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Contest Build: Avenging Ambassador

Tags: #Race:Dunmer  #Rank:Bloodworks  #Contest3  #Build:Mage  #IceStella 
  • Member
    August 26, 2015

    Dunmer of Skyrim

    by Athal Sarys

    A proclamation of Dunmer supremacy in eastern Skyrim

    Dunmer.

    That is our name. Yet you deny us even this courtesy. You, the white-skinned, jaundice-haired apes of this godforsaken frozen wilderness. To you Nords, we are the gray ones, the ashen-skinned, the "dark elves" of Morrowind who have as much place in your land as an infection in an open wound.

    Oh yes, we have read your great cultural work, "Nords of Skyrim", in which you extol the many virtues of your people and province, and invite any visitors to come experience your homeland for themselves. Well come we did, Nords, and the reception was less than was promised - but exactly what we expected.

    Background

    Sendrasa Seran, named for a character in her mother's favourite story, was the daughter of a priestess of Azura and a mage/alchemist. The family fled Morrowind with other Disciples of Azura before the great event. Unfortunately their boat ran into a storm when Winterhold collapsed and was destroyed. A young Sendrasa was a lone survivor washed ashore near Windhelm and so found herself alone in the gray quarter foraging to survive.

    Sendrasa grew up being racially abused by many of the Windhelm's Nords, despite trying to fit in to her new homeland, taking on many Nord mannerisms and customs, e.g. face paint. She developed into a desirable young lady and caught the eye of a group of Nords who abducted her and held her as theirs to abuse as they saw fit. When the war started the men joined Ulfric's Stormcloaks and took Sendrasa along with them to pass the time. However the group was captured by the imperials and sentenced to death at Helgen, Sendrasa included.

    Gameplay

    After she escaped from Helgen she determined to return to Windhelm and improve the situation for the Dunmer in her city, the hold of Eastmarch and eventually all of Skyrim.

    She keeps herself scrupulously clean, modest and well dressed, to combat negative stereotypes of the Dunmer, she is determined to be a role model to the disenfranchised by working hard and presenting a new face of Dunmer in Windhelm. She also seeks to improve the lives of individual Dunmer in the city, helping them to overcome their hardships.

    She will NOT undertake ANY quest that would re-inforce negative stereotypes of the Dunmer people.That means no Thieve's Guild or Dark Brotherhood quests.

    This is a minimal combat build, with an emphasis on avoiding or pacifying hostile characters.

    Tactics

    Sendrasa relies on her ability to placate people to get through dangerous situations.

    In early one to one encounters she will use Calm to lower her enemy's guard and bypass them without physical conflict. As time passes and she learns how to greater control her abilities, Sendrasa will supplement her spellcasting with Hypnotic Gaze and Kindred Mage. In addition she will study to develop her magical gifts, learning spells such as Harmony and Pacify, to further protect her from attack.

    In group encounters Sendrasa relies on her 'Crowd Control' abilities to pacify enemies and bring them around to her way of thinking. Her bodyguard becomes essential if Sendrasa finds she cannot talk her way out of a situation.

    If all else fails she will use her 'Last Resort' ability to defend herself or those in peril.

    Stats

    Race - Dunmer (essential)
    M/H/S - 5/2/1
    Stone - Mage (for the 20% bonus) then Apprentice (100% magicka regen)
    Skills;
    Major

    • Illusion - Sendrasa has learned to calm the aggression of those who abuse her, which was useful during the years she was kept captive.
    • Speech – Seeking out Dunmer merchants where possible, Sendrasa aims to improve their livelihoods and in so-doing improve their futures.
    • Restoration - Sendrasa has been been beaten, broken and scarred. Being able to heal herself and others gives her a strength and independence few posess.

    Minor

    • Alchemy - The Gray Quarter is rife with filth and disease, being able to ease the suffering of the Dunmer there is a blessing.
    • Alteration - Important to be able to cast a ward to protect those in peril.
    • Conjuration - Sendrasa doesn't carry weapons, but a bound sword is her last ditch protection.
    • Enchanting - More for enhancing apparel, but trading these magical items provides revenue for down at heel Dunmer shopkeepers.

    Quests

    I recommend doing the Black Star quest as soon as possible, not only because her parents were heading to the Shrine of Azura when they died, but also because Azura's Star can be used to craft the enchanted items that she can then sell to her preferred dealers.

    Eastmarch

    • Revyn Sadri - That was always there
    • Brunwulf's Quest
    • Dravynea - Frost Salts
    • Sondas Drenim - delivery
    • Belyn Hlaalu - wheat
    • Blood on the Ice

    Further afield

    • Brand Shei - Distant Memories
    • Avrusa Sarethi - Harvest jazbay grapes/wheat
    • Dravin Llanith - Bow to the master
    • Synda Llanith - Harvest wheat
    • Dinya Balu - Spread the love
    • Marise Aravel - Ice Cold
    • Brelyna Maryon - Brelyna's Practice
    • Drevis Neloren - Out of Balance

    Equipment

    Bound Sword
    Fine Clothes (enchanted with Fortify Illusion/Fortify Speech) I chose blue Imperial outfit. Smart, clean and modest
    Diadem of the Savant
    Gauldur's Amulet
    Gloves (enchanted with fortify conjuration)
    Fine boots

    Potions

    • Gray Quarter Remedy - Charred skeever hide+hawk feathers+eye of sabre cat (cure disease/restore health/restore stamina)
    • Air of Authority - Dragon's tongue+mora tapinella (fortify illusion)

    Abilities

    • Crowd Control - Air of Authority + Dual casting calm/harmony/pacify + Hypnotic gaze + Kindred mage.
    • Last Resort - Mass paralysis + Bound sword + Mystic binding

    Final Notes

    Sendrasa will support the Empire rather than the Stormcloaks due to her treatment by the soldiers, however she doesn't wish ill on the Nords, rather she sees the Imperials trying to civilise the barbarism that she, and others, have been subjected to.

    Being an Ambassador, and also as another way to support her fellow Dunmer, Sendrasa is able to take a follower. I chose to hire Jenassa (Whiterun) but there is always Aranea after The Black Star is complete.

    Having lost everything in life, and living for years as a prisoner, Sendrasa has little to no attachment to material possessions. She carries what she may need for a mission, but nothing else. She doesn't seek out wealth so won't be found dungeon delving, and fast travel or carriage is preferable to trekking through the wilds.

    ------------------------------

    Thank you for taking the time to read this, my first character build!

  • Member
    August 26, 2015

    This is a nice build with a unique take on the Dunmer in Skyrim idea. Sendrasa Seran comes across as a really well thought out character and I'd like to see a RP Profile about her too.

    My only advice would be to add more pictures to really sell the build

  • August 26, 2015

    And Combat section. Something that explain how you deal with enemy, what tactics you use and stuff like that.

  • Member
    August 26, 2015

    Thank you, it's tricky finding a balance when first starting out, and that perk spread image almost killed me with one thing and another lol. I'll bear that in mind for next time.

  • Member
    August 26, 2015

    Yes, that was meant to go in. I guess while playtesting I kind of assumed that the playstyle would come through. Obviously that would need clarifying and again, I'll remember that for next time, thanks.

  • Member
    August 26, 2015

    When I first conceptualized my build for this contest, I had something in mind very similar to this. I'm rather glad I changed it now :D 

    My biggest suggestion would be, make the perk spread text have a black outline around it maybe. That color writing is hard to read in places, and a black outline would really help make it stand out a bit.

    I know the build is focused on non-combat, but 5/1/1 seems REALLY low on health (at least to me anyway). Were you able to get a lot of the story quests done with that? I'm not complaining or anything like that, I guess I am curious if she fulfilled her destiny as a Dragonborn or not. 

    Regardless, I really like the concept. I could never do it, but low-combat builds that work are always fascinating to me.

  • Member
    August 26, 2015

    That perk spread damn near killed me, using android open office on my tablet lol, but you're right and if I could do it again I would. I just got to the point where I was like - so done with this I'm not faffing anymore....eep.

    As for the stats, I didn't playtest to lvl 60, but it worked for level 20. I calmed my way thru enemies, Jenassa mopped up everything in my wake, and I used my restoration ALOT!

  • Member
    August 26, 2015

    Ugh. Photo manipulation on a tablet not specifically designed (or at least with the proper tools) to do so sounds absolutely awful. 

    I think the problem with only playtesting 1/3 of the way through your perk spread... I've never actually run with any followers long term before. Do they continue to be useful as you level up? When you reach level 50 are they just going to keel over the first time a Draugr Overlord hits them with a frost breath? I like this build, don't get me wrong, i'm just not sure how sustainable this character is for all the perks and levels you've outlined her. I hope i'm not coming across as being a jerk, cause i'm really not trying to be, 

  • Member
    August 26, 2015
    Oh my gosh I love the role play of this build! You should add a combat section when you can, though. Otherwise it's great!
  • Member
    August 27, 2015

    Love me those Dunmer (utilizing the conflicts that come with your chosen hold is a stroke of genius), and I make no secret of my love for bound weapons :D

    Like some of the others who have commented, I like getting the low-down on how people approach combat for the builds they create. I get that she is non-confrontational, but the thousands of people and creatures who aren't still need to be dealt with--how does Sendrasa typically diffuse those situations? A section that describes your typical entry into combat, and some of the tips and tricks you used to circumvent the ire of varying enemies will go a long way into getting people to know how Sendrasa keeps herself alive in a very unforgiving land ;D

    Again, though... nicely done!