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Welcome to: The Graveron Seduction. Within lies some important information you may be interested in reviewing. At the bottom is a list of hints that I hope you will not have to use. They are there in case of those frustrations where the brain is not firing on all cylinders. It happens....
At the outset I would like to thank all of the NWN public scripters who, without their postings, direct assistance, and overall kindness this adventure would not be possible. I AM NOT AN ADVANCED SCRIPTER and never will be because it is not my interest. However, the following adventure contains some very complicated and world-altering scripts all courtesy of the NWN community at large. I thank one and all.
Additionally, and of great importance, I'd like to thank those members of the community who helped beta test the product. I could not have done this without their dedicated assistance. They include:
"Kagetora"
Frank "LegendaryDragon" Schumacher
Scott "Draegos" Thompson
Alex Mathews
Joshua "Yalpkilk" Campbell
The "Shinra Crew"
The following sections should be reviewed:
I. What is Different Compared to NWN Original?
II. What do I Need to Start?
III. What Technical Issues are There?
IV. Hints
I. With the advent of HCR (Hardcore Rules) and the hundreds of script modifications, you have probably surmised that this module will not play as the un-edited NWN campaign. On the other hand, it does not implement the HCR system that some enjoy. Rather, this module includes several scripting behaviors applicable to the world around Graveron. I hope you find them interesting. You may disagree with the design decisions, but I still believe you will have a good time! Below are the particular environmental decisions that you should be aware of. I will not speak to all script modifications, but those that will likely impact the way you play.
DEATH: Death is more difficult to come by, but penalizes you further. Implemented in this module is a bleeding script to -10 HP with a 10% chance of recovery to 1 HP per each "bleed-out." Once at 0 HP (or below dependent upon the "fatal blow") you will bleed -1 HP per round until your death, healed by a companion, or auto-recovery. You have the ability to re-spawn after death with the NWN-default loss of gp/xp AND you will lose one CONSTITUTION point (but only once).
REST: You are allowed to rest once every eight (8) game hours unless you are a monk, sorcerer or wizard who can "meditate" via resting as often as liked. Each game hour represents four (4) minutes of real-time. You cannot rest in every area. You are not a transient. Consider yourself a camper without the need for backpack, bedroll, etc.
FOOD: There is no food requirement in this module.
HEALING: NWN default. As in NWN, you can find potions, clerics, etc., to heal you.
TORCHES: Torches expire after two (2) hours of game time. Buy a few torches. EXCEPTION: Multi-Player (see below).
SPELLS: NWN default.
THIEVES: There are relatively robust scripts that allow thieves to be thieves. I will let you figure these out yourself (hint: thieves would like to operate in a town environment, wouldn't they? You aren't a bandit!). Watch the guards. Guards don't like thieves, nor does Aunt Meg like her purse to be picked.
HENCHMEN: There are a few in the module, but only a few. They have some improved scripting to help their survival (but they're still AI Pixels so watch out!). Most important, once they die, they are DEAD. The bleed script does not apply to them and they WILL NOT respawn! Fun, eh? Watch out for your henchmen, they are valuable, but potentially fragile, assistants.
PLOT CHARACTERS: There are only a few, but that doesn't mean you should kill everyone on sight. If you play hack-n-slash on everything you risk the plot.
JOURNAL: Actually one of the most difficult design decisions to make was what level to use the journal; it can be a powerful tool. I was ambivalent for most of development, but after writing over 48K of dialogue I was finally swayed. The journal will keep BASIC track of most (though not all!) of your quests, but should largely be used to take your own notes. I highly suggest that you do take notes; trust me on this, as you will see as the plot unfolds how it becomes an important part of gameplay. You do not need to write hundreds of words, but keeping succinct notes on what you believe to be important (if you were, say, Sherlock Holmes), may boost your ultimate level of enjoyment.
HAK PACKS: There is no need for a hak pak file. Copy the unzipped file to your /.../module directory.
TIME PASSAGE: Time will pass at 4 real-minutes per game hour with one exception: transition between areas likely incorporates the passage of time for "realism." Some travel between areas requires longer than others. Multi-player is an exception to this rule.
HIDDEN TRANSITION TRIGGERS: There are some invisible area transition triggers in the game that DO NOT turn blue when the cursor is passed over them. Do not go searching for these and walk into them without a directive of some type. You will find them at the right time. On the other hand there are some transition triggers that do turn blue in some out of the way places; consider them concealed. You will be directed to these as well, but you may also stumble across some. If it turns blue, enter-- at your own risk.
FURNITURE: Some "static" furniture found in areas is actually usable using hidden placeables. Check.
DOORS: Occasionally you will get stuck behind a door in town. Just open it and walk through the transition.
CORPSES: The Graveron Seduction uses a corpse script provided by one of the excellent community scripters. When (most) creatures die they leave a corpse. It takes one or two seconds, however, for the corpse's inventory to be populated with the items it carries. Wait after clicking and you will see them appear.
TEXT FONT: If you use the enlarged fonts in the game, you will periodically find some area descriptions are larger than one "windows" worth of text. The module was originally designed for NWN smaller font-size. Although I prefer the large, you may wish to switch to small if scrolling the text window to read a description becomes an irritant to you.
MULTI-PLAYER: If you wish to play multi-player, there is a special module for this purpose. In the MP version the time transition b/t areas is deactivated (due to each player activating time transitions scripts which causes problems) and game time is reduced to two game minutes per game hour. Further, torches last four hours instead of 2 like in MP.
II. You need to begin the adventure with a first level character. The character does not have to be brand new but is encouraged. It is my plan to make follow-on modules to this product and you may want to see this character through such adventures. I don't believe there are any class-type restrictions from a gameplay standpoint other than you should be particularly cautious at the outset about getting in too deep in a violent area with wizards, monks, and the like. The 8-hour rest requirement may frustrate some, but I appreciate the lack of kill/rest/kill/rest/kill opportunity it mandates. There are, of course, ways to get around waiting 32 minutes of real time to rest for those that think a bit. Oh, get a bag of chips and your favorite drink. This ain't one of those 1-2 hour romps; you may even have to sleep once before you finish!
III. When utilizing others' scripts that are in some instances attempting to push the envelope, there are bound to be some technical issues that crop up. Further, a few design issues may periodically aggravate a certain type of game player. Note the following to reduce your frustration:
a) There are torches and lampposts that automatically go on/off in certain areas dependent upon time of day. This usually works but there is some type of glitch on occasion (one scripter claimed something had to be fixed with the NWN lighting protocols first). Regardless, the lights most often work with the following result: as the lights change you may experience a short "game freeze" in the area location. On my P4 1.8Ghz this lasted about one heartbeat; hopefully it is the same for you. I decided the ambiance created was worth the small gremlin.
b) In the town you will find periodically an error message: (errata) TOO MANY INSTRUCTIONS that appear in the text window. This is due to some scripts running. I believe the scripter resolved it. It does not impact the game. If it becomes an irritant, minimize this text window in town.
c) If you are willing, I always suggest turning off virus software while running the game. When mine was running, I infrequently found some odd behaviors occuring.
d) This product effectively supports the "camera hack" product. I highly encourage its use.
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IV. HINTS
As I designed the game, it is hard for me to think of where a player might get stuck. Beta testers did not have many issues. Nevertheless, here are a few places that might be difficult, listed by topic or point of interest:
CLIMBING TREES? (areas): You need to be a monk, thief, or barbarian to climb the trees to access 2nd floor windows.
NORTH TO GRAVERON (area): There is a small blue trigger on the west side of the river between the rocks. You will need to go here eventually, but can make your way also through a rear door if you have a "key."
BUG TUNNELS (area): Smashing the braziers will make newly arrived insects docile and give you additional experience.
HAUNTED ATTIC (area): Break the pedestal the crystal ball sits on to accomplish the mission-- forget the darn crystal ball.
FAIRYLUNDE (area): You will never kill all the raven. Find the trap-door to the SW to complete the fairy's mission.
DRAGON LEGEND (quest): You can find the "dragon" in the Graveron Summit near the landslide cave. Look for a concealed (blue) trigger in the indentation.
GRAVERON GAP (area): The monetary treasure the fairy offers is near a rock next to the canyon-- a concealed (blue) trigger.
FINDING THE WITCH (Mission): A hidden trigger in Graveron just SW of the dock's sundial surrounds the corner flagpole. Approach to get on the boat.
DECIPER THE LETTER (Mission): You need both the code book and the letter. The former is in the LeBlaque Manor in the locked basement, the latter the Witch's Bog. Take both to the historian, speak with him, and then go stand near his table in his Wizard's Den (stand on the damn arrow).
WENCH'S GUILD (area): If you ignore too many people or aggravate the wrong parties you won't get here. Not plot critical, but it was fun.
THIEVES' GUILD (Location): There is no actual location of the Thieves' Guild, it is a red herring. This will be told to you by Janette Tansden.
LEBLAQUE'S KEY (Mission): Keep trying, there are several ways to get the key. As a last resort kill (good luck) the constable and take it from his drawer. Need more? Try: Emerika after you find the letter; completing Thumper's mission in the Wench Guild; completing the Constable's mission for the Haunted House. Buying a 'copy' from Dani Fastfingers.
KEY TO HER PRISON (Mission): The key to open the prison door is possessed by Lajod Ba'rat who is in the "bar" at Tacordian's Winery.
GNOMES (Mission): Two blue triggers, one in Fairylunde and one in the far SE corner of the Graveron Summit, will take you, eventually, to them.
CHARACTER SAYING "Come Back": You did not wait long enough to speak with them again. Wait at least 24 game hours.
USING COORDINATES "MAP": Coordinates map found with NPC in the bog cabin cannot be used until after you find the Shendarin. Use the secret entrance west of Graveron Creek (in North to Graveron area) and you'll eventually find the ship...and the secrets she hold.
SHROUD ISLE (Mission): Only way here is by ship. You should know where the dock is, do you know where the island is charted? You need to. You also need to know WHY you need to go there; find some bandits.
HOW DO I BEAT CAPT. DEON?: This will be tough if you did not assist the fairies. Try taking out the bowman first from a distance; they have only a few hitpoints.
HOW DO I BEAT ECTORIA?: Another difficult proposition without a henchman, though the encouter scales to your level. Take out the bowmen first, then rest and heal up outside the cave, if necessary, to take her on full-strength.
ENDING THIS DAMN THING?: You have to find Ectoria. Once you do, you are in a position to get to the end-game (sob). Try an island.
NO, REALLY, I WANT TO END,
I WANT TO GET TO AERGATE: You need to speak with Emerika and/or the constable and "close" their conversations. Then catch a ship at the dock....
FOR VERSION 1.04 TO 1.06
PLAYERS (see zip extension
for version)
My apologies to you. In an effort to improve an opportunity with Ectoria, I inadvertently
and unbeknowingly dectivated the loot script and thus Ectoria does not drop an item that "ends" the adventure. Though you accomplished all the major tasks, you don't get to talk to
Emerika a final time and board a ship to Aergate. I will include this portion of the recap in the next installment for those that missed it. I wish I had a stable of beta testers...
FINAL BUG-ME QUESTION: Now ask yourself, was the Blue Dragon on the Isle the REAL one the Mayor saw?
