Quests That Got To You

bellanca6561n

Yes, this is a game.....a computer game.

Yes, it's a FANTASY game set in another world, and in another age.

And it's played by adults, many of whom carry on with burdens in the aftermath of some sharp real life events.

Nonetheless, unlike most MMORPGs this one has quests that got to me, and got to others who are made of tougher stuff than I. A friend, for example, who's a tough Texas rancher with a Sam Elliot accent replayed one quest multiple times hoping to alter the outcome because it had disturbed him so.

So, after an excessive drum roll perhaps, which ones got to you? I ran a forum search looking for this subject and either I am terrible at search terms, or this has not been discussed at length....or recently.

I'll open with the Hatching Pools quest for the Pact....that one and the Pact agent, Tovisa getting her eyeballs sucked out of her head by Hagravens. The latter was the one that got to my Texan buddy.

Sinbaar

I think, the Mane quests with the two sisters is very sad at some point...who becomes the "good" mane and who the "bad" one..seeing them fight...and the outcome was just sad

Workerdroid7

I cannot actually remember which specific quests they were (will update If I remember more details), but I distinctly remember at least 3 or 4 times thinking to myself "Oh no... can't I go back and change my choice?" Really good quest design/writing, in my opinion.

AshySamurai

I remember both of this quests. But we already have topic like this, [Spoilers] Sad moments in PvE

Moonshadow66

Although there're more than just one which got to me, I especially remember the quest "A Story Told In Footprints". I cannot write down the whole story here, but it takes place at the Sathram Plantation in Stonefalls, and it triggers when you examine a Khajiit's dead body. It's so sad in the end when you turn in the quest, how the Khajiit girl (Vahara) reacts, especially after she told you where they met and what he's done for her. I just stayed with her for a while.

AlexDougherty

Sinbaar wrote: »

I think, the Mane quests with the two sisters is very sad at some point...who becomes the "good" mane and who the "bad" one..seeing them fight...and the outcome was just sad

I didn't see it in terms of Good and Bad, merely a horrible decision, and I didn't like the outcome either

Esha76

Spirited Away. The woman in Skywatch who sends you to the corners of Auridon to pray for her deceased children. When you turn that quest in and see what she really is, pretty heart wrenching.

The alternative lifestyle Bosmers in Greenshade. One is passing and the other sends you to find the flowers they enjoyed when they were younger. Regardless of one's opinion of alternative lifestyles, it is irrelevant. If the notion of a loved one departing doesn't affect you in some way, then one might be a sociopath or lacking a soul.

As stated, the woman who got her eyes sucked out... yeah, I relish killing those hags every time.

Mages Guild - what to do with Valaste. I really love the moral choice in that one.

Phaer. The guy infecting those people. I could maybe consider forgiving him if he didn't make a joke about it at the beginning of the quest line "It's really catching on..."

And also the first town in Deshaan succumbing to the Lodus Plague. Talking to some of those sick people and they think it'll just pass. They have no idea what they are in for. Also the one house where they are really progressed in the plague while they are all in the process of turning... real Walking Dead type stuff there.

I'm sure I could go on more. Many people can't comprehend why I have done Cadwell's 5 times now. It's because this game has some great story content and voice acting, More entertaining and thought provoking than most other games out there.

AlnilamE

Yes, Tovisa was heartwrenching.

And the Sarthram Plantation one too.

Another one is Bala in Stonefalls. You get three choices. The first time, I told her the truth. The second time I told her I hadn't found the grave. I have not done this quest on my 3rd EP toon because there is no happy ending to that quest (I refuse to tell her the scumbag loved her).

Pallmor

The last Mages Guild quest.

It really should have been a more balanced choice, as far as rewards.

Rezzy64

I was actually really depressed when...

"Darien Gautier" died in the final assault on Cold Harbour. When the quest was over and I woke up in the chapel, I went around to all of the NPC's in an excited fashion after winning the assault and all I was thinking was, where is Darien? When I found out he had disappeared in the explosion it bugged me so much I just got on my horse and started wandering around the Hollow City for about 15 minutes hoping I would maybe find him leaned up against a wall tending to his wounds, but... no such luck...

bellanca6561n

AshySamurai wrote: »

I remember both of this quests. But we already have topic like this, [Spoilers] Sad moments in PvE

Oh, I figured there had to be something. But most topics need to be brought up repeatedly due to the nature of forums, the way topics are listed, and to give folks a chance to get their opinions or feelings expressed on the first page or two of one.

Bala was tough as if you make a certain choice she kills herself. Ashlanders in general fare poorly. The Trial of the Ghost Snake is the only one that's different in that it gives them some dignity and has a wonderful sense of humor.

The two sisters who are candidates to become Mane got to me too but not in the beginning. I had real problems at first with Khjaiiti characters. Couldn't stand the accent and really couldn't their compulsive illeism. But in the course of that quest they began to grow on me....

And, of course, there's Razum Dar....

One that made me take a break from the game for a couple of weeks involved the Green Pact and Bosmers. A young woman eats a flower to save her life and....well....if you've played it you recall it.

Living at the top of the food chain to "honor" the bottom of the food chain makes no sense, plus a flower is an appendage of a plant, not a plant.

But, by the time I go to this point on the Dominion story I felt a bit differently. Wonderful quest chain, this one....

Moonshadow66

Rezzy64 wrote: »

I was actually really depressed when...

"Darien Gautier" died in the final assault on Cold Harbour. When the quest was over and I woke up in the chapel, I went around to all of the NPC's in an excited fashion after winning the assault and all I was thinking was, where is Darien? When I found out he had disappeared in the explosion it bugged me so much I just got on my horse and started wandering around the Hollow City for about 15 minutes hoping I would maybe find him leaned up against a wall tending to his wounds, but... no such luck...

The odd thing is when you're not a Covenant player, you'll see him again in Cadwell's Silver/Gold as if nothing happened. Same with the last Ayleid King which shows up in Glenumbra Moors after he actually died in Coldharbour (which was a sad moment, too).

kijima

Interesting topic and timely for me, I've got something to add which is a feel good story, but a long read and I'm not doing a 'too long didn't read' version.

A while back, I was speaking to a work colleague about ESO, in particular it was about part of the story line and a choice I had to make about a character, Razum-dah and whether he lives or dies.

Obviously, this part of the story made an impact on me because there I was, talking to someone at work, who doesn't play the game about this fictional Character. He thought me irrational at first, asking me "why are you so emotionally invested in this character, in a video game?"

This colleague in question is a book person, a conventional, conservative and reasonable type of person. A read-the-book kind of guy, not wait-till-it-comes-to-cinema person. Best described as well learned, well read.

I talk to him about all sorts of subjects and he does the same with me, we discuss such things as politics and religion, all sorts of taboo subjects, and do so calmly and with respect of the other persons views, even if they don't line up with each of our own ideas.

By his own admission he has never played video games at all. So, it's interesting he made light of my thoughts and feelings 'about a video game' because by his reasoning, video games are for simple people, and he didn't believe I was one of those simple people that can't think for themselves, and that video games themselves are that, just games! He did use the term simpleton in describing me and 'gamers' alike more than once, although not with malice mind you. More of a wind up than anything else, like when you'd wind up a good mate.

He did however firmly believe that video games lack the depth in Character development and story-line you'd get in say, a good book. Oh, if he only knew everything we know about Tamriel.

We had a lengthy discussion about today's pop culture, and that video games have progressed to such a point that they do indeed play a significant part in modern pop culture. That Video games, just like a TV series or a movie or a book, their are writers, art developers, historians and so on, and that the budget for a big video game is often rivaling big movies now. We talked about today's world of social media and such, and that it's not really much of a stretch to consider Video Games being a part of our mental diet in the same way books and movies are considered food, he just thought that Books are brain food, and Video games are the junk food.

He then used example of Tolkien's world of middle earth, because it's the closest example of a book he knows well, is well respected and that is similar in genre to the Elder Scrolls that I had described to him. He went on to say that nothing in a video game would ever get close to touching the depth that Tolkiens world delivers. I argued this point like a blood crazed Dragon Knight Vampire of course!

Anyway, to prove me wrong about how shallow my precious Elder Scrolls Online would be, he said he would purchase a copy of the game and would play for a while and then write up a scolding review that shows up the game for what it really is...

He was true to his word to a degree, he bought the game and while he had a few issues with the client which I helped him with, and he groaned about the enormous download that was required after loading up a brand new game ( I agree with him by the way) he did start playing it, but what about the scolding review?

A weekend went by, and on the following Monday from when he first bought the game we revisited the discussion about ESO during a coffee. It was like I was talking to a different person! No scolding review in site!

He was talking about Auridon ( I did suggest starting as AD to him) like somewhere he had been before, a holiday which he fondly remembers. He talked about the Queen with passion, and when I mentioned who the voice actor is, he was speechless... although I don't think suprized.

Which now brings me to this moment in time, he just today told me today that he got to the same part in the story line where I had first mentioned ESO to him. So now he has to chose whether Raz lives or dies. He is asking me what I chose and how I feel about the choices I've made. Elder Scrolls Online has come full circle around the 'water cooler' at work so to speak.

I hope he doesn't read this forum, he might well be embarrassed by what I've said about him, but it goes to show something. That quest line with Raz, that part of the story line was so powerful that it potentially brought in an otherwise video rookie into the ESO world because I was so passionate about it.

Not sure I can sum up my experience any better thus far, what I can say is this. The Elder Scrolls online is the very best computer game I've ever played.

Surfinginhawaii

Esha76 wrote: »

Spirited Away. The woman in Skywatch who sends you to the corners of Auridon to pray for her deceased children. When you turn that quest in and see what she really is, pretty heart wrenching.

The alternative lifestyle Bosmers in Greenshade. One is passing and the other sends you to find the flowers they enjoyed when they were younger. Regardless of one's opinion of alternative lifestyles, it is irrelevant. If the notion of a loved one departing doesn't affect you in some way, then one might be a sociopath or lacking a soul.

As stated, the woman who got her eyes sucked out... yeah, I relish killing those hags every time.

Mages Guild - what to do with Valaste. I really love the moral choice in that one.

Phaer. The guy infecting those people. I could maybe consider forgiving him if he didn't make a joke about it at the beginning of the quest line "It's really catching on..."

And also the first town in Deshaan succumbing to the Lodus Plague. Talking to some of those sick people and they think it'll just pass. They have no idea what they are in for. Also the one house where they are really progressed in the plague while they are all in the process of turning... real Walking Dead type stuff there.

I'm sure I could go on more. Many people can't comprehend why I have done Cadwell's 5 times now. It's because this game has some great story content and voice acting, More entertaining and thought provoking than most other games out there.

Great memory! Too be honest I can't even remember what happened in 99% of the quests I did.

Alarra

I'm not that far yet, but the quests revolving around Aranias stand out to me most so far. The poor girl's been through a lot. Growing up without friends, with emotionally abusive parents, nobody understanding a power she can barely control, and the only people who view her as having worth just want her for her power. You see in the memories you alter that things could have gone so different for her, had she had someone to stand by her side the whole time. In the end you do turn her away from the Heritance. And then the end of Throne of the Wilderking tops it off....

The way she begins to speak more mechanically and not like she used to, talking about her former self as if that was never her - "Aranias is slipping away", "Before Aranias' memories fade"... that was sad.

Zed

Pallmor wrote: »

The last Mages Guild quest.

It really should have been a more balanced choice, as far as rewards.

Screw Shalidor. Really. I was tempted to let Valaste go just to spite him.

Moonshadow66

kijima wrote: »

Interesting topic and timely for me, I've got something to add which is a feel good story, but a long read and I'm not doing a 'too long didn't read' version.

A while back, I was speaking to a work colleague about ESO, in particular it was about part of the story line and a choice I had to make about a character, Razum-dah and whether he lives or dies.

Obviously, this part of the story made an impact on me because there I was, talking to someone at work, who doesn't play the game about this fictional Character. He thought me irrational at first, asking me "why are you so emotionally invested in this character, in a video game?"

This colleague in question is a book person, a conventional, conservative and reasonable type of person. A read-the-book kind of guy, not wait-till-it-comes-to-cinema person. Best described as well learned, well read.

I talk to him about all sorts of subjects and he does the same with me, we discuss such things as politics and religion, all sorts of taboo subjects, and do so calmly and with respect of the other persons views, even if they don't line up with each of our own ideas.

By his own admission he has never played video games at all. So, it's interesting he made light of my thoughts and feelings 'about a video game' because by his reasoning, video games are for simple people, and he didn't believe I was one of those simple people that can't think for themselves, and that video games themselves are that, just games! He did use the term simpleton in describing me and 'gamers' alike more than once, although not with malice mind you. More of a wind up than anything else, like when you'd wind up a good mate.

He did however firmly believe that video games lack the depth in Character development and story-line you'd get in say, a good book. Oh, if he only knew everything we know about Tamriel.

We had a lengthy discussion about today's pop culture, and that video games have progressed to such a point that they do indeed play a significant part in modern pop culture. That Video games, just like a TV series or a movie or a book, their are writers, art developers, historians and so on, and that the budget for a big video game is often rivaling big movies now. We talked about today's world of social media and such, and that it's not really much of a stretch to consider Video Games being a part of our mental diet in the same way books and movies are considered food, he just thought that Books are brain food, and Video games are the junk food.

He then used example of Tolkien's world of middle earth, because it's the closest example of a book he knows well, is well respected and that is similar in genre to the Elder Scrolls that I had described to him. He went on to say that nothing in a video game would ever get close to touching the depth that Tolkiens world delivers. I argued this point like a blood crazed Dragon Knight Vampire of course!

Anyway, to prove me wrong about how shallow my precious Elder Scrolls Online would be, he said he would purchase a copy of the game and would play for a while and then write up a scolding review that shows up the game for what it really is...

He was true to his word to a degree, he bought the game and while he had a few issues with the client which I helped him with, and he groaned about the enormous download that was required after loading up a brand new game ( I agree with him by the way) he did start playing it, but what about the scolding review?

A weekend went by, and on the following Monday from when he first bought the game we revisited the discussion about ESO during a coffee. It was like I was talking to a different person! No scolding review in site!

He was talking about Auridon ( I did suggest starting as AD to him) like somewhere he had been before, a holiday which he fondly remembers. He talked about the Queen with passion, and when I mentioned who the voice actor is, he was speechless... although I don't think suprized.

Which now brings me to this moment in time, he just today told me today that he got to the same part in the story line where I had first mentioned ESO to him. So now he has to chose whether Raz lives or dies. He is asking me what I chose and how I feel about the choices I've made. Elder Scrolls Online has come full circle around the 'water cooler' at work so to speak.

I hope he doesn't read this forum, he might well be embarrassed by what I've said about him, but it goes to show something. That quest line with Raz, that part of the story line was so powerful that it potentially brought in an otherwise video rookie into the ESO world because I was so passionate about it.

Not sure I can sum up my experience any better thus far, what I can say is this. The Elder Scrolls online is the very best computer game I've ever played.

There's not much I could possible add or reply, except that this is, by far, the best thing I've ever read in this forum, and well-written. Thanks for sharing! :-)

bellanca6561n

kijima wrote: »

Interesting topic and timely for me, I've got something to add which is a feel good story, but a long read and I'm not doing a 'too long didn't read' version.

A while back, I was speaking to a work colleague about ESO, in particular it was about part of the story line and a choice I had to make about a character, Razum-dah and whether he lives or dies.

Obviously, this part of the story made an impact on me because there I was, talking to someone at work, who doesn't play the game about this fictional Character. He thought me irrational at first, asking me "why are you so emotionally invested in this character, in a video game?"

This colleague in question is a book person, a conventional, conservative and reasonable type of person. A read-the-book kind of guy, not wait-till-it-comes-to-cinema person. Best described as well learned, well read.

I talk to him about all sorts of subjects and he does the same with me, we discuss such things as politics and religion, all sorts of taboo subjects, and do so calmly and with respect of the other persons views, even if they don't line up with each of our own ideas.

By his own admission he has never played video games at all. So, it's interesting he made light of my thoughts and feelings 'about a video game' because by his reasoning, video games are for simple people, and he didn't believe I was one of those simple people that can't think for themselves, and that video games themselves are that, just games! He did use the term simpleton in describing me and 'gamers' alike more than once, although not with malice mind you. More of a wind up than anything else, like when you'd wind up a good mate.

He did however firmly believe that video games lack the depth in Character development and story-line you'd get in say, a good book. Oh, if he only knew everything we know about Tamriel.

We had a lengthy discussion about today's pop culture, and that video games have progressed to such a point that they do indeed play a significant part in modern pop culture. That Video games, just like a TV series or a movie or a book, their are writers, art developers, historians and so on, and that the budget for a big video game is often rivaling big movies now. We talked about today's world of social media and such, and that it's not really much of a stretch to consider Video Games being a part of our mental diet in the same way books and movies are considered food, he just thought that Books are brain food, and Video games are the junk food.

He then used example of Tolkien's world of middle earth, because it's the closest example of a book he knows well, is well respected and that is similar in genre to the Elder Scrolls that I had described to him. He went on to say that nothing in a video game would ever get close to touching the depth that Tolkiens world delivers. I argued this point like a blood crazed Dragon Knight Vampire of course!

Anyway, to prove me wrong about how shallow my precious Elder Scrolls Online would be, he said he would purchase a copy of the game and would play for a while and then write up a scolding review that shows up the game for what it really is...

He was true to his word to a degree, he bought the game and while he had a few issues with the client which I helped him with, and he groaned about the enormous download that was required after loading up a brand new game ( I agree with him by the way) he did start playing it, but what about the scolding review?

A weekend went by, and on the following Monday from when he first bought the game we revisited the discussion about ESO during a coffee. It was like I was talking to a different person! No scolding review in site!

He was talking about Auridon ( I did suggest starting as AD to him) like somewhere he had been before, a holiday which he fondly remembers. He talked about the Queen with passion, and when I mentioned who the voice actor is, he was speechless... although I don't think suprized.

Which now brings me to this moment in time, he just today told me today that he got to the same part in the story line where I had first mentioned ESO to him. So now he has to chose whether Raz lives or dies. He is asking me what I chose and how I feel about the choices I've made. Elder Scrolls Online has come full circle around the 'water cooler' at work so to speak.

I hope he doesn't read this forum, he might well be embarrassed by what I've said about him, but it goes to show something. That quest line with Raz, that part of the story line was so powerful that it potentially brought in an otherwise video rookie into the ESO world because I was so passionate about it.

Not sure I can sum up my experience any better thus far, what I can say is this. The Elder Scrolls online is the very best computer game I've ever played.

Lord of the Rings Online delivered that sort of utterly unexpected experience to countless people who'd considered books important, films less so, and video games utterly beneath notice. It helped that LotRO drew on the books and the appendices of the books for source material, not the Peter Jackson films.

Novels too began as low brow amusements to accompany public executions.

And the reason so many early film moguls were eastern European Jewish immigrants was because motion pictures were considered entertainment for people on the other side of the tracks, and thus unworthy of proper WASP time and money. Rather High Elf of them

bellanca6561n

Alarra wrote: »

I'm not that far yet, but the quests revolving around Aranias stand out to me most so far. The poor girl's been through a lot. Growing up without friends, with emotionally abusive parents, nobody understanding a power she can barely control, and the only people who view her as having worth just want her for her power. You see in the memories you alter that things could have gone so different for her, had she had someone to stand by her side the whole time. In the end you do turn her away from the Heritance. And then the end of Throne of the Wilderking tops it off....

The way she begins to speak more mechanically and not like she used to, talking about her former self as if that was never her - "Aranias is slipping away", "Before Aranias' memories fade"... that was sad.

What makes that quest rise so far above the norm is that neither the Spinner nor the Wilderking need you to save this nature near-deity. Rather they want you to save his would-be killer from being a killer. In case you haven't done this quest I'll stop here.

I'll leave at this. Fantasy has long been a vehicle for taking a different approach to the coming of age tale. This quest chain uses those tools superbly.

Plus you get to wear a terrific dress....

Blud

The Flower of Youth in Greenshade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZasw6TVecg

It's not a life or death decision. It's just something I found touching and universal about life, aging, love, and death and how we deal with those things. This quest actually brought a tear to my eye.

Wing

the dungeon Entila's folly (sp) in auridon. just another normal dungeon run through some spiders for a skyshard and boss fight. . .until you read the journal, I feel so terrible I sneak through only getting the skyshard if I can.

AshySamurai

bellanca6561n wrote: »

AshySamurai wrote: »

I remember both of this quests. But we already have topic like this, [Spoilers] Sad moments in PvE

Oh, I figured there had to be something. But most topics need to be brought up repeatedly due to the nature of forums, the way topics are listed, and to give folks a chance to get their opinions or feelings expressed on the first page or two of one.

All I want to say is that you should use search tool next time. Also, you created topic in wrong section. The best place for it in PvE thread but not in General.(Link).

bellanca6561n

AshySamurai wrote: »

bellanca6561n wrote: »

AshySamurai wrote: »

I remember both of this quests. But we already have topic like this, [Spoilers] Sad moments in PvE

Oh, I figured there had to be something. But most topics need to be brought up repeatedly due to the nature of forums, the way topics are listed, and to give folks a chance to get their opinions or feelings expressed on the first page or two of one.

All I want to say is that you should use search tool next time. Also, you created topic in wrong section. The best place for it in PvE thread but not in General.(Link).

I know this is your event, Ashy, but I trust you also know it's annoying. Then again, I'm annoying you. So, I guess we're even

JaJaLuka

Pallmor wrote: »

The last Mages Guild quest.

It really should have been a more balanced choice, as far as rewards.

I loved sacrificing that woman for an extra skill point.

Would happily do it again, and again, and again....

AshySamurai

bellanca6561n wrote: »

AshySamurai wrote: »

bellanca6561n wrote: »

AshySamurai wrote: »

I remember both of this quests. But we already have topic like this, [Spoilers] Sad moments in PvE

Oh, I figured there had to be something. But most topics need to be brought up repeatedly due to the nature of forums, the way topics are listed, and to give folks a chance to get their opinions or feelings expressed on the first page or two of one.

All I want to say is that you should use search tool next time. Also, you created topic in wrong section. The best place for it in PvE thread but not in General.(Link).

I know this is your event, Ashy, but I trust you also know it's annoying. Then again, I'm annoying you. So, I guess we're even

Well, there always will be something that can annoy you. Just accept it. What about me? I'm fine. Sometimes this forum have a tonns of clone topics. I don't know if you remeber wolfhoud crisis. And try to count all topics about global AH or daedric armor. Now we have only this one and original topic in other section. Not a big deal if you ask me.

Knootewoot

I always found TES game more comical then real. So if somoene died in it i laughed my butt of. In previous TES games it was a hilarious scream or whatever, like some "AIIIII" or something in Morrowind. The ragdoll in Oblivion and Skyrim also made in more funny.
A moment i did gasp when i fought Mannimarco in Oblivion for the Mages Guild. Only to find out the Guild kept burning in Bruma and i felt guilty for that.

TBH i only had quests or games get to me from bioware. And mainly Neverwinter Nights 2 and the Mass Effect series.

stefan.gustavsonb16_ESO

The Mass Effect and Dragon Age series do make a better job with letting you build long-term relations (imaginary or in-game) with NPCs, but I rather think the writing in TES games is generally better, more varied and more extensive.

To me, it's a bit like the difference between a good movie adaptation of a good book and the good book itself. Bioware makes movie-like games that engage me emotionally for the moment but fade rather quickly. TES games have been longer, more memorable experiences with more depth, great variety and a high replay value.

ESO sits somewhere in between single player TES games and those single player Bioware games. The ESO stories are mostly very well executed, but all characters play through exactly the same quests in more or less the same order, with very little actual choice in the outcome, and that makes the replay value low for me.

StoHelit

Strange that not many DC quests are mentioned in this thread.

The ones I remember best are the Baelborne Rock, then the one with poor Dutchess Lakana, and also every single quest featuring King Emeric - probably because of the awesome voice acting. Bill Nighy FTW

kijima

I just wanted to slap Emeric for being such a soft touch.

thesilverball_ESO

Too many to count. I think ZOS did a really good job creating PVE quests with heart. I've really enjoyed the quest storylines from funny to tragic, as well as a few in which I was offered two bad choices and had to pick one. I didn't enjoy making those hard decisions but it's all part of the game. I think the thing that amazed me the most was that they offered a broad range of lifestyles and situations and it wasn't just cookie cutter. Kudo's for that.

kewl

So many great story lines in ESO. But the entire Wilderking thread in Greenshade deserves a shout out. All of them, bitter sweet.




Honorable mention, The Flower of Youth.