The Scroll: Version 2.65 Update (Important Update!)

The latest version of the campaign available is now v2.65, but is currently NOT available for download as I am still in the process of testing it. There have been some significant changes since v2.63, which was the last version available to support the previous module build. Since then, both the module and the campaign files have undergone some significant changes that would require a player to start afresh if they decided to download this latest version.

The critical changes include the following:-

1) MODULE UPDATE: The module was updated to correct a trigger variable that allows transfer to the next module (when available). Without this updated module version, transfer to the next module is broken and would require a minor fix (that I could supply upon request), before the game loads the second module correctly. Games played (and saved) from this module onwards should have the correct variable available in their saved game to move to the next module OK.

2) GAME TIMER UPDATE: There were changes to the way the game timer keeps track of time and also a fix applied, which means games prior to this version may encounter timing issues, especially with respect to the time system and vigour levels.

3) JOURNAL UPDATES: The Journal Update section with all associated conversations has been completely revised to avoid the multiple "journal updated" reports that occur in previous versions. I have also altered the priority of some quests so that they hold a better position in the journal when selecting the "recommended" button.

4) GLOBAL VARIABLES: After discovering the maximum name limit for a global variable had to be 31 characters or less, I discovered some PC names (or even player names) were "too long" when added to my own identifier string, forming a variable name greater than 31 characters. This meant the variable was being lost and so broke the code in certain areas - especially with respect to the AI "brain" icon. A string limiter has now been applied to prevent such problems going forward.

5) MOD TO MOD TRANSFERS: Updated mainly in v2.64 and still work in progress are the changes being made to support the module to module transfer code. I encountered some difficulties after realising the first area that a player enters within the next module had some difficulties with respect to companions/henchmen transfers due to the first area types differing according to how the player ended the first module. I had to move the functions around so that they could be referred to from either OnEnter script, taking into account that not every aspect of said functions is required immediately, depending upon the area entered. As I say, it's still work in progress, but I hope now any further changes will no longer affect the rest of the code, as they have been more thoroughly separated from the OnEnter scripts.

I am going to continue testing in both SP and MP mode (no DM this time) and aim to upload the latest version as soon as possible. If anybody is playing an earlier version and is encountering any issues, then please let me know what version you are playing and the issue, and I will make sure the issue has been dealt with or add it to fix.

6) HP BAR STABILITY: Sometimes the HP bat used to flicker. I have resolved this issue now.

7) AI TB INTERACTION: Updated the TB Combat System to support AI controlled PCs. Now a player can switch easily between the various modes during the same combat.

8) TLK FILE UPDATE: The latest version will also have another “OTHERS” to accommodate another TLK update for the AI feedback.

9) WEIGHT REMAIN (ON TRANSFER): Fixed weight info when transferring items between PCs. (It sometimes used to give the wrong PC info in one area.)

10) ADDED RIGHT CLICK INVENTORY: Added a right-click context menu link to open inventory for PCs. Either direct from world right-click (opens currently possessed inventory), or from portrait (switches to PC and opens their inventory in this case).

11) INVENTORY RECIPE BOOKS: Recipe books used to give recipe feedback whenever hovered over, but now they give the information when left-clicked on instead - just like any other item, with the extra info still being given in the chat window.

12) DRESS CODE: Some NPCs were failing to dress properly. Timing now fixed.

13) SPLIT FIX (WEIGHT): Sometimes a PC could report a weight error on splitting a stack. This has now been fixed.

14) JOURNAL FIX (SCAR): After some journal code improvements, a journal entry error was highlighted with Scar. This has now been fixed.

15) TB COMBAT AI SYSTEM: Fixed check to ensure PC not trying to performance action when compromised. Sent system haywire.

16) FAMILIAR FIX: Added some extra checking code to ensure familiars (and animal companions) do not cause some issues.

17) CREATURE ITEM DROP FIX: Added some check code to ensure creature items do not drop if the NPC changes form - i.e. polymorphs.

18) GOLD FIX (ITEM TYPE): Not the previous problems fixed, but a version type of the coin that needed extra attention.

19) DEAD THOMSK FIX: Fixed dead item drop on Thomsk if he should happen to die.

20) DRESSING STACK USAGE: Dressings all used when one used - Fixed.

21) GUILD COMBI DOOR FIX: The combination door would report “somebody already working the lock” when it was not. This has now been fixed. Until you receive this fix, you may not be able to finish some side quests - unless you can bypass the door some other way.

22) GREATER ESSENCE TOME: Finished all entries for the Greater Essence Tome. What a chore! Glad that’s done!

23) PAUSE VIGOUR FIX: Removed a problem that caused vigour drain to be paused indefinitely.

24) AUTO INVENTORY CONSOLIDATION: Finally got to the bottom of the occasional inventory auto-consolidation and placements issue. Had to amalgamate the two functions to work at the same time due to item possession at time of acquisition changing.

25) SOUND PLAY REWORK: A rework of the function that plays sound files to be more reliable when in tight areas. Also adjusted timing when warning about no weapon equipped.

26) DEATH DROPS: A rework of the death drop timing and efficiency to ensure drops do occur and body does not fade too soon.

27) PLACEABLE CONVERTS: I had to convert some placeable objects to environmental ones after discovering some bizarre behaviour of them “disappearing” as if “destroyed” in the presence of some VFX or so it appeared to me). Thankfully, converting these placeable objects to environmental ones appears to have resolved the issue. I only needed to do one area as far as I could see.

28) ON DEATH DROP STABILISATION: Continued to add checks to ensure death drops work as expected.

29) STACKED ITEM COLLECT: Continued to add checks when it comes to consolidating stackable items.

30) MISSING PLACEABLE OBJECTS: Fixed a function that was deleting placeable objects at random.

31) TEMPERAMENTAL TRANSITION: Fixed a transition that could stop working on some occasions.

32) CUTSCENE ENCOUNTER: Fixed cutscene encounters to work with scaled monster encounters.

33) SOUL DAMAGE: Fixed integrity damage on SOUL when switched between talk/normal damage.

34) DRYAD DISAPPEAR: Removed problem of dryad not disappearing if a player saved game during 8 seconds escape scene.

35) GROTTO EXIT TRANSITION: Fixed grotto exit transition after it broke due to a script change.

36) SUMMON CLOCKROACH: Fixed intermittent clockroach summoning horn.

37) COMPROMISED PC: Added further COMPROMISED checks to targetting feedback GUI (if using TB Combat feature).

38) TAKE ITEM: Changed some conversation lines to use homebrew take item, to fix the OC take item script that does not cycle through all player’s PCs.

39) FORCE CONVERSATION: Fixed a forced conversation event if the PC is dead.

40) HENCHMAN DEATH: Fixed a situation where a player may abandon a henchman by mistake and thereafter lose them.

The Scroll: Version 2.63 Now Available (Inc Consolidation Fix)

This latest version 2.63 is an IMPORTANT update, as it fixes some “consolidation” code, which can cause some inventory mayhem when you collect more items of a type that would go beyond their stacking limit!

E.g. 1: If you bought some iron rations (that stack in bundles of ten), all would be well until you bought the 11th item, at which point it would fail.

E.g. 2: You have some arrows divided into two stacks of 25 each, and buy a new stack. The stacks would try to consolidate, and then cause mayhem!

As I say though, this latest patch fixes that problem. It also addresses the following:- 

1) ITEM DROPS: Some items “placeable” counterparts were incorrect. I have fixed those I have come across and found. E.g. Books, and a ring found in a shrub.

2) ALTAR BONUS UPDATE: Temp HPs provided by an altar now are NOT removed by resting, so they have a longer life span for the sacrifice made.

3) DATABASE BACKUP: More database fixes for module transfers, including the ability to now recover (more accurately) a lost or broken database.

4) PLOT ITEM RELEASE: Plot items that are no longer used are now made non-plot so they can be sold or dropped after completing the main task of the game.

This marks the end of our DM controlled MP gaming test. However, my wife is currently running her own SP test, and we plan to play another MP run through (no DM this time) in the coming weeks. Therefore, there will be some more intensive testing, which should help rid the final problems that may remain.

Alignment Talk (Part Two)

This is a copy of another post I made in a forum when discussing alignments. It is comprised two sections, the first in response to someone who said they "used the law intuitively" in their approach and the second in response to the full post included below.

POST BY KEVL: 

I think we’re seeing the “intuition” (mine) vs “rationale” (yours) modalities here.

MY RESPONSE:

Well, it may be that what you refer to as “intuition” is actually what I (because it says so in the Bible) calls “the law written on their hearts” : -

Romans 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

We are basically being told that because the law of God is “good and right” and of God, everybody (including non-believers who God created too!) knows what is right and wrong according to God’s law because God has placed the law in every man’s heart.

Basically, they have enough knowledge of the moral law of God in their hearts by virtue of being created in God’s image (morality) so that their consciences are conflicted: sometimes approving, sometimes disapproving. (Moral Law: Ten Commandments. Not the Mosaic Law.) Also …

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

This speaks about how God makes a new covenant with His chosen, that enables such believers to have a new heart and no longer find the gospel offensive and believe it for what it is: That Christ died for their sins. The new heart with the Holy Spirit inclines us to obey the word of God, which includes those moral laws that all know. We become submissive to God’s law, because of our new heart.

So, in summary, both believers and non-believers are aware of a moral conflict (due to having been created in God’s image) and having the law in our hearts. But, the converted heart (only possible by God) is given a new heart of acceptance and has a new covenant where sins are no longer held against them … and the believer also no longer wishes to commit!

POST BY KAMAL:

Pretty much just what I am getting at, we can’t say “picking pockets = always evil act” in dnd. There are valid rationales for situations that make otherwise negative behavior the “good”. As a builder, we are not in a place to judge why for many things a player might choose to do or say.

Maybe the rogue picked a commoners pocket to be able to afford the gizmo they need to defeat the villain, and they had to do so because there was no other work available (no quests, no more random evil monsters to kill or things to hunt for sellable pelts).

Much of my Crimmor rogue specific module is this way, if you play a good pc there is a questline that shows that you are a member of the Shadow Thieves (an evil group) because you are infiltrating them for a good organization, and you report back on what is going on internally with them. You are essentially an undercover agent, doing some bad things because it’s necessary for a greater good.

The “middle area” where we shouldn’t automatically assign alignment points is much larger in a module without a DM. Some things are going to be evil no matter what, randomly killing some good orphans for example, or good no matter what, but the middle space is much larger without the DM to know the intentions of the player.

MY RESPONSE:

This actually reveals the whole point I am trying to make about the responsibility of the builder, and which KevL answers very well and quite succinctly in his post that followed.

However, to expand on KevL’s post, we, as builders know the full story and (as a responsibility to the player) should be building the module in such a way that the player should be able to tell when actions they take are going to be “good” or “evil”. And the builder consequently (who knows all), rewards alignment shifts according to the actions the player takes while trying to complete the quest. A very quick example: Man has key I want: (a) Kill man and get key (Evil). (b) Ask man and man may or may not give key. (Neutral?) (c) Go to authorities, plead case in law and win right to key. (Lawful) NOTE: This is a very simplified example, because it does not take into account whether the law is a good or evil one, or if the man killed was an enemy of the good refusing to hand over a vital key. However, The builder definitely knows, and any well designed module would have given the player enough clues to allow the player to know what type of action they are making too.

"Member of a Group" ... does not specifically reflect the moral nature of the person in question. Sadly, I have met many who call themselves “Christian” whose moral nature is severely challenged … That does not necessarily reflect the group (unless they all hold to such bizarre morality, which then begs the question of the label) … nor does the group affect the person in such circumstances. A label does not reflect the nature of the one carrying it, but their actions do.

“Greater Good” … I believe this to be misleading, as there is no such thing as a “greater good”, even though I have heard it a great deal and have probably (to my regret) used it myself from time to time. Note to self: Must stop using the term. However, that said, I can see how easily it can be used as a “plot device” in any fantasy world, simply because in such a world we have no real definitive “good” like we have in our own real world. Basically, for myself, I will try to keep my own story straight forward and that actions are either simply “good” or “evil” … and hope that the player will work out the right actions to take to complete a quest for good or evil.

Good V Evil : Another point that is often missed, because it is so subtle in our own world (and simply un-believed) is that there is such a thing as Holy War. In our own world, this war has already been “won”, and was arguably always the case, but from a human perspective, the “war” continues in what we see as conflict due to “good” and “evil” that men do. Therefore, if we are able to emphasise this point in our own modules (which many do of course when they involve the gods of the mythos), then the “order of things” especially with respect to what is good and evil becomes clearer. We gain perspective, as does the player, if they know what they are fighting for!

Example: Evil god hands over 1000gp to PC and says go and give everybody a 1gp to join my cause by worshipping me, knowing souls that worship him are destined to servitude in death. Consequently, a good god takes everything from PC and says go and do likewise to all that you meet by gentle persuasion, knowing that by doing so, all that do will be cared for by the good god. Now, the player PC knows that doing the evil gods deed is fundamentally evil, but for those he meets not in the know, this looks like a benevolent god, giving gold and so don’t ask questions and serve. Consequently, the requests of the good god look totally unreasonable and require a step of faith to follow. Subject to which action the PC takes, to serve the evil or good god, by either giving gold or relieving peoples of their goods (not by force like a thief I hasten to add), dictates the heart and mind of the PC … and hence their alignment shift that the builder handles for them. The bottom line is knowing with clarity from the start and ensuring a player knows what they are doing.

The “Middle Area”: My tag line “Even a shade of grey is made from black and white” was written for this so called grey area. Basically, the builder should know every possible outcome and way to achieve a quest because they built it! And at every step (that makes the grey), the builder then assigns alignment shifts accordingly, so the player “learns” what is and is not acceptable according to the steps they are taking. This is exactly what I mean by making every effort! Designing and awarding alignment points should not be arbitrary, but can be made of small adjustments here or there, as long as the more significant steps come with the more significant awards. E.g. Killing is evil. Theft is evil. Destroying evil is good. Taking back goods that were stolen is good.

NOTE: The same actions may be employed in every situation (taking life or taking goods), BUT the heart, mind and law behind that taking is what defines it as either: “killing”/“theft” (both evil) or “execution”/“seizure” (based on good laws of a good god). NOTE: The evil nature of hearts like to change and manipulate words for their own benefit, so it takes a discerning heart not to be manipulated by words that appear “good” to do an “evil” act. e.g. Judas reasoned he was “doing good” when he sold out Jesus to the local law of Pharisees (who had become a “brood of vipers” by this time), and so it is obvious to all (and he as well afterwards as he went and committed suicide - another sin) that his actions were evil, even though he argued (at the time and agreed with the Pharisees) that he was doing good!

A lot more could be said, but that’s enough for now.

EDIT UPDATE:

"As a builder, we are not in a place to judge why for many things a player might choose to do or say."

As builders that is exactly the kind of responsibility I am talking about! However, to be in a position to make such “judgement calls” we (as the builders) need to be absolutely clear in our understanding of the actions that our story is leading the player to take … and thereafter, award the alignment shifts.

The point being, we are not using our own judgement, but that judgment that we know is right and true … Gods! Which is written in the bible … and in our own hearts if we care to listen to our consciences … if they have not become seared. (Hardened heart!)

Alignment Talk (The Importance of Language)

This blog post is made due to a conversation I was having with somebody on the Vault forums. It speaks about the use of alignment in D&D, and my own beliefs. This was my comment:-

... I think this entire thread/conversation does highlight the importance of language, and how we use it … and that is always a concern to me. For if somebody hears one thing and understands it to mean something else to the speaker, then problems can arise.

While this is not always a problem, and can even make for a moment of mild amusement, there are other times when it is of the utmost importance! And, let’s be frank, if the language being used is talking about matters of good and evil, which, as we know, stems from a real-life perspective of a matter of faith, then its importance is paramount!

Logically speaking, whether somebody is a believer or not, if any conversation is talking about a matter of life and death, then anybody of sound mind should sit up and listen. And, as everybody who is reading this is alive (and knows they will die one day), then it behoves them to give serious thought about anything that pertains to an afterlife, which, as we have been discussing, includes matters of what “good” and “evil” are, and our own relationship to them.

Confusion of terms compounds misunderstanding, and will only serve to lead people into erroneous thinking, which ultimately will (at best) lead them astray while they are alive, or at worst (from a believers understanding), lead them to Hell in death.

The problems that the erroneous use of language (due to a sinful nature) are what give us the sects and heresies in the first place … and, so now we can see why (logically) that the only way a man can be “saved” from such errors (sins and evils) is by the grace of God, who is outside of such errors and bestows His grace upon those He chooses. i.e. A man cannot escape their sinful (evil) nature without outside salvation (God). The ones God saves are known as the “Elect”: http://www.calvinistcorner.com/index.html However, no man knows who God’s elect are, and so Christians still “Preach the Word”, because it is by hearing the Word of God that people are “saved”. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

That all said, and not to understate its importance, I now turn back to the matter of the use of language in D&D with respect to alignment in gaming terms. The bottom line being, and in my opinion, players of the game take a lot of what they “play” and “learn” in their role-playing to heart. After all, that is part of the attraction: to live out a persona that embodies the hero inside them! I can speak from experience when I say that playing D&D for me, opened up a lot of my thinking about life in general … including aspects of alignment and religion. Maybe, as a DM, it required greater thought to “implement” than a player simply “playing” it, but, nevertheless, it made me think … and not always in the right way.

However, thankfully, there were those around me, who, by the grace of God, helped me to discern and appreciate language and its use there of, to the point when I was able to appreciate when something was not “right”. And here is the point: I do sometimes think that players today lack any moral teaching, and only pick up any idea of “morality” from games that have an “alignment” system, including D&D. And if that system uses poor language or descriptions to reinforce an amoral idea of morality (as absurd as that sounds), which basically “subjectifies” peoples ideas of morality, then we are only serving to lead people astray.

Therefore, I strongly believe, a builder has a moral sense of duty to ensure their world minimises any confusion of what is and is not meant by the terms “good” and “evil”, so that it reinforces what we should already know in the real world with respect to “absolutes”. I am not saying we cannot have a morally difficult situation, or even a morally ambiguous situation, but am saying that a player should be reinforced in those areas that are already “absolute”. E.g. Even if a “rogue” does steal, the player should have all consciousness that the action would certainly be perceived as “evil” in the real world, no matter what language they may use (or borrow from D&D) to try to justify a known evil action such as theft. i.e. I hope said players would not be encouraged (in real life) to argue that theft can be “ok” simply because they believe they are not “evil”, but simply a little “chaotic”. That (in real life) is a slippery path to … fill in the blank.

Even a shade of grey is made from black and white!

The Scroll: Version 2.62 Now Available (Bardic Instruments)

There have been a couple of minor updates since v2.59, plus an overhaul to the bardic songs. My wife intends to play through The Scroll again, and wanted to play the bard class. Upon creating and testing a PC, we soon became aware that the instruments do not appear to add any benefit when equipping said instrument, and so I determined to look into it. After all, what would be the point to buying an instrument and taking up an equipment slot, if the instrument adds no benefit compared to a shield or second weapon. To thi s end, I did a search online to see if anybody else had come to the same conclusion and found that Clubok (who also inspired me to go more into Readable Books) had done this:

https://neverwintervault.org/project/nwn2/script/bard-song-buffs-instruments#comment-48111

I decided to pick up the mantle (again) and came up with my own bardic instrument system, which now offers players some minor benefits for using instruments with their bard PC as opposed to shields or a second weapon.

I have recoded the bard songs to work as follows when “wielding” instruments, with the following understanding:-

1. An instrument’s value determines a base bonus figure, which the bonuses are calculated from. All bonuses use this figure, and I have removed any reliance on “level” as (a) this is already used in some of the songs and (b) I felt the difference was too great and imbalanced the song effect.
2. Different songs require ownership of one of the three instruments currently available: drum, flute or lute (or any variant name thereof). Here follows a list of the instruments and how they affect the various songs. Currently, only the Haven Song can use any instrument, and all others require a specific instrument to gain the associated bonuses.
3. The player PC need only have an instrument equipped and the code then automatically searches for the best appropriate valued instrument to allocate the bonus. If no instrument is equipped, then no bonuses are applied, and a reminder is given about the benefits of wielding an instrument. i.e. A player does not need to switch instruments if they have one equipped already and carry the one they need. It’s equipping is assumed.
4. There are currently three values of instrument available per instrument:- 0-2500 will give a + 1 bonus variable, 2501-4500 will give a + 2 bonus variable, and > 4500 will give a + 3 bonus variable. (i.e. In the values below change a 1 value to 2 or 3 for the more expensive instruments where appropriate … or double/triple the value.):

THE DRUM DESCRIPTION (BASIC MODEL)

1. Song of Courage : + 1 ATT + 1 DAM
2. Inspire Defence : + 1 AC
3. Inspire Jarring : Penalties + 2 Disc + 1 Conc
4. Inspire Toughness : + 1 Saves
5. Inspire Legion : + 1 DAM + 2 RNDs Duration
6. Inspire Heroics : + 1 AC + 1 Saves HP Boost
7. Haven Song: + 2 Sanc Boost + 2 RNDs Duration (*)

(*) Any instrument does this.

THE FLUTE DESCRIPTION (BASIC MODEL)

1. Inspire Competence: + 1 Skills
2. Inspire Slowing : + 1 Will DC + 5% Slow
3. Cloud Mind Song : + 2 DC + 2 RNDs Duration
4. Fascinate Song: + 2 DC + 2 RNDs Duration
5. Haven Song: + 2 Sanc Boost + 2 RNDs Duration (*)

(*) Any instrument does this.

THE LUTE DESCRIPTION (BASIC MODEL)

1. Inspire Regeneration: + 1 HP Regeneration
2. Ironskin Chant: + 1 Damage Reduction + 2 RNDs
3. Countersong: + 2 Spell Resist + 2 RNDs
4. Song of Freedom: + 2 Level Boost. Large Radius.
5. Haven Song: + 2 Sanc Boost + 2 RNDs Duration (*)

(*) Any instrument does this.

NB: The CAMPAIGN code allows the instruments to be used to give a bonus after updating the folder. However, the instruments descriptions (as above) will only show on newly purchased instruments from a fresh MODULE start. The important point is that the bonuses apply whether you get the instrument description or not.

Other updates for the campaign in the latest versions include:-

1. AREA TRANSITION CODE: Tidying of some conversations and transition code.
2. RAVEL CAMERA: Ravel’s conversation has had some camera angle changes.
3. PATCH INFO: A default “Aargh! Forgot!” type message just in case.
4. REST INFO CORRECTION: Rule update that rest limitations can be worse than 50%.
5. ALTARS: Altars now stop interaction until Life Role set as Channeler or Harvester.
6. FIXMAINPC FIX: Removes an invisible creature that should be removed after use.

The Scroll: Version 2.59 Now Available

I have continued to fix some errors I have come across during testing, including:-

1) ON ACQUIRE FIX (CONSOLIDATION): Basically, the OnAcquire script fires a “consolidation” function that prior to the latest fix caused the OnAcquire to FAIL to fire for items acquired at the same time as a gem or other stackable item. The function now has a slight delay to allow the OnAcquire script to finish prior its calling. This will now fix issues like “Bound” Life Essences being collected instead of "Unbound" ones, and allow gems to collect into their appropriate containers (if carried). The “Bound” Life Essence problem was reported in v2.54, but was thought of as a “glitch” only. It has now been confirmed as a bug caused by this issue, now fixed (hopefully). The workaround would be to transfer the “bound” life essences between PCs, which would make them “unbound”. And, gems would have to be placed manually sometimes. This fix resolves those issues from occurring in the first place.

2) GRAVE HIGHLIGHT (MODULE UPDATE REQUIRED): Module versions prior to this latest did not highlight Josiah’s Grave in the graveyard. Originally, I left it more difficult to find, making it only for those players that stumbled across it with closer inspection. However, I think this falls into the realm of “pixel hunting” (especially as the z key highlight facility would also NOT highlight it) and so I decided to update the particular grave with a gold sparkle so players now know it can be interacted with. The sparkle disappears after an initial inspection. If you do not update to this latest version, note that the grave can still be interacted with, but you have to locate it with your mouse pointer first.

3) AWARD TESTS (IF DATABASE DELETED): A few versions back, I added the facility to allow a player to restart the campaign using the PC with the *same * name. (i.e. Effectively, the same PC.) It meant that previous saved games with the PC of this name would (possibly) no longer work as expected (and so were warned NOT to be used), but it also meant the player could easily start again with the same PC if they wished by choosing to delete the associated database with the PC. There was a minor error, in that the optional “Award Tests” game would not reset properly. This has now been fixed in the latest version.

4) VILLAGERS RISK REPORT: Removed erroneous info being reported on villagers and patrons if examined. NOTE: If you are already in the village (or Bloated Buckle), then you would need to leave the area and enter it again before the description updates correctly.

5) TLK FILE UPDATE: I also discovered another TLK description that had some wrong info. Therefore, I have now updated the Others file/folder again with the updated TLK file. (It’s to remove the reference in the feat description of Party Survivor, which says “The Main PC with this feat also has the benefit of not suffering any damage due to hunger. Companions can still die from hunger though.” This is NOT correct information and can be ignored.)

The Scroll: Version 2.57 Now Available

Another update for today: The latest v2.57 addresses those issues listed below … Please note that the Vol Gift fixes simply fix the way the gifts were supposed to work, with the exception of the No Fear of Death feat, which has been changed to the player (as opposed to the party), so it works in the same way as other Vol Gifts that are also only based on the player.

1) VOL GIFTS (UPDATED): In a MP game, the Companion Protector gift will now become available for all players who wish to select it, and not just to the first chooser.

2) VOL GIFTS (UPDATED): In a MP game, the No Fear of Death will now only work for the player that selects it. i.e. No longer can one player select it for all players to benefit from the gift. Only the PCs controlled by the player with the gift will have their PCs benefit.

3) VOL GIFTS (CLARIFIED): The No Fear of Death description will be corrected to read when any character falls in combat, rather than just the main PC (or leader).

4) DWARF SMITH: Open and available if encountered outdoors, even if after close time.

5) COMPANIONS GOLD: Removed gold coin item from companionable creatures. (Fresh start only.)

NB: In our own campaign, Jen does not currently have the Companion Protector feat because it was disabled to her because of the way the options had been setup. This was an error, and led us to believe that her companions were also protected by this feat, when they were not. i.e. If Threska had "died", then a tombstone would have been created because she was not protected by the Companion Protector feat. We never witnessed this to date because Threska was the only companion never to fall in battle! This can be seen by loading a TEST save and reading the Companion Protector feat description (before updating to the latest version), which states the Gift only works for the player that had selected it, and NOT for the companions of other players.

Going forward in our own campaign, (and in the light of this new information), I will allow players to choose their gift again, if they so wish. Jen has already stated that she may now opt for the Companion Protector feat. Bear in mind that this update means that XP penalties will apply on any "death" for characters of a player that does not have the No Fear of Death Vol Gift. i.e. Just like PnP days, a PC will suffer an XP penalty for "dying", even if they "recover" if a player also has the Companion Protector feat.

The Scroll: Version 2.56 Now Available

A player reported they had a situation where the Scroll given by Vol appeared in their inventory multiple times. The following fixes were applied, which the same player reported had fixed the problem. I also addressed a couple of other issues that could occur, especially if a player started the campaign with only a single PC.

The latest version, v2.56, addresses the following issues:-

1) MAINPC HEARTBEAT: If a player started with only one PC (did not create any others), then their Main PC heartbeat would not start. The same issue would occur if the player did not possess another PC at least once. Therefore, the latest fix ensures a pseudo PC is added/possessed/removed to ensure the heartbeat gets started. (This evaded me in the past as I always played with a party from the start.)

2) VOL GIFTS: On the back of the above issue, a player could miss out on a Vol Gift entirely, as it relied upon a heartbeat call from the MainPC. So if a player either had no other PCs or had not possessed one before meeting Vol, then this script would not fire. Now, it is also set to fire the moment the conversation with Vol ends.

3) MOD VARIABLES: As somebody had reported issues with receiving multiple copies of The Scroll item, I have reworked the “between module variable controller” to use an item that the Main PC already carries, thereby avoiding creating another item and thereafter having to rely on destroying said item. In testing, the old method could sometimes fail, leaving the player sometimes with no Scroll item, or even with multiple Scroll items. In testing the new system, this appears fixed … and also no longer prevents a player from leaving an area, as it relies on an integer rather than an object check now.

4) INVENTORY (NEW PC): A minor update. I added a line of code that would ensure the player could read “A New PC Has Been Selected” in the inventory window if they had previously scrolled the window description and then selected a new PC.

The Adventure Continues .... 31. Mind How You Go! (v2.55)

Well the last session we played turned out to be THE last session marking the end of all the quests available. We will be having one last "tidy up" session, which will include some PC house-keeping, and a special "Dream Sequence" episode that will cover an area of the campaign not explored by the players. This allows me to test that final section and keep a saved game prepared for any possibility of further modules in the campaign.

As you know, my current task (alongside fixing problems with module one that we came across) has been preparing the campaign for transition between modules ... and writing the second module. I have to admit this has been slow progress, simply due to health reasons. However, now that our play through for module one has almost come to an end, I may be able to do a little more. I am reasonably certain I have completed the module transition code, and can now concentrate on the story aspects. However, like always, time will tell with respect to how far I get.

I do also plan to have another multi-player run through of the first module, but this time as an active player (rather than as a DM). I want to do this so that I can fully test all the changes from the last play through, and test one or two aspects of play that the last play through may not have tried. E.g. Playing through by a different path. Besides, I think it could be fun for me to have a go as a player too ... and test how the balancing has changed things.

As regards to the play of the last session, apart from a few minor issues, we did also encounter another critical broken multi-player transition. Here follows the problems encountered and fixes involved in detail.

The List of Fixes

1) TRANSITION (ASTEND): The game-breaking bug (MP only) we encountered this session was another broken transition, which failed to fire due to a delay added to the end of the conversation. The delay did not serve much purpose apart from allowing a slightly longer view of Astend performing his spell, and so was removed to allow the timing of the transition to work as expected. Thankfully, these transition bugs should have only affected MP games, but I am sorry to those that have had to wait for fixes to play multi-player.

2) FORMULAE PAGES: In our session, when one of the PCs picked up the first formulae page they were meant to collect, it did not fire the GUI to give advise about collection. I think this may have been a glitch, along the lines of those that I explained last time. However, I did alter the code slightly to help ensure the associated GUI on collecting the first page does fire. Tested as working.

3) "STILL BEING WORKED": A couple of puzzles reported "Still Being Worked Upon", even when they were not. One was due to a (non-critical) bug, but the other I believe stemmed from some code changes made over the previous weeks. I will keep an eye open on these as we play again, but hopefully, this is not a problem.

4) OBI REWARD: A reward collected by the heroes from OBI was giving too much, as it included associates that should NOT have been included. This has now been fixed.

5) RAGNOR SWORD JOURNAL ENTRY: The journal entry for acquiring the sword of Ragnor Oran would keep firing when passed from PC to PC. This has been fixed.

6) CLARIFICATION (GONG): I have changed the way the conversation works with Astend's gong. Players would think the conversation had stopped/broken and try clicking again, even though it was "paused" in the process of sounding a second time (when struck twice). Now the gong sounds twice in quick succession without any pause in the conversation. Furthermore, any hostile creature summoned will now correctly un-summon on being killed.

7) CLARIFICATION (TELEPORT HUB): Players did not realise that a summoned portal was an object that could be interacted with. To clarify this, I have made it so a central hub now appears within the portal encouraging the player to click on it.

A Final Word

All in all, after dodging the bullets of bugs as we went along, the campaign played well. Yes, we had quite a few moments of rough-riding when some bugs were more persistent than others, but thankfully, everything was "fixable" along the way, especially as I was present as the DM. Hopefully, our own experiences will help make for a smoother game for those that wish to try The Scroll MP as well.

The campaign lasted far longer than I first anticipated, by almost double! At first, one may think it was due to the way we used turn-based combat, but the in-game timer ignores that part of the time. Therefore, our nearly 71 hours of gameplay was all story and adventure! It did include the times when players stopped to purchase equipment and read the various tomes and scrolls throughout the game, but even after accounting for this, the first module does still offer a substantial amount of gameplay hours.

From my own experience, I believe the creatures encountered needed some balancing, some of which I addressed as we played. Others, however, will only be noticed on a fresh replay. I may even address this some more after I test it again.


In the end, the PCs have ended up at ninth level, nearly tenth, and are very wealthy, having stashed away just over 60 000 gold and are still carrying dozens of precious gems and jewellery. Most of this gold and some of the gems have already been earmarked for crafting and enchanting items, and so that will quickly drop when you consider the high costs of such. However, now that the barrier is down, new equipment will always come in handy for the adventure ahead ... when it is ready!

Astend Is Transfixed!

Helden Examines A Gong

The Heroes Rest Before Using The Portal

Ferocious Raptor Creatures Attack!

The Homa!

The Hag And Her Spawn!

The Heroes Explore Some Caves

And Encounter Huge Spiders!

A Mysterious Cavern!

The Adventure Continues ... 31. Mind How You Go!

The End of the Beginning!

NB: Contains spoilers for ALL backgrounds.

Helden stood in front of the door and blew through the pan pipes that played the annoying tune once more. Eventually, through the fighter's persistence the door finally relented and agreed that the heroes showed the perseverance they needed to continue past its way.

Beyond the door lay another staircase, which the heroes ascended with ease. When they reached the top, the heroes were surprised to see what looked like Astend standing in the centre of a Nexus Gate. How could he be here as well as be laying unconscious in his own tower? Helden tried to speak with the wizard, but Astend's gaze remained transfixed on the huge humanoid figure that stood in the centre of this strange environment. It soon became obvious to the heroes that until they rid the place of the strange shadowy creatures, Astend would remain distracted and unable to be spoken to.

The search was on, and not before too long, the heroes discovered more of the shadowy creatures that appeared to be the source of the strength of the huge humanoid figure that held Astend's attention. Without delay, the heroes attacked and destroyed nemesis after nemesis. And as soon as they destroyed the last one, the huge humanoid creature that stole Astend's attention fell to the ground, destroyed itself. Finally, Astend no longer stood transfixed on the entity that had stood before him, and the heroes could seek his attention at last.

Now able to speak with Astend, the wizard was still cautious of the heroes, but eventually they were able to persuade him they had genuinely come to help. After some time of describing the state of the village and trying to understand how Astend was both here and at his tower, the wizard was finally able to come to some understanding of what had transpired and how his problem and the barrier issue were connected. In concluding, the wizard explained that he needed his formulae pages to resolve the problem and that the heroes had to retrieve them for him.

[To avoid spoiling the plot for potential players, I have missed out some explanations here.]

Without further ado, Astend was able to send the heroes back to his tower, where he had explained how and where they could find his formulae pages. Needless to say, it involved answering a question of the statue that Helden had found within the secret room earlier. To find the answer to that question, the heroes had been told to find a book in the wizard's bedroom that would help them ... and to find that, they had to use the gong that stood beside the wizard's bed.

Five minutes later, the heroes had managed to gain entrance to Astend's secret chambers, and were now able to search the region for the formulae pages. In all their searching of the hidden chambers, they only managed to locate a few of the pages. It had become obvious to them all now that the remaining pages had probably been sucked  into the second portal they had learned about from Astend and now stood before. Before they would use it and explore the land beyond, however, Helden decided they should rest, and so they did.

Having rested, Helden led the party through the portal to the land beyond. Immediately upon arriving at the destination, the heroes were attacked by a ferocious creature that they later learned to be called a Trepid by the locals. The fact that the heroes had used the teleport and arrived at night did not make the combat any easier. However, the creature was alone and the fighters made quick work of killing it, leaving Karasten to loot the creature of anything that may come in use in crafting.

As the heroes continued to explore this lush green land by night, they encountered more of these Trepids which walked its grounds, sometimes smaller, but more often larger. In every instance, however, the heroes were prepared with both summoned creatures and the support of Sebastion, their new henchman, and so quite capable of defending themselves.

It soon became obvious that some of the formulae pages had been transported to this side of the portal, and the heroes immediately started to gather them. As they did so, they soon became aware of a barrier similar to the one that surrounded their own village. This had been expected, however, as Astend had earlier explained this to them. What did catch them by surprise, however, was they noticed a local tribesman of the territory standing on the other side of the barrier from them. At the same time, the tribesman had noticed the heroes too, and called the over.

The tribesman spoke to the heroes in broken common-tongue, but at least they were able to communicate. The heroes were soon to learn that this local man had been waiting for his friends that had passed through the barrier and not yet returned. Apparently, they had had to pass this way to honour something called the Homa, which they held in high regard and as something to be worshipped. It was during this conversation that the heroes then spied the last formulae page they sought, caught on the other side of the barrier with the tribesman. A deal was quickly struck between the two parties: If the heroes used the gold (given by the man to them) to pay homage to the Homa - and keep an eye open for the tribesman's friends, then the man would pass the heroes the page they needed through the barrier upon their return. The heroes had no choice but to agree and followed the path to the Homa as instructed by the tribesman.

After a short while, the large statue of what the tribesman had described as the Homa came into sight. Before it lay the tribute bowls, which Helden added the gold given to him for such by the tribesman. Immediately, a faint smell descended upon him, marking a blessing of the Homa, and the proof they needed for the tribesman to honour his side of their bargain. Fearing the fragrance may dissipate at any moment, the heroes made a hasty return to the tribesman, whereupon they concluded their deal, and recovered the last page. That would have concluded the heroes actions here, but a final request from the tribesman to help seek his friends prompted the heroes to consider one last search of the area while here. They all knew that the tribesmen would be unable to return to the other side of the barrier, but at least all would also know of their fate if they could locate them.

And so the heroes explored the region more closely, and in doing so managed to discover three cave entrances that offered further exploration for the missing tribesmen. However, one of these caves appeared to be protected by some mysterious magik, and while the heroes had managed to find one of the items they believed they needed to unlock the way into the cave, they were missing one other. So, for the time being, they left the mysterious cave alone and searched the remaining two.

It was in the next cave system that the heroes explored where they encountered a hag and her spawn. It also turned out to be these evil creatures that had taken one of the missing tribesmen as a prisoner, which the heroes were able to liberate, and give news of the fellow tribesman waiting for him. The hag and her spawn certainly put up a resistance, but the heroes were quite prepared for such and put the threat of the immediate area to rest as quickly as they had encountered them.

Unfortunately, the heroes were unable to locate any other surviving tribesmen, even after exploring the second cave system, which just held huge spiders and a number of sarcophagi. The spiders had to be dealt with as usual, and care was taken to alleviate some of the sarcophagi of their treasures. A strange nearby candle that appeared never to burn down looked valuable, but Helden decided they would not touch it in case it caused the undead to awake from the sarcophagi.

The mysterious cave was the last place the heroes could search for the missing tribesmen, although everybody thought this an unlikely place to find them as one of the ingredients required to bypass the caves entry protection was a hag's eye! The heroes now had all the ingredients they needed to enter the mysterious cave, and so made their way back to it and performed the ritual they knew would allow them entrance.

Apart from some really useful treasure, the mysterious cavern was empty of any living beings, including any missing tribesmen, as expected. The heroes had now explored every area this region had to offer, and feeling they had done their best, now decided to return as quickly as possible to Astend with the formulae pages with the hope of bringing the barrier problem to an end.

Three portal trips later, and the heroes were handing Astend his pages, and then had to stand waiting anxiously as Astend studied his own work. Finally, after just a few more moments, when Helden asked the wizard if he had found a solution, the heroes had their answer: he did! With quiet apprehension, the heroes stood back to allow the wizard to rework his incantation that would start to unravel all the problems his original incantations had caused. Then, within just a few more seconds and as Astend finished his spell, the heroes suddenly found themselves back at the wizard's tower, alongside Astend ... alive and well.

After some brief acknowledgement of thanks all round from one another, the heroes could wait no longer and proceeded out of the wizard's tower to check for the barrier: It had gone! The heroes quest to rid the village of the barrier was over! Finally, they could make arrangements to go to the capital city, Boran, and bring news of their quest there.

However, before they left, there were just a couple of things that Helden wanted to take care of. The first involved returning to the crypts, which they did, whereupon the heroes were now able to gain access to the tomb of Ragnor Oran and retrieve his mythical sword. As always, the task had not been quite as straight forward as they first thought, but succeed they did. Furthermore, upon returning to Orechin with it, they were able to convince the holy man that they may be able to put the sword to better use, and so were allowed to keep the wondrous blade.

The second task, however, was one that Helden had been looking forward to for some time now, and was easy enough to do; after all he knew where he could find him. Shutting the door to the Bloated Buckle behind him, Helden called out "Scraps!", and within a heartbeat the two were reunited ... and now the party were back together again, the new adventures that awaited them could be faced together.

TOTAL SESSION TIME (UNPAUSED): 4 Hours 1 Minute.
GAME TIME SINCE START: 70 Hours 55 Minutes.
QUESTS ACTIVE: 2 QUESTS COMPLETE: 33 (Ignoring Rule Info)

The Adventure Continues .... 30. A Realm of Chaos! (v2.54)

The last session got off to a slow start as we tried to address a minor quest issue, but after some script searching I could not determine the error and so we continued the session with me as the DM fixing the situation as we played. Today, after doing some more leisurely testing, I now have to conclude that the error we encountered was mainly due to a "glitch", because I was unable to duplicate it. A second minor error relating to treasure items also appears to be a "glitch", as once again I was unable to duplicate the issue with testing. The bottom line, I suspect most issues in the last session were more to do with using an older module rather than anything else. Bear in mind that the module we are using is quite a few versions behind the latest. Anyway, here is the list of information for you ...

The List of Fixes

1) JOURNAL ENTRY (SCAR SCAM): On the back of a new journal entry added a few weeks back, there was a broken sequence that quickly needed mending on the night. Our group took a path where the players cracked Grist's Chameleon puzzle on their own. The journal entry for this did not update. A quick save and reload after a minor fix sorted this, and it is now properly fixed for all. On the back of this journal entry fault though, came this second one, which I will refer to next within its own "Glitch" title ...

2) JOURNAL ENTRY (GLITCH): After cracking Grist's chameleon puzzle, the players receive a map, which when examined is supposed to unlock access to the treasure caches it leads to. Furthermore, as the PCs find the caches, the journal is supposed to update with a count. However, on the night, all the treasure caches failed to become properly useable, and the gold they contained ended up sitting on top of the cache instead of inside it. Therefore, the journal update did not fire because the caches could not be interacted with. When I tested the same code following day (using the same PCs, albeit with a DM present), the caches updated correctly and interaction was normal .... apart from something weird .... they were useable, even before I had used the map that is supposed to make them useable! Again, I have no idea why this happened, although I can say that everything worked as it should from a fresh start. Therefore, this goes very much under the title of glitch! On the night, as DM, I simply gave the players the item they needed on discovering the sixth cache.

3) TREASURE ITEMS (GLITCH): While on the subject of "glitches", here relates the second of the night: Upon returning to Kathy's chest where a player had stored some treasure items, upon opening the chest, all the treasure items had become unidentified. This at first appeared to be related to where I had disabled some code to help resolve the "more than one money pouch" being left within a chest. At first I re-enabled the code and "fixed" the money pouch a different way. However, after checking my code, I could not see any reason why this had occurred and so I tried to repeat the error within a fresh game ... and could not. Again, I have no clear reason why this glitch occurred, by can confirm that the problem did not exist in a fresh new game.

4) LIFE ESSENCES (GLITCH): I believe there was one other "glitch" on the night related to acquiring Life essences. Upon killing a monster, a PC can acquire Life Essences from the fallen creature. Life Essences start off as "Bound" Life Essences on a dead creature, but become "Unbound" upon a PC acquiring them either by Channeling or Harvesting them. Somehow, a player had two of the Bound versions on their PC, suggesting the OnAcquire code did not fire for them. Hopefully, this was a one off glitch too.

5) CHAMELEON PUZZLE EXPLOIT: On the back of testing the journal update for the "Scar Skim Scam" quest, I recognised a minor exploit where a player could gain a slight clue/advantage using Life Essences with this puzzle and then reloading. This has now been squashed in the latest fix.

6) PRECISION WEIGHTS (TYPO): Too many "S"s in a couple of places with these items. The typo has been fixed for all of them. Some may require a module update to be noticed.

7) ROD OF LOCATING (MP ONLY): If a player tried to start a new game with a PC that already carried a Rod of Locating, then the PC would fail to load any saved game thereafter. This was due to a timing issue when checking if a Rod was present or not. The timing has now been fixed, and the PC no longer reports having a missing item. (Discovered during testing.)

8) NPC CONVERSATION: A function to have a NPC start a conversation was not always finding a valid PC to start a conversation. E.g. Grist in the cellar. This has now been fixed.

9) GAME BALANCING: Some creatures were too weak, while others marginally too strong. I have done some minor tweaking again. Some alterations require a module update.

Astend Found Unconscious!

Helden Discovers A Secret Door!

Karasten Examines A Broken Guardian

A Strange New World!

Ghostly Figures Attack!

At the Top of the Well!

A Monstrous Slug-Like Creature

The Caravan and The Melody

Hope Rekindled!

The Adventure Continues ... 30. A Realm of Chaos!

Where Nothing Makes Sense!

NB: Contains spoilers for ALL backgrounds.

The heroes returned to the wizard's tower, having just bathed and rested after returning from the sewers one last time. They had used a map that Myara had managed to recover from a Chameleon Stone that once belonged to Grist. From its directions, the heroes had followed the maze of sewer tunnels and recovered a large sum of gold from a number of hidden caches that the map revealed. To top it off, they also recovered a platinum statue, well worth its weight in gold and more! Hopefully that would be the last time they ventured into the sewers, they all thought.

Now Myara was needed to put her code cracking skill to the test once more, as she stepped up to the wizard tower door and requested to work on its mechanism. Thankfully, she was well used to working these mechanisms now, and it was not long before the halfling was leading the group into the wizard's abode. The heroes had barely entered, however, when they stopped short, noticing the body of Astend on the floor before them.

Wasting no time, the heroes stepped forward and carefully examined the wizard, for he was caught in some kind of spherical vortex. The clerics quickly ascertained that the wizard was unconscious. Curious, Myara also checked the wizard closer and took a couple of small precision weights that she found on him, leaving his gold, gems, and more importantly, his spell book, well alone. As she did so, however, she felt strange and was overcome with what sounded like voices in her head. She continued to listen for a short while, but just when she thought they would draw her into the vortex, she stepped away.

Helden saw what had happened, and suggested that they take care while searching the rest of the tower, in case there were more potential hazards. During their search of the immediate area, Helden found a secret door with a statue behind. On approaching it, the group were asked a strange question, to which none knew the answer and so without saying a word, Helden backed the group away, deciding to take the search elsewhere for now.

A door led out of the entry room and into a corridor. Myara led the way, and before she had time to spot it, she stepped onto a hidden trigger and a fireball was cast towards her from a dragon head at the end of the corridor. Jumping to one side, the halfling managed to avoid the worst of the blaze; more damage to pride than skin. A short while later, the halfling found the switch to disarm the trap and the group were then able to continue in safety.

Apart from a kitchen (with more precision weights that the halfling pocketed for some reason), there was also a small work shop and a bedroom. The bedroom appeared to hold some useful books, but were kept behind a force-field preventing access to them. Karatsen considered that a nearby gong may be a means to disarm the forcefield, but added it is also just as a likely to summon a monster, and so the group decided to leave that for now. Within the small workshop, the heroes discovered a broken White Guardian.

Earlier the heroes had found a book within the front room explaining that this White Guardian, who Astend had named Sebastion, had been one of the wizard's recent projects. According to the same book, the wizard had broken its mechanisms while experimenting with it. After reading the book the heroes had already taken steps to ensure they had everything they needed to restore Sebastion to a working state should they come across him. Now they had, and it took Karasten little time to restore the broken parts, and thereafter leave Myara to restore the coded mechanism. Within only a few minutes, Sebastion, the White Guardian was an active member of the party; ready to carry out orders of Myara, until it learned anything to counter such from its memory banks,which it determined to fix in time.

The heroes had now hit a dead end. They really only had two options open to them: Try to work out the answer to the statues question, which seemed impossible without access to the wizard's library behind the forcefield, or alternatively, risk trying to communicate with the vortex that surrounded Astend again. As Astend was their prime target to help resolve the barrier issue, Helden made the group decision that they should try interacting with the vortex once more. This time, Helden took the initiative, and after only the briefest of interaction, the entire group was sucked into the pulsating sphere ... and transported to some strange chaotic realm!

The events that occurred next are almost too strange to relate and one would have to experience it themselves to fully comprehend what transpired. In brief, the heroes found themselves fighting strange outsider type beings, climbing ropes to exit wells into a land where spells could not be cast. They encountered a tree and some stone that could talk, but never in any sentences that truly explained where they were now. They would then go on to climb staircases that led to more bizarre creatures, and battles, and conversations with unknown beings about music and a chaotic repetitive tune.  The only thing that appeared to remain consistent was the chaos of the place, and it was somehow connected to Astend and his very nature, being ... or thoughts!

After a number of such strange encounters, the heroes eventually found themselves talking to a door that now refused them entrance due to the heroes apparent "lack of perseverance". And having already prevented "a tree from falling into despair", and prevented "an invisible being from going insane" and being rewarded with a flute of perseverance, it was now not coming as such a surprise that this strange chaotic place would become such an accuser.

TOTAL SESSION TIME (UNPAUSED): 4 Hours 41 Minutes.
GAME TIME SINCE START: 66 Hours 54 Minutes.
QUESTS ACTIVE: 5 QUESTS COMPLETE: 30 (Ignoring Rule Info)

The Adventure Continues .... 29. The Restless Dead! (v2.53)

The last session went well, and I believe a fun and relaxing time was had by all. There were a couple of minor issues, including a new take on a gold problem (but nothing serious) and some minor visual errors. All in all though, the main fixes needed this week were a couple I discovered while testing outside of play. Here's the rundown ...

The List of Fixes

1) GRIST CHAMELEON PUZZLE: The main issue for gameplay on the night was due to a variable not being set on Grist's Chameleon Puzzle, which meant the answer expected had not been properly set. This occurred due to the flow my players took through the game, which other players may also come across if they do not pay Scar for the answer. To fix the issue, the variable is now set at the beginning of a game. (I have fixed the variable for our own game for next session.) Thankfully, this issue came to light as we were finishing the session, which meant I had time to rectify the problem before the next session. For those that may already be playing, the safe path is to pay Scar for the answer, or sell him the stone. If you do not do either of these, then you could always use Life Essences to crack the code, but it would use a fair number and the answer would reveal an obvious error by producing a TAG. (NB: Do not forget that you cannot use Life Essences and reload to use the answer as the game checks for this kind of exploit. Life Essences would still be taken on a reload.) If you know about scripting, you can also open the toolset and edit alb_althea_patchscript and uncomment our game patch there.

2) SCARS DESK: This produced an empty GUI when clicked. Easy enough to close, but an error all the same. I updated the placeable in the area, which should prevent it from doing so. This fix requires the MODULE update and a fresh start.

3) JOURNAL ENTRIES: There were a couple more minor alterations to fix logical flow in journal updates to do with The Barrier and Ravel's Request entries. Because these two quests are closely linked and other events are affected by their quest states, it requires careful management. However, I believe I have ironed out all the points now, especially when related to acquiring rods.

4) WORLD MAP: I have two instances when a land map drawn by myself in another program is presented to the players. The first is if they click on the nexus, which offers Teleportation Travel (when the barrier is lifted) and the second source is via the Party Maps (from the hotbar) if and when the players manage to find the "world" maps. However, one of my players said they had received the wrong version when clicking on the Party Maps. I checked the code, and while I could not see any major problem, I did end up changing one function for a more basic way of showing the world map compared to another that added some variables. (I also ensured a Teleportation variable cleared down.) As this code is not used to any extent in this module, I will take a closer look at the variables in module 2. However, on testing after the changes, both map systems appeared to display correctly in all my testing.

5) XP EXPLOIT: During testing I noticed there was a small chance (subject to how a second player joined a session compared to the host) that their joining could cause PCs to not be set to the correct level / XP. A variable has now been set to distinguish between PCs joining at the start of the game (when XP should be set at zero) or when "rallying" new PCs at the Bloated Buckle, when they can be added with XP averaged to the party current.

6) "SOMEBODY WORKING": There was an instance of Myara (the rogue) not being able to interact with a combination puzzle on a door due to the code thinking somebody was already working on the door. I believe this was just a throw back to an old problem because the rogue had already interacted with the door once before (many sessions ago) and was during a time when the problematic variable had not been fixed. Checking the same door from a new module did not repeat the problem.

7) OBI STEN CONVERSATION: A small square block was removed from the conversation. I have no idea how these strange anomalies have crept into the odd conversation. They appear to have replaced the odd apostrophe, which I fix as I come across any.

8) SPLIT EXPLOIT: A player pointed out that while splitting a stack, if they selected zero, then it was possible for a single item to be split from the stack, without affecting the total amount remaining! I added an extra check to ensure no action is taken if the selection returned is zero.

9) MONEY POUCH STACK: I want to make it clear that we had NO problems with the gold management on the night, and all pouches and gold carried among players' PCs calculated correctly. However, my players' PCs had reached the point where they needed to offload some gold and chose to leave it inside Kathy's chest. This all worked fine until a player then went to add another single pouch to the same chest that already contained a stack of pouches, and the stack was removed leaving only the single pouch. This was easily fixed by myself as a DM as the host, but I point it out as a warning to other games. The workaround is to ensure a PC grabs all the money pouches from a placeable object and combine pouches before placing the combined stack into said chest or other placeable. I have NOT fixed this issue to date, as it may not be required for many players, and the workaround works fine. however, I will take a closer look as time permits.

Always Rats!

But Also Skeletons ...

... And Zombies!

Statues Animate and Attack!

The Heroes Inform Obi About Merkes

The heroes Confront Merkes!

And Make An Enemy of The Thieves Guild!

It All Points To The Wizard's Tower!

The Adventure Continues ... 29. The Restless Dead!

The Lesser of Three Evils!

NB: Contains spoilers for ALL backgrounds.

"I've decided that we'll deal with the crypts first." said Helden, who had no great love for either of immediate tasks that faced them: Either search the crypts for the sword of Ragnor Oran, which likely meant facing undead ... or consider stealing a gem from Obi for a rogue called Merkes, which went very much against the grain for the moral conscious fighter.

And so as the heroes were already in the Sanctuary, first Karasten prepared a few more items for the group to enable their quest, and then they opened the trap door to the crypts below and descended. It was dark, dank and musty, and even after taking only a few paces into the tunnels that made up the crypts, a strange otherworldly cry echoed throughout the chambers. Something other than rats "inhabited" these tunnels alright.

Continuing along, the heroes did encounter a number of large rats, with which they dealt with easily enough, but always they were conscious of whatever lay deeper within. And shortly after descending a small tunnel, they soon came face to face with their fears: undead in the form of both skeletons and zombies!

Both the clerics, Threska and Elana immediately tried their turning ability, only to quickly learn that they were coming up against a resistance greater than their current foe should have been able to provide. At once they realised these undead were the work of the necromancer and enhanced in some way by his evil incantations. Nevertheless, even though more difficult, the clerics were still able to rebuke the dead that had begun to make their way towards the group ... and Scraps along with the summoned creatures of the group were sent in to finish the undead off.

As the heroes pushed forward, more waves of undead would spawn a short way ahead, and the clerics turning and summoned creature tactics would be put to work again. Thankfully, the clerics were able to sustain the summons and Scraps with healing, allowing them to act as a barrier and front line, keeping the heroes relatively clear of harm's way. Being a hero is also living long enough to be one thought Elana, as she took her own defensive stance behind the summoned creatures, the undead just beyond.

Deeper and deeper into the crypts the heroes ventured, turning many undead and silencing their deathly cries once and for all, until eventually they came to the source of the necromantic energy and destroyed that too. Their venture had not gone unrewarded either, as Orechin had given the heroes permission to take any items that they may find useful as payment to their efforts in ridding the crypts of the evil source that disturbed the rest of the dead. The reward mostly consisted of gems and hundreds of gold coins, but in one chamber, (which had been guarded by both a poison trap and animated statues, which Myara and then the fighters had to deal with), they found a lone sarcophagus that contained various magik items too, including a living weapon!

Everything was going well, until they finally managed to descend into the chamber that they believe held the sword they sought, only to discover that the barrier had blocked further progression that way too. It turned out that the heroes would have to deal with the barrier problem before they could retrieve the ancient relic for the holy man.

The heroes returned to the Sanctuary and brought Orechin up to date with events. Then, the heroes decided it was probably their duty to report what Merkes had asked them to do with respect to the village leader's gem. Not long after, the heroes were talking to Obi in hushed tones, as the leader expressed a kind of thanks for warning him about the threat, and then in quieter tones how he would not look too deeply into matters where those of Merke's abode may meet an untimely end.

And so the heroes were once again having to choose between either steeling from a potential corrupt bureaucrat or killing a known thief. Neither appealed to the heroes, but if they wanted to resolve the barrier issue then retrieving the two rods that Merke's still held meant making a deal with at least one of the parties, because it would have been impossible to try to find the rods whereabouts without Merke's knowing about it.

With a sigh of resignation, Helden led the heroes back to the Thieves Guild, and after Myara gave the password that gave them entrance, they made their way to the upper room where Merke's awaited their news regarding the gem. At first, the heroes appealed to the master thief to help with respect to the barrier, but his price for helping them remained the same: the rods for Obi's gem. That demand was to be Merke's last. As soon as Helden knew they would get nowhere further, he stepped up to the door to guard it and gave the briefest nod to Myara to begin the attack.

Merke's was no slouch, although he was clearly outnumbered. He called for guards, but they were too few in number and had to get past Helden before they could aid the guild's leader. Not before too long, the battle was over, and the entire top floor of the guild had been cleared. Thankfully, no more resistance came up the stairs, and so the heroes grabbed the opportunity to search the room for the rods ... after some crafty searching and some careful disarming, Myara soon held in her hands the last two rods they needed of the three for Orechin.

Returning to the holy man was not easy, however, for as soon as the heroes returned downstairs, Travis and other members of the guild met them in combat. The heroes had been expecting this, however, and Flint and Helden had gone down first, and were more than capable of dealing with the rogues here. Furthermore, continuing with the surprise advnantage, Helden took the fight to the basement where the heroes also dealt with Scar, the half-orc Targ, and some last remaining thugs. Merke's Place was no longer a Thieves Guild.

"Maybe we could make something of this place?" said Myara. Helden just gave her a long gaze, that said something along the lines of 'as long as it was not another Thieves Guild'.

Orechin finished praying for the divination that the rods returned by the heroes enabled him to do, and everybody in the Sanctuary were blessed with an answer from Boran. Not everybody had the wisdom to understand it, but Elana made out some of it, and Orechin confirmed what had actually been said: The rods were to be placed at the base of the three towers that surrounded the village. Then the source of the barrier problem would be pointed to.

After thanking Orechin for his help in the matter, the heroes took the rods back and went out and placed them where told to. As Helden placed the last rod, immediately three beams shone out from the rods and triangulated right to the front door of the wizard's tower. The problem was there! The heroes marched straight over to the tower, and knocked on the door again. Last time they had been unable to gain entrance because the door had argued against them. This time, however, with the evidence of the beams the heroes were able to persuade the door that they should see the wizard ... and the door had agreed. The problem was, the door discovered it was unable to communicate with its master ... something was wrong.

Unable to open without authority to do so, all the door could do to help overcome the impasse was allow the heroes to examine its locking mechanism. Myara stepped up to the door. If they were going to gain entrance to the wizard's tower now, then they were going to have to rely on her skills ... once again!

TOTAL SESSION TIME (UNPAUSED): 2 Hours 43 Minutes.
GAME TIME SINCE START: 62 Hours 13 Minutes.
QUESTS ACTIVE: 6 QUESTS COMPLETE: 29 (Ignoring Rule Info)