SSE There Can Be Only One

[goobendj242]

This isn't really a Mod request, more like an idea I am trying to flesh out. I wasn't sure where exactly to put it on the forums so I picked here. I don't know if this has been done (not that it matters) but I couldn't find anything on either SSE or the Oldrim pages. I think this could be a lot of fun but I'm looking for any additional ideas anyone might have, any possible problems that you all might foresee from a CK, gameplay or Lore perspective and just some general tongue in cheek stuff that I can slide in here as a wink and a nod (You'll see some of those below) to pop culture in a lore and story friendly way.

Here's the TL;DR

There Can Be Only One: A series of Quests where the Dragonborn Player Character learns about others who are also claiming to be the Last Dragonborn and for various reasons must intercede to protect those individuals and/or his reputation.

You know the line delivered by some guards and NPC's about wondering if they could be the Dragonborn? Well, it's

likely not something limited to a few and spoken partly in jest. Skyrim is definitely filled with many people who are ...shall we say unbalanced...or just outright devious. In fact, several of Skyrim's citizens are convinced that they are indeed the Dragonborn.

Others are seeking fame and profit. Still, others simply see battling and defeating the Dragonborn as a way to ensure their own Glory.

Some of these scenarios would be comical, some tragic but all with potentially deadly consequences. Inevitably Dragon Attacks, triggered by the arrival of the True Dragonborn, would have set the

record straight. In some cases, NPC's would seek out the Dragonborn to tell him, in others the "Heard any Rumors" mechanic could be employed.

Still, others could see notices or letters delivered via Courier. (For those using the Imperial Post Mod stories of the fake Dragonborn could be a fun addition)

(Triggered after completion of the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller and the Greybeards Ceremony..so there is no doubt you are indeed the Dragonborn and have accepted that fact and are playing as such in your playthrough)

Sample scenarios: To clarify Unique here would indicate a more involved quest with one-time scenario, custom voiced and richer characters while Repeatable would make use of mostly generic dialogue cobbled together from existing voice files and would have multiple instances of the same circumstances...you know ...repeatable)

(Unique) A mother who claims her small child is the Dragonborn and is visiting dragon burial sites in an attempt to "awaken" the Dragonblood within him.

The boy's desperate father seeks out the Dragonborn in person to plead with him to stop her before she gets the child and herself killed.

(Unique) A drunk in a tavern who is conning the locals into buying him drinks with false tales of his exploits who is chided into getting

geared up to go fight a reported Dragon at a nearby barrow just as the Dragonborn arrives.

(Unique) An arrogant Bard who is claiming to be the Dragonborn and traveling to sing the tales of his exploits. The bard once resued and if spared would then be sent to

areas where dissent and fear, stoked by the Thalmor (See below) was rising. His presence would have a random chance of mitigating NPC attacks.

(Repeatable) Simply delusional adventurers who have charged off to fight dragons and others seeking to test their skills against the Dragonborn

(Repeatable) Encountering an NPC on the road who mocks the Player for thinking they are the Dragonborn when "I know the REAL Dragonborn my friend and YOU are no Dragonborn" and then conveying some scenario related to one of the above circumstances.

(Unique) A bandit leader has been threatening a local area by claiming that he is the Dragonborn and insisting that locals pay him tribute to keep him from unleashing his power on them. When initially confronted he would attempt

to intimidate the Player in the same way. "You better be careful my friend. You are speaking the Last Dragonborn. Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry"

Concurrently: A Thalmor plot to delegitimize the True Dragonborn in an attempt to prevent a Hero from arising to challenge them.

(Triggered after the Embassy Questline has been completed)

Now aware that the Dragonborn is real, and indeed actively working with the Blades, Thalmor agents are dispatched to cast doubt among the populous

and to blame the Dragonborn himself for the return of the Alduin to turn the locals against him. Even a Jarl could be drawn into this deception (possibly triggered after an in-game

scripted Dragon attack on or in their hold) and would direct his guards to be on the lookout for anyone claiming to be Dragonborn, Shouting, wearing Blades armor, etc.

The Dragonborn could encounter hostile NPC's who have lost family or property to Dragon attacks and some would be armed against him. (Think villagers with

shovels, hoes, and pitchforks. Repeatable)

The Dragonborn would have to seek out the Thalmor agents responsible and eliminate them to stop these random attacks.

So I'd love to hear any thoughts.

Would you play it?

What would you want in it?

What kind of scenarios could be added?
How many of these would be too many?

I'm currently in the process of making it (NPC's Outlining quests, recording Dialogue) but I haven't ever uploaded a mod I've made as I didn't really think others would be interested in the same things I am. I rarely play as the Dragonborn so as I am preparing a playthrough to do just that I thought I'd put this together and the more I get into it the more I can see this possibly having a broader appeal. Either way if you got this far thanks for your time and "May your journey lead you to warm sands"

[MacBran]

I like the idea, and will eventualy play it (when I will finish my endless modding of Skyrim so I could play again, somewhere around 2025 :smile:)

For the villagers with pitchforks and torchs scenario, it would be cool to have options to disband them without to have to slaugther everyone. After all, I'm the dragonborn, I kill dragon for my breakfast and hunt monsters as a hobby! So I think there could be some ways to persuade or intimidate them (don't know why I'm just thinking about Shrek :smile:). Maybe some dialog options to the leader of the crowd, with chance based on speechcraft and level,

[goobendj242]

I am working to incorporate as much choice as I can into the various scenarios. I'd like to believe that there are many ways a situation can be dealt with. It is a challenge. Thanks for the input!

[MacBran]

Good to know you are going to do this.

I'm not really a modder, and very short in time, but if I could help with something, don't hesitate to contact me.

I could a least help tested the mod.

 

And I lke the idea of multiple options to resolve each scenario.