Aravi in Skyrim, her video story Options

[SubRosa]

I thought the Soul Cairn was a piece of long overdue world-building. Finally they explain what happens to the souls that people use in soul gems. An eternity of torment in that empty place.

Hey, there goes Arvak! Quick, catch that horse! Awww, it faded away, no fair.

Dawnbreaker was definitely a good choice to bring to the Soul Cairn! Was that one of those new sunlight spells that Aravi was using in her other hand?

And there is the mommy vampire.

Sunset was another wonderfully timed shot!

Elisabeth was right, that is a great snarl on Aravi's face!

The color of the water and reflections of the sky were nice in Crossing. I am guessing that is the bridge just south of Ivarstead?

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Feb 17 2013, 08:06 PM

[mALX]

Oh, I'm torn between "Frenzy Spell" and "Crossing" as favorites - have to go with the Frenzy spell - Awesome shots, all of them!

Vid: That first soul - I think it was Glathir !!!! Wait, when the horse disappeared, did you capture it? Did you find the skull? GAAAAAH! Is it summonable for Aravi now?

Serana's mother was so happy to see her! (not). I loved this vid, really huge place the Soul Cairn is, and kind of like an Oblivion realm with the sky. Awesome Update!

[Acadian]

Poor Arvak, trapped in that awful place that looks and probably smells like the Deadlands. So, Serana’s mother really is there!

What a neat capture of Aravi casting a spell! Her face is one of perfect determination and I love her ‘kini top, and her neck, ear, arm and finger bling!

Yup, that armor she’s got on in the last one is to die for. I simply love the colors.

[Grits]

Losing Your Soul

Aravi’s stress and indecision came through so well. Soul trap or climb down off that balcony! Oh, she wanted to see blues skies one more time!

I like Serana’s line about trust. It’s nice to think she might mean it, and it’s appropriate that she would say it even if she didn’t mean it. And Aravi's reply showed what she thinks!


Screens: Gosh, Sun over the Mountain is beautiful! The fog on the mountain and the butterfly on that rock make the picture! I love the sunset one in the next group, too.

Kharjo has quite a grin! Too funny. I love to see their silly moments.

Aravi looks so serious reading that note.

Pleased is my favorite of these, even though the sun one is so stunning. I just can’t resist Aravi’s smile.



Soul Cairn

Wow the Soul Cairn is really neat. Not cheerful, but what an experience!

Yikes, I don’t think Aravi liked that “Soul Harvested” business.

Arvak!! Aawww…

Dawnbreaker and the sun spell were perfect for this place!


Screens: What a great shot of Aravi’s expression in Frenzy! She looks very determined. And she must be outnumbered to need that spell.

Crossing is just beautiful. What a gorgeous setting to show Aravi’s battle gear. Very nice!!

[Darkness Eternal]

The Soul Cairn! Goes to show what happens to people who dabble in the dark arts . . .or are victims of it. Endless torment? Could be worse than Coldharbour? I wonder! So much purple . . .

So the man lost his horse and Serana-the-attention-leech just walks right in front of him and stands there. As if she can't see him . Dawnbreaker against Undead? Yes please! Aravi chose well here. And what a happy reunion that was. Valerica with her ancient princess Leia hairstyle. She looks like she got sweetrolls on the sides of her head.

Sunset in the Reach:How visually stunning!

Frenzy spell:Aravi looks mean here! "Yes, give into your anger! Rarr!"

Crossing:As stunning and enchanting as ever!

[King Coin]

@Everyone: This week was absolutely hectic. I apologize for the late update and to those of you with stories out that I have not read yet. I will be catching up this weekend.

@Elisabeth: I like the Khajiit expressions. Thanks!

@SubRosa: A very depressing fate awaits those that are killed by necromancers.

Arvak was a cool touch. Aravi couldn’t have brought a better weapon than Dawnbreaker. And yes that was one of the new sunlight spells she was slinging!

Pictures of Aravi slinging magic are always fun to take. You are right, that bridge is south of Ivarstead. Thanks SubRosa!

@mALX: Glarthir, Was it? I have to go back now and see. Lol. The horse just disappeared, Aravi didn’t get it or anything.

The Cairn is huge. Aravi didn’t see everything there was to have in there.

Frenzy was my favorite shot out of that bunch. I got the timing right on that one. Thanks mALX!

@Acadian: As a horse lover, I’m sure Buffy’s heart pains for Arvak.

Lol, Aravi’s really taken to the jewelry hasn’t she? She had her tummy ring too.

Last one: It’s glass! Glad you like it. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: Love the way you put it! Soul trap or climb down off that balcony!

Serana has done a lot to earn trust but… she’s still a vampire. And Aravi was none too happy giving Serana power over her soul.

I adore that sun picture. In pleased, I liked how some of the other colors in her face showed up so well.

That soul fissure was kind of a shock. Have you need in the Soul Cairn on the side of the Dawnguard?

Frenzy, it was only a huge forsworn base. Thanks Grits!

@DE: You think the purple is the worst part of it?

Serana is so bad about standing in front of people that talk. I was laughing at first too, and then she did it over and over and…

Dawnbreaker was the perfect weapon to bring. Seems fitting for such a bleak place.

"Yes, give into your anger! Rarr!"

Thanks DE!

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A conversation with Serana’s mother.*

9:22

*This one is all conversation. Just a warning.

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Screens!
Fires of battle

Explosion

Caster

A short break on the road

The moon from a mountain top

[SubRosa]

"How exactly do you plan on stopping him?"
Well, by killing him of course!

I never heard this conversation from the Dawnguard side. It is a little different.

Fire of Battle is just fantastic! Now that is a desktop waiting to happen! Oh and look, there is Kharjo in the background. He sort of looks like Godzilla stomping through Tokyo!

Shield your eyes from that explosion Kharjo! I love how he is bracing himself for the impact.

A Short Break is a nice, quiet break from the action.

Moon on the Mountaintop is almost as purple as the Soul Cairn! I love the footprints in the snow in that one.

[Acadian]

The vid was very entertaining. Even vampires have family problems and it was good to learn more about that place and the Ideal Masters.

I’m with Serana! “Let’s kill those keeper things and get back to the prison.”


Fires – beautiful. I hope Avavi’s got a resist fire enchantment within her bling.

Exolosion - Wow, Kharjo looks so cool there!

Caster – Neat effects!

Short break – Aww, butterfly.

The moon – Lovely. Once in a blue moon. . . .

[Grits]

Ah, Valerica. Serana has quite the family. Offering yourselves in a ritual with Molag Bal isn’t the usual mother-daughter bonding weekend.

This was a big episode for Serana. She had some hard truths to face about her expectations for a good outcome. I'm glad that Aravi took the time to talk to Valerica. She's not one to just do what the vampire says without any questions.


Fires of battle looks awesome! I love the way Aravi stands out from the background. Also I’m relieved to see the glow of her alteration spell.

Kharjo looks exceptionally cool in Explosion. It’s another picture that tells a story. And Blades armor!! What sword is he carrying? I noticed it in the first picture. I wouldn’t have seen him in that one without the sword!

Aravi has a neat expression in Caster. She really looks like she’s tense and concentrating. She has a sword, spell, and quiver on her back, a great display of her versatility!

Short break is very sweet. I love the way their heads are turned toward each other. And such a pretty setting!

Moon is beautiful and sort of melancholy. The tracks are neat, and the single set made me think about how in some ways Aravi is still alone with her beast blood.

[mALX]

*

"Fires of Battle" is absolutely AWESOME! That is probably the best screen I've ever seen by anyone! Aravi looks adorable in "Caster," and I love the colors in "A short break on the road." Also loved the "Moon" shot. All in all, this is about the best set of screens combined, but none can touch the "Fires of battle" - that one is a complete shocker, how were you able to make it? I am stunned!

The vid: Holy Crap! This is some deep stuff going on here, this is straight out of DE's story! I don't feel good about what Serana's mother just said, about them craving pure blood right after saying Serana was pure. I get the feeling Aravi's promise to watch out for and protect Serana is going to come into play big time in this place! URK! Awesome vid and update !!!!


*

[Darkness Eternal]

Hmm. Young black-haired pureblood vampire woman with parental issues. Coldharbour rituals . . .a vampires' perspective on vampire hunters? Where did I hear this before?

The vid: Holy Crap! This is some deep stuff going on here, this is straight out of DE's story!


*

Oh yes!

Video:Serana has mommy issues, too, huh. It seems her family was broken up quite a bit. Understandable. When one's family follow and worship Molag Bal and goes as far to copulate with a Daedric Lord of corruption and domination and strife, you can expect that the foundation of their relationship is nothing but chaos. Her family was doomed from the start, hahah. While Valerica isn't an extremist like Harkon, I noticed she didn't hide the fact that she was willing to give the Ideal Master souls in exchange for refuge

I wonder what Aravi has to say about this. She's dealing with some serious stuff! Blotting out the sun? Dealing with the pureblood of Daedric Lords? Egahd!

So, playing with necromancy and selling souls in exchange for undead guardians is dangerous for the necromancer? As they they can lose their own souls and end up in the Cairn for all eternity? What comes around, goes around. Karma would just squat and produce a load of crap above their heads. I am glad Aravi isn't one to engage in the Dark Arts.

I see Aravi is an official babysitter for vampires!

Images:

Fires of battle: Her eyes have a special glow to them! The backround fire is amazing!

Explosion: Kharjo just represents bad-buttness in this pic(trying to not bypass the auto censor makes me cringe). Just look at his expression! WOW!

Caster: Cast dat spell, Aravi! Cast dat spell!

A short break on the road: The butterfly just adds to the wonderful orange scenery. Good to see our hero taking a break with her best friend, Kharjo. Have some moon sugar and relax!

The moon from a mountain top: *Jaw drops*. Wow. That is beautiful! I honestly think this is one of the best Aravi scenery pics around. Especially the moon and the stars!

This post has been edited by Darkness Eternal: Feb 26 2013, 02:22 AM

[King Coin]

@SubRosa: How else do you stop a vampire from putting out the sun?

The blurred background does give that screen a cinematic feel.

Kharjo’s screen was my favorite. I bet that light hurt with his night eye!

Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: How strange it seems seeing a vampire like that. Disregard for anyone else but a select few. Aravi is glad Serana’s mother’s plan didn’t work, else she’d have to kill her.

Short break has two butterflies! Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: Seeing vampires like this is so alien to Aravi… Serana’s desire for a family is something she can understand, but just seeing what they do… She can’t leave them to kill and feed either.

Lucky for Kharjo in the explosion, it’s a sunlight spell, so it’s not going to actually hurt him. Maybe just blind him. His sword is actually a steel basket hilt sword from a mod pack. He’s already moved on to another weapon.

Caster: That does show her at her best.

Moon: luckily that wasn’t a beast night. She was at the Throat of the World. Thanks Grits!

@mALX: Wow, thanks! And here I didn’t think that one (fires) was anything special. Maybe I should have you choose which screens I put up!

Did Bethsoft read DE’s story? Lol. Aravi’s going to have to make sure Serana stays alive, and she ends up being a lot of help too. Thanks mALX!

@DE: I’m sure the similar plots are a pure coincidence.. Do you work at Bethsoft?

The daedric lord of corruption destroys families? What a shocker. Unrelated, notice how Windhelm is so close to the daedric shrine of treason?

It is kind of a fitting fate for those that harvest souls to have theirs taken.

Bad-buttness!

Moon: Again, I didn’t expect that reaction to that picture. Lol. Thanks DE!

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Aravi and Serana destroy the keepers.

9:07

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Screens!

White world

sitting together

Approaching fate

Alduin

[Acadian]

Three up, three down. That place reminds me of the Deadlands, with its ceaseless thunder and ominous atmosphere. No lava there though; is it cold there?

Aravi’s a wonderful scrapper with her bow and can out dance most archers. That last keeper was a match for her though and I was glad to see the dual blades come out.

White world and Approaching fate were magnificent in their snowy elegance. Sitting together was a rich and cozy scene – what a beautiful couple! Nice visuals on the ward thing that Aravi has going in Alduin, and love the blue lighting.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Oh, White World was gorgeous. My favorite out of these screens <3

[Grits]

What a neat shot with the arrow and Serana’s shock spell!

Yikes, bonemen popping up all around! That constant lightning tends to fray the nerves.

Oh crap that was close on the tower!! And Aravi was stuck up there by herself!! She was awesome with her battle plan!

Serana showed up late and brought a wrathman with her, lol.


I can’t pick a favorite screen between Sitting Together and Approaching Fate. The sitting one warms the heart, and the snowy one is so lovely!

White world is so bright! Where is that?

Aravi vs Alduin, oh my goodness! He’s huge. I just love the darkness and Aravi’s ward. Awesome picture!!

[SubRosa]

Aravi is doing a good job of keeping those keepers out of reach. That Yool sure worked wonders at slowing them down! As I expected, once those two swords came out, it was all over.

Neat kill cam of Aravi shooting the skelly archer!

Those soul husks are pretty handy, especially in the Soul Cairn. They stop those big floating gems from zapping you. But even back in Tamriel, a 10% magic resistance is nothing to sneeze at.

The first time I used one of those teleport pads it really freaked me out too. I was so not expecting that to happen!

Wonderful palomino horse in White World, and a nice, warm moment in Sitting Together.

That bright light in approaching fate does not look too good. I agree with Grits, Alduin looks huge in that pic! Aravi's ward looks really cool from the side like that though.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Feb 28 2013, 06:16 PM

[mALX]

*

First off, I am so sorry it took so long to get here, very hectic week.

"Sitting together" was Awesome in spite of the darkness of it - loved the way Kharjo seemed to be leaning forward as if they were really in conversation, and loved how Aravi's posture and expression looked as if she was rapt in what he was saying !!!! Awesome shot!

"Approaching fate" - this is my fave of the set, has to be. A big part of that is the footsteps in the snow behind Aravi, the sun blazing at an angle through the storm's darkness - this shot was spectacular!

Vid: I am wild about this Soul Cairn place! This has to be the most interesting place EVAH! I wonder what those souls were doing standing in that semi-circle? Wonder what they would have said to Aravi if she had talked to them? The animation in the first shattering was really well done - that second one seemed to glitch, but it was still very cool. I am loving this soul cairn place - have to get the DLC, now I'm wondering if I should just wait for the GOTY and get all the DLC in one or what. My son has it, but it is for the 360. (I want to play it on the PC). Awesome update !!!


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Feb 28 2013, 06:31 AM

[King Coin]

@Acadian: I do think that the developers were trying to bring in that feeling of the Deadlands and associating the Soul Cairn with other Oblivion realms. I’m not entirely sure if it is supposed to be cold or not. It certainly looks that way however, doesn’t it?

Aravi has some tricks to deal with those more talented with a bow than she is.

I had to show her poor horse at least once. That was the last screen of her before she was killed by a bandit. Sitting together is my favorite- very cozy! Thanks Acadian!

@Elisabeth: It was very bright, but still a pretty screen. Thank you!

@Grits: I love getting those kill cams, they make Aravi look so cool!

I wonder if it is possible to get struck by the lightning?

That did get tense up on the tower. That Keeper outmatched her bow skills. Good thing she is versatile!

Of the two screens you named, I like the heartwarming one. They are so cute together. White world in up on the path to High Hrothgar. I’m running some mods that make the lighting prettier, but also tends to make snow extremely bright in full sunshine. Thanks Grits!

@SubRosa: She needs to stay out of reach of them, it they do land a hit, it was devastating as you saw.

I wasn’t entirely sure what the husks were for, and Aravi wasn’t too keen on eating them. They didn’t look very appetizing, plus they are from the Soul Cairn. She doesn’t want to ingest anything from there.

Those teleporting pads look painful too!

That fight with Alduin was actually more difficult and more fun than when I showed it. He looks very scary next to Aravi like that. Thanks SubRosa!

@mALX: No worries, I don’t expect everyone to run here instantly when I post. I know everyone has lives beyond Aravi. (though it astounds me! )

Sitting together – thanks! I imagine that they are talking, though about what I am not certain.

Fate- I thought the sun looked really neat though the blizzard too! Thanks!

The souls were being used to power the barrier holding Serana’s mother where she was. They’ve been standing there for thousands of years! They didn’t respond to Aravi when she tried talking. Dawngaurd has a really fun campaign as long as you don’t let some of the stuff they do bother you (like make you lead Seana to her father’s castle instead of capturing or killing her). Thanks mALX!

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They return to Serana’s mother and retrieve the final Elderscroll from her.

6:33

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Screens!
Aravi

Blackreach

A second wolf

Kharjo looking like a Bad#&%

[Elisabeth Hollow]

-sighs- Blackreach is one of my most favoritest places to visit. After I've killed everything in there, of course.

[Acadian]

A dragon fight! That one went down fairly easily. Got the scroll. Now Aravi just needs to get her soul back and they can get outta there!

Aravi – A very ‘Come hither so I can skewer you’ look!

Blackreach – More jellyfish mushroom trees.

Second wolf - Cool tracks in the snow.

Kharjo – Love his eyes and gloves in this one!