I have actually followed Tamriel Vault for a long time.  It is a great source for build ideas for my favorite game of all time - Skyrim.  It should be noted that I am far more of a roleplayer than a guy looking for the best build ever.  This is because a) I have a lot more fun roleplaying a character and b) my reaction time at the controls is crap compared ot when I was younger.  I also stab at writing for enjoyment.  This is a case where my love of games, writing and this idea for this build came together into a single project - The Blacksmith's Daughter.  

Backstory: For a full backstory I am currently writing a Skyrim fan fiction on this build on my blog The Beagle and The Courtesan, 

Part one is the complete back story and can be found here. 

The short version is she has grown up in a small isolated village of Nords that were Talos worshipers.  She was the Blacksmith's Daughter and developed a deep devotion to Talos, a love for metal working, and a desire for books to read.  The Thalmor invaded and killed her parents, destroyed her village and gave her into the hands of the bandits.  After being the bandits slave for a month she escaped burning the bandits all to death in their cave through a combinaiton of her flame spell and oil.  Captured on the border of Skyrim by the Empire she found herself being carted to Helgen.

Concept: The idea was to combine the idea of Fire and Steel.  Mostly the Fire will eventually be cloaks, runes and fireballs for distance attacks.  The Steel part is to be a heavily armored weilding with great skill (both attack and defensive - block) a greatsword. This is a woman who has suffered much and it remains to be seen whether or not she can contian the fires of rage and vengence that burn inside her. Kind of like a Skyrim version of the Ghost Rider only a blacksmith instead of motorcycle rider and a girl.  

Race: Nord

Sex: Female 

Skill Progression:

Main Skill: Smithing - a primary skill and a driving role playing device.  If a perk point can be spent in smithing, it MUST be spent on Smithing.  This reflects her overall desire ot be the best smith in Skyrim in honor of her father.  This kind of creates a intentional weakness to make the build a role play challenge. 

Primary Skills: Destruciton (fire-focused). Two-Handed (greatsword), Heavy Armor

Seconday Skills: Block, Enchanting, Speech

Perks:

Smithing: Steel Smithing. Elven Smithing, Dwarven Smithing, Advanced Armors, Orcish Smithing, Arcane Blacksmith. Glass Smithing

Desrtruction: Novice-Adept Destruction, Destruction Dual Casting, Augmented Flames 1, Intense Flames, Rune Master

Two-Handed: Barbarian 1-3, Champion's Stance, Deep Wounds 1, Devestating Blow, Great Critical Charge

Heavy Armor: Juggernaut 1-3, Well-Fitted, Fists of Steel, Tower of Strength, Cushioned

Equipment: 

Armor:  Mostly she will make her own but given this build is about Fire and Steel, the Steel part in this case that the armor types she would wear becasue they are steel based are Iron, Steel, Wolf, Steel Plate, Nordic Carved Armor, Ebony and Blades Armor.  

Weapons: Greatsword made out of the same materials or unique greatswords,  The Ebony Blade is essential for the 'dark side; part of the role play.    

Fast Travel: I have particular rules about fast travel when doing my builds.  That is that Fast Travel is only available with Carriages and Boats.  Otherwise I hoof it (walk or horse).  I find this actually helps with leveling as I run into more encounters and has led to some surprise side quests.  If I buy my own carriage through Hearthfire then I can fast Travel using it and I can 'make arrangements' to travel from towns and cities I have been to other towns and cities. 

Stats: Magicka 1 / Health 2 / Stamina 1 - Gives enough health to survive close up battles and yet enough Stamina for power attacks. Hopefully it will give enough Magicka, but that is why we playtest things.   

Other Notes: This is a work in progress and when I do builds they tend to be both organic and role playing oriented as far as quests, standing stone, and perk choices. When I get the character to certain levels I will see what we have.  I must warn others that I don't know what this build will be like at High difficulty levels ( I will be playing default - Adept).  If someone wants to playtest it for me at Higher difficulty level I would be grateful.  There was a time I was a local vido game legend but those days are long passed as my reaction time is much slower.  

What follows will be a record (level by level) of choices that affect the build (perks, quests and so forth) for future consideration.

Level 1 - Quest Completed: Unbound, Takes Warrior Stone

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - "Riverwood" 

Level 2 - Health, Steel Smithing (as per build rules) -  interestinly enough leveled up doing smithing with Alvor. Quest Started: Blessing of Nature - Talked with Danica.  Quest Completed: Before the Storm.  Quest Started: Bleak Falls Barrow.  Leveled - Enchanting Table - Decided at this point to add Enchanting to skill list. Added spells: Candlelight, Firebolt.

Level 3 - Magicka, Novice Destruciton.  Helped Anders, Carlotta, Quest Started: Missing in Action, Part of this Character gravitates to women in trouble and temples and priest/priestess because of her mother.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Whiterun'

Quest Started: Golden Claw, Leveled killing bandits inside Bleak Falls Barrow.

Level 4 - Health, Barbarian 1.  Leveled Killing Drauger inside Bleak Falls Barrow.  

Level 5 - Stamina, Destrruction Dual Casting. Quest Completed: Golden Claw; Quest Completed: Bleak Falls Barrow. Quest Started: Dragon Rising.  

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Bleak Falls Barrow.

Leveled Fighting the Dragon at the Western Watchtower. 

Level 6 - Health, Barbarian 2.  Learned Shout: Unrelenting Force - First Word. Becomes Thane of Whiterun, Quest Completed: Dragon Rising. Quest Started: Way of The Voice. Follower: Lydia

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - Dragon Rising

Spells Learned: Lesser Ward, Fire Rune, Fast Healing; Quest Started: In Time of My Need; Quest Started: Take Up Arms.  Leveled up training with Vilkas.

Level 7 - Magicka, Champion's Stance.  Quest Completed: Take Up Arms; Quest Started: Trouble in Skyrim

Story:  The Blacksmith's Daughter - Decisions 

Leveled up Fighting Thalmor at Northwatch Keep.

Level 8 - Health, Elven Smithing (Build Rule), Quest Ended: Missing in Action.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Missing in Action'  

Leveled up Smithing

Level 9 - Stamina, Dwarven Smithing (Build Rule), Follower Lydia dies fighting the Alik'r, Leveled up Killing Spriggan.

Level 10 - Health, Juggernaut 1, Quest Started: Dawnguard, Quest Ended: In My Time of Need, Purchased Breezehome

Story: The Balcksmith's Daughter - 'In My Time of Need'

Learned Spell: Courage, Quest Completed: Trouble in Skyrim (Redoran's Retreat); Quest Started: Proving Honor, Dragon Soul Absorbed, Leveled fighting Draugr - Dustman's Cairn.  

Level 11 - Magicka, Juggernaut 2, Leveled Up Fighting Silver Hand

Level 12 - Health, Barbarian 3; Learned Shout: Fure Breath - First Word, Quest Completed: Proving Honor, Quests Started Animal Extermination, Completely Furnished Breezehome.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Proving Honor'

Leveled Up Smithing

Level 13 - Stamina, Deep Wounds 1

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - Considering Secrets

Follower Added: Uthgerd the Unbroken.  Recovered Treasure I and IV, Quest Started: The Break of Dawn; Leveled Up Killing Wolves.

Level 14 - Health, Apprentice Destruction. Learned Shout: Unrelenting Force - 2nd Word; Learned Shout: Whilwind Sprint - 1st Word, Quest Completed: The Way of the Voice, Quest Started: The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller.  Quest Started: Dragonborn.

Story: 'The Blacksmith's Daughter - The Way of the Voice.'

Learned Spell: Fury, Leveled Up Smithing

Level 15 - Magicka, Well-Fitted, Quest Competed: Animal Extermination. (Greywater Grotto), Quest Started: The Silver Hand; Becomes Werewolf; Leveled Up Reading Last Scabbard of Akrash

Level 16 - Health, Devastating Blow, Quest Completed: The Silver Hand; Quest Started: Stealing Plans.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - The Silver Hand

Learned Spell: Fear; Standing Stone: Warrior to Atronach Stone; Word of Power Learned - Frost Breath - First Word; Leveled Up Fighting Silver Hand

Level 17 - Stamina, Great Critical Charge, Learned Spell: Oakflesh; Quest Completed: Blessings of Nature; Quest Completed: Stealing Plans; Quest Started: Retreval 

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Blessings of Nature'

Leveled up Smithing

Level 18 - Health, Advanced Armors (Build Rule)

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Rest and Respite' 

Word of Power Learned - Become Ethereal - First Word, Added Follower: Meeko; Quest Started: A Blade in the Dark; Quest Completed: A Blade in the Dark; Quest Started: Diplomatic Immunity.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - "A Blade in the Dark"

Quest Started: Joining the Stormcloaks; Quest Started: Innocence Lost; Leveled Up Enchanting 

Level 19 - Magicka, Orcish Smithing (Build Rule); Quest Completed: Joining the Stormcloaks; Quest Started: The Jagged Crown

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Joining the Stormcloaks'

Leveled Up Enchanting

Level 20 - Health, Juggernaught 3; Quest Started: Delayed Burial; Quest Completed: Delayed Burial; Learned Shout - Slow Time - First Word; Quest Started: The Whispering Door; Spell Learned - Muffle; Acquired Ebony Blade; Quest Completed: Whispering Door.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - "The Whispering Door"

Quest Completed: Jagged Crown; Quest Started: Message to Whiterun; Quest Completed: Message ot Whiterun; Quest Start: Battle for Whiterun; Lost Follower: Meeko (During the Battle Meeko was with me and then I lost track of him and couldn't find him later. It is like he disappeared); Quest Completed: Battle for Whiteun; Quest Started: Liberation of Skyrim.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - The Battle for Whiterun

Quest Started: Tending the Flames, Leveled Up fighting draugr

Level 21 - Stamina, Augmented Flames 1, Quest Completed: Tending the Flames, Bard quests started.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Tending the Flames'

Quest Completed: Diplomatic Immunity; Quest Started: A Cornered Rat

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Diplomatic Immunity' 

Leveled Up Smithing

Level 22 - Health, Fists of Steel; Ouest Started: No Stone Unturned; Quset Started: A Chance Arrangment; Quest Completed: A Chance Arrangemnt; Quest Started: Taking Care of Business; Quest Started: Book Of Love; 

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Riften'

Quest Completed: Taking Care of Business; Quest Started: Loud and Clear; Quest Completed: A Cornered Rat; Quest Started: Alduin's Wall; Word of Power Learned: Whirlwind Sprint - Second Word.

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'A Cornered Rat' 

Leveled Up Smithing

Level 23 - Magicka, Arcane Blacksmith (Build Rule),Quest Completed: Alduin's Wall; Quest Started: The Throat of the World

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - "Alduin's Wall'

Word of Power Learned - 3rd Word, Unrelenting Force; Learned SjoutL Clear Skys - All Three Words; Word of Power Learned: Fire Breath - 2nd Word; Quest Completed;Throat of the World; Quest Started: Elder Knowledge

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'The Throat of the World'. 

Leveled Up Training Destruction with Wuunferth the Unliving

Level 24 - Health, Impact, Quest Completed: Innocence Lost 

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - The Liberation of Falkreath

Learned Spells: Flame Cloak, Fireball; Quest Started: First Lessons; Quest Completed: First Lessons; Quest Started: Under Saarthal; Learned Word of Power - Ice Form - 1st Word; Quest Completed: Under Saarthall; Quest Started; Hitting the Books Quest Started: Discerning the Transmundane; Quest Stared: Shalidor's Insights. 

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Under Saarthal'

Quest Started: With Friends Like These...Leveled Up Fighting Spiders

Level 25 - Stamina, Adept Destruciton, 

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Folgunthur'

Quest Started: Ill Met By Moonlight, Becomes Thane of Falkreath, Purchases Lakeview Manor, Quest Completed: With Friends Like These..., Quests Started' Three Assasination Contracts, Quest Started: A Daedra's Best Friend

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'With Friends Like These...'

Learned Word of Power: Frost Breath - 2nd Word; Leveled up Smithing

Level 26 - Health, Glass Smithing (Build Rule),  

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Building and Planning'

Word of Power Learned: Marked for Death - First Word; Recovered Rjorn's Drum

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - Halldir's Cairn

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - "Haemar's Shame"

Word of Power Learned: Flame Breath - 3rd Word; Returned Rjorn's Drum; Leveled Up: Rojorn's Drum

Level 27 - Magicka, Intense Flames

Story: The Blacksmith;s Daughter - 'Sunderstone Gorge'

Word of Power Learned: Elemental Fury - First Word; Quest Completed: Break of Dawn

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'The Break of Dawn'

Quest Completed: A Daedra'sBest Friend

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - "Geirmund's Hall"

Leveled Up fighting Viinturuth the dragon. 

Level 28 - Health, Rune Master

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Cultist Fury'

Story: The Blacksmith;s Daughter - "Fellglow Keep"

Quest Started: Pieces of the Past. Leveled up Enchanting in Hob's Fall Cave

Level 29 - Stamina, Tower of Strength, Finn's Lute, Pantea's Flute Returned - Bard's College Quests Completed. 

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - Hob's Fall Cave

Quest Started: Mourning Never Comes; Quest Completed: Contract Kills: Beitild, Narfi, Ennodius Papius.  Quest Completed: Retrieval; Quest Started: Blood's  Honor

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'Two Loose Ends'

Quest Started: The Forsworn Conspiracy; Quest Started: The Heart of Dibella; Leveled up fighting Forsworn

Level 30: Health, Cushioned; Quest Started: Boethia's Calling; Quest Completed: The Heart of Dibella

Story: The Blacksmith's Daughter - 'The Heart of Dibella' 

Interesting, I'm really enjoying the basic idea of the character Rabyd (and welcome to the site, and the Workshop while I'm here). I like the idea of a character mostly dedicated to Smithing and what I can see so far really makes that feel like a major part of the build, so keep at it. I like where your going and if the quality remains the same, well let's just say that I can't wait to see more of this character, and the build itself.

Dallan007,

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/dallan007]dallan007[/url] said:[/b]

Nice start. This is a great mix of two very different skill sets. If you are going two handed anyways, might I suggest the Longhammer, a unique orc warhammer enchanted to swing as fast as a greatsword? The war hammer is more blacksmith like, and the Longhammer has one of the best dps rates. It's in a bandit cave near Kathwarsten.

[/blockquote]

Thanks for the feedback.  I too thought the warhammer was more blacksmith like, but there were a couple of factors that led me ot the Greatsword. 1) It was her father's favorite weapon in backstory when he fought in the Great War.  2) I actually as a writer have part of the story arc in mind.  One of the inspirations for this build is The Fallen Hero right here on Tamriel Vault.  My first thought was there was a need for a Stormcloak version.  My second though was how do I get a noble Nord to turn to the dark side (her story will be dark for a while - we will see if she comes out of it as we go.).  In the case of the Fallen Hero it is the death of Lydia and he then abandons Dawnbreaker.  I thought that perhaps seeing this character is a loner (she has major trust issues) finding the Ebony Blade might do a similar thing to her as she is already suspecious of everyone even her firends.  It is one of the fastest two handed swords in the game and once fully upgraded the drain ability could be devestating. 3) The warhammer is more blacksmith like and thus a little cliche'.  Wanted something slightly off the beaten path.  

One other thing, as more of a roleplay guy, I ask myself a lot what the character knows. You and I know that warhammer is there, but would she?Not saying it isn't possible but I would have to find a story reason for her to find it.

Thanks once again. 

Rabyd One

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Dragonborn1721]Dragonborn1921[/url] said:[/b]

Interesting, I'm really enjoying the basic idea of the character Rabyd (and welcome to the site, and the Workshop while I'm here). I like the idea of a character mostly dedicated to Smithing and what I can see so far really makes that feel like a major part of the build, so keep at it. I like where your going and if the quality remains the same, well let's just say that I can't wait to see more of this character, and the build itself.

[/blockquote]

Thanks.  A lot of things came together for this build to start to come to life.  The smithing focus makes me think more how to use it to keep the character alive.  

Rabyd One

You can always find a story justification for anything. If it's near Karthwasten, perhaps you pick it up by clearing the bandit den on the way to Karthspire and Sky Haven Temple.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Solyeuse]Solyeuse[/url] said:[/b]

You can always find a story justification for anything. 

[/blockquote]

LOL.  Yep, that's true.  Seeing we are fairly early though and she hasn't actually ever been to Skyrim, she would need a reason to head that way.  She has lived in her village all her life which is on the northern border of Cyrodill in the mountians.  She knows Skyrim's geography from maps and books but has no real practical expereince traveling Skyrim.  She may end up being a collector of two handed weapons so it's a possiblity.  That said her story is going to be one of heroine turned villian and perhaps turned back to heroine.  There are a lot of possiblities here.

Thanks for the comment,

Rabyd One     

Dallian007

If she's going down a dark road for a while, do you have an idea as to if/when she gets redeemed? Or do you intend to play it out and see what happens?"

It is really up in the air to be honest.  I want to play this character and see what makes sense from her point of view and mindset. It may very well be a crisis point that bring's  her out of it and back to being a hero.  

Rabyd One