Be honest... What did you choose at the end of the Mage's guild questline?

MidniteOwl1913

Saving NPC

I'll get the skill points eventually, and I don't regret waiting. Save the victim, it's why I'm the hero... :-)

Destai

Skillpoints

She seemed happy, I didn't want to get in the way of that. Plus, skill points.

cyclonus11

Saving NPC

Never needed the skillpoints and I could never bring myself to sacrifice Valaste.

Elvenheart

Saving NPC

AngryPenguin wrote: »

This response did not answer the question. Does the in game dialogue make it clear which option gives what number of skill points?

Uncle Sheo made it very clear to me what the choices were - to be “…much. more. powerful” by getting two skill points, power he explicitly says is worth a half a dozen of skyshards, or having him return Valaste’s sanity to her. The only way someone could not know what choice they are making is if they don’t read the text or listen to Sheo’s offer (spoken excellently by Wes Johnson, I might add) or just accidentally select the wrong one. Even Shalidor begs us not to take the offer of the book. 📕

Syldras

Saving NPC

randconfig wrote: »

Just for fun, wanna see how evil the community is...

"Evil"? Depends on interpretation. It's more of a question what's preferable: Being yourself but maybe unhappy, or losing your mind but being happy at least?

whitecrow

Saving NPC

The thing about this game is that whenever there is a critical choice, the outcome is always spun as a positive one regardless of which one you make.

NoSoup

Skillpoints

Saved her once, there after it has always been skill points.

ectoplasmicninja

Saving NPC

My main is a full crafter and antiquarian with a full combat build and a bunch of guild stuff etc etc and still has 118 skill points free. I save Valaste - she can always go mad again later if she misses the butterflies.

Zoidsberg

Skillpoints

With maxed-out crafting, antiquarian, guild trees, etc., I still have almost a hundred extra skill points. I have no need for two more.

That said, I still left her to the butterflies.

Syldras

Saving NPC

Dagoth_Rac wrote: »

I wouldn't sacrifice a real world person for a real world material good, so I don't like to sacrifice a virtual person for a virtual material good.

If Sheogorath came to claim my annoying neighbour, I would hand him over for free. If Sheo would show any hesitation, I'd even pay him for it (he'd even get a bonus if he takes the annoying neighbour's even more annoying girlfriend, too)!

That said, I felt sorry for Valaste. But being happy but losing oneself in the process isn't the right solution either.

Renato90085

Saving NPC

i dont like Sheo

Mathius_Mordred

It's so long ago I don't remember any of it.

Danikat

Saving NPC

AngryPenguin wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

AngryPenguin wrote: »

I can't remember, but does the dialogue tell us which option will give us 1 skill point and which will give us 2? It's been so long ago that I don't remember and don't bother with completing the mages skill line anymore.

It’s either two skill points or no skill points.

This response did not answer the question. Does the in game dialogue make it clear which option gives what number of skill points?

I don't remember the exact wording, but I know Sheogorath doesn't explicitly say you'll get skill points, because characters don't talk about the game mechanics that explicitly, he just refers to power, but he does tell you there's only 1 reward so if Valaste gets her sanity back you get nothing, and it has the standard red highlight letting you know whichever option you don't choose will be locked.

Whether it's clear enough probably depends on who you ask. Some people might not trust Sheogorath and assume anything he's offering them would be a bad deal, and some people refuse to read or listen to NPC dialogue and would probably need a pop-up saying exactly what you'll get...and even then it'd need to be short or they wouldn't read that either.

Syldras wrote: »

Dagoth_Rac wrote: »

I wouldn't sacrifice a real world person for a real world material good, so I don't like to sacrifice a virtual person for a virtual material good.

If Sheogorath came to claim my annoying neighbour, I would hand him over for free. If Sheo would show any hesitation, I'd even pay him for it (he'd even get a bonus if he takes the annoying neighbour's even more annoying girlfriend, too)!

That said, I felt sorry for Valaste. But being happy but losing oneself in the process isn't the right solution either.

Do we live in the same building? Word for word this could apply to me too.

ADarklore

Saving NPC

On a one of my previous characters I let her go with Sheogorath, but felt guilty afterward, especially when Shalidor said, "I thought you were the future of the guild, now I'm not so sure." We're supposed to be the HERO of Tamriel, and imagine when word gets out of how we helped a the Daedric Prince of Madness... I doubt we'd be trusted again.

On the flip side, if you do save Valaste, you will sometimes hear NPCs say, "A high elf named Valaste brought Eyevea back." Every time I hear it I want to stop and say, "Um NO, it was ME... and I saved HER in the process."

There are so many skyshards in the game, an extra TWO isn't going to do anything. Unless you only have one character that does everything; I tend to have at least 70 skill points left over. Someone mentioned that subclassing requires two points per skill/passive... but it's not like you'll be choosing every skill and perhaps not even every passive on your subclassed lines.

Mayrael

Skillpoints

I'm a cold-blooded pragmatist.

Zodiarkslayer

Saving NPC

Most of my characters have so many unused skill points that one more unused skill point makes no difference anymore.
I think when I finished MG on my main she even had more than 100 unused skill points. 🙈

Vulkunne

Skillpoints

I'm going to say Skill points however I would argue Valaste was not 'savable'.

She led a life of misery, no allow me to rephrase that, she was led into a life of misery and in order to keep living that life was forced into denial about how badly she was treated and how much she suffered at the hands of others over the years. I think it was shameful to send her back to that, both to the heavy-handed people who made her life what it was and forcing her to grind her days away in misery to satisfy them. She literarily was already the 'victim', long before Sheo ever got started with his games and for so many who talk about the quests for this game, I would think this fact alone would be painfully obvious.

I think a new life with Sheo would have been far kinder, far more merciful and happier than the hand she was dealt (not just more than once). It was a happy coincidence. Valaste was dead and sheo gave her new life. And that's how I remember her.

Elvenheart

Saving NPC

Danikat wrote: »

AngryPenguin wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

AngryPenguin wrote: »

I can't remember, but does the dialogue tell us which option will give us 1 skill point and which will give us 2? It's been so long ago that I don't remember and don't bother with completing the mages skill line anymore.

It’s either two skill points or no skill points.

This response did not answer the question. Does the in game dialogue make it clear which option gives what number of skill points?

I don't remember the exact wording, but I know Sheogorath doesn't explicitly say you'll get skill points, because characters don't talk about the game mechanics that explicitly, he just refers to power, but he does tell you there's only 1 reward so if Valaste gets her sanity back you get nothing, and it has the standard red highlight letting you know whichever option you don't choose will be locked.

Whether it's clear enough probably depends on who you ask. Some people might not trust Sheogorath and assume anything he's offering them would be a bad deal, and some people refuse to read or listen to NPC dialogue and would probably need a pop-up saying exactly what you'll get...and even then it'd need to be short or they wouldn't read that either.

Syldras wrote: »

Dagoth_Rac wrote: »

I wouldn't sacrifice a real world person for a real world material good, so I don't like to sacrifice a virtual person for a virtual material good.

If Sheogorath came to claim my annoying neighbour, I would hand him over for free. If Sheo would show any hesitation, I'd even pay him for it (he'd even get a bonus if he takes the annoying neighbour's even more annoying girlfriend, too)!

That said, I felt sorry for Valaste. But being happy but losing oneself in the process isn't the right solution either.

Do we live in the same building? Word for word this could apply to me too.

Could you be the neighbor that @Syldras wants to give to Uncle Sheo?

Syldras

Saving NPC

Elvenheart wrote: »

Danikat wrote: »

AngryPenguin wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

AngryPenguin wrote: »

I can't remember, but does the dialogue tell us which option will give us 1 skill point and which will give us 2? It's been so long ago that I don't remember and don't bother with completing the mages skill line anymore.

It’s either two skill points or no skill points.

This response did not answer the question. Does the in game dialogue make it clear which option gives what number of skill points?

I don't remember the exact wording, but I know Sheogorath doesn't explicitly say you'll get skill points, because characters don't talk about the game mechanics that explicitly, he just refers to power, but he does tell you there's only 1 reward so if Valaste gets her sanity back you get nothing, and it has the standard red highlight letting you know whichever option you don't choose will be locked.

Whether it's clear enough probably depends on who you ask. Some people might not trust Sheogorath and assume anything he's offering them would be a bad deal, and some people refuse to read or listen to NPC dialogue and would probably need a pop-up saying exactly what you'll get...and even then it'd need to be short or they wouldn't read that either.

Syldras wrote: »

Dagoth_Rac wrote: »

I wouldn't sacrifice a real world person for a real world material good, so I don't like to sacrifice a virtual person for a virtual material good.

If Sheogorath came to claim my annoying neighbour, I would hand him over for free. If Sheo would show any hesitation, I'd even pay him for it (he'd even get a bonus if he takes the annoying neighbour's even more annoying girlfriend, too)!

That said, I felt sorry for Valaste. But being happy but losing oneself in the process isn't the right solution either.

Do we live in the same building? Word for word this could apply to me too.

Could you be the neighbor that @Syldras wants to give to Uncle Sheo?

Nah, from what Danikat writes in this forum, I don't think so. I'd be surprised if that neighbour could even spell a single word.

Alinhbo_Tyaka

Saving NPC

Syldras wrote: »

Dagoth_Rac wrote: »

I wouldn't sacrifice a real world person for a real world material good, so I don't like to sacrifice a virtual person for a virtual material good.

If Sheogorath came to claim my annoying neighbour, I would hand him over for free. If Sheo would show any hesitation, I'd even pay him for it (he'd even get a bonus if he takes the annoying neighbour's even more annoying girlfriend, too)!

That said, I felt sorry for Valaste. But being happy but losing oneself in the process isn't the right solution either.

That's good. Let your feelings out and tell us how you really feel. 😁

Elvenheart

Saving NPC

Vulkunne wrote: »

I think a new life with Sheo would have been far kinder, far more merciful and happier than the hand she was dealt (not just more than once). It was a happy coincidence. Valaste was dead and sheo gave her new life. And that's how I remember her.

But what if Sheogorath has a change of heart and decides to make her a guest of the Château of the Ravenous Rodent or turn her into a block of cheese?

We get to see that Valaste had a bad childhood, but we also get to see her happy the day she was accepted into the Mages Guild. I don’t really see her as someone who has lived a life of misery; instead, to me she is someone who has triumphed over a bad upbringing and went on to live a happy, productive life doing something she loves.

Syldras

Saving NPC

Alinhbo_Tyaka wrote: »

Syldras wrote: »

Dagoth_Rac wrote: »

I wouldn't sacrifice a real world person for a real world material good, so I don't like to sacrifice a virtual person for a virtual material good.

If Sheogorath came to claim my annoying neighbour, I would hand him over for free. If Sheo would show any hesitation, I'd even pay him for it (he'd even get a bonus if he takes the annoying neighbour's even more annoying girlfriend, too)!

That said, I felt sorry for Valaste. But being happy but losing oneself in the process isn't the right solution either.

That's good. Let your feelings out and tell us how you really feel. 😁

If I'd tell you about my real feelings for that neighbour, I'd probably be banned from this forum for the next 500 years

The only sad thing is that Sheo would probably not want to keep that neighbour for long either.

xXCJsniperXx7

Skillpoints

Ol' uncle Sheo knows best, he's always right even when he's wrong. Or was he just rambling on cheese? Anyway, I get skill points, it's a win win if you ask me.

Vonnegut2506

Skillpoints

Saving a character that isn't real or getting skill points that definitely are. . . not much of a decision if you ask me.

Vulkunne

Skillpoints

Elvenheart wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

I think a new life with Sheo would have been far kinder, far more merciful and happier than the hand she was dealt (not just more than once). It was a happy coincidence. Valaste was dead and sheo gave her new life. And that's how I remember her.

But what if Sheogorath has a change of heart and decides to make her a guest of the Château of the Ravenous Rodent or turn her into a block of cheese?

We get to see that Valaste had a bad childhood, but we also get to see her happy the day she was accepted into the Mages Guild. I don’t really see her as someone who has lived a life of misery; instead, to me she is someone who has triumphed over a bad upbringing and went on to live a happy, productive life doing something she loves.

Haven't done this quest in a while so I went back over the dialogue again.

She has a career, yet based on what I saw, it doesn't seem like she really passed Shalidor's test, instead he used her like a pawn. Valaste did seem uniquely interested in Sheo's books, Sheo looking back at her as she continues to gaze into the void with reckless abandon, by extension I believe to understand Sheo more. I think that's kind of the point. It isn't so much that Sheo just went and grabbed her, took her as a captive, it's that he captivated her. She was a willing 'victim' if you prefer.

I can't say what Sheo might do with her, however given that Valaste would have been something of a prize from his little rivalry with Shalidor, it's unlikely Sheo would allow her to come to harm. Sheo chose her and I think there is a certain level of logic in saying that she chose him in an unspoken way. I wouldn't say she's happy though, she really strikes me as someone not happy with life, just living to live but not enjoying her life at all. To be fair she seemed alot happier with Sheo, it didn't feel right for me to try and take that away from her.

If two magnets connect, is it the fault of the North pole or the South pole taking advantage of the situation? Who do we blame first.

Erickson9610

Skillpoints

Vonnegut2506 wrote: »

Saving a character that isn't real or getting skill points that definitely are. . . not much of a decision if you ask me.

Agreed. While I definitely felt bad with my decision, I realized I wasn't roleplaying a character — I was seeing the video game for what it was.

If I had an RP character, I might've chosen differently. But as it stands, my main "character" isn't even interested in magic (it's a wonder why the Mages Guild let this guy in at all) but I, the player, am interested in completing all of the content and getting all of the skill points.

Dojohoda

Skillpoints

She seemed very happy to leave. I was happy with that bonus skill point. Win Win

First couple of times, I made her stay.

randconfig

Vonnegut2506 wrote: »

Saving a character that isn't real or getting skill points that definitely are. . . not much of a decision if you ask me.

I have a hard time detaching my empathy from the media I consume, whether that be movies, tv shows, or video games. I'm not sure how you or others are able to do this, seems like a super power haha.

amig186

Saving NPC

Vonnegut2506 wrote: »

Saving a character that isn't real or getting skill points that definitely are. . . not much of a decision if you ask me.

Odd thing to say, both disappear when you log out, neither is more real than the other. Unless there's a way to use those skill points irl, lol.

Vulkunne wrote: »

I can't say what Sheo might do with her, however given that Valaste would have been something of a prize from his little rivalry with Shalidor, it's unlikely Sheo would allow her to come to harm. Sheo chose her and I think there is a certain level of logic in saying that she chose him in an unspoken way. I wouldn't say she's happy though, she really strikes me as someone not happy with life, just living to live but not enjoying her life at all. To be fair she seemed alot happier with Sheo, it didn't feel right for me to try and take that away from her.

I wouldn't be so sure, the games like to focus on Sheo's funny side, but in lore he's more like Charles Manson with the attention span of a toddler. As soon as he inevitably gets bored of his prize, Val is in for a rough ride. She's not exaggerating when she says it would have been worse than death.

I think the main problem is that there aren't any further interactions with Valaste where you could just check in on her and give some emotional support. She's just sort of abandoned under the unlikely assumption that everything will sort itself out, which makes the ending less satisfying than it should have been.

cyberjanet

Saving NPC

Given the choice of unspecified power or saving Valaste, I saved Valaste. Vague promises of power are not to be trusted. Much later I discovered this so-called power was a whole two skill points. Wow. Glad I didn't trust the vague promise of power, and now never will.