While Frosthaven exists utilizing the game Skyrim, there are many things that make them different, anywhere ranging from currency, fast travel, exploration and some game mechanics. Frosthaven does not overwrite any of the core elements of the base game Skyrim, but it does have it's own systems that may be unfamiliar.
Prerequisites
- There are no prerequisites. Frosthaven assumes you are level 1 all the way up to 300. You're not expected to have joined any faction, killed any bad guys, stolen anything, or have advanced any Skyrim ranks to get things started. All you need to do is head to...
Not all quests have markers.
- Some quests will encourage exploration. Having a white carrot tell you where to go spoils exploration. If there is an objective that requires some for of exploration or deduction, it likely won't have a marker. Your journal should have enough information regarding the quest to lead you to the right area. Additionally, many quests in video games will give you and objective and mark your map with no segue explaining where the knowledge of this location was obtained. Frosthaven will often have someone update your map, or give directions.
Not all quests are announced using the quest log.
- Most quests will have a structure in which a quest will start and an objective is displayed. Sometimes this might not work for some quests that are hidden, or have a longer arch then a standard quest. Many times a character can start a quest through simple interactions and not know they quest has begun. It is important to keep this in mind because the choices that are made during this hidden quest could have a large impact on the world of Frosthaven, and not having a clear point in which to roll back to will make it challenging to reroll your choices for a different outcome.
Not all quests are found through dialogue
- Traditionally most quests are started or learned about in dialogue with NPCs, or through a notice board. While both of these approaches are in use, there are other times when these methods would not work. Some times quests will start based on where you are, interacting with an item, or how you have dealt with a situation previously. Many quests will be locked out in one playthrough and even if you meet most of the requirements, the quest might not be available for a number of reasons.
NPCs are not essential*
- For the most part, every character you find in Frosthaven can die at any time. It should be assumes that there is no protected or essential flagged character in the mod. There will be characters who are essential to the story, but they can die like everyone else, there will only be one exception to this rule, so again, it is better safe to assume everyone's life is precious.
You can fail.
- In many of the things you can do in Frosthaven, there are many outcomes that are less than favorable. This isn't a lock out per say, but rather a less desirable choice. On the other hand, there is a vast amount of content that can and will be locked out based on your choices. People can die, questlines will end, and you will even be excommunicated from some groups. Other groups will try to hunt you down and this is will happen regardless of whether you play good, evil, neutral or anywhere in the middle.
Your actions will build your reputation.
- While not everything will build positive and negative reputation, there are quite a few. These interactions can be based on conversations, actions, overall quest competition and anything in between. In many situations it will be obvious that a choice will lead to a reputation boost, when it is not clear, the character will not be weighted on a grey or ambiguous choice.
