What is it?

[berelinde]

Alternatives offers two new possibilities to consider when making the decision about whether to side with the Shadow Thieves or with Valen's Mistress. In addition to the traditional two, the player may now opt to side with a group even the paladins in the party could have no objection to... or he may opt to skip the whole decision entirely and set sail for Maztica.

 

Alternatives also offers a different way to satisfy Mae Var's demand that the protagonist steal an artifact from a temple.

 

It is nearly impossible for a lawful good character to go through the game and remain completely true to his or her alignment. Siding with thieves is not a very lawful thing to do, nor is allying with undead a particularly good deed. The "Paladin Route" offers a third option, the ability to work for an unimpeachably good organization and eliminate two evils. The "Assassin Route" came about a bit later, as a result of some musing about how a character who has no real interest in either rescuing Imoen or going out of his or her way to take revenge on Irenicus might want to avoid the whole decision entirly and get the hells out of Amn. Jastey never liked the concept of stealing prized artifacts from temples while running errands for Mae Var, so she created a work-around for that, as well. The latter component is also incorporated in Jastey's Ajantis mod, so Ajantis is installed, the "Temple Thievery Alternative" component will not be installed.

 

Both new options begin after Valen and Brus make their traditional appearances. To begin the "Paladin Route," visit the Government District after speaking with Brus. To begin the "Assassin Route," go to the Slums, where a garishly dressed nobleman by the name of Malficus will make an attractive offer. He is standing outside the Copper Coronet, not far from the road that leads to the southern entrance to the Slums.

 

Once the protagonist has committed to performing the first task of the "Paladin Route," all other paths are disabled, but it is possible to do two of the three tasks Malficus sets before you and then change sides.

 

To access the "Temple Thievery Alternative" options, speak to people in the temple about your concerns.

 

SUGGESTIONS: When one deals with dishonorable people, some treachery and double-dealing is only to be expected. Also, when embarking on a new venture, it is always advisable to tie up loose ends first. Thieves, especially, or those wishing to get to know Renal Bloodscalp a little better or recruit a certain Red Wizard, would be well advised to complete all thieves' guild tasks prior to going to the Five Flagons in or making any final arrangements with Malficus. The quest givers of both routes will warn you when you are approaching the point of no return.

[Shaitan]

What a beauty you've created! Do I need to worry about compabilitystuff - I mean the comme stuff?

 

Cheers

[berelinde]

Hmmm. Trying to answer that question without too many spoilers.

 

Well, there's a part of Quest Pack's extended Shadow Thief quest that you won't be able to complete if you work for the paladins... and you won't be able to recruit Fade if you work for the paladins, but apart from that, there are no incompatibilities that I am aware of. Some of my testers had extremely heavily modified installations, so it seems to play nice with other mods.

 

I should point out that there's a mod out there that populates the Shadow Thief headquarters with odd creatures. It wasn't Alternatives.

[Constantine]

Alternatives offers two new possibilities to consider when making the decision about whether to side with the Shadow Thieves or with Valen's Mistress. In addition to the traditional two, the player may now opt to side with a group even the paladins in the party could have no objection to... or he may opt to skip the whole decision entirely and set sail for Maztica.

I can't see the download link. When's the release date?

[berelinde]

The public announcement and release has to coincide with planetary alignments and all (Saturn is LN), but I can put up temporary download links until the site gets updated.

[Ardanis]

The "Assassin Route" came about a bit later, as a result of some musing about how a character who has no real interest in either rescuing Imoen or going out of his or her way to take revenge on Irenicus might want to avoid the whole decision entirly and get the hells out of Amn.

WHY. IN. GODDAMN. HELLS. THERE. WAS. NO. SUCH. MOD. FOR. NWN2. WHEN. I. HAVE. PLAYED. IT?

 

I've been seriously tempted to mess with scritps and cut down that arrogant peasant nasher jerk pig for so many times!

 

I mean to say, great way to go

Well, okay, BG2 isn't NWN2 and I don't feel like leaving sis alone there, but the mere existance of alternative motivation, if bottlenecking in the end all the same, reflected in game's reaction to player's decisions, is a day of joy already.

 

 

PS It's sure good to play once in year at most, some good stuff usually comes out for the next try.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Ardanis

[berelinde]

****BIG, SPOILERS ***

 

SERIOUSLY

 

 

Unfortunately, there really is no honor among thieves. You're dealing with untrustworthy people,

and they betray you to take you the one place you really don't want to go... Spellhold

. I know, it's a cruel lie. But betrayal is part of the game.

 

I do feel a wrench of guilt for doing this, if it makes you feel better.

Edited January 22, 2010 by berelinde
spoiler tags

[Ardanis]

Having seen with a glimpse what you've written, may I suggest using

spoiler

tag?

[BigRob]

Oh, sweet alternatives, always good to have them. Congratulations on getting this done and out Berelinde!

[jastey]

Congratulations and hooray! Thank you for your work.

[Nythrun]

This is something people've been talking about modding since, what, 2002? And then you just quietly do it.

 

Awesome possum

[Wisp]

Congratulations. This sounds very interesting.

[berelinde]

Thanks!

 

Hope it pleases.

[Adia]

Just wanting to pop in and say 'yay' for this mod being made. Gives some more role-playing options, and I particularly like the option for lawful good characters having an option that is in-line with their beliefs. Haven't tried the assassin route yet, will have to create a bad character to give that a whirl.

 

My only quibble would be the start of the paladin route seems a bit ...odd. When you enter the district and are zapped to overhear the characters, then zapped back. At first I was thinking, what idiots holding a discussion out where I am meant to 'overhear' them talking. ...just seems a bit unwise for those characters, and jarring as a player. But I can deal with it

[Cal Jones]

I've now played through both the new paths and want to say, good job! I liked the puzzle box on the naughty playthrough - it felt like a Mensa challenge! It does seem as though Sime will work for anyone, though!