» Wed Jun 20, 2012 2:02 pm OK, after quite a bit of fiddling, I have managed to make a custom courier that (sort of) works in a manner similar to the existing ones, but will track you down anywhere. It is fairly complicated and, like the existing couriers, driven by a quest.
First, make a copy of the NPC you want to use and strip off the AI information so it has no packages and no agro radius behavior. Make it cowardly and "helps nobody" as well. Make as many variations as you want, and give them a name easy to find (Like prefixing it with WICC (World Interactions Custom Courier))
Then, make a copy of any container in the game and empty out the loot options. Give it an easy to find name as above, perhaps WICCC prefix (WI Custom Courier Container)
Make a custom global variable for the Item Count (the number of items in the current container)
Next, Make a copy of the courier cell, or create a new cell of your own if you prefer. Put an instance of each of your stripped down NPCs in it, and set them all to "Starts Disabled". Make one or more Custom Container instances in there as well (You'll see why in a moment) - You will also need one Xmarker with a distinctive name (WICCXMarker for example) - That's all you need in the cell.
Create a copy of a small hard to see object (A charcoal stick works well) and give it a memorable name (WICCDropPoint for example)
Create a Keyword like "WICCSpawnPointKeyword"
Create an XMarkerActivator type that has the afforementioned Keyword attached. Place at least 3 of these in hard to see spots in major cities that have their own cells like Solitude, Markarth, Windhelm, etc. The reason for this is, you don't want the courier to spawn outside the walls of the town if the player is inside, since this will make it so the courier cannot reach the player.
Next, build a quest that starts game enabled and allows repeated stages, and make an alias for each of your Custom Courier types, picking them in the render window, and an alias for each of the containers, also picking them in the window. Also make an alias "Courier" and an alias "Container" and pick the courier and container you want to use by default. The last alias is one for the cell marker.
The Quest stages and their associated fragments should be:
0:
; Startup Stage - Return here when Deliveries complete.;Debug.Notification("Custom Courier in his home cell") UnregisterForUpdate() ; Make sure to cancel previous delivery's updates, so we're not registered twice. RegisterForUpdate(20) CourierScript.StateChange("Waiting")100:;Item added to courier box. Look for a place to start.; Check optional references now.; Debug.Notification("Custom Courier has a letter!")CourierScript.StateChange("Seeking")200:;Courier found the player. Make DeliveryCourierScript.StateChange("Delivering")DeliverScene.Start()300:; Delivery Complete. Courier will run away now.CourierScript.StateChange("Departing")The Courier alias should have to following packages attached to it, in this order:
1: A travel package, targeted onthe player, with the conditions
GetDistance (Courier to Player) > 1000.0
GetGlobalValue(Your global item count variable) >= 1.0
2: A follow player package with just the Item Count test.
3: A "Flee from target" package set to the player with no conditions.
This will make the courier travel to the player and then follow him so long as there is something in the container. Once the container is empty, the courier will then leave.
Here is the Courier Script I used:
Spoiler
Scriptname WICustomCourierScript extends Quest import UtilityReferenceAlias Property CourierCellMarker AutoReferenceAlias Property Courier Auto ; The courier currently in use. Alternate versions below.ReferenceAlias Property WolfCourier AutoReferenceAlias Property SpiderCourier AutoReferenceAlias Property WerewolfCourier AutoReferenceAlias Property DeerCourier AutoReferenceAlias Property FoxCourier AutoReferenceAlias Property FlameCourier AutoReferenceAlias Property DwarfSpiderCourier AutoReferenceAlias Property ContainerAlias AutoGlobalVariable Property ItemCount Auto ; Current container and item count. Alternate versions below.ReferenceAlias Property DwLgContainer Autoint property DwLgCount AutoReferenceAlias Property DwMedContainer Autoint Property DwMedCount AutoReferenceAlias Property DwSmContainer Autoint Property DwSmCount AutoReferenceAlias Property HiveContainer Autoint property HiveCount AutoReferenceAlias Property BarrelContainer Autoint property BarrelCount AutoReferenceAlias Property CoffinContainer Autoint property CoffinCount AutoBool Function DisableDeliveries(Bool DisableMe = True) ; Allows you to turn off deliveries, in case you want to fiddle with the containers and courier settings without interruption. If DisableMe While GetState() != "Waiting" ; wait until the courier is finished with any deliveries. Just want to make sure it stays disabled once it is. EndWhile GoToState("Disabled") return True else;Debug.Notification("Enabling Courier") GoToState("Waiting") ; Courier will enable itself when it has something to deliver. Return False endifEndFunctionFunction SetRandomContainer() ; Picks a random container int Which = RandomInt(1,6) if Which == 1 ChangeContainer("Hive") elseif Which == 2 ChangeContainer("Coffin") elseif Which == 3 ChangeContainer("Barrel") elseif Which == 4 ChangeContainer("Small") elseif Which == 5 ChangeContainer("Medium") else ChangeContainer("Large") endifEndFunctionFunction SetRandomCourier() ; Picks a random courier. int Which = RandomInt(1,7) if Which == 1 ChangeCourier("Wolf") elseif Which == 2 ChangeCourier("Spider") elseif Which == 3 ChangeCourier("Werewolf") elseif Which == 4 ChangeCourier("Deer") elseif Which == 5 ChangeCourier("Fox") elseif Which == 6 ChangeCourier("Flame") else ChangeCourier("Dwemer") endifEndFunctionFunction StoreContainerQuantity() ; Saves quantity of the current container if changing containers, in case there is something still in there. When we change back, it will restore the value. ObjectReference Current = ContainerAlias.GetRef() If Current == DwLgContainer.GetRef() DwLgCount = (ItemCount.GetValue() as int) elseIf Current == DwSmContainer.GetRef() DwSmCount = (ItemCount.GetValue() as int) elseIf Current == DwMedContainer.GetRef() DwMedCount = (ItemCount.GetValue() as int) elseIf Current == HiveContainer.GetRef() HiveCount = (ItemCount.GetValue() as int) elseIf Current == BarrelContainer.GetRef() BarrelCount =( ItemCount.GetValue() as int) else ; Only the coffin is left. CoffinCount = (ItemCount.GetValue() as int) endifEndFunctionFunction ChangeCourier(String Which);Debug.Notification("Changing Courier: " + Which) While Courier.GetRef().IsEnabled() || Updating ; If a courier is currently trying to deliver something, wait til it's done. Wait(1.0) endWhile Updating = True ; Don't spawn a new courier or change containers while we're changing courier types. if Which == "Wolf" Courier.ForceRefTo(WolfCourier.GetRef()) elseif Which == "Spider" Courier.ForceRefTo(SpiderCourier.GetRef()) elseif Which == "Werewolf" Courier.ForceRefTo(WereWolfCourier.GetRef()) elseif Which == "Deer" Courier.ForceRefTo(DeerCourier.GetRef()) elseif Which == "Fox" Courier.ForceRefTo(FoxCourier.GetRef()) elseif Which == "Flame" Courier.ForceRefTo(FlameCourier.GetRef()) elseif Which == "Dwemer" Courier.ForceRefTo(DwarfSpiderCourier.GetRef()) else ; Default to Dwarven Spider courier Courier.ForceRefTo(DwarfSpiderCourier.GetRef()) endif Updating = FalseEndFunctionFunction ChangeContainer(String Which) ; Change to the specified container, and update the Item Count to match it's contents.;Debug.Notification("Changing Container: " + Which) While Courier.GetRef().IsEnabled() || Updating ; If a courier is currently trying to deliver something, wait til it's done. Wait(1.0) endWhile Updating = True ; Don't spawn a new courier or change courier types while we're switching containers. StoreContainerQuantity() ; Saves the quantity in the current container, in case a delivery failed. We can go back to it later, but that's the responsibility of the mod writer to check. if Which == "Hive" ContainerAlias.ForceRefTo(HiveContainer.GetRef()) ItemCount.SetValue(HiveCount) elseif Which == "Coffin" ContainerAlias.ForceRefTo(CoffinContainer.GetRef()) ItemCount.SetValue(CoffinCount) elseif Which == "Barrel" ContainerAlias.ForceRefTo(BarrelContainer.GetRef()) ItemCount.SetValue(BarrelCount) elseif Which == "Small" ContainerAlias.ForceRefTo(DwSmContainer.GetRef()) ItemCount.SetValue(DwSmCount) elseif Which == "Medium" ContainerAlias.ForceRefTo(DwMedContainer.GetRef()) ItemCount.SetValue(DwMedCount) elseif Which == "Large" ContainerAlias.ForceRefTo(DwLgContainer.GetRef()) ItemCount.SetValue(DwLgCount) else ; Default to large Dwarven Box container ContainerAlias.ForceRefTo(DwLgContainer.GetRef()) ItemCount.SetValue(DwLgCount) endif Updating = FalseEndFunctionfunction addItemToContainer(form FormToAdd, int countToAdd = 1) ContainerAlias.GetRef().addItem(FormToAdd, countToAdd) ;add parameter object to container ItemCount.Value += 1endFunctionfunction addRefToContainer(objectReference objectRefToAdd) ContainerAlias.GetRef().addItem(objectRefToAdd) ;add parameter object to container ItemCount.Value += 1endFunctionfunction addAliasToContainer(ReferenceAlias refAliasToAdd) addRefToContainer(( refAliasToAdd.getRef() as ObjectReference))EndFunctionfunction GiveItemsToPlayer() ItemCount.SetValue(0) ContainerAlias.GetRef().RemoveAllItems(Game.GetPlayer()) Debug.Notification("Item(s) Added.")EndFunctionObjectReference Function FindBeaminLocation() ; Used if we are not in an area with preset courier spawn points. Release 3 bouncersObjectReference PlaceTarget = Game.GetPlayer().PlaceAtMe(MarkerType,1) ObjectReference[] Bouncer = new ObjectReference[3] PlaceTarget.MoveTo(Game.GetPlayer(),5000.0,5000.0,5000.0) Bouncer[0] = PlaceTarget.PlaceAtme(BouncerType,1) PlaceTarget.MoveTo(Game.GetPlayer(),-5000.0,-5000.0,5000.0) Bouncer[1] = PlaceTarget.PlaceAtme(BouncerType,1) PlaceTarget.MoveTo(Game.GetPlayer(),-5000.0,5000.0,5000.0) ; Place them at 3 corners of a square. Bouncer[2] = PlaceTarget.PlaceAtme(BouncerType,1) Wait(5.0) ; Let them fall to the ground. We don't want to bounce our poor courier around too much. ObjectReference sorthold if Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Bouncer[0]) > Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Bouncer[2]) SortHold = Bouncer[2] Bouncer[2] = Bouncer[0] Bouncer[0] = SortHold endif if Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Bouncer[0]) > Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Bouncer[1]) SortHold = Bouncer[0] Bouncer[0] = Bouncer[1] Bouncer[1] = SortHold endif if Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Bouncer[1]) > Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Bouncer[2]) SortHold = Bouncer[2] Bouncer[2] = Bouncer[1] Bouncer[1] = SortHold endif ObjectReference Loc1 = Bouncer[0] ObjectReference Loc2 = Bouncer[1] ObjectReference Loc3 = Bouncer[2] ObjectReference BILoc if Loc3 && Loc3.GetDistance(Game.GetPlayer()) <= 10000.0 ; Didn't fall through the world BiLoc = Loc3 endif if !BiLoc && Loc2 && Loc2.GetDistance(Game.GetPlayer()) <= 10000.0 ; Ditto previous comment BiLoc = Loc2 endif if !BiLoc BiLoc = Loc1 endif return BiLocEndFunctionFunction StateChange(String Which) GoToState(Which)EndFunctionBool Updating = FalseEvent OnUpdate() GoToState("Waiting") ; Starts us in the waiting state. Just in case we somehow got in the empty state.EndEventState Waiting Event OnUpdate() ; Make sure all variables are reset. Updating = False WhereToGo = None Courier.Getref().MoveTo(CourierCellMarker.GetRef()) Courier.GetRef().Disable() If ItemCount.value >= 1.0 SetStage(100) endif EndEventEndStateState Seeking Event OnUpdate() ; First, find a map marker near the player. if Courier.GetRef().GetDistance(Game.GetPlayer()) <= 500.0 WhereToGo = None ; Clear out the property for the next delivery. SetStage(200) elseif Courier.GetRef().IsEnabled() && Courier.GetRef().GetDistance(Game.GetPlayer()) > 30000.0 ; Player has eluded the courier. Put it away. WhereToGo = None ; If at first you don't succeed... Courier.Getref().MoveTo(CourierCellMarker.GetRef()) Courier.Getref().Disable() ; Go to sleep until the next update cycle. endif if !Updating && Courier.Getref().IsDisabled() ; Courier is not in the world yet, and we're not already trying to place one. Updating = True If !WhereToGo ; If we haven't updated yet this delivery if ReloadOptionals.IsRunning() ReloadOptionals.Stop() Wait (1.0) Endif ReloadOptionals.Start() ; Force a reload of the optional aliases in case we're in a city cell. ReloadOptionals.SetStage(0) Wait(2.0) endif ObjectReference Loc1 = Gvar.Near ObjectReference Loc2 = Gvar.Mid ObjectReference Loc3 = Gvar.Far if Loc3 WhereToGo = Loc3 endif if Loc2 && (!Loc3 || (Loc3 && Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Loc3) > 10000.0)) WhereToGo = Loc2 endif if Loc1 && (!Loc2 || (Loc2 && Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(Loc2) > 10000.0)) WhereToGo = Loc1 Endif if !WhereToGo || Game.GetPlayer().GetDistance(WhereToGo) < 900.0 ; No location found yet, or it's too close. (Player is in a cell with no viable markers) WhereToGo = FindBeaminLocation() if WhereToGo ; Found a spot! Courier.Getref().MoveTo(WhereToGo) Courier.Getref().Enable() endif else Courier.Getref().MoveTo(WhereToGo) Courier.Getref().Enable() endif Updating = False endif;float DeltaX = Game.GetPlayer().X - Courier.GetRef().X;float DeltaY = Game.GetPlayer().Y - Courier.GetRef().Y;float DeltaZ = Game.GetPlayer().Z - Courier.GetRef().Z;Debug.Notification("Courier Seeking: "+DeltaX+","+DeltaY+","+DeltaZ) ; Show the player where the courier is for testing. EndEventEndStateState Delivering Event OnUpdate() If ItemCount.value =http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1360040-tools-you-got-a-letter-from-what/= 0 SetStage(300) endif EndEventEndStateState Departing Event OnUpdate(); Debug.Notification("Courier Leaving") If !Game.GetPlayer().HasLOS(Courier.GetRef()) Courier.Getref().MoveTo(CourierCellMarker.GetRef()) Courier.Getref().Disable() Updating = False SetStage(0) endif EndEventEndStateState Disabled Event OnUpdate() ; Courier is out. Come back later.; Debug.Notification("Courier Disabled") EndEventEndStateObjectReference Property WhereToGo AutoActivator Property BouncerType AutoActivator property MarkerType AutoQuest Property ReloadOptionals Auto CourierSpawnPointScript Property Gvar AutoOK, since there is no way apparently to make an alias recheck it's conditionals and reload on an "always running" quest, We will need to make a second quest to load the spawn points if the player is in a town.
Note the Quest property ReloadOptionals - That will be a quest that has 3 aliases for the closest, next closest, and third closest spawn points in the nearby areas. They are all "Find Matching", "Closest", and "In Loaded Area". Their conditions are:
Nearest:
HasKeyword (the keyword we defined above) == 1.0
NextNearest:
HasKeyword (the keyword we defined above) == 1.0
IsAliasRef (Nearest) != 1.0
ThirdNearest:
HasKeyword (the keyword we defined above) == 1.0
IsAliasRef (Nearest) != 1.0
IsAliasRef (NextNearest) != 1.0
The quest loads these aliases into three properties, Near, Mid, and Far.
To use the custom courier, create a property for your script type on this quest and call one of the add functions, depending on whether you're using an alias or an objectreference or something else. You can change the courier type by setting up the Change courier function and you can switch containers if you want for a variety of different behaviors.
In the delivery scene, be sure to create an appropriate dialog topic, and have the scene itself transfer the objects with this fragment:
CourierScript.GiveItemsToPlayer()
(Edit): did some debugging on the "Change Container" and "Change Courier" functions, and added a random picking function for each, for shucks and grins.
Please consider porting it to the wiki.
