Is it possible to generate new NPC's thru scripting?

I'm currently working on a mod that allows you to rent enchantments rather than buy them and when you don't return them, the person that rented the item out to you will send people to retrieve it. I would like for the player to be able to kill them off if they don't want to return the item, after which the owner would send a new gang, stronger and better equipped until the item is retrieved. To this end I would have to generate new NPC's everytime they get killed but I don't think it's even possible because as far as I understand it, anything you place in the world thru scripting already needs to exist otherwise it can't be referenced.

The basic need I would have I guess is the ability to duplicate an NPC, change their name and maybe their hair as well as their stats. I know stats are no problem, but their name and appearance are a problem I tink?

Is it really impossible or did I miss something vital? This is my first mod so I'm still lacking in experience, if anyone could tell me wether it can be done and if so, point me in the right direction I'd be very grateful.

I like that idea.

You can't generate truly random NPCs, but you can randomly pick from those that have been made. If you have a look at the script that controls the Dark Brotherhood assassins in Tribunal, it essentially does what you want. Something only needs to be placed in the game if a script function that references it needs a fix, I believe. You can place items into the game via script with multiple functions. The Dark Brotherhood assassins that attack you when you sleep aren't placed in the game initially, but are placed by a script using PlaceAtPC.

Have a look at Morrowind Scripting For Dummies; specifically PlaceAtPC, PlaceAtMe, PlaceItem and PlaceItemCell.

Thanks, I got the idea when someone asked about cheap enchanting services. I originally planned on doing a quest-mod first but this seemed like a better learning project.

I'm already working with the SFD to learn scripting for Morrowind. I code for a living so it's just a matter of getting up to speed but I still have a lot to learn about the limitations of the engine

So no truly random NPC's, no biggie. I should probably just give some of them a helmet to obscure their face, making them more diverse. And if I create a set of new NPC's to pick from and make sure they don't get recycled too fast it should all work out very well. I'll knock up a quick test-script tomorrow and see how it goes.

Thank you for your advice, I'll be making a WIP / REL-thread for this in the mod-section as it starts to flesh out.

I recommend you create more NPCs instead of changing their apperance/name (I doubt if it's even possible) especially if it's your first try with CS.

Maybe it would be possible to create a hidden interior cell with 1000 "repo thugs." That way the NPC's would be in the game, but they would not touch the outside world until the script prompted them to.

No problem. You can also add items to your NPCs with leveled lists. This would give a single, basic archetype NPC different looks. Combined with a few looks for each archetype, and you have a good variety.


Making a few variations is no problem. If multiple people are coming after you and they all look the same, it would be undesirable.


It's very possible and has been done in many a mod, but I don't think anybody really likes using this approach. I sure don't, anyway. Plus, 1000 NPCs is overkill.