PlaceAtMe
will create a copy of the NPC.
Instead:
- If you can see the NPC, select them with your mouse. This will show the
refId
just above the console.
- If you don't know where they are, type
prid XXXXX
(where XXXXX
is npc refId
)
- If you don't know the
refId
you can either:
- save your game, load a previous save, select the NPC and write down the
refId
- locate it by searching one of the Skyrim wikis (like Wikia)
- type
help <npc name>
which gives you the base id and you need to convert that to the refId
.
Then, type moveto player
. This will only work if npc is alive: if it isn't, first type disable
then enable
then resurrect 1
.
Alternatively, if you want to go to the NPC, type player.moveto XXXXX
, where XXXXX
is the NPC refId
.
How to fix (2013 update)
I've tried the bugged saved game file I initially posted in my question with the current latest versions of the official patch, Unofficial Skyrim Patch (USKP) and Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE), and the saved game is now Aspect of Peryite-free.
I've configured SKSE to use its ClearInvalidRegistrations
console command on every saved game load, which removes invalid scripts left running by uninstalled mods. This feature was introduced in v1.6.7 of SKSE:
add console command ClearInvalidRegistrations
to remove invalid
OnUpdate() registrations
This prevents orphaned OnUpdate() events and
the resulting bloated/broken saves when removing certain mods. When
applied to an already bloated save, it will stop growing further and
instead shrink over time as the game processes all queued events. This
may take hours depending on the amount of bloat.
To execute automatically after each reload, add this to \Data\SKSE\skse.ini
:
[General]
ClearInvalidRegistrations=1
According* to a developer of the Unofficial Skyrim Patch (USKP), the underlying cause is because DA13 ('The Only Cure' quest) is never stopped.
A possible fix* for this:
In the meantime, load an affected save, then type stopquest DA13
into the console. That ought to put an end to that. Plus it’ll free up some unnecessarily leftover alias memory.
BTW, don’t use the console command on a save not bothered by it. Even though it may appear benign, console commands can have negative consequences you don’t know about.
If this doesn't work or if you experience issues like: NPCs not responding properly to conversation (not reply to you when you choose a certain conversation path - leaving you stuck), merchants not opening the buy/sell window, horses that can't be ridden, and other interaction issues, then the save game is most likely corrupted. Try the SKSE ClearInvalidRegistrations
console command fix I've posted above, instead.
To prevent this from happening in the PC, get the latest version of the Unofficial Skyrim Patch. This has been fixed since version 1.1 of the USKP:
"The Only Cure" (DA13) was never stopped which would lead to the Aspect of Peryite randomly initiating conversation and being unable to exit.
* This info is from the old USKP bug tracker page at 16bugs.com, which is now not viewable. The new USKP bug tracker report page of this bug is at afkmods.iguanadons.net.
Best Answer
When it comes to the console there are three types of commands:
The
help
command is an untargeted command but requires a "parameter" to be entered as an argument. Like most commands,help
can take multiple parameters, but we're only interested in the first one: "filter". This is text used to filter the search, and so the command you enter looks like this:help "<filter text>"
. So if you wanted to find Lydia you can typehelp "Lydia"
(for single word filters the parentheses/braces are optional).That works well in game, but there is another way using the fantastic online resource: UESP (Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages). This website has just about every piece of information available on every Elder Scrolls game, this includes a list of followers in Skyrim. You can find your follower in this list or use the search box on the left to find them (every person in Skyrim has their own info page). Go to the followers individual page and the infobox on the right will show their "base id" and their "ref id". The base id can be used to create a new copy of the follower, the ref id can be used to manipulate a reference of the NPC that is already in the world (recommended).
Since you want to set a follower as essential you'll need to use the base id along with the
setessential
targeted command. This command uses two arguments; "baseId" and 0/1 (where 0 is mortal and 1 is essential). So, for Lydia, we can take her baseId from thehelp
command or from the UESP and use the commandsetessential 000A2C8E 1
to make her essential.Is there and easier way to do this? - Of course, mods!
Since you have access to the console then you're on PC and also have access to mods. There are lots of great follower mods that do many things included setting a follower as essential, examples include Ultimate Follower Overhaul (no SE version available) and Amazing Follower Tweaks (SE version).