I've recently rebuilt my Oblivion character to reflect a character I've had in my minds eye for quite a long time now. Here is the sheet:

Race: Altmer (Balanced Races mod in use)
Birthsign: Mage (Balanced Birthsigns mod in use)
Class: Student of Akatosh (nGCD, OOO, and MMM are in use here, so class really matters now.)

Favored Attributes:
Intelligence
Willpower

Major Skills:
Destruction
Restoration
Alteration
Mysticism
Conjuration
Illusion
Athletics (Nothing else fit!)

The character is obviously a pure mage, and my challenge for him is that his only means of offense and defense are his (notable) magical skills. He has been given everything he needs to assist him in keeping that magicka bar filled, but what happens when the going gets rough and it starts to empty?

I am now thinking long and hard about how best to present his backstory and the plot hook. I don't want to say much yet, but I will say that he will NOT be following the conventional Oblivion start sequence, he will still venture through that dungeon, yes, but how he actually gets there will be very different. Reason being, the vanilla start gives you absolutely no motivation to actually make the difference you do make other than the Emperor saying "Go do it! It is your destiny!" and as a result most of the fanfics I see here and at Chorrol either throw out the main quest completely or make it a background plot thread unrelated to the character who is at the story's center (apart from the Amulet of Kings segment). This alternate start scenario will attempt to give my character the motivation he needs to actually get out there and be the difference.

Once I'm happy with the first chapter, I'll put it up. Hope you all enjoy it!

You could tell us all of that and then some via a finely written chapter

Also, if your going to be re-telling the main plot of the game (which it seems you are) make sure not to dwell too much on the actual game itself. Don't go exactly by what happens in the game but throw your own twists and such into it. We've all (well most at least) have played the Main Quest of TES:IV and know it by heart so we will already know what happens in your story and may lead to people losing interest since there is no suspense in what will happen next.

But ultimately its your choice :shrug:

EDIT: If you want to see a great example of a Main Quest fan-fic, search up BSparrow's Of Fate,Luck and Ambition :nod:

Just remember mate, Cyrodil is a lot bigger than 9 square miles.

You can't walk from the Jerrals to Leyawin in a day.

Well, I'm still up in the air on a lot of those points in the spoilers box (which is mainly why I even brought them up) as I've only just started drafting the story, so I am certainly up to considering dropping the main quest completely and shifting my character's focus elsewhere. Anything is still possible.

But you don't know my plans now, do you? I may just have a few aces up my sleeve, you never know.

My advice? Don't bother following the game. If you want to write, then write. We've all played the game (too much so for some of us), and chances are we will be able to predict your story before you write it. And if we can guess what's coming next, there is no suspense, and therefore no story. Base your story off the Tes world, and even the same time and place as Oblivion if you want, but don't use any of the Oblivion stories or quests. I'm sure you could make an interesting story with it, but I've seen too many people try to base a story off the game and end up bored with their own writing. Make something original

That said, feel free to make a mage character, but be careful not to uber him. The game tends to uber mages already, and without the engine restrictions on magic you can quite easily make him into a super-character. Give him flaws, conflicts, and antagonists a plenty; give him a crack in that shiny magic armor.

Finally, take some time and plan your story. You can start writing just to get some ideas down, but be sure to give your chapters a little structure, or you might end up getting lost. It happened to me for my first few stories, I ended up with no plot movement by the fifth chapter, and it caused me to lose interest in my own writing. Most importantly, flesh out your characters, particularly their personalities. A very important detail for believable (and thus exciting) characters.

Good luck, and always remember, have fun :goodjob:

Yeah listen to Darkom, dont follow the rules of the game -- we've all played through all the quest lines it has to offer, we know exactly what going to happen so dont be afraid to put your own little twists on things

Give your own advice!



I said it first you know <_<

Anyways, I'm sure you do have some things up your sleeves that will make for a good story, so my advice (I'm watching you Darkom) is to not worry so much about the mechanics of a sheet like you have above and just start writing!

Advice:
1. Send the game mechanics to the Deadlands to rot.
2. If following the MQ, character development and relationships are essential. Since the MQ won't give surprises, relationships and character development will be what people find interesting.
3. Consider making your character mediocre or deficient. That way your character grows into their role as the CoC.
4. Consequences! Every side adventure, every small action in the MQ, every relationship, give them consequences that are not expected.
5. Remember, Mankind rules.

Yea, I need to write slowly, I lost track of my fanfic already. I know the end, but I need the means to get there....../sigh.