Aravi in Skyrim, her video story Options

[King Coin]

@mALX: I love the way werewolves run too! They are faster than a horse as well like that. That kill move is absolutely brutal and she was doing a lot of them like that. I don’t remember if she had to pass the wolf again or not. I think she came back a different way, but I can’t really remember, this video was made quite a while ago. I thought for sure you would have liked ‘Look up’ the best just because it’s a close shot. Thanks mALX!

@SubRosa: Even if she could kill Delphine, she wouldn’t have. She’s definitely not having anything to do with the Blades again however.

Wolves won’t attack a werewolf. Aravi didn’t attack that one either. The long run didn’t cool her down unfortunately for that lookout, or anyone else inside that cave. That rat sure was ballsy attacking a werewolf like that!

Glad you liked the moon shots.

‘Look up’ is my favorite too. I like the golden version too, so I’ve just removed all the retextures. The black one did go well with Kharjo’s DG armor. Thanks SubRosa!

@DE: Woohoo! You’re back!

Aravi did start in Cyrodiil as a vampire hunter, so it was natural for her to choose the Dawnguard. Plus her personality wouldn’t make for a good vampire. Lol, Kharjo hasn’t been friend zoned; Aravi just has her own pace and cannot be pushed.

Glad you liked the werewolf rampage! Finally the picture you found early is up! Thanks DE!

###################################

Aravi was fuming still. She and Kharjo had made the journey from Skyhaven Temple to the edge of Rorikstead largely in silence. Night had fallen nearly an hour ago and the air chilled quickly as a cold breeze built from the north, blowing over the treeless plane. Hunger stabbed at her belly painfully and she knew Kharjo must be hungry as well. Unfortunately, getting something to eat now would be a waste, at least for her. Before entering the village, Aravi stopped. She handed Kharjo their money and said, “Here, get us a room at the inn. I need to hunt. Alone. I’ve gone far too long, I almost lost it when that…” Aravi bared her teeth, “… BlTCH told us to get out.”

Kharjo nodded and accepted the gold. “One room?”

“Yes. I’ll be out all night.” With that, she spun on her heel and sprinted the way they had come.

~~~~

Kharjo knew what she meant to do this night. She was going to let her monster out. He grimaced at the thought. He’d seen firsthand what an angry werewolf was capable of once, it had made him sick. And Aravi is beyond angry. She insisted she go alone for her transformations. Kharjo knew he would not be safe anywhere near her and part of him never again wanted to see the carnage wrought by the monster. However, another part of him wanted to be there with her despite that. He remembered how sick she was after changing back. What must it be like to come back and see what you have done?

He pulled his cloak tighter as a gust of wind hit him, and increased his pace. He was eager to get out of the cold and into the warm inn. As he was reaching the door, the wind subsided briefly. He heard a howl in the distance, and a chill ran down his spine to the tip of his tail. It had nothing to do with the wind.

Kharjo bought a room and sat by the fire with a warm bowl of stew and a tankard of mead. His mind went over the events of the past couple of days as he ate. He was impressed that Aravi had gone as long as she did without letting her beast out. He had encouraged her to go as long as she can without letting it out, but now he was thinking that wasn’t such a good idea.

After leaving the Greybeards at High Hrothgar, they traveled most of the day, going double pace so they could reach the Blades quickly. Aravi was counting on their help in confronting Alduin again. Instead, the Blades demanded she kill Paarthanax. Kharjo snorted. They should be worried about the World Eater, not the one that sits on a mountain and bothers no one. When Aravi refused, they told her to get out. This one was angry yes, but Aravi was another matter. Saying she was angry is like saying Winterhold is chilly. Kharjo was actually worried that she was going to transform then and there. She almost did lose it. Perhaps he shouldn’t encourage her to go so long without changing.

Sighing, he drained his mug, and brought his dishes to the innkeeper. He went to his room and closed the door. Stripping off his clothes, save his loincloth, he got into bed and pulled the rough blankets and furs over himself. A stretch brought a groan of pleasure before his consciousness faded away to sleep.

Kharjo roused in the dark when something moved his blankets and lay against him. He realized Aravi had crawled into bed with him. What is she doing…? Her fur was cold and damp, and her back pressed against his side on the narrow bed. He started to drift back to sleep, too tired to question her. His final thought before sleep took him again was that she smelled of fresh water, crisp air, and faintly of blood.

~~~~

Kharjo woke a few hours later. The first thing he noticed was that Aravi had an arm draped over his chest. The second thing he noticed was that he had an arm wrapped around her, holding her close. Third, he noticed that they were both in their underwear. Surprised and more than a little hopeful, he searched his memories of last night. No, we didn’t, he thought with a little regret.

Aravi was still sound asleep, her forehead resting against his shoulder. Kharjo laid there for some time and just enjoyed the touch of her against him. He felt her chest rise and fall against his side, and the air blow lightly over his fur with each with each breath she took. It felt so right having her with him like this.

When they at first met, he was attracted to her, but she didn’t show interest in him. As they traveled together, their relationship strengthened and they became very close friends, but she still didn’t show interest in him. He began to wonder if she was perhaps attracted to other women, but she didn’t cultivate any relationships with them either. It wasn’t until they had talked in Winterhold that he understood why she was the way she was. He still hoped that her experience as a slave in Morrowind didn’t completely extinguish any desire for a physical relationship.

He sighed and lay for a few minutes more with her, wishing the moments could last for hours. Then he began the awkward task of climbing out of bed without waking her. He looked at her as he dressed, confirming that she was still asleep. Then, he slipped out of the room and quietly closed the door behind him.

~~~~

Aravi woke up slowly. Hunger gnawed at her belly and her limbs felt weak from the work they had done without the nourishment they needed. Still, she did not rise for some time. The beast had feasted the night before, but she rejected its meal as she always did. She remembered the smell and taste of the blood of her victims, and she remembered enjoying it. Some of them were not even dead before she tore into their flesh. She started to feel sick again, and a wave of self-loathing washed over her. Is this better than being a vampire? she asked herself, not for the first time. I think I’ve made a mistake. I can’t win this fight, she thought bleakly. (That's a picture, click it!)

She lay there for a while and forced her thoughts away from the werewolf. There was early morning when she got back. She had returned sooner than she expected, utterly exhausted, and crawled into bed with Kharjo. She felt embarrassed that she had done such a thing. She peeked under the covers and felt a small measure of relief. At least I’m not naked. But what was I thinking? she asked herself, even though she knew the answer.

When she returned, she guessed it to be around three or four in the morning. Nobody was awake. Drained, hungry, cold, and still damp, she found the room he rented easily enough. She would be lying if she claimed she didn’t find him attractive. After settling in next to him, she’d fallen asleep almost instantly, his warm body taking away the chill of the night and making her feel at ease and safe.

I… don’t know what to do. I’ve never felt like this before. She was sure that he cared about her, and she cared about him as well. What do I say? What does he think of me? What is he going to expect of me? She couldn’t answer any of those questions.What do I want?

##################################

Art by Julienya

This post has been edited by King Coin: Oct 20 2012, 09:40 PM

[mALX]

That artwork is amazing, the struggle Aravi is having with the beast devouring her as much as her victims - hugely wonderful art by Julienya! Awesome imagery!

This writing was huge, and I loved the way you took us from Kharjo's thoughts to Aravi's! Kharjo's clearly spelled out he is struggling just as Aravi is with that beast within her. He hates the beast, it sickens him - but loves Aravi and is having trouble correlating in his mind how to handle those two polar opposites. Maybe that's helping him wait it out till Aravi makes the first moves.

I got a huge kick out of him waking up and wondering if they had - then Aravi doing the same later, ROFL !!!

Awesome write!

[SubRosa]

Aravi is hungry, after eating all those bandits?

Oh, I see. Her bandit-eating expedition happened after that little exchange with Kharjo outside of Rorikstead. That makes sense.

Kharjo's musings in Rorikstead were wonderful. Especially when he wondered what it must be like to return to human cat form after the werewolf rampage was over.

They should be worried about the World Eater, not the one that sits on a mountain and bothers no one.
This sums up the choice between the Blades and Parth quite succinctly.

The awkward morning after was nicely done. Even though there was no sex of course, Kharjo's realization of the unconscious strengthening of their relationship was still excellent. In spite of everything else, the two of them have done nothing but grow closer.

And finally Aravi herself returns. It is good that her conscience is wrestling with the werewolf inside her, rather than embracing it. I get the feeling that she might decide to get the cure soon. Perhaps after the business with Alduin is over. The pic of her warring natures was wonderful, right down to the wraps on Aravi's feet!

Finally, her doubts about her relationship with Kharjo were priceless as well. The eternal question of "what do they really think and feel about me?" combined with "what do I do?" That makes Aravi such an easy character to identify with, as everyone has to deal with these questions.


nits:
As he was reaching the door, the wind subsided briefly and he heard a howl in the distance and a chill ran down his spine and into his tail.
This is a really long sentence. You might consider breaking it up into several, smaller sentences. Perhaps like so:
Kharjo reached the door, and the wind subsided briefly. He heard a howl in the distance, and a chill ran down through his spine all of the way to the tip of his tail.

[Acadian]

Taking the wolf out for a bloody spin!

Lovely screens with the beautiful night sky lights.

Your fiction skill is still top notch and I really enjoyed your written piece.

‘It felt so right having her with him like this.’
Awww.

SubRosa nailed how nicely you displayed Aravi’s confused and self-doubting feelings regarding Kharjo. She’s very new to this love stuff. And I see she’s also having serious second thoughts about the werewolf.

[Grits]

Look Up is definitely my favorite, what a sweet expression. After seeing all of the retextures, I think I do like the vanilla best on Aravi. That golden light really suits her, and it’s a beautiful contrast to her furry brutality in beast form.

That was a great wolf run out on the tundra, and then the bloody rampage was tremendous fun to watch! Kill cams galore! Can Aravi remember how people beg for their lives? I hope not. It’s a heck of a thing to transform back with a skeever gnawing on your leg. That thing was no match for Aravi claws, either. Silly skeever. I like the way you showed time passing with the moons crossing the sky.

After reading your wonderful story piece, I understood why Aravi sprinted back to Rorikstead in the video as well as sprinting away in the beginning of the writing. Kharjo’s thoughts about wanting to be there for Aravi followed by the wolf howl as he reached the door was one of those crystal- clear character moments. Beautifully done!

Love the artwork. What a great representation of Aravi’s struggle. I got way behind here for a while, and catching up has been a feast!

[King Coin]

@mALX: Glad you like the artwork, and I love how you phrased that. The beast devouring her as much as her victims. You are absolutely right about Kharjo’s feelings, I’m glad I got that through. Thanks mALX!

@SubRosa: Yep, I did a little time hopping. I thought that it made most sense in this order as opposed to posting the chapter, and then the video.

The morning after was something I wanted to show, and I’m glad you liked it. I rewrote that part several times to show how close they had grown, and to show a definite boundary that Aravi was still not ready to cross yet. Aravi’s doubts at the end were to illustrate those boundaries and to show that she’s looking at them.

I love how that picture turned out, it’s exactly what I wanted to show the turmoil within her.

I’ve changed that sentence you pointed out. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: What a bloody spin it was. I am very pleased you enjoyed the written part. Aravi has a lot of conflict within her. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: That is an interesting point you bring up with the contrast of her armor and her wolf. I hadn’t actually thought of that.

Ugh, I hope she doesn’t remember the begging. She’s tortured enough.

So glad you enjoyed my written part. Kharjo wants to be there for Aravi, but there’s no way he can with the wolf. It will kill him.

Glad you like Aravi’s picture! Thanks Grits!

######################################

Instead of traveling back to Whiterun, Aravi and Kharjo decide to turn west and travel to a city Aravi has not yet seen.

9:33

[SubRosa]

Oh, its that spot on the road west of Rorikstead. That place is always good for 4-5 bandits. The last archery kill cam of Aravi's was excellent!

Aravi is wearing her golden elven armor I see. She and Kharjo make quite a pair in their golden and ebony attire.

I see that one Stormcloak chick is still harassing Aravi. Who put that bug up her butt? Whoa, who is that they are slugging it out with up the road? Is that Imperials? I think Aravi did the best thing by just leaving. The way those cloaks are acting, they don't deserve her help.

Liars Retreat. That one does not sound familiar. I never got around too much in the Reach. I never liked it much over there. Uh oh, Falmer. Wow, all of those arrow shots, and Aravi stayed hidden. Of course by the time they did get up to her, Kharjo was ready with his wolf! Now that was timing. Of course once Aravi's twin swords come out, no fight last for much longer!

Kharjo down to one knee? Uh oh... But Aravi saves the say with a kill cam! W00T!

Aravi tried slugging it out with that one Falmer? Oh noes! Get those swords out!

I just love how those bandits taunt you right before they die.

[Darkness Eternal]

I love the issues Aravi had with her Beast. And Kharjo's pespective on her monstrous side was well written, and understandable from a non-Lycanthrope's perspective. It all comes down to points of view, however. Ah, that's the picture I found back in September, isn't it? Hehee.

Oh and Aravi wondering what Kharjo must think of her condition? I love the internal questionnaire she had at the end. I wonder if she will end up curing herself and forsake the Hircine-given gift that was bestowed upon her. The more she let's it out, the easier it will become for her. The more she holds it in, however, the more her urges for bloodshed will come out and thus, she might risk losing her mind. Toughie. Either embrace the natural ways of the wolf and eat to survive, or try to find a cure and thus lose the power(and potentially contract vampirism! We all know she doesn't want that).

Lore-nits: In ES, we can weave our own lore into the tales, so don't even think much of this tiny thing. I guess when it comes to Lycanthropes, Companion strain or not, werewolves don't feel drained upon reverting to regular form IF they kill someone. But hey, I guess she must have felt that way after rampaging through the night, and only felt the effects of being confined in a regular form.

All in all, I love Aravi and the fact that you don't shy away from the condition she has to put up with.

[Grits]

I just love that area. All kinds of craziness can happen, and there’s always a bunch of bandits to fight. Aravi had the right idea, let those soldiers fight their own skirmish. Like they said, it doesn’t concern her!

Liar’s Retreat is a new one for me. Whoa, Falmer? I was not expecting them so close to the surface! That was an awesome display of bow and blade by Aravi. Kharjo took a knee?! Yikes, those Falmer are tough!

Oh, now the story unfolds. Those bandits were idiots! Khajiit look nothing like Falmer! How funny, they piled up the baskets to barricade the door. What a great view of Aravi taking in the view at the end.

This was a fun trip through an interesting spot. I know one Nord chick who would have stripped that slutty dress right off the dead body, given it a quick swish in the river, and called it clean enough. Aravi has far too much class to do such a thing!

[Acadian]

You can tell Aravi wants to sort of light into those Stormcloaks, but prudently moves on. . . .

Kharjo says, “We have found a cave. I don’t think there are warm fires and friendly faces inside.”

So how does Aravi respond to his wise counsel? She puts on her little blue feeties of quiet and says, “C’mon.” Then they find. . .

Eeep! Falmer. Nice to see Kharj using his spirit wolf. Why did Aravi use her fists on that one Falmer?

And a nice pensive view out over Skyrim at the end. Very nice!

[mALX]

That nasty Stormcloak woman always makes me want to draw swords, but like Aravi did - gotta back off or you might get on the wrong side of some faction, lol.

That section of road there gave me a distinct impression of a very similar spot in Fallout 3 just south of the caged Behemoth in that railyard/Raider camp. The lay of the land/road in that spot was almost exactly the same as this section - just gray instead of the brown FO3 had there. In FO3 that section was like a crossroads for random encounters just like this was (with the same number of enemies, just different names for them).

While I watched that beginning I wondered if some of the landlay had been reused and just plunked differently named enemies into the spawn points in the same numbers. (Raiders = Bandits / Slavers = Stormcloaks / Regulaters or Talon Company = Imperial Army)

I loved seeing Aravi turn around and watch them getting attacked right afterward - and I heard the dying scream of that hateful woman, too. Ah, justice!

Kharjo tried to warn Aravi before entering the cave, lol. That was really cool, and I wondered if they didn't pick that scripting up from Vilja's mod! She is the only follower I ever saw do that, so pulled her script to see how CDCooley/Emma did it. CDCooley is pure genius!

I was really surprised to see Aravi try fists against Falmer - they are tough! Was that ring she was wearing the Pugilist?

And Kharjo's wolf howling after a kill - Love that !!!

Really Awesome vid, and great update !!!

[King Coin]

@SubRosa: That’s always a fun spot to pass. It would be nice if the ambush was a little less predictable after you pass it once, but you know you’ll get a fight going there.

The Stormcloaks were fighting some Thalmor. Aravi doesn’t like either party, but at least when she passes a Thalmor patrol on the road, they don’t threaten her.

Aravi did me proud with those arrows! I recall that cave being a nightmare though. The Falmer were very tough in that first room grouped up like that. Many reloads.

Lol, had to see how effective those claws were, or in this case ineffective. Thanks SubRosa!

@DE: It all comes down to the point of view. Exactly! Aravi is not ‘growing’ into her curse. I’m calling it a curse because that is what it is to Aravi. Someone else would certainly see it as a blessing. Aravi accepted it without really understanding it. Kharjo’s first experience with her monster was not pretty and that colored his opinion permanently.

About the lore nit: I’m not following established lore, I haven’t even looked at it. This is how Aravi experiences it: She can change at will with one caveat. The longer she holds it in, the more she needs to let it out. She becomes restless and quick to anger holding it in. While she is changed, it is almost like another mind is controlling her and she has tons of reckless energy. When she turns back, she feels all that fatigue at once. The kills that she eats while in wolf form make her sick and she vomits until all the meat and blood is out of her. That takes a lot out of her.

Thanks DE!

@Grits: Craziness is right! I have another a little later that shows some more. That cave was very dicey, lots of reloading.

Yeah… Aravi isn’t going to do that. She wouldn’t even think of it. No rat meals, no bloody dresses. Thanks Grits!

@Acadian: One of these days, if she is in a bad enough mood, she is going to kill some Cloaks. I love your portrayal of Aravi responding to Kharjo!

She used her claws because, well it was the last one and Kharjo was there with his axe. She wanted to see what she could do and it turned out to be not much. Thanks Acadian!

@mALX: Aravi doesn’t want the problems that making herself an enemy of the Stormcloaks would bring, like difficulty traveling through some holds. It sure is difficult to not fight at times…

I’m sure the encounters in both games were programmed by the some person/team.

Lol. After they threatened her, she isn’t going to lift a finger for them. She was wearing a ring that either increased her swords damage, her light armor skill, or one that increased her health regeneration rate. I don’t remember which one she was using at the time. Thanks mALX!

##########################

Welcome to Markarth. This can’t get much worse can it?

5:07

[SubRosa]

Aravi looked so tiny on that bridge. It's a looong way down!

Oh look, a dragon above the waterfall. And there he is again. Looks like the welcoming committee is out for Aravi. Looks like she made it to Markarth ok though. I wonder, is this her first time inside the city?

I guess it is her first time. So there are no Forsworn in the city? That is a relief to hear. I guess Aravi and Kharjo were just imagining that assassin that they double-teamed. Thank goodness that the city guard has it all under control!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Oct 26 2012, 06:27 PM

[Acadian]

I love it when Aravi takes me on a ‘walkabout’, and the start of this vid was a beaut! That was a gorgeous big waterfall, well, ‘cept for the dragon.

Just when I thought the lighting when they arrived was overexposed, sure enough Aravi dispelled(?) her night eye(?) to get a better look at the entrance to that city. It was a confusing friend or foe situation when they first entered the city. Thankfully, Kharjo’s cat instincts drew him right away to the bad guy and Aravi slipped in for the kill cam. Neat! I love how companions and summons are never confused about who is friend or foe. Lol.

Okay, I looked up the Forsworn on UESPwiki.

Silver Blood Inn – neat name!

[Grits]

What a neat view to open with! There’s no doubt where they are. Mountains and mist, rivers and waterfalls. And Forsworn. Oh, and dragons.

The dragons can really surprise you in the Reach, popping up over the mountains like that. The cliff side and the river would have made a neat little trap to catch some Khajiit in, if that one had been paying attention. No wonder Aravi was nervous.

When Aravi and Kharjo arrived in the dark, I thought how relieved they must have been to finally get there safely after that rainy trip. Then of course far from a warm welcome.

Ah, the Silver Blood Inn, home of one of my favorite NPCs. Hopefully Vorstag will not give Aravi the creepy glare the way Stenvar did!

That kill cam worked perfectly with Aravi springing into action, and the aftermath came across so well. I hope in the morning they get some sunshine!

[mALX]

I was getting height sick when Aravi was crossing that bridge by zig-zagging toward the edge! Maxical would def have fallen over the edge accidentally. Nice waterfall! Urk, dragon.

Markarth. Love my house there, hate the city. Some of the people are nice though, one died and left me their inheritance, lol. That poor woman died in my game, didn't know what was going on, no good in melee, lol.

My favorite part of this vid was Aravi scooting along trying not to be seen by the dragon - LOVED that !!! Great update!

[Darkness Eternal]

Ah, Markarth! The High Rock styled land! For a second there I thought she was getting into a fight with the dragon!

But backstabbing would-be assassins work too! I foresee a Forsworn Fiasco! Hehe! Yes, Aravi is going to deal with some of the dangerous men and women of the Reach, eh?

I have to confess, I LOVE their armor in the game. Savage, barbaric esque! Good update, too!

[King Coin]

@SubRosa: I had to show that bridge. Better to sneak by the dragon if she can. It’s not always possible though.

No Forsworn? Huh, I could have sworn that guy murdering people and bellowing had something to do with them. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: Sorry I didn’t tell you about the Forsworn.

I don’t know, if the dragon wasn’t intent on eating Khajiit, I think it would be gorgeous too. Yep, it was night when Aravi arrived at the city and she had to let her eyes adjust ( ) to the bright light near the gates. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: The Reach is very easy to recognize, isn’t it? I’d like the area better if it wasn’t so difficult to get around in. A horse is almost required.

Yeah, Aravi’s had a few surprises with dragons in that area. Lucky that one was happy to just fly around.

You remember Stenvar! I don’t think Aravi’s ever going to talk to him. I can’t remember if Aravi talks to Vorstag or not. You will have to see. Thanks Grits!

mALX: Aravi had no idea what was going on, so that woman died. Sorry you weren’t feeling good.

I wish Markarth was a bit more pleasant, the architecture of the city is stunning! I don’t think Aravi will ever spend long there however.

Aravi doesn’t want to fight every dragon. Glad you enjoyed that! Thanks mALX!

@DE: Best to avoid the dragons in this land. You’ve got it; Aravi’s going to get into a huge mess here soon. I like the Forsworn armor too. Aravi wrinkles her nose at it though. Maybe we’ll get her into it sometime yet. Thanks DE!

################################
Aravi read the note she was given in the marketplace after she killed the murderer.
This is what is said:

Meet me at the Shrine of Talos.

Aravi looks around the city, and then meets the man from the market.

7:54

################################
Screens!

Home

Sunrise

Death

Healing

Kharjo’s helmet

[mALX]

I'm glad to learn there is a way to turn off that man outside the abandoned house - I took to avoiding passing him because he kept hooking me in and I'd have to reload, lol.

Markarth doesn't feel like a safe place, so many weird people till you talk to the merchants, lol. The house is the prettiest, but ... urk! I ended moving to Solitude finally, lol.

"Look at the colors?" Sounds like the Silver Blood Inn is serving more than ale! "I'll take a blotter and a mead please..."

On the screens - I thought "Sunrise" was going to be my favorite till I saw "Death" - have to go with it because of that arrow whizzing by Aravi and the Foresworn hiding below - Awesome shot! All are great, but you nailed so much in that one! Great Update!

[SubRosa]

Its that vigilant of stendarr. That guy is so annoying. He stops you ever time you try to walk past. It has gotten so bad that all of my characters find ways to walk around that street, rather than through it.

Markarth certainly has one of the most interesting layouts, and the most maze-like, of all the Skyrim cities. There are all those stairways and bridges way up high, and no handrails. I wonder how many people fall to their deaths every year?

I just did this quest the other day with Neith. Well, most of it at least. She never finished it all. Markarth was my least favorite city in Skyrim before doing it. Now I like it even less. You will see why.

Aravi has a wolfish grin!

I agree with mALX. Someone has been eating the funny mushrooms!

The sun glowing from behind the mountain was excellent. My favorite pic was Healing though. The lighting was just perfect, and I love Aravi's outstretched hand. Kharjo's helmet is kind of yucky looking. The regular ebony was much nicer.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Oct 29 2012, 08:17 PM