Going over to the fire did not help. Now someone else is staring!

I was thinking the same thing as Acadian. She looks a little snow leopard-y, my pick for the most beautiful creature on the planet!

That pie should be worried. Wow, that guy really is staring. Maybe he also wants a piece of that pie.

These are great!

Aravi and an unwashed Nordic barbarian, sitting in an Inn.
S T A R ing
First comes shifting
Then comes running
Then comes someone else staring!

Don't worry Aravi, they're just admiring a pretty kitty!

I think it's a piece of Aravi's pie he's after... Or some of that big fluffy tail...

In all seriousness though, her tail looks much better than those in Oblivion. It looks much more realistic and believable. The Khajiit and Argonians are best things Bethesda did in this game.

I don't like how it becomes a stick when you enter sneak. It just doesn't look like a tail anymore to me, more like an oar stuck to thier belt. At least for Khajiit, haven't made an Argonian yet.

They are all good, but loved the pie screen best, lol. On the "fear" - is that not an assault? I was really surprised Aravi didn't get in trouble for doing that to the Germaine twin in Cyrodiil, lol. Great shots !!

@Acadian: Thank you. It was the result of a little mistake in the racemenu that I didn't change. I like it too.

@SubRosa: Yeah I saw that. That person was more tolerable because they weren't as creepy about it. That guy was downright unnerving.


If he's after some tail, he needs to work on his methods some.

@Grits: I'm glad you like her as well. I'll definitely have her look this way when I restart the game and start recording. As I have said, her current coloration was the result of an accident. One that I'm happy I never corrected. I was going to do that [start recording] after this patch... but it sound's like waiting for the next fix would be wise.
Thanks!

@liliandra nadiar: Thanks!
I hope you are right, and the guy in the corner doesn't have a serial killer hobby.

@mALX: Yes it is an assault. Aravi tried to convince someone to leave the room. I saved beforehand of course.

I was hoping it wouldn't be a crime, because you really didn't do anything to harm them, they just run away.

Thank you!

########################

Aravi finally left Windhelm with the intent to travel to Solitude.

Overlooking the city.

On the road. She didn't notice that shrine on her way in. She also spots a bump in the road (rather, a dragon above it) and takes the next turn.

She ends up near Whiterun and stops for the night in her home.

Feels nice to be out of the armor.

EDIT: clarification

Her house is nice and cozy. I think I would never leave!

I also see that Bethesda has not changed the old candles in the plate since Oblivion. I swear they look exactly the same!

Oh wow.. that last pic gives her such beautiful, soulful eyes. <3

Aravi's not a big reader I take it? All my girls seem to be compulsive book collectors. Need to get a house with a library room and not just shelf space for 46 books.

Luvs the heavy horses!

Aravi looks so sweet in her simple dress by the fire.

1st screen - love the glowing white places in Aravi's ears from behind - moonlight hitting the fur, lol.

3/4 - GAAAAH !!! Where did Aravi get that dress? URK !!!

Great screens !!!

Aravi looks lovely in Breezehome. Hopefully she's not staying up late because her housecarl won't get out of the bedroom.

How does she like her horse? I always admire them when one walks by.

Great view of Windhelm! I tend to get lost in the snow there, but now it makes more sense to me.

@SubRosa: Thanks! Its a beautiful little house. Aravi hasn't stayed there much because she's on the road a lot. Nice to have it to come back to though.

It wouldn't surprise me if they reused those candles.

@liliandra nadiar: Thanks!

Aravi hasn't spent much time in that house yet. Since that screen was taken the bookcase has been added to. I love it that they treat the bookcase as a container and then auto place the books!

@Acadian: Thank you!

@mALX: Does Maxical have those little white patches on her ears too?

Aravi got the dress in a bandit tower. It looked clean. She's seen it in general merchant stores too. glad you like her dress!

@Grits: Lydia love sitting on that chair in the room. Aravi was able to boot her from the room when she wanted to sleep though.

Horses are similar to Oblivion's with the exception that they are faster than people and most wild animals. That makes them useful enough to have in my book! Aravi doesn't like horses much, but she kind of felt bad that when she got to an inn there was no sheltered place for it.

##########################

Instead of going to Solitude, Aravi remembered that she has some stuff stored in her Winterhold College room that she would like back. So it's off to Winterhold!

The road there was unusually active with danger. She encountered wolves and bears first, then a troll.

Farther along the road she was surprised by a low flying dragon. She had her bow ready.

Side stepped the dragon's reply.

Later on she encountered the Khajiit traders. They were being attacked by a giant. Aravi couldn't just pass by. She shot the giant with her bow.

And ran.

Great screens !! I can't pick a favorite between the dragon blowing fire on her while she sticks an arrow down his throat or the last one where it looks like someone blew a shout into her back (because that one gives a great close-up of her face). The first screen is an Awesome action shot, too - and a close look at those horrible trolls.

I think Maxical and the new Aravi are using the same preset. They have the same facial markings now. (but I can tell them apart, lol).

These are great! Aravi vs. dragon breath is my favorite.

How sad that the giant got mixed up with the Khajiit traders. I love seeing them on the road. I think they have the best voices. I think Aravi did what she had to do in that situation!

I love it that they treat the bookcase as a container and then auto place the books!
Well that is a big improvement over Oblivion!

I see the trolls look similar to the Oblivion ones, in that they seem to be keeping the ape-like feel. They are just winterized for Skyrim. Are giants really dangerous? You seem to have no qualms about fighting dragons, but not giants.

Giants have an high minimum level, they're in their mid/upper 20s all game. Combined with a very strong attack that can kill all but the most heavily armored/high health targets in one shot makes them very tough folks. Chloe's been getting bounties on them now, thankfully being a sniper she can down them in three to four x3 sneak with her Glass bow and Elven arrows.

Hope Aravi made it to the Collage, Cameron recommends getting Brelyna as a follower. And warns her about getting her hurt.

Cool! Snow trolls!

I'm glad to see Aravi confidently using her bow and I see she is still adept at sidestepping incoming fire. And that she is wise enough to sometimes point her tail at her foe and run.

@mALX: Thanks! The last one when she's running is actually her Atronach blessing taking effect. She actually did get hit by the giant back there, and barely survived the blow. The clubs must have some magical effect on them.

Atronach in this game is very powerful. It absorbs 1/2 of all incoming magic as far as I can tell. Not the random chance of all or nothing that Oblivion had. Also the magic pool is increased by 50 and regeneration is half speed instead of not at all.

You are right with the preset. I think when I reset I'll try to alter her face a little more so they don't look so similar.

@Grits: Thanks! She definitely couldn't let the giant kill the traders! Now if it was an Imperial or Stormcloak patrol, she would have been less eager to help. And if it was a Thalmor patrol... She would have hung around to watch!

@SubRosa: In the southern areas of Skyrim there are some more standard trolls that look like Oblivion's.

liliandra is very correct about the giants. I bet Aravi could have killed it, but it would have been trouble. Better to just run.

@liliandra nadiar: Aravi made it to the College and retrieved her stuff. She tried talking to the other students there, but none of them would offer her a quest. I think she would have to progress some in the College before they will give her quests. Aravi did get a different follower though!

@Acadian: I think the change in scenery helped her put that event in Cyrodiil behind her. She hasn't had any vampire nightmares, though something else disturbs her sleep now. Thanks!

##############

Aravi has a companion now!

Say hello to Kharjo.

Aravi took him into a dungeon immediately to see how he does. He was very helpful for the most part.

Aravi still had plenty to do with him around.

She found a set of Glass armor in the dungeon! Hopefully the next one will have some heavy armor for Kharjo.
###############

Those of you that have use companions before, I'm having a problem with Kharjo using his default hunting bow all the time instead of the glass bow Aravi gave him. Any of you having that issue?

Ooh, a Khajiit follower !! All are great, but my fave is the last one (walking into Breezehome in that gorgeous glass armor !!!) Nice expression on her face !! I wonder if you have to be a certain level to get the glass, I haven't seen any at all in game. ... may have to visit the Smokeroom, lol.

Kitties on the Prowl!

I'm hoping to find some glass armor soon myself. Chloe found a Glass helmet for sale in Riften and several glass weapons. Though since she already has a glass bow and Lydia has an Ebony War axe, weapons aren't going to change for awhile.

So Aravi took Kharjo home to flirt? Are we seeing the future Mr. Aravi?

As for the bow, he should default to the strongest weapon type, have/can you take the hunting bow from him?

Hello Kitty! I too am wondering if we are seeing a future Mr. Aravi.

That glass armor looks vastly better then the Oblivion version.

I've had the same issue with followers and bows. I've also seen it reported various places, but I don't know a fix for it.


Aravi and Kharjo make a beautifully lethal pair! My favorite is the last one, with Aravi looking awesome in her new armor. I've been looking for Kharjo's caravan. I think it would be fun to hear Khajiit comments.

I love these!!

It might have something to do with the patch. Or the bow. My 'patched' game seems to have acquired the same effect when I gave Lydia a second glass bow I found and she pulled out a hunters bow. I'll open up my non-patched game and check.

What a pleasure to meet Kharjo! He seems like a great follower. I agree with SubRosa that the glass armor looks ever so much improved!

@mALX: Aravi was in her high 20's when she got the glass armor. Glad you like the last one, but my personal favorite from the set was the first. Thanks mALX!

@liliandra nadiar: Glass weapons are a lot easier to find than armor pieces it seems. Aravi has what she needs. She put a helmet on once and she looked so uncomfortable with her ears pressed into it.

Lol, that'll be up to Aravi whether or not she'd like to start a relationship. It'll be slow if she does though.

I can't take his default bow away, it doesn't appear in his inventory when I open it.

@SubRosa: I too am a fan of the new glass. And like I said above, it'll be up to Aravi. I do have hopes though.

@Grits: Thanks Grits! They seem to work well together. Aravi has a much higher damage output than he does. She's been letting him take the lead in a melee and then getting around the enemy and attacking from the rear or sides.

Aravi met Kharjo in between Dawnstar and Windhelm I think. He's a guard so make sure you speak to everyone.

@Acadian: Kharjo's been a lot of fun to have around. Thanks!

############################

Aravi and Kharjo explore the area southwest of Whiterun. Azura sent them in this general area on a quest, so might as well look around a bit.

Lake Ilinalta

Pine forest at night.

When Aravi and Kharjo finally enter the ruin for Azura, Aravi was very brutal in dealing with the necromancers she found there.

She Lifts one clear of the floor with her swords.

...I didn't know you had that in you Aravi... (weak stomachs should avoid this one)

############################

Oh and I found this easter egg in a frost troll cave. I lol'd.

My guess is that his default bow is not marked playable, like the armor of the dremora, golden saints, and dark seducers in Oblivion. That would explain why you cannot see it in his inventory. Once the construction set comes out, I am sure you can fix that. Just to hazard a guess, I suspect that is a safety measure, so that the player cannot remove all of his weapons and leave him defenseless.

The lake looks beautiful at dawn. Again, more color then I am used to seeing in Skyrim.

So now Azura has you killing necros? I wonder if Meridia's quest sends you against vampires this time around?

Whoa! Decapitation. I see they really are incorporating many things they introduced in FO3. In fact, those finishing moves remind me of V.A.T.S. Right down to the motion blur they use in the camera.

Oh noes, Luke did not make it out of the Wampa cave after all!

Might be something with Glass bows, because Lydia's doing the same thing on both the patched and un-patched game. shrugs

Pretty forest pictures.

Still haven't finished up Azura's quest, really should.

It was probably a 'heat of the moment' thing for Aravi, what did she do after battle?

I love that lake !! Where is that? I may have to build a house there, lol. Other than the (gaaaak) beheading one, I loved them all, but the first was my fave.

Wonderful scenery! Well, maybe not quite so much the flying head bits.

I guess that guy couldn�t get to his lightsaber.

The two landscape shots are beautiful. I love the quiet moments, and these really capture that feeling. I can almost hear the music.

The two swords lift is my favorite, though! And it�s great to see that Savage Strike pay off. Rowan discovered that a head will roll a long way down the road.

Gosh, the light is so pretty in the first one. This time I'll pick two favorites.

The scenery in Skyrim is so beautiful, and your screenshots capture that beauty perfectly!

I didn't know decapitation could be done in Skyrim (not by the player character, anyway)! That's interesting to klnow; yet slightly scary at the same time :/ Well seeing as Sherryl's weapon of choice is a mace, hopefully she won't be decapitating anyone anytime soon

Love these screens

I have a correction to make about spell absorption. It works like it did in Oblivion, but it plays the animation whether or not the spell actually was absorbed. I'm not sure if that's a bug or not, but it makes sense either way.

@SubRosa: That was my assumption about Kharjo's equipment.

As far as I can tell, you get a kill animation when you land a critical hit and it's the final blow. I really enjoy the finishes. Thanks SubRosa

@liliandra nadiar: I gave him an elven bow to see, but he still mostly uses the hunting bow.

She didn't get sick if that's what you are asking! Then again she didn't loot that body either...

Thank you!

@mALX: That's the big lake just north of Falkreach. Aravi was on the south side of it. Thanks mALX!

@Acadian: Thanks! It's a very pretty game.

@Grits: Aravi favors the lift too. That Savage Strike is just brutal though.
I love the scenery in Skyrim. Thanks Grits!

@Rihanae: Thank you! I wonder what kind of kill moves a mace has?
Oh and be forewarned: NPCs can do the decapitation on you as well. Not a pretty sight.

########################

Aravi and Kharjo outside of Solitude after doing some business on behalf of... well I guess she's doing it for the Jarl of Whiterun, but it should benefit all of Skyrim.

Kharjo took the brunt of that Dragon attack.

Aravi warms up at a small inn.

Winterhold to Falkreach to Solitude? Kharjo's going a long way for some tail.

Glad he's protective of Aravi and hope he didn't loose too much of his fur in that attack.

I like the lift finisher, but my favorite is the jumping lunge/stab.

I love that first pic with the two of them. It's too bad they do not have finishing moves for magic attacks.

What a lovely couple they make! Ouch, singed fur! Still loving Aravi's armor.

I agree with Acadian, I am head over heels in love with the glass armor look in this game !! Now if I can just get to a high enough level to get some for myself !!! Great Screens !!

What a shot of Aravi pulling Kharjo's tail out of the fire! That must have been tense with him down like that and the possibility of burning.

Of course my favorite is Aravi by the fire with a faraway look on her face.

NOTE: I should have mentioned this for the benefit of those that don't own the game, or haven't fought any dragons yet: When dragons die they burn up like that one was in the second screenshot I posted yesterday.

@liliandra nadiar: And now he's going to Markarth!He was a little shook up after the dragon, but he's fine now. Thanks!

@SubRosa: Thanks!
I don't know if this counts as a finishing move, but occasionally with magic enemies are incinerated. It looks like the plasma weapon incineration from FO3.

@Acadian: Thank you. They work well together. Aravi just loaded him up with health potions and I was happy to see he used them.

@mALX: I love the glass armor too! Aravi was 28+ when she found hers. I'm not sure when exactly. She's level 32 now. Thanks!

@Grits: That was pretty tense. Aravi was able to kill the dragon pretty quickly after he went down and the dragon didn't catch him in any attacks directed at Aravi. Thanks!

########################

On their way to High Hrothgar, Aravi and Kharjo ran into a fort.

Not seeing any lookouts on the walls, they crept closer. Inside the walls they found necromancers and skeleton archers. Using their bows, they killed the necromancers and their undead tools.

Aravi and Kharjo clear the keep of skeletons and lesser necromancers and then reach the master of the fort. The cloth robes did nothing to stop Aravi's swords.

On their way out, Aravi finds a flawless gem. She's been looking for this particular variety so that she could start a quest all the way out by Markarth. The road to Markarth turns out to be dangerous, and Aravi clears a bandit camp built right next to the road.

She and Kharjo take a small breather, then head for a small town nearby.

All these screens are great, but my fave is the last - Awesome close-up of Aravi !!!

Love, love the second one ("using their bows" linky)! Awesome teamwork!

That Kharjo is turning out to be quite the useful one!

Wow, these are great! As much as I love the one with the bows and the quiet closeup, the dual swords arterial spray one is my favorite.

Fabulous action shots! If we're picking faves, I'm going with Grits. Gaga for that one of Aravi posing with those two swords - and bloody evidence on the screen to boot!

A NOTE: I've found that Kharjo has an infinite supply of whatever type of arrows Aravi gives him. So guess who got the Daedric arrows when Aravi suddenly found some? She could have given him one arrow and he'd be set, but she gave all of them to him.

@mALX: Thanks! I liked that one too because you can see the flecks of darker green in her eyes.

@H.E.R: It's so much fun to time the shots to release the arrows at the same time. Thanks for dropping by!

@Grits: Usually I have one per set that I'm most proud of, but this one, I like those three and I can't choose a favorite. The dual swords one was the most difficult to get. Thanks Grits!

@Acadian: Thanks. I couldn't decide if I wanted the necromancer in the screenshot or not. I took both and this one turned out to be the better of the two. Plus the blood is more than enough evidence. Thanks!

##########################

Aravi and Kharjo find themselves inside another Dwemer ruin. The current occupants are none too friendly to the Khajiit either.

Other than the murderous zealots, this place would be very pretty.

As they move deeper into the ruin, the begin to encounter the ancient machines built by the Dwemer. They are none too friendly either.

These machines aren't too difficult to trash though, and their twisted hulks yield soul gems if you pry enough.

You hear something?

...By the Nine...

Holy Crap !!! What the heck is that thing? GAAAAAH !!!!!

KC, the more I look at Aravi's photo diary, the more I love, love, love what Beth has done with the Khajiit in Skyrim. They are the most feline looking of all the iterations I've seen, and I think Aravi is gorgeous. Kharjo is just - well, hot in that tom cat way I'm familiar with from all my years of vet practice.

And nope, I'm still not interested enough to buy the game. Sorry, Beth. Not gonna have Steam on my machine at this time.

*pats h.e.r* Completely understand and mostly agree with all of the above. I'm not happy with Steam being a requirement, nor having to being logged in to it in order to play legally purchased games.

As for the shots. Love the Centurion. At least I think it's a centurion, they're the only dwemer construct I've read on the loading blurbs but not encountered yet. Very good to know about the arrows, particularly since I've picked up some after a fight on several occasions and, apparently, got more of that arrow type then I started with.

Its Optimus Prime!

A fun look at the updated Dwemer ruins and constructs. Not surprisingly, they look much better then in Morrowind. I also notice they are not all metal, and filled with bolts and the like, as I recall them from Morrowind. Instead here they built with stone.

I absoloutly LOVE the angle shot you took with the last screenie! You manage to make them look more fearsome than they actually are!

I also love how your pictures manage to portray the frienship between Aravi and her companion! It's amazing

I love these pictures! I may be slightly behind, but I enjoy them so much!

Oh wow, I LOVE the one with Aravi's fierce expression against the Dwarven Sphere!! That thing should have been dropping gears and cogs in fear.

That Centurion looks very scary. Is that one even bigger than the usual ones?

Great action shots! I like the way you're working the screenshots into a an update about what they are doing.