The Story of Taillus, Chapter 4 Options

[Taillus]

Chapter 4 – Dead or Alive.

“A twist in the storyline and I assure you it is not in the name of dramatic storytelling. Our two friends had gone their separate ways but not in the way that I would have guessed. But it is true that in Morrowind it is crucial to be able to tell who is legitimately friendly and who would sheath their dagger in your back the second you turn around. Tis the harsh truth of this land. But do not despair; Taillus did not die that day even though some claim that he did. He fell into the darkness that was revealed when the walls crumbled but it was not as drastic a drop as they had both thought.”

“I am very glad that you have decided to listen to me and my story of Taillus. It shows that some people care about the history of our lands and that you are not as willing to accept what is told by the masses. I will continue as long as you continue to listen to the ramblings of this old dunmer man. I promise that this story becomes much more interesting from this point on. And if you will excuse me, I am feeling some dryness of mouth and I am in need of some hot tea…”


Taillus awakens with the familiar feeling of pain that makes his every muscle throb. This was the case more often then not and he would like nothing more then to prevent waking up this way. Truth be told he had no clue as to whether he had died at the hands (or feet rather) of Jiub or not but at least he didn’t get his hands on that treasure.

Seeing that treasure made Taillus sure that he indeed was still among the living. Although the pain in his chest as well as the rest of his body made him wish he was dead. He slowly and very painfully gets to his feet as he looks around.

It seems that he did in fact fall for quite a distance considering that he cannot even see the lighted torch that lit the ledge he was originally on but surprisingly none of his bones were broken. He decided to limp down a small hall and see where it would lead him. Not like he had any choice it was either continue into the unknown or sit by the loot bag and rot.

He decided that, speaking of the loot bag, he should check its contents. Who knows what he might encounter and he had no armor and no weapon. Taillus rummaged through the bag and realized that Jiub was partially truthful. This bag was filled with nothing of use at all. He did manage to find a very weathered short blade and decided that it would have to do as it was better then trying to fist fight one of those flame antronach demons.

Taillus slowly creeps down the hall before him and keeps his back to one of the walls. He slinked along as he sidled the wall still trying not to be caught flat footed. He realized that he had a second chance at life and he was going to suspect everyone of doing something wrong. He promised himself to be much more weary of his surroundings and they people he came across. He would not let any one take him for a ride like what happened with Jiub.

Taillus eventually found himself in the upper level of a very large room. It seems that he had stumbled upon a very well hidden ritual hall that the Daedra worshippers used to contact the Daedric princes of Oblivion. The simple thought of this made Taillus’ skin crawl and sent a violent shiver down his spine. The entire room was made up of the same materials that the outside of the ruin was. A very dark and gloomy looking sort of stone and the architecture was quite similar as well.

He looked around suspiciously and came to realize that there was no one around doing a summoning ritual or anything equally frightening there at the moment so he could eventually drop down from the upper levels of the room and check this place out.

Taillus carefully lowers himself from his hiding place on the top level to the base of the large room and continues his exploration. From what he could tell, it was a shrine devoted to one of the major gods and he decided to gather some literature seeing how the books were the only thing of value. After taking much more then an arm load, Taillus hoists himself back up to the higher level of the room and begins to tap the most powerful resource of all…Knowledge.

[Taillus]

Hours go by and Taillus flips from one book to another. Cross referencing from article to article as he is brought to light on so many things that have happened in Morrowind. He could not believe how things that were depicted in these books could have happened without him even hearing of it. It seems that there are many things that were either flat out hidden from the general public or just portrayed as one sided.

Each page draws him deeper and deeper into Morrowind history, culture and all things that were known that he honestly did not know. If he was going to make it here, and gain power as he wished, he would have to know everything about everything. And until he could figure out how he was getting out of this place, he would keep reading until he was properly armed.

The only one thing that could stop Taillus from his knowledge session was the fact that his stomach was practically eating itself. He realized at that time that he had to get out. Even if he could scare up something miniscule to eat he would not be able to stay down here forever. He looks around once again to see if there was anything he missed but all he could see was a small stone tablet and some rock pillars. Too bad his second chance at life was going to be spent withering away to nothing.

As he hopped down into the main floor of the summoning room once again, he is met by a large shadow that scaled the wall and straight up to the ceiling. He watched as a second shadow repeated the same process but on the other side of the room. He quickly darted his glance back and forth at the two shadows and draws his short blade looking frantically for what was suddenly in the room with him.

“What in Oblivion is in here with me?” Taillus asks himself as he stays alert, watching the shadows. He almost jumps out of his skin when he finds out what the shadows belonged to. As he follows the movements of the two creatures, he is petrified to see two human like figures leap from their perches high above him. They both land before him as Taillus shakes in fear over what he is seeing.

Growling and standing dangerously close were these two, huge, crocodile headed beasts that could each have half of Taillus for breakfast. They were tall and built, with scaly green human like bodies complimented with sharp claws at the end of each finger and toe. Their long profile heads were tough looking and bony with jet back eyeballs and mouths that were filled to the brim with razor sharp, glistening teeth. He hoped to god that they weren’t running on an empty stomach like he was and he slowly steps backward in fear.

“Daedroths are the minions of Molag Bal so this must be a shrine dedicated to him. Molag Bal is the daedric prince of soul enslavement.” Taillus recited to himself. Sometimes knowledge is a very bad thing. He desperately wished he could go back to being oblivious about the Daedra but it would be too late for that.

Something he found odd, other then the fact that he was standing toe-to-toe with two of these beasts and he was still in one piece was the fact that one of the Daedroths had a very interesting amulet in its razor sharp claws and the other was holding some sort of mace. This was not common considering they tended to chew and scratch.

“Take these effects as gifts. You will be my vessel.” A booming voice invades Taillus’ head as he looks around for the source. The two Daedroths hold the items in extended scaly hands in his general direction.

“I may not have contracted some silly ash disease but I have certainly gone mad.” Taillus says aloud. He looks at the two ferocious demons as they hold the items out for him.

“Do not be afraid. I have chosen you to become my vessel, my ambassador to the living world. These are my minions who I have sent to deliver these items to you. I have taken them from powerful men so that they can aid you in your journey. One is my mace. It will prove valuable in trying times; the other is an amulet of movement. It is loaded with a mark and recall spell. It will take you to its recall destination of Balmora so that you can be on your way.” The voice booms in his head once again.

“I was always told not to take gifts from Daedric strangers.” Taillus says not knowing where to direct his comments. He continues to look around for the source of the voice, refusing to believe that it is only in his head.

Taillus runs through his head all the he had learned about the gods and remembered that Clavicus Vile was the one that loaned gifts and granted wishes then took tem back when they were needed most so that was not the problem, and Sheogorath was the crazy one so what was it that Molag Bal wanted with him.