Illegals Expanded: Testing solutions to BM/Tempus Lab inventory problems

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Song
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Fleet Admiral
Posts: 2801
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:27 am

Over the last few days, I've been working on a proof of concept mod for trying to fix up the inventory problems in the Black Market. These are primarily evidenced by "cancer dust spam" at high levels, when vast quantities of the supposedly-rare cancer dust are spawned because no other items are available. At the moment I'm calling the mod "Illegals Expanded" purely because that's what it does: adds 33 extra illegal items between level 1 and level 8 with the intention of stress-testing the inventory algorithms and finding issues. With only eight illegal items in vanilla, spread unevenly across eight levels and with rather broken rarity values....it is rather difficult to scope out the problem. Increasing the total to 41 makes things far more apparent and also locates issues with non-futureproof shop implementation.

I was going to hide this with a big spoiler tag but it turns out that doesn't seem to work. Anyway: VERSION 1.0

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<!DOCTYPE TranscendenceExtension

[
<!ENTITY exIllegalsExpanded				"0xDC4E1000">

<!ENTITY itFakeEuropanIceVodka			"0xDC4E1001">
<!ENTITY itDrugPrecursors				"0xDC4E1002">
<!ENTITY itBootlegStimuzine				"0xDC4E1003">

<!ENTITY itBetterBootleg3DV				"0xDC4E1004">
<!ENTITY itPistolBullets				"0xDC4E1005">
<!ENTITY itFakeEridaniWater				"0xDC4E1006">
<!ENTITY itUnnaturalPeriweed			"0xDC4E1007">
<!ENTITY itBlastwavePills				"0xDC4E1008">
<!ENTITY itCounterfeitLeatherBoots		"0xDC4E1009">
<!ENTITY itIllegalHexagene				"0xDC4E1010">
<!ENTITY itIllegalFirearm				"0xDC4E1011">
<!ENTITY itLithiumDeuteride				"0xDC4E1012">

<!ENTITY itUnlicensedNuclearSource		"0xDC4E1013">
<!ENTITY itMorphineYeast				"0xDC4E1014">
<!ENTITY itPlutoniumIngot				"0xDC4E1015">
<!ENTITY itHeroin						"0xDC4E1016">

<!ENTITY itIDTemplateIllegal			"0xDC4E1017">
<!ENTITY itNanotoxin					"0xDC4E1018">
<!ENTITY itFakeIcelandicSalmon			"0xDC4E1019">

<!ENTITY itFakeQuantumVacuum			"0xDC4E1020">
<!ENTITY itBloodBoost					"0xDC4E1021">
<!ENTITY itRippedHumanOrgans			"0xDC4E1022">
<!ENTITY itNoriConcentrate				"0xDC4E1023">
<!ENTITY itPenitentTome					"0xDC4E1024">

<!ENTITY itWildFugu						"0xDC4E1025">
<!ENTITY itPrionToxin					"0xDC4E1026">
<!ENTITY itFilovirusVial				"0xDC4E1027">
<!ENTITY itAttackMicrosaur				"0xDC4E1028">
<!ENTITY itIllegalEnergyWeapon			"0xDC4E1029">
<!ENTITY itZingerDrug					"0xDC4E1030">

<!ENTITY itFakeAmbrosia					"0xDC4E1031">
<!ENTITY itEelParasite					"0xDC4E1032">
<!ENTITY itIllegalCloner				"0xDC4E1033">



]>



<TranscendenceExtension
	name="Illegals Expanded: A proof of concept"
	Credits="Shrike"
	UNID="&exIllegalsExpanded;"
	release="1.0"
	apiVersion="35">
	<Library UNID="&unidHumanSpaceLibrary;"/>
	
	
	<!--LEVEL ONE-->
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itTempusSyrette;"
			name=				"Tempus syrette"
			level=				"1"
			value=				"50"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d6"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal"

			description=		"Tempus is a popular amphetamine that slows down the user's subjective time. Tempus is illegal throughout most of Human Space."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>	
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itLaudanumAmpule;"
			name=				"laudanum ampule"
			level=				"1"
			value=				"50"
			mass=				"1"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"2d6"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal"

			description=		"Laudanum is an illegal drug popular with the middle members of the Corporate Hierarchy."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itFakeEuropanIceVodka;"
			name=				"[case(s) of ]counterfeit Europan Ice vodka"
			level=				"1"
			value=				"80"
			mass=				"50"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d4"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Food; Lux; Illegal"

			description=		"A synthetic imitation of the premium product, most batches won't actually kill you unless you get unlucky with the producer's choice of industrial alcohol. It's banned from sale regardless."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itDrugPrecursors;"
			name=				"[barrel(s) of ]drug precursors"
			level=				"1"
			value=				"60"
			mass=				"1000"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"2d8"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Res; Illegal"

			description=		"Precursors to the maufacture of drugs such as Tempus and Booster are tightly regulated, but fairly easy to procure nonetheless."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="96" imageY="96" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itBootlegStimuzine;"
			name=				"[case(s) of ]bootleg muscle-enhancers"
			level=				"1"
			value=				"30"
			mass=				"5"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d10"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Meds, Illegal"

			description=		"Similar to Stimuzine, but with more potent and less consistent active ingredients and fewer safety features. Vastly more common than the legal equivelant."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!--LEVEL TWO-->
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itMartianNori;"
			name=				"[case(s) of ]Martian nori"
			level=				"2"
			value=				"100"
			mass=				"2"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d6"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal"

			description=		"This exotic seaweed grows naturally in the subterranean water havens of Mars. Martian nori is strongly hallucinogenic if consumed and is consequently banned throughout most of Human Space."

			sortName=			"Martian nori, case of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itBootleg3DV;"
			name=				"bootleg Star Wars 3DV"
			level=				"2"
			value=				"150"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal; Info"

			description=		"The Ultimate Edition of this classic passive fiction is too expensive for most consumers, but an underground criminal organization has cracked the encryption keys and produced a bootleg version."

			sortName=			"Star Wars 3DV, bootleg"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="96" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>

		<StaticData>
			<00182001_Donation>
				;				attd	rel
				(list	Nil		0		0

				;	text
					(random (list
						"We thank you for your donation, but we prefer the version in which Han shoots first."
						"We thank you for your donation; these space operas should not distract you from your real mission."
						"We thank you for your good intentions, but these works of fiction cannot help us."
						"We thank you for your good intentions, but a tale about a quasi-religious order following a mysterious all-powerful force has no relevance to our mission."
						"We thank you for your good intentions; may Domina be with you. Always."
						))
					)
			</00182001_Donation>
		</StaticData>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itBetterBootleg3DV;"
			name=				"bootleg Star Trek Omnibus 3DV"
			level=				"2"
			value=				"150"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal; Info"

			description=		"This collection of classic 20th and 21st century science fiction is quite expensive if purchased legally. The Freeworld Anarchists have -as always- provided an alternative."

			sortName=			"Star Trek 3DV, bootleg"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="96" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>

		<StaticData>
			<00182001_Donation>
				;				attd	rel
				(list	Nil		0		0

				;	text
					(random (list
						"We thank you for your donation; the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
						"We thank you for your donation; these space operas should not distract you from your real mission."
						"We thank you for your good intentions, but these works of fiction cannot help us."
						"We thank you for your good intentions; Live long and prosper under Domina."
						))
					)
			</00182001_Donation>
		</StaticData>
	</ItemType>
			<ItemType UNID="&itPistolBullets;"
			name=				"[carton(s) of ]armor-piercing pistol ammunition"
			level=				"2"
			value=				"120"
			mass=				"5"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d3"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal, volatile, explosive"

			description=		"Armor-piercing rounds pose a significant danger to any ship or habitat in which they are fired. As a result, they are regulated even more heavily than the weapons that fire them."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itFakeEridaniWater;"
			name=				"[barrel(s) of ] counterfeit Eridani mineral water"
			level=				"2"
			value=				"90"
			mass=				"500"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d8"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Illegal"

			description=		"While this perfectly innocuous barrel of mineral water may indeed have once come from Starton Eridani, it most likely came from a waste coolant line before being tapped and filtered to reduce its toxicity and radioactivity. Drinking it would not be a good idea."

			sortName=			"counterfeit Eridani mineral water, barrel of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="96" imageY="96" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
			<ItemType UNID="&itUnnaturalPeriweed;"
			name=				"[kilo(s) of ]counterfeit periweed"
			level=				"2"
			value=				"80"
			mass=				"1"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d6"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Food; Lux; Illegal"

			description=		"This subtle spice is grown only on some Centauri planets. Naturally, enterprising individuals throughout Human Space have learned to fake it rather convincingly."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	
	<!--LEVEL THREE-->


	
	<ItemType UNID="&itBlastwavePills;"
			name=				"[bottles(s) of ]Blastwave pills"
			level=				"3"
			value=				"200"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d6"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal, Drugs"

			description=		"A relatively new illegal drug originally created by the Death Drugs Cartel. It is highly addictive, creates an 'explosion' of painful pleasure within the skull, and carries a rather ironic risk of stroke with prolonged use."

			sortName=			"Blastwave"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itCounterfeitLeatherBoots;"
			name=				"[pair(s) of ]counterfeit leather boots"
			level=				"3"
			value=				"100"
			mass=				"10"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"2d10"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Lux, Illegal"

			description=		"Far more common (and much more practical) than their genuine counterparts, the trade in counterfeit goods such as these boots is still illegal throughout most of human space."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itIllegalHexagene;"
			name=				"[crate(s) of ]Hexagene explosive"
			level=				"3"
			value=				"200"
			mass=				"500"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d10"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Explosive; Res; Volatile; Illegal"

			description=		"Hexagene is a critical component in modern explosive weaponry and is tightly regulated. You are not supposed to be carrying it around like this."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itIllegalFirearm;"
			name=				"Grump L156 Low-Flash Carbine"
			level=				"3"
			value=				"250"
			mass=				"15"
			frequency=			"veryrare"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Illegal;"

			description=		"A suppressed semi-automatic firearm manufactured by the Grump corporation. Designed for covert action and assassination missions on space stations and larger ships. Universally banned under Commonwealth law."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itLithiumDeuteride;"
			name=				"[container(s) of ]lithium deuteride"
			level=				"3"
			value=				"80"
			mass=				"1000"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d8"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Explosive; Res; Volatile; Illegal"

			description=		"This is a reinforced container of lithium deuteride powder, used in nuclear fusion devices. Handle with care to avoid explosions and law enforcement attention."

			sortName=			"lithium deuteride, container of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>

	
	<!--LEVEL FOUR-->
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itUnlicensedNuclearSource;"
			name=				"unlicensed nuclear source"
			level=				"4"
			value=				"750"
			mass=				"50"
			frequency=			"veryrare"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Illegal; Volatile; Res"

			description=		"Highly radioactive material and shielded sources are regulated by the commonwealth. This source lacks the correct documentation and was probably intended for something nefarious."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itMorphineYeast;"
			name=				"[barrel(s) of ]unlicensed morphine yeast"
			level=				"4"
			value=				"300"
			mass=				"50"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d4"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Meds; Illegal"

			description=		"This small barrel contains dried and powdered yeast, genetically modified to produce morphine as a metabolic byproduct. Such yeasts are highly regulated due to the potential for abuse."

			sortName=			"morphine yeast culture, barrel of unlicensed"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itPlutoniumIngot;"
			name=				"plutonium pit"
			level=				"4"
			value=				"200"
			mass=				"50"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d4"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Illegal; Radioactive; Res"

			description=		"Despite regulatory efforts, modification of older fission reactors for 'efficiency' is not uncommon. The resulting 'machine parts' are packaged to prevent accidental creation of a critical mass before they can be made into illegal weaponry."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!-- Booster -->

	<ItemType UNID="&itBooster;"
			name=				"[sealed ampule(s) of ]Booster"
			level=				"4"
			value=				"350"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d6"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal, Drugs"

			description=		"A strong base of O3 'boosted' with a pure dose of metaendorphile paste, this drug is considered to be the best narcotic routinely available on the black market. It is extremely addictive, and thus banned everywhere."

			sortName=			"Booster, ampule of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itHeroin;"
			name=				"[dose(s) of ]heroin"
			level=				"4"
			value=				"250"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"2d10"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal, Meds, Drugs"

			description=		"Largely seen used by former agents and members of the Corporate Hierarchy, heroin is one of the most infamous illegal drugs in human history. It has legitimate uses in end-of-life care, where addiction will not pose a long term problem to the patient."

			sortName=			"Heroin, dose of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!--LEVEL FIVE-->
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itIDTemplateIllegal;"
			name=				"ID ROM template"
			level=				"5"
			value=				"400"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d4"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal"

			description=		"Illegally produced templates for restricted identity ROMs. These are generally used to provide limited-use forgeries of military or corporate IDs for infiltration, thievery, or to cover up for a genuine ID that has been 'borrowed'."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!-- Cancer Dust -->

	<ItemType UNID="&itDeathDrugs;"
			name=				"[gram(s) of ]unlicensed cancer dust"
			level=				"5"
			value=				"500"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d6"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal, Meds"

			description=		"Cancer dust is a complex blend of oncokillers and nanomachines that cures most forms of human cancer. This is an unlicensed (and thus illegal) batch, most likely manufactured at a Death Drug laboratory."

			sortName=			"cancer dust, gram of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<!-- Nanotoxin -->

	<ItemType UNID="&itNanotoxin;"
			name=				"[dose(s) of ]Nanotoxin-B"
			level=				"5"
			value=				"1000"
			frequency=			"veryrare"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal, Meds"

			description=		"Designed to be indistinguishable from medical nanites, Nanotoxin-B ensures a victim becomes extremely sick on a predictable schedule, and remains that way for a significant period of time."
			sortName=			"Nanotoxin, dose of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!-- Fusion trigger -->

	<ItemType UNID="&itFusionTrigger;"
			name=				"[case(s) of ]fusion triggers"
			level=				"5"
			value=				"1000"
			mass=				"250"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d10"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Explosive; Illegal; Volatile"

			description=		"Fusion triggers are small nuclear implosion devices used in fusion weapons such as the XM900 Lucifer missile. Fusion triggers are illegal throughout Human Space."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
<ItemType UNID="&itFakeIcelandicSalmon;"
			name=				"[crate(s) of ]counterfeit Icelandic salmon"
			level=				"5"
			value=				"400"
			mass=				"250"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d4"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Food; Lux; Illegal"

			description=		"This cryo-preserved salmon is in fact quite real, probably not overly carcinogenic, and boasts fairly reasonable if not exceptional quality, flavor, and texture.  The 'Iceland' it comes from is however most definitely not in the same star system as Earth."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!--LEVEL SIX-->
		
		<ItemType UNID="&itFakeQuantumVacuum;"
			name=				"[container(s) of ]counterfeit quantum vacuum"
			level=				"6"
			value=				"600"
			mass=				"1000"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d8"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Res; Illegal"

			description=		"This is probably one of the easier things to counterfeit if we're being completely honest."

			sortName=			"quantum vacuum, container of counterfeit"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itBloodBoost;"
			name=				"[bags(s) of ]BloodBoost"
			level=				"6"
			value=				"500"
			mass=				"50"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d12"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Meds; Illegal"

			description=		"Artificial blood 'boosted' with performance enhancing substances and medical nanites. It can be used to heal injuries or to make a person far more capable in physical comabt or sport. Dangerous to use, and highly illegal."

			sortName=			"BloodBoost, bag of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itRippedHumanOrgans;"
			name=				"unregistered human organ"
			level=				"6"
			value=				"750"
			mass=				"25"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d4"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Meds; Illegal"

			description=		"You probably don't want to know where this came from."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itNoriConcentrate;"
			name=				"[vial(s) of ]Martian nori concentrate"
			level=				"6"
			value=				"500"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d12"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood; Illegal; Drugs"

			description=		"Attempts to concentrate the active ingredients in Martian nori into a more potent drug failed for decades due to the fragile nature of the alkaloids and exotic proteins involved, but were ultimately successful and produced a premium drug for the wealthy and reckless."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itPenitentTome;"
			name=				"penitent tome"
			level=				"6"
			value=				"700"
			mass=				"5"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			attributes=			"Art; Consumable; Lux; Illegal"

			description=		"The writings of the cult known as the 'penitents' are rarely found, and seem exclusively to be older texts not entirely up to date with their current beliefs, and are written in an unusual form of script or perhaps even a unique language. Banned by the commonwealth as dangerous, these texts can still be found on the Black Market."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!--LEVEL SEVEN-->
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itWildFugu;"
			name=				"[crate(s) of ] authentic wild Fugu"
			level=				"7"
			value=				"1000"
			mass=				"250"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d3"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Food; Lux; Illegal"

			description=		"Wild-caught Fugu has been banned for many decades because of the risk of fatal poisoning if improperly prepared. However some connoisseurs claim that the farmed product cannot truly compete at all, and will pay a good price for the 'real deal'."

			sortName=			"Fugu, crate of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itPrionToxin;"
			name=				"[gram(s) of ]prionic toxin"
			level=				"7"
			value=				"5000"
			frequency=			"rare"
			numberAppearing=	"1d6"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal; Toxin"

			description=		"Developed by Teraton scientists from their human experimentation program, this vial of prions induces mental deterioration and death over a period of 6 to 8 months. It has no non-lethal uses."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
		<ItemType UNID="&itFilovirusVial;"
			name=				"[vial(s) of ]preserved filovirus"
			level=				"7"
			value=				"8000"
			frequency=			"veryrare"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			mass=				"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Illegal, Toxin"

			description=		"Filoviruses cause some of the deadliest and most unpleasant diseases known to humanity. You don't know which one this one is, and it would probably not be a good idea to find out."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itAttackMicrosaur;"
			name=				"attack Microsaur&#x99;| attack Microsaurs&#x99;"
			level=				"7"
			value=				"15000"
			mass=				"100"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Lux; illegal"

			description=		"The allure to criminals and ethically-challenged individuals of weaponising an ornamental therapod through reckless and immoral genetic engineering and 'training' is quite obvious. The illegality of doing so should also be quite apparent. This has regrettably not stopped anyone from creating these nightmarish monstrosities."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itIllegalEnergyWeapon;"
			name=				"DEWPOINT IV infantry support weapon"
			level=				"7"
			value=				"1200"
			mass=				"250"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1d3"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Illegal;"

			description=		"Almost as soon as the bizzare phenomenon of ball lightning was understood by humanity, scientists sought to weaponise it. The DEWPOINT series of energy weapons are one of the more successful man-portable attempts."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itZingerDrug;"
			name=				"[kilos(s) of ]Zinger"
			level=				"7"
			value=				"800"
			mass=				"1"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d10"
			attributes=			"Consumable; consumerGood, Drugs; Illegal"

			description=		"Treating various Ringer spices with industrial chemicals then purifying the resulting compounds creates the premium narcotic 'Zinger'. The name is stupid, but it still sells rather well to those who can afford it."

			sortName=			"Zinger, kilo of"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<!--LEVEL EIGHT-->

	
	
	<!-- Human Cadaver -->

	<ItemType UNID="&itHumanCadaver;"
			name=				"human cadaver"
			level=				"8"
			value=				"8000"
			mass=				"250"
			frequency=			"uncommon"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Illegal; Soul"

			description=		"The traffic in human cadavers is common in the Outer Realm. Many people believe that Teratons use human cadavers for strange experiments."
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>

		<StaticData>
			<00182001_Donation>
				;			attd	rel		text
				'(Nil		-1		135		"This empty vessel may nevertheless possess a connection to the soul it once housed. Domina will use it to gather Her flock.")
			</00182001_Donation>
		</StaticData>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itFakeAmbrosia;"
			name=				"[case(s) of ]counterfeit Ringer ambrosia"
			level=				"8"
			value=				"2000"
			mass=				"250"
			frequency=			"common"
			numberAppearing=	"1d10"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Food; Lux; Illegal; Drugs"

			description=		"Counterfeits of the famous 'ambrosia' generally use a variety of psychoactive compounds to mimic the rumored effects of the real product. As most who try it (or manufacture it) have never experienced the real product the discrepencies in effect are rarely noticed in time to prevent serious consequences."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itEelParasite;"
			name=				"Teraton parasite"
			level=				"8"
			value=				"2000"
			mass=				"1"
			frequency=			"veryrare"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Illegal; Toxin"

			description=		"No one (except the Teratons) know precisely what the origins of this eel-like parasite are. What is known rather well to those who regularly deal with Teratons is that this creature causes a most unpleasant death for anyone unlucky enough to have one implanted in their body."

			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="288" imageY="0" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>
	
	<ItemType UNID="&itIllegalCloner;"
			name=				"illegal cloning device"
			level=				"8"
			value=				"10000"
			mass=				"1000"
			frequency=			"veryrare"
			numberAppearing=	"1"
			attributes=			"Consumable; Meds; Illegal"

			description=		"Most likely derived from stolen or salvaged Ares technology, this human-sized combined rejuv tank and cloning device is exceptionally illegal in Commonwealth space."

			sortName=			"cloning device, illegal"
			>

		<Image imageID="&rsItems1;" imageX="192" imageY="480" imageWidth="96" imageHeight="96"/>
	</ItemType>

	
	</TranscendenceExtension>
This first version, used by itself with no further modification, seems to indicate that simply adding extra items actually makes the problem worse: Tempus labs in particular do not have future-proofed inventory settings and as such have severe problems with random items turning up. The levelled inventory system also makes tempus an extremely rare spawn once you add in any number of mid-low level items (particularly around level 3-4). A low level tempus lab has virtually no tempus at all, and this only gets worse at higher levels. Indeed, the current system only works at all because of the clustering and low variety of illegal goods in the game, and only does so at lower levels when item value is relatively low. I must note that I was testing with SM&M++ enabled which may have skewed things slightly. I also included and slightly modified the stock illegals to see what happened (and to make it easier to write all the others).

My second mod in this series I think will look to split tempus labs into a larger number of stations with smaller 'footprints' in the game. It will be independent, so the two sides (station and items) can be adjusted separately and reverted as required. Thus inventory can be more precisely tailored to each station, rather than attempting to use the catch-all code (which I cannot really modify). I'd be interested in other suggestions for possibilities.

The main alternative I can think of, which I may try first, is tagging narcotics as such and making tempus labs only spawn those (this then requires a suitable array of items, which I fortunately do have now). This would however block out other items that I have added to test the system from being spawned in almost any location. These include firearms, unlicensed medicines and organs, counterfeit goods (restricted to those that cause real damage if they fail, unlike the curator stuff in CC), illegal parts (eg. plutonium, lithium deuteride, hexagene), and hazardous items and commodities (eg. teraton experiment items like filovirus cultures, also wild fugu because I was running out of ideas).

In either approach I may need to find a way for these items to spawn without overpowering the system. Alas, item availability code seems to be run after the levelling....so this is rather difficult with the current shop inventory code. I may need to use an older implementation or hard-code some extra experiments.

I will be uploading the test mod to the Multiverse, or to a third-party host if others express interest in using this mod to test possible solutions. For now, I have simply attached the relevant test mod to this post. I'm not really skilled enough to solve the problems entirely by myself...there are exotic solutions that I cannot even attempt.

It is worth noting that while I have put some effort into my items, they are not indicative of any kind of proposed addition to the game at present (if anything they are a first-draft of a first draft), but rather serve as examples of a wide variety of illegal goods that might appear in the core game, official expansions, or community mods. Variety simply helps find problems faster, and also means I have more fun writing the item descriptions.
Mischievous local moderator. She/Her pronouns.
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