That is a foreboding approach with the snowy skies, birds, and gargoyles. I didn’t realize that they lock the door behind you. Lovely scene in the dining room complete with cattle on the tables. Harkon really spells it out. Mortals are no more to them than steak or salad would be to a human, though Serana seems a little different. Maybe those thousand or however many years Serana slept while the others were eating people made her that way. Aravi had the right idea. Get the heck away from there!

Screens, yay! These were all a treat to see. How fun to see Aravi in some simple armor, and that is a great view next to the waterfall! Where is that? I can’t place the buildings. That looks like a pretty night at the Lady Stone. I love Twin Moons. How beautiful to see them both full, and doubly significant to a Khajiit werewolf!

@LL: …or who hate their condition eventually try to supress their desire, making it harder to push it away when it rises even harder than before.
She knows all about that from experience.

The interior of the castle only gets worse as you get deeper into its “guts” so to speak.

She wanted to transform if there was going to be a fight with the vampires. It seemed like it would have been her best chance of surviving. Thanks LL!

@SubRosa: I actually haven’t noticed the LOD having problems, I’ll keep an eye out now though.

I thought the movements of the vampires at the tables were quiet bizarre and I’m not sure if that is actually supposed to happen. I reloaded the scene and it happened like that again, so I went with it.

I wanted to get that stone’s glow, I think the effect is so cool looking! I hadn’t noticed the reddish tint in the moon before you said that. Yikes. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: Whatever they want with the elder scroll, it can’t be good for mortals. I love the big gloomy castle, perfect for a bunch of reclusive vamps. Thanks Acadian!

@mALX: I’m not sure when I’m going to get to see the vampire side of Dawnguard, it’s hard to play any other character. Kharjo isn’t essential; he’s protected like all the other followers. If he ever died, you would know it. You do get to see Serana again, even if you reject the vampire. Thanks mALX!

@Grits: Oh yes, the locked door was quite… scary. No going back, no running away. You can imagine what she felt seeing what’s on those tables, surrounded by the vampires alone. Not a fun moment for Aravi.

The screen with the waterfall is just outside of Falkreath. Thanks Grits!

################################

Aravi and Kharjo stay at the Four Shields Tavern, in Dragon Bridge. Aravi slips out in the night to let her wolf out.

6:19

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Anyone want some fish?

Skeleton

Mist

Under construction

Staff

You took some great action shots in this grouping, and ... is that Aravi building her house? All these shots are awesome, can't pick a favorite among them!

Vid: Is this cave part of the Dawnguard questline? Wolf perks, is that new with the DLC? AWESOME! I wished the perks had shown what they were - LOVED that! Also loved Aravi's outfits, lol. You didn't show the Assassin's note, why are they after Aravi? And how did she know he was coming after her? Awesome vid and update!!!

Its Wolfskull Cave! I have never been in there without doing the Potema quest. I wonder if anything will be in there? Bandits! They sound like good recipients of Aravi's inner beast.

Wow, she killed that first guy with just one hit. He never even saw it coming!

Hmm, the inside is different than before. I guess they change the map after you finish the quest.

Those boots of 50% Frost Resistance should make the walk back a lot warmer.

I see it is seared slaughterfish for dinner. Teresa will have some.

I see you have a skeleton that has gone to pieces now too! Great action shot!

I love the mist pic, with the way it gives the picture a soft focus.

I see Aravi is building a house. I am guessing that is Lakeview Manor from the green on the trees?

That is one angry kitty in the last pic!

Serana is vampire through and through, though not as extreme as her father. She makes comment about feeding, feeling thirsty, and etc. She also respects other vampires, too. I just don't think she would be munching on people on a dinner table. She might still feed on humans, since that's what predators do, but she won't have that sadistic streak.

King Coin, I am so jealous right now. That werewolf perk tree is so beautifully designed! I think should try out some of the werewolf mods, at least for the reskin. I disliked that all the werewolves in the game are black when in truth they all all different colors from brown to gray

Aravi kicked some major butt there. Nothing like some fresh bloody flesh! She also devours hearts now, too.

So, she's building a house, eh? Making it easier for her to wolf out in the wilderness and go straight home after the deed is done.

Fun fact: Did you know that werewolves in the game, including the player, have stronger stats when the moons are full? It's called "Full Moon Rising" on the Construction set

Vid: Wolfskull Cave – that sounds appropriate! Ah, bandits. . . they’ll do just fine for what Aravi has in mind. I like how she wisely strips down before wolfing up – wouldn’t want her doing the hulk clothes ripping thing to all that nice armor! When she awoke from her rampage, you could sense her guilt over eating a fellow Khajiit. No worries on the puny humans and merlings though.

Screens: I like the fish shot because it shows off Aravi’s nice nekkid spots! I guess like the Druglords Drugors other undead stuff, skellies have those cool Welkynd stone eyes? Mist is very artsy and beautiful. Woot - a new cathouse going up in Skyrim! The staff is very impressive with magic swirling around its end; and Aravi looks very angry!

Great stuff!

Ebony sword and a flawless sapphire?! What tremendous loot! That assassin was loaded. Crime must really pay! At least until he got Aravi’s contract.

That was a great place for a rampage. I never thought about going there without the quest. I thought that Aravi might end up beside the fire with the dead Khajiit at the end, and there she was. Now that she has seen what vampires can be, I'm sure she would still rather be a werewolf despite the cost. It makes we wonder if there will ever be a third option.

Screens: I love the look on Aravi’s face as she’s contemplating her building site. Mist is lovely, and so are all of Aravi's spots! Staff is my favorite, though. What an expression!

@mALX: Yep, she’s building her house.

The werewolf perks are part of the DLC. This cave has nothing to do with the Dawnguard quest, just after being in that castle was very stressful on Aravi and she needed to let the wolf out after.

I didn’t show the assassin note because they are all the same. I have no idea why one of them charged her on the side of the road. Thanks mALX!

@SubRosa: I still haven’t done the Potema quest. I’ve noticed a few dungeons have differences depending whether or not a quest is active. Those boots would, if Aravi wore boots!

Aravi had to do a little cleaning of the waters so that she could swim.

Yes, it’s Lakeview Manor. The location was a little surprising, but I’m quite happy with it there actually. That’s the lake Aravi swims in a lot. Thanks SubRosa!

@DE: I have thought about getting some werewolf mods, up until now the problem with getting them is that they changed every werewolf in the game and not just Aravi’s wolf. I have found a way to fix that problem, so I probably will start looking at ways to make Aravi’s wolf more unique.

I found that effect in the Creation Kit; however the spell it is attached to doesn’t have any users, so I don’t know if it is actually used ever in the game. Thanks DE!

@Acadian: Yep, bandits. The Wolf isn’t picky, as long as it walks on two legs, it’ll take it. Heh, glad you like her preparation for transforming. Can’t have her ruining all her armors with transformations. She’s always sick after a transformation. Eating that Khajiit, it was easy to imagine he was Kharjo. This is why he’s not allowed with.

I like the fish shot too for that reason. I think all of the undead have glowing eyes of some kind. I love the visualization of the magic on the staffs. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: That was the first ebony sword Aravi ever found! I think you remember me complaining about not being able to find any. That took so long to get. Oh and I wonder if the assassins are paid in gems, because they always have one of various qualities.

A good place to sit, be sick, and feel guilty. As I said above, it was easy to see Kharjo there on the ground. The vampires are definitely not better than a werewolf, but it still doesn’t make it any easier.

Glad you like the screens! Thanks Grits!

######################################

Aravi and Kharjo return to Whiterun, only to find a scene in front of Jorrvaskr, the home of the Companions. Despite her long absence from their halls, she still feels she needs to check it out.

10:24

A note about Vilkas, I’m using a mod that added some unique powers to him (well, all the followers), so that’s why he occasionally has a glowy effect around him.

######################################

Another thief. Aravi has some new armor now.

It’s personal

More progress on the house

So the Silver Hand finally gave the Companions the finger? It is about time they did something in retaliation for all those attacks the Companions made on them.

Aravi is taking off her stuff. That can only mean one thing...

Its about time Aravi fought something that actually stood up and fought back. Ha! That Silver Pinkie was not smart enough to walk around the pressure plate! I love when those spring traps send them flying.

Wow, I have never had a character get to 80 in their attack skill.

So that thief must be where Aravi got the elven armor in the vid!

Personal looks like Aravi is giving that poor girl a shave. A rather uncomfortable one at that!

I see her new house is coming along. Time she put Kharjo to work!

Kodlak! Dammit Vilkas, making Kharjo leave. Maybe he wants to keep the revenge just between wolves. How appropriate for Aravi to let the beast handle it. This quest goes well with a red rage. It was fun to see Vilkas in the background chasing them down. Right before minute 5 was a particularly awesome werewolf moment.

I love the new perk tree. Not just for what it does, but the whole idea of getting better and stronger as a werewolf.

Aravi looks quite fierce shopping for her armor. That one is my favorite. What is the staff? Wow, that sword through the mouth was a great shot! How fun to see Aravi Manor taking shape. I can’t wait to see which wings (if any) she chooses.

Vid- Wow, Aravi really kicked some butt! I know Vilkas is probably a werewolf also (aren’t all or almost all of the Companions?) but it was encouraging that she could take an ally with her without eating him. Perhaps she might be able to take Kharjo with her at some point?

Screens- ‘Another thief’ – Aravi’s dual wielding a sword and staff! ‘It’s personal’ is a great action shot! ‘More progress on the house’ - it really is coming along well and looks like a great location. Oh I think Grits’ name of Aravi Manor is a keeper!

Psst, I'll come back tomorrow to give an update!

It's late at night and I have to wake up 5:00 AM. Can't wait to continue to see what Aravi's up to.

More progress on the house, eh? I love Aravi's clothes here. Simple, down-to-Nirn attire! She's gone full farmer. Oh man, staff and sword? Now she's going to kick even more "boat", hahaha. I love it.

The Silver Hand attacked! Not good. It's up to the Circle to prove Lycanthropic dominance is absolute. Revenge is only nescessary, I believe. Too bad the old man is now trapped in the Hunting Grounds, hiding from Hircine when he should be running naked and free through the forests and whatnot. But hey, nobody is perfect .

Seeing Aravi rampaging through victims in her lupine form is most satisfying, but one must wonder . . .does she want to spend her afterlife in the wilderness of the Hunting Grounds killing victims for sport for eternity?

@SubRosa: I loved that trap sending that Silver Hand flying! Her last wolf out was pretty small, so she let it out again. These Silver Hand are supposed to specialize in killing werewolves and stuff anyways. Funny you said pinkie, that’s part of why Aravi roars all the time. Detect life is one of several effects it has.

The new Aravi is already in the 60’s for one handed! She’s blazing through the perks!

Time she put Kharjo to work!
Khajiit will shoulder some of your burden. Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: Kharjo’s dismissal was a bit annoying. If I knew ahead of time what was going to happen I could have prepared for it. Of course, if Kharjo was along, Aravi couldn’t have let the wolf out. It was comical watching Vilkas sprinting after that guy with his claymore. Just before 5 mins, batting that guy aside to, ugh, eat?

The staff she used against the thief was a paralysis staff!

You’ll see soon the wings she puts on. Thanks Grits!

@Acadian: She will never take a non-werewolf with her when she transforms. That’s the way it works. She isn’t going to risk Kharjo with that.

Aravi Manor, lol. It’s definitely turning into a manor! It’s quite a large house. Thanks Acadian!

@LL: The blacksmithing apron seemed more appropriate for building a house than wearing full armor, or even a dress of some type.

I haven’t thought much about Aravi’s afterlife, do Khajiit have a predetermined place to go to? Like the Nords have Sovngarde. I do feel like Hircine’s hunting grounds would be… unsuitable for Aravi. She’s more solitary, not really a run with the pack sort of person. Plus, she wouldn’t want to be someone’s hound anyways. Thanks LL!

###################################

Aravi and Vilkas return to Whiterun and attend Kodlak’s funeral.

6:27

Kodlak’s Journal

###################################

Aravi has a friend to help take care of the house when she’s away

That’s a follower I randomly downloaded several months ago from the Steam Workshop and only now remembered that she was in my game. Her name is Vajhira.

Aravi’s library tower

Adding a greenhouse

Are you done yet?

Night sky

Afterlives in the ES vary from person. If one serves a Daedric Prince and ties their soul to them, they risk going to the realm to serve. Sheogorath claimed the souls of madman in some of the ingame books, Malacath does claim his own Orcs too, Nords obviously go to Sovngarde, Nightingales take a trip to Evergloam. Etc.

Yes, it is implied Khajiit's go to Azura's realm when they die. Moonshadow. The inhabitants of Azura's realm are made up mostly of Khajiits. Aravi would like to go there, it makes people half-blind but it's a beautiful land of rose flowers, waterfalls, a city of silver. It has a jade moon and the wind smells as perfume.

The Hunting Grounds, on the other hand, as bloody tributaries, large african savanna's with wild cattle, canyons and large forests full of werebears at day and werewolves at night. It's of course, a savage place. Lycanthropes have the upper hand here. But I do agree with you. Aravi wouldn't want to spend her afterlife killing everyone and anyone who ventures into those lands. Besides, werewolves are solitary creature and few in Skyim roam in packs, but in the Hunting Grounds, the solitary ones might as well be the hunted ones since they're vulnerable.

Azura happily welcomes mortals to her realm. It's not to say that Hircine doesn't "laugh with welcoming arms" as his own children are brought into his presence, but those ungifted/cursed with Lycanthropy are normally game. Unless they can somehow turn the tables and . . .get in Hircine's goodside. And then ask for Lycanthropy . Azura's realm is locked away from the mortal world though unless some serious arcane magic is involved. If Aravi wants to spend her eternity in a palace and a swimming in beautiful perfumed waterfalls, then she better have a plan B if she's still a werewolf.

Onto the update.

Kodlak's journal:Love his journal here. This is a cultured man with honor and glory in his eyes. A man with vision. Quite literatly. I find it interesting how that black wolf Hircine's always running around with pulls people to the Hunting Grounds, but I also llke Tsun's mentioned in the book and how he beckons him to go to Sovngarde. We also get some information on the Circle. How Aela and Skjor choose to live as warriors of the wild and embrace their Lycanthropy while the others are either trying to get rid of it or undecided. Judging by the dialogue ingame, this causes some problems between the members and petty bickering. I wonder what Aravi has to say in this matter. She seems to be the one Kodlak trusts enough. The perfect candidate.


Screens:Oh my look at that tower! I envy Aravi! That is truly a manor. The patio area looks large and truly unique! And the Greenhouse? All sorts of alchemical plants and potions for her herb needs. And once again she looks onto the moons! Symbolic for both werewolves and Khajiits. Who better to take care of the house than another Khajiit? i heard they make great cooks

I will comment on the video when I have more time, but I need to get out the door! I'm late!

Video:

I notice from Aravi's dialogue choices that she seems less than enthusiastic with the Companions, or perhaps with her own wolf-blood. I wonder if finding Kodlak's journal will do anything to change her mind? At least I assume that the game is pointing her to Kodlak's quarters so that she can read it.

A daedra heart and a bottle of wine. Sounds like lunch was ready!

So now we begin to see the story of Kodlak. I think Aravi must feel some sympathy for him, given that he too was not happy with being a werewolf. And now it is off to Ysgarmor's Tomb! Several of my characters have stumbled upon it, but obviously have never been able to do anything there.

Vajhira is cute. And well dressed too!

The tower looks neat! And I see Kharjo is drinking up all of Gerdur and Hod's mead! (not really, but I always remember that from accompanying Ralof back to Riverwood)

Aravi looks very cool silhouetted against the night sky.




This post has been edited by SubRosa: Dec 16 2012, 06:32 PM

The funeral was sad. More so because Kodlak wanted a simple wish and he didn't get it. And this was right after Aravi chopped off some witches head, too! I echo Subrosa. I wonder if Aravi will be inspired or touched by Kodlak's journal and decide if she wants to keep her Lycanthropy or cure it . . .though she would have to deal with her vampire problem, right? It is a dilemma here for her. Die, and spend eternity hunting people down for food and sport on Hircine's side, or cure yourself, risk turning into a vampire if ever coming across one.

There is hope at least for Kodlak though, as his spirit resides in Ysgramor's tomb! I cannot wait to see what unfolds as Aravi undertakes this journey!

Vid: A very neat Nordic funeral. I enjoyed reading Kodlak’s Journal and it shed some light on how the Companions feel about their blessing/curse. I was fascinated by the paths they might take after death. Thanks for linking to the Journal.

Screens: I like the new house cat! Wow, Aravi Manor is really coming along well. Kharjo seems more than ready for the project to be completed. The fabulous night sky with twin moons makes a perfect backdrop for the beautiful Aravi.

Can't watch the vids, but did get the screens open (SLOW progress!) 1st set - "It's Personal" is my fave, almost a close tie with the first screen. Loved both !!! Like seeing Aravi building her house!



As much as I love "Night Sky," there is no way it can compete with "Are you done yet?" - that is my all time absolute favorite of all time !!! You can see Aravi's irritation with Kharjo's drinking and possible dangling after that bosommed waitress, ROFL !!!!!!






This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 17 2012, 06:07 PM

I hate to spam your thread, but you may find this interesting. To answer your question, King:



Ah ha! Aravi is now going to go on a rescue for Kodlak's soul! Eh? Poor guy must have his behind bitten by the hounds by now. I find myself wondering if she'll decided to cure herself . . .hmm . . .

I enjoyed watching her recent werewolf attacks and rampages! Will she forsake all those divine powers and see it as a curse? Only time will tell . . .or maybe you can, King Coin

This post has been edited by Darkness Eternal: Dec 18 2012, 01:35 AM