Today in Cyrodiil, spoilers version, TES: 4 Oblivion character accounts & stories Options

[Acadian]

The Jandaga has a lot of patience to put up with that councilor's bs + attitude. And what is with the coded letters? Is someone trying to undermine the Mages Guild and using the Arch Mage to do it?

[macole]

20240521 TAS The Ingred Inauguration

Actually, I was rather relieved when Councilor Oscuiro informed me that he was going to an out-of-town meeting. I haven’t had a relaxing dinner with my Ladies in a long time.

Surprisingly, the Ladies were still in the Arboretum when I found then. Smiling wildly, I ran to greet them with news of a few days of leisure time.

The Ladies were excited to see me, too. Um, it seems I had forgotten to inform the Bank to increase their credit limit while I was away. Now I was about to hear, non-stop for the rest of the afternoon, exactly how they felt about that mistake.

A romantic dinner on the Bloated Float, under moonlit starry skies, serenaded by the sound of waves lapping against the piers, will go far in solving that misunderstanding. Why, we could even take in the theater after dinner.

Oh, I forgot there is no theater in the Imperial City or in the whole of Cyrodiil for that matter. And no, the Arena is not the sort of entertainment my Ladies should be seeing at this time. They might get the wrong idea. The plan is to soothe their fractured egos, not inflame them further.

The whole afternoon spent in the Goddess Store and the only thing bought was a new pair of shoes for Kaleah. At least there’s a nice bar down in the lower level.

It was pouring rain when we, Kaleah, Elenya, Pym, and I left the Goddess Store. Thankfully the Bloated Float is only a short walk, err run down the wharf street. After a mad dash to the Bloated Float, we stumbled thoroughly soaked into the dining room, laughing like a bunch of school kids at recess. Pouring ourselves into the chairs at the nearest table we shouted for drinks and plates of whatever was in the hot pot.

Recognizing his friends, Orvil brought out his best wines and liqueurs to go with large steaming platters of crab legs and lobsters and baked fish with a lemon butter and caper sauce. Pity, we weren’t able to enjoy the dinner on the top deck under the moons and stars but the Bloated Float was dry on the inside.

It was late and the storm had not subsided, we weren’t the only ones who decided to spend the night aboard the Bloated Float. Party till the clouds run dry, someone shouted. With Orvil setting-up temporary sleeping mats for those who needed, the party continued well into the wee hours.

The morning came and with it came the end of the storm. We left the Bloated Float to get cleaned up at the Arch-Mage’s quarters.

Passing through the Arboretum, we were stopped by an elder lady, Elsabeth Selatus. Claiming to have been sent by someone she won’t name, she warns us that we are in great danger. “They” are watching and “They” are out to kill me, she warns.

Who are “they” that she’s warning about and who is it that sent her?

They, I suspect are the True Descendants cultists. The cultists have been very visible lately. They seem to be everywhere the Ladies and I go. There were at least four running around inside Mir Corrup last time we were there. They even followed us to Caldera.

No, it’s not the True Descendants, but certain others, Elsabeth claims. Well known rich people, people with power. Elsabeth offers to direct me to certain secrets that if used wisely will protect me from these “others”. She will say no more on who these others are.

To uncover these secrets, I must seek out Ingred the Sturdy, a Nord traveling merchant. She should be staying at the Imperial Bridge Inn this coming Tirdas. Giving the password Wingless Bird, Ingred will reveal to me the location where I will find important secrets about the Steps.

Why should I trust some old woman with an oddball conspiracy theory when she won’t tell me who sent her or why? I guess it’s because of the way the grey robed cultists are constantly hovering around that I think we should look into this.

Turning to my Ladies I suggested that since it is now Morndas, we should leave immediately. After being schooled on how bad an idea that was, we decide that we would spend the night in the Arch-Mage’s quarters and leave for the Imperial Bridge Inn at the first light of dawn.

How could I stand against such convincing arguments? Bubble baths, shampooing hair and doing nails are after
all basic needs that should not be ignored. And don’t forget dinner. Oh, that first light of dawn thing, better make that after the morning meditation and most importantly breakfast. Oh well, if we run we should make the Imperial Bridge Inn by early Tirdas evening.

Leaving the Mages Guild, we walked across Lake Rumar to the Ring Road. Turning south we come across another traveler as we passed the burned-out husk of the original All Things Alchemical.

She was alone and going in our direction, so I politely ask if she’d like to journey with us for protection. She gave us stern look over and said something to the effect that she’d have to have a long talk with a barkeep before talking to me.

Ouch, that stung. It’s been quite awhile since I was considered a ‘closing time desperation date’. Well, if she wants to be left alone then we’ll just keep on going.

When we came to the Yellow Road intersection, we turned south toward Leyawiin. Here’s where we began to really notice how many True Descendant cultists were reacting to us. They were constantly running past us. One or two at a time they’d pass us by going south. A short time one to four more would run by us going north. It was getting rather unsettling.

Near the area of Fort Sejanus and the Wayshrine of Julianos, we passed by a half buried Ayleid stepstone. As we did a bandit appeared on the stepstone. He took one look at us and swung his big hammer. Pym and Elenya reacted instantly, and the big bandit would no longer threaten anyone in such a manner. The bandit was holding 56 Welkynd stones.

Concentrating on counting Welkynd stones, we were caught by a poisonous cloud. Led by the wanted criminal Nephethys Adlbruk (MOO Mythic Dawn faction), a band of Morrowind Raiders ambushed us. There was a brief struggle.

Collecting Adlbruk’s helmet as proof of her demise, and 307 gold coins from her pocket, we continued on. The rest of the journey to the Imperial Bridge Inn was uneventful.

It was just before 5:00 pm and knowing how busy this place gets at dinner time, the first thing we did was pay for a bed for the night. After a quick change to get rid of some of the road grim, we ordered some dinner and sat down to wait for Ingred the Sturdy to arrive.

This post has been edited by macole: May 22 2024, 04:36 AM

[Acadian]

A refreshing pause in the IC, followed by another cryptic warning from a stranger. Off to the Imperial Bridge Inn. A couple of attacks and a good supply of welkynd stones later, they arrive to await their study target and ponder why those cultists seem to be breeding like bunnies.

[Renee]

Ah man, fallen behind on the Jandaga tales. Thanks for explaining about Dune Walkers and the Renrija Krin. I've heard about the Krin countless times since the NPCs frequently yap about them, but didn't really know what they are.

The part when Jandaga goes on his own: that is always a great dynamic, when a character you've been gaming with who is part of a group leaves the group behind. I get this perspective with Xena Gade. Sometimes she goes on missions alone, or does a portion of a dungeon by herself. Different perspective. Much easier to Sneak, for one thing.

Today's song is Willie Nelson, final answer! ,,,, NO!!! That's Bob Seger.

Whoa, enemies can use stepstones too!

Picking the wrong stepstone sounds frustrating. OH I get it. So once they're all mapped, then going to the correct destination is easy.

Um, it seems I had forgotten to inform the Bank to increase their credit limit while I was away.

Ha ha ha!

Fact: Bloated Float is one of the only interiors in which food and (I think) some beverages can be picked up, and it's not a crime in the base game. 🍷

Ouch, shot down by a mod-added Traveller. I know the feeling.

Why are cultists keep running past?

This post has been edited by Renee: May 29 2024, 04:16 PM

[macole]

20240603 TAS The Ingred Inauguration – OOO Shadows in the Struggle for Power

A Nord woman arrived a few hours later. By the Mother of All Creation, it was the rude traveler who had spurned our offer to join company had met earlier in the day. She came in ordered a plate and with no place to sit she took it upstairs to eat. Thinking that her earlier snarky attitude would soften after a bit of food and ale to wash it down, I waited a bit. Half an hour later I introduced myself to Ingred the Sturdy.

“Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt but…” I began.

“What?” snapped Ingred the Sturdy. “Why are you bothering me? Who are you?”

Using the password I was given, I said, “I am a Wingless Bird,”

“By the Nine Divines, a real poet!” Ingred exclaimed. “Come with me. I need some fresh air.”

With the inn crowded with Imperial legionaries, Ingred put on a distracting show of familiarity as she led me outside to a secluded spot by the dock. My ladies followed closely behind to make sure we were not disturbed.

****************

The Imperial Bridge Inn was packed. In addition to the usual crowd, a squad of legionaries (mod VOILA - Voices Of Imperial Legion Amalgamated) had just arrived for dinner. It is lonely business patrolling the Morrowind border and the Imperial Bridge Inn is the one place guards can gather when they get off duty to enjoy the camaraderie their fellow officers.

Upon seeing the four women escorting the Jandaga out the door one of the legionnaires shouted out. ”Don’t bruise him too badly.”

“And mind the stinging nettles,” added the squad captain standing at the door.

The inn nearly lost is roof due to the uproarious laughter hooting and hollering that followed.

“Who is that guy that just walked out with four women?” inquired a marine, on leave from the southern fleet.

“The Nord gal called him a poet.”

“Man, you’ve been out to sea too long,” corrected Davela Hlargen, the proprietor of the inn. “He’s the Champion of Cyrodiil, probably the richest person in the whole empire.

“He’s always willing to go dungeon diving to help those in need,” chirped Lithnilian. “Pretty good at it, too. Saved my research, that he did.”

“Dungeon Diving,” snickered a Bosmer legionnaire sharpshooter sitting at the bar. “Yeah, I bet.”

“Pah,” spat the marine. “He’s just another xōchipepe.”

“A what?” inquired the squad captain.

“Pyandonean,” the marine explained. “Means ‘flower gatherer’.”

“That could be,” pondered an Imperial archer. “He did just walk out with a pretty sweet bouquet.”

****************

After a brief interrogation to confirm that I was who I said I was, Ingred the Sturdy gave me these instructions.

“Okay, having heard your poetry, I am supposed to give you a few instructions.”

“Before I do so, I must warn you. First, I will do this only once, and nothing of what I say is ever to be repeated. Right. If you ever talk about it, or about me, I will find you and kill you. This is no threat. It's just a fact.”

“Listen very closely. Go to Gottshaw Inn, to the west of Kvatch. If you don't know where that is, I'll mark it on your map. Search the immediate surroundings. Do it well. An Ayleid Step is hidden there somewhere. I guess you are experienced in using the Ayleid Steps. We would not have this talk if you were not. Just activate that Step and you'll land in some long-forgotten tomb. Oh, and watch out for those pesky cultists. Make very sure no one sees you.”

“Understood,” I confirmed.

“Good.” Ingred the Sturdy continued. “If you follow my instructions, you will find a letter and eight copies. You may read them, but not take them with you. Not even one. If you take one, I will find out and you will die.”

Kaleah laughed; she had had enough of the Ingred’s talk of killing. Shaking her bow at Ingred, with a deathly serious emphasis on each word, Kaleah sneered, “You may try. You will fail.”

At that moment from out of the darkness several true Descendant cultists came charging down the riverbank. With my Ladies’ attention focused on Ingred’s threats, the cultists broke through their defensive line, centering their attack on me. That really was an error on their part. Kaleah, Elenya, and Pym recovered quickly, and the cultists were quickly put down. Those that were not lying dead on the ground, fled up the hill into the dark forest.

“See,” Ingred said. “They were after you. Be careful, follow my instructions and we may meet again.”

“We’ll be careful,” I agreed. “We’ll leave for Gottshaw Inn right after breakfast tomorrow morning.”

The next morning, Elenya pointed out that traveling by road up and around the Niben and Lake Rumare would take us twice as long than if we walk across the Niben and straight across country to Gottshaw.

Walking across the Niben I overheard Elenya say to Kaleah that she had noticed Kaleah had changed clothes.

Kaleah responded that the Mina skirt shows off her new thigh high boots. I can’t argue with that.

(Once again Oscuro’s Oblivion Overhaul surprises me. This time by loosely tying its many factions into a single quest, 'Shadows in a Struggle for Power'.)

The trip across the southern border of Cyrodiil went without serious incident. It was time for dinner when we reached the ruins of Fort Dasek Moor. The protected courtyard of Dasek Moor’s door invited us to stop and to make camp.

Later with dinner done, we sat relaxing under the star filled sky unaware of the danger that was approaching from the darkness just outside the glow of the ebbing campfire. With a blood curdling scream marauders sprung their attack.

Even though we successfully repelled the attack we were driven into the dark, toothy maw of Dasek Moor. Twinkle came at my call to chase away the darkness revealing the teeth of Dasek Moor. From the far end of the corridor someone called out, “Who’s there?”

This was the beginning of a long night

Before I could call out, “Friend, just looking for a place to spend the night”, nine OOO Raider faction marauders attacked us from two directions. We repulsed the raiders, killing five. Four marauders fled down the long corridor to our right. The chase was on. One by one we picked them off.

The last of the raiders, wielding an enchanted warhammer, stood resolute before an iron gate.

“Oh no, he’s going to shout, ‘Thou shall not pass!’” I whispered to Kaleah.

“More like, Horatius Cocles,” Elenya added. “There’s always a Captain of the Gate.”

Turned out the raider didn’t shout, he just charged us with his big hammer. He also didn’t have anything on him to identify him by name. He was just a simple MOO Marauder with an enchanted warhammer.

No one had an answer when I asked, “What is an unnamed MOO Marauder doing with Armand Cristophe’s Warhammer and why do I get a message informing me that I recovered it?”

Continuing on, I unlocked iron gate only to be obstructed by a large wooden double door. The doors opened to the Dasek Moor Tombs. We had barely taken a step inside the Tombs when two very skilled wanted criminals (MOO wanted faction), assaulted us.

The Altmer swordmaster, Mortha Caemius and her Bosmer bow girl Cylsandra Nightthorn fought hard but fell in the end. We claimed Mortha’s mithril helmet and Cyslandra’s enchanted longsword as proof to claim of bounty.

Unbelievable, that silly Bosmer enchanted her sword with a -2 personality on strike. What a waste.

Returning to Dasek Moor’s exit we passed a door we hadn’t opened. Of course we just had to go inside and see what Dasek Moor Malebolge had to offer. What we found was the main force of the Raiders.

Down a flight of stairs, five raiders of lesser rank were having dinner in the room to the left of the staircase. A conference between Hlofor the Arctic Bear the leader of the OOO Raiders and his subordinates, the beautiful lieutenant Vistilia and three Raid Commanders was in progress in the room to the right of the staircase.
Gathered around a table the Arctic Bear and his subordinates were studying a map as they went over Hlofor’s notes. This little Raider convention made for one heck of a fight. In the end Hlofor the Arctic Bear and Vistilia lay quietly at our feet.

When the fight was over, we took a look at Hlofor’s battle plans (notes and a map) found on the desk.

Hlofor’s battle plans tells us that Hlofor was aware that several factions (the Bosmer Rangers, the Sylvan Rangers (led by Eregor), the Putrid Hand (led by Master Lien Valeth), necromancers (led by Fayth Noor), the Mages Guild, and the daedric prince Molag Bal) are after an artifact referred to as "Graithlan's Vessel" or “The Dread Armor”. This set of armor, rumored to be infused with Graithlan’s soul, is said to grant great power whosoever wears the armor.

Hlofor the Arctic Bear thinks, er, thought that he could leverage his Raiders against the other factions and beat them to finding Graithlan’s Vessel. He is only waiting for his captains Sheil and Faran to return from the forts Facian and Flecia to strike. The locations of these two forts are marked on Hlofor’s map.

The seductive call of obtaining great power took hold of Kaleah and Elenya. They argued that we should investigate the two forts Facian and Flecia right away. Even gentle Pym was nodding excitedly in agreement. But,
I knew better. Taking action against the Shadows in their struggle for power will have to wait. We have more pressing matters to attend to.

What could be more important at the moment than looting Dasek Moor? That got the Ladies’ minds off of Forts Facian and Flecia. We recovered some pretty nice stuff e.g. Hlofor the Arctic Bear’s sliver claymore, Silvery Falls and his armor.

Oh, and let’s not forget the chest hidden behind the statue.

Now that the important business has been taken care of let’s get some sleep. I know I saw a bedroll somewhere near the tombs. We’ll leave for Gottshaw Inn in the morning.

This post has been edited by macole: Today, 06:00 AM