Greetings, everypony, to my first of two builds for the first Flash Contest, Lords of High Rock. Inspired by both medieval Anglo-Saxon and Celtic mythology, welcome to the tale of….
In days of interregnum borne anarchy,
when would-be rulers fought for pride and vanity.
From blood of gods, old and new,
Came forth a Arturia Pendraig, her foes she slew.
Dragon-bloodeded, fierce and bold,
Her eyes like emerald, her hair like molten gold.
Her rule cemented when from out of stone-wooded tree,
Blessed blade Gramr sprang free.
When blade did break upon Dominion and Pact horde,
From Ehlfoney spirit did she gain Caledfwlch sword.
When peace did come did she take a wife,
And from mystic arts did she bear a child, of her accord.
But by sisterly coup was her child stolen,
Her daughter reared by Galen witch, claws of control dug in.
When of age daughter Mordred did come,
An army of Daedra fell beneath daughter's drum.
Knights and daemons did they clash,
While mother and daughter, their enchanted blades did gnash.
For presumed lack of maternal love, did Mordred strike her mother down.
Leaving the Ruby Throne bereft of Empress and crown.
Dragon-bloodeded Empress, her soul lifted from fields of gore
To Aetherius, to take arms in future War…
BUILD OVERVIEW
Inspiration: Arturia Pendragon/Saber (Fate/Stay Night).
Stat Spread: 0/1/3 in Magicka, Health, and Stamina. Aside from Healing and the occasional Flesh Spell to boost AR a bit and level Alteration, no points will be invested in Magicka. We aren't playing a Caster here folks. Stop perking Health at about 170, and then the rest into Stamina.
Standing Stone: The Warrior or Mage to start with, then the Steed, and eventually swap to the Lord for increased AR and 25% Magicka Resistance.
Alignment: Lawful Good
Worships: Breton Pantheon (Basically the Eight Divines, plus Magnus, Phynaster, Sheor, and Y’ffre.), plus Meridia/Merid-Nunda.
Primary Skills: (Level 20) Two-Handed, Speech
Secondary Skills: (Level 20) Enchanting
Difficulty: Adept
SKILLS
I overdid it a bit and ended up playing the build up to level 42. So if you wish to continue past level 20….
EQUIPMENT
GAMEPLAY
Waterwalking and Caladbolg, twin gifts from the Ehlfoney spirit, Nymue
Gameplay with the Dragon-Blood Empress combines fast paced greatsword sword swinging via Elemental Fury, magic based tanking via innate, Perk based, and Standing Stone based Magic Resistance, as well as Dragonblood.
First and foremost will be your greatswords, You’ll carry two of each. One enchanted, one unenchanted, which will be used for Elemental Fury. Popping Elemental Fury on, you’ll want to be constantly sprinting around, employing a hit and run style against multiple foes, but against single foes, especially strong ones, you’ll engage them head on. Say if you’re up against a Reaver Lord or Bandit Chief, and all their goons are dead. Using a mixture of Quick Reflexes and Bashing, stun them, then circle around, using your Elemental Fury-imbued Greatsword to take slices out of your health bar, focusing more on quick, precise slashes rather than Power Attacks, you’ll also save on Stamina that way. Only really use Power Attacks against single foes that are blocking, or wearing high tier Heavy Armor like Ebony.
Mages and the occasional dragon or two will be easy to take down with the Dragon-Blood Empress. Adding the Dragonblood Amulet, Lord Stone, and the innate resistance will leave you at the cap for Magic Resistance, 85%. While this does lower the effect magical attacks can have on you, don’t get cocky. Use Whirlwind Sprint and Great Critical Charge to deal with mages, and archers, before anything else, their relatively low armor rating will do little against your mighty greatsword. With dragons, utilize the fire and ice resistant trees of Skyrim, or really any cover, to deal with the Breath Attacks, cause even with the resistances, it’ll still hurt. Use Dragonrend when you acquire it to knock the draconic bastards out of the sky, then go ham on them, using bashes to stop their breath attacks, and block to defend against bites or tail smashes.
However, if you’re up against a really jacked foe like a Legendary Dragon or a Bandit Chief with an enchanted weapon, like say Ghunzul in Cracked Tusk Keep, then you’ll see how Dragonblooded this Empress is. Throw on Dragon Aspect, fire off a Fire Breath, and then start hacking away at your burning foes.
Though, if things get to hairy, or if your foes run into any nearby water, no problem. With Ahzidal’s Boots of Waterwalking, simply run onto the water and either GTFO, or follow and attack with your blade(s).
Praise be to the Eight (Sorry Talos)
Quests
Main Quest-Her spirit flung back into Mundus to slay the fallen Firstborn Alduin, it is here where Arturia’s story repeats, and Gramr once more breaks (Ditch it after completing Alduin’s Bane), to be reforged into Caladbolg. Fulfill the destiny of the Dragonblooded.
Civil War (Imperials)-Arturia Pendraig for years to gain the Ruby Throne, she will not let the Empire Alessia founded, and which she shortly ruled, fall into ruin.
The Book of Love/The Sybil of Dibella-As a devout follower of the Breton pantheon, she will follow the will of the goddesses of love and beauty.
The Forsworn Conspiracy-While she, in part, has the blood of the Reach in her veins, the actions of Madanach, butchering all who stand in their way, fathers, mothers, or babes, in their pursuit of freedom, cannot be allowed to stand.
The Dark Brotherhood-While distasteful, Arturia will not let the Empire crumble under a weak old man. Sending her Master of Shadows, a young Nibenese woman named Porcia Catonis Emiya, to scout out information, and infiltrate the Dark Brotherhood. Eventually, Arturia eventually faces off against Gaius Maro, leader of the Penitus Oculatus, in martial combat, then slaying the traitor who gave her the information, fulfilling Titus’s dying wish.
ROLEPLAY
- Never attack a fleeing opponent, or one who is surrending.
- Never use sneak attacks or poisons.
- Never harm Sabrecats unless absolutely needed (They’re the closest to lions.)
- Always try and Persuade your way out of a situation before using violence if possible.
- Eat a lot, and occasionally drink some wine, Empresses have quite the appetite after all.
Recommended Mods
Big Cats Mounts and Followers-This nifty little mod adds in mountable big cats (Pick the lion one. Recreate Saber riding atop a lion!)
Craftable Emperors Robes-If you don’t feel like using a Fury Spell on old Titus Mede to get him to throw down with you, and wish to slay the Dark Brotherhood, use this.
Imbued Weapons - Bloodskal Effect with any Melee Weapon at Skyrim …-If you want any weapon to be able to fire anime style blade beams, this is the mod for you.
Become High King of Skyrim-Immersive Edition-An update to a classic mod, allows you to start on the path to becoming Empress by becoming High Queen of Skyrim.
Arthurian Lore - EXCALIBUR - Easter Eggs Improved at Skyrim Nexus …-Upgrades this little Arthurian easter egg.
Arturia Pendragon's Armor and Dress-Adds in Arturia’s armor and armored dress from Fate.
Arturia Pendragon's Swords-Adds in three variants of Excalibur. There’s also this one if you want a neat looking alternative with effects.
THANKS
Thanks to Lee Fiskilis over on the Vault (And the Sky Forge), for the awesome Perk and Equipment Spreads, and when he gets them to me, FlamezSword for the awesome screenshots. Until next time, my dear readers....
“There are no regrets. If one can be proud of one's life, one should not wish for another chance.”
Replies
There we go, added in some pics that weren't transfered by the HTML for some reason, all good
I'm glad this build survived the transfer relatively unscathed
Hey Chris - I remember this build! A few images seem to be broke for me - and you've forgotten your tags
https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/te...