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]

Chapter Two: The Dreadful Abode

I hesitated towards the door, peeked in, and saw an old man standing at the edge of a bed without a shirt on, halfway bald and with a gray short trimmed mustache. Any other time I had have no doubt been appalled by such a sight, but this was not like any other time. The man actually was built, and there was no way he was any younger than fifty.

“Come in, Jeir,” the man said, almost in the tone of an order. I walked inside and closed the door gently behind me. For what seemed like minutes we both stood there, gawking at each other up and down. Finally the silence was broke and the man said, “Have a seat, please. There is much to discuss.”

This time without hesitation I grabbed a nearby wooden stool and sat down. I can’t explain it but I was almost afraid of this man. It sounds so absurd, I know, but I just sensed something inside of him, something wrong and out of place. “So what exactly is going on?” I asked.

At first he did not answer me. But then he chuckled softly and said, “You tell me, boy. What is it you know so far, if anything?” For some reason I don’t think the chuckle was a friendly one.

I didn’t quite like the ‘boy’ reference, since I was already in my early thirties, but I was in no position to argue. “Not much, other than apparently I’m supposed to report to you. I am working for the Emperor it seems, but other than that I have no idea.”

“Good, that means Vodunius kept his mouth shut for once. I assume you’re confused, angry, and somewhat scared about all this? It’s not everyday the Emperor personally orders the release of a prisoner, especially one of your background.”

“What do you mean?”

His smile halfway disappeared and he said, “I’ve seen your papers, boy. I know the crimes you’ve committed. And even though the Emperor has given me strict orders, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for what you’ve done. Not many people here may now of your past deeds, but I do. And that means something, whether you know it now or not.”

This was getting extremely uncomfortable. I came here because supposedly the Emperor needed my help. I didn’t come here to get a talking-to by an old stranger. But along with being angry I was also taken back by his comments. Like I mentioned earlier, I am ashamed of my past mishaps. It’s not something I like to talk about it.

“No offence to you, sir, but I don’t wish to talk to you about that. You don’t seem to like me, and for good reason I should add, but what’s keeping me from walking out this door, hmm? I don’t want to be interrogated again for the same crime. I can’t go through that again.”

Finally he himself sat down. “You’re right, partially at least. You are not here to speak of the past, that much is true. But don’t think I can just simply ignore the horrible facts, because I undoubtedly cannot. Either way it doesn’t matter, so let’s get down to business. You speak of turning your back and leaving, but would you really do that? Do you honestly think Vodunius is the only one watching you?”

“Are you trying to say that I am being spied on my multiple people?” I asked.

“That’s not the point, Jeir,” he answered in somewhat irritated tone. “The point is that you cannot simply walk out of here and forget everything. The Emperor granted you your freedom, but in reality freedom it is not. You and I both know that. You are bound to the Emperor’s wishes no matter if you like it or not. You have no choice in this, and you are my personal subject as of now.”

“But why? Why the hell was I chosen? Was there a specific reason I was chosen?”

He sighed and looked at the ground. Then he looked back at me and said, “Yes, Jeir, there is. But unfortunately we cannot speak of that right now. Perhaps another day, but that will have to wait. Until then we have lots of work to do.”

“Just wait a second!” I yelled, now standing up. I normally wasn’t an emotional person, but all of this was causing me to unravel. I didn’t want to be a puppet to the Empire. “Why the hell should I listen to you? Tell me why I was released or I swear to you I’ll walk right out of here. Your soldiers can do whatever they want, but they’ll have to kill before I come back. You owe me at least this!”

“I don’t owe you a damn thing, boy!” he said, himself now standing as well. “You are the one who’s brought this upon you, not me. You may be in your thirties but they locked you away when you were barely twenty years of age. You haven’t matured mentally, and it’s easy to see when you’re blaming others for your actions. You’re a tough situation right now, yes, but you have absolutely no idea how important you are. And not just to the Empire, but to all of Tamriel as well.”

I sat back down in my chair, not knowing what to think. Maybe I was taking this opportunity for granted, even if I said I wouldn’t. I blame this anger on my prison life, even if that’s not really a good excuse. So many years were spent inside the damp and dark cell. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted it. It’s not your fault I’m in this mess,” I said, looking down at my feet. “I still don’t like this, though.”

“See, you still don’t get it, do you?” I looked up at Caius and he had his head slightly titled sideways. “You are in a wonderful position, boy. I know you aren’t aware of what’s going on just yet, but you’ll simply have to wait. That might strike you as irritating, but I’ll bet you the world that you’d rather be doing this than sitting in your jail cell.”

“Yes,” I mumbled. “You’re right. Fine, what do you want me to do?”

“I am under strict orders from the Emperor himself, Jeir, to see to it that you are ready, or in a better term if you are ready. In the future you may hold the key to the extinction of the evils threatening the land, but I will not get into that right now. For now you and Pelena will go through many tests in which-”

“Pelena?”

“Yes, Pelena. She will be your partner of sorts. One of you is who the Emperor is looking for, but we don’t know which of you fit’s just yet. That is where the tests come in. You and Pelena will answer to Vodunius and I during these times. I will of course always be present here in Balmora, while Vodunius can be found usually in Seyda Neen, but sometimes here as well when he reports to me. Pelena is currently sleeping in a house I’ve rented for this special occasion next door. It’s a two-story house in which she’ll be sleeping at the top and you’ll be sleeping at the bottom. Do you have any questions so far?”

“Yes, what are we being trained for exactly?”

“In time, Jeir,” he said while shaking his head. “For now you will have to trust me, which I assure you is safe. While I don’t particularly enjoy dealing with the likes of you, I still have to follow the wishes of my Emperor. Don’t take offence to that, by the way, it’s just the way that I am. Now, leave here and enter the house to our left. It’s high time you’ve met your partner. Tomorrow morning at eleven we shall talk of your first assignment.”

“Very well, but I hope you know I don’t like this, at all. I don’t like being controlled,” I said while walking to the door.

“I am well aware of that, Jeir. But it’s like I said, none of that matters now. And besides, I think once you realize what is actually going on you’ll change your tune. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping.”

When I left the house Vodunius was waiting outside, leaning against the house and looking up into the sky. It wasn’t yet raining in Balmora, but it appeared Seyda Neen’s storm was heading this way.

“How’d it go?” he asked once he heard the door close behind me.

“Well enough I suppose, does it really matter to you?” Again I spoke before thinking, and again I came off as rude. That was something I’d have to work on. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that. It went okay, but I still don’t know much. I have a partner though, that’s something new.”

“Yes, that you do. I met her a few days ago actually. A nice little lady, a couple of years younger than you if I remember correctly,” he said while scratching his head. “Anyways, go ahead and meet her. It’s only eight o’clock in the evening and I doubt she’s asleep yet.”

Then Vodunius left and heading towards the river, leaving me by myself.

************************

When I carefully opened the door to my new two-level house at first I couldn’t see anything. The only light came from a small candle in the corner of the room. Once my eyes adjusted in a matter of seconds I realized the candle was lying in the middle of a tiny wooden table. And sitting next to the table with a book in her hand was a pretty-looking Breton with an unsure expression set about her face.

I knew she was a Breton, for she resembled that of a human, but her nose and ears were a bit pointier than usual. Even in the dim light I could tell she had a beautiful set of blue eyes, and long strands of blondish brown hair to go with it. She was without a doubt an attractive woman.

“Hello, there,” She said cheerfully once I had closed the door and officially stepped inside. “You must be Jeir, am I right?”

“Yes, yes you are.” I closed the door and then walked over to her, extending my right and. “And you must be Pelena. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled even wider and stood up, obviously impressed by my manners, and then shook my hand. One thing I remember most about my mother before she died was that she told me how to act around all women alike…with respect.

“The pleasure is mine. You’re certainly taller than I imagined you’d be. I don’t know why though,” She giggled. I laughed along as well, and then there was that awkward silence everyone hates to have happen to them.

“So, I guess we’re partners?” I said.

“Yes, but unfortunately I don’t know what for,” she replied. It was clear that she was just as confused as I was.

“Me neither. Caius didn’t tell me a damn thing, other than we are important for some reason, but then again he couldn’t tell me that either,” I said while rolling my eyes. “I take it you didn’t make it any farther either?”

“No, not yet at least, but hopefully we‘ll learn more tomorrow morning. We’re supposed to meet Caius at his house at eleven. Did he tell you that?”

“Yeah, at eleven. Say, I’m kind of hungry, I haven’t eaten in a while. Would you like to get something to eat with me? There has to be at least one decent diner around here.”

“There is,” she smiled. “And yes, I would love to eat with you. We might as well get to know each other, don’t you think?”

“Sounds good to me. Where is place to eat?”

“Close to the entrance. It’s small but never crowded. And I think the owner has a crush on me,” she laughed. “It’s kind of creepy but at least he gives me a discount on my food. Do you want to leave now?”

“Oh yes, I haven’t had a good meal in…..well, let’s just say a while.”

She laughed again, her hair wavering through the light of the candle. “I think I know what you mean.”