Animal Research: The Insatiable Scholar

[sophiextime]

@killer905 and @Gristle yay thank you. I am so relieved. I haven't progressed far at all. in fact only just obtained the first book regarding wolves. Reason is that i am doing the Companions and Thieves guild quests but have not yet even triggered the Dragonborn main quest ( not given the Dragonstone yet to Farangar). I wanted to get lots of exploring in before i start the main quest. So my other concern was does this Scholar mod require the main quest to be triggered for for further progression into its mod story?  I am not panicking yet as Tirwin seems very happy she has her first book and i need to now find a wolf XD. But she can happily wait at the Whiterun tavern and drink Mead until i return to her hehe.

 

My other question is this . Do i need to start the main Skyrim Dragonborn Quest to make this scholar mod story work correctly? and will i need to go to dlc locations like Solstheim or the Soul Cairn? ideally no big detailed spoilers please but just a yes or no will suffice hehe. thank you!!!! ❤️

Edited September 13, 2025 by sophiextime

[Donuts4me]

1 hour ago, sophiextime said:

My other question is this . Do i need to start the main Skyrim Dragonborn Quest to make this scholar mod story work correctly? and will i need to go to dlc locations like Solstheim or the Soul Cairn? ideally no big detailed spoilers please but just a yes or no will suffice hehe. thank you!!!! ❤️

 

You will eventually have to go to Solstheim. There are lots of things before that so you can still start this mod and play a good amount without starting the main story quest. However you can only get so far without certain things being done.

 

As I recall you can only get to Solstheim by boat and that is not available until Miraak's assassin's come for you. That happens when you are at least level 20 and have talked to the Greybeards at least once. You're going to have to do those things in order to make it to Solstheim.

 

But again, you can still get started and get a decent amount of stuff done with this mod before it is time for Solstheim.

Edited September 13, 2025 by Donuts4me

[Myhafaa]

Well  I finished curren version. Story is awesome and hot, Tirwin is incredible cute and both lovely and lively, great work. But damm, okay we don't have marriage option(but I think it may be nice after some quest to get rid of Thalmor) we have such a lot adventures together, and poor girl still have to live in tavern? Isn't it rude to not invite her live in dragonborn's home? 

[killer905]

4 hours ago, sophiextime said:

@killer905 and @Gristle yay thank you. I am so relieved. I haven't progressed far at all. in fact only just obtained the first book regarding wolves. Reason is that i am doing the Companions and Thieves guild quests but have not yet even triggered the Dragonborn main quest ( not given the Dragonstone yet to Farangar). I wanted to get lots of exploring in before i start the main quest. So my other concern was does this Scholar mod require the main quest to be triggered for for further progression into its mod story?  I am not panicking yet as Tirwin seems very happy she has her first book and i need to now find a wolf XD. But she can happily wait at the Whiterun tavern and drink Mead until i return to her hehe.

 

My other question is this . Do i need to start the main Skyrim Dragonborn Quest to make this scholar mod story work correctly? and will i need to go to dlc locations like Solstheim or the Soul Cairn? ideally no big detailed spoilers please but just a yes or no will suffice hehe. thank you!!!! ❤️

You practically do not need to complete any Vanilla and DLCs quests before continuing with Animal Research.

 

We have tried to make it so that PCs who have not completed the given quests can still complete the Animal Research quest.

 

There is only one case in Solstheim where you start the quest (Vanilla), but you can leave it for later once you get the book. However, to be honest, it is better to do it than to come back and complete it later.

 

 

[killer905]

3 hours ago, Donuts4me said:

 

You will eventually have to go to Solstheim. There are lots of things before that so you can still start this mod and play a good amount without starting the main story quest. However you can only get so far without certain things being done.

 

As I recall you can only get to Solstheim by boat and that is not available until Miraak's assassin's come for you. That happens when you are at least level 20 and have talked to the Greybeards at least once. You're going to have to do those things in order to make it to Solstheim.

 

But again, you can still get started and get a decent amount of stuff done with this mod before it is time for Solstheim.

You can get to Solstheim without starting the Dragonborn quest. You also don't need to complete part of the Main Quest and reach level 20 to get there, but the level of your opponents in relation to your PC will be a problem.

[killer905]

28 minutes ago, Myhafaa said:

Well  I finished curren version. Story is awesome and hot, Tirwin is incredible cute and both lovely and lively, great work. But damm, okay we don't have marriage option(but I think it may be nice after some quest to get rid of Thalmor) we have such a lot adventures together, and poor girl still have to live in tavern? Isn't it rude to not invite her live in dragonborn's home? 

The option of marrying Tirwin is being considered, but the question is whether it should be an official marriage like in Mary's temple or a secret one, but then Tirwin would be more of a mistress than a wife. It's something to think about.

Theoretically, Tirwin could stay at the PC's house, but on the other hand, she has the Thalmor on her mind, so she probably wouldn't want to expose anyone to the Thalmor's wrath.

Anyway, there is a special room planned, but it is more for sexual activity than for Tirwin to stay in until she is needed again.

[gooser]

19 hours ago, sophiextime said:

@Gristle Hi! i LOVE this mod and super excited to see how it develops and future updates. I wanted to ask a question as i not long started it and was curious. I found the first book and handed it over to her. Do we ever get to have those books? i love collecting books in skyrim and would adore to own a copy of each in my player home library, especially as they are voiced. If the mod at current state doesnt give us a copy, is there a way you could make it so we can obtain a copy or keep it later as a reward or gift? I feel sad that she has it now and i might never see it again as well as other books later i find.  

There's a menu option on her that allows you to see what she is carrying and the books show up there. I haven't tried, but i'm guessinig you can take all of them without issues.

[Gristle]

4 hours ago, Myhafaa said:

Isn't it rude to not invite her live in dragonborn's home? 

She does have a "Wait here" option, which is different than dismissing her. I forget whether she just stands or sandboxes. I'll check. In any case, she could be made to sandbox while waiting (if inside). That should take care of PC homes.

[awson]

21 hours ago, sophiextime said:

@Gristle Привет! Мне очень нравится этот мод, и я с нетерпением жду его развития и будущих обновлений. Я хотел задать вопрос, так как недавно начал играть и мне стало любопытно. Я нашёл первую книгу и передал её ей. Будут ли у нас эти книги? Мне нравится собирать книги в Skyrim, и я бы с удовольствием приобрёл по экземпляру каждой из них для своей домашней библиотеки, особенно учитывая, что они озвучены. Если мод в его нынешнем состоянии не даёт нам копию, можете ли вы сделать так, чтобы мы могли получить копию или сохранить её, чтобы потом использовать в качестве награды или подарка? Мне грустно, что она забрала её себе, и я, возможно, больше никогда её не увижу, как и другие книги, которые я найду позже.  

 

In the vampire castle, you will receive two books as a reward after returning to your own time. (Books for summoning creatures) 

Edited September 13, 2025 by awson

[eflat01]

On 9/12/2025 at 12:11 PM, Gristle said:

That's logical, but where would it be held, if not in the saved game? How would a saved game from a new PC carry over anything from a saved game from a different PC?

 

Yes, it's in the save likely I'm no longer familiar if global variables carry over on a mod onto a new game., it obviously shouldn't. I would not expect any variable or property however to carry into a a new game, local nor global would you? To me it seems it would be a clean instance every time on a new game. I know on the main quest it's likely dependent on a few vars since the quest can't be reset in game.  I'd never experienced this. 

 

If it is a global var can always use a "show <variable>" to see it and a "set <variable> to <value>" problem is digging up and finding them. It's hard to rely on a reset quest via console in any case, which is why many general function mods include an McM with access to a reset included  - not only reseting quests but reinitializing  variables/properties it uses.

 

I suppose the cleanest approach on a new game would be:

1. hop in a cell far away from anything the mod touches
2. Save
3. Quit
4. Remove the mod
5. Run falrim tools and clean out the dead script instances
6. Load the save
7. Save again
8. Quit
9. Install the mod again
10. Load the latest save
11. <in necessary if there's an McM to the mod set that up>
12. Save and play on.

 

Edited September 13, 2025 by eflat01

[eflat01]

1 hour ago, awson said:

 

In the vampire castle, you will receive two books as a reward after returning to your own time. (Books for summoning creatures) 

 

Showing my age here, but reminds me of the Edgar Winter Band's album "They Only Come Out at Night".... in this case I suppose "Come" should be spelled differently? 😜

Edited September 13, 2025 by eflat01

[eflat01]

2 hours ago, Gristle said:

She does have a "Wait here" option, which is different than dismissing her. I forget whether she just stands or sandboxes. I'll check. In any case, she could be made to sandbox while waiting (if inside). That should take care of PC homes.

 

She sandboxes quite well in fact. A very lively lady. I do not know if she sleeps because I always leave her at the Bannered Mare. I do not know what's in her wait package but she has a bannered mare package.

 

I hate leaving her there but the one time I left her hanging out in Breezehome, Ragnar destroyed the place... made a mess of it like a dozen preschoolers, least there were not crayon and finger-paint on the walls.

 

In any case at the Inn she will walk around, sit, drink, eat and make merry, sometimes dances when the bard plays or even solicits and screws the whores.

 

BTW... as you already know whenever you leave her behind, do not ride your steed else there may be a Storm in a kitchen. 😉 

 

For players who may inquire: 

 

Tirwin only has a VARTirwinGroup faction to start. 

 

• Max level 35
• Magika Offset 50
• Class Combat Mage Destruction
• Perks are lightfoot geared toward expert destruction with augmented ice, and novice conjuration.
• Spells

1. HealOther
2. Boundsword
3. Candlelight
4. OakFleshLeftHand
5. IceSpikeRightHand
6. IcySpearRightHand

 

On the first couple versions of her I beefed her up, removing her level cap, and adding a few spells. I do not do that anymore. If you do that though she does not need you to tank as much.

 

I had thought of giving her some more conjuration to her. In my thoughts her interest in creatures conjuration may had seemed fitting?

 

Edited September 13, 2025 by eflat01

[Donuts4me]

6 hours ago, killer905 said:

You can get to Solstheim without starting the Dragonborn quest. You also don't need to complete part of the Main Quest and reach level 20 to get there, but the level of your opponents in relation to your PC will be a problem.

 

LOL. In all my years of playing this game I never bothered talking to the ship captain before seeing the assassins. I always figured either he wouldn't be there or he wouldn't have the dialogue to start the trip until the time was right. I just used a new character to talk to the guy and...

 

Edited September 13, 2025 by Donuts4me

[eflat01]

7 hours ago, killer905 said:

You can get to Solstheim without starting the Dragonborn quest. You also don't need to complete part of the Main Quest and reach level 20 to get there, but the level of your opponents in relation to your PC will be a problem.

 

Right,

 

I had one playthrough where I started a new game and ran right to the Bannered Mare to see what it'll be like.

 

Needless to say we really got our asses handed to us getting the first couple books. 

[eflat01]

49 minutes ago, Donuts4me said:

 

LOL. In all my years of playing this game I never bothered talking to the ship captain before seeing the assassins. I always figured either he wouldn't be there or he wouldn't have the dialogue to start the trip until the time was right. I just used a new character to talk to the guy and...

 

 

Those cultist sometimes show up at the most inopportune time, I was in the middle of a civil war quest once, low and behold cultist. I did not know it took meeting the Greybeards though.  

[killer905]

1 hour ago, Donuts4me said:

 

LOL. In all my years of playing this game I never bothered talking to the ship captain before seeing the assassins. I always figured either he wouldn't be there or he wouldn't have the dialogue to start the trip until the time was right. I just used a new character to talk to the guy and...

 

[Donuts4me]

51 minutes ago, eflat01 said:

 

Those cultist sometimes show up at the most inopportune time, I was in the middle of a civil war quest once, low and behold cultist. I did not know it took meeting the Greybeards though.  

 

Yeah. Years ago I used to rush the main quest and meet the Greybeards at a low level and then meeting the cultists would happen at random places once I reached level 20.

 

In more recent playthroughs I have been putting the main quest off until I am well past 20 and then I always see them in Ivarstead when I go back to report to the guy who gives the optional quest to leave the supplies in the chest in front of the entrance to High Hrothgar.

 

54 minutes ago, killer905 said:

 

[Myhafaa]

9 hours ago, killer905 said:

official marriage like in Mary's temple or a secret one

both sounds quite good 

9 hours ago, killer905 said:

she probably wouldn't want to expose anyone to the Thalmor's wrath

well maybe link it with main quest progression, i dont think dragonborn can be scared by thalmor after all this "little" mess in embassy😈

 

It's all suggestions and imho ofc. i never dare to push author. Only author's opinion matter. World is filled with works which become dull due to the pursuit of audience's desires, so thanks again for awesome mod

[killer905]

1 hour ago, Myhafaa said:

both sounds quite good 

well maybe link it with main quest progression, i dont think dragonborn can be scared by thalmor after all this "little" mess in embassy😈

 

It's all suggestions and imho ofc. i never dare to push author. Only author's opinion matter. World is filled with works which become dull due to the pursuit of audience's desires, so thanks again for awesome mod

Tirwin has an influential family in Summerset, and it is mainly this that prevents her from coming to the PC's house or even getting married. As I said, there are plans to marry her in some way. Personally, I would bet on an official marriage.

Edited September 13, 2025 by killer905

[zwdragonbone8314]

Hi, just want to ask where is the special gem for the dark elf for the Riekling quest. That says it is in the Riekling lair but I cannot find it.

[eflat01]

5 hours ago, killer905 said:

Tirwin has an influential family in Summerset, and it is mainly this that prevents her from coming to the PC's house or even getting married. As I said, there are plans to marry her in some way. Personally, I would bet on an official marriage.

 

Yes, the backstory is given up front. While the relationship between Tirwin and the Dragonborn does grow she does have her family to worry about.

 

6 hours ago, Myhafaa said:

well maybe link it with main quest progression, i dont think dragonborn can be scared by thalmor after all this "little" mess in embassy😈

 

The main questline of Dragonborn they do become substantial obstacle for the Thalmor after crashing Elenwen's party.

 

Open hostility becomes less and less inviting for the Thalmor as that main questline advances. The Dragonborn is a constant pain in the ass for the Thalmor, i.e. such things as interfering in the civil war. Yet most important if we really thought about this the DB poises a great threat to the dominion considering the Empire itself was created by "a dragonborn". If Tiber Septim could rally armies and conqure a continent, just think of what a dragonborn who slays dragons or defeats Alduin could possibly do? The Thalmor must tread lightly and remain covert.

 

I'm actually surprised Elenwen hasn't had thousands of Talos worshipers slaughtered on black rituals trying to put out a hit on the DB, but she may had overheard rumors circulated among city guards, So figured seeking the contract with night mother would be futile... "I know who you are, Hail Sithis!"

 

Edited September 14, 2025 by eflat01

[killer905]

7 hours ago, zwdragonbone8314 said:

Hi, just want to ask where is the special gem for the dark elf for the Riekling quest. That says it is in the Riekling lair but I cannot find it.

In a chest on a rock shelf next to the tent. Do not look far, as it is no further than the area where sexual acts take place.

[killer905]

10 hours ago, eflat01 said:

Yes, the backstory is given up front. While the relationship between Tirwin and the Dragonborn does grow she does have her family to worry about.

It's worth pointing this out because not everyone reads the mod's storyline. They won't know about it because they skip the dialogues and want the juicy stuff, i.e. sex with animals.

 

10 hours ago, eflat01 said:

The main questline of Dragonborn they do become substantial obstacle for the Thalmor after crashing Elenwen's party.

 

Open hostility becomes less and less inviting for the Thalmor as that main questline advances. The Dragonborn is a constant pain in the ass for the Thalmor, i.e. such things as interfering in the civil war. Yet most important if we really thought about this the DB poises a great threat to the dominion considering the Empire itself was created by "a dragonborn". If Tiber Septim could rally armies and conqure a continent, just think of what a dragonborn who slays dragons or defeats Alduin could possibly do? The Thalmor must tread lightly and remain covert.

 

I'm actually surprised Elenwen hasn't had thousands of Talos worshipers slaughtered on black rituals trying to put out a hit on the DB, but she may had overheard rumors circulated among city guards, So figured seeking the contract with night mother would be futile... "I know who you are, Hail Sithis!"

Elenwen party -> Just suck :3

Sanguine have better party :3

 

Spoiler

 

Edited September 14, 2025 by killer905

[Evallyn]

On 9/13/2025 at 1:48 PM, killer905 said:

You can get to Solstheim without starting the Dragonborn quest. You also don't need to complete part of the Main Quest and reach level 20 to get there, but the level of your opponents in relation to your PC will be a problem.

Actually. Having done all of Solstheim without doing any of the Main Quest and being around level 16 or so during it... I can tell you this much. Ragnar is a beast of a tank and does a suprising ammount of damage. Sometimes I was just kiting stuff and letting Ragnar chomp things down with Tirwin doing her pew pew spam. Works a treat. Ranged enemies can be an issue though.

[eflat01]

On 9/14/2025 at 8:00 AM, killer905 said:

Sanguine have a better party :3

 

Of course he does but that's to be expected he is the Daedric Prince of hedonistic revelry, debauchery and passionate indulgence. It's even too bad the DB has little recollection of a Night to remember, it must have been a great night out on the town and then some.  

 

On 9/14/2025 at 8:00 AM, killer905 said:

Elenwen party -> Just suck :3

 

By the time my DB does Diplomatic Impunity, she's thane of all the holds and Ulfric is dead. Quite a shame many on the guest list seem surprised to see her there, then again she' is a party crasher.

 

Spoiler

Hannah however is the life of the party though she'd love more to drink. Still... before she moves the quest along.

1. She'll gulp her drink down. (Wishes she had more alcohol to get drunk, maybe some skooma too? )
2. She'll then eat or throw any loose food items around.
3. Flirt with everyone in the room.
4. Hop up on the bar and play her flute - the guest will always gather around. She does love to blow stiff hard wood. 
5. When she puts her flute away she'll do a strip-tease on the bar
6. Seduce either Elisif or Vittoria along with Balggruuf and fuck them by the bar... (tries to do it on the bar but a threesome just does not work there.) 
7. Repeat five and six until the rest of the guests are masturbating or engaging in a mass orgy.
8. When she's satisfied or getting bored she'll finally get some poor npc to create a scene to move the quest along. Although, she's a hard act to follow

I suppose Sanguine's a bad influence on her... or is it the other way around? She did write the pirate rule book on plundering booty and teaches classes on how to rape, pillage and burn. Hannah really stresses it's very important to keep it in that order because if you burn, pillage then rape it's a disgusting mess and not so enjoyable.

 

😆

 

 

Edited September 15, 2025 by eflat01