Malazan Mod concept

[Murph]

I have an interesting idea for a mod, but I was hoping to get some advice from some of the experienced modders out there about how to proceed with it.

I'd like to do a Malazan Book of the Fallen mod for Dom 2, starting with a Malazan Empire mod, likely as a replacement for Marignon.

If you're not familiar with Steven Erikson's novels, I strongly recommend that you go and buy them, all of them, and don't come out of your room until you finish them, because they are some of the best fantasy I've ever read, and I've been at the stuff my whole life.

But I digress. I am interested in trying my hand at modding, but I was wondering how much programming skill is required, since mine is limited. I have done some board-game design, but this is several levels of complexity beyond that, so I was hoping to receive some pointers from some of the people who are obviously old hands at it.

Basically, other than concept, where to start? Is there a few good threads that are required reading? Some excellent tools that I could find? Any programming skills I should brush up on? And of course, would people like to get a chance to gear up as Malazan sappers and take on the gods?

Any help or guidance that people could give me would be very much appreciated, and I know that I'm probably giving up what limited spare time I have, and that the dog will be whining hungrily soon, and the girlfriend will curse the game, but I'd really like to give this a try.