Modding on the Spectrum

Gooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Middas the 22nd of Sun's Dusk and a quiet predawn here on warm sands. The blessed moons have set, the paths are closed, and it is once again time for Ah'vrie to tend the inn for our most honored guests. Excuse please while the fires are stoked, and fresh water is put to the boil.

Our brew of the day is Inspirazione a Napoli, and the biscuits are Gingerman. Checking the hot sheets we have 54 new mods with all the usual suspects. Let's see what catches the eye of an old cat this day over a fresh cuppa...

danvel11 released Invisibility - Lesser Power as a first mod. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105301
Thanks, we'll add this to the pile my googly challenged friend.

Riton Winterhold
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105255
"Certainly my last contribution for skyrim i dont enjoy it anymore hav fun" I guess they weren't getting the response from mismatched and questionable texture sets they expected. This one is no exception, though their skills were beginning to improve. Thanks

MagicaLessMods released their 4th 'restored' mod.
https://www.nexusmods.com/users/1148033 ... user+files
All are centered around giving the kids from RSChildren back their vanilla hair styles and color. If it makes you happy why not. Thanks.

gghumus is still bent on adding loot boxes to Skyrim.
https://www.nexusmods.com/users/1053788 ... user+files
Mamma said if you have nothing nice to say... LOL. Not for old cats. We 'like' to play.

ICFur released Talos Statue Improved Vanilla Textures
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105298
Basically an upscaling of vanilla textures using Leanwolf's 'better shaped Talos' mesh. The old cat has been using Leanwolf's mesh for years now. The enhanced textures look good, but they do make the normal maps a little 'too bumpy' for an old cat's taste. (the armor looks like it's made of pebbles not scales now) But it does look better. Thanks

And finally Majestic Landscapes Texture addon - Complex Parallax Material
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105247
Mechanicalpanda " just did some small tweaks to allow for a subjectivaly better color blending. All credits go to these texture artists!"

There are several required / recommended mods, as well as a recommended installation and overwrite order so you're going to need to read the entire mod page. It really does blend nicely with real dirt roads. Some of the parallax still seems a little stretched, but over all a great look. Have a cookie.

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked yada, yada, We-B-Open!

Goooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is turdas the 23rd of Sun's Dusk and a very quiet predawn here at the inn. The blessed moons have set, the paths are closed, and it is once again time for this old cat to tend the inn for our most honored guests. Excuse please while the fires are stoked and fresh water is put to the boil...

Our brew of the day is Inspirazione a Venezia, and the biscuits are Verona. Checking the hot sheets we have 39 new with all the jiggles, dangles, patches and pointy sticks we've come to expect. Let's see what catches the eye of an old cat over a fresh cuppa. Spoiler alert... Not much.

Ares224 released A Stranger's Request as a first mod. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105336
"Discover the malicious events unfolding in a secluded grotto west of Falkreath. This quest mod for Skyrim includes 7 dungeons, most utilizing the Nordic Ruin Theme, and 1 world space. This mod is pure vanilla and doesn't add any new items it was simply a fun project for me to get more familiar with more systems of the Creation kit."

Wow, seven dungeons and a new worldspace. Sounds like this one had some fun. It will be interesting to see what Peter comes up with now that he's had a little practice

MagicaLessMods released an all in one version of their RS children patchs for restored hair
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105360
Thanks

GiraPomba released XPMSSE - Extra Animations
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105364
"This mod adds new equip/unequip animations to the XPMSSE Style Fitting Animations." It requires OAR for some of the updated shield animations to function correctly. There are samples of the animations under spoiler tags, and the old cat must admit these look smooth and very well done. This one gets a cookie.

And finally StergioValente released Trees Of Feallan
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105325
"A tree mod overhauling all base game / DLC models and textures and adding some new additional models and textures." "After Trees of Iduna I knew I wanted to try my hand at making my own tree models."

Nice to see new artists honing their skills on Nirn. Most of the new models added are dead trees where appropriate. Unfortunately the scale is a bit off. and they become obvious and repetitive. The attempt at snow cover looks more like a poodle's tail than a coating of powder on a few of these. A pass for old cats, but keep working at it. This was a nice first attempt. Have a cookie.

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked, the kettles scrubbed, and the floors are swept. Have a seat and the wenches will serve you. We-B-Open!

Gooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Fredas the 24th of Sun's Dusk and thank the divines the weekend is nigh. The blessed moons have set and it is once again time for this one to tend the inn for our most honored guests. Excuse please while the fires are stoked, and fresh water is put to the boil.

Our brew of the day is Venezia again, and we'll worry about biscuits a little later. Checking the hot sheets we have 47 new, but not a lot of substance. Let's see what catches the eye today...

Spellblade33 released Gemstone Dragon Priest Masks Retexture as a first mod. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105417
"I added gemstones and recolored the hood texture of all non-Konahrik masks to be black instead of brown" Not bad, Thanks

devpieron released Alchemy Reworked as a second mod.
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105386
"Disables vanilla alchemy system and replaces it with crafting-like one. SKSE plugin" So basically totally nerfs the alchemy system, and now all you can brew is vanilla potions...

Moving right along

Zorkanne33 released Always Gloomy and Cloudy Weather
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105419
"This is a vanilla weather mod, minus all the sunny and clear sky weathers." Reminds the old cat of COT in oldrim... Nope.

Rudi91 released Skyrim Organized Sorting
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105423
"A scriptless and conflict-free item sorting mod using the Item Property Manipulator plugin." If it makes you happy, why not? Make sure to read the mod page. There are some requirements and limitations.

And finally we have two by Pfuscher
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... user+files
Ducks and Swans 2, and Carts HD. And both are worth a look.

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked yada yada, We-B-Open!

Goooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Loredas the 25th of Sun's Dusk and wage slaves rejoice, the weekend has arrived. Fair warning, the blessed moons will be gibbous tomorrow, and full on Morndas. Time to hone those silver weapons and keep them close once again. Anyway, excuse please while Ah'vrie tends the inn. It's time to empty the ash pits and rebuild the fires once again. You may wish to cover your tankards for a bit, this can get a tad dusty... There, much better no? Ah'vrie likes to start the weekend off with happy fires, and a happy fire needs to breathe. Now to compost the ash, check the garden, and scrub the kettles. Ah'vrie will be out back for a bit while the water comes to a boil if anyone asks...

Our brew of the day is Amaha awe Uganda, and the old cat will bake fresh biscuits in a little while, and maybe even a nice lemon tort. (Catches himself and looks around for uncle Sheo)
Checking the hot sheets we have 68 new mods, mostly jiggles, dangles, naughty, patches and pointy sticks. Truth be told, not much catches the eye today. Let's dive right in.

Shadow's Vanilla Wood 'Floor' Farmhouse Mesh Restoration
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105470
"Restores the meshes for pieces used by floors to vanilla so they aren't parallax flagged." Simply a fix for noob authors that set the tessellation max height to '11' and make everything float. Ah'vrie has a fix for that as well. It's don't use parallax meshes from noob authors. Subtle tessellation is the key.

Proudspire Manor rework by Drengin
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105498
Well, it does correct a few minor mesh issues, so thanks. "Makes the player's house in the capital really cool" LOL, this one is very easy to please. Ah'vrie guesses a couple of dragon head ornaments at the corners of the roof beams is "really cool"

Diverse Dragon Priests - Fathom's Creature Series
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105519
"Diverse Dragon Priests massively expands the visual variety and quality of Dragon Priests (and now Priestesses as well), adding 35 new variations complete with new custom models, high quality 4K textures, diversity between elemental priests (Fire, Frost, & Storm have unique variations), & varying body shapes. Optional vanilla replacers."

The old cat is not fond of the concept of adding additional dragon priests next to the existing ones... seems silly and over done, but there are tow flavors of replacer versions that are worth mention. The first allows for the vanilla dragon priests to use the elemental forms in this mod, the second buffs the appearance only and has no plugin. The old cat is temped to try the first replacer and give vanilla dragon priest more impact. Thanks, have a cookie

Finally, we'll finish up with one Ah'vrie missed from yesterday.

Vanargand Animations II - Unarmed Non Combat Locomotion
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105376

Verolevi released a full non-combat 'vanilla' animation suite that covers basically everything except combat animations as a single mod. These are much smoother than their previous separate releases and worth watching the included video. There are still a few very slight timing issues during transitions, but the overall look is consistent with their individual male / female walk, run, idle mods. Also, the author is now working on unarmed combat animations minus the MCO crap... This one gets a cookie

And that will do for today. The ale is fresh, the mead is ready, the food is hot, and the wenches are hotter. Have a seat by the fires ans warm your bones. We-B-Open!

ooooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Morndas the 27th of Sun's Dusk, and a quiet predawn here on warm sands. The blessed moons are full tonight so keep those silver weapons close. The goddess' crazy puppies will be out making all sorts of mischief. anyway, it is time once again for Ah'vrie to tend the inn so excuse please while the fires are stoked, and fresh water is put to the boil.

Our brew of the day is Kahawa ya Congo, and the biscuits are Verona. Checking the hot sheets we have 52 new with all the usual suspects. Let's see what catches the eye today over a fresh cuppa... Make it a double.

Restredainted released Forgotten Musings - Executioners Chopping Block
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105672
"A high-poly replacer for the executioners chopping block" It's a first mod so welcome. Not sure the reason for making it into stone. A bit ridiculous and hard on the axe, but thanks?

WTSunrise630 released two first mods today, or rather the same mod twice. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... user+files
The Amaranth, either as a blacksmiths shop in the middle of nowhere, or as a player home.

A one room Whiterun dirt floor house on a stone vault? A bit ridiculous as well but thanks

Grimus4 released Skull of Corruption UPSCALE 2K 2023 (stylised)
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105654

Well it's no longer a skull, now its ugly cartoonish metal... mace? Your game your way, where's the eye bleach? The old cat is getting sick of the word ridiculous so we'll change things up a bit. how about ludicrous?

Alright, lets finish up with a couple that might actually deserve mention

Simply Smart Training by ShimGaming
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105658
"This simple mod makes your unused training sessions carry over to the next level. ESL flagged."

This will conflict with anything that changes the training limit per level. Should be safe to use with pretty much everything else. No vanilla records were altered. This will also return to you all unused training levels if you install it correctly. As cheats go this one is very nicely done. Make sure to read the mod page. Ah'vrie may test this in his next build though probably won't use it much. Have a cheaters cookie

And our mod of the day... wSkeever takes the top slot today.

Scared of Shootings - NPCs react to aiming bows
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105622
"NPCs will react to aiming bows and crossbows by complaining, fleeing, attacking, and reporting you to the guards."

Other than a tendency to repeat lines this seems like it should have been a vanilla mechanic. Leave it to Skeever LOL. This one gets a cookie.

The old cat has a tendency to target companions when they get annoying. If this could make them shut up and run away I'd vote for it for mod of the year

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked yada yada, We-B-Open!

Goooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. it is Tirdas the 28th of Sun's Dusk and a chilly predawn here on warm sands. The blessed moons are still full, they will be gibbous tomorrow so keep those silver weapons close for now. anyway, it's time once again to tend the inn for our most honored guests. Excuse please while the fires are stoked, and fresh water is put to the boil...

Out brew of the day is Inspirazione a Napoli, and the biscuits are Toll House. Checking the hot sheets we have 37 new with plenty of jiggles, dangles, patches and pointy sticks. Let's see what catches the eye of an old cat over a fresh cuppa.

elrohir98 released All Grass Fixes for Landscapes Roads and Cities Mods as a first mod. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105694
Unfortunately this one doesn't yet realize that his mod is based solely on his load order and as such has a list of requirements that borders on the absurd. Nice effort though. Thanks for sharing

ShadowProctor released four first mods today. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... user+files
Hmmm, this one is leaning towards the dark side. but that's okay, your game your way. The old cat might give Hearthfires baths reborn a go. The slavery mods don't really appeal to this old cat. Thanks

WTSunrise630 released Clam Digger's Camp as a third mod.
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105690
"Added a map marker to an unmarked abandoned camp on the northwestern coast, and an NPC who offers fast travel service to the Solitude Lighthouse, he also sells clam meat, obviously. Plus some clutters and idles for the NPC to use. ESL flagged."

Not going to keep poking fun at this one, but it's not abandoned if an NPC is living there, and it isn't unmarked if you added a map marker LOL

Okay, let's see... Xtudo optimized Diverse Dragon Priests. Thanks
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105713

And finally we'll finish up with Eggs 2K-8K by iimlenny
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105753
"This is a Mesh and Texture Replacer for Skyrims Eggs in 2K-8K" Not bad at all. The old cat wishes Lenny bothered to add a few different textures. Not every bird lays speckled grouse eggs LOL. But nicely done. Have a cookie.

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked, the kettles scrubbed, and the floors are swept. Have a seat by the fires and warm your bones. We-B-Open!

Gooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Middas the 29th of Sun's Dusk and a quiet predawn here on warm sands. The blessed moons have set, the paths are closed and it is once again time for Ah'vrie to tend the inn for our most honored guests. Excuse please while the fires are stoked and fresh water is put to the boil...

Our brew of the day is classic Ristretto, and the biscuits are Almond biscotti. Checking the hot sheets we have 40 new with all the usual suspects. Let's see what catches the eyes of an old cat over a fresh cuppa.

nicostein released KS Hairdos - Mini
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105304
"Reduces menu selection of KS Hairdos by excluding most based on quality, novelty, immersion, and my preferences."

Nice to see them return after a 2 year absence. The old cat does use two of their "mild" series. Mild eyes, and Mild Complexions. Welcome back, have a cookie

Toxological released No River Rapids
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105785
"Removes fast flowing rapids from vanilla rivers"

Actually a better description would be it removes the foam from the surface of rivers which is much more realistic looking especially if you use Engine fixes which normalizes the default flow rates of the game. This one gets a cookie as well.

Talos1s released Market Leather Roof Whiterun
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105815
"Two Retextures for Whiterun Market Roofs" (And neither are leather )

PoptartJuniper released Wild Horses - Return to Stables
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105822
"Sends the wild horses to a nearby stable after taming." Useful but ridiculous. Why would a wild horse go to a city stable? It would have been much better if the mod added a "player's stable" somewhere in the middle of the tundra, and had any tames horses go there. Still it's a useful patch to Wild horses.

and finally Stamina of Shooting - drawing bow costs stamina by wSkeever
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105814
"Keeping a bow drawn costs stamina. When you're out of stamina, the bow is let down."

This mechanic is already built into quite a few of the stamina based mods, as well as some of the combat overhauls. Still it's worthy as a standalone if you're not using a system that already adds it. Have a cookie

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked, yada, yada, We-B-Open!

Goooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Fredas the 1st of Evening Star and thank the divines the weekend is nigh. It was an unexpectedly stormy night here on warm sands and the old cat didn't sleep very well, so our apologies if this one is a little fuzzy headed and cranky. Excuse please while the fires are stoked, and fresh water is put to the boil...

Our brew of the day is from India, and the biscuits are Verona. Checking the hot sheets we have 44 new with all the usual suspects. Let's see what catches the eye over a fresh cuppa.

Vektile released Enhanced Landscapes - No Trees - Vek's Tweaks as a first mod. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105912
"My personal tweak of Enhanced Landscapes with all the trees deleted except vine maples." Because potatoes need love too... Thanks

Methukax released Steel Ingots Require Ingots as a first mod. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105904
"Changes the smelting recipe of Steel Ingots to use Iron and Corundum Ingots."
Thanks, but Iron plus copper does not make steel. Iron plus charcoal plus oxygen actually does... Just saying. PASS

Lets see... Leostevano released Stamina of Shooting - SPID
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105890
This extends Skeevers mod to work on NPCs as well. Nice. Have a cookie

And it looks like CID is getting some serious attention as a tool

PRieST47 released Dirt and Blood - Merchants Sell Soap
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105942
"Just a small addon for Dirt and Blood so merchants will sell soap, thanks to the power of Container Item Distributor" That should help clean up your act. Thanks

monkeyangie released Lanterns Sold by Merchants - CID
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105908
"INI file that makes Lanterns from various mods to be sold by General Goods merchants and Khajiit caravans"

Honestly the old cat usually runs mods that give XP when crafting items like that so there's no 'Need' for this in the old cat's game, but for non crafters this type of mod will be welcome and very useful. On that note, we'll give 2 cookies to CID

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked, the kettles scrubbed and the floors are swept. Have a seat by the fires and warm your bones. We-B-Open!

Goooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Sundas the 3rd of Evening Star and the weekend is winding down so make the most of it. My pet smoothskin may be off visiting other worlds but this old cat still has his inn to tend. Excuse please while the fires are stoked and fresh water is put to the boil.

Our brew of the day is from Indonesia, and the biscuits are Bordeaux. Checking the hot sheets we have 60 new mods. Let's see what catches the eye over a fresh cuppa or two.

Mwgyn's Dead Man's Drink released as a first mod. Welcome
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106107
well, it's certainly different... Thanks

The description craze continues...

TMushS released CS' Campfire Item Descriptions
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106075

Mirax released Hunterborn Descriptions
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106044

Thotep released Legible Item Descriptions of Skyrim
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/105915

Decaroidea released Creation Club Item Descriptions
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106048

And Legacy of The Dragonborn - Item Descriptions by wSkeever
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106041

The old cat can take or leave most of these, but some are decent. Read the mod pages.

TheShiningAbsol released Elixir of Exploration - Sinderion's Legacy
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106051
"The ultimate dungeon delver's brew, the Elixir of Exploration returns from its roots in The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion!" 5 different versions and all have the same name? not the sharpest pin in the cushion, but thanks

Drengin released Radiant Raiment rework
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106123
"Mesh replacement for the Radiant Raiment store building in Solitude. Updated the appearance of the building, added chimney and many various details , redone the roof, fixed some mesh issues." A nice general sprucing up. Worth a look. Thanks.

RubberSpaghetti released Faction Halls - Castle Volkihar, and an all in one
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... user+files
"This mod provides a lightweight, compatible, and FPS friendly overhaul to Castle Volkihar!" The old cat never liked all the blood splatter in the castle... wasted food, makes very little sense. Worth a look though. Thanks

and finally HS Markarth - The Hag's Cure
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106067
"Overhauls The Hag's Cure in Markarth." This one's worth a look as well. The old cat is not fond of the spriggan bits. Speaks more of hagraven than hag to this old cat, but certainly worth a look. Thanks

And that will do for today. The fires are stoked, the kettles scrubbed, and the floors are swept. Have a seat by the fires and warm your bones. We-B-Open!

Gooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Morndas the 4th of Evening Star and wage slaves lament, the weekend is over. Hide if you can or work if you must, it's Mondas again. The blessed moons have set, the paths are closed, and it is once again time for this one to tend the inn for our most honored guests. Excuse please while the fires are stoked and fresh water is put to the boil.

Our brew of the day is Kahawa ya Congo, and the biscuits are Chessman. Checking the hot sheets we have 42 new with all the usual suspects, but not much catches the eye today.

Statue of Dibella - Improved Vanilla Mesh and Textures by ICFur
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106155
slight AI upscale, and a slight tweak to the normal map. The large stone statue mesh was smoothed making it a little more high poly... Honestly even the old cat is hard pressed to see any real improvement when there are so many much better versions of the statues. thanks anyway.

And what will pass for our mod of the day...

Skyrim Barbers SE by falloutperson416 ported by SpiralFX
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/106138
"Skyrim just got a haircut! Now, in Whiterun, a fully Lip-sync and Voice acted Barber will cut your hair as you desire."

Ported complete with all of the original minor bugs. Enter the shop, save and re-load to correct the dialogs. Vampires need not bother... The old caty never used it in oldrim. Showracemenu was always good enough, but we like RP options. Thanks.

And that's it for a Morndas. The fires are stoked, the kettles scrubbed, and the floors are swept. Please don't wake the sleeping cat in the corner. We-B-Open!