SKYRIMLE Dragon Stalking Fix by sevencardz

[EssArrBee]

Do you need to have this script in place before being stalked?

You need to get the bug first before you apply the script so you can load up the save and see if it is fixed.

[kryptopyr]

Wait you actually play skyrim?!?!? O.o

Well, no, not really. :P  The save I'm thinking of is probably about a year old and the character didn't get very far before I got distracted with other mod projects.  Now that I'm thinking about it, given how outdated some of the mods in that load order probably are, it may not be the best test, but the dragon corpse thing was particularly bad with that character for some reason. 

 

I'm actually hoping to sit down this weekend and pull together an updated load order and maybe -maybe- start a new character.  Of course I'm also wanting to wrap up the latest update to WAF and SPO and work on some magic tweaks I'm hoping to release later this summer, etc.  But I'm starting to get rather eager to play again, so I'm going to try to at least get the game set up and see if I can set aside some time from modding to actually create a half-way interesting character.

[Kuldebar]

For those interested:

 

sevencardz

In response to post #14988841. #14995891, #14996191, #14996661, #14997141, #14997636 are all replies on the same post.
 

Here's a somewhat reliable way to regression test the dragon stalking fix:

1. Install DCO.
2. Use Alternate Start and choose civil war start.
3. Console yourself the Dragonstone and give it to Farengar in Whiterun.
4. Skip over the quest dialoge.
5. Save before starting the fight with Mirmulnir.
6. Attempt to kill Mirmulnir in mid-air to exacerbate dragon stalking.
7. After the dragon dies, absorb the soul, then fast travel to Markarth.
8. Fast travel back and forth to major holds and enter/exit through the main gates to exacerbate dragon stalking.
9. Saving and reloading the game may also help agitate the bug.
10. Once the dragon stalks you, save the game, install the fix, and reload your saved game.
11. You should be able to continue the game as normal with no dragon stalking.

 

 

[EssArrBee]

Well, no, not really. :P  The save I'm thinking of is probably about a year old and the character didn't get very far before I got distracted with other mod projects.  Now that I'm thinking about it, given how outdated some of the mods in that load order probably are, it may not be the best test, but the dragon corpse thing was particularly bad with that character for some reason. 

 

I'm actually hoping to sit down this weekend and pull together an updated load order and maybe -maybe- start a new character.  Of course I'm also wanting to wrap up the latest update to WAF and SPO and work on some magic tweaks I'm hoping to release later this summer, etc.  But I'm starting to get rather eager to play again, so I'm going to try to at least get the game set up and see if I can set aside some time from modding to actually create a half-way interesting character.

See, I thought you were born inside the Creation Kit and Morpheus had to disconnect you so that you could remake Skyrim for the better. 

 

I know the procedure Kuldebar laid out works because I made a small pack with DCO and Alternate Start and it had the bug every time for the first dragon in the game.

[rootsrat]

I think I have a save where this was a consistent problem.  I'll try to find it to test this mod and report back.

This I have one too... I'll check it out. 

 

Do you need to have this script in place before being stalked?

I asked that question on the mod page earlier today. See what the author says.

 

::EDIT::

 

And so it is:

 

 

Also, what is the fastest way of testing this? Would this work on a save with a stalking dragon in front of my character? In other words, should the stalking dragon that is already present in my save disappear after activating this mod and loading the save?

 

And the response:

 

 

 

Yes, actually. The best way to test it is with an existing save game where dragons are actively stalking you. You'd be surprised how difficult it can be to get dragon stalking to happen when you actually want it to happen...

[Aiyen]

coc bleakfallsbarrow01

 

Go outside and then 

 

player.placeatme # 1 (1 at a time is probably best.. since if you spawn like 10 you can just insta crash the game on some mod setups. )

 

spawn a nice load of dragons. type help dragon to get the various ID´s. 10feed and 10feee are two of them. 

 

killall 

 

All dragons will crash to the ground in good order... and you wont kill anyone vital and crash the game. 

 

Go to riverwood.. you will probably get one or more of the buggers following you. 

 

Alternatively you can provide yourself with godlike daedric gear and arrows... boost your archery skill to 100 and giveyourself all the perks... You can almost oneshot dragons at that point and if you also use DCO then you can laugh as they crash in funny ways when you shoot them midflight! 

[DanielCoffey]

I have successfully tested the Stalking fix today on a young save. Here's what happened.

 

Mod List : current SR:LE with Arissa, SPO - No Homes, Breezehome FullyUpgradeable.

 

I had cleared the usual bandits around Whiterun, dealt with the western watchtower and then headed over to Ivarstead. About 200yards outside Ivarstead, a random Dragon attacked and killed Lydia *shakes fist at Deadly Dragons*. I used Resurrect because I really wanted to keep her. I proceeded into Ivarstead, traded a little and slept in the Inn overnight. I quit Skyrim for the day.

 

Today I loaded that save and the dead Dragon was waiting right outside the Inn for me and had clearly moved from its position outside the village. I made a save at this point.

 

I downloaded and activated the Dragon Stalking Fix and placed it below the Unofficial Patches in my load order. On reloading the save with the corpse outside the Inn, nothing appeared to have changed. I went inside and outside but the Dragon was still there.

 

I entered the Barrow and dealt with You-know-who inside and when I emerged, the Dragon corpse was gone.

 

Perfect!

[EssArrBee]

Yeah, that is how it is supposed to work. You won't remove a dragon right after loading but it will mark it for deletion when you leave the area.

 

I'm moving this to testing, so we can get it in the guide for 2.2.9.

[Kuldebar]

Probably won't be included in the Unofficial Patches anytime soon:

 

https://www.afkmods.com/index.php?/topic/3969-stalker-dragon-fix/

 

Arthmoor:

QuoteQuote

This bug is exceedingly rare in a normal modded setup. I've had it happen maybe 3 times in the last 2.5 years and it was always with already burned up dragons. Never intact corpses.

 

I suspect it's caused by dragon mods overloading the game with them and Papyrus being unable to keep up with that. So it's not really addressing something that's of importance since the USKP appears to have eliminated the problem anyway due to the respawned dragon fix for collecting souls.

 

Besides, that mod "solves" the problem by issuing a command to delete the corpse from the game if it unloads from the cell. This is generally not such a good idea if you are intending to loot it, don't have enough carrying capacity, and want to come back right away. You'd not have that option with this script modification.

 

But that's just fine, if it doesn't fit their scope or mission statement. Sheson's fix didn't either, for that matter.

 

PS. I don't think the bug is "exceedingly rare"... I have know idea what a "normal modded setup" is...

 

There are plenty of instances in the vanilla game where failure to loot something or looting an object too early will break a quest; these don't necessarily need to be fixed -just recognized as something to avoid like one would a game engine exploit. ( IE: zoning out of a dungeon to avoid enemies ) And, as far as I know, there is only one or very few dragons that MUST be looted for quest stage completion purposes in the game. 

Edited May 24, 2014 by Kuldebar

[DoubleYou]

Is there a way to get this fix to work so that the corpse is removed when you loot the dragon scales and bones? I've always thought it strange that after looting all the dragon scales and bones that there was still a huge pile of dragon bones lying around. That would also ease Arthmoor's problem with its aggressive deletion potentially making the player unable to go back and collect the loot.

[Kuldebar]

DoubleYou, on 24 May 2014 - 5:36 PM, said:

Is there a way to get this fix to work so that the corpse is removed when you loot the dragon scales and bones? I've always thought it strange that after looting all the dragon scales and bones that there was still a huge pile of dragon bones lying around. That would also ease Arthmoor's problem with its aggressive deletion potentially making the player unable to go back and collect the loot.

Well, according to the author the mod won't delete a dragon who hasn't had its soul absorbed, I'm sure the functionality via script could include a container check...but that adds another layer to things.

 

As for a sense of realism, I always assume that when I take scales and bones from a dragon, I'm not taking everything from it. When you kill an animal out in the wilds, there will still be a carcass or remains left behind even after taking all the meat and skin, etc. The choice stuff, ya know?

 

Yet if I return to the scene days later, other scavengers will have went to work, sragon bones make great aphrodisiacs after all and good luck charms. :) 

Edited May 25, 2014 by Kuldebar

[DoubleYou]

That's always how I've explained it as well.

[Kuldebar]

Bug fix incoming:

 

darkness1888

Quote

I may have found an issue in the Dawnguard DLC. After defeating Durnehviir and exiting, you would normally meet him and learn his shout. I did not. Only after I deactivated the mod was I able to meet Durnehviir a second time. It might have just been me, but it's an odd little coincidence.

 

 

sevencardz 

Quote

Well, Bethesda fails at OOP again. DLC1Durnehviir is Durney's script, but it doesn't extend DragonActorScript, instead it extends directly from Actor. This means the fix for Durney will require SKSE as I have to exclude him by name.

Are there any other dragons that come back from the dead? Are there any that have quest items you have to loot?

 

 

If anyone has information that will help Sevencardz out in regard to his questions, don't be shy! :)

 

UPDATE

 

Arthmoor :

Just FYI, since you're already pointing people at the UDGP, you should be aware that Durnehviir has been assigned a modified copy of DragonActorScript that we had done for his summoned version. The modified script does not contain the two blocks that would cause him to disintegrate since he is never actually killed. So as long as someone has the UDGP there won't be an issue with him getting deleted.

Definitely a fail at scripting on Beth's part since Durnehviir doesn't require very much of the actual script.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2014 by Kuldebar

[IDzeroNo]

This mod fixes the bug where dead dragon corpses follow you around or fall out of the sky, affectionately known as "dragon stalking".



What causes dragon stalking?

Well, you see... when a young male dragon likes a young female dragon, but he's not sure how to approach the female dragon, he might lurk around any locations he knows the female frequents, inevitably causing awkward and embarassing encounters with the female...

From her point of view, it starts out sort of cute. Simply an odd, haphazard, fluke! What a weird boy dragon just popping out of nowhere, twitching all around, not able to contain his excitement. Maybe he would make a nice friend who would do stuff for me since he likes me, she thinks to herself. Just look how trusting he is exposing his underside like a silly puppy dog!



The two part ways and the female dragon heads off to the Whiterun markets, when what do ya know? There he is again! And how sweet, he's bought her some tomatoes. What a thoughtful friend this boy dragon is. But wait... how did he get there so fast? Was he... following her?



But she dwells on it not and so our female dragon moves right along. Next stop is Dragonsreach, which is of course, the only fitting place for a dragon to be in Whiterun. Detesting outspoken impudence, she promptly ingests Heimskr and Nazeem for bastardizing the spoken word, which she finds to be insulting, even when done in a language far inferior to her own. Appetite sated, she proceeds onward.

As she climbs the steps to Dragonsreach, there he is yet again! But... oh... oh my. We're talking full-on George Takei OH MY here, ladies and gentlemen. Our poor male dragon seems to have himself in a bit of a snare... tsk, tsk, tsk, boys really will stick that thing anywhere won't they? How embarassing...



What? Oh, right, the bug... well I don't know exactly what causes that. Some problem with the game engine not doing proper housekeeping on dragon corpses, which seems to be exacerbated by issues introduced by the Havok physics suite, causing exponential amounts of derp on heavily articulated objects, such as dragons. In any case and for whatever reason, when the game tries to reload a dragon corpse that was previously unloaded, it may fail to do so correctly and ends up dropping the corpse in a default location as a fail-safe, which is usually somewhere near the player. The corpse then proceeds to reload in whatever default location it can find as the player moves from cell to cell.

So how did you fix it?

I took the base script for dragons in the game, DragonActorScript, and I implemented the OnLoad and OnUnload events in the deadDisintegrated state, which is the state dragons go to after their soul is absorbed and they've turned to bones. As soon as the dragon is unloaded from the game in this state, it gets dispelled of any active magic effects and then deleted. The same is done if the dragon is reloaded in the deadDisintegrated state. This will delete any dragon corpses which are currently stalking the player on existing save games.

Does it work on an existing save game?

Yes, I just said that.

Does it work with Dragon Combat Overhaul and Deadly Dragons?

Yes, of course.

Does it incorporate fixes from the Unofficial Patches?

You betcha.

Is there a catch? Are you a wizard?

Not really and that's none of your business. Just be sure to loot anything you want from the corpse before you leave the area because the new script will aggressively delete the corpse the moment it unloads. 

Will the fix cause issues?

It shouldn't. This mod simply forces the game to cleanup dragon corpses quickly, rather than relying on the existing framework to do it because we've found that doesn't always work. If the choice is between dragon stalking and aggressive dragon deletion, I choose the latter, at least until a better solution presents itself.

How extensively did you test it?

Pretty extensively. Most of the time I spent on this mod was doing testing. I tested it on named dragons like Mirmulnir and Sahloknir in a normal play-through of the game with no problems. I tested it on dragons at word walls, by killing them once and then waiting for them to respawn after 30 days and got souls each time. I tested it on dragons spawned randomly in the game and through the console and had no issues and no stalking. I tested it on existing saves where dragon stalking was occurring to verify that the fix works retroactively and cleans up any dragon corpses which are currently stalking you on existing saves. This was all done on a 100+ mod load order, including Deadly Dragons and Dragon Combat Overhaul and NPC Knockout Overhaul, which is my other mod you should go check out, by the way. :D

Can this be added to the USKP?

Yes, I give full permission for this fix to be incorporated into any mod, especially the USKP.

What should I do now?

Check out this mod: NPC Knockout Overhaul.

Glowing Testimonials

I'm happier than a breakdancing drunk Gremlin. - FallingStar7777
The description puts my own to shame. - ApolloDown
The image of the dragon at Dragonsreach is saying "LET ME LOVE YOU!" - Reokudo
Very description. Such nice. Wow. - cor3zone
I have never actually seen this bug, but it sounds kind of fun. - XunAmarox
But did the male dragon ever find true love? What happened next? - mcshade
It works! Thank you! - Aelthas
But seriously... are you a wizard? - tatwizard
 - keithinhanoi

Credits

Bethesda for creating Skyrim and allowing us to mod it so easily.
Nexus for hosting the mod and supporting the community.
The entire Unofficial Patch Project Team for their DragonActorScript.psc modified source code and for their relentless efforts in debugging Skyrim.
Sepherose for his dragon skin textures, which are used in the images: Sepherose Dragon Skins.
ApolloDown for inspiring this mod by having the one mod on the Nexus that exacerbates dragon stalking to the nth degree: Dragon Combat Overhaul.

[Aiyen]

We already have a thread for this mod. Please verify if a mod already exist before posting thanks!

Also if you do link do not just copy the entire description page.. use your own words! 

Thread closed.