[meg knight]

I'm sad.

Ulfric is dead.

And due to a miscalculation regarding levels (the damn man hasn't the same level as the player, is level is the player's X 1.2!) I can't raise him as my Dead Thrall. Of course, I could go back to an earlier save and just stop levelling up - but I just deleted old saves. When I do that, I usually save the last levels, and I did so this time as well, but I have to go back even more to be able to Dead Thrall him. And I can't. Unless I want to revert to a very old save and do the entire Legion questline again. Which I don't, since it was the most boring questline I have done. (Not to mention all the other little things I've done in between, like buying a house, raising my Conjuration level and so on.)

So I just went through an incredible boring questline, where I constantly felt like a traitor for crushing the dream of a free Skyrim, and now I can't even have my reward! I almost feel like deleting my character just for revenge (he killed Ulfric!!!) and do the other things I had planned for him with someone else.

Ah, well. Dead-Thralling Ulfric isn't very respectful, is it? I mean, it's kinder to let him rest in peace. (Too bad he will rest in peace on the floor of the main hall of his palace - it's not a very dignified final resting place.)

But I still don't want to play that character any more. Stupid Imperial. Now I want to restart my Dunmer and make her the next Stormblade.

[Georgine Lee]

Ah, well. Dead-Thralling Ulfric isn't very respectful, is it? I mean, it's kinder to let him rest in peace.

IDK if you've ever messed with Dead Thrall, but they actually thank you when you 'kill' them.

[Lalla Vu]

IDK if you've ever messed with Dead Thrall, but they actually thank you when you 'kill' them.

Not Dead Thrall, but I'm pretty sure I heard it from temporary raised zombies.

I feel a little better now. I restarted my Dunmer (had to recreate her - she still looks like a redhaired Karliah, but when I did her the first time I also chose Karliahs body - which was a mistake: Karliah is very Twiggy, but I picture my character more like Marilyn ), made sure to feed her some Imperial propaganda (she will join them first but come to her senses) and (once again) giggled over how Faendal leaves job, home AND the girl who's likely to be his to follow his new friend - well, all over Skyrim if she wants him to.

Then I came up with a nice little RP story, where my Imperial had planned on using Ulfric and Galmar as his dead thralls, but just couldn't bring himself to do it. He will turn his back on necromancy, go back to the College, propose to Brelyna (who probably likes that he's ditching the necromancy) and continue his studies.
At least I got Ulfric's clothes.

[Courtney Foren]

I only Dead Thrall the asses and only to be impish. At the point where my Assassin Chick is she don't need no help.

...when I did her the first time I also chose Karliahs body...

Go on...

...I picture my character more like Marilyn...

So do I.

[Chelsea Head]

Go on...


So do I.

I knew you just wouldn't leave that uncommented. Well, I could have refrained from telling it, I guess.

I still feel sad about killing Ulfric, though. Btw, even that scene was duller on the Imperial side. Except Ulfric's "But I belong to her."
Apart from that, I just felt like, ok, was this all? And am I the only one who thinks it's really, REALLY out of character that the leaders of the respective side sit in their castles while their soldiers defend the city during the last battle? I though it was stupid when I played the SC side, and even more so now. Like Ulfric and Galmar wouldn't be out there, fighting? Right.

[Shannon Marie Jones]

Well, Balgruuf stays in Dragonsreach during the battle for Whiterun, too, if you play the SC side. Part of it is gameplay - too much of the end of those battles is scripted and certain NPCs need to be in the right spot when it happens, also the "challenge" of those quests is to fight your way through to where the boss of the scene is waiting.

And from what I can remember, the enemies on the opposite side will just keep spawning until you enter the final cell to face off with the leader of the opposing faction. Something else would have to be scripted to make that stop which would have to involve Ulfric or Tullius (or their seconds) telling them to stop, or else there would have to be a finite number and you'd have to kill all or a percentage of them to trigger the "end" of the battle where only the two top enemies are still standing.

I think in the case of Balgruuf and Ulfric it's as much a matter of them being the local ruler, the place they are in was designed as the "secure location" of last resort for their protection. They might start out the battle outside but as their defenders are driven back they are going to repair into the "keep" because that's part of the purpose of having one. WIth Tullius the same thing could apply as supreme commander of the Legion in Skyrim and there's also the fact that Rikke says he's given up.

[JeSsy ArEllano]

Well, Balgruuf stays in Dragonsreach during the battle for Whiterun, too, if you play the SC side. Part of it is gameplay - too much of the end of those battles is scripted and certain NPCs need to be in the right spot when it happens, also the "challenge" of those quests is to fight your way through to where the boss of the scene is waiting.

And from what I can remember, the enemies on the opposite side will just keep spawning until you enter the final cell to face off with the leader of the opposing faction. Something else would have to be scripted to make that stop which would have to involve Ulfric or Tullius (or their seconds) telling them to stop, or else there would have to be a finite number and you'd have to kill all or a percentage of them to trigger the "end" of the battle where only the two top enemies are still standing.

I think in the case of Balgruuf and Ulfric it's as much a matter of them being the local ruler, the place they are in was designed as the "secure location" of last resort for their protection. They might start out the battle outside but as their defenders are driven back they are going to repair into the "keep" because that's part of the purpose of having one. WIth Tullius the same thing could apply as supreme commander of the Legion in Skyrim and there's also the fact that Rikke says he's given up.

Yes, the battles would probably need to be completely redesigned for it to work. But I can sort of understand why people accuses one side or the other for being "cowards", arguing that they hide in their castle (for some reason I have the feeling this is more often used against Ulfric...) - I mean, at the end of the battle you walk in there, and there are no others, just Ulfric slouching in his throne like it's just another day at work, and then Galmar lurking around.

True about Balgruuf as well. At least he had the decency to change into a steel plate armor (which, btw, looks really good on him, I recall) if you play the SC side - on the Legion side he's wearing his usual clothes, which is strange since he actually did some fighting - at least I think so. It's possible he turned up when all the enemies were dead. It was night when I defended Whiterun, so things were a bit confused.

Anyway, I felt the need for a game where I got to kill Imperials and talk to Ulfric, so I took my Breton through Korvanjund. Since she encountered a dragon and a spriggan on the outside, and Galmar and the rest joined in, their numbers were a bit lessened - after Galmar told a couple of soldiers to stand guard in the first main hall, it was just Jelissa, Vilkas, Ralof and Galmar. An awesome little party of four
And I must say, the Jagged Crown really http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Auroratiger/Skyrim/JaggedCrown007.jpg http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Auroratiger/Skyrim/JaggedCrown012.jpg. (It looked terrible on my Imperial.)

[Kerri Lee]

Thank you - we've done our best.

...and you haven't even seen the pics that haven't been posted.

[jadie kell]

And I must say, the Jagged Crown really http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Auroratiger/Skyrim/JaggedCrown007.jpg http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Auroratiger/Skyrim/JaggedCrown012.jpg. (It looked terrible on my Imperial.)

It does look really good on her! But frostbite does not. So she needs to put on something warmer!

[Judy Lynch]

It does look really good on her! But frostbite does not. So she needs to put on something warmer!

Lol, I sent them out barbarian style in skimpy fur pieces and greatswords I thought that was a appropriate way to take on the Legion. Also, their level is so high now so in their ordinary fighting gear (Nightingale for her, ebony for him) I figured it would just be too easy.

(And if you refer to her complexion - let me just say, this was my first character. I don't mind the scars - but scars, dirt AND a sort of rosaecea complexion was a bad idea.)

[Rich O'Brien]

Lol, I sent them out barbarian style in skimpy fur pieces and greatswords I thought that was a appropriate way to take on the Legion. Also, their level is so high now so in their ordinary fighting gear (Nightingale for her, ebony for him) I figured it would just be too easy.

(And if you refer to her complexion - let me just say, this was my first character. I don't mind the scars - but scars, dirt AND a sort of rosaecea complexion was a bad idea.)

No, I did not mean her complexion. I think she looks hot! Well, usually hot. Not in that pic though. She looks kind of cold there, as in freezing! I am just thinking of what my mother would say if I walked out in a snowstorm wearing only a bikini and a Jagged Crown!

[Louise Andrew]

No, I did not mean her complexion. I think she looks hot! Well, usually hot. Not in that pic though. She looks kind of cold there, as in freezing! I am just thinking of what my mother would say if I walked out in a snowstorm wearing only a bikini and a Jagged Crown!

It IS kinda weird that the Bretons of the Reach decided that fur bikinis was the way to go, since they don't have that frost resistance - I guess she'll have to use lots of potions and snuggled up to Vilkas - wait, he's not wearing much either - well, at least he's Nord.

They DID however meet a fire-breathing dragon shortly afterwards. That made them warm enough to make it all the way to Windhelm, where Ulfric quickly grabbed the crown, stared at her chest and gave her his axe.

[gary lee]

where Ulfric quickly grabbed the crown, stared at her chest and gave her his axe.

..."gave her his axe"... Is that what they are calling it these days.

[Erika Ellsworth]

..."gave her his axe"... Is that what they are calling it these days.

...and he said it was for Balgruuf.

[rae.x]

Well, Balgruuf stays in Dragonsreach during the battle for Whiterun, too, if you play the SC side. Part of it is gameplay - too much of the end of those battles is scripted and certain NPCs need to be in the right spot when it happens, also the "challenge" of those quests is to fight your way through to where the boss of the scene is waiting.

I dont see why they just didnt give the imperial/stormcloak soldiers and whiterun guards the same level as the normal guards. They arent too hard to kill, and it would be much more fun fighting guard level soldiers instead of lowly bandit level soldiers. The level they give us is what level 1-20 should be fighting. And I wish Ralof was a follower. He's like your characters first friend in Skyrim if you followed him.

[Kelly Upshall]

I dont see why they just didnt give the imperial/stormcloak soldiers and whiterun guards the same level as the normal guards. They arent too hard to kill, and it would be much more fun fighting guard level soldiers instead of lowly bandit level soldiers. The level they give us is what level 1-20 should be fighting.

Agreed. As if they expect you to do the CW the first thing you do. Sure, there are many of them since they spawn during the fights, but I'd rather have slightly fewer of a higher level instead.

[maria Dwyer]

...and he said it was for Balgruuf.

I guess that is why Balgruuf did not want it!

[Karine laverre]

I guess that is why Balgruuf did not want it!

Well not after a girl touched it. Some things are meant to be manly things among manly men only.

[Jon O]

Well not after a girl touched it. Some things are meant to be manly things among manly men only.

Then, why didn't Ulfric want Balgruuf's axe when my male Imperial was the messenger? Now I'm totally confused.

[Tyler F]

Ulfric never wanted Balgruuf's axe. But Bagruuf always wanted Ulfric's, and couldn't bring himself to admit it. By the time Ulfric realized this and decided to make the offer to ease the tension between them it was too late... Balgruuf was old and bitter and had grown too accustomed to sad little Imperial axes... and this only added to his resentment. He could no longer handle the awesomeness of a proper Nord axe and he knew it.

And there you have the origin of Balgruuf's animosity towards Ulfric Stormcloak. It's unrequited axe.

[Roisan Sweeney]

Ulfric never wanted Balgruuf's axe. But Bagruuf always wanted Ulfric's, and couldn't bring himself to admit it. By the time Ulfric realized this and decided to make the offer to ease the tension between them it was too late... Balgruuf was old and bitter and had grown too accustomed to sad little Imperial axes... and this only added to his resentment. He could no longer handle the awesomeness of a proper Nord axe and he knew it.

And there you have the origin of Balgruuf's animosity towards Ulfric Stormcloak. It's unrequited axe.

It all http://www.theaxeeffect.com/home now.

[HARDHEAD]

It all http://www.theaxeeffect.com/home now.

Lol I actually thought of that too after typing "axe" so many times.

[Catharine Krupinski]

I'm pretty sure I remember somebody posting about finding "Balgruuf's Axe of Burning" or something like that... *searching* Here,http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1394082-got-any-wtf-mmoments-in-skyrim-5/page__st__90. Apparently Balgruuf's steward sleeps with "Balgruuf's Burning Greatsword of Whiterun", which backs up your theory above.

[Tanya Parra]

If his 'sword' is burning, it is no wonder his name is Ball-Gruff...

[Heather Stewart]

Ball-Gruff the Greater, mind you. No wonder Ulfric said no.


This thread is rapidly sinking to it's usual low levels.