Battle error: battle won't begin nor show battle char

You have 4 non-participating characters? Didn't expect that.

Get rid of Russell first, then add Ida, and finally remove the other three. You can't add someone to a party that's completely full already, you need at least one slot open. Currently Ida is failing to join your party, and then the other four are gone, resulting in a zero-person party... And I already mentioned what happens at that point, heh.

yes! the character appears now!....... but the battle options still only include "row". do you have any advice for that?

Have you got it set for just "Row" or have you got the other options selected in the database thingy? I know something's in there somewhere...but I don't have 2K3 installed yet, so I can't check.

Maybe we should just leave this to Blue...

ok that was pretty dumb of me. the answer was right there in my face. thanks lenny and Blue(can I call you Blue?)! i think it will work now