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[1stStrike]

I'm about 3 hours into this so far, but have only just

Spoiler

had my first encounter with the first Dragonborn and reached the town of the people enslaved.

I definitely missed Skyrim and this was a good excuse to get time in to play it again. I play a kind of hybrid melee / magic character in light armor. It works pretty well and it's quite fun. One of my swords does a lot of damage to undead and randomly causes them to burst into flames, while the other sword steals HP with each hit. Combine that with some incinerate and it's a good combo where I can get in close or pull away to a distance.

Can't comment much on the story since I've only just begun, but I'm in no real rush to get through it anyway.

 

[Blue Ninja]

I'll be pushing it a bit further ahead tonight. I've been working on a lot of quest lines in tandem, but tonight I'll focus a bit on Dawnguard's main quest. I've done quite a few side quests working on the crossbow components and killing other vampires.

Right now

Spoiler

I'm meeting the female vampire - forgot her name, Serena? - at the castle to look for her mother.

My main issue was how

Spoiler

she just waltzes into the Dawnguard fort after it's been well established how much everyone there hates vampires. I saw bit of the quest from my daughter's game - she's a vampire lord - and decided I wanted nothing to do with her. I wanted to kill her. So I was baffled and disappointed that she just shows up in the fort and given free reign to roam. We're vampire hunters! The only good vampire is a dead one.

I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt for now, but I just hate the idea of being a vampire hunter that is

Spoiler

helping/being helped by a freaking vampire.

It screams that Bethesda didn't differentiate the two sides of the questline enough. At least it's not a carbon copy like the Civil War. :\

Dude, Serana's fucking awesome. Best NPC character in the game.

Spoiler

You can convince her to cure her of her vampirism afterwards, at least if you don't act like a dick towards her during the main quest.

 

[789shadow]

Dude, Serana's fucking awesome. Best NPC character in the game.

Spoiler

You can convince her to cure her of her vampirism afterwards, at least if you don't act like a dick towards her during the main quest.

Probably too late for that lol. And I agree, best character in the entire game. For shame, Ghaleon.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Dude, Serana's fucking awesome. Best NPC character in the game.

Spoiler

You can convince her to cure her of her vampirism afterwards, at least if you don't act like a dick towards her during the main quest.

Well, the quality of her character has nothing to do with my issue at all. I'm vampire hunter, I want to kill them not escort them all over Skyrim. From a writing standpoint her appearance at Dawnguard made no sense.

I actually agree that she's a great character. Very strong writing and acting; I'm being thoroughly decent to her as a consequence. I still want to plant my axe in her skull, especially when she resurrects half the stuff I kill.

Probably too late for that lol. And I agree, best character in the entire game. For shame, Ghaleon.

You both missed my point entirely.

She may be a great character but I don't want to be helping vampires while in the Dawnguard. I'm planning a vampire character who was going to hang with her. Talking with my daughter, the quests I'm doing with her are the same as if I were a vampire. Which is very disappointing, I was hoping for more unique content on each side. That's what I was getting at. You both got distracted by her charm.

 

[Blue Ninja]

Well, the quality of her character has nothing to do with my issue. I'm vampire hunter, I want to kill them not escort them all over Skyrim. From a writing standpoint her appearance at Dawnguard made no sense.

I actually agree that she's a great character. Very strong writing and acting; I'm being thoroughly decent to her as a consequence. I still want to plant my axe in her skull, especially when she resurrects half the stuff I kill.

I see your point, but I see Serana's existence as a sign that Vampires aren't always meant to be evil. By introducing Serana Bethesda succesfully made a sort of 'grey area' in the whole 'good Dawnguard, bad vampires'-scheme. Not every Vampire wants to destroy the sun and cover the world in enternal darkness. As a result, perhaps not every vampire deserves to get an axe through the eye socket.

I agree that there should've been more choice and consequence, but for everything Dawnguard does wrong in that regard, it does a whole slow of other things right.

You're also headed towards one of the cooler parts of the main quest now, Ghaleon. Spoiler alert:

Spoiler

The Soul Cairn is just so delicously weird. A huge, dark graveyard covered in perpetual night, with a great black hole in the sky watching your every move. The Ideal Masters taking the shapes of giant soul gems to drain your lifeforce, consumed spirits walking amongst the graves wondering how they got there, and even a major easter egg for anyone who's played Morrowind. It's also ridiculously easy to get lost, even after having played it three times.

Lemme know what you thought of it, Ghaleon. Play in the dark.

 

[Volimar]

Well, the quality of her character has nothing to do with my issue at all. I'm vampire hunter, I want to kill them not escort them all over Skyrim. From a writing standpoint her appearance at Dawnguard made no sense.

I actually agree that she's a great character. Very strong writing and acting; I'm being thoroughly decent to her as a consequence. I still want to plant my axe in her skull, especially when she resurrects half the stuff I kill.


You both missed my point entirely.

She may be a great character but I don't want to be helping vampires while in the Dawnguard. I'm planning a vampire character who was going to hang with her. Talking with my daughter, the quests I'm doing with her are the same as if I were a vampire. Which is very disappointing, I was hoping for more unique content on each side. That's what I was getting at. You both got distracted by her charm.

Then don't help her. You'll get to kill all the vampires you want. Forever.


I think Beth wanted your character to be a little more three dimensional than vampire hunter kills all vampires period. Though I do agree that it was a little weird from the moment you save her, till a bit after she shows up again. They could have done a better job with her motivations.

 

[GhaleonEB]

I see your point, but I see Serana's existence as a sign that Vampires aren't always meant to be evil. By introducing Serana Bethesda succesfully made a sort of 'grey area' in the whole 'good Dawnguard, bad vampires'-scheme. Not every Vampire wants to destroy the sun and cover the world in enternal darkness. As a result, perhaps not every vampire deserves to get an axe through the eye socket.

I agree that there should've been more choice and consequence, but for everything Dawnguard does wrong in that regard, it does a whole slow of other things right.

I guess I just think Bethesda picked the wrong topic for that kind of nuance, as I don't buy it. I don't buy that our head vampire hunter would let Serana waltz into the fort. And I'm not sympathetic to her because, as the loading screen helpfully reminds me (and I've seen them in my daughter's game), there's a pack of human cattle to feed on in the fort. Vampires kill innocents and spread their disease simply by existing. So unless Serana is sucking on nothing but Tofurkey burgers, as a member of the Dawnguard I have no reason to be sympathetic to her. Even if she's got a nice personality. (Which she does!)

You're also headed towards one of the cooler parts of the main quest now, Ghaleon. Spoiler alert:

Spoiler

The Soul Cairn is just so delicously weird. A huge, dark graveyard covered in perpetual night, with a great black hole in the sky watching your every move. The Ideal Masters taking the shapes of giant soul gems to drain your lifeforce, consumed spirits walking amongst the graves wondering how they got there, and even a major easter egg for anyone who's played Morrowind. It's also ridiculously easy to get lost, even after having played it three times.

Lemme know what you thought of it, Ghaleon. Play in the dark.

I spent two hours there last night, and I think I'll need that much again. I'll post more thoughts on it later when I've scoured the place more. But it's wonderful. It's had as much of an impact on me as Blackreach did on that first visit, it's really a fantastic environment.

Spoiler

Lots of little things to scour for. I've found two of these little shards, and retured them to that chamber where they levitate. I assume there's more, so that's my primary task tonight. And I can only find 4 of the dude's opus scraps. And there's a horse running around I'm curious about, but can't interact with yet.....

I need to find my way back to the beginning of it, as I came in with too much loot on me, and I've cut to the bone stocking up on soul gems. I'm really enjoying some of the subtle environmental puzzles. When I first got there I figured all those structures on the horizon were just decor in the distance. Nope! There's like a million different buildings to check out. As you said, it's disorienting, in a good way. It's supposed to feel like an endless waste where you get lost, as the souls who wander it are, and they pulled off that feeling perfectly. I also

Spoiler

really dig the fiction around soul gems and trapped souls. I always felt it was a bit too simple that trapped souls just get used as energy, like a battery. I love the idea that there's an even darker side to them, great bit of world building.

Then don't help her. You'll get to kill all the vampires you want. Forever.

I want to advance the story.

I can see I'm alone on this, I just think it makes zero sense to have the focus of the Dawnguard questline from the Dawnguard side entail helping vampires, even if she's a "good" one. If they wanted to color vampires with shades of grey, the quest should branch and allow us to kill her, and then deal with the consequences of that black/white decision.

 

[Blue Ninja]

I guess I just think Bethesda picked the wrong topic for that kind of nuance, as I don't buy it. I don't buy that our head vampire hunter would let Serana waltz into the fort. And I'm not sympathetic to her because, as the loading screen helpfully reminds me (and I've seen them in my daughter's game), there's a pack of human cattle to feed on in the fort. Vampires kill innocents and spread their disease simply by existing. So unless Serana is sucking on nothing but Tofurkey burgers, as a member of the Dawnguard I have no reason to be sympathetic to her. Even if she's got a nice personality. (Which she does!)

It requires some suspension of disbelief, but then again, what game doesn't? I still think Dawnguard's story is better than Skyrim's main one, even with those little sidequestions you pose.

I spent two hours there last night, and I think I'll need that much again. I'll post more thoughts on it later when I've scoured the place more. But it's wonderful. It's had as much of an impact on me as Blackreach did on that first visit, it's really a fantastic environment.

Spoiler

Lots of little things to scour for. I've found two of these little shards, and retured them to that chamber where they levitate. I assume there's more, so that's my primary task tonight. And I can only find 4 of the dude's opus scraps. And there's a horse running around I'm curious about, but can't interact with yet.....

I need to find my way back to the beginning of it, as I came in with too much loot on me, and I've cut to the bone stocking up on soul gems. I'm really enjoying some of the subtle environmental puzzles. When I first got there I figured all those structures on the horizon were just decor in the distance. Nope! There's like a million different buildings to check out. As you said, it's disorienting, in a good way. It's supposed to feel like an endless waste where you get lost, as the souls who wander it are, and they pulled off that feeling perfectly. I also

Spoiler

really dig the fiction around soul gems and trapped souls. I always felt it was a bit too simple that trapped souls just get used as energy, like a battery. I love the idea that there's an even darker side to them, great bit of world building.

Well, I knew you'd like it. Definitely explore everything you can, you're on to some nice stuff already.

I can see I'm alone on this, I just think it makes zero sense to have the focus of the Dawnguard questline from the Dawnguard side entail helping vampires, even if she's a "good" one. If they wanted to color vampires with shades of grey, the quest should branch and allow us to kill her, and then deal with the consequences of that black/white decision.

I get your point, I really do, and I felt similarly the first time I was playing through Dawnguard. The game forces you to choose between being a vampire or killing vampires, and then forces a vampire companion on you regardless. I've just learned to deal with it, Serana's backstory and the interactions she can have with the player (and the world) more than make up for that little nuisance imo.

 

[Volimar]

I get your point, I really do, and I felt similarly the first time I was playing through Dawnguard. The game forces you to choose between being a vampire or killing vampires, and then forces a vampire companion on you regardless. I've just learned to deal with it, Serana's backstory and the interactions she can have with the player (and the world) more than make up for that little nuisance imo.

Same here. It's distracting at first, but she's a very enjoyable companion, compared to the others.

 

[GhaleonEB]

It requires some suspension of disbelief, but then again, what game doesn't? I still think Dawnguard's story is better than Skyrim's main one, even with those little sidequestions you pose.

I get your point, I really do, and I felt similarly the first time I was playing through Dawnguard. The game forces you to choose between being a vampire or killing vampires, and then forces a vampire companion on you regardless. I've just learned to deal with it, Serana's backstory and the interactions she can have with the player (and the world) more than make up for that little nuisance imo.

Well, I guess for me it's not a little nuisance. I hate having companions, in general. Hauling Serana around the Cairn takes a bit of the feel away from it; I'd really rather explore it alone. The reason I've been doing Civil War, Companions and other quests for days has been because I didn't want to meet Serana up at the castle. I was in denial the game was actually asking me to do that. The story is just too contradictory for me to buy it, either the Dawnguard as actual vampire hunters or my character as one. It was all a ruse to have the Serana Show. That's not the story I wanted to experience, I wanted to play a vampire hunter.

That said, I play these games for the content first, story second. And the content in Dawnguard is fantastic across the board, some of the best stuff in the entire game. So I'm loving it from that standpoint; in the end, my beef with the story is a side note that has only impacted my enjoyment around the edges. So I won't berate this topic much further so as to make too big a deal out of it. (Probably too late, :lol)

 

[curlycare]

So anyone else got 1.5 gig update today from Steam? Wonder if that's Hd textures for the DLC.

Edit: Yeah there's now Highrestexturepack3 in my skyrim data folder.

 

[kidko]

Desperately need to get a home on Solstheim to drop off all this loot. I assume that abandoned house in Raven Rock is available at some point but couldn't find the start quest. I figure it might unlock after helping the Redoran Guard with those ash spawn...?

 

[kidko]

So anyone else got 1.5 gig update today from Steam? Wonder if that's Hd textures for the DLC.

Edit: Yeah there's now Highrestexturepack3 in my skyrim data folder.

Oh nice! That's awesome.

 

[789shadow]

Desperately need to get a home on Solstheim to drop off all this loot. I assume that abandoned house in Raven Rock is available at some point but couldn't find the start quest. I figure it might unlock after helping the Redoran Guard with those ash spawn...?

Spoiler

That's the start of the questline you need, but you don't get the house you're thinking of.

 

[kidko]

Spoiler

That's the start of the questline you need, but you don't get the house you're thinking of.

Perfect, thanks!

It's kind of cool playing my original character again, a Dunmer battlemage lady with tons of magicka and enchanted ebony, lvl 41. First I tried to explore a bit with my lvl 22 anti-magic warrior nord guy and he was getting his ass kicked by everything. I think my stealthy archer would be pretty well too.

Fought

Spoiler

a family of netches

and WOAH have they gotten a little more intense since the Morrowind days.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Oh nice! That's awesome.

Just saw this via Twitter:

In a continued effort to support our PC fanbase, we’ve released a Steam update to Skyrim’s (free) HD Texture Pack. In addition to high resolution textures in the main game, the update adds improved textures for Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and the newly-released Dragonborn.

Before you download, make sure your PC has the horsepower to support it. Make sure your system requirements exceed Skyrim’s recommended specs before attempting to install, and that your PC has Windows Vista/7, a minimum of 4GB of system RAM, and a DirectX 9.0c compatible NVIDIA or AMD ATI video card with at least 1 GB of RAM and the latest drivers.

If you already have the Skyrim texture pack, be aware that you’ll be downloading an update that’s approximately 4.7 GB in size.

Good to see.

 

[Blue Ninja]

Updated the OP with the relevant info as well.

... Not that anyone will ever see it.

EDIT: Lol, just fought some spellswords, and one of them was a male dunmer with pigtails. Looked ridiculous. :lol

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

So anyone else got 1.5 gig update today from Steam? Wonder if that's Hd textures for the DLC.

Edit: Yeah there's now Highrestexturepack3 in my skyrim data folder.

Nice! That's sick! Glad I didn't play a lot last night.

 

[GhaleonEB]

EDIT: Lol, just fought some spellswords, and one of them was a male dunmer with pigtails. Looked ridiculous. :lol

Hah, I want to see that.

I've had a couple encounters lately that were pretty awesome, which I've been meaning to mention.

One was in a Nordic ruin (an excavation by a necromancer who was seeking revenge for her husband), against a high level draugr. I was up on some wooden scaffolding, and let the draugr come up the ramp before fus-roh-dah'ing him off. He hit the railing behind him and fliped over backward, then pin wheeled diagonally into a suspended oil lamp. The two fell together, and the lamp exploded launching the draugr back into the air and across the chamber. I chase him down to whack him as he rises, and the flames from the lamp spread under our feet. We fight for a few moments, both on fire, and I finish him off just as the flames extinguish. It was absurdly awesome.

Later, when hoofing it to Windhelm, I get attacked by a Breton near the bridge to the south of the city, over a waterfall. I dab my axe with paralysis poison, and as he stiffens and falls, and I follow him with my axe, whacking away, as he he rolls down the embankment and into the river, still paralyzed. I figure he's going to go over the waterfall and back off to the road to see where he ends up. Turns out he landed on a flat outcropping of rock halfway down the waterfall, and he's standing there waiting for me. I jump down, and we have a pretty rough one on one duel in the midst of the waterfall. I land the killing blow and get a slow-mo kill cam, water falling all around us. He tumbles down and his corpse washes down the river.

I really wish I had played on PC and could have broken out and taken pics somehow. It was an amazing fight.

 

[Eyothrie]

I'm wondering if this will be the last Skyrim DLC?

 

[1stStrike]

I'm liking the new shinies in this. Completed the treasure hunt quest to get my new set of armor and blades. These blades are pretty awesome compared to what I was using before.

 

[cdyhybrid]

I'm liking the new shinies in this. Completed the treasure hunt quest to get my new set of armor and blades. These blades are pretty awesome compared to what I was using before.

Curved. Swords.

 

[1stStrike]

Curved. Swords.

Big. Shiny. Blades. That. Cut. Things.

 

[The P of Poland]

Ghal, I seriously never had a problem with Serana's involvement on the Dawnguard side.

To me, it made sense: You've been banished from the castle, and she now faces spending all her time with people who she doesn't get along with at all, so she decides to seek out the only person she knows of who's been moderately nice to her-you. That it takes her from the company of people who are mean to her, to the company of people who want to drive a stake through her, is part of her character development. It's the sort of thing a naive, immature girl who's lived her entire life first inside a castle then sealed inside a crypt would do, it shows a complete lack of perspective and rash decision making.

My Dawnguard characters aren't vampire hunters so much as they see the DG as yet another way to fulfill their heroic duties. They don't hate vampires with any particular passion, so they react to Serana as they would to a normal human with her personality. They try to redeem her.
I see curing her as the culmination of this, as reclaiming the soul of this poor girl from the abyss. There's all sorts of interesting RP you can do with her on the Dawnguard side.

 

[Blue Ninja]

My character did do it because of those damn dirty vampires, though. A few of the people in Solitude got stabbed in the back by over-eager master vampires. Wulf decided it was time to do something about the problem.

As is wont to happen, though, the problem ended up being something far different than he thought.

 

[Volimar]

Blew through the main quest of Dragonborn again. Really emphasized how short it was. Everything worked out okay this time.

Spoiler

Can I go back and re-spec whenever I want or is it a one time deal?

Got back to the Skaal village just in time to talk to an npc before they finished their dialogue, thus preventing me from ever doing their quest. I caught it fairly early, so I'm pretty sure I have a save a few minutes before that, but Christ Bethesda, I wish you'd get your shit together.

My character did do it because of those damn dirty vampires, though. A few of the people in Solitude got stabbed in the back by over-eager master vampires. Wulf decided it was time to do something about the problem.

As is wont to happen, though, the problem ended up being something far different than he thought.

How thrilled were you when you found that Bethesda paid homage to your character by putting a character named Wulf Wild-Blood in Dragonborn?

 

[KKRT00]

Are there any patch notes for Dragonborn update?

 

[789shadow]

Spoiler

Can I go back and re-spec whenever I want or is it a one time deal?

As many times as you want to.

Spoiler

Just read Waking Dreams in Solstheim.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Are there any patch notes for Dragonborn update?

Was there actually a patch that went with the Dragonborn update? I thought it was just the new content and the new high resolution textures in both Skyrim and the expansions.

 

[Blue Ninja]

How thrilled were you when you found that Bethesda paid homage to your character by putting a character named Wulf Wild-Blood in Dragonborn?

I see it as validation for everything I have ever done in this thread.

Just kidding, I didn't even know the guy was in there.

Was there actually a patch that went with the Dragonborn update? I thought it was just the new content and the new high resolution textures in both Skyrim and the expansions.

There wasn't. The PS3 is getting 1.8., and the patch notes of that are up in the OP.

 

[Volimar]

Just make damn sure you have the latest update before you install Dragonborn, or your main quest could be unable to be completed.

 

[Tea and Toast]

This question has probably been asked before and may be a bit redundant but I'm playing

dragonborn and some old guy is talking about his great grandfather who died 200 years ago.

Is there any explanation as to why nothing seems to change in all of these games in terms

of technology or way of life. The world is filled with ruins but that stuff just seems to be

contemporary architecture with some cobwebs. Where are the light bulbs?

Now I've asked this question, I feel like a complete nerd.

 

[The P of Poland]

This question has probably been asked before and may be a bit redundant but I'm playing

dragonborn and some old guy is talking about his great grandfather who died 200 years ago.

Is there any explanation as to why nothing seems to change in all of these games in terms

of technology or way of life. The world is filled with ruins but that stuff just seems to be

contemporary architecture with some cobwebs. Where are the light bulbs?

Now I've asked this question, I feel like a complete nerd.

People do have better-designed battleaxes now than they did 2000 years ago.

But in answer to your question, no. It's part of the suspension of disbelief that comes with every fantasy world. Complete lack of technological innovation is necessary in order to produce the everlasting medieval setting.

 

[1stStrike]

This question has probably been asked before and may be a bit redundant but I'm playing

dragonborn and some old guy is talking about his great grandfather who died 200 years ago.

Is there any explanation as to why nothing seems to change in all of these games in terms

of technology or way of life. The world is filled with ruins but that stuff just seems to be

contemporary architecture with some cobwebs. Where are the light bulbs?

Now I've asked this question, I feel like a complete nerd.

It's funny you ask this, because the exact same question was posted over on GameFaqs.

Pretty much because... the developers don't want it to. You can make up some excuse like, "Well, in The Elder Scrolls world they are not as fixated on developing technology as we are." While technically true, it again mostly falls on what the devs want to do.

Then again, there is some advanced technology from the dwemer but they were pretty much wiped out, so whatever they developed is mostly lost. From the wiki:

"A race of stonecutters, artisans, and engineers. They invented machines and built elaborate underground cities where they researched powers to rival the gods themselves. And then, at a time we are still not sure when, they disappeared. The whole people, all at once. Leaving behind only their works."

So, there goes any hope you may have for technological advances.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Ghal, I seriously never had a problem with Serana's involvement on the Dawnguard side.

To me, it made sense: You've been banished from the castle, and she now faces spending all her time with people who she doesn't get along with at all, so she decides to seek out the only person she knows of who's been moderately nice to her-you. That it takes her from the company of people who are mean to her, to the company of people who want to drive a stake through her, is part of her character development. It's the sort of thing a naive, immature girl who's lived her entire life first inside a castle then sealed inside a crypt would do, it shows a complete lack of perspective and rash decision making.

My Dawnguard characters aren't vampire hunters so much as they see the DG as yet another way to fulfill their heroic duties. They don't hate vampires with any particular passion, so they react to Serana as they would to a normal human with her personality. They try to redeem her.
I see curing her as the culmination of this, as reclaiming the soul of this poor girl from the abyss. There's all sorts of interesting RP you can do with her on the Dawnguard side.

My character did join Dawnguard for the vampire killing, though. And independent of that, I think it doesn't really work that a pack of vampire hunters set up a castle and begin building a legion to kill vampires, and then let one waltz in for a chat. And as BlueNinja said, I got to pick from being a vampire hunter or a vampire, and I picked a vampire hunter. I now have a vampire as a forced companion, whom I cannot tell to stay put or part with. It's not what I wanted.

I like that you can apparantly encourage her to be cured, though. (I didn't know that, been dodging spoilers, but no biggie.) As I said before, I'll step back and look at the story overall, when it's over. And that may well make me revise it. But it was just so jarring to be all "yay let's kill vampires" --> *forced vampire companion* that I'm not there yet.

Just from a pure gameplay standpoint I hate having companions - I never accept one if I have the option - and it's driving me bonkers. I just became the thane of Dawnguard, and got my housecarl. I've been working on that for a while, because I want to hire a wagon to shuttle me from my home to the rest of Skyrim; the house is in the middle of nowhere. But I can't have my housecarl follow me to my house and thus hire the wagon, since I have a forced, non-separable companion in Serana. Combine that with my desire to explore the ethereal Soul Cairn alone, and my dislike for her is starting to grow despite her charming personality. I can't wait to be rid of her.

People do have better-designed battleaxes now than they did 2000 years ago.

But in answer to your question, no. It's part of the suspension of disbelief that comes with every fantasy world. Complete lack of technological innovation is necessary in order to produce the everlasting medieval setting.

I'm not sure where I read this, but I think I read something from Bethesda a few years ago that touched on this. Not sure if it was Bethesda, but it's always made sense for me. They said, in essence, that magic is the technology of their world. We don't have magic, so we focused on developing physical things. The ES world does, and it's so amazing that it is the space where most "technological" evolution takes place, and mechanical technology stymies as a result. Magical enchantments, spells, portals, etc. are the technological innovations in this world, and wizards are the engineers.

It's obviously a self justifying explanation, as in the end they simply want to make a game set in a certain kind of world, but I thought it was interesting.

 

[Blue Ninja]

This question has probably been asked before and may be a bit redundant but I'm playing

dragonborn and some old guy is talking about his great grandfather who died 200 years ago.

Is there any explanation as to why nothing seems to change in all of these games in terms

of technology or way of life. The world is filled with ruins but that stuff just seems to be

contemporary architecture with some cobwebs. Where are the light bulbs?

Now I've asked this question, I feel like a complete nerd.

It's part of fantasy, basically. Look at Tolkien's legendarium: technology mostly stays on the same level for thousands of years there.

One could presume that the presence of magic makes the development of any real technologies unneccessary, especially since almost anyone can make use of it. As stated, the Dwemer actually invented technology which made use of magic as well, but they didn't end up in any admirable state, either.

I wouldn't call the nordic ruins contemporary, though. They're very distinct from modern Nordic architecture. Just compare a relatively modern city like Whiterun or Solitude to an ancient fane like Bleak Falls Barrow, the difference is there. Or just look at the Ayleid ruins in Cyrodiil. Those have been abandoned for a long time, and there's good story reasons for it, too.

And actually, on a cultural level, there do seem to be developments. For instance, during the days of Morrowind/Oblivion, the Imperial culture was largely based on Roman culture, but there's hints throughout Skyrim that it's slowly becoming more modern Italian, with characters named, for instance, 'Vittoria Vici'. That seems to signify some cultural evolution over time: maybe the Empire would be in a renaissance right now if it weren't for the Great War.

 

[vixlar]

And Magic would hinder technological advance...

 

[The P of Poland]

Just from a pure gameplay standpoint I hate having companions - I never accept one if I have the option - and it's driving me bonkers. I just became the thane of Dawnguard, and got my housecarl. I've been working on that for a while, because I want to hire a wagon to shuttle me from my home to the rest of Skyrim; the house is in the middle of nowhere. But I can't have my housecarl follow me to my house and thus hire the wagon, since I have a forced, non-separable companion in Serana. Combine that with my desire to explore the ethereal Soul Cairn alone, and my dislike for her is starting to grow despite her charming personality. I can't wait to be rid of her.

This seems to be your biggest problem with her- that she's a necessary companion during the critical path quests whether you want her along or not. I don't believe that you've tried to dismiss her before setting off on the journey to the Soul Cairn, or one of the locations you visit later on? Because she will part ways from you if you pick your time correctly.

 

[kidko]

This seems to be your biggest problem with her- that she's a necessary companion during the critical path quests whether you want her along or not. I don't believe that you've tried to dismiss her before setting off on the journey to the Soul Cairn, or one of the locations you visit later on? Because she will part ways from you if you pick your time correctly.

Yeah, I was starting to think I'm crazy, but I'm pretty sure I dismissed her at one point and she went back to the Fort to wait for me.

 

[Volimar]

Sometimes she will and sometimes she tells you no. Depends on where you are in the questline. Also just noticed, my character just got like 6 inches shorter. When I'm sneaking i can barely see over counter tops now...

 

[Psychoward]

Does anyone know if Dragonborn is planned to go on sale anytime soon for 360? Thanks

 

[GhaleonEB]

This seems to be your biggest problem with her- that she's a necessary companion during the critical path quests whether you want her along or not. I don't believe that you've tried to dismiss her before setting off on the journey to the Soul Cairn, or one of the locations you visit later on? Because she will part ways from you if you pick your time correctly.

I dismissed her prior to the quest to find her mother at the castle, which leads to the Soul Cairn. She left and said she's meet me at the castle, which was nice. I spent a few days doing other stuff just because I didn't want her around. Since arriving there, when I try to dismiss her she says I can't get rid of her that easily. When I tell her to wait, she says she's going to follow me anyways. That will probably end once I'm through with the Cairn, which will probably be tonight. The actual quest has been fantastic, I just don't want her along for the ride.

My biggest issue is actually her role in the story, but this is kind of frustrating too. I get that she's needed here for the story, but from both the narrative and gameplay standpoints I want to be rid of her.

Okay, done with Serana bashing for now. It's making it sound like I hate Dawnguard when I've been loving it; I'm just annoyed with her and disappointed in the direction the story went. I'll finish up the quest line and then revisit whether it worked in the end.

Does anyone know if Dragonborn is planned to go on sale anytime soon for 360? Thanks

The DLC was part of the holiday Live sales, I think they were all on sale for half price on the 31st. (That's when I got Dawnguard.) Since they just had the sale it probably won't go down for a while, but who knows.

Hey Ghaleon

Ghaleon

Guess what




Serana>Neloth

I don't know wh Neloth is, so I can't argue.

When I play the vampire side of Dawnguard I'll probably be singing Serana's praises.

 

[The P of Poland]

Hey Ghaleon

Ghaleon

Guess what




Serana>Neloth

 

[out0v0rder]

Wow the fact the DLC only has the lower res textures makes me regret giving this developper full price for this product.

I mean, why even bother with HD textures if it will be half assed and make your fresh content look like it was the actual textures from Morrowind?

I will still play this, but I am dissapointed.

this wont affect me because i already use low textures, haha the joke is on you, nerd!

 

[Trojita]

this wont affect me because i already use low textures, haha the joke is on you, nerd!

Bethesda came out with an HD pack that brings HD Textures to all of the DLC the day after Dragonborn came out.

 

[1stStrike]

So, I beat the DLC tonight. Did pretty much all of the side quests save for one (can't find the last root I need).

First of all, riding dragons is lack luster as hell. Really hard to control/aim and you can't actually "fly" the dragon.

The new armor and weapons from Miiraak are cool as hell, though. Really loving the staff. Final fight was actually kinda fun too. I enjoyed the whole book world thing and getting through it.

I haven't played Dawnguard yet, but may buy that one just for some more stuff to since I've already finished the main quest.

 

[The P of Poland]

I don't know wh Neloth is, so I can't argue.

Luna is getting ready to take a nice long vacation from Solstheim now, having killed the big bad, saved the day, and tied up some loose ends.

You finished Dragonborn, you know darn well who he is, liar.

 

[GhaleonEB]

You finished Dragonborn, you know darn well who he is, liar.

I don't have the slightest idea. I've never been good with names, but that doesn't ring a bell at all. I really did finish Dragonborn, honest!

######

Something is up around Solitude. On the way back from my final trip to the Soul Cairn (more on that another time), I run into a Stormcloak courier. Two whacks later and he's dead, and the 40 gold bounty the first whack earned me is removed.

A few minutes later, I get to the stagecoach outside of Solitude, and the guards are attacking me. I have no idea why, so I sheathe and unsheathe my weapons repeatedly. Eventually the guard says, "All right, you've had enough," and puts his weapon away. No bounty paid, no explanation.

I head into Solitude and suddenly a fight breaks out. I figure it's just another vampire attack, until I notice it's between Jaree-Ra and some guards. I'm glad he's rumbling with guards this time, as a few days ago the same guy went nuts on me for no reason. And since he's a key quest character, all I could do was bat him down. (I eventually FRD's him into a corner of the city, trapping him, so I could go shopping unmolested.) I let them tussle this time on their own, happy to stay out of it. I hit up the palace for some disenchanting, then head back toward the blacksmith to sell some loot.

Only now, Captain Aldis is going nuts on me, attacking for no reason. And a moment later, my old nemesis Jaree-Ra has joined in. Everyone else is all, oooohhh a fight! and breaking out the popcorn. I'm annoyed since now I can't sell my stuff and will have to hoof it to Whiterun. :\

Must be something in the water?

 

[The P of Poland]

I don't have the slightest idea. I've never been good with names, but that doesn't ring a bell at all. I really did finish Dragonborn, honest!

######

Something is up around Solitude. On the way back from my final trip to the Soul Cairn (more on that another time), I run into a Stormcloak courier. Two whacks later and he's dead, and the 40 gold bounty the first whack earned me is removed.

A few minutes later, I get to the stagecoach outside of Solitude, and the guards are attacking me. I have no idea why, so I sheathe and unsheathe my weapons repeatedly. Eventually the guard says, "All right, you've had enough," and puts his weapon away. No bounty paid, no explanation.

I head into Solitude and suddenly a fight breaks out. I figure it's just another vampire attack, until I notice it's between Jaree-Ra and some guards. I'm glad he's rumbling with guards this time, as a few days ago the same guy went nuts on me for no reason. And since he's a key quest character, all I could do was bat him down. (I eventually FRD's him into a corner of the city, trapping him, so I could go shopping unmolested.) I let them tussle this time on their own, happy to stay out of it. I hit up the palace for some disenchanting, then head back toward the blacksmith to sell some loot.

Only now, Captain Aldis is going nuts on me, attacking for no reason. And a moment later, my old nemesis Jaree-Ra has joined in. Everyone else is all, oooohhh a fight! and breaking out the popcorn. I'm annoyed since now I can't sell my stuff and will have to hoof it to Whiterun. :\

Must be something in the water?

Telvanni wizard? Lives in a giant mushroom? Goes with you into Dwarven Ruin to retrieve Black Book?

Did you kill a chicken?

 

[Trojita]

Does Dragonborn add anything to the game outside of Sostheim? Dawn Guard added stuff to the game like crossbows without doing the Dawn Guard quest right? Anything like that where Dragonborn adds stuff to the main game without going to Sostheim?