I am copying over a lot of data, most of it not in Oblivion/Data but elsewhere. But yes, I suppose I could have plugged the HD into the other PC... But I didn't want to touch the hardware. Anyway, I'm nearly done.

Load order: please see my guide on how to install TWMP Tamriel, it's towards the bottom. This is my actual load order.

Random crashes like this may very well be happening due to Oblivion overloading. I am having the same problem anywhere in the South (Valenwood or Elsweyr), but not in Cyrodiil or Skyrim. I installed a purger mod and that helps a lot.

This post has been edited by Lena Wolf: Apr 5 2022, 10:01 PM

Active Mod Files:
00 Oblivion.esm
01 All Natural Base.esm [Version 1.38]
02 Hemingweys Capes Improved.esm [Version 3.0b]
03 Oblivifall Master File.esm [Version 1.2]
04 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm [Version 1.5.11]
05 Waalx Animals & Creatures.esm
06 A_Bloody_Mess.esm
07 HorseCombatMaster.esm
08 Lovers with PK.esm
09 LoversCreature.esm [Version 2.5]
0A TamagoClub.esm
0B HiyokoClub.esm
0C Dynamic Underwear System.esm
0D TamRes.esm
0E TamRes_LandscapeResource.esm
0F Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp [Version 3.5.7]
++ Oblivion Citadel Door Fix.esp
10 DLCShiveringIsles.esp
11 Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp [Version 1.6.0]
12 DLCHorseArmor.esp
13 DLCHorseArmor - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.9]
14 DLCOrrery.esp
15 DLCOrrery - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.7]
16 DLCVileLair.esp
17 DLCVileLair - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.11]
18 DLCMehrunesRazor.esp
19 DLCMehrunesRazor - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.8]
1A DLCSpellTomes.esp
++ DLCSpellTomes - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.1]
1B DLCThievesDen.esp
1C DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.15]
1D DLCThievesDen - Unofficial Patch - SSSB.esp [Version 1.0.14]
1E DLCBattlehornCastle.esp
1F DLCBattlehornCastle - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.12]
20 DLCFrostcrag.esp
21 DLCFrostcrag - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.10]
22 Knights.esp
23 Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.1.8]
24 AoG Overhaul and Detect Item.esp
25 Oblivion_Character_Overhaul.esp [Version 2.03]
26 AoG Overhaul Greed Empire.esp
27 Tamriel.esp
28 TamRes.esp
29 TWMP_BlackMarsh.esp
2A All Natural - Real Lights.esp [Version 1.38]
2B Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp [Version 1.5.10]
2C OOOShiveringIsles.esp
2D WAC.esp
2E OOOExtended.esp
2F Oblivion Uncut.esp
30 Oblivifall - Losing My Religion.esp [Version 1.43]
31 Sounds of Cyrodiil.esp [Version 1.1]
32 TWMP_Castle_Dunkerlore.esp
33 Rost3_Topal.esp [Version 1.0]
34 TWMP_Summerset.esp
35 TWMP SI.esp
36 TWMP_Hammerfell.esp [Version 1.2.1]
37 Hemingweys Capes Improved for OOO.esp [Version 3.0b]
38 WACIntegration.esp
39 All Natural.esp [Version 1.38]
3A Sutch Village.esp [Version 1.0.4]
++ TWMP_Hammerfell - Sutch Village.esp
3B TWMP_HighRock.esp
3C TWMP_SkyrimImproved.esp
3D TWMP Skyrim Guard Armors & Shields.esp
3E TWMP_Locations.esp [Version 1.0.6]
3F TWMP Skyrim Alive.esp
40 ElsweyrAnequina.esp
41 All Natural - SI.esp [Version 1.38]
42 StarX Vanilla Vampires Revised.esp
43 Kvatch Rebuilt.esp [Version 3.0RC3]
44 bgMagicEV.esp [Version 1.7EV]
45 Vampire Hunting - Order of the Virtuous Blood.esp
46 Oblivifall - Losing My Religion KOTN.esp [Version 1.0]
47 Enhanced Quest Roleplaying.esp [Version 2.03]
48 TheReturnOfTheDarkBrotherhood.esp
49 Mages Guild Quests.esp
4A RadiantAI - NPCs Alive - Cyrodiil.esp
4B Enhanced Daedric Invasion.esp
++ Silenced Dialogue.esp
4C PSMainQuestDelayer.esp
4D DD_NPCArrest.esp
++ OOO155-HEchasm-patch.esp
4E LoversSituations.esp
4F Fighters Guild Quests.esp
++ Hemingweys OOO Show Amulets.esp [Version 3.0b]
** OCOv2 - Filter Patch for Mods.esp [Version 1.5]
++ Hemingweys OOO NPC Capes Improved Citizens Lite.esp [Version 3.0b]
++ Hemingweys OOO NPC Capes Improved Enemies.esp [Version 3.0b]
50 STDDiversGuards Merge.esp
51 Oblivion Uncut - OOO Adaptation.esp [Version 1.5]
52 CurseOfHircine.esp
** OOOExtendedArcheryPatch.esp
53 Immersive Weapons.esp
++ Hemingweys OOO NPC Capes Improved Bosses Only.esp [Version 3.0b]
++ Hemingweys OOO NPC Capes Improved Regional City Guards.esp [Version 3.0b]
54 tbskGuardsFeatures.esp
55 Banes Guilds UnitedOOO.esp
56 GuildAdvancementBGU.esp
57 BrotherhoodRenewed.esp [Version 1.1.2]
58 TWMP_Valenwood_Elsweyr.esp
59 ElsweyrPelletine.esp [Version 1.42]
5A TWMP_ValenwoodImproved.esp [Version 1.02.0]
5B ValenwoodIslands.esp
5C New Senchal.esp
5D TWMP Southern Alliance.esp
++ ElsweyrPelletine - Plantations patch.esp
5E JQ-AssassinQuest.esp
** bgMagicEVShader.esp [Version 1.7EV]
++ AoG Patch No Bolt FRDG and SHDG.esp
5F Tales of Cyrodiil.esp
60 Devastation of Kvatch - Kvatch only.esp
61 StarX VVR_OOO_FCOM Patch.esp
62 Why only apple-EV.esp [Version 1.02]
63 Reaction.esp [Version 1.12]
64 LoversProstitute.esp [Version 2]
65 LoversPayBandit.esp
66 Plentiful Priories.esp
67 bgMagicBonus.esp [Version 1.7EV]
68 Dead at the Gallows.esp
69 SpreadingVampirism.esp
6A Crossbows of Cyrodiil.esp
6B TamrielTransportationNetwork.esp
6C FarmAnimalsofCyrodiil.esp [Version 1.4]
6D bgMagicEVPaperChase.esp [Version 1.68EV]
6E Vampire Revolution.esp [Version v1.13]
++ CoH Werewolves Mixed.esp
6F LoversImmoralGuards.esp [Version 3.0]
70 Whispered Warning.esp
71 BrumaMGRestored.esp
72 Glenmoril Covens.esp
73 Camping.esp
74 BrumaMGRestored-Frostcrag.esp
75 Basic Personal Hygiene.esp [Version 3.0]
76 Basic Primary Needs.esp [Version 6.3]
77 bgMagicAlchemy.esp [Version 1.57]
++ bgMagicEVAddEnVar.esp [Version 1.68EV]
++ bgMagicEVStartspells.esp [Version 1.68EV]
++ bgMagicItemSigil.esp [Version 1.68EV]
78 bgMagicLightningbolt.esp
++ bgMagicPotionNumberSoulGemValue.esp [Version 1.68UV]
++ bgMagicShaderLifeDetect.esp [Version 1.68]
++ bgMagicSpellTomes_for_WryeBash.esp [Version 1.68EV]
79 Improved Chests (OOO Compatible).esp
7A Cover yourself when you sleep.esp
7B Elz - Realistic Gravity.esp
7C Enhanced Economy.esp [Version 5.4.3]
++ Enhanced Economy - House prices.esp [Version 5.4.3]
7D Weapons Of Morrowind.esp [Version 1.0]
7E Expanded Weaponry.esp
7F Get Wet.esp
++ Goblin Shamans Respawn.esp
++ goblin_war_party.esp
++ Hemingweys OOO Boss Chest Cape Loot.esp [Version 3.0b]
++ Hemingweys OOO Cape Patch.esp [Version 3.0b]
++ Hemingweys OOO NPC Capes Improved IC Guards.esp [Version 3.0b]
++ Hemingweys OOO NPC Capes Improved Legion Forester.esp [Version 3.0b]
80 Kaizits New Animations NPC.esp
81 Kvatch Rebuilt - OOO Adaptation.esp
82 Kvatch Rebuilt Weather Patch.esp
83 Lava Does Fire Damage.esp
84 LegionInteractAnims.esp
85 LINK.esp [Version 1.4]
86 Loth's Blunt Weapons for Npcs.esp
87 MigLockpicking.esp [Version 1.8]
88 Palace Improvement.esp
89 New skill - Unarmored.esp [Version 1.2]
8A Oblivifall - Closing Time.esp [Version 1.0]
8B One of a Kind Weapons.esp
++ P1DlookAtShrines.esp
8C P1DlookHereYou.esp
++ Real Lava 1.3.esp
8D Real Time Lockpicking Minigames.esp
++ Starx-OVB Patch.esp
8E StoneMask.esp
8F StopDarkBrotherhood.esp
** tbskGuardsFeatures_UOP_Patch.esp [Version 1.0]
++ tbskGuardsFeatures OOO Patch.esp
90 tbskGuardsFeaturesKvatchAddon.esp
91 UltimateToolBoxV2.esp
92 VipCxj_BulletCamera.esp
93 WeaponReachAndSpeedOverhaul.esp
94 WeatherEffects.esp
95 WindowLightingSystem.esp
++ Quest NPCs Run.esp [Version 1.5]
96 A Bloody Mess - Bloody Fights.esp
97 Bloody_Mess.esp
98 LAME OBME Edition addon.esp
99 Jadrax Illegal Skooma.esp
9A Dynamic Map.esp [Version 2.1.1]
9B EDiveRiseControls.esp
9C Deadly Reflex 6 - Timed Block with no damage or durability changes.esp
9D DeadlyReflex 6 - Combat Moves.esp
++ cidnothump.esp
9E LoversHiyokoShooter.esp
9F LoversSlaveTrader.esp
A0 Enhanced Grabbing.esp [Version 0.5]
A1 sycSHOUT.esp [Version 1.02]
A2 Mounted_Spellcasting_Deadly_Reflex_Compatible.esp
++ Deadly Reflex 6 - HeX NifSE Patch.esp
A3 zzEstrus.esp
++ TentaclePlant.esp
++ zzEstrusSoundVolumeDown.esp
A4 Lovers with PK.esp [Version 96v5]
A5 LoversMB2.esp
A6 LoversBed.esp
A7 LoversChorus.esp
A8 LoversCreature.esp [Version 2.5.11]
A9 xLCR.esp
AA LoversRaperS.esp
++ OOOShiveringIsles_OCO_Patch.esp
++ Vanilla Like Khajiits.esp
++ OCO_Eyes_Fix.esp
** OCO DLC Faces.esp [Version 1.3]
AB Ragdolls.esp
AC HiyokoGenerator.esp
AD HiyokoGenetics.esp
AE LoversEncounter.esp [Version 1.20]
AF LVSSP_Creatures.esp
B0 LoversOrgy.esp
B1 DUS - Female Underwear Pack.esp
B2 TamagoGuide.esp
B3 Lovers_Prowler_Full.esp
B4 A0GAG.esp
++ PikachunoTM Delayed DLC.esp [Version 1..0.1]
B5 HiyokoGrow.esp [Version 2.3]
B6 TamagoDischarge.esp
B7 SetBody.esp
B8 LoversJoystick.esp
++ lustyargonianrequest.esp
** All Natural - Indoor Weather Filter For Mods.esp [Version 1.38]
B9 Bashed Patch, 0.esp
BA OOOExtended - Creature Spawn Chance Fix.esp
BB OOO - Creature Spawn Chance Fix.esp
BC LoversIdleAnimsPriority.esp
BD Lovers3dorgasm.esp
BE Lovers3dorgasmMB2.esp
BF LoversAnimObjectsPriority.esp
C0 Maskar's Oblivion Overhaul.esp [Version 4.9.4.2]
C1 LoversIdleAnimsPriority_MOO.esp


Sorry for the long list but spoiler tag has line limit which I exceed and it displays nothing.

This post has been edited by Zelazko: Apr 6 2022, 02:37 AM

Did you include Maskar's Oblivion Overhaul in the Bash Patch? My understanding is that MOO should sorted after and not included in the Bash Patch.

This post has been edited by macole: Apr 6 2022, 04:47 AM

Zelazko - you have a very different load order from mine. You have a lot of mods that do things dynamically, like OOO and other modern stuff. I only have static mods mostly, my PC cannot handle all the processing imposed by the dynamic mods. Also, I don't just put mods into my load order, I clean them first, and fix errors reported by TES4Edit, so they are often not the same as what you download from Nexus. Except for TWMP mods, as those are amazingly clean. I also make my own custom merges. I do not use bashed patch. My use of Wrye Bash is limited to establishing load order. I am also skeptical of Unofficial Patches. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, is what I say, and I have no issues with the vanilla game...

Below is my complete mod list. Mods without a mark in front are just as they are, without any changes. Here are the marks:

# - my merges (I can provide a list of what's inside if you want)
$ - my own mods that have been published (I use the same version as the one released)
% - my mods for private use, as yet unpublished mods or modifications to existing mods made for private use

So, here comes the list.

Oblivion.esm
Oblivifall Master File.esm
Cybiades.esm
TamRes.esm
TamRes_LandscapeResource.esm
CustomSpellIcons.esm
% LenasCompanions.esm

HrmnsOblivionScriptOptimizationv1.0.esp
DLCShiveringIsles.esp
DLCMehrunesRazor.esp
DLCFrostcrag.esp
DLCBattlehornCastle.esp
DLCSpellTomes.esp
DLCOrrery.esp
DLCVileLair.esp
DLCThievesDen.esp

Purge Cell Buffers ++.esp
HZRevealMapMarkers.esp
DS Time Manager.esp
Kyoma's Journal Mod.esp
% Real Time Lockpicking Minigames.esp
MigMiscellanea.esp
AdvancedMagicLeveling.esp
SummonsUnsuckified.esp
BareNecessities.esp
# Basic Utilities.esp
kuerteeBattleFatigueAndInjuries.esp
See You Sleep DLL.esp
% 0-Clothes and Armour.esp
Oblivifall - Losing My Religion.esp
% Oblivifall - Losing My Religion Chapel Update.esp
# Animations.esp
# MoreGenericDialogue.esp
Diverse Voices.esp
# People of Cyrodiil.esp
blance.esp
RCB - Realistic Combat Behaviour.esp
% Companion Dylan.esp
Classic Witcher.esp
% Companion Hauk Serck-Hanssen.esp
% Companion Sanguine.esp
% Companion Fenris Bero.esp
% Companion Garrus Darelliun.esp
% Companion Lucien Lachance.esp
% Companion Scorpio.esp
% The Dark Brotherhood Contracts.esp
% 0-house-paths.esp
% 0-MG-necr-war.esp
Mages Guild Quests.esp
ardah.esp
archfall_house.esp
everrest.esp
MadgodsParadise.esp
% Anvil Port and Drinks.esp
centiel.esp
# SI Merged Plugin.esp
SICitiesExpanded.esp
SINSOutskirts.esp
Saldaea.esp
# Cyrodiil Updated.esp
MNMRTP Topal's Rest.esp
alternativecityentrances-updated.esp
$ Imperial Shipyard City Isle.esp
# HESU.esp
# Bravil Port Merged.esp
# Imperial Legion Outposts.esp
Legions of Cyrodiil.esp
Im Garten Kosh_ImpIsle.esp
Darbinshire Keep.esp
Dungeons of Blackwood.esp
Colovian Barrow Mounds.esp
Dungeons of Tamriel.esp
WellDiver.esp
Ayleid Water Tower.esp
SweetspringIsland.esp
% Pale Pass Inn.esp
Fort Dreftin.esp
# Dwemer Ruins Combined.esp
Falkreath.esp
Aruins2 - Great City of Nivarian.esp
Mehrunes Maze.esp
zES Mathmeldi.esp
AsarusTomb1.esp
Cybiades.esp
CybiadesDungeon.esp
Tamriel.esp
TamRes.esp
Tieflandsburg Castle v2.esp
# TWMP Summerset Combined.esp
# TWMP Black Marsh Extended.esp
TWMP_Hammerfell.esp
TWMP_HighRock.esp
TWMP_SkyrimImproved.esp
$ TWMP Skyrim Less Scary.esp
TWMP Skyrim Guard Armors & Shields.esp
TWMP_Locations.esp
$ TWMP Skyrim Alive.esp
aaRedHall.esp
nordinkarst_1.0.1_en.esp
$ nordinkarst-TWMP-Skyrim-Alive-patch.esp
% Companion Witcher Geralt.esp
ElsweyrAnequina.esp
ElsweyrAnequinaPatch.esp
# ElsweyrAnequina Merged Addons.esp
$ TWMP_Valenwood_Elsweyr.esp
ElsweyrPelletine.esp
# ElsweyrPelletine Merged Addons.esp
$ Elsweyr Mysteries.esp
ElsweyrPelletine - Plantations patch.esp
$ ElsweyrPelletine - Mysteries Patch.esp
TWMP_ValenwoodImproved.esp
% TWMP Valenwood Cities.esp
$ TWMP Southern Alliance.esp
ValenwoodIslands.esp
$ New Senchal.esp
$ 0-Vampirism with relapse.esp
ScriptIcon_Replacer.esp
$ Tamriel map.esp

This post has been edited by Lena Wolf: Apr 6 2022, 11:29 AM

Zelazko - looking through your mod list, I see you have OCO. Do you also have OCO Compatibility Edition? Users have reported problems with the original OCO and various other mods, including my TWMP Skyrim Alive. I didn't do anything with OCO, but it seems that it can cause random crashes with other mods, even though they are completely independent. But the Compatibility Edition seems to help. See posts section for TWMP Skyrim Alive.

I made peace with my old computer! Turns out, it was running out of memory. I disabled Black Marsh and Summerset Isles, and all my performance issues melted away. I shall of course still need to upgrade at some point, but it doesn't have to be right now.

Which means I started testing Valenwood Cities! A few small things here and there so far, but nothing major. And here are the first screenshots!

Some people are out and about

Some shops are open

Most people claim that everyone's on holiday...

But clues are to be found

Some people have a story

Some are just... strange...

Something is definitely going on!

For OCO I use https://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/51324 Oblivion Character Overhaul Cleaned - OCO Cleaned by PushTheWinButton
@Macole - yes I don't include MOO in Bashed Patch Lovers mods as well as they advise against on LL forum.
It's true my load order is loaded with dynamic stuff but that is nothing my old PC couldn't handle. I had similar (65%) load order years back -especially lovers mod and other. I am new functionality junkie when it comes to mods. Same goes for Skyrim. I can live with low 30 FPS in stressed areas. I just want to reduce significantly the crashes.
Thanks for info regarding Summerset Isles. I think I will drop it since there isn't much content for that province.
I will use BOSS and manually try to sort other plugins to my best ability. I will also swap for OCO Compatibility Edition. Maybe it will reduce the crashes. The load order I listed was generated by LOOT.

This is that last load order I used years back. I still have a backup of that modded setup. But it's outdated. There were no OCO at that time or its seamless version which is must have.
I managed to make FCOM+WAC work.



This post has been edited by Zelazko: Apr 6 2022, 09:46 PM

Zelazko - sorry I can't help you. I don't use most of the mods that you use. No OCO, seamless, OOO, MMM, or other acronyms. So I would have no clue.

However, I did notice that the Southern provinces require far more resources than the Northern provinces. I started with Hammerfell, High Rock, Skyrim and Morrowind, and didn't notice any degradation of performance. But as soon as I went to Elsweyr, the system started to lag. Southern provinces use new and more detailed models for trees, rocks and landscapes, with or without TWMP (Anequina has nothing to do with TWMP, for example). And I think this is the reason why they need so much more resources. I have now disabled both Black Marsh and Summerset Isles. There is very little for Black Marsh, and not all that much for Summerset Isles, although more than for Black Marsh. But mostly I have no time to go exploring there yet, because I have other plans and want to try Morroblivion first, so for me I disabled them for now. Try it and see if it helps. I do not believe that TWMP introduces instability by way of bugs (not more than anything else, anyway), but rather instability might arise due to running out of memory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But back to TWMP Valenwood Cities! I got so excited to have my old PC back, that I forgot to look at the clock, it is now 1:20am and I'm not in the least sleepy... Even in spite of rum. But Valenwood Cities is working! I've been having so much fun! I fixed a few small things and ironed out a few creases, but actually it's ready for release! Not tonight though, probably tomorrow, and I need to calm down and sleep on it. But here come some screenshots!

Elden Root bridges

The Eagle's Nest Inn

A popular bar

A view of the rooftops

The City Guard barracks (these beds should not be empty!)

The City Guard dining room (where are all the boys?)

The Ayleid Quarter

An evening on the town

Maybe some meshes or textures that are used commonly in southern provinces mods are not optimized? Or it could be a script bottleneck firing every frame because someone forgot to add doOnce condition? Those could be two main reasons.

Since Oblivion 64-bit version is never coming out I wish some OBSE guru would hack and expanded memory address. I checked MoreHeap and no matter which area I go to (Waterfront badly optimized) the RAM usage is still the same. In relative stress free Oblivion uses about 380 MB and in Waterfront 680 MB.

The meshes are not optimised and textures are higher resolution. This is well known, apparently. Several people confirmed this. FPS drops in the South.


Are you using 4GB RAM Patcher? Someone already did it. It says in the write-up that it only becomes effective if you have more than 4GB RAM in your PC though.

I must also add that I use GOG Oblivion. It has already been patched for 4GB and better heap allocation. There appear to be issues with Steam Oblivion when trying to use 4GB patcher, OSR or similar mods because Steam Oblivion is also modified, but it is unclear how (other than to fit with Steam).

Also, I run Windows 10. It does a decent job of memory management, although there is no salvation once it starts to swap. But this is true for any OS.

Dispensation has just published his 2022 guide to Oblivion modding. Although I do not necessarily agree with his selection of mods, he does have some good advice on general utilities, memory management and the like, that is well worth reading. The mod selection will always remain a personal choice, however.

This post has been edited by Lena Wolf: Apr 7 2022, 09:47 AM

TWMP Valenwood Cities is published! This is volume 1 - Elden Root.

Phew. Now I can do other things. The sewers of Anvil are calling loud and clear! (Not my work, I downloaded some stuff, time to go exploring! And I never found the secret passage to the castle either, and that's vanilla!)

In other news, if you are using Elsweyr Pelletine, make sure to download this bug fixing patch from theredcurtain - he fixed all those wrong Khajiit skeletons that were causing stripes on screen and CTDs shortly afterwards.

I used GOG version of Oblivion. I tried both with and without 4GB. The RAM memory usage is same. I have 32 GB of DDR4 RAM.

I am no expert here but I think both 4GB patch and ORS or MoreHeap expand the precache engine memory and have little to do with the actual RAM. I can be wrong here.

Those cities looks nice. I cannot say more from the screenshots. But maybe make Valenwood cities like at least 80% of Bosmer? Only Cyrodiil gets to be very cosmolitan and multiracial. In Morrowind/Vvardenfell the other races are more common only in Imperial Forts and hamlets. Dunmer are majority in Balmora, vast majority in the Redorn capital of Ald-ruhn. Vivec is more cosmolitan and Telvanni only allows outsiders if they are members of the faction. TES V -Skyrim cities villages and towns were also in majority inhabited by Nords.

This post has been edited by Zelazko: Apr 9 2022, 12:18 AM

Wow, Zelazko, that's a lot of RAM! I only have 4GB, so I cannot help you.


It is mostly Bosmer. Why did you think it would not be? Because I posted two pictures of Nords? Well, I guess therein lies my personal preference.

I did not change the city layout, that's just how it is in Valenwood Improved. I only added interiors which I obviously didn't post as it would be a spoiler, and of course I added NPCs. It is indeed mostly Bosmer. I kept the percentage about the same as in Elsweyr, except that in Valenwood we have Bosmer instead of the Khajiit.

EDIT: Now I went and counted the NPCs. Not considering the guards who have to be Imperial to function, the rest of the population is 50% Bosmer and 50% other races. There are no Khajiit because they and Bosmer don't like each other very much. There are mostly other elves. A few Argonians, Nords, Orcs, Redguards and Imperials. One Breton.

I have also counted the NPCs in Whiterun. It is the same percentage - only 50% of Whiterun citizens are Nord, not counting the guards. It seems that foreigners have permeated the Empire rather further than it would appear.
"What happened to my Skyrim? Elves and lizards everywhere." And I am not even talking about Windhelm with its Grey Quarter and its Argonian Docks. Windhelm, the seat of the Stormcloaks.

Elden Root is a big city, it is not the old Elden Root with Bosmer tribes or the ancestral tree - all of that is long gone. Valenwood Improved is not lore-friendly, people say. Welcome to Valenwood Improved! There are plenty of Bosmer around, or rather there will be once the city is restored by the player. There's a reason why it were the Nords and the Orcs who survived the massacre. Fight well. May your kills be fast and many.

PS. Yes, I know I could have made Bosmer guards with silent dialogue. That's a lot of work and I am not sure how to do it. I had my hands full making the rest of the population, so I made the guards vanilla - that is, Imperial. This can be changed later, although personally I think that talking guards are better than silent ones, even if they are Imperial rather than Bosmer. The Captain is a Redguard anyway, and the Mayor (who is a Bosmer) won't take a step without him, or without his Nord bodyguard. I am not arguing with the Mayor. There's a reason why the Captain is a Redguard and why there are those other Redguards there, but it is not yet implemented in this release. People need to restore the city first anyway, then we'll see.

This post has been edited by Lena Wolf: Apr 9 2022, 03:30 AM

Along with using the 4gb patch, have you tried using CTD and Memory patch ENBboost?. I believe it made a significant improvement with my game.

I am playing God and creating another companion. This is Jowan from Dragon Age Origins, and I am trying to recreate his face in Oblivion, which is a challenge. He is also supposed to be some ten years older. Have a look at this picture:

Is this the same man?

Right - Jowan in Dragon Age at around 20 years old, left - my recreation for Oblivion, at 30.

What do you think? Have I succeeded? I am rather undecided on that one.

Aside from the Oblivion's face having bushy eyebrows tilting upwards, I'd say yes. The nose, the mouth, and the beard shadow are all nearly perfect. It's been a long time since I last created a face. I remember working days sometimes weeks on a face.

Yeah, the eyebrows... It appears that Jowan had had some plastic surgery done during his long trip from Ferelden to Tamriel. Oh wait - it were the sirens. They lured the ship to their island and did some plastic surgery.

It seems that with the face generation, you can change pretty much everything except the shape of eyebrows. I switched Jowan from Imperial to Breton because actually it fits better with his abilities, but Breton presets also changed his face. Less bushy eyebrows were the main change! Hurray! They are still not straight, but better.

Given the possibilities, I focussed on reconstructing his bone structure and face proportions. The rest is going to be put down to ageing and those sirens.

So with this said, I spent the weekend doing magic. Blood magic from Dragon Age for Jowan and advanced sorcery from Dragon Dogma for Scorpio (another companion). I tried to utilise standard Oblivion magic mechanics for that, with some scripted spells.

Dragon Age is actually quite vague on the topic of blood magic. Yes, you use health to boost your magicka, either your own health or someone else's, and while a blood magic spell is active, you cannot heal. But then in the Dragon Age lore they talk about those other blood mages doing extremely powerful stuff, while the spells given to the player are less than underwhelming. I think Bioware never really figured out how to actually implement Blood Magic.

There are a few Blood Magic mods for Oblivion, but what they mostly do is allow you to use your health when your magicka runs out. That's step one but I wanted more. I managed to concoct Blood Summons for Jowan that combine Absorb Health with a compensating Drain Health on Self and a regular summon but at a reduced cost. Effectively Jowan can summon a creature of a higher level than his skill would ordinarily allow. But the price to pay is that his health is drained while the summon is active. Since Jowan is Essential, it won't kill him, but may well knock him out if his health was low to begin with.

Besides this, Jowan also has a few scripted spells that he casts when surrounded by enemies, at a significant cost to his own health - Damage Health and Drain Health combined, so he is prevented from healing while the spell lasts and his health does not recover automatically afterwards. These spells include mass paralysis (enemies only), group heal (allies only) or pandemonium (invisibility and stop combat for allies combined with frenzy for the enemies, then stand back and watch). Blood Magic is supposed to mess with your head, I tried to reconstruct that...

Oh, and stay away from Jowan's sword if you can. Blood Magic does give him a certain affinity for swords, and with all that practice he's become rather good at slicing and dicing.

Besides Blood Magic, Jowan also has an affinity for Necromancy, except that he hates making zombies - you can't get the stench out of your robes for weeks. He prefers skeletons, wraiths and flesh atronachs. All logical choices, I feel. He can also summon a mean Xivilai or Spider Daedra on higher levels.

With Necromancy Jowan can reanimate the dead, including a powerful mass reanimate spell. With Conjuration... well... the summons can now summon their own minions! And that's not just Jowan's summons, that's everyone else's too. Basically, if the original creature can summon a minion, then the summoned creature will also be able to do it. Summon a lich, and he'll summon a skeleton, or summon a Xivilai, and he comes complete with his own clannfear. Master summons also level up with the player, but only master summons, so you need to invest in your Conjuration if you want really powerful creatures on higher levels.

Some of the high level creatures like Gloom Wraiths and Skeleton Heroes can now summon minions too, it's not just liches you need to watch out for. Liches have become far more dangerous too, they now come with swords as well as staffs, and full liches now have a chance to summon nether liches who might summon skeletons... But it isn't as bad as David Brasher's Really Scary Liches - I tried to keep an eye on performance and avoid too many chain summons.

With Scorpio from Dragon Dogma I had very different spells to make. Scorpio is an elemental sorcerer, so while he is not that good at Illusion and Conjuration, his Destruction mastery is amazing. He can summon a thunderstorm to target all enemies within range, granting them each their own personal lightning bolt right where it hurts most. He can do the same with a fire storm or a blizzard. Allies not affected. He can also get really mean and just deal direct damage to health, or do a massive health and fatigue drain on the enemies. This isn't without cost however: the has to focus to cast these spells and becomes incapacitated while they are charging. His fatigue is drained almost to zero, too. Magic takes its toll.

These spells have two components: an area of effect spell to mark the targets followed by individual punishers for each marked target. The area of effect spell passes through walls and is based on Mysticism, while the punishers are all Destruction, so the mage has to be skilled at both. Restoration is very beneficial too, what with the massive fatigue drain and the danger of being knocked out while charging...

And when he's not casting, do stay away from his axe.

So far these new spells for Jowan and Scorpio are just for them, that is they are NPC versions. The player character is handled very differently by the game engine, in particular when it comes to health and fatigue calculations, so I would have to rewrite the scripts and possibly redesign the spells to get the same effect for the player. So at the moment, you can't learn these spells, but may be I'll figure it out later.

These two mages are nearly done, including their houses, AI, items and scripting. I also have a few non-magical companions who deal with the enemies in conventional ways. A combination of the two would be interesting. And what about bringing both Jowan and Scorpio along? Sheer madness, I think. Let the good times begin!

Jowan is ready! It took me many rounds to finally get rid of his bushy eyebrows and 5-day dark stubble, but I declare him complete.

Here's Jowan's new face.

Besides that, I have also finished scripting his more complex Blood Magic rituals. I am curious to see how it will work out in practice, because they cost a lot of his health. The percentage varies as his skill grows, but it is always between 70% and 90% of his base health - poof, gone, drained for the duration of the spell. Such a ritual can only be cast when he actually has enough health available, but then of course almost anything will knock him out. The good thing however is while a mage is knocked out, his spells remain active. It is going to be important to protect him in battle so that he would have a chance to cast those spells.

It's been two weeks since I released TWMP Valenwood Cities. It got more attention than I ever expected thinking that the TWMP bit would put people off. Well, I'm glad it's enticing enough! But some of the comments... well, they show human nature, I guess - never happy with what is given, always wanting more.

"Can you merge all the Elsweyr mods together otherwise it's not worth the headache of getting them to work?" - Sorry for adding to your headache, dear, do stay away from the "Download" button. And this isn't even Elsweyr.

"It's too bad it's for TWMP!" - Yeah, I expected that. Nothing for you, then.

"Valenwood is such a drag. Good that you've done at least something!" - Sheesh... I've done a whole city... a month of dedicated work... "at least something"? May be your attitude is what is making it a drag.

I am not discouraged or hurt, just a bit annoyed. Sorry for the rant.

It is hard to understand the commentators sometimes. It's like they want something for nothing and then complain when they get it. Yet they don't want to do the work themselves.

Personally I think what you have done is great! Keep it up as long as you fine it to be enjoyable, then stop, and pay little attention to the comments. Only help those that ask politely (unless it's me).

Oh and the one that complained that Valenwood is so boring he or she just doesn't enjoy walking around exploring the park. Why, I bet they never found the cave, fully furnished and decorated, that can be used as a free player home.

This post has been edited by macole: Apr 19 2022, 09:18 AM