Hey there!

After about 600 hours of Skyrim, the game lost a lot of flavor to me. The list of untouched content gets shorter and shorter, and the game is becoming more and more repetitive. Of course I don't want to simply quit playing skyrim, I just thought it's time for me to play it a little different. So the first thing that came to my mind is a playthrough with self-imposed rules. Unfortunately I don't have many ideas which rules to self-impose. I'm already planning to turn the music and crosshair/cursor off, and never-ever use fast-travelling (which will probably be very hard for me at first). Also, I installed a mod to darken the nights in skyrim. I also thought about never using the map, but that would only make sense if I had a physical one. I might order one on ebay, tough.

That leaves me with some questions:

1. Is it possible to turn off the sneaking-cursor?

2. I also want to turn off the HUD, but that sort of bothers me. I'd notice if I was injured, even on adrenaline. And I also can tell how fatigued I am. Are there any immersive alternatives to the HUD? - ANSWERED -

3. If I turn off the compass and quest markers, can I navigate by sun and stars, or are they somehow positioned inaccurately?

4. Any other ideas to further improve immersion? Please note that I don't want to make the game overly hard, just more realistic and immersive.

Thanks a lot in advance, and sorry for the english. I'm a non-native speaker.
- b6lph

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I'm playing on PC, so I'm open for any any mod-related suggestions. Thanks!

Ideas so far:

- Only use potions, food, or apply poison, if at least one hand is free, and the situation allows it.
- As a werewolf, never pick up anything that contains any silver.
- Take the charakters needs (like eating, drinking and sufficient sleep) into account.
- Never steal armor from corpses. (I might roll a dice on some parts of same race and gender though, if the time allows it.)
- Wait a reasonable amount of time if crafting something.
- Limit smithing, enchanting and alchemy.
- Only use a reasonable number of skills.

If you're a werewolf, do not pick up anything that has silver on it. Yes, including silver clutter like plates.

If you're playing as a Khajiit. Sell lots of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRTUReLBWHA and steal everything you come across.

I'll keep it in mind, thanks!

As a Khajiit, this one is offended. This one hides the sweet sugar and wonderful skooma! This one only steals if the item is shiney.

I have a rule that I can only use potions if I have one hand free, and only if I'm not in actual combat at the time. Like if I realistically have a few seconds to quaff a potion or apply some poision thats fine.

Nice idea, I think I'm going to list it. Thanks a lot!

You can always try to get your character to have enough sleep, and maybe eat food frequently (haven't gotten the hang of that one quite yet)

Also, Turning the HUD Opacity all the way down is the greatest Imersive tactic I had, can't play with it on now.
It's not hard to get used to knowing when your Health is low (Blood on Screen and Heart beating kind of tells you), either way if you didn't have that, you still kind of get an instinct of how your Health, Stanima, and Magicka is if you've previously played with it On.

I made a list of things http://j-u-i-c-e.hubpages.com/_esforum/hub/roleplaying-skyrim. There is also a fair bit of discussion in the comments.

Two of my favorites are never taking armor from corpses (icky) and forcing myself to wait a reasonable amount of time if I decide to skin an animal, forge a weapon, or brew a potion.

@ Ordun: That answers the most pressing question, thanks!

@TheMagician: I'll take a deep look at it. Awesome, thanks loads.

I've opted to nerf Alchemy, Smithing, and Enchanting by limiting perks, using no fortification potions, and only allowing one fortifying piece of apparel.

@Oddish: I added it to the list, thanks!

You can turn off the compass and navigate by the position of the sun or your shadow on the ground. Though if there is a snow storm or heavy fog that will of course not work (just like in reality).

I always play with self-imposed limits. Roleplaying and keeping in character aside, my characters typically specialize in only a few skills. For example, Hrafn was a Nord warrior who wore heavy armor, and always used a war axe and shield. The only spell she ever used was the starting healing spell. When she found spellbooks she simply sold them. She never learned any other spells, because she was not a magician. While OTOH, I have played more than one pure mage who would never pick up a weapon except to sell it. Often they would specialized in only two schools, like Destruction and Conjuration, or Illusion and Destruction, and not use spells from other schools.

Gutslit hates most magic, but he is too interested in learning to care about his hate when it comes to finding new spells. He only uses illusion and restoration, though.

@SubRosa: I put it on the list, though I always played with just a handful of skills. Thanks!