| abstract | - The Depths is a NWN2 persistent world for the PC game NWN2 with a particular focus on questing and storyline, character development and problem solving. The campaign takes place in a bespoke game-world with a long pedigree: it has its own pantheon and history, and a full complement of customised creatures, items, feats and prestige classes to reflect this. Character advancement is based firmly around the very large number of scripted quests on the server. Some of these quests are simple, others are far more complex and are strung together in long quest series of up to 20 quests; there is also a single player campaign involving a much longer storyline. Experience is primarily gained through the completion of quests, rather than simply for slaying creatures, and there are opportunities for characters to use non-combat abilities such as stealth and conversation skills should they wish to, although there is plenty of combat for those who want it. The Depths also aims to offer intelligent dungeon-delving in a fairly classic Dungeons & Dragons vein. A lot of attention has gone into area design: the areas are large and attractive with numerous dungeons, many of which have multiple levels. There are plenty of puzzles and scripted events to give these dungeons extra pizzaz, and many of the battles are designed to present a genuine tactical challenge to the player, so that when you do choose combat there’s a bit more to it than repetetive strain injury. Our design intent is to challenge the playing skills of the player, not the character build. You will find yourself exploring gradually deeper into some of the larger dungeons as you increase in level, and although there is considerable scope for solo play, most higher level adventure areas are designed with parties in mind. Because most of the content is pre-coded, you can drop in and out of the server as the mood takes you without feeling that you are missing out on any of the major storylines: in this respect, The Depths is like a single-player module, with the advantage that you are playing it with other people.
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