I wouldn't be impressed if this was The Sims or some other similar game. But this is Skyrim. I adopted Sophie & Lucia and gave them each a long taffy treat, riddle book, a doll, a flawless wooden sword & a flawless dragonbone dagger with double enchantment.

Just like real kids with different personalities, both girls exhibited very different behavior from the start. Lucia took out her doll and started playing with it. Sophie ran off towards the back of the house. I followed her and found her in the cellar whacking the dummy with her dagger. And she was really slicing the dummy, what with the spinning swipes & all. I'm pretty sure if some stinkin wolf or the pesky conjurer in the neighbourhood decides to come snooping around, they'd get shredded by her. LOL!

And when I made Bran (one of the Dawnguard huskies) a follower and brought him (her?) home, Sophie came running and asked if we could keep Bran as a pet. So far Lucia has not shown any interest in Sceolan. Either that or I can only keep one pet. Anyone know if its possible to adopt 2 kids with 2 pets?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fynwUC59fqI

Impressive indeed. XD

They take after their parents - Lucia is a peasant girl born to farmers, while Sophie is a tougher girl with a Stormcloak dad - a true daughter of Skyrim (and I'm saying that as an Imperial supporter). On a side note, these two girls somehow seem to get all the love from the Hearthfire prospective parents - I chose the exact same two, and I know of at least a couple other people who did. I think it's the way a homeless little orphan girl on the streets can really pull at the heartstrings of even the coldest-blooded Dark Brotherhood assassin.

Yeah same reasons I had. The kids at the orphanage are pitiful but at least they have a roof over their heads & presumably 3 meals a day. Plus after I biatch slapped the old bat, Constantine runs the place and is much nicer to them than the old fart. As for the 4 kids roaming the streets, well at least the boys have jobs. Crappy ones that pay peanuts I bet but at least the money comes in. Lucia begs which is pitiful enough but when I first saw her on the bench she was like "I'm so hungry". As for Sophie, the weather svcks at Windhelm & for a young girl to go around selling flowers so she can buy food, damn that's just not right. So it wasn't a hard choice when I adopted the two. They now have a nice big house by the lake and lots of company in the form of adopted parents, a bard, a carriage driver, a steward (who doubles up as a housecarl) and a great big husky.

And yes, I too was a Dark Brotherhood assassin who took joy in smashing Logrolf the Willful with Molag Bal's rusty mace. But I draw the line at homeless kids roaming the streets hungry. That's one reason why I armed both with enchanted flawless dragonbone daggers so now one can push them around. God help whichever bandit decides to come near my manor and disturb my family!

On a separate note, does anyone know how to raise the kids? I recall reading that you decide how the kids grow up. I take this to mean you can bring up nice kids or spoilt brats. Kinda like The Sims. Or did I misunderstand? Am kinda confused. On one hand I don't want to disappoint the kids by saying "no" when they ask for gifts. However will giving too many gifts spoil them? Likewise they don't like doing chores but will NOT getting them to do chores result in unhelpful, lazy kids? LOL!! I'm getting too engrossed in this.

I agree, once Grelod is brought to justice (and to paraphrase Sonora Cruz, here in Skyrim there's only one brand of justice: the axe), the Honorhall kids are well looked after. Though Runa's begging to be adopted still tugs at my heart.

I'm inclined to worry about Blaise, though. A non-Nord (Breton based on his name), sleeping in a stable in north Skyrim? Recipe for fatal hypothermia if you ask me.

Of course, I go by the Parallel Heros Paradigm, which states that as long as all my characters identify with different quests, live in different places, and enlist different followers, they all exist simulaneously. That means I can adopt them all if I want.

Not sure a Breton kid will be bothered by cold weather isnt High Rock just as far North?

I know, as a Sims player I'm enjoying Hearthfire far too much considering how limited the options are. I've built and rebuilt my houses, placed one piece of furniture, looked at it from 3 angles, reloaded and tried the next item, tried out half a dozen stewards and seen how they behaved over time and whether I fancied them living in my house, etc... I don't think we can raise the kids in any way, at least I don't recall reading anything about that. Do you mean that their responses will change over time to be more spoilt and less helpful? I asked Lucia to do the chores and she did a "Yes papa" in a disappointed voice. Presumably if she becomes spoilt she'll refuse like Hroah did in that video? Would be cool if you could mold your kids' personalities.

Now I'm waiting on village mods, where modders build a little village hamlet around your house. Doesn't have to be anything spectacular with quests and all that, but just the illusion of having neighbours would be wonderful. I am extremely fond of the little conjurer to the north of Lakeview..

Nords have 50% cold resistance. Bretons don't.

Blaise and (Imperial) Lucia are the two I'd worry most about.

Runa was my first choice. The only girl in an orphanage? Not on my watch.

I hope there's eventually a Hearthfire mod that not only increases the size of the plot of land you have (thereby allowing you to build more structures, like a greenhouse and storeroom as separate structures, but also lets you adopt more than 2 children. It'd be nice to give all those little kids homes.

When I learn how to mod, I'm gonna expand the Dawnstar Sanctuary and take Aventus and his little orphan friends from Honorhall there, so they can all learn the trade they were so happy see put an end to their troubles.

Well maybe I misread it. Which is better actually. After all this is NOT Sims and honestly I don't have time to mold how my kids grow up. I will gladly provide them a roof over their heads, a family to love them and all but seriously not for the finer details. So its chores once a week like it or not. And no more taffy for treats, just apples. LOL!

QUOTE - I hope there's eventually a Hearthfire mod that not only increases the size of the plot of land you have (thereby allowing you to build more structures, like a greenhouse and storeroom as separate structures, but also lets you adopt more than 2 children. It'd be nice to give all those little kids homes.

I'm no fan of mods, maybe because my first exposure to them was a really sick one. But that one sounds cool.

I just came across Lucia tonight. Poses an interesting situation for my character...

Aside from the modded in issues of being a warrior-bard with a band of beauties in tow, and the toughest bad*** northern warrior since the vikings, he's not married, and never at home, and really wouldn't feel comfortable having a kid/s left wandering around a house full of weapons, magic staffs, alchemicals and a connoissor's collection of meads, ales and wines.

I think Whiterun needs a child minding service...

Oh, and it would be 'nice' to find out where her aunt and uncle live...I'm sure a bit of 'friendly persuasion' could grease the wheels of closer family ties...I didn't invest that perk point into 'intimidation' for the occasional skooma dea...ummmm...business competitor...

Well, she goes into the Bannered Mare in the evening. I expect Hulda is the sort to find her a spare bed or hay pile for the night.

I adopted Lucia and Blaise. They are good kids, and it's funny when they occasionally get into arguments and start calling each other names. Lucia likes the snow at Heljarchen, but Blaise sometimes says " It's so cold here, if I play outside too long, I'll freeze solid!". He's ok though, and they both like whacking the practice dummy with swords or daggers. Turning into good Nords! LOL

I wasn't planning to adopt so soon, but when I ran into Lucia in Whiterun, welllllll.....then she needed a sibling and I ran into Blaise while snitching chicken eggs at Katla's for my kitchen.....sheesh, I'm a softie, for an a$$ kicking, dragon slaying fool. lol

QUOTE: Oh, and it would be 'nice' to find out where her aunt and uncle live...I'm sure a bit of 'friendly persuasion' could grease the wheels of closer family ties...I didn't invest that perk point into 'intimidation' for the occasional skooma dea...ummmm...business competitor...

Well, unfortunately Lucia's family farm doesn't turn up anywhere. She is Imperial, so it might be in Cyrodiil.

I wouldn't bother with Intimidation, I'd just throw them a beating. Probably have my Khajiit do it.

I'm actually glad I didn't adopt...I can't get into my house now...it seems Lydia has locked me out.

Probably something to do with that business with Serana...or Mjoll...or Iona...or Jordis *facepalm....