Hello everyone! Just joined but I've been a TES fan since Morrowind came to X-Box and I've loved Bethesda ever since. I've got a quick question and would love to get some input.

My character is a Nord's Nord. He likes to fight. He finishes every successful dungeon raid in the nearest inn. He doesn't use magic because greatswords kill things quicker. In short, I'm roleplaying him to be a strong, glory-seeking warrior. In the background I created for him, he has experience with blacksmithing and loves cooking.

From a gaming perspective though, I've run into a tiny problem. You see, my Nord depends on potions to keep his health and stamina up. I've learned how to make some good food, but the idea of my warrior downing some stew in the middle of a fight is ridiculous. The problem is, I don't think alchemy fits him either. He's a warrior, not some lab rat!

My question is, should I boost his alchemy and come up with a reason for roleplaying? Or should I just gimp myself or lower the difficulty?

Just one bump. If not I'll let it die I promise.

I dont see anything wrong with making health/stamina potions for fights, but you could do that with cooking too. so its up to you.

I personally would go for boosting alchemy and come up with a reason for roleplaying it. I hate lowering the difficulty if I have to.

The roleplaying could something like the following:

• He was captured by Falmers and made to make poisons. (Which btw those svckers have a TON of poisons laying around, they've been busy.)
  
• He was captured by an insane alchemist and made to make potions.
  
• A local townsperson mentioned to him that he could drink more mead and live longer if he made health mead potions or beer stamina potions. Which of course, being a Nord's Nord, he loved this idea.
  
• He's not altogether bright, started doing alchemy in hopes of making mead, and forgot his original intent along the way, but still continues making health and stamina potions because, this way, he can kill, loot, and do more Nord like things. Thus becoming even MORE of a Nord's Nord.

Think of it as herbal medicine. A true warrior would know how to treat injuries with natural remedies, so it makes sense that a touch of alchemy would be okay.

This is what I was going to say - he makes poultices by surviving off the land. That's pretty bad awesome imo.

AWESOME!

This.I think a Nord's Nord would be in tuned with the outdoors and natural remedies.