UESPWiki:Reference Desk

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The reference desk is a place where people can ask questions about the Elder Scrolls games and about our site.

How to ask questions...

• Search first. It saves time for you and our volunteers when you can find the answer on your own. You can search on the site using the search box on the left, you can browse the site by categories or by the sections on the left, or you can search Google or the search engine of your choice.
• Be specific. Explain your question in detail by addressing exactly what you want answered. Please specify which game your question concerns, and provide as much background information as necessary.
• Sign your questions by placing four tildes (~~~~) at the end of all comments.
• Include a header. Two-tier headers (==Example Header==) serve as the subject of your inquiry, and allow discussions to be organized by inquiry.
• Be courteous and patient. People who respond to questions here are human volunteers, and those who know how to fix your problem will probably not be reading your comments immediately after your post. If no one responds to your question after a couple days, consider rephrasing it. Also, if someone has answered your question, it would be nice to thank them for their support.
• No hardware or software support. If your game is crashing, if it is not performing the way you would like, or if your question pertains to the technical side of one of the games, it will not likely be answered here. Try asking on the Official Forums: Skyrim Issues, Oblivion Issues, Morrowind Issues, and Other Issues.
• Do not include your e-mail address. Questions are not normally answered by e-mail, and posting your e-mail in this message board will make it available to spammers. Remember, people who respond are volunteers, try to help them out by making it as easy as possible to get the answer to you.
• Check back for updates. A complete answer to your question may be built up over time. You should regularly check for updates by bookmarking this page or by adding this page to your watchlist.
• New questions go at the end. On pages like this, new information always goes at the end so that we can keep things in the right order and keep track of what needs to be archived and when.

How to answer questions...

• Be thorough, but concise. Provide as much information as you can in as few words as possible. Link to other articles on the site that may have further information.
• Be nice when answering questions, especially with new users.

Hearthfire Help!

I have the PS3 Legendary Edition of Skyrim. I have completed all the citizen tasks and have become the thane of Morthal. I have "talked" to the jarl and the steward and I still have not received any letter or have the option to build a home.

Does anyone know what might be wrong? — Unsigned comment by 76.126.202.45 (talk) at 04:25 on 7 January 2014

So you completed the quest Laid to Rest and Idgrod is still Jarl (civil war may complicate things)? --Alfwyn (talk) 13:28, 7 January 2014 (GMT)

Population of the cities

Does anyone know what the population of the Imperial City is in Oblivion? I am taking the number of NPCs in the city as its population (which I assume makes sense?).

I may just be a weirdo, but I think it'd be cool if that information were listed on the Imperial City page (noting the year in which it was the population). It could also be listed on all the other cities in Oblivion, Skyrim, etc... It'd be an interesting tidbit to read in addition to the lore when looking up the cities. --Modred11 (talk) 16:53, 24 February 2014 (GMT)

The population stats can be found here. As interesting as it may be it is pretty much a guarantee that the numbers are limited by game mechanics, there would be far more than 194 people (excluding guards) in a city the size of the Imperial City, so we shouldn't try to add those numbers which may lead to a false impression of the population. Silence is Golden^{Break the Silence} 17:03, 24 February 2014 (GMT)

Thank you! That page has way more information than I expected to be available! --Modred11 (talk) 17:43, 24 February 2014 (GMT)

typing in all the template stuff

Is there a faster way to type in all of the template stuff such as Oblivion:Main Quest or do you really have to type in that all the time? — Unsigned comment by 69.14.13.111 (talk) at 06:37 on 18 May 2014

Most Namespaces have a two-letter shorthand, such as OB for Oblivion. The body of the link (eg Main Quest) only needs typed once so long as that is the exact name of the page, you just add a pipe '|' after it and it will duplicate. Writing the link [[OB:Main Quest|]] appears as Main Quest. An exception to that rule is if the page is only one word, as links auto-capitalise the first letter, as in OB:creatures. Finally there is a box below the buttons to save and show preview that adds the things needed to make the link around a word you have highlighted, but you need to type the body of the link, highlight it, then scroll down. Silence is Golden^{Break the Silence} 09:41, 18 May 2014 (GMT)

forums

I don't know where else to ask this but for some reason I can't make a forum account it keeps saying the confirmation code was wrong but I know for a fact that I was right I even tried an audio challenge but it doesn't tell me what to type in any help would be fantastic — Unsigned comment by 69.14.13.111 (talk) at 00:47 on 19 March 2014

Your best bet would be to contact one of the forum admins at forums@uesp.net. More information can be found on the Forums wiki page --AN|L (talk) 15:40, 19 May 2014 (GMT)

adding to tables

I am so confused how do you add information to incomplete tables like this Online:Aesar the Hatespinner?— Unsigned comment by 69.14.13.111 (talk) at 22:24 on 20 May 2014

recent changes

Why did a change I made not show up in the recent changes or contributions page? It showed on the page I changed just not anywhere else. Lorenut (talk) 19:04, 24 May 2014 (GMT)

It should have done, a refresh of the page might have showed it up. If this hasn't, or doesn't, work then posting more details here may be the next step. The page you edited, the time of the edit made, a link of your selected (missing) version of the page (viewable in the history, and then by selecting of the edit in question). --Kiz^{(email - talk)} 20:53, 24 May 2014 (GMT)

The page was Shadowgreen Cave it shows the next edit I did but not the one before. I'm not sure what time it was either, best I can say is just after someone added notes to the page, So around 18:40 something. I checked the history and it only shows the other edit I made. Lorenut (talk) 21:23, 24 May 2014 (GMT)

Curiosity

What exactly is the green and red numbers in the recent changes? Is it how much server space you saved or something 69.14.13.111 18:16, 2 July 2014 (GMT)

If I'm not mistaken, I think they mean how many bytes were increased/decreased after each edit. One character (e.g. a space, a letter, etc.) counts as a byte. —<({QT>> 18:20, 2 July 2014 (GMT)

That's cool. So I take it the less bytes there are the better? Of course only if it's possible. 69.14.13.111 18:25, 2 July 2014 (GMT)

It doesn't mean it's 'better' or 'worse', it pretty much just indicates how big of an edit it is. I.e. a change of 1 is very minor (a space, punctuation, etc.) and a change of 1000 or so is usually a pretty big addition or rewrite. •WoahBro^►talk 18:37, 2 July 2014 (GMT)

Ok thanks 69.14.13.111 18:48, 2 July 2014 (GMT)

vandalism

Can someone undo the vandals edits I'm not sure how to go that far back Lorenut (talk) 09:28, 3 July 2014 (GMT)

Sorry nevermind I figured it out. Lorenut (talk) 09:30, 3 July 2014 (GMT)

dragonborn bug

After I successfully went through the temple of mirrark I didn't hear frea tell me to follow her to her village I found out I was supposed to follow her s I fast traveled to skaal village and she won't say her lines to skorn I was lv 40 when that happened now I'm lv 62

oblivion: remove enchantment from item in game?

is there an in-game way to remove an enchantment from an item and make it a non-magic item? or console commands to edit the enchantment? --Exule (talk) 13:14, 4 August 2014 (GMT)

In a word, no. There might be saved game editors out there that would do it. You can Google for those and see if you can get anywhere. – Robin Hood  ^(talk) 17:33, 6 August 2014 (GMT)

maybe dumb question

On the Skyrim character stats sections..I see stuff like damage 300 +(PC-.08)*3. What exactly does 'PC' mean?...Player character?..if so what number does it represent?. Thanks in advance. 86.179.68.221 16:45, 10 November 2014 (GMT)

It means your character's level. – Robin Hood  ^(talk) 17:13, 10 November 2014 (GMT)

...and yes, PC does mean Player Character :) •WoahBro^►talk 17:32, 10 November 2014 (GMT)

Dialogue

In the Imperial Legion offices two guards were conversing with one another. It was a little while ago...but I THINK they were talking about someone pulling a knife on them and then killing them. Then another guard said they hope someone gets promoted. Thank you in advance for looking in the CS for the conditions etc. – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 18:13, 3 January 2015 (GMT)

I just remembered something..I think guard #1 said something about an Argonian pulling a knife on them, so he put the lizard down. Then guard #2 said something about him hoping the other guard gets promoted. Is this generic dialogue or is this a specific in-game Argonian they killed? – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 18:28, 3 January 2015 (GMT)

It's generic dialogue. —Legoless (talk) 18:54, 3 January 2015 (GMT)

OK, but is it spoken by all NPCs or just the guards? I doubt that NPCs would get a promotion haha but still worth checking. Also, if you know it's generic, please could you provide some screenshot(s) of the exact dialogue from the Construction Set...thanks! – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 19:39, 3 January 2015 (GMT)

The dialogue is specific to guards as far as I know. It can be heard when guards have conversations with one another. It can be found in the conversations associated with NQD Guard. Specifically, it is in GuardTalk1. The line you heard was probably, "Remember that Argonian? The one from yesterday? Little bugger pulled a knife on me earlier. I had to put him down." [1]. The other guard likely chose a reply from some other group of dialogue in NQD Guard, probably from here, specifically the line: "You're a good man. We could use more like you, that's for damned sure. You ask me, you'll be getting that promotion in no time." [2] — Unsigned comment by Forfeit (talk • contribs) at 19:53 on 3 January 2015 (GMT)

OK, thanks. But what about this dialogue line that Keel-Rainur keeps saying to me even with a disposition of 82, "People like you cause nothing but trouble. Why don't you just get out of Caldera?" Maybe he dislikes Redguards, as my character is one. – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 19:02, 14 January 2015 (GMT)

(←) It has nothing to do with race. As far as I can tell, it is just a random greeting that is being selected for some reason when it shouldn't be (Its a glitch probably). This is the exact line and this is the group of messages, and this is Keel herself. ~ Ad intellige ^(talk) 20:57, 14 January 2015 (GMT)

Thanks for the message Dom. These dialogue lines and conditions are one of the game's frustrating aspects. – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 21:27, 14 January 2015 (GMT)

Which character?

I did this long ago, so I have forgotten what character it is. I do remember that I was fighting a monster, then it turned into a hag (similar to a Carrionite, maybe a Hagraven) and then she killed my character. Any ideas? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated...thanks! – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 16:46, 11 February 2015 (GMT)

I also remember killing a wolf and walking over some rocks, then going into a hut. When attacking the character I was using a sword and when she changed shape she went "Kaza!" or something (I don't really know, probably a spell) then my character died. That's what else I can remember. – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 16:32, 12 February 2015 (GMT)

Okay, which game are you talking about? is it even an elder scrolls one (cause this sounds very un-elder scrolls-y)? The only thing that comes into mind regarding "Kaza!" is Khazad-dûm... -- SarthesArai ^Talk 16:37, 12 February 2015 (GMT)

I do not know what that could be. --AKB ^{Talk Cont Mail} 17:33, 12 February 2015 (GMT)

I do not remember who it was. By the "Kaza!" part I remember the character using their arm to cast a spell, although maybe it was the spell noise; it was long ago. I am looking around in the game for it to see if I can locate the character. – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 19:56, 12 February 2015 (GMT)

Again, it helps to know which game you're talking about. ;) I'm assuming you're talking about Skyrim, correct? •WoahBro^►talk 21:05, 12 February 2015 (GMT)

This game is Skyrim. ;) My friend also had this encounter as well but couldn't remember much else that I haven't mentioned. – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 21:15, 12 February 2015 (GMT)

That sounds like Repentance. – Robin Hood  ^(talk) 05:28, 13 February 2015 (GMT)

Do any characters actually turn into hagravens or not? – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 08:48, 13 February 2015 (GMT)

(←) I think so, but I honestly don't remember the quest well enough to be sure. You'd have to try it yourself and see if that's the one. – Robin Hood  ^(talk) 15:56, 13 February 2015 (GMT)

No, no character actually turns into a hagraven. —Legoless (talk) 16:02, 13 February 2015 (GMT)

(edit conflict) OK, will do. In the quest, it's a tower. Maybe the "hut" part was that place in Eastmarch where the hagraven is during Sanguine's quest? Maybe there is a bit of confusion. Anyway—main point is—I will check again in-game so I can try and familiarise myself with what's what. – Dragon Guard  ^(talk) 16:06, 13 February 2015 (GMT)

Размер предметов в oblivion

Подскажите пожалуйста,как изменить ограничение для команды setscale с 0.5-2 на 0.1-10 в oblivion. Заранее спасибо 80.255.73.50 01:38, 19 March 2015 (GMT)

This wiki is English-based, so we won't be able to help you unless you translate. I assume you're talking about the setscale command? If so, that seems like a limit within the game engine and probably can't be easily changed. —Legoless (talk) 01:45, 19 March 2015 (GMT)

Legoless I just translated it, but it's up to someone else to answer since I have no idea what any of that means. Here it is "Please tell me how to change the limit for the team setscale from 0.5-2 to 0.1-10 into oblivion. thanks in advance" Lorenut (talk) 02:41, 19 March 2015 (GMT)

Ok I'm understand. Like in fallout3 and skyrim it won't turn out. Thanks Vanyusha.k (talk) 02:53, 19 March 2015 (GMT)

Ограничение запрограммировано в движке игры и изменить его простыми способами вряд ли удастся. Если у Вас установлен OBSE, команда SetScaleEX позволяет устанавливать значения величины объекта за пределами ограничения.   ~Shuryard (talk) 03:01, 19 March 2015 (GMT)

Pages for production team members

Is there a particular reason why this wiki only has pages for some people who have worked on a video game? Case in point: Steve Meister. He has a page but his fellow programmers who worked on the original Oblivion (12 in total) don't.

Thanks. •D. G.|Talk|Work• 15:16, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

It's a mix of notability, relevance, and information. Their names are occasionally mentioned in conversations, so we document them so that people understand who they are and why they keep getting mentioned. Those who actively participate or participated in social media with fans tend to have more information about them available and are more widely known too. Silence is Golden^{Break the Silence} 16:19, 5 April 2018 (UTC)

Personally I think everybody who worked on a game deserves a page for all the hard work they did. For some, we may not gain a lot of valuable content, but it might still be worrh the effort. At any rate, it's a lot better than making articles for all of thoss so-called non-relevant NPCs from Morrowind. WDYT? •D. G.|Talk|Work• 10:25, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

No. Wikipedia has a refined criteria for notable persons (e.g. celebrities), and the list is basically the same as the criteria I listed. The vast majority of people who worked on the games are not notable, nor are they interesting. If the page would be nothing more than their name it is basically creating multiple pages where the credits page for each game suffices. Most of the people with pages are notable because of their presence on social media and their interaction with fans, thus making a name for themselves. Other ways to determine notability is through press interviews, but at the same time you usually wouldn't actually learn anything about the person being interviewed. Unless there is a specific somebody you think deserves page but doesn't have one yet, there isn't anything else to be said. Silence is Golden^{Break the Silence} 18:33, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

Oh right. But what's the crack with Patrick Stewart and Terence Stamp? They are a lot more famous than Mr Meister will ever be and the veteran actors don't have their own pages. Not really fair, to me at least. It's a bit like making a page for every carpenter who worked on a feature film, but not doing the same for the actors. It's a bit odd... •D. G.|Talk|Work• 10:17, 8 April 2018 (UTC)

How long does it take for the guards to respawn in Skyrim.

Okay, we don't have information of how long it takes for guards to respawn on the Guards page. I'm thinking about 72 in game hours or 3 in game days, but I'm not sure. I would appreciate the help. White Lightning (talk) 19:43, 12 October 2019 (GMT)