Foreword: There are two things I've always wanted to create for myself in Skyrim: an interesting way to play an unarmored build, and a nice way to integrate mounted combat into a playthrough. This build does both and additionally has heavy roleplaying as a virtuous and regal, but flawed and hot-headed young, handsome nobleman. I've always been interested in fantasy and medieval nobility(not really royalty, but affluent, well-known families) and this build can finally bring many of my Skyrim fantasies together and has now made it's way to the Story Corner as Last Son of Winter. Without further ado, I present to you:
"A true Nord serves his kin. I will do just that, and right my wrongs."
Tonvir Frostblood is a young, hot-headed Skyrim nobleman, nearly as quick with his wit as with his blade. He is well-rounded in his skills as a long, mid, and close range fighter, a master enchanter, a persuasive speaker, an adroit strategist, and a skilled equestrian. He fights just as well from horseback as he does on his own feet, making exemplar use of enchantments and a unique, varied loadout, allowing for changing combat dynamics. With his Nordic heritage and many years growing up in Skyrim, he bears an extreme resistance to frost and an equal or greater love for the people of the province. When Tonvir was a boy, his father fought for his people and as the head of the Frostblood family was well-respected and widely known as a champion of the people, lending his aid in whatever way he could, banishing evils by blade or helping beggars by coin. Now, after a return from Cyrodil, Tonvir seeks to become the champion his father once was, though his arrogance may sometimes get the better of him.
Backstory:
"I grew up here in Skyrim, the only son of a high-class nobleman, Tysrum Frostblood, and his adventurer wife, Svae the Bold. I was taught from a young age everything a nobleman's son would be: swordcraft, equestrianism, how to comport myself amongst the other nobility, and the milk and honey of the Frostbloods, jewelry smithing and enchanting. It was all a bore at first, but I eventually caught on and I enjoyed that life and came to love the province as well, until at sixteen I joined the Imperial Legion and less than a year later was stationed at Applewatch in Bruma. I'd never seen my parents so angry, but I lept at the chance to see more of Tamriel. Six years I spent serving the Legion, though something about it left a bad taste in my mouth. Just a few days ago, I received word that my parents had died, supposedly trapped and burned in our family home, by Thalmor agents no less, for aiding Ulfric Stormcloak. I was never extremely close with them, but they were parents for Shor's sake, and I loved them. The same night that I received that letter I defected from the Legion, and stole away from my post in Bruma at midnight to make my way back to Skyrim. I missed the funeral by a day, got caught up in an ambush while crossing the border, luckily by soldiers from inside Skyrim and not the other side of the border, else I've have been tossed back in with the Legion. I escaped with a Stormcloak named Ralof (there's no way I can trust the Legion or The Dominion any longer) thanks to, as outlandish as it sounds, a dragon. Six years had wisened me up a bit, and I saw what my father had always seen. Skyrim needed help. As a boy I remembered him taking me along all the time when he would travel to different holds and help the people however he could. I was ashamed of myself for having left. I know now what I have to do. I'll take up my father's mantle as Thane of many holds and the people's Champion of this province and keep strong the name Frostblood.
A true Nord serves his kin. I will do just that, and right my wrongs."
The Build:
Race: Nord
Name: Tonvir Frostblood
Stone: Warrior Stone, then Lord Stone, then Lord and Lady with the Aetherial Crown
Stat Distribution: 0 Magicka 1 Health 1 Stamina
Equipment: Frostblood Garb
"I'll take the remnants of my family's treasures I recovered from the ashes of the manor as my inheritance as the new head of the Frostblood family. I will find the Aetherium forge my mother sought after. And I will take up my father's mantle, both literally and figuratively. Robes of my father, gloves of my mother, sword of my grandfather: serve me well."
Tysrum's Robes: Fine Clothes(Fortify Healing Rate/Fortify Health)
Tysrum's Boots: Fine Boots(Resist Frost/Fortify Stamina Regen)
Frostblood Token: Necklace(I prefer silver sapphire)(Fortify Barter/Resist Frost)
Gloves of the Bold: Gloves(Fortify Two-Handed/Fortify Block)
Ranger's Band: Ring(I prefer gold diamond)(Fortify Archery/Resist Poison)
Spirit Bane: Silver Greatsword(Turn Undead/Fiery Soul Trap)
Frostblood Riding Blade: Ebony Greatsword(Absorb Health/Damage Stamina)
Mayhem: Nordic Dagger(Chaos/Paralyze)
Puror*: Skyforge Steel Dagger(Absorb Health/Absorb Stamina)
Íss**: Stalhrim Dagger(Frost Damage/Damage Stamina)
The Great Rider faces a dragon,
Gameplay:
Perk Calculator
Skills:
Two-Handed: Tonvir's main damage dealer, and he has immense skill with it. Time your attacks well. Quick Reflexes from blocking will help this, and Sweep will help with crowd control. Remember you're a trained noble, not a berserker who goes in flailing his blade.
Enchanting: As a Frostblood, you possess the enchanting talents of your family. All of the selected perks and the skill itself are very important in keeping you alive with your very low armor rating, especially Corpus Enchanter and Extra Effect
Speech: You are a noble and quick with your tongue, able to smooth talk vendors or get yourself through many situations with your mouth, where Bribery, Persuasion, and Intimidation are useful.
Block: It is is very lightly perked, but still extremely important due to Quick Reflexes and the fact that you have such little armor rating.
Archery: Your main mounted combat skill. The most necessary perk is Quick Shot, which, when coupled with Zephyr, provides a very fast draw speed for quickly unleashing a volley of arrows from horseback.
Smithing: Not perked, due to the fact that it is only used for making fine jewelry to enchant or sell.
One-Handed: Also not perked. Daggers are used for the enchantments placed on them and their speed, thus the enchantments essentially replace the perks.
Shouts: Fire Breath, Frost Breath, Disarm, Marked For Death, Call of Valor, Unrelenting Force, Slow Time
Follower: The end goal is a Housecarl that uses heavy armor to act as a damage sponge, and a good start before you get a housecarl would be Uthgerd the Unbroken from Whiterun.
Combat:
Tonvir is a sophisticated fighter, skilled in different modes of combat, or 'stances'.
The Champion
This stance is all about utilizing Spirit Bane, and using it with proper timing. With Quick Reflexes and Disarm, an opponent can be left open as a victim to massive one on one damage. This stance is maximized for use against 1-3 opponents, dodging and blocking attacks till the perfect moment opens to unleash power attacks.
Gifted Noble
When faced with 4 or more opponents, this stance is utilized over The Champion. Quick Reflexes and Slow Time are used to gain proper distance for sideways power attacks, which, with Sweep, allows for cutting groups of enemies to ribbons.
Nordic Skirmish
When your health drops below half, switch to this stance, letting your follower take the aggro while you drop behind the enemy, dual wielding Puror and Íss to greatly slow down your opponents and recover by draining them. Then switch to Mayhem and unleash its random effects. Do not use power attacks, as this stance is about speed and getting in as many attacks as possible with the enchantments.
The Great Rider
Not all combat happens on the ground. From horseback, Zephyr, coupled with Quick Shot is formidable. Use it to quickly cut down enemy ranks from a distance. If Zephyr is not enough and enemies get close to you and your steed, switch to the Frostblood Riding Blade and use its enchantments to weaken and drain your enemies before you dismount to face them. The preferred method for fighting dragons and other powerful outdoor opponents due to the maneuverability and range of this stance, though mounted archery can take some getting used to.
Tonvir preparing to rid Skyrim of the Dark Brotherhood's evil.
Roleplaying:
You are a virtuous, noble, Champion of the people throughout the province of Skyrim. You help out as many people as you can as your way of redeeming yourself as well as continuing your late father's mission to aid all of Skyrim. Additionally, you should end up as Thane of every hold, keeping the weapons you are given for this as trophies of your deeds. As an affluent nobleman you own property in every hold and your first order of business as far as property is building Windstad Manor, the Frostblood family home burnt down by the Thalmor and getting married to continue your bloodline(though it's really just adoption, unfortunately). When you see beggars in towns, you give them a Septim; you're a noble with plenty to spare, which also means you never steal. Thievery only hurts Skyrim. Bandits, Undead, Assassins Vampires, and the like are your enemies. They only dirty and corrupt Skyrim. Take them out when you see them, and never attack any good, honest man or woman. You prefer honest work, and make your gold through your adventuring and through the forging and selling of jewelry. Your redemption for joining the Legion comes though freeing the people of Skyrim from the Empire and the Dominion's rule through the cause of the Stormcloaks. As a whole, respect the people of Skyrim and serve them as their Champion.
I find the flaws in Tonvir perhaps the most interesting part(maybe the writer in me just hates Mary Sues) While you are a noble Champion, you are still a young, handsome, and hot-headed nobleman. Occasionally, you find yourself using your charm on the local women instead of adventuring or you are in need of a break, a moment to relax at a pub and get drunk, maybe get in a fight or two as your forget about your problems. No one knows you also drink to drown the regret of being in the Legion. Skyrim's problems will sill be there when you're sober. Go to an inn and drink some all every now and then, and get in fist fights when you can. Why does everyone think they're stronger than you. But remember, you're not a drunkard and this doesn't happen too often. While it is not perked, Lockpicking can still be used occasionally, just never for illicit activity. You were once young and mischievous and had to force your way into things before; nobles aren't always so clean.. Your wife and children are dear to you, however you were always destined to repeat your father's mistakes the moment you chose his same path. Your father left you home for days just as often as he took you along with him You are obsessed with your mission over your family and do not see them often. You don't even like to wear your Bond of Matrimony. While you are accustomed to a heavy coin purse, you sometimes forget that even the deepest pockets have a bottom, and you blow a lot of coin unnecessarily buying enchanting supplies and the like or even alcohol. Tonvir may be a hero, but he has a long way to go as a nobleman.
Quests:
Main Questline: "Alduin is terrifying, but would a true Hero to Skyrim ignore his destiny and let a dragon destroy Nirn?"
Companion's Questline(cure yourself after): "The Companions of Jorrvaskr are as valiant as I had heard. But the wolf thing? Too hairy for me."
Destroy the Dark Brotherhood: "My Skyrim doesn't have such glorified cutthroats."
Become Thane of Each Hold: "These people choose to honor me as Thane for what I've done. If they so choose, I will hold the title with pride."
Civil War(Stormcloaks): "I'll have my revenge on the Legion and the Dominion and I'll right what I did when I joined them."
Any Quest to Help Good People(eg. Waking Nightmare(let the Skull be destroyed), or Laid to Rest): "There is so much troubling Skyrim. My people need my help."
Lost to the Ages: "I'll find what you always searched for mother. You can rest in peace when I have found the Aetherium Forge and completed your dream."
Dawnguard: "I'll not stand idly by while Harkon torments the holds and slaughters my people."
No One Escapes Cidhna Mine(Kill Madanach): "These 'Forsworn' only bring crime and more problems. I'll have to take them out from the inside and cut off the head of the snake."
*Old Norse for Diminution **Old Norse for Icicle
PS: Can you find the Easter Egg? I don't think it'll be too hard
(This build certainly took longer than my last, but I have loads of free time and was able to get a lot of playtesting done in a relatively short amount of time. I hope this means I will be able to keep producing builds fairly quickly. My next build will most likely be The Imperial Raven, a mod-based build focused on the Raven Witch Armor, but it could be something else. In the future I also hope to produce a sinister counterpart for Tonvir, The Conspirator. Keep an eye out, for I have many more build ideas to come, and if you're still reading, I'm glad you took the time to look at this build. Thank you!)
Foreword: There are two things I've always wanted to create for myself in Skyrim: an interesting way to play an unarmored build, and a nice way to integrate mounted combat into a playthrough. This build does both and additionally has heavy roleplaying as a virtuous and regal, but flawed and hot-headed young, handsome nobleman. I've always been interested in fantasy and medieval nobility(not really royalty, but affluent, well-known families) and this build can finally bring many of my Skyrim fantasies together and has now made it's way to the Story Corner as Last Son of Winter. Without further ado, I present to you:
"A true Nord serves his kin. I will do just that, and right my wrongs."
Tonvir Frostblood is a young, hot-headed Skyrim nobleman, nearly as quick with his wit as with his blade. He is well-rounded in his skills as a long, mid, and close range fighter, a master enchanter, a persuasive speaker, an adroit strategist, and a skilled equestrian. He fights just as well from horseback as he does on his own feet, making exemplar use of enchantments and a unique, varied loadout, allowing for changing combat dynamics. With his Nordic heritage and many years growing up in Skyrim, he bears an extreme resistance to frost and an equal or greater love for the people of the province. When Tonvir was a boy, his father fought for his people and as the head of the Frostblood family was well-respected and widely known as a champion of the people, lending his aid in whatever way he could, banishing evils by blade or helping beggars by coin. Now, after a return from Cyrodil, Tonvir seeks to become the champion his father once was, though his arrogance may sometimes get the better of him.
Backstory:
"I grew up here in Skyrim, the only son of a high-class nobleman, Tysrum Frostblood, and his adventurer wife, Svae the Bold. I was taught from a young age everything a nobleman's son would be: swordcraft, equestrianism, how to comport myself amongst the other nobility, and the milk and honey of the Frostbloods, jewelry smithing and enchanting. It was all a bore at first, but I eventually caught on and I enjoyed that life and came to love the province as well, until at sixteen I joined the Imperial Legion and less than a year later was stationed at Applewatch in Bruma. I'd never seen my parents so angry, but I lept at the chance to see more of Tamriel. Six years I spent serving the Legion, though something about it left a bad taste in my mouth. Just a few days ago, I received word that my parents had died, supposedly trapped and burned in our family home, by Thalmor agents no less, for aiding Ulfric Stormcloak. I was never extremely close with them, but they were parents for Shor's sake, and I loved them. The same night that I received that letter I defected from the Legion, and stole away from my post in Bruma at midnight to make my way back to Skyrim. I missed the funeral by a day, got caught up in an ambush while crossing the border, luckily by soldiers from inside Skyrim and not the other side of the border, else I've have been tossed back in with the Legion. I escaped with a Stormcloak named Ralof (there's no way I can trust the Legion or The Dominion any longer) thanks to, as outlandish as it sounds, a dragon. Six years had wisened me up a bit, and I saw what my father had always seen. Skyrim needed help. As a boy I remembered him taking me along all the time when he would travel to different holds and help the people however he could. I was ashamed of myself for having left. I know now what I have to do. I'll take up my father's mantle as Thane of many holds and the people's Champion of this province and keep strong the name Frostblood.
A true Nord serves his kin. I will do just that, and right my wrongs."
The Build:
Race: Nord
Name: Tonvir Frostblood
Stone: Warrior Stone, then Lord Stone, then Lord and Lady with the Aetherial Crown
Stat Distribution: 0 Magicka 1 Health 1 Stamina
Equipment: Frostblood Garb
"I'll take the remnants of my family's treasures I recovered from the ashes of the manor as my inheritance as the new head of the Frostblood family. I will find the Aetherium forge my mother sought after. And I will take up my father's mantle, both literally and figuratively. Robes of my father, gloves of my mother, sword of my grandfather: serve me well."
Tysrum's Robes: Fine Clothes(Fortify Healing Rate/Fortify Health)
Tysrum's Boots: Fine Boots(Resist Frost/Fortify Stamina Regen)
Frostblood Token: Necklace(I prefer silver sapphire)(Fortify Barter/Resist Frost)
Gloves of the Bold: Gloves(Fortify Two-Handed/Fortify Block)
Ranger's Band: Ring(I prefer gold diamond)(Fortify Archery/Resist Poison)
Spirit Bane: Silver Greatsword(Turn Undead/Fiery Soul Trap)
Frostblood Riding Blade: Ebony Greatsword(Absorb Health/Damage Stamina)
Mayhem: Nordic Dagger(Chaos/Paralyze)
Puror*: Skyforge Steel Dagger(Absorb Health/Absorb Stamina)
Íss**: Stalhrim Dagger(Frost Damage/Damage Stamina)
The Great Rider faces a dragon,
Gameplay:
Perk Calculator
Skills:
Two-Handed: Tonvir's main damage dealer, and he has immense skill with it. Time your attacks well. Quick Reflexes from blocking will help this, and Sweep will help with crowd control. Remember you're a trained noble, not a berserker who goes in flailing his blade.
Enchanting: As a Frostblood, you possess the enchanting talents of your family. All of the selected perks and the skill itself are very important in keeping you alive with your very low armor rating, especially Corpus Enchanter and Extra Effect
Speech: You are a noble and quick with your tongue, able to smooth talk vendors or get yourself through many situations with your mouth, where Bribery, Persuasion, and Intimidation are useful.
Block: It is is very lightly perked, but still extremely important due to Quick Reflexes and the fact that you have such little armor rating.
Archery: Your main mounted combat skill. The most necessary perk is Quick Shot, which, when coupled with Zephyr, provides a very fast draw speed for quickly unleashing a volley of arrows from horseback.
Smithing: Not perked, due to the fact that it is only used for making fine jewelry to enchant or sell.
One-Handed: Also not perked. Daggers are used for the enchantments placed on them and their speed, thus the enchantments essentially replace the perks.
Shouts: Fire Breath, Frost Breath, Disarm, Marked For Death, Call of Valor, Unrelenting Force, Slow Time
Follower: The end goal is a Housecarl that uses heavy armor to act as a damage sponge, and a good start before you get a housecarl would be Uthgerd the Unbroken from Whiterun.
Combat:
Tonvir is a sophisticated fighter, skilled in different modes of combat, or 'stances'.
The Champion
This stance is all about utilizing Spirit Bane, and using it with proper timing. With Quick Reflexes and Disarm, an opponent can be left open as a victim to massive one on one damage. This stance is maximized for use against 1-3 opponents, dodging and blocking attacks till the perfect moment opens to unleash power attacks.
Gifted Noble
When faced with 4 or more opponents, this stance is utilized over The Champion. Quick Reflexes and Slow Time are used to gain proper distance for sideways power attacks, which, with Sweep, allows for cutting groups of enemies to ribbons.
Nordic Skirmish
When your health drops below half, switch to this stance, letting your follower take the aggro while you drop behind the enemy, dual wielding Puror and Íss to greatly slow down your opponents and recover by draining them. Then switch to Mayhem and unleash its random effects. Do not use power attacks, as this stance is about speed and getting in as many attacks as possible with the enchantments.
The Great Rider
Not all combat happens on the ground. From horseback, Zephyr, coupled with Quick Shot is formidable. Use it to quickly cut down enemy ranks from a distance. If Zephyr is not enough and enemies get close to you and your steed, switch to the Frostblood Riding Blade and use its enchantments to weaken and drain your enemies before you dismount to face them. The preferred method for fighting dragons and other powerful outdoor opponents due to the maneuverability and range of this stance, though mounted archery can take some getting used to.
Tonvir preparing to rid Skyrim of the Dark Brotherhood's evil.
Roleplaying:
You are a virtuous, noble, Champion of the people throughout the province of Skyrim. You help out as many people as you can as your way of redeeming yourself as well as continuing your late father's mission to aid all of Skyrim. Additionally, you should end up as Thane of every hold, keeping the weapons you are given for this as trophies of your deeds. As an affluent nobleman you own property in every hold and your first order of business as far as property is building Windstad Manor, the Frostblood family home burnt down by the Thalmor and getting married to continue your bloodline(though it's really just adoption, unfortunately). When you see beggars in towns, you give them a Septim; you're a noble with plenty to spare, which also means you never steal. Thievery only hurts Skyrim. Bandits, Undead, Assassins Vampires, and the like are your enemies. They only dirty and corrupt Skyrim. Take them out when you see them, and never attack any good, honest man or woman. You prefer honest work, and make your gold through your adventuring and through the forging and selling of jewelry. Your redemption for joining the Legion comes though freeing the people of Skyrim from the Empire and the Dominion's rule through the cause of the Stormcloaks. As a whole, respect the people of Skyrim and serve them as their Champion.
I find the flaws in Tonvir perhaps the most interesting part(maybe the writer in me just hates Mary Sues) While you are a noble Champion, you are still a young, handsome, and hot-headed nobleman. Occasionally, you find yourself using your charm on the local women instead of adventuring or you are in need of a break, a moment to relax at a pub and get drunk, maybe get in a fight or two as your forget about your problems. No one knows you also drink to drown the regret of being in the Legion. Skyrim's problems will sill be there when you're sober. Go to an inn and drink some all every now and then, and get in fist fights when you can. Why does everyone think they're stronger than you. But remember, you're not a drunkard and this doesn't happen too often. While it is not perked, Lockpicking can still be used occasionally, just never for illicit activity. You were once young and mischievous and had to force your way into things before; nobles aren't always so clean.. Your wife and children are dear to you, however you were always destined to repeat your father's mistakes the moment you chose his same path. Your father left you home for days just as often as he took you along with him You are obsessed with your mission over your family and do not see them often. You don't even like to wear your Bond of Matrimony. While you are accustomed to a heavy coin purse, you sometimes forget that even the deepest pockets have a bottom, and you blow a lot of coin unnecessarily buying enchanting supplies and the like or even alcohol. Tonvir may be a hero, but he has a long way to go as a nobleman.
Quests:
Main Questline: "Alduin is terrifying, but would a true Hero to Skyrim ignore his destiny and let a dragon destroy Nirn?"
Companion's Questline(cure yourself after): "The Companions of Jorrvaskr are as valiant as I had heard. But the wolf thing? Too hairy for me."
Destroy the Dark Brotherhood: "My Skyrim doesn't have such glorified cutthroats."
Become Thane of Each Hold: "These people choose to honor me as Thane for what I've done. If they so choose, I will hold the title with pride."
Civil War(Stormcloaks): "I'll have my revenge on the Legion and the Dominion and I'll right what I did when I joined them."
Any Quest to Help Good People(eg. Waking Nightmare(let the Skull be destroyed), or Laid to Rest): "There is so much troubling Skyrim. My people need my help."
Lost to the Ages: "I'll find what you always searched for mother. You can rest in peace when I have found the Aetherium Forge and completed your dream."
Dawnguard: "I'll not stand idly by while Harkon torments the holds and slaughters my people."
No One Escapes Cidhna Mine(Kill Madanach): "These 'Forsworn' only bring crime and more problems. I'll have to take them out from the inside and cut off the head of the snake."
*Old Norse for Diminution **Old Norse for Icicle
PS: Can you find the Easter Egg? I don't think it'll be too hard
(This build certainly took longer than my last, but I have loads of free time and was able to get a lot of playtesting done in a relatively short amount of time. I hope this means I will be able to keep producing builds fairly quickly. My next build will most likely be The Imperial Raven, a mod-based build focused on the Raven Witch Armor, but it could be something else. In the future I also hope to produce a sinister counterpart for Tonvir, The Conspirator. Keep an eye out, for I have many more build ideas to come, and if you're still reading, I'm glad you took the time to look at this build. Thank you!)
