[karajorma]

Okay if you don't know what this is in relation to have a look at the idea I had yesterday on this thread

Okay now that everyone is on the same page. What I'd like to see is ideas for 5-10 mission campaign that is suitable for people who are somewhat new to FRED. Have a look at the walkthrough. I'm expecting missions from that sort of complexity for the beginners to something a little harder for anyone who is signing up to brush up a little on their skills. Nothing involving convoluted SEXPs, variables etc.

Since I'm in a hurry to get this underway I'm going to make the pick as to which campaign we get started on rather than instituting a voting system. That just takes too long. Once we've got the ball rolling I promise to be less dictatorial

Feel free to comment on ideas as I will be listening to comments and opinions

[Axem]

How detailed do you want it? A single sentence description? A short paragraph? Mission-by-mission plot analysis?

That being said I have an idea for a short mini-campaign that might fit it, I just want to know how much to write (I write too much sometimes ).

[karajorma]

The more detailed you make it the easier it is to work on (well within reason that is)

[JR2000Z]

Shouldn't we ask for a private forum for this (or atleast the storyline) or something.  

[karajorma]

Like I said I'd prefer to keep things open so that we can get as many testers and expert FREDders as possible.

Remember that this first campaign is designed to serve as something of a an experiment to iron out any kinks in the system. When we work on later campaigns the plotline will no doubt be more private. Till then lets just say that if you don't want to be spoiled don't read any further down the thread

[Axem]

Or make use of spoiler tags.

[Untitled Campaign]
Length: 5 Missions
Takes place: Shortly before Capella.

Pre-Plot: All contact has been lost with the GTD [Destroyer] within the nebula. The Shivan presence is increasing by the minute, and we need to rescue that destroyer. The GTCv [Corvette] will lead a search operation in the last known sector we heard the Destroyer from.

I had mission-by-mission stuff, but it became too complex. Basically the major turning point of the campaign is...

Spoiler:

The GTVA is going to seal off Capella, and you are on the wrong side right now.

[Ghostavo]

"Two years after the Capella Supernova, the GTVA tries to rebuild what's left of the 3rd Fleet now stationed at Epsilon Pegasi, it's shipyards have been being overloaded with orders for more and more warships. As the workers are pushed to the limits to satisfy the Alliance's need to rebuild it's fleet, the workers revolt and take possession of a destroyers, a few cruisers and numerous fighters before the alliance evens notices. These are joined by the NTF's supporters who had previously been left behind by Bosch. As soon as the alliance does notice, it looks as if it has a civil war in one of it's systems. Admiral Petrarch, still in service, has been ordered to lead the remains of the 3rd fleet, with support of a few *insert a component of another fleet here* to recapture the shipyards and secure the system before more harm is done."

Something like this?

[Singh]

Originally posted by Axem
Or make use of spoiler tags.

[Untitled Campaign]
Length: 5 Missions
Takes place: Shortly before Capella.

Pre-Plot: All contact has been lost with the GTD [Destroyer] within the nebula. The Shivan presence is increasing by the minute, and we need to rescue that destroyer. The GTCv [Corvette] will lead a search operation in the last known sector we heard the Destroyer from.

I had mission-by-mission stuff, but it became too complex. Basically the major turning point of the campaign is...

Spoiler:

The GTVA is going to seal off Capella, and you are on the wrong side right now.

[/B]

Goddarnit dude! I had a very similar idea. Instead, it went something like this:

Spoiler:

You play Alpha wing, sent into the Gamma Draconis nebula to rescue a damaged GTVA Battlegroup, the only survivors of which are an Orion Class Destroyer , the GTD Ionas, and two damaged Corvettes, The GTCv Julius and the GVCv Annatet. The group has been missing for several days after a fierce encounter with a large Shivan fleet. Due to the nebula, contact with command was lost for the time period, and the fleet has been drifting and trying to repair itself.
Initially, the rescue attempt suceeds and the first mission sees the Ionas jumping out to safety after repelling several shivan assaults.  Ive actually managed to FRED this mission; only left with beta testing it and what-not.

The Second mission is where things start to go downwards. Alpha wing and the Ionas are approaching the jump node back to Gamma Draconis when the Shivans arrive - this time in force. They encounter a retreating Aquitaine as it heads for the node. Command re-establishes contact and informs them that another Sathanas has been found, and more are inbound for Gamma Draconis. Alpha must now defend the Battlegroup as it heads to the node (which is now empty as the Aquitaine has jumped out) and as it comes under fierce attack from the Shivans. Just before the Ionas can make it through the node - A Sathanas jumps in from behind and rips it to shreds, throwing the Julius and the Annatet off-course. Alpha wing is ordered to retreat and re-group with the Julius as it jumps out.

Mission three sees the rendevouz with the Julius. They are badly damaged after the previous encounter. The commander forms a plan to make a run for the node, along with the Annatet once they reach the rendevouz point. But when the Annatet reaches the point, it is badly damaged and is able to send only a distress signal before a large force jumps in behind it and obliterates it. Alpha cannot do anything much to save it; and is ordered to jump out again with the Julius.

Mission four is in Subspace. The Shivans have followed both Alpha wing and the Julius into subspace. Only a few fighters and bombers have managed to follow them in, and strangely the main fleet seems lacking. After the fighters and bombers a dispatched off; its comms chatter time. A plan is hatched and a secret is revealed: The Battlegroup had actually gone in to rescue a SOC transport, which had been the base for several scout operations within the nebula and beyond. Recently, a lone wing had come in from of the nodes leading systems beyond the Nebula, where the Shivans were gathering all the Sathani to invade. But what was more interesting is the node next to this one. It leads to a crossroads which in turn leads back to Gamma Draconis and at the time, an undiscovered node.
The transport's signal was lost and it was assumed destroyed; but recently the SOC recieved it's distress signal again, and sent the Ionas in to rescue it. The Shivans were about to close in onto the Transport when the Ionas arrived, but they managed to distract it enough for it to escape. The transport is still in the nebula and around the same co-ordinates, so if they can find the Transport, they might just be able to find a safe haven of sorts. The plan is to find the transport and get a way out of there.

Mission five takes place back in the Nebula. Alpha wing is searching around for the transport and its quite...seemingly too quite. Alpha wing find a few shivan wings and destroy them before they eventually find the transport - its barely functioning and only a single survivor is left. The Julius jumps in and the transport docks. It then undocks and leaves along with the Julius. Alpha is ordered to leave as well. Thats about it - mostly a talking mission more than anything else.

Mission six is where things get interesting. The subspace node to the gamma draconis system is not too far away from the one leading to the system the Sathanas is coming from. The transport pilots says that scout wings went into this system and came out the other side near the outer parts of the Gamma Draconis system, but far away from actual GTVA presence. The node is too unstable for Destroyers to use, but a Corvette and a few small ships should be able to get through allright. The plan is simple. First, the Transport goes in laden with heavy explosives some distance from the node. Alpha is ordered to keep some distance from the transport as the Shivans attack and destroy it, causing a large explosion and damage to ships all around. The Julius then jumps in and makes a run for the node. The Shivans have a small presence near the node (which Alpha has to clear), but things tend to get interesting as a group of corvettes follows the Julius in as it departs.

Mission seven is again in subspace. The trio of corvettes, designations Flaga, Isthar and Ereshkigal, have followed the Julius through subspace. Fortunately, it is almost at the end of its journey through the node when the Corvettes come through. The Isthar tries to take a pot shot at it, and hits, but then doesn't fire after that. Alpha must now intercept bombers and fighters as they try to destroy the Julius (again)

Mission eight is red alert from Mission seven. Turns out the node doesn't go to Gamma Draconis - nothing could be further from the truth. The node leads all the way to the Capella system, skipping Gamma Draconis totally. It turns out that the subspace corridor was unstable, and kept on switching from the nodes in both systems; with an ever-changing exit point the chances of the trio of corvettes following is quite low. But now the problem is that the Julius has emerged smack bang in the middle of a battle between GTVA and Shivan forces. The Julius (and Alpha 1) runs through beam fire, GTVA ships, Shivan ships and whatever else you can think of in an attempt to get away from the crossfire. GTVA forces cover the Julius's retreat as they themselves start to retreat and head to the node to Epsilon Pegasi. Alpha 1 leaves just as the trio of corvettes show up nearby.

Mission 9 is simple. The Julius has reached the Epsilon Pegasi node - it moves past the convoys in an attempt to reach the node (maybe insert complaints from the civvys that the GTVA are cowards) and gets there whilst protecting them against shivan attacks as well. Red Alert to Mission 9a.

Mission 9a is VERY simple. Julius jumps into the node, so does Alpha 1. Their moving along when they recieved a signal from a bouy on the other side - the GTVA are about to close the Node; the Bastion is on its way in. General cursing and shouting and "OH CRAP! WE'RE GONNA DIE!! ARRGH! RUN!!!" sort of a thing as the Julius turns around and makes a run back for the entrance. It warns off the Civvies that come in as well; and is about 5 seconds out when the Bastion arrives in the node. Cue command starting the remote detonation sequence. Alpha 1 and the Julius make it out barely in time.

Mission 10 is the last mission. The Julius jumps in...only to see the entire fleet being annihalated by the Shivans - including the Trio of corvettes mentioned earlier. All are extremely damaged, but all open fire on the Julius (enter more messages about "Oh crap!! We aint gonna make it!! stuff) and it goes down. Their are other GTVA ships here; but they are behind the shivan vessels. Alpha one is now ordered to jump out ASAP to rendevouz with the retreating task force, but has to jump in behind the Shivan vessels. Basically running through all the way to a nav bouy.
Now Cue Supernova, end-mission and debrief. The debrief is a log entry from the Captain of the GTCv Actium, which was one of the few ships that made it into the nebula. The captain laments on their current situation, stranded behind enemy lines and what-not. In the log the captain mentions the presence of the Julius and what an aid the information it was holding might have been - and also mentions that a fighter tried to escape from there, but was destroyed in the Supernova before it could reach them. Also mention on how hopeless the situation is for the survivors; faced with an overwelhming shivan force and nowhere to go.

Edit: Finished, at last.

[Black Wolf]

I just realized - I have a perfect storyline for this sitting on my comp. I'll need to do mission outlines, but the preliminaries are all there. Don't mke any descisions just yet!

[TopAce]

I want to post something useful. Working on a brand new plot right now ... posting when ready.

Here is what I made so far. I am in need of advice!
Lost in the Nebula[/u]

Desciption: You fly Zeta leader of the 107th Ravens, GTD Aquitaine. Is it needed to write more?

Mission 1: You lost contact with the Aquitaine in this mission after encountering some Shivans fighters. The fighters are not tough enough to cause any casualties. After the fighters have been taken down, you start hearing what the Trinity says to the Aquitaine and to Command, but you cannot hear anything what the Aquitaine or Command responds to the Trinity. You order your squadron to head towards the Trinity (a navbouy will appear at its location), but the time you arrive there, you only find the debris of the Trinity.
Mission 2a: Things appear to be hopeless. Not only had you lost contact with any of the Aquitaine task force ships, but you are flying blind within the 'soup'. You accidentally find a Shivan cruiser which opened fire on something, but you cannot see what it is because it is blown up. The Shivan cruiser sets course towards somewhere and you decide to follow it from a distance. It starts firing again and you see some Terran fighters appear, attacking the Shivan cruiser. Help those fighters finish off the cruiser and they will lead your squadron to a shelter. You must keep at least one of the fighters alive. RED ALERT!
Mission 2b: The remaining fighters direct you to the co-ordinates of there base, a GTI Arcadia! You do not know how and when it was built there, the only thing you will have to do is to enter the hangar bay of it. No combat here, only if you open fire on any Terran ships and they consider you a traitor.
Mission 3: The base commander informs you that they are renegade NTF forces, who were left down by Bosch. Bosch ordered the construction of this base a year ago, when the GTVA even did not know about the Knossos portal. He wanted to use this base as a secret ship and repair yards. After the loss of the Trinity, Bosch retreated all his operating ships out of the nebula excluding the Arcadia installation you are on, because he thought the base was not ready and he did not bother even contacting it. All contact with the outer world has been lost. The only choice is to ally up with the renegade NTF installation and find a way out of this hell. Without supplies, the base cannot be maintained for long. You must take action quickly. You give the co-ordinates of the waypoints command had assigned you before taking off from the Aquitaine. You go there with 3 other fighters to see what you find there. You find a damaged Deimos corvette, GTVA configuration, which come under attack just in the second you contacted it. Shoot, shoot, shoot, kill, kill, kill and cover a repair transport which was deployed from the Arcadia to repair the Deimos, bringing its engines back online.
Mission 4: The captain of the damaged corvette claims he knows the co-ordinates of the jump node to Gamma Draconis, but they encountered something big that is advised to avoid. You are sent alone to determinate what that is. This is a short and a simple mission, you have to get close to that thing and get sensor lock on it. That is a Juggernaut! Some evil Basilisk fighters are defending it, you have to take them down to jump out.

[karajorma]

I don't know TA. It seems unlike that even Bosch could build an arcadia in the week or so between the Trinity's defection and the Aquitaine going in.

If you're saying Bosch knew about the portal eariler you do have to wonder what the hell he was doing in Deneb not to mention how he managed to sneak his forces through Epsilon Pegasi, Capella and Gamma Draconis without being noticed.

Basically the problem I have is that you're trampling on canon pretty hard. That doesn't automatically make the campaign unworkable but it does make it harder to relate to the campaign.

[TopAce]

OK, I am writing a new one.

[mr.WHO]

In FS2 there is a moment when NTF attack GTVA fleet and destroyed 75% of it. Maybe it's good for 3-5 mini campaign, it could decribe this operation closer(maybe as NTF pilot)

I'm working on small(3 missions) campaign for old R1 Inferno.
I have one beta mission, can anybody test it:
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,26531.msg532796.html#msg532796

[TopAce]

No mods in Newbie Campaigns, you know?

[karajorma]

I think he was just pimping his own mission rather than suggesting it as an idea.

Actually mr WHO I've said earlier that a campaign following the Colossus would be fun but your idea might be even better. It's certainly more desperate than any campaign following the colossus would be since the star of the campaign is basically unkillable. In this campaign the player could easily lose the destroyer he was launched from.

A campaign like this would be fairly easy to FRED. Would have lots of nice capship action and since it revolves around events that are fairly well known it would practically write itself.

[Singh]

There; done with mine. Do with it as you please

[Knight Templar]

Originally posted by Black Wolf
I just realized - I have a perfect storyline for this sitting on my comp. I'll need to do mission outlines, but the preliminaries are all there. Don't mke any descisions just yet!

The FSUP one?

[magatsu1]

Originally posted by Singh
(karajorma's f'koff long post)

woah, you've really put some time into this huh ?
(betcha SoR or MA might suffer though!)

[Black Wolf]

Originally posted by Knight Templar


The FSUP one?

No, I doubt newbies could handle that one, especially with all the mods. This is actually, in some ways, a little cooler. I'll PM you what I have (Mission Outlineless)

[Knight Templar]

Nice.

/me ICQs you.