The Path to Divination, A Morrowind Main Quest re-write Options

[redsrock]

The following is a re-write of the Morrowind Main Quest. I recently installed MW to my laptop, and now I want to write about it. Like always, feedback is GREATLY appreciated.

The Path to Divination
By- Redsrock

Chapter One: A New Start

I sat on the hardwood planks of the ship, my head beating like a guar-skin drum while I rubbed a bump on the side of my head. Apparently I had banged it against the side of the ship, and I’m just happy that I didn’t thump it on a protruding nail. They really need to repair these ships once in a while. And as I rubbed the sore harder the pain worsened, so much that I thought my head was going to explode. The obvious solution to this probably would simply be not to rub it, but it was one of those situations where I couldn’t stop; sort of like when your mother tells you not to scratch at an itch, yet you keep doing it anyway for no apparent reason.

“Are you alright, friend?”

I looked up to my left and there stood a Dunmer, his dark blue skin and red eyes seemingly gleaming in the light of the several lanterns shining throughout our small cabin, their flames dancing back and forth like tribal warriors around a campfire at night. During the trip he had been sleeping the majority of the time, only waking to either eat or relieve himself. This was the first time he had actually spoken to me.

“Yes…I’ll be fine. Just a little sea-sick,” I responded without looking at him directly, finally having stopped rubbing my head. I didn’t like the way the Dark Elf looked, for he had large golden rings on both pointed ears and also a ghastly looking scar across his left eye. Of course, my look of apprehension was a common one given by most Imperials like myself. We and the Dunmer still haven’t exactly seen eye to eye on most matters, and I doubt that will change any time soon.

Next I attempted to lift myself up from the floor of our cramped cell, but I fell right back down after an almost instant feeling of dizziness. All of a sudden my stomach lurched and out came all that I had eaten last night, which wasn’t much other than a piece of bread and some rice. The Empire doesn’t like to feed their prisoners you see, they like to keep us in their control. A hungry prisoner is a fatigued prisoner, taking away chances of a rebellion or another such outburst.

After I was finished the Dunmer started to help me to my feet. “Stand up, there you go,” he said once I finally had control of myself. “You were dreaming. What’s your name?”

“Jeir,” I answered. “Thank you for helping me.”

“That‘s quite alright. Not even last night’s storm could wake you. It must have been one hell of a dream, eh?”

And now that I thought about it, I couldn’t remember much. “Sorry, I don’t really remember.” But of course that was somewhat of a lie. I am not a man who wishes to talk the days away. No, ever since the trial I’ve been quite the silent person, speaking only when I deem it necessary. I am ashamed of the man I once was.

The dream I speak of was one of mass confusion, several images and happenings blended into one message. Most of it is distorted beyond recovery, but the one thing I do remember for sure was that I heard a woman’s voice, but not that of a human. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but I vaguely remember the words ‘fear not’. That of course could mean a lot of things, but I don’t pay any attention to dreams.

“I heard them say we’ve reach Morrowind, I’m sure they’ll let us go,” he said referring to the Imperial Guards that patrolled the ship. It appeared he was more of a talker than I had originally given him credit for.

The Elf and I were prisoners on the mentioned ship, along with a few others scattered in different locations that I never laid eyes on. I had not a clue what the Dunmer did to be put on this, ship, nor did I care for that matter. I was more interested in why he was even talking to me in the first place. The Dunmer, and the elven races in general, have been widely known to possess a feeling of sheer hatred towards us Imperials. This goes especially towards the Ashlanders, a group of ‘traditional’ Dunmer who wear scores of tattoos and other tribal-related designs.

“So we’ve finally arrived in Morrowind?” I asked him.

“Yes, in Seyda Neen of Vvardenfell I believe.”

It sure bad been a long journey. I was doing my time in the Imperial City prison of Cyrodiil, when in the middle of one hot summer night I was plucked from my cell and placed in a carriage led by an entire brigade of Legion horseman. They had taken me to the Balfalls in Mainland Morrowind before transporting me to Vvardenfell. I don’t know why I was moved, nor do I know why it was done so urgently with an escort of a small army. Everything’s happened to fast, I really don’t understand any of it just yet.

“When do-” I began, but I was quickly cut off by a raised hand from the Dunmer.

“Quiet, here comes the guard,” he whispered while looking out the tiny window of our wooden cell door.

I took a peek myself and sure enough a guard was making his way down the narrow hall, carrying a brightly lit torch in his right hand and his left swaying at the sides of his hip. He opened the door after unlocking it with a key and said harshly, “This is where you get off. Follow me to the surface and you’ll be shown to the Census Offices,”

The guard began walking back towards the front of the ship, but I just stood there for a few seconds. Then the Dunmer behind me whispered, “You better do as they say.”

I nodded and then replied, “Thanks again for all the help. What is your name? I don’t believe you’ve told me just yet.”

“Jiub. It was a pleasure meeting you, Jeir. I only hope that I may join you sooner than later,” he said with a wink.

“I’m sure you will, Jiub. Good luck.” And with that I caught up with the guard, who himself was standing next to a set up stairs and an iron hatchway leading to the ship‘s deck.

The guard looked at me with a glare of dislike and grumbled, “Get yourself on deck and let’s keep this as civil as possible.”

I paid the rude guard no attention and exited the ship. Outside it was early morning, the sun only half-risen into the sky and the winds from the sea blowing strongly to my left. The air was cool, a pleasantry given the fact that the ship I had just left was the possibly the hottest place I had been to. On the deck was a Redguard in Imperial uniform.

“This is where you get off,” he said once he noticed that I had arisen from down below. “Follow the coming guard and he’ll take you inside. There you’ll be released shortly.” The Redguard’s voice was much more soothing than the other guard from inside the ship. This I was certainly thankful for, but just like the other I said nothing to this guard either, and instead walked down a long plank, at last stepping off of the ship and onto the land.

“You’ve finally arrived, but our records don’t show from where. Can you tell me where this ship came from? I don’t feel like talking to that Redguard up there, if you know what I mean.”

I knew exactly what he meant, and if was being prejudiced against the Redguard, something I found quite awful. “We’ve come from Balfalls,” I responded nonchalantly, not wanting to speak to the man more than I absolutely had to.

“Very good. Follow me to the office and Socucius will grant you your release as soon as the regular procedures are taken care of. It shouldn‘t be too much longer as long as you cooperate.” I followed the man down the path and when we arrived at the door he said, “Just enter through these doors and you‘ll meet Socucius. I have to stay out here in order to help the other prisoners when they are released. You don’t need me to open the door for you, do you? I take it you are at least smart enough to do that,” he said, a sly grin spread across his clean-shaven face.

I wanted to wipe that smile away with the flick of my first, but clearly that wouldn’t have been the smartest decision I could‘ve made. So I entered the door and there stood an Imperial guard off to the side to my left, and in front of me an old man dressed in a tattered robe. I took him to be the census officer, and to see him dressed so shabbily surprised me. I assumed those under the employment of the Empire would wear only the finest of clothes, or at least someone of this man’s importance.

“Ah, yes, we’ve been expecting you,” the old man said, light from a nearby candle reflecting off of his white hair and beard. “However before I can release you I’ll need you to fill out some forms. It’s not much, just a couple pages of common information, such as your birthplace, age, name, and everything else that comes along. I have a feeling you’ve been through this situation before, so please set down at the desk by the guard and let’s get this finished. The quicker you fill the forms the quicker I can get you out of here.”

The old man’s tone was cheerful, yet I sensed a hint of impoliteness as well. And while I didn’t that one bit, I wasn’t really in the mood to argue. Besides, he was right, the sooner I finished filling out the papers the sooner I’d get to leave. And it didn’t take me very long to finish everything, no more thirty minutes, and most of it was indeed boring questions that I had already known at the top of my head. The only thing I couldn’t fill out were the names and locations of my parents. You see, I grew up as in orphan living in the Cyrodiilic city of Chorrol, where I had been raised by an elder lady that had taken in several other children with the same situation.

“Hmm, interesting. You say you don’t know you’re parents?” The old man asked once he had looked over my papers. “Normally I would send you back to the ship because of this, but for some reason your release is of utmost importance.” Then he handed me another set of papers and said, “Show these papers to the Captain before you leave the premises. He’ll then give you your release fee and then you shall be free to leave. Good day to you.”

The guard opened a door to his left and I began to walk through when he pulled me by the collar and said, “Touch nothing in the following room to your right. Continue through the door there and you’ll find yourself in an alley. Walk through the next door and you’ll enter the Captain’s quarters.”

Then he shoved me through the door and on I went. I walked through the room without touching anything just as I was told, even though the food looked awfully appetizing. Outside the door was the mentioned ally, and beside the next door was a topless barrel. While I walked past it I couldn’t help but notice I shiny ring resting at the bottom of the container, mixed in with some shoes and what looked like an old piece of torn cloth. I looked around to make sure no one was looking, and there was not because a stone wall surrounded my sides, and yanked the ring and put it in my pocket. Thieving so willingly might seem a bit rash to you, but I knew I’d need the money sooner or later. I figured I could sell it to a local merchant or something.

Inside the next room was a burly looking Imperial man wearing a different type of uniform unlike a regular guard. This armor was red and yellow, mixed in what some spots of silver as well, especially on his belt. I knew then that he was the officer the other guard had spoken of.

“Good day to you. I see you’ve filled out the release forms, excellent. The Emperor had special orders for your release, though I don’t know why. Anyways, along with being released you also have specific orders from the Emperor himself as well. You are to report to Balmora and speak with Caius Cosades. That’s all I’ve been told. And here is your release fee, sixty-five septims. Are there any other questions you’d like answered before leaving?”

“Yes, actually, why the hell am I under orders from the Emperor?”

“That I do not know, but I would appreciate it if you’d lower your voice. While you are now a free man that doesn’t mean you have the right to talk to me in such a lowly manner. I have given you your orders and I advise you to follow them. There are eyes in the trees, friend, if you get what I’m saying. And also you should be thankful that you were even released in the first place. Why the Emperor let you go I have no idea.”

“That makes two of us then,” I said in a tab bit more respectable tone. I was also extremely curious as to what the package contained, but I knew it was probably cursed in some way, so I wasn’t even about to think of opening it. And I had to hand it to the Captain, he was right about how I should be thankful for even being released, and I really should still be rotting away in a cell in the Imperial City. Thank Talos he doesn’t know why.

So I left the building, free from imprisonment and able to go anywhere I want and do whatever I want to do, or at least partially that is. There was still this package I had to deal with, and whatever it was I wanted to get it done quickly. I don’t know why the Emperor couldn’t have just gotten one of his lackeys to deliver it for him. Of course then again perhaps I am of some importance to the Emperor personally? I mean, why else would he have me doing this? I must admit, the situation keeps getting more interesting by the minute.

[redsrock]

2

After receiving my modest sum of sixty-five septims I left the office, and I could almost feel the angry eyes of the Captain glaring through my thin prison-issued shirt. He didn’t like me at all, most likely because I was being treated in a way he wasn’t used to. The fact that I am seemingly somewhat of a puppet for the Emperor means that I am special as well. And prisoners aren’t supposed to be special.

When I closed the door and took a look at my surroundings I realized the entire town was actually quite barren, contrary to what I had been thinking on the boat. I assumed the city was going to be rather huge, given the fact that it is a primary port for most of the ships sailing in from the mainland. But no, that wasn’t the case at all, and rather I was finding myself a bit disappointed for some odd reason that I really couldn‘t explain.

As I looked around I noticed there were only a few buildings, mostly small homes to the locals. But to my far left, just before a small bridge, there was a larger building. I walked up the sign of the building and it read, “Arrille’s Tradehouse”. I figured it would probably be best if I stepped inside for a few minutes. Inside the store it was even less crowded than outside, with a lone Nord looking at some armor on a wall to the left of the entrance.

“Hello there! What can I do for you this fine day?” said a Dunmer standing behind a wooden counter. “Perhaps I can offer you a set of clothes?” he added, looking at by current attire.

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea, what do you have?” I responded.

“Everything you see around the store is what I have for sale, as well as a little bit of food I have stored in a separate room. Not much to look at unfortunately, the blight has ceased much of the traffic that Seyda Neen is used to. Our fine village is a trading town after all, and the slow business is really starting to hurt my profits. You know, you look like man who could use a new pair of clothes. How does that sound?

I didn’t really like the last comment about me looking like I could use some new clothes, because obviously he knew I had just been released from the prison ships, and no doubt it was my current attire that gave it away. I didn’t really care though, he was being nice about it at least. However, the niceness was fake. I‘ll get to that soon enough. “Sure, thank you.”

He took me around a corner and we walked down a short corridor. At the end of the hallway was a wall and a few tables with different articles of clothing. “And here we are, friend, a good selection of clothing that I’m sure you’ll find to your liking. Just look around for a bit and I’ll be waiting at the front counter. Once you’re ready for purchase just bring them to me. And don’t worry about hurrying, please, take your time!”

I looked around for no more than five minutes. And once I had everything that I wanted to buy I took the items up to the counter just as I was told; this included a plain white collared shirt, a pair of tan linens, and a pair of pig-hide shoes as well.

“I see you’ve found what you were looking for, wonderful!” the elf exclaimed in an almost too happy of a tone. “Now, before I give you a total perhaps you can help me find something that I’ve been looking for, for quite some time actually.”

And the truth was about to be revealed. I knew there had to be a reason for the elf’s happiness. This was what I was talking about, but I won‘t get to that just yet. You‘ll have to wait just a little longer I‘m afraid. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“There’s a certain gem I’ve been meaning to find, and apparently it can be found in a nearby cave just southwest of here, only a few miles in fact. You look like a strapping man, so I thought maybe you could find this gem for me?”

“No,” I said immediately. “I’m sorry but I cannot do that even if I wanted to.”

“…What?” the elf laughed. “I’ve been more than friendly with you, sir, surely the least you can do for me is a simple task.”

“I already said no. If you’d please take my money that’d be great. I have to be leaving shortly.”

“I’ll tell you what,” he responded, his voice becoming more desperate. “If you find the gem I’ll pay you thirty septims and I’ll give you these clothes for free! There’s no way you can pass up a deal like this! Just think about it for a moment, I’m sure you’ll-”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Please just take my money so I can go,” I said in a defiant tone, but it was of no use.

“Fine, have it your way!” he yelled angrily. No one else was inside his store now, so he wasn’t afraid to get bossy with me. “In fact, you can leave right now without these items, because I’m not going to sell them to you!”

“Just because I won’t run an errand for you? Take my money, there’s no reason for you not to!” I yelled, but in truth I was having fun with this. He was proving the very point that I’ll be explaining shortly.

“I said leave, now! Leave or I’ll call the guards! They’ll take one look at you and throw you back in jail where you belong! Once a prisoner always a prisoner, that’s my theory…”

I looked the Dunmer in the eye and he did the same to me. Hatred wasn’t really fueling my body, but I was just a bit angered. The prisoner comment was starting to get to somewhat, so without saying anything to the Dunmer I left the shop in a hurry, slamming the door behind me.

Outside the sunny skies had been replaced by dark clouds, and soft drizzle was falling down on little Seyda Neen. Rather than take for cover like most people I simply walked through it, mostly in part because it felt good, especially with the winds. As I walked closer and closer down the road I started to really think about my role with the Empire at that point, even if I really didn’t know what it was.

I knew then that there was something important about me, and it wasn’t just a simple delivery. No, that would have been naïve of me to believe, and quite honestly I never really bought into that anyhow. I’ll admit that although I would much rather be on my own merry way doing as I please, I’m also a bit curious as to just what importance I hold exactly. The Emperor is a busy man, and according to some guards I had overheard talking back in the Imperial City, he’s also a sick man as well. I don’t really know what exactly is wrong with him, but supposedly there’s unrest in the capitol city right now. It could very well be that I play into that somehow. I’ll never really know for sure until I see this Caius Cosades in Balmora.

But, that’s the beauty of all this. I’m not sure if I really want to get involved. Like I said, the curiosity is there, but what’s keeping me from just running away to, say, the mainland or some other place? I could easily run away. But, then again, I doubt it would be that easy. Surely there are spies covering my tracks even as I walked through the city. There has to be, I can’t really see it anyway. If I am so important to the Empire there’s no way in hell they’d allow to walk around so freely with no supervision of some kind. That just doesn’t make sense.

“Hello there, mister, mind if I have a few words with you?”

I looked to my left and there was a short little Bosmer man look up at me, his black and beady eyes staring in my eyes with a look of plea. “Sure, but please make it quick.”

“Of course, thank you for your time, sir,” he said politely with a bow. “I am in search of a lost ring, actually a stolen one would be the correct way to put it, but I don’t have anything to prove such an accusation. Long story short, I lost a valuable family jewel and now I am desperately trying to find it. Have you seen it perhaps? It has a large ruby rock.”

Immediately I remembered the ring I found in the barrel just before speaking with the captain. So I took it out and the Bosmer’s eyes lit up like a night during the Festival of Lights. “Oh my, that is my ring!”

“No it’s not, I’ve had this ring ever since I left my home in Cyrodiil ten years ago. I was going to ask you if this is it, but by your reaction I already have my answer.”

“No, it’s my ring! Give it back!”

“And just what makes you think so? It certainly looks ordinary enough to me? Who’s to say that is isn’t mine, hmm?” Just to let you know, I am doing this for a purpose, andnot to be a complete jerk. I know it may seem to be the latter right now, but you’ll simply have to bear with me for a moment.

“Because…because I just know, alright? Give me my ring!” The Bosmer’s rage was getting higher and higher, so the teasing was over for me. I had to give the elf his ring back because I most certainly didn’t want to cause too much of a scene. I only wanted to prove a point, and I did just that.

“Very well, it is indeed your ring. And I had every intention of giving it back to you, just so you know.” I handed the ring back to the Bosmer and he left quickly without saying a word, let alone a thank you. How rude of him, don’t you think? My point exactly. True, he was likely mad at me for doing what I did, but that still doesn’t mean politeness should be thrown out the window. The two instance of the Dunmer and now the Bosmer are prime examples of what I would like to tell. And in fact, I think I will. But only a little, I cannot divulge all of my feelings in one sitting. No, no, I wouldn’t want to spoil you.

Yeah know, life is pretty funny sometimes, especially people. This is something that I’ll get into more later I‘ve already said several times, but let me just tell you one thing so you don‘t think I‘m an arrogant honoured user, because I assure you I really am not. My belief is that in reality there is no such thing as a friend or a good person, but rather something I like to call ‘Proper Truth‘. This is a concept I came up with in prison, and I’ve come to think of it almost as its own religion. I’m speaking in figurative terms of course, but the aspects are all there. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll see what I mean soon enough. The world is full of these people, and I mean that quite literally.