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

[treydog]

This is a story that I savor, that I wish to sip slowly.... But I have been too slow in telling you how much I enjoy it. The only good thing about being away for so long is how much there is to delight in. Some overlap from previous comments, because the Quot-a-Matic missed a few bits.

Chapter 11, 9

“Do you think you could have cast a spell?” Darnand asked. Jerric still couldn’t see him, his gaze seemed stuck to the ceiling.

“I know spells?” I’m alive, Jerric thought. That was the stupidest idea ever.

That mirrors my own experience- both from within the game… and occasionally in real life.

Chapter 11, 10

The golden bear and tree rat fables were simply wonderful- in themselves- and for what they tell us about the three friends.

“Shouldn’t you be wearing your helm?”

Jerric unhooked his helmet and put it on. He drank his first shield potion before she could remind him. “Anything else?”

“Your fly is open,” Lildereth said without looking.

And yes- we simple LOVE Lildereth.

Chapter 11, 11

I ALWAYS hate killing the guard dogs in bandit lairs. It might be worth investing in a spell… There are many careful touches in the scouting and exploration of Fort Strand that demonstrate your storytelling skill.

Redeemer whispered into Jerric’s hand. He thought about the centuries to come that this mer should see after he had gone to dust. I’m taking all of that away, he thought, all of the evil she might do as well as any reparation. Tension coiled in his legs. He wanted to kick her sword within her reach.

Why am I hesitating, Jerric wondered. I won’t trade this mer’s life for my friends.’

It’s not just her life that I’m ending, he finally realized. It’s the hope that I might become what Martin already thinks of me. This strike makes me a murderer. I told Jauffre I don’t have any honor, and now I’m going to make it true.

A long quote, but one that is essential to an understanding of Jerric.

Chapter 11, 12

"You went after Bjalfi like a veteran brawler. Not bad for a man who can barely cut his own meat. What kind of mage jumps a Nord in steel plate armed with an enchanted mace?”

Darnand did not look amused. “One who has reached his limit.”

The mixed feelings of the three companions over the “history” of their next meal are similar to my own…. And they would still not stop me from eating it. A wonderful touch- again.

Chapter 11, 13

Darnand cleared his throat. “How goes the poison training?” he asked.

Lildereth slipped into the room behind Jerric. “I’d sooner teach a boar to sew,” she spat.

Jerric didn’t look at her. “Nothing but rules, this one,” he told the table. “‘Don’t cut yourself! Don’t pull the cork with your teeth! Don’t spill the poison! Don’t touch your face! Quit wiping your fingers on your shirt!’” He realized that the crunching sound was coming from his knuckles.

That was one of those- “glad I set my beverage aside before reading” moments.

Jerric had discovered that while the hound seemed tireless outdoors, under a roof she became almost immobile

Wise dog- sleep whenever you can.

She drew him into the entry hall, holding him at her arms’ length to look at him. Her face told him how he must have changed. “Still forgetting your cloak and hood, I see.” Her chin trembled despite her gentle teasing.

“I can run between the raindrops if it starts again.” How old was I when I first told her that, Jerric wondered, glad he had remembered to brush the sand from his boots. He handed her the wine.

Some of that rain seems to have gotten into my eyes. Pardon me for just a moment.

Chapter 11, 14

She has the strength I admire and the curves I envy, thought Abiene. Is she reminding me that she’s prettier? Yet Lildereth’s face showed only friendship. I’m looking for barbs where they don’t exist, Abiene decided. Not every woman stings like my sister.

You make that look so easy- and yet I know better. Anyone who wants to see how to build realistic characters and relationships should read this story.

Chapter 11, 15

You should have seen me a few hours ago, thought Abiene. Her cheeks warmed at the memory.

Marc leaned close to her ear. “Ah, the lady blushes,” he murmured.

The lady vomits, Abiene thought. His hand on her skin began to turn her stomach.

Perfect. Simply perfect.

And so, too, is the entire description of the ball.

She pressed her lips to his brow and found it somehow both cold and sweaty. Sweet Mother Mara, what a smell, she thought. Even now she wanted nothing more than to lie down beside him.

Beautiful and heartbreaking and true.

Chapter 11, 16

The “hangover cure” was brilliance exemplified. It seems to have come from the school of thought that the medicine will cause one to forget all about the ailment being treated.

Darnand drew closer to the tub. “What did she put in the tea?” he asked suspiciously. “I did not know that Hjordhild was an alchemist.”

Jerric tasted the thick brew. “She put tea in it, you madman.” He took a crunchy bite of the sandwich and washed it down with a scalding sip. Abiene’s hand helped him steady the mug. “Sugared bacon,” he moaned, closing his eyes. “I might need another towel.”

And that was another moment that caused me to laugh loudly enough to startle the kitties.

Carahil’s careful questioning- leading at last to the revelation that it was because of a bet with Felen. Priceless.

Jerric tried to sound happy to see them. “Well met, lads. I’m no one’s master this morning. I’m a cautionary tale. Stay…away…from the whiskey.”

“Mead before liquor, never sicker,” advised the Imperial.

“If it is brown, this one puts it down,” the Khajiit replied solemnly.

“The wisdom of youth,” said Jerric. “I thank you for sharing it.”

And again, you manage to catch me off-guard and outdo yourself at the same time.

Lildereth appeared in the doorway, barefoot and tousled in a knee-length nightdress. She had her arms wrapped around herself and her eyes half-open.

“You look a little rough, mini-mer,” Jerric told her.

Fools and Nords. Or is there a difference?

The chamber was suddenly empty of Bretons. Jerric sat down in the cool water and reached for his sandwich. “Gods save me from the attention of mages,” he muttered.

Yes.

[Heather V]

Oh wow, this is incredible Grits!

Just from the first page I can see that you've almost created a new world with all the characters and history of them! I love that. I can't wait to start reading!

As with the others im starting from the beginning I wont clog your thread with out of date comments, unless I have to comment on something I couldn't NOT comment on! haha

BTW Jerrics a cutie

[Grits]

Where we were: County Chorrol. Lildereth returned with Jerric’s enchanted Blades helm (Fire Shield). She and Jerric decided to leave for Hrotanda Vale in the morning. They are hunting for big souls to fuel Darnand’s clandestine enchanting (which will include Jerric’s new mercenary disguise armor), and Lildereth still needs Welkynd stones. Darnand will stay in Chorrol to work on the Fingers of the Mountain notes. He got sidetracked by his enthusiasm for alchemy, resulting in a list of recipes for Jerric to try.

King Coin: Aravi’s potato potion sounds very useful. I’m only just starting to make multi-effect potions in games. You’re right that Darnand would not succumb to a wood elf hookup while right down the street from Abiene. I think it’s safe to say he’s not planning a repeat of his adrenaline-fueled quickie with Lildereth. No matter how much he thinks about it! I read in one of the Greg Keyes books how one character was always peevish after contact with their daedric summoning. That made me think about all of those hostile conjurers with their summonings in the game. Maybe they were all perfectly nice people until they fell under the influence of their own daedra. Well, probably not. Thank you, KC!

mALX: I was rolling over the wick-dipping comment. You’re so right, and Jerric still doesn’t know what hit him. If he won’t let Abiene publicly claim him, she has her ways of dealing with competition! I was happy to show Darnand and Lil passing a message with a look, since it’s usually Darnand and Jerric who do that. I hoped to show that the post-hump tension between them (Darnand and Lildereth) was over. Thank you, mALX! I’m still smiling about Clifford the Big Red Dog!

SubRosa: Thank you, I’m glad you liked the summoning reflections. I’ve been thinking lately about the negative aspects of magic use, and why a mage would choose not to use some spells even if they were able to cast them. You’re right, Abiene is accountable for her potentially risky behavior, and she has given Jerric enough warning not to treat her as if she’s helpless. Of course if she could see what he has seen in the Deadlands, she might give him a break about the overprotectiveness. So far they’re better at forgiving (or distracting) each other than agreeing.

ghastley: I’ve been feeling like I need to move the plot along a little faster, and I left out some in-between scenes in the hope that things like the Hrotanda Vale planning could be inferred. I think that might be a mistake, since it’s coming out patchy and rushed. I’m sorry about that, and thank you very much for mentioning it. I was delighted by your mention of Darnand’s moment. With the Nord’s antics, I sometimes worry that the Breton gets a little lost.

McBadgere: I can see that with Nathan Fillion. Jerric and Castle often sound pleased with themselves! I’m glad you enjoyed the three together, I thought it was time for a little reunion. I am with you on the thought communication! It’s already hard enough making sure what comes out of my mouth is the edited version. Thank you, McB!

Acadian: It’s true, Jerric is guilty of some truly bad ideas. I’m glad you enjoyed Abiene’s scene. I’m dragging my feet again at the prospect of leaving her in Chorrol. But that’s how it goes. I had such fun conspiring with the Nord (and Darnand) over Buffy’s Bosmer in the Buff potion! Thank you, Acadian!

Captain Hammer: I’m sure that the 10% bareness bonus is mitigated by his still-fuzzy shoulders and hair socks. Darn spell didn’t finish the job. Jerric would give Darnand the same advice if he was sniffing after any woman other than Abiene. Welcome back, and I look forward to reading more of Awtwyr’s adventures! Thank you, Hammer!

hazmik: It’s great to have you back, hazmick! And thank you, very much! Lildereth has surprised me many times in this story. I’m glad you like her.

Heather V: Welcome, and I’m glad you’re reading! I’m afraid there’s no summary, but here’s where we are in the game’s questlines. In the Main Quest we paused in the middle of The Path of Dawn. Jerric is looking all over Cyrodiil for the Commentaries Vol. 3 and 4. Jerric and Darnand are pursuing their Mages Guild recommendations. They are presently in Chorrol. Jerric was my first attempt at making a male character in the game, and he turned out way prettier than I expected. Here’s a picture of Jerric in Skyrim, more the way I picture him during the story: bearded (usually), scarred, and older. Thank you, Heather!

treydog: Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! I am especially appreciative of your notice of those small moments in the story that are so important to the character, like Jerric’s “murder” of the sleeping Altmer. As you said, those few paragraphs are (and will continue to be) fundamental to understanding him. It means a lot that you highlighted them. Writing “The Hangover Cure” was a pure joy. Apologies to the kitties.

Regarding this part: I have taken some liberties with Hrotanda Vale. The basic ruin is the same, but the occupants are different. Lildereth would have a much easier time finding Welkynd stones in the game!





Chapter 15: Chorrol, Part Fifteen


Jerric walked through the open woodland with peace in his heart. Yesterday’s hike had brought them high up into the hollows north of Chorrol. Morning mist lay over the ground in a white blanket, swirling around Lildereth’s waist in some places. The sun rose behind his right shoulder, sending thick beams of light through the bare branches. His boots made little noise on the carpet of wet leaves, and the elf’s passage was silent. No brush grew here to impede their progress. Everywhere was the sound of rushing creeks and rivulets trickling through unseen passages. The snowpack had begun to melt.

Lildereth spoke, her voice almost a part of the water. “A Bosmeri tribe lives in these hills. Dedicated to Kynareth. They’ll only eat what they can gather.”

Jerric nodded without turning to look at her. He had hoped that she might reveal her intentions while they were out here on their own. Campfire talk often led to confidences. But last night Lildereth had heated some rocks with wood elf magic, pulled the furs over her shoulder, and nestled against his back without a word. This walk through the mist had recaptured that comfortable feeling. He didn’t want to spoil it by letting his eyes wander.

“A year has five seasons by their reckoning,” Lildereth continued. “These weeks of early spring are Duwoh el E, the time of empty bellies.”

Now Jerric risked a glance. His stomach wasn’t even growling yet. Was she teasing?

“We’ll cross at the top of the next hollow,” she said, showing him with a lift of her chin. “Hrotanda Vale is in the far valley. There’s not much left above ground, but there’s a lot to see underneath.”

“Uh huh,” said Jerric, to let her know he was listening.

“So you should have your snack before we get there,” she finished, the corner of her lip twisting up.

“Snack?” he snorted. “Aren’t we on a hunt? I thought whatever parts didn’t fit into the magicka gem we’d roast on a spit. Then we can scrabble around for your Welkynd stones.” Jerric had a disturbing thought. “Wait, what is it that we’re hunting? What kind of gems did Darnand give you?”

Lildereth flipped the end of her braid over her eyes and scowled like a Breton. “I am not a necromancer,” she intoned.

Jerric laughed. He supposed that Lildereth would let him know if a target presented itself. She wore his life detection ring augmented by her spell.

“You made me think of Luco, from Kvatch,” Jerric said. He found himself surprised, but the words kept coming. “He could mimic anyone. Got me into a lot of trouble over the years laughing out loud at the wrong time. I haven’t thought about him since Saturalia. He and his wife just had a baby girl, she would have been… I never went over to see her. They only lived a few streets away. I guess I just didn’t get around to it. I always thought... you know?”

Lildereth nodded. “You haven’t spoken about your friends.”

“Yeah.” They walked in silence while he considered. This was no time to lose himself in darkness, but the memories were there above the sorrow. “I had my cousins, or nieces and nephews really. You know I always lived with family, or with Rhano’s family. And I had some good friends at work. The kind that don’t need much from you. I was luckier than I deserved, with a seat saved at a lot of folks’ tables. But me and Luco and Rudy the Squint, we were pals since before our mamas put us in breeches. And then Therius came along when we were your size, and I was still in school.” He grinned over at Lildereth, and she returned a wistful smile. “I guess that’s why I went to patch things up with Rhano. You don’t get any more friends who knew you back when.”

Jerric knew this was thin ice for both of them, but some need in Lildereth’s face made him reckless. “How old were you when they… when you lost them?” he asked.

Lildereth looked straight ahead, and her expression didn’t change. “About your age, which is barely grown by our way of counting. I could have gone on by myself, but I was in a bad way so I fled to Arenthia. The Imperial couple I told you about. I was no child, but for a while I still needed parents.” Now she turned her eyes on him, and the truth they held took his breath away. Her pain ran as deep as his own, and it was just as lightly covered. “I’ve been alone since then, even when I was with someone. Would you be here with me now, if I had met you… before? That’s how it is with most people. The ones who don’t already have plans aren’t the sort you’d take a long walk with.”

Jerric looked back up through the trees. He knew why the three of them had stuck to one another, but there was more to it than Lildereth was saying. He couldn’t account for the guilt in her expression. Maybe it was over the past, but she wouldn’t be the first who had something he wouldn’t like in mind.

“What’s going to happen when we reach the top of the vale?” he asked, changing the subject.

“We’ll move down quietly. I’ll take a look while you watch the door. Then we’ll make a plan.”

“You think the ruin will be in use?”

Lildereth nodded. “I think it’s likely. It’s a perfect spot for smugglers. That’s who was living there the last time I came through.”

Jerric gave her a look. “Friends of yours?”

“Associates.” She shot one back that told him not to bother. “I didn’t get to see the whole place, but I saw the wards on the inner doors. Against undead. There were empty brackets in some of the chambers, but no Welkynd stones. Some mage has his stash back there guarded by something, I just know it.”

Jerric failed at not sounding skeptical. “Do you think the wards are still there?”

“Twenty years is nothing to an Altmer,” said Lildereth.

“Yeah. It’s even less for a lich.” Comprehension dawned. “You want me to soul trap a lich while you go Welkynd stone picking?”

Lildereth’s eyes grew wide. “A lich? I hope not. I thought ghosts, or perhaps some zombies.”

“This doesn’t sound like one of your plans, elf,” he teased. “Where’s the detailed map? How are we going to deal with the wards? Wait, what about the smugglers?”

That earned him an eyeroll. “Well it is, it’s in my pack, the Breton made scrolls, you may stab the ones who resist my Charm. Any more questions, or can you save it until after I scout?”

“What if they have some contraband? Do you plan to steal their goods, too?”

“No,” Lildereth sighed. “You wouldn’t agree to that.”

They had reached the head of the hollow where their path rose steeply over the ridge. Jerric saved his breath for climbing.

“You know when you Charm someone,” he said at the top.

“Mm hmm.”

“You take away their judgment.” He caught her arm so she would look at him. “You take away who they are.”

Lildereth stopped. She didn’t object to the handling. “I make sure there’s not a fight. If there’s a fight, then we have to take their lives.”

They stood under the trees for a long moment, miles apart.

“All right then,” said Jerric.

They approached the ruin from the north. Lildereth signaled him down in a spot where he could see the trail dropping away over the hillside. Little remained of the Ayleids’ structures. A single arch of white stone rose intact above the trees. Several toppled columns had been partially swallowed by brown grass and soil. One low section of blocks looked like the top of a door lintel. Jerric guessed that the entrance must lie below it.

Lildereth’s gestures indicated the presence of a single life sign. She passed the brass and pearl ring to Jerric so he could take a look.

The enchantment showed him a glow down among the rocks near the entrance. Now that he knew it was there he could see the small figure sitting with its legs stretched out in the sun. He handed the ring back to Lildereth. Their annoyingly slow approach suddenly seemed sensible. He wouldn’t hear a low voice or a damp twig snapping at this distance, but a wood elf might.

Lildereth took only seconds adjusting her gear. She gave him a wink before setting off down the hill. Jerric tried to track her movements, but she was soon lost even among the widely-spaced trees. The Ring of Khajiiti she wore showed her as a wisp of fog, then as a handful of wind-blown leaves.

There’s no wind, Jerric told himself, and the fog burned off an hour ago. He focused his attention, blindly fighting the enchantment. Lildereth’s hooded form appeared crossing the stone frame above the entrance. Jerric’s stomach churned, and a sharp ache began between his eyes. He blinked until she disappeared again.

Jerric dug a strip of deer jerky out of his daypack and settled in for the wait. Looking down through the bare forest he could pick out the pale pink mist of mothwoods beginning to flower in the understory, and higher up the white blossoms of sawnut trees. Sunlight caught patches of bright green moss on the ground. By now the West Weald woodlots would be swimming in pools of bluebells, but here their distinctive round leaves were just beginning to sprout. Jerric saw no signs of animal life. ‘The time of empty bellies’ seemed an apt description for these weeks of early bud and bloom. He wondered if the local Bosmeri supplemented their gathering with the flesh of their own dead. It had seemed a rude thing to ask, especially as a first question.

Lildereth returned, kneeling silently at his side. She took a swig from his waterskin and swished it through her mouth, spitting as she handed the container back. Then she sipped from another skin, filtering the liquid carefully through her teeth. Jerric’s Juice, he realized. She must be low on magicka. He stowed his belongings while she spoke.

“There’s been an event,” she said in her quiet way. “Nine dead inside the ruin, a couple of days ago I’d guess. That’s a Nord kid down there sniffling into her sleeve. Teenager. She didn’t see me. Unarmed, unless you count her stick.”

Jerric gave Lildereth a startled look. Then he realized she meant an actual piece of wood.

“What about the wards?” he asked.

“Still in place, and another back where I didn’t get before. Just the one door in and out of the ruin.” She unrolled her parchment. “Watch, I’ll fill in the map. Don’t bother getting confused, though. I plan for you to keep me alive so I can guide you out. And you might need your whole brain for the parts I haven’t seen yet.”

Lildereth sketched for a few moments.

“Here’s a pit trap, and here’s another,” she told him, indicating the marks. “This gate opens with a push block on the other side, here. I already opened it, but now you know. The whole place has that eerie fungus glow and blue light from glowstones, but I have no problem with you using a torch until we get to this door. There’s a lot on the floor that you won’t want to step in. They must have just thrown their slop in this direction when the weather was bad, and that’s right where we want to go.”

Jerric watched, listened, and picked his teeth.

“Rats have been at the dead, and you should expect the usual mudcrabs, snakes, and spiders,” she continued. “The ceilings are high in these sections, so there’s some mist but you won’t want for air. I saw a ghost in this small chamber, but it didn’t notice me. It may have just been a shade. There was a fresh body in there.”

“All right,” said Jerric when he guessed that she was through. He stood up and stretched. “I’m going to take a piss. Then let’s go talk to that kid.”

[mALX]

*

“You take away their judgment.” He caught her arm so she would look at him. “You take away who they are.”

Lildereth stopped. She didn’t object to the handling. “I make sure there’s not a fight. If there’s a fight, then we have to take their lives.”

They stood under the trees for a long moment, miles apart.

“All right then,” said Jerric.

Powerful disagreement in outlooks ending in an agreement that doesn't change either - what a nice balance of personalities you reached here!

The Ring of Khajiiti she wore showed her as a wisp of fog, then as a handful of wind-blown leaves.

LOVED your version of how the ring works! So much closer to the word chameleon than simple invisbility would be! Love how your mind works!

Unarmed, unless you count her stick.”

Jerric gave Lildereth a startled look. Then he realized she meant an actual piece of wood.

SPEW !!! Jerric's mind runs continuously on two things (food and sex), it always takes him a second to get past these before his thought process kicks in and starts working, ROFL !!!

Oh, I don't like the sound of this place at all! URK! AWESOME WRITE !!!!!!!!! I feel like I'm hanging on a cliff till they get out of there safely!

*

[SubRosa]

You started us with a wonderful description of the mountain forest in early spring. Followed by a fascinating bit of Bosmer culture.

Rudy the Squint? Sounds like exactly the kind of person Jerric would roll with. It makes me think of Sid the Squid, from the old animated Batman series.

“I make sure there’s not a fight. If there’s a fight, then we have to take their lives.”
This was exactly the right argument to make in response to Jerric's quite correct observation about Charming people.

Hmm, now what might the Mystery of Hrotunda Vale be? It looks like someone, or something, new decided to move in? Or did that teenage Nord accidentally kill everyone after being bitten by a magical <insert creature name here> and losing control of her new superpowers?

[Acadian]

From the opening magic of your description of the forest with Jerric and the silent elf who traveled with him at sunrise, to the hints of Bosmeri culture and Lildereth’s background, this episode was pure delight.

I loved the ‘charming’ discussion they had. It so perfectly serves to highlight the differences between these two. Jerric, with his ample muscle and steel, views illusion as unethical; Lildereth, with her frail physique and diminutive stature, sees it as necessary for her own survival. I imagine the mountain of a man and tiny mystic archer could have a similar debate regarding the merits of standing to boldly declare yourself to a likely foe versus preemptively striking from the shadows while hoping you are making the right choice.

So much goodness in this episode!

[ghastley]

If I recall correctly, Jerric's view of Illusion spells is colored by his being on the receiving end of one, so I'm not surprised he doesn't like it.

I think Sugar would offer her opponent the Illusion spell or the Axe to be hit with, and let them decide.

mALX already caught the best part, with the description of how chameleon looks when Lil does it.

[King Coin]

I love this opening. The mountains around Chorrol were always my favorite.

Jerric had the same thought I did last chapter! What kind of gems did Darnand give you?

So much for getting Lildereth to spill much, he’s doing the spilling. Give a little, take a little maybe? Yes, that worked a little.

The ones who don’t already have plans aren’t the sort you’d take a long walk with.
I really like that line.

Jerric’s issues with illusion magic are fascinating. Especially after the incident at the Gold Coast. That was amazing!

Yikes, sounds like an adventuring party gone wrong in there. Jerric waiting for Lildereth, observing the trees and plants, and thinking of other places was nicely done.

[hazmick]

What a lovely chapter, the part about Jerric trying to see through the Ring of Khajhiiti's enchantment was really well done, and you've made me love Lildereth more than ever can't wait for the next part!

[McBadgere]

YAY!!!... ...

*Strokes comp screen*...Oh how I have missed thee... ...

...What?...

Aaamywho...

Absolutely loved the trip through the woods...Beautiful stuff...Both the description and the dialogue...Amazing stuff...

Lildereth took only seconds adjusting her gear. She gave him a wink before setting off down the hill. Jerric tried to track her movements, but she was soon lost even among the widely-spaced trees. The Ring of Khajiiti she wore showed her as a wisp of fog, then as a handful of wind-blown leaves.

There’s no wind, Jerric told himself, and the fog burned off an hour ago. He focused his attention, blindly fighting the enchantment. Lildereth’s hooded form appeared crossing the stone frame above the entrance. Jerric’s stomach churned, and a sharp ache began between his eyes. He blinked until she disappeared again.

That was just amazing, the idea that it simply confuses the mind (I'm worried already ) and that concentrating in order to throw the spell off just throws the inner ear and all that...Brilliant stuff...

Much looking forward to seeing what is going on with the girl...Either she's Miss Thor (Thorina? ), or she's blind...Or not...We shall see... ...

Loving it all...Brilliantness...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[TheBrume]

I like how you've shown the Ring of Khajiiti's powers. Now I'm eager to know who this kid is and what happened to those people.

[Grits]

Where we were: Jerric and Lildereth are looking for Welkynd stones and souls to capture. They have reached Hrotanda Vale, where Lildereth found nine fairly fresh bodies inside. They are going to question the girl by the door.

mALX: I wanted to show how Chameleon works in degrees compared to how Invisibility is limited but absolute while it’s working. You’re so right that Lil and J have not reached an agreement on her magical manipulations, they’re just coming to terms with what will continue to be their differences. Your comment about balance made me smile, as that was just what I was aiming for. Thank you, mALX!

SubRosa: Oh, now I want to make that girl be a She-Spider-Nord-Hulk-Girl! You’re right, Lildereth knew just what to say to Jerric, and I’m sure she’ll have to remind him again. I’m glad you liked Rudy the Squint. Jerric’s hometown buddies were quite the crew. Thank you, SubRosa!

Acadian: You’re so right, the differences between these two inform much of what they do. Jerric is free to follow his gut and deal with the consequences, while Lildereth anticipates the consequence and acts to turn events to her favor. Also while Jerric breaks a cold sweat remembering how he attacked Darnand under a Command spell, I’m sure Lildereth’s nightmares include a mountain of metal resisting her spells. I remember early on when I was reading Buffy’s adventures thinking how she and my Nord were opposites in so many ways (though the bond of blondness runs deep ). Much of Lildereth’s thinking I owe to The Bowgirl's School of Mystic Archery. Thank you so much, Acadian!

ghastley: Exactly, Lildereth’s tactics in hostile hands have taken him down spectacularly in the past. That incident in Anvil was just what I was hoping folks would remember, and I'm delighted that you mentioned it. He also harbors a resentment of poisoned arrows from the dark. Sugar is wise in many ways! Thank you, ghastley!

King Coin: I remember you were suspicious about those gems. That really made me smile, knowing what was also on Jerric’s mind. Yep, he couldn’t manipulate Lil into spilling her guts, but his own trust in her (reacting to the environment he hoped would get her to spill it!) did the trick. Thank you, KC!

hazmick: Thank you, hazmick! We’ll have Lildereth around for a while, so I’m glad you’re enjoying her.

McBadgere: Not quite such a long wait this time. I’m glad you liked Jerric’s fight against the enchantment. Lildereth walks around under a little Chameleon effect out of habit, which combined with her light feet is how she pops up out of nowhere. Jerric sees something, but trickery tells him it’s not an elf. Now he’s going to be giving himself migraines glaring at leaves. Thank you, McB!

TheBrume: Finding out about the kid is happening next. Thank you, Brume!




Chapter 15: Chorrol, Part Sixteen


Lildereth walked up the hill with Jerric at her side. They had circled around to approach Hrotanda Vale along its cart track from the road so as not to surprise the girl. Lildereth had her Charm and Calm spells at the ready in case she tried to run at the sight of them, or rather at the sight of Jerric. It was likely that a young Nord alone at a known smugglers’ den was accustomed to hard-looking men, but the circumstances here were strange and they were strangers. Best to be prepared.

Jerric’s stride lengthened again. She doubted that he intended it. Between his small pack, leather armor, enchanted boots, and reduced arsenal, the lightly burdened Nord fairly flew up the trail. Lildereth cast the spell to fortify her speed and ease her fatigue as soon as she dropped behind. If he noticed, he chose not to tease her.

The ruin’s single arch gleamed white in a wide swath of brown grass. Trees and brush had been cleared away from the trail and entry. Lildereth could see metal braziers on either side of the doorway and the can where they dropped their torches. The Nord girl scrambled to her feet as they stepped into the sunlight.

“Hail the camp,” Jerric called, holding his right hand open and out to the side. The girl shifted her feet but didn’t run.

They halted ten elf-paces away. Now Lildereth could see that the girl was taller than she had thought, as tall as a grown woman. She wore soft camp boots and knit leggings under an oversized tunic. Leaves were caught in her greasy red hair. She clutched a tree branch in her hands like a club.

“If you’re here for the bounty, you’re too late.” She spoke in Cyrodilic, but her accent was pure Skyrim.

Jerric’s voice was a calm rumble. “We’re not here for a bounty. Nor for trade.”

They stood and looked at each other for a moment. Lildereth and Jerric had agreed to let Jerric do the talking, a concession that Lildereth already regretted.

The girl abruptly sat down on an angled block. Her branch hit the stone with a wet crack.

“You alone?” asked Jerric.

The girl wrapped both arms around her raised knees. She rubbed her nose along one sleeve. “No,” she lied.

“Hungry?” Jerric took two steps toward her, slow and light on his feet. He put a hand into his shoulder bag.

“What do you want?” asked the girl, mistrust in her voice under the weariness. She shifted her weight forward, ready to rabbit. “Stay away from me, mister!”

Lildereth walked briskly up to her, dipping a hand into Jerric’s bag as she passed. “He’s not the one you should fear,” she said, filling her tone with crisp authority. “Can you run faster than an arrow? Then don’t worry about trying. Relax. We mean you no harm.” She tossed Jerric’s snack at her feet. “What’s your name, girl?”

“Valdi.” Her eyes flicked from the napkin-wrapped sandwich over to Jerric, then back to Lildereth. Blackheads and pimples warred with freckles across her nose, and red lids made the circles under her eyes even darker. She’s been sleeping rough, Lildereth decided. Afraid to go back inside and face what she’s lost.

Lildereth softened her tone. “What happened here, Valdi?”

Her eyes began leaking tears, but she didn’t seem to notice. “They came in the night. Agda had the first watch. Ma said run, so I did.” She glanced over at the door. “I don’t know who else got away. I’m just waiting to see…” Valdi lifted her chin and looked Lildereth straight in the eye from her seated position. “Someone will come back for me.”

Jerric had moved up to the side. “How many live here? There’s you, and..?”

“My Ma and her man Hegen. My little brother Fylkr. Gerd the…” Valdi’s face crumpled. She fought the sobs that shook her. “Ten,” she managed. “Ten of us.”

Jerric shot Lildereth a look. She gave her head a small tilt to the side, telling him no. They would break the news after they finished working the ruin.

“Do you know what’s behind the wards?” she asked Valdi.

The Nord girl shook her head. Hiccups kept her from speech.

“We’re going inside,” Jerric told Valdi. “What do you want us to look for?”

Valdi tucked her sleeves over both hands and scrubbed her face with them. When she looked back at up Jerric, her glare called him an idiot in every way her broken voice could not.

Lildereth walked to the door, slipping Jerric’s life detection ring onto her thumb. He lit a torch as the doors snicked shut behind them.

“Fetch it,” he said.

“I know. It’s ugly, Jerric.”

His eyes caught the torchlight just like in the songs. “Ready.”

They walked through the narrow passage to a three-way junction. “One of the sealed doors is there,” she said pointing straight ahead. “That’s the gate I told you about. Let’s go below first. Mind the traps.”

She led him through arched corridors, down stairs, and out through a vast, high-ceilinged chamber. Luminescent mold grew in patches where the white veneer had fallen away, and glowstones still shed their blue light from ancient Ayleid fixtures. Boards and scaffolding surrounded two spiked pit traps, evidence of the most recent occupants’ efforts to use the space. Lildereth leaped across the corners to avoid the triggers. Jerric followed suit. They worked their way around the room.

“I guess these traps must still be good for defense,” he ventured. “Or at least they keep the rats down.”

“We’ll see plenty of rats, but right now I expect they won’t bother with the living.” A dry scuttling noise punctuated her remark. Lildereth nodded into the dark where several glows crept along the ceiling. “Drum-belly spiders. Ambush predators, that’s why you don’t see webs. They eat the rats. You’re a little much for them to handle.” Lildereth readied a spell and suppressed a shiver. Spiders were unpredictable, and she was a manageable size.

“The shade was over there,” Lildereth continued, pointing. “There’s a body in that small chamber. One of the nine. It’s a storage and office area.” She searched the shadows, but no ghostly figure presented itself.

Jerric marked the location in his mind, thoughts written across his face like headlines on The Black Horse Courier. Lildereth sighed. He was going to lay them all to rest. “Later,” she said, and he nodded.

Ornate metalwork and soaring arches announced their entry into a new section of the ruin. Here brackets stood atop stone pillars, marching in double rows down the long space. Their magical stones were missing. Smoke hung along the ceiling, but the air still smelled of mold.

Handcarts, broken crates, and litter cluttered the corners. Shelving units held packing materials and long tables stood empty. “Looks like a staging area,” said Jerric. Lildereth hid her surprise. He worked for a transport company, she reminded herself.

“I think they were smuggling Winterhold Whiskey,” she said, indicating some broken glass.

“Akkvit,” Jerric breathed. “Did you find any?”

Lildereth snorted. “I’ll tell you later.”

A few more minutes of walking brought them to the smugglers’ living quarters. The stench greeted them in the passageway. So did the noise of quarreling rats. Lildereth scattered them with a spell, then she waited while Jerric took in the scene. The story was written for her in twisted bodies and smeared blood, but the Nord might need some explanations.

“They’re all here,” he finally said. “None of these were raiders.” Lildereth moved to his side. Stating the obvious was just his way of saying what couldn’t be said.

“Most of them died near their beds,” Lildereth told him. “The rats have dragged them around a bit.” They walked down to the far alcove. Here a headless woman lay in a sticky pool, the body of a young boy at her side.

“I guess that’s the Ma,” Jerric said after a moment.

“They must have taken her head for the bounty. Unless Valdi’s little brother is over six feet tall, this boy is Fylkr.” Lildereth nodded toward the other remains. “Someone put a blade through his belly back there. He dragged himself all this way to his dead mother. See the blood? Poor kid. No telling how long it took him to die.”

Lildereth watched her partner carefully. Reckless fury would not help this situation. What she saw was a hard, helpless anger that matched her own.

“I wonder how Valdi got away.”

Lildereth shrugged. “Maybe born under the Shadow.”

“She doesn’t need to know this part,” said Jerric. “I’ll gather up some gear for her on the way out. After. We’ll see if they left any weapons.”

Lildereth gave him a nod, waiting.

When he looked back at her, she saw that some door had closed behind his eyes. “Let’s go bust open some wards,” he said.




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This post has been edited by Grits: Oct 5 2012, 11:17 PM

[haute ecole rider]

The mystery of the girl is now clear, and it's just as I had feared.

For all the pretty that we see of life in Cyrodiil, there's a darker side just crying to be plumbed. I think you did a great job hinting at that dark undercurrent that we see so little of in the game (the vanilla version anyway).

Hrotanda Vale is a good choice for exploring this aspect of life - it's remote, but close enough to Chorrol to make a good bandit hideaway, or even an outstanding smuggler's station. Well off the beaten path and easily defended (sort of).

I look forward to seeing how Jerric and Lildereth bust those wards, then later break the news to young Valdi.

[SubRosa]

They halted ten elf-paces away
This was a thoughtful observation, along with Lil's earlier difficulties keeping up with the longer-striding Nord.

Spiders, eww. That's one thing I do not miss about vanilla Oblivion.

“I think they were smuggling Winterhold Whiskey,”
W00T! Nordic Whiskey. Save some for Pappy!

I see the mystery of the Vale is not quite as prosaic as I had speculated. You gave us a sad and ugly scene of the aftermath of the smuggler's den. Plus a very interesting look into the makeup of a smuggler band. Not just a bunch of ruthless killers, but entire families living together. I am only wondering if it was the law or bounty hunters that did them in, or other outlaws?

[mALX]

I was excited to get a "Lildereth" insight in this chapter. After reading I know why it was done that way. How this scene is affecting Jerric and striking afresh his own painful memories of Kvatch is clearly seen through Lildereth's eyes and thoughts. She knows exactly what Jerric is going through without a word from him.

Knowing Jerric, Valdi won't be left behind when they leave this dungeon.

This episode hit powerfully on the undercurrent of every player's emotions from beginning to end. The scene with Valdi could be so easily visualized that it felt like being there and seeing it play out. Absolutely totally AWESOME Write !!!!! Huge Write!!!!

[Acadian]

I simply love how naturally you remind us of Lildereth’s small size throughout this episode and how it affects so much of what she does:
’Lildereth cast the spell to fortify her speed and ease her fatigue as soon as she dropped behind. If he noticed, he chose not to tease her.’
‘They halted ten elf-paces away.’
’Lildereth walked to the door, slipping Jerric’s life detection ring onto her thumb.’
‘Lildereth readied a spell and suppressed a shiver. Spiders were unpredictable, and she was a manageable size.’

Great depiction of Valdi. In fact, as SubRosa said, nice to see this little band of smugglers depicted as a family that, no doubt, loved their own. Poignant touch at the end to show that Valdi losing family struck close to Jerric’s heart as his mind doubtless traveled to Kvatch.

[King Coin]

What a treat, seeing things from a slightly smaller perspective.

Lildereth cast the spell to fortify her speed and ease her fatigue as soon as she dropped behind. If he noticed, he chose not to tease her.
Knowing Jerric, his mind is elsewhere. If he did notice however, I don’t think even he would feel this is the right time for a joke. It was very thoughtful of them to circle around to approach from the road. I like Lildereth’s caution and having spells ready.

I always thought of Jerric as the ‘people person’ of the group, though Lildereth’s better in situations like this.

Spiders were unpredictable, and she was a manageable size.
Whoa. I hate spiders. And these are big enough to take an elf? Aravi isn’t much bigger than a Bosmer either.

Grim. I thought the girl’s comment about a bounty meant that the little band that she traveled with was going in after one. Now we learn that they were the residents and her mother had a bounty. The girl knows what happened to her family. She can't accept it and doesn't know what to do.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Sep 27 2012, 04:40 AM

[ghastley]

I'm glad you actually have spiders in your version of the world. It's always struck me as silly that the ruins and dungeons and basements are full of cobwebs, but there aren't any spiders to make them.

The "did they come in and leave again, or are they still here?" question remains. Wards on the main doors means little in an Ayleid ruin with secret doors and sliding walls hidden all around.

I'm assuming Valdi ran out of there when it all happened, and returned to find no-one alive, but I'm unclear if she went in to check or doesn't want to know the worst, and is waiting hopefully outside. Or if I should read anything into her feeling safer out there.

[hazmick]

Great chapter, showing the less glamorous side of adventuring really brings your characters to life. Lildereth's ability to seemingly read people like books is a great way to tell the story! Keep up the good work

[Grits]

Last part: Hrotanda Vale. Jerric and Lildereth met Valdi, the young survivor of a raid on her family’s smuggling operation. They found only bodies in the lived-in sections of the ruin. Now they are ready to open one of the warded doors.

haute ecole rider: You’re right, the only thing Hrotanda Vale lacks is a back door. The game makes it easy to tell good guys from bad guys, because the bad guys attack you. It was satisfying to show that it’s more complicated than that. Thank you, haute!

SubRosa: I love that you mentioned it could have been the law, other outlaws, or someone in between who did the killing. That was just the ambiguity I was going for. Being a criminal doesn’t keep a person from loving their kids, and the killer who put a blade through Fylkr’s belly could be getting a big smile from Countess Valga or Captain Bittneld right now. Thank you, SubRosa!

mALX: You nailed exactly why Lildereth got to be the voice in that section. I didn’t want to drag everyone through Jerric’s emotions again, and she knows what’s on his mind just by looking at him. You’re so right, Jerric has a habit of collecting strays and I’m sure Valdi will not be an exception. Thank you, mALX!

Acadian: It’s funny when I write Lildereth sections (I think this is the first one to make it all the way to posting ) because her size is such a part of her awareness while Jerric’s is rarely a part of his. I'm glad you enjoyed that. “Seeing” the Nord from her POV is always a shock at first! Thank you for mentioning his moment of coping at the end. That is exactly where his mind went.

King Coin: You’re right, Jerric relates more easily to people, but he tends to forget his appearance. For all of his good intentions, to Valdi he looks like some big scary guy who might grab her. You got Valdi’s situation completely. Thank you, KC!

ghastley: Ah, I see what I missed. I meant to show that Valdi was reluctant to go back in because she didn’t want to see her family dead and lose the hope that someone was going to rescue her. Not a rational plan, but a piece of cold, hungry, shocked, and grieving kid thinking. I went back and added a phrase to read, “Afraid to go back inside and face what she’s lost.” The ward explanation comes in this section. They’re another Grits embellishment, like the ones in Kvatch to keep ghosts from wandering into houses. Sorry about the confusion, and thank you very much for bringing that up!

hazmick: Thank you, hazmick! Lildereth seems like she has superpowers to Jerric, so it was fun to show the little things she does that give her an edge.

Regarding this part: A note about differences from the game: Some of Lildereth’s mind control type Illusion spells do not work on daedra or some undead. Invisibility works by interfering with their perception, or so Darnand has speculated. Detect Life can see into other cells, since there are no cells in the story. I think the characters will cover the rest, but if I overlooked something please let me know!! Also this part got long, so I split it into smaller parts. There will be a fight soon, I promise!




Chapter 15: Chorrol, Part Seventeen


Jerric followed Lildereth down the short, narrow corridor, stepping over piles of the smugglers’ refuse. The door at the end glowed with light: blue from the magical stones set into in the surface, and white from the ward laid over it. The Ayleid design depicted a tree. The ward’s characters and symbols were unfamiliar to Jerric.

“It’s a tight space here if something explodes,” Lildereth observed. “Can you read it? Wait! Don’t touch.”

“Well, I can’t read anything from just looking at it. I mean I can’t read the enchantment.”

“It could be trapped. You know, warded against something physical and not just undead or some other kind of energy.”

“The wards in Kvatch aren’t trapped,” Jerric said. “People go through those doors all day. And what’s to keep ghosts from passing through the walls anyway?”

“For some of them, nothing. Only habit. You remember, you told me that many of your Kvatch folk didn’t even know that they were dead. Why would they try to walk through a wall? Anyway, we don’t have to worry about the ones who are that ethereal. Nor shades, if we see any. They can’t hurt you. Any ghost that has manifested enough to grab you with its cold hand is solid enough to need a door, and those that are bound to this plane are confined by the binding.”

That made some sense to Jerric. He had seen ghosts reach for a handle, then fail to notice that their hand went right through it. “Then why won’t regular weapons harm them?” he asked.

Lildereth blinked. “That’s a good question.”

Jerric jumped on the opportunity. “You brought silver-tipped arrows. Isn’t your bow enchanted?”

“Yes.”

Jerric waited as long as he could stand it. “Come on, sprig. Out with it.”

“Have you ever heard me shoot?”

He thought for a moment. “No.”

“Now you know why. But the enchantment does not put a charm on my arrows.” Lildereth’s eyebrows approached their dangerous angle.

Jerric decided to get back to the matter at hand. “So it will be bound spirits or bone constructs on the other side. Zombies and the like.”

“I should think skeletons after all of this time,” said Lildereth. “Darnand says that zombies require maintenance.” She gave him a look. “And we might possibly find wraiths or a lich. They can throw a curse on you from a fair distance. Some of them are solid enough to swing a weapon, and who knows what magicks those old sorcerers can still use.”

Jerric grinned at her. “Better stay behind me, then.”

Lildereth looked up at him, the edge of her lip caught between her teeth.

“What?”

“I’d like to scout first,” she said. “I want to use the gems on the strongest thing we find back there, and I won’t know which ones were the best until it’s over. I mean, what if we soul trap a clannfear and then come across a daedroth? We can’t afford to waste a gem.”

Jerric got that uneasy feeling. “Daedroth?”

Now she was chewing the other side of her lip. “I’m just guessing that these wards are meant to contain undead. There could be bound daedra guarding something instead. I can’t be sure what we’ll find, Jerric. I don’t know much about warding, and most of my illusion spells won’t work on undead or daedra. This is just the kind of situation I avoid. If I could use my spells, then I wouldn’t need Master training. Damn Martina and her damned Welkynd stones!”

“All right then,” said Jerric. He decided not to mention that this was exactly the kind of situation that called for a damned sandwich, and Valdi was probably still eating his. “Anyway I know how to keep using a gem until it’s filled. But you should scout ahead just the same. Take your time. I mean it, elf. Wake me up when you’re ready for me to kill something.” He gave her a smile to show that he was teasing. “Do you want me to use the scroll of dispelling, or you?”

“I’ll do it.” Lildereth dug in her pack. “You might absorb it, and then I’d have to…” She stood with a scroll in her hand looking uncertain. “One of these isn’t as strong as the others. Darnand ran out of time. I don’t want to waste any. If I start with the weaker one…”

Jerric spoke up before her lip started to bleed. “Use a strong one first. That way if it works you’ll have one left over, and if it doesn’t you know the weaker one wouldn’t have worked anyway.”

“What if none of them works?”

“Then I’ll just,” he made a gesture, “break the door down. I know, traps. I’ll cover my eyes or something. Look, we’ll handle whatever you find, or we’ll leave if you’d rather.” Jerric took her shoulder in his hand and squeezed it gently. “If you think something’s detected you, run like an Argonian crossing the beach at midday. I’ll be right here, or wherever you put me.”

Lildereth gave him a crooked smile. “I don’t see anything moving on the other side, but you should be ready just in case.”

Jerric felt the shield magic settle over his exposed skin as he buckled on the Blades helm. The enchantment made his leather stronger than steel, and he could call on his Woad for even more protection. Fire and fangs danced across his mind, and a great claw slashed down to split him open like a sack of grain.

He shook himself. That was not going to happen today.

Lildereth unfurled the scroll and held it out where he could see it. The runes and inscriptions glowed faintly. Darnand’s meticulous attention was there in every brush and quill stroke. Scrolls could be used by anyone, and there were different ways to activate them. He was curious how Lildereth would do it.

She breathed a word, and the scroll shimmered away into a ball of pinkish light as it became the spell. Lildereth held it between her palms for a moment. Then she cast it gently at the door.

The spell broke against the surface like water on a rock. The ward’s runes melted, white mingling with pink as their light trickled down and misted away.

Lildereth turned to him with a wink. Then the door opened, and she was gone.