Treydog...Seriously, words cannot express the gratitude I have towards you...*Manly hugs and pats on back*...Seriously...
Athynae...So many thanks...Yes, it's always difficult taking orders from younger peoples, but as Areldur is 600 years old, most people can be younger...

...And Tcheet is the son of the Overlord...And Nol has no choice in the matter...
Thank you so much though...Always appreciated..
mALX...Many many thanks, glad you're still reading...
Mustard...Cheers...

...Like I said to Acadian, I was giggling when I managed to Elder Scrolls that name...

...Thanks also for still being around...*Manly hugs also...*...
BTW...I'd many hug you ladies too, but...Y'know...
Grits!!!...Wow...Cheers...A whole book?...Yes, I'll see about that if I ever finish
this story...

...And the Dwemer tech in Skyrim is one of the pleasures of it, so I thought it appropriate for the naval stuff...
So
many many thanks...
Oooh!!...*Manly air hugs for the laydeez...*...

...
Reet...NEW PARTS!!!...Which don't really follow on from anything before!!!...Stop groaning...

...It's some history stuff...Please enjoy!!...
EDIT...The Empire storyline takes place in the year 3E 604...So these X-years ago are dated from then...
1.12 Empire – (pt.3, Know Thine Enemy – i)30 years ago. The city of Dusk, Summerset Isles.Commodore Siar Eremnor walked carefully along a quayside of the city on the south-eastern corner of the Summerset Isles, Dusk. Cowled and caped against both the chill of the air and watching eyes; Lightly but strongly armoured against ill-intent of any kind, the Commodore stopped several times, or walked into deep shadow in order to make sure he wasn’t being followed.
Siar looked northward, towards the main city. Dusk was his favourite city on Nirn. The place of his birth, the name of his ship, everything he held dear was here, in this city.
The only thing that could genuinely be called cosmopolitan on the somewhat staid Summerset Isles, Dusk was truly an international port. The only place goods and peoples from around the world were allowed to officially land. This had had the effect of turning the whole place into a melting pot of cultures and languages. It was an explosion of peoples, speech, music, colours, clothes, food, drink and dance. But possibly the worst crime to the city’s name, it was a place of
ideas, prevented from “Infecting” the rest of the isles by the simple matter of geography, for beyond the gentle, gradual slope of the Graylie Hills beyond the edge of the city, lay the sheer sided, snow-capped granite of the Tarsuschii Mountain range, that ran southwest to northeast across the lower corner of the main island. And the only ways past them were along the two highways around the coast, and thus through the walled towns of North and West Checkpoint. The pair straddling the highways, like bloated Giants demanding a toll.
The slim, black haired Altmer made his way carefully through the whole of Dusk’s harbour district. The shine of the Knimidium powered street-lighting sparse here, lending an air of the classic to the evening.
‘The Well-Carved Mermaid’ was the quintessential sea-dog inn, small enough to be pleasant, yet big enough to “have a decent swing at yer ship-swine of a cousin”, should a chap need one. Jaunty music was playing in the corner, quiet enough to be considered background, yet loud enough that a hundred hushed conversations could take place without fear of eavesdropping.
Eremnor let his eyes acclimatise to the dark. He turned towards the bar and went over and ordered an ale, while he surreptitiously scanned the booths around the outside. Spotting a likely one, he paid the inn-keeper and walked towards it. Seated in the booth were three men, all cowled, caped and armoured, similar to him.
Recognising the two Fleet Admirals - Nol Areldur and Jeck Harramaund, along with-
“About bloody time kid!” Growled the Oversaar of the entire Altmer navy, Miitr Farrada.
Not many people could get away with calling a four and a half century old Altmer Commodore, kid, and get away with it, but then again, Farrada wasn’t your usual Commander-In-Chief. It was also a measure of how long the men at the table had known each other.
“What? Did you stop to see my sister at the brothel?..
Again.” continued the white haired, almost portly Farrada.
“No, your mother. She sends her love.” Eremnor answered with a raised eyebrow.
The other’s steel-grey eyes stared over for a short while before Farrada grinned and said, “Well, as long as she cooks me breakfast in the morning.”
There was handshakes all around and the briefest of catching up with Harramaund before the Oversaar reached under the table and brought out some folders with official seals on them.
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“Right gentlemen,” started the Oversaar, “we have a total clusterfus of a situation, and it stinks worse than an Argonian garbage scow in the height of summer. Oostermann and his Thalmer finally got into power.”
There was a deep sighing from around the table.
“Except this time it’s Thal
mor.”
“From One-elf to One-
world?” asked Areldur.
“Didn’t he try this a hundred years ago?” Eremnor added.
“Yeah, but the Cyrodiilian supertrio of Ocato, Ormandin and McWylde – which sound like a sinister firm of solicitors – put their oars in, and he was dismissed as irrelevant.” Answered Harramaund.
“But now the damned idiot managed to get the army behind him. Something about communing with ‘the Divine Arkay’ to convince them to get behind the idea.”
The three younger High-Elves looked at Farrada with disbelief for a short while before Eremnor picked up his ale, drank a bit then asked, “Who?”
The older man smirked, raised his eyebrow and announced, “General Ofwysyn Tcheet.”
More groaning.
“Well, that makes
some sense I suppose, if not a pleasant idea. He’s been on about being blessed by Arkay himself for
years hasn’t he? This is what he says gives him and his ‘Elite troops’ their power.” Said Areldur.
The Oversaar nodded. “Anyway, it won’t be long before them and their ‘Second Aldmeri Dominion’ start digging their claws into us, so, to keep you out of harms’ way, lest you three decide to do something stupid,” Farrada raised his eyebrows meaningfully, “here’s your orders. Areldur and Eremnor, you’ll be taking the Third Fleet along with some clever mage-ish people to do shipwreck mapping and also some land and stellar cartography for Ormandin’s University. And
you, my dear Harramaund are taking the Fourth to Black Marsh. Inter-Naval, anti-piracy protection of Argonian garbage scows off Lilmoth.” He grinned at Harramaund’s falling face. “At least it’ll be quiet, nothing much ever happens off Lilmoth.
“Oh yes, long duration stays. The stores at Firsthold await both your storeships. You pick the map-makers up off Anvil, by the way. See you all in ten years. Auri-El willing.”
The men drank up. Picked up their respective orders, shook hands and left.
----------------------------------------------------------------
20 years ago. Dusk harbour district, Summerset Isles.Siar Eremnor thought much had changed in the ten years since these four men had sat together around the same table.
For one, the inn-keeper had changed the name of the inn to ‘The Sailor’s Cape’. This had seemingly had the effect of drawing more customers to the place. Thus, more conversations to hide behind.
Dusk itself was more subdued, quieter, not so festive.
Damned Thalmor. Thought Eremnor. Tcheet’s security force, the Justicars were prowling around, seemingly around every corner, making everyone nervous about doing
anything.
But maybe the worst change was to Miitr Farrada, the steel-grey eyes still had their fierce burning behind them, but he was physically
half the Altmer he’d been. The Oversaar was almost skeletal. Pale and drawn, with thinning hair, it was a wonder that Farrada had managed the trip. Eremnor had also noticed that a nagging cough had been punctuating the whole of Farrada’s conversation.
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Anyways, good to see you boys-
coughcough-aaachh!...Sadly, there’s never enough time these days.” The old man sighed, “Look, things are bad up there,” Farrada pointed over his shoulder with his thumb, towards the capitol, Alinor, “Tcheet wants to go out and conquer-
coughcough-everyone, and Oostermann keeps telling him to wait and follow Arkay’s plan, whatever
that is...But of course, Cyrodiil’s looking all weak and vulnerable with McWylde gone, so he’s like a slaughterfish to blood..
coughcough...And all the time-
coughcough-Tcheet’s trying to get control of
all the militaries,
and the Mage’s Bureau, the Libraricon, The Information-Coll-
cough-Aaargh! Damn...Collatoria. He wants
everything...Fortunately
they’re all up in Lillandril, out of the way.”
There was a pause as the old man sipped his water, “They’ve banned Talos worship, just stripped him from the temples.”
“Bet that pleased The Knights of The Nine.” Said Jeck Harramaund.
“
Coughcough...” Farrada nodded and sat there simply breathing for a while.
Eremnor looked over the table at Nol Areldur, but he was focused on the Oversaar, his sea-blue eyes filled with as much pain as Eremnor was
feeling at seeing their friend so...Diminished.
Finally, Farrada said, “They had the Knights banished from the Isles on penalty of death if they return...The Mage’s Guild has been hobbled, because of Ormandin presumably. Cyrodiil’s embassy is still open here in Dusk at least, but they’ve had to remove anything that is...Talos related.”
“So how are they getting their Knimidium?” Asked Harramaund.
“
Coughcough...Not...” The old man shook his head, “Taking the lights down and breaking them up. Mages having to go back to old ways...Not...Easy...”
Farrada reached down under the table and pulled up two files. “Nol, Siar, go map some archipelagos on the far side of the Padomaic. Jeck, pirate chasing.” The old man’s eyes misted over. “Lads, we’re in trouble...I don’t know how-
coughcough-long...” He looked them all in the eye, then shook his head, “I don’t know how long I can keep Tcheet out of the navy...If he does...” The Oversaar sighed, “If he
does, be good Altmer boys and
wait. We’re High-Elves, we play the long game
very well...
Coughcough...Oostermann and Tcheet will be at each other’s throats soon enough. Find the people you can trust. Make some standing orders to
take it all back again.” He smiled, “for me.”
“Ach, you’ll be at the front, leading.” Said Nol.
“HAH!-
coughcoughcough.” Miitr Farrada smiled, patted the side of Areldur’s face with affection and shook his head.
“Go!!...I don’t want to spend any more time with you maudlin women...Go on, stop darkening my days-
coughcough-Aach!!...”
“Ten years?” asked Harramaund.
Miitr Farrada smiled, raised his eyebrows and nodded.
Areldur did the un-Altmerish thing of hugging the old man, then he stood up, kept his head down and walked straight out of the inn.
Farrada watched him leave, “Look after him, boys. This will be hard on Nol.”
Siar’s eyes misted as he shook the Oversaar’s hand and covered them with his left hand. Farrada nodded.
Harramaund did the same.
The two old friends stood up, picked up their orders, saluted Farrada and left.
Miitr Farrada watched them leave then said quietly, “Love you too boys.”
He drank his water, then stood up and left.
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15 years ago. Padomaic Ocean.What the maps declared as Batracci Island was obviously once an Imperial outpost. There was a man-made deep harbour, deep enough for the
Pride of Alinor and
The Sword of Dusk, and many of the other larger vessels. There was small village built around it, a testament to the Imperialist “We can own anywhere” attitude. A fort had been built into the accessible parts of an ancient Dwemer city. Throughout the settlement, there were books, furnishings and assorted trinkets aplenty. There were also, against all odds, wells in both the village and the fort, and a free-running stream of clean, fresh water just a ways out into the grove out into the islands interior.
The Triinachii Archipelago was a chain of small islands, the largest of which was Batracci. From the highest point on the island (Nol had taken to calling it Mount Farrada, a joke the old man would have appreciated.) it was possible to see from horizon to horizon over the top of the other small islands. At the opposite end of the Archipelago was a small colony of Redguards from Yokuda. Why they’d never found the fort and its shelter was beyond Nol.
Batracci made both a good staging point for the Fleet, and a chance for all the sailors to stretch their legs at some point. Areldur gave thanks to whichever expansionist Emperor created this oasis in the deep sea.
Nol breathed deeply of the sea air and looked up to the sky. The high cloud suggested that there may be a chance of storms coming soon. The Altmer sighed, turned and was about to descend from the fort tower he was currently on when he glanced up at Mount Farrada. He could see signalling from the top,
Ships Incoming, repeated over and over. Nol put his hand up and signalled the acknowledgement, then started barking orders for crews to make ready.
------------------------------------------
Some time later, Nol Areldur, Siar Eremnor and Head of Fleet Security, Colonel Rae Treort, stood on the harbour watching a sleek, black ship enter the harbour and pull to a stop next to a set of stairs. The flag that it bore on its single mast, the only reason it hadn’t been blown out of the water by the watch-ships.
The Thalmor.
Areldur watched as a group emerged from the cabin at the back of the main deck. A man garbed in the dark trouser and shirt outfit, covered by the long black, hooded overcoat of one of Tcheet’s Justicars walked to the edge of the ship and stepped confidently onto the stone stairs, followed by two security soldiers, in full elvish armour no less.
Areldur found himself smirking.
Bet that’s
hot. He thought to himself.
Several other fully armoured Thalmor stood at points along the deck, watching the harbour.
“Something amuses you Fleet Admiral?” asked the Justicar as he approached the trio.
“Just pleased to see a...
Friendly face, Justicar?”
“Ecclensivar.”
Areldur inclined his head to the Thalmor. “To what do I owe this...Pleasure, Justicar?”
“Six months ago, Oversaar Farrada died.” Began the Thalmor.
Areldur raised his eyebrow,
Stubborn old man wouldn’t give up...Four years though? Ecclensivar was still talking, “And so Overlord Tcheet now commands the Navy personally. It has taken to some time to find the orders concerning
your fleet, Admiral. They were seemingly deliberately vague as to location. Similar to that of the
Fourth Fleet.”
“Mapping archipelagos, what can I say? Sail up and down the ocean until you find one, stop, map it and move on. Can’t write home you know?..How did you know to look here by the way?”
The Justicar wrinkled his nose, and his face betrayed his rising anger. “Fleet Admiral Areldur, we are aware of the connections between yourself, Fleet Admiral Harramaund and the Oversaar. The Overlord is willing to put your...Absence, down to Farrada’s-”
“
Oversaar Farrada.” Areldur narrowed his eyes.
The Thalmor nodded slowly, “
Oversaar Farrada’s overzealous and completely unjustified protection of his navy. You are hearby ordered to end your...Mapping, and make at top speed for The Isles, where you will be given new assignment. Possibly.”
It was Areldur’s turn to get angry. “Is that a threat?”
“Nonesense, Fleet Admiral. I have no need for threats. The Overlord’s orders are clear. Follow them. Now.” The Justicar turned to leave.
“How exactly did Farrada die? Was it his illness?” asked Eremnor.
“Oh no! He drowned himself in the ornamental pond outside the Crystal Tower.” Ecclensivar answered casually, over his shoulder.
Areldur looked round at Eremnor, “The Oversaar of the Navy,
drowned?”
The Justicar wheeled around, greatcoat billowing, and walked swiftly towards the Fleet Admiral.
Areldur noted Colonel Treort taking a step into the front and blocked the Justicar’s progress. The Thalmor bodyguards drew their swords.
The shorter Colonel looked up at the Justicar and growled. “The Fleet Admiral has asked two questions. I suggest you answer them both.”
“Is
that a threat Colonel?” The shocked Justicar asked.
“Yes, it damned well is boy. You’re a hell of a long way from home to be trying to throw your weight around. Answer the questions.”
The Justicar sighed, dismissed his security, who took several steps back, beyond hearing range. Ecclensivar looked to one side, out to sea and then began, “I know nothing beyond what I’ve been told of The Oversaar’s death. I am
genuinely sorry, I had admired him for many years, though I would not dare say to my superiors. As for how we found you. This is where I was told we would find you. In my briefing the Overlord himself said he had had Divine guidance on the matter. Again, that’s all I know.”
“Not big on asking questions are you boy?” asked the Colonel.
“I find it’s kept me alive so far.”
Areldur winced.
“I will make ready the Fleet. Please excuse me while I gather my men.” Said the Fleet Admiral, nodding a salute to the Thalmor Justicar.
“Very well, I shall be accompanying
your ship on the voyage. I shall take my leave to make preparations.” With that, Ecclensivar left.
Areldur sighed, bowed his head, then looked up and out to sea. Nol turned and looked at Eremnor, who was looking straight back at him. The Commodore nodded his head, obviously thinking the same thing.
“Colonel,” Areldur said quietly, “I need you to gather your men, board that ship and kill them all. Can and
will you do that?”
There was a pause. The Colonel sighed and nodded. “If we go back now, we’ll all be up Tcheet creek without a paddle?”
“Indeed.”
The Colonel saluted, turned precisely and walked quickly towards the fort.
Areldur watched him go and then turned to Eremnor. “Which do
you think is the fastest ship?”
“
The Maxarishii Hunt.” The newest armoured-courier class vessel.
Areldur nodded, “That’s what I thought. Take it and the
Dusk, follow the channels between the islands, get behind that other Thalmor and sink it. Well tow
this one out to deep water and do the same.”
“We’re going to need to trust an awful lot of people after this Nol. I hope this is right.”
“Me too. Go.”
Eremnor nodded and left.
Nol Areldur looked back to Mount Farrada, then he turned and looked along the white sands of the beach out to the most beautiful blue coloured sea, and saw, in the distance, the gathering storm clouds, “Oh, irony.” He said quietly.
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This post has been edited by McBadgere: Apr 3 2012, 01:03 PM