Dremora Dialogue Requests Please!!!

[Ibsen3]

Hello folks,

 

I've been adding more voices to brucevayne's excellent 'Oblivion Sound Sets' mod here: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12588 . This is a mod that gives the player character their own voice. However, some of the work comes from other games (such as one of my favourites, Garrett, from 'Thief'). This means that the dialogue sometimes appears a little out of place and there is a lack of actual Oblivion voices such as those for one of my more recent characters, a Khajiit called Ja-Kha'iit-myr. I'm hoping to rectify this.

 

My next project is an ambitious and an experimental one as I have no idea how the results will turn out. I am simply going to have to look at my software and see what I can come up with. Basically, I was hoping to give the Dremora race a try but I'm struggling to get useful advice and inspiration for the dialogue itself. I know enough about Dremora from wikis and the imperial library sites and I normally write my own dialogue for my characters, including some for the quest mods I've worked on, but for this one I thought I'd throw it out to suggestions.

 

For a start, I just can't seem to find a full list of the existing Dremora dialogue in Oblivion itself, nor the actual mp3 files. I'm not a CS-user, because I'm a bit technophobic in that respect, but could somebody please provide a full list if that's possible? Also, I'm aware of some of the more memorable lines such as "burst, bloodsack!" but I need more specific ones. This should help me to model the rest of the dialogue around the basic portrait that I've drawn up around my character. His name, incidentally, is 'Markynaz Kyndrulhu'.

 

Here's what I'm trying to do. The sort of dialogue that you get in brucevayne's mod includes comments for the following:

 

1. Sneaking

2. Noticed whilst sneaking

3. Battle Started

4. Battlecry

5. After the battle

6. Enemy escaped

7. After an epic battle

8. Dying

9. Stealing or pickpocketing

10.Wandering in the day

11.Wandering at night

12.Wandering in the city

13.Wandering in the Wilderness

14.Wandering in dungeons

15.Equipping a weapon

16.Equip weapon whilst sneaking

17.Sheathe a weapon

18.Trespassing

19.Bored whilst standing

20.After waking

21.Finding a new location

22.Completing a quest (+ fame bonus)

23. Completing a quest (+ infamy bonus)

24.Becoming a Faction Leader

25.Being badly wounded

26.Encumbered

27.Being hit

28.Tired

29.Selecting the character

30.Being given an order

 

Some of these should be very easy to manage, such as the last one, for example. Why would a Dremora take an order from a mortal? Perhaps only if he is manipulating the player in some way. Needless to say, a dismissive response would be good. Oblivion had a lot of bad dialogue whereas my previous 'favourite game' was 'Thief' which, in my opinion, had sublime dialogue. I'd love to hear what you might suggest. Please bear in mind that not, although very, very welcome, all suggestions may not be used. I'll ultimately decide using my own discretion and pop a 'thank you' in the readme for any good ideas.

 

Feel free to check out brucevayne's cool mod! My characters for it so far are Jeremiah (a Hammerite missionary transferred over from 'Thief'), Ja-Kha'iit-myr (a Khajiit Assassin) and the soon-to-be-uploaded Borrodin Amelius (a Paladin Inquisitor that I'm hoping to make more compatible with the 'Lost Paladins of the Divines' mod).

[Goodfortitude]

I noticed there were no responses so I took the

time to go through and offer some suggestions.

I have seen too many dremora. I think that this

is particularly challenging because Dremora are

intelligent but of few words. So, they are very

conservative. To stay in character I would

suggest not trying too hard to find many words.

But, instead use a combination of words/lines

and varied "sounds with meaning." While coming

up with these ideas I simply tried to get into

the "shoes" of a dremora. They aren't too

concerned with intellectually stimulating

conversation to me, but rather, ride a fine line

between a very intelligent bloodthirsty race and

a grunting orc. But, obviously you wouldn't want

the "sounds to come off orcish". I also think that

most of these really need at least 2 or 3 different

sounds/lines, but I know that may mean a lot more work.

 

These are just some suggestions for ideas,

though it would be cool if any were used.

Please let me know if you use any and I would

most likely check the mod out myself. Hope this

helps you out!

 

GF.

 

1. "HHHHHHmmmmm..." simply exhaling in deep voice as he looks

around.

 

It's not like a young female rogue who's going

to say "gotta be quiet now."

 

2. Another "disgruntled" sound, if any sound, no words though.

 

3. This may not be worth while, as I don't

personally think anyone would want to hear the

same thing from the dremora's mouth every time a

battle begins. However, if you were to give him

at least 3 different sounds then...maybe. But

then, would it be worth while?

 

4. Loud Vicious brusque "AAAArgh" also alternate with

 

"To Battle!" and/or "Come to meee!"

 

5. "mmmmm, (not as in delicious food, but more a

sound of hearty gratification) followed by "that was

satisfying, needed, etc." and/or "that was too

easy".

 

6. Angry, deep (rising in anger) grumble.

 

7. "Aaaaaaah, I want more!" loudly

 

8. Don't know whether angry about the will to

live and do more or simply complacent about

dying altogether. What about surprise?

"Death?" ",comes...too soon." or "it can't be.." I

say just a sound upon death is more believable

and less distracting.

 

9. Pickpocketing? Silent as a fly. wait,

maybe a faint muffled laugh, but under the breath

and...sinister in nature.

 

10. Whistling "I wish I was in dixie,

hurray..." seriously, I don't think I'd do that one but

that's just me.

 

11. skip

12. skip

13. "

14. "

 

15. wouldn't do it.

 

16. another sinister sound to indicate an

approach to sneak attack. again under breath

unless your dremora look like a total idiot.

 

17. wouldn't bother.

 

18. I'm picturing something from the movie

"predator" with schwartzenneger if that's how you spell it, but not really

getting any voice sounds. Breathing? not sure.

 

19. Big yawn....I know... He spits. That's definitely in

character for a vile dremora..and I for one

would love to see it in game. The dremora just

plain spits on the ground. Though, not

too overdone or it could be very comical and we

don't want that. Would require ofcourse a

leaning forward animation, but if done correctly

I think it could add a convincing touch.

 

20. Stretches out arms and says, "I'm hungry."

or "now to find some food". Better yet, "now,

to find something to kill."

 

21. "This'll do fine." Or, If he finds it

grotesque, "This is very nice." if finds it to

be nice/pretty, "this place disgusts me."

 

22. skip

 

23. skip

 

24. "finally, I can shape this/these pathetic

place/dirt sacs/blood sacs up."

 

25. "I am hurt." or "I won't make it".

 

26. Deep exhale with "This is too much" , or "I can't

carry it."

 

27. Many sounds for this. This one will

require trial and error. The sounds will have

to speak for themselves. But this one could

mess up the entire mod easily. No written

suggestions other than use several different sounds and

keep conservative.

 

28. Breathes heavily in the deep but strong

dremora voice.

 

29. A feeling of satisfaction and eagerness to

destroy.."a wise choice."

 

30. You've got this one covered

[Ibsen3]

Thanks for your many suggestions, Goodfortitude!

 

Yes, there are multiple responses for many of the lines. I always provide at least six battle-cries, for example.

 

I can certainly use some of your suggestions even if not the actual form of them and the idea of sounds only is one that I'd entertained before. I'm familiar with the Daedric alphabet but how to use it. This may require some research which I fear may very well produce no results. I'm likely to have a go anyway ;)

 

I particularly like where you're going with lines 5 and 7. Concerning dying (#8), there are no mortal Dremora so it may be something along the lines of 'I will return'. Other stuff, as you say, could well be something simple and brutal but with the odd twist of wit like a sort of 'nice place, I think I'll take it' for finding a new location.

 

On the other hand, some of the vocal sounds may be hard to implement properly. For example, a Dremora spitting is a good idea but how to do it without it sounding crap or out of place may be more tough. More references to blood sacs and other forms of dehumanising the Oblivion races are definitely good!

 

In summary then, I think the approach that would work would be one that reinforces the predatory role of Dremora, that is not too intellectual but direct and that makes good use of some juicy insults and 'caveman-type' brutality. Thanks for helping me to shape my thoughts on this. I'll now need to browse through the lore a little more to look for extra material...

[Abramul]

And now, Tuesdays* with Dremora! We bring you Anhaedra, current residence Maar Gan.

Talk to Anhaedra (activate)

I am Anhaedra. If you are a pilgrim, read the inscription on the stupid rock.

taunt the Daedra

Your threats are weak like your flesh, mortal.

taunt the Daedra

Continue with your insults, mortal. I long to feast on your marrow.

taunt the Daedra

Ha! Fine words from one born from the wrong end of a guar.

taunt the Daedra

After I kill you, I will rape your corpse. Don't worry. I'll be gentle. (Attacks)

Talking to him after he's respawned:

You again? Didn't you learn your lesson the first time?

 

*EST

 

The first response would be suitable for a failed Coerce, or a retort to an opponent's battle cry. The second, latter part could be used as is. Third, modified for Cyrodiil, could be a failed Admire. Fourth, while the full line could be used, may not be clean enough. Second sentence is still usable, although it takes the meaning of "I could kill you with one hand behind my back".

[Ibsen3]

Hmm, that's an interesting thought - creating a set of persuasion game lines. Was it possible to persuade Dremorans at all in vanilla Oblivion? I can't remember.

 

However, sadly I don't think it would work for a sound set designed for player-characters (definitely not) and companion-characters (little use really, since they are likely to already be friends). I've performed persuasion packs before for the likes of the upcoming release of Silgrad Tower v3.0 but the idea of doing one for Dremora is nonetheless intriguing. If my experiments with this work then it may be worth looking for a mod where I can exploit this idea. Sadly, I just cannot get the time lately at all. I'm already snowed under with real-life work!

 

Thanks for your suggestions, Abramul. That's sort of where I was going with some of the lines. I'd like to do something more insulting like that last one but it would have to get uploaded on adult-only settings. In fact, it may be good to do an adult version and a child-friendly version so I get to be as obscene as my filthy imagination will allow :whistling:

 

I guess with the companion mod it would make a good alteration to the companion mod system to have the option of taunting your companion but I'd have to speak to brucevayne about implementing that one. We can add some lines that are different to the ones listed above but we can't go outside the mod's parameters or be too OBSE-dependent. I'm not sure what you mean by 'talk to Anhaedra' and some of your other remarks though. Are you talking about another member of TesNexus here?

[Ibsen3]

Thanks to goodfortitude and Abramul for their suggestions :thanks:

 

I think it would be fair to give you the full script here. I just sent brucevayne the sound files so he'll be spending some time soon sorting those out and implementing them. They probably won't be up for a while yet because I added some extra lines as usual that will need to be checked out, tested and slotted in there (if at all).

 

Anyway, as I often do with my characters, I normally give some sort of background story that justifies the lines and offers the player an insight into a character of that particular type and race. This will also appear in the readme but I thought you deserved a preview in this case. So here goes with the story first and the lines second......:

 

Markynaz Kyndrulhu – The Renegade Dremora

(NB: Kyndrulhu translates as ’Social Pervert’)

 

Background Storyline

 

Kyndrulhu has actually been demoted to the rank of Kynreeve, although he insists on being addressed by his previous rank and will attack when being addressed otherwise whatever the source. His name denotes himself as being a ‘social pervert’ as, during his rule as a Dremora Lord, a very large host of Knights stormed his Keep, slaughtering the small number of defenders he had appointed for himself as the greater bulk of his army had been sent to join Dremora Feydnaz in the attacks on Cyrodiil. Subsequently, he was captured by deign of paralysis spells and, during the period of his capture, underwent a quasi-religious conversion of sorts that centred his cruelty and hatred away from Dremoran cultural norms and towards what Dremorans generally regard as a ‘perverted’ view.

 

At the underground Daedric Studies department of the Mages Guild, led by Inquisitor Ivan (a character that I voiced for Giskard's excellent 'Origin of the Mages Guild' mod), Kyndrulhu’s thoughts were influenced towards what he considered a ‘purer’ form of Kyn philosophy. Still bitterly resentful and deeply disrespectful of all non-Dremoran peoples and culture, he began to focus this hatred back upon his own people too. Taking the self-sacrifice, self-castigation and even masochism of some in the Mages Guild as his inspiration, he proved himself sufficiently reformed as to warrant his release.

 

He was, however, equally surprised and disgusted to hear the response of the majority of the citizens towards him as ‘perverted’ too. This, to Kyndrulhu, was the ultimate hypocrisy and betrayal in failing to acknowledge his newfound grasp of ‘mer’ nobility. However, growing bonds between members and ex-members of the Arcane University, especially some small pockets of Necromancers, kept Kyndrulhu’s sympathies for Cyrodiil strong.

 

He now feels that, if the Altmer-transformed Dark Elves can be acknowledged by the Nine and flourish in Tamriel then so can some new form of Dremora - a conviction to which he still clings desperately to this day.

 

List of Lines

 

1. Starting to sneak –

• “(Hiss or sigh)”

• “Deadly shade.”

2. Being noticed when sneaking –

• “Unleashed too soon.”

• “Damn your eyes.”

• “I’ll wear those eyes at my neck.”

3. Battle started –

• “Fresh meat!”

• “More gore for my chalice.”

4. Battle cry –

• “Burst, blood-sack!”

• “Darts from your bones, a pouch from your belly.”

• “I’ll boil your blubber.”

• “You’ll make good sport in my dungeon.”

• “A fine day to die!”

• “Succulent when roasted alive.”

• “I’ll string you up by your entrails.”

• “You live still so I can relish your pain.”

5. After the battle –

• “You’re no sport, leaking blood-sack!”

• “Is that it?”

• “(Belches)”

• “Look, Dagon. See how I make more toys for your palace.”

6. Enemy escaped –

• “Seek and destroy.”

7. After epic battle –

• “Vials and cleavers out – meat’s back on the menu!”

8. Dying –

• “The shame! The inconvenience!”

9. Stealing/pick-pocketing –

• “Be thankful I’m not taking your ears.”

• “This is the property of Mehrunz Dagon.”

10. Wandering in day –

• “If I see more green, I’ll puke.”

11. Wandering in night –

• “Black and boring! The skies of Oblivion are stained with blood.”

12. Wandering in the city –

• “So much flesh to choose from around here.”

13. Wandering in the wilderness –

• “I need war! Not daytrips in the country.”

14. Wandering in dungeons/ruins –

• “Monsters, hah! I’ll show you monsters! Come face me.”

15. Equipping a weapon –

• “Ahh, the song of steel.”

• “I’ll soon be licking their juices from its handle.’”

16. Equipping a weapon whilst sneaking –

• “In close and relish their expression as we twist their insides.”

• “With surgical precision.”

17. Sheathing a weapon –

• “(Belches)”

• “(Low growling laugh)”

18. Trespassing –

• “Violate! Transgress! Defile!”

19. Bored whilst standing –

• “Time only for brooding on a torture-less vacuum.”

20. After waking –

• “Achh! No, just a nightmare. So…many…flowers.”

21. New Location –

• “And Dagon sayeth, ‘your dwellings shall become your tombs.’”

22. Completing quest (+fame) –

• “Hail Kyndrulhu, Lord of the Mortal Realms!”

• “This means nothing to me.”

• “This world is as weak as mortal flesh.”

• “Kyndrulhu! Kyndrulhu! Ahhhhhh!”

23. Completing quest (+infamy) –

• “Telruhklu Gokh’ram D’fyah!”

• “My portrait in the corridors of dark salvation.”

• “A true son of Dagon am I!”

• “Honour and resolution for Kyndrulhu Klan!”

24. Faction Leader –

• “Pledge your souls to me and I’ll spare you from Oblivion.”

25. Badly wounded –

• “How deliciously it stings me!”

26. Encumbered –

• “Do you wish to make a flesh-pod of me?”

27. Being hit –

• “Ooof!”

• “Ugh!”

• “Argh!”

28. Tired –

• “(Rapid deep breathing)”

29. Character Select –

• “Be quick about it, mortal!”

• “(deep breathing with Sound FX)”

• “Join me and climb the skulls to paradise!”

30. Given order –

• “Save your commands for feckless mudcrabs, mortal!”

• “It’ll cost you, blood-sack.”

• “If I can feast on your marrow when you’re slaughtered then you have a deal.”

• “Only if it involves rending limbs.”

 

Additional Specific Dialogue

 

31. Taking a sigil stone –

• “Your son defies you, Dagon! Cyrodiil shall fall in my name.”

32. Casting Soul-Trap –

• “(Sound FX)”

33. Harvesting Oblivion Flora –

• “Proud are the flowers that grow in hell.”

 

Extra Dialogue and Companion Mod lines

 

34. Greetings –

• “Be quick about it, mortal!”

• “I did not choose to speak to you.”

• “Reveal to me the killing fields known to you.”

35. Goodbyes –

• “I respect you. I shall not desecrate your corpse when you die soon.”

• “(spits)”

• “Warm fountains of blood to you.”

36. Power Attacks –

• “(howl)”

• “(grunt)”

• “(snarl)”

37. Good Deed –

• “Why do this? Justice? Idealism? Which so-called ‘Divine’ has you under the thumb?”

38. Bad Deed –

• “(laughs) You cannot see the truth if you do not rebel.”

39. Visiting Oblivion –

• “Father Dagon! The prodigal male without a father has returned (chuckles)” or

• Comment combined with ‘Sound FX’

 

Please note that I am considering releasing an 'adult' version once brucevayne has worked his magic on it. I shall keep you posted on that one. In the meantime, I guess it may not be too late to offer more suggestions before this thing goes out. If you have any, let me know.

 

Thanks again, guys!

 

- Ibsen's Ghost

[Abramul]

Anhaedra is a Dremora who is part of a Tribunal Temple quest. He may be a bit bitter...

[Ibsen3]

Hello peeps,

 

Just a quick mention that I have now informed brucevayne about putting in a quick thank you for your comments here on this thread. You should eventually see your names on the readme for the mod here: Oblivion Sound Sets

 

In the meantime, I will be creating a Redguard 'voodoo' Necromancer soon so once I get ready, I'll be starting a thread and asking for help on that one. The accent (vaguely Caribbean) is a bit of a challenge for me and the subject matter could be interpreted a number of different ways, so it could be a little tricky to get right.