LE Build a home where you want it...

[mrodgers83]

So I'm not a modder so I don't know how difficult this would be to implement (and I assume we will need the CK) but ... Would it be possible to develop a mod that would allow you to stake out an area in the wilderness and through purchasing components/"building"/"smithing"/etc. dynamically build your own home. Maybe you would have to pay a local mill for wood, a smith for tools/forge, a mage for an enchanting table, the Jarl for the land, etc...

 

I'd love to make my own home in the area around Riften but I wish there was a more story/immersive way to do it than just downloading a mod that drops a completed house into an existing cell. I'd imagine that there is a way to pull this off as you can upgrade your current homes and even Oblivion had a little community (can't remember the name right now) that rebuilt itself over time once you saved them from some local goblin attacks.

 

What do you all think?

 

***Edit: I'm happy to start putting the pieces of this together as I find existing mods and if people have any suggestions. If I can get this off the ground my long term goal would be to add in a bunch of immersive features...occasional robberies, the odd bandit attack, the ability to hire mercenaries to *try* and prevent both, secondary housing for a house carl, etc.

 

 

Here is the basic flow:

 

Step 1: Getting Land

1) Quest: You meet the last survivor of a dragon attack and agree to help him find a family heirloom at his home. Upon investigating the property, you find a dragon sleeping next to the burnt ruins of his large home/farm. You defeat the dragon, find the heirloom, and return it to a greatful survivor. Not wanting to rebuild but needing some money he offers to sell you the deed to his land for a fee....But still you find yourself wondering why the dragon attacked and was staying at the home.... something isn't quite what it seems.

 

2) Thane: You have become Thane of the local hold and the Jarl is honored to have you stay in their lands. You have been offered a "Writ of Homestead" to allow you to claim property for your own and help encourage you to stay around. Once you find and pay for your land, you find that occassionally the Jarl has some "requests" of you....

 

3) Assistant's Path: You have become well known in a hold and the Thane's assistant has begun to hear the people speak your name. If you are willing to perform a few small tasks then you can be given a "Writ of Homestead" to allow you to claim land within the hold...not that the Thane needs to know....

 

4) The College of Winterhold is impressed with how you handle yourself against the great dragons and wants to honor you for your accomplishments. While they can't offer you a large piece of land, they do have enough respect within the holds to get you space for a small shack. At it turns out though...for a small, very managable fee you might just be able to place a shrine that could open a door to a somewhat larger space you can call your own. Don't worry, it's perfectly safe to use. Why it's been almost 200 years since anyone has seen a Dremora anywhere in this space.

 

 

Step 2: Building your home...

 

Now that you have located the perfect home away from home you just need to pay a small recording fee to the Jarl. A small home (shack, ala the Alchemist house) might only be 10,000 G. Enough land for a large house (ala Black-Briar Manor) is 30,000 G. While something more profitable like a larger plantation would run 80,000 G.

 

Each home would have various improvements available and risks to Building them. Maybe you would like a small basement with your shack? I bet you could find an assistant in town who just needs a break from chopping wood or learning how to run a smith that would be willing to dig one for you. What house is complete without an alchemist table? I bet that for a small fee and maybe some materials the local alchemist could be persuaded to take care of that for you. Maybe enough money or a silver tongue could even get you that personal forge you've always wanted. Maybe a small farm would add to the property. Who knows maybe you might attract some wild-life. Of course, you could go for a full blown plantation. I mean it wouldn't be complete without some farm land or a small brewery or a small mine? So you might need to pay a small fee to your local Thieves guild to help "protect it." How hard could it be to take care of it yourself...

 

Step 3: Naw I had the wrong spot. That next cliff looks has a much nicer sunset.

 

Tired of your scenic view? Too close to that bandit camp and don't want to pay mercenaries to protect your land? Well for a fee I suppose we could even demolish your little palace and let you rebuild within the hold. Did you forget something special in your house? I heard that the general store just got a new shipment of goods from a local factor with a great price. I bet that you could find everything you need ... at very reasonable costs.... look familiar... well maybe 20% off all goods.

 

Step 2b: I'm a mage, why should I suffer with you fools in Tamriel?

Well it did take some time and money to get that shack built but boy was that portal worth it. I bet that you've never seen an interior like this one. It's perfect to build in. Too bad no one is willing to come through and work on your house. Aw well I bet for a few quests and some money you can get someone from the college to help you out and create your home. Boy though... it would be nice to have a wall though. There is a wierd sound coming from that cave over there. I'm sure that the red glow is just torch light...

 

Step XXX: I just want a house ... why can't I just get a house...

Ok Ok I get it... you just want a simple mod. All of this sounds great but how long is it going to take... well ... you could be right so for a limited time only ... we are trying to develop the barebones of this mod. Start with a simple, moderate sized home like sayFaendal's House's home in Riverwood or Riverwood Traders. We will need to add an alchemy area, enchanting area, and some storage/display areas. You will be able to buy the Writ from the local hold inn-keeper. Locate the property and he will ask his brother, sister, cousin, sister's cousin, aunt, 3rd cousin, and Frank to take care of it for you.

 

 

I've got a couple of people willing to work with me on dialog and someone who is tentatively willing to work on the interiors but I could use some big scripting help and really anyone else who would be interested.