» Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:37 pm Why did the Dwarves disappear? There have been many theories as to why and how. Some believe it was to power their greatest construct, the Numidium. Some believe it was their tampering with the heart of a deity which caused their downfall. Whatever the case – we all have our opinions on the Dwarves, ingenious some would say, for their innovations and contributions to this world. Terrors and heretics others would say, for their crimes against their cousins the Falmer and their tampering with the heart of Lorkhan.
But what we can all agree on, is that the Dwemmer are a mystery to us all.
However, the answer is nearly within our grasp thanks to contributions from a close and personal friend of mine Calcelmo, court wizard and renowned expert on both the Dwemmer and Falmer, and the College of Winterhold who after discovering the “Eye of Magnus” dedicated vast amounts of time to researching the Dwemmer.
It seemed that after the Eye of Magnus was found and subsequently removed from our world that something stirred beneath us, a long drawn out whisper that unnerved all that could hear it. Anybody who had been in contact with the creations of the Dwemmer heard it, though not a voice like you would think. It was more akin to a sense of deep terrifying urgency. The call caused panic among some and delight among others and as you can imagine, countless amounts of scouting parties where dispatched immediately from almost every province and organization in Tamriel – though they all had their different motives for exploration, some for scholarly learning, others for riches and glory and some for reasons unknown even to themselves.
What did they find? Well, if they return I'm sure we will find out – for none of them have save for one man, in eight months since the call was heard, none have returned. The information we have is inconclusive thus far, all we know is that the Falmer all but disappeared from their homes in the ruins of the Dwavern cities no doubt following the very same call we who had been exposed to the relics of the Dwemmer heard.
However, the one survivor of the many expeditions (if we are to assume the others died) was unable to shed much light. We know from his journal that he encountered other scouting parties who had apparently found their way down to a previously untouched dwarvern city from other ruins located across Tamriel, which would confirm that there is more than one way down – a conclusion which excites many millitary leaders and worries others. If these catacombs could be succesfully navigated, whats to stop an invading force from sneaking into the heard of enemy territory? An avenue many are convinced the Thalmor will wish to take advantage of should the time come.
As for our survivor, I am saddened to say that he disappeared shortly after he was recovered wandering the excavation site of Nchuand-Zel rambling of a great maw, a prison that would rival the darkest dreams of the Daedra, of creations so profane and mind bending that trying to comprehend their purpose drove him quite insane.
This brings me back to my earlier point about the Dwemmer, where they truly heretics who took the power of a god as their own to fuel a monstrosity such as the Numidium, or did they fall upon their own sword to create a guardian, a jail keeper capable to guarding this mysterious Maw that has been secret for so long.
It would perhaps be best to leave some mysteries unsolved, but this seems to be my opinion alone, two days ago the high king of Skyrim, Ulfric Stormcloak, has funded expeditions into the Dwemmer ruins and a reward for the return of our mysterious survivor. Many have answered his call and disappeared into the depths already, more arrive every day. It would be foolish to think that he is the only one with an stake in the matter, the Thalmor have already been revealed to have some curiosity in the matter, and I fear that if they are involved it would be safe to say that every one is clamoring to beat them to the finish line.
May the Nine have mercy on them all.
But what we can all agree on, is that the Dwemmer are a mystery to us all.
However, the answer is nearly within our grasp thanks to contributions from a close and personal friend of mine Calcelmo, court wizard and renowned expert on both the Dwemmer and Falmer, and the College of Winterhold who after discovering the “Eye of Magnus” dedicated vast amounts of time to researching the Dwemmer.
It seemed that after the Eye of Magnus was found and subsequently removed from our world that something stirred beneath us, a long drawn out whisper that unnerved all that could hear it. Anybody who had been in contact with the creations of the Dwemmer heard it, though not a voice like you would think. It was more akin to a sense of deep terrifying urgency. The call caused panic among some and delight among others and as you can imagine, countless amounts of scouting parties where dispatched immediately from almost every province and organization in Tamriel – though they all had their different motives for exploration, some for scholarly learning, others for riches and glory and some for reasons unknown even to themselves.
What did they find? Well, if they return I'm sure we will find out – for none of them have save for one man, in eight months since the call was heard, none have returned. The information we have is inconclusive thus far, all we know is that the Falmer all but disappeared from their homes in the ruins of the Dwavern cities no doubt following the very same call we who had been exposed to the relics of the Dwemmer heard.
However, the one survivor of the many expeditions (if we are to assume the others died) was unable to shed much light. We know from his journal that he encountered other scouting parties who had apparently found their way down to a previously untouched dwarvern city from other ruins located across Tamriel, which would confirm that there is more than one way down – a conclusion which excites many millitary leaders and worries others. If these catacombs could be succesfully navigated, whats to stop an invading force from sneaking into the heard of enemy territory? An avenue many are convinced the Thalmor will wish to take advantage of should the time come.
As for our survivor, I am saddened to say that he disappeared shortly after he was recovered wandering the excavation site of Nchuand-Zel rambling of a great maw, a prison that would rival the darkest dreams of the Daedra, of creations so profane and mind bending that trying to comprehend their purpose drove him quite insane.
This brings me back to my earlier point about the Dwemmer, where they truly heretics who took the power of a god as their own to fuel a monstrosity such as the Numidium, or did they fall upon their own sword to create a guardian, a jail keeper capable to guarding this mysterious Maw that has been secret for so long.
It would perhaps be best to leave some mysteries unsolved, but this seems to be my opinion alone, two days ago the high king of Skyrim, Ulfric Stormcloak, has funded expeditions into the Dwemmer ruins and a reward for the return of our mysterious survivor. Many have answered his call and disappeared into the depths already, more arrive every day. It would be foolish to think that he is the only one with an stake in the matter, the Thalmor have already been revealed to have some curiosity in the matter, and I fear that if they are involved it would be safe to say that every one is clamoring to beat them to the finish line.
May the Nine have mercy on them all.
- Extract from The Call of the Dwemmer Author unknown
From the Journal of Elenor, leader of the Thalmor Research party and only known survivor of expeditions into the Dwemmer ruins
Day... well, I don't even know what day it is, since we lost access to daylight it's been somewhat hard to track the passage of time. It feels like months, perhaps because I've had to endure every minute of my presence in these great halls among these Thalmor imbeciles. If only I could have gained access to these ruins without Thalmor funding then perhaps their paranoia wouldn't be hampering my progress. A means to an end I suppose, at least they will keep me alive long enough to actually do my research, their superiours must really want to evaluate a possible threat or gain from these ruins to send so many agents to guard me, veteran all to boot. I should be grateful, but if another one of these pompous bastards so much as mentions their superiority to me because I'm Bosmer, I' have half a mind to... well what could I do, they'd kill me in seconds where I not so valuable to their superiors. Who I have yet to meet.
I'd better get some sleep, it's my turn to cook the morning meal next. If I wake up early enough I might be able to add a special and most unsavory ingredient.
Entry Four.
I've decided to organize my journal by entries rather than dates, It feels like days sine I last wrote – probably has been, I've made breakfast twice since then. At least we've made some progress since last I wrote, we finally made it down to the bottom of this hole, the crumbling ruins have paved way to something glorious, a door that was previously documented as unable to open, even by the Psijic before they departed our world, just welcoming us arms wide. It was as if it expected us and opened in preparation. Inside, well it's paradise to some one such as myself. The walls do not crumble, the machinery is pristine and life may well not have penetrated these walls since the Dwemmer themselves occupied them. Such an exciting development!
Entry Five.
What a day, we lost two of our number to a mechanized construct, I've come across them before but this one seemed different, it seemed aware of our presence and lured us into a trap, this is the first evidence I've seen of sentience in the Dwavern constructs. Of course attempts on my part to communicate with it where overshadowed by blasts of lightning from the fingertips of my companions. The strangest thing did happen when it was defeated however, it simply melted right there before my eyes! Another mystery to be solved I guess. Saddly I didn't manage to recover a sample. I the others are asleep, but I can't contain myself, the excitement is unbearable.
Entry Six
We where attacked again today after finding the strangest thing. A bright orb that quite literally painted visions of people into the walls out of pure light! They seemed to be moving and talking but we could not hear their voices, they where undoubtedly images of Dwemmer, so beautiful.
Entry Seven
I've been in this room for three sleep cycles (which we've started using to record the passage of time in here) I can't get this device to work again, i've pushed every brick and piece of metal, cast every spell and said every word from every language I know. If only I could look at those faces one more time.
Entry Eight
Our number has fallen again. As I attempted to activate the Dwemmer divice it exploded and showered us with shards of Dwavern metal. A few of the Thalmor agents where pierced but most where protected by the architecture of the room. The metal that pierced the agents quickly turned to liquid form as it did with the construct, it got into their blood stream and to my horror, their veins stood rigid with strain and they lost all control of their movement before dropping dead to the floor, their faces all masks of agony. I think it's time to move on, my infatuation with this device has angered many and left me feeling... exposed.
Entry Nine
Something moving in the shadows, it didn't sound dwavern.
Entry Ten
They got them, got them all. But not me, they left me. Knew I was special, knew I was destined to find it, where is it though? I have the key to the Maw, I can open the prison and let it out.
Day one
Met another group today. Nords and Elves and Cat people. Said they where from the College so I had to kill them, students shouldn't be this far underground, they should be in class. They nearly killed me instead, I ran away. Got lost though.
I think sent me back in time, but without my friends. I'm back at the beginning except it looks different now.
Entry Eleven
Strange men are coming, they look like barbarians. I didn't know Nord's lived this far underground. He said his name was Calcelmo. I recognize that name from a book, a fictitious book perhaps. Have they put me into a book? When will they let me see it again. The maw is calling to me.
Entry Twelve
I'm in Skyrim. I started in Summerset Isles, now I'm in Skyrim. I think I invented teleportation. Thank the eight that I documented it before I forgot how to write. What if they take my eyes?
Entry Thirteen
Wont go back. Wont go back. Wont go back. Wont go back. Wont go back. Have to though. It told me to.
----
Day... well, I don't even know what day it is, since we lost access to daylight it's been somewhat hard to track the passage of time. It feels like months, perhaps because I've had to endure every minute of my presence in these great halls among these Thalmor imbeciles. If only I could have gained access to these ruins without Thalmor funding then perhaps their paranoia wouldn't be hampering my progress. A means to an end I suppose, at least they will keep me alive long enough to actually do my research, their superiours must really want to evaluate a possible threat or gain from these ruins to send so many agents to guard me, veteran all to boot. I should be grateful, but if another one of these pompous bastards so much as mentions their superiority to me because I'm Bosmer, I' have half a mind to... well what could I do, they'd kill me in seconds where I not so valuable to their superiors. Who I have yet to meet.
I'd better get some sleep, it's my turn to cook the morning meal next. If I wake up early enough I might be able to add a special and most unsavory ingredient.
Entry Four.
I've decided to organize my journal by entries rather than dates, It feels like days sine I last wrote – probably has been, I've made breakfast twice since then. At least we've made some progress since last I wrote, we finally made it down to the bottom of this hole, the crumbling ruins have paved way to something glorious, a door that was previously documented as unable to open, even by the Psijic before they departed our world, just welcoming us arms wide. It was as if it expected us and opened in preparation. Inside, well it's paradise to some one such as myself. The walls do not crumble, the machinery is pristine and life may well not have penetrated these walls since the Dwemmer themselves occupied them. Such an exciting development!
Entry Five.
What a day, we lost two of our number to a mechanized construct, I've come across them before but this one seemed different, it seemed aware of our presence and lured us into a trap, this is the first evidence I've seen of sentience in the Dwavern constructs. Of course attempts on my part to communicate with it where overshadowed by blasts of lightning from the fingertips of my companions. The strangest thing did happen when it was defeated however, it simply melted right there before my eyes! Another mystery to be solved I guess. Saddly I didn't manage to recover a sample. I the others are asleep, but I can't contain myself, the excitement is unbearable.
Entry Six
We where attacked again today after finding the strangest thing. A bright orb that quite literally painted visions of people into the walls out of pure light! They seemed to be moving and talking but we could not hear their voices, they where undoubtedly images of Dwemmer, so beautiful.
Entry Seven
I've been in this room for three sleep cycles (which we've started using to record the passage of time in here) I can't get this device to work again, i've pushed every brick and piece of metal, cast every spell and said every word from every language I know. If only I could look at those faces one more time.
Entry Eight
Our number has fallen again. As I attempted to activate the Dwemmer divice it exploded and showered us with shards of Dwavern metal. A few of the Thalmor agents where pierced but most where protected by the architecture of the room. The metal that pierced the agents quickly turned to liquid form as it did with the construct, it got into their blood stream and to my horror, their veins stood rigid with strain and they lost all control of their movement before dropping dead to the floor, their faces all masks of agony. I think it's time to move on, my infatuation with this device has angered many and left me feeling... exposed.
Entry Nine
Something moving in the shadows, it didn't sound dwavern.
Entry Ten
They got them, got them all. But not me, they left me. Knew I was special, knew I was destined to find it, where is it though? I have the key to the Maw, I can open the prison and let it out.
Day one
Met another group today. Nords and Elves and Cat people. Said they where from the College so I had to kill them, students shouldn't be this far underground, they should be in class. They nearly killed me instead, I ran away. Got lost though.
I think sent me back in time, but without my friends. I'm back at the beginning except it looks different now.
Entry Eleven
Strange men are coming, they look like barbarians. I didn't know Nord's lived this far underground. He said his name was Calcelmo. I recognize that name from a book, a fictitious book perhaps. Have they put me into a book? When will they let me see it again. The maw is calling to me.
Entry Twelve
I'm in Skyrim. I started in Summerset Isles, now I'm in Skyrim. I think I invented teleportation. Thank the eight that I documented it before I forgot how to write. What if they take my eyes?
Entry Thirteen
Wont go back. Wont go back. Wont go back. Wont go back. Wont go back. Have to though. It told me to.
----
So there it is. My newest RP, an expedition into the nexus of the Dwemmer, what will we find? Well thats for us to decide. Expect it to be wild, wonderful and strange. I want to really push the possibilities of what the Dwemmer could have created here, and for what purposes. I'd encourage people to RP whatever they want, i'll be providing three possible entrances to the Ruins, one in Markath, on in Cyrodil beneath the white gold tower and one in Morrowind under the ruins of what was once Vvardenfel, the ruins leading up to the Dwemmer city would reflect what we would find in game also (I.e since Cyrodil has no Dwemmer ruins, anything leading up tot hat would be Aylied, then caves and eventually a cave in or something similar, deep enough to break through the walls of this untouched city.
As for character restrictions, i'm fairly open, aslong as they would have a reason for going down there then they are welcome to. Obviously things like were animals will be really limited since it starts getting stale when theres too many of such things, and absolutely no Thu'um users, if you think this is an unfair request then its not the RP for you. It might fit perfectly fine in another RP but not this one.
Any ideas, input or suggestions are welcome as always. Feel free to post character sheets here, once theres enough we can get started.
