Hook

In any sort of storytelling, the term hook describes a plot device that is designed to capture the interest of the audience and draw them into the story. The term derives, obviously, from fishing. Rap and hip-hop musicians also use the term hook to describe the sampled bits of other popular songs over which they perform their rhymes. In each case, the meaning is essentially the same.

In NWN module design, the hooks are those elements of the module that draw the character into the plot. The quests, conversations, tasks, etc. that lead the PC towards the ultimate destination of the story.

In Persistent Worlds, hooks are opportunities built into the gameworld by DMs for players to embark on quests and adventures.