Morrowind Role-play: Stoic Spearman

Foreword
Lately, I’ve been even more immersed in role-playing characters, so this article focuses more on their worldviews rather than purely practical aspects like gameplay mechanics or handicaps. My goal is try to step into your character’s mindset so in-game choices feel authentic. I’ve also grown more comfortable missing out on some game content for the sake of role-play, which helps a lot. But don’t worry—the usual information is still here, including a fairly extensive modlist. :)
Character Details
Race: Imperial
Birthsign: The Warrior
Class: Spearmen form the front lines in a pitched battle, requiring strength and bravery. Mysticism is a useful skill for those spearmen who can learn it as it allows them to protect themselves from ranged magical attacks. All spearmen also carry short blades for those who manage to get past their spears.
Backstory
My name is unimportant. What matters is the uniform I wear and the oath I've sworn. I come from a long line of Imperial Legion soldiers, with family serving across every province for generations. Born in the Legion District of the Imperial City, I was raised on stories of duty and honor. My father, a Tribune, taught me that a spear is merely an extension of judgment—it must reach far but strike precisely.
After basic training, I was assigned to Fort Gnisis in Vvardenfell. They sent me to this land of ash not for magical talent, but because I understand something fundamental: order must be maintained. My superiors noted my adherence to regulation and calm under pressure.
Though inexperienced with Morrowind's complex culture, I approach my duty with the confidence of someone who believes in the order I represent. The Great House politics, native prophecies, smugglers with their skooma—all irrelevant unless they threaten Imperial peace.
Every morning I pray to Stendarr for the wisdom to show mercy when appropriate and strength when necessary. Some call me rigid. They don't understand. In a land where ash storms strip flesh from bone, discipline isn't merely virtue—it's survival.
This is not a tale of adventure or destiny, but a chronicle of duty performed without wavering. And if fate should cast me against Dagoth Ur or a Nerevarine, know this—I face it not as a hero, but as a soldier of the Empire. The story of Morrowind will be written in many hands. Mine simply holds the spear that guards its borders.
Religion
• Worships Stendarr, God of Mercy, believing that justice without compassion is mere tyranny; his faith was inherited through family tradition rather than personal spiritual revelation
• Observes his faith through daily morning prayers, offering protection to the innocent, and showing mercy when appropriate in his duties.
• Perfoms duties for the Imperial Cult
Affiliations - in order of importance
• The Imperial Legion
• The Blades
• The Imperial Cult
• The Fighters Guild
Goals and Handicaps
✔ Skill books to improve one's skills - Particularly on martial techniques and battle tactics
✔ Strengthen the Imperial presence in Morrowind and maintain peace and order
✔ Rise through the ranks of the Imperial Legion and make your forefathers proud
✔ Wear and carry Imperial gear exclusively
✔ Well-maintained weapons & armor
✔ Minimalist living
✔ Reading military & philosophical texts
✘ Bribery & corruption - you cannot bribe or accept bribes
✘ Drunkenness & indulgence – no drugs no booze.
✘ Petty squabbles - devote your time to worthy causes only
✘ Glory-seekers & loudmouths
World view
- Imperial Rule vs. Dunmer Autonomy – Imperial rule is a fact, not a debate. Stability must be maintained, but governance should be just, not exploitative.
- Great House Rivalries – Petty power struggles are irrelevant unless they threaten order. The law applies to all equally.
- Camonna Tong’s Influence – Criminals and corruption must be dealt with when possible, but reckless defiance of authority is unwise.
- Tribunal’s Decline – Religious change is irrelevant unless it leads to disorder. Gods may rise and fall, but duty remains.
- Nerevarine Prophecy – Prophecies do not change the obligation to enforce law and maintain stability.
- Traditionalism vs. Foreign Influence – Dunmer traditions are their own concern as long as they do not lead to lawlessness.
- Slavery Debate – Personally dislikes slavery but follows Imperial policy. If outlawed, it will be enforced without hesitation.
- Ashlander Marginalization – Ashlanders deserve fair treatment under the law, but their beliefs are not a concern.
- Dagoth Ur & The Blight – A direct threat to order, stability, and life. Must be eliminated.
- Vampirism & Necromancy – Dangerous and unlawful. Must be hunted down with discipline, not hysteria.
Creed
Order stands so long as we uphold it. Mercy when possible, steel when necessary.
Recommended Mods
Chargen and skills
- Chargen Scenarios - start as a member of the Legion in Gnisis
- Ahead of the Classes - select Spearman class - a few other options for warrior-type characterss
- Written in the Stars - a birthsign mod - 3 Warrior birthsigns to choose from
- PRAY - Prayers Rituals And You - actually pray to the Divines
- Daily Training - with discipline, one can only become stronger
- It Takes One to Know One - A perk mod - gain new skills and abilities as you raise through ranks
- Privileges And Services - as high-ranking person, recruit guards, promote lower faction members...
- Realistic Repairs + Realistic Repair - Add-on - repair hammers can only be used by activating an anvil, and prongs used by activating a forge
- Armor Training - Slowly level armor while moving at low skill
- Next Generation Combat - Tons of options to customise combat: 100% hit chance, active blocking, and automatic weapon effects based on skill level
OR - Combat Enhanced - MWSE Edition - you can now perfom combos when attacking.
- Defensive Stance - Crouching with a shield equipped increases your block and reduces your speed
- MDMD - More Deadly Morrowind Denizens - 230+ NPCs are given unique spells, enchantments, and items, to make Morrowind deadlier AND more varied
- Get Sharp - Improved smithing tools at Fort Pelagiad ans Fort Buckmoth
Better factions and main quest
- Morrowind Redux - get lore-friendly and useful items as you rise through the ranks.
- Imperial Legion Expansion - New quests, items, NPCs, and more.
- Fighters Guild Improved - improves the background and narrative side of most of its quests, as well as adds more variety and new options to complete them.
- Religions Elaborated - Fleshes out the Imperial Cult
- Main Quest Improvements - small tweaks to make parts of the main quest more immersive.
- Caius Gives You a Cover Story - Caius will recommend you factions to join based on your skills the first time you ask about orders.
- Blades Quest: Prophecy of the Lost Heir (+ Lost Heir Delayer) - Once you become the Nerevarine, continue to serve the Blades in the large quest mod featuring a few companions.
- Beware the Sixth House (Sixth House Overhaul) - The Sixth House makes for the most challenging content in the game.
- Larrius Varo's Little Story--A different version - Edits to Larrius Varo's quest to allow more discretion than having a massive barfight
- Dagoth Ur Fleshed Out - a proper final dungeon for the main quest
- Unholy Trinity - Dagoth Ur - Vemynal - Odrosal Remade - don't install Dagoth Ur
- Imperialist Nerevarine - This mod allows you to complete the Main Quest of Morrowind without membership in the "Ashlanders" faction
Companions
- Friends and Frens - Seek out a Bosmer Sharpshooter in one of the Imperial forts
- The Strider's Nest - Companions and Quests - Seek out a young Breton knight in Balmora
- Dras the Dunmer Legionnaire - Meet with Tendndras Lonvyn of the Imperial Legion in Balmora and earn his trust... or enmity
- Arvesa - An Armiger's Tale - great companion to go with the main quest
- Jasmine - a friend of the Blades, Jasmine has much to say about the main quest
Gear
- The Warehouse - Wares-aware mod collection - pick House of Spears, more if tempted
- Imperium - Imperial Armour Expanded - suits of Legion armour with the intention of making armour a bigger facet of Legion identity
- Interesting Outfits - Imperials - Gives various characters makeovers with assets from other mods
- Wares Ultimate - TD list plugin that adds a lot of imperial armour sets
Places and other quests
- Hiding in Plain Sight - Blades' Headquarters - if you want a practical place in Balmora and/or don't fancy a bunk bed in a fort
- mwse Containers - if you choose to live in a fort, at least you'll be able to store a few things
- Ebonheart underworks - Ebonheart now has its sewage system. With filth, rats, people and quests.
- Imperium - Castle Ebonheart - Castle Ebonheart and the Imperial Chapel interiors have been refurbished
- Gnisis Docks - an actual dock will appear near Vabdas' hut, a few days after the quest is finished by stealing the land deed
- Imperial Employment Office (MD Edit) - in case the factions suggested above are noy enough, here's some honest work approved by the Empire
- Halls of Colossus - delve into a great Imperial secret
- Umbra- Blademaster - Umbra is a greater challenge and a greater reward