********************************************************************* Propylons 1.2 An Alternative to the Official Master Index Plugin (2014-03-19) REQUIRES The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind ********************************************************************* Version 1.2 fixes a bug that prevented a quest update when talking to a Savant. The topic only occurs early in the game and is optional so there is no point in upgrading for an existing game, but bugs are annoying so thanks to Logorouge on the Bethesda Forums for finding the error and even providing the solution. The "Unclean" entry is present to avoid a problem if loading this mod and the official Master Index plugin into the same game and is not a mistake. ********************************************************************* I grew tired of the linear quest structure of the official Master Index plugin. I also disliked the idea that the propylon network was rendered worthless until you had found all of the index stones and then suddenly you could go anywhere. This is a reimplementation of the core ideas of that plugin, but there are a number of significant changes. 1) Folms Mirel won't pay you for the index stones. 2) He will give you modifed, enchanted versions instead. (He's an enchanter after all, why would he pay you in cash?) 3) He won't tell you exactly where to find each one. 4) You will have to track down the stones through rumors. (If he knew where they were he could just go get them himself.) 5) There will be some failed attempts at making new index stones. 6) Using the propylons now costs Magicka and Fatigue points. a) 5 Magicka and 25 Fatigue if you have the right index stone. b) 80 Magicka and 400 Fatigue if you don't. (These things are hungry for Magicka. So if you have 70 Magicka points and run up to touch a propylon, expect to lose those 70 and get nothing for your trouble. What made you think it was a good idea to touch that shiny glowing pillar?) Other than making the propylons consume Magicka and Fatigue I don't think I've done anything radical here. Expect to find the index stones in the same old places, but now you get a few hints if you ask around. ********************************************************************* STORY Folms Mirel wants to revive the old Dunmer transport system. Without an Index the Magicka and Fatigue costs are just too high for most people. (Now you can activate a propylons even without and index stone for 80 Magicka and 400 Fatigue points, and with the correct index you only need 5 Magicka and 25 Fatigue points.) The Index stones were always rare and now there seem to be only one or two of each left. Folms Mirel thinks he can duplicate the properties of an Index stone to make new ones. (And eventually he'll get the idea to combine the effects of multiple stones onto one Master Index stone.) Now all he needs is an adventurer to track down all of them for him and then test his copies. To get started, take any Index to him. He'll explain his idea and ask for help. Or, he might just ask you about it sometime if you stop to chat. (You need to either visit a propylon chamber or talk to someone who mentions them if you don't have an index with you.) He's already seen the one in Irgola's shop. In fact, he has already made a copy of it that needs testing. It doesn't work on the first try, so he'll need you to help him track down the right ingredients to complete the alchemy-like enchantment process. In addition to Irgola's Index he needs the right kind of base stone, ebony, which is why he's in Caldera. But he also needs to add something extra for the enchantment process. He expects it to be another mineral or gem and asks you to get diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and raw glass. After you find out which of the new index stones really work, he'll copy any others you bring him. He's collecting all of the originals for himself, and he'll be selling copies to others, but you get one for free. The new Index stones can all be strapped to the wrist and worn to provide reasonable armor protection as a light shield. The ten new index stones (one for each Propylon) each have a relatively minor castable movement spell embedded. (The 10 spells are Mark, Recall, Almsivi Intervention, Divine Intervention, Jump, Levitate, Slowfall, SwiftSwim, WaterWalking, and WaterBreathing.) The original failed stones will also eventually get enchanted and presented as rewards for the good work you do retrieving the original index stones. After you get all 10 stones, Folms gets the idea to create a master index, but will only tell you that he has a suprise present for you. After a few weeks, he presents you with the new master index stone with it's own special enchantment. ***************************************************************** FIXING 1.0 ERRORS TO GET ALL OF THE STONES Version 1.0 had a bug that is fixed now, but upgrading an existing save game won't help. I assume no one is looking to upgrade an existing saved game made almost 10 years ago, but just in case here are the instructions for making version 1.0 work. You get bonus stones at different stages. After the third working stone, Folms should offer you a bonus glass index. If he doesn't, type the command "Journal MS_propylon 67" into the console then talk to him again. You might have to repeat the process for any of the other bonus stones including the master index. Their journal entries and appropriate timing are: Stones Bonus Console Command 3 Glass Journal MS_propylon 67 5 Ebony Journal MS_propylon 73 7 Diamond Journal MS_propylon 79 9 Ruby Journal MS_propylon 85 10 Master Journal MS_propylon 90 ***************************************************************** KNOWN INCOMPATABILITIES None, so far. This will run with or without the Master Index plugin. If you load this without the Master Index plugin you may see dialog warnings in the Warnings file and in the Construction Set, but the dialog should still work correctly. ***************************************************************** INSTALLING THE PLUGIN Unzip these files into your Morrowind\Data Files folder and activate the propylons1.2.esp file in the Launcher program. ***************************************************************** CREDITS AND FEEDBACK Thanks to Logorouge for finding the bug in version 1.1. Thanks go to Bethesda for the Master Index plugin. The new index stones are simply retextures of the master index mesh and one or two lines of dialog have been reused. Now, someone please take the next step and create a plugin to clean out the outlaw and daedra infested strongholds and work towards truely reviving the old transport network. If you need to modify this in the process, go for it. Adding a quest before gaining the master index might not be a bad idea, but I couldn't think of anything worthy. Please post comments and complaints on the forums. Charles Cooley cdcooley@gte.net cdcooley on the ES Forums