8 replies to this topic

[Ankhes]

I just finished the SOA portion of the Luxleys and can't wait until TOB comes out to finish the story. I really love the guys!

Okay, now for my not-so-intelligent impressions. I don't write so well as other posters but I'll do my best.
I realized soon into my game that flirting with Sebastian was the way to go because Andrei will go for Immy (ick ick ick!) if given the chance later on.
Well that was sort of a bummer because Andrie is so nice and caring while Seb comes off as sort of a Jekyll-Hyde persona. But that does make him interesting!

Their curse is...cute! I laughed each time one of them turned into an animal even though it meant I would have to heal them quickly or hope I had enough potions. The PID options with them in animal forms are a really nice touch.

I really like how the two relate to one another. Even when they fight it is obvious they still love each other. I never got the feeling that one would ever dump the other for good. I like the loyalty they share.

I also liked how they discussed the family and especially the head guy Xavier. It made me really anxious to meet Xavier and when I did I was left little doubt how the next meeting would have to go. It was hard to take the "Sebastian path" because it meant losing Andrei forever and alienating Sebastian even though at times you could be well rewarded flirt wise. Seb's angst and anger is quite understandable but also left me feeling quite hated at times as if siding with Seb was something he didn't really deep down want. I still don't know and I guess that's kind of a good thing because it leaves me wondering and asking myself questions and that is what good storytelling does I believe.

For me the downsides of this mod are minor and not really downsides but only in the sense that I have played SOA so much I go faster than a new/er player. The talks came too infrequent and I had to use the AdvanceRealTime thing to even get to the Luxley Estate the first time. To be fair I did skip the Unseeing Eye and the Planar Prison but I won't do that next time. And I usually leave WK until TOB but maybe that would have helped me with the timing thing. Anyway after using the Console I was able to finish the Luxley Saga Part I. Another downside for me was that due to the "Path" I chose I lost a Monk I had built up all game and losing him really...sucked. I had put so much into him that his loss really put a hole in my party because all I was left with were range fighters and a Cntrl-Q'd cleric because I had to kill Anomen due to a non-stop flirt bug. Not to mention that Andrei's loss left me teary.

I also had to cheat the game a little to get my flirt and Seblike up enough to be able to see some advanced flirts later. This was probably due to the dialogs taking too long to trigger in a game for me.

The only thing that really disappointed me was that Seb had nothing to say at the Tree of Life. I did several reloads there to make sure and each time he had nothing to say. He also said nothing even if he was next to me when my pc got dizzy in Bodhi's maze. I have come to expect these comments from characters and it felt weird for me to not see any.

And I felt like a dope because I sent a saved game with a bug but it didn't work for Miss Sakaki and then when I reloaded it later that day it didn't for me either. Man I feel dumb. Anyway I'm glad I could finish! Maybe my current game it will happen again and I can send a truly problem game in for examination.

So these are my not so smart observations from a sort of dumb gamer but I did my best. I love these guys and the story and hope TOB comes out pretty soon! I will definately have them in my party for quite a while and I don't mind 2 seats for these guys! They are so so worth it!

Edited by Ankhes, 26 February 2008 - 10:09 PM.

[Nix]

I realized soon into my game that flirting with Sebastian was the way to go because Andrei will go for Immy (ick ick ick!) if given the chance later on.
Well that was sort of a bummer because Andrie is so nice and caring while Seb comes off as sort of a Jekyll-Hyde persona. But that does make him interesting!

You're telling me. My pc could really go for Andrei (if only he was a little bit older, even if only a couple of years... but I guess age can be ignored sometimes) but nooo... he has to be earmarked for Imoen. Well, not sticking around to see that. No way. As soon as ToB rolls by little sister is outta here, and in comes my lovely seven-foot tall big brother with glowering eyes instead to stand beside him. Ha, see how he likes that!

I was not really interested in Sebastian from a romantic perspective. I took the happy hippie peace and love cheerful path. Now after reading your post here and in the previous thread, I feel like going back and killing Andrei just so I can get Angsty Seb! Next time. I'm happy with the way things wrapped up in my game. I would have maybe liked a bit more at the end with Sebastian opening up a little and Andrei addressing his situation - seems to me they both took the whole Xavier affair rather in stride - but it was still good nonetheless.

I enjoyed the whole weird creepy family dynamic a lot. It's amusing to look at the various family members and try to match them up with animals. (I've pegged Rosanna as a deer, Lucas as a horse, Simeon as a wolf, Lealia as a panther, and Lyle as a golden retriever.) I think a little introduction on Xavier in the beginning would be nice, even just a general statement "Xavier is the head honcho who protects the family and maintains the estate" or something like that. Maybe I didn't choose the right dialogues, but neither Luxley ever actually explained to me who Xavier was. They just started dropping his name in conversations. My first reaction (and I imagine the pc's) would be "Who's this Xavier guy?"

No problems with the pacing for me. In fact I've completed the whole conversation arc and my game isn't finished yet. More than likely this is because of the mega mods though. I'd probably be in the same situation as you if I were playing plain BGII.

And I have a squicky question. These Luxleys... being completely isolated and secluded as they are, and having no contact with the outside world at all. They aren't... inbred... are they? Sorry sorry sorry I just had to ask.

[Ankhes]

Ha! You bring up good points Nix. I never thought about the inbred question but you know it makes sense. I don't think we should be thinking things like that though.
And now that you mention it I was thinking about what sorts of animals the other Luxleys would be too. Xavier as a...let me see...jackass?

And I wondered too about Xavier and waited for the guys to tell me more about him but they didn't. I should have put that in my impressions post. I got suckered into the "I know you are close to Xavier" PID for Seb and was roundly trounced for saying that to him but I thought it was the only way to speak to Seb and find out something.

Yeah, if only Andrei wasn't for Immy. The flirt options with him give hope for the pc but only for a little while. I will now take your path for the end of the game and as soon as TOB comes Immy will be stranded in the Pocket Plane. No sweet monk for her! It would be nice if it would somehow be possible to summon Andrei via the Fate Spirit but somehow I doubt that will be possible even though I suppose other Luxleys could have raised him after the Xavier battle.
Well I can hope can't I?

[Feuille]

Wow, you guys! Thank you so much for the indepthness! And here are my thoughts...

I realized soon into my game that flirting with Sebastian was the way to go because Andrei will go for Immy (ick ick ick!) if given the chance later on.
Well that was sort of a bummer because Andrie is so nice and caring while Seb comes off as sort of a Jekyll-Hyde persona. But that does make him interesting!

Ha, not everyone's an Imoen fan! I guess we should be sorry for making Andrei so darn appealing, eh? Still, he's no Anomen (showing my own personal preferences, heh...)

Their curse is...cute! I laughed each time one of them turned into an animal even though it meant I would have to heal them quickly or hope I had enough potions. The PID options with them in animal forms are a really nice touch.

We wanted to make sure the curse wasn't all tears and annoyance - I'm glad that came across. I like Sebastian-the-Hasted-Cat ... at least he can run away quickly!

As for their relationship - it's a relief and very satisfying to see that it comes across well. Yeah, they annoy each other to distraction sometimes, but they're loyal. (of course, a certain monk is occasionally more loyal to Xavier, but eh, we can forgive him for that!)

It's true that Xavier's place in the family gets explained most explicitly in only certain dialogue options- we'll get a better explanation in somewhere that's easier to get to!

It was hard to take the "Sebastian path" because it meant losing Andrei forever and alienating Sebastian even though at times you could be well rewarded flirt wise. Seb's angst and anger is quite understandable but also left me feeling quite hated at times as if siding with Seb was something he didn't really deep down want. I still don't know and I guess that's kind of a good thing because it leaves me wondering and asking myself questions and that is what good storytelling does I believe.

Heh, Sebastian is weird! Sebastian's feelings end up being very complex and very conflicted - but of course, it being Sebastian, he doesn't work through his feelings like a regular person and instead ends up being the bag of crazy that he is. He keeps folks guessing -and I'm glad we have too!

Not to mention that Andrei's loss left me teary.

You're not the only one!

The only thing that really disappointed me was that Seb had nothing to say at the Tree of Life.

Yeeesss... We're working on that one. We have no idea why what's in there doesn't work! Thanks for the heads up.

I was not really interested in Sebastian from a romantic perspective. I took the happy hippie peace and love cheerful path. Now after reading your post here and in the previous thread, I feel like going back and killing Andrei just so I can get Angsty Seb!

The other path isn't that happy ... they're still cut off forever! At least they have each other, I guess (Though I pity Andrei, har har!).

I would have maybe liked a bit more at the end with Sebastian opening up a little and Andrei addressing his situation - seems to me they both took the whole Xavier affair rather in stride - but it was still good nonetheless.

Our logic was along the lines of the biggest things often take a while to sink in. They're also not the type to share just how much they're hurting with the PC! They're obviously still reeling though, and you'll see them trying to figure out their situation in Throne of Bhaal.

I've pegged Rosanna as a deer, Lucas as a horse, Simeon as a wolf, Lealia as a panther, and Lyle as a golden retriever.

If you want to know, we can tell you! (Or kill them in-game and find out. Bwahaha!)


(Not that I endorse killing the crazy family. Not at all! )

And I have a squicky question. These Luxleys... being completely isolated and secluded as they are, and having no contact with the outside world at all. They aren't... inbred... are they? Sorry sorry sorry I just had to ask.

Heh. Are the Luxleys inbred?

Oh hell yes! I can, however, say equivocally that neither Sebastian nor Andrei have webbed feet. And it's worth mentioning that other heads of the family before Xavier have sometimes been a little more slack: letting more than three people go outside! (Not that often, though...)

And Xavier as a jackass! Good one! Although of course he doesn't tranfsorm, being the focus of the curse and all.

Well I can hope can't I?

You can hope ... but don't hold your breath!

But yeah, thank you both so much for all your thoughts. They're very much appreciated!

[Miss Sakaki]

I can, however, say equivocally that neither Sebastian nor Andrei have webbed feet.

...no matter what Viconia might insinuate.

It would be nice if it would somehow be possible to summon Andrei via the Fate Spirit but somehow I doubt that will be possible even though I suppose other Luxleys could have raised him after the Xavier battle.

You can hope ... but don't hold your breath!

Hey, it's not that doomladen! In ToB it's going to be possible to summon three incarnations of the Luxleys - you can summon them as a pair (in which case Xavier is not dead and the curse is still functioning), Sebastian alone (in which case Xavier IS dead and so's Andrei) and Sebastian alone plus romantic/fling content.

It's really nice to see people having emotional reactions to the quest outcomes, even if they're sad - it means we've done our job in making it a hard decision!

[Nix]

Heh. Are the Luxleys inbred?

Oh hell yes!

Argh argh argh! Brain bleach, stat!

I can, however, say equivocally that neither Sebastian nor Andrei have webbed feet. And it's worth mentioning that other heads of the family before Xavier have sometimes been a little more slack: letting more than three people go outside! (Not that often, though...)

What's webbed feet got to do with it though?

Well it doesn't actually matter how many people they let out, unless the other heads didn't practise Xavier's policy of not letting females out. 'Cause unless they let the women out to get knocked up and then return to the estate (much like the Amazon tribes), the only way to get more Luxleys would be... yeah.

Ugh! This family is sick. Man, am I glad I got Andrei and Sebastian out of there. Yup. I'm patting myself on the back now

I can, however, say equivocally that neither Sebastian nor Andrei have webbed feet.

...no matter what Viconia might insinuate.

Viconia insinuates something? Ooh, I'm gonna go pick up Viccy now to see what she has to say.

I rather think that Andrei, Seb, and the whole Luxley clan made a far bigger deal out of their situation than it actually is. After all in this age where there are half-gods, demons, celestials, werewolves, planar creatures walking the earth, not to mention shapeshifters and druids who regularly change into animals anyhow, what's a little animal-shifting?

Sebastian & Andrei: Well, you see, PC... our family has this thing where we turn into animals when we're hurt.
PC: That is all?? Wait till you see what I can turn into! *Lobster change* RARR!

It's not as though it's permanent (anyone remember poor Mellicamp?), it only happens when they're seriously injured, so all they have to do is keep themselves healthy. Sealing yourselves in seclusion is a tad melodramatic, people. In Andrei's case a bear is quite a useful fighting animal to turn into. Sebastian's cat is rather pathetic... but well, at least you can pet him and I can just imagine him grinning like a Cheshire.

Oh, and I really liked the banter with Sebastian hitting on Nathaniel asking whether he's a cat person or a dog person and Nathaniel saying he likes dogs. It was funny.

Hmm, I just had a thought. With all the stuff about Andrei's dark rages, maybe he could rage at the PC once?

[Miss Sakaki]

What's webbed feet got to do with it though?

Just that if cousins keep on marrying, you're gonna end up with some funny genetics at some point. (The Luxleys aren't at that stage, though. Yet.)

Sebastian & Andrei: Well, you see, PC... our family has this thing where we turn into animals when we're hurt.
PC: That is all?? Wait till you see what I can turn into! *Lobster change* RARR!

Crustacean alteration! Best Bhaalspawn power ever.

But yeah, it is a little spurious - the premise is that back in the day people were even more phobic of magic than they are now in Amn and the rival family was still at large, so seemed like the only thing to do. Matthias, the guy who started it all off, exploited the Luxleys' fear and got them nicely under his thumb, and by the time anyone would question it (re: Sebastian) everyone was entrenched in the estate's traditions.

Hmm, I just had a thought. With all the stuff about Andrei's dark rages, maybe he could rage at the PC once?

When Andrei speaks to you after Sebastian sends Lyel away, he shouts and Sebastian implies that it was a rage.

Oh, and I really liked the banter with Sebastian hitting on Nathaniel asking whether he's a cat person or a dog person and Nathaniel saying he likes dogs.

We had fun doing the crossmod stuff - glad you enjoyed it!

[Ankhes]

Aw I gotta take Nathy along one of these times then!

Webbed feet...hah! I guess I'll need to take Vicci along some time too. Righ now I can't imagine travelling Amn without them. I adore them that much. And I really have to make sure I get more of the family history too. I missed most of that this time.

These guys have replayability I think and that can only be a good thing. I'm really impressed with you young ladies and am grateful for all your hard work to make a great game even more fun and replayable.

[Nix]

Hmm, I just had a thought. With all the stuff about Andrei's dark rages, maybe he could rage at the PC once?

When Andrei speaks to you after Sebastian sends Lyel away, he shouts and Sebastian implies that it was a rage.

Hmm but after, when Andrei apologises to you he says that he wasn't in a rage, doesn't he? Or was that another conversation? Actually I don't really remember.

The webbed feet banter just came up Poor, sweet, naive Andrei. I shudder to think of Viconia having her wicked way with him... but another part of me is so very intrigued How bout it guys? Dropkick Imoen?