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Workshop Update: Kaidan Revoiced - Community Expansion 1.0 Launch!

After two years of development, the Kaidan Workshop Staff is proud to present Kaidan Revoiced - Community Expansion (KRCE)!

First and foremost, none of this would be possible without livtempleton graciously giving us permission for our project! Throughout the years, the assets she's allowed the Skyrim modding community to build upon has kept Kaidan alive in thousands of modlists, providing the opportunity for even more players to enjoy her original creations; we're very honored to be added to the list of modders whose creations are inspired by her work. When we started the Workshop, we had no idea if anyone would even notice our project; a new voice actor, a new iteration of an already established character, and no product to show for it in advance. The only thing we could offer the general public at the time was the promise of transparency and community cooperation throughout the process. So we created a budget for revoicing Kaidan, a plan for community involvement, and hit the ground running. We added new staff, taught ourselves new skills as the scope of the project evolved, and leaned on the advice, ideas, and encouragement from our community. Alongside the (mostly) monthly updates on our Tumblr and taking suggestions from our 'I Had An Idea!' Discord channel, our methods for ensuring transparency during development evolved; our Community Team began hosting public meetings via our Discord to discuss our current workflow, answer questions, and conduct live script readings of our original scripts, to ensure that our Writing Team was matching the original tone set by livtempleton. We also streamed our beta footage on Twitch, trying our best to stress test the new framework built by our Creation Kit Team while also taking more suggestions from our audience for future content. Finally, we were incredibly pleased to be able to host an Open Beta for KRCE this past October & November for our Discord community, as a special thank you for their support. We were able to get some excellent feedback on some of our new follower features, as well as hunt down any missed audio or errors our internal testing missed. All in all, it took many, many people to bring this mod to life, and our Staff is incredibly humbled and grateful for the support of everyone involved. While this 1.0 version will be available indefinitely for those who prefer it, the Workshop Staff is very excited to begin creating more original content moving forward into 2025! One of our original scripts for the Daedric quest "Pieces of the Past" is in the 1.0, so you can check it out to get a sense of the tone our writers are going for! You can read about what content is present in our mod, as well as find the answers to commonly asked questions in the KRCE Mod FAQ. Keep up with the project via our updates on Tumblr, or join our Discord server!

The Kaidan Workshop is a community-led, non-profit project that aims to build upon the original LivTempleton Kaidan 2 mod. Our project is strictly non-profit; all funds raised are to commission Mr. Warren for his services. You can read more about what the Kaidan Workshop is here.

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Things almost every author needs to research

How bodies decompose

Wilderness survival skills

Mob mentality

Other cultures

What it takes for a human to die in a given situation

Common tropes in your genre

Average weather for your setting

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“You’re here.”

“You’re really here.”

I will never get over the tears in his eyes.

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lucanis to rook: what did i do to deserve you? (affectionate)

viago to rook: what did i do to deserve you? (derogatory)

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Feeling as though Rook is secondary to Neve? You shouldn’t, not really at least because Rook is irreplaceable for the same reasons people are holding animosity towards Neve.

‘Neve gets him without doing any of the hard work.’ Rook is the only person alive who could even be able to. That’s the whole point.

Saving Minrathous results in the Inner Demons quest never happening.

Meaning an unhealed Lucanis never makes peace with Spite.

Meaning he goes on to enter a relationship with a woman (to no fault of her own) who could never, and would never, force him to face his fears and give him the unyielding encouragement needed to live without compartmentalizing every important thing to ever happen to him.

Without Rook completing that quest— Lucanis remains chained down by his debilitating fear of disappointing Caterina, the shame of being made into an abomination against his will, the guilt of being the one who got off easier than Neve and the pain and anger Illario’s betrayal brought onto him.

“Thoughts live here. Ideas. Feelings.” Disappointment. Shame. Guilt. Betrayal. All of which Lucanis felt were too big, too messy to face.

Solavellan is Rookanis’ foil. Except Rook is if Lavellan had succeeded in persuading Solas to face his regrets.

And what was the crux of the replacement Fade prison Solas crafted for the Evanuris? It was a prison built on regret, and the only way to leave would be to face them. Which Ghilan’nan and Elgar’nan would never be able to do.

Spite says “Lucanis is here. Behind locked doors. I can’t break through.” But Rook can.

In his mind’s eye, Lucanis makes Caterina, Harding, Neve and Illario his jailers of negative emotions in a prison of his own creation.

And in all that inner turmoil, his idea of Illario says, “Rook, you’re too good to be here.”

Rook isn’t one of his jailers, not because they don’t matter enough compared to the others, but because Lucanis’ thoughts, ideas and feelings for Rook are too good.

Rook opens doors, they’re not a jailer who throws away the key. In Lucanis and Spite’s eyes, Rook is the key. They are a liberator, a hero, the only one he’ll listen to.

Love, understanding, the unwavering promise of companionship (platonic or romantic) despite the risk to themselves sets Lucanis free.

I’ve seen people who are disappointed in his storyline complain that it feels as though ‘Rook strong arms him into a committed relationship’ that he somehow ‘feels obligated to indulge’ and engage in as a result of saving Treviso. I believe these claims just end up ignoring the really good diamonds in the rough we’re given in terms of Rookanis relationship development.

A romanced!Lucanis gives way to lines like “I don’t know what Rook sees in me. I’m happy to just be around them.”

And paralleling scenes like when Caterina chastises a kneeling Illario with “A Dellamorte never kneels.” Only for Lucanis to later walk over to a post-Fade trapped Rook and literally kneel at their feet like they’re the only deity he cares to worship like this is Take Me To Church by Hozier.

And what is Rookanis as a ship, if not Rook teaching him it’s okay to assert himself, which leads to Lucanis reclaiming his humanity through an act of love? Just saying. Given time, and love, he turns into a Gomez Addams sort of romantic figure.

If Rook were associated as any feeling to Lucanis then they’d be love. Affection. A state of understanding. Purpose? Freedom?

Better yet, Rook could be determination. After all, Rook’s defining characteristic is that they ‘just can’t seem to quit’— in the face of the man they care about saying ‘give up on me, i’m damaged goods’ why wouldn’t they win him over in the end?

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lucanis: i am stuck with a demon who is reckless, impulsive, and never listens to me

viago: (sighs) i know exactly what you mean

crow!rook: (wanders over) what are we talking about?

viago: you

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today’s random crow!rook thought:

the big battle is over. the team is back on the ground and surrounded by their allies. rook and lucanis kiss. and then keep kissing. and then perhaps kiss a little more than is appropriate in front of other people. but whatever. they’re just so damn happy. and when they finally break for air, rook’s wide smile is the most beautiful thing lucanis has ever seen

then he looks over their shoulder

and sees viago’s face

and lucanis is first talon of the crows. the demon of vyrantium. he survived a year of venatori torture and the resulting demon possession. he killed a god

but viago de riva’s narrow-eyed glare at the moment he sees lucanis sucking face with his protégé/de facto younger sibling?

that may be the most terrifying thing lucanis has ever seen

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So replaying Veilguard for the second time as an crow rook who is romancing Lucanis (not related)

But I got to the part of the story where I wish the dialogue was a bit different as a crow Rook. Spoilers below:

So when fighting the two dragons in the wetlands either the crows or shadow dragons come in. For this round it was the crows.

I kind of wished that there was more of Viago making comments to crow Rook.

Like his little idiot is fighting these gods and their dragons and he comes in a bit late to the fight and he’s like “what’s up”

Like this is how I imagined it would go in my story (if I wrote it)

Kylais “Rook”: *is standing before two dragons, a little wounded and bruises, Lucanis and Emmrich at his side and all of them taking a step back. Then suddenly a large bolt slices into one of the dragons, spewing out its poison*

Off screen, Viago: “You will NOT touch him.”

Kylais: “Vi! What took you so long?!”

Viago: “Teia was making sure we had all these gifts ready. Now shut up and kill those damn dragons.”

Idk I just wished there was some more sibling/family love. 😂

[note: Kylais is biologically Viago’s younger brother]

[another note: Kylais was born a female but he identifies and has cosmetically changed himself to be that of a male]

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Kylais petting a cat and checking on the broody boy.

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I need everyone who didn’t read the books to know that Felassan (who’s name means slow arrow in elven)

This guy

Who was in several of solas’ memories and has notes around the lighthouse and crossroads

Was in the masked empire. He was a friend and mentor of Brialas and helped her with her efforts to use her relationship with Celene to improve the lives of elves in Orlais (and tried to let her down gently when it became apparent that was not enough).

He refuses to let Briala tell him the code for the eluvian network so that he cannot give it on to Solas. Refusing to tell him would not be enough to keep it from him. When he meets with Solas he tries to convince him that modern elves should be given a chance. Solas murders him, his ally of thousands of years, for this.

In inquisition, Cole says this:

This is what the Betrayal of Felassan represents. Solas murdered his trusted friend and ally because he though modern elves were people whose lives had value.

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What he looks in game

I have been imagining these two way too much. I finished the game and made a second playthrough and I am just obsessed with my second Rook, Kylais de Riva.

I have ideas that I’ll share later but for now imma just continue stewing in my brain.

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I have been imagining these two way too much. I finished the game and made a second playthrough and I am just obsessed with my second Rook, Kylais de Riva.

I have ideas that I’ll share later but for now imma just continue stewing in my brain.

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Ren: "You're such a distraction." Val: "I know."

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Val had momentarily looked away, his eyes immediately drawn to Kaidan as a man stealthily approached him. The air crackled with electricity as lightning struck the opponent, the pirate's cry echoing through the air before they fell to the ground. With a swift motion, Kaidan's body shifted to face the fallen enemy, his eyes meeting Val's in a glance that conveyed both gratitude before growing fear.

“Ren!”

The sudden sound of a sharp yelp echoed through the air, quickly followed by a chilling cackle that made his heart race. The Nord's eyes widened in terror as he turned, his heart pounding in his chest, to find his father, Tarek, standing silently behind Ren. His hand eagerly latched onto the half-elf's left wrist, a smile spreading across his face as the healing spell surged through him, restoring his vitality and filling him with newfound energy. Ren's face twisted in agony as he attempted to resist, but his efforts were futile as a sharp blade made contact with his neck. His eyes widened with terror as tears welled up, their salty drops magnifying the terror in his gaze as he looked at Val.

Val's heart raced, his palms turned clammy, and a cold chill ran down his spine as he contemplated the uncertain future ahead. Despite considering it as the best option, he hesitated when it came to killing his father. There had to be another way, a hidden path yet to be discovered.

Kaidan's voice broke the tension in the air, his grip on his nodachi tightening as a menacing growl escaped his lips. “Let him go.”

As Tarek laughed, his grip around Ren's wrist grew stronger, making the healer let out a whimper and his legs tremble beneath him. As Val felt his heart twist, a wave of emotions washed over him, leaving him breathless. “He has nothing to do with this, Tarek. Let him go.” His voice trembled with desperation as he desperately racked his brain for a plan, but found himself devoid of any options.

“That’s where you’re wrong, son.” The dark elf’s voice was threatening, holding something in his hands that was dear to Val. “He’s making you weak, just like Fathis.”

“Don’t you dare say his name!”

Tarek let out a chilling chuckle as he pressed his blade closer to Ren's throat. "I see everything, child. Nothing evades me." His lips pressed close to the half-elf’s ear, his voice low. “I am going to shatter him.”

As the blade sliced through his skin, Ren's scream of agony echoed through the air. Val cried out his name, his voice choked with tears. Ren felt a surge of power course through his body. Suddenly, Tarek's grasp slipped away from him. Slowly, his body sank to the floor, his shoulders slumped, and tears streamed down his face. He coughed as smoke enveloped the surrounding air. The pain in his hand was unbearable, a searing sensation that intensified with each passing second, while his other hand desperately pressed against the gash on his neck.

Gentle hands lifted his face, and at that moment, his golden eyes met Val's enchanting green ones. Ren's heart broke as they witnessed the unmistakable fear etched into the nord's brows, a sight that filled them with sorrow.

“You’re safe,” was all Ren could say, trying his best to smile.

A soft, airy laugh escaped Val's lips, accompanied by a single tear that slid down his cheek before he hastily brushed it aside. He gently pressed his forehead against Ren's. “So are you.”

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Have you before had an encounter with one of the Blood-Cursed? We had one captured and caged here recently. Apparently doing such a thing is usually difficult, but this thing was sloppy and animalistic, behaving much less like the cunning creatures they're usually portrayed as.

I've learned a lot against my will through my station here as this thing was kept. In the human world, they'd call it a 'vampire,' but I've read some of those myths myself, and this is something different. They don't require blood for sustenance and instead need normal food to survive, just as any of us do. Feeding on the blood of other beings, the way they describe it seems more like a compulsion of some kind, but not exactly that because the compulsion - as they claim - is like a pressure on their consciousness from something outside themselves, rather than some kind of internal conflict. An incessant, keening itch. The longer they go on without tending to it, the more unstable they become, slipping deeper into a state of monstrous desperation until the thirst is sated -..to the point where any warm body around starts looking like prey, even if it's a child or a loved one.

I've learned most of this from one of the scholars who visited for a rare opportunity to study the thing. According to him, they used to be called “Addon's Forsaken.“ An insult when it comes to the Mardorisian's, but carrying the Blood Curse is apparently venerated by those who follow Addon. I can't imagine it's a pleasant experience to be damned to that kind of existence - even Addon's most devout must suffer as a result of it, but perhaps they view their suffering as a form of devotion? Their bloodshed as a form of sacrifice?

Maybe now that the thing is gone and I won't have to be kept awake by the unholy noises it makes in the night, I won't have to think about it anymore.

--Excerpt from a letter by a prison guard, translated from Cekenid

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Good news, fellow artists! Nightshade has finally been released by the UChicago team! If you aren't aware of what Nightshade is, it's a tool that helps poison AI datasets so that the model "sees" something different from what an image actually depicts. It's the same team that released Glaze, which helps protect art against style mimicry (aka those finetuned models that try to rip off a specific artist). As they show in their paper, even a hundred poisoned concepts make a huge difference.

(Reminder that glazing your art is more important than nighshading it, as they mention in their tweets above, so when you're uploading your art, try to glaze it at the very least.)

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Lily Concept Art

Some concept clothing and hairs for Lily, As well as some of her tattoos. Might ad more to it, but who knows.