I have to admit, as a slightly compulsive hoarder, my RPing doesn't extend to this. But it probably should. Good post

Wonderful guide. I'll definitely be using this in Skyrim.

I read a GameFAQs post that said the distribution of the weight matters too, not just the amount of weight (http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/615803-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/64229903).

Is there a special rule for conjurers, or can they roleplay it as "I'm carrying this much, but I've got a lot of stuff stored with my Atronach(s)"?

Are you going to give your enchanted robes and your firewood to a flame atronach for safe keeping?

Plus, atronachs are not your permanent slaves.  Once the spell binding them to Nirn ends, they are free to do whatever they like.  And you probably aren't even bringing the same specific one back next time.

I think you need a Dremora Butler.

What a nice guide!  I think this makes so much more sense than the vanilla system, and it really helped me get into the role-play aspect.

I'm amazed at how it helps keep the economy balanced as well - I'm not swimming in septims by level seventeen!

Liked almost all of this, but Archers/Arbalists can and should be able to carry at minimum a buckler (English Long bowmen historically did so, and the Italian Arbalist actually carried  a huge shield along with the crossbow as well as a short sword or mace. This allowed units of them to line up with less fear from cavalry charges. They made excellent mercenaries by the way. Other than that, I really enjoyed this load out.

Good post. I wish to comment about a few things but mainly bows and arrows, as thats where i have the most (IRL)experience since im both a bowyer and an archer.

Number of arrows:

I think the room the arrows take to store is more the issue than the weight personally. I limit myself to "quivers" of 15 arrows here, which i keep on my person, and maximum 2 quivers. On my horse i keep "bundles" of 30 arrows. I use convenient horses so I can actually store things on my horse, but I imagine you can use a follower for the same purpose. I keep the "quivers" and "bundles" separated by arrow types, so if i carry 2 quivers it would be 15 iron and 15 steel for example. When you know you are going into combat, that is different. I could easily imagine bringing 2 bundles of arrows with me to the siege of whiterun and that sort of thing. In a combat situation you would then hammer the bundles of arrows into the ground, and not really use quivers at all, but just pick each arrow up as you shoot them.

Number of bows:

If you are thinking of RL bows, the way you would carry traditional handmade bow is in a futeral or a sort of quiver. These would all be without strings since having a bow stringed for a long time weakens the bow. You can realistically carry multiple quivers of 5-6 bows around, but those are not ready for combat. So if you are selling bows they are not really difficult to carry around.

What I do in my game though, is to have 1 bow at a time. Just because carrying more than 1 seems silly to me. If i have to carry more than 1, I will only use one. That isnt to say I can't have access to more via my horse, and keep for instance one flame enchanted bow for undead and 1 lightning enchanted bow for dragons and mages. But mostly its 1 at a time.

As an archer in game, I carry a sidearm for personal defense and a dagger. The sidearm depends on the race and type of combat training the character has really.

Lockpicks:

I can imagine carrying a few lockpicks actually, as they dont take up very much room, or weigh much at all. Imagining a pouch filled with lockpicks i'd say 30 is a reasonable number

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/TolveorDeschain]Tolveor[/url] said:[/b]

Good post. I wish to comment about a few things but mainly bows and arrows, as thats where i have the most (IRL)experience since im both a bowyer and an archer.

[/blockquote]

Ooh, a real life archer! Thats awesome man, you don't see that everyday.

[blockquote]

Number of arrows:

I think the room the arrows take to store is more the issue than the weight personally. I limit myself to "quivers" of 15 arrows here, which i keep on my person, and maximum 2 quivers. On my horse i keep "bundles" of 30 arrows. I use convenient horses so I can actually store things on my horse, but I imagine you can use a follower for the same purpose. I keep the "quivers" and "bundles" separated by arrow types, so if i carry 2 quivers it would be 15 iron and 15 steel for example. When you know you are going into combat, that is different. I could easily imagine bringing 2 bundles of arrows with me to the siege of whiterun and that sort of thing. In a combat situation you would then hammer the bundles of arrows into the ground, and not really use quivers at all, but just pick each arrow up as you shoot them.

[/blockquote]

Very good points, and as I've got no clue how any of it works I trust you. I think the main issue with hammering arrows in the ground is that, unlike realistic archer enounters, it's very rare for you to be stationary in combat. Most quests have you progressing through areas, with you going to the enemy, while it would need to be the opposite to stick arrows in the ground. Bundles are a very good idea though.

[blockquote]

Number of bows:

If you are thinking of RL bows, the way you would carry traditional handmade bow is in a futeral or a sort of quiver. These would all be without strings since having a bow stringed for a long time weakens the bow. You can realistically carry multiple quivers of 5-6 bows around, but those are not ready for combat. So if you are selling bows they are not really difficult to carry around.

What I do in my game though, is to have 1 bow at a time. Just because carrying more than 1 seems silly to me. If i have to carry more than 1, I will only use one. That isnt to say I can't have access to more via my horse, and keep for instance one flame enchanted bow for undead and 1 lightning enchanted bow for dragons and mages. But mostly its 1 at a time.

As an archer in game, I carry a sidearm for personal defense and a dagger. The sidearm depends on the race and type of combat training the character has really.

[/blockquote]

Again very good point, and I didn't know about carrying a bow around in quivers. I knew you unstrung them but that's it. But again I think the issue with this is the nature of combat in Skyrim. Shit jumps out of you willy nilly so there's not much time to string a bow (I assume, how long does that process take?). But if you play a more cautious game I don't see why that wouldn't be an option.

yeah sticking arrows into the ground is just my imagination, but what it does is provide a realistic excuse for bringing the bundles if you actively go hunt dragons for example.

Again, I use 1 bow at a time, but the bows in quivers example provide a realistic excuse for bringing bows in for sale. Or having your bows stashed on your companion/horse if you use 2-3 different ones.

About moving/being stationary:

Historical archers (northern european ones at least) would probably be stationary most of the time, and have access to either baskets of arrows, or bundles brought with them (in a war situation). In a hunting situation, you need fewer arrows and would probably use a simple quiver or just carry a few extra arrows in your backpack or a closed quiver(then carry your best arrow in your hand with your bow). Quivers are mostly just in the way honestly, unless its target practice.

I don't have alot of experience with horse archery, but I'd imagine the easiest would be to have a quiver fastened to your horse rather than your person when you are shooting from horseback. Although here to there's examples of holding all of your arrows in the hand while firing them.

Anyway, if you have more questions about bows/arrows or the viking age just ask. If I can't answer right away, I know scholars in those fields who probably can. All to provide info to increase the immersion in skyrim of course :)