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Morrowind Character Build: The Ashlander Outcast

Tags: #Specialization:Combat  #Type:Build  #Game:MW  #Specialization:Stealth 
  • March 19, 2017

    Morrowind Character Build:

    Ashlander Outcast

    (Modded Build)

     

     

    Concept: 

    "The Wastes are harsh and unforgiving, and we are a hard people. But there is a beauty and honor in our simple lives..."

    - Zainsubani's Notes 

    The Ashlanders of Vvardenfell are the Dunmeri nomad-folk hailing from Morrowind's wilderness. Also known as the "Velothi," they wander the land, herding guar and hunting game wherever they set up camp. While most regard them as barbaric huntsmen, the Ashlanders of Morrowind have respect and courtesy among their kin. Generally, however, they are a xenophobic people who behave with aggression towards outlanders - especially those who insult their clan culture.

    The Ashlander Outcast is one such Dunmer who sees the flaws in their culture and wishes to integrate more within Dunmeri society, while still maintaining their rich heritage. For this, they have been shunned by their Clanfolk - the Ashlander Outcast, while not exactly welcomed, is tolerated by most of the Velothi people.

    Photos of my personal playthrough can be seen here.

     

    Build 

    Note: To play this you will need Ashlander Tent DX

    Highly recommended mods include Mabrigash Armored Robes // Adventurer's Backpack // Hold Your Spears How You Like // Guars by abot // Ashlander Transports // OAAB Armor

    Check out the Optional Mods section for more recommendations.

    Race: Dunmer.

    Class: Ashlander (Custom).

    Specialization: Combat or Stealth

    Sign: The Lady.

    Attributes: Strength, Agility.

    Major Skills: Spear, Marksman, Light Armor, Athletics, Sneak.

    Minor Skills: Acrobatics, Short Blade, Mysticism, Mercantile/Speechcraft, Armorer

    Misc Skills: Block, Destruction, Illusion, Unarmored, Long Blade.

    Factions: None.

    Weapons: Spears will be your main weapon, as well as bows. You will want to favor Chitin and Bonemold weaponry, as these are the traditional gear of the Ashlander tribes.

    Equipment: Chitin, Bonemold and Netch armor sets are the backbone of Ashlander equipment, especially in regards to your helm and cuirass. Being a "progressive" Ashlander, however, you aren't averse to using "foreign" and "untraditional" equipment if need be.

     

     Combat and Skills

     The Ashlander favors light armor over anything else, as they need to be quick on their feet  in the wilds, while still being protected from the many dangerous beasts that roam  Vvardenfell.

     Their combat style is focused on the use of spears to keep enemies at a distance, always  ensuring unable to strike back. Being expert hunters, they are likewise well-versed in  marksmanship (though they favor traditional bows made of Bonemold over steel  crossbows) as well as the short blade. A true hunter has also mastered the art of sneak,  for it is a poor hunter who frightens away their prey before they are ready to  strike.

     Swiftness and agility are key to the Ashlander's survival. They are constantly dodging  attacks and side-stepping opponents, striking while the enemy is exhausted and never  letting anyone close enough to deal heavy damage. 

     While not experts at using magic, the Ashlander Outcast has picked up several tricks along  the way - most notably in the school of Mysticism, Illusion and Destruction. They are by  far no master mages, but should the need arise, they can escape a sticky situation with the help  of a well-timed spell.

     Being a nomadic people, they especially need to know how to repair their own equipment,  as they can travel weeks at a time without coming across civilization.

     This isn't, however, to say that the Ashlander Outcast shuns any form of society - they are  fascinated with non-Ashlander culture (unlike their kinsmen) and often visit towns they  pass through in order to sell off their hunting catches or scavenged materials.

     

    Gameplay Style

    As an Ashlander, you will spend the majority of your time exploring the vast landscapes of Vvardenfel - traveling between Ashlander Camps at your leisure and stopping by settlements whenever you need to unload some of the many materials you've gathered along the way (be they hides and skins from animals you've slain or the weapons and armor of those foolish enough to have attacked you while on your journey).

    Being a Dunmeri nomad, your home is your Ashlander Tent. The Ashlander Outcast travels around Morrowind, setting up camp wherever suitable, before spending the next few days scouting and hunting out the area - after which they pack up and leave for the next site. Their lives revolve around constant motion, never staying in an area long once the local prey has dried out. 

    While their kinsmen are generally aggressive towards anyone they encounter, you recognize the extremes of the Ashlander ways, instead opting to follow a friendlier path, even helping out the occasional lost traveler. In general, however, the Ashlander Outcast prefers to not mix themselves in with issues not involving them and chooses carefully whom to lend a helping hand to.

    They are known to explore and loot Dwemer Ruins, but having been raised by Morrowind's original tribesmen, are uncomfortable at the prospect of pilfering the Ancestral Tombs that are scattered across the continent and choose to respect the catacombs by not disturbing the spirits inside (unless they are forced to). 

    Morrowind is a beautiful land to explore and this build is nowhere as boring as you might at first think, despite the fact that you will barely touch any quests. Playing an Ashlander nomad who lives off the land is a satisfying and fun way to experience TESIII. 

    Optional Restrictions: 

    Assuming you don't have a survival/needs mod installed, try to eat 2-3 times a day, whether that be meat from any animals you've slain or food bought from your last stop in town. Try not to spend too much time in civilization - you are a nomad after all. For people who do not enjoy simply exploring landscapes, this build could be challenging - or maybe even a breath of fresh air. 

    Optional Mods:

    Aside from the mods mentioned in the Build section, there are a vast number of other mods that can enhance the Ashlander playthrough. Here are some of my personal favorites:

    OAAB Armor

    Silt Strider Armor

    Light Bonemold Armor

    Throwing Spears

    Lucrative Hunting

    Julan Ashlander Companion

    Silt Striders by abot

    House of Spears 

    Credits: 

    Thanks to Caesar for quickly skimming the draft!

     

     

     

  • Member
    March 19, 2017

    Well, after reading the whole thing, I must say that this is a really great Build! It's not too short, not too long, and an interesting idea overall. Nice work, Pestilence! I'll have to give it a try, next time I play.

    And of course, it's always good to see more Morrowind Builds (Not to mention Classics content)! Any chance we'll be seeing more Builds, or perhaps other content, from you in the future?

  • March 19, 2017

    Caesar said:

    And of course, it's always good to see more Morrowind Builds (Not to mention Classics content)! Any chance we'll be seeing more Builds, or perhaps other content, from you in the future?

    Glad you enjoyed reading!! It's very likely you'll see more of me :D Most of my builds are, however, Skyrim builds - I just started playing Morrowind recently, actually.

    No doubt I'll do another Morrowind build sometime, but chances are my next few builds will be Skyrim ones!

     

  • March 20, 2017

    What quests did you do?

  • March 20, 2017

    Lissette Long-Chapper said:

    What quests did you do?

    Hey Lisette! I personally felt like, as an Ashlander living on the edge of society and in isolation, the player wouldn't be doing most quests. If you look at it like that, it can be a very difficult build since what you do is essentially boiled down to "explore, hunt, sell stuff. Repeat." Definitely challenging for people who can't get into the character motivation of just exploring and living off the land.

    Faction Questlines are pretty much off limits - it doesn't feel right for an Ashlander to belong to a Great House or Imperial Guild. Temple Questlines also don't make sense, since the Ashlanders revere the Bad Daedra. You could, if you wanted, do the Daedric Quests of Azura, Boethiah, and Mephala. 

    I personally just did the "escort X to Y" type quests, and a few Ashlander quests (Dreams of a White Guar, Girith's Stolen Hides to name a pair).

     

  • Member
    March 20, 2017

    Pestilence said:

    Caesar said:

    And of course, it's always good to see more Morrowind Builds (Not to mention Classics content)! Any chance we'll be seeing more Builds, or perhaps other content, from you in the future?

    Glad you enjoyed reading!! It's very likely you'll see more of me :D Most of my builds are, however, Skyrim builds - I just started playing Morrowind recently, actually.

    No doubt I'll do another Morrowind build sometime, but chances are my next few builds will be Skyrim ones!

     

    New to Morrowind, eh? Well, I hope you enjoy it! It's got some issues (*Cough*, Cliff Racers...), but nothing a few mods won't fix.

    Shameless self-promoting aside, I'll have to take a look at your Skyrim Builds when I get the chance! In fact, maybe I should start being a bit more active there, too.

     

  • March 20, 2017

    Caesar said: 

     but nothing a few mods won't fix. 

    Awesome, these look great, thanks for sharing! I actually do have a few of those already installed - Abots mods (Boats, Gondoliers, Silt Striders) are amazing and so great for any playthrough. Real Signs is definitely helpful. I've been meaning to play Welcome to the Arena but I feel like I shouldn't do quest mods until I've played the entire game and have nothing else to do.

     

    I'll definitely check out the rest sometime!

     

  • April 27, 2017

    Update: did some minor revisions to the build as well as added a handful of mod recommendations!