Vilja Romance & Marriage Questions

[aozgolo]

Hi I'm new here and I really hope I'm not being a repeater but found no other threads regarding this in my little search.

I know the next (1.5?) update of Vilja will focus on Romance & Marriage options. Marriage in Skyrim has been one of my biggest pet peeves forever, since the vanilla married life (not to mention wedding...) are such a letdown for immersion. So I was just curious if I might possibly pry some info regarding what to expect from Vilja with the next update (avoiding hard promises I know) as she is definitely the right one to be with!

My first question is simply... will she be romanceable/marriageable regardless of player gender and if so will she respond differently depending on the gender romancing her?

Secondly, I've found in most games with romance options (Looking at you Bioware) that after you've firmly "established" the romance that the relationship quits evolving, it's like "You've done the deed, it's over, you win, nothing more to see." which is quite disheartening if you did it early on and still have over half the game to play. Will Vilja continue to develop her disposition and mood even after she's wed?

Lastly... I know Vilja doesn't like silly Amulets as proposal means, but will weddings still take place in the Temple of Mara?


To be honest I have a million questions regarding how everything will work but I don't want to swamp you with too many questions being the new guy here. Most of all I just want to thank you for making the absolute best Immersion Mod I've ever seen in a game period, and I hope to follow and support your continued work for a long time!

[Emma]

Hi Aozgolo

Of course you are very welcome to ask about this.

Let me first say that there might be some confusion about version numbers. The update where marriage is added will most likely be called 2.0 and should hopefully also include her full wardrobe system. Before that, we will likely release a smaller update with in particular some horse riding improvements, which will either be called 1.4.2 or 1.5, depending on how much content we add.

I'm working on the romance right now, but as usual, it seems Vilja takes over in the middle of everything. That happened today, when she suddenly to my surprise said something that changed some of my plans for the romance path (this may sound silly, but it keeps on happening - she just takes over and suddenly I'm writing dialog I hadn't planned because it seems natural).

As you already know what she thinks about using the Amulet of Mara as an "advertisment for marriage", you of course realize that there will be a little longer romance path before you can actually marry her. I think the wedding will be in Riften, though, as this is by tradition the place where people get married in Skyrim. I also think that her family will participate at the event.

Once the marriage is released I'm planning to make it possible for you to visit her home island and to meet and interact with her family and friends, and to, if you like, have your own home on the island. I'm also hoping to make a Hearthfire add-on so that she can interact with and help you take care of your adopted children.

Of course your relationship with Vilja will not "end" with a marriage, she will continue to develop her disposition and mood also after this. For instance, she should get more opinionated on your relations to other npcs. (But she will not grow hostile towards old friends like Lydia or Aela or anything like that, as she is still supposed to interact with them).
There should hopefully also be more quest to come over time. Vilja is an evolving project, I hope she will continue to "grow" for a very long time to come. So what is not there in one version might be there in the next. It was after all only five months since the first version was released.

Vilja is romanceable/marriageable regardless of the player gender, and she is very much aware of the gender, race etc of the person she is romancing, which you should already be able to see in her dialog. Her own personality is, I dare say, feminine rather than androgyn, and this will not change if she is romancing a female character; she will consider herself the more feminine of the two, as anything else would be out of character for her.

Many of the "bonuses" you get when you marry someone in Skyrim is, as you probably know, already there with Vilja in the existing 1.4.1.1 version. She can cook for you, she can do shopping for you and sell your items, she can say sweet things to you and hug you, you can tell her that you love her... I think it's only the "well-rested bonus" that you don't get from her before a marriage. I can't imagine that I will set up that "shop feature" for her, as she can already do much more than just letting you sell small things to her when you see her. It's just so unimmersive...

Feel free to ask more if you like, I'm not sure if I have replied to everything you wanted to know. In fact, I'm not sure I know everything, myself, either .

[Mike Sierra]

I am sorry for interfering here, but thanks to Aozgolo's questions we've got a lot of very great news. It seems we're looking forward to really great times. Thank you, Emma! And thanks to Aozgolo!

@ Emma
I know it's a long way to a possibly add-on for "Hearthfire". But lately I've read some of your postings in this regard. To be honest I actually never thought about adopting a child in Skyrim. On the other hand, a Vilja-Hearthfire-add-on would easily change my mind.

Well... it would be nice if Vilja wouldn't talk about "and help you take care of YOUR adopted children." but to talk about OUR (the PC's and Vilja's) children.
And of course Vilja and the PC would need a babysitter. Do you see any chance to win Anesia or (more preferable) Sindra for this job?

[aozgolo]

Thank you for your reply Emma, sounds like a lot of great news. I can't wait! I definitely like the direction it's headed. As for some of the other questions I've had, well they're mostly buzzing around my brain in incomplete thoughts so I'll stick to what I have tangible enough to ask:

-Since Vilja is a constantly evolving companion who reacts to your treatment of her, will it thus be possible to antagonize her to the point of divorce? I'm sure no Vilja fans want this, but for certain RPs who knows what could happen. I always like taking good intentioned characters down a self destructive path of evil mid-late ways through my playthroughs and I would see this as a potential consequence.

-Will Vilja react differently to how/if things change once married in terms of say... leaving her at home all the time instead of letting her adventure with you (I'm sure she'd dislike this)

-I understand this is an issue that will be "delicate" but given the nature of the expanded relationship will you be able to "consummate" your relationship with Vilja before/after being married? I'm not expecting anything graphic but perhaps a Fade-to-black cheeky line IE: the Fable games or perhaps just an innuendo laced remark after spending the night together in the same bed? Perhaps even have a dialogue toggle that allows you to turn this on/off for those who don't wish it part of their game (or even include as a separate add-on).

-Since raising a child of course comes in time with marriage, and I understand the importance of placing the romance/marriage update before a potential Hearthfire add-on, I just have to ask will Vilja weigh in with said add-on if married about adoption candidates and what she thinks of adopting them? I'm sure other interactions will of course be planned between her and adopted children to make for more immersion as well, again just curious to plumb some of your ideas.

I may come up with other questions later but I already am very grateful you took the time to reply and grace me with your very detailed ideas, I can't wait to see how it turns out!


In regards to Angelis comments, I think a "steward" would actually be best for the role of "babysitter" in Hearthfire, though perhaps adding Anesia or Sindra as possible steward options would be nice (in addition to Vilja herself)

[wotan]

hen it comes to the Hearthfire homes you want stewards who can level up as much as possible, giving you the best possible protection for your home.

I'm looking forward to the marriage option update. Then I'll really be able to go further with my Dragonborn's relationship with Vilja. And, of coure, I have already two kids in mind for them.

[ella]

("I'm working on the romance right now, but as usual, it seems Vilja takes over in the middle of everything. That happened today, when she suddenly to my surprise said something that changed some of my plans for the romance path (this may sound silly, but it keeps on happening - she just takes over and suddenly I'm writing dialog I hadn't planned because it seems natural)." from Emma's post above.

Emma's comment expresses my experiences with Vilja...She is not the same with every character; she doesn't treat everybody the same. I've play, well, 8 characters now, with Vilja in skyrim (proper name for game.) The last 800 hours in game have been with Vilja; all my characters have treated her basically the same, a couple before 1.4; well they might have a few more disagreements with her, but all things similar, Vilja definitely likes some characters more than others.....

The one i'm playing now i made because the previous one had had the problem with Halvdan's mob and they just didn't seem to be getting along, surprised me, but that's Vilja.
So I made a new character with Vilja in mind...again not what i expected; Vilja pushed my new character to get her stuff done.. we were dragging Lydia (Lydia always pushing) everywhere till, it started to seem like Vilja liked Lydia better than my character, to the extent that she would comment on things, supposedly to my character but looking at Lydia; I'm laughing that I'm writing this but, it's what happened; repeatedly. Leaving Lydia and Vilja at Breezehome one night, my character ran out to get mammoth tusks, getting back after 9am; when i entered the house Lydia and Vilja were downstairs and Vilja was Skyrim naked, lol, she quickly dressed as soon as i appeared... Vilja is full of surprises.

I've seen her fly while Lydia chased her from the ground, spin circles round Bruse, play music and walk while riding Bruse, get up from the double bed in Lakeview after sleeping about an hour, go in wake Rayya talk, then take Rayya's bed leaving Rayya just standing and staring... to name but a few; Vilja is always surprising....

It's not just the 'goofs' that make her interesting but some comments she repeats to one character another may only hear once. She is definitely her own girl, back to Emma's original statement; no matter what you think you're doing; Vilja 'Will' have the influence she can.
Sometimes i feel sorry for her like she can't really say what she really means....(skyrim vs oblivion; skyrim Vilja expressing her individuality) skipping the self analysis or the need of a professional...the whole experience of Vilja has been a really wonderful; mostly pleasurable, always distracting one.
I am extremely grateful to Emma for sharing her adorable, amazing, surprising, evolving brain-child. Thrilled to hear that it's not just me Vilja seems to be trying to influence.

Helen Keller once wrote " The best and most beautiful things in life can not be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart"

To Emma; thank you, (wholly inadequate)...i'm in your debt...you have given a gift to the ether, may the pleasure you have brought to others' be returned to you.

[ella]

"I'm working on the romance right now, but as usual, it seems Vilja takes over in the middle of everything. That happened today, when she suddenly to my surprise said something that changed some of my plans for the romance path (this may sound silly, but it keeps on happening - she just takes over and suddenly I'm writing dialog I hadn't planned because it seems natural)." from Emma's post above.

Emma's comment expresses my experiences with Vilja...She is not the same with every character; she doesn't treat everybody the same. I've play, well, 8 characters now, with Vilja in skyrim (proper name for game.) The last 800 hours in game have been with Vilja; all my characters have treated her basically the same, a couple before 1.4; well they might have a few more disagreements with her, but all things similar, Vilja definitely likes some characters more than others.....

The one I'm playing now i made because the previous one had had the problem with Halvdan's mob and they just didn't seem to be getting along, surprised me, but that's Vilja.
So I made a new character with Vilja in mind...again not what i expected; Vilja pushed my new character to get her stuff done.. we were dragging Lydia (Lydia always pushing) everywhere till, it started to seem like Vilja liked Lydia better than my character, to the extent that she would comment on things, supposedly to my character but looking at Lydia; I'm laughing that I'm writing this but, it's what happened; repeatedly. Leaving Lydia and Vilja at Breezehome one night, my character ran out to get mammoth tusks, getting back after 9am; when i entered the house Lydia and Vilja were downstairs and Vilja was Skyrim naked, lol, she quickly dressed as soon as i appeared... Vilja is full of surprises.

I've seen her fly while Lydia chased her from the ground, spin circles round Bruse, play music and walk while riding Bruse, get up from the double bed in Lakeview after sleeping about an hour, go in wake Rayya talk, then take Rayya's bed leaving Rayya just standing and staring... to name but a few; Vilja is always surprising....

It's not just the 'goofs' that make her interesting but some comments she repeats to one character another may only hear once. She is definitely her own girl, back to Emma's original statement; no matter what you think you're doing; Vilja 'Will' have the influence she can.
Sometimes i feel sorry for her like she can't really say what she really means....(skyrim vs oblivion; skyrim Vilja expressing her individuality) skipping the self analysis or the need of a professional...the whole experience of Vilja has been a really wonderful; mostly pleasurable, always distracting one.
I am extremely grateful to Emma for sharing her adorable, amazing, surprising, evolving brain-child. Thrilled to hear that it's not just me Vilja seems to be trying to influence.

Helen Keller once wrote " The best and most beautiful things in life can not be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart"

To Emma; thank you, (wholly inadequate)...I'm in your debt...you have given a gift to the ether, may the pleasure you have brought to others' be returned to you.

[wotan]

I figure the whole marriage / family story may get complex. There is also to consider that Halvdan has returned to Solstheim. What is he going to do when he hears about Vilja getting married and what will his family do?
This marriage update could be turned into an intriguing quest, even a family feud. Oh, the possibilities.

[ulison]

I Play a female character and Vilja loves her very much , like I loves her.
She say so many times while we walk together to a other place for a tasks that she loves me , I loved to have a marriage with her ,I loves her very much , so the question is go it be possible that a female character can do it with her ( in the game we can have a marriage between 2 females ) or need I to use the console code to sex change , the male characters are so ugly in this game and Vilja loves me Female character Angelina .
In morrowind I remember that Emma let not the lady from lokken the white wolf do it , I needed then to restart with a male character.
I hope we can have here in skyrim a marriage between 2 females characters its so fun to see them fight together .
We can only adopt children , so 2 females characters can take care from them .

[ulison]

Have some one news about the romance upgrade for Vilja in Skyrim ? I reinstalled me old Oblivion Game and play there with Vilja , did it never before years ago , need to say she is also great like in Skyrim but looks there is also not a marriage , she talk about to invite her parents and sister to rose manor ,after we send the stuff to her parent and I give her the ring so she know I want her for ever in me live but nothing happens after this , mis I something or is there no way for a marriage ?

[Wolf]

Jul 27, 2013 21:45:39 GMT ulison said:

Have some one news about the romance upgrade for Vilja in Skyrim ? I reinstalled me old Oblivion Game and play there with Vilja , did it never before years ago , need to say she is also great like in Skyrim but looks there is also not a marriage , she talk about to invite her parents and sister to rose manor ,after we send the stuff to her parent and I give her the ring so she know I want her for ever in me live but nothing happens after this , mis I something or is there no way for a marriage ?

Well, everyone is working on the wedding and improvements of Vilja's clothing system and other important things, at the moment especially Amgepo and Emma is adding scenes. So we are busy but it will still take some time.

In Oblivion there is no wedding. But after you have given Vilja the ring she will follow the Solstheim tradions and craft something for you to show that she is your proper girlfriend. And also her mother should send something to you. But as I said, there is no actual wedding with her family attending or so. But it will be like that in Skyrim. Wait and see (maybe the gift of Vilja's mother will help )

[ulison]

Thanks for the answer Wolf , we send the lion pelts to her mother , horns to her father , she crafted me a wolfcry set , her mother send to me a amulet , I give her the engaged ring , it was cute how she got me in that shop for the ring ,like she did that she need to shop there herself but it was to get me there , like me RL lady do some times . After this all happens she started to say some thing like * now we have so many beds in red rose manor maybe we can invite me parents and me sister with her friend , I 'm sure the go love it * , so I was thinking the go later comes over for the marriage now her father told he go not kill me any more.

[Wolf]

If you have done already all of this, then - if I remember correctly - everything is done concerning Vilja's questline. That her parents could pay a visit to Red Rose Manor is just an idea, a suggestion. It won't happen in reality. At least not in Oblivion. Skyrim will carry on the story so that you can meet Vilja's family at the wedding.

[ulison]

I play the last 3 days back Vilja in Skyrim and I missing some parts we got in Oblivion like the interacts in red rose manor ,the dinners there , see her paint ,when she asked money to send gifts to her family , little things like that , so bad we cant download a house like red rose manor with this options like in oblivion , it was so cool to see her live in her dream house , not one house in skyrim have the charm from red rose manor . Maybe her house where her parents live go have it.

[ulison]

Created a twin brother from Angelina , so can later if romance update comes out play female and male romance with vilja .

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