Memoirs of a Morag Tong Assassin: Vvardenfell, Chapter Six: An Old Friend to Kill... Options

[Black Hand]

Chapter One:..to the east, to Morrowind
Chapter Two: Rise of the Black Hand
Chapter Three: Azura's Portents
Chapter Four: An Assassin Amongst Us....
Chapter Five: History rewritten, and History Reborn



Ebonheart; Grand Council Chambers, Three Weeks Later

Duke Dren exited his office, wearing the polished ebony armor of the Duke, accompanied by two of his Imperial Guard. He had specifically asked for me to show up and hold the meetings of the preparation of war in the Grand Council, for all intents and purposes, I was the Dukes equal upon the Island of Vvardenfell.

“You know, Sethyas. As of right now, politically speaking, you are the most powerful Man on Vvardenfell. Even the tribes of the Ashlanders have chosen you as War Leader. A feat that has not been accomplished since the first era. And certainly not by an outlander, you truly must be the Nerevarine…” the Duke mused.

“I am. I know that now more then ever…but I wonder, if I am this child of fate and destiny, am I also destined to win, or fall? Dagoth Ur is a GOD for Azura’s sake!” I said with defeatist tone.

“Now, now! You must seem strong and confident to your people! You are the General of the Dunmer once more, Nerevar, and they will look to you for inspiration and leadership…besides, I would wish for you to return, and to play with my Grandchildren in a world that you have made safe…” he said subtly.

“Right…I…” I said blushing, while thinking of Ilmeni, safe in my Stronghold of Bal Isra.

“Relax, Sethyas. The time now calls for preparation of our assault upon Dagoth Ur. The Council awaits us now. Come.” He said motioning for the Chambers.

I sat down at my Central Chair, the Chair awarded to Generals and Kings. Not a chair that I deserved to sit in for long. The eyes of Dunmer that I did not recognize, save that of Llerar Mandas and Eno Hlaalu gazed upon me with a mixture of skepticism and wonder. And pride. The pride from the Morag Tong and House Redoran, my chosen families.

There were in fact representatives from every faction in the Grand Council, the Imperial Cult, the Imperial Legion, Fighters and Mages Guild. The Thieves Guild obviously did not take place in the proceedings, and my little surprise showed up amongst the beginnings of the proceedings.

Sul-Matuul showed up with three other Ashlanders, after receiving my correspondence to gather three Gulakhans from the other tribes and show up on this day. There were gasps of shock and surprise as they took a seat at the Grand Council Table, all of them with a satisfied smirks on their faces.

“Sethyas…what are they doing here?” Vedam Dren whispered to me.

I stood up and spoke in a loud, clear voice. “Representatives, may I present the Great and honorable Ashkhan of the Urshilaku, Sul-Matuul! The three other Mer are Gulakhans of the Erebanimsun, the Ahemmusa, and the Zainab Tribes. They will join us in counsel as equal representatives of the Army of Nerevar! I will not have any grumblings or dissentions to the contrary! They are brave and wise warriors whom are willing to lay down their very lives for the Honor of destroying Dagoth Ur! They have equal standing amongst all others here amongst the Council.” I said with a hand outstretched and a powerful gaze overlooking the room.

There were murmurs and looks of hate and curiosity towards the Ashlanders. But all seemed to come to the same conclusion: We needed all the troops we could get. Ashlanders might have been hated, but their skills in the Ashlands and hunting were undeniable.

“While the House Dunmer grow fat and lazy in their rooms of stone, we Ashlanders live in the Shadow of Red Mountain, we see our lands die from the Blight. This is the same fate that shall befall all you, unless we now act as one people under Nerevar once more.” Spoke Sul-Matuul.

“Thank You, my friend. As the Chosen Hortator, and Nerevarine. I will set forth a few rules that I need obeyed in my interim. Eno. There will be a cessation to all Writs, House Wars will not be waged while we assault the Mountain. House Representatives, no duels, no murders. Sul-Matuul, Gulakhans, no raids, no tribal disputes. We are one people.”

There were a few murmurs again, but all Representatives agreed eventually, Eno shook his head in agreement.

“How do you propose we begin this war, Nerevarine? Just gather as many heads as we can, and walk into Red Mountain? We’ll get killed!” asked the Telvanni Wizard Lady.

“Vivec has already given us his outlines for the War, and how to best proceed. I have had made copies for all…..” I said as parchments were handed out.

Phase 1: Raids inside the Ghostfence
The Tribunal, Ordinators, and Buoyant Armigers are familiar with the terrain, and will provide maps and current intelligence reports. The region inside the Ghostfence is dangerous, and the Nerevarine will need to be familiar with its particular challenges. After measuring skills and resources against Dagoth Ur's defenses, the Nerevarine will know better how to pace a campaign, alternating raids with improving skills, getting better equipment, and stockpiling resources.

Phase 2: Raids upon Ash Vampire Citadels
Dagoth Ur's kin have become markedly more powerful in recent decades, after remaining stable for thousands of years. If they can be individually isolated and destroyed, they will not be able to support Dagoth Ur in later stages of the war. It may also be that the dramatic increase in their power comes from items enchanted by Dagoth Ur. Salvage of such items might contribute to our resources.

Phase 3: Assault on Gate Citadel Vemynal
Essential to recover the artifact hammer Sunder for Phase 5. The Ash Vampire Dagoth Vemyn has possession of Sunder, and probably seeks to discover the secrets of its enchantments. He may also have access to notebooks and journals of Kagrenac that have survived in the Dwemer workshops of Vemynal.

Phase 4: Assault on Gate Citadel Odrosal
Essential to recover the artifact blade Keening for Phase 5. The Ash Vampire Dagoth Odros has possession of Keening, and probably seeks to discover the secrets of its enchantments. He may also have access to notebooks and journals of Kagrenac that have survived in the Dwemer workshops of Odrosal.

Phase 5: Assault on Citadel Dagoth
All the previous stages are preparations for this stage. Recent expeditions show that Citadel Dagoth has undergone extensive expansion; the location will need to be explored carefully. The known route to the Heart Chamber will be well-defended; alternative routes may exist. Dagoth Ur will have anticipated our plan to destroy him by attacking the Heart, and he will almost certainly personally oppose approach to the Heart Chamber. Together the Tribunal could not defeat him, and he has grown stronger since then. Admittedly, the Tribunal had the distraction of maintaining the Ghostfence simultaneous with fighting Dagoth Ur, but, even so, the challenge seems daunting.

The adoption of this phased campaign seems to offer the best chances for success. In retrospect, the Tribunal's decision to directly assault Citadel Dagoth rather than proceed step-by-step through lesser objectives must be seen to have been a serious error. The Tribunal did not feel it had the option of a slow-paced and deliberate campaign, given that they had many other competing priorities, not the least of which was the maintenance of the Ghostfence and the outer defenses surrounding Red Mountain. The Nerevarine, on the other hand, should be best served by a careful, step-by-step advance, with the additional advantage of building confidence along the way while successes would undermine Dagoth Ur's own assurance in his defenses.

“Interesting, and how do we find all these Ash Vampires…and more Importantly, how do we stop them from coming back? Every one knows that Dagoth Ur eventually resurrects them…” she asked once more.

“It is possible to prevent that through Soul Trapping magic…” I said.

“And how do you know that?” She asked flippantly.

I tossed her the Grand Soul Gem that housed the Spirit of the Ash Vampire I had encountered beneath Kogoruhn.

“Say hi to Dagoth Uthol. He won’t be coming back anytime soon…” I said as she examined the gem, and remarked in surprise: “This IS an Ash Vampires soul!”

“The one you faced when I sent you to Kogoruhn? You faced down an Ash Vampire and Lived to tell the tale? Impressive Sethyas. That is already one down out of seven…” said Sul-Matuul

The murmurs of the Council now had a different tone, one that of hope. If I could face down an Ash Vampire single-handedly, then there was hope that a Unified Dunmer could defeat Dagoth Ur.

“Then we will begin with the first phase immediately! Let the Sixth House know that the Dunmeri Wrath is swift and vengeful!” cried Llerar Mandas, the Redoran General.

“Not so fast.” I said, interjecting. “Read the parchment again. A full scale war is exactly what Dagoth Ur expects, and he is well prepared for such an occurrence.”

There was a silence. “Then what?” came the response.

“I will act largely alone. What the significance of the unification means, is that the Dunmer are working together to DEFEND themselves against Dagoth Ur. The towns, the villages, now more then ever, must have every available man to defend themselves against the Hosts of Dagoth Ur. Now that I have returned, there is a different feeling in the wind, Voryn Dagoth senses me, he knows that I have returned, he feels the time is nigh to set forth with his ambitions to conquer the land.”

“What hope do you have against an army? Can one man defeat an entire army?” asked Llerar.

“No…I’m not going after every single Ascended Sleeper and Corprus Monster. I’m going after the heads of the army. The Dunmeri society was built from small fractious clans that needed to use secret murder to defeat their enemies. Kill a General, and an Army is useless. My trade is that of an Assassin, and I shall employ all my skills to this end. Ending eventually in facing Dagoth Ur and severing his link to the Heart.”

”I am attacking the weak points, not the strongest. Dagoth Ur, believes himself to be invincible. He sees his armies as easily replaceable within the ranks. This is somewhat true. But in my experience, everything has a crippling weakness. I intend to exploit it once I find it…”

The council talked amongst themselves for a time. There was a feeling of anti-climatic ness, but this was war, not glory. Just as the Empire exploited the political weaknesses of the Dunmer to Conquer Morrowind, so could Dagoth Ur. The in-fighting and petty squabbles had to cease, at least for the time being.

The council departed, and my orders were relayed to the Clans, and the Tribes. Defense of settlements and towns were to begin immediately, if aid was needed, it would be given, without consideration to the others Clan.

I then joined the Duke in his chambers for a brandy after the meeting.

“Wise Choices, Sethyas. And foolish as well. But, I believe you will succeed. You will assassinate the brothers of Ur, and the Sixth House Army will shatter like a scrib, then it will simply be a matter of cleaning up the mess. But our people will have the War they desire. And you. I wonder whether you will live through all this…”

”If I don’t, you must pick up where I left off. Follow the phases, kill the Ash Vampires. Recover Wrathguard if you can, present it to another Champion, one who is capable of facing the Sixth House.”

He nodded grimly. “Do try and live, Sethyas. I have grown rather fond of you.” He said finishing his brandy.

Before I returned to Bal Isra, I made a stop by the Arena in Vivec for a contact with my Master, Eno Hlaalu. For company, and a bit of luck.

“Sethyas! Nerevarine, and Hortator. I am proud of you this day…even if you are cutting into my profits a bit!” Eno remarked on the Cessation of Writs.

“Well, I have two new threads for you, as well as a request.”

He took the threads and asked me my request.

“Well, I know I asked for you to stop the Writs. But I would like you to make me one…for luck.” I said telling him, and he laughed as he wrote out the parchment, and applied his Morag Tong Signet Ring to the red wax.


”Here you go.” He said handing me the finished writ.

I read it aloud.

Dagoth Ur

The afore-mentioned personage has been marked for honorable execution in accordance to the lawful tradition and practice of the Morag Tong Guild. The Bearer of this non-disputable document has official sanctioned license to kill the afore-mentioned personage.

This post has been edited by Black Hand: Aug 16 2011, 04:22 AM

[Black Hand]

Mamaea.

A Sixth House Base, and Home to Dagoth Araynys. Many months ago, Hassour Zainsubani, my ashlander informant for Caius, had asked of me to chide his son into spending more time with his father. Why I had not gone sooner, I do not know. But as I soon found out, I should have. Part of my plan of war, was to take out as many Sixth House bases as I could to weaken Dagoth Ur's hold over Sleepers in the various settlements and cities.

Sennanit. Assemanu. Ainab. Salmamtu, and others fell to my combined assault of shadow and steel. I could write for pages and pages of all the battles and near-death experiences against the deformed visions of Dagoth Ur's perception of flesh perfected. I could write volumes of the Red Candles that lit the dark reality of the Dreamers in there Caverns, of the sounds of the bells that rang the doom of the ending of the cultists as I used that very hammer to break skulls.

For weeks and weeks, I journeyed the Island. Blood and death were my only focus, the more I did it. The easier it became to see the former city and Ashlander Dunmer as faceless troops of my Enemy, Dagoth Ur. The Goggles of the Dark Brotherhood Mask hiding my stoic countenance, as the bodies and flickering candlelight relfected off of them. Death was my music, and I was writing my Symphonic Masterpiece. And yet, it was not for mindless lust. It was so that the taverns I stayed at could stay open for the traveller, so the Plantations could continue with their slave trade. It was so the Tribes might raise their children as their own, and not the host of Dagoth Ur.

Now I silently tread through the white-stone halls of the Cavern of Mamea. Death meeting with a silent kiss the inhabitants guided by my blade and arrows. The first section of the caves cleared, I entered into the next, the Sanctum of Black Hope.

The difference with these Caverns, was that the white-stone gave into the more familiar light brown, and a presence similar to the one I had felt inside of the Caverns of Kogoruhn, and with my beloved Bow in hand, I entered into the 'quarters' of the brother of Dagoth Ur. Dagoth Araynys.

His subliminal growling permeated the stone chamber, and with eyes that were once Chimer/Dunmer he beheld me, and like Uthol before him, spoke.

"You have done well to come this far. I don't think we have anything to talk about, do we? Then lets get on with it." his voice rang in my ears.

"In such a hurry to die, Dagoth? I've killed an Ash Vampire before. You think you'll just come back, will you? Death won't be cheated, and I've come to collect, with interest." I retorted.

His expression turned to one of annoyance. "I'm going to kill you. You don't believe that, or you wouldn't be here. You are the challenger, so, by House Dagoth custom, yours is the first move."

Wraithguard gripped the shaft of the Bow of Shadows harder as I channled its energies to encompass my being. Its magicks hiding me from all sight, and my legs grew more rapid in their stride as I charged the Sixth House Lieutenant, with a leap I unsheathed the Black Hands Dagger, and brought the dark blade deep into the creatures left shoulder, using the momentum to swing myself in midair, and brought my right arm around Araynys' neck and casted Soul Trap.

He swung around madly trying to get me off his back, but I persisted, and was rewarded with his collapse, and entrapped soul within another Grand Soul Gem. "Well, it looks like my collection is growing, isnt it, Araynys?" I said taking his Token of the Soul Ring, and another Sixth House Amulet.

I proceeded deeper into the deepest bowel of the cavern. The Shrine of Pitted Dreams, arrows whistled through the air, finding their targets in the soft flesh of the fanatical Dreamers, and Ash Ghouls. But, guarding the offering troughs deep within the Shrine, a strange Dreamer spoke to me.

"So.The collapse of the outlying shrines can be attributed to you can it not, Lord Nerevar?" cackled an old prune of a Dunmer Maiden. Strangely enough she exhibited a trait that most Dreamers did not. She was fully clothed, and spoke as though she were in total control of her senses.

"What? Who are you?" I said confused.

"You may call me Zenammu. Servant of Lord Dagoth, glorious witness of the Rebirth of House Dagoth!" she exclaimed.

My Katana sang as it unsheated, and found its way through her heart, biting through the thick skin of the netch leather that hugged her torso.

"Or its first Martyr." I said as she slid back, unsheathing herself as she exhaled her last breath.

I took a quick accounting of the area, and took a look through the shrines troughs, and recovered another Daedric Face of Inspiration. For inspiring fear, no doubt. I also helped myself to a pair of Ebony Boots, to the victor go the spoils, and wars, even mine, costed money.

My hands then wrapped around a curious looking blade, carved from bone. The short blade had a curious electricity to it, and the realization of the fact that I had recovered yet another artifact came to my mind, and I flipped through the pages of Yagrum Bagarns book "Famed Artifacts of Tamriel"

"The Fang of Haynek-- Haynekthhh--namet...H-a-y-n-e-k-h-t-n-a-m-e-t..how in the fires of Oblivion am I supposed to pronounce THAT?" I said aloud to no one but myself.

Black Marsh was once known to be inhabited with what the Argonians called the Wamasus. Northern men considered them to be intelligent dragons with lightning for blood. One such mighty beast, Haynekhtnamet, was slain by the Northern men, though it took 7 days and nights, and a score of men. One of the surviving men took a fang home as a trophy. The fang was carved down into a blade and fashioned into a small dagger. The Dagger mysteriously houses some of the beast's magical properties and grants the user the ability to do shock damage on an opponent. This unique Dagger is seen occasionally by traveling heroes.

"Well then...another trophy for use against the Sixth House...anyone else smell ozone?" I chuckled.

Back into the Sanctum of Black Hope, I crept through in the Shadows to a locked door that held a Mer that could have passed for yet another Dreamer, but for some reason, I held back, and called to him from my hidden position.

"What have we here? Are you another Sixth House cultist? Or a poor, unfortunate soul caught in the crossfire?"

"My name is Hannat Zainsubani. I entered this cavern seeking shelter from the weather, and these madmen stripped me and imprisoned me here. While I've been trapped here, I've had the most terrible dreams. I... don't know if I can trust my own eyes and ears. Please. I need an armed escort to the cavern entrance. They have left me nothing. I cannot offer you reward. But my father, Hassour Zainsubani, in Ald'ruhn, will gift you generously if you can rescue me."

"Hannat, eh?" I said emerging from the shadows, and taking off my black mask. "I know your Father. He's been quite worried about you, ya know." I said examining him, and seeing if he was okay, running a hand across his arms.

"You've got a blight disease, Hannat. Hold on." I said mixing him a potion of Scrib Jelly and Ash Salts, speaking to him of his Father in Ald' Skar Inn.

"Ah, then you know my father? You can always find him at the Ald Skar Inn. If you can deliver me from this cavern, I'm sure he will reward you handsomely." he said taking my potion, and drinking the restorative effects.

"I care little for reward, your Father is a good man, and it would do me well to know that I have saved his son's life. Follow me to the entrance. I think you'll find that you're quite safe."

We spoke of my fight against the Sixth House as we walked to the entrance, he was well aware of the Nerevarine Prophecies, but as a bedtime story his father might tell him as a child, not as a reality, and certainly not as a voice that came from the shadows unexpectedly in his darkest moment.

"Thank you, Sera Velas. I owe you my life. As you can see, I have nothing to give you. But go speak to my father, Hassour Zainsubani, at the Ald Skar Inn in Ald'ruhn, for courage and generosity must always be rewarded. Tell him that I am well, and will come to him as soon as I can. I have no token you might show him, but tell him that I blossom 'anew beneath tomorrow's sun' -- he will know who has sent you."

I recognized the line from a verse in the Ahemmusa "May I shrink to Dust" that was one of the books that I presented as a gift to Hassour in exchange for information on Ashlanders.

I did wish too see Athyn and Serene, and Ilmeni once more, as I had seen the worst in human nature for these last few weeks, and needed the love of friends to sustain my sanity. To Ald' Ruhn I returned to deliver a spot of good news to Hassour.

"You have spoken with my son? Indeed? He blossoms 'anew beneath tomorrow's sun'? That is my son, indeed. And you have rescued him from a terrible fate, if that is his message. He owes you a debt of gratitude, and I am proud to pay that debt. Who can place a value on life? But please accept these five pieces of raw ebony, rare and valuable. And from me personally, accept this, my own personal blade, and this, the ring from my own finger. May these gifts bless you, as you have blessed my son." He said as I accepted his gifts in the spirit of gratitude. I would present them to Varvur.

I knocked on the door of Sarethi Manor, and Serene's blue-violet eyes widened in surprise.

"Sethyas! Do come in!" She said excitedly, kissing me on the cheek, the smell of sweet stoneflower on her skin.

"We were just talking about you, my boy! How goes the fight against the Sixth House?" Athyn said clasping my shoulders, and bringing me into an embrace.

"Well. It goes well. I'll tell you more if you can offer me a Mazte." I said with a hoarse tone.

A servant brought us all refreshments and drinks, of which I fully enjoyed, the taste of well prepared food far surpassing the stale saltrice and bread of taverns.

"Are you all right, Sethyas? You seem...odd, for you, that is." said Serene with a heavy hint of concern in her tone.

"Its...hard. I don't know. I'm spilling much blood. More then even I'm used too. For the first time in my life, I'm slaughtering, not assassinating. One has little to do with the other. I've never seen the face of a victim in my dreams, but now, I'm seeing dark caverns with red candles, the faces of the fanatics, the Dreamers. The nightmare of the Sixth House, is the pleasant dream of Lord Dagoth. I don't want to lose myself in the battle,...I need some sleep I think." I said quietly, fingering the hilt of the Fang.

"But enough of me. Where is Varvur? I have some things for him from my travels..."

Athyn and Serene looked at one another. "My son has taken up a career with the East Empire Company, he's..well,..he's an accountant. He's always been more of a Scholar then a Warrior, and, well, I'm proud of him." Athyn mused. The last I heard of him, I had escorted him to Fort Buckmoth for safekeeping while Venim's wrath was still a threat.

"How is he handling Domesea's death? He seemed quiet at the funerary rites."

"He is taking it quite well. I thank you again for being one of the nobles that carried her to the Tomb." Athyn said with gratitude.

"It was my honor and duty, Serjo." I said with a nod. "But I will leave these here, and perhaps you could send it to him."

"But as for you, Sethyas.I think I can make something that can help....you're more then welcome to rest here..." Serene said.

"I'll take whatever I can get. But it will have to be to go, its been far too long since I've seen Ilmeni." I replied quietly.

Athyn motioned for Serene to leave the two of us for a moment, and she took the oppurtunity to mix me up her heated cornberry wine.

"You're suffering from battle-stress Sethyas. It's very common amongst the Redoran warriors. You need to let up for a bit. Take some personal time, remind yourself what you're fighting for."

I shook my head. "There's no time for all that. Why should I rest when there is so much suffering? So much to do? No, the War is relentless, as so I should be..." I said, my eyelids growing heavy.

Serene re-entered the room with a steaming mug, that I gratefully accepted."I know you said to go, but it'll spoil if you don't have it fresh."

From the first sip, I felt the energy returning to my bones. "Nice concoction...I'll have to get that recipe. But it will have to be some other time...thank you for the Hospitatlity friends, but I must leave for Bal Isra. Be well."

"Be well, Sethyas." Athyn said with concern in his face as well.

I returned to Bal Isra, and Ilmenis squeals of delight met with a little more then indifference from me.

"I thought you would be happier to see me." she said with dissapointment.

"I'm showing as much emotion I can, Ilmeni. I'm more then just a little tired. But, you are the Sun after a long night. Know that, and never forget it." I said looking into her sweet red eyes.

I lay in the bath for a long time, thinking through the last few weeks. Strategy, tactics, planning. Killing, fighting, remembering. It was all too much. I needed to stop hunting down all the Bases, and assault Red Mountain directly.

I would start again in the morning. Yes, the morning. I would start it again. Until it ended.

I layed myself down next to Ilmeni, and her embrace was sweeter then anything I could have imagined. I would trade everything I had for a moment of that bliss, and I fell asleep in it. This night however, the dreams thankfully did not come. Though the taste of Cornberry Wine did.