» Wed Oct 16, 2013 6:42 am I've always loved the lore and culture of the Dunmer people, as well as the Morrowind world, and for about a year I've always thought "I would love to write a story about the Dunmer sometime". The best way to do this, I think, would be from the eyes of an outsider, rather than trying to write from the perspective of a native Dunmer. Therefore, I decided to write from the point of view of the Morrowind protagonist, an outlander thrust into the center of Morrowind religion and politics. This follows the Morrowind storyline, so I cannot take much credit for the story itself, but I will be significantly expanding or altering the events, as well as throwing in some extra adventures in between. After all, TES III: Morrowind was all about doing what you want, how you wanted. The goal in this isn't to get praise for good writing, but to establish a deeper and more fleshed-out culture for the many Dunmer cultures based on how I envisioned them in the game. Hopefully you guys enjoy the ride as much as I do, and get a greater appreciation for the Dunmer people as we go through one of their most important trials. I chose a Redguard to be the protagonist because her inexperience in combat wouldn't be crippling with all of the fighting that's done in Morrowind, because she at least has some natural fitness to fall back on whether fighting or fleeing.
My main reason for posting it here aside from sharing it with you guys for your enjoyment is to get criticism on both the content and the writing style. I find I'm struggling in some areas of writing style, and would very much appreciate help with that, and I want to be able to incorporate other people's views of the Dunmer as well, since I certainly didn't get the full picture of this culture by predominantly focusing on Redoran, Hlaalu, and Temple cultures.
I'm writing this in the third-person limited point of view, and I am having trouble connecting to the character's thoughts and emotions from this point. I considered making the story a retelling from a first-person observer of the protagonist, but opted for this instead in case I decide to follow other characters for some chapters. Things will pick up once we get into more dialogue-heavy areas or quests, but in the prologue and first chapter she's mainly getting to where she needs to be to start, and that was a lot of travel and being alone. Companions will be making their way in for better character development and dialogue. So without further delay, here it is.
Also, my sources for any gameplay info needed for this this were the Elder Scrolls and UESP wikis, Tamriel Rebuilt's name generator, the Imperial Library, and TES III: Morrowind.
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Prologue
"Each event is preceded by prophesy, but without the hero, there is no event." - Zurin Arctus, the Underking
The Imperial City was a gilded cesspit. Beneath the magnificent stonework and size presented to the unfamiliar eye was a deeply rooted criminal underground which held influence in every district of the Empire's capital. Locals stayed out of back alleys and hurried through poorer districts in groups rather than alone. Beggars were looked on with suspicion rather than pity in this city, for every resident knew that the Thieves Guild made them their eyes and ears.
The center of this criminal system was the Waterfront, where ships dropped anchor and the Imperial Watch could not keep as sharp an eye on criminal activity. This is where Suleena made her home. She put her natural affinity for martial conflict to use as hired muscle. Though self-taught, she had established herself as reliable and successful at the lower levels of the hierarchy for her young age.
Today was to be a large payday for her indeed. She had offered her services to raid a cargo ship, the Whitestrake, in a daring heist. It was an incredibly well-planned and thought-out plan, with the promise of ample spoils for each participant. They had advance notice of the vessel's arrival, and had carefully observed its crew. They were civilians carrying an ebony shipment from the eastern armpit of Tamriel, Morrowind. Each nugget of ebony was worth its weight in gold, and there was plenty to go around. It was rumored that this job was planned by the elusive Gray Fox himself, but Suleena had dismissed this as hype.
As the sun set, each member of the team individually made their way to a meeting spot in the residential district of the waterfront, shadowed by the massive wall that marked the harbor's edge. Suleena arrived first, and nonchalantly waited as a Khajiit, Jo-Rakha, arrived and nodded to her. Jo-Rakha was fairly well-known within their specific community as a competent and successful infiltrator. Fitting the stereotype that accompanied Khajiit, he was a professional in the handling of locks and traps, making him a skilled thief. They had worked together before, and Suleena was glad to have him aboard.
Next was Leonde Vicici, an Imperial who, like her, made a name for himself as hired muscle. Together, they would be the fighting force responsible for taking care of the crew once they were on board. The last to arrive was another Imperial, Atteli Gratius. He was acknowledged by their higher-ups as the leader of this team and had put in the time planning their approach and contingency plans. Though the others were freelancers, Atteli was known to be an associate of the Thieves Guild. He was their entrance into the real world of crime in the city.
Atteli's appearance quieted their idle pvssyr immediately. He spoke softly, just above a whisper, and looked into the eyes of each member as he spoke.
"We've gone over this several times, no need to review the full deal again. Move quickly and quietly and don't silhouette yourselves in the moonlight. The city is loud at night, so if things get heated we still have a chance to avoid detection as long as we get off the ship quickly. Remember, no killing," he explained, shooting a glance at Suleena. She smirked and shrugged. Suleena was a proud hothead, having thrived in several encounters by charging headfirst into the danger. This was not the best quality for a thief, but she felt it established her as someone who was willing to overcome obstacles however was necessary. Ignoring this, Atteli continued, "We don't need the Watch breathing down our throats afterward. Any questions before we step off?"
Nobody said a word. They filed out, through the wall's stone arch and into the harbor. A crowd kept the harbor busy even at night, most on their way to or from the Bloated Float Inn.
Suleena, grateful for the cover, moved in a direct line to the ship. Her blackened leather armor, tight fitting on her slender figure, accenting her dark skin and jet-black hair, normally would have set her apart from the regular citizen. Tonight, however, too many people from all over the Empire moved in and out of the area. Nobody paid her a glance.
The Whitestrake was guarded by a single member of the ship's crew at the gangplank, his hand resting on a saber on his belt. Suleena stopped and sat on the barrier between the walkway and the water, keeping the man in the corner of her vision. Several meters away, Leonde stealthily lowered himself into the water and swam towards the docked ship. Suleena could not see the others.
As planned, the crew member's relief came at the end of the hour. He began his watch by patrolling the perimeter of the top deck, giving Suleena a small window to board. She gracefully leapt from the barrier to the gangplank and briskly walked aboard the ship. Leonde, soaked in the bay's filthy water, climbed aboard a little too noisily on the other side of the ship. The new guard, hearing Leonde's feet land on the deck, turned to approach him and was overtaken by Suleena, who brought one of her two wooden batons around his neck. She held it tightly to his throat until he stopped struggling and slumped against her. He lowered him to the deck and made an exasperated gesture at Leonde. His scowl was just visible in the moonlight, but he was moving within a moment to the trap door to the lower deck. They could hear sounds of merriment and conversation below.
Suleena and Leonde waited, tense and with their weapons in their hands, until the other two moved on board on the gangplank. Jo-Rakha and Atteli joined them and Suleena carefully and slowly moved the knob on the door. It caught after a quarter turn, and she released it, shaking her head to Atelli. Jo-Rakha, without prompt, moved towards the door, winking at Suleena as he passed. He knelt and procured a lock pick to insert in the door. After tinkering with it for several seconds, they heard a solid click and he looked to Atteli as he removed the pick, purring with satisfaction.
"Leonde, Suleena, move fast and hard once you're in. Subdue the crew however you see fit, but keep them off our back," Atteli ordered. They each nodded and readied their weapons. Atteli yanked the door open.
The noise from inside intensified as the walls bounced the sound back to them. Candlelight flickered warmly on the planks that made up the wall of the lower deck, and it illuminated the two round tables within that were populated by six members of the crew. Most of them seemed preoccupied with their drinks and conversation as Leonde and Suleena charged them, blunt weapons raised. Two of them, seats facing the entrance, managed to express some degree of surprise before Leonde kicked the front table over, taking several occupants with it.
Suleena brought each of her batons down hard on the head and neck of one crew member at the far table, knocking him out at once. A second began to raise himself up, but a backstroke of one baton floored him. A third was on his feet and brought his glass bottle to bear as a weapon. Suleena ducked the horizontal swipe of the bottle and closed in, bringing her knee in hard between the man's legs. He crumpled with a yelp and curled on the floor.
The two men who had been brought down with the table had been knocked out, and Leonde was strangling another with his arm until the Nord stopped struggling. The Imperial tore a coin purse from the sailor's belt and pocketed it. Suleena began to loot one of her prey, but Atelli had come up from a lower deck, having passed them while they fought.
"Jo-Rakha is gathering up the ebony for transport. Suleena, go upstairs and clear the captain's cabin," Atelli said to her, "Take what you want while you're up there."
Suleena hummed her assent, a smile widening on her face. She knew this meant that she would get the best cut from the captain's personal effects. She climbed the ladder with grace and crossed the top deck to the captain's cabin. The door was locked, but Suleena managed to kick it in at the latch. It was empty, meaning the captain was in the city on business or pleasure. Suleena cautiously stepped in and scanned the room, searching for the most expensive items. Her gaze fell on a chest near the posh bed. She went to work trying to open the chest to take its contents.
Outside, several men were boarding the vessel and moving to the lower deck.
Suleena, oblivious to their movement, finally pried open the chest and put several pieces of jewelry and fine dagger of Elven make in a bag she had shouldered. Satisfied, she straightened and made for the door. She did not want to push her luck too far with the Thieves Guild. She walked to the hatch and lowered herself down below-deck. When she stepped off the ladder, however, nobody was in the room they had cleared, save the unconscious bodies. Suleena walked across the room, making her way towards the ladder to the cargo hold. She climbed down into the ladder and made for the center of the deck, but stopped mid-step.
At the far end of the large, open cargo hold were three bodies, each bleeding from lethal wounds.
The bodies of her fellow thieves.
The icy chill of panic settled into her stomach as she scrambled back up the ladder. When she reached the top deck, however, there were four members of the Imperial Watch, armed and armored, waiting with weapons drawn. A fifth man stood with them, wearing simple dark clothes with an exotic Akaviri sword at his belt. The guards looked to him, and he nodded. They charged.
Suleena ducked the first strike from a guard and drove one of her batons into his unarmored neck, dropping him immediately. His weapon clattered loudly to the floor as she moved instinctively to the next guard. She parried a blow with a strike of her own and countered with several aggressive attacks aimed towards the man's head. She made contact with her last three strikes, and the guard retreated back hastily. She attempted a grin and assumed a defensive stance, but was shocked by a solid blow to her side.
The unarmored man had sent her sprawling with a kick. She rolled into the fall and landed on her feet, facing him. He was either foolish or arrogant, and had not drawn his weapon. Rather than encouraging her, however, this caused no small amount of dread for her. She charged him and swung her batons in quick succession. He evaded two blows and caught her arm in the next.
In the next few seconds, Suleena was on the ground with her head spinning, weapons fallen from her grasp. The man had disarmed and subdued her with a speed and precision that she had never experienced. The guards dragged her and their unconscious comrade away, and she passed out before reaching the ladder.
Suleena came to after an unknown amount of time and found herself in a cell that must have been in the Imperial City. The man who had dropped her was leaning against the wall on the far side of the room, watching her. When he saw that she was awake, he approached her and knelt.
He did not identify himself, but instead began listing off known information about her, which she had thought was secret to all but herself. Suleena's head was throbbing too much for her to attempt to converse, and she could not think of any remarks or replies to this man as he listed off facts about her life and criminal career. He knew of nearly every crime committed, where she had lived and for how long, the men and women she had worked with, and the names and backgrounds of all of her recently deceased colleagues.
The man stopped himself at this point, and stood.
"You are to be deported to the province of Morrowind and released there. We have no use for the likes of you here in our capital," he said, shaking his head. He stepped out of the cell door and locked it behind him.
Cyrodiil City may have been a cesspit for crime, but the Empire, not the criminals, still ruled it.
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Book One: Seed
Chapter 1: Courier
Suleena's movements were easy, almost as if her limbs were liquid water rather than solid flesh. She glided down a corridor, which was well lit but with no light sources. The light seemed to be coming from her own person. The corridor seemed endlessly long, but the light illuminated it all for her. She had an inexplicably desperate urge to reach the end of the corridor, but she was getting no closer to the door.
Without warning, so quickly that she did not even have time to express surprise as it happened, the corridor contracted and she found herself crossing the threshold into the next room. It was a wide open chamber, lit just as well as the corridor that preceded it. Suleena looked wildly around the room longing to explore every bit of the light-drenched surfaces. Figures, indiscernible to her as if obscured by some mist, lined either side of the room to form a path to the far wall.
As her eyes wandered, they fell on a shadow on the wall, mirroring her movements but lacking the flickering quality of a fire lit shadow. This was more akin to the shadow set by the sun, as was the warmth she felt in this light. She felt a chill settle in her as she observed this shadow, on all sides of her except to that side exposed to the light which must cast the shadow. She turned, and beheld a figure, taller by a head and shoulders than her, standing with immaculate posture next to her. Its skin - his skin, she knew - was as gray as the ash of a fire, but not marred by scars or blemishes.
She felt that this figure was the source of the perfect light and warmth that she experienced in this room. She craned her head upward and reached up to find and feel the source of that warmth at the figure's face, but she swiftly fell away from the figure, the room, and the mysterious people.
The light which had provided such great warmth yielded to a duller, pulsing light provided by a lantern. The warmth remained,but was accompanied by the mildewy aroma of her prison ship.
"Are you ok? Wake up," urged a rough, gravelly voice, "Come on, wake up."
Suleena pried her eyes open. She was lying on her stiff bedroll in the cargo hold that she made her home for the trip. Looking over her was Jiub, another prisoner and her only companion for this journey.
Jiub had joined their caravan when they crossed the border into Morrowind through a pass in the Valus Mountains. He had been an assassin to pay for his skooma addiction, and he looked the part. A dark elf, he was well-built and bald, with a lurid scar running down one side of his face. His was a terrifying presence, not easily offset by his relatively warm reception of Suleena. She was thankful for his friendly attitude, however, and took advantage of his Morrowind background to find out what she could. Jiub had spoken of Morrowind in his fantasies about redeeming himself and rising from the ashes of his criminal career to become a hero. While Suleena did not care for stories of unlikely change and redemption, she did pay careful attention to the details he provided about Morrowind.
Jiub described it as an inhospitable land which only supported that life which was tough enough or adaptable enough to survive its dangerous elements. Suleena believed this to be pride of his homeland alone, for she had observed fertile plains in the brief carriage trip across the western lowlands of mainland Morrowind once they crossed the forbidding Valus range. Jiub, expecting to be released to Blacklight in the north, was surprised and disappointed to be returning to Vvardenfell. He had spoken of the rough and tough population of the Redoran in Blacklight, or the comfortable weather in Narsis or Tear, and even the City of Magic and Light, the capital city of Mournold which rivaled even the Imperial City in majesty.
Instead, they were to be marooned on a wild island which held nothing but political strife, bandits, and the frightening Blight storm and the disease is brought. Suleena did not enjoy the idea of being stuck on an island with storms that could turn wild fauna vicious and turn men feral. Vvardenfell's Blight had, in the past, been the talk of those citizens of the capital city who worried about their countrymen in the Eastern provinces. The wall that Morrowind's rulers had set in place to hold back the storm and its creatures was faltering, and the Empire had not ruled out a forced evacuation of the island if the situation got out of the Dark Elves' control. This land was far removed from the secure, cosmopolitan center that she was raised in.
"I heard them say we've reached Vvardenfell," Jiub said, "I'm sure they'll let us go."
"I sure hope so. I'm ready to turn in my uniform and retire from the Imperial Navy," Suleena joked. Jiub grinned and breathed a silent laugh, then craned his neck over Suleena's shoulder to glance out the doorway. His smile faded, and he looked back at her with his good eye.
"Quiet, here comes Gatellus."
The head Imperial marine on the ship, Gatellus, was indeed making his way across the lower deck towards them. He was lightly armored, wearing a Colovian cuirass studded with steel and heavy leather boots of the same make. The Imperial Legions were known for their heavy armor and massed formations, but there was no use for such heavy plate and chainmail for sailors. If one fell into the water, too much armor meant their quick demise. Gatellus was all but in charge of this ship. He was neither captain nor navigator, but he controlled the four other Imperial marines who protected the ship from raiders and pirates. He was stern and spoke sharply to all, with a well-earned air of authority. However, he was not cruel or overly harsh. Jiub and Suleena responded with the proper amount of respect due, knowing that nothing good could come from disrespecting someone they were stuck on a ship with.
"This is where we get off. Come with me," Gatellus ordered, pointing at Suleena. The Redguard looked to Jiub, who shrugged.
"You'd better do what he says. Maybe we'll run into each other out there. It's a small island," Jiub said. Gatellus looked from one prisoner to the other, then concisely reassured them that Jiub was to be released further south. Having been arrested under Temple law rather than Imperial law, he needed to have his release papers provided in Vivec rather than an Imperial port. Then, without a word, Gatellus turned and began walking back up to the top deck.
Suleena followed Gatellus without a farewell to Jiub. They climbed one deck above then crossed it to the exit hatch. She pressed Gatellus for information on where they were, but she was cut off and reprimanded by one of the other marines, who was eager to continue their route. Clearly Suleena was the only reason they stopped.
"Get yourself up on deck and let's keep this as civil as possible," Gatellus said, adding a reminder to behave this close to release. Suleena answered with a plain stare and climbed the ladder up to the top hatch. Above deck, a fellow Redguard, Sorink, was waiting near the gangplank. He directed her onto the shore. As Suleena took her first steps onto Vvardenfell, she examined the area around her.
Even before getting off the ship, the first thing she noticed was the humidity. Moisture was thick in the air, and she broke out into a sweat before taking her first steps off the ship. By the time she finished her release process later in the afternoon, her simple tan tunic was soaked with sweat under the arms and across the back. The sky was cloudless and the sun was bearing down harshly from its midday position. The air had that familiar smell of recent rain, coupled with a mildewy smell not unlike that of the ship, but in its most raw state.
Behind the building she stood before was a massive creature, so large and standing so still that she at first did not notice it. This thing was standing in a creek that branched off of the sea, and appeared to be waiting near a dock set up near its shelled body several meters above ground.
Most of her view of the village was blocked by the entrance building, which she knew to be an Imperial customs office of some kind, but she could tell that it was not large. Most likely too small for crime to thrive with any half-decent and moral guard contingent. Here, too, at the frontier of the Septim Empire, in a land never militarily conquered by the Legions, the guards were not city watch but rather garrisoned military troops. With the threat of the Blight, these troops were deployed ready for war. They were likely to be sharper and more careful than the watchman who hangs up his weapon and sleeps in his own home each night.
She crossed the gangplank and was met at the dock by another Imperial guard, this one clad head to toe in the expeditionary armor of the Eastern Legions. He checked that she was indeed Suleena of the Imperial City then sent her into the Census and Excise Office. Inside, she met an old, all-business Breton by the name of Socucius Ergalla. The next hour was dedicated to reviewing her information and preparing her release papers. They confirmed that she was born under the sign of the Steed, and tried to put together a record of her life, but little was available. Indeed, not even she knew her own parents, though they did have records of the date of her birth. She was approaching her twentieth year on Nirn. She provided them with a false occupation, selecting the path of a Scout, as she always relied on her natural athletic ability that she shared with all Redguards.
After signing the papers, Ergalla rolled them up and handed them to Suleena, directing her to Captain Sellus Gravius to present them for final release. The Imperial soldier in the room opened the door for her and she entered into the next corridor. As she progressed, she noticed several unguarded items which would be of use to her. However, she had nowhere to hide them from Captain Gravius and opted to leave them, at least for now. Suleena passed into a small, walled courtyard, which was empty but for a barrel. The contents included some pottery, useless to her, and a shining silver ring which she tucked into her belt. At the very least, this ring would pay for some basic provisions and food.
Entering the next building she found a man who had to be Captain Gravius. He was a well-built Imperial, with brown, cropped hair and the gleaming templar armor of an Imperial Knight. Under this heavy armor he wore a crimson tunic, which tucked into his bracers and hung loose below the waist, held down by the weights of the cuirass. What caught Suleena's eye was that the armor had its share of scratches and dents. It had clearly seen battle, unlike the armor of the guards she had seen back in Cyrodiil. Gravius apparently saw her eyeing the armor and answered her unspoken question.
"We had a bandit hideout under our noses until recently," he said in a bold, officious voice, "I personally saw to their apprehension and punishment." Suleena gave no reply but to glance at the steel broadsword at his belt and extend the hand that held her rolled papers. Captain Gravius took them and unrolled them on the table, examining them for a long moment. Once he was satisfied, he exhaled sharply through his nose and began rummaging through a pile of papers near on his desk. He did not look up, but spoke clearly and slowly as if he did not expect her to understand easily.
"Once I find it, you are to deliver a package to a man named Caius Cosades. He lives in the city of Balmora. Go to the South Wall Cornerclub there and ask the owner about him to find his place of residence. Once you find him, you are to do whatever he says. Are we clear?"
Suleena nodded and said, "Balmora, Caius Cosades. I understand."
Gravius finally retrieved a sealed parcel and extended it to her. As she reached for it, pulled it away from her reach and caught her gaze. He stared at her silently for what seemed like many minutes.
"Do not attempt to open it or read its contents. We will know and you will be punished for it," he warned before allowing her to take the package. Suleena frowned, tucking the parcel into her belt and starting to make for the exit. Gravius stopped her and handed her a satchel. Inside contained a good amount of gold, no more than one hundred drakes. Suleena thanked him briefly then ducked out the door.
To her dismay, it had begun raining heavily while she was inside. She ran for a two-story building at the far end of her immediate area, marked a trade house by the sign on the wall. By the time she reached it, she had already been soaked by the warm downpour. At least it washed off some of the sweat, she counseled herself.
Inside, Suleena was greeted warmly and enthusiastically by a High Elf, who introduced himself as Arille. He was dressed in a royal blue robe decorated with several gems and trimming. His hair was tied into a knot at the top of his head, but he was otherwise bald, as was popular Elven fashion. He surely recognized that she was a newcomer, as he offered her nearly immediately the opportunity to browse his wares. She accepted, and eventually came to purchase a robe and a light leather pauldron that covered her left shoulder. Suleena slung her satchel over this to provide comfort, then settled on an old, inexpensive iron arming sword.It was chipped and weathered, but double edged and still sharp enough to provide defense for her.
Suleena asked about a place to stay and eat, and Arille told her that there was a bar upstairs with a single room for rent. She ascended to the top level and found the room to be crowded with the citizens of Seyda Neen. She found that the village was surprisingly diverse given how small it was. There was a Wood Elf, a Nord, another at least one other Altmer, a Redguard woman, and several Imperials and Dark Elves. Some were armed and armored, probably passing through as she was, while others were simply visiting their watering hole for the evening. Suleena sat on a stool at the bar next to the other Redguard woman. She had short hair and wore crude leather armor with a skirt, and a scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. A katana hung from her belt. This struck Suleena as something familiar, though she could not place her mind on it. She had been in transportation to Morrowind for roughly a month, and could not recall the many details of the multitudes of visitors coming in and out of the Waterfront.
Ordering the most familiar drink she could find, a brandy imported from Niben heartland, Suleena drank and forgot about the room she was in, considering her situation. She had been looking forward to striking out on her own and making a new name for herself, possibly even avoiding the criminal life and finding good employment in an Imperial settlement. These orders from Captain Gravius seemed to throw these plans out the window. Suleena knew that she could not ignore the orders, for the Empire had control of the civil areas of Morrowind even in its dangerous state. She longed for this to be a one time delivery or simply a courier's job, which she felt she could handle and possibly profit from. It would make sense for the Empire to put their ex-convicts into their service after releasing them, so as to gain some kind of benefit from their existence. Surely her transportation to Morrowind was as a consequence to her having attempted to rob a shipment of ebony from the province, where all ebony belongs to the Emperor by law. She would do her time in service and, if she was not satisfied with the Imperial settlements here, she could move to the mainland cities that Jiub spoke of, or even back to Cyrodiil to take up her old post in the Waterfront. The experience from this backwater province could only help her earn a reputation back home.
"Excuse me, but you're new around here, right?" a voice asked, causing Suleena to look up from the counter. It took her several seconds to recognize that the voice came from the Redguard next to her. Suleena nodded, and took another drink from her brandy. She shook her head vigorously as it burned on its way down her throat. She was not used to drinks with more kick than wine, being of weaker constitution than most when it came to holding one's liquor.
The Redguard continued, "I'm Elone. Figured you might be more comfortable having someone to ask questions to instead of sitting here confused in the middle of a storm. Is there somewhere you need to be getting to?" She offered a smile, as if to encourage Suleena.
"Err… yes," Suleena replied, apprehensive but grateful for the offer, "Yes, I need to find my way to Balmora. Do you know the quickest way there?"
Elone nodded, shifting in her seat and pulling out a small map of the island. She explained which roads to take, which areas to avoid due to dangerous caves or haunted tombs, and settlements to stop at, which included the Imperial settlements of Pelagiad and the garrison fort outside Balmora.
"Balmora's the council seat of House Hlaalu, the most Imperial-friendly Great House of Morrowind. It's one of the largest cities on the island, and a good place for a newcomer to start. You'll find most of what you need there. The fastest way, however, would be to take the Silt Strider out there. That was the big bug you saw outside?" Suleena nodded her understanding, and Elone continued, "It's not free, but it's safe and it's quicker. The pilots usually provide shelter from the rain too, as it's common in this region. The main benefit, though, is the safety. You won't have to worry about getting jumped by some highwayman or wild animal like you might out there on the road. Guards can't afford to patrol the wilderness here, as they are needed within town limits."
Suleena considered this. She had a meager amount of coins left after purchasing her new robe and sword, and would likely need this for food and board. On the other hand, she didn't see herself earning any more money here in a backwater fishing village and would have better prospects in Balmora. She came to the conclusion that it was worth the risk, and if needed she could sell the new ring she found. Suleena thanked Elone and shook her hand, commenting that she was grateful to have a fellow Redguard offer help.
Elone shook her head and corrected her, "A fellow citizen of the Empire offered help."
The rain was tapering off, as coastal rains often do, and Suleena wasn't quite as wet by the time she made it up to the Silt Strider pilot. She was a Dark Elf, who introduced herself as Darvame Hleran. The cost of transportation to Balmora was less than expected, at only ten drakes. Under an artificial canopy on the Strider, they set out at a remarkably smooth and comfortable pace. It was as if the Silt Strider was gliding rather than moving its feet, so skilled was it at correcting the rise and fall of its steps. They followed the coast of the sea to a wider river, which Darvame explained was the Odai River which passed through Balmora and was the most significant river on Vvardenfell for its size and close proximity to so many settlements.
They arrived at dusk to Balmora. The city sprawled far and wide, across to the horizon in two directions. Lights flickered all across it, revealing clay or mud brick houses built skillfully and with subtle decoration in the archways and curved walls. From their vantage point on the Silt Strider port, Suleena could see several rooftops occupied by citizens enjoying the cool of the evening. A large building, likely a temple, was visible on a hill on the opposite side of the city, and a cluster of large manors occupied another hill. The river bisected the city into what appeared to be commercial and residential districts, with the residential district on the other side of the Odai.
"Do you know where I could find the South Wall Cornerclub?" Suleena asked as she stepped carefully out of the Strider.
Darvame shrugged and indicated the wall they were atop, "Well, this is the South Wall, and I only know that it is in the district across the river."
Satisfied, Suleena descended the steps of the silt strider port and found herself in a large plaza, where stall owners were packing up their wares for the evening and citizens were departing for their taverns and inns. Several elves in matching and strange armor patrolled the area. The armor was golden-brown in appearance, but had a rough, non-reflective texture and Dunmeri markings all along it. Their groin guards were in the shape of a tusked creature, possibly a boar, and their helmets only opened at eye slits which shadowed their eyes from view. She took these to be the city guards, the first non-Imperial guards she had ever seen. Most of them wore swords at their waists and shields, with bows slung across their backs. Some carried torches in the dim evening light. Suleena branched off away from the plaza and to the east, following the wall towards the river. The further she went along this particular alleyway, the fewer people she encountered. Eventually, the area was all but deserted.
Eventually, she passed a tavern of a sort marked in Dunmeri. Outside the door, two Dark Elves were leaving against the wall and conversing. They quieted to undertones when they spotted her, and kept their eyes on her. When she got close, however, one stepped in to block her path. The other took up a position behind her.
"Well, what brings an outlander like yourself to our area of the city this late? You must know that your kind aren't welcomed in this land, let alone in our city," the one in front said. He was wearing a red shirt with blackened leather armor with a heavy scarf around his neck and shoulders. He wore boots with leather greaves strapped to them, and rested his hand on a threatening-looking mace on his belt. He was young, and an intricate tattoo occupied the left side of his face. She did not dare turn her back on him, but tried to back away to the side to keep both in view. She bumped into the Dark Elf behind her as he circled to block her. She spun and reached for her sword.
"That wouldn't be very smart, now," the elf in front warned. He took a step forward. Suleena had faced off with thugs before, but she wasn't sure how serious these two were. She eyed an adjacent alleyway and shifted her weight, preparing to run. The Dark Elf noticed this, and chuckled darkly, "Ah, but that isn't an option anymore either. You crossed the point of no return when you came to our land."
The Dark Elf reached for his mace and pulled it off of his belt, but another Dark Elf appeared from behind him, walking at a brisk pace to step between them. He was unarmored, wearing only simply dark clothing, and had a dagger tucked into his belt.
"Now that wouldn't be too smart, Brenur," he said, "You know my people don't approve of these little incidents you like to fill your lazy days with. You're free to hate monger all the way up to where you take our visitors to visit the Odai Rivier."
"To Oblivion with your people, Arendus," Brenur shot back, "You are a traitor to your own race!"
"A traitor to my own race who knows where you live and where your friends live," Arendus replied. A small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "And while I would love nothing more than to take you on your own tour of the bottom of the river, I've been instructed to keep things civil and treat you as a Dunmer should. So you go run back inside your little clubhouse and complain to your bosses, but let's save the trouble of a fight and skip to the part where you run back to your masters to eat out of their hand."
Brenur stiffened visibly, his face darkening with anger. He appeared to stifle a statement, then looked at the ground in frustration and hung up his mace. "The time is coming when we will show you your place, scum," he snarled, before walking back into the building they were outside. His associate followed wordlessly, gifting Arendus with a severe glare before turning to rush in. The newcomer turned to Suleena, who was confused but relieved.
"They didn't give you a bad taste of Balmora, now did they?" he asked with a bright grin, "I'm Elammu Arendus. Elam to you. What brings you to the friendliest area of the city?"
Suleena tilted her head towards the river, "I'm looking for the South Wall Cornerclub," she replied, "Who were those people?"
"Those are the Camonna Tong. Xenophobic thugs who take it upon themselves to make Balmora as welcoming as possible," Elammu said. He took a step backward and beckoned, "Here, we should get you to the Cornerclub before more show up. I can only bluff so far."
The two set off without further conversation towards the river. Suleena knew better than to ask about "his people" at this time, but the questions burned in her mind. By now the streets were abandoned as night had fallen and law-abiding citizens had retreated into their own homes to sleep. After the last encounter, this did little to reassure Suleena on the safety of the city. Soon, however, they were standing outside a two-story building a few blocks in from the river.
"This is it," Elammu said, "I hope you find what you are looking for, and try to stay out of trouble in the future. The Camonna Tong means business, even if a couple of low-level thugs don't."
Without waiting for reply or allowing for questions, Elammu Arendus walked off into the night, back towards the river. Suleena, alone again, entered the Cornerclub quickly. She found herself in a quiet corridor, though a fair amount of noise was coming from a lower level. She approached the first person she found, a Khajiit, and asked if Caius Cosades was in. She replied in the negative, and directed Suleena to the publican, Bacola Coscius, who was upstairs. Suleena proceeded up to the top level and found him sitting at a desk in the corner, examining a book with unfamiliar figures in it. Upon her arrival, he closed the book and rose, introducing himself and offering his assistance. She mentioned Caius Cosades and inquired about his location.
Coscius wrote down directions on a piece of scrap parchment and handed it to Suleena, and cautioned against visiting in the middle of the night. She asked about this Caius Cosades and what he was like, but Coscius had little light to shed on his background. The man was known as a skooma junkie to the patrons of the Cornerclub, but nobody appeared to want to step on his toes. This did not surprise Suleena in the slightest, as it was unlikely that Captain Gravius would send her to work for a skooma addict. She asked next about a room for the night. Coscius' temperament changed immediately from apprehensive to warm, and he offered a room in the lower level. She accepted and paid the ten gold fee, then traveled downstairs and moved straight to her room.
Suleena was exhausted after her arrival process and the transit to Balmora, as well as her encounter with this Camonna Tong. She was tired and had a hundred questions about Elammu, his organization, the Camonna Tong, and Caius Cosdades. She purchased a crust of bread and a jug of water, downing the bread quickly and drinking deeply to wash it down. Exhausted and no longer hungry or thirsty, the young woman dropped her satchel and sword to the floor of her room and collapsed into a deep sleep on the comfortable bed. Caius Cosades could wait until the morning.
