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]

Hey Griff, the Quest I am talking about happens when you visit the used good store in the Imperial Market District. I forget the name of the store itself but it was a very fun quest and it really pulled me in hook line and sinker. I loved it! Anyway, update time!!!!


I set out from the very conveniently placed Inn after spending some cash on food that would keep me going for a few days in case the streak of luck ended for me and I was unable to shack up in another Inn. I was beginning to miss the Silt Striders of Vvardenfel as my feet would wind up very sore from walking everywhere.

Eventually, from what my map could tell me as well as my very primitive knowledge of Cyrodiil I was coming up on the small settlement that from what I could tell was a religious place. It was quaint and quiet. Waynon Priory was only made up of only a few small and modest buildings but overall a very peaceful place and a good hiding spot for anyone of importance that didn’t exactly want to be found.

Jauffre was the man’s name from what I remember Emperor Uriel Septim telling me and from what I could tell, he was a man that was held in very high regard as far as the late Emperor was concerned. I knew this, I knew that he would not have told me to come here unless it was the absolute best course of action but deep down, I didn’t want the Amulet of Kings to leave my sight.

After asking a portly older balding man, I was up a set of stairs and could see the man I was looking for. He himself was an older man too, but one that looked strong. If not physically, then at least as far as will was concerned. He was a man that seemed to naturally get respect from his peers and I can admit I felt a tad inclined to bow before speaking.

I told him the news of the assassination as well as informing him of why I was the man to visit him. He nodded politely but I could tell that knowing that I was fresh from prison made him uneasy. I knew that he wanted nothing more then to get the amulet from my possession but in a protective way. I really didn’t feel well about giving it up and having it leave my sight however.

So despite my gut feeling, I agreed that this Jauffre would be better suited to have the amulet for now and I was about to bid him farewell when he grabbed my shoulder lightly as I turned to leave.

He decided that I was trustworthy enough to inform me that the Emperor still had a living heir and that he was living his life oblivious as a priest in Kvatch. He was given to Jauffre as an infant and was given another life for protection. I knew that I was going to have to travel to where he resided and tell him the news.

Part of me felt like nothing more then a lackey for the Empire once again, but another part of me was excited to help crown a new Emperor. Maybe I could finally clear myself of this tag associated with this body and correct my badly damaged life.

I decided that going up the hill to Chorrol would be a good idea. My gut told me that where there was an heir, there were assasins and those guys do not play nicely. I was going to have to get some sturdy equipment to get the heir, Martin Septim to safety and I will be damned if I let the same thing happen to him as what happened to his father.

Chorrol was a nice place. Very beautiful in its own way and from what I could remember, the tree on their armor was in respect to the giant Oak where everyone would go to talk about the day’s events. I smiled and waved at the doorman as the great wooden gate opens wide allowing me access to the town.

One of the first things I saw after only being in the town for mere minutes is the ever glorious Fighter’s guild. I was a member when I was younger in Morrowind before I took a position in the Blue Lions. I still remembered the rules of conduct and I could get in no problem. I loved the idea because it meant a free bed in most cities as well as my choice in whatever they had in their armory.

They might make me go through with a few contracts here and there but it would be money in my pocket. This again was too good to be true. Why was fortune smiling upon me so greatly? It seemed to be going all too well. After resting my feet from the long walk to Weynon Priory and rummaging through the armory I was all set for another hike.

I had almost a full set of iron armor and while it wasn’t pretty, it was better then fighting a clan of those assassins with nothing but the clothes on my back. Along with an iron short-sword and a modest shield I was ready to go find the heir to the throne….