ARGH! Save Zerina Rales!!!!!! Another Cliffhanger!
I have been going to the other place and putting up new updates on Maxical's story but no one goes there to read anymore, lol. It is dead as a doornail - bleah!
Full Version: Memoires of Rales Sarethi
In a desperate act to slow it down, I threw my sword at it. Somehow, the blade managed to trip the skeleton, sending it plummeting to the ground. Upon impact, its sword arm fractured and seperated from the rest of the body. Screeching nearly as vicious as the wraith, it attacked me with its only remaining arm, his hand stetched out and opened as if he wanted to strangle the life out of me. I darted around it, to where Wretched had ended its tumble over the ground. Apparently, together with all its tissue, the guardian had also lost all common sense. Once I had my blade again, it was almost too easy cutting of its other arm as well. Wasting no time on the now helpless and harmless skeleton, I kicked it to the side and rushed towards Zerina.
By the time I reached the battling duo, the wraith had given up trying to hit Zerina with its sword and had started to cast spells back at her. Her magical shield hadn’t collapsed yet but the glimmer around her was rapidly diminishing, indicating it would disappear soon, rendering her defenceless.
In one of the side-rooms, I had found a magical staff. Instead of trying to hit it with Wretched - which was useless on all accounts - I sheathed it and used the magical staff to attack the wraith of Sul Senipul. It took me several shots and some instructions from Zerina before I got the hang of it but soon the wraith was caught in a cross-fire. With a final screech, it fell to the ground in a glowing heap of whatever it was made of and a shimmering bow - I assumed it was magically enhanced.
I ran my finger through its remains. I had read in a book about the extraordinary alchemical properties but couldn’t remember exactly what they had been. It was nearly odourless, there wasn’t much I could make of it but I scooped it up nonetheless and carefully poured it into the an empty vial so I could inspect it more closely back home.
Upon inspection the bow was indeed enchanted and had been Sul Senipul’s. Unfortunately, the bowstring was missing. Our mission in the damp tomb was completed. When we emerged the tomb, filthy and utterly exhausted, a clear starlet sky greeted us back to the land of the living. It turned out it had taken us more than a day to reach the wraith and to defeat it.
‘Is it necessary for us to immediately return to the Urshilaku camp?’ Zerina asked me with a dirty face and visible bags - even in the dark - underneath her eyes. I imagined I looked terrible as well, the Gods knew I felt even worse. The fortify potion I had drank had worn off before we emerged the tomb, I was on the skin of my teeth.
The staff I used to help Zerina defeat the wraith was now laying on the bottom of the very same lake I had taken a refreshing dive into. To get rid of a lot of weight we couldn’t carry, we had to make choices on what to keep and what to discard. The heavy iron staff was the first thing that came to mind, together with a steel shortsword and a shield. Regretfully, we had sank them off, the weapons weren’t anything special but the shield in particular was very skillfully crafted and would have come in handy should I decide to start using one again.
‘Well, I was thinking just to get it out of the way,’ I replied sullenly. ‘Even though I can barely place one foot for the other.’
‘That’s what I mean,’ Zerina answered implacably. ‘We are both exhausted and still have to walk for at least several hours. What if we’re attacked? I don’t think I have enough energy left for a powerful destruction spell- or even a moderate one for that matter.’
‘Then, what would be your suggestion? To rest here? May I remind you we have no food and all of our gear is still wet. Including our sleeping bags and all of the bowstrings so hunting is out of the question as well.’
‘I know, I know,’ she sighed. ‘I was just thinking aloud. It seems we have little choice but to rest here. We could use the tent to at least keep the wind and most of the cold out and share each other’s bodyheat to keep sufficiently warm. No- not like that,’ she quickly added with a smile.
I scoffed mock-like and acted the murdered innocence itself. ‘Like I would have that kind of thing on my mind in a time like this.’ Zerina placed her hands on her hips and looked at me with a doubtful look on her face. Seconds later we were both laughing until our stomachs hurted. A most welcome relief in a otherwise rather dark day.
And so it was decided we would spend another night in the shadow of the tomb we had just crawled out of.
By the time I reached the battling duo, the wraith had given up trying to hit Zerina with its sword and had started to cast spells back at her. Her magical shield hadn’t collapsed yet but the glimmer around her was rapidly diminishing, indicating it would disappear soon, rendering her defenceless.
In one of the side-rooms, I had found a magical staff. Instead of trying to hit it with Wretched - which was useless on all accounts - I sheathed it and used the magical staff to attack the wraith of Sul Senipul. It took me several shots and some instructions from Zerina before I got the hang of it but soon the wraith was caught in a cross-fire. With a final screech, it fell to the ground in a glowing heap of whatever it was made of and a shimmering bow - I assumed it was magically enhanced.
I ran my finger through its remains. I had read in a book about the extraordinary alchemical properties but couldn’t remember exactly what they had been. It was nearly odourless, there wasn’t much I could make of it but I scooped it up nonetheless and carefully poured it into the an empty vial so I could inspect it more closely back home.
Upon inspection the bow was indeed enchanted and had been Sul Senipul’s. Unfortunately, the bowstring was missing. Our mission in the damp tomb was completed. When we emerged the tomb, filthy and utterly exhausted, a clear starlet sky greeted us back to the land of the living. It turned out it had taken us more than a day to reach the wraith and to defeat it.
‘Is it necessary for us to immediately return to the Urshilaku camp?’ Zerina asked me with a dirty face and visible bags - even in the dark - underneath her eyes. I imagined I looked terrible as well, the Gods knew I felt even worse. The fortify potion I had drank had worn off before we emerged the tomb, I was on the skin of my teeth.
The staff I used to help Zerina defeat the wraith was now laying on the bottom of the very same lake I had taken a refreshing dive into. To get rid of a lot of weight we couldn’t carry, we had to make choices on what to keep and what to discard. The heavy iron staff was the first thing that came to mind, together with a steel shortsword and a shield. Regretfully, we had sank them off, the weapons weren’t anything special but the shield in particular was very skillfully crafted and would have come in handy should I decide to start using one again.
‘Well, I was thinking just to get it out of the way,’ I replied sullenly. ‘Even though I can barely place one foot for the other.’
‘That’s what I mean,’ Zerina answered implacably. ‘We are both exhausted and still have to walk for at least several hours. What if we’re attacked? I don’t think I have enough energy left for a powerful destruction spell- or even a moderate one for that matter.’
‘Then, what would be your suggestion? To rest here? May I remind you we have no food and all of our gear is still wet. Including our sleeping bags and all of the bowstrings so hunting is out of the question as well.’
‘I know, I know,’ she sighed. ‘I was just thinking aloud. It seems we have little choice but to rest here. We could use the tent to at least keep the wind and most of the cold out and share each other’s bodyheat to keep sufficiently warm. No- not like that,’ she quickly added with a smile.
I scoffed mock-like and acted the murdered innocence itself. ‘Like I would have that kind of thing on my mind in a time like this.’ Zerina placed her hands on her hips and looked at me with a doubtful look on her face. Seconds later we were both laughing until our stomachs hurted. A most welcome relief in a otherwise rather dark day.
And so it was decided we would spend another night in the shadow of the tomb we had just crawled out of.
Finally! read through the last chapters...wonderful writing Remko....really wonderful. Raley among the Ashlanders...awesome, just awesome!
More please?
More please?
Please forgive the length of this post. I find that I am woefully behind when it comes to the adventures of Rales and Zerina. Now I shall try to catch up.
Part II: Heretic or Savior
Chapter 1: Poison
haute nailed it. This chapter marks a rite of passage as Rales transforms from an outlander trying to play Imperial agent to an Imperial agent ready to play Nerevarine. I like that through his delirium the only constants are his guiding star Zerina and the certainty of his new purpose.
Chapter 2: Artifacts
Now that’s the Rales that I have come to know and love, rushing headlong through a Sixth House base, Wretched in hand, oblivious to concerns for safety. My only small nit about this chapter (and I believe that I have mentioned this before) concerns the spell that Zerina cast on the Imperial. Wouldn’t the Lord’s Mail render her spell useless against him? Or at the very least wouldn’t it give him a chance to shrug off the spell? I’m not sure if it is your intent, but the way it reads now Zerina appears to be a superwoman, able to cast spells that bypass resistance with ease.
Chapter 3: Heritage
The circumstances of Rales’ uncertain birth are finally revealed to him. By what you’ve told us in this chapter it s logical to assume that Rales spent at least the first 5-10 years of his life under Athyn Sarethi’s roof, so his recognizing Rales at the door is not at all far-fetched. I’m still not sure if it fits the character of a senior Redoran Councilor to use phrases like ‘it’s kinda complicated.’
The bit with the ring is very interesting. Apparently Azura has had her eye on Rales for quite some time. Pity she did not see fit to back him up in Hassour.
Chapter 4: Conspiracy
I can only imagine the conversation between Zerina and her mother:
“Yes, mother. The young man that I ran off to Balmora with, you know the one that saved your house and laid the smackdown on the Orc that killed father? Well, turns out he is the re-incarnation of Nerevar come to unite the Great Houses and Ashlander Tribes, defeat Dagoth Ur, cure the blight, and drive the outlanders out of Morrowind! How have you been?”
Rales will be lucky if the Widow Vabdas lets Zerina leave the house again. She’s probably calling for a Temple exorcist as we speak!
I really enjoyed your rendition of Arvs Drelen and my favorite mad wizard, Balades Demnevani. I know that he has the one quest for books that he gives you, but wouldn’t it have been great if he were a major quest-giver for House Telvanni? I would much rather have him for my patron than that idiot Aryon.
Chapter 5: Urshilaku
There are several lines in this chapter that stand out. I would quote them all but this post is already too long as it is. Suffice it to say that the interaction between Rales and Zerina was as close to perfect as anything of yours that I have read to date.
Priceless.
I always have to suppress the urge to draw my sword and throttle the Urshilaku when I first meet them. The number of hoops that they make you jump through to get anything done is ridiculous. Given how they react to something as simple as a Trama Root, I am willing to lay 2-1 odds that chewing it gets you high! You would think that someone showing up in their camp claiming to be the reincarnation of their messiah would be afforded a little more respect.
Although having said that, maybe they think he’s been chewing too much Trama Root.
Finally, the battle with the skeletons was excellent. The detailed description of Rales’ calf wound made my own leg hurt.
This is an awkward sentence. I think you need to either change ‘and’ to ‘as I’, or leave ‘and’ alone and change ‘hobbled’ to ‘hobbling’.
Part II: Heretic or Savior
Chapter 1: Poison
haute nailed it. This chapter marks a rite of passage as Rales transforms from an outlander trying to play Imperial agent to an Imperial agent ready to play Nerevarine. I like that through his delirium the only constants are his guiding star Zerina and the certainty of his new purpose.
Chapter 2: Artifacts
Now that’s the Rales that I have come to know and love, rushing headlong through a Sixth House base, Wretched in hand, oblivious to concerns for safety. My only small nit about this chapter (and I believe that I have mentioned this before) concerns the spell that Zerina cast on the Imperial. Wouldn’t the Lord’s Mail render her spell useless against him? Or at the very least wouldn’t it give him a chance to shrug off the spell? I’m not sure if it is your intent, but the way it reads now Zerina appears to be a superwoman, able to cast spells that bypass resistance with ease.
Chapter 3: Heritage
The circumstances of Rales’ uncertain birth are finally revealed to him. By what you’ve told us in this chapter it s logical to assume that Rales spent at least the first 5-10 years of his life under Athyn Sarethi’s roof, so his recognizing Rales at the door is not at all far-fetched. I’m still not sure if it fits the character of a senior Redoran Councilor to use phrases like ‘it’s kinda complicated.’
The bit with the ring is very interesting. Apparently Azura has had her eye on Rales for quite some time. Pity she did not see fit to back him up in Hassour.
Chapter 4: Conspiracy
I can only imagine the conversation between Zerina and her mother:
“Yes, mother. The young man that I ran off to Balmora with, you know the one that saved your house and laid the smackdown on the Orc that killed father? Well, turns out he is the re-incarnation of Nerevar come to unite the Great Houses and Ashlander Tribes, defeat Dagoth Ur, cure the blight, and drive the outlanders out of Morrowind! How have you been?”
Rales will be lucky if the Widow Vabdas lets Zerina leave the house again. She’s probably calling for a Temple exorcist as we speak!
I really enjoyed your rendition of Arvs Drelen and my favorite mad wizard, Balades Demnevani. I know that he has the one quest for books that he gives you, but wouldn’t it have been great if he were a major quest-giver for House Telvanni? I would much rather have him for my patron than that idiot Aryon.
Chapter 5: Urshilaku
There are several lines in this chapter that stand out. I would quote them all but this post is already too long as it is. Suffice it to say that the interaction between Rales and Zerina was as close to perfect as anything of yours that I have read to date.
QUOTE
“But I’m not dressed.”
“Neither am I.”
“Neither am I.”
Priceless.
I always have to suppress the urge to draw my sword and throttle the Urshilaku when I first meet them. The number of hoops that they make you jump through to get anything done is ridiculous. Given how they react to something as simple as a Trama Root, I am willing to lay 2-1 odds that chewing it gets you high! You would think that someone showing up in their camp claiming to be the reincarnation of their messiah would be afforded a little more respect.
Although having said that, maybe they think he’s been chewing too much Trama Root.
Finally, the battle with the skeletons was excellent. The detailed description of Rales’ calf wound made my own leg hurt.
QUOTE
I remember grimacing in wicked amusement and hobbled over to the battle between Zerina . . .
This is an awkward sentence. I think you need to either change ‘and’ to ‘as I’, or leave ‘and’ alone and change ‘hobbled’ to ‘hobbling’.
Love the interplay between Rales and Zerina, they make a perfect couple!!! Like a hand in hand, each filling the gaps of the other - love it!
Thansk everyone 
@Destri:The Imperial was too stupid too realise the true potential of the lord's Mail.
Ooooo.... shiny..... hehe..
I made a hint in the story (just as Zerina is wringout out her hair) that Rales seriously doubted the Imperial knew the true potential of it. Was kind of a pun to how badly NPC's use ites in the game)
Normally speaking you would be right
I on purpose had Athyn speak more informal. I wanted to portray a different side of him. Someone who cares for his family and is kind underneath the icy Councelor surface.
@Destri:The Imperial was too stupid too realise the true potential of the lord's Mail.
Ooooo.... shiny..... hehe..I made a hint in the story (just as Zerina is wringout out her hair) that Rales seriously doubted the Imperial knew the true potential of it. Was kind of a pun to how badly NPC's use ites in the game)
Normally speaking you would be right
I on purpose had Athyn speak more informal. I wanted to portray a different side of him. Someone who cares for his family and is kind underneath the icy Councelor surface.
‘This must be the worst night I ever spend with you,’ I whispered shivering halfway the night to Zerina’s sleeping shape, her head in my lap. The cold had set in my bones and wouldn’t allow me to stay asleep for more than an hour in a row. For a moment I had thought about trying to dry a sleeping bag with a firespell but after some consideration I decided against it. Knowing my limited skills in the Arcane arts, I would have probably burned it and the tent along with it. Maybe I would succeed but then it would be reeking of smoke. I wasn’t sure what would be worse; the cold or the potential acrid stench.
‘But, by the Nine as my witness, I love you more than anything in this world,’ I mumbled on in the dark. ‘Dibella must have smiled down on me when I entered that egg-mine to grace me with such a blessing.’
That night seemed to last forever; I felt like cheering when finally Masser and Secunda payed their last respects to the night and a watery sun emerged above the hills of the Ashlands region, heralding in a new day.
Day 263
The walk back to the Urshilaku camp seemed to drag on and on. To make matters worse, halfway a cold downpour from the heavens soaked me to my skin once more. For a brief instance, I thought I heard the distant rumble of thunder but soon realised it was my stomach. It had been over a day we both had something decent to eat. After washing away most of the dirt from several fresh Trama roots in a small muddy puddle, we found they didn’t taste too bad actually, although slightly bitter. Promising myself to alchemically experiment with the root - once I had swallowed a bite, I briefly felt my mood lifting and was engulfed with a refreshed will to keep going - Zerina commented about how her mother used to draw a bitter tea from the roots and how it could be combined with Cliffracer plumes to make a levitation potion. Of course I already knew Racer plumes - or rather; the marrow inside the feather-shafts - were a main-ingredient of levitation potions but I didn’t know Trama roots possessed those kind of alchemical properties as well. The best part of it was that Trama roots were far more easy to acquire as plants usually don’t fight back.
‘How do you swallow feathers?’ I asked her, my brow raised in a jestful frown.
Zerina chuckled briefly. ‘Difficult,’ was the only thing she said.
‘I can only imagine.’
With the Urshilaku camp looming in the fog in the distance, Zerina suddenly halted and faced me with a concerned look. ‘There’s something we need to discuss,’ she said.
‘Now? I held out my hands to indicate we were still out in the rain.
‘Yes, now. I have noticed you are rather keen on getting this Nerevarine-business behind you but I am concerned about you rushing it. I know you are eager to prove yourself to your House, I can see it in your eyes. Ever since Athyn’s story, there’s been a spark that wasn’t there before. But you nearly got yourself killed in the Sixth House base and let’s face it; it didn’t really go as planned in the the Urshilaku tomb, did it?’
I shook my head. ‘No. No it didn’t. But Caius said that-,’
‘Yes, Caius said you should investigate. But you’re not helping anyone by getting yourself killed. Not Caius, not the Emperor and most certainly not the Dunmer people. Don’t forget, we’ve been living with the Blight and the evil underneath Red Mountain for hundreds of years, surely we can hold out for another year or two? Even if things have been getting increasingly dire lately - and we know they have. If you fall, how long do you think it will take before another incarnation will rise up? There is so much you still could - and should - learn. Quite frankly; I don’t think anyone can defeat Dagoth Ur with just a sword and some potions. Dagoth Ur has been around for aeons, most likely he is a very powerful mage, one of the likes you have never encountered before. To defeat him you will need to become one too. I love you, you’re one of the greatest swordsmen I have ever seen but-’
I interrupted her with a wink. ‘You’ve seen many swordsmen then?’
Zerina smiled mischievously. ‘Well, er, that’s to say… we used to sneak out and watch the legion… exercise, but I digress. What I was saying was: you’re one of the most skillful swordsmen I have ever seen but only in one-on-one combat. Don’t get me wrong but you can be a bit overconfident sometimes. Overconfidence bears a large resemblance to naivité, both tend to originate from inexperience and both would get you killed should you confront Dagoth Ur today.’ She embraced me tightly, I could hear her emotions in her voice as she continued. ‘My love, all I’m saying is that you should consider taking ample time to prepare. What would I do without you?’
I took her teary face between my hands and looked into her swollen eyes intensely.
‘Let’s make sure that never happens,’ I said, my voice now hoarse with emotions as well. Deep down, I knew she was right and decided to heed her words carefully.
‘But, by the Nine as my witness, I love you more than anything in this world,’ I mumbled on in the dark. ‘Dibella must have smiled down on me when I entered that egg-mine to grace me with such a blessing.’
That night seemed to last forever; I felt like cheering when finally Masser and Secunda payed their last respects to the night and a watery sun emerged above the hills of the Ashlands region, heralding in a new day.
Day 263
The walk back to the Urshilaku camp seemed to drag on and on. To make matters worse, halfway a cold downpour from the heavens soaked me to my skin once more. For a brief instance, I thought I heard the distant rumble of thunder but soon realised it was my stomach. It had been over a day we both had something decent to eat. After washing away most of the dirt from several fresh Trama roots in a small muddy puddle, we found they didn’t taste too bad actually, although slightly bitter. Promising myself to alchemically experiment with the root - once I had swallowed a bite, I briefly felt my mood lifting and was engulfed with a refreshed will to keep going - Zerina commented about how her mother used to draw a bitter tea from the roots and how it could be combined with Cliffracer plumes to make a levitation potion. Of course I already knew Racer plumes - or rather; the marrow inside the feather-shafts - were a main-ingredient of levitation potions but I didn’t know Trama roots possessed those kind of alchemical properties as well. The best part of it was that Trama roots were far more easy to acquire as plants usually don’t fight back.
‘How do you swallow feathers?’ I asked her, my brow raised in a jestful frown.
Zerina chuckled briefly. ‘Difficult,’ was the only thing she said.
‘I can only imagine.’
With the Urshilaku camp looming in the fog in the distance, Zerina suddenly halted and faced me with a concerned look. ‘There’s something we need to discuss,’ she said.
‘Now? I held out my hands to indicate we were still out in the rain.
‘Yes, now. I have noticed you are rather keen on getting this Nerevarine-business behind you but I am concerned about you rushing it. I know you are eager to prove yourself to your House, I can see it in your eyes. Ever since Athyn’s story, there’s been a spark that wasn’t there before. But you nearly got yourself killed in the Sixth House base and let’s face it; it didn’t really go as planned in the the Urshilaku tomb, did it?’
I shook my head. ‘No. No it didn’t. But Caius said that-,’
‘Yes, Caius said you should investigate. But you’re not helping anyone by getting yourself killed. Not Caius, not the Emperor and most certainly not the Dunmer people. Don’t forget, we’ve been living with the Blight and the evil underneath Red Mountain for hundreds of years, surely we can hold out for another year or two? Even if things have been getting increasingly dire lately - and we know they have. If you fall, how long do you think it will take before another incarnation will rise up? There is so much you still could - and should - learn. Quite frankly; I don’t think anyone can defeat Dagoth Ur with just a sword and some potions. Dagoth Ur has been around for aeons, most likely he is a very powerful mage, one of the likes you have never encountered before. To defeat him you will need to become one too. I love you, you’re one of the greatest swordsmen I have ever seen but-’
I interrupted her with a wink. ‘You’ve seen many swordsmen then?’
Zerina smiled mischievously. ‘Well, er, that’s to say… we used to sneak out and watch the legion… exercise, but I digress. What I was saying was: you’re one of the most skillful swordsmen I have ever seen but only in one-on-one combat. Don’t get me wrong but you can be a bit overconfident sometimes. Overconfidence bears a large resemblance to naivité, both tend to originate from inexperience and both would get you killed should you confront Dagoth Ur today.’ She embraced me tightly, I could hear her emotions in her voice as she continued. ‘My love, all I’m saying is that you should consider taking ample time to prepare. What would I do without you?’
I took her teary face between my hands and looked into her swollen eyes intensely.
‘Let’s make sure that never happens,’ I said, my voice now hoarse with emotions as well. Deep down, I knew she was right and decided to heed her words carefully.
See!!! I knew that Trama Root got you high! 
Zerina’s words of wisdom are right on the money. It is good to know that Rales is going to heed them.
I like the fact that you open this chapter with Rales lamenting his overall lack of magical skill, and end it with Zerina encouraging him to become a better mage. I think they bookend each other nicely.
I felt like cheering when finally Masser and Secunda payed their last respects to the night and a watery sun emerged above the hills of the Ashlands region, harrowing in a new day.
I think that I pointed out this sentence to you before. In the context that you are using it, I think that ‘heralding’ is the word that you are looking for.
Harrowing – adj. extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous: a harrowing experience.
Herald – verb. To indicate or signal the coming of; usher in.
The problem is that, given all that they have been through ‘harrowing’ just kind of fits in a delightfully Ralesian kind of way. My advice to you would be not to change it.
Zerina’s words of wisdom are right on the money. It is good to know that Rales is going to heed them.
I like the fact that you open this chapter with Rales lamenting his overall lack of magical skill, and end it with Zerina encouraging him to become a better mage. I think they bookend each other nicely.
QUOTE(Remko @ May 10 2010, 08:32 AM) 
I felt like cheering when finally Masser and Secunda payed their last respects to the night and a watery sun emerged above the hills of the Ashlands region, harrowing in a new day.
I think that I pointed out this sentence to you before. In the context that you are using it, I think that ‘heralding’ is the word that you are looking for.
Harrowing – adj. extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous: a harrowing experience.
Herald – verb. To indicate or signal the coming of; usher in.
The problem is that, given all that they have been through ‘harrowing’ just kind of fits in a delightfully Ralesian kind of way. My advice to you would be not to change it.
Yes, you did mention it and I forgot to change it in the original draft...
I was thinking harrowing had more or less the same meaning as heralding. Heralding is what I wanted. I wanted to portray relief after the hardship of the night and in the tomb.
I was thinking harrowing had more or less the same meaning as heralding. Heralding is what I wanted. I wanted to portray relief after the hardship of the night and in the tomb.
I love it, good as ever. His continuing interest in alchemy is good to read.
I agree with Destri that Zerina's comments on him needing more magic and his feeelings that more would aid him fit well together, makes me want to know how he's going to learn.
Great line. The humour really makes this piece.
More?
I agree with Destri that Zerina's comments on him needing more magic and his feeelings that more would aid him fit well together, makes me want to know how he's going to learn.
QUOTE
‘Well, er, that’s to say… we used to sneak out and watch the legion… exercise
Great line. The humour really makes this piece.
More?
That was a truly epic campaign through the tomb in order to gain the bow. You really made that feel desperate. Just as it should be for such a pivotal event. Good touches with the miserable aftermath. No food, cold, wet, exhausted. Talk about blah, and then it starts to rain on the way back!
As Zerina so wisely pointed out, this has been a wake-up call for our Rales as well. Intrepid as he is, he still plainly has a long way to go before he can live up to his destiny. Obviously he is going to start using alchemy more. I cannot wait to see what else he is going to pick up to give himself the edge he needs.
As Zerina so wisely pointed out, this has been a wake-up call for our Rales as well. Intrepid as he is, he still plainly has a long way to go before he can live up to his destiny. Obviously he is going to start using alchemy more. I cannot wait to see what else he is going to pick up to give himself the edge he needs.
The aftermath is as real as it gets! Talk about an adrenaline crash!
Brr! I'm reading this chapter and it's cold and rainy outside! How in the heck do you do that??
Off to make something hot to drink.
Brr! I'm reading this chapter and it's cold and rainy outside! How in the heck do you do that??
Off to make something hot to drink.
This was a very hard part. I had to use parts of the in-game dialogue and improve on them to make it a story-worthy dialogue. It's easier when there are no restraints.
Anyway, here it is:
Chapter 6: Prophecies
Sul Matuul glared daggers at Zerina by my side but didn’t send her out. When I handed him the bow he was both surprised and impressed.
‘I hadn’t thought you’d be back,’ he commented. ‘It seems you are couragous and resourceful. It would be my honour to name you Clanfriend of the Urshilaku tribe. Keep the bow, you’ve earned it. Feel free to talk to our Wise-woman, unless there is more you want to ask me first.’
‘Thank you, honourable Khan,’ I replied sincerely with a bow. I could tell from looking into his eyes my respectful manners pleased him. It wasn’t hard to be sincere about it, the bow was magnificent. The stave was light and flexible yet incredibly strong. It was also enchanted but we hadn’t taken the time to figure out what it was enchanted with yet. ‘I will wield it with pride.’
Sul Matuul nodded in approval at my words. ‘As a Clanfriend, I will also allow you to sleep in any bed in our camp but if you steal from my kin, I wil revoke our hospitality.’
The weight of these word didn’t pass me by unnoticed. Not that I was of the thieving kind but I took them to heart nonetheless.
‘He was hardly any less rude than last time,’ Zerina commented softly as soon as we had exited the Ashkhan’s yurt.
I winked in reply. ‘At least he wasn’t looking at you as if you were some prized animal like the Gulukhan did last time.’
‘True,’ she chuckled. ‘Let’s go visit the wise-woman, shall we?’
‘Welcome in, Clanfriend,’ a grey-haired Dunmer woman hailed me. ‘Our Ashkhan has told me about you and said you were hard-headed and ignorant of our ways but I think that is hardly your fault. Sul Matuul has also said you claim to be the Nerevarine and that you would like to be tested against the prophecies, correct?’
‘Actually,’ I replied, ‘I would like to ask you some questions about the prophecies as well, if you’ll allow me.’
‘You are wise to come to me for counsel. Very well, ask and I will answer.’
‘Wise-woman, please tell me, what can you tell me about the Neverarine prophecies?’ I asked respectfully.
‘Well, there are many prophecies. Some true, some false, some yet to be determined but they all have one thing in common; they may suggest many things. Aspect and uncertain parents; The moon-and-star, Sleepers, Seven curses, The curses' bane, The prophecy of the Stranger,’ she ticked of on her fingers.
‘You mentioned the aspect and uncertain parents. Just recently I found out I am an orphan and have no idea who my real parents were.’
‘Well, if it’s true what you say you are indeed born on a certain date to uncertain parents; that is a part of the prophecy but doesn’t necessarily mean you are the Nerevarine. Aspect refers to the fact that individuals born under certain constellations - or more commonly known as starsigns - are said to be fortunate in their aspects. Such persons are often blessed - or cursed - with remarkable abilities or weaknesses as a result of the magical conjunctions of celestial influences.’
‘I understand. I don’t have any special powers - at least, none that I know of - and have no idea what constellation I was born under. A relative said that my mother, or rather, my stepmother, had determined my name-day on Hogithum.’
‘Lord Azura’s summoning day? How… appropriate,’ Nibeni smiled.
‘Can you tell me of the significance of the Moon-and-Star? I’ve learned it is a ring only Lord Nerevar Indoril could wear,’ I continued.
‘You are partly correct. Legend says Indoril Nerevar's family standard bore the moon and star, and Nerevar's armour and weapons bore this sign. Some say he bore a moon-and-star birthmark. Some say he had a magic ring marked with it. Others say he was born under a moon-and-star. Some claim it is just a sign of the goddess of Dusk and Dawn’s meddling. In any case, I think the moon-and-star is the mark of the Nerevarine, do you have such a mark?’
I smiled wryly. ‘Zerina,’ I gestured to her at my side, ’claims I do but I can’t see it for myself.’
Nibeni’s eyes flew open wide. ‘Show me!’ she demanded.
The two women looked at each other and smiled in a way I knew I was in trouble, I could almost feel the colour drain from my face.
‘Be a dear, and pull your pants down,’ Zerina said.
There was no escaping it so I pulled down my trousers as requested and turned around. Soon I could feel cold probing fingers going through the hairs on my left inner thigh when a finger, I hoped Zerina’s, remained on a spot just underneath the left cheek.
‘Here! This is what I mean,’ Zerina’s voice sang.
‘Yes, that birthmark does indeed resemble a moon-and-star,’ Nibeni mumbled barely understandable but the disbelief in her voice was almost tangible. ‘Maybe he really is the Nerevarine, we shall see,’ I could just make out from her muttering.
‘Sleepers,’ I surmised after having pulled my pants back up. ‘What do you suppose those are?’
Nibeni thought deeply for a while. ‘Rumours say that in the towns, mad cultists called "sleepers" are randomly, or so it seems, attacking people, saying that Dagoth Ur has awakened, and will drive the outlanders from Morrowind. Perhaps it is just coincidence, but I believe it is a sign of the Nerevarine. Not necessarily a sign that you are in fact the Nerevarine. Perhaps the time of the Nerevarine has come, and you have come at the same time. This is not passing a test, but it may mean you have some part to play in the coming of the Nerevarine.’
Anyway, here it is:
Chapter 6: Prophecies
Sul Matuul glared daggers at Zerina by my side but didn’t send her out. When I handed him the bow he was both surprised and impressed.
‘I hadn’t thought you’d be back,’ he commented. ‘It seems you are couragous and resourceful. It would be my honour to name you Clanfriend of the Urshilaku tribe. Keep the bow, you’ve earned it. Feel free to talk to our Wise-woman, unless there is more you want to ask me first.’
‘Thank you, honourable Khan,’ I replied sincerely with a bow. I could tell from looking into his eyes my respectful manners pleased him. It wasn’t hard to be sincere about it, the bow was magnificent. The stave was light and flexible yet incredibly strong. It was also enchanted but we hadn’t taken the time to figure out what it was enchanted with yet. ‘I will wield it with pride.’
Sul Matuul nodded in approval at my words. ‘As a Clanfriend, I will also allow you to sleep in any bed in our camp but if you steal from my kin, I wil revoke our hospitality.’
The weight of these word didn’t pass me by unnoticed. Not that I was of the thieving kind but I took them to heart nonetheless.
‘He was hardly any less rude than last time,’ Zerina commented softly as soon as we had exited the Ashkhan’s yurt.
I winked in reply. ‘At least he wasn’t looking at you as if you were some prized animal like the Gulukhan did last time.’
‘True,’ she chuckled. ‘Let’s go visit the wise-woman, shall we?’
‘Welcome in, Clanfriend,’ a grey-haired Dunmer woman hailed me. ‘Our Ashkhan has told me about you and said you were hard-headed and ignorant of our ways but I think that is hardly your fault. Sul Matuul has also said you claim to be the Nerevarine and that you would like to be tested against the prophecies, correct?’
‘Actually,’ I replied, ‘I would like to ask you some questions about the prophecies as well, if you’ll allow me.’
‘You are wise to come to me for counsel. Very well, ask and I will answer.’
‘Wise-woman, please tell me, what can you tell me about the Neverarine prophecies?’ I asked respectfully.
‘Well, there are many prophecies. Some true, some false, some yet to be determined but they all have one thing in common; they may suggest many things. Aspect and uncertain parents; The moon-and-star, Sleepers, Seven curses, The curses' bane, The prophecy of the Stranger,’ she ticked of on her fingers.
‘You mentioned the aspect and uncertain parents. Just recently I found out I am an orphan and have no idea who my real parents were.’
‘Well, if it’s true what you say you are indeed born on a certain date to uncertain parents; that is a part of the prophecy but doesn’t necessarily mean you are the Nerevarine. Aspect refers to the fact that individuals born under certain constellations - or more commonly known as starsigns - are said to be fortunate in their aspects. Such persons are often blessed - or cursed - with remarkable abilities or weaknesses as a result of the magical conjunctions of celestial influences.’
‘I understand. I don’t have any special powers - at least, none that I know of - and have no idea what constellation I was born under. A relative said that my mother, or rather, my stepmother, had determined my name-day on Hogithum.’
‘Lord Azura’s summoning day? How… appropriate,’ Nibeni smiled.
‘Can you tell me of the significance of the Moon-and-Star? I’ve learned it is a ring only Lord Nerevar Indoril could wear,’ I continued.
‘You are partly correct. Legend says Indoril Nerevar's family standard bore the moon and star, and Nerevar's armour and weapons bore this sign. Some say he bore a moon-and-star birthmark. Some say he had a magic ring marked with it. Others say he was born under a moon-and-star. Some claim it is just a sign of the goddess of Dusk and Dawn’s meddling. In any case, I think the moon-and-star is the mark of the Nerevarine, do you have such a mark?’
I smiled wryly. ‘Zerina,’ I gestured to her at my side, ’claims I do but I can’t see it for myself.’
Nibeni’s eyes flew open wide. ‘Show me!’ she demanded.
The two women looked at each other and smiled in a way I knew I was in trouble, I could almost feel the colour drain from my face.
‘Be a dear, and pull your pants down,’ Zerina said.
There was no escaping it so I pulled down my trousers as requested and turned around. Soon I could feel cold probing fingers going through the hairs on my left inner thigh when a finger, I hoped Zerina’s, remained on a spot just underneath the left cheek.
‘Here! This is what I mean,’ Zerina’s voice sang.
‘Yes, that birthmark does indeed resemble a moon-and-star,’ Nibeni mumbled barely understandable but the disbelief in her voice was almost tangible. ‘Maybe he really is the Nerevarine, we shall see,’ I could just make out from her muttering.
‘Sleepers,’ I surmised after having pulled my pants back up. ‘What do you suppose those are?’
Nibeni thought deeply for a while. ‘Rumours say that in the towns, mad cultists called "sleepers" are randomly, or so it seems, attacking people, saying that Dagoth Ur has awakened, and will drive the outlanders from Morrowind. Perhaps it is just coincidence, but I believe it is a sign of the Nerevarine. Not necessarily a sign that you are in fact the Nerevarine. Perhaps the time of the Nerevarine has come, and you have come at the same time. This is not passing a test, but it may mean you have some part to play in the coming of the Nerevarine.’
Though you may have felt constrained by the in-game dialogue, you certainly have done well with it.
As before, I loved the part about the birthmark. I'm sure its location wasn't in the game!
As before, I loved the part about the birthmark. I'm sure its location wasn't in the game!
I couldn’t agree more. It would be an easy thing for Rales to start getting an overblown sense of his own importance. The location of the birthmark is like a guarantee of his continued humility. It is almost as if Azura meant it as a parting joke. 
I thought that you did a great job with the dialogue. I remember being slightly annoyed at how much Nibeni sounded (or should I say read) like Yoda in the game. Everything was done in cryptic half-sentences. Here you give her a personality that includes some traces of humor, well done!
I thought that you did a great job with the dialogue. I remember being slightly annoyed at how much Nibeni sounded (or should I say read) like Yoda in the game. Everything was done in cryptic half-sentences. Here you give her a personality that includes some traces of humor, well done!
Zerina's hints to Rales to slow down and prepare in the previous chapter were so well done!
On this chapter, since the first time I read it I must say that I have done some rudimentary research and found that ANY man that drops his drawers displays a moon with a star looking...er...ROFL - I loved it as much on the second read as I did on the first, your imagination really shines on that one!!!! Both chapters Great Write!
On this chapter, since the first time I read it I must say that I have done some rudimentary research and found that ANY man that drops his drawers displays a moon with a star looking...er...ROFL - I loved it as much on the second read as I did on the first, your imagination really shines on that one!!!! Both chapters Great Write!
Caught up with the last four updates now. Plenty of action and plenty of Rales+Zerina. Wonderful stuff Remko!
Destri gave us the Sweetroll Negotiations, and now Remko has given us the Cheek Prophecies! Seriously though, I love how you put the birthmark on his rear. As the others have noted, it keeps Rales as a down-to-Nirn person who we can relate to, in spite of the whole Nerevarine business.
It was also enchanted but we hadn’t taken the time to figure out what it was enchanted with yet.
This is one of those things that the game takes for granted. You just automatically know what ever magic item does as soon as you pick it up. Yet we writers have to find some way to rationalize or change. I still have not come up with anything definitive myself.
nits:
The segue from the Khan to the wise-woman was a bit abrupt. It took me a few sentences to realize that the grey-haired dunmer woman was in fact the wise woman. At first I thought it was a woman in the Khan's tent. Perhaps putting in a sentence between saying that Rales went to see the Wise-Woman would make things flow smoother?
It was also enchanted but we hadn’t taken the time to figure out what it was enchanted with yet.
This is one of those things that the game takes for granted. You just automatically know what ever magic item does as soon as you pick it up. Yet we writers have to find some way to rationalize or change. I still have not come up with anything definitive myself.
nits:
The segue from the Khan to the wise-woman was a bit abrupt. It took me a few sentences to realize that the grey-haired dunmer woman was in fact the wise woman. At first I thought it was a woman in the Khan's tent. Perhaps putting in a sentence between saying that Rales went to see the Wise-Woman would make things flow smoother?
@SubRosa: I kinda agree with you but hoped it was clear enough because of this sentence:
I will look into it and change it to make it more clear. I guess I cut make up some dialogue between Zerina and Rales to make it clear thgey left the Ashkhan's tent and entered the wise-woman's tent. Thanks for pointing that out
Everyone; I took SubRosa's critique to heart and realised she was bsolutely right. So I added some lines of dialogues to smoothe the transition from the Ashkhan's yurt to the Wise-woman's. Hope you like it, it's a small pun to the part of dialogue where Zerina felt insulted by the way the Gulukhan was sizing her up like a horndog.
QUOTE
Feel free to talk to our Wise-woman, unless there is more you want to ask me first.’
I will look into it and change it to make it more clear. I guess I cut make up some dialogue between Zerina and Rales to make it clear thgey left the Ashkhan's tent and entered the wise-woman's tent. Thanks for pointing that out
Everyone; I took SubRosa's critique to heart and realised she was bsolutely right. So I added some lines of dialogues to smoothe the transition from the Ashkhan's yurt to the Wise-woman's. Hope you like it, it's a small pun to the part of dialogue where Zerina felt insulted by the way the Gulukhan was sizing her up like a horndog.
That works much better! I especially liked Zerina's very natural comment.
Glad to hear (read ) you like it. Makes me feel all fuzzy inside
I nodded in recognition, I had come across these strange stragglers in the major towns but had avoided them totally. ‘So, that’s who those grumpy people are.’
‘You’ve talked to them?’ Nibeni seemed surpised by that.
‘No, not really. I bumped into them, that’s about it,’ I shrugged. ‘So far, they haven’t attacked me but we have been attacked by zombie-like creatures with ashen skins several weeks ago.’
The Wise-woman nodded. ‘Dagoth’s minions, it would appear the evil underneath Red Mountain has taken an interest in you. Is there more you want to ask me?’
‘Please tell me what is meant with The Stranger.’
‘Good that you ask me about that, your humility flatters you. This is the part of the prophecy that is well-known to us. Would you like me to recite it?’
‘Yes, I would very much like to hear that.’
Nibeni scraped her throat and started:
‘When earth is sundered, and skies choked black,
And sleepers serve the seven curses,
To the hearth there comes a stranger,
Journeyed far 'neath moon and star.
Though stark-born to sire uncertain
His aspect marks his certain fate.
Wicked stalk him, righteous curse him.
Prophets speak, but all deny.
Many trials make manifest
The stranger's fate, the curses' bane.
Many touchstones try the stranger.
Many fall, but one remains.’
I swallowed a lump in my throat. ‘Again the reference to the moon-and-star,’ I thought abashedly. The first part of the verse wasn’t much of a conundrum, we had discussed several details of it but the rest of it wasn’t as straightforward.
‘Do you understand?’ Nibeni asked me, tearing me from my thoughts.
‘Partially, yes. Wicked stalk him; would this refer to the sleepers or maybe those Ash-Zombies? I don’t understand the second part of that sentence though.’
‘Don’t you see?’ Zerina interrupted. ‘The prophecy goes against all the Temple has stood for all those years. I think the righteous means the Temple; the Nerevarine prophecies are considered heresy by the Temple, aren’t they wise-woman?’
‘Listen to your woman for she speaks with wisdom,’ Nibeni answered. ‘You were right about the Wicked though, I am almost sure that is exactly what is meant by that.’ She thought for a while.
‘Or it could mean Dagoth Ur himself,’ Zerina interrupted her reverie.
Nibeni nodded, ’that thought crossed my mind too.’
‘Let me guess,’ I said. ‘The many trials part are the trials I have to go through to fulfill the prophecy? I am the stranger, or at least I could be. That much is clear to me, but what is actually meant by the curses’ bane? What curses? In the very first part of the rhyme, “and sleepers serve the seven curses” there is also the reference to sleepers and curses. Are these the same curses?’
) you like it. Makes me feel all fuzzy inside I nodded in recognition, I had come across these strange stragglers in the major towns but had avoided them totally. ‘So, that’s who those grumpy people are.’
‘You’ve talked to them?’ Nibeni seemed surpised by that.
‘No, not really. I bumped into them, that’s about it,’ I shrugged. ‘So far, they haven’t attacked me but we have been attacked by zombie-like creatures with ashen skins several weeks ago.’
The Wise-woman nodded. ‘Dagoth’s minions, it would appear the evil underneath Red Mountain has taken an interest in you. Is there more you want to ask me?’
‘Please tell me what is meant with The Stranger.’
‘Good that you ask me about that, your humility flatters you. This is the part of the prophecy that is well-known to us. Would you like me to recite it?’
‘Yes, I would very much like to hear that.’
Nibeni scraped her throat and started:
‘When earth is sundered, and skies choked black,
And sleepers serve the seven curses,
To the hearth there comes a stranger,
Journeyed far 'neath moon and star.
Though stark-born to sire uncertain
His aspect marks his certain fate.
Wicked stalk him, righteous curse him.
Prophets speak, but all deny.
Many trials make manifest
The stranger's fate, the curses' bane.
Many touchstones try the stranger.
Many fall, but one remains.’
I swallowed a lump in my throat. ‘Again the reference to the moon-and-star,’ I thought abashedly. The first part of the verse wasn’t much of a conundrum, we had discussed several details of it but the rest of it wasn’t as straightforward.
‘Do you understand?’ Nibeni asked me, tearing me from my thoughts.
‘Partially, yes. Wicked stalk him; would this refer to the sleepers or maybe those Ash-Zombies? I don’t understand the second part of that sentence though.’
‘Don’t you see?’ Zerina interrupted. ‘The prophecy goes against all the Temple has stood for all those years. I think the righteous means the Temple; the Nerevarine prophecies are considered heresy by the Temple, aren’t they wise-woman?’
‘Listen to your woman for she speaks with wisdom,’ Nibeni answered. ‘You were right about the Wicked though, I am almost sure that is exactly what is meant by that.’ She thought for a while.
‘Or it could mean Dagoth Ur himself,’ Zerina interrupted her reverie.
Nibeni nodded, ’that thought crossed my mind too.’
‘Let me guess,’ I said. ‘The many trials part are the trials I have to go through to fulfill the prophecy? I am the stranger, or at least I could be. That much is clear to me, but what is actually meant by the curses’ bane? What curses? In the very first part of the rhyme, “and sleepers serve the seven curses” there is also the reference to sleepers and curses. Are these the same curses?’
‘So, that’s who those grumpy people are.’
I love this line. It has a ring of understatement of British proportions.
‘Listen to your woman for she speaks with wisdom,’
Well that goes without saying, she is a woman after all!
I still keep wondering about the curses, and Rales being their bane. Are they minions? Effects of Dagoth Ur in Red Mountain such as the ashfall?
I love this line. It has a ring of understatement of British proportions.
‘Listen to your woman for she speaks with wisdom,’
Well that goes without saying, she is a woman after all!
I still keep wondering about the curses, and Rales being their bane. Are they minions? Effects of Dagoth Ur in Red Mountain such as the ashfall?
Good stuff. I like this piece, and I like that section of the main quest where it all starts to come togther. And he's about to become a heretic...
I want more
I want more
I like the new paragraph in the last chapter. It does indeed make the transition to the wise-woman’s hut a bit less jarring.
There isn’t much to this latest chapter is there? Just when I was becoming drawn into the discussion of the trials of the stranger and the seven curses the chapter ends. While I am all for cliffhangers, this felt a bit too abrupt for my taste.
On the positive side I am very impressed with the way that you continue to develop Zerina. It’s nice to see that she is far more than an appendage for Rales.
There isn’t much to this latest chapter is there? Just when I was becoming drawn into the discussion of the trials of the stranger and the seven curses the chapter ends. While I am all for cliffhangers, this felt a bit too abrupt for my taste.
On the positive side I am very impressed with the way that you continue to develop Zerina. It’s nice to see that she is far more than an appendage for Rales.
Zerina ROCKS! She is going to drag Rales through the Nerevarine - I can't wait to read the confrontation with Dagoth Ur, now that you are up to this stage of the storyline I begin to know a little bit of the game storyline and it gets more exciting to me. Great Write!!!!!
Sorry Destri, it was etiher gonna be huge or a bit short. I chose the short one. I will make it up next installment
Nice Remmie! I honestly like your approach....and as others here already have said...Zerina ROCKS!!
It is another Ashlander prophecy of the Nerevarine,’ Nibeni replied. ‘It is also called "The Seven Curses of the Sharmat." Sadly, I do not know it, and don’t know of anyone still alive who does. I fear it may have been lost through time. Regrettably, such things happen. A Wise-woman dies, or forgets, or a clan is wiped out. Perhaps someone knows, but is keeping it hidden. Perhaps it is in one of those many books of your settled people. I have heard that some priests of the Temple may have such books but don’t know any names.’
‘What do you think the curses’ bane means?’ Zerina asked. ‘It seems to me the Nerevarine is the curses’ bane.’
‘That seems likely, but which curse’s bane? There are so many, it’s likely it refers to the seven curses but there is no way to really tell for sure.’ The Wise-woman shrugged. ‘In the prophecy of the Seven Visions there is also some mentioning of curses. Maybe it will help you to hear that too? The full name of this prophecy is called “Seven Visions of Seven Trials of the Incarnate”’.
Seven trials
What he puts his hand to, that shall be done.
What is left undone, that shall be done.
First trial
On a certain day to uncertain parents
Incarnate moon and star reborn.
Second trial
Neither blight nor age can harm him.
The Curse-of-Flesh before him flies.
Third trial
In caverns dark Azura's eye sees
and makes to shine the moon and star.
Fourth trial
A stranger's voice unites the Houses.
Three Halls call him Hortator.
Fifth trial
A stranger's hand unites the Velothi.
Four Tribes call him Nerevarine.
Sixth trial
He honours blood of the tribe unmourned.
He eats their sin, and is reborn.
Seventh trial
His mercy frees the cursed false gods,
Binds the broken, redeems the mad.
One destiny
He speaks the law for Veloth's people.
He speaks for their land, and names them great
‘You already understood the importance of the trials; they determine who the Nerevarine will be and what he will have to go through to fulfill his destiny. I will not say I completely understand it all, because quite honestly, I don’t, but if you wish, we can discuss the trials together and try to make more sense of it. Some of it is very similar to the prophecy of the seven visions.’
‘Like the first trial?’ I interjected. ‘It sounded very similar to the first verse of The Stranger prophecy.’
‘Exactly,’ Nibeni confirmed. ‘The second trial is more difficult to understand though. I have thought that one over and over but it still isn’t quite clear to me. I think the Curse-of-Flesh means the Corprus disease, I assume you know about that?’
I hesitated. Rumours had reached my ears about deformed people but I hadn’t seen it for myself. ‘I’ve heard about it.’
‘The Corprus disease causes terrible deformed growth on its victims, on both men and beasts. Maybe the Nerevarine can cure this awful disease, maybe it is another sign of the Nerevarine. I don’t know what is meant by “Neither blight nor age can touch him”, it is stil a mystery to me.’
‘Maybe it implicates an Elf will be the Nerevarine? Elves have far longer life-spans then humans,’ Zerina suggested.
‘Maybe, but I don’t think so. We are still touched by time and will age eventually,’ Nibeni answered and looked at me intensely. ‘I fear it is up to you to find that out.’
‘What of the third trial?’
Nibeni shook her head frantically. ‘Legend says there is a cave with a shrine to Lord Azura, called the Cavern of the Incarnate. There are secrets about this cavern I can’t tell you, at least, not yet. Please, do not ask me of that.’
‘All right, I respect that although I don’t understand. Then, please tell me, am I right in thinking the Velothi is another word for us, the Dunmer? I remember reading somewhere when we visited Vivec it was Saint Veloth who led our common ancestors to this land.’
My question clearly fascinated and pleased Nibeni.
‘You are correct. The Velothi are the Dunmer, all Dunmer. The last time the Velothi were united underneath one banner, it was underneath Nerevar’s banner at the battle of Red Mountain, thousands of years ago. One destiny, one people. Nerevar will return and unite the Velothi - the Dunmer if you will - once more and restore the greatness of the Velothi people.
‘One last question.’ I was tired and noticed I could hardly focus anymore. ‘I’m sure I will come up with more soon enough but what is a Hortator exactly?’
‘A Hortator is the war-leader, named and agreed upon by all the Great Houses. For a Hortator to be named, the Great Houses must put aside their petty differences and suspend fueds to stand as one against the common enemy. The last time this has happened was when the Septim Usurper unjustly invaded our land.’ Nibeni emphasized “our”, in such a way I thought it unwise to inform her I was actually instructed by the Emperor’s Imperial Spymaster to seek out the Urshilaku and chase after the meaning of the Prophecies. It was becoming clear however, that the Nerevarine prophecy was bigger than me, bigger than the Emperor, bigger than the Empire even.
‘What do you think the curses’ bane means?’ Zerina asked. ‘It seems to me the Nerevarine is the curses’ bane.’
‘That seems likely, but which curse’s bane? There are so many, it’s likely it refers to the seven curses but there is no way to really tell for sure.’ The Wise-woman shrugged. ‘In the prophecy of the Seven Visions there is also some mentioning of curses. Maybe it will help you to hear that too? The full name of this prophecy is called “Seven Visions of Seven Trials of the Incarnate”’.
Seven trials
What he puts his hand to, that shall be done.
What is left undone, that shall be done.
First trial
On a certain day to uncertain parents
Incarnate moon and star reborn.
Second trial
Neither blight nor age can harm him.
The Curse-of-Flesh before him flies.
Third trial
In caverns dark Azura's eye sees
and makes to shine the moon and star.
Fourth trial
A stranger's voice unites the Houses.
Three Halls call him Hortator.
Fifth trial
A stranger's hand unites the Velothi.
Four Tribes call him Nerevarine.
Sixth trial
He honours blood of the tribe unmourned.
He eats their sin, and is reborn.
Seventh trial
His mercy frees the cursed false gods,
Binds the broken, redeems the mad.
One destiny
He speaks the law for Veloth's people.
He speaks for their land, and names them great
‘You already understood the importance of the trials; they determine who the Nerevarine will be and what he will have to go through to fulfill his destiny. I will not say I completely understand it all, because quite honestly, I don’t, but if you wish, we can discuss the trials together and try to make more sense of it. Some of it is very similar to the prophecy of the seven visions.’
‘Like the first trial?’ I interjected. ‘It sounded very similar to the first verse of The Stranger prophecy.’
‘Exactly,’ Nibeni confirmed. ‘The second trial is more difficult to understand though. I have thought that one over and over but it still isn’t quite clear to me. I think the Curse-of-Flesh means the Corprus disease, I assume you know about that?’
I hesitated. Rumours had reached my ears about deformed people but I hadn’t seen it for myself. ‘I’ve heard about it.’
‘The Corprus disease causes terrible deformed growth on its victims, on both men and beasts. Maybe the Nerevarine can cure this awful disease, maybe it is another sign of the Nerevarine. I don’t know what is meant by “Neither blight nor age can touch him”, it is stil a mystery to me.’
‘Maybe it implicates an Elf will be the Nerevarine? Elves have far longer life-spans then humans,’ Zerina suggested.
‘Maybe, but I don’t think so. We are still touched by time and will age eventually,’ Nibeni answered and looked at me intensely. ‘I fear it is up to you to find that out.’
‘What of the third trial?’
Nibeni shook her head frantically. ‘Legend says there is a cave with a shrine to Lord Azura, called the Cavern of the Incarnate. There are secrets about this cavern I can’t tell you, at least, not yet. Please, do not ask me of that.’
‘All right, I respect that although I don’t understand. Then, please tell me, am I right in thinking the Velothi is another word for us, the Dunmer? I remember reading somewhere when we visited Vivec it was Saint Veloth who led our common ancestors to this land.’
My question clearly fascinated and pleased Nibeni.
‘You are correct. The Velothi are the Dunmer, all Dunmer. The last time the Velothi were united underneath one banner, it was underneath Nerevar’s banner at the battle of Red Mountain, thousands of years ago. One destiny, one people. Nerevar will return and unite the Velothi - the Dunmer if you will - once more and restore the greatness of the Velothi people.
‘One last question.’ I was tired and noticed I could hardly focus anymore. ‘I’m sure I will come up with more soon enough but what is a Hortator exactly?’
‘A Hortator is the war-leader, named and agreed upon by all the Great Houses. For a Hortator to be named, the Great Houses must put aside their petty differences and suspend fueds to stand as one against the common enemy. The last time this has happened was when the Septim Usurper unjustly invaded our land.’ Nibeni emphasized “our”, in such a way I thought it unwise to inform her I was actually instructed by the Emperor’s Imperial Spymaster to seek out the Urshilaku and chase after the meaning of the Prophecies. It was becoming clear however, that the Nerevarine prophecy was bigger than me, bigger than the Emperor, bigger than the Empire even.
Very cool. So it looks like Rales will be visiting a cave in the near future? and his birthmark will glow?
So it looks like Rales will be visiting a cave in the near future? and his birthmark will glow?
He, he, that'll make an interesting chapter!
Thanks for explaining the prophecies to me, I've never been a big one for them. They tend to be overdone in fantasies, but in your story, with Rales and Zerina's personalities, the prophecies fit quite well instead of being a contrived plot element. Well done!
He, he, that'll make an interesting chapter!
Thanks for explaining the prophecies to me, I've never been a big one for them. They tend to be overdone in fantasies, but in your story, with Rales and Zerina's personalities, the prophecies fit quite well instead of being a contrived plot element. Well done!
This part gets fascinating to me, because it is a part to the game I never knew you had to do before confronting Dagoth Ur - I love this!!!
QUOTE(Remko @ May 15 2010, 08:09 AM)
Sorry Destri, it was etiher gonna be huge or a bit short. I chose the short one. I will make it up next installment
No worries. I only made the comment because this is one of the seminal moments in Morrowind and I don’t want you to think that you need to break it up for our benefit.
I like the way that you are taking your time dissecting the prophecies. I wonder if Nibeni’s reluctance to tell Rales about the Cave of the Incarnate has more to do with mistrust, or fear. The early description of Corprus brought back bad memories!
Rales is being shown the map that he must follow to embody his destiny, here’s hoping that he is equal to the trials ahead.
I don't know from prophecies, so this is all new to me. . . and fun to read and discover.
ohh now he's into it! i'm very fond of the little dunmer, so fond of him! haha he's related to my charachter....that's awesome.!
More Rem, please!
More Rem, please!
A short one but that's because I am still working on what comes after it. It comes hard, don't know why so might take me another week getting it updated (still no Word on my own PC so can only work on it for 1 maybe 2 hours in a week)
‘A Hortator sets an example, he takes the fight to the enemy and vanquishes the evil in its own lair. As Hortator and Nerevarine, you must unite the Velothi. The Great Houses and the four tribes; The Urshilaku, The Erabenimsun, the Ahemussa and the Zainab tribe. Uniting the four tribes that have been warring each other for centuries would truly be a miracle. A miracle the Nerevarine must perform.
‘Like in the fourth and fifth trial?’ Zerina commented.
‘Exactly,’ Nibeni nodded. ‘But first,’ she eyed the both of us. ‘you must rest. You can use my tent, I need to speak to Sul-Matuul anyway and will be away for hours.’ As she laid her hand on the the leather slab that acted as a door, the Wise-Woman turned towards us and winked. ‘Behave.’
Zerina and I looked at echother grinning ear-to-ear. ‘We will,’ we said in unison.
‘Good.’
Of course, as soon as we had laid ourselves down onto the thin, but surprisingly comfortable bedrolls, it took mere seconds for the both of us to fall asleep.
How exhausted we had been exactly was obvious the following day. Apparently we had slept over twelve hours straight because when we emerged Nibeni’s tent, it was already mid-day.
‘Feeling rested?’ Nibeni asked us when we encountered her outside.
‘Very,’ I answered. ‘Thank you. We hope we didn’t keep you from your own nightrest though.’
She smiled mysteriously. ‘No, Sul-Matuul and I are…close friends.’
‘I am starving, let’s go find something to eat,’ I said smilingly. I was hungry but it was more a subtle way to move the conversation away from Nibeni’s love-life I didn’t really wanted to learn more about.
‘Finally. Some sense,’ Zerina jested and rolled her eyes towards the heavens.
I scoffed. ‘I didn’t hear you come up with it.’
She hugged me still laughing. ‘Sometimes you’re adorable, Rales.’
I wasn’t sure that was entirely a good thing but how could I keep a grudge with her?
The Wise-Woman showed us where we could restock our exhausted supplies. The trader also sold us some bowstrings. To prevent the disaster from last time, we stored the strings in a small oiled leather sack and hung it around my neck for safe keeping. For all we knew, our lives could depend on it.
One string was used for the bow we so painstakedly had retrieved from the tomb and what a weapon it proved to be! Sul-Matuul had said his father had named it Bonebiter and it was clear why. With the drain-agility enchantment on it activated, its target was rendered practically helpless and could be picked off easily. Like shooting cliffracers in a cage. It wasn’t as powerful as a longbow nor did it have the range of one but it was extremely light and the enchantment more than made up for the disadvantages. Even Zerina could easily handle and string it.
It comes hard, don't know why so might take me another week getting it updated (still no Word on my own PC so can only work on it for 1 maybe 2 hours in a week)‘A Hortator sets an example, he takes the fight to the enemy and vanquishes the evil in its own lair. As Hortator and Nerevarine, you must unite the Velothi. The Great Houses and the four tribes; The Urshilaku, The Erabenimsun, the Ahemussa and the Zainab tribe. Uniting the four tribes that have been warring each other for centuries would truly be a miracle. A miracle the Nerevarine must perform.
‘Like in the fourth and fifth trial?’ Zerina commented.
‘Exactly,’ Nibeni nodded. ‘But first,’ she eyed the both of us. ‘you must rest. You can use my tent, I need to speak to Sul-Matuul anyway and will be away for hours.’ As she laid her hand on the the leather slab that acted as a door, the Wise-Woman turned towards us and winked. ‘Behave.’
Zerina and I looked at echother grinning ear-to-ear. ‘We will,’ we said in unison.
‘Good.’
Of course, as soon as we had laid ourselves down onto the thin, but surprisingly comfortable bedrolls, it took mere seconds for the both of us to fall asleep.
How exhausted we had been exactly was obvious the following day. Apparently we had slept over twelve hours straight because when we emerged Nibeni’s tent, it was already mid-day.
‘Feeling rested?’ Nibeni asked us when we encountered her outside.
‘Very,’ I answered. ‘Thank you. We hope we didn’t keep you from your own nightrest though.’
She smiled mysteriously. ‘No, Sul-Matuul and I are…close friends.’
‘I am starving, let’s go find something to eat,’ I said smilingly. I was hungry but it was more a subtle way to move the conversation away from Nibeni’s love-life I didn’t really wanted to learn more about.
‘Finally. Some sense,’ Zerina jested and rolled her eyes towards the heavens.
I scoffed. ‘I didn’t hear you come up with it.’
She hugged me still laughing. ‘Sometimes you’re adorable, Rales.’
I wasn’t sure that was entirely a good thing but how could I keep a grudge with her?
The Wise-Woman showed us where we could restock our exhausted supplies. The trader also sold us some bowstrings. To prevent the disaster from last time, we stored the strings in a small oiled leather sack and hung it around my neck for safe keeping. For all we knew, our lives could depend on it.
One string was used for the bow we so painstakedly had retrieved from the tomb and what a weapon it proved to be! Sul-Matuul had said his father had named it Bonebiter and it was clear why. With the drain-agility enchantment on it activated, its target was rendered practically helpless and could be picked off easily. Like shooting cliffracers in a cage. It wasn’t as powerful as a longbow nor did it have the range of one but it was extremely light and the enchantment more than made up for the disadvantages. Even Zerina could easily handle and string it.
It's been wholly too ling since I replied here. Great as ever, and good to se it continued. I love reading about Morrowind, it's making me think of writing something set there.
It's excitingly written and I can't wait to see how you handle the next quest...
EDIT (after post below): I know I'm writing something in morrowind but it only touched on Vvardenfel and was set about 30 years after the Nerevarine.
It's excitingly written and I can't wait to see how you handle the next quest...
EDIT (after post below): I know I'm writing something in morrowind but it only touched on Vvardenfel and was set about 30 years after the Nerevarine.
Ahh, the ever adorable Rales. Good to see him (and Zerina) back. He has to unite all of the Velothi? Yikes, killing Dagoth Ur sounds much easier!
I love reading about Morrowind, it's making me think of writing something set there.
You are writing something set there!
Good to see him (and Zerina) back. He has to unite all of the Velothi? Yikes, killing Dagoth Ur sounds much easier!QUOTE(Olen @ May 26 2010, 07:48 AM)
I love reading about Morrowind, it's making me think of writing something set there.
You are writing something set there!
QUOTE
‘No, Sul Matuul and I are...old friends.’
I am 100% with Rales on this, some images are best left unseen! Now I can never play Morrowind again without imagining the two of them together!
QUOTE
Like shooting cliffracers in a cage.
I love the lore-friendly analogy!
I think we all know what it’s like when the words just refuse to come. All you can do is keep plugging away at it. I hope you get your new PC soon so that we can get more Rales and Zerina!
A turkey shoot with cliffracers!!!!!! My favorite line was already picked by Destri, but it is worth posting twice!!!!! Love it!!!
This made me smile:
Glad to see an update of Rales and Zerina!
QUOTE
I was hungry but it was more a subtle way to move the conversation away from Nibeni’s love-life I didn’t really wanted to learn more about.
Glad to see an update of Rales and Zerina!
This short story was stuffed with names that are foreign to me; that's why Rales is my guide to Morrowind, lol. The love between Rales and Zerina continues to shine like a wonderful beacon though. Well done!
Thanks for the kind words everyone
PC isn't the problem, I have an awesome machine The problem is that I have windows 7 HE premium and that doesn't include the Office package. 
Words are starting to come. I actually wrote a couple of sentences yesterday hehe. sometimes all you need is a single sentence to set an entire chapter into motion. Just need to find that one
PC isn't the problem, I have an awesome machine
The problem is that I have windows 7 HE premium and that doesn't include the Office package. Words are starting to come. I actually wrote a couple of sentences yesterday hehe. sometimes all you need is a single sentence to set an entire chapter into motion. Just need to find that one
QUOTE
The problem is that I have windows 7 HE premium and that doesn't include the Office package.
A couple of suggestions:
AbiWord is very much like Microsoft Word and can read and save as .doc format. It's free and open-source so no need to pay, it's stable and no nasty surprises. It's also availible in a variety of languages. IMO it's better than Open Office Writer unless you need to embed graphs (which I'm not expecting to see in Reles...
)If you don't want to install software then Google Docs isn't too dreadful and runs in browser. It has spell check etc.
Just a couple of options if you get a sudden urge to write...
Thanks Olen! Will have a look at that tonight Office package costs about 80 Euro so this is a much cheaper solution to my problem.
Office package costs about 80 Euro so this is a much cheaper solution to my problem.
Wow, Rales. You've changed so much over the time I've read of your crazy adventures. Perhaps you could take me, a humble scribe along with you? I have basic knowledge of first-aid and can be of assistance, Mr. Sarethi.
An update. (yes really hehe) Let me know what you think. I had to move the story on but I hope I dind't cut too many corners. I allowed myself some leniancy from how the game goes. Some events in Tower of Fyr are a bit strange. Everyone having played through the mq will know what I mean. The thing with the boots you have to get...
Anyway, I won't spoil anymore; here it is.
Chapter 7: Decisions
Happily we trotted around the grazelands aimlessly for days. Having suspended the fulfillment of my destiny, it was like a load had fallen of my chest. I imagined even breathing came easier. Again, we lived on what Vvardenfell had to offer and on the supplies we had purchased in the Urshilaku camp. Zerina and I had hourlong conversations and training sessions together. Every night she amazed me with her arcane skills and a certain night she had entrusted me with a secret that had blown me away. Her mother was originally a powerful Telvanni mage but had refused to become a councillor. In fact; she was now an exile because she had freed a slave and had run off with him.
When I asked her if Athyn had known that truth she had shaken her head. Appararently, Telvanni wizards usually are rather eccentric and keep everything that happens within the House silent. Her mother and her father had been helped by another Telvanni master-wizard but she wouldn’t disclose who because her mother had vowed never to tell it to anyone.
We utterly lost track of time as we slowly headed south. Days became weeks and weeks became months as we got to see most of the northern part of Vvardenfell. The only indication of the passing seasons was an increase in temperature. Zerina still bathed every single night before going to bed and I was increasingly less reluctant to join her in the cold rivers. When we got close to a town – a smoking chimney usually was the tell-tale of a nearby settlement – we briefly entered for supplies that were hard to get by, like salt and fresh water, and had our gear repaired when necessary. After all the months of hard use – sometimes as a shovel when needed – Wretched still didn’t show any signs of being dull or of burs anywhere. ‘Forged with Oblivion’s blood,’ Zerina had said.
Zerina was most impressed with the improvement of my magical skills in the few months we had been practicing it. Over time I even managed to cast a spell while in combat. Deliberately, we looked up places where I and Zerina could practice my skills. Some were easy, some had ended with me needing healing. Badly. And, of course, at the times I needed it most, Zerina refused and said I had to do it myself.
Initially, I was puzzled why but soon - as I was patching up another bloody hole in my leg from a dart - it dawned to me it actually made sense. I had to be ready to heal myself in an emergency situation, even when wounded badly. My life could depend on it.
Several months after we had left the Urshilaku camp we returned to Balmora, only to find our house in a dreadful shape. Fear of what might have happened seeped into both of our minds. All colour drained from Zerina’s face when she noticed stains of long-dried blood all over the place. Her mouth formed the word “Uryne” and I could see her eyes filling up with tears. With trembling hands I opened a dusty letter I found on our doormat.
Sera Rales and Zerina,
With pain in our heart we inform you about another attack on your house while you were away. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to locate you to inform you about the dreadful news and hope you find this letter soon. The Sixth House scourge have slain Uryne and
I could’t read any further. I sank to my knees while tears poured down my cheeks.
‘Why?’ I screamed and threw my arms up to the sky in despair. ‘Why her? I should have been here! I could have…’
‘Shhh..’ Zerina shushed me gently while kneeling next to me and embracing me. ‘No point in torturing yourself with such thoughts. We did what we had to do.’
I shook my head violently in anger and grief. All of my uncertainty, fear and hate converged into a smouldering point in my mind and exploded in a single burst. The Sixth House was going to pay. Dearly. I growled like an animal and jumped to my legs. Again, I lost all restraints and self-control. Not even Zerina could calm me down that day. She didn’t even try.
***
In my blind rage I stumbled into a familiar cave. I should have recognised it but I didn’t. The last thing I remember was a maniacal cackle and a malevolant shroud engulfing me. Every now and then I had brief moments of clarity after that but they were as incoherent as my own dispersed state of mind.
‘Found him wandering around, mumbling your name over and over.’
‘Bring him in, gently.’
‘…. can’t help him, maybe our old friend…..’
‘…...it could kill him….’ A coarse voice.
‘He’ll die anyway if we don’t.’
A burning potion was poured down my throat. I could feel it make its way to through my throat, into my stomach and spreading from there.
‘It’s working!’ The same coarse voice again. ‘The symptoms are vanishing.’
Then… darkness.
***
‘How are you feeling?’ I recognised that voice.
‘Weird. Like I haven’t been myself lately. Where am I?’
‘With an old friend.’
I started looking around me. My day brightened when I saw Zerina’s smiling face. Around me several Dunmer were standing, most of them I didn’t know. A very old man, dressed head-to-toe in armour as black as Wretched, was intensely looking down at me. ‘You were lucky, Rales,’ he breathed. ‘So far, you have been the only one ever to survive.’
‘Survive?’ I mumbled. ‘Survive what?’
‘Corprus,’ was the short answer. ‘You attracted the Corprus disease somewhere, so you might not feel like yourself for some time.’
He was right, I didn’t feel like myself at all. Something was different. I felt stronger, yet weaker at the same time. My mind was sluggish.
‘We decided to use my cure - well, it’s not really a cure, I will explain later - on you even though it hasn’t worked before. We were afraid it would kill you like it has previous cases but if we hadn’t you would’ve either perished or ended up like my poor patients in my Corprusarium anyway. Rest now, we will explain later.’
Anyway, I won't spoil anymore; here it is.
Chapter 7: Decisions
Happily we trotted around the grazelands aimlessly for days. Having suspended the fulfillment of my destiny, it was like a load had fallen of my chest. I imagined even breathing came easier. Again, we lived on what Vvardenfell had to offer and on the supplies we had purchased in the Urshilaku camp. Zerina and I had hourlong conversations and training sessions together. Every night she amazed me with her arcane skills and a certain night she had entrusted me with a secret that had blown me away. Her mother was originally a powerful Telvanni mage but had refused to become a councillor. In fact; she was now an exile because she had freed a slave and had run off with him.
When I asked her if Athyn had known that truth she had shaken her head. Appararently, Telvanni wizards usually are rather eccentric and keep everything that happens within the House silent. Her mother and her father had been helped by another Telvanni master-wizard but she wouldn’t disclose who because her mother had vowed never to tell it to anyone.
We utterly lost track of time as we slowly headed south. Days became weeks and weeks became months as we got to see most of the northern part of Vvardenfell. The only indication of the passing seasons was an increase in temperature. Zerina still bathed every single night before going to bed and I was increasingly less reluctant to join her in the cold rivers. When we got close to a town – a smoking chimney usually was the tell-tale of a nearby settlement – we briefly entered for supplies that were hard to get by, like salt and fresh water, and had our gear repaired when necessary. After all the months of hard use – sometimes as a shovel when needed – Wretched still didn’t show any signs of being dull or of burs anywhere. ‘Forged with Oblivion’s blood,’ Zerina had said.
Zerina was most impressed with the improvement of my magical skills in the few months we had been practicing it. Over time I even managed to cast a spell while in combat. Deliberately, we looked up places where I and Zerina could practice my skills. Some were easy, some had ended with me needing healing. Badly. And, of course, at the times I needed it most, Zerina refused and said I had to do it myself.
Initially, I was puzzled why but soon - as I was patching up another bloody hole in my leg from a dart - it dawned to me it actually made sense. I had to be ready to heal myself in an emergency situation, even when wounded badly. My life could depend on it.
Several months after we had left the Urshilaku camp we returned to Balmora, only to find our house in a dreadful shape. Fear of what might have happened seeped into both of our minds. All colour drained from Zerina’s face when she noticed stains of long-dried blood all over the place. Her mouth formed the word “Uryne” and I could see her eyes filling up with tears. With trembling hands I opened a dusty letter I found on our doormat.
Sera Rales and Zerina,
With pain in our heart we inform you about another attack on your house while you were away. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to locate you to inform you about the dreadful news and hope you find this letter soon. The Sixth House scourge have slain Uryne and
I could’t read any further. I sank to my knees while tears poured down my cheeks.
‘Why?’ I screamed and threw my arms up to the sky in despair. ‘Why her? I should have been here! I could have…’
‘Shhh..’ Zerina shushed me gently while kneeling next to me and embracing me. ‘No point in torturing yourself with such thoughts. We did what we had to do.’
I shook my head violently in anger and grief. All of my uncertainty, fear and hate converged into a smouldering point in my mind and exploded in a single burst. The Sixth House was going to pay. Dearly. I growled like an animal and jumped to my legs. Again, I lost all restraints and self-control. Not even Zerina could calm me down that day. She didn’t even try.
***
In my blind rage I stumbled into a familiar cave. I should have recognised it but I didn’t. The last thing I remember was a maniacal cackle and a malevolant shroud engulfing me. Every now and then I had brief moments of clarity after that but they were as incoherent as my own dispersed state of mind.
‘Found him wandering around, mumbling your name over and over.’
‘Bring him in, gently.’
‘…. can’t help him, maybe our old friend…..’
‘…...it could kill him….’ A coarse voice.
‘He’ll die anyway if we don’t.’
A burning potion was poured down my throat. I could feel it make its way to through my throat, into my stomach and spreading from there.
‘It’s working!’ The same coarse voice again. ‘The symptoms are vanishing.’
Then… darkness.
***
‘How are you feeling?’ I recognised that voice.
‘Weird. Like I haven’t been myself lately. Where am I?’
‘With an old friend.’
I started looking around me. My day brightened when I saw Zerina’s smiling face. Around me several Dunmer were standing, most of them I didn’t know. A very old man, dressed head-to-toe in armour as black as Wretched, was intensely looking down at me. ‘You were lucky, Rales,’ he breathed. ‘So far, you have been the only one ever to survive.’
‘Survive?’ I mumbled. ‘Survive what?’
‘Corprus,’ was the short answer. ‘You attracted the Corprus disease somewhere, so you might not feel like yourself for some time.’
He was right, I didn’t feel like myself at all. Something was different. I felt stronger, yet weaker at the same time. My mind was sluggish.
‘We decided to use my cure - well, it’s not really a cure, I will explain later - on you even though it hasn’t worked before. We were afraid it would kill you like it has previous cases but if we hadn’t you would’ve either perished or ended up like my poor patients in my Corprusarium anyway. Rest now, we will explain later.’
Oooh! You really stepped it up in this one!!! Awesome emotional scenes, you did excellent on them!!! Oh! And I can't wait, here comes Divayth Fyr!!!! WOOOOOO HOOOO !!!!!
Now this is new to me! Are we now up to new stuff for you as well?
Certain diseases have a way of blurring time and space for their sufferers. Good job on capturing that void and confusion!
More, please!
Certain diseases have a way of blurring time and space for their sufferers. Good job on capturing that void and confusion!
More, please!
The wandering around in the Grazelands was a double-sided edge. I needed the couple away for a time to insert some drama.
I also moved it away from the game's events slightly. It always struck me as odd the PC gets Corprus (which basically turns you into a unthinking, berserking monster) and still manages to keep his/her head straight and find his/her way back to Caius before being sent out to find a cure.
I gave it my own twist, glad you liked it
Updates will come quicker now again.
I also moved it away from the game's events slightly. It always struck me as odd the PC gets Corprus (which basically turns you into a unthinking, berserking monster) and still manages to keep his/her head straight and find his/her way back to Caius before being sent out to find a cure.
I gave it my own twist, glad you liked it
Updates will come quicker now again.
Yay! Rales returns!
Things are pushing on quickly I see. With the attack on Rale's house, his becoming a corpuscle, and the 'cure'. I have not played far enough into Morrowind to be familiar with what that really is, so I am rapt to discover it in future posts.
Things are pushing on quickly I see. With the attack on Rale's house, his becoming a corpuscle, and the 'cure'. I have not played far enough into Morrowind to be familiar with what that really is, so I am rapt to discover it in future posts.
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