KC, what a great interaction between Aravi and Kharjo! I love his attitude, and the trust they've built between them. How awesome that she has someone to hunt "big game" with her!


Here's an update from Allek the thief:


Allek stood over the sleeping smith for the third time this month. The man’s breaths came deep and even. He seemed at peace, but Allek knew better. The noise in his mind began after the work he did here.

It was just a job, he wanted to tell Balimund. I wouldn’t have hurt you, or your boy. Why can’t you understand that? Come to see Balimund perform miracles with steel, eh? The smith pretended he didn’t even know. How was he doing it?

Allek’s blade found his hand. Balimund only looked peaceful. The clamor must come from somewhere, Allek could feel it. He would gently give Balimund his peace. Then Allek’s mind would quiet again.

Something made him pause. The apprentice.

Allek drifted into Asbjorn’s chamber like a ghost. The young Nord’s face looked just as restful as his mentor’s. He’s not yet my age, thought Allek. Losing Balimund will weigh on his heart. I will give peace to Asbjorn first.

Calm seeped through Allek as he watched Asbjorn sleeping. The clamor did not come from Asbjorn, but he would have to die. Unless there was another way. Allek reached into his pocket to touch the flawless diamond there.

A moment’s silent work had Balimund’s safe open. The diamond was worth far more than what Allek had taken those weeks ago. There, he thought. A generous trade.

Allek’s nerves twitched. The noise in his head was like stones inside a hollow gourd. This trade would leave them more unsettled. There was no easy way to fix this. He knew what to do. Asbjorn first.

Asbjorn slept with his hand folded under his chin like a child. What would his life have been, if Balimund had not taken him in? Allek had some idea. He put away his knife.

Once more into Balimund’s chamber. We’ll do it your way, old man, thought Allek. I’ll supply for your damned forge. Then you leave me alone.

Allek closed the safe and slid back into the night. The noise was absent now, but neither gone nor left behind.

It comes from me, Allek realized. Perhaps I’m in the wrong business.

Holy crap, you told me not much interesting happened with Allek. You didn't say he was absolutely CRAZY. I seriously didn't know how this was going to end. Was he going to leave them? A single murder? A double murder? AHH!!

Whew !!! An almost walk through an almost deranged mind, lol. Going to commit two murders to cover the theft of a diamond - and not even a flawless one !! So glad Allek got a handle on the real problem before taking himself further down that trail !! Awesome write, I found myself holding my breath !!

I wasn’t sure what he was going to do, either. By the third time he went back into Balimund’s house, I was almost prepared to delete him!

Jensa has been having a tough time lately. Of course all of this is outside her game, but it reflects the spoiler-fest that she has been going through. Here’s her report:

I woke up naked and miles from home again, but this time I was alone. I don’t remember what happened. I felt sick enough to know that I had fed.

The sun was up. I found a little pool to wash in, and what I saw in the reflection made me spill my guts. Then I had to look and see what I had eaten. I think it was a fox. Gods help me, I was afraid I would find little fingers. No, I can’t even ask the gods for help any more. I belong to the Huntsman.

When I got home they took me to the Underforge. Said they never had so much trouble with one of their own, and they thought they might have to end me. I’ve taken the blood of my enemies, and it made the beast strong. That’s how I got through the war. Now I don’t know how to live with the burning.

I’m going down to Falkreath Hold. There’s no contract, but there’s trouble there. They want me to handle it on my own. I could see in their eyes that I would come home in control of myself, or not come home at all. I guess this is my last chance.

I hope I don’t run across any Vigilant of Stendarr. They might see what I am and do what they do. And I can’t say they would be wrong.

This post has been edited by Grits: Jan 17 2012, 03:07 PM

Jensa's having a tough time, but it just so happens that I think she's heading in the right direction to get herself under control.

What a hugely powerful write for just a spoiler-free taste of what Jensa has been going through. Great segment !!

Agreed that is awesome ;o.
On my end many things have happened...i should start writing! >:

He was called many things. Epithets and sobriquets given unto him by those he brought the peace of death to. Cannibal. Murderer. Madman. The Killer-King of Bravil. The Monster who Dreams. The Knight of Violence.

And his personal favorite.

The Blessed Devourer.

Oh, how he thrashed when they finally brought a whole Legion to subdue him. The red-rage consumed him completely there and there when he was surrounded; his memory was filled with the angelic laughter of a dead man, the booming roar of thunder and the screams.. Dear gods, what he would kill just to hear those screams again. In the end, though, as he inspected the mountain of corpses for those who will bless him with a holy feast, a lucky shot in the back of the head disarmed him of consciousness. It was a good thrashing though. He enjoyed it. Regret that he can only expreience that kind of battle once, but he enjoyed it.

He was called many things.

But none of them ever used the one given to him by his life-givers.

And for better or worse, Celdryn Mon'Cheri is due to arrive in Skyrim. Gods help those who stand in this monster's way; a fate worse than the one worse than death awaits them with a smile. Even now, as his carriage transports him from Cyrodiil to the North, he sings and joys and rattles his chains. For he has heard the whispers of fate and it told him that his time has come.

He would feast in the coming days, oh yes.
---------------------------------------

Yep yeppity yep yep. A copy of Skyrim shall be mine by the end of the month.!I'm giddy with excitement, really. So iddy that I decided to herald this crazy dude's coming like right now, because he will be my first character! Hip-Hip-Hooray!

WOO HOO Uleni !!!!! Congrats, and I can't wait to hear all about your new character !! Sounds Awesome !!

I’ve wondered what your crew was up to!


Doors begin to lock all over Skyrim. Sounds like he will be fun, Uleni! I’m looking forward to reading about him.


KC, you called it with Jensa. Here’s a page from her journal:

They were right. I found what I need in Falkreath.

I met my Master, and I defied him. But even my insolence gave him good sport. His favor puts the beast under my power, but if he takes it away I’ll be lost. I never thought I’d kneel, much less live with a collar around my neck. Now I’m grateful for it.

When I got home the old man wanted to see me. He talked about hope and sorrow and burning hearts. I was tired enough to drop and didn’t get half of what he was saying, but he seems to think a lot of me. Most of it good, which is surprising. It’s Ria whose nose is up everyone’s backside.

I fell into bed on the men’s side of the quarters. Torvar snores, but Njada Stonearm gives off a cloud of hate that I don’t want to be near. She thinks I’m soft because I heal away my scars. Well I don’t need to see them to know they were there. Plus, Ria wants to scratch out my eyes because she’s afraid I’m sleeping with Aela. I can’t imagine when she thinks I have time for that. Anyway, Aela is our Shield-Sister. I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl. Maybe things are different with the Imperials.

Farkas has a job for us. I’ve got my gear packed already. I don’t know where we’re going, but I guess I’ll find out when we get there. I know they’re glad to see me back and not clawing at the walls any more. This morning Vilkas almost smiled.

I've been having a lot of fun in Skyrim with a wood elf by the name of Malachi.

He's in the thieves guild, and recently joined the college of Winterhold, but has no plans to advance through the college. He just wanted access to the college's library.

He's been travelling around Skyrim with two separate partners. Giving them a test-drive if you like, before he decides to commit to either one of them. Trouble is, he can't decide between the two, Erik or Marcurio?

Marcurio is fantastic with spells, and made an excellent bodyguard on their travels. But he's arrogant and didn't seem to care much about their friendship. He also lives at the Bee and Barb, where Malachi is in trouble for beating up the barmaid. (Which he regrets.)

Erik is a fair warrior, and evenly matched to Malachi's skill. He's also a very good friend, and genuinely seemed to care about where the pair were going and what they were doing on their adventures. There were some very touching moments between the two, such as Malachi staying up all night to craft a set of leather armour for Erik. However, Erik hates thieves, so if Malachi wanted to marry him he'd have to give up his connection to the thieves.

It's a real dilemma.

That is a dilemma! They are so different. Malachi should put on his Amulet and flirt a little with Erik before he falls too hard though, that redhead can be a heartbreaker. And he’s so sweet!

I love Marcurio’s snarkiness. Perhaps he’s hiding his feelings under a veneer of irritability. Well, more of a thick crust of irritability.

Third option: Malachi could marry sweet Erik and become an honest man for him. Then hire Marcurio when he’s up to no good.

@ Grits - Oh poor Jensa! Maxical liked the old man, she sat and talked with him a while. I think it's odd how attached he gets to the player so quickly, seeing as the others have been there so long - but then again, the personalities of the other women ... 'nuff said.

@ Lady-Mara-II - Somewhere on this site (can't remember where anymore) there is a whole page up on sweet Erik.

Grits has met them both in game, I've only met Marcurio, and haven't even had him as a follower yet, so far he's been sitting in the Bee and Barb since I paid him for his services...wait...maybe he thought I was paying him for ... Haelga's Bunkhouse type services ... URK !! He did notice the amulet right away though (after being paid, lol).



This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 19 2012, 09:33 PM

mALX, you eventually get some insight from the old man late in the questline, but Jensa still has that me, really? feeling whenever he singles her out. He’s one of my most memorable NPC relationships, and there are very few interactions. Farkas has been inexplicably cross with Jensa, and it was raining. The rest of what follows is invention.

Farkas and I left Jorrvaskr in a thunderstorm, and it rained the whole time we followed the river. Then we started climbing and the sun came out. So did the wind. At least it dried us off in a hurry.

We had a job outside Windhelm. Farkas made us walk instead of taking the carriage, camping in the day and moving at night. At first I thought he was avoiding the dragons, but then I realized he was watching me for trouble, just to be sure. I guess I deserve that. Anyway, I didn’t give him any.

We did the job, and it was not fun. Farkas growled at me all the way into Windhelm. By then it was snowing, and dark again. We ate cold rations while we walked with no mead to wash it down. I asked if he was sure he wasn’t a Stormcloak.

At Candlehearth Hall we got a chamber to ourselves with a good-sized bed for once. Farkas crashed onto it like a fallen giant. He was snoring before I got my boots off. I cleaned up, put on my dress, and went to look for Stenvar the mercenary.

He wasn’t there, but it’s not hard to find a man who wants some fast company at that time of night. Then we got to the room and I didn’t really want to touch him. I just closed my eyes and pretended he was someone else. He didn’t seem to mind. I guess he was doing the same. Afterward he left while I was still at the washstand. I couldn’t believe it, he dropped a sack of coins on the bed. I had to laugh. All I did was show up, and he paid me. I’m not sure which of us is sadder.

I left the coins for Susanna the Wicked to find. It’s only a short step from what I am to what he thought, but I don’t want to take it.

Back in our chamber I had to use both feet to shove Farkas over, but then I fit right against him. He was so warm and smelly and familiar. I don’t know what else I was looking for.

I really enjoyed the interaction with the old man when I played the companions. I'm thinking of directing Aravi there again.

Jensa still sounds like she hasn't figured anything out.

I thought for sure Jensa was going to give Farkas a reason to stop snarling at her, lol. At least she wouldn't have to shut her eyes then, his fur ...er...hair would have covered them, lol. Jensa is my favorite Skyrim character of yours, she hasn't quite got her finger on even her own pulse yet, but just keeps on ticking. Love her !!

Yep, Jensa is still really struggling. The beast thing has her conflicted. She hates herself for loving it so much, and her old ways of making herself feel good aren’t so satisfying any more. I did not expect sweet Jensa to take such a turn!

I let the Khajiiti out to play, hoping for a quiet walk to Windhelm. But, no.


J’Shanji leaped into the dragon carcass even as its flesh disintegrated. He scrabbled frantically through the bones to get at what lay underneath. Power circled and ash rose. The howls stayed locked in his throat.

Finally, the snow. And more bones, too small to be the dragon’s and blackened by its fire.

Charred fur clung to them. J’Shanji slumped to the ground, broken.

“The bones of a goat,” J’Zargo remarked from behind him. “I was hoping for… treasure.”

J’Shanji turned in disbelief. He lived.

“This one went into the river,” said J’Zargo in an apologetic tone. He made a shaky gesture to illustrate.

J’Shanji staggered to his feet, bent over with his burns. Smoke rose from his body, while J’Zargo’s fur appeared to be crusted with frozen river water.

“Ice mage and fire mage,” said J’Zargo, reaching out with his healing spell. His jaw dropped in a silent laugh. After a moment, so did J’Shanji’s.

Oh, that was so sweet that J’Shanji was so torn up worried for J’Zargo! And J’Zargo's reaction was funny, lol. I like those two together, but Jensa has my heart, lol.

Well, my favorite are the Khajiit brothers. You had me worried there for J'Zargo. I like the ice mage and fire mage joke. It took me a second like J'Shanji to get it. Mostly because I read quickly.

Searching under the dragon for J’Zargo’s body was the worst thing that’s happened to me in the game. I was sure he was dead, but there were only scorch marks and a dead goat. J’Shanji had a tiny blip of red left and wouldn’t quit looking to heal himself. It was even worse than when Vorstag fell into the draugr pit and Rowan jumped in after him. Maybe that’s why Allek doesn’t like to travel with a companion.

Jensa experienced some morning after consequences from her Candlehearth Hall hookup. Here’s what she says about it:

I‘m not sure whether to laugh or cry, Farkas is in jail because we beat up a pimp. I shouldn’t even bother to write this, but it was all my fault. Farkas is not one for trouble with the law. Or for letting some fetcher talk that way to a Shield-Sister.

At first I didn’t know why the guards weren’t hauling me off with him, but then one of them called me by name. They’re all Stormcloaks. I scooped up our gear and headed straight to the jail to talk Farkas free. When I got there the pimp was running his mouth about last night at the inn, saying I owe him a piece of my action. I tried to explain, but everyone got it all wrong. The short version is it did not reflect well on me. Still they’re letting Farkas out without a record, which is all that matters.

Here he comes. Oh, does he look mad. I’ll write more later, if he doesn’t break my fingers.

*

Well, I didn’t think I could go so many days without speaking, but Farkas made me. Even when we fought critters on the road he told me what to do with a look. We got home and I couldn’t stand it anymore. I stopped him right on the steps of Jorrvaskr.

“What are you going to tell them?” I asked him.

“Huh?”

“Are you going to say that I’m worse than a Sanguine worshipper? Just tell me first, so I’ll know.”

He just looked at me.

“Are you still mad at me?” I had to ask. I sounded like such a whiner.

“Jensa, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Oh right, I thought. He’s a man. That wasn't the silent treatment, just a three day pause in the conversation. I had to give a big sniff and pretend I had something in my eye.

He gave me a hug, weapons and all, and he rubbed his knuckles on my head. “Just watch yourself, sister,” he told me. Then we went inside.