Daeyn: It's been a very long time since I've played Morrowind. Stenet the Redguard is my attempt to get back into the world of silt striders, Almsivi, crazy people, and cliff racers. I'm actually going to roleplay with Stenet. I've never roleplayed a character before, so this should be interesting. Stenet is a young-to-middle-aged (undecided on actual age) warrior-type. As the introduction to the game implies, he's something of an amnesiac, but perhaps along the way he'll uncover some knowledge of his past. Personality-wise, Stenet is down-to-earth, independent, and resourceful (yet somewhat lost in the strange environments and cultures of Vvardenfell). He's honest but shrewd, and he tries to do the right thing, but nobody's perfect. I'm just getting to know Stenet, so I can't tell you much else, and what I've already told you might be subject to change. I hope you stick around for the journey, but if not that's OK.

P.S. - I hope this is the correct forum. If not, I apologize.

P.P.S. - This journal will also be updated at http://redstenet.blogspot.com/

16 Last Seed (Day 1)

This is the most bizarre creature I've ever seen, but from what they told me on the journey here, I should get used to bizarre. I chose to take the silt strider partly from curiosity and partly from my hesitation to travel by foot. This is strange country, and I'm not sure what to expect.

Besides, I could use a few hours to gather my thoughts. Sellus Gravius added another piece to the puzzle: the Emperor himself ordered my release and shipment to Vvardenfell. Why? How does the Emperor know who I am? Why me? Why Morrowind?

I'm grateful, though. I guess that's why I'm in such a rush to get to Balmora. That was the condition for my freedom: report to Caius Cosades in Balmora and deliver a package to him. I've tried reading the letter, but it's written in code. What did Sellus say? “That's the way the Empire works. Silence. Secrecy.” Anyway, I'm free and that's good enough for me. The fresh air, the sun, the scenery—it's a wonderful contrast to my cell back in Cyrodiil. I'm happy to return the Emperor's favor.

I'll probably never know why I've been sent here, but that's life, and these mysteries haven't distracted me from my hunger. It's been years since I've had decent food, and I'm hoping to find a better selection in Balmora than in Seyda Neen. Beef, sweetrolls, potatoes, brandy... the Nine bless the Emperor if these Dark Elves have good taste.

17 Last Seed (Day 2)

No beef. No potatoes. No sweetrolls. I can't even afford the brandy at an insane 100 drakes a bottle. Still, last night's supper was better than anything I was ever served in the prison. I was able to buy a liquor the locals call mazte. It wasn't bad, and it tasted like the saltrice I'd eaten. It clouded my head a bit, which probably helped me sleep.

I had too much to think about. I found Caius in Balmora and gave him his letter, but before I could leave he told me what it was for: the Emperor wants me to join the Blades. Can you believe it? The Blades are the mysterious eyes and ears of the Emperor. They carry out his will in secret throughout Tamriel, and they are sworn to his service. How am I supposed to become part of that? I gave Caius a flat-out “No” and left promptly. I am grateful to the Emperor for my freedom, but can I really become one of his Blades?

I'm not really sure I have a choice, though, and that's what bothers me the more I think about it. Something is happening and somehow I'm a part of it. The woman in my dreams told me I've been chosen, and I suppose if the Emperor really did choose me, his agents will eventually come for me. One way or another, I'll have to comply.

There's another problem: I'm stuck here on Vvardenfell, and I'm down to 3 drakes. I can sell this ring I found back in Seyda Neen, but I need to figure out how to survive here. It wouldn't hurt to have Caius for a friend.

I don't know. I'm going to try finding the Imperial fort. The guide I bought at South Wall says there's a shrine to the Nine out there. Maybe a few prayers wouldn't hurt. The dream-woman said she was watching out for me. Mara? Dibella? Kynareth? Maybe she doesn't exist at all, but my heart tells me that isn't true.

Tonight I'll make my decision about seeing Caius... or rather, come to terms with what has already been decided FOR me.

17 Last Seed (Day 2)

After visiting the shrine at Moonmoth, I decided to kill time by traveling south along the Odai. I collected some flowers and roots that fetched me a nice profit from Nalcarya in Balmora.

Traveling further I met some miners, a Redguard and a Wood Elf, standing around a fire. They told me about their mine, and for curiosity's sake I checked it out. As the Redguard had predicted, the small creatures called scribs and foragers reacted violently to my presence. They were simple to dispatch, but the strangest thing occurred when one of the legged creatures attacked me (a scrib, I think). My whole body was paralyzed. I couldn't even blink. I panicked, thinking this was irreversible, but after a few moments feeling returned to my body. Vvardenfell is strange indeed.

Traveling deeper into the eggmine, I passed more miners who didn't seem to mind my exploration. They were even inclined to explain the process of eggmining. When I tried entering a particular chamber, however, what I think were two Dark Elves started screaming insults and coming at me with the clear intent to kill. I ran back through the ascending passages faster than I've run in years. Actually, it was the first time I had run in years. They didn't seem to follow me very far, because there was no sign of them outside. I'm a little rusty with the sword, and I had no idea who these mer were.

After resting back at the Lucky Lockup and then visiting a few shops, I walked to Caius' house, thinking along the way. I wasn't exactly resigned to my fate of serving the Emperor, but I couldn't think of any alternatives either.

“Are you ready now, Stenet?” Caius asked with irritation when he answered the door. He got right down to business, giving me the names of other Blades here in Vvardenfell. I will not record these names in case my journal is ever compromised, but I was surprised to learn that I'd already met an agent yesterday. These agents would be able to provide me with training for a modest fee, though to be honest I wasn't sure I'd even be able to afford the reduced rate. Either way, I committed the names to memory. It'd be useful to connect with these agents while traveling.

Caius provided me with 200 drakes and the advice to join a guild or look for freelance work. He didn't offer any more information (at least the kind of information I wanted), but indicated that he wanted me to gain combat experience and work my way to some better equipment and supplies. It sounds like my work with the Blades will be a little more hands-on than playing spy.

Although Caius had offered me a place to sleep, I decided to rent a room at South Wall, where I'm writing this entry. Caius seems trustworthy, but he's still a stranger.