New Codex Shrine

[Gruck]

By the way this is really cool work, thanks!

[drcode]

I've been thinking about playing BG again. It's going to be fun having all these improvements.

[marzo]

Well, I still haven't implemented the Codex itself, nor meditating at shrines.

And another thing I have been working on is a NPC spellcasting system. I am still to implement NPCs learning spells (they all know all spells for now), but they need to carry their own reagents and have their own "mana". The plan is to restore Mariah as a party member after the tetrahedron is destroyed (as well as having Jaana be able to cast spells again after that). One thing that would really help is if Exult saved NPCs mana, but I have found a way around that

[Achile]

Where is your files Marzo

[Achile]

BTW, If meditating to codex working, maybe the 8 other shrines should be useful

[marzo]

This mod isn't available yet, as it is not yet ready. And I do plan on having meditation on the *other* shrines, yes.

[Crysta the Elf]

hope your codex looks good

[Crysta the Elf]

er.. that sounded bad.. sorry.. you probably know what i meant tho.. lol..

uh.. and any plans to add in Trellek?

[marzo]

The problem about the Codex is that I don't have a clue yet about *what* it would say. Any takers?

As for how it looks -- how is this for the cover:

[Achile]

Not bad, not bad at all.

[Dominus]

When you view the codex, Exult should write a savegame, exit while starting nuvie and when you are done playing through u6, nuvie should exit, while starting exult with that savegame
And the Avatar should say something like "wow! what a ride!"
Seriously, I don't remember much of U6, but don't you need to place the lenses (you used on FoV) to view it and the probably something should pop up like it did in u6 (but I don't remember anymore...).

[artaxerxes]

the codex contains the right information needed at the present time. A bit like the futurian energy ball in Ultima Underworld II.

So maybe some clue as to what to do next...

Artaxerxes

[marzo]

I have already written the usecode for using the lenses. You have to place the place the Britannian lens about 2/3rd of the distance between the Flame of Infinity and the altar and rotate it appropriatelly (I added usecode to rotate it), then place the Gargoyle lens 2/3rd of the way from the Flame of Singularity and the altar and rotate it. Then the Codex will appear. Well, it will after I've finished the graphics and finish writing the function to do so, anyway.

[Crysta the Elf]

well.. if you want my opinion, it should display that large cover like the guardian/serpent faces in SI with a one-line vague clue as to what you should do next beneath it... like.. for when you have to see penumbra it says "The sleeping one holds the key." and such... it should be pretty easy to pick one specific series of events to be defined by the codex as "the" path through the game, then change what hint is displayed in conjunction with how far youve gotten... maybe you should have to consult all 8 shrines and the codex before you can actually destroy the black gate? hrm... confusing...

[Dominus]

yeah or just the general hint to destroy some "gate of darkness" or something like that.

[Crysta the Elf]

or.. maybe


after you have the shapes and rudyom's wand, you have to consult the codex on their use before you can enter the fellowship dungeon?

[drcode]

Dominus: I like the idea of one game starting another, which is probably only possible with opend-source projects. How about if you can use the Kilrathi ship in Brownie's field, and it launches you into the open-source version of Privateer, where Britania is one of the planets?:-)

[yhevhe]

Sorry to get offtopic here, but it seems everybody is starting to posts their plot ideas here

I was thinking in the orrery thingy you get at the Observatorium. Does that thing works at all? It's supposed to show you how's the alignment going for the gate to work. Maybe making it to work... This way you'd have to finish the plot in a certain time (as far as I know you can play as long as you wish and then destroy the gate when you feel so)

That, of course, will not be welcomed by those who enjoy decorating houses and such =) But anyway, doesn't the Avatar remains for some time in Britannia after that? You'll have enough time to bake and weave.

[SB-X]

Don't change the game, or add any requirements. But, yeah, the codex can give basic clues. Use the same clues (rewritten) and flags that the Gypsy checks. I always thought the gypsy was ripping you off for money, so this gives you an alternative.

I thought the orrery viewer was working now. Anyway, Ultima has never been a game with real time limits, and I thought you go to Serpent Isle right after destroying the black gate.

[Dominus]

I thought you go to Serpent Isle right after destroying the black gate

nope, you first have to play through Ultima Underworld II. Celebrating the victory over the Guardian, Castle Britannia is enveloped in Black stone (or whatever). In the game you also find the black rock serpent you bring to SI.

[SB-X]

Hehe, I never played UW2. What caused the imbalance?

[Dominus]

The guardian of course, with some help of an imp down in the deep sewers below the castle...

[Tristan de Inés]

There's always the option of having the Codex display the number "42"
in big letters.

[marzo]

There's always the option of having the Codex display the number "42" in big letters.

Hehe, I like that

But more seriously, here is an action screenshot of the Codex:


What do you say? The initial message is this:

"Before you stands an image of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, brought forth from the Void by the combined actions of the Britannian and Gargoyle lenses. It opens to reveal its message."

After that, the Codex will give its piece.

[Crysta the Elf]

interesting... tho it seems it might be better if you shrink your book graphic and make some form of face/portrait instead..maybe even something different, like a face thats an open book on a pedestal with a radiating light behind it

[marzo]

like a face thats an open book on a pedestal with a radiating light behind it

I like this idea; I will be working on it. Right now, I implemented it as a rather large face, as can be seen

[Dominus]

damn, this looks good

[artaxerxes]

Marzo Sette Torres Junior wrote:
>
>
> "Before you stands an image of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom,
> brought forth from the Void by the combined actions of the
> Britannian and Gargoyle lenses. It opens to reveal its
> message."
>
> After that, the Codex will give its piece.

Not to sounds annoying, but the intro text is too long if you get it every single time you open the book. The Met flag would be perfect here, so that the second time you open the book, you directly get to business, instead of clicking 3 or 4 times and risking missing the information you're after.

Amazing work I must add.

Artaxerxes

[marzo]

I think I'll substitute a static variable for the met flag; since the Codex isn't an NPC nor an item itself, it would be kind of hard otherwise...

For the "met" text, how does this sound:

"Once again you see the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom."

Then the Codex gives its piece.

[drcode]

Sounds great. This is looking really cool.

[Crowley]

How about making it look like in the ending of U6? A 'hole' in air which shows the Codex floating in the Ethereal Void? Probably appearing just behind the altar with the scroll on it.