Character Build: Servant of Hermaeus Mora
“Hmph. What secrets could they have worth keeping from old Mora? Sounds like a bargain to me. Hermaeus Mora learns some fascinating new ways to skin a horker and you become the second most powerful Dragonborn that ever lived." - Neloth
“Dragonborn, huh? Was it your ma or your pa that was the dragon?” – Hadvar
My first build, I believe it was called The Lord of Two Swords, as well as my second, The Cold Knight, went down with a mixed and overall lukewarm reception, and seems to have been taken down, so after getting several ideas for new builds and discarding them, as well as looking through this site for stuff to incorporate, I have a new, fully playtested build that I find fun to play, and that I am satisfied will receive a better response from the internet. This is the aforementioned build – the Servant of Hermaeus Mora.
This build is not inherently evil, like my Cold Knight one was, even though he serves an arguably evil Daedric Lord. The only thing this character seeks in the entirety of Nirn is the ultimate in all knowledge. As you might expect then, this build’s main focus is the acquiring of books (including Journals, Notes and Spell Tomes) and forbidden knowledge. However, there is another aspect that suits those not quite as keen on the whole roleplaying thing. Because he serves a Daedric Lord, he is hunted by the Vigil of Stendarr.
As a result of having to deal with this menace, he has honed his combat prowess to a fine art, so that he may dispose of them quickly and easily, a neutral character causing as little pain to them as possible, or an evil character to make sure that they don’t get in his way too much.
You may add a shield if you want, but as you will see later, the guidelines I set out for this build will need some adjustment if you wander off the designed path. However, the duelist style means that you will be able to better use the techniques that are laid out in the Advanced Melee Corner (check it out, I learned a lot from it.)
Without further ado, let’s get into the build proper.
The Student
At this stage of the build, the Servant is merely a student to the ways of ultimate knowledge granted by Hermaeus Mora. He has not become the disciple of Him yet. However, his thirst for knowledge is just as strong as it will ever be. In terms of combat, he will be at the level of a standard adventurer, as he will have had to fight wolves and bandits off, and maybe the occasional Frost Troll, as he delves into dangerous caves and dungeons to find rare books for his collection.
Race: I recommend Breton, because in my opinion the look fits the Akaviri best, which is what I imagine this character to be. Also, it’s simply the best race to play on Master difficulty, right? Besides this, choose any human race. No elves, cats or lizards, I’m afraid.
Stats: 0/7/3 every ten levels for a standard version of this build (replace one of your health’s into magicka if you want the end build to be a stronger conjuration build. This is what I included in the level 50 perk spread for the Keeper.)
Stone: Warrior for levelling, then switch to Lord when you reach the Disciple level of the build.
Shouts: Become Ethereal, Marked For Death, Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint
Powers: Mora’s Boon, Bardic Knowledge, Bones of the Earth, Secret of Protection
Major Skills
Speech: As Herma’s servant, you will acquire many knowledgeable texts. These are sometimes bought. Also, many of the texts you find will be valuable once you’re done with them, and you can sell these as well as any double copies you have of any texts. You’re not seeking to build a library for all to find the knowledge you possess, although that is indeed a noble dream, you are simply looking to make a small living out of the knowledge you crave. As a mere student, this skill will be moderate rather than high.
One-Handed: You always carry a sword, just in case you run into trouble on one of your many book runs into dangerous caves and routes. As a result, you practice much with your swordplay, and can’t help but get better with the weapon.
Block: You may be a swift fighter, running in and out of combat, but enemies will undoubtedly hit you. A high block skill will enable you to sustain even a hit from a giant’s club, and sometimes just that fraction of health that was saved will be enough to finish your opponent and recover your health.
Minor Skills
Sneak: A student scholar very rarely wishes to get into long drawn out fights, so he sneaks up behind his enemies and gets the first hit advantage, keeping the amount of blows traded to a minimum.
Alchemy: Your study may often require some practical experience. If you read about different alchemical techniques, you may need to test these out to determine the reliability of the source. Also, knowledge such as how to make potions is fairly useless. As Neloth once said, when you pay someone for information that is not helpful, they tend to have the better end of the bargain.
Level 20 Perk Spread: http://skyrimcalculator.com/368906
Equipment: This build, like the Swordmaster, achieves an agile, swift combat style by wearing no armour. Also, I find it very unlikely that a student would ever really wear armour (maybe a leather jacket and chaps), so we use College Student’s Robes or Novice Robes and Fine Boots. Jewellery, just use a Ring of the Squire as a wedding ring or just as decoration, or if your character is female, add a pendant with the same enchantment. For weapons, use a single sword of any quality. I use a Blade’s Sword because of its superior weight and damage balance.
Abilities
Deadly Rotor Blade
So, here’s a cool little trick I picked up at Advanced Melee Corner. If you charge a shout while blocking, it will be released when you stop blocking. This means that if you charge up a Marked for Death shout, then you can release it upon activation of Quick reflexes and unleash a torrent of deadly blows.
Reqs: Block Shouting, Marked For Death, Quick Reflexes
Quick Draw
You may be able to unleash stronger attacks with your right hand, but your left hand is much quicker on the draw. Maintain a left hand equip on your sword while it is sheathed, so that if you face a prepared enemy, you can level the playing field by drawing your weapon immediately, then after buying some time, switching it to your right hand. Again, thanks to Soneca etc. for the wonderful Advanced Melee Corner.
Reqs: Quick Draw
Quick Relief
This time, an exploit I found myself. I generally go around on Adept difficulty, so things like bandits tend to take around 5 hits to finish off. However, as I move around while fighting, a killcam often activates on the last hit. Through this, I have discovered that when this killcam is played, it deals a little more extra damage. It also initiates an immediate attack that, unless glitched, cannot be blocked or dodged, or, maybe more importantly, counterattacked. In other words, if the killcam goes off just when an attack would hit you, the attack completely misses. This is useful when you have the last enemy down to low enough hp and one hit could kill you. You just keep attacking, activate the killcam, and then wait for your health to recover
Reqs: Killcams
Combat
You will need to dart in and out of combat when playing this character. Your choice of gear means that you can move faster, but if you’re caught you will take a lot of damage. To lessen this, dart in for a single attack, and if you see their attack coming while you’re running back out again, quickly block and attack again before running back once more. This way you will maximise damage while minimising pain.
Use the Deadly Rotor Blade ability on enemies that you feel sure are going to power attack, like trolls or maybe bandits. This is especially effective on enemies with multiple power attacks like dual wielders, trolls and mudcrabs, as these will stack instances of quick reflexes.
Try to target ranged enemies first such as archers or mages, as these are the easiest to fall to. They do slow but steady damage while you are caught up with melee characters, but are usually the most easily killable with unrelenting melee attacks.
Followers
Ranged followers are best with this build, as they don’t get in the way and support consistently from behind. However, a tank could be very useful, drawing the enemies’ attention so you can be more free to dart in and out like usual.
Roleplay
The path to becoming the Keeper of the Library
The Servant’s eventual destiny is to become the keeper of Mora’s library. He will defend the forbidden knowledge from the unworthy, in exchange for being allowed to spend eternity within its walls of books, if he wants. At this stage, he will be a hero in the land of Skyrim, and respected throughout Oblivion, as well. He will be well versed in both knowledge and combat, and will have transcended mortality into a being comprised of others’ souls and bodies. Essentially, the perfect bodyguard.
To reach this destiny, the servant must become a strong warrior, and serve Hermaeus Mora sufficiently.
Quests
Dragonborn Main Questline: this works well with this build, since it allows you to become close to Herma, but only do this when you have reached disciple level, as one of the requisites for becoming the Keeper.
Hermaeus Mora Daedric Questline: This is essential for this build, and the quest which allows you to move on to the Disciple stage. You must complete this quest between levels 20 and 25
Thieves’ Guild: this at first glance seems like it does not fit with the build, but in actual fact, some of the books you collect may have to be stolen, so a little training in the ways of the thief will in the end help with obtaining great knowledge.
Dawnguard: Vampires will often have great ancient texts, so you go to investigate their lair when you hear about the Dawnguard, but while trying to get your hands on some rare books, you find the Elder Scrolls. What better source of ultimate knowledge than these?
Main Questline: essential if you intend to get every Elder Scroll
College of Winterhold: Obvious. You are a student, and the library allows you to conduct thorough research, and is where you get the information on many of the books you collect. However, entry often requires some magical knowledge, so make sure to get to a point where you can pass the entry test.
The Disciple
This is the part of the build where you meet Hermaeus Mora. You should be starting this around level 25. From here on, you should be focussing more on combat than anything else, as this is where, according to lore, you will be attacked by the Vigil. However, you must also develop speech profusely, as the knowledge that old Mora gives you will, logically, greatly improve your ability to transverse with others.
Level 25 Perk Spread: http://skyrimcalculator.com/368978
Disciple Equipment: As a disciple of Hermaeus Mora, you will come across some interesting equipment doing His bidding. Thus, gear you should keep while on the Dragonborn quest includes Cultists’ Robes, Cultists’ Boots, and Miraak’s Robes.
Disciple Abilities
Row of Spikes
You sprint forwards, swinging your blade wildly, dealing a multitude of damage all around you. (Thanks again to the Advanced Melee Corner). To activate this ability, sprint towards your enemies and repeatedly press the attack button. (lore – this is a power given by Lord Hermaeus Mora, and the attacks you make are his tentacles that are left in your path.)
Reqs. Speed Charge
Combat
Much the same as the Student’s combat style really, but use the Row of Spikes ability whenever you are surrounded by troublesome opponents.
The Keeper of the Library
This is your character’s ultimate destiny. To be charged with guarding Mora’s Library, Apocrypha, against the unworthy in exchange for eternal knowledge and life. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to spend eternity in the library, but your soul will always be there, and on earth, your form will be much like your previous appearance, only darker, and if people see past your disguise, they will see only a grotesque monster. You will, however, spend a lot of time in Apocrypha, gathering the knowledge you crave, and eventually you will know everything there is to know, and stand alongside Mora Himself, ruling as his sidekick.
In order to attain this level of the build, you must have reached the final build pattern and perk spread for level 50, collected and have in your collection at least 100 books (as always, including notes, journals and spell tomes), and completed the Dragonborn Questline, Civil War Questline, Main Questline, Thieves’ Guild Questline, and any other questline you choose to attribute to this character’s perfection. This is the build in its ultimate form, and most Servants will not make it. Only those truly dedicated to knowledge can fulfil this destiny.
Level 50 Perk Spread: http://skyrimcalculator.com/369000
Keeper Equipment: Because you are becoming stronger and richer, you can now use combinations of different armour types, and use Miraak to show your new guise. However, you are still most comfortable with lighter clothing, and robes and boots should still have little weight for you, and, unless in a special case, have no armour rating.
Combat
This part of the build has the potential to become incredibly different to any other section, in terms of combat. Using the perk spread I reference here, you can become more of a lord of Oblivion yourself. Avoid Death allows you to have an incredible amount of survivability, so you can be almighty. Expanding into conjuration and illusion allows you to summon demons from *Apocrypha* (not wherever summonable daedra come from, play along with me here) and to use your charisma gained from both eternal knowledge and Daedric Lord status. Summon a daedra at the start of a dungeon or during a difficult fight, and use Fury to make fights easier (make your opponents fight over you), Calm to assassinate an enemy (make them loyal to you and serve you in Apocrypha), or even Fear to watch the mere mortals cower away from your glorious form of tentacles and darkness.
Character Build: Servant of Hermaeus Mora
“Hmph. What secrets could they have worth keeping from old Mora? Sounds like a bargain to me. Hermaeus Mora learns some fascinating new ways to skin a horker and you become the second most powerful Dragonborn that ever lived." - Neloth
“Dragonborn, huh? Was it your ma or your pa that was the dragon?” – Hadvar
My first build, I believe it was called The Lord of Two Swords, as well as my second, The Cold Knight, went down with a mixed and overall lukewarm reception, and seems to have been taken down, so after getting several ideas for new builds and discarding them, as well as looking through this site for stuff to incorporate, I have a new, fully playtested build that I find fun to play, and that I am satisfied will receive a better response from the internet. This is the aforementioned build – the Servant of Hermaeus Mora.
This build is not inherently evil, like my Cold Knight one was, even though he serves an arguably evil Daedric Lord. The only thing this character seeks in the entirety of Nirn is the ultimate in all knowledge. As you might expect then, this build’s main focus is the acquiring of books (including Journals, Notes and Spell Tomes) and forbidden knowledge. However, there is another aspect that suits those not quite as keen on the whole roleplaying thing. Because he serves a Daedric Lord, he is hunted by the Vigil of Stendarr.
As a result of having to deal with this menace, he has honed his combat prowess to a fine art, so that he may dispose of them quickly and easily, a neutral character causing as little pain to them as possible, or an evil character to make sure that they don’t get in his way too much.
You may add a shield if you want, but as you will see later, the guidelines I set out for this build will need some adjustment if you wander off the designed path. However, the duelist style means that you will be able to better use the techniques that are laid out in the Advanced Melee Corner (check it out, I learned a lot from it.)
Without further ado, let’s get into the build proper.
The Student
At this stage of the build, the Servant is merely a student to the ways of ultimate knowledge granted by Hermaeus Mora. He has not become the disciple of Him yet. However, his thirst for knowledge is just as strong as it will ever be. In terms of combat, he will be at the level of a standard adventurer, as he will have had to fight wolves and bandits off, and maybe the occasional Frost Troll, as he delves into dangerous caves and dungeons to find rare books for his collection.
Race: I recommend Breton, because in my opinion the look fits the Akaviri best, which is what I imagine this character to be. Also, it’s simply the best race to play on Master difficulty, right? Besides this, choose any human race. No elves, cats or lizards, I’m afraid.
Stats: 0/7/3 every ten levels for a standard version of this build (replace one of your health’s into magicka if you want the end build to be a stronger conjuration build. This is what I included in the level 50 perk spread for the Keeper.)
Stone: Warrior for levelling, then switch to Lord when you reach the Disciple level of the build.
Shouts: Become Ethereal, Marked For Death, Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint
Powers: Mora’s Boon, Bardic Knowledge, Bones of the Earth, Secret of Protection
Major Skills
Speech: As Herma’s servant, you will acquire many knowledgeable texts. These are sometimes bought. Also, many of the texts you find will be valuable once you’re done with them, and you can sell these as well as any double copies you have of any texts. You’re not seeking to build a library for all to find the knowledge you possess, although that is indeed a noble dream, you are simply looking to make a small living out of the knowledge you crave. As a mere student, this skill will be moderate rather than high.
One-Handed: You always carry a sword, just in case you run into trouble on one of your many book runs into dangerous caves and routes. As a result, you practice much with your swordplay, and can’t help but get better with the weapon.
Block: You may be a swift fighter, running in and out of combat, but enemies will undoubtedly hit you. A high block skill will enable you to sustain even a hit from a giant’s club, and sometimes just that fraction of health that was saved will be enough to finish your opponent and recover your health.
Minor Skills
Sneak: A student scholar very rarely wishes to get into long drawn out fights, so he sneaks up behind his enemies and gets the first hit advantage, keeping the amount of blows traded to a minimum.
Alchemy: Your study may often require some practical experience. If you read about different alchemical techniques, you may need to test these out to determine the reliability of the source. Also, knowledge such as how to make potions is fairly useless. As Neloth once said, when you pay someone for information that is not helpful, they tend to have the better end of the bargain.
Level 20 Perk Spread: http://skyrimcalculator.com/368906
Equipment: This build, like the Swordmaster, achieves an agile, swift combat style by wearing no armour. Also, I find it very unlikely that a student would ever really wear armour (maybe a leather jacket and chaps), so we use College Student’s Robes or Novice Robes and Fine Boots. Jewellery, just use a Ring of the Squire as a wedding ring or just as decoration, or if your character is female, add a pendant with the same enchantment. For weapons, use a single sword of any quality. I use a Blade’s Sword because of its superior weight and damage balance.
Abilities
Deadly Rotor Blade
So, here’s a cool little trick I picked up at Advanced Melee Corner. If you charge a shout while blocking, it will be released when you stop blocking. This means that if you charge up a Marked for Death shout, then you can release it upon activation of Quick reflexes and unleash a torrent of deadly blows.
Reqs: Block Shouting, Marked For Death, Quick Reflexes
Quick Draw
You may be able to unleash stronger attacks with your right hand, but your left hand is much quicker on the draw. Maintain a left hand equip on your sword while it is sheathed, so that if you face a prepared enemy, you can level the playing field by drawing your weapon immediately, then after buying some time, switching it to your right hand. Again, thanks to Soneca etc. for the wonderful Advanced Melee Corner.
Reqs: Quick Draw
Quick Relief
This time, an exploit I found myself. I generally go around on Adept difficulty, so things like bandits tend to take around 5 hits to finish off. However, as I move around while fighting, a killcam often activates on the last hit. Through this, I have discovered that when this killcam is played, it deals a little more extra damage. It also initiates an immediate attack that, unless glitched, cannot be blocked or dodged, or, maybe more importantly, counterattacked. In other words, if the killcam goes off just when an attack would hit you, the attack completely misses. This is useful when you have the last enemy down to low enough hp and one hit could kill you. You just keep attacking, activate the killcam, and then wait for your health to recover
Reqs: Killcams
Combat
You will need to dart in and out of combat when playing this character. Your choice of gear means that you can move faster, but if you’re caught you will take a lot of damage. To lessen this, dart in for a single attack, and if you see their attack coming while you’re running back out again, quickly block and attack again before running back once more. This way you will maximise damage while minimising pain.
Use the Deadly Rotor Blade ability on enemies that you feel sure are going to power attack, like trolls or maybe bandits. This is especially effective on enemies with multiple power attacks like dual wielders, trolls and mudcrabs, as these will stack instances of quick reflexes.
Try to target ranged enemies first such as archers or mages, as these are the easiest to fall to. They do slow but steady damage while you are caught up with melee characters, but are usually the most easily killable with unrelenting melee attacks.
Followers
Ranged followers are best with this build, as they don’t get in the way and support consistently from behind. However, a tank could be very useful, drawing the enemies’ attention so you can be more free to dart in and out like usual.
Roleplay
The path to becoming the Keeper of the Library
The Servant’s eventual destiny is to become the keeper of Mora’s library. He will defend the forbidden knowledge from the unworthy, in exchange for being allowed to spend eternity within its walls of books, if he wants. At this stage, he will be a hero in the land of Skyrim, and respected throughout Oblivion, as well. He will be well versed in both knowledge and combat, and will have transcended mortality into a being comprised of others’ souls and bodies. Essentially, the perfect bodyguard.
To reach this destiny, the servant must become a strong warrior, and serve Hermaeus Mora sufficiently.
Quests
Dragonborn Main Questline: this works well with this build, since it allows you to become close to Herma, but only do this when you have reached disciple level, as one of the requisites for becoming the Keeper.
Hermaeus Mora Daedric Questline: This is essential for this build, and the quest which allows you to move on to the Disciple stage. You must complete this quest between levels 20 and 25
Thieves’ Guild: this at first glance seems like it does not fit with the build, but in actual fact, some of the books you collect may have to be stolen, so a little training in the ways of the thief will in the end help with obtaining great knowledge.
Dawnguard: Vampires will often have great ancient texts, so you go to investigate their lair when you hear about the Dawnguard, but while trying to get your hands on some rare books, you find the Elder Scrolls. What better source of ultimate knowledge than these?
Main Questline: essential if you intend to get every Elder Scroll
College of Winterhold: Obvious. You are a student, and the library allows you to conduct thorough research, and is where you get the information on many of the books you collect. However, entry often requires some magical knowledge, so make sure to get to a point where you can pass the entry test.
The Disciple
This is the part of the build where you meet Hermaeus Mora. You should be starting this around level 25. From here on, you should be focussing more on combat than anything else, as this is where, according to lore, you will be attacked by the Vigil. However, you must also develop speech profusely, as the knowledge that old Mora gives you will, logically, greatly improve your ability to transverse with others.
Level 25 Perk Spread: http://skyrimcalculator.com/368978
Disciple Equipment: As a disciple of Hermaeus Mora, you will come across some interesting equipment doing His bidding. Thus, gear you should keep while on the Dragonborn quest includes Cultists’ Robes, Cultists’ Boots, and Miraak’s Robes.
Disciple Abilities
Row of Spikes
You sprint forwards, swinging your blade wildly, dealing a multitude of damage all around you. (Thanks again to the Advanced Melee Corner). To activate this ability, sprint towards your enemies and repeatedly press the attack button. (lore – this is a power given by Lord Hermaeus Mora, and the attacks you make are his tentacles that are left in your path.)
Reqs. Speed Charge
Combat
Much the same as the Student’s combat style really, but use the Row of Spikes ability whenever you are surrounded by troublesome opponents.
The Keeper of the Library
This is your character’s ultimate destiny. To be charged with guarding Mora’s Library, Apocrypha, against the unworthy in exchange for eternal knowledge and life. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to spend eternity in the library, but your soul will always be there, and on earth, your form will be much like your previous appearance, only darker, and if people see past your disguise, they will see only a grotesque monster. You will, however, spend a lot of time in Apocrypha, gathering the knowledge you crave, and eventually you will know everything there is to know, and stand alongside Mora Himself, ruling as his sidekick.
In order to attain this level of the build, you must have reached the final build pattern and perk spread for level 50, collected and have in your collection at least 100 books (as always, including notes, journals and spell tomes), and completed the Dragonborn Questline, Civil War Questline, Main Questline, Thieves’ Guild Questline, and any other questline you choose to attribute to this character’s perfection. This is the build in its ultimate form, and most Servants will not make it. Only those truly dedicated to knowledge can fulfil this destiny.
Level 50 Perk Spread: http://skyrimcalculator.com/369000
Keeper Equipment: Because you are becoming stronger and richer, you can now use combinations of different armour types, and use Miraak to show your new guise. However, you are still most comfortable with lighter clothing, and robes and boots should still have little weight for you, and, unless in a special case, have no armour rating.
Combat
This part of the build has the potential to become incredibly different to any other section, in terms of combat. Using the perk spread I reference here, you can become more of a lord of Oblivion yourself. Avoid Death allows you to have an incredible amount of survivability, so you can be almighty. Expanding into conjuration and illusion allows you to summon demons from *Apocrypha* (not wherever summonable daedra come from, play along with me here) and to use your charisma gained from both eternal knowledge and Daedric Lord status. Summon a daedra at the start of a dungeon or during a difficult fight, and use Fury to make fights easier (make your opponents fight over you), Calm to assassinate an enemy (make them loyal to you and serve you in Apocrypha), or even Fear to watch the mere mortals cower away from your glorious form of tentacles and darkness.
