first impressions of a study in sable

[krimsonrane]

I was looking forward to a new quest and just based on the graphics I dug it as soon as I got in.
That was the very last time I liked any of it.
First impression is it's the most boring quest in the game. just endless searching for who knows what useless items to advance a storyline I'm really not interested in reading versus playing. can't you guys afford to hire more voice actors instead of bibles of character text? You did it with all the explorer thingies why not with quests? Even google reader gives us the option to hear the words. If I wanted to read a book I would buy one. Text? click click click blah blah blah.
Disappointing.
There is very little fighting and more searching than I want in an adventure. Even so far as to put a durn HEDGE MAZE in the quest just to waste more time walking around aimlessly or returning to rehash interactions with static npcs.
I'm still not completed and I've been in this thing 90 minutes doing basically nothing. The rip off of the vampire diaries is cute at best. Unfortunately the "find my notes/journals/missives/etc" trick is so tired now. There's always one left you never find. The only thing that would make this worse is if they put a stupid shroud or floor tile puzzle in it. Who designed this? An avid crossword puzzler?

Stopped to write this post as a sort of rant. I know it gets easier as you learn more but first impressions don't get a do over.

When I go back I may just recall without completing and check the other new quest.
I'll come back when the "how to do sable in 5 minutes" zergers post something up.

[krimsonrane]

Oh and save the guest? Save them from what? There's no attackers. Just moar stuffz you have to search for.

[Shorlong]

I was looking forward to a new quest and just based on the graphics I dug it as soon as I got in.
That was the very last time I liked any of it.
First impression is it's the most boring quest in the game. just endless searching for who knows what useless items to advance a storyline I'm really not interested in reading versus playing. can't you guys afford to hire more voice actors instead of bibles of character text? You did it with all the explorer thingies why not with quests? Even google reader gives us the option to hear the words. If I wanted to read a book I would buy one. Text? click click click blah blah blah.
Disappointing.
There is very little fighting and more searching than I want in an adventure. Even so far as to put a durn HEDGE MAZE in the quest just to waste more time walking around aimlessly or returning to rehash interactions with static npcs.
I'm still not completed and I've been in this thing 90 minutes doing basically nothing. The rip off of the vampire diaries is cute at best. Unfortunately the "find my notes/journals/missives/etc" trick is so tired now. There's always one left you never find. The only thing that would make this worse is if they put a stupid shroud or floor tile puzzle in it. Who designed this? An avid crossword puzzler?

Stopped to write this post as a sort of rant. I know it gets easier as you learn more but first impressions don't get a do over.

When I go back I may just recall without completing and check the other new quest.
I'll come back when the "how to do sable in 5 minutes" zergers post something up.


I haven't tried it yet, however, from my understanding, it's supposed to be an intrigue, mystery "who-done-it" style quest. In other words, finally, a quest that ISN'T all about running through and killing things. A quest where you have to think and take your time to move forward through. About time we got another one of these, they are few and far between.

Don't like it? Want something that is more actiony? You have hundreds of other quests to choose from...those of us who like puzzles and riddles and such don't have a lot to choose from to get our fix. Props to Turbine for including something like this for us!

[krimsonrane]

finally at the boss fight. Or about to fight him. I'm outside his door on my rogue. Man I should have just slept with the manor lord for a few days and saved all my wasted time.
I'll let you know how the end fight goes.

[krimsonrane]

Why is it fanbois are always the first to feel froggy?
Save your advice for someone who asked. I am entitled to my opinion right? Or do I simply have to be "wrong" and need the ddo forumite heroes to come correcting my opinions?

[Shorlong]

Why is it fanbois are always the first to feel froggy?
Save your advice for someone who asked. I am entitled to my opinion right? Or do I simply have to be "wrong" and need the ddo forumite heroes to come correcting my opinions?

You are stating your opinion as fact. Instead of saying the quest is terrible and Turbine did a bad job, you could instead say "Hey, this quest isn't for me, I am not the target audience"...and then move on to the countless other quests that do target players like you.

[krimsonrane]

OK. Boss fight. As I write this my toon is in a stuck point and being beaten to death. So what.

I creep in unseen and look around. Dozens of empty rooms with 1-2-3 or NO monsters and suddenly there's a group of half a dozen resistant red names, a boss and a couple of un-assassinatable vampires in your face.
The tips says to destroy the pillars and let sunlight in. So I creep up the stairs, move into the spot between a pillar and wall to be unseen and start wacking. Probably out of sheer impatience I forget combat noise makes monsters come from all over nowadays. The pillars have purple worm HP's btw.
A few seconds later the rednamed goon squad arrives, I'm trapped, stuck, surrounded and unable to do diddly.

What a waste...

[zDragonz]

Recalled out after one hour because I cannot complete it. I can't find the secret doors even though I have true seeing on. I am not a Rogue.

Not sure if this quest can be completed without a Rogue, but I didn't care to stay in it any longer.

I didn't read any of the Journals, just clicked on them. I will read stuff sometimes, as long as I am having fun. This quest is annoying and I clicked on the journals, but didn't care to read them.

Update, Edit: props to the game, The Boss is tough as nails! and even more!

First time entering this quest: I explored the entire Dungeon as much as was allowed before taking to Edmund and it bugged out on me in that it skipped a lot of content and went right to cellar. This is bad! and bugs the quest because even though I had found the rat trap it still showed I needed to explore the cellar. The quest becomes locked into thinking you talked to the main npc in the first place and the Dev's did not think about what if A Player explores the whole area first and grabs items first. The Butler with the lisp does not impress me! I ignored him and just explored and grabbed 3 items first before taking to the main NPC and that is where I think It bugged. It must be done in a certain order and it is best to talk to Edmund first and avoid exploring?!

Talk to the main NPC first and avoid exploring and grabbing stuff and all is well. Once again the what if's were not thought about, and they think we are simple minded. all in all this quest gets a 4 out of 10 from me. Just because!.........

Just because a butler npc tells me to go talk to some Main Npc I have no idea where he is, does not mean you have to make it main code. Think about the what if's for once!

I re did the quest and acted like a drone like you think we are! (rolls eyes) and talked to the main NPC first and the quest did what is was supposed to do. I hate conforming to a quest you think I am stupid to. You give us free roam about the Dungeon, but it bugs the quest! YOU GUYS ARE NOT IN TOUCH! How many times Do I have to say, Think abou

If you are going to make a complicated Dungeon then do it right. I have been saying this since I joined and you have not listened. The what if's are more important and will prevent bugs in the long run! Stop with the narrow mindedness, not thinking about, what if this happens, and think about what if this happens and less bugs will be in the game from the get go and its' future! This is simple coding and so far from what I have seen you always fail in this. PUKE!

[krimsonrane]

Recalled out after one hour because I cannot complete it. I can't find the secret doors even though I have true seeing on. I am not a Rogue.

Not sure if this quest can be completed without a Rogue, but I didn't care to stay in it any longer.

I didn't read any of the Journals, just clicked on them. I will read stuff sometimes, as long as I am having fun. This guest is annoying and I clicked on the journals, but didn't care to read them.

I found the secret door on my rogue but I don't remember it being crucial to completing. You gotta keep finding the little nonsensical things like the dogs chewtoy and bring it to each guest to see if they are under the vamps control. I did the same guy twice with two different thingys by mistake. Finding a cube traps one of the guests if you choose to let him have an artifact as a distraction.
Aparently sleeping in the lords room advances the quest. I don't know if you can just click rest here over and over to open the doors and advance the story without finding the "stuffz" till the last day. If you could that would be best. Then go through all the rooms last and do the tasks.

[shibe]

go away before I report you. I'm not interested in your challenge to argue and I have no intention of feeding trolls.

A bit harsh don't you think? The quest was free and different. Props....I haven't even tried it yet.

[krimsonrane]

Not a troll, just stating that because the quest isn't for you doesn't make it a bad quest. Report me if you like, I'm doing nothing against the rules.

Are you done now? Did you get it off your chest? have I been properly instructed on the err of my ways enough for you to let it go?

[Xenich]

Is this a joke thread?

[krimsonrane]

A bit harsh don't you think? The quest was free and different. Props....I haven't even tried it yet.

No. I don't think so. This is a habit in the forums and I'm not interested in supporting it. Nip it early.
It's ok to love a game or a company. it's not ok to bash peoples opinions as a kneejerk reaction to anything that doesn't suit your fervor. THE TITLE SAYS FIRST IMPRESSION. Not first facts.
Your first impressions are individual and non repeatable.
The content of my post apparently isn't the issue as it speaks for itself. The target of my public thought was.
Just once I'd really like to speak my opinion without the first post being a fanboi defending their mmo gods from blasphemy. If you like it fine. Write a love poem about it. You won't see me pouncing on someone for saying so. That's why their called opinions. It's yours.
I don't need correcting and don't appreciate unwarranted, unsolicited advice as much as others may.

[Shorlong]

No. I don't think so. This is a habit in the forums and I'm not interested in supporting it. Nip it early.
It's ok to love a game or a company. it's not ok to bash peoples opinions as a kneejerk reaction to anything that doesn't suit your fervor. THE TITLE SAYS FIRST IMPRESSION. Not first facts.
Your first impressions are individual and non repeatable.
The content of my post apparently isn't the issue as it speaks for itself. The target of my public thought was.
Just once I'd really like to speak my opinion without the first post being a fanboi defending their mmo gods from blasphemy. If you like it fine. Write a love poem about it. You won't see me pouncing on someone for saying so. That's why their called opinions. It's yours.
I don't need correcting and don't appreciate unwarranted, unsolicited advice as much as others may.

Your OP was nothing but negativity towards a quest that is not geared towards players like you. I never attacked you or said anything negative towards you. I merely stated that, hey, this quest isn't meant for your play style, but that doesn't make it bad. It may not be your cup of tea, but that in and of itself does not make it a bad quest. I then stated that I think Turbine did something good by creating a quest that wasn't about zerging to the end and hitting a meatbag of hit points.

If you want to take any of my OP, which is a reply to your OP, as a personal attack, then that is on you. I was just merely stating that I like that we have a new type of quest to play through. The second comment was more directed towards you, the individual, for reading into what I said way too much and doing a personal attack on me.

[CavernDragon]

/Popcorn
/Drink

[krimsonrane]

Your OP was nothing but negativity towards a quest that is not geared towards players like you. I never attacked you or said anything negative towards you. I merely stated that, hey, this quest isn't meant for your play style, but that doesn't make it bad. It may not be your cup of tea, but that in and of itself does not make it a bad quest. I then stated that I think Turbine did something good by creating a quest that wasn't about zerging to the end and hitting a meatbag of hit points.

If you want to take any of my OP, which is a reply to your OP, as a personal attack, then that is on you. I was just merely stating that I like that we have a new type of quest to play through. The second comment was more directed towards you, the individual, for reading into what I said way too much and doing a personal attack on me.

See... this is what I said I didn't want to do. An endless argument for what? Really, for what? (Rhetorical)
I am done answering.

[Golddragon87]

I am amused by the general discussion topic that attacks the concept of general discussion. Can you pass the popcorn please?

[Xenich]

Yep, this has to be a troll thread. It can't be serious... if it is... well... that is very sad.

[Thud]

See... this is what I said I didn't want to do. An endless argument for what? Really, for what? (Rhetorical)
I am done answering.

No last word? :p

[krimsonrane]

I checked in on my dead body and noticed a trick. The mob destroyed the pillar.
A defender type standing there tanking could make life easier.

[Shorlong]

So, you won't reply anymore? That means I get to win!!

There, I got the last word, declaring me the victor.

[Teh_Troll]

. . . I have no intention of feeding trolls.

We don't ask for food, we just want you to hjeal meh!

[Teh_Troll]

There, I got the last word, declaring me the victor.

The person with the last INTELLIGENT thing to say is the victor. You lost before you started posting.

[Golddragon87]

*Munches popcorn.

[brian14]

Yep, this has to be a troll thread. It can't be serious... if it is... well... that is very sad.
I think the OP was serious. And yes, being that dense is pretty sad.

The fact he seems to have abandoned the thread indicates he is not so dense as not to realize what a joke he made of himself.

[Shorlong]

The person with the last INTELLIGENT thing to say is the victor. You lost before you started posting.

I'd like to see these rules. They can't be troll rules, because trolls can't be intelligent.

[Teh_Troll]

I'd like to see these rules. . .


Troll rules:

1. Hjeal meh!
2. Hjeal meh!
3. Hjeal meh!
4. Hjeal meh!
5. Hjeal meh!
6. Hjeal meh!
7. Hjeal meh!
8. Hjeal meh!
9. Hjeal meh!
10. Hjeal meh!

That covers about every thing.

[Luxgolg]

Forum poster a la Facebook. Just missing the #hashtags or it would look much more like Twitter-dribble.

I appreciate the info, but the posting style is much more social network than forum friendly

[SockMonkey]

well I am not liking it either. and it has nothing to do with type of Q. I started out going oh.. this is cool its like a victorian who done it. now like 2 hours of talking to the same people and getting the same responses I think its bugged or I need a helmet. My main was borked by nice stealth change to kensai and this frustrating nonsense.

[Furbitor]

Sigh just another OP role-playing a paladin on the forums.... Sigh.


I like the quest.

Ooooh.. Report me!! I have a opinion!!! (or is it a pinion....)

anyways....

/Popcorn on

[bartharok]

The person with the last INTELLIGENT thing to say is the victor. You lost before you started posting.

Well, how about the first intelligent thing then? Is that not a victory of sorts as well?

(I can be counted out, as always)

[erethizon]

This thread does help to explain why almost all our quests are mindless killing quests. The few quests that involve more thought and less killing get mercilessly bashed by the public (e.g. Crucible, Inferno of the Damned, this new quest, etc.). I hear some complaints about the new expansion being just mindless killing, but no where near as many complaints as I do about the quests that involve more than pure killing.

[krimsonrane]

All that matters is the end fight. That's it. Whatever storyline exists is repetitive and will serve no purpose after the initial play. There are no challenges or threats before the boss fight. Just some fetchit roles to play. And my first impression wasn't all that exciting so even that one got screwed up.

[krimsonrane]

This thread does help to explain why almost all our quests are mindless killing quests. The few quests that involve more thought and less killing get mercilessly bashed by the public (e.g. Crucible, Inferno of the Damned, this new quest, etc.). I hear some complaints about the new expansion being just mindless killing, but no where near as many complaints as I do about the quests that involve more than pure killing.

I usually play an assassin. I spend most of my solo runs simply walking past monsters. I'm not a big fan of kill everything that moves. The difference is when I do that some kind of persistent challenge exists. A threat of potential fail. In this quest what happens after the story has been told once? And that boss fight doesn't look very solo friendly. So many resistant red names all in one crowd AND a chore that might require at least 2 more people to handle (the pillars). That doesn't bother me much. It wouldn't be the only quest like that. I was just disappointed in how boring it was. And the lack of voice acting took away a lot of the realism. I felt like I was reading the story rather than living it.

[die]

BINGO!! You Nailed it. Now I don't want too hurt ay ones feeling's but I did not like this quest either so when is the next exspansion pack lol

[Teh_Troll]

Who cares about story? I want XP and loot.

And yes, I'm not kidding.

'Story" has ZERO replay value.

[Shorlong]

In this quest what happens after the story has been told once?

To answer this question nicely, I had read (again, haven't played it yet) that the quest is somewhat randomized and things are changed around.

[alancarp]

... it's not ok to bash peoples opinions as a kneejerk reaction to anything that doesn't suit your fervor...

Which is exactly what you've been doing to the opinions posted in reply to you (which were originally posted more like 'suggestions' and 'advice', imho).

Sorry, but when you post a new thread, you're inviting a conversation... and often a counter opinion. And you haven't been bashed. Not nearly so.

[bartharok]

Who cares about story? I want XP and loot.

And yes, I'm not kidding.

'Story" has ZERO replay value.

Not much of a reader, are you.

[Teh_Troll]

Not much of a reader, are you.

Does reading give me loot or XP?

Seriously, until this game actually has an end-game again I don't care about anything regarding plot. The plot of DDO has always been a little stupid so thinking about it it just a bad idea.

If the loot and/or XP is **** the quest is fail. Story is irrelevant.

[jarial89]

I usually play an assassin. I spend most of my solo runs simply walking past monsters. I'm not a big fan of kill everything that moves. The difference is when I do that some kind of persistent challenge exists. A threat of potential fail. In this quest what happens after the story has been told once? And that boss fight doesn't look very solo friendly. So many resistant red names all in one crowd AND a chore that might require at least 2 more people to handle (the pillars). That doesn't bother me much. It wouldn't be the only quest like that. I was just disappointed in how boring it was. And the lack of voice acting took away a lot of the realism. I felt like I was reading the story rather than living it.

actually, during the story you are able to save all 4 of the guests from becoming minions of the boss if you figure out which guest is currently getting brainwashed and give him the right item, which makes the endfight a lot easier, rewarding you for solving the puzzle instead of just progressing the story as fast as possible

[bartharok]

Does reading give me loot or XP?

It might tell you where to get it

[2x4]

I was looking forward to a new quest and just based on the graphics I dug it as soon as I got in.That was the very last time I liked any of it.First impression is it's the most boring quest in the game. just endless searching for who knows what useless items to advance a storyline I'm really not interested in reading versus playing. can't you guys afford to hire more voice actors instead of bibles of character text? You did it with all the explorer thingies why not with quests? Even google reader gives us the option to hear the words. If I wanted to read a book I would buy one. Text? click click click blah blah blah.Disappointing.There is very little fighting and more searching than I want in an adventure. Even so far as to put a durn HEDGE MAZE in the quest just to waste more time walking around aimlessly or returning to rehash interactions with static npcs. I'm still not completed and I've been in this thing 90 minutes doing basically nothing. The rip off of the vampire diaries is cute at best. Unfortunately the "find my notes/journals/missives/etc" trick is so tired now. There's always one left you never find. The only thing that would make this worse is if they put a stupid shroud or floor tile puzzle in it. Who designed this? An avid crossword puzzler?Stopped to write this post as a sort of rant. I know it gets easier as you learn more but first impressions don't get a do over. When I go back I may just recall without completing and check the other new quest. I'll come back when the "how to do sable in 5 minutes" zergers post something up.My first impression was - This is a mansion murder mystery style quest. My second impression was, there are people in the community who will love this new quest. My third opinion, the ones who like this are probably not the majority (but I could be wrong). My first impression of this thread and the OP [---------------------------------] What I typed in the parenthesis is equally relevant.

[Teh_Troll]

It might tell you where to get it

Read a scroll, and hjeal meh!

[bartharok]

Read a scroll, and hjeal meh!

Forgot about that. You dont need to read, you just shout: rjead for meh!

[HungarianRhapsody]

Not much of a reader, are you.

Your post did not give me XP or loot. As a result, I am reporting your post to Turbine for their most severe punishment available.

[bartharok]

Your post did not give me XP or loot. As a result, I am reporting your post to Turbine for their most severe punishment available.

Making me read my own posts?

[krimsonrane]

[QUOTE=Shorlong;5165962]To answer this question nicely, I had read (again, haven't played it yet) that the quest is somewhat randomized and things are change[QUOTE]

I only avoid the comments that aren't comments. Too many people brandish swords here and all they want to do is cut up.

If it's randomized that would be a slight improvement. For those of us not on the dev twitter feed it would be new news. I don't remember seeing it in the release notes.

Create a time limit and use more voiceovers. maybe even add a skeleton in the closet rare or something.

[Ancient]

Your OP was nothing but negativity towards a quest that is not geared towards players like you.
He stated it was his first impression. He said he didn't like it, he stated why. I found his post useful.

You could have taken your own advice and posted your view of the quest rather than do to his post what you accuse him of doing to the quest. IMO, your post was nothing but a useless troll with no added value to the thread.

[arkonas]

when i did this quest i actually enjoyed it because it wasn't your normal defend this mob, guide, this mob, kill xxx mobs, mass mobs either. it was just different. i did this quest on lammania and solved it first time no issue. i got only 3 of the 4 guests. by saving a guest it removes them from the end fight. i was able to complete it no problem. i'm not sure how long it took me.

so overall its not a quest for everyone i guess but for a change its different from our usual quests.

[krimsonrane]

So I was dead. I went away for a while and did RL things. Then when I came back, I ran into the corridor and used a cake. ddoored out and rested. Then I came back in, used a few noisemakers to lure the mob into the hallway and then fought the boss alone at each pillar. Our combined grazing blows destroyed them one at a time. When he reached half hp he summoned a bunch of rats which were easy to kill. After the last pillar was down he was easy picking and I never had to fight the mob of rednames.
Completed.
He uses a lot of charm and con drain spells. PRO Vrs Evil didn't seem to protect from it.

[krimsonrane]

He stated it was his first impression. He said he didn't like it, he stated why. I found his post useful.

You could have taken your own advice and posted your view of the quest rather than do to his post what you accuse him of doing to the quest. IMO, your post was nothing but a useless troll with no added value to the thread.

People troll so casually nowadays they do it as second nature without even thinking first. Especially here.

[arkonas]

OK. Boss fight. As I write this my toon is in a stuck point and being beaten to death. So what.

I creep in unseen and look around. Dozens of empty rooms with 1-2-3 or NO monsters and suddenly there's a group of half a dozen resistant red names, a boss and a couple of un-assassinatable vampires in your face.
The tips says to destroy the pillars and let sunlight in. So I creep up the stairs, move into the spot between a pillar and wall to be unseen and start wacking. Probably out of sheer impatience I forget combat noise makes monsters come from all over nowadays. The pillars have purple worm HP's btw.
A few seconds later the rednamed goon squad arrives, I'm trapped, stuck, surrounded and unable to do diddly.

What a waste...


So I was dead. I went away and for a while and did RL things. Then when I came back, I ran into the corridor and used a cake. ddoored out and rested. Then I came back in, used a few noisemakers to lure the mob into the hallway and then fought the boss alone at each pillar. Our combined grazing blows destroyed them one at a time. When he reached half hp he summoned a bunch of rats which were easy to kill. After the last pillar was down he was easy picking and I never had to fight the mob of rednames.
Completed.
He uses a lot of charm and con drain spells. PRO Vrs Evil didn't seem to protect from it.

your last post here contradicts your first one. you said you found half a dozen red names then the 2nd time none lol. just saying make up your mind :P

[krimsonrane]

your last post here contradicts your first one. you said you found half a dozen red names then the 2nd time none lol. just saying make up your mind :P

I lured the rednames into the hallway with noisemakers, basically removing them from the conflict.

[maddmatt70]

I disagree with the OP. I thought this quest was well done and very epic. My only comment is that there is maybe a little too much trash in it at least on epic elite. By a little too much should have had about 25 or so less trash. I had no problems completing the quest relatively quickly so I do not know what the OP means by his running around comment. The end fight was a little challenging on epic elite, but not too bad. Think I have a good idea for the next time. The golem probably should have a little less dr/hit points. Really great quest.

[maddmatt70]

Does reading give me loot or XP?

Seriously, until this game actually has an end-game again I don't care about anything regarding plot. The plot of DDO has always been a little stupid so thinking about it it just a bad idea.

If the loot and/or XP is **** the quest is fail. Story is irrelevant.

There is a lot of xp in the quest. Can get close to 90k in it.

[Xenich]

actually, during the story you are able to save all 4 of the guests from becoming minions of the boss if you figure out which guest is currently getting brainwashed and give him the right item, which makes the endfight a lot easier, rewarding you for solving the puzzle instead of just progressing the story as fast as possible

Oh, so it is a kind of "who done it" style investigative quest? I haven't done it yet, is it well executed in the writing and clues?

As for the OP's complaints, I think they very clearly established why they hate the quest and while there may be some reasonable objections in terms of the quests design and flow, the OP by their own admission seems to have no clue what those may be.

It reminds me of the early days of LoTRO with general chat being spammed by people complaining about the quests being broke and poorly done because they can't find an NPC/Location/Etc... when they didn't bother to read the quest text itself (ie, you should seek NPC X in location X).

[Xenich]

I disagree with the OP. I thought this quest was well done and very epic. My only comment is that there is maybe a little too much trash in it at least on epic elite. By a little too much should have had about 25 or so less trash. I had no problems completing the quest relatively quickly so I do not know what the OP means by his running around comment. The end fight was a little challenging on epic elite, but not too bad. Think I have a good idea for the next time. The golem probably should have a little less dr/hit points. Really great quest.

Would you say that if you didn't bother reading the quest and NPC responses that one could end up running around like a chicken with their head cut off? If so, then that is likely what the OP's problem was.

[Kaytis]

The person with the last INTELLIGENT thing to say is the victor. You lost before you started posting.

You are the worst troll ever. Stop saying insightful things.

[Eth]

I was looking forward to a new quest and just based on the graphics I dug it as soon as I got in.
That was the very last time I liked any of it.
First impression is it's the most boring quest in the game. just endless searching for who knows what useless items to advance a storyline I'm really not interested in reading versus playing. can't you guys afford to hire more voice actors instead of bibles of character text? You did it with all the explorer thingies why not with quests? Even google reader gives us the option to hear the words. If I wanted to read a book I would buy one. Text? click click click blah blah blah.
Disappointing.
There is very little fighting and more searching than I want in an adventure. Even so far as to put a durn HEDGE MAZE in the quest just to waste more time walking around aimlessly or returning to rehash interactions with static npcs.
I'm still not completed and I've been in this thing 90 minutes doing basically nothing. The rip off of the vampire diaries is cute at best. Unfortunately the "find my notes/journals/missives/etc" trick is so tired now. There's always one left you never find. The only thing that would make this worse is if they put a stupid shroud or floor tile puzzle in it. Who designed this? An avid crossword puzzler?

Stopped to write this post as a sort of rant. I know it gets easier as you learn more but first impressions don't get a do over.

When I go back I may just recall without completing and check the other new quest.
I'll come back when the "how to do sable in 5 minutes" zergers post something up.
TLDR
Could you make a voicerecording of your post and put it on youtube pls?

[maddmatt70]

Would you say that if you didn't bother reading the quest and NPC responses that one could end up running around like a chicken with their head cut off? If so, then that is likely what the OP's problem was.

I honestly do not know what the OP's issues are. There are like 4 items that you pick up that you need and they are in obvious places i.e. end of an area. You only need to talk to 3 npc. The main NPC says clearly where to go next. The cellar, attic, garden, etc. It really is not that complicated. It has a nice story and a very nice layout. It is not a short quest so if anything that could be a valid complaint by somebody. Some people prefer shorter quests vs. longer quests. DDO is not WOW where you go kill 10 things and collect the 10 feathers or whatever it is and turn it in to get your award and thank god it is not. The OP should go play WOW.

[Enoach]

As one that loves to read and explore I found my first run of this adventure to be exhilarating. Each message to be read, talking to each NPC to "learn" about them and what they knew of Lord Sable and the Manner.

The main NPC gives clues to items that will help you discover the Thrall and it appears these items are hidden throughout the Manner, the other Guests give clues as to what will distract them which are other items that can be discovered. I was running with a rather impatient guild group that was putting more stress on finding a Thrall and less on "Saving" a guest so I was only able to effect the saving of a single guest leaving the other 3 to be at the end fight.

It only took us 20 to 30 minutes (I still had 10+ minutes of the 40 minutes of ship buffs) to complete the quest (Epic Hard) killing the named creatures in each of the areas and getting their chests and I ended with 69K XP from Quest Completion plus all the optional XP. I actually attribute this time in a new quest because we took the time to talk/read. I imagine once I have the text memorized (2 more runs) I won't need to constantly read it to know what to do next.

The end fight difficulty for this first time was getting the melee to come down into the Light, I didn't feel the pillars were all that strong, but that might be because I switched to a weapon more suitable for killing constructs. So much like the Shadow King, Sable in the light of day was extremely weakened, while in the dark he was highly resistant to all forms of attack.

I can't wait to go in either solo or with a friend of mine that was not able to join me last night as I honestly think he will enjoy this quest and it's current cerebral nature.

@krimsonrane - I applaud your use of tactics to pull the Thrall out of the fight, very clever.

[Ghoulstorm]

Read a scroll, and hjeal meh!

This thread needed a RIPOSTE!!

[jarial89]

Oh, so it is a kind of "who done it" style investigative quest? I haven't done it yet, is it well executed in the writing and clues?


well, the writing feels right for this sort of thing, you can tell which guest is the next thrall with just the dialogue by putting all the pieces of information together, but you need a specific item to prove it and another item to pin them down or distract them or they will run off to join the vampire
from a gameplay point of view this puzzle, like all puzzles in DDO, gets rather easy once you figure out the pattern and the only thing that seems to be randomized is the order of events, not the events themself
I still like this quest a lot, because it feels like you are doing a real investigation, talking to the guest and exploring the mansion for the various items you need

[luvirini]

I found the quest pretty nice change of pace from the lately too common: Kill a million trash to advance. So I would likely place it among the top three nice new quests within the last year.

[Ivan_Milic]

I like the quest.

[Aliss7]

I like it. Too bad there was no voice actress for Lucille and her journals.

[krimsonrane]

I like it. Too bad there was no voice actress for Lucille and her journals.

That alone was a major problem for me. After hearing all the other voiceovers for pick ups I was disappointed that they skipped this quest. I wanted to hear a story unfold as I was in it rather than read a book. I know I know... They were journals and my character would have had to read them anyway. So? I still would have prefered the vocal experience.

[bartharok]

That alone was a major problem for me. After hearing all the other voiceovers for pick ups I was disappointed that they skipped this quest. I wanted to hear a story unfold as I was in it rather than read a book. I know I know... They were journals and my character would have had to read them anyway. So? I still would have prefered the vocal experience.

It would have been far worse if the voiceovers had been awful.

[Satyriasys]

Troll rules:

1. Hjeal meh!
2. Hjeal meh!
3. Hjeal meh!
4. Hjeal meh!
5. Hjeal meh!
6. Hjeal meh!
7. Hjeal meh!
8. Hjeal meh!
9. Hjeal meh!
10. Hjeal meh!

That covers about every thing.
http://imageshack.com/a/img823/8448/tfzf.jpg

[TDarkchylde]

Troll rules:

1. Hjeal meh!
2. Hjeal meh!
3. Hjeal meh!
4. Hjeal meh!
5. Hjeal meh!
6. Hjeal meh!
7. Hjeal meh!
8. Hjeal meh!
9. Hjeal meh!
10. Hjeal meh!

That covers about every thing.
Obviously you didn't hear "heals on me." Not my fault. :P

[schelsullivan]

I enjoyed this quest too, Ran it solo on EE. I thought it was a good mix of intrigue, plot and battling. I took a dungeon crawl approach. I saved 3 guests and it took a couple of hours to get to end fight. I sneaked around the last chamber in an attempt to take out the pillars without being discovered. I was discovered taking down the last pillar and all hell broke loose.

That vampire totally owned me, it was marvelous.

Next Time!