A New Sun Rises - Maxical's Adventures, The Truth Behind The Oblivion Crisis Options

[mALX]

*


** Foxy has graciously agreed to employ his character Damien "Foxy" Reynard (The Black Fox) in this chapter. Foxy writes or approves all the parts for Damien Reynard.




Chapter 98: Of Mice, Men, and Mousetraps



******* Jakben Imbel (continued)


Jak held up Fathis‘s empty sheath. “Where’s the sword? The man didn‘t walk around with an empty sheath!�

“I never saw one…he was casting spells with both hands.�

“I can’t wear it like this…or would they notice it gone? Drat!� Jak hesitated before dropping the sheath on the table. He turned back to the men. “What was the delay in getting Aren up here?�

“That Dunmer that’s involved with the Khajiit tried to come to Aren’s aid, stop us from removing him. With him being connected we didn’t want to kill him without orders first. He’s knocked out good, locked in one of the offices.� The man held a ring of keys up.

“Drat, now we‘ll have to move on him too! Hassildor will never come into his own at this rate! How can I push him into releasing his powers if I keep having to remove every stumbling block from his path for him! As it is I‘ve had to all but shovel the girl into his lap for him even with her scent right under his nose! Will I have to stand in the bedroom and call instructions to him as well?� Jak slammed his fist down on the table in frustration. “That first shack off the bridge on the waterfront, the one that Orc has been hiding in…take him there.�

“But…that Orc will kill him, he’s a nut! He shredded his own father, that bear…they can’t even identify that one man he killed last week. Yesterday Shady Sam took offense to the Orc’s odor and before Vicente knew what was happening the guy was in pieces. Scared Vicente into pissing himself, he hasn’t run that fast since he was twenty.�

“Exactly. That Dunmer had to be taken out anyway, and if the Orc kills him Hassildor cannot be blamed in his death. Everyone knows the Orc is nuts. That was always my plan before this trap was sprung on Janus.�






***


“Your plan? You mean he’s not protecting his chosen of his own nature?�

Jak paused, scowling. “Not yet. I was sure his instincts would have kicked in by now, nothing equals that hunt for realizing one’s full nature…instead he squabbled with his chosen like they were schoolchildren. He refuses to act on his nature…but let him live with a chosen and face the reality that she will die one day and end his bliss. The desire to share his gift with her should grow within him till it can’t be denied…“ Jak’s voice reverberated with emotion and his words came to a choking halt suddenly, his own memories suffocating even the thought of the other‘s presence. He spoke softly, as if to himself. “Ah Amiela, would that the gift I shared with you had been an immortal one…�

His chief minion shifted uncomfortably at being privy to Jak’s private moment. “My Lord?�

Jak dropped his hand to his side and spoke again in his normal tones. “When Hassildor does make her, we will have them both. I have already placed my spell within her to obey me, and where she goes he will seek her out using all his vampire senses. We will finally get to see the magnificent creation he is…as he was meant to be.�

“I read about her in the Courier, between her temper and affairs, she should build an immortal army in no time.�

“All our plans could amount to nothing if we can’t counter this coup Fathis Aren staged. Both the Khajiit and Aren have to be seen here and in good health after Hassildor returns to his castle or he’ll be stripped of his title and locked in a dungeon for eternity.�

“The chosen! But he must carry her to his lair!�

“Yes…if his vampire nature accepted her, that is. He should have been driven to, but from what I saw the only thing he was driven to do with her was argue.�

“Not accept…can that be done? What will you do? We waited over fifty years for him to leave his lair, it’s our only chance…he may isolate himself again!�

“Ah, but he can’t keep me out of his lair this time. I got him to write me an invitation guaranteeing me entry, sealed officially with his signet ring.�

“But without a chosen…“

“We just need him to make anyone, it doesn’t matter who. I happened across a Dunmer widow and cultivated a friendship in case we needed an alternative plan. If Hassildor rejects the Khajiit I’ll forego my own enjoyment with Malvulis. She could easily entice him into sharing his gift…with me controlling her mind.






***


“A Dunmer widow? The mysteries? That lucky bas…er…I mean, what a rare treasure to find!�

“Yes, I agree. The mysteries are as addictive as Skooma, Hassildor would follow her and we’d still have two. I may thank Vicente for murdering her husband and leading me to her. Speaking of which, I need that report on Vicente’s movements up till now, and make it fast.� Jak rapped his finger on the table loudly as the man shuffled in his pockets.

“We intercepted one letter Vicente sent from the Merchants…I spoke to the Publican, a man named Velus. He said Vicente bribed him to silence…with only two Septims.�

“Two Septims! Was he deliberately trying to insult the man? Velus will tell all he knows and point the finger at him!�

“Velus was pretty mad over it, said the Septims cried as they left Vicente’s hand he was squeezing them so tightly. He hasn’t had the opportunity to point the finger yet, but did tell me all he knows. I gave him a goodly bribe in thanks, well more than legitimate. My thinking was that we may need him later.�

“Good thinking. What did you learn?�

“Vicente sent out several letters, all exact duplicates of the one I had. The Publican said Vicente was adamant that these letters never be traced back to him…Ah, here’s the letter.� He held the parchment out to Jak. “Velus said Vicente signed off on all the letters the same way, ’An anonymous friend‘ …now look what Velus did to each before he handed them to the courier, see the outside of the seal?“

Jak flipped the parchment over and read aloud. “Reply to Vicente Valtieri, Suite 202; The Merchants Inn, Imperial City Market District…BWAAHAA!�

Jak scanned it quickly. “To the attention of Raynil Dralas, Vampire Hunter, Skingrad…blah, blah…four ancient vampires…Jakben, Earl of Imbel and an unknown living in his home have been stalking a young virgin Khajiit! The Gray Prince, a murdering lunatic…Seridur! Has he gone mad? He has named us all, even gave directions to the Orc’s house! There can be only one explanation, Vicente is clearing a path to take over here. That smarmy [censored] has signed his own death warrant for this. Make sure the Hero of the People gets an anonymous tip with Vicente's information and where to find him. Also, that Velus has no love for our kind…an anonymous tip needs to be dropped to him about Vicente’s real nature as well.�







***


Jack pocketed the letter. “Vicente sent several of these out? Who were the others for?�

“One went to The Order of the Virtuous Blood…�

“BWAAHAA! Seridur should get a kick out of that, he‘s named in it. Go on.�

“Eridor, General Delivery, Skingrad.�

“That’s not good, he has a team and I‘ve heard they are pretty good. They could be trouble.� Jak motioned him to continue.

“The other two were addressed to the Hero of the People and someone named ‘Damien’. That one was accompanied by a hundred Septims.�

“Damien! That’s what they called the character in the black velvet mask…I’ve not heard of a vampire hunter by that name…� Jak tapped his finger rapidly on the table thinking aloud. “There was something familiar…the way he wore his sword…had to be a Blademaster…too tall to be Lencolia…� Jak suddenly froze. “Damien Reynard…the Black Fox! But not in disguise, why? It was deliberate…he wanted me to know it was him!�

“The Black Fox…isn’t that just a myth, My Lord?�

Jak held his hand up to silence the man, thinking rapidly. It was too complete a coup to be anyone else, it had to be Reynard. Then those mages on the upper deck were…good gods, assassins!

“DAMN!� Jak slammed his fist on the table. “If it’s Reynard, he won’t stop till the mission is complete! Vicente couldn’t possibly have hired him for such a low amount…wait! That one called Damien said Fathis hired him. Then what did Vicente send the 100 Septims for?�






***


“Can the trap be countered?�

“I’m impersonating Fathis Aren, I can insist on being the one to escort Hassildor to the castle. I just realized…some good did come of this trap. Fathis Aren was a wild card, he proved that today. My plan to have the Orc kill him was flawed. In keeping him alive and impersonating him…his face will get me into anywhere I desire, even Septim’s chambers…“ Jak choked, his speech grinding to a stop.

BAM! Jak slammed his fist on the table, his face suddenly lit up. “Septim’s chambers where that agent of Damien’s is holding that document ready to reveal it! I have just figured out how to thwart the trap! I‘m going straight to the Palace. Once I have that document, I’ll give the signal. I want the lot of them killed; Traven, Azzan, especially the one in the black velvet mask …and his troop of mage-assassins. Wipe the slate clean, no one will ever know what went on here today!�

“Not Aren?�

“No…I may have use of his face for some time to come. As soon as the healer says he can be moved, take him to Skingrad…the healer must accompany him to be sure he doesn’t succumb on the way. I can’t impersonate a dead body, it is imperative he be kept alive at all costs. The last thing I need is for my real face to suddenly show through, too much has gone wrong already.� Jak grabbed the minion’s arm to make sure he was attending. “No one is to see Aren being removed from here! Everything depends on people believing I am he. Take whatever precautions needed.�

“It will be done, My Lord. What about Seridur, we have no orders on him. He pounded on the door of Imbel Manor several times today, then tacked a note under your knocker that said, ‘Remember your promise‘.�

“Probably with a very large puddle below him. Did he go to Memorial Cave?�

“Yes, My Lord. Clothing was sticking out of his pack and his eyes looked like saucers.�

“You can see to him, or send an anonymous note to the Hero.� Jak glanced down at his ancient wedding ring, then raised it to his lips. “That one is for you, Amiela.�

“I’ll see who’s knocking…�

“My Lord, the Dunmer has escaped, he must have revived and climbed out the window!�

“You put him in an office with windows…and didn’t shackle him?�

“I…it was such a steep drop from the windows! No one in their right mind would climb from them!�

“Did you check the Arena floor to see if he fell trying to escape?�

“Yes…My Lord. There was no body.�

“Then it sounds like his mind was more active than yours.�

“Yes, My Lord.�

“Find him! And this time use shackles. Better bring him up here so I can see what he knows and wipe his mind myself…DRAT! See who that is knocking!�

“My Lord! The Khajiit is climbing back up to the balcony!�

“WHAT? Why would she do that? Will nothing go right this day? Get out there quickly and make sure no one harms her! I’m coming now.�




*

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 8 2016, 09:21 AM

[King Coin]

Wait wha-what? I thought the Khajiit was in the Arena still! I'm missing something

[mALX]

Wait wha-what? I thought the Khajiit was in the Arena still! I'm missing something

I couldn't write both things happening at once, so I wrote what was happening to Maxical first (in the last chapter). This is what Jak was doing while Maxical was going to the center of the Arena, looking for Fathis, then coming back and trying to climb up on the mezzanine (where the vampires were) to find Fathis. (kind of a background peek into what Jak was up to while she did all that).

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 7 2011, 06:55 PM

[King Coin]

I know what's going on now, for some reason I had the idea that we were back at Jak's house. I don't know why, don't ask.

[Thomas Kaira]

I almost feel sorry for Jakben... he put so much effort into that plan only to have his disguise broken wide open in but five seconds. He really is killing himself trying to get Janus's immortal demon to show itself.

Can't he just recognize that this Albino Khajiit is too much trouble for him?

So, Viciente the smarmy [very very very censored] is bribing Reynard? I wonder what for...

And now Gils escaped due to still more general incompetence. I will be seriously disappointed if Jak does not physically explode within the next few episodes.

[Acadian]

“I read about her in the Courier, between her temper and affairs, she should build an immortal army in no time.”
Ahah! So it seems part of Jak's plan is to breed Janus special abilities. Since he figures Maxical is Janus' chosen, she is his mark to become the mother of a bunch of baby Janus super vampire little monsters.

This chapter really blows knowledge into a lot of areas that have remained shrouded in mystery for some time. I love it!

I pegged the missing 'Dunmer' that escaped as Gils just like TK did. Are we right? After all, Jak and his dudes may not have known Gils' name.

What a magnificent job you are doing with Jak! We hate him, yet we can't help but feel some of what he feels and the tragedy of his past. A very complex villain. I'm in awe.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Mar 8 2011, 01:11 AM

[Grits]

Your recap is great!! I will refer back to it whenever I get confused, thank you so much!! It also answered my questions about Maxical’s seal to Gils. That darn Azura! Haute caught the quote about Azzan that made me giggle – now I know why I liked that guy!

”As it is I‘ve had to all but shovel the girl into his lap for him even with her scent right under his nose! Will I have to stand in the bedroom and call instructions to him as well?”

Well, we know that Janus is well versed in rat libido…

“That Dunmer that’s involved with the Khajiit tried to come to Aren’s aid, stop us from removing him. With him being connected we didn’t want to kill him without orders first. He’s knocked out good, locked in one of the offices.” The man held a ring of keys up.

That’s the Dunmer that revived and escaped, right? I think it’s Gils. Woo hoo, what a ride!!!

[mALX]

@ King Coin - WHEW !! Thought I was going to have to rewrite something !!! ROFL - Thank you so much King Coin !!!

***
@ Thomas Kaira -

Can't he just recognize that this Albino Khajiit is too much trouble for him?

ROFL !!!! He might be able to if he was looking any further than his own plans to build an immortal army and take over Cyrodiil, lol.

I think you are correct about Jak exploding, lol. He may have lived hundreds of years, but that was before he tried to meddle in Maxical's life.

He may end up wishing he'd just used the back-up plan of Malvulis all along, lol. Thank you so much TK !!!!

***
@ Acadian - Can you imagine Tamriel with a bunch of baby Maxical/Janus's running around? ROFL !!! NOOOOOO !!!! (the voices of Cyrodiilians everywhere)

No, he wants Maxical and Janus to "share their dark gift" and then those people can do the same, then so on and so on ... like a pyramid scheme of sharing the dark gift till there are armies of immortal vampires ready to take over Cyrodiil. - GAAAAAH!! I may have cut that explanation out in order to save word count! OH NOES !!!!

You and TK (and Grits) are both (all) right about that Dunmer that aided Fathis then escaped being Gils - and right about the reasons they didn't use his name.

Thank you for your insights into Jak. I wanted him to be likable, I'm glad that came through - and there is his great love for his deceased wife as well.

It was clear he was a manipulator, but till this point had been kind of a likeable one. The undertone that he had more power than he was letting on was touched on only lightly a few times. That he seemed to have a plan that involved Janus, and later Maxical - that was the hardest part to get across without it either coming out too soon or not showing clearly enough.

I struggle with still liking him in spite of his power-hungry desire to rule Nirn - the image of that round-bellied bird squawking pops up each time I type his name, lol.

Thank you so very much Acadian - and I am so glad you liked it, knowing that chapter was more plot than character - thank you !!!!!

***
@ Grits - Thank you so much !!! That recap took one full night to do, and I've probably still missed a bunch that should be on there - and put at least one thing in that hadn't happened yet, Shady Sam being killed.

King Coin's comment was the first realization that I had given something away by accident. It was too late to take it down, so I wormed it into today's chapter, lol.

ROFL !!! Rat Libido !!! - I had two fave lines in the chapter and you pegged one of them, lol.

Yes, that was Gils!

Thank you so much Grits !!!!

***

@ EVERYONE - By the way, not sure if I said it on here or in a PM to someone - the vampires in my story are a mod I use.

They can shape-shift or transform into a bat and fly (I used bird in my story for the humor, nothing funny about bats) - they just can't battle while flying (no weapons, no magic) and have to revert to human form to fight.

They can transform into a wolf (really pretty one, too) - they can bite or claw as wolves, but not use weapons or magic.

They can also transform into a vapor and fly - again, they cannot fight in this form.

They can control the minds of any NPC in the game (Including the Legion!) - unless that NPC is resistant to magic or the vampire's magicka or training is low.

They have a scripted neck biting that is awesome, and can choose to feed or share their dark gift. If you share the dark gift, the NPC becomes a follower.

They also have an illusion spell that hides their vampire nature - but you have to reach a certain level to use that. (that is why only certain vampires in my story can do it).

When the illusion spell is not being used, the vampire's eyes glow red - that is why the giant vampires of Malan's army's eyes glowed red in the story (instead of the pink that the vanilla game uses).

[Thomas Kaira]

I come to you today with a screenshot: Agronak Go-Malog before the fall.

Face courtesy of Tamriel NPCs Revamped.

I really like what they did for him in this mod, he looks so much more charismatic now. A look befitting of the Grand Champion, no doubt.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Mar 9 2011, 05:40 AM

[mALX]

I come to you today with a screenshot: Agronak Go-Malog before the fall.

Face courtesy of Tamriel NPCs Revamped.

I really like what they did for him in this mod, he looks so much more charismatic now. A look befitting of the Grand Champion, no doubt.

I love the Agronak with the red eyes - he looks ... vampiric, ROFL !!! Thank you so much TK, this is Awesome !!! You ROCK !!!

[Zalphon]

Maxical, in the eternal words of one of my best, half-insane, half-khajiit friends :wink: "You ROCK!"

[Winter Wolf]

I am still trying to get up to speed with the story. Ha! That will teach me to walk away for a few months.
You have certainly given Jak a major role. It does add to the story.

The update faction list helps a lot and I was surprised to see what happened to SS (Shady Sam).
Do you have something about men in black that needs to be dealt with?
Poor old Vicente was treated the same way!! Despite what the rest think of my teacher, us DB brothers must stick together!! It is us against the world.

You had beautiful pacing within the chapter, and

“My Lord! The Khajiit is climbing back up to the balcony!”

that is a classic!

[mALX]

*


@ Zalphon - You are Awesome - and missed !! Thank you so much Zalphon, what a nice thing to say !!!

***
@ Winter Wolf - Thank you so much Wolfy !!! I have really come to like Jak ... in spite of the fact that he is evil and bent on domination of Nirn - ROFL !!!

Do you have something about men in black that needs to be dealt with?

ROFL !!! Oh, I remember us going round and round in Skingrad over Vicente, the Dark Brotherhood ... and Eyja howling like a she-wolf when she laughed - Er ... I swear it is not the men in black ... it is a problem between Vicente and my keyboard. I even tried to write him as an evil character in this, womanizing, etc. - but something always happens when I go to write his parts ... I am totally innocent, and blame him !!! ROFL !!!

Thank you so very much Wolfy, you have been so missed !!!


*

[mALX]

*

Here is an update of all that is going on. Each time I add a chapter I will try to update it if this will help anyone - I know with the chaos of the friction between the different factions it is hard to keep up with, I've been having trouble myself, lol.

Factions:

Maxical, Fathis, Gils - Major role


Maxical:

- Orphaned at unknown age, Legion guessed at 2 yrs old (currently almost 18 years old)
- Mixed race, Kawa Khajiit and human
- Mother - Shivani, died in Minotaur attack on road near Skingrad
- Father - unknown at this time, Imperial

- Vicente attacked Maxical, Jak saved her - Maxical singing “Jack B. Nimble”




Maxical and Fathis:

- Fathis paid for Maxical's schooling at the Arcane University through graduation.
- Maxical pledged herself to Fathis Aren, her schoolgirl crush - owes enormous debts to him - he never answered. They never even held hands due to him being her benefactor and his reputation as womanizer.
- After an argument (over the Golden Armor he gave her) Fathis didn't speak to her again or see her for over 7 months - (till just recently)
- Unbeknown to both Fathis and Maxical, Fathis has been under a mind control spell since the argument over 7 months ago to stay away from her - (put on him by Janus Hassildor)
- After catching Maxical and Gils together in Anvil, Fathis made Maxical vow to break it off with Gils. She agreed, and stood by agreement for the next month.
- Unfortunately, Fathis was still under the power of Janus Hassildor, and although he kissed her a few times, he is being a total cold fish - Maxical assumes it is because she is of "beast race"
- Fathis insists Maxical come with him to meet Uriel Septim - to whom Akatosh has revealed in Uriel's dreams that Maxical vowed her service. He extracts her vow to aid him when she turns 21. Maxical is devastated.
- Maxical feels her time left is suddenly precious now that there is a deadline looming - she decides to break up with Fathis, sure his lack of desire is due to her being Khajiit and not human.
- Before Maxical can break up with Fathis, he beards her in a public event and swears marriage vows in front of the press - she can't humiliate him by rejecting in public. Legally, she is only married to Fathis, but in her heart she feels married to Gils, not Fathis.
- Fathis discovers he has been under spell, and Hassildor is in town after Maxical - he lays a trap for him at the Arena.
- Fathis has to pretend he is under Hassildor's spell still. Hassildor orders him to send for Maxical to meet him.
- Fathis sends a hateful note to Maxical to keep her from showing up
- The messenger is afraid to deliver the note, so just tells Maxical to go up to the administrative box seats. She goes.
- Fathis is upset to see that she did come, but has to keep pretending to be under spell.




Gils and Maxical:

- Maxical's first real boyfriend, her first kiss
- Swore marriage vows together - no witnesses, not considered legal
- Gils taught Maxical the "Dunmer Mysteries" (except the 7 that involve mating, which Maxical refuses to do due to her promise to Fathis).
- Gils almost dies, Maxical vows her life and that of her first child to Akatosh to save Gils
- Gils gave Maxical wedding ring
- Gils "started" Maxical, but she has retained her virginity




Current Updates - Maxical, Fathis, and Gils:


- Fathis springs the trap on Hassildor. Jak (the huge bird) calls in Dagoth-Malan's army of giant vampires to save Hassildor.

- Fathis tries to get Maxical to safety. Large amounts of blood are seen where he last stood, but no one knows where he is.
- A vampire is impersonating Fathis and taking Maxical into "the pit" at the center of the Arena floor (where the dead bodies are thrown for burning. It also accesses the sewer system)

- Gils tried to keep vampires from taking Fathis, was knocked out and locked in office
- Gils escaped by climbing out office window and onto Arena roof
- Gils was at the Imperial Palace with Uriel when Jak arrived impersonating Fathis




***

Alix Lencolia & S'Jirra - Minor role

- Maxical's adoptive parents - nothing at this time, they went back home to the Faregyl because they were guests in Fathis Aren's suite at the Merchants and thought Maxical was breaking up with Fathis - it would not be comfortable staying under his roof under that circumstance. They have not returned.




***

Vicente & the Dark Brotherhood - Minor role

- Has the ability of illusion to alter his appearance when his powers are high and/or impersonate anyone (as long as they are alive) - this can be used to hide his vampire features. (similar to the illusion Jagar Tharn used to impersonate Uriel Septim for 10 years) - this can be used to hide his vampire features.
- Vicente plans to bring both Malvulis and Maxical back to Cheydinhal with him
- Vicente is a Crimson Scar, tightwad & womanizer

- Vicente sent out letters to all known vampire hunters - naming names in the Imperial City
- Vicente sent the above letter to Damien Reynard as well - with 100 Septims



***

Agronak - Major role

- The Gray Prince, Grand Champion of the Arena
- Son of the ancient vampire Lord Lovidicus and Luktuv gro-Malog
- Stepbrother of Gils, has been exerting mind control over Gils since early childhood
- Murdered Gils father with poison after exerting mind control to leave himself as primary heir
- Murdered his own mother Luktuv with poison
- Killed Lord Lovidicus, contracted vampirism in the fight
- Attempted to murder Gils, threatened to try again
- Threatened to murder Maxical
- Murdered the performing bear
- Murdered an unknown man (the missing agent of "Foxy's" that was watching Vicente)
- Murdered Shady Sam




***

Damien "Foxy" Reynard - (The Black Fox) - Major role

- Retired assassin of legendary fame - most people believe he is a myth
- Has a network of agents that keep tabs on various people in power
- Has discovered Ocato is in cahoots with Mankar Camoran to assassinate Uriel Septim
- Learned that Mankar Camoran and his "Mythic Dawn" cult have made a deal with Mehrunes Dagon to take over Cyrodiil
- Learned that Vicente, Hassildor, and the (now vampire) Agronak have come to Cyrodiil
- Learned that Vicente attacked Maxical - the agent following Vicente is missing (Agronak killed him, he is the body they can't identify)
- Learned that Fathis was under spell - caught up with him at Jack Thompson's and set up this sting on Hassildor at the Arena




***

Jak, Seridur, & Janus Hassildor - Major role


Jak:

- Jakben, Earl of Imbel
- Has the ability of illusion to alter his appearance and/or impersonate anyone (as long as they are alive). (similar to the illusion Jagar Tharn used to impersonate Uriel Septim for 10 years) - this can be used to hide his vampire features.
- Turns into a very large bird and spies on Janus everywhere
- Trickster and con artist
- He is one of Malan's giant vampires (learned the day he saved Malvulis)
- Was the giant bird that led Malan's army in fight at the Arena
- Holds a very high position among Malan's Giants
- Ordered Seridur killed
- Ordered his men to drop anonymous hints to Azzan and Velus regarding Vicente
- Is trying to get Janus Hassildor to release his vampire powers/share his dark gift and make another immortal vampire
- Revealed he plans to use mind control on Malvulis to seduce Janus into “making“ her
- Wants Janus to accept Maxical as his chosen and “make” her so she will be immortal
- Revealed he implanted mind control in Maxical the day he chased Vicente off her
- Revealed he is planning to build an immortal army of vampires using Janus and either Maxical or Malvulis


- Ordered Gils be killed, but Gils had escaped.
- Is the vampire impersonating Fathis Aren
- Went to the Imperial Palace impersonating Fathis - trying to get the document revealing Hassildor's actions
- Was scammed by a Palace runner for all of the Septims in Fathis's pocket
- Got an annulment for Fathis's marriage to Maxical
- Was led into a trap, a sealed room. Confronted by Uriel Septim, Ocato, and the Royal Battlemages
- Uriel asked him to prove he was Fathis. When he couldn't prove it, Uriel left the room and sealed it.
- When Uriel left the room, Gils stepped forward so Jak could see him - Jak was livid to see Gils there alive.
- The Battlemages were hesitant to attack Fathis, a trusted member of their ranks.
- Jak transformed into his real self...a Chimer!
- Jak used a Battlemage as a shield, then escaped out the window (transforming into a bird)
- Jak flew back to the Arena





***

Seridur:

- Has the ability of illusion to alter his appearance and/or impersonate anyone - as long as they are alive. - (similar to the illusion Jagar Tharn used to impersonate Uriel Septim for 10 years) - this can be used to hide his vampire features.
- Runs a fake vampire hunters group called "The Order of the Virtuous Blood" Uses his reputation with his vampire hunters group to name people as vampires that get in his way or bump off people he doesn't like.
- He is gay in my story

- Spent day banging on Jak’s door, no answer
- Left note “Remember your promise"
- Went to Memorial Cave with bag packed to stay a while
- Scared




***

Dagoth-Malan and his Army of Giants - Major role

- Dagoth-Ur's cousin, jealous of his immortality and omnipotence
- Escaped being made into ascended sleeper by Dagoth-Ur
- Tried to drain all Dagoth-Ur's immortal blood to inject in himself - only got two vials before being caught.
- gathered blood from the most powerful ancient vampire lines and mixed them with one vial of Dagoth-Ur's blood - injected mixture into himself
- Created a super-race of vampires. Every vampire he made grows to giant proportions for combat.
- Set pods up outside all the major cities of Cyrodiil to attack people coming and going - trying to infiltrate and fill each city with his armies so on command they would grow to giants and attack. He wanted to take over Cyrodiil with his army.
- His coctail of vampire/Dagoth-Ur blood did not make immortal vampires. He went to the Crystal Tower and researched what went wrong. Discovered problem, but only had one vial of Dagoth-Ur's immortal blood left
- Malan had to choose someone in a position of power, but who would be easily controlled to make "The Immortal" - that person would be unstoppable - He found 18 year old Janus Hassildor running for the position of Count Skingrad. Malan became Janus's chief advisor and helped him get the post.
- Six months later he acted, setting Hassildor up to go to Shadeleaf Copse - Malan's secret vampire headquarters is hidden in the woods there. He attacked Janus, injecting the perfected coctail of Dagoth-Ur's blood and then the mixture of the most powerful vampire lines known. Malan's minions attacked Janus's wife Rona, meaning for her to die. She didn't. She became a vampire too, but not immortal. She died three years ago.
- Janus ejected everyone from the castle to keep his vampirism secret, Malan included. Janus bolted the gates so no one could enter for decades.
- Janus became a recluse, thwarting all Malan's plans for him.
- Malan and his followers all have the ability to turn into large birds

- Malan’s army swarming mezzanine of the Arena
- Malan sent signal to the Crimson Scars to make their move
- Malan’s army of vampires did not attack Maxical when she returned for Fathis




***

Greywyn Blenwyth and the Crimson Scars - Minor role

- Greywyn Blenwyth was Tamriel's most powerful vampire assassin
- He formed the Crimson Scars, an organization of vampire assassins
- They tried to infiltrate the Dark Brotherhood and take over by turning all the members into vampires. (Vicente is a Crimson Scar).
- Greywyn Blenwyth has been rumored to have been seen in Cyrodiil around his old quarters at Deepscorn Hollow.
- They have vowed to rise again




***

The Legion & Pilus - Minor role - Just here to protect and serve




***

The Bloodworks (Owyn and Andronicus) - Minor role - nothing to see here




***

The Hero of the People - Azzan - Minor role

- Born in Sutch, left there after it was razed to the ground
- Friend of Itius Hayn, who got him a position with the Fighters Guild where he is currently working his way through the ranks at a very fast rate.
- Became known as "The Hero of the People" after some Fighters Guild jobs had him clearing out vampire nests.
- Was contacted by the wife of one member of the "Order of Virtuous Blood" (Gilen's wife) - after Seridur supposedly caught Roland Jenseric murdering his girlfriend (and reported it to the Legion that Roland was a vampire) - of course, Seridur was the vampire and Roland was the one that saw him.
- Azzan figured out very quickly that Seridur was the vampire and Roland Jenseric was not
- Azzan has a terrible hatred of vampires and would like to see them wiped off the face of Nirn.
- Azzan is young, idealistic, a ball of spunk, and doesn't like to put his sword away without using it first. A great guy, just still has the hot-headedness of youth.




***

Arch Mage Hannibal Traven, the Arcane, and the Mages Guild - Major role

- Hannibal went to school with Fathis - they argue like brothers, but genuinely care about each other
- Maxical's physician and friend
- Expert on Ancient vampires - Knows they have been getting antsy over "Uriel's Law" and that a rebellion is imminent - some think he is paranoid about it. - right now it is his worst nightmare come true
- Through Ocato he made arrangements to offer "Diplomatic Immunity from Uriel's Law" to certain vampires if they agree NOT to act on their nature. (If they do, sanctions will be brought against them, they lose immunity, Uriel's Law is enacted, they are killed).
- Hannibal likes things to stay at a status quo, peace at almost any cost - and will go to almost any length to keep everything running smoothly (at least till he dies of old age)
- That said, Hannibal is a good guy, and when pushed in a corner will always do what is right.




***

The Vampire Hunters - Minor role


Fakes: Order of the Virtuous Blood & Raynil Dralas

- Both use their reputation as vampire hunters to name people as vampires that get in their way.


Real: Eridor and his gang:

Eridor - Bosmer
Carsten - Nord
Shamar - Redguard
Vontus Idolus - Imperial

***********

Explanation of Terms:

** Khajiit Terms:

- "Blue Show" - denotes female Khajiit has reached sexual maturity, virgin, turns purple after virginity lost

- "Started" (started into mating cycle) - Female Khajiit normally have to be started by a male Khajiit's barbs - Maxical is mixed, and can be "started" without mating. A female Khajiit becomes "Bound for life" to whomever "starts" her.


- "Bound" (bound for life or sealed) - When Azura bound leopard to human, she placed a mark on their tongue that they could never bring the promiscuity of their leopard ancestry (their beast nature) to their new human forms. The mark on the tongue is called a "seal" and it is a permanent lock binding the female Khajiit to whomever starts her. When their mate is near, the "seal" on the female's tongue oozes moonugar, a highly addictive treat to Khajiit. So technically, they become addicted to the presence of their mate. When their mate gets a distance from them, the "seal" becomes painful - the further away they get, the more painful it becomes. If the mate dies, the pain becomes unbearable, and the female Khajiit usually ... follow their mates to the grave.

**********************

** "Dunmer Mysteries" - Azura's gift to the Chimer (now Dunmer) - To keep divorce and promiscuity from the Chimer, Azura gives the gift of "marital mysteries" that a husband can only teach his first wife or face severe consequences. (They keep the Dunmer Male faithful to his wife. Since Dunmer live so long, and the man can never teach them again, divorce is very rare in Dunmer - and the widows of Dunmer men are highly sought).



** Uriel's Law - This is the law that has the ancient vampires mad. Uriel enacted it hoping to run vampires out of Cyrodiil. Instead, fear of the law drove them into hiding. They began keeping cattle in their lairs to feed off of. The fear festered into anger. The law reads that vampires are fair game - kill on sight. (But thanks to Clavicus Vile, if they feed they can hide their features for 24 hours) - However, Uriel's law also states that anyone suspected of feeding on another person is subject as well.




*****

*

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 23 2011, 04:02 AM

[Acadian]

That's great! Thanks for putting the new bits in bold so we can quickly see them.

[mALX]

@ Acadian - Thank you so much for the feedback on that!!! I hope the changes I made in it will make it more "user friendly!" - You ROCK !!!

*


Chapter 99: The Final Countdown




******* Maxical (continued from Chapter 97)


The fake Fathis set me down to crank the grate over the pit open. As few times as I had seen Fathis stooping, I still noticed the difference in the way this one accomplished the movement. Fathis has an elegant flourish in everything he does, his movements are distinctive. Even stooping to inspect a body looks like he’s bowing to the Emperor, he sweeps his sheath clear…where is his sheath?

The image of him moving toward me through that parted sea of vampires…something hadn’t seemed right about him…not just seeing him alive and unhurt after the sight of all that blood. Fathis is never seen without his sheath, why hadn’t I noticed it before?

My first thought was to run, but down here on the floor of the Arena I was virtually trapped. Through the tunnel to the Bloodworks or wading down into the sewers was the only way out of the Arena when it was locked up…either that or climb up, but the mezzanine was swarming with vampires, no way to reach an exit ramp.

When I was a Pit Dog we all used to climb onto the Bloodworks chutes and shimmy up onto the roof to cheer on Agronak in his matches…back when we thought so highly of him. Maybe there was a tree close by the outer wall I could jump to.

The quick lithe movements of the vampire impersonating Fathis held me in place. He would catch me before I could even reach the chutes. I had to get to the Palace and get help for Fathis…but how?

My sword was not silver…Fathis’s was, but it was across the Arena. I may be able to kill him with Delphine’s ‘Enemies Explode’ spell…but his followers would come after me, and there were hundreds of them. Alone I couldn’t fight off all of them, even with Delphine‘s spell.

“I have to get to the Palace right away. You’ll have to go into the Bloodworks and seal yourself in, make sure every door is bolted. Don’t let anyone in till I come for you. Even a well-trained army like that may revolt with the smell of your blood so near.� The fake Fathis pointed for me to climb down into the pit.

It was hard to hold back a sigh of surprise and relief that he wasn’t going to drag me down into the sewers. Everything in me wanted to scream “liar� in his face…but I suffocated the urge. Instead I leaned my head close to his neck and took a deep whiff of Fathis’s scent that clung to his armor.

“I love you, Fathis.“ It was just a whisper, but my voice rang true. Those words were sent to the real Fathis…wherever he was. I would have given anything to rip his armor off the imposter and bring it with me.

As I started climbing down the rung ladder into the pit housing I saw him reaching down to crank the grating closed.

“Please…just leave the grating as it is, I can seal the pit off after I pass through this section of it. It is dark enough down there with the grating open…there are dead bodies…and it is haunted. That day I blew up the Arena, I heard the screams myself…it is what made me blow it up.�

“I must go, but if you wish I will wait till you have passed to the tunnel.�

“No need. If I hear the screams again…you’ll see the explosion.� I barked a laugh and hoped it sounded realistic.






***


Without even descending more than three rungs I cast chameleon and headed back up to peep out…the Fake Fathis was striding back toward the gate we had descended. I struggled against the urge to run get Fathis’s sword, they would smell me…he was right about that.

Even with the grate open I had to cast night vision as I hurried back down the rung ladder to the bottom. Vomit rose in my throat with every step over the oddly contorted bodies on the floor of the pit.

The wheel to open the tunnel door made a horrible metallic screech that made my teeth hurt and sent chills down my back with each pull on it. There was no sense shutting it back, anyone coming through that way could just crank it open again from the other side. I cast my night vision again and just ran up the tunnel, pounding on the thick steel door to the Bloodworks like a maniac when I got to the top.

“LET ME IN! ANDRONICUS!�

It was latched solidly. I pounded and pounded, shrieking my head off…I could barely hear the sound of my fists myself, there was no way they would hear it on the other side. I tried taking off one of my boots and pounding, but it was barely a click against the thickness of the steel door.

No one came to this end of the Bloodworks when there were no matches in progress, I could be here banging for hours…Fathis needed help now. The roof…I’d try that before going down into the sewers.

Just as I was sliding my boots back on I remembered…Fathis said these others were ancients…they would have super-hearing. I slid them back off, then hesitated before stripping off my armor too. Armor makes a distinctive sound if it brushes against anything, even itself. I wasn’t taking any chances.

The thought of walking barefoot back through the dead bodies was sickening, but so was sitting here in this tunnel doing nothing while Fathis may be in danger…or worse. I couldn’t think about that possibility, not now…or I’d be hysterical while trying to sneak past the wall of vampires.






***


Before sliding out the tunnel door into the pit itself I cast night vision and chameleon one last time…just in case the ancients may recognize the sound of magic and wonder why I was coming back out.

My tongue was burning and aching again. Azura’s gift…as beautiful as it had been to receive at the time, there was no doubt it would be a curse when I broke with Gils now, a constant reminder of a mistake in judgment that I could never take back.

A naked bloodied body was sprawled in my path almost as soon as I stepped out of the tunnel. I silently thanked Azura for the blessing of night vision and myself for having the good sense to use it before stepping out. I moved to the wall and edged around him, cringing as my toes touched the stickiness of blood that had seeped from him. To avoid another body I had to cut to the center of the pit floor, and had just started across the grate to the sewers when a sound came up from below me…sloshing water and a voice, one I would never forget…Agronak.

As filthy as my hand was, I still clapped it tightly over my mouth to hold back the scream that rose in my throat. Even if voices echoed down in the sewers, there was no doubt he was close…coming here. I don’t know how I knew that, but I did. He was coming here.

Fear grips you like a massive hand constricting your breathing so at the time you should be the most silent your gasping fills the air; it ceases the function of your legs…your bladder.

Fear was taking over; rooting me to the spot. Ragged rasping breaths echoed back to me from the rounded walls of the pit in spite of my hand pressed tightly against my mouth. The hot trickle of pee on my legs, splashing off my feet and the grate below me…every sound was amplified by the shape of the pit…Agronak was an ancient vampire now, he’d smell it, he’d smell me…and I couldn’t move.

The visions of Lord Lovidicus in pieces, of the bear Agronak shredded…my brain was beginning to feel numb. Gils said once not to think about fear or it would take me over...it was. Stop thinking or be next…stop thinking…

Agronak’s sloshing footsteps and mumbling was becoming clearer, he was getting closer. Somewhere deep inside me a voice was ordering me to move in a rich Colovian accent…the Immortal‘s voice. I could feel its strength releasing the numbness of my limbs, pushing me toward the rung ladder.

The pit had become a study of varying shadows and indiscernible shapes. Just as I stretched my arm up to cast night vision I stumbled over a body, pitching forward and clutching whatever I could grab to keep from falling onto the bloody floor.

My hand grasped one of the many wheels in the room, my full weight pulling against it till it spun downward with a grating rumble. A movement in my peripheral vision sent a shock of ice down my back, I jerked myself to a stand and spun to face it. Something was moving across the grating to the sewers…a heavy slab of steel pulled by a chain, rolling on tracks over the sewer access…sealing it off!

With a cry of relief I grabbed the wheel and yanked it down again, and a third time till I heard the massive steel slab clunk off the tracks and into position completely covering the sewer access. Raised bolts stood on either side. With every bit of strength I had left I tugged the bolts down and latched them with the tie-downs.






***



Somehow, it wasn’t enough just to be safe for now. He’d be back, no doubt he’d be back. As long as Gils was here, Agronak would keep coming back. The natural gas that was used to burn the pit came up through that grate. With the pit sealed off, would it fill up in that section of the sewer and suffocate Agronak? It was worth a try. I ducked back into the tunnel and spun the massive wheel to release the gas, opening it to the fullest. I cast chameleon again and then scaled the rung ladder out of the pit.

Either Bloodworks would access the roof, but the wind was blowing toward the Blue Team chute. Where the chute connected to the main wall of the Arena, time and weather had etched uneven places in the stone slabs that formed the arch of the chute. It was how we climbed up to the reservoir on the roof to watch the matches.

Khajiit are supposed to have the stealth of their leopard ancestry, I didn’t inherit it. I am clumsy as an ox and stomp like a draft horse. The roof itself was angled at a steep slant toward the sheer drop of the outside wall. Cat or not, I had a problem being this high up and edging just inches away from it. I fought dizziness that made it hard to balance, fearing any second I would pitch backward off the steep wall.

When I had almost reached the administrative entrance and Jack’s box I forced myself to look over the edge of the wall. Even though I was fully covered by chameleon the Immortal’s cowl was pointed toward me as if he had followed my progress. I was torn between gratefulness that his voice had reached through my fears and pushed me into action in the pit…and a deep hatred of him for the harm that had befallen Fathis. If Fathis was dead my rage against the Immortal would never be quelled, it would be as eternal as he is...I would become his sworn enemy forever.

A sudden tangible sensation of his mind being honed onto me, hearing my thoughts…and then suddenly I was wavering toward the sheer drop of the outer wall. I reached up to steady myself by grabbing the wooden rail above me and my hand slid on the rotted mushy wood and accumulated slime on it.

With a scream I clutched the edge of the slanted boards below me and pulled myself up to the nearest of the intermittent stone pillars, hugging myself to it and hyperventilating till I almost became dizzy.

My eye was caught by the sun glinting off something on the Administrative ramp…the fake Fathis! Everyone below was staring up from my scream. I dispelled the chameleon and gave the Arena signal for "Illegal Substitution" over and over again.

"That's the signal for 'Illegal Substitution'...but how did she get up there, and where are her clothes?" Hannibal asked, just as I cast chameleon again and the fake Fathis stepped out onto the deck.



*

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 8 2016, 09:28 AM

[King Coin]

I am loving this chapter! I can't wait for the next update!

[Acadian]

First, I love the title. The Final Countdown is a great movie.

This was Maxical at her finest. The clumsy, scared kitty with a big heart who underestimates her own perceptiveness. Powerful, raw, real. Wow! You capture and portray Maxical's emotions beautifully.

She demonstrated that she loves Fathis several times over here, and I would submit that she has made her choice. Of course, she has been known to use that feminine feline prerogative of changing her mind.

Hannibal has the information he needs. I wonder if he will act on it?

EDIT: King Coin has an excellent point below. Whether Hannibal realizes he has the info is indeed a better question.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Mar 12 2011, 02:42 AM

[King Coin]

Hannibal has the information he needs. I wonder if he will act on it?

will/does he realize he has the information he needs?

[D.Foxy]

On the run let me text this: WHAT A CLIFFHANGER!!!!

er...


or should thqt be 'roofhanger'???


Well, regardless of how it hangs, mALXigirl's the thang!!!