[IDEA] Radiance: A Simple Immersion-Booster : V - Skyrim

» Sun May 20, 2012 10:19 pm

One of the mods I want to look at seeing how hard it would do is random encounters when you're Fast Traveling, either by foot, horse, or carriage. My hypothetical design would assume you're going on a relatively straight, yet safe path from point A to B and drop you off in a known safe cell (so you don't just fall in the middle of lake, or don't appear in mid-air, etc.) that has room for an encounter. I'm only mentioning this because I think it would be awesome with these suggestions here in this thread, as then people who Fast Travel can experience them too. Here's the basic design I was thinking of:

- Fast Traveling now has a great element of danger. If you don't purchase the services of a Scout (leveled gold cost), you will most likely have at least one hostile encounter while Fast Traveling (along with random chance for non-hostile encounters). Hiring a Scout will act like having the "Outdoorsman" skills / perks of Fallout series, where it will prompt you if you want to ignore the random encounter or not. There may be multiple levels of Scouts where higher level Scouts allow you to ignore everything, while lower level ones only increase your chance to be able to ignore.

- You can also hire mercenaries to accompany you, which will decrease the chance of random encounters a little bit and give you backup for tough fights. Their contract only lasts for X number of days, where X number of days is the time it takes to fast travel from point A (where you hired them) to point B, and they won't follow you when walking around normally. But there could be a chance these mercs will backstab you...maybe they're from a faction you wronged...

This way you can still get the benefits of random encounters when you need to do something banol like travel from Whiterun to Solitude (a trip most people wouldn't make on foot!)

» Mon May 21, 2012 6:19 am

Seeing as you already have a duel that requires a high skill in one-handed or two-handed, how about giving us mages some love and have one that happens when you have a high level of destruction or are the arch-mage?

» Sun May 20, 2012 9:12 pm

@Lozzipop: I think that's already in the game. I've been challenged to mage duels on occasion in Whiterun, at least.

» Mon May 21, 2012 8:54 am

Firefox crashed just as I was finishing this post! Sweet.

Well, here we go again...

If you refuse to kill Paarthurnax, how about random encounters where you could find him sitting about in the world, taking a rest. I'm sure even dragons need to rest sometimes, especially when they're trying to start a new movement within dragonkind. You could talk to him to change your shout buff, and/or have him offer to take you somewhere (eg, the Throat of the World, various places in the different holds away from people).

Adding this to the original post.

Another idea: after being inducted into the Circle, you'll occasionally run into skirmishes between one or two werewolves and Silver Hand members. While you still have lycanthropy, there'd be a chance for the werewolves to be passive to you. Maybe you could also sometimes run into Aela hunting in beast form.

Taking the first idea. Not 100% on the second--depends on how flexible Radiant Story is. It'd have to check a lot of things to make sure Aela should even be there. Besides, don't the Companions already go out on hunting expeditions? I think I've run into Varkas out in the wilderness a few times, and not always near Whiterun.

Also, personally, I don't think you should need to cure yourself to get requests to help cure random people. As long as you've already cured Farkas and Vilkas, I wouldn't see an issue with rumors spreading that you know of a cure. Though I think the cure should probably be changed, because running out to the middle of nowhere to get to Ysgramor's Tomb and fight a ghost wolf* will get old fast. This is also backed up in game, because using Ysgramor's Tomb was supposed to be a last-ditch effort in case Kodlak was dead before getting cured. For living people, the cure was supposed to be different.

Maybe after curing Farkas and Vilkas, you get an anonymous letter mentioning another way to cure lycanthropy, and after you check it out to see it's true (without having to cure yourself), then you start getting random requests for help.

* I also have to wonder why it's a ghost wolf you fight, and not a ghost werewolf. A werewolf is a daedra unto itself, which you take the form of during your transformation.

One of my goals for this mod is to keep the development side of things simple. To do what you're talking about, we're looking at basically adding new quests to the game; if someone else does this and is okay with it, though, I'd be happy to integrate it here.

I've already seen Legion/Stormcloak skirmishes.

I've also seen Thalmor/Stormcloak skirmishes.

Seeing as you already have a duel that requires a high skill in one-handed or two-handed, how about giving us mages some love and have one that happens when you have a high level of destruction or are the arch-mage?

@Lozzipop: I think that's already in the game. I've been challenged to mage duels on occasion in Whiterun, at least.

Clearly the UESP page is not comprehensive. It already lists mage duels, but it doesn't list (nor have I encountered) one-handed or two-handed duels. And while I've encountered plenty of Thalmor, Stormcloaks, and Imperials, I've never seen them fighting as part of a random event. Hopefully when the CK comes out, we can see what events already exist and what ones don't.

At OP: If you find the time to do this, drop me a PM if you need help with scripting and whatnot. If you don't have the time, I mighrt be tempted to do it myself.

I'll let you know. :smile:

Spoiler

Or after you bring the 3 recruits to Delphine\or refuse to kill Paarth?

Maybe, but I'm not sure the effort of the extra scripting/testing quite justifies the payoff. (Not that this is a complicated way to do it; it's just a little more complicated than it needs to be, maybe?)

» Mon May 21, 2012 5:49 am

Firefox crashed just as I was finishing this post! Sweet.

http://lazarus.interclue.com/

» Sun May 20, 2012 9:38 pm

Taking the first idea. Not 100% on the second--depends on how flexible Radiant Story is. It'd have to check a lot of things to make sure Aela should even be there. Besides, don't the Companions already go out on hunting expeditions? I think I've run into Varkas out in the wilderness a few times, and not always near Whiterun.

I've run into Vilkas once out in the wilderness near Markarth, but all he was doing was walking. I'm mainly just thinking it'd be nice to actually see Aela in beast form doing stuff, since she really takes to her lycanthropy. In the vanilla game, you never see any of the members of the Circle in beast form except for one short scene where Aela is. Given that Aela likes being a werewolf and likes hunting, it'd be logical to run into her while she's hunting as a werewolf.

Or maybe another option is to simply implement a Radiant Quest to take her up on her offer to go hunting. You'd just go clear out a random bandit cave or fort with her in beast form.

» Sun May 20, 2012 10:16 pm

I really like this idea, and I think something like this would add quite a bit to the experience of the game.

» Mon May 21, 2012 2:51 am

This is awesome, and would blend really nicely into the main game (which already has a few of these, but more that react to events better is very welcome)

Hmm... for Thieves' Guild, it'd be nice to see the other guild members out and about, but I'm not sure quite what they could realistically be doing.

Haven't played through the college yet, so I don't know what could be added for that

EDIT: Just noticed you already had something about Companions/Werewolves fighting the Silver Hand, my bad

» Sun May 20, 2012 11:37 pm

Maybe some mages trying to reform the mages guild (kind of overused) or bands of Necromancers out to destroy the College one mage at a time, and here you come, wandering all by your lonesome... :whistling:

You know. That wouldn't be bad. Also, random people approaching you asking you to teach them, or escort them to the college because their amateur experiments have made them some enemies...

I've run into Vilkas once out in the wilderness near Markarth, but all he was doing was walking. I'm mainly just thinking it'd be nice to actually see Aela in beast form doing stuff, since she really takes to her lycanthropy. In the vanilla game, you never see any of the members of the Circle in beast form except for one short scene where Aela is. Given that Aela likes being a werewolf and likes hunting, it'd be logical to run into her while she's hunting as a werewolf.

Or maybe another option is to simply implement a Radiant Quest to take her up on her offer to go hunting. You'd just go clear out a random bandit cave or fort with her in beast form.

Spoiler

There's also the scene in Dustman's Cairn when Farkas takes on the Silver Hand

» Sun May 20, 2012 7:54 pm

Maybe, but I'm not sure the effort of the extra scripting/testing quite justifies the payoff. (Not that this is a complicated way to do it; it's just a little more complicated than it needs to be, maybe?)

All you have to do is check if the quest is finished no?
Also, for Blades stuff, perhaps you should consider compatibility with this: http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/470021-improving-the-blades/

» Mon May 21, 2012 5:54 am

http://lazarus.interclue.com/

My hero!

I've run into Vilkas once out in the wilderness near Markarth, but all he was doing was walking. I'm mainly just thinking it'd be nice to actually see Aela in beast form doing stuff, since she really takes to her lycanthropy. In the vanilla game, you never see any of the members of the Circle in beast form except for one short scene where Aela is. Given that Aela likes being a werewolf and likes hunting, it'd be logical to run into her while she's hunting as a werewolf.

I'll add it, with a caveat that it depends on how easily Radiant Story lets you mess with persistent NPCs. I'm thinking it can't be too hard, since Farkas and Vilkas go hunting anyway.

Maybe some mages trying to reform the mages guild (kind of overused) or bands of Necromancers out to destroy the College one mage at a time, and here you come, wandering all by your lonesome... :whistling:

I'll take the middle road: agents of the http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Synod who believe that the College is up to no good. I believe this would be in keeping with their MO (moreso than necromancers, since without the King of Worms or Potema to lead them, they seem to mostly want to either be left alone, or gain real ultimate power, neither purpose of which is served by attacking members of the College).

You know. That wouldn't be bad. Also, random people approaching you asking you to teach them,

Eldiran mentioned something along these lines earlier. What do you guys think of this: In settlements, you have a chance to meet a novice mage who wants tutoring in a specific school. He asks you to train him in that school, and you can either accept and receive a some of gold, but if your skill in the school is too low you'll fail and he'll be confused/ridicule you; or you can turn him down, and depending on your speech he'll either be offended or accept your decision and apologize for wasting your time.

If you do anger the student, it will enable a new encounter in which thugs and rogue mages attack you in the wilderness, carrying notes that proclaim you as a fraud.

All you have to do is check if the quest is finished no?
Also, for Blades stuff, perhaps you should consider compatibility with this: http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/470021-improving-the-blades/

Ah, true. I could just have two duplicate events with different conditions.

Looking at that other project, we may not need to take additional steps to be compatible with each other. I'd hope. Depending on how Radiant Story is implemented.

» Mon May 21, 2012 1:04 am

This is really great was just discussing this same idea with my brother earlier today. I like the specific ideas u came up with and can't wait to see this implemented

» Mon May 21, 2012 2:35 am

I've already seen Legion/Stormcloak skirmishes.

I've also seen Thalmor/Stormcloak skirmishes.

I can second this. Not only have I seen groups of 3 stormcloaks and imperials duking it out, I've stumbled across the aftermath of one, with grumpy looking stormcloaks standing over a group of imperial corpses. Haven't seen the Thalmor / Stormcloak fights yet, though...

» Mon May 21, 2012 7:44 am

I've already seen Legion/Stormcloak skirmishes.

I've also seen Thalmor/Stormcloak skirmishes.

In 60+ hours of playing and a lot of foot travel I have no once seen this outside of any civil war related quest... So yah it seems while there are some encounters/events built in they are rare... 90% of the time I travel by foot over long distances all that ever happens is I get attacked by bandits, wolves, bears and dragons.

» Sun May 20, 2012 6:53 pm

Added 2 new encounters, one for the Thieves Guild (finally finished it) and one for collecting Daedric artifacts (under the heading "Miscellaneous).

» Sun May 20, 2012 5:37 pm

Seeing as you already have a duel that requires a high skill in one-handed or two-handed, how about giving us mages some love and have one that happens when you have a high level of destruction or are the arch-mage?

I've actually had that already happen to my mage.

» Mon May 21, 2012 12:31 am

After doing all the Companion stuff all the way through,

Spoiler

...including curing myself and both those guys, I have still found the Silver Hand around in one or two dungeons. Though I think one was bugged, because I re-killed that "skinner" guy and got the quest to report back that he was dead. Point is, I think you'd be okay including them.

Guards should show an interest in you if you're a thief. Maybe not the Riften ones, but in the less guild-controlled cities. I'm not sure what exactly I expect, it just seems like there ought to be something.

As for the College ideas....

Spoiler

Become a Skill Trainer: After becoming Arch-Mage, you may meet novice mages in settlements who want you to train them in a specific school of magic. You can accept and have a skill check against that school of magic, or decline and have a skill check against Speech. Failing the skill check will cause the student to slander the College; successfully training him nets you some gold.

Down with the Fraud: For each time you fail Become a Skill Trainer, you may be ambushed in the wilderness by rogue mages trying to dethrone the fraud Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold.

I have actually already had a student run up to me and ask for help practicing his spells. He might have said he was getting ready to apply at the College, but I never saw him again. Having him show up later at the school would have been nice. (Though you'd need a limit, so I don't potentially get 100 NPCs up there.) His dialog may also be helpful for whatever you've got in mind.

"Down with the Fraud" doesn't make sense as a way to replace an unworthy arch-mage. Unless they're Synod or magic-hating nords or something, and are actually going after the head of what they think is a fraudulent/dangerous school. Otherwise, killing the guy in charge seems extreme and unwieldy as a solution. The school is full of people with more seniority than the arch-mage, and with no larger organization preventing them from promoting or pressuring out whoever they want.

That makes me think of a suggestion: random nords, particularly around Winterhold, that attack if they see you enter/exit a barrow. Post-Sarthaal, and especially once you become the recognizable arch-mage, they're going to know you're the one that's been defiling the resting places of their dead ancestors. Maybe this could be more likely when wearing college robes. Could also take the form of a random "guard" of nords who will let you leave, but you'll have to fight them to the death or sneak past them if you want to get into their barrow.

Speaking of magic, I love the enchanting (and smithing) requests. I keep passing guards that want better swords, with no option to do that for them. And once, a guard said he wished he could have armor like mine...and I was actually carrying an extra suit of it that I had no use for. He's legion, I'm legion, I'm hideously rich anyway....

"Fleeing from War" ought to include most non-nords, not just imperials, in my opinion. The Stormcloaks would rather have a sympathetic imperial around than any kind of elf, I'm sure.

All I have to say about the Main Quest is that I hope "The End Times" is compatible with the inevitable Parthuurnax options mod.

For the Dark Brotherhood:

Spoiler

Will the Penitus Occulatus ambush me outside my house, or do they not know I'm a thane? And so many guards seem to know I'm an assassin. Why don't they ever just assume I'm guilty when they find someone dead?

This will be a really cool mod when it's done.

» Sun May 20, 2012 6:03 pm

I really like this idea. I'd be interested on working on a project like this once the CK is out, if anyone decides to take this up.

» Mon May 21, 2012 12:43 am

I'll add it, with a caveat that it depends on how easily Radiant Story lets you mess with persistent NPCs. I'm thinking it can't be too hard, since Farkas and Vilkas go hunting anyway.

Make sure to give it the condition that you at least played up to the point you know about the Circle's affliction - don't want it spoiled early, especially since the dialogue later would sound very odd if you already knew.

» Mon May 21, 2012 8:58 am

Fecking awesome ideas, all of them, I really hope you to release this mod. Really. Thanks in advance only for the idea.

Edit: what about the posibility to pass the DB contract once you get to be The Listener? And having to hire by yourself some more crew?

» Sun May 20, 2012 5:41 pm

tavern brawls!

» Mon May 21, 2012 8:43 am

I've actually had that already happen to my mage.

I'm a warrior and I've had this.. I think because my restoration is over 40. Though I'm not sure. It kind of svcks because the mage is pretty strong and dodged my power attackes a few times.. But I got him, eventually. Silly mages. So squishy and vulnerable to Lightning.

» Sun May 20, 2012 11:04 pm

Great ideas so far.

Wandering Vigilantes of Stendarr that give quests to clear a random dungeon of daedra worshipers, vampires, and other unholy beings would be pretty cool. Quests to hunt vampires and werewolves in random locations on the world map would be nice as well.

» Sun May 20, 2012 10:57 pm

What's missing? A chance to join the Silver hand and wipe out the Companions.

» Mon May 21, 2012 4:13 am

Guards should show an interest in you if you're a thief. Maybe not the Riften ones, but in the less guild-controlled cities. I'm not sure what exactly I expect, it just seems like there ought to be something.

My first thought was bounty hunters, but I've actually encountered those when I had a high bounty, so that's been done. Anti-Guild vigilantes akin Mjoll, perhaps? How does that sound?

As for the College ideas....

Spoiler

I have actually already had a student run up to me and ask for help practicing his spells. He might have said he was getting ready to apply at the College, but I never saw him again. Having him show up later at the school would have been nice. (Though you'd need a limit, so I don't potentially get 100 NPCs up there.) His dialog may also be helpful for whatever you've got in mind.

It would be nice if there is some dialogue I can repurpose. I've heard of that event, but it's a different enough to keep the "be a skill trainer" event.

Spoiler

"Down with the Fraud" doesn't make sense as a way to replace an unworthy arch-mage. Unless they're Synod or magic-hating nords or something, and are actually going after the head of what they think is a fraudulent/dangerous school. Otherwise, killing the guy in charge seems extreme and unwieldy as a solution. The school is full of people with more seniority than the arch-mage, and with no larger organization preventing them from promoting or pressuring out whoever they want.

Spoiler

For clarification, this event isn't meant to be a literal "I want to become the new arch-mage" kind of thing. It's more of, "Why does he get to be arch-mage when there are more competent mages? I'm ANGRY!" kind of thing.

Spoiler

That makes me think of a suggestion: random nords, particularly around Winterhold, that attack if they see you enter/exit a barrow. Post-Sarthaal, and especially once you become the recognizable arch-mage, they're going to know you're the one that's been defiling the resting places of their dead ancestors. Maybe this could be more likely when wearing college robes. Could also take the form of a random "guard" of nords who will let you leave, but you'll have to fight them to the death or sneak past them if you want to get into their barrow.

Assuming we can detect when the player is leaving a dungeon and spawn radiant events then, this is a great idea. Adding it to the original post.

All I have to say about the Main Quest is that I hope "The End Times" is compatible with the inevitable Parthuurnax options mod.

Here's hoping!

For the Dark Brotherhood:

Spoiler

Will the Penitus Occulatus ambush me outside my house, or do they not know I'm a thane? And so many guards seem to know I'm an assassin. Why don't they ever just assume I'm guilty when they find someone dead?

Something to think on. If they can ambush you in town, though, it raises questions: What do the guards do about it? Wouldn't such an action incur a bounty on the player in Imperial-aligned cities (since surely they'd alert to the guard to your wrongdoing)?

...I think I broke the forum with all these quotes? Continued in the next post.