OK, I've never come across this before (although then again, I haven't taken Jan along too often).

Last night, Jan gained a new special ability called something like "Swarmer Mates" (I may not have that correct). He got it just before I quit for the night, so I didn't have a chance to test it out, but from the conversation that preceded it, I gather it is some sort of insect swarm that he can create and fire from his launcher.

So is this part of the game? Or part of a mod? The only mod I have that it could reasonably be from is Unfinished Business, but there's nothing in the mod description that indicates this.

And does he get other new abilities as the game progresses?

Would this be one of the special 'inventions' that he is supposed to create. I read years ago that "a new NPC, a gnome will invent new items as you progress through the game" - I can confirm that he never invented new items (accept the things that he comes with) but then again I never kept him in my party too long.

The swarmer mates are part of the Banter Pack. Since Jan never did "invent new items as you progress through the game" we decided to add our own. So far the banter packs add three items, although really only the Swarmer Mates are useful. :)

(the others are a gift of boots to the PC, and a gift of a crossbow to Valygar.)

Ah, I forgot that the Banter Pack added some items; I already had the boots, but I thought they were from UB.

That also explains why I hadn't come across the Swarmers before; the accompanying conversation was pretty funny, and I was sure I would have remembered it.

Thanks, jcompton.

Banter pack is my favorite mod. I'm playing a game, mod free from start (BGI) to finish, and I'm considering adding the banter pack just because it's so freakin' cool.