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Has This Been Done Before? - Putting Yourself In Skyrim

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  • Rabyd One
    Member
     
    June 21, 2017

    I have tried a couple times to make a character that was a true reflection of myself in Skyrim.  That means the race, skills and other factors line up with life here in the real world.  A couple examples using myself.

    I am 6'4 and lift weights.  I am also from the North where it snows so I picked a Nord as Race.

    I am a pastor - so Restoration Skill, you could also justify Alteration and Destruciton as a Priest of the Divines. 

    I am an Political Science major with a minor in Economics at School - Speech Skill

    What rules or principles could be designed to guide people in these kind of decisions if they wanted to do something like this?

    Has This Been Done before in some way and I missed finding it?

    What I am looknig for here is ideas.  My initial thoguht was to connect a person's occupation with skills and specific perks that make sense.  Is there some other way to look at it?

    Thanks

    The Rabyd One 

     

  • ShinJin
    Member
     
    June 21, 2017

    Skills and occupation would be a great place to start for major skills.

    I think personality might be a good place to look for minor skills. Example: a person with a bad temper is bound to have some experience fighting. Perhaps a person who looks after the needs of others might have a slight skill in restoration. Emotionally stand-offish? Maybe Alteration or Block. 

    It's cool that you can see your life as a game you'd like to play; I keep trying to see me playing a midde-aged school teacher and father of nine children who avoids conflict at all possible cost, but keep coming back to "been there, done that." xD

  • Misha
    Member
     
    June 22, 2017

    Interesting idea.

    Okay, so you're a pastor. What denomination? I'm not sure that a pastor would ever equal a Destruction build, unless you can summon hellfire or the wrath of god(s) (i.e. Storm Call).

    However, Speech definitely would be your skill and 'possibly' Alteration, Illusion, or Restoration. Alchemy if you ever have studied chemistry, or if you like the idea of healing with folk medicine and warding with traditional herbs.

    Did you study PPE at university?

  • Zonnonn
    Member
     
    June 22, 2017

    I believe a few builds have been posted about this, one I more vividly remember was around 2013 time. But that was more a concept - explaining how to do it and stuff, if you create a build around you personally I don't think thats been done before.

    If you're going down the conceptual route, I might recommend making it into a discussion in the Elder Scrolls Forums. Something like someone asks what theirs would be, and a bunch of people can offer their opinion. Just a thought though.

  • soly
    Member
     
    June 22, 2017

    What I would suggest is challenging in this sort of character building is that skills in the "real world" aren't really transferrable with skills in Skyrim. Most people won't ever have seen an axe or a sword outside a museum. Because of this it's difficult to really figure out what you would do and what skills you should perk.

    I would suggest two possible paths. Firstly, if you were sent to Skyrim now, what would you look like? Secondly, if you had been in Skyrim from birth, what would you look like?

  • Rabyd One
    Member
     
    June 22, 2017

    ShinJin said:

    Skills and occupation would be a great place to start for major skills.

    I think personality might be a good place to look for minor skills. Example: a person with a bad temper is bound to have some experience fighting. Perhaps a person who looks after the needs of others might have a slight skill in restoration. Emotionally stand-offish? Maybe Alteration or Block. 

    It's cool that you can see your life as a game you'd like to play; I keep trying to see me playing a midde-aged school teacher and father of nine children who avoids conflict at all possible cost, but keep coming back to "been there, done that." xD

    The personality thing does address a question as most modern folks don't usually deal in weapons.  So then weapons reflecting personality would solve this.  I think hobbies might help definte skills as well. 

    Gaming for me is not so much and escape but part of the creative process as I consider rpg games like skyrim to be a combinaiton of a few art forms.  As a writer, games have given me a lot of ideas as much as reading.  Its also about ethical quandry.  My characters have done some very noble and horrible things over they years playing Skyrim, but would I?

    Misha said:

    Interesting idea.

    Okay, so you're a pastor. What denomination? I'm not sure that a pastor would ever equal a Destruction build, unless you can summon hellfire or the wrath of god(s) (i.e. Storm Call).

    However, Speech definitely would be your skill and 'possibly' Alteration, Illusion, or Restoration. Alchemy if you ever have studied chemistry, or if you like the idea of healing with folk medicine and warding with traditional herbs.

    Did you study PPE at university?

    No denomination.  My church is independent non-denominational and so am I.

    I guess you coud look at Destruciton more in the way of justice of the gods as well.  Not neessarily wrath but blancing the scales.  

    I was actualyl really good at chemistry in High School but I haven't used it in a long time.  Thise brings up the issue of how far back do you go? - my dad and I used to hunt together, does that translate to archery and stealth even though he has been gone now for over twenty years and I haven't hunted since?

    Which PPE are we taling about accounting or personal protective equipment?  

    Zonnonn said:

    I believe a few builds have been posted about this, one I more vividly remember was around 2013 time. But that was more a concept - explaining how to do it and stuff, if you create a build around you personally I don't think thats been done before.

    If you're going down the conceptual route, I might recommend making it into a discussion in the Elder Scrolls Forums. Something like someone asks what theirs would be, and a bunch of people can offer their opinion. Just a thought though.

    I thought it might have been done before, but my interest for me persoanlly is have another story build idea combination with my blog.  Story and doing a build together seem to work for me.  The issue in playing yourself that is elminated is what decisions would you make - you would make the one's you would make.  That said that could be problematic given some of the situations you find yourself in invovling Skyrim are much more extreme than inthe real world.  At what point does this push you over your normal ethical edge? 

    Solyeuse said:

    What I would suggest is challenging in this sort of character building is that skills in the "real world" aren't really transferrable with skills in Skyrim. Most people won't ever have seen an axe or a sword outside a museum. Because of this it's difficult to really figure out what you would do and what skills you should perk.

    I would suggest two possible paths. Firstly, if you were sent to Skyrim now, what would you look like? Secondly, if you had been in Skyrim from birth, what would you look like?

      

    Yeah, the transfer from the real world to Skyrim has it problems,  I do think Shinjin's idae of using personality in regards to weapons might solve that problem although a hunter might go with archery.  For drama (plays and such) I  have actually used a few weapons but nothing that required major training.

    The last part of your comment I find the most intriguing.  Do I drop myself into Skyrim through a magic portal (finding myself arrested on the border) or do I have  backstory growing up in Tamriel that parellels my own with as similar interests, skills and expereinces but different because it is a different world? At my age I would have been a teenager during the Great War so that provides a very deep history.    Both have intersting story possibilities.

    Thanks to everyone, this at least has my wheels turning again.  if you tihnk of anything else it would be appreciated. 

    The Rabyd One   

     

  • Misha
    Member
     
    June 22, 2017

    Rabyd One said:

    Misha said:

    Interesting idea.

    Okay, so you're a pastor. What denomination? I'm not sure that a pastor would ever equal a Destruction build, unless you can summon hellfire or the wrath of god(s) (i.e. Storm Call).

    However, Speech definitely would be your skill and 'possibly' Alteration, Illusion, or Restoration. Alchemy if you ever have studied chemistry, or if you like the idea of healing with folk medicine and warding with traditional herbs.

    Did you study PPE at university?

    No denomination.  My church is independent non-denominational and so am I.

    I guess you coud look at Destruciton more in the way of justice of the gods as well.  Not neessarily wrath but blancing the scales.  

    I was actualyl really good at chemistry in High School but I haven't used it in a long time.  Thise brings up the issue of how far back do you go? - my dad and I used to hunt together, does that translate to archery and stealth even though he has been gone now for over twenty years and I haven't hunted since?

    Which PPE are we taling about accounting or personal protective equipment?

    I was talking about a PPE as in a BA degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

    I've had combat training in the past (however, guns don't exist in Skyrim). I really don't like playing a combat/warrior type character...

    I've been recently trying to play RPGs like IRL...I'd much rather embrace my chosen career in the more academic type environment...I'd go with Alchemy, Lockpicking and Sneak.

     

  • Rabyd One
    Member
     
    June 22, 2017

    Misha said:

    I was talking about a PPE as in a BA degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

    I've had combat training in the past (however, guns don't exist in Skyrim). I really don't like playing a combat/warrior type character...

    I've been recently trying to play RPGs like IRL...I'd much rather embrace my chosen career in the more academic type environment...I'd go with Alchemy, Lockpicking and Sneak.

    Oh, Never heard of it abbreviated before.  I already have degrees in Theology(Masters) and Biblical Studies (Bachelors) so there is a fair amount of Philosophy in all that. My Political Science part of my current studies is almost finished (only two classes left) so that is almost complette.  My main issue for my last year is to finish My economics and international busienss minors, as well as get myself prepared for graduate school again. Looking at a Master's Degree in Economics so I need some more work in math anaysis, calculus as well as statistics. 

    Live in rural west Michigan so guns are pretty much a part fo the culture around here.  

    I prefer smart wizard characters myself but I suppose the Skyrim equivilant of archery in place of guns as I do know how to shoot.  I am thinkng for me the Primary Skills might be Speech (political, economic) , Restoration and Alteration (pastor/theology).  Minor might be Archery (shooting) and Alchemy (former chemistry skills revived) . Sneak as an unperked skill. I can see something forming here. 

    I collect books so that would be a part of my character.  If I go the preist route his knowledge of the gods and the divines would be high out the gate. Now I just have to decided do I give the character and equivilant background or did the Rabyd One fall thorugh a wormhole into Skyrim? 

    Thanks for the input.  

    Rabyd One

  • Chris
    Member
     
    June 22, 2017

    Rabyd One said:

    ShinJin said:

    Skills and occupation would be a great place to start for major skills.

    I think personality might be a good place to look for minor skills. Example: a person with a bad temper is bound to have some experience fighting. Perhaps a person who looks after the needs of others might have a slight skill in restoration. Emotionally stand-offish? Maybe Alteration or Block. 

    It's cool that you can see your life as a game you'd like to play; I keep trying to see me playing a midde-aged school teacher and father of nine children who avoids conflict at all possible cost, but keep coming back to "been there, done that." xD

    The personality thing does address a question as most modern folks don't usually deal in weapons.  So then weapons reflecting personality would solve this.  I think hobbies might help definte skills as well. 

    Gaming for me is not so much and escape but part of the creative process as I consider rpg games like skyrim to be a combinaiton of a few art forms.  As a writer, games have given me a lot of ideas as much as reading.  Its also about ethical quandry.  My characters have done some very noble and horrible things over they years playing Skyrim, but would I?

    Misha said:

    Interesting idea.

    Okay, so you're a pastor. What denomination? I'm not sure that a pastor would ever equal a Destruction build, unless you can summon hellfire or the wrath of god(s) (i.e. Storm Call).

    However, Speech definitely would be your skill and 'possibly' Alteration, Illusion, or Restoration. Alchemy if you ever have studied chemistry, or if you like the idea of healing with folk medicine and warding with traditional herbs.

    Did you study PPE at university?

    No denomination.  My church is independent non-denominational and so am I.

    I guess you coud look at Destruciton more in the way of justice of the gods as well.  Not neessarily wrath but blancing the scales.  

    I was actualyl really good at chemistry in High School but I haven't used it in a long time.  Thise brings up the issue of how far back do you go? - my dad and I used to hunt together, does that translate to archery and stealth even though he has been gone now for over twenty years and I haven't hunted since?

    Which PPE are we taling about accounting or personal protective equipment?  

    Zonnonn said:

    I believe a few builds have been posted about this, one I more vividly remember was around 2013 time. But that was more a concept - explaining how to do it and stuff, if you create a build around you personally I don't think thats been done before.

    If you're going down the conceptual route, I might recommend making it into a discussion in the Elder Scrolls Forums. Something like someone asks what theirs would be, and a bunch of people can offer their opinion. Just a thought though.

    I thought it might have been done before, but my interest for me persoanlly is have another story build idea combination with my blog.  Story and doing a build together seem to work for me.  The issue in playing yourself that is elminated is what decisions would you make - you would make the one's you would make.  That said that could be problematic given some of the situations you find yourself in invovling Skyrim are much more extreme than inthe real world.  At what point does this push you over your normal ethical edge? 

    Solyeuse said:

    What I would suggest is challenging in this sort of character building is that skills in the "real world" aren't really transferrable with skills in Skyrim. Most people won't ever have seen an axe or a sword outside a museum. Because of this it's difficult to really figure out what you would do and what skills you should perk.

    I would suggest two possible paths. Firstly, if you were sent to Skyrim now, what would you look like? Secondly, if you had been in Skyrim from birth, what would you look like?

      

    Yeah, the transfer from the real world to Skyrim has it problems,  I do think Shinjin's idae of using personality in regards to weapons might solve that problem although a hunter might go with archery.  For drama (plays and such) I  have actually used a few weapons but nothing that required major training.

    The last part of your comment I find the most intriguing.  Do I drop myself into Skyrim through a magic portal (finding myself arrested on the border) or do I have  backstory growing up in Tamriel that parellels my own with as similar interests, skills and expereinces but different because it is a different world? At my age I would have been a teenager during the Great War so that provides a very deep history.    Both have intersting story possibilities.

    Thanks to everyone, this at least has my wheels turning again.  if you tihnk of anything else it would be appreciated. 

    The Rabyd One   

     

    Interestimg, I've heard of a few multi-faith churches. I've done this a few times myself


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