July 23, 2011: Blackguards, CD Keys, Level Up Scripts

Several changes will be going into the game sometime today.

Level Up Scripts:

Overhauled the background scripting to make the scripting that runs every time you level up more efficient, while properly accounting for certain class combinations (mostly the multiple changes that come with becoming a blackguard) and removing 30 outdated scripts from the module.

CD Keys:

With the continued non-functioning of the BioWare Master Server for controlling access to accounts, I'm adding in a script-based security system. Most players won't notice anything different when logging into their account, as it works in the background when your first log in. However, if you've logged in at least once and someone else tries to log into your account with different CD Keys, they will be automatically booted.

The system will allow you to use up to 7 sets of CD Keys (for those playing from multiple computers). After the initial login, you will be able to use a new VC command (;;tool addcdkey), which will set a variable in the database and allow you to log in with another CD key so it can be recorded.

If you attempt to log in and you find yourself blocked, I'm adding a command for myself so that I can clear the variables so you can enter the game and reset them.

I'll also be uploading an updated aenea.tlk file today or tomorrow so that if you are blocked/booted, the game will tell you the reason in the box that pops up.

Blackguards:

A few changes for blackguard characters (namely those that started as paladins or druids). Some more noticeable than others.

Paladin Spells: A blackguard will no longer be able to cast paladin spells, since they are granted by Dalix (not Ragnor or Sorgath) and she doesn't grant them to those that turned away from good. They will still be able to be prepared in spell slots, but won't do anything when cast.

Druid Spells: A blackguard will no longer be able to cast druid spells, since they are granted by Andra (not Ragnor or Sorgath). They will still be able to be prepared in spell slots, but won't do anything when cast. Blackguards will also lose the power to use Wildshape to take on other forms, since Andra also grants that power. Advice: Don't multiclass a druid/blackguard. If you want an evil priest/blackguard, go with cleric/blackguard instead.

Paladin Remove Disease Ability: This ability becomes perverted, inflicting a disease on the targeted creature instead of curing one.

Paladin Lay On Hands Ability: This ability becomes twisted to suit the blackguard. It will heal the blackguard, a targeted undead, demon, or follower of the blackguard's patron deity (either Sorgath or Ragnor), and it will damage anyone else on a melee touch attack. The amount healed/inflicted is based on both paladin levels and blackguard levels (champion of dalix levels are not counted for blackguards), along with the character's charisma modifier like normal.

Unchanged Paladin/Champion of Dalix Abilities: Divine Grace is unchanged (since it properly stacks with Dark Blessing already). Smite Evil is unchanged (this one is hardcoded, otherwise I'd make it function as Smite Good). Aura of Courage is unchanged (I'm considering adding a fear aura feat for 10+ levels in blackguard in the future). Summon Mount is also unchanged for now (I may attempt to change it to a black horse in the future). Any other abilities are also unchanged from their current effects.

Summon Mount is also unchanged for now (I may attempt to change it to a black horse in the future). Any other abilities are also unchanged from their current effects.

Suggestion: Maybe the Blackguard can gain a Nightmare as mount?

The Amethyst Dragon wrote:Several changes will be going into the game sometime today.

CD Keys:

With the continued non-functioning of the BioWare Master Server for controlling access to accounts, I'm adding in a script-based security system. Most players won't notice anything different when logging into their account, as it works in the background when your first log in. However, if you've logged in at least once and someone else tries to log into your account with different CD Keys, they will be automatically booted.

The system will allow you to use up to 7 sets of CD Keys (for those playing from multiple computers). After the initial login, you will be able to use a new VC command (;;tool addcdkey), which will set a variable in the database and allow you to log in with another CD key so it can be recorded.

If you attempt to log in and you find yourself blocked, I'm adding a command for myself so that I can clear the variables so you can enter the game and reset them.

I'll also be uploading an updated aenea.tlk file today or tomorrow so that if you are blocked/booted, the game will tell you the reason in the box that pops up.

The 23rd July tlk states the reason for being booted is " Darkfist's Tunic" ...
> Found out whilst trying to log in on the wife's laptop installation of NWN (it uses different keys then my PC )
> And yes until remembering this post I was completely baffled as to wtf was happening... ...

# script: X3_S3_PalMount
This is the script that handles summoning mounts ... so a simple "If class = Blackguard , stop summoning normal mount, do this createCreatureNightmare, add as henchmantoPC, break" style script should work... I think ...

RustyDios wrote:The 23rd July tlk states the reason for being booted is " Darkfist's Tunic" ...
> Found out whilst trying to log in on the wife's laptop installation of NWN (it uses different keys then my PC )
> And yes until remembering this post I was completely baffled as to wtf was happening... ...

Well that's very odd. It should be calling text from the aenea.tlk file (line 16872207), which should have read:
__________________________________________________________________
You have been disconnected from the World of Aenea.

INCORRECT CD KEY DETECTED

The CD Key you are using does not match one linked to your Player Name.
__________________________________________________________________

"Darkfist's Tunic" is a line from the default dialog.tlk file...line 94991 (which would be 16872207 if it were a custom .tlk file and not the default one). That's very odd, as the messages worked for me when I tested out the functionality.

I'm going to try reloading the aenea.tlk file onto the server to see if that makes a difference.

Hm.. maybe for convenience you renamed the aenea.tlk to dialogue.tlk.... and thats why it works for you.. I'm not even sure if tlk's work that way ....

RustyDios wrote:Hm.. maybe for convenience you renamed the aenea.tlk to dialogue.tlk.... and thats why it works for you.. I'm not even sure if tlk's work that way ....

Nope. I don't mess with dialog.tlk except to copy information out of it to update things in the aenea.tlk file.

RustyDios wrote:

The 23rd July tlk states the reason for being booted is " Darkfist's Tunic" ...
> Found out whilst trying to log in on the wife's laptop installation of NWN (it uses different keys then my PC )
> And yes until remembering this post I was completely baffled as to wtf was happening... ...

I just experienced this one myself...further more, ever since I downloaded the recent tlk file I have experienced 2 problems when trying to play on Aenea (only happens when I login on this server).
1) Sometimes when I login and select a PC to play then click the 'Play' button, the loading screen 'hangs up' and just won't go any further than 75-85%. When it does that I have to close nwn via the task manager.
2) When I do manages to get by the above problem, everything functions fine in-game, but if I enter combat it rolls initiative and the game just freezes up on me. Again forcing me to close the game via task manager...

Anyone else experienced that beyond me? Other than it being the recent dl of the aenea file I haven't done anything on my end* so I think that's what the problem is...

*Actually, just remembered this isn't entirely true. . . .Recently I edited my video options for nwn to play with anti-aliasing on, which have caused the game to crash numeral times with an Error Code 8 being the reason why...(not that I have any idea what that mean; tried to figure it out but it turned up blank >.>).

Try re-downloading and re-installing fresh copies of your Aenea files.

Alright...doing so as I type this. Hopes it fixes it... Well that didn't help. Hmm....

Tried with a clean override folder to see if that was a problem. Made me none the wiser as the same issues happened regardless of it (so can safely rule out an override issue causing the problems). Still think it might have something to do with the most recent aenea.tlk (dated july 23th on the hak page) - Anyone got a backup of the tlk before that one which they could give me a copy of?

Is Paladin/Blackguard worth the trouble without all the PNP benefits, or is it better to just do Cleric/Blackguard or something? I kinda wanted an evil gish, but without having to do multiclass shenanigans. Straight Cleric works, but I kinda wanted the full BAB. I mean, if I lose Paladin spells (totally reasonable), I'm kinda like a Fighter without bonus feats. Are the few still working class features worth it? Especially since I have to mess with alignment change shenanigans (only mildly less annoying than multiclass ones).

Angel of Death wrote:Alright...doing so as I type this. Hopes it fixes it... Well that didn't help. Hmm....

Tried with a clean override folder to see if that was a problem. Made me none the wiser as the same issues happened regardless of it (so can safely rule out an override issue causing the problems). Still think it might have something to do with the most recent aenea.tlk (dated july 23th on the hak page) - Anyone got a backup of the tlk before that one which they could give me a copy of?

Well, assuming you already tried knocking down the anti-aliasing changes you made.... and that the game freezed just from you entering combat... it would seem like perhaps a core NWN file got corrupted.... except that you say it only happens in aenea. If it isnt your local Aenea files, it still has to be something else specific to your computer, because not everyone has the issue. If the fault was in the Aenea files, everyone using the new files would have that problem...

Christopher Robin R2 wrote:Is Paladin/Blackguard worth the trouble without all the PNP benefits, or is it better to just do Cleric/Blackguard or something? I kinda wanted an evil gish, but without having to do multiclass shenanigans. Straight Cleric works, but I kinda wanted the full BAB. I mean, if I lose Paladin spells (totally reasonable), I'm kinda like a Fighter without bonus feats. Are the few still working class features worth it? Especially since I have to mess with alignment change shenanigans (only mildly less annoying than multiclass ones).

Paladin/Blackguard is a reasonable build. The only things the paladin loses are the ability to cast spells (since the paladin has forsaken the deity that grants such spells to paladins), the ability to cure disease (immune to it anyway), and the ability to heal others normally (shouldn't one's living servants/followers be able to get their own healing potions?). Things could be worse...in PnP D&D, a fallen paladin loses all class benefits that are divinely granted (improved saves, immunities to disease and fear, summoned mount, spells, smite ability, undead turning).

Cleric/Blackguard would work if you really want spellcasting, since you'd still be a cleric...it would just be a cleric of Sorgath or Ragnor. Cleric BAB gains aren't quite as fast as a paladin, but they're still good for a spellcasting class.

The Amethyst Dragon wrote:Paladin/Blackguard is a reasonable build. The only things the paladin loses are the ability to cast spells (since the paladin has forsaken the deity that grants such spells to paladins), the ability to cure disease (immune to it anyway), and the ability to heal others normally (shouldn't one's living servants/followers be able to get their own healing potions?). Things could be worse...in PnP D&D, a fallen paladin loses all class benefits that are divinely granted (improved saves, immunities to disease and fear, summoned mount, spells, smite ability, undead turning).

Cleric/Blackguard would work if you really want spellcasting, since you'd still be a cleric...it would just be a cleric of Sorgath or Ragnor. Cleric BAB gains aren't quite as fast as a paladin, but they're still good for a spellcasting class.

In PNP fallen paladins may lose everything, but they gain extras if they take blackguard. Likely to make it possible to play a fallen paladin at all. By default, you pretty much have to atone or you just have a bunch of dead levels. If you take blackguard, those levels become less dead. And if you have 11+ levels, you can trade them for blackguard levels straight away, turning into a Paladin 1/Blackguard 10. I'm pretty sure those abilities exist simply so you can play a fallen paladin without having to reroll as a fighter or something.

daveyeisley wrote:

Well, assuming you already tried knocking down the anti-aliasing changes you made.... and that the game freezed just from you entering combat...

Jep. Tried turning the graphic settings all the way down too. No help.

daveyeisley wrote:it would seem like perhaps a core NWN file got corrupted.... except that you say it only happens in aenea. If it isnt your local Aenea files, it still has to be something else specific to your computer, because not everyone has the issue. If the fault was in the Aenea files, everyone using the new files would have that problem...

Good point..still make me at a lose as what the problem could be. Really sucks not being able to play when you want too.


I have a hunch though, just now, will need to test if it could be that... Well stratch that. i'm clueless as to what causes this.

Angel of Death wrote:
I have a hunch though, just now, will need to test if it could be that...[/strike] Well stratch that. i'm clueless as to what causes this.

I'm getting the same thing. I can log into my old online account, but can't enter Aenea, and I wonder if it's because I'm now using a different copy of NWN.

Svair wrote:I'm getting the same thing. I can log into my old online account, but can't enter Aenea, and I wonder if it's because I'm now using a different copy of NWN.

I am using a different install of NwN, and I have had no issues logging in ... though I am not using a gog version, both of mine were purchased retail ...

Eric of Atrophy wrote:I am using a different install of NwN, and I have had no issues logging in ... though I am not using a gog version, both of mine were purchased retail ...

Well shoot, I wonder if it is some something specific regarding my GOG installation.... but now I'm wondering something else. If I modify the nwncdkey txt file back to my old keys, will it work?