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The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ RP: Morrowind Moonlight

Posted by: Loranna Jul 17 2005, 05:21 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
Info for Gram:

Race: Nord
Sex: Male
Hair: Red, full beard (think Red Hair from Conan the Barbarian)
Eyes: Blue

===

Summary for Loranna:

Loranna is in Ald Raathim, currently questioning Nalion and the innkeep about a strange localized quake in the tavern. She seems a little less than enthused to be hearing about how a Dunmer in chitin armor with a long pipe and an elaborate Daedric dagger tried to bring the house down.

Summary for Gram:

Gram is still off adventuring.

===

The innkeep gives his story. "M'Lady, some Dunmer in chitin was smoking over at this table with this long fancy pipe of his, then he pulls out this Daedra dagger, all made up and glowing, and he starts carving them runes into the table and chanting and all. I go over to tell him to stop and his eyes are like windows to Oblivion, then the whole place starts to shake and he vanishes, just like that!"

"I see," Loranna says. "Ever see this Dunmer before?"

"No ma'am," the innkeep avers.

"Can you describe him? Any distinguishing marks or anything?"

The innkeep frowns, looking a little nonplussed. "Well, he was kinda typical looking, you know m'Lady - like most any Dunmer you'd see in these parts ... black hair, down by his shoulders, kinda pinched nose, looked like a fairly average build but he was sittin', so I couldn't rightly tell how tall he was ..."

"Hmm ... anything else strike you about this Dunmer? Or any of the other patrons at the time?"

"No ma'am."

Loranna looks over at Nalion. "Did you catch any of the chanting?"


Posted by: Arynel Jul 17 2005, 05:23 AM

OOC: The Breton Arynel is in the moutains overlooking Ald Raathim.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 05:40 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 17 2005, 05:21 AM)

The innkeep gives his story.  "M'Lady, some Dunmer in chitin was smoking over at this table with this long fancy pipe of his, then he pulls out this Daedra dagger, all made up and glowing, and he starts carving them runes into the table and chanting and all.  I go over to tell him to stop and his eyes are like windows to Oblivion, then the whole place starts to shake and he vanishes, just like that!"

"I see," Loranna says.  "Ever see this Dunmer before?"

"No ma'am," the innkeep avers.

"Can you describe him?  Any distinguishing marks or anything?"

The innkeep frowns, looking a little nonplussed.  "Well, he was kinda typical looking, you know m'Lady - like most any Dunmer you'd see in these parts ... black hair, down by his shoulders, kinda pinched nose, looked like a fairly average build but he was sittin', so I couldn't rightly tell how tall he was ..."

"Hmm ... anything else strike you about this Dunmer?  Or any of the other patrons at the time?"

"No ma'am."

Loranna looks over at Nalion.  "Did you catch any of the chanting?"

*




"It was distorted at best, though I felt like he was chanting 'Tavern fall, shake and fall' or something like that extent. Combined with these writings, it seemed to cause this earthquake under the tavern.", Nalion answered with a worried expression on his face. "That mer is still out there somewhere. We better keep our eyes open."
Nalion looked again at the table. The whole spell including the writings of the unknown Dunmer and Nalion as well as the circle the mage had drawn around it was of about the size of a palm.
"I wonder if some carpenter can cut this out of the table. I want to have a look at it. Perhaps this can be useful later.", the mage pondered loudly.

Posted by: Loranna Jul 17 2005, 05:42 AM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 16 2005, 11:40 PM)

"It was distorted at best, though I felt like he was chanting 'Tavern fall, shake and fall' or something like that extent. Combined with these writings, it seemed to cause this earthquake under the tavern.", Nalion answered with a worried expression on his face. "That mer is still out there somewhere. We better keep our eyes open."
Nalion looked again at the table. The whole spell including the writings of the unknown Dunmer and Nalion as well as the circle the mage had drawn around it was of about the size of a palm.
"I wonder if some carpenter can cut this out of the table. I want to have a look at it. Perhaps this can be useful later.", the mage pondered loudly.

*





"I think that can be arranged," Loranna says, adding "And a new table procured," to appease the innkeep.

"Let me know what you learn?" Loranna asks Nalion, turning to call for Dram.


Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 05:48 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 17 2005, 05:42 AM)

"I think that can be arranged," Loranna says, adding "And a new table procured," to appease the innkeep.

"Let me know what you learn?" Loranna asks Nalion, turning to call for Dram.

*




"I will, Loranna. Just one thing, though. The carpenter mustn't cut into any of the writings or the circle, since my spell could be broken that way. Better cut out a little more than risk breaking it.", Nalion answered. "I think you are better than me in calming the people here, Loranna. If you need me, I'm in my chamber. I have to ponder some things."

Nalion nodded to himself, then gave Loranna a smile. A few steps brought him out of the tavern, where he tried to avoid the crowd asking questions of what happened. A short time later, he sat at the table in his room in the castle, a piece of parchment in front of him.

Posted by: Loranna Jul 17 2005, 05:51 AM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 16 2005, 11:48 PM)

"I will, Loranna. Just one thing, though. The carpenter mustn't cut into any of the writings or the circle, since my spell could be broken that way. Better cut out a little more than risk breaking it.", Nalion answered. "I think you are better than me in calming the people here, Loranna. If you need me, I'm in my chamber. I have to ponder some things."

Nalion nodded to himself, then gave Loranna a smile. A few steps brought him out of the tavern, where he tried to avoid the crowd asking questions of what happened. A short time later, he sat at the table in his room in the castle, a piece of parchment in front of him.

*





Loranna looks to the innkeep, who gives a weak smile, then mutters " ... Not that bad of a mess; about what you'd expect after a night with Nords in the place ..."

Not commenting, Loranna heads back out to assure people that the danger is past for now, and to get a carpenter to take a chunk out of the table.


Posted by: Xyber02 Jul 17 2005, 08:10 AM

Summary: Anya was sitting in the tavern after the others had left, when she felt the rumbling.

IC:
Catching up with Loranna, Anya pestered. "Loranna, what is going on? I hope Ald Raathim isn't a haven for earthquakes. This whoel debacle made me spill the rest of my drink."

Posted by: Aki Jul 17 2005, 11:45 AM

OOC Summary:

The Dunmer Reichi has been relaxing in the Tavern after a hard day's work of helping people about a curse on their farm, and getting attacked by Assassins that remind him of people's he's met before.

IC:

Reichi merely shook his head, having been jolted awake from the nap he had taken on the table when the tavern started shaking. He looked around the shaken tavern and shrugged. "What is with this group and taverns?" he muttered, remebering the 'Spotted Owl and Noble Seamstress' Tavern in White Haven, High Rock. Of how it had been destroyed when the group had their first altercation with Wayrest. Not to mention it being the time most of the old group learned of Reichi's lycanthropy. Luckily, only that one Redguard had thrown a fireball at him.

Of course, Reichi did remeber Samson's threat of violence for Reichi's rather uncouth retrieval of his ring from the man, and smirked at that, before standing and walking out of the Tavern.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 02:03 PM

Summary
Nalion, a male Breton mage currently stays in his room in Ald Raathim. He recently stopped an earthquake centered on the tavern of the prospering town which was caused by a spell an unknown Dunmer had caused by carving runes into a table.


The carpenter who had cut out the runes had been quick and careful with his work. None of the writings not the circle around it had been cut or even touched. The carved piece of wood was a little bit larger than the palm of Nalion's hand, and the mage curiously looked at it. He traced the lines of the runes carefully, then the circle of burnt black wood and his own spell that he had drawn around it.

"How interesting...", the mage muttered to himself, then began to complete his notes about it.


Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 05:09 PM

Summary: Shaka, an Argonian battlemage, is meditating in his guest room in Ald Raathim, unaware of the attack on the tavern.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 05:53 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 03:11 AM)

Isidor sat in his room, still thinking about what the figure had said in his cell. "Certain people....want her out of the way." Something was going on. The attack on Reichi, the figure in Isdior's cell, and Reichi's past, all made Isidor apprehensive. He sat on his bed, deep in thought, and didn't hear the figure enter the room.

*




Isidors chamber

A familiar voice, with a very faint cyrodiilic accent whispered into Isidor's ear from behind the Nord's back.

"I have come for you again to hear your decision. I was disappointed by your answer last time. We have watched you. They did not treat you well here. Put you in prison where you stood up for what you believed. And it turned out you were right, it seems, isn't that true?"

The black figure paused, but Isidor could feel his even breath in his neck.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 05:58 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 11:53 AM)

Isidors chamber

A familiar voice, with a very faint cyrodiilic accent whispered into Isidor's ear from behind the Nord's back.

"I have come for you again to hear your decision. I was disappointed by your answer last time. We have watched you. They did not treat you well here. Put you in prison where you stood up for what you believed. And it turned out you were right, it seems, isn't that true?"

The black figure paused, but Isidor could feel his even breath in his neck.

*





Isidor saw his axe lying at his feet. The figure did too.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 06:09 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 05:58 PM)

Isidor saw his axe lying at his feet. The figure did to.

*




"Don't even try.", the man said as he perceived Isidor's movement to look at the axe. "Don't let smiles and a lovely figure deceive you from what she is. How did that thing go with Falco? He stole from her under guestright and she made him 'security advisor' and practically pardoned him? And you, with your righteousness, saw through the deception and took action and got into jail. Is that the justice she seems to speak for? No, I say."
The figure hissed through clenched teeth.
"She used you, can't you see it? She endangered you when looting that shrine on the mainland. She got money and the fame of the leader. What did you get other than wounded? Think of the danger she presents! You have heard about what she did to Vvardenfell. She is upsetting the natural order of things. Can you bear the guilt on your soul when she destroys again, knowing that you were the one able to prevent this?"


Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 06:10 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 12:09 PM)

"Don't even try.", the man said as he perceived Isidor's movement to look at the axe. "Don't let smiles and a lovely figure deceive you from what she is. How did that thing go with Falco? He stole from her under guestright and she made him 'security advisor' and practically pardoned him? And you, with your righteousness, saw through the deception and took action and got into jail. Is that the justice she seems to speak for? No, I say."
The figure hissed through clenched teeth.
"She used you, can't you see it? She endangered you when looting that shrine on the mainland. She got money and the fame of the leader. What did you get other than wounded? Think of the danger she presents! You have heard about what she did to Vvardenfell. She is upsetting the natural order of things. Can you bear the guilt on your soul when she destroys again, knowing that you were the one able to prevent this?"

*





"I had no friends, no family, until I came here. I could never hurt Loranna....never." His voice quavered.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 06:15 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 06:10 PM)

"I had no friends, no family, until I came here. I could never hurt Loranna....never." His voice quavered.

*




"And did she treat you like a family member, Isidor?", the cloaked figure asked. "Has she been truly kind? She is a deceiver, soft-spoken, yet hard as a knife's steel. Look at her. She's a Nord, but she has the skin of a Dunmer. She's cursed."

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 06:20 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 12:15 PM)

"And did she treat you like a family mamber, Isidor?", the cloaked figure asked. "Has she been truly kind? She is a deceiver, soft-spoken, yet hard as a knife's steel. Look at her. She's a Nord, but she has the skin of a Dunmer. She's cursed."

*






"No, you lie. You decive. Actions speak louder than words." He threw himself backwards, hoping to knock the figure backwards.

Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 06:22 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 12:20 PM)

"No, you lie. You decive. Actions speak louder than words." He threw himself backwards, hoping to knock the figure backwards.

*





Shaka stirred from meditation. What was that thump from down the hall? He unfolded to his feet.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 06:23 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 06:20 PM)

"No, you lie. You decive. Actions speak louder than words." He threw himself backwards, hoping to knock the figure backwards.

*




The figure half expected an attack, yet Isidor managed to hit him, though not with full force. The figure tumbled back against a chair which toppled over with a loud noise. The assassin hissed threateningly, yet nimbly caught himself and closed in on Isidor trying to get on him before the Nord could reach his axe. A nasty looking curved shortblade shone in his right hand.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 06:24 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 12:23 PM)

The figure half expected an attack, yet Isidor managed to hit him, though not with full force. The figure tumbled back against a chair which toppled over with a loud noise. The assassin hissed threateningly, yet nimbly caught himself and closed in on Isidor trying to get on him before the Nord could reach his axe. A nasty looking curved shortblade shone in his right hand.

*





Isidor knew it was pointless to struggle. "If you kill me, who will kill Loranna?"

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 06:28 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 06:24 PM)

Isidor knew it was pointless to strugle. "If you kill me, who will kill Loranna?"

*




"You already know too much and you have refused twice. I am no fool. You will die, there are other ways... You are a minor piece of the game. A dead minor piece.", the figure hissed, then slashed out against Isidor, the gleaming blade directly aimed at the Nord's throat.


Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 06:30 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 12:28 PM)

"You already know too much and you have refused twice. I am no fool. You will die, there are other ways... You are a minor piece of the game. A dead minor piece.", the figure hissed, then slashed out against Isidor, the gleaming blade directly aimed at the Nord's throat.

*





Isidor shoved the attacker backwards, and grabbed his axe.

Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 06:35 PM


Shaka was in the hallway. His hearing was keen enough to tell him something was up in Isidor's room. He spoke the words for Bound Mace. The flanged daedric mace took shape in his right hand.

Isidor's going to be mad if I'm wrong, he thought, and gestured in the spell of Ondusi's Unhinging. It struck the door with enough force to knock it inward, off its hinges.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 06:42 PM

Edited.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 06:43 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 06:30 PM)

Isidor shoved the attacker backwards, and grabbed his axe.

*




The assassin expected Isidor to duck or dive for his weapon, as this would have been the most logical movement. But combat was not logical at times. Thus, the blade did not hit Isidor's throat as intended, but ripped through the clothes and scratched his shoulders. Isidor could feel the wound burning, as poison began to flow through his veins.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 06:48 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 12:43 PM)

The assassin expected Isidor to duck or dive for his weapon, as this would have been the most logical movement. But combat was not logical at times. Thus, the blade did not hit Isidor's throat as intended, but ripped through the clothes and scratched his shoulders. Isidor could feel the wound burning, as poison began to flow through his veins.

*





He swore, loudly, and tried to do somthing, anything to his arm. Shaka burst into the room, saving Isidor's life.

Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 06:49 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 12:43 PM)

The assassin expected Isidor to duck or dive for his weapon, as this would have been the most logical movement. But combat was not logical at times. Thus, the blade did not hit Isidor's throat as intended, but ripped through the clothes and scratched his shoulders. Isidor could feel the wound burning, as poison began to flow through his veins.

*





Running over the door, Shaka swung the bound mace at the assailant, trying to break his collarbone or shoulder before he could wound Isidor again.

Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 07:02 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 06:49 PM)

Running over the door, Shaka swung the bound mace at the assailant, trying to break his collarbone or shoulder before he could wound Isidor again.

*




Seeing that Isidor was out of the battle now, the cloaked assassin turned towards the Argonian. Just in time, as it seems. With a nimble motion, he was able to turn away so that the blow struck him only on his left arm, but only parts of the force could be deflected by his leather armour. The sound of a bone breaking under the blow could be heard.

The assassin cried in dismay, then slashed out with his dagger, hoping that he would be able to hit Shaka's mace-wielding arm to disable him.

Posted by: Loranna Jul 17 2005, 07:08 PM

The fight in Isidor's room moved with brutal speed - yet by now the booted feet of a guard or three could be heard charging towards the fray.

"There is no escape!" one guard yells, albiet prematurely.


Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 07:12 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 01:02 PM)


The assassin cried in dismay, then slashed out with his dagger, hoping that he would be able to hit Shaka's mace-wielding arm to disable him.

*





Shaka felt a searing line cut through the tendons and muscles of his right arm. His heart speeded up as the poison tried to take effect, but he stayed on his feet. Must have been quite a poison on that blade, he thought.

The arm with the Bound mace was out of action now. He called up the Bound punch dagger on his left arm. Ten inches of daedric blade took shape, the handle across his left palm and secondary handles on either side of his wrist.

His heart thudding, Shaka backed up for the moment.



Posted by: Nalion Jul 17 2005, 07:16 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 17 2005, 07:08 PM)

The fight in Isidor's room moved with brutal speed - yet by now the booted feet of a guard or three could be heard charging towards the fray.

"There is no escape!" one guard yells, albiet prematurely.

*




The assassin cursed upon hearing the guards and gave a quick look around. The window was shut, so there was noc hance in quickly making a flight to it, the only exit was the door.

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 07:12 PM)

Shaka felt a searing line cut through the tendons and muscles of his right arm.  His heart speeded up as the poison tried to take effect, but he stayed on his feet.  Must have been quite a poison on that blade, he thought.

The arm with the Bound mace was out of action now.  He called up the Bound punch dagger on his left arm.  Ten inches of daedric blade took shape, the handle across his left palm and secondary handles on either side of his wrist.

His heart thudding,  Shaka backed up for the moment.

*




The dark figure launched an attack at Shaka, now more desperately to get past the Argonian and through the door before the guards would be there. Another slash of the dagger aimed directly at the battlemage's heart.


Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 07:22 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 17 2005, 01:16 PM)

The assassin cursed upon hearing the guards and gave a quick look around. The window was shut, so there was noc hance in quickly making a flight to it, the only exit was the door.

The dark figure launched an attack at Shaka, now more desperately to get past the Argonian and through the door before the guards would be there. Another slash of the dagger aimed directly at the battlemage's heart.

*





Shaka twisted to the side, giving less of a target, and lashed his tail against the assailant's arm. When the dagger had been deflected enough, Shaka stepped in and drove the punch dagger into the throat of the assassin.

Damn it, he thought, I wanted to take him alive . . . . Shaka ran over to Isidor to see if he could stabilize him.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 07:24 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 01:22 PM)

Shaka twisted to the side, giving less of a target, and lashed his tail against the assailant's arm.  When the dagger had been deflected enough, Shaka stepped in and drove the punch dagger into the throat of the assassin.

Damn it, he thought, I wanted to take him alive .  .  . .  Shaka ran over to Isidor to see if he could stabilize him.

*




Isidor was sitting, propped up against a bookcase, blood trickiling down from his arm. "Ya got that bastard, eh, Shaka?" He laughed and said "The blade was poisoned, ya got anything for that?"

Posted by: Loranna Jul 17 2005, 07:27 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 01:24 PM)

Isidor was sitting, propped up against a bookcase, blood trickiling down from his arm. "Ya got that bastard, eh, Shaka?" He laughed and said "The blade was poisoned, ya got anything for that?"

*





The two guards arrive, in time to see the cooling body of the assassin and Shaka and Isidor, both looking a bit worse for wear, but alive.

" ... B'Vehk, Dram'll be sore at hearing we showed up too late ..." one guard mutters, as a blond-haired figure dashes in, deftly avoiding the nettled second guard.

"What happened?" Loranna demands, looking over the now way-crowded room. Seeing Isidor and Shaka, she says "Who was that?", her hands glowing with light blue magic.


Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 07:28 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 01:24 PM)

Isidor was sitting, propped up against a bookcase, blood trickiling down from his arm. "Ya got that bastard, eh, Shaka?" He laughed and said "The blade was poisoned, ya got anything for that?"

*





"Guards, in here!" called out Shaka. "Hang on, Nord .... " Shaka used the Heal Companion spell to keep Isidor from going downhill any more, but Isidor would need more healing.


" ... B'Vehk, Dram'll be sore at hearing we showed up too late ..." one guard mutters, as a blond-haired figure dashes in, deftly avoiding the nettled second guard.

"What happened?" Loranna demands, looking over the now way-crowded room. Seeing Isidor and Shaka, she says "Who was that?", her hands glowing with light blue magic.


"Help Isidor first, my Lady," said Shaka. "Another assassin, with a poisoned blade."




Posted by: Loranna Jul 17 2005, 07:37 PM

The guards, making themselves as useful as they can, remove the assassin's body from the room; one comments "Least this time we got the fetcher; too bad he's in no shape to talk though ..."

"We got the fetcher?" the second guard asks, his merrish eyebrows raising.

"Well okay - they got the fetcher," the first mutters defensively. "The important thing is he's been got ..."

"It'll be a wonder if the Lady keeps any of us guards on after this month," the second sighs, as the two walk out of earshot.

Loranna, meanwhile, kneels down by Isidor, a Cure Poison spell clensing his body of the assasin's toxins and a Heal True spell knitting rent flesh and muscle back together, to leave the Nord good as new. She then turns to Shaka, her expression grim.

"Your turn," she says, casting healing spells on the Argonian.


Posted by: f15tray22 Jul 17 2005, 07:39 PM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jul 17 2005, 04:45 AM)

Reichi merely shook his head, having been jolted awake from the nap he had taken on the table when the tavern started shaking. He looked around the shaken tavern and shrugged. "What is with this group and taverns?" he muttered, remebering the 'Spotted Owl and Noble Seamstress' Tavern in White Haven, High Rock. Of how it had been destroyed when the group had their first altercation with Wayrest. Not to mention it being the time most of the old group learned of Reichi's lycanthropy. Luckily, only that one Redguard had thrown a fireball at him.

Of course, Reichi did remeber Samson's threat of violence for Reichi's rather uncouth retrieval of his ring from the man, and smirked at that, before standing and walking out of the Tavern.

*





Thom was still standing in the crowds, looking at the tavern, when he saw Reichi exit. Thom pushed his way through the crowd and approached him. "Hello, my friend. What started this commotion?"

Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 07:42 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 17 2005, 01:37 PM)


Loranna, meanwhile, kneels down by Isidor, a Cure Poison spell clensing his body of the assasin's toxins and a Heal True spell knitting rent flesh and muscle back together, to leave the Nord good as new.  She then turns to Shaka, her expression grim.

"Your turn," she says, casting healing spells on the Argonian.

*





"Thanks," he said as the flesh and scales healed. "Isidor will have to tell you what happened; I only know that I heard a struggle and investigated . . .."

Posted by: Loranna Jul 17 2005, 07:46 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 01:42 PM)

"Thanks," he said as the flesh and scales healed.  "Isidor will have to tell you what happened;  I only know that I heard a struggle and investigated . . .."

*





Loranna turns to Isidor, her eyes smouldering.

There were too many people lately breaking into her castle; it was time to sit down with Dram and others and start making sure her home was some sort of safe haven.

Maybe this is Raithmat's doing ... she wonders briefly. I'll have to have the wards checked too while we're at it.

Posted by: syronj Jul 17 2005, 07:55 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 17 2005, 01:46 PM)

Loranna turns to Isidor, her eyes smouldering.

There were too many people lately breaking into her castle; it was time to sit down with Dram and others and start making sure her home was some sort of safe haven.

Maybe this is Raithmat's doing ... she wonders briefly.  I'll have to have the wards checked too while we're at it.

*





Shaka was conscious that he was wearing only pants from his meditation session, and stood up. "I'll get dressed and come back," he said.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 17 2005, 10:31 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 17 2005, 01:46 PM)

Loranna turns to Isidor, her eyes smouldering.

There were too many people lately breaking into her castle; it was time to sit down with Dram and others and start making sure her home was some sort of safe haven.

Maybe this is Raithmat's doing ... she wonders briefly.  I'll have to have the wards checked too while we're at it.

*






"Hey, Loranna." He coughs "It was the same man I told you of, that broke into my cell. He attacked me when I refused to kill you. Luckily, Shaka came in and saved me. Thanks for the healing." He rises to his feet, only to walk to his bed. "I'll need a bit of a rest."

Posted by: Aki Jul 18 2005, 12:24 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 17 2005, 01:39 PM)

Thom was still standing in the crowds, looking at the tavern, when he saw Reichi exit. Thom pushed his way through the crowd and approached him. "Hello, my friend. What started this commotion?"

*





"Some crazy Dunmer writing on the table muttering something to the effect of 'Tavern shake and tavern fall'," Reichi replied. "I honestly didn't know one could do that with magicka and daggers."

Posted by: Argonians rule Jul 18 2005, 02:26 AM

OOC: Finally finished reading those 10 pages. Then I see 3 more on this thread and I had to read through those.

IC: Falco was asleep in his room when all the commotion awoke him. He left his room yawning and jogged to the source of the noise.

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 03:23 AM

Back in his room, Shaka splashed some water onto his face from a pitcher and basin, to cut some of the sweat. He donned a tunic and Glass greaves, deciding to leave the Dragonbone Cuirass in the armoire for now.

Shaka returned to the corridor near Isidor's room to see how many people were still at the scene of the fight.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 18 2005, 05:02 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 09:23 PM)

Back in his room, Shaka splashed some water onto his face from a pitcher and basin, to cut some of the sweat.  He donned a tunic and Glass greaves, deciding to leave the Dragonbone Cuirass in the armoire for now.

Shaka returned to the corridor near Isidor's room to see how many people were still at the scene of the fight.

*




Isidor was sitting on his bed, his mind still reeling. He saw Shaka enter the room, and he rose to his feet, his arm still a bit tender. He walked over to Shaka and hugged him, like only a Nord could and said "I owe you one, Shaka. You saved my life."


Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 05:06 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 11:02 PM)

Isidor was sitting on his bed, his mind still reeling. He saw Shaka enter the room, and he rose to his feet, his arm still a bit tender. He walked over to Shaka and hugged him, like only a Nord could and said "I owe you one, Shaka. You saved my life."

*






Shaka was unable to speak for a second, from emotion. At last he said, "No problem, Isidor. You would have done the same for the rest of us."



Posted by: Stargazey Jul 18 2005, 05:11 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 11:06 PM)

Shaka was unable to speak for a second, from emotion.  At last he said, "No problem, Isidor.  You would have done the same for the rest of us."

*




"I would have, and knowing events around these parts, I probably will have to." He winked at Shaka and said "Intrested in a drink?".

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 05:13 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 11:11 PM)

"I would have, and knowing events around these parts, I probably will have to." He winked at Shaka and said "Intrested in a drink?".

*





"Why not, if the Lady is done with us for now. Let's see how many of the group are still at the tavern."

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 18 2005, 05:15 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 11:13 PM)

"Why not, if the Lady is done with us for now.  Let's see how many of the group are still at the tavern."

*




Isidor clapped him on the shoulder and hooked his axe into his belt. "I'll meet you down there, with anyone you can round up."

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 05:21 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 11:15 PM)

Isidor clapped him on the shoulder and hooked his axe into his belt. "I'll meet you down there, with anyone you can round up."

*





Shaka knocked on Anya's door, then Falco's, but they didn't seem to be in. Maybe they're at the tavern, he thought. Leaving the cuirass in his room, he started out for there.

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 18 2005, 05:24 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 11:21 PM)

Shaka knocked on Anya's door, then Falco's, but they didn't seem to be in.  Maybe they're at the tavern, he thought.  Leaving the cuirass in his room, he started out for there.

*




Isidor was sitting at the bar, drinking mead and eating some guar jerky. He was chatting with the barkeep, about the day's events. "So, the tavern just started to shake?"

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 05:27 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 17 2005, 11:24 PM)

Isidor was sitting at the bar, drinking mead and eating some guar jerky. He was chatting with the barkeep, about the day's events. "So, the tavern just started to shake?"

*





An earthquake, here? thought Shaka. Now that he looked at some of the walls, he thought he saw cracks that hadn't been there before. But he hadn't felt tremors at the castle . . . .

"Beer, a stout if you have it," said the Argonian.







Posted by: Stargazey Jul 18 2005, 05:30 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 17 2005, 11:27 PM)

An earthquake, here? thought Shaka.  Now that he looked at some of the walls, he thought he saw cracks that hadn't been there before.  But he hadn't felt tremors at the castle .  .  . .

"Beer, a stout if you have it," said the Argonian.

*





The barkeep replied by filling a tankard and passing it down to Shaka. "Yeah, and then that Breton...Nalioon, or some such, came in and said something and it all stopped. Weirdest thing I've ever seen." A customer demanded his attention, so he turned away, leaving Isidor and Shaka at the bar.

OOC: Night, everyone. John, feel free to put words in my mouth. action-smiley-030.gif

Posted by: Argonians rule Jul 18 2005, 06:11 AM

Falco entered the tavern and sat next to Isidor. "Well from what I can gather from the guards you two put up quite a fight. But err.. don't tell Loranna I'm here or she'll have my head for not discussing this security break with Dram."

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 06:15 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 18 2005, 12:11 AM)

Falco entered the tavern and sat next to Isidor. "Well from what I can gather from the guards you two put up quite a fight. But err.. don't tell Loranna I'm here or she'll have my head for not discussing this security break with Dram."

*





"Maybe you can in the morning," said Shaka, passing Falco a wooden bowl. "Try these dried fish, they're not bad here."

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 18 2005, 04:15 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 18 2005, 12:15 AM)

"Maybe you can in the morning," said Shaka, passing Falco a wooden bowl.  "Try these dried fish, they're not bad here."

*




Isidor ate his jerky and greeted Falco with a nod and a grunt. After he had swallowed, he said to Falco "Hail, Falco. Me and Shaka were just enjoying some food and drink."

Posted by: Xyber02 Jul 18 2005, 07:53 PM

Waking up from her booth in the corner, Anya remembered what happen with the earthquake. I thought I said I wouldn't over do it this time.

Seeing Shaka, Isidor, and Falco, she walked over. "Hello, all. You look just as weary as me, but I doubt it's for the same reason."

Posted by: Argonians rule Jul 18 2005, 07:55 PM

Falco merely tossed her a flin and continued drinking his brandy.

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 07:57 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Jul 18 2005, 01:53 PM)

Waking up from her booth in the corner, Anya remembered what happen with the earthquake. I thought I said I wouldn't over do it this time.

Seeing Shaka, Isidor, and Falco, she walked over. "Hello, all. You look just as weary as me, but I doubt it's for the same reason."

*





Shaka noted the mussed hair on the pert Bosmer. "Hi, sis. Pull up a chair."

"So you were around when all hell broke loose? The group has been telling me about it . . .."

Posted by: Xyber02 Jul 18 2005, 08:02 PM

"Well, I was sitting at the bar when it happened. I looked around, and the only person not confused by the earthquake was some s'wit carving into the table, chanting something. I didn't get a good look at him, and eventually it stopped. Loranna investigated it last night, I think, she might know more about it. What happened to Isidor there, he looks a little worse for wear this morning."

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 08:07 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Jul 18 2005, 02:02 PM)

"Well, I was sitting at the bar when it happened. I looked around, and the only person not confused by the earthquake was some s'wit carving into the table, chanting something. I didn't get a good look at him, and eventually it stopped. Loranna investigated it last night, I think, she might know more about it. What happened to Isidor there, he looks a little worse for wear this morning."

*





"Isidor was attacked by another assassin, an Imperial. Luckily I was able to finish him off. Iz tells me the assassin was trying to play mind games with him first, turn him against Loranna."

Shaka mused out loud. "I wonder ... Helseth used to employ the Dark Brotherhood. Intrigue and manipulation like this are his specialty. Could he want Loranna out of the way?

I thought her lands were too small to be a threat to him, but there's the whole abolition of slavery experiment . . . . Anyway, I don't have enough facts to go on. We'll have to check back with the Lady."

Posted by: Xyber02 Jul 18 2005, 08:18 PM

"I've only heard spatterings of Helseth and the Dark Brotherhood. Mostly when I did a stint as an assassin myself. Though I do prefer how the Morag Tong hold themselves to some sort of code, I prefer a straight-out appoach. Even if done in a stealthy manner, less pain on my part you know. I'll never understand these mind games people seem so fond of." Shaking her head, she went back to her drink.

Posted by: f15tray22 Jul 18 2005, 08:42 PM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jul 17 2005, 05:24 PM)

"Some crazy Dunmer writing on the table muttering something to the effect of 'Tavern shake and tavern fall'," Reichi replied. "I honestly didn't know one could do that with magicka and daggers."

*




"Well, I never used magicka enough to like it. Why is there always someone who wants to mess up the norm?" Thom watched as the crowds slowly broke apart. "Well, I am going back to my camp. Goodbye." As he said those words, Thom turned and headed north torward his camp.

Posted by: Aki Jul 18 2005, 08:54 PM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 18 2005, 02:42 PM)

"Well, I never used magicka enough to like it. Why is there always someone who wants to mess up the norm?" Thom watched as the crowds slowly broke apart. "Well, I am going back to my camp. Goodbye." As he said those words, Thom turned and headed north torward his camp.

*




Reichi nodded to Thom as he walked off.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jul 18 2005, 09:27 PM

Tibedetha, 24th Mid Year, the feast of Tiber Septim

Solunastra:


"Be brave, Tamne," Allerleirauh said. "It's the only way to protect the sanctity of this house from King Gothryd's investigations, the only way to keep Sen-Yedda safe while both Master Solin and I are away. Master Arynel is powerful but he cannot be everywhere at once. Master Solin is already gone, and I go to join him now."

"If it will keep Sen-Yedda safe, then you have to do it," Tamne, the little Azurite child, said decisively. She was a great admirer of her tiny foster sister. "Will it hurt?"

"No, darling. No pain. Just like sleeping."

Allerleirauh kissed the child's forehead, pulled the covers up around her, and left the room. Dragon, no longer her seneschal but still her oldest friend, met her in the hallway.

"How would you know?" Dragon said quietly. "What it feels like. You've never done it yourself, never been shut inside a box like a child's toy after the child is grown and gone. It might be very painful."

"There are different kinds of pain," Allerleirauh said. "I can't say that I'm looking forward to being alone in a new place, helpless and ignorant."

"You won't be alone. You are never as lonely as you like to pretend; people trip over themselves to risk everything for you. And Tris can run messages for us."

"I know. He's neither one nor the other, not fish nor fowl nor good red herring, not a master yet but far more than a slave. It gives him a certain mobility."

"Mobility is my middle name," Tris said, appearing from nowhere beside them. The others did not look startled; they were Void Rangers too. "I think we're secure here, I've checked everything."

"You're not afraid?" Dragon asked.

"Who, me?" Tris said. "It's exciting."

"Ciel?" Allie asked him.

"Dreaming already," Tris said. To tell the truth, seeing Ciel asleep had frightened him. His utter stillness reminded Tris too much of the time Ciel had lain dead in the Vaults of Gemin; it was that moment which had led to this present contingency.

"All right; let's do this," Allerleirauh said.

"And so Sleeping Beauty escapes from the rose-bound castle like a bird from a snare," Dragon said, postponing the moment. "All that time while the courtiers and the cooks and the footmen and the mice lingered in torpor, she was off having grand adventures in another place. Who knew?"

"Beauty was an expert at keeping other people's noses out of her business," Allerleirauh said, smiling a tight little smile. "Can you imagine the dither if she had told her parents she meant to wait a hundred years for the perfect prince?

"All right. It's time. The clock is striking midnight and you all turn into pumpkins. Good night, old dear."

She kissed Dragon, tried to tell him with her eyes that she appreciated his sacrifice. He told her with his eyes that no, she didn't, but that was all right too, he understood and his loyalty would not falter.

*



Outside in Septim Square, a detachment of soldiers from the castle approached the four great houses flanking the square. The four manors were identical in every detail but the color of their trim, the largest, grandest private houses in the city of Daggerfall, just down the road from Castle Daggerfall, astride the Royal Road which led from the castle to the sea.

One house was vacant and for sale. Another, having seen better days, had been subdivided into smaller apartments rented by less wealthy people. The third was owned by a rich widowed noblewoman who prefered town to her country estate.

The fourth house was Solunastra, the guildhouse of a brotherly association of adventurers, chartered under kingdom and Imperial law as a charitable foundation. It was this guildhouse, its grounds, and its associated school for orphan children, which the soldiers had been instructed to inspect.

The marching men reached the doorway. Above their heads, the sun, moon, and star banner of Solunastra hung perfectly still, despite the playful breeze.

"This house contains nothing of interest," the officer in charge reported. The column of men turned and went away.

Posted by: Arynel Jul 18 2005, 09:42 PM

In the mountains overlooking Ald Raathim sat a cloaked Breton upon a rock, who, with a start, tilted up his head with delight, as would a bird who first sings to the rising sun.

“I feel in my heart beauty is weaving like a thread through the world even now, and for this I am grateful.”


Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 11:18 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Jul 18 2005, 02:18 PM)

"I've only heard spatterings of Helseth and the Dark Brotherhood. Mostly when I did a stint as an assassin myself. Though I do prefer how the Morag Tong hold themselves to some sort of code, I prefer a straight-out appoach. Even if done in a stealthy manner, less pain on my part you know. I'll never understand these mind games people seem so fond of." Shaking her head, she went back to her drink.

*





"We're all looking pretty ragged right now," said Shaka. "Maybe we should hit the castle baths, then get some sleep for tomorrow. A sauna and cold pool might get some of the flin out." Shaka put a tip down for the barmaid.

Posted by: Argonians rule Jul 18 2005, 11:34 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Jul 18 2005, 10:18 AM)

"I've only heard spatterings of Helseth and the Dark Brotherhood. Mostly when I did a stint as an assassin myself. Though I do prefer how the Morag Tong hold themselves to some sort of code, I prefer a straight-out appoach. Even if done in a stealthy manner, less pain on my part you know. I'll never understand these mind games people seem so fond of." Shaking her head, she went back to her drink.

*




"Helseth eh? I doubt he sent assassins. He's quite powerhungry yes but I don't think he sees Loranna as a threat to the throne. He simply wouldn't have anything to gain by it. All it would lead to is hostilities beetween the monarchy and Dres and the last thing he needs right now is another enemy added to his gowing list. He's quite pro-imperial and thus probably prefers the abolition movement. That won't motivate him enough to kill Loranna. I'll bet that assassin was sent by a rival Drs noble, who wants her out of the way."

Posted by: syronj Jul 18 2005, 11:58 PM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 18 2005, 05:34 PM)

"Helseth eh? I doubt he sent assassins. He's quite powerhungry yes but I don't think he sees Loranna as a threat to the throne. He simply wouldn't have anything to gain by it. All it would lead to is hostilities beetween the monarchy and Dres and the last thing he needs right now is another enemy added to his gowing list. He's quite pro-imperial and thus probably prefers the abolition movement. That won't motivate him enough to kill Loranna. I'll bet that assassin was sent by a rival Dres noble, who wants her out of the way."

*





"You've got a point, Falco," admitted Shaka. "Either Dres nobles other than Minsero, whom I've heard approved of Loranna, or some other faction outside of the Dres then."

Posted by: Loranna Jul 19 2005, 01:40 AM

Late into the evening of the attempt on Isidor's life, the Lady of Daruhn sits alone in the castle's herb garden, barefoot and seated cross-legged by a recent addition to the garden - a sprig still sending down roots and not yet flowered enough to be anything recognizable, distinctive only in a slight silver tint to the otherwise green stick.

Her journal in her lap, a light spell glowing softly overhead, Loranna begins to write:

===

Loranna's Journal

I miss Tris.

I miss most everyone at Solunastra, really, but Tris stands out in my mind even more than Allie this night. I miss his smile, his laugh, the way we'd flirt with one another, knowing we both had found the loves of our lives but liking the game of flirting too much to pass up a chance to play, especially with someone who understood ... I miss being able to talk with him, hear him make ideas that confounded me when spoken by others simple and almost painfully evident, tell me things I ought and need to know with the simple directness of a friend who isn't afraid to smack you on the back of the head to get you to listen, because you're good enough friends that you both know it's meant for the good.

... I also miss his sneaky little mind and his greater familiarity with the ins and outs of cunning and manipulative people; Dibella knows I could use a bit of that right now ...

We talked most of the night already, discussing plans to tighten security and figure out who might be behind some of these recent attacks. Isidor's attacker is dead, nothing on him which could point to a hidden hand beyond his own self guiding his actions - nothing to be found there. The Dunmer in chitin with the glowing dagger was gone before anyone could get more than a brief description of him - no one recognizes him, no one knows who might have sent him. Dram, Kallen, and I have listed the obvious suspects already - someone in the House looking to get rid of the only free domain in the land, maybe Helseth if disrupting Ald Raathim somehow worked to his advantage (just trying to figure out how that could work has left me with a throbbing ache in my head for the past few hours), just someone who, like Plaas, wants revenge for the events of the Parade and the Blue Dawn, and who isn't afraid to take their vengeance out on the people of Daruhn in the process ...

... I feel constrained; there is little I can do without some idea of who I'm dealing with. Right now, about all I can do is go over the castle once more, make it as secure as I can manage - time for Falco to start earning his keep. The town ... I've already instructed Dram to have the guards pay extra attention around our most vital buildings, and he's told me in his calm and polite way that we're asking an awful lot of the guards we have right now, but he'd see to it. May need to hire a few more guards.

The mysterious Dunmer with the glowing dagger ... well, the Mage Guild may not know much more than Nalion does about the magic he used to nearly shake the tavern down, but I'll be asking them and him just the same, and I'm not wholly without connections to press for information about this Dunmer. He may have been seen before, elsewhere; if he has, I shall find out, sooner or later.

I do miss Tris though; being able to ignore the laws of reality and just dash off wherever and pass right through walls has never seemed so tempting as now. And I really would like to talk to him about the opposite of innocence which he wields before going back to my confessor and seeing if I've actually learned what he wanted me to learn.

===

Loranna pauses in her writing, and looks over at the sprouting sprig; for a few moments, she stares at it, the scents of the herbs around her wafting into her nostrils, the colors around her filling the periphery of her vision. A smile comes to her face as memories dance in her mind and she closes her eyes, breathing in deeply, then opens her eyes and looks up, her tearstreaks shining in the diffuse light.

She takes up her pen once again:

===

Since when has life been easy girl? Don't despair; it's always been the difficult times that let us shine like lovely stars.

===

She doesn't write it down, but in the back of her mind, despite enjoying the moment for what it was, she found she still missed Tris.

Posted by: syronj Jul 19 2005, 02:05 AM

Shaka threw more water onto the sauna's rocks and sat back on the bench, closing his eyes. They probably think I'm insane for taking the Spear along in here, he thought wryly. He didn't really think an assassin would try again so soon, but better safe than sorry . . . .

Thinking of all the pressures on Loranna this past month, Shaka thought for some reason of the old adage: the gods send burdens, but they also give shoulders to bear them.

Did Shaka even believe in the gods, really? Sometimes he wasn't sure. The ghosts who guarded tombs were no better than the steam automatons of the dwemer; why should he believe in an afterlife after seeing such creatures?



Posted by: f15tray22 Jul 19 2005, 02:28 AM

Thom walked throught the edge of the forest until reaching his small campsite. He saw the fire had gone out long before, so he began to gather wood, up until he remebered the assassination attempt at this very place. Thom quickly dissected his tent, gathered all his belongings, and set off to find another camp. It only took about twenty mintues to find a useable area just hidden from town, and to start to set up. Thom decided to make it a quick camp, not near as elaborate as his previous one and quickly laid down a single blanket, setting his other things aside. He also thought that a natural structure would do better than a tent, considering the circumstances, and quickly gathered some fallen logs and pilled them. Taking his time, Thom made a small structure consisting of logs tied together, with one end on the ground and the other held up by larger logs. Thom then put broken branches on top to make it seen more natural. After an hour or so, Thom stood and looked at what he had made. It made him laugh. "Not very good, but okay for the time you put in it." he thought. It was hidden from most people's view, but some creatures and prespective persons could make it out. With that, Thom sat down below the make-shift lean-to and looked into the forest.

Posted by: Jakut Jul 19 2005, 04:19 AM

He couldn't move. He couldn't see. He was numb. And whatever he was laying on was damn uncomfortable. But now, there was something different. A horizontal sliver of light expanding in the center of his view. It didn't take him long to realize his eyes were opening. The numbness subsided quickly, and he suddenly became aware that he remembered nothing. Not his name, not where he was, not where he came from, not even why his head hurt so horribly. And he still couldn't move.

His eyes were almost fully opened now, but he couldn't make out what he was looking at. Everything was blurry. Didryn. That was his name. He knew that now. He remembered that his family and childhood friends were all dead. He didn't remember why, though. He could now make out a smell. Some kind of meat. Overcooked, burning meat. And now, voices. Two voices, both male. One was premature and weak. The other was masculine, deep. And the more mature voice appeared to be scolding the younger one. Yelling, actually.

Azurites. Headstones. Aahnslei. Words began entering his mind at an alarming rate. He did not realize the signifigance of them as of yet, however. Aahnslei. That one seemed to be the most tender memory. Sister. Aahnslei was his sister. Headstones. That one suddenly was connected to the others. Aahnslei is dead. She was buried with a headstone. The Azurites killed her. Mother. Father. Village. Flames. Run. Ald Raathim. High Rock. Cemetary. Pain. His mother and father were also killed by the Azurites. As he sorted through the incoming memories, more and more anger brewed inside him. The Azurites burned down his village. He was forced to run to Ald Raathim. There he made acquaintances with whom he ventured to High Rock. They passed through a cemetary, which brought back the tender memories of his village. He passed out and now he was here.

He sat up and looked around, his vision fully restored. He was on a wooden cot, laden with straw and scraps of cloth. He became aware of a bandage around his head. He touched the bandage, sending a powerful sting through his entire body. He cried out in pain and fell to the floor. Two Dunmer came through the door and helped him back up onto his cot. The younger of the two cast a spell which numbed the pain. The older elf turned towards the pot from which the smell of burning meat was emitted. He looked in the pot and took it outside. The sound of the pot being emptied could be heard.

"Where am I?" Didryn asked the young Dunmer.

"Just outside Ald Raathim." The boy replied with the same premature voice Didryn had heard earlier. The boy had to be no older than 12.

"Really? Just outside? Why do you and your father not live in Ald Raathim?"

"He's my brother. Our father is dead. As is our mother. And we're farmers, so we need land to grow our crops on."

"Oh. My mother and father were killed as well when I was not much older than you." Didryn noticed the boy was tampering with the bandage around his head, but it did not hurt when he touched it. Perhaps because of the spell he cast. The boy then turned to a table with Didryn's bow and arrows on it. The boy handed them to Didryn and asked if they belonged to him. He explained how he and his brother had seen him collapsed in the cemetary and found the bow and arrows nearby. They then brought him all the way back to their home here. After the explanation, the boy handed Didryn a couple sticks of jerky and, soon after eating, Didryn thanked the boy and his brother, slung his bow and quiver over his shoulder and left the farmhouse. He was headed back to Ald Raathim.


Posted by: Argonians rule Jul 19 2005, 04:52 AM

After being dragged unhappily from the tavern to the castle by Dram, Falco spent the remainder of the day looking for how an intruder made his way into the castle. All the while muttering curses on Dram and his most distant family members when the Dunmer's back was turned.

Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jul 19 2005, 04:58 AM

Character Summaries

Issa Yojimbo is on Vvardenfel, looking for his family, and helping the needy survivors of Blue Dawn.

"Blood" Red is lurking...she's behind you!

Posted by: Stargazey Jul 19 2005, 05:52 PM

Edited.

Posted by: Tratarax Jul 19 2005, 05:57 PM

Tiberius Celsus finally could leave the ship and step onto the solid ground of Ald Raathim, after a long journey by a combination of teleportation, horseback, and ship. He had heard of Loranna and of what had happened at Red Mountain. He wanted to learn more about her and her version of the story. The most he had done back in Cyrodiil was write an obscure book on alchemy,Celsus's Guide to Alchemy, only 4 copies of it exist. He had also lately heard of rumors of a group of adventurers working for her... Perhaps he could also join up with them, as adventurers had a tendency of traveling to fascinating ruins and occasionally doing deeds that would be written in history books. Tiberius knew that history written from first hand experience is always the most accurate. He thought of his foolish colleagues who would laugh at the thought of "roughing it" out in the farthest reaches of Tamriel, content to write and rewrite the same books telling the same stories over and over again. Tiberius wanted the native perspective. He wanted to see real (as he thought of it) history in the making. He needed a place to stay, and found the only tavern in town. Tiberius went in and paid for a room. He needed some rest, so he decided to get some sleep.

Posted by: One87xe Jul 19 2005, 08:45 PM

* a cave outside Kvatch...*

"Is everyone assembled Olmicrin?" Rurio asked

"Yes Alpha, everyone is accounted for" Olmicrin explained

"Good...now listen up" Rurio roared

*...in the dank, musty cave a small fire burns...illuminating a small group of people...through the smoke the figure of Rurio can be seen...*

"Why bring us all this way Alpha?" asked a stringy looking Dunmer

"Simple...for a hunt of course" Rurio answered "for the Ansei One...and his companion" Rurio went on

"And what would be the purpose?" asked a small looking Nord fellow "No one in the short-lived history of our clan has survived engaging the Ansei...what makes today so different?"

"Before we hadn't known of any beast to survive against him...that was until recently" Rurio said "The Great White Wolf survived an engagment in High Rock...and we have word of where to find him"

"And where would that be?" a shadow asked suspiciously

"...a small town on Morrowind" Rurio answered "we have his name too: Reichi...I think a arrangement is in order, perhaps we can sway him to our side"

*...before Rurio could finish his sentence a stately looking Imperial stood up...*

"Allow this task to me Alpha!!" said the Imperial boastfully

"Trefist...always so quick to volunteer for a task...especially one as risky as this" Rurio continued "The town your going to is anything but safe"

"All I ask for is my chance, Alpha!!" Trefist growled

"Then the chance you shall have Trefist...go East...to Morrowind...to Ald Raathim" Rurio answered

*Trefist lets out a mighty roar as he takes on his wolf form and exits the cave...*

"Do you think he'll succeed Alpha?" asked Olmicrin

"I do hope not...no matter. By now the first group has reached Sutch and should be ripping the Ansei limb from limb" Rurio said smuggly

*...through the fog sets of blood-red eyes can be seen and low growling heard as they watch and wait for the optimum moment to strike their prey...even now inside the building known as "The Last Solarian Refuge" two figures can be made out...oblivious to the danger at hand...*

...editted for Typo Elf reasons...

Posted by: Argonians rule Jul 20 2005, 04:50 AM

edited

Posted by: Jakut Jul 20 2005, 05:15 AM

As Didryn entered through the gates of Ald Raathim, more memories of his childhood flowed back into his mind. He looked around, and decided he would try to find the tavern. He could spend some time there, waiting for his memory to fully recover. The spell the boy had cast on him at the farmhouse was beginning to wear off yet again, and his head began to ache. The boy was obviously no healer, but it did help for a while. As these thoughts crossed his mind, memories continued to stream into him. Suddenly, there was a memory of a quite skilled healer. A Nord. He couldn't place the name, and he could not see the healer in his mind's eye. Trying to remember just made his headache worse. He resisted the urge to tamper with the bandage, recalling the anguish it had caused him last time.

When he finally found his way to the tavern, he realized he had seen one or two faces he recognized on the way there. He couldn't remember where he recognized the faces from, and he didn't even know which faces he had recognized. Trying to figure that out made his headache worse, as well.

"I'll just have some water, please."

Posted by: Xyber02 Jul 20 2005, 09:04 PM

After cleaning up, Anya decided to practice archery some more. The dusk light helped provide a challenge, allowing her to actually practice to improve.

Why is this so confusing? she thought as she strummed her bowstring, Loronna seems to really want to help. If she is so compassionate now, why did she cause so much death and destruction? Is there more at work than a simple wood elf such as I can see? This is proving more difficult than I originaly thought.

Posted by: Loranna Jul 20 2005, 10:45 PM

In Loranna's study, the Lady of Daruhn looks over her reports.

Dram's and Falco's investigations had turned up frustratingly few leads on either the dead assassin or the still-at-large tavern shaker. The castle had been looked over from top to bottom, Dram and the guards even on Falco's insistance checking the castle's sewer system, but had not found any conclusive proof of how the assassin gained entry into the castle. Dram was of the opinion that the blackguard had simply used invisibility and waited until someone entered the castle, then snuck in after them. Dram also suggested, wryly, that Falco not be taken to investigate the sewers or the dungeons next time, unless Loranna was ready to drag him down herself.

"Still, he had a good point," Dram admitted. "There's parts of the castle people don't really pay attention to; someone could have come up through the sewers if they were desperate enough, and no one's really loked through the dungeons in their entirety since Raithmat. We can do something about that ..."

There were, in retrospect, several things they could do to further tighten security, which Dram outlined. Perhaps Slyvos could work on a small Dispel effect on the entrances to negate invisibility and chameleon effects. The sewers could have newer, stronger grates affixed to better deter interlopers. More guards, especially for the docks, town gates, and Mage Guild, to beetter monitor the comings and goings of people through Ald Raathim.

"All simple things, really," Dram noted. "Just they cost money and take some doing to implement. We're still growing; some of the older hands still tend to think we're the quiet little village and castle we were pre Dawn."

"We'll talk with Kallen," Loranna said, "get these measures implemented soon as possible."

Her correspondences had yet to turn up much more information regarding the perpetrators, though such inquiries by their very nature took time unless one made an effort - and used extrordinary means - to speed things along. Thus far her only responses were from Obael and Vendama, and the Mage Guild in Blacklight, and their responses both boiled down to the same message:

"We'll look into this matter of course and with all due speed ... oh, and have you heard the news from Mournhold? Rumor has it the King has taken quite ill." Obael's letter to her had included the comment "Twould be a shame if the new King were to pass away like the old one," and Loranna could almost imagine the slight grin that must have come onto Obael's handsome face as he wrote those lines.

Obael had also written some news about his own domain, and passed along news that a pack of werewolves had been heard down near the Black Marsh border - "Just something I thought an adventuresome woman such as yourself might be interested in," he had written, and Loranna once again could imagine the look on the young mer's face.

Loranna sighed, and turned her attention to her domain's finances; she was slowly getting better at grasping what was second nature to her senechael, but damn if it wasn't head-pounding at times ...


Posted by: syronj Jul 20 2005, 11:28 PM

Refreshed by the baths and a night's sleep, Shaka walked to Loranna's study and checked in with the Lady's guards.

"Dres Loranna," said Shaka, "This past month has been probably one of the fullest of my life. Between finding Seres, fighting on Vvardenfell, and the intrigues around Ald Raathim, we haven't had much chance to talk. I wondered if you could catch me up on a few questions . . . ."

Posted by: Loranna Jul 20 2005, 11:36 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 20 2005, 05:28 PM)

Refreshed by the baths and a night's sleep, Shaka walked to Loranna's study and checked in with the Lady's guards.

"Dres Loranna," said Shaka,  "This past month has been probably one of the fullest of my life.  Between finding Seres, fighting on Vvardenfell, and the intrigues around Ald Raathim,  we haven't had much chance to talk.  I wondered if you could catch me up on a few questions .  .  .  ."

*





Loranna looks over at Shaka, both slightly dismayed and yet slightly grateful for the distraction.

" ... What questions did you have, dear?" she asks, putting the paperwork aside and beckoning for a glass of cromberry wine. "Forgive the lack of Breton vintage; it may be a while before I can get another case and I'm hording the rest for now."


Posted by: syronj Jul 20 2005, 11:53 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 05:36 PM)

" ... What questions did you have, dear?" she asks, putting the paperwork aside and beckoning for a glass of cromberry wine.  "Forgive the lack of Breton vintage; it may be a while before I can get another case and I'm hording the rest for now."

*





"I'm not fussy, my Lady," he said, smiling. Shaka took the chair indicated and studied the dusky beauty for the moment, unsure where to begin. Loranna's ice-blue eyes had a tendency to distract one . . . .

I serve you from personal loyalty, he thought; at least, serve for now. But how did you come to this point? Are you another Almalexia; a destroyer of evil, but, as some have told me, with a terrible hidden aspect?

"You know that I was away from Vvardenfell during the time of its ... harrowing, I guess you could say. They tell me I missed something called the Parade, the Blue Dawn, and much else. I know that you began life as a barmaid with a would-be adventurer as a father . . . and you know I like Gram, by the way. I enjoy serving with people who don't have hidden agendas."

"I came back to Vvardenfell to find Caldera so buried by ash that if it weren't for the remains of the local castle, I wouldn't have been able to orient myself enough to help dig out. I've heard Ald'ruhn was so devastated that only a few people within Skar, a fossilized Emperor Crab shell, survived, and it still took several days just to dig them out. Most of Vvardenfell probably could tell a similar story."

Seeing the expression on her face, he hurried to add: "I do not blame you; it's not my place to judge anyone. If my life has taught me anything, it's how unimportant I am. Would I presume to look for morality from a flood or an earthquake?"

"I just thought ... Maybe you could tell me who Azura really was. My brush with the daedra, through Sheogorath, was brief but enough to give me a glimpse of how incomprehensible they are. . . ."

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 12:12 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 20 2005, 05:53 PM)

"I'm not fussy, my Lady," he said, smiling.  Shaka took the chair indicated and studied the dusky beauty for the moment, unsure where to begin.  Loranna's ice-blue eyes had a tendency to distract one .  .  . .

I serve you from personal loyalty, he thought;  at least, serve for now.  But how did you come to this point?  Are you another Almalexia;  a destroyer of evil, but, as some have told me, with a terrible hidden aspect?

"You know that I was away from Vvardenfell during the time of its  ... harrowing, I guess you could say.  They tell me I missed something called the Parade, the Blue Dawn, and much else.  I know that you began life as a barmaid with a would-be adventurer as a father .  .  .  and you know I like Gram, by the way.  I enjoy serving with people who don't have hidden agendas."

"I came back to Vvardenfell to find Caldera so buried by ash that if it weren't for the remains of the local castle, I wouldn't have been able to orient myself enough to help dig out.  I've heard Ald'ruhn was so devastated that only a few people within Skar, a fossilized Emperor Crab shell, survived, and it still took several days just to dig them out.  Most of Vvardenfell probably could tell a similar story."

Seeing the expression on her face, he hurried to add:  "I do not blame you;  it's not my place to judge anyone.  If my life has taught me anything, it's how unimportant I am.  Would I presume to look for morality from a flood or an earthquake?"

"I just thought ... Maybe you could tell me who Azura really was.  My brush with the daedra, through Sheogorath, was brief  but enough to give me a glimpse of how incomprehensible they are. .  .  ."

*





Shaka had slightly misread the look on Loranna's face; though she still felt a reflexive twinge when hearing how bad off Vvardenfell was right after Red Mountain went up, she had by now accepted that the eruption was unavoidable - and the fate for losing on that Hogithum was far greater than what had occured.

Loranna was simply impressed that one of her new companions had actually started asking about what had gone on back in the wild days; she had been expecting someone to approach her ever since the last trip to Vvardenfell.

"My father," Loranna says with a bit of a grin, "is a mule and a failure as a parent - but he is a likable mule and there are plenty of bad fathers in the world, so it's not like he's special in that regard. And I do love him dearly, even when he's being a pain."

"As for your question though ..." Loranna frowns. "A lot of what happened while Azura possessed me, I still only imperfectly understand. To describe her ... well, my friend put it nicely once, so let me go with that for now. Azura is the end of all things."

Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 12:23 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 06:12 PM)

"My father," Loranna says with a bit of a grin, "is a mule and a failure as a parent - but he is a likable mule and there are plenty of bad fathers in the world, so it's not like he's special in that regard.  And I do love him dearly, even when he's being a pain."

"As for your question though ..." Loranna frowns.  "A lot of what happened while Azura possessed me, I still only imperfectly understand.  To describe her ... well, my friend put it nicely once, so let me go with that for now.  Azura is the end of all things."

*





Shaka was silent at the implications of that. "I only knew of her as having Twilight as her realm, and there were scattered rumors that she backed the Nerevarine --- though maybe 'manipulated' is a better term, I'm starting to think.

So it's true then that, as with beings such as the old Tribunal, you can't say that mortals are 'trying to become gods', but instead, that Gods can take over mortals .... 'mantling' is it? Or do I understand wrongly?"

"Sometimes it sounds as if everything you went through was predestined. Maybe Vivec, Almalexia, and Sotha Sil were more than people who saw their chance at godhood --- they actually were the Anticipations, and played out their parts that were already written."

"In any event, let me recap my limited knowledge: Azura was stranded in our realm, and you became her (or vice versa); you went on the great Pilgrimage, or Parade; and Azura eventually showed her true colors . . . Or am I oversimplifying?"









Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 12:26 AM

Isidor was lying on his bed, trying to get to sleep, the assassins word still in his head. He had seen Falco, that smug bastard, walking around the grounds with Dram, like some high and mighty noble, not the dishonorable thief he was. Cursing, he turned over.

Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 12:32 AM

edited

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 12:41 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 20 2005, 06:23 PM)

Shaka was silent at the implications of that.  "I only knew of her as having Twilight as her realm, and there were scattered rumors that she backed the Nerevarine  --- though maybe 'manipulated' is a better term, I'm starting to think.

So it's true then that, as with beings such as the old Tribunal, you can't say that mortals are 'trying to become gods', but instead, that Gods can take over mortals .... 'mantling' is it?  Or do I understand wrongly?"

"Sometimes it sounds as if everything you went through was predestined.  Maybe Vivec, Almalexia, and Sotha Sil were more than people who saw their chance at godhood --- they actually were the Anticipations, and played out their parts that were already written."

"In any event, let me recap my limited knowledge:  Azura was stranded in our realm, and you became her (or vice versa);  you went on the great Pilgrimage, or Parade;  and Azura eventually showed her true colors . . .  Or am I oversimplifying?"

*





Loranna's expression becomes a mite pained.

"I only know about the Nerevarine through the stories people tell," Loranna says. "I don't pretend to know anything about her or him or her, other than to speculate that he or she was a hero in the end, no matter what."

"Understanding Azura - or any of the other Daedra - is easier if you have a background in Vivec's writings," she continues. "He says it best, really; the line that applies here most refers to the Daedra as the radical critique. My understanding of them is, they're not good or evil as we understand the terms - but they are inimical to mortals. Their aims and goals aren't conducive to happy lives here on Nirn."

"Mantling is not what Azura and I experienced," she says emphatically. "She possessed me - by my leave, yes, but it's most definitely not what Sotha Sil and the other Tribunal members did. I think Vivec went into this when he was put on trial a couple years back - I only have memories not my own of that event, and again stories from others."

"Your recap is ... a little garbled," Loranna concludes. "At Vivec's trial, he trapped Azura in her own Star and shattered it, weakening her severely and leaving her temporarily stranded on Nirn. She came to me and I let her use me as her vessel to regain her strength; the plan as I understood it in the very beginning was to return Azura to her people in Morrowind and have her reclaim her place as their goddess, and ..."

Loranna grimaces. " ... I had this grand idea that I'd help Azura learn more about mortals and become an even better goddess in the process, showing Vivec up and being the heroine and a lot of other foolish ideas - ideas I didn't let go of easily, sadly."


Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 01:04 AM


Shaka knew when he was out of his depth. "It looks as if I have a lot of catching up to do in the library as well, Dres Loranna. I don't think wanting to help people, to make a difference, was foolish -- I think it was human." This from a loner, Shaka thought to himself.

"So at some point, Azura created a new race, the blue-eyed Azurites who began as the members of any race, if I heard right; and who could summon Winged Twilights. You and your company of heroes defeated them. You had to destroy an immense soulgem that was connected to the Heart of Lorkhan to do it; and, though I don't understand it, you had to make another Dragon Break in the process. You shattered Time itself. Red Mountain erupted in the process, with what results we already know."

"Your companions of those days sound . . . " Shaka searched for a polite term other than frightening. " . . .impressive. A woman named Allerleirauh, for one. Was she really Vivec's lover, and as ancient as I've heard rumored? Arynel I can already sense is powerful, holding himself back when adventuring with us, like a father who withholds his strength when playing with infants."

How many of you demigods are there, thought Shaka with some sadness. He was badly out of his depth, but Loranna was worth this conversation.

"I won't keep you any longer, my Lady. Thank you."

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 01:20 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 20 2005, 07:04 PM)

Shaka knew when he was out of his depth.  "It looks as if I have a lot of catching up to do in the library as well, Dres Loranna.  I don't think wanting to help people, to make a difference, was foolish --  I think it was human."  This from a loner, Shaka thought to himself.

"So at some point, Azura created a new race, the blue-eyed Azurites who began as the members of any race, if I heard right;  and who could summon Winged Twilights.  You and your company of heroes defeated them.  You had to destroy an immense soulgem that was connected to the Heart of Lorkhan to do it;  and, though I don't understand it, you had to make another Dragon Break in the process.  You shattered Time itself.  Red Mountain erupted in the process, with what results we already know."

"Your companions of those days sound .  .  . " Shaka searched for a polite term other than frightening.  " . . .impressive.  A woman named Allerleirauh, for one.  Was she really Vivec's lover, and as ancient as I've heard rumored?  Arynel I can already sense is powerful, holding himself back when adventuring with us, like a father who withholds his strength when playing with infants."

How many of you demigods are there, thought Shaka with some sadness.  He was badly out of his depth, but Loranna was worth this conversation.

"I won't keep you any longer, my Lady.  Thank you."

*





"You're welcome, Shaka," Loranna says, " ... if you're thanking me for what I think you are."

Her expression grows serious for a moment. "There's a difference betwenn having half-baked ideas about making things better and being truly helpful," she says. "I had no clue what Azura really was when I agreed to let her possess me; having her inside me drove me nuts - I still can't completely trust any thought or memory I had during those days. At one point, I blithely whispered to the minds of children to encourage them to throw snowballs at their elders and sing about my coming, never stopping to think that the adults would see this as a demoness taking over their children - and when bloodshed occured, I blamed myself for the wrong reasons, not realizing just how much at fault I was for it."

"But yes; at the end of the Parade, I finally decided to renounce Azura, and called to be put on trial. During my opening speech, Azura told me flat out to toe her line and I refused; from there the rest is how you described, more or less."

She raises her eyebrows at Shaka's pregnant pause. "Let me guess - you had another word in mind initially," she says with a grin. "Allie was Vivec's lover, yes - and, uh, I would not quite phrase it as her being my compainon; if anything I would say I'm hers, now that I'm not her enemy. When you have a chance to meet her, you'll understand what I mean."

She frowns. "I'd even be a bit wary of saying my friend are my company of heroes - that's not how it works," she says. "Any more than you and the others are mine - people seem to gravitate to me, yes, but ..." She looks for the words. "We're friends," she finally says.

"You might want to talk with Arynel or Nalion about any further questions you have," Loranna urges. "Understand something; in many ways I know only a tiny bit more than you. What I've learned, has all been a mix of some studying, some talking with people much more knowledgeble than myself, some direct experience and a lot of trying to make sense of it all. There are events I directly took part in back in Skyrim that I still only have theories on concerning what actually happened, and from the moment I took Azura into myself till the moment she was expelled from me, I was mad to some degree or another - and practicing a lot of self-deception. Don't take my word on anything as the final authority."

Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 01:29 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 07:20 PM)

"You might want to talk with Arynel or Nalion about any further questions you have," Loranna urges.  "Understand something; in many ways I know only a tiny bit more than you.  What I've learned, has all been a mix of some studying, some talking with people much more knowledgeble than myself, some direct experience and a lot of trying to make sense of it all.  There are events I directly took part in back in Skyrim that I still only have theories on concerning what actually happened, and from the moment I took Azura into myself till the moment she was expelled from me, I was mad to some degree or another - and practicing a lot of self-deception.  Don't take my word on anything as the final authority."

*





"I'll try not to, my Lady," Shaka said, and stood up after finishing the glass. "Thank you again for the talk and the cromberry." He left Loranna's wing, thoughtful at the implications of their talk.

Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 01:33 AM

When Dram finally let Falco off of his work Flco was quite exhausted. He immediately went to his room for some sleep. He had not been asleep 5 minutes when he awoke screaming. It had just been a dream, he told himself. It had just been a dream. That horrible thing from his dream had seemed so real. He lay back down but did not go to sleep.

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 01:33 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 20 2005, 07:29 PM)

"I'll try not to, my Lady," Shaka said, and stood up after finishing the glass.  "Thank you again for the talk and the comberry."  He left Loranna's wing, thoughtful at the implications of their talk.

*





" ... By Dibella girl, after everything you still can't resist giving a speech when someone asks a question," Loranna mutters to herself once Shaka has left. "I should talk to Nalion; maybe betwen the two of us we can find a better way to say what should be said ..."


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 01:40 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 20 2005, 07:33 PM)

When Dram finally let Falco off of his work Flco was quite exhausted. He immediately went to his room for some sleep. He had not been asleep 5 minutes when he awoke screaming. It had just been a dream, he told himself. It had just been a dream. That horrible thing from his dream had seemed so real. He lay back down but did not go to sleep.

*




Isidor heard the scream and bolted up. It sounded like an Argonian, and he immediatly thought of Falco. What had the moron gotten himself into now. He grabbed his axe and ran out his bedroom door.

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 01:43 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 07:40 PM)

Isidor heard the scream and bolted up. It sounded like an Argonian, and he immediatly thought of Falco. What had the moron gotten himself into now. He grabbed his axe and ran out his bedroom door.

*





Falco's scream attracted the attention of the guards as well as Isidor.

Dram, heading to the armory, hears Falco's scream, and dutifully rushes to the scene, outstripping the younger guards.


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 01:46 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 07:43 PM)

Falco's scream attracted the attention of the guards as well as Isidor.

Dram, heading to the armory, hears Falco's scream, and dutifully rushes to the scene, outstripping the younger guards.

*




Isidor kicks the door open, and sees the Argonian, sitting up straight, sweating profusely.

Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 01:53 AM

He sat there on his bed. He tried to forget the dream but the image of that horrible creature was still in his mind. It was some sort of Daedra he knew that much. But he wasn't sure wich.Falco didn't particularly wish to know either. It had been some kind of old woman but with a face that he knew instinctively to be evil. Like a witch or a hag. He saw Isidor enter with his axe drawn.

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 01:53 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 20 2005, 07:53 PM)

He sat there on his bed.  He tried to forget the dream but the image of that horrible creature was still in his mind. It was some sort of Daedra he knew that much. But he wasn't sure wich.Falco didn't particularly wish to know either. It had been some kind of old woman but with a face that he knew instinctively to be evil. Like a witch or a hag. He saw Isidor enter with his axe drawn.

*





"What happened?!"

Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 01:54 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 03:53 PM)

"What happened?!"

*




"Go back to sleep Isisdor it was just a nightmare."

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 01:55 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 20 2005, 07:53 PM)

He sat there on his bed.  He tried to forget the dream but the image of that horrible creature was still in his mind. It was some sort of Daedra he knew that much. But he wasn't sure wich.Falco didn't particularly wish to know either. It had been some kind of old woman but with a face that he knew instinctively to be evil. Like a witch or a hag. He saw Isidor enter with his axe drawn.

*





Dram sweeps the room with his eyes, his hand on his sword. His expression goes from determined to thoughtful, then quickly to a curious mix of good-graced embarrassement and impeturbable calm.

" ... A nightmare?" he asks Falco quietly. "I see ..."

He clears his throat slightly, glancing at Isidor.


Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 02:00 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 03:55 PM)

Dram sweeps the room with his eyes, his hand on his sword.  His expression goes from determined to thoughtful, then quickly to a curious mix of good-graced embarrassement and impeturbable calm.

" ... A nightmare?" he asks Falco quietly.

*




Falcvo nodded but then spoke, " in it was an old woman. Like a hag or a witch. She spoke these words to me:

Your doom is fast approaching
Your Death is Fast encroaching
To stave off this threat you must be brave of heart
Or suffer death from the very start.
"

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 02:04 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 20 2005, 08:00 PM)

Falcvo nodded but then spoke, " in it was an old woman. Like a hag or a witch. She spoke these words to me:

Your doom is fast approaching
Your Death is Fast encroaching
To stave off this threat you must be  brave of heart
Or suffer death from the very start.
"

*





"I see," Dram mutters, looking to Isidor. "Portents in dreams are a bit out of my expertese, serjo; what about you?"


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 02:07 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 20 2005, 07:54 PM)

"Go back to sleep Isisdor it was just a nightmare."

*




"You scream like a Dunmer on fire, and you expect everyone to just shrug it off?! I don't know why I even cared. Too bad the nightmare wasn't real." Turning to Dram. "Well, in Skyrim, the warrior witches used to say Dreams were just mirrors of things yet to come. I hope it does." He glares at Falco and storms out.

Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 02:08 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 04:07 PM)

"You scream like a Dunmer on fire, and you expect everyone to just shrug it off?! I don't know why I even cared. Too bad the nightmare wasn't real." He glared at him and walked out.

*




Falco muttered behind Isidor's back just loud enough for him to hear, "Sorry I awoke you from your drunken haze you useless lout of a nord!"

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 02:10 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 20 2005, 08:08 PM)

Falco muttered behind Isidor's back just loud enough for him to hear, "Sorry I awoke you from your drunken haze you useless lout of a nord!"

*




Isidor heard this and froze in the hallway. He gripped his axe so hard, his knuckles turned white. Dram looked at him, his sword in his hand.

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 02:11 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Jul 20 2005, 08:08 PM)

Falco muttered behind Isidor's back just loud enough for him to hear, "Sorry I awoke you from your drunken haze you useless lout of a nord!"

*





"Must have been the evil feeling from the sewers and dungeons," Dram mutters to himself, before watching Isidor and Falco trade barbs.

" ... Try to get some sleep," Dram says, to no one in particular, his brow furrowed.

He would talk to the Lady later about Isidor and Falco; for now though the crisis was over - he hoped ...


QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 08:10 PM)

Isidor heard this and froze in the hallway. He gripped his axe so hard, his knuckles turned white. Dram looked at him, his sword in his hand.

*





"All right; enough is enough you two," Dram says, looking slightly annoyed. "Falco had a nightmare, apparently visited by the Prince of Nightmares from what lore I know, and we're all on edge from recent events. Just drop it and let's all get some sleep; we could use it."


Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 02:15 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 04:11 PM)

"Must have been the evil feeling from the sewers and dungeons," Dram mutters to himself, before watching Isidor and Falco trade barbs.

" ... Try to get some sleep," Dram says, to no one in particular, his brow furrowed.

He would talk to the Lady later about Isidor and Falco; for now though the crisis was over - he hoped ...
"All right; enough is enough you two," Dram says, looking slightly annoyed.  "Falco had a nightmare, apparently visited by the Prince of Nightmares from what lore I know, and we're all on edge from recent events.  Just drop it and let's all get some sleep; we could use it."

*




Without another word Falco rolledd over to get some sleep.

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 02:15 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 08:11 PM)

"Must have been the evil feeling from the sewers and dungeons," Dram mutters to himself, before watching Isidor and Falco trade barbs.

" ... Try to get some sleep," Dram says, to no one in particular, his brow furrowed.

He would talk to the Lady later about Isidor and Falco; for now though the crisis was over - he hoped ...
"All right; enough is enough you two," Dram says, looking slightly annoyed.  "Falco had a nightmare, apparently visited by the Prince of Nightmares from what lore I know, and we're all on edge from recent events.  Just drop it and let's all get some sleep; we could use it."

*





Isidor respected Dram, and wouldn't cross him. He nodded and walked away, hatred coursing through his veins.

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 02:17 AM

Dram sighs, muttering something about Nordic tempers and Argonian hackles as he heads to his room.

He would definitely have to speak to the Lady about these two and soon.


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 02:41 AM

The next morning, Isidor gets out of bed early, wanting to speak with Loranna. He dresses, and then goes out into the hall, and asks the first servant he sees "Where is Dres Loranna?" The servant, a young dunmer woman, looks up and says "In her chambers, but she might still be asleep." Isidor nods and says "Could you check for me?".

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 02:45 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 08:41 PM)

The next morning, Isidor gets out of bed early, wanting to speak with Loranna. He dresses, and then goes out into the hall, and asks the first servant he sees "Where is Dres Loranna?" The servant, a young dunmer woman, looks up and says "In her chambers, but she might still be asleep." Isidor nods and says "Could you check for me?".

*





As it turns out, Loranna is up already - and swimming in the bay for her morning excercise.

Long moments pass but eventually Isidor is told "The Lady will see you for breakfast, serjo."

Razbiah's cooking is as bland as ever, though that doesn't stop Loranna from eating it; she nods to Isidor as he's shown to the table and says "I hear you're looking for me ..."


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 02:48 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 08:45 PM)

As it turns out, Loranna is up already - and swimming in the bay for her morning excercise.

Long moments pass but eventually Isidor is told "The Lady will see you for breakfast, serjo."

Razbiah's cooking is as bland as ever, though that doesn't stop Loranna from eating it; she nods to Isidor as he's shown to the table and says "I hear you're looking for me ..."

*




He enters the chamber, and sits down, a cup of Comberry Juice and a plate of food at his chair.

"Yes, Loranna. I am upset, about how Falco gets away with everything. He steals from the castle, and he gets promoted. He tells thieves how to get into the castle, he gets a night in jail. He screams in the middle of the night, awakes the guards, and then ends up calling me a drunken lout. I may overreact, and I admit this, but it bothers me when he has such few consequences."

Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 02:49 AM

Falco awoke at aout that time. He dressed himself. He placed his weapons on his belt. He left the castle and headed for the local mages guild.

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 02:55 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 08:48 PM)

He enters the chamber, and sits down, a cup of Comberry Juice and a plate  of food at his chair.

"Yes, Loranna. I am upset, about how Falco gets away with everything. He steals from the castle, and he gets promoted. He tells thieves how to get into the castle, he gets a night in jail. He screams in the middle of the night, awakes the guards, and then ends up calling me a drunken lout. I may overreact, and I admit this, but it bothers me when he has such few consequences."

*





Loranna frowns.

"Falco stole from me on the first night of having met me and got offered a choice; work for me or else get treated like a thief caught red-handed," she says. "I didn't promote him so much as I gave him a chance to prove himself - my dad and the rest of you had seemed to find him a worthwhile companion so I gave him a chance despite my misgivings. And at the time I needed someone to help Dram tighten up security around here ..."

"Dram left me a note about last night's incident," she continues. "It's been my experience that people waking up from nightmares aren't usually in the best frame of mind right off."


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 02:59 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 08:55 PM)

Loranna frowns.

"Falco stole from me on the first night of having met me and got offered a choice; work for me or else get treated like a thief caught red-handed," she says.  "I didn't promote him so much as I gave him a chance to prove himself - my dad and the rest of you had seemed to find him a worthwhile companion so I gave him a chance despite my misgivings.  And at the time I needed someone to help Dram tighten up security around here ..."

"Dram left me a note about last night's incident," she continues.  "It's been my experience that people waking up from nightmares aren't usually in the best frame of mind right off."

*





"I have served you with nothing but loyalty. I tried to help Falco, to save him from those thugs, and he tells me to go away."


Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 03:04 AM

At the mages guild Falco wrote out a hasty letter with frequent misspellings

Dear Gerard,
My old friend it haas ben to long, since last we met. I have recently experinced a terrible dream. In it an old hag told me these words.

Your doom is fast approaching
Your Death is Fast encroaching
To stave off this threat you must be brave of heart
Or suffer death from the very start. "

I must no, was this just a dream. Was it an omen. Or an omen? Pleeze tell me I'm not going crazie. It felt so real. I wait your reply with zeal.

Your friend,

Falco Redflash.


He handed the guild guide 50 gold for this letter to be teleported to the imperial city. There his old childhood friend, Gerard the breton mage, was an apprentice at the mages guild. Falco then awaited his old friend's reply.

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 03:06 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 08:59 PM)

"I have served you with nothing but loyalty. I tried to help Falco, to save him from those thugs, and he tells me to go away."

*





"I appreciate you working for me," Loranna says, "though I'm still wondering why; people keep offering to serve me having only just met me. It gets strange, after a while."

She sighs. "Isidor, I don't know the full story behind Falco and those bandits, but I've noticed Falco ... well, to be blunt, he's not the most people-friendly person. He's made me want to haul him off a couple of times and ring his bell, but he seems to at least be trying to be helpful now. He's just not very good at winning friends."


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 03:11 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 20 2005, 09:06 PM)

"I appreciate you working for me," Loranna says, "though I'm still wondering why; people keep offering to serve me having only just met me.  It gets strange, after a while."


"I had lived in exile for ten years, with no human contact. My only friend was my wolf. When I saw, Falco conicidently, I knew that I had to leave. I am loyal to you, because I respect you.


QUOTE(Loranna)

She sighs.  "Isidor, I don't know the full story behind Falco and those bandits, but I've noticed Falco ... well, to be blunt, he's not the most people-friendly person.  He's made me want to haul him off a couple of times and ring his bell, but he seems to at least be trying to be helpful now.  He's just not very good at winning friends."

*




"I wanted to help him, and he refused me, and that angered me."

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 03:16 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 20 2005, 09:11 PM)

"I had lived in exile for ten years, with no human contact. My only friend was my wolf. When I saw, Falco conicidently, I knew that I had to leave. I am loyal to you, because I respect you.
"I wanted to help him, and he refused me, and that angered me."

*





"I see," Loranna says, looking thoughtful for a moment. "Thank you ..."

"I can talk to him," she decides. "No one wants bad blood among friends and companions. I'll speak to him about it as soon as I can."

Breakfast was quiet after that; both Nords concentrated on finishing their meal with workmanlike speed.


Posted by: Allerleirauh Yesterday, 03:41 AM

Nymic. Mantles. Dreamsleeves and distances incalculable between them. And yet we must calculate.

When a spirit comes crashing like a suicidal star through the spheres of the Aedra, to be clothed in flesh on Nirn - how much is given?

Because the Lady was aloft that day you will be fair of face. Because bright Julianos paused near your careening course, you will be wise and clever. Because of Zenithar, lucky. Because of Mara, beloved. Kynareth: heroic in battle.

These are qualities we do not own, yet we think of them as our very selves.

When the stars take back their gifts, what remains? If we were to meet again on another sphere, would we know each other? Would we even recognize our own stories?

A maiden, celestially marked, is put to shame. She disguises herself as one lowly and despised; yet her true nature is, through a series of trials, revealed.


Posted by: Tratarax Yesterday, 05:41 PM

Tiberius finally awoke a few hours later. He had only hoped to sleep for about 30 minutes, but he hadn't realized how tiring the journey had been. He was about to return to reading his copy of On Morrowind, the Imperial Province, but then decided against it. Tiberius went down to the bar and ordered some water for himself, then sat down at an empty table.

Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 07:13 PM

Nalion sat at a table in his chamber and wrote some last notes on a parchment. On the table lay the ornamented piece of wood from the tavern incident. The mage strewed some salt across the ink to dry it faster, then grabbed both the parchment and the sigil and tugged it under his robe.

Nalion stood and moved out of his chamber, heading towards Loranna's quarters.

Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 07:16 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 01:13 PM)

Nalion sat at a table in his chamber and wrote some last notes on a parchment. On the table lay the ornamented piece of wood from the tavern incident. The mage strewed some salt across the ink to dry it faster, then grabbed both the parchment and the sigil and tugged it under his robe.

Nalion stood and moved out of his chamber, heading towards Loranna's quarters.

*





Seeing Nalion approach, Shaka hailed him. "You seem intent on something, Nalion. What news?"

Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 07:25 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 21 2005, 07:16 PM)

Seeing Nalion approach, Shaka hailed him.  "You seem intent on something, Nalion.  What news?"

*




"Yes, intentions, these are what I have, and many. Some of these concern even you.", the mage smiled as he saw the Argonian. "Greetings, Shaka."

The Breton motioned Shaka to follow him.

"Indeed, I wanted to talk to you, about recent things. I have seen you troubled with thought lately, that is, if I interpreted Argonian mimics correctly. I hope you have some time for me, Shaka. And Loranna, that is, she should hear too. No need to tell the same tale twice when people are near each other."

While Nalion was talking, the two of them reached Loranna's chambers and after a knock and an invitation to enter, they stood in front of Loranna.

"Good day to you, Loranna. Mind if we disturb you a bit? I have news to share.", the Breton opened the conversation.

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 07:32 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 01:25 PM)

"Yes, intentions, these are what I have, and many. Some of these concern even you.", the mage smiled as he saw the Argonian. "Greetings, Shaka."

The Breton motioned Shaka to follow him.

"Indeed, I wanted to talk to you, about recent things. I have seen you troubled with thought lately, that is, if I interpreted Argonian mimics correctly. I hope you have some time for me, Shaka. And Loranna, that is, she should hear too. No need to tell the same tale twice when people are near each other."

While Nalion was talking, the two of them reached Loranna's chambers and after a knock and an invitation to enter, they stood in front of Loranna.

"Good day to you, Loranna. Mind if we disturb you a bit? I have news to share.", the Breton opened the conversation.

*





Loranna raises her eyebrows as she greets Nalion and Shaka. "Hello you two," she says, giving Shaka a bit of a knowing look. "News Nalion? On the tavern incident?"

She beckons the two to the study, that being a more conducive palce for discussion. "Disturb away," she says, smiling.


Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 07:45 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 21 2005, 07:32 PM)

Loranna raises her eyebrows as she greets Nalion and Shaka.  "Hello you two," she says, giving Shaka a bit of a knowing look.  "News Nalion?  On the tavern incident?"

She beckons the two to the study, that being a more conducive palce for discussion.  "Disturb away," she says, smiling.

*




"Yes, about the tavern incident.", Nalion answered as he sat down and made himself comforable. He reached into his robe, produced the ornamented piece of wood and placed it on the table for Shaka and Loranna to see.

"You two weren't there when these things happened, but I think you know the basics. The tavern began to shake because of some wizardry and carvings on a table, some guy knowing not exactly what he wanted to do walked up to it, talked gibberish and the shaking stopped.", the mage grinned at the pair across the table.

"These are the carvings from the tavern. It actually is simpler as it seems to be. I contained the spell within. It's a sigil now. I'm just wondering what to do with it. If it is broken, it could - in theory - reawaken the spell and the shakings. Thus, it's possibly dangerous, but perhaps useful later, too."

The Breton looked questioningly at Loranna and Shaka. "Any thoughts?"

Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 07:50 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 01:45 PM)


"These are the carvings from the tavern. It actually is simpler as it seems to be. I contained the spell within. It's a sigil now. I'm just wondering what to do with it. If it is broken, it could - in theory - reawaken the spell and the shakings. Thus, it's possibly dangerous, but perhaps useful later, too."

The Breton looked questioningly at Loranna and Shaka. "Any thoughts?"

*





Shaka turned the wooden sigil over in his hand for a moment. "If it was that powerful, perhaps we should keep it and add it to the group's arsenal, so to speak. Nalion could probably contain it again if need be. . . . Nalion, do you have any thoughts as to who's behind this?

And why the tavern, I wonder. Did he want to specifically target our group?"

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 07:56 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 21 2005, 01:50 PM)

Shaka turned the wooden sigil over in his hand for a moment.  "If it was that powerful, perhaps we should keep it and add it to the group's arsenal, so to speak.  Nalion could probably contain it again if need be.  .  .  .  Nalion, do you have any thoughts as to who's behind this? 

And why the tavern, I wonder.  Did he want to specifically target our group?"

*





Loranna mutters "This reminds me of that time the brothers had the Dwemer satchel ..." as she watches Shaka look at the wooden sigil.

" ... I'd like to talk with you and Slyvos later regarding magical boosts to the castle's security," Loranna says. "Especially if we're going to keep that in the armory. Nalion, do you think you could replicate the effect?"

She looks at Nalion with interest as Shaka asks about who might be behind this.


Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 08:20 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 21 2005, 07:50 PM)

Shaka turned the wooden sigil over in his hand for a moment.  "If it was that powerful, perhaps we should keep it and add it to the group's arsenal, so to speak.  Nalion could probably contain it again if need be.  .  .  .  Nalion, do you have any thoughts as to who's behind this? 

And why the tavern, I wonder.  Did he want to specifically target our group?"

*







QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 21 2005, 07:56 PM)

Loranna mutters "This reminds me of that time the brothers had the Dwemer satchel ..." as she watches Shaka look at the wooden sigil.

" ... I'd like to talk with you and Slyvos later regarding magical boosts to the castle's security," Loranna says.  "Especially if we're going to keep that in the armory.  Nalion, do you think you could replicate the effect?"

She looks at Nalion with interest as Shaka asks about who might be behind this.

*




"In my opinion, it can be targeted. With a spell similar to that this Dunmer used in the tavern, that is. I don't want to see it broken though without someone in control of the spell. That would in my opinion result in earthshaking events which we could not predict.", Nalion answered, then continued.
"I have investigated both the original writings and the spell itself, from both my own observances at the occasion and from other witnesses. It may be possible to reproduce the spell. I don't want to really test it, though and especially not anywhere near Ald Raahtim. I also do not know what else was required other than the signs and the chant, maybe something that we have missed. It would be of help if we caught this Dunmer casting the spell, though."

Nalion stroked his chin in thought and paused for a brief while.

"I know almost nothing of this Dunmer besides his description and what he was capable of. I sadly have no idea yet as to where to look for more hints.", the brown-eyed Breton shrugged apologetically.



Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 08:25 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 02:20 PM)

"In my opinion, it can be targeted. With a spell similar to that this Dunmer used in the tavern, that is. I don't want to see it broken though without someone in control of the spell. That would in my opinion result in earthshaking events which we could not predict.", Nalion answered, then continued.
"I have investigated both the original writings and the spell itself, from both my own observances at the occasion and from other witnesses. It may be possible to reproduce the spell. I don't want to really test it, though and especially not anywhere near Ald Raahtim. I also do not know what else was required other than the signs and the chant, maybe something that we have missed. It would be of help if we caught this Dunmer casting the spell, though."

Nalion stroked his chin in thought and paused for a brief while.

"I know almost nothing of this Dunmer besides his description and what he was capable of. I sadly have no idea yet as to where to look for more hints.", the brown-eyed Breton shrugged apologetically.

*





Loranna says "If you don't mind Nalion, I'd like to have you talk to the head of the mage guild later about your findings - see if they have any records of similar magics. It might help us track down the Dunmer who did this. In the meantime ... I leave the sigil in your hands; I don't particularly see any need for shaking buildings down right now though."

She pauses, looking over at Shaka. "On a different note," she says, "I had suggested that Shaka speak to you about some questions he had."


Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 08:26 PM

The Breton Arynel walked quickly, though without struggle, through the streets of Ald Raathim. He stepped into the tavern and made his way, silently, to the back.

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 08:27 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 02:26 PM)

The Breton Arynel walked quickly, though without struggle, through the streets of Ald Raathim.  He stepped into the tavern and made his way, silently, to the back.

*




Isidor sits in his room, restless. Nalion, Shaka, and Loranna were having a confrence, and that moron was gone. He figured he'd go to the tavern. When he arrived, he ordered a mead and sat at the bar.

Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 08:29 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 21 2005, 08:25 PM)

Loranna says "If you don't mind Nalion, I'd like to have you talk to the head of the mage guild later about your findings - see if they have any records of similar magics.  It might help us track down the Dunmer who did this.  In the meantime ... I leave the sigil in your hands; I don't particularly see any need for shaking buildings down right now though."

She pauses, looking over at Shaka.  "On a different note," she says, "I had suggested that Shaka speak to you about some questions he had."

*




"Questions? I already mentioned to Shaka that he looked thoughtful the last times I saw him.", Nalion replied with a lifted eyebrow, then turned towards the Argonian. "Please, feel free to ask away what troubles your mind. I will try to answer you if I can."

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 08:37 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 02:29 PM)

"Questions? I already mentioned to Shaka that he looked thoughtful the last times I saw him.", Nalion replied with a lifted eyebrow, then turned towards the Argonian. "Please, feel free to ask away what troubles your mind. I will try to answer you if I can."

*




As he sits, drinking, he sees Arynel sitting in the corner of the tavern, thinking pensively. Picking up his mead, he walks over to him. "Hail, Breton! May I take a seat?"


Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 08:39 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 12:37 PM)

As he sits, drinking, he sees Arynel sitting in the corner of the tavern, thinking pensively. Picking up his mead, he walks over to him. "Hail,  Breton! May I take a seat?"

*





“If I declined would you not all the same sit down where you have chosen?” Arynel replied.

“I am not one to determine where you will lay at this time,” the Breton added, holding out his hand in invitation towards the seat.


Posted by: Tratarax Yesterday, 08:41 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:37 PM)

As he sits, drinking, he sees Arynel sitting in the corner of the tavern, thinking pensively. Picking up his mead, he walks over to him. "Hail,  Breton! May I take a seat?"

*




Tiberius continued taking drinking his water as a Nord and Breton sat down at the neigbooring table. Something told him that he should pay attention to those two.

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 08:41 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 02:39 PM)

“If I declined would you not all the same sit down where you have chosen?”  Arynel replied. 

“I am not one to determine where you will lay at this time,” the Breton added, holding out his hand in invitation towards the seat.

*




Isidor nodded, looking slightly confused."Where have you been these past days, Arynel?"

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 08:44 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 12:41 PM)

Isidor nodded, looking slightly confused."Where have you been these past days, Arynel?"

*





“Where I have been, of course, these last few days,” Arynel replied.

“Which is the same as you, I would think,” the Breton added, “Though at once entirely different. What a world it is, I go where I will and you go where you will, and would you perhaps one day find yourself at the edge of the world, would you find it was indeed made of swords?”


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 08:49 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 02:44 PM)

“Where I have been, of course, these last few days,” Arynel replied.

“Which is the same as you, I would think,” the Breton added, “Though at once entirely different.  What a world it is, I go where I will and you go where you will, and would you perhaps one day find yourself at the edge of the world, would you find it was indeed made of swords?”

*





Isidor blinked and then said "Very well. What are your feelings on Falco?"

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 08:53 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 12:49 PM)

Isidor blinked and then said "Very well. What are your feelings on Falco?"

*





“Falco, the conniving Argonian?” Arynel began, leaning back in his seat, “bored and boastful, I think. Give him work worth doing and in return he’ll do work of well worth.”

The Breton stared directly at Isidor for a moment, and then glanced away.


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 08:54 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 02:53 PM)

“Falco, the conniving Argonian?” Arynel began, leaning back in his seat, “bored and boastful, I think.  Give him work worth doing and in return he’ll do work of well worth.”

The Breton stared directly at Isidor for a moment, and then glanced away.

*





"Do you not think he was rewarded for being a theif? And a liar?"

Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 08:57 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 02:29 PM)

"Questions? I already mentioned to Shaka that he looked thoughtful the last times I saw him.", Nalion replied with a lifted eyebrow, then turned towards the Argonian. "Please, feel free to ask away what troubles your mind. I will try to answer you if I can."

*





Shaka ordered his thoughts for the moment. It was true that he seemed comfortable talking to Nalion . . . .

Glancing over at Loranna too, Shaka began: "I've been thinking a lot about my mortality lately, as I've gotten older. It's going by too quickly, and for what . . .."

"In Mournhold, I heard rumors of a suicide cult, the End of Days. The deluded people seemed to think we're at the end of an Era. All Oblivion is going to break loose, and the cultists think they can go ahead of us and join an army to combat that."

"The Empire still stands for now, but there are the rumors of Legions being withdrawn, would-be Emperors starting to maneuver for power . . . And I don't have to tell you that Vvardenfell will be rebuilding for years to come."

"I accomplished a few things, I suppose. I have the Spear of Bitter Mercy until I'm killed or die of natural causes, but what is time to Sheogorath? Less than the blink of an eye, and someone else will wield the Spear. A year from now, a generation from now. But to be honest, I guess I can accept that."

What about someone to love, he thought, but didn't feel like bringing that up.

He forced himself to be honest. "I'm glad that Ald Raathim seems to have been spared the flood, but I don't want to be a parasite on you, Loranna. But I ramble ..."

"Nalion, do you think the Blue Dawn and all else was fated? Where are we going? I guess I'll need to form better questions for you sometime..."


Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 08:58 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 12:54 PM)

"Do you not think he was rewarded for being a theif? And a liar?"

*





“People are rewarded for all manner of things,” Arynel replied, “the sun shines on both the good and the evil.”

The Breton paused, and narrowed his eyes.

“Would you follow after Stendarr, perhaps? Or Boethiah? Malacath?”


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:00 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 02:58 PM)

“People are rewarded for all manner of things,” Arynel replied, “the sun shines on both the good and the evil.”

The Breton paused, and narrowed his eyes.

“Would you follow after Stendarr, perhaps?  Or Boethiah?  Malacath?”

*





Isidor was surprised by this abrupt change of subject, but he replied "I follow Talos, the Dragon God."

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:01 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:00 PM)

Isidor was surprised by this abrupt change of subject, but he replied "I follow Talos, the Dragon God."

*





Arynel looked at Isidor inquiringly for a moment, but did not say anything in that regard.

“Would you take it upon yourself to pay for your own crimes?” The Breton asked.

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:02 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:01 PM)

Arynel looked at Isidor inquiringly for a moment, but did not say anything in that regard.

“Would you take it upon yourself to pay for your own crimes?”

*





"If I infact commited a crime" he thought wryly of Falco "yes, I would."

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:04 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:02 PM)

"If I infact commited a crime" he thought wryly of Falco "yes, I would."

*





"Of course," Arynel said.

"Would you yourself, also," the Breton asked, "pay for the crime of another?"

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:06 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:04 PM)

"Of course," Arynel said.

"Would you yourself, also," the Breton asked, "pay for the crime of another?"

*




"If the other was one I cared for, yes."

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:08 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:06 PM)

"If the other was one I cared for, yes."

*





Arynel eyed Isidor for a moment.

“Did you ever have a choice?” The Breton asked, at last.


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:09 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:08 PM)

Arynel eyed Isidor for a moment.

“Did you ever have a choice?”  The Breton asked, at last.

*




"Did I ever have to choose, to take the hit for someone else? No."

Posted by: Argonians rule Yesterday, 09:10 PM

Back at the mages guild Falco recieved a short reply to his hasty letter.

Dear Falco,

It has indeed been to long. Your dream was an omen of death Falco, sent by the daedric prince, Vaernima. However it says you must be strong of heart to survive. This means Falco your fate is not sealed. You must be strong, for soon your courage will be tested.

Your friend,

Gerard


Falco smiled and tucked the letter away. Gerard had a a way of always making sense of things. He left the mages guild and took a walk throughout th city.

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:12 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:09 PM)

"Did I ever have to choose, to take the hit for someone else? No."

*





Arynel nodded, but did not speak for a time.

“Walk the path as it is given,” the Breton said at last.


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:17 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:12 PM)

Arynel nodded, but did not speak for a time.

“Walk the path as it is given,” the Breton said at last.

*





"Wise words. But how could I expect anything else from you. What kind of weapons, or defensive magic, do you use, Arynel?"

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:18 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:17 PM)

"Wise words. But how could I expect anything else from you. What kind of weapons, or defensive magic, do you use, Arynel?"

*





“I act so as not to gather enemies,” Arynel replied.

The Breton smiled.


Posted by: Tratarax Yesterday, 09:20 PM

Tiberius realized that something tasted strange about the water... All of the sudden everything around him started to get blurry and distant. He began to lose conciousness as he fell off of the bench he was sitting on, spilling water all over his shirt...

Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 09:21 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 21 2005, 08:57 PM)

Shaka ordered his thoughts for the moment.  It was true that he seemed comfortable talking to Nalion .  .  . .

Glancing over at Loranna too, Shaka began:  "I've been thinking a lot about my mortality lately, as I've gotten older.  It's going by too quickly, and for what . . .."

"In Mournhold, I heard rumors of a suicide cult, the End of Days.  The deluded people seemed to think we're at the end of an Era.  All Oblivion is going to break loose, and the cultists think they can go ahead of us and join an army to combat that."

"The Empire still stands for now, but there are the rumors of Legions being withdrawn, would-be Emperors starting to maneuver for power .  .  .  And I don't have to tell you that Vvardenfell will be rebuilding for years to come."

"I accomplished a few things, I suppose.  I have the Spear of Bitter Mercy until I'm killed or die of natural causes, but what is time to Sheogorath?  Less than the blink of an eye, and someone else will wield the Spear.  A year from now, a generation from now.  But to be honest, I guess I can accept that."

What about someone to love, he thought, but didn't feel like bringing that up.

He forced himself to be honest.  "I'm glad that Ald Raathim seems to have been spared the flood, but I don't want to be a parasite on you, Loranna.  But I ramble ..."

"Nalion, do you think the Blue Dawn and all else was fated?  Where are we going?  I guess I'll need to form better questions for you sometime..."

*




Nalion did not take his eyes from Shaka, it wasn't an intimidating gaze, but a steady, reassuring one. A small smile played across the mage's lips as he listened.

"Some mer think that taking slower strides will lengthen their lifespans, some achieve it by magic, again some turn into necromancy. You feel time is running away? You may be on a path to see what time truly is. But for now, savour each moment you have and cherish it - live, enjoy the beauty of this world, the friends you have, the actions you take. You can grow, and perhaps outgrow that which binds you.", the mage answered.

"There is only scarce news from Cyrodiil, and scarcer they are yet the nearer you get to the center. Yet I truly believe that this era will end soon. What comes afterward, I do not know."
The Breton mage leaned forward a bit.

"You have accomplished something. The Spear of Bitter Mercy is in your hands, few dare to challenge the mercy of the daM doG. Walk your own path, perhaps with us for a while, and you might find more than you dared to hope for. Believe me, I know what that means." The Breton seemed thoughtful, as if recalling memories of events only few months past, but seemingly ancient already.

"And as to the Blue Dawn", Nalion began. "Each event is preceded by prophecy, but without the hero, there is no event."

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:22 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:18 PM)

“I act so as not to gather enemies,” Arynel replied.

The Breton smiled.

*





"Well, be that as it may, you have certainly found some reason to defend yourself, have you not?"



Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 09:24 PM

QUOTE(Tratarax @ Jul 21 2005, 03:20 PM)

Tiberius realized that something tasted strange about the water... All of the sudden everything around him started to get blurry and distant. He began to lose conciousness as he fell off of the bench he was sitting on, spilling water all over his shirt...

*





The innkeep, his club displayed a bit more proeminently on his belt than before, sighs as he sees Tiberius collapse. "Foolish outlander, drunk off his ... wait; he had the water."

"S'wit ..." The innkeep sends a barmaid to fetch a healer while he goes to look at Tiberius. "Come on now, don't you do anything foolish like get sick on me; bad enough we got people trying to bring the house down, you know what that'll do for business ..."

He 'deals' with Tiberius while a healer is brought to check the passed-out man over.


Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:24 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:22 PM)

"Well, be that as it may, you have certainly found some reason to defend yourself, have you not?"

*







The Breton looked at Isidor. "A reason to defend myself, you ask? I ask you then, who is my enemy?"

Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:26 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:24 PM)

The Breton looked at Isidor.  "A reason to defend myself, you ask?  I ask you then, who is my enemy?"

*




"Well, I imagine, that when you travel with Loranna, many are your enemies. Don't be coy, Arynel. You know my meaning."

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:28 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:26 PM)

"Well, I imagine, that when you travel with Loranna, many are your enemies. Don't be coy, Arynel. You know my meaning."

*





Arynel bit his bottom lip.

“My enemy is one who does what she does not know,” the Breton said at last, “and she is now dead.”


Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 09:29 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 03:21 PM)

Nalion did not take his eyes from Shaka, it wasn't an intimidating gaze, but a steady, reassuring one. A small smile played across the mage's lips as he listened.

"Some mer think that taking slower strides will lengthen their lifespans, some achieve it by magic, again some turn into necromancy. You feel time is running away? You may be on a path to see what time truly is. But for now, savour each moment you have and cherish it - live, enjoy the beauty of this world, the friends you have, the actions you take. You can grow, and perhaps outgrow that which binds you.", the mage answered.

"There is only scarce news from Cyrodiil, and scarcer they are yet the nearer you get to the center. Yet I truly believe that this era will end soon. What comes afterward, I do not know."
The Breton mage leaned forward a bit.

"You have accomplished something. The Spear of Bitter Mercy is in your hands, few dare to challenge the mercy of the daM doG. Walk your own path, perhaps with us for a while, and you might find more than you dared to hope for. Believe me, I know what that means." The Breton seemed thoughtful, as if recalling memories of events only few months past, but seemingly ancient already.

"And as to the Blue Dawn", Nalion began. "Each event is preceded by prophecy, but without the hero, there is no event."

*





"I fear Nalion's taken all the good words, or at least the ones I could think to say," Loranna says, looking to Shaka with a bit of a smile.

"Dear, have I ever said you were a parasite on me? You are welcome to stay in my home for as long as you like and share in the events that befall us. You're free to take your leave whenever you want - and you'll be missed if you do, but we each ultimately have to walk our own path. Don't worry about being a drain on us here."


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:31 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:28 PM)

Arynel bit his bottom lip.

“My enemy is one who does what she does not know,” the Breton said at last, “and she is now dead.”

*




Isidor looked at Arynel, but he didn't really see him. "How did you come to meet Loranna?"

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:33 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:31 PM)

Isidor looked at Arynel, but he didn't really see him. "How did you come to meet Loranna?"

*





“Darius,” Arynel said, “Hearthfire ball.”

“That was a very long time ago, it seems,” the Breton added, his eyes betraying a dreamy quality, “though perhaps not so long at all.”



Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:33 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:33 PM)

“Darius,” Arynel said, “Hearthfire ball.”

“That was a very long time ago, it seems,” the Breton added, his eyes betraying a dreamy quality, “though perhaps not so long at all.”

*





"Hearthfire Ball?"

Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 09:36 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 21 2005, 03:29 PM)

"I fear Nalion's taken all the good words, or at least the ones I could think to say," Loranna says, looking to Shaka with a bit of a smile.

"Dear, have I ever said you were a parasite on me?  You are welcome to stay in my home for as long as you like and share in the events that befall us.  You're free to take your leave whenever you want - and you'll be missed if you do, but we each ultimately have to walk our own path.  Don't worry about being a drain on us here."

*





His spirits lifted, Shaka said: "Thank you again, my Lady; for everything. I knew when I saw you and Vendama at breakfast that morning that our paths were somehow linked.

Thank you too, Nalion, for your words. I will try to live up to them."

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:36 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:33 PM)

"Hearthfire Ball?"

*





“A celebration, a festival, a gathering of many to one place, in Cyrodiil,” Arynel said.

“You should perhaps consult with Loranna, she would remember her purpose there better than I,” the Breton added.


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:38 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:36 PM)

“A celebration, a festival, a gathering of many to one place, in Cyrodiil,” Arynel said.

“You should perhaps consult with Loranna, she would remember her purpose there better than I,” the Breton added.

*





"Ah. Perhaps I will. Now, I have one more matter I wish to discuss with you. A personal one. Do you think I am contributing to this group, or detracting from it?"

Posted by: Arynel Yesterday, 09:42 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 01:38 PM)

"Ah. Perhaps I will. Now, I have one more matter I wish to discuss with you. A personal one. Do you think I am contributing to this group, or detracting from it?"

*





Arynel looked at him.

“Who am I to say?” The Breton asked, "There is far too much I do not know in this regard."


Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 09:44 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 21 2005, 09:36 PM)

His spirits lifted, Shaka said:  "Thank you again, my Lady; for everything.  I knew when I saw you and Vendama at breakfast that morning that our paths were somehow linked.

Thank you too, Nalion, for your words.  I will try to live up to them."

*




"You are welcome, Shaka." the mage answered. "Though Daruhn is Loranna's domain, I would also like to see you walking these lands as long as you like, and speak to you."

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 09:44 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Jul 21 2005, 03:36 PM)

His spirits lifted, Shaka said:  "Thank you again, my Lady; for everything.  I knew when I saw you and Vendama at breakfast that morning that our paths were somehow linked.

Thank you too, Nalion, for your words.  I will try to live up to them."

*





"Quite a few people seem to have paths linked with mine," Loranna says, grinning a bit. "It's the only way I can think to explain how I always find myself surrounded by adventuresome people these days."

She looks over at Nalion, a secret smile on her lips.


Posted by: Stargazey Yesterday, 09:46 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 03:42 PM)

Arynel looked at him.

“Who am I to say?”  The Breton asked, "There is far too much I do not know in this regard."

*





"Very well." He sips his mead, and thinks.

Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 09:49 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 21 2005, 09:44 PM)

"Quite a few people seem to have paths linked with mine," Loranna says, grinning a bit.  "It's the only way I can think to explain how I always find myself surrounded by adventuresome people these days."

She looks over at Nalion, a secret smile on her lips.

*




After Shaka had left, Nalion leaned back again, faced the former barmaid and grinned. "With all those secret smiles on your lips recently, I'm beginning to worry what you are up to again, Loranna. All I can see as of now is that we are all tending to use Arynel's path metaphors too often."

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 10:02 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 03:49 PM)

After Shaka had left, Nalion leaned back again, faced the former barmaid and grinned. "With all those secret smiles on your lips recently, I'm beginning to worry what you are up to again, Loranna. All I can see as of now is that we are all tending to use Arynel's path metaphors too often."

*





"It's a good metaphor," Loranna says, leaning back herself. "And it's not worn out yet - maybe we'll make a new one soon, though."

"And right now my dasterdly plans all focus on Ald Raathim and the castle," she assures Nalion. "Dram's been talking with Kallen about hiring more guards, refurbishing neglected parts of the castle, other things ... even suggested talking to you and Slyvos about working some dispel wards in the castle gates, to prevent people sneaking in invisibly again. And I find myself wondering about the question Shaka asked but we never answered - why the tavern, specifically?"

She rubs the back of her neck. "Then again, we've been expecting people to try something sooner or later - though I kind of find the thought of that Dunmer with the dagger to be worrying. Realistically, what can we do to keep him or another trained in that art from hitting other buildings? We can't have guards everywhere at once ..."


Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 10:30 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 21 2005, 10:02 PM)

"It's a good metaphor," Loranna says, leaning back herself.  "And it's not worn out yet - maybe we'll make a new one soon, though."

"And right now my dasterdly plans all focus on Ald Raathim and the castle," she assures Nalion.  "Dram's been talking with Kallen about hiring more guards, refurbishing neglected parts of the castle, other things ... even suggested talking to you and Slyvos about working some dispel wards in the castle gates, to prevent people sneaking in invisibly again.  And I find myself wondering about the question Shaka asked but we never answered - why the tavern, specifically?"

She rubs the back of her neck.  "Then again, we've been expecting people to try something sooner or later - though I kind of find the thought of that Dunmer with the dagger to be worrying.  Realistically, what can we do to keep him or another trained in that art from hitting other buildings?  We can't have guards everywhere at once ..."

*




"Dispel wards sound like a good idea. I shall have my own thoughts about what I can do. Before I dig myself into books again, I can as well put myself to use here.", Nalion answered.
"I wonder, too. The castle is well built, I think. It would take significantly more effort to break it than the tavern. Maybe it was a strike against the place where we come together, talk idly and be easy among each other. As if denying us rest. But I tend to speculate."
The mage stretched and blinked.
"I'm worried about it too, and that assassins could so easily enter the castle. We need to secure Ald Raathim, and we still need to deal with Raithmat..."

Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 10:36 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 04:30 PM)

"Dispel wards sound like a good idea. I shall have my own thoughts about what I can do. Before I dig myself into books again, I can as well put myself to use here.", Nalion answered.
"I wonder, too. The castle is well built, I think. It would take significantly more effort to break it than the tavern. Maybe it was a strike against the place where we come together, talk idly and be easy among each other. As if denying us rest. But I tend to speculate."
The mage stretched and blinked.
"I'm worried about it too, and that assassins could so easily enter the castle. We need to secure Ald Raathim, and we still need to deal with Raithmat..."

*





"Yes, we do," Loranna says, frowning. "I don't know what exactly he's up to, just that he's still around - somewhere. Some of the guards mentioned feeling distinctly chilled when exploring the dungeons and sewers though, so I'm planning to look into those."

" ... You may have a point; the attack on the tavern might have been meant to harrass rather than to actually strike out," she muses. "They may even be unconnected with the assassin from before."

Loranna sighs. " ... We'll manage; we always have. One thing I should have told Shaka that Allie taught me - no matter what, life goes on. I worry too much."


Posted by: Nalion Yesterday, 10:47 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jul 21 2005, 10:36 PM)

"Yes, we do," Loranna says, frowning.  "I don't know what exactly he's up to, just that he's still around - somewhere.  Some of the guards mentioned feeling distinctly chilled when exploring the dungeons and sewers though, so I'm planning to look into those."

" ... You may have a point; the attack on the tavern might have been meant to harrass rather than to actually strike out," she muses.  "They may even be unconnected with the assassin from before."

Loranna sighs.  " ... We'll manage; we always have.  One thing I should have told Shaka that Allie taught me - no matter what, life goes on.  I worry too much."

*




"If you need help with Raithmat, you know where to find me, Loranna. We will find a way as we always have.", Nalion smiled reassuringly. "And we will find a way to secure Ald Raathim and make it a haven again."



Posted by: Loranna Yesterday, 11:30 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jul 21 2005, 04:47 PM)

"If you need help with Raithmat, you know where to find me, Loranna. We will find a way as we always have.", Nalion smiled reassuringly. "And we will find a way to secure Ald Raathim and make it a haven again."

*





Loranna smiles, though she mutters "Just so long as I don't go overboard; I want to help Ald Raathim blossom, not choke it off ..."

The two discuss other matters after that.


Posted by: syronj Yesterday, 11:46 PM

Shaka stood outside the castle gates with the day before him. Maybe I can see how Anya is doing with the target practice, he thought, or I could stop by the Mages Guild -- haven't been there since Kethiah assassinated the orc. Or I could go for a swim.

He felt a contentment that he hadn't for a while. It had been good to talk to Nalion and Loranna, and to be reminded of why he had come to Ald Raathim in the first place.

I'll stick it out for now, he thought. There's nothing left for me on Vvardenfell anyway. But at least here in Daruhn, Loranna's people are trying to build something.


Posted by: Allerleirauh Today, 12:18 AM

Allerleirauh's journal, date uncertain:

Dear Master B,

While I am Outside, this journal, magically linked to yours, is the easiest way to keep in touch with my many friends and companions. If you could pass a copy of my words along to Dres Loranna Pyrel at Ald Rathim, it would please me greatly.

[....]

And so I find myself, weak and wet behind the ears, struggling like a newborn calf to free myself from the placenta.

It is the Harper who first greets me here. He has been my friend longer even than Dragon. You may not know him; he dislikes Tamriel. The mythos of the solitary hero is not to his taste. He goes only where there is company, and it is music he loves most. He will go anywhere there is an audience; but more than an audience he loves the company of other masters. I have seen him play in the halls of kings for jewels from the fingers of swooning maidens. I have seen him play in a dirt road for a barefoot youngster. But his natural haunt is a smoke filled gaming hall; here he comes into his own, and can be seen in his true colors, as one of the great masters above ground.

What a strange, shelterless place this is, where heroes jostle each other, chained like dogs in the yard, never allowed under roofs. There are no taverns here, strange to say. How shall heroes find each other, if not in taverns?

I told the Harper that things change, that stories are stranger than ever, that even in Tamriel heroes join together to restore the balance of the world. I speak of Loranna Pyrel, and of Sen-Yedda, and he smiles and scratches the grey stubble on his chin. The Harper's fingers are more calloused than other men's feet.

I speak of Solunastra, the hall of heroes, where the sun and moon and stars go to rest when their work is done. I tell of our desperate need, and the Harper's eyes grow misty. He is a man under a curse: he cannot feel at home anywhere. The moment any place becomes a refuge to him, he must move on. But he will help us build our home. That is his nature, that he helps others to have what he can never enjoy himself. It is why he risks his soul in the pursuit of necromancy. If I ever die, he says, my soul is bound to eternal torment. But I don't plan to die.

[....]

Happily Ever After is an invocation.

More properly it is a place. On a clear day when the wind is right you can smell it. It speaks to an ancient part of us that remembers the Dawn.

Sheogorath does not believe in happily ever after. But we must. Enough to build it, stone for stone, enough to say, Come.

Enough to say, This green and pleasant place, bought with blood - believe with me that you are not too damaged to accept this, the reward for all your toil. The hero's heart is not so blackened that it cannot serve; merely tempered, as with fire.

This is not the place where swords are beaten into plowshares. Only iron can be beaten into anything, and you, my friend, are truest steel. Remember a time before the first farmer, when sweet maiden Nir yielded her fruits freely from pure love.

Remember, and come. This is the true Solunastra.

[....]

The stages of the hero's journey are twelve, from the first apprehension of the call for a hero to his return with the solution. The final, gravest danger for heroes is that they will fail to return - that having ascended, they will reject the people they set out to save, and pass on their way.

Can anyone wonder that it should be so? After all, heroes are not born, but made. Every damsel in distress is a failed hero. Who can love a failure?

This is why the qualifying test, so often administered by an outcast beggar, is one of compassion. Many people have courage. But the true hero must be love all through.

Master Solin has done good service. Which is misleading; for it sounds as though he serves me, and truly, if we were to set our shoulders both to the yoke, my side would be the weaker.

He is less mad than previously. Or perhaps it was Nirn that was mad. Outside it, his clarity, which seemed madness when he sat reading in a library in Daggerfall, seems like brilliance.

Shall I blame him if, having Seht's gifts, he also partakes of Seht's faults? Shall I accuse him of a failure of compassion? Never. Why should he save the world? I have no quarrel with Solin. He is worthy all through. Let the world prove its worthiness to be saved.

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 12:24 AM

Thom climbed out from under his lean-to. He looked around and suddenly felt the need of a bottle of flin and a conversation. Thom gathered his blade and bow, and headed into town. After a while, Thom reached the tavern. He entered and approached the bar, saying, "One flin, please." Thom put down some gold and took up the bottle. He took off the cap and downed half of the contents. Thom stood by the bar, enjoying his drink.

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 12:26 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 06:24 PM)

Thom climbed out from under his lean-to. He looked around and suddenly felt the need of a bottle of flin and a conversation. Thom gathered his blade and bow, and headed into town. After a while, Thom reached the tavern. He entered and approached the bar, saying, "One flin, please." Thom put down some gold and took up the bottle. He took off the cap and downed half of the contents. Thom stood by the bar, enjoying his drink.

*




Isidor saw Thom enter the bar, and walked over to him. "Come join Arynel and myself, at that table."

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 12:29 AM

Thom heard the voice and smiled. "Thank you. I think I shall." Thom walked over and sat down beside the Breton and the Nord. "Hello, serjo. My name is Thom", said Thom torward Arynel. "Hello, Isidor. How are you today?"

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 12:31 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 06:29 PM)

Thom heard the voice and smiled. "Thank you. I think I shall." Thom walked over and sat down beside the Breton and the Nord. "Hello, serjo. My name is Thom", said Thom torward Arynel. "Hello, Isidor. How are you today?"

*





"Pretty good. Excuse my friend. He's being pensive."

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 12:35 AM

"Interesting" laughed Thom. "So, what kind of excitment did I miss while I was at my new camp?"

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 12:54 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 06:35 PM)

"Interesting" laughed Thom. "So, what kind of excitment did I miss while I was at my new camp?"

*




"Not much, an attempt on my life, but not much." He winks.

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 02:54 AM

Thom laughed. "This is the, what, third assassination attempt to your group in the last week. Well, I guess it keeps you on your toes" laughed Thom. "And keeps you sober."

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 02:58 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 08:54 PM)

Thom laughed. "This is the, what, third assassination attempt to your group in the last week. Well, I guess it keeps you on your toes" laughed Thom. "And keeps you sober."

*





"Not so much on the latter, my friend." He slaps Thom on his shoulder and says "Another drink, Thom?"

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 03:00 AM

"I didn't think so. Why not? But flin only, Mead burns goin' down for me. Guess I'm not very much of a drinker." Thom smiled and put down some gold on the table.

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 03:02 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 09:00 PM)

"I didn't think so. Why not? But flin only, Mead burns goin' down for me. Guess I'm not very much of a drinker." Thom smiled and put down some gold on the table.

*





"Nah, this one's on me." He shoves the gold back and walks to the bar. "A mead and a flin, please."

He drops down some gold and brings the drinks back. "Cheers". He raises his mead, then sips.

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 03:07 AM

"Cheers." Thom popped the cap on the bottle and sipped some of the smooth drink. "Good drink. So, I see that you hold no hostility torward me after the arrow incident. It turned out to be not as funny as I wished it. Well, for what it is worth, I do apologize if it caused any trouble." Thom patted Isidor on the back and sipped more of his flin.

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 03:09 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 09:07 PM)

"Cheers." Thom popped the cap on the bottle and sipped some of the smooth drink. "Good drink. So, I see that you hold no hostility torward me after the arrow incident. It turned out to be not as funny as I wished it. Well, for what it is worth, I do apologize if it caused any trouble." Thom patted Isidor on the back and sipped more of his flin.

*





"Nah, I only bare grudges against Argonians." He laughs and drinks his mead.


Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 03:14 AM

"Well, I'm glad we can laugh over it." Thom watched as Isidor's drink gets lower in the mug, so he stood, went over to the bar, and bought the next round. "Two flin and a mead." Thom hands the money to the barkeep and took the drinks back over to the table. He set his drink down, then Isidor's infront of him, then put the second flin infront of the Breton. Thom nodded torward Arynel and sat back down.

Posted by: Arynel Today, 03:16 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 07:14 PM)

"Well, I'm glad we can laugh over it." Thom watched as Isidor's drink gets lower in the mug, to he stood, went over to the bar, and bought the next round. "Two flin and a mead." Thom hands the money to the barkeep and takes the drinks back over to the table. He sets his drink down, then Isidor's infront of him, then put the second flin infront of the Breton. Thom nodded torward Arynel and sat back down.

*





Arynel lifted the tankart from the table and took a sip of flin.

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 03:18 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 09:14 PM)

"Well, I'm glad we can laugh over it." Thom watched as Isidor's drink gets lower in the mug, so he stood, went over to the bar, and bought the next round. "Two flin and a mead." Thom hands the money to the barkeep and took the drinks back over to the table. He set his drink down, then Isidor's infront of him, then put the second flin infront of the Breton. Thom nodded torward Arynel and sat back down.

*




"Many thanks, Thom. Any man willing to pay for all my drinks is deserving of honor." He laughs and turns to Arynel "I didn't fancy you for a drinker, Arynel."

Posted by: Arynel Today, 03:21 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Jul 21 2005, 07:18 PM)

"Many thanks, Thom. Any man willing to pay for all my drinks is deserving of honor." He laughs and turns to Arynel "I didn't fancy you for a drinker, Arynel."

*





"I wouldn't fancy me being anything but myself," Arynel replied.

The Breton returned to his flin.

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 03:25 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jul 21 2005, 08:21 PM)

"I wouldn't fancy me being anything but myself," Arynel replied.

The Breton returned to his flin.

*




"Well said." Thom then took a sip of his own flin. He then turned to Isidor and said, "All your drinks, for tonight. This will not be the last night, but if I pay for all of your drinks, I would be like a beggar," joked Thom. "May you require many many more drinks in the future."

Posted by: Stargazey Today, 03:27 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 09:25 PM)

"Well said." Thom then took a sip of his own flin. He then turned to Isidor and said, "All your drinks, for tonight. This will not be the last night, but if I pay for all of your drinks, I will be like a beggar," joked Thom. "May you require many many more drinks in the future."

*




Isidor winked and finished his mead. "If you'll excuse me gentelmen, my bed waits for me." He patted Thom on the shoulder and got up. He made his way out of the bar, a bit of a drunken swagger in his step.

Posted by: f15tray22 Today, 03:46 AM

Thom watched as Isidor exited the tavern, leaving Arynel and himself sitting at the table. Thom rose, went to the bar, bought another flin, and took it back to the table. He put the drink infront of the Breton and said, "Have another. I am going to go see what is happening in town. Goodbye." Thom walked out of the tavern and into the street. He didn't know where to go, so he just started walking.

Posted by: Arynel Today, 03:48 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Jul 21 2005, 07:46 PM)

Thom watched as Isidor exited the tavern, leaving Arynel and himself sitting at the table. Thom rose, went to the bar, bought another flin, and took it back to the table. He put the drink infront of the Breton and said, "Have another. I am going to go see what is happening in town. Goodbye." Thom walked out of the tavern and into the street. He didn't know where to go, so he just started walking.

*





Arynel waited for Thom to walk out the door, and then the Breton pushed the flin to a man fumbling through his money purse who seemed to have come up short.

Posted by: Loranna Today, 04:01 AM

On this note, we move on to the next installment.

LOCK ON!!!

Loranna

Posted by: Salamandar Today, 04:09 AM

Time to start a new thread, please smile.gif

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