Ever have your PCs lament over the constant need for upgrading their equipment as they gain levels? Ever want to have an item that required more than a simple 100gp to identify? Ever want to have an item that would change its name when identified? Ever want to customize the restrictions on an item? The Legacy Artifact System makes all of this possible.
The Legacy Artifact System was built for the Cold Shadows gameworld and is designed for creating new and exciting artifact-level items for modules and PWs. With this system a builder can design an item that will grow in power as the PC advances in level. Any combination of item properties that your module allows can be added at specified character levels by simply adding a coded string variable to an item. The system uses classic tag-based scripting (all items tagged CS_It_Legacy), so if you are not employing this technique, some modification will be required.
There is also a robust restriction system that will disallow full use of an item if the requirements are not met. A single coded string variable handles this as well. Race, alignment, class, and base ability scores are all included. This could also be easily expanded to handle skill levels, feats, deity, etc. These restrictions only apply to added legacy properties and are hard coded so that even Use Magic Item skill will not help. Items can be coded with base properties usable by anyone (assuming there is not some other restriction in play).
Expansion:
I've added an identification system. This is apart from the identification system in the game. In general, powerful artifacts should require a little more in-depth research or consultation of knowledgeable sources in order to be identified. I leave the method of identification to individual builders (the demo mod has one simple example). Basically, you will call one function to identify a Legacy Item. This will remove the ID flag and will replace the original name with the identified or "true" name of the item.
I also added a Use Magic Device override. You can configure an item to allow PCs with a sufficient base UMD skill level to override the item restrictions and gain the Legacy Properties.
The download contains a demo mod, a readme, and an erf containing the two scripts.
Posted by azak30 at 2009-07-04 20:52:48 Voted 10.00 on 07/04/09
awesome...just awesome
Posted by Xylou at 2008-07-28 12:19:03 Voted 10.00 on 07/28/08
We will use it.
We will even use it to customize the CNR system in order to add racial bonus.
Choirmaster, your idea is simply great! Simple but sooo great!
Posted by EldronDraco at 2007-02-02 13:09:54 Voted 10.00 on 10/12/06
I just saw this script in action on another PW. For the life of me I can not recall which server, but it I was a bit surprised as well as excited to see it. Would have been nice to see someone post that they used it here. I am sure Choirmaster would appreciate the acknowledgment. _________________________ 2yr Top 10 Persistent World ColdShadows now available to public: Link
The energy around your efforts in life as well as your emotional reactions to your successes and failures are what defines who you are. - Draco
Posted by EldronDraco at 2006-10-12 17:30:16 Voted 10.00 on 10/12/06
HA! This rocks! I finally got to see this in action and I am absolutely excited to see this in CS... _________________________ 2yr Top 10 Persistent World ColdShadows now available to public: Link
The energy around your efforts in life as well as your emotional reactions to your successes and failures are what defines who you are. - Draco
Posted by Pstemarie at 2006-10-10 14:11:04 Voted 10.00 on 10/10/06
Love this!!! Was looking at scripting something similar - but the depth done here goes beyond anything I have time to develop. Well Done!! _________________________ --
Pstemarie - Project Q Team Artist
Posted by Elara at 2006-09-29 11:36:05 Voted 10.00 on 09/29/06
Choirmaster is a valued member of the Cold Shadows development team. The Legacy Artifact System is just a small sample of the excellent work he has done for our server.
Come to the Cold Shadows PW to see his custom crafting system, xp system, persistent storage sytem, treasure system, and more. _________________________ I detest the stupid. I delight in their demise.
Posted by Choirmaster at 2006-09-29 10:56:58 Voted 10.00 on 09/29/06
The identification system is in place as well as a Use Magic Device override. I suppose I could add in a few more restriction options, but the system is fairly complete as it is.
Posted by Slaiv at 2006-09-25 15:46:33 Voted 10.00 on 09/25/06
Need we say more?
10: Why? Unique.. Innovative.. Shows that -more- can still be done with NWN.
Posted by Choirmaster at 2006-09-24 12:13:43 Voted 10.00 on 09/29/06
Thanks for the votes of confidence. I'm very proud of the versatility this system provides while being very compact at the same time. Coding the items is not the simplest thing in the world to do, but the resulting unique items are well worth it.
The functions I've written could also be used to create a custom item level restriction system if anyone wanted to use it that way.
I was also considering expanding Legacy Items to include an custom identification process, where items tagged as needing to be identified only show up as a normal item (with the base properties and a normal name) until they are identified. When the item is identified (requiring some custom scripted process like NPC sages, researching books, etc.), the Legacy Properties will be available and the item will reveal its "true" name.
Posted by EldronDraco at 2006-09-18 18:07:13 Voted 10.00 on 10/12/06
I have to say "ABOUT TIME" someone out there did this! Great work Choirmaster! I can not wait to see this in ColdShadows. _________________________ 2yr Top 10 Persistent World ColdShadows now available to public: Link
The energy around your efforts in life as well as your emotional reactions to your successes and failures are what defines who you are. - Draco
Posted by nigborg at 2006-09-18 13:36:32 Voted 10.00 on 09/18/06
Nice work. An item which grows more powerful as you progress is definitely a good idea. Nicely done too.
Posted by Mortae at 2006-09-18 09:19:22 Voted 10.00 on 09/18/06
This is very cool. It gives the whole �intelligent weapon� concept to magic weapons.
Posted by darindw at 2006-09-18 08:05:16 Voted 10.00 on 09/18/06
very well done!
Posted by Trahern at 2006-09-18 06:33:05 Voted 10.00 on 09/18/06
Wow this solves a bunch of problems...and who doesn't like having a custom weapon with their name on it at a low level and not have to replace it?
Posted by RapidDeployment at 2006-09-16 20:03:12 Voted 10.00 on 09/16/06
Yeh this is cool - Kinda like RiffRaff's leveled weapons... Only O _________________________ I am 9fires.In Hell I burn in flames. So cold inside the fires heals the pain.
Posted by MDarwin at 2006-09-16 17:01:47 Voted 10.00 on 09/16/06
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