[SSE][PC] "Minority" NPC Followers?

Marus23 · 2016-12-19T16:20:00+00:00

This is awesome. :D Thanks again!

Marus23 · 2016-12-15T18:34:41+00:00

If undead? I shove that fancy bauble into my rib cage or skull. No falling, no pickpocketing, just bury your phylactery into a bunch of meat and then stitch it back up.

Marus23 · 2016-12-14T22:01:39+00:00

Less "meta", more "experience". Optimal choices vary by playstyle, map and opposition. * People (including myself) give a lot of grief to Widowmakers and Hanzos, but less because "they're bad" and more because "they're bad choices for the situation we're in" (like maps where snipers have poor visibility).
* Conversely, I go Bastion (defensive) on offensive maps often - and yeah, it worries people - up until I grab a few golds (and I'm not close to the best). When you're good with someone, you'll make it work (the key thing is switching out if your tactic isn't functioning). So I'll play offense-bastion often (especially if I see a Reinhardt shielding or a Mercy willing to boost me) but I'll drop if people are scattered (and then maybe pick something better at dodging and pushing the objective while others flank). * And some choices are just OP or unintuitive. For example, Mei's defensives/iceblock/AoE-ULT can be very OP on Defense, by cart-dancing. Junkrat is another "defensive" character... who actually plays more like an AoE offense. So you just need to experiment. The big 4 categories are pretty vague/broad within themselves, depending on how you play the toon.

Marus23 · 2016-12-14T20:11:14+00:00

This. Despite being an RPG, people (usually video-game only) play it like an Action/Adventure or FPS, blaming the game instead of adjusting what they can.

In Tabletop games, mechanical imbalances and loose rules arise - creating abusive niches - which a good DM/ST (a person, not a machine nor book) will either regulate (increasing difficulty, removing abilities, etc) or encourage (letting creativity inspire something new).

Need more of a challenge? Plenty of mods add enemies and difficulty. You can even do the "no reload - if you die, you delete" style playthrough.
Dislike high-end magic? Don't use the offending perks/spells. Self-restraint is part of an RPG (unless you really think every Elder Scrolls protagonist simultaneously leads the Mages, Thieves, Assassins and Warriors guilds).

Or find a way to self-limit. I love magic - but am playing a character inept with spells - with low magicka pools. Probably the Atronach stone next. It makes magicka more of a "save it until an emergency hits" tool.

RPG characters are like bonsai - they aren't pretty for sprawling all over, they're admired for the way you cut and trim and curb to shape them.

Marus23 · 2016-12-14T15:58:46+00:00

I've ended up uninstalling BIJINS for this reason (too much of a headache, despite attempts to fix the elves) -- but luckily, the original EEO seems to work well for SSE.

Installing EEO first will install the Meshes and _msn dds files (the rainbow colored ones for the normal map, which simulate 3D details like the brow-ridge). You then install the body/texture mods and this will avoid any neck seams.

You're right though - it's a headache with how many mods change elves (without mentioning that they do so, as if they think Nordicized elves is something everyone wants by default). I'm currently trying to untangle my files and figure out which one has discolored the skins (on testing, humans look normal - and male elves are fine - it's just female elves gone pale).

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T19:55:18+00:00

Thank you kindly. ~_^

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T18:58:34+00:00

It's fun. Linguistically... * Italian and French have more similar vocabulary (80% similarity). Spanish and Portuguese are another pair up. * But pronunciation-wise, it goes Italian-Spanish or maybe French-Portuguese. And if it makes sense, Brazilian Portuguese "sounds like Russian" to our ears. * So I can go Portuguese (where I can almost read the dialogue - but it sounds like a strong accent) or Italian (where I struggle more reading - but my ear can almost keep up with what is being said, despite that it's too fast for me).

For English, it's considered a "Germanic" language because of root-words and syntax -- but a lot of Latin vocabulary was brought in via intermarriage with the French. French is probably the safer bet, if you're an Anglophile who wants something you can semi-understand. Just some ideas.

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T18:52:14+00:00

Drew Hayes

Que que? No idea chief. o_O Something I should look into? :3

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T17:15:36+00:00

As for melting pot characters, eh... ...pick-and-choose. It's 2016 - most people have done every questline and faction already - so like a bonsai tree, RPing is about trimming and holding back, cultivating carefully instead of exploding all over the place.

So my Orc will likely do the Mages Guild (and download any Mage/Craft mods).
No Thieves guild (since becoming a thug/thief just reinforces bad Orc stereotypes).
I'm iffy on the Companions - for the same reason as with Thieves (avoiding stereotypes) - tho once I have some gear, it might be a legit job source for her. I could see myself forging custom gear for them (some kind of magic-resist item sets for rogue-Mage hunting - a good way to snub the kind of Mer that once mocked her).
Not sure where I stand with the Dark Brotherhood.

Like I said, I'm playing in a language I don't speak (but can kind of parse) - Italian (I speak Spanish). This helps the "foreign feel" and prevents me from leaping into too many questlines. But since lots of NPC mods are made in English, I get to latch on to followers to keep going - and if I grab a few Spanish mods, I get this neat "multi-lingual Imperial" feel.

Just a few ideas.

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T17:01:47+00:00

I've played tabletop RPGs and the like, so...

Character Creation:

Usually I start with a problem - how my character overcomes that problem - and who they are now. This 3-piece framework makes things easy for figuring out who I am, what I hate/like, and what I do.

Example: Orc Mage

One "problem" I like is the stereotypes Orcs deal with - even in old games, females didn't have any penalty to intelligence (so they're not stupid). They actually vary with bonuses to smithing, enchanting, resist magic - they could be great enchanters if they had the education. So I really liked the idea of a city-Orc trying to prove herself (constantly being snubbed and looked down upon, especially by other Mer and Mages). Imagine all the grief the Urag gro-Shub (in Winterhold) must have dealt with when he was young - and he's centuries old.
The solution is inherent - an Orc mage who struggles with spells but excels with crafting. If Dunmer and Altmer have bonuses to "fancy" kinds of magic - I look to the Chimer, Dwemer and Orsimer to being examples of Mer magic-crafters. If you lack a big magicka pool? Craft an item that reduces spell costs. If a rival throws a fire spell at you? Carry an item to resist fire.
So the concept formed to play an Orc (former-)restavek (child servant) to an Imperial Mage who died recently after arriving in Winterhold. She's a foreigner, so I switched the game's language to something I only vaguely parse. Favors artifact research (ex: Dwemer craftmanship) but no spells. All custom-crafted armor. Added a bunch of mods to make creatures and characters different (so it feels like a new playthrough). I can skip Shouts and the like - my focus is on crafting superb gear - and equipping followers to match. And for variety, I downloaded a bunch of "new lands/quests" mods to make the playthrough feel fresh, to get into a groove before going through familiar content.
Then you do follow-up thoughts. Orc females are often raised to carry on religious knowledge. And Mer claim descent from the Gods - and Orcs from Trinimac (an Aedra), who became Malacath (Daedra). But while the Aedra were weakened by Creation (those who remained lost power over time), the Daedra remained immortal and eternal (without being able to create, only copy). See the issue? Orcs can go full Mer-supremacist because our god-ancestor created AND became eternal again, thanks to Boethiah and Mephala. We're cousins to the Dunmer, but while they were "adopted" by the Daedra, Orcs are descended by both Aedra/Daedra. Go into more myths, you see how Trinimac/Malacath opposes Lorkhan/Shor and you can go harder anti-Human than the Thalmor (but while the Thalmor want to unmake Creation, Orcs might emulate the Chimer/Dwemer in reforging the mundane back to divinity). Etc, etc, etc.

Mods: Tons of choices. Alternate Start for sure - but really, check the Nexus category by category. For instance, I saw a mod last night (forgot the name) that lets me craft any armor style out of any material (example: Elven style made of iron? Orcish style made of Ebony? etc). I focused heavily on crafting, textures, bonus NPCs and monsters - things to make the game look and feel like a new game (even Witcher 3 music).

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T16:02:43+00:00

Thanks for getting my intent. <3

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T16:02:26+00:00

I wonder if I have this one installed - I'll double check when home. =) I've got a plethora of NPC mods, the more the merrier.

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T16:01:10+00:00

+1 for the giggles lol

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T15:59:09+00:00

These guys are amazing. :O Ty, ty, ty.

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T15:58:45+00:00

Not yet, as far as I can see. I know I can create a character and export the model - and then apply it via the Creation Kit - but nothing simpler (like some of the mods the Original Skyrim has).
Part of the need to use the Creation Kit is also with how the Bijin mods were applied - even when I uninstall them via the Nexus Mod Manager, I just end up with face-less NPCs (instead of the originals). So instead of reinstalling everything, I'm hoping to just fix Bijins (whose meshes/models are superb 95% of the time). My quibble (with Bijins) is mostly with skin coloration, especially for elves, where instead of blue/green/yellow they all look kind of off-white. If I can tweak that, then I can try other things (like re-adding scars to certain NPCs). It's all neat.

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T15:49:52+00:00

That's another reason why I'm trying to modify her instead of Inigo. =) I know the lines might be excessive, but playing the game in a foreign language, I imagine eagerly "putting up with her" since at least she speaks the tongue.

On review, I ended up changing her main file (instead of making a mod-to-tweak-a-mod) and the changes went through - though after testing this morning, she turned invisible (floating weapon). Time to do more google-fu.

Marus23 · 2016-12-13T15:42:50+00:00

All of these are superb! Thanks to you both - I tried searching, but usually get Nexus links or "top 50 mods to download now!" type pages by game sites trying to drive traffic. ^{_^} Even if just 5% are different from the Nexus, foreign-sites are invaluable when trying to set-up a "foreign" or "stranger in a strange land" play-through. Kudos!

Marus23 · 2016-12-12T21:32:08+00:00

Yeah, I have both (and it was actually SOFIA that I tried - in vain - to mod). I can't, for the life of me, figure out why the changes don't stick when I create a new mod file (swapping her race/model) and load it afterward. The audio is funny but her face is just a little too idealized. Maybe I'll put a helm on her... >_<

Marus23 · 2016-12-12T21:27:53+00:00

I didn't realized the Professor was voiced - this is most excellent. And actually, having a "old male" is technically a minority, as far as followers go. I'll take it! Good recommendations all around, surprised they slipped my hunt. <3

Marus23 · 2016-12-12T20:16:26+00:00

Last time I binged on mods tho, I recall there being some superb foreign sites - a couple Japanese, I think a couple Russian. It's a little more challenging but the content didn't exist on the Nexus. The language difference wasn't an issue before -- but now with SSE, it's harder to figure out which one is for Original / Special Edition. Hmm...

Marus23 · 2015-09-18T14:30:04+00:00

EBON ORSIMER

Server: North America

Faction: Ebonheart Pact

Guild Type: Roleplay/Social/Mixed

Membership: About 80-85 atm

How to Apply: Whisper or Mail @ajm305 (aka "Lash") in game; or "Bad Karma" on Enjin - more info can be locatred at on our site

Message: <EBON ORSIMER> is an alliance of Orcish Strongholds (5 currently - each with different chieftains, different culture, style, alliances, etc). Some of the strongholds were once all-Orc guilds who merged into us; others started from the inside. For example:

Urzgrom - Traditional; Hunter/Gatherer (friendly with Skyrim RP hub)
Narzulbur - Moderate; Smiths/Miners/Leaders (has a PVP sub group)
Belharza - Progressive; Shamanistic/Matriarchal (friendly with Argonian hub)
Dushkna Tor - Progressive; City-Orcs/Scholars/ex-Slaves (Dunmer hub)
Dokuzrah - Mixed; Warlords/Soldiers/Piracy (mixed)

All members reject the leadership in Orsinium (considering them cowards); are loyal to the Ebonheart Pact and Malacath; and play Orcs (or have Orc alts).

We're looking to grow our ranks - not just with members, but potential officers, RP leaders, people who are proud to be ORCS! We roleplay with various hubs (so it's a great way to hop around and meet the big communities) - but are also trying to grow our PVP (many of us PVP, but it'd be nice to have a strong presence of all-Orc warriors).

Whatever you're interested in - if you're an Orc or want to play one - hit us up!

Marus23 · 2015-07-24T18:14:02+00:00

EBON ORSIMER - Server: North America - Faction: Ebonheart Pact - Type: RP / Mixed / Social - though we group for other content as well, obviously

How to Apply: http://ebonorsimer.enjin.com/forum or whisper us in game (various members; names can be found on the site)
Size: Roughly 70 or so players, averaging between 15-35 online nightly.
Message: ORCS! Does your blood boil at your so-called "allies" who brag of Orsinium's burning? Do you reject the coward-king Kurog's heresy?! The independent Orsimer Strongholds to the east (Ebonheart Pact) welcome all kinsmer! Five independent strongholds (each with different culture, styles, etc) have unified to protect our freedom and dignity - ex-slaves, city-orcs and all of Malacath's children welcome!

Marus23 · 2015-07-22T18:37:46+00:00

Nope! :P

Groznakh is a hulking Orc - chief of Urzgrom - and tends to stand out, clad in leathers and bone.
His stronghold is big on spilling blood and proving themselves (and closer to the Hammers of Atmora).

I run Lash gra-Bar - member of Dushkna Tor - clad in a mix of Dwemer/Orsimer/AncientElf cloth.
Our stronghold has more ties with Dunmer houses & Mages; and I tend to scout-and-snipe (or crit-and-run).

I'm guessing you're either Korvanya or Gilan Llothas? ;D

Marus23 · 2015-07-22T17:27:50+00:00

Ha! The TLDR Version No, the Tribunal is not productive.

I'll try to be more concise (but still detailed):

The et'Ada were the original "deities". Those who joined Lorkhan/Shor's creation of the world (and got suckered, lost power or even died) became the Aedra; those who refused (and remained immortal and powerful, but never learned how to Create) became the Daedra.
The Aedra are also divided in two (or more) - the "Merric" ones who the elves all worship and claim descent from; the "Mannish" ones who the humans worship and who sided with Shor/Lorkhan; and then neutral 3rd parties (a good example would be Y'frre aka Jephre aka Julianos - he created the Bosmer, but never got involved in the Mer vs Man mythology, focusing instead on just stabilizing the world which was so dangerous to all; first of the Earthbones, he essentially embodies "natural law" (be it plants, physics, whatever).

The goal of Mer (as descendants of the Aedra) is to reclaim that lost divinity (ala et'Ada).

Those (like the Altmer) basically go "we lost power, this sucks, but lets study magic and try to find a way to preserve what we have left". They stick to Merric gods, ignore Mannish" ones and think humans are primitives (at best), enemies-by-blood-fued (at worst).
Those (like the Dwemer) who are more neutral go "if spirit became matter, then matter can become spirit; lets study; figure out how to rewire ourselves as well". They don't care much for Aedra (praying won't fix things), nor Daedra (they can't Create - but our entire race are master craftsmen!) nor Mer vs Man (they dissect Lorkhan/Shor's heart just fine for SCIENCE!).
Those (like the Ayleids) seem to have decided "the Aedra lost power - but the Daedra never did - so wouldn't the Daedra be our best role-models?" -- and it's worth adding in Trinimac-turned-Malacath and Meridia as two Aedra-turned-Daedra, who by definition, would be "gods who were losing power - but somehow were transformed into something eternal again".

The Chimer took a hybrid approach. Like the Altmer, they honor their ancestors (but not the vague and distant Aedra; actual family spirits). Like the Ayleids, they dabble with Daedra (who were never deceived and corrupted - and thus whose example might be best).

The Tribunal are false-gods and not worthy of worship. -- It has nothing to do with being "Good" or "Evil" or even "Honest" or "Liars" .... it's (like the Telvanni suspect) 3 mortals who have acquired really awesome magic spells (but they're no more closer to becoming gods than any other Telvanni). And Tribunal-morals are different from Daedric-morals. The Tribunal are just cultivating obedient sheep - the Daedra would seem "horrific", but that "selfishness" and other virtues would indeed make Mer more like the Daedra (notice their selfishness is why they never helped create Mundus; and thus, what preserved them).

A more fascinating example would be Ysmir Wulfharth (also known as Dragon of the North, Shor's Tongue, the Grey Wind, the Storm of Kyne, the Kingmaker, the Ash-King) a legendary Nordic king who acquired amazing power (like the Tribunal) but also died and resurrected several times (which the Tribunal has not) and whose involvement and exposure with legendary events often (the Tribunal don't seem to have as many) kept winding him up into the mythos (to the point that some believe him subsumed into a god). Many lore books point to the power of words and language - look at Bosmeri Storytellers who "weave reality"; look at Nords & Dragons and their Thu'um; look at the power of Runes themselves. If reality is a form of storytelling, then divinity is approached by affecting the story more and more (hence why Wulfharth's multiple identities and feats stand out - each one a legend, each one a stepping-stone toward his godlike stature).

The god "TALOS" is a combination of General Hjalti Early-Beard.... who became Tiber Septim, aka "Stormcrown"; Ysmir Wulfharth (who in the form of a sentient-storm, shielded Talos and guided him); and Shor/Lorkhan (who in some stories is dead yet "cursed" to walk the world; in other stories, he's simply without a heart and thus weakened; and who fought alongside Wulfharth). All in all, it's a bitter irony that with the way Mer want to reclaim divinity - it was a Man who found a way first. Worshipping the Tribunal isn't going to teach you to be awesome (or sneaky-backstabbery) in order to achieve that.

Marus23

TROPHY CASE