Aravi in Skyrim, her video story Options

[King Coin]

@LL: I assumed that the hand stabby thing was to get blood to wake Serana.

Heh, of course that’s what a werewolf would do. Some in the game seem to be completely feral and animals entirely, the ones that guy on the book was slicing up sounded like they still had their humanity.

Not reading the spoiler, still haven’t played all the way through DG. Aravi’s lived most of her adult life fighting vampires or their disease in some way, and suddenly here’s Serana.

Glad you liked the rainfall, it was a spur of the moment thing. Thanks LL!

@Acadian: You aren’t kidding about a busy battlefield! There’s almost too much going on.

Serana’s pretty good, her summons are good distractions and her spells are good too.

Aravi and vampires don’t mix usually, so there was some tension there with her.

It seems like all thieves in Skyrim have glass armor. Bandits on the other hand never have anything better than steel. Buffy enjoys the rain too doesn’t she? Thanks Acadian!

@SubRosa: I believe Serana’s eyes are supposed to be yellow/gold. I think you have them modded with one of your eye color mods.

Aravi feels nervous with a vampire around, but knowing Kharjo and his axe is behind the vampire is a small comfort.

They really didn’t handle Serana the best, Aravi should have either killed her, or at the very least, taken her to the Dawnguard HQ and not the castle like they make you do. And you can’t become a vampire lord without first joining the Dawnguard.

The bow is a quest reward.

I can imagine Aravi catching rain on her tongue as well in rain.

I think I will keep playing the high level Aravi at least until the close of Dawnguard. Right now the low level one is so I can play without feeling like I should be recording. Thanks SubRosa!

@mALX: The outfit in large bow is her elven armor. Lol, The new Aravi is the same Aravi, her personality is the same no matter what.

I hear you are on your way home, can’t wait for you to get back. Thanks mALX!

@Grits: “What Empire” indeed. That really lets you know how long she’s been in there. It’s because Serana is so different (and the game kind of forces you, but let’s ignore that) that Aravi’s willing to take her with.

Kharjo’s taking this vampire pretty well, but you are right. Most definitely perturbed.

Whenever a draugr shouts at Aravi, she feels like she has to reply in kind.

Aravi wouldn’t be Aravi if she wore gauntlets or boots (outside of a sewer anyways). Aravi was able to calm a thief, and when the calm wore off, he wasn’t hostile. Aravi loves a good warm rain. Thanks Grits!

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Aravi delivers Serana to her family’s castle.

6:37

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Screens!

Skyrim

Guardian stone

Twin moons

[Lycanthropic-Legend]

Some in the game seem to be completely feral and animals entirely, the ones that guy on the book was slicing up sounded like they still had their humanity.

Yeah, some do go feral, as Aela says. Lycanthropy alters the mind, makes a person a bit moody and prone to violence, as well as more eager to kill something like Sinding. The werewolves in Bloodmoon encountered in Solshteim were all feral, and all had the names such as "Raving Lunatic" or "Gibbering Idiot"

It depends on the willpower, as well. Those who can't tame themselves, 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. Stuff builds up, you know?

I agree. A vampire hunter would not help out Serana. Especially a pure-blooded Daughter of Coldharbour! We all know how cunning they can be.

Ah, Castle Volkihar! Aravi and Serana, plus Kharjo, have arrived! I love Serana's voice! Laura Bailey also voiced Rayne, a vampire protagonist of the Bloodrayne series.

The interior of the castle is creepy, indeed. Death Hounds walk about(In fact, I think they are the same as Hellhounds from "Arena,". Summoned from the Nether realms) and vampires munch on live cattle. They're blood is probably frozen, allowing the Volkihar to munch on them while they're paralyzed, alas "Immortal Blood,"

Harkon! We meet the head of the Volkihar! I never liked the clan that much. They seem barbaric in their feeding habits, and savage. I'm more of a Order fan of Cyrodiil. They're more intelligent. And he's not known for his patience, is he? Aravi must kill this guy! He's a madman!

Fun fact: I noticed a Death Hound walking by Aravi named CuSith. CuSith is a folkloric demon-hound.

The Cù-Sìth was feared as a harbinger of death and would appear to bear away the soul of a person to the afterlife, similar to the manner of the Grim Reaper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%B9_S%C3%ACth

Yikes! Try imagining one of those dragging victims into Coldharbour, eh? I see Aravi prepared her Beast form before walking up to Harkon. He knows, though, he could smell her "filth." Wet dog smell, much? Or is it wet cat? Confusing. I'm surprised he didn't see you as a meal, vampires like to feed on werewolves.

And Aravi, are expected, rejected Harkon's offer to become a Scion of the Night! Keep you're Lycanthropy, Aravi! As long as she's not a "unnaflicted", then it's all well and good.

Great pics! Aravi walking down the mountain is a great one, and i love those clothes! Ah, Masser and Secunda! The twin moons! Don't gaze at them for too long . . .they're dangerous

[SubRosa]

Have you had trouble with the LOD for the castle showing up? The High Res texture pack overrides them. I had to open up the Dawnguard.bsa to pull out the lod files for it, an make a separate mod of them to get them working.

Locked inside the castle. I agree with Aravi's headshake. That is not a good sign. I see Aravi got her breast form beast form ready before talking to Admiral Harkov Lord Harkon. Good thinking.

That one vampire sitting at the table on the right looks like she is rowing a boat!

Its Markus Corvinus! I would back up too. I think Ahnold put it best.

Well that was no much of a choice for Aravi. Like Revansch, there was never any doubt which way it was going to go.

Love the profile view of Aravi against the mountains in Skyrim. You caught a stone in mid glow! The big moon looks really red in that last one, like it is bursting with blood...

Fun fact: I noticed a Death Hound walking by Aravi named CuSith. CuSith is a folkloric demon-hound.

Are you sure it was not Cait Sith?

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Dec 8 2012, 09:44 PM

[Acadian]

What a gothic and gloomy looking castle – complete with what I imagine to be circling ravens! And Serana makes another grand entrance to those inside. I do find myself curious as to why those vamps so badly want an elder scroll. Aravi’s nervousness really came through. She made her choice and the die is cast. Once banished and she returned to the jetty, I was so relieved to see Kharjo was still safely at her side. I have no doubt he rejected that bloodsucker’s offer as well!

And some fabulous screens of Aravi’s beautiful Skyrim!

[mALX]

Will come back to catch up on screens and watch all vids tomorrow, too tired tonight and bleary eyed/cross-eyed from driving!

[mALX]

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Could not watch these vids at my mom's, her PC would not play vids even after I did a thorough maintenance cleaning on it.

1. Boy, these Dawnguard are a lot of tough talk but send Aravi to do the dirty work! I am excited about seeing these vids, because so far I've only seen the vampire side of Dawnguard!

2. I remember seeing this crypt when my son did it - these vampires are tough fighters! I hope Kharjo is essential!

3. Ooh, I remember this puzzle! Serena! WOO HOO! I LOVE her voice and dialogue!

4. Screens: Is Aravi looking up in these last two? Really cool looking, is it a Pose Mod? Awesome shots! Vid: Those gargoyles scared the crap out of me! Lol. I couldn't see Kharjo for a while after that melee in the dungeon, was worried he'd lost the battle!

5. Serena's family have some very odd movement cycling issues in your game! This part really scared me - my son reloaded a save and went back in after being banished - ended up giving up his werewolf to try out the new vampire form, lol. WHEW, but if you stay banished can you ever have Serena as a friend? Awesome Vids, all of them !!!!


*

[Grits]

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!

[King Coin]

@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!

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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

[mALX]

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!!!

[SubRosa]

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!

[Darkness Eternal]

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!

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

[Acadian]

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!

[Grits]

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!

[King Coin]

@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!

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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.

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Another thief. Aravi has some new armor now.

It’s personal

More progress on the house

[SubRosa]

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!

[Grits]

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.

[Acadian]

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!

[Lycanthropic-Legend]

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.

[Lycanthropic-Legend]

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?

[King Coin]

@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!

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

6:27

Kodlak’s Journal

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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