Ultima Ultima IV Reborn & Rebirth (NWN Diamond/EE) - info, tips, tricks and complaints

[LB_wannabe]

Ultima IV Introduction

"Ultima IV" doesn't need a presentation but from wikipedia we can steal this:

"Ultima IV is among the few role-playing games, and perhaps the first, in which the game's story does not center on asking a player character to overcome a tangible ultimate evil. The story instead focuses on the player character's moral self-improvement."

'nuff said.

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"Ultima IV Reborn" (original) for Neverwinter Nights 1.30
by Devi (2003)

"Ultima IV Reborn" despite the shameless title is an attempt to recreate "Ultima IV" with the toolset of Neverwinter Nights by using the default resources, so you have no custom models, no custom textures and so on. In addition, all the NPCs have the original (one-line) dialogues of Ultima IV, example:

Thevel in Ultima IV Reborn:

Spoiler

Name: Thevel
Description: A seasoned fighter.
Job: I search for the mystery of the magic orbs.
Health: Fairly well.
ORBS: A one-handed beggar knows their secrets!
MAGI: Magic orbs.
Hast thou seen him?
Yes: Only he knows the orb's gift!
No: Find him in Serpent castle for he knows of orbs!

- You have no class or race restrictions.
- You follow Neverwinter Nights (DnD) rules and spells.
- There are some random encounters and many fixed enemies.
- You can probably recruit only one companion (not sure)

It was released in 2003 and you can find it here

Image Below: a big empty room for Lord British's throne from "Ultima IV Reborn".

Image Below: a big empty room for Yew's court from "Ultima IV Reborn".

More info about the module:

Spoiler

Title Ultima IV Reborn
Author Devi
Submitted / Updated 07-21-2003 / 07-21-2003
Category Dungeon Adventure
Expansions NWN-1.30
Setting Britannia
Gameplay Length 30-40
Number Players Created for single player
Language English
Level Range Will take a level 1 player to level 20
Tricks & Traps Medium
Roleplay Medium
Hack & Slash Heavy
Scope Large
DMNeeded No DM Required
Single or Multiplayer Single Player
Max Character Level 05
Max # Players Any
Min # Players 01
Min Character Level 01
Content Rating Everyone
Description
This is as faithful a reproduction of one of my all-time favorite games, Ultima IV, as I was able to make.

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"Ultima IV Reborn" (classic) for Neverwinter Nights HOTU-1.69
by Devi and fixed by Glastenel Dragon (2010-2011)

It's basically "Ultima IV Reborn" by Devi with various fixes for several bugs, and several gameplay improvements, most based on users' feedback made by Glastenel Dragon. According the author: NOTICE: This mod is still in beta. It needs some tweaking to the gameplay, specially to the respawn and gold generation.

More info about the module:

Spoiler

Title Ultima IV Reborn 1.2.0
Author Devi, fixes by Glanestel
Submitted / Updated 02-08-2010 / 06-12-2011
Category Dungeon Adventure
Expansions HOTU-1.69
Setting Britannia
Language English
Tricks & Traps Medium
Roleplay Medium
Hack & Slash Heavy
Scope Large
DMNeeded No DM Required
Single or Multiplayer Single Player
Max Character Level 24
Max # Players Any
Min # Players 01
Min Character Level 01
Content Rating Everyone
Gameplay Hours 30

- Like "Ultima IV Reborn" original version you have one-line "Ultima IV" dialogues.
- No classes or races restrictions.
- You use Neverwinter Nights (DnD) rules and spells.
- Outdoors and indoors are basically those of the original "Ultima IV Reborn", with some smaller changes.
- I don't remember how many companions you can recruit.

NOTE: If you want to play "Ultima IV Reborn" I suggest you to play this version, the "classic" version.

You can find it here

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"Ultima IV Reborn AeT" ENGLISH/ita 1.2.1 for Neverwinter Nights Diamond Edition
by DanCar and Xenovant (2016-2017)

This is a sort of "Less Generic NPC and Lore" Mod for "Ultima IV Reborn" classic version. All dialogues are changed and enriched according the original ones, personal taste of the author and Ultima lore.

Example: Thevel in Ultima IV Reborn AeT.

Spoiler

Name: Why art thou asking? Anyway, Thevel is my name.

Description: A surly man, the face signed by wrinkles and scars, you see looking around with a mix of insofference and nuisance. He appears like a warrior, also an experienced one, but some sort of spiritual apprehension torments him like a fever.

Job: (he looks askance you from below) I... don't understand why I should... (he clears his voice). Wait, thou lookest from the descriptions, the Avatar?
(he inspects you with attention). Well, maybe I can help thee and mayhap thou canst help me. (he stands up and rises his voice) I'm, mylord, looking for the blue magic orbs!

Magic Orbs: (the warrior bend himself foward and he looks around). They say that they're powerful articfacts, who find them can obtain great powers, but they are also secret and well hidden stuff. I know for sure that here in Britain there was a beggar with only one hand that he was familar with their mysteries. If thou art the Avatar, thou shouldn't have problems traveling around the lands of Britannia and talking with people.
Did thou find by accident such a fellow? (the warrior looks you with determination)

No: Very well, thou wilt find him in Serpent's Hold in the Isle of Deeds. He hides himself like a rat in the hole! Not everybody is allowed to access such a fortress, but if thou art the Avatar thou shouldst be able to do it! That cursed and crippled beggar, coward and elusive like a grass snake, he knoweth the secrets of the orbs. Go there and then come back to tell me what he will say about!

Yes: And what did he say? Tellest me! (the warrior looks you with greedy eyes) Such a long time I'm looking for them, such a long time! (his insistence is annoying, you limit yourself to warn him, then after a sudden bow you go away)

- Ultima IV Reborn AeT has custom textures, heads, models, loading screens, easter eggs and so on.
- No race or class restrictions.
- You use Neverwinter Nights rules and spells.
- You have some random encounters but most of the monsters are fixed.
- Quests are those from classic/original "Ultima IV Reborn", just with more text.
- Outdoor and Indoor areas have more decorations, more loots, secrets, but basically are those from classic/original Ultima IV Reborn.
- You can recruit only three companions.
- Extreme Mode: if you touch the gipsy's mirror at the beginning of the module, you can set an extreme mode, in which your character starts from level 14 and you will face stronger enemies.

It was released in 2016-2017 and you can find it here

Image Below: "Ultima IV Reborn AeT" and the same huge court room of Yew from "Ultima IV Reborn" with more decorations.

Now the story of Ultima IV's modules gets more tricky.

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"Ultima IV Rebirth" ONLY for Neverwinter Nights Enhanced Edition
by Melavir (2020-2022)

This version is based on "Ultima IV Reborn AeT" but it has so many changes that it's closer to be a total conversion than a module for Neverwinter Nights EE and it's quite amazing IMHO. Ok, it's still a module for NwN EE with all its limitation to party control and so on, but:

- New intro and endgame.
- Gameplay is much harder: outdoor exploration for weak characters is deadly.
- Poison and disease are a serious thing.
- You must rest in inns or using camping gear in outdoor areas to recover yourself.
- You need a lot of money to go on, but in the beginning you are quite poor.
- Monsters after death give you no gold and you can't steal because of the virtues.
- You must use reagents to cast spells.
- You can only use Ultima's spells.
- Race restrictions: only human characters.
- You can recruit seven/eight companions (even NWN can't handle such a big party).
- Classes are changed to fit Ultima's Lore.
- Outdoor and indoor areas are reworked to match better Ultima's original map and game.
- Monsters are fixed and usually have attributes closer to Ultima IV.
- Monsters use Ultima's spells with Ultima's magic words.
- Dialogues are rewritten in better english (but the meaning of AeT sometimes it's lost or twisted)*
*more details later
- It has various sub-quests and they match NPCs and lore of Ultima IV Reborn AeT.
- Ultima IX's music for many areas.
- Loading screens are more purist (but those of UIV Reborn Aet were more user friendly for Ultima newbies).
- Many other big and small improvements.


More details by the author:

Spoiler

Revisions include, but not limited to the following:

- A reworking of the English dialogue, books and journal entries; namely, changing syntax or grammar to a more traditional feel, circa ''Ultima VII: The Black Gate'', and removing excess spacing.

- A new introduction and endgame, similar to Quest of the Avatar. Answering the Gypsy's questions is now vital to getting to Britannia with sufficient experience. ONLY HUMANS CAN PROCEED TO BRITANNIA... at least, without cheating.

- Balkoth's Minion Control has been added to help you direct your companions. You are the leader of this party; you must take responsibility for how you spend your gold, and which armour and weapons you choose to buy. You're also responsible for their actions! Make sure they give non-evil creatures a wide berth. If they kill creatures native to the wilderness, it will reflect negatively against your karma!

- A reworking of all landscaped areas, integrating centers of civilization into these regions for a more natural feel. Also included are a few, select skyboxes available in CSP v2.1.

- A reworking of all loadscreens, making full use of the original map from Quest of the Avatar.

- A reworking of all potions and spells, so that each one mentioned in the Books of Mystic Wisdom now functions, from A to Z. A spellbook, empty flasks and scroll parchments are now needed to mix reagents at an alchemy desk. It's also EXTREMELY important that you have enough spell scrolls on hand in your inventory -- and those of your companions -- if you want ''natural'' spells to work.

- Resting requires specific campgrounds in the wilderness or dungeons (camping gear, food and water is required) or in quieter places in townes, which meaning finding the local inn! This is extremely important for magic users, as this replenishes mana and full use of ''natural'' spells.

- A reworking of shop merchandise. Some new items have been added, such as enchanted rings and amulets that are more traditional to Ultima games.

- Torches ''should'' have a limited life span now... There's also a limited variety of magic armour and weapons, including a prototype made of glass... Plus, you can now make use of magic keys and gems.

- Optional: Music, circa ''Ultima IX: Ascension'' is available to enhance the adventuring experience.

Ultima IV Rebirth can be found here


this long description of the module found on reddit is pretty detailed:

Spoiler

Mod: Ultima IV: Rebirth

So I've been playing around with the mod Ultima IV: Rebirth, and it's finally reached a largely bug-free state which, I think, is fantastic and well-worth playing.
Noteworthy aspects

• Players can generally gain ~26 levels, max
• Non-linear, open world play.
  • Some quests may require you to travel from one part of the world to the opposite side of the world, and back again.
  • Very little is explained in the beginning, this is an exploration-intensive game
• Can only play as human and as basic classes
• About 50 hours of gameplay

Installation
Installation requires downloading all of the files, and following the installation instructions in the "Ultima IV Rebirth 2.2.1b - Game Files" 7zip file. (dearchived using an unarchive program such as 7-Zip). Note that some files are not directly used to run the game, like the map is just a map graphic that shows you a zoomed-out version of the entire world (and corresponds with the map sections that quickly display on the screen when you change screens), all of the "Guide" files are document files that provide walkthroughs and background information, and you only need files from one of the directories from the csp_v2.1 file.

Background
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar was a game that was released in 1985, and was revolutionary for its time for being an RPG whose goal was not to kill the big bad. From the original manual, "The Quest of the Avatar is the search for a new standard, a new vision of life for which our people may strive. We seek the person who can become a shining example for our nation and guide us from the Age of Darkness into the Age of Light." By today's standards, the original rather primitive game that requires a user to use DOSBox or ScummVM to run, and is not very enjoyable for most gamers, unless you enjoy playing grindy, retro games.
In 2014, this game was remade using the NWN Engine into Ultima IV: Reborn. Much more enjoyable for today's audience. It was patched and updated many times up until 2018, but while it was completable, it was left in an incomplete state. Easter egg chests and documentation hidden in the game revealed that the original creator had planned additional side-quests and content that was never implemented.
In 2020, Reborn was remade using the NWN:EE Engine into Ultima IV: Rebirth. Rebirth implemented many of the intended additional side-quests and added a few Easter eggs of its own.

Gameplay
Altering the gameplay to match the Ultima IV gameplay has altered many aspects of playing.

• Spells
• Only the Main Character can cast class-specific spells. Also, the spells that can be cast are limited to the traditional Ultima spells. For the party members, spellcasting has been completely revamped to reflect how spells are cast in Ultima IV. Spells are traditionally only cast by purchasing reagents, creating spell scrolls, and then by giving these consumable scrolls to your party members to cast (and the MC can also cast spell scroll spells, which will be mainly how you'll want to cast spells anyways. Your party members really only heal).

Spells have also been renamed to match the Ultima lore. For example, Clarity is now "Energy Field" (prevents a character from being afraid when encountering a Dragon), Find Traps is now "Dispel" (can also be used to remove electric walls blocking the way and destroy other traps as well), and Dispel Magic is now "Awaken." The traditional NWN names can be found when casting spells from your in-game Spellbook though, so a bit of mental translation needs to be done when looking at your in-game Spellbook and looking at your inventory Spellbook or spell scrolls.

As a Main Character, you can choose any class, and you can also mix and cast any of the spell scroll magic in the game without the Use Magic Device skill (also, you can create scrolls and potions without the Craft Scroll or Brew Potions feats). You can also use any of the magical runestones without class restrictions.

• Resting
• Resting can only be performed at Inns, or by using Camping Gear in certain locations (not in towns). Camping Gear can only be used by the main character so long as your main character has at least one unit of both food and water.

Since camping gear is rather heavy, if you have a non-Strength-based character, you will need to have a strength-based character carry the camping gear around with them, and give it to your character temporarily when you want to set up a campsite for resting.

• Weaponry
• Weapons are largely limited by class. Paladins and Clerics can wield pretty much any weapon, while Monks can wield pretty much nothing--not even magic Kamas. This falls in line with how classes were limited in the original Ultima IV.

• Gold
• Defeated enemies don't drop gold in this version of the game. Instead, gold can only be found in strategic locations. In the beginning, it will be difficult to earn money.

• Classes and Game Plot
• In the original Ultima IV, there were 8 classes to choose from, each of which was associated with a city and a virtue. Proceeding through the intro would require you to answer a series of questions that associates you with a virtue, which chooses your class, and prevents you from recruiting a character from that class in the future.

In Ultima IV: Rebirth, you can choose your own class and even multiclass. Proceeding through the intro will associate you with a class, award you with some starting equipment and XP associated with that class, and will prevent you from recruiting a character from that associated class in the future.

There is also some in-game text referring to various in-game party member characters that might be confusing since the plot classes don't exactly match the actual class of your recruited party members. This chart may be useful to clear up that confusion:

In-game described class	Actual class of the party member in the game
Bard	Bard
Fighter	Barbarian
Mage	Sorcerer
Paladin	Paladin
Tinker	Cleric
Druid	Druid
Ranger	Ranger
Shepherd	Monk

• Limited Functionality Party members

NWN:EE was never built to accommodate 7 additional party members. If you have a full party of 8 players (yourself plus 7 recruited party members), some of the party members may...just not fight. The AI just doesn't function. It's not a big issue though. So long as you are attacking areas that are appropriate for your party members' levels, you should be able to destroy all enemies with only 4 other party members. So having 1-2 party members out of 7 that don't fight isn't a big handicap. If you find yourself being decimated by enemies, don't blame it on your distracted party members. You're probably just in an area that is too hard for you and you'll want to find a lower-levelled area to level up in before challenging that area again.

• Useless Skills

Like any NWN game, there are many skills that were not programmed to be used in the game. I'll list the completely useless skills here, and will leave it to you to figure out which of the rest of the skills are truly useful or are just kind of useful.

• Animal Empathy
• Appraise
• Bluff
• Craft Armor
• Craft Trap
• Craft Weapon
• Intimidate
• Lore
• Persuade
• Pick Pocket
• Ride

Beginner's Advice

Here's some spoiler-heavy advice for any beginners who may find it too difficult to start the game b/c you die in the beginning too much:

• Stick to the major cities in the beginning and level up by performing quests, not by hunting monsters. In the beginning, almost all monsters will be too difficult to defeat.
• There are 8 major cities, each with its own moongate nearby (the Trinsic moongate is a bit far from the city...from the city it's South and East, from the Trinsic moongate, the City is West and NorthEast. You can use the moongates to travel to each of the 8 major cities
• Each major city holds a character that you can recruit into your party. The character is of the class that is associated with that city.
• Once you have 3-4 party members from the cities, you can start exploring and killing monsters safely. The easiest area to explore in the beginning are the areas around Britain, the city nearest the king's castle.
• The King's castle is where you'll receive a lot of good information that informs you about the Quest of the Avatar and the world you are in
• The King will also let you know about Dungeons that you can explore. After you speak to the King about these Dungeons, these Dungeon names and locations are saved in your in-game journal (as a completed quest) listed from the easiest dungeon first, to the most difficult dungeon last.
• You can find a rudimentary weapon before you even enter the gypsy tent, and a couple of more basic weapons near the monsters near Britain. After you've defeated a few monsters, you'll find enough gold that will allow you to purchase more appropriate weapons/armor
• Pay attention to prices. Stores in different cities buy and sell goods at different prices.
• The most powerful weapons/equipment are mainly directed towards players that hack and slash. Some hidden Easter-egg equipment is geared towards handling a two-handed sword, while the strongest weapon in the game (achieved from completing a quest) is a quarterstaff.
• Eventually you'll learn that actions in the game will increase/decrease different kinds of karma. Stealing "owned" items will decrease your honesty and honor karma. In general, everything in a city or a town near living people is owned, except for books. There is one place in the game with very valuable books that should not be taken, and should only be read, but the way to take these special books is different than any other book in the game, so they should be easy to identify as something that an honest player shouldn't take.

At any rate, if you like this type of mod, enjoy! If not, please ignore. ^_^

Image Below: the Avatar uses the "Open Lock" Ultima spell.

Image Below: "Ultima IV Rebirth" throne room.

Image Below: "Ultima IV Rebirth" court room of Yew.

Sadly, despite the author worked very hard on this module, after a while he abandoned the project: if you download and install his module, you will start in a store of Bucaneers' Den, because he was probably testing something there, and he has never bothered to fix it, so you need:

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"Ultima IV Rebirth" UNOFFICIAL patch" v. 2.3.1
by bliznik (2022)

Description by bliznik: Since Melavir stopped working on this module, I've decided to pick it up and fix a glaring issue with v. 2.3.0 f which he uploaded just before he went offline. Unfortuately, the latest version of the module starts the character in a store in Bucaneer's Den. I assume Melavir was bug-fixing something at Bucaneer's Den, and just plum forgot to reset the start point of the game to Earth. I've fixed this issue, and a couple of other minor issues.

I plan to run slowly run through this module over the next few months to fix any other glaring issues I see, and if I have time I'll run through to fix/improve minor issues, like combat or how your chosen Virtue is communicated through the game.

It can be found here

Despite that affirmation bliznik didn't release any other versions, so actually all these projects, finished or not, are in sleeping mode and "Ultima IV Rebirth" still has minor issues (like the other modules).

For example, in the toolset the guard leader of Lycaeum's throne room is dressed, in game he is naked.

Innkeeper or a Bartenders sometimes refuse to continue the conversation, you select "continue" and the text screen disappears, so it's better to save before talking to them.

Image Below: Epic small fight in a small orcs' camp for their gold:

Spoiler

North of Britanny Bay

 

[Tweed]

Ultima IV in NWN Too Faithful Edition
Ultima IV in NWN Touched Up Edition
Ultima IV Autism Edition

 

[Eisen]

I wish i had the button Autism, looks cool tho.

 

[Gargaune]

Well, maybe it's finally worth playing Ultima IV.

For example, in the toolset the guard leader of Lycaeum's throne room is dressed, in game he is naked.

Probably a minor mismatch with the equipment requirements, like a different Alignment restriction. The Toolset will prevent you equipping an NPC with an equipment type they're not qualified for, but if the item has a special property of its own that isn't met, it'll be unequipped at runtime.

 

[Jaesun]

I remember trying one of these Ultima IV remakes in NWN a while back, but something just feels really off throwing the Ultima world into the NWN engine. Just could not get into them. Ultima V in the Dungeon Siege engine however worked really well with the setting.

 

[Jack Of Owls]

Looking at those screenshots, I have to admit that the new community patch that Steam forces upon you for NWN:EE does make the models look nicer. Less of a blockhead effect. Now someone will probably tell me, "But those screenshots are from vanilla EE before the big patch!" and I'm okay with being a fool that thinks he can see an improvement. It's the way of the gamer gooner.

When I first got into NWN modules many years ago, I did download one for Ultima IV but only played a few minutes. Then I downloaded the one for Pool of Radiance and thought, "Now this is what it's all about! GIVE ME MORE! MOOOOORE!"

 

[Alex]

I remember trying one of these Ultima IV remakes in NWN a while back, but something just feels really off throwing the Ultima world into the NWN engine. Just could not get into them. Ultima V in the Dungeon Siege engine however worked really well with the setting.

I've never tried the Dungeon Siege remake, but I agree with the NWN's comment. D&D races kinda break my immersion, even if 1 to 3 had more or less vanilla races; just as 3e classes and magic do.

 

[LB_wannabe]

For example, in the toolset the guard leader of Lycaeum's throne room is dressed, in game he is naked.
Probably a minor mismatch with the equipment requirements, like a different Alignment restriction. The Toolset will prevent you equipping an NPC with an equipment type they're not qualified for, but if the item has a special property of its own that isn't met, it'll be unequipped at runtime.

Thanks, I checked with the Toolset, the suit requires Level 22 and Lore 29 for being equipped, he's a fighter of Level 10 with Lore 2, so...

 

[Gargaune]

Thanks, I checked with the Toolset, the suit requires Level 22 and Lore 29 for being equipped, he's a fighter of Level 10 with Lore 2, so...

If the suit is meant to be lootable, a simple solution is to equip an edited, non-droppable copy on the NPC and put a second, original copy in his inventory as droppable. Assuming you wanna fix this stuff.

Looking at those screenshots, I have to admit that the new community patch that Steam forces upon you for NWN:EE does make the models look nicer. Less of a blockhead effect. Now someone will probably tell me, "But those screenshots are from vanilla EE before the big patch!" and I'm okay with being a fool that thinks he can see an improvement.

You kinda lost me there, I don't know what you mean. If you're talking about the HD Art Pack - which indeed doesn't show in those screens - that's not a community patch, it's Beamdog's and I don't think it should come by default unless it's a Steam-specific thing. If it is, you could check the game's properties in Steam to see if there's a DLC ticked for it, or you can probably cull the files from the EE's install path manually, under the /ovr/ folder. Just look up the names before you do, 'cause there's a lot of other stuff that needs to stay in there.

 

[LB_wannabe]

Assuming you wanna fix this stuff.

I opened the thread to collect informations about the modules, especially "Rebirth", but I'm not going to mess it with the Toolset for the moment.

 

[Saduj]

- You can probably recruit only one companion (not sure)

 

[LB_wannabe]

- You can probably recruit only one companion (not sure)

I will check it out, the world must know.

 

[LB_wannabe]

Probably a minor mismatch with the equipment requirements, like a different Alignment restriction. The Toolset will prevent you equipping an NPC with an equipment type they're not qualified for, but if the item has a special property of its own that isn't met, it'll be unequipped at runtime.

I found also this in Captain's Black Tavern, he has Lore 0 but the clothes require Lore 9.

But in Bucaneers'Den you have also two Blood Shadows, in the Toolset they have the right skin, but in game they have no skin, maybe because they are located in place with different illumination (darkness) despite the normal illumination of the rest of the map.

 

[Gargaune]

But in Bucaneers'Den you have also two Blood Shadows, in the Toolset they have the right skin, but in game they have no skin, maybe because they are located in place with different illumination (darkness) despite the normal illumination of the rest of the map.

Having no skin, as in a missing texture, would result in the model being rendered with a mirror skin, but this should be equally visible in the game and the Toolset. If you mean they're invisible in-game, there might be a visual effect applied, you'd have to go looking through the creature's scripts, probably OnSpawn or OnUserDefined.

 

[LB_wannabe]

Now, the average rpgcodexer doesn't need infos how to install a module for Neverwinter Nights, but if there's some lurker.

Installation

(like the last of Ultima fags I made a background image for NWN EE with an "Ultima For(n)ever" artwork)

So, how to install a module for newbies:

Spoiler

In general, a module might come packaged in a installer. In this case you're generally good to go if you just run it and let it install the module and the content.

Sometimes not all the content is packaged with the installer (this should be mentioned on the Vault project page, for example as a required project), in which case you need to install it manually.

In all other cases you need to install everything manually. Here's what goes where:

- HAK files go to "hak" folder - these are extra resources, needed by the module but not offered by the game by default
- WAV and BMU files go to "music" folder - mostly soundtrack
- BIC files go to "localvault" folder - these are character files, normally only appearing if the author of the module wants you to use a specific premade character and not your own
- TLK files go to "tlk" folder - a talk-table, used for example to add new spell/feat descriptions or modifying existing ones
- MOD files go to "modules" folder - these are the modules themselves

Some modules require you to download only a MOD file, while some others might require you to download all of the above. In some rare cases you might also need to put some files in the "override" folder, but that's rare and you'll generally be told if that's the case.

I have the GOG "Neverwinter Nights Enhanced Edition" and the "modules", "hak", "music", "tlk" "override" etc, folders are located in a folder called "Neverwinter Nights" in my "documents" folder.

In the Diamond Edition all these folders are located INSIDE the game's folder, how it should be.

About the Steam edition I don't know anything.

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"Ultima IV Reborn" classic and original only have a "MOD" file that must placed into the "modules" folder.

- Ultima IV Reborn.mod

"Ultima IV Reborn AeT" has a MOD file as well, and these HAK files:

- UR_AeT_AddOn.hak
- UR_AeT_Heads.hak
- UR_AeT_PO.hak
- UR_AeT_Screens.hak


"Ultima IV Rebirth" has a MOD file, but you must not install it, instead you have install its HAK packs (it shares a couple of HAK with "Ultima IV Reborn AeT"), and it needs a HAK for the skyboxes, in the "hak" folder:

- UIV_Rebirth.hak
- UI_Rebirth_Music.hak
- UI_Rebirth_Screens.hak
- CSP_v2.1..hak

and those from "Ultima IV Reborn AeT":

- UR_AeT_AddOn.hak
- UR_AeT_Heads.hak
- UR_AeT_PO.hak

and then you must place the "Ultima IV Rebirth" unoffcial patched module (here again) version in your modules' folder:

-Ultima IV Rebirth.mod

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EXTRA


Super Fast Rest

You need it, period.

description:

Spoiler

This mod reduces the duration of Resting to a miniscule .5 seconds (Half of a Second). Great for casters & impatient people (like me).

To install: Unzip folder, then drop the “restduration” file into the override directory.

To uninstall: Delete or remove the “restduration” file from the override directory.

Feel free to experiment with the rest times - could be fun. Remember that the “Duration” is in milliseconds. That means every 01000 milliseconds equals 1 normal second. I set the rest “Duration” of all player levels (1-40) to 00500 milliseconds.

Warning: Setting the “Duration” to 00000, and 00001 will crash the game! So, I didn’t try to go lower than 00500 because I thought it would be a waste of time.

Ultima Portraits

You can find some Ultima portraits here or in the nexus here (the nexus version has some custom break-immersion characters) and must be placed in the "portraits" folder located in the same folder of "modules" "hak" and so on.

Image Below: flexibility of NWN Toolset:

Spoiler

Image Below: Verity Island view.

 

[LB_wannabe]

Having no skin, as in a missing texture, would result in the model being rendered with a mirror skin, but this should be equally visible in the game and the Toolset.

I think it's a mirror skin, the other models nearby are fine, just the three Blood Shadows are like this:

 

[LB_wannabe]

Playing "Ultima IV Rebirth"

General tip: save often and save in different slots or you will regret it.


Some basic infos for Ultima IV Rebirth:

- You start on earth.
- You must be a human.
- You must take the pendant.
- Then you can enter the faire, the "carnival".
- You must talk with Gipsy at the end of the faire.
- The Gipsy will decide your class, starting gear, experience points.

Image Below: earth.

Spoiler

if you want avoid to answer the questions, you can just touch the mirror, but you will have no gear or xp

-The Gipsy will also decide your first city,

A small problem is that you should talk with Lord British, in "Ultima IV Reborn AeT" near the Gipsy you can find a portal scroll for Lord British'castle, but in "Ultima IV Rebirth" was removed, and they were removed
all the loading screens of "UIV Reborn AeT" with their light spoilers about the world map. If you are an Ultima Newbie, you can just let you be killed by some monsters, and you will be summoned in the throne room
before.

Image Below: the faire's entrance.

Otherwise you must use the Moongates ouside the cities until you reach Britanny Bay, then you go west in the next area, and then you go north to the entrance for the first floor of the castle, in the second floor you will find Lord British on his throne.

Image Below: Gipsy's wagon.

Image Below: Gipsy's questions.

Lord British will talk with you like no tomorrow, but he has two useful informations:

- The destinations for each Moongates
- The order suggested for each dungeon, from the easiest to the hardest.

Image Below: Moongate before talking with Lord British.

Image Below: Moongate after talking with Lord British.

Lord British will also heal you and your party from everything for free.

After talking with the king, go in the room on the right behind his throne with the glowing passage and you will find:

Spoiler

- A portal scroll for his castle.
- A portal scroll for Sheila's shop (she sells portal scrolls for the castle and for her shop).
- A tale of Virtue.

The Tales of Virtues are scattered all around Britannia, even if you don't like them, if you place them in special location you will have some xp.

Note: the Tales of Virtues are based on Ultima IX's Tales, but the author of UIV AeT changed them because he didn't like them very much, and the author of Rebirth changed them as well.

By the way, now you need some xp and some gold.

For xp you must collect the Runes and Mantras from the city that are easy to collect, for gold you must find some loot, like:

Spoiler

outside the city of Britain in the south-west corned guarded by some spiders

The Runes and Mantras that are easy to collect are:

Spoiler

Compassion in Britain, Justice in Yew, Honesty in Moonglow

Tricky is:

Spoiler

Spirituality from Skara Brae

Not so easy:

Spoiler

Honor in Trinsic, Sacrifice in Minoc

Quite hard for weak characters:

Spoiler

Valour in Jhelom, and Humility

Anyway, as soon as you can spend 300/350 gp, I suggest you to buy two "Open Lock" scrolls (Shiela's shop or Moonglow's shop) and then return to Lord British's Castle.

Spoiler

once in the castle go to the south east corner of the second floor and open a locked door

but remember:

Spoiler

"Open Lock" scrolls can't be used on every locked door, but only when a text screen appears asking what you want to use to open the door

Spoiler

grab the book from the books pile, go to the prison, open the locked door with the prisoners (there are two cells, plus a one with "something else"). Use the "stone" on the wall, go in the next room
and grab the key from the pedestal.

Return to the throne room, go in the room on the left behind the throne.

Spoiler

open the chest with the key, take the "arcane gem", return in the room on the right behind the throne

now you can

Spoiler

use the glowing passage for the Arcane Library, and in the Arcane Library you can place the "Tales of Virtues" for xp, and when you will find the other arcane "keys", you can
move in four different places.

for the moment you can just:

Spoiler

return to the throne room, or go to the Moongate of Skara Brae"

 

[Gargaune]

I think it's a mirror skin, the other models nearby are fine, just the three Blood Shadows are like this:

Not quite what I was thinking of, the "mirror skin" I was referring to is the same as the mirror colour in the palette for armour tinting. Though I've only ever encountered it when messing around with armour stuff, can't say whether it acts the same on other types of objects.

A simple way to test would be to create a new creature with that appearance type. In the Blood Shadow's properties window, check what's in the Appearance field, then go create a completely new creature, set its appearance to the same thing and don't touch anything under scripts. If your new creature has the same problem, you'll know there's something wrong with the assets, but if it doesn't, then it's a problem with the Blood Shadow's scripts, probably a visual effect.

As a rule of thumb, whatever you see in the Toolset you should also see in the game, with the exception of new EE shaders and user patch haks. The latter I don't see pertinent here, with the former you could try turning off Enhanced Lighting and all Advanced Frame-Buffer Effects in the EE's graphics options, but I seriously doubt they're the issue. Script-added visual effects, though, won't become visible until they're triggered at runtime, which is why they'd be my prime suspect.

 

[LB_wannabe]

As a rule of thumb, whatever you see in the Toolset you should also see in the game, with the exception of new EE shaders and user patch haks. The latter I don't see pertinent here, with the former you could try turning off Enhanced Lighting and all Advanced Frame-Buffer Effects in the EE's graphics options, but I seriously doubt they're the issue. Script-added visual effects, though, won't become visible until they're triggered at runtime, which is why they'd be my prime suspect.

I cheked in game "Ultima IV Reborn AeT" (the forefather of Rebirth) with the Diamond Edition and the shadows are fine.

Instead, if I play "Ultima IV Reborn AeT" with the "Enhanced Edition" I have the same problem that I have while playing "Rebirth" with the "Enhanced Edition", it's like the EE doesn't like this custom skin, no matter the module you are using.

or maybe it is a problem of my EE.

 

[Gargaune]

I cheked in game "Ultima IV Reborn AeT" (the forefather of Rebirth) with the Diamond Edition and the shadows are fine.

That won't tell you much if you don't know whether anything else has changed with these creatures between AeT and Rebirth. Try what I suggested with making a new creature with that appearance type, it's quick and it'll confirm whether it's the skin or something else.

 

[LB_wannabe]

Try what I suggested with making a new creature with that appearance type, it's quick and it'll confirm whether it's the skin or something else.

I made a new creature and still I had the same problem, so I start to unchek the graphic options until I solved the problem by removing the "Lighting Enhanced". Doh!

Thank you for your patience.

 

[mondblut]

Ultima meets NWN, can two wrongs make it right?

 

[Gargaune]

I made a new creature and still I had the same problem, so I start to unchek the graphic options until I solved the problem by removing the "Lighting Enhanced". Doh!

Thank you for your patience.

No problem. So it's something with the modified asset after all, probably a non-standard edit that's tripping up the new renderer. I can't advise much on models and textures, you'd probably have to ask around on the Vault or take a different approach, e.g. revert to the original Invisible Stalker appearance and add a visual effect, like VFX_DUR_AURA_RED_DARK.

 

[LB_wannabe]

Update: there is a new unofficial patch (version 2.3.2) for "Ultima IV Rebirth" by DarkRanger in NwN vault (here) and from the comment we have:

" Ultima IV Rebirth is a FANTASTIC mod that, unfortunately, was plagued with a lot of issues during my recent run of it. This mod has been passed through many hands throughout the years thanks to a sheer dedication to seeing a remade Ultima IV be the best it can be. Unfortunately, some glaring issues still remained even after the most recent patch by bliznik, including broken innkeepers, naked NPCs, and a broken quest. On top of that, almost everyone involved through this mod's lifecycle have moved on from this project. Thankfully, a lot of these fixes I was able to resolve, even with my limited toolset knowledge. While I was at it, I went ahead and streamlined the installation process, see below".

 

[Ludwig von Eisenthal]

What version of Ultima IV is this? I've never seen this one.