The Famous Five, Heroes and Villains of the Age of Martin Septim Options

[Ceidwad]

Welcome to my fanfic. I've been planning on posting this up for some time now. Now that I have the first 10,000 words or so down seperately, I feel ready to post some stuff up here. I hope you will all enjoy reading it as it develops. I haven't a clue how much I will write eventually, if I manage to finish it. But it will likely be very, very long. Indeed, there's an excellent chance that I'll finish writing a Skyrim fan fiction before (if) I finish this!

The Famous Five is an unusual fan fiction. It takes the form of a historical commentary/synthesised text written some 90 years after the events of Oblivion, and relies rather heavily on my own creative license to fill in some historical gaps in between 4E2, when the stories end, and 4E85 when the book is written (I should add, I have not read any Elder-Scrolls related lore works, such as the Infernal City).

This work weaves together the stories of five different characters that I roleplayed in Oblivion, and I hope to include some of my minor characters in it too. Subject to approval, it may also be nice to include some other chorrol.com members' fanfic characters in it too. It would be entertaining to see the outcome of a meeting between Luther Martinus (who you will get to know) and, say, Buffy or Teresa, for certain!

At present, I regrettably do not have screenshots; however, I hope to add some in future if and when I can get Oblivion for PC.

This is my first attempt at writing a fan fiction. I have thought about it for a while, though. I welcome critique of my writing as well as positive comments. I have not planned most of the fanfic, but have a general plan of how it will pan out. It will include actual in-game events, relationships and quests which inspired my roleplaying, and be supplemented with whatever ideas take my fancy at the time of writing.

Below is the prologue and the first entry. I plan to update every few days to a week, depending on how much I can write. This will vary. At times, I may not update for a while. I do, however, hope to persevere with this and update pretty regularly.

Happy reading!

This post has been edited by Ceidwad: Mar 26 2011, 05:00 AM

[Ceidwad]

Acadian - Thanks for your perceptive remarks. This entry was indeed a 'growth' moment for Gwen. She can't believe she is actually buddying up with a rogue like Reynald, but needs must! She's still no Khajiit-lover, though. As for Argonians, I suspect she respects them more than Khajiit due to their greater ability in magic. But I haven't totally decided how I'm going to write the Bravil reccommendation yet!

Grits - I think this is a giant leap of imagination from Gwen, so I'm sure she's glad you find it endearing! Thanks for your continued feedback.

SubRosa - Thanks. Guilbert's song was quite fun to write, I even have a tune for it, shame I'm too technologically backward to know how to record or upload it! I'm glad you like Guilbert's role in the story, I think it's a lot more fun to travel with someone than without.

mALX - Glad you continue to enjoy it. Thanks for your kind comments. I should point out, I love Maxical's adventures (or should that be misadventures). I'm working through them now. The pranks she pulled when she was at the university - hilarious! - have given me a little idea for something in the future, when Gwen finally reaches the university, involving Robért Permane, a full-of-himself Mage Scholar, a telekinesis spell, and a chamberpot.

NB: I've added a couple of extra stanzas to Guilbert Jemane's drinking song above. I'm thinking about expanding it a bit more and making it into a serious epic, like the medieval romantic ones. Give me some thoughts on it.

Next up: Time to begin preparations to go to Weatherleah, with amusing results.

Rain’s Hand 2, 3E430 – Chorrol

11 A.M.

The month of Rain’s Hand is living up to its name. My hair is full of water as I write this. I really ought to have worn my robe today, instead of my velvet ballgown. This has clung to my skin, attracting much attention from the menfolk of the town. It also drew some mocking words from the smith here, who nigh-on laughed me out of her store, but has nonetheless agreed to fit Reynald and Guilbert for a new suit of chainmail armour each. I must admit this was not what I had envisaged. Evidently, Chorrol’s smith does not import elven steel from Firsthold, but there was really no need for the Redguard to snigger at my suggestion as though I had asked for her to make a boar sprout wings and fly.

She said I might find some if I hunted around in Cyrodilic Ayleid ruins long enough, “but then again, from the looks of you, you’d probably sleepwalk into a trap. Typical mage, with your fancy ballgowns and total lack of common sense. No, what you need is solid Colovian mail for your friends. That’ll keep them safe, and I can actually sell you some of that. Anything else you need?”

I told her that Guilbert used a warhammer, and Reynald a shortsword.

Suddenly, her eyebrows raised, she said:

“Reynald? Reynald Jemane? Alright, I’ll sell you a weapon for him, but don’t come crying to me when he wounds himself with it, or breaks it, or blunts it, or tries to modify it to store ale in and breaks the pommel in the process. No returns, you hear?”

I agreed. I then asked her if she knew anything about the location of Weatherleah.

“Ask Sabine Laul at the Fighters Guild. She knows the area well.”

Thanking her semi-sincerely for her help, I agreed to return later with Reynald and Guilbert to pick the goods up. In the meantime, she gave me a receipt:

“From Fire and Steel, where the service is always friendly. If it isn’t, well, who cares, we’re the only weapons dealer in Chorrol! Hahahaha – Rasheda”

2 Chainmail cuirasses

2 sets of chainmail greaves

2 pairs of leather boots

Fine steel warhammer

Fine steel shortsword

Total: 395 septims

Signed: Rasheda

Payment received Rain’s Hand 2, 3E430

Both the weapons are of high quality steel. The whole package deal cost about 400 septims. The weapons gleam beautifully, but I get the impression the smith knew their real value to be somewhat lower. Still, I am satisfied. They will help keep the brothers safe, and I have enough septims to tide me over until the next deposit comes through. Maybe it is an extravagance to spend hundreds of septims on ensuring the safety of men I have barely met. But Guilbert is the closest thing I have to a friend in Cyrodiil. If it is an extravagance, then it is worth it. What good are fine meals and clothes if my friends are torn apart by bandits or beasts?

Reynald and Guilbert have no idea about this, incidentally. They are due here in about half an hour. The surprise they will have!

11 P.M. – Chorrol Mages Guild Hall

Reynald and Guilbert looked like authentic Cyrodilic knights in their new equipment! Rasheda fitted their armour at no extra charge, and even showed Reynald how best to use his weapon and avoid cutting himself.

Reynald did not stop playing with the shortsword for twenty minutes. He was as a child in a baker’s shop, excitedly eyeing up sweetrolls and getting his fingers all over them and the shop owner irritated. Indeed, Rasheda’s expression rapidly changed from one of humour to one of indignation as Reynald chipped her wooden cupboard while attacking a weapons-testing dummy in the corner of the shop.

Guilbert’s reaction was rather more grown-up, but equally excited. He delighted in his new warhammer. “They won’t be calling me ‘Journeyman Jemane’ when they see me march into Cheydinhal with this colossus”, he beamed. Trying out his new hammer, he gave another demonstration of his skill, Rasheda having been forewarned to give him wide berth and having stepped back.

No laughter resulted on this occasion. Far from flying out of his hands, the weapon danced finely with his body in a nimble yet strong display of prowess. Guilbert commented how much better the hammer felt than the old iron one he had used on the road to Chorrol – the balance of the weapon was much finer, he said. I am not familiar with the arts of melee combat, but I have just observed directly how important a soldier’s equipment is. Guilbert was so pleased with his weapon that he described it as the best he had ever used.

Thanking me, he said: “You are a true friend, Gwen. We have only known each other for days, yet you have given me my professional pride back with this gesture. I promise, I’ll make it up to you one day. We may have been poor farmers at Weatherleah, but my father was rich. He became a treasure hunter in later life, you see. If any of our wealth is still buried under the wreckage and cobwebs that no doubt exist at the estate now, we will surely use it to compensate you for this generosity.”

I replied that I was happy to do it for him. What is 400 septims to a daughter of Alinor courtiers like myself? I have seen much that is good in Guilbert, who is an honest and decent man. And his brother, perhaps, means well, despite his shiftlessness and drunkenness.

Weatherleah is located south of Chorrol, approximately four hours’ walk away, nearly half the way to Kvatch. The three of us have agreed to leave for there in two days’ time, after I have had some rest here in Chorrol. Guilbert and I went to the Fighters Guild hall to ask the aforementioned Sabine Laul, the resident blacksmith. Whoever heard of a female Breton blacksmith? Despite her unkemptness, she was friendly and helpful.

I am staying here at the guild hall tonight, while Guilbert and Reynald have retired to Reynald’s house. I offered to pay for their stay at the Oak and Crosier, but Reynald insisted on returning to his house, where great quantities of ale and his favourite book, The Lusty Argonian Maid, reside.

Despite my attempts to convince him that the Crosier was a fine place with an entirely civilised Khajiit proprietor, Reynald would not budge. “Really, Gwynne (sic), thanks for the offer, but you can’t down a flagon and sit in your undergarments in that posh nosh. Guilbert and I have some male bonding to do, anyhow.” What he meant by that comment, I dread to contemplate. There are some things that not even a questioning, thinking Altmer should ponder.

Surprisingly, though I had feared another encounter with Earana upon my return to town, she has been nowhere to be found. According to the mages here, Earana has not been seen for days. It seems that some time after I left Chorrol on the 23rd of First Seed, she entered the guild hall and confronted Teekeeus. None of the mages know what was said between them, for the silver-haired witch met the Argonian in his private quarters, where the Argonian has a soundproof door. However, Angalmo saw her storm out and leave for the Grey Mare. She has not been heard from since. What has happened to her is apparently a mystery, and Teekeeus will not tell any of the mages even the slightest thing about their meeting.

At any rate, what do I care what has happened to her? I am simply relieved she is no longer in town and will not be a threat to me. Not even being forced to share with Contumelorius tonight can dent my sense of contentment, despite his snoring being clearly audible over my quill’s scribbles here in the basement of the guild hall. Athragar has promised to lend me his single for tomorrow, thank Azura.

It is now 1 A.M. – another long night of writing. I have been physically exhausted since 9 P.M., yet an urge to write has kept me awake and alert, until now. Must retire, hope the sheets aren’t too badly soiled.

This post has been edited by Ceidwad: Jul 3 2011, 05:29 PM