Nice to see Lothran enjoying some of traditional winter in Bruma past times. Also nice to see the Christmas Crow decked out with red hat!

Those poor goblins. They've had it easy all year and now things are going to get tough for them again. Then again, won't they ever learn?

He will get to all of them in due time


They seem to be very hard learners indeed. It never dawns on them to stop sending small batches of reinforcements


------------------------

After a few days off, Lothran is now out in the Jeralls again. This time he decided to pop in to Capstone Cave to see what's what. The inhabitants were less than pleased and so they went the way of the goblins and Lothran went away with more gold in his pockets. Not to mention a gold nugget AND a silver nugget - score!

I know what you mean about nuggets... they are sort of rare in this game. My characters usually hoard them, put them on a shelf along with some other rare treasures.

Nice touch putting them on display. Lothran just shoves them into his treasure chest and be done with it

One last evening at Olav's before Pale Pass. Yes, tomorrow the annual Ogre hunt begins and Lothran is ready. Bow, arrows, spells, potions and poisons are all just waiting for it. And Snowflake of course. Gotta keep the backup.

Not sure how many years we've been doing this now, Lothran and I. But this hunt is always the highlight of the year. It's definitely something very special about Pale Pass

As is tradition, Lothran left Bruma in the early hours of the morning and headed straight towards Serpent's Trail. Around the same area that Honmund likes to pick Clouded Funnel Caps, as it happens. He stopped briefly to chat with him and the patrolling forester, but wasted no more time and he soon found himself within the dark, freezing tunnel.

The Spriggan who comes whenever Lothran calls for her got the honor of dispatching the Cavebosses of the Trail. She's remarkably strong and they all fell for her attacks. Her and her Black Bear's. Eventually, Lothran faced the door leading out to the other side and he was once again in the legendary Pale Pass.

A few Ogres were slain on the way to the fort, those unfortunate ones who happened to stand right in the way. Most fell to Lothran's poisons, delivered by arrow, and didn't even reach the Dunmer's feet in time to meet his sword or dagger. A couple Ogres residing right by the fort were cut down either by Snowflake or Goldbrand and when reaching the top, Lothran set up his tent on the other side of the gap where the floor had crumbled. Ogres don't jump too far so setting up camp here is ideal. No matter how good a hunter you are, you don't wanna be surprised when you're sleeping.

Looking out over the valley one last time before bed, Lothran pondered about the previous hunts. And when coming here for the very first time. Indeed, he had many memories from this place, and he's about to make another.

The annual Christmas Ogre hunt has begun.

WooHoo! The annual Pale Pass Pilgrimage has begun!

Yeah, time really does fly. Seems like he was just leaving Bruma.

It does, doesn't it?


First sweep of the area is done and I think he got all of the Ogres. Now he will make another go and enjoy the place more, contemplating on distant memories.

Last day in Pale Pass for 2018.

Lothran has continued to wander the area and enjoying the solitude. It's so peaceful here. Well, at least once you've gotten rid of the occupants. Tomorrow the Dunmer will pack up his tent and leave this secluded place. He almost doesn't want to; having a half-and-half wish to stay here, forever.

Then he remembers Silver Tooth Cave and yeah, well, can't pass up that much fun now, can he?

But what is the ogre tooth count this year?

Ah, yes. I forgot. This year's tooth count is 17

Whew! Now I feel complete.

-------------------

Lothran is now back in Bruma, having left his hunting grounds yesterday. The afternoon was spent wandering town and the evening at - where else - Olav's Tap and Tack. Tomorrow the Dunmer will continue his hunting endeavors but this time he will go to the east and Silver Tooth.

As usual, Lothran is guarding the North gate of Bruma during New Year's. I reckon he'll be at the job for a few more days after which normal routines will resume.

Lothran is now off-duty. He left the North gate at 2:00PM for one last patrol around town, and then it was off to the barracks and turn into civilian clothes again. After having been on his feet for many hours he's now relaxing at the Jerall View and come evening he will of course head to Olav's.

Good job to Lothran. Time for a well deserved mead.

Yup


And now he's on an Ogre hunt again, but this time it's on the road west towards Hermaeus Mora. He's baged quite a few and even got rid of a Daedroth past said Mora. This is currently where he is right now, eagerly awaiting my return so we can go back to Bruma for some more mead

I haven't been gaming at all for 2019 yet (truth) so it's good to see Lothran keeping the northlands safe. Especially since the Decrepit Avatar has been off playing some other game [COUGH] but anyway I will hopefully join Lothran with one of mine soon.

You're welcome any time, Renee


Btw, Lothran just cleared Plundered Mine again and just like other times, at the very end of the mine where the tents are down below, the goblins ended up fighting each other. Two regular vs one War Chief.

Today Lothran planned for a nice and quiet day in the mountains past the North gate. However, that didn't turn out to be the case. Though he did just briefly peak into Rielle, he did clear out the whole of Capstone Cave. Found some good loot in the process too.

This time Lothran also entertained himself by clearing out the rocks that fall down in the dead end passageway. He did it by using his Scout Master spell which does AoE. Had to be careful though; those rocks hurt big time when flying at you!

Ha ha ha that's what we call entertainment!

Fredas, mid-afternoon, Rain's Hand 26, 3rd Era 435 Joan of Arkay takes a blessing in Chorrol's Chapel of Stendarr, and has a seat. She'd brought one of her Battlehorn Castle Men-at-Arms with her this time, a Breton, and this guy seems perplexed about her sitting down.

In the middle of a Fredas?

The man refuses to sit down, but also stays within his lady's presence at all times. Because she is "at-ease." Wearing felt and silk today, not her usual steel-plated armor. Though Joan can still protect herself through Destruction magic, and the likelihood of some menace showing up in the middle of town is almost nil, the man-at-arms knows he cannot let down.

Never relent. Never back down.

Still though. How long would she spend today in chapel? On a Fredas? In the middle of the day?

Joan's dedication to service is admirable. Lothran hasn't set foot in a chapel in years, literally


Instead he opts for brewing potions and poisons, such as tonight. The usual concoctions were made and then he was off on a stroll around town. Strangely enough, the ingredient he lacked this time was Aloe Vera Leaves. It's usually something he has in abundance.

I just loaded up Lady Saga's game an hour ago. Dealt with the usual CTD-on-launch issue like a pro (there's always some issue when going from one character to the next. I get a little better at troubleshooting every time). Here are some stats from her game.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Playtime: 174:41:21 (but I've had hundreds more hours with Saga, maybe thousands, since I've made several versions of her).

Date: First Seed 25, 4th Era Year 2

Level: 12

Birthsign: The Lord

Class: Ranger (custom)

Majors: Alchemy, Conjuration, Restoration, Acrobatics, Light Armor, Marksman, Security.

Days Passed: 211

Active Quests: 22

Quests Completed: 37

Fame: 5 // Infamy: 2

Days Jailed: 0

Places Found: 138 (if I include my total from other Saga games, this is well over 200 by now).

Ingredients Eaten: 2159 // Potions Made: 706

Hours Slept: 1984 // Hours Waited: 442

I like her Majors, looks good. How many Nirnroots has she picked?

Do they include Lee Majors?

Ask Renee


Lothran just cleared out Silver Tooth Cave again but nothing fun was found this time. No gem or special trinket, nothing. So he just wandered home again and went to bed.

Ha ha no Six Million Septim Man in my gameworlds so far. Maybe in Fallout someday...

mirocu you will be pleased to learn that Saga never picks Nirnroots. I seem to remember Lothran also never (or rarely) picked these.

The nice thing about gaming with Saga on PC is that she can use ALL the Majors she's got, especially Marksman and Alchemy, without the fears we used to deal with on consoles. Well...... she uses all of them except Security is sort of a "throwaway."

That's good to hear! Lothran did initially pick them but as time went by he realized that never seeing them in the wild anymore would be boring and sad, and so he stopped picking them at 116 specimen. Don't know how many are left but they are still abundant in the Niben Bay area

On the subject of Nirnroots, I just realized I hardly ever hear them as I'm gaming on PC. Their sound is a lot louder on consoles; and this was confirmed in a thread I recently found in the old Beth forums.

My theory: since most console players are sitting across the room in front a their TV, they need to be able to hear when a Nirnroot is near so they know one is near. PC gamers on the other hand, often use headphones, or are sitting right in front of their monitor screens. Not me though. I still have my PC hooked up to my flatscreen TV, which is roughly 7 or 8 feet away from where I sit as I'm gaming.

On topic: Lady Saga is still in the Leyawiin area. I'm about to post a picture-story these next few days though, so that one will be more detailed.

I never heard nirnroot while playing Oblivion (on PC). I do hear them in Skyrim. I think they turned up the volume.

I can hear them fine, but Lothran needs to stand pretty close.

They are audible in ESO as well, and they (miraculously) grow back. Something must have changed over the eras.

Acid (spray) rain.

Lothran has just realized something; there's less than two weeks left on his hibernation. Yes; two more weeks and then it's time to leave and re-explore the rest of Cyrodiil again, starting with Chorrol as is tradition.

Blimey. Feels like it was just mere weeks ago that he got there, not three months!

Yup, snow and time fly when enjoying the winter in Bruma!

It does foh sho.


Lothran is spending the last week in the Jeralls wrapping things up. Clearing caves and roads one last time and enjoying the mountains are on the list, as well as the usual evenings at Olav's of course. And as always he doesn't feel ready to leave but as I say; if you don't leave you can't come back

As Lothie begins planning for his spring pilgrimage south, have any new spells occurred to him over the cold winter? That is, does he have much new spell crafting and testing planned when he gets to the Arcane University?

No, he seems quite content with his selection of spells now. Maybe a tweak here or there could be done but nothing springs to mind and definitely no major changes are necessary. Most of the necessary stuff has been done. If anything I reckon he could do some spring cleaning as there are a few spells he's never actually used. Then again, he doesn't have a too heavy spellbook and those spells could potentially be useful in a situation later on.

Given his years of experience that makes sense. Perhaps a fine tune tweak here or there then based on the last year of usage.

Yes, he's pretty much nailed it down at this point.


Last day east of Bruma. Checked out the camp on the road; no bandits or loot in the chest and no ogre. Evening was spent at Jerall View as a nice change of pace. Tomorrow Lothran will go to the west of Bruma and yes, last evening for the season will be spent at Olav's.

My gosh. He's really leaving? How many times have you done this pilgrimage over the years?

Ten years now. Barely gotten started

Last day in Bruma and last night at Olav's Tap and Tack. Ongar got shot down once alongside Karinnarre who got in the way. Even Lothie took an arrow which he of course kept for himself


Capstone Cave was cleared out one last time during the day and the road west to the first bridge is also clear and that's the way Lothran will take tomorrow when he has locked up his house and left Bruma for this season.


Next up: Chorrol and the Colovian Highlands!

Lothran got up early this morning, he had lots to do. First thing was to put out the fireplace. Then put back Snowflake with the rest of the Winter collection which btw got an addendum yesterday after having cleared out Capstone Cave. Not only did Lothran find one last silver nugget, but also a Frost enchanted battle axe which he actually didn't already have.

He closed the door to the bedroom, got his gear from the hallway chest and after one last look of his house, Lothran was out the door.


He stood on the steps to his house and looked around. Sun was up and the sky was for once all clear. Three and a half month of constant snowing was over, signaling that spring was just around the corner. Waving goodbye to the guards who were the only other ones up this early, Lothran was out the North gate.

A bittersweet departure as Lothran yields to the promise of spring. . . .

"Same procedure as every year"


Said elf is now in Chorrol. The walk there was amazing with sunshine and vibrant colors and 50 shades of green. He arrived at dusk and is currently sitting in the dining area of the Oak and Crosier. Hasn't rented a room yet for the night, though.


I say this every year, but it's like playing an expansion rather than the core game when Lothran gets down from Bruma, having not seen anything other than snow and mountains for almost four months. It's truly swanky

To where shall he go first? I await with bated breath.

Lady Saga is in Bravil. There, that's my update for today.

Thoust caneth exhale that breath by reading the post above thee's