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The Roleplaying Help Thread

Tags: #Zonnonn 
  • April 1, 2019

    I guess I'll combine DB and Paws' suggestions into a hideous, mutated double suggestion; I'll write it on a Docs, then post it as a log. Thanks for the input!

     

    By the way, this website seriously needs a "go to last page" option for topics like this.

  • April 23, 2019

    Ive created an account but only lurked... this changes now.

    I had some ideas for a character but cant decide how to make him, I like to make really long lived characters (I have an nv character Ive been playing since Old world blues was released) so I spend a ridiculous ammount of time thinking about them... ( I have chronicle ansiety wich makes me slightly obsessed with making realistic characters and deciding what to do with them);

    My idea was an "fallen/corrupted" worshipper of julianus that used to be an steward in high rock or cyrodil, he lost his job and had to flee after trying to corect a person false informations about daedra trough citations of books. The man ended being a high ranking Vigilant and turned people against him. After he flees to skyrim he gets horrified by that ignorance, lack of culture and distrust in magic of the nords. He gets extremelly ipset that no one remembers junaal and some aspects of old nord culture are dying and that people dont seem to re,ember shalidor and fear magic.

    Those things make him start a crusade against ignorance, eventually creating an holy order dedicated to julianus and hermaeus mora (I call it the KNIGHTS OF THE QUILL), the knights will be protectors of the wise, learned and lovers of knownledge. They will try to learn all both magic and martial fighting styles from all around tamriel.

     

    Tennets of the Kinghts of the Quill:

    Seek and protect knownledge on all things.

    Recover Lost knownledge and artefacts for study.

    Learn from the dead, avoid their mistakes and harness their power.

    Diferent cultureans allow diferent sorts of knownledge to be created, no culture is inferior as long it respects knownledge.

    Theres no good or evil, only knownledge.

    Respect the elders,gods, daedra and the arcane, learn their wisdom.

    Enlighten those without knownledge, but scorn the ignorant.

    Seek perfection of technique.

     

    He doesnt care about races and such but respect knownledge and willingness to learn/ passion for learning, he would treat a vampire or even a smart giant better than a bandit that burned a book. He will join the volkihar for their knownledge and immortality so he can continue his "divine duty" for centuries, obviosly he knows how stuipid covering the sun is and will lose the respect for those that agree with it. After harkons death he will unify all the vampires of skyrim under his enlighted rule and make an underground vampire nation in skyrim, the vampires will have to choose between following his reformation or dying.

     

    Any ideas for him?

  • April 24, 2019

    youngsage, some very important aspects for that would be 1. College of Winterhold (obviously), 2. Gathering all the dragon shouts (to learn about the dovahzul language), and 3. Since you are a scholar, and you want to spend more time researching than having to kill people and such, I'd recommend using Conjuration, frost magic (to extinguish any fires that may threaten your books) and using bound weapons and wards for direct confrontations, so you can use most of your carry weight for precious books, lexicons and stone tablets.

  • April 26, 2019

    Damn okay this is really quite fascinating. Is there anything in particular that you wanted thoughts on? I'll admit there's so much awesome here that I'm not really sure where to start :D

    I think the idea has a lot of merit, it really does and I like the moral greyness (or more their complete lack of care regarding morality as long as knowledge is preserved) and I think it's a really cool idea. If there was anything I think would work in combination with what you already have it would have to be the importance of the Black Books and Thieves Guild. The second might be a bit strange but I think the character would find an information network that extends through all of Skyrim (and the potential for it going even further) more useful than the College or Volkihar in some ways. Their relationship with Nocturnal adds an even more interesting layer to the Guild. 

    Other then that...yeah not sure right now but I'll think it over.

  • April 26, 2019

    tirrene said:

    youngsage, some very important aspects for that would be 1. College of Winterhold (obviously), 2. Gathering all the dragon shouts (to learn about the dovahzul language), and 3. Since you are a scholar, and you want to spend more time researching than having to kill people and such, I'd recommend using Conjuration, frost magic (to extinguish any fires that may threaten your books) and using bound weapons and wards for direct confrontations, so you can use most of your carry weight for precious books, lexicons and stone tablets.

    Dragonborn2021 said:

    Im thinking about the college as the first guild to join after I got some sort of "base" (campfire based), them spells are expensive. 2) One of his objectives will be to uncover the secrets of the dragon cult. 3) I liked the idea for frost magic, im was going to go for fire because its cool but you changed my mind.

    Thanks for the suggestions.

    Damn okay this is really quite fascinating. Is there anything in particular that you wanted thoughts on? I'll admit there's so much awesome here that I'm not really sure where to start :D

    I think the idea has a lot of merit, it really does and I like the moral greyness (or more their complete lack of care regarding morality as long as knowledge is preserved) and I think it's a really cool idea. If there was anything I think would work in combination with what you already have it would have to be the importance of the Black Books and Thieves Guild. The second might be a bit strange but I think the character would find an information network that extends through all of Skyrim (and the potential for it going even further) more useful than the College or Volkihar in some ways. Their relationship with Nocturnal adds an even more interesting layer to the Guild. 

    Other then that...yeah not sure right now but I'll think it over.

    I didnt think about the thieves guild as a source of intel, thabks for pointing out. Still, ruling the volkihar wont be as an way to get intel, he and his knights will be all about learning, gathering info an d perfecting themselves. They see it as their divine duty to enlighten and protect those who value knownledge even if it means to purge those who want to destroy it. Voining the volkihar is supposed to be a way into immortality so he can continue his duty for millenia and keep improving, eventually hell proceed with the questline when he finds out harkon plan so he can prevent him from doing one of the dumbest actions possible. Hell reform all vampires of skyrim into "civilized blooddrinkers" instead of idiots that butcher their mortal cattle and cause problem. Is not because he wants to rule, its because a underground vampure bnation would be an interesting experiment on culture and he needs to keep an eye on them so they dont ever try something as dumb as blocking the sun again.

    So, the character is progressing now for the pantheon and the name of the weird faith those knights follow, for now Im thinking of worshipping:

    Magnus, god of magic and architect of mundus

    Julianus, god of knownledge

    Hermaeus Mora, god of forbidden knownledge and fate

    Xarxes, the grand scribe of the gods

    Nocturnal, goddess of shadows and secrets

    Mannimarco, he who ascended

    Dibella, goddess of art and beauty (culture)

    Sheogorath, because theres a fine line between geniality and madness also the patron of artists and creativity.

     

    Any changes on the pantheon? Also anyone have a suggestion for a headquarters for the knights (probably modded because a order will need space for recruits and suce... also all the books and random research junk)

     

  • April 27, 2019

     

     

    Any changes on the pantheon? Also anyone have a suggestion for a headquarters for the knights (probably modded because a order will need space for recruits and suce... also all the books and random research junk)

     

    I'd say use either the Blades' HQ (it's already yours, and you can't tell me what I can't use my fortress for, DELPHINE, you wench) or go straight modded.

     

  • April 27, 2019

    I'm sort of tempted to recommend a Ninth Deity to worship so there's a strange sort of parallel between them and the Nine Divines. Perhaps Boethiah focusing more on her aspects of secrecy could be an interesting choice, but I think you've more or less nailed the primary deities that make sense...Oh unless you add Sotha Sil as an option. He really could work as an Unofficial Ninth Deity that's respected rather than worshipped.

    Anyway, I can't think of any non-modded bases off the top of my head. Hearthfire Homes at least let you build a library don't they? Honestly don't use them very often personally but that and the Armory (unless they're from the same slot) could be a good basis for the headquarters. Other than that, I do think that using...great name is lost on me right now but Tirrene's suggestion of the Blades HQ could really work.

  • Member
    May 4, 2019
    I’ve got a bit of a character concept I’d like to explore but am having trouble figuring out good ways to approach it: I’m thinking about an Orsimer follower of Trinimac. I haven’t given a great deal of thought as to how he ended up in Skyrim but I might tie that into the Alternate Start – Orc Stronghold option in that he’s visiting relatives or somesuch. Doesn’t matter that much, but once he’s there I’m struggling to find an angle. There’s not an option to convert the local tribes so he’s going to move on pretty sharpish, but where to and why? I’m thinking about how he could do the Dawnguard quests and end up with Auriel’s gear in a point of view similar to how Auriel’s Greatest Knight might wield the weapons given him by that god. So maybe a sort of mild mantling process going on there, although ultimately the character would probably believe that Trini and Mally are the same dude but years of feeding the Ashen Forge with grudges has made the latter hard to see and feel, in addition to being supressed by Malacath himself. That’s sort of incidental stuff. The biggest problem is what path to take to get to that point. The Wintersun blurb mentions killing humans and defeating epic foes, which while that makes perfect sense, I can’t help feel it is something of a limitation and representing something that once was rather than what is and is very much an Aldmeric ideal – It’s been a long time since Trinimac was the enemy of man, the first hurdle to overcome is getting Malacath to face his dishonour and shame so that Trinimac may rise above it and cast off the coat of dung which is Malacath - all that unity and honour and strength stuff he’s supposed to stand for from the Orsimeri perspective. Maybe starting small and taking bounties on bandit chiefs is the way to go, rising eventually to the epic level of giants and dragons, but that feels a bit shallow. The meat of it is how to tie the ultimate goal of bringing Trinimac back while reconciling that with that goal being ultimately impossible. Any thoughts on what quests would be ideal to explore this character with?
  • May 4, 2019

    I’ve got a bit of a character concept I’d like to explore but am having trouble figuring out good ways to approach it: I’m thinking about an Orsimer follower of Trinimac. I haven’t given a great deal of thought as to how he ended up in Skyrim but I might tie that into the Alternate Start – Orc Stronghold option in that he’s visiting relatives or somesuch. Doesn’t matter that much, but once he’s there I’m struggling to find an angle.

    There’s not an option to convert the local tribes so he’s going to move on pretty sharpish, but where to and why? I’m thinking about how he could do the Dawnguard quests and end up with Auriel’s gear in a point of view similar to how Auriel’s Greatest Knight might wield the weapons given him by that god. So maybe a sort of mild mantling process going on there, although ultimately the character would probably believe that Trini and Mally are the same dude but years of feeding the Ashen Forge with grudges has made the latter hard to see and feel, in addition to being supressed by Malacath himself.

    That’s sort of incidental stuff. The biggest problem is what path to take to get to that point. The Wintersun blurb mentions killing humans and defeating epic foes, which while that makes perfect sense, I can’t help feel it is something of a limitation and representing something that once was rather than what is and is very much an Aldmeric ideal – It’s been a long time since Trinimac was the enemy of man, the first hurdle to overcome is getting Malacath to face his dishonour and shame so that Trinimac may rise above it and cast off the coat of dung which is Malacath - all that unity and honour and strength stuff he’s supposed to stand for from the Orsimeri perspective.

    Maybe starting small and taking bounties on bandit chiefs is the way to go, rising eventually to the epic level of giants and dragons, but that feels a bit shallow. The meat of it is how to tie the ultimate goal of bringing Trinimac back while reconciling that with that goal being ultimately impossible. Any thoughts on what quests would be ideal to explore this character with?

    Shit Orcs aren't my strong point, even less when it comes to Trinimac. Time to what I do best and translate it into Dunmer terms as much as possible :P

    So this particular Orc has no extreme distate for those who worship Malacath? I mean obviously he'd rather convert them if that were possible, but he isnt' the sort to start some great hunt for worshippers of the false god or anything? It isn't a situation like the Ashlanders and the Tribunal Temple of old? Where the conflicting viewpoints create a hatred between the two parties?  Because obviously that would be a fairly strong character motivation that would be easy to work with, but it doesn't seem like he'll have a real issue with Malacath...Would he still be opposed to completing that particular Daedric Quest, or not working with those that purely acknowledge Malacath and spit on Trinimac as a dead god? 

    Anyway, it's tough to figure out a good angle for this...You've mentioned mantling, but what if instead of trying to bring back Trinimac he has some vague notions of trying to become Trinimac? The best way to heal the deity is to strip down what makes him wrong and replace it with a new attempt at leading the Orsimer to glory? You could create a set of trials or tests that he's personally created in order to best replicate what Trinimac accomplished before he game a God. Dunno, it's a thought I suppose, and one that might work? It'd change the path and obviously there would have to be an element of the character that becomes THE enemy of man again, but it could be really fascinating to try and play around with. A character actually attempting to mantle a God, and one that isn't Talos for that matter :P

    Note: I am correct in my memory of Trinimac being an ascended mortal aren't I? I'm a bit sketchy on my Aldmeri stuff at the moment.

  • Member
    May 5, 2019

    Thought-provoking reply, thanks Deebs!

    I don’t think there would be much hostility between the religions, no. The Trinimac philosophy is one of strength and unity, and that the Orsimer can rise above the meme they have become. Like, they’re the Pariah-Folk but they have made themselves that way and it is now something that has become a vicious circle. To overcome that they need to unite and show the world they are as good a civilisation if not better than others rather than keep everyone at arm’s length, and to do that they need Orcs from different tribes to work together – or become a huge faction in their own right and remove all opposition that way.

    So in many ways the religion is very different from the Altmeri perspective in that the central theme of that mythology is of man vs mer, whereas the Orcish take on it is detached from that by the necessity of their people having to overcome that first major hurdle and changing their entire way of life.

    Definitely no problems doing the Cursed tribe quest, doubly so as it involves honour, strength, and defeating epic foes. I like the “becoming Trinimac” angle. Hmmm, it could work if I make him a golden-skinned Orc and have his backstory be along the lines of his people in the Trinimac cult seeing him as some sort of herald or sign of Trinimac’s return. Or somesuch.

    Yeah about the ascended mortal stuff. That’s the Altmeri thing, really. The Aldmer had a similar take on it as the Psijics in that they revered their ancestors and had that sort of spirituality in which the underworld is made up of greater and lesser spirits. When the Altmer evolved with their civilisation they stopped practicing that and instead chose to venerate only the best of their ancestors. In all likelihood Trinimac was a powerful Ehlnofey who really did fight in the Ehlnofey wars against mankind but wasn’t a god in the sense that he doesn’t have planet or moon to represent his gift-limb to the Mundus.

    Anyway, yep I do like that becoming Trinimac idea and it’s definitely easier to work with as he can just be an embodiment of those ideals rather than a seeker of them.

    Thanks dude!