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'''TES IV: Oblivion Modding for Beginners'''
{{ABGContents}}
 
==Preamble==
'''B. Scripts, Quests and NPC's'''
 
'''Lesson Four: Anatomy of a Quest. Part One'''
 
'''Preamble'''


This is the fourth in a proposed series of ''Tutorial Lessons''
This is the fourth in a proposed series of ''Tutorial Lessons''
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they may find something of interest here.
they may find something of interest here.


'''Files'''
===Files===


I have uploaded some files which we will use to accompany the next few
I have uploaded some files which we will use to accompany the next few
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They include:
They include:
'''[http://www.tessource.net/files/cache/4865.html Download the following three files from here (external link)]'''


'''A. BGModTut4.esp:'''
'''A. BGModTut4.esp:'''
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use as sets in lessons 6, 7 and 8.  I have uploaded it now to give you
use as sets in lessons 6, 7 and 8.  I have uploaded it now to give you
a chance to do a little personalisation before the next lesson is
a chance to do a little personalisation before the next lesson is
released (see Homework at end of lesson 5)</br>
released (see Homework at end of lesson 5)


'''B. BGModAnvilCheat.esp:'''
'''B. BGModAnvilCheat.esp:'''
<br>This is a small optional cheat mod to give users 5000 septims to
<br>This is a small optional cheat mod to give users 5000 septims to
allow them to follow this tutorial if they have not completed the
allow them to follow this tutorial if they have not completed the
quest. (See Introduction)</br>
quest. (See Introduction)


'''C. A RTF document'''
'''C. A RTF document'''
<br>This contains the text for the first 5 lessons (as requested).</br>
<br>This contains the text for the first 5 lessons (as requested).
 
'''[http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4865 Download the following three files from here (external link)]'''
 


=='''Introduction'''==
==Introduction==


I'm afraid we are about to take a step backward in term of
I'm afraid we are about to take a step backward in term of
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to learn each to execute a well made quest mod.
to learn each to execute a well made quest mod.


=='''Quest Structure'''==
==Quest Structure==


Quests are the bedrock of '''Oblivion''''s game mechanics. You can't
Quests are the bedrock of '''Oblivion''''s game mechanics. You can't
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journal, which controls merchant transactions. When you walk down the
journal, which controls merchant transactions. When you walk down the
street and overhear two NPCs talking, the conversation is controlled
street and overhear two NPCs talking, the conversation is controlled
by another hidden quest.</br>
by another hidden quest.


The more obvious quests are those that produce journal updates. Let's
The more obvious quests are those that produce journal updates. Let's
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<br>We will follow it step by step. We will encounter lots of
<br>We will follow it step by step. We will encounter lots of
important new concepts and functions. Rather than break off the run
important new concepts and functions. Rather than break off the run
through to look at those, I have included them as linked [[A beginner's guide - Appendix 1 |appendixes]].</br>
through to look at those, I have included them as linked [[A beginner's guide - Appendix 1 |appendixes]].


I give you fair warning the next two lessons are quite long. Break out
I give you fair warning the next two lessons are quite long. Break out
a lot of cookies and coffee and let us follow the quest together.
a lot of cookies and coffee and let us follow the quest together.


=='''MS02 Where Spirits Have Lease'''==
==MS02 Where Spirits Have Lease==


The quest we will look at is called "'''Where Spirits Have
The quest we will look at is called "'''Where Spirits Have Lease'''". The plotline goes something like this:
Lease'''". The plotline goes something like this


''The player overhears a rumour and is directed to a character called
''The player overhears a rumour and is directed to a character called
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a strange skeletal hand, you go off to find Velwyn, only to find out
a strange skeletal hand, you go off to find Velwyn, only to find out
he has '''fled town'''. You track him down to the Imperial City, where -
he has '''fled town'''. You track him down to the Imperial City, where -
thanks to the diary - you find out his father was a nasty bit of work
thanks to the diary - you find out his grandfather was a nasty bit of work
(necromancer) and that only Velwyn can help '''lift the curse'''.
(necromancer) and that only Velwyn can help '''lift the curse'''.


Back to Anvil you go. Velwyn opens a door to a secret chamber and then
Back to Anvil you go. Velwyn opens a door to a secret chamber and then
runs away. You are left to fight his father's evil influence
runs away. You are left to fight his grandfather's evil influence
'''alone'''. When that is done, you speak to Velwyn for the last time, and
'''alone'''. When that is done, you speak to Velwyn for the last time, and
return to find the '''curse lifted''' and you now own a lovely '''new house'''''.
return to find the '''curse lifted''' and you now own a lovely '''new house'''''.
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should take a time-out and go through '''[[A beginner's guide - Appendix 1 |Appendix One: the Quest Window]]'''.
should take a time-out and go through '''[[A beginner's guide - Appendix 1 |Appendix One: the Quest Window]]'''.


=='''Getting Started'''==
==Getting Started==


Now let's try to follow the paper trail of the quest from beginning to
Now let's try to follow the paper trail of the quest from beginning to
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2.That the speaker is '''not''' a Dark Elf, an Orc, a Khajiit, a High
2.That the speaker is '''not''' a Dark Elf, an Orc, a Khajiit, a High
Elf, or an Argonian  
Elf, or an Argonian  
<br>''(This is to save having to create multiple voice files for every race)''</br>
<br>''(This is to save having to create multiple voice files for every race)''


3. That you are in '''Anvil.'''  
3. That you are in '''Anvil.'''  
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Anvil. The designers use this trick to create catch-all words for the
Anvil. The designers use this trick to create catch-all words for the
key areas like Arena, Bruma, IC , Skingard etc. The game searches for
key areas like Arena, Bruma, IC , Skingard etc. The game searches for
all instances of Anvil in the text name.'')</br>
all instances of Anvil in the text name.'')


4. That the speakers are locals.
4. That the speakers are locals.
<br>(''Anvil Faction. Factions are a way of creating sets to group actors by'')</br>
<br>(''Anvil Faction. Factions are a way of creating sets to group actors by'')


5. That the speaker is not Velwyn Benirus.
5. That the speaker is not Velwyn Benirus.
<br>(''So he doesn't gossip about himself'')</br>
<br>(''So he doesn't gossip about himself'')


6. That Velwyn Benirus is, in fact, alive.
6. That Velwyn Benirus is, in fact, alive.
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an essential actor and can't be killed. But the game may be modded so
an essential actor and can't be killed. But the game may be modded so
he can die. If this happens the quest is broken, since this dialogue
he can die. If this happens the quest is broken, since this dialogue
can never be triggered'')</br>
can never be triggered'')


7. For one of the conversations it also checks that the other
7. That the other character - called the ''target'' - is also not Velwyn.   
character - called the ''target'' - is also not Velwyn.   
<br>(''To prevent the rumours from being directed at Velwyn'')
<br>(''To prevent this nastier comment being directed at Velwyn'')</br>


When you hear this conversation, the game carries out two actions as
When you hear this conversation, the game carries out two actions as
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2 It links or moves to a new conversation called '''TRANSITION'''.  
2 It links or moves to a new conversation called '''TRANSITION'''.  
<br>(''This is in fact a sequence of coughs, ums and ahs that merely
<br>(''This is in fact a sequence of coughs, ums and ahs that merely
end conversations.'')</br>
end conversations.'')


The key action here is the '''New Topic'''.
The key action here is the '''New Topic'''.
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conditions.
conditions.


Look under the '''VELWYN BERINUS TOPIC''' in the '''topic tab.''' You'll find five entries.   
Look under the '''VELWYN BENIRUS TOPIC''' in the '''topic tab.''' You'll find five entries.   
<br>We are interested in the last one that directs the character to the '''King's Arms'''.</br>
<br>We are interested in the last one that directs the character to the '''Count's Arms'''.
<br>(Generally conversations are added so that the one you want to appear ''first in the game'' is ''last on the list'')</br>
<br>(Generally conversations are added so that the one you want to appear ''first in the game'' is ''last on the list'')


It is conditional on the following:
It is conditional on the following:
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''before you've started the quest'' and after you've heard the
''before you've started the quest'' and after you've heard the
conversation ''about Benirus'', you will get a chance to find out he
conversation ''about Benirus'', you will get a chance to find out he
hangs out at the Kings Arms. (Phwew!.)
hangs out at the Count's Arms. (Phwew!.)


And THEN the ''really cool bit''.
And THEN the ''really cool bit''.
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arrive at a stage, the game carries out its instructions.
arrive at a stage, the game carries out its instructions.


=='''Stage 10'''==
==Stage 10==


It taken us some time, but finally we are truly off and running.
It taken us some time, but finally we are truly off and running.
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This adds this journal entry to your characters journal:
This adds this journal entry to your characters journal:


''I've overheard a rumor that Velwyn Benirus wants to sell a manor
''I've overheard a rumor that Velwyn Benirus wants to sell a manor here in Anvil, and that he's selling it cheap. I should go find him and see what he has to offer.''
here in Anvil, and that he's selling it cheap. I should go find him
and see what he has to offer.''


That is it, nothing else. (Remember that, every 5 seconds or so, the
That is it, nothing else. (Remember that, every 5 seconds or so, the game is still trying to run that Quest Script and failing its conditions).
game is still trying to run that Quest Script and failing its
conditions).


One of the greatest features of the game is the fact that it does not
One of the greatest features of the game is the fact that it does not progress you automatically to the next stage in a quest. You can now rush off to the Count's Arms to find out about the house or, you can go off and save the world, or kill a few innocent civilians.
progress you automatically to the next stage in a quest. You can now
rush off to the Kings Arms to find out about the house or, you can go
off and save the world, or kill a few innocent civilians.


It's your call.
It's your call.


The quest waits patiently for you to make the right move.  In this
The quest waits patiently for you to make the right move.  In this case it's a conversation with the man '''Velwyn''' himself. The designer needs to show us where the man is. We have information via the quest journal we can refer to, but the Target Tab will help give us a visual clue.
case it's a conversation with the man '''Velwyn''' himself. The
designer needs to show us where the man is. We have information via
the quest journal we can refer to, but the Target Tab will help give
us a visual clue.


This leads us to one of the hottest topics on the forums.  That is the
This leads us to one of the hottest topics on the forums.  That is the Quest Target arrows that appear on the Maps. Some folk love 'em, some folk loathe 'em. By giving a dialogue and journal clue we can ignore the map. However, others will need that extra help. The controls for these are contained under the quest '''Target Tab'''. It simply lists the target and the condition under which that target should be set. This is usually linked to a stage.
Quest Target arrows that appear on the Maps. Some folk love 'em, some
folk loathe 'em. By giving a dialogue and journal clue we can ignore
the map. However, others will need that extra help. The controls for
these are contained under the quest '''Target Tab'''. It simply lists
the target and the condition under which that target should be set.
This is usually linked to a stage.


Here it sets VelwynBerinusRef (Velwyn's NPC Actor object in the
Here it sets VelwynBenirusRef (Velwyn's NPC Actor object in the objects window. (from here on, if I refer to Velwyn, I am referring to this NPC object) as the target if we have passed '''stage 10'''. Following the arrows will lead you to Velwyn. The map will update automatically to show where the target is.
objects window. (from here on, if I refer to Velwyn, I am referring to
this NPC object) as the target if we have passed '''stage 10'''.
Following the arrows will lead you to Velwyn. The map will update
automatically to show where the target is.


When we find him he will use the '''GREETING''' topic to say hello to
When we find him he will use the '''GREETING''' topic to say hello to
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Finally it opens a new topic called '''Manor'''.
Finally it opens a new topic called '''Manor'''.


=='''Stage 20'''==
==Stage 20==


When you select '''Manor''' (either straight away or at a later
When you select '''Manor''' (either straight away or at a later
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This is a significant development.
This is a significant development.


=='''Stage 30'''==
==Stage 30==


Stage 30 is the first stage with a results script.
Stage 30 is the first stage with a results script.
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* And, when you get '''close enough''' to the house, the '''quest stage is moved to 35'''.
* And, when you get '''close enough''' to the house, the '''quest stage is moved to 35'''.


=='''Stage 35'''==
==Stage 35==


This stage produces a journal update:
This stage produces a journal update:
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<br>Click on any one of them, select edit base and then click on the
<br>Click on any one of them, select edit base and then click on the
'''&bull;&bull;&bull;''' next to ''script'' and we see yet another
'''&bull;&bull;&bull;''' next to ''script'' and we see yet another
script that is used in this quest.</br>
script that is used in this quest.
   
   
  '''Scriptname MS02FirstGhosts'''
  '''Scriptname MS02FirstGhosts'''
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