@Acadian: I am very glad you feel I captured the personalities of the three of them. That was the most important thing to me.

I was very pleased with the cuddle picture! I hope to perhaps get more like that in the future. Thanks Acadian!

@SubRosa: Poor Darnand! I’ve always imagined Kharjo as the type to stir up some trouble when the opportunity arises.

The lighting in Road to Markarth is from a shader suit mod. It makes everything very pretty, but can challenge even a pair of gtx 670s. Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: And I love Darnad’s fussing fits! I’ve very glad you liked my portrayal. This is almost as crazy as an attack with the Nord along.

Everyone loves the little tail tip! Thanks Grits!

@DE: It’s a lot of fun to see what the artist comes up with when I tell her an idea.

Kharjo’s role is to hold his shield while Aravi gets around whoever is hitting him.

Lildereth would have been fun to bring along on this, but when this story started, she hadn’t quite make the trip yet. Thanks DE!

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Previously: After observing their foes from high above, Aravi, Kharjo, and Darnand began their attack on Lost Valley Redoubt.

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The initial attack went well. Darnand used his explosive fireballs to deadly effect. Kharjo’s small, fast bolts sliced through the air, claiming Forsworn one by one. Aravi’s larger and slower missiles were less effective, but took their toll on the Forsworn as well. Their height advantage, along with the unrelenting wind kept the three of them from harm.

When there were no more in the lower part of the fort, they carefully descended the steep cliff face. Aravi arrived first. Her feline agility and light armor allowed her to safely take jumps the other two did not dare. Her fingers and toes allowed her better grip on the cool, rough stone.

Darnand made it down last, almost exhausted. Kharjo was tired, but was still in fighting condition. Darnand drank a potion, and his breathing subsided. Sweat still ran down his face.

Aravi looked up. Above them was the final section of the fortress, the one they could not get to on the cliffs. A steep flight of stone stairs was the only way.

“Whatever is up there will be expecting us. We will have to be fast. We do not have the element of surprise anymore, and there will probably be more than just a hagraven,” Aravi told them while they caught their breath. “I’m expecting magical attacks. Ready?”

The two were panting, but nodded. Her eyes locked with Darnand’s briefly. He was determined. This is the closest he’s been to freeing his friend, and he was going to see this through. His birth sign flitted through her mind. The Apprentice. He will be vulnerable. Aravi nodded to them and started climbing stairs. She called her ward spell to her hand as she took the stairs faster and faster.

Aravi pushed herself to the last step. Blood, adrenaline, and magicka pumped through her veins. The glowing blue light emanating from her palm brightened when she poured her magicka into the spell. At first it did nothing. Then suddenly it expanded into a disc wider than her body. The protective spell would push physical weapons away from her, but it was best at countering hostile spells.

The magical shield used a tremendous amount of her limited energy. She knew she could not maintain it for even a minute. She would have to be fast.

The ward distorted her vision. She could make out the odd bridge-like structure Darnand noted earlier, the ramp she needed to take, and seven shapes on the bridge.

Her shield blinked and something crashed into her breast plate. She didn’t feel any pain so she kept sprinting. A hollow crash sounded on Kharjo’s shield behind her. Arrows. I was hit by an arrow?

Kharjo’s crossbow sounded and one of the shapes dropped. Six.

Her feet touched the stonework of the ramp and she readied her sword. A forsworn archer was readying her bow just a few long paces away. If the archer released, her ward wouldn’t be able to push it away, and her armor wouldn’t defect the sharp stone arrow at this close range.

Pain exploded beneath Aravi’s foot, just as she placed it forward. It did not support the weight she needed it to. She fell forward, her ward spent, right in front of a forsworn archer.

She rolled to the side and felt the arrowhead shatter on the stone next to her. Momentum carried her over the edge and into the water below.

Ice cold water tore the air from her lungs when she hit. An involuntary breath brought in only water. She struggled for the surface in her Elven armor. The waterlogged armor felt like it weighed more than steel. She struggled in vain to swim to the surface.

Her fingers brushed stone and she latched onto it with all of her might. Her body was pulled down stream, but she kept hold. She pulled herself up, climbing the stone upwards towards the light.

She broke the surface and threw herself over the rock, coughing up water. After a moment she wondered, Why haven’t I been shot?

“Aravi!”

She turned her head at the sound of her name. She saw a fiery red portal, reminiscent of the Oblivion gates of legend.

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Barbarian Khajiit

Overlooking the Reach

Don’t like the water?

Spot the Khajiit!

This chapter was a blast. Clearly the trio had the advantage of the high ground. Darnand and his usual explosive and deadly fireballs, Aravi and her fantastic marksmanship along with Kharjo's deadly aim.

I've probably said it before but I'll say it again. They make one hell of a team. Kharjo dropped six forsworn in less time than it took to say it!

You left us with quite a cliffhanger with Aravi nearly drowning and seeing a . . no! it can't be! Old memories resurfacing? Quite literally?

Barbarian khajiit- Now we're talking. Conan Aravi the barbarian!

The reach may be a dangerous place with perilous cliffs but the view is outstanding and very serene. Sometimes it makes me want to just jump in and sit and ponder.

More importantly, don't like some fun? Aravi naked and in the water. Kharjo in armor, standing there doing nothing. Anyone else see something wrong with this picture?

Where's Waldo Aravi? In the words of General Zod, "I will find her!". Of course, I did. There she is. Sitting by the cliff edge! Blending in!

What a tense update this was! Success from above, but troubles once they crested those stairs for phase two of the assault. And into the icy water! Glad she made it out. Who is calling her name? What is that fiery red portal? You’ve right properly hung us with a cliffie!

I chuckled at Darnand’s use of ‘stamina in a bottle’ – typical mage.

*

Barbarian Aravi in her loinkini! Woot!

Overlooking the Reach is a great shot. That mountain looks like the Matterhorn.

Smart Kharjo. Keep the water walk thing going till you doff the armor!

Spot the Khajiit. Can’t do it. Not even after DE's hint.

I loved this part! Excellent description of Aravi’s Ward spell, with how it works and its limitations blended right into the action.

What a shock to have Aravi fall into the water in full armor! As much as she loves to swim it was very tense to see her almost drown. Awesome idea to have her climb the stones to get above the surface. What a twist!

Your depiction of an exhausted and determined Darnand downing a stamina potion was exactly right. It’s a real delight to see him in Aravi’s story.

And now a portal!! Very exciting!


Aravi does look very barbarian with that big blade! Awesome picture of her angry face. And of course all of Jerric’s crew are fans of that outfit.

The Reach has a great, dreamy look in that picture. Nice to see Aravi enjoying a quiet moment.

Lol, Kharjo the Waterstrider. Get those boots off and go swimming!

I had to zoom in to find Aravi, and I never would have without DE’s hint! “Spot” the Khajiit indeed. No way against those rocks!

Like Grits, I loved your description of Aravi's ward spell. That is one of my favorite additions to Skyrim. It is something I think is long overdue in the series. I just wish it did not use so much magicka!

As often happens, things went really well, until things went really bad! That was a close call with the archer, and an even closer one in the river! Poor wet kitty! I am presuming that Kharjo and Darnand were keeping the Forsworn too busy to shoot her. But I do not have presumptions about this magical red portal! That cannot be good.

I see Aravi is still putting the Bloodskaal Blade to good use.

A beautiful sunrise over the reach. That looks like the dwarven tower east of Dushnikh Yal.

Kharjo looks great with Azhidal's boots!

I can see Aravi! Right in the middle of the picture, next to the end of the water.

@DE: They really needed the high ground! That was the only way I could realistically think of them taking on this base and actually succeeding without making the forsworn total idiots. I think you misread, Kharjo nailed one right off the bat, but even he needs to reload.

I thought you would like a bit of barbarian action.

Kharjo kind of does look a little stuck up in that picture. He gets his share of fun though, don’t worry. Thanks DE!

@Acadian: Not everything can be smooth sailing can it?

Big weapon and little armor seems to be the proper definition of a barbarian.

If you are talking about the big mountain, that’s the throat of the world! Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: I needed to make sure everyone knew what the ward did. In game it adds a small amount of armor, but I thought it would be more appropriate if it just pushed physical things away. Glad you are enjoying Darnand’s adventure with Aravi and Kharjo!

All of Jerric’s crew? Interesting, I did not know that about Lil and Abiene.

I see you agree with DE! Thanks Grits!

@SubRosa: I agree with you on the wards. Without some restoration perks, they are completely useless! Poor wet kitty is right, Kharjo and Darnand will have to take care of things without her!

Bloodskaal is so cool! She’s been using it less though.

You are right about the tower! That was the first time I’d ever been in that area!

Aravi’s fur blends in well with those stones still. I expected more people to have trouble finding her. Thanks SubRosa!

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Previously, Aravi, Kharjo, and Darnand started phase two of the attack. After reaching the top of the stairway, Aravi charged a group of archers with a ward and a sword. She fell into the river below and nearly drowned. When she pulled herself onto a rock, she saw a portal to Oblivion…

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Kharjo’s stomach flipped when he saw Aravi fall into the river. He didn’t realize he was yelling until he ran out of breath. Was Aravi hit? It happened so fast, too fast for him to see. He raised his shield in time to block a volley of arrows. His ears rung with the series of impacts against his metal shield. Six more, he remembered. Aravi will be fine, he told himself. He had to believe it now. He braced the crossbow on the ground and put his boot through the stirrup. It was awkward while hiding behind his shield.

“Where is she?” he heard the breathless question just behind him.

“Water,” was all Kharjo could say.

A fiery disk popped into existence next to him and quickly expanded. Kharjo dropped his shield and weapon and scrambled out of the way. It seemed to darken everything around it, as if it consumed the very light. Through the mouth of the portal, he could see lighting streak through red tinted clouds. In the foreground was a man, shrouded in darkness. The man stepped forward, through the raging inferno, and into Tamriel. The afternoon light fell on him and Kharjo could see that this was not a man but a Dremora. He wore armor of twisted metal and spines. His face was totally obscured by the helmet he wore.

The Dremora threw his hands in the air and screamed a battle cry. His voice was as twisted as his armor. Kharjo’s ears flattened at the sound and panic shot through him. He fought the instinct to run away. The forsworn fired a volley of arrows at the Dremora. Instead of blocking them, or moving out of the way, he stood there and allowed the arrows to strike him. The missiles burst into flames when they touched his armor, leaving him unscathed.

He opened his palm and a sword, as jagged an ugly as his armor, materialized into his raised hand. It wasn’t translucent like normal summoned weapons, but a real, physical sword that he just called from Oblivion. He pointed the sword's tip at the six Forsworn in front of him, and above Aravi.

Aravi’s ok!

Another volley of arrows was shot at the Dremora. Again, all of them burst into flames. It must be enchanted to destroy weapons.

The Dremora threw itself at the archers, attacking with savage abandon. A fireball flew past Kharjo, impacting somewhere among the defending archers.

Kharjo didn’t stay to watch the slaughter that he knew was coming. He ran to the water’s edge and kneeled. Aravi was still lying on the rock in the middle of the river, coughing.

“Aravi!” he called and stretched his arm out to her. She was out of reach.

She looked up and her eyes settled behind him. Her eyes went wide and her ears angled forward in shock.

“Aravi!” he yelled again. “Come!”

Her eyes settled on his, then his hand. She gritted her teeth and her ears flattened. Then she pushed off the rock with a hiss, back into the water.

A fireball went over his head. The light reflected off of the water. He couldn’t see her anymore. Two waves of heat washed over him, one from the projectile, and one from the explosion. The sounds of fighting above him distracted him. He almost fell in when Aravi’s hand took his and pulled.

He hauled her out of the water, pulling back until he fell backwards. Aravi landed on top of him and rolled off. She tried to stand and fell to the ground.

Kharjo looked at her foot and saw a bloody tear.

“I think a shard of ice went through my foot,” she said with shaking breath. “And the ankle is broken too.” She blinked tears from her eyes.

It must have been an ice rune, he realized. A nasty trick that they always needed to be cautious of.

Kharjo gave her one of his potions. It would take some time for it to begin working. With this one’s potion and Aravi’s own magicka, it should be enough. The only question was how much time. “Drink that,” he told her unnecessarily.

She nodded and said, “I can fix it. You and Darnand need to finish this though. I can’t move.”

Kharjo looked ahead. A few more of the crude tents could be seen behind a palisade wall. He watched Aravi drink the contents of the potion and grimace. “This one will take the wizard and go. Khajiit will be right back.”

He stood up and looked around. Above, things were quiet. The archers must be dead. At the stairs, the portal to Oblivion was gone. All that was left was scorch marks. Darnand ran to them.

“Are you injured?” he asked Aravi, speaking breathlessly. His face was sweaty and... is that soot?

Kharjo spoke for her. “Aravi is injured, but will be fine. We need to finish this without her.” Kharjo gestured to the palisade with his axe.

Darnand looked at Aravi, then Kharjo. He nodded, accepting this fact without blinking.

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A khajiit’s armor

Overlooking the falls

Worst nightmare

Make them burn

Bringing the light

Whew! Looks like the Three Amigos are okay – sort of – for now.

You did a good job of showing how Kharjo was torn between his need to keep fighting and his concern for Aravi until he could finally get to her. Neat description of the Dremora!

It’ll be interesting to see Kharjo and Darnand continue through this without Aravi.

*

-Ooh! Pretty blue magical armor around Aravi!
-Overlooking the falls is just gorgeous.
-Worst nightmare. Are those spider things? Buffy’s worst nightmare of course is clannfears, so she can identify with Aravi’s fear of spiders.
-In making them burn, it looks like Aravi’s calling up some mighty potent mojo!
-I’m guessing that is Meridia’s Dawnbreaker that is lighting Arai’s path in search of evil foes.

Poor Kharjo. It seems his lady love is always throwing herself into danger. If she is not running off with vampire chicks or howling at the moon, she is falling into rivers!

Ok, who invited the Dremora to the party? I hope it was not our lovable Breton mage!

Like Acadian, I enjoyed your description of the dremora, and his arrow-eating armor. That guy is not one with whom to fetch! Which of course I am sure the Terrific Trio is about to do.

Khajiit's Armor is a fantastic shot of mid spellcasting!

The falls look very idyllic

Worst Nightmare is less than idyllic! Can we go back to the waterfall please!

Aravi looks positively ferocious in make them burn. Once again I am reminded of Sam Jackson

I love the light cast by Dawnbreaker in the last pic.

The Dremora was so very cool! I love how the arrows just burned away, and the description of him summoning his sword was just awesome. I love Kharjo’s and Aravi’s reaction to him. That is not something that they see every day! I imagine that the Foresworn were similarly shaken by his appearance.

Aravi’s poor foot! Ice runes are a Jerric trademark (they don’t miss), so I cringed when I realized that’s what they do to unbooted feets. With the Dremora in action and Darnand blowing things up, I didn’t have to worry about K & A getting shot while they got Aravi situated.

And now the guys have to go on alone. The sweaty and sooty and out of breath mage made me smile. And I’m very glad that Kharjo is so great with his shield!


Khajiit armor indeed. Swift and silent does not come with a bunch of metal plates! I love how versatile Aravi is with her use of magic.

Overlooking the falls is gorgeous. It looks like there’s a storm coming in across the valley. I have no idea where that is!

Worst nightmare, I thought of Aravi when Jerric blew through there. He was of course in full battle glory, but that part must have been terrifying for those who don’t like the crawly ones.

Make them burn, oh my gosh that’s neat! I love how she’s up on her tippy toes, and the fire looks awesome in the dark.

Bringing the light looks great. I really like the look of Dawnbreaker. Do I spy a belly button charm, or is that wishful thinking?

So, one of Dagon's servants came into full view of the public of Forsworn and Aravi's crew. Daedra sure know how to make an entrance, don't they? Martin Septim, you died for nothing! That was quite the battle there, and a vicious one, too. Glad our heroes came out alive.

A khajiit’s armor- Aravi died! She's a ghost! Or just wearing some blue, glowing armor that looks very badass.

Overlooking the falls- Yet again you never fail to capture the scenic beauty of Skyrim and Aravi's occasionally chillaxing positions. The sun's rays, the clouds and the backround is lovely. Makes me jealous of your PC.

Worst nightmare- Ghost spider familiar? Coming back to haunt Aravi? hahaha.

Make them burn- Bout to unleash hell on her enemies again. Things are looking to get hot. Maybe her enemies need to lighten up a bit? Okay, I'm done with the puns here, but this is another show of how devastating Aravi can be. Great!

Bringing the light- To those who do not walk in it? I really hope Aravi isn't going to join those Vigilantes of Stendarr and their inquisitorial habits. But I must admit Dawnbreaker does look awesome and has very good effects against its primary victims, despite me not entirely being a fan of anything anti-undead.

@Acadian: Yes, everyone is ok, or will be.

I imagine battles are always extra difficult when it’s someone you love putting their life on the line right next to you. He would have to learn to cope, or get out.

Worst nightmare, yes those were spiders.

Thanks Acadian!

@SubRosa: At least Kharjo isn’t foolish enough to try to stop her!

It was indeed the Breton that brought in the Oblivion-spawn! I tweaked the summoning effect, the purple blob doesn’t do it for me.

Dawnbreaker is so pretty, but it’s hard to justify carrying it sometimes. Definitely more for a paladin or something, and not a sneaky Khajiit.

Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: The Dremora’s armor is what I would expect a ‘disintegrate weapon’ enchantment to work like.

Aravi’s preference to go un-booted (lol) definitely makes her vulnerable in some ways. She usually sees traps, but when she steps into them, they are extra painful.

I am so glad you are enjoying Darnand’s role in this.

The falls is on Valtheim Towers! Thanks Grits!

@Darkness Eternal Do not worry about Septim, this was no full blown Gate. Just a summoning.

Armor – that’s the oak flesh spell just as it’s cast.

Bringing the light – she definitely isn’t joining the Vigil. She regards them with caution when she sees them on the road. She’s quite conscious of what they would do to someone that was a werewolf.

Thanks DE!

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Wow it’s been a long time since I have updated this. I apologize, I do not like it when other authors are sporadic with updates. And here I am, guilty of doing just that.

Previously, Aravi, Kharjo, and Darnand were fighting Forsworn at Lost Valley Redoubt. Jerric was thrown into prison by the Jarl of Markarth. If Darnand wanted to free Jerric, he had to recover a shield from these Forsworn.

They just defeated the last of the common warriors. Aravi fell into a river in the fight, and Darnand summoned a Dremora. When Aravi was pulled out of the river, she was injured and could not move. Kharjo and Darnand have to go on without her to finish what they came here to do.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kharjo hefted his axe and stepped ahead of Darnand. Kharjo could hear voices on the other side of the palisade. There was more than one, and they croaked to each other, unhurried by the obvious battle that just took place just on the other side of their fortification.

“Hagravens!” Darnand said excitedly. “They are doing a sort of ritual.”

“Should this one interrupt?”

Darnand looked pale, but nodded. “Definitely.”

Kharjo got the impression that the mage had an idea of what was going on behind those timber walls.

“Ready?” Kharjo asked. Darnand downed a potion and nodded.

The Breton looked frail to Kharjo. No armor, no physical weapons. How does this one go into combat, all but naked? He paused, wanting to ask if Darnand if he really was ready. He opened his mouth, then closed it, shook his head, and started moving.

They rounded the corner, and Kharjo momentarily paused to take in the scene before him. A man, pale from blood loss, lay naked on an altar with two hagravens attending to him. Kharjo saw the reason the man was pale: his heart was torn out. The blood around the wound was fresh. The man was also one of the Forsworn, Kharjo could tell by the weathered features and the tattoos on the man’s body. He had been a very strong man, probably one of their warriors. Why would these ones kill one of their own? Is this some sort of a punishment?

A violet bolt of energy flew past Kharjo and hit the dead man. His body started to rise into the air by some unseen force.

The hagravens reacted immediately, shrieking furiously and shredding the man before them with their talons. Kharjo was shaken out of inaction by the gruesome scene. He raised his shield and charged. Lightning crackled around him as he slammed into one of the shrieking bodies. Using the spiked point of his war axe and his shield, he lifted one of the hagravens over his head and dumped it behind him. Claws raked uselessly at his armored calves. Kharjo spun around and stomped on the hagraven’s face with his heavy boot. The squirming stopped. He swung his axe into its neck, nearly severing the head. Blood flowed freely. It was dead now.

He looked over and saw Darnand locked in combat with the last hagraven. He held a ward in front of his body and a stream of lightning struck the last hagraven’s ward. In return, fire lashed his ward from the fingers of the hagraven. There was no way Kharjo could get involved. Darnand was on his own.

Darnand stopped his attack, but kept his ward up. His free hand started to glow brighter and brighter with blue lightning. Thunder rolled down the mountain top and Kharjo squeezed his eyes shut from the blinding light. When he opened his eyes again, a ghost image dominated his vision, but he could also see the Breton. Darnand was sheathed in fire, his arms held before him. The hagraven had just enough time to form an ice spike and throw it at him before the fire leapt from Darnand’s body and engulfed the hagraven. Darnand twisted to the side and fell heavily to the ground. The hagraven burned to death.

***

“Is this one alright?!” Kharjo asked urgently, kneeling at the mage’s side. Darnand was shaking. Kharjo didn’t wait for Darnand to answer, and started to look for holes. “Did the ice hit?” he didn’t see any shards or holes.

“Yes, yes, I believe I am quite whole,” Darnand answered between gasps. He held his hands in front of his face. They were visibly shaking.

Kharjo realized it was adrenaline. He left Darnand a moment and checked on the hagraven.

It was a disgusting burnt husk. The smell of roast meat conflicted his senses at the scene. He realized that the bird was still alive, though barely. He ended that with a swing of his axe.

Darnand was more composed when Kharjo returned to him. He hauled the mage to his feet.

“These ones came here for a shield, yes?”

“Correct,” Darnand replied. Kharjo found it upon the altar, used as a tray. A bloody heart sat in the center, in a sticky pool. He frowned and tipped the shield on its side, dumping the organ onto the ground.

“They call these ones beasts,” he muttered.

As he wiped the blood off, he called to the mage, “This one has it, Aravi waits!”

Darnand was at a shelf of stone, with rough runes carved upon its surface.

“A moment please,” the mage replied. He dug through his pack to the impatience of Kharjo.

He left Darnand there and returned to Aravi.

She was slowly getting to her feet. “Where’s Darnand?”

“Tracing some rocks,” he replied with annoyance.

Aravi let out a sigh of relief. She took an experimental step. Kharjo heard a sharp inhalation, saw her tense up. But she took the step.

“Did you find the shield?” she asked.

Rather than reply, Kharjo simply turned to show where it was hanging from his pack.

“Good. Then we can leave this place. As soon as we get our mage back.”

As if on cue, Darnand made his appearance, rolling up a scroll and stashing it in his own pack.

“I found some most fascinating markings carved into a stone shelf. They are clearly ancient from the wear on them, definitely not made by these forsworn. I believe they match the general time when this old structure was first built by the ancient Nords. I have seen markings like this in other Nord ruins as well, suggesting that…”

Kharjo tuned out the Breton as he spoke. Aravi shook her head slightly, and the two of them turned to start down the mountain.

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I’ve been sitting on this picture for a while now, and it is with great pleasure I share it now.
Aravi and Odahviing by Julia

I enjoyed the stark differences between how Kharjo and Darnand fight. Seems like the K-Kat fared better this time than the mage vs the hagravens. Darnand was true to form after the fight, getting right back into his ‘curious scholar’ mode right away. Loved the shared moment at the end between Aravi and Kharjo, and could clearly envision them shaking their heads over Darnand.

Aww, what a neat drawing of Aravi and the friendly dragon!

Uh oh, squaking hagravens and a briarheart-birthing. Better interrupt that indeed! Looks like Darnand raised the poor fellow before he got turned into a B-heart.

For a skinny mage going into battle practically naked (I loved that thought by Kharjo) Darnand did a pretty good job of showing why skinny mages don't need to wear an ironworks of armor. Not to mention how easily they are distracted by old writing...



nits:
lay naked on an alter with two hagravens attending to him
That is an altar.

A violet bolt of energy few past Kharjo and hit the dead man.
I think you meant flew there.

Kharjo found it upon the alter, used as a tray.
That old altar again.


Wow, that is some pic. Oda's jaw is bigger than Aravi!

I absolutely love this part! Kharjo’s doubt over his fragile mage sidekick (You’re really ready? Really? I mean, is that what you’re wearing? ) was the perfect introduction to their vastly different fights against the hagravens. I love how Kharjo muscled his hagraven up and over and then finished with a stomp and chop! Then Darnand showed why he isn’t dead yet with an awesome magic display!! Woo hoo, that was great!

Ahem. I also enjoyed guessing that he preemptively raised the Briarheart when the energy flew past Kharjo and that his Ward might be fueling the massive spells he was casting by absorbing some of the hagraven’s spell. Really neat to simply show it without a lot of explanation and engage the reader in following the action.


She was slowly getting to her feet. “Where’s Darnand?”

“Tracing some rocks,” he replied with annoyance.

Perfect. Darnand’s shaky aftermath followed by immediate distraction in the carvings made me grin. I love how he babbled on as they all walked away, and Aravi and Kharjo just ignored the lecture. Lol. You really got Darnand! It has been a sheer delight to see him in Aravi’s story!

Aravi and Odahviing is magnificent! Wow, an instant favorite.

Welcome back to the Arena, King Coin! Good to see you picking up where Aravi and Company left off. This was a great chapter, too. I had some laughs from Darnand's excitement in the face of danger and Kharjo's comment.



Heh, as Kraven once said, "Use your [censored] as weapons!"

I really enjoyed seeing Kharjo the khajiit fight those nasty feathered old crones while Darnand took on the other . . .sans armor.

In the end, our heroes emerge victorious!

D'aww! Aravi and the dragon! This is seriously a good picture!

@Acadian: You are right, they are very different in their methods. Kharjo would never go into battle without a set of heavy armor to protect him, and there’s Darnand in a robe.

I thought you would like the dragon picture. Thanks Acadian!

@SubRosa: Damn altars. No wonder Word kept underlining it. Ahem.

Yeah who needs all that clunky armor when you have magic to protect you? Glad you liked the picture. Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: Thank you very much for your patience and for allowing me to borrow Darnand for a little while. He was fun to write!

There was confusion over what he did with the briarheart? You must have forgot my planning session with you!

It’s a good thing someone remembered to grab the shield because I’m not sure Darnand would have.

Thanks Grits!

@DE: It took me way too long to come back to this. Glad you enjoyed it. The dragon picture was all Julia’s idea, she wanted to draw something like that. Thanks DE!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I am finally resuming videos after this extended break from them.

Just as a refresher:
Aravi and Serana (a vampire whose father wants the power to block out the sun) went to a realm of Oblivion where mortal souls are collected from the act of soul trapping. Here they met Serana’s mother. She had an Elder Scroll which she gave to them. Aravi fought a trapped dragon there and won, gaining the words of power to summon him.

Back in Tamriel, they brought this Elder Scroll to a moth priest, who had since gone permanently blind. They needed a way to read the Scroll, and he suggested a ritual involving Moths. Supposedly these Scrolls would reveal the location of a potent weapon of the Gods to use against the vampires. We pick up with Aravi and Serana finding the Moths and reading the Scrolls.

Ancestor Glade
10:28

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Another picture I have been waiting to share, this time traditional rather than digital!
Aravi
By GuiltyOne

Yay! So nice to see Aravi in action again. Loved the snow and arctic sky effects before she went into the glade. Speaking of which, that glade is beautiful! And they emerge to waterfalls and butterflies moths! Serana summed it up wonderfully: Wow! Love the canticle tree/ancestor moth stuff. Ahah, their path to find Auriel’s Bow and spoil the plans of Serana’s dad is now clear. Uh oh. . . vampire minions ruining a beautiful walk in the glade. I simply loved this vid!

Another wonderful ‘Ravi drawing. This one gives Aravi a slightly harder edge. GuiltyOne did a great job – there’s her scar, green eyes, earrings and little pink nose!

I see Aravi has the glass armor out. She is ready for the big time!

That was a brilliant aurora outside the cave entrance.

Love the moonlight streaming down into the grotto.

Aravi is all aglow. Now get out the can of Raid!

Now Aravi & Serana know where to find the bow. Uh oh, looks like her father tracked them down already though! Aravi has her swords out. This won't take long! Whoa, that last one took a lot out of her health! Oh a backstab!

I hate how those zombies moan in Skyrim. I don't blame Aravi for stabbing him in the face. I use a mod that stops Serana from animating people.

I love that beautiful glade! This was a nice peaceful stroll with the moths until the vamps showed up. I don’t blame Aravi for backing up so quickly when Serana ran up after the fight. “Releasing” her thrall was a great Aravi moment. Very memorable!

Aravi looks great in her glass armor. It’s wonderful to see Aravi again!

I love the lean, somewhat grim view of Aravi in GuiltyOne’s picture. She’s soft and lovely but also one very tough Khajiit!

Serana and Aravi are back in action! Lycanthrope and vampire= Deadly Duo. I do wish to see them succeed against Harkon. Blotting out the sun is pure madness.

Indeed the Glades is a beautiful place, but the serenity was crushed by the crazy blood-sucking undead. Meh.

Sowed Fate is now my current favorite Aravi artwork. Grim, serious and deadly. Perfection!

@Acadian: It’s been a while for the videos and I need to get into the groove again. If there weren’t any vampires and Kharjo around, there might have been some bathing in the beautiful pond. Glad you liked it! Thanks!

@SubRosa: Haha yep! Glass is pretty, but Elven still beats it in looks.

No raid for the pretty moths!

She does not like the zombies Serana summons. She releases the souls of the dead so to speak when she removes them. Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: Aravi never quite forgets Serana is a vampire, so she likes to keep a little distance. She acts so… normal though.

I love the picture. It’s interesting to see what each artist does. Thanks Grits!

@DE: And I thought vampires and werewolves hated each other! Wouldn’t that be interesting if both transformed?

Glad you liked the picture! Thanks DE!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Aravi leaves with Serana and Kharjo to find Auriel’s Bow. Along the way there are dragons and places to explore.

8:27

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Watch the skies traveler…

Just try it

A swim!

Vid –

Aww, a bunny. . . this should be a nice place! Yowzer! I was pretty surprised when that rock she shot turned out to be a dragon! Uh oh, not going well for Team Aravi – that’s a lot of flame coming down into the tower. Whew, Odahviing to the rescue!

Screens -

That’s an ominous scene where Aravi and Serana are looking up at that dragon!

What kind of magic is that surrounding the ghostly Aravi in ‘Just try it’?

A swim! Oh, Aravi found a nice quiet pond. I love how the sun is trying to get through the clouds.

I liked seeing Aravi’s thought process as she selected arrows and poison for the upcoming fight. She is great at sneaking! I’ve never had a character get a first shot in on that dragon!

Yay, Odahviing! Aravi sounds both adorable and fierce when she Shouts. I didn’t have to worry about her freezing to death when the snow started thanks to all of that dragon fire.

The diadem looks great on her. That’s one of my favorite vanilla items. Lovely with her Elven armor and useful since she uses spells from several magic schools.

It’s great to see Aravi vids again



Ooo, I recognize Aravi’s companion in Watch the Skies! That is a beautiful shot! I love the sky and light, and it gives the feeling of being crouched in the grass right there with them.

Neat effect in Just Try It. I have no idea what it is. Is Aravi waiting for Become Ethereal to wear off?

Gosh, A Swim is another favorite. Really beautiful.

Oh I know that place, down in The Rift, near the Imperial Camp (which is a good place to sell off the loot from the bandits).

I guess that bunny is no danger!

Oh, there's a dragon there! It always has bandits in my games. Like Acadian, I thought it was a rock until it jumped up into the air! That fire breath of its looks really horrific, but thankfully does not seem to actually do much to Aravi.

Hmmm, annoying when they fly off like that and won't come back. I guess calling your own dragon is the thing to do in times like those! And Aravi learned an old Steven Segal movie from the Word Wall. I guess they do VHS as well...

Serana looks frozen at the Talos statue.

Watching the Skies is a neat pic. That phrase always makes me think of aliens, thanks to the The Thing From Another World

Just try it is a neat effect! I feel sorry for that guy with the bow!

Aravi shows her spots in the final pic!

I'm back for some more Aravi.

We're back in the Rift as our khajiiti dragonborn hunts for the legendary winged beasts. Like Grits, I like Aravi's vast selection of poisons. The ravage health one looks pretty deadly.

The tower dragon fight was intense!

Watch The Skies- An eerie and frightening picture of the dragon flying above while Aravi blends in, hopefully to get a clear shot at it.

Go ahead, Kharjo. Dew it! Hehe.

Nothing like a cool, nice swim in one of Skyrim's many ponds. That one looks slaughter-fish free.

After long last, it is time for me to get used to updating again.

@Acadian: Now that you are in Skyrim, I’m sure you’ve seen a few bunnies now. I’m a huge fan of Odahviing by the way.

Hee! Not an unsafe guess, but that wasn’t Serana in the screen. Lil joined Aravi for a bit!

Aravi is ghostly thanks to a shout. Weapons and magic pass harmlessly through her for a time.

She had to pull a few snappy fishies out of that lake, but it was nice after that. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: Heh, usually when it comes to arrows and poison she tries to use the strongest that she has plenty of.

Funny with the freezing, that little spot of snow is surrounded by warm grasslands.

Aravi doesn’t use the diadem, but we had to see what it looked like.

You better recognize Aravi’s companion!

It is Ethereal! But you don’t have to wait. It disappears as soon as you attack something.

Swimming is my favorite too. I have several more, but most can’t be posted. I’ll consider another, it’s technically ok, but you know… Thanks Grits!

@SubRosa: I usually don’t think about selling to the camps, but that definitely is something I will try to keep in mind. Usually Aravi avoids camps unless she’s freezing, then she’ll go to the fire.

Yes, dragon attacks are kind of underwhelming. I have a mod now that boosts them a bit. Unfortunately it’s hard to keep it balanced, especially with a high damage, low defense character like Aravi.

Lol! That guy with the bow did not last very long when Aravi took a swipe at him.

She does show her spots, and they are pretty. Thanks SubRosa!

@DE: Poisons are quite a bit of fun to make too. I am going to try to level her alchemy more in my new game.

Lol, unfortunately the dragon saw her immediately in that one.

It is fish free now! She usually has to pull 2-3 out of that one before she can enjoy it. Thanks DE!



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Previously, Aravi began making her way to Darkfall Cave, where the Elder Scrolls revealed there to be a powerful artifact needed to defeat the powerful vampire Harkon. On the way, she encountered a dragon. She summoned a friendly dragon, and they fought, resulting in the death of the hostile dragon.

She’s found the location of the dragon’s death, and investigates.
8:26


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A new Aravi battling her first dragon

Ready to climb the 7000 steps to the Throat of the World

Warmth

Ohhh, its Arcwind Point. I love that place, especially because there is no 'dungeon'. It is all above ground.

Frost Trolls? I hate those guys. I heard Kharjo's crossobow kick in after Aravi started firing. Then he stepped in front of her! Well what do you expect dope, of course Aravi shot you in the back!

Love the little puffs of steam rising from Kharjo's breath as he spoke.

Nice punching the Deathlord with her bow!

Where did that glowing blue dragon come from? Yikes! It reminds me of Gidorah, with the electrical breath.

And when its all over Aravi is full of Serana's ice spikes! I always end up that way too.

New Aravi looks positively fiery in her bow pic. That looks like one of the silver bows from Oblivion. Is that from a mod?

Aravi looks very cute all bundled up in her climbing clothes.

And very cute in no clothes at all!

Arcwind Point is so neat. Oops, Kharjo! He might have gotten a bow punch from Lil instead of healing, lol. Nice cloak.

I wondered if they’d wake up the Arcwind dragon, and there he is! What an awesome fight! Shock attacks would be hard to deal with since they deplete magicka. Gosh he’s beautiful! I loved his storm call. Is that Deadly Dragons?

Nice ebony haul from the Deathlords. This was such a neat video I’m going to watch it a third time!


What a great fire picture of Aravi and her first dragon battle. She looks great in that armor, and I love her bow!

That picture of Aravi in Ivarstead is my new favorite. It may be the sweetest and prettiest Aravi picture ever! She’s so lovely.

Ooo, nekkid steam bath. You know whose favorite that one is! Where is that location? (Inquiring Nords want to know. )

A great vid! Very tense fighting, especially with that storm dragon.

The real cappers were at the end though:
Serana (in a blizzard after a massive fight): “The sun is not good for my skin.”
Kharjo (after the same massive fight): “If anyone sneaks up on us, I’ll smell them coming.”


Wonderful screens. Aww, the new Aravi looks as beautiful as ever! A dragonslayer already!

Aravi should teach Ms.Pureblood a lesson or two on how to throw ice spikes on enemies only, and not complain about the sun 24/7. The lesson can be used in just three words: Fos Roh Dah! Anyways the battle was neat to see. Aravi has good taste in weapons . . . hmm, crossbows

New Aravi taking on her first dragon just seeps with raw epicness. The flames surrounding spark(no pun) a genuine dangerous feel and awesome moment between life and death(Got a bit nerdy here. So to sum it up. It is an epic shot).

And the Khajiit pilgrimage begins! With a nice fur coat and her gear, she's ready to go. She looks quite enthusiastic too! Hell of a leg workout.

Oh wow. Nudy pic always win! It must be nice to go and have a good bath without any clothes in the privacy and safety of Skyrim's underground caverns. Providing there's no nasties. Either she's alone or Kharjo is off screen taking down his garments to join . . . heh. Great pic!

@SubRosa: It is a really cool location. I’m happy that there are a few locations like that in Skyrim.

Yeah… Kharjo occasionally gets shot in the back. *Sigh

That dragon was a total surprise! I’m glad Aravi was equipped to deal with it!

Yep, the bow in the first screen is from a mod. I believe it is one of InsanitySorrow’s mods.

Glad you find her cute, clothes or no. Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: Aravi’s a bit more kind than Lil!

Yep that’s Deadly Dragons.

I loved the flames around her in the first picture.

I am glad you like the bundled up picture so much.

The naked one is actually Robber’s Cove. She had just come out of the cold water after looking for the Bandit’s chest. Thanks Grits!

@Acadian: Ugh, I know, they can be painfully oblivious at times. Glad you enjoyed the video and screens. Thanks Acadian!

@DE: Serana is much better with the lightning spell than she is with the ice spikes!

Kharjo gets to use the wonderful crossbow. I love hearing it shoot!

I thought the flames were awesome too. Glad you agree.

The funniest part about going up to High Hrothgar is that the Greybeards don’t offer you any place to sleep or rest. It isn’t until later that you get access to their beds and such.

Hah! Well you will like one of the next screen shots then. She’s warming up in that one from a very cold dip. No nasties around, and I don’t think Kharjo was with her in that one. Poor guy regrets that I bet. Thanks DE!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Aravi, Serana, and Kharjo finish the rest of Arcwind.

5:20

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Enjoying the lake

Perch

The sun sets in Haafingar

Vid: Aravi, Kharjo and Serana do pretty well as a team! That was a fun fight with the Druglords. I smiled as you let your ‘artsy’ side come out at the very end with the sun effects behind Aravi.

Screens:
Nice to see Aravi enjoying a nekked moment of relaxation in the water. Darn reeds and grass getting in the way!
Love her ‘archer’s perch’.
Wow, sunset is spectacular, and the light hits Aravi’s face ever so nicely.

Aravi creeps in silent as a cat, thanks to her muffle spell.

Whenever there is a coffin sitting atop a stone dais, it is never good! This one is empty? I guess whatever came out is something Aravi fought in the last vid.

There is a nice view of High Hrothgar from the cemetery.

Here come the Deathlords! Those guys are nothing to sneeze at. Persephone gets them all the time in her game now.

And a nice end with the sunset over the mountain peak behind Aravi and company.

Those are some very cleverly placed fronds at the lake!

Aravi looks cold on her perch. Good thing she is bundled up.

Another nice sunburst behind the Astronaut Stone?

That was a fun tour of Arcwind Point. I figured out why it looks different to me – I’ve only been there in games without Dawnguard, so no Word Wall!

I had to smile when Aravi looked around for enemies. No one’s left? Really? No one?

I also grinned when she found the Restoration book. Yep, that’s a strange place to leave reading material!

The fight against the two deathlords was great fun to watch. She’s very clever with her use of Shouts that won’t hurt her companions.

It’s so great to see Aravi videos!


Screens:

Aravi just keeps getting lovelier. Even with reeds in the way. The dark sky and ruins make a great background.

Perch is a great shot. She loves to get up high!

Sun sets is so pretty. I like Aravi’s hood with the ear holes. Her ears are so expressive.

Deadly trio is deadly. Talented khajiit fighter, skilled duel-melee lycanthropic khajiit warrior and a pureblooded Daughter of Coldharbour? Can't go wrong with that. No draugr or dragon could hope to survive an encounter like that. Aravi alone is a tough match.

Screens:

I didn't like this screenshot very much. She may have been enjoying the lake but I think there's something missing here. Yup. The negative is the grass not showing the natural beauty of the entire screen

Aravi's a camper! True sharpshooter extraordinaire. I'd love to see her and our Mystic Archer tag team. That would be truly something epic and satisfying to see happen. Yes, I just gave you and Acadian ideas. Make due?

By day half-finger Haafingar is beautiful but at night it is creepy and dangerous. Then again isn't everywhere one goes? A khajiit's night vision comes in handy. I like this screenshot, though. Very beautiful in the background. Looks like she was hiding behind a tree or she just happened to stop there

@Acadian: Artsy is fun sometimes! Glad you enjoyed the fight.

I spent a lot of time aligning those reeds! And if you want sun like that you are going to need mods! Thanks Acadian!

@SubRosa: That muffle spell is probably the one she uses the most. More than even Oakflesh.

I was worried about someone being blasted off the mountain side by one of the deathlords.

A set of furs is something that is in every character’s inventory. Not the Astronaut stone but the Apprentice stone! Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: There normally isn’t a word wall? I guess I have only done it in Dawnguard games.

Ethereal is a favorite Shout but Whirlwind sprint is quickly becoming a favorite now too. Zip right up to mages and open them up with swords!

The nekked ones are fun because they really force me to be creative! I absolutely love the mod that lets the ears poke through headwear. Everything looks so uncomfortable without them. Thanks Grits!


~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They travel to the Reach and are nearing Darkfall cave where the ancient weapon supposedly resides…
Aravi splits with Kharjo and Serana for a short time. She needs to take care of something on her own.

5:39

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Starting some trouble

Finishing some trouble

My little star

Vid: Wow! As soon as you said that Aravi headed off ‘on her own’, I sort of figured she needed to feed the beast. Forsworn for dinner. It’s funny that the little kitty in wolf form is almost too big to fit through some of the underground tunnels.

What a magnificently unexpected twist. As soon as I heard that roar above her, Woot! Dragon vs Werewolf – fight’s on. The dragon made a big big mistake by landing. Aravi’s wolf claws are even more deadly than her dual blades!


Screens: Starting some trouble is a very neat magic effect against a pretty sky. And, naturally, she uses those dual blades to finish the trouble! A nice night sky in ‘star’; I like how the light shows off Aravi’s tail.

I think the only thing I miss about not having shouts in my game is not being able to blast people off the sides of cliffs and towers.

Aravi is showing her spots in this one. Oh, she's getting all beastly. I guess that is why she picked a Forsworn camp to attack. They certainly have it coming to them!

Oh noes, she cannot fit through the passageway! I guess Aravi needs to go on the Atkinsnor diet! Now she squeezed through. Looks like she's going to be loading up on protein from meat...

Did I hear a dragon outside? Neat, it is werewolf vs. dragon!

Love the timing of the spell in Starting Trouble, and Aravi's spots!

It looks like she's fighting a Roman in Finishing Trouble.

The North Star is really neat in that last pic.

A dragon werewolf fight! Good thing it landed. That was fun to see!

Aravi’s wolf form almost got stuck in the passageway! That’s not something she’s used to. It looked like she had almost reached another Forsworn camp before she changed back. I’m glad they didn’t see her.

Starting some trouble is beautiful. The dramatic sky makes a great backdrop and the spell looks neat leaving Aravi’s hand. I love that sword.

Aravi looks tiny charging up to that bandit, but her two swords will surely dice him. Especially since his red glow makes him look like he’s already been in a fight with his buddies. Aravi is a versatile and smart warrior. She looks great in that armor. It complements her spots.

Little star is very pretty and no trouble from the moons. Very nice!

I've been waiting for this for a long time now. Some good old werewolf vs dragon action. Hound of Hircine vs Winged Beasts! Truly, as Acadian said, her claws are very sharp. Fun fact: werewolf claws, being weapons of an already supernatural beast, act as enchanted weapons against supernatural foes. Deadly!

The screens are once again a great addition. Causing some trouble is so Aravi. I'm guessing that's a frenzy spell she's casting? More trouble causing when she's going up against what seems to be an Imperial soldier. The star is the most beautiful of the three because of the scenic quality to it. You never fail when it comes to this, King. I love it. Especially the dragon vs wolf action. You already know my vote. On Wereavi!

@Acadian: I was surprised that she almost didn’t get in. I had to really play around with it to get her through those tunnels.

I was actually quite worried when I heard the dragon. Aravi the wolf sure wasn’t.

Glad you enjoyed the screen shots. Thanks Acadian!

@SubRosa: That is fun, we’ve taken care of a few bandit chiefs that way. As long as I’m sure I can get to the body after anyways.

Yep, the werewolf isn’t satisfied by the blood of beasts. Only people will do.

The spell one took a couple of tries, but wasn’t too difficult. I love the spell effect too.

The star is actually Mage Light! She launched the spell into the sky and it went really far before fading out. Thanks SubRosa!

@Grits: She did get pretty close. That’s where you find Sorine I believe.

In finishing trouble, that guy survived the initial attack unscathed. The effect is a poison to slow him down. Aravi was awesome getting in and out without getting hit by his greatsword. Thanks Grits!

@DE: Her claws sure did make short work of the dragon. I was a little worried about how that would go.

Yep, that’s a frenzy spell in the first one. It was just against a bandit camp. Actually this is where she recovered Kharjo’s amulet! Thanks DE!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Aravi wakes up near Rorikstead and stops there for supplies. While there, she notices someone there. Her instincts tell her he isn’t human. After dealing with him, Aravi and Serana find Darkfall cave.

9:40

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cooling off

Ready, Aim…

Spotted

Darkfall Cave is dark indeed! Oh noes – spiders. Were the blue spiders dead ones that Serana ranimated? Falling through that bridge surprised me as much as I bet it surprised Aravi! I’m glad that Serana was able to keep up.


That’s a beautiful shot of Aravi sitting on the dock cooling her kitty feet.

Woot! Aravi and Kharjo in the attack with bows!

Spotted. You (or someone) will have to tell me what I’m looking at in that one.

Visiting Advisor? I never did any of those radiant quests. That was quite a long distance shot!

Darkfall Cave. Persephone just visited there the other week.

I don't like the look of those spiderwebs either!

There is only one way to go, and that first step is a doozy!

Uh oh, the spiders followed Aravi. That is creepy seeing them silhouetted behind Serana.

Ugh, Serana animated one of them. It made a nice boom though!

Aravi missed the secret door at that campsite. It gives you a quick way down.

I see a troll in the distance. I would rather have that than spiders.

Mighty fine shooting with that bow! Aravi is going to star in the next Sniper movie.

And finally it is Gelebor.

Aravi looks very pleased in Cooling Off.

Ready Aim has some neat team archery action.

The last one is quite the rainstorm! I am not sure what that big white cloud is in the distance. But Aravi's spots sure are nice to look at in the foreground.

I don't know what the cloud is either, but I do see the dragon in it. I assume that explains the title.

That guy in Rorikstead definitely did not look healthy. What a beautiful shot! That was discretely done indeed. (Unlike Valdi getting frustrated and punching her target within earshot of Jarl Igmund’s entire court. )

Ugh, spider webs! Poor Aravi. Oh my gosh, spiders in the water and then Serana reanimated one! No, two!! I guess Darkfall Cave is not going on Aravi’s list of favorite places.

Those trolls looked really neat in the fog. Nice shooting! Meeting a living snow elf is such a great moment. I’m glad you saved that part for next. It’s so fun to watch Aravi discover these places!


Cooling off looks so peaceful with the filtered sunlight.

Aravi and Kharjo look great shooting together. It’s fun to see their gear evolve.

Spotted, nice! Aravi gets her lovely spots out in the rain, and she spots a dragon.

Arachnids. Webs won't help a gal with arachnophobia. I'm sure Serana must feel the same with Aravi walking around with Dawnbreaker in her hand haha. It is very creepy seeing that big frostbite spider hanging there. Good thing Aravi made short work of them.

Aravi is at leisure cooling off at the edge. I can totally feel the serene and peaceful moment just by looking at the screen. All that's missing is a book or maybe a fishing rod

This is a nice one, too. I can't tell whether they're aiming at someone or just an object for practice. Either way they can't go wrong with both. Good to see two archers aiming. Aravi and Kharjo, as always, make a fine couple.

Nice spots. I can't discern what's going on in the background with that mist there.

Great update.

@Acadian: Yep, the blue ones were ones that Serana reanimated. Aravi did not approve. That drop was not a nice surprise!

Cooling is an easy favorite.

Ghastly got Spotted. Thanks Acadian!

@SubRosa: I was pretty proud of that long distance shot! Hence, it was not cut from the video.

Aravi would take a hundred trolls over those spiders. That was a very nasty surprise. I don’t remember a trapdoor, I’ll have to make sure to look closer there next time.

I guess the title spotted works well for nearly anything featuring Aravi! Thanks SubRosa!

@ghastly: You got it! Thanks!

@Grits: Oh Valdi… Still have to love her.

Darkfall is very low on Aravi’s list…

It’s either soak all her clothes in the rain, or just her fur! Thanks Grits!

@DE: It occurred to me that a vampire might not like Dawnbreaker! Oh well.

I completely agree with the book suggestion in Cooling off.

I think they were fighting a troll in the second one. Their ears don’t go back if there isn’t an enemy about. Thanks DE!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Aravi and Serana meet a Snow Elf, perhaps the last one alive…

9:54

This video has lots of dialog. Use this link if you would prefer to skip it.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rain of fire

Not just a pretty face*

I’ve only just arrived

*Edited from SubRosa's comment.

It is neat how the Khajiit's ears pin back when they are in combat. They are a lot better done in Skyrim than they were in the previous games.

"All that to just take it and dump it out" Wow Serana, way to just completely trivialize what was supposed to have been a deep and meaningful journey of the spirit for the Snow Elves who went there in the past!

So Aravi got a good night's sleep before setting out, and she is all Auriel'ed up before heading out. Better pull that bow out to make use of that extra bow damage. Better not use up all those elven arrows though, you will need a bunch to turn into sunhallowed arrows at the end. Persephone used up about 50 or 60 of those in the final boss fight against Harkon. Though Aravi will probably not need as many, since her skill with a bow is a lot higher.

I always thought those glowing sea anemone things on the path were neat.

Falmer. Those things are like cockroaches.

Rain of Fire is Good thing a furry person like Aravi had that big stone block to hide behind.

Aravi has a pretty face indeed. But all that blood OTOH...

The green dragon's wings look really pretty.

I have to agree with Subrosa on the Khajiit in Skyrim - they are really well done and by far the most feline and beautiful of all the games. When I met Kharjo for the first time, my first thought was Wow, this cat's really hot! I had to remind myself he is already Aravi's! Unfortunately I can't say the same standards of quality have been extended to the animals, including the horses.

It's wonderful to see these quests through the eyes of Aravi! I've learned so much about this fun game from her.

I didn't know there were any 'real' snow elves left.

Serana and Aravi seem to fight pretty well together; although Serana seems to talk alot and reanimate dead things after the fight is over. Still, she's no Kharjo.

*

Rain of fire is really impressive!

Aww, pretty face is exactly that! I see her little scar but are her earrings missing?

The last screen is magnificent. Sun, dragon, snow, and a pair of Khajiit. Those fur cloak things look wonderfully warm.