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About this mod
A script-free survival game-play mod which alters starting skills, stats, XP progression and several other game-play features designed to challenge the player and make the game more enjoyable from the start! This mod was designed to synergize well with other mods, but can stand-alone.
- Requirements
- Permissions and credits
- Changelogs
[ [ [ Mod Author Rougeshot ] ] ]
Hello fellow modders, I'm Rougeshot and I'm open to any feedback or constructive criticism you may have, but keep in mind that I have a full time career and am in college part time, so it may be a while before I can respond to any comments or questions you may have. Please be patient with any questions or concerns and I will respond as soon as I am able. Please keep tracking my mods and profile for any news or updates to my latest mods!
If you enjoy the mod hit that thumbs up button so that your fellow modders will have an easier time finding this mod among the thousands of others.
Thank you so much for your support.
! ! ! ARDUOUS ANCESTRY LEGENDARY EDITION ! ! !
Thank you Shonner!
! ! ! MOD DESCRIPTION ! ! !
In the Vanilla game every race has the exact same stats as the other, this mod is meant to address this glaring inconsistency!
Starting Vanilla Stats for All Races:
A survival game-play mod which alters starting skills, stats, XP progression and several other game-play features designed to challenge the player and make the game more immersive from the start! This mod was designed to synergize well with other mods, but can stand-alone.
Here is a summary of the features included:
- - - - - Argonians - - - - -
Argonians or Saxhleel are natives of Black Marsh, a reptilian race unrelated to men or mer, which claim their origins from trees called the Hist. In the depths of Black Marsh Argonians use their natural abilities to their advantage when conducting guerrilla warfare against invaders, making them excellent assassins. The best assassins are known as Shadowscales, this might explain why they are so unpopular among Nords. Moreover the Argonian invasion of Morrowind caused widespread immigration of Dunmer refugees to the province, which has not endeared them to the people of Skyrim.
Hello fellow modders, I'm Rougeshot and I'm open to any feedback or constructive criticism you may have, but keep in mind that I have a full time career and am in college part time, so it may be a while before I can respond to any comments or questions you may have. Please be patient with any questions or concerns and I will respond as soon as I am able. Please keep tracking my mods and profile for any news or updates to my latest mods!
If you enjoy the mod hit that thumbs up button so that your fellow modders will have an easier time finding this mod among the thousands of others.
Thank you so much for your support.
! ! ! ARDUOUS ANCESTRY LEGENDARY EDITION ! ! !
Thank you Shonner!
! ! ! MOD DESCRIPTION ! ! !
In the Vanilla game every race has the exact same stats as the other, this mod is meant to address this glaring inconsistency!
Starting Vanilla Stats for All Races:
Spoiler: Show
Health: 100
Magicka: 100
Stamina: 100
Health Regeneration: 0.7
Magicka Regeneration: 3.0
Stamina Regeneration: 5.0
Carry Weight: 300
Unarmed Damage: 4.0
! ! ! NO DIVERSITY ! ! !
A survival game-play mod which alters starting skills, stats, XP progression and several other game-play features designed to challenge the player and make the game more immersive from the start! This mod was designed to synergize well with other mods, but can stand-alone.
Here is a summary of the features included:
- Every male and female of each race has had their height and weight adjusted to reflect a bit of diversity among the races and genders.
- Movement, Gravity, skeletal collision, and unarmed reach have been altered for a more realistic feel when actors are knocked to the ground or when squaring off for a brawl with the locals.
- (Version 1.3) For an increase in immersion set Global Timescale to "8".
- (Version 1.1) Unarmed Power attacks will now stagger their opponents if not blocked! This affects the player and all NPC's! Giving out beat downs is far more satisfying now!
- Walking has been increased by 15%, Running and sprinting have been reduced to more realistic levels, so you won't be out-running wolves anymore. Ultimately horses become a much more valuable resource in Skyrim!
- The amount of XP needed to level up your skills and character have been doubled, to keep level and skill progression at a reasonable pace.
- Starting a new character you will notice that most skills will start at level 0, with the exception of racially favored skills.
- Carry Weight has been drastically reduced for all races in general, to incentivize using mods that add backpacks and pouches. (e.g. Campfire & Bandolier)
- Health regeneration has been drastically reduced for all races. Certain physically hardy races will have added health regeneration to reflect their ancestry. Incentivizing potion use, health regenerating foods and certain Needs mods that expand on this. (e.g. Complete Alchemy & Cooking Overhual)
- Magic in Skyrim should be difficult, require lots of training, research (Reading Skill Books) and dedication to master ( AKA Leveling Up), with that in mind certain starting powers, spells and magicka have been removed. With the exception of High Elves, most players will find that they will start with zero magicka and only academic knowledge of their racially favored spells. Certain racial powers have been eliminated altogether. Aspiring mages will have to rely on magic items more heavily in their early careers, until they have gained enough experience and magicka. Investing in magic is a real commitment right from the start of the game, and every player will have to decide if they will take the difficult path of magic or choose another path altogether.
- - - - - Argonians - - - - -
Argonians or Saxhleel are natives of Black Marsh, a reptilian race unrelated to men or mer, which claim their origins from trees called the Hist. In the depths of Black Marsh Argonians use their natural abilities to their advantage when conducting guerrilla warfare against invaders, making them excellent assassins. The best assassins are known as Shadowscales, this might explain why they are so unpopular among Nords. Moreover the Argonian invasion of Morrowind caused widespread immigration of Dunmer refugees to the province, which has not endeared them to the people of Skyrim.
Male Height: 1.06
Female Height: 1.03
Male Weight: 80
Female Weight: 70
Health: 80
Magicka: 0
Stamina:120
Health Regeneration: 0.3 (Heath Regen. in Combat!)
Magicka Regeneration: 1.0
Stamina Regeneration: 8.0
Carry Weight: 80
Unarmed Damage: 5.0
50% Disease Resistance
Abilites: Water Breathing
Removed:Histskin
- - - - - Bretons - - - - -
Natives of High Rock Bretons are decedents of men and their Dereni Elf slave masters. Their feudal society has made them excellent diplomats, merchants and assassins. They are often eyed with suspicion by some Nords for being formidable mages as well as being distantly related to the savage tribes of the Reach.
- - - - - Dark Elves - - - - -
Morrowind, an alien and inhospitable land to most other races, is home to the Dumner, a people of great and terrible renown. Known for being wondrous mages and equally barbaric slave traders, the Dark Elves were brought low by the great Argonian invasion of Morrowind, forcing thousands of refugees to find new homes in the bordering provinces. Having their reputations preceed them has never earned the Dumner a warm welcome in Skyrim.
- - - - - High Elves - - - - -
The Summerset Isles are home to the governing body of the Altmeri people, the Thalmor. The Thalmor are usually perceived as arrogant and pretentious when dealing with other races and do not shy away from projecting their perceived superiority when speaking. Their extremely long-lived lives has made them masters of diplomacy, warfare and the arcane arts. After the Empire signed the White Gold Concordat, the Thalmor were given free reign in Skyrim to arrest any and all Talos worshippers. The Thalmor are considered by many to be the direct cause of the Stormcloak rebellion, and the bane of Skyrim.
Natives of High Rock Bretons are decedents of men and their Dereni Elf slave masters. Their feudal society has made them excellent diplomats, merchants and assassins. They are often eyed with suspicion by some Nords for being formidable mages as well as being distantly related to the savage tribes of the Reach.
Male Height: 0.98
Female Height: 0.95
Male Weight: 65
Female Weight: 55
Health:65
Magicka:0
Stamina: 90
Health Regeneration: 0.1
Magicka Regeneration: 2.0
Stamina Regeneration: 6.0
Carry Weight: 65
Unarmed Damage: 1.5
Magic Resistance: 25%
Abilities: Dragonskin
+5 Conjuration Skill
+5 Enchanting Skill
- - - - - Dark Elves - - - - -
Morrowind, an alien and inhospitable land to most other races, is home to the Dumner, a people of great and terrible renown. Known for being wondrous mages and equally barbaric slave traders, the Dark Elves were brought low by the great Argonian invasion of Morrowind, forcing thousands of refugees to find new homes in the bordering provinces. Having their reputations preceed them has never earned the Dumner a warm welcome in Skyrim.
Male Height: 1.02
Female Height: .99
Male Weight: 70
Female Weight: 60
Health: 70
Magicka: 0
Stamina: 105
Health Regeneration: 0.1
Magicka Regeneration: 2.0
Stamina Regeneration: 7.0
Carry Weight: 70
Unarmed Damage: 2.0
+5 Speech Skill
Fire Resistance: 50%
Removed: Ancestor's Wrath
- - - - - High Elves - - - - -
The Summerset Isles are home to the governing body of the Altmeri people, the Thalmor. The Thalmor are usually perceived as arrogant and pretentious when dealing with other races and do not shy away from projecting their perceived superiority when speaking. Their extremely long-lived lives has made them masters of diplomacy, warfare and the arcane arts. After the Empire signed the White Gold Concordat, the Thalmor were given free reign in Skyrim to arrest any and all Talos worshippers. The Thalmor are considered by many to be the direct cause of the Stormcloak rebellion, and the bane of Skyrim.
Male Height: 1.12
Female Height: 1.09
Male Weight: 80
Female Weight: 70
Health: 80
Magicka: 50
Stamina: 120
Health Regeneration: 0.1
Magicka Regeneration: 3.0
Stamina Regeneration: 6.0
Carry Weight: 80
Unarmed Damage: 2
Abilities: HighBorn
- - - - - Imperials - - - - -
Imperials are natives of Cyrodil, and make up the vast majority of the Imperial army. Versatile and domineering, Imperials can be found throughout the empire, keeping garrisons in strategic locations throughout Skyrim. Although once thought to be invincible, the empire's signing of the White Gold Concordant proved to many that the Imperial army is waning. An observation that has not gone unnoticed by the Stormcloak army. The Stormcloak rebellion has stretched the Imperials' military to its limit. Weakened by a civil war, the Imperials are very aware the shadow of the Thalmor is an ever present threat to the empire.
Imperials are natives of Cyrodil, and make up the vast majority of the Imperial army. Versatile and domineering, Imperials can be found throughout the empire, keeping garrisons in strategic locations throughout Skyrim. Although once thought to be invincible, the empire's signing of the White Gold Concordant proved to many that the Imperial army is waning. An observation that has not gone unnoticed by the Stormcloak army. The Stormcloak rebellion has stretched the Imperials' military to its limit. Weakened by a civil war, the Imperials are very aware the shadow of the Thalmor is an ever present threat to the empire.
Male Height: 1.0
Female Height: 0.97
Male Weight: 70
Female Weight: 60
Health: 70
Magicka: 0
Stamina: 105
Health Regeneration: 0.1
Magicka Regeneration: 1.5
Stamina Regeneration:7.0
Carry Weight:70
Unarmed Damage: 2.0
+5 Light Armor Skill
+5 Speech Skill
Abilities: Imperial Luck
Removed: Voice of the Emperor
- - - - - Khajit - - - - -
Hailing from the province of Elsweyr, the enigmatic Khajit are intelligent, quick, and agile. Khajiit have little need for torches at night, due to their excellent night-vision and prefer unarmed claw attacks over carrying heavy weapons. These traits make them exceptional thieves due to their natural stealthiness. This notoriety has not gone unnoticed by most Skyrim guard captains. Their unscrupulous reputations have followed them all the way to Skyrim, lending most Nords to believe that Khajit caravans mostly deal with stolen goods and skooma, which would explain why they are not permitted to trade goods within city walls.
Hailing from the province of Elsweyr, the enigmatic Khajit are intelligent, quick, and agile. Khajiit have little need for torches at night, due to their excellent night-vision and prefer unarmed claw attacks over carrying heavy weapons. These traits make them exceptional thieves due to their natural stealthiness. This notoriety has not gone unnoticed by most Skyrim guard captains. Their unscrupulous reputations have followed them all the way to Skyrim, lending most Nords to believe that Khajit caravans mostly deal with stolen goods and skooma, which would explain why they are not permitted to trade goods within city walls.
Male Height: 1.02
Female Height: .99
Male Weight: 70
Female Weight: 60
Health: 70
Magicka:0
Stamina: 105
Health Regeneration: .15
Magicka Regeneration: 1.5
Stamina Regeneration: 8.0
Carry Weight: 70
Unarmed Damage: 5.0
Abilities: Night Eye
- - - - - Nords - - - - -
The Nords of Skyrim are a tall, fair-haired people that claim their origins from Atomra, the ice continent, which would explain their incredible resistance to the cold. The neighboring provinces see the Nords of Skyrim as a hardy, brash and militant people that love battle as much as their mead. Over the centuries Nords have fought many wars with each other as well as neighboring provinces on a never ending quest for honor and glory. The Nords make up the vast majority of the Stormcloak army, which have proven to be quite the proverbial thorn to the Legion. The Stormcloak rebellion has divided the people of Skyrim in two, to the benefit of only the Thalmor.
- - - - - Orcs - - - - -
The Orcs or Orsimer are arguably the most misunderstood and feared people among the races of Tamriel. Their orc strongholds beguile a strong familial and tribal culture that molds most orc youths into frightening warriors and capable smiths. Their tribal nature has kept most orc strongholds scattered across Skyrim and most bordering provinces, maintaining an uneasy peace between orcs and their neighbors. The Jarls of Skyrim seem to tolerate these strongholds so long as they remain relatively small and keep to themselves. Facing one orc in battle can be a daunting sight for any warrior, but most Jarls would agree that a united orc nation backed by an orc army would spell doom for the rest of Tamriel.
- - - - - Redguards - - - - -
The enigmatic province of dunes and desert are home to a proud, noble and free spirited people that are considered by many part warrior and artist in equal measure. The harsh unforgiving land has forged a deep independence in every Redguard from a young age, which has blessed them with great swordsmanship, stamina, a hardy constitution and a jealous love of their homeland. Although to the outsider the Redguards seem divided into small kingdoms, they are quick to unite under one banner when faced with a military threat. The province of Hammerfell has proven to be an unconquerable land through force alone, as most armies learn this tragic lesson far too late to save themselves, as the price in blood is far too high for a military victory. A lesson the Thalmor stubbornly learned the hard way.
- - - - - Wood Elves - - - - -
- - - - - Vampires - - - - -
! ! ! MOD COMPATIBILITY ! ! !
The Nords of Skyrim are a tall, fair-haired people that claim their origins from Atomra, the ice continent, which would explain their incredible resistance to the cold. The neighboring provinces see the Nords of Skyrim as a hardy, brash and militant people that love battle as much as their mead. Over the centuries Nords have fought many wars with each other as well as neighboring provinces on a never ending quest for honor and glory. The Nords make up the vast majority of the Stormcloak army, which have proven to be quite the proverbial thorn to the Legion. The Stormcloak rebellion has divided the people of Skyrim in two, to the benefit of only the Thalmor.
Male Height: 1.08
Female Height: 1.05
Male Weight: 85
Female Weight: 75
Health: 85
Magicka:0
Stamina: 125
Health Regeneration: .15
Magicka Regeneration: 1.0
Stamina Regeneration: 8.0
Carry Weight: 85
Unarmed Damage: 3.0
Frost Resistance: 50%
Removed: Battle Cry
- - - - - Orcs - - - - -
The Orcs or Orsimer are arguably the most misunderstood and feared people among the races of Tamriel. Their orc strongholds beguile a strong familial and tribal culture that molds most orc youths into frightening warriors and capable smiths. Their tribal nature has kept most orc strongholds scattered across Skyrim and most bordering provinces, maintaining an uneasy peace between orcs and their neighbors. The Jarls of Skyrim seem to tolerate these strongholds so long as they remain relatively small and keep to themselves. Facing one orc in battle can be a daunting sight for any warrior, but most Jarls would agree that a united orc nation backed by an orc army would spell doom for the rest of Tamriel.
Male Height: 1.10
Female Height: 1.07
Male Weight: 90
Female Weight: 80
Health: 90
Magicka:0
Stamina: 135
Health Regeneration: 0.2 (Health Regen. in Combat!)
Magicka Regeneration: 1.0
Stamina Regeneration: 9.0
Carry Weight: 90
Unarmed Damage: 4.0
Removed: Beserk Rage
- - - - - Redguards - - - - -
The enigmatic province of dunes and desert are home to a proud, noble and free spirited people that are considered by many part warrior and artist in equal measure. The harsh unforgiving land has forged a deep independence in every Redguard from a young age, which has blessed them with great swordsmanship, stamina, a hardy constitution and a jealous love of their homeland. Although to the outsider the Redguards seem divided into small kingdoms, they are quick to unite under one banner when faced with a military threat. The province of Hammerfell has proven to be an unconquerable land through force alone, as most armies learn this tragic lesson far too late to save themselves, as the price in blood is far too high for a military victory. A lesson the Thalmor stubbornly learned the hard way.
Male Height: 1.04
Female Height: 1.01
Male Weight: 75
Female Weight: 65
Health:75
Magicka:0
Stamina: 150
Health Regeneration: 0.1
Magicka Regeneration: 1.0
Stamina Regeneration: 10.0
Carry Weight:75
Unarmed Damage: 2.5
Poision Resistance: 50%
Removed: Adrenaline Rush
- - - - - Wood Elves - - - - -
Male Height: 0.96
Female Height: 0.966
Male Weight: 60
Female Weight: 60
Health: 60
Magicka:0
Stamina: 90
Health Regeneration: 0.15
Magicka Regeneration: 1.5
Stamina Regeneration: 8.0
Carry Weight: 60
Unarmed Damage: 1.5
Disease Resistance: 50%
Poison Resistance: 50%
Removed: Command Animal
- - - - - Vampires - - - - -
Spoiler: ShowPlayer Characters that start the game as vampires typically receive the following racial enhancements. Be aware that NPC vampires will also benefit from these new stats!
Health: +50% (NPC's)
Stamina: +100% (NPC's)
Health Regeneration: +100% (Heath Regen. in Combat!) (NPC's & Player)
Stamina Regeneration: +20% (NPC's & Player)
Carry Weight: +50% (NPC's & Player)
Unarmed Damage: +100% (NPC's & Player)
In addition, vampirisim will also awaken any Ancestral Racial Abilities that were not available to their non-vampire counterparts.
! ! ! MOD COMPATIBILITY ! ! !
This version is designed to be as vanilla friendly as possible, but will conflict with any similar game-play mods that edit race records or the same values. In that case you'll need to create a patch using SSEEdit.
Perk points have not been touched, so it should be compatible with most other game-play and perk mods such as Ordinator, SPERG, etc.
I encourage you to to get in touch with your inner survivalist and use this with other challenging mods for a truly immersive experience!
Mod suggestions are always welcome!
Plays especially well with my other mods Savage Skyrim and Limited Leveling!
Here is a starting list of compatible mods that should work out of the box with Arduous Ancestry with only minor issues, just be sure to load Arduous Ancestry below them.
3PCO - 3rd Person Camera Overhaul - Smooth Camera Follow - Compatible
Ars Metallica - Smithing Enhancement - Compatible
Bandolier - Bags and Pouches Classic - Compatible
Campfire - Compatible
Combat Evolved - Compatible
D13 Faster GET UP STAND UP animation vanilla friendly - Compatible
Feral - Claw Unarmed Attacks for Beast Races - Vampires - Werewolves - Compatible
Mortal Enemies SE - Compatible
Sacrilege - Minimalistic Vampires of Skyrim - Compatible
Sacrosanct - Vampires of Skyrim - Compatible
TK Dodge - Compatible
! ! ! Load Order ! ! !
Should place plug-in below any other game-play mods to insure mod takes effect and is not over-written by any other mod.
! ! ! INSTALLATION ! ! !
! ! ! USE ONLY ONE VERSION ! ! !
Choose either the Vanilla, XP32 Version or the Diversified Racial Skeletons Version
then simply download and install with your favorite Mod Manager!
A new game is required for all the features to take effect, no exceptions!
! ! ! USE ONLY ONE VERSION ! ! !
! ! ! PERMISSIONS ! ! !
Mod authors have permission to create and upload Compatibility Patches to the Nexus as long as credit is given and they require Arduous Ancestry.
The skeletons in this mod are open permissions, so you can use them to patch other mods or create your own. Just be sure to give proper credits to all Mod Authors that have contributed to this mod in the credits.
! ! ! My Other Mods ! ! !
Savage Skyrim
Limited Leveling
For a complete list of all my mods for SKYRIM, SKYRIM SE and ENDERAL visit my NEXUS profile @
! ! ! Rougeshot ! ! !