NPC Generator/Designer

[Ashrem Bayle]

NPC Designer Update:
Just wanted to let those interested know we have began a hude movement to finalizing the Core race,class and prestige class scripts and testing all of the systems one by one in effort to bring some perfection to the system. We currently have but 3 prestige classes and 1 NPC Class left to code before the actual script package is completed. If you have been gun shy about getting involved this is the perfect change to download and try it out, as you can read from above the system does work.

On August 1st we aim to release version 1 since all the goals of that project will have been achieved, based on interest from users we will then look at doing version 2 and Encounter Designer. Encounter Designer is an interface that works with NPC Designer except it is focused at multiple NPC's and groups. This is the tool you would use to create a Drow raiding party and have it created with a single click, rather then design 10-20 NPC's individually. The engine is not just geared for combat but can in the same instant create a tavern full of people and staff as well.

Thanks,
DJJ

Very cool.

I also read the blurb on your main page about charging $10 for it. Your reasons seem sound to me, and I'm still surprised you were willing to do all this work for free anyway.

$10 sounds good. I'd easily pay that for this product.

Also, what's the status on multiclassing?

 

[silvermane]

Spekaing of multiclassing and prestige classes, from what I have tested, the generator accepts nonsensical combinations like Bar1/Lor1 (and comes with correct stats, except the character doesn't meet the prerequisities, which may render some of the PrC features useless).

 

[Vascant]

When I look back at wanting to do it for free, my reasoning still is pretty sound. I don't need to make money but for any project of such features.. feedback is critical.

Multiclassing works, very solid from what the beta testers tell me.. Handles up to 4 classes and 4 prestige classes. The system is opened up so you can add new stuff to it.

Race wise it handles almost all the monsters, we still have a little work to handle every monster but that will come in time. It all comes down to the feedback and people getting involved.

To my knowledge no other program handles everything that it does at this time and we have just started.

 

[Vascant]

Spekaing of multiclassing and prestige classes, from what I have tested, the generator accepts nonsensical combinations like Bar1/Lor1 (and comes with correct stats, except the character doesn't meet the prerequisities, which may render some of the PrC features useless).

It does accept, however if you look at the top left of the interface you get red text. These tell you if some condition was not met. I debated this for a while but came up with this mind set, my goal is to not let NPC Designer tell you how to create NPC's or stop because something is not met. You may want something for a special situation, how would I know? So it only warns you when conditions are not achieved but creates what it was told to. NPC Designer is a tool to make gaming easier and better, not tell you how to game.

Example: Lets say you have a special NPC in your session, a Human Arcane Archer. Now we all know from the book, thats not possible but this is a special case. NPC Designer will just warn you he not an Elf and let you create the NPC rather then attempt to enforce it.

 

[silvermane]

Ah, but then again, if I want to create a Wiz10/Lor 1, will the wizard part *always* fullfill the requirements for the PrC, or just some of the time? Preparing for loremaster means the wizard must spend at least 20 skills points on Knowledge and take 3 metamagic/item creation feats plus Skill Focus (Knowledge (Any)), resulting in every build being virtually the same.

Perhaps a better solution would be to create a character using core classes and then show to the user which PrCs he can qualify for... and add PrCs on top of that.

 

[Vascant]

I just did a test, 7 out of 10 made all the prereq's and the 3 that failed were because they did not have enough divination spells available.

NPC Designer Version 1 is geared towards automating the entire process and letting you design a NPC from your imagination thru the Designers.

NPC Designer Version 2 takes this same engine and will allow you to modify the NPC or change it and then create a new stat block based on it. This is where you will be able to create a 10th level wizard and then decide to change some stats, add a template, perhaps even change a skill or feat, see what prestige classes are available and give him 2 levels in one, then decide you know, 12th level wizard has a nicer ring to it all. *Click* You have your new NPC.

In my mind what you are asking is not a better solution, it is just a step in evolution for NPC Designer. Keep in mind, my initial goal was to create something no one else has done before, to take npc creation beyond the basic random number generators.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Any chance us poor saps will see functional multiclassing before the pay release in August?
I could really use it....like...today.

 

[Vascant]

I would have to check out the license code to see how I would pull that off. I know the current code can't pull off handling such things for a limited time period. Kind of just focusing on getting things ready for August 1st. The August 1st demo mode can handle multi classing to a degree but I can't turn that on because I still have scripters working on achieving beta tester/scripter status and that would not be fair to them.

Then again on the good note, hopefully people will realize I do finish projects on time and maybe people will be more active and then I can give away from license numbers.

Let me see whatever one has on their plate for scripts to do and so I know what I am going to have to handle. You probably want to email me.

 

[Vascant]

Just some news and update for those who do not wander by the site...

We have started a major clean up of scripts as we head to the last week before the release of version 1. With this update also comes the last feature until August probably, NPC Designer can now handle plugins created by others and an example of a plug-in is also available for download as well. Just in case there are any coders out there, the source code for the framework of a plugin will be made available once I clean it up and add some comments.

One final comment, we have already started creating data for NPC Designer - Modern. This will allow modern players and DM's the same functionality from NPC Designer, in their modern settings. We are aiming for september to release NPC Designer - Modern.


Thanks

 

[Vascant]

Well, tommorrow this project comes to a close with all of NPC Designer's version 1 goals set achieved. With that said, we will no longer be giving away a demo copy, there just was not enough interest to really make it fun. Those that have a registation code, your copy will continue to work as always and as promised, it will also work with any updates for the version 1 series. Can't nor have promised anything beyond that because I really don't see that far into the future.

On a side note, I do have a new found respect for Mynex. I have been coding for decades and never seen anything like what I have seen over the last 11 months from a community of users. How and why you deal with it Mynex is beyond me.

Next project will be NPC Designer - Modern, a few months ago some people starting putting this in my head and I have to say, I do wonder what it would take to move the engine over to the Modern side of d20. I have taken great effort to make those changes since then and move certain key elements outside of the compiled exe and into scripts and data files. I also have a publisher interested in having their setting working under NPC Designer - Modern, so this is an added bonus to really get to see how it handles things.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and thanks