Intro:
Imperial Soldiers always heard his approach long before he was seen. Not the clatter of steel nor the cries of dying men, but the silence. It was as if Tamriel itself held it's breath when the towering Nord marched on the frontlines, his warhammer held low, dragging in the blood soaked mud. Entire battalions would freeze, orders caught in officers throats, only hushed whispers remained. A quiet before the storm.
Some soldiers conquered with strength and might others with fear and intimidation, Hjord conquered with both.
Backstory:
Hjord Fear-Scourge earned his name at a young age. When the Nord men of his village all left to join the Stormcloak rebellion, Hjord and the other older boys were left behind to protect their village. The boys were forced to learn quick and recall the lessons their fathers taught them about hunting, but all of them were inexperienced. They often formed hunting parties and ventured out into Skyrim's harsh and unforgiving wilderness looking for game to supply food and pelts for the village. One such hunt, a blizzard swept in without warning causing chaos among the boys, within moments the world became nothing but white. In the low visibility and harsh icy winds Hjord got seperated from the group. Stumbling through the frozen forest half blind, he called out for his friends but only the rushing of wind answered.
Thats when he heard it. Low gutteral growls echoing all around him. Following him. The snarls getting closer and closer every passing moment. Hjord called to his friends but he knew he was alone. By his count there were at least three maybe four Ice wolves, hidden just out of sight. Stalking him. Waiting for him to stumble in the snow and strike while he was down.
Talos must have been watching over him that day. Just as Hjord began to think the end was nigh the blizzard began to clear. The wolf pack came into view emerging from the swirling snow. The Alpha locking eyes with the frightened young Nord. Something deep within Hjord answered that gaze. Instinctively he threw his head back and bellowed out a thunderous battlecry that shook the trees. The Alpha wolf yelped, it's ears flattened and its tail tucked between its legs. Silence remained. The only sound to be heard was the four wolves striding through the snow. Their yelps and whimpers trailing off into the distance.
Breathing heavily Hjord let out a sigh of relief, and turned around. Thats when he spotted the group. Every single one of the boys even the oldest amongst them stood frozen in place, their faces pale, drained of blood. They stared at Hjord not as a friend, not as someome they had thought dead but by miracle was alive. No. They looked at Hjord like he was some sort of savage beast. In that moment he was known as Fear-Scourge.
Something hidden deep inside him was released that day, whether it be a blessing from Talos, an ancient gift or something more sinister, no one could say. Those who came near him found themselves overcome with an instinctive dread. It wasn't merely an intimidating presence, it was as though depair itself was seeping out of him, infecting all those around him. Unable to endure the constant fear she felt around her son, Hjord's mother sent him off to join the rebellion with his father, anything to get rid of that unrelenting fear.
As the war dragged on so to did Hjord's hatred for the Imperials. With every battle, his aura of despair grew and evolved. What had once erupted uncontrollably now became something he could command. He learnt to focus it at his enemies, watching hardened imperial soldiers hesitate, lose their nerve and break ranks before his warhammer ever reached them.
His fellow stormcloaks never felt at ease around him, few could remain near him for long before succumbing to that everlasting fear. He bounced between battalions until he eventually gravitated to the front lines. There, fear was a weapon, not a burden. The men never slept comfortably with Hjord around but his allies were always grateful that Fear-Scourge was with them on the front lines.
Eventually marching with Ulfric himself, the company travelled through the mountains near darkwater crossing when they were suddenly ambushed by the imperials. Shackled in irons beside his fellow Stormcloaks, the rebels were carted to Helgen to be executed.
This should have been the end of Hjord's tale. As the executioner was lifting his axe, a mighty dragon, black as night descended from the clouds. In the chaos and confusion Hjord followed Ralof and together they escaped. What should have been the end of his story was now the beginning of something new.
Race:
Hjord Fear-Scourge is a true blooded Nord, like all his kinsman he harbours a natural resilience to the cold harsh winters of Skyrim. Having grown up on the battelfield and fighting for years in the rebellion has honed Hjord's fighting skills.
Standing Stone:
For years Hjord often believe the Warrior watched over him, guiding him during his years of fighting and believed its gaze kept him alive where others had fallen. Now he follows the call of the Lady hoping to find peace and an end to the endless fighting and bloodshed. (Start with the Warrior Stone then once you finish the Civil War quest line swap to the Lady Stone)
Skills:
Major Skills:
Illusion: Whatever awakened that fateful day in the blizzard has granted Hjord with an everlasting aura of dread. Through years of battle he has learnt to command this curse, veterans falter and hesitate whilst others fully succumb to the despair and run. Through the use of illusion magic Hjord manifests the terror that followed him since childhood ensuring anything from a skeever to a daedra are influenced by his unnatural ability.
Heavy Armour: Hjord is always clad head to toe in the strongest armour available to him, favouring full faced helmets. Once the silent dread had settled on the battlefield, the distinct sound of clinking chain mail and scraping of plated steel adds to the ominous aura emminating off Fear-Scourge.
Two-Handed: Years of war has honed Hjord's body into a killing machine, his favoured weapon a two handed warhammer requiring great effort to wield let alone swing. Something he does to great effect, some whisper he can even crush foes armour turning protection into certain death.
Minor Skills:
Block: Though Hjord never carries a shield his mastery of the warhammer and sheer strength allows him to deflect blows with its shaft. Reckless opponents are caught unawares by the hilt being thrust into them knocking them off balance. He has aslo been rumored to chase down enemies who are fleeing and knock them to the ground.
Smithing: Hjord trusts only in himself and his weapons and armour. A relationship gained through countless hours forging and tempering, every dent hammered flat by his own hand, every edge restored by his diligence. Caring for his armour and weapons are the few moments of peace he allows himself between battles.
Enchanting: Years of violence have effected Hjords equipment in ways not even he fully understands. Through the curse that forever surrounds him, the hatred and malice has seeped into his weapons and armour imbuing them with the same dark energies.
Stats:
Allocate level ups 1/2/1 until magicka hits 250 then change to a 0/2/1 stat allocation. This gives the Dread Knight enough magicka to cast spells at the start of combat but also maximises his health and stamina for survivability and excess power attacks.
Equipment:
After being stripped of his armour and weapons by the Imperials and the gear being lost in the chaos of Helgen Hjord seeks out new equipment wherever he can find it. Once he has the materials to make a set of iron plate he will take care of it religiously, tempering and improving it after each battle. Mixing in pieces of steel to futher bolster his defences.
(Make use of the best armours available to you, if you havent crafted it you cant equip it until its been tempered)
After the battle of Solitude when Hjord is surrounded by his dead comrades, friends and family and the smell of burnt flesh he finally embraces the darkness within him. The aura he spent years restraining erupted. The wave of terror instantly transforming his weapons and armour. Twisting and Corrupting iron and steel into something unrecognisable. The sound of battle distant, dying off, now silence remained. The survivors no longer saw a towering Nord in battered armour. They saw Fear-Scourge made manifest. This is when the Stormcloaks honour Hjord's equipment with their fabled yet terrifying names.
Daedric Plate:
Helmet: Visage of Terror
Enchanted with Fortify Illusion and Magicka
Chestpiece: Malice Incarnate
Enchanted with Fortify Heavy Armor and Health
Gauntlets: Grip of Fear
Enchanted with Fortify Block and Two-Handed
Boots: Grieves of Hatred
Enchanted with Fortify Stamina and Regen
(Ring and Necklace choices are personal preference)
Daedric Warhammer: Dreadhammer
Enchanted with Fear and Absorb Stamina
Spells/Shouts:
The Dread Knight only uses fear spells, these spells simulate his intimidating presence and the aura of terror that eminates from him. The Dread Knight isn't dragonborn but he can shout with all his hatred and malice to affect his foes, he can utilise Dismay, Disarm and Drain Vitality.
Gameplay:
The Dread Knight is extremely deadly up close but lacks mobility and a way to deal damage at distance. With no healing skills he relies on his intimidation and fear effects to close the gap on his opponents, sending them running with fear instead of fighting back.
When entering combat cast a few fear spells to thin enemy numbers, try to hit a mix of melee and ranged combatants. This reduces the incoming damage early and maximises the Dread Knights strength of fighting small numbers.
The Dread Knight has some powerful special abilities that can swiftly turn the tide of battle. They each have unique uses but are all the result of the Dread Knight's cursed aura.
Special Abilities:
Uncontrollable Fear:
Disarm Shout + Battle Cry; The Dread Knight lets out a fearsome Battle Cry causing all foes to drop their weapons and flee in terror.
Crush Morale:
Shout of Dismay + Fear Spells; The weak willed break rank and flee in terror giving The Dread Knight time to kill their commander.
Break Their Spirit:
Drain Vitality + Shield Charge; Fear saps your foes stamina and magicka while the Dread Knight charges, knocking his weakened foes to the ground.
Quest Log:
Act I: The Soldier
Main Quest:
After a second dragon is spotted and atfacks the Western Watchtower of Whiterun, Hjord remembers what Ralof told him as they escaped Helgen; "If anyone knows what the return of the dragons means, it's Jarl Ulfrik." (Complete Dragon Rising)
Side Quests/ Misc:
Before Hjord makes the journey to Windhelm to speak with Ulfrik, he decides it would be best to help the province of Whiterun in an attempt to sway Balgruuf to join the Stormcloaks in the war. This will also give Hjord some time to train his skills and abilities.
(Clear nearby locations and complete misc quests that benefit the people of Whiterun, especially Stormcloak sympathisers)
Civil War:
Once Hjord is ready he heads to Windhelm to join the main rebel army in hopes to rid Skyrim of the Imperial Legion once and for all. The forces claim the Jagged Crown then strike Whiterun to send a message to the other provinces. From here Hjord leads the war to systematically liberate all of Skyrim.
As Hjord frees each province from the imperials he gains further control of his dreaded aura, he is able to shape it in different ways to aid him in battle.
Dismay: The eternal dread manifested itself through his voice. A mere shout send the weak minded running.
Disarm: The second manifestation shakes foes to their core, causing them to drop their weapons.
Drain Vitality: The third manifestation of Hjords malice, he is able to terrify foes so completely they lose energy and stamina.
Eventually storming the great city of Solitude with Ulfrik by his side, he cut down General Tullius in front of his men cementing his legend as a monster driven by hate and anger.
(Complete the Civil War questline to completion. When liberating a province of Skyrim grab one of The Dread Knights 3 shouts as a new ability)
Act II: Hero of Tamriel
Wanting to redeem himself after succumbing to the insatiable dread, Hjord seeks the familiarity of battle. He wants to become the Hero that his comrades on the frontlines saw him as. He wants to protect his home.
The Companions:
Once Hjord has restored the Blades and made them a self sufficient organisation, he seeks comradery and companionship like he used to exeprience during the war. The drinks celebrating victories and stories and songs sung of his battles were small reprieves from the constant terrified looks he usually received.
Entering Jorvaskar and being met with the smell of ale, roasting meats and a friendly brawl between members brings the memories from the frontlines right back.
(Complete Proving Honour but don't progress further, Hjord isn't a werewolf)
The Blades:
Hjord seeks out the greybeards that summonded him mistaking him for Dragonborn. In doing so he is tasked to find the Horn of the Jurgien Windcaller but instead finds an ominous letter. Hjord meets with his anonymous aquaintance who ends up being a member of the lost order of The Blades, who heard the rumors of his exploits and strange powers during the Civil War.
Sharing a common enemy, the Thalmor and the Dragons. Hjord joins the Blades in driving the Thalmor out of Skyrim once and for all, restoring the Blades to their former glory and protecting the people from the constant Dragon Attacks.
(Complete the Blades Questline)
Dawnguard:
One final threat loomed over Skyrim. Vampires. They seemed to be organised and intentional. Instead of living in seclusion they were gathering their masses. Rumors of the Dawnguard being reformed to counteract the increasing threat were circulating taverns and inns.
Seeking out Fort Dawnguard, Hjord joins their ranks. Following the destruction left in the Vampires wake the Dawnguard learn of a prophecy to block out the sun. With the help of Serana, Lord Harkons daughter, Hjord stops the prophecy. Kills Lord Harkon and finally rids Skyrim of the growing vampire threat.
Closing Notes:
This is my first build submission to the site, please let me know any feedback you have that may improve upon future builds I may post. Any and all feedback is appreciated. Also I thought this was a unique concept but then I stumbled upon the build: The Steel Dragon. Go check that build out if you haven't already it has a pretty cool companion section.
Replies
Congrats on your first build, always nice to see new faces and get new builds. I liked the simple yet believable backstory. I also like that your hero has a weakness and that he relies on a bluff. Personally I dislike having more than one crafting skill, too grindy and OP for my taste. Full set of Daedric plate fits the fear RP of the build but it's a bit boring. With DLC and CC content and the fact that you use enchanting, you can create several unique combos. Also, please add your prefered necklace/amulet and ring in equipment section. Perhaps amulet of Talos and ring of Masser? Either way, thank you for building!
Cheers Mate, I appreciate you taking the time to not only read this build but also leave a comment. That's a fair point about the two crafting skills. My thinking was that, since the build has no ranged options, it would benefit from a bit more power in the late game to compensate.
I'll definitely take a look at some other late game alternative armour combos Daedric certainly fits the intimidating aesthetic I was going for, but I agree there are probably some more unique combinations that would give the build a bit more personality.
As for the ring and amulet I wanted to leave some room for others to make the build their own, but currently I'm using an amulet of talos and ring of blocking.
I'm actually still playing this build and now in the late 40's so a few things have started sticking out to me that could be changed and refined. I appreciate the feedback and will look to update this build in the future, I've already started drafting two other builds so hopefully you'll see them posted once I've gotten around to playtesting them.