Ether Dynamics posts
Justin Schroeder fundraiser
Hi folks! As [some of you may have heard], a Skyrim mod creator has recently been dealing with some terrible medical issues and has started a [GoFundMe] page to collect money for life-saving surgery.I have decided to donate all funds cumulatively earned by this Patreon to this cause. It's funny,...
SSE Organic Factions and Organic Factions Extension Released!
Woohoo, they're out! Both [SSE Organic Factions] and the [SSE Organic Factions Extension] have been released!
One bug down! And reflections about developing in LE and SE...
Hey folks!As it turns out, LE and SE evidently evaluate when an Actor Is3DLoaded() or not differently!In LE, if they're not in a loaded cell (e.g. they're outside while a player is in an interior cell), then Is3DLoaded() will return False.However, in SE, it's completely different! You ca...
Closer...
The good news is I've done all the core work to port the Organic Factions Extension into SE!The bad news is I'm seeing some bugs exclusively in the SE version. :\ This includes Actors not showing up where they're supposed to, and also not healing themselves. These are both rather strange...
SSE Port of Organic Factions complete, started work on the Extension
As the title says, porting the Org Fac framework is all wrapped up (including prepared changes to the mod page), started in on the Org Fac Extension. Note that, due to the incompatibility between the new Org Fac and the current Org Fac Extension, I'm not going to publish the former until the lat...
Back in Black(reach)
Hah, there's no way I could resist that terrible pun. ;) Dad jokes aside, I hope everyone is doing great!Good news on the home front: the multiple family medical issues have calmed down a bit, and things have also mellowed a little at work. That means I'll have time for personal projects aga...
No billing for August, schedule notes
Hi folks!Things are busy on the home-front -- a lot of folks at work are going on vacation, which means I'm covering for multiple people. As such, I'm not going to have the time I wanted for Skyrim, and all the complications that come with publishing given the new SE / AE split. There will b...
Aiming for the weekend of 7/30
Hi folksBoth my wife and I have been exposed to a confirmed Covid case over the last week. We both feel pretty awful and are testing; if we're lucky, it's just severe allergies.If things line up, I look forward to working on the SE conversion this coming weekend of 7/30 - 7/31.Stay safe out ...
Pausing billing for July
Hi folks!Both some intensive medical stuff and work are eating up my time at the moment; as such, I'm pausing billing this month so I can wrap up all that junk -- you will receive no charges on August 1st.Note I will still make progress and have little announcements here and there, I just won...
Pendulum
Hi folks!As a heads up, I have some medical stuff coming up this month, which is involved enough that I need to take several days off of work. This is going to swing one of two ways: Either I'll feel nice and mellow after recovery, in which case I can pour some time and energy into Skyrim; or I&...
Secrets...
There are a few cases where Skyrim reveals NPCs are more than they seem -- members of secret cults, vampires, that sort of thing. It got me thinking, what if I peppered in some NPCs in multiple locations that acted as follows: Common NPCs (merchants, guards, etc.) where any member could become a mem...
Looking solid for the SE conversion! And looking forward..
Hi folks!It's been about 2 weeks since the LE conversion was announced, and there have been no bug reports, crashes, or any issues reported. We're looking solid!Time to move ahead with the SE conversion, and then on to the next wave of development. That will include:The Beggar King factionI ...
Recently published LE mods announced on Reddit
Hi folks!I have announced the recent batch of published LE mods over on Reddit, for those interested in participating in a public forum. [Link]Cheers!
Organic Factions Extension LE update released!
We did it, folks! :D The newest update for the [Organic Factions Extension] has been released! Woo hoo!I didn't realize how much complexity I built into this update until I had to type out all the spoiler details in the mod description. Dang! I've also uploaded a slew of pictures to the mod ...
Organic Factions LE update released!
The newest version of the [Organic Factions] framework for LE is up and out! I'll pivot over to the Organic Factions Extension shortly, which will be accompanied by further announcements here and on other channels (Twitter / Reddit / etc.).I'm freaking jazzed! :D
Last little bits
Hey folks!Finished the Silver Hand build and cleaned up yet more vanilla navmesh issues, just doing the last of their patrol mechanics. Expect fierce chases and battles in that haunting forest region between Volunruud and the Lord Stone, including the edge of the Loreius Farm and Heljarchen Hall are...
Testing complete, werewolf squad is go!
Hey folks!Fantastic news: I have now finished the full spread of regression tests on all the code! We are good to go with all the framework changes! :DSecondly, the werewolf squad is now fully set. This first group will patrol the woods northwest of the Loreius Farm, fully encircling the Stonehill B...
Howls in the night
Hey all!The good news: Our werewolf pack is coming together! Some will spawn in based on player level, and others will spawn in based on the Companions questline.If the player is level 9 or higher, the leader is dead, and the player shows up in werewolf form, then the pack will join the player as fo...
Lookin' good!
Finished the ultra-deep code dive, optimization, and moved into full regression testing of the new new code. Just passed the player level gate test, as well as the Global Variable test.Next it'll be on to Quest stage testing, and finally a full test of the hierarchy respawn behavior (can't s...
Hammering out the details
While constructing the new test factions, I ran into some opportunities to streamline the code even further.While I finish the full trace, I've also been sketching out the Factions to add in. I figure a good little test set would be some of the Silver Hand, and some extra werewolves to hunt down...
Expanded coding done
The runes have been forged into the ancient Papyrus (hah)! Changes to the framework are now complete!Not only does this allow the option for Actors to spawn based on any Quest Stage, it also can check against any Global Variable. In addition to the existing Boss Faction Rank checks, this will provid...
Sprucing up the Roost
Updated screenshots! Pic 01: The imposing outer gateway, where archers can volley down intruders Pic 02: The outer courtyard pine grove with mysterious inner circle Pics 03 & 04: The inner bailey and flanking staircases Pics 05 & 06: Views from along the parapets, showing the commanding view -- play...
Wing Dings
Howdy folks!Last Friday had to get some medical treatment for my shoulder, which left me kinda sore all weekend -- but rather than just tap out, my stubbornness won and I managed to create most of a whole new World Space in Skyrim. This includes two separate paths for entry, a central fortress with ...
The beauty and weight of frameworks
Hi folks! I have good news, mixed news, then some good news.Okay, first, the good news: All the testing thus far for our Darklight Tower faction is going great! No drop-dead surprises -- enemies challenge the player without overwhelming them There are definitive stages of progression as the faction ...
Coding for the new player-guided Organic Factions
Hi folks!In anticipation of the next big requested Lord of Beggars Faction, I want to set up a super flexible framework that'll actually let me set up a ton of player-guided Organic Factions anywhere: Some members may have a % spawn chance on their own, and can be hired at any time. Others may o...
Faction and vendor updates
Hey hey! Updates! Wraith Factions / mechanics have been updated so that Vigilants and city guards will attack them on sight. This includes the Wraiths that the player will summon -- so even though they're conjured permanently from the staff, you can't just walk through a city with an undead ...
New video in the works
Hi all!I've been peeking around YouTube, and have found several folks posting video series on [Living Skyrim]. For those not familiar with the package, it contains an expansive collection of mods, including the full Organic Factions stack.One common theme is the struggle through the lower levels...
Darklight Tower resources set up
Just finished setting up the full spread of resource distribution for the entire Faction: Selected Actors will regularly receive potions from Zphenx so long as she's in the Faction. Forcing her out or killing her will cripple the Faction's combat effectiveness. Actors will use potions at the...
Zphenx and Lykoi set up
Howdy folks, and happy new year! :DI've finished adding in Zphenx's little sister Lykoi into the Alchemist's Shack, along with the associated idle markers and Packages.Zphenx will stay loyal to the Darklight Tower mages so long as Silvia is alive, and Zphenx herself doesn't get beate...
December payments cancelled (no billing on Jan 1st)
Hi folks!I hope everyone has a wonderful year-end holiday break! I'm going to spend time with family and friends as well -- payments will be paused for December.Stay safe, and happy holidays! :D




