Secrets to roleplaying ?

[Gooseyberry]

How do you manage to roleplay one character for hours ?

 

I know the common advices like creating the background for your character, eating/sleeping/etc., realistic carryweight and so on, however I can't seem to be able to play a character for more than 30 minutes.

 

Do you have any tips how to live your character, or is there something you do that you don't think many others do ?

[DoctorKaizeld]

Sure.

 

Start off with a role for ypur character. What you plan to play essentially.

 

In Skyrim i play an hunter who finally aquired enough funds to buy some decent gear and go do some 'splorin. Finds a cave and wrecked some chums living there later coming down with a strong case of vampire.

 

In FO4 i play a 200+ cryogenicly frozen soldier put in cold storage by the Enclave with no prior warning. Later defrosted by the minutemen shortly before their fall.

 

After i got those starting points i created my character and started playing only following dialog options and roytes they would naturally follow.

 

It also helps to structure your mod list to favor the chosen style of play as well.

[TeofaTsavo]

Set your limits. What you won't do. What you will do. What you feel needs doing. Reward yourself since you may not follow the carrots on the sticks.

 

I suspend disbelief on weight. I really don't want to spend all my time sorting loot to a few items or finding merchants with funds. I do try to ride instead of fast travel.

 

I hate mages. Forever. I tend to eliminate most of them for the general good, including the mage guild, so, none of those quests will ever be completed. I have no problems removing essential status to achieve this. The few mages I allow to survive are on short leashes and in service to Jarls, Empire or similar. They can't be trusted to police themselves. (Dragonage had it right, IMO)

 

I do 2 deadra quests. I can barely stand those two. I don't eat people, I'm not a petty thug for anyone..thieves or the not so noble companions. I kill werewolves and vampires, thieves and DB, not join them. I also "disappear" Stormcloaks who can't shut up after the war is settled. (Yes, I remove Vignar, Snowshod, Dengier and half the unrepentant population of Windhelm. It actually takes a lot of time and planning to assassinate these idiots cleanly. As a Legate ranked operative with a close association with Tullius and Maro I have the authority to stamp out Stormcloak remnants as I find them.

 

I skip Helgen..I saw the Dragon from the hill outside, so, I've never been on the bad side of the Empire. Yes, I have to fudge some dialogs. My head canon is strong.

 

I play my own game and I don't get sidetracked by quests that do not fit my character. I can smith better weapons than any reward in game, and they don't look like cow tools. I spend a lot of hours on resources and ingredients. I'm often at level 30 before I hit whiterun. I like to be geared, and trust to a sharp pointed object to the face over finger wiggling or random screaming. My character is lethal because "She" is lethal. While absorbing dragon souls was a bit of a disturbing development, the fact remains...that only happens with dead dragons killed by her arrows and steel.

 

and on a silly note, I've never, not even accidently, killed a bunny. I like venison.

 

To me, this is the beauty of a moddable, command enabled pc game. I'm not defined by the publishers vision, and for me, "Roleplaying" is defining my own path and vision for my character, rather than just applying some form of RL constraints to a canned questline.

Edited June 28, 2017 by TeofaTsavo

[RaShea]

I'm an Imperial that hates Stormcloaks and has a passion for the beast races. I hate vampires, although I was married to one and she gave birth to my children which died... I prefer nord or dunmer women although I was married to an orc as well. I side with the companions, mages, and dawnguard. I am loyal to the Empire and serve all the Jarls, I own every house and lot of land in the game, I have around 120k septims, and a wife that cannot bear children. I completed all of the dragonborn quests, and listen to Master Neloth's complaints about who is going to make his tea... etc

[Kombinator1991]

Easiest way is to write a journal. There is even a mod for it. From there build your decisions logically. Maybe even write into the journal. Try to search reasons. Also build a background. For Vanilla start i made a 2 ending story, but can't find it now so i just write again:

 

1. Start with main quest.

Obvious reasons from many people.

 

2. Dragonborn questline.

This Miraak called me the "false dragonborn" in his orders to his cultist. If he truly is a dragonborn, then he might become a valuable ally, or a dangerous foe. Either way he must be dealt with, or i might won't survive his next attack.

 

(other version by reversing the order:) These cultist attacked in the name of Miraak, and called me "false dragonborn". I can't fight the dragons, Alduin, and these cultists at the same time. I must put an end to this as soon as possible!

 

Guardian of the mortals line:

 

3. Kill Paarthurnax. YOU MUST kill him so no modding stuff!

Many have told including the Daedric Prince of knowledge. I am the LAST dragonborn. I saw, that Alduin can bring back other dragons to life. What if other dragons can do that too? What if i'm the only one who can truly kill these beast as the blades said. I cannot take the risk to let a single one of them live. If i do, that might doom the mortal races after i'm gone. I must kill every dragon.

 

4. Rebuild the blades.

 

5. (non official quest) kill 50 dragon.

*END*

 

Eternal Emperor path (better in my eyes).

 

3. Dawnguard questline vampire side.

"We were made to dominate." That's what Paarthurnax said, and that's what Miraak tried. They right. To save the mortal races from their own foolishness, and the dragons i must rule. I must rule. FOREVER. To do that i must live forever first! I must become... A vampire. The Dawnguard was looking for vampire hunters. I ignored them so far, because i was busy with other stuff. They might reach some vampires with considerable power. I just need the right moment to switch side, and begin my eternal life.

 

4. Dark Bortherhood, or Civil war questline (reasons below)

 

I can't become Emperor until that weakling who dare to call himself Emperor after a SURRENDER dies. A true Emperor might retreat, and regroup. But he will fight until the battle is over, and dies before surrender. I must kill the Emperor without slaughtering his armies. An assassination. Aventus Arentino is looking for the Dark Brotherhood. Maybe if i steal their job, then i get their attention. Once i'm in i just need to find a way to create a false contract against the Emperor. I don't trust in this "Dark Sacrament" ritual.

 

If i intend to rule as Emperor, then Skyrim must stand united! I must end this war one way or another!

(Stormcloak version:)

A man can't raise an army without a reason. Ulfric is not that rich. Beside the Imperials nearly executed me for no real reason. Once Ulfric is High King i just use the Bend Will shout to make him my puppet. He will serve me, and through him so shall Skyrim.

 

(Imperial version:)

If i become Emperor, then i want to keep the legion in shape. The Imperials nearly executed me, but i'm willing to forgive for their service. Once Elisif is High Queen i can use Bend Will shout to make her serve me. Though i think that won't be needed. Maybe i even marry her later. That would create the strongest alliance with Skyrim.

 

Last non-official quest: Tame a dragon with Bend Will shout, and ride.

 

The Emperor is dead, and Skyrim is united again. Now all i need is to go to the Imperial City, and "convince" the council to make me Emperor. I need some real convincing entrance though. Riding a Dragon should prove my superior power.

*END*

Edited June 29, 2017 by Kombinator1991

[DoctorKaizeld]

Easiest way is to write a journal. There is even a mod for it. From there build your decisions logically. Maybe even write into the journal. Try to search reasons. Also build a background. For Vanilla start i made a 2 ending story, but can't find it now so i just write again:

 

1. Start with main quest.

Obvious reasons from many people.

 

2. Dragonborn questline.

This Miraak called me the "false dragonborn" in his orders to his cultist. If he truly is a dragonborn, then he might become a valuable ally, or a dangerous foe. Either way he must be dealt with, or i might won't survive his next attack.

 

(other version by reversing the order:) These cultist attacked in the name of Miraak, and called me "false dragonborn". I can't fight the dragons, Alduin, and these cultists at the same time. I must put an end to this as soon as possible!

 

Guardian of the mortals line:

 

3. Kill Paarthurnax. YOU MUST kill him so no modding stuff!

Many have told including the Daedric Prince of knowledge. I am the LAST dragonborn. I saw, that Alduin can bring back other dragons to life. What if other dragons can do that too? What if i'm the only one who can truly kill these beast as the blades said. I cannot take the risk to let a single one of them live. If i do, that might doom the mortal races after i'm gone. I must kill every dragon.

 

4. Rebuild the blades.

 

5. (non official quest) kill 50 dragon.

*END*

 

Eternal Emperor path (better in my eyes).

 

3. Dawnguard questline vampire side.

"We were made to dominate." That's what Paarthurnax said, and that's what Miraak tried. They right. To save the mortal races from their own foolishness, and the dragons i must rule. I must rule. FOREVER. To do that i must live forever first! I must become... A vampire. The Dawnguard was looking for vampire hunters. I ignored them so far, because i was busy with other stuff. They might reach some vampires with considerable power. I just need the right moment to switch side, and begin my eternal life.

 

4. Dark Bortherhood, or Civil war questline (reasons below)

 

I can't become Emperor until that weakling who dare to call himself Emperor after a SURRENDER dies. A true Emperor might retreat, and regroup. But he will fight until the battle is over, and dies before surrender. I must kill the Emperor without slaughtering his armies. An assassination. Aventus Arentino is looking for the Dark Brotherhood. Maybe if i steal their job, then i get their attention. Once i'm in i just need to find a way to create a false contract against the Emperor. I don't trust in this "Dark Sacrament" ritual.

 

If i intend to rule as Emperor, then Skyrim must stand united! I must end this war one way or another!

(Stormcloak version:)

A man can't raise an army without a reason. Ulfric is not that rich. Beside the Imperials nearly executed me for no real reason. Once Ulfric is High King i just use the Bend Will shout to make him my puppet. He will serve me, and through him so shall Skyrim.

 

(Imperial version:)

If i become Emperor, then i want to keep the legion in shape. The Imperials nearly executed me, but i'm willing to forgive for their service. Once Elisif is High Queen i can use Bend Will shout to make her serve me. Though i think that won't be needed. Maybe i even marry her later. That would create the strongest alliance with Skyrim.

 

Last non-official quest: Tame a dragon with Bend Will shout, and ride.

 

The Emperor is dead, and Skyrim is united again. Now all i need is to go to the Imperial City, and "convince" the council to make me Emperor. I need some real convincing entrance though. Riding a Dragon should prove my superior power.

*END*

Dont forget the army of horse riding raiders

[Adipose]

Lol! At thirty minutes of real time, I'm just barely started. Actually I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to answer your question.

 

Okay, let me try to 'splain what works for me: First, you've got to make a commitment to the world of Skyrim. If you're just playing to kill time with some run and gun, then it's possible that Skyrim's not the game for you. As far as I'm concerned, one needs to approach the game with the intention of buying into the whole culture and designing your character and gameplay with that in mind. That in itself might well take a fair bit of a real day.

 

Once you've made that commitment, then you need to decide how you will relate to the various major themes in the game...civil war, the whole Dova saga, Vampires, etc. Then, you need to make sure that you adhere to that character mind set. Frex, there's the whole Serana situation. How you respond to her should be shaped by your view of the whole Vampire question.

 

Then you need to decide how challenging you want play to be, and mod with the intention of supporting that level of play.

 

Now, at this point you've spent several real hours of your life just making the game ready for play. so you'd better have made a serious commitment at the beginning otherwise you've just killed off several hours that would have been better spent making love to a real person, playing with your children or your pet, writing a prize wining novel, or creating a masterpiece.

 

Anyway, that's what I do for openers and then I play the game according to my character's views and the level of play I've set up.

 

 

[Gooseyberry]

Thanks for all the advices, I will try to make the playthrough last as long as possible.

 

Anyways I have one more question a bit offtopic, I like challenging difficulty (master/legendary) but enemies are too strong for me without followers, I'm using Training Dummies (to improve 1h, 2h, archery, destruction) and Learn Speechcraft (speech by reading books) to gain some levels and strength before going into combat.

Are there similar mods to improve other skills ? Or can you improve some (like speech, smithing) outside of combat, for example conjuration ?

[ModtheSequel]

Simply make decisions on what your interactions and actions will be. Have a basis to determine things based on character, change it as you write the character in your head...And make it a bunch of decisions and things you want to do. Don't just make a character you don't want to play. Decide what you want to be this time around, both in combat, and your choices in the game. Also, don't meta game it. Look at things as if they are real. I pick tons of immersion breaking berries, but that is not what makes it roleplay in my mind. Its choosing to hate the Dark Elves for once. To name your character Blackgold and be an evil altmer in ebony armour.

 

Try naming a character yourself to know what you really want to do, as if you really were in the world. Being yourself in a fantasy world was the original definition of roleplay, and I don't mean that in a fluffy way. I mean you can be a wizard or chop off a head man! What would you do in Skyrim for REAL!