So — you are the Dragonborn, walking the path toward becoming a legend. Your days are filled with battles against monsters, politics, and the search for ancient artifacts. But even the most glorious journey comes to an end, and one day you might want to put down roots… at home, by a warm hearth with a bowl of hot soup.
You may be a hero, but all your accomplishments pale in comparison to the inability to pass something on. A true legacy lies in the children you raise.
The game already lets you buy or even build your own home, start a family, and settle on your own land. But that mechanic is flat and offers no real parenting experience.
This mod intends to fix that.
Children are no longer just decorations
Decided to get yourself a little rascal? Wonderful! But remember, this is a big responsibility. You can’t just go off exploring Dwemer ruins for half a year without consequences anymore. Children are waiting for you at home — and they won’t be happy if their father forgets they exist.
Children now have a Reputation system. To maintain a good reputation, you must visit your children at least once a week. If they grow up with a trusting relationship with you, they may even ask for fatherly advice in the future.
But if you’re gone too long, you risk losing that connection — and they may run away from home. Just like in real life — neglect a child, and they fall in with the wrong crowd and go down a dark path.
Of course, you can try to find your child and bring them back home. But they will never fully trust you again. And if you disappear from their life once more — they’ll run away again, this time for good.
Children have their own Interests
Surely you’re not planning to visit your child empty-handed, right? Now, every gift you bring helps shape their future.
Children have their own Interest system, tied to one of seven professions: Bard, Soldier, Mage, Scholar, Hunter, Priest, and even Thief.
Give your child the right gifts to support their interest in a particular path.
The house matters too
Let’s be honest — the place a child grows up in greatly affects who they become. The same applies here: the house you choose will directly influence their future profession.
Did your son grow up behind Solitude’s walls? He might be interested in becoming a soldier of the Empire. Riften? Don’t worry — the local Thieves Guild surely caught his attention. What about Whiterun? He’ll definitely like the Companions. Even the presence of a temple in the city can strongly affect the child’s worldview.
Surroundings matter too!
Surely you don’t think the people who live in your house have no influence?
Now the profession of your spouse, your steward, and even the presence of a Bard in the home will affect your child’s development.
So take choosing your spouse seriously.
And maybe hiring an orc as steward while dreaming of your daughter’s musical career — isn’t the best idea.
Children won’t stay children forever
You have 70 days to influence your child’s Interests before they grow up.
Don’t worry — you won’t miss their birthday if you have a spouse who will kindly send a messenger to remind you to come home on time.
And as a father (or mother), you’ll have a serious conversation with your son or daughter — and ask what they want to become. And if your child trusts you, they may even ask for your advice.
Parental worries
Now you’ll need to help your child get the best education in Skyrim and support them in becoming a full member of society. But entering any College — or even the Army — can be expensive for parents.
Teenagers no longer need as much attention as children, so now you can visit your family once a month.
But your son or daughter will send you letters, asking you to bring them certain things to increase their chances of successful admission.
You can bring the items yourself — or send money instead.
And if you have a spouse, they may even suggest hiring a tutor.
The most important day
That very day arrives — when your child goes off to the city to pursue the profession they chose. Their success depends on how often you fulfilled their requests for items during adolescence.
Or — if you’re already a respected member of the same guild your child wants to join, you can pull some strings.
Just talk to the examiner about automatically enrolling your child in the academy.
And if your child fails the entrance exam — it’s not the end. You can either talk to them and encourage them to try again, or suggest staying home with their mother/father and helping around the house.
In any case, all that loot you — the Dragonborn — drag out of dungeons will provide your children with a comfortable retirement.
And the bonus "Home Hearth" buff will help you live long enough to enjoy your own old age.
When someone is waiting for you at home — you have a stronger reason to stay alive.
Traveling with family
If you managed to raise a decent citizen (yes — even a Thief is considered a good ending),
you’ll soon find your child at the College or guild they joined.
You can even take them along as a companion, and explore Skyrim together.
And being near your grown child gives you a buff, significantly increasing your health and stamina regeneration.
After all, you can’t afford to die in front of your child.
What if you fail as a parent?
Did your child run away?
Or maybe you didn’t support their dream of becoming the first lute-singer of the Way of the Voice — and they left anyway?
Well, eventually you’ll be able to find them — as a bandit on the road. Or worse:
They may fall in with dangerous people, and become a Cultist, Necromancer, Vampire, or even a member of the Dark Brotherhood.
Be ready — you may start encountering mercenaries sent after you.
And in the end — your child will come for you personally, to finish what they started...
The hardest fight of your life
Raising your sword against your own child is not an easy task.
You will receive a combat debuff — reducing your stats, to make the battle truly painful.
And even if you win — expect a permanent penalty to your physical attributes.
Killing your own child is a heavy burden… and you’ll have to carry it for the rest of your life.
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1 comment
This takes my family roleplay to the next level for sure.
Makes choosing Muiri or Ysolda such a more difficult choice for non modded households. Lydia now seems better, even Serana has drawbacks...
I can not wait to get home tonight and give this a try on my already grown household, then try it on a new save.