[dean Cutler]

Lili kicked the bucket just now.

"Tenetur in Aeternum"
I am truly sorry for your loss. She will be forever remembered in the CCMS.

Here's where thing went wrong: I just had to feed in order to get those damned people in Whiterun to trigger their script packages and go about their damned business. So I fed on Ancano's leg(I think HoB will scold me for feeding) .

Hands-On-briast just shakes her head. "I told her that type of feeding is poison...." S4V-24/7

It just seems so silly that if you join at S4 and stay there they are fine with that, BUT if you go S4-S1 and back to stage 4 they act like they never knew you!

That is interesting. I never thought about their disposition resetting. But then again, I never had reason for it to be an issue in the first place. HA!

Will start one of those lottery characters, for fun.

Ah, the loto char. I can't wait to hear about that one! Good luck!

[Anna Watts]

DiD take 2.. RIP Tega
How dare they ! did they not know who I am ? I am Florilda, daughter of Zeogth the greatest Redguard wizard ever, how dare they treat me this way. Maybe I should explain a little first, I was on a simple errand with a bodyguard of 4 well trusted and experienced men or at least I thought I was, it turned out only three were well trusted, one had sold my whereabouts to the bandit chief Oswald Kickbucket and he and a band of 20 well armored bandits ambushed our camp in the dead of night.. want to guess who was on guard duty? Yes it was that traitor Emild, may he rot in an eternity of maggot strewn hell, may his eyes be eaten by bloodflies.
The bandits killed my drugged guards and took me, their plan was to hold me as some kind of hostage. If that traitorous dog *spit* had not put paralysis poison in our mead, they would all be a pile of burning limbs for the vultures to feed on.
the bandits took my robe and jewels, replacing them with simple sackcloth garments to make me less conspicuous I believe. As if the very tilt of my chin would not give away my high birth !
We were going over the border into Skyrim, I overheard them say that they knew where they could hide me there, when a cart full of guards stopped us and in the ensuing fight some bandits got killed, the others, the yellow bellied, low life scum ran away, leaving me alone. The guards just grabbed me and threw me in a following wagon full of prisoners. The wagon was full of people, one or two looked high born but I did not speak to them, I would save my voice to talk to whoever dared to treat Zeogth's daughter this way.
We traveled for the best part of a day and came to a small city or town called Helgen.
The wagon stopped and an executioner stood by.. his ax at the ready, some poor idiot tried to run and an arrow cut short his escape and life. After the first head rolled.. I was told although my name was not on the list, death awaits me !! No point in trying to run.. my father would avenge me a thousand times over.
As I put my head on the block a roar of flames from above knocked the executioner over and for the briefest of moments I thought my father was here to save me.
But no.. a huge fearsome, redeyed flying beast stood on a tower, a dragon, beast from nightmares and old legends spat sulfur stinking, fire laden breath at anything that moved.I stood and ran.
As I did so a Guard saw me and said to follow him, I did so, running through a tower, burnt and damaged buildings.. past dead and dying and all the time the dragon roaring and and sending blasts of fire at us.
At last we came to a low building and went in Hadvar, my rescuer cut my ropes and told me to strip and wear the armor from dead men ! I will do no such thing! I did however collect the weapons. We went through the building in this way I found some gold and food and even a few potions. At last we were out after surviving attacks from men, spiders and a bear. Hadvar told me of his uncle who lived in a nearby village and went there, telling me that I would be welcome too.
I had been bought up as a mage, drinking in magic with my mothers milk. I am also a alchemist so am more than capable of looking after myself. I walked down the path, stopping to pick herbs and soon came to a mine. Sneaking behind a bandit, fire killed him where he stood.. I went into the mine creeping around and picking off the bandits one by one.. they will pay for what their kind did to me! I looted all weapons, locked chests and of course picked up any gold lying around but did not strip the corpses, not wanting anything to do with their filthy clothing.
I left the mine and went on to Riverwood, selling my looted weapons at the local shop. I found the kindly uncle, accepted his hospitality, eating well at his table and sleeping in a comfortable bed. Alvor asked that I warn the Jarl about the dragon, early the next day I made my way to Whiterun, picking herbs, vegetables and even found some mead along the way. A khajiit trading caravan was outside the city gates so I traded some stuff and bought a simple robe, nothing like my purple and gold but serviceable.
After the briefest of explanations I was allowed through the city gates and up to the Jarl. he was impressed with my story, gave me a useless piece of junk and took me to his court wizard. I was feeling a bit more confident now.. but he just wants me to run errands,, package for one of the local shops and to go into an ancient tomb! do I look like a errand boy? I look at him with distaste call himself a wizard? looks more like a old man to scared to leave his room !
I sleep the night in the local inn and in the morning make and sell some potions and find the cart to take me to Solitude. I am going to destroy every bandit and bandit camp I find.

[Killah Bee]

These DiD threads have inspired to play my characters as DiD.

RIP Smacx, a Level 46 Breton, a master of 1-handed, archery, sneak, light armor, smithing and enchanting.

He met his end in a Dwemer ruin while seeking an Elder Scroll. He was chopped to pieces by a Dwemer Helicopter Blade Trap while sneaking up a ramp in the Alfthard Animonculory.

[Natalie Taylor]

@lorelai: A memorial stone has been added for Lilith. As a non-vampire, my character is glad to have one less of those bloodsvckers running about in Skyrim! Nevertheless, as the banner-carrier for DiD, I feel your loss.

QUESTION for EXP'D DiD'ers: Since my DiD characters have recently suffered ignominious deaths at levels 10 and 12, I'm considering changing my gameplay a little. I normally play on the expert difficulty level and attempt to roleplay my characters such that they do not grind their smithing and enchanting, and instead only engage in smithing/enchanting when it makes sense based upon their storyline. My characters were using full sets of superior-smithed weapons and armor when they met their demise, but were using nothing superior in terms of enchantments. So that my characters live longer, would any experienced players recommend that I drop the difficulty based on the playstyle that I've described above? Or would you recommend that I grind my character's smithing/enchanting if I insist on playing on expert level difficulty? Or is there a sequence of quests that should be completed at the start that would help me? Thanks! J.

[Logan Greenwood]

@SENIOR CINCO. ?Thank you for the condolences. Yeah, not sticking with the S4-24/7 and I got burned, literally!

@jdeleski. Thank you for adding the memorial!


Alea iacta est!
I started my lottery character. Everything was random, from the race to the sliders to the main skills. When I drew the first ticket and it turned up Argonian, I knew this was going to be funny!
Lo and behold! http://i.imgur.com/Hgy2K.jpg Warning! I am not responsible for short-term blindness from prolonged exposure!

I asked my roommate what to name her. He said Hellspawn, so that's going to be her name, yes it's a SHE.

For main skills it turned up: Light Armor, Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Archery, Restoration, Enchanting aaand, wait for it....TA DA! LOCKPICKING (useless).

Will start her journal, I have some fun ideas.

[mike]

I think I'm going to enlist here as well.

Name: Jartod Soring
Race: Redguard
Gender: Male

A hunter who specializes in archery and alchemy. he prefers to live of what he can get from the land. dressed in hides and furs he hunts in the forests with his trusty wooden bow. he doesn't like the big towns and will mostly stay in the woods and villages.

[Lily]

Ok so I want to start my first DID character, im going to name him Muad'Dib. To those of you who know the character im trying to think of what skills I shoud focus on. I was thinking

Breton
One-Hand (just one dagger)
illusion (i think invisibility and rally spells would fit)
Alchemy
Light armor
Sneak

any ideas on items to go for. Im going to try and rp him as best I can so no D.B. or T.G. Although the nightengail armor would kinda look like a stillsuite

[Cayal]

my new DiD is Florilda, mage and out for revenge. I have posted first chapter of her story. No fast travel she will go on foot or by wagon, will do a quest if it suits her but her main purpose is to kill every bandit she finds..and will search for them! Does not loot clothes, will loot other valuables. does alchemy as her only skill. Tries to sit and eat at least twice a day and sleeps in a inn if possible unless she can find a shack or free bed.

[Queen of Spades]

QUESTION for EXP'D DiD'ers:

come now J. You should know our answer

the answer is: do what you feel you need to do. I'd beware the smithing/enchanting grind, as it may be these that are getting you killed.

my tips:

-as everyone has already said, alchemy is pretty important and useful for survival.

-a much less talked about skill that I find very useful as well is restoration. I mean it's cake. a point into novice resto, a point into dual cast, a point into apprentice resto, a point into the 50% increase in healing rates... that's a mere 4 perk points to make a damn fast healing spell for half its original magicka cost, and best of all magicka regenerates at a faster rate than health, meaning, combined with healing and magicka potions, you can really keep yourself alive for quite some time.

-at the start, go with Hadvar. Do not go with Raloff. Why? Because when you go with Hadvar, you have an opportunity to increase your one hand, your block, and your destruction. In the first room of helgen keep, DON'T pick up the armor right away. Grab an iron sword, equip it, and start wacking Hadvar. When you've raised your one hand a few points (perhaps 5), start block bashing him to increase block. Do this for a bit, maybe until skills are at 30-35. Trust me, it's a great way to do an early grind that actually levels your combat skills along side the enemy scaling. Plus, if you play on pc, and have, say, a smelting mod, the stormcloak curiasses can be melted down into 3 steel bars. EACH. Great way to get some smithing mats early on.

Honestly, you can even play on a lower difficulty until you get to a level you feel ready to switch to expert/master. I doubt anyone would mind, and if they do they can deal with it and stop whining. Only rule is dead is dead, right? Never said you had to consistently play on expert or master.

[Ian White]

Hello Fewr,

Hey, thanks for the reponse! You would think that I'd know these things... But no, I've been spending too much time adventuring and roleplaying.

OK, I'll give your suggestions a shot, and I'll continue to stay on expert difficulty to see if I can get beyond the level 12 threshold without resorting to lowering it. I just love the challenge of a higher difficulty, darn it! And I now know not to tackle a bandit leader at level 10.

J.

[Symone Velez]

^ Yeah, as the playthrough I have just started is one with a personal attachment for me, I am playing at adept for the first few levels til I am confident I am ready to take on tougher challenges. So do whatever feels right, and you can do the same leveling trick with Ralof, after killing the imperial captain, just grab the key that keeps Ralof from being able to leave the room.

[Damned_Queen]

Ri'narassa-dar update: expert, level 18.

Ri' went to whiterun and has continued her success as a thief. after defeating the dragon of the western wall she was told about a redguard female that the alik'r are looking for. since, it was clear that at least one and maybe both of the groups stories were lies, Ri' executed the chief alik'r and was forced to defend herself against the crazed female she had just set free. oh well.

Ri' has defeated her second dragon as it descended upon her unexpectedly as she emerged from the alik'r base cave. Ri' would not have lived another day if not for the unexpected aid from a nearby mammoth and giant that put the blood dragon to rest.

Ri' is now bored with whiterun, but, will soon be heading towards Riften to find out about an unusual gem she found in the jarl's palace. as well, she has heard rumors that the thieves guild is somewhere in the city...

[Richard Dixon]

Candida Albicans was rapidly selected out of the Skyrim gene pool early last night at level 5. On her first combat quest she was sent to a vampire cave where she made quick work of three skeletons but then was unceremoniously made extinct by the first vampire she rant into.

I decided then and there that DiD is not meant to be played on Master difficulty.

Goodbye Candida, I hardly knew ya

[Nomee]

New DiD Character

Name: Trypanosoma cruzi

Race: Redguard

Build: Heavy armored archer/warrior

Gender: Female

Due to the rapid departure of my two previous DiD characters, I decided to play this one on Adept difficulty. The decision has thus far paid big dividends. In a session that lasted until somewhere around 2:30 a.m., Trypanosoma has reached level 11 and is absolutely rolling along. In all but one combat quest she's brought along a follower and has been very careful to let those followers take the brunt of each attack.

Three combat quests for the Companions, a trip to Bleak Falls Barrow, and killing the Dragon at the Watchtower, combined with concentrating on leveling archery skills so that as much direct combat as possible is avoided have made her a successful DiD character. But if she makes it to level 15 I'm going to bump the difficulty up to Expert.

[Jennifer Munroe]

Wilhelm Donner was returning home to Skyrim with every intention of joining up with Ulfric and the rebels. He stopped shortly after crossing the border and joined a little campsite of what he thought were merchants. As the men sat around the fire, they began drinking mead and ale and before Wilhelm knew it, he was telling the others of his plans to join up with the rebels. He was handed another bottle of mead and they toasted the Stormcloaks. Wilhelm down the mead, and that was the last thing he remembered before waking up on a wagon headed to Helgen with a bunch of Stormcloaks. He realized that obviously the merchants must have been imperial sympathizers and had betrayed him. Now all he had to look forward to was a quick death at the headsman's axe. Certainly not the way he wanted to go out for sure.

Well finally his turn came and he was marched up to the chopping block, but proud and strong, he stood silent and awaited the end. There were some strange noises off in the distance. Then his knees buckled, as he was kicked from behind, dropping him on to the chopping block. Suddenly though just as the axe was to drop a ... a .... could it really be ... a dragon. Yeah it must be. A dragon landed on a nearby tower and began attacking. This knocked the headsman from his feet, as Wilhelm felt the blow of some concussive blast. The next thing he heard was Ralof, the Stormcloak from the wagon yelling for him to get up. Wilhelm struggled to his feet and ran towards Ralof and they made a beeline for a tower.

There Ralof and Ulfric discussed plans and it was agreed by all that they needed to get up to the top of the tower. As Wilhelm raced up the steps that dragon bashed through the wall right in front of him. God that was close he thought as he jumped back. As the dragon moved away Ralof and he looked out the opening. Ralof told Wilhelm to make a jump for the building below and to make his way to the keep. There Ralof said they would meet up again and make their escape.

So Wilhelm jumped seeing few other options. He made it, barely getting singed by the flames. Wilhelm made his way through the building and out the other side. He just kept moving and ran past the imperial with the list and barely sidestepped the dragon as it landed. He just kept running as clearly he couldn't fight the beast with his hands still bound. Run and run he did, til he reached the keep. True to his word, Ralof was there and they entered the keep together.

Once inside Ralof unbound his hands and suggested he take Gunjar's gear. Wilhelm quickly put on the armor and boots and picked up the axe, while Ralof searched for some way out of here. Wilhelm had in his youth apprenticed as a smith and realized that this weapon was barely adequate. But if would have to do for now. His warrior instincts told him things would get crazy and soon. He was about to join up in the search with Ralof when they both heard it. It was the voice of the imperial captain. What an opportunity! Ralof and Wilhelm crouched alongside the gate and waited. This imperial captain now had a short life expectancy.

As the gate opened, the blood pumped through Wilhelm's veins. Wilhelm sought the void, that calming place that allowed him to be such a decisive and powerful warrior. The calm came and when the captain stepped through that doorway, Wilhelm and Ralof pounced in near perfect unison. It was truly over before it even got started. Wilhelm and Ralof grabbed the key, and Wilhelm also grabbed a pair of those imperial blades realizing they were of a better quality than the axe he currently carried.

They made they way down the halls when the roof collapsed in. 'Damn dragon' thought Wilhelm to himself, as Ralof stated the obvious aloud. Well there was only one way to go now. Wilhelm opened the door and heard the voices of some imperial soldiers. With no hesitation he drew his blades and moved to engage. They went down fast as Ralof launched arrows and Wilhelm sliced and diced. After gathering up some potions and and food supplies they headed out the next door. This led to the torture chamber.

They heard the cries of their fellow Stormcloaks and rushed to their aid. Wilhelm attacked the torturer with speed and precision dropping the magic wielder quickly. 'Despicable' thought Wilhelm, 'They use magic to torture, how vile and crass.' Well with the torturer and his assistant dismissed, their numbers had swelled to four. 'Maybe just maybe we will make it out of here alive,' thought Wilhelm. After grabbing some more supplies they moved further down into the dungeon.

Wilhelm leading the way, heard the voices first. There were several imperials in the next room. Wilhelm did not hesitate he moved in quickly confident that the others would follow. He was correct in his assumption and they dispatched the five imperials. It was a tougher fight than anything they had faced thus far and Wilhelm had to take some time to bind his wounds. He downed one of the red potions that he recognized as having curative affected. He and Ralof were going to press on and the other two would wait for other survivors.

Ralof lowered the gate and Wilhelm and he moved across. They had no sooner crossed and the bridge collepsed from falling rocks. 'Damn that dragon was unbelievable' thought Wilhelm, 'I wonder if it can be stopped.' Well no time to pause they had to keep moving. As they followed and underground stream they found a path leading to a small cavern. This room was a lair to several frostbite spiders. It was a tough fight, but with the bow and arrows Wilhelm had retrieved off the imperials he was able to take most of them down before they could get to him. He took the opportunity to fill up several small vials with some frostbite poison and grabbed the unhatched eggs to sell later.

Finally they met up with the underground stream again in another cavern. At the far end of this one was a sleeping bear. Ralof suggested sneaking by, but Wilhelm decided that he wanted that fur pelt as he knew it got quite cold here in Skyrim. So he inched forward til he could get off a good shot. Thwappp! 'Damn' thought Wilhelm, 'That was not enough to kill it.' So he grabbed his blades and charged forward. One swift stab later and he and Ralof were skinning the beast. It was a fine pelt. They continued on and finally found an exit to the outside.

TBC

[Strawberry]

bacillus-

i have no doubt that you can handle expert for DiD. with master, you have to slow down and let the character live in the world. roleplay and advance skills. slow down.

[Louise Dennis]

I got into Solitude in time to witness an execution.. it seems to be a very popular entertainment,Skyrim is a very blood thirsty place. I explored the city, talking to a few locals and picking herbs. No one seemed to know me, seems strange to be so unrecognized.. I actually felt free, all my life I had been surrounded by people and guards, even strong men bowed their head in my presence. But here I was just another visitor to their city.
I still intend to wipe out every bandit I come across and that will be my mission here.
As the time was getting late I bought supper and a room in the local inn, I would start my mission at first light. I was up at 5 and after a sweetroll washed down with mead I left the city to explore and find bandits.
I walked past the stables and a farm, walked down to the river where a millworker told me to watch the currents in the swift river. I crossed from small islets,needing to kill aggressive crabs, on the far river bank I started looking for caves or any place that bandits would hide in. Soon I spied a cave, I crept up to the entrance,it was guarded by a skeleton, which was soon shattered on the ground.. creeping into the cave I killed, if that be the word for dispatching a undead being, another skeleton and getting further in saw 3 necromancers.. heard the voice of at least one more. As I have no disagreement with these foul beings and deciding discretion is the better part of valor, I crept unseen out of the cave into sweeter smelling air.
After leaving Wolfskull cave, I walked further until I heard voices, creeping forward I saw two bandits standing below a raised platform. I crept closer and swiftly froze one to death,, and sent the other flying across the clearing in a ball of fire, after making sure he was dead and using a healing spell, I went up the steps as a third came out of his tent, awoken no doubt by the noise, he soon was a pile of burnt flesh so I looted their chest and took the weapons. May the word get around that a Redguard mage was intent on causing the death of bandits,Ironback hideout just being the first of many such places to pay for my abduction.
walking on, I came to a tower, widows watchtower I believe it was called, and creeping in to check it out I was attacked by a witch, I tried to explain that I had no quarrel with her, but she would not listen and now lies dead.
I walked down to the rugged coast and sat on a rock to eat the food I had bought with me, the time was mid afternoon, so I would soon need to look for shelter for the night.
I see a half sunken ship in the distance and think maybe I could camp there, as i get closer I see a couple of tents and standing on a rock with his back to me, a bandit with a bow.I crept close to rocks and he was dead before he hit the ground.. his mate ran towards me, sword in hand but sword is no match for a spell that burns and sparks that blind, soon he joined his friend.I crept aboard the boat needing to check it out.. bandits seemed to like company, and yes a third was in a cabin, his bedroll next to him,soon another dead bandit. Six dead today, soon it would be sixty and the name of Florilda would spread fear and that is what I want.The ship was called "Orphan's Tear" maybe it should have been called "bandits death"
I spent the night at the campsite after pushing the bodies into the sea.. may the slaughterfish feast tonight. The bandits had a good fire and a supper of their cheese and mead soon sent me into a deep sleep inside a snug bedroll and under the cover of a hide tent.
the next morning I walked back the way I had come, stopping to pick herbs and of course kill the beasts who seem intent on making a meal out of me.
I saw three men dancing! I was surprised, why would there be drunken revelers out dancing in the snow? I spoke to them and they insisted I shared a drink and after we drank and pvssyd they went merrily on their way.
I soon came to a small village and after inquiring about bandit camps, no one knew of any, or so they said,I walked back to Solitude, it was a long walk, so I went straight to the inn for supper and a bought bed. I woke early and after a leisurely breakfast sold my looted weapons and valuables, made and sold a few more potions and sat on a bench to work out my next move.

[Glu Glu]

i'd like to say a quick, few things about how much i appreciate this dead thread since i wouldn't have known a thing without all of you.

the intensity of this style is unbelievable and the amount of realism it brings to a game is more than i ever thought possible.

on my regular character, i jumped on my horse and died without even knowing what was going on before i was about all out of health. that does not happen with DiD. my character has to survive this day or they are gone. no reloads. no cheating.

people talk about immersion. well, this is it. and, why i loved newvegas additions.

DiD is about slowing down and actually becoming your character. and, caring about them as if they were you.

edit- i can't wait to get on the other DiD threads...

[Bitter End]

bacillus-

i have no doubt that you can handle expert for DiD. with master, you have to slow down and let the character live in the world. roleplay and advance skills. slow down.

Maybe. But my Orc character got completely waxed by that vampire. I saw my health drop to about 75% and then in the blink of an eye the rest was gone and death occurred. It was about 3.5-4 hours down the crapper.

If my current Redguard character gets killed the next time I play, then it'll be okay. I've gotten some good fun out of it. Also, like I said, if it remanins this easy, I'll bump up to Expert and see how that goes. Now I'm feeling guilty... like I'm violating the spirit of DiD.

Okay, the next time I play I'll go Expert. But I'm holding you responsible!

[Brooke Turner]

SPOILERS ... SPOILERS

Wilhelm began traveling down the path towards Riverwood. Not far down the path he heard voices coming from his left and went to investigate. As he creeped closer, Ralof informed Wilhelm that they were bandits and with that he and Ralof descended on them dispatching them quickly. After gathering what little of value they possessed we continued on to Rvierwood. Our only other distraction was when a couple of hungry wolves made the mistake of thinking that Wilhelm and Ralof would make a tasty treat. Well their skins will make a fine armor some day. Finally we arrived at Riverwood.

On the way into town, Wilhelm informed Ralof that he would catch up after selling some junk off to the local merchant. On the way there he was stop by this snobby bard, Sven who wanted him to delivered some letter filled with lies to a young miss in the General Store. Wilhelm agreed to deliver the letter since he was headed there but when he arrived he just couldn't lie for this jerk, so he told Camilla the truth. She thanked him and suggested he see Faendal for a small reward. While he had no idea who this Faendal was he was definitely going to seek him out if there was a reward to be had. Wilhelm then sold off his junk to the merchant and headed out to catch up with Ralof. As he left Wilhelm caught Camilla checking him out. He smirked, 'she wants me like they all do he thought. Finally he caught up with Ralof and his sister, Gerdur. Gerdur's husband also showed up. Shame, thought Wilhelm, she would have made passing time in this small village much more enjoyable. Well after getting the key to Gerdur's house, Wilhelm, Ralof, and Gerdur's husband, Hod headed over to the house. Out of the corner of his eye, Wilhelm caught Gerdur giving him the once over. Shame, shame, shame thought Wilhelm. On the path over to Gerdur's place, Wilhelm bumped into another delightful woman. She saw him staring and said I'm taken you known, so don't get any ideas. Hod leaned over and said Thats Alvor the blacksmith's wife. Her name is Sigrid. Damn, damn, damn thought Wilhelm, Are all the good looking ones taken.

Well after gathering some supplies, Wilhelm headed over to see if he could get any work with the blacksmith as he had some rudimentary training in smithing. Alvor was happy to let him do some work around the forge and praised him claiming that maybe he should make Wilhelm his apprentice. This didn't set too well with Alvor's daughter, Dorthe and so she took off. Well it was getting late, so Wilhelm decided it would be a good time to visit with Faendal. Faendal was indeed happy with what Wilhelm had done, and gave him a reward, invited him in to share dinner and some mead and offered to follow Wilhelm on his adventures. Wilhelm thanked him and returned to Gerdur's to get a good night's sleep. Faendal had also mentioned a nearby mine that might have work for Wilhelm and he had decided to visit it in the morning.

Awaking early, Wilhelm set off for the mine. As he approached what he thought was a mine worker or guard, the man pulled a weapon and came after him. Well clearly this mine had been taken by bandits. Wilhelm dispatched the bandit in short order and headed inside. Inside he found a couple of more bandits. He put his military scout training to use and quickly dowsed the nearby torch and hid in the shadows. He watched and waited, and finally the two seperated. One lay down for some rest and the other moved elsewhere. Wilhelm watched and waited for the opportunity. When it came a single arrow dispatched his enemy, but the scream awoke the other. This bandit made a poor decision by going to check on his buddy before making sure the area was safe, and when his back was turned, Wilhelm put an arrow in it. The bandit turned to charge, but Wilhelm quickly dispatched him with a shot that hit the man square in the throat. After a little searching and looting, Wilhelm found a mechanism to lower the bridge. It dropped with a very loud thud, and soon Wilhelm heard shouts coming his way. He quickly ducked down a tunnel and waited. As the first bandit came around the corner he filled him with a pair of arrows. Luckily the other bandit had gone the other way. Wilhelm stepped out of the tunnel and saw the man with his back turned. A quick arrow to the back got his attention, but as he turned to charge, it was already too late as the second shaft rammed home in his chest. Wilhelm waited for a short time to make sure that no more enemies were coming for him, before venturing across the bridge and down the next tunnel.

TBC

[kristy dunn]

i'd like to say a quick, few things about how much i appreciate this dead thread since i wouldn't have known a thing without all of you.

the intensity of this style is unbelievable and the amount of realism it brings to a game is more than i ever thought possible.

on my regular character, i jumped on my horse and died without even knowing what was going on before i was about all out of health. that does not happen with DiD. my character has to survive this day or they are gone. no reloads. no cheating.

people talk about immersion. well, this is it. and, why i loved newvegas additions.

DiD is about slowing down and actually becoming your character. and, caring about them as if they were you.

edit- i can't wait to get on the other DiD threads...

My sentiments are similar. Having your character get killed is a drag, but you can always anolyze what happened before you reload, knowing that the next time you can do X, Y, and Z in order to win the battle. But with DiD, you better have a good plan going in and have the presence of mind to run the hell away if need be (not that I've actually been able to do that yet). And I don't know about anyone else but when you've put time into a character that suddenly and permanently dies, it's not frustrating; it's shocking.

I make plans about what I'm going to do after the quest: where my character is gonna go, what enchantments I want to make if I find enough soul gems, if I can get enough money to buy Breezehome, etc. Then all of a sudden, POOF, no mas. It can really svck but I think it also think it brings extra excitement to the game.

[Rich O'Brien]

Rommel's journal
22nd of Last Seed, 401

Spoilers galore! And a bit long winded.

Spoiler

We arrived back in Riverside late in the evening and grabbed a quick bite at one of the inns. Then I put my loads of gathered herbs to use and brewed up a few healing potions just to be on the safe side.
It was after dark but we set out for the barrow, hoping to catch most of the thieves asleep.
As we made our way up the mountain the green of Riverside was lost beneath a blanket of snow. The cold was harsh and I was thankful that I chose to swap that stiff cold leather helm for my new hood.

We rounded a bend and came within sight of a tower. Despite the late hour there were a couple of guys keeping watch by a fire. They fell to our arrows before they knew where we were but one more ran out from the tower and exchanged a few blows with Faendal while I peppered him with arrows from a high rock.

We cleared the tower so not to have to worry about anyone sneaking up behind us and continued up the mountain to the barrow.
There were a few more bandits on watch but in the heavy snow we were upon them one after the other before they were aware of our presence or the fates of those before them.

We entered the barrow and after fighting past a few more bandits and some skeevers found a large chamber full of webs, bones and shriveled carcasses. From within came a piteous voice calling for help but there was no sign of the beast that made this its lair.

I summoned a spectral hound and sent it in to lure out the monster. The spider, as large as a house, descended from above. My familiar engaged it as Faendal and I showered it with steel arrows. As my hounds death yelp echoed through the chamber I drew my blades and charged in to finish the wounded beast. A nearly fatal mistake.

It's poison, far more potent than I expected, coursed through my veins and my head reeled.
It fell twitching, nonetheless, to my blades and Faendal's arrows and before it came to rest on the floor I'd uncorked a healing potion and sat down to recover.
A man caught in web continued to plead for help and as my strength returned I walked over and sized him up... Scum.

"cut me down"
"where's the claw"
"Yeah I have it. Cut me down and it's yours".
"hand it over first".
"can't very well do that now can I, you'll have to cu---"

So I cut him down and took the claw from his bloody corpse.

A tunnel continued deeper into the mountain and, as we still had this dragonstone to find, we trudged on.
After hacking and burning our way past a score or more walking corpses, the cut stone passages opened into a large cavern. To the left, a staircase led up and out a doorway. In the back a large wall with strange writing. In the center, a platform with some shelves, a chest and a sarcophagus...

I scouted the the stairs which led back outside, an escape. I had Faendal stay at the top of the stairs to make sure our way out was clear if things went awry. I'd seen many corpses spring out of sarcophagi like this one today, but this one was unique in that it was... well, the only one here and I had a strong sense of dread as I skirted around the platform to investigate the wall of writing behind it.

I stared at the writing on the wall and one word in particular stuck in my mind... Fus. I mouthed the word and envisioned myself shoving someone away. I repeated it a few times over and it was clear that this word had power, like some sort of battle cry.

I took a step toward the sarcophagus, thrust my hands toward it and said the word one last time, "FUS"!
My heart nearly stopped when the lid blew off and I thought for a moment that I had blasted it off with some telekinetic push.

Then the corpse climbed out and scanned the chamber. When it's gaze fell on me I stood frozen for a moment but quickly got my wits about me and ran for the stairs and the high ground. It shambled after me as Faendal began sniping it from above.
Apparently annoyed by Faendal's barrage, the monstrosity looked up at him, shouted something and sent a wave of force to stagger him. Did my ears deceive me? Was that my word? Fus?
At the top of the stairs I, too, loosed arrow after arrow into the shambling corpse as it made its way up towards us. As it reached the top, in tatters and stuck full of arrows, I drew my blades and sent it tumbling back down the stairs from whence it did not rise again.

We recovered the stone for that Mage from the shredded corpse as well as a fair haul of gems, potions and other goodies from the chest and made our way out and back to Riverside.

We stumbled into to town, exhausted, in the wee hours before dawn. I told Faen to get a few hours of rest and meet me at the trader around 9. He staggered off towards home and I went to the inn, as it was closer then Gerdur's place.

After a couple hours of sleep, a hot meal and quick wash I headed over to see Lucan.
He was ecstatic about the return of his claw and paid me handsomely for it. Even Camilla seemed to warm up to me a bit so on my way out I gave her a slap on the rump and told her I'd see her soon.

Faendal caught that last bit and now I wonder if I need to watch out for friendly fire...
Regardless, we set off for Dragonsreach, stone in hand, expecting a lavish reward. I mean if Lucan could pay us 400 septims then surely the Jarl's gratitude would be... Well, more well than we could imagine!

It was indeed beyond our imagination. One more bit of useless junk from the Jarl's armory and then we were being whisked off to fight a dragon!
Though I nodded along with what the Jarl was saying my thoughts turned to flight. Meet Irileth? Yeah sure... Camilla's bed was actually looking better and better.

But as Faen and I headed out the gate and turned toward Riverside I remembered the fire in Irileth's eyes when we first met and I thought she'd split me in half right there in the Jarl's hall.

Irileth, a troop of Whiterun's finest, Faen and myself... Maybe we can down this dragon. And I don't need to put myself in harm's way exactly. Just lurk in shadow and take a few bow shots of opportunity while the guards do their jobs.
We turned west toward the meeting place and Irileth's squad came up soon after. The guard tower was smoking and we crept in for a closer look.

No sooner did one of the survivors warn us back than the beast swooped down from the skies and unleash a wave of flame over us.
The battle had begun and I hugged a bit of rubble by the tower, my arrows whistling through the air, most wide of their mark.
The dragon set down, it's attention on a group of guardsmen so, a bit frustrated with the ineffectiveness of my arrows and against my better judgement, I drew my swords and charged its flank. The beast was looking pretty haggard when it finally turned its eyes on me. A few more swings and it crumpled to the ground.

From its body rose a swirling vortex charged with power that infused me as the flesh disintegrated from the dragon's bones.
The guards all gawked at me and muttered things about "dragon born".
To my inquiries one of them explained that they were people who could absorb the souls of dragons and funnel the power into shouts. When I heard him say 'shout' I instinctively tried out the word I'd learned in the barrow, "FUS"!

The guards before me staggered as though hit by a sudden gale.
I chuckled but they stood in awe.
As they continued to debate amongst themselves about the implication of my newfound power, I shrugged and trotted off back to Dragonsreach.

I reported our success to the Jarl as well as the strange power transfusion when the beast fell. He refrained from commenting on whether or not he believed me to be this 'dragonborn', but suggested that if it were true then the 'Greybeards' were summoning me and I should hasten off to High Hrothgar.

I thanked him for his advice and departed. But not to climb some damned snowy mountain. Am I a dog? I think not. I answer no man's summons. The old men can wait. If they can teach me about these shouts then I will visit them. But not today.

First, to the forge. With the bones of that dragon and a bit of steel I can craft myself a Dragonsting sword and a pair of Dragonsting daggers.
A bit more elegant than these imperial swords I've been lugging around.
Once I'm rearmed and fed, there's a couple of bounties I'd like to collect...

[Breanna Van Dijk]

Okay, so I am new with this game and I would like to know if this build that I've been working around would actually work. I don't want answers that are like 'Well its your game' and 'Do what you like'. I want to know if the build would be total beast in the game. The idea is that the Dark Paladin would be master of undead whetever it would be rising them or turning the ones that are already dead. Dark Paladin is also possible to cheat death all the time and trap victims souls that are not worthy enough for being as a loyal followers. Slow Time shout would be for the effect that I'm cheating the time as well.

So I was thinking the following:

Class: Dark Paladin
Race: Breton
Sign: Lover/Atronach
Shout: Slow Time

Major Skills:
Conjuration (Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master, Mystic Binding, Soul Stealer, Summoner 1/2, Necromancy, Dark Souls, Twin Souls)
Restoration, (Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master, Recovery 2/2, Avoid Death, Regeneration, Necromage, Respite)

Minor Skills:
Two Handed. (Barbarian 5/5, Champions Stance, Devastating Blow, Sweep)
Heavy Armor, (Juggernaut 5/5, Well Fitted, Tower of Strength)
Enchanting, (Enchanter 5/5, Soul Squeezer, Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter, Extra Effect)
Smithing (Steel, Dwarfen, Orcish, Ebony, Daedric, Arcane Blacksmithing)

[nath]

Okay, so I am new with this game and I would like to know if this build that I've been working around would actually work. I don't want answers that are like 'Well its your game' and 'Do what you like'. I want to know if the build would be total beast in the game. The idea is that the Dark Paladin would be master of undead whetever it would be rising them or turning the ones that are already dead. Dark Paladin is also possible to cheat death all the time and trap victims souls that are not worthy enough for being as a loyal followers. Slow Time shout would be for the effect that I'm cheating the time as well.
/snip

If you are new to the game...Are you sure you want to play your first character Dead Is Dead? I mean I will support you if that is indeed the case. it's just that I get the suspicious feeling that you may have posted in the wrong thread. Or perhaps you intended to start a thread about your build question. You seem to have put a lot of thought into your detailed selection.

[Angel Torres]

If you are new to the game...Are you sure you want to play your first character Dead Is Dead? I mean I will support you if that is indeed the case. it's just that I get the suspicious feeling that you may have posted in the wrong thread. Or perhaps you intended to start a thread about your build question. You seem to have put a lot of thought into your detailed selection.

I accidentally mistyped a little bit. I was trying to say that I'm new with this Dead Is Dead gametype and was wondering would this kind of build work? It's kind of hard for me to write english since I haven't studied it much.