Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Kidnapping


Dear Diary,

I forgot to mention something last time.  In all of the ruckus going on in Riften I forgot I also happened to kill some old hag who was torturing some orphans and keeping them captive.  It seemed like the right thing to do at the time, so I didn't think much of it.  Turns out she was a contract for the Dark Brotherhood, and I wasn't supposed to do that.

We went to sleep in the inn, and next thing I knew I woke up in a shack.  A woman was in one corner, and three people were tied up on the other side of the room.  She explained I had to repay my debt for killing Grelod, by killing one of these people.  I was going to refuse, but she said one of them already had a contract on them and I had to figure out which one.  It seemed rather sick to play games with people like that, but I decided to play along for the moment to see if I could find a way out.

I interviewed each one.  One was an honorable Nord who just happened to be a mercenary.  Seemed like an honest heart.  The second was a mother of six, so that was out.  The third was a bit of a jerk, and with some persuasion told me he had killed plenty himself, and was a crime lord.  Well, seemed like a win win.  We would all get to leave and this one Khajiit who would probably be dead by either a competitor, someone seeking vengeance or the law.

So I shot him.  In hindsight it seems rather cold but at the moment I felt I had no choice.  The woman in the corner introduced herself as Astrid, and I recognized her name from all the notes I had collected from failed assassins.  She said I could join them if I liked, and I agreed.  It was part just wanting to get out of the shack, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to go and check them out.  If nothing else I am sure they had some interesting books to swipe.

I left the shack and realized I was just south of Dawnstar.  I found a courier and wrote a note to Jzargo back at the inn, in case he was still there. I also made note that he needs to be a better guard...cat.  I then went south to their hiding place.

The Sanctuary was west of Falkreath and kinda creepy.  As I walked inside I found a group of members gathered, having a conversation.  They seemed rather friendly, chatting about their latest contracts.  While they dealt in murder, they were fairly chipper and seemed all there.  I expected a bunch of psychos screaming while lifting dead animals, or practicing on fresh corpses.  One of them was even a little girl, Babette, who I traded potions and recipes with.

I found Nazir, a redguard, in the back working on something.  He mentioned since I was a "new member" I could do some contracts.  I'm not one for wanton murder, but I figure I could check these people out and if they seemed bad it's a good chunk of gold for doing it.  Another win win.  The first was in Ivarstead, just east of here.

I scoped out the rest of the Sanctuary, swiped a few books I had never seen before, and went east to Falkreath.  I found Jzargo outside the gate, and told him what happened.  He apologized, and made note not to drink milk before sleeping in an unfamiliar place, it makes him pass out.  I gave him a hug and we then took care of business around town, selling a few things, making a few items, and then staying at the inn for the night (minus any milk).  Before we slept we walked around the inn and chatted up the people there.  One man I had talked to before said an ancient ancestor had risen from the dead recently and was a vampire.  He said he had gathered followers and taken up residence in Bloodlet Throne just east.  It was on the way to Ivarstead, so I agreed and we left town.

We climbed the mountains east of Falkreath and got to Bloodlet Throne later in the day.  There was a blizzard outside so we were glad to get inside, even with the strange wolves howling from somewhere deeper in the ruin.  We fought our way to the interior past a few weaker vampires and hired thugs, and eventually came to a large opening in the cave wall.  We looked in and it was like a small fighting pit.  There were cages in the walls all around full of wolves and above them in a throne sat the vampire flanked by cronies.  He said  something to them and released the wolves, refusing to fight but rather wanted to watch me fight the wolves.  The animals were no match, although I felt bad for them.  After we had whooped them the vampires decended, angry we had killed their pets.  The vampire lord was quite tough, but I singled him out while Jzargo fried the others.  I gave the vampire a taste of his own medicine with Mr. Thirsty, but the axe only got a taste of him before the Razor kicked in and obliterated him.  Dagon had something against this vampire it seemed.  Jzargo was right behind me with a goofy grin on his face.  In his mismatched dwarven gauntlets (note: need to keep an eye out for that final piece of his ebony armor) he held up two of the vampires proudly by the hair, like a...cat and his mouse.  I stared and he dropped them, realizing what he was holding.  We checked for loot and left out the back.

It was getting late, so we camped out behind the old fort (sleeping lightly).  The next day we left for Ivarstead.  We are staying at the inn here and scoping out the first target for the brotherhood: Narfi.  Haven't found him yet, but we will see what he's up to.

Until next time,

- ST

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Uncovering the Truth


Dear Diary,

We spent the night in Solitude, staying up late going over our gear.  I had become more skilled in enchanting magical extras onto our weapons and armor, so I made some new things for our next trip out.  Jzargo finally got his own personal set of matching ebony armor.  He looks quite dashing.

I also retired my old bow Aether, the one that had seen me through the past few months.  Since I arrived in Skyrim in fact.  I hung it on the wall beneath Mr. Frosty and made two new ones.  Void, an Ebony bow that saps the life of my enemies, and Dreamcatcher, another that retrieves the souls of my enemies for future enchanting.  

The next day we walked to the carriage and checked out our map.  We decided on Riften, to get away from it all for a bit and see a new city. We paid the fare and arrived later in the day.  We paid for a room in the Bee and Barb and then hung around the bar for a bit talking to locals.  It seemed there was a hushed tone when it came to goings on in the city.  Some people had some things to say, although nothing direct, of a thieves guild in town and how they were in a massive triangle of power with Maven Black Briar, the Jarl, and the Guild.  Now being one for the people and disliking someone abusing their power, I decided to see what it was all about.  I chatted up some more locals and after a few days of playing the part of the eager new member, I had made my way into the thieves guild.

As it turned out, there were conspiracies within the conspiracies, and I ended up spending most of my time helping the Guild get revenge on an old member that had turned their back. I forgot all about my goal of uncovering the Black Briars, but I do plan to return to that soon. The Guild is actually a bunch of relatively nice people, and I have no qualms against them.  

In my work for the Guild I did end up having to take a carriage back to Markarth, which I wasn't looking forward to.  It was a short trip though, and it was made up for by getting to spend more time with good old Enthir, a good friend of both myself and Jzargo from back at the College.

There was also a notable attack on the College itself, by no less than two dragons.  It would have been a pretty memorable fight, but the dragons picked about the worst place to attack, and the mages of the guild.

We are now staying at an inn, preparing for our next outing.  So many options on where to go next!

Until next time,

- ST

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Oghma Infinium


Dear Diary,

The three of us set out from Solitude and headed for Dawnstar.  When we arrived, we spent the night and then talked to Silus the next morning, handing him the last piece of the Razor. He said he was going to reforge it at Mehrunes' shrine, and we agreed to follow him there.  The four of us made our way south and arrived mid day.  Dagon seemed to want nothing to do with his loyal follower, but he did speak.  He said that in order to get the dagger I had to kill Silus.  I wanted no part in it, but before I could say anything the dog had jumped on Silus and knocked him off the cliff!  Dagon was amused at the method in which the deed was carried out, and reforged the Razor.  It feels like an ordinary dagger in my hand, but there is something creepy about it.


We were near a cave Urag had marked on my map as a location of a missing book, so we stopped by.  What I thought would take a few minutes ended up being a day long ordeal.  We found the journal of a man who had been researching the tomb, and it mentioned having to find two ceremonial weapons in order to proceed further.  It took a while and we had to deal with countless undead, but we finally found them and opened up the main burial chamber, in which someone crafty hid the book.

Leaving the cave, we took the long trek to Winterhold.  It was a days journey and we stopped in town to sell some things and spend the night.  The next day we stopped to see Urag, giving him the book and letting Jzargo pick up some things of his. 

We returned north to Septimus and the Dwemer contraption.  With the blood samples in hand, he opened the massive cube, which opened into a round corridor going deeper into the heart of it.  Inside Septimus was unhappy, there was just a book on a pedestal.  I however was ecstatic, as it looked ancient and rare.  Indeed it was the Oghma Infinium, a relic of ancient days containing secret knowledge, surpassed only by an Elder Scroll.  This was definitely going in the collection.  As I left, Mora thanked me for my service and named me his champion.

We then took a walk south to Windhelm and again spent the night, but after running into a very creepy little kid who was hacking away at a dead body and requesting I go murder some mean old lady, we skipped town and head south further.

We returned to Vile's shrine, and he was quite grateful for returning his axe.  He asked to kill the dog but I of course refused!  The dog thanked me of course, and instead Vile gave me his boon, a strange mask with charming properties.  The dog disappeared and merged with the shrine, forever returning to his masters shrine.  I will miss that dog, but I guess I can always come back and see him.

Back to just Jzargo and myself, we decided to hit Whiterun, and see what the locals were up to.  We've been here a few days and the city is quite a lot of fun late at night.  Can't stay too much longer though, Jzargo is getting tired of lugging stuff around...

Until next time,

-ST

Monday, December 5, 2011

A Girl's Best Friend/A Daedric Day


Dear Diary,

I spent a few days in Solitude, sorting the items I had found in my travels, and came upon the leftover scrolls Jzargo had given me at the College.  I had forgotten all about them, and he was probably wondering where I was, so checking my map I decided to make good on my promise and set out for Winterhold.  It was over a days walk from Solitude, and when I got there I found him in his quarters, working on something tiny and apparently secret.  He turned abruptly and greeted me, asking about the scrolls I had given him long ago.  He was excited to hear the results.  I told him they created a massive explosion, and asked if that was intended.

"Oh, no that...was not intentional." He said, and thanked me for the work.  I told him I was going to the library, and he needed to as well so we went together.  He was putting away several books he had under his robes as I did some reading at a table.  I was interested in reading more about the Daedra in Skyrim since I met Mora, and found out the shrine of Azura was south of there.  When I was finished reading Jzargo was loitering next to me.  

"Oh...um, I am going to some Deadric shrines, want to come with?"

"Hmm yes, this pleases Jzargo, as Jzargo has nothing else borrowed to return."

"Can you fight?"

"Yes Jzargo is quite adept at magic, and I enjoy wearing exotic boot armors. Jzargo is also adept with weapons, but alas there are no weapons in the College."

"Well let's go find you one."

We head out south towards Azuras shrine, taking our time and sneaking around to find him a weapon.  We mostly ran into cave bears and other small four legged animals, which Jzargo was happy to use as a weapon, but I suggested something made of steel.  We took a twisting and turning path below the shrine, and finally ran into someone east of the mountain it was perched upon.

"That man has sharp items, plus more.  Jzargo suggests we take them. Jzargo will flank."

I took a southward path, Jzargo north.  As I drew my bow and prepared to fire upon the man, I realized Jzargo was quite literal, and the man was soon in between us and in a crossfire.  I tried to motion to Jzargo that this wouldn't work, but he gave me a quick thumbs up and pounced on the man.  There was nothing I could do as Jzargo punched him into submission, but it seemed I wasn't needed as Jzargo stood on top of the man and raised his new weapon in the air.

"Very sharp!  Jzargo will use!" Jzargo didn't bother to search the body, so I helped myself and found a strange book called Boethiah's Calling.  I quickly skimmed it and it gave the rough location of her shrine.  I thought two in one day was a good bit of progress, and made note to go there next.

We walked up to the shrine.  There was a lone woman at the top, who told me of a vision she had.  Some dark mages had taken the icon of Azura and were doing foul things with it, and asked me to return it.  She was the only caretaker of Azuras shrine so she could not leave, and was a bit old and feeble at that, no way she could take on a group of evildoers herself.

"We will do this, yes." Jzargo interrupted, and I asked for the location of the ruins in her vision.  She marked my map north of Falkreath and we bid her goodbye.

We travelled south past Windhelm, Jzargo complaining about the cold the whole way.  Around Winterhold I ran into the lone reveler I met months ago around here, who helped me with the bandits.  I said hello, and ecstatically tried to explain to Jzargo who it was, then turned to realize he was standing way off over there, so said forget it and gave the man some more mead and left.

We reached the shrine of Boethiah around dusk.  We walked up toward the shrine, stopped, realized the cultists were crazy, shrugged and left.

North of the Throat of the World we stopped by a cave to pick up the beacon of Meridia's shrine.  She has asked me to find it a few weeks ago and this was my first time in the area.  Nothing more in the cave but a few trolls.  Jzargo noted that something smelled foul, and I explained it was all the half eaten corpses under our feet. 

We made another quick stop south, to give the Crimson Nirnroot to Sinderion's friend.  She had a nice Nirnroot farm, which I thought was impossible.  If it weren't for all the other amazing things I had seen recently, and Jzargo chasing her chickens, I would have been interested.

We crossed the mountains south of the Throat and walked along the banks of Lake Klinalth. Jzargo enjoyed zapping the fish we passed and I often had to stop and wait for him. The ruins the woman pointed to me to were collapsed and half underwater, so I had to enter via a trapdoor at the top of a tower that was now level with the water.  The ruins were full of magic users and plenty of interesting books. Sneaking around the hallways I heard the inhabitants mention a good deal about the things they were doing with Azuras star - trying to fit human souls into it.  Between my axe and Jzargo's magic we cleared them out easy enough.  At the end beneath the remains of the man who had originally taken the star to try and put his own soul into it we found it.  It was beautiful!  A giant gem made of other gems - diamonds, rubies and saphires.  It must have been worth a fortune, Jzargo noted, and I quickly stashed it and we made our way out.

It was getting late so we went south to Falkreath and spent the night.  We had some ale and some milk and did a bit of shopping.  Our next destination was just west, a place Silus thought the last piece of the Razor could be found.  As we left town we ran into a lost dog.  He looked lonely so I walked up to pet it, and the thing spoke!  He told me he was the pet of Clavicus Vile the Daedric lord of raw deals.  He asked me to follow him to the shrine and if I did, I would get a reward.  Jzargo was on board so we left and headed for the shrine.  On the way we ran into a bandit toll on the road - two towers on each side with a bridge across - most likely an ambush.  I turned to figure out a plan with my comrades when I see Jzargo zoom off towards the towers.  He dodged two arrows and was lost to sight around the corner.  I drew my bow and dropped one bandit as the dog chased after the cat. I searched for the other on top of the right tower, and could just make out his shoulder.  He was drawing an arrow and then went to turn to me, and as I steadied my aim I was surprised to see him get tossed over the side of the rail - Jzargo had come around and knocked him clean off the tower.  He looked at me then ran back down, and we set off for the shrine after I told him a thing about working together.

The shrine was in a cave chock full of vampires, but with three of us they were no obstacle.  The only difficult thing was getting a jump on them, with the dog constantly yapping and pushing me around, and Jzargo making clanky noises and sniffing. Jzargo also decided to use a summoning staff I had him hang onto to, and was surprised to see a giant frost daedra appear at one point.  Clavicus was happy to see his dog, although reason why I was not sure and felt uneasy about.  He said he knew of a win win situation involving picking up a magical axe that was lost to him long ago.  The place was way up north, but on the way home, so I agreed.

The dog continued to follow us anyway, and I wasn't sure whether to be happy about it, but I did not seem to have a choice.  I normally do things alone and now I was suddenly in a group of three... and a half?

We pressed on west of Falkreath, stopped at the ruins to grab the peices of Mehrunes Razor, and headed north.  It was a long trek to the mountains around Solitude, with many breaks to argue about direction and for the dog to sniff something.  At dusk we arrived at Rorickstead and spent the night, leaving early the next day before the farmers so I could gather some wheat for future potions.

A short distance later and the two of them were back to slowing me down, so we split up around the start of the mountains.  I walked for a few hours before I heard a roar and a dragon crashed down upon me!  I barely had time to draw my bow and run before it snapped and just missed me.  I jumped behind a rock and began peppering it with arrows.  It breathed fire in my direction but the rock shielded me from the heat.  It took to the sky again and came back around, forcing me from my hiding place. I ran forward and turned, shooting more arrows as it landed, but it wasnt doing much damage.  The heat from the breath was unbearable and I was starting to fear I wouldn't be able to kill it.  I shouted, knocking it off balance, and ran some more into a large gap between two high points in the rock, hoping it wouldn't follow, but it squeezed in and kept trying to snap at me.I was about out of arrows so I drew Thirsty and my dagger, and desperately looked for a different avenue of approach.  As things were looking grim, I heard the clopping of boots from behind and right of the dragon.  

"Jzargo is here boss, yes!" And he began pouring lightning into the dragon.  

"Where's the damn dog?!" I shouted back as I shielded myself from fire, realizing the folly of leaving a cat and dog alone.

As the words escaped my mouth the dog ran up and pounced on one of the dragon's haunches, latching on and thrashing like...well a demon dog.  I was relieved to have them back and changed roles to just distract the dragon while the dog's teeth and Jzargo's magic finished it off.  

"Thanks for the help." I said to the two of them.

"It is no problem boss.  But honestly Jzargo hoped the dragon would have eaten the dog."

The dog grumbled and trotted off north.  We got the message and continued on our way.  The cave with Vile's axe wasn't too much further and it was dusk again when we arrived.  We ran into some "companions" on the way up, who looked a lot like the people who killed the giant when I first arrived at Whiterun.  Nice people they seemed, would have to see what they are all about later.  Three's company, and six is a crowd, so we parted ways and entered the cave.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the axe right there in the entrance, on the altar being used by a lone vampire.  Jzargo got twitchy and used the summoning staff.  To the vampires surprise the big blue ice man walked up and smashed him into the ground in one hit.  Easy enough, but I reminded Jzargo it was for emergencies only. I think he just really liked using it.  Or hoped that thing would turn on the dog.

I grabbed the axe, and made use of an enchanter the vampire had in his possession to make Jzargo a new set of armor from the items we had plundered on our trip around the world.  His previous set was rather funny looking and at least now he looked more like a proper feline knight.  I also made him his own weapon, an Orcish axe we now call "Jzargo's Choppa" so there is no confusion.  Maybe he will remember to use it since it has his name on it, instead of his claws.

We then left for Solitude stopping at Meridia's shrine.  I put the beacon on the altar and found myself up in the air speaking to Meridia herself.  For a moment I worried what the two down below thought, but then my attention was taken by the Daedra as she asked for me to clear out some shrine or something.  To be honest I had dealt with so many Daedra the past few days I would agree to anything to shut them up.  Too many to keep track of and I didn't want to get distracted from Mora's request.  All I wanted was to see what Azura was all about!

"Welcome back boss." Jzargo said, and I motioned to head down into Solitude.  We entered and did a bit of shopping, selling off what the two of us weren't using.  My deeds in town recently and my Thane status might be why the shopkeepers didn't mind having a dog in their stores.

We are now stopping at the house, to drop a few things off and make some potions.  Jzargo was complaining about all he had to carry so I made sure he knew where he could drop it all off.  We are going to stay in town for the day and tomorrow set out for Dawnstar to return the last piece of the Razor to Silus.  Or we might go right back to Vile if the two of them don't stop bickering.


Until next time,

- ST

Friday, December 2, 2011

Understanding, Past Present and Future


Dear Diary,

It feels good to write from you from home, and it feels like it has been a month since I have written you.

While at the College I spent a good deal of time in the library, and talking to Urag he mentioned a man who could help me find an Elder Scroll.  A hermit, he lived up north in the glaciers, studying something he had found ages ago. I gathered some supplies, slept for the night in my quarters and head out.

I wasn't looking forward to it as I hate water, and up here the water is freezing at that, but luckily this time of year there was plenty of ice reaching his location.  I found his place from afar, a small door with a wooden boat docked outside.  I entered and spoke with the man, Septimus, about Elder Scrolls, his uncovered Dwemer lockbox, and other interesting things.  I loved the conversation as these sorts of secret and supernatural subjects are exactly what I hoped to explore when I came to Skyrim.  He seemed a bit off which I attributed to years of solitude, but I did note some Skooma in one of his dressers when he wasn't looking.  He gave me two Dwemer "keys" and pointed me in the direction of Alftand, a Dwemer ruin west of our location.  It was still early in the day so I set out immediately.

Alftand was atop a mountain and the weather was quite harsh.  The remnants of an exploratory party were at the top, some ruined tents and a journal of the leader.  There were two dead bodies under the snow but the journal named 6.  It seemed they couldn't find an entrance.  I looked around and after a while of searching found a small crack in the glacier, that after a while did indeed enter the ruins.  I immediately ran into two more of the party - the two khajiit.  One was dead and the other a loony.  I was forced to kill him, and searching his partner found a journal explaining his skooma addiction.

The rest of Aftland was a long, twisting and deep ruin, full of Dwemer automation and further down many Falmer.  I am quite secure in this point saying that the Falmer are what killed the Dwemer off after all.  Their disappearance was merely an exile, but their destruction happened at the hands of the Falmer, their tortured slaves.  Eerie to think this was all happening under our feet without knowing, but I digress.  I found the rest of the party on the way down to the entrance of Blackreach.  The Orc woman was slain by Falmer arrows.  The Altmer was still tied to a Falmer torture device, but was dead.  The other two were still alive, who I found at the entrance of the tuning device, but were turned mad.  They killed each other fighting over treasure they couldn't even reach.  I felt bad for them but they were soon forgotten as I entered the next chamber - Blackreach itself.

Blackreach.  No words can even describe it.  It is the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and I took a moment to let it set in.  Luminescent mushrooms and plants surrounded me, and the ceiling was like a night sky, dotted with bright geodes.  There was a small building in front of me, so I decided to search it first.  Entering, I heard a faint hum that I recognized as nirnroot, but when I found the source I was astonished - it was a reddish color!  I had never seen or heard of such a thing.  I picked it, and gathered many other alchemical ingredients scattered about.  In my elation I failed to notice a skeleton in one corner.  I searched it, finding a journal and my heart sank.  Dear Sinderion, a good family friend.  He knew my grandmother well, and in fact mentioned her in his most recent journal entry, which I will copy here:

4E 58 Second Seed, Middas
 
I've spent a large portion of my life unraveling the mystery of the nirnroot and yet I still feel unfulfilled. The trilling sound this strange herb emits seems to taunt me, to push me even harder to discover its secrets. Even after a generous and indomitable traveler became a field collector in my stead, and provided me with five score of the nirnroot, I was only able to muster what I consider a mediocre alchemical creation at best. This only served to strengthen my hunger and whet my appetite for the solution.

It wasn't until over fifty years later that the answer to my prayers was carried into my basement workshop at the West Weald Inn. The first thing I heard was the familiar tone - that unmistakable warble unique to the nirnroot. But when I turned around, my heart leapt and a chill ran down my spine. This was indeed a nirnroot, but of a variety the likes of which I have never seen. The herb was awash in a spectacular array of red hues, each leaf seemingly emblazoned with innumerable variations of crimson. I couldn't move - I was completely transfixed. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined a species of nirnroot with such a unique property.

After an awkward silence, I finally managed to stammer out a few questions to the traveler who'd brought me this treasure. He told me his name was Obeth Arnesian, a treasure-seeker from Skyrim. Apparently, he'd been exploring a vast subterranean network of grand caverns called Blackreach and had stumbled across what he dismissed as "a noisy red weed." His expedition was largely unsuccessful and he didn't want to leave the caves empty-handed, so Obeth picked one of the crimson nirnroot to bring home. He said that it took some time, but eventually he was pointed my way and that perhaps I'd pay a fair price for it.

Before I could gather my wits and ask anything else, Obeth offered to sell me the crimson nirnroot sample, a map showing me how to find Blackreach and the strange key needed to breach its outer defenses. It took me mere moments to decide. Obeth left Skingrad a thousand septims richer, but I would have easily paid ten times that amount to obtain the sample alone.

It took a year of planning, but I was able to pack up and sell my workshop and make my way into Skyrim. Before delving headfirst into Blackreach, I knew I needed to set up a new laboratory, but wished to do so in seclusion. After making inquiries at the College of Winterhold, of which I was an honorary member, I was directed to speak to Avrusa Sarethi, a student of botanical alchemy who had a small farm near the city of Riften. By bartering my knowledge of nirnroot cultivation, I was able to secure Sarethi Farm as a launching point for my field research. I kept the knowledge of the crimson nirnroot a secret from Avrusa, but imparted everything else I knew to her in exchange for her hospitality.

A few months passed, but I was finally ready to enter Blackreach. I used the Runed Lexicon that Obeth had provided and descended into the depths. My goal was to gather enough crimson nirnroot to produce my greatest alchemical creation to date - I was certain it would take at least thirty of them to provide the necessary catalyst.

This brings me to the present. My initial research seems to indicate that the crimson nirnroot has a similar affinity for moisture as the garden variety, but also maintains some sort of symbiotic relationship with the enormous fungi that inhabits Blackreach. It's my guess that the fungi itself is a source of water, absorbing it from the moist subterranean air like a sponge. This provides the ideal environment for the nirnroot to grow. Unfortunately, the crimson nirnroot appears to have a vastly shortened lifespan, and they are in no way plentiful down here. Gathering thirty of them will be quite the challenge, but hopefully the denizens of Blackreach will allow me to gather my samples unhindered.

I had to finish what he had started.  I left the house and searched all of Blackreach.  It took over a day and I uncovered many nasty critters as well, but I managed to find plenty of crimson nirnroot.  I will have to make a note to find Avrusa later.

For now I finished my trek through Blackreach, finally finding the way to the large Dwemer artifact I was after.  The device was massive, and much like the one I found that led me to the staff of Magnus. I used the box Septimus gave me to move the arms hanging from the ceiling.  I was awestruck at the engineering of the massive machine, as the arms turned and eventually dropped down a large crystal which opened, but it was nothing compared to what I found inside...

An Elder Scroll.  In perfect condition.  It took me a moment to snap out of my awe.  This was possibly the most rare and important artifact in the world, and it sat before me.  My grandmother would be quite proud, and I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing I had finally found something equal to her own exploits.  I gently picked it up and put it in my pack, and took one of the many elevators to the surface. I made my way back to Septimus, who was elated to have the etchings on his box, but thankfully wanted nothing to do with the Elder Scroll. He did however need me to collect the blood from each type of Elf, as original Dwemer blood, the key to opening the box, was obviously no longer obtainable.  A bit of each would trick the box, and I agreed to help him get his samples.  It was time to find out more about what I had found, so I turned to leave and go see Urag.

But as I left the room, there was a massive dark blue light, and a booming voice.  It was Hermaeus Mora himself!  Of all the Daedric lords, Mora is the only one I truly admire and to speak with him was a revelation and event on par with finding the Elder Scroll. All the books in Skyrim are but scraps of paper in the presence of Mora.  If my path is to cross his I knew I was in for some real understanding beyond mortal man.  I agreed to help him, and he left.

As I exited the cave and walked towards the College, a courier approached.  He gave me a letter from Falk Firebeard,a man from solitude I consider a friend:

Over the last few days we've had some disturbing information come to light regarding the events at Wolfskull Cave and the summoning and binding ritual you interrupted there.
Given your involvement with that event I'm asking you to return to Solitude to help us once more. I'm wary of putting all the details in print, please come see me at the Blue Palace.
Sincerely,
Falk Firebeard

I was right at the College, but this could not wait.  A return of Potema, the Wolf Queen, would be disastrous and on par with the Oblivion Crisis.  There was enough conflict in Skyrim so it was vital to stop her now.  I immediately set out for Solitude and made the long trek west.

Entering the city there were people running everywhere and screaming.  I saw guards pointing their bows at the sky, and following their line of sight I saw a huge dragon crest the battlements of Castle Dour!  It was bigger than any I had seen yet, and in fact for a moment thought it was Alduin himself.  The dragon was quite powerful and we fought the beast for at least an hour, moving from courtyard to merchant's center, to the city proper, but the dozen guards and myself dispatched it in time.  Everyone in town gathered and admired the beast, and congratulated me, but I made sure everyone gave the guards their credit as well.  They fought quite valiantly and without loss, or so I thought.  I turned and saw a guard had indeed fallen to the foul monster.  I mourned the poor soul, and in his tribute took his armor and displayed it on the mannequin in my house to forever remember his service.

I continued to the Blue Palace and spoke with Firebeard.  He told me to speak to Styrr at the Hall of the Dead. I left and spoke with Styrr and he showed me an entrance to the catacombs beneath Solitude.  Her followers had broken through a wall to make a back entrance for Potema to enter. I walked in and immediately encountered, as you would expect from Potema, many undead.  It did give me a chance to finally test Jzargo's scrolls, which in hindsight humorously blew up nearby undead but also blew back at me as well.  Delving deeper I also ran into many a vampire, which did not surprise me.  The catacombs were long and Potema spoke to me through the bond of my presence at her previous summoning, but I reached the end to the chamber itself, and Potema raised Draugr after Draugr at me.  Wave after wave, so many I had to put away Aether and draw old Frosty to keep them at bay (also with a fancy new ebony shield I found in Blackreach).  Frosty saw me through them all and with her power drained I entered her chambers, grabbed her skull and with a shout destroyed her soul forever.  

I returned the remains to Styrr, and tired but triumphant entered the Jarls court and spoke with her and Firebeard.  Their worries were over, and they recognized with me in town they had nothing to fear.  She awarded me the title of Thane in recognition of my service to the city, and my own Shieldmaiden Jordis.  I was glad to help though.  I felt at home here, and that this was my place and where I belong.
Worn, weary, in need of real sleep, I returned home with Jordis.  I made sure she felt at home with what energy I had left, and went downstairs to unload.  I dropped my weapons and gear, and looked at my dear Mr. Frosty.  It had been an epic two weeks.  I had seen and been a part of so many legends I had only read about in Cyrodiil.  I hung Frosty up on a mantle, retired, and created a new weapon for a new chapter in my journeys - Mr. Thirsty - an Ebony war axe with a penchant for Thalmor and Dragon blood...

Until next time,

- ST

Thursday, December 1, 2011

End of Ancano


Dear Diary,

Labrynthian was more than I had ever imagined from reading about it back in Cyrodiil.  I will not give details as it was quite dangerous and I don't want anyone who might find this to attempt to enter.  Hopefully now with the staff acquired there will be no reason for anyone to return it. I will say I took great enjoyment in smashing a Thalmor sent by Ancano to stop me and take the staff after I went to all the effort to obtain it.  He put up quite a fight but my newly acquired staff made short work of the magic using Altmer.

Upon returning to the College I saw from a distance a scuffle on the bridge.  I ran up and assisted Tolfdir in taking down the strange magic creatures and he briefed me on the situation.  We ran inside with the staff which I used to indirectly fry Ancano and put the  situation to rest.  I took his clothes to display in mockery in my house, and then spoke with the gathered residents of the College.  They were quite grateful and made me the new Archmage.  I thought it was a bit premature and unfitting of a wanderer and scholar by hobby such as myself, but they insisted.  I took a peek at my new quarters, but I did not touch anything.  I just couldn't use the space previously occupied by Aren, and it seemed some of these items were heirlooms from his own travels and adventures in Skyrim.

I next went to Urag in the library, bringing him the rare book he was after, and he sent me after another.  I asked him about where to find an Elder Scroll here in Skyrim and he gave me a couple books about Elder Scrolls which I will promptly add to my collection.  I hope he doesn't expect me to return them...

Until next time,

- ST