Screenshots of Diablita will be delayed. I have had issues with a kink in her tail when standing idle, which is an error in the bone positions affecting the Khajiit and Argonian tails as well. It just shows more with a slender tail than with a thick one. So I've been attempting to remove the influence of the errant bone by re-weighting the mesh in Blender. Now the game crashes whenever she equips the tail. To make things worse, I've overwritten the last kinked copy that didn't make the game crash, so I have to try and re-create that.

Vicuña needs a new outfit that she can wear outside the brothel without being arrested. She'll probably just add a bikini to her usual one. Then we can take her back to Karthwasten and Broken Tower for a photo-shoot. I'm sure the Forsworn will have respawned enough to catch a few action shots. She may also do a bit of reading, if I can get the hang of Puppeteer. I'm having difficulty freezing the action without freezing the camera.

I've taken a few more of Gilda, several of which won't be shown here. But here's what Clark came back from Markath to find in Breezehome. I still have to take her back to Valtheim Towers in a version of that to take some shots with the bandits.

Gilda in Breezhome. . . oh my. . . I mean. . . her nose certainly came out well, did it not?

Congrats to Buffy for successfully dealing with Serana's relative. I like the reference to Kvatch here, IIRC, in Buffy's Skyrim it's the same year as in her world in Cyrodiil?

Great mod, wish there was one for every faction.

And I thought that Companions are rude only to those who aren't their members. Nice to read that she's a friend of mammoths and is even in their faction.

Enema! Aravi Manor is from a mod, right? Or is one of houses added by HF?
Glad that Jerric punched that idiot.

Whoever notices raw rabbit legs first in this pic, isn't interested in women.

Thank you! It's. . . complicated. Buffy has friends in both Skyrim and Cyrodiil and some of them take differing approaches to the 200 year thing. In Buffy's case, we leave it vague and have her magically pass through whatever anomalies separate the two provinces. She'd hate to lose touch with some of her friends simply because of a couple of silly centuries.

Now that Buffy is solo again (well, with Superian, Acadian and a forest spirit critter), she is really enjoying taking radiant quests from the College, Dawnguard and the Companions. The variety keeps her constantly crisscrossing Skyrim, but on her own agenda and schedule.

"Time to pay for your sins, Movarth Piquine!"

The old vampire rose up from his throne. There were intruders in his lair! He has become suspicious as of late when Alva and Laelette, his two mistresses, haven't returned, but he didn't expect to be attacked in his own home.

Lucius and Lydia rushed in the main hall, Lucius jumped on the long dining table in front of Movarth's throne and ran over it straight to the legendary vampire, kicking plates, bottles, body parts and anything else on the table aside, his katana ready to spill vampiric blood and avenge Hroggar's family. Lucius' swings were precise and deadly and while fighting Movarth and watching his fiery red eyes, he couldn't believe that he's battling the very same vampire about whom he read when he was a kid.

The fight was short but intense and within a minute Movarth and his closest vampires were dead.

"What a day, my Thane! First a dragon attack on Morthal and now we met Movarth Piquine himself."

"A bloody day indeed, Lydia. But now peace shall finally return to Morthal."

"I see that you have found Immortal Blood. Isn't it ironic that he kept it in his own lair?"

"Perhaps it served him to easily remember his past. I'm not versed in vampiric lore but I read that some ancient vampires only dimly remember their young days."

"A sad end for someone who used to hunt vampires."

I love the imagery here of Lucius charging down the long dining table to take on Movarth. Sounds like a busy day indeed up in Morthal!

Thanks, I like the sound of Amazing Follower Tweaks, that sounds like a must-have for me.

And congrats on getting Serana out of Buffy's hair. Serana eventually returned to Dawnguard's castle, Lord Haaf-Mersey saw her, last time he was there.







I love that too, it sounds so Hollywood. It's also sweet he killed a vampire he read about in some book

Visiting their, or to be more precise - his acquaintances at the Darkwater Crossing, Lucius and Lydia are sitting by a campfire, together with Annekke, her husband Verner, ranger Tormir and her daughter Hrefna, silent Dunmer Sondas and Argonian Derkeethus whom Lucius saved from Falmer clutches a while ago.

It's lightly raining but not enough to put out the fire and not enough to force the party to go inside. Instead, they put on their hoods or helmets and are amusing themselves by telling any funny tales they know. Skyrim is plagued by the civil war and dragons, that's why it is important to stay positive and optimistic and that is where funny tales come in handy.

"So now it's my turn," says Lucius and makes a sip of ale. "I know one which my mother told me. And my grand-mother as well and so on and on all the way to the past, two centuries ago. Lydia already knows this but the rest of you don't - I'm a descendant of the Caro bloodline. Not that it means anything special these days. Marius and Alessia Caro were Count and Countess of Leyawiin around two hundred years ago. Counts in Cyrodiil function similarly as Jarls in Skyrim, to clarify.

Well, so it happened that two hundred years a Redguard came to Leyawiin. Accounts vary and some say that he was pretending to be a spice merchant, others say that he was a blacksmith and some claim that he was a beggar. Maybe he's been all three, he was said to be the man of many faces. This Redguard belonged to the Thieves Guild that was spread all over Cyrodiil. And he came searching for a special ring that belonged to my distant relative Alessia.

To clarify some things, Alessia once owned the ring who was stolen from her by some unknown thief. Somehow this ring got into hands of a local Argonian who wanted to sell the ring back to Alessia but the Countess saw through his scheme and arrested him, thus finally getting the ring back.

And now back to that Redguard whose real name was never found out, though it is said that he was introducing himself as Vincent. He came to Leyawiin to retrieve that ring. Why and for who, I don't know, it doesn't really matter, but what's funny is that he caused a real ruckus at Castle Leyawiin.

Apparently he knew the castle better than Alessia and her staff and he made his way to the castle by some secret chambers. However, he was a bit unlucky and was not once, not twice, but three times in a row caught either by castle's guards or Alessia's staff. And neither of them didn't allow the Redguard to be inside the castle. A real fight ensued and it is said that the Countess herself, together with her steward Hildara, were chasing the thief through the castle's halls, punching him with their fists. But the Redguard was a shrewd one and as I said, he probably knew the castle better than those who lived there. He managed to lure his pursuers in one of the castle's secret chambers and closed them in!

However, because he was spotted by guards as well, he fled the Castle and returned the second time. It is not well-known anymore what went wrong this time but once again he was found by the Countess who reported him to the guards yet the Redguard refused to surrender. Once again he lured them back to the secret chambers and while opening it, he released Hildara, the Countess' steward. Looks like that nobody let her out until then, imagine that? Once again he was beaten but once again he managed to avoid the arrest by closing his pursuers inside the chamber and fleeing the castle.

It is then said that he disguised himself once more, as a blacksmith perhaps, and entered the castle through the main door, not hiding anymore. Apparently he was a charming fellow and had way with words, so when he met Hildara, she didn't remember him and after some sweet-talking actually told him where to find the Countess' ring. You might wonder how I know this? Because thanks to Hildara's mistake, the Redguard finally found what he was looking for and thus stole the Alessia's ring. Later Hildara shamefully admitted to her Countess that she was the one who told the Redguard about the ring, not knowing that it's the same Redguard whom she punched in his face and who closed her in the secret chamber two times.

Alessia never got her ring back and the Redguard was never caught. But after all is said and done, I can't help myself but to just like that Redguard. For two reasons. Firstly, it is believed that Alessia and Marius were racists and they didn't take good care of people of Leyawiin. Marius was even rumored to have a torture chamber in his castle which could be the same secret chamber in the story. And secondly, because the Redguard just didn't give up! He came to steal the ring and he actually stole it, even if it meant sneaking around the castle and being beaten by stewards. He didn't give up until he finished his job.

Unfortunately I don't know what happened with him later on. But there's still hope that one day I find someone who'll tell me more of his adventures."

Hmm I wonder who that crafty Redguard is... Good thing he doesn't sing Bananarama songs, eh?

I totally forgot Lucius has Caro for a last name too! Makes sense though.

After adventuring in Hjaalmarchen and Eastmarch we've been staying at Whiterun for a few days, training at Dragonsreach in the mornings and relaxing at Breezehome in the evenings. We needed a few days to relax before our future journeys.

Because today we're not in Whiterun anymore but at Falkreath's Watchtower. I met Keiko, a Khajiit warrior whom my Thane said to be the first friendly citizen of Skyrim that he met. We were at the Knifepoint ridge earlier today and thanks to us bandits inhabit it no longer. We also passed the Half-Moon mill, where my Thane used to chop wood in his first days in Skyrim and was almost seduced by a vampire.

Keiko doesn't know the way to the Ancient's Ascent and advised us to ask in Falkreath. We're heading there, not only because of rumors that a dragon lives there, but also because ice wraiths are said to be found there, and my Thane promised some merchant from Riften to bring her some ice wraith teeth.

Adventuring with my Thane never gets boring.

Lydia, Falkreath's Watchtower,

6th of Sun's Dusk, 4€201

Wow, Gilda! She really did run out of laces. Clark did a great job with her nose.

Lopov, Aravi Manor is what Jerric and his crew call Lakeview Manor, since in their world it’s the home of King Coin’s Khajiit Aravi and Kharjo. However they pretty much take it over when they’re all visiting, especially in the games where they have three dogs and all of the horses roaming around outside. Like Acadian we don’t worry too much about the hows and whys when the characters of friends meet.

I love the mental image of Lucius charging down the middle of Movarth’s dining table. And what a great story about Lucius’s ancestors and the mysterious thief!


Jerric and Darnand spent a couple of days looking for an ice cave on the north coast and then looking for a way back out again. Jerric will tell you his sense of direction is infallible, but it’s not so much underground. He had a glorious time smashing necromancers. Poor Darnand hardly got in on any action.

Presently they are in Solitude. Jerric has a flute to hand in at the Bards College. I’m not sure what will happen next.

This happened, though. Here the guys are wondering who decorated the tree in Jerric’s apartment. They suspect elves.

Jerric’s dragon game did not age well due to factors I can’t pin down, so we’re back in his original level 40-something PC game. He is a beast! He can summon Ishckrihk, but he rarely needs him. Plus he has all kinds of junk in his inventory! I think he’s still waiting for his Ma to clean out his backpack for him.

Lopov - Cool Leyawiin story involving the Caros. And nice update from Lydia on the road with her Thane.

Grits - Visions of sugarplums Jerric crashing through the snow necrodudes. . . . Gosh I hope Jerric doesn’t give up his day job for bardery or fluting. What a beautiful picture of Jerric and Darnand sharing a cup of cheer around the Saturalia tree. Elves indeed!


Buffy and a heavily laden Superian are making their rounds delivering Saturalia gifts. . . .

A guard at Whiterun gates saw Thane Caro approaching the town. But this time it wasn't only Lydia at his side, there was also a tall, muscular Khajiit with dark fur walking with them, a greatsword on his back. And the last in line was a dog, unnaturally big for his kind. The guard had strict orders - Khajiits are not allowed inside city walls.

"Good afternoon, Thane," says the guard and humbly bows as the party approaches the gate.

"Good afternoon, soldier."

"Excuse me, Thane..."

"Yes, soldier?"

"Emmm...it's your traveling companion. The one with the fur. They are not allowed inside city walls."

In the next second the guard regretted saying anything. The look which Lucius gave him, was not one of anger or hatred but of despise.

"Firstly, don't you ever dare to address Keiko as "the one with the fur". Secondly, he is with me and he is going with me to Whiterun. And he is going with me to my house, to Breezehome. And to anywhere else he wants to go by himself. Is that clear, soldier?"

"Yes, Thane, but Irileth..."

"I don't care what Irileth says. If she or you or anyone else in Whiterun have a problem with this, it won't end merely by words, I assure you. Now open the doors for us and return to your guard duty."

"Yes, Thane! I understand, Thane!"

The guard hurried and opened the large doors so the party entered Whiterun. The last in line was the large dog who stopped right at the guard's legs, quickly raised his back leg and peed on his boots.

"You damned mutt! Begone!" yelled the guard.

"Shut up else I'll transform you to a worm!" shouted the dog with a shrieking voice.

"What? Did...did...did you just talk?" asked the guard and stepped back.

"Who's laughing now, ha? Begone, pissant! Piss Ant!"

The large dog then hurried inside Whiterun just before the doors closed.

"By the Gods! I...I...I must be going mad!"

Later that day the guard sought help at the Temple of Kynareth and Danica Pure-Spring needed to use a lot of spells to calm the guard. But even when he was cured, he kept saying:"I used to be a guard, but then a dog talked to me."

Of course the dog was not an ordinary dog. His name was Barbas and he was a hound of Clavicus Vile, the Daedric Prince of Wishes. Lucius took him under his protection because he decided to reunite him with his master. But what seemed like a simple task at first glance, turned out to be a complicated assignment and Lucius was now supposed to find a necromancer hiding somewhere in the north, who resented him to Clavicus Vile.

Lydia didn't approve of Barbas either but her Thane convinced her that it's better to have him travel with them and keep an eye on him, instead of let him to wander wilderness and corrupt souls of unwary travelers. Keiko, the Khajiit who lived at Falkreath Watchtower, joined them after Lucius invited him to journey together.

They decided to resupply and rest in Whiterun and continue the journey north the following morning. While Keiko stayed at Breezhome to rest and Barbas was ordered to remain outside because he barked too much, Lucius and Lydia went to do their chores. Lucius stopped at the Bannered Mare to buy some food while Lydia checked with Commander Caius if they received any notes while they were gone. Turns out they did. The first one was a sealed note for her Thane, signed only as AGM, which Lydia assumed to be Avulstein Gray-Mane. But the second note came with a package and it was for her.

She couldn't wait to return to Breezehome to open the package. What could be inside?

Lopov - Nice to see Lucius looking out for his kittypal. And traveling with the daedrdoggie as well! Finally, Lydia gets a gift - wonder what it is?

"My Thane, look what I got from my friend!"

"I see...a quill?"

"Not an ordinary one, my Thane. It's a magical quill that requires no ink to write. Look here!"

"How nice! Very handy for you, right?"

"Indeed! So before we depart to the north, could I go to the market and buy something for my friend?"

"Of course. But only if you tell me who is this mysterious friend of yours?"

"I will tell you on our journey, I promise."

"A secret admirer, perhaps?"

"I shall tell you more later. I will be back shortly."

Lydia hurried from Breezehome, wondering whether her Thane was a little jealous because she kept the identity of her friend for herself. She definitely hoped that he was. So she decided to keep him jealous at least for a while.

...

When Buffy will pass through Whiterun the next time, she can find a package addressed to her at Commander Caius. Lydia didn't have much time to find something original but she bought a Circlet of Major Alteration for her friend, hoping that she can find some use for it. And she wrapped some bottled ice wraith essence alongside, that should either help her battling against frost attacks or keep herself warm in cold nights of Skyrim.

...A few days later...

This is my first entry with the new quill and it feels magical writing without any ink. What a handy quill this is! My Thane, Keiko, me and that stupid Daedric dog who never stops barking, are resting in a small camp a distance west from the Northwatch Keep, a secret Thalmor occupied fort. We are here to rescue Thorald Gray-Mane from custody but my Thane wants to avoid bloodshed. Absurdly! Keiko and me tried to tell him that this won't be possible and that negotiating with Thalmor is senseless but he insists. Stubborn yet noble, he is! However, he agreed, that if he can not arrange Thorald's release tomorrow, we will attack the keep and take him out by force. However, because we can not afford to be recognized, this means that we must not leave any witnesses behind. It sounds harsh but we don't have any other choices, do we? After all, my Thane will have to infiltrate a Thalmor hosted party the next month and he probably won't be very successful there if our attack at the keep becomes too well-known. I shall write more soon.

Lydia, west of the Northwatch Keep,

14th of Sun's Dusk 4€201

Sundas, 5:30 PM, 17th of Last Seed, 4th Era 201


I Nassqa. Nassqa new Skyrim, and from Tsaesci, and from Akavir. Nassqa new Tamriel.

Nassqa go cave, find ore. Sell ore town. Ore, Nassqa, gold. But no find ore in cave.

Nassqa find man in cave. Man yell Nassqa. Man say follow. Nassqa follow man.

Find bear. Man say stand low, point bear. Nassqa no fear bear, but man fear bear. Man stand low, and fear bear. Nassqa no fear bear. Nassqa have weapon, and no fear bear. Nassqa no use weapon, no kill bear. Nassqa stand low with man, move as shadow. Walk near bear, move as shadow. Bear no see shadow-man, and shadow-Nassqa.

Man run run run, Why man run? ... Man have much fear. Nassqa no fear, Nassqa stand tall. Nassqa walk stand tall. Nassqa follow man.

Nassqa leave cave with man. Man talk much, man say much. Too much. Nassqa listen, but Nassqa no know as man speak much.

Man go away, call Nassqa, say "follow", but Nassqa no follow. Nassqa go.

Nassqa find village. Much fire in village. Not know happen village. But Nassqa stay in burn-village. Nassqa sleep in burn-village.



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

Non-RP version: I know this seems strange. My friend used to speak like this as he RP'd Nasqa many years ago. We all had silly voices that we made up, hence the primitive dialog above. I figure somebody who doesn't know the language very well is going to have an okay grasp on some nouns, adjectives, and verbs, but with other types of words (prepositions, articles, adverbs, etc.) he struggles.

Anyway, what happened was my new Akavir just arrived in Skyrim, and has somehow made it to just outside of Helgen. There was nothing going on when he got there. He wound up finding a cave below the village, and decided to investigate. He is a miner, and he's looking for ore veins he can mine from. He goes into this cave, and finds some commotion as he meets Ralof, as he and a prisoner are rushing to leave the cave. Nassqa never sees the dragon attack, in other words.

At the end he winds up in Helgen, and sleeps there too (Simple Actions). The next day, he found Riverwood, bought a pickaxe from the smith-guy there, and has begun looking for ores.

Lopov – How fun to read about Lydia getting her gift, and even better to hear that she likes it!

Reneee – Wow, NASCAR Nassqa is certainly a stranger in a strange land. He sounds fun to play!


Buffy found herself traveling with Mjoll the Lioness and Jordis the Sword Maiden for a time. She concluded they are both fully deserving of their names, for each of them wields their claymore one handed from the saddle to deadly effect. It was a dreary day, with heavy clouds and a steady rain as the trio approached Whiterun. Once the animals were stabled and the ladies settled in to Jorrvaskr and drinking mead, Buffy sought out Commander Caius at the guard barracks who did indeed have a package for her from Lydia! The circlet to ease casting of alteration spells is most appropriate, for the utility magicks of alteration certainly hold an important place in Buffy’s spellbook. And the ice wraith essence - like anything to combat cold - is of great help to the thin-blooded Valenwoodster. Buffy is most appreciative!

One thing that irks me about being on the console is that you can't get your companions to ride with you, even when you buy the extra horse and order them toward it. I'm wondering if Mjoll continues her unsolicited soliloquies while on horseback. That must be entertaining!

The horse riding doesn't seem to affect the followers' chattiness. Jordis is quiet as ever - very kind but not too talkative. Motormouth Mjoll does indeed continue telling you about her childhood, asking your opinion about things and generally being her delightfully talkative self. Buffy is a chatterbox herself, although her comments are action triggered (equip bow, mount, dismount, ready spells, etc).

I love the 'presence' that even vanilla horses have in Skyrim - headtracking the player, swishing tails, snorting, breathing, pawing the ground. . . . And with a couple mods, the northern province is fabulous for a horse-crazy elf.

@Renee - I like the way Nassqua speaks, so that we have to figure something out by ourselves. I can totally picture him sleeping in ruined Helgen, wondering what happened.

@Acadian - if your trio arrived a little earlier or if my quartet left a little later, they would have met. Good to hear that the package was safe with Caius.

Magical quill at work again! After adventuring in the south and in the north, Thorald Gray-Mane has been rescued from Thalmor and Barbas has been reunited with his vile master. All in all, it seems that we did a good work by following Vile's orders, not only have we dispelled Barbas from this world but we have also killed an evil necromancer.

After bidding farewell to Keiko, we stayed in Whiterun for a few days, cleared the Swindler's den of swindlers and attended the Warrior's Festival yesterday. My Thane bought me a new set steel plate armor, enchanted with magic that boosts my life energy.

Right now we're outside Rannveig's Fast, an ancient Nordic tomb south of Morthal. Something sinister must be going on for we have been attacked by ghosts that were begging for mercy while fighting us. We concluded that these ghosts must have been under effect of some mind-controlling spell, most probably we'll run into necromancers inside the ruin.

Our intention was to investigate it immediately upon arriving yet a familiar roar from the peak of the mountain thwarted our plans. I have not been very helpful in the battle for I have slipped on some icy rocks and fell in a snowy hollow and when I have reached the peak, my Thane was standing outside skeletal remains of the dragon, its soul already absorbed.

The dragon or its mysterious worshippers amassed mighty loot in a sacrificial chest and my Thane found a new restorative circlet for himself with the same enchantment as his current one, but more powerful. For tonight we have decided to sleep alternately because we risk being attacked by ghosts from the barrow.

Lydia, Rannveig's Fast,

21st of Sun's Dusk 4€201

Glad to see Lydia's still happy with that magic quill. Wow, DragonThane had to kill that dragon with no help from his burden-carrying Lydia! Sleeping in shifts is prudent but not fun. Perhaps Buffy should have sent Lydia some eight hour scrolls of summon flame atronach to help foster warm, safe camping.

I spent most of the holidays with two Orcs who are trying to build their own strongholds.

Gol gro-Malog and his lovely companion Borgakh have a save (without my mod) near the site, and they've already had experience of building Lakeview. I've restarted the game multiple times from that save, as I worked on the mod.

The other character is trying to build Greenspring Stronghold as a first home. I'm adding the materials via console, as the basic mechanisms of mining etc. are unrelated to the mod. This character gets a new identity via setracemenu each time, and has been both genders, (but always an Orc). If I find one that really appeals, they may become Wise Woman or Guard at the stronghold later. I discovered with this one(?) that you can't buy logs unless you own one of the standard Hearthfires homes, so I just add them for now.

They were running up to the Eldersblood peak while the dragon was attacking them with frost so Lucius sprinted up and then took a sharp turn to the right while Lydia missed the turn and instead ran forward and fell down.

Of Lucius and the Voice
by Gaiz Kessmrt

Part I

Once upon a time, Lucius came upon a she-bear. A strong and wild beast she was, hiding her cubs nearby, not allowing anyone to pass close to them. The she-bear roared, warning Lucius not to make any further steps. Protective of her cubs, she would not hesitate to attack anyone. But Lucius shouted Kaan and from his mouth Kyne's peace spread all over the hills, calming wild animals. The she-bear stopped roaring, having lost any desire to fight. Instead, she laid down and as Lucius passed her, he gently tapped her on her hairy head, smiling. And the she-bear nor threatened nor feared Lucius no more.

Once upon a time, an evil frost dragon lived in Skyrim and its favorite food was animals. Bears, wolves, goats, rabbits, mudcrabs - the dragon was not picky at all as long as it was animals in his belly. One day Lucius came to its mound and the two clashed. But Lucius shouted Raan, calling animals for help. Hearing the Voice, animals feared no longer and the voracious dragon was suddenly encircled by bears, wolves, goats, rabbits and mudcrabs. And Lucius sheathed his sword and stepped back, smiling, for now it was time for animals to have their revenge on the one who preyed on them.

Once upon a time, Lucius and Lydia came upon a bridge with several swinging blades dancing over it, an imminent death for those not quick enough. Only the most agile could make it through unharmed yet Lydia in steel plate armor could not even think of passing the bridge and survive. But Lucius shouted Feim and became ethereal, running over the bridge with blades passing through him. As he made it over, he pulled an ornated chain, forever stopping the swinging of the blades. Materializing again, he went back and gestured Lydia that the way is safe. "After you, lady." And Lydia passed the bridge safely, knowing that deadly traps can harm her no longer.

Things have taken an unexpected turn. We’ve been adventuring in the north, liberating Volskygge of its evil denizens among others, when we were attacked by three masked people in the woods. They claimed that Lucius is the false Dragonborn and that all shall tremble when the real Dragonborn arrives. One of them, a woman that spoke to us, had a note on her body, where it said that they originate from Solstheim, were supposed to kill Lucius and report their success to someone called Miraak. I’ve never heard this name before.

Lucius took the attack seriously and thinks that the real reason for dragons returning might be on Solstheim. Since there are still more than twenty days to the party at the Thalmor Embassy, we decided to head to Solstheim immediately. But it didn’t go as smoothly as we expected.

We stopped in Dragon’s Bridge Inn to buy some food but when we came out of the inn, a blood dragon attacked the village. We defeated it but two brave Haafingar guards died while fighting the deadly beast. Lucius ordered them to remain inside but they refused to listen, poor soldiers. After the battle he wanted to hire a carriage to Windhelm but I suggested taking a boat to Windhelm instead and that’s where we are now – sailing to Windhelm in a cold, windy night. I can see uneasiness on Lucius’ face and I doubt that anyone of us will be able to get some sleep tonight.

While Lucius has to repay to anyone that tried to kill him, I have my own score to settle too. Lucius and I almost kissed each other in the woods when masked people attacked! They couldn’t have chosen the worst possible time. But they will get what they deserve!

Lydia, on a boat,

29th of Sun’s Dusk 4€201
--
“Watch yourself, Imperial!”

“Stay out of trouble here, Imperial!”

“Imperials think we need their laws. Pffft!”

“This is the Stormcloak territory. Keep this in mind, Imperial.”

“Are you one of those craven Imperials as well?”

Windhelm wasn’t only cold because of its geographical location but also because of unfriendly and scornful guards. It seemed like they hardly wait for Lucius to make one single mistake so they could arrest him. But Dragonborn didn’t give them this pleasure.

Together with Lydia, they arrived to the “city of true Nords” in the afternoon. Unfortunately the Northern Maiden, a ship that could take them to Solstheim, was not in the docks and friendly Argonian Shahvee told them to come back in the evening, when the ship will return from fishing. There was still some time until the evening, so Lucius and Lydia headed to the city’s market and sold most valuables gathered while adventuring, namely dragon scales and bones, enchanted staves and various battle gear, magical circlets… they returned to the docks in the evening and met with captain Gjalund Salt-Sage who refused to take them to Solstheim at first but Lucius convinced him that it is necessary to travel there, so in the end he agreed and they arranged a departure the following morning at seven o’clock. To avoid unnecessary accosting, Lucius and Lydia spent a night at the New Gnisis Cornerclub, where innkeeper Ambarys was quite happy to offer them a place to sleep, because he heard rumors about a stranger in town being harassed by Stormcloaks and as a Dunmer in Windhelm, he knew what means being harassed. He had some qualms about Lydia, she was a Nord after all, but he kept his thoughts to himself. The following morning they arrived to the Northern Maiden as they agreed but captain Gjalund obviously changed his mind.

“Forget what I said. I’m not going to Solstheim.”

“But we had an agreement. You said that you’ll take us there.”

“I can’t…it’s hard to explain but I’m afraid. When those masked people boarded my ship, that’s the last thing which I remember. After that…nothing. I only remember being here, I don’t remember sailing at all. So forget it. I’m staying here. It’s much safer.”

“I’m sorry, Captain, but I don’t like it when someone changes his mind overnight. You are taking me to Solstheim and you are taking me there now, because that’s how you said yesterday.”

“Are you deaf? I said I’m not going there anymore.”

“Yes, you are. First of all, I told you that masked men tried to kill me and my friend and I want to find out who’s behind these attacks. Secondly, because yesterday you promised to take me there. Thirdly, because only if you take me there, I can find out what have those man done to you and why don’t you remember anything from the journey to Windhelm.”

“Alright, alright, no sense in arguing with you. You have a point, though. There are many strange things happening on that island, maybe you can find out why. Take a seat and put on some extra fur cloaks, they’re right there in that crate. The weather is nice so we should be there in a few hours. Hope it stays that way. Sogrlaf, Lygrleid! Get set, we’re leaving!”

And so the Northern Maiden sailed to Solstheim, carrying the Dragonborn to the mysterious island in the north...

Lopov – Love the little Dragonborn Fables! Very clever. Darn inconsiderate cultists interrupting an almost kiss between Lydia and her Thane! How dare they! Off to Solstheim for vengeance indeed!

Good luck in Solstheim! I'll get there too with one of mine, one of these days.

I've played several Orcs through the first ten levels testing my mod quest's handling of the completion of The Cursed Tribe. The last time I did it, I fast-travelled to Riften stables and headed off to Fallowstone cave to meet the chief. Outside the cave I was waylaid by the bunch of bandits impersonating Imperial troopers, just as a bear and a frostbite spider who'd started following me as I passed caught up. None of those like each other, so it became a matter of running around healing while everyone else fought with everyone else.

So then a Thalmor patrol comes by, wipes out the lot of them, and calmly continues, ignoring my Orc completely.

The run through the cave itself was a bit of a non-event after that, especially as the giant couldn't reach my archer, who'd brought plenty of arrows. Mind you, she nearly got killed by a flying Orc chieftain landing on her.

For me this is probably the most rare random encounter. I only had it once with my first test character whose name I don't recall and then never again. Would like to see it again, though.

--
We have been on Solstheim for a week and although our battle hasn’t finished yet, we are leaving the island tomorrow. Our first days were strenuous and at times my mind was in a turmoil. Dragonborn Miraak played a game with us and did not allow Lucius to sleep. I was immune to his magic but he managed to lure Lucius out of our bed and made him walk to one of ancient stones in some state of trance. Fortunately I have a light sleep and I immediately sensed that Lucius was gone.

Too many events occurred afterwards and it’d take too much time and paper (fortunately ink isn’t a problem any longer, thanks to Buffy) to write all of them down, rest assured they will remain in my memory forever. We descended in the temple of Miraak where he once again took control of Lucius and summoned him to his unreachable realm, only to return him in a much weakened state.

We were both exhausted and sleepless yet we did not give up and step by step, we managed to fight against Miraak. In our battle against him we’ve been aided by a tribe of Skaal that live in the far north of Solstheim. A reserved yet interesting tribe, they are nothing like us, Nords of Skyrim. We see ourselves as hardy and persistent but neither of us can compare to the Skaal, who manage to survive in the harsh environment on their own, where even a simple job like gathering firewood, can become a matter of life and death.

While Lucius spent a lot of time discussing his heritage and Miraak’s deeds with their Shaman Storn, I joined his daughter Frea who showed me around their small village and told me more of their lifestyle, their culture and their beliefs. They do not like strangers but they accepted us because we helped them and Frea is convinced that only the Dragonborn can fight against another Dragonborn, thus she believes that only Lucius can stop Miraak.

With a Word of Power learned at the dragon wall Saering’s Watch west of the Skaal village, Lucius managed to cleanse stones that have been corrupting people’s minds, making them entranced. We, or perhaps I should write Lucius, cleansed all of these stones that the Skaal call All-Maker stones. According to their beliefs, the sacredness of these stones is essential for maintaining oneness on Solstheim. With stones cleansed, Miraak can no longer affect minds of Solstheim’s dwellers.

In our past days we managed to make Raven Rock a more hospitable place and it’s good to see its residents being grateful. Not only are they free from Miraak’s curse but we have also defeated undead general Falx Carius that was commanding troops of Ash Spawns, ordering them to attack Raven Rock. Even the rudest Dunmer merchants have become nicer and have been offering us discounts on their goods.

With Miraak significantly weakened, we can afford to return to Skyrim and attend to our duties there. And to conclude this entry on a more romantic note…trials of Solstheim made Lucius and me more attached to each other and he’s not just my Thane anymore and I’m no longer just his housecarl. And nights are no longer cold.

Lydia in love, Raven Rock,

6th of Evening Star 4€201

ghastly – Conicidence! Buffy just did the Cursed Tribe quest. It was hilarious when Malacath told the tribe that they were small, weak and an embarrassment – and that Buffy basically had more stones than any of them! It is pretty neat sometimes when those random road encounters intermix some.

Lopov – Lydia in love! I guess since Lucius couldn’t sleep. . . . Seriously, you've done a nice job of showing how the relationship between Lydia and her Thane has blossomed over time. In a previous playthrough, when Buffy started Solstheim, she loved the Skaal as well. She just couldn’t tolerate the choices needed to complete the main quest on the island though.

Lucius & Lydia sitting in a tree. K.I.S.S.I.N.G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes ... uhh..... an adopted child approximately 12 years of age... yeahhh....

Renee, lol!

Lopov, it’s been fun to watch Lucius and Lydia fall in love.

Valdi emerged from the Forgotten Vale a new woman.

The change happened when Knight-Paladin Gelebor offered her Auriel’s Bow. There wasn’t a difference in Valdi, it was in how she saw herself. Valdi the smuggler’s daughter would have uneasily hidden a god’s weapon in her stuff until she could hand it over to someone more worthy. Instead she stood tall and reached for the bow with a calm heart, knowing that she was the right one to wield it.

Then she put away Ma’s axe and hung her Dawnguard one on her hip. She has used her Ma’s axe since Jerric gave it to her outside Hrotanda Vale years ago. Now she carries the one she earned herself as a knight of the Dawnguard. She doesn’t imagine her mother’s judgment anymore. She hears only her own voice in her head. Her past is part of her blood and bones, but it doesn’t define her. Valdi Sun-Storm strides forward (possibly to her death, which she is not OK with but she will still show up to the fight) in the light of Stendarr’s Aura, which is not so much the blessing of a god upon his chosen ones but a spell she worked hard to learn and be able to cast all by herself.

She’s headed back to the Dawnguard fortress to report to the boss. It’s possible that Isran will have other plans for Auriel’s Bow. If so Valdi does not plan to let him take it.

On the way she and Serana stopped in Whiterun to do some trading and clean up a little before returning to Aravi Manor. They had been away from regular people for a long time. Valdi saw the most beautiful sword ever for sale at Adrienne’s. Folk say that Eorland Grey-Mane is the best blah blah blah, whatever. Valdi knows the best when she sees it. She bought the blade for Erik without even thinking about it. That was another eye-opener. Valdi is always a little worried about money. Not any more.

She also sold the rest of her Cure Disease potions. Some time ago Valdi learned a Cure Disease spell from Abiene. (It’s an Adept level spell that I made.) There may be more famous and powerful healers but Abiene is the greatest teacher Valdi has known. Valdi had secretly kept the potions for backup just in case, sort of as a shameful security blanket. Now Valdi just relies on herself to cure those endless Sanguinare Vampiris infections.

Back at Lakeview Manor Valdi changed into a tunic and leggings but didn’t bother with shoes (she hasn’t completely changed) and got to work unpacking and re-packing. She pretty much ignored the adults who had stepped in as parents to love and finish raising her and kept an eye out for Erik. She didn’t want to ask any of them to come with her to face Lord Harkon and probably die, but she planned to offer Erik that option depending on his first words to her. (This is how we let NPCs have at least a little say in what happens. ‘Keeping well, I hope’ or some of his other greetings would have made her leave him alone.)

Erik didn’t show that night. I forgot if I sent him back to Rorikstead or if he still had his Lakeview Manor schedule, so I was curious what would happen. Also Valdi didn’t search high and low for him like she always did in the past, so he could have been outside enjoying his very large wander radius like the rest of them.

She bumped into him right outside the front door the next morning while she was still unarmored and barefoot. “It’s great to see you again! It’s been too quiet without you around.”

Yay! Time to gear up and hit the road. Valdi put her armor on and approached Erik to check his healing potions and give him the sword as a present.

Erik chose that moment to mention her Amulet of Mara, the same one she has been wearing for a while now. She had put it away in disgust with herself when she realized that Erik did not return her interest, but she got it out again when she was drowning in chaurus hunter poison and had to cast a lot of healing spells. What the heck! I thought I had done something wrong when I added him to the Hit On Your Character faction, but I guess since I didn’t increase his disposition it just took a long time to increase in the game.

They had a very Skyrim proposal, exchanging about ten words on the subject of their future together before marching off to probably die in a cataclysmic battle to save the world. Funnily enough Erik has already reminded her to talk to Maramal about their wedding when she accidentally talked to him instead of mounting Tage (her horse). They have to pass near Riften on their way to the fort. Maybe Erik wants to make it official before Comforting her, which is entirely unnecessary in Valdi’s view. It seems that she has gotten over her concerns in that area as well.

What a beautiful awakening Auriel's Bow helped cause in Valdi! It is most fitting for the newly confident Dame of the Dawnguard as she strides toward her destiny. And Erik the Hoe Pusher finally returned her interest! Overall, I'd say some nice changes in Valdi's life.

I know of at least one paladin who would instantly download a simple Grits-made cure disease spell mod for his elf. . . .

What kinda sword did she buy?

Hey, can you share that Cure Disease spell?? This'll go great for my new Cleric's spellbook. I'm sure there's somebody who's already made a CD spell, but it would be cool to actually get one from a friend. I'll PM my email to you.

Well good luck with battling Harkon. What level is Valdi?? ... Haaf-Mersey didn't face him until he was past 40, I think, and i was glad he didn't go there earlier on, in his 20s or whatever.

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

Well, let me update my newest: Claire Voyance the Cleric of Chorrol.

She has made it to Solitude, to check out joining up with the Imperials. Farkas is still with her.

Claire has been very clever about making her way through Skyrim, and I like to RP that Farkas gives her a lot of advice about where to go and stuff. Companions actually do make their way out into Skyrim on occasion, so I like to think he's constantly telling her "let's avoid that fort" or "that Argonian standing by the side of the road? Looks like a thief to me". She's not a macho-chick; she listens to him.

So they get to Solitude, and later on go to Fort Hrragstad. No, Hraggstad. That's it. Two 'g's. Anyways, they get there but she did not take on the fort because she had a vision of herself dying. There's a lot of horker-eating bandits here, and they're tough. (In reality, I tried to attack these guys, and Claire wound up dying, so it's a good thing her game is not DiD because I SUCK at low-level Skyrim these days. I'm too used to higher-level games.)

So Claire goes back to Solitude, but she's got frostbite. I've got Frostfall in her game, and even with its settings turned way down, she still got frostbite, because she went up to Hraggstad wearing just her summery Imperial armor. Varkas wound up rescuing her, which was pretty neat, because the Frostfall mod actually re-locates the PC if they are rescued, and I've got 'chance of rescue' set to 100% if she's with somebody else. Good thing.

She returns to Solitude, and comes up with a plan (with Varkas) to hire as many people as they can before returning to Hraggstad, but this plan did not work. They found the guy with the balding head (the one who sits in the Winking Skeever), and he wants 500 gold for us to hire him, which is fine, but he just says "Looks like you've got someone with you already". Dammit.

Dammit? No. Sometimes I forget I'm on PC now! Let's get this fixed. I found Companion Share & Recruit (YES!) and it's really cool because this mod actually adds an entire new branch on the Speech tree, so Claire actually has to use a skill to get the bald-head guy to follow her. I like this. Speech is actively useful at any time because of this mod, just like it is in TES4.

She doesn't have to hire the bald-headed guy. She can just 'persuade' him to follow her. With a few 'gifts' (potions, mostly), she begins the process of getting him as a follower. She made him some armor at the forge, and is going to buy a LOT of healing potions for him too. But she may wind up walking back to Rorikstead. Erik the Slayer is probably there waiting for her.

Here you go my friends: Dropbox Link. The Cure Disease spell is an Adept level spell that costs the same magicka as Close Wounds. Its cost is decreased by the Adept Restoration perk, and it will increase your Restoration skill when used. Here’s the one annoying thing that I’ve never been able to correct: in the menu the cost displays as per second, when it’s actually a cast once and done situation. Argh! Anyone who knows how to fix that, I’d love a tip!

I did not place the tome anywhere or add it to anyone’s inventory for the smallest possible footprint, so you have to use the console to get it. Spell Tome is item xx00D4DC and the spell itself is xx00D4DA. I’d be happy to give it to Collette to sell or who or whatever else might suit if you want in-game access other than the magical mall or mail (console command to add item ).



Valdi is level 34 I think, and she has mostly health and magicka with I’d guess about 160 stamina. She gets hurt a lot but she can cast a lot of spells. Restoration is a major focus for her, so she will be lighting up that place with her sun spells. Serana will not like that! I’ll get a picture with that sword when I get a chance. It’s from Immersive Weapons, I’m pretty sure.

Got to run, kid stuff is suddenly crashing on my head (ie here comes the bus). Please tell me if that link does not work. Dropbox was giving me fits earlier.


Edited to add at the very last second: I am so tickled that anyone is interested in this mod! Anything I’ve made is on offer to you folks, just mention it or PM me and I’ll get it to you in its proper form. (Most of my stuff including NPCs is jammed together, but I can pick it apart.)

A wonderful idea, which I still have not gotten around to doing myself. So I will gladly use your mod!

I agree with the decision to make a small a footprint with the mod as possible, and not add it to the same leveled lists that every other modder adds their stuff to as well. The simplest way to get the spell would be by using the Help function in the console. Just type in:

Help "Cure Disease" 4

and it will come back with a list of everything with the words Cure Disease in its title. Just look for the one that is also a spell, and use that with the Player.AddSpell command.

I have seen that same thing before with that x magicka per sec displayed for instantaneous spells. I am trying to remember what causes it, but it has been a while...

In the meantime, in the Spell entry, click the box for "Disallow Spell Absorb Reflect". Otherwise your Breton characters might absorb the spell.

A hint for future modding, when you create the ID for spells, items, or anything new you make, it is always good to start the name with either 0 or 1. That way your modded content is always at the top of every list. That is not the name you see when you play the game, just the internal ID. The search function in the CK makes this partly irrelevant, but there are still sometimes - like in smithing recipes - where you still have to pick things out of really long lists that you cannot search through.

Sweet, thanks you all! .. I'm like, dancing on my bed right now. Just snowed in Maryland, time for some Skyrim!

EDIT: and yes, if you could add it to a merchant, that would be even better. Claire's Restoration is still Apprentice, so she won't be able to use this spell for awhile. But it would be really fun to go to Colette's or Arcadia's and find the new spell there

From Raining in Baltimore to Snowing in Maryland, it sounds like it is time to roll a new toon!

Renee, how nice to see Claire traveling with and listening to Farkas. He may not be that bright, but he can lift heavy stuff and hit hard. Heh, I was thinking the same as SubRosa when you mentioned snow – that is sort of like rain so does it mean new character time?

Grits, thank you so much for providing that mod! I did download it and will let you know how it works for Buffy. I also agree with the small footprint. Before I install a mod I make a pre-mod save. Then I install and test the mod. Then I decide to keep or dump the mod. What I’m getting at is that when I first install a mod, I simply want to get right into it and verify it all works the way it is supposed to. So I always use the command console option of adding new spells or items and checking them. Plus, as mentioned, simpler is best – especially for one time only functions (like learning a new spell).

Thanks, you do me too much honor. I read about DB's main quest in advance and it gets pretty nasty at some point, when it comes to betraying Skaal to HM but since Lucius is Dragonborn and he doesn't know what follows, he'll do the main quest. It'll leave a bad taste in his mouth, definitely, but at least Miraak will be stopped.

No, no, then I'll use the ShowRaceMenu command to make Lucius and Lydia older for 10 years and I'll also advance time for 10 years. Then they'll adopt a child and I'll roleplay it like it is their child that is now 10 years old.

Nice story with Claire, I like Farkas' advices and how she managed to persuade several people to follow her to the battle.

Thank you. Beautiful story you've got there, I enjoyed reading about how the Auriel's Bow affected Valdi and how Erik proposed to her. Life in Skyrim is full of dangers so it's wise for them to be united when they're still young. And thanks for the Cure Disease spell mod, I d/l-ed it but I'll use it when Lucius visits the College, I'll RP that he learned it there.

Seems like everyone is traveling in company these days or at least had traveled for some time...Buffy & Serana, Valdi & Erik, Claire & Farkas & the bald guy, Lucius & Lydia.

And no diary entry for today but a real-time story!

--

Finishing his supper at the Winking Skeever, Lucius' favorite inn in Skyrim, he made a sip of Honningbrew mead from his goblet and then put it back on a table. But being distracted by Lisette's singing, he didn't place the goblet well enough and it fell on the ground. Lucius leaned down and picked it up and wanted to brush the dirt off in a folded cloth but a town drunk at another table assumed that Lucius is trying to steal the goblet!

"Thief! Thief!" he shouted and within seconds entire Winking Skeever jumped in the air, like they were skeevers indeed.
Corpulus Vinius, the proprietor of the inn, knew Lucius well and he was prepared to forgive this little "crime" to a well-known customer. "You can have that," he said from behind the counter. But a nearby guard that was just passing the inn and heard the shouting, came running inside and immediately "knew" who was the thief in question.

Without giving Lucius any option to talk, he pulled out his sword and began whacking at Lucius like he had just killed the Emperor. Lydia couldn't tolerate this, so she stood up and returned the favor by attacking the guard with her ebony axe. Lucius knew that Lydia could easily kill the guard in a few seconds so he stood up and held them apart. "Calm down, both of you! It was just a mistake..."

"I AM NOT MISTAKEN!" shouted the guard,"you are a wanted man. Will you pay your bounty or you'd rather rot in jail?"

"Rot in jail for something he hasn't done?" Lydia jumped in.

"It's alright, just calm down, both of you. Well, how much to pay off then?"

The obedient guard knew bounties for every crime by heart.

"Seven septims!"

"Seven septims?"

"Seven. Septims!"

"Then here it is, seven septims. I assume that I'm not a criminal anymore now that I have paid off seven septims."

"Wrong! I will search you and confiscate any stolen goods you have!"

"I don't have any stolen goods, I'm not a...okay, okay, just do what you have to do. I know how it is, to serve the Legion."

After the guard made sure that Lucius doesn't carry any stolen goods indeed, he counted coins in his hand, to make sure that seven septims were given to him, and then proudly marched from the inn, carrying the "stolen" goblet in his hand.

And for the first time since his stay in Skyrim Lucius Caro had to pay a bounty to avoid going to jail - seven septims for stealing a goblet!

OK, I made a thread in the Skyrim mods section for our cure disease discussion. There’s a new link for those who would like to buy their spell from Colette. You guys really made me grin with this!


It’s the Noble Claymore from Immersive Weapons. Here is a pic from this morning when they helped me check Colette’s sales inventory: Link. The hilt is very blue. It looks pretty awesome when Erik is wielding it. Valdi stood back with her shield up and let him take apart the first thief they encountered just so that she could watch. He’s been using a double axe, so this sleek looking blade is a big change for him. He’s still carrying a bunch of his old weapons so that his game AI can still choose what he uses, but he equipped the new sword right away so that must mean he loves it.

Yay for Skyrim Claire Voyance of Chorrol! I like how you’re working her extra knowledge in through Frakas. CSR Skyrim looks like it will be a lot of fun. I love the idea that recruited NPCs can get angry and storm off after or during a fight.


This is a great idea. I’ve since started prefacing everything with aaGrits to put my things at the top of the lists and also to help me tell my additions from the additions in other mods that I’m viewing at the same time for conflicts. Thank you!


Poor Lucius! I’m so glad he managed to stop the fight before Lydia killed the guard. These little misunderstandings get out of hand so quickly! I love how Lucius told the guard, “I know how it is to serve the Legion.”

aww [censored] that's horrible. Attacked by a guard over 7 Septims?!? Sheesh. LoL yeah I guess you can just advance time and RP that they've had their own kid.

And no new toon. Claire wound up taking a carriage back to Whiterun. Farkas told her she needs to get some more experience with combat (seriously, she's not that good) so her plan was to do some easier adventuring in the Whiterun area.

She returned to the Companions hall, officially became a Companion, and then she might possibly have her pick of any follower she wants. She wound up choosing Aela the Huntress, which is perfect. A lot of other Companions are pissed off that Kodlak allowed such a weakling to join Companions, but Aela is one of the only ones who's been positive the entire time.

Aela is always saying how stagnated she feels sitting around Jorvaskr, and Claire needs an archer. Perfect. Farkas seems to have disappeared (ahem) but this is okay. Claire isn't going to follow him. Screw that whole werewolf bit.

So right now it's Claire, Aela, and the bald-headed guy from Winking Skeever. Claire got a bounty letter to take care of a little problem over at Valtheim Towers, so the trio headed off. I was worried something would go wrong, but honestly things went a little too easy. Claire didn't even kill one baddie! .. Aela and the bald-headed guy did all the work. All Claire did was heal up Baldie a few times.

They went to Embershard Mine next. This time, Claire took Aela's advice, and took all the bandits in here by herself, leaving her followers waiting behind just in case. Her game leveled up to 8 during this session.

After spending the night in Riverwood, selling some loot, and crafting a few pieces, they headed to Bleak Flats Barrow. I've been here so many times, I'm just bored of the whole 'Golden Claw' bit, so I SetStaged this quest, so that the Golden Claw is already at Riverwood Trader. As a cleric, Claire is now giving her brand-new Turn Lesser Undead spell quite a workout. Anyways, during this session (GRITS you are right), the Winking Skeever Baldie did get angry, just as you said, and left the party! It was his fault though.

Baldie wound up running into a slicer-dicer trap, taking too much damage, and this is what caused him to walk off. She tried to find him, but he's gone. It's okay though; Claire is doing fine with Aela. But she made sure to give the Huntress some extra loot.... just in case, because there's no way she's going through BFB by herself!

Wow, that is very blue. Though I think the white plates on Erik-The-Disinterested make it look bluer than it really is. What I really noticed was Serana. She looks good in the Dawnguard armor. But then again, some women look good in anything. I don't think I have ever had a character give her a different set of clothes from her default vampire princess armor.



I love how you call them Baldie! You are getting spoiled by the computer too I see, using the console to skip through quests!

Lopov - Wow, I’m surprised how much Lucius and Buffy have in common. Winking Skeever is indeed the best tavern in Skyrim! And Buffy would also cooperate rather than kill over a seven septim misunderstanding. Well done, Lucius.

Renee – Glad that Claire is still with us. I think Aela is also a great choice for a pal to travel with.

Baldie bailed at the blade trap!! That’s inconvenient but awesome. Renee, I know you are a fan of NPC personality and consequences. Good thing Aela is not so clumsy as Belrand.

SubRosa, it was Valdi who gave the vampire princess her new clothes. She was all, “haven’t you been wearing that for, like, a thousand years?” Lol. I think Serana is just one of those women who looks great in anything. Maybe we can test that theory if they run into some Forsworn.

It was a mod testing day in Lost Knife Hideout. Lil turned Jerric invisible and then shot him twice in the face. By accident, that wasn’t the test. After the first run she made him wait with the horses. We got to hear him say “Go on ahead, I’ll stand guard” in that warm, fuzzy voice. She’s going to have to leave him outside more often!

It is official, Serana looks good in anything. I just downloaded a mod from this page that adds her face to the presets of the Female Nords and tried it out. Thanks to my new character clothing and item hall, I was able to try on lots of outfits. The only thing she did not look good in was the Iron Helmet. But that is the fault of the helmet. Everyone looks bad in that.

She makes blacksmithing hot.

She really shines in the Elven. But then everyone looks bad in the Iron Helmet, everyone looks good in Elven.

Finally, the obligatory Forsworn. I think she really owns the Nordic Carved though, and is outstanding in the Ancient Nord Armor.

Serana the cook is my favorite! I bet she can make some fine tomato soup.


Wow, what a great sword! It's convenient that he used exactly this one from his weapons repertoire.

I had to laugh when I read that Farkas disappeared and baldie is gone because he was too wounded. Good to see Claire traveling in a company.

Apart from its design, kind staff and feeling of comfort in the WS, we like it because there's not too much conversations going on when compared to Bee & Barb for instance, where it's almost impossible to enjoy thirty seconds of silence.

--

"What? So you agree with Delphine? There is nothing on this world that could convince me to say goodbye to my long hair," said Lucius, shaking his dead disapproved.

"But we heard rumors that General Tullius will also be at the party. And he knows you, even if only vague," Lydia insisted.

"He saw me only once, in Helgen. And that was more than four months ago."

"But you said that he was aware of you because he expected you to serve under him. Not to mention that Alduin attacked Helgen just when you were about to be beheaded. He might have forgotten your name but not your face. You are pretty...memorable. I remember you from Whiterun long before you were my Thane."

"I won't fall for sweet words," said Lucius with a smile," Tullius doesn't remember me anymore, I'm sure. So there's no need to..."

"And then people say that Nords are stubborn! Don't you remember that you were afraid for a long time that some fellow Imperial soldier or officer might recognize you on road? Not to mention that you have become a public figure since you were recognized as Dragonborn. Rumors spread quickly over Skyrim and people often recognize you."

"It's been too long, if somebody recognized me by now, I would already be called to Solitude or branded a traitor."

"I won't give up just like that."

"Oh, brother..."

Later...

I'm staying at Katla's farm, waiting for Lucius to return. He is at a party hosted by Thalmor at their embassy, Delphine thinks that he might find some proof that Thalmor are associated with dragons returning. Both Lucius and me doubt in her theory but it's the only clue that we have. I am glad that Delphine didn't decide to wait with me and instead headed to Riverwood. I can't stand the sight of this woman! I'd rather face Alduin alone than spend any minute longer with her.

Lydia puts her magical quill down and makes a sip of Honningbrew mead which Lucius bought for her this morning. A smile appears on her face as she remembers what she heard a while ago:"Some Nord supposedly punched Delphine in her face once. If I ever meet this man, I will gladly buy him a drink."

It's getting late but parties are supposed to last long so I shouldn't worry. I am sure that he will return safe and sound, and hopefully with some clues that would allow us to continue our battle against dragons without Delphine's help. And to end this entry - while Imperials may be shrewd negotiatiors, we Nords are more stubborn and determined so in the end I convinced Lucius to change his hairstyle. He was not very happy because he had long hair for years but I'm pleased with the change - short hair suit him excellent.

Lydia, Katla's farm,

24th of Evening Star 4€201

Lydia couldn't sleep and when it was dawning, she went outside to get some fresh air. She was getting slightly worried because she saw Jarl Elisif and her Court returning to Solitude with their carriage many hours earlier but there was no trace of Lucius. Thinking about whether something might have happened to him, she saw a hooded Thalmor justiciar walking to the farm. Except that something about this justiciar didn't feel right. He was not tall enough for an Altmer and his style of walking was very familiar.

"Lucius! You're back! How did it go?"

"It was a slaughter," said Lucius and pulled down his hood, revealing his short hair to which was he still getting used to. "I was discovered by Thalmor and had no other option to kill them. Unfortunately Malborn is also dead."

"Oh no. What happened?"

"I will tell you more as we travel. It might not be safe to stay around here, Thalmor will probably be looking us. For me. Let's hire a carriage to Morthal."

"I'm ready, let's go."

“Just let me change my outfit. I don’t want to wear Thalmor robes anymore.” As Lucius put on his trusted scaled armor and threw Thalmor robes into fire, he said:

"And...Lydia..."

"Yes, my dear?"

"Tullius wasn't even at the party."