Pai'Na: Unfinished Business Poll & Discussion

[Wounded_Lion]

In the Unfinished Business mod, Pai'Na asks you to retrieve Spider's Bane to prevent anyone from using the sword to destroy the spider population living beneath Amn.  Two inexperienced youths have taken the sword into the sewers on a foolish quest to become heroes.  When the player encounters the youths, they explain that they accidently broke the sword by hitting a wall with a poorly aimed swing.  The player returns the pieces to Pai'Na.  She departs with the shattered sword.

That's right.  They break a +2 enchanted sword BY ACCIDENT.

I respect the modders who took part in making Unfinished Business, but:

UB fails to deliver an intriguing story with a satisfying resolution.  It fails to provide a reward (Spider's Bane) worth the time and effort of completing its quest.  It fails to develop the Pai'Na character in any meaningful or interesting way.

Unless you can convince me otherwise, the Pai'Na NPC mod will NOT continue the story told in "The Pai'Na/Spider's Bane Quest" of UB.

Note: Pai'Na will install seemlessly over and replace that component if it has already been installed.

Votes and discussion are welcome and encouraged!

aWL

EDIT: clarity, note

[Wounded_Lion]

I see that someone voted "Yes" but failed to argue his or her cause.

Tell me this: What do you like about the "The Pai'Na/Spider's Bane Quest" of UB?

That's not sarcasm; I truly want to know.

Seriously: Post if you'd rather play a UB-compatible Pai'Na NPC.  I don't bite (unless you want me to...) and I won't flame you.  Argue your case now, because I've already begun drafting dialogue.  Later in the process, I won't be so willing to be flexible.

On a somewhat related note, the first banter/lovetalk between Pai'Na and the PC has been written!

aWL

EDIT: note

[Rastor]

While I agree with you, it's a pretty bad quest in an otherwise good mod, the fact is that most of the BG2 players out there that use mods do have UB installed and probably have every single quest installed.

Perhaps you could edit the quest for Pai'Na if they have this component installed - or rewrite it, just have your mod uninstall it and install your version...

[Wounded_Lion]

@Rastor

That's what I had in mind.  By "not compatible" I meant only that Pai'Na NPC will not continue the story told in "The Pai'Na/Spider's Bane Quest" of UB (in other words, you can't play both storylines in the same game).  I edited the poll question and introductory post for clarity.

Note: The introductory dialogue (first meeting and mini-quest) has been written!  Now... time for a (short) break.

aWL

EDIT: note

[Jarno Mikkola]

  Well, you could ask if the UB(2) makers would mind if you do change their mods content a little, to give a better explanation... like a subplot that introduces the creature that was really responsible. A Mage-death(or whatever), a creature that's similar to Nishruu and Hakeashar(I believe that this name is Mage-death in elvish), but totally immune to all magic weapons and spells.

I won't go and force any of you to this, but if there is a flaw that can be fixed without altering too many things...

[Wounded_Lion]

I'm not sure what you're asking.  Are you saying that you want me to add a Nishruu/Hakeashar into the UB story to account for the breaking of Spider's Bane?

aWL

[Jarno Mikkola]

Well, in a way, yes.

[Wounded_Lion]

@Jarno:

Unless I see a LOT more players voice a clear preference for continuing the story of the "The Pai'Na/Spider's Bane Quest" of UB , Pai'Na NPC will install seemlessly over that component and replace it with an original take on the character.

@Interested Players:

Remember: After I reach a certain point (which is still a ways off as my pace right now is slow and easy), I won't be so willing to go back and redo everything.  If there's anything in particular that you'd like to see in regards to Pai'Na NPC, share now or regret later.

aWL

[Zukn]

 I'd rather see a reworking of it than totally ignoring it or completely integrating it.