Aravi in Skyrim, her video story Options

[Grits]

Nice, Gloves of the Pugilist! Even though they have fingers, maybe Aravi can modify them for her claws.

Ugh, a bad memory brought up with that chopping block and basket. No wonder she kicked the basket.

Vekel was right, a lot of people just got hurt in the Ratway. It’s quite a collection of homicidal misfits down there. Or was.

It was nice to learn that there are Thalmor on the prowl. Of course, some gold would probably make Vekel tell the Thalmor about Aravi. Now into the Warrens we go…

I like the pace of this video. You gave a great sense of creeping through uncertainty without dragging out the corridor crawling, and the fights felt quick and sudden without being too abrupt. Great job!



ETA: And now the next part.


These screens are beautiful! The sky is just gorgeous in Four, and I love the moody feeling of the rainy ones. The sun under Solitude is my favorite though. Wow.


Ha, those Thalmor got the Blades Sword. They can be a nice source of income, if you don’t mind hauling armor around. Maybe Aravi can trade it for some nice jewelry. I don’t know, some kind of chain…

Seriously though, that was a great, fast fight next to Kharjo on a narrow walkway. They work so well together!

I really like Esbern here, running around looking for misplaced notes when he lives in a single room. I mean, take your time, there’s only Thalmor on the trail and a dragon eating the world. No hurry. Never mind the deranged neighbor checking her book, bucket, inkpot, knife inventory. I also like how Aravi seemed reluctant to say she is Dragonborn.

That was a hectic fight with the local nuts getting in on the action. Then an attack from the rude Khajiit, who is a Thalmor agent! That was sad. The Riften guard was a lot of help: “I’m getting out of here!” No wonder that town has so many problems. Sprinting was just the right thing. Time to get the heck away from Riften!!






This post has been edited by Grits: Apr 15 2012, 06:11 PM

[SubRosa]

Just as I thought, a Thalmor patrol. Aravi and Kharjo dispatched them in the usual way however.

Esbern was hilarious, running from end of his room to another, trying to decide what he wants to take with him!

Good thing Aravi went outside to stand guard. More Thalmor! They were able to sneak past though. Cool.

Who is that crazy old cackling woman "No, never find me!" Well, whoever she was, it looks like the Thalmor found her after all! That was one confusing fight afterward. I do not blame Aravi for hanging back during much of it. The way people were running around it was hard to tell friend from foe.

So that last Khajiit was a Thalmor agent. No doubt that "E" is Elenwen.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Apr 16 2012, 02:07 AM

[Acadian]

Esbern was quite a character! I could see Aravi hesitating before fessing up she was a Dragonborn; that takes a lot of subtly and a gentle hand to portray effectively. Another reason you are so darn good at this. And some exciting fighting getting in and back out.

Once out, Aravi got attacked and took down a (Thalmor?). . . assassin? The one with the note. I chuckled when the guard came upon them at that point, stepped over the fresh body and asked if Aravi could enchant his sword. I wonder if he was flirting with her?

The screens were wonderful. I like it that you almost always include a close up of Aravi when showing scenery. That first one with the rock formation was an exception, but very cool. I like how you included that lamp post as a reference for me to judge scale with.

[King Coin]

@Grits: If you need me to slow down a little, let me know.

She was expecting a head in the basket. I’ glad there wasn’t.
Glad you like the pacing. I’m trying to show less of nothing and more of something. Lol.

I actually have been on the lookout for a mod like that… so far none have surfaced. Esbern is kind of a funny character in this one isn’t he? Aravi doesn’t really believe it herself, so she was hesitant to say that aloud to Esbern.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t that the same Khajiit that was in the kitchen when Aravi was in the embassy? Thanks Grits!

@SubRosa: Glad you enjoyed Esbern’s part. In the fight after, Aravi couldn’t tell who was a crazy and who was Esbern. Well, there might not be much of a difference between the two… but she didn’t want to accidentally kill the wrong crazy. Lol. I don’t know who the crazy lady was. I don’t think I ever found her specifically. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: Heh, if the guard was flirting, I would expect him to be bragging of the quality of his sword, not admitting that he can “hardly cut butter.”

Esbern is quite the character! I missed the humor in game because I was in Aravi’s head and she was not amused. Upon watching the video I did see how silly he was in this section.

I know you like screens of characters over scenery so I always try to get Aravi in the screens. Some of the scenery shots are just too nice though. With the lighting mod I have, good shots of Aravi are getting challenging. I almost always need a source of light because the high and bright sun creates dark shadows where the light does not directly strike. Thanks Acadian!

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

Outside of Riften, a fort blocks Aravi’s path as she leads Kharjo and Esbern back to Riverwood.*

TIME: 13:01

*If you notice a detect life effect when Aravi crouches in this video, that’s from a mod called Better Followers that gives most followers in the game unique abilities. Kharjo’s is one that grants you detect life when you sneak. I personally didn’t care for the effect so I changed it to a more powerful shield bash for him.

[SubRosa]

I think I tried that follower mod a while ago. It made every potential follower in the game naked (well they still had their undies on). So I did not use it long.

Fort Greenwall. Best be ready for bandits then! Esbern is crazy alright. I could not believe him running straight up to the fort like that. No wonder he got his butt kicked.

Oh my goodness, that fugitive showed up wanting Aravi to hold onto his loot?!? Right in the middle of a bandit fort? I hate that guy. I always double cross him and give his loot back to the hunter as well.

Whoo boy, Aravi has Dorito breath now! That Bandit Chief went up like a candle. Was that a Frost Astronaut that Esbern summoned up behind Aravi?

Aravi took care of that bandit on the steps brilliantly! I love how she jumped down to get behind him, while Kharjo came in from the front.

Uh oh, webs. I agree with Aravi's headshake. This cannot be good. Let Esbern charge ahead in there. He can play with the spiders.

Whoa, Aravi slit that guy's throat from behind! After seeing the victim's piled up, I do not feel at all sorry for him either.

Aravi found the bathroom I see.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Apr 18 2012, 11:29 PM

[Grits]

No need to slow down for me, last week was just exceptionally busy. There were times when I had to kick people out of the bathroom to get a moment alone.

I had to look it up to be sure, but Tsavani is the Khajiit cook at the Thalmor Embassy, and Shavari is the Khajiit Thalmor agent that attacked Aravi. These names!! I only halfway remembered because their dresses are different.

Well, Esbern is a maniac. Gaah, that one bandit archer looked like Faendal! What the… bad timing, Mr. Fugitive. I’ve never been inside that fort. It was neat on the outside section to see things going on in the distance, like the falling body, Esbern running around, and the guy looking for a thief to murder.

How funny, that noise was Esbern’s giant frost atronach. This fort had it all! Nearly naked axe-wielder, spiders, and some poor Khajiit piled up like garbage. Ugh, and some human flesh. All it needed was a vampire for the most unpleasant dungeon award.

That throat-cutting was neat. Aravi led her little band through this adventure very well.

[Acadian]

I agree with SubRosa; putting that axe bandit highwayman in a cat sandwich when Aravi hopped down those stairs was great.

You really conveyed how Aravi feels about spiders. Burning their webs and sending the boys in first was very effective.

Ouch, Aravi gave that pickpocket a lethal dose of his own juju. After she found that dead Khajiit and saw the next bandit from a distance I was saying, “Now, pull out your bow, Aravi.” And she did! Oooh, and another throat slitting!

[King Coin]

@SubRosa: I think I said this on your thread, I never encountered the naked problem you had. He must have fixed that.

Esbern is crazy alright, he’s not nearly as helpful to have around as Kharjo is. I’m glad he doesn’t stay for long. Fire Breath is by far Aravi’s favorite Thuum. The Frost atronach is indeed Esbern’s. The first time I saw it, it was kind of a surprise.

I REALLY liked it when Aravi slit their throats. She was obviously upset to see fellow Khajiit piled up like that. She didn’t want to take the gold from them when she came back, but nobody else was probably going to come along other than more bandits. Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: Oh wow well if you ever need me to wait an extra day, just let me know.

Ah! You are right. I’m glad I only have to keep track of two Khajiit. Those names!

One of those archers was VERY deadly with his bow. I think I had to do that fort twice because he one-shotted Aravi the first time. DiD would be very difficult to do in Skyrim. I don’t know what was up with the naked ax guy, that was really weird. Thanks Grits!

@Acadian: Aravi never likes leaving Kharjo on his own to fight someone, she always is looking for a way to flank or shoot arrows into the enemy. He didn’t stand a chance when Aravi got behind him.

I think she even used a poison when she got the bow out. Glad she listened to you! Thanks Acadian!
##############################

Aravi brings Esbern to Delphine and they discuss their next move.

TIME: 5:08

Through Falkreath is the most direct way to Skyhaven Temple. But first, they pass through Helgen.

TIME: 7:45

[SubRosa]

An orc skooma dealer and a dragon in the valley below, how nice.

So Sky Haven Temple and Alduin's Wall it is. Aravi is going to travel with Delphine? I wonder if she will regret that? I hate traveling with NPCs who are not companions. They tend to attack everything in sight with suicidal zeal. Is Esbern going to? Oh no, that means two homicidal maniacs!

Back to Helgen. I always like going back there to see what it looks like without Imperials and dragons. I like that so much of it is actually in ruins. It is neat to contrast that to how it looked before Alduin showed up to rescue you. The headsman's block still remains though, and is still stained with the blood of that Stormcloak whose ancestors were smiling upon him.

I see Aravi cannot help but to relive the past. Looking from the block, to the tower that Alduin sat upon, to the tower she fled to with Ralof, and the inn that she leapt to. (You can still get up to the second floor btw, by running up that fallen tree trunk).

Did she ditch Esbern and Delphine somewhere along the way? I did not see them when she left Helgen. I guess I must have misunderstood, and they are just going to meet them at Sky Haven.

A piece of advice to Aravi, don't investigate that dog for the blacksmith! Nothing is a bigger pain in the rear then having that blasted thing constantly shoving you.

"Wait, I know you." And then the guy just walks away? WFT? Did a dragon drop him on the head after he was born?

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Apr 21 2012, 11:27 PM

[Acadian]

Vid 1. I love orcs, but not ones you meet on the road trying to proposition you or sell drugs – ugh. I really enjoyed Aravi’s brief mesmerization by the flight of a bee – how very cat-like! I’m glad to see she decided to travel with some company to her next destination.

Vid 2. A neat walk. I like Aravi’s outfit with her little tummy showing; perhaps Jerric or Buffy can send her a belly chain? I liked that you often stopped to let us look around and savor the music and view. I thought she was taking Delphine with her – did I miss something?

“Wanna hire a couple cats to find the blacksmith’s lost dog?”

“Wait,” says the guard, “I know you.” So Aravi does, and he walks off! I was shaking my head just like she was. Go figure.

[Grits]

Bees!! I love the bees. That made me happy.

Oh neat! Esbern pulled a book out of his… pocket. That I have never seen!!

Kharjo looks quite handsome in his new armor. I love the little farewell between Orgnar and Delphine. Orgnar’s dialog in general cracks me up.

Wow, Helgen really hit Aravi with the memories. That could have been her blood on the block, and now she’s tangled up with the dragon that saved her. Just empty skies and bird noises this time though. Aravi looked especially lovely in that late afternoon light.

Uh oh, if the guard knows you, doesn’t that mean a bounty? Must be pretty small if he just walked away. I’ve had Esbern and Delphine disappear on me too, and then show up again at an unexpected time. Luckily Esbern is wearing that white shirt.

These videos gave a sense of Aravi being on an internal journey as well as a road trip. Well done!



ETA: I forgot to say, the Nord is in favor of a belly chain!

This post has been edited by Grits: Apr 22 2012, 08:13 PM

[King Coin]

@SubRosa: I’ve seen more orcs and woodelves dealing Skooma than anyone else, including Khajiit. The Khajiit traders usually have some moonsugar on them though.

Aravi was going to travel with two maniacs, but they disappeared pretty soon outside of Riverwood. I guess they chose a different path. I’m glad they weren’t around to be honest. Aravi was able to stop in Helgen. She wouldn’t have stopped had they been there.

I was really confused by the guard at the end too, but I suspect Grits is right. She might still have a small bounty after she smacked that orc on the road. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: Some of the orcs in Skyrim are really cool. So far Aravi’s only met the arrogant and the dealers. The bees are so cool! Thanks on Aravi’s armor. I thought she was traveling with Delphine too, but Delphine quickly forged her own path. Fine with Aravi, its quiet without her. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: I thought the book out of the pocket was kind of funny too. Whatever. I thought Kharjo looked goofy in the wolf armor. He won’t be in that armor for very long. She really got hit with the memories at Helgen. It was much stronger than I thought it would have been. I really didn’t know what was up with the guard, but I think you are right. She smacked that orc on the road and I think she got a bounty from that.

I still haven’t found a belly chain in any mods. I actually looked. Thanks Grits!


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

Some screens today!

Aravi went hunting recently on her own to collect pelts so she could make something. She ended up clearing a few dungeons with very little hunting.

Enjoying the fresh air on her own

Inside a small cave she took shelter in for a night. She had to fight a bear and a spriggan that didn’t want to share.

Healing

Finishing a bandit chief

After the hunt, Aravi collected Kharjo and headed to Karthspire.

Near Karthspire, Kharjo did something unexpected.

Imitating Aravi

[SubRosa]

I love that look on Aravi's face in the first pic. She looks pleasantly surprised, like she just found a glass bow under the Saturalia tree.

And Kharjo went dual weapons! I have heard that most followers do not do that, and some will only do it with certain weapon combinations.

[Acadian]

I’m with SubRosa. That first shot is gorgeous. Aravi is stunning and I can just about feel the crisp air freezing my lungs!

What a great close up of Aravi healing.

I like Aravi’s green cape and that looks like a katana she is carrying now?

Woot! Kharjo using both hands!

[Grits]

It looks like Aravi had a refreshing solo hunt. I love the closeups that really show her face.

Kharjo in Blades armor dual-wielding AXES!! That is beyond awesome. I see that Aravi has Dawnbreaker, very nice. I’m so glad you posted these, KC!!

[King Coin]

@SubRosa: She has such a silly expression on her face in that first screen! I did some checking and the dual axes might have come from Better Followers. I’ll have to see if he does it all the time, how good he is, ect. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: She might not have a belly chain, but she has an amulet with a powerful resist frost enchantment. The healing one is my favorite. Aravi ran into some big cats that weren’t as friendly as Guen. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: As much as she likes having Kharjo around, she enjoyed a little time without him around. She had a few hair raising (and tail poofing) moments, but she can still handle Skyrim on her own. Thanks Grits!

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

Aravi leaves Falkreath and makes her way to Karthspire.

TIME: 8:57

[SubRosa]

Everytime I see Karthspire or Karthwasten I think of Carth Onasi from KOTOR, one of my favorite video game characters ever (and favorite voice actors. Raphael Sbarge should have voiced the MenShep in the Mass Effect series, rather than a supporting character like Kaidan).

I just noticed that Aravi's tail really bounces around when she runs.

Uh oh, here comes that dog from Brooklyn. So did Aravi decide to ignore Barrabas after all, and just head west to the Rift?

Sounds like trouble up ahead in those mountains. At first I thought it might be a dragon, but when she got in sight of the camp, I am sure it is a bear. Oh wait, maybe it is both!

Well that Cave Bear was nice enough to level up Aravi's Light Armor for her! Whoa, what did Kharjo hit it with to send it flying like that! Yikes, the dragon's head is right behind it! Run Aravi, Run! She was almost dead at that point. Much as I hate Barbas, I have to admit he would have been handy there. He is not just essential, but completely invulnerable. So he cannot even be driven down to one knee.

That blood dragon was pretty tough. With a name like that, I would expect it to be a vampire or something.

What was Kharjo saying during the fight? I could not make it out?

Here come the twin swords! This won't take much longer. Nope, it did not. Aravi rode the dragon! I got that same kill camera when Hrafn killed the dragon at the Western Watchtower in Dragon Rising.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Apr 24 2012, 05:53 PM

[Acadian]

I’ve seen Skyrim’s giant transformer robots - justified by the almighty word, ‘Dwemer’. Here we're introduced to Clavicus Vile's smart astronaut dog with an accented attitude. Had the pooch kept its mouth shut, I would have noted that the animal was beautifully reminiscent of Jerric’s Ulfe.

Thank Azura that Aravi followed that doggone scene by treating me to some wonderful time walking through the wilderness with those hauntingly rich background noises – the calls of dragons perhaps? Very neat! Until they got close, *gulp* then it got scary. A cave bear! Then a Dragon too?!? Yikes. I’m glad Aravi got some of that double fisted healing. That was close! I’m so glad that after bathing in all that dragon breath, neither Aravi nor Kharjo got their fur burned off. Whew!

No teasing Aravi about her tail now – it’s complete and total awesomesauce!

[Grits]

Those woods are so pretty around Falkreath. It was nice to see them walk along for a bit. Thankfully without Barbus. I do love the Ulfe dogs, but that one has a mouth on him.

Uh oh, a bear and a dragon. Yikes, the dragon landed so close!

Kharjo said, “I’m not sticking around to fight a dragon.” He’s no fool. But then it got them in between those rocks anyway. The campfire was a real hazard, and dead bodies already on the ground from the bear. Skyrim can be so hospitable.

That was a wild dragon battle! So many close calls, and it kept landing right on top of them! That moment when Kharjo was still shooting right into its fire, I thought he was going to get eaten. The kill cam and hawk noise at the end were perfect! Good grief, that fight definitely makes the Aravi highlights reel. Amazing!!

[SubRosa]

You might want to try out UFO. Among other things, it allows you to see your followers stats, as well as lets you level them up, have up to 15 of them at once, and other things.