St. Toxic wrote:Setup: You wander into a worthless, shithole hicktown. The mayor is sitting outside a saloon and picking his teeth with a badger. He tells you that thirst is suffocating the town, as the only source of water is a small, radiated pond, fit enough for about half the population....
[blah blah blah]
This is
exactly how it should be. Just take a simple idea and think of every possible path, and every outcome to that path. Implement the consequences into the bigger picture, thats the perfect method; What Toxic said is conclusive.
I'll try...
A slightly less significant quest/conversation....
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In the back alley of a large derelict city an old man emerges from underneath a pile of newspapers. He grabs your arm tightly and pleads for help... No one is around...
He explains that he owes a very powerful man, alot of money. He tells you that if he doesn't pay up soon his family will be murdered. In an attempt to save them he has gone into hiding, and told them to go far away; He shuffles out of the shadows and falls at your feet weeping...
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1.] You give the man a small amount of money, and tell him "...collect more elsewhere."
2.] You give the man a large amount of money, and tell him "...pay of your debts, find your family, and move out of the city."
3.] You tell him you have nothing to spare.
4.] You tell him you wont give him anything. But you offer to buy him into slavery "...it's the only way you can save your family."
5.] You tell him that you were looking for him, and that. "...we can do this the easy way... Or the hard way!"
6.] "...D-a-d-d-y?"
7.] (Perception check) Suspecting deciept, you tell him, firmly "...what do you
really want my money for?"
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1.] You never hear from him again. No reputation/karma change. Some quests open because your a good-guy, others close for that same reason.
2.] You gain reputation for being gullible, but receive more good-guy points. Some quests open because your a nice guy, others close for that same reason. If these conditions are met, you'll meet him again in another backalley a few days later. He's taking drugs. Turns out he wasn't in debt, and if you don't kill the weasel, 'Quest B' opens up to help rid him of his drug addiction.
3.] You never hear from him again. No reputation change, slightly more evil karma. No change in quests.
4.] He runs away. You gain a little repuation as being a slaver. More evil karma points. Being known as a slaver in the local area opens up new quests, and closes others.
5.] Confused, he runs away. No rep change but some evil points are gained. Reputation for being thought of as an employee of a powerful mob boss grants slightly cheaper wares in local shops. Hurrah!
6.] He looks confused. There is an awkward silence. He waits for you to leave, and you never see him again. No rep/karma change. locals think your mentally retarded. Many quests close, and none open. Although some people are nicer to you. Some of the prostitutes and one shop owner give you a pity based discount. (These rumours are dispelled if the player demonstrates that he isn't stupid. Unless of course he is, or pretends to be.)
7.] The man changes into a defensive pose, and casually looks for a place to run if things get rough. After some additional persuasion, 'Quest B' opens up to help rid him of his drug addiction. You gain rep for being cunning, and, if you decide to accept 'Quest B' you gain a few good karma points. Aswell as some good-guy rep which opens up new quests but also closes others.
(edited for grammar)
(refined after suggestion)
Edit*
I've removed these dialogues since really they shouldn't be converstion options anyway. Although I'll leave them here since they are ways to "resolve" the quest...
8.] You mug him.
9.] You kill him. Laughing and screaming!
8.] The old cripple is no match... You leave him quivering in a puddle of his own urine. He didn't have any possessions so you took a handfull of his hair. You gain repuation for being a thug, considerable evil points. Many quests close because people are scared of you. Some new ones open because your a known crinimal.
9.] Reputation increases for being a murderer, since you were seen by a traumatized witness who now lives alone... Lots of evil points. Alot of quests close. One or two open because your a merciless bastard.
Time for a game conception cult. )