*v1.1 adds "no significant background", which is required to make this work!
Special thanks to Kusanagi for his help!
!!!!!!!!Disclaimer!!!!!!!!!
This is v1.1, it might not be perfect!
Try at your own risk, don't blame me if this messes up your gamefiles!
If you don't have some basic computer skills, just forget it now! Go play your
game and be happy with what you got!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will create a background named "Gunslinger" in this tutorial. this is
proceded by "no significant background", which is required to make your custom
backgrounds work.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note: Below you will find brackets {} backslashes // and spaces and commas ,
Use them as shown for correct results.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
a) Using Windows Explorer locate and open your Arcanum directory
b) If you do not have and folder named data, create one now
c) Within the data folder you must create 2 new folders named mes and rules
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note: This step requires the use of a program such as Super NoteTab, NotePad,
or WordPad.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
a) Open your NoteTab type program
Note: This is where a characters background story should be typed. Becareful
not to make it too long, there is limited space. You can
also include any additions or subtraction to stats and skills you will make.
b) Type the following:
// This file contains game-defined background descriptions
// Begins with 1000
{1000}{No significant background
Nothing of any consequence has ever happened to the character.}
{1001}{Gunslinger
You've played cowboys and indians since you were a child, now's your chance to
live it! You have bonuses to intelligence (+2) and perception (+2). Also you
have a increase to your Firearms skill.}
c) Save this file as gameback.mes within the mes folder
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note: increase in increments of 1 so your next be 1002
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Example:
{1002}{Name of background
background desription, stats and skill changes.}
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
d) Open NoteTab again
e) Type the following:
// WARNING: Each effect has a constraint of a maximum of *FIVE* changes per
*type* of change
// (so you could have 5 changes to stats *and* 5 changes to skills, but not 6
changes to stats)
// Begins with 380
{86}{} // background effect (no background)
{87}{in +2, pe +2, firearms +6} // Gunslinger
f) Save this file as effect.mes within the rules folder
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note: this will increase in increments of one also. your next would be 88
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note: Modifications to stats and skills should be done in order. Positives
first negatives seconds.
Stats first in this order:
strength - st
Constitution - cn
Dexterity - dx
Beauty - be
Intelligence - in
Willpower - wp
Perception - pe
Charisma - ch
i) Save this file as backgrnd.mes within the rules folder
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note: This will increase in increments of 10. the next would be 20
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Example:
{20}{Number from gameback.mes}
{21}{Number from effect.mes}
{22}{Race and sex that can use this background *See race & sex codes below}
{23}{Amount of gold to start game with}
{24}{Items to start with **See item codes below}
===================================================
Last Step - Save, close, run
===================================================
Save .mes files, close folders, and run Arcanum. With a little luck everything
will work and you will have new backgrounds!
===================================================
*Race and Sex Codes
===================================================
HUF - human female
HUM - human male
DWF - dwarf female
DWM - dwarf male
ELF - elf female
ELM - elf male
HEF - half elf female
HEM - half elf male
GNF - gnome female
GNM - gnome male
HAF - halfling female
HAM - halfling male
HOF - half orc female
HOM - half orc male
HGF - half ogre female
HGM - half ogre male
ANY - anyone can use this background (same as blank line, included for clarity)
{11059}{Scroll of Disarm}
{11060}{Scroll of Unlocking Cantrip}
{11061}{Scroll of Unseen Force}
{11062}{Scroll of Spatial Distortion}
{11063}{Scroll of Teleportation}
{11064}{Scroll of Sense Alignment}
{11065}{Scroll of See Contents}
{11066}{Scroll of Read Aura}
{11067}{Scroll of Sense Invisible/Traps}
{11068}{Scroll of Divine Magic}
{11069}{Scroll of Vitality of Air}
{11070}{Scroll of Poison Vapours}
{11071}{Scroll of Call Winds}
{11072}{Scroll of Body of Air}
{11073}{Scroll of Call Air Elemental}
{11074}{Scroll of Strength of Earth}
{11075}{Scroll of Stone Throw}
{11076}{Scroll of Wall of Stone}
{11077}{Scroll of Body of Stone}
{11078}{Scroll of Call Earth Elemental}
{11079}{Scroll of Agility of Fire}
{11080}{Scroll of Wall of Fire}
{11081}{Scroll of Fireflash}
{11082}{Scroll of Body of Fire}
{11083}{Scroll of Call Fire Elemental}
{11084}{Scroll of Purity of Water}
{11085}{Scroll of Call Fog}
{11086}{Scroll of Squall of Ice}
{11087}{Scroll of Body of Water}
{11088}{Scroll of Call Water Elemental}
{11089}{Scroll of Shield of Protection}
{11090}{Scroll of Jolt}
{11091}{Scroll of Wall of Force}
{11092}{Scroll of Bolt of Lightning}
{11093}{Scroll of Disintegrate}
{11094}{Scroll of Charm}
{11095}{Scroll of Stun}
{11096}{Scroll of Drain Will}
{11097}{Scroll of Nightmare}
{11098}{Scroll of Dominate Will}
{11099}{Scroll of Resist Magick}
{11100}{Scroll of Disperse Magick}
{11101}{Scroll of Dweomer Shield}
{11102}{Scroll of Bonds of Magic}
{11103}{Scroll of Reflection Shield}
{11104}{Scroll of Hardened Hands}
{11105}{Scroll of Weaken}
{11106}{Scroll of Shrink}
{11107}{Scroll of Flesh to Stone}
{11108}{Scroll of Polymorph}
{11109}{Scroll of Charm Beast}
{11110}{Scroll of Entangle}
{11111}{Scroll of Control Beast}
{11112}{Scroll of Succour Beast}
{11113}{Scroll of Regenerate}
{11114}{Scroll of Harm}
{11115}{Scroll of Conjure Spirit}
{11116}{Scroll of Summon Undead}
{11117}{Scroll of Create Undead}
{11118}{Scroll of Quench Life}
{11119}{Scroll of Minor Healing}
{11120}{Scroll of Halt Poison}
{11121}{Scroll of Major Healing}
{11122}{Scroll of Sanctuary}
{11123}{Scroll of Resurrect}
{11124}{Scroll of Illuminate}
{11125}{Scroll of Flash}
{11126}{Scroll of Blur Sight}
{11127}{Scroll of Phantasmal Fiend}
{11128}{Scroll of Invisibility}
{11129}{Scroll of Plague of Insects}
{11130}{Scroll of Orcish Champion}
{11131}{Scroll of Guardian Ogre}
{11132}{Scroll of Hellgate}
{11133}{Scroll of Familiar}
{11134}{Scroll of Magelock}
{11135}{Scroll of Congeal Time}
{11136}{Scroll of Hasten}
{11137}{Scroll of Stasis}
{11138}{Scroll of Tempus Fugit}
{11139}{Kerghan's Death Scroll}
{11140}{Kerghan's Attack Scroll}
{11141}{Scroll of Exiting}
{11142}{Med Spider Heal}
I will now show more examples of the .mes files, for clarity, and so that you
may better see the pattern.
================================================
(1) Gameback.mes - This is an example of what you gameback.mes should look like:
// This file contains game-defined background descriptions
// Begins with 1000
{1000}{No significant background
Nothing of any consequence has ever happened to the character.}
{1001}{Gunslinger
You've played cowboys and indians since you were a child, now's your chance to
live it! You have a bonuses to intelligence (+2) and perception (+2). Also you
have a increase to your Firearms skill.}
{1002}{Spellcaster
You have studied long and hard in preperation of a career in magik. Due to this
hard work you start with bonuses to constitution (+2), intelligence (+2), and
willpower (+2). You enjoy an increase to your Heal skill as well.}
{1003}{Monster Tank
Your a big strong tank. You carry a lot and hit hard. Your have a bonus to
melee (+4). You are also blessed with higher strength and dexterity.}
{1004}{Filthy Thief
As far as we know, no one has ever had a good word to say about you. Hell, most
people don't even notice you. That's their first mistake! Most likely you've
just left with their wallet! You rob from the rich and the poor, you give only
to yourself. You start with: increased dexterity (+4) and perception (+4). You
do have lower stats in beauty (-1) and charisma (-2) The following skills are
raised: dodge, throwing, pickpocket, prowling, picklock. Also with whatever
loot you've hoarded previously.}
{1005}{Renaissance Person
You are a well rounded person. "Jack of all trades", as they say. You could
prosper at just about any path you choose! You are gifted with higher Strength,
Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Willpower. You also have an addition
to dodge, melee, haggle, heal, and persuasion.}
=================================================
(2) Effect.mes - This is an example of what you effect.mes should look like:
// WARNING: Each effect has a constraint of a maximum of *FIVE* changes per
*type* of change
// (so you could have 5 changes to stats *and* 5 changes to skills, but not 6
changes to stats)
// Begins with 86
{86}{} // background effect (no background)
{87}{in +2, pe +2, firearms +6} // Gunslinger
{88}{cn +2, in +2, wp +2, heal +6} // Spellcaster
{89}{st +4, dx +4, melee +9} // Monster Tank
{90}{dx +4, be -1, pe +4, ch -2, dodge +3, throwing +3, pickpocket +6, prowling
+6, picklock +6} // Filthy Thief
{91}{st +3, cn +2, dx +3, in +2, wp +2, dodge +6, melee +6, haggle +3, heal +3,
persuasion +3} // Renaissance Person
=================================================
(3) Backgrnd.mes - This is an example of what you backgrnd.mes should look like:
I hope this Custom Background Tutorial has been a help to you!
Remember, the smallest mistake, like missed comma of space can blow the whole
thing.
I sure hope I didn't leave any of these mistakes in this tutorial! Sorry in
advance if I did!
(c) shonsu Oct. 2003
v1.0 Oct. 20th 2003
v1.1* Nov. 18th 2003 adds "no significant background", which is required to
make this work!
