The Relic Hunter

 So, you want to hear a story, eh? One about treasure hunters?  If not, too bad – I’m telling you anyway.  Long ago, before the Nords resided in Skyrim, it was home to the Snow Elves or Dwemer as many know them.  The Dwemer were a technologically advanced race with inventions and powerful machines not understood to this day.  One day, for reasons still unknown, the Dwemer disappeared and their great cities, filled with untold technology, relics and treasures, turned to ruins.  Most people won’t dare enter these ruins due to stories of fierce machines and vicious creatures said to protect them.  But some warriors risk these dangers in hopes of finding ancient relics, untold technologies and treasures beyond imagination.  These warriors have become known as Relic Hunters.  Our story starts in the Silver Blood Inn at the table of a Relic Hunter.

“That’s a fierce looking crossbow there friend.  Looks like you could hold off an army with that thing.”

You glance up at the drunken patron who stumbled over and takes a seat at your table.

“Seriously, what could you possibly need a weapon like that for?”

“Never know what you might run into in a Dwemer ruin.”  You say between swigs of mead.

“Dwemer ruins? Wait, are you one of those Relic Hunters?  I’ve heard stories of the treasures found in those ruins.  Is it true?”

“Only reason I keep going back.”

“But the tales of ancient Dwemer machines and vicious creatures protecting those places?”

You look at the patron, chuckle and reply, “Gotta have something to keep the riff raff out otherwise everyone would in the ruins.”

“But the stories are that nothing can kill them and that they are indestructible?”

“If that were true I wouldn’t be sitting here now.”

The patron stares at you with wide eyes in amazement while you throw back the last bit of mead in you tankard.  You pull a half dozen septims from your pocket and toss them on the bar before picking up your crossbow and turning to the patron, “I better get going.  After all, ain’t no rest for the wicked.”  You say chuckling as you start for the door.

The Build

Race: Imperial or Nord (not sure yet)

Stone: Steed (for additional storage)

Stats: Not sure yet but it will probably be mainly health and magicka with a little stamina

Mods: Ordinator, Imperious, Aurora, Automatic Dwemer Crossbow, The Forgotten City (not certian I'll use this but it seems like a perfect fit for the build)

Major Skills: Archery, Smithing, Restoration

Minor Skills: Lockpicking, Speech, Light Armor, Sneak

Gear

Linwe's Armor

Linwe's Boots

Thieves Guild gloves

Galduur Amulet

Dwemer Crossbow

Roleplaying

I have never been excited about Dwemer ruines in Skyrim.  I don't like the enemies, I don't like the architecture, and I don't like dwemer gear so I am really surprised to find myself so excited about a build that's main focus is diving into Dwemer ruins.  This build is all about looting these ancient cities for treasures, lost artifacts and anything you can smelt into ingots.  You are not a scholar interested in understanding how the Dwemer lived or their machines work, your a treasure hunter and the only thing that concerns you about a relic is how many septims it will fetch.  As such, you will naturally fit in with the Thieves Guild and used their connections to sell recovered treasures and perform a few odd jobs for them every now and then.  But you know true riches are not found within Skyrim's cities, but underneath Skyrim in the ancient Dwemer ruins and even nordic tombs so that is where the Relic Hunter searches for his riches.  The Relic Hunter is not an evil character and won't seek out killing, but may the Divines have mercy on the poor soul who attacks the Relic Hunter because he won't.  In addition to dungeon diving, this character will pick up bounties to complete while traveling between Dwemer ruins and nordic tombs.  After all, a little extra coin never hurt and the jingle of septims is music to the Relic Hunter's ears.

Notes

This is a general outline of the build and I am really excited to start the gameplay because I will be using the Dwarven Autocannons from Ordinator for the first time and they look awesome!  Plus, I'm excited to try some combo ideas I have with Restoration which could be a whole lot of fun.  As is probably obvious, this build is based on Axton from Borderlands 2.  That game has a special place in my heart as it was the first video game I ever really sunk my teath into and loved.  So it's really exciting to recreate one of it's characters in my all time favorite game.  Hope you enjoy and let me know any thoughts and advice.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/XxFlamezSwordxX]FlamezSword[/url] said:[/b]

Amazing! Never thought I'd see a Borderlands character in the works :D

I'm liking the presentation so far Ragnar, and I think you've pulled it off pretty well so far, but if i may, I'd like to suggest (since this is centered around money and dungeon hunting) that Imperial would be good for the extra profits you earn. Being that as is, the Nords do have battlecry...however since it's based mostly around dwemer that won't really be of much help imo. That was my only real thought from what you've got so far 

Happy Building, I'll come check in when you get an update or finish it!

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I started the gameplay this weekend and did end up using an Imperial since it felt right.  However, I am using the Imperious Races mod which changes all the racial abilities pretty substancially.  I was actually looking at building Lilith and Zero as well but ended up choosing Axton just because I wanted to play with the Autocannons.  Those really make the build feel just like Axton and are awesome!  I've been surprised how well this character have actually plugged into Skyrim despite being based in such a different world.  And it's alot of fun trying to match the writing and style of the Borderlands games in my build and is probably my favorite part of the build.  Writing the intro to mirror the intro to the 1st two games was a blast and when I read it I can almost hear Marcus's voice. 

I plan on adding a link to one of the Borderlands Themes for some mood music and haven't decided whether I want to use "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" from the 1st game or "This Ain't No Place for No Hero" from the 2nd game so let me know what you think would hit the best note.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Dragonborn1721]Mega-Dragonborn-of-Doom (1921)[/url] said:[/b]

Damn, I'm a bit late for this one...damn shame, sorry Ragnar. Shame I haven't played enough Borderlands to get the character source but what you've posted so far is really cool. I did have a quick mod selection. There's one called Delves of the Stone Legion, that I think would fit this character perfectly, you also get the interesting weapon in a Dwarven Crossbow that works like the Aetherial Shield, that might be really interesting to combine with the Dwarven Sphere/Spider from Dragonborn...Dunno, something to keep in mind and I figured I'd mention it, very fun quest IMO.

Anyway, the build itself is looking really good so far. I enjoyed the bit of RP and the Backstory that you've mentioned so far, and the Roleplaying Section, in general, was just a really fun read. Gameplay wise, I'm always a fan of the Dwarven Autocannons, still haven't used them in a build myself but they are deadly and fun. I'd definitely look into Sneak for the Tripwire line, and I think it's Alchemy that has a bunch of oil-based skills. They could be interesting for creating a kind of 'trap field' around your Autocannons but I don't know how well that fits the character at the moment.

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Thanks for the mod suggestion.  I'll be sure to check it out as it looks like it could add nicely to the build.  I started the gameplay this weekend and just acquired the Autocannons and they are awesome!  I highly reccomend you give them a go.  As far as the Tripwire and Oil Puddles, I don't quite see the Oil Puddles fitting the characters build inspiration but I might be able to work in the Trip Wire because that would be a fun gameplay element.  I'll have to check it out.

I'm really glad you like what I have written so far on the Roleplaying and backstory.  Mirroring my intro off the introductions in the Borderlands games and trying to achieve that perfect antihero feel has been alot of fun and my favorite part of the build.  Looking forward to adding some theme music to really bring it to life.

You've got a real gem on your hands here Ragnar. Always been a fan of treasure hunters so I'm hyped for the build. Also, love the effort you've put into the backstory. Personaly I think it's one of the most important parts of the build.