7 replies to this topic

[Magnus_025]

Ok, first of all a very big thank you for creating this jewel of a mod. It's incredible, it's simply a new game which has the same flavour that BG2 has, and it is growing slowly but steadily. Thank you, seriously.

I played V 0.41 some time ago but due to some real life stuff and a few bugs I couldn't finish the slaves part (at least the part that was implemented at that time). And I simply started waiting for it to be more completed. Now it seems that a lot of new material has been added and I really want to play it again, but, I have some doubts related to romances.

I always tend to play with a human (male always because that's what I am and I always pretend to be the character I play) or half-elf. Never elf, never female. I know that the mod is far from finished, and that all the romances planned are not finished or implemented yet (I even know that there always are bugs, obvious thing if one stops and think how huge the mod is and that it's not even a V 1), but I need to know that I can feel some kind of relationship with one of the female characters.

Back in time, there was Rivian's romance (not finished but only for elven people) and Chaarna planned. I always loved Chaarna. Her portrait, her class, her attitude, everything. Now it seems that her personality is even further developed, so she interests me more and more, but is her completed? Can I at least have some banters, friendship talks and the like? Even though it isn't finished, is it worth the effort of playing? (not the mod, her relationship). What can you tell me about Ilhara, Candella, Aleigha? Do they have romances (not planned, right now implemented in some way). Don't talk about Fa'lastra, I experienced her before, and would not fall for her, again...

If not, would anyone please give me some advice of what characters to pick? I always tend to play as a wizard, but I don't mind to play another class (except cleric or druid). If there are not romances implemented for male players, I need to know which characters have most banters and interactions.

I know I have rambled a lot in this post, but please, I need some answers before downloading and installing BG again, cause I stopped playing waiting for mods to be finished, but now it seems that there's a general hiatus in mod developing (Npc mods) and I would like to play CA again.

Thank you very much in advance, for the mod, for the answers.

Edited by Magnus_025, 15 November 2008 - 12:39 PM.

[leahnkain]

CA is very much alive and we are all working on the next version. I wrote a lot for Chaarna and I believe we included her flirts and a lot of her romance banters in this version. The biggest difference from the previous versions is this version you can bypass the swamp. If you don't go to the pirates boat and chose to talk with Lord Balthis, you will meet Althon and he will introduce Icar to take you to Piney Bluff.
As for romances, Aleigha has a lot of banters (presently in the game)and she has soem issues to work out. Candella has no romance banters and a romance with her has been put on the backburner because players seemed more interested in other female NPC's. Ilhara does have a kot of romance banters included as well. If you check the CA homepage it has been updated. that will help a lot.
NPC's which I find are very useful: Althon+any group. (despite his alignment, he is very useful and adds to the story.)
My group usually has Althon, Kessa, Vildamyr, Rihn and Chaarna. rihn is needed for a quest, Vildamyr is the ebst priest statwise. (Catharandamus is a great fighting priest.)
Another group which has worked well is Icar, Aleigha, Rurik, Candella and one open slot for any newcomers. The salver quests are doen and Now you can go from 1st to about 9th level. So much has changed since V 0.41. It feels more complete with a lot of options to go off the beaten track. If you download it, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Edited by leahnkain, 15 November 2008 - 06:05 PM.

[Magnus_025]

Thank you very much for your reply!!!! So it's decided, I'll download in a couple of days and start playing again. The "problem" now is which one to pick, Chaarna or Ilhara he,he. I'll decide as I play and will start cheking this forum again frequently.

Thanks again.

[Lysan Lurraxol]

Yup, as Leanhkain said there is a lot more content both written and planned for Ilhara, Aleigha and Chaarna.

Fala'stra has also had quite an overhaul,. in terms of content and personality, she's never going to be a shrinking violet, but I hope, at least, she's a bit more sympathetic as a character now.

Romances are a slow, slow business, especially as they have to develop along with the plot, it's very difficult to write them as a separate entity, without it becoming unrealistic. At the minute, male PCs have a lot more romance options that females, five possible choices, I think, as opposed to just one for the minute, for females (another one';s been on the backburner for a while, and another one's being written).

I think character development has improved a lot since 0.41 because I think we've pretty much reached the maximum number of NPCs (might be a couple more), and now we're looking to flesh them out, and give them more things to do and say during other dialogs.

[Solar's Harper]

To add on that, there's a lot of rebalancing going on with the romances, to give players hoping more or less for female and male romances a more even playing ground - essentially an attempt to knock out the idea of 1vs3 like it was with BG2:SOA.

So expect some surprises to be pulled out when things are truly rolling.
Ok I've spoiled enough, good gaming!

[Kellen]

Slightly on topic. Any plans for non-Human/Half-Elf/Elf romances? (Us Dwarves be wanting loving too, and my playful young halfling be looking for love. Can't hurt for some Half-Orc romance too.)

[Lysan Lurraxol]

I don't think so (leahnkain might come and flatly contradict me now ), but the only contenders are Shadow (who I think we dismissed as too damaged to have a proper relationship with), Rurik (not an attractive option for most people), Erky (same), and Blodgett (who for various reasons is out)

[Sir BillyBob]

Part of our problem for romances is the small number of team members. We will gladly add in other romances later once there is more storyline for the romance writer to work with. Even with what we have now, the romances are limited by the short game length for now.

I do want to see more romances and other interparty dialogs as we continue to develop the mod. I think the whole team does. So expect to see it at some point in the future.