User talk:Azure Fang

Effect icon

Hey, just a heads up in case you weren't aware: {{effect icon}} displays just an icon, but {{effect}} displays the icon plus a link. This used to trip me up as well; all the other "<type> icon" templates display a link, so you'd think this one would too! --Idris (talk) 02:39, 3 April 2018 (UTC)

Thank you! I knew there was a template that did both, but I was in a hurry. Was keeping a friend waiting when I discovered the effect on the cat and got the "edit itch". -Azure Fang (talk) 05:07, 3 April 2018 (UTC)

Stefan

Just noticed that you uploaded a new image of Stefan. It's a lovely screenshot, but unfortunately the black-haired version you replaced was being used as a shared model for the the Shared Model Project. I'm going to revert Stefan.jpg back to the black-haired version (sorry) and rename it to something generic to avoid this issue happening again. In the meantime, you might want to add the Shared Model image of Stefan's model, File:Alfvald.jpg, to Stefan's infobox. --Idris (talk) 03:57, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

I just left a message on Doodleplex's talk about that very image. By reverting to the dark haired model, multiple other NPC pages are now incorrect if they continue to use Stefan.jpg, and Stefan, the namesake of the image, uses the light-haired model. I understand unifying NPCs under shared models, but it seems a little backwards to move Stefan to a different filename rather than his own. -Azure Fang (talk) 04:02, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

Yeah, I noticed your comment on Doodle's page immediately after posting the above! Bad timing. With regards to my proposed changes to Stefan.jpg, what I meant was that Stefan's image would stop being Stefan's image and start being a "generic black-haired norn dude" image. A shared model image could then be used for Stefan. My assumption was that the other NPCs currently using Stefan's image are actually meant to be the black-haired model, and that's why Doodle reverted. But judging from your comment to her, it seems like a whole bunch of NPCs are displaying the wrong models and the whole thing's a mess. :/ --Idris (talk) 04:08, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

Exactly. To summarize - Stefan, Mercenary Requisitioner and Rescued Supplier all use the light haired model, as in my upload, confirmed today (found out his vendor list was changed, which prompted the update in the first place). A Silverwastes merchant previously attached to Stefan.jpg used neither models, and I updated it to the proper, Kalf.jpg. The only one I cannot confirm is Harukk, found in a story instance. -Azure Fang (talk) 04:12, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

Okay, thank you for checking. Hmm... I wonder if these NPCs don't use a set model, and simply switch every day or so? I know some NPCs change race in this manner, but I'm not sure if I've ever witnessed them change appearance without also changing race. If they do, though, that might explain why so many "shared models" are wrong. --Idris (talk) 04:19, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

I was wondering that myself, for the unnamed generics. But I've used Stefan in the past as an item dump and I can't say I've ever seen him with dark hair in the (is it really?!) almost 6 years I've been playing, and my memory of insignificant (in the broad scheme) things like that is pretty good. But if even the named NPCs in Hoelbrak cycle their models, I can't say I'd be surprised. I'll set myself a reminder to check him daily and on the next week rollover to be certain. -Azure Fang (talk) 04:23, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

Thank you for putting in the time to check this. I'll be a little surprised if the models change too, but either way the Shared Model Project will benefit from this research. --Idris (talk) 04:28, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

There’s a really simple answer that I’ve learned since updating Stefan: some NPC’s models are randomly generated. So you just pick one of their models and leave it alone. All there is too it. - Do_odleplex 16:16, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

Well, I think it's slightly more complicated than that: first, we have to figure out which ones are randomly generated; then we need to state as such on the article, to prevent this sort of mess from happening again. --Idris (talk) 16:18, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

(Reset indent) It’s not really complicated honestly, and I thought I did mark Stefan as being Randomly generated but I guess I didn’t. The Silverwaste NPC was already marked though. - Do_odleplex 16:21, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

I just did a run through. Stefan and the SW merchant are still light haired, while the requisitioner and FGS merchant paid a mesmer for a new face - not enough sample to be considered conclusive, just one day's activity. And I hope I'm not coming off as confrontational; I'm just trying to be accurate, even if just to prove it to myself. And while not out of the realm of possibility, I find it hard to believe even ANet would have a static, named NPC in a racial city (Stefan) be set to a randomized model.

As a side idea in terms of random model NPCs, would it be possible to add a variable to the infobox template, say "random ="; if set to yes, the template prints "(In-game model is random)" or something to that effect under the image? -Azure Fang (talk) 01:19, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

Good idea! I've gone ahead and added the parameter; you can now set an NPC to random model by adding | random = yes to the infobox. :) --Idris (talk) 02:05, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

Thanks! Already updated the requisitioner and supplier after today's confirmations. But I'm determined to stalk Stefan for a week ;) -Azure Fang (talk) 02:12, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

I've upgraded this stalking to "every named merchant in the Trade Commons", now that the template variable exists. Kalf of Kalf.jpg, for example doesn't match. So may as well confirm them all -_- -Azure Fang (talk) 04:30, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

You're doing great. <3 --Idris (talk) 05:07, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

It begins. If by any chance you manage to get into a different megaserver shard and an NPC on the list doesn't match, shoot me a screenshot and I'll terminate it immediately. My biggest fear in all of this is the generation occurs on MS instance generation, rendering daily checks moot if I keep getting dropped into the same long-lived shard (3-day duration guild banners in Domain of Istan was fun). -Azure Fang (talk) 05:24, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

I tend to go to Hoelbrak for my home instance gathering, so this shouldn't be too inconvenient for me to double-check. :) (Assuming I remember. Muscle memory can be a bitch. When I was a kid I had to buy a new notebook for school, so I popped into the corner shop where I usually bought lunch. I remember thinking as I walked inside, "I'm here to buy a notebook, not a sandwich and drink like usual"... next thing I know, I'm standing outside the shop with a goddamn sandwich and drink in my hands. No notebook, no memory of how I got there. fml) --Idris (talk) 05:39, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

Back in middle school: Get off the bus, walk to the drug store en route to my home - "I just got new fillings; I can't have a chocolate Power Bar today." Walk out of the drug store and stop in my tracks, staring at the chocolate Power Bar in my hand, suddenly remembering the prior thought. No, I don't understand personal pattern entrainment at all! /s -Azure Fang (talk) 05:50, 6 April 2018 (UTC)