Intro
"I've always hated supremacists. That's why I moved from Cyrodiil to Skyrim. That's also when I found out Nords are just as, if not more so, racist than the Altmer. Perhaps that can change. After all, I resisted the influence of the Thalmor. Perhaps they can resist the influence of their peers. But they need guidance. Once I leave this damn keep, I might try to join the Companions. If I join such an honorable guild, maybe the Nords will realize that not all Altmer are bad. Perhaps I can inspire Nord and Mer to coexist peacefully, without prejudice. Recorded in the following pages are short bits of poetry I have written during my journey. If this journal is discovered, I hope that the reader will enjoy this."
-Journal of Yaldur during the Fourth Era
Welcome! This is my first Skyrim build, so constructive criticism is welcome, so long as it remains constructive. This build was played on Special Edition with the content of the "Daedric Plate" and "Dwarven Plate" Creation Club. No mods were installed, though hypothetically mods compatible with CC should work.
Name: Yaldur
Age: 80 (equivalent to a 20-year-old Nord, Breton, or Redguard)
Race: Altmer (High Elf)
Morality: Neutral Good
Class: Warrior (Sword & Board)
Blessing: Stendarr
Standing Stone: Warrior-->Atronach
Major Skills (In order of importance): One-Handed, Block, Heavy Armor, Smithing
Level: 45 (rough estimate, I used a calculator, but I'm going to playtest to be 100% sure)
Attributes: 0/2/1
End Magicka: 150
End Health: 460
End Stamina: 270
Difficulty: Any should work, though this was tested on Adept
While not necessary, the Smithing tree is there if you need to upgrade weapons and armor. I'd only ever recommend going up to Orcish or Ebony. Arcane Blacksmith is recommended if you decide to upgrade your gear.
For Heavy Armor, go all the way up the right side.
For Block, go all the way up the left side.
Alchemy is not necessary, but has uses as a moneymaker and emergency healing option.
Alteration is not entirely necessary but can help you hit the armor cap if that's what you want.
Enchanting is another recommended but not entirely necessary skill. If you do choose to use it, go up the middle tree and maybe the right.
Equipment
"I know I'm Oblivion-bound. You know it too.
My dearest [enter spouse's name here], do not weep, for I will be happy for you.
I use this armor to protect our family,
The same way you protect me."
Armor Set: Harnessing the powers of Oblivion to protect the innocent, Yaldur uses the Daedric Plate armor to stop any foe, be it Alduin and his horde of dragons or the Daedric Princes and their armies of Dremora.
Weapon of Choice: Bound Sword OR Dragonbone Sword (Enchanted with Soul Trap)
Shield: Spellbreaker
Ring: Enchanted with Fortify One-Handed
Amulet: Enchanted with Fortify Block
Werewolf Perks: Prioritize Non-totem perks
Attack Combinations
Harbinger: Enter combat as a werewolf, mauling everything that dares attack the Companions.
Three-Point Strike: Rush in with a power attack and two normal attacks
Hind Do Mun Ahrk Fahliil: Unrelenting Force + Shield Charge + Werewolf Form
King of Wolves: Use a totem howl to enter combat as a werewolf alongside your family, the Companions
Feyn Do Nihvoriin: Turning on any who dare betray you, launch an assault utilizing the Dragonbone Sword and Fire Breath shout.
Roleplay
As the Harbinger, you represent the Companions. Honor is your speciality. In addition, the Outsider would prefer to not get others involved in his own problems and, as such, will not bring a follower along on his adventures.
Quests
The Companions is the primary questline. As the Harbinger, you must do whatever it takes to prove that you can be honorable. Joining Skyrim's most honorable guild, you will show how honorable a High Elf can be.
Next is the main questline. You've proven that not all Altmer are bad, now you must save the Nords you've influenced. There is a deceased Thalmor around Helgen or Riverwood. Disguise yourself in his uniform to sneak into the Embassy.
Civil War questline should not be done. The Stormcloaks are Nord supremacists and the Empire surrendered to the Thalmor. The Outsider sees them both as equally bad.
Quests after this may be done as needed, so long as they are honorable. For this reason, I recommend avoiding Markarth until you are in a good spot to contradict your moral code. That would make for a dark arc, but I did not do this, so I won't recommend or discourage it. Quests that attack the Thalmor also might be something to look into.
Replies
Hey, man. Nice concept you got here. It is not common to see an Altmer build that tries to bridge the racism issues in Skyrim let alone tackling the playstyle of Sword n' Board. Well done. There are some points that I want to address tho, and hopefully it can serve as suggestions.
1) I personally feel that 85 is way too high of a level. I only ever encountered two level 81 builds. They are great builds, but they are also viable at around level 60 or so. So consider chipping down some of the perks.
2) Relating to skills and perks, some skills are not relevant to your class (I honestly thought you were attempting a hybrid of a Warrior, Spellsword, and Night blade) like heaving Sneak and heavily perking all three crafting skills. If you plan to heavily invest Smithing, then I am sure you can put fewer perks in Heavy Armor.
3) I suggest cropping the SS images of the tree perks, or you can simply type what perks you took in that skill tree (I have a hard time figuring out the perks from the SSs). I also recommend briefly stating the reason(s) you take that particular perks and skills, and how they are implemented in the game and synergize with each other.
4) Lastly, I like to know more about the roleplay. What quests should we consider? How should we act as the Outsider? Are there any minor RP elements that could enhance our experience? I believe you can pursue an interesting roleplay with this concept as his goal is to bridge different races (especially between men and mer).
Welcome to the Forge and good luck! Hoping to see what this build becomes with more polished elements and your future builds!
Thanks for the feedback! I'll make sure to implement those changes.