So I have a custom creature using the Xivilai skeleton, with custom animations set up based on an older version of JCarl's werewolf... I want to give the creature a weapon to use (just like the Xivilai wields two-handed weapons with one hand). So far it is working perfect except for one thing - when they are not in combat, the weapon is just stuck to their back, which looks silly because they are a beast who would not harness the weapon to their back. I just want them to keep holding the weapon in their hand even when they are idle. Does anyone know how I would make this happen? I THINK the Xivilai already work this way because I've always seen their weapon in their hand and never on their back, so I can't figure out why my custom creature is putting it on his back instead.

You can use "http://cs.elderscrolls.com/index.php/SetAlert 1" in the gamemode block of their scripts to force them to keep their weapon drawn. That would probably be the simplest way. If you want to optimize it a bit, put conditions around it so it only runs when logically needed (the player is near, not in combat, etc.).

Ack! Actually I was wrong about the skeleton. Upon investigation I see that the skeleton is NOT the Xivilai skeleton. I had assumed it was since the animations are so similar, which I feel really stupid for now. I'm going to tinker with it in Nifskope and see what I can accomplish. Maybe simply removing the back weapon node will solve it.