After seeing people talk about how doing a play through with no crafting of any sort can give a greater since of accomplishment I started such a game. Still well in my comfort zone, Redguard, heavy armor, sword and shield. Here’s how things are going. And for those that wish to not read the story skip down to you find the big words saying the story is over if you just want to see my point.
Went in planning to join the legion right off the bat, she used to be a bandit but wants to try living on the side of the law. Made it to Whiterun, got the dragons to start spawning, recovered Amren’s family sword after fighting to bandit parties at once. This happen because of a few mods I have that add more roaming… stuff, a lot of stuff. It just so happen that the place where the sword was located was already under attack when I got there. Little did I think that when I got there they would forget their problems with each other and unite against a common foe, namely my character Thorn. So six or so of these come rushing at me, I manage to pick one off with a few arrows but I was quickly swarmed, stuck between a rock wall and a lot of swords. Fighting as hard as I can because I don’t remember the last time I saved I start to realized that none of these guys are going down, the mods doing once again. They were labeled “Bandit” but they were closer to “Bandit Outlaw” and they are kicking my butt. I run out of stamina potions and for the first time in gods know how long I use Adrenaline Rush not because I felt like it but because if I don’t use it now I’m not going to make it. I make pretty short work of them and return to town to resupply.
Time to make my way to Solitude. I buy all the potions I think will help me on my trip, down to 1700g. Buy a horse to help avoid trouble so I don’t blow threw the potions I just bought, down to 700g. I start my trip and not even a fourth of the way there I see a group of traveling merchants added by mod being attacked by Vampires. I join in the fight because I might need those guys later. Sadly their body guard falls, but for me he is wearing a full set of Orcish armor which is a great deal better than the steel and iron I was using. I continue to Solitude without using too many potions.
I get to the big city, watch some guy lose his head resupply and try to join the legion. Clear out a fort you say, sure. It’s late but not that late so I’ll do that now I think. I do to pick up my horse to find the stable under attack by Vampires. Master Vampires. I’m level 9. I do manage to get some guards to help out but I still burn threw half my potions, guys hit hard. I get my horse and carry on to the fort after killing some Thalmor on the way. At the fort everything goes smoothly till I get to the Bandit Chief. I think our duel lasted 2 minutes. I wanted to Adrenaline rush him, but it hadn’t recharged yet. Down to my last hand full of potions I make my way back to my horse only to find three more Vampires… normal vampires thank the gods. Two potions and some liquor left to my name I ride back to Solitude letting the Thalmor I see carry on with their day, I just do have it in me to try and fight them. I get back to town and rent a room in the inn. I imagine Thorn would say that was the best night’s rest she ever had.
I inform the Legate that the Fort is ours and I officially become a member of the Imperial Legion, yay me. Now they want me to help raid a tomb in the middle of nowhere. Sure why not. I resupply and find I’m down to my last 300g. I head out the gate and see a Khajiit camp, well it’s better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it, 100g. Make it to Dragon Bridge and figure maybe there’s a bounty to take, no such luck but I buy some food, 30g. Before I make it to the tomb I’m going to need to stop in Morthal and make some money. I run in to this nice little dog on the way and get him to tag along, I could use the help and to company at this point. I make to town, head to the inn “I’m looking for work.” “Well there’s a dragon that needs to be killed.” “Crap…. I’ll do it.” If I remember correctly dragon bounties are worth 500g and really need the money. I ride half way up the mountain before the dragon begins attacking. I leave my horse and start firing back as Meeko runs up the mountain. I follow and find him fighting a Frost Troll, I once walked into a cave that had two Trolls in it and had to run away because my attacks were completely useless on them. 500g, I attack and see Meeko, well it wasn’t taking a knee what he was lying down. I go in to protect my friend, I’m doing ok too. Then I’m reminded that there is also a dragon trying to kill me. I can’t fight both of them like this. I try and draw the Troll away from Meeko as the dragon starts to circle above, the idea being get them to the top of the mountain and hope they start fighting each other and I can just cleanup whoever is left. The Troll was too smart for that and he starts running back down the hill. With the dragon above about to breathe frost on me I just up the hill to take cover. Once the Dragon begins flying around again I go down to the Troll and find Meeko to be gone, nowhere in sight. The Troll killed my dog and threw him off the mountain I’m thinking. He’s gotta die now. I lay into him dodging what I can and blocking the rest till he goes down, just in time for me to take a fully unprotected frost breath. Pop some of my very few potions, get up to the summit and start firing at him only to have him land away from me. Meeko’s alive! The two of use go for broke at slay ourselves a dragon, take everything it had on it, clean out the chest at the top, and learn a new Disarm shout. Now the heroes are making their way back to Morthal to get our money.
THE STORY IS OVER
It’s been awhile since Skyrim has got me to write anything about it, take alone made avoiding crafting worth it for me. So far in this play through, money actually means something, potions are a must, I pick and choose my fights, and I’m using what I find because I need to. While I don’t see myself abandoning Smithing and Enchanting on my main character I do see myself saving it for much later in the game and setting a few more rules for their usage.