Helgen Chargen/Keep bug

[CoGDork]

I start out my game normally. I get to where Hadvar says, "Who are you?", then it immediately--and I mean before I can even SEE my character, let alone have the racemenu come up, the game immediately assumes I'm the default nord.

 

THEN when I enter the keep... I already have an iron helmet and waraxe equipped, and have iron armor, iron boots/glove, an iron sword, longbow, iron arrows, iron shield, etc. in my inventory, but other than the helmet and weapon I'm wearing the ragged robes/footwraps.

 

And this might be an entirely separate bug, but when I cross the bridge in the caves with Ralof (the one that is supposed to collapse behind you and Ralof/Hadvar says "No going back that way now!"), the rubble appears in the doorway just BEFORE the bridge, but nothing drops on the bridge, no dragon roar, no collapse of bridge, and therefore Ralof never says the line and he just hangs out there.

 

I recently wiped Skyrim off my computer entirely and redownloaded it. Before that, I used NMM, and never had any problems. I made DAMN sure to get my comp completely clean before reinstalling from Steam. Then I got MO instead of NMM. Other than that, I'm not using any mods that are different from what I had before, and neither LOOT or MO are detecting any problems, so I'm betting it isn't the mods.

[Rabbit1251]

...I'm betting it isn't the mods.

 

I'm betting it is. Helgen Keep is full of script intensive cut scenes that can play havoc with your mods. Try disabling your mods until you leave the final cave out of Helgen Keep. You can use something like "ShowRaceMenu Precache Killer" (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/33526/?) after you have left the Keep and re-enabled your mod list.

 

 

Rabbit

[CoGDork]

I guess I should have mentioned this earlier, but one of the mods I have is "Classic Classes and Birthsigns". The class/birthsign menu is only supposed to show up the first time you equip a weapon.

 

Thing is, the instant the loading screen with Alduin (when you start a new game) finishes, I get that menu in my face. I exited the game before I got any further, deselected the mod in MO, then started an entirely new game without that, and THAT's when I noticed that the game was skipping the racemenu and had already equipped me (that's when I decided to post this thread, and yes, I feel so stupid for not thinking of mentioning that until now).

 

In other words, the game is setting my race, appearance, and gear the INSTANT the game begins, even before the words "Bethesda Softworks presents" show up.

 

This is a pastebin link to the papyrus log (I turned Classic Classes off, and the moment I had the ability to press the ESC key and select quit, I did) www.pastebin.com/aT55R7Cs

 

And this is the load order of the mods I have in Mod Organizer. I used LOOT to place them.

 

http://i58.tinypic.com/9fmtt1.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/2j460ro.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/awaoev.jpg

[Rabbit1251]

I am unfamiliar with that mod although it does look interesting. Having read through the description there are some things about it that I am unsure of when using it in game. I would still go with what it gives you until you leave Helgen Keep and use the "ShowRaceMenu Precache Killer" utility after leaving the Keep to adjust your character. I just do not know how it will affect that when you do. Do let me know if you try that.

 

 

Rabbit

[CoGDork]

I don't know why it WOULD be Classic Classes. I've had the game more or less since the day it was released, I had that mod more or less since that mod became available, and kept it updated as often as I could, and never once had a problem even remotely similar to this one.

 

Not to mention MO (Mod Organizer) is designed specifically to prevent mods from screwing with vanilla or with each other; it keeps all of your mods completely isolated from the Skyrim installation, and also from each other. Which, incidentally, is why I decided to switch from NMM.

[CoGDork]

Well, I went down the list. Fact is, I was right about it not being a mod. I attempted the game with NO mods active in MO (and since, as I said, MO keeps mods separate from your Skyrim folder, that's all you have to do to go back to vanilla), and I still got the bug.

[CoGDork]

Well, I tried it without mods using the Steam Launcher and the bug didn't occur. I'm guessing it's a problem with SKSE (Skyrim Script Extender) or Mod Organizer. Or both.

 

EDIT: Huh, it fixed itself.

Edited December 14, 2014 by CoGDork

[CoGDork]

Well, I spoke too soon. The chargen problem is fixed, but the cave-in during Helgen Keep (after crossing the bridge in the cavern) never occurs and Ralof just stands there. I tried going all the way through the cavern without him, but when I exit he's not with me, and therefore Alduin never flies overhead, and Ralof (not being there) never mentions it heading toward Riverwood, therefore the quest is incomplete and the Main Quest is broken before it even begins. If the cave-in is triggered via quest stage, I wonder if one can use a console command to trigger it so the quest can continue?

Edited December 14, 2014 by CoGDork

[CoGDork]

And now the problem is back, and I still don't know what's going on or how to fix it. Could someone help me on this, someone who can read the papyrus log I posted earlier and maybe see what's going on? Because I'm at my wit's end.

[qaz1qaz1qa]

Man it is too sad to see this not answered. I have the exact same bug. Not sure why the stones are falling so far behind almost back where the oil on the floor was. and Raylof stands there like a doofas.

 

So Lesson learned CLEAR ALL MODS BEFORE NEW GAME. SAVE GAME AFTER EXIT HELGEN KEEP, USE THIS AS NEW START.

Since the progess to here was of little effort it might be better to just restart your game with all mods uncheck in your data list.

 

HOW TO FIX

 

First Open console via ` key and type ShowRaceMenu and make sure you save a preset and maybe a sculpt if you have a custom look.

unequip all items ALL!! (it is better to remove them though into a container or dead corpse since one is near.)

save your game just before the bridge tunnel near where the flammable oil slick was.

Close the game

 

I am using Vortex.

- "Purge Mods" which breaks the link to all the mods. (alternatively you can uncheck all the mods in your list when starting the game via the normal launcher, depending on how many you have and which is easier for you)

-Start Game via the basic game launcher and using "Data" checked to see if any mods where listed. Only the basics should be there. (if not uncheck them)

-I loaded the game save just before the bridge. COLLECT YOUR GEAR (some may be missing if created via a mod) My character looked really insane and was headless with floating teeth and eyes and Pink skin. We went across the bridge and it worked.

-You should continue "normal play" all the way out till he sees the dragon. There are several more scripts that will not launch properly just like the bridge. namely the exit script at the end. Once out and he has talked to you (I normally go down with him to the 3 standing stones) save your game. Close it.

 

REDEPLYING MODS

Open Game via basic launcher. Open "Data" and put a check in all the mods there where just enabled.

CLose the game without playing. (it important to do this step as Mod managers will not enable mods that are disabled this way)

If using Vortex. "Deploy mods" and go through long wait for FNIS if you have it. May take some time.

It may be important to run LooT or any mode organizer at this point as unchecking mods in data drops them out of order.

 

Open game via SKSE shortcut.

Load your save and Open racemenu and load your presets and sculpting. May need to re-select any custom race.

 

Following are solutions to other oddities that might arise. Especially if you did not remove all your gear.

Using a container unload every single item so you are completely inventory free. Using Player.Showinventory. If there are any items remaining. or your weight is not 0 use in console Player.removeallitems

CHeck Effects. If you have effects that should not be there use Player.resurrect This should fix any lingering issues. It will remove your race bonus. Fixed by Racemenu above.

 

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SUMMERY

With all that in mind it is far better to start a new game with the basic launcher and a clean game. Do any customizing AFTER you leave the tutorial by using Racemenu.