To Carry: Quest Design Document

Based on a pilot teleplay I wrote in 2023, this quest design document outlines the opening sequence of a mystery game concept. Edward Ferrier, the player character, crosses a misty lake and ventures through the woods to meet an old family friend, initiating an investigation into a mysterious death.

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Quest: The Lake, the Woods, the Child

Project: To Carry

Quest Category: Chapter 1: Opening Sequence; Primary Narrative Quest

Quest Type: Exploration & Talk to Quest

Summary:  The quest opens with Edward Ferrier (Player) waking alone in a lakehouse bedroom, gazing out at the mist-covered lake and the dense woods beyond. With no one else home, he begins exploring the house, eventually arriving at his studio, where unfinished canvases and scattered sketch pads clutter the space. Among them, he finds a note from his romantic partner, Amelia. In it, she urges him to visit an old family friend, Elizabeth, to pay his respects. No further details are offered.

A primary quest is added to Edward’s journal, noting that Elizabeth’s house lies across the misty lake. To reach it, Edward must take a small motorboat tethered to the dock outside the lakehouse.

After crossing the water by boat and stepping onto the opposite shore, he sets off on foot, following a damp path through the fog-laden woods. Along the way, he comes across the corpse of a fallen doe, surrounded by half a dozen crows picking at the body. If he chooses to investigate, he may unlock a secondary quest: These Strange Woods.

He arrives shortly after at Elizabeth’s lavish lakefront mansion and steps up to the door, knocking.

When no one answers, he hesitates before cautiously stepping inside. Within, the sound of a crying child greets him, echoing through the vacant halls.

Following the wails, he enters a nearby den, where he finds a newborn baby lying unattended in a crib, bathed in the pale light of an undrawn window.

As Edward comes to stand over the crib, Elizabeth finally appears, entering unnoticed to find Edward peering down at the child. After an unsettling surprise meeting, she and Edward greet each other as old family friends. In their exchange, she reveals she believes her son, Jack, has died under mysterious circumstances—and that the baby before them is his orphaned child.

To conclude, Edward is given the choice to assist Elizabeth in investigating her son’s death, which has formally been ruled a suicide, unlocking the primary narrative path.

Objective: Navigate the misty lake by boat and find Elizabeth. Her house is located along the shore on the other side of the lake. Meet with her and find out why she wants to see you. 

Journal Logline: “I’ll use the motorboat to navigate across the lake. As I recall, her house is in the woods on the opposite shore. I should pay my respects…” 

Reward: The quest will introduce the player to the primary storyline and setting, as well as basic interaction and action mechanics, navigation elements, choice consequences, and interactive options for character development. XP gained. Skills unlocked. 

Characters: Edward (PC), Amelia (Amelia’s Note), Elizabeth, The Child, Wild Crows.

Region: Crystal Lake and the surrounding woods. Small town lake region Washington State.

Locations: Edward’s Cabin → The Docks → The Lake → The Woods → Elizabeth’s House.

Narrative Beats: 

• Explore and Investigate Cabin:

  • Explore your cabin. Get your bearings. 

  • Discover and read Amelia’s Letter in your office.

• Navigate to Elizabeth’s House:

  • Access your Journal and GPS and locate Elizabeth’s house.

  • Go to the motorboat tethered to the dock outside → Attempt to start engine (no fuel) → Find fuel in shed → Fuel boat → Start engine → Untie docking line → Steer boat through mist across lake → Dock on opposite shore → Begin navigating through woods to Elizabeth’s house. 

• Investigate the woods on your way to Elizabeth’s House:

  • Follow the path through the woods to Elizabeth’s House.

  • Encounter a large gathering of crows on the path ahead.

  • Choose to investigate: The crows scatter as you approach, revealing the corpse of a diseased doe. Examine the corpse. If investigated, a quest is added to your journal regarding the unsettling scene: "These Strange Woods".

  • (Option) Take notes and photographs of the disturbing scene.

  • Continue to explore the nearby woods (optional), uncovering other strange signs.

• Interact with Elizabeth:

  • Locate Elizabeth’s House and enter when no one comes to the door. 

  • The sound of a crying baby can be heard within. Discover the source of the crying. 

  • Encounter the newborn child in a crib in a nearby den. Choose whether to interact or leave the child alone. 

  • Meet with Elizabeth, who enters unseen, finding you with the child.  

  • Dialogue with Elizabeth, learning about her son’s death. Select options for dialogue, character development, and backstory.

  • Choose how to help Elizabeth investigate Jack’s death. Subnote added to journal: “A questionable suicide?”