Alchemy is a wonderful skill when used correctly, and this character does just that. Not only that, but he uses spells and alchemy to spread “plagues” around Skyrim. So it is quite obvious that this guy is a follower of Peryite. I proudly present: 

That's a nice sword...

Note: This is self-made

It is a little known fact that Peryite had an extremely devout follower many centuries ago. This follower also worshipped Molag Bal, Namira and Boethiah.

This follower was the plague knight.

In an act of worship of Molag Bal, the Plague Knight joined a group of vampires in Skyrim, called the Volkihar, whilst there on a mission for Peryite. Now, the Plague Knight worked alongside Harkon, but never met his daughter or his wife. Harkon knew that the plague knight was a threat to his position as Lord of the Volkihar Vampires, and so he betrayed him.

Harkon took him to a cave in northern skyrim, claiming that he had found a bandit hideout, full of humans with blood to suck. The plague Knight went with Harkon to that cave, expecting a nice, juicy meal. All he got was a sword in the back.

Harkon returned to Volkihar keep with his body, claiming that the humans had killed him. He ordered a few of his followers to take his body to any cave, and bury him there.

They took him to Dimhollow Crypt.

And now, the Plague Knight has awoken once more, to fulfill his mission for Peryite, and to punish Harkon. 

Race: Any, really. Altmer are good for their imposing looks, or argonian for their reptilian look. It may just be me, but I tend to associate lizards with disease. I, however, went with imperial, for their nice starting bonus to restoration, which is an absolute PAIN to level (just warning you). Also, you’re a vampire lord.

Stat Ratio (M/H/S): Go with 1/1/1 until you have 200 stamina, then go with 2/1/0.

Shouts: Marked for Death, Drain Vitality, Unrelenting Force, Soul Tear, Summon Durnehviir

Who else sees the poison rune?

One-handed: Your sword is for straight-up close combat, and for applying poisons. You can use an axe instead, taking the deep wounds perk for further DoT (more disease!) but personally, I HATE axes.

Restoration: Since Alchemy is only used for poisons, restoration is only used for healing, and the lovely POISON RUNE.

Enchanting: This skill is basically the ability to make your very own, customized armor. I love it, and it’s also helpful as parts of the armor used for this build cannot come pre-enchanted (AKA falmer armor)

Alchemy: I believe I mentioned that this build changed my hatred of alchemy into a love of alchemy. Not only that, but poisons are essential.

Illusion: More plagues. Some stealth manoeuvres are always helpful too.

Sneak: Sudden outbursts of disease. Where do they come from? A hidden plague knight shooting diseases at them!

Heavy armor: Perks in this aren't really necessary, but you need some form of defense, yes?

Pickpocket: Yet another way of spreading plagues. Training this skill or power-leveling it is recommended.

8 skills…. Seems like a lot, doesn't it? But it’s really only 7, because heavy armor levels gradually. And so does sneak, and you either train or powerlevel pickpocket. So its really only 6.

Perks: 25/43

The Plague Knight wears 2 separate tiers of gear:
Tier 1:

Ebony/Full-face Imperial Helm

Falmer/Orcish cuirass (Fortify Restoration)
Falmer/Orcish gauntlets (Fortify One-handed)
Falmer/Orcish boots (Fortify Carry Weight)
Ring of Namira

Necklace (Fortify Illusion)

Blade of Plagues/ Harkon’s sword (Ancient nord sword/war axe enchanted with absorb health)*

Tier 2 (Once you complete roleplaying objectives 1 and 2, you cannot proceed to tier two without both Dawnguard and Hearthfire):

Aetherial Crown (Steed Stone + Advanced Atronach)
Ebony Mail
Falmer – Falmer heavy gauntlets (Fortify one-handed + carry weight)
Falmer – Falmer heavy boots (Fortify one-handed + carry weight)
Ring of Namira
Necklace (Fortify illusion + restoration)

*Delve into Folgunthur and disenchant the Gauldur Blackblade.

You want to grab the Concentrated Poison perk as soon as possible, as well as Adept Restoration.

 Combat is fairly straightforward (sometimes) and I believe, fairly unique, for this build. For normal encounters:

1. Cast muffle and then invisibility/Just muffle.
2. Find a nice hiding spot.
3. Continuously fire frenzy spells at your enemies until just one/two are left standing, or until discovered.
4. Leave sneak, walk up to your enemy, and use calm OR use the “Outbreak” tactic if there are two enemies left.
5. If possible, reverse-pickpocket a paralyzing poison.
6. Use a poison rune under your enemy.
7. Walk away from your enemy, and use a Poisoned Critical Charge.
8. Slash away with poisoned blades!

For one-on-one fights, steps 1-3 aren’t required. If your enemy is aggressive, you may need to calm them. And as for shouts, just mix them in with your attacks.

Dragons are annoying. To deal with dragons, I recommend that you transform into vampire lord form. 

Shadow Cloak: Muffle + Invisibility.

Slip away unnoticed to continue spreading your plagues.

Usage: Useful for AoE combat, and the tactics “Outbreak” and “Dungeon Runner”. Sometimes using invisibility straight after muffle will cause you to appear as if you are either a white spectre, or shrouded in shadow. 

Outbreak: Calm spell x 2 + Concentrated poison perk + Truebane on each enemy + Death blight on each enemy + Two or more enemies.

The Plague knight releases a plague that spreads between his enemies.

Usage: The problem with poisons is that you can’t apply them to different enemies simultaneously unless using two-handed weapons. So, with the concentrated poison perk (Which I suggest you get ASAP), we can hit both enemies once with a plague of weakness, then again with a truebane (both are poisons). If there are more than two enemies, repeat until all have been poisoned. The calm spell stops them from attacking you until you attack them. 

Dungeon runner: Shadow cloak + Paralysis Poisons + Poisoned Perk + Calm spells + Sneak + Ebony Mail + Nightstalker's footstep

The Plague Knight can avoid conflict using gifts of stealth bestowed upon him by Molag Bal and Boethiah.

Usage: When you can’t be bothered to fight your enemies/ They are too strong for you to fight.

Potions:
Bottled Plague (Fortify restoration, use for advanced atronach, and to strengthen poison rune):

Yellow Mountain Flower/Salt Pile + Abacean Longfin + Cyrodilic Spadetail

Restoration potion (only used for advanced atronach):

Abacean Longfin + Small Pearl + Purple Mountain Flower

Poisons:
Icy Plague (Slow, Damage Health, Damage Stamina regen. This poison was used but the ingredients were hard to come by):

River betty + Skeever tail + Large Antlers

Death blight (Ravage Health, Lingering Damage health, Damage Health):

Skeever Tail + Imp stool + Scathecraw

Truebane (Damage Health, Ravage Health, Weakness to Poison):

Deathbell + Giant Lichen + Skeever Tail

Disabling Plague (Paralyze):

Canis root + Swamp fungal pod

Nerve Plague (Paralyze and Restore health. Use this potion to level your alchemy skill):

Swamp Fungal Pod + Canis Root + Imp stool

Roleplaying Objectives:

Roleplaying Objective No. 1 (To be completed as soon as possible, requires Dawnguard): Learn from Harkon the story of the Plague Knight and his powers (he doesn’t recognize you as your face has changed over the time you were buried), discover that you are the Plague Knight, and kill Harkon, taking pleasure in his death.  

Roleplaying Objective No.2 (To be completed as soon as possible, requires Hearthfire): Create a new group of Plague Knights, followers of Peryite, Molag Bal, Namira and Boethiah. Basically, build Windstad manor with a greenhouse, alchemy tower and kitchen, then get a follower, a steward and a wife (Make sure she can fight). Equip them all with a set of falmer armor and a crown/hood, as well as an ancient Nordic/Falmer Sword.  Also keep Spellbreaker on a weapon plaque in your house.

Roleplaying Objective No.3 : Bring Peryite’s plagues to all towns and cities in Skyrim. Basically, ransack every single town and city in Skyrim, using all your skills to kill the citizens. 

Quests:                                                

• Dawnguard: Vampire side
• Dragonborn: Miraak is not allowed to spread plagues as tentacles! Only you are!
• From the Ashes
• Main Quest to unlock shouts
• The Only Cure
• The House of Horrors 
• The Taste of Death
• Boethiah's calling
• Roleplaying Objectives
• Quests to make characters in towns non-essential
• Random other quests you find fitting to the build

Roleplay:
Though you hate Harkon,you also hate the Dawnguard. You also want to take over as Lord of the Volkihar – Join the Volkihar Vampires.

You worship daedric princes: Boethiah, Peryite, Namira and Molag Bal only!

Credits and Final Thoughts

Thanks to:

Ben C, for proof-reading

Morta, for the excellent in-game screenshots

Overall, this was an extremely fun build to play, and I hope you guys liked it.

Thanks.

Not bad. Some spacing errors near the armor selection but not too bad. +1