The Goblin Lady Options

[Renee]

Hey. So in this thread I will writing up stories pertaining to TES IV: Oblivion. Because I keep thinking of more an more ideas that occur within this game. All of these stories will be rather short, two or three months apiece, I think, rather than years and years. And the very first one shall begin in the post below.

So far there are three story ideas I've come up with: a former scholar, a monk, and a guard. All of this isn't just to write stories, it's to (as usual) enhance my gaming. Make it more interesting.



This post has been edited by Renee: Jul 14 2019, 02:53 AM

[Renee]

One come a day the water will run,
No man will stand for the things that he has done
... Hurrah!
... And the water will run

Chapter XIV: Contemplation

High above the ground, Jayne Goodfall stood at the very edge of the bridge, fidgeting softly in contemplation. The knuckles of her hands were white as kept she her balance. Her face was strained and pensive, but not overly emotional. Whole decades of her life had been spent toward quiet study and attempts at deduction (rather than brash, decisive outbursts) and she maintained these habits now. Standing high above the ground, the Imperial City's former head researcher still managed to continue detached observation. It was as if she was seeing herself in this very moment, viewed through the eyes of a distant, casual observer.

She looked up at the sky, and down at the valley. A lone dog was walking far below. Three or four seconds of time in mid-air, that's about all it would take.

She'd had an agonizing day, certainly the second-worst day of her life. Sure, being forced out of the city by swordpoint, and then riding that stolen horse across a land full of demons had been horrible as well, but at least the guard who'd tried to arrest her had merely been doing his job. At least the Daedra she'd encountered hadn't been specifically targeting her as she galloped by. By contrast, the people of the Imperial City who'd read the Black Horse Courier on Heartfire 7, Year 4 had specifically directed their jeers and their insults.

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

She'd been released from jail early that morning. A stay of three days, as promised. Her precious research tome and her goblin-calming totem had both been returned. Amazingly, she'd also been given back the remaining gold (all 28 pieces of it) which had originally been gifted by Ignytiq.

But the robe and hood she'd been wearing at the time of her arrest (the supposed disguise she'd been suggested as she trespassed within White Gold Tower) these were not allowed, of course. Since she'd discarded the original clothes she'd been wearing three days prior, this meant she had no choice but to continue in the grungy jail outfit she'd been assigned.

She was weak. Jayne's head pounded and her breath wheezed, as she tried to move nonchalantly back toward the Market District. She'd been hoping to make her way to Jensine's shop so she could find something else to wear. After donning something new, her next plan would be a walk to one of the market's alchemy shops, where she hoped to procure something to remedy her sickness.

But as soon as she'd entered the district, the citizens were already there. Already staring. Already casting their judgments. And there were a lot of them. Debutantes and street-cleaners, noblemen and squires. They all came together to taunt and jab and poke.

"There she is!"

"What're ya gonna do this evenin', ma'am? Do ya fancy bringing all yer monsters into the city to kill more of us, eh?"

"You remind me of my homeland, during the BLIGHT!"

"I KNEW him! He was my friend! And your awful goblins KILLED him!"

A couple of them threw things: One bottle smashed right beside Jayne's sandaled feet, one stone caught her square on the shoulder. Any other day, the guards would have tried to stop this scene, but on Heartfire 7, Year 4.... it was as if they already knew what was to commence, and allowed it.

Jayne rushed and panicked. She'd somehow forced her way into "Jensine's Good as New," hoping to find at least a quick change of apparel. But Jensine also learned who Jayne was, and wanted nothing to do with her. "Oh, it's you! Get out of my shop Imperial dog, before I call the guards!" she'd warned. It was when Jayne asked if she could simply spend some coin for some clothes that she finally learned about the article.

"Guess you haven't seen your face in the Black Horse Courier? Here!" Jensine thrust Jayne a copy. "Hope you're satisfied."

Ignytiq. That bleeding rascal.

Upon your release, you shall see just what sort of power I now wield. You have no idea. None at all. And you shall see.

Oddly, Jensine did not ask Jayne to leave a second time. Maybe she saw the former researcher gawk in horror. Maybe she wanted to savor that moment: being the one who'd been able to inform the Goblin Lady of her scandalous new plight . Whatever the reason, Jensine allowed Jayne some time to read the article. Jayne herself couldn't have moved her feet right then anyway, even if she had tried.

GOBLIN LADY RETURNS

by Sortus Phillidus

Long ago in the Third Era, as the midst of the Oblivion Crisis was deftly upon us, the Elder Council scrambled for new ideas. What could be done to help alleviate the hordes of Daedra which had swarmed Kvatch, then forfilled their promise of an imminent inhabitation of all Cyrodiil itself?

The council convened. And within the council, as dozens of ideas and purpotations were drawn up, drafted, voted upon (and so on) one Jayne Goodfall, head of the then-Imperial City Research Faction, suggested that the goblins she'd been living with and studying, might be a sort of 'answer' to the crisis.

Goblins, blecch! Despicable creatures! Though at the time, it was Jayne who had made them seem not so despicable. In fact, in her final affidavit presented to the Elder Council itself, surprisingly the idea that the multitude of goblin FILTH inhabiting our wilds might just rise to the challenge. The council voted, and it was mostly "Ayes" which filled the Elder Council chamber on that cool day in Evening Star.

Unfortunately, the small group of goblins she then had imported into the city went wild that night. Picked their way out of the captivity lockup in which they'd been located. Then hammered their way through the city's districts, assaulting dozens, and even killing one citizen: Malandi Dalorr, a former merchant who'd merely been waiting to ply his wares. Though their effort was quickly contained, the city demanded retribution against one Jayne Goodfaul, who Malandi's murder was ultimately blamed.

And now Jayne resides here within the city, where she has returned after years in poverty while living in Morrowind. At this writing she is currently imprisoned, for a minor trespassing charge. She incurred this charge after being caught, sneaking amongst the confines of White Gold Tower after-hours.

It is unknown what choices Jayne Goodfall shall make. Whether she'll stay within the city, try to find some menial task of a job, or even attempt to bring more goblins to invade our abodes! All of this remains unknown. But this can be said: LOCK THINE DOORS should Jane Goodfall come rambling near you!

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

"Ha. There you are. Phew! I'm glad to have found you, lady. What're ya up to, anyway?"

Startled from her thoughts, Jayne flinched at the sound of the man's voice. Whoever this man was, he had crept up quietly enough to where she was standing.

"Stupid question. I know you've had a rough day. The roughest, in fact. I've been living here in the city now for over five years, yet I've never seen a freed prisoner get treated as you were."

Jayne Goodfall shivered. Her body rigid. Focused on balance. The ground far below, with the stray dog still wandering about. She made no attempt to reply.

"I wish you would come down from that ledge, my friend. Will you please? I need to talk to you."

"Go away."

The man would not do so, however. After a moment, she heard a bit of shuffling. Without warning, the man was now standing next to her, causing Jayne a wee moment of fright. Both of them, high upon bridge's ledge. Jayne cautioned a glance out of the corner of her eye, yet could not see his face clearly.

"My name's Winston. And I have a proposal for you. Because you see, I know a lot about you. I know a lot about everyone who stays in that jail. I have to know. It's how I choose some fresh recruits for my .. ah... profession."

Jayne did not reply.

"Ah fokke. I just said all that wrong. Too forward, that's what my cohorts always say. 'Tone it down, Wilbur, otherwie you'll scare them off,'" the man said abruptely, making his voice an octave higher. "Now you're probably scared of me, huh?"

Jayne did not reply. But a moment or two later, the man cautiously touched her hand with his own. First a finger. Then two. Then three fingers. Surprise, and warmth. It felt good, this simple warmth. It felt good, this simple contact. She needed this warmth, she needed this contact.

The man, a Redguard, seemed to realize he'd made some sort of progress. Firmly, he grabbed Jayne's palm with his own. "Come on down from here, right? We'll both walk backwards as one. Yes?"

Jayne nodded slowly. "Yes." Finally took her attention away from the ground far below. Away from the stray dog. Realized her heart was hammering. Had it been doing so all along?

The two of them then stepped in reverse, off of the ledge, still holding hands. Jayne's heart hammering. She breathed out a sigh of relief, realizing how close she had been. "I thank you, ehm ... Wilbur. You.... I ... I ... I do not feel so well." She heaved and shivered. Looked to the cobblestones on the avenue below. Realized she was dizzy.

"Anytime friend, I'm right here."

Suddenly, Jayne looked at the Redguard quizzically. "Say, I thought you said your name is Winston. Ain't that what ya said, firstly? Yea. Yet then you say your name is Wilbur. So....Winston? ... Wilbur? .... Who exactly are ya, anyway?"

The Redguard glanced to the sky for a few seconds. Freed Jayne's hand so he could smack his own forehead.

"Ah, fokke," he finally replied.

-------------------------------------------

Not what she needs to hear

Ignytiq forebodes (that jerk. I hate him!)

Release from Jail

Market Scene

Goblin Lady Returns!

Contemplation

Saved today

This post has been edited by Renee: Nov 4 2019, 11:17 AM