Dragonstar West
Here is a brief summary of what is going on in the city. The Skyrim force has taken over the Dragonstar East. The Hammerfell force is defending the Dragonstar West, but this part of the city is also suffering from the attack of Skyrim Raiders from her west gate. The Redguard is surrounded from the east as well from the west. Some Raiders have manages to enter the city, and holed up in the southwestern part of the Dragonstar West.
The player goes in and suffers some attacks from Skyrim Raiders. The player eliminates them all. They go further in and arrives in the merchants area. They sell all their loot from the Raider's Nest and purchase a nice Dragonstar Shield.
Near the merchants area there are two memorial plaques. The player takes a look on one.
"Meya Violet was a great merchant captain. Her selfless skills of negotiation made the Dragonstar guild great. No one knows what took her that night. We honor her, and pray we can sustain her greatness."
And on the other,
"Meya Violet was a visionary leader of the Merchant Captains of Dragonstar. She disappeared shortly after the outbreak of the war. Her husband, Volstok Violet, vanished while searching for her just a couple weeks later."
Hmm... they've helped Meya Violet in Broken Wing, and also Volstok Violet in TwilightTemple. Where are they now?
Later, the player helps several peasants and refugees with their last breads and some cash. Then the player visits Porliss Caith.
Porliss Caith
(he paces as he talks) "These are terrible times for Dragonstar, and she needs everyone who has ever loved her to help her. One such person used to run the Thieves' Guild. I need to know if he is still alive, and still in charge. The Thieves' Guild is located in the northeastern part of Dragonstar East, the Warehouse district. If you do this, I have an ancient artifact, a Shadowkey, to give you."
Player
"I'm on it."
The player heads for Dragonstar East, but two guards halt them.
Dragonstar Guard
"Sorry, we cannot let you through the gate. There is still a group of raiders south of here."
Player
"So?"
Dragonstar Guard
"So, we cannot take the chance of opening them suddenly flank the forces of Dragonstar East."
Player
"Ah..."
Dragonstar Guard
"The raiders are holed up in the merchant quarters just south of here. Eliminate them and we'll grant you passage to Dragonstar East."
Player
"Consider it done."
The player explores the south part of Dragonstar West, kills many of the raiders. They explore some more and find well-appointed quarters of the Merchant Captains of Dragonstar. A man looks up, first with a shock of recognition, and then a huge, broad smile.
Volstok Violet
"Friend! It's me, Volstok Violet! You rescued me in the Twilight Temple, remember?"
Player
"Of course."
Volstok Violet
"I promised you a reward... let me just go and get it." (he keeps talking as he rummages around the room) "Did you happen to see my memorial plaque?"
Player
"A bit inaccurate now, eh?"
Volstok Violet
(Volstok smiles again) "Yes, I do believe the inaccuracy is the part I appreciate the most." (he hands The player a pouch with 2,200 gold in it) "May it prove useful in your journeys."
Player
"Thank you."
The player goes out of Merchant Captains quarters and some more Raiders coming for them. They kills them all, and then realize that they should have killed enough of the Skyrim Raiders for the Dragonstar Guards to allow them passage to Dragonstar East.
While heading for the eastern gate, they find the Mages' Guild. Interesting. Now they can harness the player's skills.
Colleen
"I am Colleen, Mage Guildmaster Pro-term, until the war settles down. Are you interested in joining the Mages' Guild?"
Player
"Yes, absolutely."
Colleen
"There is one-time fee of 750 gold. Membership is for life... longer in a few exceptional cases."
Player
"Join."
Colleen
"Splendid! Eranthos downstairs has spells for sales, and can train you for a reduced price. I am sure you will enjoy the stature and privileges that come with being a member of Dragonstar's preeminent guild."
Eranthos Spell Merchant
"I am Eranthos. Are you here for training or to buy or sell spells?"
Player
"Let's train."
Eranthos Spell Merchant
"I improve the natural advantages of your class. I can train Battlemages, Spellswords and Sorcerers. I charge 1,000 gold for guild members. 1,500 for outsiders."
Player
"Let's train."
Eranthos Spell Merchant
"I see you are a Battlemage. I can train you."
Player
"Okay."
Eranthos Spell Merchant
"Your training will cost 1,000 gold."
Player
"Okay."
Eranthos Spell Merchant
"Good move. Brave move. Check with Giradda if you really want to improve your fighting technique."
Player
"Okay."
Eranthos teaches the player to focus their urge to destroy, increasing your Mystic Might. Sometime later, they feel that they've got enough of training, and they decide that it's time to go east.
Dragonstar Guards
"Well done! You have helped save the lives of many Dragonstar Guards. Feel free to enter Dragonstart East at your leisure."
Dragonstar East
The moment the player steps into Dragonstar East they are beset by two Skyrim guards.
Skyrim Guard
"Wait! This could be the one Tanyin Aldwyr told us about. Do you need a pass?"
Player
"Yes, I do."
Skyrim Guard
(he hands the player a pass) "Display this at all times, and none on our side will attack you. You can find Tanyin Aldwyr in General Duvais' headquarters in the southeast, northeast of Dragonstar Temple."
She continues, and she decides to do some exploration a bit. In the southwestern part of the Dragonstar East she finds a fortified-looking building. It has seen a lot of action lately. It stands in defiance of the Skyrim incursion. This is the Fighters' Guild. Inside, she talks with a person named Dominus.
Dominus
"I am Dominus. When not hacking the Skyrim interlopers to bits, I am Guildmaster here. Do you wish to join the ranks of the toughest guild in Dragonstar?"
Player
"Yes, absolutely."
Dominus
"You must leave the Mages' Guild before joining ours."
Player
(disappointed) "Not today."
Then she meets Giradda.
Giradda
"You don't look too feeble. Here for training?"
Player
"Let's train."
Giradda
"I improve the natural advantages of your class. I can train Barbarians, Knights and Rogues. I charge 1,000 gold for guild members. 1,500 for outsiders."
Player
"Let's go."
Giradda
"You are funny, but not a Fighter. You will have to train elsewhere."
Player
"Okay."
Then the player finds the Temple. The Temple looks unmarked. Whether through reverence or practical politics, neither side has damaged this holy ground. They find lots of refugees inside the Temple. They talk with Priestess Seraphidis.
Priestess Seraphidis
"The refugees have strained our resources. We are nearly out of Vicar Herbs."
Player
"Who sells Vicar Herbs?"
Priestess Seraphidis
"Penelope runs an herbarium near the North Wall, across from the warehouse district. But we have no money to buy the herbs."
Player
"Ah..."
Priestess Seraphidis
"If you could buy herbs for the temple, we would be very grateful. So many lives are at stakes."
Player
"I will get your Vicar Herbs."
The player directly goes to Herbarium. They note an Arena Pit near the warehouse district.
Penelope
"Hi there. How can I help you?"
Player
"Purchase some Vicar Herbs."
Penelope
"How many are you looking to purchase?"
Player
"Ten Vicar Herbs."
Penelope
"Are you sure? Ten Vicar Herbs can be quite expensive."
Player
"Yes, I'm sure." (gives 450 gold to pay the herbs)
Penelope
"Well then, here you are, ten Vicar Herbs all packaged and ready to go."
Player
"Thank you."
Penelope
"Oh, and if you have some time to spare, perhaps you can help me out with a task. Come back and talk to me if you're interested."
Player
"Okay."
The player goes back to the Temple.
Priestess Seraphidis
"You have helped save the lives of the refugees below, and perhaps many others." (she bows slowly) "How many were you able to purchase?"
Player
"Entire stock of Vicar Herbs."
Priestess Seraphidis
"Blessed be! This will save the lives of many, many victims of this war. The Temple cannot thank you enough for your generosity."
Player
"You're welcome."
The player goes out of the temple and heads back to warehouse district, the Arena Pit truly interests them. There, they meet Tekin.
Tekin
"I am Tekin. Most call me the pit boss. I think of myself more as an entertainer. You look as if you have some fighting skills. Are you interested in putting your skills to the test in the pit? A gold purse is rewarded to the winner."
Player
"Okay.
Tekin
"Great, let me explain the rules. You will fight to the death and there are no rules."
The player enters the pit, and faces a warrior. They easily defeats him and receive 95 gold, then they talk again with Tekin.
Tekin
"My brave young hero is back. Are you ready for another fight?"
Player
"I am ready."
Tekin
"Great, I have a fighter ready for you. The gold purse has increased to 150 gold. Good luck, young one."
Again, the fighter is easily defeated. The player receives 150 gold.
Tekin
"You are better than I thought, young one. I have a more challenging fighter here if you're interested."
Player
"I am ready."
Tekin
"The gold purse has increased to 225. I hope you have some hidden skills youngster."
The player enters the pit, and like before, easily wins. They receive 225 gold. The player thinks that they need a little rest and they resume their mission. So, they go out and search for the Thieves's Guild that is said located in this warehouse district.
Secret doors disguise the entrance of the Thieves' Guild. The exterior room is functioning warehouse, but an unsurprising quantity of goods is destined for the Black Market. In the Thieves' Guild, the player meets Scythe.
Scythe
"I am Scythe. Are you here for training or just breathing my air?"
Player
"Let's train."
Scythe
"I improve the natural advantages of your class. I can train Nightblades and Thieves. I charge 1,000 gold for guild members, 1,5000 for outsiders."
Player
"Let's go."
Scythe
"I am sorry, I told you I cannot train your class. Perhaps you will hear better if I lop your ear."
Player
"Okay."
In one of the rooms, she meets Clever Sed.
Clever Sed
"I am Guildmaster of the Thieves' Guild. Now, rather than take you out to prove I am still top knife, how about you join the guild?"
Player
"I am here on other business."
Clever Sed
(he grins as she begins talking about Porliss Caith) "I was wondering which rock Caith had slid his hide under. Seem he is involved in politics. Me, I wouldn't touch politics with ten-foot pole... unless it came with a five-figure advance."
Player
"I hear ya."
Clever Sed
"But I understand where his sympathies lie. You can let him know mine are similar."
Player
"Thank you, Guildmaster."
The player leaves and thinks that somehow they need to visit Tanyin Aldwyr. So they head for General Duvais' Headquarters. Inside they find Tanyin.
Tanyin Aldwyr
(Tanyin scowls) "These are terrible times for Dragonstar, and we are forced to clear out the corruption by any means we can. One such obstacle is several covert members of the Mages' Guild. Colleen is a good Guildmaster in the old one's stead, but guile is not her long suit. She keeps a guild roster in her quarters, near the Mages' Guild in the Dragonstar West. From Dragon Fountain square, take Scholars Alley to the north. That will lead you to the guild. If you do this, I have an ancient artifact, a Shadowkey, to given you."
Player
(The player thinks hard on this request, a Shadowkey is hard to resist, and besides there is a possibility of another Star Tooth; they decide to accept the mission) "I'm on it."
The player goes back to Dragonstar West.
DRAGONSTAR WEST
The player directly goes to the Mages' Guild. In one of the rooms, they find a scroll with line after line of miniscule writing. Squinting closely they can make out that it is the roster for Mages Guild. They take the scroll. Then they go to visit Porliss Caith.
Porliss Caith
"Ah ha! So Clever Sed still lives, and is still in charge. That is good news for us."
Player
"Yes, it's true."
Porliss Caith
(he slaps the ground with his tail in excitement, and he gives the Shadowkey to the player) "Well done. I have a Star Tooth for you if you care to dispatch with another mission. Come and speak to me when you are ready."
The player says that they are ready to do anything for Dragonstar.
Porliss Caith
(his tail swishes) "Skyrim invests our city to the east, but they pincer us from the west. Spies tell me Loth'Na Caverns are being prepared, or are being used as a Skyrim base. I need you to destroy that base, and eliminate General Duvais. I need you to do it in the most expedient manner possible. If you do this, I shall give you a Star Tooth. Spies say these interest you, no?"
Player
"It's a deal."
Before going to Loth'Na Caverns, the player thinks that they need to finish some jobs in the east first, besides there are some Shadow Gates to be opened first.
The player goes to one of the Shadow Gates in Dragonstar West. It's the Geldwyr Manor. Easily the gate is opened. The player finds some items inside, an interesting Geldwyr Shield and some armors that they cannot use as a Battlemage. In one of the rooms they find a learning scrolls with Shield spell. This, they can use. Then the player finds another Shadow Gates in the southern part of the city. Inside they find a strange object. They examine it and suddenly the shadow in the room twist up from the floor and gently glance across the player's legs. The power of the shadow enters them, infusing them with strength.
Then, the player returns to Dragonstar East.
DRAGONSTAR EAST
The player heads for the headquarters, and meets Tanyin.
Tanyin Aldwyr
"Excellent! Great work! Now we can find out who is responsible for some of the noxious enchantment affecting the troops." (she snaps The player a smart salute, and then a warm smile while giving a Shadowkey to The player) "I have a Star Tooth for you if you care to dispatch with another mission. Come and speak to me when you are ready."
The player says that they are always ready.
Tanyin Aldwyr
(she scowls) "Dragonstar locks up the innocent on suspicious of being traitors. In the long run this can only help us win support, but there is an innocent to whom I indebted. I need you to rescue him from the Dragonstar jail. It's near the Fighters' Guild. If you do this, I shall give you a Star Tooth, for which you have shown an acquired taste."
Player
"It's a deal."
The player enters the Dragonstar Jail. Dragonstar has kept its jail open even in times of war, when the guards might be used elsewhere. On of the guards warns her, "There is a vicious felon in the room behind me. Stay clear of him." Interesting, so this might be the person Tanyin wants.
A dejected old man behind the bar recognizes the player, and his face lights up.
Old Trinket
"Hello, I remember you from Azra's Crossing! It's me, Trinket."
Player
"Eh... hello, Trinket."
Old Trinket
"Tanyin send you for me? I surely appreciate the rescue."
Player
"Yes, just keep it down."
Old Trinket
"Oh... they ignore me back here. I think they are afraid of me." (he begins pounding on the cell door) "A Guard! Guard! I want something to drink! I will even take water."
Player
"Are you insane?"
Old Trinket
(he looks a bit miffed) "No, I am just covering up the unholy racket you're making while picking that lock! You youngsters, all flash and no technique. It's a wonder anything gets stolen these days."
The lock finally gives up.
Old Trinket
"Thank you, young hero. I promise, once my lumbago clears up, I will pay you back. I owe you one."
Player
"Appreciate any help, Trinket."
He disappears, and the player sneaks out of the jail, immediately before the guards know that someone escapes.
Tanyin Aldwyr
"It's done! I promise you Old Trinket only seems worthless."
Tanyin seems more energetic than the player has seen her in some time. She give the Star Tooth to the player. The player gets out of the headquarters and seeks for the Shadow Gate. They find one in the southern area of the city and open it.
The room darkens as the player enters it. Shadows lengthen, then race along the floor to their feet and up their body to enter the nose and ears. The player senses that they can use the Shadowkey to unlock one of the two possibilities in the shadow; increase their intelligence or increase their willpower. They decide to increase willpower. Shadows assault their senses, filling their sight with dark shapes, hearing with dull sounds, and their skin briefly dries and wrinkles as if mummified. Then all gone and they realize that their willpower increased.
They then pass the Arena Pit and decides to play some more.
Tekin
"People are starting to talk about you around here. You're becoming quite the favorite. I have a new challenger, if you're up to it."
Player
"I am ready."
Tekin
"You fought well the last time, but you're going to need all your skill for this fight. The gold purse has increased to 350 gold."
The player enters the pit, and not long after exits victorious. They receive 350 gold.
Tekin
"You have a lot of fans now and I have no fighters willing to challenge you. Except for one, he is my champion and has never lost a match."
Player
"I am ready."
Tekin
"You are brave. I will give you one more chance to withdraw your decision."
Player
"Fight Champion."
Tekin
"It's your grave, young one. If you defeat my champion the purse will pay 1500 gold and you will become my new champion."
Player
"Fight!"
They go in, faces the supposed champion, but still their skills surpasses the champion's. Easily the player wins and receives 1500 gold. Easy money.
Tekin
"You are now my champion. There are none left for you to fight."
Player
"Okay."
Then she visits Penelope in the Herbarium.
Penelope
"My sister Rilora hunts herbs for me in Snowline. She is doubtlessly worried since the siege intensified."
Player
"I would imagine so."
Penelope
"If you could go to Snowline and let her know that I'm okay, I would be ever so grateful."
Player
"Consider it done."
The player departs for Dragonstar West. In the merchants quarter they purchas some stuff and sells some unused items. Then they head out of Dragonstar, to Loth'Na Caverns.
