Change to Dubious Poetry quest

[Hisoka Approves]

During the quest we arrange a trade of some love poetry for something. We can ask for multiple things, some of which she instead leave assassins to "kill" you. My issue is that why do we give the item away before the payment is given (her body or 5000 gold).

My idea is that we should pass a level 3 intellect check where we state will give the item at the same time as the "payment" is given to us. Alternatively this could trigger if we have Adaon with us, which might be better to give companions more roles/more identity which is a big problem in the game in my opinion. We head to the ambush with the letters. The assassins ambush us to kill us and take the letter. We then survive and return to Lady Leanna who is shocked we survive. We then agree on the 1000 gold or leave with the letters. Presumably at this position asking for nothing and receiving the healing potion isn't an option. We then choose what to do with the letters. Perhaps spreading the letters gives us a bonus to gossip in this city permanently but lowers reputation.

I suggest this because it bothered me that we would just hand away the letters and head to this Dubious meeting location. It also helps with giving the companions more identity/roles within quests which i mentioned already. Finally, more routes in quests are better in my opinion.

Will implementing this take too much time David? And what do you think of my idea everyone?

 

[VDX_360]

I think the quest should be eliminated in it's entirety or greatly changed to remove the black mail for sex aspect as it continues to foster a climate of sex based harassment. There's no player benefit to the game of having a quest option that facilitates fantasy about black mailing women for sex so why have it at all?

And, it's notable that you seem far too focused on a better way to black mail a person for sex..... Rather odd.

 

[Hisoka Approves]

It's ridiculous that you overlook my entire idea and the benefits it gives to the game because you want to enforce A PC culture upon it. I know i made passing remarks that one of the options was to blackmail for rape but that was hardly the focus.

To restate incase it was unclear:
1. It makes little sense when blackmailing someone for money to give the letters back before getting it. Hence the change makes sense lore wise. I actually chose the 5000 gold option because i figured that i would only give up the letter once i get the money. Realising i had given the letter ruined immersion of the game.

2. Having it linked to a companion gives companions more active roles in the game which is important. Currently the only quest paths that are opened by companions are "A Mad Wizard". Otherwise theres just tid bits of dialogue occasionally.

3.An interesting reward, increasing gossip chance within the City by gaining respect around the inns, but losing reputation with the city.

I just don't see the negative of implementing this, other than the limits of coding or the time it takes.

 

[Linosaurus]

I know the letter dissappears but I still didn't get the feeling that my character ever handed it over when I tried the 5k option. At least I don't think it explicitly says.

I figured the item to start a quest goes away for game mechanic reasons. And my character cannot be bothered to actually go through with it, or doesn't want to risk getting known as a black mailer.

Sure the quest could be improved by having to carry the letters to the meet or a chance to sell them to someone else who then spreads rumors. But I think it's fine as it is, especially since some players probably never even find it.

Kinda unexpected quest, was fun to reload and try out all the options.

Edit: I did think that last blackmail option was a little bit creepy, it was surprising to see it. That kind of thing in player dialogue gets a little more personal than the more abstract mass murder that many games lets you do.

 

[VDX_360]

I read your post and your reply: I think your proposal adds a level of creepiness and adult content that would be adverse to the game being sold on Google Play or similar markets.

And an anti-rape stance is not "PC culture," it's about not promoting fantasies of coercing women into sex. Blackmailing for sex is considered rape in a vast majority of legal systems, if not all. So yeah, pretty hard point to over look.

 

[RougeRogue]

I definitely like the idea of companions having more impact on gameplay/quest options. The Adaon side quest of finding the orb of shadows for that wizard in kingsbridge, being a prime example. It was well done and added to the immersion.

@VDX_360 Wasn't asking for her body one of the options, or was intimated, for that quest? I didnt get the impression from what Hisoka Approves wrote that he was advocating that option. It was just mentioned as part of the quest options, as it's already there

If you have an issue with that quest maybe talking to the developer is a more effective way of going about it.

 

[Merkava]

@VDX_360 Wasn't asking for her body one of the options, or was intimated, for that quest? I didnt get the impression from what Hisoka Approves wrote that he was advocating that option. It was just mentioned as part of the quest options, as it's already there

If you have an issue with that quest maybe talking to the developer is a more effective way of going about it.

this.

 

[VDX_360]

In the initial post, Hisoka Approves states:

"... My issue is that why do we give the item away before the payment is given (her body or 5000 gold)... My idea is that we should pass a level 3 intellect check where we state will give the item at the same time as the "payment" is given to us...."

Therefore, based on the clear and straightforward reading of the original post , Hisoka Approves can be fairly described as providing feedback for a more realistic black mail option, which directly includes the black mail for sex option.

Hisoka Approves provides feedback that the game would better with a more realistic blackmail for sex option. I provide feedback that the game would be better without a quest that promotes rape, esp given the long standing issues in gamer culture. The feedback forum is the designated method of feedback for the Developers so comments suggest my feedback should be directed at the Developers is rather odd given that's exactly what I did.

 

[RougeRogue]

Well once again, I think that's your interperetation. You've placed emphasis on the sex part, but in the same line he also mentions the 5000 gold. To me he seems to use those examples as they are the choices given in the quest.

As for giving this feedback to the developer, I mean you could create a topic that explicitly states your purpose of wanting change to the options in this quest. As it stands, you are replying to a topic that doesnt mention it in the title, so it doesnt seem that you are actually presenting your viewpoint in a clear way to the developer. You are giving your opinion to Hisoka Approves.

Im not trying to argue with you on this, your viewpoint about gamer culture and it's degredation of women is valid. It's just this might not be the best way to get your point across.

 

[Hisoka Approves]

@VDX_360

My idea wasn't focused around making coerce for sex option more accessible, i just stated it since it exists in the game. The focus is making the quest make sense and giving Adaon an active role (as a thief he should have a bigger role in this quest as it heavily fits him). Either way David chose to put rape in the game, i didn't see an issue so i didn't make this thread hiding the fact it's an option.

Your values are different to mine but somehow you are reading me put blackmail for money and blackmail for sex equally and reading that as me focusing on the sex. That's just not the case and you need to do a better job understanding that the entire world doesn't revolve around you and your opinions. Maybe for some even saying the word sex in a game is too much. Doesn't make everyone else who says the word a perverted sex addict. But some people, as you are doing now, interpret it that way.

Also @RogueRogue makes a very fair point. Why are you addressing this at me if you want the entire quest removed entirely? Create your own thread and see how David and the community respond to it.