Deimos and Vince Watermelon

2024 has witnessed a surge in custom followers, both voiced and unvoiced, in the world of Skyrim modding. With the Nexus brimming with an abundance of companions, choosing the perfect adventuring partner can be a daunting task. Inigo, Lucien, and Auri remain some of the big names that even this Fox finds herself returning to time and time again. Their individual charms and the lively banter they share with each other create an atmosphere that's hard to resist!

At times, even this Fox yearns for fresh faces to accompany her on her journeys through Skyrim's rugged landscape. Sometimes, it's the allure of a companion who might leave the Fox heartbroken with the difficult decisions that must be made along a playthrough (I'm looking at you, Orpheus). Other times, it's the simple pleasure of sitting by a cozy campfire after a grueling boss battle, tending to wounds while being regaled with stories of far-off lands and forgotten lore.

Finding a custom follower that boasts unique attributes, voice acting, and a compelling storyline can be quite the challenge. This Fox doesn't always require all three elements to take a chance on a follower; sometimes, one standout feature is enough to pique her interest. On occasion, Fox discovers two different followers that, together, offer a combination of these sought-after traits. Enter Deimos and Vince Watermelon. Buckle up, dear readers, but be warned: slight spoilers lie ahead.

Deimos brings to the party a uniqueness that is immediately apparent in his voice. In an era where custom man or mer followers often sound like they've stepped straight out of a Tolkien story, it's refreshing to hear something that reminds the player of Nirn's true diversity. Deimos delivers this with a voice actor of Finnish origin. Upon first conversation, his distinct accent is bound to catch the player off guard. He sounds out of place, and he may even feel out of place once he dons new armor after joining the party. But there's a good reason for this sense of otherness.

Deimos has walked the face of Nirn for an extraordinarily long time, since the era when the Ayleids held sway over much of Tamriel. It's fair to say that he has witnessed events that would make even the hardiest Nord's blood run cold, and perhaps even played a part in some of them. However, Deimos is not one to readily divulge the secrets of his past. When he offers to travel with the player, it's clear that greater forces are at play. Deimos has several personal quests that trigger depending on the player's progress in the Main Quest. For those not looking to embark on a Dragonborn playthrough, fear not - Deimos still has plenty of insightful commentary to offer on faction questlines and the choices that shape the player's journey.

At the time of this review, Deimos is not romanceable, but this Fox has it on good authority that romance options are in the works. I can hardly contain my excitement at the prospect, as Deimos is one of the few man/mer males whose romantic storyline I'm genuinely interested in exploring, especially after completing all his quests. Romance aside, Deimos proves invaluable in combat situations. He favors two-handed weapons, preferring to tank his way through problems with brute force and unwavering determination. When foes are too distant for his mighty sword to reach, he seamlessly switches to ranged combat, wielding a bow with a skill that would make most Bosmer archers green with envy.

Deimos plays nice with other modded followers, a trait this Fox found particularly advantageous when she decided to bring Vince Watermelon along to round out her adventuring party. Vince, an Argonian hailing from the mysterious swamps of Black Marsh, found himself in Skyrim after a bandit job went sideways. His unique coloration led to the adoption of his alias, a name that never fails to bring a smile to this Fox's muzzle.

Upon first encountering Vince, players are treated to a small introductory quest and a bit of a bounty quest, immediately setting the stage for his roguish background. But it's his voice acting that truly steals the show. With over 700 lines of quality dialogue, Vince's gravelly tones breathe life into every interaction, making each exchange a memorable experience. His commentary spans most of the Main Quest and a substantial portion of the faction storylines, offering insightful and often humorous observations that add depth to the player's journey.

As an ally, Vince shines brightest during stealthy, Thieves Guild-centric playthroughs. His natural affinity for subterfuge and cunning makes him an invaluable asset when skulking through shadows or pilfering valuables. Vince favors one-handed weapons and bows, displaying a versatility that proves useful in both close-quarters skirmishes and ranged encounters.

One of Vince's most endearing features is his penchant for commentary while exploring Skyrim's vast landscapes. Whether trudging through knee-deep snow or navigating treacherous mountain paths, Vince always has an opinion to share. His observations on the weather, local politics, or the general state of affairs in whatever city the player finds themselves in add a rich layer of immersion to the game. This Fox found herself eagerly anticipating what quip or insight Vince might offer next as they crested each new hill or rounded every corner.

A practical boon of traveling with Vince is his generous habit of gifting health potions to the player. Many a time, this Fox found herself grateful for these life-saving concoctions during particularly harrowing encounters. It's a small touch that speaks volumes about Vince's character and his loyalty to his companions.

Romance enthusiasts will be pleased to know that Vince's current version (2.1.6) includes the early stages of a romance option. This Fox found his responses to flirtation both endearing and hilarious, providing a much-needed touch of levity amidst the often grim realities of adventuring in Skyrim. His awkward yet charming reactions serve as a refreshing counterpoint to the more serious aspects of the game, making him feel all the more real and relatable.

Both these followers bring to the game new things but of course they are not without their issues. A couple of bugs and quality of life changes that Fox noted in her playthroughs are:

Deimos:

- When using his shout on opponents he tends to agro allies and neutral parties.

- Deimos makes comments about the player at the start of journeying together that make it sound as if they’ve been together longer.

- Deimos is a bit of a chatterbox, making commentary every few seconds which can make it hard to listen to what other NPCs are saying.

Vince Watermelon:

At times Vince will be speaking lines, but his lips are not moving.

- Vince is a bit repetitive on his radiant lines about the weather, often repeating the same line in a five minute span. Fox is not sure if this due to lack of radiant lines or simply a glitch.

- Vince’s bounty quest is slightly glitched but not to hard to fix. Simply approach one of the bounty hunters and start conversation. It’ll pick up from there. The lipsync for the bounty hunters is off as well.

The two together compliment each other very well. No matter what class the player is, these two are going to balance it. Deimos with being a tank and ranged fighter and Vince with being a rogue. Neither of these two have commentary together, but here is to hoping that one day they cross paths. Overall Deimos sits at a 4 out of 5 and Vince at a 3.5.