With his supplies gathered nothing held Ashag in the Imperial City, so he headed straight for the teleportation hall after his last perparations. Which didn't see much use at the moment, even if the slightly cooler morning would make it more suited to activity. But at least it meant he would soon be into Bruma's more temperate clime. Unless they're warming the guildhall like a bathhouse...

He stepped on the pad and named his destination 'Bruma', feeling the now familiar darkness and disorientation flowing inside and outside of him as magic crossed the distance between the cities. Ashag couldn't tell if his race's resistance to magic or innate toughness was the cause, but he emerged at his destination almost unnafected. Or maybe it's just that I am too stubborn and thick-headed to let something that trivial bother me. Compared to crisscrossing through a battlefield's racket with an head-splitting hangover that's nothing.

Looking around the room he quickly spotted Fir-Hess amongst the peoples hanging around the hall, though the last member of their team was yet to arrive. He moved closer to the argonian, carrying his heavy pack with the ease of practice and some clanking from the armor parts in his backpack. “Hello Fir-Hess. I'd like you to stay around until Jerrod shows up. Onc he's there, I suggest we get what we need – food an travel gear mostly. I'll get a pack mule to carry it. It shouldn't be too long, so by noon we should be able to regroup here, find someplace to eat and then go to where that beast is doing his shenanigans.” He paused as a thought crossed his mind “Speaking of the beast, you're a conjurer. Does the little that's know about that critter ring a bell for you ? Biting half though some poor sod is something a daedroth could do, but that doesn't fit with the wolflike part.”

The redguard Staron showed up late again as usual. He stumbled into the teleportation hall, drunk and high as usual.

"Sorry I'm late guys. Damn guard caught me drink'n Skooma while I was watching the grand champion fight an arena match last night." Staron said as he walked up to join the group. "Spent the night in a jail cell, thankfully one of the many arch mages bailed me out just in time." Staron then took off his backpack and laid it on the floor. He wanted to make sure he got everything.

He had of course packed a few essential things, you know.... booze and moon sugar. Staron had pretty much filled it to the brim with intoxicating substances. And yet he had zero supplies that he could actually use on the battlefield.

Staron quickly dug through his backpack and pulled out a joint. And while he motioned to light it up, he was quickly stopped by an imperial watchmen once again.

"Drop it redguard!" The guard demanded as he ran over to the redguard. The guard then grabbed his rist and pulled the narcotic out of his hand.

"Your lucky that the mages make me go easy on you. If you were outside of this university I would arrest you like that." The guard then reached down and took Staron's backpack.

"Hey I was gonna use that!!!" Staron yelled at the guard as he took his very essential supplies.

"You don't need this, now sober up and shut up!" The guard exclaimed as he began to walk away from Staron. Only to have the redguard flash him the finger as he walked off.

OOC: In a little tiny bit of a hurry.

IC:

Jerrod

Jerrod nodded as they were dismissed, standing up and making his way out of the room. Eventually, he came to his place of residency in the university. It was a rather small room, but he got it to himself, which made things much more comfortable. He grabbed a leather back-pack like sack, and began to pack a few extra clothes for the trip: a fur coat in particular. It was going to be cold in Skyrim, very cold; hopefully they could get this assignment done in time. However. something told Jerrod that this assignment was going to be the most challenging, as well as the most dangerous. Whatever this thing was, it was big, and if the worrying thought that it wasn't a were-thing was true, then a few arrows or rather anything would have a very hard time taking this thing to the ground. It would make it worse if it was windy; that would make it harder to fire accurately. Jerrod opened another, smaller leather bag, packing his alchemical equipment and some of his ingredients. He had one last small purse like bag to pack, which would include a fair case of hunting traps. He only had one last thing to get now, and he couldn't find it in his own personal possessions.

His door cracked open slowly, as a beautiful woman made her way through. She wore beautiful long flowing black hair, accompanied by a rather thin blue robe. Jerrod turned to face her, and in return she buried her arms around him.

"I have to go to Skyrim. They gave us our first assignment today, I should be back in a few weeks at the most. It shouldn't take too long, girl. I'll be fine."

Ester nodded, tightening her grip around him, pulling up her face to his nose.

"Come back safe. I'll worry about you while you're there, but just promise me you won't get yourself hurt. Don't do anything stupid."

The last line sounded something like his mother would say to him.

Thank Akatosh she didn't ask what I was sent to do. I can't tell her. As much as I love her, I should try to get out of here before she asks. It will only worry her...

Jerrod reached his neck down to kiss her, holding her in his arms.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

She waved to him, making her way out the door. It crossed Jerrod's mind that she had a point: he wasn't guaranteed to come back alive. If this beast could bite a Nord in half, it could probably do worse to him.

After his things were packed, he made his way to the University enchant-specialist, to make a request for some items. He approached a scrawny, old Breton man, who turned to greet him.

"Jerrod! how was the induction? Do you need anything?"

Jerrod nodded solemnly, returning his word to the man.

"It went well Gaston. I need some arrows, some strong ones, preferably silver coated steel, and I need them paralyze able. Five of them would be good enough, or ten. How ever many you can spare. In fact, take some of my own arrows."

Gaston nodded, and both proceeded over to the altar. He examined Jerrod's quiver.

"I only have enough energy for eight at a moderate strength. How strong do you want them? What are you going up against here, what are you being sent to do?"

Jerrod's spine quivered. It seemed all air left his body for a moment, only to return to him seconds later.

"We...we don't know. It was big enough to bite a Nord in half. It's probably a were-thing. Many large animals capable of that don't live in the cold forests of Skyrim..."

Gaston looked up, grabbing three arrows from Jerrod's quiver.

"Well, if that's the case, then these arrows need to be pretty strong. I'll use these three, and they should put the beast in a still position for at least a five or six good seconds if they hit, probably more."

He placed them on the altar, using the soul gem he held to endow their effect upon them. Within moments it was completed. He nodded at Jerrod, handing him the arrows.

"Good luck to you. Come back alive if you can."

Jerrod nodded at him solemnly once more, making his way to the transportation pad with his things. He now had something that would paralyze the beast, and something that would melt the silver on the arrow, literally burning silver and fire into its skin. This would be perfect for such a thing.

He entered the transport pad room, approaching his companions, the Orc apparently asking the Argonian about the beast. He approached them, nodding towards his companions. He showed them the arrows.

"These should paralyze it for a good six seconds. It should come in handy."

Now he waited for the Orc to address them further on what to do. He would call the shots, then they would be off to hunt the beast...or rather, be hunted by the beast.

Tucharon watched as others arrived, some taking the teleporter. I suppose I should follow. He walked up on to the teleporter and spoke to the operator.

"Like them, I'm going to Bruma." He didn't think the operator had any doubt that Bruma was his destination, but it was better to just go along with standard procedure. The operator nodded and suddenly, Tucharon felt the disorientation of teleportation. Had he not frequently used the teleportation service himself, it would make him nauseous. However, between research and guild work, he had used it frequently. Usually, he paid with a weak animal soul, usually a nearby mudcrab or rat, as they were easy to find and sufficed for teleporting an individual.

The strange sensation passed as quickly as it had come, and the Altmer found himself in the Bruma Guildhall. He had heard that around the Oblivion Crisis, it had been attacked, and almost all members there had been slain. Unlike the Kvatch Guildhall, however, there was one survivor, and the structure itself was only damaged and not destroyed. Since then, both guildhalls had been rebuilt and restored.

The first feeling Tucharon felt upon arriving was how much colder it was. It was still indoors, and it was easier to maintain a warm temperature indoors in a cold climate than a cold temperature indoors in a hot climate, but it was still a big difference from the heat in the Imperial City. Granted, it was probably freezing outdoors and Tucharon needed warmer clothing underneath his armor, but it was a welcome change for the time being. And if things got too bad, he always had his magic.

He reached for his amulet and removed it, given it would only worsen the cold for him here. It made things slightly warmer, as his armor had only begun to cool. Still, it wasn't so bad and it was only temporary.

Tucharon then noticed the Dunmer that he would be working with approaching him. What was his name again? He couldn't remember. No matter, it wasn't like there were a lot of Dunmer sorcerors to confuse him with. The Dunmer spoke.

"I never got to ask the level of your Illusion prowess, but in case you cannot conceal yourself using magic, I had this created. It will last eight hours, started after your tongue commands it and retractable any time between. I will brief you on its purpose in a moment."

Tucharon nodded and took the scroll. "No need to worry about my Illusion prowess, I'm relatively good at it. In fact, as far as my skill with magic goes, only my skill with Destruction magic is higher." This Dunmer was pretty good at enchanting, perhaps even better them Tucharon. Perhaps this group had a chance at success.

Fir-Hess eye'd the arrows that Jerrod had presented to the two, just wondering how serious things could get...well obviously it was serious before, with men bitten in half like ginger bread men but they were pulling out all the stops. eventually he turned back to his Orcish leader with a nod

"I ssupect it might be a were myself, a daedroth has the maw ssize but to be stuck alone in this cold, hellish waste, randomly mauling people is out of character for it"

Secretly, 'hess was glad it was probably only a were, of course a Were-whatever could tear someone in half but a daedroth would be.... A lot scarier, rather a dumb animal be the problem then something with a bit of intelligence AND mauling power, but that lead to problem two...what if it wasn't a were-random-scary-animal? What if it was something worse? Something no one has any knowledge of? Oh the fear of the unknown svckED! ...but at least he didn't have to carry anything.

"At least i hope it'ss a Were..."

The Arcane University
Transport Pad

Llathras Valyon bowed his head as he moved on to Ignatius, who seemed a bit troubled. He didn't wish to impede, but he also wanted to get started.

"Master Ignatius, I believe there is a sword to deliver."

Ignatius was brought out of his day dream by Llathras' comment which prompted him to step to the side revealing behind him on a small table a wooden carved box. Without saying a word he placed his hand on the box sliding it off revealing a sheathed sword of obvious Akavirian design but characteristically unlike what the Tsaesci would use in their curved blade style it was a straight bladed weapon. As Ignatius undressed the weapon, down both flat sides were the writings of an alphabet alien to Tamriel of far eastern extraction of former long ago invaders and rulers of Cyrodiil. The weapon had a strange tinge of green yet still metallic as if it was a mixture of glass and high quality metal, as the Dres Dunmer would do, yet it was not.

"Dating from the First era it was brought over by one of the generals leading the invasion that was halted at Pale Pass. Considering that the Tsaesci prefer speed and mobility over armor the blade is very thin, although durable. It's straight design makes it ideal for quick thrusting strikes but the blade itself is also more than capable to cut. Because the armies of Cyrodiil however did make extensive use of heavier armors it was enchanted to be able to pass through armors and weapons. We don't know if the enchantment was done by a Tamriel native or an invader. This sword was also gifted to Versidue-Shaie at the start of the Second era so it is also called at times 'Versidue-Shaie's Jian' in the older days. Now that the Septim bloodline is dead, the Elder Council is looking more and more to the time of the Reman Dynasty and the Akavir rulership that followed for legitimacy. Akavirian culture and ideaology has shaped Tamriel and Cyrodiil in specific greatly, even our Dragon emblem originates in those times. This sword is more than a priceless artifact. In a way this is the heir to the Empire. People are fickle and superstitious. Losing such a symbol so dear in the people's hearts will cast more and more doubt throughout what remains of the Empire."

Earlier that day...

The library was empty and dark with many members of the Academy either in class or teaching. Daosya had fallen asleep there between the time night turned to morning. She lay on her back in the embrace of a sofa, her head against the right arm rest while her legs lay over the left arm rest. She wore a long sleeveless casual dress colored green that had a row of buttons from the top to her ankles. The buttons from mid thigh downward were not joined allowing for easier movement which she needed on her hikes. Fallen slippers lay below her feet while her arms held a book against her bosom which she had fallen asleep with. On the back rest of the couch slept a black furred cat with white paws, its slightly dancing tail the only sentry of the duo. Finally with a slight grumble Daosya's eyes flickered open lazily, her body felt drenched in the inside heat of the library, the aroma of paper and dried ink surrounded her. Her hand reached for her forehead wiping off beads of sweat. "Ugh..." She remarked with disgust as she looked now at her wet palm. Her cat, Vi, seemed unconcerned. Usually when she woke she'd pet the cat but in this state the fur would clump to her hand, the prospect was not appealing.

"Oh!" Daosya cried sitting up quickly having just remembered today was the day she left for Bruma. "Damn damn damn." She hissed as she looked left and right for her slippers until she swung her legs around and stood up finally finding them on the floor. Leaving the book on the couch she dashed out, Vi following behind her, hoping she would be in time to hear Ingatius' briefing. Outside the air seemed cool by comparison and she was somewhat relieved. That feeling however sank as she saw Ignatius walk out, his red eyes seemingly staring her down as she approached. Her body instinctively slowed down from a full run to a casual walk as she approached him. His arms folded across his chest and didn't speak as she stood there with her hands behind her back, her eyes looking away.

"So, where were you?"

"I was...(mumble)..."

"Where?"

"Asleep..." Her voice and eyes fell together, then finally her eyes looked up at him.

"Right. Well you missed the whole briefing, you'll have to figure it out in Bruma. We'll be leaving in a few hours. Bring everything you need and dress warm."

"Yes sir..." She quickly turned and walked away a bit faster than she approached.

As she walked away his eyes wandered over her in ways he did with all women and liquor appreciating beautiful things. Although he had often found himself in the arms of various lovers, she was one he never really approached in that manner and he had known her longer than he did Noemi. Perhaps before he left he would go see her again.

The Arcane University
Transport Pad

As Ignatius finished explaining about the sword Daosya entered the room, on her back held up by leather straps was a giant wooden rectangular box which an Orc would have trouble carrying. She had used a potion to summon the strength for it and had earned herself quite a few stares along the way. She decided to be quiet until she was addressed. She pulled the straps off of her shoulders and squatted down addressing her cat. Vi was the sort of cat that would let anyone do anything to her. She was docile but very active and adventurous, in many ways like her owner. Daosya would often hold her on her back in her arms like a new born where as most cats wouldn't even consider such a concept.

Marcus frowned as he watched the others teleport to Bruma. He had been certain that Alexander had told them to meet at the teleportation pad, not leave as soon as they arrived. His frown quickly developed into a full blown scowl as Tucharon left as well. He grumbled to himself, slightly put out by this sudden change of events, but seeing no reason to remain behind.

He walked up to the teleportation pad and took a stoic pose, eying the operator suspiciously. Unlike many mages, Marcus had never trusted the art of teleportation, finding it too finicky with its reliance on souls, instead preferring to take a physical route to whatever destination he had in mind. It also lengthened the amount of time he could spend away from his family; a definite plus.

"Well, what are you waiting for you incompetent, I'm-"

He was interrupted before his insult could developed into a full blown rant, by the familiar sickness inducing feel of the teleportation taking place. To his irritation, Marcus could have sworn he saw a smirk on the operator's face before he was out of sight.

"No respect, none at all," he mumbled, quickly finidng his way to stand next to Tucharon once more.

Bruma
Mages Guild House

As some of the members began trickling through they were met by a http://www.uesp.net/w/images/images.new/c/c0/OB-npc-J%27skar.jpg named J'skar. He stared at the individuals who had arrived but did not see Ignatius among them. However he was briefed on their tasks and he figured at least one member from each quest was present, or at least the one he was suppose to help with. "Welcome, welcome, which one of you will be dealing with the diplomacy?" J'skar had seen the destruction of the Bruma mages Guild years ago having survived only due to his superb arcane abilities. The notion of rebellion so close to home so soon after such a tragic event was not something he wished to see.

OOC: Small bump to get this quest started.

Ashag greeted Jerrod with a smile, his hunting skill would be a boon to their mission and the arrows wouldn't hurt – even if the things wasn't hurt by silver, the paralysis would make it useful. Though is satisfaction was dimmed by Fir-Hess's fretting. It was obvious the argonian wasn't used to that sort of things.

“Truth to be told, the little we know seems to hint that whatever it is, it's not something usual. The little information Ignatius could provide doesn't fit with anything I know of. It shows up out of the full moons, which hints it's not a 'were. But the way it attacks doesn't fit with an animal. The damn thing is nasty enough to disrupt caravan trade. An animal looking for a meal, especially if it's smart, will go for the draft animals and fight an armed escort only if it's in the way and wouldn't do that much damage. The bugger seems to kill for the sake of killing, which is more something a botched summon would do.” Ashag grimaced in disgust “That's a mean puzzle, and we're short on pieces that fit. I hope the locals can tell us more about the attacks. Speaking of which...”

Ashag turned to face Ignatius “Master Ignatius – are the hunter you mentioned in Bruma or will we join them at their village ? You just said they would help, but not how we wre suppose to meet nor which village has requested our help."

Arcane University
Transport Pad

Ashag turned to face Ignatius “Master Ignatius – are the hunter you mentioned in Bruma or will we join them at their village ? You just said they would help, but not how we wre suppose to meet nor which village has requested our help."

"I had tried to convince the hunters to come to Bruma, but they insisted on remaining in their village to guard their families from the beast. You will be provided a guide however to be taken to the village, supplies and if needed a few extra men from Bruma itself." Ignatius attempted to sound as re-assuring as possible. Part of knowing how to lead others is at least sounding like you knew what was going on. In it's entirety he wasn't sure but still wished to keep those under him confident, if not in themselves at least in him.

OOC: Waiting some replies so we can get this going. Once we get everyone to Bruma it'll kick off.

OOC: I'm done with finals, so I'm available for now.

Tucharon watched Ignatius approach them. The man opened a wooden box and took out a strange looking blade, no doubt the blade they were to take to Cloud Ruler. The blade was definitely not of Ayleid or Imperial design. Whatever it was, it was beautifully crafted. It would certainly be an object of desire for a thief. Tucharon was about to ask about it, when Ignatius began to speak.

"Dating from the First era it was brought over by one of the generals leading the invasion that was halted at Pale Pass. Considering that the Tsaesci prefer speed and mobility over armor the blade is very thin, although durable. It's straight design makes it ideal for quick thrusting strikes but the blade itself is also more than capable to cut. Because the armies of Cyrodiil however did make extensive use of heavier armors it was enchanted to be able to pass through armors and weapons. We don't know if the enchantment was done by a Tamriel native or an invader. This sword was also gifted to Versidue-Shaie at the start of the Second era so it is also called at times 'Versidue-Shaie's Jian' in the older days. Now that the Septim bloodline is dead, the Elder Council is looking more and more to the time of the Reman Dynasty and the Akavir rulership that followed for legitimacy..."

At this point Tucharon lost interest and zoned out. That blade was what he was interested in, not how it relates to today's politics. Such an exotic enchanted blade was a worthy object of attention. So this is an Akaviri blade. I've never seen any Akaviri weapons aside from the Blades' katanas, and they look nothing like this. So little we know about the Akaviri. I would love to examine it, to see what Akaviri enchantments are like. He never had the chance to examine Akaviri artifacts, although this was as due to his lack of pursuit to do so as it was the difficulty in getting his hands on one. But this was an opportunity that he could not pass up. He would get money and favors from the guild for escorting it, and he would gain some understanding of a lost art.

However, another thought filled his mind. This seemed a bit too easy. Cloud Ruler was very close to Bruma, it wouldn't take a day in good weather to get there. Given how much he'd be compensated, this had to be harder than he thought. That Blue Fox probably was already ready to steal the blade on the way there. Hopefully between his and the Dunmer's illusion skills, they would be able to outfox the Blue Fox.

“Can't blame them – preferring to stay in a nord-style log-built house rather than trekking to Bruma and back is just common sense when dealing with something big and nasty enough to bite you in half. Too bad we won't be able hear what they have to tell about the critter while we're able to get supplies.” He shrugged “I'd say we have enough to deal with about anything it might be, but surprises happens.”

He turned his attention back to Fir-Hes and Jerrod “As I've said, if you thing you need something, feel free to get it. Jerrod, I'd like you to try to get some snare and traps. They won't do much good to hold our critter but they can let us know its coming. If we had more time I'd try to get some bear-hounds. They're though as nail, to fierce to be scared of anything and they have a surprisingly good nose for a fighting breed, but you need more time than we have to drive who's the boss in their thick skulls. I'll get the food and travel gear and a pack mule to carry it. We get back together here by noon to eat and meet with the guide and leave by early afternoon – that will let us enough time to reach a village to spend the night and reach our destination tomorrow.”

Arcane University

Ignatius could sense a bit of lust for the artifact in Tucharon's eyes. For a moment he even suspected him of being the thief. Why not? He dressed the blade and placed it back in it's box instinctively. "We should get to Bruma. If there was anything else you wanted with the blade we can address it there." Slipping his arms under the small box he stepped toward the pad but turned around to look over his shoulder at Daosya who followed and then Tucharon. "Will there be anything else?"

OOC: Short. I'm out of it. Plus, there isn't much to post.

Jerrod, Bruma Transport Pad

“As I've said, if you thing you need something, feel free to get it. Jerrod, I'd like you to try to get some snare and traps. They won't do much good to hold our critter but they can let us know its coming. If we had more time I'd try to get some bear-hounds. They're though as nail, to fierce to be scared of anything and they have a surprisingly good nose for a fighting breed, but you need more time than we have to drive who's the boss in their thick skulls. I'll get the food and travel gear and a pack mule to carry it. We get back together here by noon to eat and meet with the guide and leave by early afternoon – that will let us enough time to reach a village to spend the night and reach our destination tomorrow.”

Jerrod nodded at Ashag, laying his bags down by the group. He turned to look at Alexander for a moment, then turned back to his leader.

"I brought some traps in the bag. Most of them aren't all that great, but a few should give the beast a scare..."

Jerrod smirked.

"Is there anything else that needs to be done? We could see if anyone has anything for sale here that might help us, though, the hunters should have everything it takes up in the village, including the things to track it. I'm sure they have hunting wolves and even some traps. Our equipment will be just fine. We just need to get there before dark."

'Hess shifted his weight as Ashag gave them the run-down on how they were going to do this, with traps already covered and a pack mule so none of them had to do any heavy lifting....Akatosh damn those fragile mage arms, and possibly some slobbering animals, that didn't seem like the best idea if they didn't listen...though if they did they would be a huge asset.

Sadly Fir-Hess had other things he wanted to get before leaving.

"I want to sstay and shop a bit...get scrolls, emergency potions...I want to ssee if i can find any padded shoes for the hike, and maybe make a prayer at the chapel just in casse. Will they have sleeping arrangements at the village?"

Marcus still stood next to Tucharon as Ignatius returned the blade to its container. He had very little interest in the weapon itself, as he had never developed a taste for physical combat. Tucharon obviously did, however, and Marcus imagined his father would be quite interested to see it as well, both due to the fact that it was Akaviri, and for what is represented, as Ignatius had explained. After all, any proper noble would most likely mesmerized by such a symbol.

Neither side to the sword interested Marcus. He had never been one for political intrigue, despite the fact that he was guaranteed to be immersed in it to some extent due to his heritage. Now, the enchantment that had been placed on the sword did interest him. He wasn't particularly invested in the art of enchantment, but any proper mage would be curious about it. Nonetheless, it wasn't his area of specialty, so any knowledge he gained on the subject would most likely prove useless. He grimaced at that.

Perhaps I should read a few advanced texts on enchanting when we return, he mused silently.

As Ignatius took a few steps away, Marcus turned to follow him, ignoring his query about questions. He would learn whatever was needed in the process of the mission, anything else would merely be supplementary.

Please lock this thread. New thread will be up tonight or tomorrow. All the current sheets are approved. We'll start off in the village to do the hunt quest first before we move on to the others. If there are questions put them in the sign up thread.