Quest dialogues are too long

KoSeKu

Is there a way to speed up the talks?

Taunky

You can give them Skooma, or skip the conversation.

KoSeKu

give skooma? are you joking?
i dont want to skip. i just want them to speak faster.

Taunky

KoSeKu wrote: »

give skooma? are you joking?
i dont want to skip. i just want them to speak faster.

Yes, I was joking - in case that wasn't clear. No, you cannot make them speak faster.

worrallj

I think you should develop a add-on gives you a 2x speed option and call it "Molla's Chipmunk Chatter."

VaranisArano

KoSeKu wrote: »

give skooma? are you joking?
i dont want to skip. i just want them to speak faster.

Not unless you are gonna pay the voice actors to record a second set of faster dialogue, nope.

SgtSilock

Definitely not, and I don't want them to change anything. Quests are amazing in this game.

Suligost

WTF, this game has best quests after SWTOR, enjoy or oblivion takes you.

StormeReigns

Something, something is a virtue, something, something is wasted on the young.

ProfessorKittyhawk

Don't listen to it. The dialog is there on the screen for you to read however fast you want. The spoken dialog is there for those you want to take their time to immerse themselves in the story. The characters speak at a normal human speed. Sure, some like my dude Herma Mora might be a bit slower but, what is time to a daedric prince?

Matchimus

There is a volume control for NPCs. I went looking after that voice in VMA was continually ridiculing me at the beginning of rounds. The volume has stayed down ever since.

Aigym_Hlervu

Ah, the trouble sort of "How to watch an hour length series when you have only 20 minutes", yes ? No man, you either plan your time or have no pleasure. You know it - haste makes waste.

Sylvermynx

Eh.... sometimes I can see both sides. Here's the deal: I'm retired. I play this game as games are my hobby in retirement. I can play all day (and all night if I want to - and if I can stay awake.... not always a given). So yay me.

However, there are many people who don't have unlimited time to do something they enjoy but wish they could enjoy more by shortcutting some of the verbosity.

The quests in this game are so well written they absorb me. But.... if I were still working full time, plus a two hour commute (and I know there are those with much longer commutes out there), I'd be tempted to not read - just click through - and deal with missing so much of the quest "meat" (um.... let's just leave the devout Bosmer out of this, 'kay?)

So, yeah, I get it. I wonder if in this case (OP's I mean) the solution is to click through, and then hit one of the wiki sites to read everything when one has time?

Everest_Lionheart

I’ve found that the slower dialogues often correspond to the more important quests. The voice actors speak with a slower cadence to their speaking during the important stuff, even Cadwell who goes from speed mumbling to regular mumbling when something is about to go down!

For what it’s worth though the voice acting is top notch for most of the quests and even the side quests but you can tell when they have used certain voice actors for more than one part. I won’t spoil it for anyone here but once you hear the nuance and inflection of a certain characters voice and then listen to the voice of another one in a DLC chapter you’ll never be able to “unhear” the original voice again. Of course it could be a nuance bit of foreshadowing for that particular chapter as well which would be genius writing and casting on the part of ZOS!

Path

It's called. "Immersion." Either dive in or escape.

And yes, I read faster than the NPC's talk still...how can I not listen to John Cleese?

ZOS_FalcoYamaoka

​Greetings,
We had to remove some posts as it violated our rules around trolling and baiting. Please be sure to keep discussions civil and constructive​. If you have any questions about the actions being taken, please take a moment to review our community rules here.

JKorr

SgtSilock wrote: »

Definitely not, and I don't want them to change anything. Quests are amazing in this game.

I would cheerfully *pay* in the crown store for an option to skip dialogue after the 4th time you've been through it. I have a full roster of 18 characters on one account, 6 on a second. You don't want to know how many times my new character fell to their first death while waiting for the Prophet to finish the first major dialogue. Yes, I shouldn't be jumping around the paths and floaty islands, but he speaks soooooooooooooooo slowly and even if you don't ask any questions, it takes bloody forever....

Once you arrive in one of the starting cities, a projection of the Prophet will contact you:

The Prophet: "There you are. Do not panic, only you can see me. Come, we have to talk."

While you were busy, he will have found a place to set up camp:

"There you are, Vestige. We must speak at once."
Hello, Prophet.
"Listen well. I have located a safe harbor from which we might plan our course of action. You must meet me there."
Where is this safe harbor?

Aldmeri Dominion "I awoke upon a sandy shore—a stretch of beach outside a bustling city of Elves. Vulkhel Guard.
The Harborage is in a seaside cave, outside the city. It is there that you will find me."
Daggerfall Covenant "I awoke in a city of Bretons, its air heavy with the smells of baked bread, horses, and intrigue. Daggerfall.
The Harborage is in an abandoned cave, outside the city."
Ebonheart Pact "I awoke to choking ash in the air and the sounds of strife. I am in Morrowind, home of the Dark Elves, in a city called Davon's Watch.
The Harborage is a ruin in the cliffs, west of the city."

I'll come at once.

Seek out the Harborage. Inside, he'll call out to as you enter the main cavern:

The Prophet: "I hear familiar footfalls. Come closer, Vestige."

He will then welcome you to his abode:

"Welcome to the Harborage, Vestige. This is as comfortable a home as an old dried-up husk like myself could hope for."
How did you find it?
"Despite my blindness—nay, because of it—my other senses seem to have heightened. This place had the right smell about it."
When you first appeared to me in Coldharbour, you spoke of my destiny.
"Indeed. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. Without an understanding of where we are bound, every road will get us nowhere.
Before we truly understand our destination, we must speak of the past."
A history lesson?
"Of a sort. I invite you to enter my mind and walk with me through visions of the past, that you might understand the events that brought us to this time, this moment."

The Prophet: "Enter my mind, Vestige, and walk with me through the shadows of past events."

You will follow him through a Coldharbour-like area while watching these memories.

The Prophet: "Follow me, Vestige, and learn of the events that precipitated our current crisis."
The Prophet: "My part of the story began when I awoke on the steps of the Abbey of the Moth Priests, with no memory of my prior life.
The Prophet: "The Moth Priests took pity upon me and brought me into their fold. I was weak and near death."
The Prophet: "It was there I first set eyes upon the Elder Scrolls and devoted my life to their study."
The Prophet: "The Scrolls allowed me to glimpse the very fabric of reality, but each profound insight dimmed my vision and eventually left me permanently blinded to the light of the world."

At this point, you need to talk to him again.

"The prophecies of the Elder Scrolls are a fluid, living thing. They are not fixed. At many points throughout history, the actions of heroic mortals have rewritten them."
What does that have to do with me?
"I only know that you are important, Vestige. The Scrolls revealed to me that your destiny is intertwined with that of the Five Companions."
Who are the Five Companions?
"The Five Companions were a band of adventurers who sought out an ancient artifact called The Amulet of Kings. They hoped to use this artifact to persuade Akatosh, the Dragon God, to accept their leader as one of the Dragonborn."
Dragonborn?
"The Dragonborn are mortals destined for greatness, with the blood of the Dragons in their veins. It is said that only a true Dragonborn can ignite the Eternal Dragonfires in the Imperial City."

Who was their leader?

"Varen Aquilarios—the son of a Colovian duke, who led a rebellion against the Emperor Leovic and took the crown himself.
Alas, Varen was not truly Dragonborn, as those who sit upon the Ruby Throne must be, in accordance with tradition."

Go on.

"You have already heard enough babbling from this old, blind fool. It is time you met the Five Companions yourself, and witnessed their fate."

Meet his memories of the Companions as he tells you more about them.

The Prophet: "The first Companion, Lyris Titanborn, daughter of giants, was the mightiest warrior in the service of the Emperor."
The Prophet: "Next, Abnur Tharn, a powerful sorcerer and Grand Chancellor of the Imperial Elder Council."
The Prophet: "The Redguard swordmaster Sai Sahan, leader of the Imperial Dragonguard."
The Prophet: "The Imperial Emperor, Varen Aquilarios, who attempted to light the Dragonfires and failed."
The Prophet: "And finally, Mannimarco the traitor. The King of Worms. A powerful necromancer, and your executioner."

You can then speak with him to learn more about them:

"These were the Five Companions, who set out from the Imperial City on an epic quest to recover the lost Amulet of Kings."
How could the Amulet of Kings turn Varen into one of the Dragonborn?
"Mannimarco convinced Varen that the amulet could be used to perform a ritual that would rekindle the Dragonfires. He claimed this would please Akatosh and entice him to adopt Varen as one of the Dragonborn."
Why did Varen want to be Dragonborn?
"By tradition, only the Dragonborn can lay claim to the Ruby Throne and rule as the one, true Emperor by divine right.
Varen conquered Cyrodiil and took the throne, but unless he became Dragonborn, he feared he'd always be thought of as a pretender."

Tell me about the other companions.
"Each of the Five Companions were chosen for their skill and courage, and each was given a special role to perform in the party.
Who would you like to know more about?"

Tell me about Lyris Titanborn.

"You've already met Lyris. She is a Nord warrior from the frozen lands of Skyrim to the north. And it is said that her family lineage contains the blood of Giants. Varen chose her for her strength and her loyalty, to be his personal bodyguard."

Tell me about Sai Sahan.

"Sai Sahan came from a long line of Redguard swordmaster nobles. He was the leader of the Dragonguard, the security detail of Varen and the Elder Council. While Lyris was Varen's bodyguard, Sai was charged with protecting the entire group."

Tell me about Abnur Tharn.

"The Tharns are one of the most influential families in Cyrodiil. Abnur, their patriarch, is the leader of the Elder Council, a powerful battlemage and a shrewd politician. With his counsel, Varen was able to seize the Imperial throne, years before."

Tell me about Mannimarco./I've heard enough about these three. What about Mannimarco?
"Mannimarco the traitor. The great enemy. The most powerful necromancer this world has ever known. His Worm Cult infiltrates and corrups every corner of Tamriel. It was he who convinced Varen to perform the ritual you are about to witness."

What happened when they performed the ritual?
"Disaster. War and pestilence. A world brought to its knees.
Now watch, and see how one man's arrogance brought about the greatest threat our world has ever known."

Varen praying to Akatosh

Witness the ritual and its result.

Varen Aquilarios: "There it is. The Dragonfire brazier. Mannimarco, you're certain this will work?"
Mannimarco: "It will work, my liege. The Amulet of Kings will rekindle the Dragonfires, and ensure your rightful place as Emperor. You have my word."
Lyris Titanborn: "It better work, Mannimarco, or you'll find your neck at the business end of my axe."
Abnur Tharn: "My Lord, I wonder if you'd muzzle your half-giant pet? She really is annoying."
Sai Sahan: "Enough, both of you! We are here to ensure My Lord's rightful claim to the Ruby Throne."
Varen Aquilarios: "Abnur, begin the ritual. I have a destiny to fulfill."
Varen Aquilarios: "By the lighting of the Dragonfires, I claim my rightful lineage! By the fires of creation, let me be reborn! By the will of Akatosh, I proclaim myself…Dragonborn!"

Mannimarco sabotages Varen's spell
Varen is restrained by Mannimarco, just moments before the Soulburst

However, the ritual doesn't work as expected by most of the Companions.

Mannimarco: "Varen Aquilarios, you are no heir to Alessia! You will pay for your sacrilege! The veil between Tamriel and Oblivion tears and splits asunder!"
Abnur Tharn: "What's happening? The sky is opening up! This is bad! This is very bad!"
Varen Aquilarios: "This isn't supposed to happen! What's the meaning of this? Mannimarco, what have you done?"
Mannimarco: "Gullible fools! The veil between Oblivion and this world has been torn! My master, Molag Bal, is free to claim Tamriel for his own!"
Varen Aquilarios: "Akatosh! Forgive me! Have mercy on our souls!"

Again, talk to the Prophet after witnessing the Soulburst.

"The ritual tore the veil between Nirn and Oblivion, allowing Mannimarco to begin stealing the souls his master needed to power the Dark Anchors and initiate the Planemeld."
What went wrong?
"Akatosh gave Alessia the Amulet of Kings as a symbol of his covenant with Nirn. So long as the Amulet remained in the care of Alessia's heirs, and the Dragonfires remained lit, Tamriel would be protected from the Daedra."
What happened next?
"Mannimarco tricked Varen into breaking the covenant, and the veil between Oblivion and Nirn was torn. The Elder Scrolls named this event the Soulburst. It gave Molag Bal the opportunity to disconnect the souls of Nirn from their hosts."
What happened to the other Companions?
"Varen was lost. In the chaos of the moment, Sai Sahan took the Amulet of Kings and fled. Lyris was captured by Mannimarco and delivered to Coldharbour, the realm of Molag Bal."
What about Abnur Tharn and Mannimarco?
"Tharn remains Chancellor of the Elder Council, and his daughter Clivia rules as Empress Regent. But the true power remains in the hands of Mannimarco and his Worm Cult."
How did you end up in Coldharbour?
"When I discovered the truth about the Five Companions, I made subtle inquiries. But apparently, not subtle enough. Mannimarco got word of my interest and abducted me. He took me to Coldharbour, where I remained a prisoner until you freed me."
They saw you as a threat?
"The truth is always a threat to evil men. Mannimarco feared I would reveal his treachery. And if knowledge of Nirn's vulnerability were to become known, it could threaten his master's schemes. Molag Bal does not favor loose ends.
Walk with me."

The memories will now show the Dark Anchors.

The Prophet: "Long ago it was written—so long as the Amulet of Kings was borne by Alessia's heirs, Tamriel would be protected from the forces of Oblivion. But the Soulburst tore the veil between worlds, and gave Molag Bal the opportunity he desired."
The Prophet: "Molag Bal's Dark Anchors pierce the torn veil, and seek to draw Nirn into the depths of Coldharbour. These terrible engines of destruction have been appearing all throughout Tamriel."
The Prophet: "If the Lord of Brutality and Domination is successful, he will merge our world and his own in a terrible Planemeld. Few will survive the ordeal, and those who do will be enslaved for all eternity."

He will have finished his story:

"And so, it falls to us, Vestige. We must stop Molag Bal and his Dark Anchors, or our world is doomed.
And now, history seems to have caught up with us. Shall we return to the Harborage?"
Yes, I'm ready to go back.
"As you say."

Salix_alba

skip.

i am reminded of that viva la dirt league skit about skipping dialogue and the npc went nuts but its nsfw so i'm not gonna post it

NeeScrolls

Matchimus wrote: »

There is a volume control for NPCs. .

Except that there's no way to ONLY control volume of quest NPC's strictly within dialog screens (not for the ambient outdoor voices) .

In other words, what i personally wish is for there to be an option to just turn off quest NPC dialog only within that quest dialog ui itself (so that i could still read the dialogs at my own pace , without also hearing the ESO voices get cut-off when i click-to-skip to my character's choice. Not to mention have my own imagination doing the 'voices' ---like a book )

I'm guessing Zenimax didn't add such a specifically tailored option because it might be considered disrespectful toward all their voice-actors? I dunno...but otherwise, i find it odd there still isn't such an option.

Of course, now that i'm typing all this, it just sounds like a big QQ

Vevvev

Salix_alba wrote: »

skip.

i am reminded of that viva la dirt league skit about skipping dialogue and the npc went nuts but its nsfw so i'm not gonna post it

That skit was pretty hilarious! Especially the one about the guards that one shot players for accidentally touching a chicken.

SickleCider

I agree. Dialogue is too long, and its quality has definitely taken a step down in this game, anyway. I think they're trying to make up for quality with quantity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9zeQMbGEPc

Dojohoda

The main quest speeches should be skippable if you've done it before. I've done it going on 30 times. As it is now, I run ahead to the place of long speeches, then I get up and go do something irl like get a drink of water or unload the dishwasher.

Zardayne

https://youtu.be/lbJ51AJuR7E

If you've never seen these guys, watch more!

StormeReigns

Zardayne wrote: »

https://youtu.be/lbJ51AJuR7E

If you've never seen these guys, watch more!

But be careful on how much you skip though...

https://youtu.be/QeNdC8hVIT0

navystylz_ESO

You shouldn't play games if you life is that busy. First we have simplistic, overland questing that has ZERO challenge. But on top of that you want to speed up the dialoge? Why are you playing if you don't have time to actually play? There are looter shooters and hack-and-slash games where you can mow down dozens of enemies without need to listen to verbose dialogue.

KoSeKu

wow so much hate towards me... i didnt ask the game to change the dialogues... i just asked if there is an option to do it for just myself.

Aigym_Hlervu

KoSeKu wrote: »

wow so much hate towards me... i didnt ask the game to change the dialogues... i just asked if there is an option to do it for just myself.

This always happens when the question is inaccurate in it's phrases. Most of us, as it seems, are aware that the option you ask about is absent in the game due to some obvious to us reasons. I personally thought you were thinking the same way. Thus your question was viewed as an indirect proposal to implement that feature in the game. This is why you were viewed as a man who can't plan his time but wants to be in time and thus offers a change in the game the rest of us do not need and do not want - this is why you got what you've got.. It's just like, say, visiting someone of another culture and asking him or her if you can leave your shoes on while you are at their place because it is common to you, but you are uncertain about them on that matter. But to those, who you visit the very question is rude and the answer to it is obvious - no of course, and they don't want even to think of changing it. But the very fact you asked them such a question makes them uncomfortable because you don't understand the obvious feature and make them refuse you what is uncommon - along the shoes there's another rule not refuse a guest (but who could ever think the guest ever be that impolite). This is just an example of what people can feel hearing questions like yours. It's because such questions might sound odd or better to say preposterous to those whom you ask.
Answering your question - no, there's no such an option as far as I know.

Deter1UK

Sylvermynx wrote: »

Eh.... sometimes I can see both sides. Here's the deal: I'm retired. I play this game as games are my hobby in retirement. I can play all day (and all night if I want to - and if I can stay awake.... not always a given). So yay me.

Ahh... lucky you... This also was my goal when I retired.

My wife however had other ideas...

bellatrixed

The solution to turn off dialogue audio and just read the quests was a good one. I have always had trouble hearing something and remembering it anyway, so I would much prefer to read a quest and can read far faster than they can speak. Sometimes I am in more of a mood to slow down and listen, especially if it's a new zone and I've never heard the voice actors before, but usually I play with all game sound on but dialogue.

Sylvermynx

Deter1UK wrote: »

Sylvermynx wrote: »

Eh.... sometimes I can see both sides. Here's the deal: I'm retired. I play this game as games are my hobby in retirement. I can play all day (and all night if I want to - and if I can stay awake.... not always a given). So yay me.

Ahh... lucky you... This also was my goal when I retired.

My wife however had other ideas...

Well.... it wasn't husband's goal - but we did have the horses, hunting, hiking, fishing, traveling for about 15 years. Then the horses died, and traveling wasn't so much fun, and hunting was too hard without the boys (our geldings), and fishing.... well, it's FUN, but I don't have any use for fresh water fish.... So.... Yeah. After 25 years of retirement, with husband being in his mid-80s, we actually.... don't do much.... I keep my hand in with html, css, and websites. He walks the dog, shovels snow, and watches sports on tv (old sports right now due to the pandemic, but hey - he's happy....)

bellatrixed wrote: »

The solution to turn off dialogue audio and just read the quests was a good one. I have always had trouble hearing something and remembering it anyway, so I would much prefer to read a quest and can read far faster than they can speak. Sometimes I am in more of a mood to slow down and listen, especially if it's a new zone and I've never heard the voice actors before, but usually I play with all game sound on but dialogue.

I really dislike VA. I am annoyed that studios spend so much money and time on it. I don't want to hear actor voices; I want to hear dialog in my own mind, the way I figure a person sounds (might not be perfect for anyone but me, but.... I've been playing TES since Arena launched.... Yeah.... I'm old.... But I LOVE TES.... which at this point includes but is not limited to ESO).

ImmortalCX

KoSeKu wrote: »

Is there a way to speed up the talks?

Good idea. They could have a game setting, run the same algo YouTube uses.