Welcome everypony to my latest build, and submission for the latest iteration of Crossworlds. Featuring both a noble knight and a mystic beast in one, welcome to a character on her journey to master her inner Beast and be the knight she read of in history and stories. Welcome to…
Recommended Music: Path of the Wolf
The Fay, a mysterious race of creatures, some consider Aedric, some Daedric, have long inhabited the Summerset Isles, and rarely have ventured far. While many debate their sapience, couplings between them and the common peoples of Nirn aren’t too uncommon. One such coupling occurred between a Welkynar Gryphon Knight and a Nephrine.
However, what the Knight did not know was the Nephrine in question was sworn to Hircine. In his anger, the Lord of the Hunt cursed the Knight’s bloodline. That curse of beast blood eventually culminated a decade prior to the Great War, wherein a child was born to his descendants. Tall and strong she was, but in return was an ever present hunger, one she sought to control through strict discipline as she followed in her ancestor’s footsteps of knightdom. Her curse, steadfast loyalty and ferocity in battle earned her the semi-mocking moniker of The Hound Knight. Currently she sits, bound and gagged, on a cart destined for Helgen. Her task had been to travel to the northern province of Skyrim to track down an infamous thief, Linwe, however in doing so, she had been caught up in a fierce skirmish. Now she awaits her fate….
Build Overview
Race: Altmer Werewolf. Not only are they one of the tallest races, but their racials not only give a starting +50 to Magicka, but also a once per day Magicka Regen. Plus, they gain bonuses to Conjuration, Destruction, and Enchanting.
Appearance: Max weight, long blonde hair. If on PC via console commands, and optionally with RaceMenu, make her 1.4, slightly taller than your average Altmer who starts at a base of 1. If you have a mod that does so, give her heterochromatic eyes.
Standing Stone: The Warrior or Mage Stones will be your companions for a decent chunk of the run, allowing you to level your primary skills at a good clip.
Stat Spread: 1/3/2 in Magicka, Health, and Stamina. With your standard +50 Magicka from your Altmer blood, you won’t need to put as many points in here as you would with any other race. Stop capping Health at 270, and then pump the rest into Stamina.
Worship: Auriel or Hircine, especially if you have Wintersun.
Primary Skills: Destruction, One-Handed, Block Secondary Skills: Conjuration, Speech, Enchanting
Gameplay
(Levels 1-24)
Throughout both the early and late game, the combat will be relatively the same. However, the early-mid game will have one little caveat, an item I’ve only seen used once before, that being the Cursed Ring of Hircine. With this little signet on, the Beast Blood will take over at random, signifying the Hound Knight’s inner Beast bursting free. However, even then, she will try, emphasis on try, to minimize casualties. Kill those in your way of escaping to freedom. Afterwards, go and pray at a Shrine to Akatosh, or a shrine to Auriel if you have one modded in. This will add a sense of danger to the build, as you’ll never know when you’ll suddenly wolf up.
Anyway, this character is primarily a battlemage. Blocking and bashing with her trusty blade to off balance foes, she will counter with bursts of furious flames, particularly abusing the taper mechanic of spurting out Flames to stack a DoT. Also, I made liberal use of foods, both to help offset the fact that without Alchemy, we won’t be really making regeneration potions, but also as it is part of the character’s roleplay. Alongside this, on occasion, if I happened to wolf out in a dungeon, I would eat as many edible opponents as I could between me and the objective(s). With your armor and health pool, I would recommend focusing down archers and mages due in part to their ranged abilities that can do more damage before you can cut them down than melee fighters. I also made extensive use of Conjure Familiar. While this good boy may not be the strongest, he can make a good distraction and help chip away at enemies.
Speaking of ranged fighters, I made usage of Firebolts, Fireballs, Incinerates, and any projectile based fire spells, particularly against Frost Dragons, while using healing potions, food, and any and all cover, to keep alive, waiting for them to eventually land and be susceptible to my swordplay. Bashing to interrupt a Shout saved my bacon more often than not.
As for undead, simply put, you’ll want to set them ablaze. Weaker undead will be charred to cinders before they can scratch you, while stronger undying ones will be weakened. Fun fact, premade Fortify Destruction potions boost your spells’ potency, such as increasing the range of your Cloaks.
Primary Quests
- Main Quest
- Dawnguard
- Dragonborn
- Companions
- College of Winterhold
- Missing in Action
- Destroy the Dark Brotherhood
- Civil War (Imperial).
Arms and Armor
Silver and Moonstone Circlet
Steel Spell Knight Armor
Steel Plate Gauntlets
Steel Plate Boots
Cursed Ring of Hircine
Amulet of Akatosh
Skyforge Steel Sword
*If you lack the Anniversary Edition update, simply swap out Steel Spell Knight for Steel Plate.
Die monster, you don’t belong in this world!
The Hound Knight, Harmalia Loganne groaned as she fell to her knees. She had returned from dealing with a dragon at a watchtower at the behest of the Jarl of Whiterun. Something had changed within her once the wyrm had been slain. She had just made it to a room at the Bannered Mare when she collapsed. She could feel it broiling within her, the wolf wanted out. However, as she was about to yet again surrender to the wolf again, she felt the rage and hunger quell. As she turned her head, she found two beings standing before her. One was undoubtedly Hircine, the stag headed Prince looking at her, bemused. Opposite stood, his face stoic, Auriel. She had seen the solar deity’s statue many times, his red robes fringed with feathers. “Arise, daughter of Aldmeris.” She stood on shaky feet before the two gods. The god of Mer smiled softly. “Be not afraid. Within you resides the Blood of Dragons. It shall help keep your curse…contained.” The reddish-gold eyed Mer said.
The Lord of the Hunt scoffed, “Yes, though even so, you will be able to make use of your shifting.” He waved a hand. “Though be forewarned, quelled it may be, you will still need to feed at least once a moon in order to retain your sanity.” He turned to Auriel. “And know this, Auriel, you may claim the Mer, but the Wolf is still mine.” With that, they vanished.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, the Hound Knight was filled with a new purpose. She readies herself, and makes the journey towards High Hrothgar.
Now begins the second half of the journey. Before, the Hound Knight believed her wolfdom a mere curse. However, upon meditating with the Greybeards, and with Paarthurnaxx (who I did not kill), she has learned to tame the Beast. Finish Ill Met By Moonlight and do not kill Sinding. You’ll also want to cure Farkas, Vilkas, and of course, Kodlak. I roleplayed that the Beast Blood variant that our Hound Knight has is incurable. Now, she is The Guardian Wolf who now uses her Beast Blood to defend the weak.
Gameplay
(Levels 25-50)
Alongside this, she will learn how to cool the flames. Rather than simply using Fire Spells, she will now mix in Frost magics, perfect for Fire Dragons, as well as its built in Slow is great when fighting other melee enemies. Plus, this stage will have you pick up a follower/future lover. Handy for combat, and for comfort. Now, who did I choose you may ask? Why it’s simple, Golldir! Simply complete Ancestral Worship and this man is your’s.
Hold on Chris, why Golldir? Simple. While he may be a bit of a coward, though to be fair, who wouldn’t be traumatized after being locked in a tomb as a child and then having to fight a bunch of your zombie relatives years later? But yes, what Harmalia will find attractive about him is that he, with a little push, is able to overcome his fears, rise to occasion, and help purify his ancestral tomb. Keep him topped up with Healing Hands and Courage spells, while giving him the best armor you can find and enchant. Alongside Senor Golldir and the good old Familiar (I also gave Golldir a Staff of the Familiar I picked up at some point), I added on Conjure Flaming Familiar after helping Anska reclaim a scroll, as well as Barbas, “forgetting” to grab the Rueful Axe so I can keep this wonderful pup around. Also, I grabbed the Bone Wolf from the requisite Creation for not only bonus damage against the undead, but also a cute bone pupper.
Standing Stone wise, I swapped from the base Warrior/Mage towards The Lord. Yes I know, cliche pick, but its useful with its damage and magic resistance. As for the Wolf Form, you will still use it, but having abandoned the Ring of Hircine, you’ll have to make do with one transformation every 24 hours.
Arms and Armor
Band of Wolfsbane-A silver circlet, the enchanted jewels within the metal aids you in keeping your Beast blood in check. (Silver Moonstone Circlet W/ Fortify Conjuration and Fortify Magicka Regen).
Welkynar Signet Ring-This signet ring marks whoever bears it as a sworn knight of the Summerset Isles. Despite the Thalmor being opposed by the Welkynars, Harmalia wears it with pride. (Silver Ruby Ring W/ Fortify One-Handed and Fortify Destruction).
Amulet of Auriel-This sacred amulet is given to all who swear fealty towards the sunlit god. (Silver Emerald Necklace W/ Fortify Health and Stamina)
Armor of the Hound-Harmalia’s Welkynar wargear, damaged and dented, has been repaired anew, blessed by Auriel and Hircine alike. (Silver Armor/Ebony Spell Knight Armor w/ Fortify Healing Rate and Fortify Stamina Regen).
Claws of the Wolf-These gauntlets, the fingertips sharped, allow the Hound Knight to fight even when unarmed. (Vigilant Silver Hand Gauntlets W/ Fortify One-Handed and Fortify Unarmed).
Greaves of The Dragonheart-These enchanted boots, steelshod and well worn, keep the Hound Knight fighting for longer than most others. (VIgilant Silver Hand Boots W/ Fortify Stamina Regen and Resist Frost)
Sunna-Alata-A present from Harmalia’s family upon gaining her knighthood, this gleaming silver blade, its name meaning Blessed Sunlight, strikes down all who would threaten the weak. (Silver Sword W/ Fiery Soul Trap+Absorb Health).
Tactics of the Hound Knight
Calamity of Hircine-Letting her Beast Blood take over, the Hound Knight turns into a lupine being of pure destruction. Activating a Cloak and Dragon Aspect before shifting will allow you, to an extent, to keep the effects of both alongside the buffs of being a Werewolf.
(Flame/Frost Cloak+Dragon Aspect+Beast Form).
Quenching the Flames-Praying to Auriel for aid, the avian deity temporarily wraps Harmalia in his protective grasp, before she returns, a blast of chill that is the death of all fire bursting forth.
(Found/Bought Fortify Destruction Potion+Become Ethereal+Blizzard).
Running With The Pack-Her Beast Blood attracts her lupine brethren to her aid, sending forth a ferocious furry army against her foes.
(Barbas+Double Conjure Familiar/Flaming Familiar+Beast Form+Totem of the Moon).
The Infernal Hound-Channeling her Beast Blood and fire magic through her blade, the Hound Knight swings down, a blast of flame consuming all but those allied with her.
(Companion’s Insight+Found/Bought Fortify Destruction Potion+Secret of Arcana+Unbound Flames)
Roleplay
- Cook often, as Harmalia has found that cooking is both a fun hobby, but also a way to restore her vigor in battle, and to aid in quelling the beast within.
- Never engage in any outright immoral acts, as it would chafe the knightly honor of the Welkynars.
- Strike down any Thalmor patrols, for the Third Dominion shames the memory of Ayrenn.
- Never poison Sunna-Alata, for to do so would taint this gift and be a coward’s tactic.
- Aid the weak and helpless whenever possible. These can be something as simple as giving a coin or two to beggars, to helping out a Hunter or Merchant being attacked by bandits and beasts.
- Always try to Persuade or Intimidate someone in dialogue, rather than just going into combat or bribing them.
- Train often, whether it be on bandits, or hacking and blasting away at training dummies.
Fear the wrath of The Hound Knight, Thalmor scum!
Final Thoughts
Whew, finally got this build out! OK, first things first, the inspiration. If yah didn’t already know, I based this wonderful knight on Tam Lin/Fairy Knight Barghest, from Fate Grand/Order, a wonderful fae knight that has stolen my heart, primarily her Saber version, with some influence from her Archer self.
Thanks as always to Jazzy for the excellent screenshots, and thank you, my dear reader, for checking out the build.
Also, one talented modder has taken it upon themselves to remake Barghest's version of the sword Galatine, with her armor supposedly also being in the works, as a mod
Replies
Glad to see this one came out, man. Nicely done! Some little criticisms: making the heading of Gameplay, Quest, and Roleplay a bit bigger and give a space from the last section coz they look a bit wonky on mobile. Also, I'm not sure if there are many shrines of Akatosh on vanilla except the ones in the temple. Other than that, always love Mommy Barghet's big heart. :)
Jazz, once again proving yourself a man of culture. But yeah, will fix up the headers and whatnot when I can