277 réponses à ce sujet

[Tchos]

When I played (and recently finished) Icewind Dale, I used the NPC project mod that provided BG2 style companions with dialogue and banter appropriate to the situations.  They offered the standard "canonical" versions of the characters with specific classes, and alternate classes to suit different gamers' preferences.  The dialogue and banter assumed the canonical class.

 

If you're thinking of changing the class of one of the characters, I would consider providing it as an alternative.  Some players may prefer not to take advantage of the expanded party size and play the game with the limits that the original had, so the original classes should be available.  I'd guess it should be a simple matter of providing an extra UTC file to copy over the installation.

[kamal_]

Since I can make the default party size large enough to accommodate all potential NPCs from HotU, that means the player will end up with two bards (Deekin and Sharwyn). Something I was contemplating was switching Sharwyn to a different class; in particular, making her a Warlock. That class is Charisma-based, like the bard, and the character in the game doesn't really have any social skills so there's no loss there. Plus she's already TN in alignment, so a change to CN wouldn't be a major shift. The Warlock wouldn't get any sneak skills though, but she'd probably kick more arse in combat.
 
What do you think?

How about a cleric or favored soul of a deity of music? That preserves any bardic type conversation and keeps her high charisma useful.

[Arkalezth]

If you're thinking of changing the class of one of the characters, I would consider providing it as an alternative.  Some players may prefer not to take advantage of the expanded party size and play the game with the limits that the original had, so the original classes should be available.

Agreed with this. Class variety is cool and all, but IMO, the original class should be there as an option, at the very least.

There's a cleric companion already, so making her a cleric or FS wouldn't really add much variety.

Of course, another simple option is allowing multiclassing. Just make her a level 1 bard and allow players to level her as they see fit.

PS: Now I'm tempted to go through NWN1's OC just to hear the companions' stories again.

[GCoyote]

I remember playing it twice and got the drow assassin both times. I think I also took Deekin on the second pass. I don't remember any of the other companion options. A cleric would be nice as you could level it up to emphasize either melee or spell casting. More options for players who don't want a melee build for the PC.

[rjshae]

Thanks guys. Some of Sharwyn's conversation options do relate to her being a bard, but I can easily revise those to just give her a background as an author. I think Tchos' suggestion is a good one.

[rjshae]

Warm glowing runes that seem to whisper enticing promises...

 

Just having a little fun with the visual effects editor.

[MERP_UK]

That single picture brings back some fun memories. I have NWN1 reinstalled for a revisit of HotU, Hopefully one day it will rise again on NWN2

[rjshae]

That single picture brings back some fun memories. I have NWN1 reinstalled for a revisit of HotU, Hopefully one day it will rise again on NWN2

 

I've mainly been focused on expanding the Dungeon tileset and some other fairly time-consuming projects, but hopefully I'll get back to this again. The 1st chapter of HotU seems quite do-able; the 2nd and 3rd may be more of a problem due to missing assets.  I guess I could just target releasing the first chapter, then worry about the others later.

[rjshae]

Here's the exit gateway from the entrance cavern metatile (still under construction at right and along the bottom). Well, the dwarven helm-like concept for the gate seemed better on paper, but hopefully it will serve once I add decorations and lighting. Once I'm done, the sides of the back wall will merge seamlessly into the cavern tiles from the RWS Deep Chasms set.

[PJ156]

I really like the look of the helmeted face that is has about it, almost a bit of the Judge Dredd about it. Not sure about chains though. They seem out of place as they connect nothing to nothing if you see my meaning. A nice statue on either side perhaps?

 

PJ

[rjshae]

Yes, the chains are a rather pointless decoration that are scattered throughout Undermountain.

 

Maybe it's for the door bell? Anyway, I plan to put flaming torches on top above the chains.

 

P.S. I know this doesn't look anything like the gateway in the NWN version. But to me that was kind of a lame area anyway.

[ColorsFade]

I actually really like that as-is. The chains are cool. Sometimes "cool" is exactly what is required. 

[kamal_]

Sometimes you gotta go with the Rule of Cool

 

http://tvtropes.org/...Main/RuleOfCool

 

/don't blame me if you spend too much time on tvtropes.com

[PJ156]

If it were a tavern the chains could be for tying your orc to before you enter. Either that or your elf depending on how classy the tavern was.

 

PJ

[rjshae]

Hmm, shall I open the chest?

The platform, statues, and runed column are newly added content. I might need to do a custom FX for the statues as the torch glow isn't quite cutting it. Darn that lighting limit...

[kamal_]

Hmm, shall I open the chest?

The platform, statues, and runed column are newly added content. I might need to do a custom FX for the statues as the torch glow isn't quite cutting it. Darn that lighting limit...

[PJ156]

Looking very cool.

 

What about a pit version of that tile. Or the center being stairs down .... 

 

PJ

[rjshae]

Looking very cool.

 

What about a pit version of that tile. Or the center being stairs down .... 

 

In that case it would need to be a metatile as this is a four tile set. I might do something like that later.

[rjshae]

Okay, I finally got around to wrapping up the landing metatile. Here's the bare bones version in game (with an added light source so you can see it clearly):

It's not quite as dramatic as I was hoping--I probably made it too small. Ah well. I was also going to add a dome-shaped roof on the pillars, but I gave that up since most players would never see it. Instead I'll just plunk some decorations on top of the columns. Anyway, it should serve its purpose. 

[kamal_]

 

 

It's not quite as dramatic as I was hoping--

It's pretty dramatic

[GCoyote]

Full screen with appropriate sound, I think it's going to be excellent.

[Sabranic]

I love the terrain!  fantastic job.

[rjshae]

Thanks guys. I've nearly completed the Waterdeep portion now; all that remains is finishing up the University District for the cut scene. After that I can focus on the first level of the Undermountain dungeon. There I'm not sticking exactly to the same layout as I want it to feel more sprawling. It will have all the same major features though... except for the Hook Horror encounter, unfortunately.

 

I'm tempted to add an (optional) area to the west, if only to make the dungeon seem even more sprawling and crazy. I found an online copy of the Campaign Guide to Undermountain (which I used to own) and it has a few ideas that could be implemented...

[4760]

except for the Hook Horror encounter, unfortunately.

Why? Because you don't have one? I can port it from the original HOTU if you need.

[kamal_]

Why? Because you don't have one? I can port it from the original HOTU if you need.

Hook horrors were one of those large group of nwn1 conversions someone made and then disappeared before releasing.