Tamrielic Adventures: Vol. 2

[Minor Edits]

Sees-In-Shade - The Pale

Sees-In-Shade's face let off a disturbing twitch as he glared at Nammu. The young Argonian took a step closer to the aging Khajiit and took a deep breath, his tail dragging sullenly behind him.

Just when it seemed like he would begin yelling, or worse, the Argonian's face suddenly relaxed, and his response came in a casual and diplomatic tone the others had never heard before. "Lisssten, Nammu, we can never totally know how the egg cracksss. Could be we take different pathsss."

"If I need to find another healer ... and you ssseem to think my problem isss ... forever," he continued, struggling with some inefficiency of monkey speech. "Then I need to know what I have, or at leassst what to call thisss," he gestured at the extraordinarily expensive sliver-vial in his other hand, "ssso I may get more. Yesss?"

[BetaB17]

Nammu - Pale Wilderness

Lazily the priest rested his head against his hand, as if never once feeling pressured "Once more... This one asks too many questions.." The miasmic smoke slowly prickled at the argonian's nose as his pipe still burned

"Your blood... It is rotting..." He said will dull but foreboding voice. The argonian didn't see when, but the priest managed to point his ebony claw at him as he delivered dreaded news "Similar, yes.. To that Chaurus.. From before" an uncomfortable memory followed short for Khazi and SIS, of how that giant beast quickly fell and dissolved like nothing they've seen before. The priest's pale eyes, never seemed to waver, neither then or now. "That.. May be your fate.. And the same to those, less careful of your blight" he didn't need to point at her to let Khazi know he meant her

He didn't waste much time, even as his voice tired more "There will be.. No other healers.. No other divine shrines.. And no other plea.. There is but you.. And I.. Others will rather see you burned off of Nirn itself.. Than find a cure.. As this one has said.. You only have yourself to blame upon this chosen fate... Such is a pittance for survival.. And survive, you must..."

Finally, the priest released his claw from it's glare, and so too his pale eyes "This one cannot force you to delay it's spread.." The small vial in Sees-In-Shade's hand seemed that much more valuable as he spoke "And this one cannot choose... Which path your fate shall end.. That, is to you.."

He suddenly rolled his shoulders, a shift not in tone but words "Though.. One could just try to cut this priest down now.. Loot mere weeks worth of.. Delay... And try their luck in this unforgiving realm.." His eyes slowly resettled on the argonian "Wouldn't be the first.. Nor the last.. Mortals have acted upon less, rational.. Thoughts". And as if coming full circle, his head once more rested again upon his hand, as if nothing had occurred. In a long, and solemn pause he allowed each of the two to process all that has been said.

[The SheoDovah]

Katlina - The Inn

As Katlina bit into the sweet and crunchy Grilled Leeks, she found herself savouring every bite. She moved onto the Goat's leg and it tasted as if it had came from the feasting hall of Sovngarde itself. She found herself thinking but the thoughts weren't hers as she ate and drank like a noble. These things what!? Grelok is in danger?! Wait, that would mean.... NORA! damnit. She grabbed the seemingly bottomless bottle of Alto wine and finished off the sweetroll. She stood up. If they are following me, solitude is a bad idea. Where did they plan to be next? The..... Windhelm? No. Wait, it was Markrath. She made her way towards the door and departed the inn. Talos give me strength! She would get Freya ready after apologising to the horse for breaking her rest so soon and make haste to Markreath.

Hidden:

Hopefully, this is not a mistake.

[Unionhack]

Katlina

Katlina rode off into the night, but would not reach Markarth until after the morning of the next day. Luckily she had not veered off far from the course of her other companions, but she would have to make up for lost time.

Hidden:

That means it's going to be a few hours before she reaches Markarth. The time discrepancy would be hard to justify if she were to reach the city now.

Azeet's

The companions sprung from their current abode much to the surprise of the elderly proprietor.

Niralie was able to accurately produce a light spell, the magic coming to her very naturally; ironically, almost unnaturally so. She had just ingested a lot of alcohol and she could still feel it burning down her throat. If she were to be drunk, it hadn't hit her quite yet.

The feeling of Sanguine speaking through her, however, was difficult to shake.

The others managed to make it to Understone Keep, where they encountered two guards holding their greataxes crossed in front of the entrance. "Halt! By order of the Jarl, there is to be no exit nor entry to the keep until the incident within the museum is investigated and solved!" one of them shouted.

The Dwemer Museum

The solid metal doors suddenly shut themselves behind Grelok and Teldril, by their own accord. The sound of screeching metal filled the room as a number of the dwemer automatons began to move and step off of their displays, moving towards the two prominent occupants of the room.

Teldril knew that such a feat would not be possible unless the automatons were manually activated with the handling of a soul gem for each of them. As three dwemer spiders and two dwemer spheres slowly approached the duo, he could only wonder over who could have done such a thing below the noses of those responsible for the museum.

Deeper within the building, they could hear the loud hissing of steam rapidly leaving a source.

Hidden:

If I missed anything I will return to this and fix it.

[Alarra]

Niralie - Markarth

Satisfied that she was able to use magic, Niralie hurried after her companions. At worst, if the alcohol did end up affecting her, she figured that she'd probably be safest with the group rather than alone in an inn where she could be ambushed by an assassin. She arrived shortly behind them in time to hear the guard blocking the others.

"Please!" she gasped as she approached, slowing to a stop. "Our friend's in there! I scryed to see where he was, and he's in trouble - I think he's being attacked!"

Hidden:

If she shouldn't have made it there, let me know, but I think it would have taken her only a few seconds to cast the spell, so they wouldn't have much of a head start.

[Hissien]

Understone Keep - Dwemer Museum

"Oh Azura curse you!" Teldril shouted in vain at the automatons. Teldril smoke a vile invocation for daedra most fowl. He readied the required energy and attempted to call forth a Dark Seducer from the planes of madness. He feared they would need more force to survive this, however.

Teldril looked at Grelok curiously, almost as if he was deciding which one of them stood a better chance. At least if I get trapped in here.. Teldril trailed off in his thoughts.

Hidden:

presumably the single summon cap would be in effect here

[BetaB17]

Nora the Fox - Markarth

With a heavy breath of concern "Please, he be in dire danger not of his own making!" Nora braced a hand across her breast as she pleaded for their understanding "I beg of thee!"

[Unionhack]

Markarth

Niralie was able to keep pace with her friends after their headstart and ran up to the gates of Understone Keep just after they arrived.

The guards looked at each other in confusion. "Scr- what now?" asked the one on the left.

"Scrying. Like looking through a looking glass, but with magic." replied the one on the right. "Which is a little suspicious given that we were just ordered to lock the place down, if you ask me."

"But the elf said they were friends with the visitin' orc, yeah? The one the jarl was doting on? Should we maybe let 'em in? Think the jarl would want to talk to them too." insisted the left guard.

The right guard shook his head and looked at those gathered. "No. Jarl says no one goes in or out, and that includes nosey adventurers."

Dwemer Museum

Hidden:

Yes, one summon per person.

Calling a powerful being into their world from the realms of Oblivion caused a good deal of exertion on Teldril's part, but he was successful in his summoning. A purple-skinned, helmeted woman came into view and drew a sword and shield, moving to engage one of the dwemer spiders. She struck low and shattered the soul gem powering it, causing the contraption to sputter and fall to the ground lifelessly. One of the dwemer spheres erupted from its orb-shaped-housing and loosed a crossbow bolt, striking the Dark Seducer on the shoulder. She held her shield upwards after the injury to prevent further bolts from hitting her.

Another crossbow bolt was shot by the other sphere at Teldril, but with a snap of reflex he was able to lean out of the way. The two remaining spiders crawled forward and began slashing at Grelok's knees; he was able to avoid the attacks, but was forced to give up ground to do so.

[Alarra]

Hidden:

It was Niralie who said they're friends with Grelok, not Nora.

Niralie - Markarth

Niralie stared at the guards in dismay, fearing that the worst might be happening to Grelok as they stood there. After a few moments she took a deep breath to try to calm herself. "Well, if the guard is aware of it, maybe they're getting things under control," she said, wanting to believe it.

She turned and sat down on a step several feet away. "I'll check on him." She cast another scrying spell, this time looking for Grelok.

[Velvet LeChance]

Arellius Afer III - Markarth

One of the Imperials hands rested on his sword hilt. He glanced across at Nora as if attempting to figure his own intentions - she had his support whatever to case. But before turning to violence he attempted one last tactic. He kept his tone low enough that it might not be carried far beyond their spot - but with strength enough that his confidence was pressed:

"I do suggest y'part gaurd." There was a pause - adding emphasis to his conclusion: "We're agents o'th'Emporer. If y'won't move t'sense then bow t'his seal." Eolwyn - he hoped - still carried his edict.

[Aarah]

Eolwyn - Markarth

Eolwyn looked at the guard that stood on the right.
"My colleague is correct. We are in this city to apprehend a group of criminals, and up until this point we have been successful in tracking them down. I'm sure you wouldn't want the Jarl to learn that these dangerous criminals have escaped, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake, because a couple of his guards would not allow access to a group who were employed to bring them to justice. I understand you have orders, but I'd imagine the Jarl would be most impressed that you had enough skill of independent judgement to ensure his city remains safe, no?"

The Bosmer stood squarely and spoke with authority.
If the guards remained firm, she would resort to producing the writ before violence, but for now she kept the document in her satchel.

[Hissien]

Markarth - Understone Keep

Teldril hissed loudly, like a cornered snake and regarded the automatons menacingly. He was excited, he hadn't had any real sport in decades. He called on the energies of magic and readied a bolt of lightning aimed at the Sphere closest to Grelok.

[Rook]

Darkscale - The Road to Dawnstar

As Darkscale left the clearing and began to make his way towards Dawnstar, he became acutely aware of the chill in the night air., which had begun in a gentle yet haunting tone. It seemed to him that the clearing in which they had awoken had been much warmer. Perhaps it was some side effect of their teleportation? Regardless of the nip in the air, the cold was not so unbearable so as to prevent him from moving at a swift pace. However, as he proceeded onwards, Darkscale could not help but feel a deep sense of uneasiness. Whether it were brought on by his enhanced senses, Shadowscale training, or simply human fear, there was undoubtly something amiss this night in the Pale.

By the time the vague outline of Dawnstar and its unusually few beacons of fiery light had become apparent, Darkscale had found bodies.

Three men, two horses, and what appeared to have been a dog. All had met their end this night. The bodies were fresh, and the cold would preserve them for longer still; not that there much left to preserve. The bodies of the men were bloody and mutilated: limbs had been torn off, throats ripped out, and terror etched into what remained of their mangled faces. Their unbloodied weapons lay upon the ground in testament to their uselessness. The men had been dressed in dark clothing, evidently having wished to avoid detection. As for the beasts, what once had been a dog had been torn completely in half, its entrails lying upon the ground like blind snakes. The horses had been savaged as well, their bodies apparently having made quite the feast for their assailant. Their saddlebags had been thrown aside to expedite the meal, and the contents of some lay plainly exposed for Darkscale to examine. Most of them lay empty, but one satchel in particular was filled with gold. Judging by the broken chain looped around it and the lack of any apparent key, this particular bag had been secured against the advances of avaricious yet unprepared men, though the architects of this ploy had clearly not accounted for the possibility of the brute strength of a beast.

His attention affixed by the gruesome scence, Darkscale would have failed either to notice or pay mind to the increasing volume of the howling wind. However, as it reached its highest pitch, Darkscale's head would turn to face the treeline to his left. The sight of three faint green lanterns in the dark. The cracking of trees matched by an inhuman howling. Pain as a dark, shapeless mass slammed into his scaled body, sending him flying straight into another tree. The ache which surely predated bruising. As Darkscale turned his head and blinked the pain from his eyes, he could see the three green lanterns, all of which were affixed in a triangular formation upon a shapeless blob of living darkness. He was not conscious of any aspect of its appearance beyond its great size. Though the darkness obscured all measurements, it was clearly larger, wider, and more powerful than any man. It howled once more in all its glorious savagery and, likely believing Darkscale to be dead, began ambling towards the body of its Argonian prey.

Nammu, Sees-in-Shade, Khazi - The Clearing in the Pale

At this exact same moment, the howling whose utterer Darkscale now faced pierced the relative tranquility of the clearing in which the other adventurers' remained. It had been carried upon the wind as a warship is carried upon the tides of the ocean, and the very sound struck fear into even the coldest, deadest hearts.

Dorian - Markarth

"To deny the discretion of the Empire's sworn agents or otherwise hinder their activities, you defy the Emperor himself." Dorian cut in, impressed by Arellius' boldness, "In preventing our entry, as well as risking the safety of the people of this proud and ancient city, you risk besmirching the honor of your liege, your Jarl, by refusing to accomodate the personified will of his own liege. For shame's sake alone, men, let us pass!"

[Minor Edits]

Sees-In-Shade - Pale Wilderness

Nammu's words took Sees-In-Shade through an emotional whirlwind, though the Argonian displayed little of it besides his toothy grimace. What Nammu described seemed less like a poison than a terminal and possibly contagious illness.

The last stop on the whirlwind, oddly enough, was a strange, grim mirth at Nammu's comment that the Argonian might choose to attack him. This was because the whirlwind had begun with intense anger, and attacking Nammu was exactly what Sees-In-Shade had intended to do, if the healer had not answered his final demand - which, in the custom of his people, he had made seem as friendly as possible.

As he ruefully snapped the top of the vial and sipped down the contents, Sees-In-Shade wondered whether the Khajiit had known of this cultural foible, practiced by only a few tribes. Ultimately, he guessed the Khajiit may have noticed the Argonian's flattened tail. The flattening of the tail was more or less the tribal Argonian equivalent of a human having one foot forward and a shoulder slightly cocked back. Sees-In-Shade had tried to innocuously brace himself to strike. Nammu had exhibited knowledge of Jel - something Sees-In-Shade had never seen among the smoothskins - and thus likely had some familiarity with Argonian body language, as well.

The howling came suddenly, and Sees-In-Shade tried not to spit out the solution as he instinctively reached for his sword.

[Baloth-Kul]

Dwemer Museum - Grelok
Continuing to backstep so as to avoid having his shins sliced open, Grelok drew his sword and halfheartedly swung at the encroaching spiders while carefully maintaining his footwork.

"By the way", Grelok noted to Teldril as he stepped over a spider's swiping leg, "The artifact is daedric, there's an evil cult after them, and they're going to destroy the world." He swept his cloak up and around his shoulder, so that he wouldn't stumble more than he already had. "Sanguine is having a laugh, the Morag Tong is going to be on the warmarch...oh, and I was sent by the Emperor. Thought you should know."

The Orc held up his Dwemer hand, prepared to deflect or block any wayward blows. "Or have you heard that one before? Because I wish I was kidding!"

Frustrated with the constructs--and really, his entire quest--Grelok thrust his blade downwards at one of the Dwemer spiders.

[BetaB17]

Nammu - Pale Night

Not once did those pale lulled eyes left their mark. A tranquility to be envied, as if not a doubt could ever be had, like a snake already coiled on it's prey or a maiden caring for a babe.

Then, as if drawn from his stasis, his left ear twitched as the streak pierced the night air. A shallow sigh followed his breath as it distorted the swirling smoke. No so at the noise itself, but the reaction the argonian gave "It appears.. That one has stumbled.. Upon a beast... How.. Misfortunate.."

[Hissien]

Teldril

Teldril did not know what was going on in the Orc's mind but it was clear to him that the situation was perhaps a lot more serious than the mage had originally believed. He watched as Grelok talked to himself, though he knew the words were for him. Teldril considered his options and made up his mind.

"Well, [&@%!]. I know where your artifact is. So you better stay alive." He said not yet revealing it was on his own person.

[The SheoDovah]

The Unknown Argonian formerly known as Darkscale.

The darkened brothers seek me out. They can come but like always, shadow will prevail. Head to Run of white or the rift or perhaps, the bronze city. See what lives ne... The Argonian that had used Darkscale for the past few days as his name found a gruesome scene and the instincts that were developed by the servants of Sithis made him uneasy. He sensed something foul was nearby. It could be a pack of wolves as it would not be the first time he has been viewed as lunch but he always defeated them via cunning, trickery and his skill with his blade. "The Brothers are near." He uttered with a voice filled of disinterest. He found himself being slammed against the tree and let out a loud cry of pain before falling to the ground. However, it seemed the beast believed him to be dead and death was something he was adept at. During the attack he attempted to fall onto his back. He would play the role of a dead prey but as soon as it was within reach, he would plunge both his sword and dagger into it's chest. He would follow it up by repeatly stabbing it with the dagger whilst forcing his blade deeper into.

Hidden:

Gambit time, folks! Will it pay off? Will I need to do a new character? Will it work? I know it's more then one action but i feel that if it succeeds, it can be immeditaly followed up to try to wound it. Playing dead followed by dual stab then repeated stabbing with the dagger.

[Baloth-Kul]

Markarth
Being outnumbered, and with Arellius' hand on the hilt of his sword, the guards began to draw their own weapons as a precaution. However, when Eolwyn finally produced the writ, they stopped.

The guard on the left's eyes narrowed as he examined it, then widened as he realized it to be genuine.

"My apologies. Come, I'll lead you in." Sheathing his weapon, he ushered the group to follow him into the keep. After the group would pass through, Eolwyn's keen ears would hear a quiet murmur from the other guard who stayed at his post. "Talos preserve us..."

Niralie saw Grelok in her mind's eye as she scried...

Dwemer Museum
Grelok's Skyforge steel blade struck true, though the strike itself did little enough damage. The sword shimmered with the use of its enchantment, however, and the steam spewing from the injured Dwemer spider subsided. It stopped moving as the frost took hold of its inner workings, and deactivated it.

He resumed his running, though, as the second spider swatted his sword out of his grasp, and it clattered to the floor.

Teldril's lightning found its target, though with seemingly little damage to show for it. In fact, after being struck by lightning, the Dwemer sphere began to quickly roll after Grelok, closing the distance with shocking speed.

"Not helping!" Grelok yelled as he upped his pace, frantically fleeing the pursuit of both the Spider and Sphere.

Markarth
With Niralie's scrying ending, she would note that she was beginning to tire--between her seeking the Thread and now Grelok specifically, she could estimate she'd used up about a third of her magicka.

[Hissien]

Teldril Indalla

The mage was having fun but now he was starting to get irritated, what with his spell backfiring and his seducer just taking her sweet time. "If you aren't going to attack the damn things then just move yourself between the Orc and the constructs Mazken!" He said irritably. It was understandable; really.

Teldril fell into his next spell, the arcane phrasing almost instinctual. He aimed a concentrated stream of flames at the same sphere, hopefully not to burn his meatshield Grelok.

[Alarra]

Niralie - Markarth

Her scrying finished, Niralie stood up quickly to find that her companions, and was alarmed by how much of her magicka had been depleted. Scrying must take more than I realized, she thought, because she knew she'd done more with less magicka in the Windheln battle. She hurried after the others, taking a few sips of a magicka potion.

She fell in alongside Eolwyn and Nora. "He and a mage - the Dunmer I saw during the earlier spell, I think - are fighting Dwemer automatons," she informed them, her voice low and tense. "They're not hurt yet that I can see, but they're outnumbered. There don't appear to be any guards investigating or helping..." She glanced at the guard who was leading them.


Khazi-daro - Near Dawnstar

Khazi's lip curled in disgust at the mention of the lizard's ailment. When the howling sounded, she gave an abrupt growl of irritation, cast an invisibility spell, and streaked off toward the lights of Dawnstar. This one has had enough of this.

[BetaB17]

Nammu

A raised hand snapped as the fingers moved past one another. Magicka coiling from his reserves as he casted a burdening spell upon the tail of the thief, all upon the whim to intercept her as she just began to meld an illusion upon those palms. With hope, it would stop her both in her tracks and magical attempt

[Velvet LeChance]

Arellius Afer III - Markarth

Arellius flashed an insolent grin the direction of the guards as they were allowed passed. His blades were already drawn, protruding outwards like two engorged tusks. His knuckles were white. With each step, the Imperial passed a breath into his lungs: the adrenaline which pumped through his entire person suppressed any pain he might have otherwise carried.

He didn't bother with a remark to Niralie as the nature of their enemy was revealed. With everything else happening, the details seemed irrelevant.

[BetaB17]

Nora the Fox

Always keeping at the head of the group, in her blind and encroaching panic, she slowly began to even pass the guard, trying desperately to not break out into a sprint as before. In a lapse of the moment, she reached behind her, to whomever it was that has been at her heels all along, and just so happened to be Arellius, not that she neither confirmed nor knew. Her eyes dead set on determination to the path ahead, with a cold white panic even felt within her hands, as one went to circle around his wrist and more than just insure he couldn't be left behind in her wake

It didn't even matter if his blades were drawn. It didn't even matter that it was him. Only one thing mattered now

:

For the record, most Destruction Magic should be effective on Dwemer machines. There's obviously just pure damage i.e non-elemental but where's the fun in that But regardless, magical attacks should still hurt

Frost should, by principle, be the most effective since it can slow them down and negate their steam power, but it's not going to weaken them physically. But this would show a better benefit at extreme cold(since, ya know, steam is hot) but knocking anything with a giant chunk of ice should still hurt

In contrast, fire could weaken the actual metal or mechanisms, or even have the added benefit of overheating the machine >_> or at extreme heat, cause the steam to rapidly expand faster than it can manage.

As I recall in one of the in-game books, the best and most effective measures seem to be a combination of the both, and namely on the biggest foes you can expect. Repeatively heating and freezing any metal will make it more and more brittle.

But each and every game instalment has it's own way on effectiveness and resistance, even down right contradicting in-game evidence, so the DM does have plenty of creative freedom here

Now obviously shock sort of is the odd one here. You would assume it would be effective bc it is metallic.. But then again the reverse is true by saying it's immune instead. Granted, I still like the idea that while not physically a harm, it could interfere with it's functions and power source.. And at extreme outputs, even crack or downright obliterate the soulgem powering it

Just my 2 cents tho

[Minor Edits]

Sees-In-Shade - Pale Wilderness

Sees-In-Shade, deeply confused, watched Khazi begin fleeing, and Nammu try to stop her, a hand still on the hilt of his poisoned sword. "What do you do? We should make hassste to the town!"