I've been a member for a short time now and I can tell you that I've played a lot of the characters presented by this group. I've had a lot of fun playing them and my wife has enjoyed them as well and so we finally decided to create a build together. The build is loosely based off a Sword Swinger archetype with a huge influence from a book I recently read called "The Legend of Eli Monpress". The author takes magic and turns into something extremely beautiful. Magic isn't lifeless elements being thrown at your enemy instead magic is introduced as spirits everything around you has a spirit from the chair you sit on to the sword you swing. Mages in the book make contracts with the spirits who in turn lend their abilities to the mage and by doing so the spirit takes a part of the mages spirit to survive creating a symbiotic relationship. So without further ado I present to you my first posted build.
You were born on the 9th of First Seed 4E 150 also known as "The Day of Waiting" a holiday celebrated in your hometown of Ephesus. The people of Ephesus believed that on this day that a dragon would come of out of the desert and devour the wicked. The elders of your village told your parents that a great journey awaited you in the future. A few years later your mother and father moved to Sentinel where they provided for you with their craftsmanship. At the age of 11 your father began your training utilizing his knowledge of smithing and training as a Sword Singer. During your training your father began to notice you had an innate ability to commune with the spirits within the elements around us all. This ability allowed you to create what your father called a "Shehai". He explained all there was to know about the Ansei and "Shehai Shen She Ru", the study of the Shehai. On the 22nd of Frostfall 4E 168 your house was ransacked by a rogue sect of Selenu vampires who killed your mother while you and your father were out training. After this terrible event your father went in to mourning leaving you to continue your training alone. In 4E 170 your father became deathly ill, while on his deathbed he told you he had nothing more to teach you and that he wanted you to make your mark on history with your Shehai. Your final words to him were that you would carve your name into history with the craftsmanship you had been taught and honed for so many years. You crafted weapons and armor for all patrons interested in your wares as well as the soldiers fighting in The Great War. You became known as The Awakened for your creations were revered by all in Sentinel and said to strike as if they had a spirit of their own. In 4E 173 you decided it was time to put yourself on the battlefield and not just your creations. You joined the Forbear Army that led a campaign to break the siege on Hegathe by the Thalmor. In 4E 201 you traveled to Skyrim to learn more about the molding of more than just steel and iron. You set up a camp nearby the border of Skyrim where an Imperial ambush took you by surprise, fighting as many as you could you finally become overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Now you awaken in a wagon with the leader of the Stormcloaks, Ulfric Stormcloak, and your destiny only moments away.
Recommended Race: Redguard for multiple reasons the first and major part being that the build is loosely based of the Sword Singer archetype. The second reason being that the Redguard has two advancements in primary skills and one advancement in secondary skills.
Stats: 2/2/1 For this build you will want a decent magicka pool for your Alteration and Conjuration casts. Once you feel you have reached that comfortable pool (I recommend 250-300 based off the way I played this character) you can change your stat arrangement to 0/3/2. This will give you a decent pool for magicka and stamina while giving you a very hardy constitution which you would've accumulated from years of crafting and sword play.
Stone: The Standing Stone you'll want to take is The Lord Stone since your character will be utilizing Mage Armor. After acquiring the quest Lost to the Ages you will be taking the Aetherial Crown which will allow you to take on a second stone, that stone being The Lady Stone. With both of these stones you have a good baseline defense with increased health and stamina regeneration as well as some magic resistance.
Perks: Level 15 | Level 30 | Level 55
Major Skills
Alteration: This is your main source of defense as you will be utilizing Mage Armor and wearing nothing but clothing to take full advantage of the skill tree. Years in Sentinel training with your father you learned to survive without the use of armor you learned to take control of your spirit and thicken your skin to the point where it became as hard as dragonhide. The only spells you should be utilizing are Oakflesh, Stoneflesh, Ironflesh, Ebonyflesh, and Dragonhide.
One-Handed: Your father preferred the swiftness of one handed blades and taught you how to utilize them as effectively as he did, your skills never quite met his mettle but you are still a force to be reckoned with in any bout.
Two-Handed: This is where your forte lies, your father never understood why you'd choose a huge clunky blade but never questioned your skill. The strength in which you swung your blade as a child astounded your father and you quickly adapted to the extra weight and met him on the battlefield as an equal with your blade looming over his sword and shield.
Conjuration: Your father was always amazed how well in tune you were with the elements around you. At a young age you surprised him when you made a Shehai having never expected you to do something for a very long time. Not only did you manage to create your Shehai so young but you also spoke to the land as if it were another person. Your father once said to you that you fought as if the wind around you helped to move your body and blade to the perfect position. Conjuration allows you make these contracts with the spirits and summon them to the battlefield to aid you in offense and defense. Here is a list of the spells that should be used by this character Bound Sword, Conjure Familiar, Conjure Flame Atronach, Conjure Frost Atronach, Conjure Storm Atronach, Flaming Familiar, Flame Thrall, Frost Thrall, and Storm Thrall
Secondary Skills
Enchanting: You learned to talk to the spirits in all things and are able to awaken the spirits in many items allowing you to make them stronger than what they previously were. In this skill you have become known as The Awakened known for the blades you crafted felt as if they had a soul of their own.
Smithing: Smithing is your bread and butter this is how you live and sustain your body. You were taught from a young age how to mold iron and steel into amazing pieces of deathly art. You can make blades from almost anything but have so much more to learn and welcome this challenge with an open mind and wild imagination.
Dragon Shouts
Unrelenting Force: This shout is the equivalent of you releasing your spirit onto the world. In the book mages could release their spirits and enemies would feel the force of the spirit weighing down on them and the stronger your spirit the deadlier it is to your foes.
Aura Whisper: This shout represents your ability to talk the spirits all around you showing all the creatures around you.
Fire Breath: This shout represents the spirit of a fire drake lending his thu'um in order in incinerate the wicked.
Ice Form: This shout represents the spirit of a glacier who has given you the ability to encase your enemies in solid ice.
Storm Call: The spirit of a lightning storm is not one to be trifled with and with no regard to who is around the lightning rains down on all, dealing heavy damage.
Cyclone: Call on the spirit of wind to raise your foes into the air and bring them crashing down for even more damage.
Animal Allegiance: This shout fits perfectly as you commune with the spirits of animals to come aid you in your fight to cleanse Tamriel of the wicked.
Dragon Aspect: The day you were born you had no idea what was in your blood and the Elders in your village feared you. Being born on the Day of Waiting no one could have known that the dragon lived in you and shared your spirit in order to destroy all those who would do wrong by his kin.
Black Books
Epistolary Acumen: Dragonborn Force
In the book a mage could open their spirit and weigh down on their enemies. This perk increases your Unrelenting Force damage.
Filament and Filigree: Secret of Protection
With this perk chosen you will be able to half the damage taken from physical and some magical attacks for 30 seconds. Being a veteran soldier you know when to move and when to strike to lessen and maximize damage.
The Hidden Twilight: Mora's Boon
You've traded for the knowledge you have gained over the years and in doing so Mora blesses you once a day restoring your Magicka, Health, and Stamina.
The Sallow Regent: Seeker of Sorcery
Being in tune with the spirits you share less of your spirit energy with the spirits you have contracts with and also enhance the power behind the spirits you awaken in all objects.
The Winds of Change: Companions Insight
Companions Insight will allow you to rest easy when calling out your storm spirit and other AoE spirits as it protects your companions from friendly fire.
Untold Legends: Black Market
Black Market seems like the only useful perk from this Black Book and allows you to lighten your load and deepen your pockets while out on the road.
Equipment
Weapons
- Heart of War is a Daedric Greatsword and your main weapon it has two enchants Absorb Stamina & Damage Stamina. This blade is from the book and is one of the protagonists main weapon it is described as a huge black blade with an unbelievable weight. The blade is the strongest awakened blade in all history and it holds the spirit of a mountain.
- Dunelle, Last Sunlight is a Dwarven Greatsword with two enchants, Turn Undead & Banish. This blade is described as a beautifully golden masterpiece and the owner of this blade was a member of the League of Storms a group who hunts demons so the enchants on the blade are simply perfect.
- Dunolg, Iron Avalanche is a Forsworn Sword with the following enchants, Absorb Health & Fear. This blade was described as having an intense thirst for blood an extremely bloodcurdling thirst. The razor teeth on the blade screamed for blood so loud that even the spirit deaf cower in its presence.
- Dunea, River of White Snow is a Stahlrim Sword enchanted with Frost Damage & Paralyze. This blade is described as being a blinding white and as cold as the deepest depths of the ocean. Since there aren't any white blades on the console I figured that Stahlrim was the best choice since it gives a boost to any frost enchantment placed on it.
Armor
- Aetherial Crown/Cowl If you choose to use a cowl instead of the crown your enchantments will be as follows Fortify Conjuration & Fortify Alteration. If you choose to use the crown then as I stated earlier in the standing stone section you will be taking both The Lord Stone & The Lady Stone.
- Robes/Clothes This part of your armor should be enchanted with Fortify Conjuration & Fortify Alteration as well.
- Gloves Your gloves should be enchanted with Fortify One-Handed & Fortify Two-Handed
- Boots Your boots will be enchanted with Fortify One-Handed & Fortify Two-Handed
- Ring This ring will be worn when smithing and or selling items to merchants and is enchanted with Fortify Smithing & Magic Resistance
- Necklace This necklace is to be worn when smithing and or selling items to merchants and is enchanted with Fortify Smithing & Magic Resistance
Gameplay
As a hardened veteran you know your way around the battlefield. When trekking unknown areas you've always found it wise to commune with the spirits around you to locate any living or dead creatures near you. So when entering and traversing a dungeon, cave, or ruin you make full use of your Aura Whisper shout. Now knowing where any potential enemies lurk allows you to fully prepare for a possible bout and you’d then proceed to call on your spirit hardening your fragile flesh using any respective flesh spell you currently have. You would also proceed to call on any spirits to aid you in traversing this dangerous terrain. Having told your father that you would carve your name in history without the use of your Shehai you fight exclusively with the blades you crafted and your Awakened Blades. Since you only fight with these crafted blades you reserve your Shehai for harvesting the souls/spirits of your enemies to keep your Awakened Blades nourished.
When encountering dragons you never back down and since you were born on The Day of Waiting the dragon spirit residing inside you manifests through the Dragon Aspect shout and together you bring down the wicked and any kin who would befoul the name dovah. This build is centered around flesh spells and the use of summons to aid you acting as the contracts you've signed with spirits and in that fact you will never take on a follower unless it is an animal. You should never be afraid to use your shouts as they are an extension of your spirit and with the Companion’s Insight you shouldn't worry about harming any allies you've called upon with AoE shouts like Storm Call. When not in combat and trying to make money as stated before in the build you will rely on your crafts to make gold. So, at any chance given disenchant everything and craft any items you can enchant to sell to merchants around Skyrim.
I've been a member for a short time now and I can tell you that I've played a lot of the characters presented by this group. I've had a lot of fun playing them and my wife has enjoyed them as well and so we finally decided to create a build together. The build is loosely based off a Sword Swinger archetype with a huge influence from a book I recently read called "The Legend of Eli Monpress". The author takes magic and turns into something extremely beautiful. Magic isn't lifeless elements being thrown at your enemy instead magic is introduced as spirits everything around you has a spirit from the chair you sit on to the sword you swing. Mages in the book make contracts with the spirits who in turn lend their abilities to the mage and by doing so the spirit takes a part of the mages spirit to survive creating a symbiotic relationship. So without further ado I present to you my first posted build.
You were born on the 9th of First Seed 4E 150 also known as "The Day of Waiting" a holiday celebrated in your hometown of Ephesus. The people of Ephesus believed that on this day that a dragon would come of out of the desert and devour the wicked. The elders of your village told your parents that a great journey awaited you in the future. A few years later your mother and father moved to Sentinel where they provided for you with their craftsmanship. At the age of 11 your father began your training utilizing his knowledge of smithing and training as a Sword Singer. During your training your father began to notice you had an innate ability to commune with the spirits within the elements around us all. This ability allowed you to create what your father called a "Shehai". He explained all there was to know about the Ansei and "Shehai Shen She Ru", the study of the Shehai. On the 22nd of Frostfall 4E 168 your house was ransacked by a rogue sect of Selenu vampires who killed your mother while you and your father were out training. After this terrible event your father went in to mourning leaving you to continue your training alone. In 4E 170 your father became deathly ill, while on his deathbed he told you he had nothing more to teach you and that he wanted you to make your mark on history with your Shehai. Your final words to him were that you would carve your name into history with the craftsmanship you had been taught and honed for so many years. You crafted weapons and armor for all patrons interested in your wares as well as the soldiers fighting in The Great War. You became known as The Awakened for your creations were revered by all in Sentinel and said to strike as if they had a spirit of their own. In 4E 173 you decided it was time to put yourself on the battlefield and not just your creations. You joined the Forbear Army that led a campaign to break the siege on Hegathe by the Thalmor. In 4E 201 you traveled to Skyrim to learn more about the molding of more than just steel and iron. You set up a camp nearby the border of Skyrim where an Imperial ambush took you by surprise, fighting as many as you could you finally become overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Now you awaken in a wagon with the leader of the Stormcloaks, Ulfric Stormcloak, and your destiny only moments away.
Recommended Race: Redguard for multiple reasons the first and major part being that the build is loosely based of the Sword Singer archetype. The second reason being that the Redguard has two advancements in primary skills and one advancement in secondary skills.
Stats: 2/2/1 For this build you will want a decent magicka pool for your Alteration and Conjuration casts. Once you feel you have reached that comfortable pool (I recommend 250-300 based off the way I played this character) you can change your stat arrangement to 0/3/2. This will give you a decent pool for magicka and stamina while giving you a very hardy constitution which you would've accumulated from years of crafting and sword play.
Stone: The Standing Stone you'll want to take is The Lord Stone since your character will be utilizing Mage Armor. After acquiring the quest Lost to the Ages you will be taking the Aetherial Crown which will allow you to take on a second stone, that stone being The Lady Stone. With both of these stones you have a good baseline defense with increased health and stamina regeneration as well as some magic resistance.
Perks: Level 15 | Level 30 | Level 55
Major Skills
Alteration: This is your main source of defense as you will be utilizing Mage Armor and wearing nothing but clothing to take full advantage of the skill tree. Years in Sentinel training with your father you learned to survive without the use of armor you learned to take control of your spirit and thicken your skin to the point where it became as hard as dragonhide. The only spells you should be utilizing are Oakflesh, Stoneflesh, Ironflesh, Ebonyflesh, and Dragonhide.
One-Handed: Your father preferred the swiftness of one handed blades and taught you how to utilize them as effectively as he did, your skills never quite met his mettle but you are still a force to be reckoned with in any bout.
Two-Handed: This is where your forte lies, your father never understood why you'd choose a huge clunky blade but never questioned your skill. The strength in which you swung your blade as a child astounded your father and you quickly adapted to the extra weight and met him on the battlefield as an equal with your blade looming over his sword and shield.
Conjuration: Your father was always amazed how well in tune you were with the elements around you. At a young age you surprised him when you made a Shehai having never expected you to do something for a very long time. Not only did you manage to create your Shehai so young but you also spoke to the land as if it were another person. Your father once said to you that you fought as if the wind around you helped to move your body and blade to the perfect position. Conjuration allows you make these contracts with the spirits and summon them to the battlefield to aid you in offense and defense. Here is a list of the spells that should be used by this character Bound Sword, Conjure Familiar, Conjure Flame Atronach, Conjure Frost Atronach, Conjure Storm Atronach, Flaming Familiar, Flame Thrall, Frost Thrall, and Storm Thrall
Secondary Skills
Enchanting: You learned to talk to the spirits in all things and are able to awaken the spirits in many items allowing you to make them stronger than what they previously were. In this skill you have become known as The Awakened known for the blades you crafted felt as if they had a soul of their own.
Smithing: Smithing is your bread and butter this is how you live and sustain your body. You were taught from a young age how to mold iron and steel into amazing pieces of deathly art. You can make blades from almost anything but have so much more to learn and welcome this challenge with an open mind and wild imagination.
Dragon Shouts
Unrelenting Force: This shout is the equivalent of you releasing your spirit onto the world. In the book mages could release their spirits and enemies would feel the force of the spirit weighing down on them and the stronger your spirit the deadlier it is to your foes.
Aura Whisper: This shout represents your ability to talk the spirits all around you showing all the creatures around you.
Fire Breath: This shout represents the spirit of a fire drake lending his thu'um in order in incinerate the wicked.
Ice Form: This shout represents the spirit of a glacier who has given you the ability to encase your enemies in solid ice.
Storm Call: The spirit of a lightning storm is not one to be trifled with and with no regard to who is around the lightning rains down on all, dealing heavy damage.
Cyclone: Call on the spirit of wind to raise your foes into the air and bring them crashing down for even more damage.
Animal Allegiance: This shout fits perfectly as you commune with the spirits of animals to come aid you in your fight to cleanse Tamriel of the wicked.
Dragon Aspect: The day you were born you had no idea what was in your blood and the Elders in your village feared you. Being born on the Day of Waiting no one could have known that the dragon lived in you and shared your spirit in order to destroy all those who would do wrong by his kin.
Black Books
Epistolary Acumen: Dragonborn Force
In the book a mage could open their spirit and weigh down on their enemies. This perk increases your Unrelenting Force damage.
Filament and Filigree: Secret of Protection
With this perk chosen you will be able to half the damage taken from physical and some magical attacks for 30 seconds. Being a veteran soldier you know when to move and when to strike to lessen and maximize damage.
The Hidden Twilight: Mora's Boon
You've traded for the knowledge you have gained over the years and in doing so Mora blesses you once a day restoring your Magicka, Health, and Stamina.
The Sallow Regent: Seeker of Sorcery
Being in tune with the spirits you share less of your spirit energy with the spirits you have contracts with and also enhance the power behind the spirits you awaken in all objects.
The Winds of Change: Companions Insight
Companions Insight will allow you to rest easy when calling out your storm spirit and other AoE spirits as it protects your companions from friendly fire.
Untold Legends: Black Market
Black Market seems like the only useful perk from this Black Book and allows you to lighten your load and deepen your pockets while out on the road.
Equipment
Weapons
- Heart of War is a Daedric Greatsword and your main weapon it has two enchants Absorb Stamina & Damage Stamina. This blade is from the book and is one of the protagonists main weapon it is described as a huge black blade with an unbelievable weight. The blade is the strongest awakened blade in all history and it holds the spirit of a mountain.
- Dunelle, Last Sunlight is a Dwarven Greatsword with two enchants, Turn Undead & Banish. This blade is described as a beautifully golden masterpiece and the owner of this blade was a member of the League of Storms a group who hunts demons so the enchants on the blade are simply perfect.
- Dunolg, Iron Avalanche is a Forsworn Sword with the following enchants, Absorb Health & Fear. This blade was described as having an intense thirst for blood an extremely bloodcurdling thirst. The razor teeth on the blade screamed for blood so loud that even the spirit deaf cower in its presence.
- Dunea, River of White Snow is a Stahlrim Sword enchanted with Frost Damage & Paralyze. This blade is described as being a blinding white and as cold as the deepest depths of the ocean. Since there aren't any white blades on the console I figured that Stahlrim was the best choice since it gives a boost to any frost enchantment placed on it.
Armor
- Aetherial Crown/Cowl If you choose to use a cowl instead of the crown your enchantments will be as follows Fortify Conjuration & Fortify Alteration. If you choose to use the crown then as I stated earlier in the standing stone section you will be taking both The Lord Stone & The Lady Stone.
- Robes/Clothes This part of your armor should be enchanted with Fortify Conjuration & Fortify Alteration as well.
- Gloves Your gloves should be enchanted with Fortify One-Handed & Fortify Two-Handed
- Boots Your boots will be enchanted with Fortify One-Handed & Fortify Two-Handed
- Ring This ring will be worn when smithing and or selling items to merchants and is enchanted with Fortify Smithing & Magic Resistance
- Necklace This necklace is to be worn when smithing and or selling items to merchants and is enchanted with Fortify Smithing & Magic Resistance
Gameplay
As a hardened veteran you know your way around the battlefield. When trekking unknown areas you've always found it wise to commune with the spirits around you to locate any living or dead creatures near you. So when entering and traversing a dungeon, cave, or ruin you make full use of your Aura Whisper shout. Now knowing where any potential enemies lurk allows you to fully prepare for a possible bout and you’d then proceed to call on your spirit hardening your fragile flesh using any respective flesh spell you currently have. You would also proceed to call on any spirits to aid you in traversing this dangerous terrain. Having told your father that you would carve your name in history without the use of your Shehai you fight exclusively with the blades you crafted and your Awakened Blades. Since you only fight with these crafted blades you reserve your Shehai for harvesting the souls/spirits of your enemies to keep your Awakened Blades nourished.
When encountering dragons you never back down and since you were born on The Day of Waiting the dragon spirit residing inside you manifests through the Dragon Aspect shout and together you bring down the wicked and any kin who would befoul the name dovah. This build is centered around flesh spells and the use of summons to aid you acting as the contracts you've signed with spirits and in that fact you will never take on a follower unless it is an animal. You should never be afraid to use your shouts as they are an extension of your spirit and with the Companion’s Insight you shouldn't worry about harming any allies you've called upon with AoE shouts like Storm Call. When not in combat and trying to make money as stated before in the build you will rely on your crafts to make gold. So, at any chance given disenchant everything and craft any items you can enchant to sell to merchants around Skyrim.
