Cursed Lands version 0.8.9

[myoksy]

> How much lower, I'm not sure.

that should be quite simple to calculate - afaik 1 point of reputation is worth 0.5 % discount, and selling gives half the purchase price. everything above 50 % discount breaks the economy, or 100 reputation if I'm correct with the percentage. the break-even happens earlier with the trader skill (is it 10 % extra discount? I never played this archetype)

[jack1974]

I'll list everything tomorrow. Because for me tomorrow is really close already

Yes thanks! those texts were written by the game writer but not proofread so there might be some mistakes

that should be quite simple to calculate - afaik 1 point of reputation is worth 0.5 % discount, and selling gives half the purchase price. everything above 50 % discount breaks the economy, or 100 reputation if I'm correct with the percentage. the break-even happens earlier with the trader skill (is it 10 % extra discount? I never played this archetype)

Yes I think anyway even 100 is a lot, I'm probably going to cap it at 50 or something (or also reduce the reputation you get each fight). Otherwise the items would probably also be too cheap...?

[jack1974]

Haha I just noticed that the merchant bonus is actually never applied! so currently that profession gives no advantage. So yes definitely need to cap reputation at 50 and merchant will give another 10-15% discount but not more, otherwise items will get too cheap

[jack1974]

I fixed the problem: after some testing the max reputation possible is 50. With the merchant bonus now active you get 25% + 10% = 35% discount which in the long run will save a lot of money (so merchant profession is worth it now).
I was testing buying an item for 20 (full price was 30) and reselling it for 15.
I also noticed randomly a fun bug, if you buy the normal weapons they get all grouped under the same "kind", so all daggers, but they display only 1 icon. At first I thought the buying wasn't working, then I noticed that the new daggers were added to an existing stack. So the solution is to have all the dagger use the same icon (no more randomized like before). Anyway I don't think many people are buying the common weapons/armors

[jack1974]

I just did the update now since there was a game-breaking bug - now I enforce minimum 2 party members (and not 3 like before) because in a few situations like Tomb Of Urd you might be fighting with only two party members, and with minimum 3 you couldn't even begin the fight

[Akar Dorn]

I'll list everything tomorrow. Because for me tomorrow is really close already

Yes thanks! those texts were written by the game writer but not proofread so there might be some mistakes

I slightly shorted the list but anyway:
2 typos (sure). Naga’s recruiting mission.

Spoiler:

1) When you are going to leave first location Enok says:

Perish the thought. We have what you came here for. Let’s get out of these ruins. It’s not safe place, especially someone like you.

Should be “especially for someone like you”.

2) If you are leaving swamps with beautiful naga. Not a handsome one:

Sylrissa hands you the satchel full of gold coins I found in the swamps.

Should be “me”. Otherwise, MC has a split personality

16 typos (sure). Dwarves recruting mission.

Spoiler:

1) If you choose to ask dwarves what they are looking at, Surly Dwarf says:

What the hell do you care?

English isn’t my native but I guess it has to be “Why”.

2) After previous one. MC thoughts:

I hear the cry of a woman’s voice crying out.

“Cry” and “crying out” in one sentence. This one definitely requires alteration but I leave it up to you and your writer’s imagination.

3) When Galan appears and one of the dwarves pulls out daggers.
Galan:

So you have weapons. Lets see if you they can match up to my hammer.

Let’s. Even Word document protested against this “Lets”

4) Almost right after previous one:

The two other dwarfs get to their feet and draw their weapons.

“The” is needles here.

5) When Dasyra heals MC. MC’s thoughts:

To my surprise, I found I have no difficulty getting to our feet.

Firstly, “to my feet”. Otherwise, MC again shows personality split and requires psychiatrist’s help.
Secondly, I am not sure but should it be “no difficulty in getting to”?

6) After previous one:

Dasrya points her staff at the leader of the slovenly dwarf.

Does Dasyra have an evil twin “Dasrya”?

7) In prison when Dasyra mentioned Faberge first time, MC says:

I recognize that name. The famous jeweler.

In context, it has to be “this name”.
Actually, I recommend when you or someone else will do a proof read, pay attention to “that” and “this”. There are many moments in the text where I felt “this” will be more suitable but again English isn’t my native.

Same dialog. Dasyra says:

Well, yes. Us, right how, here in this dungeon, for instance.

Even Word urges me to replace “how” by “now”.

9) Almost unnoticeable but when Dasyra asks for a MC’s opinion about fight and 3 options appear, text description states:

Dasrya wants to know my thoughts on combat…

EVIL TWIN STRIKES BACK!

10) Same dialog. Dasyra says:

What’d done is done. We did what we thought was best, and it led us here. Let’s just do our best to get out, eh?

“What’s”. Not “What’d”.

11) Actually it can be in “unsure” section but dictionary states otherwise.
When you are going to check Galan at the first time. MC’s thoughts:

I glance over at the door. Dasyra seems to be going fine.

Dictionary in my hands states that “glance over “ or “glance at” would be more suitable but it’s only about 75% of “surence” so I leave it up to you.

12) Galan’s story about honest merchant:

Thing was, he didn’t have the money to pay me. But he did have the jewelry. So offered following arrangement: I would escort him from Grimoire to Hammerhands, and that upon arrival he would sell jewelry to the waiting vendor and pay me my usual fee.

“So he offered” will sound better.

13) Next slide if I remember right. Galan continues:

Anyway, I saw the man all the way to Hammerhands. But when we arrived, a small problem was discovered. The buyer insisted that the jewelry be appraised, you see. And the appraiser told him that the jewelry was counterfeit.

"Jewelry must be appraised" or something similar.

14) After dwarf guard’s departure Galan has “a small talk” with Dasyra. MC’s observations:

Galan grabs Dasyra by the shoulders and shoves her against the wall. He leans in until there faces are only an inch apart.

“Their”. Not “there”.

15) When Dasyra committed stealing her mother’s brooch there is a dialog choice (N.B. There is no change in relationships here no matter which option you choose, so it may be bugged). In any case, if you choose “she should told you”, MC describe their thoughts and actions as:

I feel the touch of Dasyra hands on my shoulder, and I spin around and bat her away. I raise a hand, ans she flinches.

“And”.

16) Checking Galan after Dasyra’s commitment. MC says:

You doing okay up there? It’s no trouble for you to keep balance and dig at the same time? You have only to hands, you know.

“Two”.

Places where I cannot cry "TYPOS " with 100% accuracy

Spoiler:

1) First phrase in Hammerhands. MC’s thoughts:

If I am to go rumor-chasing, a pub seems a good place as any to start.

Should it be “If I am going to go”?

2) Galan appears first time. Surly Dwarf:

This one here already made the mistake of joining a fight they had no business in. Don’t make it you mistake as well.

In Russian there are no articles at all so this topic is very far from me. But I feel that “made the mistake” must be replaced by “made a mistake”.
I also recommend checking “they had no business in”. Dwarf is talking only about MC, not MC and Dasyra, so I’m not sure about plural form.

3) First dialog with Dasyra in prison. She says:

I can hear the pacing of the guards plenty well, and they’re not even on the same level as us. Trust me if one of them starts getting close enough to check on us, I’ll know it loud and clear.

Again articles. I guess there has to be no “the” in “the pacing” and I am not sure about phrase “plenty well”. Isn’t “well enough” more suitable?

4) Dasyra describes Edgar:

I doubt he’ll have the ear for anything you have to say. To him, you’re just a street ruffian. Edgar Arasmas sees the fact that you’re in his dungeon as sufficient evidence of that.

Me and articles, we are made for each other . “The ear” or “an ear”?

5) Dasyra about Faberge:

Yes, old Faberge made quite the fortune from his jewelling. That’s really the best thing about the city of Hammerhands, you know. Faberge Arasmas wasn’t born into money. He was a tradesman. He earned his fortune through beautiful handiwork, and from that built a house that is now an economical powerhouse.

First, “quite the fortune” or “quite a fortune”?
Second, “a house that is now” or “a house which is now”?

6) Galan’s phrase:

We’ve worked toward a common goal outside. And we’re now working toward a common goal inside. You seem like the trustworthy sort.

This is not exactly mistake, just different “Englishes”. American English uses “toward”, British English uses “towards”. As someone who studied British and actually lives in the UK, I find “towards” more common, but this is up to you.

7) Again, Galan:

Not particularly. Don’t care to know much more than I do about missy over there, either. I’ve been giving you the benefit of the doubt so far, and being that doubt’s something so beneficial, I don’t have much reason to remove it, now do I?

“…remove it, now do I” or “…remove it now, do I”?

Galan about climbing:

Not much a story I’ve been climbing a mounting with another man, he was injured, and the closest way to get help was up. He did a fine job of staying steady on my back, so the only real struggle for me was extra weight.

“Was up” or “was going up”?

9) MC to Galan:

In that case, I think I’d like to stay up with you. Maybe I can relieve you if you start feeling sores.

Perhaps, “in this case” is more suitable.

Unwanted name

Spoiler:

[MC’s name]
I walk across the cell. Galan has begun ascending as he continues to dig footholds in the wall, each higher than the next. His feet are now level with my head.

These are thoughts and observations. MC doesn’t speak it out loud.

This section is... optional and full of questions of tastes . I placed there some phrases I found a little bit unnatural and suggested how to alter them. Just 5 of them, each one is 1-3 words at max, but it's up to you.

Spoiler:

1) First dialog in prison with Dasyra:

I see your meaning.

“I see what you mean” would be better.

2) Same dialog. Dasyra:

Well, when you put it like that, then it sounds awfully cold. But do you think that I would really be worse off than I am right now if I had just minded my own business?

“Then” is unnecessary here. Phrase would be more smooth and natural without it.

3) Same dialog. Dasyra again:

Do you suppose there’s someone out that is wondering why you didn’t come home tonight? Do you have a family? Children? A lover? Someone who would be worse off if you never saw the light of the day again?

“That is” can be replaced by “there”. Or at least "there" must be added before "that is".

4) Galan. First dialog in the cell:

So, you’re not from around here. That would explain your reckless behavior in the street earlier.

“In the street” is a possible form but “on the street “ is more common.

5) Galan about his past:

The solution, at this point, was very simple. The merchant simply needed to offer the appraiser a bribe. Get him to lie and say the jewelry was legitimate.

“Simply” is right after “simple”. Better to replace it by "only" or any other synonym.

[Franka]

I don't think the talents work how they're supposed to. When I use "Foster Doubt - target enemy gives me an item and gets 0 SP", the fight immediately ends (and I don't get an item). I use "Goad", the fight ends. Neither of those talents are supposed to end the fight.

Also, when ending the fight with a talent, low level characters don't get the EXP bonus you get for actually winning. (Sucks)

Another thing; not that I care ALL that much, but it's really hard to follow who's talking during the infiltration of Castle N'Mar because there are never any characters on screen and you have to specifically look at the name box to know who's currently speaking.

[myoksy]

uh, Jack. you nerfed Debiitate even *more*. the delay was 10 and now it's 15 - I am seriously unhappy with the direction. did you balance this only with boss fights and act 2?

[jack1974]

Thanks, will check them out! I think though that the sentence:
"The two other dwarves get to their feet and draw their weapons."
is fine, since aren't just "two other dwarves" (random dwarves) but the ones already seen on screen. So I guess using "The" is OK in this case.

I don't think the talents work how they're supposed to. When I use "Foster Doubt - target enemy gives me an item and gets 0 SP", the fight immediately ends (and I don't get an item). I use "Goad", the fight ends. Neither of those talents are supposed to end the fight.

If the enemy is a scripted boss, the battle will end on a successful talent check (not the whole battle, just a step of it).
Regarding the speakers it's because those are randomized, so I can't know exactly who is talking either. I don't think I can show the corresponding characters (haven't tried but doesn't seem simple).

uh, Jack. you nerfed Debiitate even *more*. the delay was 10 and now it's 15 - I am seriously unhappy with the direction. did you balance this only with boss fights and act 2?

Yes in practice, but of course it's not like the change it's set in stone. Maybe the thing is that at higher levels is too powerful, so instead of nerfing it overall I should reduce the power of the higher levels maybe

[myoksy]

social talents:
Bluff: works as expected
Reason:
- variant "pre-emptive strike": works (but the PC is not pushed to the front of the turn order. is this intended?)
- variant "flee battle": this one does not work with the lizardmen - it displayed a chance of 100% but using it just said "immune" and the encounter continued