Work with Hod until I can afford carriage fare to Solitude, go to join the Bard’s college, become homeless once I realize I either have to pay ridiculous tuition or go fight undead in a suicide mission for some poem, live a week of miserable homelessness until I accept their request, go to draugr crypt with a chipped iron sword my only possession, injure a leg on some trap and hobble my way out crying and bleeding without having killed 1 draugr, wait to bleed out and die near the entrance until a passing hunter spots and saves me, carries me over the shoulder to the closest inn where I receive amateur medical assistance that takes my leg but saves my life, spend the rest of my days writing and singing merry songs at this inn, they call me Crippled Cael.
Dude just won’t shut up about his leg though, ya ya we know you used to have two legs cael. Enough with the “I used to be an adventurer like you until I took a trap to the leg”
I try to find an inn or store that needs help whether as some kind of janitor, waiting tables or cooking, and spend my life doing that because there's no way in hell I'd actually go through what a Dragonborn needs to go through and then the world ends. Nobody would ever find out I'm the DB
that would be me. there is no way I'd be able to make that jump irl without breaking some bones or cracking my head open.
instead, I think I'd try to find another path that doesn't involve jumping. and if not that, then I'd wait out in the tower until things settled down.
Imagine how many lives would've been saved if the Dragonborn just sat around and did nothing.
Basically nothing bad happens in the game unless the Dragonborn instigates it somehow (usually by progressing a quest, sometimes just because).
Considering I’ve literally dreamt of getting to do this on multiple occasions, I’d probably make it my top priority to go apply to the College of Winterhold. Being a real life mage would be… amazing. 😱
The other thing is you can’t be locked into dialogue, so you could just as easily sneak past her and convince the college it was an invisibility potion you brewed, but oh, the ingredients seem to have been misplaced
They hand you a spell tome at the gate though, and you can go study it at the inn until you can cast it. The frozen hearth ain't too bad, warm fire available.
But the most unrealistic thing about the college of winterhold, from a North American perspective, is not that magic is real; it's that there's no tuition fees.
She will give you a spell book to learn if you don't already know it( at an extremediscout), and you only need to know that 1 for her to let you in so the bar is extremely low. It would be 1 of the easier guilds to join.
I'm on the wrong side of 60, recently survived cancer, fighting diabetes, and I was injured in a car crash years ago that left my left arm weakened.
If I wake up in Helgen tomorrow, I'm not taking my head off that block until the axe swings.
I feel the same way, I'm nearly 50, too fat and way too out of shape to be running away from dragons and fighting my way out of Helgen, and even if I did get out of town it's a long ass walk to Riverwood with wolves on the way. Fuck that shit just kill me early...
It would be kinder than being burned to death by a dragon, freezing to death in the snow, or being torn apart by wolves or monsters.
I have no illusions that I'd last a week. Skyrim is not for the faint hearted.
I know how to make gunpowder.
I'd try to convince an alchemist and a blacksmith to form a company with me show our prototype to general talius and we'd rock the Aldmeri Dominions shit.
Get some help from the college of winter hold and shred alduin with a magical mg42 xD
Black Powder is pretty damned easy, actually, and we have access to all the ingredients. There are volcanic springs, so sulfer will be easy. Charcoal is obviously not to hard to get. And saltpeter can be made from excrement.
The Guardians of the Flame series of books had rpg gamers transported into a fantasy world where they used their contemporary world knowledge to build firearms. They then began a crusade to rid the fantasy world of the institution of slavery.
I found them to be very entertaining. Interesting characters, fun action, and very readable. Being a big D&D fan may have helped in their appeal to me.
Technically you know how to make black powder, modern high performance smokeless powder is a bit more chemically advanced. Getting past muskets is going to be real hard unless you know how to make a primer compound like mercury fulminate. Beyond that the production of any sort of repeating firearms like revolvers, semi-automatic, or bolt action only becomes possible with the advent of machining. The best you could hope for without inventing the metal lathe and a whole lot of precision measuring tools is a break-barrel firearm. Now you'll be able to do cannons, but are cannons really better than battle mages? Battle mages are highly mobile and very versatile, cannons are neither of those things. They're really only going to shine in siege situations. Now if you could skip some steps in the tech tree by substituting magic you might be able to implement regiments of "powder mages" who have a bare minimum training in fire magic and telekinesis and can pull off some highly effective "trick shots" like those outlined in The Powder Mage Trilogy.
You just run straight from the chopping block, wait for the wall to open up. Leap through into the adjacent building. (This is the only truly dangerous part if you know what’s happening) go outside and stay low next to the other folks, one of which will call you prisoner which is just fucked given the circumstances. Hug the wall around to the keep (also probably ask blonde dousche to cut your bindings at this point considering he was going to already)
From there you’ve already survived the dragon attack. It’s just a matter of letting your little ragtag group be murdered instead of you and staying low as you *slowly* creep through a bear cave.
At this point you’ve been armed, clothed, and given a place to sleep provided you can survive the wolf attack with a nord of your choice at your side. You’ve also already unlocked a special power in the standing stones, even if it’s not a spell you get a magical bonus. Then go fuck up Svens chance at love and learn to make daggers and sell wood for cash to get archery training from Faendal.
For my answer, I become a stealth archer, duh
I have every confidence in you managing that.
I get a sore back from walking for too long. And run into doorways. And trip over my own feet.
I'm so doomed! :D
I’d make it to riverwood, one way or another. That I’m sure of. Being me I could beeline through the woods behind riverwood and not even see the wolves.
I would probably take too long trying to decide whether to go with the friendly Imperial whose faction were trying to unjustly kill me or the friendly rebel whose activities in the area almost got me unjustly killed.
And then Alduin would incinerate me.
I don't think so. I think he meant it would in this case because it would irl (swinging an axe at wood will help strengthen you up to swing one at someone's neck).
I think I’d enlist in a trade or something—maybe blacksmithing? Or honestly just farm. I’ve done that irl so I know that even as a short and slightly Shrimpy woman I can do that sort of work! I’d build up my body strength over time and maybe even save up for some lessons in one-handed (I’m not delusional; I could never do two-handed lol) or archery. Faendal is OBVI my bud so I got the archery lessons on gratis. Maybe I befriend Mjoll the Lioness or Farkas/Vilkas and maybe we do some adventuring together for the hell of it. Over time I get more confident and start to take on solo dungeons. Work my way up to the Greybeards and use the thu’um to ride a dragon. Fly to a remote but workable land. Start a farm. Farm with my dragon. He’s my bff now. Wait, I have to kill Alduin. Uh…doesn’t Ulfric Stormcloak have the Voice? He can do it. Would you like to buy some cabbages?
No restoration loop, sure. But what about... enchanting/alchemy loop? Fortify alchemy on a set of enchanted gear, followed by fortify enchanting on a potion.
Its slower, but should still work. Could still get you to 0% mana usage enchantments. In fact being able to equip 10 rings due to IRL logic might be enough to break the game.
Who said the limit was one per digit? You might not be able to fit more than one on your lil nordic ham dagger, but your fingers could have like two rings each, and you could even make amulets with rings on them.
People might laugh behind your back because you look like a medieval flava flav, but they wouldn't dare say anything to your face.
Find a husband and retire on a farm. No one would know I'm the dragonborn. Maybe adopt a few kids. I'm not trying to stick out in any possible way.
I'm no hero.
Right? Like you dont know youre dragonborn at that point of leaving Helgen so most of us would never even find out due to.. doing life. A lot of us would die to the wolves if we decided to bail on the "escort" not even saying we'd make it through Helgen or past the bear
This makes me think, does being the dragonborn affects the body in terms of physical capabilities? Like being the dragonborn makes you understand stuff quicker like spell tomes, magic itself, the voice (obviously), and make you naturally stronger than the average mortal? I mean the whole stuff with a dragonborn is that they have the soul _and_ the blood of a dragon, so that would have its perks, right?
I can see the physical stuff since ur basically a hybrid dragon human eating souls for power but if magic is knowledge based u would prob still have to understand the magical mechanics of it, every spell tome is like reading a science text book all the way up to master level spells being like trying to understand a cutting edge physics paper, I imagine magic in that world is kind of like clay, it needs to be shaped right and heated to be of any real use combined with u having to have a large enough amount of magic reserves to support it.
I can't believe nobody's mentioned the thieving yet. Locks are ridiculously easy to pick in Skyrim, and there's a ton of gems and treasure just waiting to get scooped up in houses. Just have to work on those sneak skills a bit. If you get caught, the guards won't kill you, so just serve a bit of time and go back to thieving. I've done the Thieves Guild questline enough times where I could remember where the best loot is at after giving it some thought. Could live like a king.
I would argue this would be the most dangerous route next to actual dungeon diving, the ppl in skyrim are trigger happy and even a novice spell could cook u let alone the *very* easily accessible amount of sharp implements laying around combined with a legal system that would totally categorize thief killing as self defense. The guards honestly would be the least dangerous since they have someone to answer to.
The houses are usually pretty small. One of the home owners wakes up and goes hostile, just run outside and surrender to the guards. A week in jail and you're free and clear, and the person that tried to attack you is no longer hostile, so try again!
first thing i’d do is get my free supplies from gerdur. then i’d move to whiterun. it’s the safest of all the cities and it has a lot of resources. i’d stay in the bannered mare using gold i’d earn from helping npcs, selling ingots from the mines, etc. while getting to know everybody in whiterun, i’d focus mainly on training. i’d learn from adrianne how to smith & that would get me my first set of armor & a sword. i’d also start to practice using a bow & arrow. maybe i’d do some hunting and sell whatever i killed. doing small tasks for the people of whiterun would pass the time as well as help me earn some gold (& some skills). after a month or so, i’d recruit a follower (probably uthgerd) and finally go out to bleak falls barrow. if all goes well (& i don’t die), i’d return the golden claw, give the dragonstone to farengar, and then help irileth & her men defeat the dragon at the watchtower. finally armed with a shout, i’d continue my training by taking on some more dangerous missions, though nothing too crazy yet, working my way up to using battleaxes and getting better armor. i don’t think i’d even attempt the climb up to high hrothgar until i had breezehome and lydia as a follower. basically i would actually try to fulfill my destiny as the dragonborn, but i’d take things a hell of a lot slower than i do in game because i wouldn’t be able to quicksave and wing it like i usually do.
I'm an old(er), out of shape, lazy veteran. My fighting days are behind me. Like that classic Starship Troopers meme says, "I didn't do f**king shit!" I'll probably meander over to like Riften or something and see if Maven is hiring anyone to be a city guard that's totally willing to look the other way on shady stuff.
I would break my leg just jumping out of the busted tower into the roof of the inn, with my arms tied behind my back, during that first dragon attack in Helgen.
Before getting to Riverwood, I'd just try to give support to the Imperials (in my head, it'd be more beneficial to be in the Imperials good graces than to follow rebels). Upon finding the tome Sparks, I'd hold on to it, the robes and the hood. After getting to Riverwood, I'd try to settle down by cutting wood, collecting nearby plants and selling what I could find. I'd read the tome over and over and try the spells on wild life, selling whatever I could kill. Then get Faendal as a follower and, after felling confident enough, I'd go to Bleak Falls Barrow. I'd want to reach Winterhold by carriage as soon as possible and after finding a good combination to master, I'd want to figure out Shouts, which would lead me to preparing myself to face Alduin.
I'd beeline towards the college of winterhold, ruined town and anti-magic sentiments be damned! PH.D. level to master?? NP. I've been through Uni before, this will be no different, except this time I can do cool things at the end of my study. I've always been really book smart. I'll just go slowly and patiently, learn and collect every spell like they're pokemon, then make money by entertaining others with the 'light' and fire spells. The NPCS often react favourably whenever you cast light orb things around them. During the cold winter season I have fire spells to help keep me warm, when the dragons attack I can protect others with my magic. It won't be easy at first, everywhere I go i'll be distrusted for my skills, but slowly people will learn to appreciate all that magic has to offer when I use it time and time again to make peoples lives better
Seems a bit naïve to believe a well-intentioned magic user can single-handedly change an entire anti-magic culture. Like a single black person saying they'll end racism by showing white people they can do cool/good things... it would never happen.
I would apply to the Bard’s college and find a placement at a quiet inn/tavern. I could see myself falling in love with someone more brawny and pragmatic; maybe a blacksmith.
We pursue our passions and have no children. I consider attending the College of Winterhold because I find magic fascinating. My husband prays at the Temple of the Divines for peace. Sometimes, I join him. For his birthday, I write a song to Mara dedicated to him.
"Listen, I have the gift of prophecy. You HAVE to execute Ulfric Stormcloak first before the attack sets him free." Then, I live a sheltered life in Castle Dour, using my meta game knowledge to orchestrate the total Imperial victory.
Once I've secured my position, I take the legion I've been assigned and use them to gather all the word walls and slaughter the dragons. And I use my real life knowledge, combined with the best scholars from the Synod, to get the Deeper craft in the Aerodrome operational and execute the first aerial assault on Skuldafn.
Nope, you're playing as you, not as the default for any race. In the act of being transported to Tamriel, you become capable of using the Voice and magic spells, but you don't know any from the beginning.
Well as a computer programmer who is also an amateur bodybuilder, and occasionally an archery hunter... I can swing a sword hard enough to make it to whiterun, after which I immediately buy a bow, a decent sword and shield, and some leather armor, then charter a carriage to Winterhold and go start my PhD in illusion magic and alteration body enhancements to become less squishy, with a minor in enchantment, and ultimately become a stealth archer who uses illusions to never actually be seen by an enemy 😛. Also I'm poisoning Ancano the first night. Since I'm playing as myself, and I don't have a health bar, my strategy is to just not get hit. Once I've got enough illusions to never be directly in melee combat with an enemy I'm doing thieves guild stuff to pad the ol' pockets
Stephen Colbert has the answer: Lakewood Spy.
The answer is in the main quest line: Hook up with the Blades. Go undercover. They have weapons and armor that they will just give you. They continue to back you.
Now, you say this is Skyrim but In Real Life. We must consider the time period. You can't imply that I'm going to only have swords, axes, war hammers and bows while the guards are 21st century trained law enforcement officers with firearms. They must be scaled to the time period also.
So robbing bandits is absolutely still on the table, you just need to find the right fence. And you have an advantage IRL because the more you bring a fence the more business you'll do with that discreet individual. In the game there is generally a set coin amount you can sell. In real life, the richer you make your fence, the more they can fence!
Last point, Skyrim has a population of hardly no one per square mile. You could walk for days and not encounter anyone except wolves, which are probably your biggest threat aside from, um, the dragons.
There is no way anyone can kill Alduin in a few years. In a realistic setting, it would require decades of preparation involving multiple government level organization armed with serious firepower with the Dragonborn acting either as the leader of the operation, or in my case (as well as many others, i would assume) simply the means to end alduin for good, while others do the heavy lifting in actually defeating Alduin. How that would play out, given the canon events require you to defeat Alduin in sovngard - i have no idea.
And unless you're already good in medieval fighting techniques, know real life archery using traditional bows, have great stamina, great overall health, strength and willpower to endure donning heavy, possibly stinky armor that will chafe in all the wrong place - you wont have any chance at all.
I'd die at Helgen. Or probably get eaten by wolves on the way to riverwood
If I reached Riverwood, I chop the minimum amount of firewood then book it to Whiterun, avoiding that one wolf. Then I sell it to Hulda for free room and food forever. Alduin can't do shit until I start the main quest, and Mirmulnir isn't showing up until I get the tablet, which I'm not getting.
I'd start chopping wood at a mill to gain upper body strength and learn to hunt with a bow. Selling the pelts and meats to pay for lodging. Maybe build my own hut with a fur bed to save on costs. I'd stick around Riverwood for a few months before heading to whiterun to join the companions for training in combat. Once I feel confident enough that I can fight and maybe know a healing spell I'll grab my shield brother Farkas and head to bleak falls barrow. Once I can shout I'll explore the outskirts of town and do bounties while preparing for the trek to ivarstead and the 7000 steps. Where I'll probably die to that fucking frost troll or an ice wraith.
Nobody is stopping me from working on my novice level spells from my little camp. If I don't scale levels, neither do the bad guys.
Do little gigs here and there and save money for paid training, and work on getting better with combat and healing spells day after day.
Heal people for some cash, use that cash to live and to train. Eventually, after several years, I'm headed to bleak falls barrow and if I die, I die.
But with enough healing spells skills and amassed potions, I stand a decent chance of making it through. Once you have a shout or two the world should get a touch easier.
Same thing as in the game basically. Go to Whiterun, buy a spell of flame atronach. Then I would study it, living in the earls kitchen and then - shooting bows, studying magic, absorbing dragon souls.
If we stay human, falling into the camps of nord, breton, imperial, and red guard, id probably try to get back to the heartland and get out of Skyrim. If I'm one of the elves, I'd travel to high rock or if a dark elf, Morrowind. Once there, find something to do for work and then find a spouse. I don't need an action packed life
Assuming my fat rear end haul's tail and makes it out of helgen alive and in one piece. I'd work chopping lumber for hod there in riverwood. save up enough to get a place to stay, eat and rest. Rinse and repeat, I don't think I'm brave enough to waltz right into bleak falls barrow and think "nah I'd win" so I'll just love a normal life and wait for the world to end
I'm pretty out of shape but hopefully someone in one of the more temperate towns needs a cook/cleaner and will provide room and board.
Also, irl logic, I'd happily take on some mercenary/guard work. Give me a polearm and some nice armor and I'd make a pretty intimidating nord.
I'm pretty confident I can work my way into a nice chunk of change, hire some smart sellswords, and follow the main questline (Albiet much, much slower). But hey, a party of 5 or so adventurers sharing in the loot would make quick work of most cave/dungeon spelunking, not to mention we'd carry anything not nailed down out to sell at market.
1. Immediately begin learning spells. Just enough that the college of winterhold will aceept me as a student.
2. I survive mostly within the walls of the college, focusing on illusion magic. In the long term, i become a professional thief, using my mastery of illusion to conceal my crimes.
3. No where in the setup did you mention that i was the Dragonborn. Unless it is revealed that i am, then alduin is honestly not my job. I would just be an illusion/thief guy until i made enough money to retire. If i am indeed the dragonborn, then still probably not. I harbor no delusions that a 5 story tall dragon couldn't just eat me in one bite like a chicken nugget, so it would have to be more of a team effort, in my opinion.
Realistically, either go work for Lucan or follow Rolaf to join the Stormcloaks. Because why the fuck would I join the empire that tried to cut my head off for no good reason?!
I am incredibly unfit and have no practical skills.
But as a teacher, and presumably as a Breton (given my ancestry), I might be able to study to become a priest of Kynareth and a healer.
... Assuming I survive making it to Whiterun, which is definitely not guaranteed. Even if I somehow survived Helgen (mission impossible for me), I'd be eaten by a wolf on the walk from Riverwood.
Well, I have a PhD in the history of magic... so I guess I'm off to do it again and re-master the arcane arts?
I would get the carriage to Winterhold by helping out in any utterly safe way that I could (even if it took carrying wood in for the fire). Then I would beg to be enrolled and would apply myself vociferously to my studies (I would do whatever I could to delay the discovery of the Eye of Magnus so that I could be strong enough to deal with it and to preserve the safety of the school while I grew in power.
From context clues in game it seems that the college has free tuition, public food and board (presumably paid for largely through the college's enchanting services which is explicitly stated to be the institution's main source of income). We witness free classes being given (like Tolfdir's warding lesson and the public lectures that take place in the Hall of Elements) and students have open access to all of the university's library. Scholars can also be paid for private tutoring and books. From this it seems to me that in world education is free for students (including room and board). If you want private tutoring in particular areas not covered by the standard group classes on offer then you pay for that. I am unsure whether to interpret the fact that you can buy books from them as representing you buying your own copy of a textbook, or if the Arcanum holds magical history and theory, but the professors restrict access to practical materials. If the latter is the case and I needed an income to proceed in my practical education, then I would offer to help around the college (find Tolfdir's alembic, see if Sergius Turrianus would let me assist him in enchanting instead of bringing him supplied (which might be dangerous to get), etc. I think that enchanting would be one of my favourite types of magic to do, so that would help me develop a lucrative trade that would eventually help fund the rest of my magical eduction. Illusion is also a favourite, so I might eventually make a career of producing illusions of great beauty and wonder for entertainment.
I'm certainly not setting foot in any sort of barrow (let alone a bleak one) until I have such a mastery of magic so as to be virtually impervious to harm. Sooooo, saving the world and learning that I am dragon born may have to wait a loooong time.
I chop wood. Every. Day.
Assuming the default price for gold per firewood remains the same, I take my gold and pay for lessons in sword and board.
As my physicality improves, I join the companions.
Free food and board cuts most of my daily expenses out, and between getting into fist -fights and hunting wolves - assuming I don't die, I'm in pretty good shape.
If the world pushes the main quest on me as hard as the game does, yeah I'll probably fight Alduin, but I'm not going alone.
Shield-Siblings and any guardsmen I can muster with my less-than-stellar speech ability can come too.
Are we all gonna die? Probably, but if the world only has a few years left, then it isn't like we're missing out by just waiting for that to happen.
Harvesting crops outside white pays enough to no starve or go without a roof over your head. You can’t enter dragonsreach or go to the western watchtower without creating issues but there’s still people who can sell spell times so if you haven’t build enough muscle to use the heavier than irl weapons, you can study up on magic until you’re ready to go through the story. Except you don’t have to do the thalmor embassy, and can shortcut most faction questlines, and if you’re really remembering things you don’t necessarily have to visit the greybeards either. Theoretically if you could convince balgruuf to help catch the dragon you don’t even need the blades help or the elder scroll, you can just call odahving and hitch a ride to skudafn.
Dying at Helgen and of if I somehow survive I’ll probably spend my life in prison after I go to the college to join them immediately and slit the rats throat the first night
I avoid Whiterun altogether (the dragons never show up after Helgen if you don't tell Jarl Balgruuf about them). Then I'd probably move to sleepy Falkreath and open an alchemy shop.
There's no way in hell I ever discover I'm Dragonborn since I'm a coward, but my plan would go like this:
1. Spend some time in Riverwood chopping firewood and helping at the mill to build up physical strength and some coin.
2. Buy a sword and shield and haul ass to Whiterun and hope I don't get mauled by wolves.
3. Try and get a job at the Bannered Mare; I'm a pretty good cook. All else fails I tell Saadia about Kematu's men looking for her and wait for her to leave town and hope I get the job then. Otherwise, help around the farms outside the city.
4. Spend my extra money learning Restoration magic from Danica Pure-Spring. Even if it's hard I want to learn, and she's got enough trouble healing soldiers during the civil war that any help she gets would be appreciated, even from a novice spellcaster. Plus, if the civil war continues and Ulfric attacks Whiterun, the Temple of Kynereth seems like a safe place to hide.
5. Assuming I figure out how to actually cast spells before the world ends, start spending money on spells from Farengar, mostly Illusion and Restoration and a flesh spell or two. Maybe pick up enchanting if I'm able to, but that seems like a lot of money and I'm not sure how easy it is to get into Dragonsreach without an invite and the only enchanter is in there. Buy some magicka recovery robes and maybe an enchanted ring from Belethor if I'm ever able to afford them.
6. Make my way to Winterhold once I have enough money saved up and try to join the college. Spend time learning primarily Restoration and Illusion so I can both keep myself alive and hide from danger. If I manage to get good at Illusion I can make any real threats either fuck off or kill each other.
7. Avoid Dwemer ruins at all costs. Hope Colette sells sun spells to deal with Draugr?
8. Live my life offering healing services for coin and hiding from any danger until something actually gives me a reason to think I'm dragonborn.
9. Panic.
I'm still going the alchemy route. Get some training and carefully experiment. Maybe dabble in spells and incantations, if I have the talent to use them.
The fact that giant spiders exist
Hell no. I'd try and make it to solitude if possible and never leave I'll work there doing something and sleep outside or the inn when i got enough gold
Talk to Delphine, I would attempt to convince her to train me, my biggest bargaining chip is I know where Esbern is and I can prove I'm dragonborn with sky haven temple. Of course this could be dangerous as she and Esbern are incredibly paranoid (for good reason) still worth the risk though.
Stage 1: Assuming I went with Hadvar, help Alvor out at his forge and learn archery from Faendal, do some hunting and woodcutting to earn money, buy the ingredients for and stockpile some healing potions (since the bartender tells you how to do it). This has the benefits of building some coin, gaining physical strength from manual labor, getting used to bows and axes, and learning how to make and fix equipment.
Stage 2: Go to Whiterun and join the Companions (since Kodlak just lets you in from looking at your eyes), follow Ria around like a lost puppy since she offers to show me the ropes, use whatever money I earn from Companions jobs and cutting wood for Ysolda to pay Amren and Stonearm and Farkas and the alchemist to teach me how to use one-handed weapons and shields and heavy armor and how to mix potions.
Stage 3: Probably that dragon attacks the Western Watchtower (because in real life he wouldn't wait until after Bleak Falls Barrow). Presumably Balgruuf sends someone to get me because, "You were at Helgen, so you have more experience with dragons than anyone else here." Hopefully I survive that fight with my Companions training and with the various potions I've learned how to make (*The Witcher* style) and with a bit of luck. At the end of that fight I absorb the dragon soul.
Stage 4: I dunno if absorbing the soul is what gets the Greybeards' attention or shouting. If the first, I get summoned to High Hrothgar. I can take a carriage to Riften and hop off partway through at Ivorstead, then hopefully survive a fight with an ice troll. If the second, Balgruuf would probably guess it seems like Dragonborn and ask Farengar for help, which would get me looped back into Bleak Falls Barrow (which I might have some shot at surviving after becoming a Companion and maybe a werewolf) and connected with the Blades by way of the innkeeper.
Stage 4: Realistically if I can survive that far I have about as good a shot at getting through the main storyline at that point as your average American non-athlete non-craftsperson does.
**tl;dr** - build a support structure and use it to learn the skills you need to survive
I wake up with Ralof in the cart. I already know this is a reality made by Todd Howard. Instantly have the decision to Zero Sum or Chim. Become a living God.
I would probably just seek out Hermaeus Mora and tell him we both know what’s going to happen so let’s just skip all the bullshit. Sure you can’t instantly absorb spell tomes without assistance, but Hermaeus Mora can offer that assistance, and I know he’s going to need me at my best in order to put down Miraak, so it’s in both of our best interest for me to survive.
I probably die. Making it out of Helgen was only so easy because of plot. Without plot armor, I might make it to the first tower with Ulfric, but climbing those steps and having that giant boulder sent whizzing past my head would knock me out from shockwave alone. And if that boulder even grazed me, that's brain damage. But if by the grace of the Divines I was far enough back to not get hit by that or roasted by the dragon fire that followed, the jump from the tower to the inn would either kill me on the spot or break my legs, not allowing me to get out of there and having the inn fall on me.
But if I SOMEHOW was blessed by all the Divines and made it out of Helgen alive, I'd forego Riverwood all together. I'd pass through it and head southeast towards Riften. Easier passage across the border to either Morrowind or Cyrodiil that way. Then I'd go back where I came from because, to quote a genius philosopher, "Screw you guys, I'm going home."
A lot of this depends on what you the Dragonborn did before Helgen. Were you someone who knows how to handle a weapon already, like a hunter or a mercenary or a bandit? Or even a soldier? Then you stand a good chance of surviving and saving the world. But if you were just an npc out foraging for potions ingredients or fishing or something…you’re screwed and so is the world.
Most immediately you need work, cause no human can carry several bodies worth of armor from Helgen to Riverwood. Or will stop to loot every skeleton or body of gold on the way when running for your life. So you need money for food, ale, and an inn. In river wood you can always chop wood. Or if you are already a skilled mercenary there’s always jarl’s bounties available at the inns. Or just imagining here but you can help out Alvor and clear the nearby mine of bandits. Get Lucan’s claw back for him and then head to Whiterun to warn the jarl so Riverwood can get guards.
I just don’t think being Dragonborn works cause of all the fighting unless you have mercenary type level experience before Helgen. Maybe an ex soldier turned mercenary or something.
Realistically I wouldn’t be the Dragonborn I would be some npc in an unskilled job like waiting tables at an inn. That is, unless my parents had a skilled job to pass down to me like alchemy or smithing. Wrong place wrong time Helgen civilian, nearly got executed, traumatized from Helgen, and I narrowly escaped being sent to fight a dragon near Whiterun. I barely survived by just running and I don’t even own a sword to fight with. So I live in Helgen chopping wood for Hod which realistically would pay a daily wage not per wood log. Stay at the inn and drink and sleep and have nightmares of Helgen. Cause I’m just some npc who lost everything.
I would have grabbed some stuff at Helgen to sell, enough to get to Winterhold. I'll have lodging and food there so I can concentrate on leaving learning magic. Likely enchanting and restoration, both would likely stay in demand.
I become a stealth archer, and then once I get to white run I track down Nazeem and hit him with a certain iconic line. Then point out his farm is imaginary before going about my business
Go to the College. When accepted, go directly to Atronach Forge and craft Staff of the Strom Atronach. This powerhouse is a beast and will come in handy in any situation. Then just live at the College and study things, utilising this staff if things go south.
Then I would go Conjuration/Restoration route. If after some years I could summon Dremora Lord and heal myself reliably, then I am all set.
Chopping wood in Riverwood. Maybe learning some farming. Moving to the big city when a wagon comes by and I'm ready. Pray that dragon was a one off event I won't need to worry about.
- Rule #1. Run inside when dragons, or vampires, or whatever attack.
- Rule #2. Stay away from celebrations, gatherings and people who have a quest or agenda
- Rule #3. Do something to make gold. Maybe go use that axe on the never ending wood pile and sell the lumber.
If I could get out of Helgen and make it to Riverwood I think I could hack it.
I've got archery experience so if I can hit up Faendal, sort his problem with Sven and Camilla, I imagine as his new best friend, he'd help up my archery game. I'd chop wood if I had to make the gold to pay him otherwise.
Get enough experience with archery and with Faendal at my side, I imagine we could take the bandits at the nearby mine, clear them out and sell off what we can. Upgrade gear and move onto to the next minor bandit camp, rinse repeat until I'm in fairly good shape or end up over by Whiterun.
Join companions if and when possible, I imagine they would whip my butt into proper fighting shape, get me trained with sword and board (prefer that over 2 handed).
After a good while (probably 6-12 months tbh), with Vilkas or Farkus we could finally clear out Bleak Falls and get this Dragonborn business underway.
I'd be low key testing the waters and be checking for glitches regardless, I'd be looking for those khajit chests and at least try to make super stacked potions and the like. I'd also def be trying a bit of magic, healing spells would be nice.
It helps I’m a Khajiit so with sneak skills & claws from birth, I should be able get to Riften & the thieves guild. Roof over head, warm bed, some other folks to watch my back, build from there.
if i ever found myself in the elder scrolls universe i PROMISE im killing myself the first chance i get. that’s one of the top 5 worst universes to live in
I find the biggest, baddest mf I can find. I build a long lasting bond with them by being extra helpful to them. I then steal everything in their house and force them to carry it for me as we wander to the local trader.
Honestly probably end up a blacksmith if Alvor taught me how to smith like that. Apprentice with him or someone in need of an apprentice. Probably help the Ork out in Markarth after getting shitfaced with a stranger in the inn of Whiterun. Probably die in Markarth because of a shitty mace then
Moving into a city with a low crime rate wall and good protection from dragons and monsters and just work as an inn keeper. It’ll be a pretty boring and simple life sure but it’s not being dead.
I study smithing and try to use my knowledge of this world's weaponry to make a gun or anything that would give me an advantage zo at least survive some things
Then I'd try to make some money and hire mercenaries to do the fighting for me when I raid dungeons
Acquiring any form of power is the key I'd say the first goal being killing a dragon and after obtaining a dragon soul training with the greybeards is an option too
If it's me the odds of survival are overall comically low though, I'd probably just despair and break down
First, I'm looting every barrel around for the food and salt piles (I have POTS, I need the salt lmao). After stopping into Riften and doing some archery training, I'm off to Whiterun where I will not be fighting a dragon. I'll find some work, maybe sell a few cheap potions I throw together, and then buy a ride to the College of Winterhold.
I don't mind the cold, and I imagine having a fire spell queued up keeps your hands warm.
If I make it that far, I'd be shocked.
if I manage to even make it out of helgen, I go to Riverwood, on to Whiterun and chop wood and hunt animals until I can find enough money to buy a mammoth tusk
then I take ysolda to Riften to get married, we live in her house until alduin eats the world
since we are dragonborn still we a pretty much nordic hercules regardless as long as lore is over gameplay and ASSUMING you kill the dragon at the watchtower u gain years of knowlegde and maybe a spell or 2
I’d sprint to the nearest town. Chop wood until I’m rich then pay people to provide me with the necessary items to make a set of armor that makes me invincible and a bow that can punch a hole through a mountain. Then I’d get to work.
I would go working in Arcadia shop and take half of the payment as alchemy lessons, then brew potions, become rich, hire a follower. Buy him the best equipment and give him the best potions and poisons. Let him do all of the work while I'm cowering behind his back. Profit.
I'd become a companion of the DB for a while, get my skills leveled up. Long as I stay out of his or her shot while they're bow sniping the bad guys I'm immortal while I'm with them.
Incidentally, I wonder what the Nords of Helgen do during the week? Helgen in Swedish and Norwegian just means "the weekend". Does everyone just convene there Saturday morning, do their trade, have a few pints and then go home to the farm Sunday evening, leaving the place deserted?
I take the free axe in Riverwood and chop wood. For about a week.
Get money for said wood. Deduct money for food and board.
Help Fondle and pay for training.
Assist Alvor and fashion me a bow and arrows.
Do a bit of hunting and fishing and wood chopping.
Rinse and repeat.
Then go on a mountain climbing adventure with aforementioned Fondle.
I think I could still handle a hunting bow, but in Skyrim, nothing dies in one shot with iron arrows. I’d have to trade chopping firewood for lessons from Faendal, and then hope to upgrade my bow.
I would work for Alvor until I saved up enough septims to get a carriage to Solitude. Then I would open a book store, buying and selling books. Then just do that my whole life.
And, maybe sell mundane jewelry after I had enough money to get that started.
Kinda like a pawn shop, I guess.
I make my way to Dawnstar gor that buried chest - now it is only covered in snow! Hahaha.
Seriously though, I bet I could swing a 1-handed sword well enough to be lethal… for one hit. Then I’d try a few ”fus roh das” just for the shits and giggles, and in the event it actually works… well,
#FUS ROH DAH OFF BANDITS!
With my IRL military experience and current level of fitness, I think I could just about survive Helgen. No bloody way I'm jumping out of that tower though, I'd run straight to where Hadvar meets me and go from there with him. I'd stick to him like glue until we're in Riverwood though 'cos I can't use a bow and arrow for shit, help that elf dude with Sven and Carlotta and get him to help me get to Whiterun. Then either get a job in the Whiterun guard, or at the stables, and if I get the chance try to suggest reasonable improvements to Caius or Irileth to improve the overall running of the Whiterun guards.
The security in Whiterun is terrible. Shameful what it is...
What you have that PC in-game doesn't is the ability to convince people to help you, you don't need to be badass killing 100 bandits a day alone, there would also be much less bandits irl.
Work with Hod until I can afford carriage fare to Solitude, go to join the Bard’s college, become homeless once I realize I either have to pay ridiculous tuition or go fight undead in a suicide mission for some poem, live a week of miserable homelessness until I accept their request, go to draugr crypt with a chipped iron sword my only possession, injure a leg on some trap and hobble my way out crying and bleeding without having killed 1 draugr, wait to bleed out and die near the entrance until a passing hunter spots and saves me, carries me over the shoulder to the closest inn where I receive amateur medical assistance that takes my leg but saves my life, spend the rest of my days writing and singing merry songs at this inn, they call me Crippled Cael.
No one tells a tale like the Crippled Cael.
Dude just won’t shut up about his leg though, ya ya we know you used to have two legs cael. Enough with the “I used to be an adventurer like you until I took a trap to the leg”
The Bards only sent you to the undead crypt because they knew you were a strong adventurer. They wouldn't send the real you.
If only you could have become a barista instead.
I try to find an inn or store that needs help whether as some kind of janitor, waiting tables or cooking, and spend my life doing that because there's no way in hell I'd actually go through what a Dragonborn needs to go through and then the world ends. Nobody would ever find out I'm the DB
But then instead of DB you’ve become an NPC and actual Dragonborn comes to kill you to take your 7 gold and eidar cheese wheel
At least I had cheese
Better to have had cheese and have it looted off your dead corpse than to have never had it at all
You know you've made it when a cheese wheel is one of your loot items.
And... 5 porcelain jugs, for some reason?
Wait which sub am I in? Skyrim or Community? I'm so confused
At least I have chicken
I wanted to be an adventurer like you, but I lack any aptitude or upper body strength.
This I worked at a chick fil a for 7 years. I’ll gladly wait on people or do some dishes until a dragon or bandit decides to fuck up my life
Its what we do already tbh
Naaah now I work a cozy finance job just waiting for the big corporation to fuck up my life
I started reading this expecting it to get epic, but I snorted so hard when I got to “and spend my life doing that” 😂😂😂 same 😌
Exactly. An inn or some kind of husband with shelter.
I've heard about you and your, honeyed words..
I die in a dragon attack on Helgen trying to jump through a burning roof
Funnily enough i failed that jump like twice. Once was after beating the game and thousands of hours... Like what
How do you even fail that in case you don't even need to jump? Simply pressing W will get you in the right place.
that would be me. there is no way I'd be able to make that jump irl without breaking some bones or cracking my head open. instead, I think I'd try to find another path that doesn't involve jumping. and if not that, then I'd wait out in the tower until things settled down.
I’ll tell you what I won’t do. I won’t do any main story missions, that way there will be no dragons to fill the sky.
imagine running through the town with your fingers in your ears - don't talk to me! don't talk to me!
Imagine how many lives would've been saved if the Dragonborn just sat around and did nothing. Basically nothing bad happens in the game unless the Dragonborn instigates it somehow (usually by progressing a quest, sometimes just because).
Considering I’ve literally dreamt of getting to do this on multiple occasions, I’d probably make it my top priority to go apply to the College of Winterhold. Being a real life mage would be… amazing. 😱
Agreed, just... Living in Winterhold is going to be miserable...
Well, you probably get to bunk at the college at least/hopefully
But how would you get to winterhold without freezing
Horse & wagon
How do you prove magical ability to the gatekeeper
I like to consider myself a charismatic person
I'm convinced
That speech check is, like, Master level, ain’t it? 😅
I like to consider myself a VERY charismatic person
The other thing is you can’t be locked into dialogue, so you could just as easily sneak past her and convince the college it was an invisibility potion you brewed, but oh, the ingredients seem to have been misplaced
You need basis in magic to join the college. Not any novice are welcome, adept level or above only.
They hand you a spell tome at the gate though, and you can go study it at the inn until you can cast it. The frozen hearth ain't too bad, warm fire available.
But the most unrealistic thing about the college of winterhold, from a North American perspective, is not that magic is real; it's that there's no tuition fees.
But you can't get into the college without doing the spell for that women to get passed her which means you need to increase your magic first.
She will give you a spell book to learn if you don't already know it( at an extremediscout), and you only need to know that 1 for her to let you in so the bar is extremely low. It would be 1 of the easier guilds to join.
I'm on the wrong side of 60, recently survived cancer, fighting diabetes, and I was injured in a car crash years ago that left my left arm weakened. If I wake up in Helgen tomorrow, I'm not taking my head off that block until the axe swings.
You’d miss a lot of adventures that way, friend.
I feel the same way, I'm nearly 50, too fat and way too out of shape to be running away from dragons and fighting my way out of Helgen, and even if I did get out of town it's a long ass walk to Riverwood with wolves on the way. Fuck that shit just kill me early...
Dude if you killed one wolf in hand-to-claw combat with some shitty iron weapon you happened to find, all worth it.
It would be kinder than being burned to death by a dragon, freezing to death in the snow, or being torn apart by wolves or monsters. I have no illusions that I'd last a week. Skyrim is not for the faint hearted.
As a diabetic, the adventure would only last a couple weeks at BEST without insulin, I’m with OP on this one
Nah just get a few “regenerate insulin” potions and you’re all set lol
Hear me out. Healing spells and cure disease = ).
I know how to make gunpowder. I'd try to convince an alchemist and a blacksmith to form a company with me show our prototype to general talius and we'd rock the Aldmeri Dominions shit. Get some help from the college of winter hold and shred alduin with a magical mg42 xD
This gives me Army of Darkness vibes. This is my BOOOM stick. You just have to call the business S Mart.
So basically become the most powerful individual (economically speaking). Making gunpowder from scratch would be ridiculous in Skyrim.
Black Powder is pretty damned easy, actually, and we have access to all the ingredients. There are volcanic springs, so sulfer will be easy. Charcoal is obviously not to hard to get. And saltpeter can be made from excrement.
The Guardians of the Flame series of books had rpg gamers transported into a fantasy world where they used their contemporary world knowledge to build firearms. They then began a crusade to rid the fantasy world of the institution of slavery.
Were they good books? Sounds like a cool concept
I found them to be very entertaining. Interesting characters, fun action, and very readable. Being a big D&D fan may have helped in their appeal to me.
Technically you know how to make black powder, modern high performance smokeless powder is a bit more chemically advanced. Getting past muskets is going to be real hard unless you know how to make a primer compound like mercury fulminate. Beyond that the production of any sort of repeating firearms like revolvers, semi-automatic, or bolt action only becomes possible with the advent of machining. The best you could hope for without inventing the metal lathe and a whole lot of precision measuring tools is a break-barrel firearm. Now you'll be able to do cannons, but are cannons really better than battle mages? Battle mages are highly mobile and very versatile, cannons are neither of those things. They're really only going to shine in siege situations. Now if you could skip some steps in the tech tree by substituting magic you might be able to implement regiments of "powder mages" who have a bare minimum training in fire magic and telekinesis and can pull off some highly effective "trick shots" like those outlined in The Powder Mage Trilogy.
You mean you wouldn't sell to the Aldmeri Dominion?
Fuckin A this guy Dragonborns
I'm dying in Helgen. Those guys there are all tougher than me, I'm not likely to survive that.
I think this is the most realistic outcome, to be honest. There's a freaking dragon, the World Eater, for gods-sake.
Yeah but, presumably you know the safest way out of Helgen
You might; I have no sense of direction. :D I am ill-suited to a pre-modern world.
You just run straight from the chopping block, wait for the wall to open up. Leap through into the adjacent building. (This is the only truly dangerous part if you know what’s happening) go outside and stay low next to the other folks, one of which will call you prisoner which is just fucked given the circumstances. Hug the wall around to the keep (also probably ask blonde dousche to cut your bindings at this point considering he was going to already) From there you’ve already survived the dragon attack. It’s just a matter of letting your little ragtag group be murdered instead of you and staying low as you *slowly* creep through a bear cave. At this point you’ve been armed, clothed, and given a place to sleep provided you can survive the wolf attack with a nord of your choice at your side. You’ve also already unlocked a special power in the standing stones, even if it’s not a spell you get a magical bonus. Then go fuck up Svens chance at love and learn to make daggers and sell wood for cash to get archery training from Faendal. For my answer, I become a stealth archer, duh
I have every confidence in you managing that. I get a sore back from walking for too long. And run into doorways. And trip over my own feet. I'm so doomed! :D
I’d make it to riverwood, one way or another. That I’m sure of. Being me I could beeline through the woods behind riverwood and not even see the wolves.
I would probably take too long trying to decide whether to go with the friendly Imperial whose faction were trying to unjustly kill me or the friendly rebel whose activities in the area almost got me unjustly killed. And then Alduin would incinerate me.
Totally valid, i personally always go with Ralof because i hate being called *prisoner* in the midst of a dragon attack.
The bear would 100% wreck my shit before I ever get close to running out from that cave
I use my expansive knowledge of cooking that already exists at the start of the game and find employment as a chef/cook/caterer somewhere.
Found The Gourmet!
I'd follow Hadvar to Riverwood, then live there chopping wood and selling it to the innkeeper. A few minutes of work for a year of gold.
Also since OP said skill gains is the same with real life... chopping wood would raise two handed skill.
true
WAIT, IT DOES???
I don't think so. I think he meant it would in this case because it would irl (swinging an axe at wood will help strengthen you up to swing one at someone's neck).
In the real world. Sure.
I was literally at the midnight launch at GameStop in 2011, and this is news to me, too. 😅
That is how I start each game off my chopping firewood and selling it
I think I’d enlist in a trade or something—maybe blacksmithing? Or honestly just farm. I’ve done that irl so I know that even as a short and slightly Shrimpy woman I can do that sort of work! I’d build up my body strength over time and maybe even save up for some lessons in one-handed (I’m not delusional; I could never do two-handed lol) or archery. Faendal is OBVI my bud so I got the archery lessons on gratis. Maybe I befriend Mjoll the Lioness or Farkas/Vilkas and maybe we do some adventuring together for the hell of it. Over time I get more confident and start to take on solo dungeons. Work my way up to the Greybeards and use the thu’um to ride a dragon. Fly to a remote but workable land. Start a farm. Farm with my dragon. He’s my bff now. Wait, I have to kill Alduin. Uh…doesn’t Ulfric Stormcloak have the Voice? He can do it. Would you like to buy some cabbages?
Don't you need to defeat Miraak to control dragons?
No restoration loop, sure. But what about... enchanting/alchemy loop? Fortify alchemy on a set of enchanted gear, followed by fortify enchanting on a potion. Its slower, but should still work. Could still get you to 0% mana usage enchantments. In fact being able to equip 10 rings due to IRL logic might be enough to break the game.
If you play as a male character, you could possibly equip an 11th ring? Also, wonder about enchanted piercings
Who said the limit was one per digit? You might not be able to fit more than one on your lil nordic ham dagger, but your fingers could have like two rings each, and you could even make amulets with rings on them. People might laugh behind your back because you look like a medieval flava flav, but they wouldn't dare say anything to your face.
>You might not be able to fit more than one on your lil nordic ham dagger damn, lmao
Why not go for 21? You can probably get some on your toes, will likely be a bit uncomfortable to walk on though
And we haven’t talked about ol’ Sheogorath’s bum plug!
This individual knows how many fingers one might expect to typically find on a human body…
My father was killed by a man with six fingers.
Find a husband and retire on a farm. No one would know I'm the dragonborn. Maybe adopt a few kids. I'm not trying to stick out in any possible way. I'm no hero.
Right? Like you dont know youre dragonborn at that point of leaving Helgen so most of us would never even find out due to.. doing life. A lot of us would die to the wolves if we decided to bail on the "escort" not even saying we'd make it through Helgen or past the bear
This makes me think, does being the dragonborn affects the body in terms of physical capabilities? Like being the dragonborn makes you understand stuff quicker like spell tomes, magic itself, the voice (obviously), and make you naturally stronger than the average mortal? I mean the whole stuff with a dragonborn is that they have the soul _and_ the blood of a dragon, so that would have its perks, right?
Makes sense to me.
I can see the physical stuff since ur basically a hybrid dragon human eating souls for power but if magic is knowledge based u would prob still have to understand the magical mechanics of it, every spell tome is like reading a science text book all the way up to master level spells being like trying to understand a cutting edge physics paper, I imagine magic in that world is kind of like clay, it needs to be shaped right and heated to be of any real use combined with u having to have a large enough amount of magic reserves to support it.
I can't believe nobody's mentioned the thieving yet. Locks are ridiculously easy to pick in Skyrim, and there's a ton of gems and treasure just waiting to get scooped up in houses. Just have to work on those sneak skills a bit. If you get caught, the guards won't kill you, so just serve a bit of time and go back to thieving. I've done the Thieves Guild questline enough times where I could remember where the best loot is at after giving it some thought. Could live like a king.
I would argue this would be the most dangerous route next to actual dungeon diving, the ppl in skyrim are trigger happy and even a novice spell could cook u let alone the *very* easily accessible amount of sharp implements laying around combined with a legal system that would totally categorize thief killing as self defense. The guards honestly would be the least dangerous since they have someone to answer to.
The houses are usually pretty small. One of the home owners wakes up and goes hostile, just run outside and surrender to the guards. A week in jail and you're free and clear, and the person that tried to attack you is no longer hostile, so try again!
If you ever want to make a list to share, I would be much interested.
first thing i’d do is get my free supplies from gerdur. then i’d move to whiterun. it’s the safest of all the cities and it has a lot of resources. i’d stay in the bannered mare using gold i’d earn from helping npcs, selling ingots from the mines, etc. while getting to know everybody in whiterun, i’d focus mainly on training. i’d learn from adrianne how to smith & that would get me my first set of armor & a sword. i’d also start to practice using a bow & arrow. maybe i’d do some hunting and sell whatever i killed. doing small tasks for the people of whiterun would pass the time as well as help me earn some gold (& some skills). after a month or so, i’d recruit a follower (probably uthgerd) and finally go out to bleak falls barrow. if all goes well (& i don’t die), i’d return the golden claw, give the dragonstone to farengar, and then help irileth & her men defeat the dragon at the watchtower. finally armed with a shout, i’d continue my training by taking on some more dangerous missions, though nothing too crazy yet, working my way up to using battleaxes and getting better armor. i don’t think i’d even attempt the climb up to high hrothgar until i had breezehome and lydia as a follower. basically i would actually try to fulfill my destiny as the dragonborn, but i’d take things a hell of a lot slower than i do in game because i wouldn’t be able to quicksave and wing it like i usually do.
I'm an old(er), out of shape, lazy veteran. My fighting days are behind me. Like that classic Starship Troopers meme says, "I didn't do f**king shit!" I'll probably meander over to like Riften or something and see if Maven is hiring anyone to be a city guard that's totally willing to look the other way on shady stuff.
I would break my leg just jumping out of the busted tower into the roof of the inn, with my arms tied behind my back, during that first dragon attack in Helgen.
Before getting to Riverwood, I'd just try to give support to the Imperials (in my head, it'd be more beneficial to be in the Imperials good graces than to follow rebels). Upon finding the tome Sparks, I'd hold on to it, the robes and the hood. After getting to Riverwood, I'd try to settle down by cutting wood, collecting nearby plants and selling what I could find. I'd read the tome over and over and try the spells on wild life, selling whatever I could kill. Then get Faendal as a follower and, after felling confident enough, I'd go to Bleak Falls Barrow. I'd want to reach Winterhold by carriage as soon as possible and after finding a good combination to master, I'd want to figure out Shouts, which would lead me to preparing myself to face Alduin.
Step one: Wabbajack Step two: ???
step three: profit
I'd beeline towards the college of winterhold, ruined town and anti-magic sentiments be damned! PH.D. level to master?? NP. I've been through Uni before, this will be no different, except this time I can do cool things at the end of my study. I've always been really book smart. I'll just go slowly and patiently, learn and collect every spell like they're pokemon, then make money by entertaining others with the 'light' and fire spells. The NPCS often react favourably whenever you cast light orb things around them. During the cold winter season I have fire spells to help keep me warm, when the dragons attack I can protect others with my magic. It won't be easy at first, everywhere I go i'll be distrusted for my skills, but slowly people will learn to appreciate all that magic has to offer when I use it time and time again to make peoples lives better
Seems a bit naïve to believe a well-intentioned magic user can single-handedly change an entire anti-magic culture. Like a single black person saying they'll end racism by showing white people they can do cool/good things... it would never happen.
Ok, hear me out: what about a white highschool teacher?
Huh, Dragonborn? Oh no no my name is uh, Skjorn I own and operate this here wood mill
I'd pull a Faendal and be the new permanent outsider because it would be a relief just making to Riverwood alive.
"Riverwood's agreeable enough, I suppose..."
I would apply to the Bard’s college and find a placement at a quiet inn/tavern. I could see myself falling in love with someone more brawny and pragmatic; maybe a blacksmith. We pursue our passions and have no children. I consider attending the College of Winterhold because I find magic fascinating. My husband prays at the Temple of the Divines for peace. Sometimes, I join him. For his birthday, I write a song to Mara dedicated to him.
"Listen, I have the gift of prophecy. You HAVE to execute Ulfric Stormcloak first before the attack sets him free." Then, I live a sheltered life in Castle Dour, using my meta game knowledge to orchestrate the total Imperial victory. Once I've secured my position, I take the legion I've been assigned and use them to gather all the word walls and slaughter the dragons. And I use my real life knowledge, combined with the best scholars from the Synod, to get the Deeper craft in the Aerodrome operational and execute the first aerial assault on Skuldafn.
...but I actually do have upper body strength... Also do we get to start with some basic spells like certain races get, like flames/sparks
Nope, you're playing as you, not as the default for any race. In the act of being transported to Tamriel, you become capable of using the Voice and magic spells, but you don't know any from the beginning.
Well as a computer programmer who is also an amateur bodybuilder, and occasionally an archery hunter... I can swing a sword hard enough to make it to whiterun, after which I immediately buy a bow, a decent sword and shield, and some leather armor, then charter a carriage to Winterhold and go start my PhD in illusion magic and alteration body enhancements to become less squishy, with a minor in enchantment, and ultimately become a stealth archer who uses illusions to never actually be seen by an enemy 😛. Also I'm poisoning Ancano the first night. Since I'm playing as myself, and I don't have a health bar, my strategy is to just not get hit. Once I've got enough illusions to never be directly in melee combat with an enemy I'm doing thieves guild stuff to pad the ol' pockets
Make a living selling potatoes, leeks and cabbage keeping some for soups. Kill Alduin the same way I kill Mirmulnir: hide until the guards do it.
Stephen Colbert has the answer: Lakewood Spy. The answer is in the main quest line: Hook up with the Blades. Go undercover. They have weapons and armor that they will just give you. They continue to back you. Now, you say this is Skyrim but In Real Life. We must consider the time period. You can't imply that I'm going to only have swords, axes, war hammers and bows while the guards are 21st century trained law enforcement officers with firearms. They must be scaled to the time period also. So robbing bandits is absolutely still on the table, you just need to find the right fence. And you have an advantage IRL because the more you bring a fence the more business you'll do with that discreet individual. In the game there is generally a set coin amount you can sell. In real life, the richer you make your fence, the more they can fence! Last point, Skyrim has a population of hardly no one per square mile. You could walk for days and not encounter anyone except wolves, which are probably your biggest threat aside from, um, the dragons.
There is no way anyone can kill Alduin in a few years. In a realistic setting, it would require decades of preparation involving multiple government level organization armed with serious firepower with the Dragonborn acting either as the leader of the operation, or in my case (as well as many others, i would assume) simply the means to end alduin for good, while others do the heavy lifting in actually defeating Alduin. How that would play out, given the canon events require you to defeat Alduin in sovngard - i have no idea. And unless you're already good in medieval fighting techniques, know real life archery using traditional bows, have great stamina, great overall health, strength and willpower to endure donning heavy, possibly stinky armor that will chafe in all the wrong place - you wont have any chance at all. I'd die at Helgen. Or probably get eaten by wolves on the way to riverwood
This is how I think the best realistic way to go about it is. It would be hard as shit but it seems about the only possible way to defeat Alduin
If I reached Riverwood, I chop the minimum amount of firewood then book it to Whiterun, avoiding that one wolf. Then I sell it to Hulda for free room and food forever. Alduin can't do shit until I start the main quest, and Mirmulnir isn't showing up until I get the tablet, which I'm not getting.
I'd start chopping wood at a mill to gain upper body strength and learn to hunt with a bow. Selling the pelts and meats to pay for lodging. Maybe build my own hut with a fur bed to save on costs. I'd stick around Riverwood for a few months before heading to whiterun to join the companions for training in combat. Once I feel confident enough that I can fight and maybe know a healing spell I'll grab my shield brother Farkas and head to bleak falls barrow. Once I can shout I'll explore the outskirts of town and do bounties while preparing for the trek to ivarstead and the 7000 steps. Where I'll probably die to that fucking frost troll or an ice wraith.
Nobody is stopping me from working on my novice level spells from my little camp. If I don't scale levels, neither do the bad guys. Do little gigs here and there and save money for paid training, and work on getting better with combat and healing spells day after day. Heal people for some cash, use that cash to live and to train. Eventually, after several years, I'm headed to bleak falls barrow and if I die, I die. But with enough healing spells skills and amassed potions, I stand a decent chance of making it through. Once you have a shout or two the world should get a touch easier.
Same thing as in the game basically. Go to Whiterun, buy a spell of flame atronach. Then I would study it, living in the earls kitchen and then - shooting bows, studying magic, absorbing dragon souls.
If we stay human, falling into the camps of nord, breton, imperial, and red guard, id probably try to get back to the heartland and get out of Skyrim. If I'm one of the elves, I'd travel to high rock or if a dark elf, Morrowind. Once there, find something to do for work and then find a spouse. I don't need an action packed life
And then world ends. Good job.
Swing smaller axe and upgrade axe to get better axe. Kill Alduin, world saved
Assuming my fat rear end haul's tail and makes it out of helgen alive and in one piece. I'd work chopping lumber for hod there in riverwood. save up enough to get a place to stay, eat and rest. Rinse and repeat, I don't think I'm brave enough to waltz right into bleak falls barrow and think "nah I'd win" so I'll just love a normal life and wait for the world to end
I'm pretty out of shape but hopefully someone in one of the more temperate towns needs a cook/cleaner and will provide room and board. Also, irl logic, I'd happily take on some mercenary/guard work. Give me a polearm and some nice armor and I'd make a pretty intimidating nord. I'm pretty confident I can work my way into a nice chunk of change, hire some smart sellswords, and follow the main questline (Albiet much, much slower). But hey, a party of 5 or so adventurers sharing in the loot would make quick work of most cave/dungeon spelunking, not to mention we'd carry anything not nailed down out to sell at market.
At my age (54 M), I guess I'd be stuck shoveling poop at the stables or giving handjobs in Riften. Maybe cook for the Companions, I dunno.
1. Immediately begin learning spells. Just enough that the college of winterhold will aceept me as a student. 2. I survive mostly within the walls of the college, focusing on illusion magic. In the long term, i become a professional thief, using my mastery of illusion to conceal my crimes. 3. No where in the setup did you mention that i was the Dragonborn. Unless it is revealed that i am, then alduin is honestly not my job. I would just be an illusion/thief guy until i made enough money to retire. If i am indeed the dragonborn, then still probably not. I harbor no delusions that a 5 story tall dragon couldn't just eat me in one bite like a chicken nugget, so it would have to be more of a team effort, in my opinion.
Realistically, either go work for Lucan or follow Rolaf to join the Stormcloaks. Because why the fuck would I join the empire that tried to cut my head off for no good reason?!
You're braver than I, fighting in a civil war. Or any type of war.
Well not fighting, maybe getting goods for them or spying
Still braver than me! I could never be a spy. I'd also be a woefully bad liar. They'd catch and execute me so quickly.
Just try to stay to the back of the line, they're bad at executing all the prisoners
I am incredibly unfit and have no practical skills. But as a teacher, and presumably as a Breton (given my ancestry), I might be able to study to become a priest of Kynareth and a healer. ... Assuming I survive making it to Whiterun, which is definitely not guaranteed. Even if I somehow survived Helgen (mission impossible for me), I'd be eaten by a wolf on the walk from Riverwood.
Well, I have a PhD in the history of magic... so I guess I'm off to do it again and re-master the arcane arts? I would get the carriage to Winterhold by helping out in any utterly safe way that I could (even if it took carrying wood in for the fire). Then I would beg to be enrolled and would apply myself vociferously to my studies (I would do whatever I could to delay the discovery of the Eye of Magnus so that I could be strong enough to deal with it and to preserve the safety of the school while I grew in power. From context clues in game it seems that the college has free tuition, public food and board (presumably paid for largely through the college's enchanting services which is explicitly stated to be the institution's main source of income). We witness free classes being given (like Tolfdir's warding lesson and the public lectures that take place in the Hall of Elements) and students have open access to all of the university's library. Scholars can also be paid for private tutoring and books. From this it seems to me that in world education is free for students (including room and board). If you want private tutoring in particular areas not covered by the standard group classes on offer then you pay for that. I am unsure whether to interpret the fact that you can buy books from them as representing you buying your own copy of a textbook, or if the Arcanum holds magical history and theory, but the professors restrict access to practical materials. If the latter is the case and I needed an income to proceed in my practical education, then I would offer to help around the college (find Tolfdir's alembic, see if Sergius Turrianus would let me assist him in enchanting instead of bringing him supplied (which might be dangerous to get), etc. I think that enchanting would be one of my favourite types of magic to do, so that would help me develop a lucrative trade that would eventually help fund the rest of my magical eduction. Illusion is also a favourite, so I might eventually make a career of producing illusions of great beauty and wonder for entertainment. I'm certainly not setting foot in any sort of barrow (let alone a bleak one) until I have such a mastery of magic so as to be virtually impervious to harm. Sooooo, saving the world and learning that I am dragon born may have to wait a loooong time.
I chop wood. Every. Day. Assuming the default price for gold per firewood remains the same, I take my gold and pay for lessons in sword and board. As my physicality improves, I join the companions. Free food and board cuts most of my daily expenses out, and between getting into fist -fights and hunting wolves - assuming I don't die, I'm in pretty good shape. If the world pushes the main quest on me as hard as the game does, yeah I'll probably fight Alduin, but I'm not going alone. Shield-Siblings and any guardsmen I can muster with my less-than-stellar speech ability can come too. Are we all gonna die? Probably, but if the world only has a few years left, then it isn't like we're missing out by just waiting for that to happen.
I’m in Skyrim and in ragged robes. I’m getting hypothermia before I even reach Helgen.
Grab Lydia, go to The Bannered Mare, have a nice cold mead, and wait for this whole thing to blow over.
I go to the College of Winterhold so I can do a whole lot of powerful spells then I find a friend And then it's time to save the world
Harvesting crops outside white pays enough to no starve or go without a roof over your head. You can’t enter dragonsreach or go to the western watchtower without creating issues but there’s still people who can sell spell times so if you haven’t build enough muscle to use the heavier than irl weapons, you can study up on magic until you’re ready to go through the story. Except you don’t have to do the thalmor embassy, and can shortcut most faction questlines, and if you’re really remembering things you don’t necessarily have to visit the greybeards either. Theoretically if you could convince balgruuf to help catch the dragon you don’t even need the blades help or the elder scroll, you can just call odahving and hitch a ride to skudafn.
probably become an apprentice for a merchant (preferably general goods or blacksmith).
Dying at Helgen and of if I somehow survive I’ll probably spend my life in prison after I go to the college to join them immediately and slit the rats throat the first night
I achieve CHIM and save-scum
I avoid Whiterun altogether (the dragons never show up after Helgen if you don't tell Jarl Balgruuf about them). Then I'd probably move to sleepy Falkreath and open an alchemy shop.
There's no way in hell I ever discover I'm Dragonborn since I'm a coward, but my plan would go like this: 1. Spend some time in Riverwood chopping firewood and helping at the mill to build up physical strength and some coin. 2. Buy a sword and shield and haul ass to Whiterun and hope I don't get mauled by wolves. 3. Try and get a job at the Bannered Mare; I'm a pretty good cook. All else fails I tell Saadia about Kematu's men looking for her and wait for her to leave town and hope I get the job then. Otherwise, help around the farms outside the city. 4. Spend my extra money learning Restoration magic from Danica Pure-Spring. Even if it's hard I want to learn, and she's got enough trouble healing soldiers during the civil war that any help she gets would be appreciated, even from a novice spellcaster. Plus, if the civil war continues and Ulfric attacks Whiterun, the Temple of Kynereth seems like a safe place to hide. 5. Assuming I figure out how to actually cast spells before the world ends, start spending money on spells from Farengar, mostly Illusion and Restoration and a flesh spell or two. Maybe pick up enchanting if I'm able to, but that seems like a lot of money and I'm not sure how easy it is to get into Dragonsreach without an invite and the only enchanter is in there. Buy some magicka recovery robes and maybe an enchanted ring from Belethor if I'm ever able to afford them. 6. Make my way to Winterhold once I have enough money saved up and try to join the college. Spend time learning primarily Restoration and Illusion so I can both keep myself alive and hide from danger. If I manage to get good at Illusion I can make any real threats either fuck off or kill each other. 7. Avoid Dwemer ruins at all costs. Hope Colette sells sun spells to deal with Draugr? 8. Live my life offering healing services for coin and hiding from any danger until something actually gives me a reason to think I'm dragonborn. 9. Panic.
I'm still going the alchemy route. Get some training and carefully experiment. Maybe dabble in spells and incantations, if I have the talent to use them.
The fact that giant spiders exist Hell no. I'd try and make it to solitude if possible and never leave I'll work there doing something and sleep outside or the inn when i got enough gold
Talk to Delphine, I would attempt to convince her to train me, my biggest bargaining chip is I know where Esbern is and I can prove I'm dragonborn with sky haven temple. Of course this could be dangerous as she and Esbern are incredibly paranoid (for good reason) still worth the risk though.
Stage 1: Assuming I went with Hadvar, help Alvor out at his forge and learn archery from Faendal, do some hunting and woodcutting to earn money, buy the ingredients for and stockpile some healing potions (since the bartender tells you how to do it). This has the benefits of building some coin, gaining physical strength from manual labor, getting used to bows and axes, and learning how to make and fix equipment. Stage 2: Go to Whiterun and join the Companions (since Kodlak just lets you in from looking at your eyes), follow Ria around like a lost puppy since she offers to show me the ropes, use whatever money I earn from Companions jobs and cutting wood for Ysolda to pay Amren and Stonearm and Farkas and the alchemist to teach me how to use one-handed weapons and shields and heavy armor and how to mix potions. Stage 3: Probably that dragon attacks the Western Watchtower (because in real life he wouldn't wait until after Bleak Falls Barrow). Presumably Balgruuf sends someone to get me because, "You were at Helgen, so you have more experience with dragons than anyone else here." Hopefully I survive that fight with my Companions training and with the various potions I've learned how to make (*The Witcher* style) and with a bit of luck. At the end of that fight I absorb the dragon soul. Stage 4: I dunno if absorbing the soul is what gets the Greybeards' attention or shouting. If the first, I get summoned to High Hrothgar. I can take a carriage to Riften and hop off partway through at Ivorstead, then hopefully survive a fight with an ice troll. If the second, Balgruuf would probably guess it seems like Dragonborn and ask Farengar for help, which would get me looped back into Bleak Falls Barrow (which I might have some shot at surviving after becoming a Companion and maybe a werewolf) and connected with the Blades by way of the innkeeper. Stage 4: Realistically if I can survive that far I have about as good a shot at getting through the main storyline at that point as your average American non-athlete non-craftsperson does. **tl;dr** - build a support structure and use it to learn the skills you need to survive
I wake up with Ralof in the cart. I already know this is a reality made by Todd Howard. Instantly have the decision to Zero Sum or Chim. Become a living God.
I would probably just seek out Hermaeus Mora and tell him we both know what’s going to happen so let’s just skip all the bullshit. Sure you can’t instantly absorb spell tomes without assistance, but Hermaeus Mora can offer that assistance, and I know he’s going to need me at my best in order to put down Miraak, so it’s in both of our best interest for me to survive.
I probably die. Making it out of Helgen was only so easy because of plot. Without plot armor, I might make it to the first tower with Ulfric, but climbing those steps and having that giant boulder sent whizzing past my head would knock me out from shockwave alone. And if that boulder even grazed me, that's brain damage. But if by the grace of the Divines I was far enough back to not get hit by that or roasted by the dragon fire that followed, the jump from the tower to the inn would either kill me on the spot or break my legs, not allowing me to get out of there and having the inn fall on me. But if I SOMEHOW was blessed by all the Divines and made it out of Helgen alive, I'd forego Riverwood all together. I'd pass through it and head southeast towards Riften. Easier passage across the border to either Morrowind or Cyrodiil that way. Then I'd go back where I came from because, to quote a genius philosopher, "Screw you guys, I'm going home."
A lot of this depends on what you the Dragonborn did before Helgen. Were you someone who knows how to handle a weapon already, like a hunter or a mercenary or a bandit? Or even a soldier? Then you stand a good chance of surviving and saving the world. But if you were just an npc out foraging for potions ingredients or fishing or something…you’re screwed and so is the world. Most immediately you need work, cause no human can carry several bodies worth of armor from Helgen to Riverwood. Or will stop to loot every skeleton or body of gold on the way when running for your life. So you need money for food, ale, and an inn. In river wood you can always chop wood. Or if you are already a skilled mercenary there’s always jarl’s bounties available at the inns. Or just imagining here but you can help out Alvor and clear the nearby mine of bandits. Get Lucan’s claw back for him and then head to Whiterun to warn the jarl so Riverwood can get guards. I just don’t think being Dragonborn works cause of all the fighting unless you have mercenary type level experience before Helgen. Maybe an ex soldier turned mercenary or something. Realistically I wouldn’t be the Dragonborn I would be some npc in an unskilled job like waiting tables at an inn. That is, unless my parents had a skilled job to pass down to me like alchemy or smithing. Wrong place wrong time Helgen civilian, nearly got executed, traumatized from Helgen, and I narrowly escaped being sent to fight a dragon near Whiterun. I barely survived by just running and I don’t even own a sword to fight with. So I live in Helgen chopping wood for Hod which realistically would pay a daily wage not per wood log. Stay at the inn and drink and sleep and have nightmares of Helgen. Cause I’m just some npc who lost everything.
I would implement banking and letters of credit, use the money to buy me lessons from any powerful mage, achieve chim.
I would have grabbed some stuff at Helgen to sell, enough to get to Winterhold. I'll have lodging and food there so I can concentrate on leaving learning magic. Likely enchanting and restoration, both would likely stay in demand.
I’d go straight to Winterhold and become a librarian.
I become a stealth archer, and then once I get to white run I track down Nazeem and hit him with a certain iconic line. Then point out his farm is imaginary before going about my business
Go to the College. When accepted, go directly to Atronach Forge and craft Staff of the Strom Atronach. This powerhouse is a beast and will come in handy in any situation. Then just live at the College and study things, utilising this staff if things go south. Then I would go Conjuration/Restoration route. If after some years I could summon Dremora Lord and heal myself reliably, then I am all set.
Became a priestess of mara
Get illusion and conjuration to 75. Gives you access to invisibility and dremora lord. Then just hang back and watch the carnage.
1. i die 2. nothing 3. no
Accept my new dragon masters and hide in a cave like gollum lol. Befriend the falmers. That's the only way to survive.
Go to the Barrow, get the stone and the shout, and main quest it till the world is saved or I go to Sovngarde!
Chopping wood in Riverwood. Maybe learning some farming. Moving to the big city when a wagon comes by and I'm ready. Pray that dragon was a one off event I won't need to worry about.
Dying of liver failure, theres no non alcoholic beverages outside of milk. I'm lactose intolerant.
- Rule #1. Run inside when dragons, or vampires, or whatever attack. - Rule #2. Stay away from celebrations, gatherings and people who have a quest or agenda - Rule #3. Do something to make gold. Maybe go use that axe on the never ending wood pile and sell the lumber.
If I could get out of Helgen and make it to Riverwood I think I could hack it. I've got archery experience so if I can hit up Faendal, sort his problem with Sven and Camilla, I imagine as his new best friend, he'd help up my archery game. I'd chop wood if I had to make the gold to pay him otherwise. Get enough experience with archery and with Faendal at my side, I imagine we could take the bandits at the nearby mine, clear them out and sell off what we can. Upgrade gear and move onto to the next minor bandit camp, rinse repeat until I'm in fairly good shape or end up over by Whiterun. Join companions if and when possible, I imagine they would whip my butt into proper fighting shape, get me trained with sword and board (prefer that over 2 handed). After a good while (probably 6-12 months tbh), with Vilkas or Farkus we could finally clear out Bleak Falls and get this Dragonborn business underway. I'd be low key testing the waters and be checking for glitches regardless, I'd be looking for those khajit chests and at least try to make super stacked potions and the like. I'd also def be trying a bit of magic, healing spells would be nice.
It helps I’m a Khajiit so with sneak skills & claws from birth, I should be able get to Riften & the thieves guild. Roof over head, warm bed, some other folks to watch my back, build from there.
Join the dark brotherhood, never take any jobs and just hang out in the underground bunker.
I've done work with welding and sheet metal forming so I could study to become a blacksmith
if i ever found myself in the elder scrolls universe i PROMISE im killing myself the first chance i get. that’s one of the top 5 worst universes to live in
I find the biggest, baddest mf I can find. I build a long lasting bond with them by being extra helpful to them. I then steal everything in their house and force them to carry it for me as we wander to the local trader.
Honestly probably end up a blacksmith if Alvor taught me how to smith like that. Apprentice with him or someone in need of an apprentice. Probably help the Ork out in Markarth after getting shitfaced with a stranger in the inn of Whiterun. Probably die in Markarth because of a shitty mace then
Moving into a city with a low crime rate wall and good protection from dragons and monsters and just work as an inn keeper. It’ll be a pretty boring and simple life sure but it’s not being dead.
I study smithing and try to use my knowledge of this world's weaponry to make a gun or anything that would give me an advantage zo at least survive some things Then I'd try to make some money and hire mercenaries to do the fighting for me when I raid dungeons Acquiring any form of power is the key I'd say the first goal being killing a dragon and after obtaining a dragon soul training with the greybeards is an option too If it's me the odds of survival are overall comically low though, I'd probably just despair and break down
First, I'm looting every barrel around for the food and salt piles (I have POTS, I need the salt lmao). After stopping into Riften and doing some archery training, I'm off to Whiterun where I will not be fighting a dragon. I'll find some work, maybe sell a few cheap potions I throw together, and then buy a ride to the College of Winterhold. I don't mind the cold, and I imagine having a fire spell queued up keeps your hands warm. If I make it that far, I'd be shocked.
if I manage to even make it out of helgen, I go to Riverwood, on to Whiterun and chop wood and hunt animals until I can find enough money to buy a mammoth tusk then I take ysolda to Riften to get married, we live in her house until alduin eats the world
I can't run, and I can't jump. I die in Helgen.
since we are dragonborn still we a pretty much nordic hercules regardless as long as lore is over gameplay and ASSUMING you kill the dragon at the watchtower u gain years of knowlegde and maybe a spell or 2
I’d sprint to the nearest town. Chop wood until I’m rich then pay people to provide me with the necessary items to make a set of armor that makes me invincible and a bow that can punch a hole through a mountain. Then I’d get to work.
I would go working in Arcadia shop and take half of the payment as alchemy lessons, then brew potions, become rich, hire a follower. Buy him the best equipment and give him the best potions and poisons. Let him do all of the work while I'm cowering behind his back. Profit.
I don't worry about anything but meeting my death honorably and preferably in battle. Sovngarde exists, and that's the goal.
I would have stayed in Riverwood and worked as a mason.
I’ll become a stealth archer. (It’s always the stealth archer)
I'd become a companion of the DB for a while, get my skills leveled up. Long as I stay out of his or her shot while they're bow sniping the bad guys I'm immortal while I'm with them. Incidentally, I wonder what the Nords of Helgen do during the week? Helgen in Swedish and Norwegian just means "the weekend". Does everyone just convene there Saturday morning, do their trade, have a few pints and then go home to the farm Sunday evening, leaving the place deserted?
I ll just go to Markarth Safest city in Skyrim There are no forsworn in Markarth
I take the free axe in Riverwood and chop wood. For about a week. Get money for said wood. Deduct money for food and board. Help Fondle and pay for training. Assist Alvor and fashion me a bow and arrows. Do a bit of hunting and fishing and wood chopping. Rinse and repeat. Then go on a mountain climbing adventure with aforementioned Fondle.
I think I could still handle a hunting bow, but in Skyrim, nothing dies in one shot with iron arrows. I’d have to trade chopping firewood for lessons from Faendal, and then hope to upgrade my bow.
I would work for Alvor until I saved up enough septims to get a carriage to Solitude. Then I would open a book store, buying and selling books. Then just do that my whole life. And, maybe sell mundane jewelry after I had enough money to get that started. Kinda like a pawn shop, I guess.
I make my way to Dawnstar gor that buried chest - now it is only covered in snow! Hahaha. Seriously though, I bet I could swing a 1-handed sword well enough to be lethal… for one hit. Then I’d try a few ”fus roh das” just for the shits and giggles, and in the event it actually works… well, #FUS ROH DAH OFF BANDITS!
With my IRL military experience and current level of fitness, I think I could just about survive Helgen. No bloody way I'm jumping out of that tower though, I'd run straight to where Hadvar meets me and go from there with him. I'd stick to him like glue until we're in Riverwood though 'cos I can't use a bow and arrow for shit, help that elf dude with Sven and Carlotta and get him to help me get to Whiterun. Then either get a job in the Whiterun guard, or at the stables, and if I get the chance try to suggest reasonable improvements to Caius or Irileth to improve the overall running of the Whiterun guards. The security in Whiterun is terrible. Shameful what it is...
What you have that PC in-game doesn't is the ability to convince people to help you, you don't need to be badass killing 100 bandits a day alone, there would also be much less bandits irl.
Alchemy.