» Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:45 pm Let me just begin by saying that this is not a topic for debating the sides in the civil war. I was bored a couple of days ago, so I wrote down a quest I would have liked to see in the civil war. Hope you enjoy the read. And feel free to share ideas for quests you would have liked to see in the game.
Stormcloak start
Ulfric: “We’ve liberated Falkreath, much thanks to your effort. Our position is now sufficiently strong for me to divert efforts to securing an ally I have high hopes for. I am sending you to Fort Bleakhawk[added location for convenience] to convince the Thane of Eastmarch to rally his Horn-Hand clan behind our cause. Beware, Sten Horn-Hand is known for being unruly. He never took well to having to answer to the Jarl.”
- Player: “Then why did you make him a Thane?”
Ullfric: “It was my father who granted him his title, a few years before he passed on. But even so it wouldn’t have mattered. The Horn-Hand clan predates Talos’ rise to power in Tamriel, and have always been influential. Their army makes them impossible to ignore. I would have had to comply, should Sten have asked for a place in my court. Even now, with the Stormcloaks swelling in numbers, we could benefit immensely from their support. But, should you prove unable to convince him to join our cause, you must destroy him. I cannot allow the Thanes to act unruly in this time of conflict. It makes me look weak, and so the cause looks weak.”
- Player: “But aren’t the Thanes subjects to the Jarls’ rule?”
Ulfric: “Indeed, but they command a lot of freedom, much like the Jarls have a level of autonomy under the High King. If a Thane cannot field support among the people, he will be little more than a puppet of the Jarl. A Champion, if he is a great warrior, but still dependent on him. But, if he has power beyond that of the title, he becomes an often unpredictable factor in the daily politics of the Hold. There have been times in Eastmarch’s history when a Thane was the real ruler of the hold, because the Jarl was… well, suffice to say that his drunken public brawling and arson made him very unpopular.”
- Player: “I am off then.”
Ulfric: “Go with the Gods.”
Imperial start
Tullius: “Thanks to you, we have retaken control over the Pale. Controlling the port gives us a tighter grip on the province. Your next assignment will be a special one; I am sending you to Fort Bleakhawk, in Eastmarch. I need you to convince the Patriarch of the Horn-Hand clan to side against the Stormcloaks. Rikke tells me that, while being one of Ulfric Stormcloak’s Thanes, Sten Horn-Hand have yet to side with his liege, and that if we can convince him to join us it would weaken Ulfric’s cause among the other clans.”
- Player: “How do you know a Thane of Eastmarch will side with the Empire?”
Tullius: “Frankly, we don’t. That is why, if you’re unable to convince him, I want you to make sure he cannot throw his lot in with this rebellion. I don’t know why Ulfric allows his Thanes to disobey his orders, but I do know that the Horn-Hand clan’s army and resources could tip the war. If need be, offer him the Jarl’s throne in the Palace of Kings. It is going to be empty once we are done with the Stormcloaks.”
- Player: “Yes, sir.”
Rikke: “A moment, if you please.”
Player: “Legate.”
Rikke: “Don’t let Tullius mislead you, he is… unfamiliar with the role the Thanes play among our people. They are not mere champions of the Jarls, but political leaders of our people in their own right. It would be wise to remember this when confronting Sten Horn-Hand. He is said to be fiercely proud of his station as Thane. Implying that he has a duty to blindly follow the Jarl, the High King or even the Empire’s orders would not go over well. Now off you go, the General gave you an assignment!”
Confronting Sten Horn-Hand
Bleakhawk Guard: “Halt. This is the home of the Horn-Hand clan. State your business.”
- Player: “I seek an audience with Sten Horn-Hand, on behalf of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak/General Tullius.”
[Scene transition, Player being lead into Sten’s court. Sten Horn-Hand sits on a stone throne, wearing steel armor with pauldrons, cuffed boots and Nordic gauntlets. No helmet or weapon equipped. He has a ponytail and a thick goatee, both silver in color.]
Sten Horn-Hand: “So, the Pup of Windhelm/Military Governor wants my allegiance? I’ll tell you what I’ve told the others; I have enough to do trying to keep my subjects safe from this pointless war.”
- Player Option 1(Imperial): “Tullius said that service to the Empire will reward your clan with the Jarldom of Eastmarch.”
Sten Horn-Hand: “You and your Empire would dishonor my name, and my clan’s name, by offering me the Throne of clan Stormcloak? I may not agree with everything Ulfric have done, or everything his father did, but you will not find me willing to stab them in the back for the sake of the throne! Guards! Kill this fool! If this is the Empire’s way f buying our allegiance, they have just paid for the Stormcloaks to gain more allies.”
[Includes option of fleeing, making the Horn-Hands join Ulfric, and thus making the Stormcloaks harder to beat. Among other reasons because of more powerful units being added to their forces, and a couple of new quests added to deal with Sten Horn-Hand]
Player Option 2:1(Imperial): “Your people will suffer for as long as this war continues. If you side with the Empire, you will expedite the Stormcloaks’ defeat.”
Sten Horn-Hand: “And how could I see this as nothing more than an empty promise, made to exploit my men and money? Huh?”
Player Option 2:2(Imperial): Persuade(skill = 80): “The Legion has already solidified its position in Whiterun and the Pale. The Stormcloaks are losing ground in the war. With your aid, we can turn up the momentum.”
Sten Horn-Hand(Success): “You… bring up a fair point. As much as I respect the Stormcloak clan, my people will suffer less if the conflict ends sooner, rather than later. Tell the General that he has my support.”
Sten Horn-Hand(Failure): “You continue to talk in empty promises. Return to your General and tell him I am still not interested. We’re done here.”
[Failure will make the Horn-Hand’s stay neutral, forcing you to try to kill them to advance the quest. Failing to do so will push them towards joining the Stormcloaks.]
Player Option 3(Imperial): “I was told to make you a non-factor. That is what I am here to do!”
Sten Horn-Hand: “An assassin. I should have expected this. Actually, I did. Kill him!”
[Same result if Sten Horn-Hand survives; his clan joins the Stormcloaks.]
Player option 1(Stormcloaks): “The Jarl of Windhelm demands your support in driving the Empire from Skyrim!”
Sten Horn-Hand: “And by what right does the Jarl make demands of me? Has the Pup of Windhelm lost his way of our culture, or has he sent a messenger who have? Kill this imbecile and be done with it. I will not suffer childishness svck as this.”
[Includes option of fleeing, making the Horn-Hands join the Empire, and thus making the Legion harder to beat. Among other reasons because of more powerful units being added to their forces, and a couple of new quests added to deal with Sten Horn-Hand]
Player Option 2:1(Stormcloaks): “Your people will suffer for as long as this war continues. If you side with Ulfric, you will expedite the Empire’s defeat.”
Sten Horn-Hand: “And how could I see this as nothing more than an empty promise, made to exploit my men and money? Huh?”
Player Option 2:2(Stormcloaks) Persuade(skill = 70): “The Imperials have already been driven from Whiterun and Falkreath. Even with the Legion bolstering his city’s defenses, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater was defeated. The Legion is losing the war.”
Sten Horn-Hand(Success): “I guess you’re right. Ulfric may not be his father, but he has taken a stance against the injustice of the White-Gold Concordat. And he is winning. I would deny my duty to my people if I did not step up. You can tell Ulfric that he has my support. May Talos keep us.”
Sten Horn-Hand(Failure): “And what happens when the reinforcements from Cyrodiil arrives? How long can the Stormcloaks fight? I cannot tell. I will not risk everything I’ve worked for on a gamble to end this conflict fast. If I am wrong, my people will suffer greatly. Now leave, you’ve taken up more time than I could afford.”
[Failure forces you to try to kill Sten. If he survives, he will join the fight on the Legion’s side)
Player Option 3: “The Jarl no longer accepts your insubordination. Your life is forfeit!”
Sten Horn-Hand: “So this is what it has come to? I refused to believe that Ulfric had gone mad with power, but it seems the stories are true. Guards! Kill him!”
[Failure to kill Sten will result in him joining the Empire]
Success, Imperials
Tullius: “So, Sten Horn-Hand, you’ve decided to support the winning side of the war?”
Sten: “Yes, but I will not take any oath to the Legion. My concern is with the people of Skyrim.”
Tullius: “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’v-“
Rikke: “General!”
Tullius: “What!?”
Rikke: “Just don’t go there. We have his support. Trying to make him part of the Legion isn’t going to win us any favor.”
Sten: “You should listen to the Legate. My support comes at my terms, or not at all.”
Success, Stormcloaks
Ulfric: “Sten Horn-Hand. It is a pleasure to see you again. Especially under these circumstances.”
Sten: “The Pup of Windhelm, all grown up, fitting in his father’s boots. I am glad someone finally took a stand against the Empire and the White-Gold Concordat. Shall we get to it?”
Ulfric: “Yes, lets. We have much to discuss. I want the Horn-Hand clan on the frontier.”
Galmar: “Their ferocity will make them ideal for the vanguard to cut through the Legion. Not to mention their fine armor and weapons.”
Sten: “Then you better transfer as many Battle Maidens and Healers to help them. I will not have my family and retainers killed more than I must.”
Ulfric: “Done. With more experienced troops dealing with the Legion where it is strongest, I can free up more men to secure supply and reinforcement lines. You’ll have your healers as long as I have your soldiers.”
