Art Credit: Chelsea Lowe - "The Lion of Judah"
Concept:
This is the final build in my trinity series. Please see The Father and The Holy Ghost for the complete set!
The Messiah is my not-so-literal take on Jesus coming to Tamriel, inspired by the Elder Scrolls “trinity” known as the Talos Oversoul. The Messiah’s “parallel” character is Zurin Arctus. For more on the background lore and connecting the trinity dots – please read the opening lore section of The Father.
The Messiah is an unarmed mage, with hopes of doing some good across a land in turmoil. He is a monk, mostly non-Dragonborn with a strong defense, and is a pacifist at heart. He is not without power, though, and he finds many creative ways to bless and restore those around him.
Lore: "He rode in on a donkey…"
Messianic figures abound in myth and lore. The Savior. The Christ. What many people get wrong is this idea that The Messiah always comes into town triumphantly on a white stallion, wielding unending power to save people from tyranny. The people want a king, but alas, The Messiah returns as a humble prophet, the son of simple carpenter who's been unceremonious lined up for execution.
Story:
Sent to Tamriel by The Father to show people a better way o f living, The Messiah was on a mission into Skyrim to make Disciples of men, when he was taken by Imperial ambush. Thinking he was part of the drug dealing Khajiit caravans, he ends up on the chopping block.
This build is role-play heavy, and involves the concepts of resurrection (to “die” and be “born again”) and sacrifice. As such, the build starts off as a prophet, spreading good news and making friends and followers, helping any in need. But along the way, The Messiah contracts sanguine vampirism while helping solve a mysterious house fire in Morthal. This begins the first “death” component of the RP. Finishing Bloodline, you are obliged to accept the Vampire Lord “gift” as it is your destiny to enter and conquer “hell” and “death.” Rebirth occurs after acquisition of the Ring of the Beast when you accept the help of Falion (or “Falion, the Baptist” as I like to call him) and are reborn into mortality.
The second act of death and rebirth is at the hands of our pseudo-Roman counterpart – the Imperial Legion. Join the Stormcloaks as a way to bring peace to the land. I RP’d this by almost getting killed in the final battle, but “resurrecting” myself with the avoid death restoration perk.
The Basics:
Race: Khajiit. He is the Lion of Judah. (Rev. 5:5)
Stone: Mage --> Lord (we’ll need the defensive boost as levels progress).
Stats: 3 Magicka | 2 Health | 1 Stamina. You only need about 150 in Stamina, and 250 in Health, the rest can go into Magicka.
Blessing: I often used the Kynareth shrine to boost stamina for running, swinging and shield bashing. Fits the restorative nature of the build as well.
Equipment:
Early: Monk Robes, Novice hood, Gloves of the pugilist, Steelcuffed boots, Galdur Amulet of magicka, Ring of Health, Steel shield.
Later: Monk Robes (fortify restoration/magicka regen), Crown of Thorns (Jagged Crown with fortify magicka regen) + Mage’s circlet (+ 70 magicka), Ebony Gauntlets (fortify unarmed), Azhidal’s Boots of Waterwalking, Ring of fortify unarmed or Ring of the Beast, Amulet of Magicka, Spellbreaker.
Main Skills:
Restoration: Support your disciples and heal yourself.
Block: Spellbreaker in one hand, claws in the other. Key perk: Disarming Bash
Alteration: Flesh spells, magicka resist and paralyze
Minor Skills:
Heavy Armor: 2 perks and Fists of Steel at level 30 only. RP wise, I recommend gaining favor with the Orc stronghold at Dushnikh Yal and utilizing Gharol as a trainer as opposed to joining the Companions or Dawnguard for Farkas/Isran. You are a wanderer not a joiner and you’d want to make friends with the fringes of society.
Enchanting: For the end game ebony gauntlets to max out at +10 damage.
Illusion: I think of this more as monk-based defense and synergistic with restoration, rather than mind manipulation. Utilize calm to avoid killing and courage to rally the faithful.
Sneak: Just a few perks can help you avoid unnecessary conflict.
Speech: (optional) Merchant perk to swap gear for slow moving restoration and block training.
Shouts: Disarm - two words later in the game can add in the defensive nature of the build.
Level 27 Perks – Skyrim calculator
Level 40 Perks – Skyrim calculator
Gameplay and Getting Started:
“I tell you the truth, whoever believeth in me shall have life everlasting…”
The Messiah is a mostly non-dragonborn and should not finish the Bleak Falls Barrow quest until late in the playthrough when you are forced to finish Dragon Rising to progress through the Civil War line. No shouts other than 2 words of Disarm were used. He’s left the dragon business to The Father. No, he is in Skyrim on another mission, to make disciples of men (followers), and spread the good news. This build is all about helping others. There are few, if any reasons to join any guild, faction or side outside of The College and eventually the Stormcloaks.
The Messiah’s main purpose is to help and save those in need and is less quest oriented. This was a nice change of pace as I shifted away from end-result questing (a destination) and learned to enjoy the journey. Get side tracked and feel free to leave quest lines uncompleted.
To get your aesthetic: First, make sure to follow Ralof through Helgen. There is a glitch that allows the Jagged Crown (or Crown of Thorns as I renamed it) to be reverse pickpocketed from him and kept. You don’t even need to perk pickpocket. Even cooler, the crown can be paired with a circlet. Please see this walkthrough video for acquisition of the crown.
Go to Solitude and buy your hoodless monk robes from Radiant Raiment.
Follow the Winterhold quest line to snag a +70 boost to Magicka via the Arch Mage’s circlet and utilize trainers for Alteration and Restoration as needed.
The Waterwalking boots can be obtained in just the first stage of the Unearthed quest on Solstheim and they make for a perfect RP for our Jesus archetype as well as some added protection. While I’m not crazy about being Peryite’s tool, the Spellbreaker reward is just too good to pass up. Blocking with spell protection is a major requisite for this build.
Head to Dawnstar and complete Waking Nightmare for access to Erandur and the Hearthfire plot of land to build your homestead - Heljarchen Hall. You are the son of carpenter after all. Adopt Hroar, who wants to grow to be big like a lion! Although initiating this option requires extinguishing Grelod and Astrid, saving kids from being abused and eliminating a murderer for hire seems like a good reason to bend the RP a little. Note – I made Ghorbash my Steward, instead of Gregor so when you dismiss them, they both go back to your house. This gives the hippy-commune feel I was going for, instead of the single cat having kids around an empty house creepy feeling.
Which brings me to this: You are as much of a pacifist as can be played in Skyrim. Run, sneak, calm, bolster, turn and disarm as much as possible. Paralyze and peace out or finish off as a last resort. When forced into combat, use a strong defense (flesh spells, calming/turning spells, Lord Stone, Spellbreaker), deployment of a disciple (tank follower) and finishing blows with unarmed attacks and shield bashes buffed with fortify marksman potions.
Notes on Unarmed Combat for this build:
If you choose to avoid the vampire line you'll yield a respectable damage of 58:
- 22 (unarmed khajiit) + 16 (Ebony Gauntlet base AR) + 10 (enchanted gauntlets) + 10 (enchanted ring).
- Add in the Ring of the Beast for +20 and you’re packing a more than solid punch for an Adept playthrough. You don’t need to be OP here, because of the focus on restoration, blocking and general defense.
“Baptism”
Requirements: Azhidal’s Boots + Paralyze
Description: Get yourself to safety on the water, test the faith of those who pursue you, leaving the unfaithful to drown with your paralysis spell.
"The Best Offense..."
Requirements: Spellbreaker + Agent of Mara + Magic Resistance 3/3 + Lord Stone
Description: 70% magicka resistance plus spellbreaker is a great combo against mage's and flying dragons.
“The Power of Christ Compels You”
Requirements: Disarm + Calm + Hypnotic Gaze
Description: Remove the offender's weapon and suggest they re-evaluate their life choices.
Special Alchemy Brew:
“Living Water”
Elves ear + Juniper Berries + Vampire Dust = Fortify Marksman, Restore Magicka, regenerate health
Quests/Roleplay:
Suggested Quests:
- College of Winterhold - for access to training and equipment.
- Discover Riften – wander into the Ratway and pick up the Gloves of the Pugilist. Sorry Gian.
- Visit Solstheim / Unearthed Quest part 1 – Get there early to get started at the Kolbjorn ruins. Fortunately, you can grab the waterwalking boots in the first stage.
- The Only Cure – For Spellbreaker
- The Book of Love – Good RP fit, non-combat, early Amulet of Mara and helpful +15 magicka defense as a reward.
- Civil War – Join the Stormcloaks, as the Empire represents the Romans who want to crucify you.
- Dawnguard – For those wanting the ring of Beast and to pack a little more punch.
- Waking Nightmare / Hearthfire – After all, you’re the son of a carpenter…you should build a house.
- Feed the hungry, give to the poor, help those in need and the disenfranchised (orcs, khajiit, argonians, beggers, etc) and give a sermon on a mountain to your disciples.
Follower Notes:
One of the most fun parts of this build is making friends and disciples all over Skyrim. I liked the idea of reaching out to the disenfranchised, adventurous and less mercenary types. Having friends and followers in so many places was a cool feeling. Here are a few suggestions:
- Ghorbash the Iron Hand – he’s a beast that just wants to get out and stretch his legs a bit.
- Eric The Slayer – He also is looking for something more out of life.
- Golldir - Help Restore the sanctity of his family’s tomb.
- Gregor – your housecarl acquired with Heljarchen Hall.
- Erandur – a fellow restoration mage, trying to make amends for previous life decisions.
Closing Notes:
For a full discussion on Unarmed combat in Skyrim, please see James’ article here.
When researching this build, Alastor's The Oracle triggered my use of the Waterwalking boots.
I put a good 6 months into conceiving and playtesting these three builds. They are likely my first and last, as I will be transitioning to Fallout in November. But I'll be back when ES6 comes out! Thanks again for all the help, welcomes, suggestions and fun. I hope you enjoyed them.
Art Credit: Chelsea Lowe - "The Lion of Judah"
Concept:
This is the final build in my trinity series. Please see The Father and The Holy Ghost for the complete set!
The Messiah is my not-so-literal take on Jesus coming to Tamriel, inspired by the Elder Scrolls “trinity” known as the Talos Oversoul. The Messiah’s “parallel” character is Zurin Arctus. For more on the background lore and connecting the trinity dots – please read the opening lore section of The Father.
The Messiah is an unarmed mage, with hopes of doing some good across a land in turmoil. He is a monk, mostly non-Dragonborn with a strong defense, and is a pacifist at heart. He is not without power, though, and he finds many creative ways to bless and restore those around him.
Lore: "He rode in on a donkey…"
Messianic figures abound in myth and lore. The Savior. The Christ. What many people get wrong is this idea that The Messiah always comes into town triumphantly on a white stallion, wielding unending power to save people from tyranny. The people want a king, but alas, The Messiah returns as a humble prophet, the son of simple carpenter who's been unceremonious lined up for execution.
Story:
Sent to Tamriel by The Father to show people a better way o f living, The Messiah was on a mission into Skyrim to make Disciples of men, when he was taken by Imperial ambush. Thinking he was part of the drug dealing Khajiit caravans, he ends up on the chopping block.
This build is role-play heavy, and involves the concepts of resurrection (to “die” and be “born again”) and sacrifice. As such, the build starts off as a prophet, spreading good news and making friends and followers, helping any in need. But along the way, The Messiah contracts sanguine vampirism while helping solve a mysterious house fire in Morthal. This begins the first “death” component of the RP. Finishing Bloodline, you are obliged to accept the Vampire Lord “gift” as it is your destiny to enter and conquer “hell” and “death.” Rebirth occurs after acquisition of the Ring of the Beast when you accept the help of Falion (or “Falion, the Baptist” as I like to call him) and are reborn into mortality.
The second act of death and rebirth is at the hands of our pseudo-Roman counterpart – the Imperial Legion. Join the Stormcloaks as a way to bring peace to the land. I RP’d this by almost getting killed in the final battle, but “resurrecting” myself with the avoid death restoration perk.
The Basics:
Race: Khajiit. He is the Lion of Judah. (Rev. 5:5)
Stone: Mage --> Lord (we’ll need the defensive boost as levels progress).
Stats: 3 Magicka | 2 Health | 1 Stamina. You only need about 150 in Stamina, and 250 in Health, the rest can go into Magicka.
Blessing: I often used the Kynareth shrine to boost stamina for running, swinging and shield bashing. Fits the restorative nature of the build as well.
Equipment:
Early: Monk Robes, Novice hood, Gloves of the pugilist, Steelcuffed boots, Galdur Amulet of magicka, Ring of Health, Steel shield.
Later: Monk Robes (fortify restoration/magicka regen), Crown of Thorns (Jagged Crown with fortify magicka regen) + Mage’s circlet (+ 70 magicka), Ebony Gauntlets (fortify unarmed), Azhidal’s Boots of Waterwalking, Ring of fortify unarmed or Ring of the Beast, Amulet of Magicka, Spellbreaker.
Main Skills:
Restoration: Support your disciples and heal yourself.
Block: Spellbreaker in one hand, claws in the other. Key perk: Disarming Bash
Alteration: Flesh spells, magicka resist and paralyze
Minor Skills:
Heavy Armor: 2 perks and Fists of Steel at level 30 only. RP wise, I recommend gaining favor with the Orc stronghold at Dushnikh Yal and utilizing Gharol as a trainer as opposed to joining the Companions or Dawnguard for Farkas/Isran. You are a wanderer not a joiner and you’d want to make friends with the fringes of society.
Enchanting: For the end game ebony gauntlets to max out at +10 damage.
Illusion: I think of this more as monk-based defense and synergistic with restoration, rather than mind manipulation. Utilize calm to avoid killing and courage to rally the faithful.
Sneak: Just a few perks can help you avoid unnecessary conflict.
Speech: (optional) Merchant perk to swap gear for slow moving restoration and block training.
Shouts: Disarm - two words later in the game can add in the defensive nature of the build.
Level 27 Perks – Skyrim calculator
Level 40 Perks – Skyrim calculator
Gameplay and Getting Started:
“I tell you the truth, whoever believeth in me shall have life everlasting…”
The Messiah is a mostly non-dragonborn and should not finish the Bleak Falls Barrow quest until late in the playthrough when you are forced to finish Dragon Rising to progress through the Civil War line. No shouts other than 2 words of Disarm were used. He’s left the dragon business to The Father. No, he is in Skyrim on another mission, to make disciples of men (followers), and spread the good news. This build is all about helping others. There are few, if any reasons to join any guild, faction or side outside of The College and eventually the Stormcloaks.
The Messiah’s main purpose is to help and save those in need and is less quest oriented. This was a nice change of pace as I shifted away from end-result questing (a destination) and learned to enjoy the journey. Get side tracked and feel free to leave quest lines uncompleted.
To get your aesthetic: First, make sure to follow Ralof through Helgen. There is a glitch that allows the Jagged Crown (or Crown of Thorns as I renamed it) to be reverse pickpocketed from him and kept. You don’t even need to perk pickpocket. Even cooler, the crown can be paired with a circlet. Please see this walkthrough video for acquisition of the crown.
Go to Solitude and buy your hoodless monk robes from Radiant Raiment.
Follow the Winterhold quest line to snag a +70 boost to Magicka via the Arch Mage’s circlet and utilize trainers for Alteration and Restoration as needed.
The Waterwalking boots can be obtained in just the first stage of the Unearthed quest on Solstheim and they make for a perfect RP for our Jesus archetype as well as some added protection. While I’m not crazy about being Peryite’s tool, the Spellbreaker reward is just too good to pass up. Blocking with spell protection is a major requisite for this build.
Head to Dawnstar and complete Waking Nightmare for access to Erandur and the Hearthfire plot of land to build your homestead - Heljarchen Hall. You are the son of carpenter after all. Adopt Hroar, who wants to grow to be big like a lion! Although initiating this option requires extinguishing Grelod and Astrid, saving kids from being abused and eliminating a murderer for hire seems like a good reason to bend the RP a little. Note – I made Ghorbash my Steward, instead of Gregor so when you dismiss them, they both go back to your house. This gives the hippy-commune feel I was going for, instead of the single cat having kids around an empty house creepy feeling.
Which brings me to this: You are as much of a pacifist as can be played in Skyrim. Run, sneak, calm, bolster, turn and disarm as much as possible. Paralyze and peace out or finish off as a last resort. When forced into combat, use a strong defense (flesh spells, calming/turning spells, Lord Stone, Spellbreaker), deployment of a disciple (tank follower) and finishing blows with unarmed attacks and shield bashes buffed with fortify marksman potions.
Notes on Unarmed Combat for this build:
If you choose to avoid the vampire line you'll yield a respectable damage of 58:
- 22 (unarmed khajiit) + 16 (Ebony Gauntlet base AR) + 10 (enchanted gauntlets) + 10 (enchanted ring).
- Add in the Ring of the Beast for +20 and you’re packing a more than solid punch for an Adept playthrough. You don’t need to be OP here, because of the focus on restoration, blocking and general defense.
“Baptism”
Requirements: Azhidal’s Boots + Paralyze
Description: Get yourself to safety on the water, test the faith of those who pursue you, leaving the unfaithful to drown with your paralysis spell.
"The Best Offense..."
Requirements: Spellbreaker + Agent of Mara + Magic Resistance 3/3 + Lord Stone
Description: 70% magicka resistance plus spellbreaker is a great combo against mage's and flying dragons.
“The Power of Christ Compels You”
Requirements: Disarm + Calm + Hypnotic Gaze
Description: Remove the offender's weapon and suggest they re-evaluate their life choices.
Special Alchemy Brew:
“Living Water”
Elves ear + Juniper Berries + Vampire Dust = Fortify Marksman, Restore Magicka, regenerate health
Quests/Roleplay:
Suggested Quests:
- College of Winterhold - for access to training and equipment.
- Discover Riften – wander into the Ratway and pick up the Gloves of the Pugilist. Sorry Gian.
- Visit Solstheim / Unearthed Quest part 1 – Get there early to get started at the Kolbjorn ruins. Fortunately, you can grab the waterwalking boots in the first stage.
- The Only Cure – For Spellbreaker
- The Book of Love – Good RP fit, non-combat, early Amulet of Mara and helpful +15 magicka defense as a reward.
- Civil War – Join the Stormcloaks, as the Empire represents the Romans who want to crucify you.
- Dawnguard – For those wanting the ring of Beast and to pack a little more punch.
- Waking Nightmare / Hearthfire – After all, you’re the son of a carpenter…you should build a house.
- Feed the hungry, give to the poor, help those in need and the disenfranchised (orcs, khajiit, argonians, beggers, etc) and give a sermon on a mountain to your disciples.
Follower Notes:
One of the most fun parts of this build is making friends and disciples all over Skyrim. I liked the idea of reaching out to the disenfranchised, adventurous and less mercenary types. Having friends and followers in so many places was a cool feeling. Here are a few suggestions:
- Ghorbash the Iron Hand – he’s a beast that just wants to get out and stretch his legs a bit.
- Eric The Slayer – He also is looking for something more out of life.
- Golldir - Help Restore the sanctity of his family’s tomb.
- Gregor – your housecarl acquired with Heljarchen Hall.
- Erandur – a fellow restoration mage, trying to make amends for previous life decisions.
Closing Notes:
For a full discussion on Unarmed combat in Skyrim, please see James’ article here.
When researching this build, Alastor's The Oracle triggered my use of the Waterwalking boots.
I put a good 6 months into conceiving and playtesting these three builds. They are likely my first and last, as I will be transitioning to Fallout in November. But I'll be back when ES6 comes out! Thanks again for all the help, welcomes, suggestions and fun. I hope you enjoyed them.
