Competition of the Month - October Edition!

[Taters]

C'mon, guys, just two more days! Let's see some more entries!

[Psylocke]

Here's a screenshot of my High Elf vampire cosplaying as Serana, dual-wielding Vampiric Drain spells outside Volkihar Keep, under a bloodcursed sun. No mods are used, per the rules; only vanilla Skyrim and the Dawnguard official plug-in.

[Zephyr]

Took me long enough, but here it is.

Hagen's Journal

Hidden:

4E 200, 31 Frostfall, Mid-Afternoon

Norgrim and I have returned to the
Moorside Inn. We didn’t want to spend any
more time in Solitude than we had to. Now we
know Kirsi hasn’t joined the Legion. In fact, it
seems she’s never set foot in that city, which
leaves just the salt marsh.

Folks here have heard noises at night,
but I guess it’s nothing new. Alva told us to
avoid the cave just up the path to the north,
that anyone who went in there probably
wouldn’t come out alive. She also gave us a
sort of hopeful look when she saw us back.
There’s something intriguing about her…

Anyway, why would Kirsi take refuge
out there? Unless the conditions are close
enough to the Gray Quarter that she feels right
at home.

Ah, I shouldn’t think like that. Even
Norgrim has stopped himself a few times since
we left Windhelm. I know he’s still sweet on
her. She’s probably grieving for her Dark Elf
guardian, if she’s still alive, but that’s what
we’re here to find out. Norgrim looks like he’s
thinking about a third mead. We’d better get
going.

Hidden:

Dusk

We’ve found a place to stay for now, an
abandoned shack.

I wonder just how many times it’s been
abandoned. It’s not much for furnishing – just a
bed, this table, and a couple of bookshelves.
But there’s a small cage at each wall, and the
right wall’s got some shackles with bloodstains.
Some of the wood scraps in front of the hearth
are stained, too.

Outside, there’s a lantern left on a
barrel at the door, a shovel on the ground, and
a boat at the water. When we started searching
a bit, I saw a mound of earth behind the shack.
But it’s already got some grass over it. Norgrim
nearly tripped over a frostbite spider when we
got here, but even that was dead.

It’s a good thing he brought those two
mead bottles along – we set them on the barrel
to collect some of the rain. He’s pacing near
the fire as I write. I admit I’m not looking
forward to searching further. It’s easy to lose
your direction out here, and getting to this
place was accidental enough. The ground is
dotted with water, but we have to keep our
heads up and eyes peeled. The gnarled brush
and trees are even more eerie for all the fog,
appearing like skeletal faces or clawed limbs, or
beasts watching from a distance. There’s a chill
in the air, and the smell of salt mixes in
strangely.

But then, sitting here’s not much
better, with the wind breathing and wailing
through the walls. And the gap in the ceiling
doesn’t help.

Hidden:

Nightfall

I swear I heard footsteps out there.
Was it three times? Anyway, Norgrim stopped
believing me. I at least convinced him that we
should wait for tomorrow to keep looking. I’ve
taken first watch so he can get some sleep. I
should get some water.

Hidden:

I dont know how late it is now but I feel
like the fog is in my head I can’t see straight
Norgrim still sleeping

Ae was always trying to wn her over,
thought she mustve come from good stock
wanted her to be a true Nord she said she
wasnt like us that shed been brought from
Solsteim and was grateful for it

they say theres a man killed out t
there in Folgunthr foot of Solitude
no thats not how it goes I read it
once or twice and theres Ustengrav maybe
kirsis in one of them

through the fog and water
theres something in the water

norgrim s taking over watch now

Hidden:

I’m feeling better now, but Norgrim’s
gone out with the lantern. It seems so quiet
since the rain stopped.

This journal is my only companion until I
find him. It was always a fool’s errand coming
out here. I didn’t think Norgrim would go
looking on his own, but then, he set this whole
thing in motion, he was willing to

I just need to find him.

Hidden:

By the Gods. He’s dead. I didn’t have
to look far.

I felt a set of wounds on each side
of his neck. And a lot of other flesh has been
torn off.

Ustengrav. The resting place of Jurgen
Windcaller. The fog is thick, but the lantern’s
still intact, and I think I know the direction. I’ll
take refuge there until dawn.

Hidden:

The footsteps again!

Hidden:

again and again

[Aarah]

Last minute entry! It's not very spooky and based on an actual quest, so a bit of a stolen story.

Hidden:

It was an icy cold evening, the sun had just reached the horizon and there was a light wind that gently blew the powdery snow that covered the stony ground.

It had been a good day of adventuring for Soren, a young Dunmer adventurer, and he was eager to settle down for the night and examine his recently acquired spoils. He was especially keen on taking a good look at a strange but beautiful treasure he had come across. It was metallic and shaped like a star, with a very alluring look to it. It had to be worth something!

The town of Winterhold was just nearby, and so he headed there to get a room at the inn, The Frozen Hearth. It was lovely and warm inside the Inn, and it felt wonderful to be out of the freezing air at last.

'Hello, I'd like a room for the night please.' he asked the female Inn keeper.
The woman looked up and smiled, 'Sure, that's no problem! That will be 10 septims.'
Soren rummaged in his satchel for the money, and in doing so, caused the shiny star trinket he had found that day to fall out onto the counter.
'Say! That's a fine looking piece you've got there. Do you mind if I ask where you got it?' exclaimed the Inn keeper, who couldn't take her eyes off the strange artefact.
'Erm, I just found it today actually, in an old fort, I don't know what it is but I was hoping it might be worth something.'
The Inn keeper nodded, 'I'm sure some merchant would gladly pay a pretty penny for something like that!'

Soren was directed towards his room, and the Inn keeper bid him goodnight as he closed the door. He had barely time to put down his belongings and take off his boots before there was a soft knock on the door. He opened it and gazed upon the sight of a tall Imperial gentleman.
The man was dressed in robes and the hood was drawn up over his long brown hair.

'I'm so sorry to trouble you, but I was wondering if I could possibly have a word with you? My name is Arran and I am a buyer and seller of unusual and expensive artefacts. I couldn't help but notice that trinket you have on you and I was wondering if I could have a closer look at it? I could probably give you a fine price if it is genuine.'

Soren looked warily at the man. He didn't look like a threat, and he was sensible enough to be able to spot a swindler, so cautiously he let him into the room.
'Here is the item.' he said, passing it to Arran as he waited eagerly. 'What do you think?'

The man examined the star shaped treasure closely, then suddenly he let out a gasp. 'By the gods! Do you know what this is? This...this is Azura's Star!'

'What's Azura's Star?' Soren excitedly asked, wanting to know more.

'It is a Daedric artefact, young man! Crafted by the Daedric Prince Azura of course! This is a highly sought after piece that you have here. You see, it acts as a reusable soul gem, meaning you can fill and reuse it indefinitely! Most mages would give their right arm for this!'

Arran looked at the star closer, and his expression altered from one of happiness to one of disappointment.
'Oh dear. Oh dear me!' he wailed, shaking his head.
Soren looked at him with concern, 'What's the matter?'
'I'm afraid this star is tainted. It seems to be carrying an evil soul within it. If it is not removed, the star cannot be used as a soul gem and is essentially worthless.' Arran shook his head again and then suddenly looked up at Soren.
'But wait....there may be something we could do to remove the soul, but....no, it's too dangerous.'
'What is it? I'm no stranger to danger you know. It wasn't an easy task getting that star in the first place!' Soren said forcefully. He wanted to sell the star for all that it was worth, and he wasn't going to let a bit of risk stand in his way.

Arran smiled at his enthusiasm. 'Well, it involves me placing you under a spell, in which your soul will travel into the star. Once inside, you can defeat the evil soul that resides there. I will then magically pull your soul back out and the star will be cleansed. The process is perfectly safe, just as long as you don't get killed in there. There is no coming back from that.'

Soren thought for awhile and eventually decided that he would do it, he would let his soul go into Azura's star.
'Here, hold this dagger. It has magic in it that will allow it to travel with your soul. Use it to attack the evil spirit.' Arran smiled as he held a small bejewelled dagger out to Soren.

Soren sat on the chair, clutching the knife, whilst Arran said the spell and soon a whirling sensation filled his head. He looked up and found that he was in a vast blue cavern, surrounded by ice covered walls.
He looked down at himself. He looked different, more ethereal and, to his relief, he noticed that he was still holding the magical dagger in his right hand.

'Hello, young man.'
An eerie voice echoed through the chamber and Soren turned to see a man standing a few metres away. He was also holding a knife and had a menacing grin on his wrinkled face.
'If you think you've come here to rid my soul from this place, you are sorely mistaken!' The man finished his sentence as he ran towards Soren, knife high in the air, ready to strike.
Soren dodged out of the way as the man swung his weapon, and then dodged again as he tried a second time.
'You can't defeat me!' the evil soul shouted, a look of insanity on his face.
Soren let the man approach him again, then in one deft lunge, he sank his blade into the spirit's chest. He had won, he had defeated the malevolent soul.
The man staggered with his wound and then looked up at Soren and smiled. 'Thank you.' he said, as he disappeared in a wisp of green light.

Confused by the man's dying words, Soren drew his gaze upwards.
'Alright! I'm ready to come out now!' he shouted, waiting for Arran to bring his soul back into his body. 'Hello!? I've succeeded, I have cleansed the star!'
Suddenly laughter filled the vast cavern and he jumped at the sudden noise. He then heard the sound of Arran's voice.
'Thank you so much, young adventurer! I have been waiting so long to find someone worthy and strong enough to swap places with my brother. Or should I say, someone foolish enough!'
Soren gasped in terror, 'But, I killed him! You promised you would bring me back!'
Arran's laughter filled the air once again, combined with another. This time a different voice boomed down. It sounded oddly familiar.
'Oh, you didn't kill me, my friend. You set me free. That special dagger you were given did the job perfectly. I am now standing here next to my brother and I must say, I do like this body of yours that I now reside in. So strong and healthy!'

Soren shook from the pure horror, 'What!? Your soul is in my body? No, this cannot be! You cannot do this!'

'Oh, but we already have!' Arran chuckled. 'Now if you will excuse us, we must go and hide the Star somewhere that nobody will ever find it. Enjoy your eternity in there!'
The voices and laughter faded out and Soren was left it silence. He looked around, panic stricken, at the vast cavern that was to be his lonely prison forever.

[Taters]

A bit last minute, but I've allowed your entry, Aarah.

Ok, voting is now up! Please pick only one of each category, although you are allowed to choose only one entry total, if you like.

[Aarah]

Thanks!
I noticed someone else had posted today and that the poll hadnt started, so I thought I'd see if it wasnt too late.

[Hrolf Alfblod]

For the longest time, I was afraid that I was going to win by default. I'm glad Zephyr and Aarah posted stories. It's more fun with competition.

[Taters]

So Halloween is past, and we're now into November. Thanks to everyone who voted, and congratulations to everyone who participated. Of course, there can only be one two winners, and they are Hrolf Alfblod and Jeelius-Tei! Wear your purple coins with pride, guys!