It looks amazing, so much better than it looks on my laptop game. I haven't played it on my new PC yet, I hope it looks that good when I do!

Is that pointy-eared mutant in the last picture your Skyrim Calindil?

Lopov, I suppose once you’re used to the stone beds of Markarth, the sidewalk is as good a place as any for Muiri and her man. I love the Masterchef picture. Great shot!

haute, I love how tough and strong Alise looks. She and Argis are sporting some badass looking armor. My favorites have to be the look Argis is giving her in Shared a Tent and Alise with her awesome bow in Snipe.


Here’s an assortment from my games:

Jensa demonstrating that her arms are still long enough.

A scene from Valdi and Erik’s honeymoon.

Lildereth and Jerric go fishing.

It takes a lot to make Darnand look outward. Starting to feel like home.

Ishckrihk picks a fight with his master, but Darnand finishes it.

Jensa! My favorite shot is Darnand looking out - Awesome shot!

That pointy-ear mutant is indeed Calindil, our friendly-neighborhood proprietor of the Mystic Emporium.

That looks like some honeymoon! I wonder what the reception was like!

So was the water, cold, and that is Jerric leaping out?

Darnand a wonderfully-colored horizon to mull over from Whiterun's battlements.

I see Lildereth, and I see what looks like a dead slaughterfish. Yum, dinner! But where's Jerric? Wait, is that nude Nord hopping in the distance -- no, really?? That's Jerric? That's how he fishes?




I also like Alise's looks in Skyrim, too. She is comfortable with her skin, and I am too. We both looked at Ethereal Elven Overhaul, but she said it makes elves look too -- human. That's her polite way of saying "I'm no f**kin' Barbie doll!" I have to agree, I liked the vanilla features that Beth gave these characters - there's all kinds of stories written on their faces. I just looked around on the Nexus until I found textures and normal maps that kept the vanilla features but improved the resolution and details.

Grits –
Love Jensa’s bow!
Valdi talked Erik into going on an Orsimer honeymoon?
Lil probably got that fish with one arrow and no fuss. I see in the distance that Jerric is still dipping his bait trying to get a bite.
Aww, nice to see Darnand warming up to Skyrim.
Naughty Frost Atronach!!!

Wow, those pictures are melt-in-your-mouth delicious, Grits. Really spectacular. Who is that flying way in the background of the fishing pic?



Ha you took my joke SR, I literally was going to say this.

That’s Jerric jumping off the big rock into the lake. I took the picture in his game. It was a gorgeous day so there was no way to keep him out of the water. His antics attracted every slaughterfish in the lake, and one by one Lil shot them.

Ahah! I see now that Lil just uses Jerric for bait - clever elf! And along the same lines, I love the current screenshot of the month in your siggy - Jerric dipping his tackle again.

And there I was thinking he was leaping back out of the water after he found out how cold it was!

That was one high leap!

Being a Nord means never having to say the water’s cold.

HaHaHa!

I love these shots!

"Oh no, the Emperor is dead!"

Aard knew that it's only a matter of time before they figure out that the MasterChef has been behind it, so he quickly left the tower through the southern door, as instructed by Astrid. However, as it turned out, it was all a trick. As Commander Maro nicely explained to Aard, he had just killed the fake Emperor, but at the same time the Falkreath Sanctuary was being attacked by Penitus Oculatus.

But Maro and his soldiers underestimated Aard. Despite his stupid chef's hat and furry robes, Aard was still good with knives though he wasn't a cook.

"Whatcha gonna do, soldier? Huh? Whatcha gonna do?"
"It were better if you stayed home today."

Aard took armor from one of the dead soldier, finally wearing something more appropriate. Nonetheless, he was a wanted criminal, not just in Solitude but in entire Skyrim, and he got recognized immediately. Mehrunes Dagon himself was smiling upon Aard as he was killing off Solitude guards with his unholy razor.

"Come, let me give you a shave of your life!"
"You want some too?"
"It's sharp enough for everyone!"
"Stay back, peasants!"

He avoided Dragon's Bridge and took a shortcut over the shallow river. His ride to the Sanctuary was bloody, it looked like entire Skyrim was searching for him. Maro's word were proven true, as he arrived to the Sanctuary, it was under attack. Almost all of his friends and mentors were dead, namely...

Festus, who always troubled Aard with how supreme magic is compared to melee fight
Veezara, his dearest dark brother
Arnbjorn, who often joked with Aard that he'd gladly eat him
Gabriella, who always intrigued Aard because of her refined behavior...

...but at least he saved Nazir, his immediate superior.
Dark Brothers together killed the remaining soldiers, but then it was time to seek counsel from the Night Mother herself. She had a lot to say, and revealed to Aard the identity of the real traitor - nobody less than Astrid, or what was left of her. Aard gave Astrid a swift death and then ran out because the Sanctuary would explode at any second.

On this day the only surviving members of the attack - Babette, Nazir and Aard parted ways and decided to meet again when the situation calms down. Aard promised them that when he returns, the real Emperor will be dead.

The Emperor is dead? Yaaay! Oh wait, he wasn't the real Emperor? Boooo!

Aard is shaving everyone on Solitude! I think you should change his name to Gillette... (one of the things I liked about the game Shadowrun, is that Gillette was a slang term for Street Samurai - heavily cybered fighters).

Wait, so why does the Emperor have to die? Is he evil or has he done something terrible? I mean, I know the DB has a contract on him, but why is that? (SubRosa got me curious by saying "Yaaay;" then when Aard promised the others he would do it - seemed like it was something much desired for a good reason).

He is the guy who completely destroyed the Thalmor's army, then surrendered to them, betrayed the god that created his empire (Talos), and generally sold out Tamriel.

Okay, well that explains why he was targeted. Thank you!

Lopov - How neat to see all that DB stuff through Aard's eyes.

This shot was really spectacular:
"It's sharp enough for everyone!"
Love how everything is positioned left to right, ending with Shadowmere's glowing eye!

So Astrid gets it, eh? In that regard it seems like she's unlucky whether you do the destroy the DB or join the DB route.

Aard Gillettson - sounds Nordic enough. Or perhaps he'll become known as Aard the Razor with time.


He has to die because a member of the Elder Council from Cyrodiil performed a Black Sacrament and thus the Night Mother instructs you to kill the Emperor. The councilor never says why does he want him dead but when the real one dies, he says that you did a great service for the entire Empire.


Yep, it is her destiny to die, whether from Buffy or from Aard.

Aard looks so wrong as a chef! He's so angry and dark! Those clothes look ridiculous on him too!

That was really touching, that you showed each DB member individually like that. It sucks what happens to most of them.

It also should be noted that Talos/Tiber/Hjalti became Emperor after having the previous Emperor assassinated as well.

In the old days, (I'm talking Celtic, Scandinavian, Pictish, Germanic, etc) it was traditional to pass the kingship to the one who killed the old king.

So this is just more of the same old, same old . . .

So why don't they just make Ulfric High King and be done with it??

Ego, probably. And also there's all that pressure from the Aldmeri Dominion, who seems to have their [censored] together more than the Nords of Skyrim do.

Lopov, I had to grin at the sight of Aard in his chef’s hat being confronted by the soldiers. I like that you showed the fates of the dead DB members. In the heat of the moment I think I’ve always missed Festus. The Nazir shot is my favorite. I like how they look with their blades up against the smoke.

Here you go.


Here’s a giggle from Jerric’s game (that’s Valdi’s horse Tage in the background): The Vigilant of Stendarr’s Captain Oblivious.

I like to take a quick portrait of my characters in Bleak Falls Barrow right by the puzzle door because I like the light there. Here’s one I never thought I’d take: Abiene. With her Illusion spells for the bandits and frost troll and her Restoration spells for the undead she was actually pretty strong in that barrow. The whole time she was thinking, I am never ever going into a Falmer nest, forget it! You will not catch me in a Dwemer ruin, don’t even ask!!

And here’s Darnand in Treva’s Watch with his flame lady and their pile of bodies after things did not go at all according to the plan. Ishckrihk had shown up just in time to block the door after he let all of the bandits in with the mage. It was a while before Darnand put his hands down. He was in the mood to melt an ice atronach and then lightly toast just one more Nord.

High King Ulfric!

Oh, that oblivious Vigilant shot is priceless! Here’s a screenshot of Buffy’s similar experience.

You’re right, never thought I’d see Abiene in BFB. Hmm, must be an out of body experience to imaginer Dragons Lite into her game?

Darnand is wise to go with his flame lady. They don’t take up so much room, warm the area and even dance for you. Seriously, I just love Skyrim's flame atronachs. Itchycrick does suit our favorite big Nord though.

Lol, I love how she’s doing a backflip while the Vigilant preaches!

Dragons Lite indeed. Abiene was not pleased with any of her ‘dream,’ especially the part when she ran up to protect Lildereth with a Ward while she was shooting and Mirmulnir chomped the Whiterun guard standing right next to them!

Holy Cow, I'm really glad to have gotten the background on this; he seemed so honorable a man when you read about the assassination in the wiki - really turned me off the thought of doing the DB questline because I was correlating this Emperor with Uriel Septim.

Something I find really odd is that an order of assassins like the DB is murdering the real bad guys; but then they have a so-called "good" organization like the Companions going around beating up shopkeepers ... huh? What were they thinking?







Holy Cow! You go, Darnand !!!!

@Grits - Abiene looks so pretty in that pic, she is a natural beauty.

Uh oh, Darnand at work, and he got some help from frost & fire! What is the hat on the bandit closest to the screen?

--

The Emperor's assassination was foiled by Penitus Oculatos and the Dark Brotherhood was destroyed. Celebration was held at Castle Dour and a week later Commander Maro was notified by a letter from the Emperor himself that he will personally promote him to General when he arrives to Skyrim. Maro, though still deeply saddened because of his son's death, was looking forward to this act and already imagined his name to be written in several books and chronicles that would mention him as the man who destroyed the Dark Brotherhood.

It seemed like life in Skyrim became more peaceful now that everyone knew that the Dark Brotherhood was gone. Turned into an ash pile, quite literally. The ruined sanctuary became a place for children of Falkreath to prove their courage by spending a night inside of what used to be a hideout of assassins.

In Markarth, young Muiri was weeping inconsolably. She heard news of what happened at the sanctuary and this meant that her beloved Aard was gone.

Six months later...

The Emperor's visit to Skyrim was coming to an end. He spent almost two weeks in the land of the Nords and tried to resolve the civil war peacefully though unfortunately he wasn't very successful. On the very last night he was about to promote Commander Maro to General and offer him an honorary position in the Imperial City.

On that day, a few hours earlier, Amaund Motierre, a member of the Elder Council, was eating at the Bannered Mare. He was the man who wanted the Emperor killed but unfortunately his plan failed, obviously the Dark Brotherhood wasn't as capable as he presumed them to be.

"A pity but what can be done now?" he thought as he made a sip of wine. As he put the tankard down, door of his private room opened.

"I don't want to be dis..." as the man in black came to his room, Amaund was left speechless.

"We meet again, Motierre," said Aard and closed the door behind him.

"By the gods. You... you're alive! But I had heard... your Sanctuary... Please! You mustn't think I had anything to do with that! I wanted the Emperor dead! The true Emperor! I still do! It was Maro! He..."

"Shut up already! We have some unfinished business, don't we?"

"You mean, after all that's transpired, the Dark Brotherhood will still... honor the contract? Why, this is astounding news! Wonderful news! The Emperor is still in Skyrim, but not for long."

"So I've heard. Where can I find his majesty?"

"He's onboard his ship, the Katariah, moored offshore in the Solitude Inlet. But you must hurry! If you can get onboard that ship. Kill Titus Mede II, as contracted... I will reveal the location of the dead drop that holds your payment."

"Of course you will. How about Maro? Where can I find him?"

On the same night an ominous figure appeared on the opposite site of Solitude Docks. This figure, known as Aard, decided to wear something special for this occasion. You don't kill the Emperor every day, after all.

Man in shrouded armor
Behind Commander Maro

"Father, father! It's me, Gaius!" Maro heard someone saying behind him.

Commander was shocked. He knew that his son couldn't possibly be alive but who could be so twisted to joke with him like that? He turned around, not really knowing what to expect, and there He was standing...the assassin whose name he never knew, the man who killed his son and tried to kill the fake Emperor, and who obviously escaped the attack on the sanctuary.

Commander Maro
vs
Aard
Good vs Evil
Only one can survive
And this can't be Maro

A few hours later the black rider was approaching Katariah, the Emperor's ship.
It's time
To Katariah
Avoiding security
Face to face
"Say what you have to say, old man."
Emperor's final wish

"It shall be done," The Emperor believed him.

"Thank you. Now, on to the business at hand I suppose, hmm? I won't fight you, so we may as well get this over with."

"Fair enough. I usually don't talk to my victims but for you I made an exception. Now, old man, turn around. And close your eyes. You almost won't feel a thing. It'll be over in a second."

Aard stayed true to his word
He gave the Emperor a swift death
Leaving Katariah at dawn
Back on the ground
"We did it, shadow!"

Abiene is looking incredibly cute, with her curly Grits-hair. It sounds like those Vigilants might have been right about the Daedra after all. Look at how Izzy tried to kill Darnand by trapping him in that room...




Like Grits, I immediately noted how the Flame Lady is doing a backflip during the Vigilant's warning!




Not even the Penis Ocato can stop Aard!

Riders in black you say, crossed the River Isen just a fortnight ago?

So that is what the Katariah looks like. I never finished the DB questline, so I have never seen it in any of my games.

What a broad red swath Aard has painted with in Skryim! Now his wake includes the Emperor (including niece and fake), the DB and the PenOculites.

Like SubRosa, I've not seen the Katariah before - nice looking ship.

I wonder what Aard and Shadowmere will do now? I mean how to top killing the Emperor?

Gritsy: Hoy Abiene looks so damn cute in that puzzle door pic. Goodness. Darnand / Marcurio makes me smile. Because I can just hear him boast "See now THAT is how we get things done around here!"

Acadian: I can't see Buffy's face! (hint hint)

Lopov: Speechless. Wow, you did it! Aard did it! I can't believe it! And some of those pics give Mycharonna a run for her Septims!

It's cool how he finally put his formal DB armor on, after all this time. Very appropriate.

The entire ship except the Emperor's room is very dark but his room is extremely bright, maybe that's why the Emperor notices you immediately as you enter, there's no way to avoid it.


I guess Aard'll retire and serve as the Listener, just like it used to be two hundred years ago in Cyrodiil. He'll probably marry Muiri and they'll live happily ever after.


It was a good questline in general though I still prefer Oblivion's more. I think that in Oblivion the entire DB questline is very good while in Skyrim I found some quests prior to those involving the Emperor's assassination quite bland, especially the wedding one.

That being said, I'm not fully done with the questline yet, the new sanctuary at Dawnstar still waits to be furnished but right now I'm busy back in time in Cyrodiil.

--

With the Emperor dead, councilor Moteirre gladly told Aard where to find payment for the grand contract. However, what Motierre didn't know was, that the Emperor's final wish was to kill the very man who ordered his assassination. So after finding out where a stash of gold is located, Aard gladly shaved Amaund Motierre with Mehrunes Razor.

His faithful bodyguard faced the same fate, Saadia found his corpse by the time when Aard already left Whiterun. With Motierre and his guard dead, there wasn't anyone left alive to tell the tale of the Emperor's assassination. Except Aard, of course.

The reward was located in Volunruud, hidden amongst ash of an ordinary Draugr urn. Aard expected to find a lot of gold but still, not that MUCH gold. He hurried to the Dawnstar Sanctuary, gold happily tingling on Shadowmere's back.

The new Listener finally arrived home.

Take a look at the pics of Motierre. I am told he looks different the first time and second times he hires you. Implying that either Bethesda screwed up his face. Or that one or both is not the real Motierre and is instead a double.

Sounds like this closes the action chapters on Aard and sets him up for a nice rest. Oh well. If his career was too much longer Skyrim could get to be a very quiet and lonely place.

The picture of he and Shadowmere hurrying home over the snowy road under the night sky is beautiful!

Motiere's looks change during game? Perhaps he visited the face butcher down in Riften's Ratway?

I've got to love this screen the best, with Aard dropping out of the sky behind him.

Maro vs Aard - good vs evil - really hard to tell who was the good and who was the evil here, lol.

I liked the scenes with the Emperor here; and wondered how the Player finds out who ordered the murder - and does Aard follow up on it (does the game give the Player the option to follow up on it?)







Hey, I missed this one of Buffy and you never told me! I wouldn't have known if I hadn't seen Renee's comment! Grrrr! Buffy looks just as good from behind as from the front ... usually. In this screen I think it is Superian's butt I'm seeing and it reminds me of a song by Sir Mix-a-lot, lol.

Motierre - is this the same one from Oblivion? WOOOOT! Is that a 20,000 Septim piece? Holy Cow! Time for Misa to sneak up behind Aard and pickpocket him!

In the last screen, look at Aard's shadow ... is it ... Mickey Mouse? GAAAAAH! I'll never feel safe at Disney World again!

mALX - Thanks for the kind words on that Buffy shot. I didn't realize you had missed it. I'm glad you mentioned Mickey Mouse on Lopov's shot of Aard in front of that sanctuary - the same thought occurred to me!

Right?

Yeah, his face is definitely different, the 2nd Motierre looks very good compared to the first one. It's more likely that Beth screwed up his face.

Yes, you're probably right. With so much gold he might even officially buy Hjerim instead of living there as a vagrant.

In fact you know who wants to kill the Emperor immediately, you are told by the Night Mother to go and might Motierre and he reveals you his plans.

It's not the same Motierre but it's his descendant.

Lol about the Mickey Mouse shadow, I didn't even notice it. In fact it's not a shadow but a part of the door but it looks like a mousy shadow indeed.

Oh, okay. I am kind of glad Aard did keep his promise to the Emperor, it is kind of like an "Honor Among Thieves" type thing. He may be an assassin, but honors his promises, you know what I mean? I like that. It makes him gray rather than all black. Nice touch!

Lopov, that hat is the light armor Seafarer or something hat from Immersive Armors. It goes with a sailor-themed armor set. Sometimes they show up on higher level bandits.

Welcome home to the Listener! Wow, I forgot how much money is in that urn. Congrats to Aard and his remaining Dark Sister and Brothers. Their new sanctuary is going to look terrifying!

I love the picture of Aard and Shadowmere alone under the aurora. Beautiful.

Hello everyone. The following situation is true, the participants are NOT actors (well .... actually they are actors, according to the Creation Set, but...) The following screenies took place a couple months ago, when Claire Voyance was trying to find Vokskygge.

"Are you sure Volskygge is around here?"

"Yes I'm sure, Lydia. We'll find it. Must be somewhere south." Here, let me try my little mind trick.

Claire gets a faraway look on her face, as she transforms her mind to travel abroad. Skilled in clairvoyance, she is indeed.

She looks to the skies, in her mind's eye.

Higher and higher she travels...

'Til she is well above the landscape. Yes, the place is very near. Aela and Lydia watch silently, as they cannot fathom what Claire's clairvoyance allows her to see.

She plunges her mind into the outer ruins of Volskygge, where she sees a gruesome sight.

And three outlaws, basking round a fire.

Satisfied with what she sees ahead, her clairvoyance ends. Mind and body become one again. (note, look in the distance, see those four Imperial guys? They will play a role in the upcoming melee. They just happened to show up).

Here we are, friends. Tread carefully...

............

Claire readies her turning undead power....

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clank! Clank! Crash!

Lydia looks to the fore, while the Imperials battle the undead (I love that look on her face)

"Is that it? That your best?"

"I've got your back, Imperial!"

"Hey, that feels good!"

"Well it's over. Great job, everybody! We battled the outlaws of Volskyyge, and all we got was this lousy campfire."

Renee, I love this! Claire's powers of location divination are brilliant! And those Imps sure came in handy. This was a nice showcase, I'd imagine, of how Claire gets business done by facilitating and supporting others. Yum, that roasted skeever ought to be just about done!

That was fun! From Claire's clairvoyance, to the Team Claire/Imperial double team on the undead and bandits. Hey, it is only fair, since the bad guys were doubled up as well! It was great seeing Clairvoyance being a cleric at the end there. And all for a lousy campfire!

Renee, I love how you’ve done Claire’s clairvoyance power! What a fantastic idea! She has such a cute expression as she’s focusing her mind outward.

The one with the four Imperials in the background is my favorite. Claire has a determined stride.

Lydia Looks to the Fore is another winner, she does have a great look on her face! Neat to see Claire healing her allies. It must have been hectic all bunched up on the stairs like that.

Aela looks like she thinks Claire is in her seat! That was a fun way to end this adventure in pictures. Look how Claire is sitting like a lady unlike the bandit from the beginning.


Here are a few from recent days.

Sofie Mikkesdaughter visits the parents. I was surprised to discover she had never gone to Kynegrove. I guess she really is out on her own.

Valdi’s favorite view in Mzinchaleft. She still gets butterflies.

Shopping: Erik the Purse-Holder assumes the position.

From Jerric’s adventures: Ishckrihk lingers in the sun.

Darnand loses his appetite.

Is there a problem, officers?

Ladykiller.

It looks like someone in that pic didn't want to see Sofie. Is that grown-up Lucia with her back turned?

Poor Erik the Purse-Holder, every man's worst nightmare (oh wait, that is buying feminine hygiene products...)

Yikes, I guess a full moon is likely to quell anyone's love of buttered crab legs!

I am sure Jerric knows all of those officers by name. And they know him by offense "Yep, it's drunk and disorderly again."

Wow, Sofie is looking hawt and buff!

Aww, that’s a good picture of Erik. I can see why Valdi's attracted to him. . . he reminds me a bit of a younger Jerric.

I can imagine Erik sniffing indignantly and reporting, “This is not a purse, it is an apothecary satchel!” Oh wait. . . that sounds like what Darnand would say.

Hee! I hope Itchy doesn’t melt in the sun.

Poor Darnand. Looking forward to steamed mud crab with butter, only to realize what Jerric is using for bait. . . .

Looks like Jerric and Ulfe stumbled into Solitude guard rush hour.

Ladykiller is such a great shot. I love how you can actually see that the lady was a tramp vamp.

Don't let Jerric go to Markarth! There's more of them, and less room to pass.

I have one pic, of Molly by moonlight



Erik had better be careful, or an undead chick might want to look through that purse for her phone...