In late progress of the construction of a new castle called Eden Castle, and its BIG. Its gonna have something for everyone, but Im wanting to ask, does anyone have any requests as to what to put into it??? I will send the beta file to anyone before I release if requested. Cheers
M@

EDIT:
Download the BETA here: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=21130

EDIT:
Has anyone made any weapon or armor mesh and textures that I could use in this mod at all? I would really appreciate it and would give full credits where they are due...


Edit:
OK, thanks for all those who have provided ideas, more still appreciated. Why can't I upload more than one screenshot? Grr!

OK, this castle currently has a few secret passages, an armory twice the size of the bravil buyable house, a mages hall bigger than any other mages guild hall, a dining area and kitchen both with CUSTOM meshes and textures. And lots lots more.

Hmmm...is there a story to this castle? My FAVORITE things for castles, are SECRET PASSAGES. And I mean a lot of them. Clues in books, side quests... it adds a whole new level to a place when the player doesn know there is a door right next to them! Shortcuts etc...

Could you post some screenshots so we can see what it looks like?

And, I dont mean to solicit services or anything...but if you like to do castle interiors... my Ice Palace is downright huge and is going to need a talented interior desgner for its many halls and bedrooms...just a thought! PM me if this interests you (Spare Modelers Spare Time has the storyline for the city)

Stories can defiitely help how many people dl your mod. An enticing background on the origins and workings of the castle is half of what brings people in!

Things that I think every house mod needs, other than the basic rooms list (others feel free to disagree):

1. At least one new mesh. We've all seen a jillion versions of Oblivion's stone castle walls and deity and dragon statues now. You don't even have to create new stuff yourself, as there are some very nice resources available that you could use. For example, you could use the lovely globes available here on the site to set on a table or desk, or the Ayleid dish/silverware retexes to add a unique look to a dining area. Page through the resource section and see what you find.

2. Fire and water. These are basic human comforts. A nice fireplace makes a bedroom very cozy, and a water area or body deep enough to swim in will make your house compatible with bathing mods.

3. Try and be original with your set design. Big blank spaces are very boring. Find interesting things to put in them. Think about screenshots and what would look good in one. Few castle mods have good clutter because it is time-consuming. Put in the time and make something better than the average.

4. Consider including an alchemy sorter. Not everybody likes them, but I certainly do and so do at least a few others. There are at least two available for use as resources (one requires COBL and would make your mod dependent on that, though). Again, the search function is your friend.

5. Telling a story with your castle is never a bad idea, although it means more work. And I agree that secret passages are always fun.

a painting that has eyes that follow you... one of the creepiest things I can think of.

OK, more screenshots, because I don't know how to get lots on one thing. Grr! This here is the huge armory.

This is one of the 3 parts of the mages hall.

Lol, Ill try to find one, but Im not good with scripting or meshes or similar. Lol. Plus another screenshot!!!

Cheers, those will help; need to put in more fireplaces now!!!

chuckle, oh and heres a snappy of the dining hall:

Very Very nice! That is exactly the kind of thing i was talking about! I can see you take a lot of care when you place things, nice job!

Looking good. If you haven't already, check out Quartz's Glenvar Castle for some ideas. I especially like that you can walk the walls there.

Cheers Iv been working on this for quite a few months.

Yeah you can access the roof on this castle :D

Looks good. very nice job!

i used to live near Eden Castle, Scottland

I didnt know there was such a castle with that name! lol

I second anyone who asks for secret passages. If you want your castle to stand out, Location is also key. Is there a beautiful and unique view offered by the castle? I don't know if you would want to add a quest to add depth to the setting? Especialy one that is not 100% green arrow but makes the player search around and think atleast a little.

Just some suggestions, looks great!

Nice, I wonder where you got that Steak, peas & Smashed potatoes on the plate though? :o

Eolath

All the meshes for the food are made by David Whitefang, here is where you can get the modders resource for them:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20357

The Castle looks nice .having secret passages ,something like those in Skingrad Castle would be neat too.
A little question...are you using new meshes ? created by you ,I mean ?
Until new updates, I wish you best of of luck

------
Alex

I unfortunately am not skilled in making meshes or textures, or indeed to do anything to do with 3d models like that unfortunately, and am instead using custom meshes made by others. I want to leanr how to make meshes though, it would be awesome.

Looking good there! My only gripe I can see so far is all the glass swords in the armory, don't much care for that. Maybe more iron/steel swords, but hey that's just me, and it's your mod!

As for a few ideas (I know some of these have been mentioned):

Tell a story with your castle. It doesn't matter if it's through notes, books, journals, dialogue or even a few rooms with skeletons and blood splattered all over the walls and floor. Give us something interesting. Is the castle abandoned when the player finds it? Cool, but WHY was it abandoned? Was every murdered, or is there some mystery as to why everyone suddenly disappeared?

Secret passages: No castle is complete without these. Maybe a passage leading from the dining room to the lord's bedchamber, or from servant's quarters to the kitchen. Perhaps even a secret passage in the lord's bedchamber leading outside of the castle walls incase he needs to make a getaway?

Clutter. Lots of house mods have big, ugly open spaces. It looks like you've handled this already pretty well, but just emphasizing on it. Nothing is more annoying when you walk into a GIANT room and there's nothing more in there than a table and a couple chairs... add some stuff to your rooms like rugs, paintings, statues, furniture, suits of armor, whatever. But, don't make it SO bad that you can't walk two feet without bumping into something either.

Thanks for your ideas. I know it cant be seen i9n the screenshot, but that armory is filled with tonnes of different standard weapons. Most of the types in fact.

I heart it so far! Keep up the great work! And I like the roof access! Where exactly is it located?

There is roof access from the mages hall tower. There is quite an awesome view from the top of the roof when its sunny. Lol.

Putting more secret passages in now. Would it be worth uploading the beta onto the Nexus or not?

YES! Because if it isnt thisweekend i have absolutely no hope of playing it until... next weekend! BTW, I made the double helix spiral stairs which wrap around a pillar last night... now more for you.... I am making a grand branching staircase for you! (Idk if you want to use it for yours...but i definitely plan on using it in mine.) Its pretty big so its understandable if you dont have a place for it. I only have one basic pic of its contruction though

Lol, That screenshot dosent mean much to me at all. Lol, does look like nice stairs though. You managed to test the beta then?

Hahaha, i guess it wouldnt... besides i fixed some of it anyway...oh well, it shall be for mine then! Good luck!

You tested the beta that I sent you? I sent it by email have you got it and if so have you managed to give it a test???

lol

Please anyone say if you would like the beta, because I am quite happy to upload it onto the nexus.

How big is the file?
Unfortunately I have no hope whatsoever of playing it now, because I have the largest amount of homework I've had in quite a while... >.< Anyway, I have thanksgiving break coming up, so I will definitely find time to play it next weekend. My advice: Dont take 2 AP classes!

AP classes? What does that mean?

I sent you an email about sizes, but with all the custom meshes for anyone else interested, it will be somewhere over 50mb.

Hahahaha, AP Classes are Advanced Placement classes...They're college level courses that you can take in high school and possibly earn college credits for. Mine are a pain in the butt, and I have an english essay which I am pretty sure i smaking me physically sick to try and finish for tomorrow.... Anyways I think if you uploaded it, it would be easier, since yahoo only can send/receive files up to 10mb. Got any new screenshots?

Fraid I have no new screenshots for the moment. I will howevor be uploading the beta for this within the next couple of days, so keep your eyes on this page for a link. Ill also send you a message Armageddon to notify you of this.

lol, I hate English, way too many essays.

M@

Lol, I think they are ok! Do you use/have an AIM or Skype?! They are ever so useful! Anyaway, I went ahead and made a new sig...except i cant seem to figure out how to get it into mine!

Hmm, getting there. Anyone else got any new ideas?

has anyone got any custom meshes and textures of weapons and/or armour that I can use in this castle mod? I would give full credit and mention you in the credits.

Cheers
M@

I can model some weapons and/or armour for ya. Might take some time though.

You Legend, shadowace. If you could make me a small dagger and/or shortsword that would be cool; but anything that looks stylish is also good, but if you don't want to then that's fine.

Don't worry about how long because the finnished castle will probabaly be just before christmas, but there will be future versions of it after that.

Cheerrs again
M@

Downloading now...testing tomorrow


EDIT :
Sorry ...I didn't see that you haven't uploaded any files

The Eden Castle BETA is now up: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=21130

Please check it out and comment.

There is now, sorry, it took a fair while to upload because of low internet speed

Sorry for my "absence" I was busy for thanksgiving and such. Anyways I am modeling a sword, normal sword (though I can easily convert it to a shortsword). I have made a dagger and other models, but there for a mod I'm making.

Cool. Cheers.

Matt

I'm in school right now but the blade I'm making is called the Split Edge. It's gonna be a shortsword (since you want daggers or shortswords) and it'll have a long sword version (maybe). Which literally has a split edge. With some nice enchantments.

You legend.

Cheers
M@

Good news, there may be some more people joining the Alsiae mod team! BTW did i mention i really loved the mod? I guess so. Ummm do you think it was something wrong with my computer that some doors opened up into nothingness? OH and may i suggest the moving book walls to cover up some of your secret passages. its on the nexus. I cant wait to use it for mine!
David

Alsiae team??? :S

hmm, moving book walls is a good idea. Yeah that would be because its incomplete. I am at this very second finnishing the private quaters.

ahahaha, ok i guess i should not have assumed you would know, it is the name of the team working on the glacier city project. Oh and that is good because i thought it was something else wrong with my computer!!! Are you stll interested in helping? There is already stuff to get to placing!!! Thanks,
David

Of course Im interested. But as I said, I really need to finish this or it will never get done!!! lol. But yeah I want to be part of it.

Well of course, I wouldnt have it any other way...so just dont hurry for my sake. Still getting stuff together!
Thanks, David