Stripes the cat is a hero

Asa dedicated reader of readme files, I am delighted to learn of aMorrowindmodder who added the family cat to comfort their children, who were afraid of mudcrabs. Stripes the cat arrives in Bethesda’s fantasy RPG as a fierce protector to help fight those horrible creatures, and assure everyone that everything is okay. What a lovely little tale, and a lovely little cat. I downloaded the mod and took Stripes along on my own adventure, have a look.

Building on (and requiring)Emma’s Companionable Cats, theStripes the Cat modlets you recruit a furry friend to follow and fight with you. And the readme file, oh gosh, the readme file is why I read readme files. Creator “NoUsernamesNotTaken” explains:

“I made this for my kids when they were little. They liked to play but were terrified of mudcrabs so I made them a companion protector based off the family cat.

“He was a stray cat that showed up one day and made himself at home. He would follow along side when ever we went for a walk with the kids or when walking the dog. The dog had to be on a leash, but not Stripes he faithfully walked right beside us every where we went. So this mod is actually realistic in that regard. And because he is a little furball he collects static electricity and will attack with shocking touch.

[. . .]

“Just like Emma’s cats you can tell him to follow or stay through dialogue, but i also added spells you can cast on Stripes to make him to follow, stay, or play. This was much more fun and easier for my kids.”

Wonderful. Perfect. I love it.

While NoUsernamesNotTaken released the mod this week as part of theMorrowind May Modathon, it sounds like they made it a while back. I’ve noticed quite a few people releasing older work lately, particularly Doom 2 mappers.

Interment’s creator also recently revisited, polished, and finished the map they had started in 1996, then abandoned, then picked back up in 1997, then abandoned again and released unfinished on their BBS and local FTP servers, then finally completed 25 years later.

I like reading readme files. I do still keepmy readme blog, readme.txt. Update frequency ebbs and flows but I’m still here, diligently following the instruction and sharing finds which interest me.

Ta toTolomeo_R on Twitterfor bringing Stripes the Cat to the world’s attention.