Why are Forts always occupied by Bandits?
This topic is now read-only on GameSpot.
To post new messages, please visit GameFAQs and log in using the same email and password that you use on GameSpot.
Feb 10, 2013 8:59 am GMT
Yes ok, there are certain instances where they are not. Yet some other evil thing lives there. My point is this... there has been a civil war raging across Skyrim for a couple of years now. Why aren't any of these forts strategically held by one side or the other? It makes sense that they would be! Valthiem Towers for instance...here's a fort built dead smack right next to a narrow pathway leading into the Windhelm's primary territory. So why is this fort occupied by rogues and bandits? If anything the Stormcloaks would have put the manpower into clearing the place out of any hostiles and pretty much shut down a major roadway. I get that the civil war Quests have you attacking forts, but it still makes little to no sense.
Feb 10, 2013 9:01 am GMT
They wanted you to be able to fight people in them instead of them being occupied by civil war place holders.
Feb 10, 2013 9:05 am GMT
It's not just bandits.
I came across a fort that had tons of forsworn in it.
Some are guarded by mages too.
Feb 10, 2013 9:18 am GMT
Joe_Cobbs posted...They wanted you to be able to fight people in them instead of them being occupied by civil war place holders.
This. If they were all storm cloaks or legion held, you wouldn't be able to fight and clear them until you started the Civil War quests, and then only the ones of your opposing faction. If you notice on the war maps, some forts are held and there are camps located throughout Skyrim for both factions.
Also, I believe the story from Oblivion was that most of the forts were used during previous wars and were abandoned since due to lack of need for them, therefore bandits or marauders moved into them. In Skyrim, bandits and forsworn move into them. That's why a lot of the forts are in disrepair or have additional defenses that are not part of the stonework.
Feb 10, 2013 9:19 am GMT
Webstedge posted...The civil war doesn't actually start until you decide to start it. That's how most things in Skyrim go
The war has been going on for quite a while. You just decide to side with someone and help end it.
Oh yeah I know that some are occupied by other people. My point is that this war has been going on long enough for these armies to have fortified their territory. Major strategic holdings like Valthiem and the Fort close to Riften. Usually forts next to major roadways. I just find it strange.
Feb 10, 2013 9:22 am GMT
Omni024 posted...Webstedge posted...
The civil war doesn't actually start until you decide to start it. That's how most things in Skyrim go
The war has been going on for quite a while. You just decide to side with someone and help end it.
Oh yeah I know that some are occupied by other people. My point is that this war has been going on long enough for these armies to have fortified their territory. Major strategic holdings like Valthiem and the Fort close to Riften. Usually forts next to major roadways. I just find it strange.
from a real standpoint you are correct. in morrowind it would be this way.
---
The price of Victory is high, but so are the rewards.
Feb 10, 2013 9:32 am GMT
Some forts were just abandoned, it makes an excellent place for a small group of bandits to station there, gives them a place to reinforce their lifestyle.
As for neither side of the civil war taking over certain bases, maybe they don't have the man power or resources. A lot of the civil war quests don't happen until the player comes along to assist.
But still, there are a couple of forts that Imperials/Stormcloaks occupy after you clear them out even if you haven't started the civil war quest line; Fort Amol, once you clear it of mages, the Stormcloaks take it over and Fort... I forget the name, but it is immediately west of the Western Watchtower in Whiterun, Imperials take it over.
---
Winter is coming
Feb 10, 2013 9:36 am GMT
Because bandits are more strategically inclined than the Stormcloaks and Imperials.
Feb 10, 2013 9:38 am GMT
Omni024 posted...Webstedge posted...
The civil war doesn't actually start until you decide to start it. That's how most things in Skyrim go
The war has been going on for quite a while. You just decide to side with someone and help end it.
this is what is supposed to happen sure, but I'm just sayin if you went around adventuring for a few months absolutely nothing would progress in the war due to the dragonborn being the only one who matters and gets stuff done in the world
---
https://p.twimg.com/AirgRzVCEAAPBp6.jpg Feb 10, 2013 9:41 am GMT
obishawn posted...Some forts were just abandoned, it makes an excellent place for a small group of bandits to station there, gives them a place to reinforce their lifestyle.
As for neither side of the civil war taking over certain bases, maybe they don't have the man power or resources. A lot of the civil war quests don't happen until the player comes along to assist.
But still, there are a couple of forts that Imperials/Stormcloaks occupy after you clear them out even if you haven't started the civil war quest line; Fort Amol, once you clear it of mages, the Stormcloaks take it over and Fort... I forget the name, but it is immediately west of the Western Watchtower in Whiterun, Imperials take it over.
There is another one filled with Forsworn that I cleared and then had to clear again of Imperials when I did the Civil War quests. I found it funny that I went through the same one but also a great job by the developers. Fort cleared by an adventurer, now abandoned, free Fort for the first Faction to get there lol.
Feb 10, 2013 10:09 am GMT
The forts start populated by random peons.
Unless you have a civil war quest to clear it, at which point it becomes populated by soldiers.
Alternatively, if you clear the peons out of it first, the next time the area loads it will be populated by the Hold's soldiers.
Why it is like this... well, because Bethesda half-assed (read: abandoned the majority of) the Civil War questline.
The 11.11.11 release date is why the game is so "empty" everything they wanted to add, they did not have time for.
So we get a whole lot of nothing.
---
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.
Feb 10, 2013 10:16 am GMT
Fort Neugrad: Before the civil war quests of course, if you clear the bandits you will find a "Bandit's Journal". It explains how the bandits took the fort from the imperial troops garrisoned there, who were cut off after the Helgen incident.
Fort Dunstad: Nothing is explicitly mentioned, but you find the body of a named NPC in the Staggering Sabercat (the bar inside the fort). Sort of implies there were residents of some kind that met a bad ending with bandits involved.
Bandits are plentiful and they need a place to live, too.
Feb 10, 2013 11:20 am GMT
Because Skyrim is just a dungeon crawler.
Feb 10, 2013 12:11 pm GMT
Rampagingwalrus posted...The forts start populated by random peons.
Unless you have a civil war quest to clear it, at which point it becomes populated by soldiers.
Alternatively, if you clear the peons out of it first, the next time the area loads it will be populated by the Hold's soldiers.
Why it is like this... well, because Bethesda half-assed (read: abandoned the majority of) the Civil War questline.
The 11.11.11 release date is why the game is so "empty" everything they wanted to add, they did not have time for.
So we get a whole lot of nothing.
I dont see how that's "half-assing it"
EvanW1109 posted...
This. If they were all storm cloaks or legion held, you wouldn't be able to fight and clear them until you started the Civil War quests, and then only the ones of your opposing faction. If you notice on the war maps, some forts are held and there are camps located throughout Skyrim for both factions.
What he said.
It makes perfect sense as is, and rushed or not, the game is not "so empty omg deep as a puddle"
---
In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws, And mine are long and sharp, my lord, as long and sharp as yours.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't really like GS; this is just my alt. Alt account brought to you by Rebel.
Tis the times plague when madmen lead the blind.
Feb 10, 2013 12:46 pm GMT
RebelElite791 posted...I dont see how that's "half-assing it"
What would you call cutting everything but the bare minimum then?
---
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn. Feb 10, 2013 2:36 pm GMT
Rampagingwalrus posted...RebelElite791 posted...
I dont see how that's "half-assing it"
What would you call cutting everything but the bare minimum then?
Mind providing some sources about what they "cut"? And I dont mean "stuff they could have added in but didn't" I mean stuff they actually cut. Substantial stuff.
And having enemies in forts should make the game LESS empty, since you can actually wantonly kill them without repercussions like if every fort had CW soldiers.
---
In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws, And mine are long and sharp, my lord, as long and sharp as yours.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't really like GS; this is just my alt. Alt account brought to you by Rebel.
Tis the times plague when madmen lead the blind.
Redguard (PC)
Morrowind (XBOX)
Dishonored (X360)
Game of Thrones (X360)
Saints Row IV (X360)
