14 replies to this topic

[Sir Kalthorine]

(Note: This has been cut and reformatted from an earlier thread in the Mod Ideas forum, as I wanted a copy here but also wanted to remove some of the more spoilery elements of the thread. Thanks to those who already commented in the other thread - your points were most welcome and have already been noted!)

In order to give an initial "feel" for Chrysta (and to give some indication that I am not all talk and have actually made a start!) here is the first draft of her joining dialogue. Before anyone points out that it sounds a bit "stilted", I am fully aware that the actual dialogue content itself needs some serious polishing :^^:

After much consideration I decided to have her first attempt to join the party in Waukeen's Promenade just outside Chateau Irenicus - logically, it would make more sense for her to join inside the dungeon, but considering how many people these days use Dungeon-Be-Gone I felt that that would reduce the potential level of interest.

So, as things stand she will approach <CHARNAME> just after the Imoen kidnapping Cutscene and the various party NPC comments:

NOTE THAT SOME MIGHT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SPOILER, but rest assured both that it doesn't actually give anything away about Chrysta's plot or background, and also that this will be the last time I give away any dialogue content in the public forum!


Dialogue initiated by Chrysta after this initial text on her approach:

You are approached by a slim, elfin girl who you remember seeing escaping from Irenicus?s dungeon right behind you, just before the roof collapsed. She is wearing a set of strange green armour that seems to be constructed entirely of close-fitting green leaves ? but that is by no means her most intriguing feature. Her skin, a striking pale green in colour, almost seems scaly in the sunlight ? and she is completely bald.

Chrysta?s Joining Dialogue:
You? I? I know your face do I not? You were with? him?
1. Who are you, my child? [Goto Block C]
2. What do you mean? How do you know me? [Goto Block A]
3. Stay back? I saw you emerge from the rubble of the dungeon and I cannot be sure I can trust you. [Goto Block D]
4. Get away from me you green-skinned Abomination! [Goto Block D]
5. Another one of Irenicus?s clones? DIE FIEND! [Break dialogue and attack]

Block A:
I am not entirely sure. I do not remember. I? I recall seeing you and that monster through a green haze. He was? doing things to you, and you were? screaming (she shudders visibly)
1. Irenicus made me suffer? and I intend to do worse to him in return. But first I need to know exactly who you are. [Goto Block C]
2. What do you know of Irenicus? Tell me! [Goto Block H]
3. Try not to think of such things if they upset you. Tell me? who are you and how did you come to be here? [Goto Block C]
4. [Only appears if CHARNAME has Int 11+] Through a green haze? Do you remember where you were ? inside a glass container perhaps? [Block B]

Block B:
A glass container? (the girl?s brow furrows in concentration). Yes? yes, I think you are right. I remember that yours and Irenicus?s faces seemed distorted, so I could have been seeing you through a glass wall. How did you know??
1. Because it means you are nothing more than another one of Irenicus?s accursed clones, that?s why? DIE, ABOMINATION! [Break dialogue and attack]
2. Now is not the time to speak of such things? for now, I will settle for you telling me your name and how you know of me [Set KA#ChrystaSuspectClone=1] [Goto Block C]
3. Because it confirms that I cannot trust you, that is why. I am afraid you are going to have to fend for yourself, I am sorry. [Goto Block D]

Block C:
I? my name is Chrysta? I think? I remember so little?
1. You think? How can you not be sure of your own name? [Goto Block H]
2. Irenicus did things to my mind as well. You are not alone in blocking out some of the horrible details ? you will be fine in time. [Goto Block G]
3. Are you feeling alright Chrysta? You don?t look well. Do you need healing? [Goto Block G]
4. Then clearly Irenicus still has you under his spell ? stay away from me if you value your life. [Goto Block D]

Block D:
No! Please! I am no danger to you? I carry no weapon and I do not even know where I am. Please help me, I beg you?
1. I am sorry, I cannot risk taking you with me. You will have to make your way on your own. [Goto Block E]
2. No ? and you will stay clear of me in future if you know what is good for you. [Goto Block E]
3. I will suffer no more at the hands of one of Irenicus?s pets! Defend yourself, fiend? [Break dialogue and attack]
4. I am sorry, but after what Irenicus has done to me I need to be sure that you aren?t a threat. First of all, I need to know more about who and what you are. [Goto Block H]

Block E:
But? I have nowhere to go. Yours is the only face I recognise, and I do not know what to do ? would you be so cruel as to send me away?
1. Yes I would ? and I will. Begone from my sight. [Goto Block F]
2. No, you are right? this City is no place for a lost soul such as yourself. But I need to know more about who you really are before I can trust you. [Goto Block H]
3. I fear I have no choice. I cannot endanger myself and my friends by harbouring someone who might be one of Irenicus?s spies. [Goto Block F]
4. It is indeed cruel to let you go? alive! [End dialogue and attack]

Block F:
Very well. I? suppose I will have to stay here for now. But? I do not know how, but I sense you are my only hope to find out what that Irenicus really did to me. Please? if you change your mind, come back and find me.
1. In your dreams, you scaly freak. [End dialogue]
2. Very well Chrysta? take care. [End dialogue]

Block G:
You are very kind, but I am not hurt? at least not on the outside. I feel like that fiend, Irenicus, cut INSIDE me? inside my head?
[Goto Block H]

Block H:
My name, Chrysta? it is what HE called me, but it does not feel like my own name, and all I can remember of Irenicus is his twisted face and the way he made my head scream. I am sorry, I cannot say any more. Not now? not here, so close to where he? he? (tears start to well up in her eyes)
1. I have heard enough. I will have enough trouble tracking down Irenicus and making him pay for what he did to me without having to look after a mewling whelp like you. Get out of my sight. [Goto Block F]
2. I am sure your memories will return in time. It sounds to me like we both have our own reasons for finding Irenicus and getting some answers from him. Will you join me? [Goto Block I]
3. I would like to help you, Chrysta, but I cannot take you right now? will you be alright here? I will return for you if I am able. [Goto Block F]
4. (Put a protective arm around her) Hush, child? you are not alone any more and Irenicus cannot hurt you now. If you wish, you can travel with me ? at least until your memories return. [Goto Block I]

Block I:
(Chrysta?s eyes widen in anticipation) You would take me with you? Seriously?
1. Of course ? I couldn?t leave you to fend for yourself on the streets. [Goto Block K]
2. I am considering letting you join us, yes? but where we will be travelling is no place for someone who cannot defend themselves, and I need everyone to pull their own weight. What can you bring to the group? [Goto Block J]
3. No, I was just leading you on. Bugger off, moss-features... [Goto Block F]

Block J:
(Chrysta seems uncertain for a moment, then looks at her hands and after a brief moment of concentration seems to experience a flash of realisation) I? I feel as though I can be of help in scouting and handling locks and traps, and a part of me also feels like I can cast spells that affect nature. (She looks at you hopefully) Does that help?
1. Not much ? if you don?t know what you can do you are no use to me. You are on your own, Chrysta. [Goto Block F]
2. That sounds intriguing ? you would be a welcome addition to our group, and maybe in time you will be able to be a bit more specific about what you actually can and can?t do! [Goto Block K]

Block K:
(Chrysta smiles mischievously, the first time she has displayed any emotion other than fear or worry since she first approached you, and you can?t help noticing that despite her unusual appearance she is actually a highly attractive young woman) I promise you will not regret it? but are you going to tell me your name now or is your memory even worse than mine?
1. My name is <CHARNAME>, and I feel I must warn you that I seek Irenicus for my own reasons? he has power and I plan to take it. [Goto Block L]
2. My name is <CHARNAME>, and I promise you that I plan to make Irenicus suffer for the pain he has caused us both. [Goto Block L]
3. I am <CHARNAME>, and I do not merely seek Irenicus for answers ? he has kidnapped a good friend of mine, Imoen, and I seek to rescue her whatever the cost. [Goto Block L]

Block L:
(Chrysta?s smile fades and is replaced by a look of steely determination). I swear to you, <CHARNAME>, that your goals are now mine. We both seek answers from Irenicus, and I promise that you can count on me to follow you wherever that search may take us. [JoinParty] [End Dialogue]

Edited by Sir Kalthorine, 30 March 2005 - 04:10 AM.

[Zyraen]

Neat You may find writing in a certain format helps the Coders immensely. It's late now, though (at least where I am), so I'll post up on the format I am currently using on my Dying NPC forum, and maybe you can see if you like it.

It will make it that much easier to convert it into Code, I assure you, rather than rewriting most of it and inserting in the various little symbols.

Note : re-edited to original text as I didn't know Sir K was active here, lol, when I was editing it.

Edited by Zyraen, 29 March 2005 - 09:33 AM.

[Sir Kalthorine]

Neat You may find writing in a certain format helps the Coders immensely. It's late now, though (at least where I am), so I'll post up on the format I am currently using on my Dying NPC forum, and maybe you can see if you like it.

It will make it that much easier to convert it into Code, I assure you, rather than rewriting most of it and inserting in the various little symbols.

Much obliged, my friend :thumb:

[Zyraen]

This is the format I am using on my Dying NPC forum, and maybe you can see if you like it. This one is what I use for Banters

777 = New NPC
357 = Imoen

357 ~You're a quiet one, aren't you?~
777 ~I'm okay.~
357 ~Must be this place that's getting to you, no wonder you're so quiet. It gives me the creeps, as well.~
777 ~I'm just quiet because I'm not sure what to say. You don't seem to like it, but this place seems fine to me.~
= ~What do you mean by "the creeps"? I don't remember anything called "the creeps".~
357 ~Well.. it just means I really don't like it down here.~
777 ~Okay then.~

For this dialogue to be converted to Code, it only requires a few replaces of the symbols and some additional stuff from and back Whereas without the "~"s in front, you can imagine a Coder having to write those symbols over a few hundred lines isn't that... appealing, I think.

[Zyraen]

Here's the one for more.. interactive.. dialogues. This is just a sample of a single segment Oh and btw, this dialogue was written by LuckyOne, not me. He's a FABULOUSly efficient writer totally rocks!

777 = New NPC

IF ~~ THEN 777 ValFirstMeeting01a
~Praise be to the Gods! Thank you, for your aid! Truly, if you had left me in there I do not know how much longer I would have been able to last!~
++ ~You?re most welcome. My name is <CHARNAME>. And you are?~+ ValFirstMeeting02a
++ ~Well, I couldn?t have just left you there, could I?~+ ValFirstMeeting02aa
++ ~It?s no skin off my nose. Now that you?re free you can find your own way out of here.~+ ValFirstMeeting04aa

"ValFirstMeeting01a, ValFirstMeeting04aa" etc are the labels for the different segments in the dialogues.

If you want to insert special conditions into a dialogue, you can do so by putting the condition in "~"s between the 2 "+" at the beginning. Though if you don't know the exact code for the condition, you can just put it in "~"s and let the coder dig up on how to implement the condition.

Edit : Removed the "SAY" where it was in the "SAY ~Praise be..." since it is not required for this command (which is a CHAIN, effectively). Also changed the "GOTO" to a "+"

Edited by Zyraen, 30 March 2005 - 12:44 AM.

[Sir Kalthorine]

Thanks a HUGE bunch for taking time to offer these pointers Zyraen. You da man!

[Zyraen]

Converting the first 2 blocks of the dialogue into the example format

NOTE : Labels are Case sensitive. So "ChrystaJoin" is not the same as "chrystajoin"

38 = Chrysta

IF ~NumTimesTalkedTo(0)~ THEN 38 ChrystaJoin
~You? I? I know your face do I not? You were with? him?~
++ ~Who are you, my child?~ + BlockB
++ ~What do you mean? How do you know me?~ + BlockA
++ ~Stay back? I saw you emerge from the rubble of the dungeon and I cannot be sure I can trust you.~ + BlockC
++ ~Get away from me you green-skinned Abomination!~+ BlockC
++ ~Another one of Irenicus?s clones? DIE FIEND!~ EXIT

IF ~~ THEN 38 BlockA
~I am not entirely sure. I do not remember. I? I recall seeing you and that monster through a green haze. He was? doing things to you, and you were? screaming (she shudders visibly)~
++ ~Irenicus made me suffer? and I intend to do worse to him in return. But first I need to know exactly who you are.~ + BlockC
++ ~What do you know of Irenicus? Tell me!~ + BlockH
++ ~Try not to think of such things if they upset you. Tell me? who are you and how did you come to be here?~ + BlockC
+~CheckStatGT(Player1, 10, INT)~+ ~Through a green haze? Do you remember where you were ? inside a glass container perhaps?~ + BlockB

(note to Modders reading this -
I try not to use "BEGIN ChrystaJoin" because BEGIN blocks can only be placed within a certain place in the .D file, which is immediately after the BEGIN <file> declaration. This way the blocks can literally be placed anywhere in the .D file, even in another .D file, I think. In any case, you can easily replace the 38 with BEGIN if you are going to place it at those particular places)

=================

So, just to make known How easy is the above "pseudo-dialogue" to convert to Code? Well, the final product for BlockA (prior to WeiDU compilation, of course) is as follows

CHAIN
IF ~~ THEN Z#CHRYST BlockA
~I am not entirely sure. I do not remember. I? I recall seeing you and that monster through a green haze. He was? doing things to you, and you were? screaming (she shudders visibly)~
END
++ ~Irenicus made me suffer? and I intend to do worse to him in return. But first I need to know exactly who you are.~ + BlockC
++ ~What do you know of Irenicus? Tell me!~ + BlockH
++ ~Try not to think of such things if they upset you. Tell me? who are you and how did you come to be here?~ + BlockC
+~CheckStatGT(Player1, 10, INT)~+ ~Through a green haze? Do you remember where you were ? inside a glass container perhaps?~ + BlockB

As you can see, it helps greatly In fact you can easily learn to be your own dialogue-coder! if you do know how to run WeiDU and have a text editor of your own, you can also easily spot your own typos but that's the job of us Coders.

(Note that Z#CHRYST is the name of the final compiled DLG which is assigned to the CRE. why not Z#CHRYSTA? The game does not recognise filenames exceeding 8 characters. "Z#" is my own prefix, depending on what your prefix is, assuming you are "SK", it would probably be SKCHRYST)

Edited by Zyraen, 30 March 2005 - 12:56 AM.

[Zyraen]

Off the side note, this is *JUST* my opinion, so please feel free to ignore it ^^;;;

I personally prefer to have Options offered by certain Stat checks (such as your Stat being higher than a certain number) to be special and not accessible through other means without having to pass that Stat Check
(or unless its something very special, like pursuing a long line of specific questioning, with plenty of "wrong" options that will end the questioning)

Edited by Zyraen, 30 March 2005 - 01:04 AM.

[Sir Kalthorine]

I personally prefer to have Options offered by certain Stat checks (such as your Stat being higher than a certain number) to be special and not accessible through other means without having to pass that Stat Check
(or unless its something very special, like pursuing a long line of specific questioning, with plenty of "wrong" options that will end the questioning)

Oh I am definitely a fan of this myself as well (hence Block "B" is only accessible with Int 11+ in the dialogue as listed). In my opinion, the game (as a role playing game should take a lot more notice of potentially dialogue-affecting stats like INT, WIS and CHA than it does. I kinda get the feeling that, like me, you might be a fan of Planescape: Torment?

One caveat to this though... regular players of BG2 are, unfortunately, quite used to stats like INT, WIS and CHA having little or no effect on the game except class-specific (e.g. WIS for cleric spells) or on a very few occasions, so excess use of stat-checking, particularly where it involves "useless" stats (as they may seem to some players) might be counter-productive. Certainly, I think a mod-writer needs to be careful in terms of maintaining a balance between realistic application of stat-checking, and playability given the current clientele!

[Hendryk]

Well, another cover for that is a statement in the read-me that the Chrysta experience will be greatly diminished if the PC is a dunce, a fool or an uncharismatic lout.

[Sir Kalthorine]

Well, another cover for that is a statement in the read-me that the Chrysta experience will be greatly diminished if the PC is a dunce, a fool or an uncharismatic lout.

Provided we add a disclaimer that the same limitations do not necessarily apply to the mod leader

[Hendryk]

Well, another cover for that is a statement in the read-me that the Chrysta experience will be greatly diminished if the PC is a dunce, a fool or an uncharismatic lout.

Provided we add a disclaimer that the same limitations do not necessarily apply to the mod leader

What, then, shall be disclaimed on behalf of followers of that leader? Evolution?

[Sir Kalthorine]

Provided we add a disclaimer that the same limitations do not necessarily apply to the mod leader 

What, then, shall be disclaimed on behalf of followers of that leader? Evolution?

Possibly... or maybe masochism?

[arconian]

Great first dialogue Sir Kalthorine, I especialy liked the way you can call her a scaly freak or , what was it now, moss-features great stuff! Though I think I will be as nice as I can to this particular NPC. From this first dialogue she just seems so fragile... it'd be a shame to make her feel bad

--Arcon

[Sir Kalthorine]

Though I think I will be as nice as I can to this particular NPC. From this first dialogue she just seems so fragile... it'd be a shame to make her feel bad 

Don't worry Arco, after she learns more about who she really is and gains in confidence, Chrysta will give as good (or as bad) as she gets