For day 12 of 12, we have four releases - that’s right, four releases!

The first is the Sylmar Battlefield mod, by Zyraen, which adds a combat and strategy oriented quest to Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn!

Aid a nation of elves with an invasion into their holy burial grounds. Fight in a war alongside the elven army, and test your battlefield acumen by combating against continually attacking hosts of orcs and even against deadly, nightmarish demons, while keeping the elven commander alive and their holy grounds sacred.

This mod is meant to be a small sample battlefield, as a precursor of what is to come in Silmarillion. It is NOT a Total Conversion and is totally compatible with all other WeiDU mods.

You can download the mod here and read more about it here!

- K’aeloree/Liam

For day 11 of 12, the Luxley Family SoA has been released!

The Luxley Family introduces two joinable NPCs, Sebastian and Andrei Luxley, to your game. Sebastian is a Chaotic Neutral playwright with a rather idiosyncratic sense of humour who appears to take great delight in showing his cousin Andrei the world outside their family home. Andrei is a polite, Lawful Neutral young monk with a strong sense of self who has led a rather sheltered life until now. Throughout your journey with them, you will discover that their family is not all that meets the eye. You may have to make some tough decisions - and the path you choose will have repercussions.

Though you do not need to start a new game to have them join your party, it is advisable to have them join early in order that their story arc is completed. Both banter with all the Bioware party NPCs and they comment on many of the quests in the game.

Sebastian and Andrei both have detailed talk tracks with the PC; they also banter with each other extensively throughout the game.
Note that there is adult content in this mod, but all of it is voluntary on the part of the player - nothing that you feel uncomfortable with is forced on you.

You can download the Luxleys SoA here, check out their forum here and read more about them here!

- K’aeloree/Liam

The SHS Fanfiction Challenge is a monthly challenge where everyone can submit their entries related to the challenge genre. The challenge is open to everyone and there is no limit on the length or number of the entries submitted. It can be any kind of game!

The theme for December is: Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Winter. Most either love it or hate. Some love to hate it. But regardless it has a lot of meanings. For many it brings snow for their reindeer games, for others it simply brings shoveling and sub-zero temperatures. Bah Humbug! But what about your characters? What do they feel about the frozen wastelands, or the earth blanketed in white? That’s what we wish to know for this month, so get out this pencils, bank up your fire, bundle yourselves in your warmest blankets, and get writing.

Interested in participating? Check it out in the Fanfic Challenge Forum!

For the second part of day 10 of 12, we’re happy to present an interview with Feuille and Miss Sakaki, mod makers extraordinaire, who have been very busy with their latest NPC, Faren!

They are probably best known for Nathaniel, the male-romanceable kensai from Baldur’s Gate, and the Luxleys, Sebastian and Andrei - two cousins with a dark familial secret.

You can read more about them in the interview, which you can find here!

- K’aeloree/Liam

For day 10 of 12, we’re proud to announce Faren, a human fighter/thief, by Feuille and Miss Sakaki!

This mod adds a new NPC called Faren Blacknall to Baldur’s Gate II. Faren is a True Neutral dual-classed Fighter/Thief. He has a bit of a weakness of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, but he has a friendly disposition and is willing to share a joke or a drink with a PC who treats him with respect. Faren can be found in the Trademeet jail.

The mod features romance and friendship tracks for the protagonist. Faren will romance female or male protagonists who are human, half-elven, elven or half-orc. He is not initially looking for love, rather companionship and comfort, not to mention fun, but as your relationship continues his feelings may become deeper.

Check out Faren’s page on the website here, check out his forum here and read more about him here!

- K’aeloree/Liam