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Flash Contest Build: The Shadow of Dawn

Tags: #Character Build Spellsword  #Character Build Crusader  #Character Build Rogue  #Character Build Nightblade  #Race:Breton  #Contest Gold  #Mods  #Ordinator  #SE Rank:Adept  #Furrion 17  #Flash Contest  #Flash Contest 1 
  • Member
    May 6, 2018

    Tysoyaha said:

    Furrion 17 said:

    Tysoyaha said:

    Fascinating, I love it. I always love combining magic attacks with stealth, but the fact that you go with sun damage is just another level. Is it weird to have a fan theory about a fan-made character? Lol. Because I have one...

    Does this character unintentionally but instinctually utilize Shadow Magic? I imagine hiding in the darkness while casting light based spells causes a bit of conflict, since it would anger enemies and quite literally cast shadows. Is embrace shadows supposed to be three tactical spells at once, caused by "entering combat", or rather a bit of minor reality bending in the form of probability alerting? Is your roguish hero just lucky in conflict, or do they use the conflict itself to make their own luck!? Anyway, I'll shut up but like I said fascinating character!

     

    P.s. I'm also always a fan of streamlining gameplay and figuring out clever and convenient ways to realize full builds. This may have been a happy coincidence, but the fact that your Standing Stone and racial power share the same method for unlocking them is brilliant.

    Yea I do see the light and shadow magick working in a kind of symbiotic relationship with one another. Because there are no shadows without light so to embody the shadow is just another manipulation of the light kinda you know. But before I give too much away I'll stop there cause you are on the right track there. I was going to go more into that aspect of the build for the level 50 version i'm work on atm. For perks such as shadow warrior and cloak and dagger. And yea I see the use of embrace shadows as a light bending kinda trick. So your fan theory is pretty spot on Ty :D 

    As far as luck and conflict goes there is certainly a bit of luck involved in getting the double sneak damage to proc from Stones of Galen. Any way Glad you enjoyed it man, and you'll prolly like some of the ways the larger build implemnts "shadow magick" when I get it done :)

     

    Omg, I'm absolutely stoked!! For anyone who's curious, in TES lore "Shadow" magic isn't just another word for illusion or stealthy magic, it's an extremely powerful magic that relies on conflict to power it. It's named after shadows because it was discovered when Azra Nightwielder realized that shadows were the manifestation of the conflict between light and dark and contained fragments of possible worlds caused by said conflict. So unlike some of the other most powerful magic we're familiar with, it doesn't just alter one reality, it's capable of linking and affecting several. It's basically the opposite of a Dragon Break, every time there's conflict, the possible outcomes cause really to split into different timelines, each branching off from their own result.

    Maybe that's how Alayne can affect her "luck" in situations that cause conflict? Maybe she's not changing her luck at all but rather instinctually transplanting her consciousness into the timeline branching from the most favorable result. The other timelines exist, but she's just constantly using Shadow magic without really realizing it to make sure the only one she experiences is the "lucky" one! There may even be a possible RP aspect to reloading when you die. That was the reality that resulted in an unfavorable outcome, so you switched to a good one! Omg, I love it. I'm definitely playing this build so I can roleplay a Rogue with reality altering "luck" magic!!!

    Ok, I'm going to stop now... I get over excited sometimes. I should just wait for the lv50 version before going this batshit fanboy over a fan made build. Lol. It's just such a great idea!

     

    Man your enthusiasm is infectious lmao. Happy that ya like the build so much :D, and your right depending how deep you want to look into shadow magick and she uses it, theres just so many possibilities. In the level 50 build when using shadow warrior is she just "invisble" or did briefly pop into another dimension without knowing?  That last bit you mentioned about dying and restarting being the favorable outcome... Not sure if you played prince of Persia but that was a usabele featuere in it. If your about to die you can use the sand's of time to change your fate (one of my favorite games when I was younger) any way getting off topic lol. I didn't look into shadow magick quite so deeply as you did, but damn if that doesn't have some awesome RP'ing potential lol.

     I saw her abilities inherited or mimicked from the vampire's she was hunting. The montalion clan is supposedly able to teleport (and cure parlalisys). The info I found didn't go much beyond that so I just sort of added my own little take on it. Thought vampires teleporting through shadows seemed legit, kinda like how Detlaff and Regis do in TW3, and it's an intrigueing coincedince that Tousant/Beauclair shares many simmilarties with Highrock/Wayrest, probs cause they're both based off of a medieval/ Renaissance France. So the blood and wine expansion in the witcher was certainly an influence in this build for me. Also I had thought that some of her light bending tricks could come from posessing Dawn Breaker, since Merida's realm is the Coloured Rooms. omg so many possibilties hahaha

  • Member
    May 6, 2018

    Irissa said:

    I love the concept underpinning this build.  I've been trying, for a few years now, to create  build similar to this called the light shadow.  The whole premise was that it was going to be about casting Sun Fire and Vampire's Bane from the shadows, in conjunction with some runes, Flame Atronachs, and a few other bits and pieces thrown in.  You've rather got there ahead of me and made an excellent build, which is made even better by the amazing photos which you have chosen.  A very intelligent, stealthy, and beautiful Breton.  Fantastic.

    The balance between magic and combat is well executed.  I'd have been tempted to add Conjuration, for summoning Flame Atronachs, as she is a Breton and they would fit the theme, but this is just s small point.

    The only area I'd recommend going over again is the proofreading.  There are some minor spelling errors throughout, as well as a few more significant ones, notably in the titles of some of the quests.

    I won't be able to play the build as it it is because I don't like modding my game to the extent that would be required, but I would like to have a go at a vanilla version of it, so to that end, would you mind giving some suggestions as to which perks and spells (aside from the obvious Restoration spells) would be taken for the vanilla skills?

    Thank's Irissa. Glad you liked the build, it's awesome to hear such great feedback :D.

    Thanks for pointing out the spelling mistakes, had a quick squiz over it and changed the ones in the quest area, will do the rest when I have a bit more time.

    Hmm I can see summoning daedra a difficult decision for Alayne as they are malevolent beings. So she certainly wouldn't summon a dremora, but I can see if the circumstances were dire and it was for the greater good she might summon a flame atronach, or the Flaming Familliar. 

    And I'll certainly try my best to give you few perks and spells for vanilla, this is just off the top of my head so I might get few names wrong. (I am making a level 50 build too so I'll just list high level perks as well for ya)

    Restoration: perks to go for would be definantly necromage, the one that increases magicka regen and the one that will heal you if your health drops too low. And probs go up to expert or even master if ya fancy gaurdian circle or bane of the undead. there's also an unlockable restoration ability a the frost flow light house quest. I can't remember if it increases all restoration spells or just the healing ones though, so that might be worth a look.

    Sneak: Not going to be using daggers much but if you wanted to you could get assains blade. shadow warrior is another must. sneak roll for mobility.

    Illusion: quiet cating obviously, and up to expert.

    Alchemy: If your wanting invisibilty early on you could consider alchemcal potions. ingredients like, ice wraith teeth, luna moth wing, chaurass eggs, Ash creep cluster, nirn root and vampire dust all do invisibllity iirc.

    Destruction: augmented flames 2/2, up to adept (for fireball), runecaster.

    Light armor: Most perks here. Two that would be key would be the one that increasses movemnt speed, and the other that gives a boost stamina regen.

    One handed: Armsman 5/5, the one that make power atacks cost less, savage strike.

    Standing Stones: The steed for movement speed, atronach buffs magicka pool and spell absorbtion, Apprentice could be an option for quick magicka regen and you wont be seen by mages too often since you'll be taking them out in stealth whenever you can. Shadow give invisibily once a day and the lord could be useful for a bit of extra armor.

    and if you wanted to use an atronach or flaming famillar you could perk up  conjuration to where you get potent atronachs.

    And a few spells could be, Fireball, Firebolt, Fire Rune, Invisibility, Muffle, Falme Cloak, Circle of Protection, Stendarrs Aura, Wall of Flames, Repel undead, Flesh Spells, Detect dead/life and Transmute mineral ore (For that little bit of the roguish love for gold lol).

    Hope that helped out a bit for ya, glad that you enjoyed the read, and have fun playing "The Shadow of Dawn" :D

     

     

  • Member
    May 6, 2018

    Thank you for listing out the skills and perks in vanilla style, I appreciate that a lot.  It is, more or less, what I had suepected, but it was good to have it confirmed.  The ability added by solving the murders at Frostflow Lighthouse is Sailor's Repose and the perk to reduce the stamina cost of power attacking is Fighting Stance :).  I'd leave out Alchemy myself, as Muffle and sneak perks do a good enough job at lower levels of sneaking up on most targets.

    I will definitely be giving this build a go.  It will have to wait until the summer when I am next able to go home to use my desktop, but it will be worth the wait I have no doubt.

  • May 6, 2018
    Oh yea, I was definitely thinking of exactly Sands of Time when I said you could replay unfavorable outcomes. Lol. I also love the idea that she's attempting to mimic the abilities of the vampire she hunts. Are those the tactics required to fight three enemy she hates on equal footing...or is there a possibility that a small part of her respects them and resents their power? It makes for much more interesting gameplay and roleplay possibilities.
  • Member
    May 7, 2018

    Chris said: Awesome job Furrion, well written Character, and in depth combat

    Sorry dude meant to reply back to ya yesterday just got busy. Real glad ya liked it though :)

  • Member
    May 7, 2018

    @ Tysoaha - I see it as she takes on the magickal skills of the Montalion Clan, to better hunt them. Sorta like fighting fire with fire. the last thing you expect if your a vamp is some mortal to take on your abilities and use them against you, so it puts them off gaurd. Kinda like becoming part of the monster to fight the monster, but not so much that it takes away the humanity and goal to see them destroyed. (She would never consider becoming a vamp but see's the use in learning such abilties if it helps to see them destroyed). She knows how powerful they are so such an adversary is worthy of respect but she doesn't have like them to respect that they are powerful ya know.

  • Member
    May 7, 2018

    Irissa said:

    Thank you for listing out the skills and perks in vanilla style, I appreciate that a lot.  It is, more or less, what I had suepected, but it was good to have it confirmed.  The ability added by solving the murders at Frostflow Lighthouse is Sailor's Repose and the perk to reduce the stamina cost of power attacking is Fighting Stance :).  I'd leave out Alchemy myself, as Muffle and sneak perks do a good enough job at lower levels of sneaking up on most targets.

    I will definitely be giving this build a go.  It will have to wait until the summer when I am next able to go home to use my desktop, but it will be worth the wait I have no doubt.

    No problem happy to help :)

    And thanks for the like. It humbles me know that the builds been so well recieved. The longest part of editing was finding the pictures to match the character believe it or not. I'll have a full backstory and a level 50 versionout by the summer, so stay tuned if ya like a good read cause I'll be linking the story to the build :)

     

  • May 7, 2018

    Furrion 17 said:

    She knows how powerful they are so such an adversary is worthy of respect but she doesn't have like them to respect that they are powerful ya know.

     

    Exactly, they aren't mutually exclusive, but the apparent dichotomy gives the character complexity. Her respect for their power versus the hatred she has for the evil and inhumane way they achieve it could create some really interesting narratives. For instance, I myself would probably roleplay being offered Hekron's "gift" as a defining moment for her. There's an internal struggle as she's legitimately tempted, but her iron will and strongly defined morals make her refuse his offer and return to the Dawnguard to train. The fact that she instead begins the long arduous journey to develop powers similar to vampires innate abilities shows a lot about who she is as a person. She walks the righteous path, not the easy one.

     

  • Member
    May 8, 2018

    Tysoyaha said:

    Furrion 17 said:

    She knows how powerful they are so such an adversary is worthy of respect but she doesn't have like them to respect that they are powerful ya know.

     

    Exactly, they aren't mutually exclusive, but the apparent dichotomy gives the character complexity. Her respect for their power versus the hatred she has for the evil and inhumane way they achieve it could create some really interesting narratives. For instance, I myself would probably roleplay being offered Hekron's "gift" as a defining moment for her. There's an internal struggle as she's legitimately tempted, but her iron will and strongly defined morals make her refuse his offer and return to the Dawnguard to train. The fact that she instead begins the long arduous journey to develop powers similar to vampires innate abilities shows a lot about who she is as a person. She walks the righteous path, not the easy one.

     

     

    I think one of the best examples I can give ya of how I  see her fighting vampires is actually from another game. In the Dragon Age Series the Grey Wardens take on the taint of the Dark Spawn to better fight them, this I think is almost an exact mirror of how Alayne sees fighting vampires.

  • Member
    May 9, 2018

    And the Full backstory is up in the story corner. iI you want to have a read the link is at the bottom of the build :)