EK2: Soulless Flame
Hello all! With some interest in this submod that I made for personal use with the help of ChatGPT, I have decided to upload it.
What is EK2: Soulless Flame?
This is a character focus mod around a custom character that I made called Vorthumac. Introducing a new faith, new culture, new maa’s, decisions, character interactions, artifacts and events! Along with new icons and illustrations.
Who is Vorthumac?
Vorthumac is a Dwemer from a time before his entire race mysteriously vanished. During a raid on the surface of Skyrim, he and his warband were ambushed by a dragon. After a great battle, Vorthumac slew the beast and to the astonishment of his kin, discovered that he was Dragonborn. Already gifted in the magical arts, Vorthumac’s newfound power made him an outcast among many Dwemer, whose society revered reason and logic above magic.
Returning to his home of Nchuand-Zel, Vorthumac delved into forbidden studies. He researched the Dragon Cult, necromancy, the true nature of the Dragonborn, and even peered into an Elder Scroll. The Scroll spoke of a "Soulless Dragonborn" destined to rule Tamriel and perhaps all of Nirn itself. What began as research turned into obsession. A secret following grew around Vorthumac, even as others branded him a dangerous heretic.
At the heart of Nchuand-Zel, a secret project was underway. While Kagrenac laboured to harness the Heart of Lorkhan, Dwemer tonal architects in Nchuand-Zel sought to build a new device, the World-Forge. Designed to channel immense power into a single being, it could elevate its subject to godhood. Vorthumac covertly modified the design, intending for it to consume souls and fuel his apotheosis.
When his plans were uncovered, civil war erupted in Nchuand-Zel. Vorthumac and his loyalists fought fiercely, but were eventually overwhelmed. In desperation, Vorthumac bargained with the Ideal Masters of the Soul Cairn, offering the souls of himself and his followers in exchange for sanctuary. As Vorthumac stepped through the portal, Red Mountain erupted, and Kagrenac’s activation of the Heart caused the disappearance of the Dwemer. Trapped within the Soul Cairn, Vorthumac remained unaware of his race’s fate.
Over centuries in exile, Vorthumac perfected the necromantic arts and achieved an unique form of lichdom. Unlike traditional liches, his phylactery was not an external object, it became an unquenchable flame within his chest, impervious to harm, The Soulless Flame. A lich that could not truly die.
Now, freed from the Soul Cairn, Vorthumac and his faithful followers march once more. The World-Forge stirs. The prophecy of the Soulless Dragonborn must be fulfilled!
So what’s new?
Faith:
Dovzund-Kahl is Vorthumac’s faith, it’s own branch of the necromantic religion.
With new tenets based off existing ones, these better align with Vorthumac and the faith.
It’s own pantheon that venerates and worships Vorthumac as their living god.
New holy site buildings called Soul-Forges.
Culture:
Amz-Dovzund is Vorthumac’s custom sub-culture of the Dwemer.
New innovation that introduces custom MAA’s for you to try out.
New tradition that brings even more MAA’s for you to choose from.
Artifacts:
The mod brings new artifacts into the game. Three start with Vorthumac, his crown, sceptre and the Elder Scroll that he obsesses over.
Players can also uncover the Amulet of Kings and corrupt it so only Vorthumac can wield it.
Traits:
Custom made traits have been introduced as well. Which are gained by Vorthumac or his followers through different means.
Character Interactions:
Three new character interactions give Vorthumac the option to turn characters into his own twisted undead.
Soulwrights – A being reforged by the Soulless Flame through the rites of the Dovzund-Kahl. Bound by soulcraft, they exist beyond life and death as loyal, undying extensions of Vorthumac’s will.
Soulsworn Dragon Priests – Someone who has undergone a soul-forging rite and been anointed as a Soulsworn Dragon-Priest of the Soulless Flame. (They get a nice fancy Dragon Priest mask too!)
Pyresire – Vampires reforged in the World-Forge’s crucible of fire, the Pyresire has shed their mortal thirst and embraced a new hunger, unwavering loyalty. They burn with soulfire, bound forever to the will of the Dominion.
Decisions:
New decisions like to fulfil Vorthumac’s destiny and become a living god, Anum-Kahn the God-Engine. Which then ties into decisions that will allow Vorthumac to raise powerful heroes of old to unlife, bound to the Soulless Flame. Providing you own their resting places.
Also a new decision for each of the provinces that provide race specific MAA’s (There is a lot of MAA I know).
Planned features:
More flavour events to flesh out Vorthumac
Tweak some gfx and gui
Make Ai Vorthumac a threat (Currently he just broods in Nchuand-Zel, perhaps use events to force him to conquer)
Compatibility:
I haven’t tested much submods so I’m not sure what works with this and what doesn’t. Ones that I do know that work along side Soulless Flame are;
Ulitmate Elder Kings
EK2: The Trial of Vivec
Cultural Armies for EK2
EK2 New Men-At-Arms
Have EK2: Soulless Flame load after these submods
Special thanks:
A massive thankyou to all these authors that allowed me bring this submod to life with their permissions on certain mechanics that I implemented into it.
SquareBeard/Zaczac121 (EK2: The Trial of Vivec) – For allowing me to utilise their spawn mechanic that brought the undead heroes to life. (Well, unlife)
Mother_Cherry (Dragonborn Emperor flavor) – For allowing me to use my own altered version of uncovering the Amulet of Kings.
COFindus (EK2 Undead Expanded) – For allowing me to utilise his character interactions to create my own.
Jimmywhite (EK2: New Men-At-Arms) – For allowing me to use his creature MAA type.
This is my first ever mod so there are bound to be bugs or issues. I know the MAA are quite overpowered at the moment and probably will be changed but I designed him to be an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.
Feedback and constructive criticism is most welcome to help me better design this mod.
Hope you all enjoy!
