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The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ RP: Blue Dawn

Posted by: Loranna Jan 25 2005, 10:59 AM

Hello, and welcome to our Elder Scrolls Role Playing threads, where we adventure and socialize in the vibrant land of Tamriel.

Before we begin, we'd like to clarify a few things:

This is an 'open roleplay' and everyone is encouraged to join in at any time!

'Open' roleplay does not mean 'unorganized' or 'limitless', however. The events in this story are usually planned, and if something BIG happens, you can be certain that it is the result of much discussion between players, usually in the mIRC chat (#Loranna_RP). This is not just a bunch of disorganized individuals doing what they think would be fun for their character at the time.

So, while everyone is welcome to join in, they are NOT welcome to jump in and do big, world-changing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST. Let me be very clear about what cannot be done without permission:

1:
Any action that effects another person's character, for ill or good. Although most people realize they can't harm another person's character without permission, many don't realize that you can't HELP another character without permission, either. Many characters have flaws for a reason. Don't go healing, saving, or otherwise fixing another character without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the player involved.

2:
Any event that would drastically change things that have been done to the world, whether the change is physical (rebuilding destroyed locations), political (converting a population to a new cause), military (killing off all the badguys) or anything else. Almost every situation, good or bad, that exists in the RP was done for some reason. Don't go changing or fixing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the group.

Everyone who is involved in the RP is welcome in the mIRC chat channel #Loranna_RP. If you have a plot idea then you are encouraged to go there and discuss it. If you cannot get on the channel for some reason, or if the player whos character you would affect with your plan is not there, then PM them using this board's PM function. That's what it's there for.

For information on reaching #Loranna_RP via Mirc or Chatspike, look http://sekkairc.freewebpage.org/.

Not following the above advice will only result in one thing: your post is likely to be completely ignored by everyone as if it did not happen. This is obvously not good for anyone, so please, discuss major events before doing them.

Remember: Secret plans and surprises are seldom fun for anyone else. Before they're revealed they're boring, because nobody knows about them, and afterwards they're just annoying, because nobody knew about them.


Thank you, and have fun!


===

Summary for Loranna:

Loranna, after meeting a figure from Setzer's past, attended a strategy meeting with her companions, in which they discussed plans for starting to deal with the threat posed by the Azurites. Lord Jazbet, as part of these plans, has taken the party to the parrapton stables, where the parrapton queen, Sanja, accepted Loranna as worthy to ride one of her offspring. Loranna now awaits her first lessons in riding Morrowind's giant wasps.


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 25 2005, 11:07 AM

ooc summaries:

Allerleirauh, a tall, white-haired woman who claims to be a Nord, led a discussion on what can be done about security in Jazbet's household. It was decided, among other things, that strangers didn't need to wander in and out at random, and that the local people needed to be armed with weapons capable of harming Daedra. She intends to dip into the many trophies she has collected over years of slaying Golden Saints and Dremora. She's now in the stable with Jazbet, looking over the parraptons. She doesn't need one herself - Welwas are fast and Void Rangers faster.

Doll, Akaviri girl, is looking for Master Arynel (who, alas, is plagued by computer troubles... we miss you!)

Tris, Breton Male, has obtained consent to ride a parrapton, which is being saddled for him. He's a little nervous, since he's rather bad at riding horses, but much more delighted at the prospect of no longer limping or relying on the slowness of levitation.

Mirea, Bosmer female, is still spying for Allerleirauh.

Dragon and Skein are still at the Void Ranger guildhouse in Daggerfall.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 25 2005, 11:08 AM

Summary-

Dante, is at the Parrapton stables, awaiting his 'meeting' with the queen.

Illidan, pretty much is doing the same as Dante.

Inzoliah, Brum, Merciander and friends, are doing stuff....
--------------------

After atleast five minutes of kneeling infront of a giant insect, both Dante and Illidan were rewarded with a parrapton. "Hmm....all we need now is some saddles, right Dante?" asked Illidan, softly petting the back of the large insect, "uh......sure" Replied Dante, his face becoming slightly pale again.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 25 2005, 11:14 AM

Teleran was a little overexcited by his first sight of the parraptons but now he's managed to reign in his enthusiasm, well not really (but he isn't jumping up and down anymore), and is currently trying to learn how to care for and communicate with the parrapton that was chosen for him. The argonian trainer will never want to see him again by the end of this.

"Alright so, what do they eat? How often do they need to eat, How often should I let her rest from flight so she doesn't tire out? How can I tell when she wants to do something, like go lower or higher or eat or rest? How do I tell her what I want her to do for me, like take off, speed up, stop, you know basics? Do they have a language I can learn?" Teleran's words came out in a garbled rush that was almost indecipherable.

He had to use a dried guarskin pouch in place of one of his hands for the communication unfortunately.

Eventually, he got enough answers to satisfy himself that he would not do something too stupid and communicated his wish to mount the parrapton, which the parrapton accepted much more smoothly than he had expected after his somewhat rocky introduction.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 25 2005, 11:18 AM

Summary:

Elysana, Queen of Wayrest, is temporarily out of the story, still on her boat for Wayrest, with twenty knights and the playwright Baloth-Kul. Her army awaits their own fleet to bring them back in Sheogorad.

Bosriel, the little dark-haired girl, the Void Vampire, is watching Lliryth examine something called the Eidolon in Ebonheart. It is an ancient artifact of mythic power, in the King of Morrowind’s hands.

Jazbet, the Khajiit Knight of House Dres, is hosting the remnants of the parade of Loranna-Azura. He was blinded in the Coming of Azura in Vivec, but has precognitive visions that allow him to cope, somewhat. They are organizing a search for Azurites, and Jazbet has brought them down to the stables to see their transport, sixteen giant wasps called parraptons. In order to ride them, you must approach the Queen, an enormous beast, and be judged worthy of being trusted with her children.


QUOTE

"Thank you," Tris breathed, not taking his eyes off the massive creature. "Show me how - I don't like not knowing how to do tasks for myself. Are these all female, then?"



'They're all drones until the Queen decides she needs a mate.'

The Argonian stable master explained to the group the fundamentals. In many ways they were similar to riding horses, gentle nudges were all that were necessary for them to change direction slightly, harder tugs would turn them quicker.

He also had the riders powder their hands so they were dry.

‘Rub them together when you want to land,’ said Casts-The-Bones. ‘And after you dismount, if you want your parrapton to fly away, rub them again. Then rub your hands when you want it to return. It will understand these basic orders in the context. They’re very intelligent.’

‘Casts-The-Bones has a thousand word vocabulary rubbing his hands,’ said Jazbet, proudly. ‘But that’s good enough for your virgin flights.’

Posted by: Attrebus Jan 25 2005, 11:19 AM

OOC Summariies:
Helseth is in Ebonheart waiting for more information on the Eidolon.

Jaster, one of Jezbets guards, is with everyone and has a saddle on a parrapton.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 25 2005, 11:23 AM

Aricyn was well-aware that an average Dunmer could look at the finest warhorse in all of Skyrim, and think to himself, "You gonna eat that?"

Here, the tables were turned somewhat. Aricyn looked on the amazing winged mounts stabled at Jazbet's manor, and though to himself, "Bugs..."



Meanwhile in the Void, Leseth is joining Bosriel in her vigil over the Eidolon... and those who study it.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 25 2005, 11:25 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 05:08 AM)

'They're all drones until the Queen decides she needs a mate.'

The Argonian stable master explained to the group the fundamentals.  In many ways they were similar to riding horses, gentle nudges were all that were necessary for them to change direction slightly, harder tugs would turn them quicker.

He also had the riders powder their hands so they were dry. 

‘Rub them together when you want to land,’ said Casts-The-Bones. ‘And after you dismount, if you want your parrapton to fly away, rub them again.  Then rub your hands when you want it to return.  It will understand these basic orders in the context.  They’re very intelligent.’

‘Casts-The-Bones has a thousand word vocabulary rubbing his hands,’ said Jazbet, proudly. ‘But that’s good enough for your virgin flights.’

*





Loranna smiles, having watched Jaster's earlier demonstration of saddling a parrapton. She hears the excitement in Teleran's voice and feels it herself in her heart.

This wasn't the first skill she had envisioned herself learning in her new, Azura-free life, but it was a good skill to learn. She was going to fly through the air soon; her first steps to becoming a new woman would be traced on the air.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 25 2005, 11:27 AM

'Would you help them out, Jaster, and make sure no one crashes into anything?' Jazbet asked. 'Kallen and I will go organize the guards so we can have a proper search party.'

With a wave, Jazbet let Kallen lead him into the castle.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 25 2005, 11:47 AM

Teleran asked his mount to start flying and it obliged him gladly. The buzzing growing to a deafening level as he took off and headed for the sky.

After a few minutes circling the stables, Teleran said to the parrapton, "I really need to find a bettwer way to communicate with you, this land, take off, return orders ain't gonna cut it." He decided to try something a little more daring and sent her through a very tight circle into a steep climb followed by a dive that stopped only a few meters from the ground, followed by a quick figure eight before coming back to a comfortable altitude and hovering above the stables.

"Such reflexes you have my friend," he exclaimed to the parrapton. 'Say dagger, you can sommunicate with me in my mind can you form a bridge for my thought to reach her and hers to reach me.'

'I can only speak in your mind because you're my wielder, dolt.'

'Just asking, you didn't even try.' Teleran snapped back before he returned to the ground and dismounted. He stayed by the parrapton, trying to think of a suitable name for so great a beast.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 25 2005, 03:22 PM

Tris came back from his ride with his fair hair tousled and his face flushed.

"Nothing like riding a horse!" he reported. "A horse moves around beneath you, this is perfectly steady. You just have to learn to lean with it - and hang on to your stomach going down!"

The creatures were fast, delightfully fast. In fact they seemed so superior to horses, which had a history of disobeying him, that he wondered what the catch was. No doubt he would learn sooner than he planned to. He was also mildly agitated at the thought of what would happen if his palms sweated too much.



Posted by: Solin Jan 25 2005, 03:27 PM

Ciel had knew that the Dunmer rode giant insects, he had ridden on a siltstrider when they had been on Vvardenfell. He had heard about their winged mounts but this was his first time seeing them. The knight approached the queen and presented himself as if the great insect were a noble Lady of High Rock.

The knight followed Jaster’s example in saddling and mounting one of the queen’s offspring. The beast began to rapidly beat its wings and smoothly rose off of the ground. It hovered a bit. Ciel gave it a small squeeze with his legs to indicate to the large wasp that he wished to move forward. With a slight forward tilt the creature took off and up to the air.

The parrapton's legs dangled beneath its body as it flew. Ciel idly wondered as he circled about, with help from Tris's instructions, how much weight the large wasp could carry in flight.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 25 2005, 04:16 PM

OOC: The Breton Arynel is sitting on the beach.

Arynel could hear a faint buzzing sound, and the Breton looked up out over the water--nothing. Turning, the Breton looked up over Jazbet's estate--overhead a number of giant insects were circling.

"I do believe I've missed dinner, and a good deal more."

Arynel bit his bottom lip, stodd up and stomped on the ground, then whispered a string of power.

He wandered past the waves

And rose above the world known computations


The Breton appeared in the air above the others, and fell.

"I don't suppose you still have a levitation ring?" He called to Allerleirauh.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 25 2005, 04:40 PM

The queen had chosen the mount most suitable for Loranna, to be sure, and the saddle had been secured. Loranna climbed into her saddle, and commanded her mount to rise ...

Rising gave her a brief jolt through her body; not having used levitation spells all that much, the mere sensation of being airborne was itself novel enough to make Loranna's eyes widen, though it was a wonderful feeling. Flushed with the joy of flying for the first real time, Loranna's initial attempts at steering were a little wide of the mark, causing the ashskinned Nord's heart to leap into her throat once or twice.

"Whoa there ..." she said at one point, holding on and trying to adjust her course. "Steady there Lor; light nudges and tugs, remember ..." She tried again, and after a couple more tries got her mount to turn only as much as she wanted. Success.

Loranna relaxed a little, settling herself back into the saddle, and tried making wider turns on purpose, wanting to make sure she got a feel for how to keep herself steady in the saddle - and then, after discovering that some movement actually helped when making quick turns, she practiced a bit to get the feel for how to lean her weight.

Tme passed; she noted that some of the others had already landed, having gotten the hang of their mounts well enough. Loranna kept practicing a bit longer, enjoying the feeling of flying through the air ...

At last, she rubbed her palms together and landed, getting off to take a breather. She wasn't expert yet of course but she felt confident she could handle herself on a parrapton now.

... Hmm, palms still dry; good, she thought. I wonder if it's feasable to keep a store of powder on hand to dry my hands in case they get too sweaty during an actual flight. Have to ask Jazbet, or Casts-The-Bones. ... Hmm; do they name their mounts here, in Morrowind? Have to ask that; this parrapton is being a sweetheart, putting up with me trying all sorts of things.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 25 2005, 05:02 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 25 2005, 09:06 AM)

OOC:  The Breton Arynel is sitting on the beach.

Arynel could hear a faint buzzing sound, and the Breton looked up out over the water--nothing.  Turning, the Breton looked up over Jazbet's estate--overhead a number of giant insects were circling.

"I do believe I've missed dinner, and a good deal more."

Arynel bit his bottom lip, stodd up and stomped on the ground, then whispered a string of power.

He wandered past the waves

And rose above the world known computations


The Breton appeared in the air above the others, and fell.

"I don't suppose you still have a levitation ring?"  He called to Allerleirauh.

*




Allerleirauh, being a sensible sort of creature, was on the ground, out of earshot of Arynel.

However, Tris was in the air - and he did have a levitation ring. He spun his bug and swooped forward, at the same time throwing the ring through the air to Arynel. For a moment his heart caught in his mouth at the thought that the ring might simply make a snapping noise and disappear into the void.

But it didn't - it flew straight for the bard. Calculating the several trajectories of his throwing arm, the bug's speed, and the bard's fall seemed to be instinctive.

I'm good at this, Tris realized. Now - assuming he catches it...

Posted by: Arynel Jan 25 2005, 05:08 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 08:52 AM)

Allerleirauh, being a sensible sort of creature, was on the ground, out of earshot of Arynel.

However, Tris was in the air - and he did have a levitation ring. He spun his bug and swooped forward, at the same time throwing the ring through the air to Arynel. For a moment his heart caught in his mouth at the through that the ring might simply make a snapping noise and disappear into the void.

But it didn't - it flew straight for the bard. Calculating the several trajectories of his throwing arm, the bug's speed, and the bard's fall seemed to be instinctive.

I'm good at this, Tris realized. Now - assuming he catches it...

*





Arynel reached out and snatched the ring as it flew past. The Breton slid it onto his finger and came to a hault midair.

"My thanks." He said.

Arynel headed back towards the ground, at a much more reasonable pace.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 25 2005, 05:13 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 25 2005, 10:58 AM)

Arynel reached out and snatched the ring as it flew past.  The Breton slid it onto his finger and came to a hault midair.

"My thanks."  He said.

Arynel headed back towards the ground, at a much more reasonable pace.

*





Loranna raises her eyebrows at Arynel, muttering under her breath " ... Forges a sword to mark me to the Wheel's eyes, masters walking through the Void, goes to Oblivion and back ... and does that. ... I don't get it."


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 25 2005, 05:15 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 25 2005, 09:58 AM)

Arynel reached out and snatched the ring as it flew past.  The Breton slid it onto his finger and came to a hault midair.

"My thanks."  He said.

Arynel headed back towards the ground, at a much more reasonable pace.

*




"You might try riding down next time, instead of walking," Allerleirauh said with a smile. "Did Doll miss you somehow? She was supposed to be finding you, for the planning meeting. We're getting ready to go out and scour Jazbet's property to be sure there are no Azurites living here."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 25 2005, 05:18 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 09:05 AM)

"You might try riding down next time, instead of walking,"  Allerleirauh said with a smile. "Did Doll miss you somehow?  She was supposed to be finding you, for the planning meeting. We're getting ready to go out and scour Jazbet's property to be sure there are no Azurites living here."

*





"Doll?" Arynel began. "No, I never saw her. Planning meeting! I seem to have missed a great deal."

The Breton slapped himself on the forehead.

"If there are Azurites living here, do we have a plan for dealing with them?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 25 2005, 05:26 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 25 2005, 10:08 AM)

"Doll?"  Arynel began.  "No, I never saw her.  Planning meeting!  I seem to have missed a great deal."

The Breton slapped himself on the forehead.

"If there are Azurites living here, do we have a plan for dealing with them?"

*




"The plan seems to involve alarming them with giant bugs," Allerleirauh said. "We'll have to discuss it with Jazbet. Azurites or not, they're his people and he's their lord. I don't know if he would want them killed."

In the air, Tris was drying his palms on his trouser legs. It took him several times to get a proper noise by rubbing his hands together, and the parrapton didn't land exactly where he expected.

He vaulted off, and came towards Arynel. If he had been able to see himself from the outside, he would have noticed that he was hardly limping, and walking much more upright and confidently than he had since gaining his false limb. However, he wasn't aware of it.

"I need my ring back," Tris said, grinning. "I don't want to fall from up there. You should try that out - it's great fun! Talk to Casts-the-Bones, the stablemaster."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 25 2005, 05:28 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 09:16 AM)

"The plan seems to involve alarming them with giant bugs,"  Allerleirauh said. "We'll have to discuss it with Jazbet. Azurites or not, they're his people and he's their lord. I don't know if he would want them killed."

In the air, Tris was drying his palms on his trouser legs. It took him several times to get a proper noise by rubbing his hands together, and the parrapton didn't land exactly where he expected.

He vaulted off, and came towards Arynel. If he had been able to see himself from the outside, he would have noticed that he was hardly limping, and walking much more upright and confidently than he had since gaining his false limb. However, he wasn't aware of it.

"I need my ring back,"  Tris said, grinning. "I don't want to fall from up there. You should try that out - it's great fun! Talk to Casts-the-Bones, the stablemaster."

*





Arynel slid the ring back off of his finger and held it out towards Tris.

"If you fall fast enough," the Breton said with a smile, "you might fall right through the ground. Could be just what you need."


Posted by: Loranna Jan 25 2005, 05:30 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 11:16 AM)

"The plan seems to involve alarming them with giant bugs,"  Allerleirauh said. "We'll have to discuss it with Jazbet. Azurites or not, they're his people and he's their lord. I don't know if he would want them killed."

In the air, Tris was drying his palms on his trouser legs. It took him several times to get a proper noise by rubbing his hands together, and the parrapton didn't land exactly where he expected.

He vaulted off, and came towards Arynel. If he had been able to see himself from the outside, he would have noticed that he was hardly limping, and walking much more upright and confidently than he had since gaining his false limb. However, he wasn't aware of it.

"I need my ring back,"  Tris said, grinning. "I don't want to fall from up there. You should try that out - it's great fun! Talk to Casts-the-Bones, the stablemaster."

*





Loranna says "I concur; it is a great experience. Might take a bit of getting used to if you've never riden a horse but it's not too difficult once you get a feel for it."

She smiles at Tris. "Nice flying there, and nice throwing arm too."


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 25 2005, 05:33 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 25 2005, 10:18 AM)

Arynel slid the ring back off of his finger and held it out towards Tris.

"If you fall fast enough," the Breton said with a smile, "you might fall right through the ground.  Could be just what you need."

*




"No," Tris said seriously, "There's a limit to how fast things fall. I know; I used to be able to go faster. It makes it possible to reach things that have fallen far, far down. Where's my little Doll, then? she's usually quite reliable."

Tris said to Loranna, "Let me assure you, that is NOTHING like riding a horse. I fall right off horses. They wobble from side to side and they bounce. Parraptons are perfectly steady; if you can get used to sudden changes of direction, it's wonderful."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 25 2005, 05:36 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 09:23 AM)

"No," Tris said seriously, "There's a limit to how fast things fall. I know;  I used to be able to go faster. It makes it possible to reach things that have fallen far, far down. Where's my little Doll, then?  she's usually quite reliable."

*





"I do not know." Arynel said. "Hopefully she'll return here soon."

The Breton's stomach grumbled--he had missed dinner.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 25 2005, 05:44 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 11:23 AM)

Tris said to Loranna, "Let me assure you, that is NOTHING like riding a horse. I fall right off horses. They wobble from side to side and they bounce. Parraptons are perfectly steady;  if you can get used to sudden changes of direction, it's wonderful."

*





"Oh," Loranna says. "My mistake then ..."

Loranna tries thinking back to the time she and Allie had ridden out to Haflasgar, but she had been preoccupied during that ride and hadn't really noted the horse underneath her, other than to ensure she hadn't fallen off.

"Oh yeah - and remember to keep your palms dry if you try riding one," she adds to Arynel. "You need dry palms to signal the parrapton to land."

" ... I think I'm gonna go practice some more," she adds a moment later. "I could use a bit more practice on the tight turns and the sudden drops. Talk to you in a bit."

Loranna heads back to her mount and is soon back in the air, showing more confidence than her initial efforts displayed.


Posted by: Shardie Jan 25 2005, 05:50 PM

Maranda in Cydoriil

Maranda followed the stream, and made her way into a clearing... in the middle of which, was a ruined
Temple perched on a rocky outcrop. According to the Breton, the entrance was in a cave, on the side of the outcrop. And there it was, right by the window... unfortunatly for herself, she had no idea on how to open the door... She pressed rocks, and looked for hidden levers, but none were there... Depressed, Maranda knocked on the door, hoping that someone would answer...

A grate across the door was opened, and a pair of eyes shone threw at her, 'Yes? Can I help you?' Asked the Imperial on the other side of the door
'I wish to speak to your high priest. Is he in?' Maranda asked politely. The grate shut, and Maranda could hear whispering behind the door, the grate opened again
'Just wait out there for a while, the High Priest shall see you when he has time' the Imperial replied.
Maranda sat on a rock, and waited, all the time practicing her Destruction Spells

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 25 2005, 08:21 PM

Erenius in the Imperial City

*Erenius looked about the Imperial City, awed at the changes brought about at it in the past three or four months since he was last in the city during Hearthfire*

"Seems like the city has finally changed for the better and all that occurred has been repaired and mostly forgotten," Erenius mutters as he steps out of the carriage and pays a few coins to the driver. "And the tavern I stayed at that time...stands still, albeit repaired and a few scorch marks on it."

"Can I help you?" a guard asks, approaching Erenius.

"Just returning here after a great deal of journeying," Erenius replies. "Is there something of the matter?"

"Something the matter? Certainly..." the guard scoffs. "Apparently much has happened and the Elder Council would like to see..."

"O! the Elder Council huh?" Erenius says, cutting the guard off with his words. "Never shall I return to them, they are the ones that prevented me from finishing with Darius; and they certainly locked me up..."

"In that
Inn in White Haven," the guard says, removing his helmet. "I know of your troubles and plan on helping you...there is another in the province according to the customs logs along the Cydoriil/Morrowind border. Another you have met most assuredly."

"And that would be whom?" Erenius replies, getting impatient as this guard's actions. "If there is more to be spoken of this; have the Council send me a letter here for a date for summoning before them. I shall arrive after I make preparations."

*With that, the guard bows and turns; returning to the Imperial Palace to bring the news to the Council*

*Erenius brushes the event off and walks into the tavern where several patrons stare at him*

"You and your friends are not welcome here," the innkeeper shouts across the room. "You cost me over thirty thousand drakes to rebuild this place and about ten-thousand septims in various other damages."

*Erenius remembers the innkeeper as well*

"And last Hearthfire you refused me and another room here...thus he and his companions,including several bound beings, burned your establishment down..." Erenius replies. "It has been many months since that event, and to add to that I have not seen the mage with his summoned beings in almost half that time."

"Very well then...come; but you shall be paying me thirty five thousand drakes for the stay; of course that shall cover other stays here, and free room, board, and drink for each of those trips," the keeper says, motioning to the coin-purse on Erenius' belt.

*Erenius merely turns about and leaves the tavern*

"Never shall I pay so much money; too much have I spent in Vvardenfall, too much entirely. However, it was for a good cause and I shall uphold my actions in that regard," Erenius says, looking into his coin purse, counting just about three thousand coin on him total, mostly in drakes and Temple-issued coins stamped with ALMSIVI and other marks praising the scattered Tribune.

*Erenius then goes through the city, stopping at another tavern, where he manages to find board for so long as he is in the city. From there, he goes upstairs and ponders, unaware in any form of the events that had transpired since the party left Vivec for Ald Sotha*

'Much has happened since Vivec...too much, and I would be with them wherever, and followed them fully to Ald Sotha had that letter recalling me not come. I hope they fare well'

*Erenius thinks, tumbling a trinket given to him by one of the Dres while on a ship during the trip from Suran to the island-city*

'I am glad I have forsaken one promise of mine, yet in doing so, I have done so to two others...the first: to follow Loranna and her party to the end and be there the entire time as a servant would for a liege lord.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 25 2005, 09:59 PM

Two hours later, after the group has had more practice riding the parraptons, Jazbet and Kallen returned. With them were thirty-nine guards, armed and armored.

'I have news,' said Jazbet. 'The Azurites cannot conceal their eye color naturally. They must use illusions to do so. I had forgotten that Wyrloc's one area of magickal knowledge was in that area. So they may try to hide themselves if they know spells of illusion -- which very few of the peasants do -- but a simple magicka dispel will reveal them ...'

It could be noticed that the remaining guards, though cleaned up, have fresh knicks on their armor, as if they've been in combat very recently.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 12:19 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 02:49 PM)

Two hours later, after the group has had more practice riding the parraptons, Jazbet and Kallen returned.  With them were thirty-nine guards, armed and armored.

'I have news,' said Jazbet. 'The Azurites cannot conceal their eye color naturally.  They must use illusions to do so.  I had forgotten that Wyrloc's one area of magickal knowledge was in that area.  So they may try to hide themselves if they know spells of illusion -- which very few of the peasants do -- but a simple magicka dispel will reveal them ...'

It could be noticed that the remaining guards, though cleaned up, have fresh knicks on their armor, as if they've been in combat very recently.

*




"It looks as if you came by that knowledge through practical experience," Allerleirauh said dryly. "What sort of trouble can we expect, then? A local person needs to go with each group, to be sure there are no misunderstandings."

Posted by: Aki Jan 26 2005, 12:25 AM

Summary

Reichi is watching everyuone else fly the wasp things. tongue.gif

While back on the Mainland, Tohe, Eya, and Camassim have restrained Jean till the Daylight returns and he resumes a human form. And Consciousness.
-----------------------------------------------
Reichi had watched those people flying the Giant Wasps. He didn't try one. He liked staying on the ground, besides, he used shortblades, those were all but useless on a flying mount, or just about any mount. Reichi was no good with a spear, and only half-decent with a longblade, so those were out of the question.

However, running about on the ground and hunting things down was his speciallity. When Jazbet returned he stood. If anyone was going out looking for Azurites, Reichi was going to be one .

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:36 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 06:09 PM)

"It looks as if you came by that knowledge through practical experience,"  Allerleirauh said dryly.  "What sort of trouble can we expect, then? A local person needs to go with each group, to be sure there are no misunderstandings."

*





"I think the trouble should be pretty self-evident," said Jazbet. "From what these men have told me, there have been fights throughout the area. The Azurites, for the most part, are not hiding their identities, and the peasants are fighting them as best as they can. Luckily, only a relative small percentage of the people succumbed to the call of Azura, but that still means as many as a hundred Azurites to be dealt with."

Kallen brought out several maps of Jazbet's domain, detailed out to show noticeable features, such as known ruins, and, in the main village of Ald Raathim, the actual names of the families inhabiting each house.

"Things are apparently quiet in the village right now," said Kallen. "Any Azurites remaining there have gone undercover. They will only be flushed out with the dispel magicka spells."

"What I'm worried about now," said Jazbet. "Is neighbor turning against neighbor. Paranoia. I will be going to the village so that people know that the situation is being handled. I shudder to think what would have happened if I waited even a day or two later before returning home ..."


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 12:47 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 05:26 PM)

"I think the trouble should be pretty self-evident," said Jazbet. "From what these men have told me, there have been fights throughout the area.  The Azurites, for the most part, are not hiding their identities, and the peasants are fighting them as best as they can.  Luckily, only a relative small percentage of the people succumbed to the call of Azura, but that still means as many as a hundred Azurites to be dealt with."

Kallen brought out several maps of Jazbet's domain, detailed out to show noticeable features, such as known ruins, and, in the main village of Ald Raathim, the actual names of the families inhabiting each house.

"Things are apparently quiet in the village right now," said Kallen. "Any Azurites remaining there have gone undercover.  They will only be flushed out with the dispel magicka spells."

"What I'm worried about now," said Jazbet. "Is neighbor turning against neighbor.  Paranoia.  I will be going to the village so that people know that the situation is being handled.  I shudder to think what would have happened if I waited even a day or two later before returning home ..."

*




"I shudder to think what is happening in other people's homes, all over Tamriel," Allerleirauh said. "I've been coddling myself, taking the day off; I should have been writing letters. It will be very difficult for the Empire to deal with this without understanding what they're up against."

She looked over Kallen's maps. "I'm going on foot - which means that someone with good diplomatic skills should go with me, to explain that I'm not some spawn of the Wild Hunt." She grinned. "I have a very good nose; it will be helpful to have people both on land and in the air. Aki, I believe you're very good at tracking by scent as well, aren't you?"

Posted by: Aki Jan 26 2005, 12:55 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 06:37 PM)

She looked over Kallen's maps. "I'm going on foot - which means that someone with good diplomatic skills should go with me, to explain that I'm not some spawn of the Wild Hunt."  She grinned.  "I have a very good nose;  it will be helpful to have people both on land and in the air. Aki, I believe you're very good at tracking by scent as well, aren't you?"

*





"Yup. Better after nightfall though. Even if my...comuncation skills then are a bit lacking," Reichi responded. "Though," he pulled the Dagger of Senses from his robe. "This can help compensate for that. Increases one's senses, got it from a old breton...who turned out to be a talking dog of a Crazy Dunmer. Though that makes ME sound like the crazy one, don't it?"


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:57 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 06:37 PM)

"I shudder to think what is happening in other people's homes, all over Tamriel,"  Allerleirauh said. "I've been coddling myself, taking the day off;  I should have been writing letters. It will be very difficult for the Empire to deal with this without understanding what they're up against."

*





"And I need those weapons from you as soon as possible," Jazbet said, and smiled. "A lot of weight on your shoulders."

Casts-The-Bones brought out two parraptons, one for Jazbet and one for Kallen. He 'talked' to Jazbet's parrapton with his hands, rubbing them together, giving it instructions since the Khajiit would be unable to direct it to the village.


Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 01:01 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 04:47 PM)

"And I need those weapons from you as soon as possible," Jazbet said, and smiled. "A lot of weight on your shoulders."

Casts-The-Bones brought out two parraptons, one for Jazbet and one for Kallen.  He 'talked' to Jazbet's parrapton with his hands, rubbing them together, giving it instructions since the Khajiit would be unable to direct it to the village.

*




Aricyn had saddled Kynidius, his much more mundane steed, and joined them, mounted and armored.

The old wolf was at his side, looking lean and eager.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 01:07 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 25 2005, 05:45 PM)

"Yup. Better after nightfall though. Even if my...comuncation skills then are a bit lacking," Reichi responded. "Though," he pulled the Dagger of Senses from his robe. "This can help compensate for that. Increases one's senses, got it from a old breton...who turned out to be a talking dog of a Crazy Dunmer. Though that makes ME sound like the crazy one, don't it?"

*




"I don't think anyone who's been with us for any length of time will accuse you of insanity," Allerleirauh said.

"Yes, the weapons. It would be easier to do that now," she said. "I will go and return with at least a few. It will take only a few minutes."

She waved her arms, and recalled - back to her small house in Mournhold. Not that she needed to be here. But it was easier than long explanations. From there she spoke a string of power and appeared in her own bedroom in Solunastra. Downstairs she spoke to Dragon; the heavy metal doors of the armory were thrown open, and she retrieved as many weapons as she could readily carry - three glass swordblades, she thought, since they were light and would be easy for peasants to use, a few ebony spears, and several daedric daggers. Each was worth more than an entire peasant homestead. She wondered what the consequences of distributing them would be.

She spoke another phrase of power and returned, leaving Dragon with instructions to look for Doll.

"There," she said, dropping the weapons on the ground. "Jazbet, it occurs to me that you've never seen me fight. Don't be alarmed."

She drew her many-furred cloak around her, and became a massive creature, with a head like a mastiff, paws like a bear, hind feet like a stag - in fact, more creatures than it was easy to count, combined into one. When she stood on her hind feet, she towered over the others.



Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 01:11 AM

Jazbet was not alarmed by Allerleirauh's appearance. He did not see it. But he heard the gasps of his men, and he waved his hands to calm them down. Whatever they were looking at, they had been warned.

'Friends,' said Jazbet, getting on to his mount. 'You know what you're best suited for -- interrogating and unmasking Azurites in town, or fighting them in the wilderness. Take with you at least one of the guards. They are good fighters, and they know the land. We can supply you with horns or drums, or whatever you need to communicate ... Jaster will see to it that you have whatever you need.

If you need me, I'll be at the tavern in Ald Raathim. I must speak to the people and offer them reassurance. Good luck, my friends.'

The two parraptons flew up, disappearing over the trees, heading due west.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 01:12 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 04:57 PM)

She drew her many-furred cloak around her, and became a massive creature, with a head like a mastiff, paws like a bear, hind feet like a stag - in fact, more creatures than it was easy to count, combined into one.  When she stood on her hind feet, she towered over the others.

*




Kynidius's flanks shuddered, but Aricyn's horse did not run. To an animal, the Welwa was both death incarnate, and like a mother.

"Those weapons should give a few a fighting chance. Let's arm the actual soldiers who can fight, then move to the peasants when we have more enchanted weapons."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 26 2005, 01:14 AM



"Is there a safe haven of sorts?" Arynel interjected. "A place where we could move the peasants, while we deal with this?"

The Breton scratched his chin.

"Well, I suppose it's too late for that now."

Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 01:19 AM

After staying on the ground for time Teleran remounted his parrapton and took to the skies once again flying as high as the parrapton would take him. The sight was incredible, he could see the land for miles around, the nearest village appeared to be no more than a few homestead around a slightly larger building, an Inn perhaps, and if he looked down he could barely make out the mer below, and even then they appeared to be no more than oddly colored specks on the ground.

He came spiraling down to a more reasonable level and flew in little circles and figure eights for a few minutes, before descending and hovering near Jazbet.

He hardly noticed the buzzing anymore, and the agility of the parrapton in the air had given him some idea of how useful they could make themselves in a battle.

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 26 2005, 01:19 AM

Dagoth passed by the giant wasps, watching as they became uneasy in his unnatural presence.... as most animals did.

'I think I'll just levitate...'

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 01:21 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 25 2005, 05:04 PM)

"Is there a safe haven of sorts?"  Arynel interjected.  "A place where we could move the peasants, while we deal with this?"

The Breton scratched his chin.

"Well, I suppose it's too late for that now."

*




"First," said Aricyn, spurring his mount forward, "we've got to find out who should be protected, and who should be skewered!

"Good hunting to you, Breton," he said, and rode off.

The wolf sprinted ahead of him.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 01:26 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 25 2005, 07:11 PM)

"First," said Aricyn, spurring his mount forward, "we've got to find out who should be protected, and who should be skewered!

"Good hunting to you, Breton," he said, and rode off.

The wolf sprinted ahead of him.

*





(ooc: sorry, Attrebus, I'm 'borrowing' Jaster for a post)

Jaster watched people scurry off in all directions, frowning.

'I thought we were going to go about this in an organized manner,' he scowled. 'That was the purpose of the maps, and organizing the guards as guides ... Everyone's running off as if this is a game of hide and seek ...'

He set about organizing the guards and remaining adventurers into groups according to outlined sectors on the various maps.


Posted by: Master of Nas Jan 26 2005, 01:32 AM

EDIT: Edit pending

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 01:38 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 07:16 PM)

(ooc: sorry, Attrebus, I'm 'borrowing' Jaster for a post)

Jaster watched people scurry off in all directions, frowning.

'I thought we were going to go about this in an organized manner,' he scowled. 'That was the purpose of the maps, and organizing the guards as guides ... Everyone's running off as if this is a game of hide and seek ...'

He set about organizing the guards and remaining adventurers into groups according to outlined sectors on the various maps.

*





Loranna steps up, asking for a shortblade for defense and a horn for signalling.

Listening to Jaster, she nods to the guard with whom she's been teamed, and takes to the air on her mount to help patrol her designated area.


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 01:38 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 06:16 PM)

(ooc: sorry, Attrebus, I'm 'borrowing' Jaster for a post)

Jaster watched people scurry off in all directions, frowning.

'I thought we were going to go about this in an organized manner,' he scowled. 'That was the purpose of the maps, and organizing the guards as guides ... Everyone's running off as if this is a game of hide and seek ...'

He set about organizing the guards and remaining adventurers into groups according to outlined sectors on the various maps.

*





"We need to make sure that everyone here has the ability to dispell magic, in order to get rid of any possible illusions," Allerleirauh said. "Let's distribute the scrolls we have, and the people, as well. I plan to make a list of names, one by one, as we come to people and make sure of them. Remember that they intend to be deceptive."

The other scrolls that were distributed were fire scrolls. She wished they had more time; Doll would have enjoyed creating a spell to act as a warning signal, and inscribing endless scrolls of it. But between them they had enough to give at least one pyrotechnic spell of some sort to each party that set out.

Allerleirauh took one of Jazbet's mounted men with her, and set off into the deepest part of the woods with her nose to the ground, the guard flying above. The guard told her where they were most likely to find smugglers, escaped criminals, and other people who were more likely to prefer a solitary life in the wilderness to a social life in the village.

Posted by: Aki Jan 26 2005, 01:40 AM

Vvardenfell, Khuul

It was day. Jean returned to his normal form. Sleeping soundly. He was being carried by Camassim, the Redgaurd. Tohe following at his side. Eya was at the forefront of the group. She had reverted to a human form now as well. She was a Nord with long black hair and eyes only a slightly deeper shade of blue than they were as a Werewolf. All of them wore robes.

They approached Khuul, it was all but abandoned. Apparently a large group of the village had been in Loranna's procession. That, or the Azurites killed everyone.

In any case, they 'burrowed' a unattended ship, stocked with food and water, and set off towards the mainland.
Morrowind Mainland

Reichi set off, alone, into the wilds on foot. After discarding his robe. It was a nice thing, but too clumsy for combat, and definatly too clumsy for running through the woods. His common clothing, ring, and collar would have to be enough clothing.

Unfortunatly, being day, Reichi couldn't rely on his other side's speed and endurance. So he ran, Shortblade secured at his side, the Dagger of Senses in hand.

He of course, forgot to get a horn. So would end up with no form of communicating over long distances until nightfall.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 01:41 AM

"SERJO! Serjo waits on Falls-like-Rain, please!"

Aricyn reined in his horse and turned. The old wolf slowed as well, looking annoyed at having to stop.

An Argonian was running to catch up. He (or she, Aricyn could never tell which) was doing a fair job, even in armor and carrying a shoulderload of javelins.

"Serjo, you will need a guide. Falls-like-Rain knows these parts."

Aricyn looked at the Argonian for a moment, then reached down and grabbed the light-boned lizard up onto the saddle.

The old wolf barked impatiently, and they were off again, heading for the surrounding hills.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 26 2005, 01:42 AM

"If I am not needed here," Arynel said, "I think I will be going."

The Breton turned and began walking down a path alone.

He turned back to the others, "I already know dispel, save a scroll for someone else."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 01:52 AM

Loranna looks to her partner, a somewhat youngish-looking armored Dunmer with a silver longsword; the guard looks at Loranna and frowns slightly.

" ... Just how much fighting experience do you have, sera?" he asks, his voice polite yet slightly dubious.

" ... Not much," Loranna admits, tucking the scrolls provided by Allie away.

" ... Magic?"

"Some light healing spells, mostly."

"I see ..." the guard says, taking the point. " ... My name is Dram; the area we're covering is mostly uninhabited; gods willing we'll not encounter much. If we do, let me handle most of the talking and you keep the horn and scrolls ready."

Loranna nods, wishing she were more skilled right now. "Right ... I'm Loranna. Let's go."

Dram and Loranna take off.

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 26 2005, 01:59 AM

Dagoth uses an illusion, and walks up to a dunmer battlemage-like guard.

"You there, I could use a partner to acompany me in my search for those Azurites."

"Hmm... you seem to be trustworthy enough. No blue eyes... okay, fine, I'll help you out."

Dagoth looked at the guard with a look that says, 'you are in for a ride'. "Okay now, we are gonna have to use levitation... seeing as there aren't that many bugs left..."

The guard pulled out a few scrolls. "Ready when you are.'

With that, the're off...


Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 02:00 AM

Teleran took a few scrolls, and flew off immediately. A few moments later he turned around, realizing he had forgotten to get a horn. After picking up a horn he took off once again and traveled in an expanding circle around Jazbet's estate, looking for any sign of mer.

It did not take long before he spotted a small group of them, but when he approached they greeted him warmly, at least after they overcame their shock at seeing a parrapton, and asked for directions to Ald Raathim. After ascertaining that they were not Azurites by using one of his dispel scrolls, he pointed them East.

Before they left he asked the old Breton who seemed to be leading the group why they had left the road in the first place. The Breton replied that there was a group of bandits on the road south of Ald Raathim and they had left the road to avoid them. "If they weren't Dunmer, I'd have sworn their eyes shone blue, but that's probably just me imagining things. Everyone knows Dunmer have red eyes." Then looking askance at Teleran's eyes, "Except you, you have blue eyes too. You don't know those men do you, boy?"

"No. Thanks for the information, just head East and you'll get to Ald Raathim in just under an hour." Teleran said.

As Teleran flew off to find the bandits the old man had mentioned he looked back to see the old man leading the group...West. Sighing heavily Teleran flew South over the road.

Posted by: Solin Jan 26 2005, 02:15 AM

Ciel took a small arm load of scroll and filled his mount’s saddle bags. He waved to a nearby guard to join him with a map and a mount and watched as he disappeared into the stables. The knight gave a quick smile to Tris who was nearby. He adjusted the sword on his belt, it wouldn’t do for it to interfere with the insect’s wings while flying. Such disturbances could have disastrous results so he tucked his cloak into his belt as well. The guard, a dunmer, reappeared on top of his own wasp. Ciel gave a brisk salute, wearing a broad smile on his face, and took to the air in the same moment. He was followed shortly by Tris and the guard. Soon the there parraptons were disappearing on the horizon.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 02:19 AM

Ald Raathim

At this time of day, the village but a few miles from Jazbet's castle was always busy. There was a port generally filled with fishing boats. Depending on the haul, they might be moving back and forth from the sea to the port all day. Carts filled with saltrice from the plantation and the smaller farms would bump their way through town. Some festivals, you would swear you were in the middle of the Imperial City.

Today, all windows were shut, all doors locked. It was as if the village had died.

Jazbet and Kallen's parraptons landed in the center of the village square, and the lord of the manor and his seneschal entered into the tavern. The giant wasps floated back into the air to circle the village until they were called back.

People began peeking out of shutters, looking towards the tavern. What was happening? Slowly, a few brave souls began to emerge, and then others, encouraged, stepped into the village square. They knew if Jazbet had instructions to give them, to organize them for an evacuation, it would be from the tavern's second story balcony ...

Posted by: Solin Jan 26 2005, 02:21 AM

Solin realized some what tardily that he should have asked the Khajiiti lord for ink, paper, and soulgems. He glanced at the simulacrum and gave a slight smile. The Dunmer was somewhat skilled in the enchanting arts. He could produce replacement scrolls while watching over the simulacrum. Perhaps there was a servant that could fetch him the required items.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 26 2005, 02:24 AM

Arynel walked into the village tavern, and took a seat in the corner.

“What do you want, outlander?” A gravely voiced Dunmer asked, fiddling with a dagger.

“Oh, well, I’m a traveler,” Arynel said, “and this is where my travels have brought me. Tell me, is there any news?”

“Take my advice, outlander,” the Dunmer said, “don’t stick your head where it doesn’t belong, or it might not stay connected to your shoulders.” Two other Dunmer rose from their seats nearby.

“Oh, I don’t mean any trouble,” the Breton said, “I have heard rumors though, of things happening on Vvardenfell, an incarnate of Azura!”

“Oh, yes, that,” the Dunmer said, “we have heard. There were some that worshipped her, bowed down to the incarnate before she was killed. They’re trouble, I’d watch out for them if I were you. Bright blue eyes, that’s how you’ll pick them out.”

“Ah, I don’t suppose you’ve seen any of them of late?” Arynel asked.

The Dunmer chuckled and held up his dagger, he tilted his head towards a blood soaked cloth setting on the table. “We know how to deal with the fetchers.”

“Well then, thank you for the warning.” Arynel said, getting up from his seat and walking over to the bar tender, weaving a charm spell into his voice. “Excuse me sir, would you mind if I took the names of your customers tonight?”

“That’s foolish, why would you want to do that?” The Dunmer asked, wiping down a plate with a cloth.

“It’s a very good business practice, or so I have heard.” The Breton said. “I’ll write down the names of your customers, and I’ll give you the list. Take an inventory of customers over a period of a few weeks, and you’ll get a better idea of what customers come in, and at what times. So, you can organize your wares and your staff to better suit your customers, and give them more reason to spend their money here.”

The Dunmer stopped scrubbing the plate. “Well, now that’s—foolish! But I don’t see what it could hurt.”

Arynel nodded his thanks, and took a seat near the front of the tavern. The Breton produced two papers and layered them over each other.


Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 02:30 AM

Loranna and Dram

The area Loranna and Dram had been assigned was mostly scattered, isolated farms, worked by individual families, and seperated by stretches of wilderness. Loranna kept attentive watch as they passed over the less cultivated areas, looking for signs of people living in the wild. Dram, for his part, followed the map and his knowledge of the land.

They encountered no one until they came to the first small farm in their area; setting their parraptons down Dram knocked on the door of the modest house while Loranna signaled for the bare-chested Dunmer farmer toiling in the fields. The farmer and his wife soon stood outside, staring at Dram and especially Loranna with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension - and in Loranna's case a bit of confusion and concern.

Loranna noted that a spell to disguise herself would be rather helpful to get in the immediate future.

"By authority of Lord Dres Jazbet," Dram said, his tone firm yet civil, "we have been dispatched to investigate the presence of a new and violent cult of Daedra worshippers rumored to have recently come into the area. We apologize for the inconvenience but must insist that you allow us to use some precautionary measures and ask some questions ..."

He signalled to Loranna, who used the first of their Dispel scrolls on the couple. When the magic subsided, the farmers' red eyes remained unchanged.

" ... Serjo?" the wife asked, her worry on her face, "are we in danger of being attacked?"

"Lord Dres Jazbet has the situation in hand at the moment, sera," Dram said with calm authority. "We do have some questions however. Have either of you noticed anything unusual in these parts recently ..."

Posted by: stratigo Jan 26 2005, 02:38 AM

Three glowing eyed fanatics walked toward the crippled dunmer. One of them raised a rusty looking shortsword. They wouldn't need any help for this one. Suddenly another dunmer burst from behind a rock. He gutted the first fanatic as the others turned. The cripple however didn't seem so crippled after all. And two blades had materialized in his hand. One of the fanatics started to summon a winged twilight before his throat was slit by the so called cripple. The third tried to run, but a spear of energy impaled him before he got too far. Zaldaar lowered his hand. Ragner shook his head. There seemed to be so many of them. That was the 8th group they had encountered. Still the country side was crawling with them.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 02:54 AM

Ald Raathim

Jazbet, Kellen, and a small collection of the more respected merchants of the village stepped out on the balcony. More and more villagers came into the square to hear the Khajiit speak.

"Good people," said Jazbet, his voice strong and clear. "As you can see, I have returned to you different from when I left. I am blind. But I do not need my eyes to see the menace facing us.

"Nor do I need to tell you the nature of the threat -- you have seen it first hand yourself. I have spoken to some of you in this tavern already, and heard tales of terror, and tales of great bravery.

"As we speak, some of the mightiest warriors in all of Tamriel are accompanied your own courageous lads and lasses in the Guard, scouring the countryside for these Azurites.

"Our first goal is to cleanse the land of these dangerous cult members. Our second is to defend ourselves from further incursions.

"In these goals, we must stand together. We must find the scourge where it lurks, and drive it from this fair land. And shortly, every able-bodied citizen will be given arms and training, so we can defend our freedom and our lives from this menace. I know you will not let me down.

"As you know, I am one of you. I do not want to be a warlord and rule you with a martial land. Some day, I hope soon, we can return to our peaceful ways. As of this moment, however, we at war with a terror from without and within.

"We will prevail."

The crowd cheered. They would do what it took. It was their patriotic duty.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 02:57 AM

Allerleirauh:

At first things went well. Allerleirauh had enough warning as they were nearing people that she could return to her human form. When she left each encounter, she became a Welwa again. It was pure pleasure being a Welwa in a strange place. The Dawn beast knew instinctively many things she didn't know herself, about the values of plants and the meaning of mysterious noises. She snuffled along delightedly, absorbing information.

A small family living in poverty on the edge of the mangrove swamp were not Azurites. Allerleirauh could not understand, from her conversation with the guard, why they were there and not in a village - something having to do with Dunmer taboos about death of kinsmen. Apparently Jazbet was being dangerously generous by overlooking them and allowing them to squat there.

They rousted a disgruntled Khajiit from a shack barely recognizable as an artificial structure. He smelled of skooma and some form of alcohol which she didn't recognize, but which made her nose curl. He was not an Azurite either. Apparently he had slept through Azura's call in a daze.

An elderly female necromancer was not an Azurite either. However, Allerleirauh explored her back room and made a note to explain her behavior to Jazbet. She suspected that some of the things there dead should not be. And others should definitely never have been dug up.

They discovered a cavern full of smugglers. Only two out of ten were Azurites. However, all ten attacked. The two Azurites made the other men braver than they should have been - "We have daedra! What do you have?" the men shouted at the guard on the parrapton and the slim Nord woman. "This," Allerleirauh replied, pulling her cloak around her.

She tossed her head and pawed at her muzzle for several minutes after they were dead; Daedra blood tasted vile. In future she would prefer her sword to her teeth.

After several more encounters, good and bad, they came to the one that would haunt her.

"Shipwreck," the guard reported, swooping low. "I'll guide you to it. I think everyone is dead though."

It was a small craft. What it had been doing on the edge of Jazbet's property was unclear. It hadn't been there long - perhaps one or at most two days. Allerleirauh found a drowned woman in the boat, and a drowned man on the shore, being eaten by - something she didn't know the name for. Yet more giant insects. They shuffled away as she approached. It was possible more people had been with the ship, and been lost at sea.

She smelled something else, something living. Dunmer, Dunmer child. That was rare, a scent she barely recognized. Then she heard a clear sweet voice, from beneath a rock overhang.

"Azura 'tis who rules the skies
for the sunrise never lies
blue eyes make your heart's choice plain
and in strength we rise again..."


The child had blue eyes.

Allerleirauh stood up and returned to her woman's form, so as to be less alarming to a child.

"I know who you are," the child said, quite calmly. "My mother told me all about you. You're going to work for me in your next life."

And then the child summoned a Winged Twilight.

"NO!" Allerleirauh cried, in a voice like sounding brass, as the guard raised his spear to dispatch the little girl. He backed off in confusion, but did not disobey her. She destroyed the Twilight, and cast a calm spell on the child. She carried the child back to Jazbet's estate - no longer struggling, but still explaining in her pleasant little voice Allerleirauh's fate in the next world.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 26 2005, 03:02 AM

After several hours had past and several names had been taken, Arynel walked to the counter, and handed the list of names to the Dunmer patron. The Breton turned and walked out of the tavern, where his cloak swept over the table nearest the door, an inscribed parchment was left.

Public Notice:

Of recent, rumors of an ash-skinned Nord claiming to be the vessel of the Daedric Prince of Oblivion, Azura, have surfaced; according to said rumors, said ash-skinned Nord traveled over Vvardenfell, until at last being cut down near Vivec City. It has been noted that a group of zealous Azura worshippers have arisen, who are known to be extremely dangerous. Lord Jazbet has set to work a plan to flush out the potential trouble makers, but he needs your help; all people of good standing are asked to gather the names of those people, both man and mer, who may be worshippers of this incarnate; identification information to be explained shortly. Information is to be delivered to Lord Jazbet at his estate. It is advised that this notice is copied multiple times and spread around, in order to increase the effectiveness of those serving under Lord Jazbet, who are concerned for the wellbeing of his Lord’s citizenry.

Identification for followers of Incarnate:

Both man and mer will have bright, shiny blue eyes, though the can be hidden through spells of illusion. It is possible, through the use of a dispel spell, doing so may be a risk of personal safety, and it is advised this is not attempted except as a last resort. Rather, it is advised that all suspicious persons be reported. Also, this is not a witch hunt, specific people, i.e., those who have pledged themselves to said incarnate, are being sought; report only those who have been acting suspiciously of recent, those people who seem to be concerned with the recent events involving said incarnate. Finally, it is important that all good men and mer refrain from confronting these Azurites—as they are called—personally, instead, turn in a list of names to Lord Jazbet, or any of his faithful servants.


Posted by: Aki Jan 26 2005, 03:04 AM

Reichi had found a cave. On a rock nearby, the colors of dusk and dawn had been painted. A subtle marker to other Azurites. Reichi crept in silently. Holding his shortsword in his right hand and the Dagger of Senses in his left.

He found the cave to be all but deserted. Save for one guard left which Reichi had dispatched of. Reichi now had the lone guard's rather nice set of chitin armor. The guard's corpse had been stashed in a crate.

The cave consisted of the entry cavern, which led straight into a rounded off caven from which three seperate paths branched off. One led to a sleeping, living, and cooking area. Another to a Azura Shrine. The final one led to a small supply stockpile.

Reichi decided the lone guard had been left while the other headed off, to search perhaps, or to harass the local village. Reichi rumanged through the cave. While waiting for the occupants to return.

Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jan 26 2005, 03:08 AM

Issa Yojimbo awoke to screams.

He ran out into the main hall and found a nightmare.

Blood covered the walls, cieling, and floor. Bodies of the dead and dying were strewn about recklessly.

There stood two Dunmer, dressed in full Orcish armor. But their eyes were not quite right. They glowed a bright blue.

Issa drew his sword. It was a tad heavier than his old sword, and a lot less effective, but it would do. He ran at one of the Dunmer, pushed himself off of a wall, and came down on his opponent's sword arm with his own.

But just before he could slice his assailant's arm off, he felt something holding him back. They were talons. He turned around to see the face of a beautiful woman, but the body of a Lesser Daedra.

The Winged Twilight threw him across the room, flew at him screaching all the way, and attempted to impale him on her claws. Issa Yojimbo thought quickly and cast a powerful spell of Sanctuary.
He closed his eyes in fear and thrust the sword upward.

The Daedra screamed as its Animus was purged from the Mundus. Issa cast a spell of God's Fire at the impaled Winged Twilight to finish it off.

Issa ran at a Dunmer attacker and his blade pierced his opponent's heart. With his dying breath, the blue-eyed killer spoke the words of Azura,
"You hold the Prophecy honed to Razor's Edge"

The other Dunmer ran outside and disappeared.

When Issa stepped out of the House of Earthly Delights, he saw Hlaalu and Imperial guards fight off a small horde of Blue-eyed Dunmer, with Winged Twilights circling in the sky.

"I must find the others..." Yojimbo thought.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 03:37 AM

Several farms later, Dram was beginning to grow a little concerned; they had yet to find any actual Azurites, which was heartening in its own way, but the last few people they had questioned mentioned seeing strange shapes in the sky. Loranna and Dram had exchanged looks upon hearing this news ...

"South of here, you say?" Dram asked the latest farmer they were questioning.

"Aye serjo," the farmer replied, looking a bit nervous. "The old widow Tolmse Drenim is said to live around there, by the lake ..."

"I see," Dram says, nodding. "Thank you for you time serjo; remember to keep your eyes and your weapons sharp. Lord Dres Jazbet shall be contacting you again soon."

As the farmer heads back to his crop, Loranna consults the map. "I'm guessing he means this lake here," she says, indicating the one a couple miles south of their position.

"Only lake anywhere nearby," Dram says, frowning. "That's open land; we'll be visible coming in ..."

"Not much we can do about it," Loranna points out. " ... If a Twilight tries to cut us out of the sky ..."

"The parrapton will know how to defend itself," Dram says. "But stay back from any Twilights just the same; I'll handle it."

Loranna frowns a little, but nods. " ... Right," she says, getting back in the saddle. "Well, no sense in waiting ..."

It took but a short time to cover the distance from the farm to the lake, and both Loranna and Dram could see a small, poor hut on the shore, and a human figure wading through the water.

A moment later, though, another figure appeared - a Winged Twilight. Loranna felt her chest tighten as the Daedra screamed and flew toward them ...

===

Dram was good but he was still young; his silver longsword flashed through the air as he directed his mount to engage the enemy, but the Twilight had the advantage in strength. Claws raked at his armor as he thrust and parried, fighting to stay above the Twilight in their ariel battle.

Loranna watched Dram battle for a moment, her expression worried and yet angry. There was no practical way she could fight alongside Dram right now, and using one of the fireball scrolls she had been given was asking to fry her own partner. However, the woman below ...


Loranna turned to take aim at the Dunmer below her, pulling out her scroll - and saw a flash of flame coming her way. The widow Tolmse Drenim evidentally knew a few spells of her own. Loranna pulled hard to make her mount dodge and felt her stomach do a loop, but she escaped being flash-fried, and soon sent a bolt of flame screaming back at the Dunmer.

It hit, but didn't do much - Dunmer shrugged off flames. However, it gave Loranna a chance to send her parrapton buzzing downward, her sword raised. The Dunmer Azurite looked up, blue eyes wide ....

Loranna's sword flashed out, and the impact nearly jarred it from her hand - but Tolmse's head went flying. Dram thrust his sword into the Twilight in time to hear it scream in dismay and be sent back to Oblivion by the death of its master. Battered and bleeding, he swooped over to Loranna.

"Sera?" he asked, seeing the Nord woman looking a bit shocked. "Sera?"

" ... I'm all right," Loranna says, taking a deep breath. " ... Just my first real kill in combat ..." Seeing Dram injured, she collects her thoughts and casts what healing she knows ...

Their day was relatively uneventful after that; none of the other Azurites they found got much chance to attack before Dram's or Loranna's sword cleaved them. The two finished their patrol and headed back to the estate.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 03:37 AM

Winterhold, Skyrim

It took hours for Elysana's ship to skirt the massive ice floes in Winterhold's harbor. At last, it came to dock, where it was met by the harbor master and a dozen of the biggest Nord warriors the Queen of Wayrest had ever seen.

Her own twenty soldiers tried not to shiver as they stood behind their mistress.

'No alien ship is being admitted to Winterhold during this time of trouble,' the harbor master said.

'Take us somewhere warm and bring us food, and the Queen of Wayrest will tell her second cousin, your King Oftor, that you did your duty well,' said Elysana, looking him in the eye.

He did as he was bade. Very quickly.



Posted by: Arynel Jan 26 2005, 03:53 AM

Arynel wandered into a cave, and stumbled upon a group of two Altmer and three Dunmer—their eyes shone with a bright Azure hue.

“You’ll get out of here quick,” one of the Dunmer growled, “if you know what’s good for you.”

“It’s too late for that,” one of the Altmer said, “He made his mistake by showing his ugly face here in the first place.”

A tall Dunmer with bone thin arms charged Arynel with a spear, the Breton stepped to the side and thrust his arm out, sending out a green paralysis spell which hit the Dunmer who had spoken. He swiveled around, grabbing the spear from the Dunmer’s hand as the dark elf was turning around. He threw the spear off further down the cave.

“You n’wah!” The Dunmer screamed.

“Never mind that, you’ll get it later.” An Altmer said, lifting his arms. “Just focus on killing him!”

Arynel wove his arms, and a green sanctuary aura appeared around him. Moments later, a fireball flew by, searing the ends of his hair. The Breton’s hand came to the hilt of his sword.

Three winged twilights materialized in the cave, and flew screaming towards the Breton. Arynel’s sword came into contact with each one in turn, and upon each contact a wheel of light was formed, and then shattered—along with the daedra it surrounded.

An iron blade missed the Breton’s face by not but inches. The Altmer lifted his arms to cast a second spell, and the other Altmer and the three Dunmer charged in towards Arynel. He glanced down at his sword, it shown with glowing light, in eight hues.

Eight spokes, he choose one.

The two Altmer and three Dunmer seemed to be moving through water. A blade glided past Arynel, and the Breton stepped back, and brought forth his own blade.

The world snapped back into rightful speed, and one Dunmer lay dead and bloodied, he had bought an instant, but only that. He stepped to the side as another Dunmer was devoured by the Altmer’s poorly aimed shockball. The final Dunmer cursed and charged after the Altmer, stabbing him in the chest.

The other Altmer charged after the Dunmer, cleaving his head with an axe, and then charged towards Arynel. The Breton struck low with his blade, and the High Elf fell.

The Breton wiped off the sword, and returned it to his resting place. He dipped his fingers in a small pool of water, and chose a second spoke, and then he placed a moist finger on his forehead.

Posted by: Aki Jan 26 2005, 03:53 AM

The first Azurite to enter fell due to a shortsword through her chest. The secound and third summoned Winged Twilights. Not the wisest move in a cave, but understandable, given that they probablly hadn't had so much power before bowing to Azura.

The first twilight fell to the Dagger of Senses, the blade embedded itself in it's face, sending the Daedroth's animus screaming into the void. Reichi slid the first azurite off his shortblade and swung at the third Azurite. The Azurite brought a dagger up to counter, as the Twilight tore into Reichi's new chitin armor. Reichi stumbled and fell, but dug the Dagger of Senses into the Azurite's thigh as he did, the Azurite cursed and fell.

The Twilight descended on Reichi and tried to claw at his face. Reichi sheilded his face with a arm and struck out blindly. Incidently, this blinded the Twilight, which shreiked and flew off. Reichi finished the final Azurite and the Daedroth vanished in mid-air.

Reichi, satisfied, walked back towards the estate.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 03:57 AM

Aricyn and his Argonian guide, who mostly followed the old wolf's nose, had headed toward the rougher, hilly parts of Jazbet's land. Although they had come upon a few scattered homesteads, and a cave or two, there were no Azurites to be seen. It was turning into an uneventful day.

It was growing late in the day as they struck a stream and followed it to a saltrice mill that Falls-like-Rain knew of.

When they drew near, Aricyn could clearly make out a hole in the mill's clay roof.

"Is it always like that?" he asked the Argonian.

"No, Serjo," he replied, sliding from the horse's back and readying a javelin.

Aricyn drew his sword, and nudged the horse forward.

Kynidius neighed, and the mill door burst open. A heavy, older Dunmer ran out and took shakey aim at the huge mounted Nord with a short bow.

"Stop right there!" he shouted. "I've killed twice this day, I'll do it again!"

Aricyn's muscles tensed as he tried to make out the color of the man's eyes. Just inside the darkness of the door he could make out a woman and and possibly an adolescent, hiding and watching.

The old wolf had crept along the millstream, and was just getting into position to pounce on the nervous archer.

"Serjo Ildrim!" the Argonian called, "It is Falls-like-Rain! We is sent by Master Jazbet! Serjo Ildrim puts down bow, please!"

"Rain?" the Dunmer called, lowering his bow, but still eyeing the Nord with a great deal of suspicion. "Rain! Come see what I killed!"

Waving frantically, he motioned the Argonian into the mill. Aricyn followed, being given a wide berth by the Dunmer family.

In the mill, by the creaking and grinding stone, lay a Dunmer man and a black, winged creature, both in a lifeless heap.

The miller was obviously proud of himself, and started to recount the entire tale to the Argonian in great detail.

Barely listening, Aricyn bent to the Twilight's corpes. He pulled a long, crude arrowshaft from its back. The tip gleamed and sparkled green. The head was finely-worked glass.

Aricyn turned and held the arrow up to the miller. "Where did you get this?"

"These?" he said, waving the one just like it that he had aimed at Aricyn, "Got scads of them. My boy finds them in the hills all the time. Must've been a battle there ages ago or something."

"Boy," Aricyn said, turning to the youth, "you and I need to talk..."



Posted by: Attrebus Jan 26 2005, 04:10 AM

Things seemed to be running fairly smoothly. Jaster had retrieved a sturdy bow and some glass arrows before heading off. The Dunmer has encountered a few Azurites and easily dispatched them and their summoned Winged Twilights with his bow.

That was when Jaster discovered a group of five cultists. They had already summoned a few Daedra, so this could be tricky. Luckily they hadn't seen him yet. The Dunmer pulled the reigns slightly and started heading almost directly upwards. Once he had reached a suitable height, Jaster started a slow dive. He fired two arrows in quick succession - each one embedding in the skull of a cultist. The remaining ran in panic, while the Winged Twilights started heading towards Jaster and his mount. An accurate shot dispatched one, however the other two were on him. Jaster directed his parrapton towards the first Twilight - it's legs grabbing it as it's stinger plunged into the Daedra again and again. The other Twilight was now level with Jaster - too close to use a bow with any effectivness. His Ebony blade was drawn as he slashed at the Daedra.

Both combatants traded blows for a few seconds before Jaster's blade entered the Winged Twilight's abdomen. That was when the Winged Twilight fell forward, knocking Jaster from his saddle! Jaster managed to keep one hand held to the reign, however, that caused the parrapton to roll over - still embraced with the Twilight. His mount was getting the upper hand, but it was clear the battle would be very close.

So Jaster let go.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 04:18 AM

Teleran flew above the road for a long time without seeing any groups that resembled bandits in the least. He had happened upon another traveling party, but there were no Azurites among them.

Just as he was beginning to believe thatthe old man had been lying to him, or at the very least had been mistaken, he noticed an assortment of mer encamped upon the shoulder of the road. A Khajiit in a flowing robe came out to meet him. "What do you want?"

"Hello, don't worry, I'll leave you alone , I just have to make sure you aren't hiding some troublemakers." Teleran pulled out the scroll. "Do you mind?"

"Of course not," the Khajiit replied, but the mer began to draw their weapons and looked at Teleran as though he was their next meal. A dunmer woman began chanting something that Teleran could not make out.

Teleran cast the spell from the scroll and as its effects became seen and the eyes facing Teleran became a brilliant Azure blue. As each mer dropped the illusion Teleran became aware that he was outnumbered by a very large margin. 'Guess I should have waited for an escort after all,' he thought to himself, as he leapt from his mount into middle of the Azurites.

This proved very fortunate for Teleran, as the fireball the Khajiit sent for him took the first Azurite, a Bosmer, in the back and badly burned a few of the nearer Azurites. This left Teleran free to take out the Dunmer who had been chanting earlier. As he struck for her she finished her spell and he went flying backwards, through one of the makeshift tents. As a cry split the air above he realized that a winged twilight was swooping down upon him.

Just before the twilight reached him a spear appeared through its gut and the parrapton flew by shaking the winged twilight from her stinger. "Thanks for the gift," he shouted to her before sending a dagger through the air towards the witch who had sent him flying earlier and watched stunned at it bounced off of a shield shimmering around the witch.

His other daggers found their marks with little problem however and the Azurites seemed to be scattering, but he had lost track of the Khajiit and that cursed witch was starting another spell. Teleran looked up to see if the parrapton could aid him just in time to see a dispatched winged twilight fall towards him and sent Nehtayem to take care of the winged twilight that had managed to get behind the parrapton.

The last of the winged twilights fell, ipaled simultaneously by a dagger and the stinger of the parrapton, as the witch completed her spell and sent a plume of fire streaming for Teleran. Teleran managed to make it out of the way by using a potion of jump. what he didn't expect, was that the Khajiit would follow him into the sky jumping above even the parrapton. The Khajiit came down at Teleran, thrusting an ebony spear that shone with enchantment downwards as he came.

Teleran actually felt himself relaxing as the spear split the air towards him, mostly because he realized that the Khajiit had jumped too high, and was setting himself up for the parrapton. who shortly proved Teleran right by tearing the Khajiit in two as she flew past.

As the spear plummeted to the ground Teleran redirected it, as Teleran's feet touched the ground, the spear hit its target. When Teleran looked at his target he was stunned to see her still standing. Then he noticed that she was slumped, held up only by the spear that had killed her. Her face fixed in an expression of denial.

Teleran took a few healing potions from the camp, then took the spear from the now deceased dunmer woman. He climbed back onto the parrapton and headed back to Jazbet's estate. "I will call you Vilyanna, does that sound good to you?" he asked the parrapton as she flew home. She buzzed back in what he took to be an agreeable manner.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 04:19 AM

Tris:

Tris lounged on the back of his parrapton. He was starting to feel comfortable zooming through the air. Even cocky. Fortunately the queen had chosen well - according to the guard, he was riding a cocky bug. Very nice then. Interesting that they all had personalities.

He and Ciel seemed to be along to provide muscle for the guard as the guard went into farmsteads and spoke to the people there. Anyone missing? No. Anyone sick? Not really, serjo, thanks for your concern... Anyone acting strange? Not really, serjo. Mind if we cast a spell just to be sure?

It was routine work. Tris cast the dispell, Ciel stood ready in case anything untoward happened, and the guard smiled and apologized for the inconvenience. Nice fellow. His face had an entirely different color and texture from the faces of Vvardenfell Dunmer.

They had relaxed into light conversation by the time they approached the fifth farmstead. Tris noticed something odd about the way his parrapton was behaving. It seemed to be humming at a different frequency.

"They are agitated," the guard said. "They have a keen sense of smell."

"You two wait here," Tris said. "I'm going to float in for a closer look."

Using his levitation, he approached the farmhouse. What he saw made him shake his head in amazement.

"There's a Winged Twilight in there," he reported to Ciel and the guard, resuming his seat on the parrapton. "And... it's doing laundry. I think it saw me but it didn't raise the alarm. It gave me... more of a pained look."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 04:21 AM

Flashback

The Void

He was sleeping. So beautiful. Bosriel reached forth, and her telekinetic touch ran through his hair like a cool breeze.

The bard Arynel had rolled onto his side, and she could see -- though no one else could -- the mark. He was healed, but he was hers. The Void Vampire smiled, and she felt her hunger grow. She had been trying to be good in Castle Ebonheart, but now, with so much death throughout Morrowind and elsewhere, who would notice if a few more people were found missing?

The Akaviri girl had appeared without warning. She and Bosriel, the little girl with the red eyes and the flowing black hair had stared at each other for an infinity that was the beat of a fly’s wing.

Then Bosriel had her and began to feed.


Posted by: Attrebus Jan 26 2005, 04:26 AM

Quickly Jaster let go of his sword and grabbed his bow along with an arrow. He didn't have much time, and he had to be accurate. The dunmer whistled to the parrapton and it let go and started heading towards Jaster. The Twilight has now exposed enough so Jaster fired. The arrow wasn't as accurate as he hoped, however, it was enough to slow it down. A second arrow finished the job, just as the parrapton caught up to the falling Jaster. The dunmer reached out and grabbed onto the saddle and mounted it as best he could. The ground was so close that he could almost reach out and touch it - but the parrapton pulled level just in time.

It was a simple matter of dispatching the remaining Azurites and retrieve his sword after that. Jaster also attended to the wounds of his mount. They would require more attention when they returned, but for now they weren't too bad.

Jaster moved to the next area on his list.

Posted by: Solin Jan 26 2005, 04:40 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 08:09 PM)

Tris:
Using his levitation, he approached the farmhouse. What he saw made him shake his head in amazement.

"There's a Winged Twilight in there,"  he reported to Ciel and the guard, resuming his seat on the parrapton. "And... it's doing laundry. I think it saw me but it didn't raise the alarm. It gave me... more of a pained look."

*




“Laundry?” Ciel asked disbelieving.

The guard gave a harsh raspy laugh and said, “Well then, perhaps it’s best we put it out of its misery.”

The dunmer relayed his wish to his mount with a slight application of pressure. Quick in response, the bug flitted closer to the small cluster of farm buildings. Ciel followed close behind.

The wasps’ buzzing must have been audible inside the stead. The three mounted figures must have been enough to dissuade a head on confrontation. It was not long before a pair of figures darted away from the farm into the countryside. The screeching of the lesser daedra became audible. Their masters must have sent them to cover their escape.

Ciel spurred his mount forward and pointed indicating he would handle at least one of the twilights. His silver blade came free of his scabbard in an instant. The guard hefted a spear and pointed after the fleeing mer below. “Someone best take care of them two,” he yelled over the buzzing.


Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 04:40 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 08:11 PM)

Flashback
The Void

The Akaviri girl had appeared without warning.  She and Bosriel, the little girl with the red eyes and the flowing black hair had stared at each other for an infinity that was the beat of a fly’s wing.

Then Bosriel had her and began to feed.

*




(The Void, a few hours ago:)

There was thunder in the Void, and Leseth was there. He hit the embracing girls like inevitibility itself.

Limp, Doll started to fall into the endless black. Leseth swooped and gathered her up in his arms.

His eyes were flaming as he looked at Bosriel. He bent his head and smelled Doll's lips. She still lived. His shoulders relaxed somewhat.

"Go," he said, very quietly, to Bosriel. "Go back to Ebonheart. I will join you there presently, and we will free you from this place."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 04:50 AM

(The Void, a few hours ago:)


QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 25 2005, 10:30 PM)

"Go," he said, very quietly, to Bosriel. "Go back to Ebonheart. I will join you there presently, and we will free you from this place."

*





Bosriel's face was contorted in a snarl, blood streaming from her lips, spattering on her white robe, dropping into the nothingness below.

For that moment, she was not a little girl, even in appearance. She was the Void Vampire, a monster driven only by hunger and rage. She was the predator whose meal had been interrupted at the moment of ecstasy.

Then she blinked.

'I -' she began, but no apology would do. She bowed her head, and flew rapidly away, swallowed up by darkness.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 04:55 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 25 2005, 09:30 PM)

“Laundry?” Ciel asked disbelieving.

The guard gave a harsh raspy laugh and said, “Well then, perhaps it’s best we put it out of its misery.”

The dunmer relayed his wish to his mount with a slight application of pressure.  Quick in response, the bug flitted closer to the small cluster of farm buildings.  Ciel followed close behind. 

The wasps’ buzzing must have been audible inside the stead.  The three mounted figures must have been enough to dissuade a head on confrontation.  It was not long before a pair of figures darted away from the farm into the countryside. The screeching of the lesser daedra became audible.  Their masters must have sent them to cover their escape.

Ciel spurred his mount forward and pointed indicating he would handle at least one of the twilights.  His silver blade came free of his scabbard in an instant.  The guard hefted a spear and pointed after the fleeing mer below. “Someone best take care of them two,” he yelled over the buzzing.

*




"I'll take them," Tris shouted, spinning his parrapton in the air and zooming after the fleeing people.

It shocked him how little he liked leaving Ciel to fight Twilights. He knew that Ciel could take two of them out. He had seen him take on dozens, in the crowded hall of Loranna's trial outside Vivec. And he had seen him afterwards, with his left arm in shreds, hanging useless at his side, his body dripping water from the harbor and blood in equal quantities.

"Stop it," he told himself, out loud, sweeping his parrapton under the canopy of the forest. The fleeing couple had, sensibly, separated. They were older, probably married, simple farmfolk. He rubbed his fingers against the throwing knife he held in his hand - he could put it through the man's chest, easily. Or he could dip down beside him and kick him to the ground, and accept his surrender.

Far behind him, he heard the terrible shrieks of the twilights these people had summoned, fighting Ciel.

The blade left his fingers, and the man fell, clutching the spouting hole in his breast. A moment later, Tris sent a second blade through the back of his wife's skull.

Posted by: Shardie Jan 26 2005, 04:58 AM

Maranda in Cydoriil

After what seemed like hours, the stone door opened, and an old man walked out
'You must be the high priest?' Maranda asked
'Indeed. I am Curio Setrius, high priest of the Lunar Cult. You have a question to ask me?' Setrius said
'Indeed I do... do you have any old nord worshipers?'
'Now thats a silly question, of course we do...'
'Then, do you have any who lhave been to Cydoriil city in the past few weeks?'
Setrius thought about things for a moment... 'Come with me...' he said, leading her into the cave
As they walked through the dark passages, the priest chatted to her, 'I have not sent anyone to Cydoriil... but I sence... somthing about you that seems... familiar... So I am willing to help... please, sit...' he said, directing Maranda to a chair
'Thank you, I have a new found respect for Shezzar worshipers, now...' Maranda said as he told her story...
Setrius sat and listened paitently, intill she was finished...
'Very well, I shall tell you this. The person you currently search for is in Winterhold, in Skyrim.'
'What? Do you know him?' Maranda asked suprised
'Sort of...' the priest said, as Maranda took out 100 gold pieces as a guesture of thanks. That night, She returned to Chorrol, to make her way to the Kingdom of Winterhold, in Skyrim

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 04:59 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 25 2005, 08:40 PM)

(The Void, a few hours ago:)
Bosriel's face was contorted in a snarl, blood streaming from her lips, spattering on her white robe, dropping into the nothingness below.

For that moment, she was not a little girl, even in appearance.  She was the Void Vampire, a monster driven only by hunger and rage.  She was the predator whose meal had been interrupted at the moment of ecstasy.

Then she blinked.

'I -' she began, but no apology would do.  She bowed her head, and flew rapidly away, swallowed up by darkness.

*




(The Void, a few hours ago:)

Leseth watched her go. If one knew what pity looked like on that monstrous black face, they would have recognized it then.

He looked down at Doll's unconscious form, and whispered a string of power.

Emerging in his own tiny, dark house in Alcaire, he laid the young girl gently on the dusty bed and placed his bear-like hand on her forehead. He whispered a spell. The wounds at her neck closed and her eyelids fluttered.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 05:07 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 25 2005, 09:49 PM)

(The Void, a few hours ago:)

Leseth watched her go. If one knew what pity looked like on that monstrous black face, they would have recognized it then.

He looked down at Doll's unconscious form, and whispered a string of power.

Emerging in his own tiny, dark house in Alcaire, he laid the young girl gently on the dusty bed and placed his bear-like hand on her forehead. He whispered a spell. The wounds at her neck closed and her eyelids fluttered.

*




Doll opened her eyes slowly. She had been having the prettiest dream... of a lovely young playmate, in a pretty room full of nice things. A pretty child's room, a rich child's room. That room had been pink and scarlet and black, with green iced cakes and elaborate wall hangings, and a sweet little bed, just for her.

She was understandably confused when she awoke. So she lay still, to get her bearings. She was on a bed, yes, but not a nice little bed. She was on a bed in the ordinary world, in a room fireless and cheerless, and over her loomed someone who could only be Leseth. He was touching her. Behind him she could see what should have been the ceiling of the room but instead was a doorway into nothingness.

Suddenly she was terrified of her dream, which had seemed so nice.

Her instinct was to protect herself. And this she did by smiling, a very demure tiny smile, and saying:

"OH! Where am I? I feel so dizzy."



Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jan 26 2005, 05:08 AM

Issa Yojimbo rode a stilt strider from Suran to Khuul.

He was sitting in the back of the giant bug's hollowed out shell, playing a fat lute he had found in Suran.

He found that he liked the lute, and played it quite well. In the few short hours it took to get to Khuul, he had developed a strong liking to the instrument, akin to the one he had for his old sword. Granted, he could no longer perform magick spells beyond the realm of reality, nor could he travel through the Void with this fat lute, but at least he no longer felt helpless.

Suddenly, the stilt strider stopped. The driver told Issa to get off. They weren't in Khuul.

A platoon of Imperial Knights, lead by Felix Felices demanded to see someone named "Issa Yojimbo".

"Yeah, that's me...can I serve the Emperor's finest?"

Felix glared at the half-Dunmer. "We are to take you back to Cyrodiil."

They were all mounted on horses, with an extra one for Yojimbo.

----------------------

Soon, they were on their way to Ebonhart Port, where a boat to the Mainland was waiting.

Issa played his fat lute all the way there.

He had found a joy that he hadn't had since....





Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 05:09 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 08:57 PM)

Suddenly she was terrified of her dream, which had seemed so nice.

Her instinct was to protect herself. And this she did by smiling, a very demure tiny smile, and saying:

"OH!  Where am I?  I feel so dizzy."

*




(Leseth's house, Alcaire, present time:)

Leseth quickly withdrew his hand and stood back.

"You are safe now. You are in my home.

"It is my fault you were attacked. Forgive me.

"I should take you back," he said suddenly.

Posted by: Solin Jan 26 2005, 05:13 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 08:45 PM)

Far behind him, he heard the terrible shrieks of the twilights these people had summoned, fighting Ciel.

The blade left his fingers, and the man fell, clutching the spouting hole in his breast. A moment later, Tris sent a second blade through the back of his wife's skull.

*




Ciel slashed at the twilight’s flapping wings. It flitted sideways nimbly, dodging the swing. Screeching, it came back at the knight, talons extended, ready to rend flesh. Fighting a flying beast from the back of a flying mount was far different from fighting on horseback.

Having far more experience in aerial combat, his guard companion fair better than Ciel. He flowed through the air after the second daedra. Smooth graceful spirals and rolls, it almost seemed fanciful. The spear point never wavered from its target through all the dives and climbs, even when the beast turned back to rake at the mer’s face.

The parrapton responded to the dunmer’s command without hesitation. Blinded by the sun momentarily, the two combatants separated. The twilight had lost track of her foe but her eyes now locked on Ciel, still struggling with her partner. She began to dive, ready to slash at the knight’s unprotected back when the spear point pierced her back. Gravity tore her free from the weapon’s bladed tip, crumpling in the air she fell to the hard ground below.

The guard spat after the falling corpse and turned to help Ciel, who was now bleeding from half a dozen nicks and cut administered by his opponent. It was not long before she joined her companion on the ground.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 05:15 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 25 2005, 09:59 PM)

(Leseth's house, Alcaire, present time:)

Leseth quickly withdrew his hand and stood back.

"You are safe now. You are in my home.

"It is my fault you were attacked. Forgive me.

"I should take you back," he said suddenly.

*




Doll was racing through her memories. She remembered the General sending her to find Solin and Arynel; she remembered speaking to Solin. And then she had seen the pretty child - that was real, wasn't it? Of course it was. That was Bosriel. She was so frail, she looked like a ghost or a spirit.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she said, with a smile like a flower opening to the sun. She sat up, experimentally, and found that although she was very cold, the cold seemed to be in the room itself and not in her bones. "I've never been to Alcaire before. I'm Doll - but you probably already know that. You know everything about us, don't you?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 05:18 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 09:05 PM)

Doll was racing through her memories. She remembered the General sending her to find Solin and Arynel;  she remembered speaking to Solin. And then she had seen the pretty child - that was real, wasn't it?  Of course it was. That was Bosriel. She was so frail, she looked like a ghost or a spirit.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she said, with a smile like a flower opening to the sun. She sat up, experimentally, and found that although she was very cold, the cold seemed to be in the room itself and not in her bones. "I've never been to Alcaire before. I'm Doll - but you probably already know that. You know everything about us, don't you?"

*




(Leseth's house, Alcaire:)

"I watch everyone," Leseth said, unaware of how disturbing that sounded.

"Again, I regret putting your life in danger. I should watch more carefully."

The huge monster seemed almost tongue-tied.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 05:22 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 25 2005, 10:08 PM)

"I watch everyone," Leseth said, unaware of how disturbing that sounded.

"Again, I regret putting your life in danger. I should watch more carefully."

The huge monster seemed almost tongue-tied.

*




"It's good that you watch over us," Doll said. She extended one dainty hand. "The General has work for me; will you take me back?"

It was patently absurd that she, a Void Ranger, would need to be taken anywhere. But she didn't mention that. Besides, he would protect her from the child in the Void. At the thought, she shivered, almost imperceptibly, and a faint shadow came into her eyes.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 05:29 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 25 2005, 09:12 PM)

"It's good that you watch over us,"  Doll said. She extended one dainty hand. "The General has work for me;  will you take me back?"

It was patently absurd that she, a Void Ranger, would need to be taken anywhere. But she didn't mention that. Besides, he would protect her from the child in the Void. At the thought, she shivered, almost imperceptibly, and a faint shadow came into her eyes.

*




(Leseth's house, Alcaire:)

Leseth extended his own mailed hand, nearly four times the size of Dolls, and gently helped her to her feet.

Covering her with one huge arm, he crouched, making the floorboards bend, and lept into the ceiling that was not there.



They rejoined the world in Doll's warm room, in Jazbet's castle. Leseth sat her gently on her feet.

"Tell the General," he said quietly, "that I am trying to make things right with the girl."

He bowed slightly, and with a crack like thunder, he was gone.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 05:33 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 25 2005, 10:03 PM)

Ciel slashed at the twilight’s flapping wings.  It flitted sideways nimbly, dodging the swing.  Screeching, it came back at the knight, talons extended, ready to rend flesh.  Fighting a flying beast from the back of a flying mount was far different from fighting on horseback. 

Having far more experience in aerial combat, his guard companion fair better than Ciel.  He flowed through the air after the second daedra.  Smooth graceful spirals and rolls, it almost seemed fanciful.  The spear point never wavered from its target through all the dives and climbs, even when the beast turned back to rake at the mer’s face.

The parrapton responded to the dunmer’s command without hesitation.  Blinded by the sun momentarily, the two combatants separated.  The twilight had lost track of her foe but her eyes now locked on Ciel, still struggling with her partner.  She began to dive, ready to slash at the knight’s unprotected back when the spear point pierced her back.  Gravity tore her free from the weapon’s bladed tip, crumpling in the air she fell to the hard ground below.

The guard spat after the falling corpse and turned to help Ciel, who was now bleeding from half a dozen nicks and cut administered by his opponent.  It was not long before she joined her companion on the ground.

*




Tris:

"I took out the two Azurites," Tris reported. The expression on his face was strained, but his words were breezy. "Shall we?"

The day continued as it had begun - routine work, punctuated by moments of shock and sudden confusion and bloody death. They found one farmstead where the entire family had been killed. The murderer was somewhere. Ciel poked and prodded and gave opinions; they set out again. In another house the farmer's family had been killed and the house was inhabited by a hired laborer, whom the guard knew and called by name. That sort of thing. Three witches walking along outside of town, on the road back, who tried to flirt with them, then took offense at the notion of a dispell being cast.

By the time they got back, Tris had killed several people. Enough that he was no longer particularly bothered by the first pair. Not being bothered bothered him even more than being bothered, but his mind wouldn't stay on the subject; it kept veering off.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 07:24 AM

Illidan and Dante slowly trecked through the sky, the Parraptons humming loudly as they hobbled towards a small farmhouse in the distance, from their position it looked normal enough. But upon further inspection they found the door to be kicked in.

"Let's check this one out..." Murmered Illidan, rubbing his hands together making the large insect lower itself to ground level. Dante nodded and too, rubbed his hands together....but, instead of landing the Parrapton began to spin in circles.

"What the!? no, land!" shouted Dante, rubbing his hands together harder, causing the beast to spin faster. Eventually, after about five minutes of cursing, nudging, rubbing and confusion, the insect finally set itself down on the ground, allowing Dante to dismount it.

"Okay, let's go Ill-......Illidan?" He asked, searching around the outside of the farmhouse, he noticed somebodys feet thrashing about from behind the corner of it, "Illidan!" Shouted Dante, drawing his sword and sprinting around the corner to find Illidan.....laughing?

He was laughing so hard that no sound was escaping his mouth, Dante frowned, sheathed his blade and dragged him to his feet, "Shutup, let's check this damn house out already."

The two made their way into the house, almost immeadietly they were knocked back by the pure stench, "Ugh.....damn, what died in here?" Aked Illidan, pinching his nostrils shut with his fingers, "That" replied Dante, pointing to atleast 3 corpses, all Dunmer, there eyes had supposedly been gouged/cut out, by the attacker.

Dante went over to a nearby table and lit a candle, barely illuminating the desk he was looking over, from behind Illidan a closet door burst off it's hinges and through the darkness of the room, the form of a Khajiit could be seen leaping out of it.

Illidan screamed shrilly and dropped to the floor, the Khajiit beginning to tear into his back, "Damnit!" Snarled Dante, drawing his blade and readying the horn he had gotten earlier. "FWAAAOOOOOOOOMMMMMM" The horn rung out through the country side and had a slight defeaning affect on the farmhouse.

Almost instantly, the Khajiit turned it's attention to Dante, and readied itself to pounce.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 07:46 AM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 26 2005, 01:14 AM)

Illidan and Dante slowly trecked through the sky, the Parraptons humming loudly as they hobbled towards a small farmhouse in the distance, from their position it looked normal enough. But upon further inspection they found the door to be kicked in.

"Let's check this one out..." Murmered Illidan, rubbing his hands together making the large insect lower itself to ground level. Dante nodded and too, rubbed his hands together....but, instead of landing the Parrapton began to spin in circles.

"What the!? no, land!" shouted Dante, rubbing his hands together harder, causing the beast to spin faster. Eventually, after about five minutes of cursing, nudging, rubbing and confusion, the insect finally set itself down on the ground, allowing Dante to dismount it.

"Okay, let's go Ill-......Illidan?" He asked, searching around the outside of the farmhouse, he noticed somebodys feet thrashing about from behind the corner of it, "Illidan!" Shouted Dante, drawing his sword and sprinting around the corner to find Illidan.....laughing?

He was laughing so hard that no sound was escaping his mouth, Dante frowned, sheathed his blade and dragged him to his feet, "Shutup, let's check this damn house out already."

The two made their way into the house, almost immeadietly they were knocked back by the pure stench, "Ugh.....damn, what died in here?" Aked Illidan, pinching his nostrils shut with his fingers, "That" replied Dante, pointing to atleast 3 corpses, all Dunmer, there eyes had supposedly been gouged/cut out, by the attacker.

Dante went over to a nearby table and lit a candle, barely illuminating the desk he was looking over, from behind Illidan a closet door burst off it's hinges and through the darkness of the room, the form of a Khajiit could be seen leaping out of it.

Illidan screamed shrilly and dropped to the floor, the Khajiit beginning to tear into his back, "Damnit!" Snarled Dante, drawing his blade and readying the horn he had gotten earlier. "FWAAAOOOOOOOOMMMMMM" The horn rung out through the country side and had a slight defeaning affect on the farmhouse.

Almost instantly, the Khajiit turned it's attention to Dante, and readied itself to pounce.

*





Loranna and Dram had completed their patrol and were heading back when they heard the sound of the horn.

Loranna frowns. " ... First one we've heard today ... someone must have found something big ..."

Dram rests his hand on the pommel of his sword. "Let's go investigate," he says. " ... Be careful; you've been doing fairly well but we've only faced one or two enemies at a time so far. Stay on the outskirts of a melee and pick people off like you did with that witch."

Loranna nods, and the two fly to the source of the horn.


Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 07:53 AM

As the horn's cry rent the air, Vilyanna wheeled in the air and headed towards its source. As they came nearer Teleran noticed two other parraptons ahead of him and followed them in.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 08:00 AM

"FWAAAOOOOOOMMMMM" Cried the horn, yet again, Dante readying himself as the Khajiit began to slowly pad around on the floor, as to find a suitable chance, not taking it's eyes off of Dante's throat.

Meanwhile up the stairs of the farmhouse, a small group of atleast three Khajiit sat in a circle enjoying a large amount of skooma that they had possesion of, strangely not being able to hear the noises coming from beneath them.

Dante raised the horn to his mouth again, He took a large breath as it reached his lips, he tilted his head upwards and realeased it again "FWAAAAOOOOOMMMMM" needless to say, the Khajiit found this the perfect oppurtunity to strike and lunged forward, leaving two tiny scratch marks on Dante's cheek, the Khajiit crouched back down and waited for another chance to strike.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 08:07 AM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 26 2005, 01:50 AM)

"FWAAAOOOOOOMMMMM" Cried the horn, yet again, Dante readying himself as the Khajiit began to slowly pad around on the floor, as to find a suitable chance, not taking it's eyes off of Dante's throat.

Meanwhile up the stairs of the farmhouse, a small group of atleast three Khajiit sat in a circle enjoying a large amount of skooma that they had possesion of, strangely not being able to hear the noises coming from beneath them.

Dante raised the horn to his mouth again, He took a large breath as it reached his lips, he tilted his head upwards and realeased it again "FWAAAAOOOOOMMMMM" needless to say, the Khajiit found this the perfect oppurtunity to strike and lunged forward, leaving two tiny scratch marks on Dante's cheek, the Khajiit crouched back down and waited for another chance to strike.

*





Parrartors were fast, and Loranna and Dram - and their new flying companion - soon found the source of the call. Dismounting, they cautiously approach the farmhouse ...

" ... A Khajiit ... and no Twilights or other forces in sight ..." Dram notes as he and Loranna step just inside the farmhouse, his brow furrowing a little.

" ... Oh great," Loranna sighs.

Dram draws his sword, and stepping forwad he calls out to the Khajiit "Surrender betmer! Show us your eyes in the name of the lord of these lands, Dres Jazbet!"

Loranna remains near the door, standing to the side of it. She readies a dispel scroll, while keeping an eye out for other attackers.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 08:10 AM

Teleran jumps from Vilyanna's back to land beside the farmhouse and then follows the two he spied earlier, Loranna and one of Jazbet's knights, into the farmhouse and sees Dante fighting with a Khajiit. At the mention of eyes Teleran jerks his head away in reflex, before remembering that this is how to spot Azurites.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 08:17 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 01:57 AM)

Parrartors were fast, and Loranna and Dram - and their new flying companion - soon found the source of the call. Dismounting, they cautiously approach the farmhouse ...

" ... A Khajiit ... and no Twilights or other forces in sight ..." Dram notes as he and Loranna step just inside the farmhouse, his brow furrowing a little.

" ... Oh great," Loranna sighs.

Dram draws his sword, and stepping forwad he calls out to the Khajiit "Surrender betmer! Show us your eyes in the name of the lord of these lands, Dres Jazbet!"

Loranna remains near the door, standing to the side of it. She readies a dispel scroll, while keeping an eye out for other attackers.

*





The Khajiit's head darted to the source of sound, oddly enough so did the other Khajiits upstairs, out of yet another small room up the stairs another five Khajiit burst out, nine of them in total, almost as if they had gathered a small army.

The original Khajiit jumped forward onto Dante, stadying itself it launched off of his chest and sunk it's claws into the soft wooden ceiling, it slowly yet agiley scurried across the room towards the newly seen group of people, it scurried across until it was directly above Dram, looking down at him the group would notice his eyes looking quite normal. Despite that it still attacked, dropping from the roof with it's claws out, ready to cause some damage.

Dante fell back onto the table, extinguishing the candle he had earlier lit, he regained his composure and ran to Illidan, he began the tedious task of trying to wake him.

The Khajiit upstairs had readied themselves for a battle, an amount of them were wearing a Cuirass, of different materials, others had grabbed the nearest weapon, the best of which being a spear, the worst being a cleaver.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 08:41 AM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 26 2005, 02:07 AM)

The Khajiit's head darted to the source of sound, oddly enough so did the other Khajiits upstairs, out of yet another small room up the stairs another five Khajiit burst out, nine of them in total, almost as if they had gathered a small army.

The original Khajiit jumped forward onto Dante, stadying itself it launched off of his chest and sunk it's claws into the soft wooden ceiling, it slowly yet agiley scurried across the room towards the newly seen group of people, it scurried across until it was directly above Dram, looking down at him the group would notice his eyes looking quite normal. Despite that it still attacked, dropping from the roof with it's claws out, ready to cause some damage.

Dante fell back onto the table, extinguishing the candle he had earlier lit, he regained his composure and ran to Illidan, he began the tedious task of trying to wake him.

The Khajiit upstairs had readied themselves for a battle, an amount of them were wearing a Cuirass, of different materials, others had grabbed the nearest weapon, the best of which being a spear, the worst being a cleaver.

*





Loranna casts her dispel scroll as the candle gets extinguished, and she and Dram have time to see the Khajiit's eyes turn glowing blue ...

Dram sidesteps the pouncing Khajiit with little trouble, silver longsword lashing out; the Khajiit hits the floor minus one clawed hand and roars in pain, to be cut short by Dram's sword as it smoothly runs through the Azurite's chest.

Dram casts a light spell to let people see more easily as he deftly steps over to Dante and Illidan, asking " ... Are there others?"

Loranna hears commotion upstairs. "More are coming," she says, readying her shortsword.

"Get your wounded friend out of here," Dram commands Dante. "You, with the spear, get ready to help me hold the enemy back. Loranna, fall back and help heal the wounded man. We'll try to keep them inside here, where they can't easily summon their pet Daedra."

Loranna moves to help Dante carry Illidan out. "Come on ..."


Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 08:46 AM

"Very well sir knight, but I'm not too good at taking orders, mind if I do a little more than 'keep them inside'." Teleran laughed as flourished his spear. "Get out of here Illidan, I'll cover you."

Teleran turned to the stairs as the first Khajiit came in and started to move towards them his spearpoint coming up to meet the nearest one.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 09:00 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 02:31 AM)

Loranna casts her dispel scroll as the candle gets extinguished, and she and Dram have time to see the Khajiit's eyes turn glowing blue ...

Dram sidesteps the pouncing Khajiit with little trouble, silver longsword lashing out; the Khajiit hits the floor minus one clawed hand and roars in pain, to be cut short by Dram's sword as it smoothly runs through the Azurite's chest.

Dram casts a light spell to let people see more easily as he deftly steps over to Dante and Illidan, asking " ... Are there others?"

Loranna hears commotion upstairs.  "More are coming," she says, readying her shortsword.

"Get your wounded friend out of here," Dram commands Dante.  "You, with the spear, get ready to help me hold the enemy back.  Loranna, fall back and help heal the wounded man.  We'll try to keep them inside here, where they can't easily summon their pet Daedra."

Loranna moves to help Dante carry Illidan out.  "Come on ..."

*







QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 26 2005, 02:36 AM)

"Very well sir knight, but I'm not too good at taking orders, mind if I do a little more than 'keep them inside'." Teleran laughed as flourished his spear. "Get out of here Illidan, I'll cover you."

Teleran turned to the stairs as the first Khajiit came in and started to move towards them his spearpoint coming up to meet the nearest one.

*





Dante nodded to Loranna, and hoisted Illidan over his shoulder, the three of them made their way outside onto the surprisingly soft grass and placed Illidan down, Dante sheathed his blade and looked to Loranna "How good is your knowledge of healing spells?"

The first Khajiit took Teleran's spear to the chest, it's Chitin armour barely managing to save it from the blow, it readied itself and lunged towards him, an iron saber gripped tightly in it's paw. The second Khajiit bolted down the stairs and leapt forward, barrelrolling in the air it positioned itself beautifully as it attempted to bring it's cleaver down on Dram's shoulder.

Posted by: Solin Jan 26 2005, 09:03 AM

Solin sat at a writing desk in one of Jazbet's small libraries away from the fighting that was occuring on the lord's land. Before him were several rolled sheets of parchment, neatly tied so they wouldn’t unroll. The remnants of his work were all gathered into a small pile tucked out of the way on a corner of the desk. The Dunmer scratched away on the open scroll in front of him.

The simulacrum was in the chamber with him. Its presence was confirmed by the humming of its internal workings. Solin could tell where about it was without glancing so accustomed was he to the sound.

He finished his work on the current sheet and slid it to one side waiting for the ink to dry completely. Not stopping a moment he dipped the tip of his pen into the bottle and began on the next.


Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 09:12 AM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 26 2005, 02:50 AM)

Dante nodded to Loranna, and hoisted Illidan over his shoulder, the three of them made their way outside onto the surprisingly soft grass and placed Illidan down, Dante sheathed his blade and looked to Loranna "How good is your knowledge of healing spells?"

The first Khajiit took Teleran's spear to the chest, it's Chitin armour barely managing to save it from the blow, it readied itself and lunged towards him, an iron saber gripped tightly in it's paw. The second Khajiit bolted down the stairs and leapt forward, barrelrolling in the air it positioned itself beautifully as it attempted to bring it's cleaver down on Dram's shoulder.

*





Loranna sets her lips in a determined line. "Not that great," she admits, "but I can at least halt the bleeding and close some of these wounds. If you have any healing magic or potions, give me a hand."

Loranna chants her healing spell, and slowly the bleeding stops and some of Illidan's wounds close up. Loranna doesn't pay much heed now to the fact that without Azura her limited magic is even more limited, being too busy healing.

---

Dram, seeing Teleran charge forward, sighs, a lightning spell on the tip of his tongue. So much for his plan to zap the first Azurite to come charging through the door and slow the others down a little. Advennturers seldom had any real group discipline, he notes philosophically.

However, the cleaver-wielding Khajiit presents Dram with a great chance to use his lightning spell anyway; with a gesture and a word he shocks the Khajiit as he steps to the side, cleaver chipping off a piece of his pouldron. The blue-eyed feline growls a curse in his native tongue and swings at Dram again, with wild strength; Dram steps back once to avoid a swing, parries a second with a strong movement, and prevents the third from landing by running the Khajiit through.

A third Khajiit, however, manages to get past both Teleran and Dram, depsite Dram lashing out at the swiftly-moving Azurite and opening a gash in its side. Cursing, he yells out "Loranna, incoming!"

---

Outside, Dram's yell jolts Loranna out of her healing chant, and she grabs her shortblade, seeing the wounded Khajiit barrel out of the house and come leaping toward her. Instinctively, she ducks down and holds her blade up, and the Khajiit ends up opening his belly as he sails past, his claws tearing through Loranna's hair as he passes.

Loranna staggers a little but gets to her feet, looking over to see the Khajiit writhing. With a muted " ... Sorry dear," she puts the betmer out of its misery ...

Standing near Dante and Illidan, Loranna hisses " ... Heal him if you can; that's all I can do now ..."


Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 09:23 AM

Teleran spun to avoid the Khajiit's lunge, but the saber manage to get through the joint at his elbow between his pauldron and his gaunlet. Teleran's 'arm' snapped backwards at an unnatural angle, snapping the blade of the saber as it did so. Teleran smacked the betmer with the shaft of his spear as he completed his spin and finished him when his gauntlet surged forward and tore through his ribcage.

As the first one falls Teleran lets his dagger take one of the Khajiit that was past him in the back and stabs at the next one to come into view with his spear.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 09:31 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 03:02 AM)

Loranna sets her lips in a determined line.  "Not that great," she admits, "but I can at least halt the bleeding and close some of these wounds.  If you have any healing magic or potions, give me a hand."

Loranna chants her healing spell, and slowly the bleeding stops and some of Illidan's wounds close up.  Loranna doesn't pay much heed now to the fact that without Azura her limited magic is even more limited, being too busy healing.

---

Dram, seeing Teleran charge forward, sighs, a lightning spell on the tip of his tongue.  So much for his plan to zap the first Azurite to come charging through the door and slow the others down a little.  Advennturers seldom had any real group discipline, he notes philosophically.

However, the cleaver-wielding Khajiit presents Dram with a great chance to use his lightning spell anyway; with a gesture and a word he shocks the Khajiit as he steps to the side, cleaver chipping off a piece of his pouldron.  The blue-eyed feline growls a curse in his native tongue and swings at Dram again, with wild strength; Dram steps back once to avoid a swing, parries a second with a strong movement, and prevents the third from landing by running the Khajiit through.

A third Khajiit, however, manages to get past both Teleran and Dram, depsite Dram lashing out at the swiftly-moving Azurite and opening a gash in its side.  Cursing, he yells out "Loranna, incoming!"

---

Outside, Dram's yell jolts Loranna out of her healing chant, and she grabs her shortblade, seeing the wounded Khajiit barrel out of the house and come leaping toward her.  Instinctively, she ducks down and holds her blade up, and the Khajiit ends up opening his belly as he sails past, his claws tearing through Loranna's hair as he passes.

Loranna staggers a little but gets to her feet, looking over to see the Khajiit writhing.  With a muted " ... Sorry dear," she puts the betmer out of its misery ...

Standing near Dante and Illidan, Loranna hisses " ... Heal him if you can; that's all I can do now ..."

*





Dante nodded abruptly, he turned to Illidan and remembered he didn't know any spells, so he grudgingly stood again and drew his sword.

Only three of the four remaining Khajiit had bolted down the stairs, the first of which bearing no weapons or armour, the ones after it both bearing steel longswords.

Meanwhile, upstairs...the fourth Khajiit cast an Illusion spell on itself covering up it's natural eye colour, it scooped up it's spear and slowly opened a window, he silently crept out and noticed Dante with his sword drawn. The cat hissed loudly and summoned his winged twilight, the pair of them lept down from the rooftop and charged towards them.

"Look out!"

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 09:45 AM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 26 2005, 03:21 AM)

Dante nodded abruptly, he turned to Illidan and remembered he didn't know any spells, so he grudgingly stood again and drew his sword.

Only three of the four remaining Khajiit had bolted down the stairs, the first of which bearing no weapons or armour, the ones after it both bearing steel longswords.

Meanwhile, upstairs...the fourth Khajiit cast an Illusion spell on itself covering up it's natural eye colour, it scooped up it's spear and slowly opened a window, he silently crept out and noticed Dante with his sword drawn. The cat hissed loudly and summoned his winged twilight, the pair of them lept down from the rooftop and charged towards them.

"Look out!"

*





Inside, Dram engages the first Khajiit to reach him while holding his ground; Dram's silver longsword clashes against the Khajiit's steel blade. Swords dance back and forth as the two exchanged blows, and Dram noted with a smal grin that his current opponent had some skill with swordsmanship.

Fortunately for Dram, however, the Khajiit didn't have enough to overcome him. The Azurite did get in one or two blows, the first of which left Dram's side aching from the impact and the second of which left his left arm with a long red line, but a moment later the steel longsword went flying, and a second later so did the Khajiit's head. Both hit the ground at almost the same time, the headless body srashing to the floor seconds later.

The unarmed Khajiit makes for the sword; seeing this Dram moves to stop him, and with a single thrust another Khajiit hits the floor ...

===

The sight of the Winged Twilight makes Loranna's heart race; Illidan was still down and she wasn't up to fighting one of these things in the open, while dismounted ...

However, Dante was there, and for the moment Dante was the focus of the Twilight's and the Khajiit's attention. The Khajiit, she could deal with.

Loranna ducks, evading a wild swing, and with a low stab pokes at the Khajiit's legs; she is rewarded with a howl of pain, which almost drowns out the agitated buzzing of the mounts. Angered, the spear-wielding Azurite turns and lunges at Loranna, nearly overturning her.

Loranna gets pushed back, a snarling betmer closer to her than she ever wished to experience; she twists as the spear rakes her, crying out as her side is slashed. A powerful and lucky swipe knocks her sword from her hand and the Khajiit lunges for her chest.

Instinctively, Loranna twists and grabs the shaft of the spear, and for a moment she and the Khajiit are locked in a contest to see who will get the weapon - the ashskinned Nord girl, or the snarling Azurite.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 10:01 AM

Teleran's thrust was redirected by the Khajiit's long sword, but it didn't manage to get it back in time to block the gauntlet smashing into his skull. Teleran raised his spear to finish him, but realized that the betmer was no longer moving.

He looked around and seeing that there were no more enemies inside, he checked Azurite's pulse, "Still with us, huh? Well I wouldn't get too used to it." Teleran said, as he turned to tell Dram that he had a live one, the betmer got up and clawed at Teleran's back.

Screaming in surprise Teleran turned the Khajiit into a pincushion, four daggers stood out from his chest and the saber's blade went through his skull. The long sword he had dropped, pinning his arm to the floor. Teleran walked gingerly outside to call Vilyanna so he could get a healing potion from his saddlepack.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 10:12 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 03:35 AM)

The sight of the Winged Twilight makes Loranna's heart race; Illidan was still down and she wasn't up to fighting one of these things in the open, while dismounted ...

However, Dante was there, and for the moment Dante was the focus of the Twilight's and the Khajiit's attention.  The Khajiit, she could deal with.

Loranna ducks, evading a wild swing, and with a low stab pokes at the Khajiit's legs; she is rewarded with a howl of pain, which almost drowns out the agitated buzzing of the mounts.  Angered, the spear-wielding Azurite turns and lunges at Loranna, nearly overturning her.

Loranna gets pushed back, a snarling betmer closer to her than she ever wished to experience; she twists as the spear rakes her, crying out as her side is slashed.  A powerful and lucky swipe knocks her sword from her hand and the Khajiit lunges for her chest.

Instinctively, Loranna twists and grabs the shaft of the spear, and for a moment she and the Khajiit are locked in a contest to see who will get the weapon - the ashskinned Nord girl, or the snarling Azurite.

*





Seeing Loranna go after the Khajiit, Dante turned his attention to the Winged Twilight that was now swooping towards him, the Twilights' attack was dodged gingerly by Dante as he rolled beneath it's claws.

He sat up on one knee and removed an ebony throwing star he had kept away in an easy to access nook in his armour. He quickly sent it hurtling towards the winged twilight which was now beating it's wings powerfully to slow itself down, the monster wasn't to happy when it felt a throwing star fly through one of it's wings.

It screeched loudly, and swooped down at Dante again, this time however he clutched tightly around one of the beasts legs as it flew back up. Dante quickly thrust his sword into the twilights stomach sending it back to Oblivion, unfortunately, it also sent him crashing to the ground beneath him, sending up a cloud of dust.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 10:22 AM

Ald Raathim

This had to be the worst part.

That was what Jazbet kept repeating to himself. This had to be the worst part. Going door to door, interrogating people like it was some sort of inquisition, routing out people, casting spells to find illusions, executing so many people, some of whom had simply made the wrong decision at the moment when Azura had coming calling. They were not bad people. They were people he knew.

They were the funny guys he told jokes with. They were women he had slept with. They were mothers, they were priests, they were good people he couldn’t take a chance with.

It had to be better when he was killing people he didn’t know. Invaders, that was the war he wanted to have, if he had to have one.

Once again, he was glad he was blind, and he refused to see his visions. The Khajiit did not want to see the faces of his people, the ones he had sworn to protect, at the moment he had them killed.

At the tavern, he drank deeply.

Overhead, the wasps circled.


Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 10:25 AM

Dram looks at Teleran with a bemused expression. " ... Nice attack," he says, glancing at the pincushioned Khajiit. "Why don't we ..."

As Teleran heads outside, Dram mutters under his breath " ... go check on the others?" He follows Teleran, his sword still in hand.

===

Loranna stares into the blazing blue eyes of her enemy, seeing a murderous rage, and feels anger rise up in her. Enough was enough; this ended now.

Inspiration hitting her, Loranna suddenly lets go; the Khajiit snarls in victory and lunges forward but Loranna was already sidestepping, the Khajiit's injured leg getting kicked hard as she evades the spear. Yelping in pain, the Khajiit stumbles, using his spear to try and catch himself ...

... and in that moment, while the Azurite is off-balance, Loranna raises the horn slung at her side and smashes it down on the Khajiit's head; once, twice, three times. The horn shatters after the third hit but the Khajiit goes down, and a brief check reveals he won't be getting up.

Dram and Teleran come out in time to see Loranna use her magic to staunch the bleeding of her wound, and head over to Dante and Illidan. Dram remarks " ... Ouch; that was a good horn." Growing more serious, he says "Right; heal up and take stock, everyone. We'll need to check the rest of the house out once we're restored."



Posted by: Teleran Jan 26 2005, 10:32 AM

Teleran came outside just in time to see the Khajiit go down and he thought to himself, 'Glad I don't need to fight anymore, It feels like he shredded my back real good.' Vil flew over to him and allowed him to get a potion from his pack. As he drank deeply he felt the flesh knitting itself together again. Then he realized he had left his weapon's inside. So he called them to himself and resheathed them.

Posted by: Shardie Jan 26 2005, 10:44 AM

Maranda in Skyrim

Maranda steped out of the Mages Guild in Winterhold, a white wolfskin fur coat around her and looked around... where would that red cloaked man be? She would try near the palace... in the temples, the local taverns... who this red robed man was was... the Shezzar priest said she could find him here, but where? She made her way to the palace...

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 10:45 AM

Ald Raathim

Already the town had come alive, simply on the news that so many dangerous cult members had been killed.

The people were in a mood for celebration. They played their traditional songs in the square beneath the moons, which were showing bright tonight, as if to mark the occasion.

‘When will I get my weapons to kill the wretched usurpers to our land?’ asked one merchant Jazbet had previously known to be the quiestest, most peaceful man in his village.

‘Soon,’ said the Khajiit, returning to his drink.



Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 10:48 AM

Dante walked back into the farmhouse, noting the corpses around him he tried his hardest not to slip on the blood that now coated the floors, he made his way back to the desk he was searching before the whole attack had happened, he found some scrawled notes, obviously written by the Azurites, jibberish to Dante, the only thing worth looking over was a diary he found, he assumed it had belonged to one of the owners of this estate, before his or her's untimely end.

He made his way across the room to a small pantry, opening it he was immeadietly met with a barrage of falling weaponry, out of the large assortment he found 3 silver weapons, which he assumed could help once the group had armed everyone accordingly.

Next was upstairs, making his way unsteadily up the stairs which were riddled with Khajiit corpses the first thing he spotted was the furniture that was turned over, mattresses were covering the floor as was small amounts of moonsugar, even in their new religion they still retained there love for that stuff.

Around the upstairs area he found more scrawled notes, some more forms of weaponry and armour, in alot worse condition then the ones he saw downstairs. After a 10 minutes search the place it began to creep him out, so he left. "Nothing in there that is really worthy of note" He stated, emerging from the front door with the scrawled notes and the diary "But I'm going to study this diary's entrys if that's alright" He added.

Not too far from the group, Illidan began to stir.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 10:53 AM

QUOTE(Shardie @ Jan 26 2005, 04:34 AM)

Maranda in Skyrim

Maranda steped out of the Mages Guild in Winterhold, a white wolfskin fur coat around her and looked around... where would that red cloaked man be? She would try near the palace... in the temples, the local taverns... who this red robed man was was... the Shezzar priest said she could find him here, but where? She made her way to the palace...

*





Winterhold, Skyrim

Elysana, in truth, had never liked her second cousin, Orthor. He was a terrible drunk and a famous sex fiend, two traits she had never suffered from, among the many evils she had been accused of.

The Queen of Wayrest, swathed in the furs that were her gift, stepped out into the courtyard. Throught the civilized modes of discourse, she had heard from her court that the insurrections of Azurites, largely from witches and other unusual characters, had been dealt with. She was finally warm and well-fed. So were her men.

When the rivers were a little more clear, in a day or two, they would pass on south.

Elysana wasn’t tired yet, but she wasn’t in the mood for a Nord drinking hall. She stood out in the courtyard, and looked at the two full moons, Jone and Jode, Masser and Secunda ….


Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 10:58 AM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 26 2005, 04:38 AM)

Dante walked back into the farmhouse, noting the corpses around him he tried his hardest not to slip on the blood that now coated the floors, he made his way back to the desk he was searching before the whole attack had happened, he found some scrawled notes, obviously written by the Azurites, jibberish to Dante, the only thing worth looking over was a diary he found, he assumed it had belonged to one of the owners of this estate, before his or her's untimely end.

He made his way across the room to a small pantry, opening it he was immeadietly met with a barrage of falling weaponry, out of the large assortment he found 3 silver weapons, which he assumed could help once the group had armed everyone accordingly.

Next was upstairs, making his way unsteadily up the stairs which were riddled with Khajiit corpses the first thing he spotted was the furniture that was turned over, mattresses were covering the floor as was small amounts of moonsugar, even in their new religion they still retained there love for that stuff.

Around the upstairs area he found more scrawled notes, some more forms of weaponry and armour, in alot worse condition then the ones he saw downstairs. After a 10 minutes search the place it began to creep him out, so he left. "Nothing in there that is really worthy of note" He stated, emerging from the front door with the scrawled notes and the diary "But I'm going to study this diary's entrys if that's alright" He added.

Not too far from the group, Illidan began to stir.

*





Dram goes to investigate as well, his expression dismayed. " ... We did well to find this place and break them before they could gather any more strength - or less sugar-addled members," he says, turning to Dante. "Lord Dres Jazbet will doubtless wish to have that diary and those notes looked at by Kellan; hang onto them if you would please. I'm sure if you ask they will share the information learned therein with you; it may be of concern to us all."

Healing potions were distributed, and soon the only marks of battle were the tattered, bloodstained tears on peoples' clothing and the dents in their armor. Loranna retrieves and cleans her sword, and picks up the pieces of the broken horn.

"Let us give these poor souls what internment we can," Dram concludes. "Then we shall head back to the village tavern; our work here tonight is finished."

===

Loranna is quiet as the group flies back to Ald Raathim, thinking about her actions today. Part of her is grateful she didn't get herself killed.

... Well, I now know that if forced to fight for my life I am ready to kill to defend it, she thinks to herself. I wonder if this is a good sign; I suspect I'll be forced to kill again in the upcoming months before things settle down.

Still ... she was alive, as were her companions. There was some solace to be taken from this.

Arriving at the tavern, Dram and Loranna enter, Loranna's eyes seeking out Jazbet almost immediately. Dram nods to his fellow guards as the two make their way to Jazbet's table.

"My Lord," Dram says.

" ... Jazbet ..." Loranna says.


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 10:58 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 25 2005, 10:19 PM)

(Leseth's house, Alcaire:)

Leseth extended his own mailed hand, nearly four times the size of Dolls, and gently helped her to her feet.

Covering her with one huge arm, he crouched, making the floorboards bend, and lept into the ceiling that was not there.
They rejoined the world in Doll's warm room, in Jazbet's castle. Leseth sat her gently on her feet.

"Tell the General," he said quietly, "that I am trying to make things right with the girl."

He bowed slightly, and with a crack like thunder, he was gone.

*




Doll wanted to take a bath, to get warm, to sit in front of the fire and read a book. But the General would be looking for her by now.

She found the General outside, speaking to Jazbet's men.

"Where is Jazbet?" Allerleirauh asked. "I have, as you see, a small problem. His judgement is needed here."

The calm spell she had placed on the Dunmer child had worn off long before; the child had bitten and kicked her, and then subsided, her blue eyes glowing with wrath.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:03 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 04:48 AM)

"Where is Jazbet?"  Allerleirauh asked. "I have, as you see, a small problem. His judgement is needed here."

*





'In the village, at the tavern,' the guard said. 'We will take this child. Don't worry, she won't be harmed.'

The girl found biting armor to be difficult, but satisfying.


Posted by: Shardie Jan 26 2005, 11:14 AM

Entering the Palace district, Maranda had a quick look around. fires burnt from the towers of the palace, wandered up to the guard at the palace gate
'I am searching for someone, I think he works in the palace...'
'And what might his name be?' the guard said
'Umm... I know he has a red robe... and is an old Nord...'
'Red Robe, Old Nord? Then you must mean old Radrid...' the guard said
'Ah, yes, Radrid was his name... I (err) have an appointment with him...'
'Ah, I get it,' the guard said, a perverted smile coming across his face 'he has been rather upset for a while, I don't know where he is... but the clerk in the palace itself should know, just go through the Courtyard... and, you will have to leave your sword here...' the guard said, as Maranda handed over her sword.
She did not like the exuse she used... but she managed to get in... she wandered through the Courtyard, staring at the moons...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 11:16 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 03:53 AM)

'In the village, at the tavern,' the guard said. 'We will take this child.  Don't worry, she won't be harmed.'

The girl found biting armor to be difficult, but satisfying.

*




Doll gave her report to the General, leaving out no details of her encounter with Leseth, and his message.

"Child, you've had a long day, haven't you?" Allerleirauh said to Doll, smiling. "Go and rest. Master Arynel arrived on his own; no harm was done, and I'm glad you're well."

Doll found, though, that she couldn't rest. If she slept she might have bad dreams. And the servants in the house were all busy; if she wanted a bath, she would have to heat and carry water herself. She ventured into the library, and found Master Solin there, working on scrolls. Soon she was lost in the world of magical inscription as well.

Tris and Ciel returned with their mounts. "I need a drink," Tris said, shortly. "In fact I need three drinks, in rapid succession. After that I will take stock and consider a fourth drink."

Since the parraptons were known not to like drunken riders, they returned them to the stable and set off for Ald Raathim, Ciel on foot and Tris flying. Their new companion, the Dunmer guard, went with them.

Allerleirauh's journey to the tavern was simpler. She whispered a string of power and pressed through, inside a back room, then walked to the front. Jazbet was there; so were Loranna and the young Dunmer who had gone with her earlier.

She nodded to Jazbet, then realized with a chill that of course he couldn't see. It was very easy to forget, he was so self-possessed.

"Jazbet, Loranna, hello!" she said. "I gave my report to your seneshal, Jazbet. But there are a few matters I should discuss with you, at your leisure."

At your leisure, she had added, not because the matter wasn't urgent; but because she was suddenly afraid for him. Not for the first time, she hated the world and what it did to heroes.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 11:18 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 02:43 AM)

Winterhold, Skyrim

Elysana wasn’t tired yet, but she wasn’t in the mood for a Nord drinking hall.  She stood out in the courtyard, and looked at the two full moons, Jone and Jode, Masser and Secunda ….

*





Herwyn Brand couldn't think around Nords. He couldn't think while drunk, and being around Nords was synonymous with being drunk.

He was, like many Battlemages, quite large for a Breton, but the last giant to knock him down as an excuse for a slap on the back had almost gotten incenerated. Herwyn thought that was a good indicator that he should get some air.

He stepped outside, blowing his hands warm. It was a bright, lovely night. The Queen was there.

As a Companion to the Queen, he did not bow. If that were required, he and others in his position would spend their entire lives on their knees.

"You Majesty," he said, announcing himself, "do you desire privacy?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:21 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 04:48 AM)

"My Lord," Dram says.

" ... Jazbet ..." Loranna says.

*





Jazbet turned towards the two.

'Good evening,' he said. He was not slurring his words, but he was right on the cusp of having too much. 'Would you care for a drink?'




Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:25 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 05:06 AM)

"Jazbet, Loranna, hello!"  she said. "I gave my report to your seneshal, Jazbet. But there are a few matters I should discuss with you, at your leisure."

*





'I am at my leisure currently,' said the Khajiit with the darkest of smiles. 'I have executed twelve of my subjects today. Now is a time for a drink.'


Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 11:27 AM

Dram nods a little. "Some greef would be good; it's been a long day," he says. "I am happy to see you have come through today unharmed, Lord - and you as well, sera," he adds with a slight bow to Allie. "My report I should make first though, before I drink."

"Hi Allie," Loranna says, giving a sad but grateful smile; she hadn't truly thought Allie would be in much danger but seeing her was a bit of a comfort.

"Er, I'll just have some light wine please," Loranna says, looking at Jazbet with a slight frown. She holds out her hand to touch his.


QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:15 AM)

'I am at my leisure currently,' said the Khajiit with the darkest of smiles. 'I have executed twelve of my subjects today.  Now is a time for a drink.'

*





Loranna's expresion remains as it is, but she feels a cold chill touch her spine at Jazbet's words and expression.


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:29 AM

Winterhold, Skyrim


QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 26 2005, 05:08 AM)

"You Majesty," he said, announcing himself, "do you desire privacy?"

*





'I don't think I would get privacy even if I wanted it,' the Queen smiled. 'I am not alone.'

She gestured casually to the woman also in the courtyard.

'Have you eaten enough? Are you warm?'


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:31 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 05:17 AM)

She holds out her hand to touch his.

*





Jazbet feels Loranna's hand and holds it tight.

'Tell me your report,' the Khajiit says to Dram. 'I am not too drunk to hear it.'


Posted by: Shardie Jan 26 2005, 11:36 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 08:19 PM)

Winterhold, Skyrim
'I don't think I would get privacy even if I wanted it,' the Queen smiled. 'I am not alone.'

She gestured casually to the woman also in the courtyard.

'Have you eaten enough?  Are you warm?'

*





Marandas gaze was intterupted,for a moment, as her eyes glanced towards the two, 'Oh, I do not eat... but I am very walm, thankyou' Maranda replied, holding her white Wolf fur cloak close to her, 'A lovely night to gaze at the moon..' she said, casually, 'cold but lovely... you would not happen to know where I can find the Officers Quarters?' she asked

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 11:36 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 03:19 AM)

Winterhold, Skyrim
'I don't think I would get privacy even if I wanted it,' the Queen smiled. 'I am not alone.'

She gestured casually to the woman also in the courtyard.

'Have you eaten enough?  Are you warm?'

*




Winterhold, Skyrim

Herwyn bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty is always too concerned with me. I am content, thank you. Nordic halls are never lacking for food, and I am as warm as I can be without being at home."

He hesitated, then spoke again, "Your Majesty, you once told me that I could ask any question that I wished of you, and although I said I wouldn't, I feel myself compelled to ask, at least for your opinion...

"I hear news of Daedra-worshipping fanatics from many places, even our home...

"Are you pleased with the results of our trip to Morrowind? Were your Majesty's purposes served?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:41 AM

QUOTE(Shardie @ Jan 26 2005, 05:26 AM)

'Oh, I do not eat... but I am very walm, thankyou' Maranda replied, holding her white Wolf fur cloak close to her, 'A lovely night to gaze at the moon..' she said, casually, 'cold but lovely... you would not happen to know where I can find the Officers Quarters?' she asked

*





'No, I don't,' said the Queen with a smile, and complete lack of modesty. ' Are you a prostitute?'


QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 26 2005, 05:26 AM)

"Are you pleased with the results of our trip to Morrowind? Were your Majesty's purposes served?"

*





Elysana's eyes turned to Herwyn, and said, without speaking, One moment, and I'll tell you.



Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 11:41 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:21 AM)

Jazbet feels Loranna's hand and holds it tight.

'Tell me your report,' the Khajiit says to Dram. 'I am not too drunk to hear it.'

*





Dram nods and stands respectfully, his tone professional.

"My Lord; Loranna and I searched the area assigned to us, and discovered six Azurites - three farmers, three hermits. All proved violent once discovered and all were slain in battle; I have the names of the dead as well that their farmlands may be properly seen to."

"Upon completing our patrol, we responded to the warhorn of Dante and Illidan, and discovered them in a farmhouse that sheltered nine more Azurites. When we arrived the battle was just beginning, but in the end all Azurites were again slain. Dante recovered some documents from the farmhouse, and he has been instructed to present them to the seneschael for study."

Dram's tone gradually softens during his report, remaining mostly professional but showing some understanding that his lord would find this news painful, despite the necessity of what happened. "Though we had sustained some wounds in our efforts, all of us are safe and recovered."


Loranna squeezes Jazbet's hand, wanting to take him into her arms but holding back - for now.


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 11:43 AM

Enough for one day, and too much, Allerleirauh thought. She rested a hand on Loranna's back, gently, for a moment.

But things would not improve until they were fixed. Tomorrow would bring a new allotment of problems.

"My report, then. You have a necromancer on your property," Allerleirauh said. "Not an Azurite. But something you might want to know. There were Azurite smugglers on the coast, who are dead now. And there was a shipwreck. I believe the vessel, though small, had come all the way from Vvardenfell, looking for us. There was a survivor, who recognized me. She's back at your castle now. A child, a young Dunmer child."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 11:45 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 03:31 AM)

'No, I don't,' said the Queen with a smile, and complete lack of modesty. ' Are you a prostitute?'
Elysana's eyes turned to Herwyn, and said, without speaking, One moment, and I'll tell you.

*




Winterhold, Skyrim

Herwyn was suddenly much more alert. When he had spoken, he had thought the other woman in the courtyard to be a trusted handmaiden given to the queen by her cousin.

He was shocked to find that this was not true. Shocked, and a bit wary, especially after the Queen's message-laden glance.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:52 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 05:31 AM)

Dram's tone gradually softens during his report, remaining mostly professional but showing some understanding that his lord would find this news painful, despite the necessity of what happened.  "Though we had sustained some wounds in our efforts, all of us are safe and recovered."
Loranna squeezes Jazbet's hand, wanting to take him into her arms but holding back - for now.

*





'Thank you, Dram,' Jazbet said, somewhat coldly. 'I knew you would have the strength to carry this out. These were your people as much as mine, as I know it was much more difficult for you to do, as for me to hear. Please, have a drink on me.'


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 05:31 AM)

"My report, then. You have a necromancer on your property," Allerleirauh said. "Not an Azurite. But something you might want to know. There were Azurite smugglers on the coast, who are dead now. And there was a shipwreck. I believe the vessel, though small, had come all the way from Morrowind, looking for us. There was a survivor, who recognized me. She's back at your castle now. A child, a young Dunmer child."

*





The Khajiit started at the word 'necromancer.'

"Thank you,' he said. "It sounds like you too could use a drink. But this child ... Does she seem to understand?'

Posted by: Shardie Jan 26 2005, 11:53 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 08:31 PM)

'No, I don't,' said the Queen with a smile, and complete lack of modesty. ' Are you a prostitute?'
Elysana's eyes turned to Herwyn, and said, without speaking, One moment, and I'll tell you.

*





Maranda smiled delightfuly, 'Oh, no. I just have to discuss with a certian officer about an indervidual... ' she said, clenching her fist, and doing a good a good job at hiding her anger, or so she thought... 'I shall ask someone else then,' she said, slowly looking around the courtyard

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 11:57 AM

Loranna smiles a bit as Allie touches her back, and the silver-haired Nord can feel the tension in Loranna's muscles, and feel it relax slightly. At the mention of the Dunmer child though, Loranna feels apprehension set in once more. She gently rubs her thumb across Jazbet's knuckles, not wanting to squeeze any harder lest she hurt him by accident.


QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:42 AM)

'Thank you, Dram,' Jazbet said, somewhat coldly. 'I knew you would have the strength to carry this out.  These were your people as much as mine, as I know it was much more difficult for you to do, as for me to hear.  Please, have a drink on me.'

*





Dram nods slowly. "Thank you," he says, his tone respectful. Allie may notice a brief flash of a troubled gaze in Dram's red eyes though.

Dram excuses himself to go claim his mug of greef, wishing there were news he could offer his lord that would at least dull the edge of today's madness. Perhaps an answer would come to him with the help of his drink; Dram's brain had yet to come up with anything all on its own.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 12:01 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 04:42 AM)

'Thank you, Dram,' Jazbet said, somewhat coldly. 'I knew you would have the strength to carry this out.  These were your people as much as mine, as I know it was much more difficult for you to do, as for me to hear.  Please, have a drink on me.'
The Khajiit started at the word 'necromancer.'

"Thank you,' he said. "It sounds like you too could use a drink.  But this child ... Does she seem to understand?'

*




"Thank you; I'm not drinking, at present," Allerleirauh said. "I find austerity comforting. She understands as a child understands. She was singing a child's hymn to Azura when I approached her. She summoned a Twilight to attack me. But she is too young to form her own opinions; she's simply parroting the opinions of her elders. Her parents were both killed in the shipwreck; she is alone, but she shows no sign of fear; she was resolute in her attempts to kill me."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:02 PM

Winterhold, Skyrim


QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 26 2005, 05:35 AM)

He was shocked to find that this was not true. Shocked, and a bit wary, especially after the Queen's message-laden glance.

*





As Maranda moved away, the Queen felt free to speak to Herwyn.

'Did everything proceed as I planned? No. Do I think it was a complete victory? No,' Elysana said, smiling. 'Am I glad I went? Oh, yes.

'Are you still having nightmares?' she asked.


Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 12:05 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 03:52 AM)

Winterhold, Skyrim
As Maranda moved away, the Queen felt free to speak to Herwyn.

'Did everything proceed as I planned?  No.  Do I think it was a complete victory?  No,' Elysana said, smiling. 'Am I glad I went?  Oh, yes.

'Are you still having nightmares?' she asked.

*




Herwyn nodded respectfully at the Queen's answer to his question, and smiled just a bit, too.

"It sounds weak of me to say 'yes', your Majesty, but I do not doubt that that will remain the answer for the rest of my life. I do not understand how we escaped from Vivec, and I do not believe I truly wish to."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:07 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 05:51 AM)

"Thank you;  I'm not drinking, at present,"  Allerleirauh said. "I find austerity comforting. She understands as a child understands. She was singing a child's hymn to Azura when I approached her. She summoned a Twilight to attack me. But she is too young to form her own opinions;  she's simply parroting the opinions of her elders. Her parents were both killed in the shipwreck;  she is alone, but she shows no sign of fear;  she was resolute in her attempts to kill me."

*





Jazbet listened. He was sober suddenly.

'Should I talk with her?' he asked, very unlordly. 'Do you think ... she is beyond redemption?'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 12:10 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:57 AM)

Jazbet listened.  He was sober suddenly.

'Should I talk with her?' he asked, very unlordly. 'Do you think ... she is beyond redemption?'

*





Loranna squeezes Jazbet's hand just a little harder, looking to Allie. Allie can probably tell what Loranna is thinking - that she herself managed to prove redeemable, even after having taken Azura into herself ...

... but still, just because she herself did, didn't mean this girl would ...


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:10 PM

Winterhold, Skyrim


QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 26 2005, 05:55 AM)

"It sounds weak of me to say 'yes', your Majesty, but I do not doubt that that will remain the answer for the rest of my life. I do not understand how we escaped from Vivec, and I do not believe I truly wish to."

*





'Do not repeat this,' Elysana said, her voice low. 'But I will have those terrors, for the rest of my days too. But do you consider our excursion a failure? I am curious why you ask. Please, speak freely.'

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 12:12 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 04:57 AM)

Jazbet listened.  He was sober suddenly.

'Should I talk with her?' he asked, very unlordly. 'Do you think ... she is beyond redemption?'

*




"I don't believe that of anyone," Allerleirauh said quietly. "Much less a child. At the risk of sounding like Arynel - the chains are never so strong as our masters wish us to believe they are. Loranna escaped from much tighter bonds. It's possible to free yourself from anything, if you're willing to sacrifice."

The tone of her voice, and not just the volume, had dropped, as she spoke. There was a dual meaning to her words. She wanted to talk to him - but not in front of Loranna, and certainly not in front of a crowded taproom full of people he knew.

Posted by: Shardie Jan 26 2005, 12:12 PM

Maranda, wondering who that rude woman was, finally found the officers quarters, and woke the sleepy clerk, Radrid was, apparently at a tavern just outside of town. Thanking the man with a handful of gold, and realizing she was running low on money, she headed for the Dead Wolf tavern, reminding herself to visit the bank before she left...

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 12:14 PM

Aricyn entered the tavern looking tired, but pleased.

Striding over to Jazbet, and without waiting to hear what was being discussed, he said, "No Azurites left alive in the hills. We only saw one, actually, and one of your people had already killed that one. Maybe things aren't so bad in these parts afterall."

He smiled.

"Oh, and I found these," he said, dropping a rather large bag of dirty glass arrowheads on the table.

"Mead!" he bellowed in Nordic fashion to the barkeep.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 12:17 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 06:02 AM)

"I don't believe that of anyone,"  Allerleirauh said quietly. "Much less a child. At the risk of sounding like Arynel - the chains are never so strong as our masters wish us to believe they are. Loranna escaped from much tighter bonds. It's possible to free yourself from anything, if you're willing to sacrifice."

The tone of her voice, and not just the volume, had dropped, as she spoke. There was a dual meaning to her words. She wanted to talk to him - but not in front of Loranna, and certainly not in front of a crowded taproom full of people he knew.

*





For once, Loranna seems to pick up on Allie's intent without the need for telepathy.

" ... Jazbet, Allie, if you'll excuse me," she says, squeezing Jazbet's hand, " ... I think I should go rest now. It was a pretty long day for me; please excuse me."


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:23 PM

Ald Raathim

Jazbet smiled in Aricyn's direction, making a signal to the barkeep that all the mead the Nord ordered was to be on his tab.


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 06:02 AM)

"I don't believe that of anyone,"  Allerleirauh said quietly. "Much less a child. At the risk of sounding like Arynel - the chains are never so strong as our masters wish us to believe they are. Loranna escaped from much tighter bonds. It's possible to free yourself from anything, if you're willing to sacrifice."

*





'But you cannot afford second chances for everyone,' said Jazbet. 'Jephre knows, I have killed some of my favorite people tonight. And this child, I do not even know. I could order her killed without seeing her, and never think of her again ...'

He showed no emotion in his face. It was astonishing, his change from drunk to painfully sober.


Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 12:24 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 04:00 AM)

Winterhold, Skyrim
'Do not repeat this,' Elysana said, her voice low. 'But I will have those terrors, for the rest of my days too.  But do you consider our excursion a failure?  I am curious why you ask.  Please, speak freely.'

*




Winterhold, Skyrim

Herwyn looked up at the moons. He was rather young for a Battlemage, but tonight he looked older than usual.

"I only wonder, your Majesty... Daedra are far worse enemies than King Helseth. I hope that we did not stir a hornets nest, with our assistance to the Incarnate's cause, that will sting us too badly in the end.

"I, of course, trust your Majesty's judgement in these matters. I ask only so that I may understand where my own judgement is flawed."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 12:29 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:13 AM)

Ald Raathim

Jazbet smiled in Aricyn's direction, making a signal to the barkeep that all the mead the Nord ordered was to be on his tab.
'But you cannot afford second chances for everyone,' said Jazbet. 'Jephre knows, I have killed some of my favorite people tonight.  And this child, I do not even know.  I could order her killed without seeing her, and never think of her again ...'

He showed no emotion in his face.  It was astonishing, his change from drunk to painfully sober.

*




"Walk back with me," Allerleirauh said. "The night air is sweet here, it will steady you. You can see her and decide for yourself."

She offered him her arm. "You're right. You are not a god, nor a redeemer. You must balance your compassion for those who have sworn to Azura with your compassion for those who might be hurt by them. Your responsibility must be to the innocent, before the guilty. It's not easy. But you are not alone here."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:33 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 06:19 AM)

"Walk back with me,"  Allerleirauh said. "The night air is sweet here, it will steady you. You can see her and decide for yourself."

She offered him her arm. "You're right. You are not a god, nor a redeemer. You must balance your compassion for those who have sworn to Azura with your compassion for those who might be hurt by them. Your responsibility must be to the innocent, before the guilty. It's not easy. But you are not alone here."

*





A tear ran down Jazbet's face. Apparently, though he did not have eyes, he still had that capacity.

'I know, and I know my responsibility,' the Khajiit said, as they walked into the night. 'But it is not a nice world we live in.'



Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 12:40 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 06:23 AM)

A tear ran down Jazbet's face.  Apparently, though he did not have eyes, he still had that capacity.

'I know, and I know my responsibility,' the Khajiit said, as they walked into the night. 'But it is not a nice world we live in.'

*





Loranna watches Allie and Jazbet head off, her eyes slightly moist. Part of her wants to follow, but she heads to her parrartor instead. Allie wanted to speak with Jazbet without her right now.

Worn out as she was, the ride back to the stable was no problem; she didn't even notice that by now parrartor riding was nearly second nature. She bid her mount good night and promised to see him again soon if she were able, and she made her way back to the castle, her mind full of images of Dunmer children with glowing blue eyes.

Something told her tonight's rendition of the dream-giantess was going to start off much shorter than she was.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 12:42 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:23 AM)

A tear ran down Jazbet's face.  Apparently, though he did not have eyes, he still had that capacity.

'I know, and I know my responsibility,' the Khajiit said, as they walked into the night. 'But it is not a nice world we live in.'

*




Allerleirauh waited until they were out of the village, beyond the good-natured shouts of greeting of Jazbet's people, and walking past dark fields, to reply.

"It's a beautiful cruel world," Allerleirauh said. "We aren't supposed to keep standing up; the gods want us to stay knocked down properly, when they knock us down. Jazbet, something's been troubling me. Your eyes... what do you remember?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:43 PM

Winterhold, Skyrim


QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 26 2005, 06:14 AM)

"I, of course, trust your Majesty's judgement in these matters. I ask only so that I may understand where my own judgement is flawed."

*





'Why do you think we've made enemies with daedra?' asked Elysana. 'Azura, whose cause we've supported with blood and gold?'


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:51 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 06:32 AM)

"It's a beautiful cruel world,"  Allerleirauh said. "We aren't supposed to keep standing up;  the gods want us to stay knocked down properly, when they knock us down. Jazbet, something's been troubling me. Your eyes... what do you remember?"

*





'Everything,' Jazbet replied after a pause. 'I remember everything. You want to know ... what?'


Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 12:52 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 04:33 AM)

Winterhold, Skyrim
'Why do you think we've made enemies with daedra?' asked Elysana. 'Azura, whose cause we've supported with blood and gold?'

*




"I don't claim to understand the mind of a Daedra, your Majesty, but our blood and gold does not seem to have made the blue-eyed servants of Azura pass over Wayrest.

"I am sure that you are much better informed than me, your Majesty, but from what I have heard the disturbances in Wayrest are minor, at most. I still cannot help but be troubled, though, that our actions in Morrowind may have had some part in calling an enemy to our own land where one did not exist before.

"Pardon my forwardness, your Majesty. You did tell me to speak freely. Although I am well-aware that that request sometimes preceeds a death sentence," he said with a smile, "I cannot help but follow orders."

Posted by: Attrebus Jan 26 2005, 12:55 PM

Jaster entered the tavern. He had finished his search and made sure his wasp was attended to. He ordered a drink and sat in a darkened corner to observe.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 12:56 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 26 2005, 06:42 AM)

"I am sure that you are much better informed than me, your Majesty, but from what I have heard the disturbances in Wayrest are minor, at most. I still cannot help but be troubled, though, that our actions in Morrowind may have had some part in calling an enemy to our own land where one did not exist before.

"Pardon my forwardness, your Majesty. You did tell me to speak freely. Although I am well-aware that that request sometimes preceeds a death sentence," he said with a smile, "I cannot help but follow orders."

*





'The disturbances in our lands are minor, and the disturbances in the land of our enemy are major,' replied Elysana, pulling her furs closer around her. 'It is a victory. Albeit, for now, a small one.'

She smiled. 'Your death sentence is temporarily commuted.'



Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 12:59 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:41 AM)

'Everything,' Jazbet replied after a pause. 'I remember everything.  You want to know ... what?'

*




The fragrant night air seemed suddenly colder. She took several more steps without a pause, then stopped, and turned towards him, still holding his arm.

"Perhaps I don't need to know anything," she said. "I want you to know what I have thought. Secrets are a burden, and you have enough burdens. So, listen, and reply if it will lighten your heart. It's too convenient that your eyes were gouged out completely. No one does that in the midst of a battle. Someone did that on purpose - because your eyes were the wrong color. I don't know who, or which color that was. Does it matter? Oh, Jazbet. I'm sorry. It breaks my heart."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 01:10 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 04:46 AM)

'The disturbances in our lands are minor, and the disturbances in the land of our enemy are major,' replied Elysana, pulling her furs closer around her. 'It is a victory.  Albeit, for now, a small one.'

She smiled. 'Your death sentence is temporarily commuted.'

*




Herwyn bowed, smiling but serious.

"My thanks, your Majesty. I am too fond of my head.

"You look cold. Shall we go back inside? Freezing cold or Nordic drinking songs; it is a difficult choice, if you ask me."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 01:10 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 06:49 AM)

"Perhaps I don't need to know anything," she said. "I want you to know what I have thought. Secrets are a burden, and you have enough burdens. So, listen, and reply if it will lighten your heart. It's too convenient that your eyes were gouged out completely. No one does that in the midst of a battle. Someone did that on purpose - because your eyes were the wrong color. I don't know who, or which color that was. Does it matter?  Oh, Jazbet. I'm sorry. It breaks my heart."

*





'It needn't,' replied Jazbet, only looking forward, as if he could see the road ahead.

'We've seen each other naked. I did not plan our swim to seduce you, though you are an exceptionally beautiful woman, but because it meant, to me, as a simple metaphor, truth. Unadorned, unashamed, naked truth.

'I made a mistake.

'I confused the goddess for the woman. I have done this before ... I thought to bow before her, meant to bring down the kingdom. I realized my mistake, but only ... only later ...

'My eyes were torn out by a Winged Twilight, as I said. But under my orders.

'I am nevertheless dedicated to bringing down the Azurites, though I am one myself.'

Jazbet continued looking forward, for though he couldn't see Allerleirauh's face even if he had eyes, he did not wish to even pretend.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 01:14 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 26 2005, 07:00 AM)

"You look cold. Shall we go back inside? Freezing cold or Nordic drinking songs; it is a difficult choice, if you ask me."

*





'Yes, let us go in,' said the Queen of Wayrest, her hand on Herwyn's arm. 'As we've discussed, there are many difficult choices, but sometimes you take the best you are given.'



Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 01:16 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 06:00 AM)

'It needn't,' replied Jazbet, only looking forward, as if he could see the road ahead.

'We've seen each other naked.  I did not plan our swim to seduce you, though you are an exceptionally beautiful woman, but because it meant, to me, as a simple metaphor, truth.  Unadorned, unashamed, naked truth.

'I made a mistake.

'I confused the goddess for the woman.  I have done this before ... I thought to bow before her, meant to bring down the kingdom.  I realized my mistake, but only ... only later ...

'My eyes were torn out by a Winged Twilight, as I said.  But under my orders.

'I am nevertheless dedicated to bringing down the Azurites, though I am one myself.'

Jazbet continued looking forward, for though he couldn't see Allerleirauh's face even if he had eyes, he did not wish to even pretend.

*




Allerleirauh embraced him, rubbing her smooth cheek against his silky one, and kissed his blindfold.

"You are something very important," she said. "An example. The Azurites themselves don't know that they can turn against their mistress. I won't tell this to others, if you wish it kept secret. But you might consider that."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 26 2005, 01:19 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 05:04 AM)

'Yes, let us go in,' said the Queen of Wayrest, her hand on Herwyn's arm. 'As we've discussed, there are many difficult choices, but sometimes you take the best you are given.'

*




"That is why I am happy I was not born a king," Herwyn said, offering his arm and leading the Queen back into the warm, smokey hall.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 01:24 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 07:06 AM)

Allerleirauh embraced him, rubbing her smooth cheek against his silky one, and kissed his blindfold.

"You are something very important,"  she said. "An example. The Azurites themselves don't know that they can turn against their mistress. I won't tell this to others, if you wish it kept secret. But you might consider that."

*





Jazbet hissed. 'I do not wish to be an example!'

The Khajiit backed away from her, though he could not see where he was, he knew the path enough to know where was tree and where was path.

'Dres Gaor was a fine example, and he sacrificed himself to prove it,' he said. 'I am alive. I will not be an example. I am a man.'


Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 01:35 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 06:14 AM)

Jazbet hissed. 'I do not wish to be an example!'

The Khajiit backed away from her, though he could not see where he was, he knew the path enough to know where was tree and where was path.

'Dres Gaor was a fine example, and he sacrificed himself to prove it,' he said. 'I am alive.  I will not be an example.  I am a man.'

*




"Forgive me, Jazbet," Allerleirauh said. She wasn't sure she understood him. But there was very old pain here, which she had touched by accident, as well as new pain.

"It's been a long day," she said. "If we must misunderstand each other, let us not fight. I meant no harm; and perhaps you know more about this than I do. I would rather free the Azurites than kill them; that is all I mean. I will do all I can."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 01:43 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 07:25 AM)

"Forgive me, Jazbet,"  Allerleirauh said. She wasn't sure she understood him. But there was very old pain here, which she had touched by accident, as well as new pain.

"It's been a long day," she said. "If we must misunderstand each other, let us not fight. I meant no harm;  and perhaps you know more about this than I do. I would rather free the Azurites than kill them;  that is all I mean. I will do all I can."

*





Jazbet continued on the path, trying to smile though it was hard. As he walked he said, 'We are the same, and I will consider you a friend forever. However, you can choose not to bring arms to my people as you promised ... you can decide not to visit the families of Lord Gaor and Lord Wyrloc as you said you might ... but the obligations I have must be fulfilled.'

The Khajiit turned to face her. Though he could not see, he knew he was near to her. 'What do you want? What will make you happy?'




Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 01:46 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 06:33 AM)

Jazbet continued on the path, trying to smile though it was hard.  As he walked he said, 'We are the same, and I will consider you a friend forever.  However, you can choose not to bring arms to my people as you promised ... you can decide not to visit the families of Lord Gaor and Lord Wyrloc as you said you might ... but the obligations I have must be fulfilled.'

The Khajiit turned to face her.  Though he could not see, he knew he was near to her. 'What do you want?  What will make you happy?'

*




The question caught her by surprise. Her first answer was, I don't know. But when she opened her mouth, something else came out.

"I wish my sons were alive again," she said. "There is a prophecy about that. It's not something I can do, or touch. So I do... other things."

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 01:51 PM

Half-way through their very slow travel back towards Jazbets' estate, Dante removed the journal from the pouch he was storing it in, he ran his gauntleted fingers along the hard leather cover, it felt rather new, not worn at all.

Out of curiosity, he flipped it open and quickly scanned through the pages, only having 31 entries just proved the suspicion of it being a new book, scanning further along the pages that followed the final entry, they were smeared with dry blood and more of the Khajiit azurites strange scrawlings.

He flipped back to the page holding the first entry, undoubtedly the first page of it. A sweet smile spread across his lips as he read the ridiculously short entry.

Brara Mencele's journal, first entry:

Dear diary, diary is a rather silly name for you isn't it? yes, well...maybe I should give you a name, yeah, a name is something you could use, would give you your own personality. But what name? that's a tricky one, maybe you would like the same name as my mother? no, that would be rather silly. Oooh! I know, I'll name you after my dearest huband, then give you to him for his birthday next year, that would be a rather nice gift I think. Well, I better get started on dinner, signing off...

B.M-


Dante found that message rather odd, not only naming a journal, but, he was under the suspicion that most people filled diaries with the happenings of their days, maybe it was just this entry that was like that, he flipped to the next page and began to read.


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 02:06 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 26 2005, 07:36 AM)

The question caught her by surprise. Her first answer was, I don't know. But when she opened her mouth, something else came out.

"I wish my sons were alive again," she said. "There is a prophecy about that. It's not something I can do, or touch. So I do... other things."

*





The Khajiit also opened his mouth, but he quickly closed it. There were visions he saw, dancing before his eyes, about these very sons ... But he remembered how uncertain these visions were ... And how, in truth, he truly liked Allerleirauh, and did not want to hurt her, like she had hurt him. On any other day except the one where he had arranged for the death of a hundred people, he would have wanted her frank opinion. He might still laugh at it, but still.

But tonight, there was no laughter: 'I forget sometimes that you're human. Many people do, I'm afraid. Loranna particularly. Now that I can't see you, I identify your voice as that of someone from beyond, a Goddess I suppose ...

Maybe because we saw each other naked, we must be truthful to one another. That in itself could be a blessing or a curse, but let us make it a blessing.

'I told you that in Vivec, I made the mistake of confusing the goddess for the woman. I have resolved to myself not to make that mistake again. I will do what needs to be done, without ideology, without calling on a higher source. If I must slay a child because she has blue eyes, I will do so. Call it hypocrisy. Call it reality. I hope to meet with your approval, but that is not required.

I have told you the one secret I have ever kept from you. I suspect you have many others. Do what you will, and I will do the same.'

Jazbet continued down the path into the dark. Eventually, he reached home where he was brought in to his bedroom.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 02:13 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 06:56 AM)

The Khajiit also opened his mouth, but he quickly closed it.  There were visions he saw, dancing before his eyes, about these very sons ... But he remembered how uncertain these visions were ... And how, in truth, he truly liked Allerleirauh, and did not want to hurt her, like she had hurt him.  On any other day except the one where he had arranged for the death of a hundred people, he would have wanted her frank opinion.  He might still laugh at it, but still.

But tonight, there was no laughter: 'I forget sometimes that you're human.  Many people do, I'm afraid.  Loranna particularly.  Now that I can't see you, I identify your voice as that of someone from beyond, a Goddess I suppose ...

Maybe because we saw each other naked, we must be truthful to one another.  That in itself could be a blessing or a curse, but let us make it a blessing.

'I told you that in Vivec, I made the mistake of confusing the goddess for the woman.  I have resolved to myself not to make that mistake again.  I will do what needs to be done, without ideology, without calling on a higher source.  If I must slay a child because she has blue eyes, I will do so.  Call it hypocrisy.  Call it reality.  I hope to meet with your approval, but that is not required.

I have told you the one secret I have ever kept from you.  I suspect you have many others.  Do what you will, and I will do the same.'

Jazbet continued down the path into the dark.  Eventually, he reached home where he was brought in to his bedroom.

*




You have just told me your ideology, Allerleirauh thought, standing in the darkness. And it's a better one than you probably guess.

She did have other secrets. And it was time for him to learn them, if they were to work together. But not tonight.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 02:31 PM

Dante read the next pages of the journal intently, a number of them actually missing pages, he came to the thirtieth entry, one of the pages which was still in decent condition, he had liked what he had read in it so far, no mention of the Azurites at all, this entry however, told things in a different light.

Brara Mencele's journal, thirtieth entry:

Dear Lleven, something awful has happened today, last night at dinner my husband mentioned that he was being hassled down by the mill, he told the strangest story, something about blue eyed Khajiit. My husband isn't usually one to back down from a fight, but this time, it was different he said, they tried to follow him home, he told us that he managed to lose them. I've been seeing strange things too lately, as I think back I recall seeing a blue eyed Dunmer down by the marketplace, he was rather frightening. and now today, our son was supposed to be coming home for the first time in years and he hasn't showed up, he was supposed to be here last week, we've been very worried about him, well, that's enough for now, I better get to bed, Signing off.

B.M-


Dante swallowed heavily, then turned the page.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 26 2005, 04:34 PM

After much travel, and several run ins with Azurites and innocents alike, Arynel came to Ald Raathim. He was not bothered here, the place was in motion, the people joyous. There was food and drink and merriment to be had.

The Breton walked into the tavern, and silently took a seat on a table in the back.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 26 2005, 05:10 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 26 2005, 03:35 AM)

Ald Raathim

Already the town had come alive, simply on the news that so many dangerous cult members had been killed.

The people were in a mood for celebration.  They played their traditional songs in the square beneath the moons, which were showing bright tonight, as if to mark the occasion.

*




Ald Raathim: Tris

Tris had stopped after three drinks, after all. Now he was singing with new friends, his pleasant, unsteady tenor a little fuzzy around the edges and very amusing to the raspy-voiced Dunmer. They taught him their songs, and in return he taught them a Breton one, which he realized, halfway through, was probably too risque for Dunmer taste. He plunged ahead and finished to a chorus of laughter and shouts.

These people weren't heartless - they were doing the same thing he was. Trying to raise their spirits, to feel like warriors instead of peasants. He was a peasant too. Despite their ready cash, his family were farmers and sailors, not nobles, if you went back far enough.

Someone bought him a fourth drink, and philosophy began to recede into a blur.

He smiled, watching Ciel. Ciel wasn't the sort to join in the singing, but he seemed content as a member of the audience. Now Ciel was no peasant. He was a knight from a family of knights. Probably it was all easier for him - the way some people were born strong, or good at archery, or good at running.

Tris was glad to have someone to help steer, when it was time to return to the castle.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 26 2005, 05:13 PM

Dante let out a large sigh as he noticed that the page bearing the final entry posessed a rather large tear in it, and what was left had dried blood covering it, although what he could see would be hard to read, it wasn't impossible.

After many minutes of reading as best he could he decided to re-write the entry on a blank piece of paper which had found its way into the pouch.

Brara Mencele's journal, thirty first entry:

Lleven, the upmost terrible thing has happened today...we, found our son, murdered on our front porch, the corpse looked rather old, so it couldn't of happened soon, w[un-readable due to blood] He also was missing both his eyes, this is such a terrible disaster, what will[un-readable due to blood] My husband, he took up his axe and went looking for the murderers, I had really wished he hadn't done such a foolish thing, leaving his wife all alone, what is to come of[un-readable due to blood] He has been gone for a very long time now, Not too long ago, a guard came around asking if we had seen anything strange lately, I didn't dare tell him the truth, he might suspect that *I* had killed him, the last thing I want is to have any more trouble come our way. Hm, another knock at the door, maybe it's the guard coming to check back...[This is where the page had been torn off]

Dante would of liked to of read more, though he doubted there would of been more to it after the tear in the page. He scanned through some of the scrawlings on the other pages before folding up the re-written document and placing it back into the page he had copied it from, he placed the journal back into the small pouch and sighed, they had finally reached Jazbet's estate and began to touch down at the ranch.

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 26 2005, 07:14 PM

*Erenius looks about the ashen wastes; fatigued from something...a voice constantly beckoning him forth, farther into the barren lands, to someplace*

'You shall do as needed here until I call for you...' a voice calls into his head. The voice of an Elder Councilman likely. The voice calling to him incessently with that same set of words all night as his eyes decieve Erenius.

'[i]You call me? I shall answer; if only as a polite gesture and not one of servitude...[i]' Erenius replies in his thoughts.

*The discussion of minds continues for a short while before Erenius awakes suddenly to darkness in his room*

"The Council calls!" Erenius mutters as he dresses himself in his finest clothes; knowing fully what must come next. "At last; events have come full-circle and I must return to Darius' manor; in whatever condition it may be in. Rumor is that it had burned after Hearthfire...if so; all the better. Otherwise, I must prepare."

*Erenius looks out the window of his room towards Darius' residence. Whether it was the current residence of him or not, or its state, was unknown...but his purpose of enterring the estate was clear*

"That goblet the Council wanted long ago must be taken and given to them!"

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 26 2005, 07:14 PM

[Double Post]

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 26 2005, 11:36 PM

By the time everyone was done with what they were up to, Dagoth and the guard that had accompanied him were on their way back after killing a few Azurites.

"Well this is where we part. Farewell... what did you say your name was again mage?"

Dagoth just gave him a serious look. "I didn't...." and he walked away, looking to see how Loranna's hunt went...

Posted by: Loranna Jan 26 2005, 11:43 PM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 05:26 PM)

By the time everyone was done with what they were up to, Dagoth and the guard that had accompanied him were on their way back after killing a few Azurites.

"Well this is where we part. Farewell... what did you say your name was again mage?"

Dagoth just gave him a serious look. "I didn't...." and he walked away, looking to see how Loranna's hunt went...

*





Dagoth will find Loranna in her room, practicing with a healing cantrip and looking like she has a lot on her mind.

Posted by: Aki Jan 26 2005, 11:53 PM

Reichi's Azurite hunt hadn't stopped after leaving the cave. As he made his way back to the estate a rather large Khajiit had dropped on him. A Cathay-Raht. It had been waiting in the trees like the leopard it so closely resembled.

The cat had knocked him down, but Reichi rolled to the side, seeing the night sky and both full moons he had gone with his normal plan for nightly combat. Reichi had removed his ring.

Now, because of that, Reichi learned that the old rumor that Khajiit, even those who didn't use Moonsugar, had a oddly sweet taste to them was quite true. Reichi feasted on the Khajiit. While he had transformed rather often in the previious days, he had never feed, just killed. The lack of feeding had begun to catch up with him, he needed to do it.

When Rechi had finished he set out again for the estate. Having learned another thing, chitin was a flexible armor, It hadn't been ruined in the transformation. Reichi slipped his ring back on and resumed his normal form before setting out however, leaving the Khajiit's now gutted corse lying in the forest. He stopped to wash of in a small stream, then continued, it was okay to show up covered in blood, having the blood covering your mouth in such excess however, would raise eyebrows.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 26 2005, 11:55 PM

Ald Raathim

It was a new day, and the village which had been so dead had sprung back to life. The fishermen and farmers, merchants and peasants were back, conducting business as they had always done. There had been a tone of celebration the night before, but now, the atmosphere was a more sober, realistic optimism.

There was a strange new word being whispered about. No one knew who coined it, or what it truly meant, but the persistant rumor was that Lord Jazbet had an ally of soon-to-be-legendary status. An outsider of great power and vision. They called him The Tiberarine.

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 27 2005, 12:12 AM

*Erenius wanderred across the bridge towards Darius' estate, passing a rather large mob of people preparing something...*

"I hope only that they shall prove enough of a..." Erenius mumbles, cut off as a series of shouts and screams resonate from the crowds.

"...Fire!...Estate...Darius..." was all Erenius could discern from all that; but realizes that this is his chance to finish.

*Erenius quaffs a potion of Still Breath and enters the flaming estate, immediately recognizing the atrium and ballroom just off the entrance*

"And that means that the secret passage I used should be...here!" he mutters, removing some panels from the wall and going through the passage, the servant's quarters and other areas he had seen but once during his time with Darius at the party; and even then when he was not supposed to be there.

"And this is the library..." Erenius says triumphantly aloud as he enters; bewildered that a great deal of servants were still there, trying to salvage artifacts.

*Erenius enters the library and walks amongst the chaos almost unnoticed; servants and others moving about hurridly*

"...we must make these things ready to send to Darius wherever he may be or chooses to go next," a servant shouts.

*Erenius realizes that this event may very well be what he needs, and goes to one who seems to be an overseer of the effort to remove the various items from that room*

"Sir! I am here on behalf of Darius himself," Erenius lies.

"Yes?" the overseer asks, choking on the smoke as it starts to creep into the room from the passage Erenius had just used.

"I am here because Lord Darius wishes to ensure that an important goblet, clad in Ebony and of Dwemer make, survives this..." Erenius continues in his false facade.

"That goblet hasnt left the room yet...should be on shelf 'eight' at the top of it...I shall fetch a ladder if you-" the Overseer says.

"Unnecessary...I'll get it myself, time is of the essence for you," Erenius says, his Parthian shot as he runs off to the mentioned book-case and climbs up it roughly; breaking several shelves before reaching the goblet and coming down.

"Gotcha!" Erenius mumbles, content at finding the object, yet realizing he must find a way out now.

*Erenius then remembers the various trinkets of destruction he bought from the Mages Guild in Vivec before the events began in Gnisis that lead him here*

"Hope this is enough," he mutters under his breath as he casts the scroll of ice at a door, sending it crashing down, Erenius dashing through it before its destruction was fully realized.

*Erenius casts a cantrip of his that sent him back to the Temple of Stendarr near the Imperial Palace*

Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jan 27 2005, 12:41 AM

NOTE TO DEVS: This post contains referance to the Dragon Break. If you want this changed/deleted, just tell me. Any comments are also welcome

Cyrodiil

Issa Yojimbo arrived in Cyrodiil, capital city of all of Tamriel.

He had been to the Imperial City once as a very small child, but that he could not remember.

He followed Felix Felices and two of the most extravagantly ornamented guards he had ever seen to the Imperial Palace, where a man dressed in a flowing blue robe decorated with red and white dragons came out to meet him.

"You are the man called Issa Yojimbo? We have much to discuss, and little time. Follow me."

Later, in a room filled with shelves of books and papers and ledgers that was lit by a single candle, Issa was talking with the man who introduced himself as Dansius Piscellum, clergyman of the Order of Moth Priests.

"Lately, we have recieved news from Morrowind that the Incarnate of Azura has been freed from her posesser, and shortly after that, cells of Azura Cultists have been appearing all over the area, and they are spreading. We have read in the Elder Scrolls that soon, these cells will be active in every corner of our Empire. They will also grow in power, and will begin to take violent action against anyone who does not worship Azura. This seems similar to the Red Mountain Crisis, but I can assure you that it will be much worse.

"The reason we came to you is a strange one. One of our Moth Priests seems to remember having a colleague with the name of Issius Iogimbus. Maybe you were related somehow? No matter. However, when one of our guard units defended a small villiage just south of here, they were attacked by a group of blue-eyed dunmer. One of them was weilding this..."

At this point, Dansius pulled out a sword wrapped in cloth. As he uncovered it, Issa Yojimbo's eyes got wider.

It was his sword.

"There were glyphs shining a bright blue on the blade. Our Moth Priests noticed that they were in the same style as the ones that appear on the Elder Scrolls. They read 'Issa Yojimbo the Edge of Prophecy'. Issa Yojimbo is not a very common name, so it wasn't long before we found you."

Issa grabbed the sword, and a fiery light filled the room. Papers blew all around, and the door swung open. The light went into the rest of the Palace. Soon, three Moth Prests entered the room, saying

"The Elder Scrolls have spoken. The time is come."

They lead Issa to the main hall, then into their offices, past a secret door that lead to a hallway down to the Elder Scroll Chambers. They passed the door to the Scrolls and continued down the hallway to a dead end. One of the priests pressed in a brick which made a glyph appear on the wall. The four walked through the glyph on the wall into a room that seemed to be made of stars. A single podium stood in the center ofthe room. The podium glowed brighter as Issa and the sword got closer.

When Issa was about a foot from the podium, the colors in the room negated themselves. The 'stars' fell and surrounded the blade, which Yojimbo quickly let go of. The Moth Priests began chanting. One of them turned to Yojimbo, and said

"When the Elder Scrolls tell of an Event, the Event will happen. However, sometimes people decide to ignore prophecy. Sometimes, in order for the Event to happen, things must be changed. Whoever created the Scrolls obviously knew that. Your sword was created for that purpose. It will fulfill a prophecy if there is no one left to fulfill it. Or, it could change the world around it to fit the prophecy. No one can control this power. It happens if it must. Some of us think that this sword caused a Dragon Break at one point, but we can't be sure. The sword is mystical. It manifested itself as a Katana to get when it needed to go; into your hands. Now you will see the sword as we found it. Behold the Prophet's Edge!"

There floating above the podium was a great blue sword, glowing with silvery glyphs running up and down the blade. There seemed to be wings on the hilt, as if this weapon were something divine. When Issa grabbed it, he realized everything: Those words that day were not Azura's. They were prophecied to be said. Azura just happened to say them. Azura was now the enemy. One of the most powerful enemies anyone would ever face.

The blade seemed to weigh nothing, but when he brought it down in a slice, it weighed more than anything in the world, as if Mundus itself was swinging the sword, but it instantly felt light again. It took awhile, but Issa found that he could juggle it as well as he could in it's katana form.

And so that night, Issa stood in the Capitol City with brand new equipment.

His admantium helm was polished and reinforced. His old, rusting, stolen Royal Guard's cuirass was reforged and painted a deep blue and black. His long black undercloak was rewoven and ornamented with blue dragons. Strapped on his back was the Prophet's Edge. On his waist were two specially made katanas for his fighting style. In his arms was a brand new fat lute, which he played walking down the street to the port. Issa Yojimbo was, in a sense, a new man.

He knew he didn't have to worry anymore. Whatever happened to him has already been ordained by the Elder Scrolls.

Posted by: stratigo Jan 27 2005, 12:50 AM

Ragner and Zaldaar also made their way back to the group. No one was expecting them. Ragner had dissapeared a while ago, and Zaldaar had dissapeared before they fled Vivic.

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 27 2005, 01:04 AM

*Erenius walks from the altar at the Temple of Stendarr near the Imperial Palace, his newfound artifact tucked in his satchel at his side*

"And so comes the moment of truth," he mutters, enterring the Elder Council's meeting chamber.

"At last you have come, Erenius...none of us expected you to return after running off with the Incarnate and her entourage," the lead Councilman says evenly, without emotion. "You bring us something, show it to us, for it is long overdue. Dark times are upon us, and your actions have only made it worse."

"I can explain everything, if you would just listen," Erenius sayd.

"Then speak," a gray-haired Dunmer says kindly, motioning him to speak.

"Very well then..." Erenius says, explaining his actions, and their reasons. "...and thus, I felt my actions best at the time, whether you believed so or not."

*murmuring erupts from several of the councilors*

"I see you tried to do good in the short-term, neglecting the long," Erenius is told. "Thus, hand over the artifact long overdue, and we shall send you out to the former Incarnate's location where you shall join her party again!"

*with that, an aura surrounds Erenius and he is depositted at Ald Raatham, at the village's square*

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 01:06 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 04:33 PM)

Dagoth will find Loranna in her room, practicing with a healing cantrip and looking like she has a lot on her mind.

*





Dagoth finally reaches the most likely place to find Loranna... her room. He knocks on the door, giving her the mental query 'can I come in?'

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 27 2005, 01:15 AM

*Erenius stands up at the village square, confused*

"I know I was at the council hall for the Elder Council, but now here?...without my weapons, armor, gold, belongings?" Ereniuss says, confused.

*A large pile of things then falls beside him*

"Least they have decency," Erenius mutters, placing the potions, scrolls, and miscellanious items into his satchel, his coin into his coin-purse, and donning his blade, leaving his armor in the bundle it was in initially as he carries it out of the square towards a second large establishment, likely that of the party.

"Wherever I am now, this certainly isnt Vvardenfall, yet it certainly is still Morrowind, and I doubt that the events have transpired well..."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 01:16 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 06:56 PM)

Dagoth finally reaches the most likely place to find Loranna... her room. He knocks on the door, giving her the mental query 'can I come in?'

*





Loranna looks up from her restoration practice, her expression brightening a little. One moment ...

Letting Dagoth in, she gives the disguised lich a hug. Hey there; everything all right, yes?


Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 01:18 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 06:06 PM)

Loranna looks up from her restoration practice, her expression brightening a little.  One moment ...

Letting Dagoth in, she gives the disguised lich a hug.  Hey there; everything all right, yes?

*





Dagoth looks at Loranna appraisingly... 'You don't seem to be hurt... so yah, everything's fine. You look like you had a rough time out there.'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 01:25 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 07:08 PM)

Dagoth looks at Loranna appraisingly... 'You don't seem to be hurt... so yah, everything's fine. You look like you had a rough time out there.'

*





Loranna hesitates a second.

" ... I'll be okay," she tells Dagoth. "Just the work today was ... not really my forte."

Loranna's tone suggests she's understating at least a little.


Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 01:27 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 06:15 PM)

Loranna hesitates a second.

" ... I'll be okay," she tells Dagoth.  "Just the work today was ... not really my forte."

Loranna's tone suggests she's understating at least a little.

*





Dagoth embraces her mind a bit. 'Your deameanor suggests that you experianced something you wish you hadn't needed to do...'

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 27 2005, 01:31 AM

*Erenius looks about the village as he makes his way to the group and their less than grand location*

"Least people seem to not be following us, or at least not nearly as many," Erenius says, content at not needing to feed over five thousand mouths at the procession's peak. "Maybe coming here in such a fashion wasnt such a good idea...some tact and caution should be employed liberally here until I arrive with the rest."

*Erenius stops and watches as a few guards pass him before continuing along the path, finally arriving near the camp of sorts set up*

"Finally," Erenius says, sitting down before rolling his eyes. "Now what?"

*several guards approach him*

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 01:34 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 07:17 PM)

Dagoth embraces her mind a bit. 'Your deameanor suggests that you experianced something you wish you hadn't needed to do...'

*





Loranna holds Dagoth in her arms.

... I'm not a warrior, she says. I can fight, a little, if I have to, and I know the way things are now I'll probably have to fight for my life and my loved ones soon ...

... But I don't think I'm the one to be going out banging on doors and executing people like we did yesterday. I did it because I thought it had to be done and I wanted to help, but ... I think I ought to work on being helpful in other ways now, instead.


Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 01:37 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 06:24 PM)

Loranna holds Dagoth in her arms.

... I'm not a warrior, she says.  I can fight, a little, if I have to, and I know the way things are now I'll probably have to fight for my life and my loved ones soon ...

... But I don't think I'm the one to be going out banging on doors and executing people like we did yesterday.  I did it because I thought it had to be done and I wanted to help, but ... I think I ought to work on being helpful in other ways now, instead.

*





Dagoth continues the mental embrace, and begins to return it physically as well...

'The horrors of death are indeed, well, horrifying when one does it themselves... your nature inclines you to help rather then kill... another quality that makes you the Loranna I love...'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 01:41 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 07:27 PM)

Dagoth continues the mental embrace, and begins to return it physically as well...

'The horrors of death are indeed, well, horrifying when one does it themselves... your nature inclines you to help rather then kill... another quality that makes you the Loranna I love...'

*





Loranna frowns, her thoughts becoming hard to make out.

" ... Lot of people need help right now," she says quietly. "Not just immediate, tangible help either ..."


Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 01:43 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 06:31 PM)

Loranna frowns, her thoughts becoming hard to make out.

" ... Lot of people need help right now," she says quietly.  "Not just immediate, tangible help either ..."

*





Dagoth tilted his head in a bit of confusion.

'The help they need... what kind do you think the people really need?'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 01:45 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 07:33 PM)

Dagoth tilted his head in a bit of confusion.

'The help they need... what kind do you think the people really need?'

*





" ... Help remembering they're ... "

Loranna pauses, thinking. These next words didn't sound quite right but they were all that came to mind.

" ... they're mortal. And have hearts still."


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 27 2005, 01:48 AM

QUOTE(FireMaster @ Jan 26 2005, 07:21 PM)

*several guards approach him*

*





They look him in the eyes, and speak politely but with authority. "What is your business in the domain of Lord Dres Jazbet?"


Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 01:48 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 06:35 PM)

" ... Help remembering they're ... "

Loranna pauses, thinking.  These next words didn't sound quite right but they were all that came to mind.

" ... they're mortal.  And have hearts still."

*





Mortal... something Dagoth hadn't been for longer then he can remember...

'Mortals tend to think they are cabable of doing anything, which doesn't end well... and a truly heartless existance isn't worth having... I see your point love...'

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 27 2005, 01:50 AM

*Erenius turns to the guard*

"The Elder Council has depositted me here," Erenius replies. "However, I know not where 'here' is. All I know is that your Dres Lord is an acquaintance of mine, and if he is here, the others are as well in all likelyhood."

*Erenius says no more, awaiting to see how the guards respond to it*

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 01:52 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 07:38 PM)

Mortal... something Dagoth hadn't been for longer then he can remember...

'Mortals tend to think they are cabable of doing anything, which doesn't end well... and a truly heartless existance isn't worth having... I see your point love...'

*





Loranna sighs, feeling she missed the point somehow.

"No, it's not ..." she says, pausing to look Dagoth in the eye sockets.

" ... Who do you see right now?" she asks suddenly.


Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 27 2005, 01:54 AM

QUOTE(FireMaster @ Jan 26 2005, 07:40 PM)

*Erenius turns to the guard*

"The Elder Council has depositted me here," Erenius replies.  "However, I know not where 'here' is.  All I know is that your Dres Lord is an acquaintance of mine, and if he is here, the others are as well in all likelyhood."

*Erenius says no more, awaiting to see how the guards respond to it*

*





"We will be happy to escort you to his lordship's castle," said the guard captain. "I must ask you to submit to one test we are administering to everyone, native and visitor alike, to guard against infiltration by the Azurites."

Another of the guards takes out a scroll. "It is a spell to dispel magicka, such as illusions. We must make certain you are who you appear to be. Will you submit to it?'


Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 01:57 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 06:42 PM)

Loranna sighs, feeling she missed the point somehow.

"No, it's not ..." she says, pausing to look Dagoth in the eye sockets.

" ... Who do you see right now?" she asks suddenly.

*





Dagoth looks at Loranna, and says without hesitation, 'I see before me a woman who isn't completly sure of who she really is... someone who is growing up for a second time... someone I love... and someone who needs a bit of help...'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 02:02 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 07:47 PM)

Dagoth looks at Loranna, and says without hesitation, 'I see before me a woman who isn't completly sure of who she really is... someone who is growing up for a second time... someone I love... and someone who needs a bit of help...'

*





Loranna feels her eyes moisten again.

She hugs Dagoth, her embrace not quite enough to crack bone but strong just the same. She leans her head against his shoulder blade, her eyes closed.

" ... Someone who some other people need too," she says quietly. "Someone who loves you too ... but you're right ..."


Posted by: Arynel Jan 27 2005, 02:06 AM

Arynel silently walked out of the tavern and into Ald Raathim.

The Breton said nothing, but slowly swiveled his head from left to right, taking in the goings on around him.



Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 02:10 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 06:52 PM)

Loranna feels her eyes moisten again.

She hugs Dagoth, her embrace not quite enough to crack bone but strong just the same.  She leans her head against his shoulder blade, her eyes closed.

" ... Someone who some other people need too," she says quietly.  "Someone who loves you too ... but you're right ..."

*





Dagoth hugs Loranna back, physically and mentally. 'I guess I'm one of those people... so is a certain Khajiit... wow, I'm making sense to both of use for once... but unfortunately, I think we will need to talk to others about our problems once in a while... I'm sorry dear, I just remembered I have to pick up a few things... we can talk again some other time.'

He leaned his head on Loranna's forehead, gave her one last squeeze, and got up. 'Later...' He saw her smile, then he left the room to finish what he needed to do...

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 02:17 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 08:00 PM)

Dagoth hugs Loranna back, physically and mentally. 'I guess I'm one of those people...  so is a certain Khajiit... wow, I'm making sense to both of use for once... but unfortunately, I think we will need to talk to others about our problems once in a while... I'm sorry dear, I just remembered I have to pick up a few things... we can talk again some other time.'

*





Loranna is quiet for a moment, but slowly lets Dagoth go.

" ... All right," she says. " ... I'll talk with you later." She looks at Dagoth and slowly a small smile comes to her lips. "Take care."


Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 27 2005, 02:20 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 26 2005, 07:07 PM)

Loranna is quiet for a moment, but slowly lets Dagoth go.

" ... All right," she says.  " ... I'll talk with you later."  She looks at Dagoth and slowly a small smile comes to her lips.  "Take care."

*





Dagoth nods. 'I will dear... I will... just be careful. You never know when something is gonna happen...' He started out the doorway...

Posted by: Loranna Jan 27 2005, 02:22 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Jan 26 2005, 08:10 PM)

Dagoth nods. 'I will dear... I will... just be careful. You never know when something is gonna happen...' He started out the doorway...

*





Loranna watches Dagoth leave, and then heads out herself, intending to go find Jazbet ...

===

... and I'm going to call for a lock on this topic and start a new one.

Lock On

Loranna

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