الوسم: Skyrim

  • Completing Skyrim’s Complex NPC Behavior: Todd Howard’s Napkin Idea

    Completing Skyrim’s Complex NPC Behavior: Todd Howard’s Napkin Idea

    Bethesda is recognized for creating ‘Radiant’ NPCs. These characters interact with the game world independently of players. Skyrim, Starfield, and Fallout 4 showcase this NPC behavior.

    Bruce Nesmith, a former design director at Bethesda, shared insights about NPC behavior in Skyrim with PC Gamer. Surprisingly, radiant AI started from a concept sketched on a napkin. While these ‘napkin stories’ are often seen in media, they are rare in real life.

    A Living World

    “The Radiant AI system was inspired by a drawing that Todd [Howard] gave us,” Nesmith said.

    Nesmith has worked at Bethesda for over twenty years, contributing to games like Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout 76, and Fallout 4.

    “It really is a napkin story,” he added. “You don’t find many of those in real life, but this one is real.” He explained that Howard sketched the game’s hero on the napkin and drew arrows linking the hero to elements like monsters and buildings.

    Howard said, “The player interacts with these things, but they don’t interact back. That was Morrowind. For Oblivion, we tried having them respond a little. But now, for Skyrim, we want the world to react to the player and to itself. So how can we do that?”

    “We went off and came back with ideas,” Nesmith recalled. “Those were some of the most creative moments in my gaming career. We aimed to create events and objects in the world that the player interacts with, while the system monitors those interactions.”

    Whiterun guard near a tree in Skyrim.

    This meant that in Skyrim, every item would have a wealth of data, allowing for various actions. Everything was aware of everything else; locations knew about the objects inside them, and objects recognized their locations.

    The result is a world that acknowledges the player, making them feel like they are part of a living, breathing environment where their actions matter. “You feel like you’re actually part of something,” Nesmith noted.

    Even fourteen years later, the unique and sometimes odd behaviors of NPCs make revisiting the game a pleasure. While Oblivion also had interesting NPCs, Skyrim offered more spontaneous interactions.

    mixcollage-20-dec-2024-09-03-pm-3325-1.jpg
    Skyrim

    Released
    November 11, 2011

    ESRB
    M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes

  • Completing the Quest: Solving Skooma Location in Oblivion Remastered

    Skooma is the go-to vice for the residents of Cyrodiil, making it a sought-after item on the black market in Oblivion Remastered. If you happen to have extra Skooma, it’s easy to find buyers, even among shopkeepers who don’t typically deal in illegal goods.

    Since Skooma isn’t found out in the wild, you’ll need to locate a small network of vendors. Alternatively, you might snag some by stealing it from those who possess it. There are various spots in Oblivion Remastered to obtain Skooma, especially for the quest known as The Lonely Wanderer.

    What Is Skooma?

    Skooma is a potion that provides the following effects:

    • Drains Agility by 60 points for 20 seconds
    • Reduces Intelligence by two points
    • Boosts Strength by 60 points for 20 seconds
    • Increases Speed by 60 points for 20 seconds

    Skooma has a base value of 75 Septims and is not available in regular shops. It can only be traded by certain characters in Cyrodiil.

    Who Can You Buy Skooma From?

    There are two primary vendors where you can acquire Skooma in Cyrodiil:

    1. Shady Sam – Located near the Imperial City
    2. Nordinor – Found in Bravil

    Shady Sam offers a bottle northeast of Chestnut Handy Stables. He can be found along the outer walls of the Imperial City and will call out to you as you walk by. He also sells poisons, additional potions, and lockpicks.

    Nordinor has five bottles available in Bravil, located in the alley between The Fair Deal and Silverhome On The Water.

    You can be directed to Nordinor by Faelian during The Lonely Wanderer quest.

    Where To Find Skooma

    Bravil is a major hub for Skooma and not just because of Nordinor. You can find multiple sources of Skooma inside the Skooma Den, which is situated directly above Carandial’s House.

    Inside Bravil’s Skooma Den, you will encounter several characters, each holding multiple bottles of Skooma:

    • J’zin-Dar, who has ten bottles available for pickpocketing
    • Reistr the Rotted, with five bottles you can take
    • Roxanne Brigette, who possesses 15 bottles
    • R’vanni, with eight bottles

    In addition to these key sources, here are other places where you can expect to discover multiple bottles of Skooma:

    Quantity City Detailed Location Notes
    15 Imperial City, Temple District Trenus Duronius’ House Available in five chests in his Private Quarters. Three chests are locked with very hard locks.
    11 Cheydinhal Riverview Most are out in the open; three are in a chest.
    10 Imperial City, Waterfront District Outside Myvryna Arano’s House Every Tirdas, a shipment is found in a locked barrel intended to be collected by Oghash gra-Magul.
    8 Fort Alessia Assembly Hall Located inside a battered crate.
    4 Imperial City Southwest Watch Tower Found out in the open.
    3 Bravil Castle Bravil – Lord Manor North Wing Inside a wooden chest.
    Leyawin Dar Jee’s House Inside a locked wooden chest.
    Blankenmarch (NW of Leyawin) Floyd Nathan’s House Inside a wooden chest.
    Outside Leyawin Greyland
    Leyawin Mages Guild
    Imperial City, Elven Gardens District Lorkmir’s House Found on the dining room table.
    Border Watch M’dirr’s House Inside a wooden chest.
    Leyawin Ra’Jahirr’s House
    Imperial City, Market District Red Diamond Jewelry Located upstairs in the Private Quarters.
    Northwest of Bravil Robber’s Glen Cave Inside a wooden chest.

    With these locations, you’ll have a healthy stash of Skooma ready for any adventures in Oblivion Remastered. We won’t question what you plan to do with it.

  • How to Acquire the Dragonbane Sword in Skyrim

    How to Acquire the Dragonbane Sword in Skyrim

    Skyrim is filled with an impressive variety of weapons to discover, but some, like the Dragonbane, can be easily overlooked until much later in your journey. This game is designed to keep players engaged with its expansive world, and any seasoned adventurer understands the importance of being well-equipped, especially when facing dragons—with a weapon that inflicts extra damage against them.

    The Dragonbane is one of the few weapons styled after the Akaviri design, aside from the Akaviri Sword available in the Dawnguard DLC. If you don’t own the DLC, the Dragonbane is a fantastic alternative, perfect for players who appreciate its aesthetic and feel nostalgic about Oblivion.

    Where to Find the Dragonbane Sword

    To obtain the Dragonbane, head to the Sky Haven Temple, the stronghold of The Blades faction in Skyrim. As you progress through the main storyline, you will naturally visit this location, making it nearly impossible to miss unless you intentionally sidestep the main quests.


    The temple is located east of Markarth, and once you’ve visited it, you can easily fast-travel back by opening your map. You will find the Dragonbane resting on a wooden table in a small room on the left side of the temple, glowing enchantingly.

    How to Access Sky Haven Temple


    An opened quest journal displaying the Alduin's Wall quest with objectives visible, including one directing the player to Sky Haven Temple.

    If you haven’t completed the main storyline yet, you need to finish the Alduin’s Wall quest to gain access to Sky Haven Temple. This is the only standard method for entering it during a typical playthrough.

    Once you’re inside, there are no additional steps required to acquire the Dragonbane. You can simply grab it right off the table.

    Dragonbane Stats and Upgrading


    An inventory screen showing the Dragonbane with a base damage of 17, weight of 10, value of 789, and a bonus damage to dragons and other enemies.

    At character level 57, the Dragonbane’s base stats are 17 damage, a weight of 10, and a value of 789. This provides a solid starting point for a sword. What truly sets this weapon apart is its enchantment, which adds 20 extra damage against dragons and an additional 10 damage to other foes.

    While the Dragonbane cannot be disenchanted or re-enchanted, it is upgradeable. You can enhance it at any Grindstone, such as the one located near the entrance of Whiterun by Warmaidens. To upgrade the weapon, you will need the following materials:

    Requirement

    How to Obtain

    Arcane Blacksmithing Perk

    This is unlocked with a Smithing skill of 60.

    Steel Smithing Perk

    This is the first perk available in Smithing.

    Quicksilver Ingots

    These can be purchased from blacksmith merchants, or you can mine the ore required to make them in Dawnstar’s Quicksilver Mine using a pickaxe.

    Once you have all the necessary items, you can upgrade the Dragonbane like any other weapon. For instance, the first enhancement will yield an ‘Exquisite’ version, which raises its damage to 24 and its value to 874. This makes it even more effective for taking down dragons in style.

  • Exploring the Dark Brotherhood Questline in Skyrim

    Exploring the Dark Brotherhood Questline in Skyrim

    Contents

    One of the most loved factions in Skyrim is the Dark Brotherhood, a hidden sect of assassins eager to welcome new members. By the time you join, the group is facing significant problems, and you’ll need to step up and prove your value to them.

    Related

    Skyrim: Thieves Guild Faction Quest Guides

    Explore all our guides for the Thieves Guild quests in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

    We have numerous guides available for the Thieves Guild quests. If you’re looking for help as you navigate through these missions, you’ll find all the assistance you need right here.

    • Dark Brotherhood Quest Guides

      A man sneaking up behind another man sitting on a log in a snowy environment of Skyrim.

      Here are all our guides for the quests within the Dark Brotherhood faction in Skyrim.

  • Complete Guide to all Dawnguard Quests in Skyrim

    Complete Guide to all Dawnguard Quests in Skyrim

    Contents Overview

    Dawnguard is the first expansion for Skyrim, immersing players in an exciting world filled with vampires. Intrigued? You should be! You can even take on the role of a vampire bride if that interests you. No matter why you’re diving into Dawnguard, we have the guides you need.

    Related Content

    Skyrim: Complete Daedric and Ancient Artifacts Quest Guides

    Explore our guides for Daedric and Ancient Artifact quests in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

    Whether you’re looking for main quest or side quest guides, or if you’re excited about a potential vampire wedding, you’ll find everything you need here. Happy adventures, Dragonborn! Just remember, don’t let those vampires sink their teeth into you… unless that’s what you want.

    • Dawnguard Main Quest Guides

      Dragon Bridge in Skyrim.

      Here, you’ll find the main quests for the Dawnguard expansion. If you need a detailed walkthrough, you’ve come to the right place.

    • Dawnguard Side Quest Guides

      Serana talking with the Dragonborn at Fort Dawnguard in Skyrim.

      Don’t miss out on optional content in the Dawnguard expansion, like the chance to marry the vampire Serana. Want to know how? We’ve got the scoop.

  • How to Acquire Dwarven Armor in Skyrim?

    How to Acquire Dwarven Armor in Skyrim?

    Dwarven Armor is a robust armor set featured in Skyrim, originating from the ancient Dwemer race. You can craft this armor at a Blacksmith Forge after achieving a Smithing level of 30 or more and acquiring the Dwarven Smithing Perk. Additionally, players can discover this armor set within the game at various Dwemer ruins.

    Some merchants may have this armor available for purchase, but it’s dependent on random availability.

    Where to Find Dwarven Armor in Skyrim

    To quickly reach the Understone Keep in Markarth, which houses the Dwarven set in Skyrim, head to the far western region as indicated on the map image above. Once inside, immediately turn left and proceed along the path.

    Upon entering, you will encounter two mages. Engage in conversation with Calcelmo regarding the excavation site. He will instruct you to eliminate Nimhe, a formidable spider, for access. Afterward, cross the small bridge adjacent to the wizards and open the door, continuing until you find Nimhe’s nest.

    Defeating Nimhe is quite manageable; staying at the entrance and attacking with arrows will yield results. Once Nimhe is defeated, proceed further into the Nchuand-Zel excavation site.

    After entering, descend the stairs and take a left turn. It’s advisable to eliminate all Falmers, then dispose of their bodies by throwing them off the bridge into the water.

    Swim to the Nchuand-Zel Armory and enter. Once inside, go up the stairs and make a right to confront more Falmers. Advancing will lead you to a room filled with Dwarven statues.

    To the right of the statues, there’s a locked door that requires lockpicking to access. Inside this room, you will find all the pieces of Dwarven Armor ready for collection.

    Complete the Unfathomable Depths quest to unlock the Ancient Knowledge perk for your armor. This benefit provides a 25% armor bonus when wearing the complete set.

    Dwarven Armor Stats in Skyrim

    The baseline statistics for the Dwarven Armor set are outlined below.

    Armor Piece Armor Rating Weight Value
    Dwarven Armor 34 45 400
    Dwarven Helmet 18 12 200
    Dwarven Boots 13 10 85
    Dwarven Gauntlets 13 8 85
    Dwarven Shield 26 12 225

    How to Craft Dwarven Armor at the Blacksmith Forge?

    To forge this armor set, you need a Smithing level of 30 and the Dwarven Smithing Perk. Once these prerequisites are met, you can create the armor at the Blacksmith Forge using the materials listed below.

    • Dwarven Metal Ingot
    • Leather Strips
    • Iron Ingot
    • Steel Ingot

    You can upgrade the Dwarven Armor set easily at a Workbench using the metal Ingots. The Dwarven Smithing Perk will enhance your upgrades by doubling their effectiveness.

    How to Spawn Dwarven Armor using Item IDs?

    If you find yourself struggling to obtain the Dwarven Armor in Skyrim on PC, you can use console commands to spawn its pieces directly in your inventory. Press the tilde key to bring up the console command window, then enter player.AddItem [ID], replacing [ID] with the relevant item ID. Below is the item ID list for all armor pieces.

    Armor Piece Item ID
    Dwarven Armor 0001394D
    Dwarven Helmet 0001394F
    Dwarven Boots 0001394C
    Dwarven Gauntlets 0001394E
    Dwarven Shield 0001394O

    Dwarven Armor Mods

    The Dwemer Armor mod allows players to craft a new version of the Dwarven Armor set. This will require the Dwarven Smithing perk. Additionally, this mod lets you improve the benefits gained from the smithing perk.

    The Reshaped Dwarven Armor mod enables players to alter the design of the Dwarven armor, providing a completely redesigned look.

  • Where to Find Knights of Nine Armor in Skyrim?

    Where to Find Knights of Nine Armor in Skyrim?

    In this guide, players will learn how to obtain the Knights of Nine armor, known as the Divine Crusader, in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

    Knights of Nine Armor Location in Skyrim

    To acquire the Knights of the Nine armor, head to Four Skulls Lookout, located just east of Markarth. Defeat the bandits there to find the armor nearby. Note that there is no specific quest for this armor.

    Knights of Nine Armor Location in Skyrim

    Due to the tougher bandits, including some with magic spells, it is recommended to be at least level 35 to 40 before attempting to retrieve the armor.

    Knights of Nine Armor Stats in Skyrim

    Knights of Nine Armor stats in Skyrim

    The Divine Crusader’s Armor set consists of nine different pieces, each with varying stats based on player level.

    Helm of the Crusader:

    LevelBase ValueWeightBase ArmorArmor ID
    1-6280004XX000ECB
    7-10290085XX000EC3
    11-15300095.5XX000EBD
    16-20305010.56XX000EB7
    21+3200127.5XX000EB1

    Cuirass of the Crusader:

    LevelBase ValueWeightBase ArmorArmor ID
    1-670503010XX000ECE*
    7-1076004012.5XX000EC6*
    11-1581504513.75XX000EC0*
    16-20870052.815XX000EBA*
    21+92506018.75XX000EB4*

    Gauntlet of the Crusader:

    LevelBase ValueWeightBase ArmorArmor ID
    1-6135064XX000ECD*
    7-10145085XX000EC5*
    11-15155095.5XX000ECF*
    16-20165010.56XX000EC9*
    21+1750127.5XX000EB3*

    Boots of the Crusader:

    LevelBase ValueWeightBase ArmorArmor ID
    1-630094XX000ECF*
    7-10400125XX000EC7*
    11-1545013.55.5XX000EC1*
    16-2055015.756XX000ECB*
    21+700187.5XX000EB5*

    Greaves of the Crusader:

    LevelBase ValueWeightBase ArmorArmor ID
    1-6800186XX000ECC*
    7-101000247.5XX000EC4*
    11-151200278.25XX000EBE*
    16-20140031.59XX000EB8*
    21+16003611XX000EB2*

    Shield of the Crusader:

    LevelBase ValueWeightBase ArmorArmor ID
    1-641001212XX000ECA*
    7-1049001615XX000EC2*
    11-1557001816.5XX000EBC*
    16-20650031.521XX000EB6*
    21+73002422.5XX000EB0*

    Role-playing as a Divine Crusader

    Role playing as a Divine Crusader

    To role-play as Pelinal Whitestrake, the original owner of the armor, players should consider the following:

    • Be emotionless and heartless like Pelinal Whitestrake.
    • Create an Imperial character to start on the Divine Crusader’s path.
    • Upon acquiring the armor, Imperials receive a +5 bonus for leveling up Heavy Armor, One-handed weapons, and Blocking.
    • Avoid committing crimes; any crime will prevent wearing the Divine Crusader armor.
    • Continue supporting the empire as Pelinal did, even though he didn’t live to see its expansion.

    Knights of Nine Armors Mods

    There are multiple mods available to fully enjoy the Knights of Nine armor in Skyrim:

    • Head west of Winterhold, that is just to the north of Tower Stone.
    • Defeat a Knights of the Nine ghost guardian to gain access to the armor and weapons.
    • Use a conjure book found in the guardian’s remains to summon the guardian.
    • Read the note on the ground to locate the armors.
    • Specific amulets are required to create the enchanted armor.
    • The Steelsmithing perk is also needed.
    • If you drop your helmet, use the console (~) and type help “knights of the Nine Helmets” followed by player.additem xxxxxx 1 to retrieve it.