7 replies to this topic

[Luridel]

I've been toying with writing a mod, and rapidly figuring out exactly how much work it is (in other words, quite a lot). After some considering and discarding of concepts, I came up with one I'm rather fond of and actually seem to be able to write. What I'm wondering is if this idea will actually appeal to anybody other than me. I'm well aware of how ambitious this project is, which means it might take me several years to never. I'll probably see how far I get in the modding process regardless, as it's something I've wanted to learn for years, I'm just curious if anyone else thinks they like the idea and if it's a mod that anyone would actually play. Here, have an overdose of information. First, basic stats:

Name: Jonas Haelyth
Gender: Male
Race: Half-elf (human father, moon elf mother)
Class: Kensai
Age: 26
Alignment: Neutral Good
Stats:

• Strength: 15
  
• Dexterity: 18
  
• Constitution: 14
  
• Intelligence: 15
  
• Wisdom: 13
  
• Charisma: 9

Starting Proficiencies:

• Long Sword *
  
• Two-Weapon Fighting * * *

Romance Restrictions:

• Intelligence greater than or equal to 10
  
• Charisma greater than or equal to 10
  
• No restrictions with regards to class, alignment, race, or gender (I'm still thinking about that last one, there, as it means writing a second track, but I think I might try anyway if I'm feeling inspired). Actions and choices have consequences, obviously (Let's slaughter innocents for fun, wheeeeee!), but it's not a game of select-the-most-correct-answer-to-make-him-love-me.

Jonas is a "childhood acquaintance" NPC for, eventually, Tutu, BG2, and ToB. That's the best way I can think of to sum him up, I suppose. He is not a Bhaalspawn, he is not secretly your brother, and he has no connections to any organizations, mysterious or otherwise. He owns no rare artifacts or priceless family weapons, he is not involved with planar travel, and he is, above all, loyal.

After the untimely death of Lisande Haelyth, her traveling companions took it upon themselves to bring her eight year old son to his father, the monk Karan, in the citadel of Candlekeep - Karan being, if you recall, the PC's tutor. Jonas himself is withdrawn and rather shy. He did most of his growing up around the PC, even if not quite with them in the same way that Imoen did. As I'm sure Candlekeep has its fair share of PC bookworms, bullies, irresponsible pranksters, talented children, etcetera, very little is assumed about how Charname and Jonas have gotten along in the past, other than that they have certainly met.

After an initial encounter in Candlekeep, Jonas will be recruitable in Nashkel. From there on in, unless sent away, he will stick with the PC through thick and thin. He keeps his promises.

I do have reasons for making him a half-elf instead of a human, making him a kensai, making him Neutral Good, etcetera. What I'm a little iffy about is his stats. I feel like they fit him well enough, but I'd like another opinion. I'm aware of how high the dexterity score is - I'm considering starting it at 17 in BG1 and then boosting it up to 18 in BG2, as a few of the other NPCs also get small stat boosts there as well.

Any input - comments/questions/suggestions/constructive criticism - is always very much appreciated.

[DDV]

I like the concept, and find the character's relative normality refreshing. I also wouldn't worry too much about finalizing his stats at the moment, they can be changed very easily and you still have plenty of time.

[Icendoan]

Ah, I suggest you get down to all and start writing the initial dialogues and banters, and so on. There are a remarkable number of tutorials in case you need help, as well as everyone on the boards.

I would like to know more of his character; more than his loyal quality. Does he have any obvious flaws, which cannot be shown by the stats, hot-headedness, for example, or arrogance or something.

From what I can see, he is a strong but not superhuman and careful fighter, but is definitely intelligent as well, quite far above the norm (which is either 9 or 12, either way it is a lot) and fairly pretty, as well.

I like your against the click-the-right-answer-for-love answer, and I am wondering quite how you intend to do it (it is more than possible, but there are several ways, I think).

Some trial dialogue and more character information, please, in short.

Icen

[berelinde]

I wouldn't worry about stats. You'll probably go through a lot of revisions to your basic idea, so it doesn't hurt to leave it flexible. What I don't like is changing it between BG1 and BG2. Pick one and stick to it. Yes, the BioWare bunch did that, and I don't like it there, either. Why should Viconia suddenly have an 18 wisom? She's certainly no wiser in BG2 than she was in BG1. Is there a role-playing reason he'd get a boost to a stat? If not, just leave it alone. And you don't need to explain an 18. It seems like all mod NPCs get at least one.

As for the concept, OK, with you so far. But why would someone you describe as an "acquaintance" stick with the PC no matter what? I'm OK with the idea that the NPC grew up with <CHARNAME>, but I'd rather not make assumptions about the nature of their relationship. But then again, you're billing the mod as "childhood friend" so maybe I should keep my mouth shut. There's no reason to complain if the NPC fits the advertisment. If you want a childhood friend for your PC, try the mod, if not, there are other mods.

[Luridel]

Thanks for your advice, guys. Now, in no particular order...

If not, just leave it alone. And you don't need to explain an 18.

Fair enough!

I'm OK with the idea that the NPC grew up with <CHARNAME>, but I'd rather not make assumptions about the nature of their relationship.

I've tried to do my best to assume as little as possible, like I said. Imoen is more likely to have been the childhood friend than Jonas. He is, however, someone who also grew up in Candlekeep.

But why would someone you describe as an "acquaintance" stick with the PC no matter what?

The short version: Because his father asked him to.
The slightly longer and summarized version, which may still be prone to change if I can come up with something that flows better: It relates to Karan and Carbos (southernmost bounty hunter in Candlekeep). Whether or not the PC is honest with Karan about being attacked, there's still a corpse in the room, and if not, there's some evidence. (If the PC never even bothers to fight that bounty hunter, he'll be discovered regardless - those two Candlekeep assassins are pretty inefficient. Doing my best to figure out all the possible RP outcomes of that fight.) PC's been attacked. Jonas doesn't know about Gorion's death. His father sent Jonas out of Candlekeep (he's been waiting for permission to leave for years) to try and investigate who sent Carbos and exactly how he managed to get into Candlekeep, and so forth. Meet up in Nashkel; Jonas offers to help the PC out. If the PC accepts, he'll essentially swear allegiance: he'll tag along and obey orders unless the PC decides to kick him out.

and fairly pretty, as well.

That's a 9, not a 19.

I wasn't sure whether I should post any dialogue samples, seeing as the first post was getting fairly long, but I figure I might as well.

Anyhow, here's the -very- first dialogue, chronologically, which isn't a joining dialogue. He will, as soon as I can figure out how to code this, approach the PC right inside the Candlekeep Inn. Please don't mind the huge block of text and awful beginner coding- I'm not self-confident enough to start using most abbreviations quite yet until I'm -sure- I know how to do it correctly. (Same deal with the makeshift beginning condition.)

IF ~NumTimesTalkedTo(0)~ THEN BEGIN Can1
SAY ~<CHARNAME>, there you are.~
= ~Gorion has been looking for you.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Thank you for letting me know, Jonas.~ GOTO JCan1.1
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Do you know where he is?~ GOTO JCan1.2
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~What's your name? I've seen you around before but I'm not sure who you are.~ GOTO JCan1.3
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I wanted to say goodbye to you, Jonas. Gorion and I are leaving.~ GOTO JCan1.4
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Yes, I've already been told, and I'm in a hurry.~ GOTO JCan1.5
END

IF ~~ JCan1.1
SAY ~You're welcome...~
= ~I... wanted to wish you good luck. On your travels, that is. So... farewell, and good luck.~
IF ~~ THEN EXIT
END

IF ~~ JCan1.2
SAY ~He's on the steps of the great library.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Thank you for letting me know, Jonas.~ GOTO JCan1.1
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~What's your name? I've seen you around before but I'm not sure who you are.~ GOTO JCan1.3
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I wanted to say goodbye to you, Jonas. Gorion and I are leaving.~ GOTO JCan1.4
END

IF ~~ JCan1.3
SAY ~I'm Jonas... I suppose I'm not very memorable.~
= ~My father Karan is one of your tutors. He's told me about you.~
= ~He's very proud of you... He thinks you have a lot of potential as a student.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Well, it's nice to meet you.~ GOTO JCan1.8
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~You're not one of the Watchers, are you? You have a sword, but you're not wearing any armor.~ GOTO JCan1.9
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Are you a monk?~ GOTO JCan1.10
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I see. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.4
END

IF ~~ JCan1.4
SAY ~You're leaving, aren't you... Farewell, <CHARNAME>.~
= ~Good... Good luck on your travels!~
IF ~~ THEN EXIT
END

IF ~~ JCan1.5
SAY ~Wait! Before you leave...~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~What is it? GOTO JCan1.6
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Make it quick.~ GOTO JCan1.6
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I just told you that I'm in a hurry, Jonas. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.7
END

IF ~~ JCan1.6
SAY ~Oh, well... I-I just wanted to wish you good luck... On your travels, that is.~
= ~Goodbye, <CHARNAME>.~
IF ~~ THEN EXIT
END

IF ~~ JCan1.7
SAY ~I'm sorry to bother you... Goodbye, <CHARNAME>.~
IF ~~ THEN EXIT
END

IF ~~ JCan1.8
SAY ~I-it's... nice to meet you too.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I shouldn't keep my father waiting any longer. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.4
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I have to be going now. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.4
END

IF ~~ JCan1.9
SAY ~No... I'm not one of the Watchers.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~In that case, are you a monk?~ GOTO JCan1.12
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Well, it's nice to meet you.~ GOTO JCan1.8
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I shouldn't keep my father waiting any longer. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.4
END

IF ~~ JCan1.10
SAY ~I... well, no, I'm not. My father wanted me to become one, but... no.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Are you one of the Watchers, then? You have a sword, but you're not wearing any armor.~ GOTO JCan1.11
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Well, it's nice to meet you.~ GOTO JCan1.8
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I shouldn't keep my father waiting any longer. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.4
END

IF ~~ JCan1.11
SAY ~No... I'm not one of the Watchers, either.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~What do you do, then?~ GOTO JCan1.13
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Well, it's nice to meet you.~ GOTO JCan1.8
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I shouldn't keep my father waiting any longer. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.4
END

IF ~~ JCan1.12
SAY ~I... well, no, I'm not a monk, either. My father wanted me to become one, but... no.~
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~What do you do, then?~ GOTO JCan1.13
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~Well, it's nice to meet you.~ GOTO JCan1.8
IF ~~ THEN REPLY ~I shouldn't keep my father waiting any longer. Goodbye.~ GOTO JCan1.4
END

IF ~~ JCan1.13
SAY ~I read, mainly. And... well, practice my swordsmanship when I can.~
= ~My mother was an adventurer, and I... Oh, please d-don't let me ramble on about myself. Your father's waiting.~
= ~I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time... Good luck on your travels, <CHARNAME>.~
IF ~~ THEN EXIT
END

Edited by Luridel, 14 July 2009 - 11:38 PM.

[Icendoan]

I'm liking the dialogue. Minor note: Jcan1.9 REPLY 1 has no transition. It needs a GOTO statelabel on it.

Icen

[Luridel]

Thanks, and thanks for catching that! Fixed.

[Azkyroth]

From what I can see, he is a strong but not superhuman and careful fighter, but is definitely intelligent as well, quite far above the norm (which is either 9 or 12, either way it is a lot) and fairly pretty, as well.

Charisma is more about people skills and personal magnetism than physical appearance.