h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Make sure to get a powerful 'heal other' before the final quest. Just saying...

I'm going to attempt to anger Jauffre in order to get a good picture for the Omens of Oblivion *makes an extra save*

That would make a good picture!

It's oddly liberating to be able to wander around Cyrodiil knowing that the Oblivion threat has been dealt with. Plus it's fun being hailed as the Big Hero while knowing that I'm actually a horrid assassin.

You you - or would the smiley be more appropriate?

Couldn't get a good picture, because he didn't draw a one-handed weapon as I had expected - nooo, a big two-handed claymore is what he swung at Freya, which made it tricky.

I then tried stealing garlic from his desk, right under his nose - but he just got up and snatched it back and continued reading!

And I can't sweet-talk him either. Maybe if I can lower my character's personality or something, but that would take too much time. Ah well, I'm sure there will be other opportunities for pictures.

I've sometimes used the tactic to finish the thieves' guild quests all the way before starting on the Dark Brotherhood ones. Wearing Nocturnal's cowl when handing in the quests makes all the infamy points stick with the cowl - the moment you take it off, they're gone.

Ooh, I might have to try that. I do have an invitation from the thieves guild that I've not investigated yet...

ah, good to see other folks having as much fun with it as I have!
Which versions you playing - vanilla or GOTY ones?
I've completed it as both a knight-ish character and as a stealth-em-up. I got a fair way into doing a 'complete *everything*' playthrough before being distracted by Mass Effect (1&2).

I *think* I've been everywhere and done everything in it now - I just wish it had been as large a game as Morrowind - but it is a darn pretty game with a lot of replay value. Ideally I'd have morrowind gameplay/gamesize/rpg rules with morrowind graphics and acting/voice acting.

As for the Skyrim download comment - looks like they're going the same route as with Fallout New Vegas. Even if you buy the game disc, you'll still need and internet connection to register and activate it via Steam. So in many ways, you might as well just download it off steam anyway. Last time I did a dvd->steam activation I swear it just downloaded the whole thing anyway and that the DVD just contained a steam setup/registration install.

Which is a shame, cos I like having the physical media for a game.

oh, and specs for Skyrim min are apparently:
Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor
2GB System RAM
6GB free HDD Space
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
DirectX compatible sound card
Internet access for Steam activation

Those specs don't seem too complicated, I'm fairly sure my current desktop PC can handle it. I can hardly wait!

Am currently playing two characters in Oblivion - Freya (blond, blue-eyed Nord) for the story in my journal and my first attempt at a Breton mage.

My mage just managed to turn into a and it was quite touching when she walked close by one of the Skingrad gate guards, because his comment was 'Are you not feeling well?' Can't remember a guard expressing worry about my well being before... but then, she had him charmed all the way up to 100, when I checked.

yes, been reading this, fleshes out the game characters and scenes rather well

Spec wise - yeah, I suspect it'll be fine with view distance turned down, complex shadows off and not above about 1920x1080 - and ignore fullscreen AA
My comp is pretty similar to specs but with a 1gb card that is close to on its last legs. Had to perform open-GPU surgery on it the other day, never a good sign.

My PC mostly matches up but I'll need a new graphics card, which probably won't happen 'til after Christmas.

tbh, I'm debating waiting anyway. I'm kinda sick of the whole DLC thing and how much you can end up paying for the whole game. I mean, it's a nice trick for the companies, but selling me a castrated game for full price just seems a tad off somehow. So I might just exercise some self restraint and wait.
Might catch up on all the decorating and stuff I need to do round the house that way

That reminds me that I ought to start a new thread over at the h2g2 RPG Club to see if I can kick some life into any remaining members

When Freya stepped into The Grey Mare, that brute of an Orc greeted her with 'hey snowman!' - can't remember that ever happening before. I've been googling for the exact phrase, but no luck so far. I guess I'll have to try and recreate the moment and put it in print myself *reload, reload, reload*

'Speak snowman, and stop waisting my time!'

Finally!

I think there are a couple of orcs who say that... my current character is a Nord and I've heard it a few times

It might be I've never come across an Orc with an attitude this early in the game, while my Nord is still low in level as well as personality (level 1) - usually I'd potter around in the Imperial City first, but Freya headed straight for Chorrol. I guess the Emperor instilled the awe of the Septims in her

Anyone know of any way to skip the main story line ahead to Cloud Ruler Temple without all of these portals popping up everywhere? I hate portals...

Well... technically you don't have to go around getting any help for Bruma (it's actually an optional quest) but I imagine that's not advisable.

I was kind of referring to those 'everywhere out in the wilderness' smaller portals, hate coming across them.

Oh, I just got around those by fast travelling everywhere. Now I occasionally come across the remains of them.