After quite a bit of searching, I think I've finally decided where I would like to “live” in Skyrim - at least early in the game that is. Just between the Western Watchtower and Fort Greymoor there is an abandoned house that's seen better days. Even in it's vanilla state, all that is really needed to make it practical are a few containers to store your gear. There's already a bed there, easy access to all the main roads and it's very close to Whiterun for when you need to go to town. With only a few containers added it's the perfect place for the Ranger who likes to sleep out under the stars. Another added benefit of it's location is that it's very close to a bandit-filled Fort, and unless I'm mistaken the bandits will respawn indefinitely until you clear them ALL out. After it is "cleared" I think it then gets inhabited by Stormcloaks or Imperials depending on your alliances and what not. I'll have to do more experiments on this, but I think if you clear the place out, but leave at least one bandit alive in there they will keep respawning. So you potentially have an unlimited supply of loot to sell!

So, the mod will flow somewhat like this:

Player discovers the decaying structure and a “For Sale” note to buy the property “as is”. (I'm thinking somewhere around $2000 or so.) I'll most likely have the containers set to be owned by the property owner until the player buys it, then they will be owned by the player. From that point, the player can simply use it like it is for as long as they wish. However, they will have the option of tearing down the old structure and having a new home built there in it's place. It will be roughly the same size or a little bigger, but it will not be some sprawling mansion or anything. It's of utmost importance that it fits in the game properly.

In order to begin the actual construction the player will have to negotiate prices and delivery of the lumber, furnishings, labor and other aspects of the project and will of course have other tasks to accomplish along the way to gain favor with the suppliers. While it will not be a combat centered quest, there will certainly be adventures to various places in the course of the quest and the normal combat you find while doing so. But I might just throw in a boss level enemy somewhere. You'll have to visit several of the Mill's in the game for the lumber for sure, and I'm still working out all the other stuff in my head as I play the game some more. But it will definitely be a decent and appropriate amount of work in order to build a house.

So my preliminary plans will generally have at least 3 to 5 fully voiced NPC's and most likely 6 to 8 distinct tasks to complete along the way. If you've played my New Bison Steve Hotel & Lucky Casino and Afterschool Special mods for Fallout: New Vegas (see my signature) you probably have a general feel for my modding style and this should fall into the same type of overall quest and home mod.

So, PLEASE feel free to make suggestions and post me your thoughts!

Great to see you doing something for Skyrim ! I played your mod and i really loved it. I totally agree with you, to make the house a bit expensive and also not to make it a mansion. It needs to fit into the world, completely agree with you there

Maybe, once you get to work with the CK, you could make the house get recognized as "an official player" house, so spouses will be able to go there. Needless to say, that i would enjoy seeing lots of Idle Markers and Sandbox possibilities

I hope they release the editor finally, i really cant wait for this or my own plans

My reasoning on that price range was that the house you get in Whiterun is only $5000 for the basic house minus furnishings. For this one, you're basically buying the land and dilapidated structure that's there. In the end I think somewhere around a $8000 to $10,000 investment from the player feels about right, but I only have 70 hours in so far so that might change as I play more. (I've been on vacation since 11-11-11 so I've had a lot of time to play, lol. No coincidence there is there?!?!?)


As you probably noticed in my other mods I always put a TON of markers, and I'll certainly be setting it to an official home once I figure out how, lol.

Thanks for the feedback!

Just a thought, but what about stables to go with this?

Yes, there will most likely be a small stable.

I know what burned house you is talking about. Yes, it would be a good location to a House. And after you finish that why not make a house-mod by Lake Ilinalta? I love that place.