User:TechAngel85/Sandbox

Short Description

Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul is a script-free plugin for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Its main objective is to greatly improve the Artificial Intelligence (AI) of friendly NPCs (citizens) present in Skyrim in order to make them act and react like true humans, thereby increasing in-game immersion.

Long Description

Introduction

[center][size=6][b]Introduction[/b][/size][/center]
Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul is a plugin whose main objective is to greatly improve the Artificial Intelligence (AI) of friendly NPCs (citizens) in order to make them act and react like true humans in relation to an aggressor, thereby increasing in-game immersion. Concretely, this plugin deeply overhauls the AI used by NPCs citizens when they are in a “standard state” and in a “combat state”. The “alert state” is left untouched. To explain, an NPC is in a “standard state” when he is unaware of an aggressor, a “combat state” when he has detected an aggressor, and an “alert state” when he is aware of an aggressor that cannot be located.

Using an online WYSIWYG editor to get the BB code right and eliminate that as a barrier ~z929669 Talk 17:07, July 7, 2015 (EDT)

Combat State

[B][SIZE=6]Description

[COLOR=#6aa84f]Combat State[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

This plugin modifies the root AI used by NPCs when they are in combat. Specifically, this mod adds a new "Survival Instinct" feature to the NPC AI.

[SIZE=5][COLOR=#dc5135][B]Survival Instinct[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
Survival Instinct gives almost all the NPCs of Skyrim the ability to properly evaluate danger from an aggressor and respond to it more realistically while under attack. In short, if an NPC is attacked and has no chance of winning against an aggressor, that NPC will run away from the aggressor and attempt to find a safe place (a hideout).

Primarily, 4 parameters determine whether or not an NPC has a chance of winning:
[LIST=1]
[*]the NPC's current level
[*]the aggressor's current level
[*]the NPC's current health
[*]the NPC's current resistance to physical damage (armor & armor spells)[/LIST]The hideout is chosen randomly, and the number of hideouts NPCs can access depends on the size of the city in which they live. Hideouts can be an NPC's home, the local temple, the Jarl's stronghold, a mine, the barracks, etc.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]General Rules[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[LIST=1]
[*]If an NPC is attacked by an aggressor who is 10 levels or more above them, the NPC will flee.
[*]If the attacked NPC's health is lower than a threshold percentage of that NPC's maximum health, that NPC will flee from the aggressor. [/LIST]At the moment, I use 4 percentage thresholds: 50, 40, 30 and 20. These thresholds are assigned according to the NPC's resistance to physical damages. For example, an NPC wearing a cloth outfit will flee once his health goes under 50%, while an NPC wearing full heavy armor and a shield will only flee once his health dips below 20%.

[B]Additional Notes[/B]: 
[LIST]
[*]Follower(s) DO NOT use Survival Instinct.
[*]Survival Instinct will only be used by [I]friendly[/I] and [I]unique[/I] NPCs.
[*]NPCs will use Survival Instinct against aggressors added by other plugins (Skyrim Immersive Creatures, Elemental Dragons, etc.).
[*]NPCs will use Survival Instinct against the player character (PC).
[*]Friendly NPCs added by other plugins (3DNPC, Inconsequential NPCs, etc) will also use Survival Instinct.[/LIST]
[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]NPC-Specific Rules[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
In addition to the rules cited above, special rules have been assigned to NPCs according to their personalities and their social rank. These rules have priority over the general rules where they conflict.

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Civilian NPCs[/B]:[/COLOR] The NPCs within the "Civilian" category never try to counter the aggressor when attacked. If they are attacked, they’ll flee and try to alert the guards. An NPCs falls into the Civilian category when meeting ALL of the following requirements:
[LIST]
[*]The NPC is 10 levels below that NPC's maximum level
[*]The NPC is unarmored
[*]The NPC is unarmed (EXCEPTION: a dagger alone doesn't count as 'arms')[/LIST][COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Strategist NPCs[/B]:[/COLOR] The NPCs categorized as "Strategist" will tactically retreat for a few seconds once their health is reduced by half. During this move, they'll keep their distance while healing themselves and refreshing their protective spells. Once finished, the Strategist NPC will go back into the fight. An NPC falls in this category when meeting ALL of the following requirements:
[LIST]
[*]The NPC is a member of the College of Winterhold
[*]The NPC has a mana pool higher than 63[/LIST][COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Cautious NPCs[/B]:[/COLOR] The NPCs categorized as "Cautious" will flee when attacked by an "impressive" aggressor, even if the NPC is a higher level. Furthermore, these NPCs will flee [I]any[/I] aggressor who is more than 5 levels higher than them (instead of 10). Specifically, the following creatures are listed as being impressive: dragon, giant, giant spider and mammoth. An NPC is considered cautious when meeting ANY ONE of the following requirements:
[LIST]
[*]The NPC is a member of the Thieves Guild
[*]The NPC is a member of the Dark Brotherhood
[*]The NPC wears a cloth outfit (or is naked) and has no knowledge of protective spells[/LIST][COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Fearless NPCs[/B]:[/COLOR] The NPCs falling in the "Fearless" category fight to the death, regardless of their aggressor's attributes relative to their own. An NPC is considered fearless when meeting ANY ONE of the following requirements:
[LIST]
[*]The NPC is under the influence of a frenzy spell
[*]The NPC is dead (reanimated NPCs will fight until they turn to ash)
[*]The NPC is a member of the inner circle of the Companions
[*]The NPC is an Imperial
[*]The NPC is a Stormcloak
[/LIST][COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Khajiit Merchant NPCs[/B]:[/COLOR] Unlike the other NPCs of Skyrim, Khajiit merchants will stay outside cities when they decide to flee. If they are near a city, they will hide inside a guard tower (Solitude, Riften), inside a city wall (Whiterun, Markarth, Windhelm), or inside a mine (Dawnstar). If they decide to flee while traveling between cities, they'll flee in the direction of their destination.

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Sleeping Agent NPCs[/B]:[/COLOR] The vampires and Forsworn who hide among the NPCs of Skyrim will act as civilians unless they're attacked by the Dragonborn or if the time has come for them to show their true nature.

[URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/503897/?]Screenshots[/URL] and [URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBT5zAGhjNs]videos[/URL] are available for most of the above examples.

[SIZE=5][COLOR=#dc5135][B]Combat Styles[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
At this time, defensive combat styles have been assigned ONLY to official NPCs.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Warrior NPCs[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
NPCs assigned to the "Warrior" class rely upon counter attacks to survive. For example, most Warrior NPCs will bash their aggressors (with high probability of success), when an aggressor tries to perform a power attack or a rapid succession of regular attacks against the Warrior NPC. Once the aggressor is staggered, the Warrior NPC will only perform one or two regular attacks while the aggressor doesn't have time to block.

[SIZE=4][B][COLOR=#e69138]Mages & Thieves/Archers [/COLOR][/B][/SIZE]
Mages and Archers will get out of melee as soon as possible, staying at range behind cover, without pursuing their aggressor.

Standard State

[SIZE=6][COLOR=#6aa84f][B]Standard State [WIP][/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

This plugin modifies the general behavior of NPCs while not in combat. This mod can be viewed as an Unofficial AI fix.

[SIZE=5][COLOR=#dc5135][B]Human Behavior[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
The AI of each named NPC is customized according to the NPC's personal stories, social rank, personality, and relationships. To keep the description as short as possible, the AI of each NPC is not addressed specifically. Instead, the general concepts and the templates used are described as a starting point.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]General Behaviors[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE] (shared by all NPCs)
The NPCs will now eat between 2 and 3 times per day and sleep at least 6 hours per day. The sleep & meal times (while not sleeping) vary among NPCs within the following confines:
[LIST]
[*]NPCs to go to bed: between 9 pm and 3 am
[*]NPCs wake up : between 5 am and 9 am[/LIST]These schedules are mainly assigned according to the job of the NPC. Thus, an innkeeper will go sleep around 3 am while stallholders will start to sleep around 9 pm.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Specific Behaviors[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
According to their personal stories, social ranks, jobs, personalities, and relationships, some NPCs will regularly perform specific or unique activities. Here some examples of specific activities (most of them are associated with a job). 

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Hunter[/B]:[/COLOR] The NPC will hunt game (deer, horker, hare, and fox) in the areas around the NPCs associated city/village. This will occur around 3 times per week during the morning hours. During the hunt, the NPC will check different areas and to locate and hunt preyt. If successful, the NPC will loot the corpse (pelt, meat, and alchemy components). The hunt process is reiterated until a specific amount of meat is looted, or when the hunt time frame time expires. [URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/500710/?]Screenshots[/URL], [URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBT5zAGhjNs]Video[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Priest of Kynareth[/B]:[/COLOR] The priests of Kynareth will pray to their goddess several time a day. They will also organize praying sessions with believers. When they aren't praying, they'll clean the temple and heal the wounded. Sometimes they'll go to the market before it closes. ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/452741/?]Screenshots[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Priest of Arkay[/B]:[/COLOR]  The priests of Arkay will pray several time per day in front of their altar. They will also bless the dead. Other duties consist of cleaning the temple and the gravyard. They might also be found at the market before it closes. ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/502535/?]Screenshots[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Rambler[/B]:[/COLOR] Some NPCs will stroll outside their city/village for various reasons:
[LIST]
[*]to enjoy the view of some landscapes
[*]to loot some alchemy components
[*]to travel to another village/city[/LIST][COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Lover[/B]:[/COLOR] NPCs involved in a romance will meet regularly in low-populated areas. If it is a forbidden romance, they will meet outside their city/village. ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/501079/?]Screenshots[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Horse Rider[/B]:[/COLOR] NPCs will use a horse if they have to travel long distances. Therefore, several horses have been added near the stables. ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/456014/?]Screenshots[/URL], [URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/videos/3056/?]Video[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Swordsman[/B]:[/COLOR] NPCs using their swords to make their living (i.e., Warrior NPCs) will train themselves regularly in the art of fighting. Some will use their weapons against practice dummies (unless they use two-handed weapons) while others will have a sparring partner. ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/457449/?]Screenshots[/URL], [URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/498155/?]more Screenshots[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Servant[/B]:[/COLOR] Servants will perform all the tasks that you expect them to do. They'll cook between 2 and 3 times a day and clean the house of their employer daily. Sometimes they'll chop wood and carry firewood near their employer's fire pit. During the morning hours, they will go to the market to buy food.

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Lumberjack[/B]:[/COLOR] The lumberjack will use the sawmill daily. If there are several lumberjacks for one sawmill, there will be a turnover. They will also chop wood with an axe and deliver the firewood to the surrounding houses. Sometimes they will fix wooden walls.

[B][COLOR=#f9cb9c]Farmer[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#f9cb9c]:[/COLOR] Farmers will work daily in the field. If a farmer works on a farm with multiple fields, the Farmer will choose from among them each day randomly. If there are chickens, he’ll feed them daily. If there are cows, he'll bring them water daily (some animations have been restored). If there is a grain mill, he'll use it regularly, and sometimes he’ll tan an animal's hide or seal barrels containing food. ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/497877/?]Screenshots[/URL])

[B][COLOR=#f9cb9c]Beggar[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#f9cb9c]:[/COLOR] Beggars will spend most of their time at the market asking for charity. When the market is closed, you’ll find them drinking or sleeping in marginalized areas.

[B]Additional Notes:[/B] 
Some of the templates described above have been combined and assigned to several NPCs. For example, if an NPC owns a farm and a sawmill, he will act both as a lumberjack and a farmer. Let’s take a more specific example with Uthgerd: she will act as a swordsman, a rambler, and a horse rider. She will also perform more general activities during her free time. In short, many NPCs will have a unique behavior and will act differently day after day.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Free Time[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
To humanize the citizens of Skyrim, every day NPCs will choose randomly among one or several activities chosen from a predefined list, customized  to many NPCs. The longer an NPC lives in a big city, the higher the number of activities to which that NPC is given access. Here are some examples of activities:
[LIST]
[*]shopping at the market or at a general goods store or at a specialized store
[*]praying at the local temple
[*]drinking at the local tavern
[*]resting at home
[*]praying or standing in front of a grave[/LIST]In short, each day, NPCs will act differently ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/460110/?]Screenshots[/URL], [URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/500610/?]more Screenshots[/URL], [URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfoVRV0eRb4]Video[/URL]).

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Enhanced Social Interaction[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Random Conversations[/B]: [/COLOR]To improve the social interaction between NPCs, all the conversations are being restored and recorded but not implemented in game. For each city/village, the number of unique conversation will be approximately doubled. ([URL=]Video 1[/URL], [URL=]Video 2[/URL], [URL=]Video 3[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Family[/B]: [/COLOR]At least 1 time per day, the members of the same family will meet to have a meal unless tension exists between them or some of them live in different cities. ([URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/457234/?]Screenshots[/URL], [URL=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/500350/?]more Screenshots[/URL]) 

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]NPC-Dependent Behavior[/B]:[/COLOR] Some NPCs will change their behavior around other NPCs. This is especially true for children or NPCs engaged in group activities. Thus, if an NPC dies, the behavior of some other NPCs may change.

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]NPC Greetings[/B]:[/COLOR] The probability for an NPC to engage in conversation with you has been drastically reduced except in cases where it’s part of their job or disposition. In practice, only the merchants, beggars, and messengers will engage regularly in conversation with you. So when you see Nazeem, you won’t feel the need to kill him or run away from him anymore. This feature applies to all guards from any city/village and any official DLC.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Weather Influence[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
In Skyrim, the weather is sorted among 4 categories:
[LIST]
[*]Pleasant
[*]Cloudy (foggy weathers also fall in this category)
[*]Rainy
[*]Snowy (sandstorms also fall in this category)[/LIST]The citizens will adapt their activities according to these weather categories.

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Take Shelter[/B]:[/COLOR] If it’s raining or snowing, NPCs will stop outdoor activities unless they can continue under a shelter, or if their work is critical. Otherwise, they’ll perform an activity taking place inside a building (a shop, a temple, a tavern, their home, etc.). The activity is chosen randomly from a predefined list. Each NPC will use a list customized according to his personal stories, social rank, personality, and relationships. 

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Go Home[/B]:[/COLOR] This feature has been developed for new NPCs added by mods like 3DNPC, Inconsequential NPCs, etc. During snowy or rainy weather, these NPCs will also stop their outdoor activities. However, contrary to the vanilla NPCs, they’ll just go back to their homes or to the local inn (if they are homeless). Note that NPCs won’t use this feature if they have one of the following jobs ([URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYXJVJdogyA]Video[/URL]):
[LIST]
[*]Miner
[*]Lumberjack
[*]Blacksmith
[*]Ferryman
[*]Carrier[/LIST][B]Additional Note:[/B]
Some vanilla NPCs will use this feature temporally until the AI is fully customized for all NPC classes. For more information, see "Modifications Overview" below.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Quest-Givers' Behaviors[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
When an NPC gives the PC a quest, he'll continue to lead a normal life. For now, this applies only to the following quests:
[LIST]
[*]The Golden Claw
[*]Trouble in Skyrim, Stealing Plans, Striking the Heart, and all the radiant quests given by the Companions
[*]The Blessings of Nature[/LIST]This will prevent the appearance of non-immersive situations. One of the most infamous is Lucan Valerius maintaining “The Riverwood Trader” 24/7 until the “The Golden Claw” quest is completed.

[COLOR=#e69138][SIZE=4][B]Other Behavior[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Heimskr[/B]:[/COLOR] Instead of annoying you from 5 am to 8 pm, Heimskr will only annoy you between 2 pm and 6 pm. ([URL=http://onlinehtmltools.com/bbcode-html-convertor/phpdemo.php]Screenshots[/URL])

[COLOR=#f9cb9c][B]Guards[/B]:[/COLOR] Guards are largely a WIP. For now, you’ll find some guards spending their money at “The Bannered Mare” at night.

[SIZE=5][COLOR=#dc5135][B]Miscellaneous[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Opening time for shops[/B]:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[LIST]
[*]The market: between 6 am and 5 pm (closed during snowy or rainy weather)
[*]The Drunken Huntsman: between 8 am and midnight.
[*]General goods vendor: between 8 am and 8 pm
[*]Apothecary: between 8 am and 8 pm
[*]Fletcher: between 8 am and 8 pm[
[*]Blacksmith: 6 am and 6 pm (if he works outdoor), otherwise between 8 am and 8 pm[/LIST]
[SIZE=6][COLOR=#6aa84f][B]Bug Fixes[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
This mod fixes many navmesh issues, scenes and other bugs that caused NPCs to stop moving. I’ll publish later a list containing all the bugs that I’ve fixed (once I find the time and the motivation). 

Modifications Overview

[CENTER][B][SIZE=6]Modifications Overview[/SIZE][/B]
With some exceptions mentioned previously, this plugin only affects the NPCs which are friendly and unique (named).[/CENTER]

[COLOR=#e69138][B][SIZE=4]Official NPCs[/SIZE][/B]
[/COLOR]At this time, NPC AI been improved in the zones and factions shown below. The color code shows inplemented features for each area and each faction.

[COLOR=#93c47d][B]Green[/B]:[/COLOR]Survival Instinct, Combat Style, Basic Behavior, Specific Behavior, Free Time, Take Shelter & Social Interaction
[COLOR=#ffe599][B]Yellow[/B]:[/COLOR] "Survival Instinct," "Go Home," and Combat Style
[COLOR=#999999][B]Grey[/B]:[/COLOR] The AI of NPCs haven't been modified yet.

[B]Cities:[/B][COLOR=#ffe599]Dawntar[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Falkreath[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Markarth[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Morthal[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Raven Rock[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Riften[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Solitude[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#93c47d]Whiterun[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Windhelm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Winterhold[/COLOR]

[B]Towns:[/B] [COLOR=#ffe599]Dragon Bridge[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Ivarstead[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Karthwasten[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#93c47d]Riverwood[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Rorikstead[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Shor’s Stone[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Skaal Village[/COLOR]

[B]Settlements:[/B] [COLOR=#ffe599]Darkwater Crossing[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#93c47d]Honningbrew Meadery[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Kolskeggr Mine[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Kynesgrove[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Left Hand Mine[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Nightgate Inn[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Old Hroldan Inn[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Soljund’s Sinkhole[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Stonehills[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Tel Mithryn[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Whistling Mine[/COLOR]

[B]Strongholds:[/B] [COLOR=#999999]Dushnikh Yal[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#999999]Largashbur[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#999999]Mor Khazgur[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#999999]Narzulbur[/COLOR]

[B]Farms and Mills:[/B] [COLOR=#ffe599]Anga’s Mill[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#93c47d]Battle-Born Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#93c47d]Chillfurrow Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Half-Moon Mill[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Heartwood Mill[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Hlaalu Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Holly frost Farm[/COLOR] |

[COLOR=#ffe599]Katla’s Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Loreius Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Merryfair Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Mixwater Mill[/COLOR] |[COLOR=#6aa84f] [COLOR=#93c47d]Pelagia Farm[/COLOR][/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Salvius Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Sarethi Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Snow-Shod Farm[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#ffe599]Solitude Sawmill[/COLOR]

[B]Faction:[/B] [COLOR=#93c47d]Companions[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#999999]Dark Brotherhood[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#999999]Dawnguard[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#93c47d]Khajiit Caravan[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#999999]Thieves Guild[/COLOR] | [COLOR=#999999]Volkihar Vampire Clan[/COLOR]

[COLOR=#e69138][B]Unofficial NPCs[/B][/COLOR]
When using one or more plugins that add friendly and unique NPCs, "Survival Instinct" and "Go Home" will be implemented in these NPCs. Note that, like "Wet & Cold" or "Run for Your Lives", this mod will handle some additional NPCs with the following limitations:
[LIST]
[*]For the additional NPCs assigned to official places, the limitation is 50 extra NPCs per official cities/towns/settlements. 
[*]For the additional NPCs assigned to new places, the limitation is 100 extra NPCs per hold (region). For a reminder, Tamriel is subdivised in 9 hold.
[*]Note that if you install on an old save a mod which adds extra NPCs while my plugin is already active in this save, those extra NPCs won't use the features "Survival Instinct" & "Go Home".[/LIST]

Impact

[CENTER][SIZE=6][B]Gameplay Impact[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]A third way to play thief ...[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
By default, in Skyrim, there are two efficient ways to burgle a house: either you sneak in discreetly, or you kill its occupant. My plugin adds a third option.

Indeed, with my "Survival Instinct" feature, the player will also be capable performing violent robberies or extortion. All you need to do is beat the house's occupant until he decides to flee. Even if the beaten NPC decides to flee to a corner of his house, the bounty incurred by stealing his valuables in front of him will be ridiculously low compared to the value of the stolen items. However, keep in mind that if you beat an NPC while a guard is nearby, the guard will try to arrest you. Therefore, you will need to either bribe the guard or analyze the patrol routes used by the guards before you act.

Compatibility

[CENTER][SIZE=6][B]Compatibility[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Plugin Interactions & AI Edits[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
My plugin is compatible with almost everything, even with the plugins which modify the AI. For example, let’s say you use the following list of mods: Wet & Cold, Holidays, Run for Your Lives, When Vampires Attack, Sleeping Innkeepers, Enhanced Skyrim Factions: The Companions Guild and my plugin. 

Whatever your load order, the game engine will use the modifications done on the AI by these plugins according to this order of priority (from top to bottom):
[LIST=1]
[*][B]Run For Your Lives & When Vampires Attack[/B], [COLOR=#6aa84f]condition:[/COLOR] A vampire or a dragon is on the move and the NPCs are out of combat.
[*][B]Wet & Cold[/B], [COLOR=#6aa84f]conditions:[/COLOR] The “go home” feature has been activated in the MCM menu and it’s raining or snowing     
[*][B]Holidays[/B], [COLOR=#6aa84f]condition:[/COLOR] Active only during specific dates
[*][B]Immersive Citizens – AI Overhaul[/B], [COLOR=#6aa84f]condition:[/COLOR] none
[*][B]Enhanced Skyrim Factions – The Companions Guild[/B], [COLOR=#6aa84f]condition:[/COLOR] none
[*][B]Sleeping Innkeepers[/B], [COLOR=#6aa84f]condition:[/COLOR] none[/LIST]As I’ve already overhauled the AI of all members of the Companions, this means that the game engine will never use the AI modifications done by the mod “Enhanced Skyrim Factions: The Companions Guild”, but it will still use all the other features from this mod.

If you have “Wet & Cold” installed, the game engine will use my feature “weather influence” only if you deactivate the “go home” feature in the “Wet & Cold” Configuration Menu.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Interaction with "Touring Carriages" [/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
If you use my plugin along with "Touring Carriages", you will get fewer error messages from "Touring Carriages" because I fixed several navmesh bugs. When you use a carriage, all the NPCs (monsters included) will regard you as a friend. The carriage driver as well as the followers will be also regarded as friend by all the NPCs. So when you use a carriage, the carriage driver won't flee if a hostile is prowling around.
Once you leave the carriage, this friendship ends, therefore the carriage driver can can be attacked, and, if necessary, he can flee. 

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Interaction with "Follower Overhauls" such as UFO, AFT & EFF[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
If you use UFO or EFF, your follower(s) won’t use the “Survival Instinct” feature.
If you use AFT, you have the possibility to turn on/off the feature "Survival Instinct" for your follower(s). With AFT, "Survival Instinct" is activated by default. To disable it or to reactivate it, talk to your follower(s), go in the tweak menu, then in the combat menu, choose a combat style to disable it or choose 'None' to reactivate it. 

[SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]Incompatible Plugins[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
My plugin is compatible with almost everything. The only mods that may cause issues are mods which edit the architecture of cities or the architecture of interior rooms. Here are the 3 categories of mods which will cause troubles without a compatibility patch:   
[LIST=1]
[*]The mods adding new houses or walls in the following areas: Dragon Bridge, Whiterun and Windhelm Docks
[*]The mods moving the position of houses or walls in the following areas: Dawnstar, Dragon Bridge, Riverwood, Whiterun, Whiterun's outskirt, and Windhelm's Docks
[*]The mods which remove or add furniture, such as tables or chairs, in the following houses: Shop, Inn, Jorrvaskr, Dragonsreach. So, it means that mods such Dawn of Skyrim, Beautiful Whiterun, Towns and Villages Enhanced - Whiterun or Perfect Whiterun are fully compatible.[/LIST][B]A compatibility patch is available for the following mods:[/B]
[LIST]
[*]Cutting Room Floor
[*]Open Cities Skyrim
[*]Provincial Courier Service
[*]Realistic Room Rental Enhanced (you don't need a compatibility patch for the basic version)
[*]Enhanced Lights and FX (only required if you use ELFXEnhancer.esp)
[*]Enhanced Lighting for ENB[/LIST][B]Incompatible and unsupported mods:[/B]
[LIST]
[*]Better Jorrvaskr
[*]Breezehome TNF - Elianora's Flavour (the only Breezehome mod which is not compatible, so TNF done by goatk is compatible)
[*]ETaC - complete
[*]Immersive Settlements (Immersive Whiterun/Dawnstar/Dragon Bridge)
[*]JK's Skyrim
[*]The Useless Shop and Interior Overhaul
[*]Riverwood reborn / Riverwood reborn 2 / Riverwood Redux
[*]Skyfall Estate - Buildable Edition / Skyfall Estate - Multiple Adoption Friendly
[*]SkyFix - Riverwood Redeveloped
[*]Skyrim Bridges (use Skyrim Better Roads instead)
[*]Skyrim Radioactive
[*]Thornrock (I recommend Elysium Estate)
[*]Whiterun Outskirts Market[/LIST][SIZE=4][COLOR=#e69138][B]TES5Edit[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
If you're used to doing your own compatibility patches with TES5edit, don't try to do a compatibility patch involving my plugin for the following type of entries:
[LIST]
[*]Navmesh
[*]Quest
[*]Scene
[*]Story Manager Quest Node[/LIST]Due to the way TES5edit displays the information stored in these entries, it's impossible to do a functional compatibility patch involving these entries. For information, the compatibility patches for OCS, RRR, CRF & PCS have been made with the Creation Kit.[/LIST]

Installation

[center][b][size=6]Installation & Load Order[/b]

[b][color=#f9cb9c]Requirements[/color][/b]
Skyrim 1.9.32.0.8 or greater
Dawnguard
Dragonborn

[b][color=#f9cb9c]Installation[/color][/b]
You can use any mod installer such as NMM, WB or MO.
For a manual install, download the main file and the compatibility patches (if needed), then extract the file(s) into your Skyrim data directory: ...\Steam\SteamApps\common\Skyrim\data 

Additional Notes:
[list]
[*][color=#ff0000]The first time that you load my plugin, the first loading screen will be frozen for some time (it takes around 30 seconds for me). If you have a low rig, it will take more times. Once this step is over, the loading screen duration will return to normal.[/color]
[/list]
[list]
[*]I recommend to start a new game, because an essential fix that I performed is not retroactive. This fix has been done to solve the following bug: by default, a dragon doesn't regard most of the citizens as an enemy; therefore, it'll ignore most of the citizens when it attacks a city. As a result, most of the citizens will ignore the dragons, which is rather weird.
[*]If you use plugins which add extra citizens, the install order as well as the load order doesn't matter. Before starting a new game, make sure that my plugin as well as the plugins which add extra citizens are activated.
[*]If you use "Cutting Room Floor" & "Touring Carriage", uninstall the TC-CRF patch and install my compatibility patch for "Cutting Room Floor".
[*]If you use Wet & Cold" and you want to use my feature "Weather Influence", don't forget to disable the "go home" feature in the MCM Menu dedicated to Wet & Cold.
[/list]

[b][color=#f9cb9c]Load order[/color][/b]
If you don't know how to use TES5edit to optimize your load order, I recommend you put this plugin near the bottom of your load order or at the very bottom. Here are the following constraints you must respect:

- My plugin must be positioned above:
[list]
[*]Realistic Lighting Overhaul
[*]Enhanced Lights and FX
[*]Enhanced Lighting for ENB
[/list]
- My plugin must be positioned below: 
[list]
[*]any plugin which edits Breezehome, Honeyside, Vlindrel, Hall Hjerim or Proudspire Manor
[*]any plugins which don't require Dragonborn to work (the only execptions are RLO, ELE & ELFX).
[*]Deadly Dragons
[*]Inconsequential NPCs
[*]Requiem
[*]Touring Carriages
[*]Whiterun Mansion
[/list]
Additional notes: 
[list]
[*]If you use "Open Cities Skyrim" or Provincial "Courier Service", I recommend to position them right above my plugin.
[*]If you use a plugin which is not listed as being incompatible and which edits one or several navmeshes that I've also modified, my plugin has to be the conflict winner. You don't need do to do a compatibility patch.
[/list]

Troubleshooting

[center][b][size=6]TroubleShooting[/size][/b][/center]

I strongly recommend to use USKP as well as UDGP and UDBP. My plugin has been made and tested with those plugins, so I don't know how it may work without them. 
The use of  Multiple Floors Sandboxing" is not recommended as that plugin performs harmful modifications (more detail is available in the FAQ) which will cause issues (with or without my plugin); besides that, that plugin loses its interest if you use my mod. 
[b][color=#f9cb9c]I'm stuck at the loading screen when I try to load your plugin 
The loading screen started to freeze as soon I installed your mod[/color][/b]
The first time that you load my plugin, the initial loading screen can take really long. Once this step is over, the loading screen duration will return to normal. This issue will be fixed today or tomorrow.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]My game crashes (CTD) before I reach the main menu[/b][/color]
Either you don't meet the requirements (you don't have Dragonborn or Dawnguard or use a pirated version of Skyrim), you have installed a compatibility patch that you don't need, or your plugin load order is wrong. Start [url=http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/25859/?]TES5edit[/url], select all your plugins and press OK. If a plugin is missing or if your load order is wrong, TES5edit will give you an error message as well as the name of the missing plugin or the name of the poorly sorted plugin.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Most NPCs gather in some areas, then they stop to move and remain there for several hours or forever.
Most NPCs don't enter their home or don't leave their home.[/color][/b]
This happens when the game engine uses broken navmeshes; as a result, the pathfinding algorithm is stuck in an infinite loop while the NPCs are waiting for an answer from it. Either it's caused by a single plugin or by a conflict between 2 plugins. Hopefully it's reversible as soon as you remove the culprit.
[list]
[*]First, make sure that you have respected my recommendations about the load order: my plugin should be at the very bottom or almost.
[*]Then, check if you don't use a plugin listed as being incompatible such as "Breezehome TNF - Elianora's Flavour".
[*]If you use "Multiple Floors Sandboxing", uninstall it
[*]If the issue persists, remove the plugins which edits the architecture of the area in which the issue occurs
[/list]
[color=#f9cb9c][b]The citizens don't talk to other NPCs or have stopped taking to other NPCs[/b][/color]
This bug is present in Skyrim by default. Without SKSE, it is probably impossible to fix it. However, most of the time, I've been able to prevent it from appearing. 

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Some citizens aren't afraid when a dragon attacks their city.[/b][/color]
By default, a dragon doesn't regard most of the citizens as an enemy and will ignore most of the citizens. As a result, most of the citizens will ignore the dragons. I've found a way to fix this bug, but the fix isn't retroactive. You need to start a new game to fix this problem.
Also, if you use the plugin "Deadly Dragons", don't forget to put it above my plugin in your load order.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]The bards still sing for ages (in short they don't go to sleep)[/b][/color]
I tried countless times to fix that without editing the scripts involved, but I failed. For now, you need to ask him to stop singing by talking to him.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Vilkas and Kodlak are still statics[/b][/color]
This is how their AI have been designed by Bethesda when those 2 NPCs are involved in the quest "Take Up Arms". That quest is automatically activated once you start a new game. You have 2 options: either you join the Companions by completing this quest or you wait until I improve this terrible quest design.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Aela stands in front of a dummy without hitting it or Anoriath uses no arrow while aiming at prey.[/b][/color]
This bug is caused by a plugin such as "Equipping Overhaul".  If you use "Equipping Overhaul", the NPCs will have problems when they want to switch weapons. This happens especially with archers when they switch their bow to a dagger or vice versa. So, this bug occurs with or without my plugin. In the worst case, Aela will stand in front of a dummy for 2 hours (ig). If you use the console command resetinventory on her, she won't be stuck anymore in a fight stance. The same command works also for Anoriath.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Some NPCs uses their torches while they are in a room.[/b][/color]
I didn't touch the way the NPCs use their torch. This is caused by a plugin such as "Immersive NPC in the dark". 

[b][color=#f9cb9c]I can't challenge Uthgerd in a hand to hand duel.[/color][/b]
The dialogue to challenge her will only show if Uthgerd is in the Bannered Mare. This has been done on purpose, because if you challenge her outside the Bannered Mare, the brawl script won't work correctly. 

FAQs

[center][size=6][b]FAQ[/b][/size][/center]

[b][color=#f9cb9c]Do you use scripts / is it script-intensive?[/color][/b]
No, this plugin uses no scripts.
[b][color=#f9cb9c]What time scale is safe to use?[/color][/b]
The AI has been designed to use the default time scale (20). It will work with any values between 0 and 20 (I don't see the point to increase the value unless to perform tests); however, I don't recommend to go under 10 because, beyond that, there are boring downsides. For example, if you use a value of 10, the time between the dragon attacks is increased by 2, the conversations between the citizens will need twice more time to reset, the citizens will need twice more time to leave their house after an attack, etc. Moreover, a lot of quests or mods (such as "Holiday" from Isoku) use the clock in game.
Note that some people claim that glitches occur by using values below X. In my opinion, it's misinformation spread by people who don't know how the AI works. 
[color=#f9cb9c][b]
Is it interesting to keep the following mods:
[color=#fce5cd]When Vampires Attack: [/color][/b][/color]Honestly, I don’t see the point to use both it and this mod.
[color=#fce5cd][b]Guard Dialogue Overhaul: [/b][/color]It depends. If you like to interact with the guards, yes. Otherwise, no.
[color=#fce5cd][b]Sleeping Innkeepers[/b]: [/color]Yes, until I edit all the Innkeepers.
[color=#fce5cd][b]Run for Your Lives:[/b][/color] Due to the way Bethesda has established the relationships between the citizens and the dragons, I don’t specially recommend to uninstall “Run for Your Lives” unless you start a new game. By default, a dragon doesn't regard most of the citizens as an enemy; therefore, he'll ignore most of citizens, so the citizens won't enter in a combat state and will just look at the fight. I managed to completely fix this problem if you start a new game while this problem is partially fixed if you install my mod on a old save. By partially fixed, I mean that the fix will only apply to the dragons which appear through a official random encounter.
[color=#fce5cd][b]No NPC greeting:[/b] [/color]The more my plugin will be updated, the less it will be interesting to keep "No NPC greeting".
[color=#f9cb9c][b][color=#fce5cd]Multiple Floors Sandboxing:[/color][/font] [/b][/color]No, the AI present by default as well as my AI have been designed by using the default value of fSandboxCylinderTop & fSandboxCylinderBottom. 
When an NPC uses a "sandbox" procedure, he will try to use any furniture in the radius area even if the furniture is located in an inaccessible area (a locked room for example or an area not covered by navmeshes). When an NPC tries to use furniture, the NPC sends a request to the pathfinding algorithm. If the furniture is
located in an inaccessible area, the pathfinding won't find any solution; as a result, the NPC will stop moving (waiting for a solution from the pathfinding algorithm) until his current AI package is discarded. In some cases, if you use the wait menu, the NPC will teleport to a test cell.
Due to the way I've designed the AI, the NPCs won't try to use furniture located in inaccessible areas. However if you increase fSandboxCylinderTop & fSandboxCylinderBottom, this bug will be back in some areas.
[color=#f9cb9c][b][color=#fce5cd]Artificial Intelligence Limit Increaser:[/color] [/b][/color]No, according to my tests, this plugin is useless. A city such as Whiterun contains more than 80 NPCs and the AI of all of them is functional (with the default game settings) whatever the context. If you have NPCs that don't move, read the troubleshooting section.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Will you do a compatibility patch for ETaC?[/b][/color]
Yes, but right now I'm lacking too much sleep to do it.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Will you do a compatibility patch for JK's Skyrim?[/b][/color]
It will be smarter and easier to increase the compatibility of JK's Skyrim rather than to try to make a compatibility patch.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]Will you do a compatibility patch for x?[/b][/color]
No clue. All I can tell you is that I can't do a compatibility patch for mods such as "Skyrim Radioactive" & "The Useless Shop and Interior Overhaul" because they contain deleted navmeshes. It's easy for me to fix them, but I'm not the author of these mods so I won't do it unless I have their permission.

[color=#f9cb9c][b]What are the main differences between your mod and the mod called "AI Overhaul project"? [/b][/color]
Here are the main differences:
[list]
[*]For now, my mod improves the AI of [b][color=#ff0000]574[/color][/b]NPCs (without counting the unofficial NPCs) while "AI Overhaul project" only edits [color=#ff0000][b]76[/b][/color] NPCs and doesn't support the unofficial NPCs.
[*]My mod improves the AI used by the NPCs when they are in combat while "AI Overhaul project" doesn't touch the AI used in combat.
[*]With my mod, the citizens act differently when it's raining or when it's snowing, while with "AI Overhaul project" the NPCs act the same way whatever the weather.
[*]My mod restores a lot of random conversations while "AI Overhaul project" doesn't.
[*]"AI Overhaul project" doesn't have something comparable to my feature "Specific Behavior".
[*]Contrary to "AI Overhaul project", my mod is compatible with almost everything, due to the fact that I use quest aliases to inject my AI, while "AI Overhaul project"edits the entries related to NPCs.
[/list]
[color=#f9cb9c][b]Why isn't x compatible with your mod?[/b][/color]
A mod isn't compatible either because he:
[list]
[*]breaks connections between navmeshes
[*]corrupts navmeshes or adds corrupted navmeshes
[*]adds a deleted flag to navmeshes (this is really annoying because it prevents me to do compatibility patches)
[*]removes essential fixes that I've done on some navmeshes
[*]performs drastic changes on the architecture of cities/villages (an AI is designed according to a city architecture)
[/list]
[b][color=#f9cb9c]Why is X compatible with your mod while Y isn't compatible?[/color][/b]
Because they have not been done in the same way.
[/size][/font]