To Vvardenfell!

Well. Tomorrow (or Thorsday) I intend to do a review of a few of the books I've been reading lately, ranging from Urban Fantasy (Patricia Briggs, Werewolves and Wampyr and Fey, Oh My![Not an actual title. It should be though]), Through Sword and Sorcery (Michael Moorcock, Elric.), through Fantasy Satire (one entitled Bad Prince Charlie), right the way to Science Fiction (Something-or-other Varley, Rolling Thunder).

For now however, I figured I'd give some advice to those who choose to visit the Island of Vvardenfell. And by that I mean those who play the Elder Scrolls games, particularly number III, Morrowind. On the grounds that when I get a games system that'll run it, I intend to get Oblivion. And Skyrim, what will make me very happy.

Now. A bit of the backstory. There is a prophecy. Something about the child born on a certain day to uncertain parents, a little bit about saving the world, et cetera et cetera. Well, as luck would have it, said child happens to end up in Imperial Prison. And the Emperor proceeds to have prisoner pardoned, sent to Vvardenfell, which is a large volcanic island to the east, and put to work for his spymaster there.
Oh. Identity of said child? You. You also pick Race, Career, and astrological sign. All of which have game-play effects. I'm not going to discuss builds, on the grounds that that be a matter of personal preference. I tend to favour Nords and hitty sorts. But then again, I am, well, me.

Anyway. Advice.
First off. Never kill anyone unless you have to. That is, unless A) they swing for you first, B) They be a criminal, or C) You be getting paid for it... (I have yet to find an assassination mission where you don't get pardoned for it)

Second off. Concerning Theft. Never take anything people can see you taking. I liked how oblivion showed you if taking something was classed as theft. Also, never try to sell stolen goods back to the person you stole them from (Very doable. especially if you wait a while before pawning the loot. also ends badly)

Third. Potions. Very important. Always carry multiple cure disease (common and blight) and restore health. At least up until you contract Sanies Lupus, Porphyritic Hemophilia, or Corpus disease, all of which confer disease resistance. (what, you mean to tell me you picked up a fantasy RPG without intending to become a Werewolf, a Vampire, or a hideous Mutant? And you are A) A gamer?, and B) Human? I don't believe you) Anyway, after that stage just the Restore health. And possibly Magicka, Fatigue and Strength.

Fourth. Cheaper to mantain your Armour yourself. Especially if you have the Bloodmoon expansion and travel about Solstheim. 'Tis rare to not find a chest with at least one repair hammer in any Barrow, Ice Cave, or Shipwreck.

Fifth. Cliff Racers and Tusked Bristlebacks. You will learn to hate these, especially at lower levels. Which makes the point where you be one-shotting them even more brilliant. Seriously, there is no sight more glorious than that of ripping out a Cliff Racers throat with a furred and taloned claw.

Sixth. Scrib, Kwama Workers and Queens, Bull Netch. Ignore. Generally not worth the effort.

Seventh, and for now final, The Money. There's none in armour or weapons, unless they be rare things like Glass, Ebony, Daedric, or certain (Normally Named) Magic Ones. Also shockingly little money in magic items. The money is in Gems, rarer Alchemical ingredients, especially Glass, Ebony, Salts (From Atronach's), and Daedra Hearts, as well as in Scrolls, and Potions.

Sorry, Eighth and final. Security and Lockpicks. Or Alteration and lots of Magicka. A must. Scrolls of Ondusi's Unhinging and Ekash's Locksplitter can only do so much.

And on that note, Fare Thee Well. I'm off to dream of my next Morrowind Session, entitled 'A Nordic Werewolf In Vivec.'