Hey guys. I'm wondering about addon ESP files and how they can interact with another ESP.

As you know my hunting mod is growing, and it currently includes perk tree additions. The plan is as from the next update there will be a second version available without perk tree changes, for compatibility with other perk mods.

So I've been thinking about how I'd add my perks/abilities by other means, and how it would impact development of my mod. I'm thinking of creating a seperate addon ESP for the perk system, with various ways to obtain them. The reason for this is because the quests in this version won't be available in the main version, meaning any work I do in version 1 will have to be repeated in version 2. So, I'll add the quests etc as a seperate addon ESP to the no perk tree version.

First question: Is that possible to do? Secondly, can I load my mod ESP and make a new ESP, which requires content from the original ESP (which won't be active), without making it a master? (because I know only esm files can be masters).

I hope I'm explaining myself properly. Basically I want my npc to give quests in this optional addon, and the npc lives in the main ESP file.

Edit:

To visualise the system:

Hunting in Skyrim.esp (main version with perk tree)

Hunting in Skyrim - no perk tree.esp (same as main version but with no perks)
- Hunting in Skyrim - no perk tree addon.esp (contains the quests and script to make perks available to no perk tree version)

I should add my development plan. It's not the most efficient, but it's my own fault for having perks from the beginning

Develop main esp file. When ready to upload latest version to the world, go in and remove all trace of perk tree changes. Save this esp as a "no perk tree" version. Upload both. Then go back into main esp, make more changes and additions, save it ready to upload. Again go back in, remove all perk tree changes, and save as a "no perk tree" version. Upload both.

This is why I want my "gain perks" quests in a separate ESP file, for the player to use in conjunction with the "no perk tree" esp file.