Modding on the Spectrum

Gooooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Middas the 16th of Rain's Hand and another beautiful predawn here on warm sands. 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 flame...

Our brew of the day is Inspirazione a Napoli, and the biscuits are Ginger zingers. Checking the hot sheets we have 44 new, with enough jiggles to set off Nirnquake detectors. Let's see what catches the eyes of an old cat over a fresh cuppa. (hint... not much)

awwcrap released Read Books filter for BTPS
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147793
"BTPS filter to disable selection of read books by default" This is their second BTPS tweak. This old cat only ever sees third person while chopping wood or riding his horse so no comment from this one.

Here's an interesting twist...

Asedael released Azurite III - Reduced Cut
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147751
"Azurite Weathers III, but without stuff you may find subjective or excessive for a weather mod. So no new audio, customization, seasons and etc."

Slow clap... Thanks, Bad enough that weather is getting bundled into ENBs now. Weather mods should focus mainly on weather. Why Azurite changed the size and color of the moons is just silly and should have been a separate mod. Have a cookie

Sh3llyD added Dawnstar guards to her spid file collection
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147766
"Destributes armors to the Dawnstar Guard." Conquistador helmets? really, Ooookay

64wlw added a Mjoll overhaul to the stable
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147790
This one has a thing for facial scars, but an interesting look. Thanks

That's about it, there really is no mod of the day. The old cat will finish off with a a new framework by Seb263. This may be focused on combat, but has other implications that could be useful to the non MCO crowd.

Core Impact Framework (CIF)
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/146873

"CIF is a modular impact system overhaul powered by SKSE, giving full control over effects like impacts, blood, visuals, sounds, and more. It's script-free, highly compatible, and fully customizable via filters and modifiers. Full documentation included."

A little too much for old cat's before dawn LOL. This would be more for mod authors, but seems to offer more granular control over impact effects and sounds based on conditions and overrides. Much more coffee needed, but thanks.

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!

Goooooooood Morning Tamriel!

Ah'vrie wishes you well. It is Fredas the 18th of Rain's Hand and thank the divines, the weekend is nigh. 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 flame...

Our brew of the day is from Indonesia, and the biscuits are chocolate chip. Checking the hot sheets we have 65 mods. Plenty of jiggles as always, but a lot of patches today. Let's see what catches a fuzzy headed old cat's eye over a fresh cuppa.

cuddm returns after seven years with their second mod... It always calls us back
Dragon Health Multiplier - SkyPatcher
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147921
"This mod was inspired by Simply Stronger Dragons (SSD), but i wanted a lightweight alternative that doesn't modify any race records and therefore won't conflict with anything."

Okay, now that seems a proper use of skypatcher. Simply doubles the health of all dragons, including mod added. Welcome back. Have a cookie

AkimboSwords released Dragon Alphabet Translations - Codebreaking Sheet
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/148027
"It adds a new misc item, that you can take/use to translate the Daedric (Dragon) language without having to leave the game. Supports VR and non VR."

Ah'vrie likes this one. It's probably more immersive in VR than reading it from the inventory menu, but the idea of stealing the secret decoder ring from the unsuspecting wizard... Good fun and a useful tool that adds to the game. This one gets a cookie too.

Lets see... patman023 released Biggie Traits - Thumbnail Overhaul
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/148018
"This overhaul replaces the original trait icons with high quality thumbnails that better represent each trait’s theme and purpose" And very nicely done. Thanks

If you haven't checked out Biggie Traits, it has some interesting buffs and debuffs. One of the few that rose to the top of the pile. Original mod required, this just edits the pics.

DrPharmDawg released Skill Based Stat Growth
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147455
"This is the first of a new series of mods I am working on with a focus on role-playing in Skyrim. Primary stats (health, magicka, stamina) grow as skills develop. Carry weight improves as the primary stats increase. ESL flagged." Thanks

Worth a read, needs testing, Tracking for now, the old cat will wait for this to simmer a bit, and see how the 'series' develops. The only downside is not being able to 'focus' growth directly, but you can alter the modifiers in the MCM to say favor magic for a mage.

jiuzhoucanglan released Simple Mod Item Spawner Booster
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147903
"Inspired by MODEX, using SKSE function to give old but reliable Simple Mod Item Spawner a performance boost." Thanks, that should make some people happy.

Clofas released Azura's Audio Array
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147470
"Alters audio for Azura's Voice, Azura's Star Interior, and Azura's Star Pickup sounds. FOMOD installer."

The layered frequencies and reverb of the voice work really well. The old cat is not quite as thrilled with the star interior, and pickup sounds. Worth a listen. Thanks

Lets get to the good stuff...

noextrac released 3D Soul Cairn Grass and Flora Replacements
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/148000

Uses DrJacopo's - 3D Landscapes and Grass Library, and Happy Little Trees as texture sources, and BOS to distribute. The old cat has not been fond of previous flora overhauls of the soul Cairn, but these choices really work well together. The pictures tell the tale. Worth a look and a cookie. Nice choices. Tracking, giving this one some thought.

And we'll finish up with CS Particle Patch by AERwaevs
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecial ... ods/147270
"Allows effect meshes and particles to be lit with direct light from any source. Additionally, shadows cast by the environment finally affect both effect meshes and particles, with shadowed regions receiving the same ambient light as any other mesh. Smoke & steam particles now also react to the wind, as do some other particles where it makes sense."

CS is growing up quickly... Some assembly required, and another patcher run if you use PBR textures. Thanks.

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!