Table of Contents
Phase 1: Culling the [Insert Predator type]
Phase 2: Protecting the [Insert Prey type]
Phase 3: From Prey to Products
Vendor Changes from Participation
Node Changes During Quest Progress
Quest Rewards and Continuation
Additional Parallel Phase – Return of the Predators
Alternative Quest Design – Removing Phases
First Interaction (non-participant)
First Interaction (prior participant)
Follow-up Interaction (quest accepted)
Follow-up Interaction (quest previously skipped or declined)
Turn-ins
Turn-ins After Condition is Satisfied
First Interaction (non-participant)
First Interaction (prior participant)
Follow-up Interaction (quest accepted)
Follow-up Interaction (quest previously skipped or declined)
Turn-ins
Turn-ins After Condition is Satisfied
First Interaction (non-participant)
First Interaction (prior participant)
Follow-up Interaction (quest accepted)
Follow-up Interaction (quest previously skipped or declined)
Turn-ins
Turn-ins After Phase 1 has Restarted
Introduction
This quest was written in preparation for my current Quest Designer application for Ashes of Creation.
While I had wolves and rabbits in mind, and references to pelts and lucky rabbit’s feet are present in the dialog, additional modular terminology can be used in case there are different predators and prey for a region, such as moas predating turtles that are needed for their shells. These would all be contextual to the node where the quest is applied.
The dialog examples dominate ⅔ of the document, and could easily have been written to accommodate a single script, but the ability for the NPC to be more or less pleasant based on past interactions helps to reinforce the consequences of the player’s prior interactions with the questgiver and/or node.
I’ve logged the time spent working on the writeup to demonstrate the time it takes me to design a modular multi-phase quest that can potentially be deployed anywhere in the game. Below is the approximate work time it would take to design a writeup for a quest of similar scope and scale.
WORK TIMES
Work begins on 4/27/21
Start time: 2:10 PM PDT
End time: 10:10 PM
~2.5h of breaks were taken during the writing process (mostly cooking two meals for everyone and eating). I got through Description, Initial Quest Conditions, Quest Design Goals, Quest Phases, Alternate Quest Design, and dialog for Phase 1 and 2.
Resumed on 4/28/21.
Start time: 12:20 PM
Break from 2:00 PM to 4:45 PM (Cooking, eating, and appointment)
Writing and review complete: 6:50 PM
TOTAL HOURS: 9.25, with breaks omitted.
Brief Description
This quest lets players in a node work on managing a constant issue in the area, which is maintaining the balance between medium-sized predators, small prey animals, and opportunities made available by hunting or trapping the medium predators and small prey animals for resources. When each phase has reached a threshold, the goal changes, and the value of completing related tasks and providing related turn-ins can change based on the phase.
Initial Quest Conditions
-A region where medium-sized predators, small prey animals, and environments that protect small prey animals, exist near the node’s settlement.
-Tier 0-3 nodes, since it is meant to provide low to mid level content (1-30). It may continue into higher tiers as it makes sense, such as an area that relies on the small prey and/or medium predators for trade and goods.
-At least 1 NPC who is focused on maintaining local ecology and wildlife balance for safety or trade purposes.
Quest Design Goals
-Create a quest that changes phases as the conditions change, allowing players to engage in repeatable content that can be done alone or with other players.
-Whether or not players are actively participating in the quest, actions they take that affect the quest goals can force change at a faster rate and can advance the quest to the next phase, so it isn’t only affected by the efforts of players who have accepted the quest.
-Create a quest loop that can feed into other NPC quest loops or goals, or add a sustainable element to the node’s economy through turn-in items provided.
Quest Phases
Below are the three phases for the quest. They are not completed in order based on players completing steps 1, 2, and 3 just once apiece, and are instead phases that span across a time period or through phase completion thresholds being reached.
Phase 1: Culling the [Insert Predator type]
The questgiver NPC will state that there is a need to track and kill a certain type of predator, which will have a boosted population while this phase is active. The predators are actively hunting small prey, especially the ones that are being targeted. The questgiver may give recipes or sell items to aid with the process, such as pheromones, viscera, urine, and/or decoys that will aid in drawing out predators from the wilderness, or luring in predators to a kill zone, so they may be culled with more effort and a lower chance that they will retreat.
Kills are the primary goal that advances the phase, but pelts and other parts, or even whole carcasses, can be turned in for rewards, additional player experience, node experience, and/or greater access to hunting assistance items. The first set of items turned in after the phase changes–up to a reasonable limit to prevent a farm-and-dump solution from players–are still provided at full reward value, but are otherwise reduced to a somewhat diminished value during the other phases.
Phase 2: Protecting the [Insert Prey type]
The questgiver NPC now changes focus, and requests that players begin creating the conditions for return and regrowth of the prey animal population. This is primarily through rooting other creatures out of the nests and habitats the creatures create for themselves, as well as creating handmade structures of either natural materials or locally-crafted housing that the creatures will seek out and inhabit. Additionally, brightly-colored ribbons are to be affixed to trees or posts near the dwellings, in order to assist in locating them when the third phase arises.
There is less of a kill emphasis, and killing the prey animals in this phase will slow progress rather than accelerate it. Rooting out opportunistic inhabitants of other types, or killing predators found near natural dwellings, will provide some credit towards progress as well, but their resources aren’t needed for turn-ins. Continuing to aggressively hunt the quest predators can also lead to an emergence of a different medium-sized predator that fills the same role when the quest cycles to phase 1 again.
Phase 3: From Prey to Products
The start of this phase represents the restoration of the population threshold in the area, and now allows the players to address the excess. All of this is done towards the goal of repopulating the small prey animal due to a worthwhile resource it provides, and possibly for aid in reducing the volume of whatever the pretty animal consumes, which may show signs of unmitigated growth that affects the local area in other ways. Using rabbits as an example, grasses may overwhelm an area and displace the naturally-occurring flowers, which are a higher value item compared to the grass that chokes them out.
The players are asked to use hunting or trapping methods to gather the small prey animals alive, or provide carcasses that can be used for high quality goods for the node, such as material for clothing or bedding, or to make local cultural objects such as a dyed foot used as a charm for good luck. The questgiver or other locals may also request items that had been choked out by unmitigated overgrowth, such as flowers and fungi. When this phase begins, predators start to slowly encroach on the areas again, ribbons start to fall off or otherwise get removed–perhaps by bandits that want to hunt those locations, or enemy creature NPCs that are attracted by bright colored fabric–and the prey animal population starts to dwindle again. This leads back to phase 1, though the type of predator may have changed during phase 2 or 3.
Vendor Changes from Participation
This quest shouldn’t exist in a vacuum where the quest is done but nothing seems to come of it. As players bring back pelts and other parts from predators, an adjacent vendor (perhaps in the same building as the questgiver) should be selling both raw materials and completed items, such as cloaks and fur-lined attire, necklaces and bracelets made from predator teeth and claws, sausages, lucky charms from dyed prey feet, and anything else that could be made from predator and prey parts. This could even be distributed across multiple local vendors that specialize in using the parts in specific ways.
The questgiver’s inventory should change over time, as well. Whether it costs coin or is provided for free, the materials they provide for assisting in hunting predators, reestablishing prey homes, and trapping prey, are always available from the questgiver. This could open the door for mid-phase goals as well, such as bringing wood, grasses, flowers, and brambles before phase 2 begins; bringing wood, rope, and prey bait before phase 3 begins; and the anti-goal with no turn-ins for predators repopulating before phase 3 is cut off and phase 1 starts again. Alternatively, the vendor could run low on supplies for phases 2 and 3, and require players to bring those materials while the phase is ongoing to replenish quest materials and get additional pay for their efforts.
Node Changes During Quest Progress
The quest isn’t merely supposed to add hookups to existing assets, but instead change the environment of the node region itself as the different phases are in effect. Predators and prey should fluctuate in population and activities to reflect the phase of the quest. If some other event limits the population of both, such as corruption encroaching into the area, or an invasion of other creatures in the area, the quest may be put on hold by the NPC until the greater threat has been handled. Likewise, if players are killing prey indiscriminately, phases 2 or 3 may be shortened or skipped entirely as the prey population never reaches the necessary thresholds to let players achieve the tasks.
Quest Rewards and Continuation
When a quest phase isn’t completed, in that it hasn’t reached the next phase, turn-ins do not eliminate the quest from the player’s quest log. This is meant to encourage players to continue the task, since the NPCs are concerned with the whole job getting done rather than a portion of work towards the task. The task isn’t completed until a certain threshold has been reached, such as 100 turn-ins * node level, though phase 3 may last until predators have repopulated the area, which will start driving prey numbers down while destroying the prey homes that were built, and allowing natural homes to be infiltrated by other small creatures.
For players that haven’t accepted the quest, they may still be able to get kill turn-ins for phase 1 if they talk to the questgiver after killing predators out in the open. Phases 2 and 3 require more subtlety to complete the tasks, so they would require questgiver access to engage in those quests, as well as ribbons and traps needed to complete the tasks. A limit of 10% of the threshold goal is fair, and hopefully won’t be reached or exceeded by a participant who has been stashing quest turn-ins instead of bringing them forward during the phase that needs them.
Additional Parallel Phase – Return of the Predators
Currently there is no consideration for how long phase 3 lasts, so it may be worthwhile to add a sort of time.activity limited feature that runs in parallel with phases 2 and 3, where the predator population increases over time until they’ve overrun the area again. This can be mitigated by vigilant hunting by the players, as a way to increase the window to complete phase 2 and reap the rewards of phase 3 for as long as possible. This can also be the emergence of a new predator, so–as an example–while players are actively hunting wolves, they don’t notice the foxes starting to encroach and become the dominant predator in the area.
Alternative Quest Design – Removing Phases
Instead of a rotating quest, this could instead be used for a quest that has three continuous goals, and players can choose which they want to focus on, either one at a time, or any of the three at any time, so there’s more of a choice for players if they want to help in one specific way or another. Some classes may be more suited for certain tasks, like a Ranger may be more adept at setting up new homes and freeing up old homes for the prey, while a summoner may be more well-suited to create a decoy version of the prey to lure predators into position with greater ease.
Gathering specialists may be able to increase the quality of materials taken from animals that have been slain, providing a boost to the quality and/or quantity of turn-ins. This would mean that the predator and prey populations would constantly be in flux, rather than high predator population, low population for both, then high prey population, and a rotating cycle.
Dialog Samples
Below are dialog samples for NPC communications throughout the quest. Each is represented from a friendly questgiver for locals and players who have previously participated, a neutral questgiver who needs any help they can get, and a callous questgiver who may be wary of the player due to past interactions like a failed assault as a member of a rival node, and treats them with an abrasive attitude.
Phase 1
First Interaction (non-participant)
Friendly Questgiver: Oh, thank goodness, [Playername]! It is good to see you, and I’m glad you stopped by my humble [Residence/Shop type]. We have a bit of a problem with [Predator] in the local area, as their numbers have grown steadily in recent days. Not only have they decimated the [Prey] population that we need for our goods and for maintenance of the local flora, but I have heard reports that a group of them have been seen roaming around near out [Node level] and I fear they may attack soon. I have some tools you can use to bait them out, but you’ve got to finish them off and prevent retreat. Will you assist with this task?
Accept: Thank you! I’ll mark a few spots on your map where they’ve been seen more frequently. Please be cautious, the [Predator] population is rather wily and may only approach if they think they have an advantage. We could use the pelts and other parts from the predators for good uses too, so bring them by if you get a chance to gather any. Good luck out there!
Decline: Maybe next time, then? The issue isn’t going away without the aid of intrepid folks such as yourself, but I understand if you have more pressing issues to address. If you change your mind, please feel free to drop by again, as I always have something that needs a helping hand around here.
Neutral Questgiver: Well met, [Playername]. I appreciate your visit to my [Residence/Shop type] today, as we have a problem that has been growing over the recent days. There has been an increase in the local [Predator] population, which has not only harmed the local [Prey] population, but stands to threaten the [Node level] as we’ve seen them in greater numbers recently, and an attack may soon be imminent. I need some helping hands to reduce the [Predator] population, and I can provide access to some goods that can help you with the process. Will you help with this task?
Accept: Thank you. I will provide some marks on your map to show where they’ve been seen. Any [Predator] you slay is progress, but if you have the time to drag some meat and pelts back from those you’ve slain, I’ll be glad to compensate you for it.
Decline: Well thanks for hearing me out, anyway. I’ve always got something that needs a hand, so if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty with some hunting, drop by again and I’ll be glad to get you involved.
Callous Questgiver: I can’t say I’m glad to see you [Playername] and I’m cautious to even ask you for assistance, but a brute like you may be perfect for this role. There’s been a rise in the local [Predator] population, and they’ve been eating things we need for materials, as well as posing a potential threat to the [Node level] as they encroach further. What I need from you is to kill them, mercilessly, recklessly, or however you do it. There’s goods available to help with the task if you’re up for it. Are you?
Accept: Good. I’ll mark where they’re at, and it’s up to you to make as many dead [Predators] as you can. Simple enough for even you to handle. You can bring carcasses or pelts back and I’ll pay you for them.
Decline: I knew it was too much to ask of you. The offer may be open in the future, but I’m not holding my breath on seeing you return. Off with you, then.
First Interaction (prior participant)
Friendly Questgiver: Welcome back, [Playername]! We’ve started to get overrun with [Predator], and our [Prey] are unfortunately all too rare these days. The ebb and flow of the populations of both predators and their prey is a constant cycle in these parts, and we’ve reached the critical point where the [Predator] population needs to be mitigated with force once more. Can I rely on you to lend a hand in this most important task?
Accept: Thank you kindly, your generosity in this time of need is ever welcome. I’ll mark the areas they’ve been spotted in greater numbers these days. Let me know if you need any more goods to assist with the hunt. As always, pelts and other goods from any [Predator] you take down are useful, so bring them by and I can compensate you for them. May your strikes be swift so the [Prey] may return to their former population!
Decline: That’s too bad, but I certainly thank you for your past participation. I don’t know where we’d be without your help, but I can hopefully recruit enough locals to get it done. The offer is available if you’re still in the area and need something to do!
Neutral Questgiver: I am truly glad to see you once more, [Playername]! We’ve seen an increase in the local [Predator] population, and as I’m sure you recall, that correlates with increased danger to locals, and decreased [Prey] that we need for essential goods. May I ask you to help us once again?
Accept: Thank you. Let me update your map with the areas where the [Predators] have been spotted recently. There are still supplies available to assist with the hunting process, and as always we’re gathering whatever pelts and resources you can gather from those you slay. Stay safe, and may you be successful!
Decline: I see. Well, thanks for hearing me out anyway, and thanks for helping with this in the past. We’re happy to have your assistance if you should change your mind!
Callous Questgiver: You’re back, I see. I suppose I’ve trusted you already, so I’ll be brief. The [Predator] population is starting to grow once again, making our vulnerable [Prey] hard to find for the materials we need them for here. Would it be too much to ask for you to slay some more [Predators]?
Accept: Good. Let me mark your map with their recent locations. I have goods available to help you with the hunting process, and while kills are key, I’ll take any useful remains of the [Predators] you slay. Back at it, then!
Decline: I knew I shouldn’t rely on you for too much, but I figured it was worth offering anyway. Well if you change your mind, I’ll be here, [Predators] will still be out there too.
Follow-up Interaction (quest accepted)
Friendly Questgiver: It is good to see you back, [Playername]! By the look on your face I can tell you haven’t made much progress. Not to worry, I’m ready to provide whatever goods you need to assist with the process.
Neutral Questgiver: Welcome back [Playername]! You don’t look like you’ve run into any [Predators] yet, but they can sometimes be elusive. If you need some assistance, maybe some of the goods that I have will help you draw them out to be slain with more ease?
Callous Questgiver: You’re back, [Playername]. I hope I haven’t asked too much of you and your capabilities, but it seems like you haven’t had much success. There’s no shame in using the goods I have available to draw them out, though if you’re too vigorous with them, you may just find yourself the prey.
Follow-up Interaction (quest previously skipped or declined)
Friendly Questgiver: It is truly good to see you again [Playername]! We are still in urgent need of your assistance with the [Predators] menacing our local [Prey] and we need capable folks like yourself to cut them down to size. Can I rely on you to help us cull the menacing predators for us?
Accept: Thank you! I’ll mark a few spots on your map where they’ve been seen more frequently. Please be cautious, the [Predator] population is rather wily and may only approach if they think they have an advantage. We could use the pelts and other parts from the predators for good uses too, so bring them by if you get a chance to gather any. Good luck out there!
Decline: I apologize for continuing to bring this up, [Playername]. I’m sure you have plenty of heroic tasks to handle instead of hunting a buncha lowly [Predators]. Your assistance is always welcome, please don’t hesitate to drop by if you have the time to spare to help with this!
Neutral Questgiver: I’m glad to see you again, [Playername]! We’re still being harried by the increased [Predator] population, and we need their numbers reduced so that we can resume tracking and trade involved with the [Prey] they’ve been devouring. Can I get your assistance with the important task of cutting the [Predator] numbers down to a safer and manageable level?
Accept: Thank you. I will provide some marks on your map to show where they’ve been seen. Any [Predator] you slay is progress, but if you have the time to drag some meat and pelts back from those you’ve slain, I’ll be glad to compensate you for it.
Decline: I see. I must apologize for bringing this up every time you visit. Your assistance with the [Predator] problem is always welcome, and if you should decide that you want to lend a hand in this task, don’t hesitate to drop by once more!
Callous Questgiver: Again you return, [Playername]. Have you decided to lend a hand in helping this [Node level] with the [Predator] problem, or are you going to scurry off again like the [Prey] that are being devoured?
Accept: Good. I’ll mark where they’re at, and it’s up to you to make as many dead [Predators] as you can. Simple enough for even you to handle. You can bring carcasses or pelts back and I’ll pay you for them.
Decline: *Sigh* Why do I even bother? Oh well, at least I can rest easy knowing that I haven’t sent a fool like yourself to be chewed up by [Predators].
Turn-ins
Friendly Questgiver: It is great to see you back so soon, [Playername]! So, how many did you manage to kill? Do you have any pelts or other useful parts from the [Predators] you’ve slain? I’m glad to compensate you for all of it!
Neutral Questgiver: I’m glad to see you back safely, [Playername]! Did you manage to kill any while you were out? If you have any pelts or useful parts from the [Predators] you’ve slain, bring them out so I can see the quality and compensate you for your work.
Callous Questgiver: You’re back, I see. Did you slay any [Predators], [Playername], or even pick apart the remains of one that someone else killed for pelts and useful parts?
Turn-ins After Condition is Satisfied
Friendly Questgiver: I’m truly happy to see you return, [Playername]! It seems your efforts have been fruitful, and we’re now at a safer and manageable [Predator] population. How many did you finish off in your last outing? Did you manage to skin any pelts or get any other useful parts from the [Predators]? I’m glad to get those off your hands, and fill your hands with coins for your efforts. The next task is to start providing aid to the local [Prey] by restoring their homes and building new ones. Come back in a few minutes and I’ll be able to tell you more, as I still have a couple plans to work out.
Neutral Questgiver: It is good to see you back, [Playername]! I can tell you’ve been successful, as reports of the local [Predators] have become far less frequent. How many did you take down in the last outing? Do you have any pelts or useful parts from any of your targets? I’m glad to compensate you for them, but then I must return to making plans for how to restore the [Prey] population. Come back in a little bit and I’ll tell you more about that, as we’ll need all the help we can get to bring them back to sustainable numbers.
Callous Questgiver: You’ve returned, [Playername]. Did you manage to kill any more, and did you break down their bodies for pelts and other useful parts? Good, here’s your reward. If you’re looking for more of where that came from, check back in a bit, as killing [Predators] was only the first step in restoring the [Prey] population.
Phase 2
First Interaction (non-participant)
Friendly Questgiver: Hello [Playername], it is great to see you today! We’ve got a bit of a problem that needs the help of capable folks such as yourself. We recently had an overpopulation of [Predators] that drove our [Prey] population to the breaking point, but with those hungry beasts now quelled, we can start making an effort to restore the [Prey] by clearing the areas they usually inhabit of new residents, and to even build some additional homes they’ll find comfortable enough to inhabit. Can I get your help with this important task?
Accept: Fantastic, I knew I could count on you! I’ll mark the spots on your map where they’re known to dwell, and you will probably find some good places to make some new homes. I’m happy to supply you with [Prey] housing materials, and some brightly-colored cloth ribbons that our trappers can use to see where their homes are at when we’re ready to capture them to continue making goods like bedding and attire for cold weather. Thank you kindly!
Decline: Thank you for stopping by my [Residence/Shop type] anyway, I always appreciate a good visit from good company. If you decide you’d like to lend a hand in these efforts, I’m more than happy to give you whatever you need to get it done. Take care, friend!
Neutral Questgiver: Greetings [Playername]! I appreciate your visit to my [Residence/Shop type] today, as I have a task of urgent importance that could use your help. If you’ve been out recently, you’ve probably been seeing less [Predators] out in the open, and that’s no coincidence, as we have been hunting them to cull their population so the [Prey] can begin flourishing again. We need to clear new inhabitants from the existing [Prey] homes, as well as building new ones to help them feel safe as they reach a sustainable population again. Could I get your assistance with this task?
Accept: Wonderful! Let me mark your map with the areas they’re normally found, and you may find places nearby that seem like good places to construct new homes for the [Prey]. I have plenty of goods to help with the task. It is important to mark areas nearby with brightly-colored ribbons, so we can locate the homes when it is time for trappers to make use of the returning population. Thank you!
Decline: I know, building [Prey] homes isn’t the most glamorous task, but it is an important one. Feel free to come back anytime if you change your mind, or have free time with nothing to do.
Callous Questgiver: Hello [Playername], I didn’t expect to see you around here, or really anywhere I suppose. Normally I wouldn’t ask someone like you, but even a brute can be useful for things other than killing. The local [Predator] population has been hunted back to sustainable levels, but we people need to lend a hand so the [Prey] can have safe homes to live in, whether that means rooting out new inhabitants of their old homes, or building new ones in ideal locations. Is that too much to handle?
Accept: Good. I’ll mark the areas where they’re found on your map. I can provide materials to make safe new homes for the [Prey] but it is just as good to liberate their old homes. If you do either, tie one of these brightly-colored ribbons somewhere nearby so our trappers know where to look when the time is right. You’ll be compensated for your efforts.
Decline: Right, a task with a bit more subtlety than striking the nearest thing that moves is probably asking too much from you. If you think you’re up for it, I suppose I’m not in a position to turn down help, but I’m not putting plans on hold to wait for your assistance.
First Interaction (prior participant)
Friendly Questgiver: Ah [Playername] it is so good to see you again! We’re ready to start helping the local [Prey] population replenish so that we can start trapping them once more, and we need all the help we can get. If you’d be so generous with your time to spend some helping a [Node level] in need, we’d be gracious to receive your help. We need to clear new inhabitants from old [Prey] homes, and set up some new homes that they’ll find acceptable and use for themselves. Will you lend us your capable skills to help with this?
Accept: I knew I could count on you, [Playername]! You’ve been there for us in the past, and I truly appreciate your help once more. I will mark your map with the places where they are usually found, and provide goods to help with setting up new homes. Be sure to tie a brightly-colored ribbon somewhere near the [Prey] homes so our trappers can better locate them in the future. Come back afterwards and I’ll compensate you for your efforts!
Decline: I understand, [Playername], and I thank you for hearing me out. If you decide that you’d like to help us with this task later on, I’d appreciate it, and so will the [Prey] as they return to their past numbers in the area!
Neutral Questgiver: Welcome back, [Playername]! I’d like to ask for your assistance in an important task, which is to help us restore the [Prey] population nearby so they can once again be caught by trappers and brought back for the important parts we use in local craft and trade goods. This involves both restoring their old homes by clearing out interlopers, and building new homes in ideal places. Can we get your assistance with this important task?
Accept: I’m glad to hear that, [Playername]! Let me mark the areas they’re known to have lived on your map, so you can start liberating their old homes, and building new ones in places they’d find comfortable. Please tie a brightly-colored ribbon by any homes made available, so our trappers can locate them when it is time to gather them once more. I’m happy to provide the goods you’ll need for this task. Thanks for helping out once more!
Decline: I understand, [Playername]. If you’d like to help, just drop by and let me know, as I know I can trust you to do a good job with this task. The [Prey] will appreciate it, too!
Callous Questgiver: You’re back [Playername]. I can’t offer you coin for kills and pelts today, but if you think you’ve got it in you for a more subtle task, we need to start restoring the homes that the [Prey] used to inhabit, and build some new ones ourselves to help their population replenish. You might get to smash some critters that have taken up the old [Prey] homes, but the concern is more to make them available again. Think you can manage that?
Accept: Good. Whether you build a new comfortable home in a safe place, or clear out an old one, you’ll need to tie a brightly-colored ribbon to something nearby, so trappers can find the [Prey] once there’s enough of them in the area again. I have all the goods you’ll need, and I’ll mark the areas we used to see them on your map.
Decline: I didn’t think a brute like you could handle this anyway. Maybe for the better, you’d probably try to clear [Prey] out of their own homes by mistake. But if you think you’re a bit sharper than that, come back and I can tell you what to do in more detail.
Follow-up Interaction (quest accepted)
Friendly Questgiver: Hello [Playername], welcome back! It seems like progress has been slow, but I’m sure you and others I’ve recruited will get the job done soon. Let me know if you need any more goods to get the job done!
Neutral Questgiver: Back so soon, [Playername]? I get the feeling that you haven’t been too successful yet, but I’m glad to help you with more goods if you need any to get the task completed!
Callous Questgiver: I suppose you haven’t tried to do the task yet, have you [Playername]? Hopefully it isn’t too much for you to handle, but if you need more goods to get the job done, I certainly have more available.
Follow-up Interaction (quest previously skipped or declined)
Friendly Questgiver: I’m glad to see you back so soon, [Playername]! Are you ready to help us restore the homes of the local [Prey] population so they can return and be many once more? We sincerely appreciate the effort if you’re willing to help us out!
Accept: Fantastic, I knew I could count on you! I’ll mark the spots on your map where they’re known to dwell, and you will probably find some good places to make some new homes. I’m happy to supply you with [Prey] housing materials, and some brightly-colored cloth ribbons that our trappers can use to see where their homes are at when we’re ready to capture them to continue making goods like bedding and attire for cold weather. Thank you kindly!
Decline: Well thank you for stopping by anyway, your presence is always welcome here! If you do decide to lend a helping hand, I’ll graciously accept, and I’m sure the [Prey] will appreciate it too.
Neutral Questgiver: Ahh [Playername], you’ve returned at a good time! We still need more assistance in helping the [Prey] replenish their numbers, and for that they’ll need comfortable places to live and raise their families. Would you be willing to lend a hand with this?
Accept: Wonderful! Let me mark your map with the areas they’re normally found, and you may find places nearby that seem like good places to construct new homes for the [Prey]. I have plenty of goods to help with the task. It is important to mark areas nearby with brightly-colored ribbons, so we can locate the homes when it is time for trappers to make use of the returning population. Thank you!
Decline: Thanks for coming by anyway, [Playername]. We’re still in need of help, but I can hopefully recruit enough assistance to get it done soon. Stay safe out there!
Callous Questgiver: Have you decided to come back to help the [Prey] after all, [Playername]? I’m sure it isn’t as fun as bashing [Predator] skulls in, but we need all the help we can get with this.
Accept: Good. I’ll mark the areas where they’re found on your map. I can provide materials to make safe new homes for the [Prey] but it is just as good to liberate their old homes. If you do either, tie one of these brightly-colored ribbons somewhere nearby so our trappers know where to look when the time is right. You’ll be compensated for your efforts.
Decline: Ahh, so you’ve just come to waste my time again, I see. So be it, I’m going to get back to work preparing goods for those who DO want to participate.
Turn-ins
Friendly Questgiver: Fantastic, it is great to see you [Playername]! It seems you’ve come back with a lighter load that I sent you off with, and I’m eager to know how much success you’ve had! If you can let me know the approximate locations of the ribbons you placed, and where they’re at so the trappers can spot them, that will be most helpful. Let me know if you’d like more goods, as the whole of the task isn’t complete just yet. And please, graciously accept some coin for your efforts!
Neutral Questgiver: I’m glad to see you back, [Playername]! Tell me of your successes, where you’ve restored or placed new homes for the [Prey], and where you put the brightly-colored ribbons to help our trackers later on! There’s still more work to do, and more supplies to continue doing it with, but for now let me put some coins in your hand to compensate you for what you’ve already done.
Callous Questgiver: Were you able to clear out some inhabitants from the old homes, or get some new ones up? That’s good. Tell me about where you placed the ribbons, so they can be found later. When you’re finished, there’s some coin for your work, but the overall task is still far from completed in case you wanted to take more goods and help the [Prey] further.
Turn-ins After Condition is Satisfied
Friendly Questgiver: You are amazing, thank you very much for your work [Playername]! It seems we’ve got enough homes ready for our little [Prey] to take over to begin replenishing their population in the area. If you prepared a few extra places, that’s great news, and I’ll compensate you for the excess work. We’ll need to wait a bit, but if trapping is your game, come back soon and we can discuss that as the next objective.
Neutral Questgiver: Thank you kindly for your hard work, [Playername]! We’ve got enough homes for the [Prey] to return to their former numbers, but I’ll throw you some extra coin for any extras you built or cleared out. If you’re still in the area in the coming days, check back again, as we may be able to start the trapping process soon!
Callous Questgiver: I had my doubts, but your efforts and those of other locals have made quite an impact, and we now have sufficient housing for [Prey] to return to the area. I’ll compensate you for all the work you put in, just don’t go and start hunting the [Prey] yourself, we’ll be sending trappers out to do that soon. Come back in a few days if you think you can set a good trap or two.
Phase 3
First Interaction (non-participant)
Friendly Questgiver: It is good to see you [Playername]! I have a task of great importance that I’d like to get your help with, as the [Prey] have returned to the area in greater numbers than ever, and we need to start trapping them to get their pristine pelts and other parts for necessary goods, and the delicious meat that makes for scrumptious stews. Live trapping is always the best, as the [Prey] can be traded as exotic pets to other regions, or kept as pets by the locals here. Will you assist us with this task?
Accept: Fantastic, I’m glad to have your help with this! I’ll mark the areas with brightly-colored ribbons on your map, that’s mostly where they’re located. There’s traps available that will catch the [Prey] alive, but you have to check on them to make sure they don’t starve. We also have traps that swiftly kill them in a way that doesn’t damage their body much, and can be recovered with little effort, but leave them too long and a [Predator] may stumble upon it. Let me know what you need!
Decline: Thanks for hearing me out anyways, [Playername]. I’m pretty sure we have enough trappers here to handle it, but if you’d be willing to spare some of your valuable time to aid us in this task, we would certainly appreciate it. Come back any time!
Neutral Questgiver: Welcome [Playername], can I interest you in helping us with an important task? The local [Prey] population has grown enough that we can start trapping them once more, and we need their furs and other useful parts for bedding, clothing, cultural goods, and perhaps some delicious stew. Live trapping is ideal, but we’ll take anything in good condition. Can we get your help with this?
Accept: Glad to hear it! You can find [Prey] living near brightly-colored ribbons, and I’ll mark their locations on your map. We have traps that catch [Prey] alive, but have a lower rate of success, and can’t be left alone for too long. We also have some devices that trap more easily and safely kill without harming the parts we need, but they also shouldn’t be left for long or a [Predator] may consume it. Whatever you’re up for, we’re happy to have your help!
Decline: That’s alright [Playername], I am sure we can get a few trappers to help us, otherwise I can just start setting and patrolling the traps myself. If you feel like lending a hand, please come by again soon!
Callous Questgiver: I guess I should have expected to see you again, [Playername]. I’m not sure if I should even mention this, but we are ready to start trapping the local [Prey] and I have plenty of traps prepared to assist with live trapping or traps that kill them clean. Can I rely on a brute like you to use these traps instead of destroying them outright with strikes meant for combat?
Accept: Good. Use the live traps if you can, though they’re slower to catch [Prey] with than the ones that kill them clean. I have both available. Be sure to patrol them, as if either are left too long, we lose the [Prey] entirely. Brightly-colored ribbons are tied off near where they live, and I’ll mark where those are found on your map. Bring back what you trap for some coins.
Decline: Right. Considering you for any task requiring subtlety is probably asking too much anyway. Do me a favor, don’t start massacring [Prey] for jollies. That’s all, you should go now.
First Interaction (prior participant)
Friendly Questgiver: Warm welcomes on this fine day, [Playername]! Our efforts in restoring the [Prey] population in the area have been successful. We’re ready to begin trapping them for useful goods, or even capturing whole, live [Prey] to trade or keep as pets. Can I ask of you to assist us in the simple, yet important, task of trapping the local [Prey]?
Accept: I’m ever so happy to hear this, [Playername]! I’ll mark your map with the places where homes and ribbons are set up, and gladly provide traps to assist with the task. The live traps take longer, but let us take in live [Prey] which is very useful to us as well. The kill traps will quickly end them without harming their useful parts, and we’ll need plenty for the bedding and attire made here, along with other goods, and a few good stews. Be sure to patrol the traps so they don’t get devoured by [Predators] or starve in their cages!
Decline: I appreciate your visit [Playername], as your efforts in helping us get this far have been ever helpful, but I understand if you aren’t interested in this task right now. We’ll be trapping for the foreseeable future, so if you’d like to lend a hand, come back any time. Have a wonderful day, friend!
Neutral Questgiver: Welcome back, [Playername! The fruits of our labor are now ripe for the taking, but I’ll need capable trappers to help reap the bounty of [Prey] that now frolic about nearby. If you’re willing to lend a hand once more, I’m happy to provide traps for both live capture and clean kills. Will you aid us in gathering the bounties of our past efforts?
Accept: I’m glad to hear this, [Playername]! Let me mark the areas where brightly-colored ribbons are placed, and you’ll find the [Prey] dwellings nearby, perfect for trap placement. Live traps will take longer to hit, but live captures can be used for more than just materials. Kill traps will put them down quickly and preserve their bodies, as we need plenty of what they have to offer for cold-weather attire and bedding around these parts. You can use a mix of both, but regardless of what you use, you’ll need to patrol the traps you put down so [Predators] don’t get to them first, and so they die of starvation in their trap enclosures.
Decline: Well it was good to see you again anyway, [Playername]! If you feel like lending a hand in the trapping effort, I’m more than happy to provide you traps to use!
Callous Questgiver: Back for a little more coin, I see? You came at a good time, as it turns out, since we are now in prime trapping season for the [Prey] that are now in abundance. Whether captured live or dead, the traps we have are important to use, and we have some available for the task. You know how to set traps, right?
Accept: Good. I’ll mark the areas where brightly-colored ribbons have been set up near [Prey] dwellings, so you can set traps nearby. Whether you use capture traps or kill traps, you’ll need to patrol them to make sure [Predators] don’t come by and devour them. And no killing with combat strikes, that will ruin them and waste a good [Prey] that could have been trapped instead.
Decline: Of course not, a brute like you probably doesn’t have the subtlety to set a good trap. Just don’t scare the [Prey] off or kill them, we have other trappers out there trying to help this [Node level].
Follow-up Interaction (quest accepted)
Friendly Questgiver: A gracious welcome once more, [Playername]! Have you managed to have any success yet? No? That’s fine, [Prey] are fairly elusive. Just let me know if you need any more traps!
Neutral Questgiver: Welcome back, [Playername], have you caught any [Prey] with the traps yet? Not a problem, I have more traps if you need them.
Callous Questgiver: You’re back, no [Prey] I see. Are the wily [Prey] too challenging to catch? Take a few more traps if you need them, but I hope to see some live ones in cages, or a sack full of the ones slain by traps, the next time you come here.
Follow-up Interaction (quest previously skipped or declined)
Friendly Questgiver: It pleases me greatly to see you return, [Playername]! We’re still in need of a few capable trappers to help us gather enough [Prey] for the goods and trade that keep this [Node level] running. Can I rely on you to assist us with this important task?
Accept: Fantastic, I’m glad to have your help with this! I’ll mark the areas with brightly-colored ribbons on your map, that’s mostly where they’re located. There’s traps available that will catch the [Prey] alive, but you have to check on them to make sure they don’t starve. We also have traps that swiftly kill them in a way that doesn’t damage their body much, and can be recovered with little effort, but leave them too long and a [Predator] may stumble upon it. Let me know what you need!
Decline: I see. Well, thank you for visiting today [Playername] regardless, it warms me to see your face once more. You’re welcome to get involved whenever you please, my friend. I have plenty of traps for your capable hands to use if you wish to help with the [Prey] trapping efforts! Be well, and stay safe!
Neutral Questgiver: I’m glad to see you back so soon, [Playername]! Please let me know if you’re ready to take on the [Prey] trapping efforts, and I’ll be happy to provide you with the traps you’ll need to successfully catch them for us. Are you interested in joining in on this effort?
Accept: Glad to hear it! You can find [Prey] living near brightly-colored ribbons, and I’ll mark their locations on your map. We have traps that catch [Prey] alive, but have a lower rate of success, and can’t be left alone for too long. We also have some devices that trap more easily and safely kill without harming the parts we need, but they also shouldn’t be left for long or a [Predator] may consume it. Whatever you’re up for, we’re happy to have your help!
Decline: Thanks for coming by anyway, [Playername]. If you decide you’d like to lend a hand, we’re certainly in need of more trappers. Come back anytime and I’ll provide you with traps for the task. Have a good day!
Callous Questgiver: I see you’ve returned. Maybe the offer of some coin for your work will prompt you into action, [Playername]? We need to set traps for the abundant [Prey] that can be found nearby, and I need you to bring back that which you trap, harmed no further than the traps already leave them. Is that too much to ask?
Accept: Good. Use the live traps if you can, though they’re slower to catch [Prey] with than the ones that kill them clean. I have both available. Be sure to patrol them, as if either are left too long, we lose the [Prey] entirely. Brightly-colored ribbons are tied off near where they live, and I’ll mark where those are found on your map. Bring back what you trap for some coins.
Decline: I knew that I shouldn’t rely on you from the moment I saw you again. Once a brute, always a brute. I’m going to resume preparation of more traps now, you’re no longer needed in my presence.
Turn-ins
Friendly Questgiver: Expertly done, [Playername]! I knew I could trust you to bring us the [Prey] we need to make progress and keep this [Node level] going! Let me give you some coin, and more traps if you’re ready to continue?
Neutral Questgiver: These will do nicely, [Playername]! You’ve done good work out there, and I’m glad to see that these [Prey] are all in great condition. Not only will I compensate you, but I’m eager to give you more traps if you’re willing to continue the effort!
Callous Questgiver: Let’s see, no bludgeoning, no cuts, no signs of trauma. These will do nicely, [Playername]. I suppose you’ll be wanting some coin now, but with it, can I offer more traps so that you can go out and trap more [Prey]?
Turn-ins After Phase 1 has Restarted
Friendly Questgiver: You’ve done amazing work out there, [Playername]! Between the vigorous trapping and widespread [Predator] presence in the local wilderness, it is time to stop taking in more [Prey] and instead focus on the growing [Predator] threat. We’ll work with the [Prey] we have for now, and I’ll take back any traps you still have so they aren’t an added encumbrance. Come back whenever you’d like to start working on culling the [Predator] presence in the area!
Neutral Questgiver: Ahh, this will have to do for now! Reports of the [Predators] throughout the area, along with less sightings of the [Prey], means it is time to stop trapping for now. I’ll take the rest of what you’ve got, but now it is time to start hunting [Predators] so we can help restore the [Prey] to quantities that will allow for further trapping. I’ll take back any traps you have if you’d like, so they aren’t weighing you down. Good work out there! Come back when you’re ready to start the [Predator] hunt!
Callous Questgiver: I’m honestly surprised that you got this many! The [Predators] are out in large numbers, hunting the [Prey] more vigorously than our trappers, so it is time to stop gathering and instead prepare to hunt [Predators] in the nearby area. Here’s your coin, and if you want to hand over your remaining traps, I’ll gladly take them back told hold until trapping can resume. Come back when you’re ready to hunt [Predators]!
Bonus: Your Very Own Pet
This condition is met when the player has completed turn-ins for all three phases for the first time, after the turn-in which satisfies this condition. This only occurs once per node per player, so players won’t accumulate a stockpile of the same type of pet.
All Questgiver Affinity Types: Before you go, I want to offer you something. One of the processors found this [Prey] to be too adorable to kill, and it even seems to show a sense of loyalty to whomever last removes it from its cage. It’s yours, and it will keep you company. Thanks again for your efforts!