Today In Skyrim (Spoilerific), Like the other one, but with added spoilers!!! Options

[Grits]

I try to put a spider warning on those shots for those who like Hadvar and Farkas are not fond of the crawly ones. I got that screen during a kill-cam. There is a noticeable pause in Jerric’s battered old save when one triggers so I know it’s coming and can hammer the print screen button.

Acadian, I had that thought as well. That Waylon Jennings lyric suits perfectly, thank you for sharing it. Jerric is suddenly surprised at how late it’s getting. If things had gone differently with Sandrine all those years ago his eldest would be about Valdi’s age. Sometimes he thinks about what he’s missed as a result of his choices, and then he looks at Lil and thinks about what he’ll miss after he’s gone. Then he has to go do some Jerric thing to get over all of that thinking.

Like kill everyone at Robber’s Gorge with the help of a passing mercenary and then go mudcrab hunting wearing only a shield and sword. Nothing clears the head quite like a 200 pound crab snapping at one’s bait. He’s using his old unenchanted silver sword again but still carrying Redeemer, and of course his KaSolivatchtude wolf shield.

Renee, that’s why he took the butter, to cook the crab legs. I’m sure Erik will not mind since Jerric is very generous with his friends when he’s not helping himself to the contents of their larder. Valdi will just be relieved that he didn’t decorate the porch with her stockings and then stroll into the Frostfruit Inn wearing her panties on his head. They’ll know it was him, since no one else would take food and leave 20,000 gold in the strongbox. Hopefully they’ll pull a prank on him to retaliate. He would love that.

I am so hungry right now from this food talk, argh!

[Grits]

Valdi and Erik returned Grimsever to Mjoll and then rode to Fort Dawnguard in search of Serana. She wasn’t there, so they trained a little with their fellow slayers, cooked some soup for dinner, and then crashed for the night on camp cots in the barracks. Where somehow the formerly shy Erik managed to Comfort his bride, yikes. Valdi is going to be more careful where she lies down in the future.

In the morning they found Serana, who looked very mortal, very beautiful, and very ready to go on an adventure to Solstheim with friends. But first they checked in with Isran because he is the boss. He told them to talk to Florentius, which is never Valdi’s favorite thing because she is not comfortable with Crazy.

Florentius had some distressing news. Dammit, Darnand! Valdi always knew that his fascination with darkness would cause trouble for more than just him. So the three friends raced off to Darnand’s rescue, with Serana mounted on her firey explosive ghost horse and complaining about the sun on the way. Valdi supposes that centuries as a vampire must have taken a toll on her friend even if it doesn’t show, or maybe old habits die hard. Either way Valdi will overlook Serana’s bitching the way Serana overlooks Valdi’s little habits that must annoy her.

Also Valdi would like to get a circlet for Serana. She guesses that Serana doesn’t even remember the last time someone gave her a present. They don’t have time to shop right now, but it’s on her list.

[Acadian]

Erik, you sly Nord! Comforting in an open barracks squad bay – does it get more romantic than that?!?

I remember once before when one of your characters got a rescue mission for one of your own gang – how neat that must be. Silly Darnand.

Perfect explanation for why the notavampanymore Serana the Complainer still rides Flame and whines about the sun. Aww, that is really sweet of Valdi to think about gifting a circlet to Serana.

The current screenshot of the month in your signature is fantastic! Gosh, I sure wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that shot. Lil looks simply amazing there – and more than a little deadly.

[mALX]

Valdi and Erik returned Grimsever to Mjoll and then rode to Fort Dawnguard in search of Serana. She wasn’t there, so they trained a little with their fellow slayers, cooked some soup for dinner, and then crashed for the night on camp cots in the barracks. Where somehow the formerly shy Erik managed to Comfort his bride, yikes. Valdi is going to be more careful where she lies down in the future.

In the morning they found Serana, who looked very mortal, very beautiful, and very ready to go on an adventure to Solstheim with friends. But first they checked in with Isran because he is the boss. He told them to talk to Florentius, which is never Valdi’s favorite thing because she is not comfortable with Crazy.

Florentius had some distressing news. Dammit, Darnand! Valdi always knew that his fascination with darkness would cause trouble for more than just him. So the three friends raced off to Darnand’s rescue, with Serana mounted on her firey explosive ghost horse and complaining about the sun on the way. Valdi supposes that centuries as a vampire must have taken a toll on her friend even if it doesn’t show, or maybe old habits die hard. Either way Valdi will overlook Serana’s bitching the way Serana overlooks Valdi’s little habits that must annoy her.

Also Valdi would like to get a circlet for Serana. She guesses that Serana doesn’t even remember the last time someone gave her a present. They don’t have time to shop right now, but it’s on her list.

How did you get it to say Darnand;s name? What quest is this? Awesome!



(And yes, great screenshot of the Midyear!)






This post has been edited by mALX: Jun 1 2015, 08:32 PM

[Grits]

How did you get it to say Darnand;s name? What quest is this? Awesome!

When I make my NPCs I put them in the town factions for where they hang out when they’re not following or moved in to a player house. That means they can be picked by the radiant quest system, which is a lot of fun since I have them active even in games where the PC has never met them. So for example Channah got a Companions quest to intimidate Lildereth, and Marius got a Thieves Guild quest to pickpocket something from Jerric.

That rescue quest is a standard one you can get with the Dawnguard DLC. I suspect it pulls from a list of people you are Friends or Allies with, since it refers to the person as your friend. I’m enjoying Valdi’s post-DG questline radiant quests. Florentius starts off saying something like, “Grave news, my friend…” then tells you there’s still hope that your friend could be alive. Not something you want to just ignore!

Thank you for the kind words about our screenie! Lost Knife Hideout is one of Lil’s favorite places to raid. Her Fury spell, a handful of arrows, and one Nord get the job done every time. Lil had extra fun this time through, since this game is still new enough that Jerric can’t summon his frost atronach yet. Though she got quite a scare when he tripped a boulder trap almost on top of her, since this game is also too new for his Light Step perk apparently.

[SubRosa]

Serana still complains about the sun! I suppose she also constantly bombards you with "Yes, what did you need?" as well.

Oh noes, Darnand is in deadly peril! I would have figured him for having problems with necromancers though, not vampires...

[Renee]

Wow Grits, that's so intense. It's always more serious when it's someone we love.

[mALX]

How did you get it to say Darnand;s name? What quest is this? Awesome!

When I make my NPCs I put them in the town factions for where they hang out when they’re not following or moved in to a player house. That means they can be picked by the radiant quest system, which is a lot of fun since I have them active even in games where the PC has never met them. So for example Channah got a Companions quest to intimidate Lildereth, and Marius got a Thieves Guild quest to pickpocket something from Jerric.

That rescue quest is a standard one you can get with the Dawnguard DLC. I suspect it pulls from a list of people you are Friends or Allies with, since it refers to the person as your friend. I’m enjoying Valdi’s post-DG questline radiant quests. Florentius starts off saying something like, “Grave news, my friend…” then tells you there’s still hope that your friend could be alive. Not something you want to just ignore!

Thank you for the kind words about our screenie! Lost Knife Hideout is one of Lil’s favorite places to raid. Her Fury spell, a handful of arrows, and one Nord get the job done every time. Lil had extra fun this time through, since this game is still new enough that Jerric can’t summon his frost atronach yet. Though she got quite a scare when he tripped a boulder trap almost on top of her, since this game is also too new for his Light Step perk apparently.

Wow, you mean you make an NPC and add it to the game and like add it to the College of Winterhold or Dawnguard, etc - and they can become the subject of random quests? How cool is that !!!!!!! That is so exciting !!!!

[Grits]

Jerric completed his Master Conjuration Ritual. I was a little concerned how it would go since it involved summoning a being from Dagon’s realm, but Jerric really got a kick out of it. For one he got a rare chance to personally annoy the Daedric Prince, plus he enjoyed crossing blades with the dremora. After the dremora did Jerric’s bidding they stood and talked for a few minutes. Jerric agreed to summon him more often.

So now Jerric can summon his frost atronach Ishckrihk as a thrall. This is not Darnand’s favorite thing, but he puts up with it. At least he has so far. They haven’t done much other than make the rounds of friends and colleagues at the college and then stroll through town. The Winterhold guards are not fans of frost atronachs roaming around. They all had some words for Jerric on the subject.

It was fun to see how Ishckrihk gets through low doorways. He sort of disappears and then materializes on the other side, leaving a mist cloud as he goes.

[SubRosa]

Izzy can get through doors? That is neat. I thought he would just be perpetually stuck inside the first room he was conjured in!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jun 5 2015, 04:27 PM

[Grits]

I thought the same thing, that he would get stuck somewhere and hundreds of hours later we’d find him still standing around in some barrow.

I’ve also noticed a small visual effect on Jerric that might be related to perma-Izzy. It looks like little magical motes floating around. If it persists I’ll take a screenshot once they get somewhere dark.

[mALX]

Jerric can summon his frost atronach Ishckrihk as a thrall.

Jerric looks like he is walking the runway in this shot!







This post has been edited by mALX: Jun 5 2015, 05:18 PM

[Lopov]

@Grits - very creative to make a quest specifically to rescue Darnand.

It was fun to see how Ishckrihk gets through low doorways. He sort of disappears and then materializes on the other side, leaving a mist cloud as he goes.

I was just thinking about this because he's really big, it looks like he might get some troubles getting over the Winterhold bridge as well but if he can materialize on the other side, then it's not a problem.

Congratulations to Jerric for completing the master ritual.

[Acadian]

That master conjuration test is perfect for Jerric, and I can imagine how much fun he had with it.

So now that Itchy has some staying power, I can certainly see Jerric tasking him with keeping the mead cold!

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jun 10 2015, 10:10 PM

[Grits]

Lopov, that fun surprise rescue quest was a radiant quest from the game. I’m afraid I’m not knowledgeable enough to write quests (yet).

Some old and new business from newlyweds Valdi and Erik: The pair along with their fellow vampire hunters and the newly mortal Serana finished fixing up Castle Volkihar and established a Dawnguard presence there. Serana had been more grumpy than usual toward Valdi. The question of what to do about Valerica weighed on both of their minds. It was decided (not by Valdi, thank goodness they did not put her in charge) to allow Valerica to return to her study at the castle where she could watch the portal to the Soul Cairn and in turn be watched by the Dawnguard.

So Valdi and Serana returned to the Soul Cairn where they caused a bit of trouble before giving Valerica the good news. Valdi thinks this was possibly a big mistake.

Serana decided not to move home, at least for now. The three (Valdi, Erik, Serana) rode back to Riften to check in with the boss before heading to Windhelm and then on to Solstheim. The trip was to report that Darnand had been rescued unharmed from the vampires, but also Valdi wanted to test out a theory on the way before she had to make another decision. She does not complain and neither does Erik, but they heard a lot of Let’s get inside, no I’m sick of caves, now the weather is bad, now it’s too sunny, let’s get inside, not here I’m sick of caves all the damn time. To Valdi’s dismay she discovered her hunch was true. In Serana’s new life she had become an even bigger nag.

Valdi knows what it feels like to be pushed aside. Though she and her sweet warrior honey are discreet (ha ha, or so they think), Serana must often feel that three is a crowd. Perhaps her unbearable complaining is Valdi and Erik’s fault. So they parted company for a time, with Serana returning to Fort Dawnguard and Valdi and Erik riding on toward Windhelm in the rain.

A dragon attacked as they passed through Shor’s Stone. What a rush. Valdi is not going to go dragon hunting, but her marksmanship has really come a long way and she was fearless. It’s their custom to walk down the hills to the edge of the tundra since that area is prone to ambush by predators. Valdi led the way as usual. Most of the time Erik’s crossbow stayed on his back.

[Lopov]

Serana's face is so appropriate regarding to what she says.

Their Soul Cairn horses look great, a good contrast between blue and flaming red.

I think that all newlyweds deserve some privacy.

So it's Valdi which does the hard work in their relationship.

Nice story, I'm looking forward to their trip to Solstheim.

[SubRosa]

Serana looks really ticked off!

I loved the blue and red flaming horses too. V&S do not need to carry a lantern, their horses provide all the illumination they might need!

So Valdi needs to fix up Serana with someone to improve her disposition?

[Acadian]

Grits, how neat that the Valdi and Erik are doing dawnguard! The couple that slays together, stays together.

Hmm, SubRosa has a good point about Serana. For at least 1000 years, she’s had no. . . warm companionship. Now all of a sudden she’s human again with all those neglected human needs like eating, sleeping, humping, drinking. . . . No wonder she’s cranky!

Returning to the Soul Cairn to notify Valerica was a nice touch and I’m glad she returned to her laboratory at the castle.

Valdi and Serana on their multicolored flaming steeds make for a magnificent screenshot! As you know, the flaming steed for Serana is added by Convenient Horses. I knew that if you asked her to change to a normal horse, Serana told you pretty much to mind your own business. What I very recently learned is that after the DG main questline is completed, she will then honor a request to use any normal horse and tack that you ask her to.

Then some dragonslaying for V&E. Valdi doing the shooting and Erik lighting the way from the rear with his torch. Erik looks great in DG armor and that’s quite a snazzy bow that Valdi’s using!

[Grits]

I can imagine Serana hitting on someone she fancies in a tavern. “Good evening. You have a delightfully fragrant neck. Not long ago I would have torn – Where are you going?”

Valdi covered Taking Care Of Your Living Body: The Basics with Serana, but romance (and birth control, yikes) was too awkward to be mentioned at the time. Valdi can’t imagine how Serana deals with being the ex of Molag Bal. This might be a job for Abiene! That woman will say anything if she thinks it needs to be said.

Acadian, thank you ever so much for the tip about Serana’s Convenient horse! Serana told Valdi off a long time ago when Valdi pointed out the danger, so she would never have thought to bring the subject up again. The exploding horse has been a sore point on their travels.

Hopefully the wisdom of her elders will trickle through to young Valdi and she will realize that Serana needs something warm and alive between her legs. A real horse!


(Valdi’s bow is the Forsworn bow from Real Bows. I use the version that is not a replacer, so my characters are the only ones who get the awesomest bows.)

[Grits]

Chases-the-Fish had an adventure on the return trip to Whiterun that unsurprisingly landed him in prison again. First he tried to rob a couple who were on foot, but they gave him a sob story and he ended up giving them five Septims. Some Nord ran up and gave him a pair of steel Nordic gauntlets with an alchemy enchantment, score! He said he would be back to get them, but Chases plans to tell him that another guy robbed him and took the gauntlets. This is a bold move since Chases immediately put them on.

Anyway then there were some butterflies to catch and then a rich noble to rob. The noble’s bodyguard was frightened enough to give up his weapons, which made it easier to kill him when he had a change of heart and came back with his fists. Chases also had to kill the noble. So now he has a slightly soiled but very fine set of clothing.

The noble’s horse tried to fight for him, but somehow in the scuffle Chases managed to mount the horse, which calmed him down. They proceeded on to Whiterun at a brisk pace. Chases willingly gave up the alchemy ingredients along the road in exchange for not having to walk this way yet again.

Until a bounty hunter ran up and attacked. Chases dismounted and tried to fight back but the guy clobbered him a couple of times very, very hard. The horse was disappearing in the opposite direction. Chases ran him down, mounted up, and led the bounty hunter to his death at the nearby giant camp. Then he was pursued by a mammoth and a giant most of the way to Whiterun, where a guard ran up to him and demanded his surrender.

Chases willingly accepted the armed escort back to the Dragonsreach dungeon. Where he broke out through the sewers, collected his things, emerged in the Jorrvaskr living quarters, strolled nonchalantly out the door unchallenged by the Companions, and was arrested again on the steps this time with 100 more Septims tacked on to his bounty.

He served his time puzzling the whole while on how these events might have come to pass.

Upon release Chases bought three water destruction spells (mod) from Farengar. He had pretty much forgotten why he was returning to Whiterun. (To rat out Saadia.) Right now he’s splashing around in the Dragonsreach pools practicing his new spells.