Shadewood Q/A | 10.01.07

Well if you can do it, so can I. There are still those who ask me how Shadewood is coming along on the Almraiven module page now and again, so I've taken the time to create this little place to inform those who are eager to play the continuation of Almraiven. Q: Is Shadewood coming along? A: Yes, it's still being worked on and it's coming along. There are bugs that are still being ironed out. For anyone who builds, you know the type. Those small annoying bugs that pop-up when you complete another part of the module. Those small bugs that turn into bigger bugs because you never accounted for a particular scenario, which makes fixing them that much more annoying. Q: Is Shadewood in the beta stage? A: No, I have not sent it out to anyone to beta test yet. If you're one of those who offered to help, you have not been forgotten. Q: Must I have played Almraiven to play Shadewood? A: Yes and you must have completed it and you must have the Almraiven database files in your /database directory for Shadewood to work and run properly. If you've reinstalled Neverwinter Nights or formated your PC without backing up your /database directory, you will need to play Almraiven from start to finish to get all the required information into the Almraiven Bioware Database file. Q: Why can't I just play Shadewood? A: Shadewood is not a sequel. It's a continuation of the story in Almraiven, which one must complete to move forward in Shadewood. Certain variables and information are stored in the Almraiven database file that will determine your starting location in Shadewood, who your laboratory assistant is and what other events unfolded in the city. Q: There is a HAK for Shadewood on the Vault. Should I download it? A: No. If you have, you will have to download it again when it's updated. I uploaded it thinking I wouldn't be adding anything else to it and that was not the case as Shadewood was being developed. Q: What can we expect in Shadewood? A: Shadewood is a darker module, not only in area design but also in the story arc. Members of the Auren Society of Weavers focus on a magical weave they pull from the Land of the Dead to gain their power. Shadewood offers more focus on this aspect of the society than Almraiven did. The module is also non-linear in design, which is one of many reasons it's taken longer than expected to build. You can explore any region in the module without having to focus and advance the main story arc and complete side-quests as you see fit. Of course, the main story arc is linear and must be for certain events to unfold. One will also experience a higher volume of battles due to the fact you will now be exploring the wilderness. Some areas include tombs, caves and forgotten places, all dotted within the Forest of Mir, the Spider Swamp and the Marching Mountains.