470 replies to this topic

[GeN1e]

Would it break the storyline if you were to make the Watcher's Keep mandatory?

An independent opinion on the 'mandatory' part. I think that making a certain part of game a necessarity to make a difference in relationship with another character (unless that's something as radical as deciding whether to let them die or not) is pretty much lame and biowarish (like killing a romance by saying just a single predesigned 'wrong thing', more times than you could count). Just an opinion, you don't have to agree with it of course.

[HighTimeRodeo]

Hmm, making Watcher's Keep mandatory would make the romance longer and give more time to make it work. Hmm, I like that.

[Aeryn]

I'm getting my butt kicked by real life, but I managed to find some time and went through some old files. Apparently I did rough sketches of a few lovetalks for a full Sarevok romance a while back, so I fleshed one out (that is so freaking huge, sorry) that I had originally planned to be the first lovetalk. Feel free to use it or not, dissect it and use parts of it, whatever you ladies need. And sorry if it's hard to follow...the stuff in **__** indicates my own notes about stuff I don't know how to code for, and while it was useful for me it's probably just a pain in the rear for everyone else. I'm sure there's both .d mistakes and typos, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to offer it up as is.

LT1, PID, ?Observe Sarevok?

**how to code the start of a PID?**
IF ~~ sarelt1
SAY ~(Sarevok Anchev, murderer, deceiver and your former nemesis, stands proud and alert not far from you, seemingly unaware of your eyes on him.)~
++ ~(Observe Sarevok.)~ + sarelt1.random1-2 **how to code random outcomes?**
++ ~(Feign disinterest while surreptitiously watching him from the corner of your eye.) + sarelt1.watch
++ ~(Turn away.)~ + EXIT **end romance**
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.random1
SAY ~(It would be easy for most people to consider Sarevok handsome ? if it weren?t for the perpetual scowl and deathly coldness in his eyes that gives the impression he is simply waiting for an excuse to kill someone. Anyone.)~
=(A long, broken scar runs from his brow, down his left cheek, and nearly cuts into the corner of his mouth, only one of many such marks branded into his dark skin, but they and the criss-crossing tattoos across his scalp only serve to make him all the more intimidating.)~
IF ~~ + sarelt1.notice
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.random2
SAY ~(Describing Sarevok without using the word ?warrior? would be nigh on impossible, as that is in fact what he epitomizes. Everything about him radiates power, from his grip on the sword hilt, to the way his dark eyes drink in everything around him, to the tight, unyielding line of his shoulders.)~
=(His almost unnatural height should make him awkward or clumsy, but the massive man moves with complete ease and grace. It?s obvious that the sword in his hands in merely a tool ? he himself is the weapon.)~
IF ~~ + sarelt1.notice
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.watch
**if elf**
SAY ~(Your eyes allow you to watch him closely even from this angle, yet Sarevok?s expression and posture are difficult to read. He is always tense, always alert, always suspicious, and his own sidelong glances at you only help to prove that point.)~
**if human or half-elf**
SAY ~(You cannot see much from this angle, but experience would say that Sarevok is a difficult man to read. He is always tense, always alert, always suspicious, and the sidelong glance you catch him sending your direction only helps to prove that point.)~
IF ~~ + sarelt1.notice
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.notice
SAY ~(Sarevok pins you with an annoyed frown as he turns to face you.) Why are you watching me?~
++ ~No real reason. Curiosity perhaps.~ + sarelt1.curiosity
++ ~Watching you? I-I wasn?t watching you.~ + sarelt1.liar
++ ~Shouldn?t I though? You are a murderer, after all.~ + sarelt1.murderer
++ ~I?m not really sure to be honest.~ + sarelt1.dunno
++ ~Because I want to.~ + sarelt1.bold
++ ~Does it bother you?~ + sarelt1.bother
++ ~(Ignore him and walk away.)~ EXIT **end romance**
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.curiosity
SAY ~I see. And do you always waste your time on idle curiosity?~
++ ~Well?no, not always.~ + sarelt1.unsure
++ ~I just want to get to know you better if you?re going to be fighting at my back.~ + sarelt1.unsure
++ ~Yep, that?s me. I?m always distracted by something. Sometimes I walk right into walls when I see something shiny on the ground. Ooo, look! A gold piece!~ + sarelt1.joke
++ ~Does it bother you?~ + sarelt1.bother
++ ~I?m sorry. I didn?t mean to bother you.~ + sarelt1.bother
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.liar
SAY ~Gods. Are you spineless or simply a fool?~
++ ~I was only curious about you is all.~ + sarelt1.curiosity
++ ~Spineless most likely.~ + sarelt1.joke
++ ~A fool ? absolutely.~ + sarelt1.joke
++ ~I-I-I?just?~ + sarelt1.weak
++ ~So I was watching you. I?d be a fool if I didn?t keep an eye on a known murderer.~ + sarelt1.murderer
++ ~Neither, and your insults are meaningless.~ + EXIT **end romance**
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.weak
SAY ~Bah! Why do I waste my time speaking with a weakling like you?~ **end romance**
IF ~~EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.murderer
SAY ~I am what I am. Staring at me won?t change that.~
**if oathed**
= ~You have my oath, <CHARNAME>. Even should I wish to betray you, I cannot.~
**if unoathed**
= ~If you desired a guarantee of my loyalty, you should have taken my oath when you had the chance. As things stand, you?ll just have to accept the risk.~
++ ~That?s not exactly reassuring.~ + sarelt1.unsure
++ ~Was it a mistake to take you along with us?~ + sarelt1.unsure
++ ~True enough, I suppose.~ + sarelt1.admit
++ ~I cannot believe you have no regret for all the death you?ve caused, for Gorion?~ + sarelt1.guilt
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.dunno
SAY ~Only a fool does anything without a purpose.~
++ ~Are you trying to say you never do anything without reason? Because if that?s true, maybe I should question my decision to bring you along.~ + sarelt1.unsure
++ ~Then color me foolish. Now could you be a doll and turn back around ? I wasn?t finished staring at you.~ + sarelt1.joke
++ ~My ?purpose? is doing whatever I want. And I wanted to look at you.~ + sarelt1.bold
++ ~Fine then. I?m purposely keeping an eye on the known murderer at my side.~ + sarelt1.murderer
++ ~Does it bother you?~ + sarelt1.bother
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.bold
SAY ~(Sarevok raises an eyebrow, the annoyance in his eyes now edged with curiosity.) And why is that?~
++ ~Er?no reason.~ + sarelt1.liar
++ ~Don?t play coy. You?re a handsome man and I?m sure you?re used to drawing stares.~ + sarelt1.handsome
++ ~You?re what? Ten feet tall? It?s kind of hard not to stare.~ + sarelt1.joke
++ ~Because I like looking at you.~ + sarelt1.reason
++ ~I?m not really sure.~ + sarelt1.unsure
++ ~I?m not the type of fool who turns their back on a known murderer.~ + sarelt1.murderer
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.handsome
SAY ~(Sarevok raises both eyebrows now and looks almost amused.) Perhaps, but not from kin.~
= ~But, come, this conversation is drawing the ire of your followers. We can speak more later.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.reason
SAY ~I see trying to a sensible explanation out of you is pointless. Let?s go.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.joke
SAY ~Is this the kind of idiocy I have to look forward to our entire time together?~
**if unoathed**
++ ~You?re free to leave whenever you want, Sarevok.~ + sarelt1.free
**if oathed**
++ ~I will gladly release you from your oath and let you do whatever you please. Just give the word.~ + sarelt1.free
++ ~You?re the sucker who gave me an oath. Shut up and stop complaining.~ + EXIT **end romance**
**both**
++ ~You pretty much begged me to let you come along, so you only have yourself to blame.~ + sarelt1.yourself
++ ~Don?t worry. You?ll learn to love me. Everyone else does.~ + sarelt1.deedee
++ ~Yeah, ain?t it great? Just wait until we get the strip poker tournament started up again!~ + sarelt1.deedee
++ ~Until you out live your usefulness, yes.~ + sarelt1.threat
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.bother
SAY ~The only thing that bothers me is the way you?re avoiding my question.~
++ ~Fine, the truth is I like looking at you.~ + sarelt1.bold
++ ~You?re a murderer, Sarevok. I?d be a fool not to watch you.~ + sarelt1.murderer
++ ~Very well. The truth is you?re just so damned gorgeous that I can?t tear my eyes off you! Those tattoos?those eyes?catch me before I swoon!~ + sarelt1.joke
++ ~I can?t give you an answer because I?m not really sure myself, Sarevok.~ + sarelt1.unsure
++ ~The only thing you need to know is that you are still useful to me. For now.~ + sarelt1.threat
++ ~I will tell you nothing. Let?s move.~ + EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.threat
SAY ~Don?t waste your time with threats. I will prove a valuable asset, dear sister.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.deedee
SAY ~Idiot.~
= ~Just find me something to kill.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.free
SAY ~You expect me to believe you?d simply let me loose on the realms again? No, don?t bother to answer ? let?s move on.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.yourself
SAY ~I?ll take that as a yes.~
= ~Find me something to kill.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.admit
SAY ~At least you?re wise enough to admit it.~
IF ~~ + sarelt1.unsure
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.guilt
SAY ~Save your breath. I?m not here for redemption.~
IF ~~ + sarelt1.unsure
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.unsure
SAY ~If reassurances are what you seek, sister, then you have come to the wrong man. I desire nothing but the chance to watch what you will make of yourself.~
**if INT or WIS 17+**
++ ~You?re lying. In the past, you manipulated those around you in order to further your own goals and attain power. Logic dictates that you will probably try this again.~ + sarelt1.caught
**if STR 17+**
++ ~I find that hard to believe. You?re not the kind of man to sit back and let someone else control the situation, especially when there is power to be had.~ + sarelt1.caught
**if elf**
++ ~Interesting. Your body temperature rose slightly when you said that, indicating an increase in the rate of your heartbeat. You?re lying.~ + sarelt1.caught
**all**
++ ~Well, I?ll try to give you a good show then. Let?s go.~ + EXIT
++ ~Somehow that doesn?t make me feel much better.~ + sarelt1.final
++ ~You?re right. You are the wrong man to go to for reassurances.~ + sarelt1.final
++ ~Whatever you say. Get moving.~ + EXIT
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.caught
SAY ~(For a very brief moment, surprise flashes across Sarevok?s face, but in the blink of an eye it is replaced by a dark smile.)~
IF ~~ + sarelt1.final
END

IF ~~ sarelt1.final
SAY ~You?ve taken quite the risk bringing me with you, though I doubt you need a reminder of that, dear sister.~
IF ~~ EXIT
END

[Icendoan]

You need checks in everything, and it should be the last dialogue, so it should always turn up. You need these triggers:

InParty(Myself) //so no joining dialogue
IsGabber(Player1)

And then your dialogue.

Icen

[HighTimeRodeo]

Er, not entirely sure what Icendoan said, but I'm sure he's right.

As for the talk it was great, but it's pretty much a guarenteed that if Sarevok gave an oath, a romance would pretty much be implausible. Really, how trusting is a person going to be if you made them swear not to betray you?

[Aeryn]

I have to disagree completely with that actually. In fact, I think Sarevok would be more likely to respect a woman who accepted his oath. In the beginning of ToB, he does not value trust or faith in any measure, as he demonstrates by saying "You...will not require an oath? An...odd...choice, <PRO_BROTHERSISTER>. I would have required it of you. If I had even let you live." He even compliments the PC (sort of, though mostly likely he's trying to figure out how to betray that oath) when she tells him she has nothing to fear from him by saying, "I, too, would see benefit in having a warrior bound to me by an oath... one that I have no reason to fear." Sarevok is a cold, hardened warrior who respects power, and the oath is a form of power. Turning him CG shifts his priorities, but he is still very calculating even then. Of course, there could be a talk to deal with the matter of the oath (<CHARNAME> frees him from it or keeps him bound), but I don't think preventing those who want an oath from him from romancing him is realistic. Heh...I think we see Sarevok very differently.

[Kaeloree]

I'm with Aeryn; personally, I'm of the opinion that Sarevok is not actually a sweet, caring and loving man on the inside.

[HighTimeRodeo]

Maybe we do see him differently, I guess I'm just soft and squishy at heart.

There has to be some amount of caring in the relationship. Even if it just sex. I'll sleep on it and get back to you guys tomorrow.

Glad to see you're feeling better, Aeryn!

[GeN1e]

and it should be the last dialogue, so it should always turn up.

WEIGHT is simplier.

I'm of the opinion that Sarevok is not actually a sweet, caring and loving man on the inside.

Tsundere characters are aplenty already, yes.

[Aeryn]

I'm with Aeryn; personally, I'm of the opinion that Sarevok is not actually a sweet, caring and loving man on the inside.

It's not hard for me to imagine him loving someone, though it would take a very strong woman (mentally for sure, physically would help) and certain circumstances. Of course, Sarevok's definition of love probably isn't exactly what most people have in mind (even though it appeals to me heh...). Slitting the throat of a man who looked at her wrong, starting a war for her, placing the heads of her fallen enemies at her feet are the kind of things that come to mind. But I can picture him sitting worriedly at the PC's bedside if she fell ill, or binding her wounds if she was injured - though he'd likely be calling her a "damned fool" the whole time - and those things qualify as caring in my book.

Maybe we do see him differently, I guess I'm just soft and squishy at heart.

There has to be some amount of caring in the relationship. Even if it just sex. I'll sleep on it and get back to you guys tomorrow.

Glad to see you're feeling better, Aeryn!

I see sex for him as a tool, a way for him to get close to the PC, thereby getting even closer to taking back some measure of his former power. I think "emotions" for him could be an unintended side effect as the romance progresses, depending on how the PC treats him.

I wasn't really feeling bad - just crazy busy. Weekends are easier though, and I kicked the husband out of the house for the night.

[Orthodoxia]

Maybe we do see him differently, I guess I'm just soft and squishy at heart.

There has to be some amount of caring in the relationship. Even if it just sex. I'll sleep on it and get back to you guys tomorrow.

Glad to see you're feeling better, Aeryn!

I would think it more plausible that "feelings" in this romance turn out to be something unplanned on both side. Just as Sarevok isn't likely to actually fall in love with the PC off the bat, the PC herself isn't likely to feel anything for him beside base attraction. Anything caring-like would most probably show up near the end of the game/romance, but not before that.

[Icendoan]

I would go against WEIGHT, just so that anything else which needs to be there, such as any other PIDs and so on, can be. I'm sorry if I worded it badly, but I meant we need to make it the 'default' dialogue, so joining dialogues and so on go before it.

Icen

[Thanatos.]

I have a good idea for the mod! CODE IT

[Orthodoxia]

They need to have the basics of the romance done and need know where and how the romance is be headed before they can code anything first

Edited by Orthodoxia, 18 January 2009 - 08:40 AM.

[Icendoan]

I don't see YOU coding much Ithilian.

Icen

[HighTimeRodeo]

Thank you, Icen.

We're trying Ithilian, really, but my computer is thumbing it's nose at us. Even with coding that Icendoan has done. It may just be my computer, but we're trying.

So why don't you code some and give it a try?

[Orthodoxia]

Rodeo, I wanted to ask with all the coding talk, if you already have the romance, the lovetalks planned out? Or are you still in the brainstorming faze

[Icendoan]

I think they are having brainwaves for various talks, but no structure set out yet.

Icen

[Kaeloree]

Don't forget my tutorial on here, it should be fairly easy to follow.

Icendoan, the best way to do it is with a combination of WEIGHT and variables. WEIGHT is essential to any good mod, and whether you're "using" WEIGHT or not it's there. It can be very helpful, you just have to know what you're doing. GeN1e knows what he's talkin' about.

Looks like I have another couple of tutorials added to the "to write" list.

[Icendoan]

Ah, ok. I keep seeing how to structure PIDs differently. One half thinks that having them at the end of the dialogue would be best, as it would mean that any other simple Dialogue()s for him (if existent) would still work, and the other says that WEIGHT is good, and it should be treated as most important.

I know Gen1e knows what he is talking about, he explained WEIGHT to me in the first place, when KY was riddling with more bugs than now.

Icen