Game Design Document (GDD)
Feature Title: Village of Nivalis – Good and Evil Reputation System
Date: 24.06.2025
Author: Krystian
- Introduction
The Village of Nivalis is a new northern settlement inhabited by a community inspired by Viking culture—harsh, brave, full of honor, but also temptation and greed. The goal of this feature is to introduce a new reputation system along with associated quests based on the player's moral decisions. This mechanic aims to deepen immersion, enrich the game world, and provide more varied rewards and gameplay.
- Location: Village of Nivalis
Climate and architecture: snowy forests, frosty hills, carved wooden buildings, campfires, and Norse mythology elements.
NPCs: colorful characters—from warriors to sages. Each represents a different view of good and evil.
Availability: unlocked after completing a prior quest in the northern region.
- Reputation System (Good vs. Evil)
Mechanics:
Players earn reputation points in two independent tracks: Honor (Good) and Glory (Evil).
Moral choices in quests affect the growth of one track over the other.
Reputation cannot be high in both tracks simultaneously—gaining one reduces the other.
Reputation Effects:
Unlocking unique rewards based on alignment.
Access to exclusive NPCs and new dialogue lines.
Changes in how NPCs react to the player.
- Quests and Scenarios
A. Evil Path – Glory Through Pillage
Plundering Hurnscald
Quest: Steal from barrels in the Hurnscald tavern.
Mechanics: Random placement of valuable barrels (changing daily).
Reward: 150 GP, chance to obtain Rubies or Topazes.
Robbery in Tulimshar
Quest: Rob three different merchants in Tulimshar without being caught.
Mechanics: Stealth mechanics, hidden routes, timed windows of opportunity.
Reward: 300 GP, chance for Emerald or Amethyst.
B. Good Path – Honor Through Aid
Helping Nivalis
Quest: Rescue children lost during a snowstorm.
Mechanics: Exploration, environmental puzzle-solving.
Reward: Experience (EXP), 1-hour drop rate booster.
Protecting the Merchant Caravan
Quest: Escort a caravan from Nivalis to Hurnscald.
Mechanics: Defending against waves of enemies, planning a safe route.
Reward: EXP, movement speed booster.
- Balance and Progression
Players can shift their reputation by completing quests of the opposite alignment.
Full transition takes time, forcing players to make a conscious choice about their path.
- Technical Implementation
Variables: Reputation values tied to the player's ID.
Cooldowns: Evil quests have a real-time 24h cooldown to prevent GP farming.
Reset: Optional mission to reset reputation (costly or challenging).
- Future Expansions
Introduction of reputation-based factions.
Exclusive weapons and armor depending on alignment.
Nivalis as a hub for seasonal events (e.g., Festival of Fire vs. Festival of Ice).
- Summary
The reputation system in the Village of Nivalis introduces a deeper narrative and decision-making layer to the game. The player not only earns rewards but also shapes their identity within the game world. Every choice has consequences, and winter in Nivalis teaches that both honor and greed can bring glory—but never both at once.