Creating an NPC mod.

Vallmyr

Hello, all! So with my college classes ending soon I've decided to do the thing I've been wanting to do for three years now; make an Alora NPC mod for Baldur's Gate 2.

I'd like to include a romance if I can and a quest for my favorite adorable BG character~

My only issue is I've never done any modding for BG2 and have no idea where to start on such an endeavor! It sounds like such a daunting task it terrifies me. So I ask you, people of the modding forums, how should I start learning to create an Alora NPC/Romance mod for BG2:EE?

Ameranthftw

I've been wanting to do this as well, I started with NPC mods that already exist; reading the .tp2 file and getting a feel for how particular components are done.

From what I can tell, though, it is a much more involved task to do an NPC mod than it is do things like kits/spells/items.

Saigon1983

@Vallmyr, look here: http://www.shsforums.net/topic/36781-comprehensive-ie-modding-tutorial-index/

And I also include this file from Kat @theacefes Bella (sorry, I don't remember where I get it from)

Vallmyr

Saigon1983 said:

@Vallmyr, look here: http://www.shsforums.net/topic/36781-comprehensive-ie-modding-tutorial-index/

And I also include this file from Kat @theacefes Bella (sorry, I don't remember where I get it from)

Ohhhhh thanks for the links and such! They are verily appreciated~

theacefes

@Vallmyr

That pdf is slightly out of date - I've attached a folder that is a bit more comprehensive. The coding itself will work just fine, though it might be a bit out of date so please keep that in mind.

You should be able to just unzip and open up the index.html file.

Saigon1983

@theacefes, thanks, btw! Your manual is great (with few mistakes in coding, but I saw only older version). It helps me A LOT, because I only starts modding and in parallel write my own russian "Modder Diary", the most part of which (for now) is based on your instruction. Thanks again!

theacefes

@Saigon1983 You're welcome - glad I could help.

Ameranthftw

This is awesome stuff @theacefes, thank you for this!

elminster

When it comes to dialogue I found it is very helpful to learn how to decompile dialogue files using weidu. That way you can actually see how they are coded.

Also check out Near Infinity because you can use it for a lot of different things when it comes to mods.

Miss_Sakaki

I'd very much recommend having a look at Kulyok's Branwen NPC here: http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=113&Itemid=84. Her code is designed for modders to use as a reference/steal as they see fit and comes with very comprehensive instructions and advice.

Vallmyr

That looks SUPER helpful! Thanks guys! With theacefes's stuff and this Brawen guide-thing I'm totally going to get this thing done! n_n
It'll be approximately one month before I can start working on it hardcore but it SHALL BE DONE!

Miss_Sakaki

Glad to be of help, and best of luck!