BigRob

Thanks for that vote of confidence Proserpina. A heavy couple of weeks at work have slowed the writing somewhat, but I'm still hoping to get all the principle writing out of the way before year's end.

In terms of being able to actively tell Aerie where to go, this option already exists in the conflict interjections the PC has. However, I'll have a think about adding some more comprehensive options for a private conversation between Aerie and the PC.

Thanks Domi. From the NPCs it's mostly simple Peanut Gallery stuff, but for the PC, I figured sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, so why not let the PC be able to break in on some NPC canoodling.

I was just basically hoping for nothing really over the top, even in PC options.. I'd like any 'jump at her and eat her eyeballs out of her head' options to be late in the.. hate trees.. if at all..

All the options are for verbal sniping/getting Aklon away from her only, though you can get rather... upset. I figure if players want to pluck out Aerie's eyes, there's always the attack button to click.

a hint of anti-Aerie feelings? Come on BigRob you MUST have know from the start how we girls felt about that wingless brat! I do remember me making a post about shoving her into a dragon's lair. My friend was horrified by that concept. He said I needed to season her first! I totally agreeded with him too!

 

Well anyhow...I will be awaiting you next update and any spoilers you may give us! Any chance of me getting my monk before the new year? Or at least before my birthday? (in feb) Keep up the good work!

If I can keep up my current speed, I hope to have the writing finished by the end of the year. Then I'll work on getting things coded. That might take a while, but there's a lot of reseources and expertise here, so I'll try and see if early next year will work for an alpha/beta release.

As for spoilers, I'll see about psoting a little something from the banters/romance sometime soon.

The mod isn't going to have TOO much anti-aerie in it, is it?

 

I have a hard time playing Kelsey because of the anti-anomen in it.

No, there's not all that much anti-Aerie in the mod. Aklon certainly isn't against her (they are romancing, after all). What there is is mostly PC driven, so you don't have to snipe if you don't want to. You can even be encouraging to the two of them, if you want.

There is some abuse of her from certain NPCs, but it's rare and I've tried to keep it in character with what's already in the game (Korgan, for example).

I don't think Aklon dislikes Aerie, but I think there might be a few people here who don't care for her much.

 

Not a big fan of NPC-bashing myself. After all, your least favorite NPC is bound to be someone else's favorite.

 

Now *in-character* NPC dislike is another story. If there is a legitimate reason for one NPC to loathe and abhor another, so much the better, a *little* abuse would be appropriate.

 

I could see Aklon getting along poorly with Edwin. Edwin thinks he is better than everyone else, and does not object to the idea of slavery. Aklon might have a hard time getting past that.

You've got that right, Edwin and Aklon do not get along very well, for all kinds of reasons...

I'm making sure that each NPCs interactions with Aklon (and his with them) are written in character as much as possible and not bashing NPCs for the sake of it. Aklon will have some conflict with Anomen, for example, as the two of them are not really compatible personalities and they might also be rivals for CHARNAME's love, but I won't have Aklon "win" all the conflicts. I'm also balancing this with some instances where they show respect and even camaraderie for one another.

Do I detect a hint of anti-Aerie feeling in the air?

As I may have mentioned before, there will be opportunites for those unwilling to share Aklon (or Aerie, come to that) to snipe, sabotage and generally object to their relationship.

In terms of progress, I finished another dialogue last night and have made a start on the next. There's only about three to go before I'm done with her. I'll post something up on the progress thread when I have a little more done.

Nothing goes from cute and loving to terrifying and violent quite as fast as a cat can. So, the moral of the story is, never code with animals, or children. Neither of them can spell.

Thanks very much for the kind words (and singular word ) all, it's nice to hear that everyone can understand and even tolerate my delays. That said, I'll be striving (being the operative word ) to allow Aklon mobbing in as short a time as I can.

But why do I smell ozone?

Has it really been three months since I posted here?

To make up for that long absence, I can report that I've completed the first ten of the Aklon/Aerie romance LTs. Most of that time was taken up by one particular LT, with a lot of potential for player interaction, but I am now moving on to the final phase of the romance, which should take less time to complete.

More progress as I make it (and hopefully more regularly).

Thanks for the encouragement SMichelle.

I have made a bit more progress over the last few days (as posted in the progress report thread), and now that I'm getting into the final phase of the Akon/Aerie romance I'll try to get (and keep) a move on.

*gives embarrassed cough*

I'm still working on the same dialogue I was working on before. To be fair, this one is a major turning point in the Aklon/Aerie relationship and it has a substantial amount of PC interaction with it as well (giving all those choices really slows things up, unfortunately). I am currently nearing the end of the dialogue and I hope to get it finished tonight and move onto the rest of Aerie's romance and interactions.

Giddy-schoolgirlishness excused.

I'm glad Aklon has spurred your interest in other areas of Faerun. I'll be working to try and get things into the coding stage as soon as possible so keep watching this space (or the pinned thread above). I hope to have some proper progress to report shortly.

Thanks for the kind words, I'll be working to make sure he doesn't disappoint.

As for besting Edwin and Kivan... well, let's just say he'll be different. If people enjoy the mod, that's all that really matters.

Then welcome to G3, and thanks for posting here first.

I'm working on it still, and I hope to have some proper progress to report soon.

Thanks to you all for the interest in Aklon, I'm getting there...

I have a question and I couldn't find the answer in the forums yet.

 

Do you think you will be doing some Cross mod banter with Kivan and other populair mods etc?

 

I am looking forward to this mod.

I have a question and I couldn't find the answer in the forums yet.

 

Do you think you will be doing some Cross mod banter with Kivan and other populair mods etc?

 

I am looking forward to this mod.

 

Well Aklon is already there on the list of mods signed up for Crossmod and I know for a fact that BigRob is still interested.

Yep, Grim is absolutely right. I will be doing cross-mod banter with as many different NPCs as I can arrange for. I have had some thoughts about a couple of NPCs

Hello!

 

i just like to say that i'm very very impatient to test this mod. I think it will be my favorite (after Tsujatha's or perhaps before...) I had see in this topic that i must wait until this winter. (and after the 31 th december) so long!!!!!! I don't know if i will survive . No just kidding. I know that it's a long and difficult task and i thank you for making a great mod for us.

Oh when i think. I saw in the Aerie's romance that she had a baby with the PC but any romance for female PC offer this opportunity Why ? If Aerie can fight and have a baby Why not a female PC? I think it's an interresting idea isn't it ? Even if it's just mentionned in the epilogue (if you have noticed there was never " they were live happy and had more children"

yes i know it's a little....classic. But more women wish have children later so....

 

I apologize for my very bad english and i give you all my encouragements for the next.

and once more time i very very very impatient

Kiss

I have to say, I completely agree with Mylene. Not enough female romances feature the option of eventually having a child, either in the epilogue or in ToB, and I think this happens to be an incredibly sweet and romantic thing. So if this option or idea was ever kicked 'round for Aklon, I think it would be well-received.

To answer your questions, after the relationship gets to that stage (if not in a spot before), you will be able to speak with Aklon about the possibility of having children together. As for what eventuates from it, well, I might just keep that under my hat for now.

Thank you for the well-wishes, I'll be working to help Aklon live up to expectations.

As for comments on specific events in the Strongholds (such as obtaining Carsomyr), I already had a few of these in mind, both for romanced and non-romanced NPCs. The idea is quite a good one though, and it might be worth expanding to a wider range of events. I have already written up options in the player initiated dialogues to discuss the major happenings in the game, but I'll have a lok wen I do final editing and see if I can add options to discuss things arising from the Strongholds as well. Thanks for commenting.

As in Aerie trying to charm Aklon, or Aklon beginning to try and charm her? If the former, I hope he can let her down until he's sure the PC isn't interested! But for my party, likely she won't be in it, but I can't help but wonder what their dialogs would be if she were there. And I can see Vicci trying to woo him, as well, even if it is basically for his good looks and...ahem...slave experience!

He has that, and comes with a free collar too. Vicci will indeed be giving that a go, but there no real romance there.

 

Actually, I think such a banter or banters between Vicci and Aklon would be quite interesting, possibly with other party members commenting, agreeing or perhaps even being protective of Aklon.

There will certainly be some tension involved, and I can see comments coming from several NPCs, not to mention the player. It's going to be a bit more complex than simple flirting. Aklon is curious to learn all about the drow, after all....

I imagine that reference to his former slave status would definately strike a raw nerve.

Oh no, he won't like that at all.

As in Aerie trying to charm Aklon, or Aklon beginning to try and charm her? If the former, I hope he can let her down until he's sure the PC isn't interested! But for my party, likely she won't be in it, but I can't help but wonder what their dialogs would be if she were there. And I can see Vicci trying to woo him, as well, even if it is basically for his good looks and...ahem...slave experience!

He has that, and comes with a free collar too. Vicci will indeed be giving that a go, but there no real romance there.

Aklon and Aerie's romance is driven mostly by Aerie, so if you play your cards right, he will be letting her down at some point.

Personally, I don't want a romance where my pc will have to jump thru hoops and agonize. But a little scripted conflict would indeed be welcome!

You won't have to jump through hoops to romance Aklon, even with Aerie present. You needn't comment on Aerie's attempts to attract Aklon if you don't want to. The options for conflict are there so that you can have your say when Aerie gets a little too close to Aklon for your liking and don't have to suffer in silence.

Awww. I think I'm the only one who likes Aerie, and is looking forward to her romance with Aklon.

 

Ah well. *shields her from all of her very enthusiastic non-fans*

You might indeed be the only one. Well, consider it a personal bonus then.

Ahh...but with a cliff you can say, "Hey Aerie, do you really want to know what it's like to fly?"

 

*hee hee* *now that's just plain evil*

 

Seriously though, I've got to say Aklon is the mod I'm really looking forward to. Although some mods ended up surprising me. (Edwin comes to mind. Probably one of my favorites at the moment. I never in a million years thought I would like Edwin!)

How sad is it that the main reason I'm replying here is because of the extremely amusing image of Aerie being pushed off a cliff?

No, no, I'm extremely thrilled about the Aklon romance, and the possibility of snickering quietly when he turns Aerie down. *snickers quietly*

I've actually run out of romances for BGII (I've done Edwin three times already! *snickers quietly*) and it's made my day to know that another one--that sounds really well-done and amazing!--will soon be an option. Thank you, BigRob!

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents....Aerie will totally have no chance at Aklon as long as I'm Player 1. I've actually killed her when she was shapeshifted into an ogre, just for the satisfaction of watching her die.

 

Thanks again for all of your hard work, Rob! It is appreciated!

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents....Aerie will totally have no chance at Aklon as long as I'm Player 1. I've actually killed her when she was shapeshifted into an ogre, just for the satisfaction of watching her die.

 

Thanks again for all of your hard work, Rob! It is appreciated!

 

Why kill her there? Just dump her in the Underdark to have some fun with the drow.

 

as you guys may be able to tell...i do not like Aerie. She is the most annoying person in the entire game. Anomen outside of the romance is a close second though.

Thanks all, I hope when it's done you'll all like it. And those of you so inclined enjoy giving Aerie hell.

Thanks for the prodding SMichelle, KIrving and Menelanna. Time for writing over the last couple of weeks has still been bad. I want to try to forge ahead in the next few days and get Aerie's Romance done and on to the Anomen conflict as soon as I can. I will post something serious on the Progress thread when I make it. Sorry about that.

Look how patient I'm being, I waited a whole week to post again!

 

I noticed that the last "official progress report" was a month and a half ago-so I wanted to ask:

 

1) Are you still planning on Aklon being fully voiced? (I really enjoyed his banter in the "ask Aklon" thread)

I'm planning on making him as voiced as possible. While I did say that AKlon would be fully voiced, I underestimated the number of lines required for that and voicing every line may result in a ridiculously huge download and a lot of time for the eventual voice artist to commit. Especially with banters for NPCs I may cut back on voicing, to help him blend into the background, as it would be odd to hear a voiced line fomr him followed by silence from the NPC.

2) Are you still planning on releasing SOA and TOB simultaneously?

Hmm, I don't recall saying that, but sorry if I did. I don't intend to release the two simultaneously. I know this will cause some disjointment in playing the second part of the romance, but in this case, everyone's been waiting a long time, so I figure letting out the first bit should keep everyone happy until I can get the second part done. Being smaller, I'm hoping to get ToB out a lot faster.

3) What are the chances that Aklon will be released on or before December 31, 2006?

 

(be honest, I can take it)

At this time, not so good. If I can get writing and keep writing quickly, I may have all major work on SoA finished by then and begin coding. Unless anyone has a time machine they'd like to lend me.

Well I know I said I wouldn't start hounding you yet but it's Spring and Summer is just around the corner so, *friendly prod*.

OK, consider me prodded. I will make every effort to get some serious writing in this week and leave Aerie's stuff behind.

Oh, (and just speaking for myself here) but if it will get the mod released any quicker, you can skimp on any Aerie - Aklon romance, because the only way she'll get her hands on MY man is over my cold dead body!

 

*laughs manically*

 

*cough, cough* er.. yes, what I meant to say, in a perfectly calm and sane (yes very sane) tone of voice is; keep up the good work BigRob!

 

 

(oh and I would NEVER, EVER imagine pushing Aerie off of a cliff. How could you possible think such a thing?!)

 

*goes to find a cliff*

 

what, you're still here? I'm just looking at the beautiful scenery, er...I'll just be going now.

why bother finding a clift to shove Aerie off of? Just push her into a dragon's lair. <Charname> seems to be able to find plenty of those.

 

but truely Alkon is SO not going to know that whinning little wingless brat exists! (well...not until the PPG Calean romance mod is finished and I am romancing him)

So the option to get into some of Aerie's LTs and steer Aklon away will be welcomed?

Thanks for delurking to give me a some encouragement, viking style. As always, I'll be trying to make sure the final product isn't a disappointment for the high expectations.

Work has proved problematic over the last couple of weeks, but I've been making a bit of progress over the weekend and hopefully should have some more info to put up in the Progress reports thread soon. Hang in there!

I know what will help:

 

Get yourself a post office box that will take packages, and post the address to that post office box. We will all send you sweets and every delicacy we can imagine, and you will have nothing better to do than sit down to spend some quality time with Aklon (whom I will never refer to as Ak, Akky, or any other horrible nickname) and all the goodies we send to aid your concentration.

Then the problem becomes the fudge deposits in my lungs, doesn't it?

I have two truly evil recipes for truffles. One is dark chocolate, the other white with pistachios. Do you think Akon would like them?

It would certainly be a step up from his usual diet of trail biscuits and wild game. You could always cook it and ask him, when you can find the option.

True! Maybe Akky (we can call him Akky at some point in the mod, right? ) will be a sort of christmas present for all of us.

 

I kept thinking of signing up just so I could comment here, and finally did so.

Welcome to G3, and thanks for the comments.

Writing this week has been abysmal (that's real life for you), but I'll keep my fingers crossed for Christmas.

On the subject of pet names, one or two pop up here and there in the romance and flirt options. The one that appears most often is "love", but even that not very often. I haven't gone for that many to avoid trying to second guess player preferences (like for, say, Akky). I suppose I could always do a poll.

pffffh when I get to play with Aklon in the group he is SOOOO not going to even know that wingless brat exists! (well mabey he will find out about her when PPG's Calean is finished and I am romancing that one instead)

 

keep up the good work BigRob! Perhaps I should give you some of my nice fudge cookies I will be baking this week as a sort of way to get you work faster! Would that work? A trust me these cookies are the best ones I have ever had!

I'll take them, but that won't guarantee faster writing I'm afraid. Probably slower, since fudge is so hard to get out of a keyboard.

Cookies! If that doesn't get Aklon released, I dunno what will

Well, if you're all volunteering...

True! Maybe Akky (we can call him Akky at some point in the mod, right? ) will be a sort of christmas present for all of us.

 

Hmm, I dunno if I'd want to...'Akky' sounds like you're choking on something

And the Heimlich maneuver isn't exactly a romantic start to the evening, is it?

Yep, Minarvia is right, I'm hoping for an initial release near the end of the year. That date will firm up as the writing progresees further and I find out how much coing and testing this thing will need. A little while to go yet, but hopefully I can use the word "soon" soon.

Well, I'm going to start hounding you from about the first Tuesday in December!

Well, I'm going to start hounding you from about the first Tuesday in December!

 

I'll help with that.

Oh oh. I've done it now.

Yep, Minarvia is right, I'm hoping for an initial release near the end of the year. That date will firm up as the writing progresees further and I find out how much coing and testing this thing will need. A little while to go yet, but hopefully I can use the word "soon" soon.

In my experience Happy dance + Headcold = Passing out, so that's probably for the best. Good luck shaking that cold KIrving, I'll try to make sure next time you check in there'll be something else to happy dance for.

Thanks for the words of encouragement all, I'll try to make aure that what you see at the end is something quality.

the last couple of days have been pretty busy overall, but the upcoming week looks clear, with luck there may be a fortnightly update instead of a monthly one next time.

Okay, another month or so has gone by, so here's a bit of an update on progress.

It's been a bit of a mixed bag for writing this month, the last two weeks or so have been pretty poor, but overall I've managed to get the first six of the Aklon/Aerie lovetalks finished. If writing time improves, I hope to get their fling cut and dried and move on to other NPC banters within two weeks (but, er, don't hold your breath ).

More to come soon...

SK has abilities that the game engine may not share. This means you could probably add extra damage to the chosen enemy by using an external program of some sort to detect the enemy chosen and add a variable that can be seen and reacted to in-game, but probably not while the game is running.

You could probably add multiple racial enemies in-game as Andyr suggested, by using spells in the CLAB and a dialogue based selection system.