92 replies to this topic

[LiellaMod]

Welcome to the Liella Mod (Currently in Alpha)!


There are mods written to provide the player with a fresh face, a well-coded NPC and battle-brother/sister to make the playthroughs more interesting with both a new combatant and well-written banters and dialogues.

There are mods written to provide the player with a story to tell - less so focused on the combat and adventure, and moreso on regaling a tale - Liella is an example of this category.

Beginning as a bit of fanfiction on my partners side, Liella has come to be developed into a (currently) barebone functioning mod for BG2:EE/BG2TOB. She currently features the following.


* 10-20 unique banters with every Bioware stock and BG2EE NPC, each with it's own little storyline and character throughout SoB and ToB.
* An interesting and diverse storyline carrying the character through SOA and with 2 different branches for ToB, depending on choices in SoA.
* 8 Different epilogues depending on choices throughout the game
* A large number of PID's/Flirts/Questions - different in ToB depending on choices in SoA
* Unlockable bonus PID's for certain lovetalk answers and avenues
* (Hopefully!) Unique voice acting.

Currently: Voice acting & Polishing.

Edited by LiellaMod, 12 November 2014 - 10:10 AM.

[pro5]

Sounds interesting, I'll be watching your progress.

I hope you reconsider this part though:
The current plan is to not even release the mod for playing at all if there is no voice-acting present

I for one actually prefer not to have any voicing in mods I use - it's difficult to match the performance and quality of vanilla characters in modding projects and nearly always it stands out as something that does not belong in the game.

Edited by pro5, 29 January 2014 - 08:40 PM.

[LiellaMod]

I hope you reconsider this part though:
The current plan is to not even release the mod for playing at all if there is no voice-acting present

I for one actually prefer not to have any voicing in mods I use - it's difficult to match the performance and quality of vanilla characters in modding projects and nearly always it stands out as something that does not belong in the game.

 

Thanks for the input and support! We'll be monitoring the voice part very closely since my fianceé has a very specific "voice" in mind for the character. Couple that with the fact that there's a very large volume of things that need to be voiced and we may have to face the realization that our search in this matter may be fruitless. Many mods out there come with what can only be voice acting recorded by headset mics purchased at Radioshack. While we applaud the effort that must've gone into such a performance, for voice acting here we'll want something a little more professional-sounding - that's why we know it may be unrealistic to find a voice actress suitable for the task.

 

All in all, it's something that's going to have to be decided down the road, and we welcome further input on the matter a great deal!

 

--Sebastian

Edited by LiellaMod, 30 January 2014 - 02:30 AM.

[Eric P.]

If you're a newcomer to the modding scene, then a warm welcome to you Looks like a fantastic concept with great potential! I'll gladly assist with the development of this mod in any way I can, if and when I may be of service.

[LiellaMod]

If you're a newcomer to the modding scene, then a warm welcome to you Looks like a fantastic concept with great potential! I'll gladly assist with the development of this mod in any way I can, if and when I may be of service.

 
Thank you! I'm indeed a newcomer to the modding scene, though i've previously delved into what exactly makes up an NPC mod. I also know basic Java, C# and a bit of Flash as well as having checked out how D-programming works. Apart from that...haven't really made anything mod-wise to BG2 - writing is my (and my spouse's) strong suits, and that's where our main weight and contribution/s will be.
 
I'm personally not worried about the writing and content at all - it'll be finished and can be updated at a leisurely pace - the coding is what has me worried at the moment, and that's where i'm trying to focus my attention on learning .
 
Still, once the writing is completely done we may apply to open up a sub-forum to structure things a bit more. There are still resources pending - music and potential voice-acting chiefly among them.
 
Thanks for your support!
 
--Sebastian

Edited by LiellaMod, 19 March 2014 - 12:56 AM.

[Kulyok]

Welcome to the forums! I'd like to post a few links here:

- take a look at Branwen at http://www.pocketplane.net/oneday - some commented NPC code, including the more difficult bits(Gorion's spirit and so on).

- you probably have a modding prefix of your own, but in case you don't, please, please register it, it's very important for compatibility reasons: http://forums.blackw...p?showtopic=113

- people very often take two or three modded NPCs into the party, so it might seem a bit strange if your character has eighteen banters with Jaheira and none with Kivan. So, I'd link you to http://gibberlings3.net/crossmod Crossmod Banter Pack.

 

Best of luck with your mod! I'll read the dialogues with interest(I wish I could play it, but seems that the mod's only available to romanceable characters, which probably means it won't be available to my female protagonist).

[LiellaMod]

Welcome to the forums! I'd like to post a few links here:

- take a look at Branwen at http://www.pocketplane.net/oneday - some commented NPC code, including the more difficult bits(Gorion's spirit and so on).

- you probably have a modding prefix of your own, but in case you don't, please, please register it, it's very important for compatibility reasons: http://forums.blackw...p?showtopic=113

- people very often take two or three modded NPCs into the party, so it might seem a bit strange if your character has eighteen banters with Jaheira and none with Kivan. So, I'd link you to http://gibberlings3.net/crossmod Crossmod Banter Pack.

 

Best of luck with your mod! I'll read the dialogues with interest(I wish I could play it, but seems that the mod's only available to romanceable characters, which probably means it won't be available to my female protagonist).

 

Thanks for your input! That's a great link, definitely bookmarking that one. I'll also go ahead and consider what prefix would be suitable. 

 

As for cross-mod banter and general cross-mod content, we've decided that such content is scheduled for the very last portion of the mod, focusing first on main content. Third-party mods content is of course important - we wouldn't want to release her without a flirt pack or banter with some of the biggest NPC mods, but the decisions as to what mods and to what extent, we'll simply have to see . Perhaps we'll ask around what cross-mod content people want!

 

I'm sorry to say that if you play a female character, a sub-14 charisma non-human/elf/half-breed or dwarf/gnome/halfling, the character in this mod won't be interested. Initially we considered having a friendship track, but later decided that it would simply make no sense for her modus operandi or reasons for joining up. 

 

In any case, thanks a ton for your input!

 

--Sebastian

[Eric P.]

Here are some resources that might be helpful. Also, when it comes to framing up dialogue in .d code, I highly encourage using CHAIN structure as much as possible.

[LiellaMod]

Here are some resources that might be helpful. Also, when it comes to framing up dialogue in .d code, I highly encourage using CHAIN structure as much as possible.

 

 

Excellent - thank you for the link!

[LiellaMod]

Quick question.

 

I made this thread in the BG2:EE forum and i also intended to mod for BG2:EE. Still, i have to ask. Is it harder, easier or less of a point to mod to BG2:EE then to BG2:SOA/TOB at this point? Or does it not matter?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Kulyok]

It's very little extra work, like a few more code lines for the journal entries and providing a double set of portraits and some other minor things. You should be fine.

[LiellaMod]

It's very little extra work, like a few more code lines for the journal entries and providing a double set of portraits and some other minor things. You should be fine.

Excellent - thank you for the speedy response.

[gloomfrost]

Have to say i am really looking forward to this mod! I like the way you are approaching her and the goals you have set, will be checking back here frequently.

[LiellaMod]

Thanks for the support everyone! We're currently developing a storyline a little bit as well as writing banters for BG2:EE characters (Neera, Dorn & Rashaad).

[LiellaMod]

Testing some stuff and trying out some of the programming, variables, and dialogue options.
 
In short, entered the first version of Liella into a BG2 game.
 
Worked out fine . First screenshot of Liella in the actual game. Joining dialogue added to try it out.
 
Edit: And BG2:EE works fine .

Spoiler

Edited by LiellaMod, 11 February 2014 - 05:05 AM.

[LiellaMod]

At this time i'd like to ask about the possibility of opening up a sub-forum. I'd like a place to post multiple threads among other things containing questions for users and players. What sort of flirts they'd favor over others, what 3rd party NPC's we should write interactions for, resource A or resource B - such things.

Where would it be possible to ask or apply for the creation of such a sub-forum, or is this too early a stage for SHS-forums? It's no problem if it is, but i'd like to avoid the creation of multiple threads containing information and questions, which frankly we'd like to post fairly soon .

Any help would be appreciated!

[pro5]

I think you need to PM Kaeloree for a forum here.

[LiellaMod]

Excellent! Thanks for the response - i'll do that .

[LiellaMod]

Bit of an update!

 

* Finished SoA PID flirts and questions.

* Expanded the SoA Romance line into a total of 30 dialogues, totalling 75 000 words

* First third of the ToB romance line (one of them - there are two possible ones depending on player choice)

* Written 10 banters each for Neera, Dorn, Rasaad and Hexxat. 

 

To do before serious coding starts:

 

* ToB Romance

* ToB PID's

* ToB Banters

* SoA and ToB interjections (Areas, NPC's, Dialogues, commentary on what's going on)

 

My methodology for this is somewhat unusual from most modders, i suspect, but because i don't actually know that much coding, i would rather have a complete overview of the dialogue part of the mod before i delve into programming. I *have* however perused 3 different NPC mods at this time to see exactly how it would be possible to structure things. I'm sure that if i write another mod after Liella is finished and the mod works, i'll go about it differently and simply write the dialogue directly into the code instead of doing it in a roundabout way, but for now...i'm doing it this way.

 

I'm also posting a little bit of fun facts about how Liella, in a very general sense as to their banter, reacts to certain NPC's i've currently written banter with. See spoiler if you wish . If you prefer to be surprised as to how Liella takes the different NPC's, it's recommended you avoid reading it.

 

 

Spoiler

Aerie

Aerie both amuses and saddens Liella. She sees her as a beautiful girl repressed by life and very quickly tries to get the winged elf to see her own beauty - in all the wrong ways. Aerie *strongly* disapproves of Liella's lascivious mannerisms and the two quickly butt heads after this, even before Liella starts presenting public interest in <CHARNAME>. Liella does not see Aerie as a romantic competition, but more like an inexperienced and desperate younger sister in need of honest opinion and tutelage. 

 

Anomen

Anomen tries to charm Liella with his own tales and exploits. Unfortunately, Liella who is an accomplished story-teller quickly spots the lies and bragging and puts the squire in his place. Relentless teasing and barbs ensues – until and if Anomen becomes knighted, at which point their relationship changes. 

 

Haer'Dalis

From day one, Liella loathes and avoids Haer’dalis. The real reason for this does not become apparent until much later. She makes every attempt to avoid him where the Tiefling tries to charm her. Often it will end with threats of violence until Haer’dalis backs off.

 

Imoen

Liella enjoys teasing Imoen with the fact that she is sharing <CHARNAME>’s bed. The two get along quite well apart from this minor teasing, as Imoen does not have the do-gooder air that some of the others party members do. Their bond will strengthen considerably given a PC's choice and the Throne of Bhaal expansion.

 

Jaheira

Problematic. Jaheira has the motherly air of a...well, somewhat overbearing grandmother. Liella already has a mother and has no interest in another. The protectiveness of <CHARNAME> earns her no points with Liella either, as the bard views <CHARNAME> as a man grown and Jaheira as someone who's broken, shattered and desperate due to the loss of a spouse. She enjoys cruelly teasing the half-elf druid/fighter. Jaheira has the honor of being the one who most strongly elicits Liella’s sadistic side.

 

Korgan

Liella finds Korgan’s handiwork to be one worthy of a master craftsman, an artisan and an artist. The bard’s fascination with blood, violence and death leaves the two with plenty to talk about and a mutual liking for violence. The only area where they truly butt heads is in the cooking department, where Korgan often tries to introduce Liella to the world of dwarven food. 

 

Jan

Liella finds Jan’s stories to be an annoying amount of white noise, though at times they still manage to make her stare or laugh. The bard actually ends up fearing the Illusionist quite a bit due to his insane inventions and a near-accident with a “flasher bruiser mate”.

 

Nalia

Liella does *not* like Nalia. The two get off on the wrong foot almost immediately with Nalia believing that Liella was raised with some amount of affluence and that she knows nothing of the streets. Liella proceeds to shock the young Noblewoman’s delusions about poverty and social status to the very core. One of the banter lines that most reveal things about Liella's past not included in the romance line.

 

Viconia

Viconia is one of the few NPC’s that Liella can befriend on a personal level – both women and both openly sexual beings with little shame about their needs and wants, Liella quickly emphasizes with the drow’s situation on the surface world. Viconia is one of the few characters to draw *real* sympathy and *actual* apologies from the young bard, despite the great difference of age between the two females. Viconia initially believes Liella to be a foolish young rivvil but changes her mind when she sees the way the bard approaches life, violence, her gender and men. This – together with Liella’s lack of empathy for the poor and less fortunate - causes the initial bonding between the two that will last throughout the game, given the chance and certain exchanges.

 

Peace out and have a lovely weekend!

 

 

Edit: 

 

Oh, also. I'm currently planning to involve banter between Liella and third party mods, provided i can get the author's interest and approval (Which i of course see as a requirement). If you're an author of a mod or have a mod that you'd like to see banter with, reply, send me a pm or an email and i'll add it to the list .

Edited by LiellaMod, 22 February 2014 - 04:19 AM.

[LiellaMod]

Another update!

 

* TOB Romance lines (2 of them) finished.

* TOB PID dialogues finished

 

Currently to-do as far as writing goes

 

* TOB Banters for all NPC's

* Area and event-based interjections

 

I'm quite pleased with how efficient we're working on this. Can't wait until i start coding and inserting everything ^^. So far the experiments i've done with coding have all worked out great, thanks to extensive guides and excellent tools.

 

I expect that if everything goes as planned, i should have something that i can play and run through testing within 4 weeks or so. We currently have the luxury of a lot of time to invest in this .