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> Jerric's Story, A Nord's Adventures in Cyrodiil
Grits
post Dec 9 2010, 04:53 PM
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Hi folks. This is my first attempt at fiction, and I welcome any criticism from the smallest nit to the most sweeping remarks on writing in general.

My version of Tamriel is a little bigger than the game’s, but I’m trying to fill in some of the blanks rather than re-imagine the place. I have taken liberties with the order of some events, but the main quest will stand. Mostly.

I feel especially weak in the lore and action sequence departments. If you should suggest a resource, I will certainly seek it out in the hope that my next effort will be less cringe-worthy!

So welcome to Jerric’s story, and thank you for joining us.

(Edit: Darnand started as Arnand, so comments may reference his old name.)

July 24, 2014: Hi again. Having learned much in the last couple of years I’m revisiting early chapters and giving them a very light edit. Regrettably there may be some inconsistencies in style as I work my way through. Sorry about that, and thank you very much for reading! smile.gif


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Jerric



The whole story is contained in this thread, but here are some links to the beginning of each chapter within this thread.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Working Vacation
Chapter 2 On the Gold Road
Chapter 3 Welcome to the Imperial City
Chapter 4 All’s Well in Aleswell
Chapter 5 Unloading the Amulet
Chapter 6 Going Home
Chapter 7 Kvatch
Chapter 8 Running
Chapter 9 Anvil
Chapter 10 Septims
Chapter 11 Holidays
Chapter 12 Return to Kvatch
Interlude:Abiene’s Letters
Chapter 13 Skingrad
Chapter 14 The Imperial City
Chapter 15 Chorrol
Interlude: Abiene
Chapter 16 Valley of Hopes
Chapter 17 Bruma


The Darnandex

Appendix One: The People of Jerric’s World
Appendix Two: Jerric’s World Terms
Appendix Three: Map of Game Quests Within Jerric’s Story
Appendix Four: Geography
Appendix Five: Timeline







Chapter 1: Working Vacation




Darnand Penoit had hoped to spend the afternoon studying with the delicious Abiene, but instead he was in the hills above Anvil searching for goldenrod plants with this hulking nitwit. They were working their way through the meadow side by side so as not to miss any. Darnand straightened to ease the kink in his back. He shot a glance at his partner.

Jerric stood thigh deep in the golden grass, eyes closed and face raised to the sun. He had pulled off his shirt and tucked it into the back of his breeches where it hung down like a ridiculous tail. His head looked like a shock of wheat.

Idiot, Darnand thought. Every night he has to heal his own sunburn. Jerric held a wicked looking blade in one hand and a white seed pod in the other.

“I feel just like a loaf of bread,” Jerric said to the sky.

“Felen is waiting for these pods,” Darnand snapped. What is this lump doing in the Mages Guild, anyway? he wondered. He did not grow those arms by turning pages.

Jerric laughed. “No he’s not. He’ll have his nose in a book by now and he won’t look up until long after dark.” The Nord tucked the pod into his bag and looked down for another goldenrod plant.

“You missed one,” Darnand said. He pointed to the plant at Jerric’s feet. “If you are not going to work, why did you bother to walk this far?”

“Because this is my assignment.” Jerric nudged the plant with his boot. “I never take all of the seed pods from any plant. Where do you think the plants come from? If you take all of the pods, no more goldenrod.”

Darnand could identify most of the alchemical plants in Cyrodiil from his books, but he had given little thought to how they grow.

Jerric stepped forward and stooped, cutting pods from another plant.

“What kind of mage would bring a dagger,” said Darnand. He snapped a pod from its dry stem to make his point.

“It’s a knife.” Jerric tossed it into the air and caught the blade between his thumb and finger. “My hand just likes to hold it. Try it,” he offered, extending the hilt toward Darnand.

“A real mage is his own weapon,” Darnand sniffed.

The two worked in silence for some time. Darnand was beginning to feel unpleasantly warm under his robe, and Jerric was positively streaming. The man’s sweat smelled unpleasantly familiar.

Sharing the Mages Guild common quarters with Jerric was a trial. He was noisy, his gigantic boots were always in the way, and he treated every day like Jester’s Day. Just last night while Darnand lay in bed reading Jerric had jumped under the blanket with him. He had let loose some wind then held Darnand’s head beneath the covers. The visiting mages had laughed like a pack of teenagers. One of them had wet herself.

Worst of all, Abiene seemed to like him.

“Feh, you smell like an animal,” Darnand muttered.

Jerric straightened and turned toward Darnand, a grin on his lips. Then he froze, eyes widening. “Boar,” he said.

“Oh really,” Darnand snapped, “Well I think you are the bore, Nord!”

Darnand faced his opponent, ready to deliver his come-uppance. Jerric whipped a ball of frost at him, faster than Darnand could think. It landed behind him with a hollow boom and an enraged squeal.

Comprehension dawned. Boar! Darnand sprinted toward Jerric, readying his fire spell. He whirled some distance behind the Nord in time to see the boar charge.

Jerric switched the knife to his right hand and hit the boar with frost from his left. When he lunged to the side the boar almost missed him with its yellow tusks. Jerric tackled the boar just as Darnand let go with his fire.

The Nord, the boar, and the ball of fire disappeared into the tall grass. Dust, squeals, and a death scream rose from the thrashing mayhem. A moment later all was still.

Darnand stood in horror at what he had done. By the Nine, I have killed him! I shall certainly be expelled from the Guild.

Jerric popped up from the grass, streaked with blood and crowing in triumph. He wiped his blade on his breeches.

Darnand searched him for signs of immolation. He appeared whole, apart from a steady stream pumping out of a wound in his thigh. “Erm ...” Darnand said, pointing.

Jerric held his skin together through the tear in his breeches and sent healing light swirling down his body. He looked at Darnand, grinning. “Did you hit me with a flare, soldier?”

“Please do not tell Carahil,” Darnand blurted. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves. “Why did the spell not burn you?”

“I can thank the stars for that.”

Atronach, thought Darnand. That explains a lot.

“New plan, Breton! Grab my bag, will you? I don’t want to get blood on Felen’s flowers.” Jerric lifted the boar carcass to his shoulders with a grunt, hardly staggering. “Good thing this was a small one.”

Jerric started down the hill toward Anvil. Against his better judgment, Darnand picked up the bag and followed.
___



“But how did you know she would have seed pods to sell us?” Darnand asked. His companion had sold the boar to a butcher, then bought enough white seed pods from a woman on the street to finish filling both their bags. Jerric had taken the first offer from both merchants, like some rube. Now they were entrenched at The Flowing Bowl with just enough coin to get them into trouble.

“She sells anything she can get for free,” Jerric said. “This time of year she has to have white seed pods, and cheap.”

“But she is a beggar. She does not have anything.”

“She has what she needs,” Jerric pointed out. “Don’t you think that if she was really planning to buy shoes, she would have them by now?”

“How do you know these things?” Darnand demanded. “You do not even reside in Anvil.”

“How do you not know them? Don’t you ever talk to people?”

Darnand took sip of beer and winced at the bitter taste. He was not sure how he ended up on the waterfront in the middle of the afternoon drinking with the person he liked least in all of the Mages Guild. The person he had almost incinerated only a few hours ago. He was beginning to worry about payback for that incident.

“Are you sure you are not angry about the ...” Darnand could not bring himself to say it.

“No harm done,” said Jerric. “I’m just glad you didn’t set the grass on fire. Besides, you would have healed me, right? Abiene said you’ve nearly reached Journeyman in Restoration.”

Darnand inhaled some spit. “Abiene talks about me?” he choked.

“Yeah,” Jerric replied with a twist of his lips. “She says, ‘Oh that Darnand, how does he get his hair that way, it looks sooooo pretty.’”

Darnand gritted his teeth and stared into his beer.

Jerric thumped his arm.

“Easy with the ham fist, I am not a snow bear,” Darnand complained.

“I’m a Nord, Darnand. Get over it. Anyway I’m not even that big. You should see my Pa, he has a neck like a minotaur.”

Darnand looked at Jerric for a long moment. “Did you have a point?”

“Look over there.” Jerric gestured at a slim, dark, Imperial woman. “What do you think of her?”

“She has a face like a weasel. I think you have a good chance with her.”

“No, for you! She’s been looking over here a lot.”

Darnand was amazed. “Are you procuring women for me, now?”

Jerric shrugged. “You seem tense.”

The door opened and closed with inn traffic.

“Drink up,” Jerric said. “The sun’s going down. We have to hurry and get loaded so we can sober up before dinner.”
___


Darnand carefully ran his knife up the center of the aloe vera leaf. He opened the skin to expose its juicy pulp then slid his knife down the inside at an angle, folding the skin back as he went. After he repeated the cut on the other side, he viewed the flattened leaf with satisfaction.

A groan and thump broke his concentration. Darnand glanced across the room where Jerric sat at another work table. Bloody scraps of cloth and empty potion bottles littered the surface. The Nord’s forehead was on the table. His fingers clenched in his hair.

Darnand wiped his knife, put it down on its cloth, and picked up the wooden spatula. He slowly ran the spatula’s blade down the butterflied leaf, collecting the pulp without picking up any of the fibers that clung to the inside of the skin. He plopped his harvest into a clay storage jar, then carefully repeated the process.

“Darnand,” Jerric said.

Darnand scraped another spatula load of pulp from the leaf. He placed it in the jar.

“Darnand,” Jerric said again.

Darnand wiped the spatula and placed it on its cloth. He folded the empty leaf skin and set it aside. “I am busy.”

“It’s important.”

Darnand picked up another leaf and placed it in the ready position in front of him. He picked up the knife. “So is this.”

The knife slid down the plump leaf in a perfect line. Darnand braced himself for Jerric’s reply. Something about him squeezing his own juice, Darnand guessed.

Jerric picked up his chair and carried over to Darnand’s table. He put it down and took a seat across from Darnand. “I’m running out of time,” he said.

“I need to finish this,” replied Darnand without looking over. He makes more noise than a Billy on a wooden bridge. He scraped the leaf.

“I’ll do it for you later,” said Jerric. “I need your help.”

“You will pull up too many fibers. ‘Quick and dirty’ is not an alchemist’s motto.” He wiped his spatula and placed it on its cloth.

“Darnand,” Jerric said.

A note in his voice made Darnand look at him. Jerric’s raised face wore a solemn expression. Candlelight made his eyes look like honey. No doubt he uses that technique to lure women.

“No more tricks,” said Jerric. “I’m running out of time. I really need help.”

Darnand folded the leaf skin and placed it aside. He hooked a chair leg with his foot and sat down.

“Your healing spell?” he surmised.

“I’m just not getting it. I have the magicka but I can’t get it all into the spell. I know how it’s supposed to work. I just can’t do it.”

Darnand considered. “When you healed where the boar slashed you, you sent your spell over your whole body. Did you mean to do that?”

Jerric looked blank.

Darnand tried to explain it another way. “Do you focus your spell on a specific injury, or do you just cast the spell?”

“I just cast the spell, and then I feel better.”

“You are wasting your magicka,” Darnand said. “You will never get your spell stronger until you learn to focus. You know how to heal a wound on another person, do you not?”

“Yeah, but I’m not very good at it.”

“Think about how it feels when you cast that spell. The pain you feel from the other person that tells you where to send your magicka. It is the same thing.”

Jerric looked blank again, and miserable. His fingers twisted on the edge of the table.

Darnand was surprised. His patience with Jerric was growing, not racing away as it usually did. “Do you feel the pain from the other person, or do you just cast your spell over them?” he asked.

“I feel it, but I don’t know how to use it,” said Jerric. “Please don’t give up on me. I know I can learn this.”

Darnand decided to change his plans for the evening. “I shall render my assistance. First, show me how you heal yourself.”

Jerric picked up Darnand’s knife.

“Gaaaah!” cried Darnand, throwing out his hands. He snatched his knife back, wiped it, and placed it precisely on its cloth. “Over there,” he said, pointing at Jerric’s table. “And go get a hammer so you will bleed less. You were making a mess.”
___


Darnand entered the common living quarters and halted in surprise. A man stood at the end of the room in a steel breastplate and mail with a long sword on one hip and a short blade on the other. He was lifting a steel shield out of the open cabinet. A full pack rested at his feet. Jerric.

Darnand approached. He felt oddly distressed. “What is this?”

“My uniform,” Jerric replied with a smile. “Did you think I was a professional student? I’m a caravan guard. See?” He pointed at his chest where a shape was embossed onto the metal. “Running Wolf Postal and Freight. That’s my family’s business.” Jerric pulled on his gauntlets. “My break is over. I have to get back to work.”

“An armored guard. But what kind of a...” Darnand began. He looked at Jerric, and for the first time his own expression matched the Nord’s.

“Battlemage,” they finished with a grin.







.


This post has been edited by Grits: Jul 24 2014, 07:35 PM


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Elisabeth Hollow
post Mar 11 2013, 01:05 AM
Post #861


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From: Texas



AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHHH! Aravi!!!!!

I totally thought this was the Will 'o the Wisp mission.


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King Coin
post Mar 11 2013, 02:05 AM
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Over a year Grits and I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment the whole time! biggrin.gif Thank you very much Grits!

***

For Darnand’s comfort, I hope Jerric’s limb was on Ulfe.

Darnand strode up behind Jerric looking like a hedge wizard from a picture book…
Love the description of Darnand in his robes. Seems oddly appropriate for him to possess the lich’s staff. On a lighter note, he knows who’s really in charge! (referring to his confession about Jerric’s armor)

Lildereth’s tracking skills are invaluable here. Neither the Nord nor the Breton have anything like it.

“Where’s the tent?”
“Ulfe needs it at the settlement,”

Sure she does. laugh.gif

I liked seeing Lil’s scouting technique, and of course finding my Aravi! biggrin.gif Lil took a big risk revealing herself, I know she’s more the type to just turn around and disappear. She made sure she was prepared though!

Loved your description of Aravi, I didn’t realize Lil had green eyes until I read this. happy.gif


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Grits
post Mar 11 2013, 12:09 PM
Post #863


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From: The Gold Coast



QUOTE(mALX @ Mar 10 2013, 07:42 PM) *

I was confused by this:
QUOTE

Disappointment made her peevish, but she wasn’t sure how to get over it.


?

Thank you for pointing this out! I wanted to go ahead and answer now rather than waiting for the next update.

Lildereth has been asking people if they’ve heard rumors of any strange beasts or magical creatures, and the news of villagers disappearing made her think that she might find what she’s looking for here stalking Hope Valley. That’s why she suddenly got behind Jerric’s idea that they help find the missing people, she wants to see what got them. The boot prints told her that the village was being watched by something in boots, not a monster like she was hunting. So she was very disappointed and snapped at the first person she saw, Jerric with his earlier (implied) argument about his noisy armor. She knew she was being a bitch, but wasn’t sure how to reel herself back in without making it worse. (For example saying she’s sorry and then bursting into tears, causing the guys to be mortified first thing in the morning, lol.)

Does that make some sense? We'll get some more about this in a few more updates, so I want to make sure it's not still confusing. Thanks for mentioning this, mALX!


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Acadian
post Mar 11 2013, 01:58 PM
Post #864


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What an image of Lildereth sleeping as a little elf ball pressed into the corner, with the others a mass of sprawled limbs inside the tent. tongue.gif

The elf’s woodscraft really shines as she discovers the signs of her quarry.

‘They walked along the valley as the sun climbed up behind the Jeralls. Migrating snow geese sent their ghostly calls drifting down as they flew north and east in formation. The light caught their wings, marking them as points of white against the sky. The meadows offered little cover for wildlife, but the kahve ponds teemed with water birds. As soon as one flock took off another coasted down to take its place. Their overlapping wings cast great shadows as they passed overhead. ’
Another magnificent example of how beautifully you can paint with words! Passages like this make me sigh with admiration at how you can bring us right into the magical world you create for us.

What a treat to see Aravi! It was wonderfully clever of Lildereth to coax the formidable small cat out of the dark vampire lair into the bright of day. You know. . . just to make sure.

With a map of the dungeon’s layout, Aravi’s already proving invaluable. I’m sure Lil will use it to make a plan, while Jerric could care less about a map and Darnand will likely ask to inspect it for smudges. wink.gif

So. . . it seems perhaps there’s a clan of vampires with a taste for the blood of coffeebean-fed Bretons.


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SubRosa
post Mar 11 2013, 07:42 PM
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All of them slept better when he was peaceful.
I'll bet they do! biggrin.gif

Very clever thinking on your part about not only the depression made in the grass from someone sitting in place for a long time, but also the lack of frost on said spot.

A Khajiit, she realized. The old anger welled inside her.
I am guessing Lildreth was a veteran of the border war between Valenwood and Elsewyr. Or perhaps her parents were.

Like everyone else, Yay for Aravi! And over a year wait! That reminds me of how long Acadian and I had to wait for the Torment Tournament of Archers. To finally see posting. Congrats on finally being able to see your collaboration bear fruit. And plenty more episodes of Aravi and the Terrible Trio together. Woot!


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Elisabeth Hollow
post Mar 11 2013, 08:46 PM
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QUOTE(Acadian @ Mar 11 2013, 07:58 AM) *

So. . . it seems perhaps there’s a clan of vampires with a taste for the blood of coffeebean-fed Bretons.

Gives 'em energy! XD


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ghastley
post Mar 11 2013, 08:50 PM
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QUOTE(Elisabeth Hollow @ Mar 11 2013, 03:46 PM) *

QUOTE(Acadian @ Mar 11 2013, 07:58 AM) *

So. . . it seems perhaps there’s a clan of vampires with a taste for the blood of coffeebean-fed Bretons.

Gives 'em energy! XD

Now I'm expecting commercials for "5 Hour Energy drink - Pomegranate, Orange, or new Breton-blood flavor with extra caffeine"


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mALX
post Mar 11 2013, 08:55 PM
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QUOTE(Grits @ Mar 11 2013, 07:09 AM) *

QUOTE(mALX @ Mar 10 2013, 07:42 PM) *

I was confused by this:
QUOTE

Disappointment made her peevish, but she wasn’t sure how to get over it.


?

Thank you for pointing this out! I wanted to go ahead and answer now rather than waiting for the next update.

Lildereth has been asking people if they’ve heard rumors of any strange beasts or magical creatures, and the news of villagers disappearing made her think that she might find what she’s looking for here stalking Hope Valley. That’s why she suddenly got behind Jerric’s idea that they help find the missing people, she wants to see what got them. The boot prints told her that the village was being watched by something in boots, not a monster like she was hunting. So she was very disappointed and snapped at the first person she saw, Jerric with his earlier (implied) argument about his noisy armor. She knew she was being a bitch, but wasn’t sure how to reel herself back in without making it worse. (For example saying she’s sorry and then bursting into tears, causing the guys to be mortified first thing in the morning, lol.)

Does that make some sense? We'll get some more about this in a few more updates, so I want to make sure it's not still confusing. Thanks for mentioning this, mALX!


At first I thought that was what it was, but the end of that ("she wasn’t sure how to get over it") - made me think I must be wrong - like the disappointment seemed much greater than the trigger for it - then (like an idiot connected it with what you had said in your Comment Thanks and wondered if there was a bigger underlying disappointment that was the real catalyst behind her peevishness). Sorry about that Grits, that was me reading too much into that moment. Urk. embarrased.gif


QUOTE(Elisabeth Hollow @ Mar 11 2013, 03:46 PM) *

QUOTE(Acadian @ Mar 11 2013, 07:58 AM) *

So. . . it seems perhaps there’s a clan of vampires with a taste for the blood of coffeebean-fed Bretons.

Gives 'em energy! XD


Vampire: "You seem cranky and slow this morning, have a Breton. That should perk you up some..."


*


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Elisabeth Hollow
post Mar 11 2013, 08:58 PM
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From: Texas



QUOTE(mALX @ Mar 11 2013, 02:55 PM) *

QUOTE(Elisabeth Hollow @ Mar 11 2013, 03:46 PM) *

QUOTE(Acadian @ Mar 11 2013, 07:58 AM) *

So. . . it seems perhaps there’s a clan of vampires with a taste for the blood of coffeebean-fed Bretons.

Gives 'em energy! XD


Vampire: "You seem cranky and slow this morning, have a Breton. That should perk you up some..."


*

HAAAAAA.


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Grits
post Mar 14 2013, 03:50 PM
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Previously: Jerric, Lildereth, and Darnand agreed to look for the missing villagers of Hope Valley. Lildereth tracked footprints to a ruined fort. Inside she met a barefoot Khajiit who was also stalking the ruin. Aravi!! biggrin.gif She told Lildereth that the fort was occupied by vampires. They went outside to meet the guys. Lildereth hopes that Aravi will join them in their investigation of the ruin. Aravi brought a map.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome for Aravi! Thank you KC for your teamwork and awesome screen shots! smile.gif


mALX: Yay, I knew those footwraps would give her away! happy.gif Thank you so much for your kind words about Lildereth. Her emotions often look like something they’re not to other people, so in these parts from her POV it’s a relief to be able to give the whole picture. Thank you, mALX!

Elisabeth Hollow: The Azura one? Well, this one also has vampires! biggrin.gif

King Coin: Thank you, KC! I have had the best time writing these sections with you. I’m glad you picked out Darnand’s lines. He is definitely unwilling to cross Lildereth, but he still wanted to defend Jerric! That little elf makes their heads spin, lol.

Acadian: Lildereth and Jerric are such outdoor creatures that a sunny day is always a pleasure to write with them. A trip along the Orange Road would be wasted with the Breton. “Darnand read Ayleid Inscriptions volumes one through fourteen while the others exclaimed over the scenery.” I am still chuckling over coffee-flavored Bretons. Thank you, Acadian!

SubRosa: I learned a little about frost point in that episode. Your guess is correct about the source of Lildereth’s anger. The rest of that story is coming soon. Thank you, SubRosa!

ghastley: Caffeinated Bretons, not just for breakfast! tongue.gif


Next: Lildereth, Darnand, Jerric, and Aravi make the plan. This is part two of five featuring King Coin’s Aravi. smile.gif



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Grits
post Mar 14 2013, 03:54 PM
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.

Chapter 16 Valley of Hopes, Part Three



Darnand seemed to leap forward within his own skin. “You have a map? When was it made? What is your source?”

“Easy there,” laughed Jerric. “Let her tell it.”

Aravi held the parchment in her hands. “The order I work with has contacts at the Arcane University. This ruin is a known vampire lair, but it’s been decades since the last raid. Whether someone has been holed up here for years or newly arrived is not known. Vampires can go underground for long periods, feeding on mortal cattle, animals, or even starving themselves into madness. It’s likely that the new activity at Hope Valley caught its attention, and it saw someone it wanted. When I looked in the main entrance I was able to confirm that we are dealing with a vampire here. Maybe several.” She glanced around at them. “What do you know about vampires?”

“Not much,” said Lildereth. She preferred to learn what Aravi knew first.

Darnand crossed his arms over his chest, probably to keep himself from grabbing at Aravi’s map. “My reading on the subject has been inconclusive.”

Aravi gave him a nod to go ahead.

“I understand that they are vulnerable to fire, enchanted weapons, and mundane weapons made with silver.”

“Yes,” said Aravi. “Frost attacks and poisons will do little damage. Many vampires are masters of illusion, so mind control spells often fail.”

Jerric patted his blades. “Enchanted, and I have a mace made of Nordic silver.” He gave Aravi an enquiring look.

She touched her own weapons. “This sword bears a fire enchantment, and this one is made of silvered steel.” Now it was Jerric who looked like he might pounce on her for a closer look at the blades.

Lildereth cleared her throat. “Is it true that wooden stakes will kill them?”

Aravi tipped her head back, indicating her quiver. “If they’re attached to silver arrowheads. A bow that enchants arrows is also effective.”

Lildereth hooked a thumb at her own back. “Silver tipped. I’m covered.”

Jerric shuffled his feet in the grass. It sounded like a stampede. “I’ve heard you can get infected from just the smallest cut. If their blood gets in.”

“This is true,” said Aravi. “Vampires carry Porphyric Hemophilia, and an untreated infection will lead to vampirism. Close combat is to be avoided if possible, and you must all take a curative potion once we leave this place. Just to be certain. Do not take one until it’s over, as you may be reinfected.” She paused. “And repeat infections are not so easy to cure.”

Jerric looked at Darnand. “If that happens to me, you have to kill me. Promise.”

Darnand snorted. “With my spell and your potions it would seem that your murder need not be a part of our advance plan. Besides, we would have days to cure you.”

“No, I mean the repeated thing. I don’t want to be a vampire.”

The three of them stared at Jerric.

“I’m serious, Breton. Don’t let me turn into one. Give me your word.”

Lildereth realized that he really was that worried.

Darnand sounded impatient. “I shall kill you one hundred times to death, are you satisfied? After an appropriate period of study, of course.”

Jerric still looked troubled. “You’re jesting, right?”

“You are indulging in theatrics. We shall revisit this discussion if you sprout fangs. Agreed?”

Jerric tugged on a fistful of his hair. “Agreed.”

Aravi gave Jerric another calculating look.

“He’s steady in a fight,” Lildereth offered.

Darnand spoke up. “I have read one treatise that suggests vampires may move freely in sunlight, but their skin will sparkle, betraying their condition.”

“Sparkle?” Jerric sounded as dubious as Lildereth felt.

Lildereth laughed. “Breton, what have you been reading?”

Now Darnand sounded defensive. “That is a recent theory. I cannot account for its popularity.”

“They don’t sparkle,” said Aravi, “and they can’t last long in direct sunlight. I advise that we attack in daylight. They’re less likely to attempt escape into the outdoors, and we want to kill them all.”

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “About that. We’re searching for some villagers who may have been taken. Well I guess that’s likely what happened to them. Anyway there were no bodies, so do you think they could still be alive? We need to be careful and watch out for them.”

Aravi’s soft tone made her words all the more chilling. “If they still live they will have been enthralled, made into cattle, or turned. Thralls will regain their conscious will once their master has been killed. However their purpose is to protect the master with their lives, so I doubt it will be possible to spare them. I don’t think entranced cattle can ever be awakened. Fledglings are vampires. I don’t know a cure.”

They stood in silence for a moment.

Jerric spoke. “I got you two into this. I’m going to see it through, but—”

“That’s a hell of a thing to say to us,” snapped Lildereth.

“We are with you,” said Darnand.

Aravi unrolled the map. “Let’s plan our attack.”

The ground was damp with melting frost, so they remained standing. Darnand took two corners of the map, and Lildereth held the third. Jerric turned his body to shade them from the sun’s glare.

The map depicted the fort in its current state. By the notations it seemed that it had been drawn on site rather than copied from an architectural plan.

“Here is the entrance they’ve been using,” Aravi said, pointing with a claw. “The corridor leads to a balcony around this large chamber. There are no functional stairs, and it’s a twelve foot drop. That’s where I saw the humans.”

“How many?” asked Jerric. “Were they Bretons? Thralls or were they vampires? Armed? What were they doing?”

Aravi blinked at him.

“Let her tell it,” Darnand reminded Jerric, mimicking the Nord’s earlier tone. Lildereth bit the corner of her lip. This was no time for the two of them to start bickering.

Aravi looked down at the map for a moment. “I’m not used to working with a team. Why don’t I tell you what I planned to do on my own? Then you can ask your questions. I don’t know if I’ll have the answers. I have little to go on other than my experience and what you already know.”

“Right,” said Jerric. “Uh, yeah. Sorry.”

Aravi tapped the map with her claw again. “Healthy vampires would have no problem getting in and out this way, but enthralled or imprisoned mortals would be contained. I think the vampires dwell back here.” She indicated a cluster of chambers. “This unused entrance where we met, Lildereth, is closer. An approach through the front door would alert the vampires that they were under attack. I can sneak up and shoot them one by one, but I can’t sneak past them. So I planned to use these corridors to find and fight the vampires singly without having to kill all of their thralls first. If they have any. It always comes to blades with the patriarchs, and this way I might save my strength.”

Aravi’s plan sounded like a suicide attempt to Lildereth. “What about here and here?” She pointed at the map. “You can’t be sure you cleared an area before you move to the next, and any number of foes could get behind you. What will they do when they learn they’re under attack? Use invisibility and search the corridors for you?” Lildereth broke into a sweat despite the chill. She fought the urge to shrink against Jerric. Even the sky seemed hostile.

“No, I can’t be sure,” Aravi replied. Her voice was quiet and even. “I can only do the best that I can manage.”

Lildereth composed her thoughts. They should watch the entrance for a few nights at the minimum, but she doubted anyone would agree to that.

Darnand spoke to Aravi before Lildereth could organize her questions. “May I ask if you plan to use magic?”

“I know a healing spell, and I cast a shield when I have the chance.”

Jerric cleared his throat. “I’ve been on some raids. Not many, but they were memorable. I think I have an idea.”

Lildereth kept the surprise off her face, which was more than Darnand could manage.

Aravi gave Jerric a small nod.

“This big chamber here. It would make a good kill box. Lildereth, you and Aravi go up on the balcony with your bows. Aravi can sort out the thralls from the vampires and call targets. Lildereth can use life detection magic to warn you when something is coming down either of these corridors. The vampires cast invisibility, right? So you’ll need that to see them. And Lildereth, once they know we’re here you can try your mind tricks on the thralls. Get them to run away or something if you can. Anything to keep them out of the fight until we kill their master.”

He paused, but no one else spoke.

“I’ll go in through here with Darnand and our summonings,” he continued. “We’ll all four split up and work through these areas at the same time. I don’t trust your fire wench, Breton, but that dremora you summon just wants to kill. If you send him in here and he comes out here we’ll know there’s nothing alive behind him. I’ll send Ishckrihk this way. You and I will both be casting fire, so it’s best that he stay far away from it. I don’t know if he gets nervous, and today is a bad time to find out.”

Aravi pointed at the map. “If you do not time your advance correctly, this chamber could become a trap. We don’t know how many vampires we’ll find. Your atronachs will prevent any kind of stealth, and the vampires will have time to react.”

“Yeah.” Jerric grinned at Darnand. The Breton gave him a smug twist of lip in return. “We can talk in each other’s thoughts,” Jerric told Aravi. His thick finger made a noise tapping against his temple.

The Khajiit seemed to believe him. At least she didn’t roll up her map and stalk away.

“I’ll wear my life detection ring,” Jerric continued. “Darnand, you wear the Ring of… Not Being Seen Very Easily.”

Lildereth stifled a laugh. She was glad he was prudent enough not to name the daedric artifact in their possession, but his dissembling could use a lot of work.

The tip of Aravi’s tail twitched as she thought. “Your fire may drive the more powerful vampires to us.” She touched the large chamber that Jerric had described as a kill zone.

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “I’m not so good with plans. You two can escape out the front door if that happens.”

Aravi gave him a small smile. “When that happens, we will kill them.”




.


This post has been edited by Grits: Mar 14 2013, 10:23 PM


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Elisabeth Hollow
post Mar 14 2013, 04:16 PM
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I lost it at the Twilight reference XD


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ghastley
post Mar 14 2013, 04:39 PM
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Add to the caffeinated Bretons a glass of sparkling Vampire! Not!! “That is a recent theory. I cannot account for its popularity.” I like you way you phrased that.

Jerric's reaction to the thought of becoming a vampire is interesting. Looks like a bit of background will be expanded soon.

And I love a good plan! They're so much fun when they fall apart on facing reality. Even more so, if someone can patch it back together.


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King Coin
post Mar 14 2013, 09:49 PM
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Settle down there Breton, this map isn’t as cool as yours is!

“And repeat infections are not so easy to cure.”
You included some of Aravi’s hard won wisdom.

Jerric’s panic attack along with Darnand’s reply was immensely entertaining. I don’t think Darnand’s joking though. tongue.gif Aravi’s reaction was perfect!

Sparkly vampires!

Those missing villagers sound like they have very bleak chances.

“Let her tell it,” Darnand reminded Jerric…
laugh.gif

Jerric comes through with a good plan. He’s smarter than he looks!

At least she didn’t roll up her map and stalk away.
rollinglaugh.gif

Jerric’s mention of the Ring of Khajiiti was funny, considering their company.

Aravi has no intention of running.


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Acadian
post Mar 14 2013, 11:13 PM
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What fun it is to normally hear the terrific trio do their ‘planning’ sessions. To introduce a feline fourth into the mix was a riot, even before adding atronachs of fire and ice! I’ll bet Aravi’s scratching her head and wondering what she’s gotten into. biggrin.gif

I’m sure the plan will proceed with perfect smoothness. whistling.gif


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McBadgere
post Mar 15 2013, 05:40 AM
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panic.gif ...Another update?!!?!!?!!!????!...

*Cough*getittogetherMcB....

Um...

Yes, sorry...

Loved the tracking sesh...Lildreth is really really cool...

I loved the way that Darnand said that the fort was on the map but not labled...Pretty much as the compass does... biggrin.gif ...

I laughed at Jerric's hiding of his armour in the packs... laugh.gif ...

Then Aravi!!...She's pretty epic isn't she?... biggrin.gif ...

The planning in the next bit was excellent...I could just imagine Aravi's "What the?..." at the way the three of them work...

Atronach fight!!...Oh yeah!!...Hopefully we'll finally get to see Ishcky in a fight... tongue.gif wink.gif laugh.gif ...

Will have to keep my eyes peeled much more in future... biggrin.gif ...

Not a great shocker my saying I loved both sections, eh?... biggrin.gif ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...
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SubRosa
post Mar 15 2013, 05:16 PM
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You must really be loving The Valley of Horses Hopes, from the way you are cranking out the updates!

It seems like this Aravi person knows a thing or two about vampires, and is part of an organization that hunts them. The Order of Virtuous Blood I presume.

“If they’re attached to silver arrowheads.
I loved Aravi's way of answering the age old stake question. smile.gif

Sparkly vampires! laugh.gif Is that the Twilight reference that Elisabeth mentioned? I never read the books or saw the movies. Ok, I googled it. Oi! Someone actually wrote vampires that sparkle in the sunlight? I did not think my contempt for that series could grow any more, but it has!

Fledglings are vampires
Nice use of the Skyrim term here. Likewise with the different types of mortal servants we see in Sky as well. One of the things that game did (besides making wolves silent), was put more meat on vampire's bones.

Aravi's plan shows that she definitely has the stones for this kind of work, or for the Fighters Guild for that matter...

but that dremora you summon just wants to kill. If you send him in here and he comes out here we’ll know there’s nothing alive behind him.
I am reminded of the mohawk boss from The Road Warrior: "We go in, we kill, We Kill, WE KILL!!!" biggrin.gif

“When that happens, we will kill them.”
Now that is the Aravi we know!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Mar 15 2013, 06:32 PM


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Darkness Eternal
post Mar 15 2013, 06:00 PM
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Sparkly vampires!? No!! Aravi, help Jerric out, would ya? Enjoying the crossover here.

QUOTE
Vampires can go underground for long periods, feeding on mortal cattle, animals, or even starving themselves into madness.

QTF! goodjob.gif

I loved this chapter. I see you incorportated SKyrim lore into this. Awesome! I'm a sucker for lore, and I love the fact that you stayed true to it. Makes the story trully compelling! biggrin.gif


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And yet I am, and live—like vapours tossed.
I long for scenes where man hath never trod
A place where woman never smiled or wept
There to abide with my Creator, God,
And sleep as I in childhood sweetly slept,
Untroubling and untroubled where I lie
The grass below—above the vaulted sky.”
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mALX
post Mar 19 2013, 09:27 PM
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*

Holy Cow, Aravi is talking!
QUOTE

Lildereth broke into a sweat despite the chill. She fought the urge to shrink against Jerric.

Jerric is Lildereth's rock, that is for sure. I so love hearing her point of view, because these are feelings that never show outwardly on her in Jerric's POV chapters.
QUOTE

“Darnand, you wear the Ring of… Not Being Seen Very Easily.”

ROFL! Jerric's names for enchantments is hilarious! (I take it by Lildereth's thought this was the "Ring of Khajiit" and he was either not wanting to offend a Khajiit or not wanting to admit he had dabbled with Daedric Lords to a stranger, lol.

Awesome Write, as ever!


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Grits
post Mar 19 2013, 10:39 PM
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Previously: Aravi, Lildereth, Jerric, and Darnand made the plan to enter a ruined fort looking for vampires and villagers. The group will spilt up. Jerric and Darnand along with their summonings will go into the back entrance. Aravi and Lildereth will guard the chamber inside the front door, killing anything that tries to get away.

King Coin’s character Aravi and her screenshots are brought to you with the cooperation and generosity of King Coin himself. Thank you so much, KC!!


Elisabeth Hollow: laugh.gif He was reading it for Research! tongue.gif

ghastley: Jerric’s panic over becoming a vampire wasn’t from a past trauma, it’s just the ongoing concern that his skills and natural tendencies would wreak major havoc turned in the wrong direction. Like when he was hit by the Command spell in Fort Strand and nearly killed Darnand. That incident was the worry that being a good killer makes him a threat brought to life. He imagines that his healthy appetites would make him an overachieving vampire. ohmy.gif Thanks, ghastley!

King Coin: It was fun to push Darnand’s map button. No wonder Jerric finds him irresistible to tease. tongue.gif Aravi was so composed with the surprise adventurers, even when the big one started acting a little shaky. It’s a good thing Jerric’s plan sounded good! Thank you so much, KC!

Acadian: Indeed, it’s a good thing Jerric didn’t suggest that Aravi follow two strange men into the depths of a vampire lair while their lady friend guarded the door. That might have produced a much shorter planning session! Thank you, Acadian!

McBadgere: Thank you, McB! You will see Ishcky in a real fight very soon, I promise. biggrin.gif Aravi is pretty epic! Love her.

SubRosa: I’ve really enjoyed how Skyrim provides more meat for Cyrodiil’s bones. So far with Morrowind I’ve been too preoccupied with getting the game to work and then staying alive for two minutes, but I have high hopes that the northeastern province will do the same. I’m glad you highlighted Aravi’s last line. It’s my favorite Aravi moment in the update. Thank you SubRosa!

Darkness Eternal: This is the part I was asking my vampire questions about. Thank you so much for your help! Thankfully Aravi could set them straight on the sparkly question, lol.

mALX: You’re right on both counts as to why Jerric made up an awkward name for the Ring of Khajiit. He can think on his feet, just with mixed results! Thank you for your kind words about Lildereth. Her hidden inner life is exactly why I’m showing these parts from her POV. Thank you, mALX!


Next: Let’s go inside the ruin! This is part three of five featuring King Coin’s Aravi.


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