I do not know if this would be possible to script, or hard to. However, it occurred to me that an equippable item (an armor, for instance) could be made to change the appearance of the PC wearing it to that of a common NPC, for example the evil rogue wizard model for a female PC or a nobleman for a male one. If possible, the item should set the PC's name (while worn) to something generic to that particular model ("Wealthy-looking man", "A young woman").
Obviously I would not expect this (if it's even possible to script!) to be something every PC would come into contact with. The DM team have a good record of making particularly 'absurd' loot (explosive vests, barrels of alchemist's fire, extremely powerful scrolls) work its way into the hands of PCs who are doing/trying to do something that they feel is awesome, so I'm not worried about every one and their mother getting one of these.
Appearance changing; Completely possible. But despite this, I have a total lack of faith that it would do any good, unless it's a super obvious change, like a male into a female. Even then you will still have people who will metagame and lame you. Not necessarily on purpose, but because some people don't really look at your PC, just the name.
The best people to testament to this are the people who have played shifters. Even in passing, I've noticed people refer to shifters by name, mainly because they don't pay attention, not that htey are trying to be lame.
However, name changing is not possible without the use of Letoscript. To my knowledge for the name change to work, the script would need to boot the PC from the server and they would need to relog. Yes this would be a better form of disguise, but it has downsides.
1; They would most likely need to update EFUSL and other systems which store stuff (Based on PC name?). Either way a new name would likely affect these systems in a negative way.
2; Letoscript is potentially volatile, as it can corrupt a character, and is best only used when certain 100% your script is reliable.
I think it's a good idea, don't get me wrong. But I just don't think it's practical :(
We are waiting for a Russian to deliver control over PC naming to us. Until then a good disguise system just isn't feasible (the hinge is on the PC names).
(Nothing is based on PC names. That would be silly Cruzel. :P)
Aren't pot helms plus robes working for you anymore?
HOT_DOG_VENDOR_COSTUME
Actually, I just came up with an awesome idea for a costume system. If I can restore the original appearance of the PC successfully, I'll see to implementing it, but as of now it'll turn you into that human, male guy with the short blonde hair when you're out of disguise.
You know, I was playing a CEP server and they had a helm/mask that was a male dwarf face. That's probably just a CEP thing, but could such a thing be done without it?
Example:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/481602145_c20779913d_o.jpg
Cruzel, 100%.
Just the other day my PC 'heard' a Shifter in her dialogue box. I was just about to hit enter on basically typing out, "Hey, Shifter's Name!" when I just barely realized I didn't actually SEE the Shifter, I was seeing someone else. Even playing regularly with said Shifter, I almost lamed him out, cause had I said that, other PCs would have no way of knowing if I messed up, or if my PC was just low wisdom, knew the particular disguise, and had just outed him.
Long story short, you'll even lame your budz! For disguise to truly be implements I agree, name changing must somehow occur.
It doesn't matter how fancy the appearance changing stuff is, as long as the name doesn't change above the PC's head, it will be too easy to either accidentally or purposefully metagame the disguise. Discussion about this is unfortunately moot until the Russian picks up steam. :(
I feel sarcasm in this Russian. Are we being serious?
Actually yes, I think he's talking about NWNX. I may be wrong.
I am being serious
[FONT='Times New Roman']What skill/s would this be based off of; bluff, persuade, both? I mean there should be a chance of failure and getting caught right? [/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman']What skill/s would this be based off of; bluff, persuade, both? I mean there should be a chance of failure and getting caught right? [/FONT]