Epoch Life Skill Adjustment

Epoch: a period of time in history or a person's life, typically one marked by notable events or particular characteristics

What were you before that fateful cart-ride (or before ending up next to a Mara statue under mysterious circumstances, or floating over a burning ruin that was once Helgen, or being confronted by the mystical dragon messenger in a seedy inn room)? This mod provides a very simplistic background selection option that provides a bonus to a skill based on the selection.

Ever wonder what the Dragonborn did before becoming the Dragonborn? What is his/her background? His/her origin? What type of life did he/she live prior to becoming a legendary master of the voice?

This is just a simple mod with a simple question. Upon answering, the mod provides 1) one time skill increase based on the selected background, 2) increased learn rate for the selected skill, and 3) the first perk in the skill tree of the selected skill. Each of these are MCM configurable: Skill bonus and learn rate can range from 0 (no bonus) up to 20 (+20 skill and +20% learn rate). These can be set in increments of 5. In addition, you have the option of automatically gaining the first perk in the skill tree.

New: Nine dual options added for a little more variety. These come at the cost of only 50% bonuses (both flat and learn rate), but can be used to gain the first perk in both skills.

For example if your character was a bowyer before arriving in Skyrim, you get a +0 to +20 skill increase in Archery, you learn Archery 0% to 20% faster, and you gain the first level of the Overdraw perk (if using vanilla perks of course).

Why? I play with mods (including my own) that set starting skills lower than the base 15. I did not intend for this to be used with vanilla, but rather with overhauls that reduce the starting skill levels. I also feel a straight 0/1/5/10 start across the board did not make sense either (your character did have a life prior to Skyrim, right).

To use: Install and access the MCM to set up the options and select your choice.

Bowyer: Archery
Shieldbearer: Block
Armorer: Heavy Armor
Fencer: One Handed
Woodcutter: Two Handed
Blacksmith: Smithing

Diviner: Alteration
Medium: Conjuration
Mancer: Destruction
Trickster: Illusion
Abjurer: Restoration
Tinkerer: Enchanting

Tanner: Light Armor
Locksmith: Lockpicking
Urchin: Pickpocket
Hunter: Sneak
Trader: Speech
Apothecary: Alchemy

Gladiator: Block + One-Handed
Soldier: Heavy Armor + Two-Handed
Longbowman: Archery + Light Armor
Mageling: Alteration + Destruction
Seer: Conjuration + Illusion
Curate: Restoration + Alchemy
Criminal: Lockpicking + Pickpocket
Spy: Sneak + Speech
Artificer: Smithing + Enchanting

This mod adds an MCM that runs a short script after setting up the options and making your selection. Once saved in the MCM, the script provides the appropriate bonuses and stops. A perk is applied based on your answer for the learn rate, and a spell to provide the first perk.

Elsa should be 100% compatible with any other mod. To ensure you receive the bonus, wait a few minutes after starting a new game to allow any other mods to make their adjustments.

If you use a perk overhaul, the perk will still add, however it will add the perk that is in the first vanilla "spot" provided the author utilized the existing perks.

SkyRem Character Series
Genders: Genders Are Boringly Indistinct
Races: Race Abilities Enhanced
Attributes: Attribute Value Application
Classes: Class Overhaul Re-Imagined
Epochs: Epochs Life Skill Adjustment

SkyRem Immersion Series
Economy: Evolving Value Economy
Activations: More Immersive Activations
Encounter Zones: Improved NPC Encounter Zones
Loot: Loot Overhaul - Rarity & Abundance
Indigence: Indigent Residents In Skyrim

SkyRem Gameplay Series
Perk Trees: Masterly - Intuitive Skill Tree Integration
Standing Stones: Constellations - A Standing Stones Improvement
Magic and Enchantments: <<Current Project>>

SkyRem: Skyrim Roleplay Enhancement Mod Guide
SkyRem Guide: A guide based on the SkyRem concept