Skip navigation
Library

cut content

Vastarie's Notes

Author: 
Vastarie

Like many relics left by the Ayleidoon, the tablet's secrets are confused by illusory wards and laced with enough destructive cantrips to make even the slightest divination an exercise in mortal danger.

Even so, with effort — and no small amount of magicka — I have managed a transcription:

"Epevoy an anyadena av <<1>>e pado an sunnand.
Can an canomora racuvarima.
Arctane va ceye av <<1>>e.
Malatu ye nemalatuis shauta ry relle asva relleis."

Unfortunately, my understanding of Ayleid is limited to the books available to me. My translation is woefully incomplete:

"— the life-treaty of — before the blessed-stone.
Call the Daedric herald who was —.
Accept the shadow of —.
— and not — come as water within many-waters."

Even so, my efforts provide enough information to act upon. One word, '<<1>>e,' appears twice in the script.

Acting on a hunch, I cross-referenced it with a history of known daedra and their inclinations.

'<<1>>,' one of the Winged Twilights, appears several times in service to Azura. If this is the same creature, it would appear the Ayleidoon had some manner of accord with the beast.

Indeed, it appears likely the stone bears a ritual designed to summon it forth!

I will act upon this knowledge at first light on the morrow.

— Vastarie

With the assistance of several apprentices, I was able to make a closer study of the wards surrounding the tablet. They are certainly a summoner's binding, but there is something else.

Where traditional summoning spells afford the caster complete control of the daedra subjected to them, the bindings of this particular enchantment appear to summon only.

They do not afford the caster protection from the daedra itself, nor do they compel the beast to obey commands.

While it is unlikely any daedra affiliated with Azura would be outwardly violent to mortal summoners, they are fickle creatures.

We would be wise to take precautions if we are to summon it here.

— Vastarie

Riekr of Wrothgar: Observations

Author: 
Anonymous

Day 1

Upon applying Master Sterone's Goblin-stench formula, the Riekrs seem to have accepted me into their number. They are very social creatures, with each Riekr expected to do his part.

I have been assigned the task of smashing rocks with a hammer. I have yet to determine the purpose of this task, but that does not seem to trouble the other rock-breakers, who have taken to the task with gleeful cackling.

Day 2

More rock-breaking. I fear I have pulled some kind of muscle in my forearm.

Day 3

Further observation of the Riekr social structure reveals a strange attitude toward magic and its practitioners. Being creatures of limited intelligence, they lack the kind of formal training in magic that one sees in other parts of Tamriel. They make up for this through an innate connection to the magic of the world, so to speak.

When a Riekr demonstrates a connection to magic, he is immediately shunned by his brothers. They throw stones, such as the ones we broke when I first joined the clan, to drive him off. The mage must then flee into the wilderness or face certain death. After a period of exile, the Riekr mage buys his way back into the clan with an offering of food, such as freshly slain deer, bear, or echatere.

After that, the mage is elevated into a revered member of the clan, suddenly gaining power and influence with the Riekr chief.

Day 5

The mages have gathered in a council and the signal has been given for a migration. It seems a new food source has been located.

Day 6

We have arrived in a cavern filled with food crates. It is clear this was some encampment, though I have yet to see the owners.

Day 7

One of the Riekrs found a book among the crates. He asked me what it was. It appeared to be a book of recipes. I told him as much and he eagerly took a bite out of it.

"Recipes no taste good," he said and spit the book out.

Day 8

My rock-breaking has not kept pace with my fellow Riekrs, and I'm afraid the others are starting to look upon me with suspicion. The Riekrs do not take kindly to those who can't pull their own weight. I should probably leave soon, before I am completely found out.

 


Pre-release version, extracted March 2015

 Day 1

Upon applying Master Sterone's Goblin-stench formula, the Riekr seem to have accepted me into their number. They are very social creatures, with each Riekr expected to do his part.

I have been assigned the task of smashing rocks with a hammer. I have yet to determine the purpose of this task,but that does not seem to trouble the other rock-breakers,who have taken to the task with gleeful cackling.

Day 2

More rock-breaking. I fear I have pulled some kind of muscle in my forearm.

Day 3

Further observations of Riekr social structure reveal a strange attitude toward magic-users. Being creatures of limited intelligence, they lack the kind of formal training in magic use that one sees in other parts of Tamriel. They make up for this through an innate connection to the magic of the world, so to speak.

When a Riekr demonstrates this connection, that one is immediately shunned by his brothers, with the throwing of stones (this is apparently what the rock-breaking was for.) The exiled mage must then go into the wild. After a period of exile, he buys his way back into the clan with the offering of food - a bear or a freshly-killed echaterre or a deer.

After that, the mage is elevated as a food-bringer, one of the revered members of the clan, and so the others are all in command of the mages.

Day 5

The mages have gathered in a council and the signal has been given for a migration. It seems a new food source has been located.

Day 6

We have arrived in a cavern that is filled with food crates. It is clear this was some encampment, though I have yet to see the owner.

Day 7

One of the Riekr found a book among the crates. He asked me what it was. It appeared to be a book of recipes. I told him as much, and he eagerly took a bite out of it.

"Recipes no taste good" he said and spit the book out.

Day 8

My rock-breaking has not kept pace with my fellow Riekr, and I'm afraid the others are starting to eye me suspiciously. The Riekr do not take kindly to those who do not pull their weight. I should probably leave soon, before I am found out.

Stitching Flesh

Author: 
Apprentice Veriasa

3rd of Rain's Hand
"There is no such thing as life and death; there is only flesh and fluid."

Today we begin our work, dissecting corpses from the Imperial Prisons. My master insists that samples be taken from each. I'm to begin with the eyeballs, and then proceed to cutting off chunks of back-fat for further examination.

26th of Rain's Hand
"Day in and day out, the flesh weakens or becomes diseased, and eventually it loses its ability to contain and channel fluids. At this point, it becomes necrotic …."

My master feels we've made a landmark discovery. It seems that what we consider to be dead flesh has merely become more porous. The implication is that if we could restore the impermeability of the tissue, the possibilities are endless ….

1st of Second Seed
"Do you see? This tissue has vascularity. It's been restored …."

My master has begun dissecting the soggy remains of a Ra-Netu that was shipped here from Sentinel just for her. It looks like a zombie to me. She believes this specimen may give us the answers we seek ….

6th of Second Seed
"The study of necrotic flesh has yielded few revelations, but the mechanisms of undeath hold great promise …."

Our efforts to restore the tissue's vascular integrity have come to naught, but Master Shadakul is unwilling to give up. We've been working without sleep for days, but she believes we're close ….

17th of Mid Year
"Sacks. Necrotic sacks. The Flesh Colossi have the secrets that we seek."

Hordes of Daedra and undead have descended upon the city, and my master says this is our opportunity. Gods help us, we're going to the Arboretum District.

Apprentice Veriasa

Lufiya af-Frandar

Author: 
Endarwe

This is the body of Lufiya af-Frandar, niece of the Redguard hero Frandar Hunding. Although little is known about her, we can infer from her symmetrical bone structure that she may have possessed legendary beauty, unrivaled in this modern era.

— Donated to the Merethic Society by Endarwe

Letter to King Folbert

Author: 
Sir Gregoire Talais

To his most royal Highness, King Folbert of Daggerfall

My king, it is with all respect and humility that I write you once again.

I have served faithfully as a Knight of the Crown here at Watcher's Hold since I was old enough to lift a sword. Just like the other knights here, my father served here before me and his father before him, going back to the time Queen Prolyssa first assigned us to maintain vigil here. Our forefathers were promised relief at that time, but nearly 150 years later, that relief has still not arrived! Furthermore, it seems the shipments from Daggerfall have stopped coming as well, and we have fallen on hard times.

Honoring our forefathers' commitment, we knights of Watcher's Hold have remained here out of sense of duty, but morale has never been lower and I fear we must soon resort to common banditry to get much-needed food and supplies. This is the seventh time I've written to you and received no response. I begin to wonder if you have simply forgotten us.

Your faithful servant,
Sir Gregoire Talais
27th Frost Fall, 2E 570

Letter from Queen Prolyssa

Author: 
Queen Prolyssa

To the Knights of Watcher's Hold

T'is not an enviable task to which you have been assigned, but it is most assuredly an honorable one. Once again, our forces have vanquished the Orcs, destroyed their capital, and subjugated their lands. Those who survived have scattered across the region, fleeing back to remote strongholds or journeying to even more distant kingdoms. But rest assured, the day will come when the beasts will return to their homeland and once again try to rebuild their empire. This must not be permitted under any circumstances!

This is why we must maintain an eternal vigil in Wrothgar. Should the Orcs return and attempt to rebuild, you must strike them down immediately. It is my intention that each of you should serve at Watcher's Hold for no more than five years. After this time, I will send new Knights to relieve you of your duty there and you may return home to Daggerfall. Upon this, you have my word.

Thank for your service to crown and country,
Queen Prolyssa
10th Hearth Fire 2E 434

Journal of the Oculary

Author: 
Anonymous

I have dreams and visions. They haunt me, forcing me to search these Dwarven ruins. I see a device in these dreams: the Oculory. I don't know what it does, but I know that it is no mere construct of metal and oil. Light passes into it, filling it, illuminating the stars deep within.

The Oculory requires four parts to complete its repairs. These four parts are cracked and covered in grime and oil. Light wants to pass through the Oculory. I've seen it in my dreams, but the current state of the device won't allow that to happen. The parts that have failed must be replaced.

The first part is a shimmering crystal, designed to bend and focus light as it passes through it.

The second part is an opaque crystal, designed to deflect light that hits it.

The third part shines with stars, but its purpose is otherwise a mystery to me.

The fourth part appears to be a mirror made of metal, polished to shine and reflect light.

Four parts. It only needs four parts, but only the correct parts will do. I see the device, a monolith surrounded by four red crystals. Place the correct parts there, and the repairsmith will do the rest. The dream compels me! I must find the parts and bring them to the device!

How The Beetle Got His Cape

Author: 
Anonymous

The beetle killed some awesome guy in Malabal Tor, and the cape was stuck in its teeth.

The End.

Ysmir the Forefather, Volume IV

Author: 
Anonymous

At the end of his life, Ysmir, who had ruled the peoples for over a thousand years in the time before history, the time of myth, sought a burial place and death befitting a king of men and dragons.

He summoned his champions and men-at-arms and asked them: "Where can I find a burial place and death befitting a king of men and dragons?"

The first housecarl stepped forward and said "Go East, where the ocean touches the sky."

The second bowed humbly and said "Go West, where the sun kisses the earth."

And again the third said "North to the very frozen tips of Nirn, to a tomb of ice."

And the fourth, "South to the pillars of smoke and fire."

But Ysmir. king of men and dragons, whose greatness preceded time, despaired and said "I have traveled the whole of Mundus and conquered many peoples, but where will I rest my head? If I rest to the East or the West or the North or the South, it will only cause division.

"The local peoples will claim my tomb as their own. They will say, 'Ysmir is our king, for he rests among us.' And my children will fight amongst themselves and divide my body among them, sending my head one way, my hands another, and my feet, and my mighty heart."

From among his thanes and housecarls, a young man, not more than a boy, whom none of them had seen before, then dared to speak. Bowing low, he said "Then do not go anywhere on Nirn, but go to the sky, where you can watch over all your peoples."

Ysmir king of men and dragons liked this idea. He said, "But boy, how would I reach the sky? Is there a mountain, or a ladder built by men that can reach so high?"

And the boy said "There is no such thing, neither mountain nor ladder nor staircase. But I know of a place, a single stone. This is the path to Aetherius."

"Where can I find this stone?" cried the king of men and dragons, intent on ascending to the sky.

"Follow me," the boy beckoned.

And Ysmir summoned all of his champions and housecarls and told them how he was intent to end his life by ascending to the sky. And all of them, every one, agreed to follow him to the place where the boy led.

And when they reached the place, they found as the boy promised, a single stone. And Ysmir, who was by now very old, laid at the foot of the stone and was taken up into the stars.

The champions and housecarls looked up into the heavens and saw their king, the great Warrior, riding across the sky. And he was accompanied by three servants, a Lord, his Lady, and his mighty Steed.

And the champions and housecarls all pledged to guard the valley and the way to Aetherius. But when they looked for the boy who had shown them the way, he was nowhere to be found.

The True Nature of Tolvir

Author: 
Volas Night-Eyes

Knowing your enemy is the first step to defeat him.

Tolvir Bearstorm, or Tolvir the Child-Eater, has led the greater Wrothgar pack for at least fifty years. We don't know much about his early life. He has never been seen in human form. Some say he was never a child—that he clawed his way out of the Hunting Grounds, fully grown and full of wrath.

When Tolvir first arrived in the mountains of Wrothgar, he snatched up scores of children in the dead of night—presumably to eat them. The Order has not ruled out the possibility that he turned these youngsters into the first members of his pack. I'm not sure which possibility upsets me more.

I have fought Tolvir twice, and nearly lost my life on both occasions. He is not particularly swift, nor is he quiet. He doesn't need to be. During our last confrontation, my blade struck true at least three times, but he didn't even flinch. This has led some in the Order to believe that he is invincible. Some even suggest that he might be Hircine himself masquerading as a savage moon-beast. This is all preposterous, of course. Mark me, recruits: Tolvir is mortal and I'm going to kill him to prove it.

Volas Night-Eyes