SSE Help changing NPC behavior via spell with custom package

[lDelta6l]

I'm creating a custom spell/power that allows the player to temporarily enthrall any NPC, turning them into a temporary follower for a period of time. I currently have it working by having the spell run a script that sets the target NPC as an alias in a controller quest. The alias contains my custom follower package, currently modeled after the vanilla follower package with a few minor tweaks. There are no conditions set and it's set to run any time, any day.

It works perfectly on "generic" NPCs, such as guards, bandits, forsworn, horses, cows, etc. However, it does not seem to do anything to named NPCs, such as blacksmiths, shop owners, or really anyone that has a name and/or daily routine. I'm pretty sure this is because they have specialized packages that are being run and are ignoring my package when it gets added via the alias. How do I fix this? I know there are package overrides, but those seem to be for specific things such as combat, reporting to guards, etc. How can I override a "named" NPC's currently running package?

 

Please feel free to ask for more details. I could provide more details but I'm honestly not sure what would be helpful and what would just be clutter.

 

Edit: I just thought of one important detail: the package does actually have some effect on "named" NPCs. When I talk to them, I have the follower dialogue options ("Wait Here", "I need you to do something", etc.) show up while they are under the effect of the package. These options work, too. However, instead of following me like a real follower and like the "generic" NPCs do, they continue to do their tasks, like manning the shop, using the forge, etc. Even after telling them to go to a location they return to their tasks instead of following me. So, how do I override the other package(s) so they follow me?

Edited October 3, 2020 by lDelta6l

[lDelta6l]

Eureka! I just figured it out: I needed to set the PRIORITY of the controller quest (the quest containing my alias with the custom package) to be higher. I set it to 100 so it should override almost all other quests.