My first story, inspired by my cannibalism topic. there wont be any cannibalism though. cuz i know how most of you guys hate it. its about a general who fought in the invasion of Vvardenfell, who turns into a vampire.


Draconius the Commander, Vampire, Exile, and his Redemption

It is the beginning of the Third Era, more than 400 years before the coming of the Nerevarine Incarnate. Tiber Septim has ordered the invasion of Vvardenfell, and I General Draconius, have been charged with the task to command one of the legions in this invasion.

Imperial Flagship, Inner Sea

“The Dark Elves have sent a pathetic fleet against us, it appears they are breaking”, said Admiral Tiberius with a smirk. “But the plans have changed, the Blades give us intelligence that the waters around the Ascadian Isles are heavily armed with another fleet, they have masses in this area to prevent a direct landing on the shores around Vivec. Draconius, you and you’re legion will land on the Bitter Coast, take them through the swamps and strike at Balmora. Same with you Quintus, but have your legion go to Ald Ruhn, to protect Draconius’s flank.”
New plan, I didn’t like it. I boarded my landing ship, and with 10 ships others we saild towards the Bitter Coast. It was a foggy day, not so great for a battle in my opinion. There was a light rain coming from the sky. This wasn’t good, we are landing on swamps along the Bitter Coast, who knows what kind of diseases and creatures were lurking around. Also it would be a great place for an ambush against my troops. Though I knew I was headed for battle, I felt quite relax, even though its only my 5th year in the legion, it was like business as usual. It was time to plan the landing, I looked to my second command.

“Julius, after we land and secure the area, tell the men to form a tight column. I don’t want us spread out, I know there is an ambush somewhere out there.”

“Yes General!”

Minutes later the ships landed simultaneusly, then men jumped off running up the beach head. I disembarked, and trotted up to the trealine. The smell was terrible, though it was a swamp I should have known. Usually when there is a landing, the arrows are flying, men are charging up the beach head being pelted. Then clashing with and enemy that has the advantage. I was expecting heavy losses, but there wasn't a single Dark Elf wearing pathetic bonemold armor in sight.

“Julius, tell the officers to dress like regular infantry, I don’t want the archers picking us off”

I followed as well. That was the thing about battle, the enemy commanders will always attack the person or unit that is different from all the rest, that is why I want everybody the same. It will help to keep as many officers alive as I can.

Then men quickly formed a tight column and we started to march towards the Odai Plateau, then to Balmora. Marching through the swamps was very uncomfortable, I wonder how Quintus’s army is doing, that just landed a few miles North.

I knew the men were uncomfortable and weary. Wading through the swamps in their armor was making them tired, the healers would be doing alot of work soon. With all the diseases i bet we are going to catch going through here.

After half an hour of marching a horn blew, it followed with shrieks and screams. Pathetic Dunmer battle cry I thought. But the ambush I predicted has come.

“Defensive positions” I screamed.

My column was attacked from both sides by a band of Redoran soldiers. I hated not being able to fight in the open, that’s where the Imperial Legions perform their best, that’s what they are designed for. Not this guerrila warfare. The Redoran soldiers were quite effective and fierce. Though it was a smaller force, they were able to subdue many of my own men because of the conditions.

One of them came at me a with a longsword screaming and striked downward at my head. This was the perfect strike for a legionnaire, for in basic training, this is the first type strike that a legionnaire is taught to defend against. With little effort I raised my shield and blocked the blow, and then with a stab, i sent my blade straight through his abdomen. The Dunmer man fell to his knees, and I pushed him off my blade with a kick to the chest. I brought down three more Dunmer, and then I looked around. The heavy casualties I expected at the beach landing has come.

After only minutes of fighting, the few Redoran soldiers left began to route. The stench of the swamp became even greater with all the bodies floating around.

We pushed north, further and further. Until my unit arrived at Balmora, it has already been abandoned as expected. I gave orders to allow the men plunder the town, we would make camp here for the day then march through the Foyoda Mamaea onwards to the city of Vivec tomorrow. The Dark Elf armies will be no match for the Imperial Legion, for we will be marching through open farmland. There can be no ambush out there.

I slept at one of the abandonded manors. Before I went to bed, I had a vision of myself at the City of Vivec. The farmlands around it burning, the bodies being thrown from the top of the cantons. Then myself marching up the palace steps ready to meet Lord Vivec, I even muttered the words I would say to him.

“Sign the treaty of surrender, or you can watch my legions raze your city to the ground. I will not stop, until every village and town on Vvardenfell has been burned, pillaged, rapped, and its inhabitants slaughtered. “

Ha, that would get him to sign the treaty. Then I could put him in chains and have him sent to Cyrodiil for the Emperor to see, then executed.

Morning came, with a messanger. And too my surprise Lord Vivec did sign a treaty, though it wasn’t surrender but a Armistice. The letter read-

“It appears that the Emperor has signed an armistice treaty with Lord Vivec. You and you’re unit are to remain at Balmora and await further orders. Remember, there is a cease fire, do not attack any factions unless attacked first. It is likely your unit will be pulled out of Vvardenfell and sent back to Cyrodiil. “

-Admiral Tiberius of the Imperial Navy

Damn, damn, damn, damn, I thought. Damn Lord Vivec, I wanted a war. I wanted to see him surrender. I wanted to see this land in flames. Well atleast no more of my men have to die, and they could return home sooner.

I ordered Quintus to form up the men, we were heading back to the swamps to bury the bodies of the fallen. It was disrespect to leave them laying out there, so I gathered all the men and we marched. Though I knew there was a cease fire, I still marched with caution.

The stench was really bad now. A combination of Vvardenfell nature and dead bodies of Imperials and Dunmer. I scouted around a bit, as the bodies were being picked up, and came across a tomb. I took five men, and decided to go inside.

It was dark, and stuffy. The air was cold, and I found it a bit hard to breath. We came into a room, and I opened a chest and found a nice ring inside. There were coffins inside. I knew these Dunmer tombs always have good stuff in them. But before I could react, a man jumped out from the dark corner of the room and bit me in the neck. I stumbled back, and my vision became blurry, and I saw the blood trickle down my armor. The last I remembered was my men stambing him repeatingly, but the man still wouldn’t go down, and there was something wrong with his eyes. They were pure white, he fell to his knees and made a hiss, like a snake. There was something odd about his teeth, he had fangs. I realized what he was, he was a vampire. I looked at the abomination in the eyes, in his dying breath, he muttered something I couldn't understand. A second passed, and then blackness...

this is like the introduction of the story. if you guys like it, ill continue the story. it will even roll into the time of the nerevarine incarnate.

I like it! Keep at it!

Still, it is only the beginning of the story.



Chapter 2, The Exile


Blackness came over me, I was asleep. A dream came to me. I was walking in a meadow and found a woman, drinking from a pond. She was quite pale, and I didn’t say anything. There was something strange about the pond, it wasn’t water but blood. She looked up at me, her face was quite attactive. Then it turned into the face of a monster, blood dripping from her fangs…

Three days later

I awoke with a light sweat from my unpleasant dream. Observing my sorroundings, I was still in the tomb, in the room I was bitten. Where the vampire was standing was a now but a pile of ash. My men that came down, lay motionless on the floor. I went to check their bodies, it appears that they didn’t die from a blade nor arrow. Must be a sickness, I thought. Then I realized something, the wound, where I was bitten. I looked down at my armor, and there was dried blood all over it. I reached up to feel my neck, there was no wound. Strange I thought, but now is not the time to investigate. I needed to get back to my unit, or any Imperial units in the area. I reached the entrance of the tomb, and stepped outside. It was quite dark, but the smell of the swamp was very pleasing. But the sight was quite horrific, it was my troops, they were all dead. Some hacked into pieces, arrows sticking in their bodies. Bodies everywhere, floating in the waters, left to rot. I sank to my knees wondering how this could have happened. Gazing into my reflection in the water, there was something wrong with me as well. My teeth, I had fangs, the smell of the dead bodies was very pleasing, and I felt a renewed sense of energy surging through me. I felt as if I could get up, run and never stop. That’s when it came to me, I was no longer a human, but vampire. Now I was in a mental state of hell, my troops are all dead, and I am an abomination. I sat, and let the tears run down my face. What a disaster, what am I too do now. Returning to the legion would be a shame, for my failure to the Emperor, myself, and my men. I felt the need to be honorable, and face the Admiral. But now, I had nothing to lose. No family, no friends, no career, nothing.

I sat for about another 10 minutes, then I stood up and started to run, I ran north. The geology of this land was somewhat familiar, from all the maps I studied that the Blades brought in before the war. I ran, without purpose, I just wanted to get away. I ran until I found a small boat on the shores of the Bitter Coast.

There was an island, of unspeakable mystery and horrors even greater than the land I was in. It was north, where the snow falls everyday, Solthstheim I believe it was called. I got inside the boat and sailed north. I just had to get away, I had to think about what I was going to do. The waters north where very calm, and I got there by the time sunrise came. My flesh started to burn, I could feel the pain all over my body. There was a cave on the shore, up north. With all my effort, I steered inside it. It must have only taken 30 seconds, but it felt like an enternity. Once inside, I jumped out of the boat, and fell down on one of the rocks. The pain however, began to fade, it faded quite rapidly. I could feel the life coming back to my body. Life, ha, who was I trying to kid. I stood up and looked around, this would be a suitable spot to stay for a while. There was corner in the cave, I layed down and shut my eyes.

The night has come again, it was time to just take a peek at this new land. And I was quite thirsty. Exploring the cave I was able to find a passeway the lead to the surface. I needed some water, coveiniently, there was a pond near by. I walked over and began to drink from it. My thirst was great, I drank and drank and drank. But my thirst was never quenched, that was odd. I noticed a bear looking at me from my right, it was staring me in the eye. Quickly, I drew my short sword, and the bear charged at me. My reflexes were quite improved, must be the effects of the vampirism, for I was able to step to the side and plunge the blade straight into its stomach. The bear fell, down and lay motionless. The odd thing was, I had to urge to drink its blood. Its not odd for a vampire I know, but to me, it was something different. I knelt, and bit it right in the neck and began to drain all the blood out. The sweet taste was great, and began to feel a new surge of energy coming through me. When I was finished, lets just say the bear was quite dry.


The short getaway I planned, turned into 100 years of self exile. 100 years of living in the wilderness of Soltstheim, and I still looked like I was 35. There wasn’t a single need to shave, trim my nails, or hair at all. I looked exactly the same as that day when I emerged from the tomb, that was about the only thing I could remember about my past life. I have really lost myself, and I even almost forgot who I was and where I had come from. Until one day, I had a dream.

I was back in my home in Cyrodiil, 15 again. I saw my father

“Draconius, you’ve haven’t been attending class at the academy. You are failing, and you are on the brink of getting kicked out. Don’t you ever want to become a general someday?”

Ah yes, I remember now, I was 15, and a student of the Septim Military Academy. Though Ive been skipping for a week, isolating myself in my room for failing. There was an exercise that we did, a simulated battle. And I was in command, I couldn’t remember but I made a bad decision and lost us the match that we were about to win. I felt ashamed, my classmates were angered by me. I had no desire to return.

“I cannot return, my classmates hate me father, I failed them.”

He said something, something that made me never surrender until now

“One failure, doesn’t mean everything. Instead of sitting here sulking, you should get up, do something about it, and redeem yourself in the eyes of your classmates. Doesn’t matter how low you fall, as long as you are still alive then there is always still hope for a new beginning.”

With that I woke up, it was night time. I went back to my daily routine, went out to go kill myself a wolf or bear to drink the blood from. Then just do whatever comes to mind. As I went out, in my bear skin coat. This was my 3rrd one that I made by the way. I thought about my dream, I ran the words over and over again in my head. And it little by little it came to me. Knowledge of my past, the Septim Academy, my first love, I smiled. I began to feel to the warmth again that left me 100 years ago. I remembered that moment, in the tomb, on the swamps along the Bitter Coast. It was time to go back.


Chapter 3 "Reunion" is ready, though im waiting to see if anybody else likes my work. Probably alot of spelling and grammar errors huh, oh well i was too lazy to edit those ones.

A good story so far. It is good to see a vampire who doesn't view all living things as a potential meal, who hasn't lost all of his humanity (or imperiality or whatever you would call it). I look forward to seeing how the emergence of this memory after 100 years will alter his life as a vampire in Solstheim.

100 years, certain insignificant events bring back alot of memories

Chapter 3: Reunion

I quickly found a bear and began to feed. The night was cold as usual, it was a typical night. But today I would start making plans as of how I am to get back to Vvardenfell. The boat I took to get here I took apart about 50 years ago, to make some add-ons to the cave. I was no craftsman, I looked at the trees though and wondered if there was a way I could build myself a raft.

There was something weird about the area I was in, I sensed something that I hadn’t in a long time. Humans, could it be? I thought I was alone on this island. An arrow fired, I was able to duck out of the way. Drawing my old short sword, it’s a wonder how I was able to keep it decent condition, the men approached me with their torches. There was five of them, blonde bearded warriors, they looked like Nords.

“What do you want from me?”

“You there, you trespass the land of the Skaal, surrender Imperial.”

Imperial, I haven’t been an Imperial in a century.

It was an awkward moment, and they were waiting for my answer. I gave it to them, with a quick agile movement I lacerated the throat of the leader. It was a bold move, since they had me surrounded. The first came at me with a downward strike, just like the Redoran soldier in the swamps long ago. The most basic move to counter, as he came in to strike, I jabbed the short sword straight into his gut. My senses have become much more improved as a vampire, I could sense one of them lunging at me from behind. Quickly, I turned around, blocked it, and had him on the ground with a slash to the neck. Two more, I cut them down easily. There was one more, I could sense him, and he was the archer. But before I could react, he hit me in the stomach with an arrow. Groaning in pain, I managed to get off my knees and charge at him. I showed him my fangs, and let my eyes turned red, he seemed to be intimidated and missed his next shot. After that, he ran for his life. Running didn’t do anything, I threw my sword at his leg and he fell over on his stomach. I stood over him, he seemed to be very afraid. Now that Ive thought about it, Ive been a vampire for a hundred years, but never tasted the blood of a human. My body was screaming at me to get a taste. Though my mind was trying to hold back. It was like an addict and his craving for moon sugar, quite hard to resist. Falling to the craving, I bent over, and for the first time I tasted the blood of a human. It was much better than that of an animal. The sweetness was so good, like the bear when I first came to this place, lets just say I left him “dry”. The snow was stained with blood, and smelled good. I knelt to enjoy the scent, and with a groan I ripped the arrow out of my stomach. The wound took about a couple minutes to heal. Sometimes being a vampire has its advantages. Again, I thought about the man I just bit, though it felt great drinking the blood of a human for the first time. It felt wrong at the same time, I still was never able to accept the fact that I was a vampire. There had to be a way I thought, to change back, there had to be a way. From then on, I vowed to never drink the blood of another human, unless I found him already dead of course.

It was a refreshing walk back to the cave, its been century since I was able to practice my skills with sword. I pulled it out again, and started swinging it for fun on the way back. I remembered everything they taught me at the academy, and what my taught me.

When I got back, there was a ship on the shore. The waves were moving violently. They must be here to get out of the storm. Men were jumping off and wading into the water. I ran towards them, they spotted me and greeted my kindly. I wanted to talk to somebody for once, and have a nice conversation. The man who spoke was a Dark Elf, I still remembered the war 100 years ago and felt the urge to kill him. Then I saw a couple Imperial on board the ship and decided things must be pretty good now between out two cultures.

“Now what would a fellow like you be doing in place like this all by himself?”

“This is my home, I live in this place in solitude. Where are you sailors headed?”

“We are going to pick up a shipment of moon sugar to take back to Cyrodiil. Our ship got caught in the storm and we had to land here. We should be leaving tomorrow night, the darkness will help us avoid the Imperial cutters.”

“Moon sugar eh, I won’t tell anybody. How much can you sell that stuff in Cyrodiil, 50 drakes per sack?”

The man replied in shock “50 a sack?!!! Are we still under the rule of Tiber Septim?! What kind of profit can you make with that, these go for 200, the prices in the Cyrodiil are quite high for this stuff. The young adolescents can get enough of it, and it helps people relax.”

I just nodded my head, and said goodbye to the man, he offered my a ride to Vvardenfell, but I declined, I was too afraid. Though I knew I should have.

I walked back to the cave with a smile on my face. Its been too long since I have had actual conversation with people. It felt nice again to talk, I felt the life coming back inside me as well. I walked back to the cave and spent the rest of the night thinking.

The dream, the Skaal ambush, my brief conversation with the Dark Elf, though the longest conversation Ive had in a century. It even made me think about the first time I tried moon sugar myself. It was my senior year at the Academy, and we just got off class for a seven day break. My friends, four of them and I went out that night and went on a drinking binge of Cyrodiilic Brandy and took a walk in the Imperial park. Julius, yes, I remember now. My good friend that died in the swamps. He pulled some out and we all tried it. That was the first and last time though, I swear it. I cannot remember what happened after we took it, but the funny thing is, I couldn’t even remember what happened the day after. The thought of that made me laugh, I laughed, and tried to imagine them laughing with me. I wonder what happened to them, their lives, they must be dead by now.

I had to go back I thought, I had to. I told myself I would leave this place, and I would find a way to self redemption. The next couple minutes I spent pacing around the cave, thinking of the idea. Finally I stopped, and made the decision. It’s time to leave.

When morning came I went to bed, I was sure to get up an hour before sundown to prepare my things. Slowly, I put on my old legion armor. It made me feel like a general again, ready to command. Before I walked out, I took once last look at the cave, wondering how I spent a 100 years living here, then I departed. Excitement came over me, finally to get back to civillization. My walk turned to a jog, I arrived at the ship. They were there ready to take off, and I quickly got on board. I took one last look at Solsththeim. Would I miss it, who knows, but it was my time to depart. I’ve spent enough days in isolation, self pity, and regret. We finally pulled away from shore, I just stared at Solstheim. Spending a hundred years in one place made me feel quite attached. The captain approached me.

“It seems like you were there for a really long time.”

“Too long” I answered.

The captain nodded and returned to his post. Luckily they haven’t found out I was a vampire yet. Finally, I turned away from the island, and never looked back. Standing on the side of the ship, I began to start imagining my past again. In my mind, there were ships all around, it was a fleet. I stood on a Navy transport ship, and we ready to do a landing sailors running around doing their business. Soldiers sharpening their weapons, and readying their armor. We approached a beach, arrows and rocks began to fly in our direction…

When we approached the land, there was something familiar about the place we were docking. I couldn’t quite remember what it was. It hit me, this is where my legion made our landing a century ago. I walked over to the captain and asked about the history of this place.

“Do you know anything about this place?”

“This place is Hla Oad. There was a tragedy here about a hundred years ago. During the war, this is where one of the legions landed for the invasion of Vvardenfell, ordered by Emperor Tiber Septim. A battle took place in those swamps over there, between Dunmer and Imperials. When the Imperials won the battle, they returned to bury the bodies and all of them died. No one knows who attacked them, and why, because the armistice had already been signed. The commander, General Draconius, his body was never found. The Empire searched for him for a while, thinking that maybe he sold out his troops and wanted to bring him in for questioning. But they decided to declare him dead after 10 years of no progress. Other speculators say he just went mad and ran away.”

I nodded to the captain, said thanks and farewell. I departed and began a walk through the swamp. I visualized the battle, the scenes from what happened long ago. The voice of Julius, my second in command and best friend, could be heard in my head again. I kept on walking, and eventually tears began to run down my eyes. Wading through the swamp, I touched something with my leg. Picking it up out of the water, it was an old rusty legionnaire helmet. This made me even more teary eyed, I walked until infront of me again was the tomb. The tomb where I was cursed. Reluctant and afraid I placed my hand on the door.

wow this is a really good story. You're a good writer i want to read more. I don't see much of a plot yet, which is good, cause you're making it unpredictable. I can't wait to see the main plot

Impressive. Most impressive. I enjoyed how you continually strengthen the connections between the present life of the vampire and his past life as a general. Perhaps this will lead to a violent clash when he enters the tomb and confronts the moment where his past ended and his present began. I'm looking forward to seeing how you proceed.

Just read the whole story here....and I must say I´m impressed, despite your liking of cannibalism You here have a story that is very well written, intriguing and you even make the vampire seem sympathetic..

This is a "must-read" for me now!

Have to agree with that. I wish I could write, edit and post parts of my story here as fast as you.

Im glad to here you are all pretty impressed. this is my first story, i thought it wouldnt get that much attention but ill continue to write. yeah plot is unpredictable, i like it that way. ive already thought of what the main plot will generally be, but im still working on it. and dont worry, it will be good. its pretty cool, for the past 3 days i come home from football practice each day at like 6 pm, then do my homework, then i write a chapter for the story and go to bed. not tonight though people, cuz im not feelin it, and neither tomorrow cuz i got a game and we are in the playoffs.

RL happens. Good luck in the playoffs. We'll be here when you get back.