Name: Dwemer Artificer
Version: 0.42
Date: 6/15/2012
Author(s): Phayze81

New In This Update
========

-Bug fixes for needlessly aggressive automata
-Adjusted Spider Drones so that they'll actually use thier handy Tazer Spit ability.
-Exploding Chickens. Seriously, check the end of the features section for details.

Description
========

Welcome to Phayze's Dwemer Artificer Mod (PDAM for short)! I know it's not the only, nor is it the best, "Build Dwemer Robots" mod out there, but it's mine and I'm proud of it. I hope you'll enjoy my unique variation on the theme, and that you'll take the time to endorse this file afer you've had a chance to fall in love with it.

So here's how it works:

1)Scavenge Parts - this is pretty self explanatory . . .
2)Find, buy, steal or otherwise acquire and then read crafting manuals for some type or another of automaton (read them a second time to remove that type of automaton from the smithing menu)
2)Build inert automata and a control rod at any forge (requires Dwarven Smithing Perk)
3)Drop those automata onto the ground
4)Shoot them with your control rod to power them up
5)Wreak havok
6)Shoot them again to power them down so you can pack them up and put them away . . . or use them as groovy statues to spruce up your rockin' hero-pad! (I don't know why, but if you have trouble with this try aiming for the automaton's "feet".)

Also, this mod will allow you to:

-Upgrade your basic model automata with specialized modules for stealth, ranged or melee combat (actually applying the upgrades requires the Advanced Smithing perk). These modules can be found in dwemer loot, or built at a forge if you have read the correct instructions and possess the necessary parts. Note that the new Spider Drones have unique support bonuses (extra carry weight and repair abilities) that they will lose when upgraded to a combat oriented model.

-Build field repair kits that you can use on your mecha-minions to keep them in tip-top fighting shape! (Don't tell anyone, but they're secretly scrolls)

-Leggy luggage! You can now open up the storage compartment under your steam-powered friends' armor plating and store your gear there! Once deactivated, whatever your little pal was carrying will be automagically transferred into your inventory - no muss, no fuss!

-Build a training buddy! Once activated, our special crash-test-spiders will become instantly hostile and start attacking you (and probably anything else in sight). Let them wail on you with low-power attacks to train your armor/restoration and/or wail back to train your weapon/destruction skills. They're pretty durable, but as a safety feature they are built with highly conductive materials which make them quite weak to shock-based attacks.

-BUILD A CENTURION!!! By popular demand, I have enabled Centurions for crafting, though honestly I don't understand the appeal. They're big, slow and don't fit through doors, but if you want one, you got one. You'll need a centurion dynamo (among other things) to build one, and most of those are currently in use, so good luck with that. However, there's also a certain quest from which one acquires some "ancient knowledge" that may be useful...

-Calcelmo has a new employee working at his museum in Markarth - what he doesn't know, however, is that Arvail hasn't got much in the way of employer lotalty, so if you're in a bind and have more cash than time to blow you can always see him to pick up a few of the harder to reach items.

-Having trouble finding that one special part needed for your newest mechanical pal? No worries! With the Advanced Armors perk, you can now craft your own cogs, gears, plate metal and what-have-you from dwemer ingots at the forge (under MISC). If you have trouble finding control crystals and can't afford Arvail's prices, then you might be able to salvage one from a Centurion Dynamo (with Advanced Armors perk) or just create one yourself (with Arcane Smithing Perk).

-Cock-a-doodle-BOOM! Invented by an eccentric genius, these chicken-like automata patrol their surroundings just waiting for something stupid enough to get close enough to touch them. Be warned, once the fuse is lit on these little beasties, there's no turning back!

-New model for Field Repair Kits! They're really cool. You'll love 'em.


FUTURE PLANS:

MORE variations of the basic automata
Unique textures for variants (currently working with a skilled texture artist for this, but more help is good so tell me if you're interested in contributing)
Unique models, schematics and textures for things like the control rod, upgrade modules, repair kits, and whatever else gets added (if you're handy with those things, please PM me!)
Craftable "rebuild kits" that wil allow reactivation of downed automata (this is close, but buggy)
Adjust and re-balance smithing recipes and automata stats based on user feedback (hint hint)
Adjust and re-balance recipes, values and rarity of prebuilt modules, control crystals and crafting manuals
New and exciting features for the control rod(!)
New and unique automata - steam-powered mounts, floating doomballs, mechanical chickens (this is not a joke. I want a mechanical chicken texture), that sort of thing (looking for a skilled modeller/animator for this - please help me!)

CONTACT:

The NexusForums posting for this mod will always be a good place to put questions, comments, and suggestions regarding it, but if you prefer something more personal then by all means feel free to PM me via the Nexus. I�m easily distracted and might not reply quickly (or at all...), but I promise to read and consider everything that users of the mod have to say about it.

I welcome all comments and constructive criticism - without that, I'll never be able to make this mod as awesome as it has the potential to be.

Requirements
==========

None.

Installation Instructions
=================

Now NMM-Ready!

Manual:
1. Copy the archive's contents to your Skyrim instalation folder and agree to whatever prompts you get.
2. Launch Skyrim Launcher (or your mod manager of choice) and check the box next to "Dwemer Artificer"
3. Play and Enjoy!
4. Come back here and endorse. :D

Uninstallation Instructions
===================
1. Delete the esp from your data directory
2. Delete anything that starts with "PDAM" from the "data/scripts" folder
3. Forget the whole thing ever happened.

Incompatability
===========

Some items have been added Dwarven loot tables, meaning that any other mod that does the same will likely conflict with this one. Those items can be purchased from Arvail at the Dwemer Museum, so all is not lost.

Known Issues
===========

Inert Spheres and Centurions have a weird habit of just hanging in midair. If you know anything about how to fix that, please let me know!

This mod should be considered BETA. By downloading and installing it, you assume responsibility for any and all enjoyment, accidental or otherwise, that you may receive from using it.

And bad stuff, too. You�re responsible for the bad stuff, not me.

Change Log
=========

06/15/2012 v0.42 Added new craftable chicken bombs and custom repair kit model. Tweaked shaders for upgraded automata. Tweaked Drone stats to make them use thier tazer attack more often.
06/5/2012 v0.4 Added crafting recipes for automaton components, specialized upgrade modules (and, in turn, specialized and upgraded automata types) and Centurions(!!). Changed recipe for inert spheres. Tweaks to automata levels. Added books that add PDAM items to the crafting menu when read, and remove them when read again. Spider Guardians became Spider Drones, and recieved a number of support-oriented abilities.
02/15/2012 v0.2 Rewrote the whole system to rely on scripts rather than magic, Increased the friendly spider's movement speed (tired of waiting for him), chose a more powerful version of the Sphere for crafting,
02/09/2012 v0.1 Enabled crafting of companion Spider and Sphere Guardians

Credits
======
Thanks to Bethsoft, naturally
Thanks to PurpleLunchbox, SaidenStorm, Cipscis, cscottydont, and Amethyst Deceiver on the Bethsoft forums for helping resolve my scripting issues - the mod wouldn't have happened without them!
Thanks to ArcaneSmith for the script that makes the crafting manuals work the way they do
Thanks to Venzar for the Readme generator
Thanks to you for playing and endorsing this mod (hint hint)
Thanks and thanks again to FakePersonality for creating the awesome chicken texture and repair kit model. Serious, go give him kudos, he deserves it.
Thanks to me for wasting waaaaay too much time trying to make this friggin thing actually work.


Licensing
=======

Because I�m too lazy to manage files on multiple sites, I will only be posting this mod to Skyrim Nexus, however I really don�t mind if someone else wants to take the initiative that I lack to post it elsewhere. In fact, I would consider it a personal favor and all I ask is that you do me the courtesy of letting me know where you�ve put it - mostly so I can post links on the mirrors page. I don't even care that much about credit.

Translations are also welcome, and encouraged! Please let me know if you translate this mod so that I can post a link to your translation on the mirrors page.