As I've said, Buffy and I have many fond memories of Iliana's Elsweyr mod. I remember the platform where your group found W'aiq the Liar. And your additional mod to provide that night sky over Fort Seaplace is absolutely stunning!

That is a very good picture of Buffy.

20210324 ElsweyrAnequina MissingChild - TalesOfEA DarkKnight

Lunch is over so took our leave of Camp Bravery. Circling around the high embankment that formed the southern wall of Camp Bravery we were surprised to find a small lake. Little more than a pond, the lake is fed by the rushing waters of the river that falls through Riverhold. What the… may Nir keep the levee strong otherwise Camp Bravery is in big trouble in little china.

My Ladies and I had some fun while climbing the Falls of Riverhold; we were close to the top when we noticed something disturbing. Lying on one ledge of the falls was a body, a human child. He must have slipped and fallen to his death while playing in the swift rushing water.

Taking the amulet the boy was wearing we went to Riverhold to find the boy’s family. Hate being the bearer of bad news but it’s the right thing to do

“Thought it would be easy to sniff out an Imperial in a town full of furlickering Khajiiti,” Kaleah groused. “Except everything smells of kitty litter.”

She was right. It took us most the day to find the poor boy’s father. At first he refused to accept the fact that his son was dead or even missing. We had to set the stage to set him right. (setstage AQSmallQuest04 40, finding the body first got things out of order and the father would not give the proper response) He did give us a reward for finding and reporting the boy’s body.

Feeling adventurous, actually it was Kaleah who wanted to climb the mountain behind Riverhold Castle. For some reason she wanted to take me to the top of the mountain to see the view. It was a difficult climb but we eventually found a way up. There, high above the city we discovered the Shrine of Khenarthi.

Not far from the shrine we discovered Furp’s house (MOO). A knock on the door and guess who steps out? Why, it’s our old friend Sayjid (BetterCities).

“Sayjid! What in the world brings you here?”

Sayjid explains that there is a death sentence on his head in Bruma. He’s staying as far away from Bruma as he can. We left puzzled and wondering how do these things happen?

Next to Furp’s house stood the ruins of Fort Tonala (Tales of ElsweyrAnquina). He didn’t even mention it and we stood there talking right next to it. I’m surprised Sayjid hasn’t tried to get in. Sure the door is locked and requires a key to open but that shouldn’t have stopped Sayjid from trying.

Might as well take a look see since we’re here. The door to Fort Tonala opened with Demian’s key. It’s been a year since we last visited Elsweyr and I don’t remember when or where I picked up the key but there it was in my hand when I touched the door. Just like magic the door unlocked

Entering Fort Tonala felt no different than entering any other fort ruin. We proceeded cautiously not knowing what to expect. At the first junction we turned right and advanced down a wide staircase. No resistance was encountered along the way.

We followed the stairway until our only option was to turn left or turn right. Still encountering no resistance we turned right and walked right into the living quarters of the fort.

For an old ruin the living quarters were amazingly still quite livable. Found a book The Life and Times of the Dark Knight set on the table as if it was waiting for us to read it. The book told the tale of the Dark Knight and his extraordinary arms and armor of obsidian.

Kaleah laid the obsidian claymore we found in the Old Tower on the table. The three of us stood there; our eyes switching from the sword to the book, then back to sword, and back again to book. So that note we found in the Old Tower must be true. We’ve got to find the Deep Caves.

Returning to the stairway we checked out the left wing. That led to an armory and a trophy room. Both are ready for storing and displaying items. Certainly was not what I expected but I’ve got the key so I guess it’s mine now.

We went back to the living quarters tested the bed. Finding it suitable we fell fast asleep.

Phew, well that is quite intense, finding that poor lad's fallen into the falls there. What mod adds that quest?

That is Small Quest 04 from Elsweyr Anequina. It is sad.

When googleing for a way to fix the father's broken response I read that although the father says he is going to recover the body the body is never removed from the game. I know of a few other mods that do the same thing. That too is sad.
I'm sure there is a way to write the script to remove such bodies once the quest is done. Ignore that, I'm just being picky.

I was like that on the job too. A manager once told me my programs were too pretty. After I explained why the attention to detail mattered I was transferred to the Regression Testing unit. Best job I ever had. So much fun to be able to tell senior programmers that their stuff stinks, fix it.

That's right, you have some background in this area, as does ghastley, if I'm not mistaken. How neat.



Easily done. The mod author could have put a Reference ID on that body, let's call it ZZCorpseRef . And then when a later stage gets set, let's say when Jandaga is not around, the mod author simply types ZZCorpseRef.Disable into any number of areas in the Quest windows.

You seem to do a good job in your game balancing just running around for curiosity and running into quests. The gang is finding plenty to do around Riverhold it seems. I hope they are prepared for sandstorms as they brave their way deeper into Anequina.

Acadian: If caught out in the open with no other shelter Kaleah makes a tent with wings and we wait out the storm. Daedra seducer wings are nearly indestructible.

20210329 Elsweyr Anequina a quiet stroll through the Saimisil Savannah

Not being home bodies we left Fort Tonala as we found it and made our way back down the mountain through Riverhold to the road heading south. We got to the road just in time to catch the caravan traveling south toward Orcrest.

(First time down the mountain the mahout was fighting a highwayman. Pym and Kaleah rushed to his aid while I fumbled the screenshot. Replayed several times but the fight never reoccurred. Bummer.)

Following the mahout and his elephant south we passed through the camp of Raqabhi (Tales from Elsweyr Anequina). Raqabhi talks to the mahout (another missed shot that won’t repeat for me) to purchases supplies but the trader doesn’t have the item Raqabhi wants most. Skooma.

Raqabhi is desperate for a fix. He begs us to bring him some skooma to ease his pain. Reluctantly we told the skittish cat we would bring him a bottle the next time we’re passing through.

“You’re not really going to fetch him a bottle of skooma, are you?” Kaleah asks once we’re far enough away from Raqabhi.

“Nah, it’s been ten minutes and he’s probably forgotten about it already.”

Following its delivery route the mahout steered his elephant eastward. We turned westward back to the road heading south. Almost immediately we’re accosted by a highwayman. Pym tried to charm him into letting us pass. (I was a bit quicker on this picture)

Kaleah and I weren’t close enough to hear what was said but we could see the expression on Pym’s face. The cat said something and Pym didn’t like it, not one bit.

A quick search of the now dead Khajiit netted a letter and engagement ring. The letter address to Znubis from his fiancée, Nirasja spoke of her dreams of a happy life on a farm, away from the foul pit of Orcrest. If we ever meet Nirasja, I’ll be sure to keep Pym’s involvement out of the conversation.

Nothing more we could for the highwayman we continued on. As the forest of the mountain began changing to the arid Saimisil Savannah Kaleah pointed to something lying in the middle of the road ahead.

“Look, another body!” exclaimed Kaleah. Giving the body a kick she cautioned. “Life is cheap in the Saimisil Savannah of Elsweyr.”

The poor soul turned out to be a Khajiit miner. Hard to tell what he died from but it wasn’t by natural causes. There was a large vicious troll nearby but many of the wounds didn’t appear to be made by such a monster. Murder more than likely.

Up ahead we could see what appeared to be a mining campsite. Let’s stop and report the find. Maybe someone will take care of the body.

Turns out the no one cares. Caraba Mine Camp has been overrun by marauders and all the miners are dead. The marauders didn’t take kindly to our visit and needless to say we didn’t take kindly to their greeting. Ha, they should’ve left us alone.

When the fight with the marauders had ended a Khajiit soldier approached us. She told us that she has been assigned to watch or spy on the mysterious traveler. Just what we need “the law” watching our every move. As we looted the camp the Khajiit soldier followed us around the poking her nose into everything we did. It was getting very annoying.

Thinking that she was pushing for a bribe I offered to pay her to leave but she protests that she’s too honest for a bribe. Well how about gift to a good friend. That would be nice and 3000 gold septims would ensure her captain hears that we are not wicked and do not need watching. As she turns to leave with pockets full of gold she tells us if we are ever in Camp Cowardice to look your good friend up. Camp Cowardice, what a name.

With the threat of marauders in the camp now eliminated let’s enjoy dinner and bunk up in the now vacant tents.
Pym shakes her head and points to the mine.

Pym is right better check the mine first. It sure wouldn’t do to be woken in the middle of the night by marauders from the mine.

Trouble seems to find your gang! I hope the mine is quiet and no more marauders are around.

Edit: Regarding our discussion on sandstorms, very clever for Kaleah to use her wings to shield/tent her group.
Even 750 years ago, sandstorms existed in the Anequina but were much milder: Screenshot

This post has been edited by Acadian: Mar 31 2021, 01:53 PM

Acadian: Kaleah does have some talents other than looking good

20210403 Elsweyr Anequina Caraba Mine
Prepared for whatever may be awaiting us we enter Caraba Mine with great caution. The plan worked great until we heard the sound of fighting echoing through the tunnels of Caraba Mine. That was all it took for Pym to draw her sword and go charging headlong into the dark tunnels.

“Pym, stop!” I yelled. “You’re supposed to wait for me.”

She can be like that sometimes. Just goes around smiling sweetly never saying a word. Then put a sword in her hand and suddenly it’s “Yippie” and ‘Yassa” all over the place.

Following the sounds of battle Kaleah and I chase after Pym. In the dim light we run into a tall Nord woman named Hero (MOO) nearly knocking her down.

“Careful I’m on your side,” the Nord Hero yells.

“Sorry about that. How about sharing our campfire for a late dinner after this mine is cleared out?”
Pleasantries over, we split up Hero going one way while Kaleah and I went another.

The Hero wasn’t the only one ally busy in the corridors of Caraba Mine. We came across the body of an Orc adventurer surrounded by slain marauders. That was one tough Orc. Must have been one brutal fight, shame we got here too late to help him.

Standing in a room full of unprocessed gold ore we found Pym admiring her handy work; 1 marauder, 2 Elsweyr saboteurs, and 2 Elsweyr thieves. They didn’t stand a chance.

There in the midst of a pile of bodies, she gave us the look that could only mean one thing, “What took you so long?”

My Ladies now all accounted for we began a more methodical search of the mine. In a nearby chamber My Ladies and I discover a drop hole. Something shiny is down there.

I drop down to have a look. The shiny object turned out to be an obsidian warhammer. Could this be one of the items mentioned in the Old Tower note? Intent on examining the hammer I didn’t notice the two marauders. Kaleah’s warning came with barely enough time to react.

As I drove the marauder leader back his subordinate decided to flee. Much to the fleeing marauder’s surprise Kaleah and Pym stood blocking his escape when he opened door. It was over quickly.

The music and dancing has stopped and the mine is quiet now. Now we can take our time looting the place. It was during the looting of the mine that it occurred to me what all the fuss over Caraba Mine was about.

“Kaleah,” I asked. “I just realized why all the fuss over Caraba. There must be at least dozen large gold veins in this mine and one appears to be inexhaustible.”

“Yes, My Feache,” Kaleah replied. “Unlike the Fey, Man and Mer have an unhealthy obsession over the yellow metal. Here on Nirn gold has become a tool of Sheogorath to drive Man and Mer mad.”

She spat in the direction of a large gold vein. Pym grabbed my arm and forced my attention to the gold vein. There next to the large vein of gold sat a helm of obsidian.

What a haul. With pockets bulging with loot that included gold ore and two obsidian artifacts we headed to the exit. Climbing up a ramp we passed several bodies; Elsweyr assassins and saboteurs. At the top of the ramp lay the body of the Nord beauty, Hero.

Oh well, there goes a night sitting around the campfire, sipping a goblet of wine or ale while comparing notes on marauder activity in Elsweyr. Death and carnage seems to follow us everywhere we go.

It was quiet that night when we laid out the obsidian artifacts to review. It was still quiet later as we sat around the campfire eating dinner. Kaleah rested her hand on my shoulder. I could feel the heat of her hand through my sylphim armor as she said talking of the Nord Hero, “Don’t fret so, my Feache. She has proven unworthy of you.”

Looking into her heterochromia eyes I replied, “Please don’t tell Maeva and the other CuteElves, they think I’m invulnerable.”

“Oh My Feache, the Tylwyth know a good Aes Sidhe when they see one.” She loosened my right paldron and with care not to poke me with her horn she rested her head on my shoulder.

Pym looped her arm around my left arm and leaned in close. The three of us just sat there, quietly for the longest time before we retired each to separate tents for the night.

Well quietly for most part anyways. They did interrupt now and then as I wrote in my journal.

This post has been edited by macole: Apr 3 2021, 09:54 AM

A fun romp through a gold mine of marauders. I suspect the Jandanga doesn't really need much gold for himself. . . but there's the ladies' account at the Goddess Store that needs frequent tending.

Aww a lovely ending to a busy day of adventuring.

Acadian - You should see the trunks full of stuff they never wear.

20210406 Elsweyr Anequina a Caravaserai
But mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday sun

The sun rises and the sands warm quickly. The Khajiit are fond of speaking of the warm sands. Well now I know why the Khajiit are so quick. They have to be quick of foot otherwise they’ll burn the soles if they stand flat footed for too long.

Not far down the road from Caraba Mine we came across massive fortress-like building. Curious we decided to investigate. The massive high and wide massive gate stood was open and we were allowed to walk on in. The muscular porter standing guard welcomed us to King’s Walk caravanserai.

At first glance the interior of King’s Walk in a way reminded me of the Imperial City Arena. A large ground-floor dirt courtyard ringed with a second level balcony holding spectator seating and a concession stand. On second glance we realized that the courtyard was actually a stable for camels, donkeys, horses, elephants. Ha, King’s Walk is a staging area for the elephant caravans.

It was mid-day so we spent some time upstairs on the balcony cooling our burning feet, sipping a sweet wine, nibbling a light lunch, and seeing what this caravanserai had to offer. There was on unusual offer that I just had to try. When we heard war elephants were available for purchase I had to take one for a test ride.

I came this close to buying one. If only Kaleah and Pym had been able to climb aboard.

It came time to leave King’s Walk and we weren’t on the road very long when again we were enticed to stop.

Passing by a shrine we were attracted to the huge sculpture of a dragon sitting on top of the shrine. We were told this shrine was dedicated to Alkosh the Great Dragon King of Cats.

One of the worshipers, Zaduka told us, “Statue looks like lizard, Alkosh really big cat.”

I think the Khajiit got taken by an unscrupulous Imperial sculptor and cult of the Nine religious fanatic. Nothing for us to worry about though, Khajiit is an adaptable species.

Since it is close to Gardtide, the feast of Druagaa the old goddess of flowers and in remembrance of the time spent with the Tamarilyn Coven of Witches, we stayed to listen to the priest give his sermon.

”Only by worshiping Alkosh can you achieve salvation.” Yeah, yeah, heard it all before. Now they pass the plate.

The platitudes complete we got up and left the Shrine of AlKosh. We didn’t go far when we were attacked by a huge ogre. Big and nasty doesn’t hold up well against Pym’s exquisite form with a long curved sword.

How she does it wearing high heels I’ll never know.

Having sliced the ogre in two, Pym wheels about and runs through an undead knight that had tried to catch us from behind.

The big ogre started us thinking. Kaleah suggested that we may have found the Deep Cave written about in the book Tales of a Dark Knight.

“Remember the book talked of being attacked by ogres.”

Yes, she may be right. Wonder how many of the Ogres are still here?

Pym is eager to show her stuff, no doubt. Kaleah looks at me as if to say “if you’re ready then so am I”.

Pulling my helm on my head the beat of the music begins. Only it’s different this time. There’s no vampire or Dark Brotherhood theme to the song, just a girl singing.

“I must follow him
Ever since he touched my hand I knew
That near him I always must be
And nothing can keep him from me
He is my destiny.”

Opening the cave door, I raise my hand, motion forward, and step inside.
My Ladies follow.

I love that first picture of the elephants. It looks like the small oliphant is standing on the big ones tusks!

Truly unintentional but now that you point it out it does look that way.

Oh gosh, I remember King's Walk very well. Those war elephants dwarfed Buffy's mare!

20210409 Elsweyr Anequina Deep Caves
(Sometimes I wonder who this story is about, the Jandaga or Kaleah?)

Darkness quickly takes over as we step deeper into the cave. The music becomes an even fainter whisper but seems more intense in its repetitiveness.

"From now until forever, forever, forever
Where he goes I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow
He'll always be my true… mmffph"

Faster than lightning Pym spins around and slaps her hand on Kaleah’s mouth. Starring intently into Kaleah’s heterochromic eyes Pym wags her finger in Kaleah face. Properly admonished, Kaleah understands some things are not to be spoken of. The cave became deathly quiet.

Well really not all that quiet. Rumblings of something heavy moving about could be heard coming from deep within the cave.

“Ogres,” Kaleah said. “Big ones.”

Kaleah was right. As we entered the first large room of the cave we could see three big savage Ogres milling about. Kaleah drew her bow and loosed an arrow at the closest. The arrow hissed angrily as it passed within inches of my ear. I’m so glad her aim has improved over the years.

Pym couldn’t contain herself and rushed to meet the Ogres. Kaleah and I caught up with her and for awhile we for fought together as a team.

Once the Ogres were brought under control and we were able to loot the place. In one section of the cave we found a body of a Khajiit adventurer named Munjit. In his journal Munjit wrote how he came looking for treasures he read about in a book. Poor cat, all he found was savage Ogres.

That’s encouraging. It looks like we’re in the right spot. Just because Munjit didn’t find the treasure doesn’t mean it’s not here. We continued our search.

In various sections of this level of the cave we discovered; Obsidian arrows, Obsidian Boots, and an Obsidian Battle Axe. There were a few other items that caught our attention: a Tome of Open Hard Lock, an Ayleid statue, and a very rare portion of Painted Troll Fat.

Entering the Dark Halls of the Deep Caves started much the same as the previous level. Only this time it was Pym who took a hit and needed saving. When all was clear I used a superior convalescence spell to heal her.
By the look on her face I got the impression that she expected an ‘on touch’ spell with its certain personal qualities that the ranged spell can't match.

Further down into the dark Halls I got separated from My Ladies. I should have gone back to find them but stubbornly (Kaleah would say ‘just like a male’) I continued on. I realized my mistake when two Savage Ogres cornered me in one of the halls. When the fight began to go bad I called for the Sisters of Insanity to come aid me.

When My Ladies finally found me in the lower depths of the Dark Halls the Sisters of Insanity had everything under control and had returned from whence they came. My Ladies marveled at my prowess in dealing with the Ogres. Thinking it good to keep up appearances, I didn’t object.

Looting the Dark Halls netted us additional obsidian items; a long sword, war axe, and a mace.

The Water Pit, a long tunnel leads to a long underwater swim. Poor Twinkle, our guiding light in the darkness has drowned. Gathered together around the potable Holy Shrine of Luminai (The Lost Spires) I performed a resurrection ritual over the quickly dimming remains of Twinkle.

Would it work? We feared for the worst as seconds that felt like hours ticked away. Suddenly, Twinkle rose up and burst forth in brilliant light.

Our rejoicing was short lived though for now we could see huge Savage Ogres racing toward us. Lucky for us we there were only three. Pym took charge and the battle was over quickly.

Passing by a broken statue of Molag Bal we wondered what this place was? The Archology Guild should send a field crew here.

Up on the dais we found treasure fit for a king; an Obsidian Akaviri Cuirass, several empty grand soul gems, and a chest containing 10k gold.

Gathering up as much loot as Kaleah could carry we made our way back up to the Deep Caves. Tired we decided to make use of a couple of sleeping bags we found. At least some of us rested well.

Petula Clark sings in your game? Or is that some other singer?

Ogres are fun to fight with bows.... nice BIG targets to hit. Congrats on finding that nice armor piece.

Little Peggy March from 1963. She was 15 in '63, I was 13 and in love.

Know why Pym shushes Kaleah? Some things Daedra Seducers aren't supposed to speak of.

Renee is right - ogres are fun!

Whew, so glad Twinkle made it.

Seems like a pretty good loot haul!

Aw, heartbreaking! Gosh, I didn't know such young artists were around back then. I think Janis Ian was also quite young.

So it sounds like if Pym has a party, she'll cry if she wants to, cry if she wants to, cry if she wants to, eh?