The Althéa Campaign: The Scroll (Updates & Releases Thread)

Lance_Botelle · March 30, 2024, 8:26pm

The Latest Althéa Campaign Build Has Arrived!

After a month of being unavailable due to a large update taking place (in preparation for module two, and which is coming as soon as I can finish it), I can at last announce that the latest build for the first Module (The First Day) is now available for download. This link will always link to the latest version:

LATEST VERSION DOWNLOAD LINK!

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Why Yet Another Update?

The first module (and campaign build) still had a lot of old coding in it that was hampering my advancement of building the second module, Predestinated Days. For although I have managed to patch the code over the years the campaign has been in development, there were still areas of code that needed some adjustment to accommodate the next set of modules. This latest version has changes made to it that I hope will be the last for what I need for the last two modules.

An Amalgamated Campaign Thread

I am also taking this opportunity to amalgamate the two threads in these boards related to the Althéa Campaign (The Scroll) as noted below, into this new single thread:

The Scroll (Predestinated Days) - Episodes Detailing Module Two
The Scroll (The First Day) - Module 1 Latest Releases!

Therefore, whether you are looking for the latest patch versions or simply after the latest news on any modules in development, then this will be the single post to bookmark and of which to keep track. Any constructive comments about the campaign you wish to make would also be welcome here.

Patch Notes

Any patch notes associated with the latest version will now only be posted on the download page, so if you like to see what has been updated or fixed, that will be where to check. There is a quick link to the patch information within the module description text, which jumps to further down the same page.

All patch notes prior this latest build have been removed from the page and only patches and updates related to this latest build will now be added there.

I would like too take this opportunity to thank my wife and @Dustin_Offal for all their hard work in finding faults and suggesting improvements for the campaign. Any players who play and have other suggestions are also welcome.

Backward Compatibility

I have taken efforts to make this latest version backward compatible with the Enhanced v2.41E or above, and so anyone who might be still playing a game of any of these versions can simply patch to v1.1 and continue from their saved game. However, the best benefits come from starting afresh, with both the new module files and the new campaign files.

Thanks for your time!

Lance_Botelle · April 1, 2024, 1:57pm

Readable Scrolls Scale Change (v1.2 +)

I thought I would give an early announcement that Readable Scrolls will be increasing in size to allow easier reading on higher resolution monitors. The minimum resolution I am now designing to is 1920 x 1080, and as these scrolls are now based upon a 1000 x 1000 size GUI, any standard resolution lower than 1920 x 1080 will fail to fit them on the screen. Let me know if this affects you.

Please note that Readable Books, and other GUIs that may use scrolls (such as Notice Boards) are currently not changed. I may consider updating these too at a later date. However, some of these, like the books, appear a reasonable size as they currently stand.

Here are how the new sized scrolls will look on screen, subject to your resolution… this is an example of the 1920 x 1080 and a 3440 x 1440:

1920 x 1080

3440 x 1440

Dustin_Offal · April 1, 2024, 9:01pm

Hi Lance,

1920 x 1080 is my maximum screen resolution. So it affects me in a minor way, since I prefer to play in windowed mode with the game window being smaller than the display.

However, I’ll adapt, so no worries! Just need to hook up a 2nd display.

Lance_Botelle · April 12, 2024, 2:45pm

Predestinated Days (Build Episodes)

If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions that you would to make to help me along the way, please let me know in this thread, or at my blog, and I will respond.

BONUS IMAGES:

Lance_Botelle · April 18, 2024, 9:08pm

The Latest Althéa Campaign Version Now Available!

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.2 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.2 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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The List Of Fixes Can Be Found In This Post

This version is currently on its 4th Edition, due to one or two other minor (or rare) issues that can be encountered. I mention these minor updates in case you want the very latest campaign files.

(2nd Upload - 19th April) Fixed some book names.
(3rd Upload - 19th April ) Fixed Aubrey stuttering at start of a conversation.
(4th Upload - 19th April ) Fixed a rare transition logical flow issue.

Quicksave Warning! (Prior v1.3)

I have noticed that if you use Quicksave half way through solving a puzzle with the puzzle GUI still open (E.g. Ripped Page puzzle), then you will be unable to open the same puzzle on a reload of this Quicksave. Therefore, be sure to close the puzzle before any use of using Quicksave. Opening the Main Menu to do a normal save closes the puzzle prior the save, and so is not a problem.

This Quicksave issue should not be a problem from v1.3 onwards.

Lance_Botelle · April 26, 2024, 3:58pm

The Latest Althéa Campaign Version Now Available!

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.3 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.3 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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The List Of Fixes Can Be Found In This Post

As far as I am aware, this will be the last update for a while, I hope. It covers some old code fixes, as well as some older issues that I thought I had already squashed. The TB Combat AI has had a complete rework and I have tested it in a number of combats.

EDIT: A problem has been found related to the Skill Bonuses on items again. This means I am going to be updating to v1.4 sooner than I thought I would. As soon as it is ready, I will announce it here.

Lance_Botelle · May 1, 2024, 8:37pm

The Latest Althéa Campaign Version Now Available!

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.4 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.4 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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The List Of Fixes Can Be Found In This Post

There was an error in the new Skill Item Bonus system that came with v1.1, which required fixing. There were also a couple of other minor issues that encouraged me to release this as the latest… and (hopefully) last for a while.

HENCHMEN STAND GROUND ISSUE: Please note that v1.3 introduced a bug that can cause henchmen (Scraps and/or Sebastion) to start to ignore Stand Ground commands. If your henchmen are still OK, then update to v1.4 before you get the problem. Or, if you already have the issue, then you can request a quick fix from me.

PRESSURE PLATE LOCKS GAME: It seems v1.3 was also responsible for a “locked game” crash when doing the Pressure Plate puzzle. I am in the process of fixing this, and it will be released in a newer version of v1.4, since no-one had downloaded that version to date. In the meanwhile, if you encounter the puzzle, just leave it until you have the newest v1.4, coming soon!

UPDATE: The problem related to the “unlock” script, which is used in a number of places, and so could be more prevalent than first thought. The fixed version of the campaign addressing this bug will be uploaded today (was delayed until 7th May). Sorry for the inconvenience.

Lance_Botelle · May 3, 2024, 6:40pm

The Latest Althéa Campaign Version Now Available!

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.4 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.4 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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The List Of Fixes Can Be Found In This Post

On the back of the last post, I can finally announce that v1.4 is now ready (again). It’s an important one that fixes some errors introduced in v1.3. The less said about that the better. Sorry for it being a little later than expected, but this should sort things for a while.

FINALLY AVAILABLE: I am pleased to report that I finally cracked the issues I had managed to introduce in a bad v1.3, as well restore the proper functionality of the TB System, which had also broken at some point. I thank you all for your patience as I dealt with these problems.

Unless any reports come along, this should be it for a while I hope.

Lance_Botelle · May 16, 2024, 6:04pm

Predestinated Days (Build Episodes)

If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions that you would to make to help me along the way, please let me know in this thread, or at my blog, and I will respond.

LATEST V1.5 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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Lance_Botelle · June 10, 2024, 7:26pm

Predestinated Days (Build Episodes)

If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions that you would to make to help me along the way, please let me know in this thread, or at my blog, and I will respond.

LATEST V1.6 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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Lance_Botelle · June 12, 2024, 11:05am

The Latest Althéa Campaign Version Now Available!

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.7 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.7 (*) DOWNLOAD LINK!

(*) Second upload to also fix creature drop items.

The Full List Of Fixes Can Be Found In This Post

CRITICAL CONVERSATION CRASH FIX

Unfortunately, I managed to introduce a game crash bug in a conversation script in the v1.4 released earlier in the year on 7th May. It remained present in v1.5 and v1.6 and is why I have brought forward the release of v1.7 to deal with this game crashing bug. Again, I apologise for the potential need for another download for players.

The bug manifests in two places that I can see, but the latest v1.7 fixes all instances. I have checked these two places and can confirm that they are fixed with the latest v1.7:

MINOR SPOILERS … But, you can check these if you think you have encountered it.

SEBASTION REWILDER (VERY LIKELY): After you gain entrance to Sebastion’s studio, the conversation that started would crash midway. This would prevent being able to finish this side-quest, which goes beyond the bounds of this room alone … and is worth pursuing.
ORECHIN NEWBORN (RARE): If you manage to avoid entering the Sanctuary by the front door and the first time you enter is actually via the crypts, then the conversation with Orechin that starts would crash the game. NB: This is an extremely rare situation, as most players are likely to have entered via the front door.

CREATURE DROP FIX (CRAFTING)

I also noticed that I managed to break some creature crafting items from dropping in v1.6. So this v1.7 also fixes that issue.

Lance_Botelle · June 18, 2024, 1:30pm

The Latest Althéa Campaign Version Now Available!

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.8 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.8 DOWNLOAD LINK!

Due to a small bug introduced on 7th May (in v1.4), a conversation can interfere with the TB Combat code. My thanks goes to @Dustin_Offal for locating and reporting the bug. As a result, I decided to bring the latest version of the campaign update out now to address this bug and also add some quality of play adjustments regarding collisions. For the record, the only module update was changes to some names on some helmets on some creatures, for consistency.

This should be the last update (except for any critical fixes) for the time being. Moving forward, I aim to have any updates tie in with the monthly blog release, which is normally around 10th-15th of the month. However, if none is needed, then consider no other issues were found or updates were required.

Lance_Botelle · June 20, 2024, 5:19pm

Conversation & Cutscene Clean-up

I am in the process of tidying up a few conversations/cutscenes of the first module so that they run more smoothly. These will become available in v1.9. In the process of doing this, however, I discovered a minor logical flow issue related to the picture of Sophie at the murder scene. (This will also be fixed in the next v1.9 update.)

However, if you encounter this event (or have already done so) before the release of v1.9, then you may wish to look at this minor detail to avoid a duplicated picture in your inventory. If you already have a duplicated picture, it does not matter, as it won’t break your game or the quest. I just mention this now if you wanted to avoid such …

If you pick up the picture off the body, at the moment, a variable does not set correctly and Orechin can mention the “picture” as if he found it when you speak to him later. Either just do NOT take the picture from the body at the time (if you notice it), or play along with the correct logic response if you did. i.e. If you have yet to talk to Orechin, you can use the “Take a look at this picture. I am …” to correct the logic. If you choose (or have already selected) another related option (the broken one), it’s possible to end up with a second picture. It does NOT break the quest, but is just an illogical response. This picture logic is fixed in v1.9 when released, although I won’t fix any duplicated pictures.

Lance_Botelle · June 25, 2024, 9:47am

A Potentially Essential Update

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.9 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.9 DOWNLOAD LINK!

While testing module 2, another issue was noticed related to Creature Encounters. A loop was failing to complete, which meant not every monster for an encounter was being spawned. In most situations where this happens, apart from having an easier combat, it does not matter. However, I can think of one instance where one creature has a key that may be required by the PCs if they lack the skills to pick a lock or do not have access to the Knock spell. i.e. The Halls of the Goblin Kings side quest. I strongly recommend having v1.9 in place prior starting that quest.

Therefore, I have brought the v1.9 release out earlier, marked as an “Essential” release for this reason. This release also comes with all the other cosmetic conversation fixes I had planned as well. It also fixes the “Sophie Picture” issue mentioned above.

Once again, I hope to reschedule any other potential releases to coincide with the blog release if required.

Lance_Botelle · July 2, 2024, 2:09pm

Three Previous Version Fixes

This is some heads up info for the upcoming fix v1.10 due around 10th July.

It has come to my attention that two aspects of gameplay, which are constantly under review during the second module update, have been broken or are not working 100% in recent updates:-

1) FAST MAP TRAVEL: While much better than its initial release, there are times when a PC can get “blocked” trying to move forward. This latest bug is because an OC function I used, did not do what it said it was doing. I have since updated for v1.10, and testing has shown this bug is now gone.

2) INVENTORY ITEM DESCRIPTIONS: Since v1.5, a small bug crept in that meant item descriptions could show the wrong description. This manifests if an item is acquired, and NOT looked at in the inventory prior clicking on it while a store is also open. At this point, the item could then show a wrong description. This also has been fixed in v1.10 when available. A workaround for this (if you have such items) is (if possible) to drop the item on the ground and pick it up again. Furthermore, If you look at an item before using a store, the problem does not manifest.

Thanks for your understanding …

For a full list of other upcoming fixes and updates, check out this forum link.

3) UPDATE: A MISSING TEXTURE:

It has also come to my attention that an updated image file was misnamed causing a missing texture for a readable book. (Broken since v1.6.) As this is somewhat more interfering to the game, I will be uploading v1.10 today. I will post again when available.

Lance_Botelle · July 3, 2024, 11:42am

An Important Update

Use the link in the first post or the one below to grab the very latest v1.10 campaign patch files.

LATEST V1.10 DOWNLOAD LINK!

On the back of the latest bug find of the missing texture for a Readable Book, I decided to bring v1.10 out a week early. As well as the three fixes mentioned above, this latest patch fixes a number of important issues, including a potential quest issue, and the guard harassing the PC with multiple searches.

Check out the full list of v1.10 fixes here.

Unless anything else is found, this may be the last patch for a while, as I have not made many changes to the core code as my wife has been testing the second module. If anything is found, I’ll aim for around the 10th of the month as usual.

Lance_Botelle · July 10, 2024, 11:31am

Predestinated Days (Build Episodes)

If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions that you would to make to help me along the way, please let me know in this thread, or at my blog, and I will respond.

LATEST V1.10 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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Lance_Botelle · August 10, 2024, 2:25pm

Predestinated Days (Build Episodes)

If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions that you would to make to help me along the way, please let me know in this thread, or at my blog, and I will respond.

LATEST V1.11 DOWNLOAD LINK!

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I am hoping that v1.11 will be the last required update until module two …

Lance_Botelle · August 30, 2024, 5:02pm

Vol Gift Update: Foresighted

This is just a quick head’s up regarding a change for The Scroll campaign that affects the initial setup for the player’s game. It will be coming along with the v1.12 update, which has been released today. (This is a week earlier than expected due to a bug found - see next post). This gives the full details of those changes for those interested.

Basically, this “upgrades” the “Foresight” gift option (renamed to “Foresighted” to help highlight the update) to now do more than just allow an alteration to the game’s area Fog of War. The upgrade makes the option more viable when compared to the other gifts on offer.

The new gift update keeps the original option for toggling the are map’s “Fog of War”, but now also adds two automatic behaviours if taken (which affect all associates that the player controls):

GOOD REST: Ensures full hit-points and spells are recovered on a rest if other conditions are normal.
RUGGED: Halves the XP penalty of a PC that dies in the player’s group.

See the description in the images below.

Players that update to the latest patched version from this time will start benefitting from these two extra perks if they have this Vol’s gift.

NB: A new TLK file will provided with the next update, which would need to replace the old version so that the FEAT description is updated too.

Lance_Botelle · August 31, 2024, 1:14am

Monster Scaling Issue (Important Update!)

As I consider this a potentially critical fix, I have released this v1.12 update a week earlier than usual.

Unfortunately, a bug has been introduced from v1.10 (3rd July 2024). A creature can keep scaling higher if an area is kept being reloaded with them in it, and the game difficulty is set to NORMAL or above.

My apologies for any inconvenience.

On the plus side, this latest version comes with the newly updated Foresighted Vol’s Gift (see the above post), for those that may have selects that option.

UPDATE: A second “improved” version of the scaling fix is now available. This second version is a rework that should calculate more efficiently and accurately. It is still uploaded as v1.12, and so if you previously downloaded that version, please do so again to have the better fixed version, which is also backward compatible to avoid having to drop difficulty settings.

LATEST V1.12 (SECOND EDITION) DOWNLOAD LINK!

Check out the full list of v1.12 fixes here.