How to make character traits

Summary

This article is based on How to make Character VnVs (traits) the original article was written by Spartan and imported with his permission as part of the Scriptorium project. The article may have been altered since import - please refer to the history page for details of changes, or reference the original document.

Quote from Spartan:

I have invested a lot of time studying the VnV and trait system to further advance our community's collective modification capability. In addition, I have successfully implement a few new ones based on what I have learned. Overall, I must say I was impressed with the shear number of possibilities available; if one has a creative mind and a need to address. Anyway, what follows is a quick and dirty overview. I hope it makes for an informative read.

Guide

It is possible to exclude cultures "ExcludeCultures". Create diametrically opposed traits "AntiTraits" as well as assign multiple ones to boot! You can also compose epithets and assign a can't get rid of feature "NoGoingBackLevel".

The applicable known groups are:

characters spy

characters diplomat

characters family

characters assassin

characters admiral

I have organized into three (3) general groups, the variable that can be affected on a +/- ( The highest I have seen was +60) scale. They are:

Variables

Combat:

Command

Attack

Defence

Ambush

TroopMorale

SiegeAttack

SiegeDefence

LineOfSight

SiegeEngineering

NightBattle

NavalCommand

HitPoints

InfantryCommand

CavalryCommand

Combat_V_[Plural Name of Culture] (except "Cathaginians" has to be mispelled for it to work)

Looting

MovementPoints

Civil:

Law

Management

Construction

PublicSecurity

Trading

TrainingAgents

Unrest

Farming

Mining

Squalor

TaxCollection

Social:

Influence

BribeResistance

PersonalSecurity

Subterfuge

Negotiation

Bribery

Fertility

SenateStanding

PopularStanding

Electability

In addition there are defined culture group. They are:

Roman, Barbarian, Greek, Eastern, Egyptian, Carthaginian, Slaves

When to Test Options

As far as triggers go, there are many as well. The when to test (WhenToTest)options are:

PostBattle

PreBattleWithdrawal

OfferedForAdoption

OfferedForMarriage

CharacterTurnEnd

CharacterComesOfAge

CharacterMarries

CharacterBecomesAFather

SettlementTurnEnd

GovernorBuildingCompleted

BattleGeneralRouted

BecomesFactionLeader

BecomesFactionHeir

BecomeAedile

BecomeCensor

BecomeConsul

BecomePontifexMaximus

BecomePraetor

BecomeQuaestor

CeasedAedile

CeasedCensor

CeasedConsul

CeasedPontifexMaximus

CeasedPraetor

CeasedQuaestor

IsUnderSiege

GeneralCaptureSettlement

GeneralCaptureWonder

LeaderDestroyedFaction

CharacterDamagedByDisaster

BrotherAdopted

LostLegionaryEagle

CapturedLegionaryEagle

RecapturedLegionaryEagle

SenateExposure

QuaestorInvestigationMinor

QuaestorInvestigation

QuaestorInvestigationMajor

SpyMission

AgentCreated

LeaderOrderedSpyingMission

AssassinationMission

LeaderOrderedAssassination

SufferAssassinationAttempt

SabotageMission

LeaderOrderedSabotage

BriberyMission

LeaderOrderedBribery

AcceptBribe

RefuseBribe

Insurrection

DiplomacyMission

LeaderOrderedDiplomacy

LeaderSenateMissionSuccess

GovernorBuildingDestroyed

GovernorUnitTrained

GovernorBuildingCompleted

GovernorCityRiots

GovernorCityRebels

EnslavePopulation

ExterminatePopulation

GeneralDevastatesTile

LesserGeneralOfferedForAdoption

You can also have self perpetuating triggers!

How to add a custom VnV:

1. First open "export_VnVs.txt" and add something like this:

 ¬---------------------
 
 {Cerean}	Cerean
 
 {Cerean_desc}
 James Bond has nothing on this man!
 
 {Cerean_effects_desc}
 Subterfuge  +8 (This man is the slickest of all)
 
 {Cerean_lose_desc}
 This man is now a loser!
 
 {Cerean_gain_desc}
 This man has made a name for himself with the Gods!
 
 {Cerean_epithet_desc}	The Spy Lord 
 
 ¬--------------------

2. Then open "export_descr_VnVs_enums.txt" and add something like this:

 Cerean
 Cerean_desc
 Cerean_gain_desc
 Cerean_lose_desc
 Cerean_epithet_desc

3. After that open "export_descr_character_traits.txt" and add something like this:

 ;------------------------------------------
 
 Trait Cerean
   Characters spy
 
   Level Cerean
       Description Cerean_desc
       EffectsDescription Cerean_effects_desc
       GainMessage Cerean_gain_desc
       Threshold  1 
 
       Effect Subterfuge  8
 
 ;------------------------------------------

Finally add a trigger or modify one something like this:

 ;------------------------------------------
 Trigger agents4
   WhenToTest SpyMission
 
   Condition MissionSuccessLevel = highly_successful
 
   Affects GoodSpy  1  Chance  100 
   Affects GoodConspirator  1  Chance  50
   Affects Cerean  1  Chance  100
 
 ;------------------------------------------

Then save and you are on your way!

Note: the first number is for the threshold of the trait and the second is the percentage of chance.

You can also assign your trait to a character in the "descr_strat.txt" if you wish to start with it.

Note if you make changes to the "export_descr_VnVs_enums.txt" AFTER you have the game started you MUST restart completely for them to take effect. This tip cost me over two (2) hours to figure out :cry