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]

At the time of this writing, I was ready to settle down and focus all of my energy into Ilmeni, Bal Isra, and the Morag Tong. However, first thing was first, and I had a marriage to focus upon, and after weeks of discussion, arguing, and making up with Ilmeni, we decided to hold the wedding in Vivec, on the very stairs leading up to Vivecs palace. This done with his blessing. I appreciated the recognition, as did others too apparently, as any Dunmer male with a Black Hand Tattoo claiming lineage from Mephala, claimed to be the Nerevarine, and since the tatoo was neither common, nor rare, it did give me a certain air of anonymity that I could hide myself into. For my whole life, I have lived in Shadows. Secrets and blood have been, and continue to be my trade. In this new Era, things were no different for me.

Life continued much as it had before, the slave trade which was deeply opposed by Ilmeni and myself, continued. Smugglers smuggled in the Bitter Coast, children played with Guars in the Ashlands, and I took a brief vacation from my 'ordinary' life as an Assassin to claim my vows to one and only. Ilmeni. As I had mentioned, Vivec gave his blessing, and since I had 'saved' Morrowind, the Temple had officialy bestowed me as the 'Protector of Morrowind'. The title was largely ceremonial, as I was better known by a different one. "The Nerevarine". He also honored my request to act as the Priest. Now, I know that there is a great deal of bad blood between Vivec and I, but I had just quenched a Three Thousand year old grudge with Voryn Dagoth, this was time to allow healing, and let go of the past, and look forward to the future. This would have been the start of a new beggining for 'Nerevar' and Vivec, and besides, he, by his own instruction, was to no longer be worshipped as a God, but rather as a Saint and Hero of the Temple, in that regard, he was more of a Chief Preist now then a deity. Who better to bless our union? I certainly felt no need to go around telling everyone that the Tribunal's days were numbered, I was content to let the now-mere-mortal to live out the rest of his days as he saw fit.

I am no man to judge crimes on the scale of Vivec's, and having been so close to the source of power, I felt the temptation that he certainly must have given into, and found it doubly hard to hold anything further against him. I made trips once a week to the Palace to speak with him, of things that were, things that are, and things that may be. I found him to be every bit the poet the legends made him out to be, and as he gradually lost his divinity, he seemed to enjoy our conversations more and more. Dare I say, over time we became friends even. Perhaps hard to beleive. Perhaps the Nerevar in me was finally content and asleep as he was most of my life. Or perhaps Nerevar was never betrayed, and the legends and stories are merely that. Legends and Stories. But that is another matter, and I am happy for once in my life, the loss and pain up until now have been great, sacrifice has been demanded of me at all turns, as well as from others. But Victory comes at a cost, and we have all paid it.

Few families from Houses Redoran and Hlaalu supported our union, with a few deeply opposed, with a large majority that did not care, for Hlaalu it did not seem to rub too many the wrong way, as it did not cost them money. For Redoran, they were hesistant to allow a Hlaalu amongst their ranks, but Sarethi, and his love, the Archmaster, Serene Catraso, both spoke for her, and sponsered her. As by tradition, the male's house became the House for both Husband and Wife, though Duke Dren did make a strange offer to allow me to enter Hlaalu as an Honorary member for all that I had done, possibly making me the first Houseman to join two houses. But, I refused, realizing that it was too much of a conflict of interest, and I had made enough history to last me my entire Corprus-lengthened life.

The planning lasted for weeks, much of the decorations and expense being left to the Temple, and Ordinators blocked off access to the High Fane for three days prior, although the event was largely somewhat a public spectacle, with observers crowding the Saint Delyn and Olms Cantons for days prior to the event. And then my big day came. Athyn Sarethi acting as my best man, we both wore tradtional Red Silk Redoran Shirts, standing to the one side of the steps, with a growing contingency of Redoran Blood Guards standing at attention with ebony spears, on the Brides side, stood Duke Dren, in polished ebony armor, looking at me with a measure of pride and nervousness, realizing that he was finally marrying off his daughter. He gazed down at the small gathering of Hlaalu Nobles and Servants and Guards on his side, with Master Aryon, and the Ashlanders Sul- Matuul and Ashkhan Kaushad with his recent bride in the guests seating area, essentially makeshift chairs in the various waterfall steppes that made the base of the palace. Standing just below him was Rayne Alas, looking rather beatiful in her Bridesmaid gown, with Kreshweed flowers in her formal hair. I snickered as I realized that she hardly looked like an Assassin.

A gasp of wonderment overtook the crowd, as the gaze fell to the west. In the waters that seperated Ebonheart from Vivec, a Gondola with torches decorating it, with wreaths and ropes of flowers decorating it, slowly glided across the waters, and kneeling at the stern, in an exquisite yellow and red wedding dress, Ilmeni smiled from ear to ear, standing impressively behind her in a revealing white gown, with her long brown hair flowing down on one side elegantly, the peaceful yet confident gaze of the Archmaster of Redoran, Serene, accompanied Ilmeni as a the Maid of Honor. It was a mixture of Imperial and Dunmeri traditions taking place, but one that was fitting.

The gondola finally reached the Temple gondolier port, and my bride and Serene disembarked and walked slowly up the ramp, and made their way to the Palace of Vivec. Fanfare began to play in traditional Dunmeri music, and Vivec exited his palace, standing directly outside his door, he had not changed his attire, and he had the same calm and objective look he always had. But when his eyes fell upon me, he gave the slightest of smiles.

Ilmeni reached me, and we took each others hand, and both looked upwards to Vivec.

"To those who seek love and the blessings of it, climb the stairs before you. Come to me if your hearts are true, and your intentions clear. Arise from the mundane, and ascend to the Sacred." he called out in a strong voice, the divinity largely faded from it.

And we were exaclty Seven Steps below him, and we recited the Seven Virtues of the Temple with each step, Athyn and Serene one step below us. Vedam Dren and Rayne Alas one step below them, Varvur Sarethi, and Eno Hlaalu the Step below them. Sul-Matuul and Kaushad the step below that.

Vivec levitated ever so slightly above the two of us, and overlooked the crowd.

"It is rare, and a joyous occasion, that two Mer may come together, and lay claim to the others Heart. But this is one of those days, in the light of the Sun, that is no longer blocked by the Shadow of Red Mountain! Hail Savior! Hail Redoran! Hail Dunmer! The Blessings of the Tribunal, I bestow upon the two before me now! May your Childrens Children know of this day as the greatest acheivement in your life! For you have overcome yourselves and the shadows within and without, and come to lay your claims too happiness."

His gaze fell to me.

"And now, in the prescence of House, Kin, and Friend, and the Blessed Temple. Do you swear your love and fealty to Ilmeni Dren, Sethyas Velas? To forswear all others, in blight and in light, in poorness and plenty, til death release you?"

"I do."

"And, do you, in the prescence of House, Kin, and Friend, and the Blessed Temple. Do you swear your love and fealty to Sethyas Velas, Ilmeni Dren? To fowswear all others, in blight and in light, in poorness and plenty, til death release you?"

"I do."

"Then in the Name of Almsivi, I name you, Lord Redoran Sethyas Velas, and Lady Redoran Ilmeni Velas, Husband and Wife. As one for the rest of tides of Eternity, let no one and nothing stand before or in between you. You may kiss your Bride." Vivecs voice lowered in the last sentence to one of pride, the final forgiveness between the two of us finally realized.

And I took Ilmeni in my arms, and kissed her deeply, the final moment between my past and future sealed with our embrace. Serene's face became emotional, shedding a tear, Athyn taking her in his arms, and a cheer erupting througout the crowds, and in the Cantons far off. I was now married.

The festivities and rejoicement continued for hours afterward, falling into the late hours of the evening, and I enjoyed a Brandy with Athyn and Serene in a Table off to a corner of the High Fane.

"Haha! Now you get to experience the fullness and the joy of Marriage, my boy!....run while you can!" Athyn laughed, to which Serene poked him, getting a playful look on her face.

"Don't listen to him! You two will be very happy, isn't that right, dear?!" Serene responded.

"I am sure of it. For I have learned that Destiny is made, as well as forseen. And I intend to make as much of my own destiny from hereon out." I responded. As though fate were returning my comment, a roar grew from the bridges that were guarded by the Ordinators, someone was trying to come in that wasn't invited.

Orvas Dren was accompanied by perhaps two dozen of his Cammona Tong thugs, and with a menacing glare, he made his way straight for our table.

"Don't mind me Velas! I'm just wondering why, the Uncle, wasn't invited to his own Nieces Wedding! Very nice stunt you pulled in the Council Club in Balmora! Do you think I respond well to threats? Did you think I was just going to let everything go, once you won? You seem to keep on defying death wherever you go, lets see how much luck you have left!" He yelled out, motioning for his men to unsheath their weapons.

"I didn't think you were that much of a fool, Dren! Look around you! There are Redoran and Hlaalu Guards here, not to mention Temple Ordinators. And after facing down Dagoth Ur, do you REALLY think that you frighten me? Come, let us finish our business, here and now! Crimelord to Assassin! You have dishonored me, and my bride by showing up here, and this offence I cannot let go!"

"Sethyas, NO! Not here! Not now! This is our Wedding Day, do not shed blood, please, both of you! Uncle! I beg you to lay down your arms, see some reason!" Ilmeni pleaded, holding my arm as I struggled to get up. I had no weapons on me, but I could certainly break a few noses, and cast a few little spells I knew. Athyn DID have a weapon, and unsheathed his steel shortsword, Serene, though a healer, was no stranger too combat, and summoned a bound longsword, as the small army prepared to fight.

"You shut your mouth, you little mother of mine! You are no blood of mine! Not anymore! You sealed your fate the moment you threw your lot in with the likes of him! Your an outlander mongrel as far as I am concerned! Boys! Lets do this!" Orvas whistled and took out his own Ebony Spear, armored in his Orcish Armor.

I took the comment about calling my wife a 'little mother of mine' quite personally, and my anger began to cloud my judgement, and with a leap and speed that Orvas did not expect, I brought my fist into his nose with all the strength I could muster. I would kill him! He and his entire ratpack! They will pay! Or so I thought.

The whistle of a bolt being released from a crossbow met my shoulder, and Serene cast a blistering frost to encase the Tong Archer that shot me, shattering him to peices with a single swipe of her sword. Athyn was more then holding his own against two thugs.

Soon the guards had come to play there own role in keeping the peace, and within minutes they had two prisoners, and twenty dead bodies, I looked around breathing heavily as Serene put her hands over the wound on my shoulder, healing the torn flesh. I realized that two people were missing.

"Where is Dren? Where's Ilmeni?" I shouted getting up from my chair.

I looked around, and grabbed the arm of an Ordinator.

"Sera? Did you capture or kill a Dunmer in Orcish Armor?"

The Ordinator called to his captain, and they both shook their heads after a moment of discussion. Noone matched that description at all. He had likely escaped in the chaos.

I then began running around frantically looking for Ilmeni, tears welling from my eyes as I shouted her name frantically. I looked everywhere except from where I had left her, at our table, and I ran as fast as I could back.

The next image was all I remember seeing before I blacked out, I saw an overturned chair, I saw Serene with a look of horror on her face, kneeling behind the table. She then looked at me with fear in her glance, and she sent her thoughts to me to stay away.

I refused, and she stood up, holding out her hands to keep me away. Her hands were covered in blood. So much blood.

I walked with all my strength against hers, and I saw it. My bride, laying on her back, a bolt sticking from her neck, her mouth in a wide O. Her blood surrounded her head, and her eyes looked at nothing at all, did not move at all.

I think Serene said something to me. I couldn't hear anything anyways, the worlds sounds came through as little more then a buzzing sound. I think I felt a lump rising in my throat, and then felt it enter and exit my mouth, I dont really remember, that was when the blackness swallowed me. I think I felt the floor reach up and hit me in the face. I dont really remember, that was the night my wife died, the same as when I wed her.