Alternate Character System

Updated to reflect the 1.3 changes.

I created this mod because all vanilla characters start out with the same attributes and only have a handful of skills that are different between the races. I wanted different characters to feel more unique from the start, without changing the vanilla system too much. The character must be level 1 for this system to apply to them. This mod changes the following:

Note: Adjustable ranges are shown as following: [default, min-max]

- The starting level for all skills is [0, 0-15].
- The standard race bonus will be applied to the appropriate skills, just like vanilla.
- Choose a focus (Combat, Stealth or Magic). If a focus is chosen all skills in the focus will receive +[5, 0-15] to their starting level. The following adjustments will also be applied:

Combat: Carry Weight +50
Stealth: Carry Weight +25
Magic: Halcyon Mind [+50% magicka regen when not wearing armor]

- Choose up to 6 primary skills. Every primary skill chosen will receive +[10, 0-15] to their starting level.
- Choose up to 6 secondary skills. Every secondary skill chosen will receive +[5, 0-15] to their starting level.
- The following adjustments will be made for each primary skill selected. Secondary skill selections will receive half of the values specified below.

• Archery: Magicka -8, Stamina +8
  
• Block: Health +4, Magicka -8, Stamina +4
  
• Heavy Armor: Health +8, Magicka -8
  
• One-Handed: Magicka -8, Stamina +8
  
• Smithing: Health +4, Magicka -8, Stamina +4
  
• Two-Handed: Magicka -8, Stamina +8
  
• Alchemy: Health +4, Magicka +4, Stamina -8
  
• Light Armor: Health +8, Magicka -8
  
• Lockpicking: Health +4, Magicka -8, Stamina +4
  
• Pickpocket: Health +4, Magicka -8, Stamina +4
  
• Sneak: Health -8, Stamina +8
  
• Speechcraft: Health -8, Magicka +4, Stamina +4
  
• Alteration: Health -4, Magicka +8, Stamina -4
  
• Conjuration: Health -4, Magicka +8, Stamina -4
  
• Destruction: Health -4, Magicka +8, Stamina -4
  
• Enchanting: Health -8, Magicka +4, Stamina +4
  
• Illusion: Health -4, Magicka +8, Stamina -4
  
• Restoration: Health +4, Magicka +4, Stamina -8
  

- All choices made to this point will determine starting attributes. If all options were skipped vanilla rules will apply, but your starting skill level will still be [0, 0-15]. Otherwise, the following will be applied to the attribute adjustments according to what classification the character race falls in (vanilla races only). For example combat races get a reduced penalty and a bigger bonus for health adjustments.

Combat: Imperial, Nord, Orc and Redguard

• Health: (-adj) * 90%, (+adj) * 110%
  
• Magicka: (-adj) * 120%, (+adj) * 80%
  
• Stamina: (-adj) * 90%, (+adj) * 110%
  

Stealth: Argonian, Dark Elf, Khajiit and Wood Elf

• No modification of adjustments
  

Magic: Breton and High Elf

• Health: (-adj) * 110%, (+adj) * 90%
  
• Magicka: (-adj) * 80%, (+adj) * 120%
  
• Stamina: (-adj) * 110%, (+adj) * 90%
  

- The carry weight adjustment is derived as follows: carry weight adjustment + (stamina adjustment / 2).
- The starting attributes can now be modified at this point.
- Choose a starting standing stone (or none)
- Enable all attributes increasing at level up. If this option is enabled all attributes will increase at level up.

• 1st chosen attribute: +[5, 0-10]
  
• 2nd chosen attribute: +[3, 0-10]
  
• Last attribute: +[2, 0-10]
  

- Enable auto perks. If this option is enabled certain perks will be granted once the associated skill has reached the appropriate level. Each skill has 5 auto perks. The skill level at which auto perks start can also be adjusted, [10, 0-15]

Combat

• Archery [Overdraw 1-5]
  
• Block [Shield Wall 1-5]
  
• HeavyArmor [Juggernaut 1-5]
  
• OneHanded [Armsman 1-5]
  
• Smithing [Steel Smithing, Dwarven Smithing, Elven Smithing, Orcish Smithing, Advanced Armors]
  
• TwoHanded [Barbarian 1-5]
  

Stealth

• Alchemy [Alchemist 1-5]
  
• LightArmor [Agile Defender 1-5]
  
• Lockpicking [Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master]
  
• Pickpocket [Light Fingers 1-5]
  
• Sneak [Stealth 1-5]
  
• Speechcraft [Haggling 1-5]
  

Magic

• Alteration [Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master]
  
• Conjuration [Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master]
  
• Destruction [Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master]
  
• Enchanting [Enchanter 1-5]
  
• Illusion [Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master]
  
• Restoration [Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master]
  

- Additional perk points can also be enabled. This allows the character to gain an additional perk point every [5, 1-20] levels.

- MCM menu has been added. This requires SKSE and SKYUI.


Installation:
Extract the mod into your skyrim data folder and enable it.


Upgrade Note:
When upgrading from 1.0 you will get extra attribute level up messages the first level up after upgrade. Skip all messages with all three attributes showing.


Compatibility:
This mod should be compatible with alternate start mods and race menus. This mod's configuration menus will pop up the first chance they get, ie when you first get full control of your character or after the vanilla character creation. This mod is not compatible with other character creation mods like CCO. I would imagine last one wins. This mod is modular in design, all aspects can be skipped or turned off, so if an aspect is incompatible skip or disable it. A mod that changes the function of a perk should be fine. I use Better Magic and it changes a lot of the magic perks with out issue. The problem will come when a perk is removed or hidden. If a mod alters the attributes gained at level up, it may be incompatible. Most likely it will have a cumulative effect on the attribute increases.


License:
The source of this mod is also available. You can do whatever you want with it, just don't blame me if things go wrong. Basically the MIT license.


Credits:
syclonix - for the Character Creation Overhaul mod that inspired this mod. He generously provided the source for his mod to the community for personal use. I used it and the many tutorials on the web to learn how to get things done with scripts. This mod is an original work by me that was influenced by CCO.

Character Creation Overhaul:
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21587/?