Buy a goddamn book why don't you, it's a book store, dammit!

!

Lothran has left Leyawiin and after an exploration of southern Blackwood, he's now resting on top of the well at Drunken Dragon Inn. Weather is overcast but no rain. Plans now are to visit Cheydinhal.

How nice to get an update on Lothran's travels. I wonder if he encountered any Ashcan trolls coming up from Leyawiin. Perhaps he will swing close enough on the way to Cheydinhal to visit Buffy's friends in Cropsford.

Thank you


He did find a couple which were quickly disposed of using his usual combo of Weakness spell and enchanted mace. Makes them as difficult to fight as a rat


Most def! But for now he's spending the night at Imperial Bridge Inn. It was a very cozy evening, I must say. Fireplace sparked and the other guests chatted amongst themselves. All while Lothran pondered about his travels and recent experiences.

A taste of things to come in winter...

After escaping from the prison, January spent some time in the Imperial City. She explored the sewers, then all of the Imperial Isle, and a few points beyond. Finally she decided to pay attention to Baurus' suggestion to take the Amulet of Jauffre at Weynon. She reached it today and gave it to him. Now she is working her way cross country to Kvatch.

She stopped at Fort Linchai when she saw a light shining up into the sky from there. A very unfriendly chick in skull robes greeted her with lightning. January showed her why she is called the Stormcrow. I left off tonight's gaming with her just inside the fort.

I am going to try tackling the main quest early. Jan is only 6th level at this point, about halfway to leveling up to 7th. It has been a very long time since I have done the Oblivion MQ. I was thinking that by doing Kvatch at low level, the guards there have a better chance of surviving. I recall that they cannot compete with the daedra that spawn at higher levels.

I can't remember. When do the Oblivion Gates start to open? Was it as soon as I delivered the amulet? Or is it once you liberate Kvatch?

Has to be when you deliver the Amulet. Lothran hasn't done that but he has liberated Kvatch and no gates have appeared apart from those few associated with Daedra quests.


Good to see you're having fun with Oblivion once again!

They only start opening once you escort Martin to Weyonon Priory. If he's your companion but you never take him to Weynon Priory, so the quest doesn't update, new gates don't start appearing.

It is complicated. The Kvatch gate (only) is open when you get there of course. You may safely close that gate and retake the city without more gates opening as Lopov says.


Details here: https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Oblivion_Gates

Cool. So maybe I will do Kvatch now at low level, then wait a bit and leave Martin at Kvatch. Then start the rest of the Crisis at higher level.

Lothran might suggest not starting it at all..


Speaking of whom, the Dark Elf is now enjoying Cheydinhal with all its nice willow trees and little islands. As always he has bought ingredients at the Mages Guild and repaired his gear at the Fighters Guild. Standard stuff. He has also slept soundly through the night at the Newlands Inn where he's still present. Tomorrow will most likely see him exploring the surrounding wood and visiting Harlun's Watch, south of Cheydinhal.

That's what I did with some character, whose name I already forgot. I RP-ed that he didn't find Martin in Kvatch during the attack, so he presumed that Martin was dead. Later he heard rumors of a priest who was recuperating from his injuries, in the ruins of Kvatch, that's when he returned to "find" him.

That is the way I used to engineer gate-free playthroughs.

Today Lothran walked around the city wall, looking for some action. But all he found was an imp and an ogre. Not even a bandit up at the camp to fight. He did however find the Nirnroot that grows by the pond. So glad we never picked it

Back inside the walls he visited Ulrich in his cell who threatened Lothran that if he ever got out of there... Well, Lothran isn't too worried about that. Audens Avidius did just that and he isn't feeling too well now

Has Lothie tried exploring Cyrodiil with the Unique Landscapes mods? They can be really hit or miss. But I still recall the one around Cheydinhal has being one of my favorites, with all of its added waterfalls.

January braved the Kvatch Oblivion World, and sent Ilend Vonius back home to update Salivating Matius. She rescued Menien Goneld (I had forgotten all about him!) with a deft use of the moveto console command, and brought him back to Nirn with her after closing the gate.

Then it was on to the liberation of the city, which went smoothly. January has a spell to heal others, which she used liberally between fights. Thusly all of the Kvatch guard and the three extra Legionaries survived the battle. Sadly the Count did not. But that was not Jan's fault. He was that way when she got there.

With the city saved January went off to investigate some bandit camps for Bothiel. She had received a note from her by messenger owl, asking her to look for ornery components. So far the bandits that have said components have proved to be quite ornery indeed!

Nice, so she can heal other people, that's a really good spell to have. Let them do the fighting (sometimes) while Jan keeps them going.



Most of mine never went to Kvatch, this is true. It's funny because back when I was new to the game I hated the Oblivion gates opening everywhere, ruining the serene countryside.

When I rolled Grey Wizard though, he and I got rather addicted to closing gates. When the MQ was done, I found myself suffering from GWS (Gate Withdrawal Syndrome). ha ha.

He has not. After the fiasco up in Bruma with a scene altering mod, we're quite weary of any other.


Nice that January got them all to survive! No good a rescued place if all who belong there are gone.

How many Nirnroots has Lothran picked in all? I bet he stores them in Bruma.


That's the guy, who's trapped in the cage, right? Did he take on some schedule after being released?

Unless you take further actions, NPC's keep their original AI packages. I'd not be surprised if he tried to go back to the cage. In this case, he probably wouldn't have one, or it would be "stay at current location", so no harm done, unless he was left somewhere dangerous.

Menien does not move at all, except cower. So January left him in the Kvatch encampment.

116 and yes, he keeps most of them in Bruma. Not all, though


Yesterday Lothran did something out of the ordinary; he visited a chapel. He actually hasn't done that in years, not even the Talos one in Bruma. Dunno why.

Lothran is now in his shack in the Imperial City Waterfront. He left Cheydinhal early in the morning and had good time to have fun with the vampires in Barren Cave and to visit Roxey Inn before nightfall.

Ah yes, the cozy little waterfront shack.

Lothran has now entered the Marie Elena, marking the start of his journey north. He has previously left a few books in the ship which he's now browsing through. The guidebook to Bruma is his favourite

Maybe he'll run into Kahreem while at the Marie Elena. After all, they belong to the same guild.

As dear Buffy once explained to Lothie; probably not gonna happen.


Would be cool, though

Funny you guys are talking about Kahreem. You never know when he might show up. And where.

I return to ... dangit. CTD on launch. I'm trying to return to Renee Gade III, but I've been with Goblin Lady for months. Each game has separate stuff going on, mod-wise, and something's not right. mirocu, this is one problem you happily never encounter! Hmm, nothing seems wrong in OBMM so I'll try an earlier save.

Phew it works! I return to Renee Gade III's game. She's in Pells Gate. Today is Second Seed 1 of the Fourth Era, Year 22. And she's headed to the Imperial City. Unlike Goblin Lady, Renee is a perpetual adventurer. She has three followers, and is never in the same place for very long.

Unlike Lothie, who very much does

And yeah, I miss Kahreem's antics. He was so much fun. Sweet-talking himself into places he shouldn't be, only to knick a bottle of cheap wine and some coins before running head-over-heels from the guards

Lothran has now woken up in his room at the Tiber Septim. Previous evening was spent strolling around and talking to people, most noteworthy being Jakben, Earl of Imbel.

Tomorrow will be spent at the Waterfront and the Marie Elena. Final preps before heading out to Aleswell.

Will Lothie be stopping at the University this year?

He has indeed been to the University. Mostly just to look at the place and collect ingredients though, no spells or enchantments made. I believe it may be the third year in a row with no new additions. Possibly second. After years of fine-tuning his spellbook, Lothran is happy with what he has.


No sign of Buffs

Renee Gade III is still in Chorrol. Good to see Lothran is moseying about.

And good to see he's not alone!


Chorrol, eh? That's always Lothie's first stop after his winter hibernation i Bruma

Lothran is now in Aleswell.


That is all

Nice to follow along with Lothie's annual pilgrimage circuit. Next major stop (after some goblin huntin'): Bruma!

Thanks! Sorry for having you sit through all that text. I'll try to make next update a bit shorter

Today Lothran paid a visit to Ancotar who, despite over a decade has passed since the little incident, still won't go up and talk to the Dunmer siblings in Aleswell. He's glad they are visible, though. Makes it easy to avoid them...

Yeah, what's up with that novel you just wrote, Tolstoy?

Last I saw, Renee Gade III was headed toward Fort Ash. The goblins who reside within haven't a clue what's coming toward them.

I got the writer's itch, I reckon


Run away! RUN AWAY!!

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

After waking up in the morning, Lothran grabbed his gear, bade farewell to the Dunmers running Aleswell Inn, and was out the door.


He had done this for quite some years now, the white-haired Dunmer from Morrowind. Little had he known and few were his skills the day fate gave him a chance to redeem himself and let him out of that prison cell. Now, he was quite the competent fighter as well as mage and few were those who posed a challenge to him. He had also amassed quite a healthy savings account and he could quite easily earn more by selling tickets to what many would call a museum. To Lothran though, it was just his home.

After some time up the mountainous path he reached the crossroads from where one could choose to go to either the Imperial City, Chorrol or Bruma. As usual, Lothran took off his huntsman's vest here and instead donned his cuirass, helmet and gauntlets, all made out of fur. Not only did they protect the Dunmer from the cold he was about to face yet again, with their enchantments they also protected him against both magic and steel.

The Jerall Mountains laid ahead. Cold, windy and not a whole lot in terms of things to eat straight from bushes or trees. There were plenty of wolves, bears and ogres though, who all could withstand the harsh environment and who were always on the lookout for their next meal. For some, these are not quite ideal conditions and those people would probably opt for say Anvil with the warm beaches instead. But Lothran had only warm feelings when he once again saw the beautiful mountains and felt the cold wind in his face.


When the door to his house slammed shut and he could smell the air from months gone by, his heart felt peace.


Lothran was home.

mirocu, you're writing a fan fic.

Welcome home, Lothran.

Yes, welcome home for the winter to Lothie! I'm sure he wasted no time getting his fireplace going! Or perhaps it was already lit thanks to Olav. Or maybe it was a passing wood elf. . . .

Right?? I'm in shock.

I like that he changed into warmer attire before climbing up the hill. Some of mine do this too. Renee definitely does... she can't be wearing her skimpy Xena armor when it's freezing.

Aw, what a touching end.

I call it a speedbump

But hey, it was fun to write that. Just came to me. Lothran's journey north does that to me


No roaring fireplace when he got there, but it will roar tonight. And said wood elf is welcome by if she pleases


Sorry

Yeah, changing to warmer gear right there is also something he's done for many years. It just seemed suitable for the last leg to Bruma.



Lothran sends his thanks to all!

After some wandering in the Jeralls not too far from Bruma, Lothran decided to call it a day and go back into town. Apart from buying ingredients from the Mages Guild, he also paid a visit to Hafid at the Jerall View before spending the rest of the evening at, you guessed it; Olav's Tap and Tack

Lothran goes beyond the call of booty ... I mean duty, that's for sure. Bruma really better appreciate him.

Renee Gade III is still in Chorrol. I should be playing Skyrim by now, but I keep having problems with this quest I wrote for RG3's game, and I must fix these problems for her first. Because it becomes almost obsessive with me, fixing problems. Right ghastley?

It does

Just today he cleared out Plundered Mine which isn't far from Bruma. As always he helped himself to whatever stuff he could find which only consisted of gold coins and lockpicks. Two things he certainly doesn't need more of


Bu...! Bu....! Bu.. Chorrol is reserved for early spring! You can't go there until the beginning of March!



Or is that just me? ... ....

In the last few days, Lothran has cleared out both Plundered mine and Capstone cave. As usual nowadays he went in all gung-ho and mace blazin' which always sparks up some attention. However, when walking through Rielle just now he did it all sneaky-sneaky, just like the old days. Fighting undead is such a bore to Lothran and they never carry anything interesting on their not-person anyway.
This did allow Lothran to practice getting in, grab what he wants and then getting out without anyonething knowing he was even there.


When back out on the outside he witnessed something fun. A forester was near the ruins, as well as some deer and a bear further away. The forester began chasing the deer and shooting at them with his bow. He got one but when he went for the second deer he must have spotted the bear and designated him the bigger game and thus the two went for a brawl. The encounter was won by the forester, but not by much. When Lothran came down from his viewing position up on the ruin, the forester had but sliver of health left. A few more blows from the bear and the outcome would have been different. The bear btw had nine arrows in him but I reckon many more was fired as all arrows are never found in a target.


Now, the forester has spotted the second deer again...

Ha this made me laugh/! mirocu / Lothran are so set in their ways! At this point I think something would be missing if the slightest change occurred in their routines. I must drive you crazy with all my different characters, ideas, and ... well, actually I don't have that many different characters in this game. I've been with the same three for years now.

WHOA he went into Rielle???? Talk about breaking routine!

Does he ever go into Applewatch or whatever that cabin's name is? I bet Lothran is friends with that lady, huh?

I'm surprised I actually don't have a list I go by when playing - "At this date, do this"


Yeah, well kinda. He often goes into it but only the first room to the left. Rarely does he go through the whole thing and never without fighting everything. That was the biggest routine break.


Actually, he never visits her. Don't know why but they never really made friends

Those suicidally funny foresters!