Docfaustino Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I've been pacing around the room for 20 minutes feeling sick to my stomach at the thought of doing the Stormcloak Quests. Did I just start fresh? Yes. Do I want my Orc to start fresh? Yes. Did the opening of the game give me as good of reason a warrior would need to join the Stormcloaks? Yes. But I can't. The first issue is the argument for 'freeing' Skyrim isn't an argument for freeing the Skyrim the player sees. We don't see it on a socio-economic level where Imperial rule is effecting what we do or even what the NPCs are doing. Furthermore, being outside the political system means we're never privy to any Imperial politicians or how they effect trade. With such a limited scope of the political climate of Skyrim, we're left with only one legitimate reason to 'drive out the Empire', and that's the Thalmor. But I've never once heard a Stormcloak promise to me that they'll use the power they gain from crushing the Empire to drive out the Thalmor, and the correlation between The Empire (the supposed enemy) and The Thalmor (the only consequence of Empire rule) is so indirect that it's hard to grow angry with The Empire. Certainly not enough to start picking them off through war. Being able to become Thane is great, sure, but it's not even a true political position so much as a title. I'm not going to fight for The Stormcloaks even on a character I feel should be a Stormcloak character unless I see actual consequence of the Imperial's 'rule' (it's more like a presence) in Skyrim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEoS Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 The Empire has lost the right to rule, no longer being led by someone of the Septim bloodline, their Divine sanction is gone. They can't protect their territories from outsiders, ie Hammerfell, which they abandoned to the Thalmor to preserve the treaty despite the fact that Hammerfell on it's own was able to fight the Thalmor to a standstill. And when it comes down to it, the Empire conquered Skyrim... if the people of Skyrim no longer wish to be under Imperial rule and have the means to liberate themselves, then why shouldn't they? If worshiping Talos is important to the people and the Imperial regime refuses to allow them to in the interest of appeasing a foreign invader, then the people have the right to, and should, revolt. No one is saying the Empire is evil and mistreats it's citizens... it's just too weak to protect and sustain itself anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOSEPH X Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 There are plenty of Nords in Skyrim who want to be part of the empire still. It feels about equal to me, so there is no absolute compelling reason to be a Stormcloak or Imperial. It leaves it open for the player to roleplay either side or to not get involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meta187 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I think as with the NCR vs Legion conflict in Fallout they do a lot to grey the lines of who the actual "good guys" are in the main conflict. That was punctuated quite profoundly in The Lonesome Road DLC. By the end of that game you find out that both sides have done some pretty messed up things to meet their goals. In turn, people on both sides have good reasons to feel the way they feel and to think their way of doing things is correct. Within that you see extremes on both sides as to how those views can turn out negatively and realize that the writers are sort of making a subtle blanket statement about war in general, that all sides largely view themselves as the protagonist but at the end of the day military might defines the outcome and the victor is only vindicated due to their mere survival. ~ Studio: Q-13 Lounge / Q:13 Warrior Tunes / Interweb Chex Mix, yo.~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I think as with the NCR vs Legion conflict in Fallout they do a lot to grey the lines of who the actual "good guys" are in the main conflict. That was punctuated quite profoundly in The Lonesome Road DLC. By the end of that game you find out that both sides have done some pretty messed up things to meet their goals. The problem here is that Obsidian knows how to write gray area factions; Bethesda does not. In New Vegas, it was "none of them are good choices, but some are better than others depending on how you look at it," whereas in Skyrim, it's basically just giant douche vs. turd sandwich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meta187 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Well I will certainly admit this game is desperately in need of a "Wild Card" type ending that was my favorite option of all possible endings in Fallout. I brokered a peace treaty before taking on Alduin but after he's defeated the option to join a side is all the game really allows you to do. Speaking of Endings I have yet to see credits or any type of formal narrated epilogue in this game despite defeating Alduin. Does it just stay open ended indefinitely? I think someone asked this ages ago but I can't recall how it was answered. ~ Studio: Q-13 Lounge / Q:13 Warrior Tunes / Interweb Chex Mix, yo.~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceRay Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 How the hell do I get out of Wolfskull Ruins in The Man Who Cried Wolf quest? I've killed everyone and gotten to the chest but I can't figure how to get out!! Can someone help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpain Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 How the hell do I get out of Wolfskull Ruins in The Man Who Cried Wolf quest? I've killed everyone and gotten to the chest but I can't figure how to get out!! Can someone help? I was stuck at that quest too. I'm gonna blow your mind right now. At that top of the tower, that's a switch that activates a bridge to the way out Speaking of Endings I have yet to see credits or any type of formal narrated epilogue in this game despite defeating Alduin. Does it just stay open ended indefinitely? I think someone asked this ages ago but I can't recall how it was answered. I think I asked that once. Apparently they are no credits at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinski Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I started my third character last night. I am never going to finish a questline in this game. I've got to around level 40 twice and just got bored of running around in top armour beating the sh*t out of everything that crosses my path and having ridiculous amounts of loot stashed away. So this time I wanted some restrictions. New character is a female mage, from a race not traditionally talented at magic, with a major hardon for authority, as such I won't steal anything. It also means she'll join the Legion despite being a Nord, as those racist extremists are scumbags. I plan that the only home this character will have is at the College and I plan on collecting as many books as I can just because my character's a proper nerd. Oh and I'll get a companion called Ron and solve mysteries and sh*t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiteso Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I started my third character last night. I am never going to finish a questline in this game. I've got to around level 40 twice and just got bored of running around in top armour beating the sh*t out of everything that crosses my path and having ridiculous amounts of loot stashed away. So this time I wanted some restrictions. New character is a female mage, from a race not traditionally talented at magic, with a major hardon for authority, as such I won't steal anything. It also means she'll join the Legion despite being a Nord, as those racist extremists are scumbags. I plan that the only home this character will have is at the College and I plan on collecting as many books as I can just because my character's a proper nerd. Oh and I'll get a companion called Ron and solve mysteries and sh*t. I'm considering making a mage as my third character also, if I ever get bored with my current one . I guess I could start learning magic on my current guy later on but I think it may not be as fun 'cause I'll be too powerful and done most the stuff in the game. Hm.. I just had a fight with 'Otar the Mad', DAMN these priest guys are hard. I burned through nearly all my potions and food to beat him, reloading a couple times 'cause Lydia kept dying I didn't realise she could actually properly die, but it's possible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mati Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I just became the Head of the Thieves Guild after doing a sh*tload of quests for them. The ceremony was short and I had a feeling that nobody even gave a sh*t about it. My status doesn't affect anything in the game world besides a quest, more side quest money and new dialogue for some of the others. What are those new guys doing there? They only have one dialogue option. For the rest, they're useless. I wish I could make up my own plans where to settle down new guild strongholds, recruit new members and come up with masterful thieving plans. I remember that one of the new members told me that he fought some wolves to save Vex, then they fought together and in the end Veg convinced him to join up the guild. Why can't such an event happen to me? Imagine fighting against a bandit and almost killing him, making him fall to his knees. They should have added some dialogue options. Also, I read a book written by Delvin that included all those Guild signs and markers. So far I've only seen one of them at the guild entrance. Are they bullsh*t or can I really find them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollaz Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Also, I read a book written by Delvin that included all those Guild signs and markers. So far I've only seen one of them at the guild entrance. Are they bullsh*t or can I really find them? They exist on most homes and shops in cities, look around the main entrances after out of place 'decal' carvings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpain Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Scary moment right here. I was heading out of Markarth and heading to Falkreath. There's a river that flows along the road so I just followed that river. I busy finishing off mudcrabs when suddenly epic music started playing. I was like WTF? I keep looking left and right and there was not an enemy in sight. Turn around 180 degrees and it's a Frost Breath into my face. It was a goddamn Ninja Dragon. Apparently you can level up Destruction just by doing jumping jacks on a Blacksmith Forge's lava pit. Levels up Restoration too if you use Healing after the jumping jacks above the lava. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docfaustino Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I was reading a book on the Purple Gang in Detroit and their Little Jewish Navy, who imported alcohol from the sea. So I thought I could try that in Skyrim, import goods from the sea to speed up the process of distillation at the Black Briar Meadery? So my new character is going to do The Riften quests until I can form the Little Orcish Navy. An Orc who chose the Thief Stone, makes me happy just thinking about it. I guess it's a roleplay file, but my last one kind of was too. I was a Dunmer mage who made political deals (ex. gaining popularity in certain holds, with certain factions, certain quest decisions) to boost the strength of the College of Winterhold. But for now on my Orc file I'll just chill in Riften till I find something that suits me and take some notes on the Black Briar Meadery. And are there any good ways to get my pickpocket up besides constant save/reload? Also, Beth dropped the ball again with no journals. I'd love to be able to write my own books and spread them throughout the world. Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, all took place in the 3rd era. The first two eras we know ONLY through books! So anything would be possible, as many of the books are simple cautionary tales or fiction, there would be no contradictions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrcTOtheJ Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Well my recovery save is going well, finely beat the companions (Never got around to it before my save corrupted.) and I have to say it's my favorite faction quest line. So right now I'm about level 20 (half way back to my old 41) going back and forth from useing Wuuthrad to dual spells, while wearing acient nord armor, pretty fiting with my huge nord charictar. Anyhow, as anyone else found that invisible chest in Dawnstar, it's by one of the mines in some trees (forgot the name of it, but it's the one just down the way from the Jarl's house) it's supposedly an inventory chest for one of those Kahjiit merchants, it respawn every 48 hours and has some pretty good stuff in it, everything from gems to potions to enchanted weapons and armor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpain Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I'll just leave this here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meta187 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Anyhow, as anyone else found that invisible chest in Dawnstar, it's by one of the mines in some trees (forgot the name of it, but it's the one just down the way from the Jarl's house) it's supposedly an inventory chest for one of those Kahjiit merchants, it respawn every 48 hours and has some pretty good stuff in it, everything from gems to potions to enchanted weapons and armor. Yea, that's old news, brotha. @mrpain: There may be something to that outside of their goof, it would certainly be interesting if someone sorts it out. ~ Studio: Q-13 Lounge / Q:13 Warrior Tunes / Interweb Chex Mix, yo.~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mati Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I was reading a book on the Purple Gang in Detroit and their Little Jewish Navy, who imported alcohol from the sea. So I thought I could try that in Skyrim, import goods from the sea to speed up the process of distillation at the Black Briar Meadery? So my new character is going to do The Riften quests until I can form the Little Orcish Navy. Wait, did I miss something? Are there any pirate-related quests? How do you want to form a ''Little Orcish Navy'' exactly? I'm RPing on every of my characters, currently busy with the second. She's more involved into Gods and Belief, she's currently busy with forming her own cult and preparing to fight the Thalmor. She joined The Companions to improve her fighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docfaustino Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I was reading a book on the Purple Gang in Detroit and their Little Jewish Navy, who imported alcohol from the sea. So I thought I could try that in Skyrim, import goods from the sea to speed up the process of distillation at the Black Briar Meadery? So my new character is going to do The Riften quests until I can form the Little Orcish Navy. Wait, did I miss something? Are there any pirate-related quests? How do you want to form a ''Little Orcish Navy'' exactly? I'm RPing on every of my characters, currently busy with the second. She's more involved into Gods and Belief, she's currently busy with forming her own cult and preparing to fight the Thalmor. She joined The Companions to improve her fighting. Just RP. Probably trading mead ingredients at Dawnstar or Windhelm ports then 'shipping them' (running along the coastline) back to Riften. I'm also going to try to use the few quests where you get more than one follower (on top of your regular follower) to get a couple gang members to beat up guards. This was my favorite thing to do in Oblivion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Of Monra Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Just bought the house in solitude, and got it fully decorated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZAZEL Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Just bought the house in solitude, and got it fully decorated. Any good? 25,000 is a lot of mullah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattymcs Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Ok my guy just did a JUMPING killing animation on skyrim. I've never seen that before, has anyone else. he leapt in the air and stabbed his sword into the guys chest pointing downwards. I've used maces a lot this playthrough, and only started using a sword after getting chillrend, but I used swords on my first guy and never saw this happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Of Monra Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Just bought the house in solitude, and got it fully decorated. Any good? 25,000 is a lot of mullah. It's pretty nice. Very big, and you can store stuff on two manequin (can't spell) alot of racks for your weapons. There's a basement, the main floor and upper floor. alot of stuff already in it (if it's fully upgraded) 25 is alot, and you'll have to add even more if you want to upgrade it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtamann123 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Just bought the house in solitude, and got it fully decorated. Any good? 25,000 is a lot of mullah. It's pretty nice. Very big, and you can store stuff on two manequin (can't spell) alot of racks for your weapons. There's a basement, the main floor and upper floor. alot of stuff already in it (if it's fully upgraded) 25 is alot, and you'll have to add even more if you want to upgrade it. Can you use the free house exploit on any house? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZAZEL Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Ok my guy just did a JUMPING killing animation on skyrim. I've never seen that before, has anyone else. he leapt in the air and stabbed his sword into the guys chest pointing downwards. Haha, yeah, I got one of those the other day as well, trying to perform a last-second sneak-kill, hiding behind a pillar and leaping out just as my target passed. Wasn't very stealthy at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absurdity Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Yea, matty those bad boys are fairly common with the one handed swords n' daggers. Getting plenty of those kills with my Ra Gada bladesman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[SM]CJZera Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I found it interesting that using dual swords yields a different finishing move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 The different kill animations are a great reason to change up your weapons or try different character builds. I love being surprised by a new one I haven't seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireguy109 Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Just killed my third dragon, climbed to the Throat of the World by spamming the jump button, and finished up almost a dozen misc and side quests. What's everyone's favorite house? Personally, mine is Whiterun. No matter how many places I have (added Markarth yesterday) Whiterun is the only one that feels like a home. Even though it takes a bit longer to do enchanting or fence goods I think Skyrim's equivalent of the Northern Lights makes up for it at night. Too bad it doesn't have more bookshelves though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenline Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Imperial Questline Spoilers . Whiterun got raped as soon as I bought Breezehome. Why aren't these things temporary? I mean, fires should go out eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
