This is how Mark Simpson describes how to do it:
Before I go into depth about it all, let me tell you that I'm working
on a "proper" editor editor that does it all with a neat
interface. I've successfully mastered the file input output stuff, but
I'm still working on all of the bits in the character save game. I
will let ya know when its all ready, and post it up on my web
site. Watch for details in the DB mailing list.
Ok, well its a bit of a fudge, but it works. First you need a HEX
editor (I hear groans out there already..<grin>). The absolute best
one for this is Hex Workshop from BPSoft. I've only had it a few days,
and it is superb.
Next you need a saved game. The games are normally backed up into
\pilot\<username>\backup directory. I am just trying out
backup buddy, so I'm not sure if they are backed up through that, or
normally anyway. Save games are always in the format DrgBSAVn.PDB
where n is a number 1-5.
All of the save games are fixed length : 2.32kb. If your Hex Editor is
integrated in your Explorer (sorry, Windows only here, not sure about
other OS's), right click the save file and select Hex Edit.
You will see a display of 16 pairs of hex numbers, and text bit like
this:
4472 6742 5341 5634 0000 0000 0000 0000 DrgBSAV4........
The bits of the left are hexadecimal equivalents of the bits on the
right. (Simple eh?!)
There are about 150 lines of these. The character stuff is stored
starting at line 7, like this:
0005 0003 0580 0000 01F4 4645 4C44 4F52 ..........FELDOR
Still with me, yeah?.
The text portion signals the beginning of the character, followed by
its name - so you can put all sorts of interesting names in there. The
next 50 pairs of the hex stuff control all of the characters' bits and
bobs (if ya know what I mean). Intelligence, stamina, armour class,
level etc. Now, I've not had a lot of time to do this yet, so I've not
got the file mapped out completely, but I can tell you that changing
the following pairs will have the desired result.
The first 5 pairs are the Character's name section. This allows 10
characters for each name. "Hell Hound" is a full example, which you
may have seen after invoking the "Hound of Hell" spell. Below are the
rest that I have mapped so far.
Pair Enhancement / suggestion
1-5 Name
6 Strength
7 Dexterity
8 Intelligence
9 Stamina
10 ns
11 Hit points left
12 ns
13 Hit Points
14 ns
15 ns
16 ns
17 Spell Points
18 Armour Class
19 Character Level
If you can further map out the file and mail your findings to me in
the form of <pair> <result>, that would be cool. All
additions will be acknowledged in the character editor. I will make
the editor freeware. ns indicates "not sure". These bits may double
up as extended numbers (ie beyond FF or 255).
When you are done with your Hex Edit, simply save your changes, and
then re-load that save game through the pilot installer. When in DB,
select Menu / Load, choose your modified game, and click Done.
Super Duper characters are here..
You can also change settings like who has which weapon, and how much
gold the party has, but I've not got round to documenting all that
yet.
Please, please send me comments / gripes / feedback. I love to find
out how this kinda stuff goes down, and especially if there is a
demand for a proper editor, let me know!
If you map out more details, please mail them to me for
inclusion into the editor.
Mark.
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