How to (actually) date and marry any NPC

I just saw @Kaperoo's thread explaining how to edit your save file to marry any NPC and it's a very hashed effort. Simply replacing one chunk of text from your save file with another could wind up causing more problems for you than you ever intended. As such, I wanted to outline how to PROPERLY edit your save file in order to marry any NPC you want, in the hopes that you put a little extra work in rather than potentially break your save.

1. Open your save file. You can open it with any XML editor, the simplest and easiest being Notepad++
2. After opening your file, you'll want to search for the <friendships> string, under this string is where the information for marriages is located (<spouse></spouse>). If you've never been married, this string won't appear, simply add it and put the name of your chosen NPC. If you have been married, change the name to anyone else. In this example we'll use Emily.
3. Next you want to locate the <characters> string for Emily. Use the search function to find it, it will look like this. You're going to want to change a number of things in this section. Work from the top down.
4. <Position> X and Y variables need to be changed to X 256 and Y 320
5. <defaultMap> needs to be changed to FarmHouse
6. <followSchedule> needs to be changed to false
7. <datable> needs to be changed to true
8. <datingFarmer> needs to be changed to true
9. <daysMarried> should be changed to 1
10. <DefaultMap> needs to be changed to FarmHouse (yes, even though you did it earlier)
11. <DefaultPosition>needs to be changed to X 1472 Y 256

If you have never been married please read this section.
If you are already married do not read this section, please skip to the next section.

Now Emily has had her data variables changed correctly, if you have not had a spouse before you need to move this text from where it says <NPC> to </NPC> to the top of the <locations> string. The easiest way to find it is to search for the line "FarmHouse"

1. First you need to open the closed <character> string by removing the /> from the line, and then typing </character> in the next line below. Even easier is to backspace three times, then add the > to finish <characters>, and it will complete the rest of the string for you. You should have this now.
2. Paste the NPC info between the <characters> strings, making sure it all lines up, and then delete the original NPC strings that you copied from. There should only be one NPC character location for each NPC.
3. Once you've done that, it's advisable to search for mailReceived to locate event strings, and then just add the following string somewhere near the bottom.
4. <string>CF_Spouse</string>
   
5. This just ensures the game is aware that you've married.

You're done. You can save your file now, load it up and you'll find your chosen NPC in your home ready to do all the married life stuff.

If you were already married read this section.

For those of you that had already gotten married and want to change to anyone else, you will follow the same steps at the top of this post so make sure you have your chosen NPC's character location information edited correctly, but now we need to move your current wife/husband back to their original location along with removing the strings that fire making the game believe you're married to them still.

1. In this example I had already married Abigail, so this guide will be using her as a basis however you will need to find the original location points for your spouse.
2. Locate your spouse, they will either be in the FarmHouse location or the Farm location, both at the top of the <characters> strings. Using the search tool and searching for their name is the easiest way to find them.
3. We will be editing several lines, I will list which lines need to be edited next.
4. <Position>
   
5. <defaultMap>
6. <followSchedule> true
7. <daysMarried> 0
8. <DefaultMap>
9. <DefaultPosition>
10. Each character has their own default map and positions so you will need to look that up - the simplest way is to make a new fresh save and then open that save file up and do a side by side comparison to see where they should be and change the variables accordingly.
11. Once you're done you need to move the character text to the <GameLocation> that corresponds to their Default Map. Abigail for example, defaults to SeedShop (otherwise known as the general store in game) as that is where her house is. Use the search function to locate your characters default map, and then paste the character information to the relevant spot, creating <NPC> strings if you need to.
12. After you have moved them, track down the NPC you want to marry once more and then move their (already edited) strings to the FarmHouse location.

Check over both string texts to make sure you haven't made any errors, that all the positions are correct and that the maps are set correctly, that you have them lined into the file correctly between <NPC> </NPC> tags and that you haven't left over any text you needed to delete.

If you have any problems leave a question, and have fun.

 

Very nice and informative guide on how to do something people want. I won't personally have any use of it (right now at least ) but I love seeing someone put good guides up. So kudos!

 

Question: Your screenshots show a nice, neat XML file. When I open my save game, in both jEdit and Notepad++, I get one monstrously long line, one blank line, and another monstrously long line. Is that the default, and is there some easy way to clean it up?

 

Yeah, you want to grab the XML Tools plugin. Can only assist with Notepad++, unsure of what you would need to specifically do for other XML readers.

Mouse over to Plugins, down to Plugin Manager and click Show Plugin Manager

Scroll down to where the X- plugins are and grab XML Tools. It's not on my list because I have it installed already.

Once it's installed (takes a few seconds), and you want to clean up the file to read easier you just mouse over to Plugins again, down to XML Tools and select the "Pretty print (XML only - with line breaks" option. Alternatively just press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + B.

It'll take a few seconds to sort out the file into an easier to read format with breaks, so give it a chance, and then you'll have the same layout as in my initial screenshots.

 

Wunderbar! Thank you very much!

 

time to marry Krobus

 

Does this kinda go Vegas-wedding on you in that you basically have to skip all the awesome loveydovey moments? ;.;

 

What happens to the extra room that spouses get? If you a marry a shopkeeper would they still be in their shop?

 

Yes, you don't get a wedding ceremony because only the genuine marriage candidates have those animations.

The extra room appears, but there's nothing in it. It's just a blank room. If you marry a shopkeeper they will no longer sell you goods as they're trapped in your house/on your farm.

 

Is the wallpaper generic or can you decorate it? Maybe I'm greedy but it would be neat to have an extra room.

 

Funnily enough, there technically isn't a wall. You can walk through the black space where the wall should be. So unfortunately, no. You can't decorate it.

 

NUUUU I want kissu scene with my dear sorcerer. Still, a thought to keep in mind.

 

Nice Gotta love config editing

 

Except when you start a fake legal firm and end up editing the same values over and over and over until you become the config file.

 

You mean it was fake? I WANT MY MONEY BACK

 

-puts on glasses and pulls out contract- Artical 7b clearly states that all sales are final. Should the need arise in case of Zombie apocolypse, Alien invasion, Mermaid overlords, Or other disasters there still will be no refund at given time. Should client be unhappy with After and Score Law offices that is there own problem please leave and get out and thank you for the gold.

-takes off glasses and walks away-

 

-sits there staring- I didn't sign anything? did i? was i roofied? that might explain why my arkenstone was missing....

 

Well you did have to sign the divorce papers so it could be made offical...-sighs- No one ever reads the fine print anymore...

 

o.o oh i see where i signed.... shit... i guess i was memorized by the concept and funniness meh

 

Hm, and if we keep <followSchedule> at "true"?