**Warning! This is a lengthy posting!**

Hiddley ho!-D


I am experiencing a bit of insomnia at the moment, and am tinkering with the Better http://www.wolflore.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1845# Trollbone Armour set I am crafting, but I actually had the chance to sit down and play the game (OMG!!!! Imagine!), and I kept walking past a certain character so unimpressive (And this has always irked me, Bethesda!) that the character may as well not even be featured in the game.


I have an idea to, once again, kill two birds with one stone: In addition to making the armour set (basically BB-fying quorn's set, it's proving to be surprisingly easy. I must be getting better at this!-), I want to figure out a pretty clever, seamless way of doing so. Quorn simply made it available at the Pawn Shoppe in Dagon Fel. I wish to keep that, as it makes sense logically and consistent with my idea.

What I don't want to do is re-do the inventories of all the Armour Shoppes, since that will very likely cause conflicts with a great number of mods, nor do I wish to include the armour in the level lists, so those ideas are out.


My idea:

There's a very minor, superfluous Alleged "Murderous Outlaw" roaming about, so much so that Larrius Varro actually offers a quest to some hapless stooge, since the Imperial Garrison is so understaffed (and no doubt they are unionised) to respond to this, "so-called threat." That stooley, of course, is you.

This Alleged Threat has a name: Fjol.

Fjol, quite frankly, is the worst excuse for a ruffian I have ever seen!!!!! You can walk past him, wearing nothing but your birthday suit, and this lazy layabout only lifts a finger if you exclusively engage him. Such a lack of initiative!!!!! Such SLOTH!!!! It's disgraceful. This is the terrible, horrible threat, this smelly Svenska? He is like a chafter and on The Dole. He's not very enterprising at all.

He also has very vanilla armour and a wimpy axe (see where this is going?) Colour me unimpressed with both him and the local constabulary for not vanquishing this exceedingly benign hooligan performing a very poor impression of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" (This also ties in the idea, as the protagonist of this children's tale is a troll.-) Also, because Fjol is so impotent, it makes little sense that: The police simply didn't use him for target practice; the nearest town simply didn't hire a mage or band together with torches and pitchforks and deal with this knobhead themselves, or even why Fjol would appear on Larrius Varro's radar. Very poor planning on the quest, Bethesda. Tsk, tsk. But, we've *come* to expect such tumescence from you, Bethesda.

Now, to my knowledge, no mod has ever exclusively dealt with Fjol, and I want to do something original (and logical), improve the quest difficulty, and have a place to, you guessed it, procure the armour set without resorting to some cheap, errant chest.-) And I want to do it in way that is very simple, but very engaging, much like PeterBitt's now legendary "Nirnroot" quest, or my personal favourites, "The Muck Shovel of Vivec", and Enmesharra's mod where you pursue a very RPG, lore friendly, series of quests for privilege of wearing Indoril armour, as these simple quests fit in seamlessly, IMHO.


I want to:

1) Make it so you're *forced* to engage Fjol via script (very easy to do), and increase the radius so it's a pain in the bum to walk around him whilst exploring The Bitter Coast (and make the no-account actually do his http://www.wolflore.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1845# and worthy of such ill-repute!)

2) I want to increase the amount of responses available when and whence you engage him.

In the spirit of the dashingly handsome BTB (I have this on good authority) and his BTB's Game Improvements (particularly the Economy Adjuster, which makes it *VERY* difficult to amass wealth) I also want to increase the difficulty of these: Increase the amount of Drakes he demands (at least 500, if not a 1000); if you don't have the minimum funds, you offer possessions of equal value (and you could quite literally have to give him the shirt off of your back); refuse his demands and forced to fight him; or give him an eye poke or kick in the groin so he's stunned for a few seconds so you can flee (and in my idea, Fjol is now *VERY* persistent and will *NOT* take no for an answer); or (discreetly) ask the lusty Nord to "take it in trade," with 25% chance of falling ill from "social disease".

And these options *will* reset so's you get so annoyed, you finally have **REASONS** to want to liquidate him, such as retrieving your swag.

3) Increase his stats so now he's **actually a threat** and why the local villages are leery of him, don't engage him, and now his title of "murderous outlaw" is not simply an Informed Ability. (I'm considering at least doubling his stats. I do **NOT** want him a one-shot enemy!)

4) Fit him with the Trollbone armour, but as M'Lady Elaura says, "Enchantment? Enchantment!"

I figure, since it's Trollbone, and trolls are traditionally **NOT** resistant to fire while Nords have a "...famous resistance to frost-based spells...", it would seem consistent a "Resist Fire" (either 5% or 10%, CE) for each armour piece seems pretty appropriate. His axe? 1 to 25 Cast on Strike Frost Damage and say, 25% Weakness to Frost, Cast on strike. Now, even the exceptionally lazy constabulary has a **REASON** to avoid him, he being in the swamps, and he could conceivably vanquish a posse (I said, 'POSSE", BTB! **Giggles**) *and* a mage that a nearby poor fishing village might be able to scrounge enough bapki to hire. I also want his loot attractive enough, but not over-powered, so he's a viable quest *and* a reason for you getting svckered into doing Larrius Varro's work for him.-D

5) In the interest of "balance", Larrius Varro's http://www.wolflore.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1845# is also increased, but you won't be getting rich from this quest (no more than 1000 Drakes).

6) If want the un-enchanted version, simply follow the path quorn laid.-)

So's, I improve the quest, increase the difficulty of the game, and find a way to introduce the armour in the least game-breaking, but most original, way....

AND. NO. CONFLICTS. WITH. THE. MOST. POPULAR. MODS! Mod conflicts?????? HATE!


Thoughts?

Edit: Speeling. **giggle**

Edit: Content, Troll lore...thx swrdphantom!-D The **NOT** makes a difference!-D

Sounds interesting. However, I'm familiar with trolls having a weakness to fire rather than a resistance. Other than that, it sounds like a great idea.

This idea sounds fantastic. Strangely, I have never met this lazy ruffian. Or maybe I have and he was so boring I completely forgot about him? Either way, I hope this gets finished and released. And if you ever get bored again, maybe you can find another villain worth upgrading somewhere on Vvardenfell. If that keeps going, maybe we'll have an island with more interesting villains than outstanding citizens!

Sounds like a good idea to me!

With that said, it wouldn't conflict with any mods whatsoever to add the armor to various armor shops (unless a mod completely alters/removes the area the seller is in). All you have to do is make a new container to put the armor into (would only need one container) and then hide it in the same cell as the seller and assign them as the owner. Do this for each armorer you wish to include.

Or, for a prefab solution:

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=mods.detail&id=6966

Thank you, Melchior!-D I was under the mistaken impression whenever you augment a particular cell, you override all modding done to that cell...

I could place small containers in walls, to prevent theft of them. Or is that too mean and baised against footpads?

I suppose I could make the armour available to a select few blacksmiths: Only Nords armourers (it **is** "Nordic Trollbone"), like the ones in Caldera and Molag Mar, and Orsimer, since they are traditionally rustic and beastfolk types, like the one in Suran (makes sense they would opt for armour crafted from bone). The pawn shoppe in Dagon Fel stays, as homage to quorn as I am BB-fying his armour.-))))

Meldor is out, since he is arguably the most modded armourer, and Arille is out as the most modded merchant. I am **VERY** paranoid WRT mod conflicts (if I have not beaten that dead horse enough...)

Otlichno!!!! Thank you, Alexxx. This will be helpful! **blows a kiss**

Thank you! It's now a [WIPZ].

Your comments WRT Fjol are **PRECISELY** why I conceived this idea!-D

Edit: Speeling! **giggle**...and very much irony since I *should* know how to spell "conceive" by now!

Not mean at all, a lot of mods do this. In addition to theft prevention, it is also more conflict-free. As if you would place the container somewhere inside and other mod would add container to the same spot, they would overlap and it would look bad. But if you place it in walls, under floor etc. then even when some other mod adds container to the same spot, you don't have to mind it, as even if they overlap, player wouldn't been able to see them.

Looking forward to see your mod done!

Also, do you plan to update other armors by quorn? I would love to see them all in BB

Good to know!

Thank you! I have another mod taking precedence, but is basically complete. Just putting the finishing touches on it.

Not necessarily by quorn per se, just the ones I really like. The ones I wish to BB-Fy are: Trollbone, Dragonbone, and definitely the most stellar of original armour mods (as in made completely from scratch), Dracus' Durzog Armour Mod.

If I were as brilliant and talented as Moranar, I would BB-fy all the lore correct armour mods. Alas, I am not.-(((((( Maybe someday.....

Keep practicing is all I can say...you are doing things I have not even contemplated in blender yet. I am still doing more simple things like my http://www.tesvskyrim.com/screenshot-1983-1.

Boring, otherwise-featureless NPCs are really the best method of inserting new stuff into the game. The only place where you ever run the risk of running into conflicts is with mods like LGNPC and its ilk.

Also, a good 75% of the original post in this thread sounds like something I'd write >.>

Hmm, I need to add Complete Trollbone, and this sounds like an interesting plan using an afterthought NPC. I had to look-up Fjol to even remember him. Perhaps give him a couple of henchmen to increase the threat and force the encounter. Give them long-range, forced-greetings like "Talk to da Boss." with a forced "goodbye" just in case the PC gets closer to them than Fjol.

Looking forward to seeing it, however you proceed.

Just got to say... So many brilliant English insults in one post!

Thank you, Mein Gott! (See what I did there?-) This is a wonderful idea! On the Wolflore forum, it was mentioned to be mindful of not overpowering wimpy characters, especially since Fjol is more of a new player quest.

This may solve a problem I wish to kneecap: How to deal with keen archers and carpet-bombing mages. Solution: One or two strident ladyarchers at his side (Fjol is designed to be a sociopathic lecher). So's, if you think you can fell him from afar, well......

I *may* even make the ladyarchers have red hair and eyepatches! *giggle*

It *does* say in Varro's dialogue, "murderous outlaws", as in plural, so *technically* I would not be breaking the spirit of the quest. It would also make even more sense why the constabulary is less than inclined to deal with the gormless lout.

Mate, I could make Ricky Gervais cry like an infant....*laffs* Imagine Dame Judy Dench speaking the original post, for that added punch!-))))

Derek Jacobi all the way The idea of Judy Dench giggling scares me a little

Hmm. He *was* in "I,Claudius" (which is very, very somewhat "Morrowind"-y). But, he's not a girl!-( How's about Malcolm McDowell, and call's it stevens? I've *always* wondered about that chap.-)))))

I'd certainly be interested to see McDowell staring with his googly creepy eyes and then say "Hiddley ho!-D I am experiencing a bit of insomnia at the moment..."

The enthusiasm of the post would go really well with Julie Walters Come to think of it I'd possibly pay to hear Julie Walters say "Such a lack of initiative!!!!! Such SLOTH!!!! It's disgraceful. This is the terrible, horrible threat, this smelly Svenska? He is like a chafter and on The Dole. He's not very enterprising at all."

See this is my kind of off topic

The problem you're then creating for yourself is then potentially making similar mods for other characters then you've got a LGNPC scale project on your hands!

This kind sir Lady, sounds a like a brilliant idea, and a most interesting read also! Hailing from the good old girl myself (Old blighty if anyone asks), it could help but smile at some obiouvs pop culture refrences that our international counterparts might have over looked!

As to the mod itself, its an interesting idea and I like the idea of an active bandit/mugger/thug rather than "oh no he looks like a [censored], he is a threat, destroy him!" - rather than feeling like your doing a dirty for the Imperial nut job with such a highly paranoid nature that makes the Fargoth haters seem like kittens. (seriously the wood elf is not up to anything!)

I would also ask, that as the character in question is suposed to be such a threat, simply powering him up, giving him a spiffy set of armor and a nice tooth pick would it not be an idea to make him a leader of sorts? Sort of having a rabble of merry men willing to do his bidding, hiding out in the bitter coast, attcking old ladies with nothing but "nie" upon their lips simply because they can?

It would make sense, that such a rising threat, would actually be a threat to the small imperial garrison and town guard of Balmora. Why would an imperial general be worried about one man; unless he has command of a rabble to cause the imperials a concern.

HA! tiebrakre you've become my new favorite person.

Oooh! That gave me the creepies, Hicks!-D Julie Winters is good choice! Now, how's about Patricia Routledge, AKA "Hyacinth Bucket" (pronouced *BOO-KAY*. HAH!)

Back on topic ---

Ah! Thanky kindly, you and BTB! I forgot to check and view if LGNPC alters Larrius Varro, as I may have to update his dialogue as well.... And no, no LGNPC vastness is planned. Keep in mind I am a brain enfeebled, ne're do well modder.-)

Thank you; alas Zenimax has *not* overlooked one or two. #IfyouknowwhatImeanandIthinkyoudo!-D

See what I mean? Now, if I wrote the screenplay for "Morrowind -The Film", Ricky Gervais would be cast as either Fargoth, or more to my liking that nincompoop enchanter Bosmer, Tarhiel, who falls to his doom. Fitting, I think.-)

Morrowind certainly needs more shrubbists! Should I give Fjol a Holy Hand Grenade?-D

I'm on the fence on this one. I have spent the evening planning and writing the dialogue for this project, and revising Jac's dialogue tutorial for scripting (it appears I have forgotten globals, floats, and variables).

YAY!-D Thank you, lad! (Don't forget the EVIL! "u". *giggle*)

For any scripters and dialogue gurus out there, I have a question:

If I were to write dialogue whence a choice involves giving the NPC an item, say, a ring or a set of clothes within the PC inventory, would I have to include EVERY POSSIBLE article of clothing or ring?

Since normal scripting does not take real time inventory of the PC, is there a "blanket variable" or some simple function I can use within normal scripting and dialogue?

For example, you meet Fjol and you have some gear, like common clothes, an expensive ring, a dagger, and some wickwheat (50) and you have the choice to offer Fjol an item in lieu of Septims, since you don't have the minimum amount to pay him to avoid being brained to death. The choices are:

1) "Offer Fjol a ring" - Would I have to specify EVERY type of ring within the script and write and attach a script for each ring?)

2) "Offer Fjol an article of clothing/armour (or all your clothes; I haven't decided how mean I wish to make Fjol. I do want the player to *HATE* Fjol)" - So, would I have to write the script to give Fjol clothes (or armour) you are *specifically* wearing, and write the script for all possible clothing (or armour), since Fjol won't know prior what clothes or armour you are wearing?

3) "Give Fjol your weapon" - same concerns here as above.

4) "Give Fjol some ingredients" - is there any way for the script to give all of a certain ingredient, and would I have to write and attach the script to EACH ingredient?

I know that MWSE can search the inventory of the PC, but I wish to avoid third-party programmes as much as humanly possible....

Any ideas or definitive answers would be *most* appreciated!

Unless you write dialogue for all possible clothes, items, etc its not possible.

Or, you can make him accept only exquisite clothes, jewelleries or ebony weapons etc or something like that. But still it makes for a loads of items.

It might be worth it to take a look at the scripting on Vorwoda's http://lovkullen.net/Emma/vorwoda.htm companions, as Vorwoda scripted a way to upgrade their weapons/armor/clothing without Companion Share.

*UPDATE*

I now have a http://www.wolflore.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1845&p=21192#p21192.

I have decided to nix the "merry band of pilferers" angle, and ladyarchers are also out.

I am going to pursue the "Improved Fjol" direction, and have gotten many excellent scripting and dialogue suggestions.

@RaveBlack

Thank you, lad! I'll look over the scripts and see if anything can be cannibalised, or if I may glean a new idea.-)))))

Also, if anyone wishes to volunteer for BETA testing, please let me know.-))))

Looks very good! Does it use only vanilla textures, or are you adding some new?