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]

As night envelopes the peaceful town of Balmora, Taillus finds himself at the very top of a local guard tower. He found it quite simple to sneak inside and make his way though the latch, making him wonder about the effectiveness of the Imperial Legion. It seems that they are more concerned about how shiny their armor is then making any sort of difference.

Where he was from, the guards were attentive but they were corrupt. Makes for a different kind of uselessness. He remembers his time in Cyrodil as a younger man. He was an apprentice to a very well known and respected soldier in the Imperial Legion. After his parents died the noble was kind enough to take him in.
It turned out that he was a violent alcoholic and would use young Taillus as a punching bag to release his frustrations. Taillus had always thought that killing a man was legal if done in self defense but as it turns out, the same rules do not apply if the person that winds up dead is of noble status.

Next thing he knew he was shackled and beaten daily by the empire. He sat and reflected on his days in Morrowind, how he thought he was going to strike it rich by raiding temples and now look where it got him. An extra voice crowding his brain and a new job as a soul farmer. Things were looking up all right….

Taillus tosses and turns as usual in his sleep as he dreams the familiar dream of him walking down a curved rock staircase heading towards a podium with a statue of many Dremora all climbing to reach a glowing black gem. Taillus as he had done many times before, walks toward the statue.

He looks in a puddle of water at his reflection but he did not recognize himself. The man he saw was older and clad in a very extravagant hooded robe hiding his almost full suit of silver and black ebony armor. His face looked evil and wicked, his eyes showed no color. Just white.

Taillus continues towards the podium and grins as the dremora come alive before him. He looks up as they all move away from the podium giving Taillus full access to the black soul gem once again. As he stands on the podium, looking into the surface of the gem, the dremora begin to chant making the gem pulsate a dark black miasma that shakes him to his core as he extends a hand to grab it.

Taillus’ fingers caress the surface of the gem, sending a pulse of black energy up his arm. He quickly snatches it causing a bolt of black energy to rain from above him. When he turns around, the Dremora are replaced with Daedroths and they all bow, facing their prince and master, Molag Bal.

Taillus holds the gem in his hand as he looks at the Daedric Prince. His reptile like skin and long dark claws make him similar in appearance to a Daedroth himself but his figure is much more chiseled. His face looks almost dragon-like in appearance and he stands before Taillus and the Daedroth followers laughing a deep, evil laugh.

“The Daedric Soul Gem is yours to take my son. Use it as the tool to harvest the souls of Morrowind. Kill every man, woman and child that you meet. Let nothing stop you. You will become a god! All those that hear your voice will cower in fear. Go forth, my ambassador and earn your spot among the ranks of Oblivion!” Molag Bal booms telepathically into the mind of Taillus.

With that, Taillus wakes up with the moon still in the sky and realizing that he is still atop the guard tower. He opens his hands expecting the soul gem to be in his possession but his hands were empty. He breathes a sigh of relief and goes back to sleep…