Creating NPCs

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Here's one for you all:

Here is what I want to do: I would like to create an NPC (based off a generic blueprint), do some changes to it (sex, race, name, tag, portrait,etc) and then spawn it in as the result of a conversation. I know that I can use CreateObject() to spawn in an instance of the creature but as of yet I haven't figured out how to change those other values.

I tried looking for a list of attributes associated with creatures (or NPCs) that maybe I could set with a SetLocalxxx() call. You know, some list of default attributes that every NPC would have. Any ideas?

 

I don't think that you can do that. The best alternative that I can think of is to create a bunch (scientific term there) of generic-type people templates and then pick one at random to spawn from your conversation. I believe that this is the technique that was used in the OC.

If there is a way to do it, you might find something at the NWN Lexicon .

I know it's bad news, but I hope it helps anyway.

 

You're asking to be able to open the toolset from the game and no you can't do that as a player. As a DM you might be able to create a charater based on player responses and place them in the game but for a PC to do that the answer is no.

 

I don't think I'm trying to open the toolset as a player... I just want to be able to modify the characteristics of an object before spawning it in. And we're talking about in a script, which is obviously not player controlled.

Actually, I see no reason why this couldn't be done. I don't think it is possible either after further review, but why shouldn't it be? All that would have to be done is setting whatever variables Bioware has defined for their objects (like SetLocalString(oObject, "sTag", "whatever")). How useful would that be?

BTW Capt.... like the Stephen King reference.

 

I don't see any reason why you couldn't edit a character in the toolset, give it a unique blueprint and REF and then use a script with the conversation. I.E. The player says one thing, the script is triggered that uses a Create ObjectAtLocation();. I may be misinterpreting what you're trying to do, however.

 

It can be done, I played a mod called "Bone Kenning: The Art of Thanaturge" that had a similar effect. The PC could create a number of different undead skeleton types by putting parts in a sarcophagus and performing a ritual to create it. It was cool, it could have various feats, or special attacks depending on what parts you used.

What you need to do is have all the possible variations of the character in the custom creature palette. The code is beyond me, but I suggest you check out that mod, you might get some ideas as to how to implement it from there.

 

The trick here is that I don't want to have to go in the toolset and make a blueprint for every possible NPC I want to make. Maybe if you guys understood what I'm trying to do it would be more clear:

The mod that I'm coding for has the ability to purchase a farm. Also, if your farm is big enough, you can buy a worker to farm it for you. I don't want to have a fixed number of workers, I want to make one on the fly based on what the PC says he/she wants the worker to be. (sex, race, color of skin, etc). I'm sure by this point that what I want is not possible. Oh well.

 

bonusman & BTA - You are both correct.

The blueprint must exist before the module is executed in order to create the object. There is no way to dynamically create a blueprint in-game. So, bonusman, there is no way to do exactly what you want to do. If you want them to be able to hire any sort of farm-hand, you'll have to create them all in the toolset first.