Need help with an idea

[flyddon]

Hello I am looking for suggestions... I have a mod I am creating (follower) and I have developed her back story and now I am working on how to introduce her to the Player.

 

I do not like the Go to this place and you will find her and that it's... type of intro. In fact her back story is a quest and to add history, the back story is "involved".

 

So to the point... the main start will be the player goes to this Inn, and will meet an NPC, this NPC will have some info and 2 letters about the follower and a little about her history (and the quest you have to do). Second step, player will go to another place and start the meet and greet.

 

My problem, I have a journal from another NPC (dead) that adds history and "flavor" to her back ground. This dead NPC died 80 something years ago, alone, on the road from Helgen to River wood.... so there is no reason the Player would find him or his journal.

 

I want the player to find the dead NPC, read the journal (see her name).... then for some reason go to the main starting point (the Inn).

 

My thoughts are in the description of the mod, tell player to go to River wood, There .. I want someone to say, "The children say they have seen a skeleton just off the road south of Helgen, would you go check it out" (the skeleton is all that remains of the dead NPC). This way the player gets the journal. But then how do I get the player to go to the main start point (the Inn) there is no connection between dead NPC and the NPC at the Inn.

 

I know this is vague and possibly incoherent, but your thoughts are welcomed.

[thumbincubation]

You might be able to lay the skeleton in a shallow pit or something, have a grave robber or necromancer near them, as though they were looting or trying to summon or raise the deceased. They see the player and attack, calling the player's attention to the general area. After they're disposed of, the player sees a shovel sticking into a the dirt, maybe a lit lantern, and discovers the dead NPC and his satchel, with his journal inside.

 

For going to the main starting point, where her name is contained in the journal, there could also be a little bit about a possible hideout or some kind of dealings with someone at that inn. You could use the innkeeper's last name, make it so there was a reference to their grandfather or father, someone who would have also been connected to the inn, and the current innkeeper might be expected to still have the "old trunk full of his stuff" laying around.

[flyddon]

Well that's good... I was thinking having the player go back to River wood, tell the person, he found the "skeleton" nothing to worry about only had a journal and ..."something about a girl name Nicola" and then the town's person could say hey I heard a Thalmor asking about a lady Nicola several months ago... But still can't make the logical step to pointing out Night Gate Inn as the next place to go.

 

She has a complicated back story... Maybe I should dumb it down a bit.

[keyah111]

There is always Embershard mine's back entrance, kinda dark maybe lay the skeletal remains in the corner.

[thumbincubation]

Hmm. Has she been involved in anything that might have her seeking out the Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls, in Ironbind Barrow? It's right across the street from the Night Gate, a logical place to stay while gathering information and preparing an expedition into the barrow.

[flyddon]

ok so here is her story sort of

 

She a very old and powerful vampire, there are several stories, rumors, and sightings of her and about her, all in notes, letters and journals..to be given or found by the player. Some true, some lies, so half truths. The player really won't know her or what he is getting into, until he talks to her and reads her handmaiden's journal. Most of these notes, letters and journals are in the hands of the Knights of Stendarr and 2 other people... these people are out to kill her. she left Cyrodiil , being hunted, but in her life in Cyrodiil she had a lover... more of a thrall than a lover, but he felt in love... she just needed a bite.

 

So the people actively searching for her, have the notes and such, but the lover was following her and her Husband (not really her husband just a friend for dinner) to Skyrim... He did not know that she was being hunted, the hunters don't know about him, they don't need to, his story line is more filler than plot or plot twist ... the only common thing is her name.. both know her name, actually not even the same spelling Nicole vs Nicola. She's a women of mystery you see.

 

So the real problem is the intro, I want the player to (for some logical reason, find the skeleton of the old lover with his journal and read it ... and think hmmm who was this Lady Nicole?) Then secondary to this, accidentally meet the drunk Stendarr Knight at the night gate Inn.

 

first step I can tell the player in the MOD description... to start the mod go to River Wood and have an area trigger, when tripped have female child... go to player and tell player about "skeleton on the road south of Helgen" that way player gets that note.... But how do I get the player to go to the Night gate Inn??? just wait for him to go on his own.... also the ... drunk Stendarr Knight at the Nightgate Inn... actually walked away from hunting Nicola because the leading Knight of Stendarr was killing innocent people to get info... and he could not take it anymore... He knows where the Knights of Stendarr are but they don't know where he is...

[keyah111]

There is always Embershard mine's back entrance, kinda dark maybe lay the skeletal remains in the corner.

Maybe have the ghost of dead lover/snack confront player at the three standing stones and find a small clue where to find his skeleton, like an angry ghost for her leaving him behind.

[flyddon]

Oh Ghost...

 

Maybe instead of "angry ghost" he is still in love with her even after death. A ghost could know her plight and wish to save her and therefore lead or tell the player about the drunken Stendarr Kinght.

 

YES!! I think this will be it, logically a ghost could follow his love and know that she is in danger and tell the Player where to go to save her.

 

Very good thank you.

 

here is Vollcak's journal:

Journal of Vollack Noll

I follow my Heart. As I stand here and look to the West I can see the sun setting in the Colovian mountains. There will be a heavy fog tonight the air is damp. I head from Moranda to Bruma in the search of the Lady Nicola, I do not hunt her or tracker her in anger, I follow her in love. From the first moment I saw her in Chorrol, I knew she was the one, she was my life and my love. You see, I work at the Oak and Crosier Inn there in Chorrol, cleaning table and keeping the fire pit burning, I have lived in Chorrol all my life. I have seen people come and go, strong fighters and Noble Knights in their ebony armor and chainmail and rich Thanes, and beautiful Empresses and Princess in their purple gowns with gems gleaming. None of them I tell you, compare to the beautiful and grace that is Lady Nicola, her voice so sweet and soft as an angle of the divines.
When I saw her for the first time through the glowing amber light of the fire pit in the Oak and Crosier Inn, She was talking to that Lord Dannarr, the old worn out imposter. Her splendor and elegance overshadow his barbarism. She slowly turned and gazed directly into my eyes, our souls met, she smiled … I felt the very ground of Tamriel move. There in the crowded Inn, there were no others but us, just she and I, our hearts beating, I suddenly felt her hand on my shoulder, and she whispered I must see you alone.
I don’t remember much more that night, that was a fortnight ago, I have seen her once more just before dawn, sauntering down the street toward the castle. Her black cape flowing midway down the back of her legs, her slender beautiful legs. I saw Lord Dannarr waiting at the castle door for her… He is the problem, he is keeping her from me.
So I have set out to make her mine, as I know she want this union as much as I do. I found out from one of the drunken guards that she and Dannarr have plans to travel to Bruma tomorrow, so I shall lay in wait for them and rid her of this monster.


I have missed them, I slept the most peaceful sleep last night and they must have pasted in the early morning hour. The town guards stirred me from my sleep telling me I looked dead, pale as a ghost. Truth be told I slept well but I am so very tired.

Several months have passed since I last wrote in my Journal...
I see her from time to time, she is always as young and beautiful as the first day I saw her, which has been seven seasons ago. We have only spoken once at Northern Goods and Trade General store, she ask was I feeling good this day, and I said I always feel good when you are near…. What a fool I am! Stupid as a hill giant, I sounded like a goat herded. She laughed … a laugh so sweet that it would make the Daedric Lord Molag Bal himself smile.
I must tell her how I feel and that we must be together, I know Dannarr will try to come between us, so I must … I must do what needs to be done.
I have heard Lord Dannarr has a trip planned to Whiterun in Skyrim, he will have to travel through Helgen and on into Riverwood then to Whiterun. I’ll leave two days before and deal with him on the road between Helgen and Riverwood.


It is a cold night tonight, I spied Lord Dannarr in the town of Helgen today, I don’t think he saw me, I shall set my plan into play now. Most likely he will get an early start tomorrow morning, so I will lay in wait down the road , far enough down the road so his screams cannot be heard here in Helgen. I should go to bed early tonight to get an early raise tomorrow.

 

[keyah111]

Oh Ghost...

 

Maybe instead of "angry ghost" he is still in love with her even after death. A ghost could know her plight and wish to save her and therefore lead or tell the player about the drunken Stendarr Kinght.

 

YES!! I think this will be it, logically a ghost could follow his love and know that she is in danger and tell the Player where to go to save her.

 

Very good thank you.

 

here is Vollcak's journal:

Journal of Vollack Noll

 

I follow my Heart. As I stand here and look to the West I can see the sun setting in the Colovian mountains. There will be a heavy fog tonight the air is damp. I head from Moranda to Bruma in the search of the Lady Nicola, I do not hunt her or tracker her in anger, I follow her in love. From the first moment I saw her in Chorrol, I knew she was the one, she was my life and my love. You see, I work at the Oak and Crosier Inn there in Chorrol, cleaning table and keeping the fire pit burning, I have lived in Chorrol all my life. I have seen people come and go, strong fighters and Noble Knights in their ebony armor and chainmail and rich Thanes, and beautiful Empresses and Princess in their purple gowns with gems gleaming. None of them I tell you, compare to the beautiful and grace that is Lady Nicola, her voice so sweet and soft as an angle of the divines.

When I saw her for the first time through the glowing amber light of the fire pit in the Oak and Crosier Inn, She was talking to that Lord Dannarr, the old worn out imposter. Her splendor and elegance overshadow his barbarism. She slowly turned and gazed directly into my eyes, our souls met, she smiled … I felt the very ground of Tamriel move. There in the crowded Inn, there were no others but us, just she and I, our hearts beating, I suddenly felt her hand on my shoulder, and she whispered I must see you alone.

I don’t remember much more that night, that was a fortnight ago, I have seen her once more just before dawn, sauntering down the street toward the castle. Her black cape flowing midway down the back of her legs, her slender beautiful legs. I saw Lord Dannarr waiting at the castle door for her… He is the problem, he is keeping her from me.

So I have set out to make her mine, as I know she want this union as much as I do. I found out from one of the drunken guards that she and Dannarr have plans to travel to Bruma tomorrow, so I shall lay in wait for them and rid her of this monster.

 

 

I have missed them, I slept the most peaceful sleep last night and they must have pasted in the early morning hour. The town guards stirred me from my sleep telling me I looked dead, pale as a ghost. Truth be told I slept well but I am so very tired.

 

Several months have passed since I last wrote in my Journal...

I see her from time to time, she is always as young and beautiful as the first day I saw her, which has been seven seasons ago. We have only spoken once at Northern Goods and Trade General store, she ask was I feeling good this day, and I said I always feel good when you are near…. What a fool I am! Stupid as a hill giant, I sounded like a goat herded. She laughed … a laugh so sweet that it would make the Daedric Lord Molag Bal himself smile.

I must tell her how I feel and that we must be together, I know Dannarr will try to come between us, so I must … I must do what needs to be done.

I have heard Lord Dannarr has a trip planned to Whiterun in Skyrim, he will have to travel through Helgen and on into Riverwood then to Whiterun. I’ll leave two days before and deal with him on the road between Helgen and Riverwood.

 

 

It is a cold night tonight, I spied Lord Dannarr in the town of Helgen today, I don’t think he saw me, I shall set my plan into play now. Most likely he will get an early start tomorrow morning, so I will lay in wait down the road , far enough down the road so his screams cannot be heard here in Helgen. I should go to bed early tonight to get an early raise tomorrow.

 

 

 

I can't want to see how it turns out and hope to see the finish product real soon...is it going to be for SE or LE?

[flyddon]

Hey it will be SE, but it woun't be real soon. I am hoping maybe 4 or 5 months (RL, mortgage, and Job really bit into my play time). She will be a custom voiced follower, so I need to do that (script writing and recording and editing). With this one I need a couple of male voice Actors... so that more scripting, writing, recording, and editing. But the story is most important first, and thank you for that suggestion it fits perfectly.