Narrative Design

This document is essentially a story outline focused on

Dramatic Mystery Arcs Overview

A great tool for keeping reader interest is the dramatic

Note: This document covers only the main story.

Story wise, there are 2 easy motivations to keep on persisting in a story. They are achievement and truth. In short, the player wants to see his main character accomplish the goals that are hinted to be possible and to find out the truth behind the mysteries of the world. In this document we will explore both of them.

The basic principle behind the game is to keep both avenues open at the same time and neither should run out before the end. There must be foreshadowing and "antic", short for "anticipation".

Achievement

Hint at achievables that appeal to basic player emotions and fantasies. As the story progresses move the goalpost ever upwards. Make the player want to achieve things that seem slightly out of reach but they know should be possible due to the trajectory of their success.

Some ideas:

• Political conquests

• Personal conquests

• Getting stronger

• Getting praise / glory

  • Gaining titles

  • Getting a bigger font on the map painting (we're not map painting though)

  • Getting NPCs to come pay tribute to you

  • Buildng and expanding your city/army visually

  • Expanding your decorative buildings / statues?

Truth

Pretty obvious mystery fare. Raise questions for the player, answer questions slowly. When the player finds out new information, make sure that in itself raises new questions or changes the way previous known truths are perceived. Make the player question what they have been told and be suspicious, so that they want to find out the "real truth". The key is to execute this in a well paced manner where the player isn't too fulfilled before the end but isn't kept waiting for too long and loses patience.

Arc Planning

Act 1 - The Setup and Teaser

Achievement Issued

• Introducing the villains

Achievement Accomplished

• Getting your first heroes

• Building your first facilities

• Establishing the methods and formula by which you can grow stronger and closer to your goals

Truth - Questions Raised and Unanswered:

• What is a solfrey?

Truth - Questions Raised and Answered:

• Who are you, who is your wife, your party, your county, your immediate family.

• Your relationship to your wife and why

Learning basic world building Learning about demons, are they real? What happened to SD? Getting your oil fields back.

Act 2 - Getting Your First Big Achievements and Discoveries

Achievement

• Questions Raised and Unanswered:

• Questions Raised and Answered:

  • Who are you, who is your wife, your party, your county, your

Getting your oil fields back.

Truth: Questions Answered from Prior Acts:

• Questions Raised and Unanswered:

• Questions Raised and Answered:

  • Who are you, who is your wife, your party, your county, your