Andor's Trail

What if people wrote "backstories" for each of the monsters that you have already coded into the game? They would have to match (and try to explain) the stats that already exist. Something like the Monsters Compendium in AD&D, but built into the game. This could get people who can't code (and probably some very imaginative storytellers too) involved in contributing to the game. Back when I was a kid, EVERYONE loved to read the compendium, even though I never knew anyone who played D&D. I'd love the chance to write a few entries.

It could even be incorporated into the game play if you like. You could find info about specific monsters on bookshelves, or on the scraps of paper on the ground that are unused now, or townsfolk could tell you about about monsters via word of mouth.

If you wanted to add a reward system, you could group monsters into chapters, and completing a chapter could give you a few % points of defense against certain afflictions, or could reduce the duration of an affliction. Or you could take a test at one of the schools for bonuses, and completing chapters could unlock tests.

+1 really intresting suggestion and ideas here.... How we can make this hapens ?

Sarumar wrote:+1 really intresting suggestion and ideas here.... How we can make this hapens ?

You make it happen by writing the content.
We can worry about how exactly it will get put in later because it doesn't matter if none of the content ever actually gets done.

Great idea, we really want to get more of these types of atmospheric elements into the game. They are what help draw the player deeper into the world and they become more invested.

Indeed.. some backround information about places, major nps, monsters and of cource falce information will make realm of AT much more intresting.

If i can get my real life in (somekind) order i love to help on this.

This is an awesome idea Pokey!

There is a list of all NPCs in the game here: (w/ stats, drops, xp, etc)
http://www.andorstrail.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=997

This would be great as a hidden book in the game or spread out as pop ups. Great idea

sdevaney wrote:You make it happen by writing the content.

How's this?

TINY RAT
While technically not a monster, no one in THE LAND is ever happy to see even a Tiny Rat.

Rats are known to cause many diseases in humans, such as Fainting, Syphilis, Chimera-ism (in unborn children), Asperger Syndrome and The Black Death. Rat infestations are most often caused by The Evil Eye and other simple hexes, and it is usually very difficult to determine the user of such low level magic. Often fifteen to twenty commoners have to be burned alive before the responsible witch or warlock is found. Rats will eat any food stores that they come across, and will spoil what they don't eat.

Though pesky and troublesome, Tiny Rats are very poor fighters and have a very weak attack. For this reason many budding adventurers seek out rats in order to gain combat experience, and sometimes bounties can be collected for the eradication of Rat infestations. Disreputable characters in poorer communities sometimes buy rat tails at a discount from neophyte adventurers in order to "pad" their own numbers when bounties are available.

It has been said that witches who do not want to anger The Shadow by shedding the blood of the innocent will turn their enemies into Rats, thus tricking unknowing bounty seekers into doing their dirty work for them. One might never redeem one's self in the eyes of The Shadow for such a transgression... or it might just be an old wives' tale to get overactive children to behave. THE LAND is a mysterious place after all.

HP:2
AP:10
AC:50%
BC:0%
Damage:1

I hereby release this work of original fiction for use under the CC-by-SA (V.2 or later), or GPL (V.2 or later) license.

EDIT: added a little to the end.

Awesome job! Can't wait to read more of what you have

CAVE RAT

Cave Rats are fiendish little beasties who abhor daylight, happiness and tea drinkers. They aren't much stronger than Tiny Rats, but they are a bit tougher, and they smell worse.

As their name implies they mostly inhabit caves and tunnels, but they can also be found living inside catacombs, abandoned buildings and human corpses. It is rumored that Small Rocks are an effective Cave Rat repellant. This explains the lively market for Small Rocks in THE LAND, and also why it is not uncommon to see experienced adventurers carrying several hundred (or even several thousand) of them at a time.

HP:5
AP:10
AC:90%
BC:0%
DAMAGE:2

I hereby release this work of original fiction for use under the CC-by-SA (V.2 or later), or GPL (V.2 or later) license.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOUGH CAVE RAT

Cave Rats are a competitive species when they are alone, and they fight constantly among themselves to establish their social rank. The weaker ones tend to segregate themselves somewhat from the truly Tough Cave Rats, who tend to prefer to live in the deeper, darker cave areas.

As competitive as Tough Cave Rats are amongst themselves, they are far more aggressive towards humans, and often cooperate against intruders. Adventurers (and townsfolk) who wander too far into Cave Rat territory may find themselves hopelessly overwhelmed by the cunning vermin.

HP:5
AP:5
AC:90%
BC:0%
DAMAGE:3

I hereby release this work of original fiction for use under the CC-by-SA (V.2 or later), or GPL (V.2 or later) license.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRONG CAVE RAT

Like thieves, politicians and most other vermin, Cave Rats naturally seek to establish a pecking order. Usually the alpha male is much faster and stronger than the rest of the infestation, as he may have to fight off several challengers for his position at once. This Strong Cave Rat usually keeps to himself in the deepest, darkest corner of the cave.

Be forewarned: Many an over-eager, young adventurer in search of glory and treasure has sneaked past the bulk of a Cave Rat population only to meet their end at the paws of a Strong Cave Rat.

HP:20
AP:5
AC:100%
BC:10%
DAMAGE:2-4

I hereby release this work of original fiction for use under the CC-by-SA (V.2 or later), or GPL (V.2 or later) license.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BEETLE

Beetles are tiny hard shelled insects with a strong bite. They are more of a nuisance than a threat in the land. Their diet consists mainly of plant roots which they dig up and devour. Consequently they can do a great amount of crop damage where the soil is well maintained and free of rocks and tree roots. Beetles will will usually keep to themselves unless, of course, they are provoked or they mistake you for a root. When they are not eating, Beetles wander around apparently aimlessly, looking for their next meal. A hasty traveler may find himself in a predicament with a beetle if he is not careful of where he steps.

Beetles are fairly accurate when attacking and have a very strong bite for their size, so it may be advisable to rest up before attempting to confront one on your own.

If you find yourself doing combat with a Beetle, try to aim for their tiny heads. There is market demand for all Insect Shells, but only if they are whole and undamaged. Peasants use the iridescent shells to make decorations such as wind chimes and sun catchers. In very poor communities they are even worn by women as jewelery. An Insect Shell that has been damaged in battle is worthless. In fact you're better off not even picking up a broken shell because the cracked edges are very sharp and tend to tear holes in pockets. Several young adventurers have even lost their Small Stones to the sharp edges.

HP:4
AP:10
AC:70%
BC:0%
DAMAGE:3

I hereby release this work of original fiction for use under the CC-by-SA (V.2 or later), or GPL (V.2 or later) license.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SMALL WASP

Small Wasps are most often encountered near the woody edges of inhabited areas. This is both because humans provide an easy food source in the forms of food scraps and garbage, and because as they mature and grow they tend to migrate to the deeper woods where they can prey upon small animals. Small Wasps may attack with either a bite or a sting, but never both in the same round. The flexing of the Small Wasp's thorax into an offensive curl causes their mandibles to open, thus they can not bite and sting at the same time. This is good news for the wasp hunter, because the Wasp's bite deals one HP of damage, and the sting deals two. Three HP at once would simply bee too painful for the average person to endure, and they might find themselves waking up in their bed after having passed out fighting the wasps, and being carried home by their good neighbors.

The Wasps stinger is not barbed like that of a honey bee. Where the barbs cause the bee's stiger to become imbedded in the victim and the stinger detaches, causing the bee to die; the wasps stinger is straight, and thus can be used to sting repeatedly until the fight is over.

A small percentage of Wasps have a red discoloration near the base of their wings. Researchers are not quite sure what causes this discoloration, but through the proper alchemical processes the discolored wings can be brewed into one of several Healing Potions. This makes the Small Wasps' wings valuable if they have the discoloration. As a result a Wasp hunter can eak out meager living, or an adventurer can find a little capital with which to fund his starting gear. While every Small Wasp drops wings when killed, Wasp wings without the red discoloration have no use or value, and are not worth collecting. Unfortunately for the professional wasp hunter the discoloration, if it exists, is so close to the base of the wings that it can not be spotted while the creature is still alive.

HP:4
AP:10
AC:70%
BC:0%
DAMAGE:1-2

I hereby release this work of original fiction for use under the CC-by-SA (V.2 or later), or GPL (V.2 or later) license.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's it for now I think. If the devs like the idea and think it's worth using, I'll try to do some more. (I don't even know who any of the devs are, actually) My feelings won't be hurt if they have to be edited, or if they go unused in favor of better ones. I still like the idea. I don't know if THE LAND has an actual name or not, so I just called it THE LAND so that it's easy to do a find-and-replace.

..." ... It is rumored that Small Rocks are an effective Cave Rat repellant. This explains the lively market for Small Rocks in THE LAND, and also why it is not uncommon to see experienced adventurers carrying several hundred (or even several thousand) of them at a time." awesome

Pokey you are great sroryteller ! please keep on doing more backround information.

Thanks