Morrowind, A fanfic Options

[Alexander]

Another fanfic about Morrowind you must be asking yourself? Do we really need yet another one? I've asked myself the same question
As some of you might know I tried a hand at writing some two+ years back, resulting in two chapters of something I didn't really like looking back. Though even back then, I'd had the idea for another, a different fanfiction.

For some reason despite the fact that I was very much convinced I was not a good writer, this idea stayed with me through all this time and kept nagging at me. Then early this year I decided to simply give it a go again, and the result is something I'm actually quite fond of. This is the result.

It's a fan fiction about Morrowind, set in the time after the events in the game Morrowind but before the events in Oblivion. It's told from the perspective of three people who play a large part in Morrowind's future, at least the future I've created with some parts told by other characters.

As you'll notice, some events in chapters start a little while before the end of the past chapters, just a heads up there.

And lastly, before I bore you all to death with my rants I'd just like to extend a very large thank you, firstly to everyone who ever read "Alexander in Morrowind" and told me it was good (whether they meant it or not ) and second a very special thank you to Treydog who sacrificed quite a bit of his spare time in order to proof read this story, and who played the role of Editor for me. I'm very grateful for that.

Now, on to the story.







The year is 3E 432 many things have changed since the return of the lord Nerevar, and even more things are changing. Four Great Houses have a new head. The Tribunal gods are slain. Temple doctrine is falling and failing rapidly. Oppression of other faiths has been removed. Many rumours float around, rumours of things unheard of in the very near past; The lord Nerevar wants to abolish slavery, Indoril generals are taking bribes and forsaking their honour, some or all of the Tribunal gods were killed by the lord Nerevar, the lord Nerevar used the powers of the heart of Lorkhan to make himself immortal and godlike, secret cults are rising in Cyrodiil, Imperial legions are being recalled to Cyrodiil to quell the unrest, king Helseth poisoned the last king, Mehrunes Dagon has come to earth in the guise of queen Barenziah, Sheogorath has started a love affair with Azura, Bosmer everywhere are planning the end of the world, Orcs have taken to worshiping Khajiit instead of Malacath.

Some rumours are a bit wilder then others of course, but if only half of them are true the future promises to be spectacular.

This story starts in Ebonheart, in the Grand Council chambers where the lord Nerevar is preparing for what could be the most important council meeting in many years.

[Alexander]

“And before you go, there are two small items left to deal with. In times past, the rank Magister was there simply as a declaration of war on the then ruling Archmagister. No more. Our new Archmagister has seen fit to turn it into an official rank, indicating a Master who shall always speak with the voice of the Archmagister and must therefore always be obeyed. He has seen fit to grant this new title to two people among you, myself, and Magister Baladas.” That was definitely not something Baladas was expecting. “And for our final item, again in times past, people have seen fit to rise in House Telvanni through murder. From this day forward, until the end of the coming war, that practice is outlawed. Any Telvanni attacking another Telvanni will be punished severely by the Archmagister, or one of his Magisters. No Telvanni will prosper through murder of his kin during these times. Only after everything has been settled will the Archmagister review this and possibly reverse the policy.”

“I realise all of this might sound very un-Telvanni to you, but drastic times call for drastic measures. So until things settle down, we will all act very un-Telvanni.” Baladas looked across the faces of the other Masters; many were casting doubtful looks; they, like him, were likely wondering if these measures were really necessary or not. But then Divayth got some support from an unexpected source;

“It seems to me, Divayth,” Dratha spoke, “That this is in fact very Telvanni like behaviour, to use your phrase. In the past, the strong have always decided what was best for house Telvanni, and it seems to me this is no different. And since I would not presume to be able to best the lord of Fyr, I will return to my lands and free my slaves.”

After that, other Masters spoke in support of the plan. It seemed with those few words, mistress Dratha had made things far easier to accept for all.

As the Masters left one at a time, Baladas saw Divayth motion to him to stay behind. When all the others had left and Divayth had restored the spell surrounding the room, he spoke to Baladas, “I realise this must sound very odd to you, Baladas, but please believe me there is no other way. I know some plans of King Helseth, and if we are to survive as a Great House, we must act now before it is too late. We will discuss this further three days from now. The day after the funeral, come to my Tel and we will be there. We will discuss all the steps we’re going to take with you then. Until such time however, this is what we want you to do. Spend your two days travelling between the different Telvanni towns here on Vvardenfall. Make sure all the Masters are doing everything they need to do, and if not, make sure they will. I will do the same for the cities on the mainland; especially Port Telvannis will need much coaching I think, and rooting out the other Hlaalu spies will be trying. We must be ready in two days time- do you understand Baladas? We must be ready.”

Baladas said he understood. And that he would do all he could to make sure the Vvardenfall cities were ready.

It proved to be a very sad funeral. Funerals always are, Baladas reflected later, but this one had been extra sad. So many great people spoke highly of lord Nerevar and all he had accomplished in life. Everyone had a story, Baladas too. He recalled to the assembled how he had first met lord Nerevar, that day Nerevar had walked into Arvs Drelen, and asked to know everything Baladas knew about the disappearance of the Dwemer. Baladas found lord Nerevar to be smart, intelligent, intuitive, and a quick study. Within just a few days, Baladas had to admit there was nothing left to teach. Like a sponge, lord Nerevar had absorbed everything he’d been told.

The low point of the funeral of course was when Helseth spoke. But then Baladas found any moment spent listening to Helseth a low point. He did start off surprisingly, by declaring every slave should indeed be freed. Few men had been expecting that, Baladas was sure, but at the same time, perhaps the reason Master Fyr had ordered the Telvanni to release their slaves, was because of this. Now there was a scary thought- was Divayth actually able to read people’s minds? Baladas didn’t know, but he did know he would have to be extra alert from now on. Before long of course Helseth once again showed the world his true face, insulting the young bodyguard, Varvur his name was. Baladas at one point saw him reach for his weapon, no it actually looked to be lord Nerevar’s blade he was carrying, but luckily at the last moment he was able to control himself after all. Bloodshed at a funeral, the gods did not look kindly on that.

Thankfully Helseth was done speaking, and the ceremony had also come to an end. Priests were enchanting the coffin of lord Nerevar and preparing to take it into his burial chamber. Unlike the Dunmer, it was the custom of lord Nerevar’s original people not to burn the dead, but to bury them whole, seal them in a coffin and place them under the earth. Baladas thought it folly; how was his spirit going to be able to arrive in the heavens if it was locked inside a coffin? But then lord Nerevar had never really been a religious man anyway.

Looking around at the departing people, Baladas thought he saw a glimpse of a figure in a black robe, but when next he looked at the spot where he thought he’d seen it, there was no one there. Was he imagining things now? Gods, he was really getting old now wasn’t he? He sighed, and cast the spell that would take him back to Sadrith Mora.