38 replies to this topic

[T.G.Maestro]

Maybe it was discussed before (hell again, I'm lazy to look at it too much ), but I think some changes could be done about her Final Death.
First of all, she is a Vampire, and not a simple Zombie. The later would really die the FD if killed, because of his undead shell is destroyed. But since Valen is a Vampire, it seems absolutely nonsense, that she simply DIES after struck down. In the "Final Re-balancing" thread people keep talkin about she should remain as she is, because any change on her would make her differ from a normal Vampire. Now, I'm asking, what's the dealk this time? Her Final Death is everything, but realistic. Noemally she should turn into gaseous form, and flee the area to recover somewhere safe.
Here comes a little idea (as I recall, it was already mentioned somewhere): is it possible, that every time she "dies" (as she reaches 1 Hp), she would turn into gas and disappear. After this she would respawn in the graveyard district, for example in one of the tombs (this one should be Valens tomb). If the party would like to get her back, you would only need to go to the Graveyards and ask her to rejoin.
I think this would make her character more interesting, and would solve the annoyance of her FD.

Comments?

[Seifer]

That does have a good foundation as Valen doesnt appear to have any type of crypt at all in the game. However, the graveyard isnt always a viable option IMO as large parts of the game render this inacessible.

What may be a better option is adding a quest or whatever so she can establish a crypt in majot cities or parts of the game for instance, a tower in the Underdark etc.

[T.G.Maestro]

Good idea Seifer.
-In Amn, the Graveyard should suffice (the tomb with the Shadow Fiends and the Mummy would fit her perfect)
-In Brynnlaw there could be a tomb in the courteesans hideout.
-In the Sahaugin city her tomb could be placed in the Sea Zombie Lord lair.
-In the Underdark the collapsed Swirfneblin tunnel would be fine.
-In Saradush the Vampire tunnels are ideal.
-In Amkethran you could use Vangoethe's lair.

[T.G.Maestro]

Read my suggestions above

[T.G.Maestro]

Any "official" comments? Could these things be made, or is it only a (bad ) dream?

[Thorium Dragon]

Perhaps instead of a grave to retreat to upon being "killed", she could retreat to a magical urn the PC carries. The urn can be reopened in a couple of days and Valen reforms.

This would solve the exploit of monsters persistently attacking the unkillable gaseous form. This penalizes the player for allowing her to "die" as she would be unavailable for a time.

Also, if it happens often enough, Valen could get annoyed with the PC, leave the party, attack the PC, ect.

[T.G.Maestro]

Perhaps instead of a grave to retreat to upon being "killed", she could retreat to a magical urn the PC carries. The urn can be reopened in a couple of days and Valen reforms.

This would solve the exploit of monsters persistently attacking the unkillable gaseous form.

A good idea, but it won't do anything with the gaseous form ability, since it is triggered when Valen gets hurt too badly, not when she is already dead.
Summoning her from the urn could be a 1/day ability.

[Thorium Dragon]

Could a script could be written to have Valen, upon being reduced to 1 hp, turn gaseous, move to the PC's location and/or then dissappear?

I imagine it could be, as I've seen these things occur separatly throughout the game.

If this were implemented I would say she would have to spend at least 3 days in the urn "healing" until she can reform again. (You have to give the PC some penalty for getting her "killled" <note quotes> )

[Schatten]

Could a script could be written to have Valen, upon being reduced to 1 hp, turn gaseous, move to the PC's location and/or then dissappear?

I imagine it could be, as I've seen these things occur separatly throughout the game.

If this were implemented I would say she would have to spend at least 3 days in the urn "healing" until she can reform again. (You have to give the PC some penalty for getting her "killled" <note quotes> )

good idea and it is doable.
perhaps you can script it like a familiar when it jumps in your backpack. but 3days is way to much. 1day should be sufficient.
"but it won't do anything with the gaseous form ability, since it is triggered when Valen gets hurt too badly, not when she is already dead"
you can modify that. just modify the trigger to when she has only 1 hp like the enemy vamps.

but i fear the great master wont answer to it.

[Grim Squeaker]

You could have her reform at night fall. If its already night then have her return a couple of hours later.

[Auvrin]

But 3days is way to much. 1day should be sufficient.

I agree with the 3 days actually. Teaches people to be more careful with their characters.

[reiella]

But 3days is way to much. 1day should be sufficient.

I agree with the 3 days actually. Teaches people to be more careful with their characters.

Although, on that, you have the odd balancing act of something being just pest/inconvienance versus "Enough of a trouble to bother to reload".

The big reason Valen's Final Death doesn't end up being much of a 'balance' issue is because people will quite easily reload if that situation occurs (although it is still a loss of time).

1 day would probably see a bit more 'use' than 3 days is my point .

[Auvrin]

1 day would probably see a bit more 'use' than 3 days is my point

Then I guess that point doesn't matter, because most of those people that would reload do it anyways when a character dies.

[Schatten]

if it takes three days for her to recover i would surely reload. if it is only 1 day it isnt so much of a bother.

[HardenCoonor]

Why thinking about days? Maybe the PC has to get hold of something innocent, a child or a neutral bystander to get Valen back, or back faster. Maybe some dialog-option with the urn, where Valen/the urn randomly chooses a kind of creature(man, elf, orc, silver dragon, whatever) to be sacrificed to get Valen back.

If days, 2 or 3 would make sense to me, with Valen being greyed out(dead party member) to prevent exploits e.g. wit hthe paladin's quests.

The gaseous form would turn to that person in battle that has the urn, and when reaching that person, it disappears, dropping all items Valen was carrying. The urn should be like Boo to Minsc, hardlinked (to the PC), maybe droppable if the PC is really mean, something like

1. I open the urn and the dust of Valen's immortal body falls to the ground.
2. Talk to Valen in the urn.

if 2 -> Valen: I need the blood of 3 Kuo-Toa or some icecream to heal my wounds.