Hoping some more experienced TES modders can weigh in on a couple of subjects, quite specific things I'd like to achieve in Skyrim; I've no idea where to start.

Text-only Dialogue
... One-off/initial NPC greetings may use voice audio, but the great majority of game dialogue would be in text format only.
I've no experience of modding Skyrim's GUI or implementing alternative NPC interactions - is this realistically possible to achieve, and if so, any clues on where to start?

Morrowind-style Fog / Draw Distance
... The exterior gameworld is shrouded in fog which significantly reduces view distances.
Weather Fog Distance values don't seem able to produce the desired effect, and I'm not aware of any way to limit or disable visibility of distant land in Skyrim. Is there any conceivable way to (re)create this effect?