Embedded Files
Frequently Asked Questions – Skyrim SE Mod: Ashe – Crystal Heart
Frequently Asked Questions – Skyrim SE Mod: Ashe – Crystal Heart
_______________________________________________________________
(The following is a FAQ summary for Ashe. For more detailed and quest-related troubleshooting, please refer to the walkthrough page.)
Q: Where do I find Ashe?
A: Check out the "Quick Playthrough Hints" for details.
Q: Can she ride a horse?
A: Not yet, but horse-riding support is planned for a future update.
Q: How do I start Ashe's questline?
A: Once she’s in your party, chat with her, and her story will naturally unfold! During this initial rapport-building phase (before her main quest), some dialogue options may require a short wait (usually 24 hours).
Q: I personally don't prefer Ashe's outfit. How do I change it?
A: You can change it through her outfit feature, enabled a bit further into her rapport-building phase! You can then have her wear anything you want!
Q: How do I make my game/Ashe look like your screenshots?
A: I personally use the Silent Horizons II ENB, Obsidian Weathers, and Lux for my lighting setup! For Ashe, I use the Diamond Body Preset.
Q: I modified Ashe myself, and now she’s not working.
A: Unfortunately, I can’t provide support for modified versions of Ashe. Such changes are unpredictable and difficult to troubleshoot.
Q: Sparring with Ashe makes guards or other followers join the fight / I get a bounty.
A: Sparring uses Skyrim’s brawl mechanics, which have a vanilla bug where bystanders join.
Tips:
Install Brawl Bug Fix.
Spar away from towns/crowds; pick a clear outdoor spot.
Spar with only Ashe; dismiss other followers.
(Optional) RDO’s StopCombat can help de-escalate.
Console: StopCombatAlarmOnActor <Ref> on any follower that stays hostile.
Q: The Ashe dream sequences don’t trigger when I sleep. I’m using the Go To Bed mod — is there a compatibility patch or fix?
A: The Ashe: Crystal Heart dream sequences are compatible with the Go To Bed mod (tested with version 2.0.7, non-lite). However, some users have experienced issues where dreams won’t trigger due to a common oversight: the sleep modifier key. If the sleep modifier key is set but not used properly, Go To Bed may default to waiting instead of sleeping, which prevents Ashe’s dream sequences from activating.
Solution: Check your Go To Bed MCM settings and make sure you’re using the correct sleep modifier key (usually Shift or another assigned key) when activating a bed or sleeping item. This will ensure the game treats it as proper sleep rather than wait mode.
If you're still having trouble after verifying this, a short screen recording may help us diagnose further.
Q: A cutscene keeps looping or stalls after finishing.
A: Skyrim’s scene manager can hiccup, or a “dialogue helper” mod can interfere.
Try:
Make a safety save.
Leave the cell (step outside), wait 1 in-game hour, re-enter.
If you use dialogue-helper mods, try disabling them for the scene.
If it still loops and is reproducible, report it; otherwise use the console failsafes listed on the walkthrough to advance the scene.
Q: Sleeping crashes/freezes when the Dark Brotherhood kidnapping is pending and Ashe’s dream also wants to start.
A: Both events are sleep-triggered teleports. Do them separately.
Recommendations:
Finish Astrid’s “With Friends Like These…” kidnapping sequence before starting Ashe’s dream intro or complete Ashe’s dream first and avoid sleeping until DB triggers.
If you’re already stuck, you can temporarily disable one, sleep to resolve that quest step, complete it, then re-enable the other.
If issues persist, share crash logs so it can be verified.
Q: Ashe’s hair is missing, invisible, or stretching into the ground - what’s going on and how do I fix it?
A: Ashe’s hairstyle is actually a wig item called “Seabiscuit.” If that wig is unequipped, deleted, or its mesh fails to load, she may appear bald or have hair that stretches/clips. This can happen when...
switching between HDT-SMP and non-HDT versions,
missing or outdated physics requirements, or
leftover data from older mod builds.
Quick manual re-equip
Open the console.
Type help seabiscuit to get the wig’s item ID.
Click Ashe, then enter equipitem <itemID> 1 (replace <itemID> with the ID from step 2).
If you’re using the non-HDT version
Reinstall the mod and choose the non-HDT hair option for maximum stability.
If you want the HDT-SMP version
During the FOMOD install, pick the HDT-SMP hair option.
Make sure you have FSMP (Faster HDT-SMP), XP32 Maximum Skeleton, and RaceMenu correctly set up and matching your Skyrim build (AE or SE).
Keep Ashe’s default wig equipped; other head items can override it.
If hair still misbehaves, refresh the wig (remove → re-equip) or test in a lighter load order to rule out conflicts.
Updating to the latest FSMP release usually resolves remaining physics issues.
Q: I’m using RSV SPID and Ashe is bald.
A: Add an ignore keyword so RSV doesn’t override her wig:
Keyword = RSVignore|MM_Ashe
(Add this to your RSV/SPID config so Ashe’s wig isn’t replaced/unequipped.)
Q: Ashe doesn’t fight in combat!
A: If Ashe just stares at enemies without drawing her weapon, check if you use Immersive Equipment Animations and disable the option for companions/followers. This prevents her facemask animation from blocking combat. If not that, the issue may stem from a rare bug with her sandbox animations—this will be fixed in the next content update.
Q: I’m a modder or voice actor with a custom follower mod. Can our followers interact?
A: That sounds amazing! Send me a PM, and I’d be happy to collaborate on setting up interactions.
Q: I’m a fan. Will Ashe get banter with other followers?
A: You can send a request, and if I think Ashe and the other character are a good fit, I’ll reach out to the mod author. At the very least, I can make “awareness” patches so Ashe will comment on that NPC being in your party. Fully voiced cross-mod banter is possible but keep in mind it’s challenging to schedule, since it requires coordinating multiple voice actors and/or mod authors’ availability.
Q: Can I create a patch or translation for Ashe?
A: Sure! I’m generally happy for people to make patches or translations as long as you contact me first to discuss your plans. This helps me keep track of modifications and provide better support. Don’t worry—I won’t bite!
Q: Can I create a fan AI-voiced patch?
A: Not for the new characters added by the Ashe mod. The voice actors I hired do not consent to AI use, and I’m firmly against AI voice acting without original artist approval.
For vanilla NPCs, you may create an unofficial AI patch using Bethesda voices, but only with my permission. Do not train AI models on impressionist voices from this project, as they are actors I hired who also do not consent.I will not be involved in AI patch development or provide support for it. Proceed at your own discretion.
Q: Is this mod still being worked on?
A: Yes! While I’m currently focused on SDA 5.0, I’m also working on mini-patches for Ashe. Once SDA 5.0 is complete, Ashe will take center stage alongside my Aela mod production.
Q: Can you ESL-ify this mod?
A: No. The mod is too large for that, both now and in terms of planned updates. ESL-ifying it would risk breaking saves.
Q: "Your mod crashed my game!"
A: This is unlikely, as the mod has been extensively playtested. If you suspect the mod is causing crashes, I’ll need a detailed crash log showing the issue and methods to reproduce it, confirmed by other users.
Q: "I’ve noticed a bug or improvement opportunity in the mod."
A: If you’re sure the issue is caused by my mod and not a conflict or load order problem, first ensure you’re using the latest version of Ashe. If the issue persists, check for existing reports and add your input, or create a new post with detailed information.
Q: How do I start the romance?
A: There are two ways. You can flirt with Ashe during her main quest, or use a secret (but story-accurate) shortcut for those who don’t want to wait. Either path leads to a romance mini-quest at the story’s conclusion, with variations depending on your choices.
Q: Can I “cure” her “vampirism”?
A: That’s spoiler territory! While there are no immediate plans, I’d need to explore whether it fits her character and story before implementing it.
Q: I’m using an older version of Skyrim SE/AE. Will Ashe work?
A: Yes, she will work with any version.
Q: Does Ashe have custom names and conversation content?
A: She eventually will, but as per Nexus rules they won't be discussed here. Get in contact with me (outside of Nexus).
Q: Is this mod lore-friendly/immersive?
A: It's a valid question! Ashe’s creation involved careful planning to fit within Skyrim's world. However, for a unique character experience, some creative liberties were taken (mostly with her art style). That’s why I describe her as "lore-adjacent." Even purists might find her story of vengeance and self-discovery compelling—give her a try!
Q: Will I like the writing in this mod?
A: Expect a darker, more mature character exploration. Think SDA's focus, but with sharper writing.
Q: What’s with her outfit/art style?
A: Ashe's design is intentionally inspired by JRPG aesthetics, aiming for a unique and visually striking character. I understand this style might not suit every player's preference for a strictly lore-focused playthrough. However, her unique nature is justified in-game. If you dislike her default outfit, the mod offers a robust outfit management system, allowing you to customize her appearance, and a completely original outfit is also in the works. See the "Ashe's Design Philosophy" section above for a more detailed explanation.
Q: Ashe's outfit nipples are inverted!
A: Bodyslide Preset issue (not my mod's). Set the "Gone" nipple sliders in Outfit Studio to zero.
Q: After updating the mod, do I need to build Ashe in BodySlide again?
A: Only if your BodySlide output was merged into the main mod’s folder. If you keep BodySlide builds in a separate MO2 mod (recommended) or a dedicated “Bodyslides” mod, you don’t need to rebuild just for an update. If you change presets/sliders, rebuild.Q: Why do followers travel with me to dream sequences in Ashe's subconscious?
A: This is a known limitation and something you’ll need to suspend disbelief for when playing.
The vanilla game has a script to dismiss vanilla followers during specific transitions, but custom followers like Ashe operate outside that framework. Detecting and dismissing them reliably without directly managing the framework is challenging.
Q: Ashe gets stuck in Broken Oar Grotto!
A: Not a problem with my mod natively, this is an issue that affects all Skyrim followers. Use this mod to fix it! Broken Oar Grotto Fix at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
SPOILER TERRITORY/FAQ BELOW:
SPOILER TERRITORY/FAQ BELOW:
Q: Why is Ashe's age set at six years? A: In the original version of the mod, Ashe’s story started six years ago because I wanted to balance the darker aspects of her backstory with her current character development. She was born as a fully-formed adult, with adult emotions and a mature worldview. Setting her creation at six years prior allowed her story to feel grounded while avoiding overly grim implications—like suffering for 26 years straight, which would have made her a far less enjoyable character to interact with. Additionally, this timeline ensured key characters, like Canas, were still around to support her journey.
However, based on player feedback and further reflection, I’ve decided to revise Ashe’s backstory in the 1.1 update. Instead of starting six years ago, Ashe now has a "hibernation" period of 20 years after her father’s death. This change adds more depth to her character and eliminates any confusion about her “age.” Ashe awakens 26 years after her creation, with six years of active experience before meeting the player.
Although this adjustment introduces some compromise—such as Canas now being 20 years older—the change aligns better with her story’s themes and avoids potential discomfort for players. This rewrite preserves Ashe’s core narrative while offering a more nuanced and satisfying explanation of her past.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse