Lovis Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Hello everybody, I've been thinking about creating a modification that would introduce beholders (as known from the D&D universe) to Skyrim. I would tackle this endeavour in several steps: First create the beholder as a new monster which would probably be quite a load of work: You need a mesh, a skin, animations, sounds and AI scripts. Once that is done, one could place a beholder in some remote area of Skyrim for testing. In a later version of the mod I would add a new faction to the game called the Society of the All-Seeing Eye. This brotherhood is a sect based in Solitude, Riften and Whiterun and they serve a mighty beholder that lives in an underground lair somewhere in Skyrim. The beholder seeks to dominate Skyrim and the cult works on that goal above ground. Another faction would be the "Keepers of the Veil", a small group that hunt aberrant creatures like beholders all over Tamriel. A group of them has just arrived in Solitude where they make plans on how to shatter the Society of the All-Seeing Eye. The player should be able to join either of those factions. When he joins the Society, he would have to fight the Keepers and vice versa. This battle should take place over a series of new quests. The quests for the Keepers would be a blend of research and fighting: "We have learned that there is a cell of the Society in Riften. Go there, find out about it and root it out.". The Brotherhood quests would be more like infiltrating one or more towns and taking care of the Keepers by either killing them in direct confrontations (they could appear in random encounters), or by having the Dark Brotherhood do the dirty work. These quests could involve a lot of Persuasion and Intimidation options in conversations (whispering poisonous platitudes in the Jarl's ear...). As a reward for finishing either quest line, the player receives a powerful and unique enchanted item. So far, I have no idea for the Keepers, but for the Society of the All-Seeing Eye, I would envision something similar to the Beholder Crown from D&D: An animate organic crown with a set of writhing eyestalks on it. The eyestalks grant the ability to use certain spells (flames, frost, sparks, some mind control, paralysis and/or petrification). Openly wearing this crown in a town not completely controlled by the Society results in the guards attacking you. So far, that's my brainstorming. What do you think about these ideas? Realistic or completely over the top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovis Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) So, I guess I wouldn't get any replies unless I deliver something to illuminate my mod idea. I started modelling the big bad evil guy for this one in blender and so far the base mesh is almost done (only need to add teeth). So here is what this guy will look like: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6874670535_b250b652fe_b.jpghttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6874780343_6793799c68_b.jpg Next steps are: - Add teeth to mesh- Create texture map- Create normal map- Rig the model- Create animations This is what needs to happen before I can take the guy to Skyrim. There, I will have to write AI scripts so it behaves in a believable manner. Any comments or questions so far? Edited February 14, 2012 by Lovis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntsman2310 Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I don't play D&D but I'm pretty sure the Beholder's 'head' is much squatter and rounder then that. Unless thats just so you can animate it properly, then its impressive either way. Keep up with it man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovis Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 Thanks for your reply. Actually beholders exist in a variety of forms, not two of them looking the same. They are even etremely hateful of one another because every beholder regards his own form as being "right" and all others as abominations of beholderkin that must be rooted out. But I think I know the pictures you have in mind. My version actually just emerged while modelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovis Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 So, it's proceeding. I am currently working on the hires mesh that I will use to generate the normal map. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6881678127_a9744f70f8_b.jpg This is pretty much how the beholder will look in the game (aside from the fact that the model doesn't have any textures so far (hires mesh still is work in progress of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kromey Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 (edited) Just a word of caution -- WotC considers beholders (among select others, including the gith and illithids) as part of their "product identity". Which is to say, they're basically trademarked, which makes creating something visually similar (even if it's your own creation from scratch) illegal. :down: At least, that's how I understand it, but IANAL. You are free to create a creature "inspired by" Wizards' beholder, but replicating the beholder itself, or even creating something too visually similar, is a no-go. :( Which is really sad, because I'd love to fight this bugger in-game! EDIT: Digging a little deeper, it seems I misconstrued the breadth of the issue. You can't call them "beholders", but as long as they're not a duplicate of a published beholder image you might actually be fine if you just called them something else. Edited February 15, 2012 by kromey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovis Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Thanks for your reply! I am well aware of this product identity problem, but as you said WotC cannot do anything about a "beholder" that has a different name (like "Daedric Tyrant"). So I guess you will be able to fight this bugger in game - sooner or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovis Posted February 16, 2012 Author Share Posted February 16, 2012 The hires mesh is finally done. Let's bake some normals then... http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6888041273_6a1b9f5326_b.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbeach Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 This is going to be killer! My other hobby besides computer gaming is D&D, so really excited to see this come to fruition. And as has been mentioned, you're in the clear as long as you don't call it a beholder. Watching this thread with eager anticipation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovis Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Below you see a render of the beholder lowres mesh with normals applied and texture mapping has just begun: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6891915771_0b370513fb_b.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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