#truestl

[moodcrab]

Fixing Delphine

This bitch.

I actually like that they made a character that is on your side but is somewhat unlikable, Delphine is Team Dragonborn, but she's not really one of the good guys. And that's cool, conflict means drama. So what's the problem? Well unfortunately, this drama is surface level and isn't used to drive the story, so It's kind of just annoying.

People oversimplify their hatred of Delphine into "She wants you to kill Paarthurnax," because unlike Delphine, people actually like Paarthurnax. Understandable, but barely scratches the surface. We'll get to The Paarthurnax Dilemma in time, but that quest is a symptom, not the illness itself.

If I could sum up Delphine in a word it would be "inconsistent." For example, she's a fugitive waging a one woman war on the Thalmor from the shadows, who's only survived this long from sheer paranoia - but she also uses her real name and leaves a note in Ustengrav for whoever happens to pick it up with directions and a pass word to her secret hide out.

She needs to go through her super secret contact Farengar to use the Jarl's resources to go into Bleak Falls Barrow, a tutorial level dungeon she can see from her house, and she's impressed that you did it - but she also goes personally to the other side of the country to delve alone into the massive Ustengrav to steal the Horn of Jurgan Windcaller, no issues, just a quick in and out twenty minute adventure.

She takes the fact that you found her Ustengrav note as proof you're the Greybeard's new guy and not some Thalmor plant even though she herself, a non Dragonborn, had also completed Ustengrav and taken the horn proving it's totally possible. She even points this out in her own dialogue then demands we prove who we are, even though that was the whole point of the Ustengrav note. It's also a pretty big assumption that just because I'm the guy the Greybeards call Dragonborn that I can't ALSO be with the Thalmor.

We are left with this awkward sense that the writers are flailing to make us think this woman is competent and objective, without actually having her do anything that clever. Just act like the dumb thing was smart and have her act like a cocky brat if questioned about it.

Inconsistency. It's her thing. Does she hate the Thalmor? That would make sense given what we know about her. But that gets dropped half way through the main story and suddenly she hates The Greybeards, for absolutely no reason at all. She gives a reason, but it's bullshit.

In her own words, "If the greybeards had their way, the dragonborn would sit on a mountain talking to the sky." But that's not true is it. We know The Greybeards, they encouraged us to fulfill our destiny. Even if you say you want to follow their Way of the Voice, they'll be glad to hear it but warn you not to let it get in the way of what needs to be done. Delphine even uses Tiber Septim as an example, which is even stupider because The Greybeards actively encouraged Tiber to conquer Tamriel. Have I read more in game books than the dialogue writers??

But that's not the end of it, when it becomes convenient for the plot this hatred is flipped once again from The Greybeards onto dragons. Not Alduin. All dragons. Despite the fact that, as a Blade, she should know about Nafaalilargus, a dragon ally of the Empire and the Blades for thousands of years, and the Blades don't just indiscriminately kill all dragons no matter the circumstances, and that Tiber Septim himself almost certainly met Paarthurnax at some point, she suddenly seems to be acting like she has a personal grudge against dragons. Which brings us to the Paarthurnax Dilemma...

See here's the thing, you could easily write off the frustration everyone feels towards this quest as Bethesda's crappy design, where there is no conclusion other than to kill Paarthurnax, or else leave an unfinished quest languishing in the menu. Bethesda apparently didn't consider the idea that anybody would actually prefer to turn on the Blades, even though the Blades have become a bit of a running joke among the fans, or that anyone would take umbrage with Delphine giving out orders and ultimatums.

But no, it's so much worse than that. Delphine being a surly unlikable c u n t from the day we met her is one thing, but the fact that she has been wrong about almost everything she's ever said in game, and still having the AUDACITY to treat us like her work bitch and us never, not once, getting the opportunity to put her in her place... That's not poor quest design, that's the game gaslighting us.

Let's do a quick list of every one of Delphine's theories, and how many were actually correct shall we:

You are not the Dragonborn ❌

The Greybeards shouldn't be trusted to identify a Dragonborn ❌

The dragons aren't just coming back, they're coming back to life ✅

The Thalmor have something to do with the dragons returning ❌

Esbern is dead ❌

The Greybeards just want the Dragonborn to sit on a mountain and meditate ❌

The Greybeards wanted Tiber Septim to just sit on a mountain and meditate ❌

Paarthurnax, having lived in exile for thousands of years, deserves corporal punishment ❌

As ACTING Grand Master of the Blades, she gets to boss around the Dragonborn ❌

She deserves a seat at the peace negotiations ❌

And these are just the things that are factually wrong, leaving aside opinions on her morality and shitty attitude. This is the woman the game presents to us as a shrewd strategist.

BUT I CAN FIX HER!

Like I said I like the idea of a character who is on your side but is somewhat unlikable. It actually won't take much to make Delphine endearing to the fans. We have to do a Boromir on her. A Lot of people dislike Boromir throughout the Fellowship of the Ring but weep at his death. We have to tweak three things to have the same thing happen to Delphine:

1. Make her actually competent and useful so that while we don't agree with her we can see why she does the things she does, and desire to keep her around.

2. Have her mistakes called out and have consequences.

3. Have her redeem her mistakes with a badass honourable death.

[ps-dane]

[yagrum-bagarn-real-girlfriend]

markarth rule

[ringworldbuilding]

People Part III

The Sorrowfolk

The humans of the Moody Mountains are very diverse of culture owing to the many deep valleys that separate them. Each valley no matter how small is essentially it's own kingdom. Today we will focus on the folk of the crooked network of vales called The Sorrows.

The Sorrows take their name from a legend of the large glacial central lake where the vales meet. It's a salt water lake, and the legend says that it was created in ancient times after the death of the hero Rhedeg, when, upon hearing the news, his wife the Lady Caruad fell into an inconsolable grief and flooded the valley with her tears. Her spirit is still said to haunt the area, and salt from the lake is the region's biggest export. If you have read the post about the Ridwin race, you might notice a similarity in the story of Caruad grieving a lake into existence with her tears and the Ridwin religion's belief that the earth itself is a dead god and the rain is the tears of a goddess who grieved herself out of existence.

Like many humans of The Moody Mountains the Sorrowfolk are shepherds of yan, a large sheep or goat-like creature that are under constant threat from the other major inhabitant of the Moody's; the Gnolls. This way of life informs their religion, that is a form of Floklore practiced by the humans of the El Plains. Their faith intertwines with the rhythm of the land, the struggle against the jackal-like Gnolls, and the guardianship of their yan.

The Sorrowfolk believe in three Canine Spirits that were created by the Goddess Dyn the Divine Weaver (a very common life/fertility goddess among humans) who entrusted the Spirits with the sacred task of guiding the Sorrowfolk through the trials of existence, nurturing their spirits and shaping their destinies.

Bandar, the Companion:

Bandar strides alongside the Sorrowfolk, a loyal guardian and steadfast friend. As the Companion, Bandar watches over the flocks, herds them through perilous terrains, and joins in the hunt. With his unwavering loyalty, Bandar embodies companionship and protection, a beacon of solidarity in the face of adversity. Bandar is the Dog Spirit, and dogs are beloved by the Sorrowfolk. The king of the Sorrowfolk carries an ironwood crook as the badge of office to represent his affiliation with Bandar.

Rigwelar, the Adversary:

In the shadowed depths of the wilderness, Rigwelar prowls, a fierce embodiment of trials and tribulations. As the Adversary, Rigwelar tests the Sorrowfolk with fear, hunger, and the specter of death. Through adversity, Rigwelar imparts resilience and strength, forging the Sorrowfolk into stalwart guardians of their land and kin. The Gnolls are his people, he is the Spirit of the Wolf. Though a deity to be feared and placated, the Sorrowfolk do invoke Rigwelar in times of war, Pack Master, the head hunter of the Sorrowfolk, dons a wolf head helm in times of war as his duties turn from hunting to battle.

Renyar, the Trickster:

With a gleam in his eye and mischief in his heart, Renyar dances through the fields and forests, embodying the capricious nature of fate. As the Trickster, Renyar walks the fine line between aid and hindrance, bestowing unexpected blessings or weaving tangled snares. In his playful antics, Renyar teaches the Sorrowfolk the value of adaptability and cunning, a cunning guide in the intricate dance of life. Also known as The Egg Thief, as some believe it's unlucky to say his name and attract his attention, he is the Spirit of the Fox. The Follyfoot are a combination of jester, shaman, healer, storyteller and fortune reader of the Sorrowfolk, they wear a fox head hood.

In the rugged expanse of their homeland, the Sorrowfolk find solace and strength in the enduring presence of the canine spirits. With unwavering faith and steadfast resolve, they navigate the tumultuous currents of existence, guided by the wisdom of Bandar, the resilience of Rigwelar, and the boundless ingenuity of Renyar. In their shared struggles and triumphs, the Sorrowfolk weave a tapestry of resilience, unity, and unwavering devotion to the sacred land they call home.

[moon-and-guar]

i was just looking at r/truestl and sometimes there is some surprisingly good stuff there, but like there is soo much "ironic" racism. like maybe dont call altmer "piss elves" because they have yellowish skin and dont constantly call khajiit and argonians (who were frequently enslaved in morrowind) "farm tools" etc. this cant be good for my mental health lol, the rare good posts dont make it worth it

[true-elder-scrolls-lore]

Extremely niche tribunal memes in the wild at work

[hypvalsqr]

the bait posts of r/truestl hold a special place in my heart

[yonk-da-stonk]

where is u/ExceedinglyGayOtter’s Tumblr I know he’s here I can sense it

[ceresmir]

[prussianmemes]

i think a lot about ratopombo's romanian khajit. his style.

[moodcrab]

Yay Skyrim finally has """"""fishing""""""

[balteus]

once again thank god gaming spaces are fully infiltrated by queer people at this point if i had to have an argument every time i typed out "x is gay and in love with y" on reddit i would kms

[boethiah]

i know i did not just see a highly detailed graphic edit of mehrunes dagon with giant red knockers

[silusvesuius]

People keep posting your art without credit on the subreddit: r/trueSTL --- just though you should know

oh .. (scratches head) i mean i don't really care i don't use reddit but idk what art like Mine is doing there i don't believe they're a target... audience .... well if they like it; ok. Any sin committed will be handled after their passing, such as not crediting art, i will be seeing them at the pearly gates

[kagrenacs]

There’s a Venn diagram between truestl teslore Redditors who have a shallow interpretation of the Tribunal because they’re too busy taking everything they see on that site at face value. And tesblr people who have a shallow interpretation of the tribunal because they’re too busy taking everything they see on this site at face value. But the difference is one thinks they’re progressive because they’re gay and one actively does not care about being progressive. Both suck Sotha Sil’s clockwork dick but in different ways