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

[macole]

20221213 The Ayleid Steps & SNUS in Memorial Cave

After a relaxing day in Leyawiin if you can call haggling with the vendors while trading in out accumulated loot or dealing with Mages Guild duties and OVB Leyawiin Chapter business relaxing, we enjoyed dinner and drinks at the Drunkin’ Donkey just outside the western city walls.

The following morning Fiona mentioned that it was time she got back to Shadowcrest Vineyards. The new wine needs Fiona’s special touches before it goes into the aging barrels.

An emergency of the utmost importance! We immediately made preparations to leave Leyawiin. When we were ready, with a wave of the hand I transported us to the Midas Astral Gate.

“Oh, which one is it?” I mumbled to myself.

“Oh no you don’t. Mama warned me not to fall for that “ran out of gas” line.” Fiona chided. Almost blushing she added, “But then, she never said anything about Astral Gates,”

“Ruby,” I answered. “Ruby red, the color of your hair, of course.”

“Oh, pooh. Such a waste of magical moons!” I heard Fiona mutter as I took her by the hand and led her through the gate.

Within an instant we stepped through the Ruby Gateway to the sitting room of Shadowcrest Manor; my second most favorite house.

The next day, after reviewing the current receipts, inspecting the latest harvest, and sampling some of the new wine I left for Benirus Manor. Quick an easy the Take Me Home (actual LAME name is Teleport Home, I just like Take Me Home better) the sound spell deposited me in the upstairs bedroom. Vilja was sound asleep in the bed when I popped in. The near silent pop woke her up.

Yawning and rubbing her eyes didn’t stop her from greeting me loudly. “Where have you been? Do you know how long you’ve been gone? It’s been more than a couple of days!”

Something told me Vilja was not very happy with me. I immediately went into disaster recovery mode and suggested that we take a stroll along the docks to see the ships. That worked. She may still be mad at me but she wasn’t shouting anymore.

As we strolled through the city we stopped at all the shops to lighten the load of loot I was carrying. It’s amazing how little those gold coins weigh. You’d think they were teeny tiny little things.

Sensing that she was feeling better I tried to start up a conversation. That was a mistake. Vilja started off on how I’m always doing what I want to do and that I never ask what she wants to do. Oh, ok. So I asked. “What do you want to do?”

You know what she said? In a whiny little voice she said, “I don’t know. Go out and kill something?

“How about we work on your riddle and investigate Memorial Cave for stepstonea,” I suggested. In a blink of an eye she was, in her fighting clothes and whistling for her pet wolf Wolfgang. Ready to go, there was no stopping us now. A day later we were standing on the outside of Memorial Cave.

I think I'm going down to the well tonight
I'm gonna drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
But I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back, trying to recapture
A little of the glory, yeah
Well time slips away and leaves you with nothing, mister
But boring stories of…

“Been awhile since we defeated Seridur here,” I said.

‘Ya, you were just beginning vampire hunting with OVB, back then,” Vilja replied.

Through the door we went. The place hadn’t changed a bit. Blood stains were everywhere; some even appeared to be… fresh! That horrid thought was confirmed when Vilja tentatively asked, “Aren’t you afraid of those vampires?”

So much fun, the memory of the glory, um gory days of years gone by had returned. Many vampires later Memorial Cave is once again pacified. Light of Dawn has absorbed another 6 vampires making a total of 320 and yet the stepstone is nowhere to found. What is wrong?

Searching for the Stepstone, we discovered a vital key sitting in plain view next to a candle. How did I miss this key the first time I was here? Supposedly it opens that amazingly frightening looking crypt we found in the adjoining room.

Unlocking the door to the Memorial Cave Crypt (SNUS) Vilja, Wolfgang, and I descend the winding narrow staircase until we reach a bone filled room.

In the center of the room surrounded by the skeletal remains of countless humans and mer sat a sarcophagus containing a single skeleton. Was this some great lord interned with his servant and wives? We may never know. The sarcophagus was open. instead of a lid, a spiked spring trap covered the skeleton.

With a childlike innocence Vilja ran up to the open sarcophagus.

”Careful!” I warned. “Stay away from the ends. Touch only the sides.”

Approaching from the side I carefully activated the trap. The poisoned spiked grates sprung out and would have impaled anyone standing at the head or the foot of the sarcophagus (don’t ask how I know, it’s too painful to think of). While the spring actuated jaws were open I quickly snatched a satchel filled with treasure.

“Is that Seridur?” Vilja asked.

“I don’t know. I hate to think that it is.” I drove a wooden stake through its ribs just in case.

With the treasure of the crypt in hand we returned to main part of Memorial Cave to ponder our failure to find the stepstone. A review of Ervvin’s journals confirms that the stepstone should be here.

“A portion of the cave seems to have collapsed (SNUS). Bet it’s buried beneath that big stone wall next to the tombstone. Got a pick axe?”

“No,” Vilja answered. “I can’t carry all your stuff. I’m not a pack mule, you know.”

“Hmm, the old Pittfall spell might work. Don’t use it much anymore, most schools don’t even teach Passwall or Pitfall these days but they do have their uses, from time to time.”

It worked. Only took a couple tries before I got the intonation of RidID Disable right, know what I mean? Anyways, with the stone wall out of the way, a natural rock shelf was exposed. Sitting on the shelf was a banded chest (OOO) filled with valuable treasure. Still, there was no sign of the stepstone.

“This dark rock looks out of place,” Vilja said pointing to a dark rock next to a tombstone.

The Pitfall spell went a little easier this time. The dark rock disintegrated leaving a gleaming Ayleid Stepstone behind. Now, with everything cleared away we were ready to travel to wherever the stepstone will take us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Arena spells Passwall and Pittfall originally were used to create temporary holes in walls and floors allowing the player to bypass dangerous areas. Here they are the spell names are used as place holder for console commands. In this chapter Passwall (TFC2 and TCL) is used to walk through walls and floors to locate the hidden stepstone. Pittfall (Disable) is used pretty much as in Arena to remove sections of rock in order to expose the buried stepstone.

This post has been edited by macole: Dec 14 2022, 06:11 AM

[Acadian]

Vilja surely is good about complaining. Good thing the Jandaga didn't ask her if she wanted to lead. I'm sure they'd still be aimlessly wandering the hills and dales of the West Weald.

Another stepstone. This one didn't give up its secret easily.

[macole]

20221220 The Ayleid Steps – Lost Rillim, Rumple IC - Office

Leaving Memorial Cave by the Ayleid Step we just uncovered took us to Nibenay Basin somewhere N.E. of Fort Cedrian. Here we encountered our first Step Traveler.

We had just stepped off the stepstone to take a look at our surroundings when a Step Traveler appeared. Friendly enough, though Solomon Geonette didn’t have much to say other than hello, How he managed to figure out how to use Ayleid Steps he would not say. One thing is for certain, we are not the only ones travelling the steps. The demand for welkynd stones is going to explode.

The Nibenay Basin step sends us high up in the Valus Mountains. We can see Hame down below us.

Finally, the Valus Mountain stepstone takes us to Lost Rillim.

Rillim consisted of three large rooms. Out pacing Vilja I found the entrance to the largest room. Enticed by the glow of a dozen or so welkynd stones I eagerly ran into the room only to find myself surrounded by trolls. From the outset the trolls weren’t very friendly and their disposition only got worse after I set the Ancient Azhklan Matron ablaze.

The already perilous situation took a turn for the worse when troll mother’s smoldering husk hit the floor. The troll’s sons and daughters rushed me, pinning me against a wall. I was barely holding my own when Vilja finally arrived. Say what you will about Vilja’s constant complaining and random chatter, she is a force to reckon with when she has a big weapon in her hands. She is one heck of a fighter.

Together Vilja and I rid Lost Rillim of 11 Azhklan Trolls, an Ogre, and a Lich. With Lost Rillim cleared of enemies and welkynd stones we used the stepstone to leave Lost Rillim to find ourselves standing wooded southern part of the Valus Mountains.

Vilja has decided that she wants to retire from pirating, take her booty to Aleswell Cottage, and live the gentile life of a Lady of the Manor. Well until the treasury runs dry, at least. I offered to escort her to Aleswell to ensure she arrived safely.

Passing by the Imperial City, on an impulse Vilja decided that she wanted to go to the Waterfront and see the ships. That’s alright by me; while she counts sails I’ll stop by some shops and lighten the load.

Strolling along the dock on the way to Gudrun’s new office, much to our surprise we ran into Pym coming out of the Goddess Store. Dressed in her finest, standing next to a pallet stacked high with large” packages, Pym was dancing with excitement when she saw us. She latched on to my arm and gave me the biggest warmest hug that it was easy to get the wrong impression. Um, I quickly realized that all she really wanted was for me to carry her packages in the Midas Astral Chest.

That’s ok. Pym will just have to tag along as I escort Vilja to Aleswell. And I don’t mind that at all.

While we’re here we should pay a visit to the new Bear Riders Imperial City Office and find out how Gudrun is doing. The office is open for business and actually looks pretty good. Gudrun isn’t too excited though. Apparently there’s not been a rush of applicants; suitable or not.

“I've had several men come in,” Gudrun complained. ”And say that they'd like to join me, but I don't think they meant Legion work!”

“Yeah, I could understand that,” I thought.

“But no girls,” She continued. “Not even unsuitable ones. There's probably no point being here all the time, so I'll come down from Bruma once a month for a few days.”

With that Gudrun left for Bruma. I was tempted to watch as she walked down the waterfront just to make sure she got along safely but with Vilja and Pym nearby I decided it was best not to.

Left alone in the office, naturally we looked around the place. We found a book on a shelf near a teddy bear (these Riders do like their stuffed teddy bears) BEARS for the LEGION.

It’s a manual; a training guide and reference for the Imperial Legion. Interesting read gives a better understanding for the rider’s choice in armor. We howled with laughter when we read why most, if not all, riders forgo wearing a helmet while on patrol. Of all things, they think their armor feels overly top-heavy with a helmet on! There’s hardly anything there to begin with.

As we were leaving the Imperial City Office of the Mountain Bear Patrol, Vilja was handed a letter. It was from Heneri in Cheydinhal. Heneri feels indebted to us for returning her husband to her. She wants to repay the favor next time we are in Cheydinhal.

Hmm, how fortunate it is that we have some business to attend to Cheydinhal. Now we can kill two birds with one stone. Retiring to Aleswell can wait Vilja is more than eager to go see Heneri. A trip to Cheydinhal before going to Aleswell it is then. As soon as the shopping is done, that is.

[Acadian]

Wow, so there are others using the steps as well!

Uh oh, Ashcan trolls - a matron no less. Vilja to the rescue.

Back to the IC and joined by Pym. Vilja retire? Methinks there'll always be 'one more thing' she wants to do first. Starting with going to see Heneri I guess.

[macole]

20221231 Kvatch Rebuilt, Vilja-Heneri’s Reward

Ah, it’s always fun to watch the Ladies while on a shopping excursion in the Imperial City. The way they out flank the clerks, separate the weak from the racks, and then swoop in for the discount is like watching the most experienced field marshal explain the tatiics for an upcoming battle.

Even when there is only two in town the city’s populous will come out to witness the onslaught. Bookies peruse the crowds loudly barking the odds on every transaction, from the size of the discount to how fast the store shutters its doors. Monies changed hands faster than the water flowing through the Imperial Aqueduct. And the biggest winner, as always, is the Imperial taxman, who stands ever close behind the bookmakers.

From the Waterfront to the Market District no shelf was left untouched, frazzled clerks collapsed in exhaustion, and owners were left scratching their heads in wonderment. “How could I have sold so much and loose so much in the transaction? Thank the gods there were only two!”

Shopping done, the evening was spent relaxing in the Arch-mage quarters. After dinner Pym sat intently watching as I lounged at my desk sipping a golden liqueur. Although her vacant eyes showed no emotion, by the way she cocked her head slightly to one side I could tell she was intrigued at my explanation why we were going to Cheydinhal.

Often, I wonder what visions that no one else can see hides behind those moth-priest eyes. Did she ever read the elder scrolls? What exactly is she thinking when she looks at me like that? It scares me at times.

Her eyes flashed. Taking a piece of paper from the desk she wrote a note and handed it to me. It was the Ayleid Steps riddle "It is well north of Arrius, the midday step". Placing her hand on over her heart she then touched mine as if to say, “Me and you, you and I”.

“Yes, Pym,” I said. “You and I will go find the step.”

Pym’s reaction to that was unmistakable. Overjoyed, she leapt up, gave me a great hug, and ran off to start packing. Amused as she raced about, I smiled and thought to myself, “Goodness, it’s not like she carries that much.”

Wishing to avoid hours of “I’d like to go see Heneri as soon as possible” I simply teleported us to our Cheydinhal home. I swear I could hear Vilja’s voice “I really, really would like…” as the spell did its work.

Our first stop after arriving in Cheydinhal was going to be the Cheydinhal Bridge Inn, where we expected to find Heneri. Being late mid-afternoon when we arrived many of the city’s residents were out enjoying a pleasant sunny afternoon stroll. We took advantage to ask several residents if they knew of an author known as either Arenar or Ilnori. The answer was always the same “Go see Mack-Na at the book store.”

Turning a corner we arrived at Mach-Na’s Books. Stepping inside we spoke to Mach-Na. she told us that she helped Ilnori get his book The Trials of Ilnori published. Ilnori is not his real name though, just a pen name. Not sure of his real name, Mach-Na thinks he resides in a cottage east of Cheydinhal.

On our way out of the book store we met Heneri strolling down the street. Vilja immediately ran to her, asking about the promised reward. Heneri’s reward is to teach Vilja some magic spells useful for defending against unwanted aggressive suitors. Vilja was eager to do whatever to get started while I waited to hear what it was going to cost.

Several times I asked, “What’s the catch?” Each time Heneri would expertly dance around the question with evasive answers. Just when I began to think that Heneri actually was going to give us a reward with no strings attached the Jaws of Oblivion once again opened wide,

“And all you have to do is to take the fake husband skull back to Sereni in Bruma. Find out where the skull came from and return it to its body so it can rest in peace.”

Caught in the trap the Jaws of Oblivion slammed shut.

I knew it I knew there’d be strings attached to Heneri’s reward. Heneri never gives anything away for free. I was about to refuse when out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Vilja rubbing her thumb across her axe blade. Not being a complete idiot of course I accepted the trip to Bruma.

Now I only had to deal with Pym who was standing there with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot, starring at me with a glare that could turn a frost atronach into a puddle of water. I had to act quickly. Leaning over I whispered in Pym’s ear, “Do you want to be constantly reminded about going to Bruma?”

With a grimace, Pym’s ears laid back and she violently shook her head for a definite NO!

“Then let’s get this done quickly. Vilja can retire to her cottage and we’ll be on our own for the New Life Festival. We’ll spend it wherever you like.”

Pym’s ears shivered as she gave me an odd little smile. Whatever was she thinking?

It only took an instant to arrive at our Bruma home. It was around 4:00 in the afternoon when we arrived and Kiyana, my Khajiit house sitter was just leaving for Olav’s Tap and Tack. Knowing Sereni would be there too, we tagged along.

Now there’s a kitten that can use some new clothes. I should ask the ladies to take her shopping.

Finding Serene at Olav’s presented us with a small problem, she didn’t want the skull and refused to take it. Instead she told us what we could do with it. Thankfully, Plundered Mine isn’t too far away. Finding a chest full of bones to put it in shouldn’t be too hard. And should we find a bottle of Goblin essence Sereni lost in Plundered Mine, Sereni promised a reward for its return.

With only a few Goblins to hinder us, finding the chest in the abandoned area of Plundered Mine and placing the skull in it was easy enough.

Goblin culture never ceases to amaze. Do they really celebrate the New Life Frstival with a tree (SNUS Dungeons)?

Over here there sits a little Goblin snowman (SNUS Dungeons).

We should leave but the urge to explore the depths of the abandoned mine shaft (SNUS Dungeons) was irresistible. As you would have it getting back out was the hard part.

We first had to get past the giant son of the Three Feathers Warchief.

It was late when we left Plundered Mine. The next morning after a restful night’s sleep we returning to Sereni, she assured us that she was preparing special reward for us. It should be ready in a few days. She really didn’t give us a good idea of what she was preparing. It may be valuable or not, just don’t know so we decided at Vilja’s urging, to return to Cheydinhal.

This post has been edited by macole: Jan 1 2023, 12:04 AM

[Acadian]

Watching master shopppers at work!

Yes, I remember Vilja can get rather annoying insistent.

So Heneri forwards them off to Bruma. Goblin essence? I shudder to think of what’s in it. That is a beautiful night shot after plundering Plundered Mine.

[Renee]

So this is going to sound sort of ... I don't know, outrageous, I guess. But that's really quite true about the way we shop sometimes. It's like we're women, we're females, yet we have this sort of 'battle plan' when it comes to shopping. I don't have a son, but I've observed my nephew in the past when we've gone shopping. He hasn't got those sort of plans or skills necessary for locating the best deals. We'd all go to Ross or Old Navy or whatever and he'd just be sort of lost. Drifting about aimlessly. Finally he'd come up to my sister carrying a toy or something which had nothing to do with clothes or shoe shopping. "Uh, can I get this Lego set?"

Monies changed hands faster than the water flowing through the Imperial Aqueduct

Ha ha. Wait, where are they? Imperial City. Uh oh. That's Goddess Store territory. Good thing Jandaga has plenty of coin. 🪙 He's gonna need it!

Do you also use any sort of bank in his game?

Cool, Pym is back. Seems she's been out of the story for a while.
And uh oh. VILJA. No wonder about the shopping excursion.
And uh oh. Pym is mad. What a life Jandaga leads.

Wow, look at Bruma. Gorgeous. Hmm, is that a silver-haired Nordic Dunmer I see, lurking in the background behind Jandaga and his troop?

What a huge goblin. Too bad my elf archer isn't there. 'The bigger the enemy, the bigger the target' goes her maxim. Well hopefully your guy is able to balance out all these female followers of his. He'll appease Pym while subtly ditching Vilja somehow.

This post has been edited by Renee: Jan 4 2023, 04:56 PM

[macole]

So this is going to sound sort of ... I don't know, outrageous,
*
Do you also use any sort of bank in his game?
*
Wow, look at Bruma. Gorgeous. Hmm, is that a silver-haired Nordic Dunmer I see, lurking in the background behind Jandaga and his troop?

Not outrageous at all. I have five sisters and my wife has four sisters, I've seen what happens.

Bank of Cyrodiil is included in Better Cities.

At times, I have this odd feeling that I'm being watched. i look over my shoulder but no one is ever there.

This post has been edited by macole: Jan 5 2023, 04:46 AM

[Lena Wolf]

I have five sisters and my wife has four sisters...

Now I understand all the women around the Jandaga!

[macole]

20230108 Rumple, Vilja-Heneri’s Reward, The Ayleid Steps

It was a beautiful morning when we left Bruma for Cheydinhal. Curious to know how there the IC Office was progressing we stopped by the Riders' Lodge to visit with Gudrun. Magnus, the bartender, told us that Gudrun was upstairs in her office. What a job Magnus has. Must be tough having to watch the riders parade around in their uniforms all day long. How does he do it?

Pym sidles up to the bar next to me to lean over the bar and ordered tea and biscuits. With a glance I silently questioned my sympathies for Magnus, “Forget Magnus, he’s got it easy.”

Gudrun didn’t have anything new to say about the Imperial City Office. She did have a message from the university. Someone named Ptarmigan, I think she means Tar-Meena, wants to discuss some spell research. That will have to wait till later. We’ll add it to the ‘To Do’ list, for now we have urgent business in Cheydinhal.

Arriving in Cheydinhal it didn’t take us long to find Heneri. True to her word Heneri took Vilja to teach her some simple spells. “She’s not completely silly so it should take about a week. Just a couple simple spells. It’s all Nords can handle, you know.”

At the last moment Heneri added “Now if you would, just take this to Falanu in Skingrad.”

Before I could object she stuffed a bag of Spotted Lavender in my hand. Then with Wolfgang in tow, Heneri and Vilja turned and left, leaving Pym and me holding the bag. Pym looked longingly at me. I knew what she was thinking, “Put out again over some ditzy blond Nord with a big… um, hat.”

“Come on,” I said trying to cheer her up. “Let’s go find a step.”

Pym’s face brightened in a broad smile. Running a few steps toward the west gate, she stopped. Turning, she waved me on and took off running again. With a laugh, I gave chase.

Two city guards were patrolling the street in front of the inns. One said to the other, “You know, I don’t think he’s trying too hard catch her.”

“Yeah,” the other guard replied. “He gets close enough to give her a tickle and slows down. What a dummy.”

The clue read, "It is well north of Arrius, the midday step".

After hiking a goodly distance well north of Lake Arrius we stopped to survey the area. Pointing to an estate below us I said, “Isn’t that Lord Rugdumph’s Estate down there? I think we’re well north of the lake, very well north in fact. Yet we’ve seen no sign of a stepstone. Did we pass it?”

There seemed to be a great sadness in Pym’s eyes as she gently took me the hand and pulled me westward.

Up the mountain we climbed. Higher and higher we went until the ground became covered with snow. Still we climbed as a low cloud covered the area in a dense fog making it hard to see. Out of the thick fog a great marble wall rose up to block our path. Stepping around it we stood facing the unmistakable glowing fount of an Ayleid Well.

Oh my, did I misunderstand the clue or what!

Ok, now which stepstone is the midday step? Look for the one that looks clean with shiny green flakes imbedded in it. Or, I can deduce which is the midday stone by comparing the Ayleid Well to a clock face and a compass. The clock points midday when the hands are straight up 12. The compass always points north. Therefore the midday stone would be the north stone, which, just so happens to be the clean stone with the green flakes.

Activating the stepstone took us straight to the Lost Iornath.

Not a very large ruin, Lost Iornath consisted of two levels populated with skeletons, lich, and of all things, draugr. Treasure chests there were aplenty but there weren’t as many intact welkynd stones to be found compare to the other Lost ruins we’ve been in.

Hey, baby, if you're all alone
Maybe you'll let me walk you home

We'll do the Twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too,
Any old dance that you wanna do
But let's dance, well let's dance

When we entered the Oscurosel level the fighting began to get rather intense. Summoning the Midas Angel to assist us, she immediately charged down a side corridor to chase down several undead creatures. Pym followed the angel while I ventured straight ahead. That’s when I almost fell for the lovely Laura Scapula.

“A little on the boney side,” I greeted her, “But we can dance if you want to.”

That seemed to upset her for she sent her entire entourage of draugr and skeletons at me. Cutting my way through her entourage wasn’t easy but I managed. When I finally managed to stand alone in front of the skeleton she issued the usual boss challenge, “Clack, clack, clack.”

Laura Scapula showed herself to be a conjurer of immense talent by the way she controlled Lost Iornath’s army of undead warriors. Not as talented as I but she had the Staff of Banishment to compensate. Finished with her brief clacking, she launched a spell from her staff, I was instantly rendered invisible, paralyzed, and the dragon spirit in my armor stopped talking to me.

She was fast, surprisingly fast, faster than any skeleton I’ve seen in Cyrodiil. Oh, we’re doing a ballroom quickstep. Not my favorite too much sprinting around the floor.

In a blink of an eye Laura Scapula unequipped her staff and went hand-to-hand melee. While I was unable to keep up with her moves she racked me with her boney fingers. Sharp and strong as steel, her nails left long deep gouges in my polished Dragon Spirit armor. Damn, takes all the fun out of dancing when the ladies take the lead. Especially, when they have no intention of burnishing the scratches out of my armor!

As the effect of the staff dissipated and as I expected, Laura backed off to arm her staff again. But, I was ready for her this time and let loose the Finger of the Mountain. The blast of lightning stung her briefly, knocking her back a bit. This gave me an opening to launch an attack with Light of Dawn.

With the twist, the stomp, and the mashed pota… a lightning blast shot over my shoulder striking Laura square in the chest. Pym had arrived and was cutting in. Laura flew through the air, smacked the wall shattering into pile of broken bone. With a look of smug innocence Pym claimed the dance card.

Lost Iornath was now quiet, Pym took me by the hand and my eyes met hers. I asked, “May I?”

Demurely Pym lowered her eyes and curtsied. Lifting her up I took a step, she followed. Together we danced a tango all the way to the exit.

It took awhile.

Having finished off the last enemy the Angel arrived just as we began our dance to the exit. Knowing her time here was done, a brief satisfied smile crossed her lips as she began to rise up to the heavens.

[Lena Wolf]

<off to look for the red shoes>

[macole]

It must be noted that Pym wears red boots while Laura Scapula is shoeless and that makes all the difference.

My personal copy is ends a bit differently. The angel is given a role to play and a more suggestive song plays at the end.

Then I remember
When the moon was full and bright
I would take you in the darkness
Dance the tango in the night
Tango

[Acadian]

I suppose one could think of Heneri's 'deliver this' quest as the cost of having her babysit Vilja for a few days.

Pym is a superb stepfinder - both Aleid steps and on the dance floor. That skeletoness was pretty wicked!

[macole]

20230120 a bit of companion fun while I investigate some game issues.

Pym and I left Lost Iornath by the stepstone from which we had arrived. The step took us to another stepstone located just south of the smoldering Oblivion Gate that sat west of Gutted Mine. Before Pym and I could begin our walk to Cheydinhal a dark speck appeared on the distant southwest horizon. Traveling fast the dark speck grew larger and larger. A great eagle, I thought at first. No, the wing span told me this was no eagle, a dragon perhaps?
Whatever it was it was heading straight for us and it was coming fast. Telling Pym things could get rough we need to be prepared for the worst.

I wasn’t prepared enough. It landed and when the dust settled there stood a clenched fisted, stern faced Kaleah.

“Kaleah my love!” I exclaimed rushing to embrace her. “This is…”

“Don’t Kaleah my love me!” Kaleah ordered in a voice that rolled like thunder. “I know what the two of you have been doing while skulking around in these dark secluded dungeons.”

“What?” I stammered as a blushing Pym tried to hide behind me.

“I caught your angel putting this on your trophy table.” Kaleah accused heatedly. Dangling a silver cord tied with four knots in front of my face she demanded, “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“I, I… I know nothing about that.”

Fueled by her intense emotions, Kaleah drew a window in the air. A time window opened.

“The last of Lost Iornath’s undead fell to the Angel’s blade freeing her to catch up to the Jandaga and Pym. With her time in the physical world running short she had to hurry. She was in the in-between time when she caught up to them, Hand in hand the aelf and his companion were dancing their way to Lost Iornath’s exit. They could not see her, though by the way their attention was focused solely on each other, it may not have mattered.

Unnoticed the Angel took a silver cord from her vestments. Three knots were tied in its length. Mouthing a silent prayer the Angel looped the knotted silver cord once twice three times around the hands of Pym and the Jandaga. When the silent prayer ended the Angel finished off the loops and pulled it tight. The silver cord passed through the hands of Pym and the Jandaga leaving a forth knot in the cord. With a satisfied smile the Angel succumbed to the call of a distant choir. She rose up to the heavens taking with her the silver cord with its four knots.”

The window snapped shut.

Even though Kaleah was nearly exhausted by calling a time window she recovered quickly. Still fuming with an intense fury she thrust the silver cord in my face once more and screamed.

“You see this,” she wailed. “I told that, that… angel, not to get involved. It’s too early. She went and tied you two together anyway. Then she has the audacity to leave this memento on your trophy table to taunt me! Don’t think for a minute that I don’t know what’s been going on!”

“You and Pym,” she flicked a knot. DING, A faint sound of chimes rang out and Pym shimmied up close to me resting her head on my shoulder.

“You and that red haired floozy,” Kaleah roared as she flicked a second knot. DING, Again a tiny bell sounded.

It was bottling time at the Shadowcrest Winery. Fiona was bottling a rather uninspiring vintage destined for the Bravil inns. At the exact time Kaleah flicked the third knot Fiona was sampling a newly filled bottle before corking and applying the label when DING the wine in this single bottle out of a dozen cases of bottles of wine, mysteriously acquired powerful, never again to be reproduced, magical qualities.

Accepting full responsibility, Fiona the proud vintner labeled the bottle “True Love’s Kiss, WARNING use only when all else fails”. With a knowing smile, she placed it on a shelf next to Love Potion #9 for when a certain someone comes to call.

“You and that cute elf princess, Elenya,” Kaleah said with an exaggerated sweetness as she flicked a third knot. DING, For a third time the faint sound of chimes could be heard

Back in the garden of Benirus Manor a rose bush that for years had been declining in production was being tended to by Elenya. Suddenly it burst forth with a multitude of blooms. Blooms flush with of all the colors of the rainbow and a scent that sent her head spinning. Elenya hugged herself as she thought how nice center piece for the table these roses would make for when he comes home.

“And this one of you and…”

Kaleah flicked the fourth knot intending to call out Sister Golden Hair Claire but to Kaleah’s surprised, the faint sound of chimes changed everything. The raging inferno of indignation rolled over and changed directions becoming the smoldering heat of passion.

“…me. Oooh. Oh my sweet Feache, take me in your arms.”

I didn’t get the chance as Kaleah dropped the silver cord and tackled me, smothering me in her embrace.

Pym looked down at the cocoon formed by Kaleah’s wings then at the silver cord which had landed in the shape of a heart pierced with cupid’s arrow. Discreetly she rolled her eyes up to the sky. Pym stood there greeting each new star with a silent whistle as the sun went down.

If anyone wonders, it started in a dream.

This post has been edited by macole: Jan 20 2023, 09:46 AM

[Lena Wolf]

I always knew that 500 was no age for an aelf.

Also, it appears that female dragons are far more dangerous than male ones.

[Renee]

Phew. So that was a dream. Funny thing is, halfway through the fact this could be a dream crossed my mind, but I dismissed that. Still, Kahleah's kind of b1tchy sometimes, but not THAT messed up! She seems downright delusional if she thinks she can compare to The Quiet One.

[Acadian]

I've always wondered about how the Jandaga's ladies managed their potential jealousy/rivalry. The Jandaga can usually navigate that by doing what he's told. But I'd think conflicting instructions could compicate things quite a bit.

[macole]

Acadian:The ladies are one big happy… um, fiercely competitive bunch of attention seekers… err, family.

Lena: Hey, he’s almost twenty in human years.

Renee: Kaleah can be quite possessive at times not as much as Vilja though. I hope the last line will help in understanding Kaleah’s concern.


The theme song
Today, I feel like pleasing you
More than before
Today, I know what I wanna do
But I don't know what for
Today, you'll make me say
That I somehow have changed
Today, you look into my eyes
I'm just not the same

Second, I dropped the last line. It could help explain some things

In the tiniest barely audible voice no louder than a mouse running across a floor Pym whispered to herself, “Mom sure does have a way with the boys.”

[Lena Wolf]

I remembered that connection from the book with Hauk and Kaleah. That gave Kaleah's reaction a different twist.

Women are trouble, I always knew it.

[Renee]

Renee: Kaleah can be quite possessive at times not as much as Vilja though. I hope the last line will help in understanding Kaleah’s concern.

OH absolutely! Vilja's got some really great programming, Emma really pushed a lot of boundaries with her. (She is from Emma, right?) But she is quite, uh, demanding I think is the right word. 👧

The theme song
Today, I feel like pleasing you
More than before
Today, I know what I wanna do
But I don't know what for
Today, you'll make me say
That I somehow have changed
Today, you look into my eyes
I'm just not the same

Mmm... The Mamas and Papas? Jefferson Airplane? ✈ One of those Bay Area bands, I think.