Hey all, I just got done with reading a (currently) 5 page topic on how factions were extremely lacking in Skyrim, Then I felt the urge to type down some of the DLC ideas I've wanted since Oblivion. Making a DLC isn't easy, but they added content through updates and released some dlc to tide us over to the next DLC, so I figure I might as well take a shot in the dark.

This might be a long post, so bare with me. Also beware of Oblivion, New Vegas, and Skyrim Guild spoilers. you've been warned.

One of the main reasons why I liked New Vegas was because of the factions that were introduced, Caesar's Legion, NCR, House, and all the little sub-factions. One way to re-enforce on how important factions were was the reputation system in New Vegas. If you followed the Legion, you were pretty much shot at wherever you went etc etc etc.

Long story short, I think Bethseda should add something similar to that route. If you joined the Legion, good luck going to Dawnstar or Windhelm for that assassination job when you'll be pretty much recognize by the Stormcloaks as the Dragonborn who joined the Legion. Which is completely immersion breaking when you can walk up to the heart of the Stormcloak Rebellion in Legion Armor. This leads to my next DLC suggestion, Disguises.

Another thing was disguises, hiding you face and what not. While not fully implemented in New Vegas, this was also implemented (somewhat) in Oblivion once you finished the Thieves Guild quest line and acquired the Grey Cowl. The Guard will pretty much recognize you as the Grey Fox and either attempt an arrest or kill you. If you took it off away from them, they would treat you as any normal citizen.

In Skyrim, that is not the case. How come, as an assassin for the Dark Brotherhood, the people of Skyrim can still recognize me as Dragonborn if I'm wearing my bad ass ninja armor? Bethseda should come and play with the ideas of disguises. There should be separate bounties like in the Shivering Isles, one for "Masked Killer" and one for 'Dragonborn". Bethseda implemented it with the holds, why not with masks? It's easier for us thieves and assassins archtype and at the same time I can level an entire city and not incur a bounty because they won't know who did it.(Unless the Thu'um is used, in which case the bounty is added to the Dragonborn's bount and not Masked Bounty)

Then there's the guild conflicts. if I am to be the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood who assassinates Emperor Titus Mede II, I should inevitably be forced to choose between the Legion and the Dark Brotherhood. Same goes for the Thieves Guild and the Companions. Being a thief and pickpocket should mean that I will eventually butt heads with the Companions idea of honor and glory. Conflicting ideals should make you choose between one side or the other. It's more clear-cut in the Civil War, where it's "Stay on a leaky boat with the Legion" vs "Take a chance with Ulfric Stormcloak and his rebellion on his rubber dingy". You can't join both sides, it's either "Stormcloak Uraaa!" or "Legion Huzzah!"

Rebuild Faction DLC: Now that's what I want to see. (say it aloud and it rhymes). Nothing is more satisfying than adding more members and missions to the near extinct Dark Brotherhood, and for the Dark Brotherhood headquarters to expand their influence in the other holds via new sanctuary's and appointing Speakers from the new members cesspool. You could even appoint Babette and Nazir as speakers to different holds in places like say, Markarth or Whiterun. Not sure what to do with the Companions, but for the Thieves Guild, even though I did get the rebuilt feeling from the Ragged Flagon, how about adding new headquarters in all the major cities of Skyrim? (Places like Morthal and Winterhold excluded, too small)

Better Cities: Cities like Windhelm, Whiterun, etc all felt extremely underwhelming. While it can be said that it will cause some issues with console versions, Why not just separate the city via small cells like in the Imperial City from Oblivion? That way, we can a real cell dedicated to the ugliness of the Grey Quarter and the wealth of those who live near Ulfric in Windhelm. A cell dedicated to the simple folk in the plains district and the snobbish folk of Nazeem, (and one for Jorrvasskr too). A cell dedicated to an expanded Warrens and another cell dedicated to the rich Nords associated with the "Noble" Silver-Blood Family in Markarth. etc etc.

Since Bethseda is listening to fans, I figure I might as well take a shot in the dark for it. Not only would console and PC gamers (though they have mods) get more DLC "with meat" on them, but Bethseda could profit as well.

Shut up, and take my money!