That's the cool thing about skyrim... many different experiences for everyone...

No... not using that.

I reloaded and found that when I get near her... she is called "Arniel Gane's Lydia" then turns into a pile of ash... I did a search and I guess other people have experienced this too (or one other person atleast - however no one seems to know if this is supposed to happen or not.

Yes, it definitely is a different experience for each person......That's part of what makes it so fun!

The strangest scene I saw was a man riding along the path while standing on his horse.

This hasn't happened to me but I've heard of several people getting messages from that courier that goes around Skyrim. Nothing much odd about this except that the courier is in the buff at the time.

I haven't had Lydia with me at all, but if she can carry loot, she's coming with me from now on. My problem with hangers on is that they tend to mess up the stealth aspect of the the game - the fools DO rush in, and there's nothing worse than that if you were planning a cunning ambush from the shadows.

Wouldn't mind a dog, though. Maybe I'll hang around with that Barnabas for a while. He's still waiting for me.

I now rule the Assassins, too, I guess, though I still have a couple of things left to do. Completely lost track of main quest, though. No idea what to do or where to go.

AnneG, I've had the Courier but he's always been dressed.

Hagatha, Lydia can indeed carry stuff, which is why I always take her with me and replay the area if she dies. I don't know if the other companions can carry.

Hagatha, I've only played the Main Quest to just past the GreyBeards. Are you past that?

Hagatha, my dog is Barbas and he is indestructible and great at luring the bad guys away from me. I can just stand there and target them with my bow and arrows. He barks a lot, though.

Hmmmmm Rowan, I'd love an indestructible dog.

Son just called and said he accidentally deleted all his saved games

L4L how awful - can he do that system restore thing if he's playing on the computer. Or is there a file somewhere or the registry Or maybe glitches would know what to do.

I'm pllaying on PS and it doesn't play well at all and sometimes I just quit playing. When PS is online I'll get some updates and maybe that will help. All other games play just fine.

Met Barbas - is he an Irish Wolfhound - fine dog

Barbas is involved in a daedric quest. As long as he is in the quest he is indectructible. I'm not sure if he loses his indestructible status once the quest is over. So I'm not completing the quest for a long time just so I can keep him with this benefit. Is anyone else using him? Is my guess correct?

I saw the funniest thing last night (game time) as I was crossing the tundra -- a wooly mammoth fell from the sky! I laughed myself silly. It was the funniest thing I've seen since the multiples of Louis Letrush (I keep thinking of him as Louis Le Tush), one of whom was buried up to his waist.

Annie-"Louis Le Tush"!! I love it! LOL LOL LOL!

Thanks for a laugh, it was good timing.

Tracy, who is really loving Skyrim, BUT, getting tired of the Thieves Guild people telling her that SHE needs to do more work when all they do is sit around the Ragged Flagon and drink and eat all day. Hmph!

L4L,I've been to the Greybeards the one time, that's all. I think they gave me a quest but I can't remember which one it is.

Anyway, I'm already level 50 (!!!) and not even really done with Thieves or Assassins. Thought I was, but no...Next time I'm not buying any training at all. Early on I did, not realizing that the skills are all easily learned by doing, in this game. I won't make that mistake again.

I had Lydia with me on my trek to one of the ruins but I ran into an Ancient Dragon and we ended up having to take another route because Lydia and Shadowmere kept getting toasted. Neither one died, but there was no way we were getting past.

I tried to upgrade the new Assassin Guild HQ but for some reason the Master Bedroom upgrade doesn't install. Judging from the pictures I've seen on line, the upgrade looks pretty dreary anyway, so I think I'll keep the cash for a deluxe house somewhere. I miss my beautiful Oblivion houses.

This game is HUGE. I haven't really done any exploring. Normally by about level 35 in Morrowind or Oblivion I've taken a trip around the entire coast and wallked across the whole land at least once. I need to drop everything off at my house and go for a long trip.

Rowan, I hadn't thought of using Barabas as a long-term companion, but that's a good idea. What kind of dog is he supposed to be? I want one.

Barbas is an Irish wolfhound. He can be annoying when he blocks a doorway and just stands there and wags his tail and thinks you are the most wonderful person on Earth. Or he'll sit and scratch himself. He doesn't care if you steal or kill for a living. He barks while you are sneaking but no one seems to pay attention to him but if I make an almost inaudible sound then I'm spotted. But in spite of all his annoying faults he is most lovable. So who needs a husband when you have Barbas for company? Besides you can still have an extra companion plus Barbas. he won't carry anything though but he is priceless in holding off baddies and even groups of baddies.

Shoot Hagatha, I know that at the end of the Greybeard quest you

Have you retrieved The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller from Ustengrav?

You get that quest after you have done all the quests with the Greybeards in the Monastery.

Aha. Another shout, is it? I haven't been using them - mostly because I can only ever remember three or foour of my quickslots and i can never remember which shout or ability I have stored in Z.

I did figure out that you can upgrade companion equipment, so Lydia is much more useful now, with ebony sword and shield and a decent helmet and Health ring. She actually killed the nasty bad thing/ghost/whatever at the end of the First quest for the mages - Saarthal, was it? Anyway, she had it on the floor before I could get a shot in. It was disappointing, actually, I had hoped to collect the soul with my vampire bow.

I find them handy for when I get mobbed.....

Hey everyone. I was reading posts about Lydia and it reminded me that I wanted to ask you guys something. She was my housecarl, but whenever I've gone back to my house in Whiterun the last few times, she's not there. I wonder if there is a way to get her back and to make sure she stays there? LOL I've seen that she apparently likes to take off on her own so I figured I'd corral her while I have the chance.

PS I have to say that I am hopelessly in love with the following: Farkas' and Vilkas' faces, Brynjolf's voice, Rune's body and hair, and another Thieves Guild guy who says something like, "You wanna talk to me? Okay..." and it's like a sexy, California sort of voice that just gives me shivers. SIGH! I might have to create my own perfect man when the Creation Kit comes out by mixing all of these guys together! LOL

what do you think ladies?

Tracy, wishing she could climb into the pc and go running through Skyrim for real.

Tracy, have you checked in the extra bedroom in your house? And also in Dragonreach? I lost her one time but it was night and she was in her bedroom. I went upstairs to store stuff and she came popping out.

Thanks Looney! I'll check in her room and in the castle, maybe she's flirting with the guards or something. LOL

PS Happy New Year everyone!

Lydia is usually sitting at the table in my bedroom: I always feel like telling her to use her own room!!! Once I had not seen her there and used the console ti find her, and there she was!!!

Jacline that is too funny 'cos I've never seen her even 1 time in mine.

Jacline, that's where she always was in my house too. In there eating bread all the time, spraying out bread crumbs as she declared "Long life to you, my thane!" Used to scare the [blip] out of me every time I went in there to put something in the chest.

Edited to say: Oops, I said a naughty apparently.

I have to say that I really (REALLY) wish that we could have more dialog with our housecarls, and with all NPCs really. Wouldnt' it be great if you really could say to Lydia or whoever, "Get the heck out of my bedroom, [insert cuss word here]!!!"

lol

I think it would be fun if anyone who plays the game could insert their own conversation choices while they're playing btw. Maybe once we have the Creation Kit we will all be able to do that.

Tracy, still having way too much fun, but ready for more clothes and more dialog.

I have a problem with Lydia in my bedroom too. And I didn't know we weren't allowed to say bleep. I will have to watch it. Tracy -- when you mix up that dishy guy, send some my way! He sounds dreamy. Currently I have a thing for Idolaf Battle-Born, but I guess I'm too lowly for him. Sigh.