Here's the deal: whenever I work on a particularly interesting section of NeoFirst, I'll post a description here. That way, nobody will think this quest's development is just slacking.
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Here's the deal: whenever I work on a particularly interesting section of NeoFirst, I'll post a description here. That way, nobody will think this quest's development is just slacking.
Our hero, Link, lives in a treehouse in a dark forest with his mother. I'm sure you can all relate to his situation.
Who is his mother? Her name is Elena, and the reason she lives in a dark forest is because she's a sorceress soothsayer. And that's just what sorceress soothsayers do. Elena is named after a character in The Illearth War, by Stephen R. Donaldson, who was also a sorceress of sorts. Of course, that particular Elena was a daughter, not a mother. O well.
Link's father, like many video game heroes' fathers, is a Disappeared Dad. An outlandish rumour has it that the reason he never appears is because he's not human, but a faerie prince who had a brief mortal tryst.
(Well, it does explain the pointy ears...)
As the son of a sorceress, Link has access to a magical item right from the start of the game. That item is the Cross.
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/neofirst012.png
You'd better not lose it!
Just like in the games Phantom Hourglass and La-Mulana, Link can listen to the recently deceased. But not if you don't have this item - so remember to take it!
And also, Link owns a Bottle. It lets him carry water and sand that he finds in the game world... among other things.
But, one substance that Link is too polite to scoop up is his mother's Elixir Soup - his favourite meal.
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/neofirst013.png
No matter what you've done or where you've gone, she's always got a piping hot bowl waiting for you on every visit.
The forest that Link lives in is the Mystic Forest, also known as the Cursed Forest. It was originally a small forest in the north, but a great crime by Princess Zelda's father offended the mightiest forest spirit so much that it made trees sprout forth all along the west edge of the map. Furthermore, anybody who cuts down these trees will be transformed into a Deku Scrub.
I... guess that's why they call it the Cursed Forest?
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/neofirst014.png
Nevertheless, some youngsters like to venture in to look at mushrooms and look for Minish.
What kinds of treasures are hidden deep in this forest? What secrets were buried under its spreading canopy when the trees rose up, all those years ago?
Well...
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/neofirst015.png
A question.
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/neofirst016.png
Nobody's home.
I wonder... would it be immoral to wish for an intact weapon shop?
Placolyte!
Ah, Placolyte. This marvellous item is distilled from magical flowers, and assists Link when he drinks it from his bottle. It may call forth memories of Picolyte, but Placolyte is a slightly different wonder.
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/neofirst017.png
The price is just right for something as nice as Placolyte!
Placolyte comes in two varieties: red and blue. As the red variety is more expensive, its effects are much more powerful than those of the blue variety. But that's not to say that the blue variety still isn't worthwhile.
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/neofirst018.png
You can tell that it's in effect because Link is surrounded by coloured sparkles.
What exactly does Placolyte do? Well, um, it is a secret. But rest assured that it is quite marvellous, and that I have completely implemented it. The only way to experience it is to use it yourself and see how it helps you.
This is very nice _L_. Can't wait to see what the end result looks like.
Recently this week I had an accident where two of the boss scripts I was working on recently were disturbingly deleted from all existence. It was a heart-wrenching situation that required my full attention, So, in lieu of a more tangible and elucidating update, I present the following exhibit: some dumb enemies that you'll have to reduce to ribbons.
Stalfos KnightI wonder whether these piles of bones can be powderised with a hammer hit or a bomb blast.
http://l.j-factor.com/zeldaclassic/stalfosknight.png
Speaking of which, if you break their shields with your hammer, then they'll rise again with new shields. Clearly, the magic that animates them is quite capricious.
It is my commitment that each non-scripted variety of Patra appears but once.
Yes, it was that hooded fiend!
This final enemy's special ability may be obscure if you don't have the Hero's Charm.
There are some kinds of Zelda Classic players who are willing to follow the immediate plot, perhaps even to the ends of the earth, without being given even a scrap of equipment. But many people are quite miffed if they don't get their hands on a sword within four screens of starting out. And that's quite understandable - a sword appears on the title screen, after all. It's advertised content.
But, it is a part of the prelude that Link pursues and confronts his first sword's absconders, and in doing so becomes involved in the greater conflict against the approaching chaos.
Fortunately, if one chooses, they can exclude the prelude altogether. I have provided a way to get a sword within four screens of the start!
Of course, if they could just walk up and take it, then nobody would bother following the plot at all.
Ah... but surely in order to get 45 rupees you need to hunt assorted vermin for three-quarters of an hour? I want that sword now!
Fortunately, I have also provided a way to get 45 rupees within four screens of the start! And I didn't just hide it under the 23rd bush, either.
Such wealth! But is it really worth starting the adventure with only... two hearts?! And can you even trust this fellow?
But, with this much money, you could afford everything in that shop! You'd be able to start your adventure with a shield and a fishing line, not to mention a genuine sword that fires genuine sword beams. It's quite a temptation.
Sweet. The HC exchange thing sounds awesome, and can add some nonlinearity.
Speaking of which, is the game going to take a linear path in terms of levels, or do you have to to the levels in a certain order?
Why should the sword fire sword beams if it costs 45 rupees?
Also, what profit does the guy receive from loaning people rupees for collateral? Wouldn't there be a certain interest factor in it? Perhaps it should increase with each time the player saves the game? :p
Because it's the Wooden Sword! Also, money is much rarer in this quest than in others. Don't think you can just find it lying in the tall grass!
Indeed, I have in fact implemented a certain "interest factor". But for now can I slyly remind you about that time when I mentioned that the starting town is a hotbed for organised crime?