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The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ Loranna's RP: Blue Dawn

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 04:50 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 28 2005, 06:29 AM)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===

Link to part four http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51791&st=0

Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jan 30 2005, 04:51 AM

Summary-

Issa got some neat gear, found out about Prophet's Edge, and Void-jumped to Ald Rathaam, and randomly ended up in the tavern.

Posted by: Tricrux Jan 30 2005, 04:53 AM

Marein Night-Scar is in the Tavern at Ald Raathim, staring at the newly appeared Issa.

"How in the hell? - What in the hell? - Who in the hell are you?...What in the hell?" sputtered Night-Scar.

"Oh, hell no. No way you're an Azurite. Oh, hell no..."

He stood up, again ready with his feet and fists.

Posted by: Aki Jan 30 2005, 04:54 AM

Summary
Reichi is in the Ald Raathim Tavern, with Tohe, Eya, Camssim and several friends. Where Issa randomly apeared in the room.
-------------------------------

Reichi looked over at Issa, who had appeared in the room by some means. "Hiya Issa. How the fudge did you get here?" Reichi said, rather bluntly.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 30 2005, 04:57 AM

I'm with those guys who posted above me.

Teleran just looked questioningly at Issa and said, "I wonder how people keep popping up everywhere. Allerleirauh said she was in Daggerfall recently, but I don't remember her leaving the party. You pop out of nowhere. Oh well, I guess such questions are better left to mages and mystics. Which are you?"

Posted by: SEKKA Jan 30 2005, 04:57 AM

OOC:Sekka has recently shown up in the village, he spent the night and now Sekka is sitting in the tavern talking with other people when Issa Yojimbo appears...

IC: Sekka looks at the new arrival with a display of...uncaring "umm....theres not much that surprises us anymore is there?....no....Hello sir,....were Sekka....and we are a hero.....what??.....ummm i thought that....no you mongrel....your a mongrel too...shut your mongrel mouthes."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 04:57 AM

ooc summaries:

Allerleirauh was last seen on a hill near Ald Raathim, talking to Aricyn about his being hailed as the "Tiberarine". She feels that him pretending to be the true Emperor is a very bad idea, but he claims that that's only because she has never met the true Emperor. She and Arynel have agreed to care for the young Azurite girl. She also has plans to visit the families of Dres Wyrloc and Dres Gaor.

Tris, during a raid on an Azurite village, discovered that although he can't enter the Void, he still remembers some of his Void Ranger abilities. He and Ciel are somewhere after dealing with the Azurite assassin who was found in the tavern.

Doll has been creating spells and scrolls for the use of Jazbet's army.

Dragon and Skein are at Solunastra in Daggerfall.

Mirea is spying for Allerleirauh.

Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jan 30 2005, 04:57 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 29 2005, 10:44 PM)

Reichi looked over at Issa, who had appeared in the room by some means. "Hiya Issa. How the fudge did you get here?" Reichi said, rather bluntly.

"Remember my weird old katana? This is what it looks like now..."

Issa takes Prophet's Edge from it's back-strap and holds it in front of Reichi.

"It takes me where I need to go, wherever that is. So I guess I 'need' to be here."

Issa looks over at Marein.

"Hey, calm down, bud. Azurite? What are they? You mean those blue-eyed freaks? Are they here too?"

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 04:57 AM

OOC: The Breton Arynel is sitting near the back of the tavern.

Posted by: Tricrux Jan 30 2005, 05:00 AM

QUOTE(Issa_Yojimbo @ Jan 29 2005, 09:47 PM)

"Hey, calm down, bud. Azurite? What are they? You mean those blue-eyed freaks? Are they here too?"

Night-Scar relaxed visibly. "Nevermind, you don't have blue eyes. And yes, those blue-eyed freaks are here. Theyre everywhere, for that matter. Say, that's a nice sword...may I see where I need to go?"

Posted by: Aki Jan 30 2005, 05:02 AM

QUOTE(Issa_Yojimbo @ Jan 29 2005, 10:47 PM)

"It looked better as a Katana i say. Looks too "Paladin" now," Reichi replied. Tohe, Camassim, and Eya just stared.

Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jan 30 2005, 05:02 AM

QUOTE(Tricrux @ Jan 29 2005, 10:50 PM)

"Well, that depends...I don't think you'd know how to use it"

Issa smiles a bit, and looks at Teleran

"You could say I'm a sort of unique mage."

Posted by: Teleran Jan 30 2005, 05:03 AM

QUOTE(Tricrux @ Jan 29 2005, 06:50 PM)

"What's wrong with blue eyes? Mangy dogs, show some respect." Teleran points to his eyes, which, shining as they are with anger, make a very good impression of an Azurites.

Posted by: Tricrux Jan 30 2005, 05:05 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 29 2005, 09:53 PM)

"What's wrong with blue eyes? Mangy dogs, show some respect." Teleran points to his eyes, which, shining as they are with anger, make a very good impression of an Azurites.

"Well, how else do you identify an Azurite before they summon a Twilight and try to kill you, then?"

Posted by: Teleran Jan 30 2005, 05:07 AM

QUOTE(Tricrux @ Jan 29 2005, 06:55 PM)

"Well, how else do you identify an Azurite before they summon a Twilight and try to kill you, then?"

"There's a time before they try to kill you!?! Talk them out of it." Teleran said, obviously not thinking all too well at the moment.

Posted by: Aki Jan 30 2005, 05:08 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 29 2005, 10:53 PM)

"What's wrong with blue eyes? Mangy dogs, show some respect." Teleran points to his eyes, which, shining as they are with anger, make a very good impression of an Azurites.

The collective group of Tohe, Eya, Camassim, and of course Reichi, glared at Teleran. "Hey, i resem- er resent that remark," Reichi said. "Besides, your eyes arn't the right shade of blue. They need to GLOW more." Eya, who also had blue eyes, though a it was pale blue, nodded.

Posted by: Tricrux Jan 30 2005, 05:09 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 29 2005, 09:57 PM)

"There's a time before they try to kill you!?! Talk them out of it." Teleran said, obviously not thinking all too well at the moment.

"Right...maybe I shouldn't have paid up all of your drinks for the next week..."

Posted by: Teleran Jan 30 2005, 05:12 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 29 2005, 06:58 PM)

"Which is the reason you lot haven't gutted me...yet." Teleran said. "I should lay off the drinks. Hey Scar-Night you are covering the cost right?"

Posted by: Tricrux Jan 30 2005, 05:14 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 29 2005, 10:02 PM)

"Which is the reason you lot haven't gutted me...yet." Teleran said. "I should lay off the drinks. Hey Scar-Night you are covering the drinks right?"

Night-Scar smirked. "Am I? or are you wrong? and...while you're this drunk, what's to stop me from messing with your head as such?"

He was paying, of course, but this was funny.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 05:17 AM

Allerleirauh: The Void

It was time.

Within the Void, Allerleirauh loosed her hair and stretched out her arms. Her hair sparkled like the stars, though there was no light for it to reflect. The bare skin of her arms shimmered like moonlight. Her face and eyes shone bright as the sun. Like a beacon - Tris had mistaken her for an angel - she shone in all directions, sending out light where there was no light.

"Leseth," she said quietly, then raised her voice. "LESETH OF THE VOID! COME TO ME!"

Posted by: Teleran Jan 30 2005, 05:17 AM

QUOTE(Tricrux @ Jan 29 2005, 07:04 PM)

Night-Scar smirked. "Am I? or are you wrong? and...while you're this drunk, what's to stop me from messing with your head as such?"

He had, of course, but this was funny.

"You know, if you announce you're playing a mind game, it makes it much easier to avoid it. You sure that I'm the one who's drunk?" Teleran mumbled almost inaudibly.

Posted by: Tricrux Jan 30 2005, 05:20 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 29 2005, 10:07 PM)

"You know, if you announce you're playing a mind game, it makes it much easier to avoid it. You sure that I'm the one who's drunk?" Teleran mumbled almost inaudibly.

"I don't know. Are you? Are you paying for your drinks? Or am I? Are you drunk or am I? Are your eyes really blue, or do you just think that? Are you really Teleran?"

He laughed. This was really quite funny. He was eager to see how Tel reacted. In the meantime, He turned to Reichi and his pals.

"What? Why are you all glaring at Teleran?"

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 05:23 AM

"All the world layed out on a tray, served to a king who tossed it away." Arynel exhaled.

The Breton got up from his seat, and began walking towards the door.

"As woven threads the spool unwinds, the path is layed and the road defined."

Posted by: Aki Jan 30 2005, 05:26 AM

QUOTE(Tricrux @ Jan 29 2005, 11:10 PM)

Reichi turned to look at Marein, the others tried to look busy and looked at other things. "Because, hes glar-at-able" Reichi replied, with a large grin.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 05:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 09:07 PM)

(The Void:)

Far away in a place where distance had no meaning, Leseth heard the call. He could see the light, shining in the distance like a sun.

Bosriel shielded her eyes behind Leseth's cloak.

"Hide, Little One. More than you have ever listened to me before, listen now. Do not make yourself known to her."

He petted her black hair.

"I will return."

His black cloak swirled around him, and Leseth sped off to confront the light.

Within a heartbeat, he hung before her. Here, he was the only black spot, for here the endless dark was light.

"You called," the quiet voice said.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 30 2005, 05:28 AM

Summary-

Dante, is at the tavern in Ald Raathim.

Illidan, is at Jazbets castle.

Brum, Merciander, Inzoliah and friends, you don't wanna know.....

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 05:32 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 29 2005, 10:17 PM)

(The Void:)

Far away in a place where distance had no meaning, Leseth heard the call. He could see the light, shining in the distance like a sun.

Bosriel shielded her eyes behind Leseth's cloak.

"Hide, Little One. More than you have ever listened to me before, listen now. Do not make yourself known to her."

He petted her black hair.

"I will return."

His black cloak swirled around him, and Leseth sped off to confront the light.

Within a heartbeat, he hung before her. Here, he was the only black spot, for here the endless black was light.

"You called," the quiet voice said.

"I called," Allerleirauh repeated.

"Render me an accounting of yourself, Leseth. Why have you been avoiding me? Why have you been seen in the company of a monster? Why have you let her touch my people? And how have you dared to stretch forth your hand to harm your own brother in the Guild?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 05:47 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 09:22 PM)

(The Void:)

Leseth bowed his black head.

"Many things I have to answer for," he said, quietly.

"The monster...

"She has existed for many ages. The Queen of Wayrest drew her attention and entwined her path with ours. Without my presence, many would be dead, not merely injured. I regret the injuries. I should have watched her more closely. It is my hope that her threat will soon be ended.

"Tris Gaerington...

"You are aware of the Guild's rules, for you made them. Further, you are aware of my rules. When Mirror showed the Void to a leader of men; when he made the Queen of Wayrest aware of our existence, he was acting neither as my brother nor as a Guild member. He threatened everything, and Bosriel's presence in the path of your people is but one consequence of his actions that we still live with.

"I took steps to insure it would not happen a second time.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 05:58 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 29 2005, 10:37 PM)

"You know better," Allerleirauh said. "Spite and envy should be beneath you, Leseth. If you merely wanted Mirror stopped because you disapproved of his behavior, you know the rules as well as anyone - they involve addressing me, and the others in the Guild. You have acted alone for the same reasons he acted alone, because you feared I would not approve the course of action you had already decided to take. And just as he did, you acted clumsily, and wrought needless destruction. I could have saved Ciel without alerting the Queen. I could have reined in Mirror without laming him and destroying his life. Neither of you saw fit to seek my council and this is the result.

"I need spies now, Leseth - many things are slipping through my fingers because Mirror is no longer able to run. Have you come bearing tidings of a new Ranger to take his place? No? Explain to me what I should take from you, as payment for what you took from him."

Posted by: Teleran Jan 30 2005, 06:00 AM

"This should cover anything I owe anyone here," Teleran said throwing Night-Scar's coin-purse onto the table, "I'm gonna go for a walk. Clear my head."

With that Teleran walked out of the tavern and wandered through the town and the surrounding tents. Some of the refugees ignored him others seemed afraid of him for some reason. Looking down at himself he realized he was still wearing his torn clothes from the raid. 'I guess I need to find some new clothes, I look like I murdered the past few villages I visited.'

He decided to go to Jazbet's estate to see if he could get any clothes there. As he walked along the path He heard some footfalls behind him. He looked back to see who it was, but it was just some of the refugees, some young men. They looked weary they were probably trying to get Jazbet's aid in something, maybe offering to help keep watch. Teleran kept walking and the first few passed him. 'It must be tough for Jazbet right now, so many people entering your domain. Enemies all around.'

Teleran's thought was cut short by a fist impacting his face almost taking his jaw off. "Damn blue-eyed devil! Think you can run us off our homes! We ran from you before but I'll be damned if we run again!"

"Huh, wha...OOF!" Teleran began, but was cut short as another man kicked him in the stomach.

"We'll kill you demon! We won't let you get away with killing our family's! We won't!" tears streamed down the man's face as he spoke.

"I didn-" Teleran was spun around by a third man's roundhouse kick.

"Don't let him summon his monster! Kill him now!" yelled a man near the back of the group.

Teleran was slow getting to his feet, but was helped somewhat when two of them grabbed him by his shoulders and pulled him up."Than-" Teleran began, but stopped short as a fist cracked into him.

'This has gone on long enough you idiot!' the dagger screamed at him.

'I'll handle it.' Teleran thought back.

The two men found themselves holding only a shirt as Teleran slipped out from it. Before they could react they tumbled into the group waiting for their turn to pound the Azurite. "I am not a demon!" He yelled at them. "I'm not even a bloody Azurite!"

A few of the men looked amongst themselves a little worried that they may have been wrong. Once again from the back there was a yell, "Don't believe him! His kind killed all those we've known! It's time he learned how it feels!"

With new resolve they came forward. Resolve didn't help them that much when they felt themselves leave the ground suspended by their clothes.

'I didn't do that!' Teleran thought.

'I did. Just keep walking they'll be down in a bit.'

Teleran walked into the estate and found where he could get some clothes. He changed into some reasonably nice clothes and thanked the maid who had shown him where to find some clothes. They were obviously meant for the guards and had the emblem of House Dres on them. He walked back towards town and did not see hide nor hair of the men who had accosted him earlier.

Posted by: Arrogant_Hero Jan 30 2005, 06:07 AM

Summary:

The Prophets of Azura campout on the outskirts of Blacklight building their forces for Azura’s “Will”. At sunrise one of the prophets will leave with a small group to intercept Loranna’s group.

The main prophet, Isaiah, is having a very painful conversation with Azura. The second prophet, Jeremiah, struggles with the thought of betraying Isaiah, and the third, Ezeka, waits for Isaiah’s decision on who leads the group to Blacklight.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 06:09 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 09:48 PM)

"I need spies now, Leseth - many things are slipping through my fingers because Mirror is no longer able to run. Have you come bearing tidings of a new Ranger to take his place? No? Explain to me what I should take from you, as payment for what you took from him."

(The Void:)

Leseth's head bowed at her words. His voice was very quiet.

"I did not act out of spite and envy...

"You do speak truly, however. I did not seek permission for I knew it would be denied.

"You love, General, and your love cannot let you see that Tris Gaerington was not ready to step outside the world, but yet he did. When next he learns to walk, he will be ready to take that step.

"You are fully capable of taking my life in payment, as you are aware. I will not offer it, for I know that it would pay for nothing, and my presence is needed now.

His head bowed further, shielding his eyes behind black shadows.
"Forgive me. I have nothing else to offer.

"As for new spies, General, the Void is crawling with unfamiliar faces these days. Do these newcomers follow no orders? Do they not serve the Guild?

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 06:15 AM

A waist high Bosmer girl tapped Arynel on the thigh. "What are you doing? You look like a Kwama who lost its nest." She stuck her little pink tongue out of her mouth.

Arynel looked towards the girl, and forced a weak smile. "I'm going out for a walk, how does the path greet you?"

"How does the path greet me!? Are you mad? Roads don't talk!" She stuck her tongue out again.

Arynel let out a chuckle. "It means how are you doing? More or less. Tell me, where are your parents, child?"

The little Bosmer girl stamped her foot. "I'm running away."

"Oh, yes, I did something of that sort myself." The Breton said. "May I ask why?"

"They're crazy!" The little girl exclaimed. "Everyday they make me go out and its "Aerin, get this," and "Aerin, do that," its horrible!"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 06:17 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 29 2005, 10:59 PM)

Leseth was not looking at her, and so Allerleirauh did not have to hide the pity on her face.

"None of us are ever ready, Leseth. Tris might have learned the same lesson, with less suffering. He's a very young man, still."

She rested her white hand on his black face. "Dragon says I should make your hide into a satchel. I like your hide better where it is. I myself thought of whipping you, like a child or a dog, to see if it would make you understand better. But your trouble is too little joy, not too little pain. The price I exact from you is this, and it is a steep one, and I do not expect you to ignore it or treat it lightly: next New Life, if we all still live, you will spend with us, at Solunastra."

She took her hand away.

"You speak of Solin and Arynel? They are masters, and masters do not answer to me. Or is there some other new face in the Void?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 06:29 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 10:07 PM)

(The Void:)

Leseth raised his eyes to meet hers. They were, as always, red as new-spilled blood, but now they were also filled with unfamiliar emotion. He blinked in the white light of Allerleirauh, and a heavy tear ran, unwelcomed, down his sharp black cheek.

"We will live, as always, and I will be there."

He set his heavy jaw.

"It is they of whom I speak.
"They are too young to be masters," he added.

"There are no others. One unfamiliar to me sometimes flits through, like a gnat, but he does not enter. It is not my concern.

"I do my job, General, as always. Where I have failed you, I have failed myself."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 06:33 AM

"I would like to tell you a story," Arynel said, "If that would be alright?"

"Well, I suppose I can wait," Aerin said, placing her hands on her hips, "It had better be good though."

The Breton began his tale:

There was a boy who lived a long, long time ago, named Faernyth, and everyday as a chore he had to go to the well, to gather water. Now, like most little boys, he didn’t like doing chores, in fact he hated it, but he had to do them anyways, or else his parents would send him to bed without any supper.

Now, on this particular day, Faernyth was filling his pale of water, when a crooked-noosed, wrinkled-faced old woman came up to him, and asked, “Hello, child, it looks as though you’re doing some awful hard work.”

Now, anyone who knows anything would realize that this old hag was obviously a witch, but Faernyth was obviously a no one who knew nothing, because he talked right back without suspecting a thing, “Yes, it is dreadful hard work.”

“Let me make you a deal,” the old woman said, “I could make it so you never have to fetch water again.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Faernyth said. “I’ll do anything.”

“Go fetch your water today, and take it home.” The old woman said. “You won’t have to get water ever again, but you have to come meet me here in one week, at midnight, or else the deal is over.”

Faernyth smiled. “What do I have to do?”

“Simple.” The old woman said. “Leave your pale outside, and you’ll see. Just remember to meet me again in a week, or else the deals off, and you’ll have to fill your pale every day for the rest of your life.”

So, Faerynth filled his pale, and went back home, a little skip in his step. He got up the next day and put his pale outside, the moment he put it down, it began to rain. Soon the pale was filled up with water, so Faerynth, quite happy, went back out to get it. It continued to rain, all day, and all night, nonstop. The next day, it rained again; Faerynth was forced to stay inside all day, except to fill his pale. It rained all that week, and Faerynth couldn’t go out to play one single time, all he could do was sit at the window, gazing out and pretend to do all the wonderful things he wanted to do. At last the end of the week came, when Faerynth was supposed to meet the old woman again. He had had enough though, he hated getting those buckets of water, but he hated not being able to play even worse, so he stayed home, happy that the deal was over. Sure enough, the next day it stopped raining, and he had to make his daily trip to the well once again.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 06:33 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 29 2005, 11:19 PM)

(The Void:)

Leseth raised his eyes to meet hers. They were, as always red as new-spilled blood, but now they were also filled with unfamiliar emotion. He blinked in the white light of Allerleirauh, and a heavy tear ran, unwelcomed, down his sharp black cheek.

"We will live, as always, and I will be there."

He set his heavy jaw.

"It is they of whom I speak.
"They are too young to be masters," he added.

"There are no others. One unfamiliar to me sometimes flits through, like a gnat, but he does not enter. It is not my concern.

"I do my job, General, as always. Where I have failed you, I have failed myself."

Allerleirauh smiled at Leseth for a moment, without speaking.

"You are right, of course," she said. "Arynel and Solin are both staggering under the burden of being who they are. But I did not make them and I cannot unmake them. We have the Guild, as we have always had it, for solace and strength, and I hope it will be enough.

"Now - the other matter. The girl, Bosriel. Doll gave me your message. Explain how this has an end and why I should not seek an end to it myself."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 06:43 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 10:23 PM)

"Now - the other matter. The girl, Bosriel. Doll gave me your message. Explain how this has an end and why I should not seek an end to it myself."

(The Void:)

"She is," Leseth said quietly, "more innocent than any of us. She did not seek this existence. She is a monster, but she should be a child.

"The Queen of Wayrest has gone to great lengths to help free her from the Void. Bosriel wishes to be free, for she feels the Void is a prison. I, however, do not believe she may leave. She is a creature of endless nothing, and hunger.

"I am very near to seeing her loosed into the world. When that happens, it is my belief that she will be a mere child... or she will perish utterly."

He lowered his head again. "Either would suffice.

"End it now if you wish. I cannot stop you. But by my way there is a chance at life."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 06:51 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 29 2005, 11:33 PM)

Allerleirauh frowned.

"Very well. Continue; I bow to your judgement.

"It is for the sake of another child that I called you today. There is a young Azurite girl in Jazbet's castle. Jazbet - I have my own reasons for speaking openly to him - knows of us now. He has been blinded but he can see the future, and he asks that Arynel and I raise the little girl as our own. I intend to raise her at Solunastra. I want you to take her there. I know that passing through the Void is terrible for many people, and leaves lasting scars, but I believe that if she were one of those people she would not belong with us. Perhaps the terror of being torn from all she knows and holds true is exactly what she needs at this moment. Can you take her?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 06:54 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 10:41 PM)

(The Void:)

"As I shall bow to your judgement, General. I shall take this girl to Solunastra.

"You wish her to know of her journey?"

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 06:54 AM

"What a stupid story!" The little Bosmer girl said, stamping her feet. "What a waste of time! I can't believe I listened to that!"

"Wait," Arynel said, "there's more, it isn't finished yet."

The Aerin harumphed, and the Breton continued his story.

Later that week, Faerynth was sulking his way up to the well, pale in hand, when he saw the crooked-nosed wrinkled-faced old woman again. “You didn’t come to meet me like you promised.” The old woman said.

“I know,” Faerynth said. “I was happy that I didn’t have to go to the well to fetch water, but I was sad I couldn’t go out to play, so I decided I didn’t want it to rain all the time anymore—I’d get the water if I had to, so I could play outside.”

“We made a deal,” the old woman said, “and you broke it. Now you’ll have to fill your pale every day for the rest of your life.”

“I know.” Faerynth said with a frown. “But I want to play, and I can’t if it’s always raining.”

So the old woman shook her head, and sent him on his way. Faernyth went home and played for the rest of the day, and at days end, he went to bed, happy that he could play. That night, the old hag came inside the house, and carefully whisked him away, when Faernyth awoke, he was in a strange house, in a strange place. The old hag appeared through the doorway, “Hello, child, it’s time you fulfill your half of our little deal.”

“What do you mean?” Faernyth asked. “I have to fetch water now, which was the deal, wasn’t it?”

The old hag laughed like a vulture. “No, no, no,” she said, stamping her feet in delight, “you promised to fill your pale every day for the rest of your life!”

“What?” Faernyth stammered, “What do you mean?”

The old hag revealed a bucket and placed thrust it into Faernyth’s arms. “Come with me.” She said with a ghastly cackle.

Faernyth was led down a twisted hallway and into a strange room, filled with trees and plants of all varieties, growing all in little pots. “You will cut off the branches of the trees, until you fill the bucket up a third of the way,” the old hag said, “And then cut the flowers, and fill the bucket the rest of the way with them.”

So Faernyth, under the hawk-like eye of the old witch, had to go and fill the bucket up, first with the sticks, and then with the blooms. When he was done, already sniffling, he watched as the old hag took them, and burnt them in a fire. The coals she used in a bellows, and she made him hammer out things of metal, it was hot and sweaty and horrible—and he’d have to do it again the next day, and the next, and the next, and the next.

Posted by: Arrogant_Hero Jan 30 2005, 07:05 AM

Outskirts of Blacklight

Night falls on the prophets of Azura, and the mixed, ferocious group of Nords, Dunmers, Redguards, and others were all retreating to their places of rest. Walking amongst them, shining like a beacon in an ocean, is Ezeka. Many of the men in the camp watch and stare at her like hungry dogs do to a plate full of meat, but none approach her. The whole camp knows that messing with her is like messing with Isaiah, and messing with Isaiah is like messing with Azura herself. But still some try... Upon entering her tent Ezeka is seized by a small visitor.

“Momma!” A small voice cries from Ezeka’s leg.

Ezeka breaks her hard exterior and shows her rarely seen smile. “There’s my little angel.”

Her little girl, along with Isaiah, are the only things that bring her happiness in this mortal plane. She looked down at her daughter and felt a small ounce of fear. Her daughter’s eyes where not blue, she had hid her daughter from everyone and only allowed her to come out heavily cloaked, and her face hidden. She meant more that Nirn to Ezeka and she wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

“You ready for sleep? We have to rise with the sun tomorrow.”

Ezeka lays down and holds her daughter as a bear would cradle her cub. She might have to leave in the morning and she wanted all the time she could get with her child.

Posted by: Issa_Yojimbo Jan 30 2005, 07:19 AM

Balmora

A high elf named Reliuson sits in shambles in the road. His entire family was killed by blue-eyed monsters. He sits and thinks about his life.

"Why me, Azura?" he mock prays, "If you want me, then just take me. I don't care, I have nothing left..."

Suddenly, three blue-eyed Dunmer and a Nord surrounded him, chanting. The Nord spoke

"You have offered yourself in service to our lady. Do you speak in earnest? Or do you take your words in jest?"

Reliuson replied, "I don't care anymore. Do whatever..."

Suddenly, he felt such a pain in his heart that he never felt before. His blood felt like it turned from liquid to ice. He passed out.

When he awoke, he had no memory.

He served Azura, just as he always had.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 07:27 AM

Aerin's eyes went wide, and began to tear. "That's horrible! That witch made him hurt those poor plants, those poor plants! How could she do that? That was a horrible story! I hate you!"

"No, wait," Arynel said, squatting so as to be at eye level with the girl, "there's a bit more, it's not finished yet."

The Breton continued his story.

One day, the brave hunter Manglos was wandering through the woods, hunting for food and fun, nourishment and adventure. He came upon an old house, with smoke spewing out the chimney—smoke that smelt like wood-smoke. So of course Manglos, being the meat eating Bosmer that he was, went up to the house and knocked on the door, saying: “Who is this, that burns wood that should not be harmed?”

The old hag of an Imperial opened the door, “why come in, come in,” she said, ushering the man inside, “I know it shouldn’t be done, but I just can’t stop him. I try and tell him not to hurt the trees so, not to damage the flowers, but he rips of both branch and bloom, and burns them in the fire! I know I should stop him, but he’s young and strong, and I’m old and weak.”

“Well if you can’t stop him yourself, why don’t you go ask for help?” Manglos asked, following the old hag through the twisted hall.

“I’m old, and my legs are bad,” the old hag lied, “I’m stuck here, and depend on him to provide for me. So you see why I cannot make him stop. Thank you, though, thank you so much for coming, now we can stop him, kill him if we must, I am so happy you are here.”

The old hag led Manglos into the strange room, filled with plants, where he could see Faernyth ripping off limbs with is bare hands, and with his own fingers picking off flowers. With teary eyes, he placed them in the bucket.

“You see?” The old hag said, doing her best to hide a smirk. “He cuts down branches; he picks flowers, decapitating them that do no harm! Now, now you are here, we can stop him, kill him even.”

Luckily for Faernyth, Manglos was gifted with a quick wit, and was quick to recognize the old hag for what she was. He drew his sword and slew her right then and there, and took Faerynth home, to live happily ever after with his mother and father, who missed him very much, and had cried every night since he had left.

__________________________________________________________________

The little Bosmer girls eyes went wide, and she began to cry. "I hate you! Your stories are terrible, and you're mean! I'm going home!" Aerin turned and ran off.

Arynel stood blankly for a moment, shook his head, and sat down on the ground, letting his head fall forward between his knees.

"I should go, I think," the Breton said, "I hear the hay is ripe for chewing."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 07:38 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 12:17 AM)

________________________________________________________________

The little Bosmer girls eyes went wide, and she began to cry. "I hate you! Your stories are terrible, and you're mean! I'm going home!" Aerin turned and ran off.

Arynel stood blankly for a moment, shook his head, and sat down on the ground, letting his head fall forward between his knees.

"I should go, I think," the Breton said, "I hear the hay is ripe for chewing."

"Well, I liked it," Allerleirauh said, chuckling. "It took me a moment to find you. Practicing?"

She sat down beside him. She thumped his shoulder with hers, playfully, knocking him off balance.

"Leseth is waiting to take the child to Solunastra. We don't even know her name yet. He asks if she should remember the journey, or not. It was my thought that it's best to face terrors when awake then to face them in nightmares. What do you think?"

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 07:42 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 11:28 PM)

Arynel pulled himself up, and got settled on his feet.

"To Solunastra?" Arynel asked, his eyes going wide. "Surely she cannot--no, I understand, that is the safest place. Let me think."

The Breton paused, scraching his chin.

"I think it will be a nightmare either way, one she must face alone, or one where we will be there to help her. Let her be awake."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 07:49 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 12:32 AM)

Allerleirauh stood up with him.

"Her parents are dead, yet she doesn't grieve. She has Azura in her heart, upholding her. You see the problem? Sometimes nightmares are kinder than pleasant dreams. Come with me."

She spoke a string of power, and returned to the Void.

"Leseth - she goes awake. Be as kind as you can; she's a savage little creature. But you are strong enough to withstand the brutality of a child. We'll have to kill her guardian again now that she's rested, I'm sure."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 30 2005, 07:52 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 11:39 PM)

Arynel whispered a string of power.

He flew past the ideologies of limit

He left behind all semblance of guilt

The Breton followed after Allerleirauh, but remained silent.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 07:54 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 29 2005, 11:39 PM)

(The Void:)

Leseth looked at Arynel, and then to Allerleirauh.

"Her guardian will not trouble us in the Void.

"There is no kindness here, but I will be gentle."

With a crack like thunder, he entered the world.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 30 2005, 08:28 AM

(Jazbet's Castle, the dungeon:)

The cell floor was strewn with fresh straw, and there was a small, comfortable bed. The child lay upon it in unnatural slumber. A little lamp struggled to overcome new odds as Leseth appeared by the bedside.

One giant hand made an arcane gesture, and the little girl's blue eyes fluttered awake.

"What are you?" she said in her bravest voice.

"Who are you?" a cold, quiet voice said in answer.

"Tamne."

"Well, Tamne," Leseth said, drawing close to the bed and bending down on one great, armored knee, "I am he who comes to carry off children when they misbehave. Fear not, though, Child, for today I come to take you to a wondrous new home."

The little girl shivered, although she tried hard not to.

"You mean you are going to take me out of this place? I have bad dreams here."

"Yes, Child, I will take you someplace nicer than you can imagine. But first, one more very bad dream. Then, if you are a good girl, and you don't misbehave, I won't have to come and take you away to my home."

The little blue-eyed girl thought, just for a moment, about calling to the pretty winged woman for help, but she was caught in one huge black arm, and in a moment the little cell was gone.

Leseth hadn't lied. It was a very bad dream.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 30 2005, 11:00 AM

Summary

Elysana, the Queen of Wayrest, is on her ship, together with twenty of her knights and the playwright Baloth-Kul, nearing Solitude, Skyrim. She plans to take the rivers home to Wayrest if they are not frozen over. The remainder of her army is in Sheogorad.

Bosriel, the little dark-haired girl, the Void Vampire, is in the Void, alone, waiting for Leseth to return to her … and waiting for freedom.

Jazbet, the Khajiit Knight of the House Dres, is waking up in his room. He gets up quietly to avoid waiting Loranna. He has a great many things to do today. As much as possible, he has seen to his domain’s defense, and now he is planning to look to taking offensive action against the Azurites.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 30 2005, 11:15 AM

Solitude: outside the College of Bards

Mirea sat on the back of a larger-than-life equestrian statue of Tiber Septim, her arms around the great man's bronze waist, kicking her feet and listening to a bardic competition. It was cold. She wore a fluffy fur hood, pulled tightly by a drawstring around her head. It felt like her ears were being tied in knots but at least they weren't freezing.

The fellow before this had at least had an interesting tremolo... like a dying bovine. This fellow wasn't singing so much as chanting. He seemed to be starting his recital with a geneology of the hero. Mirea practiced crossing her eyes to distract herself.

"Oi! Young lady, get down from there! It's not respectful!"

Mirea looked down into the face of a local guard. She smiled brightly, and lifted the hem of her skirt, letting him see up it. After a long moment, the guard winked at her, and went on his way.

She sighed, and went back to kicking her feet.

Posted by: Solin Jan 30 2005, 11:40 AM

[Arcius Crito]

The crate had been, surprisingly, packed with trimmings from comberry bushes along with pleasant smelling herbs and plants. Given the state that Vivec and its surroundings was in it was a good touch, hard work, even if it did fail horribly. The odor was hard to bear without gagging.

“What part of ‘burn the bloody bastard’ didn’t he understand?” Faril asked no one in particular.

The small group of assembled men stood in a loose semi circle around the open box. A hesitant soul looked as if he were about to speak but held his tongue instead. Nervousness seemed to permeate the air around the lord.

The fool looked like he was something again.

“My lord, he-”

“Get some wood to burn,” Crito cut him off suddenly with a low harsh order. And so the man did.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 30 2005, 11:45 AM

Loranna:

Loranna, having heard Aricyn make his speech to the masses about the Emperor and gotten into a brief argument of sorts with Arynel, spent most of her previous day holed up in the library, reading. She woke to find Jazbet already gone ...

Taking with her some sheets of paper and a pen, Loranna starts keeping a chronicle of her day, in an unsteady but deternimed hand.

===

Loranna's Journal

Doll had said that you learn by doing. I need to learn to write more clearly, so I've decided to write. We'll see how the journel idea works out.

Jazbet wasn't in bed when I woke, which I suppose is good in the small sense that my gasping for air didnt wake him. I hope that doesn't become a problem later, because my dreams show no sign of abating. If anything, they're gettng a bit more vivid and complex. I wonder if I should talk to someone about them ... still feel an odd reluctance to do so, though, other than that on time I tried talking to Tris about them.

One good thing about the dreams, the grumpiness I felt from my spat with Arynel was gone upon me waking up. It's hard to hold onto grumpiness over a dumb argument after feeling like I'm being crushed for eternity. I probably should talk to him later and apologize. I think I will, but I'll wait a bit, let him cool down. Besides, I have things I really ought to get started on.

---

I spent most of my day today in Ald Raathein, talking with the local healer. He seems like one of the nicer Dunmer I've talked to, or maybe it's just he's a bit more tolerant of outlanders. He at least listened to my request for training in the healers trade without just showing me the door, so that's something, I figure. I still had to do some errands for him and offer to clean up around his place before he'd actually teach me anything, though, and he got a little cross when I had to ask him to explain a couple things twice, but overall it went pretty good I think. And at the end of the lesson he did say that I was picking up things pretty fast, so I feel encouraged that I've found a good niche for myself now. Hopefully I'll be skilled enough to actually be of help when and if the Azurites reach us.

I didn't bump into anyone I knew today. I wonder how Aricyn, Allie, and Arynel are doing. I do still feel a little bad about the way things went yesterday. It's not fun, seeing my friends fight, especially when it looks like the problem was due to a misunderstanding more than anything else. Then again, this was probably brewing for a while now, so ...

---

It's past dinner time now, and everyone is still busy from what I can see. Then again, I've been spending some time going over what the healer taught me and working with the pracitce spells he was good enough to show me, so I've been pretty much keeping to myself. I hope Jazbet hasn't been worried about me, but he has likely had more than enough to keep him occupied as it is. I wish I knew more about tactics and leadership to help him with his onus, but I'm not there yet. I don't know if I ever will.

The journal idea seems to be working fairly well. I feel more confident about writing than I did this morning. I'll have to try and keep up with it, and start writing down what happened to me during my time as Azura's Incarnate. People will probably distort what happened and I want to keep the actual events straight as best I can. Maybe when things calm down I could ask Allie or one of the others to tell me their side of things, to help that.

I found myself wondering what plan Allie and Jazbet have come up with regarding that Azurite girl. I'm guessing Allie is thinking of taking her to the Guild hall back in Daggerfall, to raise her with her own people. Either that, or Allie knows some other powerful people who can handle a kid who can summon Winged Twilights that I haven't met yet. I wonder how that would impact Allie's plans for Sen-Yedda, if she's going to have a hand in raising the Azurite girl herself.

I should probably call it a night now. There's still lots for me to do tomorrow. Jazbet was talking about me meeting some Mage Guild people to work on a magic disguise and the healer is expecting me to show up again to do more errands and learn more.

---

Gathering up the pages of her new journal, Loranna returns to Jazbet's room that night, intent on helping the Khajiit relax from whatever stress he may be feeling ...

Posted by: Dumbkid Jan 30 2005, 10:45 PM

The old Dunmer made the last of the ritual markings on his flesh with pigment made from ground plants, and then put the insect shell housing the paint on the ground. He stepped into the old tomb, where his father had shown him the secret rites, the old ways now forgotten.

He exhaled a word incomprehensible in most modern tongues, and the tomb filled with light, the walls were adorned with painted figures; Earth, Sun, Moons, and spirits; spirits and spirit paths. The old Dunmer exhaled a second word equally incomprehensible, and he was answered by an echo of ghastly calls; there was an interplay of light and shadow, and a thing like the wind.

The tomb settled, and the old Dunmer lifted in his right hand the spirit bone bracelet, which he shook, rattling the bones of his ancestors who had died in battle; in his left hand he held a pouch, from which he threw forth bonemeal into the air, bones of his ancestors who had died in peace.

The bonemeal burst into flames in the air, then in a moment expired, leaving the tomb filled with smoke. The old Dunmer rattled the spirit bone bracelet once more, and chanted an incomprehensible phrase, and the smoke twirled into lines and shapes and forms. In the smoke the old Dunmer read words only he could, whole stories that would fill a thousand books, if written in any modern tongue; in the howling spirit wind that swept the smoke along he heard voices unrecognizable to all ears but his own, terrible and beautiful, counting out the days until the end of the world.

The tomb went black and still, and the old Dunmer sat silently in the darkness, still as any number of old stones, pondering what he had learned.

Posted by: stratigo Jan 31 2005, 01:50 AM

Zaldaar's head ached. His body ached. His whole being ached. He sat on a large rock outside the tavern in Ald Raatham. He stood shakingly. His clothing were torn and he had several bruises. He walked into the tavern. "I'm getting too old for this." He muttered. He sat at a small table and rested his head.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 03:34 AM

'So what exactly can you do?' Teleran thought to the dagger.

'Whatever you can do, but better.'

'Riiiight. Sure, So why are you so bloodthirsty then? Can you see what I see?' Teleran asked.

'I'm a dagger moron, you figure it out. I like the sensations and being in a sheath is an unpleasant situation. I can use your perceptions of the world, not that its been doing a lot of good lately. Would you mind laying off the brandy for a bit?'

'Fine. Where did you come from anyway? I don't remember enchanting those daggers.'

'I came from ...somewhere. Vast, beyond description, huge, so much power flowing through me, but also, so small, so insignificant, inconsequential. Not really alive, existing but not thinking. The first moments here it was ecstasy, wondrous sensation. Then you came, and you pushed me out, shunted me aside. The daggers were the only other place I could find. There I was trapped, an ancient spirit was in those, tormented, twisted, violent. In pain, anguish, it had wailed for the end to its torment to come, to be sent to Oblivion. Wishing death on itself and all, at least that's what it felt like, the imprint that it left. Then you broke the dagger and there was a flash of pain then I was home.'
'So why did you came back then?'

'Too vast, too large, too much space. I was aware! I needed the cosmos defined, no definition there just power. It frightened me, so I came to the only vessel I knew, you.'

'I think I see.' Teleran was thoroughly confused by all this, but he wasn't going to admit it.

'Pay attention to the road moron.'

Teleran almost walked over a young Dunmer boy, "Sorry, I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No mistah. My brother, he said to give you this." The boy handed Teleran a vial of liquid. "He says he's sorry he did mean things to you. This is a healing potion. I got it from a ...my brother made it. He's a real good alchemist."

"Tell him its no problem, just not to beat up strangers again. And tell him thanks for the potion." Teleran drank from the potion and it soursed through his veins, then he felt as though a fire had been lit in each and every cell. "What was that?" he tried to yell as he fell forward.

"You killed my brother! Now you'll pay for it!" the boy yelled in victory. The men who had attacked him before came out from the tents.

"Now you die demon. You deserve worse." One of the men said. Another was not content with words and viciously kicked Teleran in the gut. "Murdering monster!" he screamed

"Have any of you imbeciles even seen an Azurite before?" a voice from behind them yelled.

"Yeah, they have blue eyes and they killed all those we loved, there's nothing else to know," answered one.

"Their eyes glow blue you s'wit!" shouted the voice back. The men moved to attack the one who spoke, but an eerie green glow emanated from his hands and they fled before him. He poured a potion down Teleran's throat. "This is a healing potion. You're lucky I was walking by Teleran. I see you're still jumping into things without looking first. Is that insignia of House Dres? You haven't been adopted by them have you? And what's with the arm? Last I recall, you couldn't stand being confined by heavy armor."

"Sathas Rivul!?! What are you doing here and how do you know what an Azurite looks like?" Teleran exclaimed in surprise. "No, I'm wearing this because I tore my clothes beyond repair and I needed some. The maid at the estate was kind enough to let me borrow these, though I'm not doing a very good job of keeping them in one piece. The arm ...I lost it. This is a mock-up using telekinesis, so I don't look a cripple at least. Well, how about answering my questions guar-herder?"

"Guar-herder? You know I don't herd guar." Sathas smiled. "As for what I'm doing here, I was driven off by the Azurites on Vvardenfell, and this was the first place where I saw a gathering of people who weren't waiting to tear me to shreds. As for how I know what an Azurite looks like, I was hunting with a friend, at least I thought of him as such, when all of a sudden his eyes start glowing blue and he starts spouting gibberish about me defying his Lady. He pulled his shortsword and charged me. Then I hear a winged twilight's scream split the air. Lucky for me he practically threw himself on my spear, and when he died the Twilight, it vanished. I notice you have a proper spear now, rather than those fool daggers you always used. That's my tale."

"I still have my 'fool daggers,' thank you very much." Teleran snapped back, but there was no venom in the remark. "You mentioned you were leaving. Why?"

"You know I never liked crowds. Besides this is my first opportunity to hunt the mainland. Goodbye, and if you get yourself into another situation use your own hands to fix it." Sathas waved and left. Teleran yelled his goodbyes. then he got up and walked towards the tavern. He did feel better, the bruises that had marked him were gone and his ribcage felt whole.

When he walked in and ordered water the barkeep stared at him for a moment before getting him some. 'Don't forget to eat moron.' said the dagger, Teleran ordered something to eat.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 05:10 AM

Daggerfall: Solunastra

"Thank you, Leseth," Allerleirauh said.

"Now, where shall we put you? Upstairs, I think."

She looked out of the window of her bedroom. No tree branches knocked against the windows; a Dunmer child would be incapable of climbing down from here. The stairs were impassable, unless you were willing to step through the Void.

"Leseth, would you step downstairs and get Dragon for me? And have something to eat before you go; our cook is the best in Tamriel."

She turned to her charge, who stood shivering in the middle of the room.

"You're all right now," she said softly. "This is my home, Solunastra."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 05:17 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 30 2005, 09:00 PM)

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

Leseth bowed slightly, and with a crack, was gone.

The young girl eyed Allerleirauh suspiciously. "That monster said he was taking me someplace nice. I don't want to be in your home."

The girl raised one small hand, and with a black implosion, a Winged Twilight entered the room.

The girl smiled a very unpleasant smile.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 05:20 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 10:07 PM)

"All right, let's get that out of the way," Allerleirauh said. "Or - Arynel, would you like to do the honors?"

She tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 05:23 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 09:07 PM)

Arynel eyed the winged twilight, and drew his sword.

"This is one thing we're going to have to teach her not to do."

The Breton stabbed through the demonic flesh of the creature, spokes of light erupting from the blade, and surrounding the twilight like a wheel--it, and the twilight, shattered into nothingness.

Arynel slid the sword back into its resting place.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 05:28 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 09:13 PM)

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)
The girl screamed, somewhat in fear, but much more in anger, and ran to the corner of the room.

"You can keep me here, just like you put me in that dungeon before, but someday soon Azura will come and kill you and take me away! Someday very soon!"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 05:31 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 10:18 PM)

"Child, you said you know who I am," Allerleirauh said. "Were you with the followers of Loranna-Azura? Or have you only heard of me?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 05:35 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 30 2005, 09:21 PM)

"Child, you said you know who I am," Allerleirauh said. "Were you with the followers of Loranna-Azura? Or have you only heard of me?"

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

The little girl narrowed her blue eyes and sneered. It was a look little girls should never have.

"Of course I remember you. You were the lady that flew around at Ghostgate and said mean, stupid things about Azura! My father said somebody should have shot you down like a cliffracer!"

She stood up straight, but did not leave her corner.

"You're mean and... and you're ugly! Leave me alone!"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 05:39 AM

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

The little girl narrowed her blue eyes and sneered. It was a look little girls should never have.

"Of course I remember you. You were the lady that flew around at Ghostgate and said mean, stupid things about Azura! My father said somebody should have shot you down like a cliffracer!"

She stood up straight, but did not leave her corner.

"You're mean and... and you're ugly! Leave me alone!"

"As you wish," Allerleirauh said, turning her back on the child and walking to the door. She listened for any sound of feet behind her; but apparently the child wasn't quite bold enough to rush her. She shut the door, leaving Arynel and the little girl alone in the room.

Dragon stood just on the near side of the break in the stairs. "General, Leseth is here..."

"I know, old dear," she said. "Let's go downstairs for a little while."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 05:49 AM

Arynel looked at the little girl.

"I don't suppose you have a name?" The Breton asked. "Are you hungry?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 05:51 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 09:39 PM)

Arynel looked at the little girl.

"I don't suppose you have a name?" The Breton asked. "Are you hungry?"

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

"I don't suppose you have a name!" the little girl said trying to stand like Arynel, "Are you hungry?"

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 05:53 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 09:41 PM)

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

"I don't suppose you have a name!" the little girl said trying to stand like Arynel, "Are you hungry?"

"Do you have any food?" Arynel asked, sticking out his tongue. "If you do, I'll be sure to eat some of it."

The Breton smiled.

"I am called Arynel. What is your name, or have you forgotten it?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 06:03 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 09:43 PM)

"Do you have any food?" Arynel asked, sticking out his tongue. "If you do, I'll be sure to eat some of it."

The Breton smiled.

"I am called Arynel. What is your name, or have you forgotten it?"

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

The little girl stuck her tongue out in return.

"I haven't forgotten anything!" she said indignantly. "My name is Tamne, as if you care. It's a very pretty name.

"Arynel is a stupid name.

"You're a Breton, aren't you? My mother says Bretons are mongrel dogs."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 06:05 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 09:53 PM)

"Dogs? Shall I bark for you?" Arynel said. "Tamne, yes, it is a pretty name, if you like Dunmer names that is."

The Breton chuckled, and stuck his tongue out again.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 06:16 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 09:55 PM)

"Dogs? Shall I bark for you?" Arynel said. "Tamne, yes, it is a pretty name, if you like Dunmer names that is."

The Breton chuckled, and stuck his tongue out again.

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

"You keep doing that and someone will cut it off," the little girl said.

She bugged her blue eyes out at him exaggeratedly.

"What are you STARING at?

"Puppy dog."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 06:24 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 10:06 PM)

"Why, your beautiful eyes, my dearest one." Arynel said, puffing his chest out.

The Breton returned to his normal stature. "Puppy dog? Where, tell me, is my bi--oh, nevermind--how old are you?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 06:28 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 10:14 PM)

"Why, your beautiful eyes, my dearest one." Arynel said, puffing his chest out.

The Breton returned to his normal stature. "Puppy dog? Where, tell me, is my bi--oh, nevermind--how old are you?"

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

"You're stupid.

"Of course my eyes are pretty. Azura gave them to me herself because she loves me! She doesn't love you so your eyes are ugly and you'll be my slave forever and ever!

"... and I'm eight years and eleven days old. How old are you?"

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 06:32 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 10:18 PM)

"Slave?" Arynel inquired. "We'll have to see about that, but I don't think it's going to be that way."

"Eight years old, and you already need a slave? For what? I'm sure eight year olds need all the help they can get toiling in the fields!" The Breton said in jest. "How old am I? A very good question, do you have an answer?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 06:35 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 10:22 PM)

"You really are stupid! Of course you'll be my slave. Maybe right now you aren't, but when you get killed in some really bad way, you'll come back as a slave for me. Everybody with ugly eyes will. Azura promised.

"And I think you're... four. Yes, you act four years old."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 06:40 AM

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

"Four! Well that settles it then," Arynel said, "though I had guessed my feet had seen a few more paths than that."

"Ugly eyes!" The Breton said. "Your eyes aren't that great, I've seen much prettier. Tell me, what if I don't get killed in a bad way at all, but go peacefully?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 06:47 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 10:30 PM)

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

"You have not!" she said, rubbing her eyes as if that would insure that they were still blue.

"You won't die peacefully. None of you will! Azura will come, and other people! People a lot bigger than you, Puppy Dog! And, and they'll tear your eyes right out of your head! And they'll push long pieces of wood through you and you'll drown and you'll bleed to death!"

The little girl broke into tears at these last words, and then made a break for the door.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 06:49 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 10:37 PM)

Arynel frowned, his eyes going wide.

The Breton's shoulders slumped down as the girl ran off towards the door.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 06:55 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 11:37 PM)

On the other side of the door was Dragon. Behind him was Allerleirauh.

"Hey lass, careful where you're going," he said, as she collided with him. "Those stairs are tricky."

Through the seventh stair could be seen the yawning Void.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 06:59 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 30 2005, 10:45 PM)

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

Tamne had seen the Void far too recently, and she did not want to see it again.

Being stopped by Dragon's large leg, she screamed and ran back into the room, back to the far corner, where she collapsed in a small heap hid her head, crying.

"Father," her muffled voice could barely be heard, "please come kill them all and take me home... please..."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 07:09 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 10:49 PM)

Arynel looked towards Tamne, and slowly approached the girl.

"Can I tell you a story?" The Breton asked.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 07:10 AM

edit

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 07:13 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 30 2005, 10:59 PM)

Arynel looked towards Tamne, and slowly approached the girl.

"Can I tell you a story?" The Breton asked.

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

The little girl curled up even tighter, trying to get as far away from Arynel and into the corner as she could. She was a little too leggy to be very successful at curling into a ball.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 07:14 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 31 2005, 12:03 AM)

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 11:49 PM)

"Leave her in peace for now," Dragon said. "Any normal child would be crying. Let the child wear herself out and sleep, and eat something. Perhaps she'll learn to summon her guardian without sending it to attack people, and then she won't feel so alone here."

"Dragon, what a horrific thought," Allerleirauh said.

"Aye, but her eyes are blue, and they're likely to stay blue," Dragon said. "If it were my choice we'd put her in school with other children - but the king has men out seeking the blue-eyes to kill them. She's safer here."

Dragon put his arm around Arynel's shoulders and whispered in his ear. "You did well, lad, as well as anyone could. Come on now, come downstairs and drink something hot."

Allerleirauh remained, for a moment.

"I brought clothes for you," she said. "And a robe, and a nightdress. And there's water to bathe with. Just call if you need anything, someone will hear you."

"She'll probably slice them to ribbons," she added, joining Dragon.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 07:14 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 30 2005, 11:03 PM)

The Breton looked her over silently for a moment, and then let out a breath.

"Very well then, walk the path as it is given."

Arynel turned and headed towards the door, and followed Dragon downstairs.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 07:31 AM

(Daggerfall, Solunastra Guildhouse:)

Leseth looked insanely out of place in the warm, cozy kitchen. The chair underneath him threatened to break as he sat eating.

Igba gra-Buznak, the Guildhouse's Orcish cook, had shooed the rest of the staff from the kitchen, and did all of the work herself.

She never spoke a word to the giant black halfbreed in her kitchen, but she did her best to make sure he was well-fed.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 08:14 AM

About two hours later, Allerleirauh cautiously opened the door to her own bedroom.

Tamne was nowhere to be seen.

The nightdress was no longer lying atop the bed. Investigation revealed that the child had put it on, then crawled underneath the massive wooden bed and fallen asleep, curled in a tight ball.

"Come and get me when she wakes," Allerleirauh said, quietly, to Dragon. She spoke a string of power and returned to her room in Jazbet's castle.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 08:45 AM

Jazbet sat in his study with a strange noble, and his seneschal Kallen.

'Please find who you can,' he said to Kallen. 'Allerleiruah, Aricyn, Arynel ... Why does everyone's name begin with an A? ... Loranna, Solin, Tris ... you know who to look for ... I would like to have their thoughts on this matter of offense."

Kallen bowed and left to find members of the party to confer with his lordship in the castle tower.

Jazbet offered his guest a glass of wine. As before, she refused.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 08:54 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 01:35 AM)

Allerleirauh wasn't hard to find; she was still in her bedroom.

Tris, however, was in Ciel's bedroom. He stood behind the door while Ciel opened it to take the message.

Doll, hard at work in the library, rubbed her eyes and gulped a restorative potion.

Shortly they all arrived in the study.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 08:56 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 02:35 AM)

Kellen or his messenger will find Loranna in the village of Ald Raathim, speaking with the local healer.

"Lord Jazbet wants to see me?" she says, "Of course; I'll head back to the castle straight away."

Turning to the healer, she says " ... Excuse me please serjo; something's come up. I'll see you on the morrow, and thank you again."

Loranna makes haste for the castle, and is directed to the study.

Posted by: Solin Jan 31 2005, 08:58 AM

Kallen found Solin in the Library. A large pile of scrolls lay on the writing desk but that’s not where the Dunmer was. He sat stood in front of the simulacrum. Only a few inches of air separated the mer’s face from the creation’s. The dark elf wore a puzzled look.

He stopped his inspection upon the seneschal's arrival and proceeded to the Khajiiti lord’s study upon request.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:00 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 02:44 AM)

Shortly they all arrived in the study.

As each person arrived, Jazbet introduced him to his guest.

She wasn't what you'd call beautiful, because there was no softness to her. Her face was long and angular, her hair cut in a short style like a man's, her body visible beneath her light armor muscular and well-defined. She was a Dunmer who could have been Boethiah incarnate, but Jazbet introduced her as Kethiah of the Morag Tong.

"She is a refugee," the Khajiit said. "But she can get us more weapons, and has many hidden associates, obviously. I thought the time had come for us to talk about launching an offensive against the Azurites, and see who will stand with us.'

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 09:02 AM

Teleran was sitting at the bar when a messenger came in searching for Tris. Tris was not here, of course he had left soon after the incident with the Azurite. However Teleran thought that this might have something to do with the captured Azurite and he was anxious to learn what he could from him.

Teleran followed the messenger to the estate and followed him in. He walked into the office as if he belonged there, hoping that he was not too conspicuous.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 09:03 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 12:35 AM)

Aricyn wasn't easy for Kallen to find. He'd been keeping to himself lately, staying well away from the refugees... and everyone else, for that matter.

A young kitchen-maid finally told him that she'd packed up a bit of food recently and taken it to Aricyn up on the hilltop, as requested. Sure enough, that's where Kallen found the Nord, sitting shirtless in the wind.

He broke his vigil to join the meeting in Jazbet's office, the old wolf following along beside.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 09:04 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 01:50 AM)

"Interesting," Allerleirauh said. The Tong. Of course they couldn't renounce all other gods to follow Azura.

"Jazbet, how do you launch an offensive against such a nebulous enemy? It's like launching an offensive against the fleas in a thatched roof; short of burning the whole business, what is there to do?"

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 09:08 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 02:54 AM)

Loranna gives a polite little bow to Kethiah, and listens to what others have to say for now.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:17 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 02:54 AM)

"Jazbet, how do you launch an offensive against such a nebulous enemy? It's like launching an offensive against the fleas in a thatched roof; short of burning the whole business, what is there to do?"

'The Azurites are not fleas,' said Jazbet. 'At least, the ones that are really dangerous aren't ... They make a lot of noise, they organize themselves in groups, in the practice of the true fanatics. They will not be difficult to find everywhere.'

Kethiah said nothing. She had a dagger in her hand she carefully balanced fingertip to fingertip, sizing up each person as he or she walked in the room.

'I would like to hear people's opinions on the matter,' said the Khajiit. 'Its seems to me that the longer we wait, the stronger their grip. We need to start with spies in the enemy territory to gather intelligence on their movements.'

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 09:23 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 02:07 AM)

"Which enemy territory?" Allerleirauh said. "As far as I know, all Tamriel is enemy territory apart from these few square miles, and the kingdom of Wayrest. Jazbet, I have two good spies right now - Doll you have met, and Mirea, who is in Solitude now, following the movements of the Wayrest Queen. And myself."

"I used to be a fairly good spy," Tris said. "Perhaps I still am. I just have to travel more slowly than I used to."

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 09:27 AM

Teleran straightened at the mention of spies, thinking of his eyes. 'I wonder if you can cast a light spell on eyes? Probably easier just to put illusion over them.'

Teleran wondered what such spying would entail, but he kept his mouth shut, he would find out if Kethiah and Jazbet chose to divulge such details. He wondered whether Kethiah would mind if he started playing with his daggers too. Probably, she wouldn't put too much faith in one she had just met, to simply play with his weapons rather than use them.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 09:29 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:13 AM)

"Can the Azurites go on for much longer without establishing some sort of home base, though?" Loranna asks, slightly hesitantly. "Right now they're everywhere to be sure and thus a nebulous danger - but that also means their strength is unfocused. Someone among them is likely thinking of trying to fortify their position, otherwise it's a matter of time before they're all isolated and dealt with, with the whole Empire against them."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:29 AM

Kethiah looked to Allerleirauh, the knife leaping from thumb to forefinger to middle to ring to pinky, and traveling back again. Her expression was cold.

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:13 AM)

'I would suggest,' said Jazbet. 'That we begin with Morrowind, the mainland and Vvardenfell. There are the most worshippers of Azura here, and they are the most dangerous to us because of their proximity ...'

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:33 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 03:19 AM)

'Exactly,' said Jazbet with a smile. 'We have some advantage over them right now. They have no allies. But the longer they have, the more they will possess. We are right now in a prime spot to be the nucleus of a resistance, or the last great stand. I would hope we will resist.'

Posted by: Solin Jan 31 2005, 09:34 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 01:19 AM)

"The Azurites likely have a fortress that they use already," Solin said coolly from his side of the chamber. "To my knowledge the Towers of Dusk and Dawn still turn the sky to the rising and setting of the sun."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 09:35 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 01:19 AM)

Kethiah looked to Allerleirauh, the knife leaping from thumb to forefinger to middle to ring to pinky, and traveling back again. Her expression was cold.
'I would suggest,' said Jazbet. 'That we begin with Morrowind, the mainland and Vvardenfell. There are the most worshippers of Azura here, and they are the most dangerous to us because of their proximity ...'

Aricyn had been unusually subdued, so far. He stood by a bookcase in the back of the room, listening.

"We aren't alone in this fight," he said quietly. "Many more warriors will join us, I suspect." He didn't look up as he spoke.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:37 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 31 2005, 03:24 AM)

'That's true,' said Jazbet. 'They have a beacon call there, regrettably thanks to my departed brother Gaor. I wouldn't be surprised if that were a hive of their activity.'

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 09:39 AM

"You're all talking as if 'the Azurites' were a political entity," Allerleirauh said. "They're not. Certainly some are political by nature and will see this new source of power as an opportunity. But they are people, without a central voice of authority; they will not all agree as to their goals. What you seem to be saying is that we should attack the Temple, those who were followers of Loranna, and I agree. Solin is also probably right about the Towers of Dusk and Dawn."

Posted by: Solin Jan 31 2005, 09:39 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 01:27 AM)

'That's true,' said Jazbet. 'They have a beacon call there, regrettably thanks to my departed brother Gaor. I wouldn't be surprised if that were a hive of their activity.'

The elf returned to silence as the others offered up their thoughts and suggestions on the matter.

Ciel on the other hand stepped forward and asked, “What kind of a force do you have assembled, my Lord? Spies are good start, but what can we do with the information they bring back to us?”

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:40 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 31 2005, 03:25 AM)

"We aren't alone in this fight," he said quietly. "Many more warriors will join us, I suspect." He didn't look up as he spoke.

'We must issue them a clarion call,' said Jazbet. 'We have a Mages Guild here now, and the Morag Tong,' he added, gesturing toward Kethiah. 'The Fighters Guild would be a natural ally. The Imperial Legion may need a place to camp ... We need diplomats as well as spies ...'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 09:40 AM

edit

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 09:43 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 01:30 AM)

"They'll come," Aricyn said, "whether we want them to or not. Whether we call them or not.

"It's fate."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 09:45 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 02:30 AM)

"We have other even more interesting allies," Allerleirauh said. "I have already written to friends in the Imperial city. And I can contact Master B in Artaeum."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:45 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:29 AM)

'I agree, of course,' said Jazbet. 'You know that I do not wish ill on anyone who does not wish ill on us ... But wherever they're organized, as you say in the Temple or the Towers, let us learn what they are doing, and plan accordingly.'

To Ciel, the Khajiit said, 'I do not know if what we have assembled is a sufficient fighting force until we know what we are up against.'

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:46 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:35 AM)

"We have other even more interesting allies," Allerleirauh said. "I have already written to friends in the Imperial city. And I can contact Master B in Artaeum."

Finally Kethiah spoke. It was with a laugh. 'You look for fighting allies among the Psijics?'

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 09:50 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 02:36 AM)

Finally Kethiah spoke. It was with a laugh. 'You look for fighting allies among the Psijics?'

Allerleirauh smiled, and bowed.

"Master B is very young, for a psijiic. Assuming Celarus hasn't chopped him up and added him to the venison stew for flavoring, he is a very useful ally. He brought us Azura's True Name, without which you would now be facing Azurites - led by a Daedra Prince.

"I'll be honest with you - I'm a Nord, and the Morag Tong is not my weapon of choice. But I'm very pleased to see you here. If we can find who is leading these people now, and take out whoever that may be, the Temple will be like an anthill after a hard rain... a thing without a head."

Posted by: Solin Jan 31 2005, 09:50 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 01:35 AM)

To Ciel, the Khajiit said, 'I do not know if what we have assembled is a sufficient fighting force until we know what we are up against.'

Ciel nodded his head and fell back to the wall to listen.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:51 AM

The Sea of Ghosts

From the north, a fleet of twenty ships with the Wayrest flag moved towards northern Morrowind. The wind was favorable and they would be there within a day or two.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 09:54 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:40 AM)

Loranna grows even more quiet, briefly envisioning her physical shell currently sitting on a throne, facing an army of blue-eyed fanatics, and smiling with cold satisfaction ...

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:59 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:40 AM)

'Without us,' said Kethiah. 'There would be no Tamriel as you know it. It would have been destroyed many times over, starting with the Akavir potentates ... And some of our very best agents have been Nords ...'

Jazbet raised a hand, and Kethiah, who seemed to be getting ready to fight, silenced at once. Her expression for the Khajiit was nothing but respect.

'Of course if Master B will come, we would be greatly enriched by his help,' said Jazbet. 'You think there is a central leader to the Azurites, Allerleirauh?'

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 10:09 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 02:49 AM)

"You're very confrontational for an assassin," Allerleirauh said, smiling. "I know the sacredness of your calling; it isn't mine. And I was suggesting that yours should be, as it has often been, the first attempt at a solution. We need to know who to strike. I believe my people can learn that. It would be easier if they had blue eyes."

Tris glanced up. He was thinking about Ciel, about illusionary magic. But because he was thinking about Ciel, he said nothing.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 31 2005, 10:11 AM

A dark Island, somewhere-

The large cloaked Dunmer, stood silently on his razed platform for a moment, before beginning a slow chant, “Limes the light of the murdered soul, who will protect you when you’re gone…?”

The multiple bowing cultists surrounding him piped up in unison, “Not I…. not I” They paused a long moment, then began chanting again. “Death plagues us, we have no hope, who will protect us when we’re gone?”

The Dunmer man smirked and said, “Not I… not I.” He looked among the assorted cultists bowing around him, “Born unto death, death is our life, our only life…”

“Show the way of the murdered kin, beset the heathen with our grace, show unto him what he has caused us, and let him feel pain for what he has done…”

The cultists began to hum a low, eerie chant, “There shall be only one test, one that shall test his strength, both physical and mental…he will feel pain, he will know the meaning of suffering, may the grace of our souls show him no weakness.”

A robed Imperial stepped forward, holding what appeared to be a daedric dagger, but pure white, and missing its handle. “Phase one…begins” The Dunmer man took the blade, holding it tightly in his hand, and cut a long gash across his palm. The cut begin to glow brightly, and a shot of light energy escaped him, rendering him unconscious.

Somewhere, at Jazbets estate-

Illidan was peacefully roaming the gardens, when, he was suddenly jerked out of the area, his location being a mystery.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:12 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:59 AM)

Kethiah smiled and nodded. 'As an assassin, I am only unpleasant to my allies. To whomever I am about to kill, I am sweetness and light.'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 10:13 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 03:59 AM)

Loranna says, quietly "Magic can disguise glowing blue eyes; it can also disguise normal eyes - though the Azurites can use the same techniques to sniff that out as we do against them ..."

Posted by: Solin Jan 31 2005, 10:15 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 02:03 AM)

Loranna says, quietly "Magic can disguise glowing blue eyes; it can also disguise normal eyes - though the Azurites can use the same techniques to sniff that out as we do against them ..."

"Natural blue eyes," Ciel said quietly from the back. "Would they work?"

The knight wore a thoughtful expression.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:18 AM

Ebonheart, Vvardenfell, Morrowind

Lliryth, the King's mystic, had lost all semblance of his normal sangfroid. The quiet, introspective Altmer ran through the echoing halls, asking each person he came to where he could find the King.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 10:21 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 31 2005, 03:05 AM)

"Natural blue eyes," Ciel said quietly from the back. "Would they work?"

The knight wore a thoughtful expression.

"No!" Tris said, a little too forcefully. "Azurites have glowing eyes, they aren't like normal eyes... and they'll be surrounded by the real thing..."

He fell silent, feeling his face flush, and gave Ciel a grim smile. Okay, here's the deal... you don't get killed, and I don't get killed...

He had been volunteering to be a spy, moments before. He wondered if Ciel had felt quite as kicked in the chest then as he felt now.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 10:24 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 12:03 AM)

Loranna says, quietly "Magic can disguise glowing blue eyes; it can also disguise normal eyes - though the Azurites can use the same techniques to sniff that out as we do against them ..."

Teleran finally stepped forward. "Well, I don't think natural blue eyes would fool too many Azurites, but it will make it less jarring if they do uncover the enchantments. If it can be recast fast enough they may dismiss the abnormality as their imagination."

Teleran added under his breath, "Unfortunately when I was growing up it was red eyes that were in vogue."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:29 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 31 2005, 04:14 AM)

'A combination of stealth and illusion it would seem to me would be ideal,' said Jazbet. 'But I am open to any and all suggestions. The purpose of this meeting is not for me to order anyone to do anything. You are not my subjects, you are my guests. I must regrettably act the part of the lord outside these walls, but in this room, among this group, we are all equal.'

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 10:30 AM

(The Void:)

Leseth had filled his belly on warm food, for once. He wasn't sure he liked the feeling that home-cooked food gave him, the feeling not in his stomach, but in his chest. An order from the General was an order, however.

Leaving the warmth behind him, he entered the Void, and went to Bosriel's side.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 10:30 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 31 2005, 04:14 AM)

Loranna frowns, hearing both Tris and Teleran speak.

"The question is, can the enchantment be recast quickly enough for that?" she asks. "Consider, if you're being subjected to a Dispel they're probably watching you like a hawk to begin with; you'd need to recast the effect without being noticed to avoid detection."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 10:34 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 03:20 AM)

"If someone is casting a dispell on you, you've already make a serious miscalculation," Doll said, stepping forward. Her almond-shaped eyes shone bright blue, a strange effect. "But I don't expect they will have been having the same problems with infiltrators that we have had. And there are ways of avoiding checkpoints."

The blue color flickered and faded.

"I need an amulet, or something," she said. "It shouldn't be difficult to have one made."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:35 AM

(The Void:)

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 31 2005, 04:20 AM)

Leaving the warmth behind him, he entered the Void, and went to Bosriel's side.

'You're back,' the little girl said, her dark hair swirling about her, her red eyes slightly dull. Though there was no blood on her lips, Leseth could tell she was sated, calm, having recently fed.

Bosriel did not have to say that she was surprised that he had returned, that she thought herself alone again. It was in her eyes.

'The High Elf knows something,' she said, pointing to Lliryth running through the halls excitedly.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 10:36 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 12:20 AM)

"I am not an expert on magical methods, perhaps if it was enchanted on a ring it could be slipped off and on quickly enough to avoid detection." Teleran said. "I'd much rather just find this head and chop it off." Teleran's voice became noticeably different for the last statement.

'You didn't say you could do that!'

'Heh, sorry, but hiding really sticks in my craw. Like remaining undrawn...'

Teleran begins to flip his dagger through his fingers, trying to duplicate the path that Kethiah's had traced.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:38 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 04:24 AM)

"But I don't expect they will have been having the same problems with infiltrators that we have had. And there are ways of avoiding checkpoints."

'Just simple stealth,' Kethiah said. 'Like Jazbet already said. And you're right, they won't be expecting infiltration. People flee from them not to them, so you won't have the same trouble you've had in Daru -- Lord Jazbet's domain ..."

Posted by: Arrogant_Hero Jan 31 2005, 10:38 AM

Outskirts of Blacklight

Isaiah awakes to find himself, flanked by Ezeka, and Jeremiah. They all stand with a dagger in their left hands, in a room completely empty except for three mirrors. Isaiah parts his lips to speak, and finds that not only has his voice has left him, but all sound period. The quiet murmur of the thousands of followers outside, the random chirp of birds, are all silenced, as if sound never existed on Nirn at all. Isaiah tries to move his arms to no success, his lower motor functions don’t seem to be under his control. Seconds later, the three prophets in unison, lift their daggers to their right hands and in one single formation they chop off their right index fingers. Blood splatters out of the wounds like a fresh volcano eruption. The prophets heads jerk back and forth as they yell, and scream but no sound is heard. Still in unison against their will, they put their fingers up to the mirrors and begin to write.

From left to right the mirrors read. “SEE-YOUR-ENEMY.”

They then take the daggers to their face and begin to carve away their flesh. Blood washes down from their faces, covering their clothes, and creating thick pools of blood on the floor, as they cry out unheard screams. Clumps of flesh fall to the ground at their feet, and splatter in the ever growing crimson puddles on the floor.

Once the carving is done and the flesh in shed, Jeremiah looks in the mirror and sees the face of Aricyn on his body. Isaiah looks and sees the face of Loranna, lastly Ezeka gazes upon the face of Allerleirauh. Then in a synchronized pattern that would make most soldiers jealous, they smash the mirrors, and see all of Loranna’s allies, Teleran, Ciel, Tris, Jazbet, Arynel, in the broken pieces.

A thunder strike later, Jeremiah wakes up in his tent in a cold sweat, as Ezeka does the same, waking her child in the process. Isaiah lastly rises from the floor and wipes the drying coat of vomit from his mouth.

Even after the painful, horrible, nightmare, Isaiah smiles. “Thank you, my queen.”

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 10:39 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 31 2005, 04:26 AM)

"I am not an expert on magical methods, perhaps if it was enchanted on a ring it could be slipped off and on quickly enough to avoid detection." Teleran said. "I'd much rather just find this head and chop it off." Teleran's voice became noticeably different for the last statement.

'You didn't say you could do that!'

'Heh, sorry, but hiding really sticks in my craw. Like remaining undrawn..'

Teleran begins to flip his dagger through his fingers, trying to duplicate the path that Kethiah's had traced.

Loranna looks at Teleran askance. "Doll brings up a good point, as does Jazbet; it's best to avoid being confronted by a checkpoint to begin with," she says.

" ... You all right dear?" she asks, frowning.

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 10:43 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 12:29 AM)

"Fine, just fine. Doll has a good idea, of course we should avoid notice as much as possible." Teleran's words came out in a flurry.

'Next time you ask first.' he thought.

'But you'll say no.'

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:46 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 04:29 AM)

" ... You all right dear?" she asks, frowning.

Kethiah smiled. 'Psychotic and partial to daggers. I want this one on my reconnaissance team.'

Her own dagger was on her thumb when she snapped it into the air. It turned over once, and fell back to drop onto her outstretched palm, where it balanced without a scratch.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 10:47 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 02:25 AM)

(The Void:)
'You're back,' the little girl said, her dark hair swirling about her, her red eyes slightly dull. Though there was no blood on her lips, Leseth could tell she was sated, calm, having recently fed.

Bosriel did not have to say that she was surprised that he had returned, that she thought herself alone again. It was in her eyes.

'The High Elf knows something,' she said, pointing to Lliryth running through the halls excitedly.

(The Void:)

"So it seems," Leseth said coldly.

He reached out one huge hand and gently stroked Bosriel's pale forehead.

"I told you I would return, Little One.

He looked at the excited mer racing through the world.

"Do you know what he knows?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:50 AM

(The Void:)

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 31 2005, 04:37 AM)

"Do you know what he knows?"

'No, he found something in a book, but I was too far away to read it,' the Void Vampire said. 'I can show you where it was, and you can look ... '

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 10:57 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 12:36 AM)

Kethiah smiled. 'Psychotic and partial to daggers. I want this one on my recognisance team.'

Her own dagger was on her thumb when she snapped it into the air. It turned over once, and fell back to drop onto her outstretched palm, where it balanced without a scratch.

"I won't be joining the Tong anytime soon," Teleran grinned mischievously. "But I would not mind hunting my prey alongside your kindred. As long as they don't slow me down, of course."

'Why do you insist on taunting allies and holding a debate with enemies?'

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 11:03 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Jan 31 2005, 04:47 AM)

"I won't be joining the Tong anytime soon," Teleran grinned mischievously. "But I would not mind hunting my prey alongside your kindred. As long as they don't slow me down, of course."

Kethiah flipped her dagger into the scabbard on her belt.

'That was not a formal invitation to join,' she said coldly.

'I am open to suggestions,' said Jazbet. 'But I would suggest three fold action.

'Those of us most suited to combat, use Ald Raathim as a staging ground to take back the land surrounding us. We know there are Azurites in the surrounding domains to start with.

'Those of us most suited to stealth and subterfuge should get to Ghostgate, Vivec, Mournhold ... Though we must first find a means of communicating ...

'Those of us most suited to diplomacy, we should find means to get them to the Imperial City, to the various Guilds and Houses, so we can find allies to support our struggle.'

Posted by: Teleran Jan 31 2005, 11:10 AM

Teleran laughed softly and amused himself by making his daggers flit from their scabbards briefly to disappear back into the cloth just as they became visible. 'Dolt! You know that you are the biggest idiot I know.'

'You only know me.'

'That is beside the point. Are you sure it wouldn't be better if I took care of the next situation that requires tact?' the voice grumbled angrily.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 31 2005, 11:15 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 03:53 AM)

"I suppose I am most suited to combat," Allerleirauh said. "Although I also know people in high places. I can travel very quickly, and perhaps do both. Doll belongs in Vvardenfell now; she can carry messages back and forth quickly, and keep in touch with others who journey outward. I'm interested in additional magical means of communicating; I believe Queen Elysana had some means of communicating with her people, didn't she?"

Tris was having a personal crisis. He knew what he was best at: being charming. He couldn't travel through the Void any longer, but recent events had shown him that he could be taken through the Void. That was the work he should be doing; not zooming around on the back of a parrapton. The thought was making it hard for him to breathe.

"I'll go wherever you send me," Tris said.

Posted by: Attrebus Jan 31 2005, 11:20 AM

*Mournhold*
King Helseth walk walking through the halls. He was wondering what was taking Lliryth so long. Perhaps I should see what's taking so long Thought the King, making his way to where Lliryth was studying.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 11:22 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 31 2005, 05:05 AM)

"I'll go wherever you send me," Tris said.

'I'm not sending any of you anywhere,' Jazbet smiled. 'I merely wanted to talk to you about what has been on my mind, in dealing with this crisis. Allerleirauh, I know you, for example, while skilled in combat and subterfuge, have in mind a diplomatic mission. If that can be coordinated with our other activities, all the better ...

'We needn't decide our strategies now. I only wanted the trusted few to begin this dialogue ... and now ...'

Jazbet touched his forehead. The visions were coming on fast. He could make no sense of them. He needed to be alone without distractions.

'I should excuse myself ...'

Kallen helped the Khajiit to the door.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 31 2005, 11:23 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 02:40 AM)

(The Void:)
'No, he found something in a book, but I was too far away to read it,' the Void Vampire said. 'I can show you where it was, and you can look ... '

(The Void:)

Leseth frowned.

"Show me."

Leseth followed the delicate creature as she traced the twisting maze of the castle, arriving finally in Lliryth's laboratory.

There were others here, assistance to the King's Mystic. They went about their work.

The pages of a certain book on a certain table turned to a certain page, blown by a soft breeze.

In the Void, Leseth read what Bosriel showed him...

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 11:24 AM

Loranna glances around the room, feeling a bit uneasy. She wonders what Teleran is doing, taunting a Morag Tong and an ally. She also notices Tris seems to be having some distress, and that Aricyn hasn't spoken in some time.

What to do? Teleran probably should be warned about being a little more circumspect, but here and now didn't seem right to her for doing so. Tris had Ciel, who was doubtless far better at helping the handsome Breton through whatever was giving him stress than she would be, and Aricyn ...

... well, she wasn't sure what to say to Aricyn and after her last talk with Arynel she was wary of just saying something without knowing what specifically to say.

Right now, my best place to be is by Jazbet's side, talk to him and try to hlp him with his worries, she decides. ... And I have a few questions to ask him too, perhaps. And I need to speed up my healer training too, since I'm not a fighter, nor a spy, and really am not a diplomat yet either ...

Loranna excuses herself and follows after Jazbet, saying " ... Jazbet?"

Posted by: w0nders Jan 31 2005, 11:48 AM

A dark room-

Illidan staggered about in the endless dark, the ground was unnaturally soft, yet, firm and secure as cement. He heard multiple snarls surrounding him; he readied the dagger he had gotten earlier, malevolent laughter broke out around him, he could hear it, but he couldn’t pin-point it’s location.

At that moment, a large door was thrown open, high, out of anyone’s reach, light washed over the room, giving Illidan the first good look at his enemies…vampires. A figure stood at the doorway, his body becoming nothing more than a silhouette, it was the imperial man from before, “Remember filth, the master wants him turned, not killed, I shall return in three days, If he is dead you will all face a similar fate, only slower…”

After making his point, the Imperial slammed the door shut again, the room returning to darkness, Illidan could here footsteps approaching. He swung his dagger around wildly, hitting nothing but air each time…his lip quivered, his knees buckled and a second later he felt himself being thrown to the ground, then…black, a far too familiar colour for Illidan.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 31 2005, 04:15 PM

Arynel had been waiting silently, arms crossed over his chest in the corner. The Breton had said nothing, had not uttered either a word of critique nor a voice of blessing, he had only waited and listened.

After Jazbet left, he opened his mouth and mumbled under his breath, "And so goes each foot in turn, the spool unwinding as the yarn."

Posted by: Tricrux Jan 31 2005, 06:10 PM

"What? A meeting?" Night-Scar gasped in mock horror. "And I'm not invited?"

"Of course...when did that ever matter to a dashing rogue like me?" he began to grin mischeivously.

Hastily he scrambled to his feet, said his goodbyes, and sprinted up towards the castle. As he gained speed, he ducked down lower and lower. Finally, within a meter of the castle, he sprung up and flew into the air. He shot his momentum into his legs, sprinting as best he could up the wall. Just as he was about to fall off, he found what he wanted - a foothold in the stone.

He glanced down at his leg, and supposed that meant it must have healed. That was a good sign.

He slipped into Jazbet's office throught the small curtained window just as Kethiah was being introduced. Nobody saw him enter, and when he spoke they would just presume he'd been there all along.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 09:53 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 05:14 AM)

Loranna excuses herself and follows after Jazbet, saying " ... Jazbet?"

Jazbet didn't reply, he just stumbled into his room. He was sweating, reeling. Gasping, he fell to the floor. His skin was hot to the touch.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 10:00 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 03:43 PM)

Jazbet didn't reply, he just stumbled into his room. He was sweating, reeling. Gasping, he fell to the floor. His skin was hot to the touch.

Loranna's eyes widen; this looked a lot more serious than a simple case of fatigue.

The local healer had been teaching her some healing lore, but hadn't gotten to passing out fevers just yet. Loranna gently touches Jazbet's shoulder, making sure he doesn't react violently to her touch before she tries moving him to his bed and calling for cool damp rags to be brought.

Don't panic, Lor, she tells herself, a little belatedly ...

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:30 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 03:50 PM)

Don't panic, Lor, she tells herself, a little belatedly ...

The heat had almost completely passed by the time the cool, damp rags had arrived. Jazbet was breathing normally but evidently in a deep sleep. One of the servants carried the Khajiit to his bed.

Kallen addressed the group of servants: "I do not want to hear any gossip about this. His lordship is fine."

As they left, the Argonian chambermaid put her hand on Loranna's shoulder: "He'll be all right, serjo. Just watch him and call us if you need anything ..."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 10:33 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 04:20 PM)

Loranna covers the Argonian's hand with her own. "Thank you; I'll call if he gets feverish again," she promises.

" ... Dear, forgive me, but ... in all the excitement of the past few days I've missed your name. May I have it? I'm Loranna, if I forgot to introduce myself already ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:40 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 04:23 PM)

" ... Dear, forgive me, but ... in all the excitement of the past few days I've missed your name. May I have it? I'm Loranna, if I forgot to introduce myself already ..."

"Of course I know your name," she says with a smile. "I'm Wisp."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 10:43 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 04:30 PM)

"Of course I know your name," she says with a smile. "I'm Wisp."

Loranna smiles at Wisp. "That's a nice name," she says, "Thank you for being a comforting presence."

She looks at Jazbet for a moment. " ... Was he prone to such bouts before he left for Vvardenfell?" she asks Wisp.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:47 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 04:33 PM)

Loranna smiles at Wisp. "That's a nice name," she says, "Thank you for being a comforting presence."

'It's short for Whisper,' she said, and then actually whispered. 'Which is short for a much longer name, of course. I'll tell you sometime.'

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 04:33 PM)

She looks at Jazbet for a moment. " ... Was he prone to such bouts before he left for Vvardenfell?" she asks Wisp.

'No, Lord Jazbet was the healthiest man I've ever known,' Wisp said, frowning, and then the Khajiit began to snore, and she laughed quietly. 'That is a sign that it is not anything very serious.'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 10:52 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 04:37 PM)

'It's short for Whisper,' she said, and then actually whispered. 'Which is short for a much longer name, of course. I'll tell you sometime.'

"Ah ... all right," Loranna says, unconsciously whispering back. "I'd like that."

QUOTE

'No, Lord Jazbet was the healthiest man I've ever known,' Wisp said, frowning, and then the Khajiit began to snore, and she laughed quietly. 'That is a sign that it is not anything very serious.'

Loranna chuckles quietly. "He can make even passing out on the floor seem frivolous - and in his sleep even," she says, covering her mouth. "Sorry ... It's been a trying time for him, as for us all; I'm worried for him."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 10:58 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 04:42 PM)

'If all the Aedra, Daedra, and Tribunal decided to lay siege on Daruhn, I would wager that his lordship would still be standing here, laughing,' said Wisp fondly. 'You needn't worry. I can assure you that I don't, and I've known and loved him longer than you.'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 11:01 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 04:48 PM)

Loranna smiles, though her eyebrows do raise at Wisp's last line and her look becomes gently questioning.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 11:07 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 04:51 PM)

Loranna smiles, though her eyebrows do raise at Wisp's last line and her look becomes gently questioning.

Wisp actually laughs loudly, and then covers her mouth, looking at Jazbet. He still sleeps.

'No, no, no,' the Argonian giggles. 'Get the image of his lordship chasing the chambermaids around the castle right out of your naughty head. Oh, my, no. Not that most of us wouldn't go to him willingly and enthusiastically, but ... He would consider sleeping with a servant to be abuse, no matter how delightful the experience. I meant "love" in completely a different way."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 11:13 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 04:57 PM)

"Ah; forgive me," Loranna says, blushing faintly but smiling still.

She looks down at Jazbet again and her expression grows thoughtful, as she reflects on Wisp's words.

" ... I think he's going to need that love soon from all of you - from all of us," she says, concern creeping back into her face. "He's come to the point most leaders eventually face, where the decisions start leaving you feeling less and less like the person you've known yourself as all your life. He'll need us to help remind him of who he is, help him balance being a leader with being the Jazbet we all know and love ..."

She blinks. " ... Er, sorry; I'm starting to ramble a bit ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 31 2005, 11:17 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 05:03 PM)

She blinks. " ... Er, sorry; I'm starting to ramble a bit ..."

Wisp gives Loranna's shoulders another pat and smiles before moving to the door. 'My lady Loranna shouldn't worry so much. I should return to my work, but I will be nearby if you need anything.'

With a wink, the Argonian left the room.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 31 2005, 11:25 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 05:07 PM)

After Wisp leaves, Loranna frowns. "Lady still?" she asks herself. "A former barmaid and former Incarnate, with no higher aspirations this moment than becoming a healer and being Jazbet's lover? ... Well, why not?"

She rests a hand on Jazbet's arm, asking quietly " ... What burdens you this time, my love? Is it just what I can see, or is there more to it? I've offered you my love unreservedly in bed; I've even offered to be the child killer again so you wouldn't have to ..."

"What can I offer you now that will help ease you mind, lessen the weight on your shoulders? What can I do to help you remember you are Jazbet, beyond what I already do?"

" ... What can we do, to get through all this and help everyone survive ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 12:03 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 05:15 PM)

" ... What can we do, to get through all this and help everyone survive ..."

Some hours later, Jazbet awoke. He heard the breath next to him, and he put an arm around Loranna.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 1 2005, 12:07 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 05:53 PM)

Some hours later, Jazbet awoke. He heard the breath next to him, and he put an arm around Loranna.

Loranna snaps to attention, her own arm reaching down to embrace Jazbet.

"Welcome back to the waking world, darling," she says fondly, before her tone conveys a frown. " ... and whatever you did to bring this little bout of fainting upon yourself, no more doing that, if you please."

"How you feeling?" she asks.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 1 2005, 12:11 AM

*Erenius looks about his room, sleeping again for the first time since being locked in that cell. Refreshed, he decides to look in the general area of the town, its surrounding environs, and the fortifications itself*

"Nothing like knowing your enemies well, and your 'friends' better," Erenius says, as he never fully trusted any of the Dres fully at any point. "And Jazbet seems to be the least loyal of them all...but being a Khajiit and rising through Dres ranks as he did is quite the feat. I'll have to remember to ask him of that...and other things...if I run into him during my wanderrings."

*Erenius grabs his few things of necessity, including his armor, newly repolished, his blade, and his ever-present satchel*

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 12:16 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 05:57 PM)

"How you feeling?" she asks.

'Confused,' Jazbet said. 'I don't remember anything ... Oh, Jephre ... Tell me I didn't faint in front of the Morag Tong. That would be bad.'

Posted by: Loranna Feb 1 2005, 12:21 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 06:06 PM)

'Confused,' Jazbet said. 'I don't remember anything ... Oh, Jephre ... Tell me I didn't faint in front of the Morag Tong. That would be bad.'

"No; Kellan got you to your room before the fainting hit," Loranna says gently. "And he's put an interdict on gossip among your staff, so right now we should be the only ones to know what happened."

Loranna frowns. "... What do you think brought this on?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 12:25 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 06:11 PM)

Loranna frowns. "... What do you think brought this on?"

'I don't know. The last thing I remember was feeling like I was on fire and smelling ash all around me, I just couldn't breathe,' Jazbet smiled. 'Thank you for staying with me. I hope you weren't too worried.'

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 1 2005, 12:30 AM

*Erenius goes down to the cells where he stayed for but a shortwhile earlier, and notices that several are filled now...*

"Something's amiss...namely whisperrings of a word," Erenius mutters. "A 'Daruhn'..."

*Erenius quickly goes through his lackluster knowledge of Dunmer words, and comes up with nothing...*

"The Dres are not here to help us! Instead, they come to help Azura...and due to the events in Vivec..." Erenius says, trailing off, realizing that not many would believe him, least of all Loranna or her other confidants as they have all come close to the Khajiit Dres Lord and his companions...

"But I suppose there is little I can do but wait then...and stay silent for the time being," Erenius says, resigned to that belief. "I wish not to stay mute, but it seems to be the only option."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 1 2005, 12:33 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 06:15 PM)

"You're talking to the personification of worry, remember?" Loranna says lightly, poking Jazbet in the ribs. "And of course I stayed with you; where else would your girlfriend be?"

She frowns. "It sounds like you got hit by a particularly vivid and painful vision this time; can you recall anything more of it?"

Loranna rubs Jazbet's back comfortingly.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 12:38 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 06:23 PM)

Loranna rubs Jazbet's back comfortingly.

"Not a thing," Jazbet shrugged. "Except the smell and feel of fire, and ... footsteps ... Heavily armored footsteps, metal on stone. I don't know. I'm just glad I didn't embarrass myself."

The Khajiit kissed Loranna. "Tell me what you've been doing."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 1 2005, 12:48 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 06:28 PM)

Loranna kisses Jazbet back, her touch slowly going from comforting to the intense mix of sensations that characterizes her loving attentions.

"Nothing too much; going over my lessons in my head and mulling over what to write for my journal later," Loranna tells Jazbet. "Not that there was much today of note other than our meeting; I was the healer's medicine delivery girl and all around errand-runner for his more bedridden patients. Did you know being bedridden can sometimes mean bustling around the house fretting over wether the blacksmith got your note the other day?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 12:52 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 06:38 PM)

"Did you know being bedridden can sometimes mean bustling around the house fretting over wether the blacksmith got your note the other day?"

Jazbet chuckled. "I think you have found your calling rather neatly. Do you fancy a swim ... or any other exercise?"

Posted by: Loranna Feb 1 2005, 12:58 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 31 2005, 06:42 PM)

Jazbet chuckled. "I think you have found your calling rather neatly. Do you fancy a swim ... or any other exercise?"

Loranna kisses Jazbet again, her arms wrapping around him more tightly.

"A swim would be nice; other ecercises even nicer," she says. "Which do you think would best clear you mind of its worries now, darling?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 01:08 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 31 2005, 06:48 PM)

"A swim would be nice; other ecercises even nicer," she says. "Which do you think would best clear you mind of its worries now, darling?"

The Khajiit answered her without words.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 1 2005, 01:08 AM

*Erenius leaves the cell blocks, going up the circular stairs, passing another group of guards bringing another Azurite downstairs*

*Erenius then leaves that central tower and goes to the fortress' garden, sitting there, mulling over the newfound information he came across*

"All of this doesnt quite add up...the information I have gathered from my suspicions since he took command of the party at whatever point that was, to now, point to one explanation...however, his actions point to another," Erenius says. "But when put together, they point to a third completely different, yet plausible reasoning. He serves his cause from the inside. Upon his fulfilling of his duties, and the failing of our endeavour, Dres shall be strengthened, and whatever their reasons for helping us initially shall be brought to light."

Posted by: Tricrux Feb 1 2005, 03:49 AM

Ald Raathim, Outskirts

Celeste awoke, weary. It had been some time since she had located Setzer's younger brother at the castle. She had no idea why she had wanted to find him, but she had seen him come, and was curious...

She washed up and went outside. The streets were flooded with refugees now, all of them clamoring to get their water or food, or whatever the little mongrels wanted. Shuddering, she turned and fled into the wilderness, trying to find some refuge.

After walking many miles, far out of the normal reach of Ald Raathim, she came to a vast clearing. There, she found hoardes of peasants, all milling around. They seemed to have strange blue glowing eyes, and some had Twilight companions aiding them in their toil.

Azurites.

An important-looking man strode over to her. "Well," he rasped. "Have you come to return yourself to the service of Azura?"

"I am ready to rejoin you."

The man nodded. "Follow me."

She served Azura.

She served only Azura.

Only Azura was worthy.

Far off in Jazbet's castle, the shriek of Celeste's Twilight pierced the ears of Marein Night-Scar.

Ald Raathim, Castle

The scream woke him up. Naps were so hard to come by. Frantically, he looked around. A Winged Twilight? But it had sounded very distant. His ears were hypersensitive, some unforeseen consequence of his particular blood mix, so the Azurite could be anywhere within a few miles from here.

He ran to tell Allie.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Feb 1 2005, 08:11 AM

Solunastra: Doll

A ring, less conspicuous than an amulet. Doll examined her delicate features in the mirror. She was highly recognizable; but she had been careful never to let herself be known as a member of Allerleirauh's entourage, while she was traveling behind Loranna.

The blue eyes were almost pretty. Almost. More alarming than pretty. She wondered why. She was taking her netch leather helmet. Let the Azurites demand to see her eyes, then be satisfied with what she showed them.

"This flower will work?" she asked Dragon. "It will keep Bosriel away from me?"

"It hasn't been tested. But Arynel hasn't been attacked since I gave his to him. It's going to do something. I find the scent helps me stay awake. At least it ought to leave you enough of your senses to flee from her."

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her anxiety did not show on her face. It wasn't Bosriel she was afraid of, entirely. Why had Leseth brought her to his home? She didn't like being frightened. She would have to punish Leseth somehow, for frightening her.

"I'm going," she said. Skein had given her directions. She should go to the towers of Dusk and Dawn, to the new Temple of Azura. That was where she would find the leaders of the Azurites. And then the woman of the Morag Tong could kill them.

Posted by: w0nders Feb 1 2005, 08:47 AM

Five planks of wood, somewhere in the sea-

“Nice one idiot, you just had to pick the boat that was swarming with Azurites, didn’t you?” Snarled Inzoliah, prying a detached Azurite hand from her chest. “Ugh, perverted bastards, who gropes someone while trying to kill them? Honestly…”

Brum chuckled at her later statement, then said, “Well, how was I supposed to know they were Azurites? They had rather effective illusion spells cast,” He fell silent for a moment, and then added “But at least, we all made it out of hear alive”

Just then, two cultists burst out of the water, and clutched onto their own nearby respective planks. Merciander frowned “All of us…?” he asked cockily, sifting the water around him with his finger, forming obscure patterns in the ripples he created.

“Well…I may have been a little off…” He stated plainly, looking down at his broken fragment of deck “A little off…?” interjected Inzoliah again, her own voice matching the cockiness that off Merciander.

“Oh, shut up, and help me get this dagger out of my back, I can’t reach it and it’s starting to hurt.” He demanded, fidgeting about as he tried to extract the dagger, however, he didn’t have arms like scrib jerky and couldn’t reach it. “No, I’d rather watch you squirm,” laughed Inzoliah, watching the comical display that was Brum, thrashing about in the middle of the ocean.

A cultist swam forward and began the careful job of removing the dagger.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 09:02 AM

Solitude, Skyrim

Queen Elysana made a sacrifice to Akatosh in His chantry in the palace. The patron of Wayrest was clearly at last blessing the voyage. The rivers south had an egg shell’s worth of ice on their surface. It would take them no time at all to break through, join with the Bjoulsae river into High Rock. Only a few days more …

Posted by: Arrogant_Hero Feb 1 2005, 09:30 AM

Outskirts of Blacklight

After their vision it didn’t take anytime for Ezeka, and Jeremiah to get to Isaiah’s tent. Ezeka is the first to enter, she sees Isaiah once again kneeled, deeply praying. Ezeka slightly smiled, his loyalty was comforting. Jeremiah is second to get to the tent but before he inters it, he is stopped by Ahab.

The short Bosmer smiles a mischievous smile. “Remember what we talked about.”

Jeremiah pushes pass the underhanded Bosmer, knocking him over, and walks into the tent. He sneers at Ezeka before he looks at Isaiah. Isaiah stands and faces his fellow prophets, his blues eyes gleam in the darkened tent.

“Perhaps we where going about this all wrong. Our enemies are many, and powerful. One of us might not be enough to stop them. BUT sending our whole fleet to them could wipe us all out.” Isaiah puts his fingers on his temples. “Azura shows us the way, it's up to us on how we get there.”

Jeremiah steps forward, his ebony armor clanks with his sudden movement. “Round me up, laddie. I’ve got more then enough Jacob’s for those foh’gers.”

Isaiah goes silent.

“I would hate to lose you, Jeremiah. As I would anyone of my fellow brothers, but something must be done. I and Azura have faith in you. Azura’s “Will” shall see you through. Anything you need Jeremiah, ask and it shall be given to you.” Isaiah extends his hand to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah grabs Isaiah by the arm and wraps him into a hug. “Ya can count on ya, mer.”

“Azura’s fortune, my brother.” Isaiah says with a tear in his eye. “Round up who you want to take. You shall leave at once. All of us and Azura shall be behind you.”

Jeremiah confidently walks out of the tent, leaving Isaiah and Ezeka alone.

Posted by: Arrogant_Hero Feb 1 2005, 10:03 AM

Outskirts of Blacklight

An awkward silence passes while Isaiah and Ezeka stand in the tent alone.

Ezeka turns and faces Isaiah. “Well I better get back to sleep.”

Isaiah smiles. “Sure.”

Ezeka shyly turns to leave.

“Oh, one more thing.” Isaiah calls out, stopping Ezeka at the tent flap. “Tell your child I said hello.”

For a split second Ezeka tenses up, then she relaxes. Even with her back turned to Isaiah she knew he saw her do it. “What are you talking about?” Ezeka says with her back still to Isaiah.

Isaiah begins to walk towards Ezeka. “Don’t play innocent, Ezeka. Azura sees all and so do I.” He puts his hand on her shoulder.

“So your not going to tell anyone?” Ezeka calmly asks.

“No. It would be horrible for one of Azura’s prophets to raise an unpure child. BUT something must be done about the child.”

Ezeka turns and faces Isaiah with a scowl. “My child is NOT unpure.” Ezeka realizes Isaiah’s last remark. “What do you mean, be done?”

Isaiah’s tone becomes gravely serious. “It pains me to say this... Azura has already told me...” Isaiah pauses as if his words wont come out. “The child cannot live.”

Ezeka begins to cry for the first time in a long time. “Of all the people to say that, I didn’t expect it to be you Isaiah. Not you.”

Ezeka bursts out of the tent leaving Isaiah alone to his thoughts.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 10:13 AM

Ebonheart

‘Your Majesty!’ cried Lliryth, seeing the King walking away from him down the marble hall. ‘Wait!’

The Altmer, not looking like himself at all, face flushed, eyes wild, ran to Helseth and immediately bowed. ‘Forgive me. I must speak to you privately on an extremely urgent matter. I know everything about ... the matter we were discussing before …’

Posted by: Attrebus Feb 1 2005, 10:36 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 1 2005, 06:33 PM)

"Lliryth, I was just looking for you. You don't quite seem yourself." Said Helseth with a wry grin. "Private? Do follow me, my good man." The King led the Altmer to his chambers nearby.

"This should be private enough. Now, what have you learnt of this item?" Quized the King.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 10:47 AM

Ebonheart

QUOTE(Attrebus @ Feb 1 2005, 04:26 AM)

"This should be private enough. Now, what have you learnt of this item?" Quized the King.

‘The Eidolon is a battery, a heart, like I said,’ Lliryth said, trying to remain calm, his voice succeeding but his eyes looking like he has delved into the very edge of madness. ‘Crafted by the ancient Aldmeri and then altered by the genius of the Rourken Dwemeri. But the energy it stores … it is hard to explain … It is … a hole in reality. Maybe it is better to call it an unholy siphon than a battery. It will warp and implode all living energy for miles around. Complete and utter annihiliation.

‘It needs a key of sorts to operate, much as the legendary Mantella needed the totem. According to my research, this key is a gem called Flamekiss, a magnificent red diamond. Where it is now, no one knows. In ancient times, it was held by the Queen of Hegathe, but it was stolen by an Argonian thief who brought it … well, no one knows …’

Posted by: Attrebus Feb 1 2005, 11:02 AM

"Interesting. Interesting indeed." Helseth thought for a moment. "I must have that key, naturally. Was there any more information in your books that may shed some light on where this key is or who the Argonian was?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 1 2005, 11:14 AM

QUOTE(Attrebus @ Feb 1 2005, 04:52 AM)

‘There is an interesting lack of information, which is, in its own way, informational,’ said Lliryth, a little too excitedly. ‘Nothing disappears forever in Tamriel. If a gem such as Flamekiss has not been heard from since the first era, it may be assumed that the Argonian thief hid it somewhere not only hard to find but supremely dangerous. A pocket dimension, I’d guess, or a dungeon of such horror, the mind reels. The Argonian’s name has, alas, been lost to history … but I can continue to research and see if I can unearth it …’

Posted by: Attrebus Feb 1 2005, 11:23 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 1 2005, 07:34 PM)

"Perhaps, however, I think this one would require an investigation away from books. I doubt you will find much, if anything, more than you already have." Said Helseth. "You have earnt a rest, and a reward. I will see to it you are paid well for your efforts.

"I have some inquires to make."

Posted by: Rhedd Feb 1 2005, 12:46 PM

(The Void:)

From the endless darkness Outside, Leseth and Bosriel watched the King and his Mystic.

"Come, Little One, and be on your best behavior. This is information best shared."

The delicate white child and the giant black shadow sped toward the mainland.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Feb 1 2005, 04:31 PM

Jazbet's Castle: Tris

"There you are," Tris said, putting a hand on Arynel's shoulder. "I've been looking for you. Guess what I have?"

He did not, however, leave Arynel time to guess, but instead produced a small sack and opened it to reveal a bunch of cherries.

"Cherries from home - they smell like High Rock, don't they? Don't ask me how they made it all the way here, some merchant in the village was trying to get rid of them before they rotted. Paid a small fortune for the things, but worth it if I can give them to you. I owe you. You should have come with us on that raid. Oh - you're the one who doesn't like violence, aren't you? Well, maybe you were better off staying here. But you should have seen me. I told you, my body remembers everything. Fiddled my luck, fiddled my speed, fiddled my skill at throwing things. Still not back in the Void yet, but I have faith again now, and it's all from talking to you."

He laughed. "I'm talking too much again. You make me nervous, you know that? Here, have a cherry."

He ate one himself, with evident delight.

Posted by: Arynel Feb 1 2005, 04:35 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Feb 1 2005, 08:21 AM)

Arynel blinked, and slowly reached into the sack and retrieved a cherry, which he promptly placed in his mouth and began to chew.

"It's very good," the Breton said after he had finished it, "I'm happy to hear you're doing well, but tell me, why do I make you nervous?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Feb 1 2005, 04:40 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Feb 1 2005, 09:25 AM)

"I'm constantly afraid you're going to start talking about things I can't understand and make me feel like an idiot," Tris said, laughing. "Bad memories of being taught to inscribe scrolls, as a child. Except I could mock my teachers and get everyone on my side, and I don't want to mock you. You'd eat me alive."

Posted by: Arynel Feb 1 2005, 04:44 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Feb 1 2005, 08:30 AM)

Arynel frowned.

"I am sorry then," the Breton said, "I do not mean to. Some things are not said so simply, you've been in the void, so I know you must understand that. Don't feel like an idiot because you can't understand something, there is much I do not understand, as I know only a little bit myself."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Feb 1 2005, 04:49 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Feb 1 2005, 09:34 AM)

"You have a reputation for being hard to get to know," Tris said. He divided the cherries in two, whipped out a clean, beautifully embroidered handkerchief, bound half of the cherries in it and gave it to Arynel. "I have a reputation for being easy to get to know. Who knows, maybe yours is as ill-deserved as mine. I just have a better game face than you do."

Posted by: Arynel Feb 1 2005, 04:58 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Feb 1 2005, 08:39 AM)

Arynel took hold of the cherry filled handkerchief.

"Thank you." The Breton said with a smile. "We should all eat cherries together, and then we wouldn't have these problems. Vivec said, 'The sage who suppresses his best aphorism: cut off his hands, for he is a thief.' How can I, in keeping good conscious, not tell what I know? Perhaps many do not understand, perhaps it is best that way, if they're ready to understand what I have to say, then they will understand."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Feb 1 2005, 05:02 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Feb 1 2005, 09:48 AM)

"The difference between you and Vivec is that Vivec thinks it's funny when people don't understand him," Tris said. "Maybe you should make yourself striped or polka-dotted or something, to get the point across. I should go; I'm glad I caught up to you though."

Posted by: Arynel Feb 1 2005, 05:06 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Feb 1 2005, 08:52 AM)

Arynel nodded.

"Thank you again," the Breton said, lifting up the handkerchief of cherries. "There is a path yet woven within the spool itself, if only you have eyes to see it, and if you do not have eyes, you may find that feet suffice."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Feb 1 2005, 05:17 PM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Feb 1 2005, 09:56 AM)

"Well," Tris said, grinning, "I have one foot left, anyway."

Somehow, by imperceptible stages, he had reached the point where he could joke about it.

He discovered that his mind was made up. He didn't want to go where he would be most useful, if it meant going without Ciel. Life was too short to spend it being miserable. Wasn't it? Or was he just being a coward again?

There was work he could do in the refugee camp, in any case. People were already complaining about short commons. It wasn't possible to pull in the fishermen from the shore and the farmers from the fields and cram three territories' worth of people into one town and have enough for everyone. The raid on the nearby village had only eased the burden for a couple of days.

Do the thing right in front of you, and do the next thing when you get to it. That was a good motto. So what he did, right now, was suggest to the local fishermen that they should go down and do a day's work, and he would go with them as a guard. He went to find Ciel.

Posted by: Dumbkid Feb 2 2005, 02:49 AM

The old Dunmer emerged naked from the ancient cold tomb. He had been there, waiting for nearly two days without food or water, his stomach was racked with pains, and his throat parched. Even so, his expression remained stern, his semblance bearing no emotion.

There, setting on the rock and on the ash, he consumed a meal of ash yams and water, which had been prepared for that very purpose. After he finished with the meal, the old Dunmer used a nearby bowl of water to wash off the patterns of ink over his skin, and picking up a nearby ceramic bowl filled with pigment, drew new symbols on his flesh.

He put on his robe, and entered a nearby yurt, where he was greeted by a young Dunmer woman, "Greetings father, what have the spirits taught you."

"Many things," the Old Dunmer said to her, "some beautiful and some terrible, some I already knew, and some may be forever beyond my grasp to understand."

The old Dunmer removed his robe, and with the help of his daughter was adorned in the proper regalia, a loincloth with netch leather leggings and moccassins, a chest plate made of numerous interlinking bones, tied together with strands of material prepared from insect shells, he placed an amulet of Khagouti teeth on over his neck.

"Are you leaving?" The young Dunmer woman asked.

"You already know this." The old Dunmer said.

"Will you return?" The young Dunmer asked.

"That is not within my wisdom." The old Dunmer said.

With that, the old Dunmer left the Yurt.

Posted by: Attrebus Feb 2 2005, 04:29 AM

Locked? Locked!