The Saga of Laprima Donnaugh Options

[Acadian]

Well, this next ambassadorial tour sounds much more ambitious than her short trip to Dragon Bridge. Healing potions seem like a great idea. And horses an even a better idea. I don’t suppose her guards will be mounted as they probably should be.

You’ve done a great job tying Laprima’s growing repertoire of skills and abilities to being ‘born of necessity’ as the challenges she faces grow.

[Renee]

Hola amigos, getting a late start this weekend. How is everyone this weekend? Let's start with some cake.

Acadian: That's a good word: tour. Yes, she's gonna be touring. In my own playtesting with my healer's game (starting last year), I did a similar, shorter trip from Bannered Mare to Dragonreach in Whiterun, before she embarked upon the rest of Skyrim. So from the perspective of this story she needed to go to Dragon Bridge because it's nearer than the other locations, while from my perspective I was doing a lot of bug-testing and such.

Aw, 'great job', thanks! In particular I hope the fact that she's gone from Ale Server to Ambassador, dealing with potential issues while traveling, is convincing enough that it doesn't feel 'tacked-on'.


SubRosa: Indeed, a lot has changed in a month. It's amazing how little time actually passes, in both of our stories, eh? Yet a lot of things do occur.

Laprima's affiliation is actually neutral as far as Factions and such are concerned, since she has not actually joined the Empire. So I don't foresee her getting outright attacked by Stormies, chances are they'll give their usual warnings: "I'm warning you, BACK OFF!" 🤺 However, some of the people she is traveling with are part of CWImperial factions, so uh-oh. Overall, I think the guards are gonna have more problems with bandits and conjurers and such. The only Stormies they'll meet are those random encounters of 3 Stormcloaks traveling with a prisoner. That's what I foresee, anyway.

I have no idea which direction they'll take. Laprima (backed by me, the player) is not leading the party, the main NPC she'll speak to is the actual leader. I can make the NPCs wait or follow or rest, but during most of the travel it'll be Draper who is leading. And NPCs sometimes take wacky directions to get to places. But chances are he will decide to walk right through Robber's Gorge. Which'll be "fun".

The actual politicking is also going to be interesting. There will be Bioware-style choices, Persuasion attempts and so on. Things could go easy, or they could go south. I appreciate your Civil War insights from real-life. The guy who convinced me to join the gaming group in high school is a Civil War expert.


Finder WellTemperedClavier: Hey it's okay! Better late than never (sounds like my motto for this weekend). Yeah, AI makes me nervous, too. We're all supposed to be dazzled by it, put all our trust into it. It freaks me out. But I needed to use Google Translate (or Bing's version of it) because a certain Chrorrolite refused to help me with a 'real' translation even though he speaks the language, or close to it.

Aaaanyway, as I'm writing this tale it has to be explained how she's coming into knowledge for Marksmanship and such. Like, how could she instantly become knowlegable about all this stuff? So I like to think the guards are the ones educating her.

Neat history lesson! I know Buffy's from Acadian. Are the others from lore?

The others are two other characters of mine: Ana Khannda is part of Thieves Guild and House Hlaalu, and Lady Saga is my main explorer from TES 4. She's not really a follower of guests and though she is part of Mages Guild, she does none of their quests. She mostly just explores all the places I never got to with the rest of my gals & guys.

Indeed. When Skyrim came out a lot of folks complained about lack of Spellmaking and all the other stuff which is 'missing', trying to get other gamers to boycott Skyrim etc. until this got 'fixed', while I simply enjoyed my game. Found RP reasons to explain the rest. Think about it though, Nords are not too keen on magic! So it makes sense there's been a downslide. That's how I see it, anyway.

If you want to know, there are a few things which did bother me though. #1: Not being able to start a new character from a save point at the end of the tutorial (I was a console gamer in my early days) !!!! I rolled 15 to 20 characters, each time I'd have to rush thru the opening tutorial with the sound turned all the way down, while roleplaying my character had a 'dream'.

#2 was a lot of the utility stuff. TWO hotkeys instead of 8. The Favorites system sucks on consoles. It literally is clunky to pause the game every time we need to access something which is not one of those two hotkeys. No Attributes also annoyed me, because it means there are hardly any starting differences at the beginning. Everyone is 'the same', besides the way they look.

Anyway, from a development standpoint, Mansonn and Peters where my efforts at bug-testing! 🐜 I learned a few things about them, such as if the NPC is not a magic-user, always make sure they've at least got some healing potions in inventory!!!

YES.. wow. Falkreath is quite similar to Twin Peaks!

Ah, thank you for providing that name: Lainalten. Didn't see that during my own research. I'll be able to use that name when she actually gets to Rorikstead.

Aw, thanks for kind words of support & encouragement. Am really glad you've been posting Daria.

This post has been edited by Renee: Apr 1 2024, 06:46 PM

[Renee]

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.One For All…

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Tordas, 25th of Sun's Dusk, early morning


This morning’s sequence of events were similar enough to the events of the week before.

She awoke from a half-remembered dream. This time she was in a room, sitting upon a bed, surrounded by forms she couldn’t comprehend; though for sure she'd been sitting cross-legged on a bed. Staring at a picture which moved. Yes, a moving picture, placed within a frame and on a small stand, displaying images which constantly changed. A small glass window was in the wall to her left. This being a dream, Laprima was not entirely in control of what she was doing, and unable to understand the series of sights she was viewing. But she sat transfixed as the picture morphed and glimmered, just like the diorama of the sick girl she’d viewed in that magical chalice. The one Chamany showed her weeks ago.

And then suddenly, all within the dream went dark! The lights, the moving picture, the room she was in, all of it became mere shapes. The term ‘blackout’ occurred in her mind, whatever that meant. Only ambient sunlight streaming through the nearby window continued to illuminate, keeping panic at bay. Could any of this have to do with the Darkness she'd faced since her brother's disappearance?

She awoke to the sight of yet another lass in her room, really need to have that lock installed, who offered to assist and arrange. Found herself dealing with the same moments of dread and anxiety as she dressed and got prepared. Moved hastily toward court. Here, Falk Firebeard described the new guard detail she’d be traveling with, while the rest of the court witnessed. As promised, Laprima’s posse had doubled; there’d be four soldiers to travel with this time rather than two. All of them were to be found waiting, in or near the Winking Skeever.

Outside, the weather was fair. Morning sun, warming the air. Such a wonderful presentation to begin the day, Goddess of Weather, although who knew how long it would last! After gathering some food from the market and double-checking the possessions she’d need, Laprima met the foursome: three men and a woman. One of the men had striking facial features matched with golden skin. A high elf; an Altmer. He was enshrouded within dark robes rather than the armor worn by the three soldiers, his head cowled by a hood. And the woman was tall. Tall, and large.

"Hoy there," called one of the soldiers, an Imperial. Like Mansonn, he was suited in the typical light-duty armor assigned to every Solitudian trooper, it seemed. Boiled leathers which had been dyed burgundy, fastened by straps and grommets, donned over a cuirass of chainmail. The man's head was topped by an open-faced helmet made of metal. Warm-weather apparel, for sure. To Laprima, his armor, short sleeves, and leggings didn’t look as though they’d be enough to face down Skyrim’s cold, but what did she know? Perhaps the man was just fine.

"Hail to thee. I am Laprima Anne Donnaugh. From the city, as you might’ve gathered from my accent,” she performed a bow. “Many more of us here than first expected, eh? Anyhow, am headed toward Rorikstead. And are the four of you to also accompany me?”

"Aye we are, and hail to you, milady. I am Pierre Draper," said the Imperial, a Colovian. Rather than a Heartlander’s drawl, Draper spoke with the flat and casual inflections uttered by the majority of those from Cyrodiil’s West Weald, and Gold Coast. “I go by just Draper, though.”

“Splendid, Draper. And whom else have we got here?”

“Three others shall travel with us to Rorikstead. Firstly, we've got Rokkr Van Haggar, my Nord pal since childhood."
Draper made a face to the soldier standing beside him. Van Haggar was not wearing a helmet, allowing a coif of blonde waves to cascade around his jowled face.

“Pleased to meet you,” Rokkr said.

"Well, I sometimes call the man Red,” Draper explained, “as in… are you ready? Red Rokkr.”

“Oh you did NOT!...” the Nord nudged his pal with mock-affront, feigning embarrassment. Apparently, this was an inside joke between the two.

“Am lucky to have Van Haggar at my side,” Draper pushed back, “even though he can be a painful bugger at times.”

“Painful bugger, eh?” Laprima smiled, thinking of her own best pal from Cyrodiil: Siouxsie, wherever she might be. “Well in any event, am very pleased to meet.”

“Also here is Sixpenny,” Draper motioned at the Altmer wearing dark robes.

Laprima’s gaze turned toward the elf. She managed what she hoped was a graceful expression upon her face, but felt a moment of… unease?.... concerning his presence. Perhaps the way he was standing there, staring back with what looked to be expectation. Like a pretentious statue from a reenacted battle scene.

Confirming her discomfort, Sixpenny spoke. “Behold the future!” he gestured with both arms to the sky. He then cast a spell which illuminated the plaza, meant to dazzle everyone present. “For I am a special envoy of the Aldmeri Dominion, with the talent to back my words. If you’d like, I can show you why.”

“Ehm, right,” Draper interjected. “Perhaps later on, you may show us all. There shall be plenty time for such things, I can assure.” He made a gesture to placate the elf. “Sixpenny is not officially from Tullius,” the Colovian informed the Heartlander. “He shall be representing the Thalmor side of the line, as we traverse the countryside. Always wise, these days.”

“Indeed! Always wise.” Sixpenny crossed his arms while his silly spell fizzled. “And let it be known that all of you should feel relieved and even relegated by my presence. For my services to assist this ragtag assemblage, my superior abilities, my long-trained magical talents honed during many years of…”

“That’ll be enough, sir,” Draper interrupted a second time, a bit of annoyance in his voice. “Lady Donnaugh is new to all of this. Probably overwhelmed a bit, am I right?"

“You may call me Laprima. No need to be so formal.”

“Right, Laprima then. All of us have a diverse array of talents, elf. Lady Donn-- I mean, Laprima, has got a bow and quiver, for instance. By the way, I already know of you,” Draper gestured with both arms, mimicking an unseen arrow being drawn into an invisible bow. “Quite a shot up at Archer’s Row, from what I’m hearing. Always good to include at least one dedicated archer alongside of warriors and casters such as ourselves.”

Draper faced the group. “Suffice it to say that all of us have talents, for sure. We’ll need to work these talents cohesively as a group, alright?”

“Sure,” Laprima answered.
“But of course,” Van Haggar replied.
“Hmph,” Sixpenny grumbled.

"And finally, our newest recruit: Tårn." Draper motioned toward the woman standing shyly toward the plaza’s left side. Recognition dawned, now that Laprima was getting a better look. "She's a Nordic from the countryside. Can barely speak a word of our language. But she's able and she's strong. Good with a blade. Our watch captain inducted her on the spot yesterday when she applied."

"Hei," Tårn said with a bashful wave. Like the other soldiers, she was suited in light armor, though her gear looked to be mostly thick tiles of tanned leather rather than the thinner burgundy breastplates worn by the males. Being so large, perhaps she was lucky Castle Dour was able to provide armor which fit at all.

"Well I do already know Tårn," Laprima waved back to the woman who was easily a head and two shoulders taller than anyone else present. "She is one of the evacuees, brought last week from Dragon Bridge."

“Ah,” answered Draper. “That explains it. Chances are if she’d joined the Legion last week she’d already be out in the field somewhere. So we are grateful to ‘ave her.”

Sixpenny the mage muttered something under his breath while Rokkr Van Haggar spoke up. “Well, shall we get us a drink first?” he asked the group with a sly hint of something in his voice. Rokkr asked ‘the group’ but looked mostly at Draper. “You know, christen the moment with some ale or some mead... or, uh, shall we…”

“Perhaps we should just go,” Draper finished. “Drinks, they’ve got that too in Dragon Bridge, ya know.”

“Drats,” the Nord grumbled. “Was worth a shot, at least.”

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Outside Solitude’s gate and down the hill toward its stables, Laprima’s horse stood patient and waiting. The Heartlander patted the horse, arranged her rucksack upon the animal’s left haunch, grabbed ahold, and with one fluid movement, mounted his saddle. She then looked at the four faces below.

“Oh. Are your steeds located somewheres nearby?”

“Hah! Listen to this!” Draper chuckled. “Steeds?”

“Guess she missed the part when they assigned members of infantry rather than cavalry,” Van Haggar joked.

“Wait. You are saying…”

“We ‘aven’t got horses,” Draper answered. “Such luxuries as steeds and mounts have already been assigned to those off to war, especially for the officers. Buggers for us, but what can be done?”

“What can be done?” Laprima would show them what could be done. “Let us return to the palace! Surely I can then requisition the proper permissions and–”

“Save it,” Draper replied. “We’ll be fine. Probably better off to be walking upon land all the while. Can be tough, keeping a horse going through treacherous terrains and such. Plus, I prefer to fight while on my own two feet.”

“Horses,” Sixpenny scoffed. “Beasts of burden? More like a burden of beasts! Back home on the Isles we’d all cast spells of levitation when the accord for transit to and from was required. No need for feeding and upkeep and all the banal mucking and drudgery such animals necessitate.”

“Excuse me?” Laprima spoke. “Not all of us have knowledge of such advanced magics. Me? I’d rather prance upon my horse! Watch me do so, fact of matter.”

“And that is your right,” the elf replied. “Roughen thy backside with rough-riding, for all I care. As for me? I shall be stepping my boots anywhere else but behind thou foul steed.”

“Shut yer trap, you bloodless twit,” Van Haggar snapped, which caused Draper, the group’s apparent peacemaker, to speak up.

“All of us shut our traps,” said the Imperial. “All of us now, we need to focus. Remain cohesive, a’right? For the journey ahead, we all know by now how quickly things can turn awry, especially if we aren’t united against whatever opponents we might find ahead.”

The rest of the group nodded and muttered agreement, including Tårn. Though she could understand very little of what was being said, Solitude’s newest recruit gathered the gist of it all.

“Our common goal here is to arrive alive into Rorikstead, so Laprima here can deliver the message from our side, and perhaps in some small way, do her part to stifle whatever small part of the war is to commence. Understand?... Say it with me: One for all!”

“...and all for one,” the group (except Tårn) replied. Even Sixpenny joined in, although with reluctance.

“Hmm," Draper put his palm against his head. "Must have some cotton in my ears. Did not hear that. So.... louder.
ONE FOR ALL!”

“...AND ALL FOR ONE!”

This time the giantess's voice could be heard, struggling to properly pronounce. She had no idea what was being said of course, but the implication was clear. First, they quarrel, thought she in her natural language, until the man with the metal helm brings them focus. Now, they conjoin wills. Though the rest of the group could have no way of knowing, today would not be Tårn's first time at what roughly translated to 'command-work' in her tongue.

The group set off to Dragon Bridge, hoping to arrive before nightfall. Laprima dismounted her horse, which still did not have a name. Because one thing was for sure. She would not be riding upon a hooved beast while her company walked. How posh and uppity would that be?

“Let us sojourn,” she said to no one in particular. She whistled at her unnamed horse, which’d already been trained to follow.

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Draper

Van Haggar - (Tried my best, I know he looks fugly! I'm gonna try again to make him look a bit more... like Sammy. Maybe I'll get Sammy's true hair through mods! But for now I have to figure out how to load Apachi Hair.esm alongside of Laprima's World.esp. The CK yelled error messages at me when trying to do so!)

Sixpenny

Tårn

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Notes: 1). Sorry Acadian, the group is not riding on horses riding on horses, at least not yet! This might sound lame, because I know Gritsy (for instance) was able to get Darnand and Jerric and maybe more of her group on horses. But I have to be cautious for now. Chances are this could lead to all kinds of problems with NPCs riding off to the middle of some river just to kill a mudcrab, getting separated and so on, and I can't be dealing with messes like this as this story commences. So Perhaps such a thing will come in the future, especially as the group pares down to less members (which I think will happen).

2). I switched back to Photobucket for picture-links because Imgur's got too many issues lately. Let me know if there's any probs with PB too.

[Acadian]

What an interesting little band Laprima has in her support! They all seem to have their abilities, though it is most fortunate that Draper seems to have the leadership to pull them together. Tarn is rather mysterious but I have a good feeling about her based on her demeaner. Thalmor in the Third or Fourth Era make me nervous though and this Sixpenny might bear watching, as I expect his loyalties don’t exactly lie with the Empire. You handled the horse situation well. One horse for the party though can still be helpful for carrying some of the group’s necessary supplies.

[macole]

Interesting how Tårn figured out who was in command of the expedition’s military forces. But there seems to be more to the tower than meets the eye.

[SubRosa]

Laprima had a dream in which she was watching television!

So it's Don Draper and the Sammy Hagar I love that you got his old Red Rocker title in there too!

Sixpenny sounds like is 4 cents short of having his own tower south and west of Megaton. Oh, he's Thalmor? Boo, Hiss!

So Tårn is one of those Old-School Nords from Dragon Bridge. I will just imagine that she is being played by Gwendoline Christie.

It is a motley, rambunctious band that Laprima has with her. I suspect that traveling with them will be an adventure all its own, even without the added dangers of bandits, monsters, or Stormcloaks.

[Renee]

The odd thing about Maryland. We barely had a winter, but now that it's spring it's been actually pretty chilly. But this won't last. Usually by May it's too warm for me to get into Skyrim. Yet I have a definite conclusion I've been wanting to come to at the end of this season! So I've been writing ahead of the story rather than staying as "close" to it week-to-week.

Thanks Acadian, indeed they do have their talents but also their idiosyncrasies. Not a whole lot of this is being planned. The soldiers are a given at this point, but then I remembered Tårn at almost the last moment before writing that up. Hmm. What would happen if she joined their party?

A magic-user is also a good way to mix things up, but I didn't plan on him being 1). Thalmor or 2). an arrogant nuisance! All of that presented itself during writing + editing. So now the story's got even more of a plot than originally envisioned!

In fact the horse debacle was this. I've got Immersive Horses, which allows us to whistle at the horse (causing it to follow) and use the horse's inventory to expand our character's carry capacity, along with a half-dozen other features. The problem is IH refused to recognize Laprima's horse as "HER" horse, because I added this horse in myself, rather than using the vanilla game's official manner of purchase. So even though the horse is owned by Player in the Creation Kit, the stupid mod wasn't recognizing this. In the end this turned out okay. I came up with the idea of making a special ring. Laprima puts it on, the horse follows. She takes it off, now it stays put. But I also can't imagine the headache of trying to get NPCs on horses so for now there's just her horse, which is currently more of a pack mule.

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Very good, macole: Tårn = Tower.

I just picture her getting to Solitude and then what? The rest of the adult countryside Nords perhaps huddle around the children, perhaps find themselves taking up menial tasks to keep busy, but Tårn herself seems more dynamic. She seems as though she's got a past which involved village protection. Perhaps she always wanted to join a larger force to make her talents solid.

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Yes, 'Rosa, well really that was my dream, but for some reason it fit that she could've had the same dream. The very first chapter of this story was also my dream, which I had way back in 2017. That one was actually more medieval though. I was lying in a hay cart while my friends were off to some sort of gala event, an outdoor party or something, and I was hiding from them. There wasn't any technology in that dream, no TVs or metro cars or whatnot. It's like I was more in 'her' world.

I tried my best making Sammy look like Sammy. For now he's wearing a helmet.

NICE! I'm actually glad somebody's booing Sixpenny!

Gwendoline Christie, just looked her up. Still have never seen Game of Thrones after all these years, but yeah, she looks statuesque.

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WellTemperedClavier: Is the keyboard player just .... done here? Shoot. If so, I'm gonna miss your habit of really digging in. Not just the bigger, obvious plotline stuff, but the littler nuances, too.

In any event, this comment is honorary for you.

This post has been edited by Renee: Apr 6 2024, 01:43 PM

[Renee]

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.Gang of Five

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Morndas, 22nd of Sun’s Dusk


As they walked the road which ran along the base of the mountain, Laprima predicted the day’s weather would morph from pleasant and sunny to overcast and chilly, almost as if on cue. But for once she was wrong! Though the air persisted cold with occasional wind, Magnus remained up high. And no one could complain about that.
Another facet she did not foresee was that her party of travellers would continue as a gang of five. In fact, they soon gained an extra person: Mansonn, who came bounding after them...

"Ah, here y'are! ... Thought I'd missed you!"

Today Mansonn was carrying a different weapon, a warhammer, which looked almost as large as the man himself! He still wore Solitudian armor just like the others, except without a helmet. -- So now, she traveled with five individuals: three soldiers from down home, Sixpenny the Thalmor mage, and Tårn.

A large gale of wind blew through the trees, causing them to pitch wildly about: sssssss... ice crystals permeated the air all around. Brrr.

Attempting smalltalk, Laprima polled the group. “Makes you miss Cyrodiil, does it not? The sun high above, yet the air's still quite brisk. And when the wind gusts like that, Magnus cannot compete for warmth at all, eh?” Though she asked aloud to no one in particular, it was a question mostly addressed to her fellow natives of Cyrodiil. Tårn could not understand the common language, and Laprima didn’t much care for whatever Sixpenny had to say.

The soldiers made noises to the affirmative, but otherwise didn’t have much opinion.
"Puts hair on the chest, uh, for us men, that is...." stated Mansonn.
“‘Tis what we signed up for,” Draper groaned.
“Wouldn’t be Skyrim without some rain, some snow, some cold,” said Van Haggar.
Sixpenny the mage made no reply. Which was fine with everyone, come and think of it.

An hour passed, or thereabouts. As they walked up the slight hill and past the area where Sirdasa’s riverside home was located, a certain pattern of formation emerged. Sixpenny and Tårn strode faster than the others; they were essentially leading the pack. Then came the male soldiers with Laprima, and finally Laprima’s unnamed horse, loyally following his new master. Tårn was up front because she was long-legged, with a naturally-spacious stride. Sixpenny was often at the helm because… well, who knew? Perhaps he was especially eager to cast one of his fancy spells upon the first potential opponent they came across, then brag about how he’d ‘saved’ the rest of them from disaster. Or perhaps he was the least encumbered by gear; mages often carry most of their stuff inside invisible 'bags of holding', correct? Or, perhaps he acting as a teenaged child; eternally embarrassed to be seen in the company of parents.

Hmm. Maybe the reason was not officious at all. Perhaps he was simply playing the part of Vanguard, proud to be at the fore, as if to say 'Here am I! And please gaze upon this fine group of soldiers I travel with!' Correct? Hmm.





Occasionally, a second pattern began to emerge. Tårn would get far ahead of everyone, turn afoot, and then rush back to where Laprima was, her eyes wide and watchful. As if making sure Solitude’s ambassador was being as well-guarded as possible. But really, it seemed as though she was watching over the entire group: peering up ahead, then from checking from behind. An interesting strategy, not utilized by the men. In addition to this, Sixpenny would sometimes come to a simple, dead, stop. Put hands on hips, as if waiting for the others to catch up.

“Just so ya know, there’s a rumor about the mage,” Draper muttered to Laprima, once Sixpenny was safely out of earshot.

“A rumor?”

“Yea. We was talking about it, us soldiers up at Dour, that is," added Mansonn. "Something ‘bout him failing some sort of contingency up at Northwatch Keep, which is their main embassy here in Haafingar. I mean, for us soldiers, making blatant mistakes and not attaining equivalencies and such might be cause to put watch over us, or at worst, maybe we’ll be stuck performing some drudgery. For them, the Thalmor that is, penalties are harsher.”

“Perhaps why he’s got such a chipper attitude,” Van Haggar chuckled, his laughter a golden wheeze, like a pleasant breeze on Anvil's sunny coast.

*Ahem!* The Heartlander cleared her throat. "So what you are saying is: him becoming a member amongst our party could actually be some sort of punishment for mishaps? Somebody up at this embassy said: ‘you have failed to accomplish X, and therefore we shall demean your position to a group of Cyrodiilians being structured by Lady Elisif. Behest Sixpenny, for you have failed your contingency. For this, we sentence ye to assist Elisif’s newfound ambassador troupe to travel the roads?’”

“Ayup, well that’s the rumor, Laprima. Keep in mind, just a rumor.”

Van Haggar quipped: “But where there’s smoke, there is often fire.”

Laprima shook her head. “Well, I must say, the man’s disturbing attitude, and whatever else is going on with him, does come across as larger than just plain-bound arrogance. It seems exaggerated, the way he carried on upon first-meet, does it not?”

“Could be. Keep in mind, Thalmor never travel with us human-types,” Draper said. “This is something which is just not done so far here in Skyrim. They’ve been keeping well to themselves, performing their own agendas for the most part. Though they are supposedly our allies, and you will not see their types attacking us Empirialists, that’s as far as it goes.

“Got to admit though,” he continued, “it is rather comforting having a magician along, even if the man is disagreeable.”

"Wait what?" Mansonn balked.

“Agh…Agh!!” Van Haggar made a stifling sound. “Pierre…. Andrew… Draper. I will never forget you just made such a statement.”

“Us warriors are not supposed to even admit such a thing,” Draper explained to Laprima. “We are supposed to shun those who follow the magical schools, but there it is. I prefer to remain open-minded. Truth is, diversity never does hurt.”

“Best of both worlds, eh?” Van Haggar smiled. “I understand the idea, I suppose. But still. Will…. Never… Forget… that you, a strength-bound warrior such as myself, just said what you did.”

“And that is why you are… the Red Rokkr.”

Their charge wanted badly to know what the oblivion Van Haggar’s nickname was about, but kept her mouth shut. Enough with the smalltalk. In fact, all four of them fell silent as they trooped along.

….Tårn performed another one of her ‘get too far ahead/rush to the rear of the pack’ behaviors.
...Sixpenny came to one of his many-odd halts, began fiddling with the hem of his robe a bit.
….Lady Donnaugh sneezed.
...Mansonn stumbled on a stone a bit.

….And that’s when their first and only encounter occurred.

This time it wasn't a posse of bandits or a lone cat-burglar, it was a wolf. A very large wolf, similar to the creature Laprima and Sirdasa had fought several weeks ago. Perhaps since there'd been so many travels from Dragon Bridge to Solitude or vice versa, most likely enemies were being dealt with as of late. Because it seemed: here's a dire wolf which would normally be among a pack of others, but perhaps he'd gotten separated, the rest of his pack scattered or eradicated.

In any event, the snarling beast did not last long. The archer was even able to get one of her two-gold arrows of iron slammed into the animal's hide toward the end of the fight.

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Needless to say, all six of them made it to Dragon Bridge, safe and sound. Here, the innkeeper and others present were happy to see Solitude’s ambassador return. Faida offered Laprima a bed for free, which the noblewoman declined. She’d pay her way just like any other patron. Fifteen coins? Here you are.

Apparently, a few other Dragon Bridgers had trickled out of the village and had headed to Solitude during the past week, but most of the burg’s residents were still here. Familiar faces, and so on. Several of them wished to celebrate by plying the ambassador with free alcohol, but for her this was to be no cavalier visit. Desiring to keep her mind from inebriation, she accepted fruit drinks and water from them, nothing more.

Feeling that perhaps the party’s sole Nordic might be lonely after an entire day of non-verbal communication, Laprima took some time to speak with Tårn, best she could. Turns out, the woman did indeed know a few words of the common language. “Me have for you, drink?” she said for instance, referring to the grape-berry combination given to the Heartlander. “I like,” or, “You want here, sleep?” and so on. Though conversation was rough, at least some effort was being made to include the swordswoman. Laprima also learned a few words of Tårn's language.

At one point during the evening, just as everyone was turning toward their beds and bedrolls, Sixpenny managed to catch Laprima on her own.

“So, you are the jarl’s daughter? Of actual royal blood?” he asked.

By now, Laprima was exhausted. Ready for sleep. Not willing to correct the Aldmeri mage about the difference between royalty and nobility. So many folks got this wrong! - But she did take the time to say, “not her daughter, her niece.”

“I must apologize, for acting so out-of-turn earlier upon first meet,” Sixpenny said, truly sounding remorseful rather than relegating. “It’s just that, well, I did not wish to come across as subservient to the soldiers you’ve been assigned.” He took a sip of his drink. “You must understand, Lady Donnaugh: us Altmer, we need to stake our territory when amongst men. Set our boundaries, and such. To not do so, well, could lead to the possibility of us being bossed around. I saw the need to avoid such possibility.”

“Well, many thanks then, I suppose,” Laprima allowed, wondering where this might be going. “Appreciated.” Because there was something in the elf’s voice, something in the manner in which he was now presenting himself.

“You know, if there ever is a time when you might consider… attaining Thalmor regardance, the possibility of moving aside certain walls, opening certain doors, for yourself, that is.” Sixpenny’s brows were raised. “Well, the option is to be regarded. Especially for a woman of your position.”

“I see. Well as stated, many thanks.” She yawned. “Agh, sorry. But I must mull over this, these words thee speaketh. I cannot make any decisions as of here and now, as I am about to fall into slumber. But I do promise to mull such a thing. So much… appreciated…."

The Thalmor agent turned his head so he could grab his drink without spilling. “You see…” he began…
But by then, Laprima had already pretended to fall asleep.

"Well, there it is," Sixpenny said quietly. "First step has been taken. And there shall be several more, before our plan shall come to fruition. Hmph."

He took a swig of the bottle within his hand.

“Bleagh!” he coughed, face gnarled up like a knot of wood. “Nords, I say! They can not comprehend the proper methods of brewing mead.”

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

Wolf Encounter

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

Notes:
1). The part where I describe Tårn rushing back to Laprima while Sixpenny would come to a dead stop was the result of some accidental, experimental scripting. It started in my healer’s game, Celeste Yael, when I noticed some NPCs would get too far ahead of the pack, so I made a script which caused one of them to turn and rush back to Celeste. I really loved this effect! Because it seems like one NPC is concerned about straying too far away from the pack.

2). I made a special ring for Laprima + her horse, which is hotkeyed. If she puts it on and is also outdoors, her horse follows. Takes if off, he halts.

3). Mansonn showing up really was a surprise. It's because he's in the same Renee-made faction as the other soldiers, which causes them to travel together. But still, that was unplanned. Another mystery is that Peters didn't show up. Not that we'll need him. The party becomes more rambunctious and difficult to handle if it gets too big.

[SubRosa]

Party Of Five. Laprima will be played by Jennifer Love Hewitt.

I like your picture of the pack on the road.

So Sixpenny might be in the doghouse back in Thalmorland? That would not surprise me. Unless he volunteered for the mission. It might also be that he feels he has something to prove, so he wants to get out there in the middle of things whenever he can.

So Sixpenny wants to recruit our Lady Donnaugh? I wonder what he is up to? Nothing good no doubt.

[macole]

The odd thing about Maryland. We barely had a winter,

neither did we. I have some very good sub-zero gear (I like playing in -10F and a foot of snow) and didn't get a chance to wear it this year. So sad.

Very good, macole: Tårn = Tower.

I just picture her getting to Solitude and then what? The rest of the adult countryside Nords perhaps huddle around the children, perhaps find themselves taking up menial tasks to keep busy, but Tårn herself seems more dynamic. She seems as though she's got a past which involved village protection. Perhaps she always wanted to join a larger force to make her talents solid.

The only thing I will say is that when the community is in danger of being overrun where do they seek safety? The impregnable strength of the tower abides when no other can. I see strength in Tarn that may reveal itself. Or not, it is your story after all.

[Acadian]

Three soldiers, one mage, one . . . Tarn and one archer-ambassador. Should be a reasonably effective party.

When Laprima attempted to engage her party with smalltalk, I thought she might dust off the old ‘I saw a mudcrab the other day.’ line.

So it seems Sixpenny may have washed out of Thalmor school. That could make him bitter toward the Thalmor and a valuable ally. Or more likely, it could make him eager to impress his masters with some sort of plot or scheme to benefit the Thalmor.

[macole]

.
"Well, there it is," Sixpenny said quietly. "First step has been taken. And there shall be several more, before our plan shall come to fruition. Hmph."

An unexpected turn of events. Doesn't sound good for the company at the moment. There is still time, the worm may turn again.

[Renee]

Posting early this week. Yesterday I had the day off and did the gaming necessary to continue today's chapter, while April drizzled outside. I had to do yesterday's encounter over and over again, for screenshots but also for 'balance'. It was actually not entirely fun, not like usual gaming. More like being on a movie set. The scene begins, something goes wrong. "CUT!" Urgh. Jump into the CK. Fix latest unforeseeable issue, etc. But I think the chapter itself is going to portray well.


'Rosa: Jennifer Love Hewitt. I know the name, probably seen her in all these roles. Okay, here she is. Hhm, yeah, she could do it. Need some gothy makeup, but possible. Got the aristocratic nose and chin combination, especially. Her brow's not quite right. Jennifer doesn't have Laprima's 'heaviness' of expression.

Need to see if she's got a more serious picture, and not in modern clothes. Especially, has Jennifer done any medieval fantasy roles? WHOA check her out. A little too cutesy, but that's due to the scene she's in. Yeah, I could see JLH being a candidate.

Thank you. Sixxy's got some stuff coming up, mm hmm, that's true. *nods* I'm gonna be like Beth and say "it's something we're working on at the moment, not ready to talk about just yet."


macole: See, that's what I'm saying. It's not so much that it's COLD during winter, it's that it's DIFFERENT. ❄ Different from fall, different from spring, different from summer. What seems to be happening is there are now three seasons (in Maryland, at least) rather than 4. Fall blends into spring, basically.

Tårn is awesome. Indeed she's got a tower-like presence about her; even in the game this comes through. I get this real confident feeling when Laprima & Tårn are side-by-side.


'Cadian: It's fun having just the right party to travel with! Laprima's ambassadorial party is pretty unique compared to the parties of other characters.

Lady Saga and Joan of Arkay often travel with guards & soldiers, but their companions are generic NPCs, mostly. Which means they sometimes get lost ("Leave" the party in RP terms) or get killed. When this happens I don't fret. There's always some other Imperial Forester or Legionnaire to recruit.

Renee Gade III's party is always a Girl Gang. She has a Nord gal who's also a drink-loving warrior named Felrika, added by a David Brasher mod. RG3 and Fel have traveled side by side for many years. Gabrielle also, although Gabby often gets left behind somewhere, just like on the Xena show. The rest of her party often fluctuates (sort of like Jandaga's Field Hippies) but mostly they are a variety of CM Partners. Usually an archer, usually a magic-user, and so on. But Laprima's party is unique compared to these others.

Ohhh no, no talk about mudcrabs!

(Okay, maybe a little!)

I mean, the mudcrabs of Skyrim are way different from the crabs of Cyrodiil. That's something which could come up in conversation. Because I especially like how Skyrim crabs look like ordinary rocks before they move. They really blend in. She hasn't seen one of Skyrim's crabs yet, though. 🦀.

An unexpected turn of events. Doesn't sound good for the company at the moment. There is still time, the worm may turn again.

[Renee]

.
__________________

.Robber’s Gorge

__________________


Tirdas, 23rd of Sun’s Dusk


The next morning was a typical scene, everyone rough and groaning. Each of them wondering who'd be the first to rouse the others. Laprima had slept in the same bed as the previous week, while the soldiers were on bedrolls, randomly strewn across Four Shields Tavern's floor. Sixpenny had rented his own room, yet going by his nonplussed expression upon waking seemed to have fared no better than the others. Good thing the inn's coffee and teas were hot and strong.

Time to break the fast. Laprima ate an apple and half a loaf of bread. Time to hit the road. Upon leaving the inn, this time her party turned left instead of right. Which meant she was now able to view the other half of Dragon Bridge, the half she’d missed last visit due to the copious amount of snow which’d been falling, along with the rush to get the evacuees up to Solitude in due time. Now able to take in the rest of town, she found herself truly impressed by the actual bridge the village had been named after.

Such fastidious stonework! A true masterpiece of architecture, structured over the river which roared below. The bridge’s construction had been accomplished by using the Xavier-Axis Compression method she’d learned about in architecture classes; basically, the series of cobbles and cromlech stones which’d been used from each end of the bridge toward its center (with massive keystones placed in the bridge’s center) had been arranged in such a way that they supported each other. Though there were several bridges in Cyrodiil which were similar, some much larger than the one they were crossing now, none of Cyrodiiil’s bridges seemed as ancient as this one. None of them were as iconic! - Because none of them had that formidable granite dragon’s head arranged in their centers, or anything so uniquely decorative.

“OY! You coming?” Van Haggar called.

She’d been daydreaming! Already, the others were many paces down the road. “Many apologies, squire! Got distracted!” She began running toward them, her horse clopping along from behind. “The ancient Nords, or perhaps the Atmorans?” she explained after catching up, “they surely knew how to perform some excellent masonry.”

“Hey, wouldn't know. What I do know is we got to keep shuffling!”

The weather was as usual: light snow from the sky, and overcast. Magnus nowhere to be seen, not even as a vague disc above clouds. How could there be so many shades of gray? Though the road they walked upon angled and curved on occasion, the entourage was headed generally south. Laprima could tell by observing the direction their shadows fell. Since it was morning and their shadows generally pointed right, this meant south. But it was hard to tell sometimes. Because light from the sky equated to countless shades of gray.

After an hour or so, the three male soldiers began muttering. Draper, Mansonn, and Van Haggar mumbled in lowered tones, before including Laprima into their conversation. The party came to a halt. "Need to let you know about Robber's Gorge," Mansonn started.

"Alright."

Draper spoke next. “Once upon a time, all the forts of Skyrim yore were inhabited by Nords who were allied against common enemies, usually the Dwemer, I think. Back then and perhaps up until the Third Era, forts were focal points of safety, not just for soldiers but also for travelers such as ourselves, as long as you were welcome inside, of course.

“Thing is, nowadays the lot of such places ‘ave fallen into decay and decrepitude,” he finished. “Inhabited mostly by bandits and such," he said, face scowled. "It's well known that they block the road with a falling-stone trap at Robber's Gorge, then try to ambush anyone who don’t pay their fine.”

“Yah, and even sometimes if coin is given, they’ll begin a brawl anyway,” Van Haggar added. “What I’ve heard, anyhow.”

By now the mage and the Nordic’s interests were piqued. They halted as well. Sixpenny approached. “Is there a problem?”

“Robber’s Gorge, straight ahead,” Draper informed. “Sometimes inhabited by bandits, sometimes not. It’s a gamble,” he stated flatly. “We can go ‘round the entire fort from the other side of the river. Thing is we’d have to backtrack, which would slow us half a day at the very least. And there are probably adversaries on that side as well, though wolves and other hostile creatures rather than bandits. There’s also no road on that side, meaning we’d be stepping through puddles and across glades and such.”

“So. Problem?” the mage asked a second time, raising a brow. “Hope you aren’t too frightful of a rumble with some rancorish ruffians? You, so-called soldiers, strapping, young, fit, and all equipped for battle on Skyrim's roads, hmm?”

“Not saying that at all…” Draper replied. “Don’t be so insufferable, elf.”

“Ya know, for once I am with the Thalmor agent, here,” Van Haggar chimed, removing the giant warhammer from his back. “What I’ve heard, they’re mostly trash mobs, these bandits and outlaws of Skyrim. Often underfed, often underdeveloped. Because usually only their leader might be tough. Usually it’s their chieftain or their warlock or whoever that’s taking the lion’s share of food, hoarding all the good potions, wearing the best armor pieces and so on. They get to where they’re at after pushing others aside who aren't as tough… Who’re mostly trash mobs, like I said.”

Nobody spoke for a moment.

“I’m saying we should give it a try,” he added casually. The Red Rokkr could’ve been attempting to persuade the group to taste a new flavor of ale, his voice was so laid-back. “IF there are any scumbags residing within the fort at all, that is.” He swung his hammer around half-circle, mocking battle. “As for me? I’m just itching for a fight!" He pounded his hammer's head straight into the ground, *whump!* "We’ll show them how it’s done here in Haafingar!”

“Well, technically we’re now in Hjaalmarch, Red…”

“I agree to continue onwards,” Mansonn chimed in. “So does she,” Mansonn nodded toward Tårn, who’d brandished her greatsword. The effect here was astonishing: gone was the shy warrior who’d originally joined them the previous day. Tårn appeared to be practicing her fighting stance by now. Was practically growling like an animal.

But also there was Draper, the party’s quasi-leader, the voice of rationality. “I understand everyone's ideals here, but let us not forget Laprima. She's still new to all this," he patted Lady Donnaugh's shoulder. “Otherwise, I don’t foresee Robber’s Gorge being much of a roadblock, literally, for the rest of us.”

“So let’s place a vote,” Sixpenny offered, his voice practically dripping with condescension. “Aye, or nay. I vote we forge straight ahead, so obviously I say ‘aye’. Anyone voicing ‘nay’ can just stay right here. And get left out at suppertime, by those of us who are actually adept at combat.”

Perhaps it was the challenge inherent within Sixpenny’s tease, perhaps nobody wanted to be upstaged by the blithely-arrogant wizard. All successive votes were ‘ayes’ rather than ‘nays’, including the vote of Lady Donnaugh (though her cast was a little less enthusiastic). Even Laprima's horse made what sounded like a neigh to the affirmative!

“My ladyship, you don’t have to join us as we descend into mayhem," Draper, the voice of reason once again. "Don’t be swayed into things you aren’t ready for.”

Van Haggar: “However, if you do choose to follow us, my advice is to use your marksman skills against other archers, or possible spellcasters. Robber’s Gorge has a platform which has been constructed right over the road, from what we’ve heard. For sure there’ll be someone tryin’ to pick us off from a distance with some arrows. Or perhaps some dafty hedge wizard’ll be up there, throwing spells. Take even one of them out, and that saves trouble for the rest of us.”

"Nonsense," Sixpenny scoffed, hands on hips. "Arrest thy words toward virtual incarceration, Nord. We can do this on our own. It is reprehensible to think she should be amoungst us at'all as we storm the fort. Our job is to protect the lady," he pontificated. "Not lose her before our escapade to Rorikstead is even half-over."

"For once, an appropriate idea from the elf," Van Haggar's laugh breezed across the grasses. "So as soldiers we're not brave enough in your inflated opinion, but how dare we offer advice which might just save someone's life."

"Alright, enough," Draper's temper, rising a notch. "Laprima, we cannot tell you how to handle your own, but these fellows do speak sense. IF you decide to support us, it should be just that. Support. Do not engage. Do not follow us into the fort, especially, until we're done and calling for you, right?"

Feeling pressured by her peers both ways, Laprima did not entirely know what to say, do, or think. How did the journey come to this? -- Elisif and her court had not made any mention of entire settlements full of hostile bandits! Hopefully, an option to pay a toll (mentioned by Van Haggar earlier in the conversation) might present itself, instead. She’d gladly fork the money over herself, if it came to that.

But what should she do? Stand behind lamely or provide 'support'?

The next set of words spoken by Draper edged her decision. “We’ll be making a contribution to keep Skyrim’s roads free of rabble,” he said to the party. “As soldiers –and this includes you Sixpenny, at least for the moment– it’s actually our duty to make as much of a difference as we can. These ‘trash mobs’, as Rokkr so eloquently calls them, do nothing but cause panic and grief amongst innocent travelers. It’s our calling to make Skyrim a safer place overall. So let us do so.”

Everyone agreed. They continued onward. An air of extended confidence was now unspokenly prevalent as the stone walls and wooden ramps of Robber’s Gorge were soon sighted ahead.

“Rumpa deres er gress,” Tårn said aloud. Loosely translated: Their ass is grass.

Laprima instructed her horse to stay behind while she tentatively fondled her shortbow, wondering if she'd actually need to use it.

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Indeed, Robber's Gorge was full of hostiles. She'd been hoping she could just pay some coin to whatever tollkeeper strolled out and demanded it, but things didn't happen that way.

"I'm warning you, BACK OFF!" a man's voice called as they neared the fort's outer walls. The man then presented himself. He had a thick Nord's accent. He raised a large shield with his left hand while pointing a broadsword with his right, essentially blocking their path. No option for payment was offered.

The body of a recently-fallen traveler lay, right there in the road. Yeah, and what're ya gonna do about her, huh? the implication seemed.

"By representation of the Empire and its people. We demand that yourself, and all residents of Robber's Gorge, are to step aside peacefully," Draper commanded, voice raised loud and clear. "For you have no legal regard to be dwelling within one of Skyrim's fortresses in the first place, let alone causing the death of innocents. You shall allow us to continue through, a'right? If so, all of you current non-legal inhabitants of Robber's Gorge, shalt have no trouble."

...To the dwellers of Robber's Gorge, the Imperial's words were nothing but a taunt, and everyone knew it. Things happened then, and they happened fast!

From Laprima's perspective time once again stood still, but it also moved incredibly swift. Because several things happened at once.

...Sixpenny, zinging a bolt of lightning through the air to zap a ruffian standing up high!

... The husky bandit who'd blocked their path with sword and shield, quickly getting overwhelmed, pummelled by the flurry of swings and bashes dealt by the four Solitudian soldiers nearest to him... This outlaw, he did not last more than three seconds before succumbing...

... Laprima, angling her bow upwards and then loosing toward an opposing archer standing on the Gorge's over-road platform... Surprised to see the scumbag react as her projectile connected... For a split moment she found herself somehow able to focus, sight the same bandit (while trying to keep aware of potential enemies stepping from behind), *twip!*... and next thing she knew the fetcher STUMBLED off the platform, footfalls toppled! ... bouncing sideways upon the rock face ahead and to her left before plunging to the ground...

An odd...creature?... which seemed made of fire, drifting sideways across the path, throwing fiery spheres... Was this one of Sixpenny's casts?

...some commotion from behind. The Heartlander pivoted quickly, already a third arrow had been nocked. A couple marauders wearing unpolished gear were coming from around a corner, but Tårn and Draper, already placed to greet them! ... Split-second decision; Laprima waited until the path was clear and then shot another arrow toward one of the ruffians ... but there was such a flurry of action in the moment, swords and weapons flinging everywhere, she wasn't sure if she'd actually pierced either of them...

Didn't matter, Both the marauders, already fallen.

... All of the above took place within a span of no more than ten seconds, it seemed.

Laprima, adrenaline zooming... focused now to the right, aiming...aiming... aiming... for anyone else willing to step into the path of her next cheap, two-coin-costing arrow of iron... But suddenly it seemed a lull had presented itself. Nobody was moving; all four soldiers plus the mage, standing still and alert with their armaments.

"JUST GIVE UP!" a man called from somewhere unseen.

Everyone from Solitude glanced to the right. Where is he? Hard to tell. Because the fort's walls were tall enough to completely block their view beyond. But there appeared to be a gate made of stained pine set into the wall, which was closed. Was it also locked?

Tårn was the first to find out. Strode a few paces and tried the door (un-locked), while the rest of the soldiers followed.

...Support. Do not engage, Draper had told her a thousand years ago, it seemed. Do not follow us into the fort, especially, until we're done and calling for you, right?

Oh no, the archer, she ignored this advice! Stepped right up beside the soldiers in fact, shortbow aimed and ready.

"There you are!"

An orc came bounding toward them; Laprima's path was clear. She zipped her next missile, definitely causing impact, while Tårn swung a wild arc with her massive greatsword...blood and unmentionables flying everywhere. The rest of the soldiers joined, all of them crowding into the gate at once... while Laprima kept her next arrow ready. But she had no chance for succession with shots; too many others were in her way... weapons swinging, shields crashing!!! ---- The orc was quickly outnumbered, then outmatched. Fell to the floor, as the saying goes.

"You think you stand a chance?" a female voice from up above. This was another rudimentary mage, throwing ice spikes with her right hand while maintaining some sort of magical, glimmering (aura?) with her left.

Lady Donnaugh dimly noted Mansonn at her side, getting struck by one of the witch's spikes, before one of the cheap arrows-of-iron Laprima'd bought at Solitude's Fletcher targeted the woman's hip. But this time it was the Thalmor who took her, zapping the fur-wearing wench with one of his spells.. *Pksssh!!!* - Caster versus caster. - Immediately, she flung to the side like a ragdoll, slamming into the tent made of hide she'd emerged from.

After this, only one villain left; the chieftain, a second orc, who they found hiding in the Gorge's sole ceiling'd structure. Van Haggar's words had been right, then; whoever was at the top of these nefarious organizations surrounded themselves with the best. In this case, a roof over his head. The orc came thrusting toward them once his spot had been found, wielding a gigantic pole weapon (a pike, Laprima later learned). As stated by the soldiers, this final bandit was certainly tougher than all the others. Perhaps if faced by a sole opponent he might've lasted quite a while, and been able to strew some enormous damage upon whoever was unlucky enough to face him.

But as it was, the orc was dueling four to one by then. Five, if Laprima's only piercing arrow is to be counted. But she was not the one to fell the fort's remaining danger; in fact it was hard to tell who was the one to do so, the chieftain was offended by so many injuries at once.

After the battle, total relief! - Everyone breathed a sigh before sauntering about, collecting whatever they scored.
"Place is ours now," Van Haggar stated with a mild smile. "Winners take it all. Grab whatever loot you can find, Laprima Donnaugh. Give to live, I always say."

"Oh... my. Seems though only five minutes have passed since it all began, does it not?"

"You get used to the flurry," he answered, taking a swig from an uncorked bottle. "Best thing of all, this feeling, this 'afterglow', I suppose to call it."

Laprima helped herself to a jewel-encrusted tiara she found inside the chieftain's chest, which appeared to be made of silver. "Suppose I could get used to this part," she joked before realizing she'd done so. She placed the tiara upon her head. Couldn't help but take a moment to prance and preen about.

The sky was getting dark, but with a hint of color. Looks as though there'd be auroras tonight. Ironic how Skyrim's nights were often gaudier than its days. Tårn threw a slab of meat she'd found into the fire, while everyone else gathered around.

It was several minutes later, after heads were counted, that they realized Mansonn was no longer with them.


—----------------------------------------------------

Tårn, dealing some damage

Sixpenny, zapping some pwnage

Laprima, loosing mutilation -- (I was particularly proud at this, she two-shotted an RGorge archer all on her own).

Aurora'd Laprima

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

Notes:
1). As stated, I had a bunch of 'balancing' to do, because I wanted to fight to be fair, not a walkover for the enemies. Though her party is several levels above Laprima, LPD herself is only Level 4, so I assumed the fight would be too hard. So first, I nerfed the boss and some of the random enemies, just to keep LPD and her party from getting slaughtered! So for instance I changed the boss's Difficulty from Very Hard to just Hard in the CK, and I also changed all the surrounding bandits from Medium to Easy, and so on. But this made the fight way too easy. Brawl was over before I could even get some decent screenshots! So I actually made them all tougher in the end.

Still, I had to do Robber's Gorge several times for your all's reading pleasure.

2). Laprima leveled up to 5 during today's chapter. This occurred after reading The Black Arrow, Volume II, which can be found lying on the boss's table. I put another point into Archery > Overdraw.
Incidentally, Missun Akin is mentioned several times The Black Arrow. Missun is the elf archer Joan of Arkay met in the Ashlands last season, while doing the Main Quest.

3). I found a magic Ability in the CK which trickles health to the NPCs (similar to the autohealing our characters have). Needed to add this ability to all of them because for some reason they weren't using potions. 🍾

[Acadian]

Well-done, Renee! This was a really good fight scene. Nice build up, good pacing, great sense of danger/uncertainty and all clear to understand.

Laprima earned her keep with that bow. And no friendly fire!

Uh-oh. What happened to Mansonn? Last we saw, he was engaged with that mage and got hit by an ice spell.

Beautiful ‘Skyrim at night’ screenshot.

You’ll be pleased to know that iconic dragon bridge graces Skyrim even back in the Second Era.

[SubRosa]

Some of that fancy schoolin' that Lady Donnaugh had back in the Imperial City rears its head as she considers how the ironic iconic Dragon Bridge was built.

Looks like both the Red Rocker and the Sixpence None The Richer are spoiling for a music battle against the bandits.

Well, the negotiations were swift. Straight to the honorable art of smiting evil-doers!

It looks like VanHaggar won the battle of the bands. That was quite an exciting action scene!

Uh oh, it seems there are casualties however. Mansonn got spiked by the ice mage. I thought he was only wounded. It looks like it might have been worse than that...