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The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ Loranna's RP: Morning Star Parade

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 12:11 PM

Loranna's intro:

As always, mirc irc.ChatSpike.net channel #Loranna_RP is our official chatroom for the event. Everyone who plays is welcomed and encouraged to join the chat so that we may discuss plot developments and swap jokes about our characters Those who can't get into the chatroom are encouraged to PM Loranna about any plot ideas or scene-effecting actions they have in mind; I will try to answer you with all possible speed.

part 18 http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42994

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 12:15 PM

ooc summary: Doll is guiding the freed slaves to Ebonhart. They want to pass through the city of Vivec, which would cause trouble. Allerleirauh is visiting her at the moment.

Dragon and Skein are at Solunastra, in Daggerfall.

Tris and Ciel are in Morrowind, trying to catch up to Loranna.

Mirea is spying for Allie.

Posted by: Solin Jan 5 2005, 12:16 PM

[Summary]

Solin the dunmeri sorcerer continues his new labor within, without and possibly between the Clock-Work city on a project of great importance. Recently he was given an artifact that will make any onlooker forget, draining knowledge from their mind.

Ciel continues to travel with Tris. They recently have arrived on Vvardenfell in Balmora by way of the Mages guild. Ciel himself has taken to disguise to prevent the wrong people from taking notice.

Liris still travels with Loranna’s sizable group. Recent event have been rather stressful for him. He fears ruin but tries not to show it.

[Tris and Ciel]

Ciel walked through the ashy foyada next to a guar cart loaded with kwama eggs and saltrice. Word in Balmora had exploded. Azura claimed the Tribunal fortress of Ghostgate as her own and converted it to her grand temple.

Rumors flew rampantly every where. There were tales of how the goddess had struck down the garrison with a divine word in their feeble mortal minds, she’d turned the masses against the noble Redorans and temple guards stationed there, or it was a drunken bar fight that got out of hand. Most of it was likely farce.

The caravan was filled with pilgrims going to see the new temple with their own eyes. Some wondered, some grumbled but all went.

Ciel had wrapped a scarf around his nose and mouth to keep the worst of the dust out of his lungs. It worked for the time being. The journey was not the easiest. With a quick scan of the sky he spotted Tris floating nearby, taking a break from the discomfort of walking on his new limb.

The distant sky near the omni present mountain changed color, always to hues associated with the dusk and dawn. It was the temple or so he had been told. Loranna’s following must have grown considerably. Ciel shook his head. Regardless he had his word to keep and that was as he intended. With hope the girl remembered her’s.

The knight walked onward, his scabbard bumping against his side. He wondered if it would be necessary to use it when they came to the temple. The snort he made blew clinging dust free from the cloth surrounding his face. She might no even be there any longer, if so then the other he cared to find wouldn’t be there either. No he would have to keep following; hopefully his speed would not leave him lingering in the wake once again.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 5 2005, 12:17 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jan 5 2005, 06:00 AM)

It is a odd feeling, being hit by a reptile herbivore while levitating 10 feet above the ground. The guar grins at Nalion when it hits the mages left shoulder with a loud crack, sending him spinning around.
Nalion feared that his shoulder was broken by the impact.
At least, the guar did not hit him fully. Instead, it now experienced what was in scholars terms called "gravity".
Nalion sincerely hoped that other guars wouldn't repeat this little trick, but levitated a bit higher.
His shoulder ached and began to throb and so Nalion used his ring of healing. He continued poking and teasing random guars, though, now always keeping an eye upon them, and began to lead them south, trying to get them out of town.

The larger guar fell down to the ground producing a large meaty thud sound, the guar ontop of the other fell off of the guar causing quite the commotion, as Nalion prodded several of the guars they left their current objectives and began chasing Nalion, jumping up trying to bite him relentlessly.

Once the largest guar had regained himself he let out a much louder and a rather hurt roar, at this moment every single guar in the town had joined in on the Nalion chase.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 5 2005, 12:19 PM

(SURAN, DESELLE'S:)

The young Breton girl rolled over in bed, pulling the fancy, embroidered covers off of Aricyn as she did.

"So why do you carry TWO swords, anyway?" she asked, reaching for the shorter one that shared the bed with them, tied tightly in its scabbard.

Aricyn grabbed her bracelet-covered wrist, not gently, and rolled over on top of her.

"You should know better than to touch a man's sword without permission," he said.

At the foot of the bed, the old wolf stirred in his sleep. He was certain he smelled guar.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 5 2005, 12:23 PM

UPDATE

Well ...

Elysana, the Queen of Wayrest, is God knows where. Once captured by her step-brother, Helseth, the King of Morrowind, she has called on her Void Rangers to send her home by way of Loranna's camp, and now she is asleep, having horrible nightmares.

Bosriel, the little girl Void Vampire is sated, floating in the Void, having devoured one of Elysana's knights.

Lord Dres Gaor, R.I.P., is dead, having cut his throat after confessing to all manners of horrible things in Loranna's camp, including stealing gold from the Temple at Ghostgate. He was hung upside down as a traitor, but currently resides as ashes in a canoptic jar, being sent to his children ... awww ...

Wyrloc, one of Gaor's knights, is still alive. He has been speaking to Lord Erenius, and they both suspect that Gaor was not the thief of the Temple's gold. They are planning a trap to catch the thief.

Jazbet, another of Gaor's knights, has been trying to seduce Loranna. He has gotten far as an expert on techniques of relaxing pregnant women, but still she resists, which only drives him on ...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 12:26 PM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 05:06 AM)

Tris descended and slipped the ring of levitation off his finger, careful to catch his weight on his good leg. In the past several days of travel, he had gotten much better at limping along on his false limb, but too much pressure for too long made the stump of his leg ache. A passing beggar had assured him that the stump would harden, given time. Strange who his friends were, these days.

"I have to say it's beautiful," he said to Ciel. "All those lights and colors. Much fancier than the old place. I always read about how Dunmer architecture has a "noble austerity" but I think, really, that they don't see colors the same way we do or something. In any case everything Dunmer make is the same shade of ugly. They must have hired outside contractors for this place. About all the rumors, by the way. The General's been here. It's her kind of crazy. She hasn't lost her temper entirely yet, though, or not a stone would remain on top of another."

It hurt more than he expected, talking about the General. Her plans were no longer his problem. He tried not to let his feelings show in his voice.

Posted by: Nalion Jan 5 2005, 12:32 PM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 5 2005, 11:07 AM)

"And I thought guars were cute..." Nalion mutters under his breath as he refreshed his levitation spell. While he easily walked over the southern walls of Suran, towards the coast, the rampant herd of guars squeezed through the tiny gate one by one, then swarming wide to try to encircle him.
Nalion continues poking some of them to keep their focus on him.

As the strange caravan passed a bend to the east, the sea came into view, mudcrabs were moving slowly on the mixture of sand and ash.

Posted by: Solin Jan 5 2005, 12:40 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 04:16 AM)

Ciel glanced at his companion as he walked.

“Supposedly a harsh land breeds a harsh people but…” he trailed off looking back to the shifting colors thinking for a moment.

“No, I wouldn’t put it past Inwald to have had a hand in that,” the knight said and nodded to their distant destination. “Your friends seem to have as much a vested interest in Loranna as I do. I’m not certain I understand why but they’re there. It is somewhat of a relief. I wonder if we will see…” Ciel paused after trailing off again.

They walked a ways, quiet but for the noise of the caravan.

“Have you gotten the knack of throwing blades yet?” he asked changing the topic.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 5 2005, 12:41 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Jan 5 2005, 06:22 AM)

The largest guar lost focus of Nalion and stared at the mudcrabs for a brief moment, he then grunted for a littlw while and as soon as he finished all the guars sat, except one...who wasn't present there, the baby guar.

Meanwhile back at Suran, the baby guar was found in the archway of the gate, his tiny arm held as high as it could go, a fist clenched tight, and he shok his fist wildly, in a 'I will have revenge' fashion before sprinting off down the path whining.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 12:47 PM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 05:30 AM)

"The General is easy to understand if you watch her instead of listening to her. She's addicted to lost causes. She finds them, she wins against all odds. It's a peculiar sort of rush but I understand it because she sucks you into it. I was one of her foundlings, there for a while."

He took a coin out of his pocket. "Watch. That lighter patch on the rock that looks like a seated man."

Flicking it, he sent it skimming towards the rock. It went unerringly towards its destination - then disappeared, with a small, strange noise, like someone snapping his fingers.

"Ah. That's going to be a problem if I'm not careful. I suppose I could confuse my enemies into submission. See who?"

Posted by: Nalion Jan 5 2005, 12:53 PM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 5 2005, 11:31 AM)

Nalion is just about to throw away his robe to cause further distraction and to use it to quickly withdraw, but then, the strange herd gets quiet and sits down on the beach.
The expression on Nalions face turns from gaping to a rather puzzled look.
He throws his robe around his shoulders, casts a spell and vanishes in mid air. A hundred feet away, footsteps in the suddenly appear out nowhere, heading back towards Suran.

Arriving at the gate, Nalion lets the spell fade and reappears, shouting over to the guards to bar the doors, as a tiny baby guar ran between his feet, biting at him, then running off to its herd.

Posted by: Solin Jan 5 2005, 12:58 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 04:37 AM)

Ciel watched impressed as the coin vanished. "It might be hard to retrieve your weapons if they keep doing that," he laughed.

The smile he wore after laughing faded.

"I was going to say Dragon. Your parting of ways wasn't the best to be had though," he said with a sigh. That was something that rubbed on him too. Ciel wonder what the veteran warrior was up to now.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 01:03 PM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 05:48 AM)

Tris laughed, shaking his head. "You don't understand. How could you? I've never seen Dragon shed a tear in my life, I didn't know he could. He's not angry, just stubborn. He wants everything to be all right again, and it's not. It never will be, at least not in the same way. I doubt we'll see him. He's the seneshal of Solunastra, which means he's tied to the guild house in Daggerfall. I thought you were going to say Liris."

Posted by: Solin Jan 5 2005, 01:09 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 04:53 AM)

Ciel blinked and then nodded his head in an understanding manner.

"Liris," he said calmly. "No, I have no doubts about seeing him."

He returned his gaze to the foyada trail and kept walking.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 01:20 PM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 05:59 AM)

Ciel blinked and then nodded his head in an understanding manner.

"Liris," he said calmly. "No, I have no doubts about seeing him."

He returned his gaze to the foyada trail and kept walking.

An elderly Dunmer dressed in the pale blue robes of a Temple priest approached them. "Young gentlemen, are you pilgrims to the Temple of Azura? True believers? Oh, the stories I could tell you. I was here when the goddess herself walked among us, just a few days ago."

Posted by: Solin Jan 5 2005, 01:22 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 05:10 AM)

"We are going to see the goddess's temple, yes," Ciel responded raising an eyebrow. He was always interested to hear about the goings on of Loranna. "What was it like?" the knight prodded.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 5 2005, 01:26 PM

Corky slowly slumped back down the stairs, looks of anger and hatred planted across civilians faces, "Hehe, sorry folks" He apologised, weakly, not wanting to cause more trouble then he already had, The expressions on the peoples faces changed from disgust, to fear as they fled into nearby buildings.

Meanwhile, atop a building behind corky there stood another guar, bearing an eyepatch over one eye, he leapt from the building and landed across from Corky "This is where your little sharade ends...." Snarled the guar, waiting for a reply, Corky stedied his stance and said "So this is how it must be.....Rollie."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 01:30 PM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 06:12 AM)

"We are going to see the goddess's temple, yes," Ciel responded raising an eyebrow. He was always interested to hear about the goings on of Loranna. "What was it like?" the knight prodded.

"Why, the blessed Goddess showed us her power over life and death - with Prince Azura herself walking the earth, all enemies will be vanquished, and no Dunmer ever need fear death again! We will all be as Almsivi, blessed be their holy names. She was slain, right before our very eyes, and rose up whole, still bearing within her the promise of a new future for the Dunmer people! And she has with her many outlanders - her promise is extended to all, even the Nords, the ancient enemies of our people, so long as they repent and submit to Her Will! Truly - young man, are you injured?"

Tris had a strange, closed mouthed smile, but after a moment he nodded.

"Fear no more! Though the goddess may have moved on, her healing magic resides in everything she touched, if you only have sufficient faith. This small clay cup, for example, it looks too rude for a goddess, does it not? But everything is hallowed by her almighty touch, even dirt! If you had this, you could drink water from it every day, and even the gravest injury would be healed."

"Interesting proposition," Tris said, still with the same smile.

Posted by: Solin Jan 5 2005, 01:38 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 05:20 AM)

"An impressive tale," Ciel remarked. Some of the tale was new but the most of it was as he heard already. He placed a hand under his jaw as if to consider the cup.

A drawn out "Hmmmpft" escaped Ciel's lips. It wouldn't hurt overmuch if the woman thought he might buy the cup. Giving a sideways glance to Tris he wondered what the younger man was thinking.

"You said the goddess moved on?" he asked, looking at the cup once again. "Where did she go?"

Posted by: B Jan 5 2005, 01:44 PM

{Character Summary}

The Psijic known as B has traveled from Artaeum to Suran and is currently sitting quietly by a rock. He is meditating and contemplating his future.

Posted by: Tholer_Saryoni Jan 5 2005, 01:47 PM

QUOTE

"You hear but you do not listen, Tholer. I respect the Tribunal for what they have accomplished for they used the same tactics that I would. I was pointing out that you seem to think that they were the shining light and should be emulated. I say to you that I already am following their lead. And I have never said that you are ruling in a dishonest way - you are a good servant of the Triune, but you are blind. You spout their rhetoric as the truth when you know it's a lie. As for Yen-Sadda, I have always said that it's a false hope, by which I mean it will lead to war with the Empire. And that is a war we cannot hope to win. And if Morrowind get's it's freedom, then what? Will the Dunmer worship Yen-Sadda, who will lead them back to Daedra worship? Out of the Empire and the Daedra, I know which is the lesser of two evils. It's a pity that you do not.

"As for the 'history lesson', I know this already. The only reason why the Tribunal allowed the Anticipations is that even they knew removing all tradition of the Dunmer people would be folly.

"Do not be fooled by the fact that I've not spent my whole life in Morrowind. I have a unique perspective of the land of the Dunmer - one that let's me see what the 'Outlanders' think of this land. I also know how the Empire likes to run things, and that is my main concern here.

"You wish for me to leave Vvardenfell and let Loranna complete her journey, do you not?"

"The Tribunal was a shining light and should be emulated. If you wish to seek the dominion they held over Morrowind, you will never have it, because you are not a God. An outlander, yes, but I do not remember caring what an outlander thought of this land. As king, you should care about our plights and wishes, but not tell us they are simply unattainable. I grow weary of your speculation over what Sen-Yedda is and isn't. All that should matter is that she is the child of Vivec, and will inherit her father's titles. If she wishes to antagonize the Empire, so be it. We will follow, as we have done with the Armistice. Don't worry, it is I who will lead the last charge if the war turns pale. What would I have you do?

I would have you for once in your life show piety to us, or at least obeisance. However, it is plain to us that this will never happen, so you are hereby excommunicated from the Tribunal Temple of Morrowind. Everywhere the Dunmer shall know of your blasphemy, they shall curse you. You will walk without Almsivi's blessing, and find only calamity and darkness. When you die, you will be erased from all Temple record. I, high priest Archcanon, have done this."

"Get out of my sight,"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 5 2005, 01:51 PM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 06:28 AM)

"The Incarnate Mother travels along the path of Lord Vivec's pilgrimage," the old Dunmer said. "Azura spoke and directed the pilgrims to follow her to Suran, the city of sins, no doubt to cleanse its wretchedness. She goes next to the city of Vivec, to the house of her lover-lord Himself, blessed be Almsivi. But that's such a long way, young man, for someone with a hurt foot! You need not travel so far to partake of the Incarnate Mother's miraculous healing power. For only 500 septims..."

"You should raise your prices," Tris said, interrupting. He was still smiling but his face was flushed. "If you really do think that cup can heal this."

He had slipped his finger inside the ring of levitation. Now he reached down and lifted the leg of his trousers, pulling off the artificial leg and holding it under the Dunmer's nose.

The Dunmer was taken aback, but recovered quickly. "Young man, if you will only have faith, you will surely see the power of the god who walks among us..."

"Your robe is the wrong color," Tris said. His voice had gone very flat and toneless. "Not much, but slightly. The temple uses a different dye plant. Get out of my sight before I report you to a real priest of the Temple."

Posted by: w0nders Jan 5 2005, 01:53 PM

Rollie dived forward with thunderous speed, his headbutt sending Corky crashing to the ground, "rrrrr...." He groaned, struggling back to his feet, "please, you don't stand a chance!" Cried Rollie, mockinly turning up his own head to taunt Corky.

This infuriated him, he charged forward and leapt into the air for a flykick and sailed towards Rollie, just before he reached him he vanished in a puff of smoke, Corky quickly regained himself and stood, waiting for something to happen.

In another puff of smoke Rollie was behind Corky, he bit into his shoulder, sinking his teeth in deep, Corky let out a shrill cry as blood ran down his back.

Posted by: Solin Jan 5 2005, 02:05 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 05:41 AM)

Ciel's eyebrow remained raised, but in real intrest. He hadn't seen Tris... angry? in this manner before. It was different. Well done though, he couldn't help but smile.

"I believe he knows what he is talking about," Ciel added, his tone lower than before. "You should know better than to peddle garbage to the desperate. It does far more harm than good."

He let his hand slid down to the hilt of his blade. "Find an honest trade or I'll drag you to the temple myself," he commanded, the tone brokered no arguement. His brows were furrowed as he spoke.

In the rear of his mind the knight wondered wether they should turn around and head to either Vivec or Suran.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 5 2005, 02:21 PM

Corky staggered forward and turned to face Rollie, his eyes wet from tears, He could notice another figure further behind Rollie, it sneered at him from below its hood, "Hmm, Hello Corky.." He chuckled, revealing his dunmer accent, he dropped down from the roof of the Suran guard house, The pavement exploding underneath his heavily armoured feet.

"Rollie, you've done bad to come here" he snarled approaching him from behind, "Aaaah! you'll never take me- me alive!" He yelped, vanishing in a puff of smoke, the figure drew a glass Halberd and turned, before anything even happened he slashed out, then silence...

Moments later Rollie's form reapeared, but it was different, for it was in two seperate pieces, the cloaked figure laughed menacingly as he turned to face Corky, "Your turn, you little abomination" He held out his hand, and in it a small ball of fire and lighting appeared, the atmosphere around him rippled and crackled, and in a split second all Corky saw was black.

"AAAAAAHHHH!" shouted Corky, regaining conciousness..."must've been a dream, those damn guars, look what they did to this place" He climbed to his feet and felt a sharp pain in his shoulder...a bite mark.

Posted by: Attrebus Jan 5 2005, 02:22 PM

QUOTE(Tholer_Saryoni @ Jan 5 2005, 10:07 PM)

"Ah, like the true coward that you are. I would not sleep well from now on, if I were you. You have made a powerful enemy this day, regardless of what you think of my lack of power. Soon, you will pay for your insolence, but it will not be today. I have bigger slaughterfish to fry. And I will enjoy watching you squirm until the time comes when my vengence will be complete..." Before Helseth could finish, one of his guards burst into the room.

"King. Elysana has vanished!"

Helseth's face didn't change - he had learnt this trick quite a while ago. "Ah, so that was your plan all along was it Tholer? Perhaps I should have guessed, but I assumed you held just as much love for Elysana as I do. It is a pity..." With that, Helesth, and each member of his guards were encased with a magical glow before vanishing from before the Archcannon.

*The nearest Imperial Shrine*
"We shall make our way to Ebonheart, and unleash the dogs of war." Said Helseth.

Posted by: FireMaster Jan 5 2005, 07:09 PM

[Summary]

Erenius is still with the main party, dealing with whatever people bring to him. He has recently dealt with retaking control of sorts over the various things Lord Gaor had left unfinished, as well as trying to right whatever wrongs the lord had done. Currently, dealing with an odd abundance of supplies, some free time, and a general lack of a need to do things, Erenius decides to take a break at the main tradehouse in Suran near the temple. Here, he is currently thinking...

Posted by: Aki Jan 5 2005, 11:48 PM

Summary

Reichi- Traveled with the main party to Suran, decided to go to the House of earthy delights...

Dar'var - Currently travelling with the khajiiti slaves. He decided toit would be good to show them home. even if he rembered little of home.

Tarenen- Still fortifing his posistion secretly, he has sent a bosmeri spy name dBragor to spy on the Parade. Bragor is a master of Illusion, however he skill with a blade is less than great. Despite this, he has a few trick up his sleeves.
----------------------------------------------------------
Suran, House of Earthly Delights
Blood....

That all he could smell. That was probably the only scent to be smelled. His ashen hands were painted with red. Blood. Not only his hands, his body was too. His clothing was soaked with it. Well, what clothing was left. Reichi was standing, covered in blood, in a pile. A pile that had been a person.

Reichi awoke.

It was a vivid memory. One he rembered in fine detail. The first time he awoke from a transformation into a Werewolf. A memory that had driven him to train to control the transformations.

Despite having been a Assasin for the past centry, that memory was more fresh than the first life he had taken. Or even the last. It was different from a Assasination. At least he knew the person had done something to deserve a Writ. That time, he hadn't known.
Not to mention that Assassin used blade. Even a inexperienced kill wasn't as messy as that. Only wide gashes and cuts. This time the body had been tore to pieces...

Reichi noted that the woman who had shared his bed with him the night before was gone. He must have overslept. Reichi tended to over sleep. either that or he had cried out in his nightmare and scared her off.

He dressed and headed off to the Armourer. He bought himself a new set of Netch leather armor. He walked out of the armorer with the helmet under his arm. It felt odd to use the standard netch helmet again. he was so used to the Morag tong one.
---------------------------------------------------
Near Suran, with the group of Slaves
Dar'var slowly removed his armor and washed it in the lake. The Cathay was rather large, bigger than most Suthay-raht. But not by much. The leopard like Khajiit continued to clean the glass armor. The glass and enchantments sparkling in the midday sun.

He would help guide them home. The Khajiit at least. He wanted to go home too. He knew by now he would be being hunted. But it was hard to find things in the desert. He would hide there. Or in the jungle. Neither was a location for heavily armoured warriors. Besides, he was the fastest Khajiit in existance to his Knowledge. They wouldn't be able to catch him.

Or so he hoped.
-----------------------------------------------------
Suran, the Streets
Bragor continued gather information. He had learned of the Lord Dres Gaor's treachry, and of the Incarnate's miracles and that the child was of Azura and Vivec. He however, hadn't kept a eye on Dar'var and he slipped away from notice. Bragor however, continued to observe the other who had been in skyrim like a hawk.

Or, at the very least, disguised as one.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 12:48 AM

Suran, House Of Earthly Delights

The nightmare was never ending. It was if she was drowning in utter darkness, impossibly cold, colder than death, but she could somehow see all the world around her, and no one could see her to help. The only ones who could see her were Leseth and the girl. Bosriel. She had never seen the little girl Void Vampire before, never met her hungry eyes before. And this evil creature, this remorseless predator, Elysana thought in rare moment of rational thought in the nightmare world, was what she was going to set free on the world?

When she awoke, it was in the horrible normalcy of a simple room. Where was she? Her skin felt cold, unnatural. She was still wearing the robes she had put on after her bath in the Temple Canton. Where were Leseth, and Vonnod, and the guard (which one?) that had survived Helseth’s torture?

There was a knock on the door, and Elysana, Queen of Wayrest, who was frightened of nothing, jumped at the sound of it.

Posted by: Tholer_Saryoni Jan 6 2005, 01:30 AM

Saryoni sauntered out of the reception area, thinking about the day's events. When he passed the guard who had been charged with Elysana's detainment, he shrugged at the ashamed Dunmer, "Yes, I know that she never walked outside the door. Don't worry, she would have been sent back from whence she came in a timely manner anyway. I would only have liked to have spoken with her."

Continuing out of the building, he fell into step towards the Statue of Vivec's Mastery, but disappeared from the city, like a boy lost in a cloud of mist.

Posted by: B Jan 6 2005, 02:50 AM

Suran

With legs crossed and eyes closed, B sat next to the boulder. His right hand was out in front of him, open handed and palm side up. Floating an inch or so above his hand was a rock about the size of a kwama egg. As B concentrated his will, the stone remained suspended in midair. He enjoyed exercising his powers in this manner. It kept his telekinesis sharp and his nerves calm.

Posted by: Aki Jan 6 2005, 03:06 AM

Road North of Vivec...

A letter apeared in thin air and Tarenen snatched it without looking at it.
He opened it and read it:

According to the Parade Folk, Loranna is headed to Vivec via Suran, or by boat out of Suran. Also, before entering the town it was reported a figure in a white robe confronted her, then a another figure threw a sword between the white robe and Loranna.

The sword was, if my memory and the description of the blade serve me right... The Moon Reiver. The figure proceeded to flee after her summoned monarch fleed. The blade was captured by Loranna.
This does not bode well.

It also seems that she has freed some slaves, and a Noble admitted his treason to her then commited suicide. Then, there was a small incident with guars. No concern...

That is all my Lord.

There was no signature. None was needed, none was to be given. Any form of signature could give away clues if the letter were somehow intercepted. Tarenen burnt the letter with a fireball then called for a new sheet, ink, and a quill pen.

They were provided and Tarenen wrote his response and sent it.
Suran, Rooftop of a guard tower...

Bragor waited for a response, and in response a letter apeared out of think air and Bragor snatched it. With considerably less grace than Tarenen. He opened it and read it, in large scrawled letters it said:
RETRIEVE THE BLADE

Bragor tore the letter up then hopped off the tower, cushioning his fall with a slowfall spell. Bosmer were natural theives. With Illusions, this should be easy.

Posted by: Aki Jan 6 2005, 03:37 AM

Suran, Streets
Bragor cursed, colorfully. The 'detect enchantment' spell lead him right to the Reiver. It was easy, such a artifact glowed like the sun to him with the spell activated. He had to keep his own artifact out of sight so he didn't get distracted.

The weapon was on the big burly White haired Nord. According, again to the Parade folk, he was very skillful. And loud.

Bragor sighed and sat down, he drew his own weapon after the spell ended.
The black blade seemed to absorb all light that hit it. It was the Ebony Blade. Also known as 'The leech' and "The Vampire". It was a artifact of the Great deadric prince Mephala. A Katana with a ebony blade that drained life when it struck.

He was no swordsman. Bragor knew surprise and illusions would need to be required. He had to get him to lose the sword. Grab it, and run like hell.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 05:15 AM

Ascadian Isles:

Doll sighed heavily. The General had managed to convince Urjora, the giant Suthay-Raht, who had managed to convince most of the other slaves, not to go into the Telvanni canton of Vivec. Now she was alone again. Well, not alone. Surrounded by people really. But they were part of a mob, a mass identification which she was not a part of.

Were those Imperial Legionaires? Here? Doll shuddered. Someone had reported the murder of the farmers and sent the Imperial Legion to stop them. Now she would have to fight them, or let them arrest the slaves. There were ten of them, a sizable force against an unarmed group of slaves. Three Redguard, five Orcs, and two Imperials.

Doll pressed forward, so that she could hear.

The murder wasn't what they had come for.

"We're here to enforce the Armistice," said one of the two Imperials, a low ranking officer who looked nervous. Obviously, whoever had sent the Legion had not told him quite how many slaves there were.

"I have a list," the man continued. "The following slaves are guilty of theft of property from House Telvanni under Imperial law, to wit, carrying off slaves, namely themselves. They must surrender the said property immediately or face the consequences."

He began to read off a list of names, mostly Khajiit names.

Doll had never heard a crowd of Khajiit and Argonians angry before. The air around her was filled with hissing. She saw many of the Khajiit flexing their claws. Urjora stepped forward. If he took command of the situation, there would be bloodshed.

She did not want to, but she stepped forward.

"Sir!" she cried. "Please, there's been a mistake. These slaves were freed by their masters, they did not escape."

The hissing stopped, to be replaced by silence, broken only by several shouts in support of what she was saying. The Imperial officer blinked at Doll as if she were an apparition. He looked very unhappy. His shoulders were raised, as if he were trying to hide his head like a turtle. "Do they have the proper paperwork?" he asked.

"Great Mother Azurah doesn't require paperwork," Urjora said.

"Then I have my orders to enforce," the Imperial Officer said. "If it's true that the slaves were freed by their masters, I'm sure their masters will vouch for them as soon as a proper complaint has been filed. Just allow us to take these individuals into custody, and I'm sure everything will be straightened out."

The long, coarse hair on the back of Urjora's spine was standing erect. He made a rumbling noise, deep in his throat.

"Telvanni are LIARS!" a Khajiit woman screamed suddenly. "They LIED to Great Mother Azurah, and then sent men after us! Azurah will punish them, and you too!"

The Imperial officer had gone white. The other soldiers didn't look comfortable, either.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 6 2005, 05:22 AM

The mechanical whurrings that defined Clockwork, City continued endlessly.

"I fear I do not think it wise for me to stay in this place any longer." Arynel said, as Solin carefully studied a complex assortment of pipes and gears. "I wish you fortune in your work here, goodbye, friend."

The Breton whispered a string of power...

He appeared in the House of Earthly delights, and silently walked out the door, and into Suran.

Posted by: Aki Jan 6 2005, 05:22 AM

Ascadian Isles
A gust of wind rustled by the Officier and Dar'var was next to him. He was fully suited except for the helmet, which he held in one hand, crossbow in the other. His armor still had some remaining water, but the high speed movement had shaken most from it. Dar'var placed a hand on the soldier's pauldron.

"Now officier, as you can see, these Khajiit, Argonians, and the rest are very eager to get home...now, if you attempt to enforce your order, there a big chance that you at the very least, will get killed or injured. As we all know, Officiers always get targeted..." he said, then paused to let the words sink in.

"You could simply tell your superiors you didn't find us, or that you were overpowered..."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 05:38 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 5 2005, 10:12 PM)

The Imperial officer jumped at Dar'var's touch.

"Oh, no..." he said, under his breath.

"Look, no one would believe that I didn't find you, look at all of you! Look at that corkbulb field over there, you think there won't be complaints about that? And if I say we've been defeated, they'll send the whole fort after you next time, have you thought of that? You can't get away with this, it's... it's a rebellion. All you have to do is surrender these people on the list, and then the rest of you can go on."

The crowd was getting noisy again.

Jo'Dato, the elderly Khajiit who had worked as a scribe for House Telvanni, spoke up. "Sir, I think you are only enforcing half of the Armistice," he said. "The other half states that free men cannot be hindered without just cause. Surely the burden of proof lies with the Telvanni that they own the people on your list, and that any of those people are in this company. It's not the business of the Empire to go around arresting every Khajiit in Vvardenfell just on the word of House Telvanni."

The officer was now not only white, but trembling. "You make a good point," he said. He raised his voice. "My good people, I'm sorry to have bothered you. Since none of the escaped slaves are here, I'll be on my way."

He turned to leave, the other soldiers flanking him, backing away carefully. Near Doll, a young Khajiit girl dropped to all fours and made a short dash at them. There were gasps, and the men's hands went to their swords. But then she rolled over on her back, laughing.

As the Imperial soldiers fled, the whole encampment was filled with laughter.

Urjora clapped Dar'Var on the back. "Urjora thinks you speak well! Come and have a drink now."

Urjora and his companions had a crate of sujamma, commandeered from a nearby farmhouse.

Posted by: Aki Jan 6 2005, 05:45 AM

Ascadian Isles

Dar'var grinned and took the drink. He would have thought Urjora was a Cathay-Raht, for he was nearly a head taller than Dar'var. But, to be a Cathay-raht, he would have to have a leopard like apearance like any other Cathay or Cathay-raht. Urjora was much more Leonine. Looking like a Lion.

He sipped the drink thoughtfully. He susposed the Officier was right. He had hoped the man wouldn't think of that. But atleast this way he didn't have to waste any of his enchanted bolts. He still had few left.

"Dar'var should get a weapon without a finite supply of ammo.." he muttered to himself before taking another swig of the Sujumma. with his speed, some curved blade weapon would be preferable. So he could strike fast without the blade getting stuck.

Dar'Var cursed the dunmer for being to lazy to think of a harvesting scythe or something similar.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 05:50 AM

Suran: Allerleirauh

Allerleirauh returned to Suran. Doll's troubles concerned her deeply, primarily because, once given a task, the young girl was sure to do her best at it - and this appeared to be an impossible task.

But Loranna's welfare was of more concern at the moment.

Loranna had not moved since the last time she had seen her. Or perhaps she had gone to rest, and then return. In any case, she did not look rested. Allerleirauh resumed her seat at her side.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 05:53 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 11:40 PM)

Loranna looks over at Allie, smiling a little, but her eyes look a bit troubled.

... Things not going so well? she asks Allie, her tone suggesting she half suspects the answer.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 6 2005, 05:53 AM

"I see a meeting of giants." Arynel chuckled, eyeing Loranna and Allerleirauh.

The Breton stood a ways off, watching and listening.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 05:59 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 5 2005, 10:43 PM)

Loranna looks over at Allie, smiling a little, but her eyes look a bit troubled.

... Things not going so well? she asks Allie, her tone suggesting she half suspects the answer.

As well as can be expected, Allerleirauh thought, in response.

Doll has no strength for the task you have set for her. She is half a head smaller than an ordinary Breton woman, with a soft, sweet voice. How do you expect her to conduct herself among those people? Her magic, while considerable for her age, is still the magic of one young girl. She cannot hope to stand against House Telvanni in their own canton in Vivec, for example. But if you set her a task, she will die trying. You should be more careful, when you set tasks for those who are loyal and true, that they are tasks that can be done. You will break her heart with this.

She did not put into words, as such, the devastation that the creeping army of Khajiit and other freed slaves were wrecking on Vvardenfell. That was Vvardenfell's penance for allowing slavery at all, and a just one.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 06:06 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 11:49 PM)

Loranna sighs, her expression haunted.

... I should have thought to ask another, if anyone, she concurs. A the time, I honestly thought she would be the best person to ask ...

Frowning, she asks ... Would telling her she's free to let them go their own way help or would that just break her heart further? Or ... do we let her come to that decision on her own? My own heart says to tell her I don't want her to get crushed by this, but ...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 06:08 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 06:55 AM)

Tris: near Ghostgate

Well, Tris, you terrified an old woman, what a hero you are...

Tris pressed the backs of his hands against his eyes. "You're supposed to sit on me when I get like that, not back me up, eh? Sorry, I made a bit of a fool of myself."

He smiled.

"I wonder what really happened. Vivec, in the day, could come back to life. And the love of the Dunmer people still grants miracles in his name, or none of his shrines would work. I say we keep going to Ghostgate, and find out what Azura's new shrine does when you offer for a blessing."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 06:11 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 5 2005, 10:56 PM)

Doll is her own person, and stronger in her own way than either of us. She had the power to refuse your task in the beginning. And the slaves are better with her than without her.

That's not what troubles you at the moment, though. What's on your mind?

Posted by: Arynel Jan 6 2005, 06:14 AM

"They do not speak with words my ears can gather." Arynel murmured, eyeing the two Nords. "There is nothing I can learn here then."

The Breton silently turned and made his way out of the town and Sat on a grassy hillside.

He summoned up his lute and began to play a light, happy tune.

Happyness so greatly wished
Comes to end the mourning
When ever looms dark distress
Soon will come the morning

Joyful bliss the path doth lay
When the winding road is passed
Sweet the smile on the face
Of he who finds joy at last...

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 06:16 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 12:01 AM)

Loranna chuckles a bit. Allie, you're wonderful; you managed to capture both my own worries and my own reasons for asking in the first place concerning Doll. You really are rubbinb off on me.

More seriously, Loranna says Just thinking ahead really; from here the road leads pretty much straight to Vivec. And I don't know what to expect, either in terms of our welcome or in terms of how much I'll be acting by my own accord once we get there. She was mostly quiet here in Suran but ...

Loranna shrugs. We need to get her back home; I'm just wondering what the aftermath is going to be once she acts to get home in Vivec.

Turning slightly, she looks at Arynel, a small smile coming to her face.

... You know, I think I'm almost starting to understand him, she tells Allie. I'm amazed it took me this long ...

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 06:19 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 09:58 PM)

"And what of the next fool she tries to swindle?" Ciel asked shaking his head. "Will he be as forgiving as you? It's best for all parties involved that she find better work."

He began to walk with the caravan again.

"I suppose it would be best to know what happened at Ghostgate for when the time comes," Ciel finally said with a smile. "So when the trial comes all will be laid plain."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 06:23 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 5 2005, 11:06 PM)

'No one knows what I am,' Allie replied, quoting Vivec. You understand him less well now than ever. Even I do not dare to fathom those depths, and I have seen far, far into them.

Vivec should be interesting. Tholer Saryoni wishes to honor Sen-Yedda. Helseth wishes to go to war - I am sure Aricyn will want to kiss him, when he finds out. Dres Gaor's playwright is writing a play to mock the king and does not know his sponsor is dead. Elysana's gold is scattered everywhere. Yes, Vivec should be interesting.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 06:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 12:13 AM)

'No one knows what I am,' Allie replied, quoting Vivec. You understand him less well now than ever. Even I do not dare to fathom those depths, and I have seen far, far into them.

Vivec should be interesting. Tholer Saryoni wished to honor Sen-Yedda. Helseth wishes to go to war - I am sure Aricyn will want to kiss him, when he finds out. Dres Gaor's playwright is writing a play to mock the king and does not know his sponsor is dead. Elysana's gold is scattered everywhere. Yes, Vivec should be interesting.

Loranna raises her eyebrows, then chuckles ruefully.

... If it hadn't been me, she says, it would have been someone else, wouldn't it have? Someone else, some way else - but something groundshaking either way?

... Between the freeing of the slaves and the example set there and this upcoming war, Morrowind's really going to get shook up huh? she asks.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 06:31 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 11:09 PM)

"I keep forgetting you used to be a policeman," Tris said. "I was one of those horrid brats who used to throw rotten fruit off the top of the palisades at you, during the open air market. You know, walking just takes forever, doesn't it. What if we bought one of those Almsivi intervention scrolls, would it take us to the shrine there?"

Posted by: Arynel Jan 6 2005, 06:34 AM

Arynel stopped his playing and chuckled. Without waisting a moment the Breton took up a new tune:

In Vvardenfall they come to call
For there dark women live
Fire eyes those stubborn wives
And skin like bruise it is

In that land called Morrowind
The outcasts come to court
Criminals and exiled foes
To make with life and work

In this place lives a race
Under Mountain Red
Rare a smile their lips to grace
And rarer call you friend

But to those who dare to strive
Lies a temptation fit for sinners
For beneath those joyless guiles
Sleeps the heart of wiley women

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 06:39 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 5 2005, 10:21 PM)

Ciel snorted back laughter. He hadn't served much inside Wayrest, at least when Tris was that young.

"I'm not a mage. It's not a bad idea though," Ciel responded. "Perhaps if some vestiage of the Tribunal's fortress yet stands. There is only one way to find out from here, though."

Posted by: Meridia Jan 6 2005, 08:21 AM

So you know what you must do, I would rather do this myself...
'No, this is somthing I must do alone...' Maranda said, waving her hand through the vapour that formed the aspect of Meridia...
Stop that! Last I heard, she was heading for Narsis... Leave you armour with that Argonian Slave of yours, and go after her... Meridia said annoyed, she was not really there, but she was projecting herself with mist onto Nirn... now that the Moon Riever was out of her hands, she would have to take certian precautions with arriving on mundus... the Mist Daedra would be her best bet...
'very well, I shall leave tomorrow... I need some sleep' Maranda said, resting her head on the pillow...
Do you want me to set the mist Daedra on you? Go now, she must be punished... and you have chosen to do it yourself... The mist dissapeared, as did Meridia...
'Elvie, get up here!' yelled Maranda as 'He-who-hunts-elves' Scurried up the stairs,
'Yes, Misteress?' Elvie replied
'Look after the Curiass for me... you know the concequences for failure, do you not?'
'Indeed I do...' he gulped
'I am heading to Narsis to hunt down an old friend... ' I shall be back...'
She left the room and made her way down to the docks...

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 08:43 AM

While Loranna is talking to Allie, she stops suddenly, tilting her head as though hearing something,

... Um ... Allie, one question, she says suddenly, her tone drooping. The nearby shrine of Bal Ur - the rumors of it being a vampire haunt are true, right?

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 08:47 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 5 2005, 11:29 PM)

Tris and Ciel: Ghostgate, Temple Shrine

"I suppose they didn't quite have the nerve to tear the old stuff down when they put the new stuff in..." Tris whispered to Ciel, as they arrived at Ghostgate, courtesy of a couple of scrolls of Almsivi Intervention purchased from a passing priest.

However, the old temple was all but deserted. Even the ash pit in the middle of the room was not well kept. The coda flowers by it were fading, and it seemed to have been trodden by the feet of those too careless, or unschooled in Dunmer culture, to walk around it.

They made their way outside, and into the new Temple of Azura. Here it was much more crowded.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 08:50 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 01:33 AM)

Quite possibly. I'm not in the habit of bothering vampires, unless they happen to inhabit a tomb where there's something I want. They have their own god, now, you know.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 08:50 AM

Suran, House Of Earthly Delights

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 5 2005, 06:38 PM)

There was a knock on the door, and Elysana, Queen of Wayrest, who was frightened of nothing, jumped at the sound of it.

The door opened, and Vonnod, Elysana's sage, entered. He had cleaned himself, but still there was a limp, and bruises about his face, evidence of Helseth's tender mercies.

"You're awake, Your Majesty," he said with a bow. "I thought it best to let you sleep ... though if you had nightmares like I did, perhaps that was not kind ..."

"Where are we?" Elysana asked, and was immediately annoyed at how shaky her voice sounded. Steel yourself, woman, you are a queen.

"Suran, it seems, not far from the camp of Loranna-Azura. I took a short walk around to gather information. There is talk of revolution, I thought would please you."

"And how are you?" the Queen asked.

"I am a sage, and not used to physical ... pain ..." he said, touching his face. "I'm sure it could have been worse, but I don't like to use my imagination in that direction ..."

"We should get you to a healer.'

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 08:52 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 02:40 AM)

Quite possibly. I'm not in the habit of bothering vampires, unless they happen to inhabit a tomb where there's something I want. They have their own god, now, you know.

Well, it seems a bunch of people have decided to go bring the glory of Azura to them, Loranna says, her shoulders slumping. Or so the thoughts I'm hearing now indicate.

... For goodness sake, am I really that inspiring that people will abandon all good sense? she mutters.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 09:02 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 02:40 AM)

Suran, House Of Earthly Delights
The door opened, and Vonnod, Elysana's sage, entered. He had cleaned himself, but still there was a limp, and bruises about his face, evidence of Helseth's tender mercies.

"You're awake, Your Majesty," he said with a bow. "I thought it best to let you sleep ... though if you had nightmares like I did, perhaps that was not kind ..."

"Where are we?" Elysana asked, and was immediately annoyed at how shaky her voice sounded. Steel yourself, woman, you are a queen.

"Suran, it seems, not far from the camp of Loranna-Azura. I took a short walk around to gather information. There is talk of revolution, I thought would please you."

"And how are you?" the Queen asked.

"I am a sage, and not used to physical ... pain ..." he said, touching his face. "I'm sure it could have been worse, but I don't like to use my imagination in that direction ..."

"We should get you to a healer.'

"I am better off than him, Your Majesty," Vonnod said, gesturing to the man that lay silently on the bed in the corner of the room.

The only other survivor of their meeting with Helseth, Herwyn Brand, Battlemage and guard to the Queen, lay unconscious.

Blood oozed from the man's fingers onto the bedsheets, and his his breath came in rasping gasps.

"He has been severely burned, and as far as I can tell his shoulders have been dislocated. I was afraid to call for help without consulting Your Majesty first."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 09:04 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 01:42 AM)

I find you uninspiring, personally. But it's not YOUR inspiration at the back of this.

What do you expect me to do? Go and kill them before the vampires do? Go and kill the vampires? Talk some sense into them?

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 09:09 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 02:54 AM)

Loranna closes her eyes, her lips setting in a grim line ...

No; I'll go seek out the ones organizing this and try to talk some sense into them, she says, getting up. It's my responsibility; I shouldn't act like everyone else is going to solve everything.

Loranna concentrates, trying to single out who are the primary organizors behind this new temple and where they are so she can have a word with them ...

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 09:11 AM

The House Of Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 02:52 AM)

"I am better off than him, Your Majesty," Vonnard said, gesturing to the man that lay silently on the bed in the corner of the room.

The only other survivor of their meeting with Helseth, Herwyn Brand, Battlemage and guard to the Queen, lay unconscious.

Blood oozed from the man's fingers onto the bedsheets, and his his breath came in rasping gasps.

"He has been severely burned, and as far as I can tell his shoulders have been dislocated. I was afraid to call for help without consulting Your Majesty first."

Elysana had conducted many small wars in her reign, and executed many men and women, but Herwyn's injuries even startled her. She went to him, and gently pushed the hair from his face so she could get a better look at him.

"Go to Loranna's camp and find Liris, as quietly as you can. Have him help you find a healer. Take care of yourself first, and then bring him here."

"Your Majesty," said Vonnod, shaking his head. "I cannot leave you alone in this tavern, unarmed, unguarded ..."

"Do you think you would do a good job defending me?" the Queen laughed. "I will make certain this knight does not die. Now, go!"

Vonnod bowed and left the room.

Elysana found a jug of water in the room, and some cloth, and began to dress the young man's wounds. She knew something of the art.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 09:14 AM

(THE HILLTOP, NORTH OF SURAN:)

Aricyn stood, alone except for the wolf that was his constant companion, at the top of the hill. He had shed his clothes, and that of his skin that he could reach himself was covered with carefully painted blue swirls.

He raised his arms to the sky, and the wind raised in response. In the town down below, doors rattled and banners clapped in the wind.

Aricyn spoke, and the Wind spoke back.

The wind died down, and Aricyn, not bothering to wipe the blue paint from his body, dressed.

"Ebonheart," he said to the wolf. "I'll be back soon."

He turned to the southwest, opened his mouth, gave a barking shout, and he was gone.

His shout landed near Ebonheart, and so did he.

The old wolf sat on the hilltop outside of Suran, and waited.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 09:24 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 03:01 AM)

The House Of Earthly Delights, Suran

Elysana found a jug of water in the room, and some cloth, and began to dress the young man's wounds. She knew something of the art.

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)

I am Herwyn Brand, Battlemage and guard to Her Majesty Queen Elysana of Wayrest... I am... No, I am nothing... There is nothing to be...

The man's eyes flicked open in alarm, and his chest convulsed with fear, lifting him from the bed.

"My Queen," he said weakly, focusing finally on her face, "I told them nothing, I swear."

He sank back onto the bed, his black hair plastered to his pallid skin with sweat.

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 09:29 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 12:37 AM)

Ciel glanced over of the bustling crowd that surrounded the new temple complex. There were crates and barrels everywhere, men and mer struggled to unload the contents, caravans were bringing in new supplies in the hopes of creating a permanently self sustained center of worship for the returning Azura. Some of her followers seemed to be pouring their lively hoods into this project.

They made their way a short distance through the crowd towards a collection of awning and hide screens that were serving as an outdoor shelter of sorts. The surrounding throng of curious onlookers mumbled in awe at the spectacles they were observing.

"By the Goddess!"

"Azura's grace!"

"Gods!"

At their center was a man dressed in a multi-hued robe, all the colors of the sun's beginning and end. A dunmer dressed in rags was brought before coughing piteously. His filthy skin shone with sweat where the grime was not too heavy. With a final cough the mer's eyes slid shut and he lay still for a moment.

The man raised his hands above the obviously ill mer and said, "If it be within your judgment my mistress, great Azura, let this elf be healed so that he may serve you with vigor and deserving grace once more, bring him back from the brink and into your service." When the last words faded from his lips, a prismatic ray of light fell from the ceiling engulfing the ill follower in its glow. The mer's eyes flickered open again.

The crowd roared and demanded more as the dunmer rose to his knees and gave praise and thanks to Azura. The now apparent priest directed the mer to help in the new temple and then raised his hands to hush the crowd. "That is enough miracles for now, return later and the goddess will hear your prayers," he said and the gathered pilgrims dispersed.

Through the leaving crowd Ciel caught a look of the man’s face. He almost gasped. Leaning over to his companion he whispered, “I know that priest.”

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 09:30 AM

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 03:14 AM)

"My Queen," he said weakly, focusing finally on her face, "I told them nothing, I swear."

"Of course you didn't," said Elysana simply, as if the suggestion was absurd. It was not her way to sweet talk the injured. They would simply get better, because she knew they were the best.

She unbuttoned his shirt, dabbing his bruised and broken chest with the wet cloth, which was already turning red. "Tell me where the pain is, and where the numbness is ... I need to know where the most serious injuries are."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 09:33 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 6 2005, 02:19 AM)

"You know him?" Tris said. "From where? Be careful, he might recognize you even with the diguise."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 09:40 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 03:20 AM)

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)
"Of course you didn't," said Elysana simply, as if the suggestion was absurd. It was not her way to sweet talk the injured. They would simply get better, because she knew they were the best.

She unbuttoned his shirt, dabbing his bruised and broken chest with the wet cloth, which was already turning red. "Tell me where the pain is, and where the numbness is ... I need to know where the most serious injuries are."

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)

"I can't feel my arms, Your Majesty, but... you should not worry so about me. I am certain you have other matters to attend to."

The man's eyes glaze over, as if he's looking somewhere else for a moment, and his breath becomes quick and shallow.

"My Queen, my Queen! Don't let me die, please, I beg you! I have seen what awaits me in death, and it is a cold, horrible reward. I cannot stand to think of it. Don't let me die..."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 09:41 AM

Suran

It didn't take too long for Loranna to grasp the truth; there wasn't any one or several organizors of this Bal Ur Temple idea, merely the - somewhat defensible - idea that in case Helseth decided to attack a fortified temple/base near here was desirable. In that, Loranna admitted, the idea had merit.

The part that had her most confused as to peoples' good sense was the fact that they chose to poke their heads into a known vampire den. It seemed, to her, to simply invite trouble - but then, peoples' faith in Azura was quite strong, and not everyone saw things as she saw things.

Loranna forces herself to calm down, to try and think this situation through; it may not be as bad as her initial reaction suggested. Vampires were dangerous, granted, and she knew little of the vampires native to Morrowind, but the Dunmer's hatred of vampires was well-known, so they could be well-schooled in slaying such beasts ...

... Of course, the vampire den could be bigger than what the worshippers anticipate and bring down a retalitory strike, or the wrath of other vampires in the area. Sigh ...

... I need to find out just what is going on first, Loranna thinks to herself. Find out who's gone to Bal Ur, what preperations they've made, what their plans are to make the place secure ... before I ask anyone to do anything I need more information.

She looks for head guards, intending to quietly ask them about what they know about the Bal Ur situation.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 6 2005, 09:49 AM

Around the town guards were collecting the bodys of fallen guars, and sadly, the one dead guard wo had died in the defence. "Blasted creatures!" Called out one, kicking a guar in the ribs, causing it to 'come to life' in a sense as it turned its head up and let out a deafining howl, to this the guards responded with their swords through its neck.

"What could of possesed them to do something like this? they must of been really ticked off" Exclaimed another, dragging the corpse outside the city. Without hesitating a second, Corky quickly ducked outside of the city by ways of the second smaller gate, not wanting to stir anymore trouble then he already had.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 09:50 AM

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 03:30 AM)

"I can't feel my arms, Your Majesty, but... you should not worry so about me. I am certain you have other matters to attend to."

The man's eyes glaze over, as if he's looking somewhere else for a moment, and his breath becomes quick and shallow.

"My Queen, my Queen! Don't let me die, please, I beg you! I have seen what awaits me in death, and it is a cold, horrible reward. I cannot stand to think of it. Don't let me die..."

"Quiet," Elysana hissed fiercely. "No soldier of mine mews like a baby. Cry when you are no longer in my presence if you must, but I would not see it, sir."

She turned her attention to his arms, tearing the shirt away. They were black from when a flame had been turned on them, but she couldn't tell whether they were broken or not. His fingers clearly were. And the nails were gone. He had gone through a lot.

"You'll feel your arms soon enough, and probably miss the numbness,' she said, her anger cooled. "And as for me having other matters to attend, my schedule is surprisingly open for the time being.'

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 09:54 AM

Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 03:31 AM)

She looks for head guards, intending to quietly ask them about what they know about the Bal Ur situation.

The Dres Knight Wyrloc is nearby. He comes at her beckon.

'Yes, Goddess?' he asked, bowing, but not as deeply as Lord Gaor had done.

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 09:55 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 01:23 AM)

"You know him?" Tris said. "From where? Be careful, he might recognize you even with the diguise."

"From Elsyana's court, before I left after Loranna," the knight whispered. He threw the hood of his cloak over his head in hopes of avoiding unnecessary notice. "He's a mage, a favored healer in of a small circle of nobles in Wayrest."

The priest sat on a small cot on the opposite side of shelter. The crowd for the most part had followed his instructions and departed, some remained but they retreated to their own private corners. He looked as if he were about to lie down and sleep when he abruptly sat up right and frowned. His gaze fell directly on the two whisperers.

He rose with a smile suddenly manifesting itself upon his face. The priest approached the pair and said, "Ahh, such a treat, foreigners such as myself are so rare in the land of the Dunmer! Come to see the miracles of the goddess have you?"

Ciel lowered his head trying to hide as much of his face as possible.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 09:57 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 03:44 AM)

Suran
The Dres Knight Wyrloc is nearby. He comes at her beckon.

'Yes, Goddess?' he asked, bowing, but not as deeply as Lord Gaor had done.

"Sir Wyrloc," Loranna says, nodding to the Knight.

Keeping her voice low, she says "It's come to my attention that there are plans in motion for Bal Ur. I would like to ask you on the status of those plans if you know them."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 09:57 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 6 2005, 02:45 AM)

"All the way from Wayrest," Tris said, smiling. "It's a pleasure to see another Breton. Assuming you're not from Daggerfall?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 09:58 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 03:40 AM)

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)
"Quiet," Elysana hissed fiercely. "No soldier of mine mews like a baby. Cry when you are no longer in my presence if you must, but I would not see it, sir."

She turned her attention to his arms, tearing the shirt away. They were black from when a flame had been turned on them, but she couldn't tell whether they were broken or not. His fingers clearly were. And the nails were gone. He had gone through a lot.

"You'll feel your arms soon enough, and probably miss the numbness,' she said, her anger cooled. "And as for me having other matters to attend, my schedule is surprisingly open for the time being.'

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)

Ashamed, the man calms himself, and presses the image of those burning red eyes to the back of his mind, praying quietly to himself that he never see them again.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 10:01 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 02:47 AM)

"Are you what passes for the head of the faction from Dres now?" Allerleirauh asked. "We should take note of each other. I'm the one you come to if you need something torn in pieces."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 10:02 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 03:48 AM)

"Your shoulder looks to be dislocated," the Queen said. "I need you to sit up, and grit your teeth. This is going to hurt, and you are not to cry out.'

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 10:04 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 03:52 AM)

"Your shoulder looks to be dislocated," the Queen said. "I need you to sit up, and grit your teeth. This is going to hurt, and you are not to cry out.'

(THE HOUSE OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, SURAN:)

In Deselle's house, one would hardly notice a man crying out in apparent agony, but he obeyed his queen and did not make a sound.

She was right, though. It hurt.

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 10:06 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 01:01 AM)

The House Of Earthly Delights, Suran

Vonnod bowed and left the room.

[Suran]

Liris sat in discussion with the head of his guards when Vonnod was escorted into the chamber by Faril. The Breton lord was agape, he was certain the sage would be dead after his capture. He quickly dismissed the captain and shoved aside a several scrolls that had been laid out on the table.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned, his shock showing somewhat.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 10:11 AM

Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 03:47 AM)

"I haven't been there myself, but, yes, I have heard that a few dozen of your worshippers are indeed there, setting up a shrine to your glory," the knight replied. "I believe they think the shrine to be abandoned. The work has been going on for some time now."

QUOTE

"Are you what passes for the head of the faction from Dres now?" Allerleirauh asked. "We should take note of each other. I'm the one you come to if you need something torn in pieces."

"I remember you, Lady. You were the one who spoke so oddly at the creation of the Temple in Ghostgate. Well, a talent for tearing things into pieces is ... good to have, I suppose. I will keep it in mind if we need that sort of thing. I do not have any talents to match that, so I hope we will become friends," he smiled.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 6 2005, 10:14 AM

Pelagiad-

Brum and Inzoliah had made a stop over in Pelagiad, to finally have a well needed rest, "We'll take one bed please.." Stated Inzoliah, throwing 10 drakes onto the counter "Heh, very well...here's your key."

Making their way into the bedroom Brum let out a heavy sigh "Ah, finally...a bed where I can rest my feet" He stepped forward, only to be confronted by Inzoliah "Sorry Brum, I paid for this room, so, I get the bed" She hastily laid down on it and drifted off to sleep.

"RRrrrr....where am I supposed to sleep?" He muttered to himself, searching the tiny room...he eventually spotted the old wooden chair sitting in the corner, "I suppose it will have to do" He sat down and closed his eyes, eventually he fell into a rather uncomfortable sleep.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 10:14 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 6 2005, 03:56 AM)

"The Queen bade me to find you," the sage said, out of breath, though he had not been moving very fast. His leg felt like it was going to drop off. 'She is in Suran, at the House of Earthly Delights. She told me to find you, so you could discreetly find a healer for me, and for another in the inn ..."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 10:18 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 04:01 AM)

Suran
"I haven't been there myself, but, yes, I have heard that a few dozen of your worshippers are indeed there, setting up a shrine to your glory," the knight replied. "I believe they think the shrine to be abandoned. The work has been going on for some time now."
"I remember you, Lady. You were the one who spoke so oddly at the creation of the Temple in Ghostgate. Well, a talent for tearing things into pieces is ... good to have, I suppose. I will keep it in mind if we need that sort of thing. I do not have any talents to match that, so I hope we will become friends," he smiled.

"Abandoned?" Loranna says, "hrn ... I'd heard last it was used as a haunt for ..."

She lowers her voice again and says "Vampires ..."

"Do you know which worshippers have gone there and what defenses they have among them?" she asks quietly.

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 10:22 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 01:47 AM)

"All the way from Wayrest," Tris said, smiling. "It's a pleasure to see another Breton. Assuming you're not from Daggerfall?"

The priest looked at the youngman who spoke to him.

"Oh yes, indeed," the priest laughed. "So rare now that the goddess continues her pilgrimage. I was in Wayrest, it was sometime ago though."

He glanced at Ciel as if something were bothering him but returned his gaze to Tris. Ciel smiled in a politie manner but remained silent.

"I'm sorry, more of the Azura's miricles will have to wait," he continued. "I would try to do more but asking her healing for the needy tires me quickly."

The man smiled and extended his hand.

"My name is Gebar. Tell me, who might I have the pleasure of meeting?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 10:24 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 04:08 AM)

"I had heard that too," said Wyrloc. 'And I asked the same question. Apparently, it is such a well-known vampire haunt, that the vampires found it best to move elsewhere. Of course, I am afraid that their defenses are weak if there are any vampires there ... a couple knights, a couple mages ... The best warriors are here, to protect you."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 10:27 AM

(EBONHEART:)

There were few places in Ebonheart for a man to hide, and even fewer for a Khajiit.

Towering Nords in armor, looks of grim determination on their woad-covered faces, weren't uncommon there, though, and so people were alarmed but not surprised when a fight broke out between one and a Khajiit in the Six Fishes.

Aricyn was happy that He-Who-Hunts-Elves was not wearing the cuirass; it meant he didn't have to be careful of his blows.

The guards were called, but the Nordic stranger was already gone, prize in hand. All that was left for them to do was clean up the body and write the report.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 10:32 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 6 2005, 03:12 AM)

"Tris," he said, taking the man's outstretched man and meeting his eyes with a smile. "So, Azura works her miracles through her priesthood? Will there be shrines here, as there are in the Temple nearby? And... what sort of blessing does she bestow? I've come a long way, you see, hoping that a god walking among mortals might have powers greater than those of the Imperial Cult or the Dunmer Temple. What attracted you to the worship of a Daedra Prince? It's a strange cult for a Breton to join, unless he's as desperate as I am."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 10:34 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 04:14 AM)

"Ah ..." Loranna says, "I see ... I think though that it wouldn't hurt to err on the side of caution."

She gives the Knight a soft smile. "Gather together a force of people to take to Bal Ur and check on the temple builders, please; be discrete so as to not cause undue alarm but warn those you choose that they should expect to be facing vampires at least. Meet back up with us when you are ready."

Loranna nods, giving the Knight leave to go about her requests.

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 10:36 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 02:04 AM)

Liris narrowed his eyes at the sage and spoke, "Earthly Delights? Here? How? To my knowledge she was being held in Vivec under guard."

He turned to his servant. "Find him a healer, make sure he'll remain silent," he commanded with an angry wave of his hand for emphasis.

Faril scurried out of the room in a hurry to execute the Lord's order as fast as possible. Liris motioned to the nearby Geon who stood at attention and began to issue more orders, "You there, round up more of your fellows, we need to be at the ready. Meet me at the House of Earthly Delights once you have twenty good men..."

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 10:50 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 02:22 AM)

"So many questions," Gebar laughed. "For the time being, we rely on her followers faith. Of course shrines will be erected, all in due time. Her miracles are great and small, not to mention numerous. She adds more as we speak! Surely you've heard of her great pilgrimage? The cleansing of Gnisis? The slaying of the beast of Koal Cove? Walk in the goddess's prescence and serve her as I have and you will know why I am priest." He smile but once again glanced at Ciel but turned back to Tris.

"Desperate? Why would a fine looking young man such as yourself be desperate?" the priest asked.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 10:58 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 6 2005, 03:40 AM)

"I know I look well enough, except for the limp, but I'm actually in desperate pain at the moment." It was strange, how easy it felt to say that. Tris could hear his own voice; how sincere he sounded! "It's not an illness. More like a curse. Payment for my sins, you could say."

It occurred to him that Elysana might know he was missing a leg. So he didn't mention it.

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 11:22 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 02:48 AM)

"Ahhh, you poor man," Gebar remarked solemnly. "Azura will wash you clean, my friend, and then armor you in ash so that you may be strong in the face of your enemies." The priest was almost intoning.

He glanced at Ciel again and furrowed his brows. This time he did not look away.

"Your young friend is awfully silent, he's not a mute is he?" the priest questioned. In response Ciel cleared his throat and said, "No good sir."

"He speaks at last," Gebar smiles with a quick glance to Tris. "Not sure of the goddess? Don't worry you'll come to love her in time. Tell me, are you from Wayrest like your friend here? Do you have a mother or relative who attended the Queen's court?"

"I am of Wayrest, Sir, but I have no relatives who have attend court."

"Gebar," the priest responded still smiling. "Call me Gebar. It's a shame though I thought I might know your family."

The priest turned back to Tris his smile broadened. "I have some time before Azura will bless her followers again, perhaps you would like to get a drink and discuss your future with the temple?" Gebar asked putting his hand on Tris’s arm. "Your doubting friend can come to if he wishes."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 11:29 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 6 2005, 04:12 AM)

"He's not much of a drinker," Tris said, winking at Ciel. "But I am."

He wanted to see if the priest would relax, while sufficiently inebriated. But Gebar seemed entirely too interested in Ciel's appearance. Probably something about the illusion bothered him. Hopefully Ciel could make the rounds of the place, and Tris would make his own rounds in the tavern, in a different way.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 11:36 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 03:24 AM)

Suran: Allerleirauh

"I should probably go down there and kill everything that moves," Allerleirauh said. "I hate civilians. They die and then you're expected to feel bad."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 11:38 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 05:26 AM)

Suran: Allerleirauh

"I should probably go down there and kill everything that moves," Allerleirauh said. "I hate civilians. They die and then you're expected to feel bad."

"Amen," says Aricyn, striding back, a bundle under his arm and the wolf at his side.

"Who are we going to kill?"

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 11:42 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 05:28 AM)

"Amen," says Aricyn, striding back, a bundle under his arm and the wolf at his side.

"Who are we going to kill?"

Loranna raises her eyebrows, and turns to face Aricyn - and notes that, when together, Aricyn and Allie manage to make the rest of the world look almost drab.

"Some worshippers have gone to set up a temple at Bal Ur," she explains to Aricyn. "We're organizing a group to send after them, as the place was reputed once to be a vampire lair."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 11:44 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 05:32 AM)

"Huh," he says, simply.

"It probably wouldn't look too good for your worshippers to get eaten while establishing a temple."

A wide, charming grin wrinkles his eyes.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 11:47 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 04:34 AM)

"Huh," he says, simply.

"It probably wouldn't look too good for your worshippers to get eaten while establishing a temple."

A wide, charming grin wrinkles his eyes.

"It's not that they'll get eaten," Allerleirauh said darkly, "It's who they'll eat after they get eaten. I've been meaning to talk to you. The Moon Reiver, do you have any idea what you have there? You should be careful. It's insane that anyone has it at all."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 11:47 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 05:34 AM)

"Huh," he says, simply.

"It probably wouldn't look too good for your worshippers to get eaten while establishing a temple."

A wide, charming grin wrinkles his eyes.

"The thought had crossed my mind," Loranna says with a slight hint of irony. She looks at the package in Aricyn's hand questioningly.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 11:50 AM

"What, this?" Aricyn said, bracing his hand on the sword beneath his cloak.

"Well, I hear it's unwieldable... without this," he says, tossing the bundle lightly over his shoulder, obviously proud of himself.

"I promise I'll be careful not to cut myself."

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 12:01 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 05:40 AM)

Loranna had looked over at Allie when she made her comment, and now looks at Aricyn as he hefts his bundle up onto his shoulder.

The Moon Riever and the Cuirass of the Savior's Hide ... Loranna has a sudden insecure feeling. The only thing missing to allow that sword to harm Azura was her True Name - and Loranna knew there were people who were looking for that already.

Loranna looks back at Allie, wondering if she or one of her companions had been looking for just that ...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 6 2005, 12:03 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 04:51 AM)

"Yes," Allie said. "Be very careful. Loranna, I think maybe Aricyn and I should run down to Bal Ur before we have a huge crowd of people to trail along behind us."

She stood up and stretched. "Come on, you Nordic Tool of Destruction. We've got work to do."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 6 2005, 12:07 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 05:53 AM)

Aricyn snickered.

"Sounds like fun," he said, tossing the bundle to the old wolf and following Allerleirauh.

The old wolf caught the bundle in his huge jaws, looked for a moment at Loranna, then walked off towards Aricyn's room.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 6 2005, 12:11 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Jan 6 2005, 05:57 AM)

" ... Good luck," Loranna says, her expression mildly concerned. She watches the wolf for a moment, then starts heading back to her litter to rest.

... Yes; one way or another, things were coming to a head very soon, she reflects, feeling an odd mix of worry, wonder, and relief.

Posted by: Solin Jan 6 2005, 12:34 PM

Ciel shook his head and smiled. “I’ll find you later,” he said. He exited with a bow and set out to ask of rumors of the goddess.

Tris and Gebar on the other hand made their way to the large hide tent that posed as a tavern for the camp surrounding the tall towers that were formerly the fortress of Ghostgate. They took seat in a quiet out of the way corner. Gebar began with the new temple life, the glory of Azura, the day today tasks of managing the camp etcetera but as the evening wore on the conversation wandered. Quite a bit at some points actually.

The first round was greef. The priest took a sip and remarked about how he hated the flavor of the horrible cheap comberries. Tris listened to the priest’s woes intently and provided ample solution. Shots of Cyrodiilic brandy, flinn, and even wine flowed freely with a mere handful of glittering drakes. Gebar was impressed and mentioned it. He enjoyed the drinks very much, he had served at the court in Wayrest. Tri would look wonderful in a robe like his, or so the priest said. The drink wasn’t the only thing he disliked. The food was horrible. It was all bug and reptile meat, inedible the lot of it. Then there was the ash, it got onto and in everything. Maybe that was why the food was so horrible. The priest bore it all for Azura though, of course. It was always dry, which breeds a terrible thirst. Gebar bemoaned the lack of good Breton wines so far from High Rock. They would always turn sour on the journey by ship and when sent by the mages guild… well it wasn’t cheap! Each province and local kingdom added their own little tariffs to the trade and by the time it arrived in Morrowind it was bloody expensive. It wasn’t like that when he served at the court. A pouch of septims bought them their own bottle.

Tris raised his glass in toast to the Queen and Gebar responded with a “Long live Elsyana!” He was quite drunk and slurred it horribly, though. With a private chuckle, he told Tris that there were a lot of foreigners following the goddess around but they never seemed to stay after she left for long. The priest began to talk of the court, he had been there. The drunk poured forth with bits of gossip he had heard about the various nobles of Wayrest. Who had this affliction or needed help fixing this extremity or that and the like. He kept on gossiping up until he finished off the last of the wine. Gebar made a sad face and the collapsed face first on the table with a snore.

Rising from the corner table Tris was a bit wobbly himself though he hadn’t tried to drink near as much as the “priest” in front of him. Lifting the tent flap the young Breton set out to find Ciel and see how the Knight’s evening went.

Posted by: Aki Jan 6 2005, 05:27 PM

BAL UR

Reichi had heard of the rather foolish plan for the followers to convert Bal Ur into a shrine for Azura. "Fricking morons...they'd lucky if Bal himself didn't come down and smite them." he mumbled, climbing rocks. Bal Ur was actually very close to Suran as the Cliffracer flew. It was dead north over a small mountain. Reichi was a adept jumper and climber, Assasins tended to be.

Well, the good ones. Reichi crested the mountain and looked into the bleak Ashlands that Bal ur was located in. The shrine stood in clear view.
Reichi noticed it was still day, they wouldn't leave the shrine yet.

He slide down te mountainside and headed walked around the outside of the shrine. "HEY! Anyone here!?" he called out.

No answer, that was not good in the daytime. People usually were awake then. Unless they were dead, or injured. He drew his weapons and contined to walk about.

North of Vivec

Another letter apeared. Tarenen took it and read it.

The one with the sword left the Incarnate, he later returned with the Cuirass of Savoir's hide. He said the sword is unweildable without it...

He has given it to his wolf. Should i procure it? If what the nord says is true, we can render the sword useless.

Also, some have set out to Bal ur to make a shrine.

Surely the fools know there are vampires?

That is all.

Tarenen sent his response.

Suran

Bragor snatched the letter and read it:
PROCURE THE CUIRASS

Bragor tore up the letter and tossed the pieces in the river. He would need to fool the wolf long enough to garuntee a kill, he couldn't afford to fight to beast in full combat. He would have to grab it and run.

The thing he hated about fooling beasts was they were more perceptive than men or mer. They used Sight, scent, sound, to identify one another. If he neglected something, he would be found out. Men and Mer were simplistic, fool the eyes and you got them.

Bragor cloaked himself with a invisibility spell and masked any sound or scent he might make or leave. He followed after the wolf. The Ebony blade drawn.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 6 2005, 07:33 PM

Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 6 2005, 06:01 AM)

" ... Good luck," Loranna says, her expression mildly concerned. She watches the wolf for a moment, then starts heading back to her litter to rest.

Wyrloc returned a few minutes later with a band of a dozen guards. They certainly looked capable -- well-armored, well-armed.

They joined Allerleirauh and Aricyn on the march to Bal Ur.

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Jan 7 2005, 01:36 AM

Dagoth just does as he normally does, watching the crowd babble about their gossip and non-sense. 'Their thoughts are lacking in anything useful.... or interesting.' So he just keeps looking out for anyone thinking anything worth noteing....

Posted by: Aki Jan 7 2005, 02:01 AM

"Woah....went a diet did we?" Reichi muttered to himself, looking at a corpse. The body was a hollow dry husk. Not a drop of blood was left in it.
"Hungry Vampires.." he murmered and looked in the direction of the Shrine's entrance. A hour was left till sun down. He best strike now.

He placed his netch leather helmet on, and headed for the door.

Posted by: niceguy5 Jan 7 2005, 02:44 AM

Summary - Dane is still in Suran, taking an early swim along the Nabia River to Bal Ur

The were-vamp breast stroked furiously to the ash shores of Bal Ur. Dane could scent a rude smell nearby.

Posted by: Aki Jan 7 2005, 03:02 AM

The netch boots made little sound agaisnt the stone floor. Thats what Reichi liked about netch leater, very quiet, chitin,and glass were too noisy.
He discovered why the helmet was so expensive too. It had a weak CE Nighteye enchantment.

He drew the Dagger of Senses and his daedric shortblade. Drawing the dagger was a interesting feeling, your senses insantly becoming many times sharper, everything becoming more vibrant, sharper.

The place had the scent of many types of blood. Nord, dunmer, Khajiit, Argonian, all the races Reichi knew and even some animals and posssibly deadra or two. That is why he hated tracking Vampires. Their scent was so complex.

A Dark form shifted in a corner. Reichi readied himself for a fight...

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 04:24 AM

Dante had grown tired of drinking in the tavern and, so he left and decided to go find Corky, which obviously, he couldn't. He decided to ask a guard "Hey, you seen a guar with a saddle around here? had alot of bags of Corkbulb.." The guard looked at him a moment, and snarled "Guars? never wanna see the damn things again!"

"I see..." He muttered, leaving the gate and beginning his search for Corky...His search had led him deep into the ashlands, which there, he was forced to kill many wild creatures. A shame really seeing as his search could've ended shortly by just turning his head right, once leaving the gate.

Posted by: Aki Jan 7 2005, 04:30 AM

Reichi slashed with his dagger as the figure flew at him. He heard a splash of blood hitting against the stone floor after blade found its mark and the figure continued its flight, into the ground, where it tumbled and slid a bit. Leaving smears and trails of blood.

Reichi stood watching for a moment, as if expecting it to rise. It didn't. Taking no chances Reichi walked over to the figure and repeatedly stabbed it in the back, then removed its cloak.

It was a Vampire, a orcish one. Reichi tossed the cloak back on the orc and looked around the room.

A statue of Molag Bal stood at the center of the shrine. Several bloodless corpses lay nearby.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 7 2005, 05:07 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 6 2005, 11:17 AM)

[Suran

Bragor snatched the letter and read it:
PROCURE THE CUIRASS

Bragor tore up the letter and tossed the pieces in the river. He would need to fool the wolf long enough to garuntee a kill, he couldn't afford to fight to beast in full combat. He would have to grab it and run.

The thing he hated about fooling beasts was they were more perceptive than men or mer. They used Sight, scent, sound, to identify one another. If he neglected something, he would be found out. Men and Mer were simplistic, fool the eyes and you got them.

Bragor cloaked himself with a invisibility spell and masked any sound or scent he might make or leave. He followed after the wolf. The Ebony blade drawn.

The old wolf walked slowly back to Aricyn's room at Deselle's, carrying the bulky parcel in its jaws.

Posted by: Aki Jan 7 2005, 05:08 AM

Suran

The Elf followed stealthily after the Wolf. All he had to do was grab the Cuirass and run. That would be it. This should be easy...

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 7 2005, 05:11 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 6 2005, 10:58 PM)

Suran

The Elf followed stealthily after the Wolf. All he had to do was grab the Cuirass and run. That would be it. This should be easy...

The wolf stopped at the door to the famous "public establishment", and carefully set it's burden on the ground. Reaching up with its jaws, it tenderly turned the doorhandle and nudged the door open with its head.

Posted by: Arynel Jan 7 2005, 05:12 AM

Arynel stands up and walks back into Suran.

The Breton is silently, taking note of the events and people around him.

Posted by: Aki Jan 7 2005, 05:15 AM

The Bosmer leapt for the package, one hand outstretched for it, while the other began casting a recall spell. The illusion faded, as the spell neared complettion and Bragor's hand grasped the package.

Almost...

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 7 2005, 05:20 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 6 2005, 11:05 PM)

The old wolf turned from the door and looked at the crazed Bosmer leaping for the package. One ear twiched in fascination at the tiny man, leaping, casting, and grabbing all at once. The animal watched calmly as the stranger's hands closed on the package and disappeared in a flash of magic.

He turned back to the door and finished pushing it open. Aricyn had told the cook to give him warmed milk whenever he wanted it, and he was going to go make good on that offer.

Posted by: Aki Jan 7 2005, 05:28 AM

Hunter base Camp, Road North of Vivec

Bragor apeared midair and skidded across the ground. Tarenen regarded the elf cooly. "You got the cuirass?" he asked. The Bosmer nodded and handed Tarenen the packet. The Breton took the packagee and opened it.

He frowned. "This is not the cuirass you incompetant fool." he said. Holding up the contents of the package, Aricyn's Old Arming Doublet. "Its a doublet." He tossed the leather garment to the ground and looked to Bragor. "You got outsmarted by a beast...."

Bragor attempted to run, casting out several illusions of himself as a distraction. there was a sickening snap and the Illusions simultaneously fell, then all of the Bragors faded but the original.

"Failure, is unexceptable."

Tarenen lifted the body with Telekinsis and threw it off into the night. A soft splash was heard a few secounds later. "Wood elves....are always so useless."

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 7 2005, 05:33 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Jan 6 2005, 11:18 PM)

Hunter base Camp, Road North of Vivec
Tarenen lifted the body with Telekinsis and threw it off into the night. A soft splash was heard a few secounds later. "Wood elves....are always so useless."

Aricyn wasn't going to be thrilled at losing his clothes. If the old wolf explained it right, he might even think it was funny, but for now, the milk was warm and good, and that's all that mattered.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 05:39 AM

Dante continued wandering aimlessly, He walked down a long path that was very close to a lake of lava, "Ugh, it's damn hot down here...and I'm getting quite tired" He yawned, strangely, something was draining his fatigue.

He sat, leaning up against a tall spire, and closed his eyes, after about 10 minutes a large cracking noise was heard, a large chunk of the spire began to fall, Dante quickly rolled over onto his back and launched himself off of the base of the thing, but, he was too late. The spire had crashed down over his chest and stomach.

He passed out, somewhere, outside the walls of Suran...Corkys head perked up and looked into the distance, he had heard something.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 05:46 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 6 2005, 12:23 PM)

Suran
Wyrloc returned a few minutes later with a band of a dozen guards. They certainly looked capable -- well-armored, well-armed.

They joined Allerleirauh and Aricyn on the march to Bal Ur.

Allerleirauh and Aricyn had enjoyed a very interesting conversation, before Wyrloc joined them. They looked up, suddenly, at the company, but Allerleirauh quickly smiled and said, "Very good. Let's see what we're up against."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 7 2005, 05:50 AM

Arynel silently found the others, and leaned in towards Allerleirauh.

"Is there any news?" The Breton asked. "Have any plans been made? has anything come up?"

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 06:07 AM

"Dante, Dante wake up!" shouted a familiar voice, Dante's eyes slowly opened and he found himself laying on a hammok in a house in Ald'Ruhn, his armour gone, he was dressed in an assortment of Commoners clothes.

"Ah, you're awake then..." Dante looked up to see Illidan, yet he was different, younger looking...His light brown hair slicked back, "C'mon then, I have something I want to show you" He stated, pulling Dante off of the hammok, once Dante was standing, he let out a shriek, He was far, far shorter then he normally was.

"What's the matter?" Asked Illidan, placing his now large hand on Dante's shoulder "I-I've shrunk!" He yelped, staring down at his feet, which, were now suprisingly close. Illidan chuckled and said "Haha, you have plenty of time to grow, you're only eleven after all, you're twelth birthday is coming up y'know."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 06:10 AM

QUOTE(Arynel @ Jan 6 2005, 10:40 PM)

Arynel silently found the others, and leaned in towards Allerleirauh.

"Is there any news?" The Breton asked. "Have any plans been made? has anything come up?"

"There are limits to what we can discuss here," Allerleirauh said. "I am closer to Loranna than you are; it's best to keep me in ignorance. If you need something, you can speak to Aricyn. He understands what's at stake, I believe. It's not time yet, try to be patient."

Posted by: Arynel Jan 7 2005, 06:15 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 6 2005, 10:00 PM)

"Oh, very well then." Arynel said with a smile. "It seems I should be on my way then."

The Breton turned and walked off through the crowed.

"I wonder if they're talking about anything important?" He mumbled under his breath. "I suppose not."

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 06:22 AM

"Well, come along, I wanna show you something.." Dante followed Illidan out the door and through the streets of Ald'Ruhn, something looked different about it, something Dante couldn't quite figure out. They left Ald'Ruhn via the main gate and began to head west, Once they had found a suitable path they began to head north on the grasslands.

It was around this time an instinct fell over Dante, an instinct which he never thought he could take control of, but never the less, it came out as he said "Illidan, this is boooriiing, my feet hurt...Illiiiidaaan" Illidan smiled gently and said "We're almost there, quickly now."

The two made their way past Andasreth carefully, making sure not to be seen by anything.

Posted by: Meridia Jan 7 2005, 07:58 AM

Narsis, The Rusty Spear Tavern

'Another Drink, please,' Shardie said as the bartender brought her another glass of water... he was rather peeved at these customers who only wanted water... indeed, another had come in just recently and ordered water... and asked to give this person a note...
'Here you go, madam, and also someone asked me to give you this note...' the bartender said, handing over the note and a glass of water
Shardie read the note, and stood up, taking her sword with her... leaving the water behind... and made her way to the nearby alleyway and leaned against the wall...
'I did not think you would find me this fast...' Shardie said as Maranda appeared beside her, obviously from a Mark spell
'It matters not how I found you... but I must ask one question, why did you do it? Why did you betray me, even knowing the concequences of your actions?' Maranda asked
Shardie smiled... 'Would you do anything for your master? I would... I would even betray my friend for him...'
A tear came to Maranda's eye, 'I would even slay my best friend for my master... it is better this way, honest it is...'
Shardie pulled out her White Gold Sword and handed it to Maranda, 'Then do so...'

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 08:09 AM

The brothers had followed the path for awhile and turned off, heading west again, it seemed as if they were going uphill, they had come to a small cliff, overlooking the sea. Illidan approached the end of it and motioned for Dante to follow, he did.

"Illidan, why are we here? where is the thing you wanted to show me?" he asked, his young head cocked inquisitively. "This is it..." He answered, soaking up the view looking over the calm ocean beneath them, "Illidan, I don't understand..."

Illidan sighed "I wanted you to know about this place, when I was younger I always used to come down here and sit, for hours on end, watching the waves break beneath me, it was an invigorating experience" Dante looked at his brother again "and..?"

"And? and I want you to have a place like this, a somewhat safe-haven for your thoughts, the air up here really clears the mind y'know" Dante stepped foreward, looking over the calm water below the two of them, it was a beautiful site, at this moment he realised what was different about everything, he had use of his other eye again, he no longer had the scar. Sadly he knew though in a few days he would recieve it.

Posted by: Meridia Jan 7 2005, 08:25 AM

Narsis, Bienne Manor

Maranda sat in her chair, the blood soaked sword lay on the floor before her... she sighed and thought about the past few months... The only person she had killed with her own hands was the one she reguarded as her best friend... in fact, thinking about her life up to this point, her life had seemed to go down hill ever since she started worshiping Meridia... She removed the Signet Ring and looked at it for a moment... before throwing it on the floor...
You should not do that A voice said from the ring
'Why, why did I have to kill her?' Maranda yelled
Why? Because I asked you to, that is what a good servent does... just like what your servent did...
'What, who do you mean by 'my servent?' do you mean Elvie?'
Yes, he is dead, and the Curiass is gone... this mission is a failure, and you are releaced from your duty for the time being...
'But why has worshiping you given me nothing but heartache?' she asked
It has given you wealth, amazing weapons and the like, what more do you want?
'There is more to life than material things!' Maranda yelled. If Meridia was in the room at the time, she would have smiled
Indeed there are... but is it my task to show you the way? No, these are things you must do on your own...
Maranda did not respond but only cried... cried long into the night

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 09:57 AM

Ghostgate, outside the Temple of Azura: Tris

Tris leaned his forehead against the wall. He knew that the weak cure poison and dispell potions he had purchased would cure his inebriation, but it was taking all his willpower to remain on his feet. After drinking Gebar, the Azuran priest from Wayrest, into unconsciousness, he had gone on drinking with the Buoyant Armigers. He was well-liked, he felt certain. He had been terrifically witty. Now if he could only feel his extremities.

It took him three tries to open the bottle. The magic settled his head; his world stopped reeling.

Posted by: Meridia Jan 7 2005, 10:04 AM

In the room in which Queen Elysana was in, a strange sparkle was seen on a potted plant... a myst started to enter the room...

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 10:10 AM

House of Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Meridia @ Jan 7 2005, 03:54 AM)

In the room in which Queen Elysana was in, a strange sparkle was seen on a potted plant... a myst started to enter the room...

Elysana, Queen of Wayrest, was setting the broken fingerbones on Herwyn's left hand, having finished with his right. She saw the plant, and her eyes opened wide.

'Close your eyes,' she said to the battlemage. And when he did, she said, 'Hello, Lady.'

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 10:11 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 01:47 AM)

A hand placed itself on Tris's shoulder. "Are you alright?" an unmistakeable voice asked.

The hand belonged to the cloaked figure of Ciel. He had a worried expression on his face, partially hidden by the hood that he still wore up from the earlier encounter with the priest. While Tris had been gather info from the Azuran and the Armigers, the knight had been speaking with the locals collecting rumors and hearing tales of the goddess incarnate.

Posted by: Meridia Jan 7 2005, 10:13 AM

Good Morning... I trust you are doing well?
The mist changed form to show a little girl, I am hear to see if you still remember the deal we made?

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 10:21 AM

House of Earthly Delight, Suran

QUOTE(Meridia @ Jan 7 2005, 04:03 AM)

Good Morning... I trust you are doing well?
The mist changed form to show a little girl, I am hear to see if you still remember the deal we made?

"I am well as could be expected, Lady,' said the Queen of Wayrest. "Considering that I have been betrayed and captured by my stepbrother Helseth, and most of my escort has been slaughtered. I have not forgotten our deal, of course. It has never been far from my mind. That is why I am in Suran, instead of safely home -- to see this Loranna-Azura and her situation with my own eyes.'

Posted by: Meridia Jan 7 2005, 10:30 AM

Oh, indeed... you have come to see the treachery of Liris, have you? Very honorable of you to risk such harm... but I wonder... how did you escape the Temple Canton? You were there one moment, and poof! Gone the next while I was tending to other business... I am very interested... Meridia said, smiling delightfuly

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 10:31 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 03:01 AM)

"I'll be fine as soon as my stomach settles," Tris said, smiling. "I think your friend likes me a little too much, I had to outdrink him to get away. The walls in the Tower of Dusk are three feet thick, with solid doors that bolt from the inside. I got us a room. Let's finish this conversation there."

When the door was bolted, he continued.

"Your friend the mage is still working for Elysana, I think, which is interesting. And his agenda seems to be to recuit more 'priests.' Didn't the Queen want Loranna stopped last time you spoke to her? There doesn't seem to be any real godly energy at work, behind this temple - just a lot of chicanery set up by Elysana and the Temple. Which is the other interesting thing. According to the Buoyant Armigers - wonderful people, you'd like them - the General WAS here. And she tried to turn them against Loranna. They were all for making a stand for Vivec and against the Daedra Prince when word came from Tholer Saryoni that Sen-Yedda - apparently Loranna's baby has a name now - is the next Big Thing for the Temple. They mean to get control of the baby and use her to replace the Tribunal. There was apparently a big showdown between the General and Loranna, brought about by this Arynel fellow - you haven't met him, but he's younger than I am, another Void Ranger. And the populace decided to worship Azura AND Vivec. That's why the old Temple is still standing. That's my news."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 10:34 AM

House of Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Meridia @ Jan 7 2005, 04:20 AM)

"I still believe that he is loyal, Lady. As for the other matter, I could tell you, but not now. Some secrets,' she motioned toward Herwyn. 'Are not for all ears.'

Posted by: Meridia Jan 7 2005, 10:37 AM

Well, what you believe is so... I shall be watching you very closely from here on... very closely indeed...
Meridia said as her form dissintergrated into mist once more...

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 7 2005, 10:42 AM

QUOTE(Meridia @ Jan 7 2005, 04:27 AM)

Well, what you believe is so... I shall be watching you very closely from here on... very closely indeed...
Meridia said as her form dissintergrated into mist once more...

The man on the bed stayed very silent, and very still. He couldn't stop a tear from escaping his eye, though, at the thought of the danger in which his Queen placed herself.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 10:42 AM

House of Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Meridia @ Jan 7 2005, 04:27 AM)

Well, what you believe is so... I shall be watching you very closely from here on... very closely indeed...
Meridia said as her form dissintergrated into mist once more...

Elysana sighed. Where was Liris, and the healer?

'You can open your eyes,' she said to Herwyn, returning to her task of mending his fingers.

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 10:44 AM

Liris openned the chamber's door, either side of the hallway was lined with guards positioned to keep curious onlookers and prying eyes away from the Queen's chambers. "Your Highness," he said with a flourish. "I didn't realize you were coming to Suran or I would have arranged for better accomidations to greet you."

The lord bowed low as a healer bustled by him to tend to the wounded man.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 10:52 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 04:34 AM)

House of Earthly Delights, Suran

Elysana, the Queen of Wayrest, willingly gave up tending to Herwyn, and nodded towards Lord Liris.

“These accomendations are adequate. I do not want to draw attention to my presence here,’ she said, and frowned, noticing the guards. ‘Speaking of which, send some of these men back. People will wonder why there are soldiers in the House of Earthly Delights … Let us talk in the hall …”

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 10:54 AM

"C'mon then Dante, let's get going" Stated Illidan, making his way back down the hill, Dante following closely behind, He wondered what this dream was, it felt so real, yet acted and fake.

thud thud... Dante felt a pulse surge through the back of his mind thud thud... He closed his eyes and hurled his head backwards, letting a thunderous scream leave his mouth. He stumbled over and his vision became blurry and rippled, the last thing he saw was Illidan trying to help him before closing his eyes and letting out another tremendous scream.

Opening his eyes again he found himself under the broken spire, sweat and ash covering his face, it would certainly take alot to get him out of this mess. He grunted heavily as he attempted to push the heaping rubble off of himself...he failed, he let out a defeated groan as he slumpeds back down hitting his head heavily on the ashen floor.

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 11:01 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 02:42 AM)

Liris raised an eyebrow but, nodded and said, "As you wish."

The lord's armored guards disppersed back into the city. There were a few unarmored men who milled at the ends of the hall and in the common area but the lord payed them little mind.

Standing in the hall he asked, "What would you speak of, my Lady?" Liris's voice adopted a less formal tone as to not attracted unwanted attention.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 11:03 AM

The House of Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 04:51 AM)

“Vonnod has seen a healer too, has he?” asked Elysana, Queen of Wayrest. “I want all men who have served me well tended to before I hear how well you have served me. This healer you’ve brought, is he one of my men? Is he discreet?”

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 11:19 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 02:53 AM)

The House of Earthly Delights, Suran
“Vonnod has seen a healer too, has he?” asked Elysana, Queen of Wayrest. “I want all men who have served me well tended to before I hear how well you have served me. This healer you’ve brought, is he one of my men? Is he discreet?”

"He has, my Lady," Liris said of Vonnod. "I assure you that they will. Are there no more? I would only have someone who could be trusted attend you and your escort. There is no need to fear him." The lord was prespiring a bit heavily. He was a bit nervous and on occasion would glance down to the ends of the hall.

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 7 2005, 11:24 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 05:09 AM)

(SURAN, DESELLE'S:)

Having had his fill of milk, the old, grey wolf slowly made his way up the staircase. Reaching the second floor, he eyed all of the men going to and fro.

Walking slowly to Aricyn's room, he gave a yellow-eyed stare to the lord and lady standing in the hall.

He continued, slowly, to the right door, opened it gently with his mouth, pushed it open with his head, and loped inside.

The door shut with a click.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 11:25 AM

The House oF Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 05:09 AM)

“No,” said Elysana said briskly, not noticing the wolf at all, but turning her head at the sound of the click. “All my men were tortured to death by Helseth, save Vonnod and the battlemage, Herwyn. If your healer is trustworthy, then, perhaps it would be better to continue this conversation in the room. This hallway has too many doors. It is too easy to be heard -- ’

Elysana and Liris return to the room, as she finishes her sentence, making certain the healer hears her. “I still have a body part of two from the last person who displeased me by his lack of loyalty.”

The healer bows in her direction, and continues casting his spells over Herwyn Brand’s body. The physical signs of the torture he endured were slowly fading. The mental signs would take longer, she knew.

“I would hear about how you have been keeping an eye on Loranna, making certain she is in never out of sight of you and your men,” said the Queen to Liris.

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 11:30 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 02:21 AM)

Ciel listened as the young man spoke and nodded his head as Tris finished. "There must have been a shift in the Queen's agenda," he said shaking his head. "Before she entered Morrowind, Loranna was a criminal who defied her, to be met with swift justice. Things changed when I brought her here."

Ciel laughed.

"She would have sent for my head anyways, I fear, if she attempted to breed civil strife while I was in command of Loranna's pilgrimage," He shook his head again and fell silent.

After a brief, moment of quite he began again.

"There is much disarray, here," he said quietly. "Many of the workers, craftsmen, and merchants who served Loranna have not been paid for their labors. Several have poured their livelihoods into following after her. Many of the peasants here were unable to follow her on her pilgrimage because it was beyond their means.

"There is no place they can lodge their grievances. The vague temple authority is composed of men like Gebar and structure does not exist. Loranna and her followers are devouring the landscape as they pass. The passing is not slow, which is fortunate for us, it will be easy to catch up to her if she continues her leisurely pace."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 11:43 AM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 04:20 AM)

Tris frowned. "Ciel... there's something I have to ask. We're almost to our goal, Loranna is at Suran, a silt strider will take us there in a few hours. What do you want to do when you get there? I know you want revenge for your dead men, I know you want someone to pay for all the lives lost in Skyrim. But if Vivec couldn't bring Azura to justice, we certainly can't. That only leaves Loranna, and I like Loranna. She's a light-hearted, gentle, rather simple girl. I gave her a backrub because she's pregnant and her back gets tired. She's guilty of folly, not malice."

He took a deep breath. "Maybe it's true that people should be forced to see the consequences of their actions, and pay for them. But... I can't be that ungenerous. Not when I'm suffering so much for my own folly. I will go with you and help you with all my heart, no matter what you do. But I had to say something, before we come face to face with Loranna again."

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 12:24 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 03:33 AM)

"Revenge?" Ciel asked quietly. "I gave my word, not only to my men but to her. She surrendered into my charge to be taken to trial, safely, and to see her child born. It's what I intend to see done. What she asked, no, demanded for."

He paused a moment and sighed.

"Tris, you have a good and deep heart," the older Breton said. "You saved me from death. A chance to do better with myself, you gave me that when I held the duty above the cause. You were repaid cruelly because I wasn't able to see my folly. I couldn't serve Elsyana, she asked of me what I was not willing to give and you interceded with your gift. Had I realized sooner..."

Ciel blinked a few times.

"Those poor souls in Skyrim were stepped on because a giant refused to watch where she walked. I might have stopped it but I was too slow and now she continues to do so here. It maybe impossible to try one such as her but that does not mean she should be allowed to do evil freely."

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 12:33 PM

Dante screamed, loudly and shrilly, ignoring all common sense, he felt like he was going to start crying, the tears were there, but not willing to act on his emotions. He tried to push the thing off of him again, but the spire only seemed to get heavier as he grew more fatigued.

He coughed weezily, letting ash and sweat spray off his face, he managed to lift his head high enough to see down the path...nothing, Surely someone must've heard the crash... He thought, failing to keep himself up from the weight, falling back down. Well, doesn't look like it...your on your own with this one.. Snarled the voice, filling his mind with doubt.

Back at Suran, Illidan stood, in the centre of the town staring aimlessly at his feet.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 12:36 PM

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 05:14 AM)

"Loranna's not a giant. She just summoned a giant. Loranna - maybe I'm soft, Ciel, but if I had a wish, I'd wish that none of us ever truly come face to face with the harm we do to other people. It would be too much to live with."

His voice had gotten very quiet. Now he laughed.

"I never finished the story, about throwing fruit at the Wayrest guards. There were about five of us, all spoiled children of rich parents, we used to do it every day during the two-week summer market. One guard finally lost his temper and came after us, caught my friends but not me - I was fast even then. But he scared my friends into telling who I was, and came that night and knocked on my father's door. Well, he ended up having to make a public apology to my father for distressing him. Gave me an interesting idea of how the law worked. I'll never forget the look on that man's face. Never threw fruit again, let me tell you.

"It's late - but I have this sudden terror that Loranna will move on before we reach her. I'm not used to moving slowly. Why don't we take some restoratives and keep going, back to Balmora as quickly as we can, then on to Suran on the strider before morning?"

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 12:47 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 03:15 AM)

The House oF Earthly Delights, Suran
“No,” said Elysana said briskly, not noticing the wolf at all, but turning her head at the sound of the click. “All my men were tortured to death by Helseth, save Vonnod and the battlemage, Herwyn. If your healer is trustworthy, then, perhaps it would be better to continue this conversation in the room. This hallway has too many doors. It is too easy to be heard -- ’

Elysana and Liris return to the room, as she finishes her sentence, making certain the healer hears her. “I still have a body part of two from the last person who displeased me by his lack of loyalty.”

The healer bows in her direction, and continues casting his spells over Herwyn Brand’s body. The physical signs of the torture he endured were slowly fading. The mental signs would take longer, she knew.

“I would hear about how you have been keeping an eye on Loranna, making certain she is in never out of sight of you and your men,” said the Queen to Liris.

Liris gave a last fateful glance at the man waiting at the end of the hall and followed the Queen into the chamber. Eyes hiding in the shadowy hood of man's cloak watched the lord go.

Liris nodded to the healer, he knew the Dunmer was trustworthy. Relieved to be once again behind closed doors, the lord began to tell of his watch of Loranna.

"Your Highness, the incarnate, as she is referred to by her followers, has never left the sight of my men. They have always maintained a presence near her whether she wished it or not." It was almost true, there was a time where his guards had lost her trail but found her again. Liris had been with the false Loranna the entire time. Only a handful of folk knew of the "miracle" at Ghostgate. Clever Nord...

Liris thrummed his fingers on his belt. It had an unusual ornament this night. A long bladed dagger of good craftsmanship, the lord did wear it on occasion but, not often.

"It has not been easy trying to keep control over these circumstances. The temple has been roused and sends its own to 'guard' her. There are many forces at work here."

Liris caught himself in the act of thrumming the belt and stopped himself. To keep his hand occupied he brought it to rest on the dagger's pommel.

"She makes the most confusing choices. In fact, the goddess is most baffling in her choice of closest companions," he frowned. "They are often the folk who deride her and her goals. She often wills to be alone when talking with these people, it is difficult to keep the men's presence unknown. She can see into minds and hear the thoughts of all nearby, so they often have to observe from some distance. The fools seem set on keeping her alive as much as they seem set to make sure she fails, so protection is not as great a burden."

Posted by: Solin Jan 7 2005, 12:58 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 04:26 AM)

"The law is interesting in its intricacies," Ciel said quietly. "She has stayed there for sometime. If we wish to catch up to her before she moves on, we best get to Suran soon. To Balmora, then."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 01:06 PM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 7 2005, 05:23 AM)

The Void, Near Suran: Mirea

Mirea looked for the General. She would surely want to know all the things Mirea had learned. She was headed towards that ruin, with all those people, too many people for Mirea to walk up to her right now. Mirea debated where to go. She could go to Deselle's and heckle the dancers about why there were no male dancers. She could pretend to be a crippled person and miraculously get healed by the talking guar and start her own cult. What she couldn't do was linger in the Void like a mooncalf.

She heard someone screaming, far off the main path.

She entered the world behind an outcropping of rock, where no one could see her, and rushed to push the pillar away from Dante. "Ugh! I can't move it! Aren't you dead yet? Hey, do I know you?"

Posted by: Rhedd Jan 7 2005, 01:13 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 06:56 AM)

(THE VOID:)

"No," said Leseth's cold voice to Bosriel as they hung in the infinite dark, watching Mirea, "Let us not make ourselves known to THAT one. It would be better if our presence here was kept secret."

The little fire-eyed girl nodded obediently.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 01:17 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 06:56 AM)

Dante lay, wondering what of his trusty 'companions', He wouldn't mind tearing into them at this moment, He layed back and closed his eyes. Trying to relax as best he could, shortly he heard a somewhat friendly voice calling to him.

Dante snapped out of the hopeless daze he was in, He let out a hearty cough then said "Dead, not yet, but at the moment the release of the grave would be quite a relief" He chuckled, each laugh hurt his chest somewhat "I believe we have met, we shared a dance not too far back, no?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 01:19 PM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 7 2005, 06:07 AM)

"Yeah, you don't look so great right now," Mirea said, bending over him. "Drink this."

She poured a healing potion into his mouth.

"That ought to keep you alive for a little while. Where's your idiot brother? I can't move this thing by myself."

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 01:24 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 07:09 AM)

The smooth elixir past by his cracked, dry lips and ran soothingly down Dante's throat. "My brother? probably the best place to look would be back in town...But I don't think anyone would be able to get there quick enough, not with all these damn mountains."

Meanwhile, In Suran-

Illidan had ceased gazing aimlessly at his feet and purchased an ash yam from a nearby cart.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 01:29 PM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 7 2005, 06:14 AM)

"Hey, don't you have a mark set somewhere? I think I can rock this thing enough to get your hands free, and you can recall out of here. Or I can get a scroll of Almsivi intervention from some of those stupid pilgrims. Pilgrims always carry those."

Mirea set to work rocking the fallen pillar of stone. It ground into Dante's body so that he felt as if he were being squashed into paste, but the healing potion she had given him kept repairing the damage as it happened. Still, it hurt. Soon his upper body and arms were free.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 01:35 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 07:19 AM)

Each time Mirea rocked the stone, Dante let out short, consistent howls of pain, once his arms were free he stretched them out, producing large satisfying cracks...

He turned to Mirea, " A mark? heh, somewhere off in Skyrim..." He chuckled, shortly adding "And even so, I'd need my amulet of recall, which, I don't have on me..." He let out a sigh and shrugged.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 7 2005, 01:40 PM

QUOTE(w0nders @ Jan 7 2005, 06:25 AM)

"Right, be back in a minute. I just have to find a rich person and grab his stuff. Oh, wait. I think I have one."

She removed her backpack and rifled through it. "No, that's to the Imperial cult shrines... wait, yep, right here!"

She crouched beside Dante, pressing the scroll into one of his hands.

"Right then. Good luck, don't let anything else fall on you. I'm going to Deselle's and see if I can get any drunk Nords to take their clothes off. Bye now!"

And she was gone, her short skirt switching as she walked.

Posted by: w0nders Jan 7 2005, 01:49 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Jan 7 2005, 07:30 AM)

Dante uneasily unravelled the parchment in his hands and shakily read the text printed on it. Shortly he was whisked away in a flash of white light, the rock fell to the ground beneath him and crumbled.

Arriving at the temple in Suran, on the floor, Dante got the first good look at his Cuirass, Damn...that's gonna have to spend atleast a week in the shop He thought, climbing to his feet causing many bones throughout his body to crack. Soon an aged Dunmer man approached him, "Oh, poor child, let us see if we can fix you up then" He stated, warmly.

Dante followed the aged man, and waited in anticipation for a nice warm bath and a good nights rest, plus, he couldn't really say no to such a generous offer.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 09:03 PM

The House of Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Solin @ Jan 7 2005, 06:37 AM)

Elysana listened, and as she did, she thought, Meridia, you said you'd be keeping a close eye on me. I hope you're doing so now. Liris is loyal, and has been keeping Loranna under his watch this entire time, as per our contract.

"It won't be the first time a madwoman or a fool has inspired a cult and a revolution. They've been doing that since Alessia's time," said the Queen, smiling. "The question remains -- has the cult become truly a threat to Helseth's reign, and will it withstand an assault by his forces? I would like your thoughts, and then see for myself."

Posted by: Meridia Jan 7 2005, 09:10 PM

Ah, if only you could read his mind...thought Meridia to herself before comming up with a brainstorm... She had made a ring to block people from reading minds... she could make one to allow people to read peoples minds... it might take a while though...

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 09:23 PM

The House of Earthly Delights, Suran

QUOTE(Meridia @ Jan 7 2005, 03:00 PM)

Though Meridia's thoughts weren't directed towards her, Elysana's mind goes to a similar topic. She notices Liris's habit of thrumming his belt.

"And how has that been working?" she asks.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 7 2005, 09:47 PM

Suran, soon after the party to Bal Ur left ...

Though her eyes were closed, Loranna wasn't getting all that much rest this night. Her thoughts swirled round and round, refusing to settle and let her sleep.

She had been hoping to keep their stay in Suran a brief one, to keep the trouble her passing invariably caused to a dull roar. With the current situation in Bal Ur, however, they'd need to stay a little longer. She should have told Wyrloc that in the future all such plans to erect temples and the like should at least be cleared with her; they could have saved some time if they had known people were thinking of this in advance ...

Of course, if she hadn't had her mind on other things, she herself might have noticed the planning going on in time to say something.

Loranna figits a bit, trying to get comfortable; Allie and Aricyn's absence was bothering her. She wasn't worried so much for their safety, knowing the power both possessed - though she was a little concenred in that regard - as she was about the presence of both the Riever and the Cuirass here now. It seemed almost like an invitation for someone to try something ...

Of course, Meridia's servants had had both for a while and never really tried anything, so maybe she was just being paranoid. Ern, stupid back pain, making getting comfortable harder than it needed to be ...

When it came right down to it, Loranna realizes, the thing that most unsettled her was simple; everyone was going to be waiting at Vivec to put their end game plans into motion, and her end game plan worked out to, basically, "Hang on tight and hope no one gets hurt too badly by whatever happens and whatever I end up doing." Scribs were known to occasionally come up with more elegant plans than that - or so she had heard.

Loranna stretches her back as best she can without moving too much, determined to get some rest; her thoughts weren't coming to any useful end right now and she should just try to relax ....

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 10:26 PM

Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 03:37 PM)

Loranna stretches her back as best she can without moving too much, determined to get some rest; her thoughts weren't coming to any useful end right now and she should just try to relax ....

Jazbet was also asleep, having an erotic dream where the massage he was giving Loranna had progressed as he hoped it would have. He was touching her, she was touching him, they were making love. Then he realized he was not with one beautiful woman, but two. The vulnerable, tender, but sensual woman, and the demanding, imperious, icy Goddess. He kissed them both, and then felt another presence join them. The most exciting one of all. The Nord-Demon.

The Khajiit knight of House Dres awoke, his heart beating fast.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 7 2005, 10:36 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 04:16 PM)

Suran
Jazbet was also asleep, having an erotic dream where the massage he was giving Loranna had progressed as he hoped it would have. He was touching her, she was touching him, they were making love. Then he realized he was not with one beautiful woman, but two. The vulnerable, tender, but sensual woman, and the demanding, imperious, icy Goddess. He kissed them both, and then felt another presence join them. The most exciting one of all. The Nord-Demon.

The Khajiit knight of House Dres awoke, his heart beating fast.

Though he does not yet realize it, Jazbet's dream catches Loranna's attention ...

Her eyes snap open and her breath catches in her throat; she puts a hand to her chest and feels her heartrate progressing to about double normal and her skin warming.

Loranna sits there for a moment, looking for all the world like someone just walked up and started kissing her right in the open ... and then, she begins to chuckle, holding her belly and covering her mouth.

... You know, come to think of it I could use a backrub, she muses, still chuckling. But asking him for one right now might be just a bit too cruel ... gonna have to tell him that goddess part of his dream is ... well, nothing but.

Laughter was not a substitute for a good backrub but it did help; Loranna rests a bit more comfortably and ponders wether she should go ask the lusty Khajiit for a small service or not.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 7 2005, 10:55 PM

Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 04:26 PM)

Laughter was not a substitute for a good backrub but it did help; Loranna rests a bit more comfortably and ponders wether she should go ask the lusty Khajiit for a small service or not.

Jazbet sat in his tent, thinking, unable to sleep.

He was no amateur at seduction. But there were different techniques and approaches that worked well for barmaids, virgins, mothers to be, queens, and witches – and this one was all of these, and much more. He could not be aloof, or send her flowers, or write her poetry – none of these approaches would work. Why was it that he couldn’t stop thinking of her?

There were other beautiful women in the camp, ones whose eyes never left him as he walked. Was it because he said no to him? Was it because she laughed with him? It was difficult to understand her, but it was impossible to understand himself.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 7 2005, 11:13 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 04:45 PM)

Suran
Jazbet sat in his tent, thinking, unable to sleep.

He was no amateur at seduction. But there were different techniques and approaches that worked well for barmaids, virgins, mothers to be, queens, and witches – and this one was all of these, and much more. He could not be aloof, or send her flowers, or write her poetry – none of these approaches would work. Why was it that he couldn’t stop thinking of her?

There were other beautiful women in the camp, ones whose eyes never left him as he walked. Was it because he said no to him? Was it because she laughed with him? It was difficult to understand her, but it was impossible to understand himself.

She really would have to tell him soon she could hear his thoughts, Loranna muses; it wasn't fair to have him be in the dark about that.

Loranna stops for a moment and examines her own feelings - or, more accurately, those feelings she has which she is sure are really her own. For a while there she couldn't tell the difference between herself and Azura so it paid to make sure.

She did love Dagoth; she knew this. She had no compunctions about showing that love physically either - his embrace held no residual terror for her from his fleshless nature, as she proved quite succinctly at Kummu. But even still, there were simply some things a lich could not provide for her, no matter how much they loved one another and shared thoughts - just like there were things she probably couldn't offer him either, she reflects.

Now, as for Jazbet ...

He was pretty; this was undeniable. He was smooth and sweet, and knew how to offer attention to a woman rather than simply demand it from her. Physically, he was almost perfect.

... But then, so was Aricyn. And so was Mirror. And so were many other men and mer in the procession. And her eyes no longer really noted anyone's physical perfection anymore, so ...

... Well, actually, that wasn't quite true. She still thought of Mirror now and again and Aricyn was usually somewhere in the back of her mind, as were a couple other people she could name. Basically, everyone who had talked to her not as Loranna the Incarnate but as just Loranna.

And Jazbet had done that as well.

Well, there you go Lor, she tells herself. You could very well love him - and Dagoth too. And have these feelings for the others. But right now there's nothing you can do about any of those feelings. ... So, at best, it's friendship, a few stolen kisses, perhaps an embrace or two without the usual barriers between us - but nothing more.

... Now, how do I tell him that ...

Loranna gets up to stretch her legs, her thoughts still on Jazbet. She hesitates for a bit, then decides to bite the bullet.

... Jazbet, can you hear me? she calls out to him through her thoughts.

Posted by: Aki Jan 7 2005, 11:51 PM

Son of #$%^@!!

Swit!
Fetcher!
OW!

Reichi had refrained from cursing outloud, but he he thought venomous curses. It was some luck that being a Werewolf made him immune to Vampirism. Perhaps Hircine, when he crafted the curse knew of Molag Bal's one also apeared as a common disease in its early stages and so made it so one couldn't become inflicted with both diseases and tied to two masters. Either that or it was a plain coicindence.

Reichi stopped musing long enough to strike back at one of the Vampires attacking him. He couldn't tell how many there were exactly. He did know one had tried biting him though, his shoulder was torn and bleeding from the attempt. It wasn't a serious wound, but the scent of blood drove them on. They attacked more viscously. He couldn't keep this up much longer.

Reichi backed into a corner, generally a bad manuever, but it did allow him to figure out how many were attacking him. Four Vampires, a Nord, a Breton, a Khajiit, and Orma Argonian. That was a breed rarely seen out of Argonina..

He threw his weapons, hitting two, but not checking to see if the blades had actually killed them.

He was too focused on pulling his ring from his finger. As a Child he had often heard other children argue if a Vampire or Werewolf or some other 'evil' creature would beat another in a fight. That is, until they got scolded by parent or Temple priests for talking of such 'vile' beasts.

Who'd have thought i'd get to find out for my self...

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 12:32 AM

Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 05:03 PM)

... Jazbet, can you hear me? she calls out to him through her thoughts.

Jazbet leapt to his feet, recognizing the voice instantly. He opened up the tent flap, and looked out, but no one was there. "Hello?" he whispered.

Excellent he thought to himself. Now, you're hearing her when you're not asleep. Well done, boy. Time to making an offering to Sheogorath and cut your losses.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 01:36 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 06:22 PM)

Suran
Jazbet leapt to his feet, recognizing the voice instantly. He opened up the tent flap, and looked out, but no one was there. "Hello?" he whispered.

Excellent he thought to himself. Now, you're hearing her when you're not asleep. Well done, boy. Time to making an offering to Sheogorath and cut your losses.

Ahem; this is not you going down the golden road, this is your current object of desire doing a bad job of telling you she's telepathic, Loranna says, her tone a mixture of self-recrimition, sardonic wit, and worry.

... Sorry; I noticed we were both not getting much rest tonight and thought maybe we could talk, Loranna continues, her tone softening. Give me a few minutes and I'll meet you at your tent - and no, I'm not looking to get seduced quite yet. ... But I would like to talk.

Loranna quietly gets off her litter and makes her way to Jazbet's tent, thankful that most of the procession by now were either sleeping, drinking, enjoying the dancing girls at the House of Earthly Delights, or otherwise occupying themselves. It occurs to Loranna that she has yet to see what she looks like when she's blushing with her new ashen skin.

Jazbet would probably get a chance to tell her, she reflects as she reaches his tent, her ever-shifting eyes still looking rueful.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 01:48 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 07:26 PM)

What?! ... Oh, no ...

Jazbet's thoughts instantly turn to images of puppies and rainbows.

He runs his hands over his hair quickly, but even though there is no mirror present, he can tell it's all askew and stubbornly refuses to be moved. He had slept with it wet, and now it was half sticking up, half flat against his head.

Oh, and there're some bones left over from dinner on a plate in the corner of the tent ...

Perfect.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 01:58 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 07:38 PM)

Loranna alternately hears Allie's voice chewing her out for driving poor Jazbet bonkers and her own voice adding in extra comments Allie's voice forgot to mention. She grimaces, growing annoyed with herself.

Look, you're here now, she reminds herself. You did this because you thought it was the right thing to do ...

"Sir Jazbet?" she asks softly from outside his tent flap, "may I have a word with you?"

It was probably best to pretend for the remainder of this conversation that she couldn't hear his thoughts; the two of them would probably just get totally tongue-tied otherwise.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 02:09 AM

Jazbet's Tent, Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 07:48 PM)

"Sir Jazbet?" she asks softly from outside his tent flap, "may I have a word with you?"

“More than one word, I hope,” the Khajiit said, opening the tent flap, smiling, and blushing.

When Loranna was inside, he put one hand on her arm, tenderly, tentatively.

“I just wanted you to know” What? That I am more than a frisky kitty? “—That I really do want to help you with your pregnancy” This is true. “And I don’t want you to shy away from my help because –“ Kiss her “- I –“ Jazbet stammered, shook his head. “I’m sorry, you know I’m not fully awake. You had something to – Please, you first.”

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 02:17 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 07:59 PM)

Jazbet's Tent, Suran
“More than one word, I hope,” the Khajiit said, opening the tent flap, smiling, and blushing.

When Loranna was inside, he put one hand on her arm, tenderly, tentatively.

“I just wanted you to know” What? That I am more than a frisky kitty? “—That I really do want to help you with your pregnancy” This is true. “And I don’t want you to shy away from my help because –“ Kiss her “- I –“ Jazbet stammered, shook his head. “I’m sorry, you know I’m not fully awake. You had something to – Please, you first.”

Loranna notes Jazbet's appearance with a raised eyerbow and a small grin; she seems to take no especial note of the condition of his tent.

"I know," she says, not pulling away from his hold on her arm just yet. "I thought it would be good to be honest with you about my full situation; I told you a fair bit the last time but not quite everything. As you probably just noticed."

Loranna rubs her eyes. "Admittedly, my timing was probably not the best ... here; you wake yourself up a little more and I'll hunt down your comb to fix that pillow head you've given yourself. We'll talk once you're more awake."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Jan 8 2005, 02:18 AM

Tris's Journal, 7th Morning Star

Writing this from the back of a silt strider en route to Suran.

Breakfast this morning in Balmora; publican walked by with a tray of something vile, bug guts and assorted slimy things from the sea. Dared Ciel to eat it and he dared me back with something even worse. Taste not bad, if you closed your eyes, but texture unspeakably foul. Asked a Dunmer for the Dunmer name for it, turns out to have been Argonian food, imported because so many Outlander customers right now. Both hugely sick out back, laughing hysterically.

Seems the Outlanders following Loranna are bringing their children over now. So much for casting out the N'Wah. Almost run over by an Imperial child. Worth it to see the look on the face of the Redoran noblewoman walking past me. Image of the future, I guess. Wanted so badly to chase after the kid. Old ladies move faster than I do. Sometimes I want to just die.

In Balmora, made a petite fire spell to practice Destruction. Doing it on the strider and my neighbor says in rough Dunmer growl, Your voice offends me, Breton. Told him his breath offended me but had I mentioned it? Thought Ciel would give me a dressing down but he just grinned. Think he kind of enjoys playing a troublemaker. Still, thought I'd better find something else to occupy my time, thus this.

Some day I'm going to snap and scream at them all - you don't know anything, you don't even know enough to know what you've lost. Wonder how much of that went into my first feelings for Ciel. Like helping ants. No, that's not right. I wanted to bring him into my world, but he brought me into his. Maybe kinder that way, I don't know. We're all a mess, every one of us. Wonder if the General is in Suran.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 02:22 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 08:07 PM)

Jazbet laughed, embarrassed. "Oh, I know I need to invest in a mirror. I had one at my old house on the mainland, but I didn't really think I'd need one here -- And a comb won't do me any good. The only thing to do is to get my hair wet again, and not sleep on it ... And the only thing that will wake me up ..."

Go on, you idiot ... It's perfectly innocent ... Well, nearly perfectly ...

"Would you like to go for a swim?" the Khajiit asked, his eyes shining.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 02:29 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 08:12 PM)

" ... Actually, in other circumstances I would say yes," Loranna admits, looking down at her feet for a moment.

" ... Unfortunately, there are just a few too many people who get just a little too antsy when I'm not in an easily observable or defensible position," she sighs. "At least in the tent here I can pretend to a measure of privacy."

She gives a helpless little shrug. " ... If you want to go take a quick dip still, though, I don't mind; I'll wait here for you."

Posted by: hermit_lurker Jan 8 2005, 02:41 AM

Nyrilla was excited. Azura's Incarnate, here, while she was in Suran! She wasn't too delighted when her master had sent her there. A Hlaalu outpost, on vvardenfell, far away from the tumultous festivals of Tear as well as the exciting journeys she had been on recently. But Kylgoyath wasn't himself anymore since he lost his sense of hearing.

She joined the people lining the street, nervously ruining the Black Rose's flower, which she had plucked off a bush growing in the shadows behind the local brothel. When do you get the chance to see the living, breathing incarnation of a deity?

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 02:47 AM

Jazbet's Tent, Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 08:19 PM)

Skinny-dipping by yourself? Where's the fun in that?

"Oh, I can take a quick dip here," Jazbet said, and poured a water jug over his head. "It's freezing!"

He pulled his shirt up to wipe his face, and then sheepishly ran his fingers over his hair, smoothing it out.

"Well, I'm awake now," he laughed, eyes wide. "Is the hair a little better?"

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 02:56 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 08:37 PM)

Jazbet's Tent, Suran
Skinny-dipping by yourself? Where's the fun in that?

"Oh, I can take a quick dip here," Jazbet said, and poured a water jug over his head. "It's freezing!"

He pulled his shirt up to wipe his face, and then sheepishly ran his fingers over his hair, smoothing it out.

"Well, I'm awake now," he laughed, eyes wide. "Is the hair a little better?"

Loranna laughs, shaking her head and hand to her brow. "It's perfect," she says, chuckling. "Oh Jazbet dear what am I going to do with you ..."

Loranna cracks her neck, frowning a little. " ... Well, okay; first off, like I said, I can hear peoples' thoughts and speak directly to their minds. Most of my companions know that already and I felt you deserved to know it too. I ..."

Loranna sighs. "I do realize for a lot of people this is at least a little worrisome - I know from personal experience what it's like to have less privacy than you'd like - and I promise I'll keep out of your head if that's what you want. Still ... I do tend to forget myself sometimes and speak mind to mind to my friends, so better to be aware of it."

Jazbet can probably tell that Loranna's back is giving her some trouble.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 03:06 AM

Jazbet's Tent, Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 08:46 PM)

Loranna sighs. "I do realize for a lot of people this is at least a little worrisome - I know from personal experience what it's like to have less privacy than you'd like - and I promise I'll keep out of your head if that's what you want. Still ... I do tend to forget myself sometimes and speak mind to mind to my friends, so better to be aware of it."

Jazbet can probably tell that Loranna's back is giving her some trouble.

“As long as what I’m honestly thinking about doesn’t embarrass you too much,” Jazbet said. “I don’t mind if you peek in from time to time. I’m a simple creature. There shouldn’t be much difference between what is in my head and what comes out of my mouth. I don’t know. Perhaps there are dark thoughts I have occasionally, but no darker than –“

Offer to rub her back, idiot. No, she’ll think it’s a ploy … Oh, hello, Loranna. Welcome to my thoughts. As you can see, my carnal and noble motives are both agreed that I should rub your back. I can hold the bad kitty back, and I do think I can do you some good there …

“No darker than – what was I saying?”

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 03:12 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 08:56 PM)

Jazbet's Tent, Suran
“As long as what I’m honestly thinking about doesn’t embarrass you too much,” Jazbet said. “I don’t mind if you peek in from time to time. I’m a simple creature. There shouldn’t be much difference between what is in my head and what comes out of my mouth. I don’t know. Perhaps there are dark thoughts I have occasionally, but no darker than –“

Offer to rub her back, idiot. No, she’ll think it’s a ploy … Oh, hello, Loranna. Welcome to my thoughts. As you can see, my carnal and noble motives are both agreed that I should rub your back. I can hold the bad kitty back, and I do think I can do you some good there …

“No darker than – what was I saying?”

"You were commenting on how everyone has dark thoughts on occasion," Loranna says with a small smile. "You were eloquently explaining that all mortals have some light and some dark within their souls and no one, no matter how virtuous, can completely repress the dark and still remain on this plane. You were also trying to find a polite way to tell me that I've let my back get in a very sorry state and I'm risking long term muscle fatigue if I don't have it looked at soon."

" ... Oh, and since you're probably wondering - yes, I saw the dream; it's what convinced me I ought to let you know about the things I forgot to mention before. But I think you have a point about my back needing attention now ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 03:19 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 09:02 PM)

"But I think you have a point about my back needing attention now ..."

Jazbet smiles and turned his back to Loranna.

"Take off your blouse. Lie on the bed on your belly or your side, whatever is more comfortable. There is a blanket to cover yourself, and when you are ready, say, 'Jazbet, rub my back now.'"

I will be a perfect gentleman. But I cannot do this without a little bit of intimacy.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 03:32 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 09:09 PM)

Once Jazbet's back is turned, Loranna undoes her blouse and slips it off, placing it carefully on the ground at the head of the bed. She looks down at her now uncovered torso, for half a second having expected once again to see white skin with a hint of pink, instead of the ashen grey skin which greets her eyes.

For a moment, she finds herself thinking back to her first meeting with Aricyn, how she had been convinced the tall, brash, probably just like all the others Nord was going to bed her that night. At the time, she hadn't especially wanted it, but she had been with enough pushy customers in the tavern that she knew - thought she knew - the easiest thing to do was to simply go along with whatever he wanted, and wait till the point in the night when she could lose herself in a more pleasant fantasy of a man she wanted to bed, and have at least some small happiness ...

She glances over at Jazbet, his back still turned to her. She remembers the kiss he stole from her lips the last time they talked, and remembers the kiss Aricyn gave her not all that long ago, the one which made her realize her heart belonged to Dagoth.

... Suddenly, she finds herself wishing she could go back in time to the point where she and Aricyn first met, and tell him and her past self " ... Go ahead; it'll be all right."

Loranna lies down on the bed, trying first on her side and then on her stomach. The bed was soft enough that the latter position was acceptable, and she calls out "Jazbet, please rub my back now."

The blanket remanis where it had been, untouched.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 03:48 AM

Jazbet's Tent, Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 09:22 PM)

The blanket remanis where it had been, untouched.

The Khajiit’s hands are as she remembers them. Rough, but slightly padded, like a cat’s. He is not tentative. With the soft, furry back of one of his hands, he warms her skin slightly, and then he rubs the muscles with his other. It is sensational, and not entirely unsexual --

I’m sorry. I’m trying to make this as medicinal without … you know …

There is pressure, but never too much. He doesn’t have to ask if he is being too rough or too gentle. And, as before, she feels his touch in other areas of her body besides her back, though his physical hands do not reach beyond the boundary of her neck, shoulders, back, and hips. He rubs with his whole hands, just his fingertips, and sometimes his whole arm.

His thoughts do not remain pure, always, but they are always on giving her comfort and pleasure.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 03:57 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 09:38 PM)

Jazbet's Tent, Suran
The Khajiit’s hands are as she remembers them. Rough, but slightly padded, like a cat’s. He is not tentative. With the soft, furry back of one of his hands, he warms her skin slightly, and then he rubs the muscles with his other. It is sensational, and not entirely unsexual --

I’m sorry. I’m trying to make this as medicinal without … you know …

There is pressure, but never too much. He doesn’t have to ask if he is being too rough or too gentle. And, as before, she feels his touch in other areas of her body besides her back, though his physical hands do not reach beyond the boundary of her neck, shoulders, back, and hips. He rubs with his whole hands, just his fingertips, and sometimes his whole arm.

His thoughts do not remain pure, always, but they are always on giving her comfort and pleasure.

Loranna smiles softly; having expected these sensations this time she doesn't panic.

I know, she replies. It's hard sometimes to completely divest the other aspect of such attention. If it goes too far, I'll say something - and rather stridently too.

She sighs, partly from the welcome relief, and partly from sorrow. There was this man once, some time ago, who claimed his life would be fulfilled if only he could have a kiss from Azura's lips. At the time, I was ... much more confused as to where Azura's mind ended and mine began, so I granted him his kiss, as Azura - and my mortal self put a lot of sensualness into it. The Golden Road was ... unhappy, let us say, to see the seeming blasphemy of a mortal and a Daedra sharing such intmicacy and later made his feelings known to me. I won't let that happen to you, no matter how much I want you right now dear.

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 04:05 AM

Jazbet's Tent, Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 09:47 PM)

She sighs, partly from the welcome relief, and partly from sorrow. There was this man once, some time ago, who claimed his life would be fulfilled if only he could have a kiss from Azura's lips. At the time, I was ... much more confused as to where Azura's mind ended and mine began, so I granted him his kiss, as Azura - and my mortal self put a lot of sensualness into it. The Golden Road was ... unhappy, let us say, to see the seeming blasphemy of a mortal and a Daedra sharing such intmicacy and later made his feelings known to me. I won't let that happen to you, no matter how much I want you right now dear.

I would think Jazbet thinks, his thumbs gliding together up and down Loranna’s spine That the madness of pure desire would appeal to the Dam Dog. I am not afraid. Perhaps that is madness in itself.

And Loranna could tell this was true. For what lover ever thought of consequences?

But just as I waited until you said, ‘Jazbet, rub my back,’ I will wait until I hear the words ‘Jazbet, make love to me.’ And I told you. I was born from a family of prophets. Someday I will hear that from you … That will be … a very, very happy day …

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 04:14 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 09:55 PM)

Jazbet's Tent, Suran
I would think Jazbet thinks, his thumbs gliding together up and down Loranna’s spine That the madness of pure desire would appeal to the Dam Dog. I am not afraid. Perhaps that is madness in itself.

And Loranna could tell this was true. For what lover ever thought of consequences?

But just as I waited until you said, ‘Jazbet, rub my back,’ I will wait until I hear the words ‘Jazbet, make love to me.’ And I told you. I was born from a family of prophets. Someday I will hear that from you … That will be … a very, very happy day …

Loranna thinks for a long moment on Jazbet's words, feeling herself very, very tempted - not so much for the promise of a night's pleasure, but more for the simple idea of being free to choose to do so ...

Allie's words about some pregnant mothers and the effects on their babies such pleasures sometimes have, though, restrain her. With everyone's hopes riding on Sen Yedda, that was a risk she couldn't afford to take.

It will, she concurs, murmuring softly.

... There is one other who I feel especially close to, enough to share fond embraces and thoughts of a more intimate sort, she tells Jazbet. ... Does that affect your position at all?

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 04:36 AM

Jazbet's Tent, Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 10:04 PM)

You are complicated, and your needs are too. If I can help with … some of them, I will be grateful.

Jazred was not a saint. Loranna could sense some slightly lingering petulant jealousy (He had better know how to make love to her), and, of course, his own needs … but it was true. He would be her nurse without being her lover, if she wished it. Unhappily, perhaps, but willingly.

His hands were on the small of her back, pushing the muscles there with just the fingertips. It was a superfluous gesture. There was no pain or pressure remaining anywhere in Loranna’s body.

“I have some wine here, if you would have a glass,” he whispered. “I think I told you my people recommend one glass every two days …”

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 04:41 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 10:26 PM)

Jazbet's Tent, Suran
You are complicated, and your needs are too. If I can help with … some of them, I will be grateful.

Jazred was not a saint. Loranna could sense some slightly lingering petulant jealousy (He had better know how to make love to her, and, of course, his own needs … but it was true. He would be her nurse without being her lover, if she wished it. Unhappily, perhaps, but willingly.

His hands were on the small of her back, pushing the muscles there with just the fingertips. It was a superfluous gesture. There was no pain or pressure remaining anywhere in Loranna’s body.

“I have some wine here, if you would have a glass,” he whispered. “I think I told you my people recommend one glass every two days …”

"Yes, you did," Loranna says quietly, letting herself feel the incredible sensation of painlessness. "I think I'll have a small glass, if you will ... it'll probably help when I tell you who my other dear one is."

Loranna sighs. " ... If you also do not mind ... I would like to talk about ... well, anything you'd like to talk about," she adds. "I don't feel so tired now, and I'd like to share some more time with you, at least."

Posted by: Sheogorath Jan 8 2005, 04:49 AM

Jazbet's Tent, Suran

QUOTE(Loranna @ Jan 7 2005, 10:31 PM)

Jazbet stands up and pours two glasses, keeping his back to Loranna.

"We can talk about anything you'd care to talk about, provided it's not serious. There's too much of that lately, and I don't approve. If life is not allowed to be occasionally frivolous, what is the point?" he says. "Oh, and tell me when I'm free to turn around."

... Oh, why are you being so coy, idiot? You think she didn't know you were sneaking peeks all through the massage ... Oh, sorry, Loranna ... I am trying to be good ...

Posted by: Aki Jan 8 2005, 04:51 AM

The Breton had been felled by the one of the thrown shortblades, the Dagger of Senses. The other shortblade, a Daedric one, barely hit the Orma Argonian. She turned out to be a exceptional dodger, for one lacking eyes.

The Nord charged at Reichi as the Transformation near completetion, and he realized what he was doing. The Nord swung at Reichi with a axe, Reichi stumbled back out of the way of the axe and then thrust his clawed hand into the nord's chest, grasped the Nord's heart, and tore outward. The nord collasped, the lifeblood he stole from countless victims spilled to the floor and onto Reichi's arm. He had the chance to see his still beating heart in Reichi's hand before he expired and Reichi dropped the organ.

The Orma reached slowly into a pouch and began to draw something, but before Reichi could see what the Khajiit pounched, Reichi was caught off guard and struck in the face by the Suthay-Raht's claws. Blood seeped from the new gash running across bottom left side of his muzzle to his right eyebrow. Before Reichi could recover the Khajiit struck several more times with claw slashes and kicks, specifically targeting areas.

Damn martial artists....those were too precise for a brawler...

Reichi didn't take time to recover from the blows he bowled into the Khajiit and closed his jaws around the feline's throat. Reichi then bit
down hard and jerked his head back, taking a chunk of the Khajiit's throat with him. The Khajiit lay motionless and Reichi spit the chunk of flesh out. Blood soaked his fur from his jaws down to his stomach.

The Orma was gone. But Reichi knew she was still within the temple.

Posted by: Loranna Jan 8 2005, 04:53 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Jan 7 2005, 10:39 PM)

Jazbet's Tent, Suran
Jazbet stands up and pours two glasses, keeping his back to Loranna.

"We can talk about anything you'd care to talk about, provided it's not serious. There's too much of that lately, and I don't approve. If life is not allowed to be occasionally frivolous, what is the point?" he says. "Oh, and tell me when I'm free to turn around."

... Oh, why are you being so coy, idiot? You think she didn't know you were sneaking peeks all through the massage ... Oh, sorry, Loranna ... I am trying to be good ...

Loranna leans up slightly to pull on her blouse. "Dear, relax," she says to him. "I know you're trying; I'm trying too. Don't beat yourself up over it."

"Besides," she says, sipping her wine, " ... Well, let me start off by telling you the funny story of how this one lich found he still had a human heart after all ... oh, you can turn around now, sorry."

And so the frivolous conversation begins ...

Posted by: Attrebus Jan 8 2005, 04:55 AM

200+ posts, so locked.

Continued here: http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=44387