Better Companions
Previously known as Wilhelmine Ravengard, which is now part of this bigger project. Use the download links below for everything.
For more lines to be changed in the Localization, post them in the Mod Support thread. I won't answer to anything regarding those lines here, as to not see this thread cluttered with it.
For Romance Changes, go to the Even Better Romance thread.
Be sure to read the FAQ for future plans of the project before posting any questions that have been asked already.
For more lines to be changed in the Localization, post them in the Mod Support thread. I won't answer to anything regarding those lines here, as to not see this thread cluttered with it.
For Romance Changes, go to the Even Better Romance thread.
Be sure to read the FAQ for future plans of the project before posting any questions that have been asked already.
Status Report: 05/04/2025:
- [Visuals] Wilhelmine still requires an update as the game doesn't recognize her head armature.
Introduction and General Information
An overhaul of the present companions with surprises coming in the future. This project is planned to change the backstories of the characters to varying degrees. A few examples: Astaria Ancunín being the Sister of Astarion, Gaile not being a lover of Mystra and Jaheira being an Elf. It is all a Work-in-Progress and open for changes. The currently available content of the project can be downloaded below.
Be sure to read the FAQ!
Previews
Downloads
Downloads
Companion | Visuals | Voice Conversions (Dialogue) | Voice Conversions (Point & Click) | Localization |
---|---|---|---|---|
Astaria | | | | |
Gaile | | | | |
Le'zil | | | | |
Wilhelmine | 1.0.0.2 | | | |
Karl | | | | |
Minthara | | | - | |
Jaheira | | - | - | - |
Surprise 1 | - | - | - | - |
Surprise 2 | - | - | - | - |
Surprise 3 | - | - | - | - |
Surprise 4 | - | - | - | - |
Surprise 5 | - | - | - | - |
Companions | Animations | Scripts | Items | Class Progressions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shadowheart | - | - | - | Nightblade |
Astaria | - | - | - | Sorcerer |
Gaile | - | - | - | - |
Le'zil | - | - | - | - |
Wilhelmine | - | - | - | Spellblade |
Karl | - | - | - | - |
Minthara | - | - | - | - |
Jaheira | - | - | - | Druid/Fighter |
Surprise 1 | - | - | - | Monk |
Surprise 2 | - | - | - | - |
Surprise 3 | - | - | - | Mercenary |
Surprise 4 | - | - | - | Shaman |
Surprise 5 | - | - | - | Engineer |
Toolkit Project Back-Ups
Toolkit Project Back-Ups
Installation
Installation
If not using MO2: Unzip the Zip files and just drag and drop the PAKs into the Mod Manager. VCs will appear under Overrides, the others in the list above.[/spoiler]
If not using MO2: Unzip the Zip files and just drag and drop the PAKs into the Mod Manager. VCs will appear under Overrides, the others in the list above.[/spoiler]
Uninstallation
Deinstallation
Visual Overhauls, Localizations and Voice Converions are save to be set inactive or removed during any playthrough.
Visual Overhauls, Localizations and Voice Converions are save to be set inactive or removed during any playthrough.
Mod-Dependencies
Mod Dependencies
Wilhelmine - 1.0.0.2
Wilhelmine - 1.0.0.2
- Vemperen's Other Heads Repairded.
- Tav's Hair Salon for Tav's Hairpack 9.
- None at the moment.
Known Issues
Known Issues
In-Game
In-Game
- Bloodstone Eyes in the Character Creation Menu: It should be overwritten by the ORIGIN_Wyll settings. Similar to the previous issue of red eyes. Will look into it soon.
- Similar issues occur for the other origins in the Character Creation Menu.
- Character Creation Menu Origin Character Camera Cut-Off: There are camera settings for each origin. Haven't found a solution yet, but a few ideas have come up.
- Infernal Robe Replacement (Wilhelmine): There is an issue with the Infernal Robe. While it is worn on a female character outside of the cut-scene, it is worn like female armor. Inside the cut-scene, the game sees it as a
- male-armor and it leads to some visual issues.
- Hair Highlights: Tav's Hair Salon doesn't allow for it, but it is available with the Base Game Hairstyles. Haven't tested it for Umberlee's or Vesnelle's Hair mods yet.
- Appearance Edit Enhanced
- Ring of Metamorph
- Nolester's Voice Conversions
- Origin Mirror Unlock
- Any other Visual Overhauls, Voice Conversions and Localizations sharing the same UUIDs or handles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it compatible with other mods which changes the visuals ?
Depends. The Visual Overhauls of this project are gender, texture and head changes at the current state. There is compatibility with mods who change the body of the races. This applies to equipment. Humans, Elves, Drows, Half-Elves, they share the same body armature.
Why do the companions still sound like the original characters sometimes ?
It is difficult to extract the missing sound files from SharedSoundBanks.pak with their .bnk file format. These are, as indicated, sound banks bundled together.
All other voice tracks of the companions, with their SpeakerUUID_DialogHandle file names, are part of the currently available Voice Conversions here. Same with the Point & Click Sounds.
When is the next update of the Voice Conversions coming ?
In due time. It takes more time to get this done. Worst case the companions have to be muted for a more immersive experience, for the time being.
Help! Why is the new speaker name not shown ?
It only checks for the Speaker Name when encountering a NPC for the first time. For example, in case of Le'zil, it requires a new playthrough, as he appears in the Nautiloid at the start. Otherwise, it uses the default.
Why are there lines where the wrong pronouns are still in ?
The game is filled with so much content that a few details can easily be missed. If you find any lines requiring changes, be sure to post them here. Will update the Localization when missing lines appear during my playthroughs as well.
Is it compatible with other mods which changes the visuals ?
Depends. The Visual Overhauls of this project are gender, texture and head changes at the current state. There is compatibility with mods who change the body of the races. This applies to equipment. Humans, Elves, Drows, Half-Elves, they share the same body armature.
Why do the companions still sound like the original characters sometimes ?
It is difficult to extract the missing sound files from SharedSoundBanks.pak with their .bnk file format. These are, as indicated, sound banks bundled together.
All other voice tracks of the companions, with their SpeakerUUID_DialogHandle file names, are part of the currently available Voice Conversions here. Same with the Point & Click Sounds.
When is the next update of the Voice Conversions coming ?
In due time. It takes more time to get this done. Worst case the companions have to be muted for a more immersive experience, for the time being.
Help! Why is the new speaker name not shown ?
It only checks for the Speaker Name when encountering a NPC for the first time. For example, in case of Le'zil, it requires a new playthrough, as he appears in the Nautiloid at the start. Otherwise, it uses the default.
Why are there lines where the wrong pronouns are still in ?
The game is filled with so much content that a few details can easily be missed. If you find any lines requiring changes, be sure to post them here. Will update the Localization when missing lines appear during my playthroughs as well.
Change Log
Change Log
Better Companions
Better Companions
- 6th of May, 2025 - Small Update for Dialogue VCs, chaning them from PAKs to ZIP files. For Compatibility with MO2.
- 5th of May, 2025 - [Voice Conversion] Changed Point & Click Voice Conversions files from PAK to ZIP. For Compatibility with MO2.
- 5th of May, 2025 - [Voice Conversion] Added Point & Click Voice Conversions for six companions: Astaria, Gaile, Le'zil, Karl, Wilhelmine, Minthara.
- 1st of May, 2025 - [Localization] Updated all for compatibility with Mod Manager and Patch 8. Added two Durge-related lines to Astaria's Localization.
- 24th of January, 2025 - Localization: Updated Localizations to version 1.0.0.1 for Astaria, Gaile, Karl, Le'zil and Wilhelmine.
- 19th of October, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Gaile 1.0.0.2, Karl 1.0.0.1, Minthara 1.0.0.1. Proper portraits added.
- 22nd of October, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Astaria 1.0.0.3, Jaheira 1.0.0.2, Le'zil 1.0.0.1, Wilhelmine 1.0.0.4. They all have proper portraits. With the Speaker/Display Name, check the FAQ above.
- 23rd of October, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Jaheira 1.0.0.1 added. Toolkit Back-Ups for the Visuals have been uploaded too.
- Inbetween 4th and 23rd of October, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Wilhelmine 1.0.0.3, Minthara 1.0.0.0 added. Both are stand-alone with imported head armatures. Minthara also got a VC.
- 4th of October, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Astaria 1.0.0.2 added. Has Vemperen head armature implemented so it is stand-alone.
- 1st of October, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Gaile 1.0.0.1 added. Includes Character Creation Menu changes like camera zoom, introductory text. Has Vemperen head armature implemented so it is stand-alone.
- 27th of September, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Astaria 1.0.0.1; Karl and Le'zil 1.0.0.0 added. Includes Character Creation Menu changes like camera zoom, introductory text.
- 26th of September, 2024 - Visual Overhaul: Jaheira added. She looks younger now and has been changed to an Elf.
- A few visuals and voice conversions added. Very early stuff.
- Version 1.0.0.1: Duke Ravengard has been added to the mod. He has a new look.
- Version 1.0.0.2: Proper Portraits have been added for both Wyll and Duke Ravengard. Intro Scene has seen a change in clothing and the removal of horns. Wyll also has a right eye more akin to a Bloodstone. Transformation scene now has the normal camp clothes.
To-Do List
To-Do List
Wilhelmine
Wilhelmine
- [Visuals] Add proper Bloodstone eye texture. Potentially add Wings to her Devil form.
- [Class] Add the Spellblade Class.
- [Equipment] Add new Starting Gear.
- [Equipment] Fix or replace the Infernal Robe.
- [Equipment/Animation] Add a letter of Duke Ravengard to his dead wife after he has been rescued. Initially part of the tutorial chest then scripted into the game. Alternatively, a night talk cutscene of the Duke and his daughter.
- [Equipment] Implement a Keepsake of her dead mother. A trinket which adds stats to saving throws.
- [Voice] Change Pronouns, Titles and other dialogue content.
- [Animation] Fix some Animations.
- [Visuals] Add teeth to Astaria's current headmesh or to a new one.
- [Class] Change her Class to Sorcerer. Canonically Storm Sorcery or Shadow Magic.
- [Equipment] Add new Starting Gear.
- [Voice] Change Pronouns, Titles and other dialogue content.
- [Animation] Fix some Animations.
- [Visuals] Add Karlach's horn mesh to the head armature.
- [Equipment] Add new Starting Gear.
- [Voice] Change Pronouns, Titles and other dialogue content.
- [Animation] Fix many Animations.
- [Equipment] Add new Starting Gear.
- [Voice] Change Pronouns, Titles and other dialogue content.
- [Animation] Fix some Animations.
- [Visuals] Change her hair.
- [Equipment] Add new Starting Gear.
- [Equipment] Add wearable Glasses.
- [Voice] Change Pronouns, Titles and other dialogue content.
- [Animation] Fix some Animations.
- [Visuals] Make her a real beauty.
- [Class] Potentially change her class.
- [Equipment] Add new Starting Gear.
- [Voice] Remove the smoker accent.
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Credits
Credits
- @orinEsque: For the initial help through the tutorials and the spreadsheets. Previous NoAlphabets Lingo file and some further help here and there.
- @loregamer : For technical help, be it providing tools or modding progress which can be utilized.
- @Lancaster : For important help with the Voice Conversions.
- Any everyone else from ModHQ for their feedback.