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Propylons 1.2
An Alternative to the Official Master Index Plugin
(2014-03-19)

REQUIRES
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

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Version 1.2 fixes a bug that prevented a quest update when talking to
a Savant. The topic only occurs early in the game and is optional so
there is no point in upgrading for an existing game, but bugs are
annoying so thanks to Logorouge on the Bethesda Forums for finding
the error and even providing the solution.

The "Unclean" entry is present to avoid a problem if loading this
mod and the official Master Index plugin into the same game and is
not a mistake.


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I grew tired of the linear quest structure of the official Master
Index plugin. I also disliked the idea that the propylon network
was rendered worthless until you had found all of the index
stones and then suddenly you could go anywhere.

This is a reimplementation of the core ideas of that plugin, but
there are a number of significant changes.

1) Folms Mirel won't pay you for the index stones.
2) He will give you modifed, enchanted versions instead.
(He's an enchanter after all, why would he pay you in cash?)
3) He won't tell you exactly where to find each one.
4) You will have to track down the stones through rumors.
(If he knew where they were he could just go get them himself.)
5) There will be some failed attempts at making new index stones.
6) Using the propylons now costs Magicka and Fatigue points.
a) 5 Magicka and 25 Fatigue if you have the right index stone.
b) 80 Magicka and 400 Fatigue if you don't.
(These things are hungry for Magicka. So if you have 70 Magicka
points and run up to touch a propylon, expect to lose those 70
and get nothing for your trouble. What made you think it was
a good idea to touch that shiny glowing pillar?)

Other than making the propylons consume Magicka and Fatigue I don't
think I've done anything radical here. Expect to find the index
stones in the same old places, but now you get a few hints if you
ask around.

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STORY

Folms Mirel wants to revive the old Dunmer transport system. Without
an Index the Magicka and Fatigue costs are just too high for most
people. (Now you can activate a propylons even without and index
stone for 80 Magicka and 400 Fatigue points, and with the correct
index you only need 5 Magicka and 25 Fatigue points.) The Index
stones were always rare and now there seem to be only one or two of
each left. Folms Mirel thinks he can duplicate the properties of an
Index stone to make new ones. (And eventually he'll get the idea to
combine the effects of multiple stones onto one Master Index stone.)
Now all he needs is an adventurer to track down all of them for him
and then test his copies.

To get started, take any Index to him. He'll explain his idea and ask
for help. Or, he might just ask you about it sometime if you stop to
chat. (You need to either visit a propylon chamber or talk to someone
who mentions them if you don't have an index with you.)

He's already seen the one in Irgola's shop. In fact, he has already
made a copy of it that needs testing. It doesn't work on the first
try, so he'll need you to help him track down the right ingredients
to complete the alchemy-like enchantment process. In addition to
Irgola's Index he needs the right kind of base stone, ebony, which
is why he's in Caldera. But he also needs to add something extra for
the enchantment process. He expects it to be another mineral or gem
and asks you to get diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and raw glass.

After you find out which of the new index stones really work, he'll
copy any others you bring him. He's collecting all of the originals
for himself, and he'll be selling copies to others, but you get one
for free.

The new Index stones can all be strapped to the wrist and worn to
provide reasonable armor protection as a light shield. The ten
new index stones (one for each Propylon) each have a relatively minor
castable movement spell embedded. (The 10 spells are Mark, Recall,
Almsivi Intervention, Divine Intervention, Jump, Levitate, Slowfall,
SwiftSwim, WaterWalking, and WaterBreathing.)

The original failed stones will also eventually get enchanted and
presented as rewards for the good work you do retrieving the original
index stones.

After you get all 10 stones, Folms gets the idea to create a master
index, but will only tell you that he has a suprise present for you.
After a few weeks, he presents you with the new master index stone
with it's own special enchantment.


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FIXING 1.0 ERRORS TO GET ALL OF THE STONES

Version 1.0 had a bug that is fixed now, but upgrading an existing
save game won't help. I assume no one is looking to upgrade an
existing saved game made almost 10 years ago, but just in case
here are the instructions for making version 1.0 work.

You get bonus stones at different stages. After the third working
stone, Folms should offer you a bonus glass index. If he doesn't,
type the command "Journal MS_propylon 67" into the console then
talk to him again. You might have to repeat the process for any
of the other bonus stones including the master index. Their
journal entries and appropriate timing are:

Stones Bonus Console Command
3 Glass Journal MS_propylon 67
5 Ebony Journal MS_propylon 73
7 Diamond Journal MS_propylon 79
9 Ruby Journal MS_propylon 85
10 Master Journal MS_propylon 90


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KNOWN INCOMPATABILITIES

None, so far.

This will run with or without the Master Index plugin.
If you load this without the Master Index plugin you may see
dialog warnings in the Warnings file and in the Construction Set,
but the dialog should still work correctly.


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INSTALLING THE PLUGIN

Unzip these files into your Morrowind\Data Files folder and
activate the propylons1.2.esp file in the Launcher program.


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CREDITS AND FEEDBACK

Thanks to Logorouge for finding the bug in version 1.1.

Thanks go to Bethesda for the Master Index plugin. The new index
stones are simply retextures of the master index mesh and one or
two lines of dialog have been reused.

Now, someone please take the next step and create a plugin to
clean out the outlaw and daedra infested strongholds and work
towards truely reviving the old transport network. If you need
to modify this in the process, go for it.

Adding a quest before gaining the master index might not be a
bad idea, but I couldn't think of anything worthy.

Please post comments and complaints on the forums.

Charles Cooley
[email protected]
cdcooley on the ES Forums