Tamrielic Adventures: Vol. 2

[Aarah]

Eolwyn - Lake

"What are you doing!?" Eolwyn shouted to Grelok, as he and the seal dove into the lake.

"What the hell happened to the 'lure it to the shore first' idea?" She complained to the others.
"Damn Orc's going to get himself killed!"

[Velvet LeChance]

Arrelius Afer III - Lake Illinalta

"If we can't freeze't then we're gonna hav'ta let't close tha'distance; get't ont' shore. Frenzy ih'maybe 'nd-" The Imperial was interrupted by a sudden plop. He broke his gaze from the group and turned it out towards the lake - his brow furrowed but then seemed to relax. He took a step back.

"Or take't on in'ts natural habita'an' get'r selves kill'd." He finished after a moment - the sardonic undertones of his comment clear. The beasts could go out and pose as fish food for all he cared - he wouldn't be following them whatever the case.

[BetaB17]

Nora the Fox

For but a moment, from the stress and uncertainty, she felt a wave of relief as the familiar was at first suspended. Slacking her shoulders and baring her shield to the ground, she leaned over as she tried to recover herself. "...Give me'h a moment.. No.. Make t'hat two..." Sheathing her blade after steadying heart, she took on large breath before, with quite a roar, and a raise of her fist "Oye! Spellsword!! Wh'at in Oblivion's wake were yee thinking! Ye tryin' te [&@%!] me'h off!?! Have any of thee even faced a sea serpent?" It was a rhetorical question, nobody here seemed any the wiser

But she wasn't given too much respite. "Grelok?" Because now it was he who sent a panic down her pulse "Aye?! Hey!? Stop!!!" She dashed down her shield and rushed over to Niralie, quickly grabbing a ring with all intent to follow the thief to the waters

[Aarah]

Eolwyn

Eolwyn hastened over to Nora, to stand between her and the icy lake.
"Don't be impulsive!" She warned.
"Following that green fool in there could lead to death. We know virtually nothing of this beast, nor the depth or extent of the lake's chill. We should stick to our plan."

Though fearing for the Orc's safety herself, she felt that everyone jumping in after each other could be a sure recipe for disaster...and she hoped that Grelok had a bloody good reason for choosing to join Ra'zhar's summon.

[BetaB17]

Nora the Fox

In stark panic, the young Skaal tried to impulsively push pass Eowlyn, clearly reasoning left her senses "But somebody needs t' bring th'at thieving idiot back alive!! An' by god I'll beat him bloody if I hav'e to!!"

[Baloth-Kul]

Lake Illinalta
Ra'zhar's tail waved gently as he observed the commotion. "The green one does not wish to leave things to chance, nor to allow the Hollow Council a headstart as we argue. Planning is smart, but by the time we have measured the perfect solution, more Threads will be theirs. ...He lures the creature to shore. He knows what he risks. Have faith in him. Be ready."

[Aarah]

Eolwyn

"You can beat him up when he gets back. Listen to Ra'zhar. Grelok can handle it." I hope.
Eolwyn said reassuringly to Nora in an effort to hold her back.
She turned to the Khajiit, however, and shot him a look of disapproval.

[BetaB17]

Nammu

The elder priest did not seem to bother with a response to the Saxhleel, seemingly more preoccupied as he neared the stone table and it's crimson display. For once, giving the sole survivor it's due attention, at last

[Alarra]

Niralie - Lake Illinalta

Niralie waited as Grelok and Katlina took the rings (noting with some amusement that it was after Katlina's rude gesture - though Niralie wasn't petty enough to deny her a ring over it.) Her expression turned to shock at Grelok's sudden action, and she shouted his name in surprise. She didn't dare go in after him, and she stood speechless for a moment, uncertain what to do. Then her senses returned to her and she urged the others, "Quickly, take a ring - just in case!", before casting a scrying spell with her right hand. She would try to watch his progress to see if he was in any danger and to learn what she could about the creature, if he were to encounter it.

[Aarah]

Eolwyn - Lake

Eolwyn took a ring from Niralie and put it on her finger.
She then placed her satchel down on the ground, incase it was necessary to go into the water, but kept her bow and arrow ready for any action.

[Cassandra]

Dulani - Lake

Dulani stared after Grelok with a bemused expression. "Well, at least someone's doing something."

[Velvet LeChance]

"Yes! Action! I'm sure't'll all seem pre'hhy [&@%!]'musin from th'shorline."

The snarl left the Imperial's lips without a glance up towards the offender. Instead, he stared out at the sea, searching for the ripples that would signal the beast drawing close. His wrists flexed, the blades snipped gently across the ground. He still hadn't taken a step forward to grab a ring - jumping into the lake with that thing seemed like an unjustifiable death sentence. He gaze turned towards the eagerness of the brave idiots marching to claim such from Niralie, meeting their courage with an empty grin.

'[&@%!] that.'

"Breton," he began again, nodding in Dorian's direction. "If Niralie can'trap the'beast yer gon'ta have'ta frenzy ih'onta shore, steal't's advantage."

[The SheoDovah]

Katlina- Grelok of the Lake

Katlina took the ring without saying anything to the elf and placed it on her right middle finger. She immediately removed her robes to make it easier to swim and shoved them into her backpack. "Greaat." She remarked as she observed Grelok and was ready to cast a barrage of chain lighting with one hand, a barrage of light fireballs with the other. Of course, someone would jump in there. Not surprising that it's Grelok though it may have been me in a bid to prove to these people that I'm useful. No doubt that if I do retrieve it, some of them will consider murdering me just to keep it a secret.


The Darkscale of Scales.

Darkscale had merely observed the priest and the other Argonian. "A trap, it is not but easily it could be." He uttered as he wiped his sword with a black rag. "The guard of the noble belongings are in no use to the dead being. The scale of darkness will claim the valuables as a minor payment for providing the services of shadows and the tools of the Falmer is something this one will take." He told the priest and shadows of seeing. "Once this is done, the leader will want to listen to the servant of shadow's offer if they have enemies."

[BetaB17]

Nammu

The priest waved a hand dismissively, clearly sharing less ear to the assassin "Leave the altar be.." he seemed so disinterested in any compensation or payment for the remaining survivors, much like the chest they previously passed. And yet, it almost seemed his interests still lied elsewhere.

Waving another dismissal "The Baronet? Most probably dead by now.." He looked down on the shambled guardian, shrugging at the grim fact "Either the dark corners claimed his feeble self.. Or he has found himself struggling to gasp every dying breath.." He truly sounded so uncaring to a man he previously helped advise and assist upon this daring ordeal "It is a shame, really.. Had he kept near or brought more workers down below.. Surely he would still be alive.. Relatively speaking."

A cold and chilling sigh escaped his breath "But alas.. He proved less competent than I had hoped.. And to dismiss his workers.. How careless.. But I must commend him.." To this, the priest looked down to the tortured face "He did better than any other to get me to these depths.. Long have I waited.. Oh how very long.."

Nora the Fox

"Dammit!!" She said in a fit of frustration. Her cheeks running rosy from the clash of determination. Clasping to undo any baggage and needless possessions, she promptly tossed them beside the others and her horse. However much unlike one would assume, she had yet to undo any of her weighty armor, clearly having more than enough mind for the fight that was at hand. She was just in time to see Katlina seemingly having less in mind

"Katlina! You will do no s'ch thing! Stand down till Grelok safely returns, tha'ts n order!" The Skaal warrior yelled, both in full voice and heat. For a moment, one could assume she was speaking more go a fellow guard or soldier than some civil mage "Help Nira' with freezing te' serpent, n at fail then blast tha't darn beast!!"

She promptly snatched her shield from the ground, loosely covered by tossed soil now. However, rather than arm herself with it, she tossed it before Niralie, clearly thinking she could do with the added defense if things got worse. For herself? She readied to draw her shortblade to pair

[The SheoDovah]

Katlina of the Lake

"So she can take offense at me doing magic again? Sod that!" Katlina retorted as she focused on preparing her spells. She really did not trust the elf to not start something and she was bitter about how the elf got offended back in Windhelm and had taken it as an insult when she insisted on assisting her.

[Unionhack]

Lake Ilinalta

Despite not being the largest or most muscular orc around (indeed, he was no berserker), Grelok's naturally strong build allowed him to swim downwards into the lake fairly quickly. Ra'zhar's familiar took point, but always ensured that it was within Grelok's sight as they delved further into the increasingly dim-lit lake.

The resist cold spell held fast, but the pain shooting through Grelok's mechanical hand was renewed with every stroke.

Suddenly, Grelok felt a sense of utter dread, despite any sort of preparation he might have made in the event of encountering the sea serpent. By base instinct alone he managed to trudge his way to the right (was it the right? the pitch blackness of the lower lake made it difficult to tell) just as the beast rushed past, having missed its mark at the last second.

Grelok could make out the sea serpent, not by shape in the murky depths of the lake, but by glowing runes spread out across its skin. Grelok had seen necromancy before, and could tell that this beast was risen from the dead; perhaps as a trap left by guardians of the Thread from ages past, or by their enemies...

Ra'zhar's familiar sprung into action and rammed its ethereal form into the undead serpent. In doing this, it illuminated the immediate area, shining on the serpent's flank. Chunks of flesh were missing and gave windows to bone and gore beneath, further confirming the creature's undead status. From the length of the runes, Grelok could surmise that the creature was about 50 feet long from head to tail.

The serpent began to thrush about, trying to catch the familiar. It was distracted, for now.

Niralie's Mind's Eye

Niralie tried to focus on Grelok's journey. At first it was fairly simple, given that he and the familiar were traveling at a steady pace and in a single direction. However, as soon as the serpent attacked, things became rather murky in her visions as the panic of the situation unfolded. It was, however, very clear that Grelok was being attacked by the creature they feared.

[Baloth-Kul]

Grelok
Grelok's eyes widened in surprise and fear of the disgusting creature, but he was resolved to bring it to its end.

Drawing the steel dagger of fire from his belt, Grelok began to swim upwards, and dragged the dagger across the serpent's ruined flesh as he did so. He then began a beeline for the shore where salvation awaited. Hope that got its attention! ...Kinda hope it didn't!

[Minor Edits]

Dwemer ruins

Sees-In-Shade glanced inquisitively at Darkscale, wondering if the other Argonian was claiming Flacus' sword as one of the "valuables" he felt he deserved. Nammu's musings drew him back to the bigger picture.

"Waited?" Sees-In-Shade responded slowly, trying to follow the Khajiit's use of the past tense. "Why? For what? What isss it we are to do down here? And who isss the... Li-Liivausssdir?" he asked, struggling to remember the name Nammu had spoken earlier. "Jussst what am I killing for, cat?!"

[BetaB17]

Nammu
An ear twitched, his attention still permitted. But no further action befell less in word "Liivausdir?" His voice was dry as always "It is but a name.. This one frets too much over the smallest of details.." He did nothing to relieve the argonian of his burden

"And if this one must know.." But he did seem charitable to relieve some of it "The Baronet.. And many alike.. Seek for the precious treasures. Of glory, or even claim?" One could almost mistake Nammu for belittling said desires "Nammu? That one seeks the simpler of things.. But alas these pests seem to have wrought greater ruin than expected.." He gave a sigh, truly showing some level of lost "Maybe Bthanchend.. Once more.. Or Raldbthar perhaps?.."

But in some small act of kindness, if you could call it that, he waved another dismissing hand "Ah, but Nammu does not expect thee to follow.. Nor does he expect you to kill.. Safeguard and oblige, these are all that I expect.."

"After all.. So long as we keep to these depths.. Our goals are mutual, are they not? Again, that one frets too much over the smallest of details?

[Alarra]

Niralie - Lake Illinalta

Niralie gasped at the murky scene her visions revealed. "H-He's fighting it!" she stammered to the others. "That's all I can see..."


Khazi-daro - Cave

Khazi stared at the old one, utterly confused at this point by his actions and odd way of speaking. "This one's goal is to get out of here and find a warm inn, and then get back to Anvil," she said, her voice forlorn and ears drooping. "She does not understand how going deeper into this place of death will help."

[Minor Edits]

Dwemer ruins

Sees-In-Shade perked up at that thought, bobbing his head up and down enthusiastically at Khazi. "I bubble with agreement! Forget the inn; 'thisss one' nesstsss on an anvil, if the river flowsss that way!" he hissed with a rattle of his tail. "But let usss flow with it in the Now! We can take whatever ... valuablesss ... we can and leave. To go forward isss to embraccce Sssithisss for a ... for a curiosssity!"

[BetaB17]

Nammu

Nammu curled his claws, listening in on their mutual longing but by all means he seemed lost in this sentiment "Why?..." His question was peculiar even by voice, was he questioning their desire to leave? Of the Saxhleel's phrasing? Or most odd, their desire over mortal comfort?

He stopped curling his palm, but said nothing more, silence stilled his hollowed soul

[The SheoDovah]

The Darkscale

"Many a man pays for hidden treasures. It is materials that supply life and in order for death to occur, life must be given to death. The goods will act to bring the darkness closer to those who are claimed by the hand of death." The Shadowscale remarked. "The gem in the hilt will earn many a emperor insignia and the septims are key to life. This vessel of death dislikes relying on coin but it is no theif unless part of the process of causing death. The gems, the blades, the jewelry will buy a fair price and this being of darkness will accept it as payment for assisting. The leader has not responded to the offer but if it is deemed ill suited, the one known as Darkscale can discuss more terms for his service." He told the group as he looked at the corpse of the noble one. "Nobles think they are immortal and beyond the reach of death." He remarked to the corpse with a bit of joy in his tone. "Death comes to all beings."

[BetaB17]

Nammu

The priest barely gave ear, flicking his claw as if some impudent scamp was talking his ear off. But something caught him, near the very end. "Beyond death? Beyond the reach of time?"

'Heh'

"You speak without knowing.." Maybe it was the feint light, but it almost looked like the old priest found this humorous, but solemn as he stayed even when eyes could go weary "You speak without depth..."

In a low, but distant tongue he followed "Many lords and kings.. They know better than some.. Of their approaching end.. Of the tides of time..." The dialect, the speech, it kept alternating, some words harder to grasp than others "If they were not so keen? Then surely they would not seek those like Nammu? Yes?"

"Keep to their thrones and ask not of healers or magic?"

"Ah.. But all beings fear their inevitable ends.. What is so terrible with preserving what little security one has left? Even if it is but an illusion..."

"Mortals.. Such fascinating beings at times, are they not?"

In just this solemn moment, his words seem more kind than cold, even if his tone never swayed

[Minor Edits]

Dwemer ruins

Sees-In-Shade snorted as his tail swished about. "Xhuth, both of you, lay down the ssspoiled sssap and ssspeak plain! You wish to lay eyesss on the noble'sss corpse, ssso be it, but we mussst find the path!"