DOWNLOAD VERSION 20.13 "Nevermore" HERE (299.81MB):http://www.mbrepository.com/file.php?id=1859NOTE: SAVE FILES ARE *NOT* COMPATIBLE BETWEEN VERSIONS OF THIS MOD!!!
NOTE: THIS MOD IS FOR MOUNT & BLADE VERSION 1.011, *NOT* WARBAND!!! 
There are some qualities–some incorporate things,
That have a double life, which thus is made
A type of that twin entity which springs
From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade.
There is a two-fold Silence–sea and shore-
Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places,
Newly with grass o'ergrown; some solemn graces,
Some human memories and tearful lore,
Render him terrorless: his name's "No More."
He is the corporate Silence: dread him not!
No power hath he of evil in himself;
But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!)
Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf,
That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod
No foot of man,) commend thyself to God!
- Edgar Allan Poe, "Silence"# VERSION 20.13 INTRODUCTION #
19.13 had a rocky release, but 20.13 is fixed and ready! I hope you enjoy my mod and all the dastardly ghoulish things you can do in the new version. There is also a little bit of light in the dark in this release, for someone who wants to play a more hopeful character. Eventually I will release a comprehensive guid, full of detailed info, but for now I will sit back and see what you all discover. Happy hunting.
Please post bugs, screenshots and gameplay videos in this thread, and be sure to check out the new forum banners at the end of this post, to show your support!
# KNOWN BUGS AND ISSUES #
KEEP YOUR IMPORTANT ITEMS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR INVENTORY!!! - Some actions in the game, such as dismembering corpses or earning the Horseman's Curse can overwrite items at the TOP of your inventory. Until I have a solution for this, keep everything dear to you at the bottom.
OAK, ASH AND THORN ATTACK WITH BANDITS IN THEIR HOME CITIES!!! - This is really a minor bug, and somewhat entertaining. I'll figure it out some other time.
SOME ITEMS DROP IN COMBAT WHEN THE TARGET NPC'S HORSE DIES!!! - A minor bug. You would have to defeat the NPC anyway to get the item anyway, so it accomplishes the same thing.
CERBERUS CAN BE GOTTEN INFINITE TIMES!!! - A major bug that I plan to fix soon. Using more than one Cerberus is considered an exploit in the meantime.
DESCRIPTION ON HAND OF GLORY INCORRECT!!! - A minor bug. Hand of Glory still says it melts when diamonds are found graverobbing. Since this version, that is no longer the case.
PERSONALITY OF THE UNDYING SWORD OF VLAD DRACULA INCORRECT!!! - A minor bug. Set to Aristocratic. Should be Aristocratic/Evil.
# PREFACE #
There is a lack in truly horrific mods out there, it seems. There are horror elements in my other mod, Blood (
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,59961.0.html), but that mod has been more of a learning exercise, and it doesn't fully take itself seriously. I think it's time we had a change of pace. Necromancy is the key. I have some practical knowledge of the occult, and therefore intend to make this mod as "realistic" as possible, without sacrificing playability or a certain amount of dark fantasy.
# NEW CHARACTER CREATION CHOICES #
In Solid and Shade there are several new character creation choices, as follows...
Your father was...
A Taxedermist (Agi+1,Int+1,Cha+1) - Player starts the game with a wide range of skills, and some Salt.
A Mortician (Int+3) - Player starts the game with some medical skill and some Formaldehyde.
A Chandler (Cha+3) - Player starts the game with some engineering skill and some Candles and Oil.
An Executioner (Str+3) - Player starts the game with some two-handed weapon skill and a Chipped Bastard Sword.
You spent your early life as...
A Gravedigger (Str+3) - Player starts the game with more strength and a Spade Shovel, required for graverobbing.
A Butcher's Helper (Agi+3) - Player starts the game with more agility and a full set of butcher's clothes and cutlery.
A Farmhand (Cha+3) - Player starts the game with more charisma and a Grain Scythe and Hay Fork.
A Mummer (Int+3) - Player starts the game with more intelligence and Mummer's Paint.
You started a career as...
A Neophyte Necromancer (Agi+1,Cha+1) - Starts the game with a Human Corpse, and The Necronomicon.
A University Student (Int+2) - This native profession now starts the game with Sulphuric Acid.
What made you take this decision was...
Demonic Possession (Str+1,Cha+1) - Starts the game with more strength and charisma.
Madness (Int+2) - Starts the game with more intelligence.
# NEW BANNERS #
There are 10 new banners, perfect for any necromancer:
# NEW SKINS #
There is an extra skin with facepaint for each native skin in the game - also the older versions of the new faces have some stylish cataracts:
# ARTIFACTS #
A Neophyte Necromancer begins the game with the Necronomicon. Everyone else will have to discover the location to create one. Within it lies all manner of dark necromantic recipes, including the creation of powerful artifacts:
# The Necronomicon # Access recipes via the camp menu. All recipes not contained in this book must be found elsewhere.
# Skeleton Key # Allows you to teleport to a certain location. Very useful. Must be found.
# Pandora's Box # +1 Trade
# Chains of Mephistopheles # +1 Prisoner Management
# Bezoar Amulet # +1 First Aid
# Philosopher Stone # +1 Surgery # Will save your life if you would otherwise permanently die, but it will be destroyed in the process. Required for all advanced necromancy recipes. Also used as an ingredient in the creation of Golems.
# Evil Eye # +1 Spotting # Press Z to banish the fog. Also used as an ingredient in the summoning of Homunculi.
# Legion Drum # +1 Pathfinding
# Skin Poppet # +1 Tactics
# Ouija board # +1 Tracking # Required for all summoning spells. Also used as an ingredient in the summoning of Demons.
# Hand of Glory # +1 Looting # Will keep you safe from guards when graverobbing, but it will be destroyed if you find diamonds.
# Training Dummy # +1 Trainer
# Black Ring # +1 Weapon Master
# Plagued Artillery # +1 Engineer
# Shrunken Head # +1 Wound Treatment
#ITEM SETS#
Basic Item Sets - These can be created if you have the right ingredients and can discover where the creator is.
# The Acolyte's Sacrifice #
# The Necromancer's Withering #
# The Fleshburner's Char #
# The Plaguedoctor's Remedy #
# The Bloodpreserver's Eulogy #
Advanced Item Sets - These sets can also be created by a particular NPC. Again, the location where this may be done is a mystery...
# The Hellraiser's Abbatoir #
# The Shadowlord's Powers #
# The Artificer's Tools #
Artifact Weapons and Shields - Each of these items is a rare extention of one of the basic or advanced necromancy sets, and each also has a skill bonus. they can also be traded directly for their corresponding set, if you know where to go:
~ Vessel ~ A much-needed shield for the acolyte's equipment set.
~ Shatter ~ The basic necromancy set needed something sharp.
~ Kindling ~ With the speed of this equipment set's mount it begged for a polearm.
~ Crashkit ~ An extra shield for the toughest set around.
~ Inheritance ~ Throwing weapons just weren't enough for this set, so it got a nice rapier.
~ Tongueflayer ~ The Hellraiser's Rack seemed so lonely, so I gave the set a weapon to be used with or without a shield. I also altered the Guillotine for the next release - I think it looks uber (and less like a toothbrush from hell, as my fiancee pointed out; I love her so much).
~ Usurper ~ While this set packs some serious punch, I thought it needed something for taking prisoners too.
~ Torque ~ Yep. A screwdriver. Makes sense.
Legendary Item Sets - these items can be obtained by various means.
# Khan's Fist #
Just the gloves, but they're the only black gauntlets in the game. Since black armor is being added back in, these will be wanted, I am sure.
# The Rising Sun #
An old set of items with a new twist - these items now all have skill bonuses, making them worth finding all over again.
# The Black Knight #
A blast from the past. The Dark Hunter's items have long since rotted away, but the legacy of the Black Knight lives on, now with skill bonuses on all three pieces. This is the only set that can be bought from the market.
# Hunter's Night #
Bolts are in a jar of holy water. Crossbow is a repeater, ala VanHelsing.
# Rasputin's Requiem #
The "mad monk", Grigori Rasputin makes his demonic reappearance as the emissary of evil for the Bloodfountain. If you can figure out what he needs, you can embark on one of the longest new storylines. He can also ask his staff for guidance from beyond the grave, though the reply may be hazy. Death to Calradia!!!
# Oak, Ash and Thorn #
These wooden woodsmen tire of their lives of servitude. Though they are only mid-level companions, they are very versatile - a crafty necromancer may find ways to bend them to their purposes.
# Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore!' and The Wolfsbane Pack #
Just a pair of scratched up old falconry gloves and a pair of spectacles... or are they?
# Misfortunate Fortunato #
This poor fellow just never let it go. Fortunato is the ghost of a lonely soul who can lead you on a scavenger hunt that spans all of Calradia. But first you have to find him...
# The Alchemist's Adamant #
I decided we needed fencing weapons for the weapon mastery bonus. These even look good close up.
# The Horseman's Curse #
I have a feeling this set will be popular, when it can be found. Very gory. You wont believe how fast the horse is.
# The Undying Sword of Vlad Dracula #
This poltergeist weapon haunts a lonely monument, killing any living thing that comes near. The unliving might have better luck...
# Lamia's Lament #
The mother-of-all-vampires bears a gift of the gods themselves, though her story is a tragic one. She likes the dark... and men to chew on. She can create new Vampires for your army, if you have a prisoner and some Vampire Blood handy.
# Crossbones' Craft #
Crossbones is the father-of-all-werewolves, and he knows how to use his skull. Both of them. He can read the bones to tell the future, but you will have to interpret the signs. Once a pirate, he prefers the coastal areas and the company of his own kind - others may find themselves at his mercy. He can create new Werewolves for your army, if you have a prisoner and some Werewolf Blood handy.
# Medusa's Blood #
Bow, Arrows and Shield. Very ancient and creepy - check out the expression on the quiver.
# Stheno's Scales #
I thought I would mention Stheno's armor. It is truly Goddesslike.
# The Plague of the Red Death #
Death's equipment is some of the best in the game. If you work hard enough you may find it.
# The Vampire's Livery #
After level 20, Vampires will begin to roam the lands. These troops can quickly disable your entire army, especially cavalry units, with their long two-handed Decapitators. You may become a Vampire OR a Werewolf if you are powerful enough and have the right blood handy.
# The Werewolf's Howl #
After level 20, Werewolves will begin to roam the lands. These troops can quickly disable your entire army, especially infantry units, with their deadly Claws. You may become a Werewolf OR a Vampire if you are powerful enough and have the right blood handy.
# Poe's Shade #
The King of Shadows himself. It is all Poe's fault - you'll find out why and more if you can find him and win him over, but he is waiting for someone VERY special.
# Gifts of the Gods #
There are even more legendary and godlike items hidden in Calradia to discover. You must explore every corner of this world to reap all of the rewards, though be warned: no character can find everything. There will be some definite choices that await you ahead, if you hold no fear in your heart. Are you a mere mortal or do you dare to seize the power of the gods? You decide.
# NEW TROOPS #
Patchwork - These are low level undead, which can be assembled from carrion gathered during the day on the world map, and without the aid of a Ouija Board. They have only wooden sticks and stones for weapons, but they will get a scavenger by:
Undead - Zombies (Melee), Revenants (Ranged) and Horrors (Mounted) with basic stats:
Burned Undead - Burned Zombies (Melee), Burned Revenants (Ranged) and Burned Horrors (Mounted) with greater speed on the ground and mounted:
Putrid Undead - Putrid Zombies (Melee), Putrid Revenants (Ranged) and Putrid Horrors (Mounted) with greater armor defense and more natural toughness:
Preserved Undead - Preserved Zombies (Melee), Preserved Revenants (Ranged) and Preserved Horrors (Mounted) with greater strength and weapon skill:
Abominations - Burned, Putrid and Preserved Abominations are available as well! The highest troop tree of all undead, these "flesh warriors" are armored with raw meat, and are the toughest new unit. Their cleavers also do moderate cutting damage:
Demons - The lowest of the summoned shock troops, requiring the sacrifice of a Ouija Board, demons have light armor and weapons, but come in groups of six:
Destroyers - Demons may upgrade into these sledge-swinging monsters once they make the long climb to level 30. These are possibly the deadliest troops in the game, capable of "destroying" entire groups of soldiers, one by one. Send them in on a "charge" command and watch your enemies fall:
Homunculi - The mid-range shock troops, requiring the sacrifice of The Evil Eye, homunculi (singular: homunculus) have moderate armor and weapons, and come in pairs:
Shadow Warriors - Homunculi can turn into these halberdier behemoths at level 30. They have more range than the destroyers with their halberds, and they do more damage, but they don't work as well in crowds due to their weapons being much lighter, but meet one out in the open at your peril. These are good troops to have on the "follow" command:
Golems - The highest range shock troops, requiring the sacrifice of a Philosopher Stone, golems are the heavy hitters, and made of hard clay with moderate armor and devastating blunt spheres for weapons. They pack quite a punch:
Blood Engines - Golems can be transformed into these half-metal "corpsecannons" at level 30. They do
massive damage at range with their high-powered and very accurate firearms, but have no weapons for close combat, making them vulnerable to melee attacks. It is wise to place these troops strategically with a "wait" command, well outside melee range:
Necrolords - Acolytes, Scavengers, Necromancers, Fleshburners, Plaguedoctors, Bloodpreservers, Hellraisers, Shadowlords and Artificers can be found terrorizing the land, and they are not picky about whom they slaughter. Power is what they seek, and if you have it, are you strong enough to keep it? Test your mettle against the greater of evils! Acolytes can also be recruited at taverns, and they can eventually upgrade into every other kind of necromancer!
Vampires - These undead lords control the power of blood to spread their plague throughout the lands. Descended from Lamia, the mother-of-all-vampires, these well-armored monsters hold no love of man in their hearts. Cavalry are especially vulnerable to these units.
*Screenshot Pending!*
Werewolves - These horrific man-beasts stalk the moonless night to sew the seed of their plague among the people. Created through the prolific voodoo curse began by Crossbones, the father-of-all-werewolves, these creatures rend their foes to pieces. Infantry fall in waves before these units.
*Screenshot Pending!*
# TAROT READERS #
You will find the readers Mars, Saturn and Neptune randomly at taverns. They will read your past, present and future via tarot cards. Technically, you could consider them authentic readings, using only the major arcana and my own interpretations, in my own past/present/future reading style. Great for playing a superstitious character, or just for fun. NOTE: The author of this mod will not be held responsible for the predicted deaths of anybody, including characters:
# SCREENSHOTS #
# FORUM BANNERS #
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# CHANGELOG #
* Version 20.13 *
~ MAJOR problems with 19.13 due to oversight and Windows VirtualStore. Fixed.
* Version 19.13 *
~ Neophyte necromancers now start the game with Wrapping Boots.
~ Hand of Glory no longer is destroyed when Diamonds are found while graverobbing.
~ The Skeleton Key and Acolyte's Ritual set items only appear in the chest in Old Zendar after speaking to the Bloodfountain now.
~ Misfortunate Fortunato, Oak, Ash and Thorn, Lamia's Lament, Crossbones' Craft, The Undying Sword of Vlad Dracula, Rasputin's Requiem, The Wolfsbane Pack, Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore!', The Vampire's Livery, The Werewolf's Howl, Gifts of the Gods, The Rising Sun, and The Black Knight dark legends now added to the Bloodfountain dialogs.
~ All "Godlike" and "Goddesslike" set items and divine items now have no difficulty.
~ 4 New necromancy artifact recipes have been added: Plagued Artillery, Shrunken Head, Black Ring, and Training Dummy. These give bonuses to Engineer, Wound Treatment, Weapon Master and Trainer, respectively.
~ One new food recipe has been added: Bread of the Dead.
~ Bloodwine mesh switched back to the original wine jar. I like how it blends in, and the bottle didn't look period.
~ Nearly all weapons and shields are now lootable - this includes Demon Right Claw, Demon Left Claw, Golem Right Fist, and Golem Left Fist, which were previously unlootable.
~ Stats for many weapons and armors have been altered, especially where many of them needed an abundance stat added, and difficulties changed. This includes some skill bonuses.
~ Blood Engine Cannonballs are no longer upside-down in inventories.
~ Diamonds texture updated.
~ The Horseman's Curse set now has no difficulty.
~ 14 New companions have been added. All are tied to storylines, some of which will progress as new versions are made.
~ All mod-related parties now appear based on character level. Acolytes appear from level 1. Necromancers appear from level 5. Fleshburners, Plaguedoctors, and Bloodpreservers appear from level 1ck"
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