In today’s article I am describing my past experiences with the Elder Scrolls franchise, and the change in approach I am using to create compelling characters and for my playthroughs of Skyrim Special Edition. This is the first of many character articles I will be producing about my own personal character builds in Skyrim; we begin with Pom Pom the Illusionist.

Skyrim: an introduction and a return

I’ll admit that I was a bit of a late arrival to the Elder Scrolls franchise, with Skyrim being the first title I played from the series. However, as soon as I played the game for the first time in November of 2011, I was hooked.  I played Skyrim on and off until the moment I purchased my PS4, late 2015, and with a heavy heart I gave my father my PS3 and set him up with Skyrim in hopes that the game would live on through him.

In the year since I sadly pondered what my options were on this next-gen console to enjoy a similar experience to Skyrim, and for a while Fallout 4 helped to scratch that Bethesda itch, but alas it was not Skyrim.

Don’t get me wrong, mechanically Fallout 4 is a wonder, and still one of my favorite games; but, I loved Skyrim for the world itself, the magical spells, bows and arrows, swords and shields, dragons, and breath-taking vistas.

Once I heard of Skyrim Special Edition, I immediately began researching build guides in anticipation for its release and my return to that magical land of Tamriel. I had played through once with my dream character during my 4 years of experimenting and playing around with dozens upon dozens of characters in Skyrim, so I was weary to just jump in and replay my favorite characters as I tend to do.  This time I wanted something vastly different.

In walks Pom Pom

In my search to play something entirely different and to explore the vastly unique playstyles the game affords the player, I decided I needed a role-playing inspiration far from myself and my hero’s story, the archetypes I adhere to time and time again.

In walks Pom Pom, my girlfriend’s feral, tiny, butterball turkey of a grey cat. She speed runs in the middle of the night, spooks at any quick movement, but ultimately is a master of stealth, hiding, and genuinely wants to be loved as a good cat when she feels she can trust you.  She embodies several strong character traits that would be fun to try and replicate in a game where you have a cat race to work with in the Khajit.

(Pom Pom hiding behind a waterfall as Furied enemies below fight it out)

This is the first installment in my character series titled Pom Pom the Illusionist, if you enjoyed it please feel free to read through the other articles within the series. I welcome discussion on this topic and if you have experiences of your own you wish to share please do so in the comments below, or write in to playprofessor@gmail.com.

Andrew Mantilla is a ludologist and video game journalist for Play Professor.  You can check out more of his content on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.