I'm posting this next update here in Cheats, Hints, & Spoilers, because it kinda does have some spoilers.

Morndas, 8:59 am, 4th of First Seed....

Crystal Beth went to see the steward in the Blue Palace, and was surprised to be named "Thane" after a momentary discussion with Jarl Elisif herself! She had merely come to the Blue Palace to see about buying upgrades for her home, but did not expect this.

When she gets home, she's surprised (I was surprised! ) to see an immediate guest is sitting in the front room.

"Who are you?"

"Honor to you, my Thane."

"Thane? You are here because I am now a Thane of Elisif?

"The Jarl has recogized you as a person of interest in the hold. A hero!..." she informs.

After a long conversation, Beth gets to know her new guest. Her name is Jordis the Sword Maiden. She's carrying a sword, wears armor, and has a big steel shield!

* I waited 24 hours while Beth and Jordis got to know one another

Beth is supposed to be off to Windhelm, and then Winterhold. She is not sure if she is to bring Jordis along with her. After a night of blissfull sleep, she decides firmly: Jordis is pleasing to talk to, but would make a better guard than a companion on the road.

That is it then. While Beth is off in Skyrim, adventuring about, she'll have the full pleasure of knowing her home, Proudspire Manor, is being safely watched over by her new housecarl. There's something pleasing about this.

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This post has been edited by Lady Saga: May 10 2012, 12:13 AM

The brothers J'z renewed their aquaintance with the MQ by heading to Utengrav (Usten?) after The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller...As you do...

'Zirlo - "Have at you, skeletal fiend! Take that dratted dragur!!"

'Zargo - "That is so amateur dramatics you know?"

'Zirlo - "Shut up! Idiot!"

'Zargo - "Oh yeah, that told me. Take a nap, naughty necromancer!"

'Zirlo - "?!!"...

The Bulsakh continues to be tons of fun. Here’s a picture of him and his buddy Erik the Slayer. (Link). Big D is wearing the necklace Sylgja gave him. He has one that boosts his light armor skill, but he still wears Sylgja’s. Of course he also had one that would give him more money back on every trade, but he sold it.

The Bulsakh has been given the Sanguine Rose. He had to deal with his ex-girlfriend again, but this time it was worth it. Erik the Slayer provided a surprise during the last part of that adventure. He raised a dead necromancer to fight with the D team. I’m not sure if the necromancer raised one of his own buddies, but there was a lot of blue smoke and groaning going on. Erik had a Staff of Zombies in his loot bag, and I guess he decided that a dead necromancer was too much of a temptation. The Bulsakh missed out on the irony, but I had a giggle over it. He’ll probably give the Rose to Erik, if he thinks of it. Otherwise it will just be another walking stick.

On the way out of Riften to deliver dead gunk to some orcs, we had a little excitement. A dragon attacked right by Snow-Shod Farm. Some Riften guards got involved. This dragon liked to land and snap at people, so there was a lot of running and shooting through the trees. At one point it looked like the dragon had a guard cornered under one of those dirt ledges. Big D sprinted to the rescue only to discover that the guard was actually a pissed-off troll. Slightly on fire. With another troll up on the ledge behind it. The dragon took off for another circle, and the Bulsakh did some backpedaling through the trees followed by angry trolls. Right into the triple frostbite spider fight that had broken out with the actual guards and Erik. Outstanding. I love the Rift!

That fight really stirred the blood. Afterward the Bulsakh was in no mood to deal with a bunch of backwoods hick orcs (like himself), so he turned around and headed for Shor’s Stone. Wearing Sylgja’s gift necklace, of course. He has a butterfly in a jar he wants to give her.

Cool stories, Grits and Andrea. Grits, taht pic you posted almost looks "real!" Andrea: I'm wondering which NPC you're talking about. Whoever it is, Crystal Beth apparently didn't find him to be attractive! Beth is a Wood Elf, though. She doesn't go for Nords. Or humans, actually.

Lol: "The D Team!"

This post has been edited by Lady Saga: May 16 2012, 07:07 PM

Let's see, a dragon, trolls, spiders, guards, and Erik, all at once? You have the weirdest games!

OK, there's more. I had a very lazy day. Also I forgot to mention in the last update, the Snow-Shod Farm battle also included the Snow-Shod farmers! I should ask D to go back and check if any of them made it.



First, Duralekh's trip to Shor’s Stone went very well. He broke into Sylgja’s house to leave the pet butterfly for her, and surprise, she was home and delighted to see him. I mean, what’s a little B&E between friends? That led to a few happy hours in her bed. When he woke up she was gone, but Erik the Slayer was still standing there. That’s when he remembered that he had forgotten to ask Erik to wait outside. Oops.

Now, there is an expression that one should not buy the cow if one is already receiving free milk. Despite Big D’s willingness to put out, sweet Sylgja still wanted to make an honest man of him. Best to skip the milk-drinker joke, I think. Anyway, the Bulsakh headed straight to Whiterun to invite his friends to the wedding, pick up all of his cabbages from Uthgerd’s house, and rub Ysolda’s nose in it.

Back in Riften he put on his wedding attire (Sylgja’s necklace, fur kilt, and the hat that Ulfberth and Adrianne gave him) and headed over to the Temple of Mara. Here’s a picture of Big D going, WTF? (Link). It seems that he was a little early. The next morning everyone showed up as expected. Whew. Here's a picture of D and Sylgja's wedding. (Link).

After the honeymoon (sorry you had to see that, Erik), Big D walked outside to greet the day. And a dragon. While he was running up and down the road trying to draw it away from Shor’s Stone, he had a thought. He never got around to completing that contract to kill the dragon at Northwind Summit. And Northwind Summit was… right up there. Dammit!

Cue extended period of scrambling over rocks trying to get up to Northwind Summit in the hope of luring the dragon to its lair while fighting off various trolls and wolves in the area. (I always forget about the easy way to get there until AFTER the climb.) When he finally got to the top of this knife-edge ridge, there was a big whoosh and he was blinded by fire. OK, so this one is a fire dragon. Since he couldn’t move while the fire was in his eyes for fear of falling off the cliff, he took a moment to put on his Boots of the Chill Sakh (40% resist fire, Twin Moons bless those Khajiit!) and scarf down a few legs of roasted goat.

As he hopped down over the edge he heard the dragon cry way off behind him at the same time he took another face full of fire. What the—two dragons. He managed to lead the Shor Stone dragon up to the Northwind Summit one. Nice.

I should mention that this was my first time with two dragons. It was awesome! D used up most of his arrow and poison collections, but he still had some healing potions at the end. Erik showed up eventually by some miracle, and he used the staff to get his Caitiff in the fight. Here is a picture of them at the end. (Link). D is saying, “Holy fetching dreck! Did that just happen?” Erik is saying, “You know, I thought I would miss farming…” Love that kid.

And there’s more. After the fellows unloaded their tons of dragon bone and got paid in Riften, they headed back out to the orcs. Erik is developing quite a soul gem habit, as he is now an enthusiastic staff wielder. There was another tussle at the stronghold gates, which was surprising. After the big one went down, Duralekh realized that Erik and the Caitiff were still engaged with unknown enemies. He topped a small rise in time to witness the two of them battling hostile goats.

They must have missed one, because later inside the stronghold during a rather important speech, Erik whirled around, summoned his dremora, and went haring off to slaughter another goat. We could hear the KABOOM, cursing, and maaaaaaah over what the very important entity was saying. Big D still got tasked with some orc business, though. That’s next on the plan, after he checks back in at home with Sylgja.

A final note. One day of married life has made a real change in the Bulsakh. He seems to have developed a fear of spiders. Or more specifically, a fear that his bride will be eaten by spiders. I foresee many quick stops for a loving chat, a quick scan of the mine, and if he’s lucky a taste of Sylgja’s homemade pie.

SubRosa: maybe it's because you're more focused on writing stories? And you haven't really gotten into the meat of exploring/road encounters yet? I'm just guessing, I guess.

Grits: more coolness! I'm glad somebody is writing here, since I've been slacking these past few days. Actually, that's not true. It's been sunny here lately, and that means I don't game. I've also had some real-life things going on. Anyways, glad somebody's still carrying the torch.

Hilarious as always Grits. I never have those kinds of things happen, because I play more cautiously, and take my time moving from one area to the next. For example, I would have never ran up to Northwind Summit when I already had a dragon to deal with. I would have fought that dragon, then went up there after killing it. And of course fought off all the wildlife one at a time as well.

Also I guess I am just lucky, because goats have never attacked me. I wonder what Erik was doing to those goats that got them so riled up?

I have been sick as a dog for a couple of days, so plenty of unproductive time on this end. The other night I woke up from a fever too sick to play Skyrim!! But today I’m only miserable, so I must be on the mend.

Rosa, I think you’re exactly right. Dragon fights span large areas and encourage spontaneous behavior from my frantic characters (and their demented followers). Except for Allek. As long as Marcurio is safe at home, he just turns invisible and slips away. I wonder if those goats were somehow allied with the giant? Otherwise Erik the Ex-Farmboy might get a new nickname!



The Bulsakh and Erik the Slayer are on their way to Mzinchaleft. They passed a lighthouse and went in to get warm.

Now, on his own Big D would never have stepped a second foot inside when greeted with such a scene. He is also not the type to read people’s letters and personal journals. Erik the Curious is, however. When he learned that there were missing family members possibly still alive, D was in for the adventure.

Of course it just got more tragic at every turn, but the D team prevailed. Until that point of no return, where the Bulsakh found himself alone.

He reached the nest. By then it was easy to see that he would be quickly killed if he used his usual stride-in-and-smash-em approach. Instead he hung back, sniping until he was nearly out of arrows. He has gotten some archery practice in with the dragons, but he is still a beginner. He had to finish down in the water with his axes, but by then there were only two of them left. One was the big one. It was tough, but he made it.

Walking up the ramp after that fight was just pure relief. Big D put the old sailor to rest and spent a moment enjoying the sun again. (It was snowing when they got there.) For the first time, he had some thoughts about his own small family. Just him and Sylgja. If he gave her children, they would be Nords. There was no chance they would live out their lives for the good of some stronghold. That relieved a worry he didn’t know he had.

But for the immediate future, he needs to restock on arrows and healing potions. Whatever took out Mjoll the Lioness in her prime must be a formidable enemy. It would be foolish to go in unprepared.

Oh, about the big hammer that appeared at the end of his previous adventure: he left it right there on the shrine.

Team D takes down the Big Mamma Chaurus! Frost Flow Lighthouse is not for the faint-hearted (or low level) character. That is always one tough crawl, thanks to those poison spits the bugs have.

The Bulsakh and Erik made it through their trial by steam in the Dwemer ruin. I was very, very nervous about the big shiny guy at the end. D was well prepared with vegetable soup and his last homecooked meal from Sylgja. The fight was fast and furious, and very loud. Erik’s dremora caitiff has a real mouth on him. It was a little worrisome at first when I noticed that Erik joined the battle by plinking the monster with an arrow, but he got with the program as soon as D took his first serious hit.

The closest call we had in that whole adventure was earlier against a gloomlurker. Damn he was tough. It did not help that D had two ice spikes sticking through him already from Erik fumbling with staves. Big D ended up running around a fountain healing himself while the summoned dremora cleaned up. Not his finest moment, but he lived.

Erik had some nice conversational offerings throughout. My favorite was when the two of them were viewing a defunct centurion early on in the ruin, and Erik remarked, “The stories don’t say why the Dwemer disappeared. I wonder if their machines turned on them.”

The fellows are heading up to Solitude for a rest and possibly a ride most of the way back to Shor’s Stone. The Bulsakh is usually not one for carriages, but he is worn out and missing his lady. He’s also not much of a looter, but he does have a few little gifts for Sylgja. Some glowy things from the ruin (chaurus eggs) and some nice blue flowers from Hjaalmarch (deathbell). He’s sure that will put her in the mood for love. (Big D only gets sweet Comfort about half of the time. Plus Sylgja won’t always cook for him. She’s probably buggy, but maybe she’s just tired from working in the mine.)

I like when I get sick. One of the perks is I get to possibly stay home legitimately and game to my heart's content! Must suck to be too sick to game, though.

It seems the older I get, my immune system keeps getting better or something, though. I rarely get sick.

Sorry I've been away for so long, been very busy. Here is an update on joshua. It isn't very thrilling as nothing much has happened to him recently, but his brother wouldn't mind that

By the way Lady Saga, this is the NPC Joshua has a crush on

Joshua Lennox letter #4

Dear Brother,

Sorry it’s been a while since my last letter, but a lot has changed for me. After I found the orb I was sent to find some books that had been stolen in order to learn more about it.

But I refused. I didn’t come to the college to do search and fetch missions, but to learn more about destruction, but everyone here seems to be useless. Maybe it is just a case of me expecting to much.

All I wanted was a place I could fit in and call home, but this ain’t it. So I’ve decided to leave the college and find somewhere else to migrate to.

I will miss everyone there, especially Onmund, but the heart wants what it wants. Onmund suggested that I visit his friend that works in an Inn in a city called Markarth called Hreinn. He said that Hreinn would help me out with a place to stay until I find my feet somewhere else. Onmund gave me a letter he wrote so Hreinn would know who I was then sent me on my way.

I have yet to make it to Markarth yet but once I do I will write to you again, but I won’t leave it so long next time!

Joshua

Also, off topic, a new Jess of Valor will be up In the coming week, so keep an eye out for that

This post has been edited by Andrea: May 21 2012, 01:57 PM

Ah, so that's Onmund. Looking forward to an update on Jess.

I am up really late tonight. Gaming, of course. I got the day off tomorrow, and my kid is at her friend's house. Good. Good.

I've decided to write Gunter, Son of Talos's tale in a very simple day-to-day format. If a story evolves out of it, so much the better. But for now, it's a simple journal.

Gunter is a Nord, by the way. A Nord fighter type. I'm thinking that other than potions, he won't involve himself with magic at all. Nor will he do extensive dungeon diving (especially draugr and dwemer ruins). He may do some bandit raids, though.

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Day 1: 1:03 pm, Sundas, 17th of Last Seed. I am Gunter, Son of Talos. today me escape from Helgen with man name Ralof. follow Imperial soldier, but see Stormcloaks and join them, instead.

@ 8pm: follow Ralof to Riverwood and meet Ralof family. spend night at house. Hod & Gerdur's house. safe cozy place, but not enough beds. drank and drank and wound up sleeping with Gerdur. Fear a fight in the morn, but Hod not seem to mind that Gunter sleep with his woman!

Ralof told me "head to Windhelm and join the Stormcloaks". as a native of Bruma in Cyrodiil, Gunter is ready to do whatever it takes to destroy the Empire's reach!

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Day 2: spend day in riverwood. drinking, eating, with Hod & Gerder & Ralof & little boy. Hod offers work at sawmill. Gunter want work.
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Day 3: chop wood for Hod & Gerdur. Make over 400 gold, just chopping wood! Who says adventurer are only ones to make the gold!
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Day 4: move out of Hod & Gerdur, and into own room at Sleeping Giant Inn. Chop wood all day.
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Day 5: got attack by three armored men*, as me walk outside the Inn! Me have no armor, nor weapon to protect, had to run. ran north into woods. hide. they found Me. ran to a hunter's campsite. hide. they found Me.

Me run all the way to town called Whiterun. Ralof tell me of this town in days before. Now, only one man follow Gunter. he hit very strong. almost kill Gunter, son of Talos on the spot. but Gunter run into town. hide again in shop. Is Gunter coward for running? No, Me alive!

*these 3 men attacked Gunter out of nowhere, right in front of the Sleeping Giant, it was so random! He was totally unprepared for this.
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Day 6: back in Riverwood. spend day with smith, who teach Gunter everything he know smithing and tanning. Gunter now spend gold on iron ignots, leather strips, and other. Before Gunter go to Windhelm to join Stormcloaks, Me have suit made of iron! and a sword.
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Day 7: Sundas, 24th of Last Seed, Year 201. Gunter chop wood all day, until at night auroras fill sky. Gunter so tired by nightfall, can barely walk! * Gunter make 362 gold today, for chop wood.

* (over-encumbered)
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Day 8: spend money on more iron and leather. make iron boots. iron gauntlets. iron helmet, and iron suit. Gunter, son of Talos smith all day.
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Day 9: Me attack by Inn keeper! inkeeper accuse Gunter of stealing. but it was Gunter's things they accuse of stealing! *

Gunter must leave Riverwood. Heads to Whiterun. maybe can improve armor before heading to Windhelm.

*: This really annoys me. I store my character's things, but if somebody sees him take stuff out of the wardrobe, he gets charged with a crime! Even though he paid for the room.

Gunter meet woman name Adrianne. she work at forge in Whiterun. Gunter like Adrianne! like her very much! Gunter take a sword for her to Jarl steward. work with her at forge.

6:12 pm: Me buy room in place called Bannered Mare.
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Day 10: attack Silent Moons Camp for Jarl of Whiterun. all bandits slain.

This was an interesting fight. Gunter was first spotted by 2 archers. He did not want to rush them, as other enemies seemed to be about. He hid behind a wall until a wizard came towards, shocking Gunter. Gunter slew the wizard after some running around. He had to drink his only health potion.

When he came back into the main area of the camp (where the steps are) all the bandits were dead! They apparently got killed by a group of mudcrabs! I'm assuming this because there were 2 mudcrabs walking around the area, and perhaps 5 dead bandits!

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This post has been edited by Lady Saga: May 29 2012, 02:52 AM

Congrats on having the opportunity to finally play GSoT! I had no idea you could make that much money chopping wood! I may have to try that now.

And mudcrabs FTW! I often see bandits being stupid enough to attack giants. It is fun to see them launched into orbit.

I know! I wish I could make that much money chopping wood IRL. 400 gold a day? Sheesh.

I basically would just animate the wood block, and then change the channel while the wood-chopping animation was going (it lasts a minute or so). I have Internet on my TV, so I would go read or post here or at Bethsoft while he chopped wood. Changed channel. Animated the wood block again, repeat, repeat...

YEAAHH!! Im so excited that you have started Gunter! He seem's to have random misfortune at the moment though! I've never encounters any random attacks outside the Sleeping Giant! How strange...

SUBROSA!! Will we be expecting any more of Hrafn's journal soon? And grits, I am LOVING reading about Bulsakh's journey I had no idea Eric was recruitable as a follower after completing his little quest! He seem's a decent companion too


Joshua Lennox letter #5

Dear Brother,

I finally made it to Markarth! The journey wasn’t too much fun though.

First I met an old Orc who had just taken down two Sabre cats on his own. He claimed that he was waiting for a ‘good death’ whatever that means. I have a feeling he was hinting at me to give it to him, but I didn’t really want to even TRY seeing as how he took down those Sabre cats with such ease.

But what happened next on my journey will shock you. As I was walking I was attacked by a hodded figure! I just about managed to defeat him, but when he died I saw a letter fall out of his pocket. He was a Dark Brotherhood assassin! He had been sent to kill me! I thought I’d left all the people who hated me back in Hammerfell.

I took a break In Whiterun and stopped off at the Bannered Mare. Uthgerd wasn’t there, which was disappointing as I would have loved to have seen her. However, I was approached by a woman who began flirting with me. When I told her I wasn’t interested she looked disappointed. I asked her what was wrong and she said she was desperate for the bard in the Bannered Mare to leave her alone, so she was hoping having a man on her arm would do that. I told her I would talk to the bard and I approached him. He refused to leave Carlotta 9that was her name) alone, so we brawled. I won of course, and after that he promised to leave her alone. As a way of thanks Carlotta have me money and free food off her stool anytime I should need it!

The next day I continued to Markarth. Nothing exciting happened on the journey. Once I reached Markarth I was approached by a man who offered to sell me his dog, Vigilance. Once I saw the dog I immediately accepted. I fell in love! He was gorgeous!

Once inside Markarth I headed to the Silver-Blood Inn and spoke with Hreinn, giving him Onmund’s letter. He offered to keep a room available for me at all times, although I still had to pay.

With Vigilance I decided to rest my weary legs with a bottle of mead by the fireplace. Suddenly I was approached by a man who asked if the other seat was taken. I told him it wasn’t and he sat down. He told me he was a sellsword and I was always welcome should I need his assistance. I told the man, Vorstag, that I was okay for now, then he gave me a cheeky smile and said that he would always be around if I needed him. I don’t know what he meant.

I am off to sleep now but I will write to you again soon!

Joshua

Good to have you back, Andrea! Wondering where you been. Must be school, huh?

Markath is an awesome town. I'm hoping Gunter will make it there. Crystal Beth never found herself going that way.

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This set of journal entries begins on Sundas, 31st of Last Seed

Gunter managed to level up to 3 by this point. He's learning; honing his craft, and can protect himself while wearing heavy armor a little better. He's also learned to manage his shield a little more, too.


Day 14: Gunter want go seek Companions. to join, must prove himself to Vilkas. Before prove himself, Gunter must find new clothes. throw away black robes*, and steal some clothes from Companions when nobody look.

*After Gunter got chased out of Riverwood, he realized he had left a lot of vital things behind, including his clothes. He had been wearing his full iron armor suit, but had no town clothes. Before stealing a set of clothes from a Companion room, he had managed to buy a Black Robe! He had been walking around Whiterun in this robe for a while, kinda reminded me of Steven Segal. Lol!

3pm: Gunter go back to Inn, put on armors and sword. man name Farkas speak to Gunter in mean tone before prove himself to Vilkas, but me not scare. Gunter fight with Companion, prove himself a WARRIOR! ....Gunter now part of Companions.

6 pm: Me collects bounty from Jarl steward for take down Silent Moons Camp. 100 gold.

9 pm: word travel fast in Whiterun! guards recognize Gunter now as Companion.

10 pm: Gunter see pretty lady by table in Banner Mare. her name: Ysolda Me heart go like wings of butterfly. Gunter sit with Ysolda, talk sweet to me lady! Ysolda nice, but not give Gunter time of day.

..."tis okay. tomorrow nother day.


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Day 15: Companion give Gunter new task. FIGHT Idola Battle-Born! Idola confront Gunter in Banner Mare. he say: "you like Grey Mane or Battle Born?" Gunter say Grey Mane. Grey Mane is Nordic brothers! Idola no like Gunter answer. FIGHT happen, and Gunter remain victory!

after fight, Gunter get new task: find sword piece knowns as Wuuthred. Gunter prepare for adventure. buy new Burning Sword! Me spend over 400 gold on new Fire Sword. Me allso buy more iron block to make new sword to sell (Smithing stuff). after me buy Burning Sword and iron blocks, me have 3 gold.

10 pm: long day at forge. work with pretty lady Adrienne all day. Gunter see lady Ysolda as go to Inn. sweet talk to Ysolda, but Ysolda play hard to get!
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Day 16: Me walk away from morning sun to Silent Moons Camp, and then away more to Draugr's barrow. meet Farkas. Farkas and Gunter spend many hour in draugr barrow call Dustman's Cairn.

I've learned something new. Many draugr can be snuck up on while they're "resting" {i.e. still on their death slabs or in their catacombs}. If Gunter sneaks up on them, he could deliver a 1-hit critical blow on these "resting" draugr, especially with his new flaming sword. This usually guaranteed the end of that particular draugr.

With every successful sneak attack, Gunter leveled up his 1-handed skill in grand jumps each time. He is already at Level 6 with 1-handed skill at 26! I haven't placed his 3 bonus perks yet, but I will
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Day 17: must be new day, sun low in sky, falling to sleep. Gunter and Farkas defeat many draugr, and find many treasure. Me carry magic stafff and treasure for sale in Riverwood, if okay Gunter return

I'm pulling a little prank on Farkas, dragging him to Riverwood. After selling things (assuming they're not still mad at Gunter), I will get Farkas to follow Gunter to Valtheim Keep. There's a contract on the bandits there, and Gunter doesn't want to go at this all alone.
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Middas, 11:33 PM, 3rd of Heartfire (Day 17 continued)

Gunter eat lot of food with new friend Farkas. have lots of gold. more gold than ever in life!

Me very happy! Me very happy indeed! A happiest Nord Gunter is ! Ale! Pie! Meat! and Mead!

This post has been edited by Lady Saga: Jan 20 2019, 12:38 AM