Jerric's Story, A Nord's Adventures in Cyrodiil Options

[King Coin]

Chapter 11
It’s not loot it’s salvage. Lol.

Fort Strand is coming up! Now I’ll see who the archer is.

Darnand seems to be coming around again. He doesn’t seem to mind the questions about necromancy.
And he’s fallen back into his tutor role for Jerric.

“Why didn’t we ride to Whitmond?”
Astonishment flooded Darnand’s face. “You invited me to walk to Whitmond with you.”


Giving a skeleton summon a better weapon sounds like a really neat idea.

Chapter 11.2
“You’ll be able to stand behind me and shoot between my knees,” Jerric told her.

“I’m sure you don’t even use your sword,” she retorted. “You just whip out your meat and beat them to death with it.”
Not what I was expecting at all!!

I really like this Bosmer.

These plans are almost as fun as execution. Precious the scamp? I had a picture of Gollum appear in my mind.

I hope Lildereth becomes a regular character.

Chapter 11.3
and an excellent target for a prank
I like Jerric’s line of thinking

Excellent passage. When the bosmer went ahead Jerric got jumpy. That’s so like him.
And yes a shorter blade will be much more useful in the cramped cave.

I’d love to move on right now but I’ll have to save the zombie butchery for another time.

[King Coin]

Chapter 11.4
I think Darnand’s daedroth would be extremely effective against the zombies, but maybe we don’t want the mess and memories associated with that particular summon.

Very enjoyable action sequence. I would think that those would be very difficult to write. I pictured the whole thing in my mind quite clearly.

Jerric and his customary clearing of his stomach. I’m glad the bosmer either was polite to not comment or understood.

Fantastic ending. His fingers twitched, waiting for him to fill them with frost.

And it just occurred to me, Lildereth is very different from the usual Mage’s Guild member. She mixes magic with stealth and combat quite effectively. It seems the Dark Brotherhood would be a better fit for all but perhaps morals.

Chapter 11.5
Wow that was fast! The tree of them made short work of that crew.

Oh and my favorite line of the chapter: Jerric snorted. “Kept her head.”

I spoke too soon! “I expect it also saves her from numerous social obligations and encumbering friendships,” Darnand remarked softly.
Darnand just scored more points in my book!

These past few episodes have been wonderful!

Chapter 11.6
The fight against the skeletons was a lot of fun. It’s nice seeing everyone doing what they can to fight, even Lildereth lending a hand.

Lildereth went into this sounding a lot like a mercenary, meaning I wasn’t really counting on her to do anything when the fights broke out. Her little flare toss in the middle did a lot to reassure me.

Those three make a great team.

Then at the end Darnand’s appetite for knowledge catches up with him.

[Grits]

Acadian: Thank you for your kind words about the opening paragraph. That was the last part of this section to come together. I knew I wanted to jump right in, but without completely disorienting everyone. (Like I did later. ) I’m so sorry about the confusion when Darnand started in about the Sigil Stone without any warning. Some new fangled magic is the perfect first guess as to what he was talking about, given what we know about him. I’m thrilled that you thought that, even though I’m sorry about the head-scratching I gave you. I really didn’t mean to! This is a good lesson for me to remember when he is bringing up his new ideas. Thank you for drawing it so gently to my attention.

D. Foxy: I have occasionally wondered what the hell I was thinking, trying to tell this story. Maybe I should have started with a story about a bake sale. Thank you so much, Foxy.

mALX: I’m laughing about the lot lizard. There are some times when sunny optimism can work against you. Is this meat still good? is one of those times. Also, Should I hit that? If you have to ask... Thank you for pointing out the tone of their morning chat. They’ve reached the point where they can be grumpy with each other and not have to worry about misunderstandings. The three days outside the Gate were hard on Darnand.

ghastley: Darnand would like to forget that Jerric has surpassed him in alchemy. I added this:

Say, look in my pack and get out my mortar and pestle. Felen gave them to me for Saturalia. You know, since I made Master of Alchemy.” Jerric couldn’t resist the little dig.

I’ll try to remember to put a reminder in when Jerric starts slinging massive spells around, too. That would also be impossible without his birthsign. Thank you very much for mentioning this!!

SubRosa: Our Apprentice birthsign mage is not Deadlands ready, but I’m glad you mentioned the possibility. Three days of fighting daedra with the soldiers taught him a lot. Lildereth wouldn’t risk the Deadlands for Jerric. She would wish him well, remind him of his boot heels, and melt into the trees. Besides, she has the dog to think of. Jerric is not the most qualified, he’s just the most willing. Thank you for pointing out his new, conservative tactics. He’s learning!

King Coin: Jerric has a big problem with illusion spells, because they trick the mind into believing something that isn’t real. When he realized what Abiene’s light spell was actually doing, his first impulse was to deck her so that it would stop. Of course, it wouldn’t have ended the spell and thankfully he stopped himself, but that was his gut reaction. This is one place where he would agree with Rhano about magic. You are right about Abiene’s unspoken reason for not openly, um, dating Jerric.

Chapter 11, now you’ve met Lildereth! I’m glad you like her. The walk to Whitmond was a facepalm for Darnand. Preoccupied and overconfident can be a bad combination! The daedroth would have torn through the zombies, but they were still trying to be as stealthy as they could. I imagine a daedroth’s roar would echo throughout the ruin. Plus they were supposed to be practicing not burning each other to death or disemboweling each other in combat. You are right about Lildereth’s somewhat menacing skill set. She’s the stuff of Jerric’s nightmares. That flare toss meant a lot to the other two, I’m glad you pointed it out.

Kazaera: Welcome to the story!! I am so delighted that you are reading, especially since Jerric might not be your usual choice of hero. I appreciate you looking past the big, hulking qualities and giving him a chance. I hope very much that he and his friends can keep your interest.

I’m glad you liked the Chillrend mishap. It was the perfect sword for him, and I still feel bad about taking it away. But it added much more to the story for him to lose it, so it had to go.

Where we are: On the way to Kvatch, the Jerric and Darnand found a Gate. Jerric closed it while Darnand assisted the Legion’s and Kvatch County Militia’s defense.



Chapter 12: Return to Kvatch, Part 4

Jerric rode along the Gold Road, looking up at the Kvatch plateau. The city walls stood stark against the midday sky, no longer softened by the great trees that once grew inside the south wall. On my street, Jerric thought. Outside my windows. He had the feeling that his now and before weren’t really connected. They couldn’t both be real.

A word from Darnand brought him back. It doesn’t matter what he said, Jerric realized. Just that he said something.

“Kip,” Darnand said, nodding at Jerric’s mount. “Clesa chose well for you.”

“Yeah.” Jerric gave Kip’s neck a pat. The tractable gelding did not challenge Jerric’s limited skills, and he and Flash seemed to have a settling influence on Banner. Moments later they reached the junction and turned the horses toward Kvatch.

Before they reached the first switchback, they found traffic halted at a wooden barrier across the road. There was room on either side for a wagon to pass, one going in each direction. A man in leather armor waved a woodcutter with his loaded cart through the right side and on toward Kvatch. The two archers in front of Jerric and Darnand walked through next, showing the soldier some papers. The man’s black wolf armband told Jerric he was a member of the Kvatch militia. His spotless jerkin and fresh face marked him as a new recruit.

The soldier looked up at Jerric and Darnand, holding his palm out to halt them. They waited while an empty ox cart rumbled past on the other side of the road. “Papers?” he asked in a friendly tone.

“No,” said Jerric.

“All right, then.” The youth gestured through the barricade. “You’ll need to get your permits at the next checkpoint. New security procedure, keeps out the scoundrels and riffraff. No one breaks the law in Kvatch these days, at least not more than once. Will you need to board your horses?”

Jerric nodded.

“There’s no stable at the plateau,” said the guard. “Are you familiar with the old wholesale market?”

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “I know it.”

“Well some of it’s still market space, but most of the back is taken up now by the militia encampment. If you go past Butchers Row you’ll find the road around to the livery stable. It’s the same as before. You’ll need your papers to get any farther up the road, and I doubt they’ll let you…” The soldier’s voice trailed off when his wandering eyes found Jerric’s Wolf shield. He stood silent for a long moment looking at Jerric and Kip, then over at Darnand on Banner, and finally at Flash. “I expect they’ll let you ride all the way into the throne room, if you like, sir,” he gulped. His wide eyes held more than Jerric wanted to see. Jerric nudged Kip back into a walk, leading Flash through the barrier. Darnand and Banner followed.

When they stopped outside the livery stable, a Bosmeri lass approached to hold the horses. Jerric guessed from her relatively clean boots and slight frame that she was not in the muck-shifting end of the business. Darnand started toward the stable office to make arrangements, by their unspoken agreement. Jerric couldn’t shake the feeling that suggesting a lower price to a merchant was the same as calling him a liar, while Darnand seemed to believe they should work as hard to keep their coins as they had to earn them.

Jerric’s eyes followed the road to where it disappeared around the bluff toward Tannertown and Pottersville. He guessed that the new Running Wolf stables must lie in that direction.

“Will you be staying in the city?” The Bosmer looked up at Jerric with a smile as quiet as her voice. Her eyes, skin, and hair were all almost the same light brown. That coloring would be dull on a human, Jerric decided. But there’s no way to make a Bosmer un-lively, once the cheer comes out in them.

“Yeah,” he replied. “I’m Jerric.”

“I am Tilenwen.”

“Pleased to meet you. We’ll be here about a week, probably. Maybe less.”

Tilenwen nodded to their packs. “You should bring your gear up with you, it is likely that you will be more comfortable in your own tent. I will be happy to accompany you to the plateau, then bring your pack horse back to the stable.”

“That’s Flash. The bay is Banner, and this chestnut is Kip. Sounds like a good plan, Tilenwen.”

“Kip is a flaxen chestnut,” Tilenwen corrected him. Her voice seemed to hold the horses in some kind of thrall as she spoke to them.

By the time Jerric had shifted their saddle bags, Darnand had returned with an Imperial stable boy. The lad walked away with Kip and Banner while Flash nickered after them. Tilenwen led them back to the Kvatch Road.

Not far up the switchbacks they encountered a more heavily guarded barrier. Tilenwen directed them to a small, orderly group of tents set off to the side. One had a rough table placed in front under a simple canvas awning. Jerric and Darnand joined the line waiting to give their names to the official seated at the table. This tent had a wooden platform floor, framed walls, and pitched ceiling covered in canvas panels. Jerric decided that the rows of wedge-shaped tents in the encampment must be used for sleeping, while these framed tents were where most business and living were conducted.

The men stood silently, moving with the line until it was their turn to step forward. “Name?” asked the Dunmer woman at the table.

“Darnand Penoit of Anvil in County Anvil, mage, Associate of the Mages Guild. I wish to visit Kvatch on Mages Guild business. I intend to stay for several days, at the least.” Jerric realized that while his mind had been wandering, Darnand had been paying attention.

The mer wrote in her ledger, then retrieved a paper from one of her stacks and filled in the blanks. She rolled it and handed it to Darnand. “That covers it. Here is your visitor’s permit, keep it with you. You will need to see me again if you are here for longer than one week. Enjoy your stay.” Darnand stepped to the side, and the mer’s eyes went to Jerric. She took a moment looking over the various weapons he had belted and strapped about his person. “Let me guess. Lace maker?”

Jerric cleared his throat. “Jerric of… Kvatch. Battlemage. Associate of the Mages Guild and Apprentice of the Fighters Guild. Uh, the rest is the same as his.”

The Dunmer’s quill remained frozen in the air as a series of emotions passed over her face. She ended on consternation. “Sir, if you are a city resident, you do not require a visitor’s permit. Apologies. Are you returning to live in Kvatch?”

Jerric wished he had thought to say he was Rhano from Anvil, though he supposed the Wolf on his shield would object. “Uh, not at this time. What do you need to know?”

“Nothing,” she said, still flustered. “I will issue a permit in case someone asks you for it, but Steward Matius will want to give you residency papers. I am certain that by tonight, no one will question you again. There is a curfew inside the city. After sundown everyone must remain indoors unless they clear it with Captain Inian. The plateau and lower encampment are patrolled night and day, your goods will be safe where you leave them. Work and sales permits are issued by Steward Matius or the Guilds. He will want to see you anyway, sir. If you have any mail, it will be with the Steward.” She rolled up his permit and handed it over the table.

“Thank you,” Jerric said. He found that space opened around them as they made their way to Flash and Tilenwen. Jerric and Darnand showed their papers to the guard, then tucked them away as they walked through the barricade.

Tilenwen chatted as they moved into the old refugee camp. She gestured to the rows of tents that lined the south and east sides of the area. “Here is where the builders dwell. They have their own cookhouse, tavern, and laundry. Many wish to send for their families and become residents of Kvatch, but Steward Matius will not allow it until conditions are safer inside the walls. It is a source of some contention.” She nodded to the row of tents that backed up to the cliff side. These were the taller, framed and walled type. “Here are the smiths, cooper, wheelwright, the armorer… You must know Batul, Jerric.”

“Yeah.” Jerric decided to wait to give his gear to Batul. After was the only way he could think of it. Dread weighed each step, even as it pulled him up toward the city.

“Watch out!” Tilenwen cried as a mule cart rattled past. “Pee wagon. The drains to Tannertown are still blocked. You can follow your nose to the privies, but the tanners will be happy if you use the piss pots when you can.”

Jerric glanced at the barrels in the wagon bed, then shared a look with Darnand.

“I thought it was said that dreck rolls down hill,” Darnand remarked. Jerric couldn’t laugh, but he appreciated his friend’s effort.

When they reached the plateau, Tilenwen led them to the side and halted. Jerric looked around, taking in the changes. No sign of the Gate remained but the hardened ground in front of the city gates. All of the dead trees had been removed. The city walls showed no signs of fire, but the damage where the siege crawler had gone over the walls was still evident. The city gates had been replaced. They stood open. Jerric forced his eyes away.

“Welcome to Kvatch Village,” said Tilenwen. She began to point out the landmarks. “There are your market tents, around that little square. Over there to the east is where folk sleep, and the laundry is at the back on the edge of the plateau. There is a new well on that side. The big fire is Carmia’s Cookhouse. That long tent is the meeting hall. All are welcome there.” Now she pointed to their left. “Over there is where you will find most of the guild representatives and some of the craftsmen. They hang their banners outside, or anyone can direct you. The Mages Guild operates inside the city. You will find the bathhouse and brothel at the far edge, near the old well.” She indicated the broad, open area between the road and the city gates. “Here is where the supply wagons stop, even the ones who unload inside the city. It would be a poor place to set up your camp.”

Carmia’s Cookhouse, thought Jerric. That’s a good place to start. He didn’t have any words, so he started piling their packs off to the side, out of the way.

Darnand thanked Tilenwen with some coins while Jerric gave Flash a farewell carrot and a rub on the neck. Darnand stood beside Jerric for a moment before he spoke. “I suggest we speak to an official before we decide where to locate our tent.”

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “I have an old friend to visit before I go in to the guild hall. You start without me. I’ll catch up.”

Darnand gave him a long look. Then he nodded and walked off toward the city gates.

Jerric went directly to the big fire. It was actually several low fires grouped together, each with some cauldron or spit arranged near it. The spits were empty, but Jerric’s nose told him that there was venison in at least one of the pots.

Carmia’s face creased into a smile when she saw him. She tucked her spoon into a deep apron pocket and put out her arms for a hug.

There’s something different about her, Jerric thought as he set her back on her feet. He realized as she pulled away. “You don’t chew garlic anymore!”

“Not with a chapel nearby, I don’t have to worry about everyone’s diseases. Among other things.” She crossed her arms under her bosom and got right to the point. “You were right to send me here. Lavina goes to school in the mornings, and afternoons she helps me or the weavers. She carries Jerric the Doll in a pouch on her back. Says she can’t wait for the babies to start coming, she’s going to open a nursery so their mamas can work. She makes scratches in the dirt with a stick, showing all of her plans. Faustino is a hunter, I couldn’t get him to stay in school. Mostly keeping the rats out of the ruins with that sling you gave him, but some down in the woods. He’s training with a bow. That Altmer fellow from the Guard is teaching him.”

“Merandil?”

“That’s right, of course you know him. Faustino says the day he turns eighteen, he’s going to put on the Wolf, if they’ll have him.” Carmia wiped her eyes on the edge of her apron. “My boy in the city guard, Jerric. You know I did what I had to so I could get by. Who would think a child of mine would stand tall for what’s right.”

Jerric had a hard time believing it himself. Gnoll’s Meeting Camp had been the home of a vicious bandit clan before Carmia and others there fought to change it. Much of her life was a tale of lawlessness and violence.

“Well, don’t let him get ahead of himself,” Jerric said. “Tell him he’s a scout. If he sees a Gate somewhere, he needs to stay alive and bring word to the Guard. Not take on a bunch of daedra with a sling.”

Carmia nodded. “I tell him the like every morning that he goes off the plateau. That boy is his father’s son, though he never knew him.” Jerric saw her mouth close on the rest of what she was going to say.

Jerric nodded toward the city. “What’s going on in there?”

“It’s bad, I won’t pretend otherwise. I’ve done some shifts in the ruins, as much as I can. Those that are from here, some you can tell by their empty eyes. We won’t see it set right in our lifetime. Steward Matius can explain the plans, I wouldn’t know much. But I can tell you folk are broken down with sorrow, and some don’t want to live. Matilene has men that come to her just so she’ll hold them while they weep. Irmarus Hetarian jumped off the plateau on North Wind’s Prayer, don’t know if you knew him. A few have wandered away, but I expect the rest aim to stay here.”

“Yeah.” Jerric looked at his boots, ashamed at which group he belonged to. “I guess I’ll go along now. I’ll see you later when you ring your dinner bell. You said Matilene’s here?”

Carmia hugged him again. “She runs the bathhouse and brothel, though for now it’s just tents.” Carmia gestured to the plateau’s far western edge with one arm, her other still wrapped around his waist. “Over there. Go see her, you could stand a bath.”

“I will. Thank you.” Jerric disentangled himself. “It’s good to see you here, Carmia.”

Carmia stepped back, wiping her eyes again. She lifted her chin with the pride he used to think was just stubbornness. “I already know you won’t be staying this time. But I live in Kvatch now. I’ll be here to welcome you, when you come back.”

Banner and Kip

This post has been edited by Grits: Aug 31 2011, 06:57 PM

[Kazaera]

Oh wow, this was *amazing*. Seriously, I am in awe. How things have changed with more people coming in, the refugee encampment expanded and becoming more permanent, how they're starting to move back into the city and new tensions that have arisen... then the way people react to Jerric as a Kvatch native, his shame at being one of those who left along with the evident pain this place carries for him that means he just can't stay, and also the talk about how the loss has affected other Kvatchians... this is such a perfect picture of Kvatch at the start of the monumental task of rebuilding.

(One thing I wasn't quite clear on when I was reading was why the security in terms of permits and all that? I thought about it and guessed that they must be trying to keep out looters, gawkers and other people who wouldn't contribute, but I might be wrong and I found the question distracting from the story.)

Finally, the last sentence was just absolutely perfect. Carmia - and not only her, I'm guessing - knows that Jerric can't stay yet but will be here when he's ready.

[haute ecole rider]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This is what Kvatch deserves, after being so ruthlessly slaughtered then abandoned and ignored by Beth developers. I always hated that even fires didn't stop after the Crisis was over. It always made it difficult to role-play much past the end of the MQ on the 360. Now that I'm playing it on the PC (Mac), I can't wait to load up Kvatch Rebuilt and restore that poor town!

You have done a bang-up job showing the monumental task confronting the survivors and the issues facing them in the days and years to come. I loved seeing Carmia again, and hearing about the kids. How wonderful that Jerric was able to convince her to come and make a new start in the ruined city. Kvatch (and my favorite hero, Savlian Matius) needs all the good people they can get.

I look forward to more. Oh, and loved the screenie of Kip and Banner.

[Acadian]

What a well-done return to Kvatch, showing the slow progress of rebuilding! You clearly show us what is going through Jerric's mind without him having to tell us.


Let me offer you a couple quotes:

’The Dunmer’s quill remained frozen in the air as a series of emotions passed over her face. She ended on consternation.’
‘Darnand thanked Tilenwen with some coins while Jerric gave Flash a farewell carrot and a rub on the neck.’

You captured me with both of these because they so nicely highlight your skill with natural description and connective action. You show us what is going on in a delightfully creative way.

[King Coin]

Chapter 11.7
He buried the mort flesh? I appreciate the sediment but Darnand has a point. Then again Aravi won’t even collect the stuff.

Zombie rats. Lol. Reminds me of a book I read. Sound like quality literature already doesn't it?

Master alchemist! Darnand is going to be jealous.

Darnand gave him a critical once-over. “Dampen your hair and comb it. You could stand to scrub your neck. By all that is good in this life, I pray you have brought a different shirt. Your trousers are adequate, though you should try to keep your legs under a table if you must wear them. You smell… acceptable.”


Darnand is such a wonderful character.

Sounds like Lildereth is a typical bosmer in that regard.

And I just passed my first comment! I must be getting close to caught up.

Chapter 11.8
I bet Lildereth regrets letting Jerric have access to her lockpicks!

I thoroughly enjoyed Darnand’s little prank. And Jerric’s comments of Lildereth riding in his pack

You claim this is your first story? You lie!

Lildereth’s in a good position to tag along with Jerric and Darnand… if she could possibly stand to lol.

[mALX]

Once again your eye for the perfect detail has brought Kvatch to life and made what happened there feel real and current. Absolutely AWESOME WRITE !!! (and I loved the little glimpse into how Carmia is doing since we last heard of her !!!) AWESOME WRITE !!! WOOOOOOOOOT !!!!!!

[SubRosa]

Jerric's musing at the beginning - that the Kvatch of his memories was not that which remained - was excellent. It was an excellent reminder that it was indeed his home.

So it looks like the Gestapo has taken over Kvatch? I almost expected the brownshirt to give Jerric the Heil Hitler salute once he realized who he was! Aside from the Nazi's who have taken over the place (and I presume are packing off those 'undesirables' to the showers, never to seen again) it is nice to see some real progress in the restoration of the city, urine and all. It was especially good to see Carmia again. She and the others from Gnoll's Meeting Camp are doing well. A good example of how to make lemonade after life gives you lemons.

[King Coin]

Chapter 11.9
The ------- daedroth? They’re crazy!

That thing almost had a nord to eat. That was a terrible idea.

I don’t suppose Darnand has a fond nickname for that mountain of horror? Or is that just a Jerric thing?

A redguard admitting spells are the way to go? I’m shocked!

Well I guess Abiene likes to get creative. To put it mildly.

Chapter 11.10
Hilarious little story.

They’re all smartasses. Lol.

Nice fight. I’m not sure what the original plan that Jerric deviated from was though. Wait I just remembered that the Bosmer (I can never get her name without copy/paste) said wait for the signal.

Did Jerric ever give Slim a new ax?
Pooch!

These three are awesome together!

[King Coin]

Chapter 11.11
Jerric should keep that ring off most of the time. He should slip it on every 20 – 30 feet just to keep himself updated on his surroundings.

His hesitation to kill the Altmer is interesting. He’s finally made his choice though I don’t see it as murder. Always easy to decide sitting cozy in my chair with iced tea at hand and nowhere near danger.

I’ve had similar thoughts about elves and the centuries of life disappearing when Aravi kills them.

Jerric and his appetite for rat. Ugh

GAH! Illusion on Jerric! I was not expecting that at ALL!

That’s always been an effect I’ve never worried about… Excellent. ‘

You weren’t joking when you said Jerric’s party didn’t fare well in Fort Strand. I was expecting a more… traditional cluster, not this.

“Well,” Jerric said after a moment, “at least they’re not sitting around talking about us.”
Too close. Wow. This chapter was amazing. Especially that Lildereth shot Jerric. And might have killed him. Wow. Very few professional writers do that to me.

Chapter 11.12
Pooch again!
Haha more standard Oblivion babble. Rumors of the Brotherhood. Now does Lildereth know anything about them? I’ll keep an eye on her…

Hey, Ulfe looks a lot like that dog in the Skyrim screen shot.

That was a good spiel by the publican regarding the mutton.

[RainbowVeins]

Hello there I just started reading your story and was hooked from the first chapter. Then as if hooked wasn't good enough, Chapter 2 Part 1 followed with the line and the sinker. I love Jerric! He's so intuitive and observational, and his humor is right up my alley. One page down, 48 to go. I'm strapping myself in for a long and very enjoyable ride which, based on my experiences with other threads, will have me caught up before I know it. I'm SO looking forward to it!

[Grits]

Kazaera: Thank you so much for pointing out the confusion, I’m sorry about that! It’s exactly what you thought, with no locked doors they have to be more vigilant, and the paperwork would help them keep track of who’s up to what. I added this:

“You’ll need to get your permits at the next checkpoint. New security procedure, keeps out the scoundrels and riffraff. No one breaks the law in Kvatch these days, at least not more than once. Will you need to board your horses?”

We’ll find out some more when Jerric talks to Steward Matius, like why don’t they just move their tents into the city? Thank you for your comments, you describe perfectly what I was hoping to get across.

haute ecole rider: I’m with you, leaving Kvatch in flames was a huge insult. I want a new PC to rebuild Kvatch as much as to make a bearded, scarred, and filthy Skyrim version of Jerric! Oh, and also to play the game. Thank you, this has been a surprisingly difficult section to write.

Acadian: Thank you, Acadian! That sentence with the fellows and Flash is one of those moments that I feel like I didn’t even write, it’s just what they did.

King Coin: You are getting close! We’re just in the beginning of the next chapter. I’m so glad you like Darnand. He hasn’t named the daedroth, but I’m sure Jerric has a name for it! He hasn’t upgraded Slim’s axe, he’s too worried that Slim will kill someone with it wherever he is. Sigh. Fort Strand was Jerric’s nightmare come to life, thank you very much for your comments about it. Come to think of it, that was also not Darnand’s or Lildereth’s best day ever. Can you believe that Skyrim dog? It’s Ulfe! I was so excited when I saw it, I didn’t even notice the Dunmer lady’s brow ridges.

mALX: Thank you, mALX! So far I am staying with my outline, but there is a lot more about Kvatch that begs to be written. I’m not sure what I’m going to do about it yet.

SubRosa: I’m glad that little thought at the beginning worked, thank you. I wanted to bring back what Kvatch meant the way Jerric would think about it, trying to keep the emotions buried. I’m afraid I split this part of the chapter awkwardly, raising some questions in one section that are answered in the following ones. You’re right about Carmia. I think it would take a pioneering spirit combined with some pretty grim circumstances to make someone move to Kvatch.

RainbowVeins: Welcome to the story! Thank you very much for your kind words about Jerric. I love that you’ve already picked up on his intuitive nature. I’m so glad you’re reading, and I hope the story continues to hold your interest!


Where we are: Kvatch.


Chapter 12: Return to Kvatch Part 5

Jerric left Carmia and headed toward the far end of the plateau. The tents were almost cabins here, wood framed and floored with canvas walls. Jerric recognized the design from Gnoll’s Meeting Camp. Fire pits were spaced along the tent rows, and most were cold. Jerric glanced at the sky. Early afternoon. He guessed that evening would bring folk together to finish their work by the light and heat of shared fires.

Two girls sat on low stools outside one tent, weaving baskets. Jerric returned their greeting. When he looked up, he saw Matilene approaching between the tents.

She wore a dark blue cloak over a clean gown, and shoes with metal buckles instead of her old, cast-off boots. Pink brightened her cheeks, and the shadows under her eyes were less noticeable. Her hair lay over her shoulders in dark curls, as soft and inviting as her smile. Jerric put out his arms as she reached him, expecting a friendly hug. Instead she pulled his head down to kiss him full on the mouth.

“Matilene,” he said warily when he got his tongue back. He searched her eyes for signs of skooma, but they looked clear and blue, not darkened by enlarged pupils. She didn’t smell like she’d been smoking. His body announced that it didn’t care if she was baked out of her mind, but he tried to ignore it. “You look well.”

Matilene stayed in his arms, reaching up to scratch his beard. “I don’t take a drink until sundown now, most days. I can’t believe I haven’t seen you since the summer.” She looked impossibly cheerful.

“Are you high?” He didn’t care how it sounded.

Matilene stepped back, still holding on to his hands. “I’m happy to see you. Carmia said you were a wreck when she saw you last, and you weren’t back when I got here. They’re calling you Gate-Closer now, along with the Lion business. Is it true?”

Jerric tucked her arm though his. “Show me your accommodations. Carmia says I stink, I’ll want a bath later.”

They walked back to a banner depicting a pink rose whose folds and shadows somehow made Jerric think of lady parts. One corner portrayed a portly man with pointed ears and horns. His foot rested on a skull, and he propped his outstretched arm on the upraised hands of a nude woman. “You’re a guild brothel,” Jerric remarked in surprise.

“I just got my charter,” Matilene said with pride. “Welcome to The Rambling Rose Brothel and Bathhouse.”

The main tent was one of the larger type, framed and floored in wood. Jerric could see the fires and cauldrons they used for heating water behind the adjacent bath tent. A double row of wedge-shaped tents stretched along the back of the plateau. Jerric wondered if there was a harlot for every one, and if they had to sleep where they worked. He blamed Darnand’s influence for the shudder that came with that thought.

“Are you ready to spend some coin with me, or a couple of my girls?”

Jerric moved her hands before he started running up a bill. “Matilene, I’ll come back for a bath. Don’t try to sell me anything else. I’m keeping myself pure for the chapel.”

Matilene laughed. “You can always change your mind. After all, we have a special that’s named after you.”

Jerric stared at her in horror.

“Well, not so much named after as inspired by,” Matilene amended. “Steward Matius won’t let anyone use your name, or call anything Lion-Something. It’s probably for the best, or the guards would have lions instead of wolves on their shields.”

“I have a wolf on my shield.”

“Don’t try to fight it, hero. Every word you say here will be put to song as soon as you leave. It’s dark work inside the city, and the nights are full of ghosts. Folk want a golden-eyed lion with a shining sword to sing about. Don’t fetch it up for them.”

Jerric shook his head, dismissing it. “What about the ghosts?” Maybe he would recognize someone.

“Haven’t you heard? We have teams of ghost hunters that go in every night. We export a lot of ectoplasm, almost as much as lace. Fabric is still the biggest. They won’t have some of the looms set for months, so the Kvatch damasks aren’t being made yet. Just those printed cottons.”

Jerric’s eyebrows went up. “You know a lot about manufacturing, Matilene.”

Matilene snorted. “Pillow talk. I know a little about everything now, but most of it would put you to sleep. Maybe that’s what I’ll do when I retire. Bedtime stories for bad sleepers.”

“Who do I ask about ghost hunting?”

“Captain Inian. He’ll want to see you, anyway. He thinks of you somewhere between a nephew and a legend.”

“You know Berich Inian?”

Matilene gave him a look, then gestured to a dark-haired Imperial girl who was busy filling the cauldrons with water. She looked criminally young, but she hefted the water buckets like they were filled with feathers. “That’s Fidella. If you come back after sundown, find her for your bath. That’s when the builders leave the city, so I expect I’ll be busy. I’d say she’ll give you a hand, but you’d accuse me of upselling.”

“I’ll settle for some soap and privacy.” Matilene laughed, and Jerric shook his head. “That didn’t sound right. I’d explain what I meant, but I don’t want to hear a song about it.”

“Every man’s a hero in a brothel, Jerric. You needn’t fear what we’ll say about you.”

Jerric nodded at the girl. “Are you sure she’s old enough?”

“I’m sure she’s not, that’s why I have her working in the bathhouse. She came here on her own from the Imperial City. Just walked off of a caravan with nothing to her name but the blanket over her shoulders and the dress on her back. Paid her way here in trade. If she’s a day over fourteen, I’m the Queen of Colovia. But she chose a harlot’s life in a burned-out city, so you can guess what it was like where she came from. Like you saw, we’re a guild establishment. She won’t work the tents until she’s of age. She can still go to any guild in Kvatch and sign on as an apprentice, no one’s keeping her here. Everyone needs extra hands, and most are waiving their fees. Plus there’s plenty of work hauling for the builders, laundering, or at Carmia’s Cookhouse. Or she can stay with me. I can look after folk now, Jerric. Just like Carmia.”

A sleepy looking young man stepped out of a tent and ambled over, clearly wanting Matilene’s attention. His slender build and artfully tousled hair made Jerric think he belonged to The Rose, not the stonemasons. Jerric gave Matilene’s hand a squeeze as he stepped away from her. “I’ll catch up with you later, Matilene. I have to go find the Steward.”

Jerric made his way back through the guild tents to the middle of Kvatch Village. Matius will probably be inside the walls, he decided. He tried to keep his thoughts still and just wait for what he would see there. Then as he passed Carmia’s Cookhouse, his gaze landed on a sight that stopped him in his tracks.

A broad, bald Nord stood drinking from a soup bowl. His rough linen sleeves were pushed up over forearms thick with muscle. As Jerric approached, the Nord placed his empty bowl on a long trestle table. Jerric knew who it had to be, but he couldn’t believe it. “Vigge?”

The Nord turned. “Well met, son of Skyrim!” Vigge’s weathered face creased into a grin. He gripped Jerric’s forearm, and gave him a hearty thump on the shoulder. “I hope you’ve brought some feather potions, or at least some flax and lotus seeds to go with our venison. The stonemasons want them for their haulers.” Jerric just kept staring. “Oh, you think you see a change in me?” Vigge slapped his much flatter belly under the simple tunic. “Salmo’s sweetrolls and too much wine, that’s what I had in Skingrad. Don’t miss any of it. Berene can keep her fine robes, too, and her blonde Breton coocha. Hard work in the sun and wind, that’s what this Nord wants. You don’t get to be Conjurer by sitting on your thumb all day. I’m glad to put Skingrad behind me.”

Jerric realized that his mouth was hanging open. His mind was as empty as if he had just failed to absorb a shock spell. He blurted out the first thing that floated through it. “How’s Sigrid?”

Vigge’s good humor evaporated into a hot glare. “You’d better not be thinking what it sounds like you’re thinking. I have the highest respect for that woman. If I had a daughter, I would hope she could grow to be half the woman Sigrid is. You keep your eyes in your head while you’re here.” Then Vigge smiled and thumped Jerric’s shoulder again. “You should ask me about Glafeviel. I guess you know her from Anvil.”

“Uh... yeah, I know her.”

“We were born in the same year, did you know that? We remember the same plays and minstrels, even saw some of the same arena matches. Everyone talks about the Dunmeri lasses, but in my view there’s none so wild as a wood elf.”

This is how Darnand must feel, Jerric thought. When he gets that look. “What I meant about Sigrid is… who’s the boss?”

“Sigrid Fire-Walker is chapter head of the Kvatch guild. She’s been promoted to Conjurer. Ask Glafeviel for anything first, though. Sigrid is our banner lifted high in the wind. Glafeviel is the post that keeps us anchored.”

Jerric thought that sounded pretty poetic, so he moved on without commenting about post holes or pile driving. “I need spells, Vigge. Daedra fighting spells. Now or later?”

Vigge looked Jerric over. “I’ll assess you now. It hardly takes any time, and I’m never wrong. Then we’ll make a plan for your training.”

“I’ll do what you tell me.”

Vigge grasped Jerric’s hands, and his face took on the look of a man who might be struggling with his bowels. Jerric experienced a rare and unpleasant moment of self-consciousness as folk went about their business around them. Then Vigge let go and crossed his arms over his chest. He nodded thoughtfully.

“Altmer’s bane, that’s what you are. Born in Sun’s Height or Sun’s Dusk?”

“Sun’s Dusk.”

“You have enough power to cast any spell I could teach you. I need to test you first. It’s no good killing with a single spell if you fry yourself or hit the wrong man.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow,” Vigge told him. “Come find me at the guild hall. We’ll go around the outside of the city wall. Kvatch is no place for a mage to practice slinging fire. Folk are still upset.”

“I need some empty magicka stones, too. My gear needs recharging. Maybe we can summon something so I can fill the stones while you test me.”

“Glafeviel has the gems,” said Vigge. He gave Jerric another assessing look. “You were born under the Atronach. Have you ever tried recharging from your own magicka?”

“No. Is that Mysticism? I don’t know any spells from that school.”

“Huh,” said Vigge. “Remind me about that tomorrow. We have some work to do.”

Vigge started toward the city gates. Jerric fell into step with him. “Have you seen Lildereth?” Jerric asked. “She’s a Bosmer hunter, traveling with a big yellow dog.”

“Sure, she’s off hunting. Don’t know where she’s staying, though. She and that dog have taken a fair number of deer.” Jerric saw Savlian Matius walk out the city gate toward them. Jerric stopped and Vigge kept walking, nodding at Matius as he passed.

Savlian gripped Jerric’s arm in greeting, giving him a long look. “Jerric.” He didn’t need to say the rest.

“I guess word travels faster than my feet to the Steward of Kvatch.” He looks older, Jerric thought.

“Your feet dawdle around cookfires and pretty women.” Savlian turned back toward the city. “Come, we’ll walk inside the wall. I want to show you what we’ve done.”

This post has been edited by Grits: Sep 7 2011, 01:14 AM

[Acadian]

A fun walk around Kvatch, renewing old acquaintances. I’m so pleased to see Sigrid in charge of the mages guild chapter there! And what fun that Vigge is there and seems to be doing well. I was glad to hear that Lildereth made it and is helping to fill stewpots and fire spits with venison.

“Tomorrow,” Vigge told him. “Come find me at the guild hall. We’ll go around the outside of the city wall. Kvatch is no place for a mage to practice slinging fire. Folk are still upset.”
Wonderful touch that makes perfect sense!

“I need some empty magicka stones, too. My gear needs recharging. Maybe we can summon something so I can fill the stones while you test me.”
I see you join SubRosa and myself in viewing ‘soul trapping’ as capturing a dying foe’s magicka. And therefore with much more benign connotations.

And what a smile-inducing moment to see Savlian again.

[haute ecole rider]

They walked back to a banner depicting a pink rose whose folds and shadows somehow made Jerric think of lady parts.

Would that be a Georgia O'Keefe painting? Hmm, sounds like she would fit in quite well there!

“Sigrid Fire-Walker is chapter head of the Kvatch guild.

What an awesome name for Sigrid! I hope you'll let me use it in my fiction!

And we see Kvatch beginning to rise again from the ashes. Good work, showing everyone coming together to rebuild that burned city.

I'm getting ready to add Kvatch Rebuilt to my TES game, and am looking forward to seeing it go up. It would be soooo cool to see Kvatch as it once was.

And good to see the Steward again. Yes, he'd be looking rather worn by now. Wonder if he'd rather be facing that damned Oblivion Gate again than acting as a steward of a nascent city?

[mALX]

SPEW !! The local brothel has services named after Jerric? "I'll have the 'Jerric's Gummy Worms' please..." "That will be thirty Septims..." "Er ... never mind."

SPEW !!! Viggie the Cautious is talking about Adrienne Berene's coochie? BWAAAHAAA !!!! Viggie is really likable in your fic !! Great job turning a maligned character into a trustworthy and hard working mage - and dropping some weight off that rounded belly too !! Awesome !!!

Very touching scene at the end with Matias !!

Grits, there is no way to improve the perfection of your story - yet somehow when you get to Kvatch your writing seems to still blossom and bring out all new facets to your abilities !! You exceed even your own self when writing in Kvatch - AWESOME WRITE !!!

[SubRosa]

I see Carmia is not the only one doing better since Kvatch was destroyed. I expect all the people from Gnoll's Meeting Camp have found the disaster to be an incredible opportunity for them to turn their lives around. A combination bathhouse and brothel? Now that is killing two birds with one stone!

Folk want a golden-eyed lion with a shining sword to sing about.
QFT.

Vigge! And he was the one telling Jerric to keep his eyes in his head? The Vigge I am used to cannot wait to hop in the sack with anything horizontal! Quite the new man he is too. Obviously not just the Gnoll's Meeting people used Kvatch as a means to turn over a new leaf.

Altmer’s bane
A very neat and clever name for a Nord to use for an Astronaut Atronach.

Have you ever tried recharging from your own magicka?
It is nice to see that you are incorporating that into the JF. I never saw any good reason that you could not do that in the game.

“Your feet dawdle around cookfires and pretty women.”
QFT again!

[King Coin]

Chapter 11.13
A master of alchemy can’t make poisons? Unheard of! Jerric is such a character.

Umm I think a poison maker with all the bad habits Jerric seems to have won’t live very long…lol.

I don’t have a temper!
I think I’ve heard that line before in real life oddly enough.

I wonder how Jerric’s going to react knowing that Abiene used more illusion on him.
And MORE illusion perhaps?

Oh I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Redguard family. He’s a battlemage and all. I’m glad they seemed to set that aside and focused on what’s important.

[ghastley]

Sigrid Fire-Walker is chapter head of the Kvatch guild. She’s been promoted to Conjurer

This surprised me a bit, as most of the chapter heads are Wizards, which is three ranks higher. Falcar's departure leaves Deetsan (a Magician) in charge in Cheydinhal, but she's only acting head at that rank. But then I found that Adrienne Berene's only an Evoker, and it made more sense. They gave Sigrid a one-rank promotion, which would be normal, and moving Vigge (Conjurer like Sigrid) eliminates the anomaly of him outranking Adrienne. The Skingrad precedent certainly makes a Conjurer as chapter head reasonable.

P.S. I confirm Deetsan as chapter head at Cheydinhal and promote her to Warlock in my Gweden mod if the player is Arch-mage. It took me a while to decide if I should bump her all the way to Wizard with the new job, and decided the same way you did. One at a time, with the opportunity for more.

I like your description of the banner, with the Guild mark in the corner. I'm thinking that I'll need to make one for the Gweden Lodge. Your inspiration for the Guild mark was the Daggerfall Sanguine I assume?

[King Coin]

Chapter 11.14
How did this skinny Breton get into that man’s bed?
I was more of thinking how did that big nord get that lovely woman into his bed?

Lildereth sounds like a talented mage in alteration perhaps.

Thaurron!

Everyone with curls wants straight hair and everyone with straight wants curls.

Lovely chapter.