@ Acadian - Talendor did an "aw shucks" at being called 'endearing' and thanks you.

@ mALX - You and Acadian both have questioned Honditar's trustworthiness. Is there something we are missing about the Altmer? He seems like a nice enough guy.

@ Both of you - Thanks as always for your comments and support.





I was sprinting by the time I reached the door to The Oak & Crosier. I burst in the door and ran up to my room. After retrieving my map, I headed back for the stairs in a trot. I skidded to a stop when I saw Talasma at the bottom of the stairs. She was holding a small club and tapping the business end into the palm of her other hand. She didn’t look happy with her ears laid back that way.

“Talasma…?”

“If you run in here and fail to close the door just one more time, I will thump you like this one thumps anyone else that breaks the rules around here,” she said with a growl.

“I am so sorry. It won’t happen again, Talasma. I promise. Please forgive me,” I said.

“Just you see that it does not. You pay your rent and you eat here, when you could probably do so for less coin at The Gray Mare. But Talasma does not chase flies for anyone, no matter how good a customer they may be,” she finished and stomped away. I stood there and gulped. I would make it up to her with a nice gratuity after my next meal. With the stairs cleared of a potential beating, I headed back out for Honditar’s house, deliberately making a show of closing the door.

Honditar had prepared us a simple lunch of some smoked ham and sliced bread by the time I returned. He motioned toward the table, asking about the map as we sat. I pulled it out and unfolded it, laying it on the table.

“By Zenithar’s Ear!” he said with wide eyes, “Where did you get this map?”

“I found it in the jacket of a book. In Imperial City,” I replied.

“This map is very rare. There were but a few made, and most are lost. This may possibly be the only one left. Do you see this?” he asked, pointing to a highlighted spot on the map. I looked, and then did a double-take as I saw where he was pointing. The highlight I had seen when I originally found the map had moved. It was next to Chorrol now.

“This is an Everfound Map. No matter where you are in Cyrodiil, this map will always show you your location. You will never be lost unless you lose the map. Zenithar has indeed blessed you with this finding,” he said.

“What is a zenithar?” I asked.

He looked confused for a second and then chuckled. “I forget we are truly starting on a clean slate here. Zenithar is one of The Nine Divines. If you receive Zenithar’s Blessing at one of his wayshrines, luck will favor you for a time. That blessing is called ‘Zenithar’s Ear’. We will get to all of that at another time.”

Honditar rose and went to a shelf across the room. When he returned, he had a quill and ink bottle. He sat back down and dipped the quill, then made a mark that looked like crossed pickaxes next to Chorrol on the map.

“This is Crumbling Mine, where you were yesterday. Over here…” he said while dipping his quill again, “is Pillaged Mine. This is where you will go next. It is close by and…well…convenient might not be the right word. It is likely to be inhabited by goblins.”

“Goblins…?” I gulped. Goblins were the only humanoid creatures I had encountered that were smaller than me, but the memory of the ferocious little creature that had cut me in the Imperial City underground was still vivid.

“Yes, yes. But as long as you stay concealed, they should cause you no undue grief,” he said with a wave of his hand.

“So you mean I should just try to sneak past them?” I asked.

Honditar frowned and said, “Noooo…I mean you send an arrow through its vitals without being seen.”

”Oh…”

“Always remember, Talendor,” he said seriously, “that rushing adrenaline makes any enemy harder to kill. The silent bowshot of stealth always does more damage because the adrenaline has not yet begun to flow. Besides, when you sneak past an enemy on the way into a place, you must sneak past again on the way out. Better to deal with enemies just once. Let’s call that your first lesson, shall we?”

“Okay. But you said that these lessons would not be free. As I’ve said, I have very little cash,” I reminded him.

“For this first lesson, let’s say that you give me one tenth of whatever you gain from Pillaged Mine. That should still leave plenty for you. Oh…and one other thing…should you come across any mushrooms in the mine, harvest and keep them,” he said, rising from the bench.

Ten percent and some fungus seemed more than fair to me.

Goblins….ugh

“Are you waiting for the mine to come to you, Bosmer?” Honditar prompted.

I rose and turned to him, starting to talk before I remembered to look up so that I wasn’t talking to his chest.

“I really do appreciate this Honditar. I can never fully repay you, and I was in sore need of a friend,” I said from the bottom of my heart.

“You can repay me by staying alive and being an apt pupil. The ten percent is…hmmm…call it a gratuity,” he replied with a grin, “Now off with you. Rest well and get an early start. Aim true and don’t be seen.”

* * *

I awoke at dawn, well rested as Honditar had prescribed. With the ritual of seeing my unknown face in the basin water completed, I dressed for the occasion. I slung my quiver and bow, hung my sword on my cuirass harness, and headed out to begin today’s trek. I left the shield behind because it was bothersome in tight quarters. It seemed to be always in my way while I was in Crumbling Mine.

Once outside the town gates and at the Black Road, I checked where Honditar had marked the map. Due east on the road and I shouldn’t miss it, if his mark is correct. I had no reason to doubt it would be. As I walked toward Pillaged Mine, my heart began trilling again at being outdoors. Almost irresistible urges would come over me.

Run amongst the trees… Jump from boulders to the branches just because you can... Hunt…

Lost in these feelings, I almost missed the mine entrance.

Good job at paying attention to your surroundings, you day dreaming knot-head!

The entrance was just off the road, true to Honditar’s mark. Heavy timbers braced the entrance. But the sight that chilled my marrow was that of skulls skewered onto pointed stakes that were set in the ground. A skeleton lay in front of the door like a bleached bone warning. The dapples of sunlight dancing across the bones made them appear animated.

Your surroundings have your attention now…

I took several deep breaths, steeling myself to become a shadow…a shadow with a true aim. I readied an arrow and entered the mine slowly. I didn’t have to wait long to pull the bowstring back. There was a goblin standing at the end of the passage. If he had remained motionless, I never would have seen him as my eyes adjusted to the change of light. How he didn’t see the door open, I have no clue. His bad luck, as he briefly discovered when my arrow shattered his breastbone. He was unable to relay his bad luck to any nearby comrades.

I crept through the passage soundlessly to the first turn. I poked my head around the corner and saw two more goblins. My first shot took out the closest one, but not quietly enough. The second creature spun and shot toward me, screeching. Honditar was right about the adrenaline, it took two arrows to drop the charging goblin. Once he was down, I listened intently for others. Not hearing any, I entered the first chamber. There was a chest set to one side. It was locked. I decided at that point that I would clear the mine first, and search for loot with a torch on the way back out. Stopping to pick locks might be hazardous to my health. So I left the chest behind and moved on.

I was amazed at how natural the bow was feeling in my hands. Once again, Honditar was right. The goblins weren’t any undue grief. I only had trouble on one occasion when there was more than one together. The third one of that group was the only goblin to feel my blade that day. The rest were alone and never knew what hit them. They received merciful deaths without any of the mercy coming from me.

With the mine cleared, I lit a torch and began my treasure hunt. These creatures didn’t wear boots like child-killing bandits did. But it occurred to me that their weapons must be worth something. So in addition to the loot in the chests, I carried out as many of their rusty excuses for swords, bows and axes as I could. During my investigation, I had come across evidence of how intelligent these goblins might be. Almost every single one of them carried a lock pick. Picking a lock is not the easiest thing to do, so that impressed me. Also, the traps that they set were every bit as good as the ones set by bandits. Some were better.

I reached the mine entrance with a fully loaded satchel, and I had left things behind simply because there was more than I could possibly carry. Dousing the torch, I left the mine. Just as when I left Crumbling Mine, it was full dark. I looked up to see a starless sky and frowned.

Cloudy…some stars would have been nice…

I headed back toward Chorrol. There was very little sound. Crickets chirped intermittently in the still night air. Small animals made shuffling noises in the undergrowth. An occasional mockingbird gave a call to the evening. It might as well have been a siren song. I left the road and walked among the trees, casually stroking leaves on low branches as I passed. I felt so at home. When I found a nice level patch of ground under a tree, I stopped. Dropping my satchel, I sank to my knees and ran my fingers through the leaves on the forest floor. I held my hands to my face and inhaled deeply, the amazing aroma of the rich loam was intoxicating as it filled my nostrils. Quickly I made a pile of leaves and laid my bedroll out over them. I slept better that night than any night at The Oak & Crosier.

I should have mentioned that I always clear a dungeon before I start looting.

If there's more than one level, I clear the level first, then loot before moving on to the next. That way no one gets the drop on me. It's also easier on my nerves!

I see that Talendor is getting more in touch with his Bosmer nature. And yes, loam and fallen leaves are a truly wonderful smell. Thanks for bringing that back to me as I gaze out the window at six-foot snowdrifts. Though with temps in the '40's predicted for next week, they may not be six-foot much longer . . .

To your question, regarding the trustworthiness of Honditar, I suppose I am suspicious of an Altmer who claims to be an archer, yet feels the need to use poison to bag a deer. Nevertheless, he does indeed seem to be issuing some fine advice to knot-head, er, Talendor. Like this:
"Aim true and don’t be seen.”

Fabulous scene with Talasma and her club of door closing!

The Everfound map. I love it.

'Run amongst the trees… Jump from boulders to the branches just because you can... Hunt… '
Ah yes. Talendor certainly is a Bosmer. Reinforced here and again in your wonderful final paragraph.

I think it is wise to respect goblins. They have quite the culture and a notable amount of intelligence. Besides, they have big pointed ears just like us.

I think it is really well done the way you are having his true inner nature revealing itself in his state of amnesia - and like Naughty Haute, that line hits home to me too about the smell of a rich dark loam, fallen leaves, add grass and green moss and there is no better aroma.

“If you run in here and fail to close the door just one more time, I will thump you like this one thumps anyone else that breaks the rules around here,” she said with a growl.

Shut the [dang] door, Khajiit style. I love it! And the fact that Talendor leaves it open is somehow charming.

Honditar’s explanation of the stealth damage multiplier goes with the Everfound Map in my favorite interpretations of game mechanics.

How delightful to see Talendor reveling in his wood elf nature!

I had meant to say something about this in my comment as well, I was impressed by both, but especially the stealth damage multiplier - awesome details that most (including me) elide over - Awesome addition to the story!!

@ All - I noticed a common theme in the comments, and yes indeed, Talendor is getting in touch with his inner Bosmer. As usual, thanks to all for your comments and support.

@ h.e.rider - Sorry about your forest floor being buried in six foot drifts...but the vernal equinox fast approaches. Going to be in the 60's here all week!

@ Acadian - Talendor, not knowing any better, actually thought the poison idea was a good one.

@ mALX - The game mechanics took some real thought as to how to relate them in a believable way. Thanks!

@ grits - Being a cat owner, playing with Talasma has been a blast. It was so easy to picture her looking angry.

Thanks again everyone...





The birds woke me with their morning choir. I laid there and reveled silently in the concert of tweets and chirps from starlings, cardinals, and sparrows, accented with an occasional screech from a jaybird. All fears and worries had left me for the moment. I felt renewed, as if something in the night had whisked all my burdens away. I sat up and looked around. The morning had dawned cloudless. A light mist hugged the ground, heavier in the hollows. And then I saw him. Standing not more than fifteen yards away was a large stag. I slowly reached for my bow and quiver. With my shot readied, I drew back the bowstring…and eased the tension back off without releasing the arrow. As badly as I wanted to take the deer, I couldn’t introduce violence into such a perfect morning. The stag bounded away the moment I stood up. I watched in awe as it vanished from my sight in a series of majestic leaps.

I gathered all of my gear and made my way back to Chorrol. When I reached the inn, I bade good morning to Talasma and went up to my room. It was still early, so I had time to sort through my loot before the shops would open. First I separated the coins. I counted one hundred twenty-two in all. Not bad, I thought with a smile. Then I set Honditar’s mushrooms aside since I wouldn’t be selling those. Two pieces of jewelry, a silver nugget, three bows with rusted iron ears, a short iron sword and iron axe that were equally as rusty. I placed these items in my ‘for sale’ pile. I looked at the pile of lock picks. I had accumulated quite a few, dating back to the beginning of my adventure in the Imperial underground.

I wonder if Seed-Neeus will buy these too…

I set twenty of the picks aside and tossed the rest in the ‘for sale’ pile. That looked like everything. I put all of the saleable items back into the satchel. The coins I placed in my coin purse and the mushrooms into a separate pocket inside the satchel. With all of that completed, I washed and changed, then went downstairs for breakfast. After finishing, I laid eighty Septims on the bar.

“This is for the breakfast and one week’s rent on the room,” I said.

“Well, well, well. It seems that shoe selling is profitable, eh? This one wishes that all of my tenants were as forthcoming with their rent,” she replied with a smile.

“It’s my pleasure, Talasma,” I replied, returning her smile.

I went out and started my rounds to the shops. When all was said and done, the mine expedition had netted me three hundred and twelve Septims, after taking out Honditar’s share. I was positively jovial when I knocked on Honditar’s door.

“Well, good morning Talendor,” he said and showed me in, “Come in, sit, tell me about Pillaged Mine.”

I gave him a narrative of the yesterday’s events while he prepared some tea. He gave me the ‘I told you so’ nods at the appropriate times in the story, and what looked like a glower of disapproval when I told of the goblin that I had dispatched with my sword. He withheld comment until I had finished.

“I want you to leave your sword behind next time,” he said.

“Why?” I asked, “I needed it. That third goblin was on top of me before I could ready a shot.”

“You didn’t need it. You should never need it. You are Bosmer. Have you not felt how natural the bow feels to you?”

He had me there…

He rose, walked over and picked up my bow, then told me to stand. I complied and he handed me the dagger that was sheathed at his belt.

“The bow is your true first and best weapon. It is more than just a launcher of arrows. Come at me with the dagger,” he said. I did so and he deftly parried the thrust.

“It is a shield,” he said, then swung the bow low and cracked me across the shins.

“It is a quarter-staff,” he continued, and then poked me in the gut as I was doubled over from the shin whacking.

“It is even a lance if the target is soft enough. I have known archers that sharpen the ears of their bows for just that purpose. You could have avoided using the sword by blocking, cracking the critter in the skull, and then retreating while you readied your next shot. If you carry a sword, you will come to rely on it, when you need to be relying on your bow.”

He paused, as if to let that sink in, and then continued, “So…no sword next time. Now do you want to learn or argue? You can’t do both.”

Wincing from the knots on my shins and pain in my gut, I assured him that I did not wish to argue.

“Okay. There is not much time until midday, so sit back down and just listen to what I tell you, since you now seem prepared to learn. I am sure you have probably seen most of the races of Cyrodiil in your brief time with us. Let’s talk about that for a while,” he said, and went on to tell me about Nirn, Tamriel, and Cyrodiil. The Altmer gave me brief descriptions of the different races that inhabit Cyrodiil, including abbreviated histories of men, elves (which he called ‘mer’), and the beast-like races. He explained the calendar, familiarizing me with the names of the days and months. Lastly, Honditar spoke of the cities that were the regional seats of government in the nine counties of the province, and a bit about the terrain of the various regions.

When he finished, he sent me back to the inn to get my field gear, asking for his percentage of my take from Pillaged Mine before I left. He also said to purchase provisions on my way back. I took that to mean the next destination was going to be farther away. It was well after midday when I returned, equipped just as I was the day before. He frowned when he saw the sword, but said nothing about it. He had sandwiches of meat and cheese ready on the table.

“Place your weapons by the door. We will go over the map while we eat,” he said.

I did so and sat down, handing the map to Honditar. He opened it and laid it on the table. The food was delicious. I wasn’t sure what kind of meat it was, but the seasoning was to die for. And the cheese…tangy sharp that seemed to melt in your mouth as you ate it. I was wolfing the stuff down when Honditar cleared his throat.

“Perhaps you would prefer to discuss the map after lunch?” he quipped with an arched eyebrow.

“Sorry…” I said, spewing a couple bread crumbs onto the map.

“You would do better to lengthen your attention span,” he sighed and rolled his eyes.

After brushing the bread crumbs away, he took a dipped quill and marked what looked like an upside-down ‘U’ on the map and informed me that this was the next destination. He called it Broken Promises Cave and said it was another bandit den.

“Filthy child-killers…” I blurted out with more force than I had intended and showering him with bread crumbs.

Looks like I’ll be selling some more boots…

Honditar scowled as he brushed himself off and said, “Is there no stopping you from your lapses of attention?”

I just shut up without bothering to apologize again.

“Well if there is…I’d like to show you something else.” He folded the map and grabbed a mortar and pestle from the shelf. “Where are the mushrooms I asked you to harvest?”

I pulled them out, including one that I had found under the Imperial City. It was starting to become a gooey mess. He took them and sorted them by type, the gooey one looking pathetic by itself. I received a quick and brief lesson in rudimentary alchemy. I started to say that I had already used a mortar and pestle, but kept my lips shut by biting them.

“Wisp stalks, nightshade, and stinkhorn,” he was saying as he pointed to the thin stalked white mushrooms, “Use any two for your poison. Cairn bolete and lady’s mantle for healing. In a pinch, you can use venison with cairn bolete. Being hungry is better than being dead. It is a good idea to keep a mortar and pestle with you. Having one with me has saved my life on more than one occasion. That is enough to get you started.”

“Again, I can’t thank you enough. It is nearing sundown, so I better get back to the inn and rest up for tomorrow,” I said, standing up and heading for the door.

“Tomorrow…? No, no, no. You leave this very moment. We already know you can travel by day,” Honditar said. I stared at him for a moment, my jaw hanging open.

Now I know why he asked me to get provisions before returning today… Travel at night? Really?

“Now…?”

“Yes…now. And Talendor,” he said, pointing to the dagger on the table, “take this and leave the sword here.”

Taking the dagger, I did as he said and left the sword leaning against the wall as I exited. The sun was low in the west behind piling thunderheads. Occasional lightning flashes illuminated the clouds, but they were too distant to hear any thunder. I wasn’t crazy about traveling at night, and even less thrilled with the thought of traveling in stormy weather, but I trusted Honditar. I’m sure there was a good reason for this.

I started walking west on the Black Road. Once I reached Pillaged Mine, I turned southwest into the wilderness toward Broken Promises Cave. That exhilaration at being in the woods was coursing through my veins again. Honditar had explained that this was part of my Bosmer heritage. He said that I would always feel better and be at my best while in the forests. The way I felt at that moment, I was in no position to argue. It was truly amazing to me, and I relished every second of it.

I took out my bow once the road was out of sight. I hoped I would see some deer before it became too dark to hunt. Suddenly a wolf sprang from the brush, ahead and to my left. I reached for my sword only to remember too late that it was leaning against Honditar’s wall. That gave the wolf time to launch itself at my throat. I ducked and rolled, getting a scratch across my ear from its hind leg. I was back on my feet with an arrow readied in an instant, searching for the wolf. The failing light and thick brush made it impossible to see the wolf until it launched again. My arrow met its chest in mid flight and I sidestepped as the beast tumbled past, yelping like puppy that had had its nose thumped. Another arrow silenced the wolf.

Warm liquid from my ear had made its way to my neck as I walked over to the dead wolf and retrieved my arrows. A healing potion took care of the bleeding. Thunder pealed, announcing that the storms would soon be upon me. I quickly used Honditar’s dagger to skin the wolf, placing the pelt in my satchel. I scanned the area as the first fat raindrops began to fall in the increasing wind. I found a large boulder that had an overhang. I made for the cover and ducked under it just in time to keep from getting drenched. Satisfied that I would stay moderately dry, I unrolled my bedroll and waited out the storm.

Another enjoyable chapter. The lessons continue and Talendor is feeling ever more comfortable in the forest.

Talsama continues to be a treat of course, while Talendor is gradually beginning to get a fat coinpurse.

You are winning me over on Honditar. His history and alchemy lessons, combined with his no nonsense style is wonderfully effective in contrast to our wonderful little woodster.

Greetings, Talendor! Glad to see there is yet another Bosmer around here unfamiliar with his surroundings (quick preview: the next series of Chapters in DF will touch upon this). So, I'm all caught up now, and you've got me hooked!


Isn't life great when things can be as simple as just settling into your bedroll and listening to the joyful trilling of the birds?

Talendor's amnesia is being handled very well. You've used it as an instrument of evolution in a most excellent manner, bringing me to like this knot-headed tree-hugger!

As for Honditar (or is it Orintur? High Elf names are so confuzzling sometimes ) he is proving himself a very good asset to helping get Talendor off on an even keel... I still don't know if I trust him, though. Must be his demeanor. But still, he's being very good to Talendor, so I'll give him a chance.

Looking forward to reading more!

Okay, caught up on this one as well.

Let me just say, your use of the amnesiac is a great take on Oblivion, and it's a very interesting way of framing the story. Talendor's own quest to name himself was an excellent touch. His dealings with Honditar and learning the difficulties of the hunt were amazing, and brought to mind my own miserable attempts the first time I went after a white-tail. Frustration doesn't even begin to describe it.

I enjoyed the recent chapter, excellent use of dialogue between Honditar and Talendor.

Nit:


The use of the ellipsis (three periods in a row) between "Yes" and "now" suggests that Honditar was intentionally omitting something, or taking a moment to choose his next words. It that was intended, it's fine. If it was just supposed to be a brief beat-pause in Honditar's dialogue, use the comma instead.

The scene with the stag was enthralling. Talendor spraying breadcrumbs was hilarious. Looking forward to Broken Promises cave, I don’t think I’ve ever been in there.

@ Acadian - Glad to see you're starting to trust Honditar. Hopefully he can keep the trust he has earned.

@ T.K. - Welcome aboard! I hope you are enjoying it half as much as I am enjoying Derelas' story. Part of chosing amnesia as a vehicle was pure laziness on my part. I didn't have to coem up with a back story...right away at least.

@ Cap'n Hammer - Welcome as well! The other aspect of using amnesia is that it makes it easy to give a take on game mechanics, as if they're being seen for the first time. And ditto for me regarding trying to kill a deer for the first time in game. They kept running away!
RE: Ellipsis and the use of them, I have been puzzling over that a little. They are indeed meant to be a brief pause for effect. My rationale has been that a comma would be the shortest pause, next would be a period and starting a new sentence, and the longest being the ellipsis. Pauses longer than that would likely have text explaining the reason for a pause between closed and open quotes. I'll also use the ellipsis for trailing off. My take may be wrong on all of this. Thank you for pointing it out. It gives me cause for research.

@ grits - Talendor really wanted that deer! He hasn't killed anything "hunting" yet, except that rat! But the timing wasn't right...he couldn't do it.

@ Everyone - Thanks as always for your comments and support.





The easing storm had brought me back from drifting into a nap with a last peal of thunder. The wind had calmed to a breeze and the rain had lessened from a deluge to a steady soaker. I lay on my bedroll in the dark for a while, going over the bow techniques that Honditar had showed me. The wolf fight nagged at me. I had reached for my sword. That momentary delay had almost cost me my throat. I made myself a promise, lying next to that boulder. I would concentrate on my bow and forget about bladed weapons.

But the blade feels as natural to you as the bow does…

I could not deny that thought. Ever since the cell, I had reflexively reached for the blade when I needed defense. For that matter, it was my sword that had ended my first encounter with a child-killer. Somehow, I knew how to use the bloody thing. Maybe if I find one in the cave, I’ll just keep it.

Hey…knot-head…You know more than Honditar now? I don’t think so…

That was another undeniable thought. I shook my head and reaffirmed my self-promise. No swords. Tired of debating with myself, I rose and gathered my gear. I didn’t relish walking in the rain at night, but I had grown restless. I walked to the nearest tree and checked for moss to get my bearings. Once I did, I pulled out the map and chose my direction.

After a mile or so, I reached a stand of spruce trees. There was immediate relief from the soaking rain once I was beneath the low canopy. I paused here for a few minutes to rest my eyes from squinting against the rain. The spruce boughs had kept the ground relatively dry here. It would make an ideal campsite for the return trip. I could hear the rain slowing to a drizzle as I stood there. It was time to get moving again.

It must have been getting close to dawn because the area was noticeably better lit when I emerged from the trees. But what really caught my eye was a deer silhouetted against a pale boulder. I stopped and crouched slowly, readying an arrow shot. I began a steady inhale timed with drawing back the bowstring, accounted for the drop and let the arrow fly. I lost sight of it in the dim light, but was rewarded with seeing the deer tumble up against the boulder. I leaped into the air, pumping my fist, and started toward my kill…then froze. A fair sized gray animal had reached the deer and was starting to eat it! I sent an arrow into the deer thief as fast as I could. It barked and ran off just as a red-hot poker lanced my thigh and knocked me down. I looked at my leg and saw that it had sprouted a shaft with feathers on the end of it.

“Die, fetcher!” came a cry from the unseen archer in the general direction of where the deer lay. I retreated into the spruce trees as fast as my wounded leg would allow and got my back against a central tree trunk. Panting and wincing from the pain, I readied an arrow. I hoped the archer would blunder through the boughs in pursuit. I waited until I heard the branches rustle, and then turned from behind the tree, aimed and shot. The arrowhead shattered the bandit’s nose bridge on its way through the back of his skull, knocking my attacker out of his boots.

“Arrrggggh!” I screamed through clenched teeth. I dropped to my knees and looked at my wound. The arrow had passed all the way through, its glistening head pointing behind me. My thigh was bleeding profusely. I removed the dagger from my belt and cut the shaft behind the arrowhead, yelling with fresh pain as I did. On the ebb of that pain came one more wave as I removed the severed shaft from my leg. My vision was beginning to swim. I fumbled through my satchel for healing potions and drank two of them down as fast as I could open them. Warm healing surges washed through me as I passed out.



I opened my eyes to a lattice of spruce branches above my head. It seemed that I was only out for a few minutes. Feeling my leg, I confirmed this by finding blood still wet on my greaves. I sat up and saw the bandit lying barefoot with an arrow through his face. I looked back at my leg and marveled again at the power of the healing potion. Getting to my feet, I walked over and collected the bandit’s boots.

“Thanks for getting out of these for me, fetcher,” I said, shaking the boots at the corpse on my way out of the trees. It was only marginally brighter out, reconfirming that I was unconscious for just a few minutes. I walked over to the deer and hastily field dressed it. I wasted a lot of meat, taking only a couple pounds of the venison, but I was in a hurry. I had no idea if there might be other enemies in the area. About twenty feet away was a dead dog with an arrow in its neck. I went over to it and recovered the arrow, then continued toward the cave entrance.

The pre-dawn light was helpful as I entered Broken Promises. I was able to remain undetected by enemies as I closed the door behind me. There were two bandits in the first room I snuck into. They were talking to each other. Oddly enough, they were talking about the same subjects I had heard discussed while walking the streets of Chorrol. It was like they were out for a stroll on a sunny day. I hoped they would split up, but grew impatient. I sent one bandit strolling backward and ended its sunny days. The other turned and drew its weapon, yelling that same absurd phrase, “Die, fetcher!” Two shots later, he was strolling with his companion again.

I walked over and pulled my arrows from the would-be fetcher-killer. He was a dark elf…Dunmer is what Honditar had called them. The dead archer outside had also been a dark elf.

Maybe ‘fetcher’ is what the Dunmer called children…

The rest of what I have grown to think of as the ‘cave cleaning’ went smoothly. Only one other bandit had to endure the pain of a second arrow. The rest entered eternal sleep completely by surprise. After the last bandit had fallen, I slung my bow and lit a torch. I had treated this cave just as I had treated Pillaged Mine, waiting to search for and gather loot until all enemies were dead. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. As much as I hated the confines of the cave, I needed to rest. I had not slept since the night I exited Pillaged Mine. I laid the torch down and unrolled my bedroll. I don’t remember my head hitting the pillow.



When I awoke, the first order of business was eating. I was starved! I started a fire by incanting that strange sounding word. The bandits had been kind enough to supply some bread and dishes. I pulled the venison from my satchel, along with some cheese. After roasting the venison, I placed some on sliced bread with some cheese and wolfed it down. The former occupants had even provided a choice of wine or ale to wash it down.

Who knew that their last act would be one of hospitality?

I chuckled at that thought as I gathered my gear and relit my torch. It was time to head back. Searching the cave yielded over a hundred more Septims, some potions, poisons, and jewelry. And of course, nine more pairs of boots. The boots wouldn’t bring much money, but I found an odd joy at leaving the child-killers shoeless.

I reached the entrance, doused the torch, and stepped outside. Mayhem ensued immediately as a bandit charged at me with a mace that was ready to scramble my brains. In one swift motion, I pulled my bow and swung it like a scythe at the bandit’s legs as I ducked. He went down like a sack of potatoes. Before he could recover, I was standing with one foot on his throat. I had pulled an arrow and had it nocked and pointed at his head.

“I’ll give you a choice, child-killer,” I said, “You can join your dead comrades, or you can remove your boots and start running. As long as I see your back and not your face, my arrow will stay resting against the bowstring. What say you?” I finished, drawing the bowstring back halfway.

“I’ll go! I’ll go! I’ve never killed a child, I swear. Just don’t kill me!” he replied. I removed my foot and he did as I had ordered, removing his boots and running as if his life depended on it, which it did. When he was out of sight, I walked over to a small boulder and sat down. I was trembling.

Where is this side of you coming from? What well of courage spewed that fountain of bravado?

Being so caught up in learning from Honditar, spelunking for income, and trying to fit in, I had hardly thought about my true situation. I needed answers and had no idea where to find them. I didn’t even have a clue as to where to start looking.

You have killed close to two dozen people on top of countless other creatures and taken it as a matter of fact, like it was normal. What are you doing here?

I got up, shaking my head. I couldn’t dwell on that right now. I needed to take things one step at a time, one day at a time. I knew I was avoiding the issue. But what choice did I have? I wasn’t going to answer my questions or solve my mysteries by sitting here brooding over them. I gathered my gear and paused, looking at the cave entrance. Broken Promises cave had yielded one unbroken promise. I had not used a blade in battle even once. I turned and headed back to Chorrol, one step at a time…



AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have stated that this is a game narrative, but there will be times that I will have to take some license. This has been one of those times. I can't see Talendor killing every NPC that attacks him. Hence, the merciful release of the last bandit. He won't be the last, just as "mercy" won't be my only deviation from game mechanics.

This post has been edited by TheOtherRick: Feb 16 2011, 01:34 AM

Once again I enjoyed the latest installment in Talendor's exploration of Nirn and of his own existence.

I just wanted to tell you that you don't need to apologize or justify departing from game mechanics. We've all done it to some degree or other. As long as it fits the character and the course of events you are plotting, and progresses either the plot or the character, it's fine. Keep it believable, or make it humorous, as you feel is best.

I agree, there's no need to apologize for straying from the game... look how far my own character has gone from the beaten path! As far as I'm concerned, his story takes place in Cyrodiil at the same time as the Oblivion Crisis, and that's it. I do take some side-quests straight from the game, but the overarching story being told is that of my character. It is his story, no one else's.

Straying from the game's path allows you to add variety and spice to your story that can otherwise not be achieved while playing, and I highly encourage it.

As for the lazy amnesia approach, I'm not much better, as I chose the only slightly more difficult (if even that) fish-out-of-water approach by having Dere be a foreigner. You can tell when someone is using amnesia as a crutch, and you are not.

Anyways, back to the story. Many more child-killing bandits are now in need of a cobbler thanks to our boot-pilfering Talendor. Leaving the last one alive was a nice touch, as it shows that Talendor does have mercy in his heart, which can only improve the readers' image of him.

Does it matter? Just kill the n'wah!

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Feb 16 2011, 07:36 AM

No. Think more along the lines of a "Mother Fetcher," since I think this was Bethesda's way of getting crap past the radar. Alternatively, remember that "T" can be silent in words like "Tsunami" and the "ch" can be hard like in the name "Zachary." Now we just put the emphasis on the last syllable like it's a war-cry...

As far as game mechanics go: Hey, don't worry about it. In fact, good for you! If Bethesda had sunk as much code into the game to allow you to simulate playing a pen-and-paper RP without noticing the difference, the result would have been a game bigger and more convoluted than any current console could handle. I, for one, approve of any attempts to include realistic things like 'fear of continuing to fight an opponent that clearly outmatches you' or "Hey, there's an avenue of escape here!" as part of the story experience.

You don't see grabbing a Dremora and shoving his head into the Sigil Tower's Fire-Column-of-Death as part of the game experience. Did that stop me? HECK NO! And it was fun to write that in.

The sword/no sword debate is intriguing. After all, who knows what Talendor can really do?

Maybe ‘fetcher’ is what the Dunmer called children…
I know, use it in conversation. That’s a good idea!

spelunking for income Love it!

I also heartily endorse your creative departures. I enjoy the variety of twists folks have put on their stories as much as the ones that stay very true to the game.

The only thing I'd say about the deviation from game mechanics is that once you've done it, you need to remain consistent with your own change.

Now all opponents are allowed to run away. They don't have to, so reverting to regular game rules won't be noticed and you'll always get away with this one, which makes it OK. I'd avoid doing anything that's going to be noticeable when you forget, because you will. (A corollary of Murphy's law)

That is the first thought I had, some nice Dark Elf invites him to dinner with his family ... and the rest is history.

I also heartily endorse any creative departures - and welcome them !!! Game journals can only be just so different from the next, it is these creative departures that perk the interest (to me) and set your story out of the journalistic and into an intriguing read.

Since everyone had pretty much the same comment, this part is easy today...

@ Everyone - I think I was worried that some purist might say, "Hey...you can't do that!" I am currently seven chapters ahead of my posts with my writing, and there are other instances of deviation from game mechanics. It is good to know that I don't have to worry about them.

As usual, thank you all for your comments and support.





The walk back to Chorrol was uneventful. I had hoped to get a deer or two on the return trip, but it was not to be. The walk did give me time to contemplate. It almost seemed as if I were more than one person. On the one hand, I was a simple wood elf that relished every chance to be amongst the trees, care free and whimsical. On the other, I was an effective killer with knowledge of weapons and their efficient use. Like right now, I am walking in The Great Forest and thoroughly enjoying myself. If a wolf were to jump out, I would morph into this fearless life-taking being. Trying to puzzle it out for myself was like trying to explain the difference between red and blue to a blind man. Lost in these thoughts, the south gate of Chorrol came into my view. Rantus was standing post outside the gate and we exchanged pleasantries before I entered.

The sun was setting as I made the usual post-expedition rounds to all the shops in town and then went to the inn. Talasma had Shepherd’s Pie on the menu, advertised on a slate perched on an easel outside the front door. I could smell it the minute I walked in. I sat and gorged myself, washing it down with some very tasty red wine. I retired to my room, washed, and went to bed. I figured a good long sleep might be wise, as there was no telling what Honditar might have in store for the next excursion.

The next morning, dawn came and went a good three hours before I woke. I hadn’t realized just how tired I was. I bolted up and got dressed, feeling like I was about to miss something. Talasma must have thought I was a glutton, wolfing my breakfast down the same way I mowed through the pie last night. I paid for the meal and hurried out the door, heading for Honditar’s house. He opened the door before I knocked and invited me in.

“Here is your cut,” I said as I dropped a pouch of coins on his table.

“But I had not specified any fee for this trip,” Honditar stated as he lifted the pouch and surveyed its contents.

“It’s the least I can do. You have helped me so much.”

“I didn’t say there wouldn’t be a fee. I said that I had not specified one…yet,” he said as he unlocked and opened a small chest, placing the pouch inside, “Not money, but thank you just the same.”

Well there’s thirty Septims gone…wait ‘til he asks next time, knot-head…

Honditar continued, “The fee today is your undivided attention for as long as required. Do you think you can afford that?”

“Absolutely,” I said, still staring at the small chest that housed coinage I should have held onto.

“I’m over here,” he said, snapping his fingers.

“Right, sorry,” I said and went to sit with him at the table.

“Today we are going to discuss Magicka.”

Honditar paused for a moment, as if waiting for me to ask what Magicka was. When I didn’t speak, he arched an eyebrow and grinned a little, then continued.

“There is a force present in all things on Nirn. We call it Magicka. It is ethereal and doesn’t become tangible until it is wielded. It is everywhere. In me, you, the table, even the coins you gave me a moment ago,” I glanced at the chest again as he continued, “The existence of Magicka is not a matter of faith, but an undeniable fact. You are not required to believe in it for it to be wielded. You only require the knowledge of how to wield it in order to do so. This ties Magicka directly to the intelligence of the user. You seem to be very intelligent…scatter-brained at times…but intelligent none the less.”

I could not suppress a grin, but wiped it off my face just as quickly.

“You said that you have been able to use some Magicka during your short time here. You exercised elemental and restorative uses, by uttering strange sounds that you understood even though they sounded foreign. ‘Incanting strange powers’, I believe is what you called it. The fact that you uttered the sounds had no bearing on its use. Those ‘sounds’ are actually words. How you have knowledge of them is beyond me. They have not been spoken on Nirn for millennia. The first syllable defined the realm, or school, of the Magicka, and the second defined the use within that realm. That is as close as I can get to explaining it,” he paused briefly, and then continued, “However, the incantation is not necessary. You can do the same thing by just focusing your mind. I know that focusing is not your strong point, but discipline will come with experience. In essence, you focus your mind on what you require of Magicka, seeing it happen in your mind, and then releasing it. We call this casting. What you cast with Magicka, we call spells. A trained mage makes this happen in an instant, whereas you had to speak it in order to gain sufficient focus to accomplish what you desired. Are you following me?” he asked as he finished.

“I think so. What about the goblin staff that I found?”

“Good question! I am pleased that you thought to ask that,” he said with a smile, then continued, “As I said, all things on Nirn have Magicka to one degree or another. But items can be imbued with additional Magicka as well. Such was the case with the staff. It was once just a piece of wood with its natural amount of Magicka. Someone, or something, infused the elemental power of lightning into the wood. At that point it became a tool, for lack of a better word, to focus and concentrate that power for the wielder. This is why goblins use them. They lack the mental alacrity to focus their minds sufficiently for casting, and have to rely on enchanted items to wield Magicka. Other creatures can cast spells. Take imps, for example. They have sufficient mental abilities to cast basic elemental spells. Are imps more intelligent than goblins? Possibly, but they are not nearly as dexterous, so an imp wouldn’t know what to do with a mace if one fell into its hand.”

“So how do I learn how to focus and use Magicka?” I asked.

“That is another great question! There is hope for you yet, Bosmer,” he said, “and it leads to the heart of our discussion. You require training. I am knowledgeable in many things, but this training is above my ability. I suggest you join the Mages Guild. With your obvious intelligence, you should excel with their training. Plus there are perks. You will have a free bed to sleep in at any Guild hall. There is an alchemist at almost every Guild hall for buying and selling alchemical ingredients. But the biggest perk for you, my friend, is knowledge. It is the perfect path to finding out your true purpose for being on Nirn.”

“How much does it cost to join this guild?” I inquired.

“Out of pocket, it costs you nothing,” Honditar said, “Of your time and energy, it will cost plenty. It will require discipline and perseverance. Do not take it lightly. Remain focused on the tasks and lessons that the Guild affords you.”

“I will,” I promised.

“Now, I have something to show you. Let’s step outside,” he said, rising from the bench.

We walked outside and Honditar asked me to wait where I was. He walked around the back of his house and returned with a cage and an iron mace. In the cage was a large rat, ferociously trying to get at him through the bars. He stopped a couple dozen feet away from me and set the cage on the ground.

“Every Bosmer is born with an ability known as ‘Beast Tongue’. It will allow you to cajole animals to your will. It is a form of Magicka called a Greater Power. These powers are race specific. Each race has its own unique Greater Power. Some say that they were gifts granted to each race by The Nine Divines, while others argue that it is much more ancient than that. But I digress. I want you to focus your mind on the rat. Focus your need to have the rat bend to your will. Focus on making it your ally. When you think you are ready, point to the rat and I will open the cage. As soon as he charges you, release that focus through your hand toward the rat. Got it?”

“I will try,” I said.

I did exactly what Honditar had described. I cleared my mind first, and then placed the rat there alone. I pictured the rat becoming a pet, an ally, a soldier. I raised my hand and pointed. Honditar opened the cage and the rat immediately charged at me. As I released the Magicka, green light bloomed from my hand and shot at the charging rodent. Suddenly, the rat stopped, and then walked toward me calmly.

“This effect is not permanent, but you can certainly see the implications this can have when you are in a cave and confronted with several of these beasts. Allow me to show one such implication,” he said, then raised the mace and charged at me with a yell.

The rat immediately spun around and shot for Honditar, who quickly dispatched the rodent with a skull crushing blow from the mace. I just stared in awe.

“And there you have it,” he said, “You will find that Magicka is going to be an essential tool for you during your stay here in Tamriel. You have but scratched the surface of three uses so far. The Mage’s Guild is going to be able to teach you many score more. Think on it first if you prefer, but I suggest you join today. It is never too early to begin an education. They will likely have you traveling all over the province, which in and of itself will be a learning experience. In the mean time, if you ever need to come across more coin, come visit me and we’ll make another mark on your map. Come, let’s eat.”

We went back indoors and had a meal of beef stew and bread. He asked me to tell the tale of my trip to Broken Promises. When I had finished the tale, he rose and fetched my sword.

“Take this with you then,” he said, “It may be that I misjudged, since you seem to be as adept with a blade as you are with a bow. But promise me to at least try to keep your bow as your weapon of choice.”

“I will, Honditar. Thank you so much for all that you have done for me. I won’t ever forget it, or you. You are my one and only true friend here. It may be some time before I see you again, and I will miss our lessons,” I said with genuine emotion.

“I will miss you as well, Talendor. If you need to confide in someone at the Guild, trust Athragar. Remember, aim true and don’t be seen. Now off with you. Good luck, my friend.”

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

EDIT - Nits picked.

This post has been edited by TheOtherRick: Feb 25 2011, 05:35 AM

Great to see an in-depth lesson on magicka, especially for someone that hasn't grown up with it.

I'm liking Honditar more and more. True, he probably has ulterior motives, but then, who doesn't? The fact is, Honditar is giving Telandor tips that are essential for survival in the strange world we call Nirn.

I do notice a couple of things in this segment that bears commenting on specifically:

This is a common spelling error. It's advertised. There are other words spelled with s that are commonly misspelled with z instead. Since I'm deaf and can't hear the difference, I'm guessing it may be because they are pronounced with a 'z' sound rather than the 's'. It's the only way I can explain why this is such a common spelling error in so many words that end in '-ise'.

This had me confused for a moment there. Imbibe is what I consider an active action, something performed by the subject. The dictionary defines it as ingestion of alcoholic beverages, i.e. drinking. It would be used to refer to an action by the subject, like this: I imbibed freely of the amber Bock. I'm thinking the word you want instead is something somewhat similar: imbue. Imbue to me is more passive, it is something that is done to an object. The dictionary defines it as to inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality. The staff was imbued with magicka beyond its innate levels.

The third thing I noticed, which is more stylistic than anything else, so it's something you can disregard if you choose (and still be right!). It seems to me that Honditar is just a little accepting of the idea that Talendor is not of Nirn. For most people with no experience with outer space exploration, rocket science, and knowledge of planets other than our own, the idea of an extraterrestrial is incomprehensible. Beings considered otherworldly in the real sense are considered spirits, ghosts, angels, demons, even gods. As such the normal reaction to such beings would be fear or awe or both. If Honditar were to consider Talendor as extra-Nirn, which is the impression I'm getting from his conversation, especially , then he seems unusually matter-of-fact about it, as if it was a common everyday occurrence to see other-Nirn beings standing in front of you in need of your help. Judging from the reaction of all the NPC's to the idea of daedra roaming the surface of Nirn, Honditar's reactions seem even more jarring to me. It's as if he's read too many H.G. Wells.

But I'm enjoying this story so far, and I really like the characters a lot. The way they interact with each other is a joy to read.