Immersive/Realistic Map and Compass Mechanics

[Dachimotsu]

I haven't seen anything exactly like this after looking at every mod with "compass" in the name, so I thought I'd post here.

The core of the idea is to present the map and compass in-world the way the player's character would perceive it. It is meant to be used in modes where you can't freely fast travel (like Survival), and must find your own way without quest markers on the HUD. For simplicity's sake, here's the progression system you'd see from the get-go after installing the mod.

First, no openable map. You have to buy one first and have it in your inventory in order to open it. If you try to open the map, you get an error in the top-left saying, "You don't have a map for this area". You have the option of stealing an overworld map from a commander's table, and it will respawn when the hold reloads (the commander gets a new one). You also have to find and/or buy local maps for instanced areas, like walled cities or dungeons. Town/city maps are sold within, either by a general goods merchant, or whichever merchant is available. If there are no merchants, the map is found lying around somewhere and can be taken without a bounty. For mod-specific areas (anywhere this particular mod detects is not a vanilla location), the map will be automatically given to you upon entry (and named after the location).

Quest markers only appear on maps, not on the compass, and hovering quest markers are also disabled unless the objective is within line of sight. Location markers still appear on the map as normal as they are discovered or learned about (your character is marking them down).

Second, the compass HUD will, optionally, still be visible from the start so you can "sense" nearby enemies. However, it will not display cardinal directions until you buy/find/craft a compass and have it in your inventory. Quest and location markers will still not show up on the compass. To find your way around, you must use your map and compass in conjunction with one another. (Look at the map, see that Whiterun is north-northwest, try to follow compass in that direction, follow signs and roads, etc.)

As an additional feature, this mod could have built-in compatibility with Point the Way, and you can ask travelers for directions to one of the towns.

Edited October 10 by Dachimotsu