Valley of the Broken - by Trykz

[Trykz]

Valley of the Broken

 



 

This mod, while technically a race mod, also fits squarely into the category of "cell mod". Basically, while providing a new race, this mod will also encompass an entirely new worldspace in Skyrim. Essentially, this worldspace is the home of this new race. Now for the details:

 

Overview

 

The Broken are a race of people (of mixed human origins), who fell prey to and were imprisoned, enslaved, and abused by various Daedric Lords during the Oblivion crisis some 200 years before the return of the dragons. Some of whom managed to escape their captors on their own, and others whose escape many believe was assisted by the divines themselves. Each is born into Skyrim with no recollection of their lineage, but with a burning sense that they are not the only one of their kind.

 

Features

 

As stated above, this dual mode mod will consist primarily of an entirely new playable race (female AND male with 10 custom presets each), as well as the valley that they now call their home. The existence and location of the valley is entirely unknown to outsiders, but once discovered, can be fast-traveled to and from. A courier will deliver your first clue to finding it, leading you through various regions throughout Skyrim, and ultimately ending with your meeting others like yourself as the location of the valley is finally revealed to you.

 

Upon your arrival, you'll encounter numerous NPCs of all types. Merchants, trainers, adventurers, and the typical common folk, ALL of your race. You'll also find your very own spot in the valley to call your own. But don't expect a lavish palace, or even a modest homestead like Breezehome. These people have remained hidden for over 2 centuries, living off the land they've made their home and rarely wandering far from it. So needless to say, it's quite a rugged life.

 

Stay tuned! Some preliminary screenshots will follow in the coming days

 

Trykz

[Trykz]

Some more pics of the race, and some progress on the valley's construction:

Authenticity is EVERYTHING! (Warning!!!... 1600x1200 full-res pic enclosed):

Male and female of the race:

in a little brighter lighting:



The female is my test character. The male is an NPC. However, the male player character uses the mesh and textures you see here, as well as any hair and other customization replacers you have installed.

Female Presets

 

 

 

Broken Valley's first mother to be

 

 

 

 

 

As well as it's first teenage NPC

 

 

 

 

 

Mom to be with the Valley's chief and his spouse:

 

 

 

 

And one I forgot to add:

 

 

 

 

I managed to add a child race to this as well. As of right now they're quite playable:

 

 

 

 

 

Comparison with a vanilla child:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close-up shot:

 

 

 

 

 

As is the norm, finding a set of decent male child meshes is not working out too well :/

 

That said, I've set the males to use the vanilla meshes and textures. So they look like the typical vanilla goblin kids LOL

Edited March 1, 2013 by Trykz

[Trykz]

Upped some progress pics. I'll get more up over the coming days.

 

I'm sort of at odds with barring other races from discovering the location of the valley via specially scripted NPC courier that race checks the player character. So I'd like to get some input from members before I decide one way or the other. Thanks, And I hope you like the pics

 

Trykz

[Veta]

Amazing job as always Trykz ,would love to see more close up and presets.

[Mike4doa]

Seems a very promising mod!!

[« Broken ‡ Mirror »]

Very nice! Will be keeping an eye out for this one! And I really love that race concept of yours

[tattooedillusions]

This sounds awesome Trykz! A race mod that is so much more than just a race mod. Looking forward to this!

[Trykz]

This sounds awesome Trykz! A race mod that is so much more than just a race mod. Looking forward to this!

 

I figured it was time for something truly different.

 

I've done race mods galore, and a few cell mods. But nothing that brings these elements together with an interesting backstory, and never anything quest related. So I figured I'd try my hand at it with a single mod. The race and cell were easy to lay out in concept and execution. The quest component will be a bit tougher. Never done anything like that before, so it may be a bit on the "basic" side. Read this note, go here, go find that thing, get to that spot next, read this journal, etc....

 

The other part I'm a bit torn on is what types of abilities I want the race to have. I'm thinking something to do with Daedra (got hold of a neat piece of Oblivion "nostalgia", but it REALLY needs an effect connected to it).... we'll see

 

Trykz

[WaxenFigure]

I would vote for keeping the valley one race and even going so far as to prevent followers of another race from coming with you to the valley.

 

Not because I believe in some sort of racial purity BS but just because it would add an interesting twist to playing as a member of that race. Maybe even a quest to find out why other races can't enter the valley since that would be a concern to any of that race who have married outside the race. (Whether their half-race children could visit the valley is yet another question).

[tattooedillusions]

I figured it was time for something truly different.

 

I've done race mods galore' date=' and a few cell mods. But nothing that brings these elements together with an interesting backstory, and never anything quest related. So I figured I'd try my hand at it with a single mod. The race and cell were easy to lay out in concept and execution. The quest component will be a bit tougher. Never done anything like that before, so it may be a bit on the "basic" side. Read this note, go here, go find that thing, get to that spot next, read this journal, etc....

 

The other part I'm a bit torn on is what types of abilities I want the race to have. I'm thinking something to do with Daedra (got hold of a neat piece of Oblivion "nostalgia", but it REALLY needs an effect connected to it).... we'll see

 

Trykz

[/quote']

 

Well this will be truly different that's for sure. Tons of race mods, some that are just that and some that have a background story to them and some that even have their own set of outfits but this one will take it to the next level. Yeah I've never done anything questwise and tip my hat to people that do. Hell all I know how to do is convert outfits lol. Nice one in the pictures by the way lol. Please tell me the Draugr Skirt is going to be part if this. Kind of like Forsworn have their own, Bandits have their own, Broken can have the Draugr Skirts for the females ha ha. Ok back to it. As far as it being "basic", gotta start somewhere right? That's what updates are for.

 

I agree about some sort of Daedric abilities. It makes sense since the race has been abused and humiliated by Daedric Lords that they learn a thing or two for future paybacks. I like the idea.

[Trykz]

I would vote for keeping the valley one race and even going so far as to prevent followers of another race from coming with you to the valley.

 

Not because I believe in some sort of racial purity BS but just because it would add an interesting twist to playing as a member of that race. Maybe even a quest to find out why other races can't enter the valley since that would be a concern to any of that race who have married outside the race. (Whether their half-race children could visit the valley is yet another question).

 

This was my thinking exactly.

 

On one hand I figured the racial requirement to enter would be nice' date=' but then I got to thinking it might cause problems for the player wanting to move in a spouse. So I figured I'd get some additional input.

 

Please tell me the Draugr Skirt is going to be part if this. Kind of like Forsworn have their own, Bandits have their own, Broken can have the Draugr Skirts for the females ha ha.

 

A step ahead of ya. The entire set you see my test character wearing is already part of the mod (there will be cloth and light versions. Light versions will require the clothing component + leather to make the light armor variant)

 

I re-addressed the textures though. The semi-transparency seemed a bit too much..... or would that be "little"? LOL

 

Anyway, here's a little "heads up" concerning the clothes/armor.....

 

think of the most useless thing you could possibly pick up in a dungeon..... you'll be needing those to make this set.... AND to upgrade it. I found 15 of them just going through Bleak Falls Barrow. And I needed EVERY one of them

 

Component + component = robe

robe + component + leather = light armor

 

Enough for now..... I'll get more pics up tomorrow.

 

Trykz

[tattooedillusions]

I agree about the preventing of followers that Waxen mentioned and I wouldn't even think of it as racial purity. Just a little realism such as the tribes in the Amazon. If you're not one of them and you get too close you best turn right around and get walking. However like you both mentioned about non race spouses could be tricky. I don't know much about the capabilities of the game and scripting but would it be at all possible to have some sort of initiation or a quest for your spouse to gain acceptance in the group? I don't know how that would even be possible but just throwing it out there.

 

Trykz, as far as re-addressing the textures, I'm all for it. Also it's awesome that the whole outfit in the pics are going to be used. Looks great with the boots, gauntlets, straps etc. I'm just happy something I converted is being put to great use. Thank You!!

 

Lol can't wait to see what kind of useless stuff you're talking about. There's a lot of it in Bleak Falls. I just learned how to make stuff craftable, upgradeable and add things to certain faction's death drops a few weeks ago otherwise I would've done that when I converted them but had no clue at the time. But I like the idea of useless materials to craft something definitely.

[Trykz]

Trykz' date=' as far as re-addressing the textures, I'm all for it. Also it's awesome that the whole outfit in the pics are going to be used. Looks great with the boots, gauntlets, straps etc. I'm just happy something I converted is being put to great use. Thank You!![/quote']

 

My pleasure. And thank you

 

I was going to PM you about using the meshes when I was a bit further along, so I was quite giddy when you asked if I was including the outfit in the mod. It's really the most fitting piece (especially for this race) I could possibly use with the rest of the set. Which are just re-texed vanilla handwraps, bandages, and beggar boots LOL

 

The useless item I chose is actually exactly what you'd expect such clothing/armor to be crafted from. And it's found in any dungeon in Skyrim. My guess is that most players never even think to pick it up. So be sure to look around when you're dungeon crawling. I'm sure you'll figure it out pretty quick

 

I'll look into working with the NPC AI to ignore the player spouse regardless of race. May be able to run a script to check the player relationship.

 

I think the hardest part will be working with the courier without breaking him. He needs to be able to race check the player to start the quest line to locate the valley. I've messed with NPC AI before without issues, but nothing quite this in-depth.

 

Trykz

[cretin]

The useless item I chose is actually exactly what you'd expect such clothing/armor to be crafted from. And it's found in any dungeon in Skyrim. My guess is that most players never even think to pick it up. So be sure to look around when you're dungeon crawling. I'm sure you'll figure it out pretty quick

 

 

LOL... You're describing linen wraps. Not so useless if you have Cloaks of Skyrim installed. Man, I remember how bummed I was making my first batch of cloaks out of that crap.

 

 

[WaxenFigure]

 

think of the most useless thing you could possibly pick up in a dungeon..... you'll be needing those to make this set.... AND to upgrade it. I found 15 of them just going through Bleak Falls Barrow. And I needed EVERY one of them

 

Component + component = robe

robe + component + leather = light armor

 

Enough for now..... I'll get more pics up tomorrow.

 

Trykz

 

Torture tools?

[remois]

If it were me for other race player I would add a questline to reach the place but not in the same way of course you only get to see a specific location not the whole thing just a glimpse:

After all every one will be hostile to you everywhere

 

Thalmor quest giver: You have to infiltrate and purify a den of those... abominations

Neutral: you may find a grotto or an entrance, and you're promptly disabled. Escape the prison get your gear and get the hell outa here...

Stormcloack: Steal an artifact that could help the war effort

Blades: get some intel from somewhere, better rewards if you kill no one.

Legion: Investigate the disparition of a patrol and help them out of prison.

The legion is slow to move so it will be a while before they set an attack by then, the entrance will be condemned and they will open one elsewhere...

[Trykz]

 

Torture tools?

 

LOL.... not quite. But that gives me an excellent idea haha

 

Thalmor quest giver: You have to infiltrate and purify a den of those... abominations

Neutral: you may find a grotto or an entrance' date=' and you're promptly disabled. Escape the prison get your gear and get the hell outa here...

Stormcloack: Steal an artifact that could help the war effort

Blades: get some intel from somewhere, better rewards if you kill no one.

Legion: Investigate the disparition of a patrol and help them out of prison.

The legion is slow to move so it will be a while before they set an attack by then, the entrance will be condemned and they will open one elsewhere...[/quote']

 

A bit much for the first multi-faceted mod I've ever done I think LOL

 

Perhaps after I get a bit more familiar with the questing and scripting systems in the CK

 

I really have to give props to the modders who undertake those things to bring us new quest mods.

 

Trykz

[Kraxon]

Nice work! I can't wait to play it.

[Trykz]

You know that cool piece of Oblivion nostalgia I mentioned earlier?

 

Well, it's now in with full effects attached

 

Check out the huge pic in post #2. It's in a spoiler because I didn't want any detail missed by shrinking it

 

Trykz

[« Broken ‡ Mirror »]

Oh my gosh! Is that a Gate? Yes!!

[Khlas]

Could we see some screenshots with men characters of this new custom race?

[Trykz]

Could we see some screenshots with men characters of this new custom race?

 

Surely..... I'll post a few pics later tonight

 

Trykz

[tattooedillusions]

My pleasure. And thank you

 

I was going to PM you about using the meshes when I was a bit further along' date=' so I was quite giddy when you asked if I was including the outfit in the mod. It's really the most fitting piece (especially for this race) I could possibly use with the rest of the set. Which are just re-texed vanilla handwraps, bandages, and beggar boots LOL

 

The useless item I chose is actually exactly what you'd expect such clothing/armor to be crafted from. And it's found in any dungeon in Skyrim. My guess is that most players never even think to pick it up. So be sure to look around when you're dungeon crawling. I'm sure you'll figure it out pretty quick

 

I'll look into working with the NPC AI to ignore the player spouse regardless of race. May be able to run a script to check the player relationship.

 

I think the hardest part will be working with the courier without breaking him. He needs to be able to race check the player to start the quest line to locate the valley. I've messed with NPC AI before without issues, but nothing quite this in-depth.

 

Trykz

[/quote']

 

No problem at all I even mentioned for people to feel free to do what they want with them. It's Bethesda's mesh anyway lol. All I did was convert to multiple bodies and added crappy textures to them. Leather doesn't even look like leather or at least not what I was aiming for anyway but the only tutorials I found made it look like a damn football. I was waiting for the NFL logo to show up somewhere lol. So I did away with that idea quickly. Btw which body type are you using for the mod? But yeah it was pretty awesome to check out this thread and see the re-tex unexpectedly. I went to FalmerBane's Calista Follower site on the Nex and was going to drop him a comment and saw he uploaded a pic of her with the CBBE version of the black lace and chills went down my spine lol. Went to my mod page and saw he uploaded it there too. Surprises are awesome.

 

Component I'm thinking what Cretin mentioned earlier. Seems the most logical anyway. Watch, we're both wrong and you busted out the Embalming Tools lol.

 

I was hoping that was what you were talking about when you said Oblivion nostalgia!! Awesome! Only one mod that I've seen so far to bring that to Skyrim is the Succubus followers mod. Can't remember exact title or author right off hand though.

[Trykz]

I was hoping that was what you were talking about when you said Oblivion nostalgia!! Awesome! Only one mod that I've seen so far to bring that to Skyrim is the Succubus followers mod. Can't remember exact title or author right off hand though.

 

It seemed a perfect fit so I went with it LOL

 

I used this resource because the textures from other mods didn't look quite fitting to Skyrim's landscape. These things have been hanging around for over 2 centuries. So I used Skyrim's rock texture reassigned to the meshes. I plan to make use of the other meshes as well' date=' at various points in the quest to locate the valley.

 

Also, post #2 edited with a couple of male/female comparison pics.

 

I'll get more up as I work out more details

 

Just a reminder:

 

this mod WILL NOT release until sometime AFTER the Dragonborn DLC. If the DLC is going to break anything, I'd rather it be [i']during[/i] the construction of the mod, rather than after it's released.

 

edit: forgot to answer this:

 

Btw which body type are you using for the mod?

 

It's UNPB with BBP. However, I'll be adding a readme to this one, which will detail the mesh and texture paths for those who want to use other replacers.

 

I'll also list the path for the draugr rags mesh for CBBE users.

 

Trykz

[Trykz]

So I actually created my first quest ever.....

 

Using my test character, I started the LAL quest in the prison cell and chose the camping in the woods option (I've been coc'ing to the Valley to test changes as needed). After running into scorched Helgen and getting the journal, I headed to Riverwood where I was promptly approached by the courier, who gave me the note that starts what will eventually be a lengthy quest that ultimately reveals the location of the valley, as well as the means to get there.

 

So far, so good

 

On the "not so good" side, my Nord was also approached by the courier in Riverwood and given the note..... need to fix that for sure LOL

 

All in all, a pretty good start I think.

 

Trykz