Hello all!

I'm not actually new to the forums, I just lost the contact information to my old account . . .

Anyway, I typically play a Bosmeri spellsword-type character. I love the combination of stealth, light armor, marksman, melee combat with a shortsword or dagger, coupled with the regenerative prowess of Restoration. Such characters may be more of a "Paladin" due to the Restoration and fact that I typically seek to uphold justice with such characters.

However! ("This valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified!" *ahem . . .*) I was seeking to mix it up a bit with my second most-favored race, the Orc. I am very much interested in the concept of a "pure" playstyle for added challenge. In this case, an Orc who would rather trust the steel of his hammer and shield than the cheap tricks of conjurers and mages . . . Therefore, with a "pure" warrior playstyle, due to a bit of prejudice, enchanting and alchemy would be out. Alchemy is, perhaps, forgivable, as it doesn't necessarily involve "magic", but rather one could look at it as someone brewing a potent tea for the added health benefits. Perhaps, if my Orc (Urdnok Gro-Khashnar) utilizes Alchemy, he won't develop the perk tree.

So! I have a few questions:

1) Given the stereotypical "pure" warrior playstyle, do you guys think either enchanting or alchemy are permissible?

2) If an Orc would not trust mere mortals and their magical tricks, could he trust a Daedric artifact such as Spellbreaker? The power is handed down from on high as opposed to the mere mortal realm; could it be more trustworthy?

3) What sort of defenses, aside from Spellbreaker, Elemental Protection (shield perk), the Agent of Mara perk, and the Lord Stone bonuses, could one use to protect against magic? ( I see magic as being the most threatening danger later on in-game if I were to have no magical defenses )

4) Is the "pure" warrior playstyle possible with a high difficulty setting? What are your guys' experiences with this?

Edit: To touch on a bit more of the RPG side of things, Urdnock is a bit of a "witchhunter", so to speak. He values justice, righteousness, and the protection of innocent mortal lives. He is distrusting of the magic arts, for he has seen them turn so many into power-hungry totalitarian monsters. He'd rather trust his own will and constitution. He originally hailed from an Orcish stronghold, but realized that he did not approve of the societal practices his Chief often abused. He isn't one for polygamy, nor for unwarranted violence; the tradition that only a chief can reproduce, and a son must kill his father in order to become chief, depressed him and eventually forced him to flee the stronghold and venture abroad. Eventually, he'd come to side with the Stormcloaks during the Stormcloak Rebellion as, no matter how "important" the perceived integrity of the empire may be, Urdnok simply cannot justify supporting a regime that would oppress an entire people by outlawing the worship of Talos.

Possible Major/Minor skills:
One-Handed

Two-Handed

Block

Heavy Armor

Smithing

Marksman?

Alchemy?

Thank you guys for all of your thoughts and wisdom!

1) Honestly I think Alchemy and Enchanting are entirely permissible. I'm playing an Orc Berserker at the minute and I see both as being a means of self-sufficiency; the character is supposed to be a hardy survivor. Having said that, when it comes to the physicality of dealing damage I don't use any poisons, sneak attacks, weapon enchantments, ranged weaponry or other magic - it that regard the Orc is still very much the warrior archetype.

Further, historical Berserker's were believed to take intoxicants in order to induce a frenzied state - if that's not a license to use Alchemy (at least in regards to using potions on yourself) I don't know what is (my personal choice is Fly Amantia + Troll Fat + another regen stamina ingredient for a Fortify Two-Handed + Frenzy + Regenerate Stamina potion - I appreciate Frenzy doesn't do anything to the character but it's nice for role-playing purposes). I guess in regards to enchanting, if you're going to not use it IMO you shouldn't be using any magical items you find pretty much - it would be strange to eschew magic on one hand and embrace it with the other.

2) Magic is magic, so if you're against magic no I don't think you should use it. Also Daedric artefacts are could likely to be considered even worse than mundane magic, on account of their creation by evil Daedra.

3) Dragon Aspect gives both Frost and Fire Resist. Apart from that I think that's pretty much your lot on top of what you mentioned if you don't want to use magic - some of Miraak's items have absorb magic as an enchantment but they don't sound like they'd be this character's style.

4) I'm having enough difficulty on Legendary whilst using Alteration (purely for resists and an armour top-up - allegedly accounts of historical Berserker's reported that they could blunt enemies' blades with spells, which sounds like Alteration to me) and Restoration for healing. Having said that, I'm only using Fur Armour with no helmet and I haven't got round to enchanting my equipment yet - so that probably is contributing to the challenge for me. I wonder, how are you going to heal without Alchemy or Restoration?

I'd use alchemy as a minor skill, using it mainly for health potions and maybe resist magic potions. Probably wouldnt mind wearing enchanted gear bought from wise women in the orc strongholds.

Oh, and are you sure your character is ok doing the bidding of daedric princes other than malacath?

1) No Aclehmy/Enchanting. They are Magical Arts. If you're wanting a 'pure warrior', then you'd stay away from Rogue/Wizard stats

2) Read up the Lore of Orcs and you'll find that they worship a specific daedric prince. This would lead one to believe that Orcs hate the other Daedric Princes out of Loyalty to Malacarth (Spelling?).

3) If you hate magic, then you wouldn't use Enchanted gear (if you're god-tier roleplaying). However, you could use gear you find I suppose but... a pure warrior wouldn't.

4) Sure. Everything is possible if you've got the stones for it.

I am aware of the Orcish worship of Malacath (previously Trinimac - who would be more appealing to worshio, in my opinion); but with this character, I am attempting to break the mold. Urdnok's aversion to village life also permeates his "religious" beliefs. I believe he's going to go along the path of the Nine Divines. His obtaining of Spellbreaker would be oh-so-useful in thwarting magical offense, but would by no means be an allegiance to Peyrite; just a means to an end.

I will probably nix the Spellbreaker idea. It was simply a curiosity of mine.

Edit: Also, I would either heal with time, or utilize potions to do so. Alchemy is a tricky one for me; it's almost like food: "Oh, food gives you energy? Better not eat that . . . only milk-drinkers eat that stuff. The real energy comes from inside you." I wouldn't say alchemy is "magical" as no innate will, mana or power is involved; simply a mixture of ingredients. Even the most novice cook can follow a basic recipe. If a potato stew fortifies my health, or even my blade, should I not consume it?

Just get mods.

Either way, a pure warrior wouldn't use magic

I suppose that is the easiest way . . . However, mods make me both happy and sad. As for alchemy, I still am not sure that I'd call it "magic". Hmmmm . . .

My personal Orc character

Race: Orc
six: Female
Class: Barbarian
Special Ability: Berserker Rage.
Weapon: 2 X Orcish Axes. Orcish Bow with Orcish Arrows.
Wears: Forsworn & Fur armor (nothing better than a scantily clad green skin - pure six appeal )

Major Skills: One-handed (Dual & Axe), Light armor, Smithing, Alchemy, Archery, Sneak.

Maybe not for something as simple as a healing potion, but it used to be classified as a magic skill in past games for a reason.

(Think about why there would be soul gems in an Alchemy Shop)