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]

“I have taken you in and made you my ambassador for Morrowind. You will harvest souls to power me so that I can weaken the borders that separate our worlds. These gifts will get you started but there are other articles you will need. You have always dreamed of becoming the most powerful man alive and I can give it to you. Better yet, I can make you a powerful Daedric god! An immortal god of war and all you have to do is follow my instructions and you will be remembered forever!”

“I am either dreaming or dead. This cannot be real. I must have hit my head really hard when I fell.” Taillus says as he grabs the two articles from the Daedroths.

“Be that as it may I might as well play along with it. What do I have to lose? I need to get out of here and get something to eat before I waste away.” Taillus says as he shrugs. He turns the mace in his hands wondering why he would use such a cumbersome weapon but you can’t look a gift daedra in the mouth, lest you wind up some dusty heap of bone meal.

Taillus activates the enchantment on the amulet and finds himself at the gates of Balmora. He waits for a few minutes feeling as though all of his insides have yet to settle down from the teleportation. He looks to the right noticing the gigantic flea that was similar to that in Seyda Neen.

The city of Balmora was a sort of half way point between Seyda Neen and Caldera not only literally but in the sense that the houses and various other buildings were all a grayish color and they all looked very similar. Not as nice as Caldera he thought, but more pleasing to the eye then that forsaken swampland of Seyda Neen. Of course anything was better then Ald Ruhn the very thought of that place made him want to crawl into a hole and end his life.

Taillus decided that the first place he would visit would be the armor smith so that he could spend some of his vast riches on some offensive and defensive items. He treads through the streets of town watching the villagers as well as the guards. This new theory of knowing everything that is happening around him definitely makes Taillus begin to feel more secure.

“Do not worry about finding a suitable weapon. My mace will protect you. Why don’t you just go kill the pawnbroker and take all of her wares? It is much better then spending that precious gold.” The familiar voice in his head whispers. Taillus stops in shock thinking that he had left Molag Bal back in that shrine.

“Yes that is exactly what I will do! I will slay a poor merchant in cold blood for a suit of armor!” Taillus growls at the voice of Molag Bal in his head not realizing the villagers near by. They look at him with dropped jaws as they shiver in fear.

“What? I am not going to listen to the voice in my head, what do you think I am, crazy?” Taillus says to the onlookers as he has a two sided conversation with himself.

Taillus realizes that he is drawing too much attention to himself and that he should find somewhere to hide for a while. He walks through town for a while wondering what he could do as his stomach growls within him. He sees a building that had a sign and inviting smells came from within so without reading the sign Taillus opened the door and went in.