Seven, An Aela & Ungarion Prequel Options

[ghastley]

Well, I'm not expecting Talun-Lei to be seven - although seven and a half might not be unthinkable. I'm expecting a more familiar character, based on the references in the TF.

I haven't seen either of the films for a loooooooong time, so I don't remember the Chico character that McB does, but I also don't expect you to be constrained by precedent in what happens to Talun-Lei.

Still looking forward to number seven.

[King Coin]

Strange encounter with the young Argonian. Are we going to see him again? Considering you put in a picture, I’m thinking yes! And he’ll make seven!

I liked the description of Azura’s Star blinding her ability to read the enchantments. That would be a useful thing even if just for the ability to hide what he has from anyone that can read the magic.

They are finally off to the Argonians’ land.

[ThatSkyrimGuy]

So we meet a new character, Talun-Lei, who was unable to impress The Fab Five enough to turn them into The Superior Six on their way to becoming The Magnificent Seven. Instead he must nurse his wounded head and pride.

Then the group becomes six when Nashira changes her mind to avoid confronting irate relatives. As others have said, I doubt we have seen the last of Talun-Lei.

Nit: I do have one that is more personal taste rather than technical. This pair of sentences –

Aela only knew a little of sword-fighting, and far less of spear-fighting. So she could not tell what the name of the move was the Nibenean used to disarm the youth.

Starting the second sentence with the word “So” is rubbing me wrong and “…what the name of the move was the Nibenean used to disarm…” feels clunky. I probably would have made it all one sentence by using a comma instead of the period, and changed the wording a bit, as follows –

Aela only knew a little of sword-fighting, and far less of spear-fighting, so she was unable to name the move that the Nibenean had used to disarm the youth.

Again, it’s just personal preference. For all I know, my version is technically incorrect.

Great write and looking forward to the next installment!

[haute ecole rider]

Ah ha, I recognized the Chico character too! Loved that he is a young Argonian with something to prove. Will he find love in the Black Marsh? Or just a reason to stay there?

[Kazaera]

Like others, I expected Talun-Lei to be #7 due to the picture and time devoted to him (and am still kind of holding out for him...). In fact, I expected him to pull something surprising when Valens challenged him, but it seems as though he's as green as he looks... literally! I do feel kind of sorry for him, but I understand why the Fab Five did it.

But most of all his eyes lacked that flinty edge that one got after having killed other sentients. Not from the first time, but the time after that, when you did it again even though you knew what it meant, and part of your heart went cold.

I really loved this bit.

Also definitely loved Nashira - I was wondering how/whether she'd join, after having turned them down before. And what a way! This bit really cracked me up:

"I thought you were not coming?" Ungarion said what Aela imagined everyone else was thinking.

"The man I killed yesterday has three brothers," Nashira said matter-of-factly. "If I remain, they will come for me. Then I will have to kill them as well. So I will go with you instead."

[SubRosa]

Captain Hammer: That probably is Bethesda's official line on souls. But it definitely is not mine. I do not see any difference between the divine spark that just so happens to currently reside in a body that possesses a fore brain large enough to do math, or one whose body lacks that cognitive power, or one that has no flesh and blood at all. To me divinity is divinity, and none of it is better, or worse, or more expendable than any other part. So there are no white souls, black souls, or polka dot souls in the TF or AF. There is just the divine. That in turn puts a very dark spin on soul trapping. As Grits said, the vanilla game version of Azura's Star is pretty sinister if you happen to have what they call a white soul.


Acadian: Valens is definitely the shiznit. He's also a fun character to write.

"Don't spit into the wind, don't pull the mask off the old Grey Fox, and don't mess around with Nashira..."

Mad Jack is probably on Number 3 or 4 at the time of this story. So they won't be the Number Seven you are hoping for.


Colonel Mustard: I hope the whole thing lives up to your expectations! I have always loved the Seven Samurai and Magnificent Seven. It is always neat to see the tale translated to new mediums. There is an anime named Samurai Seven that is quite good.


McBadgere: No apologies necessary. Talun-Lei is more like Chico than Katsushiro. You definitely called him right. The last time I watched Magnificent Seven I found I liked Chico best of them all. He struck me as the most interesting, and definitely had the most character development throughout the story. I loved the scene with him pretending to bull fight with the bull.


Grits: Get thee to Netflix as once! I think you guessed right. If you try to read back your reply three times fast I bet it will make you dizzy though...


ghastley: Chico was the hot-headed young Mexican from Magnificent Seven, who Yul Brynnr did the "Clap hands" test with. He's also the one who finds the women, and has the nice little romantic subplot going on.


King Coin: Talun-Lei just might make seven indeed. Or six depending on what order you count from.

I wanted to put a few limitations on magically assensing things. Having really powerful items overwhelm lesser ones seemed like a reasonable idea, like a really bright light can make you blind to anything beyond it.


ThatSkyrimGuy: Does that make Aela and Ungarion the Dynamic Duo? And adding Do'Sakhar the Terrific Trio?

That was a good call on the nit, I changed it to your way, since it looks much better to me.


haute ecole rider: Talun-Lei will be played by Horst Bucholz! He may indeed find love in Black Marsh, and a reason to stay. Stay tuned.


Kazaera: Talun-Lei is as green as he looks. But he does have potential, as we will see in the future.

The flinty-eyed bit was an attempt to acknowledge the way that killing people desensitizes a person. Its not something that we normally see in the genre, where swordfights are all glorious, and slaughtering scores of foemen with one's mighty thews is what barbarians do for fun.


Previously On Seven: In our last episode a young and clearly inexperienced Argonian named Talun-Lei tried to join the team. Valens easily defeated him in a mock duel however, and the along with the others told him to go home. The next morning when the team arrived at the docks to leave for Black Marsh, they found Nashira waiting for them. Explaining that if she remains in Bravil she will have to kill the brothers of the man she slew in the duel the day before, she decided to go with them.


Chapter 1.7

Boarding the wide-bellied hulk, the mercenaries and villagers spent the morning sailing across Niben Bay to Telamon. Aela noted that among the other travelers that made the crossing with them was a young Argonian. She said nothing to the others, and instead made her way to the prow of the ship. She sat down and leaned forward against the rail, her legs dangling over the side. From there she simply watched the water below as it foamed up around the ship's prow.

"Septim for your thoughts."

Aela turned to find Seridwe standing behind her. She had not even heard the elf approach. Which either said much for the other woman's ability to move silently, or for her own distraction.

"Nothing really," Aela shrugged, and looked back to the waves. "I just like watching the water. It always feels peaceful to me."

The high elf sat down beside her, and Aela stared down at Seridwe's armored legs as they hung over the water beside her own. Looking back up, she noted that not only was the other woman's hair a masterpiece, but even her makeup gave her amber eyes a subtle glow in the morning sun.

Aela could not help but to feel a twinge of envy, and turned away from Seridwe. For the thousandth time, she wondered what it was like to be born normal, and have the option of living an ordinary life?

"That is a lovely necklace." The elf's words broke Aela's chain of thought, and she followed the other woman's gaze to the silver pendant that she wore. Shaped in a spiral, it hung above her small breasts from a chain of slender silver links.

"My spiral?" Aela said. "Among the Bosmer - and we Witches here in Cyrodiil - it symbolizes the never-ending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It's also enchanted to fortify my magicka."

"I would not think that one with your gifts would require more magical energy?" Seridwe lifted one elegantly plucked eyebrow ever so slightly.

"I don't anymore." Aela felt a wry smile come to her lips, and stared down at the pendant. "But when I first started casting spells in real combat, I had a tendency to use much more magicka than I needed. I was like a pugilist throwing a haymaker with every punch. It took me a while to learn to only use as much energy as was truly necessary, especially with my absorption spells. Now I keep it as a reminder to pace myself. And because it was a gift from a friend."

"You did not make it yourself?" Seridwe looked confused.

"Oh no," Aela confessed. "Ungarion enchanted it for me. He has always been much better at that than I am. He did all of our gear in fact: his robes and rings, my clothes, even Do'Sakhar's axe and shield. The only thing he didn't enchant were our staves. We found those underneath the Imperial City, in the old Arimer ruins down there."

"Forgive me, I thought that… well… being ardhanari you…"

"Could fly through the air and shoot fire from my toes? Not hardly. Well, I can do the first with some help from a sylph." Aela smiled. "The truth is Ungarion is a much better mage than I am in most of the schools of magic. The only ones I ever really had much interest in are Restoration and Conjuring. So I double majored in them at University. The others I never spent much time on, only the basic classes that everyone is forced to take."

"I see." Seridwe leaned back and seemed to take in the Breton Witch, as if looking at her for the first time. Aela wondered if now the high elf was finally seeing her as a real person, rather than an idol? Aela hoped so. She did not think she would much care for being put on a pedestal, not any more than she liked being abhorred. Why could not people just treat her the same as everyone else?

"I am sorry," the high elf blushed. With one slender finger she swept aside an imaginary lock of hair from her eyes. "You must be faced with these silly questions all of the time. It's just that ever since I was a child I was taught that people like yourself are gifted."

"I would not call it a gift," Aela frowned. "But it has made me what I am, for better and worse."

"It must be difficult, living in a human land," Seridwe thought aloud. "It is obvious why you would study Restoration. So why Conjuration too? Why not Illusion, or Destruction?"

"At first I started summoning just to stay alive," Aela said. "Ungarion and I have had to go into some pretty dangerous places to make ends meet. But even before that I always enjoyed conjuring. Summoning the Aedra is all about nurturing your relationship with the spirits of the world: of the rocks, of the trees, of the sky, the sea, and so on. When I am with the Aedra, I can be myself. They always see me for who I truly am, not what other people think I should be."

"I grew up in a city - Wayrest in fact - but I have always loved the countryside," the Breton continued, "the woods, the ocean, the wild places untouched by people. When I did my internship at Bravil in my final year of school, I was finally able to really get out into the wilderness for the first time in my life. I walked up the Larsius until there was nowhere left to go. I fell in love with the forest then, and met my spirit guides."

"You have spirit guides?" Seridwe raised an eyebrow again. "You sound like a Bosmer."

"I am a Witch," Aela nodded. "It is about the same thing. I met Turtle my first trip into the woods. He has taught me patience. Turtle is all about getting there, no matter how long it takes. Later I met Butterfly, who taught me the secrets of transformation. Then there was Bear, who brought me healing."

"You said that you and Ungarion have to make ends meet?" Seridwe noted. "Is that why you became adventurers?"

"Yes," Aela nodded. "I transitioned to living female in my fourth year at the Arcane University. My parents disowned me and cut off my funds. Then the University cancelled my scholarship. So I had to borrow money from a slaughterfish named Fathis Ules to pay my tuition. I graduated a few months ago, but I'm still paying him off. I will be for a long time."

"Why did they do those things?" Seridwe looked confused. "Because you are ardhanari?"

Aela nodded, but said nothing.

"But that is mad!" Seridwe exclaimed. "You have been blessed by Magnus to walk between worlds, just as magicka does. I would think they would want more people like you in their University?"

"You don't understand humans," Aela shook her head. "They are not like elves. They are herd animals. They value uniformity, the known, the expected. They all follow along like everyone else, never daring to be different. To them anything strange or unusual is frightening."

"Duty, loyalty, and obedience are what define humans: to their race, to their nations, and especially to their families. They grow up learning to think and feel what their parents tell them to, they marry who their parents tell them to, they learn the trade their parents tell them to, and so on. Most of all they have children and carry on the family name. That is the only way humans can achieve immortality: through their children and grand-children. To them, their family's honor is just as important as its wealth and health, more so in fact. A disgrace passes down through generations, and taints the entire family."

"To them, people like myself are dangerous," Aela declared. "We are proof that you are not defined by your birth, or what everyone else tells you that you have be. We make our lives in spite of what their world says. Make no mistake, people whose power and position are based upon their birth find that absolutely terrifying. They in turn have a very easy time turning the rest of the herd against us."

"But what you are describing is every elf," Seridwe argued. "Among our people, it is a given that we all must find our own true calling in life. No one can choose the fate of another. Just as no one can live the life of another."

"And that is one of the reasons why humans and elves do not get along very well," Aela observed.

"I suppose it is," Seridwe lamented. "I have lived most of my life surrounded by other elves. Even though I was born in Daggerfall, I lived in an elven neighborhood. The humans call it Little Summerset - even though there are Dunmer and Bosmer living there as well."

"So how did you become a warrior?" Aela steered the conversation away from herself. Not only to avoid the unpleasant feelings it brought up, but also out of genuine curiosity.

"The usual," the archer shrugged. "Excitement, adventure, fortune. Many of the others in Little Summerset work for the Mages Guild, or as freelance magicians. The rest are artists or artisans. My parents spend all day making copies of books, pamphlets, royal proclamations, and such. One of their neighbors is an enchanter. He sits in his apartment all day and makes warm cloaks. Another works the docks casting feather spells on barrels and crates."

"Too dull for you?" Aela guessed.

"Exactly," Seridwe nodded. "Every future I saw was just so… dreary. I cannot sit in a room all day scribing, or spinning a pottery wheel, or chipping at wood or stone. Or at least I thought I could not. Was I ever surprised that archery means standing outside doing the same thing over and over again!"

"Well, at least you get some sun and fresh air that way," Aela laughed.

"I do!" the high elf exclaimed, "and I still have more time for my hair and makeup."

"You do both very well," Aela admitted as she looked into the Altmer's eyes. She hoped that she was not blushing. "You're beautiful."

"That is so kind of you to say," Seridwe breathed. "But look at you, with that lovely long hair, and those soft brown eyes."

"Aye, hair brown as sand, and eyes brown as bark," Aela grumbled, looking back down at the waves below.

"Nonsense!" Seridwe exclaimed. "Well, your hair is rather of sandy, and your eyes are brown of course. But there is so much more to you than that."

With that, the elf pushed herself back across the planks of the deck. The next thing Aela knew, Seridwe was hunched over her back and gently taking up her hair in her slender fingers.

"Let's do something with this," the high elf suggested. "We'll start with a braid around either side of your head, then tie it all in back into a tail. Then we can do something with your eyes. We'll start with some eggplant color on your lashes. That will make the whites of your eyes really shine. Then we'll put some gold shadow on your lids, which will make the brown in your eyes glisten. It will give you more color, without being overpowering. When you want that, we can use cobalt shadow, and deeper black on your lashes."

A small, white-winged butterfly danced across the rail before Aela's eyes. She could not repress the grin from her features, and knew that she was blushing now. But she could care less. For the next few hours she forgot all about human prejudices, ardhanaris, loan-sharks, and everything else. She was just a twenty one year old woman having her hair and makeup done by a friend.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Aug 9 2013, 06:42 PM

[Darkness Eternal]

There really is no Aela Fic. Until now at least. She appears in the Teresa fic as a supporting character in several chapters. Her first sighting was during the Tournament of Archers, but that was so brief that I do not think she even had any dialogue. She had a big spotlight in The Witch of Bawnwatch Island, and then finally reappeared again as a member of Methredhel's Eleven in the most recent chapter of the TF.

Oh. Well, this is still good as it is about a character that made an appearance on your other stories. I'll be sure to read those, too, when I get the chance.

Chapter 1.4:

A nice game of cards, some drink and a killer-looking altmer named Seridwe! Judging by her words and looks, she's a gifted killer and quite the explorer. Looking forward to see what she brings to the plate. The latest editon! I enjoyed and felt bad at Aela's self-conscious hair fact here. She was all about Dat Hair!

Chapter 1.5: So. We have five now. Valens looks like quite the character. I like his look and his personality shines here as well. Former legion, ex-soldier, whatever military nature he's in will only help Aela and Ungarion and Seridwe!

No problem with the change. I do agree that Azura doesn't fit the soul trap, though there is nothing wrong with soul trapping anyway. It wouldn't fit the goddess.

Chapter 1.6:

I had a kick out of this episode. New guy wants to make it into the team and only gets whacked upside the head

Poor fellow. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of him, and he might surprise the group. In the meanwhile, our blunt-to-the-bone Nashira will suffice. There is always a special place for Redguard women in my heart, Sub. We're now with six fine individual members. Can't wait to see the latest one!

Chapter 1.7:

Aela turned to find Seridwe standing behind her. She had not even heard the elf approach. Which either said much for the other woman's ability to move silently, or for her own distraction.

This part here shows just how deadly Seridwe or simple distractions can be. I bet she's one lethal altmer.

We get some backround on Aela's spiral and the enchantment and meaning, too. The concept of life, death and rebirth fits well with her character. She's has that elven streak about her that fits well with the mystic realities of Nirn and nature in general. I enjoyed her words on conjuring and the relationship with the spirits. To me its fascinating.

The conversation between Aela and Seridwe on humans and elves was very good. Humans have this narrow vision on life and how to be immortalized through their offspring whereas elves in general are perhaps a bit different.

In the end, though they may be hardened ladies, they're still women. I see Aela decided to do something about Seridwe's hair

[Captain Hammer]

Well, I see the Club for Despising of Fathis Ules will never be without membership. Seriously, I do dislike the guy. And he thinks gold is worth the Escutcheon of Chorrol...?

Getting back to the story, it is nice to see the growing friendship between Aela and Seridwe. Learning about Aela's backstory and comparing it to the much more straightforward motivations of Seridwe really hammers home how much life has tried to screw her over, and yet continues to fail.

Not so much a nit, as a question:

"I would not think that one with your gifts would require more magical energy?" Seridwe lifted one elegantly plucked eyebrow ever so slightly.

You use the question mark in certain sentences such as the one above, and so I ask: Is this used to show a questioning statement? The syntax rules would usually put a period at the end of Seridwe's speech, so I'm wondering if it's supposed to make me read it with a change of tone and vocal inflection usually reserved for inquiries.

As for the Black Soul/White Soul thing, I see where you're going with this. But while I don't think there are Polka Dot Souls (though given the reality-warping effects of Kagrenac's actions at Red Mountain, the Dwemer could very well be Polka-Dotted now) I do have Red Souls already written up.

And did we see a young Argonian on the ship?

That defeated young lad is playing at 'heroing.' He thought we wouldn't notice, but we did.

[McBadgere]

Right, I know you said that the characters in fiction should resonate with the reader, but this whole passage here...

"They are herd animals. They value uniformity, the known, the expected. They all follow along like everyone else, never daring to be different. To them anything strange or unusual is frightening."

"Duty, loyalty, and obedience are what define humans: to their race, to their nations, and especially to their families. They grow up learning to think and feel what their parents tell them to, they marry who their parents tell them to, they learn the trade their parents tell them to, and so on."

Is exactly what drives me mad about other people...No, I know not everyone is like that...And obviously everyone here seems to possess that spark of "Self" which I think is excellent...

But we've always taught the kids to be themselves in everything...And not to let anyone tell them what they should think/watch/like/wear/listen to in anything...Only a couple of times, when we've had the "But they've all got..." or "Everyone else it going/doing..." have I been growlingly disappointed in the girl...So yeah, they've grown up as pretty amazing and excellent kids...Also frighteningly opinionated and stubborn swines, but hey...With their parents, it was absolutely to be expected... ...

Um...Yes, so that has to go down as one of my favest bits of your stories EVER!!... ...

I absolutely love this whole episode with Seridwe...The whole discussion is pretty amazing stuff...

That bit about the discovering the spirits in Bravil's woods!!...That was just special right there, that was...

Oh, and the end bit with the make-over...Just beautiful... ...

Proper special episode...Absolutely one of my faves that you've ever done...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[haute ecole rider]

"To them, people like myself are dangerous," Aela declared. "We are proof that you are not defined by your birth, or what everyone else tells you that you have be. We make our lives in spite of what their world says

As a deaf person making her way in the hearing world for most of her life, this resonates with me. I've dealt with prejudice and being prejudged based on my deafness, which is but a small part of who I am. The person I am is so much more than a so-called disability. I refuse to let others limit me to being "the deaf girl." It's an ongoing thing, though I'm much more practiced now at this stuff than I was twenty years ago.

I liked the little girl-talk between two tough ladies. Reminds me of Julian and Jena in between all of Julian's schlepping around Cyrodiil.

[Acadian]

I liked your description of Aela sitting with her feet dangling over the water as they sailed across the Niben.

I’m guessing the young Argonian is probably the one with a bruise on his head, and that we’ll be seeing more of him.

Seridwe is the ultimate Warrior Princess! She knows how to kick butt, and has a profound appreciation for the importance of looking good while doing it!

Love the turtle spirit. I want one!!!

[Grits]

"Aye, hair brown as sand, and eyes brown as bark," Aela grumbled, looking back down at the waves below.
Says the Witch. Those are lovely colors, Aela! I liked the explanation of Aela’s relationship with nature compared to a Bosmer’s. Unless I’m inferring the wrong thing it seems that as a human Aela had to discover and connect while a Bosmer is already part of nature?

"But what you are describing is every elf," Seridwe argued.
Beautifully done. This is what was on my mind the whole time Aela was describing humans. Aela’s words provide a lot of insight into human (I’m assuming mostly Imperial) culture in this version of Tamriel, and then Seridwe reminds us that Aela’s view is limited by her own context.

Yay, makeover! The white butterfly was the perfect touch.

[King Coin]

Heh, and there is the young Argonian.

Neat little story about the pendant. A little extra magicka could never hurt could it?

The High Elf’s opinions were somewhat surprising to me. I suppose I think of the Thalmor more often than not. They don’t seem like the types that would honor anything different.

That was a really fun way to end the chapter.

[ghastley]

My parents spend all day making copies of books, pamphlets, royal proclamations, and such. One of their neighbors is an enchanter. He sits in his apartment all day and makes warm cloaks. Another works the docks casting feather spells on barrels and crates.

I just love it when you make magic boring!

Some nice insights into how elves' long lives affect their personalities. That individuality is one of the reasons that the Summerset Isle was fragmented enough to allow the rise of the Thalmor. Many factions, and none individually large enough to compete.

[SubRosa]

Darkness Eternal: It's always about the hair! As last week's episode showed.

I think Valens is also one of the most intriguing characters in Seven. He's one that I really enjoy writing, and has a ton of songs over in the Theme Music thread.

Poor Talun-Lei, it's not easy to be the new guy on this team!

Aela does have a strong elf streak in her. Being a Breton, she has a little pointy-eared blood flowing in her veins, perhaps she has a more than most? Or maybe it was just her life-experiences that caused her to adopt a more elven outlook on life?


Captain Hammer: I don't really hate Fathis Ules, but Aela certainly does! I never really had much to do with him in my games. Usually my characters just wonder why he is sitting on a chest in an alley in the Market District.

Perhaps Rieklings are Polka-Dot souls?


McBadgere: It is always good when people find something to personally identify with in a story. So I am tickled to see your reply. You are a Scot right? And your kids are stubborn and opinionated? I am shocked to hear those traits associated with someone from The North. (lots of places have a north )

The discovery of her Witchiness in Bravil is why Aela still lives in the area years in the future. For her Bravil County is a special place. It was nice to touch on that, if ever so briefly.


haute ecole rider: As with McB, I am glad to hear that Aela's tale strikes a chord with you as well. Some things are universal, such as people trying to categorize you into a little box according to their expectations.

You are right that Aela and Seri are rather like Julian and Jena! Though they won't be eating as good as the J's did at Jauffre's table.


Acadian: I also loved the idea of sitting with your feet dangling over the side, sort of like sitting at the edge of a dock. It creates a striking visual.

Turtle is inspired by RL. I have a T-girl friend whose spirit guide is Turtle. It was she who first said to me that "Turtle is all about getting there." So when I was working on Aela's background, Turtle just naturally waddled in there.


Grits: I think its mostly just that Aela was a city-dweller for all of her life, and her first trip deep into the wilderness sort of opened her eyes to its beauty and majesty. The same with Teresa when I think about it.

Aela's views are definitely shaped by her experiences. She has lived all of her life in either Wayrest or the IC, so that is what she knows. I do not see a great deal of difference between the human cultures, except for the Redguards, because the others all come from a similar Proto-Nede source that intermingled with the Atmorans over four thousand years ago. Obviously there are still some differences, like the Nords believing in Sovngarde and Honningrew mead, the Bretons eating snails, etc... but I picture the Imps, Brets, and Nords as being more alike in views than different.

One thing that always disappoints me with the ES world and its lore is that it does not really define the cultures of the races. For example, they had married npcs in previous games, but until Skyrim we never had any idea of what marriage customs were like, and that is only in Skyrim. And we still do not even know the Nord's views on divorce, inheritance, etc... Do some races marry until death, with no divorce allowed? Do some cultures have divorces as easy to obtain as saying "I divorce you" three times (as viking women could divorce their husbands). Do some races have polyamourus marriages, with three, four, or even dozens of people in a marriage such as the Doctor from Enterprise? Do some races have marriages that last only a year and a day, like a Wiccan hand-fasting? Is marriage only for heterosexuals? Do people get married out of love? Or is marriage a duty to your family, that is arranged ahead of time by both party's parents?

We never see answers to any of these questions. I wish we did, because it would be a way to make each culture unique. That is what I am trying to do with the humans and elves in the TF and AF. I want to define some clear and very basic differences between them, so there is more to being an elf than just having pointed ears.


King Coin: Just because elves are not transphobic and believe in the individual's right (and responsibility) to determine their own fate, does not mean they are immune from racism, or religious bigotry, or nationalism, and so on. I know transgendered people who hate Mexicans. I know people who don't care if you are trans, but do care if you are an Arab. I have seen African-American preachers say that they would "ride with the devil against gays.". So even if a person accepts one thing, they can still hate something else.

I think that because the Thalmor are portrayed so one-dimensionally, many people fail to look at things from their pov. Imagine if Iran got their hands on mecha and used them to completely overpower America's military and conquer the US in one morning. Then they put up mosques on every corner, blared out the call of prayer everywhere five times of day, and Americans constantly had Islam rubbed in their faces. How do you think Americans would feel about Arabs after that? What do you think Americans would do if the playing field was leveled? That is what motivates the Thalmor.


ghastley: I love making magic boring!

I do imagine the elves as having rather chaotic governments with numerous factions, like modern Western democracies. Summerset probably has a Labor party, a Liberal party, The Goldens, Whigs, Progressives, and more. So just as you said, it makes it easy for a ruthless, ultra-nationalistic group to manipulate, coerce, and outright murder anyone who gets in their way.


Previously On Seven: Our last episode found the group sailing across Niben Bay on a packet ship. Aela and Seridwe had a long talk about Aela's past experiences as a transgendered person living in human lands. They also discussed how Seridwe became a warrior: boredom with an ordinary lifestyle. Finally, we ended with Seridwe helping Aela with her hair and makeup.


Chapter 1.8

The packet ship docked in Telamon by noon. The group did not remain in the bayside settlement for long however. After debarking at the west dock, they walked straight to the eastern quay to find a boat willing to take them up the Panther River. The Niben Queen was just about to cast off as they arrived. Her captain - a Bosmer named Lidell - was more than happy to delay his departure long enough to take them aboard.

The riverboat was a curious affair. To start with, she had not been tied up with her side to the dock as most vessels did. Instead her stern had been nestled against the quay, allowing horses and wagons to trundle directly on board and roll straight up the boat to the prow. The bow was not the usual narrow point that most boats possessed either. Instead it was flat, just as the stern. In fact, the entire vessel was rectangular in shape, with gently rounded corners, and either end appeared capable of functioning as bow or stern. She was long enough to accommodate three wagons from end to end, and two such conveyances from one side to the other. Even after that there was still plenty of room for foot travelers.

The most unusual thing about The Niben Queen was the matter of her propulsion however. Rather than bearing sails or oars, Aela found that she was driven by horses. Not horses dragging her by tethers from the shore, but upon the boat itself! At either side of the vessel a massive draft horse stood in a stall that was cut through the deck, each pointed in opposite directions. The Breton Witch could see that as the horses tromped along, their hooves turned what appeared to be a disc hidden underneath planks of the main deck. Because of this the enormous animals remained walking in place as it spun beneath them. That appeared to somehow cause waterwheels at either side of the ship to spin, and their wooden slats pushed the vessel forward through the river.

A canvas awning rose above the horses to give them shade, and Aela noted postholes spaced along the boat that would allow more tenting to be erected if need be. Aela saw no signs of there being a hold or lower decks. So far as she could tell the boat had only the single open deck, and either possessed a flat bottom or one with a very shallow draft.

Screenshot

There were several teams of horses and wagons lined up down the center of the vessel, all of which were loaded with barrels or crates. There were also roughly two dozen other travelers, many of whom she imagined were with the wagons. Aela recognized Talun-Lei stepping about the ship behind them, and wondered how long it would take the others to notice the young Argonian? The cloak he now wore somewhat obscured his appearance. But she knew that on a craft the size of The Queen, he could not remain unnoticed for long.

"It would appear that these ones have been followed," Do'Sakhar said to the others. The Pahmer Khajiit nodded toward Talun-Lei. "Is that the scaletail these ones spoke of before?"

"Aye," Ungarion said, "That is him to be certain."

"Well, he is persistent," Valens admitted. "I'll give him that."

"That persistence will earn him an early grave," Seridwe murmured. "What are we going to do about him?"

"Do?" Aela said. "There is nothing to do. He can make his own bed, and he can lie in it."

"Even if it gets him killed?" Ungarion said.

"The same was true for everyone here at some time or another," Nashira pointed out.

"Not all of these ones started out facing forty bandits," Do'Sakhar contended. "I think these ones can all see that one is in over his horns."

"What we want does not matter," Aela said plainly. "Talun-Lei's fate is his to make, and his alone. None of us can change that. If he is determined, then we cannot stop him. Just like no one could stop me from attending the University, and no one could stop Ungarion from smuggling banned books out of the secret library."

"Trust an ardhanari to speak the truth no one wants to admit," Seridwe said with slightly flushed cheeks.

"This talk of self-determination is all well and good," Valens argued. "But it still does not change the fact that the boy lacks skills."

"Well perhaps if someone who knows a thing or two about spear fighting teaches him - instead of humiliates him - that will change?" Aela took a moment to stare at the Nibenean before walking off. Stepping around horses and wagons, she made her way to the rear of the ship, where the subject of their conversation stood.

The young Argonian leaned upon one of the side rails and stared out at the shore as it slid by. Aela leaned upon the rail beside him, and looked down at the water that foamed and eddied behind the boat. Talun-Lei said nothing, and neither did she.

Aela felt magic down beneath the water, and closed her eyes to better concentrate. Allowing her thoughts to sink below the waves, she was greeted by the playful energy of an undine. The water spirit had reversed the flow of the river around the boat, so that even though they traveled upstream, they were no longer pushing against the current. Aela traced a slender thread of magic from the undine to the boat, and found that it led to Captain Lidell.

What a brilliant idea! The Breton wondered if someday she might do the same herself? If she had a small boat like a dory, it would make traveling around Niben Bay much easier. For that matter, a sylph could also clear inclement weather, and guarantee that she always had a fair wind. Now she could see why so many Conjuration majors had gone on to work for shipping companies.

Opening her eyes, Aela remembered that she had other concerns as well. Turning to Talun-Lei, she finally spoke.

"Tell me friend, do you know any healing magic?"

"The use of magic was not common place in this one's home," the Argonian hesitantly replied.

"Well then," Aela said, "time we changed that."

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Aug 17 2013, 03:56 PM

[Grits]

What a brilliant idea! The Breton wondered if someday she might do the same herself? If she had a small boat like a dory, it would make traveling around Niben Bay much easier. For that matter, a sylph could also clear inclement weather, and guarantee that she always had a fair wind. Now she could see why so many Conjuration majors had gone on to work for shipping companies.

I had to quote this whole passage out of sheer delight. First there’s the fascinating connection between the playful water spirit and the captain, then we see the inspiration for Aela’s future water travel, and finally it’s all brought down to Nirn as a perfectly normal aspect of life in a magical world. I love it!

[King Coin]

Hey, I didn’t mean anything by my comment; I was just surprised by the easy acceptance and almost worshipful attitude of the High Elf.
___

The riverboat sounds like a barge. Roll-on and roll-off makes for quick loads and unloads. Very cool picture you found of the horses moving the water wheels.

The Khajiit noticed the Argonain follower. I wonder what they are going to do about him?

I liked the connection this conversation had to the previous. Someone should make who they are. Though I do agree, perhaps this isn’t the best contract to go on for your first real fight! Forty seems like too much even for these seasoned warriors. No matter how good you are, numbers are a big advantage.

I like that Aela is going to shove some magic down his throat.

EDIT: I forgot to mention this, I thought the Pahmer Khajiit were quadruped?

This post has been edited by King Coin: Aug 16 2013, 06:59 PM

[haute ecole rider]

I agree with Aela's POV - if Talun-Lei really wants to join the party, let's teach him what he needs to know so he's less of a liability to the others. Humiliating him gets everyone nowhere.

I remember the ferry from the TF! How delightful to see it again! But if we have an undine reversing the course of the river, why bother to have horse-powered sidewheels? Just curious about your reasons.

I agree about the lack of definition for the different cultures in the TES universe. That's what I hope to do with Cardonaccum, and that's what I enjoy about your fiction. I would see those born in Cyrodiil being closer to what we see in Oblivion, but those born in the provinces would have cultural customs that may seem strange or different from what we are accustomed to seeing.

For example, there is a hint dropped in the TES IV, when you speak to Alga. She says that she and Honmund are a couple in the Nord way, not in the Chapel way. It suits them fine, and it suits their parents fine. So why do it any other way? That comment by her got my mind going way back when I was writing OHDH.

Looking forward to some more world-building!

[SubRosa]

Hey, I didn’t mean anything by my comment; I was just surprised by the easy acceptance and almost worshipful attitude of the High Elf.

EDIT: I forgot to mention this, I thought the Pahmer Khajiit were quadruped?

Sorry, if I sounded confrontational. I did not mean to come off like I was jumping down your throat. I just have a tendency to go into exacting detail much of the time.

You might be right about the Pahmer being four-legged. When I was working on the character designs I came across something that said the Pahmer looked liked tigers, and I wanted a Khajiit who looked a little different from most we see in the games, so I thought that would be great. But I never intended Do'Sakhar to be a quadreped. So guess I just changed the lore to make the Pahmer bipeds!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Aug 16 2013, 10:37 PM

[Acadian]

Love the design of the Niben Queen! How wonderfully appropriate for its task. The detail you lavished on it simply contributes to the epic journey that our Magnificent Seven are undertaking.

"I think these ones can all see that one is in over his horns." - - Love this line from Do'Sakhar! I got right into studying Khajiit as we explored Elsweyr. The modder did a fabulous job of depicting numerous types of Khajiit by the lore. Perhaps Cathay-raht would be a great race for this fellow? Large, powerful and bipedal. Although called ‘Jaguar men’, their coloring and markings are not clearly stated. Once could happily presume, therefore, that they come in differing markings that could easily include tiger stripes. Your call of course, but just a thought.

"Well perhaps if someone who knows a thing or two about spear fighting teaches him - instead of humiliates him - that will change?" - - Well said, Aela! Then she puts paid to her words by offering a lesson in restoration to Number 7, aka Talun-Lei.


Nit: 'The bow was not the usual narrow point that most boat possessed either.' - - I'm thinking you meant 'boats' vs 'boat'?