Loremaster character

[Crepe the Ashlander]

For my next character I intend on making a sort of loremaster type of character, one who hunts down knowledge, collects important items and books that sort of thing, but i'm struggling on making the character seem believable. I don't quite know what factions to involve them with, and although I have a base idea of what race they may be (looking at Breton, Dunmer, Imperial or Altmer), the skills which I would use and how I would specialise seem a bit vague, I don't whether this loremaster character would specialise in magics with a bit of stealth or he would brazenly stomp through like an orc on skooma.

Any pointers or ideas that may guide me a little because i'm a tad lost?

[FORKFARM]

I've been thinking of making a similar character. I figure he is going to be quite elderly in appearance. I figure he'd also be less offensive in fighting style. Possible magic user. Maybe a spellsword -- but congeration, illusion, alteration and a knife of some sort. The point would be to get in and get out with minimal heavy fighting. Probably take some young whipper snapper with me to handle any bandits and such I meet along the way. probably good sneak -- but no pickpocket and let lockpicking get to 100 with no perks.

I would imagine him being a part of the College of Winterhold -- but not the head honcho. I think he would start out doing some radiant book quests for the Orc in the Arcanium and go where the adventure leads him. But it also would give him a base of operation and a place to dump his treaures he finds until he figures out what he's gonna do after school.

As for race -- I think I'm gonna go with an Imperial as it makes more sense that an Imperial would be hunting down books, interesting relics and information.

[Chaos the N'wah]

I had a similar character a while back, he carried a torch everywhere and wore robes
His main skills revolved around Conjuration, Onehanded, Alteration, and Illusion with some attention paid to Destruction, Block, Alchemy/Restoration, and Enchanting
Focusing on summoning and illusion for most encounters, but switching to bound sword with alteration spells up close (blocking with the torch)

[Crepe the Ashlander]

I'm thinking in questing terms that the loremaster will probably delve into the dungeons and quests that will provide them with insight into the topic at hand, this would probably include attempting to collect daedric artifacts and the possibility of joining the bards and winterhold colleges. Perhaps he would be on good terms of the jarls of skyrim to ease his adventures, maybe.

Another question I would present would be where would the loremaster base himself? In house homestead, the capital, windhelm or markarth, white run and riften I dont think would fit the bill.

For his build I might go with one-handed, sneak(?), illusion, lockpicking, conjuration, alteration and restoration, wuth some sort of hint at destruction magics.

[Theificka]

Go with an epic mage that uses all the magic skills, have him join the Bard's College and the CoW.

[Evil-i]

I really don't see why a "Loremaster" would have to be a Mage character. Anyone can seek knowledge for its own sake, and the knowledge of the martial arts is no less worthy than the knowledge of the arcane.

Honestly, I think you have the makings of an "anything goes" type of character with this concept, and it's probably worth trying out with a variety of different characters.

[Finn Wolfshorn]

I could also see the Loremaster being interested in Dwarven technology, if he's more the scientific type. Get the Dwarven crossbow from Dawnguard and the spider follower from Dragonborn, that sort of stuff; he'd be good friends with Calcelmo. Also, followers in general - if he's the bookish type of guy, melee fighting is probably not his cup of meat, so one or two bodyguards would be a must (in which case I'd recommend Illusion so you can buff them).

[sevenindasun]

Probably go with imperial or Breton, lock picking, sneak, one handed, block, alteration... Also speech should be perked, collect treasure, sell it to fund your expeditions, only recruit followers you have to pay for and rotate them... I forget if they make you pay every time, if not you should still pay him... I would base in solitude, maybe whiterun until you save up some money or another cheap spot unless you take over ansas place.. Be sure to follow dibella or zenithar for their boost in speech/barter.. I would go with a one handed weapon of your choice, shield/torch, not much magicka other than protection spells... Light armor when your exploring, clothes when your not... High end clothes!! Light alchemy skills but not too much, same with other crafting skills... Speech and lock picking should be your main skills... Offense should be last, alteration in the middle 200 magicka 300 health 200 stamina, or more stamina less magicka. Do not loot dead bodies!!! Unless quest items like dragon priest mask.. Don't take excess weapons, only carry the sword you are using.. Same with armor, if you find armor you like fine but take it home dont carry it around with you from quest to quest.. Not sure about factions, other than bards and winterhold. Jes explore areas on your own.. It's a rp save you don't need to worry about killing a quest npc...

[BunBun299]

For factions to join, the College of Winterhold is an obvious choice. So is the Bard's College, though they don't give you much to do. The Companions could be justified as an interest in the history of the organization. They do go back quite a way, and things like their ancient axe could be a curiousity to such a character. The Dawnguard could fit in a similar manner. You're not so much interest in hunting vampires as the history of the Dawnguard, and hunting down the relics Sorine and Florentius send you after would be interest archeology. Oh, and teaming up with Neleroth for the Black Books on Solstheim would be another good choice.

[swordsister]

It's kinda pointless to go for an "expert" character, yet a loremaster since the majority of the npcs treat you as if you've born yesterday or something. Kinda lacks immersion.

You'll allways end up being the "brainless adventurer" type with "what's in for me" attitude.

[Eltee]

If you're doing this on PC, I believe there is a mod somewhere that allows you to write up a diary.

[JOEgolferG]

Every Elder Scrolls game ive played my character has always been a lore character its the best way to get into the background and story of the Elder Scrolls series. Best thing to do first is to buy a house or build one but make sure you have plenty book shelves, then go out and collect and buy books and spend time reading them you will discover secret locations and recipes etc etc its a great way to play the game, dont fast travel too much or you will miss a lot of great things on yours travels, let us know how you get on.

[JOEgolferG]

Going off character build im a wood elf thief, the reason for this was because i thought being an altmer, high elf etc was a bit cliche for a wise character, instead i chose to be a thief because they are stealthy, spend time being up close and personal without other people knowing they are there and that gives them the chance to earwig and listen in on secret conversations or vital information about locations or items that may be of interest. I dabble in alchemy just to learn more about flora and fauna which is great knowledge to have.

[dragonfett]

Of those four races, I would have to say either Breton or Imperial (although I would add Kajhit as an alternative race).

As for skills, I would go with Conjuration, Alteration, Stealth, Lockpicking, and Archery. While all of the skills have obvious in game reasons, the Alteration skill has another RP bonus in that (at least in my mind) the spells that would be used to restore and/or preserve books would be in the Alteration school.

As for organizations, you have the obvious ones of College Winterhold and the Bard's College, but also the Thieve's Guild as well as they can provide useful contacts to find out who might have what ancient book.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

A loremaster doesn't fight. He has people for that. Daedra if need be, but usually hired muscle.

He'll eventually seek out Hermaeus Mora, as they all do.

[JOEgolferG]

My character is based on Garrett from the thief series a great example of a lore master.

[Unionhack]

I can see a loremaster being a jack-of-all-trades character, myself. If he lives to delve into dungeons and discover the secrets of the past, he'd probably have to be prepared for anything. See an enemy too tough? Sneak by and pick the door across from you. Goblins launching arrows at you? Incinerate them with a well placed fireball. Armed bandits blocking your path? Rearrange their brains with your trusty mace.

I'd see them wearing light armor and with whatever preferred weapon style they want, switching between that and magic.

[DikaSmausha]

My character is based on Garrett from the thief series a great example of a lore master.

I love that game!
I think an Imperial would be the best race for a scholar.

[Crepe the Ashlander]

Okay so far i've gone with an Imperial, but i'm having a hard time adapting to the use of magics (usually I try a sort of guardian or berserker style thing), I find it easy to use destruction magics, but conjuration, alteration, illusion I kind of neglect and forget to use. On the other hand though i've been pretty sound with the collection of books and alchemical items so far.

[CBR JGWRR]

Try using the favourites menu to get a list of spells to cast - go in with say conjure preferred thing spell in one hand, flesh spell in other, cast both, maybe a frenzy or calm spell, then go back to destruction spells.

Eventually it becomes second nature.

[sevenindasun]

I had a problem ignoring useful spells during my first playthrough... If you want do what I do. I play on expert now, no armor, dual wield alteration and illusion, and summoned atronachs to fight for me. In order for me to stop ignoring passive spells I started completely ignoring destruction... Now I don't even use or perk destruction, one handed, two handed or armor... Completely dependent on alteration and restoration for protection... I use illusion and conjure for offense... Once you play like that for a while the traditional way of offenceive game play takes a back seat to a more creative style... Oh I do perk sneak and archery but I bound bows I do not carry a weapon... Could help you find the heart and soul of non-traditional style of play which I find more challenging and exciting...