Volcano? Avalanche?

[TPA5]

Snow. Lava.

 

Two contrasts, two entities, two mistresses that can be equally cruel. One can turn you from a sentient organic being, into a dead and crispy pile of ash (The ash is less sentient). The other can cause hypothermia, loss of extremities, and also makes peeing outside awkward.

 

Why do I mention this? First of all, I wanted a chance to mention peeing outside in winter is horribly nasty. Second, I wanted to bring to your attention an idea that floated into my head and promptly fell out my ear and onto my hand. I grasped the little bugger to make sure he didn't get away, and gave him the Brooklyn squeeze for some information.

He mentioned that even though rather massive mountains exist in the game, none of them appeared to be volcanoes. This is not good. Volcanoes are quite amazing, for they contain lava, hot ash, and deadly gases. They can also contain rare creatures and elements/minerals (In fantasy land, at least. I think in real life all they have is hot death). They should have a place in the game. Plus, throwing an enemy into the mouth of a volcano is nothing but satisfying. Volcanoes also make perfect lairs for evil dragons, and nothing would be more impacting then scaling a hulking mountain to the dragons lair, only to discover a massive pool of lava with a fortress at the center. Fantastic. They could open up entire new dungeon possibilities. In Oblivion, lava only existed in the Plains of Oblivion. Not fair. Also, lava-falls tracing their merry way down the side of a mountain in contrast with the snow and ice surrounding it would be just magnifique.

 

Firey death aside, there is another (perhaps more valid) suggestion/idea that trailed the first one quite closely.

 

Avalanches. If you have watched any of the videos on Skyrim thus far, or even read anything about it, it is no secret that it takes place in a rather cold climate. Snow, ice, and general misery all have a prominent role in the game. (It parallels the climate where I reside so much it almost frightens me).

With both mountains and snow making a headline performance, would it not make sense to have avalanches? Even if they were not random per-se, but perhaps part of a side-quest? Or scripted? It only makes sense for the brutal Highlands of the North to be rife with dangers, not the least of which is Nature herself. After all, if we're going to have Mammoths, Bears, Giants, and other creatures that would like to separate our insides from our outsides, why not have the climate itself hate our warm, moist organs. (Moist organs. Now there's a statement I haven't been able to use on a message board yet.)

 

This is of course just an idea. A foolish one even. But I want to know your thoughts? Should the climate play a more active role other then "Oh *censored*, it's drizzling. Rather quaint for the designers not to include a blasted umbrella, now my character is all moist."

 

(That's two times I used moist in this post. Officially that is two times more then I have used it online in my life, other then when I search for naughty things.)

 

Let your thoughts be known! (About the climate, that is. Not moist things.)

 

(Three times!)

[runforitkyle]

I would be great if bethesda could implement it properly.

[hejpadig]

Your post made me lol. But I do like the idea. But it would get really annoying if you really wanted to climb that particular mountain, and there's only one route to get to the top. And out of nowhere this massive avalanche appears and you're basically screwed (let's think outside the box and say that you didn't quick save every 3 mins). But it would definitely add more variety to the game-play itself. This particular example is maybe what makes it different and more exciting, the fact that you might get drowned by an avalanche anytime, anywhere.

[satamino]

I like the avalanche idea.

 

It would be fun to also be able to trigger them : ]

[SansSword]

Reminds me of the contrasts inherent in Icewind Dale, if anyone recalls

 

I think the Fifth area (?) was that underground lava lair, full of fire giants, etc--that was a huge twist in a land of eternal winter and honestly, very refreshing from all the cold

 

As for avalanches, I'd be ok with seeing them at a distance, on distant mountains--as for dealing with one yourself, I think it would be better to have only a few scripted avalanche sequences in the game, aka. wanting to get to the top of Mount Skyrim and having to deal with timing, ducking behind cover, etc. like a little mini-game in order to successfully reach the top

 

Do this too many times, however, and it will become taxing, annoying even--not smart to implement it for every single mountain the player traverses

 

Edit: Triggering avalanches upon pursuers would be cool

Edited June 18, 2011 by SansSword

[TheMightyLordSheogorath]

 

moist organs. (Moist organs. Now there's a statement I haven't been able to use on a message board yet.)

 

 

 

THERE COULD BE (ARE) CHILDREN READING THESE BOARDS! So continue, they'd appreciate it.

 

Anyways, I was thinking of what would happen if avalanches were implemented...me and 5 others running across Skyrim for 2 straight hours like what I saw in a forced-to-see-due-to-boredom movie that actually wasn't all that bad, Fellowship of the Rings. They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard, They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard, They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard-gard-gard. God bless Liv Tyler.

[Draco856]

Well, I'd like some random and some scripted avalanches, then a way to stop them like using a dragon breath shout, or a powerful fire spell to melt any snow that was in your path or coming your way, use your shout melt a hole in the middle and run through before it closes.

[TPA5]

All your ideas align so beautifully with the ones I had. It's like we're all connected in perfect harmony, we are as one. We can do anything...Perhaps build a machine to harness our collective brain power so we can amass a psycho-kinetic machine capable to ruling the world?

 

Back on topic, I agree with all your wonderful additions. Scripted sequences would be the bees-knees for avalanches, as SansSword puts it:

 

As for avalanches' date=' I'd be ok with seeing them at a distance, on distant mountains--as for dealing with one yourself, I think it would be better to have only a few scripted avalanche sequences in the game, aka. wanting to get to the top of Mount Skyrim and having to deal with timing, ducking behind cover, etc. like a little mini-game in order to successfully reach the top[/quote']

 

That would be exciting! Having to dodge and such as you desperately clamber up to the top of the peak.

 

 

Draco856 also proves that he (or she?) has serious Skyrim-smarts with this idea:

 

Well' date=' I'd like some random and some scripted avalanches, then a way to stop them like using a dragon breath shout, or a powerful fire spell to melt any snow that was in your path or coming your way, use your shout melt a hole in the middle and run through before it closes.[/quote']

 

That would be absolutely fabulous! Very few things could compare to seeing a mountain of terrible ice and snow hurtling towards you, prepared to crush you into a fine red mist. Then, pow! Fire-blast right through the heart of the bugger. Genius, sheer genius my friend!

 

The folks here on this board are so smart, with such ideas more brilliant then my own. I am appreciating your input so much! Please, keep it coming.