Tag: Cold-Blooded

Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 8: A Long Ride South

Cold-Blooded Log 8: A Long Ride South

Difficulty: Survival Mode
Platform: Steam Deck
Build: Argonian Mage
Follower: Lydia

Most of today was spent in the saddle. Skyrim rarely lets a journey stay quiet for long.

I started the day at Jorrvaskr with the intention of joining the Companions. Having access to more followers seemed like a sensible step, especially with the roads becoming more dangerous the further I travel.

That plan lasted only a few minutes.

To prove my worth they wanted me to fight one of them, which normally wouldn’t be an issue. The complication was their insistence that I do it with weapons. Steel and I have never had the most productive relationship.

I briefly wondered if bound weapons might satisfy their requirement, but until I actually learn those spells there’s no point forcing the issue. The Companions can wait. Skyrim has plenty of other roads to follow in the meantime.

It was only after leaving Jorrvaskr that I realised something else: I had forgotten to hit record. By the time I noticed, the whole conversation with the Companions had already happened. There wasn’t much point trying to recreate it, so I simply corrected the mistake and continued the journey from there.

The Road Instead of the Hall

With that decision made I mounted up and left Whiterun behind. If I couldn’t prove myself in a training yard, I could at least make progress elsewhere.

My route would take me toward Bonestrewn Crest, where a source of power had been marked. From there the road eventually leads toward Ivarstead and the mountain path to the Greybeards.

The climb to High Hrothgar is unavoidable sooner or later. I’m still not convinced my gear is warm enough for it, but the Greybeards are not known for being patient.

So most of the day was spent riding. Lydia marched alongside when the terrain demanded it, but for the most part the horse carried us across the long stretches of road that connect the quieter corners of Skyrim.

Darkwater Crossing

The journey stayed peaceful until we reached Darkwater Crossing. At first glance it seemed like any other small mining settlement. Smoke from chimneys, a few workers moving about, nothing that immediately suggested trouble.

Trouble found me anyway.

Within moments of arriving, a man hurried over and handed me a battleaxe, asking me to hold onto it for him. Suspicious doesn’t begin to describe it. I passed the weapon straight to Lydia. If someone was about to cause problems, I preferred she had the steel.

Not long after that another man approached asking if I had seen anyone suspicious. I told him about the first man, which immediately escalated the situation. Arrows started flying and the quiet village turned into a battlefield.

There wasn’t time to unravel whatever story lay behind it, so I made a decision and sided with the archer. The man who handed me the axe didn’t survive long enough to explain himself.

The archer had nothing further to say afterward. Lydia, however, now owns a new battleaxe. In Skyrim that counts as a successful outcome.

The Road After Dark

By the time we left Darkwater Crossing the light was already starting to fade. That made the next decision simple. Ivarstead was the nearest place with a bed, and travelling the roads at night rarely ends well.

Unfortunately someone else seemed to have the same idea about meeting me on the road.

Another assassin appeared before we reached the village. That makes the second attempt on my life so far, which means this is no longer coincidence.

Someone out there has decided I’m worth paying to have removed. I still don’t know who, and right now I don’t have the luxury of investigating it.

For the moment, surviving the attempts will have to be enough.

Ivarstead

I reached Ivarstead without further trouble and secured a room at the inn. The horse still doesn’t have a name. I thought I had one earlier, but after trying it out it didn’t feel right. For now the horse remains unnamed, which may actually be safer given the sort of roads we’re travelling.

The innkeeper warned me about the nearby barrow, claiming it was haunted. Naturally that sounded like something worth investigating. I offered to take a look and he was more than happy to let someone else deal with the problem.

While speaking with the locals I also picked up another bounty and received the usual advice that anyone serious about magic should travel to Winterhold.

I may take that advice someday. For now, I suspect my Argonian blood would freeze solid before I reached the gates of the College.

Eventually I paid for a bed and turned in for the night. The innkeeper lingered in the room for a while, apparently part of the service. I chose not to question it too much.

Tomorrow I’ll investigate the haunted barrow and see what exactly is waiting inside.

Continue the Journey

Cold-Blooded Log 7 |
Cold-Blooded Log 8 |
Cold-Blooded Log 9

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary Hub

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 7: The Horse Has Opinions

Cold-Blooded Log 7: The Horse Has Opinions

Difficulty: Survival Mode
Platform: Steam Deck
Build: Argonian Mage
Follower: Lydia

The plan was simple: ride out, grab Nettlebane, come home. Skyrim immediately rewrote it.

This is the horse’s first real outing.
The objective is Nettlebane.
I know the route takes me past Helgen, and that’s about all I know.

To keep things efficient, I bring Clairvoyance.
If there’s a faster or safer path, I want to know about it.

Video Log: Cold-Blooded – Log 7 (No Commentary)

YouTube embed goes here

Clairvoyance Takes Control

About halfway into the ride, confusion sets in.
I’m going in the opposite direction of where I expect to be heading.

I ignore the instinct to turn back and trust Clairvoyance.
This turns out to be a mistake.

A map check confirms it:
I’m near Silent Moon Camp.
The bounty location.

I’m fairly sure it wasn’t my active quest,
but Clairvoyance clearly disagreed and made the decision for me.

Silent Moon Camp, Horse Included

Since I’m already here, I clear the camp.
Leaving would be a waste.

I park the horse a short distance away before the fight.
The horse ignores this suggestion entirely.

The moment combat starts, it charges bandits with enthusiasm.
Between Lydia, my summoned Atronach, and now an aggressive horse,
the fight feels heavily one-sided.

I briefly consider the tactical implications of owning a battle horse.
Then I loot the bodies.

Locks, Potions, and Questionable Planning

Inside, I hit my first real obstacle:
an Adept-level lock.

It costs me a painful number of lockpicks,
but I get it open.

The reward is a pile of potions.
I have no plan for them.
I don’t know if I’ll ever use them,
or if Lydia should carry them and sort it out herself.

That decision is officially a future problem.

Rewards and Reassessment

With the bounty cleared, I return to Whiterun.
Before I can even collect the reward,
I’m handed a sword.

I don’t question it.
Skyrim likes giving me weapons I didn’t ask for.

Back outside the city, the horse gives me options.
I could head for the Greybeards.
I could try for Nettlebane again.

Given Clairvoyance’s earlier betrayal,
I decide not to push my luck.

I stop, reassess, and decide the next move needs to be deliberate.
Skyrim already proved it’s more than happy to choose for me.

Log Summary

  • Horse used in combat, without consent
  • Clairvoyance redirected me to Silent Moon Camp
  • Silent Moon Camp bounty completed
  • Adept lock opened after heavy lockpick losses
  • Large potion stash acquired, purpose unclear
  • Nettlebane postponed again

Continue the Journey

Cold-Blooded Log 6 |
Cold-Blooded Log 7 |
Cold-Blooded Log 8

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary Hub

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 6: Bought the Horse, Earned the Target

Cold-Blooded Log 6: Bought the Horse, Earned the Target

Difficulty: Survival Mode
Platform: Steam Deck
Build: Argonian Mage
Follower: Lydia

I set out with one clear objective: get a horse. Skyrim disagreed and added complications.

Today’s goal is simple. I want a horse. Walking everywhere in Skyrim feels like a personal attack,
and I’m tired of arriving late, cold, and already annoyed.

The problem is gold. I’m roughly 200 septims short.
Fortunately, I’ve got a bounty, which means it’s time to earn my transport the traditional way:
clearing out bandits who made poor life choices.

Video Log: Cold-Blooded – Log 6 (No Commentary)

White River Watch: A Field Test

On the way to Valtheim Towers, I pass White River Watch and decide it’s a good opportunity
to test my newest ally: the Flame Atronach.

The verdict is immediate. Between the Atronach and Lydia, the place clears itself.
I mostly supervise and loot.

The bandit leader doesn’t just die — he gets launched halfway down the mountain.
Gravity remains the most reliable damage source in Skyrim.

I find what looks like better armour for Lydia and a few extra weapons.
No idea if she’ll use them. I give options.

By the time the cave is empty, I’ve earned enough gold for a horse.
I still have a bounty to finish, but the pressure is off.

Bad Ideas and Standing Stones

I mountain-goat my way down the terrain instead of taking a sensible route.
This goes about as well as expected.

Another cave appears. Inside: trolls.
I let Lydia and the Atronach try.
I immediately retreat.
Some fights are warnings.

I find the Ritual Stone and briefly consider switching,
but I stick with the Mage Stone.
Consistency wins.

Valtheim Towers and an Unwanted Introduction

Valtheim Towers goes down without too much trouble.

On the way back to Whiterun, I meet my first other Argonian.
He tries to kill me.

A note on his body explains why:
the Dark Brotherhood has taken a contract on me.

I make a mental note to look into this later.
Preferably before they succeed.

The Horse, Finally

At the stables, I buy my horse.
No name yet.
I’m hoping inspiration strikes before tragedy does.

I collect my bounty reward, speak to Farengar about new spells,
and take a room at the Bannered Mare.

I also pick up another bounty at Silent Moon Camp.
It can wait.

Tomorrow’s priority is clear:
retrieving Nettlebane.

Log Summary

  • Flame Atronach tested and confirmed effective
  • White River Watch cleared
  • Valtheim Towers bounty completed
  • Dark Brotherhood contract discovered
  • Horse purchased
  • Next bounty deliberately postponed

Continue the Journey

Cold-Blooded Log 5 |
Cold-Blooded Log 6 |
Cold-Blooded Log 7

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary Hub

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 5: Swindlers, Spell Noise, and Unexpected Backup

Cold-Blooded – Log 5: Swindlers, Spell Noise, and Unexpected Backup

Game: Skyrim Special Edition
Mode: Survival Mode
Difficulty: Adept
Survivor: Treads-Through-Cold (Argonian Mage)

I didn’t plan to clear Swindler’s Den. Being there made the decision for me.

Since I was already inside Swindler’s Den, leaving unexplored space behind felt inefficient. In Survival Mode, walking away from shelter and loot without a reason usually comes back to punish you later.

The den made its first impression quickly. Not all bandits are thinkers.

Swindler’s Den: First Contact

The first bandit I encountered ran headfirst into an object and failed to recover. No tactics. No awareness. Just momentum and regret.

I took the opening and moved on, but the den immediately highlighted a growing problem in my setup.

I’ve been trying to build the habit of casting Oakflesh before engagements. Armor is a scarce resource for a mage in Survival Mode, and temporary protection is better than none.

The downside became obvious fast.

Oakflesh is not subtle. Every cast echoed through the cave like an announcement. Sneak into a side tunnel. Cast Oakflesh. Instantly alert every bandit within earshot.

Effective defense. Terrible stealth.

Slow Progress, Sudden Panic

I slowed my pace, checking corners and backing out of rooms instead of pushing forward. Ambushes in enclosed spaces end runs quickly.

The plan unraveled when I realized one of the bandits was a spellcaster.

At the same moment, my magicka bar hit zero.

That combination doesn’t invite confidence.

I retreated, burned through health potions, and had a brief flash of panic about Lydia’s positioning. I half-expected to hear her death cry echo through the den.

It didn’t.

Lydia held the line.

Instead of collapsing, she pushed forward, absorbed the pressure, and removed the threat. No heroics. Just competence.

Loot Decisions and Rule Checks

With the immediate danger cleared, I slowed down and searched the den properly.

  • Spell Tome: Candlelight
  • Magic Staff: Unspecified, but functional
  • Hide Helmet: Increased magicka

Candlelight isn’t flashy, but light matters underground when torches burn out and magicka management gets tight.

The staff prompted a rules check. There’s nothing in my setup that forbids staff usage. It uses magicka efficiently and gives me options when spells aren’t viable.

I equipped it.

I also upgraded Lydia’s loadout with heavy armor. She’s clearly earning her keep, and better protection keeps her standing longer.

The hide helmet turned out to be more important than it first appeared.

Cleaning House

The bandit leader went down without incident. The final member followed shortly after.

No dramatic finish. No close calls. Just a cleared den.

With Swindler’s Den secured, I turned toward Rorikstead to deal with unfinished business.

Road Encounters

On the road, I crossed paths with a member of the Imperial Legion.

I fully expected hostility. Instead, I got polite conversation and a casual suggestion that I should enlist.

I acknowledged it and moved on. Survival first. Politics later.

In Rorikstead, the Alik’r warriors confirmed their target and asked me to escort her to the stables outside Whiterun.

Why they couldn’t wait there themselves remains unanswered.

Testing Limits

On the return journey, I experimented.

The hide helmet gave me just enough magicka to successfully conjure a Flame Atronach. It worked, but the cost was steep.

This build needs more magicka if conjuration is going to be more than an emergency option.

Resolution in Whiterun

Back in Whiterun, I convinced the Redguard woman to go to the stables.

An Alik’r warrior was waiting. A spell was cast. The bounty was settled.

My share was modest, but clean. No guards. No complications.

Darkness was already setting in. In Survival Mode, that’s a warning, not scenery.

I headed for the inn and ended the day before cold or exhaustion could interfere.

End of Day Thoughts

I don’t have a clear plan for tomorrow.

But Swindler’s Den is cleared. Lydia proved reliable. My options expanded.

That’s enough progress for one day.

Video Log

No commentary gameplay footage for this log:

Continue the Journey

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Log 4
Next:
Log 6

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 4: Gold, Guards, and Bad Ideas

Cold-Blooded – Log 4: Gold, Guards, and Bad Ideas

Game: Skyrim Special Edition
Mode: Survival Mode
Difficulty: Adept
Survivor: Treads-Through-Cold (Argonian)

No commentary gameplay video for Cold-Blooded – Log 4.

I went to Whiterun for gold. I left with a housecarl, a title, and a mountain problem.

The plan was simple.

Reach Whiterun. Sell everything that wasn’t nailed down. Leave richer.

As I approached the city, shouting carried across the road. Loud. Urgent. The kind of noise that usually means trouble or unpaid bounties.

Inside Whiterun, two men were arguing with a guard. I slowed down to listen.

That’s when a courier appeared. Apparently he’d been looking for me. He handed over a note from a “friend,” suggesting I head somewhere important.

I added it to the mental to-do list and refocused.

Whiterun Business

The two men finally finished with the guard and approached me.

They were Alik’r warriors, hunting a Redguard woman. If I spotted her, they’d pay me.

That was an easy yes.

I sold what I could, then went straight to Farengar. Gold became spells.

I upgraded Flames and Sparks, debated a few others, then decided to report to the Jarl instead.

That decision escalated quickly.

The Greybeards had summoned me. Apparently they live at the top of a mountain. Seven thousand steps up.

I am an Argonian. Cold and altitude are not my strengths.

Before I could object, I was named Thane of Whiterun, handed an axe, and assigned a housecarl.

Lydia joined the party.

Spell Shopping and Favors

I returned to Farengar one last time.

I picked up Lesser Ward and Conjure Flame Atronach. Practical choices. Controlled chaos.

Farengar also asked me to deliver Frost Salts to Arcadia. Easy job. Possibly gold.

Lydia received the axe. She seemed happy.

Arcadia paid me in potions and casually mentioned I could help myself to her stock.

I did not question this generosity.

Delayed Justice

On the way to find a bed, I spotted the Redguard woman.

I spoke to her. She knew she’d been found.

She wanted to talk.

I wanted sleep.

The Alik’r had promised payment, and Rorikstead was on the road anyway. I made my choice.

Road to Rorikstead

I left Whiterun at first light, eager to test my new spells.

Wolves were the first volunteers.

I dual-cast my upgraded fire spell. It looked spectacular. I briefly considered shouting “Hadouken.”

It was excessive. One cast would have done the job.

Necromancers were less impressed. They used wards. My magic bounced off.

Lydia solved the problem with steel.

I looted their camp. One robe boosted magicka regeneration by 75%. A clear upgrade.

One of them carried a spell tome: Fury.

I learned it immediately.

Swindler’s Den

I reached Swindler’s Den about halfway to Rorikstead.

It looked defensible. Promising. Possibly warm.

If there’s a bed inside, I’ll find it.

If not, tomorrow is going to hurt.

Either way, that’s a problem for the next log.

Continue the Journey

Previous:
Cold-Blooded – Log 3
Next:
Cold-Blooded – Log 5

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 3: Gold Problems and an Unwanted Destiny

Cold-Blooded – Log 3: Gold Problems and an Unwanted Destiny

Game: Skyrim Special Edition
Mode: Survival Mode
Difficulty: Adept
Survivor: Treads-Through-Cold (Argonian)

Gold doesn’t solve every problem. But right now, it would solve most of mine.

Money is becoming a recurring issue. Spells cost gold. Food costs gold. Staying alive costs gold.

With that in mind, I checked the local inn in Riverwood for work. They had a bounty available and pointed me toward a few other opportunities. None of them sounded safe. All of them sounded necessary.

I added everything to the list.

Cold-Blooded – Log 3 (No Commentary)

Full gameplay footage from Riverwood to Whiterun, including the Western Watchtower dragon fight.

The Road to Whiterun

On the way to Whiterun, I spotted a fight in progress. A giant. Several people. A lot of shouting.

I hadn’t decided who to help by the time the giant was already dead.

That earned me a mild scolding for not joining in sooner. Turns out the group were the Companions. They take jobs. Dangerous ones. For gold.

I made a mental note. I may need them.

As they left, I noticed something else. Crops. A lot of crops. Vegetables everywhere. Unattended. Unclaimed. No warnings. No angry NPC dialogue.

I harvested all of it.

I then walked past the farmer who owned those crops.

He’s in for a surprise.

Whiterun Business

Once inside Whiterun, I went straight to the inn. More work was available. One job stood out.

I was asked to retrieve something called Nettlebane.

I don’t know what it is. I don’t know if it’s a weapon. But it sounds valuable enough to investigate.

From there, I spoke to the Jarl.

He asked if I could help his court wizard, Farengar. I handed over the Dragonstone. Apparently, I’d already done the hard part.

As a reward, the Jarl offered me the chance to buy a house in Whiterun.

Buy being the key word.

The Western Watchtower

A dragon had been sighted at the Western Watchtower.

I was asked if I could help.

I agreed, reluctantly.

The dragon stayed just out of spell range most of the fight. When I could hit it, I did. When I couldn’t, I waited and tried not to die.

I need better spells. That means gold. Farengar already suggested Winterhold.

No.

  1. I’m an Argonian.
  2. The clue is in the name: Winterhold.

An Unexpected Title

The dragon fell.

I took what I could from it. Then I absorbed its soul.

A Whiterun guard called me Dragonborn.

I don’t know what that means.

But I’m confident they’ve got the wrong Argonian.

Continue the journey:
Cold-Blooded – Log 2: Bleak Falls and Poor Attitudes |
Cold-Blooded – Log 4: Gold, Guards, and Bad Ideas
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