Thief 2 FM: The Skygem Connection (27-12-2006)

The Fire Eater on 10/1/2007 at 04:22

(or OggVorbis) format has to be done by DarkLoader and thus requires version 4.2 or above.

I have seen something somewhere regarding Ogg type files but can't remember where...? However, in this instance, are those files used by Thief 3? If so then I wouldn't necessarily need 4.2/3 for that as I don't have that game nor will be doing any Mods for it consequently. I have also read where more work was needed to be done for Darloader 4.2 and/or 3 so I'm hesitant in getting it yet but when it's really good for using I probably should upgrade mine just because I guess. This one has served me well for a long time so I really felt no need to replace.

I still would like to know from someone that has Darkloader with a sub-folder for Missions attached to it. Would it be safe enough to reinstall the newer version for Darkloader over the one I have or must I do otherwise? Thanks for assist. :)

dyald on 10/1/2007 at 16:29

Eigenface:

I'm not sure that is a bug I can fix.
[SPOILER]The good news is, once you leave the archives, you don't have to go back.
When you saved it the conversation was still technicaly still going on, (untill the keeper stops walking). I think it is already set to "once". anytime I have saved it in a conversation it starts back in the conv but not in the exact timeline. I think if you saved it in the middle of a conversation in any mission including om's the same could happen.
[/SPOILER]

The Fire Eater:

Quote:

Would it be safe enough to reinstall the newer version for Darkloader over the one I have or must I do otherwise?

Possible solution: Darkloader only takes about one meg of space, how about installing 4.2 in its own dir then when you set it up have it point to the folder where you have your fm's? then forget about the older version.

prjames on 10/1/2007 at 19:10

Although I didn't find it on my own, She-Thief found the secret with the dancers near the temple via the side water tunnel.

Want to give us a hint on the other secret? :sly:

- prjames

dyald on 10/1/2007 at 20:15

I can't think of a clever hint, so here is one that is extreeemly vauge, [SPOILER]the other one is in the archives[/SPOILER]If a player finds and tells, thats ok, but I think that is as much as I should give.

baeuchlein on 10/1/2007 at 21:15

Quote Posted by The Fire Eater

I have seen something somewhere regarding Ogg type files but can't remember where...? However, in this instance, are those files used by Thief 3? If so then I wouldn't necessarily need 4.2/3 for that as I don't have that game nor will be doing any Mods for it consequently. I have also read where more work was needed to be done for Darloader 4.2 and/or 3 so I'm hesitant in getting it yet but when it's really good for using I probably should upgrade mine just because I guess. This one has served me well for a long time so I really felt no need to replace.

I do not know whether Thief 3 uses OggVorbis files, but DarkLoader 4.3 (or any previous version) cannot be used to start missions for Thief 3 (Source: DarkLoader Homepage, (http://www.thiefmissions.com/darkloader/)).

There is only one mission I've encountered which is said to use OggVorbis files, "Mountain Monastery" (in German: "Das Bergkloster") by Christine, build for Thief 2. There are a few others which use MP3 sound files and thus require DarkLoader 4.0 or above (Source: History.html in DarkLoader directory).

If you refer to the problem with the INI file getting larger than 64 kB, there's no change from DarkLoader 4.1 to 4.3 (as far as I know) - it neither gets better nor worse.

So, unless you encounter a mission specifically stating that it uses OggVorbis files (or Ogg files), you can stick to version 4.1 and wait for the next release.

Quote Posted by dyald

What I get out of that is that the problem with the file probably is a result of the spliting process.

I have downloaded Mastersplitter and split and re-joined a few of the zip files created, including the original sgc_wv_1.zip and my "repaired" version. Worked well, no problems. Maybe the split files get damaged during the upload process, or maybe the one receiving your upload uses another version of Mastersplitter?

Quote Posted by baeuchlein

the music used in the briefing movie was "O Fortunata", from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana".

Quote Posted by dyald

I was kind of wondering if ayone got that.

Easy to do if you like that particular piece of music and know exactly on which CD you find it...

Quote Posted by dyald

If my file in any way caused you any problems, then please accept my apology.

No apology needed, I guess, since you didn't do anything on purpose, did you? :ebil:

Quote Posted by dyald

Am I right in assuming that you have a perfect files A result?

If that means "superb performance in school", then the answer is: Not exactly. I was good, but almost never perfect. But the strange thing with the zip files was an interesting mystery, and when I started examining the situation, my interest in solving this riddle grew. Actually, I find this kind of detective game funny (as long as I am making progress, at least).

And since I finished your mission yesterday, I must say it was worth it. You are hereby sentenced to creating a sequel for your vile zip-splitting crimes. :cheeky:

Oh, one last thing: I encountered another small bug. I found two frogbeast eggs, but when I throw them at something, they make a sound like a large rock thrown around. They remain at the point of impact, as if glued to the spot. No frogbeast appears. This bug was present in one or two other fan missions, but I don't know their names anymore.

When I restarted the mission, the eggs behaved like they should. Weird.

Nightstone on 10/1/2007 at 21:56

Dyald,

this is a great fm! i really enjoyed playing it. it was not too difficult and there were still plenty of interesting
things to do in the mission. i particularly liked;
[SPOILER]the monster in the tunnels - it was very scary:eek: ![/SPOILER]
and;
[SPOILER]helping sarah escape by showing her dewdrop:angel:[/SPOILER]
plus;
[SPOILER]the egyptian architecture was cool :cool: .[/SPOILER]
but what i liked best was;
[SPOILER]karras and his zombie-friend dancing to that track by 'the doors'! LOL :joke: ![/SPOILER]
There was a bug, near the picture in T's bedroom but in re-loaded the game and just avoided that area. i hope you
get it fixed.

well done,
Nightstone :thumb: .

The Fire Eater on 10/1/2007 at 22:15

baeuchlein...thank you for your help as well as Dyald re: Darkloader. I think I shall wait in that case. Already played Christine's mission, which in spots was a bit of a problem overcoming certain areas, heh, but played fine :) The other .ogg files were in another game I have as I rediscovered the other day. I think it was the demo for Gothic 3 (also bought the game but am very disappointed in the limited number of fixes that haven't addressed other important bugs) but have not installed it as yet due to that fact!. :grr: It has other very good qualities but some of these bugs are really putting a damper on it :(

The Phantom on 15/1/2007 at 21:41

Good mission dyald :thumb: Excellent work
At some aspects it exceeds Damsel in distress. No city and mansion this time, but a keeper compound, a cave complex and an old temple. it's not as big and long as the first mission, but more linear which makes it clearer about what to do and where to go.

The briefing movie worked really well. The way the history of the Skygem (before Damsel in distress) is explained, the style of the art, the change of the drawings, and of course the music.
I immediately knew that it's from the Carmina Burana when I heard it. When i was 10 years old i sang this in several child concerts, including O Furtuna.
Great to hear this again in a Thief mission :D.

The camvator sequence is also a nice extra before starting the actual mision. I watched it several times to fully understand and see everything. And it was pretty humurous because of the scene outside the window on the streets, and a part of the conversation between Garrett and Keeper William :
Keeper William: knocks on door
Garrett: "Go away!"
Keeper William: unlocks door, walk inside and locks it behind him "Garrett, we must talk".
Garrett: "That was locked for a reason"
:cheeky:

Another nice Garrett imitation, SlyFoxx (where would Garrett be in fm's without your voice!) and also compliments to the voice actor who did Keeper William. Very clear and well spoken.
Sadly i couldn't hear the other conversations clearly because they were so soft. :erg:

Thanks to the movie, camvator sequence and the readables, the story about the Skygem is fully explained, and continues perfectly from the first part of the series.
More information is explained during the mission and new surprises appear, like the side quest about Gilly and her daughter Sarah, who are caught by Talanvor. Using the doll to let poor Sarah follow Garrett is a nice idea, a little different then in Saints and Thieves where you could highlight the children in order to halt/follow.

I knew we would see the villain Talanvor again. That he is the one who knows of the way to get back to the real world after placing the gem back in it's original place.
Quite a surprise to see that he continued his evil plans and has a whole new base of operations.

The mission has some interesting locations, like the hidden tomb, and the keeper's Training Course (finally another mission where Garrett can test his skills). Mocktown was really brilliant, with the wooden copies of townsfolk and guards placed in the streets. The first time i saw the guard i thought: huh, why doesn't he move. The old temple is also a nice creation, with the mechanist style design, crane control system, the force field and the alternative way of entering the temple (which was really useful).
A few things that were dissapointing are the absence of custom resources. The architecture is pretty good, but there is not so much variation in the style and this made the mission a little plane. At least to me.
Also it is pity that the keepers are not transparent like in other keeper missions as 'A Keeper's Betrayal' and 'Equilibrium'. it would've made infiltrating the compound a bigger challenge.

Overall it's clear that there's was a lot of time spent to make this a worthy sequel: the story, the (auto)maps, the voice acting, the movie and camvator sequence, the guardians, Talanvor's base of operations and the new design of his army, the secret grammaphone and dancing ai's, the puzzle of finding the code, rescueing Sarah, i loved every part of it :thumb:
Not a very difficult mission in the type of "Where do i have to go now", but some clever puzzles, traps and hidden things give it just the bit of progress-slowdown it needs. A mission to recommend!

Quote Posted by dyald

The next fm's name is a clue and much more is explained in it. I have still left out more of the details in it in case I make a third.

It didn't became Clue, but Skygem Connection sounds even better :thumb:

I really hope you make a third part, dyald. This story is definitely not over yet.
Now it's Garrett's job to enter the portal, place the skygem back in it's original place and use Talanvor's teleportal statues to return to the real world after the portal is collapsed.
And i expect that Talanvor comes after Garrett in the third part, because he spoiled his plans twice now. That should be an interesting confrontation.

A question:
-There is a scroll in Mock Town that says:
If someone borrowed my good hammer, please return it.
Can this hammer be found in the mission? Sounds like a valuable artifact for Garrett to take with him.

Statistics
Difficulty played: Master
Time taken: 1 hour, 34 minutes, 32 seconds
Loot found: 1710 out of 2185
Secrets found: 1 out of 2

SlyFoxx on 15/1/2007 at 22:47

Quote:

...and also compliments to the voice actor who did Keeper William. Very clear and well spoken.

Thanks!:cheeky: ;)

:sly:

Gripper on 16/1/2007 at 06:36

In the room with the masks, what is the code that opens the door? I have looked everywhere and can't find it...