Sounds cool!


I trust the mod is fully voice acted, Renee?

Be vewy vewy qwiet! Lothran's hunting gobwins!

Renee - what a clever sounding qwest quest you made! Wow!

Being qwiet helped - all the goblins were disposed of!


All the 15 poisons Lothran brought were used up and out of 20 arrows only 6 remains. But on the plus side he found two gold nuggets and one Flawless Topaz! The Dunmer is now resting in his tent by Azura´s shrine and tomorrow he´ll head home again

A Nordic Dunmer's work is never done. . .

Renee, I think it’s neat that Joanie will get a prequel in Morrowind. I have started that game a few times and love it, but I’ve not yet managed to make a character that I really wanted to continue with. I’m psyched that you will have Joan! And woo, another quest for RG3!

Callidus, Severan is in my favorite alchemical paradise.

mirocu, it’s nice that the Dunmer who has everything can still be tempted by flawless gems.

I'm sure you have some of those gaming moments in which something just falls into place, you know? As soon as the thought of Joan in Morrowind passed through my head, I knew it was a keeper.

mirocu: yes, they are voice acted in my head. It's the 'Voices in my Head' pretend mod.



Tirdas, 5:39 am First Seed 12, 3rd Era 434

Kahrem of Weet leaves town, after several days in jail. He changes into his fur armor, tossing his prison clothes on the ground. It is raining.

He walks into town, and spends most of this day getting his armor repaired. He's got a large task in front of him, and he doesn't want to foil this. Or wind up dead. After 5 hours while the smith does its work, he walks over to a nearby pub, buys a bottle of beer, and steals 4 more bottles without getting caught. He walks to the Fighter's Guild, hoping to steal some food, but a rude Breton in a tin suit is instantly watchful, the moment Kahreem walks in.

So instead, he finds the Mage's Guild. There are several people here, milling about and such, but Kahreem eventually manages to (somehow) walk out with an entire watermelon in his hands. That'll be good to eat later on.

And now, travel arrangements.

It is 4:09 pm by the time he is ready to go. He walks toward the stables, hoping the bay he'd stolen over a week ago is still here. It is not. It had been branded as an Imperial Legion horse, so no doubt it had been put back into service. "What??" asks the stablehand. Kahreem does not answer. He starts another beer instead (his third so far). There are several horses here, and Kahreem chooses a paint. Though the paint is slower, it is easier to point; it can run around curves and boulders more easily than a faster horse. And there are lots of curves and boulders where he's going.

"THIEF! You won't get away with this!"

His new paint horse would be a temporary arrangement. Unlike the bay, paints were often trained from birth to return to whatever stable they'd been bred within. So unfortunately, Kahreem's new paint horse would not stick around, after the Redguard dismounted him.

"STOP! You violated the law. Since you lack the funds to pay the court, you must serve out your sentence. Your stolen goods are now forfeit."

"Your job will be forfeit if you don't manage to catch me."

"Then pay with your blood!"

"Ha, good luck with that! Right now I'm like four times as fast as you, sir. Catch me if you can!"

Gee, I wonder how many horses Kahreem has stolen at this point?


And I´m glad to see you haven´t entirely given up on your Pretend Mods™ , Renee

Hahaha, I love the part when he leaves the Mages Guild with a watermelon.

A lot of stealing in that story.

Ah, the ‘Voices In My Head’ mod. I know it well. I just sometimes have a hard time un-checking it when game time is over.

After 5 hours while the smith does its work, he walks over to a nearby pub, buys a bottle of beer, and steals 4 more bottles without getting caught.

Oh goodness, and then he strolled out the MG door carrying a whole watermelon. Better and better!

Lothran is enjoying his last few days in Bruma and the Jeralls this winter. He just came back from another raid in Silver Tooth Cave and soon he will head to Chorrol and re-explore the rest of Cyrodiil again!

Yea I was gonna say, Lothie's going to head south soon, correct?

Yep. Probably this Sunday or so, and Chorrol is always first on his list

Wow, time flies (and so do crows)! Just seems like yesterday when Lothie finished up his autumn preparations at the Arcane University and traveled up to Bruma. Looks like he's made it safely through another winter.

Time indeed flies! I´m not sure I´m mentally prepared to leave Bruma!!


Thanks once again to Buffy who kindly equipped Lothran with Snowflake that on the way back to Bruma helped bring down yet another ogre

What first inspired you (or him or both) to spend different seasons in different areas of Cyrodiil? Take us back to 2007. I'm curious if he went north to Bruma especially, and then fell in love with the place, and decided to stay all winter? Or how did that work?

That can actually be read in his fanfic thread, but I´ll give you a quick rundown


Lothran needed to go to Bruma early in his game so he could sell stolen items to Ongar and get his money purse fattened a bit. Going up the road and seeing Bruma for the first time we both fell in love with it, even before entering the town, and that love only got strengthened upon entering. I´m not entirely sure, but I believe the tradition to stay in Bruma for the winter started that very same year in December, with the thing becoming annual in December 2008.

So it really took no time at all for this tradition to start and, if I remember correctly and it all started in December 2007, this year we´re coming up on our tenth year anniversary!

Well, not so much today, as I've not much left of it, but I've got a new character that's just arrived in Cyrodiil. He's a Telvanni-trained Dunmer Spellsword(so he wears light armour rather than heavy), now working as a mercenary, who's just arrived by ship in Anvil.

Good luck with your new character, Thorn! Cool to be starting out in Anvil

mirocu: oops sorry Yeah I forgot you wrote it up in Lothie's official thread. Thanks for explaining quickly here. I do believe I fell in love with Bruma first time I saw it too. And (amazingly) I have a trace memory of getting confused ... I got lost or something! Of course, nowadays it's all so familiar with its 3 tier system of foundations.

CT: Funny thing is I had a dream last night you made a new character. No, don't worry, you weren't IN the dream, but I remember realizing you have a new one.

Signs of spring!

Callidus, welcome to your new character.

Well, first things first:

Here is Ralyn Orethi: Pic Pic

As ever, both pics are taken in Rindir's Staffs.

I'll try to keep this short, because otherwise I'll fail to fight the temptation to write a chunk from a journal or something about him, though that's probably inevitable at some point or other But tonight I'm really not feeling up to it.

Anyway, he's gotten himself established in Anvil by joining both Guilds. He's got his first recommendation, developed a slight interest in Carahil, and is halfway through being hazed by Azzan. Which he is definitely not pleased about.

He looks good, I think. Nice to have another Dunmer in Cyrodiil

Welcome to Rayln! He's a looker indeed! Especially in leathers. Joining both guilds sounds perfect for a spellsword.

I agree, Ralyn looks good, he has a unique face, not a typical Dunmer and he has piercing eyes. So he joined both guilds, smart, now he definitely doesn't have to worry about sleeping on the streets in any town.

__

I also sort of fell in love with Bruma when I saw it for the first time. It was the first proper "city in snow" which I saw in any video game and the combination of its yellow emblem with white snow and wooden houses made me feel at home immediately. When I saw the Jerall View Inn (especially the underground bedroom), I loved it even more. And in case it wasn't obvious above, its emblem is my favorite as well.

This has a big impact on my gaming because I still didn't have a character that wouldn't like Bruma. Everyone feels welcome there. And with Lothran guarding it for ten years, nothing bad can happen there, right?

Bruma´s new slogan: Now with 100% less bandits and deadric siege crawlers!


I agree on Bruma´s colours and logo - it´s something about it all that just fits a town in the snow

Yup, the best part about Bruma is that Lothran lives there!

Don't tease us like this!

Callidus, Ralyn is one good-looking Dunmer! He has an intense stare. I could stand to read a chunk of his journal. Anvil is a good place for a spellsword to get his start.

Ralyn sends his thanks for the compliments



Well, I had been planning to leave it awhile, but thoughts began to converge, and the inevitability gained a degree of immediacy, so here we go.


The Journal of Ralyn Orethi

1st Entry; Anvil, 3E 433. 29 Last Seed.

I expect you're wondering why I'm writing this?

It's my retirement. Once I'm too old for mercenary work I'll have a scribe neaten this up and make a proper book out of it. Until then, it's going to be a repository of everything I do, more or less, all the fighting, all the killing, and everything I gain from it.

Why?

Because I'm not a hero. and that's a good thing.

Heroes make people feel inadequate. They shame people by their very existence, a marker that everyone else falls short of. They might be the people that make history, but outside of history texts, people don't want to look at them too closely. They'd much rather read about my kind.

We can have principles. We can have honour. We can give them a fighting chance, even if they're criminals, brigands, pirates, or slavers. But ultimately, we'll still trade someone's life for a fistful of Septims.

That lets them look down on us, as we do the things they could never bring themselves to do. And that suits me just fine. Because that's what I get paid for; to do the things they won't, that they try to convince themselves they can't do. And everytime they do they put coin in my hand, food in my belly, and a roof over my head for the night.

They feed me to spare their consciences, all the while reveling in even the merest rumours of my deeds, fascinated and repulsed in equal measure, and all to my gain.

Not that they'll ever admit that, of course.

But that's fine by me.

Ooh, nice intro there

I wonder how many cells he will see the inside of..

Yea I totally agree. I love CT's writing. Always have.

Actually, it's Ralyn's writing.

Nice to see Rayln writing a journal. We see already that he's a mercenary and pretty well-adjusted to the emotional rigors of his profession.

Very nice intro for Ralyn, Callidus. I look forward to hearing of his adventures!

When Lothran left his house this morning it had suddenly stopped snowing. For the first time in three months! A clear sign, he thought, that it´s his last day in Bruma this winter!

The day was spent visiting all the shops, giving the beggars and Bruma´s only prisoner some extra food and checking up on some of the citizens who don´t go out so much. And as evening fell it was time for one last huzzah at Olav´s Tap and Tack. The place was crowded and in high spirit and Ongar did his usual thing to attract even more, if very temporary, patrons



And tomorrow it´s off to Chorrol!

Tirdas, Sun's Dusk 20, 4th Era 20 -- Renee Gade III is in Skingrad, buying and selling before she heads back to Kvatch. She's fallen in love with 4th Era Kvatch.

Sounds like someone is using Kvatch Restored or a similar mod

Bruma's only prisoner? Would that be the Weet Bandit or the Bosmer Manuin?

I reckon those were on holiday leave - only Jorundr was left

I would have written more yesterday, but I wasn't really feeling up to it, so this next one's going to be a bit lengthy, and cover some more old ground before getting to recent events. Next part will be in the spoilers thread.





The Journal of Ralyn Orethi

2nd Entry; Anvil, Mages Guild. 3E 433. 29 Last Seed.

I suppose I'd better tell you a little more about myself, hadn't I?

30 years ago, I was trained as a Spellsword by House Telvanni, in the service of Mistress Therana. She is one of the highest ranking members of House Telvanni, one of the few Telvanni Councilors. She is ancient, powerful, and insane. Needless to say, it was not long after I was fully trained that I began to think it would be best to leave her service. A dangerous proposition. A Telvanni Councilor does not like to lose the services of those they've invested time and effort in, so permission is rarely granted, and desertion carries certain consequences.

Which is what brought me to Cyrodiil. I left her service, and spent the next twenty years looking over my shoulder. As much much as I would like to say my survival was down to my skill with blades, magic, and a dash of stealth, luck played its part. The first assassin she sent, one of her agents, would have killed me in my sleep had I not woken only moments before to take a piss. Other attempts were carried out by the Morag Tong, who are more executioners than assassins, and always chose to cross blades with me. And since I'm writing this, I'm sure you can guess how they fared.

Therana made one last attempt before I left Vvardenfell, sending another of her agents. She almost got me. She was fast, talented, and smart. I'd just gotten back to the house I rented in Balmora, having escorted a pair of merchants as an associate of the Fighters Guild. I was tired, and I was lax. That almost got me killed. Luck played its part again, and the blade meant for my heart instead dug into my left arm as I turned in response to a flash of movement caught in the corner of my eye. She'd been waiting on the left of the door as I entered, giving her an almost unhindered strike. I still can't move that arm properly, nor lift any great weight with it.

That fight was a nightmare. She was as good in a fight as I am, unwounded, and so fast. The only edge I had was my longer blade, but the confines of the room meant I couldn't use it properly. We both knocked each other around badly, bleeding from a half dozen lesser wounds apiece, but I was catching the worst of it. The house was trashed, my spellbook destroyed, and I had neither the time nor the opportunity to grab my spare. I barely got away as it was, and that was only because I managed to catch her in the head with the flat of my blade. I'd have preferred to slit her throat, but in a fight like that you take what you can get. She caught me as I charged across the city, and we fought again on one of the bridges over the river. There at least I was able to use the length of my blade properly, and managed to knock her into the river. I fled to Vivec, traded my damaged gear for what replacements I could get. They're nowhere near the quality of what I lost, but I didn't dare spend the time to have them repaired. I booked passage on the first ship leaving, which brought me here, to Cyrodiil.

Anvil was a good place to dock. It's a wealthy town, home to a branch of both the Fighters and Mages Guilds, so finding work should be easy.

I've had to join the Mages Guild, since they've got a stranglehold on magic. I can buy spells from them without being a member, but I can't create my own, or get my equipment enchanted, without becoming a full member of the Guild, so my hands are tied on that front. I can only hope the Guild is more formidable in Cyrodiil than it was in Vvardenfell. My next stop is the Fighters Guild. I've worked for them before, and they seemed to be a solid enough organisation, that allow a good deal of freedom. Hopefully they've got an empty bunk. I've got some coin, but I'd rather not spend it on a room at the inn if it can be avoided.

Tomorrow, I'll find out what the Mages Guild requires of me.

Lothran has just left Bruma and is currently resting by Shadow´s Rest Cavern. The scenery was just too beautiful to press on, it had Buffy Falls right there and besides, he´s in no hurry. The whole of Cyrodiil is there and even though Chorrol awaits him he will take his time and enjoy the wonderful forests and the bird song



Gamer´s note: It does feel a bit odd to leave Bruma while we still have winter over here, but I gotta draw the line somewhere, right? Don´t wanna overstay our welcome

CT, good to learn some more of Rayln’s mysterious Morrowind background and how he escaped those assassins and came to Anvil.

Mirocu - Aww, how nice that Lothran has started his warm season travels. Green grass and cool waters to you, friend.

Thank you


After a brief visit to Shadow´s Rest Cavern, to which we´ve never been before, Lothran is now in Chorrol! The cave wasn´t much to speak of to be honest. One flawless topaz and a pearl, but little else of interest. However it was as usual very nice to once again be in the Great Forest



I think there´s something funny going on. I swear I have coronated several citizens that are now back to regular status

Oh no, not an outbreak of democracy among the royals!

They have all stepped down from their thrones

Hey, you're never too old to try something new!

No, and I figured if we haven´t been there by now, and if we don´t go through it when we have the chance, we never will. Wasn´t much to brag about as I said, but still, one more cave off the list

I agree. When Lothran or Buffy discover a new location at this point, it is certainly worthy of a logbook entry.

I found my way back to Severan's game today. He's gotten all his recommendations, bought some Magetallow candles for Frostcrag Spire, and is going to get some utility enchantments done when he gets home.

But he can't go back yet.

You see, every time he goes home he sits down for a lengthy alchemy session, but he's run out of vampire dust. Without that, he can't make his Magebane poison, and he's only got two vials of it left. And that poison is his weapon of choice for fighting mages, hence the imaginative name.

So he's going to have to go back towards Cheydinhal, to the only vampire lair he's come across, to see if more of the creatures have taken up residence.

I bet Severan wasn´t expecting this


Well, may he have fun As for Lothran, he´s revisiting Fort Rayles. Haven´t been there in a very, very long time which is why I didn´t remember how to get past the gates. I knew it was something to do with the glowing ball on the statues´ heads (that was quite obvious) and I was gonna try the correct way but got distracted by another idea* and then I forgot to test my correct idea. Will do it in tomorrow´s session




*I tried to get the Conjurers to open them up by attacking them with an AoE spell but apparently they are not clever enough to operate the lever that was right next to them

CT: Psst. Don't forget the lair down the hill from that place where people hack up all kinds of dirt.

mirocu: Joan of Arkay was just in Fort Rayles. She had to go back in there twice actually, since she didn't have a certain item to open those gates. And no, it's not a key. Hint?