I am restarting today the project listed above, I would appreciate any kind of help and just so you know it is the first big project of mine, but I have a collection of minor projects and a degree in coding (but I am a beginner in papyrus, as said before, help is appreciated lol) as well as a scientific initiation project in math I did some years ago.
I have some projects published here: https://www.nexusmods.com/profile/ElisdrielPrince
and I have already helped some modders to understand some things I Hiperfocused on lol (I have both Autism and ADHD, and my special interest, belive it or not, is skyrim lol) like in here were I helped with the patch for undeath: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/36375
If you are more of a visual person: Here some help on the layout of the castle Volkihar
I plan the project to be divided in chapters:
Chapter 1 - The secret in the garden quest: You discover a key in Valerica's Tower after her return and a room in the garden leading to a destroyed shrine of Molag Bal where you discover an ancient skeleton of an unnamed servant to Harkon. Inquire her on what to do and start to rebuild the castle (Heartfire style of rebuilding). - In the first chapter you will rebuild the garden using the help of the great alchemist that Valerica is and will acquire temporary asylum in the room at the garden (that will become the base of operations), it sort of is the base plugin and the most simple chapter, the next ones require it but do not require each other, but I plan on making them interact by using the Chapter one as a Framework.
Chapter 2 - From North to East in the Sea of Ghosts quest: You send a letter to East empire company and a group of merchants is sent to make home at the catacombs and port of the castle, selling to you materials to rebuild the castle, and making smalltalk with you in the vacant hours. - In the second chapter you will rebuild the port and catacombs into habitable spaces for the east empire company, but beware you can attract unwanted attention.
Chapter 3 - The one and The Nine quest: The west tower will be rebuilt into a city, and the chapel of Molag Bal of the lord Harkon will be in the way, so you reform and desecrate the Molag Bal shrine in a temple of the nine for the people you lure in the city (in case you are with the Volkihar and not the Dawnguard) do not suspect you want their blood, or you're just a good guy (Dawnguard side lol), BUT daedra worshiper fear not, you will find other locations for your dark cult to take place. - You will rebuild the chapel of Molag Bal from Harkon into the West Tower of the castle and attract unwanted attention from someone in the Thalmor.
Chapter 4 - To keep and to go quest: The keep will become better looking and you will have a private library, a Throne room, a Guest room and a room for Serana to stay (Optional quest - The Dawn and the Ghosts: bring Serana and some Dawnguard to the castle if you sided with them). - You will rebuild the Keep and the vicinities of it, and more Thalmor conflict.
Chapter 5 - Ghosts of the past quest: Discover more of the past of the Volkihar family and build yourself a home in the castle (I hope that with native Hearthfire support lol). - Rebuild the South tower into a home, no unwanted attention lol, just a filler
Chapter 6 - The let go of the east quest: The Valerica/east tower into a Hall for the mages and fighters guild and a conflict with the Thalmor agent that was shadowing you causing you to hire the east empire agents in the castle for the Volkihar Trading company and breaking up with the empire (</3).
Chapter 7 - The Royal Archive quest: just a place full of mannequins, weapon plaques and, hopefully dynamic displays for you to show your collection of artifacts, another filler.
Chapter 8 - The Sewage quest: final battle with the thalmor agent and a brand new place/dungeon for the castle, because, why not make things more complicated lol
Thanks for your attention, leave a suggestion and follow me here or in Xuitter I will be posting the progress here and there.