The Saga of Vvardenfel, My fanfic, a conversion of Morrowind main quest. Options

[Gaius Maximus]

Well, this is my Morrowind fanfic, a story of my used-to-be minor now main character, Gaius Maximus. Since I didn't find it interesting to re-write the main quest of Morrowind, I decided to try it how I imagine it going after joining Imperial Legion and not touching the Main Quest for 6 in-game years. Any constructive criticism welcome.

The Saga of Vvardenfell
The Legionnaire, the Legend and the Island.

Grand Chapter 1: Every legend has a beginning...

Chapter 1: New Assignments.
Chapter 2: The Night before journey.
Chapter 3: Urshilaku Camp, part 1.
Chapter 4: Urshilaku Camp, part 2.
Chapter 5: Welcoming committee.

Grand Chapter 2: Closer to the Red Mountain.
Chapter 1: Odd Encounter.
Chapter 2: The Trial worth Our Hero, part 1.
Chapter 3: The Trial worth Our Hero, part 2.
Chapter 4: Veni, Vidi, Vici.
Chapter 5: Fire and Ice.

Grand Chapter 3: In the caverns of Vvardenfell.
Chapter 1: Dungeons, without Dragons.
Chapter 2: Dwemer Forge.
Chapter 3: Arming.

(Also note that I'm not sure if there are any more of the modern words left - do say if you see some. Help with that will be highly appreciated.)

Chapter 1: New assignments.

Gaius Maximus was a simple Imperial Legionnaire. Only possessions of his were the Divine Intervention amulet for quick escape, his Imperial steel armor and his broadsword, enchanted with his very own enchantment, made from a soul of a Dremora lord. The enchantment was pretty simple – it inflicted fire damage, along with a weakness to fire spell, which, combined with the steel itself, was pretty good for taking care of bandits, outlaws and other creatures, those native to the land of Vvardenfel.

Gaius was shipped to Vvardenfel 6 years ago, and the trip was quite interesting. During it, Gaius received a strange dream, about the troubles of Morrowind and Vvardenfel in particular, and how he was to save everything. Gaius never told anyone about it, as he later heard about strange dreams troubling people. He doubted they were different from his one, but he wasn’t able to ask anyone, as these so called ‘Dreamer’ and ‘Sleeper’ people would only ramble nonsense when talked to, if they wouldn’t attack him on sight.

Gaius lived in Gnisis, mainly in the Madach Tradehouse, where General Darius was taking residence. Darius would occasionally seek Gaius out, to give him harder assignments that other legionnaires couldn’t carry out. Like that time when he was assigned to rescue a priest from a Daedric ruin, in which he got that soul of a Dremora lord. Or when he was to investigate the mysterious happenings around a Dunmer stronghold, and ended up in a strange Dwemer ruin, fighting a creature called ‘Ash Vampire’. After a hard battle, Gaius beat the Vampire, and after coming back to Gnisis, he heard rumors about Red Mountain erupting and Blight Storms stopping for several hours.

Even now, Gaius was sitting at a table in the Tradehouse, with a bottle of Cyrodiilic brandy. Being rewarded quite healthy for all the special assignments, one would have retired from the Legion already if he was in Gaius’ place, but Gaius liked the Legion for some reason, and had no interest in retiring. As the assignments were given secretly, he never got a lot of promotions, as he couldn’t be promoted for what wasn’t a ‘Legion matter’ as Darius called it.

He heard news of some ‘Nerevarine’, a person claming to be an ancient hero reborn. Yeah, and I’m a trader. Gaius thought, taking another gulp from the brandy bottle. If he knew Vvardenfel right, the poor man would be executed by the Temple in a few days, if he was lucky, after a week. It was even a constant subject for bets in the Legion – how long would a new ‘Nerevarine’ last? They were just appearing out of nowhere – Ashlander tribes, guilds, Temple itself, Great Houses – or just freelancing adventurers, seeking for fame. Now that the Dagoth Ur problem was getting really nasty, everyone seemed to wait for the ‘Nerevarine’ to come, and rescue everyone.

After living in Vvardenfel for 6 years, Gaius soon noticed that whatever the Temple said, everything was turning wrong, and getting out of hand. The Ghostfence was getting weaker, as Gaius noticed while traveling near it, Corprus beasts – more frequent, and assassinations on important people even more frequent than the beasts. The Tribunal wasn’t that much of a help, and more people turned on worshiping Daedra, as Gaius found out while wandering in the ruins.

Gaius was distracted from his bottle by a man walking up the stairs – it was the same Orc that seemed to spend his whole life in Darius’ office. As he walked up to Gaius, the Imperial sighed. No doubt, this meant work.

“General wants to see you. Now.” The Orc said. Gaius never really liked the Orcish names, so he couldn’t recognize them, but he was pretty sure every one of them included ‘gro’.

“Sure thing, officer gro-Mamblang.” Gaius said, and stood up.

“For the last time, my name isn’t gro-Mamblang! One more time you call me like that, and I’ll… I’ll…” The Orc stammered.

“You’ll stammer when speaking with me?” The Orc swore, and rushed off into Darius’ office, with Gaius close behind.

Soon, Gaius was inside Darius’ office. “What now… sir?” The Legionnaire asked, catching Darius’ glare.

“I have another task for you. This one, though, will be official, though it’s quite dangerous. You’re up to it?” Darius began. As if he needed to ask.

“Of course, sir! Which ruin am I going to now?” Gaius asked.

“No, you’re not heading for a ruin this time. I want you to do a harder task this time. It’ll be a really long task, and I could only entrust you upon it. I know this’ll sound weird, but…” The General said, and silenced.

“What is it?”

“I want you to make a go for the Nerevarine prophecy completion.” Darius said.

Gaius felt something blow up in him. For a moment, he almost thought it was his brain. The Imperial Legion wants him to make a go for the Nerevarine Prophecies? What the?! “Okay, is this a really weird kind of joke?” Gaius finally asked, hanging on his last hope. Unfortunately…

“No, I’m absolutely serious.” Darius replied, and raised an eyebrow.

“But… But why? You want to make a bet for how long will I last?” Gaius asked.

“Not funny, Trooper. The Emperor wants to prove to the people of Morrowind that the Empire – and it’s Legions – can offer protection to the people. With the Temple unable to do anything, it’s a perfect chance to gain the trust of the people. You won’t understand it, its political business.” The General said. “Now, I want you to finish off any business before I give you your first assignment concerning this.” With that, he released Gaius.

Gaius went up shocked. Next thing he wanted to do was head into the Barracks and speak with Irr’cah, an ex-thief.

End of Chapter 1.

This post has been edited by Gaius Maximus: Nov 18 2007, 12:41 PM

[Gaius Maximus]

Yay, replies!

An interesting start to your tale. I especially liked the conversation with the Orc and the fact that your character didn't like Orcish names. Keep it up, I like it.

gaius in this fanfic expresses mostly the way I feel about Elder Scrolls - he hates the way Khajiiti talk, he hates Orcish names, he likes the Legion, etc. That and the Orcish names always escape me...

"Don't call me that again or I'll.... I'll!" "You'll stammer when speaking to me?" That was priceless, I'll say that next time someone starts saying that very phrase. Anyway, the Nerevarine Prophesies as a PR stunt by the legion is also fresh compared to the common interpretations, can't wait to see more, Gaius!

I can't remember where did that come from, actually - I just remember hearing or reading something along those lines. And it just so happened that the opportunity presented itself...

I like the blend of military jargon and comedy, and also the naivity of the Nerevarine...when i first played the game i felt like i was having stuff thrown in my lap, kinda like Gaius, he plays it off so well

Further into story, you'll see that Gaius hates being a hero, actually (You'll also see a whole lot other stuff, but none that I will spoil now. ). That's the way I felt about that myself - it's just so annoying that you're always 'Leader of All, Hero of Vvardenfel' and not just 'Random unknown farmer'. And since I can't leave unfinished journal entries, I have always to report to Caius Cosades... And then I have to have a reason to be a blade, so I have to do the rest of quests given by Caius... And then I'm half-way through, so I can't stop right there...

Anyway, chapter 2 (Hopefuly as good as chapter 1), featuring our favorite pant-less Dunmer from Gnisis!

Chapter 2: The Night before journey.

Gaius left Darius’ office. Now this is just plain crazy. The legionnaire thought, closing the doors behind him. So I’m supposed to be the ‘Nerevarine’ now? Crazed Dunmer with their silly beliefs…

Gaius walked towards the stairs, and stopped for a moment, as another soldier walked past. This is probably a bad dream… I wonder what’s next – Mad Gods? Daedric Princes? He asked himself, continuing towards the doors leading outside to Gnisis. Heh, that’d be crazy. The soldier immediately laughed at his thoughts.

Opening the doors, Gaius was greeted by a cold gust of wind. “Close the doors!” Someone yelled. “This one doesn’t like cold wind…” A Khajiit voice supported the first one. Sighing, Gaius closed the doors, then strolled towards the Barracks.

It was evening already – the streets (Or the street, Gaius never understood whenever Gnisis had one street or more) were already empty, except for a lone Dunmer merchant packing his goods up at the torchlight and several guards. The strange huts that for some reason reminded crabs to Gaius were already becoming darker, as the sun slipped away, hiding behind the mountains that surrounded Gnisis.

Gaius yawned, looking at the sunset, then down at the river. A Dunmer male was standing in the water. As much as he could see, the Elf was without his pants. Poor fellow… I wonder if Slaughterfish bite hard at night. Gaius thought blankly, and then proceeded inside the Barracks.

The Barracks changed during the 6 years Gaius was in Vvardenfel. The outside still looked the same, but inside was changed corresponding to the Crisis.

Now, the dinning table and chairs were immediately to the right, so that guards could react to an assault even when eating, and don’t waste much time. The wall further into the room was covered with papers and signs that blocked the door that used to be there.

The signs and papers informed guards to be aware of people that wear no shirt, and speak seemingly nonsense, something about ‘Dagoth Ur awakening, Red Mountain rising’, warning that they might be dangerous to the guards or citizens. Others warned about Ald-Ruhn, and recommended not to come close.

Recently, since the Ghostfence was weakening, Blight storms started occurring outside it – for now, not too far from the Red Mountain, but who knows what heck would happen if that would be left as it is for another year or two. In Ald-Ruhn, several people died after being infected, so it was abandoned slowly, and left empty. Not a very wise move, since it was reported later that a large group of Corprus beasts and other strange creatures Dagoth Ur controlled, led by a strange creature that was dubbed Ash Vampire (Though not a Vampire at all, Gaius didn’t had a slightest idea why was it called like that; the soldier himself called them ‘Those white ones with masks’), broke out of the Ghostfence and probably took over the now-empty Ald-Ruhn.

The room to the left was recently made into the Armory, with most of the armor and weapons being held there. The papers and signs were hanging there as well, but not blocking the door – the small room behind them was turned into the food storage.

The basement downstairs was blocked and locked with a magical lock after it was discovered that a secret tunnel was there, leading to a cave that was supposedly sacred for the Dunmer in some way (Every time Gaius thought of worshiping a cave as a sacred place, he started chuckling – the Dunmeri’s beliefs were truly very silly): it was posing a threat for Gnisis – what if those Ashlanders (Gaius liked to call them ‘The people that live in wilderness and throw things at passers-by’ to himself) or Corprus beasts attack through there?

The selection of races inhabiting the barracks was very small: limited to Orcs and Imperials, with one exception – a Khajiit.

That Khajiit was Irr’cah, the ex-thief working for the Legion.

The story how Irr’cah became an ex-thief is very simple – before joining the Legion in providing information, he was in the Thieves Guild, working for in Pelagiad mostly. Once, his partner didn’t agree to share loot and hid it under the wing of the local ranking Thieves guild member – Irr’cah, being the skilled negotiator he is, killed both of them, then reclaimed his loot. For that, of course, he was thrown out, and, angered by that, he began working for the Legion, supplying them with information about Thieves’ Guild operations. Eventually, though, Irr’cah retired into Gnisis, one of he calmest spots in Vvardenfel.

Irr’cah was currently sitting at the dinning room, busy on a card game with an Orc at the time when Gaius approached, so the Khajiit didn’t notice him.

“This one wins… again!” Irr’cah exclaimed, taking all the gold on the small table. Gaius tapped him on the shoulder lightly.

“Irr!” The soldier said.

Irr’cah flinched. “Ack! Good friend Gaius startled this one!” The Khajiit exclaimed, as gold pieces he was holding fell all over. With a swear he started gathering the coins. “This one hates when that happens.”

“Sorry to interrupt your play, but we need to talk.” Gaius said, with a tone in his voice that just said ‘That’s urgent!’

Irr’cah stood up, gold in his hands. “Sure thing, good friend Gaius! Right after I have another pl-“ He was cut off by Gaius sighing, then grabbing his shoulder and dragging him out. “This one will be back! You shouldn’t go away!” With that shout, the pair left the Barracks. The Orc shrugged, then yawned, and took out a bottle of mazte. A nearby Imperial Trooper muttered something along the lines ‘Stupid drunk Orcs…’, then turned around, returning to his normal duties - sitting and grumbling about the poor conditions of life in the Legion.

“You need to stop playing.” Gaius said, already outside. Irr’cah shrugged.

“This one needs a way to spend time, doesn’t he?” The Khajiit replied.

“Well, I’m here not to discuss your gambling problems. Listen…” Gaius said, then, ignoring the mumble ‘This one does not have gambling problems…’, told everything about the strange assignment he was given.

“And so I’m now supposed to become the ‘Nerevarine’. You don’t think that’s mad?” The soldier finished his short story, then sighed. “I swear, I’m still having the feeling that general Darius is laughing at his office now.”

Irr’cah remained silent for a moment, looking at the pant-less Dunmer down in the river that was desperately trying to avoid Slaughterfish.

“This one agrees that this is indeed strange. Good friend Gaius should be careful in this task – this one believes it will not be easy.” The Khajiit finally said.

“You think so?” Gaius asked sarcastically. “Because I thought it’s going to be a walk in the park… Like most of the times when I’m trying to fulfill ancient prophecies while being chased by Ordinators…”

“This one thinks now is no time for jokes, good friend Gaius. You should go get some sleep – this one doesn’t want to see Gaius be sleepy on journey.” Irr’cah replied with a slight frown.

“Unless you have a magical way of looking over me, don’t worry, you won’t see me sleepy, or at all see me.” Gaius replied with a slight smile.

“This one doesn’t have a magical way to look over you, but he still has eyes – I will come with you on your journey, good friend Gaius.” Irr’cah replied. Gaius seemed surprised.

“But why? It’s not that I’ll need help in combat…” The Imperial began, but Irr’cah cut him off:

“Perhaps this one may not help you much in combat, but two heads are better than one. And this one does not forget that good friend Gaius has terrible unlocking skills.” A smile passed through the Khajiit’s face, revealing his fangs. Gaius frowned.

End of Chapter 2.

This post has been edited by Gaius Maximus: Aug 10 2007, 05:55 PM