I love these little details. Hadn't noticed this, because haven't been stealing horses, but looked in the CS and yes, there are 8 instances of bay horses with almost no AI (the only line they have is that they will wander about a little bit if they are not the PC's last ridden horse - in that case they will stay rooted to the spot.) All other horses seem to have homing instructions. Looks like an oversight, and the UOP doesn't correct it neither - but since it's a feature, not a bug, for you, Renee, I'd say that's just as well.

Oh, and pleased to be reading about Kahreem's career today; needed cheering up...

I think it's possibly an oversight, definitely not a bug. Since Imperial Legion horses don't have a home stable, they will not go anywhere when dismounted. Could be that these horses were created before bays, and maybe Dev #1 created the Imperial horses, and Dev #2 used the same model for bays, but Dev #2 forgot to give bays the proper AI to return to their home stables in Bravil or Skingrad.

Or.... maybe it's not an oversight. Maybe Dev #2 was supposed to give bays some AI, but he or she chose to sneak them into the game without any. Just for that little bit of variety.

Frost Fall 3, 4th Era Year 5

Location: Chorrol
Level: 3
Days as a Vampire: 2



"Geyorg, by the gods! What are you doing down here?"

Geyorg Vandallay rolled on his side, then slowly stood upright. His head was splitting, his body aching. He had apparently fallen asleep on some stone floor. Fallen asleep?

"I... I'm sorry Reynald. And I agree. What am I doing down here?"

"Can I help you? Maybe draw you a bath? Maybe brew you a cup of coffee?"

Geyorg Vandallay nodded to his housemate. As the men made their way out of Reynald Jemane's basement, Geyorg began the slow process of remembering the night before.




Geyorg had come to Chorrol from Anvil about a month ago, eager to get his first manuscript published in this town. The book would be called Thank Akatosh, the Oblivion Crisis is over! and he'd spent the last seven years piecing it together, while toiling as a laborer on Anvil's docks. The book would be about his personal viewpoint of events which took place in Anvil toward the end of the Third Era...the Oblivion gate which had appeared just up the road ... and the man who'd come to save them all. And so on.

After moving to Chorrol, Geyorg had been staying at the Oak and Crossier for several days, when he'd met Reynald Jemane one night at the bar. Jemane had needed somebody to live in his house, here in Chorrol, since he frequently had been living with his brother, in some cottage in the middle of the Great Forest. It was a bad idea to leave their grander, in-town house all alone. They'd been lucky so far that nobody had robbed the place.

Geyorg handed over some money, hands were shaked, and within an hour, Geyorg Vandallay had a new place to live.

Things hadn't gone so well with his manuscript, unfortunately. Estelle Renoit had edited his pages; she had practically done a co-write with him, but the book had not become a best-seller, the way it should have. Just five copies had been sold over the past two weeks. And it was because Geyorg had chosen a bad time (a very bad time) to publish his book. The Grey Wizard, Arch Mage of all the entire Mages Guild, had also just published. And his book (his memoirs) had been selling many more copies. Why? Because he had been the one who'd been closing a lot of those gates.

Still, Geyorg's book had sold five copies in two weeks, which was enough to keep him going. Each book was priced at 50 gold, and so far nobody had tried to haggle Renoit any cheaper than this. Because of his newfound pocket-wealth ...

"I .... I'm trying to remember, Reynald!"

.... Geyorg had taken up a new hobby. No, not a hobby. Let's call it an interest.

"It's okay, Geyorg. You went on a bender. I understand. As many in this town will tell you, I myself have had many a bender, talking in slurred voice and sometimes barely able to walk, right here in this town of Chorrol. I was once the town drunk, you might say."

Geyorg started to tell his housemate more memories from last night, but then he'd stopped himself just in time. Because it wasn't just alcohol this time, it was something more drastic.

A day earlier, he'd been bored, and had gone down to the Oak and Crosier. 'The man' was in town, some people were saying. 'The man' was a Dunmer, a merchant of wares, who'd been very evasive from the law for years. Word was, he had the very best skooma on the market, straight from Bravil. By chance, Geyrog had met this Dunmer on the street. Had engaged in conversation, and had purchased and used his first skooma in a very long time. It had been good. Very good. Certainly the best.

And it hadn't stopped there. Word was, the Dunmer, whose name was Snaat Rayag, would only be in town for two days' more. After that, he'd be gone back south, or perhaps to the Imperial City Waterfront. Geyorg had heard this, had managed to track Snaat Rayag down, and they'd made arrangements for a second meeting.

Snaat Rayag told Geyorg Vandallay to 'meet him behind the tavern', where they'd make their next deal. 50 gold, but it would be worth it, in Geyorg's opinion. He had gone to 'the tavern' (which he'd assumed would be the classier Oak & Crosier), and waited outside. And waited. The sun was going down. Snaat Rayag was nowhere to be seen. He'd gotten impatient, and had gone inside the tavern.

Geyorg bought an ale from Talasma, and then began pacing back and forth, virtually burning a hole in her carpet. Where is he? ... Where is that blasted eld? ... As he was pacing, a red-haired woman had approached him. A Breton. She'd smiled so sweetly, Geyorg suddenly remembered. She was cute as a button, and had told me she was new in town, and had wanted to know why was I pacing so much?

"Hey, who are you?" Geyorg had stammered, not really in the mood for small talk from strangers. "Hey! .... Do I know you? Hey! Do I?" ... He'd been really eager at that point, because he suddenly realized where his contact might be.

"My name is Sarah, and I am new in Chorrol," she'd said with a small grin. "I do apologize for my intrusion, but I am just bewildered by your pacing. Is all well with you?"

"Uh... my name is Geyorg, writer from Anvil. Pleased to meet you. And ahh ahh -- but I must go now."

Sarah the redhead had said nothing. She'd merely stared.

"Got to run, got to go!" Geyorg broke conversation, and left Sarah standing, her question unanswered. He'd felt this was a pretty rude thing to do, but at the moment he could have cared less. He moved toward the Oak and Crossier's front door, and had quickly walked outside.

The air was getting cooler, the sun was going down. Really getting eager now, Geyorg walked across the plaza, trying not to break into a full sprint. He then headed toward The Grey Mare, walked toward its front door, but then had circled the place, thinking that he was supposed to meet the Dunmer behind The Grey Mare, not in front of the Oak and Crosier. And there he was. There, behind The Gray Mare was Snaat Rayag the skooma dealer.

"Oh, you meant THIS tavern!" Geyorg had burst, trying to sound tough, lowering his voice an octave. "Might've told me 'behind the run-down tavern', instead of behind the nice one!"

"I told you fool," Snaat Rayag answered. "Meet me behind the tavern. BEHIND the tavern. You cannot stand behind the Oak and Crosier."

"Well, let's get this over with. Here's your gold. Now give me my prize!"

"Well that was smooth," the dealer answered. "Seriously, you're lucky you're meeting me here, not in Bravil where you'd have to fight for an appointment with the likes of me. Now go have your fun. I've got other places to be."

"I'm through talking to you anyway."

"Fine! Be that way."

Geyorg then stalked off, trying again not to break into a run. Must not draw attention to myself... He'd calmly walked past the Oak and Crosier, past the bookstore, past the chapel, and finally, toward the Jemane property. But he had not gone in the front door, fearing he'd run into Reynald just when he was wanting to just suck his new bottle. Instead, Geyorg had used the cellar entrance, which he had left unlocked several hours before. Once inside, he began fidgeting. He uncorked his bottle.

"Ah. Sheer ambrosia!"

The first sip was always the best; after which it would only get better. His head had swum. And his concerns? His worries? They'd gone to wherever concerns and worries might go. He had danced a little dance as the drug kicked-in (this much he remembered, for sure).

And then he stopped. Stopped cold. "You're not supposed to be in here!" he had tried to bark, but probably slurred instead.

But had it been her? Had it really been the lady with the red hair, standing suddenly before him in Jemane's cellar? That lady (Sarah...) had just stood there, staring, her face no longer sunny and smiling, like it had been back at the bar. This much he could remember. Sarah had stood fully, and then approached him, staring into his eyes.

"What hole did YOU crawl out of?" he tried, feeling agitated. Just when the high had kicked in.

Sarah continued to stare into his eyes though. And he had become more relaxed. She had spoken something, and suddenly, his priceless skooma high seemed like nothing, in comparison to the sweetness and clarity he'd suddenly felt. It was like floating on a rainbow, that feeling. Geyorg Vandallay had dropped his skooma bottle, and then...

And then ... what? What had happened? He could not remember anything after this particular moment. Had it really happened? Maybe Sarah, the red-haired lady from the tavern, had not been in Reynald's basement at all. Maybe he had hallucinated the entire thing.

But, Geyorg told his housemate none of this. "Yes, perhaps I really just had one too many, Reynald." Better to tell a lie, at this moment.

"Don't worry about it my friend," Reynald replied. "It happens to the best of us. But do me a favor, okay? Don't tell my brother you got too drunk, and then collapsed in my cellar? Oh, I'd never hear the end of it."

Geyorg Vandallay promised he'd never tell Reynald's brother Guilbert any of what he'd just confided. Geyorg then patted himself on the back, for also not telling Reynald that he'd really been using skooma down there, not just cheap wine or any other alcohol. All of this, he kept to himself.

But most of all, he did not tell Reynald the things he thought he'd seen: a red-haired lass named Sarah, who he'd met earlier in the evening, who somehow got into their basement. No, he had seen her while in a drug-induced fugue. Better to keep all of this to himself.

As Geyorg Vandallay parted ways with Reynald Jemane, his head boiling with sudden fever, he swore to himself that he'd never touch the skooma again.

----------




Early on the evening of Morndas, Frost Fall 3, Sarah Phimm noticed a Bosmer, pacing the Oak and Crosier lobby. Her vampiric instincts had kicked in. This man would be her second victim.

Geyorg Vandallay, writer of Thank Akatosh the Oblivion Crisis is over!, is addressed by Sarah Phimm, but he's eager to break conversation.

He leaves the Oak and Crosier, where his skooma dealer is nowhere to be found, and tries The Gray Mare. Snaaty told him to "meet him behind the tavern", but had not said which one to meet behind.

Quest update (yeah, I misspelled skooma... lol)

Sarah follows Geyorg up the street

...and sneaks into the cellar of some house, where the elf begins using his skooma. (note the weird glitch which happened to Sarah in this pic. I don't know why that happened but it fits the story).

The skooma addict is surprised

And then struck by fear..

....but he'll remember none of what happens the next morning, as he falls to the floor, hypnotized and paralyzed.

A bite to remember - a very appropriate name for this quest.

I love all the little details you included in this story - starting with Geyorg coming to Chorrol to publish a book and then things going downhil because his book wasn't the expected best seller. The Gray Wizard and Snaat Rayag also make a prominent appearance. Back when you were creating characters like Snaat & Joan, I didn't expect anyone of them will appear in Sarah's story.

Did you use the tfc command in the glitched pic? That's how your body looks like if you press tfc while in 1st person, I think.

We all have our needs. Happily, Geyorg's skooma needs make Sarah's need for a bit of elf blood easier.

So many mysteries still surrounding Sarah. This is all so interesting!

I am just glad I was able to get this part of her story started. All of what I'm writing now should have been up at the start of summer, but I had to learn a bunch of stuff. Because it's one of the few areas I turn into a perfectionist.

I can just imagine how lame Geyorg's book is though. It's probably full of "but there's no emperor, and no heir!" you know, statements which everybody says over and over.

Lopov: yes, I used tfc during the conversation between Snaaty and the squeaky wood elf, and I also used it in the final pictures. So if going into 1st person causes her to partially disappear like that, I'll be using this in the future, because it's way cool.

Hey, Renee!


What has happened to Kahreem of Horsetheft?

Probably found a huge stash of *CHEAP WINE* [TM]...

(I'd love to see that branding in RL. We did have a supermarket here called Gateway (sadly long gone), whose basic packaging was War Department-style black stencil on yellow labels, just saying stuff like 'SOAP' in big letters. Not unnaturally, this became quite trendy in the 1980s. Stopped just short of the tins just labelled 'FOOD' Emilio Estevez noshes on in Repo Man, but only just...)

Gahhh. My digital camera's not working, and my cellphone still takes pics, but it won't send them to my email for some reason. So no pics tonight.

Middas, 8:32 am, Second Seed 8, 3rd Era 434

Level: 13

Days Passed: 255
Days Jailed: 86

Fame: 0
Infamy: 34

Kahreem of Weet leaves Aleswell, which is still full of invisible animals and people. Apparently, nobody had come along to take care of whatever problem they'd been having. Before he leaves, he changes out of his Lucien Lachance robes, and into some more-average clothing. He also removes his Ring of Shadows, so that there is no doubt that this (stolen) horse does, in fact, have an actual rider.

He's headed toward the Imperial City, yet he knows he probably won't make it there. For sure, he's got a bounty, and one which will cause any ordinary road patrol to stop and take notice of the most notorious horse thief in Cyrodiil. But the ride during the early part of his morning goes quietly. For some reason, the Red Ring Road has never been patrolled between Aleswell and Fort Empire.

10:08 am
By the time he sees a guard, the man is busy doing what he should be doing--taking care of a couple of wolves. But this doesn't last very long.

"STOP! You violated the law. Pay the court a fine or serve your sentence, your stolen goods are now forfeit."

Kahreem realizes he could try to evade 'the law', and then run his stolen bay to the Waterfront, where his fine would be halved. But really, what point would there be? Even at half-rate, he'd still lose a significant amount of money.

"Sir. You know who I am, and what I've done. Today is your lucky day. Take me to jail, please."

"Hope you rot, criminal scum." the cook.


Morndas, 11:27 am, Second Seed 13
His stay in the Imperial City's jail was one of the finest. In fact, he'd come to think that the Imperial City might just have his favorite jail cell of all. The stonework in there was smoothly pebbled and shiny, not hacked by some loony who killed deer with his bare hands. Despite this, Kahreem can't help but notice that after his stay, he's lost some of his confidence in (1) swinging a blade, (2) blocking during combat, (3) reducing the effectiveness of blows, while wearing heavy armor, (4) um... alchemy?, and (5) uhhh.... alteration?

"This had better be good," says a one of the guards, just outside The Bastion.

"It is good. It is capital, in fact!"

"I've seen your kind before. Is it necessary that you speak with me?"

"Hey, you started this conversation."

"Go away, fool."

"Okay, I will. But first I need to get out of these wretched clothes. Ah, excuse me."

Kahreem undresses right then and there, and tosses the clothes he'd worn in jail on top of a pile of clothes he'd worn during previous incarcerations. Judging by the number of jail shirts lying on the cobblestoned ground, he's now been in the Imperial City jail at least six times!

"Time to find a beggar, I suppose."

He has no idea where to begin his quest. The Gray Fox had rambled on about some man named Jakben, but hadn't been too specific about where he might be buried.

"Have pity on an old war veteran?" Perfect.

"Mmm hmm, what war were you in, woman?"

"I can eat for a day with a single coin."

"Yeah I know what you mean. Well here, have a coin, beggar." *clink!*

"Thank you kind sir!"

"Whatever. I know you are a lowly beggar, who can't possibly know much about a man who lived some time ago named the Earl of Jakben, or some such. But I'll just take a stab in the dark here and ask you anyway."

"I know of him... would you... "

"Oh no, here we go."

"...loan me a few coins?"

"Are you saying that you know who this man is, the Earl of Jakben, even though you are a lowly beggar who fought in some war?"

"You are most gracious. The Earl of Imbel has a home in the Talos Plaza, facing the center plaza. He is an odd one. Keeps to himself mostly. Only goes out after dark. A real night owl."

"Really? He's an owl? Like, he can fly around?"

"I can help. The Earl of Imbel has a home in the Talos Plaza, on the inner wall."

"Capital!"

"What?"

"Capital! You've been a great help."

"Blessings of the Shadow upon ye."

"Uh huh. Whatever. Sure."

Kahreem later finds himself sat upon the deck of his home, the Marie Elena, where he swears he sees a platinum-haired elf skulking about.

Things are pretty bad if one has "a favourite jail cell" and a pile of old prison clothes. In one city alone!

Aleswell's still invisible, no thanks to Kahreem. I loved that he almost has his own cell as a frequent guest of the IC jail. Woot! A Lothran sighting on the Marie Elena!

I laughed at Kahreem's dialogue with the beggar! War veterans know a lot, Kahreem.

Awesome, glad you all liked it. I wanted to write more last night in fact, but I've had a blinding headache, which comes and goes all weekend.

Next story will be better, I promise. This one was just sorta 'meh', imo.

I know, right? This had me in stitches laughing !!!!

Turdas, Frost Fall 4, 4th Era Year 5

Playtime: 46.34:40
Days Passed: 39

While a new vampire took up refuge not far away, Joan of Arkay measured the risks of returning to Battlehorn Castle, against continuing her search for Sarah. Joan had asked and prodded several people, including Talasma, the Oak & Crosier's innkeeper, Seed-Neeus (owner of Northern Goods & Trade), and Emfrid, publican of The Gray Mare. Only one out of these three trusted sources indicated that a woman matching Sarah's description had been staying here in Chorrol, at least for a brief amount of time.

"Welcome to the Oak and Crosier. This one is Talasma, your hostess. Our rooms and food are at your disposal."

"Talasma, I have been inquiring about. Have you placed a guest upon your registry by the name of Sarah? Young Breton with a shock of red hair?"

"Hmm, this one has not use for keeping a registry, and names are not required for staying. But a Breton lady with a 'shock of red hair?' Talasma has seen such a lady. She stayed here last night. Was seen by this one cavorting with one of our patrons, but she did not renew her stay here, at the Oak and Crosier."

"Any ideas, perchance, where she might have been off to?"

But that was as far as Joan got with her investigation. Nobody else seemed to know a thing about a Breton lady with red hair, here in Chorrol. Strangest of all, nobody in the Chapel of Stendarr knew anything either. Joan of Arkay had specifically instructed Sarah Phimm to go to this chapel, and stay there until Joan herself could return from Fort Carmala. Had it been a mistake, not accompanying Sarah back to the chapel herself?

Joan of Arkay decided finally to go back to Battlehorn Castle, to rest and plan her next undead-related campaign. Wherever Sarah might be, it was obvious she was no longer in Chorrol.

It is too bad in a way, but it seems a less than happy confrontation between Joan and Sarah may be in the cards. You are weaving a fascinating tale here. Loved how the chapel would not abide Sarah within.

A very good story, told from a perspective of Joan as she tries to meet with the lady whose life she saved, and then from Sarah's, where we find out that she actually went to the chapel but the Nine disapproved. That was a nice effect, wish we had something like this in vanilla game.

Looks like Moslin recognized Sarah's true from and ran away from her. In other words, that's because you setstaged the quest - if you leave Moslin the innkeeper alive during the Hackdirt quest, he'll run from you as soon as he spots you.

I'm looking forward to her feeding adventures in Skingrad.

Nice! You're very perceptive on this one!

Lopov: Yes I think you are right. Everybody in Hackdirt was running away from Sarah because I fast-forwarded that quest. Although this might seem awkward, it totally fit the gaming session I had with her. Hackdirt is creepy enough, but just imagine the place is totally empty of life, yet all the miscellaneous stuff is still there, as though everybody had just left several minutes ago.

Anyway, time for some Kahreem of Weet.

7:45 pm, Second Seed 13, 3rd Era 434

Days Passed: 260
Game Hours: 245:48:53

(weird that I've been gaming with him for over 4 years now, but he's only got 245 hours).

Location: The Marie Elena



Kahreem of Weet opens the nearest sack just a crack, removes several bottles of Cheap Wine, and at the sack's very bottom, finds a little treat.

"Hello. Ready for some fun?"

Quickly gulps it down, feeling the rush of energy only skooma can give. His skin seems to glow even redder than usual, and he sways unevenly upon his feet for several minutes. And for these few minutes, the dank dark dampness of the ship he'd been calling his home for the last few months doesn't seem so dank, or dark, or damp. The Marie Elena had needed dry-docking for a good, long time, or at least, given more maintenance and care right here in the water. But nobody had taken up the task. Why would they? Since the pirates had been banished from this place, nobody really 'owned' the Marie Elena anymore. The place was becoming an eyesore, not that anybody seemed to really care or notice.

But none of that is any concern to the Redguard who'd been occasionally staying here. Finally, after some unknown amount of time, Kahreem flops down upon one of the ship's beds, still mid-deck, and still in the clothes he'd been wearing all day. He doesn't even take off his boots, although they were feeling pretty good right about then, especially after getting repaired and re-fleeced, with only the finest wool the mewing sheep of Cyrodiil could provide.

He lays down, his head all swimmy, and wonders for the umpteenth time whether or not anybody else had been living in his ship when he was gone, or even hiding amongst its many rooms and storage areas whenever he returned.

"Huh huh? Who's there?!"

Eventually his paranoia stops though. The skooma rush goes away. He'll have plenty to do tomorrow, and it doesn't take much time before he's passed out, in his clothes and boots.

--

Tirdas, 8:06 am:
It was the day before the night.... the BIG night, hopefully. The Redguard awakes and rises. Decides to do a little cleaning up, and (for now) places the precious robe & hood he'd acquired from Lucien Lachance in the same burlap sack in which he'd found the skooma. These clothes would come into use later, no doubt.

But first, he'd need to find this 'Earl of Jakben' fellow, whoever the fokke. And according to the scribbled notes he'd taken a day earlier from a "war veteran" begging for coin, the first place he'd need to look would be the Talos Plaza district.

"Time to get started, Redguard."

He begins by leaving the Marie Elena, and finding the nearest beggar. Pays this beggar, whose name is Puny Ancus, a few coins just to confirm that the story he'd gotten from the 'war veteran' is true. And yes, Puny Ancus reiterates the information the war veteran had said. There's a man named Jakben, and he has a home 'on the inner wall' of the Talos Plaza district. All good.

Kahreem then checks his man-purse. Yes, plenty of lockpicks to be had, at least four dozen in there. A trip to Shady Sam would not be needed.

"This had better be good!" one of the Imperial City's guards snaps as he walks by.

"You heartlanders are all the same, all taunts and no proof."

The guard stalks off. During his walk toward Talos Plaza, Kahreem's presence back in the Imperial City on this gloriously sunny day garners either neutral greetings, or what sound more like veiled threats, from guards and citizens alike.

"You have my ear, citizen." One of the politer guards, who perhaps was new at his post, and unfamiliar with Kahreem.

"I see no reason to talk to you." An Altmer wearing upper-class clothes, his fists raised.

"Greetings, child of Rad-ga." A delicious Redguard female.

Kahreem nods, winks, or scowls as he walks by. Finally, his destination ... the Talos Plaza District, where somehow, two beggars seemed to know that this is where the 'night owl' known as the Earl of Jakben would dwell. But where to start?



He starts by walking to the nearest door, and checking the name upon its placard. But this gets old quick. Chances are, this Jakben guy wouldn't have his fokkinge name listed up next to his door. Right? Kahreem gets a second idea.

Walks toward the nearest wall, and begins rubbing his hands upon it. Feeling for some sort of crack, some sort of handle, anything odd, anything out of place. He'd spent many of the last few months dealing with candle sconces which are really doorknobs, secret panels and phony bookcases. Somewhere along this wall, he thinks, must be the entrance to the Earl of Jakben's home. Right?

After awhile though, he realizes he looks totally ridiculous as he walks along slowly, feeling a bunch of stone walls. People might get suspicious. To allay anybody's puzzlement, he decides to begin talking to himself. As though he is crazy.

A man in brown clothes walks by and greets the Redguard, but seems to bustle away just a little bit quicker than he'd been moving a few seconds ago when he sees what Kahreem is up to. This is one man who won't be telling Kahreem about the Fighters Guild recruiting new members. Or the Emperor's recent death. Or how one can get the best armor at The Best Defense.

After an hour or so of walking along the walls and speaking nonsense, Kahreem gets another idea, after seeing a nearby well. Could this well's grate be a door? No, it is not. How about the moat of murky water to his left? Certainly, this moat is right there along the 'inner wall', right?

He jumps down the ramp, landing several meters into the water. Begins swimming and nosing his way underwater. But there was just...nothing to be found here.

The entire afternoon passes, Kahreem now soaked, frustrated, and trying to act like he's insane. He can only handle so much. After awhile, The Foaming Flask calls to him, with its promise of plenty libations for all. He can't but help and mindlessly walk toward this place, ready to feel the hammer of the Gods.

"Welcome to the Foaming Flask," says the pub's publican. "Good food, good drink. I'm Ernest Manis. Let me know what you need."

"I need to buy some liquor and get drunk, sir. I want to feel the hammer of the Gods."

"Have a look around. You won't find any better prices in all Cyrodiil!"

"Hmm.... Surilies ... Tamika ... plenty of mead. But no Cheap Wine? FOKKE!"

Mewing sheep of Cyrodiil!

I think that in the end reading inscriptions on doors is still the most helpful method to find out where the night hooting owl lives.

Kahreem sure has some interesting methods of finding people. I think he better cut down on the Skooma, starting to do things, he is...

"You have my ear, citizen." One of the politer guards, who perhaps was new at his post, and unfamiliar with Kahreem. - - Heh, till one of the older guards tells the new one about the infamous Weet Bandit who has his very own prison cell in the IC.

If he was convinced that there might be a secret panel of some sort, talking to himself to give the appearance of crazy was actually a pretty clever idea. I mean fokkes folks in the Shivering Isles do it all the time.

I'm a little worried if he actually meets Jak B Nimble.

Glad you three like it. I feel like my Kahreems haven't been as good lately. That last one was a nudge back upwards, though.



Morndas, 8:10 am, Frost Fall 8, 4th Era Year 5

Days Passed: 43

As morning light falls over Skingrad, some birds come to roost, while others rise to feed. Those who feed only gobble their worms and bugs, while those who roost do so with a slight notch of experience in their eyes, as though the owls and night doves knew slightly more than the sparrows, the grouses, the crows and other birds of daylight. And the peoples? They are like the birds of day, happily going about from one moment to the next, unaware of the lovely miscreation which had calmly returned in their midst, just hours before.


Eight hours earlier...

"Welcome back, Sarah. My prediction has come true. I knew you would someday return to Summitmist."

Sarah Phimm said nothing to Farnacas Collins, the man who'd invaded her home, and ended her previous life. Seeing Farnacas here in Summitmist Manor was not a surprise to her, of course. Serty had said the man would still be here; in fact he'd been living in her manor home quite comfortably. And indeed, when Sarah first returned, she could see that the place was a little more cleaned-up, its hearth was still burning, and various candles throughout Summitmist had been added and lit.

It had taken a few moments to find Farnacas though. He hadn't been in the house's parlor area, nor was he in its cellar. She finally found him in one of the manor's bedrooms, resting on his back. Upon her entrance, Farnacas then rose, to greet his new vampiric matron.

"Though circumstances may seem a bit untoward, with your Bretonic heritage abruptly being taken from you, I hope you can now see the foresight in my decisions."

"Foresight?"

"Yes. I have plans for you, Sarah. But we can surely talk about that later."

Sarah said nothing to this.

"I heard about what happened inside of Fort Carmala. The one-woman siege, of which essentially gutted the place of all my most recent minions, and one very dear friend."

"Serty."

"Serty. Yes. Serty Fyd." Farnacas's face had been cheerful, but grew cloudy in an instant. "She was to be my wife, Sarah. My bride. Oh, we'd been planning our wedding day now for over a decade, which believe me, is like a week or a month in mortals' terms. The day kept slipping though. And why rush it?"

Sarah smiled briefly.

"Her doom was unexpected, and though I am a master vampire, with what some assume no true feeling at all, I have been quite heart-broken. Have you any idea who might have caused all of this?"

Sarah did not answer for a few seconds. Then, "I know not her name, but I was able to fool her into thinking I am mortal. Hence, I am now here, instead of banished to a pile of dust."

"Very good, Sarah!" Farnacas was now smiling again. "I am pleased with this answer. You have just proved your first step of loyalty toward me. For I know who this ... woman is. I know of her. She is Breton, just as you once were, and she also has dark hair, and cavorts very closely with the Nine."

Sarah nodded, and made her own face cloud over. Under the circumstances, she had no other choice but to play along.

"Joan of Arkay is her name. An untoward [censored] of a woman. She was once quite the menace to our kind on Morrowind, and supposedly, she retired here in Cyrodiil, five or six years ago. Well, she had been quiet for quite awhile, indeed, she seemed to be in retirement, living in a castle not far from Chorrol. Yes, you can see we know of her, and of her place of hiding. But the risks inherent of taking her down have always been too great. Battlehorn Castle is fortified with dozens, and is far too dangerous for us to take on."

"I see."

"Even if all the vampires of the Great Forest bonded together as one, our hopes of even piercing Battlehorn would never be realized. But...none of this is your concern, Sarah. I am only happy you were able to fool Joan. Because you have one distinct quality that I undoubtly treasure."

"My full resistance to fire."

Farnacas nodded. "Do not concern yourself with Joan. We have work to do, you and I, and now we'll have to do it all without Carmala's help. Joan of Arkay cannot harm you, nor I, as long as we are here in Skingrad. And do you know why?"

"No I do not."

"It is because we have a friend here in Skingrad," Farnacas looked cheerful again. "Matter of fact, we have the most powerful friend we could possibly desire, right here in town."

"We do?"

"You shall soon meet this man, after one little problem has been resorted."

"And what might that be?"

The man's face grew disdainful. "Tayka Byite, that dreadful sorcerer. You know of him, and I know that you know, because you already mentioned his name when we met. Though he may not seem so, Tayka is one of the last of the Magyar Crypt-keepers, an ancient, but little-known, order of seers and sorcerers. He and I have known one another for years and decades, and even centuries. He knew me before I became what I am now."

Sarah nodded again.

"We were once amicable, Tayka and I. But those days are long gone, and he has already overstepped his bounds. He knows not to toy with you, Sarah, now that I am in Skingrad, now that you are mine!"

Sarah thought maybe she might make some sort of protest at these words, but said nothing.

"But I know Tayka. I know his ego, and his arrogance. I know how he thinks, how he operates. And sooner or later, there will be a showdown between him and I, over you. He desires the same quality I do: your ability to sustain any sort of damage from flames. And he will come for you because of this. He will come to fight ME, over you. Do you understand?"

"I .. yes I do understand, Farnacas."

"Very good. How compliant of you."

"How do we ... how do you plan to--?"

"How do we rid Tamriel of that menace? Easily. We let him come to us, Sarah. For we'd be fools to invade Istrius all on our own, with all their magics at the ready. You may still have full resistance to fire, I know because Serty told me you'd often bathe within the flames of a bonfire they built for you. But to shocking magic and cold? You still have weakness."

Sarah smiled briefly.

"We let him come to us. He cannot enter Skingrad with his entire flock of mages, now can he? Not without alerting the presence of the town's entire platoon of guards.... No, Tayka must come to Skingrad on his own, and well-disguised, too. And he will, I know he will. But he must come in secret. For he is wanted by the law, and despised by Skingrad's count."

"He must know of my fate by now," Sarah replied. "He must know of what I have become."

"He does indeed, I made sure of that."

The vampiress nodded, once again, but said nothing.

"Well. I can see my discourse has taxed you, and soon the sun shall rise. Sun... hmm. Are you able to withstand the rays of the sun, Sarah?"

"I ... no, I cannot."

"Such a pity. But expected. Your fire-resistance alone shall be quite enough, however, for what I have in mind. But do not let me hold you back any further. Welcome home, my dear."

"Thank you, Farncas," she replied. From far away, she could hear the chapel's bell tolling.



Return to Summitmist Manor

Anybody home?

Yes there is

Quest update

As usually, you deliver us interesting continuation of Sarah's story.

From a seemingly unimportant maid she has become a full-fledged vampiress with "men" fighting over her because of her fire-resisting abilities. At first I thought that Farnacas would send Sarah to kill Joan but he obviously knows that no matter how powerful, they aren't a match for Joan. I'm looking forward to Sarah's confrontation with Tayka, that [censored].

I really enjoyed this - especially that the story is weaving so nicely with Joan's and that it looks like Tayka's days are numbered.

Hee! I'm trying to decide if I want to picture Farnacus more like the Johnny Depp portrayal of Barnabas or the original fellow who did the old TV soap.

Lopov No way, he'd never send Sarah to kill Joan, omg Sarah is only level 3, she would be dead in seconds! Joan's level much higher than this.

Acadian: Thanks man! You may recognize in the beginning of that last story, when it goes on about birds of night and birds of day, I wrote it in such a way that it sounds like Vicky Winters (from the Dark Shadows show) is narrating. You know, she'd always give these sort of semi-poetic voice-overs for the beginning of the show. Here is an example. Thing is, I didn't mean to write it that way, that was unintentional. But I can totally hear Vicky narrating.

---------

Middas, 11:39 am, Second Seed 15, 3rd Era 434

Days Passed: 262
Location: Imperial City, Talos Plaza District


"Ha. Found you."

The mysterious Earl of Jakben keeps an ordinary stone house, which is nowhere near the 'inner wall', as the beggars had described. They had told the Redguard that the Earl of Jakben lived "on the inner wall of the Talos Plaza district", but LIES! ALL of it, LIES!

"I will have to return here later. But I got you," Kahreem muses, already able to smell the mellow, metallic odor of shiny new gold pieces. "Too bright out here now. I'll be back here by midnight, peraaps."

And so it goes. Since it is mid-day now, and he's got untold hours to kill. Kahreem heads straight to the Arena, where he gambles hundreds of gold around for a few hours, and winds up with 200 more than he walked in with. He places BIG bets too, 100 gold each time, why even bother with 25 or 50? ... In the past, he'd always had a 'system', superstitious or not, about how he placed his bets, and which door he would go through (left or right) after doing so, and today while throwing his money at gatekeeper Hundolin it's no different. If he places a bet on the blue team, he uses the left door. The yellow team? Now he'll go through the right door. But there are times when he suddenly gets an urge to use the opposite door to the one he had bet on. Today, he mostly places bets on the blue team. The one time he went yellow, he wasted 100 gold.

Kahreem begins his walk to the Markets for supper.

"Have pity on an old war veteran," says a man who actually looks he could be an old war veteran.

"You know, you beggars here in the Imperial City just led me wrongly."

"What?"

"The Earl of Jakben, who 'lives on the inner wall' of the Talos Plaza district, or so you'd have me believe. You are liars, all of you. You know how many hours I spent yesterday looking for some fokkinge door on the whole, entire inner wall? And how hot and sweaty and foolish everyone who saw me thought I looked? And the whole time, he lives right over there, in that house. All you had to do was say he lives kitty-corner to the Tiber Septim Hotel and we'd all be good. Hmph."

"Blessings of Stendarr upon ye."

"Yeah. Sure. Go ahead with your blessings and your Stendarr. All the money I pay you gents and ladies, pshaw! If you guys were bankers, you'd be giving me the money to someone else's account."

Kahreem lies down, and goes to sleep.





1:45 pm
Two hours later, Kahreem of Weet becomes the Weet Bandit, donning the cloak, the hood, and the ring which would make him harder to detect than Buffy of Bravil at an archery shindig for Bosmer. And once again, as Kahreem slips on his Ring of Shadows he marvels over the way it seems his arm and skin and hands are there one moment, bronze & reddish in color, but gone the next.

"You have my ear, citizen."

Fokke, that guard can see me? Good thing rings of chameleon aren't illegal.

His walk back to Jakben's is quiet and uneventful. The lock guarding the 'night-owl's' door is a 4-tumbler. Difficult, but not impossible. And once he is crouched down, he realizes that a guard had just walked past him as he began to focus on the lock. The guard had not seen the Redguard. Very good.

clicckckckckkckck... Fokke!

He goes through an inordinate amount of picks on this one door, breaking somewhere over 20 of them, cursing all the while. Nerves, I tell you. But at least he doesn't get caught. Once he is on the other side he sees something which makes him smile. A wine rack, full of the cheap stuff. He rewards himself with a bottle. Glugs this down, and then begins to relax.

He finds himself in the solid, scented home of a wealthy man. Like a truly rich person, this 'Jakben' fellow has music playing magically in his house, from somewhere unseen, making the Redguard silently curse once again. Though this music is soothing, there's something about the contrast between its bucolic passages, and just being the Weet Bandit at a time like this.

Kahreem had been in many such places during his career as a thief, and in every one of these, he hadn't exactly been welcomed. This time would be no different, thinks he. He pads softly across a giant, round rug, and climbs a set of stairs, hoping to find the Springheel Jak boots hidden somewhere easy, like in some barrel or some sack. No such luck. He does find something useful though. After getting the right angle, he manages to pickpocket a sleeping man, and finds a key to the Imbel household. It will be yet another key to add to the collection of dozens.

...and eventually, those instincts kick right in. Goes from one room to the next. Having the actual key to the entire house helps a lot. As he's searching what looks to be some sort of office or writing-room, he hears footsteps approaching, and a man in upper-class black clothes walks in. He's got white skin, and stops right in front of the Redguard, literally inches away. Does not see him though. The man seems lost in thought. Eventually he paces away.

"Phew."

This man, whoever he is, certainly seems as though he could be a "night owl." Should the Weet Bandit speak to him? He decides the answer to this question is Yes. ... "But it has to be done in a certain way," Kahreem decides. "It has to be done right."




Turdas, Second Seed 15, mid-morning

"An intruder. Help! Don't hurt me!"

The Breton screams a scream of madness as Kahreem awakes him. The Breton seems panicked, tears well in his eyes, so he covers them. He stands with them covered for what seems to be several minutes, before uncovering them, and blinking. He's still here! those eyes say.

"You sound rather sleepy for a murderer. ... uh... Fokke! ... You sleep rather soundly for a murderer. Which is good. Because you'll need to have a clear head for what I am about to propose, Jakben Imbel. Oh yes, I know your name. And your game. I know how you tortured that Bosmer, how you screamed as you stabbed his eyes," Kahreem spat. "My name is Speaker Weet. I am the current speaker for the Dark Brotherhood. And you are in big trouble, sir."

Kahreem had already toured the entire house by this point, and knew there'd be something interesting in the Imbel's cellar area to talk about. Would Jakben Imbel make any mention of this? "Don't hurt me! I'll tell you anything you want to know!" he says.

"That is a good way to start, Jakben Imbel. And since you just answered right, I can tell my dremora friend in the next room to put away his giant, flaming weapon. Oh Mince the Malevolent, we're okay in here! Down boy, easy!"

"Take everything, just spare me!"

"'Take everything?' Ha! I have already been through your house. Like a typical rich man, you must have all your best hidden somewhere else. I notice this, how you all keep just a few gold in a barrel here, a few more gold in a sack of burlap there. Where is all the good stuff? *ahem* Nice collection of wine though, I must say. Us Dark Brotherhood Speakers only go for the cheapest of wines. Sort of a tradition. And you sir, have very excellent taste. You even have some Cheap Wine from Last Seed. How did you know that's my favorite month?"

Jakben is cowering by now, and says nothing, but seems to notch his head just a tad. Dark Brotherhood Speakers enjoy Cheap Wine?

"Enough! .... about wine though," Speaker Weet says, growing suddenly, respectfully silent. "Time for your next question. And if you get it wrong, Mince the Malevolent is going to eat well tonight. Ready? Do you, as a descendent of the great thief Jakben, know anything about his boots? Think carefully how you answer."



"The family crypts are under the house," Jakben stammers from his submissive position, making Speaker Weet smile. "They give me the creeps. I have the key. Take it! Just don't hurt me!"

"Hmm. Well okay. I already have the fokkinge key, but I am pleased with this answer anyway."

"I ... I'm still alive."

"Yes you are. Speaker Weet is pleased. I will spare you, you murdering bastard. Just make sure it never happens again."

"Okay, whatever you say!"

"Now, I'm going to go into your crypt-cellar, and you better not tell anyone. Else 'ol Mince'll make mincemeat out of your and your foppish housemate. Got that?"

...But Jakben Imbel got it several minutes ago, apparently. And he doesn't call the guards.



Within moments, Kahreem is back in the Imbel cellar. Inserts the Imbel crypt key into the oddly-placed door he had found and....

Now what's this bombshell? Oh, Kahreem going live! Nice. Can't wait 'til he meets the infamous Jarl.

Good to see Farnacas considering his actions.

Edit in the morning: Gosh, Renee this one had me rolling! Speaker Weet! "You sound rather sleepy..." and the best part...

It is so very Kahreemish that his Arena activities are focused on betting instead of gladiating.

‘…make him harder to detect than Buffy of Bravil at an archery shindig for Bosmer.’ - - Woot! Buffy’s famous now!

"You sound rather sleepy for a murderer. ... uh... Fokke!’ - - I love Kahreem’s portrayal of a cheap wine-drinking speaker of the DB.

All Kahreem has to do now is play the role of the new emperor, and he's officially played every part he ever could


Hmm. I wonder what he'll find in that cellar..

Well firstly, Merry Xmas to all, and Festivus for the rest of us!

And awesome, glad you all laughed & liked that last Kahreem, yeah I had a blast writing that one. Was also getting worried ... some of his latest episodes have been kinda "meh" in my opinion.

Well now I have a really treat for you folks. Lotsa dialog, but plenty of picutres too. I mean pictures.


1:28 am, Frost Fall 10, 4th Era Year 5

Days Passed: 45
Days as a Vamp: 3
Necks Bitten: 6
Bounty: .....30



"Annoying creature..."

Mog gra-Mogakh was slightly stunned, as she muttered those two words under her breath. How dare she? The lady who'd deserted Two Sisters Lodge, and had left Mog short-handed thirteen days ago, decided to return once again. Mog smiled. This would be good. Her position at the bottom of the stairs, rather than at a more-immediate customer eye-level, as most inns and taverns possessed, afforded Mog the ability to know who her next customer would be, before her next customer would know who ran the place.

"How dare she?" Mog said aloud, this time not-so-far under her breath.

Of course, many customers of Two Sisters knew the place well, as they frequented it for food and drink nearly every day. Only those who were new, or far too intoxicated, might get confused about where the Two Sisters owner might be standing. As Sarah Phimm walked casually across the upper balcony of the place, she looked down at her former employer. And her former employer grinned and seethed. Within seconds, Sarah was down the stairs, and without one glance into either of the inn's hearths.

"Greetings to you, Mog," the redhead smiled sheepishly.

"Well, look what the durzog dragged in. Sarah Phimm, my former barmaid, gone missing."

"Mog, I do apologize for any--"

But the orc would not hear any words. "If you came to get your job back, you can just keep walking, miss prissy. I've already hired a more-than-suitable replacement, right over there. And I was so fortunate that she just happened to wander in here on the very morning you took your leave."

"Mog, I--"

"And all she does is work, you know? Much like you did, only without all the sulking, and the slow-paced service, and without all that dreamy fire-staring nonsense you used to do."

Sarah nodded. "I know these things. But well, I ..."

"Well anyway," Mog continued haughtily. "I am glad you came back. For now I can officially stamp upon you, like my boot on a bug. Sarah Phimm, you are no longer employed by Two Sisters Lodge. Your job has been relinquished, effective two weeks ago."

"Relinquished? Not the proper word, I am afraid. For it would be up to me to relinquish, to surrender, my former employ. To 'relinquish' means to give up, you see. A word you might find more suitable might be--"

"SILENCE, WENCH!" Mog suddenly screamed, making her new barmaid drop a tankard of ale just inches from a customer's lap. "You may NOT have your job back, Sarah. Your employment here has been terminated. Is that a better word? It has ended, you got that?"

"Well I--"

"No, I've had enough of you, you sorry whelp," Mog really looked agitated by now, her smile-of-triumph suddenly gone. "I want you to get out of here. Scram! Just GO AWAY! And do not come back!"

And to Mog's eventual astonishment, Sarah Phimm left, and never did return to Two Sisters Lodge.




8:10 pm, Frost Fall 10
As this glorious Frost Fall day ended, the sun bidding its zillionth goodbye, Masser and Secunda, Tamriel's twin moons, ended their daily routine of hiding-in-plain-sight, and became fully visible. Many residents of Skingrad would be ending shifts at their jobs, and perhaps heading home, or toward one of Skingrad's two main eateries. Guards changing hands, while others took their posts. Many grapes happy to still be unpicked on their vines. Beggars returning to their bedrolls, hopefully a few coins closer to that 'new pair of shoes.'

But there were others, three in fact, who would have somewhat different plans in mind for this evening. Two of these three were men, and the third? A sort of woman. The two men returned to their homes, both with vague and worrisome thoughts of the coming night, as though they feared their own shadows. While the third, the woman, groaned out of a sort of sleep, moving suddenly and quickly out of the Chapel of Julianos's undercroft. This woman's goal would be to relocate Sarah Phimm, and give her some information. And Sarah Phimm, now that she had returned to Skingrad, would not be hard to find at all.

In fact, just as the chapel's bells tolled eight of night, the woman, the ghostly apparition known as Khul Peppa, found Sarah Phimm in her manor-home, waiting for the sun's rays to fully vacate the skies. Khul (being a ghost) did not need to knock on Sarah's door, though she did so out of courtesy.

"Yes? Come in."

Khul Peppa walked into Summitmist, which was now a bit more of a home, now that the place had been fixed up a bit. "Sarah, you have returned," Khul started.

"I have indeed. How have you been, lady? I have been to the graveyard outside of Skingrad's chapel many times, yet have not the luck to be graced by your presence."

"Good," Khul Peppa answered. "I am glad my presence at this hour has not startled you, and that you remember me from before. How could you honestly forget me though? Not many ghosts go wandering around, talking to people in Skingrad, do they?"

"Well it is good to see you, though I cannot actually see you as plainly, of course."

Sarah paused, looking as if she'd say more, but did not.

Khul said, "I knew you were back in town. I know many things. And see many things. I keep watch from the shadows. And my have you changed. I cannot say for the better though. Honestly, I am not really so fanatical of your kind."

"So ... you know... "

"I know it was not really your choice to join the undead," Khul Peppa said sadly. "And you have become a vampiric one at that. But otherwise, I have no real concern or say on the matter. My goal here I suppose, is to help you. To help you adapt. Because my superior wants these things for you. Now, are you ready to hear what I have to say?"

Sarah nodded.

"Yes, I do have somebody who guides me. And she wants me to tell you something. Something about that broom I gave you."

"That broom? The one you handed to me, yet hinted might not be suitable just for sweeping floors?"

"Precisely. Sarah, your broom...is magical."

"What?"

"It was crafted by a long-dead witch from somewhere in the south of Tamriel, Black Marsh, perhaps. And through long and storied fate, it has been handed and passed on from one lucky soul to the next. Its story in entirety must be long and full of awe, but all I can tell you is that it was given to me years ago before my death, and now that I no longer travel great distances, now that I am rooted here within Skingrad day after day, I have no more use for it."

"I ... I see," Sarah said doubtfully.

"No, you do not. To put it shortly, your magical broom ... can fly."

*gasp* "It can fly?"

"Yes, you heard me right. That broom has magical powers of the Mysticism and Destruction schools imbued within its shaft, and if you command it to do so, it will lift your personage right off the ground. You will then be free to move about at your whim, as the birds and the bats fly. Lifting, strafing, avoiding.... high into the sky, if you can manage without fear. I suspect your broom might become especially helpful as you'll be needing to occasionally travel afar, in your everlasting quest for blood, yes? You must know by now that you cannot take all your victims here in Skingrad, can you? For fear of being caught while trespassing, or even risking arrest for assault as you struggle to feed some of your more wary ... uh ... victims. Your broom can help you most of all, as you'll then need to return to Skingrad, yet might have quite a bit of distance to cover within short notice, before you are banished by the rays of the sun."

Sarah stood dumbfounded, her expression that of a child caught stealing candy. "I ... well I ...."

"Anyway, it is not my prerogative to judge you for who you have been forced to become. Yes, I know it was Farnacas who did this. And I will tell you this: I despise your kind, yet I also see the beneficial side to having an un-living friend, one who was known to me as a mortal not long ago, right here in town."

"I see."

"Good day... or... goodnight, I suppose. Enjoy your magical broom."

Sarah looked doubtful again. "But this broom, and your 'orders' that it be given to me. Might this have anything to do with Matilde Petit?"

"Ah, the question, the very question," Khul Peppa began. "Matilde Petit, the one who started this all, it would seem. And so, you have knowledge of Matilde granting your possession of your manor home, you have heard Farnacas and Takya mention her name, and now you wish to know if SHE is the one who is the true giver of your new toy."

Sarah nodded.

"I see. I understand. But I cannot answer. Only those who possess the gift of understanding may know the truth, I suppose."

"But how? I don't ..."

"Now if you will excuse me, I must return to darkness. For I have my own needs as a non-mortal. I will see you soon, however. But for now, I know I must not waste any more of your precious time. Time is always short for you yes?"

"No, please do not go!"

But the ghost of a lady did just that, and was gone in a flash, impossible for Sarah to see as she ran further away.

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


Mog was not pleased to see Sarah, in fact she fired her, and told her to never return to Two Sisters (NPC big-face warning for mALX, )

Job termination is now official

Sarah spends her days hidden in Summitmist

And portions of night stalking the unaware

But she is surprised by a visit from Khul Peppa, who informs her that the broom she gave Sarah several weeks ago is magical. But Khul will not divulge any secrets about Matilde Petit.

Doubtfully, Sarah walks outside of town, and summons the magic within the broom

And lo. Brooms aren't just for cleaning anymore

Her ride begins slowly

But soon, she's having fun, playing under moonlight

She gets higher, and higher, straight up she finds

Higher, and higher, leave it all behind!

But her fun soon comes to an end. The sky, it begins to grow light.

The scene with Mog was funny!

More mystery surrounding Caulipepper the ghost.

How very wonderfully whimsical! I want a flying broom - it looks like great fun!

Donald Trump fired Sarah!

She is looking good in her gold outfit. It fits perfectly with her blond hair.

W00T! Sarah has a Nimbus 200!

My Christmas wasn't ruined by a freak out huge face, this one stayed minimized, lol. What happened with that last one was that - for some reason it maximized on opening, lol.




I am just totally floored by how fun your modding is! I would give anything to play these mods! Your imagination is amazing !!!! And is that SubRosa's broom she is flying around on?

Wow, Sarah has her very own broom now. Some people get PipBoys but Sarah got a broom - who's more cool now? Great shots as she's flying high in the sky with Moons behind her. Why do I have a feeling that she's going to fly to Fort Istirus soon enough?



That has to be my favorite sentence from this story.

Ha ha I knew some folks would be like "WTF" about that update. I found that broom mod on somebody's homemade website two summers ago (not Nexus or PES, but literally some cheapie geocities-looking website), even before I started Sarah's game, and I've been sitting on it all this time, until the story caught up. It's really fun, especially buzzing over enemies and whatnot.

Acadian: yes that scene with Mog is funny, especially because Mog fires her unnecessarily, because Sarah has no desire to work anymore, anyways. I think that'd be a cool thing to happen though, to get fired from my job but then have a ghost show up at my house and give me a magical, flying broom.

SubRosa: She finally changed out of her barmaid's clothes, yep! She'll be doing this more often now.

mALX: SubRosa made a broom mod too? :ohmy: Thanks for your kind words. If you ever want, I can write a quest for you. I'd be delighted to.

Lopov: She flew over Fort Istrius. I'm not sure if she'll ever go inside there. Hmm.

Time for Kahreem of Weet, which means switching from past perspective to present perspective. I dunno why, but I've always used present for Kahreem's story, maybe because everything has more of an immediate impact.

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

11:25 am, Second Seed 16, 3rd Era 434

Days Passed: 263



The door before him is locked up tight. Kahreem of Weet is glad to have a key now to open it. He notices that the key the living Jakben gave him (for this door) is slightly different from the one he'd pickpocketed from Jakben's housemate. *Clink!* goes its lock, and the Redguard finds himself in the Imbel Family Crypt.

"Guess it was nothing," says a female voice. Voices ... down here?

Kahreem shivers, and is very glad he's got his Dark Brotherhood robe and hood on, with his Ring of Shadows there to back it all up. Voices down here could only mean that there are ghosts up ahead, and he has no intention of getting tangled up with those. He crouches down, and moves forward slowly. Risks his torch. Turns around fully; all 360 degrees. Turns out, he's in an area that looks more like a cave than a crypt. The place is very dark. When he lit his torch, he saw a coffin nearby, located in a cut-out section of rock. First order of business is to loot this coffin, and 38 gold are his, just like that.

"Ha. So this is where the rich people keep their gold," he whispers. "I'll have to look for hidden crypt-doors in their homes from now on."

The area of cave he is in goes forward and bends to the left. Up ahead it is PITCH black. Really dark. But he hears a bit of air blowing nearby, and figures out that it's whooshing through a nearby door. Unfortunately, this door is locked with a 4-tumbler. And it's too early to start breaking lockpicks, when the fokkinge key might be down here all the while.

He risks his torch again. Turns out, the area ahead of him dead-ends to a wall-full of fallen rock. A 'cave-in', is what they called it. Nowhere to go, except back to that locked door. Fokke! Four tumblers to go. But Kahreem gets lucky and this time it only takes him three tries before he gets inside. There's some glowing moss up ahead, and because of this, he sees a figure ahead, before she sees him.

She's not a ghost though. She's an armored orc, with a large battleaxe on her back. As Kahreem gets closer, he can see she's got some expensive armor too, and her axe looks enchanted with some sort of red magic. He tries to pickpocket her, but does not find anything of use, or importance. But he also notices that his try at looting her goes completely unnoticed. Not bad, Redguard.

Then, another door is ahead, and this one is not far from the orc in the expensive armor. He'll have to be really quiet as he picks this one. No cursing aloud, that's for damn sure. And oddly, the orc does not notice, as there are suddenly constant clicking noises coming from a few yards away, and then the door she's standing by suddenly opens. This door also suddenly closes. Though she seems completely unaware that there's an intruder in her midst, Kahreem begins to get the idea that she's not just an orc. For she stands completely still, as though she's struck a pose and has no intention of breaking it.



Behind this second locked door is a small, oval-shaped room, with a second coffin to open. And this coffin turns out to be the one. It's got Jakben's name inscripted right upon it. But there are no boots inside.

Fokke!

Kahreem does find a journal though, along with an old warhammer and some moldy, rich-man's clothes. Unable to contain his curiosity, he lights his torch right then and there, secure that the orc woman in the next chamber won't be able to see him.



Well, the orc woman doesn't see him, somebody else does! And this 'somebody else' just happens to be an unseen. Walks right up to Kahreem (his robe and magical ring suddenly worthless) and the sound of a blade being unsheathed is now heard. *shink!* Immediately, the Redguard drops Jakben's diary into his night-sack, and before he can take any damage, he moves swiftly out of Jakben's coffin-room.

"Hey hey hey, everybody easy now!"

The orc in the next room casts some sort of spell, and is now invisible, just like the unseen ghost who came at him with some sort of knife is. But again, Kahreem is too quick for her. As he rushes out of there, he notices several other unseens are suddenly about, unsheathing blades, and casting magic. So it's good this underground crypt is not too large. Kahreem was able to memorize its layout, and within seconds, he's back in Jakben Imbel's cellar, where it's bright and pleasant again. Crouches down. Maybe the crypt-keepers will not follow him out here.

But one of them certainly does. He notices a change in his vision up ahead, as one of 'them' decides to leave the safety the crypt. "Fokke!" Whoever it is casts an immediate fireball at the Reduard, striking him with sudden, brilliant warmth, but not doing very much real damage. Kahreem rushes out of the cellar, back into the Imbel's upper residence (pleasant music playing once again), and out into the Talos Plaza district, where it's now daylight and clear skies.


4:28 pm

"FORRRR THE EMPIRE!!!"

At first, the Redguard thinks they're all after him, but the guard initially running toward Kahreem suddenly veers in another direction, readying his silver sword, and headed back toward the Imbel house. Although Kahreem can't see entirely what's going on, whoever has followed him out here casts a summons, so that now there's a ghost floating, probably to confuse the guards.

"This ends here!"

"Nooo!"

But the guards aren't so easily confused. Suddenly, three of them have converged upon the unseen figure (or one of them) who'd followed him out of the Imbel household. Swords flail, and arrows fly. The unseen figure takes multiple strikes of damage, while a lady in red clothes, who'd initially been helping with her fists, suddenly decides it's just too much for her to handle.

But then it's all over. The enemy is fallen, its body & armor now fully visible. Phew. Kahreem saunters up to the fallen figure, still wearing his Ring of Shadows, and decides nobody will mind if he loots this dead body, right then and there.

"How goes it?" offers the lady in red clothes, her voice completely pleasant.

"Not bad," answers one of the Talos Plaza guards, reclaiming his usual, professional calm.

"Take care," answers the lady, suddenly looking forward to the stories she'd soon be gossiping, all over town. I was there when it happened!

Whew, that was a close call for Kahreem getting out of that small crypt with armored bladed invisible foes all around!

I enjoyed this update and was curious how will Kahreem deal with vampires under Jakben's house. I think he chose the best possible solution by avoiding all but the most important of them. It was clever to lure Jakben out and let others finish him off. The part about doors opening and closing in the full sight of the Orc was funny.

What does the text in Jakben's note look like to you all? Is it written in cursive, in a weird-looking font? Oddly, some computers show it in the font I selected (from Notepad's Rich Text format) while on other computers it just looks like Times Roman.

It displays in New Times Roman for me.

And for me and me. (I tried two different browsers, both on PC)

Heh, I seem to have missed this Kahreem update. Nice that he got the boots now


And Sarah flies on a broom??

Yah, he finally got those boots! Actually, it didn't take him too many tries. Just think back to the days when he was supposed to steal Ahdarji's ring from the Countess...and it was week after week of me writing about his blunders.

I used a font called AR Berkley in Jakben's note. Wanted to try something other than Comic Sans. I'll see if I can use my work computer (which is older) to get a different font tomorrow, because the cursive in that note really makes it stand out.

Sundas, Frostfall 14, 4th Era Year 5



"Sarah no longer works here? Oh how dreadful. Is she well? Have you seen her recently?"

Mog gra-Mogakh had nothing positive to say about Sarah Phimm though, leaving Joan of Arkay even more mystified. Where is Sarah Phimm? Where did she go? She had definitely been here in Skingrad, according to the way Mog answers my questions. So she made it back from Chorrol....

The more Joan questioned Mog though, the more agitated the orc became. It was as if she were glad to be rid of Sarah, for whatever reason. From what Joan could discern, Sarah had not been a good barmaid, but she had at leasst been showing up steadily for work, until one day she just didn't come in. No warning, no note, and no more job for Sarah.

"Would you perchance have an inkling of where I might have the fortune to locate her?"

This brought Mog's annoyance down just a notch or two; in fact the orc seemed happier that Joan would soon be leaving her tavern, even if she hadn't bought any drinks or meals.

"Oh yes, I know where that Breton trash might be located. Try Summitmist Manor, right here in Skingrad. It's said some odd things happened there in the past, some sort of mass murdering. Anyway, one day Sarah showed up to work, and told me she wouldn't need to be renting a room from me anymore. Because she's just inherited Summitmist. Beats me how she got it, but she had a deed and a title, and was even able to talk down some guards from arresting her for trespassing. The wench."

Joan had to hold her tongue from giving the orc a lashing; or from pummeling Mog with a flurry of fists. She'd met necromancers who were more cordial than Mog. But at least Mog had been helpful.

... and later on, after searching the meandering streets of Skingrad, Joan of Arkay finally found Summitmist. Knocked on its door, several times. No answer. Nobody answered, yet Joan had been dealing with the afterlife for a long time now. And to her, the silence inside the place seemed to have a life all its own.

---

Frostfall 14, 8:55 pm
As the sun was going down on this day, and crickets began to chirp, Oorly, the man who ran Skingrad's branch of the Gold Horse Courier, returned to his establishment. He'd had his usual dinner over at Two Sisters Lodge, as he did so nearly every day. Tonight's meal was some sort of venison stew, with lots of wild herbs and mushrooms in there to constantly keep one's tastebuds guessing. Mog's new cook and barmaid was more adventurous with her choice of ingredients than her former employee, the youthful one with the red hair.


Being a Gold Horse Courier employee meant doing several jobs every day, so that Oorly was not only in charge of local courier assignments, but also helping citizens with money--dispensing and depositing currency to and from Skingrad's bank. He sometimes also had various small job offerings, though he wasn't anybody's official boss. Normally, his day was ordinary and pleasant, if a bit dull at times. But this was just the way he liked it. After work (and after dinner), he would then return to his establishment, which featured plenty of living space. So therefore, he lived above his workplace, like so many other merchants of Cyrodiil.

Today, however, Oorly found himself dreading his return home. Scant rays of sunlight, dwindling off. Twin moons in the sky. Sounds of night-birds. Normally, all these things were of no consequence for this dutiful Gold Horse Courier employee...

What happened to her? The redhead? When did she stop working at Two Sisters? Was it a week ago? Two weeks?

...but lately, and tonight in particular, Oorly felt a sort of woe in the pit of his stomach. A sort of woe ... and almost a sick sort of feeling.

She was in my dream! Last night! ... And the night before!

Suddenly, he remembered. The redheaded serveant who had helped Mog tend to Two Sisters customers...SHE had been in some sort of recurring dream of his. And this dream had started (oddly) in Oorly's own bedroom, but ended somewhere else. Had she wanted to embrace me? To kiss me? ... but he could not remember entirely. All he could recall was that her presence was both welcoming and bothersome. He'd been happy to see her, in a way he'd rarely felt happiness before. She'd been a delightful sight every night as she'd served his food in the past, and now here she was in his dreams!

But he'd also been not so glad to see her. Startled. Alarmed, even.

And it was this vexing set of mind-conflicts which caused Oorly to finally wonder if he should begin locking his doors at night. He'd never locked them before, because leaving them open would allow couriers to come in at all hours. They could then grab their next delivery job at their convenience, and be on their way. Such leniency with unlocked doors allowed the entire BHC network to operate much more efficiently, of course.

But still, the question was there. "But I can't do that!" Oorly protested in his soft-spoken voice, speaking to the nearest wall. "Oh stuff it, you silly man. Just a dream. That's all. Nothing to be afraid of. Besides, what would the rest of the Black Horse Courier think, if one of its delegates began locking his doors at night? Heh, I might even get black-listed if word got around about that."

Luckily for Oorly, the night of Frostfall 14 would be the first good night's sleep he'd have in awhile. With absolutely no dreams of the redhead.

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




Sarah still has dreams. She often dreams of the days when she was a meek & mild barmaid.

This is what happens now, if she tries to enjoy some sun.

Her nights have become her days, and often involve moments like this one, persuading one of her two Skingrad victims that "you shall feel such delight."

Serty taught Sarah well. She always wins these 'persuasion contests.'

Approaching Kvatch (I later used the 'close gate' console command here, but I love this pic with it still open).

Gloomy Kvatch

Several years after the Oblivion Crisis is over, the place is still in ruins. Sort of.

Another flying pic

Wonderful stuff, Renee! I find myself hoping that Joan does not find Sarah. Such a meeting does not seem likely to go well. Woot! Sarah takes to her broom like a bat to the night sky!

Some fabulous screenshots.

These screens are amazing!!! Some of the best you have taken! Poor Sarah !!!!

Sarah Phimm stirred up lives of several people. Joan is trying to track her down, Oorly can't sleep because of her and bandits of Kvatch can rant and rave all they want but they can't reach her on her flying broom. Nice pics too, especially the last one.

Gaming with Sarah is very fun in her new "state". I thought it might be. Once the initial quests were done (with Joan and Fort Carmala and Chorrol) I would start gaming with her as a vampire, fully exploring the Vampire Power mod, while taking lots of screeneis and flying around on her broom. This phase of Sarah will last for awhile methinks, but there will be some really amazing bits to come as well, storywise.

This past week though, Sarah flew to Anvil, where she fed off a couple of the seamen who live in the Fo'ci'cle (however it's spelled). I find that she mostly feeds from men. She had a perfect chance at Mirabelle Monet, yet turned it down. She did feed from a woman who lives in one of the mod-added towns in her game, though she was getting desperate at the time. She doesn't like to feed off the same people all the time though, so there's often a bit of exploration going on once the sun goes down, for new victims.

And once the feeding is done, there's usually a mad dash back to Skingrad, before the sun comes up. Anyway, now let's see what my Redguard is up to.


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

Loredas, 10:32 am, Second Seed 18

Days Passed: 264

Level: 13

Current Gold: 2,640

Kahreem of Weet gets a late start on the 18th of Second Seed. Gets up, lazes out of his favorite Marie Elena bed to go find something to wear. Then again, why not just wear what he's got on? A set of brown-colored clothes? This way, he won't be overdressed as he leaves the Waterfront. He also decides he'll bring his dwemer mace + steel shield, steel helmet, new mithril boots, some food, some Cheap Wine, and (of course) the Boots of Springheel Jak. How can he forget those?

It's raining softly outside, but it's not a cold rain. "Oh blast! My Dark Brotherhood outfit!"

How can he forget that too? This warrants a trip backwards, into his ship's galley, and then below-deck again. Grabs his robe + hood, and then begins to walk.

"If there's a complaint," says a Redguard man, "speak to Vinicia Melissaeia".

"She takes all the complaints but nothing ever seems to happen." The groan of a grown woman.

"Hmm." The Redguard has nothing further to say, apparently he's stumped on that one.

"So long."

"Be seeing -- HELP! HELP! COME QUICK COME QUICK, WE'VE GOT A BURGULAR!"

This time, it's a white horse which Kahreem steals, and as usual, he's gone in a flash. He's gone well before any of the Waterfront's guards can react. Storms off toward the main bridge across Lake Rumare, while the Weet Bandit punches the air triumphantly. As he crosses the bridge he begins to slow. Nobody is chasing him. But this changes once he passes through Weye, and reaches the Red Ring Road. Immediately upon sight, a guard who'd been patrolling off his horse suddenly gets upon it.

"Here we go again."

The guard rushes near the Redguard as the rain continues to pour, "STOP RIGHT THERE, criminal scum. NOBODY beaks the law on MY watch."

"Really? Are you sure? You are saying that nobody ever breaks the law on your watch. But I just did an hour ago."

"I'll be confiscating your stolen goods. Now pay your fine, or it's off to jail."

"No you won't. By regulatory law, you must now dismount your horse while you pursue me. An odd guideline if I may say so, sir. You've got your horse, I've got mine, and horses are much faster than you are. So guess who's going to win this one?"

"Then PAY WITH YOUR BLOOD!"

"It's a coup I tell you," Kahreem says, trying to sound flummoxed. "The count and his wife paid for this! I'm merely an escort!"

"Come back here!"

"Fokke, didn't work."

By the time he rides by Fort Empire though, Kahreem has ridden the white horse through a virtual slalom of turns and switchbacks on the hill to his left. The guard does not seem to follow, for he is nowhere to be seen. And luckily, the troll which has been residing at this fort for the past day or two also doesn't notice as the tasty Redguard on an even tastier horse rides by.

"Phew."

He makes it to Aleswell by nightfall. Luckily for him, no guards happened to patrol this particular stretch of road, for whatever reason. Maybe they're afraid to because they think the place is haunted? ... He corrals the horse into Aleswell's appropriate animal stable, dismounts, and closes the stable's gate. Immediately, the white begins fidgeting, trying to find some means of escape, and making Kahreem wish he'd been able to steal a bay instead of a fidgety white.

"What to you want?"

"Huh?"

"Talk to Diram in the inn," says an orc who'd been plowing the village's field. "I'm tired of this minstrel's freakshow our town has turned into."

"Oh. How could I forget? You all are still invisible. Well don't feel so bad actually. I'm going to be invisible too, while I'm here. See? Ring on. No more Redguard bandit."

"May your kills be quick and many."

"Eh, now that's the spirit orc. You don't know how many times I get people coming up to me saying 'Shadow hide you', or 'shadow hide the hunter.' As though I'm in the Thieves Guild, or something. You know what I mean? Can you imagine the audacity some people have, to assume such a thing?"

"That's fine news!" says the orc merrily.

"What-ever."

Chalk one up for the home boy; another horse taken and no guard in sight! Well, not after reaching Aleswell anyway

WTF?!

Yeah this one's pretty funny! I had no idea. I wrote it while in a Nyquil fog...been sick all weekend. I didn't even edit it, so sloppy of me! I just did so now though.

Glad you enjoyed it.

'He corrals the horse into Aleswell's appropriate animal stable, dismounts, and closes the stable's gate. Immediately, the white begins fidgeting, trying to find some means of escape, and making Kahreem wish he'd been able to steal a bay instead of a fidgety white.' - - Love how Kahreem's vast experience in horse thievery comes with intimate knowledge of the dismounted behavior of each type once dismounted. No wonder the bays are normally his first choice. I loved that quirk in the game and eventually learned it applies to the Legion bays as well.