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Postcards From Skyrim

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screen shot from Skyrim 1Dear Elsa,

The crisp nights in Skyrim remind me of home. Aurora is like a constant companion waving her shimmering veil over the mountains. So far, I’ve managed to stay out of the local war keeping busy between my studies at the mage’s college and high paying jobs, mostly dangerous work.

Forever yours,
Ezekiel

screen shot from Skyrim 2Dear Elsa,

The snow seems to hide some towns, nearly forgotten, rumor calling their names. I’ve been granted the use of a rather intimidating horse. The beast stands out in the snow like dark flame. You might be surprised to learn I’ve gain the admiration of a warrior. Mjoll the Lioness they call her. She’s been accompanying me without pay, though I outfitted her with a special dark armor and often shower her with enchanted jewelry. We make quite the team. At times she engages an opponent while I strike from the shadows, and sometimes we fight shoulder-to-shoulder clearing out the catacombs of their walking dead.

Truly yours,
Ezekiel

screen shot from Skyrim 3Dear Elsa,

I’ve somehow climbed into a leadership role within the college. They seem happy with my performance. Mjoll continues to follow me. I’m uncertain what drives her more, traveling the countryside or the spirit of battle. I seem to have a talent for finding battle. I’m certain she suspects given my insistence on traveling at night and other routine habits. She will often remind me of her hatred for vampires, yet she continues to travel with me and even protect me with the fire only a Nord could command. It must be the battle.

Always yours,
Ezekiel

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Screen shots from Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by Bethesda Softworks, Inc.

Status

I’m formatting the ebook for Kandy Fangs which will be ready soon. Meanwhile, I’ve posted the final episode for the serial over at www.KandyFangs.com. I started working on Kandy’s story about a year ago, and it’s been a strange ride. Thanks to Carrie (and Xan) and Jason for their support.

Past Life: Game Modder

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About 17 years ago, I built modifications for games, mostly games by or based on the game engine by id Software (DOOM, DOOM II) using tools like Deu by Raphael Quinet and DeHacked by Greg Lewis. Back then I was known as “DragonRook” from AOL. I enjoyed DOOM, but the biggest selling point was the modding community giving us endless new levels and monster customizations, some of them better than the original game.

Castle Phobos end shot

My first mod was “Castle Phobos” that started as 3 levels and grew to 10 levels with original music written by a friend, Ross A Warren. “Terror Mall” was my next project that included a customization that turned the big red demon into glass window that shattered when shot and snipers in trees. My primary goal in both mods was to provide a high level of challenge offering the player barely enough ammunition to survive, more ammunition available to those willing to search for secret doors. Secondarily, I enjoyed toying with architecture. Terror Mall also included “clues” with custom graphics to find the teleporter to the exit. Years later, I also made a small single-level mod for DOOM 3.

 

Terror Mall- watch out for snipers in the trees

Back then I received job offers for level design. I didn’t accept any. My interest moved on, and now that I have the knowledge to write my own FPS I would rather create my own game.

After all these years, I still stumble across my boards containing chat about modifications or receive messages from fans. Although many of the old boards are gone, that people still talk about these old games and mods says a great deal about id Software and the entire modding community. For those that are able to play, try the links at the bottom to the zip files.

Thanks for the kind words about my work and Warren’s original music. I thank Ross A Warren for sharing his great music. Without it, I don’t think “Castle Phobos” would have been as memorable.

From the community:

Download my old mods:

It’s up to you to figure out how to play these mods on modern machines.

Screen shot from my Doom3 mod

Bike-Breaker Hill

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Caution: Bike-Breaker Hill

Bicycle parts break. It happens. Most vulnerable are the moving parts. On my ride home this week, a part broke that I never expected. The crank arm. Snapped clean off at the middle. I one-leg pedaled the rest of the way home.

The arm snapped off during a power stroke and sent me wobbling. At first I thought it was the pedal. When I spotted the broken crank arm on the pavement, I paused a moment to stare at it making sure it was real. I couldn’t believe the arm snapped in half.

Broken rank arm

Clean break

The bike has never taken damage from a crash. I have a bad habit of accelerating hard, and maybe it doesn’t help that I live on a steep hill. It’s good exercise. Two years ago, I snapped a chain on the hill. Since then I only use the same high quality chains I use on my mountain bike. The crank lasted five years and about 30,000 miles. The sad thing is I just replaced the chain rings (teeth.) I’m replacing the crank with a stronger model from a different brand.

I have broken spokes, wheels, chains (one on my hill,) a brake, and a frame (crash.) Now a crank arm while pedaling. Crazy.

Leg power? Maybe it’s just Bike-Breaker Hill.

Gazing down Bike-Breaker Hill

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