Trouble never comes alone Options

[jack cloudy]

Yes, so I just couldn't resist and had to get this off my chest. We'll see how long it lasts. Same deal as with redemption, I'll be using this post as a character list and the first part will be in the next one. For now the list is simple.

A question. Should I add a separate entry for Spar at the very bottom that is basically the extra-spoilers edition?

Spar: A female Imperial and the main character of this story. Is guided by 'Them'.
(Portrait)

Silent Fist: A Companion Spar hires to escort her into Bleak Falls Barrow. He doesn't speak, wear shirts or use weapons. Click here for portrait

Faendal: A wood elf who lives in a small village known as Riverwood. He works as a hunter and lumberjack.

Lucan Valerius: The shopkeeper of Riverwood.

Jarl Balgruuf: The Jarl of Whiterun, a city located in the center of Skyrim between the fronts of the Imperial and Stormcloak factions.

Hrongar: Jarl Balgruuf's brother. Looks like he walked off the set of a Conan-film.

Irileth: A Dunmer who serves as Jarl Balgruuf's bodyguard.

Proventus Avenicci: Jarl Balgruuf's steward.


Vilkas: One of the Companions, a mercenary group in Whiterun
Vignar Grey-Mane: Formerly of the Companions, now retired.

Ulfric Stormcloak: The rebel leader in Skyrim, once on of the Emperor's generals.

Arkarik: Someone Spar was supposed to meet in Cyrodiil.

This post has been edited by jack cloudy: Aug 1 2013, 06:34 PM

[haute ecole rider]

Well, I finally caught up. I started reading this story a couple of weeks ago, and found it intriguing enough to move past the bits that confused me. The switching of verb tenses turned me off in the beginning and I nearly gave up, but then I read your comment that it was meant to signify two different perspectives within the character of Spar. So I kept reading, and found myself drawn into the story of an outlander in a strange land where she didn't know the language, the culture and the customs of the people surrounding her.

Survival by one's wits is an old story, and one I never grow tired of. I'm pleased that I persevered, and have found it rewarding.

The last time you switched perspective, in the confrontation with the draugrs, it didn't bother me so much because you made the transition much clearer.

I know I've said it before elsewhere, but I've never played Skyrim. So I know nothing about the game quests, plot, storyline, dialogue, etc. But none of that matters here. What I am finding is a protagonist that I like very much, and a world that is intriguing enough for me to keep reading. The time you spend on descriptions really make this work for me, and I don't feel so lost here. The character development, not just of the protagonist but also of the other characters (Silent Fist comes to mind), is outstanding here. As characters make the story as far as I'm concerned, this is all I need to keep reading.

I also like how Spar keeps quoting Gaiden Shinji. This one jumps out at me:

some less well known sayings of Shinji Gaiden. The name of the battle betrays the speaker's side.

Any student of American Civil War history knows this to be true. Most of us know of the battle of Antietam. That is the accepted name today (since it is what the Union calls that place). However, Southerners call it the battle of Sharpsburg, after the nearby town. There are more examples of this dichotomy scattered around the Southeast, mostly in Maryland and Virginia. I'm sure it's true in other places of other historical conflicts as well.

This story is now on my list of "must read and keep up with." Keep up the good work!