Tutorial and hint messages.

Post by **fmunoz** » February 23rd, 2004, 3:41 pm

I need some help coming with good hint messages for the tutorial and the EASY (and maybe MEDIUM too) level scenarios.
Just post where you feel they are needed and the text. I could take care of the image.

Icekiss · Post by **Icekiss** » February 23rd, 2004, 7:22 pm

I've reviewed the first few scenarios, and tried to write down sth. that could fit:

The Elves Besieged
After the scenario objectives
Delfador: "Remember that you have shamans at your disposal, the healers of the elves. When you have no time to rest, their care may mean the difference between life and death for your fighters, or for you."
Since this is the one unit that is not introduced in the tutorial, and may be overlooked otherwise (and at least I think it is important to start playing with them right from the start).

After the scenario objectives for Backwater Port appeared:
Delfador: "Recall what is asked of you (You can recall your objectives using the menu). Only the foolish doom their troops to death without dire need. You do not need to kill everybody here if the price would be too high. Do not forget though that you need villages to earn the gold to pay your troops. Balancing the line between cowardice and recklessness is what marks a master of strategy."
If it is possible I would show the graphic of the open menu with the "Scenario Objectives" selected and the mouse on the right end of it [or whichever way looks good to you

]
It may be that I make the player overcautious with this massage (hopefully not), but I think it important to point out that the scenario objectives aren't always "kill everybody".

Isle of Anduin, again after the Scenario Objectives:
Delfador: "I think our main concern should be to seize and keep the villages to the west. If you can hold them, you should have enough gold to recruit more troops."
Delfador again, new text window:
"Try to gain a few experienced soldiers. They will fight much better, and though the unloyal ones are costlier, you will soon start to loose your battles if you can not rely on their help. Never forget to plan ahead. Without gold, or without trained troops, your next opponent might be impossible to overcome. There is more than one battle to fight."
I think showing konrads profile in the window (as it can be seen on the right side of the screen) with an arrow pointing out where the experience points are displayed would be helpful.

Bay of Pearls, after Delfador says: "You and the rest of your men rescue the mermen."
Delfador: "Before I leave, let me give you quick guidance.
Take the time of the day into consideration when you plan your moves. Especially with the poor mermen. I would hate to see them hurt any more than neccessary. Look closely at the map. You may spot something a merman would find very usefull. Train your troops. Remember what is asked of you.
I have to be on my way. Good luck, Konrad."
Then follows the response of Konrad (just as it already is): "Very well. Be careful!"

Thats it for now. All the main points should be given in "Bay of Pearls" at the latest, since Delfador isn't present in the next two scenarios.
Typos, suggestions?

Eponymous-Archon · February 23rd, 2004, 7:24 pm

Since I've been editing a lot of the text, can I also suggest some rules of thumb?

Delfador

talks rather formally, in a kind of old-fashioned way
never uses contractions (can't, won't, I'm, and so on) (follows a bit from #1)
is a bit preachy and maybe a tiny bit overbearing and condescending (but not much)

Konrad

sounds young and a bit inexperienced
uses contractions sometimes
can be a bit whiney (though not too much)

Bad guys

sound very colloquial (chatty)
can even use bad grammar
use lots of contractions (follows from #1)
like to say things like "ha ha ha"

Other "good" guys (like Kalenz and Li'sar)

sound like Delfador (maybe Li'sar less than the others)

Icekiss · Post by **Icekiss** » February 23rd, 2004, 7:28 pm

@Eponymous-Archon: Have I gotten Delfadors style right?

EDIT: spotted and corrected a can't. Thanks

Post by **Dave** » February 23rd, 2004, 7:36 pm

Eponymous-Archon wrote: Other "good" guys (like Kalenz and Li'sar)
sound like Delfador (maybe Li'sar less than the others)

I will add that Kalenz should sound somewhat arrogant, and in particular he has limited faith in humans.

Li'sar is arrogant and competitive. She likes using every opportunity to show how skilled she is. However she's also naive, due to a sheltered upbringing, and fairly good-natured.

David

Eponymous-Archon · February 23rd, 2004, 7:36 pm

Icekiss wrote:@Eponymous-Archon: Have I gotten Delfadors style right?

EDIT: spotted and corrected a can't. Thanks

Right. I have him being quite formal, so no "can't"s.

Throw in some "woe"s and "Nay"s too for effect.

Eponymous-Archon · February 23rd, 2004, 7:38 pm

Dave wrote: I will add that Kalenz should sound somewhat arrogant, and in particular he has limited faith in humans.

Li'sar is arrogant and competitive. She likes using every opportunity to show how skilled she is. However she's also naive, due to a sheltered upbringing, and fairly good-natured.

Yes, good on both of these. Li'sar's speech might change a bit too as she becomes more allied with Konrad through the scenario.

Maybe they can stop calling her "Princess", for example.

Icekiss · Post by **Icekiss** » February 23rd, 2004, 7:47 pm

I can not find nay place to place a nay

Feel free to make suggestions.
woe is another word for who, right? I doubt you meant the great woe the elves have to endure at the hand of the evil queen, right?

(I hope I have used it correctly?)

Post by **Dave** » February 23rd, 2004, 7:48 pm

Eponymous-Archon wrote:
Yes, good on both of these. Li'sar's speech might change a bit too as she becomes more allied with Konrad through the scenario.

Maybe they can stop calling her "Princess", for example.

Yes, it should change progressively. Originally they always refer to her as 'Princess' and she always calls Konrad 'imposter', refusing to even use his name. This should change gradually.

Also Delfador is somewhat patronizing, calling her 'child', and she resents that. Delfador has somewhat of a serious dislike for her, but Konrad is naive, and likes her more.

David

Post by **quartex** » February 23rd, 2004, 7:50 pm

woe is the opposel of weal (an even more obscure word).
woe: (noun) Deep distress or misery, as from grief; wretchedness.

So it is not the same as who. For example:
"Woe befall all orcs who stand in our path, for we shall find that sceptre of fire!"

Icekiss · Post by **Icekiss** » February 23rd, 2004, 8:00 pm

Hey, so my sentence WAS correct. Great!

But seriously, if you have ideas how to make him sound more old school, then post them! I'm not all that great with old words...

Eponymous-Archon · February 23rd, 2004, 8:54 pm

Icekiss wrote:Hey, so mey sentence WAS correct. Great!

But seriously, if you have ideas how to make him sound more old school, then post them! I'm not all that great with old words...

Nay, rather, you seem to be doing ok.