Companion spouse/ play as both

[Truio]

Hello, and welcome to my humble suggestion thread.

 

After searching the first 6 pages of Mod Suggestion I couldn't find anything, but I apologize in advance if someone already suggested this.
(I've spotted a similar thread in another category on this forum, but I'll throw my ideas in anyway, as they are a bit different.)

At first, I was thinking about making this mod myself, but I realize I lack the knowledge needed.

This mod will (probably?) require the Creation Kit, so I'm merely throwing out ideas, hoping some skilled and willing modder will like them.
I'll probably bump this thread once the CK is out if it becomes forgotten.

 

Basically, this mod would let you keep two (or more?) characters in the same savegame, and swap between at will.
And/or have them as a follower.
The smartest thing to do, I believe, is to start with what we already have: our character's spouse.
In fact, it's the easiest NPC to customize, as you can do it directly from the character creation menu.

Now: the spouse is dead, we all know it. How to fix it?

There are several options in my mind:

For the sake of conveniency I'll assume the player is using the male character and Nora is the NPC.
Mind you, there are some mid-story spoilers.


Option 1:

Nora never died. Kellog took pity of her and instead of shoting to kill, he merely bashes her in the head, enough to knock her out and take the baby.
Will probably require a custom animation, but I believe is a fairly solid story. After all, if they keep a "Plan B", they can as well keep a "Plan C".
So, it will be enough to open their pod to have her follow you.
Pros: Quick, easy, makes (enough) sense.
Cons: Will require different Kellog animation and Codsworth/player dialogue, after all Nora never died.

Option 2:

Vanilla story. Take the kid, shot the wife. However because of luck, that shot wasn't fatal.
Sure, she is gravely wounded, however the cryopod is keeping her in a suspended state.
Perhaps she can be saved?

Option 2a:

Perhaps the cybernetics that kept Kellog alive for over a century may save Nora's life?
It will require help from a specialist but it's the best hope you have.
Technologically advanced factions may have doctors capable of a similar operation. But perhaps even a medic in a big settlements can do it.
Pros: Gives a use to Kellog's cybernetics, otherwise only good at selling, not immediate for those who like a little challenge.
Cons: Slower, not the most , someone may already have sold the components.

Option 2b:

Same as above, but instead of using Kellog's cybernetics, you merely ask help to a doctor.
He will have to come with you to the Vault, and will take some time, but with the right tools and a bit of luck Nora will be saved.

Option 3:

Synth.

Option 3a:

If you are friendly with the Institute, or able to even direct its efforts, you can request a synth that looks like your wife.
With a bit of luck, centuries in a cryogenic pod preserved her brain enough that it's still possible to "save" her memories.

Option 3b:

Father is observing you during your journey and understands your pain.
As a gift from the Institute to you, he has prepared a synth that looks like Nora, but has no memories, neither Institute's nor Pre-war.
It is a gift, so you can keep it even if you plan to be hostile to the Institute.

 

 

 

Option #:

Anything you can think of.

The freshly-alive spouse will now be able to follow you in your journey through the commonwealth.
Or can sobstitute you if you feel like you need to rest.

Ideally, instead of the "Relationship" dialogue, there will be a new option to swap characters.
Everything else should work as a normal companion: trade items, send home, talk.

Feel free to comment, suggest ideas or criticize what you think is stupid.
But most importantly, feel free to make this come true.

Thanks.

PS: I apologies for any mistake I may, and probably will, have made.

Edited April 3, 2016 by Truio