Character Stories #9 : V - Skyrim

» Wed May 11, 2016 2:48 pm

Thanks! Actually, I always thought Beth shorted the CoW, not to mention Tolf and the others. Not that I've ever really wanted to run a mage through the questline, but I did do the whole thing on the couple of girls I finished the MQ on after release. Considering the Mage College quest line in Oblivion, Skyrim's version's just not very well done at all.

» Wed May 11, 2016 3:01 pm

Grits... I've always thought it would be fun (and perhaps more than a bit sixy) to hunt with Aela. You make me wonder even more at what I'm missing. Nicely written.

Serethil... I've always found Tolfdir to be interesting. I wish he'd actually had a larger role in the game. Good job!

» Wed May 11, 2016 2:01 pm

Grits.... very nice... Love the Hunt with Aela

Serethil... Very nice... I like your version of Tolfdir.. Like Andra better than absent minded.

» Wed May 11, 2016 3:29 pm

Veri's Tale:

I made sure to take a backpack along - I was spoiled by having Black then, wasn't I? I stuffed into it some firewood, heavy though it was (but there's likely not much deadwood out on the ice shelf), several sandwiches, some apples, bread, and tomatoes, a little salt, my fishline and hooks - if I ran out of food I could at least fish. I took an extra waterskin too - you can't drink the water in the sea, it's too salty. I rolled up an extra cloak and hood, and some fur blankets to make a bed in case I needed one, and tied it on top of the backpack, then slung the whole on my back. I sighed. So much easier with a horse....

But no more sitting around. I headed down the cliff toward the underpart of the arched bridge to the College, forded an inlet, and climbed up behind and away from the bulky lean of the main College buildings and walls. Once out on the edge of the land, I dug out my north-needle - you don't go wandering around on the ice in the Sea of Ghosts without some way to keep track of where you are - besides hoping the ice mists and fogs and clouds don't cover the sun and moons....

I slogged along from ice floe to ice floe. I ate part of a sandwich, half a tomato for moisture instead of starting on the water, and then slogged on some more. I hoped I wasn't going to have to do any swimming.... I kept track of north - because it would be a swift death if I got turned around and couldn't get unturned. Late afternoon dropped with a thud, and night rushed in, and I was - nowhere. Except in the middle of an ice floe, with no way to have a fire without melting a hole! So much for bright ideas. So I ate a bit, had some water, and wrapped up as much of me as I could. It wasn't - a nice night. It didn't approach comfortable. So I was up before sunrise in the morning - I'd be warmer moving. And I was - though not by much.

By noon, I was seeing what seemed to be the last mound on the ice shelf. If I didn't find Signus there.... I shuddered. As I drew closer the mound became a hill. There was an odd triangular area facing me, dark and shadowed. It was a door, and there was a boat pulled up onto the ice nearby. Well I thought as I opened the door, if he's in here, he's either alive and kicking or an ice block. Please Divines, make it the former!

[Short one - I've got a stupid cold bug and my head's not real happy.]

» Wed May 11, 2016 7:33 pm

Yikes, that made me cold Sere!! Poor Veri, but good update!

I hope Your cold isn't long lasting!

» Wed May 11, 2016 5:53 pm

@Serethil - Oh no! Hope you get well soon. Sleeping on an ice floe cannot be fun at all. Makes me wonder how Septimus manages.

I didn't have to play much for this part so I may as well hammer it out.

From the Previous Episode

Spoiler

I returned to the College nearing Sun's Dusk. At first glance it was as if nothing ever happened. The students and faculty were about their usual business and the grounds were orderly and well-kept. It was only until I approached the Hall of the Elements that I happened to notice two grave markers near its entrance.

My curiosity aroused, I looked them over and noticed the plaques. One was for Archmage Aren, who died the day the disaster began. The other for Master Wizard Mirabelle Ervine. I remember thinking it was a pity, as she effectively ran the place, but also feeling somewhat relieved that it was no one who was of direct use to me.

I was later filled in to all the details by Genevieve, inside the Arch Mage's quarters over a pot of tea. It seemed the remaining staff tried to contain the ward growing around the College, and somewhere along the line Mirabelle lost her life. With the Staff of Magnus in hand Genevieve was able to break through the ward and eliminate Ancano before he could to much damage. Well, at that point it wasn't entirely clear if he had done any damage at all. What's important is that the Eye was contained, and the Psijiics then came to whisk it away. Ominous, but at least things have largely returned to normal.

With no one else to take charge of the College, Genevieve was raised to the position of Arch Mage with Tolfdir as Master Wizard. Well deserved, yes, but I'm sure many questioned the decision to give the highest position to a mage who had only been in the college for a few months. Her skill in magic is considerable to be sure, but what about her administrative skills? I was going to joke about how this was due to her starting the trouble by finding the orb to begin with but...

"I mean, yeah, it's a pretty big honor, but it's kinda hard not to feel like I've been...kicked upstairs if you know my meaning. Tolfdir pretty much handles everything for me, really. The only thing that's changed is that I get to live in this room." I knew better than to comment after that.

"I'd say getting to live here is a pretty great reward, considering." The Arch Mage's quarters were luxurious, at least. It was outfitted with several laboratories and magical facilities--including a magically-sustained garden--the only thing really missing was a library, which was only a staircase away. "You have everything at hand here. Well, you know, aside from what you got down in the Midden. Any plans to move that up here now that you got, ah, executive liberties?"

"Maybe. It's going to be a lot harder to skulk around now that I'm in a position of power. There's really no use in hiding anything, anyways. Better to not give anyone the wrong idea."

I was thinking that maybe now was my chance to get some answers. At this point it was pretty obvious to a few people here that she had some involvement with the Synod in the past. Her story is that she left because she "didn't like what they offered." Alois suggested that it was much more than that, possibly involving violence.

Being the gossip that I am, I just had to know the truth. Of course, I didn't believe she trusted me completely, so I didn't think I'd get the truth out of her that easily. It didn't hurt to try, at least. She started out with her usual response but then, suprisingly, added on to it.

"I also robbed them blind. See, one of my ancestors was one of the Mages Guild's last Arch Mages. He wasn't as gifted as my family's progenitor, but he was a credit to the guild and spent his last few years in the Arcane University. Anyways, getting to the point, a good number of his belongings ended up in the University. Among them was the deed and key to a wizard's tower up in the Jeralls, as well as a few other things that should, as he didn't have any descendants, rightfully belong to me.

"So I bided my time. When I discovered these artifacts I was already planning on leaving the Synod anyways. You know how those Imperial organizations are." Looks like Alois has been blabbing. Good thing I didn't give all the details. "Then came the day where I resigned. A few months later I snuck back to claim my stuff. Then I left and never looked back."

I wasn't sure I bought that. I would need to check with Alois to see if he could confirm her story.

"Yeah, I guess I did something really stupid. But I found what my family had been searching for decades to locate. Maybe some day I'll even be able to legally claim the tower."

"And now you're here, in this room, because of that. Funny how things work out that way, correct?"

"Yeah, I guess it is. You know, I've been really curious about this Nord magic of yours. I heard that you have the priveledge to learn directly from some old hermits that specialize exclusively in it. Have you met them at all yet, by any chance?"

"I have. Though I haven't had a chance to learn much about it yet. I don't really learn it the...traditional way. My special nature allows me to learn shouts by tapping into the power and memories of slain dragons."

"So you don't really understand the how's and why's yet. Pity. Then again, knowing how backwards the people of this Province are I think that they'd object to you sharing that knowledge with the rest of us."

"Maybe, but I have many special priveledges that regular students don't get. I also don't have any silly reservations the locals might have over sharing the knowledge, though I might need some persuading."

"Yeah, yeah. Come back to me when you actually have something to contribute."

We sat there in silence for a few moments. I still had a few questions for her, one of them being why she was taking so long to ask a favor of me. She's usually so direct. Why else would she invite me into her private quarters to talk? Well, may as well take advantage of it.

"You seem to come from a very perstigious family." As I did. "At least, Alois spoke highly of them."

"Oh, we're more than just talk. We're kind of a big deal back home in Skingrad. Our ancestor, Elise Durant, was instrumental in resolving the Oblivion Crisis in Cyrodiil. At least, that's what was passed down our family. What is certain is that she was a very powerful and renowned mage in her time. It's sort of a tradition to carry on her legacy, especially the women of the family."

"So is that why you were so determined to see this situation with the Eye through?"

"Huh? No. I mean, maybe it did play a part, but I've never been one to back down when presented with a challenge. I knew ahead of time what I was getting into thanks to those Banana Robes. There were some...problems, yeah, but once I got over that I sort of knew that no matter what happened it would be the best possible outcome. Not because of me, but largely because of the Psijiics."

"Don't you feel, ah, does it bother you that you were led along like that? That you were essentially being used without really knowing why?"

"Yeah, totally. I hate not being in the know. But I was informed of everything I needed to know. And it's not like there was much I could do in the situation. If I did run, anything that happened after would be my fault, right? I unearthed the thing. I was informed of the danger. It would be childish and cowardly to run away."

"I see." I swirled the leaves at the bottom of my cup around while I thought about that. Was I really being childish? I know my posturing could easily be taken that way. "Well, I won't keep you any longer. I'm sure you have many things to attend to."

"Wait, before I forget. A few things actually. First, Alois told me to tell you that he'll be gone for a while. He said that you'll know what that means."

"I do." No Dawnstar. "Did he say why?"

"He got a letter from someone in Falkreath. Seemed pretty excited about it. He went there almost immediately. It's been a while since he left actually."

"What else?"

"Oh! Um, hang on." She ran back into the bedroom area and returned with two identical masks. One seemed to be carved from wood and another from an unidentifiable material. They both seemed to hold powerful enchantments. "I found these in Labyrinthian. Dragon Priest masks. There seems to be a few of them scattered throughout Skyrim. You have a habit of robbing Nord tombs, don't you?" She didn't have to put it that way. "If you happen to find any of these while you're out there, I'll be happy to pay you for them. In fact, if you check in from time to time, I might have the location of one for you. I'm actually heading out to one I discovered real soon, so just a heads up."

"Very well. Anything else?"

"One other thing. Next time you're thinking of hunting down a dragon, let me know will you? I'll need some of its scales for a project Tolfdir and me are working on."

"I'll let you know if I find anything."

"By the way, I'm asking this as one mage to another, not because I'm the Arch Mage or whatever."

"If you say so."

"You're dismissed."

» Wed May 11, 2016 7:53 pm

*wince* Gen's a bit of a brat, ain't? "Dismissed".... oy. Well, he probably laughed a bit.... unless he just decided to singe her nose or eyebrows.... Very interesting background for Gen, btw - and great update!

[I'm MUCH better this evening than yesterday, and I got all but no sleep last night so that's why my head wants to come off my shoulders. I'll be fine by tomorrow I'm pretty sure, thanks all for the good wishes!]

» Wed May 11, 2016 6:14 pm

monkeye, I like your version of the Eye, it's conflict and resolution. Gen as Archmage could get sticky, but I can already see that it may work to his benefit, if manipulated right, lol, and he seems more than capable of it. "...as one mage to another..." then "You're dismissed"? Yeah, her ego is showing...

Really good update!

» Wed May 11, 2016 11:07 am

Serethil... loved the update... visions of coldness abound... I hope you feel better soon!

Monkeyemoness....That was very nice....Surprise arch mage...lol

I should have an update for Kurdan tomorrow or the next day... I took a short break to re-read one of my favorites...

» Wed May 11, 2016 11:32 pm

It is perhaps true that I could be posting a new entry for Kris. But then, given the progress I've made with him in-game, the writing has to cover a lot. In many ways, since I think he is going to have a lot to say/think about a few things.

What I do have, is a new character. Likely not that different from others, but what I plan to do with her is, at least the writing. There probably won't be many entries for her, as I plan to have most of them focus on her backstory, and not too much on the gameplay. What I will be doing with the character is focusing on Dawnguard, and when it comes to it, the College Of Winterhold. This character might seem a bit like Circe, but there is a difference. Circe is a very, "together" sort of character. Meaning that either very little, or nothing in her life has changed her that much. Sure, she has changed, but by choice, where she could accept them. None of them has ever "broken" her. For this new character, she is to a point, broken. Able to act as she once did, but very little pulls her in that direction. Case in point, the first thing she did? Enthrall a hunter, and then drain them to death. In contrast though, she doesn't see every living thing as a source of blood. She probably will do quests that help people, spare them, not always for the direct reward. In many cases though, she will be absolutely merciless.

Akasha

Entry 1

Spoiler

It seems that in one night, I inherit a desert's worth of problems. Even though they started a few centuries ago. A time which I once ruled a place that many considered to be a paradise. A prosperous nation in the south of Hammerfell, but even so, separate from it. Once a place that no one would settle, I forged it into a kingdom that never challenged the rulers of the province, even as I was pressured. I saw no reason. Our relationship was delicate, in a sense, but I never revealed that fragility, never tested just how tenuous it was.. But this would change, as I made a mistake. But it would not be the end of my reign, but rather it would be what changes it. What would in the course of the century change it into ruins, and leave me with nothing but a dark, cold room to call home. Languishing in darkness for decades.

It started with that visitor. Much about them was hard to ignore, even though they were not one to really talk politics. I knew they were royalty, as I but there seemed little reason to doubt this claim. The attitude, the appearance, all suggested the trappings of such stock, and very few others had doubts. Some did take her as nothing more than a hindrance, given that she seemed to stay, only because of the benefits. The countless parties, the drinks, the wine, the pleasure of the servants, all willing and consensual on both sides. In truth, my interest was this woman's grasp of history, battle, nature and of life itself. No question I ever asked her was unanswered. But in these conversations, I learned of her.

She was from Skyrim. Someone born to nobility in the city of Solitude. I admit that some details she may have kept from me at first, but soon enough, she disclosed everything.

One night she wished to speak. Not too unusual, but I was told that it was a rather different matter than before. It was an offer. Of something that she was hesitant to make, and something she almost did not know how to say. How she started was most unusual. She placed a pendant on my table. It's charm baring a face I was vaguely familiar with. I had seen the depiction within a book once. It was of the Daedric Prince, Molag Bal. She could see in my face that I needed her to say little else. I knew of Molag Bal's affiliation with Vampires, and it seemed obvious what she meant to say. Only there was more. Much more. She explained that she was aware of something that I was not, and yet I was.

I had rivals. Other kingdoms, perhaps just as technically small as mine, that would love to expand their territory, or would just like to see mine fall. One of them had a leader who frequently made his intentions known. That he would come for it, and put me to the sword. Even if I once thought that his words were hollow, I always worried that he was serious. Only with this woman's words, as perhaps insane as they may be, I thought it would soon come to just that.

I was conflicted. Should I trust her? It was indeed a gamble. Trust her, and perhaps make a preemptive strike, or not do so, and lose everything. My people, my kingdom, my life. She could see my hesitation, when she offered another possibility. Along with words that truly scared me.

“I know how this sounds. Understand that I cannot believe what I was told, but I think ignoring it would be foolish. But I have seen it. The fate of this land if you do not act, do not choose. Only what you must choose, is not merely to act against your rival Kingdom, but rather, you must choose to die. Choose to become a Vampire. Know that I do not want to do this. But if I do not, I loose sight not only of this beautiful land, but of your enthralling face.”

She briefly touched my face. “It is almost like his. His true form, the one he rarely shows off, you know. Most expect something, and that is what they see. But for me, he revealed himself truly. Telling me that you have something you must be preserved for. ”

I knew it was under a pretense that was not of her choosing. But there was still the fact that, she was making a choice. I asked her why she would do this. She could simply leave. Return to Skyrim, or go elsewhere. She smiled, saying that, there were too many bad memories there. She told me that, soon after she came of age, her family was killed. Taken by war, and she was left almost alone. With only one person to comfort her. Someone that changed her forever, that gave her everything. A home, a new life, and most of all, love. But that was taken away by men who cared nothing for any of it. A mere fact was the death sentence to her beloved, and nothing would change it. Here she made a choice, to never personally love herself, but to try and preserve love wherever she found it. She brought her arms around me as she said that, perhaps with me, she could feel that emotion again. To move on. To try and create more love in this world, and preserve it.

I gave in. If only because it had been over a year since I first met her. She was someone I felt at home with, far more than any other. Her being a Vampire was nothing. So I agreed. To everything.

Within months, it did happen. A message was sent to my court, it's barer personally handing it to me. I smirked, watching as the look on his face change from a man trying to lord himself over me, to one of fear spreading across his face. Through his veins. I stood, reading his message. Laughing, I picked his man up by the neck. “I bow, to nothing. Least of all, your King. “

I drained his blood, ripping out his throat. I explained to all present, that my rival had chosen a diplomatic approach. He wished that, I pay a large amount to him each month, and in exchange, he would continue to allow my Kingdom's existence. Trying to place my Kingdom under this thumb, and perhaps in time, I would be nothing more than a puppet. This elicited a cacophony of laughter from the darkened room. I kept my fanged grin, looking at pairs of glowing eyes all around me. All my most trusted, those who took to their new lives with zeal. Not true monsters, unless it was needed, but they kept themselves fed. I made it clear to all of them. Feed, but do not kill. Some of them surely questioned my value of a human life, but I always made it clear to them that, it's value does not change. The value of those that I had changed, though, certainly could.

Six years, would change all of this. I would lose everything, because I made a mistake. One that could not be fixed.

» Wed May 11, 2016 11:16 am

Maxus...very nice begining to Akasha's story

Kurdan Gro-Olar http://kurdangro-olar.blogspot.com/2016/04/collecting-bounties-page-5.html page 5

» Wed May 11, 2016 9:08 pm

Max, very interesting start there - Akasha didn't at all remind me of Circe. Areial - I got a huge laugh out of the charms and trinkets scene, reminded me of Elspeth!

» Wed May 11, 2016 10:45 am

Serethil... it probably should... I borrowed the idea, but it makes sense anyway. Only I couldn't write it exactly the way I wanted to... PG-13 isn't just the removal of errrr naughty scenes but the removal of other words also. With Immersive Jewelry you can deck the character or... followers out like that.. Each piece of jewelry that http://i.imgur.com/LLNHXaM.jpg is wearing can be enchanted.. in this pic that is 3 different ear-rings...the nose, lip and eyebrow piercing... I know she is wearing 2 necklaces, 3 rings, and a bracelet on both wrists. Sabella didn't wear all of those, we had just smithed some of them and wanted to see what she would actually use.

» Wed May 11, 2016 9:49 am

Maxus, Now I am teased and intrigued! Very good!!

Areial, that was great, loved that they watched and bet on the mages we see so often, and the fitting way they met their end! Very interesting about the jewelry too!

» Wed May 11, 2016 7:13 pm

Heh. Yeah, gotcha. Immersive Jewelry is one that my daughter's getting for me. Can't wait! I sure hope the necks show up on the https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/48573/? gear.... I LOVE that, new fav.... the craftable version is what I have, but you do have to have the original files too.

» Wed May 11, 2016 11:42 am

The neck's should.. I know I've used it... http://i.imgur.com/hgNGd2f.jpg best picture I have showing the neck-line... with one of the outfit's on. Best picture I have for this example...cause the neck seam is caused by the armor itself not the body or head meshes... http://i.imgur.com/nlFb1ww.jpg but the torc's kind hide the seam or make them less notice-able... well for the most part.

» Wed May 11, 2016 9:40 pm

Ake...#82

We got as far as the gate before the man, Patsy, caught us, bidding us to please return to Marcus. Kerik's voice was urgent and frustrated, "Ake, the Thalmor already hunt us. They hunt Valerius too. If we work with these people, it gives them more reason to want you dead, and far more chances at succeeding." I hated the whole situation, and wanted to sooth the anger I knew he felt, but couldn't, really. "I need to know more, Kerik, and I'll not stand by and just let the Thalmor do whatever they want. Let's just see what he has to say, and make any decisions after."

Things went from 'could be', to very large indeed. The two men finally talked, with Marcus admitting he wanted to rebuild Helgen, and Valerius admitting to sending a man to spy on the Thalmor, a man that he now wanted us to find, and rescue if needed. The man, Korst, had been sent to check out a Thalmor prison and had not been heard from since, and it was why Valerius and his people had come to Helgen in the first place. If we would agree to infiltrating it to find Korst, he would give us the tools to help, and two others to go with us. I felt the excitement, and trepidation grow in me, and when I looked at Kerik, I could see that he understood, though he was not happy. To rebuild this place...for someone to undertake such a task, was amazing, and if it could succeed, it would be exactly what my family needed. I would do whatever it took to see that Marcus did succeed, and that I, that we, would be a part of it. If it included killing Thalmor, so much the better.

I was uncomfortable in the Imperial high officer's armor, it didn't fit well and though cleaned, still smelled faintly of the dead man it had belonged to. I wrinkled my nose in distaste as I carefully tucked away the Embassy Transfer order Valerius had given me. The goal was to try to get Korst released peacefully, but by any means if that didn't work. That dark part in me sparked at the thought that I wouldn't care much if we had to fight. More dead Thalmor was a good idea to me. The others, Cienna and Falco, were also dressed in Imperial armor, and Kerik would be our 'guide'. He did actually know where to go, once he was shown on the map, he knew the fort that the prison was near. It made our journey easier.

We got into the prison on the order I carried, and bravado, but the smarmy bastard in front of me now refused to release Korst. He was a suspicious one, and as he raised a hand to me, one bright with held magic, Kerik dropped him with a bash of shield to his face, bone crunching loudly. Falco finished him, and so the fight for our lives and Korst began. It tested every bit of skill I had in melee combat, and showed me quickly that if I didn't improve, I would not survive. One or another of our small band saved me more than once, and if we made it out of here I was sure to hear about it. The first of the Thalmor were dead, the floor awash with their blood, and I took a hurried moment to ready my bow. Even indoors, I could be of better help to us with it, and moved to a support position.

I targeted those standing back to use magic against us as we moved through the prison. My blood sang with every one that fell quickly to my arrows, and I rejoiced at the death of every one of my enemies. Finally, when nothing but quiet greeted our movements, we found the man we sought. Korst was in bad shape, beaten and tortured, but Cienna surprised me as she quickly showed her skill in healing magics when we released him from his chains. The older warrior gave us a rushed story of what had happened as he retrieved his gear from a chest. I had more for my 'collection', very satisfied as we all looted the place for what we wanted. These Thalmor at least would take no more people, and I hoped they burned in whatever afterlife they went to. We made our way out, choosing speed over concealment as we took to the road back to Helgen. Anything that tried to stop us would meet the same fate as those we left behind.

» Wed May 11, 2016 3:20 pm

Andra.....very nice! I really Love HR... and I think it fit's perfectly with Ake's story!

» Wed May 11, 2016 10:15 pm

Thanks! I'd had it activated for a long time, but never started it. I'm still not sure what prompted me to start when I did, but yep, it fit Ake's story perfectly!! My only complaint was that I got so caught up in it, I finished too fast, LOL. Would have worked better to draw it out....

Wonderful mod though, absolutely!!

» Wed May 11, 2016 9:03 am

Oh yes, it is... I plan on replaying it, even have most of the character back story, but other things I want to do 1st.

Aillyns cult to fight, Kurdans home to build and Winter's.... well story.

» Wed May 11, 2016 12:56 pm

Well, I hope so, because I've tried every neck I have available at this point (a fair few....) and none of them show on the Misfit Mage stuff.

OOOO - very nicely done Andy! I haven't even got that far in it - I keep getting sidetracked (this time by reworking a nice - but very "bare", as in "undecorated" - house mod in Solitude: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/62497/?.... It's much better than Proudspire but also very naked.... and too much light.... but of course the fun is in making it my own....)

Verinne Ravenwing:

Well. He wasn't an ice block. I'm not sure I'd have vouched for his being anything other than mobile though - I mean, "alive" tends to presuppose that the individual in question is mentally aware, semi-stable, and can handle everyday life, right? None of which I would have ascribed to Septimus Signus, who paced about the small ice cave at a great rate - so, yes, mobile.... I don't know how he was still alive. Seriously - perhaps he was some exalted version of undead?

He walked, he talked (if you could call it that), he was fully-clothed (thankfully....) though he smelled as if he hadn't bathed in.... centuries.... There was a small brazier, some bookshelves groaning under the load of books they bore, a few soul gems, some ingredients, a chest. I didn't see a damn thing related to eating or sleeping. So probably he wasn't really alive.... though he didn't exactly look or sound undead. Odd, to say the least.

And there was the "puzzle box".... A huge sphere - well, part of one - embedded into the far side of the ice cave. Yes, it was interesting.... It sang to me, promising marvels. I shut it out. Things of that nature promised, but provided only death in my experience. The aged mage eventually ran into me in his meandering path, and stopped, staring.

"Septimus Signus.... I have been sent to find you - because you may have, or know of, an Elder Scroll?"

"Dig, Dwemer, in the beyond. I'll know your lost unknown and rise to your depths."

"When the top level was built, no more could be placed. It was and is the maximal apex."

"How long will it be sung? My feet were set upon the rock but it turned to mud and drew me down."

"It licks the panes and smokes the glass..."

He - rambled. And ranted. Finally he ran down. And turned to me, looking me directly in the face. "An Elder Scroll. I don't have it. I could find it.... but no, poor Septimus can't do that now."

"Perhaps you can tell me how to find it? I need it - for things that involve the dragons being resurrected."

He sent me a wall-eyed deer-in-the-forest-fire look. "Don't tell me. I don't want to know. Yes. I can send you on the way to the Scroll. But you'll have to do something for me too. That's how it works you know - a favor for a favor. Even I know that!

By the time I got out of there, I was nearly mad myself. I didn't know madness was catching.... but I could feel odd little tremors in the fabric of the world, catch strange eyes watching me from nowhere. 'VERI. Get it together, or you'll die out here on the ice.' Ach. True.

So, I had to find my way into some deep Dwemer ruins, and thence into something called Blackreach, wherein I would (presumably) find a Tower of Mzark - and there would be the Elder Scroll. AFTER I had somehow "inscribed the Lexicon" (a strange cube covered in arcane symbols - at least that's what I supposed they were) that Signus wanted as the return of the favor.... I had an odd little sphere, which he said was the key to getting into Blackreach. Then again, everything the Dwemer had done was odd - so why would one of their keys be "normal"?

I actually refused to spend another night on the ice. As unwelcoming as Winterhold seemed, it had to be better than staying out here....

» Wed May 11, 2016 8:37 pm

Serethil. ..nice update. ..lordy I hate dealing with him...seems Veri isn't far behind in that. ..

I'll load up Winter tomorrow and go down and get the outfit...well I'll have to load up the mod first and see what I get. I know I have Immersive Jewelry on her... it's not a problem.

» Wed May 11, 2016 10:16 pm

Oh, you don't have to do that! I'll have the mod on the stick by Friday probably, and I'll check it then. If it doesn't work with Misfit Mage OOB, I might see if I can tweak slots or something. If that doesn't work, I'll just bag it on the ones using that clothing mod (love the look, annoyed that it doesn't have an armored version and can't be tempered, anyway).

Heh. Of all the gits in the game, Septimus is the HUGEST git-PITA. Seriously. Of course, if you use the wiki, you discover it doesn't matter what he says, there's really only one outcome. But it took me a long time to start using the wiki.... so I spent a while trying to did sense out of the dreck he says.... Lord, you DON'T want to know!

[Oh hmm. You can just enable the mod, then do help "Misfit" in the console, and just additem one of the bodices. No need to mess around going all the way out there or crafting, if you still want to take a look - but really, no need....]

» Wed May 11, 2016 8:15 pm

It's not a problem, she's there and I can either console it in or just get what's in the backpack.

Yeah I do like the look, mages yes... the Huntress shirts are similar and armored, which is what I generally use for non mages. Only Downfall is they are A bit nippy.

» Wed May 11, 2016 12:47 pm

Eh, the Huntress stuff is just a bit too.... bare.... for me. If I wasn't playing tgm I'd have to figure out how to make the Misfit Mage items light armor. But.... I don't have to do that thankfully.