[Info] 05. Questing Guide

[info=Formula]PST + (BSTC * DS) = Boss' Total Stats
PST: Stat total of the player character with the highest total stats engaging the boss.
BSTC: Boss Stat Total Change as per the chart below.
DS: Difficulty Score
[/info]

For example, if a Tier 1 character with 200 total stats is facing off solo against a +3 boss, the boss' stats will be 200+(40*3)=320.

Boss Stat Total Increase Per Player/Companion
If there are multiple player characters or companions engaging the boss, you must increase the boss' stats as per the chart below.

Boss Stat Calculation Chart

At the heart of any work of fiction lies a good story. This score reflects the quality of your quest's narrative beats and how they tie to your characters' over-arching stories. A good plot should offer some complexity in its main conflicts without forcing them to be excessively intricate. It should flow smoothly from beginning to end without meandering.

Your quest's plot may (and often should) provide a setup for another quest, but it should have its own complete story too. If you are participating with multiple player characters, you will be scored on your portion of the plot along with the cohesion of the overall story of the quest.

Rubric

91-100
- The player's contribution to the plot is outstanding, demonstrating creativity and originality, while seamlessly integrating with the contributions of other players.
- Demonstrates sophisticated narrative techniques, enhancing the shared story through well-timed plot advancements and meaningful interactions with other characters.
- Skillfully weaves individual subplots or character arcs into the main narrative, contributing significantly to the depth and complexity of the shared story.
- Resolutions to conflicts are clever, satisfying, and consider the roles and actions of all involved characters.

71-90
- The player's plot contribution is engaging and well-structured, complementing the overall narrative and other players' contributions.
- Includes good use of narrative elements, though there may be minor issues in meshing perfectly with other players' plotlines.
- Subplots or individual character developments are present and generally well-integrated, but might occasionally overshadow or slightly diverge from the main shared narrative.
- Conflict resolutions are thoughtful and mostly consistent with the collective story, considering the involvement of other characters.

51-70
- The plot contribution is functional but lacks distinction; it follows the shared narrative without significant original input.
- Subplots or personal character arcs are attempted but not fully developed or smoothly integrated into the overall shared story.
- Pacing may be uneven, and interactions with other player characters may sometimes seem forced or out of sync.
- Conflict resolutions are adequate but may lack creativity or full consideration of the collective narrative.

31-50
- The plot contribution is underdeveloped, with little to no effort to integrate personal narratives into the shared story effectively.
- Subplots or character arcs, if present, are minimal and do not enhance the collaborative plot.
- Significant pacing issues and a lack of meaningful interaction with other characters' contributions are evident.
- Resolutions to conflicts are unsatisfying, overly simplistic, or fail to align with the broader story arc.

0-30
- The player's contribution to the plot is incoherent, non-existent, or detrimental to the shared narrative.
- There is a complete lack of development or acknowledgment of subplots or character arcs relevant to the collective story.
- Pacing is severely flawed, and the player's contributions disrupt the flow or engagement of the shared narrative.
- Conflict resolutions are nonsensical, unresolved, or entirely disregard the contributions and developments of other players.

This score reflects the quality of your quest's characters. Note that this score does not require you to have a large cast. It simply expects that the main characters (especially your own) are provided depth, consistency, and suitable character development.

When you share NPCs among players, you will be scored on your use of the character only.

Interesting character ideas are important, but what's even more essential is the proper execution of said ideas. Without appropriate development, even good ideas lose their value.

Rubric

66-75
- Player's characters are exceptionally well-developed with clear, consistent motivations, backgrounds, and dynamic growth.
- Excellent portrayal and development of NPCs, adding depth and richness to the narrative.
- Skillful integration and interaction with shared NPCs, enhancing both the individual and collective story arcs.
- Demonstrates an understanding of other players' characters, contributing positively to their development and the story.

46-65
- Player's characters are well-defined with consistent motivations and backgrounds, showing noticeable development.
- Good portrayal of NPCs with evident effort to give them distinct personalities and roles in the story.
- Effective use and integration of shared NPCs, with a clear attempt to maintain consistency with other players' portrayals.
- Interactions with other characters are generally well-handled, contributing to the overall narrative.

31-45
- Player's characters are adequately developed but may lack depth or have minor inconsistencies.
- Adequate portrayal of NPCs, but they may be somewhat generic or underutilized in the story.
- Some use of shared NPCs, but integration into the narrative may be uneven or occasionally out of sync with others' portrayals.
- Interactions with other characters are sufficient but lack depth or significant impact on the narrative.

16-30
- Player's characters show basic development, but are underdeveloped, stereotypical, or inconsistently portrayed.
- Minimal effort in portraying NPCs, resulting in flat or unengaging characters.
- Limited or ineffective use of shared NPCs, with little to no enhancement to the collective story.
- Interactions with other players' characters are minimal or fail to contribute meaningfully to their development or the story.

0-15
- Player's characters are poorly developed or portrayed, lacking consistency, depth, and engagement.
- Poor or no effort in portraying NPCs, contributing negatively to the narrative.
- Neglect or mismanagement of shared NPCs, disrupting the collective narrative flow.
- Little to no meaningful interaction with other characters, or interactions are detrimental to the overall story and character development.

Not all quests necessarily have a lot of dialogue. But, the quality of the dialogue that does appear in your quest will be reflected using this score. Good dialogue should feel like a natural conversation without the unnecessary filler words that burden vocal exchanges in the real world.

Exposition is also best presented when woven into dialogue exchanges rather than delivered through narration. Effective dialogue also expresses a character's personality.

Rubric

46-50
- Dialogue consistently enhances the story, revealing character personalities and motivations effectively.
- Characters' speech is distinct and appropriate for their background and current emotional state.
- Skillfully incorporates exposition into dialogue, avoiding unnatural exposition dumps.
- Interactions through dialogue with other players' characters are fluid, meaningful, and advance the plot or character development.

31-45
- Dialogue is generally well-written and contributes to character and story development.
- Characters have distinct voices, though there may be occasional lapses in consistency.
- Manages to weave exposition into dialogue with only minor instances of awkwardness.
- Interaction with other characters through dialogue is mostly well-executed, but might have room for deeper engagement or plot advancement.

21-30
- Dialogue serves the story but lacks flair or depth, and may sometimes feel forced.
- Characters' voices are somewhat distinct, but lack consistency or depth in places.
- Exposition through dialogue is present but can be clumsy or too on-the-nose at times.
- Interaction with other characters is adequate but doesn't significantly enhance the narrative or character relationships.

11-20
- Dialogue often feels stilted, unnatural, or irrelevant to the plot or character development.
- Limited distinction between characters' voices, leading to confusion or lack of character depth.
- Struggles with exposition, often resorting to awkward or forced dialogue to convey information.
- Interactions with other characters are minimal, ineffective, or detract from the overall story.

0-10
- Dialogue is consistently poor, lacking relevance, and detracting from the narrative.
- Characters lack individual voices, making dialogue monotonous or confusing.
- Exposition is handled poorly, disrupting the flow and engagement of the story.
- Little to no meaningful dialogue interactions with other characters, or such interactions are disruptive to the story and character development.

This score reflects your ability to stay true to Revival Dawn's themes and lore and your skill in adding more depth to the world. The world-building does not have to be on a larger scale. It can be as simple as a detailed account of a shop your character is visiting and how it fits into the setting.

It is also essential to keep the world-building as relevant to your plot and characters as possible. Describing every flower along the road is only fitting if your character is a florist or has a keen interest in botany.

Rubric

46-50
- World-building is effectively balanced, enriching the story of Revival Dawn without overshadowing it.
- Demonstrates a keen awareness of when to elaborate and when to be succinct, ensuring that descriptions are relevant and contribute to the plot or character development.
- Seamlessly integrates with the established themes and lore of the One Piece universe, adding originality without straying from the setting's style.
- Enhances the shared narrative and engages other players with relevant and interesting settings that encourage interaction and plot progression.

31-45
- Provides clear and relevant world-building that adds to the story without becoming overly detailed or distracting.
- Maintains a good balance between contributing to the atmosphere of Revival Dawn and advancing the plot, with minor deviations in detail management.
- Aligns well with the lore of the One Piece universe, with world-building efforts that complement the story without overwhelming it.
- Positively influences the shared narrative, offering settings that support character interactions and plot development without dominating the scene.

21-30
- World-building is present but can sometimes distract from the main narrative or lacks relevance to the plot.
- Tends to occasionally overemphasize details, leading to minor disruptions in the story flow.
- Generally fits within the One Piece universe, but may not always enhance the narrative or character development effectively.
- Provides a basic backdrop for the story, but may not fully engage other players or capitalize on the potential of the setting.

11-20
- Efforts in world-building are minimal or overly detailed, detracting from the main narrative.
- Struggles to balance the inclusion of setting details with the progression of the story, often leading to irrelevant or distracting descriptions.
- Inconsistencies with the thematic elements of the One Piece universe are evident, impacting the coherence of the narrative.
- World-building does little to enhance the storytelling experience, often feeling disconnected or superfluous.

0-10
- Lacks effective world-building, with either no effort or excessive, irrelevant details that hinder the narrative flow.
- Significant deviations from the style and lore of the One Piece universe, disrupting the shared storytelling experience.
- Fails to provide a supportive setting for the story, often leaving the narrative feeling bare or unnecessarily complicated.
- Negatively impacts other players' experiences, either by offering no meaningful context or by overwhelming the narrative with irrelevant details.

Skilled creative writing makes effective use of a good variety of literary devices such as allegory, allusion, flashbacks, foreshadowing, imagery, irony, metaphors, motifs, personification, and similes.

It is best not to overuse one specific literary device. Your writing is most elevated when you combine many of these devices and use them in appropriate places. Creative writing that lacks literary devices is often bland and tends to fall flat.

Rubric

91-100
- Exhibits a masterful use of a wide range of literary devices, enhancing the storytelling in a meaningful and engaging way.
- Skillfully integrates devices such as metaphor, symbolism, and foreshadowing, enriching both the narrative and character development.
- Literary devices are used appropriately, avoiding overuse and ensuring each adds value to the story.
- Enhances the overall reading experience, contributing to the depth, tone, and emotional impact of the narrative.

71-90
- Uses a good variety of literary devices effectively, though there may be minor issues with overuse or forced implementation.
- Devices like imagery, irony, and allusion are present and generally contribute positively to the narrative.
- The application of literary devices is mostly appropriate, adding interest and depth to the story.
- Improves the storytelling but might occasionally feel out of place or overdone.

51-70
- Demonstrates a basic use of literary devices, but lacks variety or sophistication.
- Some literary devices are used, but they may be simplistic or not fully integrated into the narrative.
- The usage is functional but does not significantly enhance the storytelling or may be used inconsistently.
- Provides some depth to the narrative, but the impact of these devices on the story is limited.

31-50
- Limited use of literary devices, and those used tend to be basic or improperly applied.
- Shows an attempt to include literary devices, but they are often misused or irrelevant to the context.
- Their usage does little to enhance the narrative and may detract from the clarity or engagement of the story.
- The overall contribution of literary devices to the story is minimal and often ineffective.

0-30
- Little to no use of literary devices, or their usage is so poor that it detracts from the narrative.
- Shows a lack of understanding of how to effectively incorporate literary devices into storytelling.
- The narrative lacks depth and engagement due to the absence or poor application of these devices.
- The lack of effective literary devices makes the story bland and less impactful.

Language is the glue that holds all of the above criteria together. This score reflects the quality of your diction, prose, and grammar. No matter how creative your ideas may be, if your language skill is insufficient, those ideas cannot be brought to life in a satisfying manner.

This category does not simply mean you must use complicated words to spice up your writing. In fact, excessive use of convoluted vocabulary can be more harmful than helpful. Using clear language while avoiding repetition is key.

Additionally, grammatical correctness is a must. If your piece of writing was a painting, then your ideas would be the concept behind the image, and the language would be the paint and tools you use and the finesse with which you use them. Consistently poor use of the English language will result in equally poor scores in this category.

We encourage you to leverage tools such as Grammarly and Powerthesaurus to aid you. But do not use them as a crutch while you become more proficient in this category. These tools are not foolproof and may often misguide you. The trick is to know which advice to accept and which to ignore.

Rubric

111-125
- The narrative is clear and concise, free from overly long paragraphs and unnecessary "fluff."
- Demonstrates excellent grammatical accuracy, with no discernible errors.
- Maintains consistent tense and point of view throughout, enhancing readability and coherence.
- Prose is strong and engaging, effectively conveying the story and character emotions.
- Exhibits a rich and varied vocabulary, avoiding repetition of words and phrases.

86-110
- Mostly clear narrative, though occasionally marred by slightly lengthy paragraphs or minor irrelevant details.
- Contains few grammatical errors that do not significantly hinder comprehension.
- Generally consistent in tense and point of view, with only minor lapses.
- Prose is generally effective but may lack flair or sophistication in places.
- Good vocabulary use, though there may be occasional repetition or simpler word choices.

61-85
- Narrative clarity is occasionally affected by long paragraphs or unnecessary details.
- Noticeable grammatical errors that may occasionally disrupt the flow.
- Occasional issues with tense consistency or point of view shifts, though not severely impacting the story.
- Prose is functional but lacks depth, with some parts feeling weak or uninspired.
- Adequate vocabulary, but limited variation and some repetition of words and phrases.

36-60
- Frequent issues with overly long paragraphs and narrative "fluff," detracting from clarity.
- Multiple grammatical errors that regularly impede understanding.
- Inconsistent tense usage and point of view shifts (head-hopping) that confuse the reader.
- Weak prose that fails to engage or effectively convey the narrative.
- Limited vocabulary range, with frequent repetition and poor word choices.

0-35
- The narrative is hindered by excessive paragraph length and irrelevant details.
- Severe grammatical issues that significantly disrupt the reading experience.
- Frequent and jarring changes in tense and point of view, leading to a lack of coherence.
- Very weak prose that lacks clarity and fails to engage the reader.
- Poor vocabulary use, with repetitive and simplistic language throughout.