This mod attempts to improve the look of characters making them more realistic and historical. The vast majority of playable landed characters from the 1066 scenario have been given individualized dna. Random characters will be generated according to cultural rules in order to improve their look. This mod also adds new cultural skins, new cultural clothes sets and a variety of other improvements in order to provide the best looking character portraits possible.
LATEST VERSION: 8D(Altaic cultures and Alans require mongol DLC to display correctly) for 1.06b -and 8C-lite -8C Lite needs to be adapted to patch 1.06b to work (cuting graphics for memory)
Features:
-gives individualized dna to most playable 1066 characters from Iceland to Georgia! (except mostly some nobles in HRE/France area)
-better eye/hair color distribution throughout Europe. Northern blondes ahoy!
-beards for Byzantines vs cleanshaven Normans, Saxon moustaches etc...
-better looking random characters generated according to cultural rules
-historical characters made to resemble their real selves where information is available
-adds more realistic looking graphical cultures
-adds regional/cultural clothes sets
-implements a tiered martial system for characters in command
-implements a 20 frames system
-integrated Little Portrait Mod by Peuri
-integrated parts of Enhanced Portraits Mod courtesy of Trovador and thrashing mad
-using parts of Crackdtoothgrin's Graphical Goodies P.S. He is awesome!
-A BIG THANK YOU to Trashed who ported the dna from 8C to make it compatible with the new patch!
changes in version 8 and 8A/B/C/D: (screenshot shows some new clothes)
-8D is adapted for 1.06b -minor fixes, added a lamelar armor template, dna to a Paradox dev.
-8c-lite cuts dna skins out - andalusian skin instead of all my other "darker" mediterranean/muslim skins
-v8c makes some more cuts, use of layers from other cultures /might notice some minor imperfections
-v8a and v8b further trims down on memory load
-memory load triming rework - new attempt at solving memory load issue
-renounced the loading of many layers
-added a new royal outfit and a new landed noble outfit for the Christian cultures -WIP!!!
-Catholic bishops now use their religious headgear when going to war
-switched muslim cultures using western female skin to byzantine female skin
-some tweaks to layers - such as correcting minor mismatches with clothes behind layer
-bohemian gfx now uses catalan clothes and german headgear
-various other changes/fixes /thanks to Federalist Girl for Tyrian purple recolor of ERE royal cloak.
changes in version 7: (screenshot shows some new clothes)
-reworked the mod and its file system
-implemented a 20 frames system for layers instead of 27
-implemented a new Egyptian gfx culture, differentiated sets for Egyptians, Levantines and Turks
-tweaks to Muslim clothing in general
-implemented a Bohemian graphical culture to solve some issues
-switched Egyptians to Levantine skin
-changed nordic to ugric gfx
-various other changes
changes in version 6D:
-implemented new clothes/headgear for cumangfx -the set is mostly using/based on CrackdToothGrin's cuman work + muslim stuff
-implemented a modified version of CrackdToothGrin's Cuman female clothes/headgear +some muslim stuff
-vesion 6D NO DLC -a compromise version - should work without mongol DLC - added a file to it for minimal instructions to make future versions that do not require mongol DLC (following those instructions to the letter might result in future changes to Altaics/Alans not displaying in your game but they would at least display properly using the current files)
-no DLC version uses Andalusian skin for Altaics, Levantine skin for Turks, and Muslim females.
changes in version 6C:
-version posted because of 100% lack of issues on my computer, hopefully will work for some people having issues
-implemented WIP!!! Alan and Andalusian clothes and some other tweaks (such as added a new Catalan royal outfit)
changes in version 6Bscreenshot shows some of the changes)
-implemented Persian, Catalan, and Croatian gfx cultures (so BLC can become easily compatible with cultural cities mod)
-added WIP differentiated Berber clothes and headgear
-changed Frankish tabards colors somewhat
-added a culturegfxtags.txt file in BLC folder so modders can easily see what culture uses what gfx culture
changes in version 6: (screenshot shows some of the new martial stuff)
-implemented WIP differentiated martial gear per culture group
-implemented a new tiered in command martial system (I believe the original idea for an in_command system was seen in the Suited for War mod)
-implemented a 27 frames system for the 6 clothing and headgear layers per gfx culture, hope those files can help other modders in the future to easily add stuff in a working 27 system for all cultures.
-reworked some things
-version 6a fixes an issue with Africans, and one with Franks
changes in version 5c: (screenshot shows some clothes and new Byzantine female skin)
-added a new female skin for Byzantine gfx culture
-added a clothes set for Byzantine women(no more decolletage, 100% Orthodox approved, well except for all the gold)
-reworked hair colors -better hair color distribution for generated characters
-gave Turks more hair colors and eye colors
changes in version 5b: (screenshot shows some clothes and a tanned Italian last)
-added Norse, Saxon, Celtic and Gaelic graphical cultures -split them from Nordic- nordicgfx is now used for European pagans
-added WIP differentiated clothes for them
-implemented a new tanned skin set for Italian males.
-implemented some clothes/changes elsewhere. Slavs got some new stuff.
changes in version 5a: (screenshot shows new Iberian skin vs standard European skin 1 by 1 comparison)
-added a new Iberian tanned skin, that Mediterranean sun effect needed representing.
changes in version 5: (some changes shown here)
-implemented 4 new gfx cultures: Norman, Frankish, Eastern Slavic and Western Slavic
-added 4 alpha WIP differentiated clothing sets for them to make the landed characters look different.
-now using some parts of Crackdtoothgrin's excellent goodies!
changes in version 4dskipped 4c cuz I'm awesome) (see screenshot for some changes)
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=9a4r0znwukcyrcw
-added German, Iberian, Italian and Occitan differentiated clothes set, implemented respective gfx cultures
-the new sets are a WIP first pass, they focus on replacing landed characters clothes so the map doesn't look like attack of the fashion clones.
changes in version 4b:
-added christian priestly clothes and headger to muslim cultures' sets
-An Arab/Turkish etc Pope/Orthodox bishop etc will now wear the proper religious clothing - no more naked priests!
changes in version 4a: (screenshot shows some of the clothes)
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=y8hzkhjxuz85l9z
-added a clothes set for Northern Europe. uses nordicgfx tag - currently used for Scandinavia, Celts, Saxons, European pagans.
changes in version 4: (screenshot shows new sunburnt skin)
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?ifm0h3xy7e3dpq7
-added a new Mediterranean sunburnt skin - currently used for the Byzantine culture group
-fixed an issue with a placeholder related to dna/culture clothes uncoupling
changes in version 3d: (screenshot shows 4 levantine, 4 andalusians and 3 westerners for comparison)
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?jcc911z60tropeo
-added 2 new skins for muslim males - used for my Levantine, Maghrebi, Andalusian, and Persian characters
changes in version 3c:
-uncoupled clothes from dna. A character with Swedish dna should now wear Arab clothes if his culture is Arabic (retaining Swedish looks)
-fixed dna/culture clothing miscouplings -the new feature should work for all cultures correctly.
changes in version 3b:
-added a new Byzantine clothes set
changes in version 3a: (only changes to history files)
-ported dna to the latest paradox history files
-some minor tweaks to said dna
changes in version 3:
View attachment 53424
-2 new graphical cultures added for Levantine and Maghreb. (they do not require mongol DLC)
-dna added for Maghrebi
-dna added for Levantines
-further tweaks
changes in 2aculturesB
View attachment 53351
-new graphical culture for Andalusians and Persians, less Arabic looking (does not require mongol DLC to display correctly)
-dna added for Andalusians
-dna added for some Persians
-tweaks to portrait_properties.gfx
changes in 2aculturesA (requires mongol dlc to display properly) -see screnshot of Alans from it below:
View attachment 53231
-inspired by Peuri's work I added a custom Alan culture
-Alan culture is using elements from various graphical culture sets. Consider it a test of potential future customizations.
changes in 2a
-implemented new rules for better looking random characters based on culture
-random generated characters should now look better than ever
-reworked portrait_properties.gfx
changes in 1f
-integrated parts of Enhanced Portraits Mod
-Orthodox bishop headgear has arrived (thanks again Trovador and thrashing mad#
-re-added portrait_properties.gfx
-added dna to Alans
changes in 1e
-added dna for Norse pagans
-added dna for the rest of Northern European pagans
-added dna for Baltic pagans
-added some dna for Cumans and Pechenegs
-added and tweaked some dna elsewhere most notably HRE/France
changes in 1d
-added dna for Norman landed characters for the 1066 William the Conqueror start
-some dna tweaks
-temporarily removed portrait_properties.gfx file until I find a solution for the automatic randomization of cleanshaven characters due to beard generation parameters. #the mod should work perfectly without it#
bugfixes:
-corrected an issue making Duke Vahram I of Mesopotamia unplayable
Mod changes dna in history\character\ files and files related to portraits generation. It works with 1.05e.
Preview screenshot and mod links found below. Unzip in mod folder and enjoy!
DOWNLOAD THE LATEST MOD VERSION: 8D from mediafire
http://www.mediafire.com/?7orhx7z0w4ec1bh
VERSION 8C-lite: (not compatible with patch 1.06b)
http://www.mediafire.com/?0y3k2cw9zi8h962
IMPORTANT FIX FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING INTERFACE/MISMATCH OTHER GRAPHICAL ISSUES:
A solution kindly provided by idib816:
Download cff explorer. Make a backup of ck2.exe (location of file can vary depending on where the game was bought - for steam it is in C:\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\crusader kings ii). open ck2.exe with cff explorer (right click on it and it shows up), click on "file header", click on characteristics where it says "click here" and tick the option "app can handle >2gb addresset". click ok. save the file. do the same with the ck2 launcher. Play the game.
Some version of BLC was integrated in these mods:
CK2Plus
The Prince and the Thane
SoH
North African Expansion
LATEST VERSION: 8D(Altaic cultures and Alans require mongol DLC to display correctly) for 1.06b -and 8C-lite -8C Lite needs to be adapted to patch 1.06b to work (cuting graphics for memory)
Features:
-gives individualized dna to most playable 1066 characters from Iceland to Georgia! (except mostly some nobles in HRE/France area)
-better eye/hair color distribution throughout Europe. Northern blondes ahoy!
-beards for Byzantines vs cleanshaven Normans, Saxon moustaches etc...
-better looking random characters generated according to cultural rules
-historical characters made to resemble their real selves where information is available
-adds more realistic looking graphical cultures
-adds regional/cultural clothes sets
-implements a tiered martial system for characters in command
-implements a 20 frames system
-integrated Little Portrait Mod by Peuri
-integrated parts of Enhanced Portraits Mod courtesy of Trovador and thrashing mad
-using parts of Crackdtoothgrin's Graphical Goodies P.S. He is awesome!
-A BIG THANK YOU to Trashed who ported the dna from 8C to make it compatible with the new patch!
changes in version 8 and 8A/B/C/D: (screenshot shows some new clothes)
-8D is adapted for 1.06b -minor fixes, added a lamelar armor template, dna to a Paradox dev.
-8c-lite cuts dna skins out - andalusian skin instead of all my other "darker" mediterranean/muslim skins
-v8c makes some more cuts, use of layers from other cultures /might notice some minor imperfections
-v8a and v8b further trims down on memory load
-memory load triming rework - new attempt at solving memory load issue
-renounced the loading of many layers
-added a new royal outfit and a new landed noble outfit for the Christian cultures -WIP!!!
-Catholic bishops now use their religious headgear when going to war
-switched muslim cultures using western female skin to byzantine female skin
-some tweaks to layers - such as correcting minor mismatches with clothes behind layer
-bohemian gfx now uses catalan clothes and german headgear
-various other changes/fixes /thanks to Federalist Girl for Tyrian purple recolor of ERE royal cloak.
changes in version 7: (screenshot shows some new clothes)
-reworked the mod and its file system
-implemented a 20 frames system for layers instead of 27
-implemented a new Egyptian gfx culture, differentiated sets for Egyptians, Levantines and Turks
-tweaks to Muslim clothing in general
-implemented a Bohemian graphical culture to solve some issues
-switched Egyptians to Levantine skin
-changed nordic to ugric gfx
-various other changes
changes in version 6D:
-implemented new clothes/headgear for cumangfx -the set is mostly using/based on CrackdToothGrin's cuman work + muslim stuff
-implemented a modified version of CrackdToothGrin's Cuman female clothes/headgear +some muslim stuff
-vesion 6D NO DLC -a compromise version - should work without mongol DLC - added a file to it for minimal instructions to make future versions that do not require mongol DLC (following those instructions to the letter might result in future changes to Altaics/Alans not displaying in your game but they would at least display properly using the current files)
-no DLC version uses Andalusian skin for Altaics, Levantine skin for Turks, and Muslim females.
changes in version 6C:
-version posted because of 100% lack of issues on my computer, hopefully will work for some people having issues
-implemented WIP!!! Alan and Andalusian clothes and some other tweaks (such as added a new Catalan royal outfit)
changes in version 6Bscreenshot shows some of the changes)
-implemented Persian, Catalan, and Croatian gfx cultures (so BLC can become easily compatible with cultural cities mod)
-added WIP differentiated Berber clothes and headgear
-changed Frankish tabards colors somewhat
-added a culturegfxtags.txt file in BLC folder so modders can easily see what culture uses what gfx culture
changes in version 6: (screenshot shows some of the new martial stuff)
-implemented WIP differentiated martial gear per culture group
-implemented a new tiered in command martial system (I believe the original idea for an in_command system was seen in the Suited for War mod)
-implemented a 27 frames system for the 6 clothing and headgear layers per gfx culture, hope those files can help other modders in the future to easily add stuff in a working 27 system for all cultures.
-reworked some things
-version 6a fixes an issue with Africans, and one with Franks
changes in version 5c: (screenshot shows some clothes and new Byzantine female skin)
-added a new female skin for Byzantine gfx culture
-added a clothes set for Byzantine women(no more decolletage, 100% Orthodox approved, well except for all the gold)
-reworked hair colors -better hair color distribution for generated characters
-gave Turks more hair colors and eye colors
changes in version 5b: (screenshot shows some clothes and a tanned Italian last)
-added Norse, Saxon, Celtic and Gaelic graphical cultures -split them from Nordic- nordicgfx is now used for European pagans
-added WIP differentiated clothes for them
-implemented a new tanned skin set for Italian males.
-implemented some clothes/changes elsewhere. Slavs got some new stuff.
changes in version 5a: (screenshot shows new Iberian skin vs standard European skin 1 by 1 comparison)
-added a new Iberian tanned skin, that Mediterranean sun effect needed representing.
changes in version 5: (some changes shown here)
-implemented 4 new gfx cultures: Norman, Frankish, Eastern Slavic and Western Slavic
-added 4 alpha WIP differentiated clothing sets for them to make the landed characters look different.
-now using some parts of Crackdtoothgrin's excellent goodies!
changes in version 4dskipped 4c cuz I'm awesome) (see screenshot for some changes)
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=9a4r0znwukcyrcw
-added German, Iberian, Italian and Occitan differentiated clothes set, implemented respective gfx cultures
-the new sets are a WIP first pass, they focus on replacing landed characters clothes so the map doesn't look like attack of the fashion clones.
changes in version 4b:
-added christian priestly clothes and headger to muslim cultures' sets
-An Arab/Turkish etc Pope/Orthodox bishop etc will now wear the proper religious clothing - no more naked priests!
changes in version 4a: (screenshot shows some of the clothes)
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=y8hzkhjxuz85l9z
-added a clothes set for Northern Europe. uses nordicgfx tag - currently used for Scandinavia, Celts, Saxons, European pagans.
changes in version 4: (screenshot shows new sunburnt skin)
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?ifm0h3xy7e3dpq7
-added a new Mediterranean sunburnt skin - currently used for the Byzantine culture group
-fixed an issue with a placeholder related to dna/culture clothes uncoupling
changes in version 3d: (screenshot shows 4 levantine, 4 andalusians and 3 westerners for comparison)
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?jcc911z60tropeo
-added 2 new skins for muslim males - used for my Levantine, Maghrebi, Andalusian, and Persian characters
changes in version 3c:
-uncoupled clothes from dna. A character with Swedish dna should now wear Arab clothes if his culture is Arabic (retaining Swedish looks)
-fixed dna/culture clothing miscouplings -the new feature should work for all cultures correctly.
changes in version 3b:
-added a new Byzantine clothes set
changes in version 3a: (only changes to history files)
-ported dna to the latest paradox history files
-some minor tweaks to said dna
changes in version 3:
View attachment 53424
-2 new graphical cultures added for Levantine and Maghreb. (they do not require mongol DLC)
-dna added for Maghrebi
-dna added for Levantines
-further tweaks
changes in 2aculturesB
View attachment 53351
-new graphical culture for Andalusians and Persians, less Arabic looking (does not require mongol DLC to display correctly)
-dna added for Andalusians
-dna added for some Persians
-tweaks to portrait_properties.gfx
changes in 2aculturesA (requires mongol dlc to display properly) -see screnshot of Alans from it below:
View attachment 53231
-inspired by Peuri's work I added a custom Alan culture
-Alan culture is using elements from various graphical culture sets. Consider it a test of potential future customizations.
changes in 2a
-implemented new rules for better looking random characters based on culture
-random generated characters should now look better than ever
-reworked portrait_properties.gfx
changes in 1f
-integrated parts of Enhanced Portraits Mod
-Orthodox bishop headgear has arrived (thanks again Trovador and thrashing mad#
-re-added portrait_properties.gfx
-added dna to Alans
changes in 1e
-added dna for Norse pagans
-added dna for the rest of Northern European pagans
-added dna for Baltic pagans
-added some dna for Cumans and Pechenegs
-added and tweaked some dna elsewhere most notably HRE/France
changes in 1d
-added dna for Norman landed characters for the 1066 William the Conqueror start
-some dna tweaks
-temporarily removed portrait_properties.gfx file until I find a solution for the automatic randomization of cleanshaven characters due to beard generation parameters. #the mod should work perfectly without it#
bugfixes:
-corrected an issue making Duke Vahram I of Mesopotamia unplayable
Mod changes dna in history\character\ files and files related to portraits generation. It works with 1.05e.
Preview screenshot and mod links found below. Unzip in mod folder and enjoy!
DOWNLOAD THE LATEST MOD VERSION: 8D from mediafire
http://www.mediafire.com/?7orhx7z0w4ec1bh
VERSION 8C-lite: (not compatible with patch 1.06b)
http://www.mediafire.com/?0y3k2cw9zi8h962
IMPORTANT FIX FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING INTERFACE/MISMATCH OTHER GRAPHICAL ISSUES:
A solution kindly provided by idib816:
Download cff explorer. Make a backup of ck2.exe (location of file can vary depending on where the game was bought - for steam it is in C:\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\crusader kings ii). open ck2.exe with cff explorer (right click on it and it shows up), click on "file header", click on characteristics where it says "click here" and tick the option "app can handle >2gb addresset". click ok. save the file. do the same with the ck2 launcher. Play the game.
Some version of BLC was integrated in these mods:
CK2Plus
The Prince and the Thane
SoH
North African Expansion
Last edited: