When the people of Skyrim wanted something done, and done correctly, they used to hire a Contractor. To Jarls and Kings the Contractors were honourable warriors, but to the more desperate citizens of Skyrim they were capable thieves and murderers; truth is, they're both. The Contractors were an open organization of respected but feared professional warrior-thieves that would carry out almost any task when the coin was right. Each Contractor had to live up to certain requirements before joining the organization, and they had to be willing to learn additional skills once an official member. This meant learning basic alchemical and advanced smithing skills, correctly wielding two maces, training in Light Armour, and knowing how to be secretive and discrete when necessary. Contractors - to put it simply - are stealthy barbarians. They know how to fight, but they also know when to be cautious. Contractors were fabled for their combat prowess and their use of two Ebony Maces.
Present
A once prosperous organization, the Contractors are now considered but a small band of undesirable mercenaries. When Alduin began to resurrect them, the Dragons were ordered to attack various Forts and Settlements, and the Contractors headquarters, Fort Greymoor, was among the targets. The Fort was destroyed by the Dragon Mirmulnir. This attack was responsible for the death of over three-quarters of the organizations men. All valuables within the fort were damaged beyond repair. The Contractors Leader, Malog Balwag, didn't have the necessary funds to repair the fort and recruit new members. Before long, Imperial soldiers deemed the organization unfit and they began garrisoning troops into the fort. The fort was officially Imperial property. With no headquarters and a small number of members, people began to lose faith in the Contractors and the amount of available jobs depleted. Just as Malog was about to terminate the organization, you convinced him and the remaining members to "not give up". You made two promises to them: you swore to slay the Dragon responsible for destroying the organization and to make a name for the Contractors again.
You
You are Malog's second in command, the second most respected man in the Contractors organization, a survivor of the dragon attack and the man accountable for the restoration of your organization. You promised on the day that Malog was giving up that you would make a name for the Contractors again. You pack together your remaining things and set upon acquiring jobs from the people of Skyrim.
Race: The Contractors welcome any race into their organization -- assuming they have the right skills -- although recruitment is a little bare these days. But, as always, there are races slightly more suited for the job.
Nord - They can strike fear into the heart of any enemy with their 'Battle Cry' power, an Area Of Effect illusion technique that makes most targets in the area flee for 30 seconds. As the build is part barbarian the +5 to both Light Armour and One Handed is nice. They also get a +5 in smithing.
Redguard - Their power 'Adrenaline Rush' is extremely useful when against to foes and your in need of spamming duel-wield power attacks. They get a +10 to One Handed which is a major skill in this build, and a +5 to both Smithing and Archery, a minor but still necessary skill.
Orismer - When an Orc goes into 'Berserker Rage' nothing can stop them (excellent considering this build does not use Block), this power is respected by the Contractors. Orcs get a +5 to both One Handed and Smithing, much needed skills in this build
Standing Stone:
The Lover Stone - Initially take this to get a boost in increasing all of your skills. I use this stone because the build incorporates skills from both The Thief and The Warrior stones, so one or the other isn't really practical.
Move onto either:
The Lady Stone - With the Lady Stone you can achieve a permanent 75% stamina regeneration increase, and temporary 100%+ regeneration with potions. This is necessary for your use of 'Eagle Eye', power attacks and sprinting.
The Lord/Atronach Stone - Both very good defensive standing stones. The Lord offering 25% magic resistance (which can be increased with potions) and 50 extra points of armour rating. The Atronach contributing 50% magicka absorption; the +50 points of magicka and the -50% magicka regeneration do not matter because the build does not use magic.
Stat Distribution:
0/2/2 until you reach a cap of 300-400 stamina. You need a very large health pool to withstand attacks, you also need a decent sized stamina-pool to be able to deliver a substantial amount of power attacks in battle.
Shouts:
There is no ideal shout for this build; you could use a defensive or an offensive shout, it really just depends on the situation you are in. Personally I think Aura Whisper is useful to help you know what sort of fight you are about to get into. Also, Throw Voice is useful for avoiding or planning confrontations. Elemental Fury and Slow Time are fab to change the tide in combat.
Equipment
The armour used by Contractors is a mix between Thieves Guild and Dawnguard armour; simply join both factions to acquire them.
Armour: Thieves Guild Armour, Dawnguard Boot, Dawnguard Gauntlets, Dawnguard Helmet.
Weapons: The contractors use nothing but the best, therefore they use Ebony weaponry: Two Ebony Maces, Ebony Bow, Ebony Arrows. Of course Ebony weaponry won't be available to you at the beginning of the game so you will have to work your way up, but if you level smithing earlier you can get Ebony at a good level. Duel-Wielding Ebony Maces is the very thing that defines a Contractor.
Skills
One Handed - Your main damage output. Purchasing all the perks in 'Bone Breaker' means you will be ignoring a whopping 75% of an enemies armour, and when delivering a duel-wield power attack this can be quite devastating.
(Armsman 5/5, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike, Bone Breaker 3/3, Duel Flurry 2/2, Duel Savagery)
Light Armour - The contractor needs to be manoeuvrable and quiet when in stealth. You have to put some points 'Agile Defender' so you aren't killed in two swings. 'Wind Walker' is a great perk which increases stamina regeneration by 50% when wearing a full set of light armour, this makes all the difference when using 'Eagle Eye'.
(Agile Defender 5/5, Custom Fit, Unhindered, Wind Walker, Deft Movement)
Smithing - All Contractors are taught how to smith there own weapons. Smithing is needed to upgrade your acquired gear and to smith and improve your own Ebony arsenal.
(Steal-Ebony-Advanced Smithing, Arcane Smithing)
Alchemy - It is a requirement for Contractors to be taught the basics of Alchemy so that they can get an edge in combat, be it with healing or poisoning.
(Alchemist 3/5, Physician, Benefactor, Poisoner)
Sneak - The Contractors aren't all-out Barbarians, they can very discrete when needed. Sneak is used to avoid enemies or deliver multiplied damage to them.
(Stealth 1/5, Muffled Movement, Light Foot, Silent Roll, Silence, Backstab, Deadly Aim)
Archery - The Contractors are educated in the art of the bow and arrow. The bow is really just a long-ranged poison delivery system, weakening enemies while not being harmed yourself.
(Overdraw 1/5, Eagle Eye, Steady Hand 2/2, Power Shot, Quick Shot, Bullseye)
Gameplay/Role-Play
Combat
The primary mark of a Contractor is their use of duel-wield maces. These blunt weapons are much more imposing than any sword or axe. You dip them in poisons and swing them around aimlessly, projecting confidence as you do so. That's just the Berserker side of things, though, Contractors are excellent at stealth too; Contractors begin battles with a stealthy ranged shot or a stealthy blow to the head. Alchemy plays a big role in their arsenal as well; poisons that damage health or have illusion effects sway combat in your favour.
If respect can't be earned, demand it!
Don't forget that the Contractors were feared, so if you're insulted by low-pay, send a message by causing a client harm... But do not do it directly... Be secretive but make sure the message is clear... Steal an item from their home or even murder a family member...
Partners
I like to pretend that the mercenaries up for hire in Major City taverns are retired Contractors that lost faith in the organization. Hiring them resembles you convincing them to join you on your quest to make a name for the Contractors. The only problem with this role-play technique is that you can't get followers to duel-wield maces - EVER!
Rehoming
Regaining your Fort will take ALOT of work, so until then you'll have to settle for something a little smaller. Building a home with the Hearthfire DLC will symbolize this; they still have respectable size so one will make a decent headquarters.
Quests/Factions
The Civil War - Who wouldn't respect a War-Hero? You see the Civil War as a chance to show Skyrim what a Contractor is made of! The Stormcloaks had already tried a siege on Fort Greymoor claiming they needed a station in the Whiterun Hold. But the Imperials were the ones who took for the Fort. So who will you choose?
Thieves Guild - Your Organization is in tatters, you need to make friends elsewhere for now. And should you come across any stolen items in your quest the Fences in the Thieves Guild will sort you out.
Companions - What better way to build up the respect you need than by joining the most respected warriors in Skyrim!
Dawnguard - Defeating a vampire lord. Now that's what will get the Contractors known again!
Main Quest - Should the citizens of Skyrim learn that it was a Contractor that defeated The World Eater, people will start hiring again.
Battle Tactics
Tremor Fists
Duel Wield Mace Power Attack + Duel Flurry + Elemental Fury + Paralysis Poison
An advanced skill taught to all excelling members of the contractors. Designed to overcome overwhelming enemies when in need.
Scouting Shot
Eagle Eye + Steady Hand + Multi-Effect Poison
A Contractor always barrages opponents with poison-tipped arrows from afar. An excellent technique for causing great damage until the enemies get's close.
Disappear
Invisibility Potion + Standard Attack + Fear Poison
Turn the tide of the battle by escaping conflict and then reappearing only to strike fear in to the heart of you enemy.
Friend or Foe?
Standard Attack + Frenzy Poison + Bow
Turn your enemies against themselves! Should you need a break from combat, a frenzy poison is perfect for gaining a temporary ally. Step back, draw your bow and bombard you enemies with arrows.
Credits
I'd like to thank both Johhny Dimple, for proof-reading the build for me and Miraak, who made me that wonderful Perk Sheet Spread.
When the people of Skyrim wanted something done, and done correctly, they used to hire a Contractor. To Jarls and Kings the Contractors were honourable warriors, but to the more desperate citizens of Skyrim they were capable thieves and murderers; truth is, they're both. The Contractors were an open organization of respected but feared professional warrior-thieves that would carry out almost any task when the coin was right. Each Contractor had to live up to certain requirements before joining the organization, and they had to be willing to learn additional skills once an official member. This meant learning basic alchemical and advanced smithing skills, correctly wielding two maces, training in Light Armour, and knowing how to be secretive and discrete when necessary. Contractors - to put it simply - are stealthy barbarians. They know how to fight, but they also know when to be cautious. Contractors were fabled for their combat prowess and their use of two Ebony Maces.
Present
A once prosperous organization, the Contractors are now considered but a small band of undesirable mercenaries. When Alduin began to resurrect them, the Dragons were ordered to attack various Forts and Settlements, and the Contractors headquarters, Fort Greymoor, was among the targets. The Fort was destroyed by the Dragon Mirmulnir. This attack was responsible for the death of over three-quarters of the organizations men. All valuables within the fort were damaged beyond repair. The Contractors Leader, Malog Balwag, didn't have the necessary funds to repair the fort and recruit new members. Before long, Imperial soldiers deemed the organization unfit and they began garrisoning troops into the fort. The fort was officially Imperial property. With no headquarters and a small number of members, people began to lose faith in the Contractors and the amount of available jobs depleted. Just as Malog was about to terminate the organization, you convinced him and the remaining members to "not give up". You made two promises to them: you swore to slay the Dragon responsible for destroying the organization and to make a name for the Contractors again.
You
You are Malog's second in command, the second most respected man in the Contractors organization, a survivor of the dragon attack and the man accountable for the restoration of your organization. You promised on the day that Malog was giving up that you would make a name for the Contractors again. You pack together your remaining things and set upon acquiring jobs from the people of Skyrim.
Race: The Contractors welcome any race into their organization -- assuming they have the right skills -- although recruitment is a little bare these days. But, as always, there are races slightly more suited for the job.
Nord - They can strike fear into the heart of any enemy with their 'Battle Cry' power, an Area Of Effect illusion technique that makes most targets in the area flee for 30 seconds. As the build is part barbarian the +5 to both Light Armour and One Handed is nice. They also get a +5 in smithing.
Redguard - Their power 'Adrenaline Rush' is extremely useful when against to foes and your in need of spamming duel-wield power attacks. They get a +10 to One Handed which is a major skill in this build, and a +5 to both Smithing and Archery, a minor but still necessary skill.
Orismer - When an Orc goes into 'Berserker Rage' nothing can stop them (excellent considering this build does not use Block), this power is respected by the Contractors. Orcs get a +5 to both One Handed and Smithing, much needed skills in this build
Standing Stone:
The Lover Stone - Initially take this to get a boost in increasing all of your skills. I use this stone because the build incorporates skills from both The Thief and The Warrior stones, so one or the other isn't really practical.
Move onto either:
The Lady Stone - With the Lady Stone you can achieve a permanent 75% stamina regeneration increase, and temporary 100%+ regeneration with potions. This is necessary for your use of 'Eagle Eye', power attacks and sprinting.
The Lord/Atronach Stone - Both very good defensive standing stones. The Lord offering 25% magic resistance (which can be increased with potions) and 50 extra points of armour rating. The Atronach contributing 50% magicka absorption; the +50 points of magicka and the -50% magicka regeneration do not matter because the build does not use magic.
Stat Distribution:
0/2/2 until you reach a cap of 300-400 stamina. You need a very large health pool to withstand attacks, you also need a decent sized stamina-pool to be able to deliver a substantial amount of power attacks in battle.
Shouts:
There is no ideal shout for this build; you could use a defensive or an offensive shout, it really just depends on the situation you are in. Personally I think Aura Whisper is useful to help you know what sort of fight you are about to get into. Also, Throw Voice is useful for avoiding or planning confrontations. Elemental Fury and Slow Time are fab to change the tide in combat.
Equipment
The armour used by Contractors is a mix between Thieves Guild and Dawnguard armour; simply join both factions to acquire them.
Armour: Thieves Guild Armour, Dawnguard Boot, Dawnguard Gauntlets, Dawnguard Helmet.
Weapons: The contractors use nothing but the best, therefore they use Ebony weaponry: Two Ebony Maces, Ebony Bow, Ebony Arrows. Of course Ebony weaponry won't be available to you at the beginning of the game so you will have to work your way up, but if you level smithing earlier you can get Ebony at a good level. Duel-Wielding Ebony Maces is the very thing that defines a Contractor.
Skills
One Handed - Your main damage output. Purchasing all the perks in 'Bone Breaker' means you will be ignoring a whopping 75% of an enemies armour, and when delivering a duel-wield power attack this can be quite devastating.
(Armsman 5/5, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike, Bone Breaker 3/3, Duel Flurry 2/2, Duel Savagery)
Light Armour - The contractor needs to be manoeuvrable and quiet when in stealth. You have to put some points 'Agile Defender' so you aren't killed in two swings. 'Wind Walker' is a great perk which increases stamina regeneration by 50% when wearing a full set of light armour, this makes all the difference when using 'Eagle Eye'.
(Agile Defender 5/5, Custom Fit, Unhindered, Wind Walker, Deft Movement)
Smithing - All Contractors are taught how to smith there own weapons. Smithing is needed to upgrade your acquired gear and to smith and improve your own Ebony arsenal.
(Steal-Ebony-Advanced Smithing, Arcane Smithing)
Alchemy - It is a requirement for Contractors to be taught the basics of Alchemy so that they can get an edge in combat, be it with healing or poisoning.
(Alchemist 3/5, Physician, Benefactor, Poisoner)
Sneak - The Contractors aren't all-out Barbarians, they can very discrete when needed. Sneak is used to avoid enemies or deliver multiplied damage to them.
(Stealth 1/5, Muffled Movement, Light Foot, Silent Roll, Silence, Backstab, Deadly Aim)
Archery - The Contractors are educated in the art of the bow and arrow. The bow is really just a long-ranged poison delivery system, weakening enemies while not being harmed yourself.
(Overdraw 1/5, Eagle Eye, Steady Hand 2/2, Power Shot, Quick Shot, Bullseye)
Gameplay/Role-Play
Combat
The primary mark of a Contractor is their use of duel-wield maces. These blunt weapons are much more imposing than any sword or axe. You dip them in poisons and swing them around aimlessly, projecting confidence as you do so. That's just the Berserker side of things, though, Contractors are excellent at stealth too; Contractors begin battles with a stealthy ranged shot or a stealthy blow to the head. Alchemy plays a big role in their arsenal as well; poisons that damage health or have illusion effects sway combat in your favour.
If respect can't be earned, demand it!
Don't forget that the Contractors were feared, so if you're insulted by low-pay, send a message by causing a client harm... But do not do it directly... Be secretive but make sure the message is clear... Steal an item from their home or even murder a family member...
Partners
I like to pretend that the mercenaries up for hire in Major City taverns are retired Contractors that lost faith in the organization. Hiring them resembles you convincing them to join you on your quest to make a name for the Contractors. The only problem with this role-play technique is that you can't get followers to duel-wield maces - EVER!
Rehoming
Regaining your Fort will take ALOT of work, so until then you'll have to settle for something a little smaller. Building a home with the Hearthfire DLC will symbolize this; they still have respectable size so one will make a decent headquarters.
Quests/Factions
The Civil War - Who wouldn't respect a War-Hero? You see the Civil War as a chance to show Skyrim what a Contractor is made of! The Stormcloaks had already tried a siege on Fort Greymoor claiming they needed a station in the Whiterun Hold. But the Imperials were the ones who took for the Fort. So who will you choose?
Thieves Guild - Your Organization is in tatters, you need to make friends elsewhere for now. And should you come across any stolen items in your quest the Fences in the Thieves Guild will sort you out.
Companions - What better way to build up the respect you need than by joining the most respected warriors in Skyrim!
Dawnguard - Defeating a vampire lord. Now that's what will get the Contractors known again!
Main Quest - Should the citizens of Skyrim learn that it was a Contractor that defeated The World Eater, people will start hiring again.
Battle Tactics
Tremor Fists
Duel Wield Mace Power Attack + Duel Flurry + Elemental Fury + Paralysis Poison
An advanced skill taught to all excelling members of the contractors. Designed to overcome overwhelming enemies when in need.
Scouting Shot
Eagle Eye + Steady Hand + Multi-Effect Poison
A Contractor always barrages opponents with poison-tipped arrows from afar. An excellent technique for causing great damage until the enemies get's close.
Disappear
Invisibility Potion + Standard Attack + Fear Poison
Turn the tide of the battle by escaping conflict and then reappearing only to strike fear in to the heart of you enemy.
Friend or Foe?
Standard Attack + Frenzy Poison + Bow
Turn your enemies against themselves! Should you need a break from combat, a frenzy poison is perfect for gaining a temporary ally. Step back, draw your bow and bombard you enemies with arrows.
Credits
I'd like to thank both Johhny Dimple, for proof-reading the build for me and Miraak, who made me that wonderful Perk Sheet Spread.
