Daubarth - Persuasion and Failure txts

Daubarth Persuasion Txt

[Prompt: Daubarth is in the Hall, you've talked to him a bit, and now you want to persuade him to leave]

P: Is there no way to get you to leave?
D: Why would I? I came here with a purpose.
D: Instead of arguing, you could help me with it, friend!

P: I demand you leave this hall.
P: As Archmage of the College of Winterhold, I demand you leave this hall. (Alternate prompt if Player is Archmage)

D: I hope you have a better argument this time. (Already tried convincing but failed at least once)
D: Really? You're nothing more than a boy. (Unskilled)
D: Really? You're nothing more than a girl. (Unskilled)
D: Hah! You're but an apprentice compared to me. (Low conjuration skill)
D: Hah! You're more muscle than mage. However... (Player is a warrior who happens to be Archmage)
D: You're a tough fighter, I admit. However... (Player is a moderate warrior)
D: You seem capable, I admit. However... (Player is skilled)
D: You're a powerful wizard, I admit. However... (Player is decent mage)
D: You're a powerful witch, I admit. However... (Player is decent mage)
D: I cannot simply give up my mission here. This place is dead, and must be brought back.

[Leads to A, B, C, D, E, F]

[A - Appeal to Incompetence, Conjuration based]

P: This attempt at conjuration is flawed.
D: How so?

[A - expanded, success leads to the next option, failure leads to exiting dialog]

[A - 1 of 4 (Success) Conjuration 35+]
P: You'd need an incredible object of focus and a ton of lifeblood to even attempt this successfully.
D: And what makes you think I don't know that?
D: This is far from the first endeavor of this nature I have attempted.
[A - 1 of 4 (Failure)]
P: You'd need so much power to resurrect all these dead bodies! It's impractical!
D: Yes, of course. That's why I'm asking you for help.
D: Stating a problem while I'm already implementing a solution doesn't do much here.
D: Now, enough of that.
(Exit dialog, no persuasion)

[A - 2 of 4 (Success) Conjuration 45+]
P: Do you really believe you have the willpower to control an army so effectively for labor?
D: Ah, but you underestimate my mental acumen.
D: Whatever situation arises, I will have the presence of mind to work through.
[A - 2 of 4 (Failure)]
P: How would you control all of them so carefully? It just seems to sketchy.
D: I assure you it's not! The control will not be difficult, I'm sure of it.
D: Now, enough of this.
(Exit dialog, no persuasion)

[A - 3 of 4 (Success) Conjuration 50+]
P: That's what you think. You're assuming an unfounded advantage. How unscientific of you.
D: Wait.. Did I? Hang on...

[A - 4 of 4]
P: Rest assured, Daubarth, you're not the man for this job.
D: You really think so?

[B - Appeal to Morality - Speechcraft based]
P: What you intend is beyond immoral.
P: Like Balis said, this is beyond immoral. (Alternate prompt if Balis is present and spoke to Daubarth)
D: Bah! Morality is not black and white. Rather, intricate shades of gray... That's my favorite color, by the way.

[B - Morality 1 of 2 (Success) Speech 40+]
P: Helping this town by desecrating it is not helping.
D: It's a necessary sacrifice!
[B - Morality 1 of 2 (Failure)]
P: This town doesn't want you to help.
D: This town is dead, it doesn't know what it wants.
D: Enough about this. Help me or leave.

[B - Morality 2 of 2 (Success) Speech 40+]
P: It's not your sacrifice to make!
D: You might be right. I might have inadvertently tried warping the spirit of this place in my own vision. It still has a heartbeat.

[B - Morality 2 of 2 (Success) Speech 50+]
P: Yes, but it's wrong!
D: It's wrong until it's done and over with! You'll see. I'm done talking about this.

[C - Appeal to Trust - Speechcraft based]
P: Say you did get an army, who's to say you wouldn't wreck havoc on the surface?
D: You wish to test my restraint? I'm stopping myself from silencing your endless, stupid remarks right now.
D: Do not think I will waste time on the surface. I will bide my time here, restoring the Hall's infrastructure. It's quite expansive, I must say.

[C - Trust 1 of 2 (Success) Speech 40+]
P: Once everyone finds out that the Hall is full of walking dead, they won't stand idle.
D: Yes. They'd see that they're not aggressive, and send someone down to talk to me.
D: This is the basis of trade. It is how Winterhold would grow.

[C - Trust 1 of 2 (Failure)]
P: Eventually, you would clash with the town. You can't hide down in the Hall forever.
D: You're wrong. I would not hide, and there would not be clashing.
D: There isn't anything more to discuss on this.
D: Now make yourself useful and help me.

[C - Trust 2 of 2 (Success) Speech 50+]
P: They would eventually send people to clear you out. Diplomacy isn't an option.
D: Would they really do that? Such a slow process, so determined to stop me?

[C - Trust 2 of 2 (Failure)]
P: What if they collapse the entrance? You'd be stuck down here!
D: I didn't come down here to get an army that can't dig and restore the past for nothing!
D: Aid me in my effort, and you would know this to be true.

[D - Threaten]
P: This ritual of yours needs to stop. I'll kill you if I have to.
D: Kill me? What do you know of true death?
D: I am 128 years old. In my lifetime, there have been countless deaths while I still remain. I do not fear death. In fact, I welcome it here to Winterhold.
D: But if you do, truly, pathetically, intend to end me, do not think it will be so simple. I will leave the final judgement on that matter, and first blow, to you.

[E - Guard Threat]
P: I will come back with guards if you don't.
P: Balis and I will come back with guards if you don't. (Alternate prompt if Balis is present and spoke to Daubarth)
D: Very reactive, good. Though I must confess, this idea must never reach fruition. Those guards don't have to die. I wouldn't let them go to waste, but still.
D: Try again.

[F - Exit]
P: I have to think.
D: Go.

[Playing out A, B, or C to their successful end will lead to this branch]

D: Your argument has merit. But you're also missing the point. This city... It's dead. Surely, you agree it's nothing like what it should be.
D: If not my way, what must be done? What will bring it back?

[Leads to options below]

P: Maybe you're right after all. Your way is worth a chance.
D: It is good to finally see eye to eye.
D: Now, help me with this ritual, and we will all benefit.
(Exit dialog, no persuasion)

P: Skyrim is in inner turmoil, but the holds will eventually come together and rebuild.
D: That may prove true. I do not know much about this province, but in High Rock, we stuck up for one another.
D: If that is the case here, then one day, Winterhold will receive the support it deserves. If this lot is content waiting that long, then so be it.
(Persuasion ending)

P: Trying to save society this way would only cause it to rot again later. You can't erode ethics without social repercussion.
D: I... I had not thought of it this way.
D: Forgive me.
(Persuasion ending)

P: The town should be left to resolve itself on its own, for better or worse.
D: That's your alternative? Inaction? Waiting and watching as it slowly decays? Not knowing what will happen?
D: Unacceptable! We must seize fate in our own hands!
D: Help me, and I swear to you, I will secure this town a bright future.
(Exit dialog, no persuasion)

P: I'm not sure.
D: Then be sure.
D: My plan is this city's best chance, and you haven't presented any case to the contrary.
(Exit dialog, no persuasion)

—

Problems:

1. Right now, it's set up in a way that you can demand he leaves, and then get these different ways to approach the argument. Some of them lead to back-and-forth, but have a hard Speechcraft or Conjuration barrier to enter or successfully finish. So you need 50 Conjuration or 50 Speechcraft to convince Daubarth to leave, period. The arguments can be distilled to this:

A - Appeal to Incompetance (4 steps, Conjuration, 50+)

B - Appeal to Morality (2 steps, Speech 50)

C - Appeal to Trust (2 steps, Speech 50+)

D - Threaten (Exits)

E - Threaten with Guards (Exits)

F - Indecision (Exits)

And then A, B, C successes all merge into one thing where you have to come up with some 'alternative', Right now because of the way that A,B,C, flow it feels strange, you're locked into one successful skill-based choice until you reach this open-ended question that's vague and that you can fail anyway. I'm not sure how the design -should- be, but this addition of the second part, even though it feels organic, is different than how I have the rest of the conversation leading up to it. I'm not sure how. The 'Ritual End' has a bit more lee-way in that you have multiple options which lead to multiple options, even if only the options at the end are impactful, and I feel like that's less 'tunnel vision' than what this Persuasion structure currently is like. The "steps" aren't just one-option, there's the "advancement" which may or may not fail depending on your intermittent skill level, and an unconditional "exit" link.

2. Persuasion 'ending' should lead to an outcome for Daubarth. I haven't written the dialog, but it can probably be copypasted from what's below in the Ritual Fail branch. He should go over what he's going to do now, a.e. leave and go to Windhelm, or join College, etc. Needs dialog where he remarks on how he feels lost and isn't sure what to do. I've written a section of dialog for the 'failure' ending where he goes through with the ritual but fails, and then you go through and help him decide how to move on, which I will include below:

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Daubarth Ritual Fail Txt

[Prompt: Ritual 1 or 2 Ending (Zero or only One enhancement used) - Mindless draugr raised, Daubarth approaches you post-combat]

(Daubarth forcegreets you)
D: “I... I don't understand... Where did I.... Why didn't it work? I don't understand....” (Fearful, anxious confusion)
[A - Responses to why you think it didn't work, or consoling him, below]

–

[Prompt: Avatar summoned, Player absorbed Avatar without giving a sacrifice]

(Screams the moment you absorb it, then talks to you again after combat)
D: “What have you done?! No! Fool!”

(Daubarth forcegreets you)
D: “You... You did this! How could you? Why did you doom us all? Why? Tell me!” (Fearful, anxious confusion)
[B - Responses to why you absorbed Avatar, below]

–

[Prompt: Avatar summoned, No sacrifice given before the alloted time, Avatar fades away, Mindless draugr arose and were defeated]

(Daubarth forcegreets you)
D: “No... We... We didn't meet its offer in time... I don't understand... How could we have failed...” (Fearful, anxious confusion)
[C - Responses to why you didn't get a sacrifice in time, below]

[A]

[All responses below lead to choices under branch D]

P: Complete failure. I didn't expect anything more from you.
D: My calculations were so precise... How could it have not worked?

P: What are you going to do now?
D: I am... Unsure.
D: Perhaps I should leave. Perhaps I should apologize.
D: What do you think I should do?

P: This wasn't supposed to happen? What was?
D: Some... incredible... occurrence? The entire catacombs moving in a symphony. And I it's minister. I'd clear this place up... And... Mmm.
D: What happens now?

P: Do you realize you've broken the law? (Problem with this is that the player is an accomplice to this crime)
D: What's the punishment for trying to save the life of an almost-completely-dead city?
D: If I were in your position, why, I'd sooner go after and arrest the tide that killed everyone here.
D: Anyway, what should I do?

P: I'm sorry it didn't work out.
D: I should be the one apologizing. You're the one that not only paid attention but also believed in me. I let you down the most.
D: So, what happens now?

[B]

[All responses below lead to choices under branch D]

P: You're quite the fool if you didn't see that coming.
D: Why would I? We were working together! Winterhold was going to be restored!

P: Uh... Sorry. My bad.
D: What foolishness!

P: I wanted to absorb its power.
D: Before it could've relinquished me control? Do you realize the implications behind your actions? You've not only betrayed me, you've doomed this city!
D: Or were you planning that all along? How sickening...

[C]

[All responses below lead to choices under branch D]

P: I'm sorry I couldn't get an offering in time.
D: No, it's my fault. I should've been more careful in my dealings. This burden was mine.

P: I couldn't bring myself to sacrifice anyone.
D: Even when you knew the stakes? I suppose I can't blame you entirely. This burden was mine.

[D]

D: And now there's nothing left for me here... Winterhold... Everything I imagined... all of it is a stillborn dream. (Somber, loss)
D: What am I to do? Where will I go? I was going to visit Windhelm after coming here, but then... Then... (Aimless, heavy, lost, trails off)

[D - Responses to where/what you think Daubarth should do now]

P: You should turn yourself in to the guards.
D: Maybe, I don't have much to...
D: I can't remember how to justify myself anymore.
D: Send the guards. I'll stay here for a while and wait for them.
(Daubarth will stay in the Hall for a bit, then head to Windhelm regardless of if you bring Guards down)

P: Why not join the College? You look like you'd enjoy the company of mages.
D: No... I didn't, actually.
D: Why, you think I'd actually fit in?

(Leads to below 2]

P: Yeah, I guess not.
D: Alas, I must move on from this town.

P: Why wouldn't you?
D: I failed here. And they might also disagree with my ideals.

[Leads to below 3]

P: What's wrong with disagreements?
D: Do you think I want to get into stupid debates all day?

(Leads to other 2 below)

P: You should at least try it.
D: Alright, but I am not too optimistic.

P: I see your point, maybe it's not for you.
D: Indeed. I must move on from this town.

–

P: Would you consider joining me in my travels?
D: Hah! The thought amuses me. I must say, I really do miss traveling with an entourage and having real 'fun' for once.
D: But those days are, alas, behind me. As much as I'd like to walk the streets of the Imperial City and mentor you on capillaries, I must refuse your offer.
D: After what you've done? Never. (Alternate response if Player absorbed the Avatar before giving a sacrifice)

P: Weren't you going to give me a staff for helping you?
D: Oh! I almost forgot. Yes. The Staff of Hasedoki. Here you are.
D: Take good care of it alright? It's an antique, like me. Heh.
D: Oh! I almost forgot. Yes. The Staff of Hasedoki. Here- (Daubarth doesn't have Staff on him)
D: Huh... I don't seem to have it on me. That's really odd. It should be around here somewhere. (Daubarth doesn't have Staff on him)
D: After what you've done, you should consider my polite refusal of this untimely request as mercy. (Alternate response if Player absorbed the Avatar before giving a sacrifice)

P: You deserve death for all the mayhem you've caused.
D: I'd make a pun were I not miserable.
D: You can try. I'd still put up a good fight for you, but I don't care much how my story ends anymore.

P: What do you want to do?
D: Windhelm was the next place I was going to go to... Maybe I'll stay at an inn there and talk to wanderers. Though I doubt I'd meet someone like you again.

P: I think we're done here.
D: Then, it is time I leave for Windhelm. (Daubarth leaving for Windhelm)
D: Perhaps we will cross paths again one day. (Daubarth leaving for Windhelm)
D: As we've discussed, I shall try joining the College here. (Daubarth will join College)
D: Hopefully I don't get too annoyed there. (Daubarth will join College)
D: I see. I shall wait here, for those guards. I wonder what they'll do. (Daubarth leaving for Windhelm, delayed to give time for Guards to come)
D: Farewell.