Adventures of young High Elf Options

[Lopov]

Hello everyone,

this is my first attempt at writing in fan fiction. I've been regularly posting updates on Beth forums but since I recently started a new character, I decided to share his stories here. He's a High Elf and everything else of importance will be revealed through his stories. I'm playing dead-is-dead which means no reloading under any circumstance - if he dies, his adventures are over. English is not my first language, so there will definitely be some grammar mistakes but at least in the first short story most of them are intentional.

The Introduction

Anvil, Cyrodiil, 27th of Last Seed 3€433…

On 27th of Last Seed 3€433 an old ship sailed into Anvil docks. A few Redguard sailors had jumped overboard, tied the ship up and began unloading a cargo. The merchant ship was called ‘Child of Ra Gada’ and it belonged to captain Amut (known simply as The Capt’n), sailing between Hammerfell, Summerset Isles and Cyrodiil. But this time it was besides the cargo ‘transpouting’ someone else.

Firsthold, Summerset Isles, a week before…

“Nou,” said The Capt’n, a little angry because young High Elf obviously didn’t hear him the first time. “We’re nout transpoutin’ people, ye know, jest cargoo…”

“I’d really like to get to Anvil as soon as possible. I can pay you, of course,” quickly answered young red-haired High Elf. The Capt’n was all ears!

“Paaay me? Hmmmm… lemme fink nou… ther’ might be sam place fer ya, young oun… but it depends – hou mouch are ye willing too paaay?”

“Will hundred septims do?”

“A hoondred, ye say… hmmm… mrmmm… ufhm…”

“Two hundred?”

“Twoo… like twoo… hmmm…. that’s bett’r, young oun… but… hrmmm…”

“Three hundred then. My last offer.”

“Free hundred, young oun?! Ye’ve got yeself a deal, young oun! Junp aboard, we’re leeving soon…”
The Capt’n couldn’t know that a ‘young oun’ would be prepared to pay much more than three hundred septims just to get away from The Summerset Isles but luckily, that was not necessary. He jumped on ‘Child of Ra Gada’ and after a few minutes the ship sailed from the docks and headed for Cyrodiil. As High Elf was standing on the stern and watching his homeland disappearing in the distance, he felt heavy burden being lifted from his shoulders.

Anvil, Cyrodiil, 27th of Last Seed 3€433…

While sailors were unloading the cargo, young High Elf handed a small pouch to The Capt'n. In the last week he got quite attached to the funny captain, his accent and the sailors - they were a merry bunch, particularly compared to his family.

“Thank ye, kind oun! And don’t get yo’self kill’d in the cap’tal, ye knou…”

“I’ll do my best. Thank you and… happy sails!” Having said that, a young High Elf left ‘Child of Ra Gada’. Immediately after he left, first mate Smoush approached The Capt’n.

“Take a good look at him, Capt’n, because that’s the last time you see this young man.”

“Ay knou, Smoush… poor kid, hi’ll get hisself kill’d in a matt’r of days… aye, a pity, hi looooks nice and well-mann’d. ”

“Indeed, Capt’n. But he must be as mad as the hatter! He hopes to succeed in the Arena! The A-r-e-n-a! Have you ever heard of a High Elf who survived the Arena? The A-r-e-n-a?!”

“Stoup spellin’ on mee, I get ye’… I couoldn’t belief heem when hi said that hi’s goin’ to the Arena. Imag’ne, a High Elf… I tould heem hi was bo’n t’be a mage, magus, whateveh… but hi j’st smiled and car’lessly waved hees hant… bout hi wasn’t a snobby one leyk most of them ar’!”

“Yes, he seemed down-to-earth. Aye, aye, poor kid…”

“Pour indeeyd…”

“Yay, yay…”

“That’s enoughg! I’ll sta't creyin’ if I jest fink abaut heem a littl’ lounger… let’s unload th’t cargoo, th’n we’re leevin’…”

“Yes, Capt’n!”

And while ‘Child of Ra Gada’ was sailing from Anvil, young High Elf was still standing on the pier… admiring the sunny sky, people chattering and strange yet amazing architecture of a town called Anvil. He felt a stunning relief, being far away from the Summerset Isles… and his family.

A little insecure because of the new land but cheerful at the same time, Loypuur headed down the pier.

[Lopov]

Thanks for all your comments.

@Grits - unfortunately he didn't watch a match first as you'll see in the coming story, he rushed to The Arena immediately but there might be some surprised at the end of the day.

@McBadgere - Loypuur really didn't have a lot of fun in Skingrad and the fog worsened it even more. Of all towns in Cyrodiil residents of Skingrad are the most unfamilar to me as well, I discovered quite some 'new' on Loypuur's adventure.

@Acadian - yes, Parwen is quite outstanding. He indeed help Aelwin, seems I forgot to mention it before.

And now...the Arena!

Pit Dog – part 1

The Imperial City, Cyrodiil, 9th of Heartfire 3€433

In the morning Loypuur didn’t anymore think about talking to Tertullian about merchant problem, neither did he think about looting an old fort… instead he decided to join the Arena as a combatant! Thanks to Aelwin he got a basic idea of the town districts and this time, instead of going through Elven Gardens and Market District to the Arena, he headed through Green Emperor Way, partially because it was a shortcut to the Arena and partially to see White Gold Tower.

‘By Mara, how tall it is! It looks like it never ends.’ Loypuur found Green Emperor Way with numerous blossoming bushes and thick trees lovely and calm while graves and majestic tombs represented long past of the Empire. There was no guard outside the tower and Loypuur decided to peak in. He carefully opened large wooden gate with a symbol of the Empire and walked in. Inside complete silence prevailed. There were two guards in royal armor, each equipped with a silver bow and matching sword. ‘What a beautiful armor!’ He didn’t know whether it is allowed to be in the tower but he rather decided not to test the patience of the royal guards, so he went outside as silently as he entered.

‘So this is where the Emperor lived… wait!... Emperor? By Talos, I’m a slow one! The man from my dreams! Old man in noble clothes… it was the Emperor! And an amulet… the Amulet of Kings! I finally remembered… but why was I dreaming about the Emperor? It looked like he was trying to say something. I guess I was still under influence of events at Kvatch…’ thought Loypuur, finally satisfied because he solved his mysterious nightmare.

He slowly walked to the Arena and upon seeing it, he felt the same fear as yesterday. But this time it was not a fear of his father… this time it was a fear of… death. ‘Best fighters from all over Tamriel come and compete in the Arena… I’m far from a fighter and even farther from the best. I’m not sure I’m ready for this…’ Still, he felt a strange pull, like an invisible force was moving his legs forward and he couldn’t resist it. And just as yesterday the same Wood Elf was standing at the entrance.

“Good morning! Ehmm… I’d like to join as a combatant. W-where should I go?”
“Just down the stairs into Bloodworks and talk to Owyn the Blademaster,” answered Wood Elf.
“Thanks,” said Loypuur, inhaled deeply and went down the stairs.
‘What a cold place’ was Loypuur’s first thought as he descended down the stairs. ‘And very unwelcoming too… all I can hear are the sounds of swords clinking… be courageous now Loypuur. Look for Owyn.’ First fighter he came across was an Orc and a rather friendly one. Loypuur had no idea who he was but he had a very nicely designed armor. The Orc introduced himself as Agronak gro-Malog and told Loypuur a little about his nickname and some other events but High Elf didn’t really listen to him as he didn’t feel uncomfortable in the Bloodworks.

He went to the other room where a Dark Elf was punching a sack. He was friendly as the Orc and introduced himself as Ades Ulrani. He told Loypuur to stay away from the Battle Matron. ‘Must be that sharp-looking lady on my left.’ Ades told him a little about the history of the Arena, was very surprised when Loypuur hasn’t heard about Gaiden Shinji, the man who obviously constructed the Arena. After a brief conversation Loypuur noticed a man standing in the corner of the room… a middle-aged Redguard with reddish skin and tough look. ‘Must be Owyn.’

"I don't know who you are friend, but you've got about ten seconds to tell me what you're doing in my Bloodworks before I lop your arms off." With these ‘kind’ words Owyn greeted Loypuur as he approached.
“I want to become a combatant!”
“You… a combatant? Ha ha ha ha! Don’t make me laugh! My granny could beat you and she’s dead.”
“Talk all you want, but I’m serious” answered Loypuur, surprised at his own words.
“Alright, alright, you look serious indeed. So we got another suicidal idiot on board…”

Owyn’s attitude didn’t scare Loypuur away, in fact he expected to be greeted in such a manner. ‘I guess a High Elf is rarely seen competing in the Arena.’ Owyn gave Loypuur heavy raiment, explained him basic rules about the Arena and told him that he should speak to him whenever he’s ready for a match.
“I’m ready right now,” answered Loypuur but Owyn screamed at him because he forgot to equip his battle raiment! ‘This one is really short-tempered’ thought Loypuur as he was putting on his enchanted heavy battle raiment. It fit him perfectly yet he didn’t feel as agile as he did when wearing iron armor and tan linens. He put on his iron helmet, Jewel of the Rumare and then readied his silver axe and Kvatch shield.

‘That’s it … I came to where I wanted, I guess I should be happy. But in fact I’m not… I feel nervous, just nervous. In fact someone’s going to die in the next few minutes… either me or my opponent. It must be my opponent! Alright, let’s go…’

Encouraging himself as he was walking through the bloody room, Loypuur stepped through wooden gate and found himself in… the Arena. The fabulous Arena! He heard loud cheering from the tribune, spectators were already eagerly awaiting the coming battle… he remembered Aelwin’s words… that people either pay to see others getting killed or they kill themselves… He stopped and thought for a second… ‘There’s no way back now. I have to go further and… and… fight to death. 'Lady, lead me!’ Having said that, he casted Lady’s Warding upon himself, boosting his endurance. He slowly ascended the bloody stairs just in time to hear the strong voice announce the coming match between two Pit Dogs. Loypuur could see his opponent, standing opposite of him, closed behind strong iron bars just as him. ‘A woman… I’ll be fighting against a woman. This could make things harder for me… Block and fight as master Khedira taught you…’

When the bars moved down, the announcer almost roared and spectators on the tribunes stood up and began cheering … Loypuur pulled out his axe and did the same as his opponent… running through the center of the Arena! He could see his opponent now…’Judging by her moves must be a Wood Elf. They are quick and agile, I should be careful. I can do it, I can do it, I can do it. Now it begins… or ends!’


This post has been edited by Lopov: Apr 13 2013, 09:18 AM