NPC help

[NuggetBrandNugget]

So I'm trying to make an NPC stay in my house like a maid or something. I can get them to stay, but can I get them to wander? Like, I try to let him wander but they just walk out, and if I lock the door they stand there like an idiot. Please give me a mod or command. Please don't request changing a character file, cuz I don't know how to do that.

[cyäegha]

NPC's act according to a predefined schedule in their record that gives them a broad idea of what to do, but how they accomplish that task is up to them, and if you strip the ability to accomplish their goals away from them, they tend to just stand around

earlier implementations of the engine were more advanced, but this (usually) led to NPCs killing each other over loaves of bread

if you have one of the follower frameworks, you have rudimentary control over what certain followers will do, but unlike skyrim they don't tend to sandbox

otherwise your only real option is to use xEdit and modify records

[arottweiler]

The CM Partners mod gives you the option to make the follower "stand guard" which will make them stand on that exact spot and never move or you can command them to "stay here" and they will then make themselves at home and wander around whichever building they are in and sit down, eat etc. If you ask them to "stay here" when they are outside it could be hard to find them again but they will not enter buildings like inns or taverns so will always be outside. The Detect Life spell comes in handy at times like that.

There are some mods that allow you to give other commands to NPCs but they are all adult themed mods so will only appear if the "show adult themed mods" is checked. These adult mods contain a lot of useful NPC control functions that are not adult themed so they are worth checking out.

I've not played in a while and can't remember what the mod is but there is one that allows you to recruit any NPC and use the controls on from CM Partners mod (obviously you need the CM Partners mod installed) You can add additional functions using the Actors In Charge mod:

https://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/6239/

If you just want to make an NPC remain somewhere but move around then the "stay here" command using the CM Partners menu is ideal.