Serana Being Serana

Was testing out some new dialogue for the followers, and then this happened. Seriously Serana, I don’t even…

In any case, I’ve been going in circles lately, so I welcome any suggestions regarding where I should travel next. I realize there’s a ton of places that have yet to be christened with follower commentary, but my guess is Talking Stone Camp is not high on the list.

Skjarn 2K14

skjarn_bball

In this segment, we’re going to follow the path of some 3DNPCs as they live their lives in alternate universes – typically places where magic is but a foggy dream in Tolfdir’s alembic. In this episode, we follow the career of Skjarn and his aspirations to join the NBA.

As a level 25 bard, Skjarn’s game is mostly based on isolation sets that he calls for himself. Although he’s technically a big, he spends most of his time camped out near the three point line. And that’s just on defense. On offense, he will face guard his own teammate demanding the ball from the moment it gets inbounded. From there he will proceed to dribble around for 23 seconds before hoisting up an ill-advised three.

Despite this unique play style, Skjarn has somehow managed to worm his way into the Rookie Showcase, where scouts from every NBA team will attempt to learn more about the self-centered forward. Let’s check out the tape and analyze some of the facets of Skjarn’s game.

This sums up the Nord’s attitude on defense. Normally he would simply remain on the other side of the court, but he realizes that if he stays there the cameras won’t find him.This, of course, would violate the Constitution in most civilized countries, and not wanting to cause a riot, Skjarn decides it’s best he let the lens capture him before the viewers get angry and the cameraman loses his job. Thus, benevolent as ever, he saunters over the halfcourt line, making sure to wink at the hot blonde sitting courtside.

You may have heard of the triangle offense, but Skjarn’s offense is a single dot. It is a black hole, the period at the end of a sentence on ball movement.

You have to admire the naivety of Kelly Olynyk as he calls for the ball in the post, as if there’s any chance in Oblivion the ball will be passed. I also like how the guard crashes the boards the moment Skjarn raises up, knowing full well there’s a rebound to be had.

All told, Skjarn finishes the night shooting a horrendous 6 for 38 from the field. He consistently plays no defense and manages to alienate the entire team. Nevertheless, following the game he gets visits from no less than 3 separate GMs – reps from the Jazz, Pacers, and Nets.

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Skjarn makes even less effort during the interview process than he did on the basketball court. He seems secure in the belief that he’ll not only be picked first, but that by night’s end he’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

skjarndraft

Normally, such a display of pomposity, belligerence, and lack of self-awareness would be a death knell for any athlete’s draft prospects. No, I’m kidding, nobody gives a shit about that. However, being terrible at basketball, which Skjarn undoubtedly is, should be the one thing that is guaranteed to ruin your draft stock.

And yet, with the 22nd pick in the 2013 NBA draft, the Brooklyn Nets not only draft Skjarn, but decide to market him as the future face of their franchise.

skjarn_billboard

Somehow Billy King still has a job.

Creation Kit – More Quest Tweaks

In the v3.05.1 update, I added a wandering Thalmor Agent to the Immortal Coil quest in order to add some tension to the letter delivery. So, when a user was curious why there was no option to turn in the Talos worshipers, it made sense to use the same agent to do so. Moreover, as the dialogue is conditioned to the MaleElfHaughty voice and Thalmorfaction, you can actually turn them in to any male Justiciar.

Keep in mind this is not an Imperial option, but rather a Thalmor option. Imperial-aligned PCs should still be able to complete the quest normally. I’m of the belief the Imperials aren’t interested in enforcing this law, which is why Ondolemar has trouble convincing the Jarl to arrest Ogmund.

Now I realize a mod NPC, Orenius, mentions doing that very thing, but that’s to show how distanced he is from the Penitus Oculatus. In other words, the Empire basically put him out to pasture by assigning him to a zero priority task, annoying both him and the Thalmor in the process by having them work together. The reason for this “punishment” being his obsession with the Raven of Anvil.

Still, even if you disagree and feel the quest is only friendly to Stormcloaks, this will provide you with an option to turn Arilwaen in.