It had been a while since I'd done the Main Quest line and I was looking for something a little challenging so I'm role playing a Skirmisher character where I remain Level 1 right through the quest line. Other rules are:

- Only Hide Bracers and Leather Boots for armor along with a Novice Hood and a rustic looking set of clothes.
-I can only use gear I've enchanted myself but only using Petty Soul Gems, so just plus 1 to skills.
-No trade skill potions or enchants whatsoever so what I make is strictly based on my actual skill level.
-No fast travel unless I need to get unstuck from a bad piece of terrain.
-Weapons include an Imperial Bow, Scimitar and Shield and a dagger with a soul trap enchantment.
-No offensive spells but healing spells are allowed and Shouts for Dragons.
-No Vegetable Soup (I like to bash and slash) unless I'm fighting a dragon or a troll.
-I allowed myself a Stray Dog for a travelling companion but no other conjures or followers (except were they are required for a quest).

As you might guess this is not a Dead is Dead character .

So far I've been playing 49 hours and I'm still tracking down the Elder Scroll. I probably could have been further along but I like doing side quests as I'm travelling around. The toughest critters I've had to fight are Frost Trolls, the Dragon Priest on the main quest line (I used the quest NPC for that fight) and Level 20 Blood Dragons. The first couple of Blood Dragons were pretty rough until I got my weapon skills up into the 50's and got the Marked for Death shout. Even now I burn through a lot of health and stamina food/potions in each fight.

Things I've learned with this character is that dog's are actually prety useful. They'll fight until they get down to one health then the critters will ignore them and come after you. They can still die if you're fighting a caster that like's throwing area of effect spells or if you get careless in a tough fight and accidentally administer the killing blow yourself. They can be a little high maintenance when you're travelling around as their pathfinding can be a little iffy around uneven terrain so they'll often go running off to find a safer path that will take them into the middle of some nasty critters. Also, if you're shooting arrows while the dog is attacking a bad guy move off to the side or, better still, behind the enemy to get a clear shot. If you're stuck in a narrow corridor stand up to get a safer angle, aim at the bad guys neck and head and wait until after the dog's jump attack animation to fire. All that said the dog will often do more damage than you will in a fight especially when you're in a fur ball with a bunch of bandits.

If I had to offer any advice to someone wanting to play this kind of character is don't be as much of a stickler about fast travelling as I've been. If nothing else at least allow yourself to use the stage coach to save yourself from the tedium of those long runs from Riften to Markath .

Sneak past enemies alot...
Do not attempt to fight Dragon Priests.
Remeber that Giants can't swim.