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You've finally arrived... A Morrowind [Let's Play][NSf56k]
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This better be an option we can take near the end.
One, the faces that UselessWarrior mentioned. What do other people think? I'm apathetic either way; I've gotten used to the new faces, but as for that, whatever the people want.
Two, and a question of more importance: For whatever reason, the fog is totally gone when I use MGE's distant lands. The lack of atmosphere is very unappealing to me, but I thought I'd ask you, the readers, what you thought.
With distant lands:
Without:
I also lowered the resolution so that screenshots would be easier to read.
edit: also, are you using the Better Clothes patch? when i go to load that it says that it was made for a different version of morrowind.esm
Is Fargoth the equivalent of the Adoring Fan in Oblivion?
Because i didn't find him as irritating, dude just lost his ring, poor guy
Agreed that the world looks better with some fog.
One last thing to add: you should spend some coin on a paralysis spell.
Steam, PSN, XBL, Xfire and everything else JamesDM
The temple is the religion of the Dunmer, and mainly venerates the three ascended gods of Morrowind. What will be cool about the temple is that it will give a lot of Morrowind specific information that will also be plot-relevant.
Quest wise, the temple is going to have me walk around a metric fuckton before I can get to the meat of the quests, and I'll be "following in the footsteps" of the divines, especially Vivec. You'll also do some things like cure sick people, and help parishioners. Imperial Cult's a little more clericy: collecting arms, healing the sick.
There is some patch/addon for MGE that lets you use fog with it (at least on foggy days). I saw it the other day when looking up information on MGE. I'd try and find it for you, but I am at work so all that stuff is going to be blocked.
If you want some extra graphics stuff without losing the fog, the "morrowind FPS optimizer" is what I use. But I also use a shitton of texture and mesh replacement mods.
Description: "Cliff Racers(/-blighted or diseased) will not attack unless you attack first or are trying to Soultrap them."
I'm just not down with Cliff Racer extinction, but fuck dealing with them when moving on foot.
Steam, PSN, XBL, Xfire and everything else JamesDM
I think for me it's more of a deep primal attachment to that pixel shaded water. I tried MGE with all the fancyness on, and it does look really nice with depth of field and HDR and all that, but romping around Seyda Neen with that water just isn't the Morrowind I knew and loved.
I went from Balmora to some dungeon for a quest, and by the time i got back i had 20 cliff racer wings or whatever they drop. That's not counting the ones that didn't leave me anything. Also, conjure spear, and i get the best regular spear available? why does anyone bother carrying weapons?
Although i'm not complaining, what else would i be killing? kwama foragers? rats? BORING. I like the idea that cliff racers are going extinct due to their tendency to attack everyone :P
Oh and my computer burst into flame last night while i was playing Morrowind, it was horrifying for a minute until i realised it was just some cheap and fixable wiring, but i forgot to save
This. I might recommend getting the multi-mark mod as well. Although I have a habit of using all the fast travel options whenever I play, not too much is far away by boat, silt strider, mage guild, or fortress.
CTD Count: 3
Let's Begin
Part 2: Stop the Moon
Caius: First thing, pilgrim. You're new. And you look it. Here's 200 drakes. Go get yourself a decent weapon. Or armor. Or a spell. And second thing... you need a cover identity. Around here, freelance adventurer is a common profession. Sign on with the Fighters Guild, or Mages Guild, or Imperial cult, or Imperial legion, advance in the ranks, gain skill and experience, or go out on your own, look for freelance work, or trouble. Then, when you're ready, come back, and I'll have orders for you.
Hejka, what'll you do? What can you do? The fighter's guild has money, but the simpletons wouldn't know a gifthorse if it set them on fire. The cult? I'm not sure they have much to offer for me. The legion? Guard duty is for dullards.
To be honest, the Mages' Guild seemed like the only option. It's what I'm best at--where my training lies. But then it hit me. Hejka, you're a spy now. Act like one. I pondered this. Where could I go that would benefit me the most? This is a strange and foreign land; where can I learn of it?
Hejka, you deviant. Both the temple and the cult have a variety of services that could help me in my travels. But the temple had something that the cult didn't--the temple knew Vvardenfell and Vvardenfell knew the temple. How I could be free to ply the land's secrets under the guise of faith. delightful
I asked around, and was pointed into the direction of a Feldrelo Sadri. The acolytes found my interest in becoming a member of the temple very surprising, but they were more than happy to welcome a free argonian into the faith.
I asked about joining the temple, and what my duties as a member of the clergy would be. I would be a lowly Layman, but advancement was possible, even for an argonian. Feldrelo gave me a book called the The Pilgrim's Path.. I was to prove my faith by making the Pilgrimages listed inside. Very well, I thought, I shall pass your test. I thanked the priestess for her kindness, and stepped away.
[OOC: I've just discovered that quite a few screenshots didn't make it. The contents of the book is linked above, however, so if you want to see the exact words, click the link and read to your heart's content. In the future, I will be linking books of interest; it's probably more comfortable to read through your browser than through screenshots anyway.]
I stepped away and opened the book. Lets start at the beginning. Where must I go to follow the trials of the Lord Vivec? The 'Fields of Kummu'? West of Suran? I remembered hearing from the patrons at the Corner Club that I could take a Silt Strider there. I smiled a toothy smile to a parishioner as I left. I think she was unnerved.
I passed by the Mages Guild on the way out of the town. They still had services I could use. Guild guides could be especially useful in the future, and there was still the matter of training--I would receive no training from the temple until I had achieved a higher rank.
Stepping inside, I spoke with the Ranis Athrys, Mistress of the Balmora Mages Guild. She eyed me carefully. I do not think she is a woman I can trust. In any event, joining was simple enough, and I was instructed to take a look at the Origin of the Mages Guild. I probably knew more about magery than this dunmer.
Still, even as an associate of the Mages Guild, I was welcome to a ration of supplies in exchange for my guild dues. Students of alchemy make these potions for classes, and they are distributed to members who can use them. They also offer a Scroll of Divine Intervention and of Almsivi Intervention. These useful scrolls transport the user to the nearest Cult and Tribunal temple, respectively.
I headed downstairs to the trainers, and got a quick lesson in Alchemy. I was so rusty, Ajira thought I was a complete neophyte, but commented on how quickly I was seeming to pick it up. I didn't feel like making a correction. After taking another moment to make a few cheap spells that would serve me economically in my travels, I was ready to head out.
Goodbye Balmora...
Hello Suran!
Roxxanne, thou neednt illuminate thy crimson lantern this eve. I may need to stop by here some time when I'm not a clergyman. Not a lot to do here, stopped off to pick up some Muck since the book suggested I do that. The alchemist nodded knowingly, and assumed I was a pilgrim. I searched about to find a cheap mortar and pestle, to no avail.
Then, prepared for my journey, I headed off.
Travel shots, skip this if you don't care.
Another conversation screenshot lost, I'll just summarize the events
As I was walking, an argonian approached me. "Can you help me?" he asked of me.
Hejka: I've no idea. What do you need?
Tul: I just recently escaped from a nearby plantation. They say a friendly redguard in Ebonheart helps escaped slaves. Will you help me?
Hejka: As I understand it, you're proposing I break the law for no benefit to myself. Excuse me sir, but this is not my fight; take it to someone else.
Disgust took over his face, and he left me for the shadows after muttering what must have been some curse in Argonian--or whatever they speak. To be honest, I was insulted. Just because I happen to share similar blood, he thought he could come to me for asylum? Had I the chance again, I would make sure he knows the nobility of my parentage. I'll not risk that for some savage.
I continued on, encountering a few vermin whom I dispatched with my new spells. No magicka wasted; rats cooked just right! Of course, I sampled nearly ever flora I encountered. Such is my habit.
I figure I'd make sure to highlight this tomb, so if I ever have to go here later, I'll just say, "Oh yeah, I know where that is." But, if it's somewhere I've been I'll probably do that anyway.
I ran into a man on the road, and decided to ask him of the road ahead. He told me the most dreadful story.
I promised to help him, since it fit with my role as a pilgrim, and I would probably need to dispatch the Kagouti anyway. What's a Kagouti?
That's a Kagouti.
I dispatched it, blood staining my robe and lips. Wiping my face clean, I proceeded to quaf a potion and mend my wounds with magic. I learned my first healing spell in conjuring classes; I gave the ugly orc girl a scroll of Summon Clannfear instead of Summon Scamp. It cut my tail in half before the instructor slaughtered it. The image came railing back as a scrambled to seal my wounds. Had the tusk penetrated the bonemold all the way, I wouldn't have been here to record this.
Prepared for the second one, I prepared spells and pushed ahead.
The results of the second were much better than the first. Near the two, this text was found.
Interesting, but of little consequence. I left it where it lied.
After reuniting the two travellers, they gifted me with this trinket. I smiled and thanked them, promising to use it when it was most needed! I would be selling it to the first pawnbroker to cross my path.
Not far ahead was the Fields of Kummu shrine. I left the muck at the foot of the shrine. Whoever created these were very clever and masters of enchantment. Or something else; I would love to study one of these shrines to figure out how they bestow their magic upon pilgrims.
The Pilgrim's Path explains the next few shrines can be found in the city of Vivec, named for the god-ruler of Vvardenfell. I wouldn't be visiting him, but I would be visiting some fairly important sites.
Goodbye Suran!
Hello Vivec!
Here's one of those Gondolier-men himself. Now on to this "To Stop the Moon" shrine. Apparently, Vivec convinced a moon to not crash into Vivec's new city. I wonder--
Woah
I picked up a rising force potion here to offer to the shrine.
The shrine cast a powerful, long levitate spell on me. I was pleasantly surprised. The nearby Shrine of Generosity cost me 100 gold and cast some skill ehancement on me as well. I forgot to take a screen shot of this. Whoops! The next shrine is located within the puzzle canal, and is said to represent the moment when Vivec gave his weapon to Mehrunes Dagon instead of fighting the unarmed Daedra. Though I severely doubt the accuracy of this report, I would need to make this pilgrimage as well. The priestess suggested I try the third tier, but would give me no further clue.
It lead into a series of sewers. Some vermin were about and quickly dispatched; they couldn't even reach me.
It lead to a shrine which read "Breathe the Water of his Glory and the Way is Made Clear."
I looked about, and tried to decipher the meaning of this riddle. First, I took a drink of the water. No luck. Then, leaning forward, I took a deep breath just over the water. Again, no fortune. Finally, I submerged myself completely. The poor fool who set this up probably never expected an argonian to trip his trap. I can hold my breath for a very very long time.
A bridge had appeared while my sight was obscured by the water. A neat trick; I know of no wizard in High Rock that could conjure such an object.
A dremora! I was ready to fight it, but I knew this could be the end. Fortunately, he was in no such mood.
The nearby chest contained a number of silver longswords. Though I may have only needed two, I took all of them; they were valuable, and the dremora didn't seem to mind. He seemed mighty bored by the task set for him; who would cow a dremora into such service, I am not sure.
Four down, three to go.
The next stop was Gnisis, a long journey to the north of the island.
More travel pics!
Goodbye Vivec
Hello Gnisis!
The Shrine of Justice could be found inside the temple here in the center of town.
I purchased a Cure Common Disease potion from the priests nearby, and offered it to the Shrine. This was a strange shrine, and to be honest, I found it more interesting than the rest--at least visually.
The center piece especially intrigued me.
As I touched the potion towards it, the shrine opened up, and inside was the true suspended mask. I nearly stepped away when an acolyte suggested I put my fingers to it. Doing so, I felt a powerful sensation ripple across my body. I was suddenly aware of a spell I never recalled formulating. The acolyte smiled knowingly and called it, "Vivec's Touch" and explained it's curative properties. Intriguing, but I had other shrines to visit. I picked up a dreugh wax on the way out--I'd rather not tangle with a dreugh. I've seen one tear a man apart in the arena.
The next shrine was in a cave to the south of Gnisis. The journey was largely dull, except for a few Kwama that sought to make a meal of me. It's a wonder these creatures survive given how readily they hurl themselves at prey they cannot manage.
Travel pics
A forboding building in the distance drew my attention, but I decided not in investigate. I figured nothing good would come of it. There's some badass shit in some of those; I don't think I would make it back out.
The cavern had a humble door which I opened quietly, ready to blast whatever lay behind.
One left. Ghostgate
The book suggested I head there via Balmora, and I complied. But first, I bought a mortar and pestle, and consumed a great deal of my ingredients, selling the products.
I felt much more confident in my potion-making abilities, even if the majority of the potions were of little use. I ate a meal at the eight plates, a nix-hound stew, and left for Ghostgate.
Travel Pics
I trembled as I passed this ruin of obvious daedric origin. I wasn't sure it wouldn't be inhabited by some powerful holdovers. Fortunately, I met none on my path.
The kwama I stumbled into, however, reminded me of an old technique used to more regularly prepare fire spells. This is a very good thing.
Getting in was easy enough. The shrine should be just inside.
The soul gems I received from the Mages Guild were plenty enough for the shrine, and I was bestowed with a daylong shield spell. Conspicuous, and yet welcome. I quickly retreated from Ghostgate and returned to Balmora.
Feldrelo seemed surprised that I followed through. Upon that, she bestowed upon me the title of Acolyte. She could see the weariness in my eyes and sggested I take a rest. I quickly assented.
I headed over to the corner club, and pondered what I had seen on my travels. I met several denizens, assisted a few, turned my back to others. I visited several cities, and had a feeling that my travels helped me learn the lay of the land. I know now, for example, that Kagouti should be avoided. I've found few useful flora, but interesting properties in many of those that I have found. Further research is necessary. Most importantly, however, are the powerful artifacts, if they can be called such, that I discovered on my journey. Each shrine is enchanted with powerful magic, and I suspect strong daedra were coerced into its construction. I wonder about this Vivec figure.
Now what?
Hejka Major Skills Argonian Mage Mysticism 40 Apprentice Destruction 39 Alteration 36 Level 1 (11/10) Illusion 40 Health 35 Restoration 35 Magicka 125 Fatigue 160 Minor Skills Enchant 20 Strength 40 Alchemy 30 Intelligence 50 Unarmored 26 Willpower 40 Short Blade 15 Agility 50 Conjuration 20 Speed 50 Endurance 30 Misc Skills Personality 30 Block 5 Luck 40 Armorer 5 Med Armor 10 Reputation 0 Heavy Armor 5 Bounty 0 Blunt Weapons 5 Gold 112 Long Blades 5 Axe 5 Factions Spear 10 Temple Athletics 22 (acolyte) Security 5 Blades Sneak 5 (novice) Acrobatics 15 Mages Guild Light Armor 5 (associate) Marksman 5 Mercantile 11 Speechcraft 5 Hand-to-Hand 5Skillups:Destruction +4
Alteration +1
Alchemy +5
Unarmored +1
Athletics +2
Acrobatics +10
Mercantile +6
I did stop and sell a few things, but the trip was somewhat expensive, and I spent more than I gained.
I've achieved the rank of acolyte in the temple, and plan to stay away from that for a while. So here's the voting options:
First, what stats get leveled up. Top two votes get their a-o-k. I'm going to go ahead and reserve intelligence, just to make sure I get some kind of caster buff.
Second: Am I ready for Caius's mission? Or should I spend some time working for the Mages' Guild first, just to make sure I'm ready?
Third: I'm going to start 'practicing' a couple of skill-ups per post I think, just to make up for the fact that if I just do missions, levelling might end up being so slow. So this level, should I practice Alteration, Restoration, or Destruction?
Edit: And I want to apologize for the delay. I'm sure you can imagine why I was putting this one off, however.
And replies:
everyone: I'm happy about the fog being back in. I also sort of miss the pixel-shaded water.
Useless: I'll try to find that patch later, or look into Yougotta's fpsenhancer at some point.
JamesDM: That's rolled into a mod I have already that prevents a some of the basic wildlife from doing it. Mudcrabs are no longer out for blood either, I don't think. Slaughterfish still are, and they still hurt.
seabass and Valkun: I cannot wait for mark and recall. It will be so nice!
Mages' Guild
Destruction because while you can always rest to heal, not being able to kill things effectively sucks.
Im gona have to second all of this.
Willpower
Mages Guild
Destruction
I vote the same, except that I am in favor of Alteration
When you level in Morrowind, you get to raise three of your eight stats. How much those stats go up when you select them is dependent on how many skills with that as their primary stat were raised, divided by two (rounded up I think but am unsure). So for example, acrobatics is strength based, and it went up ten points. That's why there's a x5 in Strength offered. Alchemy went up 5: 5/2=2.5 rounded up to a x3 bonus.
As far as I'm aware, you never get a multiplier for luck.
Krathorn: I would have to go back and get them. Are you saying I need a new robe, however? Money's tight, but if that's what the people want, I can see what I can do.
Willpower
Mages Guild
Destruction
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Robes#Robes
Edit: Voting's closed. Winners are obvious.
Chapter 2: First thing, Pilgrim
Part 3: A way to reach the high places.
Caius wanted me to make sure I was prepared for his mission before I headed out. I still wasn't comfortable with my skills. When was the last time I practiced an Illusion? My last conjuration? I couldn't even recall. I needed to spend a while at the Mages' Guild and practice my arts. I've come a long way, but I'm still nowhere near my potential. This new land has breathed a new spirit into me; I must endeavor or perish.
As I was practicing illusion magicks, I was called to Ajira's desk. Ajira was a Kajiit mage, on the verge of attaining Journeyman rank, and according to the Guild Steward, I was to help her. When she asked me to recover mushrooms for her, I would have probably choked her then and there had I not already recovered a number of samples already. Still, I didn't want the guild to suspect I was any more than a lowly associate--I still had a cover to maintain.
So I went to the bar. Spoke with a fellow Argonian about Vvardenfell. She mentioned to me that the island is goverened by three of the five great houses, besides the imperial and tribunal influence: House Hlaalu, House Redoran, and House Telvanni. House Hlaalu has benefited most from Imperial administration of the island, and focuses on business and profit. If House Hlaalu is driven by progress, then Redoran is driven by tradition. The Redoran are pious individuals and known for their gravity. The Telvanni intrigued me the most. Powerful wizard-lords, the Telvanni are isolationist and tend to be concerned with gaining wisdom and power. They are entirely cutthroat, following a simple rule: "Might makes right."
I found all of this interesting, but we eventually had to part ways. I figured I had pretended to be picking mushrooms long enough, and returned to Ajira. She took the samples, and gave me four watery useless health potions for my trouble.
The pettiness of this mageling knows no bounds, however. Ajira called me in a couple of days later, while I was in the middle of Destruction exercises for her next task: to sabotage her fellow wizard, Galbedir. She wanted me to put a fake soul gem in her desk. I pocketed the soul gem, and did as ordered.
At least these assignments require less walking than the temple. The work complete, I went back to Ajira, who couldn't be bothered to bribe me with anything. Ajira also wanted some flowers to go with her mushrooms. I'm sure you can guess what that means. more missing screenshots; I wish I knew why it was doing this
4 hours, three pints, and
The Kajiit wanted a ceramic bowl. She was surrounded by bowls. She could get a bowl anywhere. I thought I might destroy her then and there. Instead, I took her ten gold, visited a general store, and returned to find Ajira in a fluster.
Apparently, Galbredir stole some reports of Ajira. Apparently Ajira needed some muscle to go up there and give her a thrashing. Ajira didn't agree, however, and simply wanted me to find them; I'm pretty sure I know a certain bosmer that if certainly set on fire would certainly reveal the locations of certain reports. It seems I would be removed from the mages guild for something like that.
I proceeded into a dialogue montage...
To no avail.
But as I was heading back downstairs, I spotted something from the corner of my eye.
That bosmer wasn't as clever as she thought she was. They rarely are. I proceeded to search around for the next one to no avail.
It wasn't until restoration practice that I spotted the other report. I quickly ran these back over to Ajira who was overjoyed to hear my news. Opening a locked compartment on her desk, she broke out the secret reserve, and actually gave me some quality potions. I was shocked to be honest, and thanked her in earnest.
It was then that her face took on a serious countenance that I hadn't seen before. She told me she knew I was no apprentice, but that it didn't matter. She knew that Morrowind was on the edge of the empire, and after here, there's nowhere further away to go, except maybe to disappear into the marshes. She warned me to be careful, and told me that there was something shady about Ranis--that I should seek out Edwinna Elbert. I thanked the Kajiit for her advice, and left to practice more.
When I went to bed that night, I awoke with a start. There was a loud crash upstairs, but the rest of the guild seemed to pay it no heed. I went to investigate.
A man in all black came barreling toward me, knife in hand. I quickly let a bolt of lighting fly from my fingertips. He kept charging at me, even plunged the dagger into my side, but I kept it up until I could smell the flesh burned to his armor. His boots were they only part not sticky with charred flesh.
I reported the event to a guard, but he said there was nothing he could do. By my description, the fellow seemed to be a member of the Dark Brotherhood, an organization I had only heard about as a child. I returned to my bunk, and spent the night at the Mages' Guild. No other attack came, but I spent the night in a state of ponderance, wondering who ordered my execution and why. I had no answer, but I assume that comes with the territory of being a Blade.
And then?
Hejka Major Skills Argonian Mage Mysticism 40 Apprentice Destruction 43 Alteration 36 Level 2 (10/10) Illusion 41 Health 38 Restoration 36 Magicka 133 Fatigue 168 Minor Skills Enchant 20 Strength 45 Alchemy 32 Intelligence 53 Unarmored 26 Willpower 43 Short Blade 15 Agility 50 Conjuration 21 Speed 50 Endurance 30 Misc Skills Personality 30 Block 5 Luck 40 Armorer 5 Med Armor 10 Reputation 1 Heavy Armor 5 Bounty 0 Blunt Weapons 5 Gold 385 Long Blades 5 Axe 5 Factions Spear 10 Temple Athletics 22 (acolyte) Security 5 Blades Sneak 5 (novice) Acrobatics 15 Mages Guild Light Armor 5 (evoker) Marksman 5 Mercantile 13 Speechcraft 5 Hand-to-Hand 5Skillups:
Destruction +3
Illusion +1
Restoration +1
Alchemy +2
Conjuration +1
Mercantile +2
Everyone voted for Willpower, so there was no second place last time. I took the x5 strength, because I don't imagine I'll soon or often again have a huge strength multiplier. So I raised Strength, Intelligence, and Willpower. I think what I should take this level probably seems pretty obvious.
So now I think I should go ahead and do at least one part of the main quest, but I probably need to do Telvanni before I get too far entrenched in the main quest. So I'll ask now:
Am I ready for Caius's mission, or should I go investigate this Telvanni house that intrigues me so much?
With the money I have, I can purchase some utility spells. Should I acquire a soul trap spell and some soul gems, or should I go ahead and pick up mark and recall which will make my life considerably easier?
Finally, which of the followind skills should I practice: Conjuration, Mysticism, or Illusion?
I'm looking forward to progressing the main story some soon, but there's so much to do in the game, that there's a tendency to want to do it all first. It was a long long time after I got the game that I beat it. If I join the Telvanni in the next post, Caius's mission will be next.
Pick up Mark and Recall.
Practice your Mysticism.
mark and recall because it will allow you to sell loot faster.
Mysticism because it will help you teleport and use the soul gem cashcow spell.
Mark and recall always helps, alot.
Mysticism is always useful aswell.
mark and recall because I don't hate you.
Mysticism for teleporting. Don't you need something like 50 to cast it relably?
Seconded.
Also what spells are you using to practice skills, out of interest?