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The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ RP: High Rock Hijinks

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 07:21 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://www.ravensky.org/irc/.

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!


===

Info for Loranna:

Race: Nord
Sex: Female

===

Summary for Loranna:

Loranna is in Solstheim, having recently rescued her father and helped destory the remaining dangers lurking in Slyvos's old tower - along with the tower itself.


QUOTE

"Ah, there are advantages to being obnoxious, you're learning, girl!" Tris said, grinning. "Right. Where is this shaman, that I may dazzle him with my theology? or at least my polished white teeth?"



Loranna looks to the sky, shaking her head and chuckling. "You know Tris, I think you're a bad influnce on me," she says. "He's this way; I'll introduce you."

Who knows? After dealing with her father maybe Tris would be a welcome change of pace ...


Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 07:28 AM

Update

Elysana, Queen of Wayrest, is at her court, the Royal Dome. She has been receiving regular visits from the ghost of her father, and has launched a full investigation, suspecting necromancy. Her Spymaster Herwyn Brant and the Archmagister of the Mages Guild Hannibal Traven have indeed found Necromancers in Wayrest, but they are not responsible for the situation. She has asked her Spymaster to redouble the search for Tris Gaerington, and also to check on her husband's mistress to make certain she is the fool she seems to be.

The King of Daggerfall, Gothryd, is en route to his home with his children and his grandmother, the sorceress Nulfaga. He is to meet with Hannibal Traven, who is continuing his investigation into necromancy in the Mages Guild.

Bosriel, a little girl, once a Void Vampire, now a strange new kind of a creature, is at Allerleirauh’s home, Solunastra. Free of the Void, she is experiencing the world for the first time in twelve hundred years. She is learning to walk again on the ground, and – to her alarm – she is beginning to grow hungry again.


Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 07:30 AM

OOC: The Breton Arynel is wandering around the void ranger guildhouse in Solunastra, collecting his thoughts.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 07:31 AM

ooc summaries:

Tris is with Loranna in Solstheim, getting ready to speak to Korst Wind-Eye, and defend the honor of Dibella. He spent his day boffing his father's very pregnant wife Ymalna. Oro, his younger brother, saw them, and informed his father, who is plotting to kill Ymalna as soon as her son is born.

Allerleirauh and Arynel encountered the spirit of her father; Arynel suckered him into reforging his sword, then used it to drive him off. She is presently on the way to see Bosriel.

Doll is with Loranna in Solstheim. Her dainty features reveal no trace of what she may be feeling, as Nalion becomes more open about his feelings for her.



QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 24 2005, 12:21 AM)

Solunastra:

The shadows cast by the flickering fireplace deepened, and Leseth appeared near Allerleirauh. He bowed his black head with respect.

"It is her wish to speak with you, General."

*





"Very good. Thank you."

Allerleirauh offered Leseth her hand, then ascended the stairs to Bosriel's bedroom.

She smiled.

"You have seen me, but I have never seen you before... it's good to learn that you survived the Eidolon. Have you been comfortable here?"


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 07:37 AM

QUOTE

Loranna looks to the sky, shaking her head and chuckling.  "You know Tris, I think you're a bad influnce on me," she says.  "He's this way; I'll introduce you."

Who knows?  After dealing with her father maybe Tris would be a welcome change of pace ...

*




Tris followed her. Now that they were inside, Loranna could read him much better. He was in a good mood; the mood of someone spoiling for a fight.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 07:38 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 23 2005, 10:31 PM)

Allerleirauh offered Leseth her hand, then ascended the stairs to Bosriel's bedroom.

She smiled.

"You have seen me, but I have never seen you before... it's good to learn that you survived the Eidolon. Have you been comfortable here?"

*





‘I have been, yes,’ said the little girl in a small voice, her burning eyes wide. ‘You know I have done bad things to your children, the beautiful boy you call Arynel, the beautiful girl you call Doll … they lived but many, many others I have touched, more than I can count, did not … I do not understand why you did not kill me, but … thank you.’


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 07:43 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 12:38 AM)

Solunastra
‘I have been, yes,’ said the little girl in a small voice, her burning eyes wide. ‘You know I have done bad things to your children, the beautiful boy you call Arynel, the beautiful girl you call Doll … they lived but many, many others I have touched, more than I can count, did not … I do not understand why you did not kill me, but … thank you.’

*




"I have never known a vampire whose volition overcame his nature," Allerleirauh said. "Good and evil are, for most of us, a matter of convenience. As for life and death... you devoured mostly humans, I believe. Many of them, even those who were beloved children greatly mourned when you took their lives, would have fallen by now in any case, to the hand of Arkay. The question now is what you will become. Have you eaten, since you arrived here?"

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 07:49 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 23 2005, 10:43 PM)

"I have never known a vampire whose volition overcame his nature,"  Allerleirauh said. "Good and evil are, for most of us, a matter of convenience. As for life and death... you devoured mostly humans, I believe. Many of them, even those who were beloved children greatly mourned when you took their lives, would have fallen by now in any case, to the hand of Arkay. The question now is what you will become. Have you eaten, since you arrived here?"

*





‘No!’ Bosriel shook her head quickly. ‘I only slept, and went down to your garden with Leseth … I hope that was okay,’ she added, looking at the wilting flowers around the room guiltily. ‘I will kill myself before I hurt anyone under your roof, Lady.’

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 07:52 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 01:37 AM)

Tris followed her. Now that they were inside, Loranna could read him much better. He was in a good mood;  the mood of someone spoiling for a fight.

*





Krost looks up to see Loranna come in, with Tris - and wonders why Loranna says "Oh boy," with a tone that suggests that fists will soon fly.

Five Minutes Later, Outside ...

"Lad, show respect to the heroes who destoryed the lich's tower and freed your village from its shadow," Gram says, his fist smacking down a young Skaal who had frowned and muttered that Gram was "Full of hot air ..."

Ten Minutes After THAT ...

" ... Though we are grateful for the heroism you showed in the lich's tower, I fear you are not welcome here anymore," Krost says to Loranna and her companions. "May the All-Maker bless you in your lives ... and good bye."

Loranna glowers at Gram, muttering "Well, at least it took you two days instead of one to get us thrown out of a village this time ..."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 07:54 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 12:49 AM)

Solunastra
‘No!’ Bosriel shook her head quickly. ‘I only slept, and went down to your garden with Leseth … I hope that was okay,’ she added, looking at the wilting flowers around the room guiltily. ‘I will kill myself before I hurt anyone under your roof, Lady.’

*




"The flowers are there to be enjoyed," Allerleirauh said, smiling. "Bosriel... I am not sure exactly what food you require. One of our number, Illidan, was recently restored to natural life after having become a vampire, by a rare herb growing in High Rock. I wonder if the same thing could help you."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 08:00 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 12:52 AM)

Krost looks up to see Loranna come in, with Tris - and wonders why Loranna says "Oh boy," with a tone that suggests that fists will soon fly.

Five Minutes Later, Outside ...

"Lad, show respect to the heroes who destoryed the lich's tower and freed your village from its shadow," Gram says, his fist smacking down a young Skaal who had frowned and muttered that Gram was "Full of hot air ..."

Ten Minutes After THAT ...

" ... Though we are grateful for the heroism you showed in the lich's tower, I fear you are not welcome here anymore," Krost says to Loranna and her companions.  "May the All-Maker bless you in your lives ... and good bye."

Loranna glowers at Gram, muttering "Well, at least it took you two days instead of one to get us thrown out of a village this time ..."

*




"I liked it," Tris said. "Particularly the part where the fat woman tried to bite me. It was refreshing. Tris Gaerington, sir, at your service."

He held out his hand to Loranna's father.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 08:04 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 23 2005, 10:54 PM)

"The flowers are there to be enjoyed,"  Allerleirauh said, smiling. "Bosriel... I am not sure exactly what food you require. One of our number, Illidan, was recently restored to natural life after having become a vampire, by a rare herb growing in High Rock. I wonder if the same thing could help you."

*





‘I know the herb,’ the little girl nodded. ‘I have watched vampires take it and be cured. I pulled some into the Void once, hundreds of years ago, but it did not help. I was too old. And now … I don’t know what I am … something horrible … I did not feel hunger when I first came here. Now … ‘

Bosriel touched her own cheek. It was warm as human flesh. ‘Have you ever felt that you needed something, but you didn’t know what it was? … I hunger again, but not for blood …’



Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 08:06 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 02:00 AM)

"I liked it,"  Tris said. "Particularly the part where the fat woman tried to bite me. It was refreshing. Tris Gaerington, sir, at your service."

He held out his hand to Loranna's father.

*





"Eh? When did you arrive?" Gram wonders. "Well, no matter; Gram Pyrel, called Gram the Twilight Slayer, at your service lad. Tis an honor to meet another of the heroes of
Red Mountain - though I wager if you'd have been in southern Cyrodiil on that accursed day you'd have seen valor to make your heart stir, even with the glorious deeds you have seen and done."

Loranna feels very girlish once more, and considers dropping a rock on Gram's head - or maybe Tris's ... no, definitely Gram's.

"Anyway, now that our business here in Solstheim is mostly finished," she says, slight emphesis on the mostly, "we might as well return home."

Gram frowns a little. "I've never been one for Morrowind," he mutters into his beard. "I hear tales that there's a place called Thrisk elsewhere in this island; the tales tell of men there who appreciate good drink and good stories."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 08:17 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 01:06 AM)

"Eh?  When did you arrive?" Gram wonders.  "Well, no matter; Gram Pyrel, called Gram the Twilight Slayer, at your service lad.  Tis an honor to meet another of the heroes of Red Mountain - though I wager if you'd have been in southern Cyrodiil on that accursed day you'd have seen valor to make your heart stir, even with the glorious deeds you have seen and done."

Loranna feels very girlish once more, and considers dropping a rock on Gram's head - or maybe Tris's ... no, definitely Gram's.

"Anyway, now that our business here in Solstheim is mostly finished," she says, slight emphesis on the mostly, "we might as well return home."

Gram frowns a little.  "I've never been one for Morrowind," he mutters into his beard.  "I hear tales that there's a place called Thrisk elsewhere in this island; the tales tell of men there who appreciate good drink and good stories."

*




"You're not coming back with us, sir? To attend your own lovely daughter's wedding? It may not be Skyrim - you have to go out into the wilderness to wrestle bears, they don't wander the streets - but Daggerfall has fine wine and women in abundance, and we know how to built a stone house that not even Nords can knock over."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 08:20 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:04 AM)

Solunastra
‘I know the herb,’ the little girl nodded. ‘I have watched vampires take it and be cured.  I pulled some into the Void once, hundreds of years ago, but it did not help.  I was too old.  And now … I don’t know what I am … something horrible … I did not feel hunger when I first came here.  Now … ‘

Bosriel touched her own cheek.  It was warm as human flesh. ‘Have you ever felt that you needed something, but you didn’t know what it was? … I hunger again, but not for blood …’

*




Allerleirauh frowned, reaching to touch the girl's cheek herself. She remembered the unnatural cold that had permeated Bosriel's limbs when they first found her.

It had been their speculation, before Hogithum, that Bosriel was no ordinary vampire, but a manifestation of the Void itself, hungry to be filled with life and experience. If being in the world was not enough to fill her, how could she be filled?

"Could you be hungry for ordinary food, child? You are welcome to come down to the kitchen and experiment. No doubt this is all very strange to you."



Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 08:25 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 02:17 AM)

"You're not coming back with us, sir?  To attend your own lovely daughter's wedding?  It may not be Skyrim - you have to go out into the wilderness to wrestle bears, they don't wander the streets - but Daggerfall has fine wine and women in abundance, and we know how to built a stone house that not even Nords can knock over."

*





Gram considers Tris's words, glancing at Loranna. "High Rock you say lad? Hmm ..."

"They do have fine wine there," Loranna concurs. "I've been buying cases for Ald Raathim for when I'm not in the mood for mead."

"Ah, at least those dark Elves haven't taken your taste for real drinks," Gram chuckles.

"Oh come on - have you ever tasted sujamma Dad?" Loranna mutters. "It's like getting kicked in the head by a mule that's been walking in offal."

Gram laughs heartily. "Well then! Let us make our way to High Rock!"

"You know we're taking the Mage Guild to get there, right Dad?" Loranna points out.

Gram frowns mightily; Loranna sighs, saying "You really need to get over that Dad; it won't kill you."

"One never finds adventure popping from Mage Guild to Mage Guild; just musty old wizards who need to get out more into the world they send people scurrying about in," Gram mutters.


Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 08:28 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 23 2005, 11:20 PM)

"Could you be hungry for ordinary food, child?  You are welcome to come down to the kitchen and experiment. No doubt this is all very strange to you."

*





Bosriel nodded frantically, 'I don't know. Maybe. The last time I had ordinary food ... It was an orange, a beautiful sweet orange from a tree in Anequina, and ... yes, please, can I go to the kitchen?'

Bosriel floated into the air, 'I cannot walk,' she explained.

Her lips were white.



Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 08:34 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:28 AM)

Solunastra
Bosriel nodded frantically, 'I don't know.  Maybe.  The last time I had ordinary food ... It was an orange, a beautiful sweet orange from a tree in Anequina, and ... yes, please, can I go to the kitchen?'

Bosriel floated into the air, 'I cannot walk,' she explained.

Her lips were white.

*




"In this house you may walk or not, as you please," Allerleirauh said. "The people here are used to our eccentricities."

She was concerned; she wondered where Leseth had gone. He was painfully shy, and had probably just stepped back into the Void; but he might have returned to Alcaire.

She led Bosriel to the kitchen, where Igba the Orc cook was preparing dinner.

"I know," Allerleirauh said. "But the child is hungry."

Igba set before Bosriel first the things that didn't need preparation - cheese tarts and bread and sausages and figs. Then she turned to the preparation of the roast chicken, the stew, the fruit compote.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 08:36 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 01:25 AM)

Gram considers Tris's words, glancing at Loranna.  "High Rock you say lad?  Hmm ..."

"They do have fine wine there," Loranna concurs.  "I've been buying cases for Ald Raathim for when I'm not in the mood for mead."

"Ah, at least those dark Elves haven't taken your taste for real drinks," Gram chuckles.

"Oh come on - have you ever tasted sujamma Dad?" Loranna mutters.  "It's like getting kicked in the head by a mule that's been walking in offal."

Gram laughs heartily.  "Well then!  Let us make our way to High Rock!"

"You know we're taking the Mage Guild to get there, right Dad?" Loranna points out.

Gram frowns mightily; Loranna sighs, saying "You really need to get over that Dad; it won't kill you."

"One never finds adventure popping from Mage Guild to Mage Guild; just musty old wizards who need to get out more into the world they send people scurrying about in," Gram mutters.

*




"There is no shortage of adventure at Solunastra," Tris said. "It's the hall of heroes, the resting place and reward for those who risk their comfort saving everybody else's bacon. Besides, there are four taverns within walking distance."

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 08:43 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 23 2005, 11:34 PM)

Igba set before Bosriel first the things that didn't need preparation - cheese tarts and bread and sausages and figs.  Then she turned to the preparation of the roast chicken, the stew, the fruit compote.

*





The little girl, though most resembling a Dunmer child, was most comfortable around orcs. She had never known company but theirs since she fell into the Void. The sight of Igba immediately put a smile on her pale lips.

Bosriel ate voraciously, gripping the tarts and figs and sausages with both hands, tearing into them.

Then she was sick.

She looked up at Allerleirauh, desperately. Her eyes were white as the moons. ‘I’m going to die.’


Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 08:44 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 02:36 AM)

"There is no shortage of adventure at Solunastra,"  Tris said. "It's the hall of heroes, the resting place and reward for those who risk their comfort saving everybody else's bacon. Besides, there are four taverns within walking distance."

*





"Ah; smart planning, that," Gram chuckles. "Well then! Let us be off and pay those bent-back greybeards to magic us to High Rock."

Loranna grows quiet, thinking to herself. She and Slyvos could come back to visit Two-Tail's grave later - from the letter the Khajiit had written to Slyvos, his business on Nirn was finished and there shouldn't be any need for the whole group to come along for that. Besides ... she had other things on her mind now.

Back to Vvardenfell and then to the Mage Guild, and several stops later, the party was once again in Daggerfall. Gram takes a moment to look around the busy streets, nodding. "It's been some time since I've been through this way; I think you were eight at the time Loranna."

"Maybe," Loranna says, looking down at her feet. "The cities all kind of blurred together for me, back then."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 08:47 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:43 AM)

Solunastra
The little girl, though most resembling a Dunmer child, was most comfortable around orcs.  She had never known company but theirs since she fell into the Void.  The sight of Igba immediately put a smile on her pale lips.

Bosriel ate voraciously, gripping the tarts and figs and sausages with both hands, tearing into them. 

Then she was sick.

She looked up at Allerleirauh, desperately.  Her eyes were white as the moons. ‘I’m going to die.’

*




"Leseth!" Allerleirauh called, putting an arm around the child's shoulders and wiping her lips with a cloth.

"You won't die, I should have known this would happen... you should be fine as soon as the food's up..."

But what to feed her? That was the question.

Vampires could subsist on potions, for a time, if no blood was available. Healing magic and magicka would sustain them. Allerleirauh held the miserable little girl and wondered what she could do that would not hurt her. It was painful just to watch her suffering... children should never suffer so.

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 08:51 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 12:47 AM)

"Leseth!"  Allerleirauh called, putting an arm around the child's shoulders and wiping her lips with a cloth.

"You won't die, I should have known this would happen... you should be fine as soon as the food's up..."

But what to feed her?  That was the question.

Vampires could subsist on potions, for a time, if no blood was available. Healing magic and magicka would sustain them. Allerleirauh held the miserable little girl and wondered what she could do that would not hurt her. It was painful just to watch her suffering... children should never suffer so.

*




At the summons, Leseth appeared in a swirl of dark cloak and a thunderclap.

Despite herself, Igba jumped, dropped her spoon, and cursed the huge black creature.

Leseth stood immobile, watching the sick little girl, clenching his huge fists and having no idea what else to do.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 08:54 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 23 2005, 11:47 PM)

Vampires could subsist on potions, for a time, if no blood was available. Healing magic and magicka would sustain them. Allerleirauh held the miserable little girl and wondered what she could do that would not hurt her. It was painful just to watch her suffering... children should never suffer so.

*





Streaks of white snaked their way through Bosriel’s black hair as Allerleirauh held her. Her skin was very warm, like human flesh wracked by fever.

‘Vaernima did this to me!’ the little girl gasped.


QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 23 2005, 11:47 PM)

Despite herself, Igba jumped, dropped her spoon, and cursed the huge black creature.

*





The skin cooled instantly.

'I ... the hunger ...' Bosriel blinked. Her eyes turning red again. 'It's gone.'

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:01 AM

Arynel had seen Allerleirauh heading towards the kitchen, and she was not alone - a child at the orphanage perhaps? - they were too far away to tell. The Breton made his way down the hall and reached out towards the kitchen door, cautiously, to avoid upsetting Igba.

Arynel stepped inside, and froze.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:05 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 12:01 AM)

Arynel stepped inside, and froze.

*





'Beautiful boy,' Bosriel stared back, darkness melting over her hair and her lips. Her flesh was colder than ice, painful to hold. 'Arynel.'


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:08 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 02:05 AM)

Solunastra
'Beautiful boy,' Bosriel stared back, darkness melting over her hair and her lips.  Her flesh was colder than ice, painful to hold. 'Arynel.'

*




Allerleirauh gasped. She had a Nord's resistence to cold. But this wasn't cold. This was like the touch of the Void.

She pulled away, rubbing the flesh of her arms. "Bosriel... remember! You are under my roof."

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:08 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:05 AM)

Solunastra
'Beautiful boy,' Bosriel stared back, darkness melting over her hair and her lips.  Her flesh was colder than ice, painful to hold. 'Arynel.'

*





Arynel looked as if he had seen a ghost.

The Breton swallowed, and spoke to Allerleirauh, but did not take his eyes of Bosriel.

“What is she doing,” he said, pausing to exhale, “here.”


Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 09:10 AM

One of Leseth's dark eyebrows raised, but he did not otherwise move.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:13 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 02:08 AM)

Arynel looked as if he had seen a ghost.

The Breton swallowed, and spoke to Allerleirauh, but did not take his eyes of Bosriel.

“What is she doing,” he said, pausing to exhale, “here.”

*




"This is Bosriel," Allerleirauh said, as if it were perfectly rational. "She survived the Eidolon after all. Where should she be instead?"

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:14 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 12:08 AM)

Allerleirauh gasped. She had a Nord's resistence to cold. But this wasn't cold. This was like the touch of the Void.

She pulled away, rubbing the flesh of her arms. "Bosriel... remember!  You are under my roof."

*





Bosriel rose into the air, looking first to Arynel, and then to Allerleirauh. 'I'm sorry. I told you I was horrible.'


QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 12:08 AM)

“What is she doing,” he said, pausing to exhale, “here.”

*





Fast, Bosriel flew at him.

And then, she was over him and out the door.

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:17 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:14 AM)

Bosriel rose into the air, looking first to Arynel, and then to Allerleirauh. 'I'm sorry.  I told you I was horrible.'
Fast, Bosriel flew at him.

And then, she was over him and out the door.

*





Arynel’s head spun around as his eyes followed Bosriel out the door, and his legs propelled him forward instinctively.

“Don’t let her get away, she’s dangerous!” The Breton said.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:19 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 02:17 AM)

Arynel’s head spun around as his eyes followed Bosriel out the door, and his legs propelled him forward instinctively.

“Don’t let her get away, she’s dangerous!”  The Breton said.

*




"Arynel!" Allerleirauh commanded. "Recover yourself, man. The child cannot drink blood, she means no harm to anyone."

Outside the Guildhouse, Loranna, Gram, and Tris were arriving.

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 09:22 AM

"I'll watch over her," Leseth said, staring hard at Arynel.

With the sound of a deep drumbeat, he was gone.

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:22 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 01:19 AM)

"Arynel!"  Allerleirauh commanded. "Recover yourself, man. The child cannot drink blood, she means no harm to anyone." 

Outside the Guildhouse, Loranna, Gram, and Tris were arriving.

*





Arynel turned towards Allerleirauh, the Breton's lips trembled as if to produce speech, but no words came.

"Very well." He said at last.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:22 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 12:19 AM)

"Arynel!"  Allerleirauh commanded. "Recover yourself, man. The child cannot drink blood, she means no harm to anyone." 

Outside the Guildhouse, Loranna, Gram, and Tris were arriving.

*





Bosriel was no longer thinking. She rushed for the front door, only dimly aware that there was still sunlight outside, and it would kill her.


Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 09:22 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 03:19 AM)

"Arynel!"  Allerleirauh commanded. "Recover yourself, man. The child cannot drink blood, she means no harm to anyone." 

Outside the Guildhouse, Loranna, Gram, and Tris were arriving.

*





Gram was asking Tris "So lad, of the four taverns here, which has the best ... by Kyne! What is that!"

"What?!" Loranna sees a child, totally black with buring red eyes, flying towards them; as he father is raising his shield she, instintvely, casts a shield spell on the three of them.


Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:25 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 12:22 AM)

Gram was asking Tris "So lad, of the four taverns here, which has the best ... by Kyne!  What is that!"

"What?!" Loranna sees a child, totally black with buring red eyes, flying towards them; as he father is raising his shield she, instintvely, casts a shield spell on the three of them.

*





Bosriel shrieked, her face twisted, monstrous. She whipped around, and shot into the garden, where sunlight still fell in dusk light.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:27 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 02:25 AM)

Solunastra
Bosriel shrieked, her face twisted, monstrous.  She whipped around, and shot into the garden, where sunlight still fell in dusk light.

*




"Vampire!" Tris said. But something was bothering him. A creeping sensation, as if someone were standing behind him... he had a sudden, vivid memory of a moment he had forgotten. Sharp pain in his neck, loss of sensation, his leg...

"Void Vampire," Tris whispered. "That's her..."

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 09:28 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:25 AM)

Solunastra
Bosriel shrieked, her face twisted, monstrous.  She whipped around, and shot into the garden, where sunlight still fell in dusk light.

*




With the crack of thunder, Leseth appeared beside the terrified little creature, his black cloak cool and comforting, blotting out all hint of the burning sun.

"Come, Little One, It is the General's opinion that matters, not that boy's.

"Let us go inside where it is cool."

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 09:31 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 03:27 AM)

"Vampire!"  Tris said. But something was bothering him. A creeping sensation, as if someone were standing behind him... he had a sudden, vivid memory of a moment he had forgotten. Sharp pain in his neck, loss of sensation, his leg...

"Void Vampire,"  Tris whispered. "That's her..."

*





"Vampire!" Gram rumbles, his axe Frostkiss coming up as he turns to head outside after the floating monster. The sight of Leseth, however, brings the bear of a Nord to a halt, staring uncertainly, fretfully.

Loranna glances at Tris, noting the look on his face, then turns to Allie. "What's going on?" she asks, her hands raised. The image of Bosriel's twisted expression lingers in her mind's eye ...


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:34 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 02:31 AM)

"Vampire!" Gram rumbles, his axe Frostkiss coming up as he turns to head outside after the floating monster.  The sight of Leseth, however, brings the bear of a Nord to a halt, staring uncertainly, fretfully.

Loranna glances at Tris, noting the look on his face, then turns to Allie.  "What's going on?" she asks, her hands raised.  The image of Bosriel's twisted expression lingers in her mind's eye ...

*




"Stand down, sir," Allerleirauh said to Gram. She trusted Leseth to do what he needed to do without her instructions. "Leseth is of our company; and Bosriel is an orphan child who requires our care. Everyone go inside and stop parading our business in Septim's shadow."

She gestured towards the large equestrian stature of Tiber Septim that decorated the square.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:34 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 24 2005, 12:28 AM)

With the crack of thunder, Leseth appeared beside the terrified little creature, his black cloak cool and comforting, blotting out all hint of the burning sun.

"Come, Little One, It is the General's opinion that matters, not that boy's.

"Let us go inside where it is cool."

*





Bosriel's fingers were claws that had torn warriors apart. She grabbed at Leseth, and they sunk deep into his armor.

'No,' the little girl said, her voice thick, trembling. 'It is so beautiful here in the garden ... I … you … will you shelter me here, my only friend? I can’t look at them right now. I like it here …'

She knew it now, and she had to decide whether to live or die.


Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:35 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 01:34 AM)

"Stand down, sir,"  Allerleirauh said to Gram. She trusted Leseth to do what he needed to do without her instructions. "Leseth is of our company;  and Bosriel is an orphan child who requires our care. Everyone go inside and stop parading our business in Septim's shadow."

She gestured towards the large equestrian stature of Tiber Septim that decorated the square.

*





Arynel awaited the group inside, the Breton was still shaken from the experience, but was calmer now.

"I see you have returned." He said to Loranna and Tris.

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 09:37 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:34 AM)

Solunastra
Bosriel's fingers were claws that had torn warriors apart.  She grabbed at Leseth, and they sunk deep into his armor. 

'No,' the little girl said, her voice thick, trembling. 'It is so beautiful here in the garden ... I … you … will you shelter me here, my only friend?  I can’t look at them right now.  I like it here …'

She knew it now, and she had to decide whether to live or die.

*




Leseth did not speak. He only pulled his cloak tighter around them both and held her.

Together they waited for the sun to fall beneath the city wall.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:40 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 02:34 AM)

Solunastra
Bosriel's fingers were claws that had torn warriors apart.  She grabbed at Leseth, and they sunk deep into his armor. 

'No,' the little girl said, her voice thick, trembling. 'It is so beautiful here in the garden ... I … you … will you shelter me here, my only friend?  I can’t look at them right now.  I like it here …'

She knew it now, and she had to decide whether to live or die.

*




A small girl slipped out of the East Wing door of the Guildhouse and ran around on light feet. Tamne had been watching from the window for a chance to sneak away.

"Hello?" she said experimentally, tiptoeing around Leseth as if he were a statue. "Are you the little girl who was in my room?"

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 09:41 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 03:34 AM)

"Stand down, sir,"  Allerleirauh said to Gram. She trusted Leseth to do what he needed to do without her instructions. "Leseth is of our company;  and Bosriel is an orphan child who requires our care. Everyone go inside and stop parading our business in Septim's shadow."

She gestured towards the large equestrian stature of Tiber Septim that decorated the square.

*





Gram scowls a bit, though his hand lowers, almost by its own accord; "Very well, then," he says, hooking his axe back onto his belt. This Solunastra was obviously a lively place.

So, that's the woman Loranna spoke of like a doting daughter, he thinks to himself, taking in Allie with a glance. ... Hmm ...

"We have," Loranna says to Arynel, giving a weak grin. "Arynel, this is my father, Gram; Gram, this is Arynel."

"Aye lad, well-met; Gram the Bold at your service," Gram says, extending his hand to Arynel, as Loranna leads the way inside.


Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:44 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 01:41 AM)

Gram scowls a bit, though his hand lowers, almost by its own accord; "Very well, then," he says, hooking his axe back onto his belt.  This Solunastra was obviously a lively place.

So, that's the woman Loranna spoke of like a doting daughter, he thinks to himself, taking in Allie with a glance. ... Hmm ...

"We have," Loranna says to Arynel, giving a weak grin.  "Arynel, this is my father, Gram; Gram, this is Arynel."

"Aye lad, well-met; Gram the Bold at your service," Gram says, extending his hand to Arynel, as Loranna leads the way inside.

*





Arynel extended his own hand towards Gram, and made all the proper motions of greeting, though it was clear the Breton's mind was on other things.

"Dear me, I can hardly tell if the pieces are gathering because the hearth is cooling, or because the heat is rising yet again."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:45 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 02:41 AM)

Gram scowls a bit, though his hand lowers, almost by its own accord; "Very well, then," he says, hooking his axe back onto his belt.  This Solunastra was obviously a lively place.

So, that's the woman Loranna spoke of like a doting daughter, he thinks to himself, taking in Allie with a glance. ... Hmm ...

"We have," Loranna says to Arynel, giving a weak grin.  "Arynel, this is my father, Gram; Gram, this is Arynel."

"Aye lad, well-met; Gram the Bold at your service," Gram says, extending his hand to Arynel, as Loranna leads the way inside.

*




"You may call me Allerleirauh," Allerleirauh said, not offering her hand. "Here I am General Light. Arynel - for mercy's sake go to her, tell her to live. Think of what her life has been, and for how long."

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:45 AM

Solunastra, The Garden, Twilight


QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 24 2005, 12:37 AM)

Leseth did not speak. He only pulled his cloak tighter around them both and held her.

Together they waited for the sun to fall beneath the city wall.

*





For a long time, she was silent, looking at the beauty that surrounded them.

‘For twelve hundred years,’ Bosriel whispered to Leseth, her voice that of an old woman, not a little girl. ‘I have needed blood, and craved freedom. Now, I am free of the Void, but if I am to live, I must … I must feed … Oh, Vaernima, I wish that I could feed on hatred, because I hate thee, Prince, I wouldst never be hungry again …’

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:47 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 12:40 AM)

A small girl slipped out of the East Wing door of the Guildhouse and ran around on light feet. Tamne had been watching from the window for a chance to sneak away.

"Hello?"  she said experimentally, tiptoeing around Leseth as if he were a statue. "Are you the little girl who was in my room?"

*





Bosriel turned to her.

'Yes,' she said. 'I'm sorry if I scared you.'

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:47 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:45 AM)

Solunastra, The Garden, Twilight
For a long time, she was silent, looking at the beauty that surrounded them.

‘For twelve hundred years,’ Bosriel whispered to Leseth, her voice that of an old woman, not a little girl. ‘I have needed blood, and craved freedom.  Now, I am free of the Void, but if I am to live, I must … I must feed … Oh, Vaernima, I wish that I could feed on hatred, because I hate thee, Prince, I wouldst never be hungry again …’

*





Arynel made his way towards the garden, Allerleirauh's words echoeing in his skull.

"Hello there," the Breton said, peeking under Leseth's black cloak.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:50 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 12:47 AM)

Arynel made his way towards the garden, Allerleirauh's words echoeing in his skull.

"Hello there," the Breton said, peeking under Leseth's black cloak.

*





"Don't hurt me," Bosriel trembled, a little girl again. "I'm sorry."

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 09:51 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:50 AM)

"Don't hurt me," Bosriel trembled, a little girl again.  "I'm sorry."

*





"I won't." Arynel said plainly. "I'm not one to hurt things if I don't have to, I'm not fond of it."

The Breton took a breath.

"But I would like to make sure you didn't hurt yourself. Don't be sorry for things that have passed us by, the world goes on either way."

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 09:52 AM

Leseth didn't like people close to him at the best of times, and this was not the best of times.

Tamne he tolerated, but the Breton who had acted so badly only moments before drew a dark look from the huge creature.

A vibration, almost a soft throbbing, could be felt in the ground around him, and his breath, blown through wide nostrils, steamed in the cold air around Bosriel.

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 09:52 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 03:44 AM)

Arynel extended his own hand towards Gram, and made all the proper motions of greeting, though it was clear the Breton's mind was on other things.

"Dear me, I can hardly tell if the pieces are gathering because the hearth is cooling, or because the heat is rising yet again."

*





"Eh? What's this?" Gram asks, confused by Arynel's words. However, Gram notes the Breton's obvious distraction and decides not to make a big deal out of his cryptic words; the lad was probably shocked still by the vampire girl, or perhaps he had known her before.


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 03:45 AM)

"You may call me Allerleirauh,"  Allerleirauh said, not offering her hand. "Here I am General Light. Arynel - for mercy's sake go to her, tell her to live. Think of what her life has been, and for how long."

*





Gram nods to Allerleirauh, his thoughts on Arynel now confimed.

Loranna, meanwhile, looks back and forth between Gram and Allie, somewhat surprised to see her father being quiet like this. Then again, a Void Vampire had just flown right past him, and he had just seen Leseth ...


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 09:53 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 02:47 AM)

Bosriel turned to her.

'Yes,' she said. 'I'm sorry if I scared you.'

*




"Nothing scares me since my mommy and daddy died," Tamne said. Which wasn't quite true. "Except the stairs used to scare me, until I learned to jump over the dark place. Why were you in a coffin? Were you dead?"


QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 02:47 AM)

Arynel made his way towards the garden, Allerleirauh's words echoeing in his skull.

"Hello there," the Breton said, peeking under Leseth's black cloak.

*




Tamne rolled her eyes at Arynel. Although he was her foster father, she had no particular respect for him. He was safe, as far as she could determine, and therefore good to misbehave around.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 09:57 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 12:51 AM)

"I won't."  Arynel said plainly.  "I'm not one to hurt things if I don't have to, I'm not fond of it."

The Breton took a breath.

"But I would like to make sure you didn't hurt yourself.  Don't be sorry for things that have passed us by, the world goes on either way."

*





'You are beautiful, within and without, like a child, and I used to eat children,' said Bosriel, and then she stopped, looking at Tamne. 'I'm sorry. I said I was sorry about frightening you, and I'm doing it again. I can feel I'm doing it again ... I'm very confused ...'


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 12:51 AM)

"

'Why were you in a coffin? Were you dead?"

*





'Yes,' said Bosriel, and suddenly she felt the need to laugh. And so she did.

And it really wasn't scary. Well, kinda.

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 10:00 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 01:57 AM)

'You are beautiful, within and without, like a child, and I used to eat children,' said Bosriel, and then she stopped, looking at Tamne. 'I'm sorry.  I said I was sorry about frightening you, and I'm doing it again.  I can feel I'm doing it again ... I'm very confused ...'

*





Arynel shivered when his gaze passed over Leseth, he glanced at Tamne and smiled, then turned his attention back to Bosriel.

"Confused? I can assure you in that respect you have good company." The Breton said. "As for the other part, well, there are people in this world who do worse than that, and they have a choice. But never mind that, you are safe here, now come inside."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 10:00 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 02:57 AM)

'You are beautiful, within and without, like a child, and I used to eat children,' said Bosriel, and then she stopped, looking at Tamne. 'I'm sorry.  I said I was sorry about frightening you, and I'm doing it again.  I can feel I'm doing it again ... I'm very confused ...'

*




Tamne, however, was more intrigued than frightened.

"I have a Winged Twilight!" Tamne said, as if struck by an inspiration. "Her name is Lakshi, and she's beautiful. But everyone is scared of her."

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 10:04 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 01:00 AM)

Tamne, however, was more intrigued than frightened.

"I have a Winged Twilight!"  Tamne said, as if struck by an inspiration. "Her name is Lakshi, and she's beautiful. But everyone is scared of her."

*





'I want to see her,' Bosriel's red eyes gleamed in the last light of the setting sun, beneath Leseth's cloak.


Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 10:06 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ May 24 2005, 01:00 AM)

"Confused?  I can assure you in that respect you have good company."  The Breton said.  "As for the other part, well, there are people in this world who do worse than that, and they have a choice.  But never mind that, you are safe here, now come inside."

*





'Like I said, beautiful inside and out, like a child. Thank you,' said the little girl. 'And you, beautiful boy, are safe here too.'

The sun set, and Bosriel stood up. Her face was serene.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 10:07 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 03:04 AM)

'I want to see her,' Bosriel's red eyes gleamed in the last light of the setting sun, beneath Leseth's cloak.

*




"Excuse me," Allerleirauh said to Gram, slipping past him and out the door. "TAMNE! Don't you dare."

But Tamne was already daring, had already dared. Her little hands moved like a whirlwind, her little voice called out to Azura, and Lakshi appeared from Oblivion in a spray of bright blue light, her lovely, inhuman face creased with concern for Tamne.

"Oh that child," Allerleirauh said, starting towards them. "Get in the house. NOW."

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 10:08 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 02:06 AM)

'Like I said, beautiful inside and out, like a child.  Thank you,' said the little girl. 'And you, beautiful boy, are safe here too.'

The sun set, and Bosriel stood up.  Her face was serene.

*




Leseth withdrew his cloak, but did not otherwise move.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 10:11 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 01:07 AM)

"Excuse me,"  Allerleirauh said to Gram, slipping past him and out the door. "TAMNE!  Don't you dare."

But Tamne was already daring, had already dared. Her little hands moved like a whirlwind, her little voice called out to Azura, and Lakshi appeared from Oblivion in a spray of bright blue light, her lovely, inhuman face creased with concern for Tamne.

"Oh that child,"  Allerleirauh said, starting towards them. "Get in the house. NOW."

*





Bosriel gasped. 'I've seen them before, but not like this. Can I touch her?'

True little girl wonder in her bright red eyes.


Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 10:14 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 04:07 AM)

"Excuse me,"  Allerleirauh said to Gram, slipping past him and out the door. "TAMNE!  Don't you dare."

But Tamne was already daring, had already dared. Her little hands moved like a whirlwind, her little voice called out to Azura, and Lakshi appeared from Oblivion in a spray of bright blue light, her lovely, inhuman face creased with concern for Tamne.

"Oh that child,"  Allerleirauh said, starting towards them. "Get in the house. NOW."

*





Loranna sighs, shaking her head. "Kids," she mutters.

Gram, meanwhile, is somewhat taken aback. " ... A Dark Elf blue eyed demon ... girl ...?" he rumbles, not sure wether to be more concerned about the Winged Twilight that was staring fretfully at Tamne or the way Allie was acting like an exasperated mother to an Azurite.

"That's Tamne; she's Allie's adopted daughter," Loranna says. "And before you say anything remember your daughter used to be Azura Incarnate herself and you got over that."

"Harumph!" Gram snorts, glowering. "That was still a foolish act, even if it led to you finding glory afterward."

"Thanks Dad," Loranna mutters, grabbing his arm and yanking him inside.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 10:15 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 03:11 AM)

Bosriel gasped.  'I've seen them before, but not like this.  Can I touch her?'

True little girl wonder in her bright red eyes.

*




Tamne's courage held until Allerleirauh was within 10 feet of her. Then she broke and ran for the house. Lakshi, with a lingering look at Bosriel, let out a soft, wailing shriek and followed, floating a few feet above the ground.

"Let's pray no one in town recognizes that noise," Allerleirauh said. "Bosriel, you may touch her. INSIDE. In a moment the lamplighter will pass by."

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 10:17 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 02:15 AM)

Tamne's courage held until Allerleirauh was within 10 feet of her. Then she broke and ran for the house. Lakshi, with a lingering look at Bosriel, let out a soft, wailing shriek and followed, floating a few feet above the ground.

"Let's pray no one in town recognizes that noise,"  Allerleirauh said. "Bosriel, you may touch her. INSIDE. In a moment the lamplighter will pass by."

*





"Come now, inside." Arynel said, shooing Bosriel in towards the guildhouse.

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 10:18 AM

Leseth gently held out his hand to lead her indoors, where it was indeed safer, although far too crowded.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 10:23 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 24 2005, 01:18 AM)

Leseth gently held out his hand to lead her indoors, where it was indeed safer, although far too crowded.

*





Bosriel started after Tamne, and then stopped. She looked at Allerleirauh.

‘I can’t say I’m sorry anymore,’ the little girl said earnestly. ‘But I am, and I said won’t ever hurt anyone under this roof, and I won't. And I won’t try to scare anyone in here either, no matter how hungry I get. At least, not on purpose. Now, I have to go play.’

Bosriel flew inside after Tamne.


Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 10:27 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 02:23 AM)

Bosriel started after Tamne, and then stopped.  She looked at Allerleirauh.

‘I can’t say I’m sorry anymore,’ the little girl said earnestly. ‘But I am, and I said won’t ever hurt anyone under this roof, and I won't.  And I won’t try to scare anyone in here either, no matter how hungry I get.  At least, not on purpose.  Now, I have to go play.’

Bosriel flew inside after Tamne.

*




Leseth watched the girls go, then gave the General a look that only she could decipher.

Posted by: Arynel May 24 2005, 10:29 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 24 2005, 02:27 AM)

Leseth watched the girls go, then gave the General a look that only she could decipher.

*





Arynel said nothing, but his shoulders dropped and his stance relaxed.

The Breton began walking back into the guildhouse.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 10:33 AM

"I'm not sure I can stand this," Tris whispered to Loranna. "Her I can bear. Leseth I can bear. The two of them together is too much."

He wondered where Ciel was.

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 10:38 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 04:33 AM)

"I'm not sure I can stand this,"  Tris whispered to Loranna. "Her I can bear. Leseth I can bear. The two of them together is too much."

He wondered where Ciel was.

*





Loranna gives Tris's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I know ..." she says, trying to think of what else to say.

"So lad!" Gram says, clapping a hand on Tris's shoulder. "You were about to tell me more about the taverns around here - which has the sweetest wine and the sweetest women."

" ... Am I allowed to chuck him out a window?" Loranna mutters to Tris. Gram, however, simply smiled, secure in the knowledge that the best way to deal with a shock to one's system such as the combined triumverate of Leseth, Bosriel, and a child Azurite was to eat hearty, drink freely, and woo comely barmaids lustily.


Posted by: Solin May 24 2005, 10:38 AM

The man in question appear shortly, he held in hands several sheets of paper. He had been previously looking through applicants for the position of head mistress but, his review had been disturbed by the setting sun and the rumbling of his stomach.

Ciel nearly dropped his work when he saw the assembled crowd.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 10:46 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 03:38 AM)

Loranna gives Tris's hand a reassuring squeeze.  "I know ..." she says, trying to think of what else to say.

"So lad!" Gram says, clapping a hand on Tris's shoulder.  "You were about to tell me more about the taverns around here - which has the sweetest wine and the sweetest women."

" ...  Am I allowed to chuck him out a window?" Loranna mutters to Tris.  Gram, however, simply smiled, secure in the knowledge that the best way to deal with a shock to one's system such as the combined triumverate of Leseth, Bosriel, and a child Azurite was to eat hearty, drink freely, and woo comely barmaids lustily.

*




Tris smiled with one corner of his mouth and resisted the urge to tell Gram that his favorite tavern had the sweetest men.


QUOTE(Solin @ May 24 2005, 03:38 AM)

The man in question appear shortly, he held in hands several sheets of paper.  He had been previously looking through applicants for the position of head mistress but, his review had been disturbed by the setting sun and the rumbling of his stomach.

Ciel nearly dropped his work when he saw the assembled crowd.

*





"Everyone's back, more work for you, eh?" Tris said. He gave Ciel a private look, the look which meant he was holding on to his composure by a thread and could use some help.


Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 10:47 AM

Bosriel, Tamne, and Lakschi had found their way down to the training room, to be away from all the grown-ups.

‘My best friend is Leseth, and everyone considers him a monster,’ said Bosriel, softly touching the Winged Twilight. ‘Except I’m much worse.’


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 10:48 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 03:47 AM)

Bosriel, Tamne, and Lakschi had found their way down to the training room, to be away from all the grown-ups.

‘My best friend is Leseth, and everyone considers him a monster,’ said Bosriel, softly touching the Winged Twilight. ‘Except I’m much worse.’

*




"I didn't use to like him," Tamne said. "He carried me through the Dark Place to bring me here. But I guess if you like him it's okay."

Lakshi let out another muffled shriek.

Posted by: Rhedd May 24 2005, 10:49 AM

Leseth watched Bosriel go, embroiled in a happy discussion with Tamne.

He did not need to look at Tris to know of his fear. He could smell it.

"I will go." he said to the General with a slight bow.

Without waiting for a reply, he faded into the dark and was gone.

Posted by: Solin May 24 2005, 10:54 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 03:46 AM)

"Everyone's back, more work for you, eh?"  Tris said. He gave Ciel a private look, the look which meant he was holding on to his composure by a thread and could use some help.

*




Ciel's jaw was slack for a moment as he watched the children go, and then Leseth. Catching Tris's eye he quickly straightens his posture and tucks the sheets of paper under his arm.

"Yes, quite," he said simply.

The knight cleared his throat.

"I was coming to check on something to eat," he mumbled but then put on a smile. "How is everyone?"



Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 10:59 AM

Solunastra, the Training Room


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 01:48 AM)

"I didn't use to like him,"  Tamne said. "He carried me through the Dark Place to bring me here. But I guess if you like him it's okay."

Lakshi let out another muffled shriek.

*





'She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, and she's so soft,' said Bosriel, touching the creature's wings. 'I lived in that dark place. It is horrible. I will never ever go back there again.'

The little girl turned to Tamne. 'My name is Bosriel. Someone told me once it means 'beauty of the forest.''

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 11:00 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ May 24 2005, 04:54 AM)

Ciel's jaw was slack for a moment as he watched the children go, and then Leseth.  Catching Tris's eye he quickly straightens his posture and tucks the sheets of paper under his arm.

"Yes, quite," he said simply.

The knight cleared his throat.

"I was coming to check on something to eat," he mumbled but then put on a smile.  "How is everyone?"

*





"Doing okay," Loranna says, smiling at Ciel. "Finding my father ..."

"Gram Pyrel, called Gram Ghost Slayer and Gram the Wild," Gram says, extending his meaty hand to Ciel. "Hero of southern Cyrodiil and one of the saviors of the Skaal from the shadow of an ancient evil."

"An ancient evil that stopped being evil before you even showed up Dad," Loranna points out.

"He still had a great evil lurking in his basement," Gram reminds Loranna. Loranna gives Tris and Ciel a look.

" ... I think I'm going to show my father the taverns around the guildhouse," Loranna says. "For old times sake."

Gram grins at the thought of taverns - and barmaids. His eyes, however, seem a bit hooded at the mention of 'for old times sake'.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 11:02 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 03:59 AM)

Solunastra, the Training Room
'She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, and she's so soft,' said Bosriel, touching the creature's wings. 'I lived in that dark place.  It is horrible.  I will never ever go back there again.'

The little girl turned to Tamne. 'My name is Bosriel.  Someone told me once it means 'beauty of the forest.''

*




"I'm Tamne," Tamne said. "Dawn promise. If you put the front part of my name with the end part of yours, it makes Tamriel."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 11:05 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ May 24 2005, 03:54 AM)

Ciel's jaw was slack for a moment as he watched the children go, and then Leseth.  Catching Tris's eye he quickly straightens his posture and tucks the sheets of paper under his arm.

"Yes, quite," he said simply.

The knight cleared his throat.

"I was coming to check on something to eat," he mumbled but then put on a smile.  "How is everyone?"

*




"Better, now that he's gone," Tris said. "My foot itches just being near him."


QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 04:00 AM)

"Doing okay," Loranna says, smiling at Ciel.  "Finding my father ..."

"Gram Pyrel, called Gram Ghost Slayer and Gram the Wild," Gram says, extending his meaty hand to Ciel.  "Hero of southern Cyrodiil and one of the saviors of the Skaal from the shadow of an ancient evil."

"An ancient evil that stopped being evil before you even showed up Dad," Loranna points out.

"He still had a great evil lurking in his basement," Gram reminds Loranna.  Loranna gives Tris and Ciel a look.

" ...  I think I'm going to show my father the taverns around the guildhouse," Loranna says.  "For old times sake."

Gram grins at the thought of taverns - and barmaids.  His eyes, however, seem a bit hooded at the mention of 'for old times sake'.

*





"For Dibella's sake don't take him to the Rat's Satchel," Tris said. "Ciel and I already started a brawl there; this house doesn't need a bad reputation."


Posted by: Solin May 24 2005, 11:06 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 24 2005, 04:00 AM)

"Doing okay," Loranna says, smiling at Ciel.  "Finding my father ..."

"Gram Pyrel, called Gram Ghost Slayer and Gram the Wild," Gram says, extending his meaty hand to Ciel.  "Hero of southern Cyrodiil and one of the saviors of the Skaal from the shadow of an ancient evil."

"An ancient evil that stopped being evil before you even showed up Dad," Loranna points out.

"He still had a great evil lurking in his basement," Gram reminds Loranna.  Loranna gives Tris and Ciel a look.

" ...  I think I'm going to show my father the taverns around the guildhouse," Loranna says.  "For old times sake."

Gram grins at the thought of taverns - and barmaids.  His eyes, however, seem a bit hooded at the mention of 'for old times sake'.

*




Ciel accepted the extended hand with a smile.

"My pleasure," he said. "If you are with this fine group you must be a man of noteworthy accomplishment."

The knight gave a questioning glance over to Tris but then blushed at his comment.

"Ah, yes, do be careful when you go out, those taverns can be quite violent."

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 11:08 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 02:02 AM)

"I'm Tamne,"  Tamne said. "Dawn promise. If you put the front part of my name with the end part of yours, it makes Tamriel."

*





Bosriel giggled. 'Well, clearly, we are meant to rule this land together, so we better get along ...'

The little girl looked around to make sure they weren't being watched. 'Can you show me around? Not just the building, but tonight ... can you show me around the city? I've seen it before, but I've never really touched it or smelled it ... But I don't want to get in trouble with your mother. I like her.'


Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 11:12 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 05:05 AM)

"Better, now that he's gone,"  Tris said. "My foot itches just being near him."
"For Dibella's sake don't take him to the Rat's Satchel,"  Tris said. "Ciel and I already started a brawl there;  this house doesn't need a bad reputation."

*





"Good point," Loranna says.

"A house with werewolves, black orcs, blue-eyed demon girls ..." Gram starts to say.

"Azurites Dad," Loranna mutters.

"Azurites and vampires, and a bar brawl will bring a bad reputation?" Gram finishes, chuckling. "Well then! In that case I give my word that I will start no brawls this night, not while around your house."

Loranna closes her eyes to keep from having them roll. " ... Thanks Dad," she says. "Let's get going ..."


QUOTE(Solin @ May 24 2005, 05:06 AM)

Ciel accepted the extended hand with a smile.

"My pleasure," he said.  "If you are with this fine group you must be a man of noteworthy accomplishment."

The knight gave a questioning glance over to Tris but then blushed at his comment.

"Ah, yes, do be careful when you go out, those taverns can be quite violent."

*





Gram simply laughs. "I shall be careful," he promises. "But they should be more careful, when drinking with me!"

Loranna sighs, shaking her head. Tris, however, can see she's grinning. A little.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 11:14 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 04:08 AM)

Bosriel giggled. 'Well, clearly, we are meant to rule this land together, so we better get along ...'

The little girl looked around to make sure they weren't being watched. 'Can you show me around?  Not just the building, but tonight ... can you show me around the city?  I've seen it before, but I've never really touched it or smelled it ... But I don't want to get in trouble with your mother.  I like her.'

*




Tamne considered. "The one time I went out I got lost, and they put me in jail because I summoned Lakshi, and Allerleirauh had to do things to people's memories to make them forget I was an Azurite. But I guess we can sneak out. The girls here don't like me, so staying here is no fun."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 11:18 AM

Doll had been quiet since they returned. Now she smiled, and bowed. "I'm going to my room," she said.

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 11:22 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 02:14 AM)

Tamne considered. "The one time I went out I got lost, and they put me in jail because I summoned Lakshi, and Allerleirauh had to do things to people's memories to make them forget I was an Azurite. But I guess we can sneak out. The girls here don't like me, so staying here is no fun."

*






‘They don’t like you?’ Bosriel said, ‘Well, I’ll be the new girl to be hated, I guarantee that. But I’m only staying here until I can walk. Until then, one person here likes you.’

She thought a moment. ‘Let’s sneak out tomorrow night. Everyone’s going to stay up late tonight, after everything’s that’s gone on. We won’t do anything bad. We’ll just, you know, see the town. And we won't get lost. I know this city, I've just never been inside it.’

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 11:25 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 24 2005, 04:22 AM)

‘They don’t like you?’ Bosriel said, ‘Well, I’ll be the new girl to be hated, I guarantee that.  But I’m only staying here until I can walk.  Until then, one person here likes you.’

She thought a moment. ‘Let’s sneak out tomorrow night.  Everyone’s going to stay up late tonight, after everything’s that’s gone on.  We won’t do anything bad.  We’ll just, you know, see the town.’

*




"Perfect," Tamne said. She knocked her fist against Bosriel's hand to seal the deal. "You're cold. Do you need a blanket?"

Posted by: S'reddit May 24 2005, 11:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 02:25 AM)

"Perfect,"  Tamne said. She knocked her fist against Bosriel's hand to seal the deal. "You're cold. Do you need a blanket?"

*





'No,' Bosriel smiled, her red eyes glistening. 'When I'm cold, I'm okay. When I'm warm, watch out.'



Posted by: Nalion May 24 2005, 11:40 AM

Nalion, who had returned with Loranna, Gram and the others had kept himself in the background during the events around Bosriel. He had watched the scene intently with a mixture of wariness, doubt, curiosity and a lot of unpleasant memories including shrieks of Winged Twilights descending from the skies. However "tame" this Twilight seemed to be, demon was demon.
And to Bosriel... The words spoken by her and the others were enough for him to put the pieces of her story together and despite what she said, it made him feel uncomfortable. There seemed to be a lot of things to talk and think about.

"Speaking of talk." the mage thought as Doll excused herself. Nalion still had a promise to keep towards her... and her uncle, in a way.

He muttered a few words about "Retreating" and "no drinking again" to the others and moved up the stairs. He didn't enter his own chamber, but stopped in front of Doll's door.
"Doll, you here? It's me, Nalion." the mage said as he knocked on the door. "May I come in?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 11:43 AM

QUOTE(Nalion @ May 24 2005, 04:40 AM)

Nalion, who had returned with Loranna, Gram and the others had kept himself in the background during the events around

Bosriel. He had watched the scene intently with a mixture of wariness, doubt, curiosity and a lot of unpleasant memories including shrieks of Winged Twilights descending from the skies. However "tame" this Twilight seemed to be, demon was demon.
And to Bosriel... The words spoken by her and the others were enough for him to put the pieces of her story together and despite what she said, it made him feel uncomfortable. There seemed to be a lot of things to talk and think about.

"Speaking of talk." the mage thought as Doll excused herself. Nalion still had a promise to keep towards her... and her uncle, in a way.

He muttered a few words about "Retreating" and "no drinking again" to the others and moved up the stairs. He didn't enter his own chamber, but stopped in front of Doll's door.
"Doll, you here? It's me, Nalion." the mage said as he knocked on the door. "May I come in?"

*




"I was waiting for you," Doll said.

She had changed clothes, into loose silk pants and a silk tunic. Her hair was loose; she took her seat in front of the mirror and began to brush it.

Posted by: Nalion May 24 2005, 11:51 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 11:43 AM)

"I was waiting for you,"  Doll said.

She had changed clothes, into loose silk pants and a silk tunic. Her hair was loose;  she took her seat in front of the mirror and began to brush it.

*




Nalion entered the room and closed the door behind him.
"I was hoping for the chance to speak with you, too, my dear." Nalion answered with a smile and moved up behind her chair, looking at Doll's mirror image. "You look beautiful, as always."

His eyes shone with delight at seeing her, and yet with a trace of doubt - and an unspoken question.
"I regret not having asked you for a dance back at the Skaal village."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 11:57 AM

QUOTE(Nalion @ May 24 2005, 04:51 AM)

Nalion entered the room and closed the door behind him.
"I was hoping for the chance to speak with you, too, my dear." Nalion answered with a smile and moved up behind her chair, looking at Doll's mirror image. "You look beautiful, as always."

His eyes shone with delight at seeing her, and yet with a trace of doubt - and an unspoken question.
"I regret not having asked you for a dance back at the Skaal village."

*




"I like dancing," Doll said, with a flicker of a smile. Her dark, almond shaped eyes were sad, though.

She turned away from the mirror, away from Nalion.

"Nalion... why are you trying to make yourself unhappy? You're a good man. You should find a woman who will take care of you."

Posted by: Nalion May 24 2005, 12:12 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 11:57 AM)

"I like dancing,"  Doll said, with a flicker of a smile. Her dark, almond shaped eyes were sad, though.

She turned away from the mirror, away from Nalion.

"Nalion... why are you trying to make yourself unhappy?  You're a good man. You should find a woman who will take care of you."

*




The smile on Nalion's face died suddenly. Doll words had hit home with full force.

"I.. I'm not. I feel happy when I am near you. I.." he stammered.
"Damn your own insecurity, Nalion!" he thought, his spirit falling. His eyes though, were fixed onto Doll's face.

"I should find a woman who takes care of me? That's a one-sided thought at best." Nalion took a breath as if trying to compose himself.
"What if I think I found her, Doll?" he asked. "In you? I know the picture you draw of yourself when outside this room. Back that night in the library, though, I saw another one, I saw a picture of a beautiful and caring woman. Since then, nothing was the same anymore."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 12:17 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ May 24 2005, 05:12 AM)

The smile on Nalion's face died suddenly. Doll words had hit home with full force.

"I.. I'm not. I feel happy when I am near you. I.." he stammered.
"Damn your own insecurity, Nalion!" he thought, his spirit falling. His eyes though, were fixed onto Doll's face.

"I should find a woman who takes care of me? That's a one-sided thought at best." Nalion took a breath as if trying to compose himself.
"What if I think I found her, Doll?" he asked. "In you? I know the picture you draw of yourself when outside this room. Back that night in the library, though, I saw another one, I saw a picture of a beautiful and caring woman. Since then, nothing was the same anymore."

*




"I'm happy when I'm near you too," Doll said. "Except... I don't know what to say."

She fell silent.

"It's too deliberate, too calculated. I could make you think I loved you. But I don't want to play games with your heart. And if I don't play the games, I don't know who to be..."

Posted by: Nalion May 24 2005, 12:38 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 12:17 PM)

"I'm happy when I'm near you too,"  Doll said. "Except... I don't know what to say."

She fell silent.

"It's too deliberate, too calculated. I could make you think I loved you. But I don't want to play games with your heart. And if I don't play the games, I don't know who to be..."

*




"I've gone too far and too quick, have I, Doll?" Nalion said, his voice heavy with self-doubt. "I didn't want to, but... I want to be with you, near you. I feel in my heart that it's right. But I wouldn't want you to live a lie."

"Doll not wanting to play games with my heart?" Nalion asked himself silently.
"You don't want to toy with me... Dare I hope that there is something, however small it may be, that keeps you from it? Buried within you? Something to work with?"

Nalion looked down for a moment, remembering Doll's own story, then resumed looking into her eyes.
"We're not so different from each other, Doll. We both built up walls during our life that kept us from our true feelings that are buried deep within. In you, I have found someone who can tear down this wall and find out who I was."
The mage swallowed heavily.
"I wish I could be that someone for you. To see you again as I saw you for this brief moment in the library. To find out who you are."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 24 2005, 12:41 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ May 24 2005, 05:38 AM)

"I've gone too far and too quick, have I, Doll?" Nalion said, his voice heavy with self-soubt. "I didn't want to, but... I want to be with you, near you. I feel in my heart that it's right. But I wouldn't want you to live a lie."

"Doll not wanting to play games with my heart?" Nalion asked himself silently.
"You don't want to toy with me... Dare I hope that there is something, however small it may be, that keeps you from it? Buried within you? Something to work with?"

Nalion looked down for a moment, remembering Doll's own story, then resumed looking into her eyes.
"We're not so different from each other, Doll. We both built up walls during our life that kept us from our true feelings that are buried deep within. In you, I have found someone who can tear down this wall and find out who I was."
The mage swallowed heavily.
"I wish I could be that someone for you. To see you again as I saw you for this brief moment in the library. To find out who you are."

*




"Give me time," Doll said, looking deeply into his eyes. She looked older than her years. "I like you. Very much."

Posted by: Nalion May 24 2005, 12:48 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 24 2005, 12:41 PM)

"Give me time,"  Doll said, looking deeply into his eyes. She looked older than her years. "I like you. Very much."

*




Nalion returned the gaze from Doll's dark eyes steadily.
A weak smile began to slowly creep up in his face as he nodded. "I will." he said and left her room quietly.

Posted by: Loranna May 24 2005, 08:11 PM

Daggerfall - Loranna and Gram

Once back on the streets of Daggerfall, Gram turned to his daughter. "Well then," he started to say, before blinking; Loranna was now fair-skinned once again, with glorious raven tresses and a somewhat more Imperial cast to her features, though she was still recognizably Nordic. " ... Well your skin looks healthy again but what have you done to your hair, girl?"

"Ald Raathim and Solunastra are the only real places where it's safe for me to be as I really am," Loranna muttered. "You know there's a warrent out for my arrest in the Imperial City?"

"We're in Daggerfall now," Gram pointed out. "And you let the Skaal see your ashen skin."

"Who were the Skaal going to tell?" Loranna asked, reasonably. "Anyway, let's find a tavern; the Emperor's Jewels is over this way."

Gram muttered "A place like that doesn't sound like my sort of tavern ..." but Loranna was already leading the way, so Gram sighed and promised himself to keep his fists to himself, for the sake of his daughter's friends, who were good people despite the strangeness with which they surrounded themselves.

===

The Emperor's Jewels roared with the sound of singing and talking, as slightly drunken men laughed and recounted stories of battle from numerous conflicts. Gram led the singing, much to the amusement of most everyone in attendance; the bearlike Nord's voice was strong if not particularly melodious, but then the song in question was not meant to be enjoyed for its subtle points.

Barmaids brought a new round of drinks to the old soldiers who patronized the tavern, bringing a thoughtful smile to Loranna's lips as she saw the men flirt with their servers. Her father especially seemed quite anxious to flirt; perhaps he was channeling his firery temper into proving he was the best at wenching instead of fisticuffs. The men here seemed to take it all in stride though; Gram's stories of the conflict in southern Cyrodiil had prompted much sharing of old war stories, and as far as Loranna could tell her father was well on his way to becoming a new regular at this tavern.

It was interesting, actually; Gram spoke of conflicts around High Rock and other parts of Tamriel that Loranna never realized he had been part of, and stories of her great-great-grandfather, who had once staved off an entire Orc raid on his home village by himself with naught but an axe and a barrel of oil, and who had then sought and found the fabled Coffer of King Orgnum, using its wealth to help his home recover from the damage done by that raid.

"And that is but one tale of my great grandfather, told to me as a lad by my grandfather as he watched us practice with axe and sword," Gram had said, "and many more stories I could tell, both of him and of Pyrels throughout the years." And his telling of the tale had been such that most people believed him - or at least found the story told well enough to not care if it was made up. "But enough talk for now; where is that mutton and ale I asked for!? My stomach growls and my throat grows parched."

Gram winked at the serving girls who brought him his food and drink, and Loranna decided that her father didn't need his daughter hanging around any longer - the look in his eye she remembered from her youth. So she got up and returned to Solunastra, and Slyvos, and Gram grinned and spoke to the barmaids, who laughed ...





Posted by: Dumbkid May 25 2005, 03:40 AM

Much of the water around Vvardenfell had become soured after the eruption of Red Mountain, saturated by dust and ash, choking off oxygen in the water and cutting down on the slaughterfish and dreugh population, most of which had migrated off to avoid extermination. Now, though, sufficient time had passed to allow the ash and dust to dissipate from the area, the heavier bits sinking to the ocean floor, the smaller pieces taken away by ocean currents.

An aquatic tentacle creature fluidly slid up out of the sparkling water, and hovered just above the waves, with claws angled slightly forwards and tentacles wavering behind, the Dreugh flew forward towards the shoreline.

Karvinasim is a thing of fascination to those who take an interest in aquatic invertebrates, which is next to no one, but even so, there would be no Karvinasim at this time, the shock to the environment from the eruption had been too great. It was captivating how quickly Vvardenfell was returning to something akin to what it was before, a hospitable island—although there are those who would question that claim.

The Dreugh cocked its head, and said “Tasties!” before pouncing onto an oblivious mudcrab. Flipping the slow witted creature upside down the Dreugh ripped into its soft underbelly with its claws, and devoured the meat inside. Finished with its meal, the Dreugh rose up and with a splash returned to the murky depths.


Posted by: Loranna May 25 2005, 04:12 AM

Daggerfall - The Emperor's Jewels

It was late, certainly past the midnight hour, though dawn had several hours to go before it arrived. The party of revelers had drifted off in ones and twos, and Gram had gone to a room with two barmaids, one on each arm, to enjoy that which he had not had for a week or so now, what with riding on boats with sailors and staying with the Skaal. The night was reaching a quiet time.

Then he came into the tavern. Tall, broad-shouldered, greying blond hair spilling over his shoulders and a beard to match hiding a scowl, as his icy blue eyes scanned the common room. Those in the common room noted his Nordic features, his steel armor, and his silver claymore strapped to his back, and noted how silently he walked for one clad in metal, but especially they noted how he had walked into the tavern.

He hadn't bothered to open the door.

The strange Nord glanced around the room, then glanced up to the rooms, and set with resolute purpose, silently walking into a room. Those still in the common room made signs to ward off evil and found reasons to be elsewhere.

===

The two girls were sleeping, wanton smiles on their faces. Gram, however, was not yet asleep, feeling a chill on his skin. And since no normal chill could touch a son of Skyrim, he stayed awake, the effects of a night of drinking and wenching banished from his head more thoroughly than any snowbank could ever do. Thus it was that when the ghost walked in, Gram was aware, staring as the specter walked through the door to come to the foot of his bed.

For a moment, both Nords, living and dead, stared at each other. Then, the specter spoke.

"Thirty years, you wandered the land, and not a deed to your name could one recall with pride," he said, his voice clipped, his eyes hard. "Now you bandy about your recent deeds as though to make up for all those lost years and when welcomed into a hall of heroes, what do you do? Go off wenching."

"Thirty years, and not long enough since I last saw you," Gram growled, his cheeks turning red with anger. "Dead as you are, why don't you go back to your cold grave and sleep like a good spirit? I have nothing to say to you."

"You still use our name, a name you have yet to earn in my eyes," the specter replied. "You call yourself a hero, when for over a decade you wandered around a lapdog of the Mad One, while your own daughter cavorted with demons and became the scourge of our land - and then became a heroine far greater than any deed you yourself would claim, true or otherwise."

"Leave Loranna out of this," Gram spat.

"She, at least, I can rest easy with using our name," the specter continues, "for she has done what few others have done. You though? Wenching and drinking, as you always have; no hero you are, your deeds more empty boasting. You slew Twilights? So did many in these past few months. You fought a skeletal giant? You had help, your own daughter casting spells to shield you from its sight."

Gram counters "And you? You say I have done nothing others have not, but can you even claim to have fought armies of demons and hellcats who can tear a man in two with a single swipe? Did you ever even meet a giant such as we have, alone or otherwise? Can you say you even were within an arm's length of treasure the likes of which kings would envy, even if it slipped from your grasp?"

The specter scowled. "You still claim your failures as successes; you are no Pyrel. Renounce your name, no son of mine, or else be prepared to fight for it."

"I will not renounce my name," Gram declared. "And neither will I fight you - here. I have given my word."

The specter's eyes narrow. "Very well then; meet me at the graveyard near the Mage's Guild in half an hour."




Posted by: Aki May 25 2005, 04:35 AM

OOC Summary thingy

Reichi, the male Dunmeri Werewolf is back at Solunastra now, having come back with the group that went to Solstheim. Tohe, the young male scarred breton werewolf is likewise in Solunastra, neither have a specfic location as i'm going to bed soon... tongue.gif

Posted by: Loranna May 25 2005, 04:36 AM

Daggerfall - Graveyard

Few people willingly stepped into a graveyard at night, especially in these dark days when the dead were returning to the land of the living. Fewer still would walk into a graveyard knowing that a ghost awaited them there to fight them - especially not the ghost of a man little known for giving quarter in battle in life.

Gram strode into the graveyard, forty seven minutes after meeting the ghost of his father; the specter stood by the tombstone of one of Daggerfall's former luminaries, frowning.

"You are late," he said, disapproval ringing in his voice.

"Pah, what care you for a few lost minutes now?" Gram counters. "Besides, it's been a long time since I was in Daggerfall."

The specter glared at Gram, who stared back defiantly. Then, slowly, it unsheathed its claymore, the silver blade glowing with magicka. Gram found himself remembering his father practicing wih that sword, effortlessly cleaving through practice targets and later Orcs and beasts. Flametongue, his father had named the sword, telling the story of how he had killed a Flame Monarch with the blade once and had its soul bound within; it was a fell weapon, though Gram trusted Trueturner to be able to block it.

The question remained, though, of wether his father's strength and speed in death were the same as in life, or greater; still, he was not going to back down from this fight. He'd been running from this man for thirty years and would run no more.

His father raised his blade; Gram his axe and shield. Both Nords took each other's measure, and with ringing cries the battle was joined, flaming silver clashing against glowing ebony.

===

Gram was strong, his strength being as bearlike as his mein, but his father's strength was like an avalanche, thundering and irresistable. Frostkiss was a mighty weapon, but his father's armor, seemingly made of steel, was stronger than even the heaviest of Daedric plate, and the ebony axe was turned aside each time it skidded across the armor. Trueturner was nigh-unbreakable, but in his father's hands Flametongue threatened to melt the ebony shield.

And of course, Gram's father's ghost showed no signs of tiring, even after two hours of protracted fighting. At this rate, either Gram's victory would be brought about by the rising of the sun, or else he would lie burnt and sundered here in the graveyard, sizzling in the dawn's light until someone was brave enough to enter and bury him.

"Pitiful; you are no hero," Gram's father sneered, and Gram hadn't the breath to offer a retort. "Reckless, charging into the fray, saved by those behind you; alone you are nothing, as you always have been."

Gram glared, bringing up Trueturner to block yet another blow; Flametongue bit into the ebony shield and Gram realized that his weapons would not last much longer. An army of Twilights for a full day were not enough to damage Trueturner so but his father in just two hours had nearly broken the shield ...

Damn him; always saying he was nothing, always making him feel like a total fool ...

"You are no Pyrel," his father sneered, as he had said many times when Gram was old enough to start wanting to see the world. And Gram felt like he did many years ago, when he was forced to turn back and go home to Mista, bereft of the fabled Coffer his great grandfather had once found like he had promised her he would, when his father's words first sounded true to his own ears.

Flametongue lashed out once more and Trueturner was not fast enough to block it, and the last if its healing magic was used to heal his shoulder from the terrible wound Flametongue inflicted. His armor was no use against his father's strength.

His father raised Flametongue once more, and Gram's arms lowered, seemingly spent. His father sneered. "Not even able to die fighting ..." he muttered, switching his stance and bringing Flametongue to sweep at Gram's neck, to take his head off.

Flametongue met air, as Gram suddenly threw himself into a tackle, having intuited that his father would go for a dramatic decapitation. Son crashed into father and the dead Nord lost his balance, falling, and Frostkiss lashed out and for once was not turned away by enchanted steel.

Gram's father looked down, seeing Frostkiss embedded in his chest, and his face softened slightly. " ... Thirty years," he said, "and finally you show signs of meeting death head on, without relying on others or luck to see you through. Well done, my son." And he closed his icy blue eyes and was still, and then his body faded from this world, his business complete, leaving Gram kneeling in the graveyard, exhausted and battered, his weapons in poor repair and a gleaming silver claymore lying next to him.


Posted by: Shardie May 25 2005, 04:51 PM

QUOTE

To the cheesy boss music, heavy in base, Maranda looked around the room, waiting for Cerius to reapper... "Behind you!" A voice said, as Maranda turned, to find... nothing? A blade slashed its way through her arm, but ignoring the pain, Maranda swung her blade around, passing through the jelly like substance that the Nightblade was made from. But in doind so, it made Cerius release the blade, and go back to the ground... with a lot of effort, She Pulled the shortblade out of her sholder... and then thought of somthing... yes, the pain was ripping through her, but an idea came to her... what if, what if this Cerius is the room itself? Maranda Sheathed her sword, for with only one hand being usable, it was almost imposible to fight effectivly with it, and built up a fireball in her hand, and blasted it to the floor. The area affect spell burnt the jelly... but semingly did nothing else... hang on, she thought again, perhaps all of this is an illusion afterall... as she thought of this, the pain in her arm seemed to dissapear... now she had to find a way to dispell the illusion... wait, she thought once again, dispell... Maranda, using both hands again, drew her sword...



... and cast dispell apon the mighty blade. THe shock enchantment dissapated, as the cool clear, goldy white blade shone once more. Again, Maranda cast dispel apon the blade, and the sword changed yet again. It was glowing, and pulsating with a strange white light...Ignoring this, Maranda quickly passed her blade through the shadowy floor, to find it dissapeared, replaced with smooth stone blocks. Indeed this was an illusion, and the key to beating this illusion was to slash it with her sword. After several minutes of slashing wildly, much of the illusion was in shreds. Maranda smiled, as the true form of the creature she was facing became obvious... Cerius quickly, with the flick of his cape, cast illusion once more, but Maranda closed her eyes, and swung her sword to her left. A mighty cry rang out, as the illusion covering the Nightblade wore off, his severed arm fell to the floor, and he collapsed to the ground. Maranda sighed as she wondered what the next part of this freakshow she would go to. She cast dispell on her blade again, to remove the dispell enchantment, and cast shock on it once more, before she begain to transfer to the next room

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 07:17 AM

Daggerfall: Tris

The idea was never to slow down enough to let yourself start thinking. Tris was good at this, he could do it automatically now. He had thrown up three times, and passed out once, and finally slept a little on a bench in the park, and now he felt much better. A sip of a potion to cure poisons made his head stop throbbing, rising his mouth out in the fountain made his tongue taste better, and wasn't it a bright, pretty morning for a run through the streets?

Steam was rising from his skin when he reached the Guildhouse. He spat on Kynareth, and ducked in the back door, kissing Igba on the cheek as he passed.





Posted by: Rhedd May 26 2005, 07:21 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 25 2005, 11:17 PM)

Daggerfall:  Tris

The idea was never to slow down enough to let yourself start thinking. Tris was good at this, he could do it automatically now. He had thrown up three times, and passed out once, and finally slept a little on a bench in the park, and now he felt much better. A sip of a potion to cure poisons made his head stop throbbing, rising his mouth out in the fountain made his tongue taste better, and wasn't it a bright, pretty morning for a run through the streets?

Steam was rising from his skin when he reached the Guildhouse. He spat on Kynareth, and ducked in the back door, kissing Igba on the cheek as he passed.

*




Rodastyr was just coming into the house as well. Dressed in a light linen shirt, he, too, was sweaty, and he carried his practice rapier over one shoulder.

"You're a braver man than I, Sir, coming through the kitchen. I'd rather come and go by an upstairs window than brave that fine lady's demesne."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 07:24 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 26 2005, 12:21 AM)

Rodastyr was just coming into the house as well. Dressed in a light linen shirt, he, too, was sweaty, and he carried his practice rapier over one shoulder.

"You're a braver man than I, Sir, coming through the kitchen. I'd rather come and go by an upstairs window than brave that fine lady's demesne."

*




"Being pretty has its advantages," Tris said, grinning. "Speaking of pretty people, have you seen Loranna about? She and I have an appointment to keep."

Posted by: Rhedd May 26 2005, 07:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 25 2005, 11:24 PM)

"Being pretty has its advantages,"  Tris said, grinning. "Speaking of pretty people, have you seen Loranna about?  She and I have an appointment to keep."

*




"Well, young Gaerington, I'm not in the habit of keeping tabs on the entire household," Rodastyr said with a grin, "but I do believe she is in her chambers."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 07:30 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 26 2005, 12:27 AM)

"Well, young Gaerington, I'm not in the habit of keeping tabs on the entire household," Rodastyr said with a grin, "but I do believe she is in her chambers."

*




Tris raced up the stairs, and tapped on Loranna's door.

"Lor? Are you decent?"

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 07:33 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 01:30 AM)

Tris raced up the stairs, and tapped on Loranna's door.

"Lor?  Are you decent?"

*





"Me? Decent?" Loranna laughs, opening the door to reveal herself dressed as a modest traveling woman, and with her raven-haired disguise in place.

"Ready to go?" she asks Tris, raising her eyebrows.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 07:46 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 12:33 AM)

"Me?  Decent?" Loranna laughs, opening the door to reveal herself dressed as a modest traveling woman, and with her raven-haired disguise in place.

"Ready to go?" she asks Tris, raising her eyebrows.

*




"Still a little drunk from last night," Tris said. "I've got to be careful, I went to the Temple drunk one time and Emaera put me under a Domination spell for three days to teach me respect. I'll be sober by the time we get there."

He grinned.

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 07:51 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 01:46 AM)

"Still a little drunk from last night,"  Tris said. "I've got to be careful, I went to the Temple drunk one time and Emaera put me under a Domination spell for three days to teach me respect. I'll be sober by the time we get there."

He grinned.

*





"I'll have to remember that," Loranna comments, chortling. "Might even start studying Conjuration for that, and for saving money on summoning scrolls."

"Anyway, my business is taken care of for the day, Slyvos is doing something on his own, and my father is probably still hitting the local taverns, so now's a perfect time to go," she says, heading for the stables.


Posted by: Shardie May 26 2005, 07:57 AM

The hall of Disco, Oblivion

This was the strangest room yet. It was dark, yet there were flashing lights everywhere, smoke comming out of a machine, and strange, loud music. Everyone in the room seemed to be dancing in a strange way, dressed in wierd clothes that were from a 1970's in a different universe. On closer inspection, the dancers were Dremora. Wierd, she thought Dremora had more honour than to dress silly and dance wierdly. However, through the smoke and the lights, on a pedistal, a DJ's mixing table before him, lay her next challanger. The music died down, but not the lights or the smoke, and Meridias voice came over the speakers, the Dremora continued to dance, as she said, "Welcome to the Hall of Disco... no, dont even bother asking what Disco is, for I have not the time to explain. I am here to introduce you to our next hero, Paul, the healer from High Rock... but this time, he and his tunes want to heal your soul!"

The music started again, as DJ Paul stood up, and threw some white powder over the nearby Dremora... it almost cholked her... but she knew what it was... scooma... at that point, two needles appeared in his hands... "lets rock!"

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 08:03 AM

House of Dibella: Cyrodiil City

"Beauty, like a good joke, relies on expectation and surprise, and thus its manifestation is ever-shifting, what we call fashion. This is because none of the things you look on are like the thing desired; and the closest you can come to the desired thing is to say, No, it is not this: Thus, even ugliness, even deliberate despoilment, can be part of the engendering of beauty, as black makes white seem brighter..."

The lecturer in the atrium was an Altmer man, very tall, very thin, very refined.

"Wonder what rite he was initiated under, the rite of Perpetual Boredom?" Tris whispered to Loranna, yawning conspicuously.

"The rite of Sanguine, more like," Emaera said, appearing behind them and catching Tris by the arm. "Come away quickly. Your hair needs cut, it's too long. Loranna, Harman is in the conservatory."

She led Tris away; Loranna was left with the speaker, and a group of his attentive disciples.

Posted by: S'reddit May 26 2005, 08:05 AM

A knight wearing the dragon shield of Daggerfall knocked on the door of Solunastra.


Posted by: Dumbkid May 26 2005, 08:06 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 02:03 AM)

House of Dibella:  Cyrodiil City

"Beauty, like a good joke, relies on expectation and surprise, and thus its manifestation is ever-shifting, what we call fashion. This is because none of the things you look on are like the thing desired;  and the closest you can come to the desired thing is to say, No, it is not this:  Thus, even ugliness, even deliberate despoilment, can be part of the engendering of beauty, as black makes white seem brighter..."

The lecturer in the atrium was an Altmer man, very tall, very thin, very refined.

"Wonder what rite he was initiated under, the rite of Perpetual Boredom?"  Tris whispered to Loranna, yawning conspicuously.

"The rite of Sanguine, more like,"  Emaera said, appearing behind them and catching Tris by the arm. "Come away quickly. Your hair needs cut, it's too long. Loranna, Harman is in the conservatory."

She led Tris away;  Loranna was left with the speaker, and a group of his attentive disciples.

*





"Perhaps we will now be given leave to concentrate on the speaker," a Altmer with cieling facing nose said, "now that the disruption has taken it's leave."

The Altmer disciple returned his attention to the speaker, whom he thought was very informative, and attractive.

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

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 02:03 AM)

House of Dibella:  Cyrodiil City

"Beauty, like a good joke, relies on expectation and surprise, and thus its manifestation is ever-shifting, what we call fashion. This is because none of the things you look on are like the thing desired;  and the closest you can come to the desired thing is to say, No, it is not this:  Thus, even ugliness, even deliberate despoilment, can be part of the engendering of beauty, as black makes white seem brighter..."

The lecturer in the atrium was an Altmer man, very tall, very thin, very refined.

"Wonder what rite he was initiated under, the rite of Perpetual Boredom?"  Tris whispered to Loranna, yawning conspicuously.

"The rite of Sanguine, more like,"  Emaera said, appearing behind them and catching Tris by the arm. "Come away quickly. Your hair needs cut, it's too long. Loranna, Harman is in the conservatory."

She led Tris away;  Loranna was left with the speaker, and a group of his attentive disciples.

*





"Thank you," Loranna says, the Altmer's lecture having made her head spin. Understanding beauty was important, but this mer could make the lovliest flower sound like a series of charts and diagrams.

Trying not to hurry away too conspicuously, Loranna heads to the conservatory, mentally preparing herself.


Posted by: S'reddit May 26 2005, 08:13 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 25 2005, 11:05 PM)

A knight wearing the dragon shield of Daggerfall knocked on the door of Solunastra.

*





'Open this door in the name of His Majesty, King Gothryd,' the knight bellowed.


Posted by: Arynel May 26 2005, 08:15 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 26 2005, 12:13 AM)

'Open this door in the name of His Majesty, King Gothryd,' the knight bellowed.

*





After a few moments the door came open and a Breton's face appeared from inside.

"Yes, what is it?" Arynel inquired.

Posted by: S'reddit May 26 2005, 08:18 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ May 25 2005, 11:15 PM)

After a few moments the door came open and a Breton's face appeared from inside.

"Yes, what is it?"  Arynel inquired.

*





'His Majesty is having a conference of all Guildmasters at Castle Daggerfall,' the knight said. 'Now.'



Posted by: Arrogant_Hero May 26 2005, 08:20 AM

Daggerfall...

A traveling scout, hops out of the way of a small, Breton child running down the worn, dirt covered, streets of Daggerfall. The scout turns and yells a vulgar curse at the Breton, as the child obliviously speeds off.

“Mamma, mamma!” The young child yells, running to an elderly looking Breton women, in a sunshine dress. “I just saw a monster in town!” The child states through rushed breaths.

“Calm down, baby.” Mamma Breton says, reaching down to pick up her child. “Catch your breath and tell me what you saw.”

Safely in his mother’s arms the child begins. “I saw a monster. It was as big as the Wrothgarian mountains, and as green as the trees during second seed. It also had an axe the size of three Papas.” The child says, holding his arms apart in a mock mimic of the size. “It went into the tavern you and Papa are always going into, Em-po-wer’s Gruels.”

Mamma Breton wipes a hair out of her son’s eyes and gently smiles. “Such an imagination you have, Stinky butt. If there was a monster in town the guards would quickly handle it.”

“But mommmm...” Stinky butt, begins.

“That’s enough, baby. We need to get home or Papa will worry.”

Stinky butt crosses his arms and gives a childish pout, as he is carried home by his Mom.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 08:24 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 26 2005, 01:18 AM)

'His Majesty is having a conference of all Guildmasters at Castle Daggerfall,' the knight said. 'Now.'

*




"I'll go, Arynel," Allerleirauh said. "Make sure someone stays with the baby."

Posted by: Arynel May 26 2005, 08:25 AM

Arynel looked to the knight and then at Allerleirauh and nodded.

"Very well," the Breton said, "I will watch the baby."

Turning, he disappeared back into the guildhouse.

Posted by: S'reddit May 26 2005, 08:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 25 2005, 11:24 PM)

"I'll go, Arynel,"  Allerleirauh said. "Make sure someone stays with the baby."

*





The Knight bowed and escorted Allerleirauh with great deference to the castle, where representatives of all the guilds of Daggerfall -- mages and thieves, cobblers and prostitutes, warriors and actors, and dozens more -- were gathering.

'His Majesty will be with you shortly,' the Knight said.



Posted by: Shardie May 26 2005, 08:28 AM

The Hall of Disco, Oblivion


QUOTE


The music started again, as DJ Paul stood up, and threw some white powder over the nearby Dremora... it almost cholked her... but she knew what it was... scooma... at that point, two needles appeared in his hands... "lets rock!"




DJ Paul through the syringes at Maranda, who blocked them away with her sword effortlessly, each of the syringes entering a different Dremora. A calm look fell over there faces, as DJ Paul produced six more syringes from beneath his flair jacket, throwing them at Maranda as if they were throwing knives. Maranda knew she had to dodge these, she had no tolerance to Alcohol or drugs. She knocked two out of the way, and cast a shield spell, blocking the others, which fell to the floor harmlessly. At this point, as if from out of nowhere, a rain of pills, pure refined into a pill scooma, began to fall from the sky... this was too much, she thought, ending this soon would be the best option... but how? She would have to get through the hordes of High dremora, and climb the stairs... wait, she thought, why didn't she think of this before? She cast levitate, as DJ Paul did the same, producing a five foot long syringe from as if out of nowhere. Maranda cast Shock onto her blade, as trails of electricity ran through it. DJ Paul smiled, as he readied his weapon for combat, high above the disco floor, full of partying Dremora


Posted by: Solin May 26 2005, 08:34 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 26 2005, 01:27 AM)

The Knight bowed and escorted Allerleirauh with great deference to the castle, where representatives of all the guilds of Daggerfall -- mages and thieves, cobblers and prostitutes, warriors and actors, and dozens more -- were gathering.

'His Majesty will be with you shortly,' the Knight said.

*




A figure, Solin, dressed in his red garb and wearing a pack strapped over his shoulders waits, standing on the edge of the crowd. He gives a nod to Allerleirauh from under his hood and looks on as more guildmasters gather.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 08:37 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 01:07 AM)

"Thank you," Loranna says, the Altmer's lecture having made her head spin.  Understanding beauty was important, but this mer could make the lovliest flower sound like a series of charts and diagrams.

Trying not to hurry away too conspicuously, Loranna heads to the conservatory, mentally preparing herself.

*




Harman was seated with a group of women surrounding him, playing the flute. The women were all very well dressed, almost as if they were going to the opening of a new play; almost, but as if they had forgetten half of their clothing. Loranna saw jewels that rivaled the treasures of Gemin around the necks and wrists of ladies young and old.

Harman's face was composed, and if he noticed Loranna enter, he did not show any sign of it. Some of the women glanced up, however, as if they expected new forms of entertainment; then quickly away.

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

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 02:37 AM)

Harman was seated with a group of women surrounding him, playing the flute. The women were all very well dressed, almost as if they were going to the opening of a new play;  almost, but as if they had forgetten half of their clothing. Loranna saw jewels that rivaled the treasures of Gemin around the necks and wrists of ladies young and old.

Harman's face was composed, and if he noticed Loranna enter, he did not show any sign of it. Some of the women glanced up, however, as if they expected new forms of entertainment;  then quickly away.

*





Loranna pauses for a breif moment, taking in the women surrounding Harman; though their clothes and jewels were pretty to look at, a tiny worried look comes to Loranna's face.

... Okay, maybe today is not the day to open up and tell Harman about my past, she thinks, glad she kept her disguise up. The look in the eyes of the women who looked up made Loranna wonder if she was about to be inducted in the rituals everyone associated with the worship of Dibella.

Not knowing what else to do, Loranna sits herself down behind the rest of the women, to listen to Harman's flute-playing.




Posted by: S'reddit May 26 2005, 08:42 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ May 25 2005, 11:34 PM)

A figure, Solin, dressed in his red garb and wearing a pack strapped over his shoulders waits, standing on the edge of the crowd.  He gives a nod to Allerleirauh from under his hood and looks on as more guildmasters gather.

*





Solin alone saw the old woman walk through the crowd. No one paused in conversation or looked in her direction as she slipped through. It was apparent she was invisible to all but him.

'When you are finished hearing this nonsense, and want to discuss the true ways of necromancy, come visit me at Shedungent, my boy,' the Dowager Queen Nulfaga said to him, her wrinkled face scowling.



Posted by: Solin May 26 2005, 08:51 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 26 2005, 01:42 AM)

Solin alone saw the old woman walk through the crowd.  No one paused in conversation or looked in her direction as she slipped through.  It was apparent she was invisible to all but him.

'When you are finished hearing this nonsense, and want to discuss the true ways of necromancy, come visit me at Shedungent, my boy,' the Dowager Queen Nulfaga said to him, her wrinkled face scowling.

*




The hooded Dunmer cocked his head to the side for a moment as he regarded Queen Nulfaga with his red eyes. He gave a slight nod of his head.

"Very well," he said. "I will join you there, my Lady."

Posted by: S'reddit May 26 2005, 08:53 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ May 25 2005, 11:51 PM)

The hooded Dunmer cocked his head to the side for a moment as he regarded Queen Nulfaga with his red eyes.  He gave a slight nod of his head.

"Very well," he said.  "I will join you there."

*





Nulfaga grunted, 'Only if you grow tired of ghosts and want to actually do something about it, Solin. Unlike my fool grandson.'

She faded from view.

Posted by: Solin May 26 2005, 08:57 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 26 2005, 01:53 AM)

Nulfaga grunted, 'Only if you grow tired of ghosts and want to actually do something about it, Solin.  Unlike my fool grandson.'

She faded from view.

*




Solin mumbled something inaudible to himself and then turned his attention back to the gathering.

Posted by: Shardie May 26 2005, 08:58 AM

QUOTE

DJ Paul through the syringes at Maranda, who blocked them away with her sword effortlessly, each of the syringes entering a different Dremora. A calm look fell over there faces, as DJ Paul produced six more syringes from beneath his flair jacket, throwing them at Maranda as if they were throwing knives. Maranda knew she had to dodge these, she had no tolerance to Alcohol or drugs. She knocked two out of the way, and cast a shield spell, blocking the others, which fell to the floor harmlessly. At this point, as if from out of nowhere, a rain of pills, pure refined into a pill scooma, began to fall from the sky... this was too much, she thought, ending this soon would be the best option... but how? She would have to get through the hordes of High dremora, and climb the stairs... wait, she thought, why didn't she think of this before? She cast levitate, as DJ Paul did the same, producing a five foot long syringe from as if out of nowhere. Maranda cast Shock onto her blade, as trails of electricity ran through it. DJ Paul smiled, as he readied his weapon for combat, high above the disco floor, full of partying Dremora



The two of them flew together, as thier weapons met with a mighty crash... yet the narrow needle of the syringe slid easily up her swords lenth, nearly poking her eye out. That was not going to do, Maranda thought, as she looked to the edge of her screen to see the levitate icon start to flash. Quickly she cast levitate again, but not before DJ Paul tried to strike her again... yet, it seems, he forgot to recast his levitate spell, as he fell onto a Dremora, the five foot Syringe falling right into the Dremora's arm. As a happy smile came across that Paticular Dremora's face, Maranda dived down, her sword ready to strike at the dazed DJ before her... yet, a number of Dremora formed a shield around him, protecting thier supplier...

"This is too much..." she said, as she layed her palm flat, and chanted a spell, a high level area effect spell, "Eat, Ice, Druggies!" she yelled, as a massive sphere of Ice encompaced much of the disco floor... Maranda finished, and looked around.... all of the danceing Dremora within the radius were dead, shattered into a million frozen pieces, the ones unaffected continued to dance. DJ Paul, it seems, looked very injured. The blast had made him fall on one of his fallen syringes from earlier, and he looked quite high. Maranda sighed, as she walked up to him, and placed her sword through his throat

"I don't want to experiance that ever again," she said as she was teleported to the next room

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 09:01 AM

House of Dibella, Cyrodiil City: Tris

"Emaera... I have a cicatrix as big as the palm of my hand on my chest from that spider bite. My left arm looks like a Winged Twilight tried to rip it off, because one did. I have one foot, for pity's sake."

"Are you saying you believe you are uncomely?" Emaera asked. "Hurry up and bathe; you need to be shaved and have your hair trimmed."

"Emaera! It's Ciel. I don't think he'd understand."

"As you know, and he knows, this is part of the sacred duty of the temple. In any case, it's none of his business. Many wifes and husbands of highly placed officials come here, and what happens within these walls remains within these walls on pain of Dibella's curse."

"You are aware that the average citizen of the Empire thinks the House of Dibella is a convenient excuse for those wives and husbands to have affairs out of the public eye," Tris said.

"You don't think it's a sacred duty to allow the wives and husbands of public officials to have affairs, and to conceal their affairs? Tris, Dibella is a mask for something far older; but the Nine Divines are the state gods of the Empire of Man, and the Empire of Man they uphold. Now kneel, and let me bless you. Hurry, boy, we're shorthanded."

"Hands are not what you're short," Tris said, kneeling. Conversations with Emaera always went like this. She stripped away every excuse until she got to the core of the matter. "Emaera, it's not Ciel. It's me. I'm in love, I've had... discriminate... sex. I can't go back to indiscriminate."

"Is that what you told yourself while you were nailing your father's wife? Don't look so startled, Tris. You've had it oozing out of your pores ever since you walked in, you were all but daring me to ask about her. You poor doomed boy."

Tris stood up, and looked into the face of a life size marble statue of Dibella. She was young, holding a lily, smiling sweetly. "I think we need to talk," he said, under his breath.

"Tris, it is not I who ask, but Dibella. If you demand my explanation, I will tell you that I think you fear your own inconstancy. You think that if you return to your old ways, you will become again the person you once were. Master your fears and move through them. As for Dibella's explanation, I do not ask the goddess to explain herself, and I suggest you hold your tongue as well."

"My mother's ghost came to see me," Tris said suddenly, looking at the face of the statue. Dibella would always look like his mother, in his mind's eye. "I didn't see her. Ciel told me."

"Oh? Did she have a message?"

Emaera held out a purple robe, and he slipped into it.

"She did," Tris said. His mouth fell open. His mother had come all the way from the land of the dead to give him a message, and he had forgotten it. Remember you have a brother. "Oro. My brother. Emaera, please don't make me do this right now, I'm so confused."

"Come on," Emaera said. "You're too deeply initiated to have to be put under Domination. It's time, let's go."

Posted by: Arynel May 26 2005, 09:05 AM

Arynel lit a candle and cradled Sen Yedda in his arms, the baby was a squirming ball of giggles. The Breton sat down in a chair and gently ran his fingers through the patch of silver hair growing from the infants scalp, and he took a deep breath.

Arynel began to rock back and forth, holding Sen Yedda securely against him. The child slowly fell asleep.


Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 09:07 AM

QUOTE(Arrogant_Hero @ May 26 2005, 02:20 AM)

Daggerfall...

A traveling scout, hops out of the way of a small, Breton child running down the worn, dirt covered, streets of Daggerfall. The scout turns and yells a vulgar curse at the Breton, as the child obliviously speeds off.

“Mamma, mamma!” The young child yells, running to an elderly looking Breton women, in a sunshine dress. “I just saw a monster in town!” The child states through rushed breaths.

“Calm down, baby.” Mamma Breton says, reaching down to pick up her child. “Catch your breath and tell me what you saw.”

Safely in his mother’s arms the child begins. “I saw a monster. It was as big as the Wrothgarian mountains, and as green as the trees during second seed. It also had an axe the size of three Papas.” The child says, holding his arms apart in a mock mimic of the size. “It went into the tavern you and Papa are always going into, Em-po-wer’s Gruels.”

Mamma Breton wipes a hair out of her son’s eyes and gently smiles. “Such an imagination you have, Stinky butt. If there was a monster in town the guards would quickly handle it.”

“But mommmm...” Stinky butt, begins.

“That’s enough, baby. We need to get home or Papa will worry.”

Stinky butt crosses his arms and gives a childish pout, as he is carried home by his Mom.

*





Gram strides through the streets of Daggerfall, heading back to the Emperor's Jewels, where he had stayed most of the previous night and gone back for a morning meal - and the irate attentions of the two barmaids who had spent the evening with him. With a mixture of weariness and bemusement he tried to explain that he had to step out suddenly to handle a family affair, a story they at best half believed, at least until he produced the purse they both were expecting. Then, they mostly believed him, especially when one nervous fellow piped up that he had seen a ghostly Nord enter the bar.

Breakfast and outstanding debts settled, Gram had then turned to getting his weapons repaired, and a new suit of armor. Were he in the field he'd try repairing Trueturner and Frostkiss himself - he was skilled with smithing and armor repair as many warriors were - but he was in Daggerfall now, and why not avail himself of the armorers here? It was unlikely that he'd find a suit of Nordic mail like he had been wearing though, but such was life.

Hours passed while he shopped, Trueturner under the care of Daggerfall's finest smiths, and eventually he chose for himself a suit of chainmail to replace his ring mail, and strapping Flametongue to his back, he retrieved his weapons, looking them over with a careful eye.

"Hrn; well, thank you for your work," Gram said, paying the smith and heading out; before, he might have raised an issue that Trueturner looked a little worse for wear still but today his mind was heavy with pondering, and his stomach was growling again. And so he made his way back to the tavern, and saw for himself the giant Orc with the mighty axe.

Before, he would have immediately launched into a greeting, lauding himself and his deeds; now, he takes a second to note the Orc and his axe, his tongue remaining silent, for now.


Posted by: Shardie May 26 2005, 09:10 AM

Meridia's Throne Room, Oblivion

Meridia looked into her misty pond to see this victory, hardly containing her laughter, as one of her Dremora servants came up to her...
"I am sorry, my lady, but this is no laughing matter! Do you know how much all these challanges are costing us?" the Dremora said, "Why, at current spending rates, we will run out of money before the release date..."
Another Dremora, Meridia's, PR officer stepped in here "Yes... and if we dont have enough power, you will be left out of the game again! Remember when you bought that coffee maker before the release of the last one? You did not make it in, and as of that, your support rate fell by 73 %!"
"Truly,' the accountant Dremora stated, "If you want to have even an appearance role in the next one, you really have to stop spending so wildly on Challenges and the like, I mean, what is Dagon going to say when I tell him those hundred Dremora we borrowed got turned into icecubes, the others turned into druggies! We have to cut money somewhere... and it will have to be the fifth test..."
"Ohhhh" Meridia said in an annoying voice, "but that was supposed to be by ultimate challenge!"
"Do you want to get in or not? That's the choice..." the PR guy said
"Fine" Meridia pouted, turning to a young looking Dremora standing by her desk, "Duke Drevorus, I will have you organise the next test... do what you will... I am off to the colosseum... I have the VCR on to tape the next battle, anyway"

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 09:20 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 01:41 AM)

Loranna pauses for a breif moment, taking in the women surrounding Harman; though their clothes and jewels were pretty to look at, a tiny worried look comes to Loranna's face.

... Okay, maybe today is not the day to open up and tell Harman about my past, she thinks, glad she kept her disguise up.  The look in the eyes of the women who looked up made Loranna wonder if she was about to be inducted in the rituals everyone associated with the worship of Dibella.

Not knowing what else to do, Loranna sits herself down behind the rest of the women, to listen to Harman's flute-playing.

*




Several young men, wearing only loincloths, emerged from the wings of the room. The scent of rich food and wine accompanied them. The well-dressed women, smiling and giggling, took the arms of the men and were led away.

Harman lowered his flute. His brow creased in a frown. "Philistines. 'Art requires money,' the Primate tells me. Well, my art can be managed just as well without. Greetings, daughter. Have you studied the lessons I gave you?"

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 09:26 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 03:20 AM)

Several young men, wearing only loincloths, emerged from the wings of the room. The scent of rich food and wine accompanied them. The well-dressed women, smiling and giggling, took the arms of the men and were led away.

Harman lowered his flute. His brow creased in a frown. "Philistines. 'Art requires money,' the Primate tells me. Well, my art can be managed just as well without. Greetings, daughter. Have you studied the lessons I gave you?"

*





Loranna raises her eyebrows. "I thought beauty could be found in many places, many of those requiring no money at all to appreciate," she says.

"The lessons ... I have, father," she says, her voice dropping a bit on the word father. "The flowers I have sought to learn, and the meaning of sex ... I think differently on it now, since we last talked. I feel slightly foolish for having said I needed to be able to offer comfort to Slyvos and thinking of sex while saying it; comfort may be able to be offered, but sex ... is something more taken than given."

She frowns. "There's a lot about sex I think I don't realy know yet though, despite having been sexually active since I was fifteen. It's the first time I've really thought about it ..."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 09:32 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 02:26 AM)

Loranna raises her eyebrows.  "I thought beauty could be found in many places, many of those requiring no money at all to appreciate," she says.

"The lessons ... I have, father," she says, her voice dropping a bit on the word father.  "The flowers I have sought to learn, and the meaning of sex ... I think differently on it now, since we last talked.  I feel slightly foolish for having said I needed to be able to offer comfort to Slyvos and thinking of sex while saying it; comfort may be able to be offered, but sex ... is something more taken than given."

She frowns.  "There's a lot about sex I think I don't realy know yet though, despite having been sexually active since I was fifteen.  It's the first time I've really thought about it ..."

*




"For something that's instinctive it's remarkably rare to get right," Harman said. His massive, craggy features lightened when he smiled.

He put his powerfully muscled, scarred arm around Loranna's shoulders.

"Do you ever wish you could have a second chance to get it right? Just start over from scratch?"

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 09:38 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 03:32 AM)

"For something that's instinctive it's remarkably rare to get right,"  Harman said. His massive, craggy features lightened when he smiled.

He put his powerfully muscled, scarred arm around Loranna's shoulders.

"Do you ever wish you could have a second chance to get it right? Just start over from scratch?"

*





"Are you telepathic?" Loranna asks, raising her eyebrows once more. "Or just really well-informed about my life? I'm living in my second chance right now ..."

" ... Or were you just talking about sex?" she asks, grinning just a little. She runs a finger across one of Harman's scars, looking thoughtful.

"The scar itself isn't beautiful per se, but on you it looks lovely," she mutters. "And it speaks of your time as a knight, hints at the adventures you must have had, the sacrifices you made ... and those are beautiful in their own way, not so much because bloodshed is beautiful, but because courage and devotion to something larger than yourself is ..."

She blinks. " ... Um ... I'm not sure where that came from," she says, ducking a little.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 09:47 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 02:38 AM)

"Are you telepathic?" Loranna asks, raising her eyebrows once more.  "Or just really well-informed about my life?  I'm living in my second chance right now ..."

" ... Or were you just talking about sex?" she asks, grinning just a little.  She runs a finger across one of Harman's scars, looking thoughtful.

"The scar itself isn't beautiful per se, but on you it looks lovely," she mutters.  "And it speaks of your time as a knight, hints at the adventures you must have had, the sacrifices you made ... and those are beautiful in their own way, not so much because bloodshed is beautiful, but because courage and devotion to something larger than yourself is ..."

She blinks.  " ... Um ... I'm not sure where that came from," she says, ducking a little.

*




Harman looked at her, eyes twinkling.

"I think I know," he said. "Well, Loranna, as it happens we need a virgin for the ceremony tonight. And I think you'll do nicely."

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 09:49 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 03:47 AM)

Harman looked at her, eyes twinkling.

"I think I know,"  he said. "Well, Loranna, as it happens we need a virgin for the ceremony tonight. And I think you'll do nicely."

*





Loranna's jaw falls open, and her illusion fades, rendering her the prettiest ashen-skinned dumbstruck Nord girl to ever grace a Dibellan temple.


Posted by: S'reddit May 26 2005, 09:58 AM

Castle Daggerfall

‘Good Guildmasters,’ said the King of Daggerfall, entering the throne room, not waiting to be announced. The crowd instantly fell silent to hear Gothryd speak. He spoke informally, conversationally, in a voice that seemed intimate but travelled to every ear in the room with perfect clarity. He touched his graying beard absently as he spoke, and though over the years his face had gathered lines, he was still a remarkably handsome man.

‘Daggerfall has suffered hauntings in the past, I need hardly remind you,’ Gothryd said. ‘And it appears our troubles may have begun yet again. We are conducting an investigation into reports of the worst kind of necromancy, and would count on your support to root out adherents of this blasphemy. On the advice of the Archmagister Hannibal Traven, the Mages Guilds of Daggerfall will be temporarily closed, so that he might inspect them personally. I would ask that you do your own investigations in your own guilds and report back to me anything you uncover related to the recent spate of hauntings.

‘Daggerfall is rich for your contributions to our society, and I do not want you to feel I am in any way ungrateful or that I desire the closing of more guilds. I truly hope that this obscenity can be stopped quickly through the work of my knights, the Archmagister, and your voluntary assistance. It may, however, be necessary in the near future for my knights to conduct a search of your headquarters. I count on your understanding and support if it comes to that.

‘If you have any questions, speak to my castellian, and he will arrange for a more personal interview. Thank you, good guildmasters.’

The King smiled wearily, and left the room. The crowd murmured.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 09:59 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 02:49 AM)

Loranna's jaw falls open, and her illusion fades, rendering her the prettiest ashen-skinned dumbstruck Nord girl to ever grace a Dibellan temple.

*




"Very nice," Harman said. "In fact, charmingly exotic. Tonight we're masking; no one will appear as they really look. Which do you prefer, this," and suddenly he was young, perfectly, sharp-featured, a Nord with almost white eyes, as fierce as an eagle flying over, "Or this."

He became a Reguard, tall, long-limbed, elegant, his hair braided into tight rows, with dark eyes like flowing water.

"All women are virgins before Dibella. She knows every breath, every gasp. It's time for you to bathe in the temple pool and renew your virginity, so that it can be offered to the goddess. Are you ready?"

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 10:05 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 03:59 AM)

"Very nice,"  Harman said. "In fact, charmingly exotic. Tonight we're masking;  no one will appear as they really look. Which do you prefer, this,"  and suddenly he was young, perfectly, sharp-featured, a Nord with almost white eyes, as fierce as an eagle flying over, "Or this."

He became a Reguard, tall, long-limbed, elegant, his hair braided into tight rows, with dark eyes like flowing water.

"All women are virgins before Dibella. She knows every breath, every gasp. It's time for you to bathe in the temple pool and renew your virginity, so that it can be offered to the goddess. Are you ready?"

*





"To be honest I kinda prefer the way you look normally," Loranna mutters. "But ... uhh, the second I guess, and I don't feel ready for this at all, but if you're suggesting I take part I'll trust you think I'm ready."

I hope I'm not trusting foolishly, she thinks as she renews her disguise. " ... What should I know before we do this?"



Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 10:11 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 03:05 AM)

"To be honest I kinda prefer the way you look normally," Loranna mutters.  "But ... uhh, the second I guess, and I don't feel ready for this at all, but if you're suggesting I take part I'll trust you think I'm ready."

I hope I'm not trusting foolishly, she thinks as she renews her disguise.  " ... What should I know before we do this?"

*




"I was hoping you'd pick the first," Harman said, grinning with very large, white teeth. "That's how I looked many years ago. Ah, well."

He gestured with his hands, and Loranna's illusion fell away again.

"This part is private," he said. "And the goddess knows what you look like."

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 10:21 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 04:11 AM)

"I was hoping you'd pick the first,"  Harman said, grinning with very large, white teeth. "That's how I looked many years ago. Ah, well."

He gestured with his hands, and Loranna's illusion fell away again.

"This part is private,"  he said. "And the goddess knows what you look like."

*





"You were very handsome then too," Loranna says. She offers a small smile, then turns to head to the temple pool.

This wasn't what she had been preparing herself for, and she felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach - but she went, knowing she wasn't being forced to do this, but that she was doing it, on her own voilition.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 10:36 AM

Daggerfall:

The walk down Royal Row to Solunastra was not a long one.

Allerleirauh's expression was perfectly temperate, but her voice held steel. "Solin: here is what I need from you."

She explained, quickly and concisely.

Posted by: Arrogant_Hero May 26 2005, 10:37 AM

Daggerfall, Emperor's Jewels...

The Emperor’s Jewels uneasily revolves around me, as I sit like a tall, immoveable oak tree in a forest of twigs. The air in this place is murky, dank. The smell of lust and greed clouds this place like a think fog. People whisper, and talk behind my back as if I’m not even in the room. They all think I don’t belong here, but in all actuality they are far worst then anything I could ever be.

I take a look around the tavern and take another sip of my tankard.

I always hated being in big crowds, people were never really my thing. I belong on a battlefield somewhere earning honor, and glory, not sitting around conversating about the weather, and my fancy extravagant clothes.



QUOTE(Loranna @ May 26 2005, 03:07 AM)

...And so he made his way back to the tavern, and saw for himself the giant Orc with the mighty axe.

Before, he would have immediately launched into a greeting, lauding himself and his deeds; now, he takes a second to note the Orc and his axe, his tongue remaining silent, for now...



I light up a cherry as a gentlemen walks into the tavern. If staring at Orcs was a crime, this man would get the death penalty.

I down another tankard of mead and watch the stranger. He’s more bolder then the rest of the people in here. He knows I’m looking at him and he still stares. Poor guy must wanna die. I’ve killed men for less, but I have other things to worry about, like finding that fool Aricyn.

Knowing the fool, and from past experiences, the best way to catch that Nord is to let him come to you.

So here I shall wait.

Posted by: Solin May 26 2005, 10:43 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 03:36 AM)

Daggerfall:

The walk down Royal Row to Solunastra was not a long one.

Allerleirauh's expression was perfectly temperate, but her voice held steel. "Solin:  here is what I need from you."

She explained, quickly and concisely.

*




When he had finished listening, Solin nodded.

"I will begin immediately after I return from Shedungent," he said quietly from underneath his hood. "It would not do well to refuse an invitation from the Dowager Queen."

He briefly described Nulfaga's appearance at the gathering and then broke his usual demeanor with a bit of a smile.

"Necromancy is a unclean business at best, let us hope that she offers some insight into our problem."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 26 2005, 10:45 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ May 26 2005, 03:43 AM)

When he had finished listening, Solin nodded. 

"I will begin immediately after I return from Shedungent," he said quietly from underneath his hood.  "It would not do well to refuse an invitation from the Dowager Queen."

He briefly described Nulfaga's appearance at the gathering and then broke his usual demeanor with a bit of a smile.

"Necromancy is a unclean business at best, let us hope that she offers some insight into our problem."

*




"Nulfaga is the wisest madwoman I know," Allerleirauh said. "She knew enough to speak to you. She knew of the mantella and the totem. Let's pray she can help us, or will help us."

Posted by: Solin May 26 2005, 10:50 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 03:45 AM)

"Nulfaga is the wisest madwoman I know,"  Allerleirauh said. "She knew enough to speak to you. She knew of the mantella and the totem. Let's pray she can help us, or will help us."

*




"That she did," came the mer's reply. "I will return when I have finished, until then, farewell."

Posted by: Loranna May 26 2005, 11:00 AM

QUOTE(Arrogant_Hero @ May 26 2005, 04:37 AM)

Daggerfall, Emperor's Jewels...

The Emperor’s Jewels uneasily revolves around me, as I sit like a tall, immoveable oak tree in a forest of twigs. The air in this place is murky, dank. The smell of lust and greed clouds this place like a think fog. People whisper, and talk behind my back as if I’m not even in the room. They all think I don’t belong here, but in all actuality they are far worst then anything I could ever be.

I take a look around the tavern and take another sip of my tankard.

I always hated being in big crowds, people were never really my thing. I belong on a battlefield somewhere earning honor, and glory, not sitting around conversating about the weather, and my fancy extravagant clothes.
I light up a cherry as a gentlemen walks into the tavern. If staring at Orcs was a crime, this man would get the death penalty.

I down another tankard of mead and watch the stranger. He’s more bolder then the rest of the people in here. He knows I’m looking at him and he still stares. Poor guy must wanna die. I’ve killed men for less, but I have other things to worry about, like finding that fool Aricyn.

Knowing the fool, and from past experiences, the best way to catch that Nord is to let him come to you.

So here I shall wait.

*





Gram had spent many a year being nothing more than a madman, yet still, he had developed some ability to judge a man's mettle just by looking at them. The few seconds he took to look the Orc over old Gram most everything he needed to know.

The Orc was strong, without a doubt; strong, and skilled. The axe by his side seemed to be a part of him somehow, in a way only true warriors ever attained. Of all the people in the tavern, soldiers and mercaneries all, the Orc was the greatest in ability and he knew it - as did everyone else.

This was a worthy challenge, then, someone Gram could test himself against to bring honor to his name and sharpen his skills.

The Orc didn't like the people around him, that Gram could also see; the look in his eyes told Gram that the green-skinned warrior was perfectly ready to heft that giant axe and lop off the head of anyone in the tavern in an instant. More, he was ready to do so to Gram himself - probably would have already done so, but something seemed to be holding him back. Not respect, though; the Orc had no respect for Gram this moment.

This was an insult, then; Gram could not abide those who did not respect him, and had always believed in showing those lacking th sense to acknowledge a hero in their midst with fist and if need be steel.

Gram's hand started to flex - and then, a thought popped into his mind, unbidden: What will your daughter think if you get yourself maimed or even killed in a brawl? She doesn't even know her family history yet.

It was surprising, and Gram blinked; he was turning away, leaving the Orc to his drink, ordering himself a mead and giving the warrior his space, even as his mind struggled to come to terms with what he had just done.

He was not one to back down from a challenge; was it fear that took hold of him? Or was this how fathers felt when facing a challenge they did not know if they could meet? Damn you father, for not bothering to tell me any of this; never could I see you having backed down from an Orc such as this ...

Gram scowled; to be honest, that Orc looked like he could have taken his father as well, and if the elder Pyrel had met this Orc who could say if there might have even been a Gram or a Loranna?

The thinking was making his head hurt; Gram downed his mead and called for food and a second drink. He needed to talk to his daughter soon, at least tell her of her family history. And he needed to find something he never found before, despite looking.


Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 06:30 AM

Solunastra

Bosriel floated down the stairs from her bedroom, looking for Tamne. A tall, freckled girl known for being one of the worst bullies in the school turned the corner suddenly, took one look at the dark child with the red eyes and white lips, and screamed, scuttling away.

The vampire child felt the girl’s fear feed her, hunger melting away, a chill returning to her flesh.

Bosriel did not consider this a breach of her promise to Allerleirauh not to harm or frighten anyone in the house. After all, she had not meant to scare the girl.

Nevertheless, Bosriel smiled, and continued on, calling for Tamne now, to avoid surprising anyone else.


Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 08:01 AM

Solin set a booted foot on the road. In the distance the Dowager's Queen castle, Shedungent, was visable. He set off at casual pace. The mer was still garbbed in red with his hood drawn over his head and his pack strapped over his back. he was still grinning from his earlier conversation with Allerleirauh.

He would arrive soon, no doubt he was expected.

Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 08:05 AM

Shedungent


QUOTE(Solin @ May 26 2005, 11:01 PM)

He would arrive soon, no doubt he was expected.

*





Yenearclogh arose, its lidless eyes burning with hollow fire.

‘Stranger approaching,’ it hissed through lipless, tongueless jaws.


Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 08:19 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 01:05 AM)

Shedungent
Yenearclogh arose, its lidless eyes burning with hollow fire.

‘Stranger approaching,’ it hissed through lipless, tongueless jaws.

*




Solin stopped and lowered his hood.

"I was invited," he stated calmly after a moment of regarding the speaker. "Dowager Queen Nulfaga has business with me at the castle."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 08:21 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 26 2005, 11:30 PM)

Solunastra

Bosriel floated down the stairs from her bedroom, looking for Tamne.  A tall, freckled girl known for being one of the worst bullies in the school turned the corner suddenly, took one look at the dark child with the red eyes and white lips, and screamed, scuttling away.

The vampire child felt the girl’s fear feed her, hunger melting away, a chill returning to her flesh.

Bosriel did not consider this a breach of her promise to Allerleirauh not to harm or frighten anyone in the house.  After all, she had not meant to scare the girl.

Nevertheless, Bosriel smiled, and continued on, calling for Tamne now, to avoid surprising anyone else.

*




Tamne had been waiting for the trusted student who was responsible for checking everyone was in bed to pass. Now she slipped out of bed and to the door.

"Tamne I'm telling on you," came a piercing whisper from the bunk nearest the door.

"Tell and my friend the Winged Twilight will rip you into pieces and wash you down into the sewer and the rats will eat the pieces," Tamne whispered back, spitting on her hand and using the spit to oil the hinges. A few moments later, she was with Bosriel.

Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 08:23 AM

Shedungent


QUOTE(Solin @ May 26 2005, 11:19 PM)

Solin stopped and lowered his hood.

"I was invited," he stated calmly after a moment of regarding the speaker.  "Dowager Queen Nulfaga has business with me at the castle."

*





The lich stood in the narrow entrance hall of the ruin, fire flowing from his skeletal form like a robe, illuminating the moldly emerald-colored tapestries devoted to death that surrounded it.

‘Shut,’ the creature snarled. ‘Up.’



Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 08:29 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 11:21 PM)

"Tell and my friend the Winged Twilight will rip you into pieces and wash you down into the sewer and the rats will eat the pieces,"  Tamne whispered back, spitting on her hand and using the spit to oil the hinges. A few moments later, she was with Bosriel.

*





The shadow in the hall blinked with red eyes, and Bosriel floated out of the darkness.

'Hi,' the vampire child whispered. 'How do we get out of here? I thought we could fly over the garden ..?'

Bosriel was smiling, excited about seeing the world beyond.



Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 08:35 AM

House of Dibella: Cyrodiil City

The night before was a blur of colored smoke and perfume so heavy you felt like swimming through it, intoxicating, confusing and delighting, a blur of soft flesh and sleek flesh and skin of all colors, painted with intricate invocations, a blur of masks horned and feathered and bejeweled, bright laughter and gasps and heavy breathing and sometimes even screaming.

Loranna remembered in particular a tall, elegant Redguard man wearing a black mask with one oryx horn curving back from the forehead, a strange beast of the desert, vulgar yet masterful.

She woke to find the revellers gone, only the servants of Dibella remaining. Glancing around the room, she discovered that one of the participants in last night's festivities had been Tris. He slept on his back, in a tangle of young Dibellans like himself. The grape vines painted on his limbs were smeared, his mask of grape leaves had been laid aside, and the illusion cloaking his scars had evaporated. He was completely and utterly asleep: she could have lifted him and carried him without waking him, like a young child.

The horned Redguard was nowhere to be seen.

Harman entered, barefoot, in a long green robe, treading soundlessly. He carried a plate of grapes, wine and bread, which he sat beside the tangle of sleepers. He smiled at her and nodded towards the door, then tiptoed out soundlessly, into the atrium beyond.

Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 08:37 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 01:23 AM)

Shedungent
The lich stood in the narrow entrance hall of the ruin, fire flowing from his skeletal form like a robe, illuminating the moldly emerald-colored tapestries devoted to death that surrounded it.

‘Shut,’ the creature snarled. ‘Up.’

*




Solin cocked his head to the side and did not say a word. Instead, the mer regarded the tapestries that the lich had brought to light.

The way onward was blocked.

He approached and looked close at the green tapestry. Glancing back to Yenearclogh the mer asked, "Shut up?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 08:44 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 01:29 AM)

Solunastra
The shadow in the hall blinked with red eyes, and Bosriel floated out of the darkness.

'Hi,' the vampire child whispered. 'How do we get out of here?  I thought we could fly over the garden ..?'

Bosriel was smiling, excited about seeing the world beyond.

*




"I can't fly," Tamne whispered back. "But I can climb, I climb down from the window all the time. Lakshi is too noisy, she wakes everyone up. Timmon is supposed to be watching in the kitchen, in case anyone needs anything, but he's usually asleep."

She propped the window open with a candlestick and shimmied down the vine-covered side of the building, into the garden.

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 08:45 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 02:35 AM)

House of Dibella:  Cyrodiil City

The night before was a blur of colored smoke and perfume so heavy you felt like swimming through it, intoxicating, confusing and delighting, a blur of soft flesh and sleek flesh and skin of all colors, painted with intricate invocations, a blur of masks horned and feathered and bejeweled, bright laughter and gasps and heavy breathing and sometimes even screaming.

Loranna remembered in particular a tall, elegant Redguard man wearing a black mask with one oryx horn curving back from the forehead, a strange beast of the desert, vulgar yet masterful.

She woke to find the revellers gone, only the servants of Dibella remaining. Glancing around the room, she discovered that one of the participants in last night's festivities had been Tris. He slept on his back, in a tangle of young Dibellans like himself. The grape vines painted on his limbs were smeared, his mask of grape leaves had been laid aside, and the illusion cloaking his scars had evaporated. He was completely and utterly asleep:  she could have lifted him and carried him without waking him, like a young child.

The horned Redguard was nowhere to be seen.

Harman entered, barefoot, in a long green robe, treading soundlessly. He carried a plate of grapes, wine and bread, which he sat beside the tangle of sleepers. He smiled at her and nodded towards the door, then tiptoed out soundlessly, into the atrium beyond.

*





Loranna awoke, wondering whether she was dreaming, or waking; she felt strange, refreshed yet groggy all at once. Memories of last night danced in her head, or perhaps those were dreams - or both.

Seeing Tris, Loranna smiles, tempted for a moment to free him from the tangle of Dibellans and take him to quarters where he'd have a bed to sleep on.

When Harman arrives, she blinks, remembering his Redguard guise he had showed her; was he the one who stood out in her mind? She felt tempted to ask, but refrains, instead nodding back and following him into the atrium, her mind gradually clearing to a more properly wakeful state.


Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 08:46 AM

Shedungent


QUOTE(Solin @ May 26 2005, 11:37 PM)

He approached and looked close at the green tapestry.  Glancing back to Yenearclogh the mer asked, "Shut up?"

*





Yenearclogh simply glared malevolently at Solin as the tapestry slid back with less than a whisper on the password.

On the other side of it was Nulfaga, whirling about the floor like a madwoman. In her hands were two candles, one lit and one extinguished.

‘On every eighth step, I must jump,’ she explained, as she did so.

‘On every step which is a prime number, I must turn around,’ she added, and did so.

‘In between every fifteenth and sixteenth step, I must – excuse me … YAAAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!’

‘I hope I don’t lose count,’ she added. ‘I have been doing this for four hours.’

‘You look familiar, boy, have we met?’



Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 08:50 AM

Solunastra


QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 26 2005, 11:44 PM)

"I can't fly,"  Tamne whispered back. "But I can climb, I climb down from the window all the time. Lakshi is too noisy, she wakes everyone up. Timmon is supposed to be watching in the kitchen, in case anyone needs anything, but he's usually asleep."

She propped the window open with a candlestick and shimmied down the vine-covered side of the building, into the garden.

*





'I want to go to a tavern,' Bosriel whispered excitedly as they made their way through the garden. 'And the docks. I really want to see the docks. I've never seen the inside of a boat, because that's hard to see from the bad place, but they look amazing ... And do you think we can get into the castle? Or is that too much for the first night? I just want to see everything.'


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 08:53 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 01:45 AM)

Loranna awoke, wondering whether she was dreaming, or waking; she felt strange, refreshed yet groggy all at once.  Memories of last night danced in her head, or perhaps those were dreams - or both.

Seeing Tris, Loranna smiles, tempted for a moment to free him from the tangle of Dibellans and take him to quarters where he'd have a bed to sleep on. 

When Harman arrives, she blinks, remembering his Redguard guise he had showed her; was he the one who stood out in her mind?  She felt tempted to ask, but refrains, instead nodding back and following him into the atrium, her mind gradually clearing to a more properly wakeful state.

*




Harman, not the most talkative man at the best of times, seemed to feel no need to disturb the peace of the quiet, early summer morning. The atrium was full of songbirds; a whole community of bright purple birds with red foreheads and dove grey undersides descended, chattering brightly, to eat the crumbs from Loranna's breakfast, and a tall strange bird with a nodding crest regarded her with its head tipped to one side.

Harman regarded her with evident satisfaction.

"Now you are an initiate, and I am your confessor," he said, when they had finished eating.

Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 08:54 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 01:46 AM)

Shedungent
Yenearclogh simply glared malevolently at Solin as the tapestry slid back with less than a whisper on the password. 

On the other side of it was Nulfaga, whirling about the floor like a madwoman.  In her hands were two candles, one lit and one extinguished.

‘On every eighth step, I must jump,’ she explained, as she did so.

‘On every step which is a prime number, I must turn around,’ she added, and did so.

‘In between every fifteenth and sixteenth step, I must – excuse me … YAAAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!’

‘I hope I don’t lose count,’ she added. ‘I have been doing this for four hours.’

‘You look familiar, boy, have we met?’

*




Solin gave a slight nod of the head to the burning lich and stepped into the chamber with the spinning Nulfaga.

"I trust you have excellent concentration then," he remarked.

He brushed a few strands of hair away from his eyes to see her better.

"Indeed, I was invited here during a gathering of guildmasters in Daggerfall."

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 08:59 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 01:50 AM)

Solunastra
'I want to go to a tavern,' Bosriel whispered excitedly as they made their way through the garden. 'And the docks.  I really want to see the docks.  I've never seen the inside of a boat, because that's hard to see from the bad place, but they look amazing ... And do you think we can get into the castle?  Or is that too much for the first night? I just want to see everything.'

*




Tamne frowned. She was thinking of her own bad experience in a Daggerfall tavern, but she didn't want Bosriel to think she was a coward.

"I know all about boats," she said. "Down on the docks there are lots of boats, big flat boats with lights where people have parties, boats like houses where people sleep on the boats, big hairy blonde Nords in boats carved and painted like dragons, and the boats from the Empire with the criminals down below working the oars. No Dunmer boats here like my parents had, but we should be able to find something."

And she felt certain she wouldn't get lost. The docks were right down the street, the opposite direction from the castle.

"I'm pretty sure they won't let people in the castle unless it's daytime," she explained, walking towards the dock district. It was wet and a little chilly, so she increased her pace to a trot. Bosriel flew faster than she walked anyway.

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 09:04 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 02:53 AM)

Harman, not the most talkative man at the best of times, seemed to feel no need to disturb the peace of the quiet, early summer morning. The atrium was full of songbirds;  a whole community of bright purple birds with red foreheads and dove grey undersides descended, chattering brightly, to eat the crumbs from Loranna's breakfast, and a tall strange bird with a nodding crest regarded her with its head tipped to one side.

Harman regarded her with evident satisfaction.

"Now you are an initiate, and I am your confessor,"  he said, when they had finished eating.

*





Loranna, for her part, was still thinking over what had transpired the previous night, and so likewise eats in silence. The songbirds draw a smile from her though - so colorful and lovely, and they looked cute when polishing off the remnants of her breakfast.

Harman's words bring her attention to the older Nord; his expression causes Loranna to raise her eyebrows.

"Quite an initiation," she says, offering a small grin. Then, she sighs, her expression becoming more serious.

"I'd been gearing myself up to tell you about myself since we last met," she confesses. "I take it now is the time for me to do that. But first, if I may ask ... how much have you heard of events that happened at Lord Darius's ball last Hearthfire, and what happened in Skyrim and Morrowind from this last Sun's Dusk to First Seed?"


Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 09:05 AM

Shedungent


QUOTE(Solin @ May 26 2005, 11:54 PM)

"Indeed, I was invited here during a gathering of guildmasters in Daggerfall."

*





‘Don’t be ridiculous, I haven’t been to Daggerfall since very recently, before you died,’ Nulfaga sneered. ‘The next thing you’ll be telling me is that I have a solution to all your problems, just as soon as I reach the eleven thousandth, one hundredth step … and a half …’

She did a half step and added, ‘Which is now.’

The lit candle extinguished and the unlit candle sparked into flame.

‘Oh, hello, Solin,’ Nulfaga smiled. ‘When did you get in? This is about that whole ghost and necromancy business, I suspect, yes? That was why I was doing that preposterous dance, which was quite unbecoming for a woman one hundred and one years old …’


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 09:08 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 02:04 AM)

Loranna, for her part, was still thinking over what had transpired the previous night, and so likewise eats in silence.  The songbirds draw a smile from her though - so colorful and lovely, and they looked cute when polishing off the remnants of her breakfast.

Harman's words bring her attention to the older Nord; his expression causes Loranna to raise her eyebrows.

"Quite an initiation," she says, offering a small grin.  Then, she sighs, her expression becoming more serious.

"I'd been gearing myself up to tell you about myself since we last met," she confesses.  "I take it now is the time for me to do that.  But first, if I may ask ... how much have you heard of events that happened at Lord Darius's ball last Hearthfire, and what happened in Skyrim and Morrowind from this last Sun's Dusk to First Seed?"

*




"Emaera and I have discussed who you are," Harman said. "And I have done my own research. None of that matters here, unless you want it to. Within these walls you are a new person, the person who was born when you took your oath last night."

Posted by: Rhedd May 27 2005, 09:09 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 12:59 AM)

Tamne frowned. She was thinking of her own bad experience in a Daggerfall tavern, but she didn't want Bosriel to think she was a coward.

"I know all about boats,"  she said. "Down on the docks there are lots of boats, big flat boats with lights where people have parties, boats like houses where people sleep on the boats, big hairy blonde Nords in boats carved and painted like dragons, and the boats from the Empire with the criminals down below working the oars. No Dunmer boats here like my parents had, but we should be able to find something."

And she felt certain she wouldn't get lost. The docks were right down the street, the opposite direction from the castle.

"I'm pretty sure they won't let people in the castle unless it's daytime,"  she explained, walking towards the dock district. It was wet and a little chilly, so she increased her pace to a trot. Bosriel flew faster than she walked anyway.

*




(Daggerfall, the Docks:)

The man opened one eye as he heard a small voice. Quietly, he raised himself from the pile of fish-smelling netting and peered down the alleyway.

His eyes, clouded by brandy, might be lying to him, but it didn't seem that way. A little girl. Maybe even two.

So, praying did pay off. The gods had deemed that his actions were above reproach and had sent him a reward. He had known he deserved it, but it was nice to be reassured.

He licked his chapped lips and drew his knife. He had to act quickly before the precious little things had moved too far on.

With a soft thump, like the sound of a deep drumbeat, and a swirl of shadow, the man ceased to exist in the world.

Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 09:14 AM

(Daggerfall, the Docks:)


QUOTE(Rhedd @ May 27 2005, 12:09 AM)

With a soft thump, like the sound of a deep drumbeat, and a swirl of shadow, the man ceased to exist in the world.

*





In the Void, Bosriel could hear a human heart beat from miles away. Here, in the world, it was harder to do, but she knew there was a man, and she felt it when he vanished, and she knew why. But she didn’t tell Tamne.

The dock was a playground she could never have imagined.


Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 09:17 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 02:05 AM)

Shedungent
‘Don’t be ridiculous, I haven’t been to Daggerfall since very recently, before you died,’ Nulfaga sneered. ‘The next thing you’ll be telling me is that I have a solution to all your problems, just as soon as I reach the eleven thousandth, one hundredth step … and a half …’

She did a half step and added, ‘Which is now.’

The lit candle extinguished and the unlit candle sparked into flame.

‘Oh, hello, Solin,’ Nulfaga smiled. ‘When did you get in?  This is about that whole ghost and necromancy business, I suspect, yes?  That was why I was doing that preposterous dance, which was quite unbecoming for a woman one hundred and one years old …’

*




"Quite recently," Solin responded with a tip of his head. "Your doorman let me in while you danced.

"You are correct, of course, I am here because of the hauntings," he continued. "Did you glean anything in your dance?"

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 09:18 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 03:08 AM)

"Emaera and I have discussed who you are,"  Harman said. "And I have done my own research. None of that matters here, unless you want it to. Within these walls you are a new person, the person who was born when you took your oath last night."

*





Loranna looks thoughtful - and either a little relieved to not need to review the story of her life since taking Azura into herself, or maybe a little disappointed in not getting a chance to make the speech she had been rehearsing.

"Well," she says, "I'm not who I used to be back then, even before last night - but somewhere in the foolish girl who thought a Daedra was the reason sunrises were lovely was the part of me that's drawn me here, now, so maybe i does matter."

She takes a deep breath. "That, and ... I've heard the goddess speak to me, briefly ..."

She recounts her experiences with Slyvos, the necromantic ritual to try and solve the mystery of the returning dead, the re-emergance of the dark side which had ruled him for so long, her castigating the darkness and her subsequent vision. The expression on her face is reminiscent of a schoolgirl who is half-ready to bolt should the teacher decide he doesn't like her excuse for falling asleep in class.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 09:24 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 02:18 AM)

Loranna looks thoughtful - and either a little relieved to not need to review the story of her life since taking Azura into herself, or maybe a little disappointed in not getting a chance to make the speech she had been rehearsing.

"Well," she says, "I'm not who I used to be back then, even before last night - but somewhere in the foolish girl who thought a Daedra was the reason sunrises were lovely was the part of me that's drawn me here, now, so maybe i does matter."

She takes a deep breath.  "That, and ... I've heard the goddess speak to me, briefly ..."

She recounts her experiences with Slyvos, the necromantic ritual to try and solve the mystery of the returning dead, the re-emergance of the dark side which had ruled him for so long, her castigating the darkness and her subsequent vision.  The expression on her face is reminiscent of a schoolgirl who is half-ready to bolt should the teacher decide he doesn't like her excuse for falling asleep in class.

*




"I've never been sure why people are so surprised when the gods manifest," Harman said, "Perhaps it's because they don't play the flute. For some reason when it's just you, the sheep, and the music, Dibella doesn't seem so unlikely. Men are inspired by Dibella, you know; women are Dibella. And you, unlikely as it seems, are the Weeping Redeemer, the one who transforms suffering into art."

Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 09:26 AM

Shedungent


QUOTE(Solin @ May 27 2005, 12:17 AM)

"You are correct, of course, I am here because of the hauntings," he continued.  "Did you glean anything in your dance?"

*





‘Oh yes,’ the old crone cackled. ‘I learned that it is always best to dance with a partner. Preferably, a handsome young man.’

Nulfaga gave Solin the lit candle in his left hand, and took his right hand in her own.

The walls around them melted away.

‘Don’t let go until the dance is over,’ Nulfaga warned him as the floor vaporized into darkness.

The Mantellan Crux

Pure chaos. The world afloat, engorged, awhirl. Gravity rotated on an axis.

‘Close your eyes, dear. A cockatrice is coming and if you see him, you will die,’ the Dowager Queen whispered, her clawed hand still holding Solin’s tightly.

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 09:35 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 03:24 AM)

"I've never been sure why people are so surprised when the gods manifest,"  Harman said, "Perhaps it's because they don't play the flute. For some reason when it's just you, the sheep, and the music, Dibella doesn't seem so unlikely. Men are inspired by Dibella, you know;  women are Dibella. And you, unlikely as it seems, are the Weeping Redeemer, the one who transforms suffering into art."

*





Loranna feels silly, her shoulders slumping. "I think most people don't really think the gods are as involved in the world as they are, or that they'd ever be so honored to witness a manifestation," she says. "Especially given recent events though, it seems silly to think that, but ..."

She shrugs. "Well, even when I could read minds I couldn't tell what people thought half the time," she says. "Fancy that."

" ... I am the Weeping Redeemer, then," she continues, the idea seeming to make sense to her. "Tell me more about her, please."


Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 09:38 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 02:26 AM)

Shedungent
‘Oh yes,’ the old crone cackled. ‘I learned that it is always best to dance with a partner.  Preferably, a handsome young man.’

Nulfaga gave Solin the lit candle in his left hand, and took his right hand in her own.

The walls around them melted away.

‘Don’t let go until the dance is over,’ Nulfaga warned him as the floor vaporized into darkness.

The Mantellan Crux

Pure chaos.  The world afloat, engorged, awhirl.  Gravity rotated on an axis. 

‘Close your eyes, dear.  A cockatrice is coming and if you see him, you will die,’ the Dowager Queen whispered, her clawed hand still holding Solin’s tightly.

*




"A mer will have to do in this case," Solin remarked and held tightly to the candles.

He stole half a moment to take in their chaotic surroundings and then obeyed Nulfaga's instructions.

"As you wish," he said as his red eyes disppeared behind his ashen lids.

Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 09:39 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 02:35 AM)

Loranna feels silly, her shoulders slumping.  "I think most people don't really think the gods are as involved in the world as they are, or that they'd ever be so honored to witness a manifestation," she says.  "Especially given recent events though, it seems silly to think that, but ..."

She shrugs.  "Well, even when I could read minds I couldn't tell what people thought half the time," she says.  "Fancy that."

" ... I am the Weeping Redeemer, then," she continues, the idea seeming to make sense to her.  "Tell me more about her, please."

*




"Well, first of all, she's the Weeping Redeemer, not the Moping Redeemer, or the Slouching Redeemer," Harman said, laughing. "Whatever the goddess may be feeling herself, the appropriate response to her manifestation is always joy."

He gestured towards a while lily with a faint pink tinge on the inside, Dibella's symbol. "What is this?"

Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 09:47 AM

Mantellan Crux


QUOTE(Solin @ May 27 2005, 12:38 AM)

"A mer will have to do in this case," Solin remarked and held tightly to the candles.

He stole half a moment to take in their chaotic surroundings and then obeyed Nulfaga's instructions.

"As you wish," he said as his red eyes disppeared behind his ashen lids.

*





He could hear the flurry of feathers coming closer, and suddenly they were on him. Something sinuous and strong, a serpent’s body, wrapped around his arm, and he felt a beak pecking on his hand with the candle in it.

‘Don’t drop it!’ Nulfaga screamed.

There was a horrible caw mixed with a hiss, and he felt warmth spread through his body. And then lips on his lips. And then air, slightly damp, very dusty. Nulfaga’s hand left his, and he knew he was back in

Shedungent.

When he opened his eyes, there on the floor, in a disgusting nest of blood, feather, and scales, was an egg.


Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 09:50 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 03:39 AM)

"Well, first of all, she's the Weeping Redeemer, not the Moping Redeemer, or the Slouching Redeemer,"  Harman said, laughing. "Whatever the goddess may be feeling herself, the appropriate response to her manifestation is always joy."

He gestured towards a while lily with a faint pink tinge on the inside, Dibella's symbol. "What is this?"

*





Harman's laughter was infectious; Loranna loses a couple moments laughing herself. "I'll remember that," she says, vowing again to stop moping.

She turns and looks at the flower, admiring it. "It's a lily," she says after a moment, "and it's beautiful. Like a woman, or a sunrise."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 09:54 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 02:50 AM)

Harman's laughter was infectious; Loranna loses a couple moments laughing herself.  "I'll remember that," she says, vowing again to stop moping.

She turns and looks at the flower, admiring it.  "It's a lily," she says after a moment, "and it's beautiful.  Like a woman, or a sunrise."

*




"It is a lily," Harman said. "A Maiden's Blush lily, in this instance. What is it a symbol of?"

Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 09:57 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 02:47 AM)

Mantellan Crux
He could hear the flurry of feathers coming closer, and suddenly they were on him.  Something sinuous and strong, a serpent’s body, wrapped around his arm, and he felt a beak pecking on his hand with the candle in it.

‘Don’t drop it!’ Nulfaga screamed.

There was a horrible caw mixed with a hiss, and he felt warmth spread through his body.  And then lips on his lips.  And then air, slightly damp, very dusty.  Nulfaga’s hand left his, and he knew he was back in

Shedungent.

When he opened his eyes, there on the floor, in a disgusting nest of blood, feather, and scales, was an egg.

*




Solin's features curled into a look of interested distaste as he saw the egg, then he inspected his pecked hand. When he had finished he turned to Nulfaga.

"Are we done dancing, my Lady?" he asked.

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 09:59 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 03:54 AM)

"It is a lily,"  Harman said. "A Maiden's Blush lily, in this instance. What is it a symbol of?"

*





Loranna blushes a little herself. " ... A few things come to mind," she admits. "But they all involve a moment of joy."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 10:01 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 02:59 AM)

Loranna blushes a little herself.  " ... A few things come to mind," she admits.  "But they all involve a moment of joy."

*




"The lily is a symbol of innocence," Harman said.

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 10:04 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 04:01 AM)

"The lily is a symbol of innocence,"  Harman said.

*





Loranna thinks of the things that the lily suggested to her, nodding.

" ... Innocence was part of what I thought of too," she admits. "Hence the blushing."


Posted by: S'reddit May 27 2005, 10:06 AM

Shedungent


QUOTE(Solin @ May 27 2005, 12:57 AM)

Solin's features curled into a look of interested distaste as he saw the egg, then he inspected his pecked hand.  When he had finished he turned to Nulfaga.

"Are we done dancing, my Lady?" he asked.

*





'Well, I've had my kiss, so I suppose so,' the old lady giggled, and did a stiff curtsey.

'The egg is yours to take. It will spring forth another cockatrice, but it will be very different in this world. Far less strange, far more dangerous. Remember, people reflect their shadows, not the other way around. The foul tide must rise and drown you before it subsides.'

Nulfaga turned away.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 10:12 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 03:04 AM)

Loranna thinks of the things that the lily suggested to her, nodding.

" ... Innocence was part of what I thought of too," she admits.  "Hence the blushing."

*




Harman cocked one eyebrow, as if he doubted very much that Loranna had been thinking of innocence.

"Why?" he asked. "Why is the lily the symbol of innocence?"

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 10:21 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 04:12 AM)

Harman cocked one eyebrow, as if he doubted very much that Loranna had been thinking of innocence.

"Why?"  he asked. "Why is the lily the symbol of innocence?"

*





Loranna feels her insides start to quiver; the question was one of those seemingly-simple ones which really weren't.

"I'm not sure," she admits, her brow furrowing. "It's white, delicate ..."

No, that couldn't be quite it; Loranna wishes she knew more about lilies. She gestures with her hands, trying to get a hold of the reason why.


Posted by: Solin May 27 2005, 10:23 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ May 27 2005, 03:06 AM)

Shedungent
'Well, I've had my kiss, so I suppose so,' the old lady giggled, and did a stiff curtsey.

'The egg is yours to take.  It will spring forth another cockatrice, but it will be very different in this world.  Far less strange, far more dangerous.  Remember, people reflect their shadows, not the other way around.  The foul tide must rise and drown you before it subsides.'

Nulfaga turned away.

*




"A pity," the mer remarked, a corner of his mouth turned upwards in a half smile.

Solin knelt down next to the egg and slid his pack from his shoulders, setting it on the ground. Retrieving some cloth from his bag he carefully cleans the egg and wraps it in a clean rag.

"My thanks and other's, Dowager Queen," Solin said rising, clasping the egg with both hands. "I know Sir Dolbinen, and his associates, will be relieved when this business has concluded."

He turned to leave.

"Farewell."




Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 10:27 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 03:21 AM)

Loranna feels her insides start to quiver; the question was one of those seemingly-simple ones which really weren't.

"I'm not sure," she admits, her brow furrowing.  "It's white, delicate ..."

No, that couldn't be quite it; Loranna wishes she knew more about lilies.  She gestures with her hands, trying to get a hold of the reason why.

*




"Tell me, honestly, what you were thinking of before," Harman said. "Whisper it in my ear if you're too modest to say it out loud, although after last night I would have thought we were past all that."

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 10:34 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 04:27 AM)

"Tell me, honestly, what you were thinking of before,"  Harman said. "Whisper it in my ear if you're too modest to say it out loud, although after last night I would have thought we were past all that."

*





"Well, the first two images that came to my mind were the way the pink looks like a woman's womanhood, and how it looked just like a blushing maiden with her lover for the first time," Loranna admits. "And then right after that ... a young girl, cheeks flushed and grinning as she ran among the flowers, and a couple other impressions that came to mind but were gone before I could really tell what they were, but they felt like youth somehow, or maybe spring."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 10:37 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 03:34 AM)

"Well, the first two images that came to my mind were the way the pink looks like a woman's womanhood, and how it looked just like a blushing maiden with her lover for the first time," Loranna admits.  "And then right after that ... a young girl, cheeks flushed and grinning as she ran among the flowers, and a couple other impressions that came to mind but were gone before I could really tell what they were, but they felt like youth somehow, or maybe spring."

*




"You're trying too hard now," Harman said. "Your first impulse was the correct one; don't overanalyze. Why is that, of all things, a symbol for innocence?"

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 10:40 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 04:37 AM)

"You're trying too hard now,"  Harman said. "Your first impulse was the correct one;  don't overanalyze. Why is that, of all things, a symbol for innocence?"

*





"Good question," Loranna says. " ... Because sex is joyful, and joy is innocent, despite the cause?"

She frowns as she answers, however.


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 10:44 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 03:40 AM)

"Good question," Loranna says.  " ... Because sex is joyful, and joy is innocent, despite the cause?"

She frowns as she answers, however.

*




"Joy is always innocent, pleasure is not," Harman said. "However, that's not why. When you know the answer, when you feel it in your heart, then you'll be ready to move to the next level. I'll give you a hint: what is innocence's opposite?"

He stroked Loranna's hair. "Enough hard things for one day. I can tell you've been wanting to talk my head off, and it happens I'm at leisure. I'm an old man, they let me have time to recover, after events like last night."

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 10:53 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 04:44 AM)

"Joy is always innocent, pleasure is not,"  Harman said. "However, that's not why. When you know the answer, when you feel it in your heart, then you'll be ready to move to the next level. I'll give you a hint:  what is innocence's opposite?"

He stroked Loranna's hair.  "Enough hard things for one day. I can tell you've been wanting to talk my head off, and it happens I'm at leisure. I'm an old man, they let me have time to recover, after events like last night."

*





Loranna thinks about Harman's hint for a moment, her frown becoming more pronounced.

"Yeah, enough hard things for now," she says, not wanting to go into what her mind was conjuring up right now, There would be time enough to unravel that riddle later.

She sighs, her frown melting. "Well ... I met my father again, after one very brief moment when I was still Azura's lapdog and a fourteen year absence before that," she says, tracing a finger along one of his scars on his shoulder. "Up in Solstheim, poking through Slyvos's old tower of all places to slay the vile evil that had been casting a shadow over the Skaal for so long ..."

She grins a little. "Apparently my fiance forgot to tell his old neighbors he'd given up on the dark paths; silly man ... but yeah; after fourteen years, my father ..."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 10:57 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 03:53 AM)

Loranna thinks about Harman's hint for a moment, her frown becoming more pronounced.

"Yeah, enough hard things for now," she says, not wanting to go into what her mind was conjuring up right now,  There would be time enough to unravel that riddle later.

She sighs, her frown melting.  "Well ... I met my father again, after one very brief moment when I was still Azura's lapdog and a fourteen year absence before that," she says, tracing a finger along one of his scars on his shoulder.  "Up in Solstheim, poking through Slyvos's old tower of all places to slay the vile evil that had been casting a shadow over the Skaal for so long ..."

She grins a little.  "Apparently my fiance forgot to tell his old neighbors he'd given up on the dark paths; silly man ... but yeah; after fourteen years, my father ..."

*




"After fourteen years, your father," Harman repeated. "And here you are, entirely unharmed. Do you surprise yourself?"

Posted by: Loranna May 27 2005, 11:05 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ May 27 2005, 04:57 AM)

"After fourteen years, your father,"  Harman repeated. "And here you are, entirely unharmed. Do you surprise yourself?"

*





"On a semi-regular basis," Loranna jokes, grinning more openly.

"In some ways he's still a lot like I remember," she continues. "He's boastful, boisterous, he still gets drunk and goes wenching, he still runs pell mell into the fray even with a limp now, and he hasn't really said to me yet why he just upped and left back then."

"Still ..." her expression grows thoughtful. "He's kind of endearing in his own way now - and, well, I'm not a needy little girl who has to hide in hollow treestumps to avoid getting sliced to ribbons by goblins and orcs anymore, nor someone who has to be left in a tavern while he goes and tries to plunder some musty dungeon of its treasure. And he actually seems to be successful now; he got pretty far through Slyvos's tower and was more just inconvenienced than hurt when we found him, even if he walked into half the traps, and he was a hero in the south during the Blue Dawn, and ..."

" ... well, it's all different, even if it looks the same," she concludes. "I just don't know quite what to say; he's still ... well, Dad."


Posted by: Allerleirauh May 27 2005, 11:08 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ May 27 2005, 04:05 AM)

"On a semi-regular basis," Loranna jokes, grinning more openly.

"In some ways he's still a lot like I remember," she continues.  "He's boastful, boisterous, he still gets drunk and goes wenching, he still runs pell mell into the fray even with a limp now, and he hasn't really said to me yet why he just upped and left back then."

"Still ..." her expression grows thoughtful.  "He's kind of endearing in his own way now - and, well, I'm not a needy little girl who has to hide in hollow treestumps to avoid getting sliced to ribbons by goblins and orcs anymore, nor someone who has to be left in a tavern while he goes and tries to plunder some musty dungeon of its treasure.  And he actually seems to be successful now; he got pretty far through Slyvos's tower and was more just inconvenienced than hurt when we found him, even if he walked into half the traps, and he was a hero in the south during the Blue Dawn, and ..."

" ... well, it's all different, even if it looks the same," she concludes.  "I just don't know quite what to say; he's still ... well, Dad."

*




Harman's answer was to raise his flute to his lips and start playing again. Somewhere, perhaps in another atrium, there must have been a pond, for now waterfowl flew overhead in two straight lines, crying wistfully.

Posted by: Dumbkid May 27 2005, 07:15 PM

Temple of Dibella:

She put her lips against his like a brush over canvas, and they both forgot the words they were supposed to say. He ran his fingers over her like a beam of light in the early morn, and in her secrets he found a thing like the moon. A sound like a symphony went off in her head and she found herself falling into the awaiting waters of a sea called euphoria, towards which all rivers seek, but few find.

On the table were several flickering candles to light the passages towards consummation, and there two bowls filled with treated water with rags lying to the side, to wash off glistening sweat. On the table were several lilies which were so bright and vigorous and seemed as if they would never whither.


Posted by: Sheogorath May 28 2005, 01:36 AM

The Wrothgarian Mountains, Outside Shedungent


QUOTE(Solin @ May 27 2005, 04:23 AM)

"Farewell."

*





Yenearclogh looked at Solin as he passed, and spoke with Nulfaga’s voice.

If the slayer of death think he slays,
Or if the slain think he is slain,
They know not well the subtle ways,
Arkay turns in the wheel and cycles again.


Then the lich turned and went back into Shedungent.


Posted by: Loranna May 28 2005, 03:30 AM

What awaits our heroes and heroines? Find out ... in the next thread.

LOCK ON!!!

Loranna


Posted by: Archeopterix May 28 2005, 03:33 AM

A tiny green argonian pops out from behind a plant and clicks a lock on the thread* Squeek!

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