SSE Skyrim's Heroes of Old - Skyrim SE New Game+

[VitaminJay]

Heroes of Old

New Game+

Overview

The idea for a New Game+ has been floating around since Skyrim vanilla but I've yet to really see it done. I know this is mostly due to the immense complexity involved with trying to reset the game (resetting NPCs, quests, item locations, resurrecting NPCs, etc, etc the list goes on practically forever). I am proposing a different approach. Rather than try and reset the game, let the built-in New Game feature do the work for you and instead port the important aspects of a character into a clean game. Skyrim's level-scaled foundation almost makes this too easy really, the only complication is how to go about porting over the appropriate values. Again, I'm sure some other people have thought of this as well however I've yet to see a reasonable amalgamation in any of the existing mods (even for Skyrim vanilla). I'll detail how I suggest doing this not only in a functional but also immersive way.

First off, I'd like to preface this suggestion with the fact that it will likely need access to many of the methods only available through SKSE64. I could be wrong of course but judging by what I've seen is available in the existing mod editor and the list of mods available it just doesn't seem feasible without some of the more advanced functionality SKSE offers. With that said, here's what I hope will be possible one day:

Requirements

Minimum: Level 1

Maximum: Level 1

Repeatable: No

Location

Falkreath Cemetary

Premise

Falkreath is home to many of Skyrim's denizens who have moved on. Among the graves, the spirits of fallen heroes lie waiting for a new host upon whom to bestow their vast power and knowledge.

Quest Activation

Entering the Falkreath Graveyard automatically activates the quest and adds it to the Player's journal.

Quest Details

TO BE ADDED AT A LATER TIME

This will likely involve a dungeon, accessible via a specific unmarked grave located in Falkreath's graveyard which transports the Player to a dream-like location (similar to Dawnguard's Soul Carin). This ultimately leads the Dragonborn to a gravestone.

The Meeting

Upon reaching the grave and reading it some special effects occur, lighting dims and a ghostly presence appears. This ghost will bare the appearance of the previous hero equipped with their weapon(s) and armor (details below). Movement is disabled and a dialogue will ensue.

DIALOGUE DETAILS TO BE ADDED AT A LATER TIME

The main gist of the dialogue is the "ghost" tells you that you are worthy, of great power, etc, etc. No mention of the fact that you're Dragonborn (since this should not actually be known to the character yet), only that you possess great potential waiting to be unlocked. The spirit offers to imbue their soul unto yours. This effectively transfers all stats, spells, equipment etc to you (details to follow). More flashy effects and so on and then...

Note: You will also be given the option to decline which results in the quest completing anyway but no transfer is done.

Note: The quest automatically fails should the player enter Falkreath Cemetary but leaves without progressing as soon as the Player reaches level 2.

What gets transferred / updated

Player's level

Player's maximum Heath

Player's maximum Magicka

Player's maximum Stamina

Player's level of all skills

Player's "Legendary" status of all skills and "Legendary" count

Player's Perks assigned to all skills

Gold

** One set of equipment **

** One set of weapons (2h or two 1h) **

Player's list of available spells

Enchantment Knowledge (ex: Fortify Smithing)

Alchemy Knowledge (effects of each ingredient)

What doesn't get transferred / updated

Shouts (for storyline reasons)

Abilities (also for storyline reasons)

Unique equipment (No passing Auriel's Bow for example)

Quest - tagged equipment

Any other items

Followers or Pets

Partial progression of Skills

Werewolf status

Vampire status or associated perks

Any storyline progression at all (thane status, houses, etc)

Becoming a Host

Requirement: Level 30

Location: Falkreath Cemetary

Activating the Unmarked grave while above level 30 will give you the option to trap your soul so that future heroes may use your power. This will effectively create a save file where the required data is stored for use in "imbuing" a New Game. This could potentially also have a quest, dungeon, etc.. associated with it but that is to be figured out at a later time.

The script would have to pull all required data from the character and store it to a data file (possibly serialized if SKSE can actually do that). This will include all items listed above as well as the visual representation of the character (Character edit values and name). This will also have to pull the data on equipped items (possibly uniquely named)

Points of possible complication

The majority of what I'd like to see transferred over is pretty straightforward and could easily be done in the console. The exceptions are the equipment (possibly uniquely named) and Enchanting / Alchemy knowledge. Enchantments on equipment would need to be pulled as well as the unique names given to each piece. The Legendary status of skills might also pose a problem, I don't really know if SKSE has the ability to pull or modify that data. I am a programmer so I understand the pipeline involved in creating this mod and in all honesty it's pretty straightforward however I'm unfamiliar with specifically modding for Skyrim so I would need to be informed of the limitations.

Another possible complication might be modded character appearance (ex: Hitachi Hairstyles, etc..). This would mostly affect the "ghostly" appearance of the NPC that would act as the Hero of Old. If this does end up being a problem we could just use a standard model for the NPC but equip the appropriate armor/weapon and only the gender would matter. It wouldn't be a perfect representation of the previous hero but it would be reasonable. Mod-created equipment (Any standalone equipment introduced via mod) might also pose problems. Ideally these should work assuming the mod for said equipment or character style is running when the player tries to perform the transfer but I can't be sure and saving mod-specific data might pose problems as well.

WORK IN PROGRESS - Will update this as I have more time.

[peterpwn15]

Amazing! I'd love to see this, it always frustrated me that there are no options for new game plus in Skyrim.

[organicchemistry01]

Hi, I got a great suggestion to you, instead of a ghost, why not a Goddess of some kind, maybe Goddess of Tamriel, or so, I dont know how to create mods but if you worry about the character Goddess assetts, maybe you can get some from the followers section of nexusmods. :)

[LoGLtGhost]

Yeah dude
I definitely would love to see this! Hopefully one day you decide to actually take the time with some homies, and make this.

[skyrimlover1212]

this kinda reminds me of a oldrim mod"Familiar Faces" only rather then you getting their stats,you could have old characters become your followers (armour and all) so the part about copying stats/looks/armour from one save to another should be possable in sse. ps love this idea you have made and l would love to use this to play out a ldea l had (or to just never have to level the craftiing skills (ie:enchanting) ever again)

Edited March 7, 2020 by skyrimlover1212