True Vision and Light EE by the Grymlorde

True Vision & Light for NWN Enhanced Edition

a.k.a Enhanced Edition version of PnP Vision & Light by The Grymlorde(TM)

Thanks to the Enhanced Edition of NWN by Beamdog and the HDR Shader Override by Symphony (included), it is now possible to use the exact area of effect for the PnP light sources and vision.

Three different sets of content to choose from:

3eVisionLightEE  - Vision and Light per the D&D 3rd edition ruleset ("feet")

BXVisionLightEE  - Vision and Light per the BECMI ruleset ("yards")

BioVisionLightEE - Vision and Light with true metric values ("meters")

Reasons for this custom content:

1. BioWare gave Humans and Halflings "candlelight" vision which allows them to see in what is supposed to be pitch black darkness
2. BioWare implemented a light model which simulates distance in meters but in actuality is not true meters, e.g. 5 meters dim is actually 13 meters!
3. The default torch at 20 meters, is brighter than torches in every single edition of D&D
4. The light spell as written creates a 15m r. white light on creatures but a 20m white light on objects.
5. Every edition of D&D has the light spell with a 20' radius or smaller and a bright torch (yellow) color at best
6. The continual light spell in every edition of D&D is not equal to full daylight for wizards & sorcerers. Likewise for clerics in 3rd Edition and AD&D.

What I did:

Actual changes vary according to which content pack you select

• Changed the color of Human/Halfling vision to pitch black; rendering them effectively blind in total darkness.
• Changed the radius of Low-Light Vision, Darkvision, and Ultravision to 30', 60', and 60' respectively
• Changed the radius of the Light item properties (feet, yards, or true meters)
• Changed the torch radius (In the B/X pack)
• Changed the light and continual light spells (3e & B/X packs)

Each package contains:

\hak\      A hak useable by players and builders
\override\ Alternatively all the files in the override
\erf\      light spells, compiled and source (3e and B/X packs)

Instructions:

Pick one package to try (3e, BX, or Bio)

Players - Option 1 (Recommended): Use the hak as a userpatch-hak.

- Option 2 (If you don't know how to create a userpatch): Dump the contents of the override directory into your Neverwinter Nights override directory.

Builders - Option 1 (Recommended): Create your own hak using NWHak and the contents of the override except for the scripts. Import the scripts directly into your module.

- Option 2 (If you don't want to create your own hak): Use the existing hak.

Credits:

• TSR and Wizards of the Coast for the Dungeons & Dragons rules
• BioWare for the original light model, shader, light spell script, and continual light spell script.
• Niv for being the first to publish a customized light model
• Qlippoth for being the second to publish a customized light model
• The Grymlorde(TM) [that's me] for being the first to publish a customized light model with 100% black-out for Human/Halfling vision
• Beamdog for the Enhanced Edition of Neverwinter Nights, shader
• Symphony for his replacement EE shader
• The Grymlorde(TM) [that's me] for the revised light model and revised light spell & continual light spell scripts; as well as a metric ton of testing

FAQ

1. Are there any known bugs? Yes. Sometimes, a highlighted object can get stuck in highlight mode. To eliminate that, just leave the area and return.
2. Which version is right for me? Pick the 3rd edition version if you want true 3rd edition D&D rules. This version also works well for a Ravenloft Sinkhole of Evil or Classic Dungeon adventure. Pick the B/X version if you want a "realistic" lighting scheme. Pick the Bio version if you like the BioWare colors but want a true metric (what it says on the tin) set of lights.
3. What Advanced Frame Buffer Effects should I use? Always Enable Sharpen otherwise some skyboxes won't look right. I very strongly recommend turning on Ambient Occlusion as well. Experient with Vibrance and High Contrast to see what you like. Personally, I find that the amount of ambient light in the room where I play NWN makes a HUGE difference. Whenever possible, I play at night in a dark room with Vibrance and High Contrast turned off, especially when adventuring underground.
4. I thought Old School infravision was red? Actually, in the rules as written not true at all. AD&D in fact states that with infravision, everything looks dark blue and that only heat sources appear red. In Basic, Expert, Companion, Master, Immortal, & Rules Cyclopedia, infravision is grayscale with good vision out to 10 but gloomy beyond. In all versions of D&D prior to 3rd edtion, neither maps nor scrolls could be read with infravision.
5. Are you every going to release an original edition White Box 1974 version? The very first release of D&D in January 1974 said that natural infravision does not work in the dungeon for all PCs and their associates. In order to implement that properly in NWN means removing the Low-Light and Darkvision feats from PC races, classes, familiars, animal companions, and summoned monsters. I also means giving NPCs a +5 or more to their spot skill. In addition the perception range of PC associates will have to be set to Short and NPCs and Monsters to Long. So yeah, I might. Or maybe I'll wait until I finally post my 12-years-in-development mega dungeon module.