Shadow Over Hackdirt - Reimagining

[zprospero]

Have you played the Shadow Over Hackdirt quest?

 

I love that Bethesda included a Lovecraft reference but, honestly, I hate this quest.

 

The main reason? Trying to fight while I'm laughing so hard at this:

 

Hackdirt Brethren:

 

 

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz84/zprospero/HackdirtBretheren.jpg

 

 

 

So, this is their version of the 'Innsmouth Look,' anime eyes? That, and how can it be Lovecraft if it doesn't involve the sea?

 

My idea is to redo Hackdirt, leave the quest as it is, but add new places to explore and things to find/be eaten by.

 

First, though, I want to make the brethren actually scary:

 

Prototype (Lots of problem with this one, so final version will be a lot different):

 

 

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz84/zprospero/InnsmouthLook.jpg

 

 

 

And expand the caverns to include something that resemble Deep Ones, like Grummites or Scalons with human characteristics.

 

Check out the surprising effect of changing a Grummite's eyes:

 

 

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz84/zprospero/Grummite.jpg

 

 

 

Then creating new caverns most notably Devil's Reef and the ENTIRELY underwater city of Y'ha-nthlei, whose vast treasures you pursue at your own risk.

 

So, what I'm requesting is mainly ideas for how to expand on this. Things to include from the story, and ways to do them.

 

An actual fight with Father Dagon or Mother Hydra would be cool, but I don't know how to make it intriguing (plus all I can do is scale up a Grummite or Scalon and change the name :( )

 

For inspiration here's the free e-book of 'Shadow Over Innsmouth': Link

[Feltorn Von Dentai]

Might give this a try actually.

[kieranfoy]

@Feltorn: think you're misreading. This is more a WIP thread for Z, and requests for ideas. He's the one making the mod.

 

@Z: Dayum. That is some awesome work, and brillinat ideas!

 

 

Personally, I always thought the Mysterium Xarxes was far more Lovecraftian than Hackdirt. The hollow look in Martin's eyes after he'd been reading it, like he'd been gazing into the dark abyss at the edge of sanity and reason... well, it was nightmare fuel.

 

Maybe some tomes of Eldritch lore? Those are always fun... And shrines, you must have dusty shrines.

[Feltorn Von Dentai]

OHHHH

 

well in that case, perhaps move Hackdirt to the ocean and give it a much more rocky, coastal harbour look. And I do like the first head that was made up, if you're workin on this then I'll be keeping track of it!

[kieranfoy]

And pine trees and suchlike, like New England.

 

 

[ub3rman123]

I'll just request that a gold refinery of some sort be added to the place. And maybe name the proprietor Obediah Marsh.

 

That wasn't in the original book, was it?

[zprospero]

Actually, yes it was.

 

Obediah Marsh was the patriarch of the town and he did own a refinery that kept up an incredibly suspicious high output even though almost no gold ever went in.

 

Marsh made his fortunes by sacrificing foolish travelers to the Deep Ones, in exchange for fish (the fishing industry died of completely for a while until the Deep Ones came) and gold from their sunken city of Y'ha-nthlei.

 

And, also, for inter-breeding with them to preserve the Deep One race.

 

And, yes, Obed will be their. I plan on voicing him.

[SaintAnon]

Very good idea, the Grummite idea is good but how about giving it milky white eyes (such as the ones in your brethren mockup) and a skin retexture with little pigment left in it (albino style more or less), common traits held by creatures that have adapted to living in caves. Also retextured Scalons perhaps shrunk down and placed in hunting packs would make good inhabitants for the deeps of Y'ha-nthlei...

 

I really like the first mockup of the brethren, I'll be keeping a eye on this project and back with more suggestions as well most likely. :thumbsup:

[zprospero]

Thank you. All ideas are welcome.

 

Yes, I changed the eyes of the Grummite mainly as a test to show I could make the creatures look disturbingly like they might have been human once.

 

And I like the idea of using Scalons in Y'ha-nthlei.

[SaintAnon]

another idea

 

A form of MindSlayers would also fit the underwater theme of Y'ha-nthlei, you need premmision from the Underdark authors for that though. They also appear as they could have been human at one time.

 

 

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/images/29810-2-1265527527.jpg

 

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/images/29810-1-1265527527.jpg