Cyrodiil Options

[Alexander]

Ok, so for the unavoidable introduction babble, as most of you know I was rather pleased with Morrowind. I thought it was far better then the dribble I wrote prior to that, and most people seemed to agree with me. After I finished Morrowind I already had an idea for a sequel, I actually wrote the very first chapter of said sequel while I was posting up parts of Morrowind. Unfortunately though, after that first chapter I kind of lost interest. I didn’t think the ideas I had back then were enough to weave an entire story together, and I was probably right.

But as these things have a habit of developing themselves, over the past months I kept thinking back to the sequel, and kept adding ideas to the pile I already had. Now it’s done. I once again enjoyed writing this, and I hope you’ll have similar fun reading it.

As I’ve explained in the past, I’m not very good at making up things like titles, Akatosh knows it took me about as long to come up with the various titles of the chapters as it did to write the entire thing, so I’ve named the story “Cyrodiil” (catchy wot? )

Before I end my babbling and get on with posting the story, I once again would like to thank Treydog for agreeing to help with my story as editor, and for fixing the many, many, many grammatical and spelling errors, and placing every comma, semicolon and whatchamacallit in the correct place. And thanks to everyone who ever read Morrowind, and commented. I really enjoy the comments.


Now, while you don’t have to have read Morrowind, I believe in order to get the most out of Cyrodiil, it would be recommended.


So, enough babbling and on to Cyrodiil.

[Alexander]

Galom Daeus turned out to be a great disappointment for Baurus. It was deserted. He looked everywhere, and saw signs that people had lived there, but judging by the spider webs and rats scouring the empty halls, he judged no vampire had lived there in many years. When he came to the observatory, he was glad to see everything Vicente had said was true- he saw the Dwemer telescope Vicente had described, and even looked through it to see a marvelous view of the stars in the sky. But there was no Raxle Berne, and no other vampire he could question. Seeing little sense in remaining inside, Baurus walked back out to find the old man sitting up and enjoying some lunch.

“You look disappointed, young master. Didn’t find what you were looking for?”

“No sir, it seems the place has been abandoned for years.”

“Well sure, I could have told you that, if it was the vampires you’re looking for I could have told you they weren’t here anymore. Back during the war a struggle between vampires took place here. One clan won, one lost. All of them moved away.”

“But then do you know what happened to Raxle Berne?”

“No, young master, I’m afraid I don’t, but a friend of mine who lives not far from here might know. We could go and ask her if you’d like?”

“Please, let’s go see her.” The old man got up and started moving east. Baurus followed and soon the old man started chatting away again. Before long, in the distance Baurus noticed another giant Tel; a Telvanni tower. As they got closer Baurus saw a large town was built around it, but probably the most peculiar part of it was that all around the tower, instead of the dusty ground he’d seen so far, there was a lush green land. Entering through a large gate, Baurus barely registered that the Telvanni guards at either side bowed down to greet him, or was it really him they greeted? In the distance he saw a beautiful tree unlike any he’d ever seen before. The old man must have seen him staring because he explained; “That tree is said to have sprung from a seed of a gigantic tree on the continent of Akavir; it is said to represent the physical form of the god Epyon, but no one living has ever seen him.”

Walking through the town, Baurus noticed they seemed to be headed towards the Tel itself, not any smaller house or building. He had assumed it was some servant of the lord they were going to see. He was therefore surprised when they were admitted into the Tel without being questioned by any of the guards standing at the ready both inside and outside. Suddenly it dawned on him that something here was out of place. This was all a bit too easy. He stopped in mid-stride and looked at the old man, who suddenly appeared quite a bit less old. “Wait a moment here, who are you taking me to see? Who are you really?”

Baurus saw the old man stop as well, and then turn around. He smiled at Baurus, a most disarming smile that made him feel more at ease. “I don’t believe I ever told you my name, did I Baurus? I’m called Relien Geles, perchance you’ve heard of me?”

Baurus felt light-headed; of course he’d heard of Relien Geles. Everyone in the Blades had heard of him, everyone who had ever known Varvur Sarethi had heard of the name Relien Geles. Relien Geles, the lord Nerevar incarnate, the Nerevarine, Archmagister of House Telvanni and mastermind behind the victory of the Telvanni alliance in the recent war and considered by most members of the Elder Council the single biggest reason why the Empire should never try and retake Morrowind, not until he died anyway, and being a Telvanni lord, that date was likely many millennia away.

“I’m sorry Lord Geles, I did not recognize you; but then Varvur always described you as much younger.”

“Ha ha ha, something you’ll learn soon around us Telvanni Baurus, is that not everything is as it appears.” He hadn’t finished speaking the words when a change came over him. His stooped posture straightened, his white hair turned golden, his beard disappeared and many of the lines that marked his face vanished. Now before Baurus stood the real Relien Geles, of whom he had heard so much already from Varvur.

“My lord, I’m afraid I have terrible news.”

“I know Baurus, during our trip you already filled me in on it, which is why you didn’t really explore Galom Daeus, only an illusion of it. Had you gone into the real Dwemer fortress, I don’t think even with your skills you would have been able to get out in one piece. Come Baurus, please follow me. We’re going to see my friend Reynel Uvirith; we need to have a talk with her before we can move on.”

An illusion? Galom Daeus had been an illusion? The feel of the walls, the heat from the lava, the touch of spider webs on Baurus’ skin, the view through the telescope... Baurus found himself in awe. If this man could conjure up something like that, seemingly at the snap of his fingers, he was glad Lord Geles appeared to want to help him, and also completely understood the Elder Council’s hesitance to move into Morrowind with him still alive.

“Please, lead the way, Lord Geles.”

“I will, but only if you promise to call me Relien. I’ve heard about you from Varvur, and anyone that close to Varvur doesn’t have to call me lord.” Baurus might have blushed at that had he not been a Redguard.

Moving through the Tel, Baurus soon found himself a large hall giving access to the upper parts of the tower. He saw a beautiful Dunmer woman float down from one of the upper sections, land before Relien and give him a kiss. “Hello Relien. I see you’ve brought a guest.”

Baurus assumed she was Reynel Uvirith, the friend Relien spoke about. Though he was hesitant to speak out for fear of being seen as presumptuous.

“Yes Reynel, this is Baurus, the friend of Varvur I’ve told you about.”

“Hello Baurus, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“My lady.” Baurus replied.

“Relien, your arrival is most timely. I’ve just received a communication from Mournhold. Lady Barenziah has asked you to come see her. Apparently a small delegation from Cyrodiil has made its way to Mournhold asking her for an audience. She wishes for you to be there when she grants it.”

“Hm, I see.” Turning towards Baurus, the Archmagister spoke; “Baurus, I’m afraid I have to travel to Mournhold for a bit. I’d like to ask you to remain here. I’m sure Reynel can make sure you have suitable quarters. I won’t be gone long, no more than a day or two I assume, and it will give me a chance to discuss what we know so far of Varvur with Lady Barenziah. Then when I get back, I’ll likely know more, and we’ll consider your next steps.”

Seeing little choice, Baurus agreed. A Telvanni guard was called who showed Baurus to his room, a large suite on the ground floor of the Tel. Baurus was happy for that. Few people knew it, but though Baurus was one of the best Redguards with a blade, he was also one of few who didn’t take kindly to heights.