Planned Content

(This list is still a WIP and subject to change)

TOP CONDENDERS/PRIORITIES:

1. Ashe Banter
   
   

   1. Scripted+Radiant Conversations

   2. Ashe's Quest Awareness

   3. Quest Awareness Banter

   4. Romance Awareness
      
      

2. Civil War Commentary

   1. A good chunk of awareness for both sides and Serana’s opinion of them, along with awareness for either a Stormcloak, Imperial victory, or Season Unending.

3. Squelch+Celine Banter, both group banter and individual
   
   

4. More Drinking Buddies Conversations
   
   

   1. Reasons behind her reluctance to transform into a Vampire Lord.
      
      

   2. Insights into Serana's First Era life
      
      

   3. Comments on Tamrielic holidays (date sensitive)
      
      

5. Soul Hunter Armor Commentary: Add dialogue regarding this armor set.
   
   

Medium Contenders/Can be Pushed Back:

4. Aniya Banter
   
   

5. Kaidan II Follower Mod (Existing Dialogue Revoice)
   
   

6. Daedric Quest Commentary (Discerning the Transmundane)
   
   

7. Misc. dialogue tweaks (like lycanthrophy, vampirism, human awareness). Also stuff that is basic radiant dialogue that doesn't fit the content headers above.
   
   

Low Priority:

1. ADA Future Awareness (Writing Banter lines for future ADA mod interactions)

Hearthfire Children Commentary, originally planned for this update, has been pushed back to Version 4.5 or 5.0. The reason for this delay is twofold: first, my personal convictions regarding AI have grown stricter, so AI-generated lines are off the table. Second, there’s only so much I can do with spliced lines, especially given the base game’s lack of meaningful characterization for Hearthfire children. My original vision for these interactions couldn’t be achieved under those constraints.

If Serana is going to interact with children, those scenes should feel alive and believable. That means the kids themselves need depth - unique backstories, distinct appearances, and personalities - making them fully realized, custom characters added by the SDA mod.

This delay also creates an opportunity. The final update (tentatively called the Vigilant Update) was originally centered around Vigilant, a PC-only mod. That meant Xbox users would receive nothing for SDA’s final sendoff. By holding back the Hearthfire interactions for that update, I’ll be able to give the content the time, quality, and emotional nuance it deserves - while also delivering something meaningful to players on all platforms.

As for Remy and Lyn - the orphans introduced in Ashe: Crystal Heart - I’ve decided not to include them in Serana’s banter, even though Ashe-specific content is being developed. The reason is simple: those two already have a strong narrative bond with Ashe. No such relationship exists with Serana, and I want to respect that storytelling integrity.

(WIP and subject to change)

I. Quest Commentary and Awareness

Daedric Quests Commentary - Part II:

The following quests will have commentary explored along with said themes being discussed in commentary.

Discerning the Transmundane (Hermaeus Mora): Focus on Serana's cautious curiosity regarding forbidden knowledge.

The Taste of Death (Namira): Explore moral commentary stemming from parallels between Namira's cultists and Serana's past.

Ill Met By Moonlight (Hircine): Serana's perspective on werewolves, predators, and hunters.

The Break of Dawn (Meridia): Highlight the ideological clash between Meridia's hatred of undead and Serana.

Waking Nightmare (Vaermina): Commentary on a Daedra "quitting," drawing parallels with Serana's own choices.

Legacy of the Dragonborn (LOTD) Commentary:

• “An Interesting Prospect” Commentary

• “Adding To the Collection” Quest Commentary

• Commentary upon entering the Dragonborn Gallery and Safehouse for the first time.

• Radiant commentary on Dragonborn Gallery locations

• Reactions to specific, lore-significant artifacts (e.g., Staff of Hasedoki, - Mehrunes' Razor, The Gray Cowl of Nocturnal, The White Phial).

• Commentary lines on Auryen

II. Follower Interactions and Banter

New Follower Banter:

Lucien (Pending Confirmation) - N/A

Aniya (Follower Mod) - Scripted, Radiant Conversations

Deimos (Follower Mod) - Scripted, Radiant Conversations

Expanded Follower Interactions:

Aela: Potential interactions (possibly through ADA, low prio).

III. Player Interactions and Radiant Dialogue

Commentary on the 36 Sermons of Vivec. (Favorite books dialogue)

Commentary on the player's cure from Lycanthropy. (New Dialogue Branch, Scripted)

Additional Vampire Turn Dialogue:

Commentary on the player becoming/being a Vampire Lord outside the Dawnguard questline (particularly for the romance questline).
When the player asks Serana to turn them into a vampire, she now prompts a confirmation: “This is a serious choice. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Radiant Commentary:

• Reaction to the player using the Clear Skies Shout after she complains about the sun.

• Reaction to being gifted Juniper Berries.

• Commentary on player having Skooma in their inventory (e.g., "You're going to offload that skooma soon, right? We don't need trouble with the guards.").

• Dialogue regarding 100% completion of the game, referencing Serana's desire to settle down on a farm.

• (This is not an entirely comprehensive list. Overall just expect Serana to be more responsive in-game!)

IV. Crafting and Item Interactions

Serana Crafting Potions: Allow Serana to craft potions for the player, including cure disease potions.

V. Gameplay and Technical Enhancements

Skill Training Awareness: Serana recognizes when a skill is maxed and won't offer training in it.

Dialogue for Mastered Skills

• Custom lines that acknowledge the player’s complete mastery of a skill, highlighting Serana’s pride or amazement at the player’s progress.

Graduating Skill Level Commentary

• Serana comments on mid-level skill milestones (e.g., hitting level 50 or 75), offering praise, humor, or encouragement.

Combat Aggression Tactic: Implement a dialogue option to adjust Serana's combat aggression (e.g., attack any enemy, only attack when attacked, avoid fighting if possible).

VI. Armor and Appearance

Volkihar Knight Armor Commentary: Add dialogue regarding this armor set.

Dark Witch Armor: Add dialogue about this armor if worn by Serana (BHUNP 3BA SMP).

Foxy Nightingale Prime Armor: Possible awareness/patch/dialogue for this armor set.

VII. Bug Fixes and Rewrites

Bug Fixes: Address reported issues and improve overall stability.

Dialogue Rewrites: Human Serana dialogue adjustments so she doesn't refer to herself as a vampire if cured.

Tentative Release Date: TBA 2025 

Planned Changelog (5.0):

I. Quest Commentary and Awareness

Vigilant Quest Commentary (External Patch):

Hundreds of lines of dialogue for full commentary on the Vigilant mod. Currently different ending awareness is planned, but with no support for a potential branching choice in the Haunted Mansion. It is not a canon or alternate choice according to the author and it would be a pain to implement as it involves your player taking a dirt nap and the game otherwise does not have support for that (other than reloading your game). 

Highly recommended due to its relevance to Serana's character.

Hearthfire Commentary

• In SDA’s final update, Serana will interact with a pair of custom-voiced orphan characters who arrive at Fort Dawnguard after losing their parents to a vampire attack. They’re fully realized NPCs with unique backstories, custom appearances, and emotional depth. Expect heartfelt, character-driven scenes that explore Serana’s evolving views on family, legacy, and the consequences of vampirism.