The Hero in Disguise, Chapter 1 Options

[Taillus]

CHAPTER ONE - A Consuming Darkness.

I wish I could say that my story was that of a true hero. I wish I could say that in this land, a man that was a hero would get recognition for his selfless acts and would be immortalized. This is not the case. I have the unfortunate curse of not being myself in the most literal sense. My true name is Xander Moorcroft. I WAS an elite Battlemage in the Imperial Blue Lions of Ebonheart.

I was the only man able to bring down the maniacal, cold-hearted killer known only as Taillus. My congratulations and praise were non existent, instead I was thrown headlong into the Imperial Prison in Cyrodiil. In reality I blame no one. The events unfolding were not under control by anyone and I would never expect anyone to fully understand.

I am a prisoner in Taillus’ body. In defeating him, I had to switch our bodies to lock him in Oblivion. Now I am to be punished for all of his violent crimes. I must agree, they procecuted me quickly and efficiently so I do still have faith in our justice system but I would have liked to at the very least find out about my men that as far as I know are still fighting in northern Morrowind…


Today my morning began not unlike any other. I was kicked awake by a mouthy guard that drops a small loaf of crusty bread and a small pitcher of water in my cell and kicks again just for fun before leaving. It is like a violent alarm clock. I can also look forward to my daily harassment by the arrogant Dunmer across the hall. This is the life of a savior at its very finest.

After exchanging verbal blows with my “friend” across the hall, we were both surprised to hear the wooden door above us fly open as a handful of armored guards quickly try and smuggle a figure into the holding cells with us. I knew the elderly man as the one and only Uriel Septim himself.

Why he was down here is far beyond me and what is more mind boggling is that they opened my cell and quickly aided him inside. I know that that my idea of a safe haven for the Emperor would NOT by any means be safe in a cell with a COLD BLOODED KILLER. Give me a break. The Blades must be full of new recruits for god’s sake.

Then it hit me, well if “it” was the flat of a short sword. I grimaced as I felt cold steel rap against my fingers that were holding on to the bar door of my cell. I was instantly ordered to have a seat and was aided in doing so by the armored boot of a female guard. I fell into the corner of my cell as a nice Redguard man held me in place with his forearm. They opened up a passage in my cell that would have been great to know of before hand and was knelt before the Emperor.

“Let this man go. He does not deserve being manhandled.” The Emperor says softly as he motions for his guards to lift me to my feet. If you think I was blown away then you would be severely understating my feelings.

“I have seen you in my dreams young man. I know that you are not who people say you are and you are being tried as a murderer. I have seen in the stars that this is not what you will be remembered for…. But you must excuse me, my time here is limited.” The Emperor explains as a cell wall beside us rumbles below the floor.

“This man comes with us. He is most deserving of a second chance as any man I assure you.” The Emperor explains to his Blades as they walk down the stone passage that had just recently been revealed.

This post has been edited by Taillus: Apr 19 2006, 07:57 PM

[Taillus]

Update time! I know this story is a tad different from the Taillus story but I am focusing on storytelling as well as a first person perspective. I hope it is still a good story and I guarantee it will have some really interesting loops and twists. Here it goes.......

I knew that once my head hit a real-life pillow I would sleep for an eternity and I couldn’t imagine how spectacular a simple meal of crab meat, cheese and a handful of grapes would taste. I would have paid ANY price for those things. I would have dropped every modest gold piece that I had but luckily I didn’t have to.

The Imperial City is a marvelous place. I couldn’t even take in how vast and equally beautiful it was. The gardens, the buildings, the Arcane University all of it was awe inspiring and it took my breath away completely. I could bet that the local guards thought I was a bit of a maniac but they mostly smiled and welcomed me to the city.

I decided to turn in early so I could set out early the next morning. I knew that I would not like to wake after sleeping in a nice warm bed so just to be safe, I paid for two nights stay at the local “Merchant’s Inn” and laid myself to rest.

When I awoke, a full day later I made my way out to the ever nurturing sunlight to bask in the glory of my new found freedom. I was certain that I had died in reality and that this was my rendition of heaven. A bustling city, warm crisp air and sunlight beating down one me so hard that I though it was compensating for my severe lack of light that had cursed me for so long.

I didn’t care about suiting up for strife, or getting ready for a long battle, for the first time in I have no idea how long, I decided to buy some clothes, and by comparison to what I had been dressed in not too long ago, I had the comfiest shoes, the best feeling shirt and the most amazing pair of pants money could buy….again, comparatively of course.

I also picked up a small job for some extra cash. I was able to do a favor for a local vendor. It seemed that a certain merchant wasn’t playing by the rules and I had to figure out how he was selling items for such a small price. I am not going to get into details on what happened but I will say that it ended abruptly and to my surprise being locked in a small tomb across town with a very mean looking man and his well armored colleague.

After that ordeal, after I managed to get back out. I realized two interesting facts. I was able to retain some of my magic skills even after the body switch as well as the friendly tidbit of information of me inheriting some of this brute Taillus’ unbelievable strength. I was able to fight my way out of the small family tomb with my bare hands.

A small flare of fiery magicka and a few well directed punches later and I stood before two dead wrong doers and more loot then I could carry. Being overly patriotic got me no where in the past so it was at the time that I was scooping up armor and loot from these baddies that I promised myself something.

I would aid the empire in delivering the amulet of kings to wherever its destination may be and I will do everything in my power to find a new Emperor. I am even fully willing to put my life on the line once again but I will also look out for myself in the process and make sure I live a full life.

I was blinded by my “duties” as a Blue Lion Elite and it made me naïve. This time I have a second chance and we’re playing by my rules this time.

I managed to fend off encumberance as I grabbed my heaping arm load of new stuff that I would sell to the highest bidder. I also grabbed a shovel that would prove to the vendors who was behind the low prices. (If I tell more, I spoil a quest so lets leave it at that…)

It took a few days of bartering and putting some honest charm into the mix but as I walked out of the Imperial City, I was well equipped with a shiny long-sword and directions to Weynon Priory…

The road was long and winding. It was a very exhilarating experience as well. I encountered some of the local wildlife, which might I add moves much faster then the common mudcrab or scrib that would normally be found in Morrowind. I also learned that wolves love to go for the throat. The Xander’s unarmored throat to be exact.

I thought that the worst that I would encounter would be a bandit or two that I could easily overwhelm with some magicka but it turns out that no, the wolves were the biggest problem. Luckily I would later learn at the first “off the beaten path” inn would buy wolf pelts for a not-too-shabby six gold making walks a money making venture.

Cyrodiil was the land of opportunities if there ever was one. No more unforgiving ash storms, no more cliffracers and no more silt striders. Truly this is heaven and I am still not convinced that I am among the living. Things seem to be going too smoothly for this to all be real.