"Skyrim Romance" Redux - Skyrim Love Stories

[Pukitaki]

I was working with Mara the past few weeks, helping her improve the "Skyrim Romance Mod", and let me just say upfront that I did NOT know she was looking for $50,000 for 'her' mod. In fact, I have yet to talk to ANYONE from her "team" who realized what she was doing. I saw a 'donation' button, but figured it was like a tip jar. I'm also coming to learn that she took a lot of work from others without giving credit. She was dishonest with me, and I don't believe she is being honest with anyone else, either.

That being said;
I do still believe the mod itself had a lot of potential, and is something I feel many players would enjoy with certain improvements. Which is why I'm starting work on a similarly themed mod I plan to call "Skyrim Love Stories"

I can't do the voice acting for every character, but I can do the rest. I was already working on animating the various bits of dialogue, and creating more dialogue options, in addition to all of the bug fixes. This will be neither quick nor easy, because I'm first and foremost a single mom dealing with real life, but I will work on this project as often as I can. With this post in mostly trying to get a feel for community opinion on this matter. I'm not looking for help just yet, and will be picky about who comes to me offering. Mara's actions have made it hard to trust. But I'd love to hear feedback and get suggestions. I will be keeping this updated with current progress and descriptions, everyone is welcome to comment.


Current Progress: Laying down the framework.

Characters:
I'm working on both the male and female versions of the mod simultaneously. It's not a huge deal to simply create two sides of one coin. The interactions and dialogue will mirror a bit between the two versions. I'm working on gender detection, so the Player will be referenced by the correct pronouns regardless of which version is installed. The version will determine what gender set the NPCs will take.

There will be four main love interests, each with different alignments and attitudes. There will be Four response types based on alignment. The NPCs will be more or less attracted based on the alignment of the PC responses.

Basic love interest types areas follows. (And yes, I use both D&D and Rifts based Alignments. As far as actual coding, I'll be using an entirely different system of my own creation, but based on the ideas of these two.)

 

Men:

 

The Paladin - LG/Principled - Honor, Duty, and a remarkable strength of will... But you can get past that with enough flirting! Peeling him out of his armor might not be easy, but it'll be fun. And hey, you might even be surprised when you get to know the man underneath all that shine and purpose. I mean, really... who takes this stuff so seriously without a really good reason?

 

The Assassin - LE Aberrant - He is cold, callus, and pessimistic when it comes to the world. He does have a certain idea of right and wrong, but they're his own ideas and rarely align with the law. He isn't interested in "love"... but he might enjoy a like-minded companion. Who knows? Maybe he'll eventually open up.

 

The Bard - NG Scrupulous - He's a flirt, and a bit off a player, but hey, he'll always come home to you! If you can get a ring on his finger, that is... Well, at least when he ticks you off, you can always take it out on the bandits? And you can't deny he keeps things fun. But why is he running around Skyrim beating people off with a Lute, anyways?

 

The Ranger - CG Unprincipled - He comes along grudgingly, but is honor-bound to help you. As defensive as a wild animal caught in a cage, you can tell he's not thrilled with his obligations. But as time goes on, his presence becomes much more willing... Not that he'd admit it, of course! But even the wildest heart can be tamed when it finds the right match. And even the fiercest wolf mates for life.

 

 

 

Women:

 

The Warrior Princess - LG - Rules are made for -reasons-, and those that think they're to be broken are foolish. She's a champion of justice and honor, and will fight by your side to bring peace and order to Skyrim. Love isn't something she's really given much thought, but she does find an honorable, powerful companion to be very... inspiring. Maybe you can get her to open up, or maybe... just maybe... you can change her mind.

 

The Necromancer - LE Aberrant - She was supposed to be a priestess... You know, the whole healing the sick and wounded, living in a convent, never getting skin-to-skin, all that jazz. But how boring is that? She -is- interested in how the whole 'life' thing works. I mean, really, when you think about it, the very science and function of life and death are amazing! So a few lives have to be lost in the pursuit of knowledge... She'll bring them back later!

 

The Tavern Wench - NG - She's smart enough... but when her mouth gets smart, you can tell she's not always wise. Still, what an amazing voice! But when the party gets out of hand, you might wonder if she's a siren just out to draw you into trouble. She seems so carefree... right up until you try getting her to open up about her past. Can you win her over? Maybe it's better to just enjoy the fun of her? But if her past catches up, she may be more trouble that you anticipated...

 

The Huntress - CG Unprincipled - Trust no one. That's her motto. She's lived all her life in the wilds, and happens to like it that way. The call of nature has driven her to seek a mate, but do you really want something that shallow? That primal? Well, maybe... Or maybe you can get to the real reasons she lives holding the world off with a 39-and-a-half foot pole.

 

 

(Cheesy descriptions, I know, but I just wanted to give a basic idea, lol! Each character has a backstory, and unraveling it is part of the romance. I haven't typed up each character's story, but I will, and soon. I'm also open to name ideas!)

 

(And no, the "Warrior Princess" will NOT be named Xena... but Kudos to you if you recognize it! Crap, I feel old again...)

 

 

 

So, the two versions will simply decide if your "main cast" is the ladies or the gentlemen. Whether the DB is male or female won't make much difference (except with Huntress, but that's only if you indulge her desire for a 'mate' rather than pursue romance. She can fall in love with a male or female just the same)

What makes them fall in love with you or not? What you say!

 

I picked four main love interests primarily because it would make this very easy to base on alignments. In simple terms, One alignment will prefer a specific alignment, won't tolerate another alignment, and can be convinced with some effort by the other two alignments. But I'm not sticking to the traditional routes for this, it'll be a surprise! I think creating a bit of a challenge makes it more interesting. If I were going to make it really easy, I'd just make a dozen standalone NPC mods and let people pick and choose who they want. This isn't that kinda mod! Falling in love takes a certain amount of work, anyways.

 

Okay, that's all for now, more later!

Edited January 25, 2015 by Pukitaki

[Mattiewagg]

Very nice! I'm sorry that you were on the team - it was an idea that hadn't been done much, but Mara sort of screwed it up. I know Jonah Scott is still looking to VA, though I've no idea if he'd still want to do a mod that's similar.

 

Gender detection can be done by having two versions of an info, and using GetIsSex Male == 1 on Player on the first and GetIsSex Female == 1 on Player on the second. The first line will be played if the PC is male, the second if they're female.

 

I wish you the best of luck.

[TheVampireDante]

I will say up front that I wish you all the best with your project, so good luck with it and please, when if comes to it don't be afraid to ask on site for any help you might need. There are plenty of people around I feel would be glad to help out if asked.

[soupdragon1234]

Gender detection can be done by having two versions of an info, and using GetIsSex Male == 1 on Player on the first and GetIsSex Female == 1 on Player on the second. The first line will be played if the PC is male, the second if they're female.

 

You can also use GetPCIsSex <gender> == 1 for the player in condition boxes, not sure how that works in scripts, GetIsSex is possibly better applied to NPC's?

 

 

 

 

Wish you the best of luck.

 

Likewise.

[DigitalVixen]

I'm a bit in the same boat as you are right now, although I have no direct intentions of starting a mod on my own. At least not one of that scope. I could possibly devote some time to help, however.

[Mattiewagg]

 

Gender detection can be done by having two versions of an info, and using GetIsSex Male == 1 on Player on the first and GetIsSex Female == 1 on Player on the second. The first line will be played if the PC is male, the second if they're female.

 

You can also use GetPCIsSex <gender> == 1 for the player in condition boxes, not sure how that works in scripts, GetIsSex is possibly better applied to NPC's?

 

 

 

 

Wish you the best of luck.

 

Likewise.

 

I have always used GetIsSex on Player rather than subject, as do most quests. I've never even looked at GetPCIsSex, actually. :p

[Pukitaki]

I'm a bit in the same boat as you are right now, although I have no direct intentions of starting a mod on my own. At least not one of that scope. I could possibly devote some time to help, however.

 

Honestly, I'd be ecstatic if you'd even just help me with catching and squashing bugs! I know you did some of that with the old SRM, and I'd appreciate your experience.

[Pukitaki]

Very nice! I'm sorry that you were on the team - it was an idea that hadn't been done much, but Mara sort of screwed it up. I know Jonah Scott is still looking to VA, though I've no idea if he'd still want to do a mod that's similar.

 

Gender detection can be done by having two versions of an info, and using GetIsSex Male == 1 on Player on the first and GetIsSex Female == 1 on Player on the second. The first line will be played if the PC is male, the second if they're female.

 

I wish you the best of luck.

 

I'd love to get in touch with Jonah at some point, but I think it's a bit premature right now. Still, I do think he'd be perfect for my idea of the Bard. Thank you for the tips on gender detection! I'll try it out.

 

 

 

 

Gender detection can be done by having two versions of an info, and using GetIsSex Male == 1 on Player on the first and GetIsSex Female == 1 on Player on the second. The first line will be played if the PC is male, the second if they're female.

 

You can also use GetPCIsSex <gender> == 1 for the player in condition boxes, not sure how that works in scripts, GetIsSex is possibly better applied to NPC's?

 

 

 

 

Wish you the best of luck.

 

Likewise.

 

I'll try this out, too, appreciate it!

 

I'm still in early stages, especially now that I'm starting over rather than building on Mara's. So it'll take some time before I have much to show. My Real Life is not in a good place right now, but I work on this as much as I can because it really helps me de-stress.

[JonahScottVA]

 

Very nice! I'm sorry that you were on the team - it was an idea that hadn't been done much, but Mara sort of screwed it up. I know Jonah Scott is still looking to VA, though I've no idea if he'd still want to do a mod that's similar.

 

Gender detection can be done by having two versions of an info, and using GetIsSex Male == 1 on Player on the first and GetIsSex Female == 1 on Player on the second. The first line will be played if the PC is male, the second if they're female.

 

I wish you the best of luck.

 

I'd love to get in touch with Jonah at some point, but I think it's a bit premature right now. Still, I do think he'd be perfect for my idea of the Bard. Thank you for the tips on gender detection! I'll try it out.

 

 

 

 

Gender detection can be done by having two versions of an info, and using GetIsSex Male == 1 on Player on the first and GetIsSex Female == 1 on Player on the second. The first line will be played if the PC is male, the second if they're female.

 

You can also use GetPCIsSex <gender> == 1 for the player in condition boxes, not sure how that works in scripts, GetIsSex is possibly better applied to NPC's?

 

 

 

 

Wish you the best of luck.

 

Likewise.

 

I'll try this out, too, appreciate it!

 

I'm still in early stages, especially now that I'm starting over rather than building on Mara's. So it'll take some time before I have much to show. My Real Life is not in a good place right now, but I work on this as much as I can because it really helps me de-stress.

 

 

I would love to help out. Feel free to email me. [email protected]

[DigitalVixen]

 

I'm a bit in the same boat as you are right now, although I have no direct intentions of starting a mod on my own. At least not one of that scope. I could possibly devote some time to help, however.

 

Honestly, I'd be ecstatic if you'd even just help me with catching and squashing bugs! I know you did some of that with the old SRM, and I'd appreciate your experience.

 

 

I'll PM you my email and Google Hangouts address and you can hit me up whenever you have anything you want to discuss or need help with. :)