ladyonthemoon

That's what I call a necro!!! (To whoever is thinking otherwise) You know that the original versions of Avernum, the six of them, run perfectly on newest computers with Windows 7 or 10, do you? They work on my computer; I don't even see why Jeff bothered remaking them, unless he changed the games themselves. Or did he just remake the graphics more to today's gamers liking?

I didn't know about that, good to know!

Understandable but I needed the points for something else.

Yes, this is great! Weapons too; I saw maces and clubs? That makes sense but it never really bothered me in Avernum that cleaned dungeons didn't reset. That's interesting. What's the problem with the failure chance? Is it a bug or a "feature"? I haven't seen any clickable dialogue so far. I noticed a character in Fort Duvno that seems to have disappeared in Avernum; a woman who followed Caius, I don't remember her name. I haven't come across any chest, shelf or crate that I could open so far... By the way, this game is very pleasant to play.

So far, so good. My party has had encounters in the wild but they survived and they are now at the bandits fort. And now, I know what "No targetting lines" in the options means:

Nothing much, they are resting right now. Their counterparts are playing Exile...

After Ivan [Redacted] created a thread about playing old software on 64bits machines (thank you for that!), I installed Exile. I'm curious about these older games and if there are many differences, apart from the obvious, with the Avernum series, since the Exile games are the first versions of the Avernum series. First I wasn't able to install them where I wanted but, after a second try, I managed. I started Exile and I'm about to play it alternately with Avernum. Since I've started Avernum already, I'll play Exile until my party catches up with what my Avernum party has already done. I tried my hand at creating a new party; it takes some getting used to but it's quite easy to do after all. The party can have six characters but I created only four that I named as they are named in Avernum (except for one who is now a woman, Edwarda) and have about the same skills. Here they are: Now, let's see how they are going to evolve in this new and hostile environment.

The window that opens after installation is not the game directory; it's the editor's in the Start Menu. You need to look where you installed the game.

I will. A fast description of my system: Windows 7 SP1 up to date, processors: 8, 2 threads, 4 cores, Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz, display: HD Graphics 530 (I don't think the GPU will be used to run Exile), memory: 8 Gb. Edit: I've managed to install Exile - Escape From the Pit but not where I wanted, it was on C:\ or nowhere. I started the game and, wow, pretty minimum and the dialogue system certainly needs some getting used to. Pity I cannot run it full screen... I've chosen a resolution of 928 x 522. I've found a way to keep the map visible.

Keep going!

I was dreaming of that! Thank you! Going to try it.

Tool use being based on dexterity level makes sense. I guess the description of Tool use in the stats gives more details.

I never assigned Tool use points to Bear; they are added when I add points to Dexterity. I noticed that the other day; I guess when Bear gets the highest Tool use level, he'll be automatically in charge of unlocking the doors and taking care of the traps. They sell everything they take in caves, from enemies corpses and so on; that's how they got so many coins. Anyway, given the prices of spells, they'll go fast. You say that there is a maximum? How much is it?

So, where are my little fellows? Well, after finishing what they had to do at Fort Dranlon, they carried on exploring. The Sliths swamps to the West proved not much friendly to them, not because of the Sliths but because they were constantly ill. Then went back East, left their boat in Silvar and went exploring North. They went back to the Bat cave and finished exploring it. Nothing much to say about that. Then, they kept going North, passed by a large fortress held by Nephilims and discovered Formello. The city is nice and busy, quite comforting actually. Edward spent a fortune buying all the Mage and Priest spells he could afford to buy and master. The mayor sent them on an errand: retrieving the necklace the Nephilims had stolen from her; a good occasion to visit the fortress they had noticed on the way. It took them some time but the fortress eventually fell; they killed everyone, including the Boss, recovered the necklace and gave it back to the mayor who gave them a token and a sword they couldn't identify at first glance. They also found better armour and other weapons; Djinn had earned an Assassin's Dagger (in the Bat Cave?) which proved a lot better than he imagined. Bear found a Steel chain mail; Pip found a Steel long sword. Visiting the city, they found hidden caches where Djinn put his hands on a short sword he found to be "a beauty". The others looked elsewhere. After identification, the mysterious sword the mayor had given them proved to be a Flaming Sword! That one went to Pip. The short sword Djinn had stolen was a Blessed Short Sword. Djinn is now using it. They sold the other weapons. To avoid being too easily over encumbered, they decided to limit themselves to 12 javelins for Bear, and 48 arrows or bolts for Pip and Djinn; they'll have to rely on their melee weapons skill if they run out of missiles. Formello has a training center, where they spent some time and used their 24 points: Bear spent one point in Dexterity, Endurance, Pole Weapons, Hardiness and Luck, Pip spent one point in Dexterity, Endurance, Melee Weapons, Defence and Luck, Djinn spent one point in Dexterity, Melee Weapons, Hardiness, Cave Lore, Luck and Barter, Edward spent one point in Hardiness, Mage and Priest Spells, Arcane Lore and Luck. Now, not only they are popular but they are also rich, richer than they ever were on the surface. Go figure... Since they are more experienced, they are going back to the Nephilim cave; there there is a room with an ominous altar and a trapped hidden cache they need to figure out. After that, they'll carry on exploring North. They have heard about "friendly" spiders? and Dragons? are magical spiders? Lots of wonder to discover ahead:!

Ha ha, no it doesn't. I just have less time to play. I played a bit yesterday. For now my party is about to train; they all have 24 points to be assigned. More details later.

I was dreaming of a more practical way... Anyway, as Warrior Mage mentioned already, since his is a "natural mage", Edward can use any type of armour; it just doesn't feel right, which is why I'd like to try something else.

They eventually made up their mind: they won't destroy the eggs. After some rest, they paid a visit to their favourite trainer. The all have 24 points: Bear got 1 point in Dexterity, Endurance, Pole Weapons, Thrown Missiles, Hardiness and Assassination, Pip got 1 point in Dexterity, Melee Weapons, Bows, Defence and Luck, Djinn got 1 point in Strength, Pole Weapons, Bows, Hardiness, Defence, Tool Use and Luck, Edward got 1 point in Intelligence, Mage and Priest Spells, Arcane Lore and Cave Lore. Their stats. Since Pip found a crossbow, she gave her bow to Djinn and trained him. To simulate that, I used the Character Editor, removed 3 points to his Thrown Missiles skilll and assigned them to Bows. He is now level 7 at bows. Their equipment: Bear's inventory, Pip's inventory, Djinn's inventory, Edward's inventory (he got rid of his Stone pike, too heavy for his liking, and found a staff in the Slith farm.

That's what I thought.

Yes, I understand that but I see the things from the point of view of Djinn and the others: a better weapon is one that deals more damage whatever it's kind. I remember seeing Djinn dealing a 63 points blow to a Slith using his Fine Slith Spear! So if being better means using one handed pole weapons for now, so it is! And if indeed hie finds a sword that is better, so it will be! APs? How do I know if a type of armour doesn't encumber Edward's spells? How does the indicated percentage of each armour work for spell casters? And, oh, what is your take about using the Character editor? For now, Bear found a Bronze Halberd in the Slith farm and Pip found a Cavewood crossbow. They all have 24 points to assign but they are not finished with the farm; they are discussing between themselves about destroying the eggs or not. Edward is rather shocked at the idea but Djinn would do it with his own bare hands if he was allowed to. Pip and Bear are hesitant; hey wonder if destroying the eggs wouldn't fuel the Sliths rage making the situation worse for the human community in Avernum.

I'm waiting for the first opportunity to find a better robe for Edward. Djinn is doing good with his current Fine Slith Spear, a big difference in damages dealt compared to a sword! All of them will get more defence points as things go by. Right now they are doing some quests for Fort Dranlon; the commander asked them to find some plans and papers in a nearby Slith fortress; done, the commander was very happy! They also discovered places were Sliths were using humans as slaves, they freed them all (five places I think). And now they must find some papers for the Mage in Fort Dranlon, they are about to enter the Slith cave. All of them have already levelled up after so many fights but I'll wait until they have finished with this quest before assigning them.

New levelling up after my party freed the prisoners in the Nephilim cave for Cotra. This time everyone got two levels, 16 points to distribute: Bear got 1 point in Desterity, Endurance, Melee Weapons and Defence, Pip got 1 point in Melee Weapons, Bows, Hardiness, Defence and Cave Lore, Djinn got 1 point in Desterity, Hardiness, Defence and Barter, Edward got 1 point in Intelligence, Pole Weapons, Defence, Arcane Lore and First Aid. Defence is a very good skill and Edward, although he is a mage needs a way to defend himself in case he cannot use his magic. Their weapons have changed too: Bear found a Streel Greatsword for himself, no changes for Pip, Djinn found a Fine Slith Spear for himself too, Edward has now a Stone pike. After that, they resumed their wandering around, were attacked by Sliths on the way and discovered Fort Dranlon. There they were asked to pay visits to the Sliths and find plans and a magic tome. They went back to Cotra and bought a boat.

So, I reloaded the save I made before levelling up the last time and assigned the same points to my party members. Below is an image of their current stats. Also Bear was wearing an Iron Studded Armour, he found it too encumbering and replaced it by a Fine Leather Armour. Everyone, except Edward who is still wearing the robe he had the first day, is now wearing Fine Leather Armour. Regarding weapons, Bear is using a Slith spear he took from the body of a lonely Slith who attacked them and Iron Javelins, Pip is using an Iron Longsword, an Ash Bow and any type of arrows she can find, Djinn, an Iron Shortsword and Edward found a staff somewhere. Note: I hope there are other staves in the game, better than Edward's.

Are you sure the problem is not with your OS? Which one are you using? I'm under Linux right now but I'll install Avernum 6 next time I start Windows 7; I think I've already done that but I'll do it again. Edit: I just installed it on Windows 7 and it started without any problem. I bought all the Avernum games on GOG, in case that would make a difference.

I guess you are referring to their experience in the Bat Cave? They were not supposed to be there, although I don't even know if that cave is part of some quest, is it? Anyway, it was obvious that they were not strong enough to explore it in full. Some of the bats killed some of my party member in three bites! They'll come back later, there is no hurry. It's true that I hesitate posting images, knowing how heavy they can be, especially since there doesn't seem to be a way to have them display as thumbnails in posts. I can post one from time to time, after a few levelling ups.

I didn't remember that levelling up was so fast. After doing some exploration, they discovered a cave full of bats and rats; they had the most troubles getting out of it alive and they gave up exploring it entirely. Then they resumed their wandering around, had to fight a few goblins and thugs and reached level 4. Then they discovered Cotra. There they got hints that some soldiers had been taken prisoners by Nephilim and Nepharim. They were going back to Silvar for training when they were attacked by goblins and Djinn got a new level! They are now level 4 and 5. Bear got 1 point in Dexterity and Defence, Pip got 1 point in Bows and Hardiness, Djinn got 1 point in Dexteriry, Melee Weapons, Defence and Assassination, Edward got 1 point in Mage Spells and First Aid. I hope levelling up will slow down in the future.