One of the very helpful users at the Skyrim Nexus, IsharaMeradin, is the author of several mods for Skyrim. While they're relatively small, most of them ( not all ) are free-to-use resources. What does that mean? It means that you are allowed to use the resource in your own mod, or parts of it. You have permission to use them, without asking, though you should credit Ishara. The mods I'll be reviewing are Isharas Key Ring, Isharas Road Signs, In-Game Clock Hotkey and Aesthetic Bolt Quiver. If you want to see the permissions for the mods, then click the "Perms" button underneath the file pictures.
I'm testing version 1.0 of Isharas Key Ring, version 1.0 of Isharas Road Signs, version 1.1 of In-Game Clock Hotkey and version 1.1b of Aesthetic Bolt Quiver.
Note that the four mods are not just resources - they are fully functional, great mods in and of themselves.
I'm testing version 1.0 of Isharas Key Ring, version 1.0 of Isharas Road Signs, version 1.1 of In-Game Clock Hotkey and version 1.1b of Aesthetic Bolt Quiver.
Note that the four mods are not just resources - they are fully functional, great mods in and of themselves.
Isharas Key Ring
Isharas Key Ring is a small mod that adds a Key Ring to the player's inventory. It was created for multiple reasons - partially for testing, but also to get rid of the insane amount of keys that can amass in the player's inventory. Aside from that, it allows you to level up your lockpicking even when you have the key to a door, should you so choose. The mod is really quite helpful, clean, and easy to use.
For an explanation of how the mod works, check out Isharas Key Ring's mod page. An excerpt from the permissions:
For an explanation of how the mod works, check out Isharas Key Ring's mod page. An excerpt from the permissions:
You may modify as you see fit for your own personal use.
For any projects to be released publicly, I request to be asked about use.
Should I fail to reply after a two week period and my last forum access was greater than 90 days, consider permission granted.
I recommend the mod for its ease-of-use and well-done features. Ishara made the mod much better than she needed to by adding an option not just to sift through the Key Ring, but to automatically take out keys for containers and doors that are near you.
Isharas Road Signs
Isharas Road Signs gives the road signs in the game a purpose: When you activate a road sign, it gives you the option to fast travel to the location, save the game, save the game and fast travel, or just close the messagebox (don't do anything). It's a nice mod because it gives the otherwise boring road signs a purpose. An excerpt from the permissions:
Do what you want with this. Please give credit if you include any of my work in your publicly released projects.
It's a good mod, especially if you want a reminder to save when you're traveling. Plus, it's just nice to see the road signs have some functionality. You can use it as a completely free resource, as long as you credit Ishara. If you want to make your own mod to make road signs more interesting, then it's a perfect jumping-off point.
Aesthetic Bolt Quiver
[Requires Dawnguard] This is a simple mod that changes the position of the bolt quiver from Dawnguard so it rests on an NPCs back, rather than floating several feet from it. It's a quick fix for an irritating problem. Permissions excerpt:
PERMISSIONS
This mod is "open source". You may learn from it. You may adapt it for your own personal game. For all other modifications please ask permission.
The 90 day and 2 week clause:
-- If you have asked for permission and have not heard back after two weeks have passed AND my last Nexus forum access was greater than 90 days, permission is granted.
PERMISSIONS AND CREDITS REGARDING PATCHES, TRANSLATIONS AND OTHER DERIVATIVES
Specific permissions and credits are outlined for each within the info file accompanied with the download. Please respect the permission statements of the originating mods when seeking to work with any of their assets.
URLS with brief description are listed here:
-- Explosive Bolts Visualized by MadCat221 - http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/21922/? - allowed modification of meshes for compatibility
There are possible compatibility issues with this mod since it edits the skeleton slightly. It should also be noted that the alpha version of the mod XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended supports Aesthetic Bolt Quiver. (That link (the XP32MSE link) does go to Lover's Lab, which is a site containing advertising, and some adult content in certain sections. You have been warned.)
In-Game Clock Hotkey
[Requires SKSE] A nice mod that adds a changeable hotkey to check the in-game time. While there are other mods to show the in-game time, this one is nice and easy if you just want to check the time with the click of a key. There's also an optional file to add sundials to multiple towns. If you don't have SKSE, the sundials will still work to check the time, but the hotkey won't. The permissions say:
Please keep this on the Nexus only. You may adapt it for personal use. You may (if you feel so inclined) further modify to include any sort of in-game menu options for changing the assigned hotkey and re-release it provided you link back to the original for those who do not like to use in-game menus as well as give credit where it is due.
Regarding the sundials, the script abimClockScript located inside the Isharas_InGameClockHotkeyAndSundials.bsa may freely be used with any clock resource that you may wish to use. Credit for my work is all I ask.
In Conclusion
Ishara has many more mods aside from those. She's also very generous with the use of her mods, and while not all of them are free-to-use resources, all of them accomplish their goal well. I encourage you to check them out, and if you like them, to endorse them.