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Books

This forum is to be used for all discussions pertaining to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, its Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions, and any user-created or premium modules.
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flounder
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Books

Post by flounder »

Can you buy any of the books that raise your skills from book dealers or do you have to find them all throughout the game?
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Fljotsdale
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Post by Fljotsdale »

flounder wrote:Can you buy any of the books that raise your skills from book dealers or do you have to find them all throughout the game?
Some you can buy (but most of 'em you don't need to, cos you can read them on the shelves in the bookshops - be careful to 'exit', not 'take'!), but most you find on shelves in the guilds, or in random locations in caves, ayleid ruins, and forts.
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Post by flounder »

Thanks. Yeah, I know about reading them on the shelves and not taking them, but what if a book merchant has them in their inventory? Are all the books he is selling somewhere in the store on the shelves?
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Post by Fljotsdale »

Not always, no. But mostly. I have come across books you can only buy, but they are usually related to a quest, major or minor. Telling you more would be a spoiler.
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Post by flounder »

OK. Thanks for your help. It's weird that I'm just playing this game for the first time now, but when I first bought it I just didn't get into it for some reason.
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Post by Fljotsdale »

It can be like that with games sometimes. I just can't get into Neverwinter Nights 2, though I've started it several times - though it's the expansions, really, and the 'tabletop' look.

And Fable-The Lost Chapters, doesn't grab me either. Though in that one it's the graphics for the people - they are all so darn ugly and clunky.
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Post by Kashyyookiee »

is there a way of telling which books are skill books? or is it all random based
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Post by GawainBS »

There are lists out there with all the exact titles. Also, the value is an indication: if worth 50g or more, read it.
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Post by flounder »

Fljotsdale wrote:It can be like that with games sometimes. I just can't get into Neverwinter Nights 2, though I've started it several times - though it's the expansions, really, and the 'tabletop' look.

And Fable-The Lost Chapters, doesn't grab me either. Though in that one it's the graphics for the people - they are all so darn ugly and clunky.

I really enjoyed both of those games. Give NWN 2 another shot, it's worth it once you get into it.
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Post by galraen »

I don't know about Fable, but you'd have to put a gun to my head to get me to play NWN 2 again, and even then I'd probably tell you to go ahead and shoot! Worst alleged CRPG I've ever had the misfortune of buying.

As for telling which books are which, the only clue really is the value; any book worth less than 25 Septims won't be a skill book.
[QUOTE=Darth Gavinius;1096098]Distrbution of games, is becoming a little like Democracy (all about money and control) - in the end choice is an illusion and you have to choose your lesser evil.

And everything is hidden in the fine print.[/QUOTE]
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Post by flounder »

Wow. I loved that game. What does the C in CRPG indicate?
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Post by GawainBS »

C is from Computer, as opposed to a Pen & Paper RPG.
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Post by galraen »

flounder wrote:Wow. I loved that game. What does the C in CRPG indicate?

Gawain answered the question; as to the game, it takes all sorts, and we all have different tastes. I hated being frogmarched through what were effectively cut scenes too often, and also hated having NPC followers forced on me irrespective of the alignments of them and the PC. Too many instances of fake dialogue options too.
[QUOTE=Darth Gavinius;1096098]Distrbution of games, is becoming a little like Democracy (all about money and control) - in the end choice is an illusion and you have to choose your lesser evil.

And everything is hidden in the fine print.[/QUOTE]
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Post by Claudius »

I liked the story in NWN2. And I also liked the character building. I did like SoZ but the game gets boring and I've never played far into the northern part of the game. Building your party up in the beginning is fun. MotB is really cool, but the difficulty was too hard for me; I probably didn't know how to use the high level abilities and spells effectively.

I might be an easy fan of games. As long as they give me an hour of enjoyment per dollar I spend I am a happy camper. For example Dungeon Lords and Two Worlds 1 were both very enjoyable to me and I am glad I gave them a chance. These games are highly criticized games.

On topic http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Skill_Books
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Post by galraen »

Claudius wrote:I might be an easy fan of games.

On the other hand I'm a tough audience to please, just call me the RPG version of the Glasgow Empire :D

If a game (or mod for that matter) claim to be a role playing experience when it isn't then expect me to bitch about it; I'm looking at you Bethesda and Obsidian! :p
[QUOTE=Darth Gavinius;1096098]Distrbution of games, is becoming a little like Democracy (all about money and control) - in the end choice is an illusion and you have to choose your lesser evil.

And everything is hidden in the fine print.[/QUOTE]
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Post by GawainBS »

In Obsidian's defense: AP, FO: NV & KotORII offered quite some RP possibilities.
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Post by galraen »

KOTOR II? The game with no end you mean; where you frequently have your character hijacked and frogmarched into cut scenes? Yes there were opportunities for the player to make choices that could be deemed good or evil; but choices that actually changed the outcome? Nope.

Not to mention the game destroying bug that bites you if you happen to visit the planets in the 'wrong' order that they never even fixed!
[QUOTE=Darth Gavinius;1096098]Distrbution of games, is becoming a little like Democracy (all about money and control) - in the end choice is an illusion and you have to choose your lesser evil.

And everything is hidden in the fine print.[/QUOTE]
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Post by Tricky »

I really hated how hard NWN2 ripped off certain major fantasy IPs. Made me cringe at times. MotB was better, but just too darned short. I only ever played these games for the character builds.
[INDENT]'..tolerance when fog rolls in clouds unfold your selfless wings feathers that float from arabesque pillows I sold to be consumed by the snow white cold if only the plaster could hold withstand the flam[url="http://bit.ly/foT0XQ"]e[/url] then this fountain torch would know no shame and be outstripped only by the sun that burns with the glory and honor of your..'[/INDENT]
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Post by GawainBS »

galraen wrote:KOTOR II? The game with no end you mean; where you frequently have your character hijacked and frogmarched into cut scenes? Yes there were opportunities for the player to make choices that could be deemed good or evil; but choices that actually changed the outcome? Nope.

Not to mention the game destroying bug that bites you if you happen to visit the planets in the 'wrong' order that they never even fixed!

Ok, KotOR II was an unfortunate example. Still, the sidequests and characterdevelopment certainly offered choice.
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