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July
2, 2002 - Site News
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Subsection Updates -> Fantasy Books
A number of changes/additions have been made throughout the whole Fantasy Books section. Most notably, I have replaced about a dozen hardcover book links with their paperback variants, where they were available. (The newest books in any of the series, usually.)
I have also replaced some old links with newer releases of the books. In the J.R.R. Tolkien Books subsection, I've now grouped the boxed sets and one volume editions separately. In the 3rd Edition D&D Books subsection, I've added the revised Star Wars RPG rulebook to Various Accessories.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection you can find an updated version of the BG + ToSC walkthrough.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Planescape: Torment
Also only one new addition here, this time in the Miscellanea subsection. You can download a pack of NPC banter, nicely arranged in mp3 files.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale
Another single addition was made here, the updated HoW Spells Guide in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate 2
You can find two new guides in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection, both by Gopher. (Item making and spell making.)
In the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection #5 is an updated version of TBR's Fantasy Portrait pack.
Jumping to the TeamBG subsection, you'll find a link to the new Shadows Over Soubar unofficial addon and Exnem's addon.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale 2
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection I've added 3 new additions. First is the updated Clerics Info Compilation, which now holds the final list of clerical domain spells. Second is a listing of known (only 2 at this point) pre-made parties that will ship with the game, and third my compilation of a screenshot cut-out and a developer's post explaining how the weapon combos in the game's new interface work.
In the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection you'll find an adaptation of TBR's BG2 portrait pack.
Finally, if you check the Screenshots subsection, you will be able to see 9 new screenshots.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Neverwinter Nights
Well, this one has kept me busy for a while recently... There are literally tons of content coming in for this game and, of course, we're here to pick out the best and present it to you.
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection we now have what you've all been waiting for, actual walkthroughs! :)
Two of them are downloadable (one complete), and we link to one at BioWare as well (up to Chapter 1 only). I've also placed a link to ShadeRaven's player guides here.
I've already had to split the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection in two due to the massive amount of stuff available here. Added in this update are a guide to sorcerers, a certain Chapter 2 device, an extensive list of cheats for all you cheating monkeys and a downloadable list of secrets and similar.
Lower down on the same page is a link to the very popular Infogrames' support page (unfortunately), a listing of game's known issues, the technical FAQ, info on how to manually patch the game, an intro to the DM client and a short guide on making portraits. (Whew!)
Also split in two is the Editors, Hacks & Tweaks subsection. Here you can find a chapter unlocker, a true-to-3e ruleset-only module, NWN Viewer and Packer and BioWare's Linux dedicated server package.
You'll also find a couple of new models & animations for the model viewer here.
The Toolset & Related subsection follows the popular trend. New is the Module Construction Tutorial, 3 tilesets (Drylands, Desert, Winter) and a NWScript Functions document.
Two new modules can be found in the Modules subsection, namely The Golden Dragon and Servants of the Spider Queen.
Lastly, there are 3 new additions in the Miscellanea subsection. The Maxim ad girl we posted on the front page has been archived here, and newly added is the printable NWN Voice Chat reference card. Also, fresh from my inbox, Karnak has sent me another of his NWN flash parodies to make you all laugh. You can download it from the Movies & Trailers page.
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June
20, 2002 - Site News
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Subsection Updates -> Staffers Wanted
I have updated the Staffers Wanted page with a lot of extra info - and a new contact. Currently we could use additional news reporters, online walkthrough writers, banner makers and some other people.
Subsection Updates -> Community
Some editing of the outdated info took place on the main page here, but more importantly, I've updated the About Us subsection. Mollusken got promoted to the Head Daily News Editor (deservedly), and Z-Layrex and TBR were added as news reporters, along with their short biographies. Welcome aboard, landlubbers!
Subsection Updates -> Fantasy Worlds
Thanks to some work on part of TBR, we have also updated the Fantasy Fiction subsection. Many a good new tale posted in our Creativity Surge forum has been added, so make sure to read all about it, and submit your own stories if you think they're missing!
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale
There were two additions made here, the updated HoW Spells Guide in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection, and Winter's Bane in the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection. Winter's Bane is, by the way, the first fan-made IWD/HoW mod that actually made it to completion.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate 2
Starting with the most original submission, we have a big pack o' fun connected with BG2 NPCs' voice interactions in the Miscellanea subsection.
Moving on to the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection...
In Subsection #3, you can find the latest version of Extremist's bug-squashing SP Fixpack, and the fix for triple class mages' high level abilities.
In Subsection #7, I've updated the info about the Travelers in Time mod, which somehow slipped by me and went and released itself. How rude... Anyway, it's 171MB in size and sounds very interesting, so be sure to check it out.
The final new addition here is in the TeamBG subsection, where you can find a link to a new mod called Reign of Virtue.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale 2
In the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection we have another new portrait pack from our good friend also responsible for all others listed there. Great stuff, as usual.
In the Miscellanea subsection I've added a little showcase of armour, weapons and the druid's Wildshape bar, and updated the Concept Art & Images page with some new portraits.
There are also about 20 new screenshots in the Screenshots subsection, many of them showing the game's new interface.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Neverwinter Nights
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection I've added links to Amazon where you can order the two official game guides - the Adventure guide and the World Builder guide.
Moving on, in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection you can find a little peek at the henchmen & NPCs of the official game campaign. There you will also find a link to the tips for beginner DMs.
I've spent a lot of time on research and updated the monsters list in this subsection as well. I believe it now lists just about all horrors NWN will frighten us with.
The most painful for extraction was the list of spells, which you can find here as well. It's a complete list of all wizardly spells, from cantrips to level 9 spells, info directly from the game. Enjoy!
Next is the Editors, Hacks & Tweaks subsection. Here I've updated the models page with the latest models released by BioWare, and added the latest versions of the Bif and Mod Unpacker programs.
There is only one new addition in the Toolset & Related subsection, a link to where you can download 2 new Tilesets, Desert & Egyptian.
In the Miscellanea subsection I've updated the movies list with the latest new movie, and added the NWN Goes Gold press release.
Final, and probably the most impressive new addition today is in the Screenshots subsection. Due to its massive size I've now split it into 3 separate galleries. Today's addition is gallery #3 with 120 new screenshots, bringing the grand total of unique screenshots to 519. I wonder if we could get in the Guiness Book of Records for having the biggest NWN screenshot gallery in the world? ;)
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June
5 , 2002 - Site News
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Subsection Updates -> Fantasy Books
About 5 or 6 new sample chapters have been added for various Forgotten Realms & Dragonlance books. Also, the 3rd Edition D&D Books subsection now has a new cover for the Monster Manual II, and 3 new additions. First is the City of the Spider Queen (in FR Material) and the other two (in Various Accessories) are Book of Vile Darkness and d20 Modern Roleplaying Game. All three are available for pre-order.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate 2
First new addition has been made in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection. Here you can download a new list of all the scrolls (with codes) from Baldur's Gate 2 and the expansion.
In the TeamBG subsection I've added two lost mods - The Planar Sphere mod and the Company of Eight mod. Links to their original sites have been dead for a while now (and there is no contact info in the mod zips either) so I've put them up for download by request. Since I have next to no information about the Planar Sphere mod I would appreciate it if someone who knows more about it could mail me with details.
There is also the standard slew of new additions & updates in the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection.
In Subsection #2, you can download a cool new spell which summons a red dragon to fight at your side. You will also find an updated version of the Extra Playable Characters there, which now has Drizzt as one of the extra NPCs.
In Subsection #3, you can find the latest version of Extremist's now legendary SP Fixpack. This release adds tons of new bug fixes and is in a totally new format - WeiDU - which means that it's compatible with nearly every other mod out there.
In Subsection #5, two updated portrait packs can be downloaded. TheBlackRose has updated his Dragonlance portraits pack to include some pics of Elminster, and Gopherboy has expanded his portrait pack a great deal with some nifty new recolourings and new portraits.
In Subsection #7, you can find links to 4 new mods: WeiDU Ascension, Ease-of-Use Mod, Item Upgrade Mod and Valen NPC Mod.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale 2
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, new info can be found in the Info Compilation. On Page 1 I have added the recently revealed information about Malavon & returning characters, and on Page 2 the mage opposition schools.
In the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection we have two more portrait packs from our regular contributor. They are simply awesome, but don't take my word for it, download them and see for yourself.
In the Miscellanea subsection I have added a link where you can download 3 sample tracks of the Icewind Dale 2 music.
Finally, you can view 3 new screenshots on Page 3 of the Screenshots subsection.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Neverwinter Nights
The Neverwinter Nights subsection has been occupying me fully for the last two days. I have finally elevated it to a full-fledged subsection now that I have a good picture what kind of subsection division makes sense for this game, since it deviates from the norm of older BioWare/BIS games. If you look carefully at the subsection division below you will notice a couple of changes to the regular layout I've used for all other games covered on SP.
I will not list all additions & updates to each of the new subsections because there are simply too many, so just load all of them and look for the flashing NEW picture.
The first is the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection. There are 5 items here currently, more or less in the form of guides and general information about Neverwinter Nights. Once the game is actually released I will rearrange things a bit and move some of what is here now to other subsections.
The Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection is especially interesting. Since the release of the beta Toolset I have been extracting and compiling various information and here is where you can find details on most of what will be included in the game. You can currently find info on class packs, animal companions & familiars, monsters, spells, feats and skills.
Editors, Hacks & Tweaks is the first subsection with a changed name, mainly because I don't really expect many custom characters when everyone's able to make their own so easily.
Updated here are a bunch of new models for the Model Viewer and Bif and Mod Unpackers.
Toolset & Related is the first totally NWN-specific subsection. As the name implies, it will contain everything having to do with the Aurora Toolset. You can already download the beta Toolset from here, find additional fan-made tilesets, read some guides and more.
Modules, yet another NWN-specific subsection will contain just that. Expect to see many post-release modules here, and you will be able to submit your modules to be hosted by SP as well.
Screenshots is the only subsection that essentially remains the same in this update. While I have a ton of new screenshots that I could post, I lack the necessary time to create an additional gallery so for the latest shots, keep checking our front page.
On the other hand, the Miscellanea subsection has been updated a bit. I have added a couple of new movies/trailers to the list, a sample mp3 of NWN music and put a link to our guild page in here.
Last is the Forums subsection, which now does not link directly to one forum but opens a page where all our NWN-related forums are listed.
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Whew! Now that we're all done with the site news, I would like to thank all of the people who have contributed to Sorcerer's Place in one way or another in the weeks since I have put up the "help support Sorcerer's Place" link on all pages. As you've undoubtedly noticed, I had to place timer-based pop-ups on the site and the boards, but the income from the pop-ups doesn't pay even half of the monthly server costs, let alone anything else.
The regular banner advertising does not bring in any money unless people actually buy something after clicking on the ads, so you can imagine that I'm practically running those banners for free. Our games and book stores are doing a little better (thanks to people who buy through our links), but with the low commissions it still means only a couple of dollars a month. If you buy books and games online, please remember to buy through Sorcerer's Place! It costs you nothing extra, but is a huge help in getting our monthly bill paid.
Whether I can pay the other half of the monthly bill largely depends on the donations from generous visitors who value all the hard work going into this site since 1999. Again, I must thank each of you who have donated to SP, since it is basically your contributions that keep this site afloat.
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May
13 , 2002 - Site News
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Subsection Updates -> Games
Our game store has been updated with links to our two new partners - EBgames and Gamer.uk.com. EBgames is well known for its exclusive game packages (currently for Neverwinter Nights, where you also get the beta toolset if you pre-order), and Gamer.uk.com is an UK-based online game store with excellent prices.
With so many partners Sorcerer's Place offers you an unique service - you can compare prices of all the merchants we are affiliated with and always pick the best deal! By buying through our game store you also help us keep this site up & running, since we earn a small commission for each sold game, so please buy from us!
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate
The TeamBG subsection has been updated with the latest versions of the high level rule packs, now for levels 30, 40 and 50. I have also added a similar modification which sets the basic D&D rules for high levels.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate 2
A number of additions have been made to the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection.
In Subsection #2, you can find a new item pack and another collection of Dragon Ball Z characters.
In Subsection #3, Extremist's excellent SP Fixpack has been updated to version 1.0, a major release. It includes fixes for more bugs left over in BG2 than you ever wanted to know existed.
In Subsection #5, a very cool Drizzt portrait and painting have been added, along with an updated version of the Playboy portraits collection. (Off limits to kids!)
Last addition has been made in Subsection #7, namely the Expanded Thief Stronghold mod.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale
There was only addition made here, the updated HoW Spells Guide in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale 2
I have added links to places you can buy the official strategy guide from to the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection.
The Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection has also been updated. Here you can now find a listing of basic tips & hints for playing the game, courtesy of Chris Avellone and compiled by yours truly.
The Screenshots subsection has also been updated significantly. 5 new screenshots were added to Page 2 of the subsection, and 17 more to Page 3.
Finally, surprise, surprise, we also have 2 collections of portraits in the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection! How often does it happen that you can download portraits for a game before it is even released? ;)
Subsection Updates - Games -> Neverwinter Nights
I have reorganized the introductory page a bit, and added a table of the latest system requirements for Windows machines.
As usual, there are also a couple of new things in the Miscellanea Subsection. One new movie has been added to my movies & trailers listing, and 3 new models/animations have been added to the Model Viewer models & skins page.
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May
1 , 2002 - Site News
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Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate
Another walkthrough covering both the game and the expansion has been added to the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate 2
Three new additions have been made in the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection. The first is in Subsection #2, a pack of 6 Dragon Ball Z characters to use in your game. The other two can be found in Subsection #5. The first is a huge collection of 98 portraits from Jumpy (updated previous collection), and the second one a small collection of 5 portraits from Gopherboy.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale 2
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, I have added a couple of things to Page 2 of the Info Compilation. Check out the bard song listing and the info about druid shapeshifting.
In the Miscellanea subsection, I have added 3 more pieces of concept art and one portrait painting.
On Page 2 of the Screenshots subsection, the first two screenshots showing the game's interface were added. (Right at the bottom of the page.)
Subsection Updates - Games -> Neverwinter Nights
The NWN Overview in the Miscellanea subsection has been updated with the newly released info.
Also in the same subsection, I have added a couple more movies to the Movies & Trailers list, and a bunch of new models & animations to the NWN Model Viewer Models & Skins page.
Subsection Updates -> Fantasy Books
I have updated Page 1 of the Forgotten Realms books subsection. Elminster in Hell is now available in paperback and the old Spellfire novel has been replaced with the newly released version, which now also has a sample chapter available.
On Page 2 of the Dragonlance books subsection, a number of additions & changes have been made. Many older releases of the novels have been replaced with the newer re-releases and for some, sample chapters have been added. There are also 2 new novels available for pre-order now, namely Redemption and The Lioness.
In the 3rd Edition D&D books subsection, Monster Manual II is now available for pre-order, and in the Miscellanea subsection, The Living Dead. (Second book in the D&D adventures line.)
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all of our visitors that by buying any books, games or other items through the ads (or pages) on Sorcerer's Place, you help me keep the costs of running the site in check. Donations are also very welcome. (Big thanks to all of you who have already showed your appreciation by donating!)
For more info on how you can help support us, simply click on the "help support Sorcerer's Place" link on the left side of all pages of SP, below the site interface. Thanks!
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April
21, 2002 - Site News
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Subsection Updates -> Articles & Editorials
In case you missed it, my Icewind Dale II interview with Doug Avery can be found in the Articles & Editorials subsection.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale
There was only addition made here, namely the HoW Spells Guide in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Baldur's Gate 2
I have split the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection into 7 parts. The thing was simply too big for two pages, and I imagine many people got lost in the huge amount of downloads available on two pages.
The main page now contains an overview of all 7 subsection pages and lists what can be found on each of them.
Now for the new stuff. In Subsection #3 you will find Extremist's latest SoA Fixpack, which really breaks all records in this edition. He managed to fix so many leftover bugs that it would take several pages just to list them all. In short, this is a must download for anyone playing SoA.
Talking about must downloads, there is another one on the same page, also by Extremist. If you have played ToB and had a magic user with the Cloak of Mirroring, you know how horribly annoying the globe effect on the item is. (Changed from the glowing ground disc one in SoA.)
The easy solution is to just revert the item back to what it was in SoA, but besides changing the animation, ToB also changes some properties of the item which was overpowered in SoA. If you want to keep the item as ToB intended it, and still get rid of the ugly globe effect at the same time, download Extremist's version.
Moving to Subsection #5, there is a new pack of portraits available there. The pics used are from FF8, Chrono Cross and Zelda.
And finally in Subsection #7, two new additions have been made, the Kelsey and Tashia mods. They are both new NPCs you can use in your party, and also new romances at the same time. More details and links are available in the subsection.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Icewind Dale 2
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, the lists of feats, skills and races & subraces have been updated. Especially the latter and the list of feats were modified & changed substantially, so they are worth reading through again.
Also, in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection, the official FAQ has been updated with the latest version. In the Miscellanea subsection, two new portrait paintings have been added.
Subsection Updates - Games -> Neverwinter Nights
There have been a couple of additions in the Miscellanea subsection here as well. We have two scans of the NWN feature in the Dragon magazine, an updated lists of monsters, and a bunch of new animations for the Model Viewer. Check it out.
