The Scroll, the Priest and the Angry Imperial, Formerly known as, 'Dawn of a New Era' Options

[redsrock]

Author's Note

My new fan-fic focuses on the 'new' Count of Skingrad, and the 'new' Cyrodiil. This story takes place three years after the Oblivion Crisis, and the story simply tells the Count's adventures, mishaps, etc. The first chapter is more of a 'telling' chapter, rather than a 'doing' chapter. It might seem boring, but I assure you, it has to be this way. I have to lay down all the ground work so that you don't get confused down the road. Trust me; there will be plenty of action in this fic. That is what has been lacking in my other tales.

Feel free to ask any questions about what's going on, I'd be glad to answer them for you. And of course I'd appreciate some feed back as well.


The Scroll, the Priest and the Angry Imperial


PROLOGUE

When the Gates of Oblivion were finally closed, and once Mehrunes Dagon and the Mythic Dawn were eliminated from existence, the province of Cyrodiil was still left with an enormous problem. They were without an Emperor, and without an Emperor Cyrodiil went into an immediate mode of panic.

Ever since the Oblivion Crisis, the cities of Cyrodiil have had to fend for themselves, resulting in several alliances. The territories of Cyrodiil have changed, and the map at the bottom explains everything.

As of now there are four regions spread out through Tamriel. These regions are simply classified as North, South, East and West. VERY simple, yes, but what's the point of making fancy names? Nobody cares anyway.

The North region, as you can see from the map, consists of Bruma and Chorrol. Essentially the entire area of the Jerall Mountains is under Northern control, and that in its self would make them a formidable foe if war were to break out. (Thankfully that has yet to happen) The leaders of the North are Countesses Arriana Valga (of Chorrol) and Narina Carvain (of Bruma). Both are skillful leaders in their own right, and Lady Carvain is a shrewd and tactful negotiator. As of now the Northerners are fairly quiet, and for the most part keep to themselves.

The East region consists of Cheydinhal and the Imperial City. The leaders are Count Andel Indarys (of Cheydinhal), and High Commander Adamus Hieronymus Lex (of Imperial City). Lex took over as leader of the Legion once the Chancellor Ocato was assassinated by an unknown assailant. It is rumored that Lex had something to do with the killing, but nothing is factual. After Ocato's death the Council got scared and decided to let Cyrodiil fend for itself as a whole. Yes, that does sound a bit absurd, but that is what has resulted.

Count Indarys lets Lex do most of the talking, though it is also rumored that Indarys wishes to employ a more Dunmerian influence within the Eastern leadership. It is highly unlikely for Lex to agree with that. Whatever is left of the Legion lies in the Eastern region. Though their area is the second smallest, they hold all advantages in terms of military because of their massive army-size.

You see, once Lex was formally named leader of the Legion (though of course he did this himself oddly enough, no doubt with a swift and iron first) he recalled all Legion troops from foreign lands. Now Morrowind stands Imperial-less, and Helseth is now the main-man over there, battling his way through the angry Ashlander tribes of course.

The Easterners are very active, fighting with the Southerners for area control. Also, the troops of Cheydinhal are currently dealing with some rebels in the northeast. As of now they have not bothered the North and West, but it is inevitable that something will happen sooner or later.

The South region includes the cities, Leyawiin and Bravil. Leaders of the region are Counts Marius Caro (of Leyawiin), and Regulus Terentius. The two leaders are power hungry, plain and simple. It is almost safe to say that the South and East are the 'bad guys' of Cyrodiil, but if one had to be chosen as the 'good guys' it would probably be the South. The East wants power all to them selves, and they pose the greatest threat. Either way the two forces are equally dangerous.

And last but not least is the West, which includes Anvil and Skingrad. The leaders of the West are Countess Millona Umbranox (of Anvil), and myself, Count Louis Vero (of Skingrad). There's no doubt in my mind you're wondering where Janus Hassildor is, correct? Well, I'll tell you.

The former Skingrad Count stepped down shortly after the Oblivion Crisis, one year to be exact. Nobody knows the true reason for his departure, but I have my own theory. Count Hassildor was a vampire, though not many knew this. I myself knew because I was a personal diplomat for the former Count of Skingrad. Somehow a few others found out about his dirty secret, and in my eyes Janus felt the need to leave before a riot started. Either way it doesn't matter, I (along with my lovely wife), am the present and future of Skingrad.

Like the Northerners, we Westerners like to keep to ourselves and not cause a ruckus. Out of all the major cities in Cyrodiil I'd say Skingrad is the most prosperous. Many merchants come to my city simply for the fact that I will let just about anyone open shop, as long as their items aren't illegal of course. I don't want a city full of skooma and moon-sugar addicts, mind you.

And now, as I stand here on my balcony with the cool, evening wind blowing in my face, I can only feel lucky to be in the position I am now. Skingrad has been lucky to have had a peaceful atmosphere for the past few years, and that of course has made my transition to Count smooth as well. However, something tells me that the peace will not last much longer. I don't know why, but I have a very bad feeling something major is going to happen. I just wish I knew what it was.


http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll18/re...nt=Cyrodiil.jpg

This post has been edited by redsrock: Apr 20 2008, 02:35 PM

[redsrock]

CHAPTER EIGHT


I went straight to bed as soon as she left. I was so angry, but I was also confused at the same time. Rachel was wrong in this matter, and I just wish she would realize that. Sure, maybe I could have listened to her a little more than I did, but either way it doesn’t matter. I make the decisions, not here. I ask her for her suggestions all the time, but in the end the final verdicts fall on me and me alone.

But then again, as I lay here thinking about it more and more, perhaps I was at wrong. I mean, I really do believe in what I’ve said about the priest and Cheydinhal, but maybe I should have paid more attention to Rachel. After all, she is my wife.

At that moment I immediately get up from my bed and dressed myself into a dark-blue outfit, with a small cape attached to the back. I then left the castle and headed into the streets. I knew of a certain location Rachel liked to visit every day, and it was the Chapel of Julianos.

Because it was late at night, the only ones present on the street were my patrol guards. Other than that, the wind was my only companion. And as I made my way closer and closer to the Chapel, the wind started to pick up. Soon a long streak of lightening lit up the sky, followed by booming thunder. Within seconds rain began tumbling from the sky, and a storm replaced what was a calm and soothing night. Thankfully I was only a few minutes from the chapel, and I was able to get inside without getting too wet.

Inside, Rachel was nowhere to be found. So I walked back outside and walked over to the first guard I saw. “Have you seen Mrs. Vero?”

“Yes, sir. When I saw her she was exiting the city.”

And then it all made sense. We have a small cabin hidden about one mile northwest of the city. The cabin is well disguised because on the outside it looks very rundown and dirty. But inside it is neat and clean, with plenty of books and other things to keep us busy. We use it during the summer to offer a nice, cool shade from the hot sun.

“Thank you,” I said, and then exited the city myself.

The rain was still pouring, and I could just barely see the broken down carriage in the middle of the paved road. Five guards were standing beside the wreckage, and beside the actual carriage was a bloodied body. The Dunmer driver of the carriage was standing with the guards, with his hat clenched tight in his left hand. One horse was lying on the ground, flopping around from an apparent injury. The other was nowhere to be seen, and I assumed it had escaped and ran away.

As I neared the wreckage I noticed that the body on the ground was wearing a blue robe, though it was hard to tell from all the blood. Within seconds I was able to get a good look at the face, and the terrible truth was learned. My wife was on the ground, dead. I was in immediate shock from the horrific scene. Her face was flattened and blood was all over her body. Also her legs seemingly broken and it looked as if her right elbow had been knocked out of place.

I don’t know what happened after that, but the next thing I do remember is lying in my bed at the castle.

Shh….he’s waking up, keep quiet!

I heard the whispers of Maxillius, and my eyes began to open, but everything was a blur. I saw all three advisors standing around my bed, and I also saw my honor-guards, and Dion and Danus as well.

Hurry, Torlin, get the healer. Maxillius whispered loudly. Then my vision blurred even more and soon I drifted back to sleep again against my will.