Animal Research: The Insatiable Scholar

[killer905]

9 minutes ago, juggerman1956 said:

The spears gate in Harmugstahl doesn't open.  (Horse book quest.)  I had been in Harmugstahl before and opened the gate.

As I understand it, you were already in this location before you started Animal Research? It is possible to pass between the wall and the spears. Unfortunately, we were unable to enable an open passage or re-solve this mini-puzzle with the spears.

[juggerman1956]

On 6/22/2025 at 8:51 AM, killer905 said:

As I understand it, you were already in this location before you started Animal Research? It is possible to pass between the wall and the spears. Unfortunately, we were unable to enable an open passage or re-solve this mini-puzzle with the spears.

Yes, had been there before and expected to find the gate open. I will try and get around the spears.  Thanks.

(Worked.  You can slip by the gate and the wall.  Thanks.)

Edited June 23, 2025 by juggerman1956

[shiagwen]

On 6/21/2025 at 12:17 AM, killer905 said:

Are you using the latest version? (I may be confusing it with the version currently in development.) Don't touch the key, and preferably the chest as well. Go to the inn in Whiterun, where you will find a Dark Elf and a High Elf who will start the quest.

i already did and got the quest in my questlog

[shiagwen]

On 6/21/2025 at 8:28 AM, Gristle said:

 

Unfortunately, this bug is in the current version. (The key is enabled too soon.) It has been fixed in the version under development - the version to be posted next. In the meantime, the best fix would be to reload a prior save and not take the key. Then go to the Bannered Mare to start the quest normally. The key is used only in the first quest so the issue goes away after the first quest is completed.

Prior save too long ago. looks like i have to deinstall the mod, cleansave and reinstall.

[Onomatophobia]

For some reason the Giant camp got a lot more buggier than before. First, if I leave Ragnar on wait somewhere, when coming up to the mammoth he appears out of nowhere and jsut starts attacking the mammoths. Second, if you tell ragnar to leave for the stables and then wait a bit too long before coming up to the mammoth, the mammoth starts to fight Tyrwin. Third, if you do come in time - the quest just freezes after talking to tyrwin about the mammoth. What do?

[juggerman1956]

10 hours ago, Onomatophobia said:

For some reason the Giant camp got a lot more buggier than before. First, if I leave Ragnar on wait somewhere, when coming up to the mammoth he appears out of nowhere and jsut starts attacking the mammoths. Second, if you tell ragnar to leave for the stables and then wait a bit too long before coming up to the mammoth, the mammoth starts to fight Tyrwin. Third, if you do come in time - the quest just freezes after talking to tyrwin about the mammoth. What do?

Before doing quests. Tell Tyrwin you have to do other things. She will go to the inn.  Go to quest spot. Use call Tyrwin spell. Tell her you are ready.  See if that works.

[Donuts4me]

On 6/23/2025 at 6:16 AM, Onomatophobia said:

For some reason the Giant camp got a lot more buggier than before. First, if I leave Ragnar on wait somewhere, when coming up to the mammoth he appears out of nowhere and jsut starts attacking the mammoths. Second, if you tell ragnar to leave for the stables and then wait a bit too long before coming up to the mammoth, the mammoth starts to fight Tyrwin. Third, if you do come in time - the quest just freezes after talking to tyrwin about the mammoth. What do?

 

You actually ASKED him to wait somewhere? I think that might be your problem right there.

 

It's been awhile since I played that part, but as I recall, he already has scripted waiting spots both at the top of the hill when Tirwin is about to have her first round with the giant as well as down at the bottom of the hill while the mammoth scenes happen as well as the bath scene.

 

If you told Ragnar to wait before approaching the camp, he might be confused on where to be because you told him to wait in one spot while the quest script is telling him to wait in another spot. Try not dismissing him. Let the script do it's thing.

 

I've done a lot of tests and have also had the problem with mammoths attacking, but not too often. I noticed it usually had something to do with nearby enemies like wolves or bandits coming too close to the party and then the mammoths (and I think the giants too, can't remember) would turn hostile and attack Tirwin and I. I guess it was because we were closest and once they turn aggressive they forget the script to leave us alone for now?

 

That is why I learned to make sure to go down there and check for any nearby hostiles in the area and get rid of them before even approaching the first giant at the top of the hill. Give it a try. Maybe it could work for you as well.

 

 

Edited June 26, 2025 by Donuts4me

[eflat01]

21 hours ago, Donuts4me said:

 

You actually ASKED him to wait somewhere? I think that might be your problem right there.

 

It's been awhile since I played that part, but as I recall, he already has scripted waiting spots both at the top of the hill when Tirwin is about to have her first round with the giant as well as down at the bottom of the hill while the mammoth scenes happen as well as the bath scene.

 

If you told Ragnar to wait before approaching the camp, he might be confused on where to be because you told him to wait in one spot while the quest script is telling him to wait in another spot. Try not dismissing him. Let the script do it's thing.

 

I've done a lot of tests and have also had the problem with mammoths attacking, but not too often. I noticed it usually had something to do with nearby enemies like wolves or bandits coming too close to the party and then the mammoths (and I think the giants too, can't remember) would turn hostile and attack Tirwin and I. I guess it was because we were closest and once they turn aggressive they forget the script to leave us alone for now?

 

That is why I learned to make sure to go down there and check for any nearby hostiles in the area and get rid of them before even approaching the first giant at the top of the hill. Give it a try. Maybe it could work for you as well.

 

 

 

I think you hit the nail on the head... Ragnar is directed to a wait position near the camp, so may always show up there? This was the last quest on I forget what version? Anyway...

 

Yes, There is a generic spawn point not far off to the east of the camp where bandits, vampires, wolves and vigilants may appear... I had one play-through out of six during the quest - when it was new - which was crazy but funny as hell, like out of a monty-python skit. 

 

A dragon, some bandits, vampires and vigilants, plus the guards from Rorikstead just happened to be chasing me due a bounty in Whiterun which I did not notice while I was running into the camp (I had fast traveled to there).

 

The way to deal with something like that would be to clear that area before progressing the quest. Either that or leave her somewhere clear and then call her.

Edited June 27, 2025 by eflat01

[killer905]

Quest for fifth creature has been completed and we are now working on the sixth creature. At the moment, we are considering whether to add mini-task for Tirwin in this update, but there is a more chance that it will be moved to the next update due to potential complications with the use of one of the locations from Vanilia.

[Gristle]

On 6/23/2025 at 6:16 AM, Onomatophobia said:

For some reason the Giant camp got a lot more buggier than before. First, if I leave Ragnar on wait somewhere, when coming up to the mammoth he appears out of nowhere and jsut starts attacking the mammoths. Second, if you tell ragnar to leave for the stables and then wait a bit too long before coming up to the mammoth, the mammoth starts to fight Tyrwin. Third, if you do come in time - the quest just freezes after talking to tyrwin about the mammoth. What do?

Ragnar showing up was an issue with earlier versions of the mod (because I had forgotten to check if he was following or being asked to wait before moving giving him AI packages to travel to a position in a quest area). But I just checked the two AI packages that make him wait during the giant/mammoth scene (first at the top, and then he moves to bottom by stream) and both properly check whether is following and not waiting to enable his travel command.  He has to be following and not waiting for the giant scene travel packages to trigger.

 

Maybe this is combat-related? He's an ally and he will come to help in fights. His combat AI must be overriding his normal AI packages. I knew this was generally the case but I thought that "ally" AI would not trigger if your ally was half way across the map!  Certainly the mammoth fighting is combat-related. 

 

I think the biggest problem is the nearby enemy spawn. Since this stage, I've learned that troublesome enemy spawns in wilderness areas can simply be disabled (temporarily) to avoid such issues. I'll go back and disable this spawn when you leave with the goat, and then re-enable it either when the PC decides to look for the next book, or after the pond scene (I'm not sure which is best).

 

As far as the quest freezing, can you provide the quest stage it freezes at?

[zigster999]

Just finished the questline.  It was a fun and troublefree romp, and very enjoyable.  Went longer than I thought it might, but then again, we covered a lot of area, Tirwin and I.  Her character was developed well during the quests, and she turned out to be a very likeable lass.  She did end up pregnant to Ragnar unfortunately, so I'll hafta wait and see how that pans out.

 

But a most enjoyable mod and I thank you for your time and effort in creating it.

[killer905]

6 hours ago, zigster999 said:

Just finished the questline.  It was a fun and troublefree romp, and very enjoyable.  Went longer than I thought it might, but then again, we covered a lot of area, Tirwin and I.  Her character was developed well during the quests, and she turned out to be a very likeable lass.  She did end up pregnant to Ragnar unfortunately, so I'll hafta wait and see how that pans out.

 

But a most enjoyable mod and I thank you for your time and effort in creating it.

Don't tell anyone that Tirwin is pregnant with a dog! Thalmor is watching and waiting for such news.

 

We are currently working on the last creature quest for the next update. You will meet Tirwin again soon :3 Just let us know what comes out of the elf-dog  More elf or more dog? Just don't let her child howl at the moon

[KentuckyExpat]

On 6/30/2025 at 6:38 AM, zigster999 said:

Just finished the questline.  It was a fun and troublefree romp, and very enjoyable.  Went longer than I thought it might, but then again, we covered a lot of area, Tirwin and I.  Her character was developed well during the quests, and she turned out to be a very likeable lass.  She did end up pregnant to Ragnar unfortunately, so I'll hafta wait and see how that pans out.

 

But a most enjoyable mod and I thank you for your time and effort in creating it.

OK. Can anyone tell me how to get creature sperm into either my PC or my female follower(s)? I am using Fertility Mode and SexLab. In Fertility Mode I have the 'Allow Creatures' checked and in SexLab I have activated whatever the check is for allowing creature animations (can't remember what it's called). My PC or follower has sex with the creature, vaginal sex per SL, but there is no ejaculate in her vagina afterwards. There aren't any issues with sperm showing up when the partner is human or mer, just with creatures.

[zigster999]

2 hours ago, KentuckyExpat said:

OK. Can anyone tell me how to get creature sperm into either my PC or my female follower(s)? I am using Fertility Mode and SexLab. In Fertility Mode I have the 'Allow Creatures' checked and in SexLab I have activated whatever the check is for allowing creature animations (can't remember what it's called). My PC or follower has sex with the creature, vaginal sex per SL, but there is no ejaculate in her vagina afterwards. There aren't any issues with sperm showing up when the partner is human or mer, just with creatures.

Are you using the FM widget that tracks fertile/infertile PC?  I used that to get my pc pregnant to an elk at Lakeview Manor.  

[KentuckyExpat]

19 hours ago, zigster999 said:

Are you using the FM widget that tracks fertile/infertile PC?  I used that to get my pc pregnant to an elk at Lakeview Manor.  

You mean the one where the default is 9? Yes, it's always enabled in my game. But I don't believe it controls whether or not sperm is added following vaginal sex. 

[eflat01]

On 6/21/2025 at 6:42 PM, juggerman1956 said:

The spears gate in Harmugstahl doesn't open.  (Horse book quest.)  I had been in Harmugstahl before and opened the gate.

 

If anyone runs into this it just sounds like the dungeon reset since you'd not been in it a while. Solving the puzzle again should open them?

 

It's left-most lever, then right-most lever. 

 

Worst case... from outside somewhere clear the cell buffer and reset the interior again.

 

~ to open console 

PCB

Resetinterior Harmugstahl01

 

Edited July 6, 2025 by eflat01

[killer905]

2 hours ago, eflat01 said:

 

If anyone runs into this it just sounds like the dungeon reset since you'd not been in it a while. Solving the puzzle again should open them?

 

It's left-most lever, then right-most lever. 

 

Worst case... from outside somewhere clear the cell buffer and reset the interior again.

 

~ to open console 

PCB

Resetinterior Harmugstahl01

 

During Horse Book. Cell get reset by AR if you clean already this location.

[eflat01]

21 hours ago, killer905 said:

During Horse Book. Cell get reset by AR if you clean already this location.

 

If it is reset the lever switches should work fine to open the gate again. 

 

It's been awhile since I played through the horse quest and I had no issues with it. Well except for a random encounter with a dragon once during the Thalmor scenes - but that's to be expected in my game due the mods I use. 

 

btw... I mentioned this long ago that AR resurrected Merilar in when it reset White Ridge Barrow. I'm sure Gristle fixed that by now but I'd not checked.

 

In the meantime I'm just looking forward to the next version and Broken Tusk mine to be restored.

Edited July 7, 2025 by eflat01

[killer905]

2 hours ago, eflat01 said:

 

If it is reset the lever switches should work fine to open the gate again. 

 

It's been awhile since I played through the horse quest and I had no issues with it. Well except for a random encounter with a dragon once during the Thalmor scenes - but that's to be expected in my game due the mods I use. 

 

btw... I mentioned this long ago that AR resurrected Merilar in when it reset White Ridge Barrow. I'm sure Gristle fixed that by now but I'd not checked.

 

In the meantime I'm just looking forward to the next version and Broken Tusk mine to be restored.

Unfortunately, this does not reset the puzzle. It remains partially closed and partially open.

 

Dragons? In my homeland? 😧

 

Resurrecting Merilar in White Ridge Barrow was not intentional, but let's say some necromancer revived her to face the Dragonborn's blades/spells ‘again’? ^^

 

New update? I assure you that there will be one this month, unless we encounter technical problems again.

 

Broken Tusk Mine will be reopened to Rieklings and nosy adventurers... again.

[AthenaTheLover]

This mean we get update soon?

[killer905]

37 minutes ago, AthenaTheLover said:

This mean we get update soon?

There are 24 days left until the end of this month. :3

[tokrat]

It's probably my fault, I must have forgotten something or made a bad link, the mod works well (for the moment) but my problem is that my creatures are invisible, all hostile creatures are invisible, I haven't made much progress but for the wolf in its cage, invisible and I stopped in the cave with the bear, also invisible, but I admit I haven't found the source of my error

 

[killer905]

13 minutes ago, tokrat said:

It's probably my fault, I must have forgotten something or made a bad link, the mod works well (for the moment) but my problem is that my creatures are invisible, all hostile creatures are invisible, I haven't made much progress but for the wolf in its cage, invisible and I stopped in the cave with the bear, also invisible, but I admit I haven't found the source of my error

 

It sounds like you installed the creature mod incorrectly. This results in invisible creatures, i.e. missing NIF and DDS files. If you are installing mods manually, I recommend MO2 (for advanced users) or Vortex.

[tokrat]

2 minutes ago, killer905 said:

It sounds like you installed the creature mod incorrectly. This results in invisible creatures, i.e. missing NIF and DDS files. If you are installing mods manually, I recommend MO2 (for advanced users) or Vortex.

I'm on vortex, I started modding games very recently so I stayed on something intuitive, I admit that you have an idea of where I should look I would be grateful to you

 

[killer905]

4 minutes ago, tokrat said:

I'm on vortex, I started modding games very recently so I stayed on something intuitive, I admit that you have an idea of where I should look I would be grateful to you

 

First of all, I don't know what mods you have installed. Unfortunately, I can't read tea leaves. The best option would be to remove/disable the mod responsible for changes to creatures and see if the problem persists.