After all the planning on paper is done, there are three major time-sinks in creating an Arcanum mod: maps, scripts, and characters. My secret project (Code name: Point5) has begun the next-to-last phase. Maps, plot, quests, items, combat, and magic/tech balance have all been planned out on paper. Map creation has begun in WorldEd, and I'm adding scripts as needed. Some might call me crazy, but I actually enjoy Arcanum mapping and scripting. However, that leaves the third major time-sink: characters. While my mod is not as long as stock Arcanum (The plan is for the player to finish around level 40, more or less depending on subquests completed), it does have lots of depth and replay. It has never sat well with me just how similar the Arcanum game is for an Elf and a Half-Orc. There are few overriding goals in Point5... rather, your goals are dictated by the way you build your character. A Gnomish mage spy from Tarant will have a different main objective than a Half-Orc soldier in the service of Caladon. (Or to really bend your brain, they might have the same goal, but for totally different reasons.) Sounds good so far, right? Well, now we come to the reason why Arcanum (just a guess on my part) did not provide such different adventures: the massive increase in dialog and scripting it requires. Thus, to keep my vision intact without taking forever or sacrificing production values, I hope the community will help create me some characters. If you accept, here's what I offer: Your name in the credits when Point5 is released My help scripting or mapping for your mod AFTER Point5 is released. A chance for your work to be seen by the Arcanum community (and maybe even by Troika themselves, if they so choose) Here's what you give me: Fully fleshed out Arcanum characters. By all means, use characters that you played the game with. The more emotional investment you have in the character, the easier it will be to write dialog for them. Post your character in this thread. If I like him/her/it, and I don't already have a similar character, I will contact you by email with the dialog I need written. I will ask questions, such as "What would your character say if he was a patron at a bar, and an evil halfling mage walked in?" I will run any content edits by you, but you consent in advance to any other edits I have to make (such as spelling, grammer, or tense). Character submissions should take the following form (if anyone is interested after reading all that. Woof.): Character stats Character skills Character weapons (see notes at bottom) Tech/Magic aptitude Alignment ... followed by a SHORT (maximum 50 word) description of the character. Note on weapons: Not every race can use every weapon. While the final mix is not set until playtesting, you can expect the following not to change: Humans: Bladed weapons, Staves, Pistol-and-Blade, Rifles Elf: Bows, Swords Dwarf: Axes, Flamethrowers, Shields Halfling: Daggers, Short Swords, Pistol-and-Blade Half-Ogre: Large Bladed weapons, Fists Gnome: Short Swords, Pistol-and-Blade 1/2 Elf and 1/2 Orc: Same as Humans There will be no Chakra-esque throwing weapons. Plenty of grenades, though... both tech and magic. So in conclusion, if you love your character, set them free! Maybe your character will someday be mentioned in the same breath as Raven, Torian Kel, or (heh) Virgil. Feel free to ask any questions or clarification about anything I have not explained clearly. Thanks, Luck
Is it for NPCs you meet in the game or for characters the player uses? If the former, what should be the level and skill limits for these characters?
These are NPCs. Even if I have to write them all myself, every NPC will have dialog. No generic guards, shopkeepers, etc. The best, most interesting ones will be possible followers. In that case, the author of the character will work up a leveling scheme. As far as level... think low level. Or put another way, if the stats are more awesome than the description, he or she is too high level. Luck
Well, I have three favourite characters (frankly, I couldn't choose between them), but your proposal looks fun enough. And... I take it you want the backgrounds to fit in with the characters being follower NPC:s? 'Cause I'm going to write them that way... And it seems you're using the same world. Good... Bergas Bloodmaul Male Half-Ogre Attributes: Your classic melee brute. Level 50 stats are as follows: ST 24 DX 20 CN 20 BE 7 IN 4 PE 9 WP 8 CH 8 Skills: Melee, Dodge, Throwing 5 ranks Tech/Magic: Neutral Alignment: Good Weapons: Everything that's big and heavy... Description: Bergas was born by a human Dernholm woman who surprisingly survived his birth. Being strong and durable even by half-ogre standards, Bergas was comissioned to service for the Dernholm guard as soon as he became old enough. He likes it there, but is a tad bored 'cause nothing really happens. Shain Magowan Male Gnome Attributes: Charismatic Melee character. Lv 50 stats: ST 20 DX 20 CN 12 BE 8 IN 15 PE 8 WP 10 CH 20 Skills: Melee, Dodge, Persuasion (5 ranks in all) Tech/Magic: Neutral Alignment: Mostly good... Weapons: Fist or Short Sword. Description: The front man in the gnomish group The Poggs, Shain lives for three things in life: - whiskey, singing, and fighting. Due to his profession as a wandering pub-musician, he tend to get plenty of everything, which is all good by him. He's generally seen in a tavern somewere, hitting some poor sod in the nuts while trying to recall that next line in the song he's currently attempting to sing in his intoxicated state. Tarpik Jolaryth Male Elf Attributes: Mage with a mix of different skills. Lv 50 stats: ST 12 DX 12 CN 12 BE 9 IN 18 PE 8 WP 18 CH 12 Skills: Melee (3), Dodge (2), Persuasion (3) Tech/Magic: Magic Alignment: Good Weapons: Longsword Spells: Conveyance (5), Divination (5 - mastery), Fire (3), Morphing (5), White Necro (1) Description: A mage by trade, and with a thirst for knowledge, Tarpik attended Tarant University to study the pagan gods under Aldous T Buxington. He's been bound for a journey to the different altars, but being something of a slacker, he's never got to leave the comforts of the big city. A sometimes distant fellow, Tarpik is the kind of a guy who could sit still and read a book in the midst of a crowded alehouse. Known for his quirky sense of humour. I suppose that was the worst pile of rubbish you've ever laid eyes upon, eh? :lol: If any of these characters suit your fancy, PM me my emails. I'll try to do my best.
The half Ogre is a good one, but the Gnome is fantastic! See, that's why I'm doing this, I'd never have thought of a pub-musician Gnome. I'll send you email or PM, Dark Elf.
My contribution is deliberately "maimed," in a sense. I prefer problem characters to those who are perfect, since they make the game more a challenge. Otar Paliashvili Male Dwarf Attributes: Battlemage. Lv 50 stats: ST 20 DX 15 CN 15 BE 8 IN 14 PE 13 WP 20 CH 8 Skills: Melee, Dodge, Throw Tech/Magic: Has Smithy through Balanced Sword, and Herbology through Heal Lite. When met by the player, he will have switched to Magic colleges, and has Elemental Eath through Strength of Earth, and Temporal through Congeal Time. Alignment: Moderately good Weapons: Balanced Sword Description: A youth by Dwarven standards, Otar was a bright but serious student who spoke little. One day he declared an end to his scientific studies, and announced that henceforth he would try to expand on the "other" great ability that his race had neglected: that of the magic of the land, itself. His elders attempted to reason with him privately, but when Otar remained obdurate, he was given a sum of money, his last smithed piece (a balanced sword), and sent out of the community. He was given to understand that he would only be readmitted if he returned to the ways of the clan. Since then, Otar has wandered across the lands, seeking knowledge from those who would teach him. Most often, his instructors have been human, but occasionally, he's also managed to impress an elf with his unfailing courtesy and seriousness towards the Arts Magical. He believes he has a destiny to help bring magic back to his race, and will travel with any party that contains at least one magicuser. If the PC is a magicuser, he will be that much happier.
I haven't created a NPC, or have the faintest clue how, but I'll make up a description, race, alignment, and level, then use AMTUT to figure out how to create the fellow. Name: Silvio Arjunza ( :lol: ) Race: Half-Elf Level: 26 Alignment: Evilly Neutral Silvio is a half-elven technologist, the only thing he loves more than a good beer is another good beer. Having been abandoned by his parents, Silvio was taken in by a gnome woman and her dwarven husband. He speaks very little of his gnomish mother, as Gnome's like to keep thier women secrets. Silvio is a reknowned gunfighter, but can use a sword if it comes to it. He prefers using a hushed revolver, as it allows him to kill people quietly and rob them without drawing any attention to himself. Silvio is very commonly found in pubs, often getting drunk, and then staggering into someone else's room, throwing them out, and falling asleep. Silvio is fairly well off, as his parents provided him with some money, and he has made a living making and selling guns.
Mandrake, Gnome, gunslinging technomage. The only son of an eldery Gnomish couple, Mandrake was considered a gift from Kerlin and was Sheltered from the vagries of the world. Both slight of frame & phiscaly weak, the combination of magic & guns seemed a natural to this intelegent & willful Gnome. Mandrake the PC at level 21. ST 2 CN 6 DX 8 IN 10 WP 13 PE 10 CH 9 Electric & gunsmith assistant, SoE (a MUST), AoF, SoP, Charm, Stun, Illuminate, Flash, Blur Sight. Expert pickpocket, persuasion, firearms, Aprentice pick locks. 5 points in reserve. Necessary equptment. Fine Revolver, two Charged Rings, Guantlets of DX, Eye Gear. He will max out Phantasam & firearms & push Electric to Healing Jacket, if not all the way. Gunsmithy will go to Hand Cannon. Mental might go all the way as well. He will put points into prowl, 3 at least. If run as a follower, can you write an addition to his AI that will fire up SoE first thing in EVERY combat? Otherwise, he will need to push his ST to 5 or 6. And while a follower does not need persuasion, one point seems appropiate given his background.
You gave a DWARF a Georgian name? :lol: I thought it was more appropriate for them to have Swedish and Norvegian ones. After all, dwarves are kind of undersized Vikings...
=Isabel= Half-Elf Level 21 stats: St:12 In:10 Cn:9 Wp:9 Dx:15 Pe:8 Be:10 Ch:12 An spy in training, she was sold to Pollock's gang by her destitute family as payment for a debt owed by her human mother. She was trained hand to hand by Pollock, as well as skills in Persuasion. Pollock hoped to use her to gain blackmail information on what he saw as his 'ticket to power' : The Gnomish merchants Industrial Council. Isabel completed her training and was set up as a spy, until she stumbled upon information suggesting that her mother was one of the first subjects on half-orge island. She quit her job and now has an unreasonable hatred of gnomes, often performing impromptu assassinations on some of the more flagrently arrogant gnomes. Due to this, Isabel is now constatntly on the run from Council invesigators. Skill: Melee: 3 pts and Apprentice Dodge: 2 pts and apprentice Persuasion: 3 points and Apprentice Spells: Charm and Stun Alignment is -7, Magick ap is +15
Q'ay Teera Elf - Anywhere Lvl 25 to 50 Charlatan's Protege background effect ST: 4 CN: 5 DX: 9 BE: 21 IN: 13 WP: 9 PE: 8 CH: 26 HP: 71 Fatigue: 73 Persuasion 5 Will add personality later, I have to go right now.
Character name: Gwynnbleidd Race: Elf. Alignment:evil Stats and skills: Starts off with usual stats of an Elf with Sold Your Soul background. When levelling up, invests CPs in a scheme similar to that of Dante, except that Gwynnbleidd learns Force and Temporal magic. Apprentice in Melee and Dodge. Character weapons (see notes at bottom): Starts off with the Mace of the Damned or any other cursed blade, and a Shadow Shield (you can also add a Dark Helm if you feel like it). Tech/Magic aptitude: Magic (Elven bonus +background bous+ bonus from spell when he learns them) Alignment: 20% Evil (from the background). Description: Gwynnbleidd was an apprentice mage, anxious to put his skills into practical use for the good of all races of Arcanum. Sadly, his mentors were too pedantic and put the emphasis on theoretical studies, keeping their students off the real knowlege until, in their opinion, they were mature enough to be allowed to wield the powers of magick. After an especially heated argument with his mentor, Gwynnbleidd decided to "take a shortcut", and sold his soul to a demon in exchange for knowlege. Outraged, the mages expelled Gwynnbleidd. His own family and friends also rejected him when they found out about him selling his soul. Heartbroken and embittered, but still determined to help people, Gwynnbleidd became an unusual kind of mercenary- a hired beast slayer. He travels around, eradicating monsters and walking dead who torment human settlements- but always demands payment. Unfortunately, those greedy villagers always try to keep their money to themselves after the job is done, and Gwynnbleidd earned himself a bad rep for extorting the money from "poor, defenseless people". P.S. I didn't write what level I want him to be so you would have more freedom of placing him into the game context. If you need his stats on certain level, just follow the levelling scheme I suggested
It's a good idea to have charm when you're a Gnome. If you charm somebody, then cancel it, it will leave +10 reaction continually. This only works if your a Gnome.
I've always considered that a flaw in game design, rather than a "feature of the gaming universe." :???:
I'm at work, so I'll add stats later.... Name: Captain Elektrik Human technologist (yes, yes, I know that's like vanilla ice cream). Tech level: 100% Alignment: Good, but not 100% (will get stats when I get home!) Disposition: Fanatical technologist, to his occasional detriment. Elektrik spurns magic, but is not allergic to it. Captain Elektrik's real name has been lost, even to himself. His early electrical experiments led his Caladonian mentor, Maxim, to dubb him with the sobriquet due to his aptitude for pushing electrons. Unfortunately, a few shocks led to his short-term memory getting a little dodgy at an early stage, which left more room for more fanaticism with the electrical discipline. Captain Elektrik handles all weapons... so long as they are electrical. Sword? no. Charged sword? sure! Axe? no. Charged axe? You bet! Shocking Staff, Tesla rod, and Tesla Gun are firm favourites. Captain Elektrik is convinced of the maxim that "The Future Is Electric!" and espouses it's use to any and all. He sees himself as a creature of his creations, an electrical wonder, healed by electricity (healing jacket), augmented by electricity (charged rings), defended by electricity (flow disruptor, chapeau of magnetic inversion), and attacking with electricity (as above). Essentially, a one-track-minded absent-minded professor type, who likes to help people out, if only he could remember who they were.
Fantastic! These are great! Ok, here's who I've got so far: From Dark Elf: Bergas Bloodmaul - HOgre Shain Magowan - Gnome Male From Balint: Otar Paliashvili - Dwarf From Shadygrove: Mandrake Gnome Male From Paradox Isabel - hElf female From Solaris Gwynnbleid - Elf From Corsarius Captain Elektrik - Human (expect some fun to be poked at his name ) Silvio, I need more backstory to your character before I can decide. Excellent, just excellent everyone! Expect a PM as I kick this into high gear. Anyone who hasn't yet submitted, please do... there is no cutoff date set yet. Thanks, Luck
George Half-Ogre farmer emphasizes strength and constitution, repair skill (maybe meet as apprentice?), dexterity, starts with some healing (farm accidents happen), and starts with some haggle. slightly good alignment, may have a couple of tech levels by the end of the game. A man (OK, half-Ogre) of the land, George spends his mornings at physical labor, comes into town once a week to buy supplies and/or sell food, and is generally a good, salt-of-the-earth, decent guy. Er, half-Ogre. He spends his afternoons at siesta, and plays an oversized guitar in the evenings.
After I made the character and finished the game, I gave a bit of thought to the name. I guessed that later on in life, he got himself promoted, and went into business with Gilbert Bates, becoming General Elektrik.. OK, lame joke, but it wasn't my intent upon creating him.
