About This File
BETA release
This is my re-interpretation of a funny little quest that once was included in the Devious Devices framework as introduction to those new devices.
As a member/visitor of the College Of Winterhold you should be careful when taking a glimpse in Forbidden Bookcases...
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How to start
look for a letter and a key on the lowest shelf of Urag gro-Shubs counter. Read the letter to get an idea where to start...
Or, since v0.5, simply search for the case itself and try to pick it. If you can't see it, the letter gives a hint why not.
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The difference to Devious Deviants
@naaitsab tried to re-create the original Forbidden Tome quest as close as possible, based on the latest DD framework. It also includes several more things that were part of the original Devious Deviants.
My version is a re-interpretation: I created Forbidden Tome from scratch only using the base idea. It has new approaches to certain things as well as new dialogues. And no Message Boxes.
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Great thing: as I knew naaitsab also did work on this task, as we helped each other, I created my mod to be as compatible as possible. You should be able to install and play both versions, depending on which key and case you choose! I only would suggest that you merely tackle one Forbidden Tome quest at a time, so they don't directly interfere!
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Why still beta?
I tested the mod and was able to play through it, but I may have forgotten or missed some bugs. As it's my first mod that heavily depends on CK methods and less on Papyrus, I'm not entirely sure that everything works as wanted.
It still misses some features, too. Those I want to add later, when the base story works reliably. They mainly include a way to get hands on the book aswell as a reference to the original character Zed Curio.
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Requirements
A working mod setup that includes
- Skyrim SE or AE or AE DLC
- Devious Devices SE
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For LE users
I don't officially support LE. I don't have it installed anymore and all my latest releases are created with SE v1.6.x and the SE CK.
However, as I suppose the quest design itself SHOULD work, it's only the bsa archive which is the problem. You can use tools like the Cathedral Assets Optimizer to un-/repack the archive, then the mod should work for you. Tutorials for that can be found by web searching 
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Features
A small quest story with different outcomes, depending on your behaviour during the task. I was hoping to catch the "quirkiness" of the original writings, but with entirely new dialogues.
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FAQ and Help
Why can't I see the Forbidden Bookcase?
Most probably you already wear a devious quest item. In that case the mod assumes you're already running a Devious questline and the case is hidden.
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I can't find Zenidius, he's nowhere near the position the marker shows!
If you just found an item, try to get closer to the marker.
If you are searching for Zenidius, for some reason he sometimes might wait outside together with the bandits and not inside at the marker. I don't know, why.
If you find that there are too many markers, send set tftEasyZen to 1 in the console, that eliminates some (not all) of them
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I can't find the item Zenidius wants!
It's named exactly the same as it's shown in the objective. It's alway called "Special [Object]" with [Object] being a placeholder for the normal name
If you don't want to search each and every possible chest, send set tftEasyObjects to 1 in the console, then a marker shows the exact location
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Credits
@naaitsab - for helping me by debugging and providing ideas
@Min - created the original Forbidden Tomes quest that got eliminated from the Devious Devices framework a few versions ago
Edited by Mister X
made FAQ more precise
What's New in Version 0.5.3
Released
v 0.5.3
- FIXED Urag getting stuck or stay missing when opening the bookcase while he's not around
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v 0.5.2
- FIXED key can't spawn in vendor chests under the floor anymore during the hideout game
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v 0.5.1
- FIXED voice+lip files now are packed into FUZ files -> less data space needed
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Total rework!!! - Requires new game!
v 0.5.0
- FIXED droppable items destroying the quest
- FIXED getting rewards when escaping Urag's pillory
- ADDED Zenidius FaceGen data to eliminate the Gray Face bug
- ADDED options to ease the quest with Global flags* (disabled by default)
- ADDED possibility to pick lock of the Forbidden BookcaseÂ
- ADDED rudimentary option for quest replay (actors won't remember former runs)
- CHANGED items to search, they are now special quest items
- CHANGED now others can take advantage of you when being stuck in Urag's pillory
- CHANGED dialogues, they now are all Deepl generated (with hand optimization in details)
- CHANGED quest flow partly, you now actually get to see the book and talk about Zed S. Curio
- REMOVED messages for Zenidius, the quest just progresses when Zen's nearby
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and probably other stuff I forgot to note ^^
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* flags are tftEasyObjects for item search and tftEasyZen for Zenidius search - use set [flag] to 1 in console to enable it.
But remember, they do not take away all of the tediousness! The quest is meant to be tedious!
