Adding New Faction from Nothing – Step by Step

[ArnyBoy]

ah well that would explain alot lol.

Thanks for everything and btw wasn't your fault competely my fault

[ArnyBoy]

I get passed one problem then i hit another one. If I try to launch my my from the bat file it loads and everything its just that my faction isn't on their. And if I launch it from the medieval II my mod file it CTD and says these files are missing:
13:35:05.171 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/shared.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.171 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/shared.txt is missing
13:35:05.171 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/tooltips.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.171 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/tooltips.txt is missing
13:35:05.171 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/battle.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.171 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/battle.txt is missing
13:35:05.171 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/strat.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/strat.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/battle_ed.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/battle_ed.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/menu_english.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/menu_english.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/expanded.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/expanded.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/diplomacy.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/diplomacy.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/diplomacy_speech.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/diplomacy_speech.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/missions.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/missions.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/date_format.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/shortcut.txt.strings.bin is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/shortcuts_lookup.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/shortcut.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: preferences/player.txt is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: preferences/keys.dat is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: preferences/keys.dat is missing
13:35:05.187 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/descr_shortcuts.txt is missing
13:35:05.250 [system.rpt] [error]

Can anyone help me?

[Milos98]

Have you checked files for mistakes?
It could be a problem in expanded.txt (40 % of mistakes happen there), check if you converted the text files in MTW2 original folder,...
Has the mod worked before you started adding new faction?

[ArnyBoy]

well heres everything I did in the expanded.txt folder btw my faction is called arnold(couldn't think of anything else to call it)
{ARNOLD} Kingdom of Arnold
{ARNOLD_STRENGTH} Fields a great variety of cavalry, missle infantry and infantry
{ARNOLD_UNIT} Arnold Nobles
{ARNOLD_WEAKNESS} Lacks in missle cavalry unlike neighbouring factions
EMT_ARNOLD_ADMIRAL} Arnold Navy
{EMT_ARNOLD_ARMOUR_LEVEL_1} Leather
{EMT_ARNOLD_ARMOUR_LEVEL_2} Light Lamellar
{EMT_ARNOLD_ARMOUR_LEVEL_3} Lamellar
{EMT_ARNOLD_ARMOUR_LEVEL_4} Heavy Lamellar
{EMT_ARNOLD_ARMOUR_LEVEL_5} Kataphract
{EMT_ARNOLD_ASSASSIN} Arnold Assassin
{EMT_ARNOLD_CAPITAL} Arnold Capital
{EMT_ARNOLD_CASTLE} Arnold Castle
{EMT_ARNOLD_CITY} Arnold City
{EMT_ARNOLD_DIPLOMAT} Arnold Diplomat
{EMT_ARNOLD_DOCK} Arnold Docks
{EMT_ARNOLD_FACTION_HEIR} Arnold Faction Heir
{EMT_ARNOLD_FACTION_HEIR_NAME} Prince %S
{EMT_ARNOLD_FACTION_HEIR_TITLE} Faction Heir
{EMT_ARNOLD_FACTION_LEADER} Arnold Faction Leader
{EMT_ARNOLD_FACTION_LEADER_NAME} Emperor %S
{EMT_ARNOLD_FACTION_LEADER_TITLE} Faction Leader
{EMT_ARNOLD_FISHING_VILLAGE} Arnold Fishing Village
{EMT_ARNOLD_FORMER_FACTION_LEADER_TITLE} Emperor
{EMT_ARNOLD_FORT} Arnold Fort
{EMT_ARNOLD_FORTRESS} Arnold Citadel
{EMT_ARNOLD_GENERAL} Arnold Army
{EMT_ARNOLD_HUGE_CITY} Arnold Huge City
{EMT_ARNOLD_LARGE_CASTLE} Arnold Fortress
{EMT_ARNOLD_LARGE_CITY} Arnold Large City
{EMT_ARNOLD_LARGE_TOWN} Arnold Large Town
{EMT_ARNOLD_MERCHANT} Arnold Merchant
{EMT_ARNOLD_NAMED_CHARACTER} Arnold Family Member
{EMT_ARNOLD_NAMED_GENERAL} Arnold General
{EMT_ARNOLD_PORT} Arnold Port
{EMT_ARNOLD_PRIEST} Arnold Priest
{EMT_ARNOLD_PRIEST_1} Arnold Bishop
{EMT_ARNOLD_PRIEST_2} Arnold Cardinal
{EMT_ARNOLD_PRINCESS} Arnold Princess
{EMT_ARNOLD_SPY} Arnold Spy
{EMT_ARNOLD_STAR_FORT} Arnold Star Fort
{EMT_ARNOLD_STONE_KEEP} Arnold Wooden Castle
{EMT_ARNOLD_TOWN} Arnold Town
{EMT_ARNOLD_VILLAGE} Arnold Village
{EMT_ARNOLD_WATCHTOWER} Arnold Watchtower
{EMT_ARNOLD_WOODEN_CASTLE} Arnold Motte and Bailey

I ran the converter i didn't really notice that much happen and the game did work before I start modding

[ArnyBoy]

I've had a look to see if the files were missing and i've found them they are in my mod folder but it stills says there missing

I haven't got these files:
data/text/tooltips.txt is missing
data/text/battle.txt is missing
data/text/battle_ed.txt is missing
data/text/shortcut.txt is missing
preferences/player.txt(i'm unsure about)
preferences/keys.dat(i'm unsure about)
i'm not sure about any of the .txt.strings.bin. folders
btw thanx for the constant help Milos98

[ArnyBoy]

I've now download Zeph's CAE mod and tried to mod that but sill to no success now I get a system.log.txt folder in my main M2TW directory. Unlike the last time I did it from my mod folder the system.log.txt appeared on desktop.
The problem now has changed heres my new system.log.txt:19:25:58.328 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_0.pack
19:25:58.328 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_1.pack
19:25:58.328 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_2.pack
19:25:58.328 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_3.pack
19:25:58.328 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_4.pack
19:25:58.328 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/localized.pack
19:26:00.578 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for ANISELECT
19:26:00.593 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_SABOTAGE
19:26:00.593 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_TRADE
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for DRAGGABLE
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for DRAGGING
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_MULTIPLE_SELECT
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_ATTACK
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_CHARACTER
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_RESOURCE
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_FORT
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_MOVE_OBJECT
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_WATCHTOWER
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_DEPLOYMENT_AREA
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_TILE
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_SPECIAL_PIECE
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PAINT
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_ADJUST_HEIGHTS
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_ADD_UNIT
19:26:00.609 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_SETTLEMENT
19:26:02.750 [script.err] [error] Script Error in data/export_descr_buildings.txt, at line 276, column 93
Expected faction or culture type, or 'all' - faction or culture type could be wrong; terminate list with comma; enclose list in {}

Could some one please give me a hand here? For me it's just getting more confusing I don't know if all that will be solve but thanks for trying.
BTW sorry Zeph I know your going for historical accuracy but I'm just trying to learn the ropes.

[Milos98]

I would suggest you to mod from your mod folder, not from other mods, becouse it would be easier for you.

I get passed one problem then i hit another one. If I try to launch my my from the bat file it loads and everything its just that my faction isn't on their.
I've had a look to see if the files were missing and i've found them they are in my mod folder but it stills says there missing

I haven't got these files:
data/text/tooltips.txt is missing
data/text/battle.txt is missing
data/text/battle_ed.txt is missing
data/text/shortcut.txt is missing
preferences/player.txt(i'm unsure about)
preferences/keys.dat(i'm unsure about)
i'm not sure about any of the .txt.strings.bin. folders

1.Have you added a new unit for your new faction (bulgarian brigands) or a kwarizmian cavalry for a bodyguard?
The problem could be there, in export_descr_unit.txt, or in export_descr_buildings.
You should post, what units have you added, becouse if they arent mercenaries, there could be a problem...
(If you are a begginer, for a start you should add just one unit; the generals bodyguard in this case it would be easiest to add kwarizmian cavalry)

2.You forgot to put a { in
EMT_ARNOLD_ADMIRAL} Arnold Navy

3. When modding it would surely be helpful if you added

windowed = 1

under the [video], in mymod cfg file (The game starts in window, it has some advantages ), and when you want to play it just delet that line

4. And when working in notepad for easier orientation, just click edit, and then find ( ctrl+f ), with that you can save a lot of time.

Dont worry about log file, it never helped me. My log file is full of some 212-356KB large ****

(Im not sure how to spell kwarizmian cavalry )

[ArnyBoy]

The units I have added are Bulgarian Brigands, Viking Raiders, EE Archer Militia, Mailed Knights, EE Bodyguard, EE_Late_Bodyguard and SE Town Militia.

I have fixed my admiral and the cfg file

Now for some reason the medieval 2 total war my mod exe has gone and when I run the bat it CTD

[Milos98]

I think that the problem is somewhere in units. I would suggest you to delete all units, and try with kwarizmian cavalry (like in tutorial), you shouldnt add so much units on the start. There is a special tutorial about adding units.
And if it is your first time you should do everything almost the same like in tutorial ( except the faction name, of course ). Duke of Serbia has added mercenary units in tutorial, becouse if you want to add some other factions units you would have to edit some other files too (How-To: Add other faction units for new factions tutorial), but more about that after you create your faction, I think.
About the missing mymod, ( its not an exe, but some wierd shortcut), you could install mymod folder again, and paste over the files you changed,...
Or just make another shortcut.

[ArnyBoy]

Thanks for the help

I'm back and bad news I still CTD as soon as I start the bat file

[Milos98]

Do you have the mymod shortcut?

[ArnyBoy]

Yes but it still doesn't work

[Milos98]

Could you post your entry in export_descr_units ( Just the chapter with your units), and your descr_sm_factions (Just your faction entry)?
I guess you fixed the mymod shortcut...

[ArnyBoy]

ok my export_descr_units:
type Kwarizmian Cavalry
dictionary Kwarizmian_Cavalry ; Kwarizmian Cavalry
category cavalry
class heavy
voice_type Heavy
accent Arabic
banner faction main_cavalry
banner holy crusade_cavalry
soldier Kwarizmian_Cavalry, 32, 0, 1
mount eastern armoured horse
mount_effect elephant -4, camel -4
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, hardy, can_withdraw, can_formed_charge, mercenary_unit
formation 2, 4.4, 3, 6, 3, square, wedge
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 10, 6, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, spear, 25, 1
;stat_pri_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_pri_attr no
stat_sec 11, 4, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, sword, 25, 1
;stat_sec_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 8, 5, 0, metal
;stat_armour_ex 8, 0, 0, 0, 5, 0, 0, metal
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 3
stat_ground 0, 1, -6, -1
stat_mental 9, normal, trained
stat_charge_dist 45
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 1, 750, 300, 120, 95, 750, 4, 180
armour_ug_levels 4
armour_ug_models Kwarizmian_Cavalry
ownership slave, turks, egypt, timurids, mongols, arnold
era 0 turks, egypt, timurids, mongols
;unit_info 10, 0, 13

type Bulgarian Brigands Mercs
dictionary Bulgarian_Brigands_Mercs ; Bulgarian Brigands
category infantry
class missile
voice_type Light
accent East_European
banner faction main_missile
banner holy crusade
soldier Bulgarian_Brigands, 48, 0, 1
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, can_withdraw, mercenary_unit
formation 1.2, 1.2, 2.4, 2.4, 4, square
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 7, 1, arrow, 160, 30, missile, missile_mechanical, piercing, none, 25, 1
;stat_pri_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_pri_attr no
stat_sec 9, 1, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, sword, 25, 1
;stat_sec_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 4, 5, 3, leather
;stat_armour_ex 4, 0, 0, 0, 5, 3, 3, leather
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 1
stat_ground 1, 0, 2, 0
stat_mental 3, normal, untrained
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 1, 490, 150, 65, 50, 490, 4, 120
armour_ug_levels 1
armour_ug_models Bulgarian_Brigands
ownership slave, arnold
;unit_info 9, 7, 12

and my descr_sm_factions:
faction arnold
culture northern_european
religion orthodox
symbol models_strat/symbol_england.CAS
rebel_symbol models_strat/symbol_rebels.CAS
primary_colour red 255, green 210, blue 0
secondary_colour red 0, green 0, blue 0
loading_logo loading_screen/symbols/symbol128_england.tga
standard_index 12
logo_index FACTION_LOGO_ENGLAND
small_logo_index SMALL_FACTION_LOGO_ENGLAND
triumph_value 5
intro_movie faction/major_intro.bik
victory_movie faction/england_win.bik
defeat_movie faction/england_lose.bik
death_movie faction/england_lose.bik
custom_battle_availability yes
can_sap no
prefers_naval_invasions no
can_have_princess yes
has_family_tree yes

[Milos98]

Have you added general_unit to:

type Kwarizmian Cavalry
dictionary Kwarizmian_Cavalry ; Kwarizmian Cavalry
category cavalry
class heavy
voice_type Heavy
accent Arabic
banner faction main_cavalry
banner holy crusade_cavalry
soldier Kwarizmian_Cavalry, 32, 0, 1
mount eastern armoured horse
mount_effect elephant -4, camel -4
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, hardy, can_withdraw, can_formed_charge, mercenary_unit, general_unit

2.descr_sm_facton
You have your faction available in custom battle, that is ok, but if you want it to work, you have to type "no" at custom availability for some other faction ( aztecs for example).

custom_battle_availability no

[ArnyBoy]

still don't work maybe there is something wrong with my campaign description file:
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_DESCR} The Empire of Arnold was born by one mans effort and heart. That man was Jake Arnold I, he was until recently a English general who was sent by the English King with the objective to gain a bigger foot hold in the mainland. Jake Arnold and his men were left directionless after they were ambushed by a french army and were forced to retreat eastwards. Battered and bruised the english general was looking for a new life, but news of Jakes Arnold betrayel travelled quickly making it hard for Jake Arnold to settle down in any catholic country. Jake Arnold eventually for peace in Sofia a settlement on the borders of Hungary and The Byzantine Empire. Jake Arnold wanted to start a new life and with this came a new religion. His choosen religion was to become Orthodox like the close by Byzantine Empire. The people of this state choose Jake Arnold to be their Emperor. People from many countries refered to The Empire of Arnold as a free state and many went their to start a new life. With these people came knowledge of different cultures which gave Jake Arnold I a good knowledge of other countries weapons and armour. Which gave Jake Arnold I the ability to create a army which was balanced army which featured swords, axes and spears. Many countires fear what The Empire of Arnold is capable of and the nearby country of Hungary want Sofia as outpost near The Byzantine Empire but The Empire of Arnold seek to expandinto Hungary posing the questions who will strike first?
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_TITLE} Empire of Arnold

[Milos98]

Are you sure, the only thing I can see wrong here (it maybe isnt wrong afterall) is that you first added
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_DESCR}

and then
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_TITLE}

It should be
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_TITLE}
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_DESCR}

And I noticed that you didnt choose secondary colour for your faction.

And btw its a good story...

[ArnyBoy]

If I change the txt folder it will look different to the rest of them:{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_HRE_DESCR}
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_HRE_TITLE}
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_DESCR}
{IMPERIAL_CAMPAIGN_ARNOLD_TITLE}
They all go in that order in my txt folder
Btw my secondary colour is ment to be black thats why it is set to 0, 0, 0

[Milos98]

I know that you wanted black colour, but I think that hre has already got it,...
To avoid problems, start the tutorial all over again.... (that is my suggestion), and forget about my last post (I was confused).

[ArnyBoy]

Well before I do I got a question that I doubt will solve my problem but it might. descr_character.txt I used hre for my agents(generals, captins etc.) but then I used Russia for my priest so I could get orthodox priest etc. would that do anything?