The Scroll (Module Two Building) - Episode 9: A Welcome Break?

Neverwinter Nights 2
1

Hi Everybody,

For those interested in following the blog of a builder, I have decided to start up my blog again while I endeavour to work through building the second module of The Scroll. Whether you are new to building, just like following the progress of a build, or simply want to stop by and comment to help encourage, then please pop over to my blog, or leave a comment here to do so.

Rather than repeat everything, I will simply leave a “taster” paragraph of the main blog post with each update here, and leave a link for people to follow if they are interested. NOTE: The main blog will likely be the main source of screenshots too.

Anyway, the link to the FIRST blog post for my second module can be found here:-

Here is the opening paragraph:-

INTRODUCTION

I am not sure if I will ever get to the end of what I am about to undertake, but I have finally found myself tinkering with module 2 of The Scroll, with a fresh hope of being able to finish it at some point in the future. In all fairness, the second module has a considerable amount of work done to it already, thanks to those who have contributed with area designs, and the fact that the campaign code is mostly already written. However, putting it all together with a plot that works well enough to keep the player playing and intrigued is that much more difficult to do, in my opinion. And that takes time and energy: the former I am currently blessed with, but the latter, not so much. If I don’t pace this correctly, then it will never happen, no matter how much I would like it to. Therefore, I will keep this blog as a record and (hopefully) an encouragement to keep going. And any feedback that you (the reader) give me along the way, may well be the make or break of it.

Click on the link above for the complete post.

Thanks, Lance.

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2

Hi Everybody,

The opening paragraph of the latest instalment …

One of the benefits of working on a second module is the opportunity to do it again minus the parts that one did not like so much in the first. Now, let me say from the start that I am 100% happy with the first module and that I would recommend everybody who enjoys a classic PnP (pen and paper) style D&D adventure to download and play it. However, having played it a number of times myself, I can see where I could have improved it, and it is in these areas I hope to do better in the second module.

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3

Hi Everybody,

The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

Some of you may have noticed that v2.65 has not yet been released, as I had originally hoped to do last week … latest early this week. However, because of the approach I have taken to module two, I decided to take a bold step and do some fairly “major” design changes, to make moving forward easier. This meant making some important code changes to the existing campaign files, including the following: (a) Inventory/Store Access, (b) Transitions and (c) Conversations. I know, it’s nothing small is it! So before I explain what steps I did for module two last week, I want to say a little more why I made these other changes.

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The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

Last week had me getting to grips with the overland map again. In the process, I had to start looking at the related 2da files that covered the monster encounter information, and “goodies” that the PCs may find while exploring the map. While I did not get around to the latter, I did manage to get some more updates done on the monster side of things, especially as that is one of the first major differences that the player can expect in module two.

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The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

Now that I have taken the decision to stop further testing of v2.65 of module 1, I have been able to become more involved with developing module 2. (By the way, for those interested, here is the link to module 1 of The Scroll. NB: I will continue to upload a newer campaign version if I find any glaring issues with v2.65.) My latest toolset activity has been focussing on a new area that (originally) was not going to be in the module, as I initially considered it would be of little to no interest. However, as I looked at the area map I was currently working on, I kept on wondering exactly what was going on over in that “interesting looking place” on the map. And so I eventually concluded that if I thought that, then other players may well have their curiosity piqued too … and so went ahead and designed the linking area required. The screenshot today is the loadscreen for the new area.

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6

The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

One of the advantages of starting a new module is being able to incorporate new ideas and concepts that are missing from the first designed module. One such idea I wanted to look at including was the Curse of Lycanthropy. For while the were creature has always been a staple from the first edition D&D, it has grown into quite the gaming element by the time it reached the third edition, which NWN2 is based upon. Sadly, although the OC appeared to include the concept of Lycanthropy in its world (and included such things as belladonna to defend against shapeshifters), the actual mechanics for a PC contracting the curse never appeared to make it into the game. That’s where my latest additions come into play.

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The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

As the need to patch the first module lessens, I have been able to concentrate on building the second module. This week I have gone back to the main plot (continuing from the first module) and looked at some of the main story conversations I need to write to move the plot forward. As it happens, the NPC whose conversation I found myself writing for this week is known to my PnP players of old, and (if they have a good memory), they may recall some of their earlier adventures related to them. This same conversation also offers one of the new companions I hope to bring with the next module.

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8

The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

This week, I managed my first big step in a plot conversation that serves to bring the two story backgrounds closer together, and introduce a potential new companion. It never ceases to amaze me, however, just how many words add up when creating a five minute conversation that the player’s PC will have. I don’t think I had much change from four or five thousand words, which took place over two conversations. And that was just the first intro part of the conversation!

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9

The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

Another week, and another chip away at module two. I dare not try to think too far ahead on what remains to be done, nor remind myself how long module one took, simply because if I did, I may falter and be tempted to give up. But, I have a number of quest lines in mind now, and the core plot line is starting to take shape within the conversations … offering some diversions of their own. That is one of the best things about writing for me, how it can take on a life of its own and lead you along a path of the story you never first imagined would be the case.

10

The latest instalment …

And the opening paragraph …

I had some slow down in the last fortnight due to poor health. However, I am starting to pick up a little again now, and have returned to the core conversations I was working on previously. I did also try fixing a duplicated message text from the official campaign code with respect to Sequencer items, but was unable to do so without potential consequences. More on that later. The screenshot this week is for the Overland Map load screen.

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