Greetings dear reader. I feel as though I have found peace after my encounter with Sheogorath (as I have learned his name is spelt). I cannot say I understand what did or did not happen in that palace, but it is behind me now. I still feel taunted by the unexplainable presence of the Wabbjack, not to mention its... inconsistent use in battle (I have determined that it can either damage, heal, or transform those targeted by it), I cannot deny it’s existence, and I must simply except the truth for what it is, regardless of how illogical it may be.
If only I had reached this conclusion earlier. After writing my entry yesterday, I headed straight for the inn. I wish I could say I walked in a trance, unaware of what I was about to do.
But as I walked to the bar and ordered a bottle of mead, I thought through every movement and every word. I recounted each memory of pain and sadness, dismissing them in favor of the memories of numbness and euphoria. Thank Alkosh moon sugar is not readily available in this province, or I cannot say what I would have done. I left the inn drunk as I’ve ever been.
I wandered Solitude for the next few hours, broken and tired, unable to even walk straight. I stumbled into the Bards College, clumsily pocketing a book on alchemy a friend had asked me to procure. I do not know whether I was somehow unseen or if the staff pitied me too much to say anything.
It was not until I sobered up and left the city that I felt a moment of understanding As I walked out of the gates, I spied a mudcrab advancing on an unaware rabbit down on the shore near the East Empire Trading Company Warehouse. I snuck down and quickly dispatched the wretched thing with an arrow.
I couldn’t help but smile. I reminisced on my adventuring days spent wandering untamed lands, hunting game, fighting monsters and bandits, and sampling the landscape and flora around me. It is not intoxication and euphoria which has been the key to my self-restoration, but exploration in the wild.
This after all is why I am adventuring in Skyrim in the first place. There is so much wonder in this world. Wandering east of the marshes, the sky dark and the stars shining bright, I began to stalk a frost troll stomping across the icy hills. The frost on it’s coat gleamed in the moonlight, inviting me to challenge.
But just as I was preparing to pounce on it, a pack of Ice Wraiths exploded from the ground, launching themselves into the surprised troll. The troll roared as it’s muscles bulged in violent, angry strikes, blood pouring from its wounds, staining the brilliantly white fur.
After the troll had defeated the wraiths, he stood atop the hill, panting heavily, violence and desparation in his eyes. The scene was eerily beautiful in the silent night. I watched him for a moment, then turned and walked away.
Goodnight dear reader. It is cold, and I will find a fire and rest. Skyrim will wait for me til morning.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
3rd of Heartfire, 4E 201
Dear reader, I write to you with a dire feeling in my heart - I fear I may be going mad. This morning I traveled back to Solitude, feeling detached from my journey. Brenor's frost-enchanted hammer felt increasingly heavy on my back. I realized I could not bring myself to sell or consume it. I dropped the hammer into the marsh.
As I entered Solitude, I was approached by a man, or at least I thought I was approached by a man, who asked me to find his master inside the Pelagius Wing of the Blue Palace. The wing is named of course for the infamous Emperor Pelagius III, known as Pelagius the Mad, who’s death is celebrated every year as a holiday of foolishness and wild activity. As I already had to speak with the Jarl's mage, I agreed in passing.
Or was it someone inside the keep who first asked me? You see, dear reader, I cannot remember what happened in what order. What I can say is that somehow, using a hip (Yes, I believe it was the pelvis of the mad Pelagius himself, given to me by the mysterious servant near the gates), I found my way into a deserted wing of the palace, .
While exploring this wing. I must have suffered a nervous attack - it is the only explanation I can think of. I felt as though I was ripped downward, my eyes filled with sound, and my eyes rolled into my head. When the sensation stopped, I found myself dressed in plain but odd attire, standing in the midst of a forest I had never seen before. The air seemed thick, waving hazily, the sounds of insects I did not know filling my ears.
I walked forward into a clearing, where I saw Pelagius himself - an emperor dead for centuries, who I recognized only from statues and paintings - sitting at a table laid high with food. He was conversing with a man he addressed as Shay-oe-gor-ath, but reminded me of Sheggorat, the Skooma Cat God of Insanity. Shayoegorath was dressed neatly if oddly in bright red, though my gaze stuck on the deep wildness in his eyes.
Pelagius was pleading with Shayoegorath to release him from the forest, which apparently was the manifestation of his madness. Shayoegorath acknowledged me as soon as I entered the clearing. He spoke in rhymes and riddles, declaring he would take himself and his entourage home and free Pelagius if and only if I found a way to escape from this prison of madness.
Pelagius’s voice then guided me through a series of surreal tasks which have become blurred in my mind. What I do remember seems incomprehensible - being handed a gnarled staff called Wabbajack, who’s effect was never explained; innumerable monsters materializing out of thin air, an innocent child lying terrified in bed, and the laughing, mocking tone of Shayoegorath echoing in my head.
In the end, I collapsed exhausted, and awoke back in the forgotten wing of the Blue Palace. My head rung, and though I was breathing heavily, I actually felt... at peace. I felt confident, dear reader, as illogical as it sounds, that Pelagius was now at peace at well. Though unnerved by my journey, I felt solace, concluding the whole episode was my own minds way of accepting Brenors death. I hoped the at I could now continue on my adventures whole again.
Dear reader, this reassurance remained with me until I reached the gates of Solitude. As I was almost in the natural world again, I realized I was not wearing the armor I entered the city with, but the foreign clothing I remembered from the dream. As I searched through my belongings for my armor, feeling confusion and paranoia rising within me, my hand grasped around a gnarled but strangely vibrant staff. I pulled out the Wabbajack, unmistakable in the late evening light. I fired a bolt from the staff at a deer outside the city. I swear to you, dear reader - it turned into a chicken. Curiouser.... and curiouser.
As I entered Solitude, I was approached by a man, or at least I thought I was approached by a man, who asked me to find his master inside the Pelagius Wing of the Blue Palace. The wing is named of course for the infamous Emperor Pelagius III, known as Pelagius the Mad, who’s death is celebrated every year as a holiday of foolishness and wild activity. As I already had to speak with the Jarl's mage, I agreed in passing.
Or was it someone inside the keep who first asked me? You see, dear reader, I cannot remember what happened in what order. What I can say is that somehow, using a hip (Yes, I believe it was the pelvis of the mad Pelagius himself, given to me by the mysterious servant near the gates), I found my way into a deserted wing of the palace, .
While exploring this wing. I must have suffered a nervous attack - it is the only explanation I can think of. I felt as though I was ripped downward, my eyes filled with sound, and my eyes rolled into my head. When the sensation stopped, I found myself dressed in plain but odd attire, standing in the midst of a forest I had never seen before. The air seemed thick, waving hazily, the sounds of insects I did not know filling my ears.
I walked forward into a clearing, where I saw Pelagius himself - an emperor dead for centuries, who I recognized only from statues and paintings - sitting at a table laid high with food. He was conversing with a man he addressed as Shay-oe-gor-ath, but reminded me of Sheggorat, the Skooma Cat God of Insanity. Shayoegorath was dressed neatly if oddly in bright red, though my gaze stuck on the deep wildness in his eyes.
Pelagius was pleading with Shayoegorath to release him from the forest, which apparently was the manifestation of his madness. Shayoegorath acknowledged me as soon as I entered the clearing. He spoke in rhymes and riddles, declaring he would take himself and his entourage home and free Pelagius if and only if I found a way to escape from this prison of madness.
Pelagius’s voice then guided me through a series of surreal tasks which have become blurred in my mind. What I do remember seems incomprehensible - being handed a gnarled staff called Wabbajack, who’s effect was never explained; innumerable monsters materializing out of thin air, an innocent child lying terrified in bed, and the laughing, mocking tone of Shayoegorath echoing in my head.
In the end, I collapsed exhausted, and awoke back in the forgotten wing of the Blue Palace. My head rung, and though I was breathing heavily, I actually felt... at peace. I felt confident, dear reader, as illogical as it sounds, that Pelagius was now at peace at well. Though unnerved by my journey, I felt solace, concluding the whole episode was my own minds way of accepting Brenors death. I hoped the at I could now continue on my adventures whole again.
Dear reader, this reassurance remained with me until I reached the gates of Solitude. As I was almost in the natural world again, I realized I was not wearing the armor I entered the city with, but the foreign clothing I remembered from the dream. As I searched through my belongings for my armor, feeling confusion and paranoia rising within me, my hand grasped around a gnarled but strangely vibrant staff. I pulled out the Wabbajack, unmistakable in the late evening light. I fired a bolt from the staff at a deer outside the city. I swear to you, dear reader - it turned into a chicken. Curiouser.... and curiouser.
Monday, November 21, 2011
2nd of Heartfire, 4E 201
Dear reader, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you today. I must with great sadness inform you that Brenor has fallen. He was killed this morning, fighting alongside me against a vampire coven which had occupied Pinewood Cave. I cannot express my grief at his death. Only yesterday I had described to you the fidelity we had begun to feel in our adventures together. I wish I could tell you more about the battle for Pinewood Cave, but I fear do not have the heart to describe the events in detail. I feel I must take a respite from combat and take time meditate on this loss.
Long live Brenor in the annals of history! Let his contribution be known through this account! And, perhaps more importantly, may his death not be in vain. Evil must be torn from Skyrim – this tragedy demands nothing less.
Long live Brenor in the annals of history! Let his contribution be known through this account! And, perhaps more importantly, may his death not be in vain. Evil must be torn from Skyrim – this tragedy demands nothing less.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
1st of Heartfire, 4E 201
Greetings dear reader! I have spent nearly all of today engaged in battle with a group of bandits at Fort Hraggstad, an old military outpost I was asked to clear by the Imperial Legion. It was a good, enjoyable battle, and for the first time in a long while, I really felt as though and Benor and I truly connected as companions.
We left the vampire coven, and returned to Morthal, where the Jarl declared me a Thane of Morthal (I am now a nobleman of two cities here - me, a commoner, and a Khajit in Skyrim at that!). I then traveled north to Solitude where I dealt with a few bits of business and unloaded my loot. I witnessed the Jarl of Solitude, apparently the Empire-backed claimant of High Queen of Skyrim, hold court. She seemed somewhat naive, but willing to listen to her retinue, who seemed to be competent.
We then left for the real goal - Fort Hraggstad, which lies about an hour’s travel west of the gates of Solitude. On my way, I came upon a stone carved with runes, which I reverently approached and laid my hand upon. As I touched it, I felt power flowing through my body, as the burdens I was carrying became lighter and I became refreshed and energized. I left the stone encouraged and ready, navigating the snow covered rocks due west-south-west.
We ultimately approached the Fort from the south, and saw a bandit, a redgaurd woman, patrolling outside the walls. I instructed Brenor to wait in the brush, watching as she continued into the fort. I snuck to the wall, crouching with by body pressed flush against the stone. The woman strolled out, turning away from me to make her circuit around the perimeter - I snuck behind her, drew my two enchanted axes and slashed through her body, killing her in one movement. It was a most satisfying experience.
The perimeter guard dispatched, I slowly crept into the courtyard, keeping low to the ground. I quickly took account of my foes. A Nord woman stood facing into the doorway of a small hut joined to the west inner wall, a huge warhammer strapped to her back. Two archers were stationed high in towers at the corners of the fort, surveying the wilderness to the north. Good thing I took care of the redguard while she was south of the compound!
I crept behind the woman with the warhammer, slicing threw her as I had the redguard. I had little time to celebrate - suddenly, a huge Nord burst from the hut swinging a longsword, slamming it into my head, knocking back dazed and confused. He reared back to swing again, connecting with the ground as a rolled away. I looked around for Benor to rush in, but remembered almost too late that he was waiting outside, as I again evaded the sword just as it was about to connect with my head again. I sprinted away, spinning around to throw a fireball at my attacker. He charged me again, his burning silhouette eerily elegant in the early morning dark. As he was almost upon me, I cast a spell calming him. His face, gnarled into an expression of rage, suddenly relaxed - he looked confused and serene, sheathing his sword and ambling shakily away. I cracked his skull with the blade of my axe.
I quickly snuck into the highest of the towers, climbing the winding steps till I could see the bandit grumbling to himself about a girl who did not return his advances. I came behind him, and shouted FUS-RO-DAH, the force of my Thu'un pushing him off the tower. I heard a sickening sound as his body hit the ground.
Suddenly, I felt a piercing pain in my side. I reached down and felt blood pouring around an arrow lodged in my thigh. I pulled the arrow free, turning to see another flying towards my face which I narrowly dodged. The archer in the west tower was firing at me – I pulled out my own bow and fired an arrow back, which stuck very satisfyingly in the bandit’s cheek. We both drew again, loosing arrows simultaneously. It quickly became apparent that the frost enchantment on my bow was draining the bandit faster than she could hope to overcome, and in less than a minute the criminal scum was dead.
I quickly ran back to Brenor, casting a healing spell as I ordered him to follow me. We made our way into the Fort’s prison. It was here that we truly began to click as partners. There was only one bandit in the prison, who saw Brenor as soon as we entered. The bandit’s quick strikes forced Brenor into constant defense, until I released a barrage of fireballs, the smell of burning flesh filling the air. As he turned to engage me, clearly wounded near death, Brenor plunged his longsword deep into the bandit’s belly, freezing him dead in mid-step. I raised my eyebrow in surprise as the masterful move, which elicited only a sly smile from Brenor.
We burst open the doors to the fort’s main hall, standing for a moment in doorway to enjoy the shocked looks on the bandit’s faces. We charged, cornering one bandit which we quickly dispatched with a flurry of our blades. The Bandit leader provided more of a challenge. He advanced on me, forcing me to block with my shield and hurl spinning fireballs as I ran. He chased me around the building, keeping me on my toes but steadily losing health. As we rounded a corner, Brenor reached out from the bandit’s blindside, grabbing him by his throat and slamming him to the ground before thrusting his sword squarely into the man’s ribcage.
Reader, this was the most effective battle Brenor and I have ever fought. My training in stealth has been immensely helpful, and Brenor showed his true ability. As we left the fort, I felt excited about our combats to come. This will be a difficult journey – Skyrim will take work to save. But for the first time, I feel confident it can be done.
We left the vampire coven, and returned to Morthal, where the Jarl declared me a Thane of Morthal (I am now a nobleman of two cities here - me, a commoner, and a Khajit in Skyrim at that!). I then traveled north to Solitude where I dealt with a few bits of business and unloaded my loot. I witnessed the Jarl of Solitude, apparently the Empire-backed claimant of High Queen of Skyrim, hold court. She seemed somewhat naive, but willing to listen to her retinue, who seemed to be competent.
We then left for the real goal - Fort Hraggstad, which lies about an hour’s travel west of the gates of Solitude. On my way, I came upon a stone carved with runes, which I reverently approached and laid my hand upon. As I touched it, I felt power flowing through my body, as the burdens I was carrying became lighter and I became refreshed and energized. I left the stone encouraged and ready, navigating the snow covered rocks due west-south-west.
We ultimately approached the Fort from the south, and saw a bandit, a redgaurd woman, patrolling outside the walls. I instructed Brenor to wait in the brush, watching as she continued into the fort. I snuck to the wall, crouching with by body pressed flush against the stone. The woman strolled out, turning away from me to make her circuit around the perimeter - I snuck behind her, drew my two enchanted axes and slashed through her body, killing her in one movement. It was a most satisfying experience.
The perimeter guard dispatched, I slowly crept into the courtyard, keeping low to the ground. I quickly took account of my foes. A Nord woman stood facing into the doorway of a small hut joined to the west inner wall, a huge warhammer strapped to her back. Two archers were stationed high in towers at the corners of the fort, surveying the wilderness to the north. Good thing I took care of the redguard while she was south of the compound!
I crept behind the woman with the warhammer, slicing threw her as I had the redguard. I had little time to celebrate - suddenly, a huge Nord burst from the hut swinging a longsword, slamming it into my head, knocking back dazed and confused. He reared back to swing again, connecting with the ground as a rolled away. I looked around for Benor to rush in, but remembered almost too late that he was waiting outside, as I again evaded the sword just as it was about to connect with my head again. I sprinted away, spinning around to throw a fireball at my attacker. He charged me again, his burning silhouette eerily elegant in the early morning dark. As he was almost upon me, I cast a spell calming him. His face, gnarled into an expression of rage, suddenly relaxed - he looked confused and serene, sheathing his sword and ambling shakily away. I cracked his skull with the blade of my axe.
I quickly snuck into the highest of the towers, climbing the winding steps till I could see the bandit grumbling to himself about a girl who did not return his advances. I came behind him, and shouted FUS-RO-DAH, the force of my Thu'un pushing him off the tower. I heard a sickening sound as his body hit the ground.
Suddenly, I felt a piercing pain in my side. I reached down and felt blood pouring around an arrow lodged in my thigh. I pulled the arrow free, turning to see another flying towards my face which I narrowly dodged. The archer in the west tower was firing at me – I pulled out my own bow and fired an arrow back, which stuck very satisfyingly in the bandit’s cheek. We both drew again, loosing arrows simultaneously. It quickly became apparent that the frost enchantment on my bow was draining the bandit faster than she could hope to overcome, and in less than a minute the criminal scum was dead.
I quickly ran back to Brenor, casting a healing spell as I ordered him to follow me. We made our way into the Fort’s prison. It was here that we truly began to click as partners. There was only one bandit in the prison, who saw Brenor as soon as we entered. The bandit’s quick strikes forced Brenor into constant defense, until I released a barrage of fireballs, the smell of burning flesh filling the air. As he turned to engage me, clearly wounded near death, Brenor plunged his longsword deep into the bandit’s belly, freezing him dead in mid-step. I raised my eyebrow in surprise as the masterful move, which elicited only a sly smile from Brenor.
We burst open the doors to the fort’s main hall, standing for a moment in doorway to enjoy the shocked looks on the bandit’s faces. We charged, cornering one bandit which we quickly dispatched with a flurry of our blades. The Bandit leader provided more of a challenge. He advanced on me, forcing me to block with my shield and hurl spinning fireballs as I ran. He chased me around the building, keeping me on my toes but steadily losing health. As we rounded a corner, Brenor reached out from the bandit’s blindside, grabbing him by his throat and slamming him to the ground before thrusting his sword squarely into the man’s ribcage.
Reader, this was the most effective battle Brenor and I have ever fought. My training in stealth has been immensely helpful, and Brenor showed his true ability. As we left the fort, I felt excited about our combats to come. This will be a difficult journey – Skyrim will take work to save. But for the first time, I feel confident it can be done.
31st of Last Seed, 4E 201
Ugh, greetings dear reader. My head is killing me. I enjoyed a fun evening with some revelers I met along the road - I'm not really sure what happened for much of last night. The mead was good though...
I am in good spirits though. I am currently making my way to Morthal, having returned to the vampire coven and cleared it of its evil inhabitants. It feels good to finish things! We shall see what the Jarl of Morthal offers as my rewards - not that it matters. Too much. In my battle against the vampires, I put to good use a new spell with allows me to reanimate the corpses of my enemies to fight on my side - one of the more interesting abilities I have used. You do not see vampires battle against their thrall very frequently!
I have decided not to accompany the innkeeper in battling the dragon just yet - I still need to gain strength before undertaking that challenge, though learning another shout would be most useful. On the subject of shots, I traveled again to the greybeards, who taught me a third word for the Unrelenting Force Thu'un - though they again refused to teach me many of the words they know! I cannot understand their petulance! They continually tell me I am gifted and must fight this indomitable force, but will not equip with the tools I need to fight it! The arrogant fools...
On a more pleasant note, I forgot to tell you that I am in fact the owner of a new house! It is very bare at the moment, and contains nothing but my books and a butterfly in a jar I found somewhere at the moment. I shall try and remember to do a sketch when I return there. Goodbye for now reader, and send me what thoughts of inspiration and advice you can!
I am in good spirits though. I am currently making my way to Morthal, having returned to the vampire coven and cleared it of its evil inhabitants. It feels good to finish things! We shall see what the Jarl of Morthal offers as my rewards - not that it matters. Too much. In my battle against the vampires, I put to good use a new spell with allows me to reanimate the corpses of my enemies to fight on my side - one of the more interesting abilities I have used. You do not see vampires battle against their thrall very frequently!
I have decided not to accompany the innkeeper in battling the dragon just yet - I still need to gain strength before undertaking that challenge, though learning another shout would be most useful. On the subject of shots, I traveled again to the greybeards, who taught me a third word for the Unrelenting Force Thu'un - though they again refused to teach me many of the words they know! I cannot understand their petulance! They continually tell me I am gifted and must fight this indomitable force, but will not equip with the tools I need to fight it! The arrogant fools...
On a more pleasant note, I forgot to tell you that I am in fact the owner of a new house! It is very bare at the moment, and contains nothing but my books and a butterfly in a jar I found somewhere at the moment. I shall try and remember to do a sketch when I return there. Goodbye for now reader, and send me what thoughts of inspiration and advice you can!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
3th lats edd IN the fourttt i don't rembember
I thought i shold let you know my good, favority, loverly reader... i Just came upon some revlers - no, revelers - on the road. They had some excllent, truly, truley, excellent mead with them - I Drank A Lot! a wholllllle lot! Me and brenor or whaever his name is... we're gonna have a "party"! I'm gonna make him! Goodnight reader!!! Im on my way to the Grybeards... stinking old selfish Greyberds... Greybeards!
30th of Last Seed, 4E 201
Greetings dear reader. I am currently the basement of the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood at the behest of a woman. No, it's not what you're thinking - I wish! Why then you ask? Well, the innkeeper here claims to be in league with the Greybeards, and I am to accompany her to slay a dragon. I tremble at the thought! I have been frustrated lately, often finding myself being unable to complete quests, breaking the first line of defense in a dungeon with ease but being spurned by the second. I shall have to strive harder and gain more skill. I do not like running away!
On the subject of annoyance - before fighting the coven of vampires (a task I was unable to complete), I asked a townsman, Thennor, to join me. After retreating, he has not left my side. He is a poor companion, not sneaking at the appropriate time, and frequently fleeing in the middle of combat. I have repeatedly asked him to leave, which he will agree to but then continue to follow me! Is the whole world against me?
I can say that I have acquired more spells! I am now using Fireball as my main attack, and have been using a spell to heal my companions in combat. I also decided to go to a shrine have my diseases healed - some of the changes I was experiencing began to seem... unnatural. I found no inspiration to let it take its course, so I am back and fit as ever!
I think I shall include some more pictures of me hunting and exploring - I do enjoy my art, and I hope I am not making this account boring with my narcissism. Wish me luck reader; I have kept this woman waiting long enough. I will report back with more information soon!
On the subject of annoyance - before fighting the coven of vampires (a task I was unable to complete), I asked a townsman, Thennor, to join me. After retreating, he has not left my side. He is a poor companion, not sneaking at the appropriate time, and frequently fleeing in the middle of combat. I have repeatedly asked him to leave, which he will agree to but then continue to follow me! Is the whole world against me?
I can say that I have acquired more spells! I am now using Fireball as my main attack, and have been using a spell to heal my companions in combat. I also decided to go to a shrine have my diseases healed - some of the changes I was experiencing began to seem... unnatural. I found no inspiration to let it take its course, so I am back and fit as ever!
I think I shall include some more pictures of me hunting and exploring - I do enjoy my art, and I hope I am not making this account boring with my narcissism. Wish me luck reader; I have kept this woman waiting long enough. I will report back with more information soon!
 |
| A difficult shot I know.... |
 |
| I do not know the name of this river, but it is very beautiful. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)