Negative Balance Mod

[xxxS0ulR3ap3rxxx]

Hi there. I think a good idea for a mod (for New Vegas) would be one where the player could have a negative balance to their "account". The implementation would be (fairly) simple and it works like this-

 

1.) The player purchases an item (or items) from a vendor.

 

2.) A script checks to see if the number of bottle caps that the player has is less than the total price paid.

 

3.) If not, the purchase would go as it normally would.

 

4.) However, if the price of the purchase IS greater than the player's available bottle caps, the player would receive a (temporary) perk called "Indebted".

 

5.) The "Indebted" perk would have 3 different levels (depending on the amount of money owed) and you will be unable to purchase anything else until the debt is paid off (However, you WILL be able to sell items to create the profit needed to pay off the debt.).

 

6.) For each "Indebted" perk level, the "Debt Collector" would be stronger and have better armor than the last (i.e., the more money owed, the harder it is to kill the "Debt Collectors" that come after you if you haven't paid off the debt.). Each "Debt Collector level would be as follows-

 

a.) Level 1- A nice, polite businessman wearing a suit. Killing this individual would trigger a loss of reputation with EVERY faction that is friendly to the "Debt Collector" (which is, to say, EVERY "non-raider" faction). Also, the debt would be increased (to compensate for the costs needed to train the replacement [and the fact that you stole the dead "Debt Collector's" expensive suit. Seriously- these guys don't f*** around.], so your "indebted" perk level would (automatically) increase.

 

b.) Level 2- A slightly more serious (but, still polite) businessman wearing some (medium grade) armor. This individual would have guards with him. Like the previous, killing this individual would lead to a loss of faction reputation and an increase of the "Indebted" perk level.

 

c.) Level 3- The last and final "Debt Collector" level. These guys will show up in the middle of the night when you are FAR from society. This is to ensure that you have no outside "help" (other than your follower) and to make combat tougher (It's harder to see at night.). They are also, of course, decked out in CUSTOM Power Armor (which EXPLODES UPON DEATH [another reason for them to be FAR from society], so you can't steal it [and as a last ditch effort to take you out]. Also, the other "Debt Collectors" in the group would have extra [ion?] shielding [that quickly regenerates, but is weak against "EMP" type weapons] that would protect them from the blast, so don't think that you can use the explosion to your advantage.).

 

 

7.) It would be assumed (at least, by "civilized" wasteland standards) that these "Debt Collectors" have a license to collect the debt "by any means possible" (which is, to say, that they are friendly with every non-raider faction, so they can kill anybody who owes a debt without causing any problems for themselves).

 

8.) The player, of course, could pay off the debt BEFORE the "Debt Collectors" show up by doing either of the following-

 

a.) Visiting the merchant that they owe money to (and paying them off directly).

 

OR

 

b.) If the NVTC mod is installed, visiting the bank (and paying the debt off indirectly [with a percentage added to the amount paid as a "processing fee"]). Also, any money stored in the bank would be used to pay off the debt (and, if the balance is too low, would PREVENT debt repayment. Sorry, but there are no free rides here.]). This is also THE ONLY WAY to pay off a Level 3 debt (It is assumed that the merchant that you owe money to has a record [with YOUR signature] stored [safely] at the bank, so they have proof of the [owed] debt.).

 

c.) For players with GOOD karma (who are using the NVTC mod), a "Debt Forgiveness" option would be available (at the bank). All the debt would be (obviously) forgiven, but ALL of the player's assets (other than important quest items) would be taken from them (i.e. EVERY bottle cap stored and every item stored [in EVERY container], and EVERYTHING from the player's inventory [Yep, they strip you down to your skivvies. Good luck trying to survive in the Wasteland. Also, they recycle all your old stuff to make new armor [and weapons] for the [good] factions, so at least it's for a good cause. Right? Also, remember that "prison" that the Lone Wanderer is held in during the course of Fallout 3 [You know, before meeting President Eden?]. That's how they prevent you [the courier] from fighting back. This "prison" would be bigger than the Fallout 3 variant, built into the floor of the bank, and would be placed in front of the bank teller, so you wouldn't be able to leave until the deed is done [surprise!!!]. Also, remember those Level 3 "Debt Collectors"? They're friendly now, but have the ability to walk around in this prison that you are trapped in (so they can take your belongings without you being able to fight back]. If you think that this is overpowered, just remember that the bank has to make money [for loans] SOMEHOW [i.e., they make money off of selling the recycled equipment to the various factions]. Again, it's better to just pay what you owe, rather than being "forgiven" for the debt. You have been warned.).

 

I hope I explained everything thoroughly enough for any mod authors that may be willing to give this idea a shot. I also hope to see this mod on the Nexus someday. :smile:

 

P.S.- I WOULD create this myself, but I'm not exactly versed in the GECK. I hope you understand. Still, I'm sure that other players would LOVE this mod, so what do you have to lose by taking the time to create this? :wink:

Edited February 25, 2020 by xxxS0ulR3ap3rxxx