🧍‍♂️ Balrond Idle Actors – Mod Documentation

Overview

Balrond Idle Actors brings life to your Valheim settlements by allowing you to place decorative NPCs who look alive, speak, and even trade—but never move.
These NPCs do not walk, fight, or follow commands. They're built for immersion, not interaction depth.

NPCs are spawned using a special Balrond Hammer(Npcmancer_bal) and function as highly optimized build pieces.

🧰 Key Features

• 🔨 Balrond Hammer Build Tool
  Craft a special hammer Npcmancer_bal to place idle NPCs directly into your world.

  • Requires Forge lvl 1 Recipe: 4 Finewood, 4 Bloodbag, 4 Iron

• 🧍‍♂️ Two NPC Types

  • Talker – Reacts to player interaction with ambient dialogue.
  • Trader – Offers a small selection of themed items.(Avaible only in debugmode/freebuild)

• 🎲 Randomized Appearance
  Each NPC's name,gear and look is generated from predefined presets.

• 🧬 Current Archetypes Available
  The mod currently includes the following NPC archetypes: Priest, Farmer, Blacksmith, Hunter, Guard,Defender, Villager, Lummberjack, Miner, Begger, and Noble(Merchant) — each with randomized appearances and thematically appropriate gear or trade items.

  Not all Archetypes are available for each race and not all Archetypes have a Trader version.

• 🛒 Thematic Traders
  Traders sell items that match their archetype (Farmer, Hunter, Guard, etc.), with unlocks based on boss progression.

• 🧱 NPCs as Build Pieces
  Optimized for minimal memory and performance cost. Acts like a decorative object.

• 🗿 Immersive but Passive

  • Do not move or follow
  • React to damage, death, or building destruction in Ward range
  • Do not fight back

• ⚙️ Zero Configuration
  No settings, no customization menus. Drop it in and enjoy.

🔧 How to Use

1. Craft the Balrond Hammer (Npcmancer_bal).
2. Use it to open the build menu.
3. Choose either Talker or Trader variants of NPCs.
4. Place NPCs like any other build piece.

❓ What This Mod Is Not

• ❌ No AI behavior or pathfinding
• ❌ No quests or progression
• ❌ No player-driven customization
• ❌ Not a follower/companion system

This mod is intended for decorative and immersive world-building only.

💡 Ideal For

• Story-rich settlements
• Roleplay servers
• Towns, farms, temples, taverns, markets
• Builders looking to make their world feel lived in

📦 Trader Inventory

Each trader archetype offers a selection of small, thematic items. Some items unlock only after certain bosses are defeated.

Format:

Item Name | Cost (Coins) | Unlocked After

🧑‍🌾 Farmer

🛡️ Guard & Defender

🧙 Priest

🪙 Begger

👩‍🌾 Villager

🏹 Hunter

🧺 Merchant

These share the same inventory.

🪓 Lumberjack

⛏️ Miner

🛠️ Blacksmith

📌 Note: Items only appear once their required boss has been defeated on that world. All prices are in Valheim coins.

🛠️ Traders are decorative and thematic — not balanced for full gameplay economy for balance purpose prices and items may change.

Video Preview

Click the image to go to YT and launch the video

🔮 Future Plans

Development on Balrond Idle Actors is ongoing, with several exciting features planned for future updates:

• 🧟 New Humanoid Templates
  Additions of idle NPCs based on humanoid monsters like Draugr, Dvergr, and Skeletons.

• 🧑‍🎨 Expanded Archetypes
  Introduction of new NPC roles such as scribes, cooks, shrine keepers, guardsmen, and more.

• 🗣️ Archetype-Specific Vocalization
  Each archetype will eventually have its own distinct voice lines, tones, and vocal patterns to better reflect their personality and role (e.g., gruff Blacksmiths, humble Beggers, noble Priests). This will enhance immersion and variety when interacting with Talker NPCs.

• 🧥 Greater Gear Variety
  Larger randomization pools for weapons, armor, accessories, and visual details to create more diverse appearances.

• 🛒 Trader Inventory Expansion
  Traders will gain more items for sale, including content from other mods for better synergy.

• 🔗 Balrond Mod Integration
  Seamless compatibility and cross-functionality with other Balrond mods and assets.

• 🏹 Functional NPC Types
  Future NPCs may include new behaviors and features, such as:

  • Archer Guards that fire at enemies like stationary Ballista
  • Defense Guards that push back attacking monsters
  • NPCs that interact with Ward mechanics or offer unique localized utility

Stay tuned for updates and community-driven enhancements!

Changelog

Update 1.0.1

• fix issue with npcs falling thru floors when left the zone

Update 1.0.2

• small changes to existing presets
• add new archetypes of Miner and Lumberjack for human male

🔌 Requirements & Compatibility

• ✅ Requires BepInEx
• ✅ No configuration needed
• ✅ No external dependencies
• ✅ Compatible with all major world/edit mods

💬 Community & Support

• 💬 Join our Discord: Balrond’s Den
• ☕ Support the project: ko-fi.com/balrond1020

Bring your towns to life — with Balrond Idle Actors.

🧬 Prefab ID List