Verick in Morrowind Options

[redsrock]

While writing The Connivers, I am also going to be writing this as well. I'm getting back into Morrowind once more, so I want to keep track of a story of what I do in-game, as well as throwing in some personal touches as well. Don't expect the chapters to be too long, and don't be surprised if I don't post a chapter every day.

The inspiration comes from the story, "Trey in Mournhold", written by Treydog. He is a wonderful author, and truly an inspiration to my writing. I've been reading his stories for some time now, but unfortunately have yet to give him the feedback that he deserves.

Chapter One

They shouldn’t have let me out. Despite the good that I’ve done, I’m really not sure if that justifies the evils I’ve accomplished along the way. I’m sure the historians will look back at me as a hero, but I’ll never see that. I am not a Dunmer, and I never wish to be a Dunmer. I dealt with them simply because I thought I had to. Thinking about it now, though, I’m not sure if I still agree with that. It doesn’t matter of course. What’s done is done, some thirty years later, and now I lie in a crypt of my own desire. Departed, but not quite dead…at least not in a physical standpoint. I apologize, though, for now I am rambling, and no one enjoys a rambler. So let me tell you my story and then perhaps you call tell me what I am. The angel or the monster.

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


The day was still young when I woke up, and I knew this because there was no light shining through my cabin’s barred window, save for the moonlight of course, but to me that didn’t really count. The sun and moons are related, yes, but not quite the same. Resting next to my right on his own dirty bedroll was a Dunmer named Jiub. Over the years he’s gathered his own bit of fame, having driven out some pesky bird-like creature from Vvardenfell. The difference between he and I is that he’s actually been able to enjoy his prominence.

Rather than wake him from his slumber to ask him if he know how close we were to Vvardenfell, I instead grabbed a bucket to my left and checked for water. There was none at all, but I knew there had been before I had gone to bed. This meant Jiub had drunk the rest during the night, but ironically I was not even the least bit angry. I could not stand the Dunmer and their proud, arrogant ways back then and I can’t stand them to this day, but Jiub I was actually able to call my friend. There were others of course, but they’ve either passed on their mortal life and on to whatever else awaits them, or they forgot about me. The latter could probably be switched around as well, these days I couldn’t really tell you.

“It’s gone, my friend,” Jiub said. I jumped out of fright and looked at him, his crimson red eyes staring directly into my own pair of eyes, though mine are a pleasant blue. “Many apologies to you, but last night my cough was worse than usual. I’m surprised it did not stir you. It was rather loud, and violent.”

And another reason why I didn’t mind that he drank the water was that he definitely needed it. He had been sick for I don’t know how long. To this day I can’t fathom how I had not contracted whatever he had, even if it had simply been a lengthy cold. “There’s no need for an apology, Jiub. You need it more than I. Besides, the guards will be bring us a fresh bucket come sunrise.”

Jiub sat up cross-legged style and leaned against the wall of our cramped cabin. He stretched his back and I heard nasty pops, revolting sounds that I’ve never been able to forget. “I’m not so sure about that. Before I finally fell asleep last night I heard the guards outside talking; something about having passed the magical city of Vivec, home to the legendary Warrior-Poet himself. I doubt we’ll be on board this rickety ship much longer.”

“So you think we’ll be released?” I asked hopefully.

“It’s hard to tell. Releases seem to be more random than anything. I’ve been imprisoned for several years now, and I’ve seen other prisoners be released sporadically at random intervals. I’ve got a feeling I won’t be in luck, but perhaps you’ll fare better. I suppose we shall simply have to wait. As a matter of fact, I don’t even think this ship is moving.”

Minutes later, or maybe it was seconds, the door to our dark cabin opened, and a fat guard stood in the door way grasping tightly his silver Imperial-issued longsword in one hand. You would have thought he’d cut me some slack, being an Imperial as well, but that wasn’t how it was. I think he saw me lower than him because I was imprisoned. But if he knew that I knew most of his secrets he wouldn’t have thought that, that’s for sure.

“Stand up, scum!” he yelled my way, paying no attention to Jiub. “You’re getting off the ship now by the orders of his majesty himself! I do hope you realize how much an honor it is for the Emperor to even think your name. Get on deck, now!”

I looked at Jiub and simply nodded, not really knowing what else to do. Everything had happened so fast, it was surreal. I never would have thought they’d let me out so soon, if at all. Honestly, I probably deserved to be hanged myself. Lucky for me I come from a rich family with an even richer history. It’s too bad that richness isn’t alive today.

Jiub nodded back and I left the cabin, heading up a set of stairs to my right, and then out the hatch leading to the deck. Just as I had assumed, it was still nightfall. The hatch closed behind me, and a Redguard in Imperial uniform stood on the deck holding an iron spear and a gentle smile. Thankfully he was much nicer than the other guard. “You’re supposed to get off here, but why I don’t know. Just be lucky you’re even getting off. Not many other prisoners can say they have.”

“Where are we?” I asked him, rubbing the sleepiness out of my eyes.

“Seyda Neen, one of the few Imperial-owned ports in the entire Bitter Coast Region. Head on off the ship and speak with the next guard. He’ll take you to the Census offices where they’ll give you your release papers.”

After sixteen months, perhaps even more, I was getting off the boat. The thought was so wonderful, yet I was still having such a difficult time believing it was all true. It was like I was stuck in a dream. I sure wish that dream was still intact. Instead it’s been transformed into the eternal nightmare that is my life. But all of that will come later.

[redsrock]

Okay, I'm going to warn you right now. This chapter is going to suck. BUT...it gets the story to where it needs to be.

Chapter Four


About an hour later, after traveling up a beautiful river the Dunmer called the Odai River, we arrived in Balmora. It was nothing like any other city I had ever seen before. Dunmers were everywhere, along with other races as well. Unfortunately I did not see many Bretons or Imperials, or even Redguards for that matter. It was mainly the Dark Elves, and then Altmers and Bosmers, the cannibalistic Wood Elves.

When I asked the Redguard why there weren’t as many Imperials in Balmora as there had been in Seyda Neen, he answered, “Because Balmora is the seat of Great House Hlaalu, the House of Power and Prosperity. Out of the three Great Houses in Vvardenfell, Hlaalu is the most Imperial-friendly. Redoran and Telvanni make up the other two Houses. Balmora is seen as one of the most thriving cities in Vvardenfell, save for the cities of Vivec and Ebonheart of course. Despite this pro-Imperial outlook, it is still the district seat, and most Imperials don’t feel comfortable around so many Dunmer. And actually…this includes most foreigners for that matter. It’s rather unfortunate, but my kind is rather…ignorant I would say. The House may claim they are for Imperial control, but the people of the said House do not.”

“I see. So there is no Imperial Fort here?”

“Not, not actually in the city, but there is one just a few miles southeast of here. Do you remember the mountain range we rode by on the right?”

“Yes?”

“In the mountains, well…just on the edge I suppose… is Fort Moonmoth. It is the lone Imperial fort in this entire region. The next closest is in Ald-Ruhn, and unfortunately it’s not very safe in that area. Not after…well, I don’t want to ramble. It’s high time I get back to Balmora. That short little storm halfway here slowed us down a bit.”

“That’s fine, I understand. And I wish I could give you more than what I did, but I’m all out of drakes.”

“Don’t worry about it, friend. But in all seriousness, be careful. Not many other Dunmer will be as nice as I am, especially those in the Balmora Council Club, that building at the end of these stairs. It’s a local hangout for the Camonna Tong, an extremist group of Dunmer solely dedicated to the destruction of all foreigners. They hate Imperials the most, so thankfully that’s not you. Just watch yourself.”

I watched for several minutes as he rode away, one of the few Dunmer I’ve actually become friendly with over the years. It was likely sometime around noon when he was fully out of sight, and the air was thick with humidity. I turned around and looked into the city, everything looking strange me. Despite my Breton heritage, I had grown up in the Imperial City all my life, without traveling to any of the other cities in Cyrodiil, unless for business reasons of course. I don’t know why, but that’s just the way it was. And because of this, I had only been around an Imperial culture, and I knew no other way of life. So to see Balmora for the first time was certainly a sight to behold. I think the most awe-inspiring were the buildings and homes themselves. Though the material was made likely from some normal type of stone, the way they were carved was simply amazing to me. So much detail put into almost every angle, not to mention the

Though the streets were filled with all kinds of people, I was not afraid. Shy, perhaps, but not quite afraid. I don’t know, but I felt a feeling of importance hanging over my head. Here in Balmora I was supposed to meet Caius Cosades, by the will of the Emperor himself. And because of that, I just knew there had to be someone watching my back. For if I was important enough for the Emperor himself to call for my release from imprisonment, there was no way he’d let me walk so alone is such a large flock of strangers, many of them likely wanting to slit my throat. Somehow I just knew I was being followed, likely by an Imperial agent under contract by the Emperor.

As I made my way down the stairs I looked at the Council Club. A banner, hung slightly above the entrance into the building, was flapping in the wind, bearing some kind of Dunmeri symbol that I did not recognize. The structure itself rumbled with ferocity, but only because of those situated on its roof. Three male Dunmer stood atop the edifice, staring down upon me as I descended the stairs leading into the congested streets of the city. I tried to pay no attention to them, but it was hard. I could almost feel heat of their glares upon my body, their ruby-eyes gazing at me with such hatred. At that time I had not been totally aware of why they were so angry with outlanders, but in due time that would change.




I had walked for nearly thirty minutes before realizing I had not a clue what I was doing. I thought I was walking through the city looking for this Caius Cosades, but in reality I was too much in awe by Balmora and its wondrous atmosphere. I’ve met plenty of Dunmer back in the Imperial City, but to see their homeland was so much different than I could have ever imagined. The building, the way the Dunmer dressed and acted around one another, the plant-life, and the creatures…it was all exotic to me. I felt as if I were walking through a dream. But alas, I had a duty to accomplish, whether I wanted to do it or not. However, that was easier said than done. I had no clue where to go, or who to ask for directions. Looking around through the crowd, I spotted a Dunmer in shining gold armor, with symbols and Dunmeri language painted onto the armor. I’ll admit, I was greatly intimidated by him, but after scanning the area I noticed there were many more like him, and I assumed he was some kind of city guard.

“Excuse me,” I said shyly, my voice wavering from the intimidation. “Are you a guard of this city?”

“Yes, outlander. I am a guard of the Great House Hlaalu. What do you need?” He answered, his raspy Dunmeri voice splitting through the air.

“I’m looking for the South Wall Cornerclub. Could you point me in the right direction, please?”

He looked at me for a few seconds and then pointed across a stone bridge over the Odai River. “Cross the bridge and walk past that house there. Once you’re past the house, take your first right and you’re there. There’s a large flag beside the door, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it.”

“Thank you,” I said, and then left, happy to have finally figured out where to go through this maze of a city.

After passing the bridge I walked straight past the house and then took a right, and sure enough a flag beside the door was flapping in the fierce winds, this one much larger than the Council Club banner. Two Khajiit males were whispering about something to the side of the house, and both of them quickly dispersed once they realized someone besides themselves was present. I watched them leave with curiosity, and then walked through the entrance of the South Wall Cornerclub.