Moonshadows - Chapter One

A NWN2 Campaign by Alex "Hugie" Hugon; 10 hours of exploration- and story-driven gameplay featuring intense combat, many sidequests, dozens of custom items and creatures, and 12 custom music tracks!

"The High Forest is like any other place in the Realms, really, full of obscure mysteries for the discerning to uncover and ancient treasure for the enterprising to claim. And, of course, there's no shortage of monsters. But then, when is there ever a shortage of monsters?"

- Khelben "The Blackstaff" Arunsun

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Overheard rumors in backwater inns are without a doubt the leading cause of unexplained adventurer "disappearances" all across Faerun. In your case, the inn was a seedy one on the outskirts of Secomber, and the rumor originated from the mouth of a crusty one-eyed dwarf with breath that reminded you of a flatulent ghast. Between long sips of the ale you bought him, your new friend told you of an enormous crystal structure that had reportedly been glimpsed high up in the Star Mounts, the soaring range of peaks which juts up from the center of the legendary High Forest. When you asked him to elaborate, the dwarf hiccupped once, gently lay his head on the table, and--to your dismay--commenced snoring contentedly. None of the inn's other motley assortment of patrons were able or willing to shed any further light on this intriguing rumor, and when you finally retired for the night, your sleep was a troubled one. Curiosity was eating away at you, tugging mercilessly on something deep down inside...and this time, you suspected there wasn't an accidentally-swallowed piece of shuriken involved.

The next morning found you heading north, against your better judgment. North, towards the High Forest--and the Star Mounts, with their peaks concealed by an ever-present blanket of dark, swirling clouds. You cannot say what it was about this rumor of mysterious crystals which so appealed to your sense of adventure; in hindsight, it must have been Fate at work. What is certain is that no amount of training or planning could have prepared you for what awaited atop the highest of those mist-clad mountains, or for the logic-defying journey on which you were soon destined to embark.

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Notes

• This is designed for level 8 character. As of September 20th, 2007, there is an OOC area at the beginning for setting level/experience, as well as for outfitting yourself appropriately for the adventure if necessary.
• Death is permanent; there is no respawning. If you die, you will need to load a savegame. So save often.
• Resting is allowed in most areas, and is unlimited.
• The game should last anywhere between 9-12 hours depending on personal playing style and number of sidequests completed.
• A level 8 character should make it to level 13 (give or take 1 either way) by the end of the first chapter.
• There is an in-game "Map" item/feature allowing for fast-travel via dialogue to previously-explored locations (this NEW! as of 10/4/07)

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Links:

• Development Blog
• Moonshadows Home
• Moonshadows Screenshot Gallery

Enjoy, and don't forget to vote when you're done! :)

Revisions

(3/4/13 @3:20pm EST)
Fixed broken download link.

(10/4/07 @1:35am EST)
Map item added; "fast travel" now fully implemented throughout module.

(10/4/07 @8:30am EST)
Added notification message when new map location is discovered; updated walkthrough to account for map.

(10/4/07 @ 3:30pm EST)
Fixed a broken "map" fast-travel transition to the High Forest - East; fixed typo in "map" dialogue ("Stronhold" vs. "Stronghold").

(10/6/07 @7:50am EST)
Changed a campaign script for possible multi-player-friendliness(?)...awaiting confirmation from multiplayer party before declaring Moonshadows fully multiplayer-friendly.

(10/9/07 @1:10pm EST)
"Fixed" the vanishing summons/buffs bug in Star Mounts! Magic will still act weird when transitioning between areas, but this is now addressed in a journal entry as a side effect of the plot. Summons *shouldn't* immediately disappear anymore. External Website Beyond Our Control

Legacy

On the old IGN Vault this was a Hall of Fame award-winning module that achieved a score of 9.21 out of a possible 10, based on 454 votes. It was downloaded 30,132 times.