Work on Sanctum Chapter 2 is proceeding apace, now that I’ve finally made a decision to continue building in NWN1. I’ve worked out and implemented several important features that will be used in the new mod, and thought that an update about some of them might be of interest to my readers.

• Module Transfer and Starting Options. Chapter 2 opens in the same “waiting area” with the talking portal where Chapter 1 ends. I want to encourage everyone to hold on to their final savegame in the portal room from “The Sight” (not from the placeholder module!), because that will enable a smooth transition to Chapter 2 — preserving information about your game state such as items, companion relationships, permanent abilities, and so on. If you don’t transfer from a Chapter 1 savegame, you’ll only retain your items (if using an exported character), but will have to accept default values for the rest of your game variables. Plot-related items will be re-created or upgraded automatically for you, if necessary.
• Configuration Interview. The portal will talk you through what you need to do to configure your preferences for Chapter 2, and includes an extensive “troubleshooting” interview if you encounter any problems when starting. It will also let you select a class for the sequel’s new companion, to enable you to better balance the game for your character and personal playing style.
• Character Upgrades. I learned a great deal about designing effective characters and levelup packages in the year since I built Chapter 1, which I wanted to incorporate into Chapter 2. The sequel will give you the option of “upgrading” Robin and Orion to take advantage of these new packages, which include improved class, skill, feat, and spell selections that are also optimized for Chapter 2. Robin’s build in particular (in keeping with my vision of her) is a little more “roguish,” and includes a level of the custom “spy” package that I created for the series.
• Merging the Male and Female Robin Versions. I’ve now worked out a way to support Robin as a male or a female character in the same module, eliminating the need for two different versions. The configuration interview will give you the option to choose which version of Robin to play with or upgrade to — even if you played the opposite gender in Chapter 1.
• Travel. Chapter 2 will involve traveling significant distances across the eastern part of the World of Glorn. This in turn required me to develop an approach to making that extensive travel possible, both in terms of the story, and in terms of game mechanics. I’ve now implemented and tested a fairly elaborate system for this, which I think turned out to be surprisingly authentic and that players may get a real role-playing kick out of.
• Dialogues. I’m currently writing the early “extended dialogues” with Robin and Orion that I promised at the end of Sanctum 1. I just finished Robin’s, and at just over 6000 words, it turned out by far to be the most complex and ambitious conversation that I’ve ever written. And while I won’t spoil what you talk about, I will hint that it does include a long-overdue discussion (if you’re playing the romance) about what’s really going on with your relationship…