Let's Play The Elder Scrolls IV, Oblivion!

[Funka Genocide]

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/Oblivion2009-04-1422-29-29-38.jpg

Welcome to Tamriel, seat of Imperial power. The year is 433 as the third era comes to a close. Emperor Uriel Septim rules from the Imperial City, his influence felt as far away as Morrowind.

or he did, at least.

You shall be thrust into the forefront of history as your destiny intertwines with the fates of nations and emperors, from whatever humble beginnings you shall make your mark and become legend, with you go all hopes of the empire and of Tamriel herself.

The game starts you off in a prison cell, for an undetermined crime. Therein you meet Uriel Septim and his cadre of personal bodyguards, the blades. You are tossed into a maelstrom of political intrigue and adventure from word one, but before any of this you must determine who you are.

So I shall leave it up to you fine people to decide who our hero shall be. There are 10 playable races, each with 2 genders to choose from. (male and female, for those of you scratching your heads) Here is a basic synopses of all 10.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/imperial.jpg

Imperial

Imperials are native to Cyrodiil, the province in which the game takes place. They are generally well liked and perform at least averagely in all aspects.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/khajiit.jpg

Khajiit

The khajiit are a race of catlike people from the province of Elsewyr, they are agile and lithe and adept at sneaking about.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/Nord.jpg

Nord

Nords are the hearty, fair skinned people of the northern province of Skyrim. They are quite strong and make excellent warriors.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/orc.jpg
Orc

Barbarians from the Wrothgarian and Dragontail mountains, known for their toughness and skill at armor crafting.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/redguard.jpg
Redguard

Originating in the province of Hammerfell, the Redguard are the most naturally talented warriors in all of Tamriel.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/woodelf.jpg
Wood Elf

The bosmer are barbarian elves from the western Valenwood forests, they make excellent scouts and their skill at archery is second to none.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/argonian.jpg
Argonian

The enigmatic, reptilian denizens of Black Marsh are skilled in Guerilla warfare and enjoy a resistance to disease as well as the ability to breathe underwater.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/breton.jpg
Breton

The people High Rock, Bretons have a natural affinity for shaping magical forces to their will, and boast potent magical resistance.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/darkelf.jpg
Dark Elf

The Dunmer of Morrowind are known for their skilled integration of both blade and spell, making them powerful foes on the battlefield.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/oblivionlp/highelf.jpg
High Elf

The Altmer of the Summerset Isles are highly intelligent people with an innate magical aptitude.

I'd also like to present a few class ideas I thought up to make the game a bit more intriguing. Seeing as our hapless hero(ine) is without a past, we can pretty much come up with any occupation we want. Here are the one's I'd like you to consider when voting.

Cook
A dervish of deliciousness, a mad-macaroni mastermind. You add flair and spice to every dish!

Dancer
Whether for the entertainment of crowds or more... private affairs, you're a skilled and agile performer.

Sailor
Yo ho ho and a bottle of Skooma! A hearty man o' the sea is what ye be! he he!

Barkeep
You spent your nights chatting up the drunkies and mixing potent beverages, as well as taking care to ensure the rest of the Inn staff wasn't slacking off.

Farmer
You spent your time helping things to grow with time honored, traditional farming techniques, as well as a lot of back-breaking labor.

Thug
The boss says break some legs, you break some legs. You're not too bright, but you know how to get results.

Novelist/poet
A delicate soul in dangerous times, you know you'll write the next great novel, so long as you can survive long enough to put pen to paper.

Traveling Salesman
No road too long or sale too small! You're equal parts knowledgeable businessman and shady grifter.

Librarian
With your nose stuck in a book and an unnatural penchant for silence, you were bound to pick up something useful... if only you had your card catalog to reference those fencing diagrams.

So, to sum it up, I need you to vote on a race, gender and an occupation prior to your imprisonment. Also, if you want to come up with a reason we're in prison in the first place go for it!

[Krylo]

Hmm...

Race...

Let's say... Imperial. And let's make it a man, man.


As for class, I think I prefer Sailor, as far as those options go.

If you end up being female, though, go dancer.


Also: What mods do you have?

[Funka Genocide]

I'm running modless at the moment, any suggestions on mods that might make things more enjoyable?

[Rokrin]

Male Khajit Cook, can't think of a name though. Maybe Ramsay.
Because since when can fucking cats cook.

I'd also like to know what mods (if any) you'll be running.

e: Ninja'd, I'd say OOO at least. Plus the Unofficial Patch.

[Krylo]

Definately second Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul. In addition get the AF Level Mod. It let's you alter leveling to happen after a set number of skill raises, and makes stats raise with conjoined skills. Basically it makes leveling much easier and smoother.

The rest of these are mostly optional, those two I suggest hard, though.

Natural Faces will make everyone look less fucktardly hideous, so I have to suggest that as well. This one I am also suggesting hard. The only reason it's not with the other ones is that it's purely cosmetic.

I'd also suggest Drokk's vampire, to make vampires non-retarded. Though it also makes it harder to not get infected (curing the disease before it 'takes' doesn't work so well), so take that as you will.

Quest award leveller might be a good idea, too. Let's you click an item in your inventory and all your quest items become your level. Will remove people's inclination to tell you to power play by doing quests in a certain order.

Might want to pick up Ren's Beauty Pack before char creation. Adds a lot of better hairs. Adds some eyes too, but no one cares about that.

Arcane archery might be something to look at as well. It's a bit OP in the beginning, but balances out later in the game and really helps bring archery into its own as a viable DPS alternative (Yes, sith, I know archery is already OP, but unless you're patient and enjoy backpeddling, it's also annoying to use)

Also--Knights of the Nine.

[Rokrin]

Not sure how I forgot Natural Faces, but two mods you really need I feel:

Saddle Bags (http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=oblivionmods.Detail&id=393): Lets your horse be a gear-carrying slave.

BTmod (http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=25): Just generally makes the interface better.

[Funka Genocide]

I'll see if I can get some of those to work when I start playing fo reallies.
If Vista doesn't try to rip my balls off for my impudence.

(took me like an hour and a half to figure out a way to get screenshots to work with this stupid OS)

also

MOAR VOTES

[Kepor]

Imperial male dancer.

You know you want to.

[bluestarultor]

I happen to like Alive Waters, but it may require OBSE. I also use Ring of Wings, partly because I'm a cheating bastard, but mostly because it's nice to get a good view of all the pretty. Without OBSE, it acts as a water-walking ring that also gives you one of several wing types to cycle through. Alexander Wings may have a few more (and actually lends at least most of its models to RoW), but I think they go in the tail or maybe amulet slot, so depending on your cosmetic desires, one or the other might do you better, even depending on race (unless you dislike the tails for some reason).

A must-have is Better Hand-to-Hand or Claws and Monk Gear or both. It makes bare-handed fighting an actual option, which is great for anyone, but especially Khajiits.


At any rate, I say a male Khajiit dancer, since the dancer seems like the thiefiest option, and if it involves spells, those are also useful. Alternatively, a barkeep (Khajiits love Scooma) or cook ("Why do Khajiits lick their butts?"). XD

[Seil]

Male Khajit Cook, can't think of a name though. Maybe Ramsay.
Because since when can fucking cats cook.

http://ui06.gamefaqs.com/1669/gfs_111460_2_2_mid.jpg

Since Quest For Glory II, that's when.

I'd say go for Argonian Barkeeper. Because that'd pretty much be me - a drunk lizard.

[Rokrin]

I actually like the idea of an Argonian Barkeep. Go male though.

[Funka Genocide]

I'm only counting the first vote anyone makes, as I feel it's a better representation of your initial gut instinct. So double voting will avail you not!

also, make sure you vote for a gender, and lets hear some ideas about why the fellow is shackled behind bars.

[greed]

Male Nord Librarian just cause a viking librarian makes me chuckle.

[Funka Genocide]

oh, I suppose I should put a time limit on the voting process. I'd like to get started in about 10 hours from now.

give or take

[Rokrin]

Well then we'll keep it with the male Khajiit cook then.

I'm saying he was cooking at a local festival in the Imperial City, trying to gain some prestige. Only as we all know, cat's can't cook, so he ended up not cooking the meat properly. As a result many of the guards, including their leader guy that I can't remember the name of, got very very sick with salmonella poisoning. They took this as an intentional attempt to befoul the guards, rather than just acknowledging the fact that, as we all know, cat's can't cook, and threw the poor cat in jail.



Also I need to be killed for forgetting this but Deadly Reflex is the best mod you will ever have period. (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8273)

[Fungrus]

Male Redguard Cook.

My reason for imprisonment is slightly spoilerish:

He was imprisoned for mistakenly serving garlic bread to the count of Skingrad and is currently on death row.

[Corel]

You should go with the Argonian; from that picture he looks incredibly bored and is a sarcastic bastard.

I think him being a Poet too would also be hilarious, that or a Salesman.

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

WHO CARES WHAT RACE WE ARE.

We need to Major in Fist Fighting, that's all we need.


With but our fists, a horse, and the fire of our hearts we will punch our way through the demonic hordes threatening our lands!

[Azisien]

Definitely like to empower the Cook profession, so another vote for Cook!

And I'll put a vote in for Orc. Orcs make the best Grub. And I'm not talking about the slang for food, Orc Grub is probably more like human colons slow-roasted in deer shit for 3 days.

No idea why this guy'd be in prison. Murder and colon removal? Stealing deer shit? Racism? I'm assuming there's racism in the world.

[MFD]

Male Creole Redguard cook. He is imprisoned because he somehow humiliated a rival chef.

Now. Are we going to be getting details on these custom classes? Because I would be very interested.

[stefan]

I was going to say a High Elf magician but this:




Male Redguard Cook.

My reason for imprisonment is slightly spoilerish:

He was imprisoned for mistakenly serving garlic bread to the count of Skingrad and is currently on death row.


is too awesome to pass up.

[Funka Genocide]

No skill breakdown until the votes are done, I'll leave it to your imaginations until then.

Looks like Cook has a commanding lead from my first view through.

Voting time is almost over!

did a little figurin' and Male is a cinch, nobody voted female at all.

Cook looks like a winner too, but it's not a sure thing.

Redgaurd is in the lead, just barely.

[Azisien]

Well if he's a Cook, we can safely assume he's going to be decent with a knife, and probably pretty good at alchemy or mixing ingredients.

Also, he should be good at intimidating people. Cooks don't take shit from nobody, especially not serving staff!

Finally, if Redguard or Human or whatever ends up winning, and Cook wins, I demand the character be named Gordon Ramsay.

[pochercoaster]

I vote female high elf dancer. Just to be contrary.

[Funka Genocide]

You have 1 hour to register your votes before character creation occurs.

starting...

NOW

[Marc v4.0]

imperial male cook named Bobby Flay

...what?

[Rokrin]

Finally, if Redguard or Human or whatever ends up winning, and Cook wins, I demand the character be named Gordon Ramsay.


I just said Ramsay but I demand this be his name no matter what race.

[Krylo]

Reason for imprisonment--he slept with emperor's wife and/or concubines. The emperor doesn't remember this because he is senile.

[Kerensky287]

Male Redguard Cook, sure.

Call him Barrack O'Bomber. And give him a smile that would make the moon blush.

Reason for imprisonment? Wrongfully accused of plotting to assassinate the Emperor. The Emperor does not remember because he is senile.

[Ryong]

Reason for imprisonment--he slept with emperor's wife and/or concubines. The emperor doesn't remember this because he is senile.

I support this. Fully.

[Lost in Time]

I'm also voting Male Redguard Cook named Ramsay with Krylo's reason for imprisonment.

[Pip Boy]

Reason for imprisonment--he slept with emperor's wife and/or concubines. The emperor doesn't remember this because he is senile.

Fix'd

[Krylo]

I'm... I'm not sure the emperor would put him in jail for that. Unless he raped him.

In which case, I'm not sure I want to read an LP about a guy who rapes old men.

[Lost in Time]

No, it was just really really bad sex. The emperor can do that. Jailing for bad sex.

[Rokrin]

I'm... I'm not sure the emperor would put him in jail for that. Unless he raped him.

In which case, I'm not sure I want to read an LP about a guy who rapes old men.

By guy you mean cat because it's going to be a Male Cat Chef, am I right?


No, it was just really really bad sex. The emperor can do that. Jailing for bad sex.

If this is true, based on what I've been told, it's best if I just don't get involved.

[Funka Genocide]

Ok, so the final verdict is a Male, Redguard cook named Ramsay who is currently in prison for sleeping with someone's wife. I'm not going to say the emperor but probably some politician or another.

There was no rape involved, just a bitter politician who got him locked away in the deepest oubliette he could without a trial.

And so, our story begins, of Ramsay, the womanizing cook with a heart of gold.

or a heart, at least. He needs one, what with the blood and the pumping.

[Rokrin]

I'm voting he slept with the wife of a cat chef who was displeased with her husband for not being able to cook.

Looking very much forward to this update.

e: If you can find a mod that lets you use a frying pan as a weapon I'm voting that's what you use for the whole game.

[Krylo]

Redguard/Khajiit is just wrong and you know it.


This is my angry face:
http://tiny.cc/CIIJw


I am making my angry face at you.

[Rokrin]

How many people actually voted Redguard?

e: Ok maybe there was a majority vote for Redguard but I'm pretty sure everyone meant to say Cat.

[Krylo]

Six people. There were I believe two, maybe three, Khajiit, and three or four imperial votes. Argonian also had two or three votes.

Everything else had 1 or 0 votes, I believe. I only counted Redguard, Khajiit, and Imperial, though. Imperial 'cause it was my vote. I also stopped counting anything that was not Redguard when it took the lead and then every other vote was Redguard.

[Rokrin]

Ah well. Majority rules.

I don't know if you've actually started the playthrough or not yet Funka but if I can catch you before I just used this mod and find it wondrous (http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11495).

[Funka Genocide]

actually that sounds pretty cool, how do you install it?

[Rokrin]

Download the mod, unzip it, copy the .esp into your Data folder wherever Oblivion is installed.

After that go into the Oblivion Launcher, hit "Data Files", and make sure your alternative start is checked. Should work.

[Funka Genocide]

thanks, was able to google it just before you posted that.

seems to have crashed my game... attempt 2 here we go!

man I'm not sure what it is, but I blame the fuck out of Vista for all of this!

[Krylo]

I think you might need OBSE, as well.

That's oblivion script extender.

[Funka Genocide]

got that, copied everything into the data folder, still crashes.

[Rokrin]

That might be true, I've never not had OBSE installed so I have no idea. If so:

http://obse.silverlock.org/

Just download it, unzip it, and copy+paste the contents of the unzipped folder into your oblivion directory where the Oblivion.exe is. Just launch that from then on to start your game, or change your desktop shortcut to point to the OBSE executable.
You can still use the launcher to pick your mods.

e: Ninja'd, if it wasn't crashing before I don't know why it is now. Unless your mod loadout is weird; make sure that the alternative start is like the last mod that loads unless you're running some other mod that's more important and has to be last.

Otherwise I guess no boat start for Ramsay. :(

[Funka Genocide]

going to uninstall and start all over

ok, problem solved. Just had to update my game with the current patch and all is well.

going to finish getting the rest of the mods installed and then start playing, hope to have a real update tomorrow night.

[Harpell]

Dammit, you guys made me reinstall this stupid game. Not cool.

Although the voting is over already, I have to say that I totally approve of Ramsay.

[Kepor]

I was hoping for the dancer, but the cook sounds really interesting as well. How's he gonna fight? Knives? Fire? Knives on Fire? Maybe we should have another vote.

Hail democracy.

[Pip Boy]

Knives and fire spells would sound good. Maybe specialize in fire-based AOE/DOT abilities or something.

AND FIND A MOD THAT LETS YOU TURN DOWN THE MANA COSTS ON THE DESTRUCTION SPELLS.

Cuz Daaaaaayyyyuuuummm.

[Rokrin]

I'm really trying hard to figure out how to make a mod that allows you to wield a frying pan of some kind.

[Kerensky287]

I think a ninja cook is the most badass idea ever.

Especially if the ninja cook is also a wizard, or can at least set things on fire with his mind.

[Krylo]

I'm really trying hard to figure out how to make a mod that allows you to wield a frying pan of some kind.

There's one that lets you wield farm implements and stuff. I think it might have frying pans too.

Basically it just made a weapon of x-type, and gave it the texture/meshes of the farm implements. It then replaced all the normal instances of those items with the new one.

If you know how to make mods it shouldn't be that hard. I could probably develop a mod for FO3 that does that given a little time. I'm not very good with the GECK currently (just used it so far to tone down a mod or two because I liked the looks of the items in them but they were rather unbalanced).

[Funka Genocide]

Have to push the first update back to MOnday night, as I've got to go do things other than video games this weekend.

but yes, I've modelled the cook class on the magic side, with Intelligence and Endurance being the main attributes. Intelligence because it takes a good head to memorize and invent new recipes and endurance because long hours in a stifling kitchen require a hardy constitution.

His skills, if I remember correctly, are blade (fer cuttin!) alchemy (representing the extension of his ingredient combining abilities) Destruction (just in case he need to start a fire) conjuration (just in case he doesn't have ingredients on hand) alteration (helps when carrying loads of groceries) mercantile (for bartering with butchers and grocers) and speechcraft (sort of an afterthought since I decided he was a bit of a ladies man.)

He'll use mainly daggers in melee combat, as they best resemble a chef's knife.

I'll be using the alternate beginning mod.

so where do you guys want to start? Anvil or Imperial City?

[greed]

Anvil just to be different from all the Oblivion games I've played.

[Harpell]

I second Anvil. I like the Port city aesthetic.

Also, the crazy wood elf guy at the docks made me chuckle to myself.

[Rokrin]

Anvil because I hate the guards in Imperial City with a passion.

[TheMostDangerousGame]

Anvil, because I loath the name "Imperial City".

[Pip Boy]

Is there a way to get a chef's hat. Because that'd be pretty awesome.

[PhoenixFlame]

AND FIND A MOD THAT LETS YOU TURN DOWN THE MANA COSTS ON THE DESTRUCTION SPELLS.

Cuz Daaaaaayyyyuuuummm.

Destruction spells are fine, really. Especially 2s nulls.

Yet, if you want to go for magic mods, I'd have to suggest Midas' mod, for all of the new nifty effects. Some of the spells are obviously whacked out, but a lot of them are sane, and you have to go through significant research to acquire them anyway. Still, they have unique and varied effects that magic really ought to have, like ray spells, force magic, and summoned tornadoes and such.

Basically lets you abuse the physics engine using magic, and let's be honest, that's what magic is supposed to do, right? 'Cause in oblivion proper, Force Bolt + Daedroth + Bridge + Lava = Epic Lulz

[Sir Pinkleton]

Anvil because I hate the guards in Imperial City with a passion.

Anvil, because I loath the name "Imperial City".

Anvil because I Anvil the Anvil Anvil. =P

Also, are we assuming that the character isn't going to jump headstrong into the nearest dungeon? It sounds like he'd have to have a lot of motivation before simply going to battle or anything. I mean, realistically, in Oblivion, unless someone's life is about fighting (gladiator, guard, bandit, etc.) they're going to run from a battle, womanizer or no.

[PhoenixFlame]

It sounds like he'd have to have a lot of motivation before simply going to battle or anything.

Ninjas! Suddenly, hundreds of them!

Are you a bad enough dude to find and kill the Ninja leader?

All motivations can be solved with judicious application of many, many ninja.

[Funka Genocide]

I shall let the story develop as naturally as possible. Of course without conflict it wouldn't be very entertaining, so it will be a balancing act between keeping things active and maintaining plausibility.

I hope to have it started today, but I had a long weekend and might just pass out as soon as I get home from work.

looks like it's going to be Anvil!

[pochercoaster]

Just FYI, Funka's computer has completely borked and can't even turn on now. So, until it gets fixed there'll be no updates.

[Funka Genocide]

well I got it turned on after some fussing about, but I can't run any games on it that's for sure.

I probably have a bad video card, taking it in tomorrow to be serviced.

[Harpell]

Ah, I was wondering what was up. Got kind of disappointed thinking that this was dead, after the build up.

Good luck with the comp!

[Funka Genocide]

Seeing as we've had a recent influx of let's plays, I will probably be starting this up again in the next few days.

EXPECT THE UNPOSSIBLE!

[Grimpond]

Seeing as we've had a recent influx of let's plays, I will probably be starting this up again in the next few days.

EXPECT THE UNPOSSIBLE!

DO THE INBEATABLE

[Funka Genocide]

I seriously still haven't even come close to beating this fucking game, so this SHOULD prove highly entertaining if I can grab hold of a feasible narrative motif.

I'll be using the originally agreed upon criteria to begin, and will likely leave major decisions up to you lovely readers. Pictures accompanying story and dialogue will be the modus operandi.

This is, of course, assuming I can find the god damn game disk somewhere in the pit of horror that is my apartment.

[Grimpond]

There's a thing you can download to run it without the disk. Imma see if i can find it