Teresa of the Faint Smile, Adventures of a Stringy Bosmer Options

[hazmick]

Methredhel is awesome! Magicka and a bow?! She should become Teresa's sidekick.

Anyway, this chapter was great, you did a wonderful job of describing the necropolis from a different perspective and that Necromancer was no match for a Nord and a Bosmer.

[mALX]

Getting the set-up of everything from Methredhel's perspective outside the tomb was inspired - and like her, I was surprised to see her saving Vols - Awesome Write !!!

RE: your comment response - Nothing says love like murder, ROFL !!

[Thomas Kaira]

And Vols has a new guardian angel! That was a very noble action for Methredhel; and who said there was no honor among thieves?.

The robed man passed his hand over the door with a flash of golden light, and a moment later the three entered the tomb. An unlocking spell, the wood elf realized. One of these days she would have to try learning that. Still, lock picks were more artistic, she mused, they required skill and dexterity. Anyone could wave a hand and throw magic around. It took real talent to do it the old-fashioned way like she did.

Yeah, yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night, eh?

Still, old habits die hard, and it draws less attention not having the door flashing different colors, so I can see your point.

Nit?

Picturing Secunda passing behind Masser, Methredhel called up her magicka. Letting the energy flow through that image, she vanished just as surely as the small moon disappeared behind the shadow of the larger

Secunda is actually in front of Masser (very easy detail to miss, and I'll totally understand if you decide against changing it).

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Dec 16 2010, 02:27 AM

[Destri Melarg]

First Teresa and now Methredhel, Adanrel seems to be losing all of her friends to the Imperial Legion! I wonder what she would make of Methredhel’s actions.

The emotional complexity of this chapter was just great. First Simplicia, now Vols. Despite her own vested interest, Methredhel can’t help but act on Teresa’s behalf. That is a bond of love that is far more binding than mere words. I am sure that when Teresa hears of her ‘intervention’ from Vols, she will immediately know whose hand really wielded the bow. After all, Methredhel did teach her to shoot, if memory serves.

[Olen]

Exciting last couple of parts. The contrast between the fight against the thug and Dreth and that with the necromancer was well done and shows how much more dangerous some enemies are than others. And the necromancer himself was certainly an unexpected addition, but quite a natural one.

And then the combination of loyalties here is, as Destri said, complex. So Vols kills for Simplicia who still holds a grude against him, though she trusts him enough to ask his help, Meth dislikes all the legion but will help him anonymously for Teresa who is unwittingly in the certre of this web and safely out the way. Very intricate and realistic.

And perhaps not a cliffy but there's pleanty of unanswered questions I want to see the resolution to

One phrase which seemed a bit off:
sack of wet potatoes - wet stuck me as strange, do sacks of potatoes behave differently when wet?

[Acadian]

This was brilliant! Ending the last episode in the middle of action from Vols' pov, only to open this from Methredhel's pov was so wonderfully effective and clever!

That her fox does not emit any pink glow was a wonderful observation!

I enjoyed Meth's take on lockpicks and her use of detect life spells. I quite liked how she vanished using her special power at the end of the scene!

Two aspects of Meth's archery stood out:
1. She is an accomplished archer and it is clear that she had a strong influence on Teresa's ability and style with a bow.
2. She is not used to combat archery and having to shoot under pressure to survive - like Teresa now is.

So. . . little Methie is another who would stand up and lie, "I'm not a hero!" Seriously, the way you portray her is so very Methredhel. You have developed her to the point that her logic and actions make perfect sense from her perspective.

Nit:
'As she watched, the soldier parried a bow of the skeleton's long blade, then kicked the undead creature in the ribs, snapping one in half and causing it to stagger back for a moment.'
I think you meant blow instead of bow here?

[SubRosa]

hazmick: Teresa would love to explore the wilds of Cyrodiil with Methredhel at her side. Sadly, as we saw in Old Friends, Not Forgotten, Methie is a city girl at heart.


mALX: There has been a lot of pov shifts in this chapter. In this case it was necessary to write this part from Methredhel's perspective, because if I had stayed with Vols the entire scene it would have left too many unanswered questions about who the mysterious archer was who shows up and shoots the necromancer.


Thomas Kaira: I did not know that Secunda was closer in orbit than Masser. It doesn't really say anything on the wiki page about the moons. I think I am going to keep it this way, as otherwise I would have to come up with another explanation for why the Moonshadow power gets its name. To be honest, the two moons in ES is something I hate, because I understand how our one moon works, and know the mythology associated with it. With two moons, all that goes out the window.


Destri Melarg: If Adanrel ever found out, I imagine Methie would get the same treatment as Teresa! You definitely nailed it on all the character's motivations. Each of them has a strong emotional bond somewhere that drives them. That is one of the reasons I really enjoyed this chapter. Once you have characters with well-established relationships, it makes it possible to use them to drive the story. Much better than a merchant hires a stranger to investigate a shady businessman.


Olen: One of the reasons I did not hesitate to write this chapter, even though it is sans Teresa, is that throughout it we continue to see her as a uniting force behind the three main characters. I am still uncertain about writing a Morcant-only chapter because that will not be the case.

The "sack of wet potatoes" is an Americanism I think. Possibly because if it is wet, it is heavier? In any case, I have heard it enough times that it just spat out of my keyboard as I was writing.


Acadian: Indeed, Methredhel is the one who taught Teresa to shoot a bow. As your keen eye noted, Methie is not used to shooting people however, where Teresa now is. In fact, I imagine this is the first time she has ever killed anyone. She would most definitely deny being a hero! It would be bad for her reputation after all!

Looks like the King of Worms appropriated the Skeleton Hero's "L", thanks for conjuring it up for me.


Next: Our previous episode saw the necromancer slain by Methredhel, who vanished before Vols could learn her identity. Next we wrap up this chapter as Simplicia confronts Thoronir.


Chapter 25.9 – Unfriendly Competition

"What's wrong Thoronir, didn't get much sleep last night?" Simplicia asked with a smile.

"Oh, I suppose I was up late," the pudgy Bosmer replied with a yawn. He stared across his counter at the old woman, and she could see the light of recognition dawn in his eyes. "Hey, you're Simplicia. You work for that Jensine don't you?"

"That's right," the aged Imperial leaned across the counter in the back of The Copius Coinpurse. "I wasn't expecting you to be up so early this morning. What with you meeting Dreth at midnight. But then he never showed, did he?"

The fat wood elf's eyes became wide as saucers, and his jaw nearly fell to the top of the counter. "How…, I…, what?..." he sputtered.

"Oh I know all about that," Simplicia smiled once more. "But you probably don't want anyone else knowing do you?" The Imperial paused to look back and forth around the interior of the shop. Even as early as eight bells, there were already half-a-dozen shoppers within.

"Ummm, let's talk somewhere more, private." With a trembling hand the Bosmer motioned Simplicia to follow him behind the counter and into a storeroom. The old Imperial took her time lumbering after the elf, and took care not to step all the way into the room. Instead she remained in the doorway, still in plain view of the other people in the shop.

"You sure get a lot of customers," Simplicia noted dryly. "But I guess with prices as low as yours, most people think shopping here is a steal."

"Listen, I don't know what you've heard, but I assure you that it's not-"

"Plug it fatso," Simplicia declared with a wave of her hand. "Play dumb with me and I'll go straight to the Imperial Legion. I know all about your little deal with Dreth. How he was robbing tombs and selling you everything inside. Did he tell you that he was selling the corpses to a necromancer too? I am sure a magistrate would love to hear about your involvement in that."

"Oh good gods!" the shopkeeper groaned, and his eyes somehow grew even wider. "You have to believe me, I didn't know what he was doing, or where it all came from. I swear! He came to me one day and said he had goods on the cheap, so I bought them."

"I'm not stupid, and neither is the legion," Simplicia declared, making as if to leave.

"Wait!" the Bosmer pleaded. "I only came here from Valenwood a few months ago. I always dreamed about the Imperial City. Everyone talks about how big and grand it is. The center of culture in Tamriel! And it is! But things are so different here from back home. I still don't know how you Imperial's do things here in Cyrodiil. So when Dreth came to me at first I believed him. By the time I started to suspect, it was too late. He's a madman! He would have killed me if I tried to back out, or tell the legion. He'll kill you too if you cross him."

"He won't be killing anyone," Simplicia said. "Not with his head split open like ripe melon.

"What?" the Bosmer said, looking genuinely relieved. "You mean he's dead?"

"The Imperial Legion caught him in the act last night," Simplicia said. "He put up a fight. They killed him. But they didn't get his ledger."

"His what?" the wood elf blinked, "what ledger?"

"He recorded every sale he made to you." Simplicia drew forth Dreth's ledger and held it open. "He has every tomb he plundered, everything he took described in detail, and every reman you paid for it all. If a magistrate sees this, you'll be going to prison for a long time."

"Wait, give me that!" the Bosmer reached out for the book.

But Simplicia was ready for him. Snapping the book shut, she clutched it to her breast and stepped back fully into the front of the shop.

"One more step and I scream," she cautioned, "then everyone will find out."

The wood elf's shoulders slumped, and Simplicia almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

"Alright, if you haven't turned me in yet, what is it you want from me?" he sighed.

"A Thief's Bag," the old woman declared.

"A what?" the shopkeeper frowned, "what's that?"

"It's a bag with a Feather enchantment," Simplicia explained, "and its bigger on the inside than the outside. Thieves use them so they can steal more."

"You mean a Bag of Holding? But something like that will cost a fortune!" the Bosmer cried. "I'm just a struggling shopkeeper. I'm not rich!"

"You'll manage," Simplicia declared. "Just raise you prices. Say to the same as Jensine's?"

"Okay, okay," the Bosmer held up his hands in defeat. "Just give me some time to get the money together."

"I'll be back in one week," Simplicia said. "Give me the bag, and I'll give you the ledger. Otherwise I'm going to leave it under a magistrate's pillow."

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Dec 18 2010, 03:03 AM

[mALX]

This chapter has to be added to my favorites - Awesome Write !!! I was tickled to see your version of Thoronir - after the original denial, admitting knowledge of where the goods came from.

In game that quest irked me, because if you listen to the conversation between Agamir and Thoronir - it is obvious Thoronir did know something. Then when you confront him and he denies it, you are supposed to believe him - and not believe your own eyes and ears. - always bothered me that his denial was accepted, your version makes much more sense.

Next, Simplicia. I think Methredhel is about to get a nice thank you present. - Your portrayal of any of your characters is great, but with Teresa and Simplicia you take that gift to much greater heights and depths. There is no way anyone is not jumping on their seats and rooting for Simplicia through this questline - Awesome Write !!!

There were too many places I loved in here to quote !!! Simplicia, that ledger, and Thoronir - that whole section could be one huge quote - AWESOME !!!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 17 2010, 05:59 PM

[hazmick]

Simplicia was amazing! Thoronir better do what he's told.

Great write, more soon please!

[Destri Melarg]

So Simplicia is not above a touch of blackmail, eh? I like how she maintained her awareness in the shop, and kept in full view of witnesses. I also love how her motivations are not strictly altruistic. It is easy to see how she managed to survive (and raise a tiny Wood Elf) for all those years on the street. Assuming that the bag is for Methredhel, it seems as if Simplicia is finally ready to bury the hatchet. Nothing says thank you like ‘I may not condone what you do, but here’s something to help you do it better.’ Teresa won’t be the only one with stories to tell when they are reunited.

[Thomas Kaira]

(On the topic of the moons)

It's a lot easier to notice that in Morrowind, actually. In Oblivion, you rarely see both moons in the night sky together at all, about 80% of the time, it's just Masser.

(Back on topic)

This version of Unfriendly Competition was much more convincing than the one in the game. In game all that happened here was you show him the ledger and he responds with a simple "Oops! Well, better not do that again, eh? " Now we can actually see emotions at play and relate to him as he realizes his misdeeds, and the build-up was wonderful!

"You sure get a lot of customers," Simplicia noted dryly. "But I guess with prices as low as yours, most people think shopping here is a steal."

*rimshot*

Sorry, I'll stop that now. Hearing all these bad puns must just sting.

(Thomas Kaira has been carried away by the joke police)

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Dec 18 2010, 12:58 AM

[Acadian]

Simplicia really shows us her street smarts here. The interaction with Thoronir was perfect, and Simplica played him superbly.

Recalling Simplicia's dressing down of Methie's 'virginal virtue' in Jensine's shop, then seeing her plug old fatso here demonstrates that the sharpness of Simplicia's tongue can match her wit when she's of such a mind.

The Thief's Bag is a wonderful idea. While I agree with others who suspect Methie is the intended recipient, I don't completely rule out that Simplicia might consider it for her adventurous little Teresa to ease her burden.

Speaking of Teresa - while we of course miss her, this is such a delightful detour into a familiar, but much enriched quest. I know you will not keep us away from Teresa for too long. And as you say, she is fully present, if not in person in this storyline.

The romantic in me yearns for more closure between Simplicia and Vols, but I am delighted to read where you take me.

[SubRosa]

mALX: One of the downsides to Oblivion is that many of the quests only have one or two ways of playing out. Here there is no way of fingering Thoronir. Or for that matter, just going to the Imperial Watch when you find out what is going on and having them take care of Agarmir (which seems like the obvious solution. You could just walk up to one of the gate guards and say "hey, there's someone robbing that grave over there!").

On the other hand, I can definitely say that Methredhel is not getting that bag.


hazmick: Simplicia really struts her stuff here, and shows all of her street smarts. A far cry from the kindly old "Aunt May" she may have seemed in the earlier chapters, when we were seeing her through Teresa's eyes.


Destri Melarg: Simplicia is definitely not above blackmail! As a former prostitute, former drug addict, and former homeless beggar, there is not much she is above. She may be ready to bury the hatchet however. It is certainly harder for her not to after Methie doing her such a good turn, especially when as you say, Teresa is regaled on this story!


Thomas Kaira: I tried to portray Thoronir as essentially a regular guy who got in way over his head. Something that happens all too often with tragic results IRL. I am glad it feels convincing.


Acadian: I see another person thinking that the bag is probably for Methie. I am thinking it is because I called it a Thief's Bag, which would be the slang term that street people like Simplicia would use for a Bag of Holding. I went back and put in "Bag of Holding" in one spot in the hopes of making it seem like something that people other than thieves would use.

I am not sure how much closure, if any, we will ever see between Vols and Simplicia. Just as IRL, things do not always end happily in the TF.


All: I took a word count of all the TF up to chapter 30, which is as far as I have written, and it is 250,221 words. A quarter million words. I never imagined I would ever write so much about any character. In fact it is probably more than everything else I have ever written in my life all put together. I can definitely say has been great practice. When I go back to edit the early chapters I wrote, I can see the difference it has made.


Next: The previous chapter saw Simplicia investigate and stop a grave-robber in the Imperial City, saving her own job in the process and being helped by Methredhel and Volsinius. Now we shift our focus back to the stringy Bosmer as she makes her way to Bravil.


Chapter 26.1 – The Fighter

24th Last Seed, 3E433

The faint gurgling of water came to Teresa's ears as she made her way through the forest. It was a river, she thought, hopefully the Larsius. That was the only waterway her map showed in the Nibenay Valley. She followed the direction of the sound. She knew that no matter what river it was, it would eventually lead her to the Niben, and that in turn to Bravil.

The forester still took the time to move quietly however, scanning the underbrush in every direction as she moved from tree to tree. She had not seen a trace of outlaws during her journey from The Faregyl Inn. Still, her encounter on the shores of Lake Rumare was never far from her mind.

The sight of a familiar plant gave her pause however. Its green stem rose high from the ground, nearly to her knees. Several flowers sprouted from the trunk and drooped down from their weight. Each bore a brilliant yellow beak that protruded from its center, with slender purple leaves radiating in a star around it.

Ahh, my old friend nightshade, Teresa thought with a faint smile, so good to see you again.

She produced a small trowel and began digging up its roots. She knew that they were the most poisonous part of the plant. Those she tucked away in a small bag with other nightshade roots, and then packed that into a larger sack filled with other alchemical ingredients. When she was finished she took the seeds from the flower bulbs and buried them in the soil around the spot. Then she was off through the woods again, once more looking carefully for any signs of trouble.

The moist smell of water came to her nose in no time at all, and the ground began to gently slope down before her. However, she paused several times to harvest more plants. First was mandrake. Those would be handy if she came down with something, or would fetch a good price. There was always a demand for Cure Disease potions after all. Then there was lavender, which she knew was good for Healing potions, not to mention smelling wonderful.

Then Teresa was on her way again, slowly making her way through the forest. In time she came upon a river, over a hundred feet wide, slowly meandering to her left. Glancing to the right, she could see that the ground sloped up to a range of low mountains. That must be where the river's headwaters were, she imagined.

The range was nothing compared to the Jerall Mountains north of Cheydinhal and Bruma. Even at their highest, these peaks were crowned by green trees, and bore not even a hint of snow. She imagined that she could climb them without the need of picks, crampons, or ropes. Rather it looked as if she could just walk right up them. She resolved to come back after she discovered Bravil, and find out.

Following the river downstream for the rest of the day, Teresa continued to gather plants. She saw no signs of civilization, which suited her just fine. It was just her, the trees, and the many animals of the forest. Deer, wild pigs, foxes, raccoons, and others prowled the riverbanks. Once she saw a grizzly bear eating a fish next to the water's edge. This she gave a wide berth, even though it paid her no heed at all. Petting a summoned bear was one thing, but a wild one still gave the wood elf pause.

In the water itself Teresa found beavers working on their dome-shaped lodges of branches, and otters chasing one another in the deeper water in the middle of the river. The latter brought the wood elf more than a faint smile, and on several occasions she stopped to just watch the animals going about their daily lives.

The forester continued on her way the next morning, and noted that the river was flowing into the rising sun. Good, she thought, that meant it was going from west to east, the same as the Larsius did on the map. She also realized that it was now wider than it had been before, and imagined it must be well over two hundred feet across now.

Within a few hours the familiar smell of wood smoke came to her nose. Continuing along the river, Teresa passed a bend in its course. Then she found herself staring across the river at a quaint little village of some thirty or forty homes at the water's edge. They were made of small, carefully-fitted stones and roofed with thatch. A simple wooden fence that was barely chest high surrounded the landward side of the settlement, and the wood elf imagined it was more to keep livestock in than to keep threats out.

The wheel of a mill turned slowly at the water's edge, and Teresa also saw several wooden docks jutting from the shore beside the village. Some had small rowboats tied to them. A few rode the waves in the center of the river, where their two-woman crews cast nets into the water. More people bustled about within the village, and Teresa could see a few stop and point in her direction. Most were women or children, or very old men, and Teresa wondered if the rest of the men were off working somewhere?

Just beyond the village, a graceful stone bridge reached across both banks of the river. Teresa could see that a paved road ran away from it on her side of the water, following the river to the east. While on the opposite bank the cobblestones of the thoroughfare ran directly south, disappearing behind the village.

Behind that, the high, grey stone walls of a major city rose into the sky. Square crenellations dotted the top of the walls like blunt teeth, and numerous towers rose like horns above them. Rising high above all was the needle spire of the chapel, stretching into the blue sky at least three times as high as the walls encircling the city.

That must be Bravil, Teresa thought. It was simply too big to be anything else.

Screenshot

No longer able to resist the temptation of the river, the wood elf plunged into its inviting waves. The water enfolded her in a cool embrace, and the forester began to leisurely swim across its length. Thanks to the Jewel of the Rumare, she had no difficulty, even with the leather armor, pack, bedroll, and bowstave she carried.

Now more of the villagers took notice of her, and several were waiting for her on the riverbank when she emerged from the water beside the village.

"Hey, she's not wet!" a boy who could not be older than six years exclaimed, pointing at Teresa. He had the olive skin, black hair, and dark eyes of a Nibenean, Teresa noted, as did most everyone else in the settlement. Beside him stood a girl who might have been slightly older, also with the same dark eyes and hair.

"Quintis, it's not polite to point," a man with a long grey beard chided the youngster. Tufts of grey hair clung to the side of his head, but his scalp as bare as an egg right down the middle. His face was lined and weather-beaten, and his hands bore the calluses of a laborer. Like the others, he wore simple clothing of worn flax. The same as nearly every other farmer or fisherman that Teresa had encountered in her travels.

"Welcome to Silverbridge," the bearded man continued, now turning to Teresa. "I am Decimus Rabirius, and these are my grandchildren: Quintis and Poppea Silanus. I keep an eye on them while their father and older brothers work in the fields."

"Greetings Decimus. You have a beautiful village here," the wood elf smiled faintly. Putting her hands on her knees, she squatted down so that she was at eye level with the children, and looked at each in turn. "Well met Quintis, Poppea. My name is Teresa. I'm a forester. I just walked down from the Imperial City."

"You have pretty hair," Poppea declared. "But how come you're not wet?"

"It's magic," Teresa answered. "A fisherman once gave me a ring that lets me breathe underwater, and keeps me dry as well. That way my leather does not get ruined. I have to take it off so I can take a bath though."

"Now that's a handy trick," the old man observed. "You're the most exciting thing we've had around here since Gaius Varro found a silver nugget in the river the other week."

"Oh, I'm hardly that interesting," Teresa felt a familiar warmth blossom on her cheeks. "I'm just an ordinary elf. Did your village get its name because there's silver in the river?"

"There used to be," the old man explained. "But that was a long time ago. There was a big mine further upriver. It all played out about two decades ago though. Afterward all us miner's left, or settled down here and became farmers. Once in a blue moon someone still pulls a lump of silver out of the river, but it's not worth the effort if that's what you're thinking."

"Oh no," Teresa breathed, realizing that she was probably sounding like a greedy outsider. "I'm looking for Bravil. That's it behind the village right? I have some plants to mix up into potions, and a mage from the guild to see."

"Aye, Bravil it is lass," the old man replied. "So it's a magician you are then? You looked more of a hunter or trapper."

"Oh no, I would never hurt any animals," Teresa exclaimed. "I just gather plants. I am an archer though, and I know how to mix up potions is all."

"What kind of forester doesn't kill animals?" the boy asked.

"The kind that loves them too much," Teresa answered without thinking. "The animals are my friends. You wouldn't hurt your friends would you."

"But you carry a bow," the girl observed. "What's that for then?"

"For the times when others want to hurt me," Teresa stated plainly.

"And that is how it should be," the old man nodded sagely. "Always greet others with kindness and hospitality, and be prepared in case they don't return the favor. Then he set his hands upon the shoulders of the children. "Come now, let's not bother the kind woman any further and allow her to be on her way."

"Oh it's okay," Teresa smiled faintly once more. "I like meeting good-hearted folk, especially when they live close to the land, as you do here. I really should get to the city for now though. Maybe I'll come by tomorrow, or the day after, and Poppea and Quintis can try out my ring?"

"Oh can I!" Both children nearly leapt at once, and the old man barely restrained them from tackling Teresa.

"Why not?" he said. "We can catch some fish in the river, and all have lunch together. How does that sound ma'am?"

"That sounds wonderful," Teresa breathed. Mara above, she thought, what a lovely village Silverbridge was. She had only been there a few minutes, and was already making friends.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: May 27 2011, 05:19 PM

[hazmick]

Beautifully done 'Rosa. I think you may have just summed up the reasons why I love Oblivion: the beautiful scenery, kind-hearted folk and the sense of adventure. Silverbridge is wonderful, as are the residents which you have brought to life so quickly and amazingly! Bravo!

I hope Teresa will return to Silverbridge soon and give us some more of those beautiful screenshots!

[Olen]

Great stuff.

25.9 - well that I didn't see coming: blackmail from Simplicia. She showed some inner steel (and nastiness) there and that she is willing to do distinctly morally grey things to help Teresa, for whom I guess the bag is meant for. Still it does entirly make sense, with her background and success in rasing Teresa she must be tough but before we'd only seen her motherly side through Teresa's eyes.

26.1 - I liked the world building in this part. Gathering the plant gave a glimpse into what she spends her time doing without bogging anything down. I liked the nod towards the differnt parts of the plant having different properties, it adds more realism. Another nice realistic touch was that she doesn't really know where she is, the maps aren't going to be that great and I notice there aren't compasses so it makes sense, like so many other little touches in this. And Silverbridge sounds like a lovely place.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how you portrey Bravil, particularly if Teresa notices anything about a particular statue.

[Acadian]

*contented sigh* This was a lovely episode. I'm so glad you kept the name Silverbridge.

When Teresa says she is a forester, you have beautifully and consistently backed that up throughout TF. Why in this episode alone, she can be seen giving a wide berth to the grizzly, happily watching the beaver and otters, and carefully harvesting the ingredients she needs, even while replanting the seeds.

That is indeed a handy ring she has!

I so hope Teresa enjoys her time in and near Bravil.

[Thomas Kaira]

Why do I get the feeling our crimson-haired maiden is in for a rude awakening in that city?

I really like where you placed this chapter, just after a very hefty set of events, ending in an unfortunate bloodbath and a touch of blackmail (remind me never to stiff that woman again). Right here we get to let our hair down, sit back, relax, feel the serenity of the Nibenay Basin, free of the oppressive lifestyle of Heartland Cyrodiil. Overall, this was a wonderful, and dare I say, needed, time for a tension-reliever.

Unfortunately, knowing Bravil, I don't know if it will last. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, and the story has to go somewhere, right? Journey on, Teresa, you may not know it, but Chorrol is always here for you.

[Destri Melarg]

I’m with TK, placing this chapter after the events of the last few is a much needed calm after the storm. I enjoyed Teresa’s walk through the forest and her harvesting of her favored nightshade. The image of the fox that she sees caused me to look around to see if there was a uniquely forest-challenged wood elf attached to it, carrying a bow!

Now we finally get to see if Teresa will take the legionary’s advice and join the Bravil Fighter’s Guild.

[SubRosa]

hazmick: I am glad you liked Silverbridge. Expect to see more of it in the future.


Olen: A particular statue will be featured soon. In fact, chapter 26 takes its name from it. I do not plan on doing anything with its association with the dark brotherhood however.


Acadian: I thought you might like that last piece. Back when I was writing The Temple I saw The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams for the first time in decades. In addition to my own love of animals and the wilderness, it has really helped me define Teresa's identity as a forester, and exactly what it means to her.


Thomas Kaira: At the risk of plagiarizing, I can honestly say that Teresa's time in Bravil will be the best of times, and the worst of times for her.


Destri Melarg: It was nice to just stop and smell the nightshade for a moment. The previous segment was a good, gentle reminder of where Teresa is happiest. Where she is most at home really. After the last big chapter with other characters in the city, I thought it would be good if when I showed Teresa again, she was fully in her element.


Next: In our previous segment Teresa discovered the little farming village of Silverbridge west of Bravil. Next she continues on toward the city itself, but makes a little detour along the way.


Chapter 26.2 – The Fighter

Teresa made her way east through the village to its main gate, which sat facing Bravil across the road headed south. Casting her gaze in that direction, Teresa could see that the forest had been cleared for a quarter mile beyond the village and was now filled with high stalks of corn and other crops.

She found that the river branched off to the south after the bridge as well, bordered by the stone walls of the city on the east, and the road on the west. A third course broke off from it halfway downstream. This leg of the river turned directly to the east once more, running through a grate in the city wall and vanishing within. Beyond the city to the south, Teresa could see that the water opened up into a wide bay that stretched out of sight, except for the western shore that she now stood upon.

Turning to her left, Teresa followed the road north and crossed the stone bridge spanning the Larsius. Then she was back on the northern bank of the original river course and following it east once more. Bravil loomed up over her right shoulder, and Teresa realized that it was actually set within the river delta, with forks of the watercourse going past it to the north, west, and directly through it. It must be on several islands then, she imagined, rather than part of the coast itself.

Then a familiar sight loomed over her left shoulder. White stones lay scattered along the hillside to the north. A familiar upraised well of stone and metal was still intact, with silvery energy lazily floating up from within it like steam. A Varla Mae, Teresa thought - a star well - just like the one she had found at Vilverin.

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Beyond the well rose a still intact stone archway. Behind it was a building whose far end was buried in the hillside. Set within its southern face was a typical Ayleid double-door: two portals with semi-circular handles in the center, which would form a circle when they were shut.

Now they yawned open however, and as Teresa walked up the slope to the ruin, she found that a paint horse was tied to a nearby tree. Somebody's visiting, she thought. That prompted her to draw the bowstave from her back and string it. She knew that there wasn't likely to be any trouble right next to the city. Besides, Herminia had told her that the ruin was empty and completely explored long ago. But it did not hurt to be careful, she thought.

So with strung bow in hand, Teresa plunged into the depths of Anutwyll. She found that she did not need her Night Eye goggles, as the way was lit by regularly spaced glowstones set in small metal lanterns. Following a stair that wound its way deep into Nirn, she finally came to a gallery that looked upon a large open chamber. Its ceiling was held up by massive columns, and a great metal chandelier hung in the center of the room, its roughly cut glowstones filling the chamber with light.

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Near one wall Teresa saw several tables set up in a long row, flanked by more of the same glowstone lanterns she had seen before. As best the wood elf could see, the tables seemed to be scattered with junk and pieces of parchment. Sitting at one was an Altmer in brown and green flax. His red hair rose up from his head in an elaborate, twisting cone, a hairstyle that Teresa found common enough among Altmer men. It made them look even taller than they already were, she thought, as if they needed the help!

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"Hail friend," she called out in a clear voice, which she hoped sounded friendly. "My name is Teresa. I'm looking for Carandial."

"Oh my!" the Altmer nearly fell from his chair, dropping the piece of graphite he was sketching with and clutching at his chest for a moment. He took a moment to compose himself, then rose to his feet and looked up to the gallery where Teresa stood.

"You gave me quite a start there!" he said. "For a moment I thought one of the original residents had come back! I am Carandial by the way. I am surprised to see anyone else here."

"I'm sorry." Teresa bit her lower lip. "Herminia Cinna told me to look you up when I came to Bravil. She said you were studying the ruin, so when I saw it I came in to look."

"You know Herminia?" the Altmer's voice brightened, and he stepped closer to the gallery. "Well come down then, there's a corridor that goes-"

His words trailed off as Teresa slipped over the stone handrails and lowered herself down the wall. Hanging from the lip of the gallery floor, she let go, dropping the rest of the way. Landing on light feet, she rose and dusted her armor off.

"I see you have found your own way," the high elf commented dryly.

"It wasn't that far," Teresa breathed. "I'm really sorry to startle you. I know how unnerving these places can be."

"Oh that's all right," the Altmer said, "I get so engrossed in my work, that I'm afraid it even happens back in the guildhall. How is it that you know Herminia, if I might ask?"

"She tutored me on the Ay-Arimer," Teresa said. "I'm an explorer, and I plan to look for some of their ruins in County Bravil. Perhaps some in Leyawiin County too. She mentioned that you were here doing research, and suggested I come see you."

"Well, if you're looking for treasure here in Anutwyll, I am afraid you are a few thousand years too late!" the high elf proclaimed. "This place was picked clean of everything valuable long before either of us were born. That is why I am here though, it's safe, so I can do my work without danger."

"So what is it that you are doing?" Teresa asked, and the other elf led her over to the tables.

"I am studying the architecture," the Altmer explained, pointing to the book he was drawing in when Teresa had arrived. The page it was open to was filled with a sketch of the top of one of the chamber's columns, detailing how it joined with the ceiling above. It was quite good work, Teresa noted. Carandial was obviously skilled as an artist, as well as being a mage.

"Did you know that the Arimer treated their stone to make it stronger? We are still not sure exactly how, except that it was at least a partly magical process. That is why the stone is white. It was just ordinary grey granite beforehand. That is why their sites have lasted for so many thousands of years relatively intact. They used no mortar either. But the stones do not rest freely. Somehow they are bound together with magic. It really is quite amazing."

"So what is this other stuff?" Teresa asked, her hand waving out over the carefully arranged junk on the tables. Now she noted that each piece sat upon or beside a piece of parchment. Each page had a drawing of the object, and some writing that appeared to describe it. "It just looks like broken pottery and bits of metal."

"That is because it is!" the Altmer laughed and clapped a gentle hand on Teresa's back. Stepping closer to the table, he picked up one piece of green metal and handed it to the forester.

"Here, what do you think this was?"

"It just looks like a glob of old bronze?" Teresa thought aloud.

"It was a metal eyelet," the high elf explained. "Possibly to hold the lace on someone's shoe, or perhaps a lady's corset. I am recording and cataloguing every artifact I find here in the ruins. Like I said before, everything with monetary value is long gone, but there are still plenty of pieces like this, which can help us put together the puzzle of what the day-to-day lives of the Arimer were like. What they wore, how they worked, what they ate, and so on."

"That is a wonderful goal," Teresa breathed, looking over the tables filled with junk. No, she thought, artifacts. Keys to the past. "You must be a very patient man. I don't think I could sit here for hours writing about all of this."

"Oh, I love it!" the Altmer replied enthusiastically. "Every day is a new adventure down here in Anutwyll!" If anyone else had said it, Teresa would have sworn it was meant sarcastically. Yet when she looked in the other elf's eyes, she could see he meant every word of it. He was obviously just as passionate about history as Herminia. If not more so.

"But you are not here looking for eyelets," the Altmer went on. "You are looking for other Arimer sites I take it?"

"Yes, Teresa admitted. "I was wondering if you knew where I might start looking for places like Bawn, Culotte, Nenalata, Mackamentain, and a few others. I have them all written down on a list."

"Well most of those are right on the coast of Niben Bay," Carandial explained. "Bawn is just across the bay to the south, hug the coast and you can't miss it. Nenalata is across the bay at the mouth of the Silverfish River, and Culotte is on the Upper Niben."

Teresa pulled off her pack, and rummaged around within it until she found her map. Spreading it over an empty spot on one table, she turned back to the scholar.

"Do you think you could point those out to me?"

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jun 2 2011, 11:16 PM

[Olen]

Well a ruin with a friendly inhabitant, that's new

I like how you showed Carandial, he fits the part very well as a history obsessive collecting things which no one else finds interesting. An archaeologist no less, makes sense you might find one in a safe (assuming all those gas traps are defunct) ruin near a city. And he seems happy enough to point Teresa towards some rther less safe ruins elsewhere.

The hardened stone was a nice worldbuilding touch too.

I'm still waiting to see who 'The Fighter' is though.