Hello! I'm a fan of open development, and I am doing all this for fun, so no need to wait for me if you want to try it out, as long as you remember the following:

[*] I commit changes to this master only from a working install, so it should install fine on any given day, at any given time.

[*] HOWEVER, you are working with a non-released version, where some content has not been fully tested in-game.

[*] By the way, this mod has things in it in the female PC romance that may be... adult. They may be laughably funny, or just stupid, or perhaps just horrible fanfic sex, or you might even like some of it, but regardless, please use discretion when reporting stuff at G3. Some of our members might not appreciate details. PM me. 



/* IF YOU ARE DOWNOADING FROM GITHUB, you need to do the following:

 * 1. check to make sure everything is there,

 * 2. copy another mod's setup-mymod.exe and rename it setup-aranw.exe or download the .exe here

 * 3. run that, and enjoy the mod. If you run into problems, find me at G3 or start an issue ticket on GitHub!

*/



Real readme code follows:


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      Aran Whitehand 
    
    

      A Gibberlings Three Mod 
      

      Author:
      

      cmorgan 

      

        On the web: Home page and discussion forum 
        

        

      
      

        Version pre-alpha - Check for the most recent version 
        

        Languages: English
        

        Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
        

      
    
 
    

      Contents 
    
    

      
      Notes
      

      Overview
      

      Compatibility
      

      Installation
      

      Components
      

      Modder Notes
      

      Thanks and Acknowledgments
      

      Contact and Copyright Information
      

      Version History
       
    
 
    

      Notes
    
    

      

        This is an Alpha release. To be clear, an "alpha release' in this context means "There Will Be Bugs(tm)". I hope for few, but it is likely you will run into something odd! 
        

        

        The Mod Concept
        

        NPCs work in many different ways, based primarily on the original BioWare model. What happens, though, if we try a more 'self aware' NPC, allowing player choice for some of the fundamentals? Is an NPC's character his class and stats, or is it really a personality? Can an NPC still be true to himself, even when a player chooses to turn them into a new class combination? This mod explores the idea that jobs may come and go, and in the heart of an accountant may lie a lion, even if the body doesn't quite show it off. The NPC should be able to adapt to being a new class or kit combination, while retaining his core personality. As a side project, the intent is to post code in the forum to eventually tie to tutorials and provide insight into the decisionmaking process when turning an idea into functional code.
        

        Aran Whitehand is functionally a Companion mod. He has minor optional quests with a new area, but comes with no special weapons or upgradeable items - his specialty is in interacting with the members of the party and adapting to situations. For him, the job is paramount, and his job is supporting the player. He is no stranger to having to carry out orders which bend morality, though he hates doing so. It should be noted that this mod is designed by adults for adults, and should not be installed unless you are comfortable with Faerunian swearing, occasional adult themes, and NC - 17 to R rated content in the Romance portion.
      
    
 
    

      Overview
    
    

      

        The Companion NPC 
        

        Aran Whitehand is a human fighter and scribe for BG2, dual classable, so that he can be Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy... whatever your party needs. Basically, a human utility player taken along for the friendship/cuddling. "Specials" include creation of scrolls through dialog and timer when in a party with another canonical mage. Primarily a male friend who can grow into an extended courtship/romance, romanceable by female PCs, Aran has his own sense of humor and specializes in bringing others into the conversation. 
      
    
 
    

      Statistics
    
    

      

        
        "Warrior" configuration [player options on install, fighter] 
        

        
17 Strength 
        

        16 Dexterity 
        

        15 Constitution 
        

        12 Intelligence 
        

        13 Wisdom 
        

        12 Charisma 
        

      
      

        
        "Poet" configuration [player options on install, for Cleric dual class]
        

        16 Strength
        

        13 Dexterity
        

        15 Constitution
        

        12 Intelligence
        

        17 Wisdom
        

        12 Charisma
        

      
      

        
        "Thinker" configuration [player options on install, for Mage dual class]
        

        16 Strength
        

        13 Dexterity
        

        15 Constitution
        

        17 Intelligence
        

        12 Wisdom
        

        12 Charisma
        

      
      

        
        "Survivor" configuration [player options on install, for Thief dual class] 
        

        16 Strength
        

        17 Dexterity
        

        15 Constitution
        

        13 Intelligence
        

        12 Wisdom
        

        12 Charisma
        

      
    
 
    

      Friendship
    
    

      

        Aran will befriend any protagonist of any race or alignment,though how he reacts to situations will definitely let the player know how he feels. A rough - around - the - edges man, accustomed to mercenary sevice and caravan work both in front of and protecting the books, Aran hires on as a scribe or accountant as well as protection. He has learned to work with practically anyone not Drow, and chase any female within arms reach. His language is rough, his approach unrefined. And if you don't like it, he will gladly tell you exactly what your opinion is worth. 
      
    
 
    

      Romance
    
    

      

        Aran will romance any female protagonist of any race save Drow, or any alignment. Again, how he reacts will definitely let the player understand his position. Good men fall for bad women as quickly as for good ones, and sometimes opposites really do attract. But romance on the trail is awkward, with a group of adventurers around, and the road to romance is both rocky and complicated. Exactly how does a strong man feel when his significant other turns out to be infinitely stronger than he, on so many levels? Can the two of you negotiate the attraction into something of an equal relationship, or is this destined to fail? For a sample of lovetalks, please visit the forums.
      
    
 
    

      Joining the Party
    
    

      

        When Aran Whitehand meets the party, he is looking for work having dropped from the rolls of a mercenary regiment. Look for him in the new inn "The Broken Sword", found on the Promenade just north of your initial entry into the area from Chateau Irenicus.
      
    
 
    

      Customization
    
    

      

        Portrait choices currently available are here. 
      
    
 
    

      Compatibility
    
    

      

        Aran Whitehand, AranWAware, AranWSound 
      
    
 
    

      Installation
    
    

      

        

        Windows 
        

        This mod is packaged and installed with WeiDU and is distributed as a self-extracting archive. To install, simply double-click the archive and follow the instructions on screen.
        

        

        Alternatively, the files can be extracted from the archive using WinRAR. If properly extracted, you should have an "aranw" folder and the file "setup-aranw.exe" in your game folder. To install, simply double-click setup-aranw.exe and follow the instructions on screen.
        

        

        Please run setup-aranw in your game folder to reinstall, uninstall or otherwise change components.
        

        

        Mac OS X 
        

        If the mod was previously installed, uninstall it before extracting the new version.Aran Whitehand is packaged and installed with WeiDU . To install, simply extract the contents of the mod into your game folder. If properly extracted, you should have an "aranw" folder, setup-aranw, and setup-aranw.command in your game folder. To install, simply double-click setup-aranw.command and follow the instructions on screen.
        

        

        Linux 
        

        Extract the contents of the mod to the folder of the game you wish to modify. Download the latest version of WeiDU for Linux from WeiDU.organd copy WeiDU and WeInstall to /usr/bin. Following that, open a terminal and cd to your BG2 installation directory, run 'tolower' and answer Y to both queries. You can avoid running the second option (linux.ini) if you've already ran it once in the same directory. To save time, the archive is already tolowered, so there's no need to run the first option (lowercasing file names) either if you've extracted only this mod since the last time you lower cased file name. If you're unsure, running tolower and choosing both options is the safe bet. Run WeInstall aranw in your game folder to install the mod. Then run wine BGMain.exe and start playing.
      
    
 
    

      Components and Optional Follow-On Mods
    
    

      

      Component 0 
      

      

      

      Component 1 
      

      

      

      Component 2 
      

      

      

      Component 3 
      

      

      

      Follow-On Mods 
      

      AranWAware 
      

      AranWAware can be found here. It is designed to be run after both Aran Whitehand and other mods, much like Crossmod. While many "awareness" comments and dialogs are already enabled passively within the central mod, there are cross-mod materials that need adjustment. This add-on should be run after most mods on your install. It only enables content/manipulates Aran's own scripts and files, so should cause no troubles with other mods. Currently, it recognises and enables the following content:
      

      AranWSound 
      

      AranWSound is currently vaporware. Hopefully, a real soundset alternative and musical alternatives will become available, and we can put them here.
      

      

    
 
    

      Modder Notes
    
    

      
The philosophy driving coding in this project is to preserve technical operating compatibility with as wide a range of other mods as possible. I leave it up to the player to define 'conceptual incompatibility' - there are so many mods out there now that I think players have the right to choose to add, subtract, or modify within their games without me making those decisions up front. Hey, I am a hobbyist, not a professional - if you want professional stuff, go buy it! Some of the things done to support this are listed here:,/p> 
      

        

          one 
        
      
    
 
    

      Thanks and Acknowledgements
    
    

      

        It takes many people to contribute to a project as large as BG1 NPC . The current list of folks who have contributed and we wish to thank is at our forum.
      
      

        There is an entire community of folks to thank, for all sorts of reasons, so someone is going to get left out and I am going to be very embarassed. But the folks who really make things fun when working through i.e. stuff, the folks who assisted in proofreading, giving critical feedback, and sending those PMs and messages saying "YES!" or "NOOOOO!!!!!!" are all part of this mod. The good parts. The bad parts are all mine. 
      
      

        First off, Domi is a goddess whose work with Dynaheir in BG1NPC originally inspired me to get off of my lazy behind and actually become involved in modding. I thank her, curse her, swear at her, and then swear by her, all usually within the same 20 minutes. Thanks to CamDawg, Grim Squeaker, Smoketest, devSin, wisp, Taimon, Ascension64, igi eric, Steve, and Miloch, who all show me how things work and manage not to call me an ignorant jackass to my face (mostly). And infinite thanks to Nythrun, who showed me patience, great humor, and the power of "just do it."
      
      

        And though he will make an obscene comment or involve Aran in a Dodecahedron mod in retaliation, special thanks to "the bigg". Not just for years of patience and help, but for continuing to support, clean up, extend, and rebuild Weimer's Dialog Utility making it relevant and powerful for today's modders.
      
      

        On this specific project, huge thanks go to Berelinde, who has helped me bounce ideas, clean up/rebuild code, warned me when I was getting really gross, poked at me when I slacked, asked the "duh" questions that have set me on new paths, reminded me when I have started doing boneheaded things in code, and provided solid criticism. Jastey has been there regularly, giving great specific feedback; without these two strong modders as friends, working on and discussing things at Tolkein Across The Water, the biggest challenges in the mod whould never have been attempted, let alone written. To the Two Mistresses of Modding Mayhem, I tip my cap in appreciation, and let you know that you have helped me get hours of enjoyment out of the modding challenge. It is great to work with you!
      
      

        Lots of people have helped out in this "open code" mod experiment, many with behind-the-scenes PMs that have opened new ideas or closed up old ones, others with clear and helpful bug and typo hunting, and still others with the ticklish and sensitive "proofread the smut" quotient. My appreciation is fierce. In most cases, my thanks has been to write specific pathways or open branches in response to their own particular personal protagonist preference (their "ppp"), but some angels have given feedback without indicating what they like in thier ppp, so the only coin I have in repayent is acknowledgement of contribution. A partial list follows:
      
      

        

          PeachPlums 
        
        

          RavenBlack 
        
        

          Ipsy 
        
        

          Nix 
        
        

          KIrving 
        
        

          Ajnos 
        
        

          KathStoneDog 
        
        

          McMazey 
        
        

          Jessception 
        
        

          Aeryn 
        
        

          Luridel 
        
        

          Ardanis 
        
        

          Miloch 
        
        

          Wisp 
        
        

          devSin 
        
        

          the bigg 
        
        

          Kaeloree 
        
        

          Marla Wolfblade 
        
        

          erik 
        
        

          Igneous 
        
        

          Kessi 
        
        

          yarpen 
        
        

          Autumn Bard 
        
        

          Ericp07 
        
        

          Mike1072 
        
        

          igi 
        
        

          Nythrun 
        
        

          Shaitan 
        
        

          plainab 
        
        

          Domi 
        
        

          NOTE: RECHECK PMS AND POSTS FOR CONTRIBUTORS!!!
        
      
      

        This project has been a blast, even on days when I just wanted to throw it all in and go whack something in Mount & Blade or take over the world in Civ III/IV/BTS/V (the project took that long!!). That is entirely due to folks poking at Aran with long sticks, asking questions, giving feedback, and making me rethink things.
      
      Tools Used in Creation 
      

      WeiDUby Wes Weimer and the bigg 
      

      WinMerge GNU freeware file comparison utility, developed: Grim; Project Lead: List 
      

      jEdit Programmer's Text Editor 
      

      ConTEXTby Eden Kirin
      

      TextPADpurchased version 5 by Helios Software Solutions 
      

      WildEditpurchased version 1.1 by Helios Software Solutions 
      

      Crimson Editor by Ingyu Kang 
      

      DLTCEPby Avenger
      

      IESDPmaintained by igi and Avenger
      

      Near Infinityby Jon Olav Hauglid, FredSRichardson, devSin, and Wisp
      

      Shadowkeeperby Mud-Master
      

      WeiDUjEdit Highlighters by cmorgan 
      

      WeiDUConTEXT Highlighters by Idobek, updated by cmorgan 
      

      WeiDUCrimson Editor Highlighters by cmorgan 
      

      WeiDUTextWrangler Highlighters by cmorgan 
      

      WeiDUNotePad++ Highlighters by mike 1072 and cmorgan 
      

      ZOOM H4nextHandy Prortable digital Audio recording device 
      

      Audacity 
      

      

    
 
    

      Musical Themes Used
    
    

      

        NOTE: To access this content, you will need to download and install the Aran Whitehand Sound Pack. You can find it on The Gibberlings Three download page, here.
      
      

        

          Happy Music:  Titleby author
        
        

          Friendship Music:  Titleby author
        
        

          Romance Music:  Titleby author
        
      
    
 
    

      Contact and Copyright Information
    
    

      

        This mod is not developed, supported, or endorsed by BioWare™ or Interplay/BlackIsle. It is not released under any license at all, because it is a EULA-breaking Law-shirking Free Random Expression Of Fun(tm), and the only "license" it could fit under is probably not enforceable in any way shape or form. I hereby grant anyone the freedom to do anything they want with it. If you rip off large parts of it, contact Aran Sorkin, Joss Whedon, and any number of other sci-fi and fantasy authors and pay them, because any good stuff in here is probably rephrases of their work that have been floating about in my brain for years, only "Forgotten Reams-Ized". If there are any copyright issues or this statement needs revision then please contact me and advise me what to do about it. This mod was created to be freely enjoyed, mercilessly hated, or stalwortly ignored by all Baldur's Gate II players. If you are looking to make a buck or two off of it, you really have not played the mod. I'd advise you to do so, 
        especially the naughty bits, because that will kill any ideas you had about actually, you know... profiting :) .
      
    
 
    

      Version History
    
    

      

        Version Pre-alpha - April, 2011  
      
      

        

          Let the bug-hunt begin!