So I tried not to leave it six months for a new update, but I've made some progress since the last time I wrote so I figured I should get some notes down. Also, I think there will need to become a point when I rename this little blog series since I've cemented myself on having fun with modding. Maybe after the next one. 

I've mostly been digging through mods and support documents for SKSE/SkyUI to start really trying to get my head around the Papyrus language more. I'm pleased to say that it's sinking in, but I'm not at the level to write scripts fully from scratch yet. I'm still picking up what I need from a mod that does it, and adjusting it, as well as using tools to help me understand the coding structure and what's being actioned. But I'm pleased with the progress. GitHub's CoPilot has also been pretty useful in explaining things when I get lost. 

GIVING THE DRAUGR A NEW SHOUT

I was looking around on the Nexus one day and stumbled open a simple mod called SexLab Quick Scene Shout (SLSQS) that added a shout to start a sex scene. I then found another on LoversLab called Combat Sex Shout (CSS) that did the same but gave a chance role to make it interesting. In my play-through, my male character is usually the victim, so I thought about how I could give this shout back to those who are masters of the Dragon tongue—the Draugr. 

Both mods have very simple scripts, though CSS offers more variety and chance than the first one. So I've torn this one apart to learn its inner workings, reversed it so it's given to the Draugr to use on the player rather than one the player has to use, and added some lore and customization to turn it into a new shout for Draugr to use. This has been a really useful exercise for me as I learn a lot from breaking, fixing, or adjusting mods in this manner. My scripts are filled with notes to myself, but it helps me keep on track to what I've been doing. 

The name was made with actual words from dragon tongue. I'm very much someone who enjoys trying to make things as lore-fitting as possible. I remembered the dictionary website, so I decided to look it up, and try and find some words that fit how the Draugr fit into the realm. Dominate The Weak seemed fitting.

I'd like to maybe release it someday, but right now I've kept it as just a side project for me, and I'll update the blog post to keep track and see how things go. I'm conscious that my free time is limited, and I code and mod more out of a personal hobby, but I could offer limited support with the knowledge that I have. That's my main concern, as I don't want to release something that doesn't fully function, or that I cannot offer even the simplest of support to it. It's a struggle to balance my time, so I need to really make a plan on how I'd do it if I did release it publicly. 

MARA CALLING

I remember when the Isle of Mara came out, and I was extremely impressed with this entire quest that utilized so many different elements in one cell. Animal Mansion had been the same prior, but it didn't release its source scripts at the time so I couldn't really go digging. In Isle of Mara, there is a wealth of information in there, but at the time, I was too overwhelmed to make sense of it. Now, I'm tearing it apart and looking at how things are done so I can implement these into my own mods/quests. I feel it's one of the best ways to learn, breaking down how another mod does it, seeing what parts you need, and then trying to create something similar in my mod, with hit-or-miss success. I get so much from the mistakes, and the triumphs feel rewarding.

This has also allowed me to look at fixing one or two issues within Mara that I spotted, things that no longer trigger or work. It's not perfect, but doing this debugging also helps me with my own. It's been fun to delve deep into how scenes are set and what script is triggered by player presence. 

PERSONAL TWEAKS

Over the years, I've touched different mods, from adding fully scripted events to skimpy or revealing armor. In doing so, I've made some personal tweaks, such as taking a revealing armor replacer and making it a standalone or fixing up mods where elements aren't complete. Years ago, I turned SOS - Revealing Armors for Schlongs of Skyrim from a replacer to a standalone armor for personal use, and now, I'm going back in to fix up things such as creating proper ground meshes (the original used the standard outfit, not a thinned version of the revealing ones so hard to tell which was which) and updating keywords and descriptors, as well as the ability to craft. I have plans to consider making it a random piece of equipment that can be worn instead of the default, or putting it in chests, and also looking at doing it for the other pieces of equipment since I only did it for Bandit/Fur and the Iron armor as those were my favorite back in 2015.

Image of Spriggan Gauntlets made into a ground object (menu description to be added). Credit to Nalim for original model and Ghuarok for the male port.

I also updated Spriggan Armor by Nalim - For SOS Males, just for fun, as the ground meshes weren't completed, and they had lost their collision so they wouldn't drop to the ground. I actually managed to fiddle my way through NifScope and add the collision just by breaking down what I saw and making some logical guessing (I couldn't find any clear guide online, but if there is one, drop a comment with the link if you can). I don't use the armor very much. I just thought it was cool that it was available for makes and was impressed with the work that went to make it, but it will be useful if I ever want to make revealing SOS armor in the future to look at how it was done as well. I might reach out to the mod authors (Nalim and Ghuarok) and see if I can post the updated SE version with the additional elements.

These may seem small, but I need to remind myself that progress is progress, or I'll get swallowed by my swirling thoughts that enough isn't enough. I remind myself of the progress I've made, and as I work on bigger mods and ideas, these little things will really come to shine when I need them.

I think that's it for now. I've downloaded OSTIM Standalone to play with, got some suggestions on how to enhance the male underwear additions in RUMP, and a script for a quests line to become a beastmaster. I have lots of ideas; just need to find more time. Until the next update, happy gaming!