Lorca, this is the best thing I have ever read, I'm not kidding.

Wow, you're serious? If you like my stuff you're gonna love proper authors!

More coming soon.

:stare:

You know, I do read outside these forums.

That was AWESOME!!!! Oh, detecting the child part - You are BACK !!!!! YES !!! I am hereby addicted again!

1st Sun's Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
The last few days have been like some wonderful dream, some vision of Moonshadow from the the Queen of Dawn-and-Dusk herself. I wander around the Rosethorn Hall stupefied with joy, as a Skooma-svcker wanders around his den. I devote my entire being to the needs of Nerussa. I cast my most potent restoration magicka on her to ensure the health of our unborn miracle, to me a tiny purple glow within the belly of my love. Nerussa thinks me foolish, she is in good health after all, but I feel compelled to act, as I always have.

2nd Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
Nerussa has, after some persuasion - it took all my self-discipline not to use a charm spell on her - agreed to suspend her oenophilia for the sake of our child. In Skingrad, no less, the vineyard of Cyrodiil! I feel for her, for it must be like asking a Redguard to forgo sailing in the port of Stros M'Kai.

4th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
My love has begun craving strawberries. The Chapel healer and by extension midwife, Marie Palielle, tells me it's unusual but not unheard of at this stage of pregnancy. I cast a Recall to my alchemical garden at Frostcrag to gather only the finest.

5th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
In my current state of bliss the outside world appears as if under a Chameleon spell; there, but with totally unseen actions. For the sake of thousands, I must remember to tend to The Realm. Salmo tells me, in making conversation, that the Colovian League has accepted Chorrol as a member, following the clearing of Vampires in Fort Carmalo and its subsequent sealing. I can't help but wonder if hundreds of armed Imperials at his city gates factored into the Count's decision.

7th Suns Dusk, 4E15, The Palace.
Haskill notes all is well in the Isles. I was surprised that, in his own sardonic way, he also bothered to congratulate me on my wife's expectancy. I wonder if I should have invited him to the wedding? His dress sense could have been a problem.

8th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
The Orc has been named 'emergency Mane' of Elsweyr. Whoever heard of such nonsense? S'rathad tells me Khajiit have begun calling him "Do'Bludgar" to respect his warrior prowess.

10th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
I note in passing that Raminus has finally been named Arch-Mage, after bitter debates in the Council. His position has come at the loss of many friends, a tale I know all too well. Nerussa spends her days resting on the upper levels of the Hall, being waited on hand and foot by myself. Poor Eyja complains that she has nothing to do anymore.

11th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
Went for a long walk in the West Weald with Nerussa today. I don't particular like the thought of her hidden away from nature's beauty on my behalf. I say without any hesitation whatsoever that my old life was nothing to this, throwing off the shackles of adorating masses for the embrace of an adoring one was the single best decision of my life. Defeating the Cameron, witnessing divine avatars on holy ground, severing evil souls utterly and facing down Daedric Princes in the heart of their power; no feeling of victory or rush of combat compares to the contentment in my once-violent heart.

Again, very good. I'm not exactly BSparrow, so I can't critique this piece of literary mastery. Only...I think there should be a longer amount of time between posts, or some such.

This ROCKS! I am riveted, addicted - Thank You Lorca!

13th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
Gaius Mede visited Skingrad today, parading through the streets on a fine white horse, clad in full ebony plate, his son Titus and noble retainers perpetually by his side. I cannot fathom taking my child on campaigns as Mede does, even if protected by the strongest Shield spell I would be uneasy. He still wishes for Skingrad to join his scheme, for it is the only city in Old Colovia which has not sworn fealty to his alliance. He left disappointed. The Count does not see visitors.

14th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
Debate rages amongst the citizenry. Count Hassildor has been criticised many times in the past, but now even the most faithful of his followers have begun to question his isolationism...and the reasons for it. Mede's popular support grows by the day, it seems. Hal-Liurz assured an assembled crowd that she had "...passed on the message," and that the Count was pondering Mede's proposal. I do not envy the steward her duty in placating the rabble. Nerussa and I, we have more important things to be concerned about.

16th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
Some promising news, at last. It's rumoured that Bludgar's rise to power may be losing momentum. Reman tells me that the Orc is running low on gold to pay his assembled army. Ha! I'm surprised the brute can even count, let alone handle delicate financial matters.

18th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
I feel I have much to be thankful for. I read through some of my old journal entries today. Violence, ugliness, diving into squalid dungeons to slay monsters, being treated like a common mercenary...or worse. Mother Mara and Dibella be praised for allowing me a way out in the form of Nerussa, for this life suits me far better.

21st Suns Dusk, 4E15, The Palace.
The Isles need my attention, so I told Nerussa that I had been called away on urgent Arcane University business. It hurts to lie to her, but the truth would hurt her even more. Haskill informs me that the residents of Split have once again petitioned me to murder one another. This situation is untenable. I have summoned Relmyna Verenim to the Palace. Together we shall formulate a magical solution to their problem.

22nd Suns Dusk, 4E15, The Palace.
We have devised a compound conjuration, alteration and mysticism spell that should hopefully reverse the effects. Alteration recreates the original bodies of the split personalities. Conjuration binds it to this plane. Mysticism siphons the two souls into one vessel.

23rd Suns Dusk, 4E15, Split.
The spell was a success, although it didn't work quite as intended. The original residents are back, but the manic and demented personalities remain. They will have to work out an arrangement, for this matter has taken up enough of my time.

24th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Entering Skingrad.
Blood runs in rivulets down the cobbled streets - what happened here while I was away? I pray to Father Auri-El that nothing has befallen my love.

24th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
Where is Nerussa? And Eyja...poor, dear, faithful Eyja...who could have done this? Why? Some revenge for my past, or organised banditry? Goldbrand is still clasped by Eyja's lifeless hands. Whoever did this wasn't motivated by simple robbery.

24th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
I have searched the Hall from top to bottom. There is no sign of Nerussa, although the upper level shows signs of a struggle; books lay scattered about the floor, the bed is unmade and the Masque of Clavicus Vile flung across the room. My sweet...when I find them. The brutes attempted to steal Volundrung, but could not get past the magical traps, for the case has been cast down to the floor, the scent of burning flesh from the fire trap still lingers in the air. I hope it hurt. I will hurt them more.

24th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
I have searched all Skingrad, spoken to everybody. It seems the city was raided by a highly organised force, cutting down guards before they could raise the alarm, smashing in the door of Rosethorn Hall. Gaston tells me he remembers lumbering figures carrying a bound figure to their waiting horses. How could I have been so foolish? Abandoning the most precious thing to tend to madmen? I would sacrifice all of them if it meant Nerussa's safety. If only I had been here, I would have taught them what it means to cross a god. I swear on the name of Auri-El, I will find them. I will rend their flesh from their bones, I will turn their homes to smoking rubble, I will kill everyone with any kinship to them, I will erase them from the very face of Tamriel. I will show them a righteous fury the nature of which has not been seen on this plane for long ages past.

Nicely done! I like the anger in the last entry, very "Hulk" in my opinion.

25th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
I have prayed for solace and answers in the Great Chapel of Julianos for hours on end, beseeching the Aedra for mercy, asking for the wisdom of Julianos, the strength of Talos, the patience of Auri-El. Nothing has changed. I now know how those refugees from Kvatch must have felt; prayers going unanswered, anger going unquenched. After all I have done for the Chapels they fail me in my hour of need. Useless words of comfort wash over me from all directions. I know what I need to do.

26th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
Whoever did this was organised. Captain Dion reports that nobody saw any approach and the attackers disappeared into the night as quickly as they appeared. I ride for the Valus Mountains.

28th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Valus Mountains.
I have arrived at the Shrine of Boethia. His sphere of influence can hopefully provide me valuable information.

28th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Valus Mountains.
The Prince of Plots remembered me. He tells me that the conspiracy runs deep, pleasing to him. After I promised a glorious slaughter in his name, he advised me to 'call upon friends of the past. Scour the scene of theft for traces of deceit. Now go, and know you work for the glory of Boethia.'

29th Suns Dusk, 4E15, The Arcane University.
I have interpreted the words of the Prince, and asked Raminus to aid me in investigating my home for magickal signatures, unique traces of the intruders.

30th Suns Dusk, 4E15, Skingrad.
In the wake of the attack, Count Hassildor has finally consented to the admission of Skingrad into the Colovian League. All Colovia is now under the domain of Gaius Mede.

1st Evening Star, 4E15, Skingrad.
Orcs! Foul, stinking, barbarian, hammer-swinging, savage, primitive pigs in human form! The only trace we found was an Orcish presence in the Hall at the time of the attack. I should have seen it earlier, after slaying the Skooma-dealing thugs of Cheydinhal nothing they do would surprise me. They infest Skingrad. Time to find out what they know.

How annoying. The disfigured attack my home of Leyawiin, kill my brothers and sisters, and now raid the home of one of my favorite writers. I do hope Sharp-Eyes, my Argonian, escaped the bloody battle in his home city...Very nice Lorca. I look forward to the next entry. And Malx...Do no think I have forgotten you. I still await the next addition to your story. Mine however...Will take sometime to get up..I've decied on another path and have scraqed a bit of my first Idea.

2nd Evening Star, 4E15, Skingrad.
I have enchanted this journal with more potent trap spell. If anyone attempts to read it who does not have my unique magical energies then a fire spell will destroy the pages of this tome, as well as causing grievous injury to the interloper.

3rd Evening Star, 4E15, Skingrad.
Shum gro-Yarug was the first on my list. I intercepted him on the bridge to the Castle, as he walked back to town. I cast a unique Invisibility spell upon myself and the Orc, grabbing him and positioning his over the gaping chasm. With the Blade of Woe pressed to his throat I thought he would be more cooperative, yet still he struggled. I lost my grip on the blundering butler, sending him tumbling over the bridge. His body lies broken on the road, waiting for the next patrol. I gleaned nothing from him. A disappointment.

4th Evening Star, 4E15, Skingrad.
Interrogated Graklak today. A waste of time. Before he died he swore that he knew nothing of the attack. A likely story. Under cover of darkness I kicked his body into the Strid gorge.

5th Evening Star, 4E15, Skingrad.
Dealt with the sisters today. I was certain that at least Ugak would know something, given that the horses of the attackers were stabled there. A quick shock jolt to the flank of a bay horse sent the animal into a frenzy, rearing on its hind legs the beast kicked the Orc to the ground, lifeless. Her sister was equally uncooperative. Are they all connected? Is there some conspiracy of silence? A paralyse spell sent her toppling sideways, cracking her green skull on the bar counter. I will find answers, if I have to interrogate every Orc in Cyrodiil. One of them must know something.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, Skingrad.
A letter from Gaius Mede. He writes that he has urgent information concerning Nerussa's whereabouts. I ride to Sutch at once.

:bites nails:

The suspense is unbearable! Formerly I thought you were posting too fast. Now I cannot wait for the next post!!!

Journal of Count Gaius Mede, Lord of Sutch and Master of the Colovian Estates.

The 5th of Evening Star, the 15th year of the Fourth Era.
Bludgar has responded, as I expected he would. I will write Lorcka immediately.

The 6th of Evening Star, the 15th year of the Fourth Era.
Scouts report that Lorcka is riding to Sutch. In his current state he is more weapon than mer, ready to be unleashed. This is to my advantage, although I will have my retainers watch him carefully lest some slight provocation unleash his fury upon the forces of the Alliance. If we cannot use him, we must end him. He is too powerful to be left to his own devices. This is the most dangerous part of our game.

The 6th of Evening Star, the 15th year of the Fourth Era.
I have handed the letter to the mage. He reacted as I expected, a silent, cold courtesy. He left to seek his vengeance. Everything is going to plan. I shall prepare our forces for the march.

Riverhold Border Report
Evening of 6th, ES.

Report to Guard Captain R'Shani.
- Imperial female crossing border. Claimed to be part of a delegation to Corinthe. Had proper papers, so let her through without challenge.

- Apprehended and search a suspected Skooma dealer. He had no Skooma on him, but his attitude was suspect. so we threw him in the dungeons for the night.

- Attempted to perform a routine border stop on a rider travelling from Cyrodiil. Suspect was clad in black robes, riding a black horse. We almost missed him in the darkness. The rider ignored all hails and thundered through our checkpoint, nearly knocking a guard into the river. We signalled the alarm and alerted the mounts. They gave chase, but lost him on the road into the desert.

I'm sorry to do it to you, but I just had to quote this whole chapter! This is AWESOME! I am sorry it took so long, I had no time to read last night or today. I will edit this and clear out the chapter after you read this comment - just wanted you to know what I was raving about.

I just finished the last chapter you did - you are BACK !!! - let me know when you have read this comment and I will come on and delete the quote above so it doesn't ruin your flow!

Ah, the greatest words in the English language - Captive. Audience.

New chapter coming soon.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, The Gold Road.
I have seen Count Mede. He handed me a letter, which I enclose. I now have enough evidence to act in accordance with my oath. As soon as I have recovered my slumbering instruments of death from the Hall I ride south. They have robbed me of only source of happiness, they have destroyed my future. I will repay them in kind, ten times over.

"From OGB to GM.

Pass this to the mage.
~
Mage. Know that we have captured your wife. She is well, but has lost her child through the trauma of the journey.
If you wish to see her alive again you will assist us in strengthening the glory of Orcrest.
You are the richest elf in Cyrodiil. We demand the equivalent of 500, 000 gold pieces, in any form.
We also demand the return of Volendrung to its rightful owners; Malacath's children.
You have seven days to act, sorcerer. We await you. Hesitate and the she-elf dies a painful death.
- Mane of Elsweyr and King of Orcrest, Ogar Gro-Bludgar."

6th Evening Star, 4E15, watering hole south of Riverhold.
Have stopped to feed and water Heart of Darkness, she has galloped from the border of Cyrodiil. As soon as she has caught her breath we will continue.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, approaching Orcrest.
It is time. To the pain.

I bet he's angry now.
This will be epic!

I love it!

I really wouldn't want to be in Bludgar's shoes right now.... ohboyohboyohboy..... is he in for some serious hurting....

To the Imperial Commission in Corinthe,
From Sabrin Gratus.

I must inform you of the events that transpired that night, for there is every chance that I am the only survivor, bar scattered and illiterate slaves who took their chances and fled into the desert.

I arrived in Orcrest shortly before disaster was visited, the night of the 6th. I am thankful to the Imperial Commission, for it was only through your influence that I was allowed access to this ugly place, fit only for beastfolk. I was confined to the walled circle of the market district, for only those explicitly allowed by King Bludgar are permitted within the palace district. All around were snorting, hissing monsters, tamed desert goblins and black Minotaurs held in the thrall of Orcish druids. I was still acclimating myself with this horrible place, in truth fearing for my safety, when he arrived.

I was loitering around the main gate conversing with a Khajiiti merchant when he arrived. Clad in black, he appeared as if materialising from the darkness of the desert itself. He rode a black horse to the grand archway into the market district.
The guards were apparently ready for him, for they gestured to each other and readied their axes. On of the Orc Guards called to the figure to dismount. The figure said nothing, but continued his approach. Two guards walked to meet him.

From memory, the guards spoke these words to the figure;
"You there - our Lord awaits you. Did you bring Volendrung?"
The figure replied, a voice tinged with both sorrow and rage; "I bring death."

The visitor flung his arms to the sides, grabbing both Orc guards by their exposed throats. A white magical glow rendered them lifeless, the figure throwing them both to the ditch at the side of the desert track. At this I let forth an instinctive scream, for I had not seen death since the Crisis. The figure dismounted and walked towards the city

I admit, I felt a deep terror in my heart, and searched for somewhere to hide. Fleeing into the cold desert would have meant death, so I clambered into a merchant's crate, edging the top back over me to conceal myself. Through a knothole in the wood I could see what transpired.

I remember the noise, mostly. Strange spells conjuring up creatures I had never seen before. I recognised the Golden Saints, but the figured commanded a grotesque conjurer army unlike anything I've seen; great ghastly creations of hewn flesh, shambling bones held together through arcane means, dark-skinned female figures and sinewy demons with gaping mouths and lashing tongues.

Shouts and screams filled the air. The 'silent ones' of the town of monsters were no match for this unholy army; the humanoid figures burying their blades into the beasts in swift, brutal stabs. The druids of Orcrest summoned skeletons and zombies to counter the conjured demons, but to no avail; for the giant flesh-hewn figure tore the undead apart, effortlessly. The druids decided to retaliate against the attacker himself, flinging threads of lighting through the air. With a purple glow the spells hit the visitor, only to bounce off him and back to the caster, blasting the proud druids of Orcrest back, smouldering in foetid puddles. In my terror my eyes may have been playing tricks on me, but it seemed as if the guards began to turn against themselves, hacking at each other and the fleeing citizenry.

The next thing I can remember is a great heat and bright flashes, blinding the eye I had clasped to the knothole. When my sight returned I could see nothing but dust, and smell nothing but the burning mud-bricks of what had been houses, inns, merchant halls and slave pens.

I covered my ears and closed my eyes tightly, silently praying to Mara in the hope that I would somehow wake up from this nightmare. I remember a great crashing of stone, as the walls to the palace were ripped down, a gaping hole exposing the palace itself. I can remember no more.

When I came too, it was light. I sat, weeping, in a crate far from home. All around was silent, the only break in it being howling desert winds blowing through the shell of the town. Eventually I worked up the courage to emerge from my hiding place, to be greeted with smouldering rubble, slain Orcs and a foul charred smell in the air. There was nothing left. It was as if Dagon himself had visited this place. Inside the gaping scorched hole in the palace walls fires still crackled. I called out, hoping that any survivors would respond. My cry echoed useless around the walls. I admit, I fell down in tears, gentle sobbing amongst the fallen. I write this letter now in the care of the Riverhold City Guard, who rode south on seeing the rising smoke and orange glow to the south. That is all I can remember. Thank sweet merciful Mara for my survival.

Whew! This is Awesome! I stay riveted from the minute I open your thread!

So well done, I'd give him a cameo in a FanFic.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, ruins of Orcrest.
I have wreaked vengeance upon the cursed corrupted mer in the residential district of this squalid cesspool, the pathetic druids and brutish guards. Time to find Bludgar and finish this.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, ruins of Orcrest.
Ripping down the walls of the palace with Telekinesis, I usher my summons in. No prisoners, no survivors.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, ruins of Orcrest Palace.
All around is a beautiful orange glow, washed in righteous fire. Watching the banners burn is a glorious sight. I will save the chief pig until last, and take my time with him.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, ruins of Orcrest Palace.
My Daedric servants put all to the sword and claw. I head to the throne room, the disgusting lair of my nemesis.

6th Evening Star, 4E15, ruins of Orcrest Palace, Throne Room.
It has been a long time seen Shadowrend fed on flesh. The Orcish elite guard were a pleasure to kill. Bludgar watched in silence. I readied a spell of simultaneous Restoration and Destruction, so that his flesh would burn even as his body restored, a glorious pain. It was then he said the only words which could save him. I record the conversation, exactly;
"I didn't take her, mage."
"Mede gave me your letter, Orc. I know your kinfolk took her. The seat of your power lies broken before you. Ready yourself."
"I honour your strength. But this is not the way. You could have helped me bring to order to this place, instead of death. You call me a monster and yet you have innocent blood on your hands."
"The choice was yours. To steal from a god... is most unwise."
"We did not take your wife! We merely wish returned what was ours and put to use your untouched fortune. This was not supposed to happen, mage. The letters, on the table over there. Read them before you bring any more death to my brothers."

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