The Saga of Joan of Arkay, A Morrowind Main Quest Story Options

[Lopov]

I enjoyed your description of a simple life in Hla Oad, this was actually the focus of this story. It also brings back some memories as one of my characters, probably Haryon, came to Hla Oad and tried to sleep in there, only to find out like Joan, that you can't sleep there.

Nice screenie too.

[Renee]

Rats? Gosh I can't say I've seen little rats in any of these villages. Wonder if that's a mod. If so, I want it.

I've had MW characters in the past who don't care about breaking into peoples' homes. We can basically sleep in almost anybody's home in this game, that's not Joan though. Perhaps in the future, she will Speech-up somebody whom she likes, and then I can RP she gets a place to stay for the night. Or I can just add more bedrolls. That works too.

I really enjoyed writing that one, Acadian. Not sure why, since nothing really happens. It's just inspriation, I guess. Sometimes those sort of stories turn out just as immersive as the more-action-packed ones.

Yes that moment when all those NPCs were clustered around Joan's guard made me chuckle. He was in the middle of that small crowd. It was almost like he was entertaining them with his stories of woe.

Nice, macole, that is awesome! How do you write into an html file though?

I have two computers: one for gaming, and one for everything else. I usually type on the second computer (the 'everything else' one) as I'm gaming, although sometimes I will also type up material outside of gaming. That usually works if I'm trying to tell the imagination part of a character's story.

Danke, Lopov. Maybe Joan will eventually cross paths with Haryon, especially once she gets to the Imperial Cult in Ebonheart. We should do a co-write.



This post has been edited by Renee: Dec 25 2021, 06:13 PM

[Renee]

25 Heartfire (Day 41), early morning

The Skull of Andrano

Location: Balmora Fighters Guild

Sleep, sleep and more sleep. After all their travels, and all their adventures, sleep is first on the list. Let Dibella and Mara do their respective, restorative works.

Joan awakes the next morning, and heads to Eight Plates. Here she has a meal of saltice and kwama eggs. Vvardenfellian cuisine at its best; it's taken some getting used to. Oh, how she misses Cyrodiil. If Joan ever finds a locale which serves all homeland meals: corn, meat, potatoes and (by glory) sweetrolls, she thinks she might just stay there awhile.

She eats slowly. Her nerves are frazzled after so much travel, her muscles ache after so many days. Encounters with bandits, encounters with aggressive creatures she had only read about in treatises and field manuals. Fights and strategies. Improper sleeping conditions, improper living conditions. All of this has worn at her. Wouldn't it be nice to take a day of rest, and respite?

She finishes her meal, and then begins to wonder which day it is. Heartfire 25 is the date, of this she is sure, but which actual day of the week is it?

She muses over this for awhile. If it's Sundas, she'd like to spend some time in worship, just as she would back home. Problem is, there are no weekly types of calendars to be found in Morrowind. The nearest place for her to worship is Fort Moonmoth, which is roughly two miles away, and she hasn't got the will to go anywhere out of town.

She does have a list of chores, though. First on her list is the Fighters Guild. Time to get rid of this dreaded skull. She leaves Eight Plates, then walks down the avenue. Turns left, where the guild is located. Once inside, she delivers the Skull of Llevule Andrano to Sharn gra-Muzgob.

"Strength is a virtue, friend," says the orc. "Welcome."

"I have made my return, healer. Please, gratify the gods by ... ehm... claiming this skull of Llevule for your own." Over the past few days, she has grown leery of carrying what was once the topmost bone structure within an Andrano family member's head. Within that bone structure decisions were made, perceptions collected, dreams and loves and disappointments realized. ... *Urk!* ... "Have I now meet thy query, Sharn?" Even if it was her guard who mostly toted the thing, just having it nearby it all those miles caused Joan Marie discomfort.

The orc healer smiles. "Very good," she says. "I'll just take that skull from you. Thank you."

"Delighted."

"Now. As I promised, I'll answer your questions on the Nerevarine cult. Go ahead."

Hmm. It is now Joan realizes she hasn't got a clue what sort of question she'd like to ask. She ponders for a few moments, while the orc does something with a bit of powder on a small table.

First there is the subject of the Nerevar, who Joan assumes is the focus of the Nerevarine cult. Joan has heard by now that the Nerevar was a Chimer (precursor to the Dunmer race), who lived long ago in the First Era. The Nerevar is expected to return to the land of Morrowind at some point, Joan has heard many people say. There is some disagreement if the Nerevar is supposed to be one of the gods, and if he should be recognized in such a way. Followers of the cult were also known not to agree that the Tribunal, the three gods recognized by many Vvardenfell's Ashlanders, should be recognized as gods.

Joan tells the orc all of these things. Then, she takes out her quill, expecting to do a bit of writing. "So, have you anything to say regarding my current knowledge of the Nerevarine cult?"

The orc takes a sip of something from a tan pitcher, before replying. "The Ashlander cult believes the long-dead Nerevar will be reborn to honor ancient promises to the tribes."

Joan adds some ink upon her quill, and begins scratching notes into her journal.

"According to legend, the prophesied Nerevarine will cast down the false gods of the Tribunal Temple, restore the traditional ancestor worship practiced by the Ashlanders, and drive all outlanders from Morrowind."

"By the Nine!" ...scratch, scratch, scratch

"Yes," the orc continues. "Both Temple and the Empire outlawed the cult, but it persists among the Ashlanders, who care little for Imperial or Temple law."

Though she says nothing, Joan Marie silently decides she disagrees with this. An entire belief system of devotion being outlawed? But why? There must be more to this.

"Take this copy of my notes on the topic for Caius."

"You have a copy for me?" She has a copy for her? Joan stops scribbling notes.

"Fight well!" says the orc.

------------------------

Mid morning
A studious introvert, Joan takes the time to study the notes given to her by Sharn. Of particular interest are these words...

The most common version of the Nerevarine Prophecy is THE STRANGER. The verses are obscure, as are most prophecies. But two observations are in order...

Sharn's notes ramble a bit, but it's the mention of a stranger which catches Joan's eyes. For she had already met a strange man who'd confronted her in Pelagiad a week before. The stranger knew Joan's name. He'd lectured her a bit about Dagoth Ur. Joan racks her head for a moment before remembering his exact words. "You cannot deny Lord Dagoth," he had told her. "The Sixth House is risen, and Dagoth Ur is its glory."

"Could this have anything to do with the Nerevarine Prophecy?" she wonders aloud.

Joan thinks about this as she goes to do some bartering. Two hours later, and now she's back with Caius. "Tidings, citizen," he says.

"I have returned, sir. Here are the notes given to me by Sharn gra-Muzgob."

"Are these Sharn's notes on the Nerevarine cult?"

The Novice of Blades before him nods. She also wonders if Caius has been hitting the skooma already this morning, for she'd literally just explained whose notes were handed over.

Skooma addict or not, the man flexes his power. "Excellent. I'm promoting you to Apprentice, Joan of Cyrodiil," Caius says.

Apprentice, eh. "Are you?"

"I'd like some time to think how this fits in with the Emperor's plans for you."

... Now this is a surprise. The Emperor's plans for me, she thinks, while trying to keep the slack out of her jaw. He did just say 'Emperor's' and 'you' in the same sentence, did he not?

"So if you'd like to get in a little freelance adventuring," continues Caius, "go ahead. But whenever you're ready, I'll have new orders for you."

"By gracious, sire. I shall do as you suggest. See, I have been broadening my armoring skills, and have also taken to swinging a mace as of late, rather than my usual shortsword, which I've trained since youth," she gushes. She then pauses, waiting for the man before her to continue the conversation in some way. But he does not. "You see, shortswords are quite frequently the tools of rogues," she explains. "Of charlatans and thieves. I have come to these conclusions, by merit and experience. And so slowly, I have broadened my strength, as well. Might I someday present myself as a true warrior, perhaps!"

There's finally a smile in her voice as she says this last bit, along with a smidge of sarcasm. A small indulgence of pride. Not something she usually grants herself. She hopes the Gods are fondly smiling.

But her overseer says nothing.

"Ehm, have you any notion of what day it is? Which day of the week?" asks she. "Is it Sundas, by chance? Loredas? No-one here seems to keep a calendar."

Caius Cosades doesn't seem to know which day it is, either.

Joan Marie of Cheydinhal leaves the man's presence, thinking she and her guard'll head off to Ebonheart.

[SubRosa]

Back to Joan the virtuous walker.

Potatoes! Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew Joanie!

I love how Joan is concerned about using a short blade because its associated with rogues. Only respectable weapons for her! Which is actually kind of a real thing, given that IRL the sword was the weapon of aristocracy, like knights and samurai, while the peasants used things like spears.

I bet it is at least a day that ends in "das".

[Acadian]

Finally Joan gets a chance to catch up on her rest, and even close out a couple tasks.

I share SubRosa's interest in Joan's view of short swords. Though they can be superb in a disciplined tight formation (as practiced by the Romans), they are less than ideal for a lone knight where she can typically expect more room to exploit a longer reach than short swords provide.

[Lopov]

I like Joan's interpretation of the note, but there has been another stranger in the land of the Dunmer, right?

Looks like Caius still hasn't found a shirt. No wonder that he doesn't know which day it is, his brain is definitely addled through skooma.

[Renee]

Lol at the video. It's been a long time since I've seen that movie.

Yes, very true about swords being weapons of the royals, while spears were more for the peasants & serfs. I recently read that bit about short swords being used often by "charlatans and thieves" somewhere, maybe even in one of Bethesda's in-game books. All the sudden I've begun to feel this urge for her to try new things. It's another cliché that maces are used by clerics and holy types, and for her to switch from a Major to a Minor skill just like that is really brutal at this point. But it's what she wants. And from my perspective, the uphill challenge (finding trainers and such) is sort of fun. Especially when she hits!

Hmm, I am not sure if there's another stranger in this land, Lopov. Haven't gotten that far into the story yet.

I wonder if I should add a shirt to Caius in the Construction Set, right?

Well it's appreciated for y'all to stick with Joan's story (or any of these stories) week after week. Inspiration comes as people read & leave comments. That's why we post in public forums. Because WE already know what happens. So that's why we share.

Joan's story will continue in a few months. Take care.

[Lena Wolf]

I wonder if I should add a shirt to Caius in the Construction Set, right?

NOOOOOOOOOOO!! Then he wouldn't be Caius.

[WellTemperedClavier]

Just caught up on this! It's fun to see the Morrowind main quest through new eyes, and Joan brings an endearing fish-out-of-water quality. One thing I really like is how Joan acts like a real person, but the world around her functions exactly like the game world--complete with questionable pathfinding AI that doesn't know when it's outmatched. But Joan remains, unflappable and determined to bring the light of the Nine to those who listen.

Though at this point, she might need CHIM to make that happen.

[Renee]

Awesome, glad to read your insights, Clavier. You really are supportive.

Joan's story was supposed to be a mere set of updates (my character is in X doing Y and is about to go to Z) but right away I began with the fiction. Can't help it! I wrote a new Joanie just the other day, but it's a shortie. I don't want to put too much energy into her story, not the hours I spilled into Laprima.

So I'm going to try to make most of her stories shorter. Maybe 2 or 3 hours of writing, an hour of editing, which translates into 5 to 10 minutes of reading. In comparison, each Laprima was (phew) maybe 6 to 8 hours of writing, editing, and that's not even including the quests & dialog I hand-wrote!

I keep forgetting what CHIM is. Ah, that is the controversial explanation added to explain some changes, mostly in Oblivion? That's what I'm getting from the UESP Lore article in CHIM with just a quick glance.

[Lena Wolf]

So I'm going to try to make most of her stories shorter. Maybe 2 or 3 hours of writing, an hour of editing, which translates into 5 to 10 minutes of reading. In comparison, each Laprima was (phew) maybe 6 to 8 hours of writing, editing, and that's not even including the quests & dialog I hand-wrote!

Wow, Renee, that's a big effort! We, your readers, do appreciate it though! Keep it up!

[macole]

So I'm going to try to make most of her stories shorter. Maybe 2 or 3 hours of writing, an hour of editing, which translates into 5 to 10 minutes of reading. In comparison, each Laprima was (phew) maybe 6 to 8 hours of writing, editing, and that's not even including the quests & dialog I hand-wrote!

I keep forgetting what CHIM is. Ah, that is the controversial explanation added to explain some changes, mostly in Oblivion? That's what I'm getting from the UESP Lore article in CHIM with just a quick glance.

Renee, in just a day or two, you do more for two characters than I do in a week for just one.

CHIM and Dragon Breaks, Dragon Breaks and CHIM; Bethesda has been explaining changes from game to game since the beginning.

[Renee]

Aw thanks. Really, a few hours is nothing compared to some other writers here who spend months, putting their material through several drafts, having others proofread their story, and so on.

I'll continue Joan probably in June. My daughter's about to finish her first year of college and I'm just trying to be more outdoorsy and social during this month of May.

[Renee]

Hey amigos, Renee G here. I wanted to play some Fallout 3 this weekend so I could finish the next Vicious tale, but it's been overcast/rainy all weekend. For me, this means Elder Scrolls instead of Fallout. Which is fine. I have a few new Joans which have been sitting since April & May.

This first one's a shortie. Nothing spectacular. Let's see here...

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Chapter XXI: Ebonheart





"Hello, Joan of Cyrodiil," says a Redguard. "My name is Kaye, and I'm in charge of the volunteer shrine sergeants for the cult. Are you ready for your first shrine sergeant assignment?"

Joan had arrived to Ebonheart the day before. Ebonheart, an Imperial town, and perhaps the most prosperous one in Morrowind. She spent the night in the town's inn to get some rest, and today has decided to begin her career as a Layman of Ebonheart's Imperial Cult.

Finding the place was rather difficult. First, she had to navigate yet another set of random, confusing streets and causeways, asking directions of people she'd only just met. Good thing she's lately been in the habit of becoming more social. Not once did anybody tell her to 'get lost' or say 'I don't trust you enough to talk about that'. Once she narrowed down which building the cult is in, actually finding its quarters was like navigating a maze.

Finally, the door to the place, which is located in a tight outdoor alcove, far away from any sort of civilian traipses. Odd, for an institution which is supposedly devoted to Good Works. Joan feels as though she's just established how to get to some sort of covert operation or business. Morag Tong or Dark Brotherhood, or some such.

Her first task seems to have nothing to do with Good Works. She is to find a bowl made of limeware, which disappeared from the cult's shrine sometime in the past. But there's a clinch: The bowl went missing after being in the company of a high elf named Caryarel.

"I see," Joan says to Kaye. "And what sort of notions have been discerned, concerning this 'Caryarel'? Might there be some reason why he's seemingly branded a thief?"

Caryarel had come to the Imperial Cult weakened by swamp fever. Kaye surmises the elf probably lives somewhere on the Bitter Coast, maybe in one of its fishing villages. But that's the best Kaye can do, so far as information. "Try asking around among the high elves," he suggests. "I believe there are several serving in the Hawkmoth Legion Garrison here in Ebonheart."

So begins Joan's first Imperial Cult quest. Go fetch this limeware bowl. Well hey, at least she's not being tasked to bring back somebody's skull.

She also receives a request from Iulus Truptor, one of the cult's savants, who tells Joan she'll need to gather money from the Skyrim Mission. "Bring me 100 gold if you can," Iulus tells her.

So she gets right to it. Spends a couple hours finding the mission, and another couple talking up its residents (who are all Nords) for donations. Altogether she is able to gather 35 drakes' worth of tithes from every mission member except its Primate, whose name is Heidmir. Immediately, this man takes a dislike to her, and she can tell none of her words will be able to change this. Not right now, anyway.

In all, there isn't much else for her to do in town. After spending three days in Ebonheart, Joan gets the urge to move on. When she receives a request to head to Peligiad and deliver a potion to a farmer, she returns to walking the road with her guard.

Before heading out, she places a small parcel of gold upon the cult's altar to receive her daily blessing. As she does so, she senses the many planes of existence which surround and intertwine with her own.

-----------------------

NOTES: I am in the habit of saving during particular moments, such as, if my character opens a door, casts a fortify spell, and so. In Joan's game whenever Joan receives a blessing, I use that moment sort of like a checkpoint to save her game! .. Perhaps this is a nod back to those early console games such as the first Tomb Raider, which only allowed us to save if we found a floating green gem.

[SubRosa]

There is so much Morrowind stuff going on right now, it tempts me to go back again. I recently did January in Morroblivion party due to inspiration from this story. I even did the Imperial Cult questline with her because of Joan's adventures.

I feel for Joan. Navigating the labyrinth of interior corridors and towers of Ebonheart is a chore. Finding specific individuals can be a nightmare. Jan eventually used Levitate to fly in and out of the Cult section.

Jan had so much money at the point I started the Cult quests that she did not bother fundraising. She just gave the Cult her own money.

Whenever I see the title "Primate" I cannot help but think of that word's biological meaning, and I keep thinking they are referring to a monkey, or gorilla, or human.

[macole]

This should be interesting. It's been a long, long time since I touched the Imperial Cult, like the first year I played Morrowind back in 2002 or '03. I remember nothing, so when you mentioned the limeware bowl my thought went straight to to one in the Census Office.

[Acadian]

Welcome back to Joan as she continues her Morrowind travels and travails. I'm with SubRosa about primates. I'd hate to work hard in a church only to rise to the lofty title of Primate. Heck, I had that title nailed the moment I was born. Joan will probably be happy to be back on the road instead of confined in Ebonheart.

[WellTemperedClavier]

Primate is an oddly named rank, isn't it? I know it's used in some Christian denominations, but I'm not clear as to why.

Regardless, the Imperial Cult's probably a good place for Joan, even if she does find some of the tasks to be a bit on the drab side. For her sake, I hope she gets a mark/recall spell, or at least a divine intervention spell. Getting to Ebonheart can be very inconvenient without those.

[Renee]

It is 4:27 in the morning and I'm already up and about. Yesterday was really gross and hot. We were at my mom's. I virtually bribed her to turn the A/C on. Partially so I could sit inside and edit today's story. Today (and tomorrow) will be more perfect weather. It'll be harder for me to concentrate on Elder Scrolls since it'll also be sunny, so I'll post this next tale early.

@ Clavier: Yes, Primate is perhaps one of those terms which had more than one meaning back in the days of real guilds, but now we only know of the one meaning. Makes it sound like there's an ape in the Imperial Cult. Too early for a Google search, but Dictionary.com says 1. Ecclesiastical. an archbishop or bishop ranking first among the bishops of a province or country.

She's happy being in the cult though, perfect for her roleplay, so far.


@ Acadian: Thanks! Last week's tale was just a warm-up. I'll try to put more effort into her future write-ups, although I can also promise most of these stories will be on the shorter side. A couple days ago I was recompiling all my old Oblivion stories, so that they're all stored & cataloged on my new computer: Kahree, Sarah Phimm, even some early Joan writings. It's amazing how long some of those tales were!

macole: Wow, I didn't even know there's a limeware bowl in the Census office! I wonder if Joan could simply steal that one! 🥷 Kidding. It was more fun heading up to confront Caryarel directly. Plus, Joan would rather die in a storm full of cliff racers before she'd commit any sort of crime.

SubRosa: Morrowind's a fun game, and I feel like I am two decades behind the rest of y'all since I didn't start playing until the summer of 2018.

I feel for Joan. Navigating the labyrinth of interior corridors and towers of Ebonheart is a chore. Finding specific individuals can be a nightmare. Jan eventually used Levitate to fly in and out of the Cult section.

Oh gosh, finding that place was horrible! I'm so tempted to jump in the Construction Set and add a back door somewhere!

That actually is a good idea, to just use Joan's own money. 🏧 Problem is, she is perpetually poor.

[Renee]

6 Frost Fall (Day 52), early evening

Chapter XXII: Ebonheart II


Joan returns to Ebonheart with a pouch full of marshmarrow, which she is to deliver to one of the Imperial Cult's members. The day is fair and warm and dry. Despite her journey, she takes immediate time to stroll about Ebonheart, occasionally conversing with the locals. It is in this way that she meets a knight wearing shiny armor. "Think it'll rain?" the knight asks.

Joan (being a newly loquacious sort) speaks to this man on a couple of topics, and learns he is the one who she is supposed to speak to about a current, unusual subject which she had experienced firsthand in Pelagiad. It’s not every day which somebody gets attacked by an actual Dark Brotherhood assassin. And Joan wants to know why it happened to her. She's a virtual newcomer to the province after all. Why would an assassin target her?

"What's this about the Dark Brotherhood?" asks Apelles Marius, the knight in shining armor, who also happens to be a superior member of the Imperial Legion here in Ebonheart. "You say you've been attacked by them? The fact that you're standing here seems to suggest otherwise."

Is this a joke? "I can only attest to what has occurred to me personally, sir," Joan replies calmly, feeling a little surprised that the shiny knight before her only expresses doubt. "A Dark Brother associate somehow chose to locate me within Pelagiad, and as I attempted to literally lay my head within Halfway Tavern. I was assaulted, yet managed to defeat the intruder."

Apelles scratches his chin. "Perhaps you have been attacked," he begins, pondering the thought. "That's bad business. I don't know who it is that wants you dead, and I don't want to know."

"Gracious, milord. Well, I thank ye for considering my tale, at the very least."

The Cyrodiilian says these words, while also wondering. Why even bother to adorn oneself within such shiny, sturdy gear, in full supposed representation of the Empire, yet so blatantly choose the path of a coward?

"Dark Brotherhood activity here on Vvardenfell has been almost unheard of," Apelles continues. "But I know they have a large contingent back on the mainland."

"Well, yes, of course," Joan answers. "I was raised in Cyrodiil, and spent my youth in Cheydinhal. There were rumors that the Brotherhood resided somewhere within my very home town," she says with a shudder, thinking back to one particular house. "What other facets might pertain toward their discovery here in Vvardenfell?"

"Yes, they’re rumored to be in Mournhold itself, actually," says Apelles. "If you're feeling particularly suicidal, you can check it out for yourself. Of course, it's not easy to get there these days. Because of the blight."

"The blight?" She'd already heard a few things about blight disease here in Morrowind, but it never did hurt to learn whatever more she could.

Apelles Marius tells Joan a few things about Mournhold, and why it is thought the Brotherhood have been sighted there. Now that she knows blighted creatures inhabit the place, she's not too keen to get there anytime soon.

Joan thanks Apelles for his information, and says something pleasantly forthcoming to brighten the man's day.

"With me? Thanks!"

Upon returning to the Ebonheart chapter of the Imperial Cult Joan delivers five examples of marshmarrow to Synnolian Tunifus. She is rewarded with a healing potion, and a mortar and pestle (which she'll probably never use).

"Speak to me again when you are ready for another healer quest," says the monk. "And goodness! I was so busy, I almost forgot. Have you checked your advancement in the Imperial Cult?"

"Advancement? Why, no, I have not."

"As you serve Mara and the Nine," says Synnolian, "so you shall rise in rank. Congratulations, Joan of Cyrodiil. You have been promoted to Novice."

Though these titles and advancements ultimately have little meaning for her, it is nice to know she's making some sort of difference in her strange new home. Even if, for now, this 'difference' is made through collecting random ingredients, random monies, and fetching objects which have gone missing. Speaking of which, she's off to the Bitter Coast next. There's a bowl made of limeware somewhere out there, which needs to return to its proper home.


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Notes: Joan ascended to Level 5 during this session! I put +3 into Strength (39 now), +2 into Agility (36), and +2 into Personality (42). ST, because she's been learning to repair her own gear, and also has been using a mace instead of a shortsword. PER, because that's her job, to talk to people. And AG because... well... it sucks getting hit & losing balance all the time.