[WIPz] Children of The Sky

[Rowan]

Children of The Sky

the voice as a weapon

From the book Children of The Sky:

"Nords consider themselves to be the children of the sky. They call Skyrim the Throat of the World, because it is where the sky exhaled on the land and formed them. They see themselves as eternal outsiders and invaders, and even when they conquer and rule another people; they feel no kinship with them.

The breath and the voice are the vital essence of a Nord. When they defeat great enemies they take their tongues as trophies. These are woven into ropes and can hold speech like an enchantment. The power of a Nord can be articulated into a shout, like the kiai of an Akaviri swordsman. The strongest of their warriors are called "Tongues." When the Nords attack a city, they take no siege engines or cavalry; the Tongues form in a wedge in front of the gatehouse, and draw in breath. When the leader lets it out in a kiai, the doors are blown in, and the axemen rush into the city. Shouts can be used to sharpen blades or to strike enemies. A common effect is the shout that knocks an enemy back, or the power of command. A strong Nord can instill bravery in men with his battle-cry, or stop a charging warrior with a roar. The greatest of the Nords can call to specific people over hundreds of miles, and can move by casting a shout, appearing where it lands.

The most powerful Nords cannot speak without causing destruction. They must go gagged, and communicate through a sign language and through scribing runes.

The further north you go into Skyrim, the more powerful and elemental the people become, and the less they require dwellings and shelters. Wind is fundamental to Skyrim and the Nords; those that live in the far wastes always carry a wind with them."

The Way of The Voice:

"The Nords have long practiced a spiritual form of magic known as "The Way of the Voice", based largely on their veneration of the Wind as the personification of Kynareth. Nords consider themselves to be the children of the sky, and the breath and the voice of a Nord is his vital essence. Through the use of the Voice, the vital power of a Nord can be articulated into a thu'um, or shout. Shouts can be used to sharpen blades or to strike enemies at a distance. Masters of the Voice are known as Tongues, and their power is legendary. They can call to specific people over hundreds of miles, and can move by casting a shout, appearing where it lands. The most powerful Tongues cannot speak without causing destruction. They must go gagged, and communicate through a sign language and through scribing runes.

In the days of the Conquest of Morrowind and the founding of the First Empire, the great Nord war chiefs - Derek the Tall, Jorg Helmbolg, Hoag Merkiller - were all Tongues. When they attacked a city, they needed no siege engines; the Tongues would form up in a wedge in front of the gatehouse, and draw in breath. When the leader let it out in a thu'um, the doors were blown in, and the axemen rushed into the city. Such were the men that forged the First Empire. But, alas for the Nords, one of the mightiest of all the Tongues, Jurgen Windcaller (or The Calm, as he is better known today), became converted to a pacifist creed that denounced use of the Voice for martial exploits. His philosophy prevailed, largely due to his unshakable mastery of the Voice -- his victory was sealed in a legendary confrontation, where The Calm is said to have "swallowed the Shouts" of seventeen Tongues of the militant school for three days until his opponents all lay exhausted (and then became his disciples). Today, the most ancient and powerful of the Tongues live secluded on the highest peaks in contemplation, and have spoken once only in living memory, to announce the destiny of the young Tiber Septim (as recounted in Cyrodiil). In gratitude, the Emperor has recently endowed a new Imperial College of the Voice in Markarth, dedicated to returning the Way of the Voice to the ancient and honorable art of war. So it may be that the mighty deeds of the Nord heroes of old will soon be equaled or surpassed on the battlefields of the present day."

First, let me say that I DO NOT have the knowledge at this point to do it by myself, but I do have the desire. I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can offer in the way of instruction or ideas about how I can go about accomplishing this.

Here's what I would like to do: By holding down a key, you charge up your your Thu'um, magicka and fatigue are drained. When you release the key, your character performs a simple lean forward animation with mouth opening, a shout sound is played (enhanced or modified to sound magical - like in Dune), the air ripples with energy, and anyone or anything caught in the blast will be knocked away and back (not upwards!). This also damages their health from the sheer power of the voice, but if they hit a wall or a rock in mid-air the damage is increased. It might have a chance to paralyze or disarm them too. If you do this on a locked door or chest, it is unlocked and flung open or broken apart.

The power of the Thu'um is dependent on how long you charge it, but also on your willpower. Totally independent from skills. There are no magical effects, just physical.

A very weak Thu'um might only disarm or stagger your opponent for a moment - perhaps allowing for a critical strike. A very powerful Thu'um might fling your opponent many feet, tearing them apart, blood and gore everywhere. Their weapons and armor are disintegrated.

Your opponent, however, has a chance to "Swallow" the Thu'um dependent on their willpower. But resisting the attack will drain their fatigue considerably. Although the force of the Thu'um can be lessened, your opponent will always feel some effects.

The shape of the effect is a cone originating from the character's mouth. As the diameter of the cone increases, the power of the Thu'um decreases but a greater area is affected.

An extra bonus would be some sort of quest that the character must complete to gain this ability, beginning by reading the book "Children of the Sky". Other races besides Nords can learn the Way of the Voice, but it will not come as easy. I'd like to add in the ability to take the tongues of your enemies as trophies to enhance your powers in some way. Maybe eating them increases your willpower. <img src='http://tesalliance.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> For every 20 tongues, your willpower goes up by one point. Or perhaps they also boost your magicka and fatigue.

Edited March 2, 2010 by Rowan

[WhoGuru]

You should PM Critterman. He's done what I think is similar scripting for a mod he did with Colin_Man, Telekinetic Damage: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=22957

It's possible that could be adapted or at least give a direction to go in for this!

Which by the way I LOVE this idea! I would love to see the Thu'um in Oblivion finally!

[Rowan]

Will do. I wasn't aware of that mod. Looks neat.

I'm glad of your support Red. It means a lot.

[WhoGuru]

Absolutely Rowan you have it even if I can't offer more than my support.

[Critterman]

Looks cool

I think I can help out with this

[Rowan]

Once again, I'm very appreciative. I know how rare it is for skilled modders to take on newbie requests!

[Rowan]

Critterman and I have been very busy discussing the detailed mechanics of the Thu'um. I've also planned out a short but engaging and exciting quest to obtain the ability. Once we finish the scripting, I'll see if I can procure some voice acting and animations.

[Rowan]

LOL!! Bethesda seems to have taken over the wheel on this one... haha.. can't wait