Have you seen MikeMike's training videos? I think they were a *huge* boon to the community. Until I started watching them I was pretty baffled by the toolset, too - and that's coming from a life-long programmer! Given enough time I'm sure I could have figured it out by myself, but with all the other things going on in life there simply wasn't time. He made it really easy to understand, though, which has renewed my personal interest in DA modding as well.

No I haven't. I will look 'em up. I'm more interested in stealing other peoples models and assets then making my own XD. I'm wanting to tell a story and I know I'll still have much to learn just doing that. I actually came up with an idea I planned on using the NWN 2 toolset for that, surprisingly, had kind of a similar start to Dragon Age Origins. As in you could pick one of three different ways to start. Than again it isn't really an original Idea: I've had this idea since playing Destiny of the Emperor for the NES.

His videos cover pretty much everything, not just creating your own art & assets (like you, I'm inclined to use other people's assets to create my own stories). How to organize your files, what goes in the database vs. what does not, etc. They are organized by topic, so you can easily find the ones that will help you personally.

They are stickied in the Toolset forums.

Cool I'll go take a look. I may have watched one of 'em. I need to get this project off the ground :)

To the OP:

One thing people have failed to mention about NWN is the DM tool which is quite powerful in its own right. Coupled with your own module and the CEP free download, you can literally run your own Pen & Paper games with your friends. The sky is literally the limit with NWN. The toolsets, the DM tool, the custom mods and persistent servers really make this game one of the greatest video games ever made.

I personally think people will still be playing NWN long after NWN2 and Dragon Age are forgotten. Now if only Bioware would get a clue and do a proper NWN sequel with the same tools and modern graphics...

My opinion exactly, and I would like to add that some boss-fights are really inspired and "original".

Yes NWN is most definitely great fun for single player gamers. Multiplayer is even better, but the OC and SoU and HotU campaigns are all great fun whether enjoyed alone or with friends.

Think of it as a modular game. It comes with 3 great adventure stories for one or more players, plus you can download any number of additional stories. The cool thing is the downloadable stuff at NWVault is created by real people, with at the very least 70+ adventures of extremely high quality. The downloadable adventures have a huge, huge range in scope and tone, with genres ranging from from sci-fi TCs to high fantasy to dark fantasy to sketchy stuff, and then finally the criminally sketchy stuff, which is apparently popular. [not sure about wordfilters around here] In any case It's a vast field of options to suit your taste.

And yes, the OC story is not better than BG2 but it is plenty interesting and fun, with a variety of characters and interesting subplots (The Coldwood trial as someone mentioned above was especially compelling, as is the lawyer quest later on) and is easily on par with, say, BG1 or Icewind Dale. Plus the sheer fun of NWN gameplay (yes it is more fun to play than the BG engine) ups the enjoyment. And playing HotU is grand, so epic you will get chills from the very first cutscene to the very last one. Keep Deekin and Nathyrra in your party--they have a lot of different conversations to share.

Above all however, no matter the adventure module you are using, singleplayer is great, but NWN is best played with friends, either with your computer DMing or a live DM.

I know right?!
Loved the OC wasnt the best story ever (nothing like Planescape and/or FF tactics on the ps1 to name a few) but its good for its time. Will admit the henchmen acted on there own from time to time. nothing but love for a simply story beginning to end. PS. Chapter 4 had a great finale