I follow Rolof to Riverwood and get a few things going, then I just go explore.

It's funny but he actually followed me last night - we were headed to Riverwood and he was doing his "move and wait" thing, and we were completely bypassing the stones. I knew where they were and wanted to activate one, so I ran off to do that. Next thing I know, he comes running up and comments on which stone I picked. Amusing considering he initially says "It would be best if we split up" and then ends up following me.

This was my actions also.

The first thing I did after Helgen? I saved my game. Then I looked around and started walking. 20 minutes later, I realized how HUGE this game was. But if I had known what I know now, I would have saved my game, turned it off, and waited until February for them to fix the stupid thing.

I kicked a wolf in the mouth.

Best gaming moment ever.

My first character played fair and went straight to Whiterun, but my later characters all do some leveling in bounty dungeons before they touch the main quest. I've got one character who is a guildmaster yet has never visited Bleak Falls Barrow and, to be honest, I can live without filling the world with dragons. It's a bit like Oblivion, where you can get a lot more out of the game by not opening those damned gates. My favorite character atm is a level 20 Argonian scout who hasn't joined any of the factions and just runs around clearing trash with a bow and doing pointless delivery quests.

I always follow Ralog/Hadvar to Riverwood. Next character I will go my separate way to change it up a bit.

For my main; fallowed the Imperials. Then stones, Riverwood, Whiterun, pause main quest, then nothing but free roam.

For my second; the same but following the Stormcloak story path.

For my thief; out the door and on his own from the get go. He didn't trust either of them.

I know this is only about the first few things. However, after completing the way of the voice, walked down the mountain, met this strange fellow at the bar in Ivarstead. Then hell break loose in a night to remember. Sorry, did you say plan? :rofl:

The Nord I escaped with said we should split up after we left the cave, so we did. I ended up in Riften via the mountain pass South of Helgen. Riverwood was so hyped in the pre release reviews that I felt I already knew it.

The next character I built went West, but died horribly after using a river to navigate with, ended up being caught in its current and finding out not every waterfall has a soft landing at the bottom of it.

My current character has followed the main quest long enough to enable dragons in the game and get a house - complete with a woman that watches me as I sleep. I'm thinking of sneaking out when she's not looking and heading back to Riften.

I have to say that the game in all three versions is as varied a start and as interesting I recall Morrowind to be when I discovered the silt striders could take you to the 3 corners. I didn't get that with Oblivion. In Oblivion I felt pushed into the main quest. Skyrim only pushes you if you decide to stick with which ever Nord you escaped Helgen with and follow his storyline to Riverwood.

:thumbsup: Thanks for listening Bethesda!

My first character went to Riverwood and followed a predictable route.

I took my second character straight to the wagon at Whiterun, saw that there was eight destinations and pulled out the old eight sided dice I still have from my tabletop gaming days. Ended up in Riften.