NPC relations

[allthesedamnnamesaretaken]

Anyone else having problems keeping their npc heros happy? they seem to constantly bicker with each other and desert in droves. 

so far I've discovered the following:

hates each other:
ymira and matheld
jermemus and artimenner

likes each other
alayen and ymira
bunduk and katarin

party skills:
bunduk: first aid 2, trainer 2, tactics 1
artimenner: tracking 1, spotting 1, tactics 2, engineer 4
jeremus: wound 3, first aid 3, surgery 4
katarin: wound 2, first aid 1
alayen: tactics 1
ymira: wound 1, surgery 1, first aid 3

anyone else wants to post their findings, at least before the module system is released?

 

[Taimat396]

I cant remember her name, but she comes with throwing daggers and a dagger, and her name is five letters long.

She doesnt like Marnid. Then again, does anyone? At least he doesnt want pay for you to save his ass >.< Damn leechers.

'Oh, please let me join you, I have nowhere to go and I might be charged with murder! I cant leave the city, because bandits will mug my ass!'

'Okay then, lets go.'

'Thatll be three hundred denars. I accept cash or credit.'

 

[Strok]

I've only been playing an hour or so but I've had two npcs desert from my party. Are they gone forever or can you find them again?

 

[Merentha]

Matheld and Nizen can start liking each other too.
Nizen and Alayen don't get along, though they're both in my party just fine.  Taking the diplomatic answer and winning a lot helps. 

 

[Mravac Kid]

Bunduk hates that noble's son whose name escapes me ATM. And vice versa. Something about discipline...
The noble likes Artmenner.

I see factions forming within my party... so far it's 3-3, with one abstainee.

 

[alh_p]

I haven't been able to start playing yet (pesky work) so I can't really comment for myself yet, but isn't all this party incompatibility un un-neccessary nuisance?

Sounds like it adds an element of role playing, but to make that work, you have to make the NPC's character entertaining enough too. I hear they have a history/life besides leveling for you in .905 -is it enough though?

I remember Baldur's Gate had this sort of thing but frankly it was limiting and not offset by the NPC scripts inserted at major plot events.

 

[kaeldragor]

So far, I haven't had anyone get upset enough to change their relationship with me or leave.  And I've been taking sides with the more useful members generally.

My only concern so far is the Jeremus and Artimenner issue, Since they are both VERY valuable.  I don't want to have to settle for a lesser medic, and I haven't found a different engineer/tactician.

Also, Jeremus and Firentius get along.

If there is interest, I'll start compiling a master list of NPCs, main party skills and apparent combat focus suggestions (bow, xbow, spear and sword, etc.) along with showing who they do and do not get along with.

It could be there are several sets of "compatible" NPCs and the others will just bicker.  Frankly, I enjoy the added element to the game, along with the random stories they tell when near their homelands.

 

[Mravac Kid]

That's a very good idea. If it's not much trouble for you, it would be great if you'd make such a list.

 

[alh_p]

I'll second that! Then the only problem will be traipsing round lookingf or the perfect party!

 

[kaeldragor]

So far, it seems there are multiple possible dislikes (or they all will happen, but perhaps in random order....)

For example, Ymira, Matheld and Lezalit are all in my group, but Ymira got mad at Lezalit and hasn't mentioned Matheld.  (Matheld is getting upset at Jeremus, who she thinks is a mountebank.) 

So as a disclaimer, there could be some more complex relationships, or "like/dislike priorities" that I'm not finding.  I'll post a separate thread in a bit once I've got at least the starting information.  The relations may take longer.

PS: This is what information I'm gathering.  (Too much more is a pain, but then if you want to track more, you at least know what information I'll already have for you.)
Name, Party Skills (not sure if looting is one, but no one seems to have it anyway), Riding, Athletics, Power Strike, Power Throw, Power Draw, Top 3 combat skills (arbitrary choice if there is a tie, just suggestions, and in many cases the 4th is only a point or two behind anyway), cost to hire.

Lastly, I'll indicate who they have argued against, and who they have told me they like.  It has occurred to me that it MIGHT be that either a) there is a random factor here, or b) character 1 may not dislike character 2, even if the reverse is true...

So, should I only indicate who complained about who (more precise), or tag them both, since it would lead to a poor dynamic anyway?

 

[alh_p]

I think what we need is a table of who each character likes/dislikes/is ambivalent about. Great fun! :S

 

[kaeldragor]

Also, note that picking sides doesn't keep them from being concerned about their companions, just has an effect on their relationship to you - and maybe their feelings on your leadership style...