NPC Mod Voice Control

Version 2.6.03 adds further infrastructure, process revisions, and a Japanese language use case in preparation for future multi-language support. Much testing prior to this release demonstrated the limitations and challenges of adding comprehensive non English language support due to language Models and back end resources that require further development. As such, this release provides a balanced environment reminiscent to localization found in games, and other multilingual platforms. Primary updates for this version consist of:
- The Voice Control Settings option allows for a default English or select able Japanese platform.
- Default English accepts English or Japanese prompts but will respond with English audio and only English text subtitles.
- Japanese accepts English or Japanese prompts but will respond with English audio and only Japanese subtitles.
- xml files have been merged or applied in other means to reduce client customization demands.
- Japanese Kanji is supported by its Romaji version in prompts (a dependency and must be added) for client localization or additional customization.
- A Language response field specific for en or ja, for English or Japanese subtitles depending on NPC Voice Control Settings option.
In summary,
Use Case 1.
A player using the default English only option, can prompt an NPC Helper using any Phrase or Alias in the phrasetriggers.xml for its given trigger action. It is currently using some standard presets (which include Japanese), and it is advised to become familiar with this file to understand what is acceptable. This file can also be expanded on or edited to match your own specifications within the scope of what commands are possible.
Use Case 2.
A player using Japanese is required to select the Japanese language tab in the Escape > NPC Voice Control Settings area. Commands can be made in Japanese (as long as any Kanji version has an accompanying Romaji version) and the NPC Helper will respond in English but with Japane…

# 1-XNPCVoiceControl — New Features (v2.6.04+)
## What's New Since v2.6.03
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### Proactive NPC Greetings
**What it does:** NPCs say hello when you walk up to them, before you even open a chat window.
When you approach an NPC within about 15 meters, the mod generates a short, personality-driven greeting and plays it instantly. No waiting for the LLM — the greeting was pre-generated in the background as you walked closer.
**How to test:** Walk up to any NPC without typing or speaking. Wait 3-6 seconds. They should greet you naturally based on their assigned personality.
**Configurable per personality:** Edit `Config/personalities.xml` and add `<ProactiveGreetingChance>` inside any `<Personality>` block:
```xml
<Personality name="Grizzled Veteran">
<!-- 0.0 = never greets, 1.0 = always greets, 0.5 = default -->
<ProactiveGreetingChance>0.7</ProactiveGreetingChance>
</Personality>
```
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### Environmental Awareness ("Sense Layer")
**What it does:** NPCs know what's happening around them — time of day, weather, biome, their own health, and active orders.
When you ask an NPC a question, they can reference the environment naturally. Ask "what time is it?" and they'll tell you. Ask about the weather in a rainstorm and they'll comment on it. Low-health NPCs may sound worried or cautious.
**How to test:** Ask your hired NPC something like:
- *"What time is it?"* — references in-game clock
- *"Where are we?"* — references current biome
- *"Are you hurt?"* — references their own health percentage
- *"What are my orders for you?"* — references active buffs/orders
No config needed — this is automatic.
---
### Combat Interruption
**What it does:** NPCs stop talking mid-sentence if they enter combat or take damage.
If an NPC is in the middle of responding to you and a zombie attacks them, they'll cut off immediately and focus on fighting. This applies to both voice responses (TTS playback stops) and text responses (typing indicator disa…