Recently, I have been rereading the Abhorsen trilogy by the author Garth Nix. Inspired by the main protagonist in the story, Sabriel, I decided to base a Skyrim build upon this character and her role as Abhorsen.
**Dawnguard and Dragonborn SPOILERS"
The Abhorsen
One of the most respected figures in the Old Kingdom, the Abhorsen uses both the dangerous Free Magic-based powers of a necromancer and the benevolent magic of a restoration mage to keep the gates of Death against the return of Dead spirits back into Life.
All members of the Abhorsen family have black hair and their skin is unnaturally pale. Among the families guarding the world from disaster, and the only family guarding it from disasters from Death, Abhorsen's are unique in their ability to sense Death. They are able to identify undead creatures and differentiate them from the living, and cross over into Death to fight undead minions there and banish them to a final death. They are also the only ones who have the proper authority to enter Death, and therefore the only Necromancers who retain uncorrupted magic and powers. Their symbol is a silver key on a background of blue.
Race
Race is quite important here as the Abhorsen is described as being pale and having black hair, therefore they should be a Breton or a Nord. I would suggest Breton as they have many of the key starting skills required for this class (namely conjuration, restoration and alteration).
Statistics
The main forms of defence for the Abhorsen evolve around magic; whereas offence is all close combat work with a sword. Stamina, although needed for fast movement around a target and devastating blows dealt with the sword, is less important than health and magicka. Here are the stat choices I would choose:
2 : 3 : 1
Skills
The main form of defence for the Abhorsen is Alteration as they are primarily dressed in robes. As well as this, the Alteration also holds spells such as Detect Dead and detect Life.
The Abhorsen will also use restoration, not only to heal themselves, but also as a form of attack against the undead. Spells such as "sun fire" and "vampire's bane" will be used to destroy specimens, and spells that send them fleeing are used.
As said above, the Abhorsen's use the magic of necromancers against them to end their evil. Conjuration will be used, they learn spells in order to banish daedra back to the plains of Oblivion as well as practising the art of necromancy themselves. This allows them to gain a greater understanding of the dead and the way they work.
Offence, in the form of one-handed, is mainly used against the undead in the form of restoration magic, however, as there require a constant stream of magicka for these to work indefinitely against large numbers of undead; the Abhorsen uses a longsword. Several weapons present themselves to the conqueror of the dead.
Perk choices
Here is the perk spread for level 30.
Game play
The Abhorsen abhors anything dead, so these are a priority when killing. They prefer not to harm the living as their quarrels lie with the dead. Dragon's however provide an exception. Because the dragons, although very much alive, have been brought back to life by Alduin, your character views them as undead. This means the character has a more blade-like standing on the topic of dragons and that they should be destroyed.
Equipment
The Abhorsen primarily uses a single sword in their right hand. For this I would recommend either of the following (due to their undead slaying abilities):
Using Dawnbreaker would be the preferred option, unless you run out of soul gems (stolen from the undead and used to force them back to death). In this case, you will use the silver sword.
If you do not like the use of a sword, the Dawnguard rune axe is very useful because, if you improve it, the enchantment doesn't reset leading to huge amounts of sun damage on the undead (in excess of 100 if the necromage perk is used).
The body parts do not matter as much. I use either the nightingale set, minus the hood, for the bonuses to silence, the extra one-handed damage, the frost resistances and an armour bonus. (I don't use this as I play a solely good character and the Thieves guild can be described as evil).
Another option is Miraak's robes, gloves and boots as they provide an inherent ability to resist magic; a trait very useful when fighting necromantic spell casters. (I tend to avoid this set as the tentacle explosion doesn't fit in with he build).
However, my preferred option is the cultist robes, gloves and boots as they look good alongside Dawnbreaker as well as providing a magic regeneration boost.
For the head slot, I like to use the Aetherial crown so I can use the Apprentice Stone along side the Antronach stone to gain an extra 100 magicka (useful when using spells) without suffering huge losses to magical defence or regeneration. If you don't want the magicka bonus, I also really like a Lord and Lady stone combination to gain lots of regen and defence capabilities.
I also like to keep the offhand empty as it allows for the blocking of attacks without the weight of a shield to carry around. However, in some situations, switching to a spell, such as "oak flesh" can be useful as they can help defend or attack. Having a bolt spell in the off-hand can be useful as it allows for the simultaneous use of close combat and ranged spells.
(note: if using the mod "Bandoleers: Bags and Pouches", the Abhorsen can be seen to have their seven bells strapped to their chest through the use of one of the bandoleers.)
Role play
The main theme of the Abhorsen's play style is the eradication of undead and, to a lesser extent, daedra. This makes them similar in style to the Vigilants of Stendarr and the Dawnguard. Because of this, they should partake in any quests that involve this; such as the Dawnguard side of the dlc quests as they centre around destroying vampires and other undead.
However, it is not uncommon for the Abhorsens to try and enhance their power further in order to destroy their undead adversaries. One way of doing this is to become infected with the vampirism curse to strengthen their abilities. This not only empowers their attacks but leads to the unleashing of pure destruction through the cycle of health.
You did not choose the path you walk, never wanted to follow in your father's/mother's footsteps but destiny chose you. As your great-grandfather's book said:
"Does the Walker choose the Path, or the Path the Walker?"
However, as you grew into your role in life, you began to find meaning in yourself. You destroyed the dead, not because you felt you had to, but because you knew it was right.
Dragon Shouts
Some dragon shouts are going to be more useful than others for this build. Some of them (aura whisper) will be used by the Abhorsen to detect any enemies around you (especially useful when in a burial mound and searching for dead foes.
The Abhorsen can also utilise shouts that force the enemies further into death. Drain Vitality is good for this as it removes the opponents life force in order to strengthen your own. Soul Tear, is also good for the character as it allows them to rip the souls that are inside the dead bodies, causing the body to become useless and die (again).
Nearing end-game, the shout "Call of Valour" becomes available. This is useful as it allows the Dragonborn to enter death and call forth a dead spirit to temporarily help them (This can be utilised by an Abhorsen with an evil twist who decides to use their knowledge of death to their advantage).
Abilities
Vampiric Abhorsens utilise the scores of undead they can have at their command to enhance their own abilities. Here are some of the ways they can do this:
Cycle of Life: After reanimating an undead follower, they absorb the bodies health (using a dagger of absorb health {Blade of Woe from "Destroying the Dark Brotherhood"}) whilst simultaneously healing the body with 'Necromantic healing' spells. This provides them with a powerful ally for defence whilst a means of closing their wounds.
Stolen Soul: Steal the soul and life force of an opponents life force through deadly combinations of conjuration and restoration magic. (soul trap + vampiric drain)
You can't run, you can't hide (will only work with the Skyrim Redone mod): Pull the target towards yourself with the pull spell whilst casting a repel undead spell upon it, causing it to flee once more.
However, not all Abhorsens utilise the powers of the undead against themselves. Some prefer the use of more standardised methods of control.
Chaos Fire: Simultaneously casting bane of the undead and vampire'd bane on an undead under level 44 will cause them to suffer from large amounts of fire damage, sun damage and their fleeing from the scene.
Fire Scare: Similar to above but instead utilises Dawnbreaker to extract close in damage, also leading to the fleeing of all nearby dead.
Recently, I have been rereading the Abhorsen trilogy by the author Garth Nix. Inspired by the main protagonist in the story, Sabriel, I decided to base a Skyrim build upon this character and her role as Abhorsen.
**Dawnguard and Dragonborn SPOILERS"
The Abhorsen
One of the most respected figures in the Old Kingdom, the Abhorsen uses both the dangerous Free Magic-based powers of a necromancer and the benevolent magic of a restoration mage to keep the gates of Death against the return of Dead spirits back into Life.
All members of the Abhorsen family have black hair and their skin is unnaturally pale. Among the families guarding the world from disaster, and the only family guarding it from disasters from Death, Abhorsen's are unique in their ability to sense Death. They are able to identify undead creatures and differentiate them from the living, and cross over into Death to fight undead minions there and banish them to a final death. They are also the only ones who have the proper authority to enter Death, and therefore the only Necromancers who retain uncorrupted magic and powers. Their symbol is a silver key on a background of blue.
Race
Race is quite important here as the Abhorsen is described as being pale and having black hair, therefore they should be a Breton or a Nord. I would suggest Breton as they have many of the key starting skills required for this class (namely conjuration, restoration and alteration).
Statistics
The main forms of defence for the Abhorsen evolve around magic; whereas offence is all close combat work with a sword. Stamina, although needed for fast movement around a target and devastating blows dealt with the sword, is less important than health and magicka. Here are the stat choices I would choose:
2 : 3 : 1
Skills
The main form of defence for the Abhorsen is Alteration as they are primarily dressed in robes. As well as this, the Alteration also holds spells such as Detect Dead and detect Life.
The Abhorsen will also use restoration, not only to heal themselves, but also as a form of attack against the undead. Spells such as "sun fire" and "vampire's bane" will be used to destroy specimens, and spells that send them fleeing are used.
As said above, the Abhorsen's use the magic of necromancers against them to end their evil. Conjuration will be used, they learn spells in order to banish daedra back to the plains of Oblivion as well as practising the art of necromancy themselves. This allows them to gain a greater understanding of the dead and the way they work.
Offence, in the form of one-handed, is mainly used against the undead in the form of restoration magic, however, as there require a constant stream of magicka for these to work indefinitely against large numbers of undead; the Abhorsen uses a longsword. Several weapons present themselves to the conqueror of the dead.
Perk choices
Here is the perk spread for level 30.
Game play
The Abhorsen abhors anything dead, so these are a priority when killing. They prefer not to harm the living as their quarrels lie with the dead. Dragon's however provide an exception. Because the dragons, although very much alive, have been brought back to life by Alduin, your character views them as undead. This means the character has a more blade-like standing on the topic of dragons and that they should be destroyed.
Equipment
The Abhorsen primarily uses a single sword in their right hand. For this I would recommend either of the following (due to their undead slaying abilities):
Using Dawnbreaker would be the preferred option, unless you run out of soul gems (stolen from the undead and used to force them back to death). In this case, you will use the silver sword.
If you do not like the use of a sword, the Dawnguard rune axe is very useful because, if you improve it, the enchantment doesn't reset leading to huge amounts of sun damage on the undead (in excess of 100 if the necromage perk is used).
The body parts do not matter as much. I use either the nightingale set, minus the hood, for the bonuses to silence, the extra one-handed damage, the frost resistances and an armour bonus. (I don't use this as I play a solely good character and the Thieves guild can be described as evil).
Another option is Miraak's robes, gloves and boots as they provide an inherent ability to resist magic; a trait very useful when fighting necromantic spell casters. (I tend to avoid this set as the tentacle explosion doesn't fit in with he build).
However, my preferred option is the cultist robes, gloves and boots as they look good alongside Dawnbreaker as well as providing a magic regeneration boost.
For the head slot, I like to use the Aetherial crown so I can use the Apprentice Stone along side the Antronach stone to gain an extra 100 magicka (useful when using spells) without suffering huge losses to magical defence or regeneration. If you don't want the magicka bonus, I also really like a Lord and Lady stone combination to gain lots of regen and defence capabilities.
I also like to keep the offhand empty as it allows for the blocking of attacks without the weight of a shield to carry around. However, in some situations, switching to a spell, such as "oak flesh" can be useful as they can help defend or attack. Having a bolt spell in the off-hand can be useful as it allows for the simultaneous use of close combat and ranged spells.
(note: if using the mod "Bandoleers: Bags and Pouches", the Abhorsen can be seen to have their seven bells strapped to their chest through the use of one of the bandoleers.)
Role play
The main theme of the Abhorsen's play style is the eradication of undead and, to a lesser extent, daedra. This makes them similar in style to the Vigilants of Stendarr and the Dawnguard. Because of this, they should partake in any quests that involve this; such as the Dawnguard side of the dlc quests as they centre around destroying vampires and other undead.
However, it is not uncommon for the Abhorsens to try and enhance their power further in order to destroy their undead adversaries. One way of doing this is to become infected with the vampirism curse to strengthen their abilities. This not only empowers their attacks but leads to the unleashing of pure destruction through the cycle of health.
You did not choose the path you walk, never wanted to follow in your father's/mother's footsteps but destiny chose you. As your great-grandfather's book said:
"Does the Walker choose the Path, or the Path the Walker?"
However, as you grew into your role in life, you began to find meaning in yourself. You destroyed the dead, not because you felt you had to, but because you knew it was right.
Dragon Shouts
Some dragon shouts are going to be more useful than others for this build. Some of them (aura whisper) will be used by the Abhorsen to detect any enemies around you (especially useful when in a burial mound and searching for dead foes.
The Abhorsen can also utilise shouts that force the enemies further into death. Drain Vitality is good for this as it removes the opponents life force in order to strengthen your own. Soul Tear, is also good for the character as it allows them to rip the souls that are inside the dead bodies, causing the body to become useless and die (again).
Nearing end-game, the shout "Call of Valour" becomes available. This is useful as it allows the Dragonborn to enter death and call forth a dead spirit to temporarily help them (This can be utilised by an Abhorsen with an evil twist who decides to use their knowledge of death to their advantage).
Abilities
Vampiric Abhorsens utilise the scores of undead they can have at their command to enhance their own abilities. Here are some of the ways they can do this:
Cycle of Life: After reanimating an undead follower, they absorb the bodies health (using a dagger of absorb health {Blade of Woe from "Destroying the Dark Brotherhood"}) whilst simultaneously healing the body with 'Necromantic healing' spells. This provides them with a powerful ally for defence whilst a means of closing their wounds.
Stolen Soul: Steal the soul and life force of an opponents life force through deadly combinations of conjuration and restoration magic. (soul trap + vampiric drain)
You can't run, you can't hide (will only work with the Skyrim Redone mod): Pull the target towards yourself with the pull spell whilst casting a repel undead spell upon it, causing it to flee once more.
However, not all Abhorsens utilise the powers of the undead against themselves. Some prefer the use of more standardised methods of control.
Chaos Fire: Simultaneously casting bane of the undead and vampire'd bane on an undead under level 44 will cause them to suffer from large amounts of fire damage, sun damage and their fleeing from the scene.
Fire Scare: Similar to above but instead utilises Dawnbreaker to extract close in damage, also leading to the fleeing of all nearby dead.
