Jan. 27, 2012: Visible Item Modification Process

I'm working on some changes to the method for modifying visible items (helms, weapons, cloaks, and shields), combining the functions of 34 scripts into 1, and getting rid of the mystical modification boots (in favor of several custom models that better display weapons and shields). I'm going to be getting rid of the conversation-based modifications (and the associated chat and combat info window spam) and replacing those options with simple crystals that you just click on to see and make changes.

Also, I'm going to be getting rid of the minimum ranks in Craft Armor/Craft Weapon with the new method. There will still be a skill check for said skills to finalize/make the appearance changes, and a gold cost to do so, both of which are based on the value of the item being modified:
DC: 10 + (ItemValue / 5000) vs. appropriate craft skill rank + bonuses
Gold Cost: 500 + (ItemValue / 100)

I'm also going to be increasing the ranges of weapon appearances that can be used as time passes. With the reforged weapons making their way into the game, there are many more "colors" possible for the standard weapons. There's some server-side 2da files that need to be updated for this, so it won't be today.

Magical staves are also going to be able to be altered via this method, so long as the PC has the Imbue Focus (formerly Craft Wand) feat. I just need to go through the updated appearances and enter them into a new server-side 2da file.

After the next server reset, Bluebeard's Tower will have both the old boots and the new method (so I can test it out in-game). Once I know it's working, I'll remove the old-style purple boots.

Are there any other areas that have the mystical modification boots that anyone can think of? I'm drawing a blank at the moment. I'll need to update them once I'm sure the new system is working so that they don't get reported as a bug later when they stop functioning.

The Amethyst Dragon wrote:
Are there any other areas that have the mystical modification boots that anyone can think of? I'm drawing a blank at the moment. I'll need to update them once I'm sure the new system is working so that they don't get reported as a bug later when they stop functioning.

Off the top of my head, the areas which I can think of is a Smithys guild in the Forge/dwarven city, one in Macedone Docks District, another in Dawnsholm I think.

Hmm...

I think there's mystical boots in all of the smithy guilds basically.


(I might've misspelled the guild name )

Thanks. Ironing out a few minor kinks in the new system right now after some testing. Once I'm sure it really works, it'll get rolled out to the other areas to replace the boots.

Then I'll get to work editing the data files that control which appearances are considered valid for the system to add more variety.

Oh right, there's a pair of boots in the House of the Sun too, I think.

Yeah there is a set in the House of the Rising Sun.... I think some of the other "player houses" might have boots too, but I'm not sure...

Oooh! Can't wait to try out the new system, see how it runs! And the removal of rank requirements is just awesome!

So far, it works, but with some minor glitches (such as control crystals that are clicked on not vanishing properly all the time if they are supposed to). More testing today.

Yeah, I just noticed this - I clicked the refresh or release crystal, as a different weapon type was showing - it disappeared, and never returned. Luckily, the boots were still there!

how about some method for characters w/o any ranks in any crafting skills to have their things tailored? [pin is of the opinion that things such as tailoring and cobbling and so forth should best be left to the professionals, so she can get on w/the adventuring... ]

also, if such tailor were to exist, would s/he be able to modify armor types, not just appearances? this would be very useful if you find a suit of armor w/certain characteristics you like, but can't wear the armor because of restrictions. [btw, there are already packages on the vault which will do this, so it could be an easy add]

Interesting idea ...

You can use Sronj's Self Service Seamstress shops for changing armor/clothing appearance.

As far as changing the actual type of the armor, nope. Any such changes are purely cosmetic. That's were custom reward items and/or working with a DM for upgrading existing items comes in.

Isn't Pin a cleric and able to wear any armor already?

The Amethyst Dragon wrote:You can use Sronj's Self Service Seamstress shops for changing armor/clothing appearance.

apparently you have to have ranks in crafting even to use sronj's.

The Amethyst Dragon wrote:Isn't Pin a cleric and able to wear any armor already?

well, yes and no. yes, she's a cleric, and yes, she's been indoctrinated into the uncomfortable martial art of how to wear heavy armor. but she chooses to use the power of her mind to armor her body. if she were to wear any armor at all, that and many other abilities would go away, and w/her high wisdom, she's able to armor herself twice as effectively as even full plate armor.

Hows the process for this coming? i really want to tinker with a staff to get it a crystal look for my psion wannabe hebrion.

I have to test out staff modifications. I know I made the 2da files, I just have to check and see if they made it onto the server yet.

Recently you had made an change to the Sronj's appearance-altering mannekins convo menu, that inserted a Modify Armor choice into its main menu, so that if during the alterations you went back to change the racial type or accidentally went back up the menu tree before you were actually finished, then you didn't have to start from scratch and repaint the entire outfit to get back to the alterations function, but could simply go back into the alterations mode with the changes already made preserved. But it's back to the previous convo menu now.

This was such a necessary fix for this process, that I hope that after all you're probably having to do to make the server run smoothly, you can reinsert this conversation option?

Hmmm...I haven't actually changed anything in that system in a very long time. I'll have to take a look to see what's going on.

Oh, then I wonder if this convo is just different at some different shop, when I thought it a global change? I regularly use the Braysin place, Macedone, Tradeholm, and Calithia Sronj mannekins, so let me run by them and see.

Edit:

It's Tradeholm that has this unique convo, on both the female and male mannekins. Choice #3 is Modify the Clothing's Appearance. This choice really saves some headaches like I elaborated before, and would be great to have this on every mannekin everywhere.