Ask Leggy Q/A (Warning: liberal spoiling where requested)

[Legolas]

Q: Dear Leggy,
I really want to learn how to script, but I just don't know where to start. It's all too much! Aaargh!
love, a banana.

A: Dear banana,
I'm so sorry to hear that. Growing up, the world may seem so strange and complicated that it looks like you are drowning. Most of this due to the hormones under your peel, which are also the cause of those brown spots.
If you are going to make sense of the scripting world around you, you should talk to a lot of people about this and see if you can identify with their ideas. You should also feel free to experiment with scripting yourself, a bad script really won't blow up your computer.
When you are still developing your scripting skills, and some never stop doing so, your biggest problem will be that the script either doesn't compile or that it does not have the desired (or any) effect. Borrowing scripts from others and reading some tutorials is a good way to avoid making mistakes while you are still trying to figure out the logic behind the scripts.
If you are completely new to scripting, clicking this link will take you to a site where the basic rules are explained. It is a pdf file, so you'll need to have Acrobat Reader or similar. Alternatively, so a google search for celowin and scripting, which also provides links to other tutorials by the same author.
Once you've come that far, try this one for help on performing some common actions. With a bit of adaptation, you can use it for entirely new things too. (It's a .pdf too)
Also, banana, there are many links to scripts, scripting tutorials and the like to be found on this site under "For Builders and Dungeon Masters", starting at Scripting (tutorials, FAQ, utilities, reference and forums).
Finally, this is a link to a plot wizard tutorial. Whilst you can write your own scripts, this one and the script wizard do tend to save a lot of time.
Now, stay relaxed and take it one step at a time. Noone expects you to master everything straight away, just start with simple things and work from there. If you're really stuck you could always ask another to write a script for you.

By the way, as you'll find out soon enough, the PrintString(...) command can help you identify the cause of a script's not working. Any string you put in there will make it's way to the log file so you can determine how the script was carried out, and what you may need to change. Once again, that's PrintString().
love, Leggy.

[ 04-09-2003, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

[Legolas]

Hi Leggy!
I really like this game, and the fact you didn't make it doesn't change a thing! But, I've just about had it with these experience caps. I want to be a level 1092 fighter, instead of remaining stuck at level 20. I had to create new characters over and over again because the old ones couldn't advance anymore. Isn't there a cap remover or something?
Bye, me123

Hi me123,
Are you absolutely certain you need an experience cap remover? According to AD&D rules, you shouldn't be able to get more than 20 levels unless your character is going to achieve the status of demi-god or other deity. If that's not going to happen, you shouldn't be advancing any further.
Also, a character which has reached level 20 is not 'done'. Sure, you won't get any better stats-wise, but you can still roleplay, explore dungeons, find items, have challenging fights and enjoy a good storyline. Those things are all just as great a part of the game as leveling up is. You should also realise that, in the official campaign, you gain experience ten times as fast as you do in regular AD&D. Coupled with the fact that under 3e rules you need less experience to gain a level than you did in 2e, this'll make level 20 seem like a very small amount indeed. But no mistakes, this is the closest thing from divinity, and divinity is reserved only for a select few special individuals.

If you still want to remove the cap, there are one or two programs out there. However, the experience table is part of the nwmain.exe file (actually, editing the xptable.2da is supposed to do the trick as well), and putting (edited) (parts of) that file on the internet is illegal. A simple remover will not work like it did in the Baldur's Gate series because any hackpaks will not override the experience table. This doesn't mean it's impossible to write additional levels, and there are some hakpacks out there which do try to work alongside it. With very limited success.
In fact, there is no actual cap, levels over 20 (and 20/9/1 characters are level 30, so this applies to them too) simply are not written and so do not exist. Not so strange, considering the fact that third edition rules only covered levels as far as 20 when Bioware was developing NWN. If any would have been added, you'd simply get a few more hitpoints, a few more feats, a few better skills, but nothing fancy. Why abandon the 3e rules for that?
Although Bioware did cheat a little bit. NPCs can get as far as level 120 (level "40" in three classes) so they can remain challenging, although the rules they go by are very limited.

Now, these days, there is the Epic Level Handbook, which covers levels after 20 (level 21 to level infinite). Okay, so why doesn't Bioware add those rules and we can all play on? Actually, they are doing just that. Work is in progress on two expansions (which won't be free of charge, unfortunately). The second of these, currently labled XP2, offers the possibility to level up even further. Possibly all the way to level "infinite" (should be out later this year, summer if not delayed), but likely stuck a little lower.

So, rethink the need, create your own module where advancement is slower or simply wait for the XP2 expansion, and you should be fine.
Bye, Leggy

[SpiritWarrior]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Growing up, the world may seem so strange and complicated that it looks like you are drowning. Most of this due to the hormones under your peel, which are also the cause of those brown spots.

You crazy nut [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 04-07-2003, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: SpiritWarrior ]

[Dreamer128]

Dear Leggy,
is it true that you have waaaaaaaaaay too much free time on your hands?

[ 04-08-2003, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

[Astina_the_Moon_Elf]

Dear Leggy,
What have you been up to?
Seen anyb good flicks?

[Legolas]

Mehh, no, sorry. Leggy can't answer any anonymous questions. You'll have to put a name (which doesn't have to be real) under your question

[Kaltia]

Dear Leggy,
Where can I go to worship you?
Ima. fan

[SpiritWarrior]

Dear 'Leggy',

I have given up on the dating game and turned my attention instead, to animals.

Where can I find myself a good horse? One who will treat me with the love and respect I am due.

Thanks,

Thomas O'Whinnihammer

[Legolas]

Dear Ima. Fan,

It is wonderful to hear you enjoy reading this column.
Unfortunately, since the XP2 pack has not yet been released, I have not yet been able to obtain godhood. Therefore you cannot worship me anywhere. Adoration, however, is definately an option. This needs no place, you can adore a person everywhere, any time. Poster sales will commence in two weeks.

Leggy

[Legolas]

Dear Thomas O'Whinnihammer,

How terrible. It can be really painful when a date with that special person does not work out. But you should not let that discourage you from dating again in the future, for the next time things may well work out far better.
If you cannot find any datable people in your region, perhaps you should consider moving to Baldur's Gate 2. There are many more romance options in that area for you to explore.
But, if it really does not work, and talking to others about it provides no relief, getting an animal is one of the best ways to cope with your depression. You could go here and search for 'horse'. Not all located specimens are suited for the task, but there are several which look just perfect. There are horses drawing carriages (without pencils!), wild horses, tame horses, ridable horses, and variations to horses like zebras and unicorns to be found. There are even horses sounding like deer to be found there.
Later versions of NWN may also include these animals, and ridable as well. Whilst some may be agressive, many others will make for agreeing and compassionable friends.
You're welcome,

Leggy