[WIP] Back up your save games before installing!
Current Version: v0.81.

***NOTE ON MOD FORMAT***

During the creation of this mod, I realized that it was quickly becoming bigger than I had imagined. I also realized that not everyone would want to use all the changes to gameplay that PISE offers. The main PISE.esp contains changes highlighted in the ***BASICS*** section below; however, all the changes available in the PISE.esp are also available as standalone, separate .esps. There are other optional .esps that can be used in addition to PISE.esp or to any of the separate .esps. However, some of them depend on another plugin to work properly, so read the file list at the bottom of this readme carefully! Thanks to my girlfriend for putting together this readme.

***INSTALLATION***

Install via BAIN in Wrye Bash.

Alternate Language Installation:
1) Check if the language has a downloadable strings file associated with it.
2) If not, duplicate the Skyrim_[language] string files and rename them to PISE_[language] with the same extensions (so three files in total). If using a separated or optional plugin that requires strings, do the same with the [plugin name]_[language] for other copies.


***BASICS***
This mod, as its name indicates, aims at making Skyrim a more challenging and rewarding game without changing the feel of vanilla Skyrim. The changes made by this mod can be divided into different categories. This section deals with the changes in the main PISE.esp; for a list of changes in the optional .esps, see file list below. (note: more detailed gameplay changelog visible at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bmmloY_UGalbMvpoYLwhuF4bb4RXwg5cp4ykxAgC7KY/edit )

Basically, the main PISE.esp features:
- More spawns
- Harder enemies (deleveled dragons, mages make use of healing spells, bosses shout sooner and more accurately, humanoids have and use potions)
- Overhauled enemy AI (blocking more often, power attacks, better aiming, faster reaction times)
- Harder battles (enemies detect you easier when looking directly at you, mages may heal their allies)
- Less leveled loot and NPC's

***AUTHOR'S NOTE***
Before you ask: there's much that I cannot do without the CK. There's a lot of AI issues that I'd like to address, that are currently unavailable to me. This mod is a work in progress. If you're interested in where I am headed, this is the thread to go to: http://forums.bethsoft.com/index.php?/topic/1317388-wiprelz-pise-plutos-improved-skyrim-experience/

And if you like it, endorse it!

I also have a progress page on google documents:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiAQSMjBQ6EQdHp6Rk9sU1VubmZkVUhnTmhhUkctenc

I'll be expanding this list with exactly *what* I'm working on, what I'll be working on next, and the completion stage of all components.

Thanks! Feedback is always welcome.

Btw; If you haven't already, check out DLL on the tesnexus. I'm working with the author quite extensively for future mods.


***CONTACT***
Via nexus @ Plutoman101 or the Bethsoft forums @ Plutoman

***Credits***
esoterism - girlfriend, she created my documentation
Omnomnom25 - tons of ai settings tests
Everyone who's given me feedback!

***Known Bugs***
Raised thralls from NPC's can have a low level. Some calculations don't work properly when the player is below the zone level. In most cases, this won't affect gameplay. However, if you feel it bothers you, disable the PISE-Encounter zones (or move to using separated files).


***FILE LIST***
*Main:
-PISE.esp - includes every change described in ***BASIC*** above. Requires the associated Strings folder; replace if using an alternate language.

*Separated:
-PISE-AI Tweaks Only.esp - includes AI tweaks, minus sneak modifications.
-PISE-Increased Level Scales.esp - includes modification to level scaling for difficulty.
-PISE-Increased Spawns Only.esp - only includes increased spawns.
-PISE-Loot Tweaks Only.esp - only includes the modifications to loot.
-PISE-NPC Tweaks and Potions.esp - only includes addition of spells to NPC's, flags changed, and potions for humanoids.
-PISE-Sneak Tweaks Only.esp - only includes the changes to sneak detection.
-PISE-Dragon Weighting Only.esp - only includes the de-leveling and weighting to dragon spawns.
-PISE-Gold Tweaks Only.esp - only includes the changes to gold levels.
-PISE-NPC Equipment Tweaks Only.esp - only includes the changes to NPC equipment.
-PISE-Vendor TWeaks Only.esp - only includes the changes to vendors.
-PISE-Bartering Tweaks.esp - Modifies the merchant bartering to make selling/buying more expensive for the player.
-PISE-Encouter Zones Only.esp - Modifies the encounter zones, setting minimum levels along the main quest, guild quests, and various dungeons/caves (in a pattern - the farther from cities and roads, the more dangerous). Once you are past the minimum level, the area scales normally, but prior, it will be a much higher level than you.

*Optionals:
-PISE-More Intense Level Scaling - a more drastic change to level scaling. Load in after the main PISE.esp or in alternative to the PISE-Increased Level Scales.esp.
-PISE-Reduced Potions.esp - potions have 4 chances at 10% each to appear, from 20%. Load after main or NPC Spell Lists and Potions.
-Darker Nights and Bright Skies.esp - Reduces light while retaining a brighter sky, and mildly reduces overall nighttime brightness settings.
-WeaponsOf3E Pise Compatibility Plugin.esp - Adds all of the Weapons of a Third Era new weapons to the de-leveled vendor lists with proper rarities. Load after PISE-Vendors and use this .esp instead of the original Weapons of a Third Era esp. NOTE: YOU STILL HAVE TO DOWNLOAD THE MOD.