, and what they need in order to really convey the DS atmosphere. We've had mixed success applying these principles in our sessions, so I can hardly call these prescriptive.

Consistency: All, or at least nearly all of the recurring NPCs will need to adhere to the format. By itself, a D-Souls NPC is just a Mysterious Stranger and not very Souls-y at all. They must cooperate to create a world of "shared isolation".

Flair: Give them signature weapons, odd clothing, peculiar mannerisms. In a Souls game they'd be the only NPCs, but in a TTRPG they need to stand out among countless nameless extras instead. DSNPCs are all fish out of water. The setting is, either figuratively or literally, not their home.

Goals: Every NPC is up to something. They're waiting, or journeying, or scheming, or striving, or slipping slowly into madness. Even the Crestfallen Warrior gets up to mischief before the end.

Cameos: Don't let them stick around. Draw attention to them once, then make a point of mentioning their absence when they're gone, but make them go. The ones who do hang around should be the least verbose or intrusive (The Emerald Herald in Dark Souls 2 is a great example of FromSoft getting this wrong themselves; compare her to the comparatively terse and markedly more compelling Maiden in Black of Demon's Souls).

Obstruction: Something that can be accomplished in the adventure will either help or hinder the NPC's progress. Some other thing will make their progress absolutely impossible, or else absolutely ensure it.

Request: (optional) The NPC wants something from the PCs. This is usually in addition to, not instead of, the obstruction.

Fate: If the PCs do not interfere at all, this is what happens to the NPC.

Disincentives: NPCs are not for killing. They're like mood lighting; don't go breaking all the bulbs. You want the players to witness the NPC's future narrative, and since this isn't actually Dark Souls, they probably won't "replay" this and choose another route next time.

These conditions should all be very conspicuous. If we imagine the PCs are progressing through their own stories, then the NPCs' transformations should parallel them, chapter by chapter, and the players should notice.

Hibou

Who's playing the sequel?

I'm in NG+ on my hybrid warrior/caster, currently at No Man's Wharf. Looking Glass Knight is the most epic battle. Undead Crypt is wicked. Shaded Woods are awesome.

Everything's awesome.

The new message options are great. I see "dwarf but hole" and "horse but hole" everywhere
[spoiler=GitHub]https://github.com/threexc[/spoiler]

SA

Superb on PC. Fanastic PvP. Disappointing lore. I'm really looking forward to Bloodborne.


Matt Larkin (author)

I started playing DS2 a few days ago. Cleric build. Game is awesome.
Latest Release: Echoes of Angels

NEW site mattlarkin.net - author of the Skyfall Era and Relics of Requiem Books
incandescentphoenix.com - publishing, editing, web design

Hibou

[spoiler=GitHub]https://github.com/threexc[/spoiler]

O Senhor Leetz

I could not get into these games for the life of me. The lore didn't do it for me either.
Let's go teach these monkeys about evolution.
-Mark Wahlberg

Hibou

To each their own. The first Dark Souls violently made its way into the #1 spot of my top-5 all-time games list and will probably never leave.
[spoiler=GitHub]https://github.com/threexc[/spoiler]

Numinous

Quote from: Space Hoers
To each their own. The first Dark Souls violently made its way into the #1 spot of my top-5 all-time games list and will probably never leave.
I think Dark Souls just rejects some people, unfortunately.  I am in love with it aesthetically and philosophically but when it comes to actually playing it, I cannot find the groove.
Previously: Natural 20, Critical Threat, Rose of Montague
- Currently working on: The Smoking Hills - A bottom-up, seat-of-my-pants, fairy tale adventure!


Humabout

`\ o _,
....)
.< .\.
Starfall:  On the Edge of Oblivion

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