No One in the History of Humanity Has Ever Kept a Staff On Their Back

ZOS_Icy

Greetings,

We have removed some insulting back and forth that was disruptive. Please ensure you are treating others with respect on the forums even when they have views that differ from your own.

Thank you for your understanding.

Syldras

LaintalAy wrote: »

For reasons of deportment, I use clenched buttcheeks to transport my staves.

I have a better idea: Let companions carry our weapons. And our loot. And everything else. Or how about a wagon like in Daggerfall?

disky

LaintalAy wrote: »

For reasons of deportment, I use clenched buttcheeks to transport my staves.

Now that's an idea I can get behind.

disky

Syldras wrote: »

The shakujō is an interesting example for a multi-functional staff in general; actually I already thought of linking this here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khakkhara
It's worth a read for people who are interested in this topic.

The question that remains though is: What would the player character do with their staff during all those activities that are part of ESO's typical game play? Swimming? Fishing? Picking up things? Different emotes during quests? Many of these require both hands.

I personally wouldn't like my staff to just disappear. It's a physical weapon, not a summoned one. Teleporting it where ever wouldn't seem reasonable as player characters aren't able to open any portals or to teleport themselves in ESO. Also for some of my characters their staff is an important symbol of their background and group affiliation, and therefore also their status in society.

Personally, I don't think historical aspects, or how it is handled in myths or other works of fantasy fiction necessarily have to define how things are in the world of The Elder Scrolls. TES' mer aren't Tolkien's Elves either, same goes for the orcs. TES wizards aren't neccessarily monks, shamans or wise men/women (or something alike) like the staff wielders in some myths.

I would never expect a change to occur, and I'm very aware, especially after this thread, that there are people who don't want anything to change. I understand the practical reasons for the placement of the staff on the back. I just wish there were options that actually felt like they were borne out of real-world practicality and not videogame logic. Maybe one day.

disky

Syldras wrote: »

LaintalAy wrote: »

For reasons of deportment, I use clenched buttcheeks to transport my staves.

I have a better idea: Let companions carry our weapons. And our loot. And everything else. Or how about a wagon like in Daggerfall?

I'm all for optional hiding of any and every piece of gear you can wear or carry.

kargen27

We have to remember this is Tamriel where it is common to have staves floating just behind a person or sometimes attaching through the armor. Sheathed weapons often occupy the same space as armor making both lighter and less of a burden while out and about whomping Skeevers.
Sure on Earth all this would seem weird and maybe even impossible but in Tamriel this is as normal as pulling a lion out of your hat (something only Bullwinkle can do on Earth) then ride it around.

disky

kargen27 wrote: »

We have to remember this is Tamriel where it is common to have staves floating just behind a person or sometimes attaching through the armor. Sheathed weapons often occupy the same space as armor making both lighter and less of a burden while out and about whomping Skeevers.
Sure on Earth all this would seem weird and maybe even impossible but in Tamriel this is as normal as pulling a lion out of your hat (something only Bullwinkle can do on Earth) then ride it around.

The thing is though, to my knowledge this is the first Elder Scrolls game in which this has ever been a thing. Consider staves in Skyrim...where do they go when you're not using them? That being said, I don't think they should disappear forever until you want to use them, I just think they should be depicted in a different way, or that players should have the option to do so.

kargen27

disky wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

We have to remember this is Tamriel where it is common to have staves floating just behind a person or sometimes attaching through the armor. Sheathed weapons often occupy the same space as armor making both lighter and less of a burden while out and about whomping Skeevers.
Sure on Earth all this would seem weird and maybe even impossible but in Tamriel this is as normal as pulling a lion out of your hat (something only Bullwinkle can do on Earth) then ride it around.

The thing is though, to my knowledge this is the first Elder Scrolls game in which this has ever been a thing. Consider staves in Skyrim...where do they go when you're not using them? That being said, I don't think they should disappear forever until you want to use them, I just think they should be depicted in a different way, or that players should have the option to do so.

They used to go to Oblivion but the Daedric Princes said what the heck (but more menacing) where are all these sticks coming from and then banished the sticks from the realm for all eternity. There is a loophole though. If a mortal travels to Oblivion they can take two sticks with them.

SilverBride

disky wrote: »

...it would be great if we could swap the staff for an orb, book, scepter or other magical focus which doesn't have this issue, by the way.

I woud love this. Magic is learned by the character and it makes sense they would carry a book of their spells. It doesn't make sense to have a huge stick stuck to our backs at all times. At the very least it would be nice if the staff appeared in the character's hand only when casting and not when walking around out of combat.

Sepultura_13

LaintalAy wrote: »

For reasons of deportment, I use clenched buttcheeks to transport my staves.

@LaintalAy - I would have posted an hilarious meme here, but I've been chastised and silenced on these forums for standing up for myself. Just wanted to say that your post had me laughing so hard that my abdominals hurt!

Nharimlur_Finor

Sepultura_13 wrote: »

LaintalAy wrote: »

For reasons of deportment, I use clenched buttcheeks to transport my staves.

@LaintalAy - I would have posted an hilarious meme here, but I've been chastised and silenced on these forums for standing up for myself. Just wanted to say that your post had me laughing so hard that my abdominals hurt!

No problem. We take things too seriously here sometimes.

SeaUnicorn

Have you ever seen how Relequen carries his staff? And how he handles it? That man definitely does not need no walking stick

Elvenheart

I wouldn’t say that no one nowhere in the entire history of humanity has ever carried their staff on their back:

https://sabersmith.com/product/staff-sling/

TheNuminous1

I very seriously need you to know that 10 years ago when this game launched and I saw I didn't need to use a mod to make the staff appear on my back I almost cried.

I HATED that in skyrim the staff just vanished. Heck I still don't like when it happens with class skills.

So I'm sorry but hard no your asking to remove something I very much love.

Also people absolutely carried staves on their backs what are you on about. All the weapons in eso "float" cause we don't have the graphics for all the straps and slings. It would be insane to match all the motifs with weapon holsters.
Use your imagination lol

Schattenspiel

Syldras wrote: »

The shakujō is an interesting example for a multi-functional staff in general; actually I already thought of linking this here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khakkhara
It's worth a read for people who are interested in this topic.

The question that remains though is: What would the player character do with their staff during all those activities that are part of ESO's typical game play? Swimming? Fishing? Picking up things? Different emotes during quests? Many of these require both hands.

I personally wouldn't like my staff to just disappear. It's a physical weapon, not a summoned one. Teleporting it where ever wouldn't seem reasonable as player characters aren't able to open any portals or to teleport themselves in ESO. Also for some of my characters their staff is an important symbol of their background and group affiliation, and therefore also their status in society.

Personally, I don't think historical aspects, or how it is handled in myths or other works of fantasy fiction necessarily have to define how things are in the world of The Elder Scrolls. TES' mer aren't Tolkien's Elves either, same goes for the orcs. TES wizards aren't neccessarily monks, shamans or wise men/women (or something alike) like the staff wielders in some myths.

One might set the staff on the ground, or lean it against a tree or a wall or a shelf, etc. Kind of like in the real world.

Syldras

Schattenspiel wrote: »

One might set the staff on the ground, or lean it against a tree or a wall or a shelf, etc. Kind of like in the real world.

While swimming?

TheImperfect

We aren't on Earth but Tamriel so not humans or humanity but something similar maybe but the rules on Tamriel are differen't.

zaria

Nathrai wrote: »

Really? You start your argument with a false premise?

No, not all staffs are meant as walking supports. Actually, staffs in ESO are more closely related to staffs used in Boujutsu when it comes to functionality - that is, mostly used for fighting.

And how are Bou usually carried? Right, on the back ...
(Well, in a bag, but for vanity reasons we want to actually display our weapons when not in a fight ... )

Same with guns, you carry them on your back, same with other modern long weapons like RPG and more advanced stuff.
Now for long swords its questionable and you carried a spear like an waling stick probably with an cover over the point so you don't stab anybody by accident on an march.

darvaria

No one has ever ridden a guar either.

disky

TheNuminous1 wrote: »

I very seriously need you to know that 10 years ago when this game launched and I saw I didn't need to use a mod to make the staff appear on my back I almost cried.

I HATED that in skyrim the staff just vanished. Heck I still don't like when it happens with class skills.

So I'm sorry but hard no your asking to remove something I very much love.

Also people absolutely carried staves on their backs what are you on about. All the weapons in eso "float" cause we don't have the graphics for all the straps and slings. It would be insane to match all the motifs with weapon holsters.
Use your imagination lol

I'm not asking to remove anything. I'm noting the absurdity of it and requesting alternatives. In the very first sentence of my OP, I said that I know it won't change.

disky

Syldras wrote: »

Schattenspiel wrote: »

One might set the staff on the ground, or lean it against a tree or a wall or a shelf, etc. Kind of like in the real world.

While swimming?

I think it's conceivable to believe that it just goes away. In a world where magic is commonplace, there's no reason to think that it couldn't just disappear. Especially if you're a wizard who uses magic constantly. And to be clear, I don't think that everyone wants this, nor do I expect it to change. But there are explanations which are as or more practical than carrying it on the back. If you're swimming, it might make sense to carry it on your back, but walking around? That's absurd.

Schattenspiel

Syldras wrote: »

Schattenspiel wrote: »

One might set the staff on the ground, or lean it against a tree or a wall or a shelf, etc. Kind of like in the real world.

While swimming?

If you are coming back, sure. If you are crossing, I'm sure you're not going to swim in your robe, either. Wickelfisch is your solution.

M0ntie

Bladed weapons aren't carried without a sheath, but there are no sheaths in ESO. Imagine all the injuries from having naked blades hanging at your side!!!
Why pick on staves, which it is at least reasonable to carry across your back when not in use?

Pelanora

Quivers were usually hip quivers, not worn on the back. If you're fighting, it is best on the hip for speedy access. So the bows and arrows in the game aren't really right....

Anifaas

Mine is special, it hovers on my back like it’s 1999!

Pelanora

Anifaas wrote: »

Mine is special, it hovers on my back like it’s 1999!

But is it also partying

Rowjoh

Not true.

I adapted a strap from an old luggage bag. Granted it was more of a foraging stick but was wooden, of similar dimensions with a gnarled bulbous bit on the end.

Didn't glow or do poison damage though, unlike my mother-in-law.

barney2525

I disagree with the whole premise. If the person with the staff has no means to attach the staff somehow, like a sword scabbard is used for a sword, then I suppose when the user needs to climb something they just hold the staff in their teeth?

There are 2 types of staves that magically disappear when not being used, and pop into your hand when you need it. I think one is Gloam and the other is an ice staff. If you don't want to see the staff on your back, use one of them.

I do not like how ridiculously long they make the staves, (walking through any doorway should knock the character down) so I have watched for these 2 types when they show up in the Crown store, and always use them from the outfitter for my characters. Its 3000 gold well spent.

xylena_lazarow

Real world: village elder can't walk, picks up stick, now can walk again. Whoa cool, magic stick!

Fantasy world: village elder can't walk, picks up stick, now can walk again. Hey cool, this walky stick also works really well for channeling magic spells! And if you don't need it for walking, you can just put it on your back!

Syldras

disky wrote: »

I think it's conceivable to believe that it just goes away. In a world where magic is commonplace, there's no reason to think that it couldn't just disappear. Especially if you're a wizard who uses magic constantly.

But where would it disappear to? On the other hand...

Schattenspiel wrote: »

If you are coming back, sure. If you are crossing, I'm sure you're not going to swim in your robe, either.

Yeah, for the sake of realism, our clothing should disappear while swimming, too!