Do people still make custom backgrounds and share, or use them. I just recently got the game again (Moved to Norway, didn't bring my original disc long story short.)?

They do. You can probably find some over at terra-arcanum.com.

I made two a long time ago: Arcane Demigod, which jacks up all your stats and gives you a bunch of other bonuses, and Born Loser, which does the opposite.

True, Terra Arcanum has a bunch of stuff normally.. Just surprised people don't make custom backgrounds, especially since the game has recently gotten popular again.

I don't think it's immediately obvious how to do it so people don't realize how easy it is. Also, there are quite a few to choose from in the vanilla game. I doubt anyone has tried them all.

True, Actually got interested in backgrounds and wanted a new programming challenge... :) So made a simple background editor. Finishing a few kinks and should be ready for public use soon. Which is always good and also makes it simple for people to share custom backgrounds since it has its own file format.

*Edit* Speaking of which, there is actually a limit to effects.mes (Hard Limit of 400), might have to write a patcher so the limit can be upped, thanks to Drog finding what values needed to be changed.

Some testing screenshots to see if people think it's a good idea

Yes, definitely a good idea :) +1

Actually since the wife was away for a while *Cough* 12 hours *Cough* in Bodø with my Mom, I am almost done. Just trying to setup File Type Asscociation With the new File Type :3

And it's done it's so late here already it will be posted tomorrow morning gmt time. But it's all there mostly. Since there is a update feature there is no reason to not put it up. Any comments and suggestions will be more then welcome

And its done! had to do a minor fix and finish the readme file which includes Install Notes, and little things.

ArBE V:0.1.0.0
====================
I. Install notes/Requirements
II. Tips
III. Helpful Notes

I. Install Notes/Requirements
-----------------------------

A. Need Installed:
1. .NET Version 4.0 (Should be Already Installed)
2. segoeuisl.ttf (Included and should be put into the FONT Folder)

B. Requirements:
1.AutoUpdater.NET.dll (A DLL that helps keep ArBE Updated.)
2.JacksonSoft.CustomTabControl.dll (DLL that makes it look pretty.)

C. If Your Arcanum is installed in Program Files. You may need to run as admin. Since it appends the New Backgrounds to 3 Mes Files.

II. Tips
-------------------

A. There is an Option to setup ArBE as the Default editor of .ArB Files. You need to be running as an Admin since it will change a few registry settings.

B. !Reset Backgrounds! This will reset the Backgrounds back to default on arcanum by Removing the 3 MES Files and then Copying over the Original from the DAT file.

III. Helpful Notes
-------------------

If something Breaks, Let me know As soon as possible so I can release a patch. Quick simple and to the point.

Download Here

*Edit* Excuse the website, will do a more complete one after My Mother leaves norway (Got Married 11 July).

Thank you for this! I will try it out as soon as I have the chance.

Patch 0.1.0.1 Released: Few minor code changes, and a breaking bug where it didn't Reset somethings when you pressed new background button.

Download Link

Good work, MidgetMan666! The ArBE editor truly is good news for Arcanum; making this way of customizing the game accessible to fans and players is a step in the way to make it an even bigger and richer gaming experience. Thank you for your contribution.

To celebrate it, I'll share with all of you the custom backgrounds I made for myself some time ago. I've packed it into an easy-to-install zip file, just unzip it into your Arcanum's root folder:

perso(dot)wanadoo(dot)es/LionXavier/Arcanum/LionX_Custom_Backgrounds(dot)zip <- copy-paste the link into a new page substituting (dot) for real dots.

This pack adds nine new character backgrounds to Arcanum. These are:

Ascetic Fighter
--------------------
You are devoted to a path of enlightenment by means of a life of austerity, meditation and martial training. This has granted you increased Strenght (+2) and Dexterity (+2), bonuses to your Melee and Dodge skills and a raw improvement in your offensive (+2 to Damage) and defensive (+2 to AC) abilities. Also, you have gained in Willpower (+1) for enduring such a strict discipline of life. On the other hand, you cannot advance in the Backstab skill, a tactic you consider dishonorable, and your austere ways have left you with penalties to Gambling and Haggle. Owning no money whatsoever, you have earned your passage on the IFS Zephyr with your hard work to reach new horizons in your permanent search for self-perfection.

Touched by Fortune
---------------------------
The Goddess of Fortune has laid her hand on you. Your outstanding luck manifests itself in a bonus to your Gambling skill (+1), your ability to avoid blows (+2 AC) and your better chances of scoring critical hits of great effect, while your chances of suffering nasty critical misses are reduced. However, the effortless life provided by fate has taken a toll on your Willpower (-2) and has made you carefree in economic matters, resulting in a penalty to your Haggle skill. Due to this you also begin with half the normal starting wealth, but you won your ticket for the IFS Zephyr in a bet, and it's no wonder you are the only survivor of the crash.

Reckless
-------------
You are known for rushing into any perilous situation without fear nor care. As you don't watch out for danger, you take penalties to Perception (-2), Armor Class (-4), and both the Dodge and the Spot Trap skills. However, this has greatly hardened you, gaining bonuses in Constitution (+2) and Damage Resistance (20%), while your rushing nature grants you an exceptional bonus to your Speed (+2).

*Note: not available to halflings, elves and gnomes.

Naturally Gifted
---------------------
Mother Nature has blessed you with more inborn attributes than most. You gain bonuses to Strenght (+1), Dexterity (+1), Constitution (+1), Inteligence (+1) and Perception (+1). However, the overconfidence in your innate capabilities has caused you to underestimate the value of learning, so you gain experience at a 25% slower rate.

Fencer
----------
You have specialized in the fine art of fencing. Based on swiftness and precision, this combat style grants you increased Dexterity (+2), Speed (+1) and chances of scoring good critical hits, as well as bonuses to your Melee and Dodge skills. On the other hand, this style doesn't favor brute force and requires being unencumbered, so you take penalties to Strenght (-2) and Damage (-1), and can only carry three quarters of the normal carry weight. Also, the focus on close combat results in penalties to the ranged-based skills of Bow, Throwing and Firearms. As a fencer, you begin your journey with your dependable rapier.

*Note: not available to half-ogres (too brute) and halflings (redundant.)

Pathological Mistrust
-----------------------------
You are mistrustful to the point of paranoia, feeling a permanent sense of deception and treason coming from those around you. This makes you feel extremely uneasy when in a crowd, and thus unable to have too many followers (-2 to maximum followers). Of course, your continuous wariness also results in a large bonus to your Perception (+5).

Bad Temper
-----------------
You have serious anger management issues. Your perpetual state of irritation hampers your social interactions, resulting in a penalty to Persuasion and worse reactions when talking to people. On the other hand, the habit of taking out your aggression during combat has given you bonuses to your Strenght (+2), the Damage you cause (+2) and your Melee skill.

Trapper
-----------
You are a seasoned trapper, trained in a wide variety of trapping, baiting and camouflage techniques. This specialization gives you an increase in Perception (+2) and exceptional bonuses to your skills of Spot Trap, Disarm Traps and Prowling. However, you aren't as adept at the roughness of close combat, so you take penalties to Strenght (-1), Constitution (-1) and your Melee and Dodge skills.

Reclusive Inventor
--------------------------
Being attracted to the wonders of technology from a very young age, you have spent most of your life inside a laboratory devoted to the study and research of new ways in the field. This dedication has improved your mental prowess and technological knowledge, giving you bonuses to Intelligence (+6), Perception (+2), Technological Aptitude (+10%) and your Repair skill. However, being secluded from the outside world has rendered you physically weak and socially inept, so you suffer penalties to Strenght (-2), Constitution (-2), Charisma (-2) and all of your Social Skills.

*Note: not available to elves and half-ogres.

This pack also fixes two of the original backgrounds so they make more sense:

Elven Blood
-----------------
-Fix-> Changed it from being available to half-ogres, halflings, humans and gnomes to being available to half-ogres, humans and half-orcs.

-Reason-> Taking into account that the description begins with "Your father's great-grandmother was an elf," and being firmly established in the lore that elves can only produce hybrid offsprings with humans, it's only logical that this background should be exclusive for characters of al least half human lineage (obviously excluding half-elves for redundancy reasons.) I don't know what they were possibily thinking when they made halflings and gnomes eligible for this background!

Raised in the Pits
------------------------
-Fix-> Changed the +1 bonus to all Combat Skills to a +2 bonus.

-Reason-> This change is due to a comparison between this background and the "Beat with an Ugly Stick" one. While both have identical bonuses and a stat penalty of the same amount (-6, Intelligence in the first case and Beauty in the second,) this background has an added monetary penalty without any compensation, which suggests unfairness. Furthermore, the difference in their descriptions, giving "a bonus to all Combat Skills" in this background versus giving "a slight bonus to all of your Combat Skills" in "Beat with an Ugly Stick," supports the suitability of this change, as "a bonus" corresponds to a +2 and "a slight bonus" corresponds to a +1 consistently throughout all the game's backgrounds regarding Skills bonuses.

Hope they encourage some of you to beging a new playthrough.



______________ B O N U S ______________

While we're at it, I'll also share with you the custom portraits I've made specifically for Arcanum. They are three: human male, human female and half-orc male (you can see them in the attached images.) Just like with the custom backgrounds, simply unzip the zip file into your Arcanum's root folder:

perso(dot)wanadoo(dot)es/LionXavier/Arcanum/LionX_Custom_Portraits(dot)zip <- copy-paste the link into a new page substituting (dot) for real dots.