Entry 0 - A cell in the Imperial Dungeon:

My name is Mendil Nathius of Ebonheart. I am twenty-nine years old. I am not a traitor.

I know not who, or why you are reading this, only that I likely have been dead for a very long time. I was locked in this cell upon the order of Emperor Uriel Septim VII, on accusations of treachery. I wish it to be known that I am no traitor. I wish for there to be a record of my life, so I am not forgotten. Perhaps, one day, my name will be cleared, and my spirit will rest easy.

I admit I was a criminal. I say this to clear my conscience before I die. Most of my early life was spent on the streets. I have little talent for magic, and learned as a child to improve my physical abilities. Looking back, I have many regrets. I was a foolish bully, beating those who dared mock me. I don’t do that anymore. I have Grandmaster Kallen to thank for that. He and the other Blades rescued me. Took me to Cyrodiil and taught me many great things about the world. They said someday I would learn to fight like them, and join their ranks. I wanted that so much. I wouldn’t have to steal anymore.

Then it all ended so suddenly. I was observing the Emperor’s Court, a temporary servant. How I pleaded to be allowed that job! It all seems so long ago. At first, the Emperor was kind to me. But something happened, something I still don’t understand. I was called before the Emperor, and he called me a traitor. Said I was planning to kill him. I couldn’t believe what was happening. All I remember was being lead here, to this dungeon.

I am to die here. I know it. No guard will come to give me food. The door to my cell does not budge. I hear nothing outside except the distant noises of rats and other foul creatures. The door to my cell keeps me trapped in, but it also keeps those things out. To the outside world, I will have simply vanished. Most likely I will not survive the night. Escape is impossible. I am lucky to have a piece of charcoal in my pocket, and to have found this journal in a dark corner of the cell. Otherwise my entire existence might have been for naught, remembered by none.

I have said my peace. I have lived a short life ended by injustice but I am not sad or bitter. It is my time. It is time for me to say goodbye to the world, to my body, and journey to the gods. It is with acceptance I die.









This will be updated as I play. Every time I rest, there will be a new entry. This is my first time playing through Arena, as well as writing from a video game character's perspective, so criticisms and advice are welcome!

Sweetness, looking forward to future entries ^_^

Entry 1 - A cell in the Imperial Dungeon:

I have been given a second chance at life. When I curled up on the stone floor, I was ready resigned to my fate. While I dreamt, I saw Ria Silmane. No, it was not a dream! It couldn’t have been. She left me a key; I still have it in my pocket. It unlocked the door, she set me free. She said she was dead, that the Imperial Battlemage had killed her. I remember him, a tall cold man named Tharn. She said Tharn was using magic to take over the throne, I can’t imagine such a thing is possible. But if it is, I’m done for. Even if I can get out he’ll hunt me down and kill me. I’m a fugitive.

It might not even get to that. After all of Ria’s help, I’m right back here in this cell. The corridors are swarming with goblins and rats. Ria said to go… southwest? How am supposed to tell direction down here? I don’t even know what day it is. How long has it been?

I’m sure I explored all of the left passage. There were several goblins, but my sword arm was fast. It’s a maze down here, dark hallways, gates, moats filled with water, even a secret door. I found a lot of gold, small comfort down here, but I took it anyway. Luckily there were some old armour and weapons too. I found a blade that looks sharper than my broadsword. I don’t know why they left me my broadsword in the first place. I guess they figured I’d die in my cell anyway. Without Ria’s key I would’ve. I can’t believe she’s dead. She was always kind to me.

I’m not going out there for a while. There are too many goblins, and they’re all armed. Maybe they only come out at certain times of day? So far I’ve been lucky, able to hit them before they get their axes into me. But that’s only because I’m scared, and they don’t expect someone with a sword charging at them, swinging wildly. A rat bit my leg. I’m worried it’ll get infected if I’m not careful. I've seen worse back in Morrowind though.

I’ve been running around crazily, operating by instinct. I need to slow down. Focus. I’ll do a more through exploration once I’ve rested. With luck I’ll find the exit Ria was talking about and can escape. Then… I’ll wing it. All those who’ve seen my face think I’m dead, and it has to stay that way. I can’t go back to the Blades. I’ll start a new life.

I just don’t know how…

Entry 2 - The Imperial Dungeon:

I've been a coward. Ria's giving up her last moments to try and help me, and I hid in my cell. She visited me again as I slept, told me of the Staff of Chaos, that it could bring back the Emperor. Tharn broke it. One of the pieces is in a place called Fang Lair, said to be haunted by a great wyrm.

Gods save me. I'm the only one who can stop Tharn.

I'm getting better at fighting. I've lost count of how many goblins and rats I've killed. There's lots of gold and treasure here. I found a mithril sword, and a strange weapon like the ones the Blades use. But I won't be able to face whatever's in Fang Lair. It'd be suicide.

Hell, I probably won't even make it to Fang Lair. I'm going to die in here in this prison. I'm marking where I've been, but there are too many passages. It's a maze, with danger at every turn.

I hope I'm safe. This crevice should keep me in the dark, and I don't think rats can smell me. I need to rest. My sword arm is tired, and my makeshift pack is heavy. I'm either going to live like a king or die in squalor. Time will tell...