Tamrielic Adventures: Vol. 2

[Rook]

Dorian - The Manor

Dorian had remained, qutie uncharecteristically, in a sullen silence. It was quite obvious that he was brooding over something, judging by his failure to direct any sort of cutting remark at Zudeel. But as their departure loomed in before them, he could not delay his outburst any longer.

He approached Lord Jacme, locking his blues eyes defiantly upon the lord's own pair, as though determined not to let him escape. He spoke slowly and deliberately, but the quaver in his voice betrayed a fierce, barely-controlled anger, "Father, why did you cast me out? Why was I never good enough for you?"

[Alarra]

Niralie - Manor

"Oh, right, I apologize; I misheard." Niralie said to Ra'zhar, adding sympathetically, "I understand why you wish to fight them." She bowed her head slightly.
A moment later she straightened and gained a thoughtful expression. "Sanguine told me that a Dispel-over-time spell would work on them, although he did not say what it would do. If this is a physical weakness of theirs, the information should probably be passed to the rest of the Vigil... although the source of said information should also probably be noted, as well as the fact that I'm not sure what it does. It could potentially be dangerous, for all that we know about it."

[Baloth-Kul]

Falkreath - Manor
Lord Jacme met his son's gaze--his eyes were heavy with regret, as was his voice. "You would have died. ...The emperor warned me that there was a group in the shadows, seeking the deaths of those they believed might bring about the end of their cult. They did not yet know it was you they sought, but it was a certainty that the Hollow Council would find you. All the men of our house would not have been enough to keep you safe."

"There were those in my court who had already been advising me of the...political inconvenience that was your presence. I cared not, but with something so grave nearing our doorstep, it seemed the only way to protect you. I played my part, and sent you away. I ruled over our house, as I always had, but I began to devote more and more resources to the Grey Vigil's cause. When the time was right, I came to Skyrim, to personally oversee our operations here."

Jacme stopped for a moment, allowing Dorian to process some of this. "I do not ask for forgiveness. Regardless of my motivations, I have caused you pain." He could no longer continue to meet Dorian's eyes, his own now looking towards the floor.

[Minor Edits]

Cave

Sees-In-Shade forgot to scream as this bloody ritual sutured him back together. He laid on the ground, silently mouthing an agonized shriek, and continued to lay there for quite a bit longer. He was caught in a stupor of pain, increasingly mixed with existential relief, and lost track of time's flow. But as the sound of "Saxhleel's blade", he opened his eyes a crack and tried to take stock of his situation. Where was his blade now, anyway?

[The SheoDovah]

Darkscale: Dwemer disemberments.

Darkscale wasn't really fussed by the sight he witnessed. The brothers of darkness were servants of death and something like a dead body missing it's limbs was just a fact of life. He had disembered people before. Usually when a message had to be sent and a scale's signature was required. "Death lays ahead but no life is present." He told the rest of the group after returning. "Though if many men fear blood amd limbs, they will fear the room ahead. The guard of the noble is there but his life forfeit. There is a large object that many gain the desires of everyone but it could be a trap. This vessel has used such items to lure people to their embrace of the darkness."

[Rook]

Dorian - The Manor

"Then I am still your heir?" Dorian said, contempt still reverberatingoing in his voice, "Or has that also been stripped away for my 'protection'? Until my birthright is restored to me, and my half-brother's claim denied, we will remain estranged, and the better for it."

[Unionhack]

The Manor

Jacme heaved a heavy sigh, disappointed in himself at the prospect of disappointing his son. "Your brother is..." He started, unable to phrase it in such a way that would blunt the blow. After a moment, he nodded (to assure himself more than anything), and looked Dorian in the eye.

"Dorian, I'm afraid I can say no such thing. As I approach the twilight of my years and as my duties to the Vigil compound in light of heightened Council activity, I saw Wayrest undeserving of a ruler who could pay her no mind. I am sorry, Dorian, but your brother now holds the title that was once mine."

Ra'zhar shrugged at Niralie. "Perhaps it is related to their conjured armor and weapons. Perhaps it would dispel the incantation that dissolves their bodies upon death. Ra'zhar knows not, but is willing to try anything."

[Alarra]

Niralie - Manor

"Perhaps," Niralie agreed. "But I suppose we'll have to wait until we encounter them next to see what happens. Gods willing, that won't be for a very long time."

Hidden:

I'm good for a timeskip, nothing more to add.

Khazi-daro - Cave

Khazi shrugged and went to retrieve the blade, figuring she didn't have much better to do at the moment. She looked warily around for any signs of danger.

[Rook]

Dorian - The Manor

Dorian's eyes flashed dangerously, his nostrils flared, "You old fool..." He desired to lash out at something, someone, as reparation for this injustice, but somehow he managed to control himself. He looked him in the eye for what he intended to be the last time, "It doesn't matter. What do I need your blessing for? Without your crown, you're just an old man, far past your prime. Wayrest is my birthright, and I intend to claim it."

He pushed past his father, deafening his ears to any protests or excuses. He had had enough of this foul manor, and was eager to return to the wilds. This dissapointment had, somewhat amusuingly, hardened his determination to undertake this quest. On their journey, he could seek a fortune of his own and forge alliances, all in preparation for his homecoming. And he road promised to bestow plenty of hours in which to plan that return.

[BetaB17]

Nammu - Dwemer ruins

Ever slowly, the priest treaded his steps towards the assassin and the chamber it doth dwelled. Passing by that looming doorway, and like a shallow breath, beyond the Argonian as well. He had a bored, tiring look upon his face, even as he crossed sight over all the chamber could behold

Even the once noble guardian to the Baronet was hardly met with a moment of attention. Instead, as if time was infinite, he merely scratched the side of his. Though it seems his patience was ever less so.

After a moment of delay, he looked back at the doorway, as if waiting for something. In a monotoned voice, he bellowed. "Khazi? Youngling.. Do hasten yourself. Liivausdir still awaits thy blade.." Straining himself to ensure the thief heard, the priest immediately started to cough as if in some fit. His hand just barely muffled the distress, till slowly silence washed over once again.

After a moment, his eyes slowly guided towards the makeshift altar and the supposed treasure that it displayed. Making a few tired steps, and even taking pristine care to avoid the discarded hand, he brought himself closer to inspect. Maybe some touch of interest caught his mind, or maybe he just needed to pass the time, he cast his knowledgeable gaze upon that lonesome topaz

[Unionhack]

The Manor

Lord Jacme reached out helplessly as Dorian pushed past him. He tried to utter his son's name, but all that came was a silent, hopeless prayer.

The old man watched as Dorian departed, perhaps for the last time, his eyes sullen and his heart heavy with the weight of regret.

The Seekers - Lake Ilinata

One day later...

The cold air of Falkreath Hold held its course as the Seekers (as Ra'zhar had come to call the group) made their way from the Emperor's Manor to the shore of Lake Ilinata. Though the cold brought a lack of visibility, no ill will befelled the travelers during their short trek.

The sun was high in the sky when they at last reached the Lake. Frost covered the waters closest to the shore, indicating that the water was far from hospitable to the unprepared.

"Then the Thread is within the lake, yes?" Ra'zhar asked as he looked upon the scene with slight trepidation. "Were it only so that we could wait until Summer...."

[Alarra]

Niralie - Lake Illinalta

Niralie brought her horse, Snowberry, to a halt as they arrived at the lake. "We're about to find out, I suppose," she answered the Khajiit as she retrieved the Ring of Sanguine Unseen Wisdom - which Valentia had given her before the group had left Riften - from where it had been hidden in a pouch in her boot. She felt the same as he did about the lake, but she was also somewhat excited that their journey was finally continuing. In the days between Riften and Falkreath, and in the past day since they'd left the manor, she'd been practicing Mysticism spells as much as possible: tossing pebbles with a small Telekinesis spell and finding them later with a scrying spell, practicing detect life and reflect spells, and so forth. She had a beginner's knowledge of it from her studies at the Arcane University, but it wasn't something she had a lot of familiarity with, and she wanted to gain as much experience in it as possible for their journey. The Thread, she knew, would greatly enhance her skill in the Mysticism field, so she was confident that it would be able to help her scry the Threads.

She put the ring on and took a deep breath, and cast a scrying spell to point them toward the nearby Thread.


Khazi-daro - Cave

Khazi twitched her ears to acknowledge the old one, though she was confused by what he meant. Seeing no danger, she picked up the blade and brought it to him.

[Unionhack]

Lake Ilinalta

Even before her casting, Niralie could feel a tinge of warmth from the Ring of Unseen Wisdom when she donned it near the lake, reminding her that the Threads tended to react to the presence of their siblings.

The spell was executed flawlessly, and from the Ring on her finger a beam of silvery light shone forth. The beam descended to the water's surface and traveled in a straight line until it was nearly out of sight; almost a hundred yards away, where the Lake would be at its deepest.

Unseen to the rear of the onlookers, the spell also conjured images in Niralie's mind. Most were murky nothingness, but three images came into prominence to stand out beyond the rest. The first was a sunken chest, wooden and rotted after years of being submerged. The second was a drowned skeleton, leaning against the chest, with a key affixed upon a necklace that floated lazily around its neck. The third vision was different, and far more frightening; a slender silhouette of a creature, much larger than a slaughterfish; just how much larger was difficult to ascertain.

Once these visions passed, a final image came into the view of Niralie's mind. A belt, made of a black sash of otherworldly cloth and buckled by a golden rectangle adorned with a number of forboding gems, glittering red and green from some unknown light. Somehow, Niralie knew the object's name; the Belt of Sanguine Denial.

[BetaB17]

Nora the Fox - Lake Illinalta

The time spent traveling through the crisp air and beauty of green did well to lighten her spirit. She felt, content, and it clearly showed on her smile.

"Ahhhh.. Hav'e yee ever set eyes upon a more perfect scene? Well, aside from our fairest maiden of course." She said, first with enamored joy and then with a touch of flourish. Clearly she was not referring to herself, not enough green in the skin.

Upon word from the spellsword, the fox could not help but perk her ears "Wha'cha mean till summer? What be wrong with it?!" She said in a mild pout, taking some playful offense by his reluctance with the lake "Ye be too timid to the cold I say."

[Alarra]

Hidden:

I'm just gonna assume that Grelok did indeed steal the materials for Niralie to make waterbreathing rings as he'd offered, and that she made them before they left Riften.

Niralie - Lake Illinalta

Niralie closed her eyes for a moment after the visions, committing everything to memory as best she could.

"All right," she began, opening her eyes and raising her voice enough for the rest of the group to hear her, "The thread is there, in the middle of the lake. It's the Belt of Sanguine Denial, and it's in a chest: I think the key's on a skeleton next to it." She went on more uneasily, "There's also something.... big in the lake, some sort of creature. I'm not sure what it is, but it's a lot bigger than a slaughterfish. I can't imagine it's friendly." She paused for a moment to let that sink in. "I can cast resist-cold spells on anyone who's going in the water, and I have waterbreathing rings for most of us: I'm afraid we're a couple short, though; Arellius, Dulani, and Ra'zahr were not with us at the time." She looked around at her companions. "Any ideas?"

[The SheoDovah]

Katlina

"Naturally, I shall be going in." The nord told Niralie as she dismounted Freya. She had been reading a book for a majority of the journey along with sharpening her axe. "Was that a compliment, my dear fox?" She joked to Nora as she looked at the lake. "And before anyone argues, I can cope with the coldness. Same with Nora though I can't recall if foxes make good swimmers or not." She told the group, expecting to be shot down and to be informed she wasn't allowed to help. She had spent the past day thinking whilst reading and knew what the general opinion of her was. It wasn't kind, at least, that was her assumption. "Me and the elf could cast invisiblity on those that are going in or we could fight the slimey [&@%!] but I've not heard or seen of any creature that she is describing and I suggest that we assume it is venomous along with it being hard to treat. Treating venom is hard enough due to the varieties involved, even with magic. It is often a mixture of time, the amount in the body and how far it has spread. I also suggest that we assume it has a strong venom and lean towards the idea of sneaking past it at the risk of my ancestors disowning me." She felt a joke was needed to help with the situation.

Hidden:

Dovah knows nothing. Dovah makes [&@%!] up to try to bluff his way through it. Beta is likely to smack him later.

[Alarra]

Niralie - Lake Illinalta

Niralie bristled at being referred to as "the elf". "I have a name," she said pointedly.
She folded her arms. "I doubt invisibility would help at all - it probably senses movement in the water rather than seeing anything. I also was not aware that you are an Illusion mage. Venom... is a bit of an assumption to make from only knowing that it's big, but I agree that we should treat it as such just in case, considering how little we know about it."
She paused thoughtfully as the last part of her sentence gave her an idea. "I wonder if I can scry for more details about it." She cast another scrying spell, this time focusing on the creature as it had appeared in her vision.

[Baloth-Kul]

Grelok - Lake Illinalta
At Niralie's mention of the creature within the lake, Grelok flinched. "Uhh...buh...bigger than a Slaughterfish? It couldn't be like a, uhh...a Dreugh, could it? Are there Dreugh in Skyrim?" Better not be...no, it can't be.

[The SheoDovah]

Katlina Lake Illinalta.

The red haired nord barely held her tongue regarding Niralie. "I don't recall saying I wasn't versed in the school of illusion and I find assuming unknown creatures to be poisonous a wise approach. Our land is home to many things that will eat you along with poisoning you." Grelok spoke up and she turned to look at him. "What's a Dreugh?" She inquired.

[Velvet LeChance]

Arellius Afer III - Lake Illinalta

His hand had run along the hilt of his tanto in restive anticipation. It rose to wipe the irritation from his brow as the Nord spoke.

"Wha'ev'r i'is we should aim t'kill i'before we go fer the chest." He took a pause in contemplation. "An' that'll be'asier t'do if we can geh't close to tha'shore; lure it t'tha'shallows." Then came the toothy grin, as he completed his thoughts. "But t'catch a fish.... y'need some bait. "

His mind itself considered the possibilities as he allowed the group to mull it over. It would be best if the bait was infused with water-walking; a sprint was quicker than rowing and certainly quicker than swimming; what's more, it would be incapable of dragging them beneath the water. But he was probably dreaming that he'd have the luxury; it would probably be a swim.

"Which I guess I be volunteerin' fer, if no-one feels begrudge'd of ih'." He finished; his expression was neutral.

[Cassandra]

Dulani - Lake Illinalta

Dulani stopped her horse and stared at the lake for a minute before averting her eyes. It had been a while since she had let herself go anywhere near a large body of water, and now she remembered why. Of all the places we had to go first, why a lake? She ignored the tightening in her stomach and let out a bit of nervous laughter. "Well, we seem to have enough volunteers, so I'm just going to stay up here, if that's alright."

In an attempt to take her mind off the water, she turned her attention to Grelok and Katlina's conversation.

[BetaB17]

Nora the Fox

Dismounting her horse with relative ease, the young warrior wasted no time easing her strain as she stretched. "Aye.. We be best to assume less an' keep our wits about ya. Could e'r be a horker too far upstream.. Or tis be some abomination from te tides of Oblivion.. We ne'er know, till thee finds out first hand." She said with relative vigor, though she did her best to avoid sharing a fee harsh words with her Nordic friend, and doing even better to ignore her other comments

"We be best if less delve beneath.. Only a few ye need, the rest ashore and at te..." She was cut off by the toothy snake's speak and furthermore his volunteering. In appropriate response, she shrugged her shoulders. "If ye wants, I cann'ot stop thee." She didn't exactly favor the thought of using someone as bait, but she didn't exactly favor the ominous stranger either

Side tracked in full, she turned to Grelok and his sheepish stutter, a sly smile donned this cheeky Skaal. "A Dreugh? Why ye say? We be far from any swamps or warmer waters.." She leaned forward in his direction, clearly enjoying the words she readied to utter "What? Have ye some fears thou wishes to share?"

[Unionhack]

Lake Ilinalta - Niralie's Mind's Eye

Niralie approximated the location of the creature beneath the depths of the murky Ilinalta waters with her spell, further aided by the Ring of Unseen Wisdom. Eventually, more images were conjured in her mind, giving her more insight to the creature within.

Again, without frame of reference in the dark waters, the creature's exact size was difficult to pin down completely. As Niralie examined the images that flashed through her mind, she could detect the shape of the creature in question. It had a large, ovular body with four ovular fins, and a long neck with a small head; the neck composed more than half of the creature's size. Thanks to Niralie's prior studies, she knew the creature to be a sea serpent, rare in a lake environment but not entirely unheard of.

Furthermore, the creature felt off in several vague senses; the most standout odd feeling that Niralie could detect told her that the creature wasn't quite alive... yet it moved as if it were.

[BetaB17]

Hidden:

Oh my god.. Somebody drowned Nessie! That sick [&@%!]!

[Alarra]

Niralie - Lake Illinalta

"It's a sea serpent!" Niralie exclaimed in surprise once she was certain that she had identified the creature. "But, there's something odd... it's moving but doesn't feel alive.... I'm not sure if we're dealing with necromancy, or some sort of conjured creature, or something else..." she drifted off, lost in thought as she tried to puzzle out the situation.