This thread will make more sense if you first have a look at Sheena's website and the diary in particular. I added also a dialogue preview and gallery section. It provides all the information I feel you need to know.

Sheena's lair

First, I'd like to say a few things about myself. What I do and who I am.
I am a humanitarian aid specialist and it takes me to secluded and remote corners of this world, places where hot water flowing from a tap, telephone lines, electricity are still slanderous rumors peddled by some people visiting from the west, or the north, and much to my dismayal I have to agree with them.
Anyway, my loneliness leaves me with a lot of free time during my evenings and week-ends, which serves me well developing an NPC for BG2 because there isn't much else entertainment available and I do enjoy writing, but the telephone line is at work and I can't really abuse it for the purpose of a hobby. I do abuse it mostly at lunch time, evening time and on a saturday morning and rarely more than 15 minutes at a time. If I have to respond, I'll prepare something off-line. If I want to read a lenghty thread, I'll download all pages at once and read them off-line, when I have the time. Bear in mind that I'm using taxpayer money from rich countries, maybe some of yours, so I really feel guilty and try not to overdo it. Well, if it is your dollar, pound, euro or yen, I shouldn't really feel bothered. I'm trying to pay you off with Sheena. Yes, I heard the: 'Well, she'd better be good then'. It is exactly the point of opening a thread meant to improve upon her personality and other aspects of this unique NPC.
I was very much tempted to ask Baronious for a dedicated forum but I've just explained you the reasons, I can't, so I'd like to keep this thread open, expressive, useful, ideally the place where people who liked playing Sheena can feed it's author with new ideas.

Sheena's personality. The current bottleneck explained:
Sheena is a young girl who lived a secluded life, unsure of herself because she dreads what other common races think of her, a half dragon, an abomination that has no right to exist. Therefore, her personality is reserved, cautious, restrained by her own fear of renewing with the prejudice she suffered. Except with evil characters, where she'll be agressive and confident enough to deal with them (Edwin, Korgan) but also in-game characters (mad cleric...).
All my troubles start now. Nearly 1500 lines of cautious dialogue lines are enough to convey the feeling that Sheena is a noble character (Mazzy - Keldorn) with a reserved demeanor towards everybody but careful nurturing has led to a romance with the PC. It is past time to reveal Sheena's true heart, the adorable young woman behind the veil of her fears. I want to open up her personality but slowly, like a delicate flower budding. What I recently wrote is either too Lolita (understand Viconia in a very very good mood - first LT in the diary) and completely unsuitable for Sheena or useless whining (understand Aerie- 2nd LT in my diary-I understand Avariels are located high in the mountains) that is leading me nowhere. I simply want to instill a more moving, sensual, confident person in her character without overdoing it. I've written five new love talks and not one of them fit her.

I'd also like to find again the kind of situation that led Sheena to literally give you her heart or declare her love in a genuine and naive way. If you have any idea of situations that would recreate what I lost, then please, I'd very much like to hear it. I used some of my own experiences to pull the romance story off, so maybe you could look into your own very good memories of a love situation you particularly found moving. I don't need to know it is your own life experience, simply sometimes real life stories can even be more astounding than any story an author can come up with. You can also contact me privately if you don't feel like posting: e-mail or PM me.


Quests+areas:
I have two new areas ex-IWD1. I've thought of using the Mad Cleric and Vinamar to start it off. Anybody who played Sheena think this is a good idea? It starts roughly in C6 like this.
Mad cleric: Ah! I finally found you my lady. I have been a faithful servant and accomplished the task you requested.
Sheena: You seem familiar but I can't recall your name. Have we met?
Mad cleric: Can't you remember, my Lady? Not so long ago, we met in the docks where you commanded me to start a church of Tiamat, queen and goddess of Dragons
The mad cleric serves the purpose of luring you into a trap set up by Vinamar in the cloud peak mountains but then why you would fully move after him remains a mystery and the reason it was not implemented.
I've also long thought of Sheena's abduction by Vinamar. He still has very good reasons to look for her if the mad cleric became a member of the cult of the dragon.
Which one would you like implemented?

If I was introducing Sheena's stepfather, what race do you imagine he would have? At one time, I thought to make him a firegiant but I don't have the animation and although it would have created the desired surprise effect, it is slightly stepping out of line.

Bodhi:
For a very good reason (the dragon heart ritual), she can not be abducted by Bodhi if romanced or do you think I should sacrifice some credibility in my own story to let Bodhi abduct Sheena?

TOB end:
All along (banter, romance) I hinted Sheena might become one day a full mature red dragon. Although, I am a bit unsure a half human half dragon could turn into one, I expanded on the fact that her own power of disguise is unatural. Should I go ahead writing it at the end of TOB (ascension installed) or do you think that will be too much fire power, even with ascension installed? I am aware she'd have incredible stats and retain her ability to cast all her spells, so that's a bit botthering and since I carefully avoided overpowering her, why do it in the end? Maybe a separate module would be more convenient?

Hi Red knight,

I wish continuous success for you on your project.

I'll just express my opinion about one point:

In my opinion, "Human" is the most powerful race. I don't like the idea of making her a full dragon in (or even at the end of) TOB. The dragon half is more of a drawback than an advantage for her. At high levels humans are WAY more powerful (and greater) than dragons. Don't discredit her humanity by turning her to a full dragon. What is her class? If she is a mage, then all the better. A high level mage is more powerul than ten red dragons. So, no! I don't like the idea of changing her to a full dragon. It can't be called a progress or a development in her character. The human in her is the master half of her character. Just my opinion.

First of all I'm glad you finally make it here - it was a real pain to download Sheena from your old site, surely she deserves something better

Bad idea IMO. This thread is fine for now, but when there'll be few distinct topics discussed simultaneously in one thread, you'll get what I mean Also, if you will have a forum for Sheena it wouldn't mean that you'll have to sit there all day around to immidiately answer to any post. Why not do it at a pace you find comfortable, but also in a comfortable fashion as well - just imagine all those "Downloads", "FAQ", "Bugs" threads and other neat stuff...

Speaking about Sheena (she is Firkraag's daughter, right?), I always thought that spectral dragons in ADND are purely evil by nature, so there should be a solid reason in the mod for how half-breed of purely evil creature manages to become Mazzy-Keldorn'ish noble char May be some reference to her struggling with influence of vile creature's blood pouring through her veins may add some spice to her personality, as well as some common ground for her & PC (being child of Bhaal & stuff), if this is not too much of banality, of course

Thanks, I just hope to find out how I'm going to pull off my NPC further.



Maybe not when the dragon is a fighter/mage...Sheena would retain all her spells (PFMW, spell trap...) but gain all the stats of a mature full red dragon (STR: 25...AC: -10, +3 claws), as I mentionned it is just an idea at this time. I had an idea of a cutscene that would have some surprising effects.

When I looked at the 81 plus in production/released NPCs, there were too many humans, tieflings, elves, Drows...IMO. I wanted a half dragon in my party but sadly nobody was working on one. The half dragon race brings a unique NPC into the game, and this is why I tried my hand at writing this. Sheena hides her draconic form most of the time and if you want her in human form the entire game, nothing prevents you from playing it this way.
Thanks for adding your voice.




Much to my regret, I have really no time for piloting a big forum. I'll be taking this thread home in the evening and replying in the morning or at lunch. I have no other choice currently. My phone bills are checked out...If you add uploading time with dial up, talking to my translator and a few other people about Sheena via e-mails and PMs, my modding life is invading my work place enough as it is.



Yes, Sheena was born long ago from Frikraag's curiosity to know more about a human carnal ritual that fascinated him. Chromatic dragons (Red, Blue, Green) are all usually evil. I explain her good nature in the friendship talks and in one banter with Jaheira/Keldorn (Good guidance is an essential part in raising a child or something along these lines). That, at times, she struggles with her own nature is conveniently a Cernd banter.

Red Knight, though she looks very good I did find something strange. In her dialogue with the mad cleric in the dock district she calls on Tiamat, whom is the evil god of Dragons. If Sheena is good, shouldn't she call upon Bahamut? God of the Good Dragons, even thought highly of, though with a grudge, by evil dragons for his power?

I unfortunately don't have Tiamat's alignment so you may be right. Sheena admires Tchazzar, the father and savior of chessenta, who later becomes the chromatic goddess. This part is revealed in one of Sheena's stories. I hope it makes sense to you that way.

I do not know of Tchazzar. I only know of the two Dragon Deities I ever knew from AD&D till D&D 3.5, though I must say I don't own the Draconomicon (one of the few), which has much more info on them. I only know what I read on forums, but you may need to ask someone with more knowledge on the Draconomicon of AD&D.

From one of the forums this is a quote

Tiamat is deity over evil dragons, evil reptiles, greed, and Chessenta (though I actually do not know whom this is, in 3.5 her portfolio changes somewhat).

What I know of Bahamut is this (short version of course):

Bahamut is deity over good dragons and wind (3.5, I only found a reference in a discussion that in AD&D he was not even considered a god, but just merely powerful)

Unfortunately currently Tiamat has absorbed Tchazzar and gained control of his church. Although Tchazzar actually has a separate church it is controlled / powered by Tiamat.

Still means she worships an evil god... which is a bit weird I think, even though he may have a red dragon as symbol. Thanks for the info by they way Rabain. You got that from a site. I have one for AD&D gods, but not that detailed

Tiamat, Bahamut, Tchazzar are not considered gods in a traditional sense, and simply because they can not grant spells to their worshippers (priests and clerics), something I've read somewhere but I'd be at a loss giving you a serious reference. They are all unique and live in the alternate planes. Tiamat is a three headed chromatic dragon and Bahamut is a metallic platinum dragon. I don't own the draconomicon either but I have the full list of dragons ever in existence in Faerun: name, gender, colour, location, age, reference to the book/game in which he/she appears. I've read the list at the time I was looking for a draconic name for Sheena but try to pronounce any of these: Cragnortherma, Dheubpurcwenpyl, Xanscilathampos or maybe you fancy Eileenalana bat K'theelee.



Again I agree that Sheena, a neutral good half dragon, worshipping a chaotic evil goddess does not really make sense, but she doesn't worship Tiamat as she later confides to your PC but she admires Tchazzar for his deeds. It does not really matter which god she invokes, she just wants to frighten an obviously lunatic and agressive character in the hope he will leave them alone. Invoking Tiamat serves that purpose and also adds some humor. I thought that Sheena's response was funny and completely unexpected.




Since I've adapted that particular part, how Tchazzar abruptly becomes Tiamat or is absorbed by Tiamat, in one of Sheena's stories, well, I obviously don't want to spoil it for less knowledgeable players.
My pseudonym Red Knight stems from my readings of Chessenta and Unther and also because I originally intended Sheena to be a Red Knight of Chessenta (Fighter/Cleric), daughter of Tchazzar on a mission to Amn, but I unfortunately never found a worthy mission and a cleric can't wield two handed swords (BAM problem).

Sheena will be translated in german language, if ready i want send it.

Ich habe kein Problem mit einer Übersetzung und frohe mich darauf. Ich könnte die Übersetzung nicht machen aber die könnte ich noch durchlesen.

Bist du der Übersetzer oder war es schon übersetzt?

Gruss
R.K.

PS: Sheena has now her own forum on BWL. Feel free to post your answer there or for further conversation in German with a PM. I think the official language of BWL is English.

pardon me if this has already been posted. You have a list of 5 files to Downlaod in order to install the Sheena NPC mod. However, the last 2 on the list are the same file.

http://www.blackwyrmlair.net/~sheenaslair/HRD_V5.zip


http://www.blackwyrmlair.net/~sheenaslair/BFIX.zip


they are not listed as the same but the link goes to the same File. HRD_V5.zip I just thought you may want to correct this.

Put it on the account of my ineptitude to correctly use web design tools.

I'll sort it out tomorrow.

Hi Red Knight

I have played through Sheena to the point where the LT is finalised with the love declaration. In many ways Sheena has the potential to breathe new life into what is now a pretty old but loveable and constantly replayable game. I honestly can't remember how many times I have played BGII & TOB over the years. Even with the onset of NWN and its many ad on mods and NWN2 looming on the horizon this has to be my favourite game.

The concept of a half dragon is a new one to me personally but not the transformation ability we first witnessed in BGII in the Silver Dragon's lair. In terms of developing the relationship between the PC and Sheena I am minded of Raymond Feist's (Midkemia/ Riftwar/Kelewan novels) development of Ashen Shugar/ Thomas and his relationship with greater dragons. Whilst the dragon intially came across as a servant the relationship between the two changed over time. Admittedly Thomas took an elven queen as wife but he always maintained a unique bond with the species. which allowed them both to maintain their guardianship of the world. The dragon's ability to transform into a beatiful human female allowed it to move freely amongst their kind and avoid detection and confrontation.

The development of Sheena as a good character I imagine is mostly due to the influence of her stepfather. Sins of the father and all that? Anyway what better example could a good PC have had than Gorion empowering him with the abilitiy to consciously shape his own future rather than follow the instincts of his kin.

What makes this particular mod so exciting for me is the potential for the development of the interpersonal relationship between two such powerful characters. The potential for great evil or great good in both is tremendous. The PC's choices with with the Slayer avatar at his disposal are identical to Sheena's if you choose to develop it in that way. For me it may be as well to give thought to the romance in this way. The struggle for them both to exert their own personalities so as to accept or discard their heritage can provide a unique bonding process which could even take them outside the destiny perceived by the gods. The level at which they can pursue a physical relationship probably needs to be in the human form, but the unity of purpose, duty and dedication to a cause must transcend this. There is of course the practical problem of dealing with the ageing process, dragons tend to live quite a bit longer and of course I have a slight predjudice for example about a whether a physical relationship between say a dwarf or a halfling and a dragon is a creditable achievement. (I feel a lot of old ribald jokes coming on). Is restricting the romance side to humans a bit too inhibiting?

In looking to develop a romance on the kindred spirit basis - united we can defeat the influence, Sheena's background and character can make her the PCs equal as she has no particular reason to stand in awe of the offspring of a god.This works only up to the point where he loses his bit of Bhaal and decision time is upon him. But do the Gods smile on them both?

It is probably as well to keep a pretty tight rein on Sheena's stats as she progresses through TOB or run the risk of making other party member's skills redundant. However, if you decide to propel the evolutionary bit to dragon form thus putting pressure on Sheena's and the PC's relationship you might consider losing her earthy skills like sword /quaterstaff wielding, and severely limiting her spellcasting abilities. We are then into the Dragon Lord scenario I mentioned earlier but this could create a completely new concept to Faerun

Sorry, I started off setting down some of my own thoughts and reactions to this great mod but I seemed to have rambled on a bit (a lot actually).

Anyway I hope that somewhere in this lot you find something of use.

Regards
Cobweb

Hi!
I've tried the Sheena mod but I have discovered a rather grave problem. After a while the game disables Sheena's special skills by disabling the button that leads to the corresponding menu. I took a look at a saved game with the help of the Shadowkeeper and found out that the game tends to add a "Disable button" affect after a while. You can remove this affect with the Shadowkeeper but the game will set it anew after a while.

I'll try to add the most important features to the quick access menu now, but even if this should work then you still should sort the button problem out.

Hm, the quick access menu doesn't work with innate skills. Too bad. This means that I have to remove the "Disable Button" affect time and time again and that manually which sucks if I may say so.

Hi Red Knight

Briefly (hopefully) on the subject of Bodhi I feel quite strongly that the vampirification of Sheena would be, as you say, a dilution of her character. Letting my imagination run riot a conversion to a shadow dragon would pose a major obstacle to overcome and could well be beyond Bodhi's power to achieve. Bit of a puzzler this one or is it. The Bodhi quest as we know is about the retrieval of Imoen's share of Bhaal essence so as to restore her sole and the siezure of the Rhymn Lantorn. All the Romance Active level 2 scenarios trigger the "Neckbiter's Torment" of the hero but I think if it were possible to incorporate a collaboration between Bodhi and Sheena's nemesis via the mad cyric priest at a crucial moment say on entry to the graveyard, then you might be able to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. I take the view that Bodhi, having witnessed Sheena's skills first hand on more than one occasion would want to avoid a direct confrontation. The combination of a battle with a half dragon and the slayer would give Bodhi some pause for thought and I think it quite likely for Bodhi to sieze the tactical opportunity to divide and conquer. the mad priest is the weak link in the chain and Bodhi's messenger a more than capable spy.

Hi Red Knight

Sorry to take up even more space but it rather looks as though I have "plumped" for the abduction option from the Vinamar scenario. This seems to be a fairly easy way out but if I recall my (the PC's) conversations with Sheena this Vinamar geezer is quite capable of doing both. It is quite possible that a rescue attempt would be expected.

Cobweb, thanks for writing the first in-depth comment about Sheena.



You're the second person with a similar comment, but I'm not sure both of you share the same reasons, especially after reading your lenghty thread. :-)



I'd definitely like to read the books, and sort of immerse myself into the relationship to get more insight. Unfortunately, I cannot purchase the book for reasons listed in my first post.



I've always been more a believer in social factors than genetic ones. Although the latter plays a greater role when a child is left to his own device, social factors can circumvene some genetic defect such as agressiveness (maybe not the best example). Sheena's stepfather is a big figure for her, and acted as a role model.
Sheena - at the moment - is more: sin of the mother. :-) I think the father - daughter relationship never existed. Here's something I wrote in a PM yesterday: "Sheena is not quite sure that Firkraag is her father. He could have - after all - invented the whole story simply to use her. Red Dragons are cunning, devious, machiavelic, so who really knows if Sheena is his daughter? Several banters convey the same feeling that Sheena is not sure about who her father is (Adalon interjection). Perhaps Firkraag is really her father, but she does not want to come to terms with it or she'd still wish her father was someone else (like Tchazzar)."
It would be hard to write something about how Sheena perceives her late father.



I have limited the romance to a good and neutral PC, and Sheena went through her own test of choosing between good and evil when she first met Firkraag. At least, it is my very strong belief, she passed the test successfully. I can't see circumstances wherein I could place both characters to reverse that trend. So to speak, I have more or less closed the door behind both of them to ever reach that level, and I've never envisaged an evil romance which will be expected by players once you walk that thin rope.Although, your comment is, from a hypothetical point of view, very true, I fail to see how to exploit it in a manner which wouldn't contradict what I already wrote.



Not quite. The PC is limited in the use of the slayer ability; he dies after some time. Sheena could remain a dragon with no consequences. At least it would be most player's understanding if I were making her a dragon. On the remainder part of that comment - the struggle, I have already more or less acted upon it. The next love talk will give you more insight on the struggle, Sheena's fears about the relationship... :-) I didn't want to give a full topic in one love talk to the struggle process, but rather snippets of conversations, here and there (asylum talk), which would randomly appear. Whether Sheena will accept her heritage or not, will be more of a TOB topic, rather than end of SOA. But you're right, it's evolution will have to show in SOA too. As for the PC, I don't see him able to discard his heritage before end of TOB because that's strongly intertwined in the general plot. It can only start in later TOB love talks when the pressure on his heritage is most palpable.



At the moment, Sheena will romance any race, be it: dwarves, gnomes, half-orcs, halflings, elves or half elves... Perhaps I said she would romance humans only, but I checked the bcs and apparently left the romance open to any race.
I might close it down depending on how the romance turns out in the future version.



Everything was fine really, except for posting twice in the wrong thread. :-) Sheena does have her own forum here. I'll probaby have to revamp my site this week-end, and provide the link on the site to the forum. It wasn't your fault really.


Cheers,
R.K.

Sheena's innate ability is disabled by the script in the following circumstances:
- You're in a city.
- Drow city and during the whole time your party looks like drow.
- You're in TOB and at present I can't test it

It is meant to balance the game. I don't want a half dragon to run around cities, scaring everyone. :-)
Try Nalia's Castle and you should have the ability button enabled. If you go to Trademeet or Athkatla, the button should be disabled.

If it happened outside these conditions, just tell me when you first witnessed the problem. I'd really like to correct that bug if it is one.

Ah!
THAT would explain it! I was already freaked out and also a bit sad about it. Still, what is so bad about a half dragon running around a city who is scaring everyone?

Indeed, Vinamar will be the main abduction plot, and not Bodhi. The mad cleric won't start a church but will join the Cult of the dragon. He is crazy enough to do that. :-)
I expect it to be a large quest but you should check Sheena's forum (the diary) on this site where I described what I intend to be included in it.

Sheena and Bodhi dialogues are already written if you are in a romance, at least for the next next version. She won't be abducted simply because at that point you are one with the PC. Bodhi can't unfortunately kill Sheena (turn her undead) without killing the PC too, the dragon heart love talk.
A problem I conveniently resolved by Bodhi hinting that even her powers are not sufficient to sway a red dragon heart. I might beef up Bodhi's final battle somehow.


Cheers,
R.K.

Like people running around in fear, and a red circle appearing under their feet.

I think it is far better this way. Besides, it doesn't mean that in some parts of the city, you can't have her in half dragon form. Have you tried the Noble Order of The Radiant Heart or The Government?

Neither yet.
Still, can't you solve this issue differently? You also deny the player the possibility to access other special high level skills if you just disable the whole menu. Okay, I suppose that you won't really need them in a city, but you've also mentioned ToB. I am not sure whether I got you right there (I hope I didn't!) but if I did get this right then the menu is also disabled throughout the whole of ToB. Now, fighting in ToB without those special warrior skills would be a real downer.

At this time, Sheena doesn't have TOB content, so it won't matter much. Besides, TOB requires/uses a different script (25xxxx.bcs) from the SOA one, so if you decide to play her in TOB, she won't hide in cities, but she won't talk much either. :-)

I haven't decided - yet - what I will do in TOB. She could for example get her own set of dragon powers, instead of the usual fighter skills. Just a suggestion at this point.
What I am more thinking at this time is whether to settle her heritage issue in SOA or in TOB. If I do it in SOA, and were you to decide you prefered her human side, I would disable her half dragon form entirely. The other way round would mean, you would get her in half dragon as much as you like. Option B must bear some consequences though.

Ich übersetzte gerade return to trademeet (Rückkehr nach Handelstreff). Der Release wird bald kommen. Die Kit und Itempacks kommen auch noch. Gut daß man hier auch deutsch schreiben kann. Sorry für die lange Wartezeit, aber ich muß immer zum PC meines Freundes weil bei mir kein Internetanschluss ist.

sorry für die Schreibfehler, in den Übersetzungen gibts so etwas wohl nicht.

Könnte man in der deutschen Version das ganze nicht etwas ausbauen? Die Romanze funtioniert nur, wenn mazzy dabei ist. Auch wäre es eine gute Idee wenn firkraag nur vorgeben würde der vater zu sein, in wirklichkeit ist Sheena die Tochter eines weiblichen Drachen und deren vater ein mächtiger zauberer. Das könnte während des Spiels herauskommen.

Während des Spiels ist mir aufgefallen, daß die banter und Romanzen dialoge, sehr lange brauchen, liegt das an der codierung?

Das Bild von Sheena ist etwas unpassend. In einigen Beschreibungen hat sie kastanienbraunes haar, nicht blondes. zudem sieht das Mädchen auf dem Bild ziemlich hochnäsig und arrogant aus, was zur Charakterbeschreibung überhaupt nicht passt.

Bei Fragen oder ähnlichem:
Fa.Groll@gmx.de

You should really post in English. It is considered rude to exclude the majority of people who cannot read German. As I said, you can PM me (privately) in German.



The french translator took ample liberties with the text, and improved upon some of my original dialogues, but not to the point where he has changed part of the story. At least and with Firkraag, the game is still open as to whether he is her father or not (Sheena hints it several times that she has doubts). So, yes, I could still give her another father, and her mother being the dragon did cross my mind on several occasions. I won't say right now what I have in mind, because the lines of thought I am trailing are often too many. But thanks for adding one more line of thought.



The timers for the romance are set on the standard Bioware ones. You've probably become accustomed to the bigger new MODs, like Fade and Saerileth, which are setting the timers in SoA at a TOB pace. :-)



You're the first one to complain about the portrait. Regarding her hair description, it is mainly because I wanted to avoid to mention "strawberry blonde". I'll definitely have to find a few blond/fair descriptions. Funnily enough, I was inspired by the portrait when I wrote Sheena, and the traits you mention never crossed my mind. Where you see haughtiness and arrogance, I see simply a mysterious woman averting your gaze.