LE SAO - Skryim Abodes Overhaul

[LonelyVagabond]

Hello,

 

The following suggestion was sent to a modder earlier. It is my hope they take the idea and run, but just in case (and to get the opinions of other users), here is the (long) message I sent them:

 

 

Skyrim Abodes Overhaul, or SAO for short. What I suggest is a complete overhaul of all three homesteads (Windstad Manor, Lakeview Manor, and Heljarchen Hall), as well as all six houses (Breezehome, Hjerim, Honeyside, Proudspire Manor, Severin Hold, and Vlindrel Hall).

 

Currently I use the following mods to take care of vanilla housing:

BreezehomeTNF

HoneysideTNF

Vindrel HallTNF

Proudspire ManorTNF

HjerimTNF

 

;and for Hearthfire housing:

Dracos Hearthfire Homes Exterior Upgrades Windstad Lakeview Heljarchen

Simple Hearthfire Attics - Lakeview - Winstad - Heljarchen

Hearthfire Cellars Extended

Windstad Mine

Heljarchen Farm

 

standard list of features

 

Automated storage

Themed Storage

Display Areas for all collectables

Good navmesh

Hearthfire Multiple Adoptions

All Crafting Worskstations

 

The Vanilla homes, I think, just need to be expanded and brought up to date on features. flair added to the exterior and interior, though one minor gripe I have with many remodels of vanilla homes is that they add crafting stations to the house that are represented in the city; so you just grow accustomed to being a hermit in your house at your own personal crafting stations rather that being part of the community. Imagin the extra accomodations for your own character and followers if you didn't have to stuff a forge, tanning rack, grindstone, ect in breezehome when you've got that woman's shop right down the street.

 

With Hearthfire homes, I think they need to be redesigned completely. I think the houses should reflect the construction styles of their perspective holds. I also think they need walls of some sort- being out in the middle of nowhere without a wall is asking for problems. Stables for horses. Maybe a way to make sure that the three major cart mods have a way of getting into the estate and having a place to park one. I don't like to fast travel, and I think those carts are awesome ways to get around, rather than just riding the horse itself. I think road access would be nice as well, maybe as consecutive upgrades (no road - beaten path - real road).

 

Lakeview Manor should look the richest, as I purpose that a meadery be a late construction option, after getting your apiary set up and producing. Actual stone walls down later in construction

 

Windstad should be the most humble looking, with the small fishing village look (I think Kattegat from the History Channel's Vikings). Later on, you could set up production of things like: Modern Gravlax ("cure" time of a few days, pay off small), Lutefisk ("cure" time of a couple weeks, payoff good), and Rakfisk ("cure" time a few months, pay off high, it's a skyrim delicacy!). A simple palisade would due for Windstad. Maybe a longship (not very big, just big enough to be sea worthy) with fast travel support to all seaside towns/settlements including raven rock, Seapoint, Falskaar, and Wyrmstooth.

 

Heljarchen should have that ranch/farm look. With a full sized Windmill later on in construction, to go along with the couple farms and farm houses. Heljarchen should have a mix those low scandinavian stone walls and sturdy fences. In addition to that, perhaps some livestock?

 

As a side note, I'm a companion hoarder. I tend to set my followers up in different houses as permanent residents and just go get them when I'm in the area for adventure. Though I usually keep some in my main house as well. It would be cool if the houses had furnishing packages that can omit the collectable (elder scrolls, priest masks, black books, ect) displays in favor of different deco if you aren't using that as your main house; so that if, for example, I own Breezehome, Honeyside, and Windstad Manor, I can elect to just put the collectable displays in Windstad (while the other two have alternate furniture packages).

If you made it through that, I'm interested in opinions. Perhaps other people can think of a better way to improve the vanilla and hearthfire homes?

 

Cheers,
Michael

Edited July 25, 2015 by LonelyVagabond