rogue - THE SKY FORGE2024-03-28T13:09:17Zhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/feed/tag/rogueCharacter Build: The Stormcloak Spymasterhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-stormcloak-spymaster2022-01-29T03:35:17.000Z2022-01-29T03:35:17.000ZM.Knight.Jhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/MKnightJ<div><p> </p><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10054274654,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="10054274654?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>FOREWORD: </strong>As based on the build’s title itself, this character is inspired by the Dragon Age’s heroine, Leliana, which in the Dragon Age Inquisition’s version where she becomes a full-time spymaster. But their main similarity lies in their skills, personality and job class. The Spymaster build is a femme fatale type of character that I am a big fan of mainly because of the air of mystery around them that makes you want to know more about them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The <strong>Spymaster </strong>is a skilled tactician and a very intellectual warrior. She took the responsibility of being the “blade in the dark” of the Stormcloaks as he serves Ulfric behind the shadows whether its assassination, sabotage, infiltration or other that requires a subtle yet very deadly approach. Because of her role, she tends to keep her emotions in check and rather be the cold-blooded person just to execute any operation without any fail for the sake of rebellion and her “king”, Ulfric.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Backstory</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She is originally from Riften, an orphan of the Great War and one of the few Nords who were saved in the war in Cyrodiil. Not much known about her past but she has an Imperial lineage but unknown if it’s her mother or father.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">After being sent to Skyrim she was sent to the orphanage called the “Honorhall” where she stayed most during of her childhood, but not long after, she fled the orphanage as she became fully aware of the orphanage mistress’ “true personality” and left Riften for good. She then smuggled herself into a travelling merchant carriage that was heading north and got kicked out after being discovered by the owner in snowy fields of Eastmarch.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Injured, and starved she proceeded towards a great city filled with stone walls and being blanketed by white snow, the oldest city of Skyrim, Windhelm. At first, she was pushed away by the town guards and stayed outside the city’s great bridge for roughly two nights after that some of the Argonians who were working at the docks of Windhelm was kind enough to be able to aid her and thus she began her life as an urchin in the streets of Windhelm.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">As she was in her teenage years, she began to do petty thievery just to make do for her everyday life. She is considered to be a very head-strong young lady and made a name for herself as a troublemaker in the streets but suddenly her luck runs out as the town guards was able to capture her, she fought back and was able to get away from them. She became wary now that she become a wanted criminal in Windhelm but that didn’t stop her as she saw another mark in the street. Little did she know that her victim is the young Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak after his return from the training in the mountains of High Hrothgar. She snucked into Ulfric’s back and was able snatch his weapon but Ulfric effortlessly dispatched her and finally captured her. She was then sent in the Jarl’s Throne room to be judge for her crimes but an unexpected turn of events happened as the Jarl took a liking this young lady and applaud the young woman’s skills on going toe-to-toe against him. Ulfric then declared that she would be working under his wing as a Stormcloak believing that it would be waste to kill or imprison someone with skills and tenacity. Many in Ulfric’s court loathe the idea of taking someone like her into his ranks but nonetheless the Jarl’s decision is final. She then was trained rigorously to become a full-pledged soldier and was given proper education as well as she displayed remarkable talent not only in martial training but also in strategy and academics. She then rose up to become one of Ulfric’s greatest asset in his ranks became the “shadow” of the Jarl.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10054275475,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}10054275475,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="577" alt="10054275475?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Character Info</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Name: </strong>Cathriss Ice-Veins</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Class: </strong>Rouge Infiltrator</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Race: </strong>Nord, Female</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Level: </strong>66</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Powers: </strong>Shadowcloak of Nocturnal</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Shouts: </strong>Marked for Death, Slow Time, Aura Whisper, Ice Form (<em>Optional: Whirlwind Sprint, Become Ethereal and Elemental Fury</em>)</span></p><p><strong> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10054275878,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10054275878,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="320" alt="10054275878?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Specialty/Personality</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Having a very dark childhood, Cathriss tends to keep to herself be efficient as possible and never lets her emotions sway her. In her time as a street urchin, she was an idealist and headstrong, for her it’s always survival to the fittest and she strives to be at the top no matter what. She always relied on herself alone and tends to get the job done alone, but after being under Ulfric’s command she was trained as a soldier and taught how to coordinate as well with others but obviously she’s more effective on being a one-woman army and thus she became Ulfric’s greatest infiltrator. She’s not the sociable sort but she is great in putting up a “facade” as her role as a Spymaster, especially when going undercover or infiltrating an enemy. In terms of her combat prowess, she is unrivaled when it comes to a one-on-one confrontation and very smart when fighting in disadvantage. She tends to go for the first strike that either immediately kill her foe or badly injure them to deal a finishing blow with her twin daggers or a shot from her bow. She’s also good at brewing poison that can either paralyze her victim or inflict a deadly lingering venom. Due to the fact the she was a petty thief in her teenage years, she’s very good at hiding her presence which tends to even scared her fellow Stormcloaks and known her for being “the blade in the dark.” Overall, she is a very gifted child and can do anything on her own.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10054276276,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10054276276,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="599" alt="10054276276?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a> </strong></span><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Stat Distribution (0-1-2) = (Magicka-Health-Stamina)</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">As an infiltrator and agile rouge, she makes use of her stamina on moving quickly as possible. When confronting an enemy with her melee weapons, she overwhelms them with a flurry of blows and a dual-wield power attack to render their guard. She makes use of her Steady aiming to dispatch her targets with her bow very accurately from a very long and safe distance. Her stamina is her key stat and followed only by health and as for being under Ulfric’s and Galmar’s influence she tends to distrust magic and for the “true” Nords of Skyrim don’t depend on much to it that’s why she doesn’t have a priority over the magicka stat.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Skills and Perks</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Due to being a rouge, most of her major skills are under the benefit of the <strong>Thief Stone </strong>making it her early standing stone and to quickly master her Sneak and Alchemy skills as for her minor skills, it is also good to grind it early since its not much high compared to some of her major skills.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Standing Stone:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The early standing stone is the Thief Stone but as she further developed some of her thief skills, a good replacement is the <strong>Lover Stone </strong>for early-mid game to help grind the other non-thief skills she has. While for her late-game stone, the <strong>Lady Stone </strong>is going to be her backbone for a quicker health regen and more importantly the stamina regen in which this will be the key for a more threshold of stamina.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>MAJOR</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>One-handed – </strong>Armsman 5 / Fighting Stance / Dual Flurry 2 / Bladesman 3 / Savage Strike / Dual Savagery</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Sneak – </strong>Stealth 5 / Muffled Movement / Backstab / Light Foot / Deadly Aim / Silent Roll / Assassin’s Blade / Silence</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Archery – </strong>Overdraw 5 / Critical Shot 3 / Eagle Eye / Steady Hand 2</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Alchemy – </strong>Alchemist 5 / Physician / Poisoner / Concentrated Poison / Snakeblood / Purity</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Light Armor – </strong>Agile Defender 5 / Custom Fit / Unhindered / Windwalker</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>MINOR</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Smithing – </strong>Steel Smithing / Elven Smithing / Advanced Armors / Arcane Blacksmith / Glass Smithing</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Enchanting – </strong>Enchanter 3 / Soul Squeezer / Insightful Enchanter / Corpus Enchanter</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10054276675,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10054276675,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="302" alt="10054276675?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Equipment: </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Early</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Stormcloak Cuirass</strong> – To be more efficient as possible, just stick with Stormcloak armor until reaching a decent level of smithing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood Armor</strong> – It’s also good get either of these of two faction armor since both of them have a good stat especially for rouge characters</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Late-game</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Grand Master Armor</strong> – It is a <strong>must </strong>to complete the Thieves Guild questline since the greater version of the Thieves Guild armor is only obtainable after restoring the Thieves Guild’s former glory in Skyrim.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><em>(optional)</em></strong><strong> Hentai’s Karliah Armor (Light)</strong> – This is an armor mod that I took a liking since the vanilla thieves’ armor is too bumpy for a female character and the stats of this armor is also very good.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> -If going for this armor mod, I recommend crafting the (Light) version of this and enchant it with the following: (renamed it as “Spymaster”)</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10054277083,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10054277083,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="302" alt="10054277083?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a>The Spymaster Set</em></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Spymaster Armor</strong> – Fortify Health by 30+</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Spymaster Gloves </strong>– Fortify One-Hand</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Spymaster Boots</strong> – Fortify Stamina by 30+ or Sneaking</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> -The armor mod doesn’t have a headpiece so the Grand Master Hood is the only choice or you can substitute it with Linwe’s Hood or if you have the Dragonborn DLC installed, the Black Guard’s set is a good choice too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Accessories:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Necklace – </strong>Fortify Stamina by 30+ or Health if using Grandmaster Armor set</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Ring – </strong>Fortify Archery</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><em>(Optional)</em></strong><strong> Amulet of Articulation – </strong>This is also a best piece for a more roleplay-friendly build since a spy or rouges tend to have a silver tongue and thanks to its unique enchantments, it boosts the success rate of some persuasion or intimidation checks. This unique jewelry also counts as a Light Armor so it can benefit to the perk as well.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10054277287,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10054277287,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="403" alt="10054277287?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></a></strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Weaponry:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Chillrend – </strong>The blade forged in ice that can freeze someone who are cut by this very sword. An artifact that was stolen from the former Thieves Guild Master, Mercer Frey.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Mehrunes’ Razor – </strong>The Daedric artifact of Lord Mehrunes Dagon himself. With the help of a surviving descendant of the Mythic Dawn cult, the dagger is restored to its former glory and now it is your arsenal in putting an end to your victims’ life in an instant.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Firiniel’s End – </strong>The very bow that killed the emperor’s cousin. A great tale for a bloody bride as the Spymaster used this as her main bow.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Factions:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Stormcloaks – </strong>The Spymaster’s primary faction is the Stormcloak rebels. She is one of the driving forces of the revolution that will free Skyrim on the hands of the falling Empire and soon drive the Thalmor threat for real once and for all.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Thieves Guild – </strong>This is one of the guilds that the Spymaster will manage as she rose to become its new Grand Master and become one of her sources of information network all across Skyrim.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Dark Brotherhood – </strong>The Spymaster will become the new Listener of the Night Mother and thanks to the contract for the emperor’s life, she will be able to cripple the Empire’s power as she takes the life of Emperor Titus Mede II causing a power struggle that will put the Imperials at a disadvantage.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Optional: Technically all other factions are optional but for DLC <strong>Dawnguard</strong>, you can either side with Dawnguard to get a cool crossbow or with the <strong>Volkihar Clan</strong> for an edgier and evil-oriented Spymaster. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Roleplay: Cold-blooded Heroine</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">As for the roleplay, the Spymaster is a woman of action. She prefers getting the job done as efficient and effective as possible and she never hesitates to kill if she has to. She is also great at reading people’s intention and behaviors as these what makes her a very intimidating woman and yet she also has a way with words but prefers the subtle and a stealthier approach.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> For example: in the quest “In My Time of Need” the Spymaster can read through “Saadia’s” deceit and she will straight up inform the Alik’r mercenaries about her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">When doing miscellaneous quests, the Spymaster always consider her own benefit when it comes to helping certain people as she always makes sure that she will receive something in return that either gold or something worth of value.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Despite of her cold persona, she appreciates helping the helpless and poor at some times due to the fact that she also started like them before being taken by Ulfric. All an all, her alignment can be considered “Chaotic Neutral.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Gameplay</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The Spymaster’s main strength lies on her agility and quick wits. She wields Chillrend on her right-hand and Mehrunes’ Razor on the left, where Chillrend can have a chance of freezing her victims, the Razor can put them into their misery. She also coats her blade with a very deadly poison that can either deal massive damage or severely paralyzing her enemies. Having a very fast attack speed, the Spymaster overwhelms any adversary with a barrage of blows but she only does this when her position is compromised or in a duel.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Most of the Spymaster’s enemies never see her coming due to her accurate bow and arrow shot which also coats with a deadly poison and paralysis effect and when she’s infiltrating a fort or dungeon, she can easily sneak upon her victims’ back with her deadly backstabs. Since this is mostly a stealth build, companions or followers are not required.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Dance Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">When dual-wielding, the Spymaster does not only swing her blades randomly but she demonstrates a very graceful footwork and side-stepping because while attacking she also evades and read her foes movements to effectively deliver accurate and killing blows. Zigzagging or strafing is her most effective way of countering her enemies and really took me awhile to do a no damage or no-hit run but being able to master such combat movement can really make her OP.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Second Wind</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The Spymaster’s another amazing trait is that she has a very high stamina which allows her to maneuver endlessly and quickly deliver a power attack rush. She makes use of her lengthy stamina to execute many power attacks and she sprint at a very long distance as a benefit for the Lady Stone’s blessing and Stamina enchantments.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Signature Moves</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The Spymaster doesn’t have any specific move set or signature attack but as stated on her gameplay, she is keen on doing <strong>ambush or preemptive strikes</strong> rather than frontal assaults. She also <strong>coats her weapons with poisons</strong> before battle to gain immense damage output or to deal killing attacks while preferable shouts that she uses are the <strong>Marked for Death </strong>to fully render and enemy’s defenses, <strong>Slow Time </strong>for crowd control if she’s surrounded by many enemies and the <strong>Ice Form </strong>shout to disable groups of enemies ahead.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Recommended Mods:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Karliah Armor 2 by Hentai – CBBE3 By NAUSICAA</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13581">https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13581</a></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Oblivion Chillrend by Araanim</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/72268">https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/72268</a></strong></span></p></div>Character Build: The Rascalhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-rascal2020-04-12T09:26:22.000Z2020-04-12T09:26:22.000ZSaronishttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/Saronis<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4399408893,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4399408893,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4399408893?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p> <br /> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlMPrBrMsyU/XRMFK7X6rQI/AAAAAAAAKVk/MDjsBRUnspITR_9W8S-RGLIQDjGpMw9lgCLcBGAs/s1600/154.png" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7828047098,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7828047098?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>PROLOGUE - The Imperial City, 3rd of Rain's Hand, 4E201</strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">"So, Thessia, right ? You've been the alchemist's apprentice for a while ?"</span><em><span style="font-size:12pt;">, Olrik asked the young girl walking beside him. Not that he cared in the slightest about the answer, no ; he was buying time. He had stalked her all week, as all predators stalk their prey before they pounce. And today was a good day for hunting.<br /> </span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:12pt;">He always operated the same way : find young, solitary girls, charm them, lead them in a quiet spot, take their jewelry, their gold - and with this one, he thought, why not her virginity. Oh, she was a cute one. A short, chestnut-haired breton, barely over twenty years old. Light skin, green eyes, freckled cheeks. He could always slit her throat if she tried to scream for help, he thought. Given the girl's stature, she would not pose a threat. </span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:12pt;">Still conversing, he made them take a turn left as they exited the Market District. He knew exactly where to lead her. It was dusk, on a rainy day, nobody would be walking the alley he was luring her to. Hell, rain was pouring so hard even the beggars fled to seek shelter at the temple. Just a few more steps, and there they were : a quiet, deserted backstreet. He discreetly reached to the dagger strapped to his lower back, hidden under his cloak...</span></em></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">"Looking for something ?"</span><em><span style="font-size:12pt;"> she cheekily asked, as he gripped the empty leather scabbard. He turned his head to the girl. She was pointing his own weapon right at him, a slight smile of contempt on her juvenile face. He was trapped, right there, beaten at his own game. Now he was alone on an empty alley, somewhere in the immensity of the Imperial capital. Now </span><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">he</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> was the prey.</span></em><span style="font-size:12pt;"> "I guess it's time you hand me your valuables, big guy. And I'll be keeping that knife as a souvenir, to boot."</span></p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlMPrBrMsyU/XRMFK7X6rQI/AAAAAAAAKVk/MDjsBRUnspITR_9W8S-RGLIQDjGpMw9lgCLcBGAs/s1600/154.png" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7828047098,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7828047098?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:18pt;"> <strong>If you wish to read the full backstory, click <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/the-story-corner/general-forum/the-rascal-full-backstory" target="_blank">here</a></strong><strong>.</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4417031809,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4417031809,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4417031809?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Before we delve deeper into Thessia's adventures to come, here are the essential, and recommended, mods for this build.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">ESSENTIAL MODS :</span></strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1137">Ordinator</a><br /> </span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1315?tab=files"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Imperious</span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/14910"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Andromeda</span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/272/"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Alternate Start </span></a>Start as a new member of the Thieves' Guild if you wish to follow the backstory. You could also use the vanilla start and say Thessia got caught in the crossfire after she passed the Cyrodiil border, but note that this build is not tailored to fight dragons.</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>RECOMMENDED</strong></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong> MODS :</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1368">Wildcat</a><br /> </span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/17196"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Ultimate Combat</span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6843/?tab=description"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Advanced Adversary Encounters</span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6331"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Skyshards</span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://bethesda.net/en/mods/skyrim/mod-detail/4026054"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Perk points @ skill level</span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/7842?tab=description"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Perk point awards</span></a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">NB :</span> The latter three essentially act as a replacement for 20/50/100% more perk point mods that come with Ordinator. I prefer to play with these, as exploration (Skyshards), defeating epic enemies (PPA) and mastering more and more skills (PP@SL) make perk points feel like a reward for your acomplishments, rather that just something you get double every few levels. It is up to your preference, however, you could bypass these and just get any perk point modifier on the Ordinator page.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4416879077,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4416879077,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4416879077?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}6905715054,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}6905715054,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="6905715054?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a>Thessia in the Ragged Flagon, after joining the Thieves' Guild</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Name : </strong>Thessia</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Age : </strong>20</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Class archetype :</strong> Rogue</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Race : </strong>Breton</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><br /> <span style="font-size:10pt;">With Imperious installed, Bretons start with a base Health of <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">95</span></strong> </span>(regen rate 0.75%), base Magicka of <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><span style="color:#0000ff;">105</span></strong></span> (regen rate 3.125%) and base Stamina of <span style="color:#008000;font-size:12pt;"><strong>100</strong> </span>(regen rate 4.75%), and a carrying capacity of 300.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><br /> <span style="font-size:10pt;">As for racial abilities, they have <span style="font-size:12pt;">Spell Mantle</span>, which increases magic resistance by 15%, and provides 25% spell absorption, doubled when Magicka is under 25%,<span style="font-size:12pt;"> Stones of Galen</span>, which makes each standing stone grant an extra passive ability, and<span style="font-size:12pt;"> Grail of Betony</span>, which gives a chance for an encounter - usually around level 35, with an adventurer carrying said Grail. Having it in your inventory as a Breton increases Magicka and Stamina regen by 50%.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Furthermore, their active ability,<span style="font-size:12pt;"> Shared Ancestry</span>, is acquired by discovering 10 of the 13 total standing stones in Skyrim. It is a one use a day Power that allows you to mimic the racial ability of any human or elven target for 300 seconds.</span><strong><br /> </strong></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Standing Stone : </strong>The Shadow</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">With Andromeda installed, the Shadow Stone has two passive properties and one active ability.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">For passives, <span style="font-size:12pt;">Blur </span>increases movement speed by 20% while in combat, while </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Hide in Shadows</span><span style="font-size:10pt;"> makes sneaking and sneak attacks 20% more effective when near a wall or obstacle.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">The active ability, <span style="font-size:12pt;">Shadow Step</span>, is unlocked through discovering every standing stone in Skyrim. It is a dash to your target, with a 75 ft. range, at the cost of 50 points of stamina, usable at will.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;">Being a Breton, you of course get another added benefit to your standing stone with<span style="font-size:12pt;"> Stones of Galen</span>. In the case of the Shadow, it makes your sneak attacks have a 20% chance to deal double damage, multipliers included.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Stat Distribution : <span style="color:#0000ff;">0</span></strong>/<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">2</span></strong>/<strong><span style="color:#008000;">1</span></strong></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;color:#000000;"><strong>Factions :</strong> Thieves Guild, Dawnguard, Bards' College, Companions (optional)<br /> </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Alignment : </span></strong><span style="color:#000000;">Chaotic Neutral<br /> </span></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4416902613,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4416902613,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4416902613?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;">These are examples of quests that make sense role-play wise for Thessia. She will do whatever nets her a profit, sure, but she also has a good heart and knows all the gold she can get is no good if the world is destroyed. Please note, these lists are non-exhaustive, in no particular order, and are overall just a way for you to get started into roleplaying the character.</span></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;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;">QUESTLINES : </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;">Thieves' Guild questline, Dawnguard DLC (side with the Dawnguard), Served Cold questline (Solstheim, Dragonborn DLC) Companions (Thessia is not a fan of honor and all, but she might find the coin is good enough with Aela and the gang. If she so chooses, she will cure her lycanthropy whenever she can).</span></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;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;">MAIN QUESTS : </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;">Find all Standing Stones, The White Phial, Repairing the White Phial, </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;">Bards' College, Lights Out !, The Golden Claw, Rise in the East, Blood on the Ice, The Heart of Dibella<br /> </span></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;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;"> MISC QUESTS : </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="color:#000000;">Argonian Ale Extraction, Steal the Dibella Statue, Ysolda's Shipment <br /> </span></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;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4416916902,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4416916902,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4416916902?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> <span style="font-size:24pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4399434127,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4399434127,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4399434127?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">With Thessia being a rogue of rather small stature, she had to learn to fight with her wit as much as with her blade, whittling down her opponents to manageable numbers before dashing in with a flurry of sword strikes, and has to rely on mobility and parrying for defense. Let's review and comment the perk choice here.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/b/b9/SkillAlchemy.png/revision/latest?cb=20120513065550" alt="alchemy" width="236" height="236" /></span></strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">ALCHEMY - </span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Thessia has learned the craft with great masters, and has become a very competent alchemist herself. She uses potions to sustain through combat, and poisons to harm and debilitate her opponents.</em><br /> </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Physician :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">As she bears no shield and is wrapped in light armor, Thessia needs the extra help from this perk to stay alive in combat. Choose to increase the magnitude of your <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Health</span></strong><strong> </strong></span>potions.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Bottomless Cup :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Probably the best perk in the whole tree for this build. Also, getting multiple applications per poison vial means less crafting and more dungeoning !</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Alkahest :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">When poison seeps through the wounds of her enemies, Thessia gains momentum and has an easier time bypassing their defenses with a quick strike of her blade.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Amplify Lethality :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">This perk allows Thessia to carefully plan for the execution of an important target before sneaking right back out of the fray.</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9768687689,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9768687689,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9768687689?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="236" /></a><br /> </span></strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>LOCKPICKING</strong> - <em>Thessia has a nose for trouble, and is an expert at getting places she should not be, under any circumstances, ever. She also likes loot and treasure.</em></span></p><p> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Nose for Treasure :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">You should pick <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>jewelry </strong></span>because it often sells for more than what the gold option would grant, and we have the Dragon Hoard perk from the Pickpocket tree to fund. Bottom line is : gold is good.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Dungeoneer :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">A must-have perk for any roguish adventurer such as Thessia.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Treasure Hunter :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">In the words of Thessia "We take those."</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/a/a8/SkillPickpocket.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20120311101547" alt="pickpocket" width="236" height="236" /></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>PICKPOCKET</strong> - <em>Being a scoundrel sometimes means you have to get up close and personal with your target, be it an unattentive bandit lookout, or a distracted noble wandering an open market.</em></span></p><p> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Brotherhood Cocktail :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Mostly used to get a tough opponent out of the way with a paralysis poison, or rendering a spellcaster useless with a Magicka poison.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Trickster :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Thessia used of this technique to rid herself of the bandit Olrik back in the Imperial City ; keep this option in your backpocket for opponents wielding powerful weapons.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Death's Emperor 2/2 :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Many a scallywag thought this fabled cursed coin to be a myth, but Thessia managed to acquire it, and is now using it to her advantage against heavily armored opponents.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Dragon Hoard :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">You really think Thessia would sleep on all that gold, instead of using it to get perks that allow her to make <em><strong>more</strong></em> gold ?</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/2/2d/SkillLightarmor.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20120311101510" alt="light armor" width="236" height="236" /></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>LIGHT ARMOR</strong> - <em>When things get dicey, Thessia has to be somewhat protected, and a lighter armor allows her for more freedom of movement. Besides, her stature wouldn't allow her to wear the heavy steel plate stuff. Leave that to the Nords.</em></span></p><p> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Unhindered :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Thessia is so comfortable in her armor that she even forgets she is wearing one.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Keen Senses :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Wearing a helmet or a hood would hinder Thessia more than it would help, and her bladework is sufficient to keep her head covered.</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/1/18/SkillSpeech.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20120311101647" alt="speech" width="236" height="236" /></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>SPEECH</strong> - <em>With her angelic face and her silver tongue, Thessia is able to get whatever she wants from whoever she meets.</em></span></p><p> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Fence :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Yup. Thessia definitely acquired these items through legal means.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Performer :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Thessia is a bit of a party monster, and when plundering is over, she knows damn well how to rock a duet with the local bard !</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/8/82/SkillSneak.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20120311101633" alt="sneak" width="236" height="236" /></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>SNEAK</strong> - <em>Thessia is adept at remaining unheard and unseen until she's already won the battle.</em></span></p><p> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Sneak attack :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Thessia's weapon of choice, next to her cunning and charm, is a sword, and she knows exactly where to strike a spine with it.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Smokescreen :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Thessia's alchemical prowess has led her to be able to craft smoke bombs, which allow her to either quickly dispose of a large group of confused enemies... Or escape if all else fails. Having a backup plan in case of emergency is primordial to any good thief. Ask old Delvin.</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/b/b5/SkillOnehanded.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20120513065615" alt="one-handed" width="236" height="236" /></span></strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>ONE-HANDED</strong> - <em>Thessia's sword never leaves her side, and you should mind both the edge and the tip if confronted to it.</em></span></p><p> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Disciplined Fighter :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Thessia knows how to deal a lethal strike without putting all of her effort into the swing.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Rogue's Parry :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Thessia's quick and precise bladework is able to capitalize on the slower speed of weapons such as battleaxes or longbows.</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/c/c7/SkillBlock.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20120311101347" alt="block" width="236" height="236" /></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>BLOCK</strong> - <em>A real duelist's bladework should be as good in defense as it is in offense.</em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Quick Reflexes :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Even the best defensive bladework will not save a short Breton from a big bulky nord swinging a warhammer. In these events, Thessia relies on her cat-like reflexes to dodge the heavy blow.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Mocking Blow :</em><span style="font-size:10pt;"> Thessia knows that the bigger guys get mad when outdueled by a pesky little girl. She also knows they'll grow tired and vulnerable all the quicker.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Timed Block 2/2 :</em> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Knowing when to parry is just as important as knowing how to.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Poke the Dragon :</em><em> </em><span style="font-size:10pt;">There is no better moment to strike than when your opponent has to regain their balance after a failed swing. Thessia knows it too well.</span></span></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4416936811,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4416936811,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4416936811?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">This section allows you for a lot of freedom, as Thessia is neither a smith nor an enchanter, you should go for the gear that provides the best stats and the coolest aesthetic ; whatever makes Thessia feel like the rascal she is to you. The lists below are my personal suggestions.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7134824693,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7134824693,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7134824693?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="366" /></a></span></strong></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> <strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Weapons - </span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Steel sword, silver sword, Bolar's Oathblade, <a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/14727">Loner's Sword</a>, Blade of Woe <span style="font-size:10pt;">(I would recommend not joining the Dark Brotherhood, as the creepy murderous religious cult vibe might not fit Thessia's taste, and killing Astrid instead when she abducts you, but then again, that's your choice to make), and, if you do end up joining with Cicero & Co. after all,</span> Windshear <span style="font-size:10pt;">is a tremendously effective option as well.</span><br /> </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Armor -</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> Any of the</span> Thieves' Guild <span style="font-size:10pt;">sets</span> (Regular, Guild Master, Blackguard) <span style="font-size:10pt;">if you want to focus on plundering and moneymaking,</span> Linwe's Armor <span style="font-size:10pt;">for more combat power,</span> <a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/23725?tab=files">Rough Leather Armor (Brown Version)</a></span>. I personally went with the <span style="font-size:12pt;">Silver Hand Light Armor</span>, <span style="font-size:12pt;">Leather Bracers</span> and<span style="font-size:12pt;"> Leather Boots</span> from the excellent <span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/30051" target="_blank">Unplayable Faction Armors</a></span>. <span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">I was always a fan of <span style="font-size:12pt;">NordWarUA's work, and am glad to be able to include some of it in a build.</span></span> </span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Miscellaneous</strong> - Thessia would never set foot in a dungeon without her poisons, Health and Stamina potions, and a good handful of lockpicks. Torches may also come in handy when exploring the deepest, darkest caves Skyrim has to offer.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4420242804,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4420242804,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4420242804?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9df9dd_09077cc52a144517b89a6ade93ad7706~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_188,h_188,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/9df9dd_09077cc52a144517b89a6ade93ad7706~mv2.webp" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9df9dd_09077cc52a144517b89a6ade93ad7706~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_188,h_188,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/9df9dd_09077cc52a144517b89a6ade93ad7706~mv2.webp?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="9df9dd_09077cc52a144517b89a6ade93ad7706~mv2.webp?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Elusiveness (Passive) :</strong> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Blur + Unhindered + Quick Reflexes</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia's small stature and speed make it almost impossible for her opponents to keep track of her, let alone hit her in combat</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><a href="https://i.redd.it/hhhbgas11dw31.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.redd.it/hhhbgas11dw31.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="hhhbgas11dw31.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Timely Riposte :</strong> </span>Timed Block + Poke the Dragon + Furious Strength</p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia quickly counterattacks after deflecting a blow, before her opponent regains their footing</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.wowisclassic.com/media/CACHE/images/wow/talents/60d61dad-59b8-4bdf-a9e2-25d449e72046/3929f38c7fb99af9994c362c98dc43fd.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://www.wowisclassic.com/media/CACHE/images/wow/talents/60d61dad-59b8-4bdf-a9e2-25d449e72046/3929f38c7fb99af9994c362c98dc43fd.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="3929f38c7fb99af9994c362c98dc43fd.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>First Blood : </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">Rogue's Parry + Disciplined Fighter + Furious Strength</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Thessia's reflexes allow her to swiftly strike while her opponent winds up their attack, leaving themselves exposed to a <strong>Timely Riposte </strong>if Thessia blocks the incoming blow after <strong>First Blood</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://lolstatic-a.akamaihd.net/frontpage/apps/prod/rg-champion-reveal-pyke-bloodharbor-ripper/fr_FR/ae1ec8345c64ed98cb8f38ec22b84b94c0ff2a59/assets/img/content/abilities/icon-e.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://lolstatic-a.akamaihd.net/frontpage/apps/prod/rg-champion-reveal-pyke-bloodharbor-ripper/fr_FR/ae1ec8345c64ed98cb8f38ec22b84b94c0ff2a59/assets/img/content/abilities/icon-e.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="icon-e.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Cunning Assault : </strong></span><span style="font-size:10pt;">Sneak attack + Shadow Step + Death's Emperor</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia dashes from the shadows with surrealistic speed, and places the cursed septim in her target's pocket just before striking</span></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="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTCu9LtRzfiAj1m6ByanxUBfp8ZB_lv6gJ1b6EczQS13Ej7IR9r&usqp=CAU" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTCu9LtRzfiAj1m6ByanxUBfp8ZB_lv6gJ1b6EczQS13Ej7IR9r&usqp=CAU&profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTCu9LtRzfiAj1m6ByanxUBfp8ZB_lv6gJ1b6EczQS13Ej7IR9r&usqp=CAU&profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a> <strong>Vicious Poison :</strong> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Jazbay Grapes + Spawn Ash + Scathecraw</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia's poison of choice, able to inflict Health, Stamina and Magicka damage all at once</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcShNeH0AxIQWdWO4MncEEPWHgvNCRDQ5ljOYY6SV6cRvICzAe-3&usqp=CAU" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcShNeH0AxIQWdWO4MncEEPWHgvNCRDQ5ljOYY6SV6cRvICzAe-3&usqp=CAU&profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcShNeH0AxIQWdWO4MncEEPWHgvNCRDQ5ljOYY6SV6cRvICzAe-3&usqp=CAU&profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a> <strong>Venomous Strike : </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">Amplify Lethality + Alkahest + <strong>Vicious Poison</strong> + Power attack/Sneak attack</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia smashes a vial of <strong>Vicious Poison</strong> against her blade for a guaranteed kill</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/007/832/175/large/michal-werder-222.jpg?1508805359" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/007/832/175/large/michal-werder-222.jpg?1508805359&profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="michal-werder-222.jpg?1508805359&profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Special Brew : </strong><span style="font-size:10pt;">Blue Mountain Flower + Giant's Toe + Imp Stool/Wheat</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia always has a few of those potions, that both increase and replenish her health, strapped to her belt</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://static.icy-veins.com/images/heroes/icons/large/storm_ui_icon_valeera_smokebomb.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/images/heroes/icons/large/storm_ui_icon_valeera_smokebomb.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="storm_ui_icon_valeera_smokebomb.jpg?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Grand Finale :</strong> <span style="font-size:10pt;">Smokescreen + Sneak attack + Disciplined Fighter + Furious Strength</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia smashes a smoke bomb to the ground, blinding her foes long enough to go on a kill streak</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4416978989,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><br /> <img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4416978989,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4416978989?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">STRENGTHS :</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Excellent in a one-on-one against slow, hard-hitting foes due to superior agility, and against multiple lightly-defended humanoid enemies such as bandits because of speed and critical damage, versatile toolkit thanks to Alchemy usage and some elements of sneakier classes thrown into the mix</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>WEAKNESSES :</strong> Squishy, no ranged arsenal, bad against mages even with the Breton racial if not managing to gapclose quickly</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:13.3333px;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}6905598082,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}6905598082,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="6905598082?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="615" /></a>Thessia, the Rascal</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Thessia is a Rogue, sporting light armor, a one-handed sword, and enhancing her combat potency with alchemical concoctions such as <strong>Vicious Poison</strong> and <strong>Special Brew</strong>. Whilst technically Rogues are a combat-oriented class, they still rely on their agility and swiftness more than their raw strength, and for that reason Thessia also utilizes two essential aspects taken from more stealthy classes : </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Never fight on an even footing, therefore use poisons, potions, the environment, and pretty much anything at hand to get an unfair advantage, as well as a fair bit of combat psychology, with perks such as Mocking Blow.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Eliminate the most difficult target from the fight before engaging the rest of the bad guys. These include mages and heavily armored two-handed wielders, for whom she will use either <strong>Venomous Strike</strong> or <strong>Cunning Assault</strong>.</span></li></ul><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Once she's dealt with the toughest baddie, it's time for Thessia to exit stealth and rush to her remaining foes, utilizing the movement speed granted by <strong>Elusiveness</strong>, and quickly dispatch them with precise, effective uses of <strong>First Blood</strong> and <strong>Timely Riposte</strong>. Note that you should never power attack in open combat, and prefer fast flurries of regular attacks, unless said power attack is a part of either of these techniques.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> For emergency situations, <strong>Grand Finale</strong> can both be used to thin out a big group of enemies or get to a primary target ; note that the Smokescreen perk can also simply be used as an escape tool, and the racial ability Shared Ancestry can be of use in niche cases (dueling a tough opponent with a good racial power : Orcs, Imperials, Redguards, Nords mostly). Shadow Step, whilst the first obvious use that comes to mind is to gapclose to an enemy from stealth, can also be used on a distant target in the midst of combat to dodge a heavy blow or take the slower, heavily-armored opponents off your back for a few seconds. Should an especially tough enemy be patrolling the area you seek to go through, you can try to avoid him using your stealth and analyzing his movement. I'm looking at you, pesky frost trolls and cave bears, standing between Thessia and a nice, full chest of riches.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">A quick note on <strong>Cunning Assault</strong> : you need to enter sneak mode, wind up your power attack, and quickly press Shadow Step and the activate key ("E" by default). This will teleport you to your target first, open their inventory second, allowing you to slip the Death's Emperor into their pocket, and the power attack will go off after you close the inventory. This trick takes a bit of practice but is crucial to master if you wish to use Thessia's full capabilities.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4416995241,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4416995241,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4416995241?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">This concludes the first build I'm posting on The SkyForge, namely my Rogue build. This is a part of my Project 21 series of builds, which will be my own take on all 21 classes of the TES universe, so I guess that's 20 more to go.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I would like to extend special thanks to <a href="https://www.patreon.com/EnaiSiaion">Enai Siaion</a>, creator of Ordinator, Andromeda, Wildcat, Imperious, and many more gameplay-enhancing mods, for making Skyrim an even more amazing game than Bethesda already had, and one I still enjoy playing after almost a decade, as well as to <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/members/Furrion17">Furrion 17</a>. I tried all of his builds when I got into character building and really had a blast, and the dedication he shows in crafting a good backstory for a good build inspired me to try my hand at it as well.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">That's all from me for now, expect more soon ! Don't hesitate to comment and share your experience playing Thessia, I hope you'll have as much fun playing her as I had creating, playing and writing the build she is the star of !</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://cdn3.iconfinder.com/data/icons/brands-applications/512/Skyrim-512.png" alt="" width="328" height="328" /></span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:left;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:24pt;"><strong>MY OTHER BUILDS<br /> </strong></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:24pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}4422427276,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4422427276,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="4422427276?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></strong></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">ARCHER : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-turncoat-1?edited=1" target="_blank">Kastav, the Turncoat</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">ASSASSIN : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-crimson-dirk?edited=1" target="_blank">Thogra gra-Karosh, the Crimson Dirk</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">BARBARIAN : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-lone-wolf" target="_blank">Ulfgar, the Lone Wolf</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">HEALER : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-she-of-the-wild?edited=1" target="_blank">Alska, She of the Wild</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">KNIGHT : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-alessia-s-chosen" target="_blank">Acilius, Alessia's Chosen</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">NIGHTBLADE : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-imperial-inquisitor?edited=1" target="_blank">Caesia Tremellius, the Imperial Inquisitor</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">SCOUT : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-wyrm-s-bane?edited=1" target="_blank">Taviah, the Wyrm's Bane</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">SORCERER : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-bloodsworn" target="_blank">Lanathel, the Bloodsworn</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;">SPELLSWORD : </span><a style="font-size:16px;" href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-skystrider-1" target="_blank">Ariane, the Skystrider</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">WARRIOR : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-lion-of-bangkorai" target="_blank">Kazan, the Lion of Bangkorai</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">WITCHHUNTER : <a href="https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-beckoner-of-retribution?edited=1" target="_blank">Taren Verelas, the Beckoner of Retribution</a></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p></div>Character Build: The Emissary of Darknesshttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-emissary-of-darkness2020-03-29T18:17:18.000Z2020-03-29T18:17:18.000ZOnenesshttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/Oneness<div><p><em>This build epitomizes synergy, and we all know how much I like synergy. By combining commonly overlooked things in the right manner you begin to become overpowered fairly quickly. Among these underrated things is utilizing Two-Handed and Sneak, actively trying to get off critical strikes, and even using bashing as a resource of significant damage. In order to combine all of these things into a sophisticated play style I found the synergy in each one and the glue that really brings it all together. The glue is the combination of the Ebony Blade and Marked for Death. </em></p>
<p align="center"><img style="max-height:892px;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/27/22/02/21e07_5ca1.jpg?c=9634" alt="" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Emissary of Darkness</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Race:</strong> Redguard</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Stone:</strong> Thief then Lady</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Major Skills:</strong> Alchemy, Sneak, Two-Handed</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Minor Skills:</strong> Block, Light Armor</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Shouts:</strong> Aura Whisperer, Dragonrend, Marked for Death, Slow Time, Throw Voice</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Powers:</strong> Sinderion’s Serendipity, Secret of Strength, Seeker of Shadows</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Equipment:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Shrouded Cowl with Mask</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Solitude Guard Armor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Vampire Gauntlets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Shrouded Boots</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Amulet of Articulation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Ring of Renewal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">The Ebony Blade</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Essential Quests:</strong> A Return to Your Roots, The Whispering Door, Thieves’ Guild, Join/Destroy the Dark Brotherhood, Main Quest</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Build</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">At its heart the Emissary of Darkness is the hand of Mephala, her chosen one, her champion, the embodiment of all that is the Webspinner. The Emissary is as quick with her tongue as she is with her blade. Because she has devoted her life to Mephala, the Spinner has granted her with gifts only fitting of a daedric champion. The first of which is the vampire, the leech, the Ebony Blade. The blade is said to calm and silence those who it kills as it sucks the life from them. A blade so strong it turns even the most powerful of its wielders insane with greed, but not the Emissary. This is because her intent is not to gain power of her own, but to carry out the requests of her master.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">The second gift allows her to pull on the strings of mortals just as Mephala herself would. She has been gifted with the secrets of nearly all living things. Whether it be physical or psychological, this methodical murderer will take advantage of it. This was in part due to the help of Mephala’s sibling Hermaeus Mora. He has archived nearly all the knowledge of the world, the Spider then knows how to use this knowledge to destroy friendships, tear apart families and overturn kingdoms.</span></p>
<p><img style="max-height:892px;display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/e2/21/02/21dc3_b73a.jpg?c=d018" alt="" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Of course Mephala cannot give the Emissary of Darkness everything. She is already a superb warrior, and an excellent killer. Years of training have taught her all there is to know of swords and poisons. The Emissary always knows where to strike and how to strike to obtain the desired results. Due to her surgical precision with a blade, she is said to be able to cut one person nearly a thousand time without them dying. While her knowledge of poisons have allowed her to further exacerbate the weaknesses of her enemies. Being around these toxins so much has helped her develop a very high resistance to poison herself.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">But she is not called the Emissary of Darkness for nothing. To accompany her unrivaled blade skills, she boasts an undeniable affinity for the shadows. She is able to move to and fro as if she were a shadow herself. When combined with her blade skills she is not only untouchable, but unbeatable. In the midst of open combat she weaves in and out the shadows at lightning speeds, striking at every opportunity she finds. The Emissary of Darkness is nigh omnipotent thanks to her relationship with the daedric prince of lies, sex and murder: Mephala.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Marked For Death</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><a href="http://images.uesp.net/8/82/SR-icon-shout-Marked_for_Death.png" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://images.uesp.net/8/82/SR-icon-shout-Marked_for_Death.png?width=300" alt="" width="300" /></a>The ultimate tool of the Emissary is the shout Marked for Death and that is because once an enemy has been marked there is no chance in hell for them to survive.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">The basics of this shout are that the inflicted enemy will take damage and lose armor rating for a total of 60 seconds. The key here is the armor rating drop. Each word used increases this effect by 25, so that at one word enemies will lose 25 points of armor per second, 50 at two and 75 at three. To better quantify this, it translates roughly to you will be doing 3%, 6% and 9% more damage every second. This effect will continue well into the negatives thus resulting in a <span style="text-decoration:underline;">180%</span>, <span style="text-decoration:underline;">360%</span> and <span style="text-decoration:underline;">540%</span> physical damage increase at the end of the 60 seconds, if anyone is still alive at that time that is.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This drop in armor rating results in an effective increase in <strong>ALL</strong> physical damage. This makes so many overlooked sources of damage viable. Two in particular are critical damage and bash damage. Time and time again both are overlooked because they are so minuscule on higher difficulties, but thanks to Marked for Death, they are not only now usable they are actually reliable and even threatening!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Critical damage typically halts at about three-fourths of the base damage of your weapon with all three of the appropriate perks, but can then be doubled by critical charge. Well once you factor in Marked for Death, this extra damage is multiplied by upwards of <strong>5</strong> <strong>times </strong>on critical strikes and <strong>10 times</strong> on a critical charge! No longer is critical damage just something you tack on, it is something you strive for. The same holds true for bashing damage. The base damage of bashing is about one-fourth that of your weapons base damage. Add in Deadly Bash and it becomes <em>5x </em>stronger, and then another <em>3x</em> stronger when using a power bash. So once you add in Marked for Death you are nearing <strong>75 times</strong> your original base bash damage, much more that of your swords normal swinging damage.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This shout also opens up a ton of weapon options that were previously overlooked because of having a horrid base damage or not being able to be tempered. One weapon that has fallen victim to this plague is the Ebony Blade. It has a whopping 11 base damage and cannot be tempered, go figure.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Equipment</span></strong></span></p>
<p align="center"><img style="max-height:892px;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/fa/21/02/21ddb_6f92.jpg?c=a7b1" alt="" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">The Ebony Blade is the ultimate gift from Mephala and as a result, it is the ultimate weapon! Well maybe not at first glance. It is a Two-Handed sword with the base damage of your average One-Handed weapon and it cannot be improved. Wait, what’s that? It has an enchantment that absorbs 30 health per hit? And it swings as fast as a One-Handed sword? And Marked for Death will raise that pathetic base damage for me? Well damn, sign me up. Once you stop comparing the Ebony Blade to other weapons, you can see that it is really a One-Handed sword that you use with two hands and as a result gets the add perks of being a Two-handed weapon. The Emissary forgoes all bows and spells in favor solely of the Ebony Blade because it is just that damn good.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Keeping up with the theme of the sword I thought it was only appropriate for the armor to match (I’m a sucker for good aesthetics) and to add in the Amulet of Articulation. No matter what version of it you get, it results in a 100% persuasion success rate that falls right in line with the themes of manipulation that accompany Mephala. Then there is the armor. The Solitude Hold Guard Armor is really a wonderful piece. Just the design of it feels like it was really meant for a rogue. Especially when you add in some Shrouded armor pieces to set it off. The Cowl has an enchantment that only affects bows, but that mask is just so awesome, it is hard to pass it up on any female character. The gloves on the other hand are a little too bulky and have an irrelevant enchantment so we replace them with a set of more insidious looking Vampire Gauntlets. And finally we have the Shrouded Boots which may be a little bulky, but their Muffle enchantment is actually pretty important.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Skills</span></strong></span></p>
<p align="center"><img style="max-height:892px;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/17/22/02/21df7_78b7.jpg?c=9220" alt="" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">You see, Marked for Death is not the only way the Emissary boosts the damage of the Ebony Blade. By weaving Sneak into her combat she effectively doubles her damage output, which by default results in doubling the effects of Marked for Death. Rather than staying in the shadows, attacking, returning to the shadows and waiting, this style is a lot less degenerate. It relies on combining Shadow Warrior with Silent Roll and Slow Time or Quick Reflexes to “parry” and perform sneak attacks in the midst of battle. This is really why you want Muffle on your shoes. When added to the Muffled Movement perk you are completely muffled, then factor in the force of taking all five perks in Stealth and it becomes easy to bob and weave through enemies stabbing them in the back at will. To go along with this nimbleness Unhindered and Deft Movement really make a statement. There is a noticeable difference in movement once you get Unhindered and although Deft Movement is only a 10% chance it seems as though you get the dodge at the most opportune times (well I did at least). Not to mention the prevalence of Alchemy here loves the extra room that comes with Unhindered.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/ea/21/02/21dcb_19fa.jpg?c=26eb" alt="" />Wind Walker in tandem with the Lady Stone and a Ring of Renewal grants a total 125% increase to stamina regeneration which fuels your rolling around as well as bashes and power attacks. For once bashing is relevant for more than just stunning enemies. Once you factor in Disarming Bash and Marked for Death, not only will enemies be running around weaponless, they will also continually take more and more damage just from getting hit with the hilt of the sword. This makes it very easy to hunker down and start blocking. With all the Shield Wall perks and perks that boost Light Armor the Emissary can trade blows with the best of them and retaliate with powerful bashes that have a chance to restore her health via the Ebony Blade' enchantment. When combined with her pure offensive style she becomes a very complete and diabolic package.</span></p>
<p>The last skill I want to talk about is Sweep. This perk is just amazing with this build. It takes advantage of multiple aspects. The first and most obvious one being that when you use it with the Ebony Blade you will absorb the health of everyone it hits! The next thing is that every time it hits a new person it has another chance to land a critical hit. This will greatly raise your chances of hearing that rewarding ping because every person you hit has their own equal chance of being susceptible to a critical strike rather than making it all or nothing. The final thing that makes sweeping so devastating is that when you poison your sword it will poison everyone it hits and with Concentrated Poison you can hit them all again. Let that sink in for a moment. With ONE poison you can infect an entire crowd! Just imagine using a paralyze poison and watch them all fall in one fell swoop or exponentially raising your health absorb for the remaining duration of the battle.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Alchemy</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Although this build is very much sustainable on its own, Alchemy gives you an ace up your sleeve that just makes it close to game breaking. Poisons just feel so right on a dark character like this. They will directly and indirectly raise the damage of the Ebony Blade as well as turn enemies upside down.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/0f/22/02/21def_6247.png?c=bed4" alt="" />Twilight Bloom</strong> – Weakness to Poison, Damage Health and Ravage Health</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Skeever Tail + Deathbell + Giant Lichen</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This is typically the poison you want to start any battle with because it will strengthen every other poison and it will immediately cut the enemies’ health.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/2b/22/02/21e0b_15f1.png?c=61cd" alt="" />Silent Night –</strong> Damage Magicka Regeneration and Damage Magicka </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Glow Dust + Butterfly Wing + Blue Butterfly Wing</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">(Hanging Moss + Nightshade + Namira's Rot works well for those with Hearthfire)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This will utterly destroy mages and dragons alike. After a few hits mages will be lucky if they can cast any spells, especially if they have already cast any prior to being hit with this. Dragons will also be rendered useless after taking enough shots. When a dragon reaches zero magicka they typically fly away and come right back down. By first hitting them with Dragonrend then a couple shots of this, they become sitting ducks, well sitting dragons. In combination with Disarming Bash, all types of enemies are now effectively neutralized.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/13/22/02/21df3_12a7.gif?c=3b3f" alt="" />Ivory Tears</strong> – Damage Health and Lingering Damage Health</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">River Betty + Imp Stool + Mora Tapinella</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">While not being anything special, this is a great poison to tack on in the middle of battle. Especially if anyone is under the effects of Marked for Death or still weak to poison. This poison will continue to slowly chip away at their health with Marked for Death.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/07/22/02/21de7_8d9a.png?c=3aeb" alt="" />Death’s Kiss</strong> – Paralysis and Lingering Damage Health</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Imp Stool + Mora Tapinella + Canis Root</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">The name says it all. This poison is usually the game-ender. You can stack it with Marked for Death and sit idly by as death approaches or you can tee off to speed up the effects.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/0b/22/02/21deb_1aab.png?c=2cde" alt="" />Black Lotus Dust</strong> – Slow and Weakness to Magic</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Salt Pile + Deathbell + Scaly Pholiota</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This is honestly the most important poison. This will inadvertently raise the damage of the Ebony Blade. First it will raise the amount of health that you absorb through its enchantment. But you will also raise the potency of Marked for Death. Which in turn will result in a further increase in the physical damage of the Ebony Blade, its critical damage and its bash damage.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Combat</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Combat is conducted upfront and with the utmost finesse which is only fitting for someone who knows their way around a blade as well as the Emissary. With everything together it almost looks like dancing from third person.</span></p>
<p><img style="max-height:892px;display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/e6/21/02/21dc7_af24.jpg?c=f2f2" alt="" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Battle can be started with either a sneak attack or Marked for Death if it is not worth wasting poisons to boost it. The great thing about this build is that it can start out in the open and still net all of its kills from sneak and vice versa. From there everything will just flow into one another. You can systematically block and bash and swing then if you see an opening, activate Shadow Warrior and Silent Roll out of the way to retaliate with a sneak attack. If you ever have trouble getting the timing down, eating a sample of Vampire Dust after using Shadow Warrior will give you a few extra seconds of invisibility to get into a good position to strike.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Slow Time is where you will rule. It is much easier to dodge and attack under Slow Time, but it also comes with another less obvious benefit. Under Slow Time you of course will be moving faster than everyone which means you will get in more hits than normal which in turn will result in a higher chance for a critical strike to add on to your damage. It should be noted that using one word of Slow Time will result in a very good ratio of slowing opponents and increasing your speed for a relatively low cooldown. Likewise Marked for Death can even be used at one word and continuously stacked throughout battle if need be. Using one word of these shouts will open up more chances to use them effectively.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">To brutalize archers in the middle of battle simply use a combination of Shadow Warrior, Throw Voice Silent Roll and Great Critical Charge to close the distance while taking minimal damage. The same holds true for other ranged characters like mages, using the same philosophy just add in the Silent Night poison to render them powerless. When only facing ranged characters it is easy to misdirect them using Shadow Warrior and Throw Voice, form there you can sneak up on them and handle them as you may. The challenge comes when there are melee enemies as well. Do not be afraid of stray arrows because the Ebony Blade's effects more than make up for the lack of a high armor rating. When in melee combat it is almost a guarantee that you will be able to pull of the combination of Quick Reflexes and Slow Time which is a sustained slow time basically. During this time you can dodge arrows and spells to combat melee enemies or leave them to handle the ranged enemies appropriately.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">The trouble of a lack of range attack comes when fighting dragons because they love to fly around and shout at you from the skies. Oh wait, there’s a way to ground them? Yes! Thanks to the fruit of Mephala, hit them Dragonrend as soon as possible so you can try to silence them. Then once that is accomplished all avenues of battle open up such as marking them for death, slowing time and even sneak attacks, although it may be difficult it is not entirely impossible. And thus the problems of a range-less character are alleviated.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Abilities</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/03/22/02/21de3_e149.jpg?c=3a95" alt="" width="150" height="189" />Awakening</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Quick Reflexes + Slow Time</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><em>When the Emissary of Darkness becomes completely focused she reaches the state of Awakening. In this state she is essentially unbeatable and virtually untouchable. She begins to maneuver with such speed and finesse that enemies are lucky to even follow her movements.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">By activating Quick Reflexes during a power attack and quickly pressing Slow Time right after a suspended reality is formed. This version of Slow Time can last upwards near a whole minute. If the Emissary ever reaches sustained Awakening it is game over.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/1b/22/02/21dfb_6bdb.jpg?c=d46c" alt="" width="150" />Rhythm Echo</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Throw Voice + Shadow Warrior (+ Silent Roll + Quick Reflexes)</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><em>At times the Emissary of Darkness can become half-Awakened. When this happens she is able to move with the grace of her Awakened state, but for a much shorter period of time. During this time she moves in such a rhythm and at such speeds that she leaves an after image.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">I am shocked at how many people do not use Throw Voice. With this build's Sneak prowess, using Shadow Warrior at some distance from an enemy and following up with Throw Voice is sure to turn them. While in the middle of combat it is possible to use the technique of activating Shadow Warrior and using Silent Roll to gain some distance then using Throw Voice.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/1f/22/02/21dff_6490.jpg?c=2783" alt="" width="150" />Shadow Step</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Silent Roll + Great Critical Charge</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><em>While the Emissary moves amongst the shadows she will majestically spring from them in order to land a hellish surprise attack.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This technique is not as special as it once was, but the Emissary of Darkness uses it to its full potential because she can enter this move in a moment’s notice. By either using Shadow Warrior with Vampire Dust to get out of the way and initiate it or going right into it after the use of Rhythm Echo.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/f2/21/02/21dd3_a57b.jpg?c=d6bc" alt="" width="150" /><strong>Killer’s Intuition</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Twilight Bloom + Lotus Dust + Ivory Tears + Marked for Death</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><em>Once the Emissary of Darkness draws blood, she will continuously strike with every intent to kill. Without remorse she hacks and slashes as her enemy crawls, vying for safety, until they have bled out every last drop of blood they have.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This move is essentially the bread and butter of combat. By using the chain of weakness to poison, lingering health damage and weakness to magic followed by Marked for Death, enemies will find themselves moving at half speed and losing their health at an astounding rate. Enter Slow Time and it is almost as if time has frozen completely while you move at a normal speed and the enemy’s health continues to drain out.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong><img style="max-height:892px;float:left;" src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/f6/21/02/21dd7_56ae.jpg?c=30af" alt="" width="150" />Death by a Thousand Cuts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Death’s Kiss + Slow Time</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><em>After reaching Awakening, the Emissary of Darkness will strike in a manner that will leave her prey helpless and near death. It is then that she takes the last joys, the final hope of life away from them by striking them with slow non-fatal cuts and torturing them until they finally die.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">This is just downright unfair to whoever is on the receiving end. With Slow Time active, paralysis is extended and the enemy will constantly be taking damage from the lingering poison while simultaneously fueling the Emissary’s thirst for blood. This is a great way to make an example out of a final boss or to restore health while being mobbed.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I would like to extend many thanks to James for all of the research he did. If it was not for him, I don’t think I would have ever found a real justification for using the Ebony Blade. His work really brought this to fruition.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Also a shout out to Vindictive for finding the Slow Time + Quick Reflexes thing.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Shinjin and his Mystic Ronin for intriguing me enough to use the Ebony Blade.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And thanks to Alastor for helping with the name and thus inspiring me to finally write this :P</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally I would like to thank everyone that sat through this all, I know it was a lot, and also thanks to everyone who has supported me over the past year. I think this is going to be my last solo character build.</span></em></p>
<p align="center"> </p></div>Character Build: The Harlequinhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-harlequin2020-01-23T06:11:09.000Z2020-01-23T06:11:09.000ZKendrix Trixiehttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/KendrixTrixie<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">(For suggested build music, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bznxx12Ptl0" target="_blank">here.</a>)</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">“Ladies and Gentlemen, Men and Mer, may I have your attention!” the lord of the manor announced over the chatter of the main hall. Standing on the small stage erected for just that occasion, he quickly caught the glances of the noblemen scattered around the room. The Nord's smile widened as he extended his hand towards them.“It is my great pleasure to introduce to you our entertainment for this evening: the charming Miss Harlequin!”</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">The name was not met with the eruption of cheer it was so rightfully due, but rather a few moments of subtle clapping. Nevertheless, the Khajiit strode across the stage, her shoes clicking in time with the sway of her hips. Her tail flicked back and forth beneath her low cut dress as she stood before the homogeneous sea of plutocrats, eyes twinkling like gemstones.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Her arms uncrossed themselves as she gave an over-exaggerated bow. Purple flames danced on either of her paws before flying out across the room and striking the doors that marked the exits. The entryways slammed shut immediately, barred by enormous figures that rose from from rifts in the floor. A woman screamed; an elf fainted. Finally, with their full attention, the cat began singing her song.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Her lute played unnatural chords, accompanied by instruments of other-worldly origin. The demons that guarded the doors pounded their greatswords in time with her melody. She danced as if she had no care in the world, like she took joy in the horror of the wealthy before her. Her sickening grin grew wider across her face as she reached the chorus of her song. A final pluck of the lute strings sent her Daedric guards into a frenzy.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Screams and cries filled the room in perfect harmony to the simple lyrics of her song. The Dremora cut down every breathing soul in their path without prejudice, spurred on by their master to keep in perfect rhythm. A few bright, red spells danced from her paws between strums, striking random patrons that tried to leave her concert early. Convinced to stay, they too turned against each other, adding to her chaotic composition.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Her terrified Nord host had the audacity to try and upstage her. Sword in hand, he bolted across the platform, placing the swaying Khajiit in his sights. The woman twirled out of his way without missing a step, her feet placing themselves at the edge of the chaos. Purrs accompanied her next verse as her amusement grew. Before the man even regained his footing, she leapt clear over the choir of death in the center of the room, hiding herself in the shadows of the dimly lit hall. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">He searched for her, desperately seeking the cantabile cat. Her verse grew more and more intense with each syllable as she built to the chorus once more. He found her- with that final pluck of her lute string- staring him down with glowing blue eyes and a snarling smirk. It sent absolute terror through his bones as her lute was replaced with a bloodied, steel warhammer. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">He backed away, whimpering and trembling, only to find himself blocked by her two minions. The Daedra continued chanting in humanoid chords to the music as she danced towards the Nord, the warhammer as much a prop as it was a weapon. Between the trio, he was left with nowhere to go, but into the cat's waiting claws. He mustered up all the strength he could, charging the twirling feline. Whatever shred of meaningless hope he held onto was torn from his hands as the swing of the weapon collided with his unarmored torso.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">The satisfying crack fell in time with the last beat of her song, leaving the room in unholy silence. The hulking monsters clapped after a moment or two, spurring their master to encore. Grin unfaltered, the cat strode towards the Nord who struggled with his last breaths. She lingered over his bloodied broken form, purring loudly. “Khajiit thanks you for the opportunity,” she sang to him, raising the heavy hammer over her head, “even more so, for the gold.”</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">He raised an arm to defend himself, but there was nothing to stop the force of the impact. She studied the blood on the weapon. It shone almost as brilliantly as rubies in that light. With no one left to admire her show, she was forced to call it a night. Collecting her dues from her attendants was always time-consuming, but the payoff was quite the score.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>Hey, y'all!</em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>Kendrix here with yet another build! Rather that for an event or contest, I decided to make this build purely for my own enjoyment. With all the contests and events I was pushing myself to finish, it felt like Character Building was becoming a chore rather than a hobby. For that reason, I decided to step back and make something that I could enjoy without rules, grading, or deadlines. Rest assured, I will be participating in the next contest/ event, however. Haha.</em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>This build idea came to me from a combination of sources, from songs to theater to even recent movies (bet you can't guess which ones). Regardless, I had a blast playing around with this chaotic cat and I hope you will to. Without further ado....</em></span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830933687,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830933687,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830933687?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="595" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830942379,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830942379,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830942379?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830933851,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830933851,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830933851?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="420" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/272" target="_blank">Alternate Start- Live Another Life</a>: Allows player to start the game in a different location other than Helgen. For this build, I chose to start off as “A Patron at a Local Inn”, since it puts The Harlequin in a good position to hear gossip and start some mischief.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/11316" target="_blank">Classic Classes and Birthsigns</a>: Allows player to choose a class and birthsign at the beginning of the game to help build the character early on.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1315" target="_blank">Imperious- Races of Skyrim</a>: Overhauls the racial perks and abilities of the characters in-game.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1137" target="_blank">Ordinator- Perks of Skyrim</a>: Overhauls the perk system to expand upon each skill tree in a more in-depth way.</span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830934560,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830934560,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830934560?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="212" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">The first mentions of “Harlequins” are found in the famous </span><em><span style="font-weight:400;">commedia dell'arte, </span></em><span style="font-weight:400;">or Italian comedy, of the 16</span><span style="font-weight:400;">th</span><span style="font-weight:400;"> century. The Harlequins were often masked, comic relief characters, that sought their own interests-romantic and financial- over their masters'. They evolved in following centuries into various sub-types, the most prevalent of which is the “Clown” character. More recently, Harlequins have been brought back into the spotlight with similar goals yet different means as their predecessors. The villain Harley Quinn is a fantastic example of her namesake. While her means of getting what she wants are a little violent and over-the-top, her basic interests are the same as the first Harlequins of the 16</span><span style="font-weight:400;">th</span><span style="font-weight:400;"> century. It was this modern version that I strived to transition into the Elder Scrolls Universe.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">The Harlequin was fairly easy to blend into the Skyrim environment. I wanted her to be true to her roots by making her an entertainer, giving her an interest, and creating her a “cast” to work alongside- even if she is the one that ends up running the show. While the first two aspects are sated with some roleplaying, I struggled with finding her a perfect crew to work with. She needed followers she could call upon in times of need but get a hint when she wanted to be alone. With a little bit of tinkering, I came up with the perfect entourage: daedra.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">In addition to the character traits above, I wanted to have a set of rules or main points to help guide my decisions of the build. Each one is listed below, but I will elaborate more on them in the “Gameplay and Roleplay” section.</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Cause mischief and chaos throughout Skyrim</span></li><li><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Collect all kinds of expensive, shiny items</span></li><li><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Let minions do the dirty work</span></li><li style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Become well-known across Skyrim</span></li><li><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Never under-estimate the power of sultry charm</span></li></ul><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3831613090,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3831613090,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3831613090?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">(Screenshot by: Curse-Never-Dying)</span></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Race:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Khajiit, Female.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> With appeal as hot as the sands of Elsweyr, it's no wonder why the Harlequin is a sly Khajiit. An entrancing voice and velvet fur are just two of the weapons this cat has in her arsenal. Her slender legs and nimble paws allow her to move faster and quieter than other races, slipping in and out of situations that otherwise would have been impossible. Further, her sharp claws deal surprising damage to those that wander too close. Pair that with Night Eye vision and an impressive Power Leap, and you have a tempting yet dangerous woman on your hands.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Standing Stone:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>The Lover, The Lord.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> To steal hearts or to steal lives? There are two main stones The Harlequin uses while traveling the world of Skyrim. In addition to giving the cat a “reputation”, The Lover Stone allows all of her skills to level up a little faster- highly necessary for this woman of many talents. Contrarily, the use of The Lord Stone gives a nice boost to her armor rating and magicka resistance. She changes between these two stones quite frequently, matching the benefits to the whims of her heart. Don't worry about the distance between them; she'll be traveling much further in her pursuit of gold.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">**Note: In place of The Lover Stone, you can substitute any of the Guardian Stones to help you level up certain skills even faster. I ended up using the Mage and Warrior Stones to give a boost to some of my harder to level skills.</span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Birthsign:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>The Lady.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> Mama always said to act like a lady; let's make her proud. The Harlequin was born under the sign of the Lady, naturally making her a charismatic and sought after individual. Her birthsign grants her a boost to health and the ability to generate magicka more quickly than normal. With all the mischief she creates, this Khajiit will be sure to put her assets to good use.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">**Note: The Birthsign is added by the Classic Classes and Birthsigns mod. The build is completely playable without it, however, but I chose to include it in my write-up.</span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Blessing:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Akatosh.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> The Dragon-God is one of the few deities of the Khajiiti Pantheon that are worshiped in Skyrim. While not at all religious, The Harlequin takes Alkosh's blessings whenever she kind find them. They offer a small boost to her magicka regeneration and a quick cure for any diseases and illnesses she might have picked up in her travels. It's not hypocritical if she drops a septim in the tithe box, right?</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Factions:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Dark Brotherhood, College of Winterhold, Thieves' Guild, Bard's College.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> A Khajiit of many talents requires many different outlets to hone her crafts. The Harlequin travels far and wide in her search for treasure and fame, leading her to different people that can help her get what she wants. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Archetype:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Rogue, Arcane Trickster.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> A master of deceit and arcane, The Harlequin falls into a very unique class. The Khajiit's love of mischief, magic, and stealth makes her a dangerous character. When she's seen, she steals the show; when she's not, others be wary. This rogue is extremely unpredictable, and when she has her sights set on something, nothing and no one will be able to stand in her way.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Class:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Custom.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Specialization Bonus: Magicka</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Combat Skills: Two-Handed</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Stealth Skills: Sneak, Alchemy, Speech</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Mage Skills: Illusion, Conjuration, Alteration</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Secondary Skill: Unarmored</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Along with her unique archetype, The Harlequin falls into a unique class. Drawing strength from combat, stealth, and mage skills alike, she promises a deadly cocktail of arcane mischief and brutal bludgeoning- one sure to prove deadly for those who have mistakenly made themselves an enemy. A bonus to magicka ensures she has enough on hand to summon a minion to do her bidding, while unarmored training helps give her an armor boost without the hassle and weight of the real thing. An entertainer such as herself as to be ready to adapt to her audience, and these skills are sure to bring down the house.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">**Note: The Class is added by the Classic Classes and Birthsigns mod. The build is completely playable without it, but I chose to include it in my write-up.</span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830935854,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830935854,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830935854?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="399" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830941611,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3831613821,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3831613821?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">(Screenshot by: Curse-Never-Dying)</span></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Weapons:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Leveled Warhammer, Sanguine Rose.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> What's more fitting than a rose for such a lovely lady? A gift from the Daedric Prince Sanguine, The Sanguine Rose plays a crucial part in The Harlequin's weapon load out. While not directly a weapon itself, this staff summons a daedra that is ready to fight at the Khajiit's side, giving her time to slip away, or ready herself to join the fray. The only other weapon she chooses to use is a warhammer. There's something about the breaking of bones and crushing of heads that leaves this cat cackling. She's not particularly fond of any longhammer type either; if her weapon gets too bloody or she finds a stronger one among her audience, she has not issue trading them out. Who's going to stop her? It's hard to protest with a broken jaw.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Armor:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Leveled Robes of Illusion, Leveled Robes of Conjuration, Jester's Outfit/Cicero's Outfit.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> How beautiful are the Jester's Clothes! You can barely even see the blood! Other than the “shapely” tavern clothes, The Harlequin's favorite outfit belongs to Cicero. Ever since she saw them, the colors, the shapes, the patterns, she knew she needed to have them. Upon gaining entrance into the Dawnstar Sanctuary, there's a similar pair, but that's nothing compared to the real thing. Until she has a moment to rip them from the Fool's corpse, she'll settle for the strongest Robes of Illusion or Conjuration the College has to offer. They aren't nearly as stylish, but at least they offer a needed boost to her magic and summonings.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Spells/Scrolls:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Illusion, Conjuration, Alteration.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> The Harlequin has mastered the greatest forms of magic- the ones that wreak havoc and allow her to sit back and collect the spoils.Combining the best parts of Illusion, Conjuration, and Alteration, it's no wonder she doesn't get an encore.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">**Note: While there are quite a few spells listed, it isn't required to use them all at one time. As I discovered stronger spells, I began drifting away from their weaker versions. By the end of the playthrough, I was only using Mayhem, Flame/Storm Atronach, Dremora Lord (on rare occasions), and Ebonyflesh. The spells you choose to use can be tailored to each situation, following the combat style listed in the “Special Tactics and Powers” section.</span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Illusion Spells:</span></span></p><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Fury/Frenzy/Mayhem</span></li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Conjuration Spells:</span></span></p><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Familiar/Flaming Familiar</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Flame/Frost/Storm Atronach</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Dremora Lord</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Banish Daedra</span></li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Alteration Spells:</span></span></p><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Oakflesh/Stoneflesh/Ironflesh/Ebonyflesh</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Paralyze</span></li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Powers:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Khajiit Racial Abilities, Birthsign Abilities, The Alchemist's Cookbook Abilities.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> A sweet voice and a pretty face are nothing compared to the powers this cat has hidden within. Drawing from the Divines, her racial abilities, and a little bit of Alchemy training, The Harlequin has just as many secret talents as the ones she has on display for the world. As a Khajiit, she has the ability to see in dark places and move much more silently. Her speed is increased as well, and her slender, long legs allow her to jump a great distance when she's ready to pounce. Combined blessings from Alkosh and the Lady grant her a fantastic magicka regeneration rate, in addition to a quick health boost. Finally, The Harlequin is able to plant traps- giant pools of oil- at various locations and detonate them with a spell to burn or enrage her enemies from afar. Men and mer beware: there is far more to this cat than meets the eye.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">**Note: Active Powers are readily active and don't have to be toggled on and off. Passive Powers require activation by certain conditions or by the “Powers/Shout” button.</span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Active Powers:</span></span></p><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Feline Ability- Able to move faster and deal more damage when unarmed.</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Prowl- Able to sneak more silently.</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Lady's Favor/Lady's Grace- Allows for faster magicka regeneration and more health points.</span></li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Passive Powers:</span></span></p><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Prowl- Able to perform a power jump when sneaking and unarmed.</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Flame Oil- places a highly explosive oil on the ground that erupts when struck by spell or projectile and burns all surrounding targets.</span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Frenzy Oil- places a highly explosive oil on the ground that erupts when struck by a spell or projectile and enrages all surrounding targets.</span></li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Shouts:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>None.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> Shouting? Why should she risk straining her voice with such an ugly thing? Leave the Dragon Tongue to the Nords; there's more important things to learn about.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Accessories:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Lute, Flute, Drum.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> These are the basic instruments of a bard, but it's amazing how beautiful they sound in The Harlequin's hands. While readily available throughout Skyrim, not just any instruments will work. The Bard's college tells of old, expensive treasures waiting to be taken- perfect pieces for this elegant feline.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">**Note: These items are purely for a roleplaying aspect, and do not have to be carried around the entire game. If you would like to make use of them and actually sing/play music in game, I recommend using a bard mod like “Become a Bard” which you can download <a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2303/" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830936306,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830936306,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830936306?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="706" /></a></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Stat Placement: 2:1:0</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">In the early levels, The Harlequin's main focus is raising her magicka. Most of the spells used require a massive amount of points to cast, let alone dual cast for a stronger effect. For this reason, stats should be placed on magicka and health at a 2 to 1 ratio, until Magicka reaches around level 350. From there, I switched over to focusing on my health and stamina, leveling 1 stamina for every two health. The Harlequin needs enough stamina to keep herself alive if stronger enemies manage to get past her Fury spells and minions until her magicka regenerates again. All perks become available around Level 40.</span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830936662,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830936662,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830936662?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">(Original image by shalizeh7 at: <a href="https://shalizeh7.tumblr.com/">https://shalizeh7.tumblr.com/</a> )</span></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Major Perks:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Illusion</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- Twisting thoughts and sowing chaos are two of The Harlequin's favorite things. Despite only using one spell type from this school of magic, Illusion is one of the most important skills to master. Kicking off her combat style, Illusion allows her to take out enemies without killing them herself. Perks like “Master of the Mind” allow Illusion spells to be cast on all enemies, not just living. “Fickle Fate” allows each Illusion spell to become 1 to 40 points stronger, a testament to her Trickster personality. By far, the most essential perk is “Quiet Before the Storm”, which allows her Conjuration and Alteration spells to be cast just as quietly as Illusion.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Conjuration</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- When tricking enemies to tear each other apart doesn't work, it's time to send minions into battle. Daedra make for excellent company: they never complain, they never argue, and best of all, a simple spell sends them away. Who could ask for a better companion? The “Elemental Potency” perk allows The Harlequin's minions to enter the world much stronger, which is necessary when fighting large groups of enemies that aren't tearing each other apart fast enough. Additionally, “Edge of Oblivion” allows two minions to be summoned rather than one, but at a great cost. When she doesn't have a bodyguard at her side, The Harlequin's armor and magicka resistance drop tremendously. She likes to play with fate, however. For every high risk, there has to be a high reward.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Two-Handed</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- It's peculiar how well the smashing of skulls sounds like the pounding of a drum. The warhammer is The Harlequin's favorite weapon and as such it has made it into her top skills. As the final part of her combat strategy, she uses a Two-Handed weapon as a last resort. Although slow, the warhammer delivers major damage, especially buffed with the perks of “Batter”. The double-damage and critical strike increase leaves opponents astonished, not expecting the Trickster to be such a heavy hitter. Further, “Crushing Bows” completely ignores the armor resistance of anyone unfortunate enough to be in her hammer's path. She takes a big risk with “Death or Glory”, which forces her to get closer to her enemies but deals more damage the lower their health drops. Each hit drains some of her health, but puts a little more power into her swings. She doesn't like to dirty her paws often, but a girl can't be too prepared.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Minor Perks:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Sneak</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- Sometimes it's better to remain unseen and sing a eulogy from the shadows. While she takes quite a delight in locking eyes with her victim, The Harlequin knows some situations require a more subtle approach. Sticking to the shadows, she can dispatch enemies with spells and summons alike, all while staying a safe distance away to behold her chaos. “Fog of War” grants a higher sneaking ability as she moves around the battle to watch her minions engage and rip apart her adversaries. Paired with “Clean Escape” even if she is spotted or suspected, all targets will stop searching for her after a short while, so long as she can silence her excited purrs. “Right Behind You” is yet another risk she likes to take. She can crawl directly behind any target and her sneak skills increase for every move she makes. Any attack made from that close is sure to catch her victim off-guard- and fill her purse just a little bit more.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Alteration</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- A minor skill, but majorly important, Alteration helps make up for what the Harlequin lacks in defense. When enemies break through her minion defenses and wake themselves up from her trances, there is very little that will stop their advance upon her. Her skills with the warhammer are helpful, but cuts and bruises still hurt her slender body. Perks like “Mage Armor” help boost the strength of flesh spells, granting her even stronger armor than before. Yet, in true Harlequin fashion, flesh spells serve another purpose. “Distorted Shape” allows her to take on the form of a ghost for a short amount of time when using an arcane armor in combat. Unable to be touched, she can escape or plan out her attacks until time runs out or she herself goes to attack.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Alchemy</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- The Harlequin doesn't go out of her way to discover cures and potions, but she's learned that throwing a few foul ingredients together usually makes a terrible, potent brew. In addition to providing a little extra income, the Trickster has found that coating her warhammer with a couple deadly poisons is a quick and easy way to dispatch her enemies. Brews of Damage Stamina, Damage Magicka, and Paralysis are among her favorites, but she also has a fondness for “traps”. “Elemental Oil” allows her to place down explosive oil slick traps, that burn her enemies with ignited. Additionally, “The Alchemist's Cookbook” lets her place down “Frenzy” slicks, which send targets in the explosion radius into a rage. If her looks ever fail her, at least poison never will.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">**Note: I chose the “Flame Oil” from “Elemental Oil” and the “Frenzy Oil” from “The Alchemist's Cookbook”. There are “Shock” and “Frost” options for “Elemental Oil” as well, so feel free to choose whichever one suits you best.</span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830937319,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830937319,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830937319?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Unlike my other builds that explain combat with Magic, Melee, and Range descriptions, The Harlequin is a unique build that blends Magic and Melee together in three different phases. This three-part combat style can be explained in three words: “Paranoia”, “Terror”, and “Hopelessness”.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Paranoia</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">: The beginning phase of combat involves using stealth and frenzy to cause targets to attack on another. For single or small groups, The Harlequin can use her “Fury” spell to strike a single opponent causing them at attack any of his allies he may see. Similarly, detonating a “Frenzy Oil” or hitting a group with “Frenzy” or “Mayhem” affects all targets in a surrounding area, causing much more chaos and paranoia between them. After all, if you can't trust your friends, who can you trust?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Terror</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">: Though the effects of widespread paranoia are fun, it always leaves at least one or two victors alive. It would be easy to pick them off, but it's much more enjoyable to watch the terror in their expressions with the second phase of combat. Summoning an appropriate minion, The Harlequin can send a daedra into combat for her, eliminating the need for her to get involved. During this time, she can periodically plant “Flame Oil” and wait for it to detonate by her minion's or the targets spells and projectiles. Rarely are any left standing after the horrors of a daedra attack, but in the event she is spotted or has to finish her victims off herself, she will move to the last phase.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Hopelessness</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">: A laughing, grinning Khajiit who watches from the shadows is maddening enough; when she charges with a warhammer however, that is a new feeling of fear. The Harlequin would rather not get her paws bloody if she can help it, but she's not afraid to snap femurs when the need arises. When an enemy takes notice of her or slips past her daedric bodyguards, she turns to a combination of a flesh spell and a warhammer. With “Distorted Shape”, the moment she applies a flesh spell in combat, her body becomes ethereal. The cackling cat becomes an untouchable ghost for a short amount of time, readying her warhammer for a power strike or poison blow. Her strike breaks the ghostly form, but it is sure to turn the battle before it even begins. Through every phase of the combat, there is no hope for The Harlequin's victims.</span></span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830940857,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3831614181,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3831614181?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:13.3333px;"><em>(Screenshot by: Curse-Never-Dying)</em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Power Attacks:</span></span></p><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Laughing Cat</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- “Flesh Spell”+ “Distorted Shape”+ “Warhammer”. Oh, how suffering brings a smile to her face. Applying a flesh spell in combat activates The Harlequin's “Distorted Shape” allowing her to avoid all incoming damage from projectiles, hits, and spells. She can take all the time she wants to ready her warhammer, crushing the skulls of the poor, unfortunate souls that catch her gaze. The looks on their faces; she can't help but laugh!</span></span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Slip and Slide</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- “Frenzy”+ “Flame Oil”. Fun and games are this cat's forte, but it's time to up the danger. Watching unsuspecting victims, The Harlequin can plot out the most highly traveled areas. She can plant a flammable oil slick at that location and quickly retreat to observe her trap. Then a group gets close, a “Frenzy” spell to the slick will ignite the mixture. Any targets who aren't killed by the explosion immediately become enraged, turning on each other in a state of confusion. Maybe it's not so fun to play on, but it's sure fun to watch.</span></span></li><li style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Security and Entourage</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">- “Edge of Oblivion”+ “Sanguine Rose”+ “Clean Escape”. The world's a dangerous place for a lady, and every entertainer needs a bodyguard. In moments where she needs a quick get away, The Harlequin can summon her entourage of daedra with help from “Edge of Oblivion” and the “Sanguine Rose”. While they deal with the rabble, the cat can simply disappear into the shadows once more with “Clean Escape”, marveling at the beautiful carnage her security creates.</span></span></li></ul><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830937569,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830937569,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830937569?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">The Harlequin was one of the most chaotic, intense builds I have ever created, simply because there were so many variables and risks that this cat created for herself. Playing on Legendary, I found myself dying quite often, mostly because of the “high risk, high reward” situations I was tempted to get into. When all went well, I was blessed with amazing battles and hilarious situations in which most enemies obliterated themselves or fell prey to one of my summoned minions. When things went poorly, however, I found myself quick-saving often. This build was created as a fun challenge for myself, so I set a couple different goals that I wanted to accomplish by the end of the playthrough.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">First off, I wanted The Harlequin to cause as much “mischief” as possible wherever she went. Whether it was fighting bandits or conversing with city-folk, I wanted this cat to have her fury spell on hand. There was something about watching others fight each other and standing idly by that made my day. In addition to providing entertainment, I found that giving the guards something to distract them made it much easier to steal items in broad daylight. The fury spell and its variations were my most used spells by the end of the playthrough and for good reason. Their uses seemed inexhaustible.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">I also made it a point to collect as many shiny and/or expensive things as possible. This cat has an eye for quality, so nothing but the best would suit her. If she saw anything that caught her eye, she took it- right then. It didn't matter if it was on display at a stand in the middle of Markarth. She always got what she wanted. She purchased whatever houses she wanted as well, making sure to store her goods soundly. Still, there were some things that others carried that she wanted. Pickpocketing, while easy, wasn't nearly as fun as causing a fight and looting the corpses of the dead. This option potentially can cause some quests to fail or become incomplete, however, so use it sparingly.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">A big challenge I had for myself was to try and keep my personal kill count low. I learned that as long as you do not directly engage in combat, kills will not count against you (as viewed in the “Stats” section of the menu). I used this exploit to become an indirect mass murderer. Fury once again proved to be useful, forcing otherwise allies to turn against each other. My summoned minions were also willing to kill for me, further increasing my hands-off homicide count. The few kills I did rack up were those that made it past my minions or were unavoidable.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Another goal I had set was to become well-known across Skyrim. After all, a Khajiit such as The Harlequin needs to make a name for herself. With little to go on as far as singing and dancing for the masses, I decided to take on a more hostile notoriety. I wanted to have a bounty in every single hold, and see just how high I could push it. This was a challenge for me personally, as I rarely take on a bounty in my games. Avoiding guards as much as I could and grab-and-going items as I saw fit, I was surprised to see just how well-known the cat had become.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Finally, I wanted to stress the power of The Harlequin's charm. While her reputation grew, I didn't want everyone to be terrified of her. After all, the Khajiit's history of being an entertainer painted her in an almost beautiful light. Every evening, when possible, she spent her nights in the taverns, drinking and singing, talking and dancing, with the local patrons. She would even pick up local missions if there was a promise of gold in return. Her sultry charm and charismatic nature, while a sharp contrast to her heartless actions, was one of the most appealing factors of this build. It gave personality and a sense of humanity, to this otherwise chaotic temptress.</span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830937854,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830937854,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830937854?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="260" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830941199,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3831614616,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3831614616?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;">(Screenshot by: Curse-Never-Dying)</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Throughout the playthrough, there were many different quests I ended up taking part in. Any job that required trouble-making or mischief were right up The Harlequin's alley. Her nose for gold leads her to carry out almost kind actions, but don't be fooled. If she knows she's getting the short end of a deal, she won't hesitate in claiming what is rightfully hers.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">Below are some specific quests that I played to help you get started:</span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>The Dark Brotherhood.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> What could be better than causing mischief and getting paid? The Dark Brotherhood serves as the closest thing The Harlequin as to family. They seem to understand just how fun it can be to see the terror in a weaker man's face as the light leaves his eyes. She can't stand that other entertainer, Cicero, one bit. As soon as she's able, she'll be rid of him- and take that beautiful outfit of his.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>The College of Winterhold (Gain Entrance).</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> While wanting nothing to do with “study of the arcane” and “solving mysteries of the past” The Harlequin knows the College of Winterhold is a powerful asset. Joining their ranks, she can get access to stronger spells as they become available, and train with some of the masters to hone her skills. Any missions that help raise her Illusion, Conjuration, or Alteration are sure to be of help, but she could really care less about what the Nords have “Under Saarthal”.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>The Thieves' Guild (A Chance Arrangement to Loud and Clear).</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> Once you get past the stench of sewage, The Ragged Flagon almost smells like gold., The Harlequin honestly couldn't care less about Nocturnal and Nightingales, but she's willing to chase whatever lead she has on gold. With the Thieves' Guild having tabs on everyone, she knows exactly who to hit with missions given by Vex and Delvin. While they may not agree with some of her methods, they can't deny the cat always gets what she wants.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>Bard's College.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> Every entertainer has to have their roots somewhere. While a fairly useless lot, the Bard's College promises to reveal the location of some ancient, valuable instruments- something this cat is very excited to get her paws on. They also may point her in the right direction for a show or two. She's heard the Thalmor Embassy is full of the wealthy and ignorant.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:10pt;">**Note: The Bard's College quests are purely for roleplay purposes, so they don't have to be completed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><strong>A Night to Remember.</strong><span style="font-weight:400;"> Sanguine, the Daedric Prince of Debauchery, Corruption, and Sinners... The Harlequin can't imagine a more fun god. His quest leads her to rediscover the night she can't remember: the most fun night of her life. Pleased with her, he even grants her his staff to aid her mischief making. Maybe they'll go drinking again soon…</span></span></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830929135,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830929135?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="45" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3830938088,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3830938088,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3830938088?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="639" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>And so it's curtain call for The Harlequin!</em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>I had so much fun making this build. It was different that my usual style as everything was a lot more high risk. I hope some of you find this as fun as I did!</em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>I would like to thank <strong>Ponty</strong> for helping me with the editing and proofreading process of my write-up, <strong>Lee</strong> for helping me create this beautiful nightmare, <strong>Curse</strong> for taking these AMAZING screenshots, and <strong>all of you</strong> for taking the time to read this build. This community is like my home away from home, and I am so grateful the kind and encouraging members and admins that I get to come across every day. Let me know what you thought in the comments below and maybe leave a like if you liked her?</em></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>As always, Talos Guide You!</em></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>Character Build: The Assassinihttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-assassini2018-07-19T10:47:45.000Z2018-07-19T10:47:45.000ZMarookhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/Marook<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}83619726,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}83619726,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="83619726?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><em>Those of the Assassini Brotherhood are members of a secret society hidden in plain sight. They alongside their eternal enemies have been responsible for or been participants in countless world events since at least the First Era. They are not berzerking warriors nor all-powerful mages cutting down swathes of enemies on the battlefield- they are a blade in the crowd, someone who doesn’t exist until the time comes that their blades must meet their targets throat. Once the deed is done, the Assassini fades from existence yet again, leaving no evidence of their presence. Many an evil ruler, a greedy noble, or a mere cowardly bandit have met their demise by Assassini hands…</em></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>The Build</strong></span></p><p><strong>Race:</strong> Imperial</p><p><strong>Standing Stone:</strong> Warrior -> Lord</p><p><strong>Stats:</strong> 1/1/1 Until Stamina reaches 200, then 1/1/0</p><p><strong>Major Skills:</strong> Illusion, Alteration, Sneak, One-Handed</p><p><strong>Minor Skills:</strong> Light Armor, Block, Smithing</p><p><strong>Powers:</strong> Agent of Mara, Ancient Knowledge, Mora’s Boon, Prowler’s Profit, Secret of Strength</p><p><strong>Shouts:</strong> Aura Whisper, Become Ethereal, Dragon Aspect, Dragonrend, Elemental Fury, Marked For Death, Throw Voice, Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint</p><p><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>The Brotherhood</strong></span></p><p>The Assassini have not had a strong presence in Skyrim for nearly three decades. Nearly all members of the Nordic branch were killed or captured during the Great War, and the few who remained were subsequently dwindled down to the point of extinction by constant Thalmor raids. The ongoing Civil War between The Empire and Ulfric Stormcloak, as well as the strain on contacts left in the province have weakened the Brotherhood in its entirety. A talented Assassini has been sent to the region. They carry with them a list of targets, and the three tenets of their Creed:</p><ol><li>Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent</li><li>Hide in plain sight</li><li>Never compromise the Brotherhood</li></ol><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}71284362,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}71284362,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="71284362?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>The Targets</strong></span></p><p><strong>Harkon:</strong> The father of the Volkihar bloodline, and one of the oldest and most powerful vampires ever. The very nature of most vampires is in direct conflict with the Creed. His fortress has been well guarded by fog and gargoyle for millennia, but the mist has cleared up recently. He seems to be planning something big, and must be stopped before this plan can come to fruition. The death of him and his coven is of the utmost importance.</p><p><strong>Elenwen:</strong> The Thalmor have prosecuted the Brotherhood since their rise to power in the days following the Oblivion Crisis. The Summerset Isles sect of the Brotherhood was destroyed in its entirety nearly two centuries ago by their hand. While one should aim to end the life of as many of them as possible, a special case can be made for Elenwen. She is the First Emissary, and as such is the nominal figurehead for the Thalmor in Skyrim. Her death will carry with it a very important message.</p><p><strong>Miraak:</strong> There are rumors circulating of sleepwalkers roaming Solstheim chanting this long forgotten Dragon Priest’s name. They seem to be digging up a massive ruin in the center of the island, and most certainly are not doing so of their own free will. This Miraak may be the First Dragonborn, but having power does not excuse bringing harm to the innocent.</p><p><strong>Linwe:</strong> The last Assassini in Skyrim, Linwe turned to a life of notorious banditry upon becoming disillusioned with the Creed. He has broken all three tenets, and must die for his betrayal.</p><p><strong>Mercer Frey:</strong> On the surface Mercer seems to be just the grumpy leader of the rundown Thieves Guild in Riften, but this is only a part of the truth that calls for his demise. Mercer’s own greedy nature and lust for power led him to murder a close friend in cold blood many years ago, and subsequently pin the blame for it on an innocent Dunmer by the name of Karliah. Infiltration of the Thieves Guild, and attempts to gather proof of his misdeed are a priority.</p><p><strong>Ancano:</strong> Another member of the Thalmor, Ancano poses as an advisor for the Arch-Mage of Winterhold. Strangely he seems to have caused no harm to the College yet, and as such should not be killed immediately. Instead patience and careful investigation should precede an hostile actions.</p><p><strong>Astrid:</strong> Astrid leads one of the last chapters of the Dark Brotherhood, a group of sadistic contract killers who bring shame to what it means to be an Assassin. The only way to end their influence in Skyrim will be to find their sanctuary. The blind serial killing of others whether guilty or innocent is a crime that can only be repaid in blood.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Skills</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}50595317,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}50595317,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="50595317?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>Nothing is true...</em></p><p><strong>One-Handed:</strong> This is the build’s bread and butter, swords and daggers serve as the Assassini’s only conduits for reliable and persistent damage. All other skills are there to enhance the strength of one-handed weapons either in melee or in stealth. The Dual Wielding tree perks can be replaced with Bladesman perks if you’d rather go for crits over straight up damage increases.</p><p><strong>Illusion:</strong> The first of the “Wtf” skills added, Illusion serves a dual purpose by enhancing the Assassini’s stealth capabilities while also allowing them to force their enemies to flee, remain calm, or fight each other. The builds source material has a few key artifacts with abilities easily substituted with Skyrim’s magic and shouts, and Illusion is a perfect fit for just that.</p><p><strong>Alteration:</strong> Alteration is a great utility spell school, it increases armor, makes magic less effective, and gives you several spells to immobilize enemies with. The theme of controlling your enemies actions continues with this skill choice, and the additional defensive capabilities that come with it are definitely welcome.</p><p><strong>Sneak:</strong> What’s an Assassin type build without stealth? Remaining undetected and striking from out of nowhere are core elements that simply can’t be found through any other skill. When the going gets rough or a melee drags out too long a quick Ethereal Jump followed by a good hiding spot can be the difference between life or death.</p><p><strong>Light Armor:</strong> While lightly perked compared to this builds predecessor, Light Armor still plays a role. You can’t always fall back on sneaking, dodging, or blocking, and all those times enemies hits get through your armor will be there to soak up some of the damage for you.</p><p><strong>Block:</strong> Block maintains its old role entirely. Rather than carry around a big heavy shield the Assassini relies on their bashing and dodging abilities, usually leaving the offhand free to block with their weapon. Quick Reflexes is absolutely crucial, as it allows you to sidestep and counterattack when your enemy power attacks your block.</p><p><strong>Smithing:</strong> The most minor of the minors skills, Smithing is there to improve your equipment as needed and that’s it. While it is mandatory on higher difficulties in my opinion, anyone playing on the lower ones should be able to get by fine without it.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Equipment</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}50595563,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}50595563,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="50595563?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em>Everything is permitted.</em></p><p>Where the Assassino was a no-crafting build the Assassini is what I’d like to call a “Lite” crafting build, taking the bare minimum smithing perks that are needed to improve their equipment and nothing else. This comes with the price of a little bit of a time spent grinding away at the forge, but adds a benefit in return by ensuring better viability on higher difficulties.</p><p>For weapons I followed a pattern of Steel -> Elven -> Skyforge Steel -> Nord Hero for Swords, and Steel -> Elven -> Nordic for Daggers. If you skip out on the Companions then you can swap the latter two swords with a Nordic one. The Nord Hero Sword is one of the lightest swords for it's damage, and is fits really well aesthetically with the build's look. The Nordic Dagger is easily one of the best looking daggers in the whole game, and also happens to fall under the same smithing perk that our armor does, speaking of...</p><p>I chose to replace the Grey Vampire Armor + Linwe’s with Grey Dawnguard Armor and an Apprentice Hood because I find the former to be too “bad guy” looking despite its traditional Assassin looks. It also helps that Vampire Armor isn’t flattering at all on female characters with regards to our source material here. You can pad out the remaining slots with a necklace and ring of your choosing, I went with a Resist Magic Necklace and Fortify One-Handed Ring.</p><p>If you find that you want the 10 extra magicka of the Adept Hood, you can swap to the Brown or Red Dawnguard for a better color match and a more robe-like feel as both of these versions have additional cloth draped over the legs.</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Lesser Tactics</strong></span></p><p><strong>Eagle Vision:</strong> Detect Life/Detect Dead -> Aura Whisper + Quiet Casting - Detect nearby enemies whether live, dead, immortal or machine, both useful and roleplay fuel.</p><p><strong>Leap of Faith:</strong> Become Ethereal - Survive a fall from any height, mostly roleplay, but has it’s uses.</p><p><strong>Rogue's Fortune:</strong> Prowler’s Profit - This one’s a bit tougher to get, but an hour or so spent gathering Barenziah’s Stones can guarantee thousands of extra gold in gemstones permanently.</p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Greater Tactics</strong></span></p><p><strong>Binded Deterioration:</strong> Marked For Death + Paralysis + Quiet Casting - <strong>The enemy is completely subdued for a small portion of time, and becomes progressively weaker over that time.</strong> Very useful during the builds weaker levels for isolating or outright disabling stronger enemies while you deal with the smaller guys.</p><p><strong>Murmur of Dismay:</strong> Frenzy Rune + Illusion Perks + Throw Voice - <em>A false voice calls your foes away, and after a magical explosion they are pushed to mass hysteria.</em> This one’s good in the same way as the previous ability, but is good for thinning out whole herds of enemies as well.</p><p><strong>Revitalizing Retreat:</strong> Voice of The Emperor + Mora’s Boon + Shadowcloak of Nocturnal/Invisibility - <em>The Assassini releases a torrent of calming magic over a wide area, reverses all damage they have taken, and retreats back to the shadows.</em> A fancier way to retreat back to the comfort of stealth when detected and caught in a bad situation, the “Oh shit!” button so to speak.</p><p><strong>Victory to the Assassini:</strong> Dragon Aspect + Dual Wield Sword and Dagger + Dual Flurry + Dual Savagery + Elemental Fury + Secret of Strength - <em>Though the name Assassini may imply an order of cowardly murderers, this is far from the truth. The Masters among their ranks are able to wield two blades with exceptional speed, and when a Master Assassini is the Dragonborn, the resulting combination is devastating.</em> This is the strongest possible combination of abilities this build can pull off. A flurry of maximum speed, maximum damage dual wielding power attacks at 0 stamina cost. I only recommend using this during tough high level enemies such as dragons and bosses.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}71284666,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}71284666,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="71284666?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>We work in the dark...</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Roleplay</strong></span></p><ul><li>Apart from the Courage spell line, I recommend never using Illusion spells on Followers or non-hostile NPCs. One of The Assassini’s main aims is to protect the innocent, and that means no mind manipulation among them, including Bend Will. Hostile NPCs like Bandits or Dragons are fair game though.</li><li>When going after one of your targets, if you have the opportunity to sneak past all other hostiles to get to them, do so. Once the deed is done you should run, even if you think you can win in a fight against the odds. A core part of the way an Assassini takes down their target is the chase and subsequent escape afterwords.</li><li>Another note for the main targets is to try to take them out with your dagger, there isn’t really any weapon in Skyrim that “fits” into the Hidden Blade slot. The Shiv played a part in the old version, but it simply doesn’t hold up on higher difficulties compared to daggers that you can improve.</li><li>The Assassini is open to any factions and all questlines EXCEPT The Dark Brotherhood. They are the exact opposite of everything the Assassini stand for, and should be destroyed. The Volkihar side of Dawnguard really doesn’t fit well either, but any other multi-sided questline (Civil War, Thirsk Hall) doesn’t have a clear roleplay winner.</li></ul><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Recommended Mods</strong></span></p><p><strong>Mortal Enemies and TKDodge:</strong> Putting these two together because I feel they both enhance the combat of the build by letting you be much more agile vs just taking every hit or spamming Quick Reflexes.</p><p><strong>Pretty Combat and Jump Animations:</strong> These I really only recommend purely for aesthetics. They look WAY better and more role fitting than the vanilla animations.</p><p><strong>LeanWolf’s Better Shaped Weapons and Any Assassin’s Creed Robes mod:</strong> Entirely for better looking weapons and a more fitting set of armor if you don't want to go vanilla.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}71284606,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}71284606,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="71284606?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>To protect the light.</em></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Closing Notes</strong></span></p><p>PCOutcast has a full playthrough of the original Asasinni/Assassino build on his Youtube channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2nJm4SDtUw&list=PLSyNz14wE4hBxxGx5485W0n81vTMhvaBQ" target="_blank">here’s a link</a> to that if you're interested in seeing the ancestor of the Assassini in action.</p><p>A gameplay video has also been featured on Skyforge TV, and the modded screenshots here were done by Curse.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/974qq_it6sg?wmode=opaque" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>It’s been ages since I’ve written a build from scratch, but I hope that this little rework/redux/reimaging/reeeee can live up to the hype of the OG.</p></div>Character Build: Daedric Prince Exucathhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/daedric-prince-exucath2018-04-11T19:50:17.000Z2018-04-11T19:50:17.000ZTheLordAndMasterhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/TheLordAndMaster<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Unusual,disgraceful,</strong> <em><strong>“To Mortal”</strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>These are just a few names I have received </strong></em><em><strong>from</strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>the others. They refuse to accept I have such influence.</strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Unusual? Most definetly, disgraceful? Possibly,</strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>”To Mortal? Nay! Just Mortal curious. I am influence</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>and aggression. I am Ulfric and Tullius. My champion</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>is of yet unknown, even by old Herma-Mora. I watch,</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I influence,I choose. I stand <span style="text-decoration: underline;">WITH</span> my champion,</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Whether in shadow or in an open bloody field.</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I stand behind my champion unseen by those</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>who cannot truly see and finish the ballad</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>with precision and direction.</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>I AM EXUCATH DAEDRIC</em></strong></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><u>PRINCE OF ENDLESS</u></em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><u>BALLADS</u></em></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">STATS:</span></strong></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em> MAGIC:50%</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em> HEALTH:30%</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>STAMINA:20%</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Skills:</span></strong></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Enchanting:</span></strong> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343100?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343100?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="130"/></a> Perk it up</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SMITHING:</strong></span> fill this buttercup up to daedric and advanced armors don’t go breaking it’s heart.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343212?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-left" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343212?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="135"/></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">This is a definite get it done sort of thing.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343355?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343355?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="130"/></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SNEAK:</strong></span> This is a “if I don’t perk this up I can’t be sneaky” sort of obvious skill for a Daedra of influence.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>EQUIPMENT:</strong></span> </p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Daedric Gauntlets: Fortify magic; fortify illusion</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Daedric Boots: Muffle;Fortify sneak</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Miirak robes or black clothing:Fortify Magic;Fortify Light Armor Skill</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Silver crown:Fortify Magic; Fortify Illusion</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Silver Ruby Ring: Fortify Sneak and Illusion</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343287?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14343287?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"/></a></strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The prince of endless ballads</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"> <em>I used to be a servant until I claimed the title of prince by my great feats. I managed to influence Mehrunes Dagon into setting me free, a feat later declared Daaljul(Ballad worth Singing) I became unbound, no longer his servant. With this new found freedom I wandered Skyrim through the ages. I saw the rise and fall of many kings and many heroes. I influenced Ysgramor and the 500 as well as the snow elves who had slaughtered the nords. I influenced Talos, and Jorgen Windcaller, Dumac and Kagrenac; so many fell under my aggression and influence. It was at my height of influence when the others grew jealous and stripped me of an ancient helm-like mask by the name of Daaljul, one of my artifacts. The mask of influence and aggression which held great power of voice in all things.</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14336571?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-left" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14336571?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="245"/></a></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Daaljul</em></strong></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><em> Once my mask was stripped from me I lost influence of the time. Now in the age of aggression, I make my influence known once again. A perfect time for the prince of ballads and influence and priest of aggression to make more ballads for the ages to come. I am named Dragonborn, a Daedra declared Dragonborn, now that is a ballad I can’t wait to influence with the help of my chosen. But who will they be and what influence will we have? This seems a most promising ballad to play.</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>THE BUILD</em></strong></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"> This build requires some serious thought as it involves making a very important decision which can make or break you. Who will be your chosen champion to wield your artifacts? Yes Artifacts, as in daedric made artifacts and artifacts meaning multiple items that the daedric prince himself forges. So forging will be very important in this build, as well as enchanting.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Artifact 1: Daaljul; the mask of influence and aggression the prince himself wore once.</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Artifact 2: The Shifting Relic(named so because it shifts form depending on who the prince names his champion.)For example; if given to, say faendal, it would take the form of a bow. If Given to Ulfric which I used through the mod <span style="text-decoration: underline;">RING OF FOLLOWING </span> It becomes a war axe. Tullius, also thanks to the ring of following, would wield a one hand blade and shield. </strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong>I did two play through versions of this, I used ulfric as my champion for one and Tullius as my champion for the other. However who your champion is depends on your own preference, it could be Aela,Faendal,Sven,Farkas, etc. Choose wisely as your champion fights in your name, and if they fail, you grow weaker and lose influence. This can be role played by allowing yourself a weakness, whether that is a disease or say, a vampire weak against the sun. I failed a couple times, my champion died as we all know they do in some cases. Sven got slaughtered by draugr in the barrow. I role played a champions death by imagining if they went to their knees you killed them, and I did literally kill them sometimes just to signify my displeasure.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337220?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337220?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="150"/></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><em><strong>“Ulfric listen and obey, you are my chosen, you influence the people and I influence you. Together we succeed and Skyrim belongs to the Nords.”</strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337708?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337708?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="150"/></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><em><strong>“Tullius listen and obey, you are my chosen. You are the pride of the empire in your aggression, and I am the pride of Daedric aggression. Together we quash the rebellion and Skyrim belongs to the empire.” </strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337824?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337824?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="150"/></a></strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“Faendal listen and obey, you are my chosen. You are the slave of Hircine though you know not. I am your freedom, together we can end Hircines’s influence”</em></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"> Those three are just a few decisions I made with various play throughs of this build, trust me, there are plenty more Champions you can choose from, and it is all in your hands and thumbs. ;)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>A little something to note: this build requires patience, and may not be for everyone, as it is about choosing a champion and not being in the Frey as much as one may like. You will remain illusive, unseen by the champion’s foes through the usage of powerful illusion Magic’s such as fury, and courage as well as other illusion spells. The complete opposite of a tank, as instead of luring enemies to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span>, you will be luring them to your <span style="text-decoration: underline;">champion </span>using fury and such. The whole while you will watch as your champion fights in your name, only entering the battle to finish with precision and decision. </strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong>This play style will give you influence over battles and decisions, hence your namesake. One moment the enemy is angry and attacking all in their view, especially your champion, the next moment they are calmed by an unknown influence(the prince.) you will also be able to send them running in fear as you allow your true and terrible form to manifest in their presence. This build literally is an influencial powerhouse and depends on illusion Magic’s. Yet I don’t think there is another quite like it out there.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> Not only will you influence battle, but you will influence real events in game through persuasion or intimidation. You will get the best prices, and the best options in quests and at vendors. In the end this character truly feels like the Daedric Prince of influence and aggression, also, you truly do end up with endless ballads in your name. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337880?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/14337880?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"/></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Ballad of the Dragonborn</strong></em></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Special Moves</strong></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">Ballad of the prince: show them what influence is. Use fury,courage, invisibility</p><p style="text-align: left;">Sonata of Dragon: Call Durnhevir or call dragon, Bend Will, then use odahviing or Durnhevir to attack enemies.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Champions Challenge: only use this if your champion has outlived their usefulness and you want a new one. Use Fury on the chosen, soul trap,then use any means to kill them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Champions Shadow: Use this to mimic the “shadow” of the champion, hard to pull off but amazing when you do. Use invisibility Stay to the right or left behind the champion. At the exact moment they will have finished an opponent use slow time and step forward as you come out of slow motion to take the kill. If done right this will literally look as if your Champions shadow came alive and finished the kill. You will also find yourself viewing an awesome kill cam.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Anyhow, that’s it for my first build. A sort of trial build to seek advice on how future builds should look, any suggestions? Let me know and thanks.</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></div>Character Build: The Turncoathttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-turncoat2018-02-09T08:24:43.000Z2018-02-09T08:24:43.000ZKendrix Trixiehttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/KendrixTrixie<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">~ ~ ~</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Everything I knew was a beautiful lie.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">We were perfect people. We serve a perfect Emperor. We fought a perfect war.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Lies.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">I’ve trained my entire life to preserve this “perfection” until my dying breath. It was right. It was just. It was expected.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">But it was so fragile.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">A tour into our neighboring country was all it took to see the truth covered up by the crimson veil over my naïve eyes.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Persecution. Poverty. Bloodshed. Enslavement. Robbery. War.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Outside the safety of Cyrodiil, we become fully aware of the atrocities that we allow to take place. Such things cannot be so easily overlooked. We are not a simpleminded people. We are no longer ignorant to these things, yet we find ourselves doing the unimaginable.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">We put our veil back on.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Am I to do the same? My kinsmen say yes. Our duties are to our own people and our emperor. We keep ourselves safe. Perhaps the other provinces are for income, leisure, and resources, but in the end, they simply aren’t our concern. They are under the emperor’s thumb. If they fall out of line, only then would we interfere- to crush them.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">As far as I am concerned, these are my people. Regardless of race or ethnicity, they are still people. They are children of an empire that doesn’t care if they live or die, and some still manage to cling to hope that someday we will start to care again. They need to be protected from the man who claims to be their protector. No one understands this more than Ulfric Stormcloak.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">They consider me a traitor, but I don’t see it that way. Traitors turn their back on those that trusted them, those that needed them. I once was a traitor but no longer. My eyes unveiled, I see things clearly now. The biggest traitor is the one on the throne.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">What about those I fought alongside in Cyrodiil? What about my native brothers and sisters?</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">It is their choice to remain blinded. I pray for them daily to open their eyes. They are not my brothers or sisters, and perhaps they never were. There is a difference in kinsmen and brothers.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><em><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">~ ~ ~</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Hey y’all! Kendrix here with my first ever build! WHOOP WHOOP. In all honesty, I don’t know how well this is going to go, but I really had fun doing this so why not post it? This build has inspired me to create more in the future, so if you like it, expect more content soon!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">This build is by request of several people (thank you, guys), and was created for the “Tales of Tamriel” event. It is based on the protagonist from my fan-fiction “In Love and War”. To begin reading follow the link <a href="http://https//theskyforge.ning.com/groups/the-story-corner/general-forum/in-love-and-war-table-of-contents" target="_blank">here</a>. Inspired character backstory is found below with both Modded and Vanilla starts, but the beginning is the same for both. Mods used will be listed at the end of this build.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">I want to give special thanks to Curse for formatting and editing this build for me. He's done a fantastic job with the site and is so helpful to noobs like me. Hah. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Without further ado…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906964?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906964?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="596" alt="906964?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907969?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906989?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" alt="906989?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Born into the line of nobility in one of the thriving cities of Cyrodiil, Talia Maro never really knew hardship or hurt. Sure, her immediate family wasn’t close to the rest of the clan, and her father never spent more than a few hours at home, but she never had a want that wasn’t met and never felt unloved. When not learning how to read and write, young Talia spent her time at the Chapel of Dibella learning the arts of Restoration, a skill that would prove handy many, many times. The life of a noble, even an outcast one, was something to be envied.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Talia always assumed that was why the assassin came, but it has yet to be confirmed. In one night her entire life changed. Everyone in her home was slaughtered, save for Talia. This was the first time she ever experienced the pain of injustice. Her family had never wronged anyone. They were good people that didn’t deserve to die. Taking an innocent life was a crime she could not comprehend. From those moments on, she viewed life outside of the filter of innocence. There were bad people doing bad things all around her. She had just never been open to the idea.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">After her uncle, an esteemed member of the Penitus Oculatus, took her in as his own, she swore she would help fight injustice wherever it reared its head. With the resources of the Emperor’s Guard at her disposal, Talia taught herself about the true nature of the world. She learned how to defend innocence and preserve order by tongue and sword. When she became of age, she followed her uncle’s lead by joining the ranks of the Penitus Oculatus. Who better than to shelter the world from disorder than the man who held it in the palm of his hand? Serving under him, she was a vessel of his righteous fury, meant to strike down any and all who opposed his just rule and order.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Rumors stirring in the north told of a rebellion in the country of Skyrim. The emperor himself wanted to investigate those claims. As a precaution, he sent the best of his guard into the neighboring providence to set up secure routes and allies for him to tour the largest cities openly…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><em>~ ~ ~</em></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Modded start:</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">After arriving in Skyrim, Talia was sent to the hamlet of Helgen to retrieve the general of the Imperial Legion’s Skyrim division. When she arrives, she finds the town completely destroyed. Upon further investigation, she discovers a seemingly lone survivor. When she helps the Nord and brings him safely to his camp, she learns the man is none other than Ulfric Stormcloak, the very man leading the rebellion against her empire. Curious about his claims of oppression and enslavement, Talia begins an investigation to decide for herself who is right and who is wrong in the impending Civil War. The woman then learns of the Great War through Skyrim’s eyes, the banning of Talos, and the kidnappings made by the Thalmor that are not only overlooked by the empire but encouraged. Outraged by the lies she had been told her whole life, Talia agrees to help the Stormcloaks in whatever way they can. When she learns they are in need of a spy to get important information from the opposing side, she agrees to be the Turncoat they need.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Vanilla start:</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">After arriving in Skyrim, Talia was sent to the hamlet of Helgen to retrieve the general of the Imperial Legion’s Skyrim division. Along the way, she misses a turn or two and ends up much farther east than expected. Nearing Darkwater Crossing, Talia finds herself amid an ambush. Caught up in the chaos, she doesn’t aid or prevent the fighting, making her look awfully suspicious to the Legionnaires. She tries to explain who she is and what was going on, but the cocky, victory-drunk soldiers aren’t too keen on believing her. They hadn’t heard of the Penitus Oculatus making their way to Skyrim. With that, they strip her of her “stolen” gear and place her on a wagon to Helgen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">On the wagon she meets her “enemies”, the Stormcloaks, and finds out they really aren’t as barbaric and unkind as the empire portrays them. In fact, they seem sympathetic to the predicament she found herself in. Curious as to what their side of the story is, Talia vows that if she ever makes it out of Helgen, she would investigate their cause. Luckily, and also unluckily, a dragon inadvertently rescues the captives allowing them to escape the Legion through tunnels. From there, Talia investigates the country on her way to Windhelm, uncovering many of the empire’s secrets along the way. By the time she reaches Windhelm, she agrees to join the Ulfric in the fight, aiding him as a Turncoat to spy on the general that almost took her life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907005?profile=original"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907005?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="104" alt="907005?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/908021?profile=original"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907033?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" alt="907033?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The term “turncoat” is recorded to have been used as early as 1557. The origin of “turncoat” is easy to understand as well. A man of the British army- a blue coat at the time- wanted to defect to the French- the white coats. He couldn’t make his way to them without being killed, as any sign of blue coats would possibly have him killed by the very people he wished to join. He had noticed, however, the inside of his coat was white, resembling said French. He then turned his coat inside out to avoid being seen as the enemy. As a result, he was able to enter the French camp and talk to them. Since then, the term has been widely accepted to mean someone who is a traitor, defector, or, in Talia’s case, a spy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Given the reach of the empire’s hold on Tamriel and the controversial end of the Great War, it would not be a far stretch to assume Talia had other Turncoat predecessors. Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stonefist are two known Nord defectors from the legion. It is safe to assume most, if not all, older citizens of Skyrim who support the Rebellion are also defectors. What sets this specific build apart from typical defectors is the character’s ability to “turncoat” again and again. This doesn’t necessarily mean playing both sides. Rather, the character can be the mindless, legionnaire yes-man they are expected to be to blend in with their enemy then become the righteous-driven, free-thinking, Stormcloak liberator they were born to be. Further, it is stated by Imperial soldiers in idle conversation that the player should “watch out for Stormcloak spies”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">At the very least, this suggests that some Nords have been able to enter the Legion, obtain information needed, then leave to report it back to their superiors. Very few men can pull this off in the Lore, but it has been done at least enough times to cause enough concern for the Legion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/908043?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907058?profile=original" width="750" alt="907058?profile=original" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Race</span></u></p>
<p><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Imperial.</strong> Talia is a native-born woman of Cyrodiil. Imperial is the most logical race, given that the Turncoat is a Member of the Penitus Oculatus. It would be highly unlikely any other race besides Imperial would be guarding the Cyrodillic ruler.</span></p>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">If you wish to play through the build with a character different than Talia, any of the man races will work as mer and beast races would have significantly lower chances of being in the Penitus Oculatus. Gender doesn’t matter.</span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Standing Stone</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The Lady Stone.</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Talia is a devote student of Dibella. It only makes sense she would honor her goddess by taking the blessings of her stone. It doesn’t hurt that the stone also helps regenerate health and stamina- two essentials for a light-armored warrior.</span></p>
<ul><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Other possible stones may include The Lord Stone- to improve armor rating, resist magic, and provide a masculine alternative to The Lady Stone- or The Lover Stone- to improve skills quickly.</span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Blessings</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Blessing of Dibella, The Gift of Charity.</strong> It’s highly unlikely she’ll be practicing Dibellian arts in the midst of war, but it doesn’t hurt to have the Lady’s blessing. Under her watchful eye, speech is improved making it much easier to talk your way into or out of a sticky situation. Giving to the poor has its perks too. In addition to another blessing, people take notice of the kindness will be more willing to hear you out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Supernaturals</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>None.</strong> Talia tends to veer away from Daedra and their “gifts” of vampirism and lycantropy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Companions?</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Yes.</strong> No one wins a war alone. It takes teams of people working together to accomplish a goal. Followers of this build must be willing to join the Rebellion or are already a member, be skilled with melee and ranged weapons, and have a somewhat high sneak skill. For those willing to use mods, I recommend the follower “Frida”. She meets every criterion of a follower for this build and resembles an important secondary character, Kaita Snow-Hare, in “In Love and War”. For those not using mods, Benor in Morthal, Stenvar in Windhelm, or Faendal in Riverwood make decent followers without doing any unnecessary faction quests or becoming thane.</span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Animal followers work well with this build as well, especially if you plan on blending in rather than sneaking about.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Factions</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Stormcloak Rebellion.</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The only faction you need to join is the Rebellion. In game, it is impossible to join the Penitus Oculatus. Besides, Talia is a member beforehand.</span></p>
<ul><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">If you choose to play as Dragonborn as well, you may join the Greybeards and/or Blades, since neither of them have much of an effect on the build. It is suggested to complete the Civil War questline before the main questline, else you may run into some awkward situations at the Season Unending quest. If this does happen, it’s best to go incognito (see armor below), and side with the Stormcloaks.</span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"> </span><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Archetype</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Rogue Class.</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Light Armor, Light Weapons, Strong Bow, Swift Arrows. Add in a steed and a competent companion and Talia is ready to charge into battle. This build really doesn’t fit into any of the standard archetypes. A light armored warrior that relies both on archery, melee, and restoration spells is difficult to place in a definite position.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img class="align-center" style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907075?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="366" alt="907075?profile=RESIZE_480x480" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/LnDBiEC.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/LnDBiEC.jpg?width=750" width="750" alt="LnDBiEC.jpg?width=750" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Weapons</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"> <strong>Imperial Sword, Imperial Bow, Steel Arrows, Steel Daggers (2).</strong> She can’t seem to break away from her roots. Standardized Legion weaponry makes up this build’s arsenal. Light-weight and basic, these weapons ensure a fair fight against any enemy you may encounter. This build relies less on the strength of your weapons and more on the skills you possess yourself. I will elaborate in the Perks section below.</span><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Armors</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Penitus Oculatus Helmet, Penitus Oculatus Armor, Penitus Oculatus Bracers, Penitus Oculatus Boots, Hooded Krosis, Stormcloak Officer Armor, Stormcloak Officer Bracers, Stormcloak Officer Boots, Imperial Light Shield.</strong> The bulk of Talia’s carry weight is focused on toting around her wardrobe. Base level, carrying around so much armor can over-encumber you really fast. One way around this is enchanting the armor:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Penitus Oculatus Helmet: <u>Fortify Light Armor</u></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Penitus Oculatus Armor/Stormcloak Officer Armor: <u>Fortify One-Handed</u></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Penitus Oculatus Bracers/Stormcloak Officer Bracers: <u>Fortify Archery</u></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol;">·<span style="font:7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Penitus Oculatus Boots/Stormcloak Officer Boots: <u>Fortify Carry Weight</u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The Fortify Carry Weight on either pair of boots helps take the load off you so you can carry more things. Another way around the weight can be seen below in the Perks Section.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The rest of the enchantments are optional but are extremely helpful. Hooded Krosis didn’t made the list since it is already enchanted and will not need to be taken to the Arcane Enchanter. Krosis is essential for Talia as it not only increases lockpicking, archery, and alchemy, but it also protects her identity. Any mask will serve this purpose in the build, but I found Krosis most useful. For tips on how to make Krosis hooded, refer to the Cheats section below.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Spells</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Healing, Fast Healing, Healing Hands.</strong> Studying for years in the Chapel of Dibella has its perks. Most magicka users focus in on the other schools: Destruction, Conjuration, Illusion… Restoration is sometimes overlooked but is completely necessary for this build. How can your character help the hurt and oppressed if they can’t even do anything to relieve their own pain? Magicka is a very small part of the build but should not be forgotten. Make sure to acquire the spells as soon as possible. You never know when you’ll run into someone needing your help.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Shouts</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>None.</strong> Talia is not the Dragonborn of Legend and cannot shout on demand.</span></p>
<ul><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Should you play as Dragonborn with the Turncoat Build, useful shouts would be “Throw Voice”, to confuse the enemy and allow a quick get away, and “Elemental Fury”, to allow faster weapon strikes for the times escape is not an option.</span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Accessories</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Amulet of Dibella.</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The one thing to pull any outfit together. The Amulet further solidifies the characters speech skills, making them much better communicators.</span></p>
<ul><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Other amulet options are the Amulet of Mara for faster restoration purposes or the Amulet of Stendarr to assist with blocking.</span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907100?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907100?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="433" alt="907100?profile=RESIZE_480x480" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Stat Placement</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">1 Magicka: 3 Health: 2 Stamina</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Magicka increase should only be brought to level 150, giving you just enough Magicka to heal yourself in a fix, or someone else who might need it along the way. After maxing out the Magicka, stats can be placed on Health and Stamina at a 2:1 ratio. Both Health and Stamina can be improved indefinitely, though the character receives all the available perk points needed around Level 48.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907158?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907158?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" alt="907158?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">(Image by Curse-Never-Dying)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Major Perk Placement</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Speech:</strong> Never underestimate the power of communication. The life of a turncoat presents many opportunities to land yourself in plenty of trouble. Fighting your way out isn’t always the best option. Rather, a cunning, persuasive, perhaps even intimidating approach will be the better approach. Though money really isn’t a driving factor, it won’t hurt anyone if you get a good deal every now and then.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>One-handed:</strong> Talk does nothing if you don’t have the skill to back it up. For this skill, you want to focus on speed and grace rather than brutality. As a turncoat, most of your enemies are your former allies. They deserve a swift death, painless if possible. To bleed and suffer them more than necessary is to sink to their level.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Archery:</strong> The best way to avoid conflict is to eliminate the enemy at a distance. This skill comes in handy during stealth-and-recon, rescue, and infiltration missions. Like with one-handed, you want to ensure quick deaths. Accuracy is vital when shooting from a distance so perks such as Eagle Eye and Steady Hand are a must.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Light Armor:</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The most valuable asset to a turncoat is their armor. It’s an identification of who they are and who they could be. Carrying around so many uniforms can become burdensome, however. To improve the armor all the way around, it is important to max out this skill tree as soon as possible. Not only does the armor performance improve, the weight of said armor completely disappears. With Unhindered movement and little to weigh you down, walking, sneaking, and running around become much easier as well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Minor Perk Placement</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Restoration:</strong> A minor perk, but restoration is invaluable. In the heat of battle, the lives of your friends are at stake. While there are more advanced spells out there, all you really need is some apprentice level healing. With perks like Regeneration and Duel Casting, the spells last longer and are more powerful, making up for basicness of the low-level spells.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Block:</strong> A shield pairs very well with a sword. Rather than just relying on the strength of your armor that can break and damage over time, a shield is a great defense to break even the strongest of attacks. The two most helpful perks are Deflect Arrows and Quick Reflexes. It’s nice to have a guard in place to protect against volleys of arrows they will likely come your way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Enchanting:</strong> When quality armor with proper enchantments is hard to come by, it’s much easier to make it yourself. Be sure to enchant both sets of armor as you will be using both fairly often. It is highly suggested you fill the above perks before moving to enchant your armor as the enchantments will be much stronger.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Smithing:</strong> The armors for this build cannot be improved past flawless quality, but with the Light Armor perks, it provides a nice little boost for your defenses. If you choose to enchant your armor before improving smithing, the Arcane Blacksmith perk allows you to continue improving the sets. For improving the mask Krosis, you will need the Daedric Smithing perk at level 90, but it is not necessary to improve the mask. For this reason, Smithing can cap off at level 60.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img class="align-center" style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907197?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907197?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="445" alt="907197?profile=RESIZE_480x480" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907212?profile=original"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907212?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="362" alt="907212?profile=RESIZE_480x480" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Tactics:</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Ranged-</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">This build doesn’t focus one sneaking. Rather, you will rely on range to eliminate troublesome targets and thin out groups that would otherwise overwhelm you in close combat. For this reason, Eagle Eye and Steady Hand are essential. When traveling, it is a good idea to keep your bow at the ready and keep your eyes on your surroundings. Take the high ground if you can help it. This increases visibility and decreases the chances of being spotted before you have a chance to draw your weapon. Always shoot to kill. A misplaced shot means alerting enemies to your position. Once acquired, the perks are great at making sure your shots are precise and deadly. Be sure to stock up on arrows every chance you have or loot them from your targets. Ammunition runs out faster than you think.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/908069?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907293?profile=original" width="750" alt="907293?profile=original" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Melee-</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Close combat requires concentration, strong armor, a forceful block, and a deadly sword arm. Melee weapons are categorized into two parts: primary and secondary. Your primary weaponry will be your sword and shield. This combo provides both a solid offense and defense and is a classic pairing in war. With perks such as Quick Reflexes and higher level Bladesman, blocking the strongest of attacks and retaliating quickly can be performed like clockwork with just a few hours practice.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">The secondary weapons are the pairing daggers you keep in reserve. If something were to happen to the sword- a disarming blow or a chipped blade, for examples- the daggers can be used to defend yourself until you recover another weapon or make it to safety. Regardless of their secondary status, the pairing daggers can be deadly in their own right. Just like with ranged weapons, you want strength and accuracy to ensure quick kills. In the heat of battle, time is a luxury you simply can’t afford. Both you and your allies’ hides are on the line. When it comes down to it, the results of the battle rests on the time and effort you spent honing your skills and improving your equipment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/908098?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907337?profile=original" width="750" alt="907337?profile=original" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Magic-</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Unlike other builds, The Turncoat focuses only on the positive effects of magic rather than its destructive counterpart. The only spells you will need to know are lower level healing spells: Healing, Fast Healing, and Healing Hands. The spells can be used in place of a shield during battle to aid in your own healing or that of your followers and allies. This eliminates a defensive safeguard, but counters with effective health regeneration. Another option for using Restoration is to Duel Wield the spells in the aftermath of battle. Many of your allies will find themselves suffering from ailments and injuries of every sort after a lengthy fight and will gladly take some relief. You may even find yourself in need of some stitching.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/908139?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907380?profile=original" width="750" alt="907380?profile=original" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Powers:</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907503?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907503?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150" alt="907503?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a>Cease-Fire:</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Voice of the Emperor+Wind Walker+Unhindered</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"> Perhaps you’ve found yourself in an ambush you cannot escape, or you’ve found a family of civilians caught up in the middle of a battle. In either situation, this power will make the difference between life and death. Using a special skill all Imperials possess, you can call a Cease-fire in the immediate area. All soldiers within hearing range will have to retire their weapons, if only for a minute or so.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">This allows you plenty of time to sprint off or escort the civilians with you. In either situation, you want to put as much distance between you and the enemy as possible. Weightless armor and quick stamina regeneration will aid in your escape and return to the battle as soon as you’ve ensured the safety of those around you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907522?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907522?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150" alt="907522?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a>Last-Second Salvation:</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Quick Reflexes+Armsman+Bladesman+Fighting Stance+Fortify One-Handed+Imperial Shield (Legendary)+Imperial Sword (Legendary)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"> The Legion has recruited all races to their cause. Perhaps the most troubling are those hulking orcs. Boundless stamina gives them ample energy to power attack again and again. Luckily, the Turncoat has a way of avoiding all that damage. Quick Reflexes allows you to slow time by blocking during a power attack.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Your heightened senses during this time allow you to successfully avoid the whole of the attack, letting the brute stagger forward in recovery. With practice, improved weapons, and high-level perks, you can retaliate with a power attack of your own. All of this happens in the span of a second or two, but that’s all the time you need for a salvation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907558?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907558?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150" alt="907558?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a>Flight to Aetherius:</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Fortify Archery+Eagle Eye+Steady Hand+Imperial Bow (Legendary)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"> With the release of your arrow, you send unsuspecting enemies back to Aetherius. Archery perks and fortifications mixed with a bow of legendary status makes for deadly combination. With each carefully placed arrow, you send men to the afterlife. You may not be a Priest/Priestess of Arkay but be sure to give them their last rites.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907582?profile=original"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907582?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="223" alt="907582?profile=RESIZE_320x320" /></a></span><span style="font-size:48pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Sitka Banner';color:#000099;">/</span><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907603?profile=original"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907603?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="194" alt="907603?profile=RESIZE_320x320" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907655?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907655?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" alt="907655?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Characters following this build are meant to stand out. They aren’t mere Legionnaires. This build is meant to give the character the highest possible starting point in the Legions ranks: the Penitus Oculatus. Not many members of the Emperor’s Guard are going to have reason to give up the good life to become an underling. There must be a strong drive to get them to leave what they have devoted their life to. It can’t be gold or fame, as both of those come with the honor of their title. What is the character’s motivation to defect?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Turncoats know their enemy and the mindset they have. Rather than hatred or rage, they are sympathetic and will try to convert them to their own cause if the opportunity presents itself. Their go-to strategy when dealing with conflict is negotiation, but that doesn’t mean they’re a pushover. If things get too heated, a Turncoat will not hesitate to defend themselves, their allies, or the common man by sword. Swift and painless deaths are the goal, so unenchanted, reliable weapons make up their inventory. Avoid using poisons and paralysis potions as well as they cause unnecessary pain and fear in then enemy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Help everyone. A Turncoat wants the best for the people above all else, and they are not above doing the most tedious of tasks. They will give to the poor, help pick crops, even catch butterflies if asked. Accept any quest given by a minor NPC that requires retrieving something that was stolen or lost, negotiating with another NPC, or preforming a medial task. A great rule of thumb for playing this build is if it doesn’t hurt someone else or break the law, do it. They only time you should break the law is to benefit your cause. Future High King Ulfric will excuse minor crimes preformed in the name of the Stormcloaks. Never provoke a fight but never back down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">For a more immersive, in-depth experience, never fast travel anywhere. Walk, run, or ride to get wherever you plan on going. If you have a mod that allows you to get on and off a carriage during transportation, it would be alright to use, but otherwise carriages should be avoided. With some of the mods listed below, you’ll find travel on foot to be a much more rewarding experience. You may encounter allies who need to be freed, enemy soldiers waiting in ambush, or even the remains of a hard-fought battle. Walking also lets you level skills such as archery and one-handed faster.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907689?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907689?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="158" alt="907689?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907741?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907741?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" alt="907741?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">There are many fun quests characters of this build can participate in, but I decided to list the most relevant and important ones.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Civil War Questline:</strong> These are the only essential quests for this character build. If you choose to go straight to Windhelm after leaving Helgen rather than starting the Civil War Questline, it doesn’t affect gameplay. During “Message to Whiterun” Jarl Balgruff will refuse to discuss the war until you complete both “Bleak Falls Barrow” and “Dragon Rising”. After completing those two, you can simply ignore the next quest and insist he talk about the war. This will progress the Civil War storyline.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Missing in Action:</strong> With this quest, you get to help both citizens and Stormcloak brothers. You also get to kill some Thalmor, which is always fun. This quest can be completed at any time during the questline.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong>Blood on the Ice:</strong> After completing the Fort Neugrad quest, Ulfric gives you permission to purchase property in the city so you will always be close by. If you go talk to his steward to purchase the home, he will tell you it is unavailable due to some “unpleasantness”. Upon further investigation, you learn of a series of murders taking place. To purchase the house, you must solve the mystery and stop the killer.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Bonds of Matrimony:</span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">There’s a certain sense of accomplishment after ending the war. No longer is Skyrim under the oppressive rule of the empire and they are free to worship as they please. You’ve made a lot of good friends during the War and you’ll be sure to stay close. Some of them you might want to keep closer than others. Using mods, it’s possible to marry any of the heroes of the Civil War, from Ralof to even Ulfric himself. They can be your follower and lover for life. Mods are listed below.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907767?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907767?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="404" alt="907767?profile=RESIZE_480x480" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907792?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907792?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="154" alt="907792?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Mod List</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">All mods links are for Skyrim: Special Edition but are available for other editions as well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/272" target="_blank">Alternate Start:</a></strong></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Provides the option to start with the Penitus Oculatus when you play as an Imperial.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1315" target="_blank">Imperious- Races of Skyrim:</a></span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Provides great, lore friendly perks for different races. Aid in Imperial perks and immunities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3479" target="_blank">Immersive Armors:</a></strong></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Revamps the armors of both Imperials and Stormcloaks to make them much more aesthetic and introduces many more lore friendly, craftable, collectible armors.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1024" target="_blank">Skyrim Civil War Uniforms:</a></span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">When wearing Stormcloak armor around Legionnaires, it causes them to attack and vice versa. Great reminder to switch armors when entering hostile areas.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1023" target="_blank">Skyrim Civil War Ambushes:</a> </strong></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Adds immersion to the game by having squads of enemy soldiers lay in wait along roads. The life of a Turncoat is perilous; this mod just serves as a reminder.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/4742" target="_blank">Skyrim Battle Aftermath:</a></span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Adds two huge battlefields to the Skyrim map.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/14284/?" target="_blank">Civil War Battlefields:</a></span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Adds several minor battlefields, structures, and dead to the Skyrim map.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/193" target="_blank">Frida Follower:</a> </strong></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Adds a new follower to the game that resembles a character from “In Love and War”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/155" target="_blank">Patron Gods of Skyrim:</a></span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Allows an additional blessing to be given and a patron god assigned to the player.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="https://bethesda.net/en/mods/skyrim/mod-detail/4048346" target="_blank">Love Potion:</a></span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Opens the option to marry many more NPCs and move them into your house.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/7616" target="_blank">Obedient Ulfric:</a></strong></span> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Opens the option to marry Ulfric Stormcloak at the conclusion of the Civil War. He also becomes a follower.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/2174" target="_blank">Whistle:</a></span></strong> <span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">Power that calls a owned horse to your location regardless of distance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;color:#0033cc;">Hooded Krosis Hack</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">To make Krosis Hooded when wearing the mask, leave your Penitus Oculatus Helmet on when changing into the Stormcloak Officer Uniform. When you want to wear the mask, simply equip it without unequipping the helmet. To show your face again, unequip the mask. This technique works with other Dragon Priest masks and is said to work with other headgear, like circlets.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=original"><img style="border:0px none #0066cc;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="52" alt="906943?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907826?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/907826?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="386" alt="907826?profile=RESIZE_480x480" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">So, that’s it I guess. Overall, I had a lot of fun doing this build! When I post the conclusion of “In Love and War” I’ll post a detailed guide on how to replay the story through the game, listing the stops and stays along the way! I would love to hear feedback from everyone to see what I need to do to improve. Like I said, it’s my first build so I’m expecting a lot of critiques! Thank you for reading guys!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:'Leelawadee UI', sans-serif;">As always, Talos Guide You!</span></p></div>Character Build: The Agenthttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/the-agent2018-02-04T07:52:53.000Z2018-02-04T07:52:53.000ZTheChampionOfCyrodilhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/TheChampionOfCyrodil<div><p> </p>
<p><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/906948?profile=original" width="190"></p>
<p>Race:Dark Elf</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Standing Stone: Thief(Beginning-End Game) Mage(Mid-Game)</p>
<p>Stats:Make a balanced mix in Health,Magicka,Stamina.<br> <br> Backstory:Optional if you like roleplaying.</p>
<p>Roleplaying:The agent will betray anyone after getting what he wants but you can change him to your liking.<br> <br> Factions:Dark Brotherhood,Thieves Guild(Optional).<br> <br> Skills:Focus on the mage and thief part of the skill trees.</p>
<p>Perk Trees\Perks:</p>
<p>Illusion:Novice Illusion,Animage(If you want to make giants calm down.),Apprentice Illusion,Hypnotic Gaze,Kindred Mage,Adept Illusion,Quiet Casting,Rage,Expert Illusion,Master Of The Mind,Master Illusion.</p>
<p>Archery:Overdraw,Eagle Eye,Critical Shot,Steady Hand,Power Shot(When fighting automatons or giants.),Hunter's Discipline,Ranger,Quick Shot,Bullseye.</p>
<p>Speech:Haggling,Bribery,Persuasion,Intimidation.</p>
<p>Sneak:Stealth,Muffled Movement,Backstab(For deadly aim),Light Foot,Deadly Aim,Silent Roll,Silence,Shadow Warrior.</p>
<p>Lockpicking:Novice Locks,Apprentice Locks,Quick Hands,Wax Key,Adept Locks,Expert Locks,Locksmith,Unbreakable,Master Locks.</p>
<p>Light Armor:Agile Defender,Custom Fit,Unhindered,Wind Walker,Matching Set,Deft Movement.</p>
<p>Mods:Athletics Training</p>
<p>Gear:Chitin Armor(Light) or Shrouded Armor, You can use Nephyr or any of the craftable bows.</p>
<p>Companions:Cicero,Faendal.</p>
<p>Enchantments:Fortify Illusion,Fortify Archery,Fortify Speech,Fortify Sneak,Fortify Lockpicking,Fortify Light Armor.</p></div>Character Build: The Knife Fighter of Stros M'Kaihttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-knife-fighter-of-stros-m-kai2017-12-09T22:35:40.000Z2017-12-09T22:35:40.000ZHensonhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/Henson919<div><p>This build is my last roleplaying take on the Redguard race, which is probably my favorite race in the series. I got some of the inspiration from the movie The Count of Monte Cristo. Edmond spares Jacopo's life, who the captain of the ship says is "the best knife-fighter he has ever seen". As soon as I heard that line, I had to make a build around daggers and knife-fighting. This is another heavy roleplaying intensive build, so I hope you enjoy. Yet again, I have come to a wall regarding finding art for the build, so any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Knife Fighter from Stros M'Kai</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/3f/1e/02/21a23_21e8.png?c=b867" target="_blank"><img src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/3f/1e/02/21a23_21e8.png?c=b867" class="align-center" /></a></p>
<p>Pirate. Corsair. Privateer. Buccaneer. You go by many titles. You are the most skilled knife fighter in all of Tamriel and have proven it by being a ruthless cut throat. Serving under multiple ship captains as their right hand man and first mate, you are skilled in the art of dagger fighting, a style that relies on speed and agility rather than brute force. You have come accustomed to being loyal to who pays you the most gold by doing what you do best: murdering and marauding. Mercenary work is your craft and you have made a name for yourself which has attracted the attention of the Thieve's Guild and Dark Brotherhood. You have recently run into trouble and pissed off the wrong people and are on the run. You try to make your escape, but Imperial Legions have captured you at the border where you are mistaken for a Stormcloack rebel. If only they knew...</p>
<p>This character build has a few facets and skills not normally utilized. For one, open combat with dual daggers is not a common sight, only with thieves or assassin's throughout the game. The build uses sneak, yes, but it is also extremely proficient in bringing down even the strongest of enemies in face-to-face battle. Quick strikes thanks to Dual Fury and power from Dual Savagery make this a very deadly character. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Build<br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Race: </strong>Redguard</p>
<p><strong>Guardian Stones: </strong>Thief, Lady</p>
<p><strong>Dragon Shouts</strong></p>
<p><strong>Disarm: </strong>Removing the enemy's weapon is a unique skill to have.</p>
<p><strong>Elemental Fury: </strong>Speed is our priority #1. This shout makes you LIGHTNING quick with daggers!</p>
<p><strong>Marked for Death: </strong>Great for weakening enemies in open combat.</p>
<p><strong>Slow Time: </strong>Just makes you that much faster.</p>
<p><strong>Throw Voice: </strong>Very useful in cut-throat situations where you don't want to be seen.</p>
<p><strong>Whirlwind Sprint: </strong>It's good to be fast on our feet.</p>
<p><a href="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/37/1e/02/21a1b_1172.jpg?c=760f" target="_blank"><img src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/37/1e/02/21a1b_1172.jpg?c=760f" class="align-center" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Skills</strong></p>
<p><strong>One Handed:</strong> Our offensive skill. Dual Fury and Dual Savagery make this build a non-stop cutting machine.<strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Smithing: </strong>To sharpen daggers and improve armors. Important to take Arcane smithing for guild armors.</p>
<p><strong>Light Armor: </strong>Speed and mobility with good protection from enemy strikes.</p>
<p><strong>Sneak: </strong>Not always utilized, but the Knife Fighter is a ruthless cut-throat and plunderer.</p>
<p>Back up skills...</p>
<p><strong>Lockpicking: </strong>Not seen in a lot of builds. The two key perks here are Golden Touch and Treasure Hunter. Main idea here is roleplay to gather as much gold as we can.</p>
<p><strong>Pickpocket: </strong>Cheat and steal all the way to the top!</p>
<p><strong>Speech: </strong>Extremely important to sell your stolen goods. Intimidation, bribery, and persuasion are your forte!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Level 25 Perk Placement: </strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://skyrimcalculator.com/#166779">http://skyrimcalculator.com/#166779</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Level 51: </strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://skyrimcalculator.com/#166781">http://skyrimcalculator.com/#166781</a></p>
<p><a href="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/3b/1e/02/21a1f_bb9e.jpg?c=149d" target="_blank"><img src="http://tamrielvault.com/public/album_photo/3b/1e/02/21a1f_bb9e.jpg?c=149d" class="align-center" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Equipment</strong></p>
<p><strong>Head:</strong> Thieve's Guild Hood. Mourner's Hat is a cool bandana, but I like the added armor.<strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Chest: </strong>Thieve's Guild Armor. A proper knife fighting/gold stealing aesthetic. Light and durable.</p>
<p><strong>Hands: </strong>Shrouded Hand Wraps. The fingerless gloves lend for quicker and deadlier strikes.</p>
<p><strong>Boots: </strong>Imperial Light Boots enchanted with Muffle. Thieve's Guild Boots or Shrouded Boots fit the part too, but I prefer these for the aesthetic.</p>
<p><strong>Ring: </strong>Fortify Pickpocket*</p>
<p><strong>Amulet: </strong>Fortify Lockpicking*</p>
<p>*Any enchantment works really, these help with roleplay. I chose these two to aid with the thieving side of things. It is also interesting to note that fortify one handed enchantments do not aid with dagger damage.</p>
<p><strong>Weapons: </strong>Dual Skyforge Steel Daggers - I am continuing to put perks into smithing. I may go to Dragonbone daggers for added power and they look pretty sweet!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Gameplay</strong></p>
<p>This build is extremely satisfying to take down strong bad guys with a flurry of dagger attacks. The stealth aspect is fun on any character really, so that part is also satisfying. But the best part is marrying these two together with a solid roleplaying character. The beginning in which Hadvar asks "You a sell-sword? A sailor from Stros M'Kai?" is quite true. You are a pirate roaming the lands of Skyrim in search for treasure and gold and doing anything to get it. I should also note that any healing comes from sleeping, eating food, and using potions only found or bought, and you will have PLENTY of money to buy them.<strong><br /></strong></p>
<p>Thieve's Guild and Dark Brotherhood fit perfect for the build. Both stealing and killing are in your resume of being a buccaneer, and so the two story lines lend themselves to each. I suggest upgrading armor choices to Guild Master's armor when completed the TG quests for better enchantments.</p>
<p>The Companion's quest lines also provide a rather good setting for this character. While not being a proper, stand-up warrior, your outstanding dagger skills make you a deadly fighter and can go toe-to-toe with the best of them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope you will give this one a try as it is a bit different and a fun one because ... well ... you're a pirate! You could alter this build and use a scimitar in the right hand, but daggers are the true nature and original inspiration of the build, so stick with quick strikes!</p>
<p>  </p>
</div>Character Build: Nocturnal's Enforcerhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-nocturnal-s-enforcer2017-08-02T04:38:28.000Z2017-08-02T04:38:28.000ZTae-Raihttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/TaeRai<div><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gP1Qer4rbnsMtQ7vnW82Gle_2Kmc6ocu9zAHttxrpyETz_jBCWnNfd5BcPr2120-c6mKNuxsl8wJPG2Aws-aaQDK80xcCdLOiEwxaIbjhmIgFraD3hFh-DeA8DRNwGQGKhUJMxeE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gP1Qer4rbnsMtQ7vnW82Gle_2Kmc6ocu9zAHttxrpyETz_jBCWnNfd5BcPr2120-c6mKNuxsl8wJPG2Aws-aaQDK80xcCdLOiEwxaIbjhmIgFraD3hFh-DeA8DRNwGQGKhUJMxeE?width=624" width="624"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>“Has this one heard the tale of the Dark One, no? Tis a sad tale indeed, filled with suffering and death.”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>“The Dark One, that is what we in the guild called him, was an unusual creature, not quite man nor beast. A Khajiit, just like this one himself, yes, but he was more than that. Brynjolf told this one the legends about our guildmaster.”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>“Not only was he a master thief, but a brutal tactician and a savage force. With fists faster than arrows and an arm stronger then ebony, he put down his enemies before they knew he was there. Some say Nocturnal was at his side, others say it was Clavicus Vile.”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>“Alas, this one does not know the truth, for he only knows this… Greif stirs in our leader’s eyes and while he may not speak a word, we trust in his judgement.”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>“The Dark One is Nocturnal’s Enforcer and this is his story.”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GO9pkoyUNrmiw0d0JPNd8MWMZulbMCQSVU8tD0eOYGF8rKDgyeh8G1Gq_ZWlHQPyc2vB9LB-nqh4TxBZbZrTT6117FHRyzZGfYEkU_nhvgXNtlxQTUp9_ebMWV_to9XqpTDjfLe2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GO9pkoyUNrmiw0d0JPNd8MWMZulbMCQSVU8tD0eOYGF8rKDgyeh8G1Gq_ZWlHQPyc2vB9LB-nqh4TxBZbZrTT6117FHRyzZGfYEkU_nhvgXNtlxQTUp9_ebMWV_to9XqpTDjfLe2?width=320" width="320"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905287?profile=original" width="750"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Ah, Nocturnal, the Raven Mistress, the patron of thieves and Lady Luck herself. One of my favourite Daedric Princes and the one I was most excited about when I saw our new event theme. One thing that has always bothered me about the majority of thief builds (with some exceptions) is the amount of… Non-thief-y behaviour. With this build, I set out to achieve the perfect master-thief and the perfect unarmed warrior who only kills his final target! Who needs weapons when you can suplex a bandit chief? Who needs a bow when your foes don’t even know you are there?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Utilizing a useful glitch I first noticed in another build on the site and when browsing USEP, the Dark One has no need for even a shield, instead using his own arm to block blows as they come in! Toss in a few sneaky perks and you have found yourself the perfect thief, infiltrator and wrestler all rolled into one.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Race:</strong> Khajiit Vampire, mainly for stats boosts, stronger unarmed and the Night Eye ability<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/F9hyEcMzcP78i644zwo-PmmLb7Sn0bYed9bEpq4YfVnRt5nJ8KE49vog5h0sytfc51vPKTooFmpnatoSOhqAr52jQSGQDs4NlYYEplZSRvG37iDz2AqLm1cb4qwswn9FDLovmj6H" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-right" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/F9hyEcMzcP78i644zwo-PmmLb7Sn0bYed9bEpq4YfVnRt5nJ8KE49vog5h0sytfc51vPKTooFmpnatoSOhqAr52jQSGQDs4NlYYEplZSRvG37iDz2AqLm1cb4qwswn9FDLovmj6H?width=212" width="212"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Stats:</strong> <span style="color: #3366ff;">0</span>/<span style="color: #ff0000;">1</span>/<span style="color: #339966;">1</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Major Skills:</strong> Pickpocket, Lockpicking, Sneak</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Minor Skills:</strong> Block, Light Armor, Speech</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Stone:</strong> Thief, then Shadow</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Shouts:</strong> Aura Whisper, Throw Voice, Marked For Death, Slow Time</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Powers/Abilities:</strong> Nightingale Strife, Root of Power, Summon Spectral Assassin, Prowler’s Profits, Seeker of Shadow, Black Market</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Followers:</strong> Lucian LaChance, if needed</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o1dWIj5Vk11h185EU8E63uSBeQO1W9YKxY6Ul1mUf5_Le-5b3pSd05b695wrGJIhJZdAemziUboQnYcuWtZ1RUtqoKUQFmiIhD4bUid0asBodSM_wZZtDjb35vs4UnYMNR5vlOYs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o1dWIj5Vk11h185EU8E63uSBeQO1W9YKxY6Ul1mUf5_Le-5b3pSd05b695wrGJIhJZdAemziUboQnYcuWtZ1RUtqoKUQFmiIhD4bUid0asBodSM_wZZtDjb35vs4UnYMNR5vlOYs?width=192" width="192"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ylEHDNhxExhV_jaPoH1eYOTLu8aixIDrY57QkGj693fN6c32vAyhS2h62whonRh3fnkXjeji_51X6LQJdNs8ZHQ13za6465ifC3IaMjF8FM-FC_67g2OFMERT7XpElDJTOU8FZe3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ylEHDNhxExhV_jaPoH1eYOTLu8aixIDrY57QkGj693fN6c32vAyhS2h62whonRh3fnkXjeji_51X6LQJdNs8ZHQ13za6465ifC3IaMjF8FM-FC_67g2OFMERT7XpElDJTOU8FZe3?width=624" width="624"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Pickpocket:</strong> What every true thief needs, no? Pickpocket is used offensively and to harvest coin for training. With Misdirection, taking an opponent’s weapon’s means they are forced into an unarmed brawl with you (which you will surely win!). Slipping a poison into one’s pocket is also a stealthy way to knock out any extra enemies that may be swarming your final target.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Lockpicking:</strong> “Why is this in your build?!” I hear you all cry out in outrage. Hold your horses, this is a thief build! Notice how the only perks taken are ones that make picking level locks easier and to gain more gold? I found this was a good enough way to make Lockpicking more challenging (as well as a few extra mods). Treasure Hunter was a godsend from Nocturnal herself and I highly recommend this perk.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Sneak:</strong> Khajiit likes to sneak, so quiet and fleet… Thieves are infiltrators and quiet steppers, they have to remain undetected when doing their things and thus, that is the main point for this skill. Muffled Movement and Silent Roll are key perks, granting you the much needed silence you need to succeed.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Block:</strong> Thanks to a handy glitch I discovered with the Ebony Shield and vampirism, this skill is taken to make your Enforcer 200% more badass (guaranteed or your money-back!) Imagine using your Deadly Bash perk is smashing a bandit’s jaw in with your forearm or that using Shield Wall to stop a battleaxe is Nocturnal watching over you. Training this skill is encouraged, as it will level very slowly but it will be well worth it!</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Light Armor:</strong> Not many perks are taken here but early on you will need some protection. Unhinderedwill release the inventory space from your bag and give you some more speed and Custom Fit will boost your AR up so that you’re not dying from every hit.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Speech:</strong> While most build see Speech as optional, I like it as it fits a roleplaying purpose. Selling your goods for more money is always great, right? Go further up the tree if needed, but I preferred to NOT sell my stolen goods to nobody but the fences, and kept my perks simply Allure and Haggling 3/5.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ThGpsLxA9MclrLZPqXVTHhebepWoLkSy1cS95D9Ia6e4TnIjxAjLsepdAbfCp2QvAfkv4Zyk1e012XiDc9mDcwVVuWfgB4WHMFpI9K1HS3ANcNPPd7XRf9VzAkx_UuxGJQwBfzpv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ThGpsLxA9MclrLZPqXVTHhebepWoLkSy1cS95D9Ia6e4TnIjxAjLsepdAbfCp2QvAfkv4Zyk1e012XiDc9mDcwVVuWfgB4WHMFpI9K1HS3ANcNPPd7XRf9VzAkx_UuxGJQwBfzpv?width=322" width="322"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>Nightingale Hood<br></em> <em>Amulet of Bats<br></em> <em>Nightingale Armor<br></em> <em>Nightingale Gloves<br></em> <em>Ring of the Beast<br></em> <em>Nightingale Boots<br></em> <em>Ebony Shield of Blocking<br></em> <em>Stolen Scrolls and Staves</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">What better gear to equip for an Enforcer of Nightingale then the Nightingale armor itself? Be sure to grab<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NDeOr0UoZ-2E_i5F0v_COPSnB_ExpLO_EcyoyrAyokIzUoVBx71HCHfUUNDJiJnJ4pCRyUUdUgPK0jgadAfe5Fc0Bg6CISuQKc8891F-Q-hZT8jIUv_krAm7RntgaUOLStfk6cjj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-left" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NDeOr0UoZ-2E_i5F0v_COPSnB_ExpLO_EcyoyrAyokIzUoVBx71HCHfUUNDJiJnJ4pCRyUUdUgPK0jgadAfe5Fc0Bg6CISuQKc8891F-Q-hZT8jIUv_krAm7RntgaUOLStfk6cjj?width=240" width="240"></a> it at the highest level you can possibly afford to wait in order to get the most benefit out of it. An Ebony Shield can be found fixed in any of the locations on this page and more can be picked up from Level 32 onwards in loot chests. Until you find these items, stick to the Thieves Guild armor and the best shields you can come across at your level.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Jewellery-wise, you would be a fool to go with anything but the Ring of the Beast from the Dawnguard DLC. While the in-game description leads you to believe it only works in Vampire Lord form, do not be fooled! At any time of the day, you get an extra +100 health AND you claws will do 20+ damage! To sum up, we will be getting 22 points (from racial) + 20 from the Ring of the Beast + an extra 20 in Vampire Lord Form with the Poison Talons perk. That’s a whopping 42 damage as a Khajiit, and 90 in Vampire Lord form to boot!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Switch out your necklace if desired, I was just stumped on what else to use by end-game as I found nothing else was needed on my Enforcer. Stolen scrolls and staves are simply to be used for fights too tough so don’t worry about keeping a huge stash on you.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EM7hoCb3SF2ypVHYlQNQ86jY4CBk7PriqI8e3xli6dUkleMx5cZFgyKcVEYr1LRWj-vhgD1rIr9Hyw8CXw_FPX1gFLLYNeoNFr4DISgqZtOsejnpuTipU0dzPLd9lXAr0yaVvE6u" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EM7hoCb3SF2ypVHYlQNQ86jY4CBk7PriqI8e3xli6dUkleMx5cZFgyKcVEYr1LRWj-vhgD1rIr9Hyw8CXw_FPX1gFLLYNeoNFr4DISgqZtOsejnpuTipU0dzPLd9lXAr0yaVvE6u?width=262" width="262"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">First thing you want to do straight out of Helgen is head to the Thieves Guild. Don’t grab the Golden Claw, don’t start killing dragons, just get to Riften! From here, join the Thieves Guild, pick up the Dark Sacrament rumour and then head to Fort Dawnguard. Focus yoru first twenty or so levels on stealing,doing radiant quests and getting through the Dawnguard questline to become a vampire. At around Level 10, head back to Riverwood and start the main quest until you need to fetch the Horn and take the time to grab the set Ebony Shield (the link in Equipment details where this is). After you do all this, you should be tough enough to handle yourself. Spend time in cities pickpocketing and lock picking to grab that sweet-loot for selling.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905299?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905299?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Combat-wise, there is nothing too special to this guy but there is one thing I highly recommend NOT doing during quests - Killing everyone you see! Remember, you are a thief and you must remain unseen! Stealth your way through dungeons and ONLY kill the bosses at the end, unless you are forced into a corner. Pick off his weapons and slip a poison into his pocket, before circling around and bashing him until he falls over!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Literally every enemy can be felled with this tactics and even those who are too tough for you can be beaten by becoming the legendary Vampire Lord! Even Dragons are no match for your claws as you swoop in to deal 60+ points on Unarmed damage! And even if then the stakes are too high, summon your best friend Lucian LaChance to lend a hand, as well as using any stolen scrolls and staves to whip out massive amounts of damage!</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PIeiTenXAN0uMUNkS2uHkxef-XCckO30yuyvuUAOE4SFl7duuHsbImNPap5JyE44nD6hJxUydQXSoBcuLR506tsCyZV4O8-y6EZLOHQcXRhZ29TArU1NXtWPmcIAixkvhaNqvH1l" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PIeiTenXAN0uMUNkS2uHkxef-XCckO30yuyvuUAOE4SFl7duuHsbImNPap5JyE44nD6hJxUydQXSoBcuLR506tsCyZV4O8-y6EZLOHQcXRhZ29TArU1NXtWPmcIAixkvhaNqvH1l?width=475" width="475"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aiRcOhhaDM9OZgmzA8E2YB0J9-63EsPuYfBRbieZXF4KortJ45MgcCo-gCCnICtaXi4c9mec10PI5u4F-MFFAHQk6pF2LGmhBOAVdHEBU7f8CJDxJMFOcm0oh2qIrdmU_a29pBjI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-left" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aiRcOhhaDM9OZgmzA8E2YB0J9-63EsPuYfBRbieZXF4KortJ45MgcCo-gCCnICtaXi4c9mec10PI5u4F-MFFAHQk6pF2LGmhBOAVdHEBU7f8CJDxJMFOcm0oh2qIrdmU_a29pBjI?width=64" width="64"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><em>Phantom Charge</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Invisibility + Shield Charge</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">Want to get the jump on that last enemy with a bang? Chug down any invisibility potion (or activate a power) and charge ahead, watching as your foe is laid flat by a non-existent force charging at them!</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ULHZsKlz4RcO5SEpE3yQJjx3l3v_e8XhHvpfUghKZV5WIBI7L0P-5j8xPwRFy4vetsGLGw1TQEwGtnCBKkEKqcoO0CWjsNFiN1D9p51mnmvkc0LoOPkkPrpCQS9d0xJ3PlmpRiL7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-left" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ULHZsKlz4RcO5SEpE3yQJjx3l3v_e8XhHvpfUghKZV5WIBI7L0P-5j8xPwRFy4vetsGLGw1TQEwGtnCBKkEKqcoO0CWjsNFiN1D9p51mnmvkc0LoOPkkPrpCQS9d0xJ3PlmpRiL7?width=71" width="71"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Silent Smash</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Stealth + Silent Roll + Unarmed power-atta</em>ck</p>
<p dir="ltr">Easy enough to explain, simple spring from the shadows and lay your fist into their back of their skull!</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7m9up8JEf0YEOubfEfMNuBEslUy3Rp4vSDlDl8Gjt7meidX2ZQr4TGwVkzS7hs1Y4TzlWpoq6a-RdRGpXjj61-zRXWTAxqCJC5KMny730WXHPeLU1NTE5xhjbV_aH-x6H0MUFnD5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7m9up8JEf0YEOubfEfMNuBEslUy3Rp4vSDlDl8Gjt7meidX2ZQr4TGwVkzS7hs1Y4TzlWpoq6a-RdRGpXjj61-zRXWTAxqCJC5KMny730WXHPeLU1NTE5xhjbV_aH-x6H0MUFnD5?width=623" width="623"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood (optional), Main Quest, Dawnguard (vampire side), bounty runs and anything that involves stealing, looting, infiltrating and gaining insane amounts of gold.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This may seem like a little quest log but honestly, you can make this build roll with pretty much any alignment and role you choose. Want to become a thane? Roll with it and equip a disguise (and then steal everything in the Jarl’s homes!). Want to be the Arch-Mage? Throw on some robes and down some Fortify Magicka potions</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/48Dpf-shhYgYo_NuQyPXvZNzbdySkmTjDztcGW3QH19D8BeKIkrm9ObtAShwZvBqPPxsL6nWhH-XFfpKw_8tRGldPeqrBaHxXJtQtzRPf3u0o4cw9mC99J4J4OFWgGudQh89letK" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/48Dpf-shhYgYo_NuQyPXvZNzbdySkmTjDztcGW3QH19D8BeKIkrm9ObtAShwZvBqPPxsL6nWhH-XFfpKw_8tRGldPeqrBaHxXJtQtzRPf3u0o4cw9mC99J4J4OFWgGudQh89letK?width=278" width="278"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905306?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905306?profile=original" width="750"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">• Anything that isn’t nailed down is yours for the taken! If it’s worth carrying, take it and sell it on.</p>
<p dir="ltr">• Being a vampire, it is unwise to be out in sunlight during the day. As soon as you become one, only be active at night unless a quest calls for you to be out during the day.</p>
<p dir="ltr">• Do not wear the Nightingale gear in town! Wear a disguise fitting to your purpose when speaking to the common folk. My go-to one was a beggar in rags when I wanted pick pockets!</p>
<p dir="ltr">• Feed on thralls’ rather than common folk. After all, if everyone is dead, who will there be to steal from?</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7rDgCRKy1aZjCzi8twyaxFrAC0rIuRLFIwBaFmDpwyyxS_MlVu6S4ofHFcibXYh5iQMmIe9JRdED_tlHMlAJ6lJ3UqzVIXy257R87w8HFfinxTzJ7lYYUsLtOohObhSKRM6-oa4q" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7rDgCRKy1aZjCzi8twyaxFrAC0rIuRLFIwBaFmDpwyyxS_MlVu6S4ofHFcibXYh5iQMmIe9JRdED_tlHMlAJ6lJ3UqzVIXy257R87w8HFfinxTzJ7lYYUsLtOohObhSKRM6-oa4q?width=450" width="450"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">I would like to thank my fellow hosts for motivating me to complete this, as well as Teccam who promised to send me nudes <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZW1Z3dgEPvuPl3_xSyCSXfvU2VHBNdxL6qu6VgVS0DhFQLfyHFayEOxC99dzJc2UPfuDn9Hl5tM1BryrWCKEwt4E6_Xw3JkgxjHRUxdKd-KD5MAMTvbfglo-Z3iNtWZjSc8s6s9p" width="19" height="19">. Credit to Albino for his discovery on the invisible shield charge glitch and for coming up with the name of said special ability. I would also like to give a kudos to Zach and his Obliterator build for first alerting me to the invisible Ebony Shield glitch with Vampirism. Hope you all enjoyed the build!</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BnfA_ODYRzi2U9X3c7TDaKguDxer8VUsbkMDcMo9ZMC8lCkCu0ILv3DaiBO-oswO7yEqJmcoFWqVNnJ9f7OQAjO2aJNgCV95ZKFBM-BV_54Mc0I1h8JDCOtUWIMXlLiIG_768xzc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BnfA_ODYRzi2U9X3c7TDaKguDxer8VUsbkMDcMo9ZMC8lCkCu0ILv3DaiBO-oswO7yEqJmcoFWqVNnJ9f7OQAjO2aJNgCV95ZKFBM-BV_54Mc0I1h8JDCOtUWIMXlLiIG_768xzc?width=97" width="97"></a></p>
<p> </p></div>Character Build: The Lusty Argonian Maidhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-lusty-argonian-maid2017-07-13T22:05:25.000Z2017-07-13T22:05:25.000ZCursehttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/Hantz<div><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Ah, coin… Was there anything better in this world? Gleaming, glinting, shiny gold coins…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“My name? Oh, don’t worry about that, darling,  just sit back and relax.  I promise this night will be unforgettable…” I purred in the ear of the fat noble. A fool, just like all Nords, always with his mind in his pants. His stomach jiggled as he grew excited, all the while I slipped my tail into his pocket and extracted his safe key. Magicka appeared in my hand behind his skull and I weaved a spell, soothing the man and filling his mind with all manner of erotic illusions...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It seems my time at this place has come to an end. Cyrodiil had run it’s course and where else was there to go next but Skyrim? The Nord fell asleep in his chair, thanks to the poisoned drink I slipped him earlier, and I left the tavern, my tail flicking as I descended into the dark streets. A knight was passing by, riding upon a horse and he looked down at me with interest.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Bit late for a lady to be walkin’ about… Where you headed?”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I didn’t answer him, but merely put an arrow through his knee. “Sorry dear, but I need to borrow your horse…” I smirked before mounting the beast and heading off.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hmph. Men. All fools.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yYB7FD_V-6ArZwCmMrXepwQgHyyR28xpIFmevv4lr_HASukI0QTC-GR0Uczryz2S1jvWYCdRhWq53xKCgzTvAxZcaMgRYeuvSAGukFk4fao6aqAjFVFVYZCY18a8DbuA_CFPS3U" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yYB7FD_V-6ArZwCmMrXepwQgHyyR28xpIFmevv4lr_HASukI0QTC-GR0Uczryz2S1jvWYCdRhWq53xKCgzTvAxZcaMgRYeuvSAGukFk4fao6aqAjFVFVYZCY18a8DbuA_CFPS3U?width=624" width="624" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905098?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905098?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" /></a></p>
<p>One of the most interesting challenges of bringing what was originally a joke build (because that’s how all the best builds start) to life in Skyrim was deciding what archetype fit the Lusty Argonian Maid best. Sure, there's plenty of suggestive references to spears in the books, but we just couldn't imagine Lifts-Her-Tail swinging around a hefty, blood stained pole-arm and getting up close and personal against Skyrim’s toughest bruisers.</p>
<p>With that being said, our rendition of the Lusty Argonian Maid is a seductive and charming maid by day and daring master thief by night. With nothing but her wits and charm our lusty lizard is constantly a step ahead of both her enemies and admirers. And really, who can honestly bring themselves to fight back against such a beautiful maiden, hmm?</p>
<p>As you may have guessed by now,  Speech is the centerpiece of this build and it proves itself to be far more than just some throwaway skill most builds only use for RP. Its greatest quality is eliminating the need for crafting, and who doesn’t love a no crafting build? Stores often sell items that would require heavy crafting investment to match and they tend to cost more than a house! Literally. Speech perks drastically drop the cost of all items and increases the worth of everything you sell. The end result is walking away with exceptionally powerful trinkets  with no training and no need to empty out your wallet!</p>
<p>Exotic scrolls, staves, concoctions and more can all be added to your bag of tricks, and all you have to do is sweet talk a few shopkeepers. With such a wide range of possibilities at her disposal, the Lusty Argonian Maid can become among the most versatile and deviously unpredictable build to ever tread the roads of Skyrim!</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905107?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905107?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><em><strong>The Basics</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Race:</strong> Female Argonian (duh). Argonians get a great boost to Sneak and can recover health in a pinch. We will be playing an argonian female, unless you choose to play as the Sultry Argonian bard ;)</p>
<p><strong>Stone:</strong> Lady Stone. You’ll be rolling and maneuvering a lot so naturally the improved stamina regen will come in handy.</p>
<p><strong>Stat Distribution: 1M 1H 1S</strong>. Once health & stamina reach 200, place all points into magicka from then on out.  Your goal is to avoid damage so health isn't so important here. Magicka is key especially with dual casted illusions.</p>
<p><strong>Shouts:</strong> Lusty maid, master thief, and hero of Nordic legend?!? I think not. Lifts-Her-Tail just isn’t the heroic, dragon slaying type, thus she uses no shouts.</p>
<p><strong>Powers:</strong> Lover’s Insight, Gift of Charity, Agent of Dibella</p>
<p><strong>Blessing:</strong> Dibella’s Blessing</p>
<p><strong>Equipment: </strong></p>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>Weapon - </strong>Any bow of choice enchanted with Paralysis ( 1 second duration)</li>
<li><strong>Clothes</strong> - Tavern Cloths</li>
<li><strong>Boots</strong> - Any boots you want enchanted with Muffle</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>This is technically a no crafting build because not a single perk is invested into a crafting skill. But a select few enchantments maintain the same potency regardless of your enchanting level ... So we're gonna cheat a lil' bit. Paralysis is an invaluable enchantment for your bow. Even a duration of 1 second will knock an enemy down, forcing them to waste several seconds getting back up. Muffle, along with the Silence and Light-foot perk will make you much better at sneaking around, so be sure to acquire that enchantment as soon as possible. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905127?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905127?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em>One-Handed is also an option, if you know what we mean... ^_^</em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Speech</strong> - The silver tongue is mightier than the sword, as they say, and  you’ll easily see the truth behind the phrase soon enough. Speech is such a powerful skill tree, that does SO much more than just liven up one’s role-play experience. And it’s made even stronger when paired with its partner in crime, Pickpocketing. With those two skills in hand, every city becomes a sprawling five-finger discount store, and the guards will happily let you carry on once buttered up with a few honeyed words.</p>
<p><strong>Pickpocketing</strong> - The jelly to speech’s peanut butter. As it turns out, the most precious valuables aren’t locked away in safe boxes, but rather stored in pockets. Watch and be amazed and how fast pickpocket allows you to amass both levels and gold. The pace gets even more ludicrous once you get into pickpocketing money back from trainers. Sweet talk a guard and throw some septims his way, and then pick the gold right back out of his pockets.</p>
<p><strong>Archery</strong> - Lifts-Her-Tail prefers to keep her distance from her enemies, thus she prefers bows. It’s a wise choice, given her rather meager health and defense. Fortify Archery accessories are very common in stores, and our sweet talking argonian will be flush with enough septims to buy these very early in her adventure. In the end you’ll be able to deal respectable damage with a bow without any crafting necessary.</p>
<p><strong>Sneak</strong> - Quite an important skill for the Maid, especially considering the fact that this build plays it rather dangerously with zero armor.  Remaining unseen when needed is critical in battle, and fortunately the Maid is quite adept at doing just that. Light clothing, combined with various sneak perks make the Maid exceedingly difficult to detect.</p>
<p><strong>Illusion</strong> - Lifts-Her-Tail is a master of manipulation, addling the minds of men from the safety of the shadows like a master puppeteer. Quiet casting is critical, allowing her to use all manner of spells and magical items in complete silence. Illusion is an invaluable third partner to the dynamic duo of speech and pickpocketing. For a calmed enemy cannot report crimes and can do not but blissfully watch as that pretty argonian makes off with all their valuables.</p>
<p><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905107?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Gameplay</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">As soon as you leave Helgen, head to Riverwood and Whiterun pickpocketing along the way. Sell everything you steal to raise speech to level 30 for the bribe perk, Speech and pickpocket can be leveled in tandem by bribing guards and pickpocketing the money back from them. At level 50 speech you can grab the persuade perk which will make pickpocketing even easier to get away with. Once you’ve gained a few thousand septims, head to Radiant Raiments in Solitude. It’s the easiest place to find an Amulet of Dibella early on (before you grab the Amulet of Articulation, course) and to find a nice enchanted Circlet too!</p>
<p dir="ltr">We highly recommend joining the Thieves Guild as soon as you can. It is a phenomenal source of money, and a great opportunity to level up all of your thief skills, especially sneak and pickpocket. Archery will level up naturally as you progress. The best way to get a head start on it is to complete the love letter quest in Faendel’s favor and take him on as a follower. You will be able to trade back any money you give Faendel towards archery training. Illusion will also be a fast leveling skill, considering you will start off most of your bouts with some illusion spells.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you’re the highly impatient type, you can take advantage of the Mystic Tuning Glove exploit to max out illusion in mere minutes. All you have to do is accept the quest to cleanse the magick focal points from Drevis Neloran of the College of Winterhold. The second focal point bestows a unique buff that boosts magicka regeneration through the roof. Take advantage of this by spamming muffle in both hands. You’ll never run out of magicka to cast it. Be advised that this buff only lasts two real time hours.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905157?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905157?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>What a lovely night for larceny.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>So, what’s a girl to do with all this money?</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">One of the more vexing concerns that come about with a speech and pickpocket heavy builds is what to do with all those ill-gotten septims. Well, money is meant to be spent as the saying goes. Scrolls, staves, potions, poisons, you name it. Anything goes when money's no object. Store bought goodies open up a wide range of powerful options and offer a level of variety you couldn’t even scratch the surface of.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The best part of all this is unloading all of these powerful toys in battle with no training at all. Merchants sell goodies that often rival what a master craftsman could make. Here’s a few shopping suggestions for you. These are what we used, but don’t be afraid to buy and try what you want. The sky’s the limit here.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Staves</strong> - Your top choices here are going to be the staff of chain lightning, ice storm, and staffs of storm atronach. Pretty much anything that can slow down or pre-occupy a group of aggressors in a pinch. Staff of chain lightning staggers enemies and the staff of ice storm has a chance of slowing enemies to a crawl.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Scrolls</strong> - Lots of potent options here! Scrolls of Mass Paralysis will incapacitate an entire room while you run off with everything not bolted to the floor. Scrolls of Guardian Circle will help tremendously should your adventures in larceny and seduction happen lead you to any of the deadly Nordic crypts that dot Skyrim’s landscape.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Potions & Poisons</strong> - The best potions to buy are ones that boost your  bow  damage, as well as the potency of your illusion spells. Be on the lookout for fortify illusion, and marksman potions. Invisibility potions invaluable when you need a quick get-away. Other useful concoctions to consider  include fortify speech, magicka and stamina. And As far as poisons go, you can't go wrong with paralysis.</p>
<p dir="ltr">-</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Tricks of the Trade</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905272?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905175?profile=original" width="100" /></a>Lusty yet Deadly</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Agent of dibella + Lover’s Insight + Allure perk</p>
<p><em>Why are the pretty ones always so dangerous? The men in your life just can't seem to stay focused around you and take 20% extra damage from all of your bow attacks. You’ll also find male shopkeepers to be 20% more generous with their prices.</em></p>
<p><em>-</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905289?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905187?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="100" /></a></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Dead in Their Tracks</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires:  Bow w/ Paralysis Enchantment + Bulls Eye Perk + Powershot + Quickshot</p>
<p><em>Most thieves prefer not to kill if it can be helped. It’s bad for business after-all. When faced with a pursuing aggressor our lovely maiden can stop them dead in their tracks with one well placed shot. Each attack has a very high chance of stunning or outright paralyzing an enemy for several seconds.</em></p>
<p><em>-</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905204?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905204?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="100" /></a>Escape Artist</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Histskin +  Shadow Warrior + Invisibility Potion</p>
<p><em>Even the best thieves need a proper exit strategy, and when the best of plans go awry our lusty friend prefers flight over fight. Escape any dicey situation in a snap and rapidly replenish any lost health.</em></p>
<p><em>-</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905219?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="100" /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Strip Tease</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Pacify/Calm + Misdirection + Perfect Touch + Extra Pockets, Dual-casting (optional), Illusion Potion (optional)</p>
<p><em>Help your enemies slip into something a little more...comfortable,  if you know what we mean. Your dexterous yet sensual touch can strip the armor and weapons right off a man’s back before he even notices, and your sultry charm will leave him unwilling to stop you even if you’re caught.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905107?profile=RESIZE_180x180" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905107?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="50" /></a></p>
<p>  </p>
<ul>
<li>Thieves generally dont enjoy leaving a messy trail of dead bodies, and Lifts-Her-Tail is no different. These tricks of the trade are designed to render enemies harmless or enable a fast getaway if all else fails. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>'<strong>Lusty yet Deadly</strong>' takes advantage of the fact that the majority of enemy NPCs encountered are men. Multiple passive abilities are combined to make male enemies more susceptible to physical damage. And as an added bonus male shop keepers are even easier to butter up. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>'<strong>Dead in Their Tracks</strong>' is a passive combo that makes it much easier to escape pursuers since each shot will have a very high chance of staggering or paralyzing an enemy for several seconds. By the time the enemy has recovered from paralysis, Lifts-Her-Tail will be long gone.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>'<strong>Escape Artist</strong>' is best used in dire emergencies where a fast getaway and some healing is required. While you're invisible you will have ample time to assess your current predicament. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Sometimes the best strategy is to render enemies harmless from the start. <strong>'Striptease'</strong> is a devious combination that lets you strip and enemy of all their equipped weapons and armor and get off scott free even if your pickpocketing fails. Casting calm on an enemy before pickpocketing them renders them unable to retaliate even if they catch you pickpocketing. This is a pretty useful combination should you find yourself having to sneak past multiple enemies or want to keep a particularly strong enemy from being a threat. Dual casting and illusion potions will give your calm spells a much needed boost against higher level enemies.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>You're by no means limited to just the tactics and combinations above. Shop often for powerful staves, scrolls, and concoctions and you will be well prepared to handle any situation. </li>
</ul>
<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905255?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905255?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" /></a></p>
<p><em><strong>Role-play & Quests</strong></em></p>
<p>With her sultry charms acting as a cover for larceny, one of the easiest agreements we came to was joining the Thieves Guild. The many guards and mercenaries guarding the prize behind every major heist prove, in many cases, to be an overwhelming challenge to those lacking the wit and guile to evade them. Luckily those happen to be this character's specialty, and the quest-line leaves no shortage of opportunities to apply said specialties. </p>
<p>While you're out there pilfering everything of value, resist the urge present in most pickpocketing builds to reset your game when pickpocketing fails. Just roll with it, and sweet talk the authorities into letting it slide. Apply your calming charm to your mark prior to picking their pockets and they wont even bother alerting the guards if you're caught red handed. </p>
<p>Despite the Thieves Guilds rather lax attitude toward killing everyone that stands between you and the prize, do try your best not to. Its a greater test of ones skill as a player to complete a heist with as few deaths as possible, and it fits better with the character as well. </p>
<p>And lastly. Try befriending NPCs by performing quests on their behalf. Many of them will welcome you into their home as a result, and make them much easier to rob blind. </p>
<p>-</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Recommended Mods</strong></em></p>
<p>This build was tested on Vanilla Skyrim, but if you're lucky enough to have access to the game on PC consider using these mods to enhance your gameplay experience. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/29624/?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Racemenu</a> - The difficult challenge for some may be creating an attractive female argonian. Racemenu opens up countless additional customizatio options  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/61361/?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sadistic Mage Mash-up Outfit</a> - Adds a beautifully rendered light armor set that almost resembles the Lusty Argonian Maids trademark french maid outfit, but with a fitting roguish upgrade. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/63874/?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Immersive Speechcraft</a> - A simple mod that add some much needed value to the Speech skill and give the player the ability to interact with NPCs in interesting ways. With a high enough speech level, one can convince an NPC to do all sorts of things. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/73236/?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simply Knock</a> - A simple mod that allows you to knock on doors and potentially be invited into homes, if your speech levels are high enough.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/15703/?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pretty Combat Animations</a>- A fully customizable pack of animation geared towards making combat animations less clunky and more graceful. </p>
<p>-</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Closing Remarks & Credits</strong></em></p>
<p>As always we hope you enjoy this build as much as we enjoyed making it. I'd like to thank Tae-Rai who has been an invaluable partner throughout the collaborative process. </p>
<p> </p>
</div>Character Build: The Thief Magehttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-the-thief-mage2017-07-09T06:28:48.000Z2017-07-09T06:28:48.000ZBen Chttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/BenC<div><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-512d9432-2601-8dbf-773f-bfcf182b1a01"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FH4pBs0ZVQ86KTq-Oy_MXpf3efQCA6Ih75RtnkiWdGL315a2yk6F_5pCoSNNXLLYlvTa1mFE8lcMp5ITsWaWuPktr-DP2hRqlDwA7wV1njaI3ijOg3fBLhp42zl7sbZkGNXZRsg" class="align-center" width="386" height="450"> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Disgraced and stripped of her titles, she fled to the nearest province which was Skyrim. Being the Court Mage of Bruma came with little power or wealth. The local Nords did not cherish her skills highly enough. They did not respect her abilities. She realized the futility of a mage who serves The Count of a city made up of people who do not value magic. Frustrated by her undervalued position she began to take what she should have been given all along.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> At first she was scared with little knowledge of thievery but the rush was undeniable. Eventually her skill at taking what she wanted would rival her magical abilities. She studied daily, practicing the arts of picking (both pockets and locks). There was no door she could not enter, no chest she could not search.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> More and more items seemed to disappear but nobody cared until the wealthier citizens became victims. Their complaints were dealt with swiftly by The Count of Bruma who commissioned the Town Watch to take every action they deemed "necessary to capture the thief".</p>
<p dir="ltr"> When it was discovered that the thief was actually the Court Mage the court was shocked. They could not lose the peoples' faith in them by releasing the name of the thief so they expelled her. She was taken by the Captain of the Guard into the Jerall Mountains and released alone with nothing but the clothing she was wearing. Her mage proficiency helped her avoid an expected slow death but by the time she reached one of the roads of Skyrim she was weakened severely.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> Barely alive, clothes tattered, near starvation - she searched for anything to eat. Even rabbits avoided the frigid cold of these mountain tops. Spotted by an Imperial patrol while trying to steal vegetables straight from a garden, she was arrested and taken to Helgen to face punishment...</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YBrpfuRmq3jBmibq9puhO0QNZJ3GCNRQc8DTVrLVsRt1--5uXY7Lphqj1mgDJIpNUsbViR6CO9Q3U_8eL0SOBoYCntT0StHMYLKNtxLANrfm-CD6xfwl7P1Y8PuHFnVdLG2k5So" class="align-center" width="511" height="131"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Race: Altmer (female)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Armor: Full set of Elven (including shield)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Weapons: Only Daggers!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shouts: NONE!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Primary Skills: Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Destruction, Block</p>
<p dir="ltr">Secondary Skills: Restoration, Sneak, Light Armor</p>
<p dir="ltr">Questing: Thieves Guild (mainly the side quests), Mage College, General Tomfoolery and Lollygagging</p>
<p dir="ltr">H-M-S: 1-1-1</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/INtt3dsTJGlkGgzxZvuGo2RSZYSjfJr8lgSeQmFey-kFc-c37NxZ7JJcoF8m4jJk6B-fJUHOfo3rK3uKWSwM7Ai3fXX7CMQtNxDNbPru0-hlFynpKm1nOmfd9Q4CVjN7Omvq6Nw" class="align-center" width="624" height="679"></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">-</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pJzAnUV-xRLgurctA19HI1Ua8SBQ-uEgrpDjWW5zaNl_dcF-jEa9VsXq944Aq2bys3NxcuKsdqmjtu7mdrtYiJfbLO2ldB8Xav9c5cEDWvC4v3pNYjWwGkplVys_PA9sZiBdzRM" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pJzAnUV-xRLgurctA19HI1Ua8SBQ-uEgrpDjWW5zaNl_dcF-jEa9VsXq944Aq2bys3NxcuKsdqmjtu7mdrtYiJfbLO2ldB8Xav9c5cEDWvC4v3pNYjWwGkplVys_PA9sZiBdzRM?width=200" width="200" class="align-left"></a>One skill I want to expand on is Lockpicking. This highly underrated set of perks will cut your wasted time dramatically. Almost all of the perks in this skill tree are time-savers. Quick Hands allows you to stop wasting time crouched by a door waiting for an NPC to stop looking your way. You can pick any lock you want at any time. Locksmith will start your lockpick in the general vicinity of the lock's opening. You no longer have to search the entire circle looking for the sweet spot. This is a huge time saver especially when you are opening higher level locks. Over the course of a playthrough the perks I chose for Lockpicking will save you hours of real time. If you are picking locks you should not ignore these perks!</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">-</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/G52vXX4guCUlkU7HRyq2mcVsFTyf3E_jga6X4uSYlnGVSO5hZY3lrUQ4UByOwFWHR9tjlZvo9wUUO9GqsBm5WBDQNuRaBM0KrFxgFiThc8p-93lhklNd7xaBJuQWfxaiQdF3kUU" class="align-center" width="566" height="118"> This is a no crafting build which means your Elven Armor set will not give you a high AR. You cannot take many direct hits. Your shield is an invaluable piece of equipment. Block those sword. Deflect those arrows. Absorb those spells. Above all - keep your armor nice and shiny by not letting it take many hits!</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905091?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905091?profile=original" width="600" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_d6bddXI0Q6CpRG8bsdVoO9TM75FxZcnxlqt3RghspRUEIkTBjkErhu2AipOp_B-KK_kabe5nrDEDSzDMEBSQrTZ2yqcqi3qeKFxScmLLEX8IVuN5BZlb7SNlNamgWLn7ERz7Jw" class="align-center" width="624" height="413"> Combat is a mix of frost spells (because she was born in a Nord populated city), defensive block and quick melee attacks with a poisoned and enchanted dagger. "But this is a no crafting build?"...that's right but you still rely heavily on potions, poisons and enchantments! There are no perks for 1 handed and no sneak attack perks taken. You must use poisons and well-enchanted daggers to get enough damage to have a backup plan for when your magicka tank is empty.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> The Thieves Guild will provide you with all of the daggers you need. When you join the guild 3 "Thief Cache" barrels will appear in Riften. By doing 5 "special jobs" in a hold capitol, given by Delvin and Vex, and doing the "special mission" for these cities you will find 3 Thief Caches in 4 more of the major cities of Skyrim.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> Thief Caches contain great items to sell, arrows to give your followers and some remarkably enchanted daggers. Keep an assortment of daggers that will help you through any and every situation imaginable. A dagger that can banish your enemies' summons will be a life saver!</p>
<p dir="ltr"> Keep a variety of potions to aid you in combat situations. Stamina potions can help you flee if necessary. Invisibility potions can help you hide when you want. Even Waterbreathing can save your life!</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lYFAF-Oou1r20m-sz4ie7gLIy4Bdh-NadRYx4I9_8nrp7lVMQ1hbraFGXSoXmnDhNB_NpIaZV4UO0Cds3SGovD_-mqxp85smu93QdK1SwLgCl2mqNQrR5bSHXMMiRHgQw_gV-wc" class="align-center" width="533" height="117"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/i6zRWIRI_aq-oThWjMuGmsPXnUtCFRp148IF7sYhOwBMZmpEUoFbqkfTlz9j3ePtzMYJnbFz5wa_1a3AQgAHVeryOuwhoJQtNBlh87CexgbSiLQDRQ8eX9qRO-zy2rR72u_J7lY" class="align-center" width="600" height="480"><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #ff0000;"><strong>Reverse Engineering</strong></span> - This tactic uses your skills in the opposite order of usual combat. You start by raising your shield and rushing the enemy with Frost-enchanted Dagger drawn, tipped with a Weakness to Frost Poison. After poisoning the enemy your shield bash staggers him giving you room to back up and unleash a frost ridden fury!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Frost-enchanted Dagger, Weakness to Frost Poison, Shield Bash, Ice Storm (or other ranged frost spells)</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #ff0000;"><strong>Double Dip</strong></span> - Attack enemyA with a Fear-enchanted Dagger with a Lingering Damage Health Poison. Poison your Fear-enchanted Dagger with a Frenzy Poison and hit enemyB. As one enemy runs, his friend hopefully chasing after him, you fire away with your best ranged spells. WARNING - Will work against enemies below level 24 (the best frenzy poison available).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Low level targets, Fear-enchanted Dagger, Frenzy Poison, Lingering Damage Health Poison, Ranged Frost Spells</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Endurance</span></strong></span> - Take a sip of several potions and raise your shield, it is time to take on a boss! Fortify your health and magicka. Boost your AR and blocking ability. Add to your magicka and health regeneration. Increase your destructive firepower. Against a real badass you need all of the advantages you can get!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: A SIP from many potions including but not limited to - Fortify Health, Fortify Magicka, Fortify Health Regen, Fortify Magicka Regen, Fortify Light Armor, Fortify Block and Fortify Destruction</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905138?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/905138?profile=original" width="642" class="align-center"></a> Playing this character was fairly straightforward. She was fed up with her position in life and wanted more. Greed and envy took over. She wants to become one of the rich/elite but will never be fitting for that lifestyle. The best she can hope for is to equal their wealth. She will never equal their standing in society.</p>
<p> Take your "earnings<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/81lTOJOk6V1WfHbuPIm1HV9qMyetY6euPMLOH6JUftrG9e8fvR1Xq6reTxIn_ZVrXKed0ZRPkUCfCr217z56K8a2REW4qwgdsqHZJmidO1ISOOx8nGewe5xMet2ZsUSKOXVDRWM" width="19" height="19">" and lavish yourself. Wear the most expensive jewelry you can afford (with or without a good enchantment!). Buy or build the best houses you are able to and decorate them with the most expensive items. Nothing cheap in your house! Fill your house with jewels and adornments. Buy a stable of horses with a horse to ride for every day of the week. Carry a gold bar just to show your status.. Don't be classy, instead be flashy!</p></div>Character Build: Riften's Most Wantedhttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/character-build-riften-s-most-wanted2017-04-20T03:05:01.000Z2017-04-20T03:05:01.000ZCursehttps://TheSkyForge.ning.com/members/Hantz<div><p dir="ltr">Hello and welcome to another classic Raidriar and Curse Never Dying collab. A long time ago Raid and I released this build as part of a character building contest. The theme of the contest was Holds of Skyrim. Every entry was to embody at least one hold in Skyrim. For our entry we chose Riften, and with crime being the first thing people think of when you mention that place, we knew exactly what we wanted to do. So without further delay, here's the contest entry that blew every other entry out of the water and took first place without so much as breaking a sweat. .....</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>“Lets make a deal. Click the ‘like’ button at the top of this page, and you won’t end up sleepin with the fishes.”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/903587?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/903587?profile=original" width="743" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/830854933?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/830851429?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>“Headed to Riften, eh?  Well, you won’t find a more beautiful city in all of Skyrim. Its the perfect place to call home, really -- At least that’s what I would be saying if the city wasn’t a cesspool of corruption….</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>The Black-Briar’s own this city, friend, and lemme tell you thats a name you don’t ever wanna cross. They got this entire city in their pocket. Might as well be the Daedric plane of lies and greed.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Right, I can see you’re a brave one, or is that stupidity? Sigh, right.... Listen closely. There’s one man you wanna avoid at all costs. They call him “Riften’s Most Wanted” - Maven’s right hand man and the worst criminal scum to ever come outta Riften. You want my advice? Keep your head down, don’t ask questions, and whatever you do don’t be a hero...”</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em> </em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Race:</strong> Nord. As a native of Riften we feel Nords are the most fitting racial choice. Battle Cry is a very useful ability early on if you get overwhelmed and in later levels helps you turn the tide.</p>
<p><strong>Stone:</strong> Lady Stone. Bashing plays a critical role in the build so a little bit of extra stamina regen goes a long way</p>
<p><strong>Shouts:</strong> None! You’re a thief dammit, not a hero.</p>
<p><strong>Stats:</strong> 0 Magicka, 1 Health, 2 Stamina. Papa never sent you off to the college to learn all that fancy magic. (Spits) Who needs it anyway? You got your wit, a few tricks, and that bloke you hired to break some kneecaps.</p>
<p><strong>Major Skills:</strong> One Handed, Block, Alchemy, Sneak</p>
<p><strong>Minor Skills:</strong> Speech, Light Armour</p>
<p><strong>Weapons:</strong> Orcish War Axe</p>
<p><strong>Apparel:</strong> Blackguard’s Armor, Blackguard’s Gloves, Blackguard’s Boots, Targe of the Blooded</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>The Build</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">We set out to create, first and foremost, a dirty fighter. A thug who lacks skill in the arts of pickpocket and lockpicking, who would rather rob your still warm corpse than pick your pockets. A badass mafioso, the lord of the criminal underworld.</p>
<p>Riften’s Most Wanted knows that this is a harsh world; Skyrim is no place for a faint hearted thief. So he always brings along a hired goon to take out foes, or just to provide a distraction. Hirelings work best here, as they have no moral compass whatsoever, and will happily engage in the most savage of crimes by your side. Not to mention they work from a roleplay standpoint, as you’re actually paying these guys money to take hits for you. Our personal favourites were Stenvar and Vorstag, as both are hardy warriors capable of tanking hits. Stock them up with healing potions for extra survivability.</p>
<p>While your hired goon takes the hits, you can be sneaking up behind your opponents, ready to bury an axe in their head. Make use of stagger to get some free hits for yourself and your follower. If the worse comes to the worse, and your follower is down on his knees, remember the golden rule of crime - look after number 1. It’s a harsh world, and Riften’s Most Wanted’s conscience will not mind him abandoning his companion to save his hide.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7651846?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7651846?profile=original" width="750" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>“Trust me Delvin, we got this contest in the bag. We got all the officials on our side and we took care of the snitches. This Kal shin whatever they call themselves aint got a chance”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Tools of the Trade</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>The Blackguard Armor Set</strong> - This set gives you a very fitting look and comes with quite a few beneficial preset enchantments like carrying capacity. You can get the armor set quite early in your play through as well. Simply follow the thieves guild questline until you’re able to talk with Delvin, Vex, and Brynjolf about the guild’s run of bad luck. Once you’ve done that set sail to Raven rock and talk to Glover Mallory. Completing his quest will earn his trust and give you access to his private storage where you’ll find the Blackguard armor.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Orcish Axe</strong> - We specifically picked out this weapon for its menacing appearance and the ridiculous bleed damage it deals. Its bleed damage is so high it’s on par with daedric and dragon weapons. With all three Limpsplitter perks taken you’ll be dealing 9 damage per second worth of bleeding damage that stacks! The orcish axe is quite easy to come by in shops. You’ll be swinging one around as early as level 12 if you’re lucky.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Targe of the Blooded</strong> - If the ax dont scare em that spikey shield sure will. As you probably guess from something called ‘Targe of the Blooded’ this weapon specializes in bleeding damage. The bleed damage here supplements the damage done by disarming bashes. The targe is yet another item you can get your hands on early. Simply head to the Alftand ruins up north between Winterhold and Dawnstart. Just be ready to fight the angry red guard wielding it.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/830852657?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/830852657?profile=original" width="667" /></a><em>“Pull up a chair and lets talk business”</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">As you can see we’ve got a set of perks heavily geared towards a dirty, underhand guerilla-style fighter, who’s not afraid to resort to cheap tactics in order to win. Finesse? No such thing in this mafioso’s mind. It’s all about getting the job done; everything is a means to an end. Levelling is very efficient and simple with Riften’s Most Wanted as almost every skill is getting used in almost every situation. The only exceptions are Speech and Light Armour, which we’ll get onto later. But if you’re feeling impatient, power leveling is just as easy for those looking to dive right into this build.</p>
<p>Straight away your most important skills are going to be Alchemy and Block. Block gives you access to the invaluable perks that disrupt, debilitate and weaken enemies. We veered away from Shield Wall to prevent this guy turning into a tank, and keep combat as sneaky and dirty as possible. Why block a hit when you can just have some street tough you hired take it for you, and ask for more?</p>
<p>Complimenting everything Block offers you is Alchemy. Years of skooma making and trafficking have made you quite the knowledgeable alchemist, and allowed you to boil down most drugs to allow only the negative symptoms to remain. Slow, fear, and paralysis are just a few of the nasty tricks you have up your sleeve. Many of your poisons are two or three effect variety and consist of ingredients that are pretty easy to come by, making alchemy quite easy to level up. Don’t hesitate to spend lavish amounts of gold on Hearthfire manors to build your own remote drug factories, where you can manufacture your concoctions far away from society.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The king of the underworld needs a silver tongue, right? That’s where Speech comes in. Once you reach the Bribery perk crime becomes far easier to commit, as you can simply slip some gold into a greedy guard’s pocket if he comes investigating. Haggling lets you make even more of a profit from your ill-gotten gains. As you progress up the tree you’ll eventually get Intimidation - usually picked up in the later game, it shows the perfect transition from a more greasy criminal to threatening crime boss.</p>
<p>Sneak will make it easier to keep enemies focused on your hireling rather than you, and allows for the occasional sneak attack. Keep in mind a silent roll counts as a run so its possible to chain that into a critical charge for some hefty backstab damage. Sneak will level up to 50 in no time through the thieves guild, but you can powerlevel it in minutes with the Hadvar/Ralof exploit.</p>
<p>Hack and Slash and Critical Charge are the key perks in One Handed. The Orcish War Axe is glitched in such a way that it inflicts almost as a much bleed damage as a Daedric Axe, and swings as fast as a sword. Combine that with the Targe of the Blooded and you’ll bleed your enemies dry in no time.</p>
<p>Light Armor can be a difficult skill to level, but luckily Riften comes with its very own trainer, Grelka! Any excess gold can be dumped her way to allow your character to take a few extra hits, should the need arise.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><strong><em>Potions and Poisons</em></strong></em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><strong><em><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501/http://www.miscellaneoushi.com/thumbnails/detail/20121028/skulls%20flowers%20old%20medicine%20mushrooms%20poison%20books%20magic%20alchemy%20scales%20potion%20herbs%201680x1050%20wa_www.miscellaneoushi.com_26.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501im_/http://www.miscellaneoushi.com/thumbnails/detail/20121028/skulls%20flowers%20old%20medicine%20mushrooms%20poison%20books%20magic%20alchemy%20scales%20potion%20herbs%201680x1050%20wa_www.miscellaneoushi.com_26.jpg?width=600" width="600" /></a></em></strong></em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em>Somewhere in here is a poison with your name on it"</em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Alchemy is a critical tool in your arsenal. With two pieces of Peerless Alchemy (Circlet and Necklace), one piece of Major Alchemy (Gauntlets) and Muiri’s Ring, as well as Seeker of Shadows, you can double the effects of your concoctions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is especially useful for Panic poisons, as Fear normally has a very low magnitude (12 with all perks and max level), but it can now reach 24. This becomes even more powerful with the Enervate poison, which increases the magnitude of other poisons. This turns fear into an incredibly useful weapon, as it can now be used on almost every living enemy.</p>
<p>The Endurance potion is meant to enhance your stamina recovery which allow for more bashes and shield charges. It’ll also be useful if you find yourself needing to run away. The Vigor potion will help keep your goon alive and more than make up for your lack of healing spells. The slow effect provides excellent synergy, as not only will enemies be running away, they’ll be running away half as fast, making them much easier to hit. Keep in mind all ingredients can be grown in a greenhouse or fish hatchery.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Endurance -</strong> Regenerate Stamina</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fly Amanita + Scaly Pholiata</p>
<p dir="ltr">--</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Vigor -</strong> Fortify Health + Restore Health</p>
<p dir="ltr">Blue Mountain Flower + Wheat</p>
<p dir="ltr">--</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Debilitate -</strong> Lingering Damage Health + Paralysis</p>
<p dir="ltr">Canis Root + Imp Stool + Mora Tapinella</p>
<p dir="ltr">--</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Panic</strong> - Damage Stamina + Fear</p>
<p dir="ltr">Blisterwort + Cyrodilic Spadetail + Namira’s Rot</p>
<p dir="ltr">--</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Enervate -</strong> Damage Health + Slow + Weakness to Poison</p>
<p dir="ltr">Bleeding Crown + Deathbell + River Betty</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Abilities</strong></em></p>
<p><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501/https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bygXLlJOzXdBNlqukB317ThQMadC1ESSzVsESMjl6Vb8RvH64MqshN8fAf2-lza5o1P3daUOUgIPwhbbDevO82rn4Yjto4iM4oBM96Q4H-NWGcJXaJ8fLIDIfGqgQtzEHXxUy8w" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img class="align-left" src="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501im_/https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bygXLlJOzXdBNlqukB317ThQMadC1ESSzVsESMjl6Vb8RvH64MqshN8fAf2-lza5o1P3daUOUgIPwhbbDevO82rn4Yjto4iM4oBM96Q4H-NWGcJXaJ8fLIDIfGqgQtzEHXxUy8w?width=128" width="128" /></a><strong>What’s Yours is Mine</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Disarming Bash, retrieving disarmed weapon</p>
<p>“What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is also mine…”</p>
<p>Its pretty hard to hang on to a sword after your hands been smashed by a spiked shield. Once your enemy is disarmed retrieve their weapon and they will be rendered virtually harmless. This is very useful against strong enemies with powerful weapons. Definitely try this out on anyone who looks like they can cleave you and your goon in two swings.</p>
<p><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501/https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JxzO6L1nyu3RqyxALYgsgbGh0eXkd-AQ5FXPc0Gtrur48Jfa3VUE51L2h3_g5asyElOgUGNqmPHLdA9QmBryMi2WqFTnhNCTdWl-yETkhrJ1yuvWWH4jX0xnQxBLSB58ycMSKjY" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img class="align-left" src="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501im_/https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JxzO6L1nyu3RqyxALYgsgbGh0eXkd-AQ5FXPc0Gtrur48Jfa3VUE51L2h3_g5asyElOgUGNqmPHLdA9QmBryMi2WqFTnhNCTdWl-yETkhrJ1yuvWWH4jX0xnQxBLSB58ycMSKjY?width=128" width="128" /></a><strong>Cheap Shot</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Shield Charge, Debilitate</p>
<p>“The best attack is the one they never see coming”</p>
<p>This combo involves following up a shield charge with a poison of paralysis and lingering health damage. This ensures that anyone you knock down wont be getting back up for a long long time. While your enemy is on the ground writhing in agony, why stop there? This brings us to…..</p>
<p><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501/https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3d2zsYsl2gWAZ3LHDhtJ-7PbF8_WqOsLhpqCOPTXwKYtu_LwJmCDYT05FTz3J4_7lhhiX-rsJeW8I8CqoxwhkATVqI_8I-dgMSJoy6LFQS4akflHAhWPDnbdJjGGa1QUTYSNkVk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img class="align-left" src="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501im_/https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3d2zsYsl2gWAZ3LHDhtJ-7PbF8_WqOsLhpqCOPTXwKYtu_LwJmCDYT05FTz3J4_7lhhiX-rsJeW8I8CqoxwhkATVqI_8I-dgMSJoy6LFQS4akflHAhWPDnbdJjGGa1QUTYSNkVk?width=128" width="128" /></a><strong>Make em Bleed</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Cheapshot, Targe of the Blooded, Orcish Axe, Hack and Slash 3/3</p>
<p>“It’s ain’t enough to make em sorry. You gotta make em bleed.”</p>
<p>A great tie-in to the Cheap Shot. This is absolutely lethal against a grounded enemy, who won’t be getting up for a while. The bleed damage from both the targe and the orcish ax will cut right through armor as will the poison damage from Cheap Shot. The combination of bleed and poison damage is enough outright kill most enemies before they can ever get up</p>
<p><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501/https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/29-r1JA2FLzG8C9lzdyzDlX8iMukFGJBysERFXJQRYJkpQTp1E8sN4tPOOr1GTxcuY5ceXSavKZCToRDHBgbFnRSmE9ZOhMDiADFSHax5NavhN6n4L6RM76Nh1Z0IIfQs0J45h8" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img class="align-left" src="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501im_/https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/29-r1JA2FLzG8C9lzdyzDlX8iMukFGJBysERFXJQRYJkpQTp1E8sN4tPOOr1GTxcuY5ceXSavKZCToRDHBgbFnRSmE9ZOhMDiADFSHax5NavhN6n4L6RM76Nh1Z0IIfQs0J45h8?width=128" width="128" /></a><strong>Scare Tactic</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Requires: Enervate + Battle Cry OR Enervate + Panic</p>
<p>“You keep running so I can stab you in the back!”</p>
<p>A great way to peel enemies off your goon or yourself, but also a great way to turn the tide if things are going south. Scare tactic will force your enemies to run away in fear, but the slow poison will ensure they make their escape at a fraction of their normal running speed. Fear will keep the enemy from doing anything else but run at a snail’s pace, meaning you wont have to worry about slow’s effect being negated by changing animations. While they’re vulnerable take the time to lay the smack down on em for free.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Tactics</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Your abilities are all tailored towards keeping your hired goon from getting overwhelmed and making him much more effective. Taking troublesome enemies out of the fight is also a big part of the larger picture.</p>
<p><strong>Cheap shot</strong> and ‘<strong>Make em Bleed</strong>’ will be your bread and butter abilities. In fact cheap shot transitions nicely into ‘‘<strong>Make em Bleed</strong>’, ensuring your enemy will be quite bloodied provided he ever does get up. All that bleed damage goes right through armor too. Bleed damage even affects the undead, making this ability chain very useful against them.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501/https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tVjOOrthekWyKI0_DM0PZcXq-veuPKT2t1bZ8S3NNPUJb6Rz8dtm3J9SduwQbg79WPCR2lOQ4a0eNUs4zQqrvsf7AN_BZgpskFBU-1PdCG34gh76xlZvXyG9cpYyg07hJ5XF-Ho" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img class="align-left" src="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501im_/https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tVjOOrthekWyKI0_DM0PZcXq-veuPKT2t1bZ8S3NNPUJb6Rz8dtm3J9SduwQbg79WPCR2lOQ4a0eNUs4zQqrvsf7AN_BZgpskFBU-1PdCG34gh76xlZvXyG9cpYyg07hJ5XF-Ho?width=286" width="286" /></a><strong>Whats Yours is Mine</strong>’ and ‘<strong>Scare tactic</strong>’ are designed to help make life easier for your hired goon. ‘<strong>Whats yours is mine</strong>’ will rip the weapon right out of an enemy’s hand regardless of level, so use that to severely weaken tough enemies with powerful weapons. And if you’re feeling particularly sinister, equip your enemy’s weapon and beat em to death with it!</p>
<p>Use <strong>Scare Tactic</strong> to force enemies off your goon if he gets overwhelmed. The more powerful variant of this ability is done with the battle cry power and will work on multiple opponents of any level making it useful to force groups away. In either case scare tactic leaves your enemy vulnerable to free hits, so hit em hard while their back is turned. Keep in mind <strong>Scare Tactic</strong> wont work against the dead. The poison effect from <strong>Cheap Shot</strong> wont work either so keep that ind mind. The bright side is they're still vulnerable to having their weapons stolen, being knocked over, and for some inexplicable reason bled to death.</p>
<p>Your goon is there to take the hits so you don't have to (I mean what else are you paying him for?) so you want to avoid entering the fray before him. Get used to ordering your goon to attack via follower commands. This forces him to be the first one to enter a fight. Enemies generally focus on the first thing they see to the exclusion of everything else. This'll leave you ample opportunity to get at your foes from behind. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7651896?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7651896?profile=original" width="750" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Just so we're clear, you didn’t see nothin’”</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Roleplay and Quests</strong></em></p>
<p>Easily the quickest thing we came to an agreement on was role play and quests. Riften is a hold absolutely rife with corruption. Law enforcement is entirely corrupt, a mafia like criminal element operates right under everyone's noses, and maven sits as the king pin, or rather queen pin, running the whole outfit. You couldn't find a better place for an unscrupulous criminal scumbag to call home.</p>
<p>Riften’s brand of corruption is pretty far reaching, worming its way into other holds, and before you know it half of Skyrim is as lawless as Riften. Rolling with that we decided the best quests to take on would revolve around expanding the influence of both Maven and the thieves guild.</p>
<p><strong>The Thieves Guild</strong> </p>
<p>What’s the fundamental issue with the Thieves Guild of Skyrim? The fact that it’s little more than a small time mafia, with quests that are put to shame by those from Morrowind and Oblivion (where you actually engage in thieving activities). <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20151212015501/http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=14422" rel="nofollow">Heck, somebody has written a five part article on the Thieves’ Guil...</a> It forces every thief build to step out of their comfort zone and act like some common thug. Well, that is no problem for Riften’s Most Wanted, the thief who would rather steal your valuables off your dead body than from sneakily picking your pockets or unlocking your safes! The Thieves Guild suits Riften’s Most Wanted perfectly.</p>
<p>As you rise to the top of the guild you'll find yourself venturing to other holds securing alliances with other shady families of inordinate wealth. Before you know it you'll be operating with impunity in every major hold. As your wealth increases don’t be afraid to show it; build houses to hide loot (or bodies), in particular the hearthfire manors so you can produce your own little drug factories, hidden deep in the wilderness.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/830853801?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/830853801?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="335" height="264" /></a><strong>The Civil War: Imperials </strong></p>
<p>Now we know what you’re thinking - why the hell would a wanted crimelord sign up with the Legion?  Well, it all comes down to expanding influence, namely that of Maven Black-Briar.</p>
<p>From the shadows you’ll influence the outcome of the Civil War and your schemes will culminate with Maven becoming the jarl of Riften. If the political establishment weren’t in her pocket then, they certainly will be now. </p>
<p>I don’t think we need to go over the perks that come with helping your largest benefactor secure even more political power. Be aware that you will have to advance the Main Questline past 'Dragon Rising' (Where you fight your first dragon) to advance the the Civil War. Don't bother pursuing that questline any further. Theres no profit to be made chasing legends and old wives tales. </p>
<p><strong>The Drug Trade </strong></p>
<p>Running your own little drug trade is another step towards becoming a criminal mastermind. Hearthfire houses provide an excellent base of operations; they’re remote and can be decked out to keep up the guise of a noble, not to mention each can  be built with a greenhouse and alchemy lab! Furthermore, you can even appoint a trusted accomplice as a steward, to oversee production.</p>
<p>Here is where we bent the rules a little. Skooma making? Puh-lease, that’s far too low for the Riften’s Most Wanted. No, we’re going to be making our own drug!</p>
<p>Something we did once we had built our greenhouses and alchemy labs was come up with our own little “drugs” (actually just potions with multiple effects) that we could sell to merchants in exchange for a lot of money. Get experimenting with ingredients that can be grown in a greenhouse and create your own concoctions until you come up with something suitably expensive with some addictive effects. Then, once you’re happy with your drug, start producing it en masse, and fill as many planters as you can with the ingredients. With the Merchant and Investor perks you can even have your own little drug pushers - these guys will take all the drugs off your hands for a hefty sum, then sell them on for you. So get experimenting! We’d like to hear all about what combinations of ingredients you used, and what “drugs” you’ve created! Give them names, descriptions, details, make them come alive like we did with ours.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to wipe out the competition too. Redwater Den and the Skooma trade in Riften should be stopped, to prevent anybody getting in on your territory. You can even look into Sleeping Tree Sap, and start peddling that stuff to Ysolda in Whiterun. And don’t forget to take out people who ask too many questions. Mjoll may be too tough to be physically broken, but she can sure as hell be mentally traumatized into silence. Kill her weak little boyfriend Aerin and beat her to within an inch of her life (sadly an inch will have to do since shes essential). The guards will no doubt notice but they can easily be paid off. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7651935?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7651935?profile=original" width="750" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">"Raid and Curse send their regards. Maybe next time you'll be smart and like the right build!"</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Closing Remarks</strong></em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">And there you have it folks. We thank you all for your continued support and hope you enjoy this build as much as we did. A huge shout out goes to Okan Zeeus for pulling through with those AMAZING photos on such short notice. I'd like to thank Raid for being such an awesome partner as always.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/list/tag/curse+never+dying" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7651996?profile=original" width="504" height="171" /></a></p>
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