Chewbubba on 17/6/2009 at 19:20
So after playing TG and TMA the last few weeks, I installed TDS and started playing the soon-not-to-be-finale of the series. It's been a long time since I played any of them and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Getting used to TDS after TG and TMA seems to be the biggest challenge.
Anyhoo, I don't know if this happens all the time, because I don't remember it happening before, but I was in Stonemarket Proper, eavesdropping on the thugs threatening the jeweler-guy (the one who put the jewels/money/something behind that creepy gargoyle statue).
In the past, I've always intervened to save the jeweler from being killed by the thugs. This time I didn't, and I listened to the whole event from the front door. I think he ran out the door into the street, where more fighting took place, and then I heard a big boom. Other NPCs on street where I was said "What was that?" I wondered too, so I did a QuickLoad, went around to the other street and waited.
I didn't hear another boom, but what ensued was absolute chaos. I don't know if the AI went nuts, of if they were responding like they were supposed to, but everybody was running around killing everybody else: pirates (?), city watch, everybody. It was total mayhem! And I just stood in the middle of the street and watched it happen. Nobody cared about me, except the occasional City Watch, but he would always get entangled in a fight with someone else before he got to me. My only contribution was to let the Kurshok out on the streets too (but he didn't get far before falling to a slew of arrows).
Anyway, when it settled down, there were bodies EVERYWHERE! And I didn't have anything to do with it!
I was wondering if that was a common occurrence or not.
jtr7 on 17/6/2009 at 19:23
Yeah, depending on player action or inaction. It's crazy, and I don't know if it's supposed to show how unbalanced The City is, but it seems intended regardless.
Dan on 17/6/2009 at 20:15
At some point later in the game this happens on purpose - made that way by the devs. Thugs, Hammers and Pagans battle each other, civilians run for their lives, City Watch tries to contain the situation. Like jtr7 suggested it's supposed to illustrate that the City lost its balance and control over the situation, or something like that. So this is designed to happen.
However it is not supposed to happen so early, unless you triggered some sort of chain reaction. The thugs and City Watch patrols are made in such a way that they are not supposed to meet each other early in the game. But if they do it is normal for hell to break loose.
Chewbubba on 17/6/2009 at 20:24
Yeah, it's pretty early still. Just picked up the Chalice and I'm now headed off to get the Jacknall's Paw. The riot occurred before I even went to get the Chalice.
Dia on 18/6/2009 at 00:42
Hmmmm .... it might just be worth it to go back & replay TDS just to witness the mayhem Chewie cited. What happens if you join in the melee; anybody know?
ganac on 18/6/2009 at 00:47
Uh, yeah. You die.
jtr7 on 18/6/2009 at 00:50
Your death. Unless you're badass, or ya don't really join in the melee and snipe from afar, or have gas bombs to shut everyone up and send them to bed without supper (until you go around a corner and the AIs respawn). :p
No, nothing happens as far as objectives or story are concerned, but there will be loot laying around.
Stath MIA on 18/6/2009 at 00:56
That's one of the few fun things in DS, even more fun if you happen to have a few oil flasks. All the extremist fights are hilarious. As stated, these early encounters are uncommon but they do occur, especially if the player is cunning about how he/she handles situations.
Dia on 18/6/2009 at 01:28
I rather like jtr's suggestion of sniping from afar. Much better than dying.
Queue on 18/6/2009 at 01:32
Don't worry, Dia, they're going to a better place.