The fallen hero is an archetype that is very well represented throughout books, movies and games. Even the most righteous can experience a tragedy or taste of power that leads them down a dark path. There are also those that rise from such a dark place and seek redemption for their evil actions. It is rare for a villain to find a just cause that is more compelling than their ambition, greed, or pain.
*This build uses content from Dragonborn*
*Thanks to Deadpool for helping me settle on the name*
The Redeemer
Xavien was born the bastard son of an Imperial nobleman and a local practitioner of the Dibellan Arts in Solitude. His mother was left to raise him alone, as his father was a married man and denied that Xavien was his. His mother died when he was 6, and he was sent to the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften, under the “care” of Grelod. After 2 years, Xavien could no longer take the abusive treatment and he ran away, hitching a ride with a caravan to Cyrodiil.
Xavien spent the next 8 years living on the streets of the Imperial City. During that time he survived by stealing food and pickpocketing those careless enough not to better protect their coin purses. When he was 16, Xavien fell in with a criminal organization where he smuggled Skooma and other contraband between various cities in Cyrodiil.
One day, Xavien was given his largest delivery yet. He was to smuggle several cases of Skooma to a client in Skyrim. Xavien was eager to prove his worth and set off for the border…
Race: Imperial
Stats: 3/3/1 in Health/Magicka/Stamina
Descent into Darkness
Xavien grew up with nothing, barely scraping by. He saw how lavishly those with wealth live, and strives to achieve a better life for himself. He remembered rumors of a guild of thieves in Riften, and headed back there after over a decade away from the city. Once there, he encountered Brynjolf and joined the Thieves Guild.
Xavien heard talk that Grelod was still running the orphanage and decided to pay her a visit. As he entered the building, he heard a familiar voice and overheard Grelod threatening the children. He confronted her and demanded that she change her ways or leave the orphanage. Grelod laughed at Xavien and said he had no proof and that she wasn’t going anywhere. Xavien became enraged and began to batter Grelod. After a few moments he realized that her frail body was no match for his ferocious assault, and her dead body lay in a pool of blood. This was just the beginning of Xavien’s dark deeds.
Stone: Lord
Quests: Dark Brotherhood (start and then kill Astrid), Thieves Guild, College of Winterhold, Daedric Quests (all except Meridia)
Major Skills:
Destruction: Xavien relies on lightning spells to blast his enemies to dust and to stun more challenging opponents.
Alchemy: Having various poisons at his disposal means Xavien always enters battle with an advantage. From restorative draughts to potions of invisibility or elemental resistance, Xavien’s is always prepared for any situation.
One Handed: Xavien utilizes his skill with one handed weapons to administer deadly poisons and finish off weaker opponents.
Minor Skills:
Restoration: Once Xavien becomes a vampire he discovers that Restoration magic can be manipulated to enhance his abilities.
Alteration: Xavien utilizes magical armor to ensure his survival. Never one to be unprepared, he uses Detect Life to scout ahead when his sight is obstructed. Telekinesis enhances his thieving abilities.
Speech: Gifted with a silver tongue, Xavien gets the best prices and can convince any merchant to purchase items they otherwise wouldn’t be interested in.
Block: Xavien utilizes his enhanced reflexes to dodge the attacks of slower opponents and reposition himself for a killing blow or tactical retreat.
Equipment:
Weapons: Xavien will use the strongest one-handed weapons he finds. Eventually he will acquire a few powerful weapons.
Nightingale Blade: His primary weapon.
Mace of Molag Bal: Best used against mages or when he needs to replenish his Magicka.
Sanguine Rose: Used to even the odds against groups and tougher enemies.
Apparel: Xavien utilizes the best light armor or clothing at his disposal. Eventually he will have a collection of powerful items.
Morekei
Savos Aren’s Amulet
Amulet of Articulation: Always equipped outside of battle.
Ebony Mail: Although heavy armor, it enhances stealth and punishes those who get too close.
Nightingale Gloves
Ring of the Erudite
Nightingale Boots
Spellbreaker: Used against enemy spellcasters.
Roleplaying and Tactics:
Xavien is driven by his greed and ambition. He will lie, cheat, and steal if there is anything to be gained. After killing Grelod he encounters Astrid of the Dark Brotherhood. When confronted with her ultimatum he decides to attack her and take her magically enhanced armor and wonderfully crafted dagger. At this point, murder becomes another method he will employ. He will join the College of Winterhold to increase his magical power. Eventually he will deal with Daedric Princes to gain access to their artifacts. Xavien even seeks out known vampire lairs to purposefully contract vampirism in an attempt to become more powerful. Xavien will hear rumors of the Dawnguard and venture to their fort to investigate. This will lead him to the Volkihar clan and his becoming a vampire lord.
Combat: Xavien utilizes stealth to begin each battle on his terms. He prefers to engage at medium range with bolts of lightning, drawing his blade and surrounding himself with a cloak of lightning as enemies get within melee range. Xavien employs a wide variety of poisons that damage, slow, or paralyze his enemies.
When surrounded by a group of enemies or when dealing with a particularly dangerous opponent, Xavien has a few potions up his sleeve. He has access to potions that restore or regenerate Health or Magicka, elixirs that resist the elements, and even a tonic that renders him invisible while rapidly healing his wounds.
Xavien goes out of his way to avoid daylight and will only travel during the day to deal with merchants. Xavien never feeds as it diminishes his vampiric powers. When travelling long distances he will seek shelter during the day and wait for nightfall to continue his journey.
Path of Redemption
After his encounter with Vyrthur, Xavien begins wonder if he could end up the same way. Seeing what ambition and revenge had done to the once noble snow elf causes Xavien to briefly question his choices. Xavien shrugs it off and sets out for Whiterun to gain the Jarl’s favor. He retrieves the Dragonstone and eagerly sets off to engage the dragon as a test of his accumulated power. Xavien makes short work of the dragon with blasts of lightning and potions that resist the creature’s breath.
After his victory, he feels a rush of energy surge through him and his mind is flooded with all manner of images. He sees himself as a child, his mother holding him tight, trying to keep him warm as they lie in the street. He sees Grelod looming over him and berating him. He then sees himself as a young teenager begging for food. Xavien then sees a tall figure bathed in light and as he opens his mouth Xavien is blasted back by his voice. Xavien finds himself in the midst of a scorched landscape and sees hundreds of dragons in the sky above him.
Xavien comes to and hears the cheers of the soldiers as they all surround him in reverence. Xavien’s soul was just laid bare before him, and he realizes the terrible mistakes he has made. He understands that only he can stop the very real threat of the dragons’ return. He decides that he will walk a path of righteousness in an attempt to find redemption.
Stone: Lady (enhanced through alchemy)
Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Disarm, Slow Time, Become Ethereal
Quests: Dragon Storyline, Civil War (Stormcloaks), Dragonborn Quest (DLC), The Book of Love
Major Skills:
One Handed: Xavien continues to hone his melee abilities and become a champion for those who cannot protect themselves and to vanquish any monsters or fiends he encounters.
Block: Xavien never strikes first and has developed his defensive abilities. He uses his shield to disarm opponents in hopes that they will surrender.
Alteration: Telekinesis is used to retrieve weapons from disarmed enemies and Paralysis is used as a nonviolent method against his attackers so he may give them a chance to surrender. Alteration also provides him with protection from physical and magical attacks.
Enchanting: During his moment of enlightenment, Xavien discovered the ability to enchant his own equipment to relieve the debilitating effects of the sun. Through his own enchanting, he can subdue his need to covet powerful magical items, such as Daedric artifacts.
Alchemy: Through divine inspiration he has discovered an alchemical method for surviving in sunlight. Xavien has forsaken the use of poisons except against monstrous foes such as trolls and dragons.
Destruction: Lightning spells are reserved for those beyond melee range, especially dragons in flight.
Minor Skills:
Restoration: Along with his elixirs he uses his knowledge of Restoration to aid his magical recovery in sunlight.
Speech: Xavien now uses his persuasive skills to convince skill trainers of the importance of his mission and implores that they trade with him for their services, as he no longer hordes gold.
Equipment:
Weapons:
Holy Avenger (Silver Sword - Fire Damage, Shock Damage)
Auriel’s Bow: Used for the sunburst effect against undead hordes outside.
Apparel:
Aegis of Redemption (Ancient Falmer Cuirass - Health, Health Regen)
Dawntreaders (Ancient Falmer Boots - Stamina, Stamina Regen)
Darkwarders (Ancient Falmer Gauntlets - One Handed, Block)
Helm of Enlightenment (Elven Helmet – Magicka, Magicka Regen)
Ring of Repentance (Silver Garnet Ring – Health Regen, Magicka Regen)
Amulet of Atonement (One Handed, Alteration)
Auriel’s Shield
Roleplaying and tactics:
The first task Xavien embarks on is to find a cure for vampirism. He will eventually find a mage named Falion, who claims to know a ritual to cure vampirism. The ritual requires the use of a filled black soul gem, and Xavien refuses to doom another soul for his benefit. Xavien believes this to be a sign that he must repent for his sins and that he will endure the pain caused by sunlight as he seeks redemption.
Xavien will defend Skyrim against the dragon threat and pursue any permanent ways to stop them. He will also take up the cause of the Stormcloaks and become their champion against the tyranny of the Thalmor-influenced Imperials. Xavien always looks to help those in need in his quest to atone.
Xavien will eventually learn to use enchanting and alchemy in concert to create a set of magical armor that will allow him to function perfect in daylight. He will make several versions of this armor using elven armor until he has mastered the technique and enchants Vyrthur’s armor. After his final armor has been created, he forever forsakes the use of alchemy.
*By using fortify restoration potions crafted with a full set of maximized alchemy gear and alongside necromage and the Lady Stone, Xavien will be able to regenerate Health, Magicka, and Stamina during the day, and eventually even faster than he could before becoming a vampire. Fortify restoration potions are also used upon taking the Recovery and magic resistance perks, to enhance their effects. I did not use the potions to enhance the effects of the armor enchantments, as that unbalances the game too much, even on master difficulty. After his final armor set is complete and he has taken the applicable perks, he will “forsake” alchemy using the Black Book: Waking Dreams.*
Combat: Xavien no longer takes to the shadows and now approaches all enemies head on. He will never strike first as he tries to convince his foes to surrender and find redemption as he has. Even after being attacked, he will still attempt to persuade his enemies. He will cast a flesh spell and raise his shield. Xavien will use the Disarm Shout, disarming shield bash, Auriel’s Shield bash, the Paralyze spell and any other non-violent method he can to give them time to surrender. When he realizes his current enemies cannot be convinced, he will fight back, using his sword to swiftly strike them down. Xavien also no longer uses any poisons as they cause unnecessary suffering to the victim.
Against animals as well as monsters which are beyond redemption, such as draugr and dragons, Xavien will strike first. He will put up a cloak of lightning and use a combination of shield blocks, dodges, and quick attacks to put them down. Against dragons, Xavien will use dual-casted lightning bolts to stagger and stun them until they land, at which point he will revert to his standard tactics.
*This build uses content from Dragonborn*
*Thanks to Deadpool for helping me settle on the name*
The Redeemer
Xavien was born the bastard son of an Imperial nobleman and a local practitioner of the Dibellan Arts in Solitude. His mother was left to raise him alone, as his father was a married man and denied that Xavien was his. His mother died when he was 6, and he was sent to the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften, under the “care” of Grelod. After 2 years, Xavien could no longer take the abusive treatment and he ran away, hitching a ride with a caravan to Cyrodiil.
Xavien spent the next 8 years living on the streets of the Imperial City. During that time he survived by stealing food and pickpocketing those careless enough not to better protect their coin purses. When he was 16, Xavien fell in with a criminal organization where he smuggled Skooma and other contraband between various cities in Cyrodiil.
One day, Xavien was given his largest delivery yet. He was to smuggle several cases of Skooma to a client in Skyrim. Xavien was eager to prove his worth and set off for the border…
Race: Imperial
Stats: 3/3/1 in Health/Magicka/Stamina
Descent into Darkness
Xavien grew up with nothing, barely scraping by. He saw how lavishly those with wealth live, and strives to achieve a better life for himself. He remembered rumors of a guild of thieves in Riften, and headed back there after over a decade away from the city. Once there, he encountered Brynjolf and joined the Thieves Guild.
Xavien heard talk that Grelod was still running the orphanage and decided to pay her a visit. As he entered the building, he heard a familiar voice and overheard Grelod threatening the children. He confronted her and demanded that she change her ways or leave the orphanage. Grelod laughed at Xavien and said he had no proof and that she wasn’t going anywhere. Xavien became enraged and began to batter Grelod. After a few moments he realized that her frail body was no match for his ferocious assault, and her dead body lay in a pool of blood. This was just the beginning of Xavien’s dark deeds.
Stone: Lord
Quests: Dark Brotherhood (start and then kill Astrid), Thieves Guild, College of Winterhold, Daedric Quests (all except Meridia)
Major Skills:
Destruction: Xavien relies on lightning spells to blast his enemies to dust and to stun more challenging opponents.
Alchemy: Having various poisons at his disposal means Xavien always enters battle with an advantage. From restorative draughts to potions of invisibility or elemental resistance, Xavien’s is always prepared for any situation.
One Handed: Xavien utilizes his skill with one handed weapons to administer deadly poisons and finish off weaker opponents.
Minor Skills:
Restoration: Once Xavien becomes a vampire he discovers that Restoration magic can be manipulated to enhance his abilities.
Alteration: Xavien utilizes magical armor to ensure his survival. Never one to be unprepared, he uses Detect Life to scout ahead when his sight is obstructed. Telekinesis enhances his thieving abilities.
Speech: Gifted with a silver tongue, Xavien gets the best prices and can convince any merchant to purchase items they otherwise wouldn’t be interested in.
Block: Xavien utilizes his enhanced reflexes to dodge the attacks of slower opponents and reposition himself for a killing blow or tactical retreat.
Equipment:
Weapons: Xavien will use the strongest one-handed weapons he finds. Eventually he will acquire a few powerful weapons.
Nightingale Blade: His primary weapon.
Mace of Molag Bal: Best used against mages or when he needs to replenish his Magicka.
Sanguine Rose: Used to even the odds against groups and tougher enemies.
Apparel: Xavien utilizes the best light armor or clothing at his disposal. Eventually he will have a collection of powerful items.
Morekei
Savos Aren’s Amulet
Amulet of Articulation: Always equipped outside of battle.
Ebony Mail: Although heavy armor, it enhances stealth and punishes those who get too close.
Nightingale Gloves
Ring of the Erudite
Nightingale Boots
Spellbreaker: Used against enemy spellcasters.
Roleplaying and Tactics:
Xavien is driven by his greed and ambition. He will lie, cheat, and steal if there is anything to be gained. After killing Grelod he encounters Astrid of the Dark Brotherhood. When confronted with her ultimatum he decides to attack her and take her magically enhanced armor and wonderfully crafted dagger. At this point, murder becomes another method he will employ. He will join the College of Winterhold to increase his magical power. Eventually he will deal with Daedric Princes to gain access to their artifacts. Xavien even seeks out known vampire lairs to purposefully contract vampirism in an attempt to become more powerful. Xavien will hear rumors of the Dawnguard and venture to their fort to investigate. This will lead him to the Volkihar clan and his becoming a vampire lord.
Combat: Xavien utilizes stealth to begin each battle on his terms. He prefers to engage at medium range with bolts of lightning, drawing his blade and surrounding himself with a cloak of lightning as enemies get within melee range. Xavien employs a wide variety of poisons that damage, slow, or paralyze his enemies.
When surrounded by a group of enemies or when dealing with a particularly dangerous opponent, Xavien has a few potions up his sleeve. He has access to potions that restore or regenerate Health or Magicka, elixirs that resist the elements, and even a tonic that renders him invisible while rapidly healing his wounds.
Xavien goes out of his way to avoid daylight and will only travel during the day to deal with merchants. Xavien never feeds as it diminishes his vampiric powers. When travelling long distances he will seek shelter during the day and wait for nightfall to continue his journey.
Path of Redemption
After his encounter with Vyrthur, Xavien begins wonder if he could end up the same way. Seeing what ambition and revenge had done to the once noble snow elf causes Xavien to briefly question his choices. Xavien shrugs it off and sets out for Whiterun to gain the Jarl’s favor. He retrieves the Dragonstone and eagerly sets off to engage the dragon as a test of his accumulated power. Xavien makes short work of the dragon with blasts of lightning and potions that resist the creature’s breath.
After his victory, he feels a rush of energy surge through him and his mind is flooded with all manner of images. He sees himself as a child, his mother holding him tight, trying to keep him warm as they lie in the street. He sees Grelod looming over him and berating him. He then sees himself as a young teenager begging for food. Xavien then sees a tall figure bathed in light and as he opens his mouth Xavien is blasted back by his voice. Xavien finds himself in the midst of a scorched landscape and sees hundreds of dragons in the sky above him.
Xavien comes to and hears the cheers of the soldiers as they all surround him in reverence. Xavien’s soul was just laid bare before him, and he realizes the terrible mistakes he has made. He understands that only he can stop the very real threat of the dragons’ return. He decides that he will walk a path of righteousness in an attempt to find redemption.
Stone: Lady (enhanced through alchemy)
Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Disarm, Slow Time, Become Ethereal
Quests: Dragon Storyline, Civil War (Stormcloaks), Dragonborn Quest (DLC), The Book of Love
Major Skills:
One Handed: Xavien continues to hone his melee abilities and become a champion for those who cannot protect themselves and to vanquish any monsters or fiends he encounters.
Block: Xavien never strikes first and has developed his defensive abilities. He uses his shield to disarm opponents in hopes that they will surrender.
Alteration: Telekinesis is used to retrieve weapons from disarmed enemies and Paralysis is used as a nonviolent method against his attackers so he may give them a chance to surrender. Alteration also provides him with protection from physical and magical attacks.
Enchanting: During his moment of enlightenment, Xavien discovered the ability to enchant his own equipment to relieve the debilitating effects of the sun. Through his own enchanting, he can subdue his need to covet powerful magical items, such as Daedric artifacts.
Alchemy: Through divine inspiration he has discovered an alchemical method for surviving in sunlight. Xavien has forsaken the use of poisons except against monstrous foes such as trolls and dragons.
Destruction: Lightning spells are reserved for those beyond melee range, especially dragons in flight.
Minor Skills:
Restoration: Along with his elixirs he uses his knowledge of Restoration to aid his magical recovery in sunlight.
Speech: Xavien now uses his persuasive skills to convince skill trainers of the importance of his mission and implores that they trade with him for their services, as he no longer hordes gold.
Equipment:
Weapons:
Holy Avenger (Silver Sword - Fire Damage, Shock Damage)
Auriel’s Bow: Used for the sunburst effect against undead hordes outside.
Apparel:
Aegis of Redemption (Ancient Falmer Cuirass - Health, Health Regen)
Dawntreaders (Ancient Falmer Boots - Stamina, Stamina Regen)
Darkwarders (Ancient Falmer Gauntlets - One Handed, Block)
Helm of Enlightenment (Elven Helmet – Magicka, Magicka Regen)
Ring of Repentance (Silver Garnet Ring – Health Regen, Magicka Regen)
Amulet of Atonement (One Handed, Alteration)
Auriel’s Shield
Roleplaying and tactics:
The first task Xavien embarks on is to find a cure for vampirism. He will eventually find a mage named Falion, who claims to know a ritual to cure vampirism. The ritual requires the use of a filled black soul gem, and Xavien refuses to doom another soul for his benefit. Xavien believes this to be a sign that he must repent for his sins and that he will endure the pain caused by sunlight as he seeks redemption.
Xavien will defend Skyrim against the dragon threat and pursue any permanent ways to stop them. He will also take up the cause of the Stormcloaks and become their champion against the tyranny of the Thalmor-influenced Imperials. Xavien always looks to help those in need in his quest to atone.
Xavien will eventually learn to use enchanting and alchemy in concert to create a set of magical armor that will allow him to function perfect in daylight. He will make several versions of this armor using elven armor until he has mastered the technique and enchants Vyrthur’s armor. After his final armor has been created, he forever forsakes the use of alchemy.
*By using fortify restoration potions crafted with a full set of maximized alchemy gear and alongside necromage and the Lady Stone, Xavien will be able to regenerate Health, Magicka, and Stamina during the day, and eventually even faster than he could before becoming a vampire. Fortify restoration potions are also used upon taking the Recovery and magic resistance perks, to enhance their effects. I did not use the potions to enhance the effects of the armor enchantments, as that unbalances the game too much, even on master difficulty. After his final armor set is complete and he has taken the applicable perks, he will “forsake” alchemy using the Black Book: Waking Dreams.*
Combat: Xavien no longer takes to the shadows and now approaches all enemies head on. He will never strike first as he tries to convince his foes to surrender and find redemption as he has. Even after being attacked, he will still attempt to persuade his enemies. He will cast a flesh spell and raise his shield. Xavien will use the Disarm Shout, disarming shield bash, Auriel’s Shield bash, the Paralyze spell and any other non-violent method he can to give them time to surrender. When he realizes his current enemies cannot be convinced, he will fight back, using his sword to swiftly strike them down. Xavien also no longer uses any poisons as they cause unnecessary suffering to the victim.
Against animals as well as monsters which are beyond redemption, such as draugr and dragons, Xavien will strike first. He will put up a cloak of lightning and use a combination of shield blocks, dodges, and quick attacks to put them down. Against dragons, Xavien will use dual-casted lightning bolts to stagger and stun them until they land, at which point he will revert to his standard tactics.
