Shagret

I'm happy to announce a definitive release date for this prodigious project I have hefted upon myself. Shagret Release: June, 2011. I mean to stick to this release date, and will make sure that it is met with all due speed. It is far, far away--past the grip of winter, and spring(perchance love?)--but it will be kept to. However, leaving it there seems wrong. I think, considering this post, I ought to go into slightly more detail.

What is Shagret?

This is a story with many starts, and none are adequate to suffice. The PC can't see all sides, neither can the numerous characters you meet. It will not make sense the first play through, and perhaps not the second, but the story is one constructed that there is "meaning", but not in black and white(or grey, or chartreuse either). You must see it from multiple perspectives, and I hope my story offers an interesting way of video game storytelling. The truth is that in time, even devils have their stories to share.

What does it offer?

Story-oriented adventure with a plethora of new enemies to fight. This is in a custom setting, and the whole universe is completely of my imagination. Thusly, I have a great amount of flexibility in terms of the story, environment and characterization. I am not bound by "the weave" or some other such things(though I do hope my universe does not come off as boundlessly cliche).

Although I would hope that people enjoy my story for what it is--a story that needs re-telling to acquire sense--I do cater to the more "rough and tumble" adventurers out there. You want dangerous foes? You got them. You want dungeons to crawl around in? You got them. RPGs, as I see them, ought to allow flexibility, and so I wish to allow this. There are monsters to slay, and I'm quite sure you're up to the task.

Companions?

6. Expect over 60 thousand words of dialog from them, and perhaps 200 thousand in the campaign as a whole. Your companions have a mind of their own, so don't expect them to want to go spelunking in the "cavern of death" or some other such nonsense. They will, and *do*, leave you.

Total Length?

Depends on how you want to play the game. Realistically, the game can be "over" in ten minutes. I suspect, however, that most players will find their first run to be somewhere between 7-12 hours. There are many different ways to go about the game, though, so it is misleading to say anything more than that. You have more choices than you think.

Custom Content?

NWN2 seems to delight in excess, and I am no stranger to such things. I am proud to announce that my custom music score(43 tracks) is now complete. Coupled with that, there are several brand new, fresh to NWN2 creatures which will be feature in the campaign. Here and now, I can say that the first portrait in the video below, Syue the spirit fox, will be met by the PC(thanks Hellfire!)

I'm happy to also show two tracks for the first time. The portraits featured within are from Bolero(thanks!), and are of three characters you'll meet in the game.

Syue and Euun. Thanks Enrico!

This track wanders sympathetically through the halls of memory. Perhaps, in time, its meaning will become more clear, its purpose more apparent.

Listrum, the Wolf Goddess. Thanks Clarkycat!(compare this track with the one featured before)

You can kill anything in the campaign. Even a Goddess. I wanted a track that, simultaneously, was "heroic", and yet struck back at the false heroism being enacted. This, it seems to me, does an excellent job: a hero deluded with their own excess, striking out in vain.

Thank you for reading. I really, deeply appreciate the time and effort other modders put into their projects; whether you be making a small fishing village or a dragon's den, animating a golem or painting a fence, I thank you. I am, by nature, a perfectionist that never can reach perfection, so I enjoy seeing other people's projects and comments. I know I would not be here writing this post if it were not for the boundless support from you, relatively faceless and formless, community members. Without you, there would be nothing to see here. It might be some time brewing, coalescing--I know this--but do not worry. The show is not over; I'd wager it's just getting started.