[What do you want in a house mod?]

I would like a beautiful castle, most any style would do...with all of the not so usual amenities. I would however prefer it to float slowly about the sky changing locations randomly but close enough to the ground to still see detail. The scenery would never be the same. Perhaps something along the lines of a modified Charok Hall.

[searching a mod for real summoning]

The mod "Hilarity" will provide you with spells to summon multiple creatures, among other things. Be adivsed, however, it is way overpowered. Fun just to try it, but not a mod I would recommend keeping permanently. Perhaps someone could modify some of the spells included in that mod so they wouldn't be quite so overpowering. Otherwise, I believe "Supreme Magica" may allow multiple summons.

[Easiest way to become vampire early in the game]

Everything suggested is very good, there is one option not mentioned, however. That is the "Alternate Start: Shipboard " mod. This mod gives you the option of starting the game as a vampire...although I have to say I haven't tried it. I may be wrong. The mod actually offers a choice of several "starting" diseases... including vampirism?! Of course you could simply play a vampire character class.

[Recommendations Please!]

Some good tough quests without being too complicated are "Werewolves: Legends of the North" and "Dragon Invasion ll". There is also "Frostcrag Reborn" altho I'm sure you have already done that. There is also "Heart of the Dead" and "Gates to Asgaard" altho I had some problems with them (lower end system) albeit they are beautifully done. A good mod list is "BallofFire's Mod List". (google it).

[Pen-n-Paper RPGs; Let's talk OLD School...]

Anyone remember "Chain Mail" the precursor to Dungeons and Dragons? It's curious but every once in a while I'll still look up before going through a dark doorway. Just in case. Dungeons and Dragons and AD&D are fond memories now. Likewise tabletop games such as Warhammer, Magic and even Chess. Games were more fun when you had a social group to relate to in person instead of thru a keyboard and yet, here we are. Talkin' bout the good old days...whenever they ended. Can anyone remember any other games? I remember "Vampire: The Masquerade" and there were some scifi ones too, "Shadowrun" and "Cyberpunk". I still miss playing some of those.

[Your Number one charactor choice]

Mod: Werewolves: Legends of the North, Dragon Invasion ll, Deadly Reflex, Unnecessary Violence, Multiple Enchantments, Shield on Back, etc...

Race: Gypsy Moon, Chocalate Elves, Desu-Chans Kawa-Kahjit, Djinn, Succubus, Sirens and Tritons, anything by Slof.

Weapons: Any kind of rapier (TK's Rapier, Lilly's Rapier) or anything by Andragorn or Staff of Lore

Weapon Type: varies with character.

Armor type: prefer light armor or clothing with rings and amulets. If I feel like using wearable eyecandy "Painbringer" (male or female)

Magic Spell: Heavy Hitting Destruction spells.

Hangout: entertaining at the Ancient Tower

Food: venison

Daedra: no preference (altho fried is tasty)

[Favorite weapons?]

Today I like TK Rapier's, Lily's Rapier, Scythe, Staff of Lore, Black and Gold Bow from Appachii Goddess, Frostmourne, anything from Andragorn Weapons and Armor, etc..

[What mount would you most like to see in oblivion?]

A commandable carrniverous horse with fangs (as in sabertooth) and claws instead of hooves. Give it limited flight capabilities with a fire animation for each foot and nostril. Animated wings (of fire) and armor would be optional. Make riding a mount a Skill with separate options for mounted attacks, trample and spellcasting. Note use a limited list of spells for self and ranged attacks or use a modified device such as the Staff of Lore but as a bataan ( as in Marshall's ) or wand. As a further limitation make Mounted Spellcasting possible only from the back of a magical creature. Being able to use a lance would be very good. How about an animation for a rearing horse as well. Oh yeah, make it look as good and with as many variations as Slofs Horses. Well, thats quite a wish list and I suspect just about impossible. However, one further note: With all of the mounts in the game I have wondered why no one has turned Riding into a Skill especially since the advent of the mounted combat and spellcasting capabilities associated with Deadly Reflex. Seems kind of obvious.

You could choose a mount(s) to specialize in and the kind of combat desired: Flight, Lance and Melee, and Magic.

Types of Mount Specialization:

Horse

Unicorn

Dragon (Flying)

Pegasus Flying)

Eagle (has no one invented that yet?!)

Elephant

Tiger

Nightmare

Trainers and a Riding school might make an interesting mod.

I apoligize if that's more info than what you wanted (blame it on half a pot of coffee :)

[What are some must have mods?]

Depends on how powerful you want to be. The following mods can be used to create an uber Spell Caster character if thats what you are looking for:

1) Multiple Enchantments: allows from 1 to 6 enchantments per item (removable and replaceable as well) and as a side effect constantly recharges your magical items.

2) Unlimited Rings and Amulets-does just what it says and works with Multiple Enchantments.

3) Staff of Lore...no worrying about charges as it works off of your magica, chooses the best spell for you, and credits it to your experience. Use this in conjunction with normal casting and you are virtually unstoppable.

None of these require any configuring of the CS or working with INI files or selecting specific locations in your Data files. Just download and go.

So, with just those 3 mods you can create an uber mage spell caster. You still have to collect your spells for enchanting: I recommend Chameleon and Fortify Magica to start with. Of course this type of character is really too powerful. Still, I'd like to see someone create some enemies that were just as powerful in a mod.

Of course the uber mod for spell casters is "Hilarity". ...for when you just have to nuke a dungeon or change that Dragon into a sheep (you can forget about experience tho).

All of the others such as LAME, Supreme Magica, Mighty Magick and Midas Magick are just personal preferences and all are very good and will provide you with many different options as far as spell types are concerned. I hope this helped.

BTW here is one final mod to round out your character: "Duplicate Item". I suppose you could call it a cheat...but what a cheat! With this spell you will never run out of Soul Gems, Lockpicks, Repair Hammers, Gems, Gold, Arrows, Potions, Ingredients or anything else you can think of! It quite literally will duplicate anything you can place in a container.

[how about a lance]

Don"t know if its possible but a jousting field or tournament mod would be very good.

[I need some Ideas]

Consider mythology: Glastonbury Tor, in England, is as weird a looking piece of landscape as you will ever likely see. Once it was an island surrounded by a marsh...legends state that there was a gate to an elvish realm at the top of the hill. By the year 40 A.D. (Christian) monks had established a Chapel near the peak of the hill. Upon being confronted by "Demonic" elves the head of the order "cast out" (closed a gate?) to the realm of the devilish elves by using his "magical" staff...jabbing it into the ground opening an everflowing spring with healing properties. The staff became an everblooming Apple tree(whose limbs were used to create magical staffs,chests. and bows) existing at the source of the spring. The monks supposedly had three artifacts...vials of the blood and sweat of Christ and the spear used to pierce the side of Christ. Within a few years the Brothers established a reputation for helping wayfarers coming and going from the holy land. One such journey was undertaken by a wealthy Christian man, two older ladies and a young woman, travelling from the holy land to a sanctuary in France. Some legends state that these people were Joseph of Arimethea, Mary Magdelene, Mary the Mother of Christ and Sara, possibly the daughter of Jesus. They left with the monks an additional artifact "a sacred chalice" or grail. All of these artifacts the monks hid...but told no one where. The monks eventually died of old age, theire chapel fell into disrepair and the location forgotten. Much later as Roman legions left England for good the last Roman general gave his sword (a masterwork) to his favorite commander (possibly his son) who would remain behind to try and stem the tide of northern barbarity. The young man using military strategies taught to him by Roman officers quickly became a "Knight" leading his heavy cavalry into battle and winning evey trial. He established first a fort at the top of the hill, drained the marshes, and established a town at the base of the hill. He also established an enormous monastery near the town. This Christian monastery eventually becomes a 2nd Rome...with extreme wealth hidden in caves beneath the monastery and possibly within the hill itself. The fort eventually becomes a huge castle, home to the greatest Knights of the Realm. The Knight becomes a legendary King and after a murderous quarrel with his son and betrayal from within the court is killed in single combat with his son. He is buried in a tarn upon the hill and his Kingdom was corrupted and destroyed. Upon his grave marker these words were carved: "Here in the Isle of Avallach Lies Arthur, the Once and Future King". Additional: Lancelot (after the death of Arthur) became a hermit, seeking to die in single combat and impossible to defeat. Merlin was imprisoned within a crystal cavern (by his love a sorceress. NOTE: Barbarians, Druids and Goddess worshipers were very much against Christianity and fought against its spread. I think you know the story. Well...there you have it:

1) Weird looking hill

2) Gate to an elvish kingdom

3) Magical spring and Apple tree

4) Hidden Chapel (Ruin)

5) Castle

6) Town

7) Monastery

8) Tomb

9) Multiple artifacts:

a) Blood and Sweat

b) Chalice

c) Sword

d) Bloody Spear (and cloth)

e) Round Table (?)

10) Caves

11) Powerfull Hermit seeking death in single combat

12) Crystal Cavern (Merlin)

13) Hostile Barbarians and Druids

14) Heavy Cavalry and jousting

15) A magical lake (As in, the lady of).

Additional things to throw in: Dragon, Magical Apples (Avallach means Apple, a corrupt spelling is Avalon), Ghosts, magical beasts, warhorses, unicorns, weapons, witches, a jousting field, etc...The Christian theme need not be carried out but it is a wonderful tale. Please note, some of what I wrote is artistic license but the majority is "LEGEND"