NOTE: 

This page is now deprecated with the early access release. More details and documentation for the full mod to follow.

Introduction: 

The Ashe: Crystal Heart Prologue offers a playable teaser, giving you a taste of what's to come in the full mod. You'll experience Chapters 0 and 1 of the main story, meet key characters, explore new locations, and engage with the core follower system. These chapters set the stage for an epic adventure, showcasing the mod's focus on character development, immersive storytelling, and meaningful player choices.

The full Ashe: Crystal Heart mod is planned for early access release on Halloween (October 31st) and public release on Thanksgiving Weekend (November 28th) 2024.

Included Features: 

The Prologue focuses on introducing Ashe and her world:

• Engaging Story (Chapters 0-1): Experience the beginning of Ashe's journey, uncover her mysterious past, and encounter key characters like Canas.

• Core Follower System for Ashe: Recruit Ashe as a follower, engage in conversations, and get a glimpse of her unique personality.

• Radiant Dialogue: Enjoy dynamic conversations with Ashe as she reacts to the world around her.

• Explore New Locations: Venture to intriguing locations like Rolen's Hut and the Riverwood Commune, with hints of more to come!

Features Not Yet Included:

Many exciting features are still being developed for the full release of Ashe: Crystal Heart:

• Full Story (Chapters 2-7): Experience the complete, multi-chapter main questline.

• Refinement and Full Follower Feature Implementation: The follower system is being expanded with more features like teleportation, Ashe combat skills, expanded magicka features, etc...

• Audio File Mastering: The final release will feature professionally mastered audio for an even more immersive experience.

• Full Lore Integration: Experience a more seamlessly integrated world with expanded interactions with vanilla NPCs and dynamic quest triggers.

• Romance: Develop a deeper bond with Ashe and explore a romantic storyline (coming in the full release).

A Note About Features:

A detailed breakdown of all features, both in the Prologue and the full release, will be available closer to the launch of Ashe: Crystal Heart.

Future Updates:

This Prologue build will receive one more update for the public release and possibly additional urgent fixes. I'm also working on new development builds (strictly for testing) that will be available on Patreon leading up to the early access and official release.

After the full release, I'm planning to support Ashe: Crystal Heart with ongoing updates, making her an even more immersive and integrated part of the Skyrim world. This includes expanding her reactions to existing quests, adding more banter with other NPCs, and introducing new storylines and adventures! 😊

I'm eager to hear your feedback on the Prologue! Your thoughts and suggestions will help me shape the development of the full mod. 😊

Prologue Changelog:

KNOWN ISSUES/PLANNED CHANGES:

• Navmesh Issues: Ashe might get stuck on the terrain. Use MoveTo Player or the teleport spell (if you have it) as a temporary fix.

• Smithing & Spellcasting: These features are implemented but unvoiced and might have some bugs. The smithing interface may not open reliably after the first use.

• Solitude Dialogue: Ashe's Solitude dialogue will be updated in the full release to reflect her Riverwood relocation.

• Fast Travel to Workshop: The fast travel icon for Ashe's workshop is currently active even before the player has discovered the location. This will be corrected in a future update.

• Radiant Dialogue Topics: Some are still unvoiced or unlinked. When selecting some dialogue options, particularly in "Can I talk to you for a moment?" they may lead to nothing or result in Ashe exiting dialogue with you.

• Outfit Swapping and Equipment: Ashe's automatic outfit changes can cause her to unequip player-given gear. A fix is planned to allow players to manage her outfits and equipment more effectively, potentially including options to disable automatic swaps or preserve specific equipment slots.

Public Release 02 (10/02/24)
(If no major bugs are reported, this will be the final prologue release before the full mod launch.)

• New Teleport Spell: Awarded to the player after completing Chapter 1 (Revelation and Reflection).

• Tracking Marker Added: Also granted upon completing Chapter 1.

• Adjusted Ashe's Sword Damage: Reduced base damage slightly. She's strong, but not too strong! 😉

• Fixed Letter-Writing Package Freezes.

• Mental Model Script Fix: Corrected polling issues and increased cooldown from 12 to 30 seconds to ease Papyrus load. This also resolves an outfit change issue in Chapter 1 and during regular gameplay.

• Follower Configuration System: Unlocked after Chapter 1 completion.

• New Intimacy Feature & Radiant Love Dialogue: Currently supports fade-to-black scenes, with OStim integration planned in the future. Gated by Ashe Romance, which can be unlocked through standard gameplay or using the "Hearthfire Protocol."

• Sleep Feature Added: Also tied to Ashe Romance. Players can access it using the "Hearthfire Protocol" during the Prologue. In the full release, a slow-burn approach will unlock romance after Chapter 7.

• Campfire Talks: Previously only partially implemented in earlier Prologue releases, this feature is now fully available. It serves as the mod's equivalent of SDA's Drinking Buddies. To activate it, ensure you've built enough rapport with Ashe and are in a player home or an inn. 

• SMP Hair Support: If SMP is detected, Ashe’s hair will be automatically HDT-enabled, with the same style and tint.

• Full NPC Awareness: Several NPCs now interact with or express opinions about Ashe. Note: Some NPCs remain unvoiced and will display disclaimers. The list includes:

  • Ri'Saad (Male Khajiit)

  • Generic Khajiit (Male)

  • Khajiit Caravan Members (Non-Ri'Saad)

  • Female Dark Elf

  • Male Dark Elf

  • Taarie

  • Elaarie

  • Sybille

  • Ysolda

  • Camilla Valerius

  • Lucan Valerius

  • Sorex Vinius

  • Male Guard

• Dialogue Branch Optimizations.

• Merged Hotfix Changes: Incorporates fixes from Public Release hotfixes.

• Disabled Loading Screens: Temporarily disabled until final load screen art is available.

• Subtitle Corrections.

• Miscellaneous Fixes.

(Public Release Hotfix 01a):

• Fixed Cumulative Armor using 3BA meshes instead of CBBE. If using CBBE, regenerate Bodyslides.

(Public Release Hotfix 01):

- Tweaked post-spar rapport dialogue (during the scripted session (not radiant) to occur more reliably.

- Tweaked Injury Dialogue to not overlap with former scripted spar dialogue.

(Public Release 01):

- Fixed Flashback 2 Triggering Early From Lunar Tear Dialogue

- Fixed Ashe dialogue not popping up when you first meet her

- Fixed Go To Bed incompatibilities

- Added in NPC Awareness and Interactions (Ysolda)

- Dialogue Branch Optimizations

- Various Additional Fixes