(from the original Fallout 3 mod's description)

This version of Ties that Bind is based off bloxyman's version, found here: https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/68651

Figured I'd take a crack at updating this mod for TTW 3.3.3. After converting Alton IL to TTW (and making/converting Washington's Malevolence, some ass quest mod I made 6 years ago), this should be nothing.

Right?

Right?

If you don't want spoilers, don't look at the changelogs. Although, let's face it, at this point, Ties that Bind was released well over a decade ago and the overwhelming majority of you have probably played the mod. So there's your spoiler warning!

And read the installation instructions. Seriously. Reporting "bugs" that are caused by missing assets will be either ignored or ridiculed. More than likely ignored and closed.

What was supposed to be a couple of days fixing some small bugs turned into a multi-week project (using every small bit of free time I had) involving ripping out almost every bit of the original scripting and replacing it with a more solid foundation (and working with existing packages) that I hope brings a far more bug-free version of this mod to Tale of Two Wastelands 3.3! As TTW is a total conversion that has received countless hours of work, it's only fair to expect conversions to be treated with the same amount of respect!

The red conflicts in xEdit are caused by the main TTW ESM overriding the base game ESMs. Either use modgroups in xEdit or do not report those conflicts.


- There is probably some missing voice data for some of the menu options involving follower tactics. Certain lines were never recorded by the original VA, and I wasn't able to splice together lines that fit with time available. The option to use the dialogue tree to change up tactics remains regardless. (Just use the companion wheel.)

- As this mod was released over a decade ago, I had to continue the trend of reusing existing dialogue for DLC integration, which existed in bloxyman's version. The dialogue may be a little lean and repetitive as a result. Without using AI generation to fill in the gaps (and I'm not going to) this is the best that can be done without somehow getting the original VA back, which is more than likely impossible at this point as I highly doubt she would be interested in recording dialogue for a project from over a decade ago. And for the love of all that's good, please don't be weird about it and try to contact her.

- I've done my best to squash as many bugs as possible, to the point that quite a bit of the mod was straight up rebuilt. That said, I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, so there may still be lingering issues. Use the Bugs tab to report anything you find and I'll get around to it eventually. Modding isn't a priority for me anymore as I had previously moved on to original projects (which are coming along very nicely, but slowly as I have a job that eats up my entire day), yet this mod was the one that got me back here, if only temporarily.

Installation Instructions

NOTE: This assumes you are using Mod Organizer 2.

1. Install the original Fallout 3 version. Rename the installed mod to "Ties That Bind - Data1" or whatever works for you.
2. Go into the installed mod's directory and delete the included Sound directory and plugin. You only need the original BSA.
3. Install bloxyman's version. Rename the installed mod to "Ties That Bind - Data2" or whatever works for you.
4. Go into the installed mod's directory and delete the included Sound folder and plugin. You only need the Meshes and Textures folder.
5. Install this version.
6. Load in this order: FO3 version, bloxyman version, JD version.

Sorry for the complex installation instructions, this is meant to be a good faith attempt to respect author permissions while also giving the voice assets a needed upgrade.

Answers To Questions I Will Probably Get (That I Am Going To Attempt To Pre-Answer)

Q1: Why the confusing installation instructions?
A: Again, it's a good faith attempt to respect author permissions; that said, some things absolutely had to be changed, such as OGG encoding for the voice data.

Q2: Can't you just package it all up?
A: Sure! I'd also be breaking one of my own biggest rules of TTW conversions: don't show blatant disregard for, and blatant disrespect to, author permissions. Just follow the instructions and spread the download count everywhere.

Q3: Why did you restore the original appearance?
A: That was Amanda's original appearance in the Fallout 3 version, or at least as close as I could get with New Vegas's changes to the character face bases. It's an exact copy of Amanda's FaceGen data from the Fallout 3 version! I included two optional plugins for alternate appearances, use one of them (and only load one of them at a time) if it really bothers you that much. (I personally recommend the one I made as it's still very close to the original appearance, just with the very harsh edges smoothed out)

Q4: Can't you just put the alternate appearances in the ESM?
A: I could! You can also do it in your own game with GECK/xEdit very easily. Options! Choices! Seriously, it's just one plugin. Your load order with 723 mods isn't going to collapse from one plugin with two whole records in it. Or it might. Hell if I know. It's your game.

Q5: Can I use other appearance mods?
A: Sure, it's your game! Just know that any appearance mod will overwrite any others. Don't use the included plugins if you want to make your own changes to her appearance, the optional plugins will just overwrite your changes.

Q6: Why is this in the New Vegas Nexus? This is a Fallout 3 mod!
A: Because Nexus won't give us a dedicated TTW section. Forgive me for sullying your immaculate New Vegas Nexus with these unworthy TTW mods. (of course, there are other sites that do have a dedicated TTW section!) Honestly, TTW has been around for years, how are you all not used to this by now?

Q7: Can I install this mid-save?
A: While the general recommended practice is to only install mods before starting a new game, there are checks in place that run if you do in fact install the mod after starting a new game.

Q8: Can I install this mid-save after installing another conversion of TTB?
A: No. No, no, no, no. This version of TTB makes way too many internal changes to how TTB has worked in the past. Things will break. (Unless you haven't actually loaded the game and made another save yet.)

Q9: Does this version of TTB have a JIP CC&C avatar?
A: No, I don't use JIP CC&C and have no interest in doing so.

Q10: Can you convert (insert mod here)?
A: I might, if it has potential and I really like it (and can find the spare time to do so)! Don't request it though, because that will instantly turn me off of converting it. (Authors of previously-converted mods notwithstanding)

Q11: Amanda died during the final battle. Is this intended?
A: Yes. In the original Fallout 3 version, if you took Amanda with you during the fight for Project Purity, she would die in the Jefferson Memorial Gift Shop no matter what. In this version, Amanda can still survive if she trusts you enough, and your Lone Wanderer fights with a bit of Luck!

Q12: How is Amanda's survival percentage calculated?
A: By a simple calculation, feel free to look in the dialogue quest script and feel free to repurpose it in your own mods.

Q13: Can Amanda travel with me to the DLC lands?
A: Yes and no. If it was meant to be in bloxyman's version, it will work here. You can take her to The Pitt (must convince Amanda), Point Lookout (Nadine must be captain of Duchess Gambit), and even Zion Canyon (get rid of Ricky). The rest will auto-dismiss her.

Q14: How do I make Amanda travel with me to Zion?
A: Ah, yes, I set this one up different to The Pitt's check and felt it deserved its own question response. You have to make absolutely sure you get Ricky to leave. The mod will not hold your hand in this regard; if you don't, Jed will absolutely let you (and just you) travel without reminding you to dismiss your followers! She will just be waiting for you at the Northern Passage cavern. I implemented it in this fashion to avoid making hard edits to base game scripts where possible to lessen the chances of future compatibility problems.

Q15: Can I still set Amanda's home location?
A: Yes, and I will repeat here in the changelog section, *you do this at your own risk*. I cannot account for the hundreds of vanilla cells the game has, as well as almost a decade and a half worth of player home mods. I was originally going to disable this entirely as vanilla followers don't even let you do this, but taking the option away just seemed wrong to me for some reason. Use your common sense, wanderers! Don't drop her home location in an active war zone.

Q16: Can I take her to New Vegas mod locations such as Frosthill in New Vegas Bounties 3?
A: Sure, if you're dumb enough to do it! Other than that, yes, I don't even try to stop you from taking her to mod locations because there are way too damn many to try to account for.

Q17: This mod broke (insert mod here)!
A: Skill issue or load order issue that has nothing to do with this mod, this conversion was worked on using a completely stock TTW setup and it barely makes any edits to anything vanilla (only where ABSOLUTELY necessary, such as the odd dialogue result script that did things I couldn't make the mod check against).

Q18: Where is (insert bad quest mod I released years ago)?
A: ModPub since January 2024 if you really want it that badly.

Q19: Does this work in TTW 2.9.4?
A: TTW 3.3.3 only.

Q20: Can you make it work in TTW 2.9.4?
A: No.

Q21: What about 3.2?
A: 3.3.3 only.

Q22: Why only 3.3.3?
A: It's the only version supported and I respect the TTW devs enough to not go against that.

Q23: Why is YUPTTW a master? Isn't this a Fallout 3 mod?
A: It's true that YUPTTW shouldn't be a master for a TTW conversion. It's also rooted enough into the mod that I didn't want to bother removing it. And if you're taking Amanda to Vegas, you're probably going to be wanting YUPTTW anyway.