» Sat Aug 04, 2012 4:00 pm A Hypothermia, Cold Water, and Camping Survival Mod
For The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Author: Chesko
Contact:
Forums - Chesko
E-mail - chesko.tesmod@gmail.com
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-= DOWNLOADS =-
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http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11163
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=13685
Localized Versions:
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=17209
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=16986
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=16744
http://modgames.net/load/247-1-0-11688
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=17138
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-= LATEST NEWS =-
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W.A.T.E.R or Get Wet - Water FX users: Please see the compatibility section. Frostfall now includes this shader directly in the mod; you will need to disable the Get Wet - WaterFX plugin from W.A.T.E.R to ensure the proper visual effect is applied. Thanks!
IMPORTANT: The mod no longer starts by itself! You must read a copy of "The Survivor's Guide to Skyrim", a copy of which can be found in any inn in Skyrim.
IMPORTANT: You cannot add the book to your inventory via console; it will break the functionality of the mod. You must go to an inn and pick up the book there.
A note on upgrading: Many users have stated that upgrading using a "clean" save game ensures the best results. To make such a savegame, use the "Shutdown" option from the Survivor's Guide (Configure -> Advanced -> Activate/Shutdown), save your game, uninstall Frostfall, load your savegame, and then >save it again< without Frostfall being present. Then install the new version and load your game.
THANK YOU testers for all the help! Please continue to provide feedback!
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-= WHAT IS FROSTFALL? =-
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The three main components of Frostfall are Hypothermia, Cold Water Survival, and Camping Equipment.
The primary objective of this mod is to add a deep, immersive level of gameplay to Skyrim, while keeping tedium to a minimum. An immersion mod should never get in the way of having fun.
Frostfall uses a sophisticated system to track your location, weather, time of day, worn clothing, and more, to determine your current condition, in a seamless and immersive way. It also features a large variety of craftable camping equipment, including craftable torches. It is highly customizable, and very compatible with most other mods, including worn cloaks, camping, food, timescale, lighting, werewolf, and vampire mods.
Frostfall also now features OpticShooter's Get Wet - Water FX shader from W.A.T.E.R, built directly into Frostfall to enhance the visual effect of being wet from rain or swimming. It is also timed against Frostfall's new game mechanics. (Used with permission)
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-= IMPORTANT =-
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Frostfall is a mod with a lot of new concepts and options, many of which are now configurable. Please take the time to read this post and consult the Help system in-game by opening the Survivor's Guide, and going to Configure -> Advanced -> Help.
Many common issues can now be fixed yourself by opening the Survivor's Guide and navigating to Configure -> Help -> Troubleshooting, and selecting the problem you are having.
While Frostfall now undergoes extensive beta testing before a new release is available, please back up your savegames before you update. A "clean" save without Frostfall being present in the savegame sometimes ensures the best results. If an update causes an issue for you, please contact me via PM or here on the boards and I will work with you as best as I can to help resolve your problem.
If you want / need to disable Frostfall, Frostfall can now be easily enabled and disabled from in-game by opening the Survivor's Guide and navigating to Configure -> Advanced -> Activate/Shutdown. If uninstalling the mod, you must disable/shut it down first using this method. Thanks for reading.
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-= CHANGE LOG =-
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The changelog is located http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/readmes/Frostfall%20-%20Hypothermia%20Camping%20Survival_readme.txt.
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-= GAMEPLAY OVERVIEW =-
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A book, "The Survivor's Guide to Skyrim", must be sought out to start playing with Frostfall. The mod will not start in motion until you find it. You can find a copy tucked away in every inn and tavern in Skyrim. Once acquired, it also serves as your configuration system. Just select, "Rewrite the Guide(Configure)" when reading it, to open the configuration menu. It also explains almost everything on this page, but in an in-world style of writing. Give it a read if you get a chance, and refer to it if you have questions while playing!
After acquiring the Survivor's Guide, the following new game mechanics open up to you:
- Hypothermia - You now have Exposure Points. Cold areas will chill you to the bone; fires, and staying in warmer climes will keep you warm (Riverwood, Falkreath).
- Cold Water Survival - Water has different temperatures based on the location. Riverwood, Falkreath, and the Rift areas are nice and refreshing. The Reach and Whiterun areas have chilly water. The Pale and other snowy locations have frigid water that can kill in a matter of seconds.
- Camping Equipment - To make surviving with the first two points much easier. Adds a craftable tent, cooking pot, and campfire kits. Tents let you sleep outdoors. Fire Kits keep you warm and dry you off. Cooking pots let you cook near a Fire Kit campfire.
- Survival Skills. This allows you to create create survival equipment, including campsite items.
- Weathersense, a power that displays your current Exposure Points, and a description of the surrounding temperature. I recommend you hot-key this ability so you can check your condition at any time! (Messages will also appear without using this ability automatically when your condition changes, or something needs your attention, so don't worry.)
- Inspect Equipment, for advanced users who have W.E.A.R. turned on or are using hardcoe Mode (which includes W.E.A.R.). Allows you to change the exposure protection value of any piece of worn equipment (including armor from mods!)
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-= USING PRESETS =-
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Presets are a great way to configure Frostfall without having to configure individual options. Presets can be changed at any time by opening the Survivor's Guide, and selecting Configure.
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-= GAMEPLAY MECHANICS =-
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==================1. Hypothermia ===================
Exposure Points are the way that your condition is measured in Frostfall. Heat makes you gain them, exposure to cold and icy water makes you lose them. Staying warm and dry makes you lose them less quickly.
You will occasionally receive periodic, non-invasive messages related to your status (getting warmer, colder, wet, being near a fire.) This does not require the use of an item or ability.
Use the Weathersense ability to check your current EP, and the temperature of the surrounding area.
=====Losing Exposure Points
- Location - Where you are in Skyrim greatly affects heat loss due to exposure. Frostfall keeps track of where you are, and what the temperature in the area is. In general, the areas from warmest to coldest are:
Eastmarch
The Rift
The Reach
Whiterun Hold
Hjaalmarch
The Northern Coast
The Pale, and Mountains (High Hrothgar, etc) (coldest)
- Weather - Paying attention to the weather can save your life. Your survival time in a blizzard is measured in minutes. Rain and swimming will make you wet and cause you to lose EP more quickly; dry off near a fire, or wait awhile to dry off automatically.
- Staying dry - Getting wet will cause you to lose heat much more rapidly. The wetter you are, the more rapidly your EP can be lost (Damp, Wet, Drenched). You stay wet for a time after swimming, or getting rained on. Fires will dry you off quickly.
- Time of day - Skyrim's nights are more unforgiving than her days. You will lose heat faster at night.
- Heat sources - This is the only way to restore Exposure Points. Proximity to heat sources (excluding torches) will replenish your EP rather quickly. Use Fire Kits in the field to warm up. Standing near fires long enough also provides you with the "Warm" condition, which increases your total Health, Magicka, and Stamina temporarily.
- Alcohol: Alcohol temporarily restores 15-25 EP (non-stacking), depending on the quality and rarity of the brew, and lasts for 3 minutes. After this effect wears off, you will lose 20-30 EP (5 more than you gained). So, a swig of ale might be good to produce that warm feeling down south when you're away from a fire, or save your life in the frozen north. It's up to you to decide if the short-term benefit is worth the long-term cost.
- Interiors - EP will not be lost in interiors, so taking shelter can be a good idea in some circumstances. Water in interiors will not harm you, either, in the instance that water is used for a thematic or gameplay reason in a dungeon.
- Wear clothing - Running around naked spells death for the foolish. You will receive a bonus to exposure protection for each piece of equipment you wear (Hands, Feet, Head, Body). What kind of clothing or armor does not matter if W.E.A.R. is disabled, it is only important that you have something on. Keep reading if the variable exposure protection of the W.E.A.R. system interests you.
- Frost resistance - Something Nords are born with. Frost resistance will help reduce heat loss.
- Torches, Cloaks, and Food - These items grant a special Exposure Resistance buff, which can -significantly- help extend your survival time).
- Torches - While equipped, grants a 10% Resist Exposure bonus.
- Food - All soups and stews in Skyim grant between 10% and 25% Resist Exposure (non-stacking). Compatible with all food mods.
- Cloaks - If you use http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12092, your cloak will grant you a 10% Resist Exposure bonus.
- Torches - While equipped, grants a 10% Resist Exposure bonus.
=====Effects of Exposure Point Loss
Losing Exposure Points will cause your character's condition to gradually worsen. You will be automatically notified if your condition changes.
- 120 - 101 EP: Warm: You gain +10 to your maximum Health, Magicka, and Stamina.
- 100 - 81 EP: Comfortable: No penalties or bonuses.
- 80 - 61 EP: Chilly: -10% Health, Stamina, and Magicka Regeneration.
- 60 - 41 EP: Very Cold: -25% Health, Magicka, and Stamina Regeneration; -10 Archery, One-handed, Two-handed, Block, and all Magicka skills; -30 Pickpocket and Lockpicking.
- 40 - 21 EP: Freezing: -50% Health, Magicka, and Stamina Regeneration; -30 Archery, One-handed, Two-handed, Block, Sneak, Speech, and all Magicka skills; -60 Pickpocket and Lockpicking. Slight movement penalty.
- 21 - 1 EP: Freezing to Death: -75% Health, Magicka, and Stamina Regeneration; -60 Archery, One-handed, Two-handed, Block, Sneak, Speech, and all Magicka skills; -100 Pickpocket and Lockpicking. Significant movement penalty.
- 0 EP: You die.
- Vampires, due to their undead nature, shrug off most effects of the cold. A vampire is not harmed by hypothermia or swimming in frigid water; however, if a vampire gets cold enough he will suffer movement (speed) penalties as his limbs begin to freeze, the same as his mortal brethren.
- Werewolves will gain 20 EP when transforming, and 10 EP each time they feed. Their fur is also well-suited to the cold and provides Exposure Protection equal to a full suit of fur armor. Tales of Lycanthropy users: Please see the troubleshooting section.
Bodies of water in Skyrim will now have their own temperature values based on location, ranging from Refreshing to Frigid, with varying levels in between. Jumping in water considered "Frigid" will result in temporary blurred vision, and the loss of all Stamina.
After this happens, you have approximately 30 real seconds (10-minutes in-game) in which to save yourself. If you do not, you will quickly perish.
You can use the Survival Skills-crafted Snowberry Extract to survive in frigid water for up to 3 minutes. A Flamecloak spell works too, but doesn't last as long.
You will only be affected by water if you swim in it - stepping or wading in is fine. Use the temperature of the surrounding area to get a feel for how cold the water will be before you decide to test it.
=================3. Harvesting Wood ==================
Using a Woodcutter's or Poacher's Axe, you can harvest firewood from the surrounding environment. You can only harvest firewood when outside, and when trees are nearby. Just equip the axe to bring up the menu, and select "Harvest Firewood". A shortcutscene will play, and 1 hour in-game will pass. Piles of firewood disappear after 48 hours.
If you don't care for this cutscene, or want a shorter time between harvests, you can use a simpler version by opening the Survivor's Guide, and going to Configure -> Advanced -> Camping -> Wood Harvesting.
=================4. Craftable Survival Equipment ==================
The Survival Skills ability will allow you to craft useful items out of things you may find in the wild. Using the ability will bring up the crafting menu.
- Torch. Components: 1 Firewood, 1 Linen Wrap. Creates a torch.
- Fire Kit: Components: 3 firewood. Burns for 6 hours, and can be rekindled for 2 firewood. Places campfire at location, and restores Exposure Points (EP). Campfires disappear after 48 in-game hours.
- Small Hide Tent: Components: 5 animal pelts of any type. 10 uses. Permits resting with the included bedroll outdoors.
- Large Hide Tent: Components: 12 animal pelts of any type. 20 uses. Permits resting with the included bedroll outdoors.
- Cooking Pot. Components: 1 cast iron pot, 1 wooden ladle. Allows you to cook over a Fire Kit's campfire.
- Snowberry Extract. Components: 15 Snowberries, 1 Eye of Sabrecat, 1 Slaughterfish Egg. Allows you to swim in frigid water for 3 minutes. Tastes terrible.
All of these features are accessible via the Survival Guide -> Configure -> Advanced.
W.E.A.R. (Worn Equipment Affects Rate)
This option is enabled automatically when using hardcoe Mode. W.E.A.R. provides the option to allow certain types of armor to provide more or less exposure protection depending on what it is. Protection is broken up into 3 categories; Limited, Standard, and Full.
Limited: Fine for exploring the southern Holds, but completely unsuitable for exploration in the north, or high mountainous elevations.
Armor types in this category are:
- Shirtless Fur
- Hide
- Studded
- Iron
- Banded Iron
Full: Provides the best exposure protection possible. Only two types of gear fall into this category:
- Fur (with full sleeves), and all types of fur helms, boots, and gloves
- Orcish armor.
Manual Fire Kit Lighting
This option is enabled automatically when using hardcoe Mode. If enabled, Fire Kits must be lit manually with a flame spell, shout, or torch. To light with a torch, stand over the fire, and "block" with the torch equipped. The fire should catch in a few seconds.
Fast Travel Requirement
This option is enabled automatically when using Classic Mode. If enabled, you will be required to carry a Woodcutter's (or Poacher's) Axe to Fast Travel. Why? Because you will need a feasible way of acquiring firewood and creating campfires along your journey. Fast Travel will be automatically enabled if the Axe is in your inventory.
Fast Travel Toggle
Fast Travel is automatically disabled in hardcoe Mode. This option allows you to enable or completely disable Fast Travel. This takes precedence over "Fast Travel Requirement"; if Fast Travel is Disabled, having a Woodcutter's Axe in your inventory won't help you.
Waiting Outdoors Toggle
This option allows you to enable or completely disable the ability to "Wait" while outdoors. This will also disable your ability to Fast Travel; it cannot be enabled individually. You will still be able to sleep in a tent's bedroll while outdoors.
Water Lethality
This option is enabled automatically when using Classic and hardcoe Mode. If enabled, water that is "Frigid" can kill you in roughly 30 seconds. Use Flamecloak or the Survival Skills-crafted Snowberry Extract to protect yourself from frigid water.
Tent Durability
This option is enabled automatically when using Classic and hardcoe Mode. If enabled, tents will have a limited number of uses according to their size and material cost. A Small Hide Tent will have 10 uses; a Large Hide Tent will have 20 uses. If disabled, tents have unlimited uses.
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-= COMPATIBILITY =-
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Since Frostfall now uses OpticShooter's fantastic Get Wet - Water FX shader directly in the mod, if you are a W.A.T.E.R user, you should disable the Get Wet - Water FX plugin from W.A.T.E.R to ensure your wetness shader effects work properly.
While Frostfall offers a full set of camping equipment, the following popular camping mods are compatible with Frostfall:
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10573
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=11074
All hunger, thirst, and sleep mods are compatible with Frostfall. Frostfall does not edit any food, drink, or bed objects.
Incompatible with any other Hypothermia-style mods.
May be incompatible with some weather mods that add new weather types.
Tales of Lycanthropy users: Please see the troubleshooting section.
Compatible with all food mods and lighting mods. I do not edit either of these. (In fact, I edit almost no existing game content.)
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-= REQUIREMENTS =-
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None. SKSE or any other programs are not required. Install and enjoy.
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-= TROUBLESHOOTING =-
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Many problems that may arise can now be solved yourself by opening the Survivor's Guide, and navigating to Configure -> Help -> Troubleshooting. The problems that Frostfall can attempt to solve are:
* "I'm always wet / I never get wet."
* "When stepping in water, I die instantly."
* "My skills are all stuck at 0."
* "I'm stuck moving slowly."
* "My Exposure Points won't change."
* "I can't Fast Travel."
* "I can't wait or sleep."
Please let Frostfall try to solve the problem for you. If your problem isn't listed above, or happens frequently, let me know here on the boards or in a PM.
Tales of Lycanthropy:
There is a compatibility issue with Frostfall and Tales of Lycanthropy, wherein transforming will cause you to lose EP very rapidly when in cold locations. If this happens to you, there is a workaround (thanks, Curi0us):
Quote
it can be solved by changing which animation set is used just open the console and use the command 'set lycan_transformationsetting to 3' (switches back to using the default animations).
I can't use the Survivor's Guide! Pressing E does nothing!
Try using the No BSA version. This has cleared up this problem for the majority of users.
It has been reported that using Script Dragon (or more specifically, playing with a save game that once used Script Dragon but Script Dragon is no longer installed) can cause the book to become unactivatable. I do not recommend using Script Dragon at all. SKSE is fine.
Can't use Survival Skills while on land; "Can't craft survival equipment while swimming"
This seems to happen only once, and even then only occasionally, when updating. Here is the fix (Thanks, Fighter Hayabusa):
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I deactivated Frostfall in the config menu (via the Survivor's Guide) then re-activated it. Seems to be working fine now.
I uninstalled Frostfall and now my character is stuck being wet and has all of these terrible status effects that won't go away!
- You did not follow uninstallation instructions. Re-install Frostfall, and use the Shutdown option from the Survivor's Guide -> Configure -> Advanced -> Activate\Shutdown. This procedure should remove all of these effects from your character.
I did not get the Basic Camping Supplies / Weathersense Ring at startup.
As of v1.6, the Basic Camping Supplies no longer exist. It has been replaced by the Survival Skills power and the Survivor's Guide. The Weathersense Ring can still be acquired via Smithing.
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-= FAQ =-
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"Does [fur, etc] armor keep you warmer?" Yes, if the W.E.A.R. feature is enabled. Open the Survivor's Guide, go to Configure -> Advanced -> Immersion -> W.E.A.R. Enable W.E.A.R. to use this feature.
"Do torches warm you?" Torches now provide a 10% bonus to Exposure Resistance.
"Does [xyz] spell restore Exposure Points?" No. See http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1363415-rel-frostfall-hypothermia-camping-survival-thread-2/page__view__findpost__p__20587193 for my feelings on this subject.
"How do I swim in frigid water without dying?" Use the Survival Skills-crafted Snowberry Extract to swim in frigid water for 3 minutes. A Flamecloak spell also works, but probably won't last as long.
"Is this mod compatible with LtMattMoo's Camping / Northern Ranger?" Yes it is. They are not packaged with this mod. Try them! And if you don't, you can still use the crafted camping equipment I provide.
"Is this mod compatible with timescale mods / food mods / lighting mods?" Yes.
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-= UNINSTALLING =-
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If upgrading, it is fine to uninstall Frostfall and install the new version.
!IMPORTANT!
!IMPORTANT!
!IMPORTANT!
If completely uninstalling Frostfall:
Please use the new Shutdown system. Open your Survivor's Guide, and select Configure -> Advanced -> Activate/Shutdown, and select Shut Down Frostfall. Failure to do this may result in PERMANENT debilitating status effects against your character. You have been warned.
!IMPORTANT!
!IMPORTANT!
!IMPORTANT!
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-= MANUAL INSTALL =-
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Just put Chesko_Frostfall.esp and Chesko_Frostfall.bsa in your Skyrim\Data directory. Enable Chesko_Frostfall.esp from Data Files in the Skyrim Launcher.
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-= KNOWN ISSUES =-
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Frigid water is not detected when swimming while on horseback.
There is a compatibility issue with Tales of Lycanthropy that can be solved with a console command. See the Troubleshooting section.
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-= THANKS =-
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Thank you to OpticShooter for lending me the use of his fantastic Water FX - Get Wet shader effect.
Thank you to all of the beta testers. Specifically:
Nitor
Spiffyman
Luggage
Knots
Thanks to .sidekick for the inspiration for the ring.
...and everyone in the WIP thread offering ideas, suggestions, and feedback.
...and the countless amount of folks that have offered suggestions, feedback, and extremely valuable beta testing thus far. I wouldn't have been able to make it this far without this kind of support.
...and the fantastic translators, Vladykin and Rayter, for bringing Frostfall to other shores!
Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think, and please offer up any suggestions.
Love seeing that "you are completely warm" message when I've sat down near a tavern fire for a while. 