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Martimius

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About this mod

Ashe: Crystal Heart—A DLC-sized journey with 3,000+ lines and deep character development. Voted #1 Mod of the Month (Dec 2024) and #3 Most Popular of 2024, Ashe is a fully-voiced Breton follower on a path that begins with vengeance and evolves into introspection, offering emotional, quest-driven depth unseen in Skyrim.

Requirements
Permissions and credits
Translations
  • Turkish
  • Spanish
  • Russian
  • Portuguese
  • Mandarin
  • German
  • French
Changelogs
Donations
January 15th Announcement:

Ashe v1.1.0 Update Announcement! Expanded dialogue, revamped quest sections, refined backstory lore, and more!
Plus, the Ashe Fan Art Contest is now live - see details in the comments!

If you enjoy the mod, please consider endorsing and voting, and thank you for your support!


Translation Permissions:
Permissions for translations are fully open! Feel free to create and share translations of the mod to help it reach a wider audience. Let’s work together to make Ashe accessible to as many players as possible! 😊

Mod Pack/Collection Permissions:
For collection curators and compilers, permissions are generally open. However, please contact me before including my mod in your collection. Also, ensure compatibility between my mod and the rest of the mods in your pack to provide the best experience for users.

Replacer Permissions:
Replacer permissions are open as well! If you'd like to create a replacer for Ashe, feel free to do so—just contact me once it’s done so I can help advertise your work!





This is the mod page for the Special Edition version. 
Ashe is also available on: 
[Xbox One, PC (Bethesda.net)]

Download Serana Dialogue Add-On! (soon to receive Ashe banter!)
[SE] | [Xbox One] | [LL] | [PC (Bethesda.net)] 

For all awareness and compatibility patches:
[Patch Hub Coming Soon]

For mod documentation and other goodies:
[Website]

Watch Ashe and SDA Content!
[YouTube] 

Join the Community!
[Discord]

Support Ashe’s Development!




What Does This Mod Do?
Ashe: Crystal Heart is a Skyrim mod that introduces Ashe, a fully-voiced Breton* follower with over 3,000 lines of rich, character-driven dialogue. This mod offers a deeply personal and introspective journey, delving into themes of identity, purpose, and morality—bringing a depth unseen in Skyrim.


DLC-Sized Questline
Embark on a DLC-sized quest spanning all of Skyrim, offering hours of new content—half the scope of Dawnguard. Uncover the secrets of Ashe's creation and assist her unique quest. Your choices shape her evolving ethical compass, leading to multiple outcomes. When vengeance is achieved, Ashe must face her past and forge a new purpose in a world that struggles to understand her.

Dynamic Super Follower
Ashe is a dynamic companion whose relationship with you evolves based on your choices. Unlock extensive features gradually, including:
  • Training and Sparring: Improve your skills together.
  • Custom Outfit System: Outfits change automatically based on location.
  • Blacksmithing Services: She can forge and improve your weapons.
  • Backpack Storage: Extra carrying capacity.
  • Immersive Commentary: Reacts to your skills, actions, and locations.
  • Radiant Features: Includes sleep, teleportation, and tracking markers.
Evolving Relationships
Develop friendship and romance organically. Ashe doesn't just throw herself at you; your actions genuinely influence the relationship dynamics, not just scripted events. The friendship and romance systems are nuanced, moving beyond simple binary choices.
Advanced Technical Enhancements
  • Custom Animations: Exclusive to this mod, enhancing her unique personality.
  • Next-Gen Visuals: HD textures, HDT physics support for hair and outfits.
  • Compatibility: Built-in support for Open Animation Framework, OStim Standalone, and Expressive Facial Animations for lifelike animations.
  • Optional Integration with Attack - MCO (Modern Combat Overhaul): If MCO is installed, Ashe features unique, custom movesets tailored to her combat style. 
  • Bodyslide-Ready Outfit: Supports all popular body types.

Original Design and Lore Integration
Ashe features an original character design that blends the stylized aesthetics often found in JRPGs with Skyrim's more grounded fantasy world. This fusion of styles is intentional, aiming to create a visually unique and memorable character. The mod also takes great care to expand upon Skyrim's existing lore, ensuring Ashe's presence feels believable and integrated. You'll find NPCs in key locations like Solitude, Whiterun, and Riverwood who acknowledge and interact with her, and discover hand-crafted locations designed with environmental storytelling in mind that help to explain her unique nature.


(Cinematic Release Trailer, followed by a Gameplay Preview by PonPon.)

Renowned Voice Cast
Experience unparalleled depth with an ensemble cast of renowned voice actors, including:
  • Anna Rust (Carnival Row, Cyberpunk 2077) as Ashe.
  • Sean Chiplock (Genshin Impact, Re:Zero) among others.
Limitless Potential
With future content updates planned—companion banter with Serana, quest awareness, and additional questline material.


*She's not Breton in the conventional sense. Without getting into spoilers, play the mod to find out!


If you have more questions or would like to know more, please visit my website! 


Accolades
Hot Files
#1 Mod of the Month for December 2024
Ranked #3 Most Popular Mod of 2024 (Mod of the Month Rankings)
Covered by GamingBible
Featured on Zero Period Productions, Arjarim, PonPon, Swiizles, SkyrimGTX, Syn Gaming, Ikari's Gaming Zone, and Capt. PandaYT
As of January 19, 2025, nearly 2,600 endorsements since its November 30, 2024 release, making Ashe one of the fastest-growing follower mods.


Join the Community!



Ashe's Design Philosophy
I drew inspiration from stylized games like NieR and The Witcher 3, but worked hard to keep Ashe grounded in Skyrim’s lore, giving her unique abilities and a backstory that justifies her look. I’ve listened to feedback on her outfit, too—check out my “Design Details” article for the full story.


How Did This Mod Come To Be?
After creating Serana Dialogue Add-On, I wanted a fresh challenge: an original character with her own quests and personality. Ashe represents everything I’ve learned so far as a modder, from writing to voice acting and quest design.



Feedback and Continuous Improvement
I’m always refining Ashe based on community feedback. If you have ideas or spot issues, let me know here or on my Discord! I truly value user input and want to make Ashe one of Skyrim’s standout companions.

[Read More About Ashe Here!]





Compatibility/Awareness Patches (Available on Patch Hub - Coming Soon!)


Mod Requirements
This mod works right out of the box with no hard requirements. However, my mod integrates with others pretty well, so please read below to see what they are!

Mod Integrations (Optional)
  • Nemesis and DAR/OAR: For custom animations. Without the mod, you won't be able to see some unique flavor/dialogue/combat animations.
  • HDT-SMP: For outfit and HDT hair physics support. Without the mod, Ashe's hair will still work, it'll just be static.
  • SKSE: For additional functionality (mainly for backend mod checks).
  • EFA (Expressive Facial Animations): Improves facial animations. Non-EFA setups are also supported.
  • RSkyrim Children Overhaul: For a "non-potato head" patch for Remy. Without it, Remy will look like any other Skyrim child.
  • OStim Standalone: Enables animated romance scenes. Without this, romances will fade to black.
  • MCO (Modern Combat Overhaul): If installed, Ashe has unique combat movesets designed specifically for her, adding dynamic and immersive gameplay. Without this, her combat reverts to basic Skyrim animations but will still use replacers for the default Skyrim animations.


Compatibility
Ashe was designed with compatibility in mind, but some conflicts may arise due to Skyrim's extensive modding ecosystem.

Known Issues:
Location conflicts (e.g., Aryo's Workshop, Riverwood Commune).
Specific mod issues (e.g., Improved Alternate Conversation Camera, VR).

Workarounds and Details:
Visit this page on my website for the full compatibility list, known conflicts, and solutions.



Unofficial Compatibility Patches
Here are some fan-made patches and integrations created by users for other mods. These are unofficial and not officially supported. For any technical issues related to these patches, please contact the respective patch authors, not me.
SL and Flowergirls Patch: Provides integration for SexLab and Flowergirls. (Link)
SkyChild Patch: Provides compatibility and look support for the Skychild mod with this mod's Remy NPC. Use this instead of the RS Children Patch if you have SkyChild in your modding setup. (Link)
Ulvenwald Patch: Fixes a conflict between Ashe and Ulvenwald, where a tree from Ulvenwald was blocking a path in Riverwood Commune, causing NPCs and the player to get stuck. (Link)
Northern Roads Patch: Fixes compatibility issues with the Northern Roads mod (Link)


Note: If you encounter other compatibility issues, please report them with a detailed description and your load order.

Quick Installation Instructions (PC)
  • (Optional) Install the soft requirements.
  • Download and install the FOMOD.
  • Run through the installer options.
  • Place Ashe near the bottom of your load order. This ensures her mod wins conflicts, which is critical for her questline to function correctly.
  • Bodyslide Setup:
    • If you chose a custom outfit, build meshes in Bodyslide.
    • You can select between heels or non-heels for Ashe’s boots.
    • While the mod functions without Bodyslide, skipping this step may result in minor seams, clipping, or mismatched body meshes.
  • Run Nemesis to enable her unique animations.
  • Launch the game and enjoy!


Important Notes:
  • Prologue Saves: Use at your own risk! To upgrade from the Prologue mod, dismiss/disable Ashe, travel to a new cell, uninstall the old version, and then install the new version.
  • Closed Beta Saves: Generally safe to update, though some fixes may not retroactively apply based on quest progress. Refer to the changelog for details.

Dialogue Voices:
The impressionist voices were carefully crafted with attention to quality and consistency, ensuring an immersive experience. If they are not to your liking, a patch is available to disable them; however, I encourage you to try them out first. For unofficial AI voice patches, permissions are open—please contact me directly to discuss.

Bug Reports:
Ashe: Crystal Heart is my most ambitious mod, and while extensively tested, unique issues may still arise due to diverse setups. Bug reports are welcome, but please:
  • Ensure correct installation and load order.
  • Test and document the issue thoroughly.
  • (Optional) Check for conflicts in xEdit and share findings.
For detailed steps, see the pinned post in the comments section. Thank you for helping improve the mod! 💓


Visual Replacers:
Check out some fan replacers other members in the community have made!
Crystal Heart - Lulu's Ashe Replacer at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Ashe - Crystal Heart Replacer or Follower at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Ashe - A Visual Overhaul at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Ashe - A Visual Replacer at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Ashe - Visual Replacer - Chooey's Choice at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Ashe Replacer - by Taranis at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
eeekie's Ashe - replacer at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Ashen Heart - Ashe Visual Replacer at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Ashe Anew at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community
Miggyluv's Ashe Replacer at Skyrim Special Edition Nexus - Mods and Community


Mod Interaction/Awareness:
N/A at the moment, coming soon!

Planned Content:
Read the Article Here


Quick Playthrough Hints:
  • Play the game, I'll hold your hand (just a bit) hahaha.
  • If you can't find them, she's hanging out at the Winking Skeever in Solitude.
  • You'll need 200 gold to recruit her.


FAQ:
Where to Find Ashe & How to Start Her Quest
  • Check “Quick Playthrough Hints” for her location. Once she’s recruited, talk to her and let the story unfold naturally.
Outfit & Appearance
  • Ashe has a built-in outfit management system for customization. A fully original outfit is also in the works.
Technical & Compatibility Notes
  • Horse-riding is planned but not yet implemented.
  • If you encounter bugs or missing hair, see the pinned troubleshooting steps.
  • VR players may experience black screens during dream sequences; use “Enter” or “Trigger” to advance.
Romance & Writing Style
  • Two ways to begin her romance (progress her story or use a shortcut).
  • Expect a darker, more mature character exploration—similar in depth to SDA but with sharper, original writing.
Additional Topics
  • No official support for modded/modified versions of Ashe.
  • Ashe’s design is “lore-adjacent,” pushing creative boundaries for a unique follower experience.
  • AI-voiced patches require permission and must respect voice actors’ wishes.

For more detailed answers, please visit the FAQ section on my website!

Ready to forge a bond with Ashe? Download here, and begin the adventure!



Final Author's Note:
This mod was brought to life through the creativity of talented writers, voice actors, and developers - no AI-generated content used.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


    Credits:
    Project Director/Producer:
    Francis Martin Mutuc/Martimius

    Cast (In Order of Appearance):
    Ashe: Anna Rust
    Aryo Avellan: Sean Chiplock
    Canas The Silver: Ashby Moss
    Rebecca Montclair: Chloe Elmore
    Nevas Nevelnor: Henry Korba Bobcock
    Rolen Briand: Sean Chiplock
    Lynelle Lauet: Shykodah-Khi McGrath
    Remy Lauet: Meggie Elise
    Thorfinn the Drunk: Tristan Derriks

    Additional Voices:
    FemaleDarkElf, FemaleSultry: Shykodah-Khi McGrath
    FemaleElfHaughty: Chloe Elmore
    FemaleYoungEager: Archer Devon
    MaleKhajiit: Rydberg Delta
    MaleDunmer: Chris Brooks
    MaleSlyCynical: Supascury
    MaleGuard: Sean Chiplock
    MaleOldKindly: Sean Chiplock

    Voice Acting Director:
    Martimius

    Writing Department:

    Creative Scriptwriting Lead:
    Martimius

    Co-Writers:

    Lead Co-Writer: 
    Lauren Baker

    Assistant Co-Writer:
    Miranda Miranda

    Creative Consultant:
    Kanrit
    Peter Hager

    Special Thanks for Feedback:
    My Supportive Patreon Members!

    Development Team:

    Development Lead (everything else not listed below):
    Martimius

    Primary Quest Scripter (Flashbacks, MQ01, MQ05):
    Smashman

    Quest Scripting Support (MQ04, MQ06a):
    SergeantDoggo

    General Development Support:
    Fungicookie

    Level Design:
    Gutmaw
    Wooden Knight
    Elaarie

    Coding Consultant/Additional Support:
    Krypto/Doc
    VersuchDrei (Helping with OStim integration)

    NPC Sculpt Team:

    Creative Design and Sculpt Lead:
    Martimius

    Co-Sculpter:
    DementedNed

    High Poly Head Conversion:
    EdDante34

    NIF and Headpart Conversion:
    Smashman

    Outfit and Texture Design:
    Lead: 
    Martimius

    Bodyslide/Mashup Making:
    Wooden Knight

    Body and Eye Textures:
    ShinglesCat

    HDT SMP Hair Commission:
    Tatururutia

    Custom Outfit Retexture/Heels Conversion:
    Ashtoreth

    Lead Animator: 
    CallMeMoon

    Sound Design/Editing:
    Jay Sy
    Noel Sommerkamp
    Shawnte

    Music Compositions:
    Matti Paalanen

    Community Support:
    Discord Moderator Team
    TaylorClone

    Visual inspirations (NPC Sculpt):
    Rxkx22: Referenced during initial design process
    Shirogane-Sama's Nier Automata 2B Cosplay: Referenced during initial design process
    Froztee: General Art Style Inspiration
    Pandorable: General Art Style Inspiration
    RoaringLight: General Art Style Inspiration

    Visual Inspirations (Outfit Design):
    NiER (Replicant and Automata)
    Berserk
    Black Desert Online
    Final Fantasy 14

    Special Thanks
    To my supportive family and friends—thank you for your advice, encouragement, and for checking in on me throughout this journey. Your support carried me through the tougher moments of development, and I couldn’t have done it without you.
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Asset Use Permissions:
    - Custom textures and models may not be reused without explicit permission.
    - This mod incorporates the following assets, used with permission (if not otherwise stated by open permissions):
    Ashe's Appearance:
    - Eyes of Beauty
    - SG Female Eyebrows
    - Bijin Skin
    - KS Hairdos
    - Superior Lore Friendly Hair
    - HG Hairdos
    - BNP Skin
    - High Poly Head
    - Kalilies Brows
    - Northborne Scars
    - Along with custom assets exclusively commissioned by me.
    Outfit:
    - TAWOBA (Sunjeong)
    - Yorha 2B Attire: TheMilkDrinker (As per their terms, none of their original textures were reuploaded, and instead were remade from scratch by me)
    - Quality CubeMaps - HD Cube Maps Optimized
    Weapons:
    - Custom Sword Modders Resource
    - Dunmeri Leaf Sword (with edits by Wooden Knight)
    Animations:
    Elder Souls - Greatsword SE
    Shrine of Vedir I ADXP MCO SCAR Greatsword Moveset

    Code Inspirations and Adaptations:
    - Spell Teaching (Teach Followers Through Spell Tomes SE). Standalone (patch coming soon to make Ashe's version distinct/separate from the other mod's).

    Anything else was more or less original code written by me, co-implementers, or fellow volunteers. A lot of code was adapted from SDA, but I do not feel this needs to be credited since SDA is my mod too. If someone feels their code was reproduced or adapted without permission, they should get in touch with me via Nexus DMs or on Discord at @Martimius.

    Regarding Credits: While I've taken every effort to ensure accurate and complete crediting, if you believe your work has been misrepresented or incorrectly credited in any way, please contact me via Nexus DM. I'm committed to resolving any errors or omissions respectfully and promptly.

    Inspirational Credits:
    *(Their work served as a reference during the initial design process)
    **(General art style inspiration)


      ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Legal Disclaimer:
    Content Ownership and Copyright:
    This Skyrim modification ("Mod") is a derivative work based on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a game developed and owned by Bethesda Game Studios ("Bethesda").  While this Mod utilizes Bethesda's intellectual property, all original content created for this Mod, including but not limited to: 
    *  New characters 
    *  Dialogue, storylines, and scripts
    *  Code and game mechanics
    *  Voice performances
    is the exclusive property of [Francis Martin Mutuc/Martimius Mods] ("Mod Author") and is protected by copyright law. 

    Disclaimer of Endorsement:
    The views, beliefs, and opinions expressed within this Mod, whether directly or indirectly, are solely those of the fictional characters and do not necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Mod Author. This Mod is a work of fiction and should be treated as such.

    Restrictions on Use:
    1. Prohibition on AI Training/Voice Use:  Use of the voice recordings included in this Mod for artificial intelligence training or generation is strictly prohibited. This restriction is in place to respect the voice actors' rights and protect their performances. 
    2. No Redistribution or Uploading:  You may not upload or redistribute any files from this Mod to any third-party websites, file-sharing platforms, or other online services, even for personal use. 
    3. Modification and Public Use: You may not modify, adapt, translate, or otherwise alter this Mod or any of its assets for public use without the express written permission of the Mod Author.
    4. Mod Packs: Mod pack authors are welcome to include this Mod in their compilations, provided that they do not profit from its inclusion and clearly credit the Mod Author. 


    © [Francis Martin Mutuc/Martimius Mods]. All rights reserved.

    _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________