2/11/24 - Latest video of Denizens of Hjaalmarch: The YT link has more information in its description section. Suffice it to say, this shows Erandur's new fire spells and takes a look at the overhauled shrine of Mara in the marsh.
If you are curious about it, check out The Denizens Switch - Morthal to Hjaalmarch video, which is attached to the Version 1.3 news post above. It explains that I am taking select content from Kindred Spirits and putting it into Denizens of Hjaalmarch.
Fear not, Kindred Spirits is still being worked on, but it will be Denizens of Hjaalmarch that paves the way for it. (Meaning that it will require DoH instead of DoM to run.)
Despite the name, Denizens of Hjaalmarch includes NPC conversations for nearly all inn-going NPCs from other holds. (Meaning that if in the vanilla game an NPC visits (or lives in) an inn as part of their schedule, they get conversation coverage.)
This is part of that select content migration I mentioned above. Due to the nature of some of the migrating content, DoH is going to be handling the heavy edits (in regard to inns) that Kindred Spirits was originally set to introduce, so I figured that the least I can do is create conversations for any inn-visiting NPCs impacted by this change.
Keen observers will notice that I edited the title to include tags of the expanded followers' names.
Too many times have I been told that hardly anyone knows that Denizens is a character expansion for Benor, Valdimar, Eisa and Erandur, so hopefully this helps people find it.
Until the Nexus' search functions (and I'm including the Quick Search in this) are improved, hideously cluttered additions like this to mod titles are almost the only way to fight back.
I'm SO excited to see the update and so, so, SO thankful you're still updating for us who still use LE! :') I haven't had a lot of desire to play Skyrim for the last few months, but will definitely be trying this out once I'm back on a Skyrim kick! <3
Aw, thank you! I didn't think I'd hear from any of my LE brethren today.
It's hard to play Skyrim when you're actively adding new features to a mod, so I've been taking refuge in some of the old Tycoon games and Fallout: New Vegas while getting things together. I also love Banished. It's been inspiring me with new ideas.
Need more for Alva expansion and covering, super interesting charachter with opportunity for tons of dialogues/lines (including follower ones) which is just pure covered in vanilla and has too little lore and dialogue lines)
P.S., yes, i any way already every playthrough traveling with her as with spouse and follower, and its fine with covering from RDO and Immersive Citizens lines already (and for most part - with imagination in head, without real in-game dialogues), but would be just cool to have some day mod which will target exactly her with line expansion, not all NPCs with same voice type)
As i already said - here is a great potential for expanding this NPC with interesting and unique lines (like "Movart fooled me and used me like a tool, im glad that you helped me and saved me from his influence instead of ... you know .... just decapitate me" and etc)
It's funny you bring that up! I actually did look into modifying and expanding the quest to provide options for Alva to survive a few months back!
It is definitely still something I want to explore, but when I sketched out exactly what I wanted to do--not only give Alva a chance to survive, but say, a full on vampire take-over of Morthal for example... ...I realized that the repercussions of my idea were extremely far-reaching. Especially when I took into account not only the Dawnguard, but also certain missing elements that Bethesda only partially implemented. So such a thing is on the back-burner for right now, but I've not given up on it!
Part of the juggle is figuring out which elements belong in which mod. So if I can fix/create the missing elements in my (work-in-progress) custom dialogue overhaul (because that's where those elements would fit), then I would have few scruples about trying to inflict my more drastic ideas onto the Laid to Rest quest--so it's far from being outside of the realm of possibility.
Thanks for stopping by! It's always so nice to receive comments on my native LE.
The update is alive and well. If you haven't already heard, it will be released anew as the "Hjaalmarch Edition" because of how much it has grown.
Once I get everything straightened out, I'm going to see if I can rearrange some of the scripts that I packed in the BSA files for easier installation of this version (the one that can be downloaded right now). If that takes place, then that one will become version 1.3 and I'll release the Hjaalmarch Edition with a version number of 2.0 to keep things sane. I'll be supporting (and updating) the Hjaalmarch Edition, but I still want this one to be available and tidy for those who prefer it.
I've been checking in every now and then on your articles and on the mod updates you put on your profile, I'm super excited for the Hjaalmarch edition! But be sure to take care of yourself, too. Your well-being is more important! <3
I keep trying to look at things if not positively, at least pragmatically. Sometimes I'm a little too good at doing that the latter, and it gets on the nerves of my far more...err, hot-headed brethren. But somebody has to be the calm one--at least outwardly.
- - - - - Stonehills is turning out to be a very interesting endeavor. And you know what's strange? If that whole "Nexus exodus" debacle in the summer of 2021 hadn't happened, I wouldn't be treating the area with the same level of depth as I currently am. So at least where that's concerned, I am very happy. I get to explore and implement my own interpretation of Hjaalmarch-related cut content without worrying about possible take-down requests. What's not to be thrilled about?
Thanks for making this mod! :) I love Morthal and Hjaalmarch, and this is awesome from my testing so far. Running The Great City of Morthal and Cities of the North - Morthal (patched for TGC and Denizens), no problems with navmesh or clipping.
I have just one "issue" (possible suggestion or request). Like many who love the swamps, I've added several mods that add fairly strong enemies north of Morthal. Falion seems somewhat able to hold his own and doesn't go too far out. However, Lami ventures into the treacherous swamps to harvest alchemy supplies.
This is a cool feature, and I do have mods to protect NPCs, but she regularly ends up on her knees, endlessly beaten down. This means she's gone from her shop/home all day and well into the night, until she finally escapes or someone rescues her. Her hanging out alone in the swamp at night or going too far is also a bit jarring when mods make it much more dangerous.
I used a lite version of Extra Guards, and this is good for putting down any threats coming into town, and hasn't broken anything yet. I do occasionally see an Elite Guard in the swamps, but it's not enough to make it safe for Lami or the kids to be wandering around.
It would be awesome if maybe we could get a couple more Elite Guards to patrol the swamps near-ish Morthal, where weaker NPCs go. Or if maybe NPCs who go out there could have higher stats or leveling. Lami may not be a dominant warrior, but maybe more HP, some basic combat, or even some potions. And maybe someone like Falion could get a boost too.
I only started PC a couple weeks ago, and have much to learn about modding. I really appreciate all the work you've done here. I know it's possible to change character leveling, and I may do that once I'm a bit more comfortable with it. But just a suggestion, I bet a lot of us would like a version to help protect characters who go out into the swamp, for when we're running a lot of enemy mods. Thank you so much for this mod. :)
That is an excellent idea! I use a lot of enemy mods myself, so I completely understand where you are coming from.
I have actually been meaning to change the Elite guards' schedules up a bit. Apparently, they take an extended "smoke break" on the porch when most people are planning to break into Alva's house and refuse to share their bench together, so that's being fixed.
I'll create some new guards and have a couple of them assigned to walk with Lami. The guard that patrols in the swamp will also be given a partner. Lami and Jorgen visit the shrine of Mara on Sundays, so I'll make sure to have to some guards travel with them there as well.
I know our discussion about Falion mostly took place in the other comment train, but this one is shorter, so I'm posting a quick (famous last words) update here.
Work has finally begun on the expanded quest of Falion's Secret! I came up with some additional content, but I won't spoil the details here in case my efforts do not pan out--but I'm very excited about how it's looking so far!
I am also giving serious consideration into making Falion an Anchor character--a status that only Benor, Erandur, Valdimar and Eisa currently share in Denizens.
Although Denizens' sibling mod (Kindred Spirits) will introduce more Anchor characters--both already-existing and new NPCs alike--the rule I follow is one Anchor character per voice type. Falion's voice type is MaleSlyCynical. I had planned to use Cynric (of the Thieves Guild) for this position, and if his voice actor had recorded the majority of his dialogue in the same quiet way as he did for Garret in the Thief games, I would absolutely hold to my first choice. As it stands, the MaleSlyCynical voice type is prone to being loud and irritated, much like a certain brilliant, if crabby, mage who makes his home in Morthal.
If Falion does end up with Anchor status, then I'll eventually see about getting him as much Main Quest and DLC quest-awareness as I can manage (his voice type tends to grate on my ears, so hopefully I'll be able to power through). Right now, I just want to get the update (nowadays known as the Hjaalmarch Edition, which will be a fresh release with the same esp name) finished up and shipped out.
I came across this mod last night and I just wanna say to OP, thank you so much for sharing this. I adore this mod and the life is breathes into the vanilla NPCs! I especially love the changes to Benor and Eisa, both of them deserve so much more love from the community. <3 I can't wait to see more of your work in future!
* The only complaint I have so far is sometimes the characters will dance(?) when they talk. Other than that, I've had no issues lol.
Thank you, Aelinore. Both Benor and Eisa have gained a great deal of additional dialogue since the mod originally released! I hope I get to unleash the 1.3 update sooner rather than later.
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The dancing is not from Denizens. I have heard of that happening before, though. Here's just a few quick examples:
Mods like Amazing Follower Tweaks, or really anything that decides to replace any of the animations that are used in conversations can cause seemingly random dancing to happen.
You are likely seeing this because Denizens makes more use of the various animations that Bethesda designed for conversations, but rarely implemented. Most likely the dancing NPCs are supposed to be folding their arms, pointing, and using happy or exasperated idles. Check to see what else you are running.
Aaah, that's good to know! I do use AFT, so that's probs why. :D I was super surprised to see Valdimar busting it down mid-convo lol. Tysm for replying and tysm again for sharing your work, I'm looking forward to 1.3!
I just wanted to mention that this is a really good mod. I sort of installed and forgot. and after I installed I pretty much ignored Morthal. But I kept running into "what did I just hear that NPC say? what the heck did THAT come from?!" around and about outside of Morthal...
Which is weird for a Morthal mod, btw.
Regardless, excellent work, thank you. it's not like the other mods....
You know, I sometimes get this sad feeling that Denizens would have been more popular if I had started with Whiterun instead of Morthal. So few appreciate the beauty of the desolate swamps...
Although work on version 1.3 must continue as a priority for the time being, I have managed to work on the sibling mod quite a bit--but still no Whiterun coverage! I shall continue as an invisible rebel, and focus on more neglected areas first.
You can do it, you can do it, if you put your mind to it!
Just found this mod while searching for something to expand Erandur; looks pretty cool!
Unfortunately I'm on Xbox atm. Any chance of a port? Or can you give permission for someone else port? I'm sure there's an expanded audience on the system, that would appreciate your work! I know I would.
Thanks for your consideration, I hope this message finds you well.
This December has been particularly depressing, so thank you very much for the mood boost.
You know it's pretty bad when you can't even motivate yourself to launch a game you love. I need to make more of an effort. All I have to really do is double-click on an icon--I'm sure if I play Skyrim again it will cast its familiar spell. It saved me from the depths of despair before, so maybe it can do so again...?
Well, to actually answer your question, I have arranged for StoneSprialGaming to share Denizens on the XBox when version 1.3 is finally complete.
Let me ask you something, though. I have not the faintest idea of how modding works on the XBox, so maybe you can enlighten me.
Are you XBox players able to make patches? One of the complaints about Denizens from my PC players was the physical character edits--it happens to be one of the reasons why working on version 1.3 has kept me in a constant state of recurring burnout.
A FOMOD is something folks really seem to want for 1.3, but StoneSpiralGaming tells me that the XBox cannot utilize a FOMOD, which makes me very hesitant to even attempt implementing one. Furthermore, now we have this Anniversary Edition update to contend with, which affects SKSE, which I guess FOMODs have to use. I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea right now--I can barely run Skyrim Special Edition, so I don't even want to touch the AE update for a good long while, but if I should manage to create a FOMOD, then it might not work for any AE players.
I. FEEL. SO. TRAPPED. I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't. All I want to do is MOD!!!
I am sorry to vent so much. I just can't help feeling that if I hadn't been such a idiot for caving in to every single demand, that 1.3 would have been feature complete and released long ago.
*deep breath*
If patching isn't too much of a trial for XBox players, then I'll stop letting the FOMOD torment my brain. I eventually want to add one (especially for Kindred Spirits), but there's just too much going on right now.
One last question: Do you truly like version 1.2? I don't know when 1.3 is going to be released, but if 1.2 seems patchable/workable for XBox players, then I will consider letting StoneSpiralGaming upload it in the near future. If you folks can get any enjoyment out of Denizens as it currently is, then I hardly want to stand in the way of that.
I'm not sure about any of the technical stuff, and I just got my Xbox, but I can relate to a lot of what you're saying. There's a subreddit SkyrimModsXbox that some of the pro's frequent, and I could try and find out!
I'll try to tell you what I can, and maybe that'll help. I think Xbox uses the same-ish sort of style that SSE mod store does with an esp, though I'm not sure how AE has affected things. Xbox has a 5gb mod-space cap, so we usually go for 1k textures, or generally smaller versions or even stripped down "lite" versions of some mods. Unused assets left in are killers. There's for sure patches add things or to get compatibility, ideally we'd start with something small and add or bundle. Though usually the patches themselves are also ported, some porters and creators make their own (not the end user creating it to apply directly, it needs to be on Bethesda's servers). No SKSE on Xbox is right sadly, just the in game store for everything. I'm sure people will look to use your mod(s) with RDO, or ask for it to be bundled with other mods (bundles are all the rage on Xbox too, because there's also a 150 "slot" limit).
Sorry, I think that's the extent of what I know, and it may not even what you're asking. Snipey seems like a good and helpful dude, I'm sure he'd help with more specific answers.
As for the other stuff, sounds like anxiety, and depression! I agree that zoning out into a game can help for awhile, especially if it helps you get your legs under you. I find audiobooks and just laying down while I listen is also a good way to unwind. I'm sort of a testament as to why you shouldn't let escapism take over though, I just got worse over the years because I can't fully deal with the things I feel. I don't particularly recommend it, haha. Slow things down and practice mindfulness when you're feeling overwhelmed.
Don't be afraid to ask for help, you don't have to do everything yourself! Alternatively lower the bar, and let people take what you'll give them, what you want to do, that's okay. If you put high expectations on yourself(or let others do it), you can end up crushing yourself under the weight! You don't have to be perfect or get things right the first time, sometimes it's just about the grind. Sending some e-hugs friend!
At the end of the day, "we"(users) don't matter, you and your love for your project do. You're not getting paid, and most people don't even think about the person behind the mod, just "does it work RIGHT NOW". Don't let people who dgaf bring you down. You hold all the cards, embrace your power; some people will always find a reason to *censored* and over-critique. If "they" want something so bad, make them work on it with permissions(just takes a screenshot of you saying it's okay to modify your work, from my understanding) while you maintain and create the core.
To your last question; I'm afraid I've never gotten to use your mod, so I can't speak to liking it. I like the idea of it, if that helps, hah. I want to be able to use it, to speak selfishly! Seems like there's not much to expand our boy Erandur (and less or none on this system), people really overlook him for some reason. Probably the skill distribution. I wanted to use him for his commentary on places, really feel some lore, and life in the character through mods (that's how I found your page).
I hope anything I've said has been helpful. One step (or sometimes a baby step) at a time! You're not alone in those feelings!
Last thing, that helps me:
I always try to tell myself, if you wouldn't take someone's opinion on how to do something right, you shouldn't take their opinion on how to do something wrong.
I had a breakdown not too long after my writing my response to you--please don't blame yourself, I think it was bound to happen sooner rather than later. Anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder are a huge part of my family linage. I should have considered that fact more deeply when I first thought of sharing my mods. In truth, I think I'm too much of a worrywart and a perfectionist to make an ideal mod author.
I have decided to distance myself from the Nexus and the other modding forums for the foreseeable future. I need to make some progress (in more ways than one), so I'll just stick to mod updates via youtube for now.
XBox or PC, Version 1.3 or even 1.2--it doesn't matter. There will always be compatibility issues that will need to be solved, and I'm not getting anything done by incessantly worrying about what may or may not pose a problem. Some years ago I erased a sizable chunk of a novel for the exact same reason. I obviously don't want to inflict that sort of total annihilation on my mods, so I will leave them as they are and continue to grow them as I see fit.
Thank you for the advice and helping me see the light. My mods only exist because they were passion projects that made me happy. Uploading them was a mistake and turned that happiness sour, but I can find the old joy again if I stop worrying about what others expect and distance myself accordingly.
This mod is really amazing all the npcs talk to eachother now, is amazing. Thank you lollia! I would like to know if there is something alike for whiterun or other cities. Great mod
Thank you for the kind words, Geradius! It's good folks like you who draw me back into modding.
I have just returned from a bit of hiatus (a heavy dose of burnout struck with the onset of winter), so the first things on my priority list are the 1.3 update for Denizens (more on that in a moment), some work on an alchemy-oriented mod (Living Garden), and possibly an update for my family interaction mod (Fare Thee Well).
To answer your question, there is indeed a mod in the works that will give the same treatment to Whiterun along with the other Skyrim holds and Solstheim. It is called Kindred Spirits and it will require Denizens to run. Given its larger scope, it will take a while to be complete. Despite its work-in-progress status, Dawnstar and Raven Rock have turned out really well so far!
The 1.3 update for Denizens is actually pretty critical to Kindred Spirits. Two summers ago, it was decided that it would be best for me to add idle markers to nearly all of the inns in game. (Denizens adds them only to the Moorside in the currently released version.) This way one of the major conflicts (having to choose between using Denizens or using a mod specifically for adding extra idle markers to the inns) can be avoided, and (inn-wise) everything should be pretty much all set for when Kindred Spirits arrives!
I'm still working my way through some of the dialogue additions for version 1.3, but hopefully it will see the light of day sooner rather than later.
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2/11/24 - Latest video of Denizens of Hjaalmarch: The YT link has more information in its description section. Suffice it to say, this shows Erandur's new fire spells and takes a look at the overhauled shrine of Mara in the marsh.
If you are curious about it, check out The Denizens Switch - Morthal to Hjaalmarch video, which is attached to the Version 1.3 news post above. It explains that I am taking select content from Kindred Spirits and putting it into Denizens of Hjaalmarch.
Fear not, Kindred Spirits is still being worked on, but it will be Denizens of Hjaalmarch that paves the way for it. (Meaning that it will require DoH instead of DoM to run.)
Despite the name, Denizens of Hjaalmarch includes NPC conversations for nearly all inn-going NPCs from other holds. (Meaning that if in the vanilla game an NPC visits (or lives in)
an inn as part of their schedule, they get conversation coverage.)
This is part of that select content migration I mentioned above. Due to the nature of some of the migrating content, DoH is going to be handling the heavy edits (in regard to inns) that Kindred Spirits was originally set to introduce, so I figured that the least I can do is create conversations for any inn-visiting NPCs impacted by this change.
My grandmother died this morning. She did not go gently.
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Mods will stay visible, but I will be closing the comment sections. I do not trust myself to talk to anyone just now.
Too many times have I been told that hardly anyone knows that Denizens is a character expansion for Benor, Valdimar, Eisa and Erandur, so hopefully this helps people find it.
Until the Nexus' search functions (and I'm including the Quick Search in this) are improved,
hideously clutteredadditions like this to mod titles are almost the only way to fight back.It's hard to play Skyrim when you're actively adding new features to a mod, so I've been taking refuge in some of the old Tycoon games and Fallout: New Vegas while getting things together. I also love Banished. It's been inspiring me with new ideas.
P.S., yes, i any way already every playthrough traveling with her as with spouse and follower, and its fine with covering from RDO and Immersive Citizens lines already (and for most part - with imagination in head, without real in-game dialogues), but would be just cool to have some day mod which will target exactly her with line expansion, not all NPCs with same voice type)
As i already said - here is a great potential for expanding this NPC with interesting and unique lines (like "Movart fooled me and used me like a tool, im glad that you helped me and saved me from his influence instead of ... you know .... just decapitate me" and etc)
It is definitely still something I want to explore, but when I sketched out exactly what I wanted to do--not only give Alva a chance to survive, but say, a full on vampire take-over of Morthal for example...
Part of the juggle is figuring out which elements belong in which mod. So if I can fix/create the missing elements in my (work-in-progress) custom dialogue overhaul (because that's where those elements would fit), then I would have few scruples about trying to inflict my more drastic ideas onto the Laid to Rest quest--so it's far from being outside of the realm of possibility.
The update is alive and well. If you haven't already heard, it will be released anew as the "Hjaalmarch Edition" because of how much it has grown.
Once I get everything straightened out, I'm going to see if I can rearrange some of the scripts that I packed in the BSA files for easier installation of this version (the one that can be downloaded right now). If that takes place, then that one will become version 1.3 and I'll release the Hjaalmarch Edition with a version number of 2.0 to keep things sane. I'll be supporting (and updating) the Hjaalmarch Edition, but I still want this one to be available and tidy for those who prefer it.
I keep trying to look at things if not positively, at least pragmatically. Sometimes I'm a little too good at doing that the latter, and it gets on the nerves of my far more...err, hot-headed brethren. But somebody has to be the calm one--at least outwardly.
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Stonehills is turning out to be a very interesting endeavor. And you know what's strange? If that whole "Nexus exodus" debacle in the summer of 2021 hadn't happened, I wouldn't be treating the area with the same level of depth as I currently am. So at least where that's concerned, I am very happy. I get to explore and implement my own interpretation of Hjaalmarch-related cut content without worrying about possible take-down requests. What's not to be thrilled about?
I have just one "issue" (possible suggestion or request). Like many who love the swamps, I've added several mods that add fairly strong enemies north of Morthal. Falion seems somewhat able to hold his own and doesn't go too far out. However, Lami ventures into the treacherous swamps to harvest alchemy supplies.
This is a cool feature, and I do have mods to protect NPCs, but she regularly ends up on her knees, endlessly beaten down. This means she's gone from her shop/home all day and well into the night, until she finally escapes or someone rescues her. Her hanging out alone in the swamp at night or going too far is also a bit jarring when mods make it much more dangerous.
I used a lite version of Extra Guards, and this is good for putting down any threats coming into town, and hasn't broken anything yet. I do occasionally see an Elite Guard in the swamps, but it's not enough to make it safe for Lami or the kids to be wandering around.
It would be awesome if maybe we could get a couple more Elite Guards to patrol the swamps near-ish Morthal, where weaker NPCs go. Or if maybe NPCs who go out there could have higher stats or leveling. Lami may not be a dominant warrior, but maybe more HP, some basic combat, or even some potions. And maybe someone like Falion could get a boost too.
I only started PC a couple weeks ago, and have much to learn about modding. I really appreciate all the work you've done here. I know it's possible to change character leveling, and I may do that once I'm a bit more comfortable with it. But just a suggestion, I bet a lot of us would like a version to help protect characters who go out into the swamp, for when we're running a lot of enemy mods. Thank you so much for this mod. :)
I have actually been meaning to change the Elite guards' schedules up a bit. Apparently, they take an extended "smoke break" on the porch when most people are planning to break into Alva's house and refuse to share their bench together, so that's being fixed.
I'll create some new guards and have a couple of them assigned to walk with Lami. The guard that patrols in the swamp will also be given a partner. Lami and Jorgen visit the shrine of Mara on Sundays, so I'll make sure to have to some guards travel with them there as well.
I know our discussion about Falion mostly took place in the other comment train, but this one is shorter, so I'm posting a quick (famous last words) update here.
Work has finally begun on the expanded quest of Falion's Secret! I came up with some additional content, but I won't spoil the details here in case my efforts do not pan out--but I'm very excited about how it's looking so far!
I am also giving serious consideration into making Falion an Anchor character--a status that only Benor, Erandur, Valdimar and Eisa currently share in Denizens.
Although Denizens' sibling mod (Kindred Spirits) will introduce more Anchor characters--both already-existing and new NPCs alike--the rule I follow is one Anchor character per voice type. Falion's voice type is MaleSlyCynical. I had planned to use Cynric (of the Thieves Guild) for this position, and if his voice actor had recorded the majority of his dialogue in the same quiet way as he did for Garret in the Thief games, I would absolutely hold to my first choice. As it stands, the MaleSlyCynical voice type is prone to being loud and irritated, much like a certain brilliant, if crabby, mage who makes his home in Morthal.
If Falion does end up with Anchor status, then I'll eventually see about getting him as much Main Quest and DLC quest-awareness as I can manage (his voice type tends to grate on my ears, so hopefully I'll be able to power through). Right now, I just want to get the update (nowadays known as the Hjaalmarch Edition, which will be a fresh release with the same esp name) finished up and shipped out.
* The only complaint I have so far is sometimes the characters will dance(?) when they talk. Other than that, I've had no issues lol.
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The dancing is not from Denizens. I have heard of that happening before, though. Here's just a few quick examples:
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/8he159/npcs_showing_me_their_sweet_dance_moves/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYmJa7hzz70&t=4m48s
https://old.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/uxwkws/help_with_load_order_and_random_dancing_npcs/
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/1473095965308759214/
Mods like Amazing Follower Tweaks, or really anything that decides to replace any of the animations that are used in conversations can cause seemingly random dancing to happen.
You are likely seeing this because Denizens makes more use of the various animations that Bethesda designed for conversations, but rarely implemented. Most likely the dancing NPCs are supposed to be folding their arms, pointing, and using happy or exasperated idles. Check to see what else you are running.
Which is weird for a Morthal mod, btw.
Regardless, excellent work, thank you. it's not like the other mods....
You know, I sometimes get this sad feeling that Denizens would have been more popular if I had started with Whiterun instead of Morthal. So few appreciate the beauty of the desolate swamps...
Although work on version 1.3 must continue as a priority for the time being, I have managed to work on the sibling mod quite a bit--but still no Whiterun coverage! I shall continue as an invisible rebel, and focus on more neglected areas first.
Just found this mod while searching for something to expand Erandur; looks pretty cool!
Unfortunately I'm on Xbox atm. Any chance of a port? Or can you give permission for someone else port? I'm sure there's an expanded audience on the system, that would appreciate your work! I know I would.
Thanks for your consideration, I hope this message finds you well.
You know it's pretty bad when you can't even motivate yourself to launch a game you love. I need to make more of an effort. All I have to really do is double-click on an icon--I'm sure if I play Skyrim again it will cast its familiar spell. It saved me from the depths of despair before, so maybe it can do so again...?
Well, to actually answer your question, I have arranged for StoneSprialGaming to share Denizens on the XBox when version 1.3 is finally complete.
Let me ask you something, though. I have not the faintest idea of how modding works on the XBox, so maybe you can enlighten me.
Are you XBox players able to make patches? One of the complaints about Denizens from my PC players was the physical character edits--it happens to be one of the reasons why working on version 1.3 has kept me in a constant state of recurring burnout.
A FOMOD is something folks really seem to want for 1.3, but StoneSpiralGaming tells me that the XBox cannot utilize a FOMOD, which makes me very hesitant to even attempt implementing one. Furthermore, now we have this Anniversary Edition update to contend with, which affects SKSE, which I guess FOMODs have to use. I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea right now--I can barely run Skyrim Special Edition, so I don't even want to touch the AE update for a good long while, but if I should manage to create a FOMOD, then it might not work for any AE players.
I. FEEL. SO. TRAPPED. I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't. All I want to do is MOD!!!
I am sorry to vent so much. I just can't help feeling that if I hadn't been such a idiot for caving in to every single demand, that 1.3 would have been feature complete and released long ago.
*deep breath*
If patching isn't too much of a trial for XBox players, then I'll stop letting the FOMOD torment my brain. I eventually want to add one (especially for Kindred Spirits), but there's just too much going on right now.
One last question: Do you truly like version 1.2? I don't know when 1.3 is going to be released, but if 1.2 seems patchable/workable for XBox players, then I will consider letting StoneSpiralGaming upload it in the near future. If you folks can get any enjoyment out of Denizens as it currently is, then I hardly want to stand in the way of that.
I'll try to tell you what I can, and maybe that'll help. I think Xbox uses the same-ish sort of style that SSE mod store does with an esp, though I'm not sure how AE has affected things. Xbox has a 5gb mod-space cap, so we usually go for 1k textures, or generally smaller versions or even stripped down "lite" versions of some mods. Unused assets left in are killers.
There's for sure patches add things or to get compatibility, ideally we'd start with something small and add or bundle. Though usually the patches themselves are also ported, some porters and creators make their own (not the end user creating it to apply directly, it needs to be on Bethesda's servers). No SKSE on Xbox is right sadly, just the in game store for everything. I'm sure people will look to use your mod(s) with RDO, or ask for it to be bundled with other mods (bundles are all the rage on Xbox too, because there's also a 150 "slot" limit).
Sorry, I think that's the extent of what I know, and it may not even what you're asking. Snipey seems like a good and helpful dude, I'm sure he'd help with more specific answers.
As for the other stuff, sounds like anxiety, and depression! I agree that zoning out into a game can help for awhile, especially if it helps you get your legs under you. I find audiobooks and just laying down while I listen is also a good way to unwind. I'm sort of a testament as to why you shouldn't let escapism take over though, I just got worse over the years because I can't fully deal with the things I feel. I don't particularly recommend it, haha. Slow things down and practice mindfulness when you're feeling overwhelmed.
Don't be afraid to ask for help, you don't have to do everything yourself! Alternatively lower the bar, and let people take what you'll give them, what you want to do, that's okay. If you put high expectations on yourself(or let others do it), you can end up crushing yourself under the weight! You don't have to be perfect or get things right the first time, sometimes it's just about the grind. Sending some e-hugs friend!
At the end of the day, "we"(users) don't matter, you and your love for your project do. You're not getting paid, and most people don't even think about the person behind the mod, just "does it work RIGHT NOW". Don't let people who dgaf bring you down. You hold all the cards, embrace your power; some people will always find a reason to *censored* and over-critique. If "they" want something so bad, make them work on it with permissions(just takes a screenshot of you saying it's okay to modify your work, from my understanding) while you maintain and create the core.
To your last question; I'm afraid I've never gotten to use your mod, so I can't speak to liking it. I like the idea of it, if that helps, hah. I want to be able to use it, to speak selfishly! Seems like there's not much to expand our boy Erandur (and less or none on this system), people really overlook him for some reason. Probably the skill distribution. I wanted to use him for his commentary on places, really feel some lore, and life in the character through mods (that's how I found your page).
I hope anything I've said has been helpful. One step (or sometimes a baby step) at a time! You're not alone in those feelings!
Last thing, that helps me:
I always try to tell myself, if you wouldn't take someone's opinion on how to do something right, you shouldn't take their opinion on how to do something wrong.
I have decided to distance myself from the Nexus and the other modding forums for the foreseeable future. I need to make some progress (in more ways than one), so I'll just stick to mod updates via youtube for now.
XBox or PC, Version 1.3 or even 1.2--it doesn't matter. There will always be compatibility issues that will need to be solved, and I'm not getting anything done by incessantly worrying about what may or may not pose a problem. Some years ago I erased a sizable chunk of a novel for the exact same reason. I obviously don't want to inflict that sort of total annihilation on my mods, so I will leave them as they are and continue to grow them as I see fit.
Thank you for the advice and helping me see the light. My mods only exist because they were passion projects that made me happy. Uploading them was a mistake and turned that happiness sour, but I can find the old joy again if I stop worrying about what others expect and distance myself accordingly.
I have just returned from a bit of hiatus (a heavy dose of burnout struck with the onset of winter), so the first things on my priority list are the 1.3 update for Denizens (more on that in a moment), some work on an alchemy-oriented mod (Living Garden), and possibly an update for my family interaction mod (Fare Thee Well).
To answer your question, there is indeed a mod in the works that will give the same treatment to Whiterun along with the other Skyrim holds and Solstheim. It is called Kindred Spirits and it will require Denizens to run. Given its larger scope, it will take a while to be complete. Despite its work-in-progress status, Dawnstar and Raven Rock have turned out really well so far!
The 1.3 update for Denizens is actually pretty critical to Kindred Spirits. Two summers ago, it was decided that it would be best for me to add idle markers to nearly all of the inns in game. (Denizens adds them only to the Moorside in the currently released version.) This way one of the major conflicts (having to choose between using Denizens or using a mod specifically for adding extra idle markers to the inns) can be avoided, and (inn-wise) everything should be pretty much all set for when Kindred Spirits arrives!
I'm still working my way through some of the dialogue additions for version 1.3, but hopefully it will see the light of day sooner rather than later.