Maybe I missed some vital discussion as I don't cover this board regularly any more, but I had a startle today. I decided to start a new 'toon so did the New option instead of the Continue and found myself in a whole new setup. When did this happen or is it universal or only on a few setups?

Anyway, I'm in a cabin and consult Mara but not sure what that consult is about. Then I get xferred out of the place to other places depending on which Mara option I chose (I tried several run throughs). So far I've yet to survive for more than 5 minutes real time in the new scenario, but I"ve been trying a majick user and as I found before, they are vastly underpowered. Yeah, I read all the threads here on how they can be high powered but it doesn't work for me at least at LVL 1.

Anyway, my problem isn't surviving but if this start is something new and if it's been documented somewhere.

Sounds like you have the alternate start mod.

Live another Life, I think it's called.

No changes were made to the vanilla opening. So, it's definitely a mod.

Could be, but I haven't installed any mods lately so for some reason, it's been there for years dormant. Beats me what could activate it. I'll check.

Edit:

Yes, that was it. It has been installed for literally years but never clicked into action until now. I have no idea why. Mod mysteries.....

yup that's Live Another Life. one of the best mods out there for creating a character how you want because you can start anywhere. If your going to use it though I suggest getting the latest version. It has new locations and may be more compatible with anything else you might install from this point on.

Thanks, yeah, it was one fast start. No starter dungeon tho so no good for any new coming to the game.

Skyrim Unbound is another option.

well the way the mod works is you appear in that room with the statue of Mara. There you can pick how you want to begin. You can select the vanilla start if you like, or any number of other locations. Each race can have its own unique start. Like a khajiit can start out with a caravan. or a Breton start out as a forsworn. You can start as a necromancer, or a vampire. your choice.

I never understood those options so went vanilla by accident. Well, I did start a new 'toon by deactivating the mod so went the Helgen route again. Out and off so am satisfied.