I am Lena Wolf, Lena's life as it happens Options

[Lena Wolf]

Pinevale, nice. I'm getting Pinevale. Wow. So we have to remove border restrictions to get there, that's great. They're talking about changing the borders line of code in Oblivion.ini, correct?

Yes. It can also be done with a mod, but Oblivion.ini is better.

How're you able to get it so that Lena's vision is blurry? I'm guessing that's part of the Red Hall. This is a freaky scene! All these NPCs passed out on their beds.

It's Red Hall doing it. Geralt was having a great time apparently, didn't want to leave.

[Renee]

Yes. It can also be done with a mod, but Oblivion.ini is better.

Graci. Asked because Pinewatch's mod author stated he or she used 'a mod' to disable borders but it didn't work. But then he/she never said which method eventually works.

but another question: after disabling borders and then reaching Pinewatch in the game, will the place be surrounded by all of those 'lower-texture'-looking trees & surroundings? Know what I mean? Like, first time I had a character go past a former border the actual landscape isn't as detailed.

[Lena Wolf]

Yes. It can also be done with a mod, but Oblivion.ini is better.

Graci. Asked because Pinewatch's mod author stated he or she used 'a mod' to disable borders but it didn't work. But then he/she never said which method eventually works.

The "mod" method is very simple, really. It sets the same game setting, that is all. However, there have been reports that this method is not always working. If you want to disable borders permanently, editing Oblivion.ini is best.

but another question: after disabling borders and then reaching Pinewatch in the game, will the place be surrounded by all of those 'lower-texture'-looking trees & surroundings? Know what I mean? Like, first time I had a character go past a former border the actual landscape isn't as detailed.

Actually, no, I don't know what you mean. The trees and textures over the border are exactly the same for me as elsewhere. And anyway, Pinevale is only just over the border, so everything should be the same regardless.

[Lena Wolf]

Morning Star, 4E204 - A new year, a new perspective

"A new day, a new perspective" was what Scorpio used to say rounding up their party ready to set off again after a night's rest. It was the duty of the Main Pawn to keep an eye on the other pawns in the group and make sure they didn't try to idle, shirk combat or avoid carrying items. He didn't really have much to do in that respect, because Lena would immediately get rid of such pawns, sometimes within half an hour of hiring them, as tendencies usually became evident pretty quickly. She would also get rid of anyone who talked too much, who always wanted to lead, who tried to advise her when advice wasn't asked for, who was being over-protective, who walked too close to her, who ran too far ahead, who kept repeating how devoted they were to her, who constantly needed help in battle, who... in a word, she would quickly get rid of anyone annoying, and for the most part those were women. "All pawns in this party are once again men, I notice," one of the pawns would remark every now and again. "I would not at all mind if that were to change." But when asked who would be willing to leave to make that happen, invariably there were no volunteers.

"A new year, a new perspective," Lena told herself on the morning of the new year. She'd been dreaming of past adventures, of the pawns she walked with, of the friends she made and the worlds she visited, of Lucien, of Scorpio, of Geralt and Hauk... Where were they, she wondered, how did they fare? She looked around the Royal Chamber and it seemed like a prison to her. Her friends had been replaced by the lords and ladies of the court, there was no more room in her life for adventure or freedom. She felt bound, restrained, mired in her royal life, a life without end, for without her heart she was nigh immortal... "Scorpio needs to be found," she told herself sternly, shaking her head. "I've been going about it the wrong way around. I am no queen." She sat in front of the mirror brushing her golden blond hair, her amber eyes glinting in the sun, jewels around her neck filling the room with reflections centered around her person. "Scorpio did not just run off," she told herself firmly. "Someone must know something."

She tried carefully talking to Lord Chancellor about Scorpio's disappearance, but he simply shrugged and declared that Regentkin Sven was a much better companion for Her Majesty anyway, and why worry about a runaway pawn. "Pawns are like people in many ways," he suddenly added. "Wasn't Ser Scorpio enjoying the favour of this court just before he... left?" He looked at Lena as an older parent might look at a child - with regret that the child was about to make an unpleasant discovery. "Perhaps he found someone to his liking? The ladies were very fond of him, from what I have seen, and with Your Majesty no longer engaged with the dragon... his duty by Your Majesty was thus fulfilled."

"You know of the ways of the Legion," Lena said in a hoarse voice. Even though she did not believe that Scorpio simply left with one of the ladies, hearing it like that still hurt.

"Pawns are welcomed in our Kingdom, as Your Majesty knows," Lord Chancellor replied with a little bow. "The ways of the Legion and the pawns' duties are well known to us. A pawn is only bound to remain with the Arisen for as long as the Arisen is engaged with the dragon, and after that it is that pawn's choice. The Arisen no longer holds sway over them once the dragon has been defeated. So Ser Scorpio's disappearance is nothing but his own choice..."

...

"You seem distraught today," Sven touched Lena's arm, startling her. They were taking a walk in the Castle Gardens, Sven was telling her something... she could not recall. Lord Chancellor's words kept ringing in her ears: "Ser Scorpio's disappearance is nothing but his own choice".

"No, I don't believe it," she said aloud and Sven looked at her with incomprehension. "I am sorry, yes, I am distraught today," she pulled herself into reality. "My... pawn is missing," she brought herself to call Scorpio that. "He's been missing for a few weeks already, and it's not like him at all. I am worried."

"Your... pawn?" Sven was even more perplexed. "Don't they just leave after you've defeated the dragon? Why do you worry about a pawn? When the dragon returns, you'll have new pawns to help you fight it again... Father did, that's how it works."

"How many times did your father face the dragon?" Lena suddenly realised that if anyone could tell her anything about the previous sovran, the previous ruling Arisen, that it would be Sven.

"Many times, but it was all before I was born," Sven rubbed his chin. "The dragon only comes every fifty years or so. Father married mother some time after the previous dragon's demise. I remember him saying he'd had enough of being a ruler, and mother... well, you know how she is. She ruled the land in his stead until you appeared..." Sven stopped talking and blushed a deep shade of purple.

"There was an intrigue, I know," Lena tried to put him at ease. "Quite understandable, really. The law demands that the ruler be an Arisen..."

"The most recent Arisen, to be precise," Sven corrected her, regaining his composure. "There are plenty of old Arisen in this land, the ones that failed to kill the dragon and father had to deal with it himself in their stead."

"Wait - what?!" Lena turned to him sharply. "Say that again," a recollection of how things worked in Gransys suddenly clicked into place. "An Arisen who kills the dragon becomes the Sovran of Vermund, replacing the previous sovran, you say? What happens to the previous sovran then?"

"Nothing," Sven shrugged. "I have no idea. They retire, perhaps? They aren't killed, if that's what you're asking. With every new dragon and every new Arisen, father could have been replaced. But when the newest Arisen fails to kill the dragon, then the last successful Arisen - that is, the Sovran - has to deal with the dragon instead. As father always had done... never failed... he was a true Arisen..." Sven's voice trailed off.

"You miss him, don't you," Lena said softly. "You miss your father."

"I do," Sven nodded. "For him to die just as the signs of a new dragon appeared... He was murdered, you know. I just hope it wasn't so that I could be king..."

Lena watched Sven taking control of his emotions and thought that he was no longer a child. Far from it. Grown up in the castle amid courtly intrigue, he could say things by saying the opposite, he saw more than he let on, and he used his boyish appearance to make people forget he was the royal prince.

"Well, enough of this serious stuff," Lena said cheerfully. "It's the first day of the New Year! We should be celebrating! I feel completely cooped up in my Royal Chambers amid our most pious gentry," she winked at Sven. "I hear you know a place or two where one might have fun... Perhaps you'd let me in on a secret? With all that dragon slaying business I never had the chance..."

"But of course!" Sven grinned ear to ear. "Say no more and follow me..!"

And with that he leaped out of the window with the ease and assuredness of someone who'd done it many a time before. The narrow balcony outside opened onto a ledge wrapping around the building, and a few minutes later they stood in a sparingly lit corridor covered in carpets and tapestries that muffled sounds and gave the impression of luxury and comfort.

"Welcome to The Rose," Sven smiled. "Madam Wilhemina should be here somewhere. I shall need to introduce you... even though you're quite well known in the land," he winked. "But you haven't got one of these," he pulled an elegant card out of an inner pocket. "Officially you've got to have it. So come along."

They walked along the corridor, Sven knocked on a few doors, and eventually Madam Wilhemina stood before them. She welcomed Lena with an unexpected cordiality, vowed to personally see to her every need, then she sent Sven on his way (and it looked like he knew where he was going), and ushered Lena into a luxurious bedroom that far outstripped the Royal Chamber in taste and comfort.

"Coffee?" Wilhemina brought a silver set. "Or do you prefer champagne for breakfast?"

"Coffee would be fine," Lena smiled, wondering whether Wilhemina understood the reason for her visit. "This is a lovely room."

"Indeed," Wilhemina was sizing her up with a glance. "And so very secure. So, speak freely, Your Majesty - what is your desire?"

"Scorpio," Lena said without thinking, then regretted it the moment she said it, but it was too late.

"He is not on our books, I am sorry," Wilhemina replied after a short pause. She did not seem surprised. "We do have other pawns though, both male and female... Perhaps Your Majesty would care to choose..?"

Lena was leafing through a thick ledger with pictures of some of the most attractive men and women presented with taste and care.

"This is quite a selection," she looked up at Wilhemina. "Why, this is... Lady Nel, surely? I remember her from some of the soirees..."

"Nel is one of our agents, yes," Wilhemina smiled. "Very sophisticated. She is mostly in charge of recruitement. But even she could not get Ser Scorpio to join us... So I don't know where he is. Because this is what you wanted to know, was it not, Your Majesty?"

...

The conversation with Wilhemina proved most fruitful indeed. While The Rose was eyeing Scorpio as a potential recruit, there were other forces at play as well. The Rose never insisted on anyone joining, for a good service could only be rendered if the person was willing to do it. With the wages that The Rose was paying, they never had a shortage of personnel. So when Scorpio refused their offer, they left him alone.

"It is not uncommon however for people to change their mind," Wilhemina smiled slyly. "Our offers do not expire that quickly. He'll be still welcome to join when he returns..." Lena looked up at her and blushed - she did not like the idea. "It isn't the first time we've arranged things this way. The Sovran is not permitted a consort of their choosing."

"That... is interesting," Lena said slowly. It dawned on her that The Rose might well have been offering other types of private services too. Such as spying. However, she felt that Wilhemina's good will had all but run out, and some contribution to the establishment's prosperity was expected. She briefly considered to simply offer money for the information that she received, but then thought better of it. She was in a brothel. A brothel that was very keen to be regarded as such. A brothel that definitely did NOT want to be seen as a place to buy information. And so Lena smiled pleasantly and asked for another cup of coffee. "And if I may look through that wonderful book of yours," she smiled radiantly. "I think I spotted someone I would be glad to get to know..."

She took her time leafing through the pages. She recognised a few "lords" and "ladies" from the social gatherings, but for the most part the faces were all unknown to her. And then suddenly...

"What about this fellow?" She pointed at a picture of a skinny mage looking at her from the page. "He seems nice."

"I see Your Majesty prefers the gentle type," Wilhemina smiled. "His name is Rook and he will be summonned for you presently. Please help yourself to the refreshments while you wait..."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We do not have the picture of Rook that was prepared for the ledger of The Rose. We understand it was most flattering. However, here are a few pictures from Lena's adventures, when she was still free to go where she pleased.

Camping for the night (here is the entire picture)


At the docks on a rainy day


Dressed for the desert (here is the whole picture of taking a ride on a cable car)

This post has been edited by Lena Wolf: Yesterday, 11:32 AM

[Lena Wolf]

Morning Star, 4E404 - Never thought I'd meet you here

"Your companion for tonight is here," Madam Wilhemina ushered Rook into the room Lena was in. "This room is yours for twenty four hours, or longer if you wish it," she smiled. "We do not skimp on time. Do ring for room service for refreshments."

She left, with a glance of encouragement towards Rook. He gave her a curtly nod and turned to Lena. "Good evening, My Lady."

...

"I never knew you had an alternative occupation," Lena was looking at Rook with interest once they were alone. He wore his usual mage's coat and had his staff at the hip - not the look she had imagined for an escort. "I am not lecturing or complaining, but I am surprised, to say the least..."

"Surprised?" A slight offence in Rook's voice made her sit up. "Should I demonstrate?" He started unbuttoning his coat, not taking his eyes off her, and she blushed to the roots of her hair.

"I didn't mean it that way..." she managed to say. "I... please forgive me." She jumped up from the bed and hugged him. "I've seen you naked already, so I know what's underneath," she pulled away, still blushing. That had been very awkward of her! "Please sit down, there's fresh coffee..."

"Alright," Rook smiled, sitting down and proceeding to load his coffee with cream. "Why am I here?"

"Scorpio is missing," Lena said in a near whisper. "Been missing for weeks."

"And naturally you came to a brothel looking for him." It was Rook's turn to tease.

"Rook!"

"Wolf?"

"Umm... yeah, I know how it looks."

"No, you don't," Rook was watching her, sipping his coffee. "It looks like you should have called me as soon as he disappeared, but instead you tried to solve it on your own, and as a result we lost a good month to your obstinence. When you didn't make contact within the first week, I enlisted here because sooner or later I knew you'd come looking. Fortunately, there wasn't much work for me in the meantime... This isn't really what I do."

"I am sorry," Lena knew he was right. But then, something he said... "How did you know that Scorpio disappeared?"

"Word around town," he shrugged. "He was popular with the court, so the gentry and mostly the guards were talking about it all day long. Then he vanished. That didn't go unnoticed. As well as your friendship with Sven. Word is, you are engaged to be married."

"WHAT?!" Lena's coffee went flying.

"No? Well, one shouldn't take rumours at face value," Rook grinned. "But everyone thinks it is the logical thing to do, you two being of the same age and standing..."

"Rumours are getting out of control," Lena said grimly.

"As rumours always do, pay it no mind." Rook sat his cup down. "Tell me what you've found out."

"Not much," Lena sighed. "I learned that the Legion releases the pawns once the dragon is slain, which means that Scorpio is no longer bound to me. He can come and go as he pleases... he could be anywhere."

"Which also means that he could be abducted and forcibly held somewhere without the Legion coming after the perpetrators," Rook looked at Lena with significance. "They couldn't do it while he was in your service, they'd have the Legion to answer to. But now it's another matter. They could kill him and the Legion would not respond. There are always more pawns. You'd just have to pick someone else when the dragon next appears."

Lena shuddered at the thought.

"What about you?" She was trying to get her head around it. "You have no master."

"Except for the Legion, of course," Rook smirked, rubbing a glowing mark on his hand, the mark of a pawn. "I could be recalled to guide a new Arisen, for that is my job... There's always a new Arisen somewhere..." He looked wistful. "But until then I'm yours to command, My Lady."

He leaned back in his chair waiting for Lena to decide their next move.

"It's late and my head is spinning," she suddenly realised just how tired she was. "I don't want to go back to the castle... Stay with me, please..."

"Of course, that is why I am here."

Rook got up and started incanting a spell. Lena fell back on the cushions and breathed a sigh of relief. She slept without dreams that night.

...

Lena was woken up by a sun ray streaming through the gap in the curtains, the morning seemed to be well underway. She looked around, shaking off the sleepiness. Rook was lying next to her, reading a book. Neither of them wore any clothes.

"I don't remember undressing... What happened?" Lena rubbed the back of her neck - she had not been knocked out again, surely?

"You fell asleep and I had to make sure we didn't look out of place here," Rook shrugged. "You remember where we are, right? This is a brothel."

"But I thought Wilhemina had said this room was secure..."

"Meaning that it has fewer peepholes than the others," Rook smirked. "Plus, there's the maid. We've got fresh coffee." He got up to pour Lena a cup. "But worry not - for Wilhemina knows what's good for her. I simply wanted to ensure that the maid would not be wondering about Her Majesty not making use of her escort. That would have looked suspicious."

"But the fact that Her Majesty's escort is actually her old friend - that wouldn't look suspicious?"

"Nah, they've seen all sorts." He took Lena's cup from her as she finished her coffee, set it aside, returned to Lena and kissed her. And before she could utter any surprise or protest, he whispered into her ear: "Remember the peepholes..." A minute later she had no wish to protest.

...

"What do we do next?" Lena was watching Rook fussing with jugs of hot water to ensure the bath was of exactly the right temperature.

"Next I take you out for a walk," he put down the jugs, satisfied. "After the bath. You need to get some colour into your cheeks."

"Oh, I think you've managed that already," she grinned, seeing this entirely new side of Rook. "Is that standard practice for an escort to take their clients out for a walk?"

"It may be... it depends," Rook answered matter-of-factly. "It depends on the client. We aim to please."

She stared at him for a moment, then sank deeper into the tub.

"It's not that different to walking with an Arisen," Rook said softly. "Pawns are the ones who know what needs doing, yet it is the Arisen who calls the shots. We are here to serve, yet we are often superior to our masters... Many masters scorn that. Not every Arisen treats us well... but I think you have an inkling of that."

"I think you are superior to most people, to be honest," Lena mused. "And not just in combat... Do you like being an escort?"

"I might have liked it if I got to choose my clients... but it doesn't work that way," he smirked.

"We need our freedom back, both of us," Lena said through clenched teeth. "We need to find Scorpio too... but I have no idea where to start..."

"You started already, this is the right approach," Rook objected. "It is all in the royal court. The Rose caters only for the gentry, every person of standing comes here sooner or later. And now that I got picked by Her Majesty herself, my fee has been doubled. Oh, have no illusions - the word has already spread," he smirked, noticing Lena's surprise. "Your patronage here brings more clients to Wilhemina, and she in turn may reveal a thing or two to you when she trusts you enough. She has an eye for people, you cannot buy her trust."

"You seem to respect her."

"I do," Rook nodded. "She runs a business, to be sure, but she treats us well... and doesn't stand for... well... certain practices that some clients are fond of. I wish the Legion cared for pawns as much..." His voice trailed off, then he caught himself. "But you don't want to hear those tales, I'm sure. I am glad to have met you. Friends are rare among us pawns."

Finding Rook employed as an escort specifically so that she would stumble upon him when she ran out of leads in her search, had a sobering effect on Lena. Just how far was he willing to go for friendship? For Rook was married, his heart belonged to Benita, yet instead of returning to her, he linguered in this world in order to help his friends... Had he expected that Scorpio would get into trouble once Lena was established as the Sovran? He probably had. Had Scorpio himself expected that? Yes, for certain. But still, neither of them could prevent it. It was now up to Lena to act. "Pawns know what needs to be done, but it is the Arisen who calls the shots." Rook's words resonated in her mind.

...

"Am I permitted to walk in the town outside the castle walls?" Lena looked at Rook with uncertainty when he suggested a walk along the pier. "I was under the impression that the Sovran was supposed to stay put..."

"Well, yes, but there's no law against walking in town either," he winked. "Besides, you have escort, My Lady. Walking alone might have raised eyebrows, yes, but not when you're being escorted."

"I shall never understand these practices..." Lena rolled her eyes, accepting his arm. "Sven has been running off to town all on his own for years."

"Sven is a young man," Rook objected. "He can walk on his own... But on the flipside, he could not have anyone from The Rose escort him in public - that would be a scandal. While for a lady it is a perfectly natural thing to do..."

It felt good to stroll through town again and not be caged in the Castle Gardens. They went to the market and to the armoury, to the Pawn Guild and to the inn, greeting the shopkeepers that they used to frequent in the Times of Hunting the Dragon. Heads turned and glances followed them around, whispers were exchanged behind their backs, but Lena didn't care what was being said. An illusion of freedom tasted sweet, too.

"I wonder what the talk of the town will be on the morrow," she said when they sat down for a drink at the tavern. "That Her Majesty dropped Regentkin Sven in favour of an escort from The Rose? Or that the escort from The Rose was in fact one of Her Majesty's most loyal pawns?"

"Probably both," Rook shrugged. "And also that Her Majesty took as long as a month to find herself a new escort since her previous one disappeared..."

"No one had any illusions then, right from the start."

"Of course not."

Returning to the castle grounds, Lena fully expected that Rook would have to turn back since pawns were generally not allowed beyond the castle gate. And indeed, a guard on duty watched their approach, but instead of stopping them, he gave a nod to Rook and allowed them to proceed.

"I shall accompany you to your chambers," Rook said to Lena. "The word had already been sent. You can call for me whenever you wish, or come to The Rose... I should be glad to see you."

They walked in silence for a few minutes - Lena felt stunned.

"I don't understand... You have been assigned as my consort..?" The suddenness and absurdity of it completely confused her.

"Your escort," Rook corrected her. "You can have another, if you prefer."

"No, I don't prefer!" She cried, then hushed herself - raised voices were frowned upon on the castle grounds. "I don't prefer another," she repeated in a hiss. "It's just... this is so strange... you are my friend... but also... and no one thought to ask me on the matter..."

"Your actions were clear enough, My Lady," Rook smirked. "I am to be your escort until you pick another. If you were pleased with my services, that is..."

They were walking through a colonnade flanked by rows of rose bushes dense enough to hide anyone from view. Lena quickly pulled Rook behind the bushes into an alcove of the castle wall.

"I may be confused by the courtly intrigue but if this is how the game is played, then you'll find me a willing player." She kissed him and got a kiss in response. "You got yourself a client, you can tell Wilhemina that. I don't want to find you engaged when I call."

"Exclusivity will be expensive."

"Lord Chancellor will have to foot the bill."

...

"Such passion!" Rook wiped his brow, still panting. "You're a fury not just with goblins. And you're the coldest assassin, too... I never imagined..."

"You'll see it one day, I'm sure," Lena smiled, cooling off. "Scorpio discovered it quite early on, way before we became close. I expected him to leave, but he stayed... for some reason..."

"He couldn't leave - he was bound to you."

"I offered to release him but he refused."

"Interesting..." Rook pulled her close and kissed her again. "I see what Benita meant... She said your heart would burn the dragon from the inside for swallowing it... You're not just another Arisen."

"How could she have known? I am not from that world."

"Perhaps this is something we'll both discover one day. Come, I'll take you to your chambers. It's time to return to the Courtly Intrigue, My Lady. The world has changed today."