contest bronze - THE SKY FORGE2024-03-28T13:48:04Zhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/feed/tag/contest+bronzeContest Build: Blacklionhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/contest-build-blacklion2020-02-18T12:10:01.000Z2020-02-18T12:10:01.000ZTelbyhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/Telby<div><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870654406?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="85" height="93" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Opening remarks:</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">First off, I would like to thank those who have given me such warm welcomes when I rejoined the site. As someone who was rather active back in the day, it is nice to see that my love for Skyrim and character creating is matched by so many others, especially all of these years later. I have always loved the idea of character builds and have always done some of my own work but had never put anything out there. With a surge of confidence and a lot of inspiration, I thought that this build contest would be a great way to get myself started. I hadn't played vanilla Skyrim in some time but I enjoyed the experience nonetheless and I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. I hope everyone likes what I've made, and your feedback would be very appreciated! Now I'll get to what you're all here for so without further ado, I present:</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870669594,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870669594,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870669594?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="701" height="82" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3866115157,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3866115157,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3866115157?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="664" height="528" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>Once the surname of the most loyal servant to the Dominion, Blacklion has now become a title, a name that strikes fear into those whom he swore to serve.</em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870654406?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="85" height="93" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>From Royalty to Obscurity</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>4E 200:</strong> Twelve years I served the crown, never questioning my own loyalty, but always of those who my king was surrounded with. It was my job to protect him, and I had a purpose to fulfill. But now here I am. On the run from the Dominion I thought I would die in service to, never staying in one place too long and never speaking to anyone. Had I been better, had I not grown complacent in my ways, I could have uncovered the treachery before it was too late. The only dangers I concerned myself with were those concerning the King and not myself, however I was mistaken to believe that my own threats were threats to my king all the same. Being as it happened so fast, and I have had no connection to anyone since that night, I can only assume there was a larger conspiracy at work and that getting rid of me was the first step in their plot for... something. Control, influence, wealth, it does not matter. Now I am the most wanted man in the Summerset Isle, framed for conspiracy against my King and hunted by Thalmor agents to no end. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">It is a miracle I managed to escape Alinor alive, and even more so the Isle. Boarding a cargo ship and living in the cargo hold for weeks is not my ideal method for transportation, but when you're in a position such as I am, your choices are stretched thin. Sometimes I wonder if my efforts to fight death are even worth it anymore. What does a man do when his purpose has been stolen from him? But if being my King's protector has taught me anything, it is that if you think you're going to die, there is no point in holding back and going quietly. You fight the opposition until your dying breath. Until you have done as much damage as possible. However, I have lost everything, and my resources cease to exist.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>4E 201: </strong>I was finally captured. Not by my own, but by the Empire, no doubt operating with the Thalmor. I thought the cold, war ridden Skyrim would be safe from the reach of those bastards, but they are bolder than I thought. However, just when I accepted the fate of a brutal decapitation, my hands in bounds and all, a beast, greater than anything I have ever seen attacked the city. The rebels were trusting enough to help me escape with them, but now I am left once again with nothing. The Thalmor either presume me dead or escaped, and in the year I have been on the run I have gotten nowhere. I may be unable to deliver justice to those who have wronged me, but I certainly can to those who hunt me. My sovereignity is something I have control over, and it is something I <em>will </em>have.</span></p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870667328,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870667328,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870667328?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="468" height="54" /></a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">This build attempts to combine the ruthless cunning of an Aldmeri warrior with the barbarity of the Nords. It is my take on a true dishonored warrior, stripped of all titles and notoriety, finding his way in the world and consumed by vengeance. Despite me referring to him as a warrior, he utilizes all sorts of methods to dispatch his foes, many of which are deceitful and cruel. After all, he is not an honorbound hero fighting for glory, but a pragmatist bent on revenge. To keep the theme of a bad*ss forsaken warrior, I decided to avoid stealth all together. I could not imagine this character skulking around in the shadows slitting throats, yet I still wanted him to feel like an assassin, because it <em>is </em>blood he is after. This build is viable on Master difficulty.</span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3865986911,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><br /> </a><br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3866543358,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3866543358,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3866543358?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="483" height="477" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Race: </strong><em>Altmer</em>. <span style="font-weight:400;">Essential for roleplay purposes, and stat allocation and enchantments will rely on the +50 magicka in order to cast certain spells.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Standing Stone: </strong><em>Warrior/Mage -> Lord</em>. Leveling your skills right off the bat will be important, and seeing as this build does not use any thief skills, the Warrior and Mage stones will be extremely useful. Once your final loadout is achieved and you feel proficient enough with your current level, the Lord stone offers that extra bump in armor and magic resistance that make mages and dragons more tolerable.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Stats: </strong>Start by strictly investing in health up until level 35. From then on, invest in Stamina as we will have all of the Health we'll need. The +50 magicka coupled with enchanted gear will allow you to cast the Bound Bow early on, as well as all of your other spells in the late-game, so investing any points in Magicka is unnecessary.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Major Skills</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>One-Handed: </strong>The sword is Blacklion's main choice of weapon, and to increase his ferocity, he will be dual-wielding them. This build is all about taking out enemies quickly while sustaining the least amount of blows possible. Dual Flurry and Dual Savagery will allow you to make quick work of your opponents.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Illusion: </strong>With no perks being placed into armor, having no method to block, and also staying out of stealth mode, you will need a way of directing attention away from you. The Frenzy spell will become a staple as it allows you to rip open enemies as they tear each other apart. Other Illusion spells allow for increased crowd control.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Archery: </strong>The Bound Bow is a weightless, easily portable long ranged weapon that will become very deadly when combined with Quickdraw and a reserve of Paralysis poisons. When combined with a Frenzied group of opponents, it becomes almost unfair.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Minor Skills</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Enchanting: </strong>This is the only crafting skill that you'll be investing more than 1 perk in. It will allow you to become an effective spellcaster while only investing in health and stamina, and it will increase your damage outputs so you begin to feel like a real killer. It's also necessary as the aesthetic we are going for does not have enchanted versions. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Smithing: </strong>Taking the Steel Smithing perk will allow you to improve your Blades Swords and Wolf Armor pieces for that extra boost. Combining this with an enchanted set of Smithing/Alchemy gear will make a substantial difference in your survivability and efficiency.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Alchemy: </strong>The use of paralysis poisons is a great way to achieve additional crowd control and avoid damage. Combining this with dual-wield swords and illusion spells will make you untouchable by most enemies. Putting any perks in this tree is unnecessary as the outputs you will get from your crafting gear will be more than enough. </span></p><p> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870654406?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="85" height="93" /></a></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>Becoming the Lion</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Aesthetic is extremely important to me, especially since I prefer to play in third person most of the time. Being a vanilla build, our options are somewhat limited when it comes to finding the perfect look for our character. Despite this, I believe the combination of Morag Tong armor with the Companion's Wolf armor, and the use of the Akaviri style blades creates the dark warrior look we are going for. It captures the rugged barbarity of his nature, yet maintains a hint of nobility given his past, as well as his place as Dragonborn.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3866807517,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3866807517,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3866807517?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="436" height="393" /></a><span style="font-size:10pt;">Blacklion's Mane: </span></strong><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>Wolf Helmet</em> (Fortify Illusion) Purchasable from Eorlund Gray-Mane after joining the Companions and completing Proving Honor.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Blacklion's Cuirass:</strong> <em>Morag Tong Armor </em>(Fortify Magicka) Acquired in Solstheim during the quest Served Cold. Must complete March of the Dead and The Final Descent to unlock Served Cold.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Blacklion's Gauntlets: </strong><em>Wolf Gauntlets </em>(Fortify Archery) Purchasable from Eorlund Gray-Mane after joining the Companions and completing Proving Honor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Blacklion's Boots: </strong><em>Wolf Boots </em>(Fortify One-Handed) Purchasable from Eorlund Gray-Mane after joining the Companions and completing Proving Honor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Ring of the Pride: </strong><em>Gold Ring </em>(Resist Magic)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Amulet of Prowess: </strong><em>Gold Necklace </em>(Resist Magic)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Dual Blades Swords: </strong>Using enchanted blades is not this character's style, the idea of cutting someone down is good enough, and he does not require magical effects to assist his swords. Also, leaving them unenchanted will allow the use of Elemental Fury. Multiple swords can be found in Sky Haven Temple and one is found in Delphine's secret room.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Bound Bow:</strong> Spell tome found in Fort Amol, becomes castable with a Novice Hood at the least.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>Level 38 Perk Spread</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4482893744,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4482893744,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4482893744?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="752" height="422" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Once you have reached this point, the character becomes viable for the rest of the game on Master, yet feel free to invest in other trees such as Speech for extra roleplay opportunities or the main combat skills for added damage. Any additions could either subtract from the challenge or enhance it. I encourage you to take the build in any direction you want after all of these perks are obtained.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870654406?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="85" height="93" /></a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong><a class="CID87ae469c-4bfc-4bbd-b7fe-2c586425514d"> </a><a class="CID30671b21-09f1-443a-b272-c936c1573c55"> </a></strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870664714,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870664714,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870664714?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="826" height="56" /></a> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Blacklion takes himself extremely seriously and is a highly focused individual. To him, the end justifies the means, no matter the cost. He is at the center of his own world, and despite being egocentric, he does not parade around like some sort of arrogant a-hole. He understands the benefits of healthy relationships and rarely makes a fool of himself. Each action he takes has purpose, and until his goals are met, there is no greater concern to him. The questlines he pursues are representative of his endgame, which will be explained in detail below. This build manages to take multiple questlines and steers them in a direction to suit Blacklion and his intentions, which is a complete assault on the Thalmor and a sabotage of all of their political ambitions within Skyrim. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>Building Bridges</strong></em></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3869118584,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3869118584,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3869118584?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="436" height="249" /></a></strong></span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thieves Guild. </span></strong>Blacklion is not a thief, yet as a wanted man on the run, finding protection through a band of misfits is not something he would pass up. He will run with the Guild until he has gathered enough resources and notoriety to pursue his own goals. Proving his usefulness to them will not take long as he is a much more capable man than most of their members. The cistern offers a place to sleep, safe storage, and is located near a court mage, blacksmith, and multiple vendors, making it the perfect place to level up Enchanting and accumulate wealth. When given the chance to keep the Skeleton Key, he will cut off all ties with them and use its powers to his own benefit. He has no respect for thieves and in his mind it will do the world a lot more good if he were in possession of it, as opposed to a daedric prince. Karliah's description of the Key's power to unlock unimaginable potential within a person makes it too good to pass up and serves as an explanation for Blacklion's ability to become Listener and Dragonborn, as his possession of the Key allows him to tap into the hidden wells of power within himself.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3869154832,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3869154832,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3869154832?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="483" height="371" /></a></strong></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Companions.<span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">Blacklion has likely heard of the Companions by now, revered in Skyrim as the greatest band of warriors in the land. Seeing this as an inlet to earn a positive reputation and garner some influence as a warrior, he decides to join up. The idea of fighting side by side with, what he would consider, a bunch of dumb hulking Nords does not necessarily appeal to him, but he slowly begins to take pleasure in being the only Altmer among them, and proves that he is not to be underestimated. When the gift of the beast blood is presented to him, he accepts reluctantly with the thought in mind that it will allow him to ascend to the Circle and gain respect among others. The gift is accepted out of desperation, and he is unable to fully accept the change that has been made to his body. He will embrace the gift for the time he needs it, but once his position in the world has been solidified and all of his goals have been met, he will perform the ritual to abandon the beast within. However, the acquisition of the beast blood is necessary, as it is symbolic to the development of the character. It represents his gradual shift towards a darker and more barbaric path, where the desire for revenge consumes him, and his power grows. I would like to think the beast blood affects his human form as well, making him more ferocious in battle and enhancing his senses. Lycanthropy is used as a roleplay device rather than a gameplay device and he relies very little on his werewolf transformations, if at all.</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3869728509,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><br /> <img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3869728509,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3869728509?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="432" height="393" /></a></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dark Brotherhood.</span> </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">On one of his Companion missions to Windhelm, Blacklion hears there is a boy trying to contact a group of assassins. Capitalizing on this opportunity, he speaks to this boy and accepts his contract, with the hopes that this will get the attention of the Brotherhood. His purpose for this is that with the Dark Brotherhood's resources, he will be able to fund his operations further. After his theft of the Skeleton Key, his connection to Skyrim's underworld is now murky, and he is unsure where he stands among the Guild. Now, with his connection to the Brotherhood, he will have a hidden base of operations and will soon find himself in a leadership position among them. His connection to Sithis grants him absolute loyalty from certain members of the group and having dangerous allies will be beneficial to his mission moving forward. He will spare Cicero, as mad as he is, because he is a loyal servant to the Brotherhood and to the Listener. His survival ensures the upkeep of the Night Mother, who is Blacklion's direct connection to the Dread Father, an important tie that he would not dare to cut. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">This questline also gives us access to the opportunity to assassinate the Emperor, Titus Mede II. Seizing this opportunity, from a roleplay perspective, grants us great political influence over the Empire as well as the Dominion. By removing the current Emperor, who serves as nothing more than a puppet to the Dominion will be our first step in our fight against them. His assassination will pave the way to a strengthened Empire and a weakened Thalmor presence in foreign provinces.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>The Night of the Lone Lion</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Every quest and action of Blacklion has led up to a single night, where specific quests will be progressed in a way that you can make an all out assault on the Thalmor in an attempt to devastate their political and diplomatic ambitions in Skyrim. This is the ultimate goal of our protagonist, and it is our best way of taking a fight to the Thalmor that the bounds of vanilla allow, but there is something rewarding about telling your own story through vanilla Skyrim rather than letting mods tell the story for you. The Night of the Lone Lion will go down in history as a the night a single man laid waste to the Thalmor power in Skyrim, eliminating the Emperor of Tamriel, assaulting the Thalmor Embassy, as well as Northwatch Keep all in one, long night.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><br /> </strong></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870080560,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870080560,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870080560?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="395" height="347" /></a></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Main Quest. </strong></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">Although he is not your traditional hero, Blacklion is still worthy of the blessing of Dragonborn. By making it his life goal to rooting out Thalmor control over Skyrim and freeing the people of their tyrannical grip, he is indirectly restoring the legacy of the Dragonborn before him, Tiber Septim, or Talos. The progression of this questline is also extremely important because it grants us access to two things: Blades Swords and the quest to infiltrate the Thalmor embassy. The Katariah, the ship on which the Emperor is located, is in close proximity to the carraige you will take to the Embassy, making the two quests completable in a single night. From a roleplay perspective, it will put a massive dent in any plans the Thalmor have in Skyrim and their politcal power in the province will diminish. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">Your approach to the quest to infiltrate the embassy will be a loud one. The goal is to kill every single soldier and justicar, and that includes attacking Elenwyn herself. Although she is essential and is technically unkillable, we will make an attempt on her life, causing her to fall to the ground hurt, and we will run off before we have a chance to see her get back up. This part will take some imagination as we will pretend that she bled out right where we struck her down. The fact that she is unkillable is ludicrous, but the beauty of the Elder Scrolls is that it's a roleplaying game and reality can be whatever we make it. After every Thalmor in the Embassy is dead, you will grab whatever documents they had and will begin the final part of your attack.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">As for the rest of the main questline, it is entirely up to you on what you decide to do. It is not crucial to the story or the roleplay of this character, so I will leave it open-ended, leaving you to deciding how he will approach the prophecy and whether he will decide to take on Alduin or not.</span></p><p> <br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870254308,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870254308,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870254308?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="501" height="396" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Missing in Action. </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">What began as a simple favor for Eorlund Gray-Mane, a man you have come to respect during your time with the Companions, has resulted in the discovery of invaluable information... intelligence pinpointing the location of a Thalmor keep, located on the western shores of the Sea of Ghosts. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">The assault of Northwatch Keep will be the final act in our Night of the Lone Lion and will be the finale of our character's pursuit of revenge. The assault will be carried out with absolute predjudice, and he will leave no survivors, other than the prisoners that will be freed. The assassination of the Emperor, infiltration of the Thalmor embassy, and an assault on Northwatch Keep will deliver irreversible damage to all Dominion ambitions in Skyrim. Although the deed has been done to purge them from Skyrim, his plan is not over.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Civil War. </strong></span>Although Blacklion was suspicious of the Dominion's use of Ulfric Stormcloak and his rebellion as a tactic to weaken the Empire, the documents discovered inside the embassy only proved this hunch. It is clear to him that the only way to permanently cleanse the land of Thalmor control is by reestablishing the Empire's strength. By ending the civil war that plagues the land and killing Ulfric Stormcloak, he can ensure a powerful Empire.</span></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>Miscellaneous/Post-Game/Optional Quests</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><ul><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Solstheim. </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">Travelling to Solstheim will be necessary in acquiring your Morag Tong Armor to complete your rugged assassin aesthetic. You will need to complete the March of the Dead quest as well as The Final Descent as a precursor to Served Cold, the quest where you can finally acquire the armor. I decided to travel to Solstheim during my time with the Companions. Having Beast Form as a backup is helpful, given the difficulty of the quests. I also brought along Uthgerd the Unbroken, who is found in The Bannered Mare. A companion can bring some extra firepower when you are not at the desired level.</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>College of Winterhold. </strong></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">Your only reasoning for trekking all the way up to this frozen wasteland will be to gain access to all the different amenities and vendors inside, and you'll be able to buy soul gems and spells. However, there is the issue of the Thalmor spy, Ancano, and the only way to kill him is by progessing the storyline and becoming the archmage. Being contacted by the Psijic Order will likely motivate Blacklion to further investigate the Eye of Magnus and quest to Labyrinithian. Here you will also be able to pick up a word in the Slow Time shout.</span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Ondolemar. </strong></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">During the Dark Brotherhood questline, you'll be tasked with interrogating and killing the Markarth Keep cook. During this mission, you will notice the Thalmor justicar and soldiers patrolling the area. Blacklion will act on this and will do something to take care of them.</span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>In My Time of Need. </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">A fun little side quest where Blacklion will likely take pity for Saadia, for as far as he is concerned, her story about the Thalmor sending assassins after her is entirely believable. Not to mention, he would probably be fairly attracted to her. I can imagine him abandoning his intuition and following his feelings during this quest. Channeling his rage against the Alik'r Warriors out of an attraction for a woman.</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Dawnguard. </strong></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">It is perfectly viable for Blacklion to find himself amidst a second prophecy involving an Elder Scroll. First the Dragon scroll and now the Blood scroll. His alliance with these vampire-hunters begins simply out of hate for the fowl creatures that storm towns and murder innocents in cold blood. Although he is technically the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, since the Night of the Lone Lion, he has begun to walk a more noble path and no longer concerns himself with revenge and the darkness it entails. Also, armored trolls are bad*ss and something that he would definitely find some use in.</span></li></ul><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870654406?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="85" height="93" /></a></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870665922,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870665922,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870665922?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="514" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">This build is all about directing attention away from you and dispatching foes with lethality and precision. It is my attempt to create an assassin that does not use Sneak, but instead employs a variety of other tactics to be a deadly killer and to not sustain a major amount of blows during combat. If I could summarize the playstyle I would tell you to imagine Corvo Attano from Dishonored, but he's not allowed to crouch, and instead of one blade, he has two. This is our foundation, and our utilization of the Bound Bow will give us increased variety in our playstyle. Illusion spells such as Frenzy, Rout, and Pacify will allow us to maintain crowd control and choose our fights wisely. The main focus is to redirect damage away from us as much as possible using Illusion and Paralysis potions, while dealing out as much damage as possible with our dual-wielding and quickdraw bound bow. I wanted this character to feel seriously deadly. I want you to have the feeling of entering combat entirely confident, knowing you're about to mess up whoever stands in your way without feeling too overpowered and compromising the challenge that Skyrim combat can offer. It should be fast paced, but not so much to the point it becomes unenjoyable.</span> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>Gear/Spells/Shouts</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><ul><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Dual Blades Swords </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">(Sky Haven Temple)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Bound Bow </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">(Fort Amol)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Frenzy, Rout, Pacify </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">(Drevis Neloren, College of Winterhold)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Vegetable Soup </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">(Crafted at cooking stations with potatoes, cabbage, leeks, and tomatoes)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Paralysis Poisons </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">(Canis Root + Imp Stool/Swamp Fungal Pod)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Unrelenting Force</strong> <span style="font-size:10pt;">(Acquired through main quest)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Whirlwind Sprint</strong> <span style="font-size:10pt;">(High Hrothgar, Dead Men's Respite, Volskygge)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Elemental Fury</strong> <span style="font-size:10pt;">(Dragontooth Crater, Shriekwind Bastion, Statue to Meridia)</span></span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Slow Time</strong> <span style="font-size:10pt;">(Hag's End, Korvanjund, Labyrinthian)</span></span></li></ul><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>Special Moves</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">I have created a list of special move combinations to help you get an idea of what this character is capable of and how he approaches fights. Of course, these moves can be mixed and matched to suit the moment, for example, Illusion spells will prove obsolete against dragons, but the rest of the move is still viable. I've tried to put together something utilizing each piece of his arsenal, and it can be up to you which methods you wish to employ and what you think will be the best one for each fight.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>“Into the Fray” </strong><strong><em><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870446412,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870446412,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870446412?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="335" height="368" /></a></span></em></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">Dual Cast Frenzy + Vegetable Soup + Elemental Fury + Critical Charge + Dual Flurry</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">A simple yet effective maneuver and the Blacklion’s go-to tactic. He charges into a hectic battle field, relentlessy slashing down enemies with lighting speed.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>“Stand Your Ground” </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">Vegetable Soup + Potions + Poisons of Paralysis + Dual Flurry</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">When your options have run dry and your enemies begin to surround you, you give death a quick finger before downing a few potions, somehow finishing an entire bowl of soup, and flailing your swords around in desperation. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>“Dishonorable Discharge”</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">Summon Bound Bow + Quickdraw + Unrelenting Force + Poison of Paralysis</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">While your opponent contends with a flurry of arrows as they close the distance, they will be displeased to find themselves flung back, losing all the ground they’ve covered in your pursuit. This move is a display of the sheer pettiness that Blacklion is capable of.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>“Arcane Rain” <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870450587,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870450587,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870450587?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="453" height="335" /></a></strong><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>High gro</em><em>und + Dual Cast Frenzy + Summon Bound Bow + Slow Time</em></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Not only does this combo have a catchy name, but it's extremely effective and comparable to shooting fish in a barrel, except if you lose your footing you may fall into the barrel and realize you’re being eaten alive by very angry fish.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>“Ramsay’s Game”</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">Dual Cast Rout + Summon Bound Bow + Poison of Paralysis </span></em><em><span style="font-weight:400;">+ Critical Charge</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">This one is inspired by the Game of Thrones scene where Ramsay Bolton sets someone free of his bonds and fires arrows at him as he tries to run away. As twisted as it is, there is something satisfying about watching a poor little bandit flee in terror, only to be struck with a poison arrow that flings him face first into the dirt. Then, you can finish them off with a swift stab in the gut. Give them a bigger headstart for an extra challenge!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>"Down the Beast"</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>Summon Bound Bow + Vegetable Soup + Elemental Fury + Dual Flurry</em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3871156443,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3871156443,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3871156443?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="416" height="317" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">Although it is rather straight forward, this is the best way to deal with dragons, sending a barage of arrows to widdle them down and when they first land, you make sure they won't be getting back up.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>"Tag"</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>Dual Cast Frenzy + Dual Cast Rout + Critical Charge + Dual Flurry + Whirlwind Sprint + Dual Flurry</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">This tactic is not the most effective, but it is fun. Dual casting Frenzy will cause the opposition to weaken each other, making it easier for you to tag them. Before any of them can die, you'll cast Rout, causing them to run in all sorts of directions. You'll take the first enemy with a critical charge, finishing them off, then you turn to the other enemy trying to flee and Whirlwind Sprint right up to them, cutting them down with ease. After that, a critical charge or two will take care of whoever is left. Perhaps if one got away, you can conjure up the bow and pull a "Ramsay's Game". </span></p><p> </p><p><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870654406,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870654406?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="85" height="93" /></a></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870609460,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><br /> </a></span></span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870666603,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870666603,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870666603?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="552" /></a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">I had so much fun putting this build together, and I am proud of what I was able to make with my low-end PC & limited graphic design skills. If you read the entire build, or even skimmed, thank you for giving it the time of day. Any feedback, comments, or questions are much appreciated as I spent a considerable amount of time on this project. I wish everyone else participating in the contest the best of luck, and I look forward to seeing what you all put together. </span></p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3870609460,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3870609460,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3870609460?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>Optional Mods</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Although this is meant to be played on vanilla Skyrim, I can still reccomend mods to further enhance the build. Firstly, <strong>TK Dodge</strong> can really spice up combat and is very useful on solo opponents. It really makes you feel like a true martial combatant. There is a series of mods by <strong>MadFrenchie </strong>dedicated to rooting out Thalmor from the land and they play well into our characters motive and provide additional gameplay. If you use mods and haven't added <strong>Dual Sheathe Redux </strong>to your load order, you are seriously missing out. Having an actual draw animation for left-hand weapons and having them actually appear on your character can make a load of difference in immersion. The <strong>AmidianBorn</strong> armor retexures are great for our aesthetic and I am using them in the screenshots. I also am using <strong>Enhanced Blood Textures </strong>to give the character that extra feeling of ruthlessness and savagery. Purchasing property in major cities is not this character's style, seeing as he's a controversial figure and all, but <strong>The Legend of the Eagle's Nest </strong>provides a secluded mountain hideaway, centrally located in the mountains south of Whiterun. It suits his personality well and will still cost you a pretty penny to furnish, so it's not cheaty. Last, but certainly not least, is any killmove mod. I use <strong>The Dance of Death </strong>and jack up the killmove rate to 100% with no 'Last Enemy Restriction' for a truly cinematic and fun battle.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Note:</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">This build has been modified as of 4/21/20. Enchanting has been moved to a minor skill to achieve balance, and Restoration has been dropped to incentivise smarter gameplay and achieve balance. The perk spread has been redone, credit to Ponty for the advice on making them, the Gameplay section received minor changes, and other minor changes have been made to the build in general.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Also, huge thanks to Teccam, Elysium, and Erinoth for providing contructive criticism as apart of the contest judging, which inspired me to make some much needed changes.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Congratulations to Ponty for placing 1st, Shadon on placing 2nd, and Asgard for tying with me for 3rd.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p></div>Contest Build: The Sanguine Protectorhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/contest-build-the-sanguine-protector2019-09-19T01:34:10.000Z2019-09-19T01:34:10.000ZJustJamhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/JustJam<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567675144,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567675144,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567675144?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="379" height="454" /></a></p><p><em style="font-size:12pt;">It didn’t take long for the corruption to take hold- my thoughts focused solely on the taste of sweet crimson. I was no more than a mere beast living off instinct and hunger: no free will to call my own.</em></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>The musty cave was my refuge, my haven from the burning light of Aetherius. A haven, in which I needed not worry about the atrocities committed in my blood-starved frenzy. The dried red under my fingernails was all that remained to haunt me of my victims.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>This was my existence for years.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>When the nightmares started, I’d often be woken up by the sound of my own screams. They all revolved around the same themes- corruption, decay, helplessness. It was when I awoke- drenched in sweat- to a nightmare of me ripping out my own throat that reality finally struck me. It was as if I’d regained some semblance of sentience. I had a choice. I didn’t have to be ruled by blood.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>I cannot atone for what I have done, that I understand- but perhaps I can do good. Perhaps I can use the powers this curse grants to rid this world of other abominations. Many will want to hunt me down for the monstrosity that I am, but this land needs those who will go to all lengths to protect it.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>I may be cut off from the magic of Aetherius, but blood- blood is something I can grasp.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em> </em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><span style="font-size:14pt;">Required Mods:</span> </strong></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Ordinator- Perks of Skyrim<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567505777,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567505777,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567505777?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="304" height="385" /></a></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Imperious- Races of Skyrim</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Andromeda- Standing Stones of Skyrim</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Sacrosanct- Vampires of Skyrim</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><span style="font-size:14pt;">Race:</span> </strong>Breton Vampire.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Bretons start with three passives:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Grail of Betony: Find a lost artifact that grants magicka and stamina regen.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Spell Mantle: Resistance to magic, and absorb most incoming spells at low magicka.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Stones of Galen: Each standing stone grants its own bonus effect.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">After finding 10 of the 13 standing stones you’ll unlock:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Shared Ancestry: 1/day – temporarily gain the racial power of a target man or mer.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">While Grail of Betony’s boost to magicka regen will be nullified by the chosen standing stone, the added stamina regen will aid in throwing out some more shield bashes. Spell Mantle is the typical Breton magic resistance, but with the twist of allowing spells to be absorbed when low on magic. Stones of Galen is where the Sanguine Protector’s Breton heritage really shines, adding another effect to the chosen standing stone that synergizes with it perfectly. Shared Ancestry sees little use, but the racial power I’d recommend would be the Imperial’s Colovian Star, which replenishes the two attributes with the highest remaining percentage. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567516530,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567516530,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567516530?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="370" height="446" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Vampirism</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Sacrosanct completely overhauls the vampire experience with new abilities, passives, a completely re-worked Vampire Lord perk tree, new quests, and all new ‘hemomancy’ spells.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Being a Breton, you’ll receive:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dolmen Haunt: Can feed by activating a Standing Stone.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">There are four stages of hunger- sated, thirsty, parched, and blood starved. The longer you neglect to feed, the more beast-like you’ll become as Molag Bal’s influence grows. Feeding will bring you back up to sated, no matter what stage you were before. Important powers based on the hunger system are:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">(Sated) Fortitude: Vampiric blood makes you harder to kill. Upon taking fatal damage, you come back to life, becoming thirstier.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">(Sated) Blood Cauldron: At will - Expend some of your Vampiric blood to replenish Health, Magicka, and Stamina, becoming thirstier.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The longer you spend as a vampire and the more you feed, the more you’ll increase in ranks- from a mere Fledgling to a Nightmaster. Each rank you’ll be able to chose a new ability/ power. The abilities to look out for here are:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Vicissitude: Hemomancy spells other than Blood Seed do 25% more damage to targets affected by Blood Seed.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blood Knight: Able to feed on staggered enemies in combat for 50 points of stamina.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The other options are completely up to you!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Both Fortitude and Blood Cauldron cause you to go down a stage of thirst when used, removing both abilities. Blood Knight, however, allows you to feed on staggered targets, bringing you back up to sated and regaining both abilities. Being an offensive shield-mage, this build will be shield-bashing and stunning enemies constantly: if you’re fighting living foes who are able to be fed upon, you’re effectively invincible.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><span style="font-size:14pt;">Standing Stone:</span> </strong>The Atronach.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873710658,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873710658,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873710658?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="320" height="404" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">With Andromeda installed, the Atronach will give you: </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Corrupted Arcana: magicka does not regenerate. Each death within 50 feet restores magicka equal to 25 times their level.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Oblivion Bound: If you have magicka remaining, spells are 25% more effective and cost 50% less magicka.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">After finding all 13 standing stones, you’ll unlock:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Devour from Within: 1/day paralyzes a living target, absorbing 50 magicka for 10 seconds. When depleted, absorbs health instead.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">With Stones of Galen, the Atronach will have a bonus effect:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Spells cost 30% less magicka, but you take 20% more damage from attacks while casting.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Becoming a vampire means you are cut off from Aetherius, instead having your soul claimed by the daedra upon death. What better way to show this than having zero magicka regen, and having to absorb it from the death of your enemies! It’s not all doom and gloom however, as not only will your spells be stronger but they’ll cost much less. Combined with other spell-cost reducing perks, you’ll <em>rarely</em> ever run out of mana. Because of this, Devour from Within isn’t all too useful. I used it mostly as a paralysis rather than a way to gain magicka back. Keep in mind that magicka potions <strong>will not</strong> work if you have this stone active!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Stat Spread: </strong></span>3 magicka / 2 health / 1 stamina, until you get around 150 stamina, then stick with an even split of 1 magicka / 1 health.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Higher amounts of magicka are needed at the beginning, as you won’t have all the perks to reduce the cost of spells. The Sanguine Protector is fairly aggressive in her playstyle, so a moderate amount of health will be needed to shrug off hits when on the front lines. While you’re going to be bashing and shield-charging around a lot, not much stamina will be needed because of high stamina regeneration from perks in the Light Armor skill tree.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Skills: </strong></span>Destruction, Block, Light Armor, Sneak, One-Handed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Equipment</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Predator’s Grace, Ring of the Beast, Ring of Erudite, Targe of the Blooded, and a dagger are all that’s required for equipment. Your necklace, chest piece, gloves, and helm are up to your preferences, as there are no unique pieces of light armor for those slots that are useful for this build.. Predator’s Grace are unique in that they muffle you <em>completely</em>, to allow for easy stalking of your enemies. Switch between the Ring of the Beast and Ring of Erudite depending on whether you need 100 health or magicka more, but remember- the regeneration from the Ring of Erudite is nullified by the Atronach stone. The Targe of the Blooded and a back-up dagger will allow for more bleed procs on top of your hemomancy spells.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Recommended enchantments to look out for would be resist magic, resist fire, stamina regen, and fortify magicka/health/stamina. Regenerate magicka enchants will not work because of the Atronach stone, so keep that in mind!</span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873715864,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873715864,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873715864?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Shouts/ Powers</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Become Ethereal, Dragonrend, Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint, Vampire Lord, Vampire’s Seduction, Blood Cauldron, Blood of the Ancients.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">For shouts, I never much found use for straight-up damage, relying more on utility/ support ones. Become ethereal is used for setting up a combo later in the abilities section, and the other ones were more for situational uses. Vampire Lord is needed to get perks relating to hemomancy, but once you get “Starving Artist”, you can progress your Vampire Lord tree in human form. It’s fun as an alternate form, and actually synergizes well with the Atronach stone- Sacrosanct, by default, disables magicka regen in magic form and stamina in melee form. The Atronach stone already disables mana regen, instead having you to kill enemies for mana. Just spam away with your Raze spell and not have to worry about switching to melee form to regain magicka! Vampire’s Seduction is used the same as in vanilla- to allow you to feed on non-sleeping targets, and Blood Cauldron is useful as a panic heal if your health gets too low. Blood of the Ancients is a vanilla effect that allows your Vampiric Drain to absorb both magicka and stamina alongside it’s default health drain. If you’re low on mana and aren’t able to kill an enemy, use this on them to regain it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Spells</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blood Seed, Blood Garden, Blood Brand, Blood Scourge, Blood Ankh, Profaned Sun, Borrowed Time, Curtain Call, Vampiric Drain.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Besides Vampiric Drain, all the spells you’ll be using come from Sacrosanct. Because most of them can be confusing due to their similar naming conventions, here’s a breakdown of what each spell does:<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567510835,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567510835,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567510835?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="361" height="455" /></a></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blood Seed: Deals 5 magic damage per second for 10 seconds. With the Vicissitude passive from ranking up as a vampire, all other hemomancy spells will deal 25% more damage while this spell affects them. Your go-to spell to apply on enemies first, until it’s replaced with:</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blood Garden: Applies Blood Seed in an area-of-effect. Has a higher base damage than Blood Seed at 10 magic damage over 10 seconds. This also activates Vicissitude, so when you’re comfortable with the amount of magicka you have, switch out Blood Seed for this spell.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blood Brand: Deals 5 magic damage per second. After 10 seconds, explodes for 100 magic damage.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blood Scourge: Deals 20 magic damage per second for 15 seconds. If the target dies while this spell is active on them, it spreads to other enemies in the area.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blood Ankh: Used on a corpse, it causes it to levitate for a short time and explode for 200 magic damage in an area.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Profaned Sun: Flaming ball that deals 25 magic <em>and </em>fire damage per second for 20 seconds. It slowly follows its target, damaging all around it.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Borrowed Time: Deals 5 magic damage per second for 20 seconds. After the 20 seconds are up, deals all the health damage the target took during those 20 seconds back again.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Curtain Call: Briefly pacifies all enemies affected by a different hemomancy spell, before decapitating them and killing them instantly.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Hemomancy spells count as magic damage, so they are able to bypass elemental resistances. Fire dragon? Full damage. Dwarven automaton? No problem. Storm atronach? Doesn’t stand a chance.</span></p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3571758934,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3571758934,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3571758934?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873699807,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873699807,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873699807?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="220" height="191" /></a>Destruction- The Ancient Arcane</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The main skill used in this build, this tree is only need for the two points into Destruction Mastery- which will lower the cost of destruction spells by 50%, and increase their damage by 0.5% per level of destruction. The reason only two perks are taken is because hemomancy spells don’t fall under any of the elements, so these are the only perks that will affect them. Dual-Casting isn’t needed as you’ll constantly be wielding a shield in your off-hand.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873704187,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873704187,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873704187?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="220" height="191" /></a>Block- Bulwark of Crimson</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">You’re going to want to pick up most perks in this tree. Follow the left branch up until Apocalypse Proof. Go up the three middle branches getting Block Runner, Quick Reflexes, and Deflect Arrows. Then head up the right branch and get all perks from here except for Mocking Blow. Timed Block will make up for the low armor-rating of the Targe of the Blooded, Apocalypse proof will allow you to completely nullify any elemental damage coming your way- granted you get your timing down- and Deflect Arrows will deal with pesky high-damaging archers. Timed Block, Block Runner, and the entire right branch will allow for a fast-paced, aggressive style of shield mage. Your shield will become as valuable a weapon as your spells- allowing you to stun enemies, knock them around, and weave in and out of attacks with ease.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873707324,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873707324,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873707324?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="220" height="191" /></a>Light Armor- Unnatural Grace</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">In Ordinator, what light armor lacks in defense it makes up for in stamina recovery and speed. The tree has more paths-branching-off-paths, so explaining what to go up can get rather tangly. You’re going to want most everything in this tree, but ignore all the unarmed perks. Perks like Initiative and Fight or Flight will increase your stamina regen to the point where you won’t have to worry about investing into stamina itself, and perks such as Windrunner and Tempting Fate will boost up your movement speed. No need to worry about having to tank damage to level this skill- as the first perk, Light Armor Mastery, allows you gain experience simply by wearing at least two pieces of light armor in combat!</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873708383,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873708383,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873708383?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="220" height="191" /></a>Sneak- Tailing Shadows</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The Sanguine Protector is not an assassin, and thus will not be taking any sneak-damage augmenting perks. Sneak is used to close the gap between you and your enemies, as well as scout out an area and plan your attack. You’re going to want to go up Fog of War and continue until you get Shadow Warrior, ignoring all the side perks of this branch. The last perk you’ll want is Silent Roll, which along with the Block skill, can allow for some fun combinations. When you do get spotted or decide to engage, Shadow Warrior can be used to cause ranged enemies to lose sight of you as you charge towards them.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873713138,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873713138,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873713138?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="220" height="191" /></a>One-Handed- Serrated Claws</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The only perks needed here are two perks into One-Handed Mastery and two perks into Bite Marks. The use of a dagger is mainly reserved for the early-game when you can’t use your spells effectively, which is why is isn’t invested into more. One-Handed Mastery will increase the damage of your dagger by 50%, and Bite Marks will deal 2 points of bleed damage per second for 45 seconds (the effect stacks). This synergizes nicely will your hemomancy spells to add on more bleed procs when you don’t yet have the out-right damage.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873714030,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873714030,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873714030?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="220" height="191" /></a>Vampire Lord- Bound by Blood</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">While you can and will eventually get all Vampire Lord perks, important ones lay here for the Sanguine Protector’s human form. Follow the middle-right branch until Blood from a Stone, then follow the branch to the right until Curtain Call, ignoring the side perk of Auspex. These perks will greatly enhance your hemomancy spells- allowing them to cost less, deal damage to automatons and daedra, absorb health equal to 25% of their base damage, instantly kill enemies under 25% health, cause your vampiric drain to be able to be dual-cast with increased damage again single enemies and with a chance to stagger them, and add the spell “Curtain Call”.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Quests</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Clan Volkihar</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>The clans here in Cyrodil have eluded me thus far; I’d imagine the Vampyrum Order wouldn’t want anything to do with a feral like myself. I’ve heard, however, of the Volkihar clan- hiding up in their refuge in the north of Skyrim. Perhaps there they can teach me more about the powers of this ancient blood.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The Sanguine Protector will join the Volkihar clan, believing they have the ability to help her learn about her vampiric powers. You’ll find them and end up becoming another one of their lackeys, doing side missions for the higher-ups in the court. However, as you progress through the story line it’ll become clear that Harkon is looking to fulfil an ancient prophecy, dooming all life to eternal darkness. Knowing that it’s going to spell disaster for everyone- vampires included- you’ll work with Serana to overthrow him. Becoming Lord of Castle Volkihar means you’ll have the power to influence your court, and steer them away from going after the innocents of the general populace. You’re going to want to start the Dawnguard questline as soon as you can, as the Vampire Lord form has important perks for your hemomancy spells. It’ll also allow access to the rings of blood magic, as well as the bloodstone chalice for the Blood of the Ancients passive. Some quests such as “Deceiving the Herd” can be hard to justify for this character, but I viewed it as a necessity in order to rank up in the court to overpower Harkon- “for the greater good”, if you will.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Sommelier<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567757496,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567757496,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567757496?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="418" height="335" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>The sweet crimson has such arcane powers I’d never once dreamed of.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Added by Sacrosanct, you’ll get this quest once you drain your first victim and unlock Blood Seed. You’ll gain each hemomancy spell in this order:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">1 draining: Blood Seed</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">3 drainings: Blood Brand</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">6 drainings: Blood Garden</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">10 drainings: Blood Scourge</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">15 drainings: Blood Ankh</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">21 drainings: Profaned Sun</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">28 drainings: Borrowed Time</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Main Quest</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>It seems to be no mere coincidence my travels have led me to Skyrim. “Dragonborn” they call me, prophesized as the Nord’s saviour. Why have I, above all holier than I, been chosen for such a task by Divine?</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Once it becomes apparent that she is the destined Dragonborn, the Sanguine Protector will seek out the Greybeards out of pure curiosity of the title. Starting through the quest, the Protector will be more prone to her bloodlust- seeking out dragons and Words of Power simply for the abilities they grant. As she learns to control herself through discipline and restraint, she will begin seeing her Dragonborn title as her duty- rather than a means to acquire strength for personal gain. Needless to say, her and Paarthurnax will get along quite well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">College of Winterhold</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>I’ve heard that this is one of the few places of arcane learning unaffiliated with political scheming. They will not shun me for me for my… unusual studies.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The Sanguine Protector will join the college to gain access to knowledge of the Elder Scrolls. She’ll take an interest in learning from the vast expanses Arcaneum, and join the College as an apprentice. She’ll quickly become suspicious of Ancano, and when the Eye is brought back to the college she’ll want to stick around to watch over it- knowing how such great power can be so easily corrupted. The College of Winterhold questline doesn’t offer much in terms of useful rewards or spells, but is great fun for roleplaying as researching blood magic.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567817312,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567817312,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567817312?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="326" height="538" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Destroy the Dark Brotherhood</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>After hearing about the child in Windhelm I decided to scour the Arcaneum for any information on this guild of assassins, and have determined the best way to get in contact with them is to involve myself directly in this whole ordeal. Once I come face-to-face with them, they’ll be put out of their misery.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Grelod’s death is necessary to be able to come in contact with this shadowy organization. Once they show themselves, the world will be much better off without a group of fanatical cutthroats preying on innocents for gold and sadistic amusement.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Daedric Quests</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>The Daedra defile all that is good in this world. My research has proven to me that it is impossible for such beings to coexist with mortals. Even the Daedra considered “neutral” are not as they seem: Meridia, Prince of Life, Bane of Unlife, assisted the brutal slave-masters of the Ayleid against man- and Azura, Prince of Dusk and Dawn, Mother of the Rose, corrupted the entire Chimer people for the acts of few. Mortals cannot resist their power and temptation, and so they must be shut away from such evils.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Having broken free from Molag Bal’s bestial influence, the Sanguine Protector will take it upon herself to destroy, warp, or collect all Daedric artifacts for safe-keeping. If an innocent must die for her to gain the artifact, it is a necessary sacrifice to make for the protection of many. For example, she will allow Erandur to destroy the Skull of Corruption, but will kill someone who deems her an ally to obtain the Ebony Mail. While some of the artifacts may be tempting to use (looking at you Spellbreaker!), you’re going to want to avoid equipping them, lest you be corrupted by their power or spread the Daedra’s influence about the land.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Roleplay</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Starting off you’re going to be weak, you’re going to be alone, and you’re going to be hungry. The Sanguine Protector was only recently able to break out of her blood-trance, and needs to start from the ground up in advancing her powers and skills. While she has regained some free will, she’ll still have an insatiable thirst that needs to be tended to. Try to only drain sleeping enemies- but if things get dire, you can justify draining the occasional innocent to advance your knowledge in hemomancy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3873726681,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3873726681,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3873726681?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="328" height="360" /></a>Cut off from the light of the magical plane of Aetherius, she isn’t able to cast any spells besides the ones gained via vampirism. To compensate for this, she’ll pick up light armor, a shield, and a dagger.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Due to her vampirism, she will have a hard time empathizing with mortals and their humanity. Immortality has withered her sense of loss. Each mortal will age and decay, yet she will remain- same as before. Because of this she will have little trouble working towards “the greater good”, and will not let morality get in the way of the bigger picture.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">As the Sanguine Protector becomes more disciplined and learns to restrain her bloodlust, she will completely avoid feeding on innocent lives. She does not want to give in to the evils of the Daedra, and will feed only on the morally reprehensible. If none are around, she’ll seek out the Standing Stones as they are able to sate her thirst (you don’t need to accept their blessing, just activating it then hitting cancel will do).</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">She’ll generally avoid fetch quests and simple bounty missions. While she isn’t against helping the common folk with their common problems, her talents can be best used elsewhere where a simple adventurer would not succeed. Thus, she’ll have more of an interest in dealing with supernatural and arcane threats- threats that will have disastrous consequences if left to fester.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">With how the Daedra have corrupted her thoughts and actions, she is steadfast in her opinion that the Daedra are vehemently evil. If she hadn’t learned to control herself, imagine what death and destruction her powers could bring under their influence. Unlike others who may find themselves in her place, she does not blame the Divines for what happened to her. She instead pities the powerlessness of the Divines against such forces of chaos, and will work to hinder the Daedra wherever she can; she will use her Daedra-given powers to defile those very beings.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Special Abilities</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567471036,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567471036,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567471036?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="165" height="166" /></a>Blessed Blood: <em>The most primal form of the arcane- pure and potent. Who would’ve thought such power lay at the very essence of mortality?</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Requirements – Destruction Mastery (2/2), Unearthly Will, Atronach Stone, Stones of Galen.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Destruction Mastery (2/2) causes destruction spells to cost 50% less, Unearthly Will causes hemomancy spells to cost 25% less, the Atronach Stone’s ‘Oblivion Bound’ passive causes spells to cost 50% less, and the Stones of Galen passive causes spells to cost an addition 30% less. Combine these all together, and your spells will cost a ridiculously low amount. Take for example: Curtain Call. It has a base mana cost of 1500. With all these perks and passives, <em>it only costs 116.</em> Needless to say, you won’t need a high magicka pool to work with.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567472774,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567472774,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567472774?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="165" height="166" /></a>Sanguine Artistry: <em>A beautiful sight indeed- boiling blood before they paint the room in crimson art.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Requirements – Blood Garden, Become Ethereal, Curtain Call</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Cast the area-of-effect spell Blood Garden, and try to hit as many people as you can. Use the first word of Become Ethereal, then begin the long charge-up time of Curtain Call. When released, all enemies affected by another hemomancy spell- in this case, Blood Garden- will become pacified for a brief duration, then be decapitated and killed instantly. This ability is great for a room clear or a single tough enemy that refuses to die.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567481442,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567481442,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567481442?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="165" height="165" /></a>Rushing Bulwark: <em>What strength can a mere shadow have? One moment it’s across the room, the next, you’re knocked to the floor and defenceless.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Requirements: Sneak, Sneak Roll, Block Runner, Unstoppable Force</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">I recently discovered the fun that is having Sneak and Block together. If you have Block Runner you can sneak at the same speed as running while holding up your shield, and if you have both Silent Roll and Unstoppable Force, you can sprint at people and knock them over while remaining in stealth. These two combinations put together means you can quickly advance on your unaware target, then hold down the sprint key and start charging at them as they remain clueless to the coming assault.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Combat Style<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567498653,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567498653,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567498653?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="317" height="436" /></a></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Combat will usually start with Rushing Bulwark on the toughest enemy, then casting Blood Garden to make use of the Vicissitude passive. If the enemy has lots of health, start stacking your different hemomancy spells and let their health tick down.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">When fighting living targets, the Sanguine Protector will completely dominate the battle. With Starving Artist from your Vampire Lord perk tree, your spells will absorb 25% of the base damage of your hemomancy spells as health, and deal that much damage as extra. Considering the number of area-of-effect spells and how they all stack with one another, you’ll have a constant stream of health coming towards you. Continue shield-bashing and charging your foes, and they’ll have little in the way of fighting back. If you do happen to get low on health, either let yourself die and use up Fortitude, or activate Blood Cauldron to gain regain all your stats. Stagger an enemy with a shield bash, then use combat feed to gain both Fortitude and Blood Cauldron back!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Fighting unliving targets can be a bit trickier. Starving Artist will not activate, and you will not be able to combat feed. To regain health, you’ll instead be relying on Vampiric Drain. With Exsanguinate from the Vampire Lord skill tree, your Vampiric Drain will be able to be dual-cast without the need for the destruction perk, and when dual-cast it will have a chance to stagger enemies. Against a single target it’ll also do 50% more damage. Along with the Blood of the Ancients passive gotten from the Bloodstone Chalice, this spell will be your go-to way to gain magicka back when you aren’t able to kill an enemy: because of low it costs due to Blessed Blood, you’ll actually end up absorbing more mana than you’ll be spending to cast it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Mages, especially those with fire, should be your first focus. Either shield charge at them to knock them away, or keep stunning them with shield bashes. If you get your timing down however, blocking just before the spell hits you will completely nullify its effect. If a ranged enemy is far away, momentarily crouch- activating Shadow Warrior- to get them off your tail as you close the distance. Undead such as draugr and vampires make use of frost magic, which as a vampire you are naturally resistant to, so not having all the health absorption won’t be too much of a hinderance against them.</span></p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3567486069,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3567486069,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3567486069?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="313" height="401" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>A Vigil Now Complete</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>My destiny has been fulfilled. Countless monstrosities and evils have fallen before me: I am Skyrim’s hero. Yet I cannot rest. My mind is still a toy of the Daedra, their whispers becoming overwhelming to my psyche. A single drop of blood is enough to spiral my thoughts into depravity.</em></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Falion claims to be able to end this corruption, to cleanse this evil from my very soul. The ritual will tear this affliction from my body piece by piece in a matter too painful to imagine. But then again, what pain has my existence not yet felt?</em></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>I have forgotten what the warmth of Aetherius feels like. Will it restore my broken mind?</em></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>I have forgotten what mortality feels like. Will it allow me to appreciate my existence?</em></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>I have forgotten what love feels like. Will it allow me to finally be at peace?</em></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Only then, may I at last, rest.</em></span></p></div>Contest Build: The Cutthroathttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/contest-build-the-cutthroat2019-06-15T12:23:13.000Z2019-06-15T12:23:13.000ZLeehttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/LeeFiskilisCarpenter<div><p><span style="font-weight:400;">Hey guys, welcome to my Contest Build for the Pirate Event. For a change, I wanted to stick to a cliche which surprisingly is hardly touched, as well as looting (and improving the chance to find more), gold in chests, urns, pockets etc. Instead of just madly looting everything. Onto the Build shall we...</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938440980,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2938440980,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2938440980?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="602" /></a></span><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3404648507,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3404649815,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3404649815?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span><em><span style="font-weight:400;">That sly dog. <br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">All I wanted was out of piracy and the Blood Horkers. <br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Guess Haldyn didn’t like that idea.<br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">They snuck up on the Slinky Horker in a mist - Haldyn’s little magic trick.<br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">This time though, it was different. No hostages, no robbery, no nothing. <br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Didn’t even try to kill me - just in and out.<br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">They sunk the ship - with me in it.<br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Trying to make sure I don’t comeback I guess.<br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Guess you don’t really leave pirate life.<br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Well, you know what they say, you mess with the Khajiit and you get the claws.</span></em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938466861,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2938466861,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2938466861?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="318" /></a></span></em></p><p><strong>Ordinator:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">This mod is essential, once again to this Build, as it vastly opens up several pathways and options</span> <strong>but</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">this Build is playable without it.</span></p><p><strong>Andromeda Standing Stones:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Essential as it vastly overhauls every single Standing Stone and has synergy used in Imperious - in the Build.</span></p><p><strong>Imperious:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Combined with Andromeda, Imperious is the bread and butter of this Build and it’s gameplay.</span></p><p><strong>TK Dodge:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Not essential at all, but I highly recommend it, as I envisioned the Cutthroat (although temporary ‘retired’), an agile fighter - works wonders with combat mods.</span></p><p><strong>Honed Metal:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Not essential per say, but I highly recommend it. Allows you to get your Nordic Carved Sword (or any particular sword that you prefer), Early Game and tempered without having to rely on random drops.</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938472631,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2938472631,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2938472631?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="291" /></a></span></p><p><strong>Race:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Khajiit</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">For the Cutthroat, I wanted to focus on two major things - one of which Khajiit are quite well known for - which just so happens to be included under the Khajiit race in</span> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Imperious</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">and</span> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Andromeda</span></em><span style="font-weight:400;">. Speed, both in and out of combat and being pickpockets (translated into the Skills).</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">Starting off as a Khajiit with</span> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Imperious</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">(for those curious) will start off with,</span></p><p><strong>Health:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">90</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <strong>Magicka:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">105</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <strong>Stamina:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">105</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <strong>Health Regen:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">0.5%:</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <strong>Magicka Regen:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">3.125%</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <strong>Stamina Regen:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">5.25%</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <strong>Carry weight:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">300</span></p><p><strong>Feline Agility:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Move faster, and sprint much faster at the cost of more Stamina</span></p><p><strong>Prowl:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Sneak silently and perform power leaps while sneaking.</span></p><p><strong>Kawlith Khaj:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Claw power attacks deal bonus damage based on your Stamina</span></p><p><em><span style="font-weight:400;">Quest reward - Acquire 50,000 lifetime gold to unlock</span></em><em><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span></em> <em><span style="font-weight:400;"> </span></em><strong>Perception:</strong> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">At will -</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">Improves night vision and dampens non-essential sounds.</span></p><p><strong>Stone:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Shadow or the Thief</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">Also to improve our speed in combat, the Shadow Stone from</span> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Andromeda</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">comes to mind. As does the Thief, whichever you choose is your choice. I personally stuck with the Shadow for the nice movement speed.</span></p><p><strong><em>The Shadow</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> Blur:</em></strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">The Shadow increases movement speed by 20%, in combat</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <span style="font-weight:400;"> </span><strong><em>Hide in Shadows:</em></strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">When near a wall or obstacle, sneaking and sneak attacks are 20% more effective.</span></p><p><em><span style="font-weight:400;">Unlockable once you find all 13 Stones in Skyrim</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-weight:400;"> </span></em><strong><em>Shadow Step:</em></strong> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">At will -</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">Exped</span> <strong>50</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">points of Stamina to dash to a nearby target with</span> <strong>75</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">feet</span></p><p><strong><em>The Thief</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> Ambush:</em></strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Sneaking and sneak attacks are 10% more effective</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <span style="font-weight:400;"> </span><strong><em>Thief's Path:</em></strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Learn all Thief skills 10% faster.</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <span style="font-weight:400;"><br /> </span> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Unlockable once you find all 13 Stones in Skyrim</span></em></p><p><strong><em> Pillage:</em></strong> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Once a day -</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">Find more loot on enemies you kill within</span> <strong>30</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">seconds. Especially violent kills result in even more loot</span></p><p><strong>Stats:</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">0/1/1</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">For the Cutthroat, Magicka is worthless. I stopped putting points in Stamina once I hit about 200, adding the rest to Health. Feel free to change it, to your playthrough.</span></p><p><strong>Quests</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">:</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">For the Cutthroat, quest wise, like the roleplay, it’s fairly simple and open to the player. The quests that I recommend are the <strong>Thieves Guild</strong> which is perfect for training our skills - feel free to go as far into the questline as you wish, <strong>Rise in the East</strong> which is perfect for taking revenge on the Blood Horkers and more importantly Halydn - and <strong>Bounty Quests</strong> is purely for gold and optional.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938472631,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><br /> </a> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938493642,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2938493642,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2938493642?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="504" /></a></span></p><p><strong>One Handed</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><em><span style="font-weight:400;">-Rogue’s Parry:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">When wielding a one-handed weapon and an empty other hand, attacking with the weapon while the opponent is winding up their attack or drawing a bow deals 40% more damage and delivers a critical strike.</span></p><p><em><span style="font-weight:400;"> -Overrun:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">Can perform a one-handed power attack that deals up to 50% more damage and critical damage to a target above half Health. The higher its remaining Health percentage is, the more damage and critical damage is dealt.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"> -<span style="font-size:small;"><em>Thundering Blow:</em> Whenever you perform a total of 8 or more one-handed regular attacks in combat, your next one-handed power attack is a Thundering Blow that deals double damage and costs no Stamina, resetting the counter.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:small;"> -<em>Aftershock</em><strong>: </strong>After a Thundering Blow, attack speed is increased by 75% for 3 seconds.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:small;"> -<em>Wandering Warrior:</em> Whenever you defeat at least 4 humanoids and/or animals in a single battle, you gain a permanent +1% bonus to one-handed damage. This effect stacks up to +20%.</span></span></p><p><strong>Sneak</strong></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"> </span><em><span style="font-weight:400;">-Dynamic Entry:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">Performing a silent roll increases your weapon damage by 40% and unarmed damage by 40 points for 3 seconds.</span></p><p><strong> </strong><em><span style="font-weight:400;">-Clean Escape:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">When you stand still for 8 seconds while sneaking, enemies within 150 feet no longer search for you.</span></p><p><strong>Lockpicking</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><em><span style="font-weight:400;">-Golden Touch:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">Find 20-100 more gold in any dungeon chests and 2-10 more gold in corpses, urns etc</span></p><p><em><span style="font-weight:400;"> -Nose for Treasure:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">You may choose an item type (gold, jewelry, books, ingredients, potions, ingots, weapons, armor, scrolls). Containers illuminated by Robber’s Eye are three times more likely to contain items of your chosen type over other types.</span></p><p><strong>Pickpocket</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><em><span style="font-weight:400;">-Blood Money:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">You find 10-100 more gold when looting humanoid corpses slain in an especially violent fashion (with an attack that deals at least 100 more damage than their remaining Health or a killmove)</span></p><p><em><span style="font-weight:400;"> -Lawless World:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">Petty crimes are forgotten, allowing your bounties for non-violent crimes to decay at the rate of 50% if your Pickpocket Skill each day</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"> -</span><em><span style="font-weight:400;">Thief’s Luck:</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">You may choose an item type (gold, jewelry, books, ingredients, potions, ingots, scrolls). Those illuminated by Thief’s Eye are three times more likely to carry items of your selected type over other item types.<br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"><em> -Doomed to Plunder:</em> Killing a victim in possession of the Death’s Emperor grants 100-300 more gold.</span></p><p><strong>Block</strong></p><p><strong> </strong>-<em>Quick Reflexes: </em><span style="font-size:small;">Time slows down if you are blocking during an enemy's power attack</span>.</p><p> -<span style="font-size:small;"><em>Power Bash:</em> Able to do a power bash by holding down Attack while blocking.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:small;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3404650156,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3404650156,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="3404650156?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3416813622,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3416813622,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="3416813622?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938522208,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2938522208,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2938522208?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="224" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">For once in my Builds, combat came rather simple (especially with TK Dodge) - hit hard, fast and dodge/stagger. Due to no Armor Skill, you end up with about 60 AR (give or take - depends on the Light Armor skill) at End Game. Meaning you cannot afford to get hit - especially on higher levels.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">Using your wit - and let’s not forget Death’s Emperor - I recommend placing it on the toughest - if against melee opponents, place it on the opponent with the Two Handed weapon - and starting combat (either sneak attack or Overrun in Sneak Mode - a well known trick that I’ll explain at the end of this section) on the weakest or any other opponent in a group/two or more enemies. I did this to leave the strongest to be taken out in one hit - due to Death’s Emperor which</span> <strong>increases your damage by 200% on the holder of the coin (including Critical Attacks)</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">- whereas others may require more of your attention.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">If an enemy is alone, you can place Death’s Emperor for</span> <em><span style="font-weight:400;">Doomed to Plunder</span></em><span style="font-weight:400;">, or you can simply initiate a power attack.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">However, Mages are not so easily defeated. Similar to the above tactic - I can not stress enough to put Death’s Emperor in the strongest Mage in the group and singling them out. This is due to having</span> <strong>no</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Magic Resistance, meaning that you will take the full brunt of any and all spells. Even if a Mage is alone, I still recommend Death’s Emperor due to no Magic Resistance whatsoever.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"><strong>NOTE:</strong> For those who do not know, you are able to initiate a Critical Charge (perk name in Vanilla, in Ordinator it’s Overrun), <em>after</em> doing a Silent Roll. The result, at the end of the Silent Roll - if done correctly - changes the animation to the Critical Charge <strong>while</strong> doing the addition damage (see <em>Overrun</em> above). Using this trick in Ordinator with the addition of <em>Dynamic Entry</em> creates a rather powerful first attack that can either instantly kill (either from the hit itself or the ‘secondary’ effect of Overrun) or serious damage the target - provided you hit the target. <br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3404649214,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3404649214,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3404649214?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938539819,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2938539819,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2938539819?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="265" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">I roleplayed the Cutthroat as a thief/pickpocket first, and a tactician second. I also decided to keep the Roleplay rather open to the Player. Before taking on Haldyn, I focused on gathering as much gold as possible (what you decide to do with it is up to you - I chose to take up training to help speed up One Handed as it gets left behind by Pickpocket).</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">After exacting revenge on Haldyn and the Blood Horkers, what you choose to do is your choice. Do you create a Pirate Crew to loot and pillage Skyrim? Do you decide to become a Privateer for the East Empire Company after taking out Haldyn - the choice is entirely up to you.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">As the Cutthroat, both before and after Haldyn, I focused on robbing civilians - both rich and poor - blind of their gold. Not their jewelry or weapons, just their gold. I recommend focusing on pickpocketing</span> <strong>only</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">gold for two reasons: as a ex-retired Pirate wouldn’t exactly be able to sell their stolen items - especially one that was supposedly killed (hence not using Speech), another reason being, if an ex-retired Pirate found a merchant willing to buy stolen goods how much would they be both willing and able to pay for said items.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3404649500,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3404649500,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="3404649500?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2938546923,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2938546923,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2938546923?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="222" /></a></span><span style="font-weight:400;">I’d like to thank:</span></p><p><strong><em>-Chris Dionko</em></strong><em><span style="font-weight:400;">,</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">for giving me some ideas for the Cutthroat</span></p><p><strong><em>-Furrion 17</em></strong><em><span style="font-weight:400;">,</span></em> <span style="font-weight:400;">for the images (found on Pinterest) as well as giving me some more ideas for the Cutthroat</span></p><p><strong><em>-Curse,</em></strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">for holding the Sky Forge’s first ever Contest <em>as well as </em>the new screenshots, Perk Spread <strong><em>and </em></strong>Equipment Spread.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">Don’t forget to hit that ‘like’ button, and drop a comment below if you want.</span></p></div>