Mikke of Green River has done some soul-searching. Married life is not what she expected. Having a father for the kids and a manor house to live in has not made her want to tear into soft throats any less. She and Roggi Knot-Beard are newly married, but they never went on a honeymoon. Mikke packed up her tavern dress and improved some armor for Roggi. They hit the road to Riften. She thought she’d take him to the Black-Briar Meadery since he always talks about going there.

They got as far as the Hjaalmarch Stormcloak camp. Mikke introduced Roggi to the ‘Cloaks, their nearest neighbors. Then a dragon attacked.

Roggi acquitted himself well, but he is no warrior. Mikke took him back home. Roggi cooked her dinner (finally!) and did some mining while the kids played outside. Mikke put away her tavern dress.

I thought she would go get Erik again, but she went straight to Jorrvaskr. Torvar. The two of them went on an errand to help Kodlak purify his spirit. While they were gone the Companions suffered a heavy loss. Mikke hunted down and slaughtered the rest of the Silver Hand with Vilkas at her back.

After the Companions settled matters, Mikke was restless. She didn’t want to go home, but she couldn’t stay at Jorrvaskr. So she went out to finish the property at Heljarchen Hall as a Wolf Lodge for the Companions. Torvar went with her.

It was an interesting couple of days. Mikke does not want to cheat on her husband, and she hasn’t yet. But she knows that if she stays with Torvar, she will. So she took him back to Jorrvaskr.

Now Mikke is traveling with Farkas. He thinks highly of her, and she wants to keep it that way. He’s not going to notice that she’s not acting like a newlywed, and if he sees her grieving he will think it’s for Whitemane. They have a list of tasks that should keep them away from Jorrvaskr for a while. If they get as far as Riften, Mikke is going to pick up some mead for Roggi. Maybe bring home a dog for the kids. She finally feels a little peace. She’s not who she thinks she’s supposed to be for Roggi, and it’s doubtful that she can be. But with Farkas at her side at least she’s not going to stumble.

Yah! Good to see a Mikke story. I'm looking forward to getting LHM married; mostly because he doesn't know how to cook. He's great at adventuring, but even salting some meat is beyond him.



I dont' think they were bandits; they were too-well suited up. I think they were those bounty hunter guys we see once in a while. I am glad you laughed; LHM's tale does have a lot of humorous moments.



Yea. He's very over-the-top. Hollywood-style.

Poor Mikke. I guess even in fantasy-land, marriages do not often work out.



That sounds like me! My brother inherited the cooking gene in my family. He even makes his dog's food from scratch (usually hamburger, rice, carrots, and some other things). I can make calzones, chili, and kielbasa and kapusta, but that is it. Everything else comes from a box or a can. The funny thing is I got the tech gene. Talk about a gender-role reversal!

Actually, I imagine it might take some wits to make a calzone from scratch. I've never even gone there.

If I put my mind to it, I can actually be a really good cook. I'm not just saying this to brag, I've heard if from plenty of real-life friends & family. I'm 95% vegetarian, yet I can make a stir fry (for instance) that would fool meat-eaters, or at least make them wonder if it's "real" or not. . I also like making pasta. Omelettes. Enchiladas.

Where I fail is with baking. I don't know...I just don't have the patience. My daughter makes fun of me, evil little brat! I mean, cookies are easy...but for some reason, any kind of bread or cake (anything that has to "rise") ...I just fail at that. I go to Safeway or Giant for that kinda stuff. Or call my mom or grandma. They've got the bakery genetics. Of course. I think all moms and grandmas do, not me, though. Ahh well.

It's HALLOWEEN everybody!
,.

Mikke stood at the cliff’s edge looking north over the Reach. How many weeks since she had been home? Her heart flew there now, as if shot from a bow. If only she had wings.

Bran shoved his cold nose under her palm, as always begging for a scratch. Farkas stood at her side. The Dwemer ruin of Arkngthamz lay behind them. She had a real quest to follow now, a purpose given from beyond the grave. It all started with that book.

Farkas shifted his feet, turning to watch their backs. The Dwarven spider workers had been difficult for him to face. Too close to the real thing, she supposed. He hadn’t faltered this time, but his cheeks were still white as mist under the smeared blood and war paint. Vilkas would jump at the chance to see a Dwemer ruin. She would go to Jorrvaskr and swap twins. But first, home.

She had forgotten to buy Roggi’s mead while they were in Riften. She bought him a house instead. Perhaps he would move the children to Honeyside for the winter. Sofie and Alesan would have their own bedchamber there, and they could play safely inside the city walls. She could spend some time alone with Roggi. Maybe that would help.

Lord Haaf-Mersey

Level: 11

Perks: Novice Restoration, Regeneration, Novice Alteration, Steel Smithing, Juggernaut (2/5), Shield Wall (1/5), Armsman (1/5), Haggling(1/5), Novice Illusion
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The day is sunny and fair. Lord Haaf-Mersey rides upon his new Whiterun steed, which he hasn't named yet. He had just been inside Halted Stream Camp, where some bandits were again habitating on the outside, but hadn't yet returned in full numbers.

(the the bandits inside hadn't respawned yet).

"'Tis good then, if others are managing to keepth their numbers down!"

Lord Haaf-Mersey is not the only one to be keeping the bandit population around Whiterun Hold in check. Others have been taking on the job, as well. Oddly, most of these others (my other characters) are also from Cyrodiil.

6:17 PM
"Hallo, guards!" Haaf-Mersey says. He just arrived in Whiterun.

"Heard they're reforming the Dawnguard, vampire-hunters or something, in the old fort near Riften. Think I might head on over there and join up myself".

"Vampire hunters? Yes, I have seen several of these. Matter of fact, a couple attacked just the other night, right inside the village gates. You guards might want to think about how thee have been perfoming, to keepth the city safe!"

"You look tired, my friend", the guard says, completely ignoring Haaf-Mersey's suggestion. "The Bannered Mare has food, and beds for rent".

Haaf-Mersey feels nonplussed. It is the guard's job to make sure the village (any village) stayed safe, is it not? How is it that two vampires made their way past them earlier in the week, to murder a couple townsfolk?* One thing is for sure. Haaf-Mersey knows he's going to go to Riften. Suss out this "fort near Riften". And become a vampire hunter. And why not? He's already been inside a couple vampire-infested lairs.

Sadly, using the Apprentice difficulty does not guarantee townsfolk won't get murdered during a vamipre attack.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-------

6:54 pm
Haaf-Mersey checks his roster, once he is in Jorrvaskr. He had been staying over at the Bannered Mare, but another brute named Gunter had also been renting the place. Haaf-Mersey could share the room with Gunter, since Gunter was also rarely in town, but he chose (instead) to just stay in Jorrvaskr.

This is a funny RP moment. In my PS3 games, I always felt the Bannered Mare room belonged mostly to Thor a'Zaene. On the Xbox, Gunter is the one who stays there most. I got the sense Haaf-Mersey doesn't want to share a room with Gunter, so intstead he stays in Jorrvaskr's "Welp Room"

Next on his agenda is to meet Farkas over at a draugr barrow named Dustman's Cairn. He also needs to return to Jarl Siddgeir in Falkreath. Siddgeir had promised him the ability to buy some land, if a certain "task" had been performed. Haaf-Mersey performed this task, and rid yet another group of bandits off the map. Haaf-Mersey also needs to collect a bounty from Siddgeir's steward Nenya. Finally, there is a sword inside a place called White River Watch, but Haaf-Mersey has just been to this place. He did not see this sword the Redguard man in Whiterun had spoke of, but he would return there again, to have another look.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Days Passed: 33

10:23 pm

"You're the best! Can you be my father?"

Lord Haaf-Mersey is taken for a moment. Is this the girl he had given a coin to the other day? He thinks so. She was outside by the dead tree in the Wind district. And now she's in here, and appears to be alone?

"Father? Do you not have a father, young lady?"

"Mister. Could you spare a coin?"

This just kills me when she says this.

"You are alone? Where is your father?"

The girl in green explains that she did have a place to stay, but was kicked out after her mother died. It is a rather complicated story, and Haaf-Mersey does not know if he should believe it all, but this girl really does appear to be alone. It breaks Haaf-Mersey's heart.

"And you want me to be your father?"

"Really...?" the girl in green says. "Do you...do you have a place I could live?"

Unfortunately, Haaf-Mersey does not. He's been living mostly in Jorrvaskr as of late ... certainly not a place to raise a child.

"Regretfully, I do not."

"Ahh well, thanks anyways. I suppose". The girl in green starts to walk away sadly.

"But wait! WAIT!"

The girl in green walks out the door, and into the cold. Lord Haaf-Mersey realizes he has one more task to add to his crowded agenda.

Sundas, 4:26 PM, 21st of Heartfire

"We should keep moving".

Farkas is finally joined by Lord Haaf-Mersey outside of Dustman's Cairn. How long has he been here, just waiting?

The two had been traveling together for a week or so, but The Lord did not like Farkas's heavy-handed military style of combat. Always let the enemy have initiative: This is how Haaf-Mersey liked to approach things. Over the years (still in Cyrodiil) he had pored through dozens of old accounts of how Dyan phor a'Cauz had accomplished her fame. She always gave her enemies the opportunity to surrender, assuming these enemies could understand her words in the first place.

She would not give goblins or trolls this sort of upper-hand, for instance. ....But necromancers? Marauders? Members of the Mythic Dawn? She always gave them the choice of Redemption. Give yourselves over to The Nine, or be it your fate that you shall perish .... without their blessing.

"I agree". Haaf-Mersey agrees. "Let us be going inside this wretched place".

"Until next time".

As the two men go inside, The Lord sees a third man joins them. He eventually learns this man's name as Gunter, Son of Talos. This is the 'Gunter' who had been staying in the Bannered Mare, then.

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6:47 pm
Eventually, the trio find their way inside a room in Dustman's Cairn which seemed to have no way out. Farkas put away his weapon, and resigned himself to just standing off to the side, lost in thought. Gunter wandered into an antechamber of sorts, and so Haaf-Mersey followed, illuminating the way with his Light spell.

"Look! Lever!" Gunter cried. "Gunter like push lever!" and he did so, causing the door to lock both he and Haaf-Mersey inside the antechamber.

As he and Gunter looked helplessly, Farkas was attacked by 4 or 5 enemies at once!

"It's time to die, Farkas!" one of them said. Farkas was assaulted by all sides. It seemed as if he would have nowhere to go, and no escape, when one of the strangest spectacles happened: Farkas changed ... into some sort of beast.

"Could it be? Could this be true? As the legends have foretold?" Haaf-Mersey worries.

"Look, Farkas bear! Farkas turn to bear!"

"That is not a bear, half-wit, 'tis a werewolf! Farkas turneth into a werewolf!"

7:23 pm

"I hope I didn't scare ya!" Farkas says.

"You... you are a werewolf? As the legends have said. But this cannot be!"

"It's a blessing given to some of us. We can be like wild beasts. Fearsome".

"Gunter want be wolfman, too! Me want make into wolfman!"

"Ahhhh no", says Farkas. "Only the inner circle have the beast blood. Prove your honor to be a Companion, and perhaps you shall be worthy. Eyes on the prey, not the horizon. We should keep moving. Draugr could still be about".

As the trio of men explore furter into Dustman's Cairn, Gunter is elated with Farkas, now. Haaf-Mersey is not.

Fredas, 3:53 AM, 26th of Heartfire

Days Passed: 40


After much thought and over a day of contemplation, Lord Haaf-Mersey has come to a crucial decision. He cannot pursue any tasks associated with the Companions of Yorrvaskr. Fighters ... who use the trickery of Daedric impulses to overcome their victims? It is something he cannot just accept. He will not continue to associate with these heathens, as they apparently have no problem bowing to the wishes of Hircine.

So instead, he is going to Falkreath. He has a bounty payment to collect from Falkreath's steward, and he needs to speak to Jarl Siddgeir directly. Siddgeir had promised Haaf-Mersey some land if a particular group of bandits had been rid, and the task had been done.

Haaf-Mersey puts on his new suit of superior-level steel armor, puts his silver sword away in a chest (in Jorrvaskr's main hall) and picks out his new superior-steel sword. He has a lot of things stored away here, perhaps he can move them all when or if he manages to get a house.

"MY favorite drinking buddy! Let's get some mead!" says the town beggar.

"'Tis the Daedric manner of speaking, to drinketh oneself to death, and not a day of work to make up for it upon thine entry into Sovengarde".

The beggar walks off without a word, but Lord Haaf-Mersey feels good about his little sermon. Perhaps the beggar will see the error of his ways. As Haaf-Mersey leaves town and gets on his horse it is still dark, but Skyrim's Nordic Lights brighten the way, praise Akatosh!

He hopes to make it to Falkreath before Sundas. Did Falkreath have an Aedric chapel? He couldn't remember, but he would have to find out.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--

11:22 am
Lord Haaf-Mersey pauses while on horseback, admiring the view from the other side of the valley containing Bleak Falls Barrow. He has been searching around a lot on his horse, straying off the road, looking for little flowers he can collect.* He uses these flowers often during combat. A quick nibble here and there often helped.

*Another thing I like about Haaf-Mersey is he's a horseback rider; I get this sort of gallant feeling as he walks and trots about. Skankee Krahk-ho prefererred to travel by foot instead, which is fine, but I'm loving horse-travel again.

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12:34 pm

"Are you prepared to die?"

The bandit takes him by surprise. Lord Haaf-Mersey had left his horse back on the road before approaching Helgen. He is surprised. He did not expect the bandits would have returned here so soon.

"I have seen my fate, many a time, bandit!" he calls out. *BANG!* "But none so vile as to thee who have villified upon it!" *BONK* "PRAISE TALOS!"

*SMASH!* (kill cam!)

As the bandit falls, Haaf-Mersey says yet another quick prayer for the poor woman's soul.

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5:55 pm

"How fares thee, warrior?" the Lord has just come across a steel-suited person after leaving Helgen.

"What's a milk-drinker like you doing out here? Go home to your mother!" it's an orc female.

"I cannot, not here upon Nirn. For she has long-ago passed. On the subject of milk, I would like to somedays perhaps share a jug with thee! Milk indeed, doesth a body much good."

"That's right!" the orc says, almost in a challenging way.

"I shall be off, then!" he leaves without further confrontation.

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6:51 pm
Lord Haaf-Mersey gets off his horse outside the cottage known as Pinewatch. He tries the door (hoping for a quick Hello! to whomever it is inside), but it is locked.* He notices some purple mountain flowers nearby, and goes on a quick picking expedition.

During the few moments of picking, he thinks he hears his horse whinnying off, but ignores it. But as soon as he is done, he sees a green blob go flying past.

"No. NOOO!"

The giant spider approaches, and Haaf-Mersey fells it with just one stab.

"This cannot be!"

His horse is dead. Wow....it happened so damn fast. Holy compassion. All for 5 lousy purple mountain flowers.

*Skankee Krahk-ho and Khahkhayre had no problem picking this lock into Pinewatch. But Haaf-Mersey does not know who lives inside (bandits or farmers or ...whoever) so he does not force his way in

Props to LHM to ditching the werewolves. But no mead!

He actually drinks wine himself. It's not the alcohol that he objects to, it's the lack of motivation to deserve such alcohol. He knows the beggar is trying to sponge some coin out of him, since he already gave some to the beggar a few days previously.

LHM is kinda narrow-minded, though. Very fixated upon his learnings and beliefs. He's a teetotaler. I think if he were on Earth, he would be a hall-monitor type of person.

Bizzarely enough, I disovered last night that J'Zirlo hadn't found Mzincheleft (that place you go to find the sword for Mjoll in Riften)...

You think you've done everything in a game and then it decides to surprise you!!...

Ah, the joy of rediscovery!!!...

Ah, the joy of energy!!... ...(Long story)...

Loredas, 10:32 AM, 27th of Heartfire,

"I'm the steward here. I serve under Jarl Siddgeir, and Jarl Dunngeir before him".

"'Tis I ! Lord Haaf-Mersey, Crusader from Cyrodiil".

"For Falkreath, this is just one more war in a long line", informs Falkreath's steward.

"So I have heard, although I have not seen much of this war thy speak of, elf. Anyways, the bandits at Bilegulch Mine have been decimated. Their souls bansished forever from this holiest of lands".

"Excellent! You've done us a great service! Here is your reward!".

As the Lord walks over to Jarl Siddgeir himself, he casts a Light spell into the air. >*< This is going to be a glorious moment in the history of Skyrim!

"Good to see you, finally someone useful is around", says the Jarl. The man is young, Haaf-Mersey notices. He is young, and there's something about this Jarl that Haaf-Mersey does not trust.

"Yes ... what is it that you want"?

It's the way he speaks. Something about the way he carries himself bothers Haaf-Mersey. The man is obviously arrogant, Haaf-Mersey can see. Look at he slouches upon his throne. But there's something else about Jarl Siddgeir that bothers the Lord.

"Bowland speaks much about the war and the Stormcloaks....." the Jarl greets in an offhand way. Haaf-Mersey doesn't catch all of what the Jarl says.

"I have killed the bandits and their leader in the lair nearest Riverwood, Jarl Siddgeir!"

"Teach them to stop paying me. Here ... you deserve a reward for your service".

"Paying you? They were paying you? For what? You dare to doeth business with such foulness?" the Light spell suddenly stops.

"You know what ?" the Jarl says, changing the subject. "I like you. I hearby grant you the ability to purchase property in Falkreath Hold. Talk to my steward if you're insterested"...

The Lord feels nonplussed again. Why did everybody ignore him all the time here in Falkreath? Why did so many Skyrimites change the subject when he attempted to address certain specific topics? Those bandits were paying the Jarl? Why isn't this being dealt with in some manner?

Haaf-Mersey pondered these thoughts for a few moments. And then, he thought of the little girl.

The girl in green. The one who lives in Whiterun. Her parents had died. She had been kicked off her aunt & uncle's farm. And she needs help. She needs to be rescued. For if vampires could invade the village of Whiterun, she would be an easy target, indeed!

Haaf-Mersey didn't hesitate to ponder any more after thinking of the Whiterun girl in green. ... He needed to rise to a higher power! He could almost sense The Nine watching over him at this moment, offering him the right choice.

Dealing with Jarl Siddgeir would have to wait.

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Sundas, 11:35 AM, 28th of Heartfire

Today is Sundas, and the sunlight is golden. Haaf-Mersey had spent the previous day (Loredas) working around the forge. At some point, he realized what day it is, and that Sundas would be tomorrow.

Dyan phor a'Cauz had been legendary around all of Cyrodiil for taking Sundas "off", if she could. She would structure her entire week around this particular day; for on Sundas, she often prefered to be in a town, so that she could attend Chapel. She often stayed in Chapel for the entire day. She would sit there, wearing a Light Spell ring, reading, contemplating, and (of course) worshipping the Nine.

"I must start doing such, as well!"

Haaf-Mersey finally finds Falkreath's equivalent of a 'Chapel'. The place is little more than a hut, adjacent to a large graveyard; not nearly as grand as the places of worship in Cyrodiil, but this is okay. Apparently Arkay is the main Aedra the villagers pray to here.

He walks further towards a trio standing in the graveyard.

"The God Arkay was once like us. Home to immortaliity"... a holy man preaches. Haaf-Mersy is thrilled to be hearing a sermon. (So am I, actually! The sermon is brief, though. Within minutes, it is over. The holy man leaves. What now?

2:25 PM
He decides to go inside the Arkay hut, and is surprised to find it's much more of a home than a chapel. He looks around. It's mostly just a bedroom/dining room!

"This is all Skyrim has to offer, in the ways of Worship?"

He almost doesn't see the single bench located off to the left. Before the bench is another idol devoted to Arkay. This is it!. This is the extent of Falkreath's "Chapel". No grand ceilings to look upwards to. No stained glass. No worhippers milling about. ..... Haaf-Mersey is befuddled for a moment, then he decides to just sit down. Sit down, and contemplate Arkay, the Aedric being devoted to death and burials. He will sit, as his passed mentor Dyan sat 200 years before.

"I cannot believe this is all these people devote towards The Nine".

He wishes he had brought a book to read as he sits.

Days Passed: 49

"It's just me and my mother here at the mill. My father has long since been gone away. We don't know what happened to him".

It's a pleasant, sunny day here in The Rift. Lord Haaf-Mersey is on his way to Riften, where he hopes to find a fort nearby. Supposedly the Dawnguard (vampire hunters or something) have been 'reforming' there. Haaf-Mersey hears the calling meant for him, and has started travel, even without a horse.

His horse had been taketh away by Arkay, the Aedric Lord of death. If this was Arkay's wish, let it be so. As he walks, Haaf-Mersey finds a path leading to a house. Turns out, this house also has a mill. Haaf-Mersey hopes to be able to stay here for the night.

"You have lost thine father, lad? Of whence might this have commenced?"

"Someday, I'll take over the mill, when I'm old enough," the boy says, ignoring Haaf-Mersey's question. So the boy has a lost father, but cannot face the fact? Or perahps, he his facing the fact in his own way. He's looking forward to running the place, after all; replacing his father. Not a bad deal. The place had been assigned its own guard, too.

"I see". Haaf-Mersy says. "Perhaps it might be prudent for me to speakth to thine mother, then", he says, walking off.

I was hoping for a "find the boy's father" sort of quest. Oh well.

Haaf-Mersey walks inside the house, which is unlocked.

"Can I help you?" says a typical Nord female.

Her skin is bronze, which is a good sign. She spends a lot of time outside, obviously, so if she's got tan skin, this means the sun shines a lot here in The Rift.

"Thine lad has pointed to me this fact: that thine husband has gone misseth. And to what end his fate has befallen, thine lad could not maketh any reasonable reply".

"[SIGH], if you see my good for nothing husband Lieffnarr in your journeys, tell him to stuff himself!"

"But the boy made notice of the effect that perhaps your husband might be lost. Thine lad made this effect seem sad, as though the man is in danger".

"He said he was going east, toward the border of Cyrodiil and Morrowind"....the bronzed lady hinted. "I've waited and waited. and he never came back. Probably shacked up with some Elven mother of mine*...."

*=I couldn't believe she says this! She also placed a marker of Broken Helm on his map.

"'Tis okay, milady! Perhaps I could be of some service! I am Loooord Haaf-Mersey, Crusader from Cyrodiil! I travel to Skyrim from afar, and mightily attempt to do good works."

"GOOD! if you see him, tell him he can go straight to Oblivion!" the lady curses. "He is not welcome here!"

Lord Haaf-Mersey walks, a new goal upon his roster.

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Morndas, 4:51 PM, 6th of Frostfall

Lord Haaf-Mersey makes it to Riften, where he pays the "Visitor's Tax" before entering town. He also learns (from the guards) that the village is home to the Thieves Guild, or so the rumors seemed to suggest.

Immediately upon entering into town, Haaf-Mersey hears some gossip on the very topic. Apparetnly, the Thieves Guild is quite a problem here. A nearby couple discuss what they know as the Lord enters town.

"No offense, but you're not looking so good. Are you feeling ill?" says the man. Haaf-Mersey wishes to speak with him on the Thieves.

Haaf-Mersey is ill. He already knows he has contracted Brainrot and Rockjoint. He is momentarily irked that (once again) the topic of discussion he asked about is not being addressed, but he had also forgotten about his walking diseases. Is he really so ill that people notice, though? Apparently, yes.

"Speaketh to me, Breton. I have heard mention of the Thieves Guild?"

But the Breton walks away. Maybe he has said too much.

As Haaf-Mersey walks down a causeway, he is verbally accosted..

"I don't know you, but you in Riften looking for trouble?" The man speaks in a dark, sinister voice.

"Stand aside, friend. I am Lord Haaf-Mersey, Crusader from Cyrodiil. Be it that thee may, perhaps thee might walk from the light of the Nine, unschathed".

"Don't say something you'll later regret", the man says. "Last thing the Black-Briars need is somebody trying to meddle in their affiars.

"Black-Briars? Who are they?"

"The Black-Briars have Riften in their pocket and the Thieves Guilds on their side", the man said slowly. He identified himself as "Maul", and then offered Haaf-Mersey the chance to learn more about Riften.

"Interesting. Go on", says the Lord.

But Maul doesn't tell things for free. He wants 188 gold up front for his words, which seems ludicrous to the Lord. Guards have a Visitor's Tax, and now this common man wants money, too?

Haaf-Mersey walks away, looking for a place he can stay for the night.

Haaf-Mersey is the spiritual opposite of Skankee Krahk-ho. Skank preferred to stay out of people's business. Lord Haaf-Mersey on the other hand picked can't stay out of it!

He picked up a quest to help a stable hand find his missing shipment (or the thieves who stole it), and then spoke to "Sapphire". Persuaded her quickly to stop picking on the stable hand (good....I NEVER HAVE TO HEAR THIS saleswoman SAY 'GET OUT OF MY FACE')!!!!

Haaf-Mersey also spoke to Maramal, a member of Riften's temple (they worship Mara here), learning about how Marriage works. He donated 5 gold to Mara's temple, spoke to a fellow Breton sitting off to the side (Marcurio), and hired him for 500 gold after learning he's a magician of sorts. Haaf-Mersy assumes he's a mercenary interested in doing good works for Skyrim. He then spoke to Brynjolf, but refused to steal the ring the man wanted him to steal. Haaf-Mersey walked away, cursing the man with the promise to take down the Theives Guild itself, in the name of The Nine. He then rented a room and picked up a Bounty Letter. All of this happened within 15 minutes Earth time!



Sundas, 9:16 AM, 12th of Frostfall

Lord Haaf-Mersey
Level: 18

Health: 170
Magicka: 150
Stamina: 150

Perks: Novice Alteration, Apprentice Alteration, Steel Smithing, Juggernaut (2/5), Shield Wall (2/5), Armsman (2/5), Bladesman (1/3), Haggling (2/5), Novice Illusion, Animage, Novice Restoration, Apprentice Restoration, Regeneration

Days Passed: 56

The day is typically fair. Lord Haaf-Mersey awakes early, eager to make his way over to Riften's Temple of Mara. He has already been here before sometime earlier in the week, and is happy to be back again, on Sundas.

"Yes?" says a devotee.

"Blessings of Mara upon you", says one of Mara's priests.

"Thank you, acolytes."

Haaf-Mersey is almost surprised the place is not packed with more worshippers. Almost. They did plenty of things up here in Skyrim differently, and by now the 'surprises' are starting to not be such a shock. But at least this place is better than the shack devoted to Arkay over in Falkreath.

As Haaf-Mersey sits in worship, wondering what it must have been like during Dyan phor a'Cauz's day, he comes up with a plan (unofficial quest) to visit every village, hamlet, and town in Skyrim, just to see the differences in all its places of prayer.

But for now, he is glad to be in Riften, where the village put a lot more energy into their house of worship. He gives a tithe to the priest, buys an Amulet of Mara for 200 gold (he has 3,029 left), and spends the rest of the day inside the Temple.

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6:36 PM
Dyan phor a'Cauz was known to wear the best armors on the market as she travelled, but she would walk around the towns of Cyrodiil literally wearing ragged clothing. It was her way of showing her abilities at servitude to the ways of The Nine. Dyan was a champion of Cyrodiil's people.

Lord Haaf-Mersey wants this as well. He wants to be recognized as some sort of saviour to the people, and tomorrow he will start his quest, by heading to the "old fort near Riften".

The main difference between the Lord and Dyan so far is while Dyan would wear a poor woman's clothes in towns, Haaf-Mersey refuses to follow suit here. As he walks around Riften in the dying afternoon light, he does so wearing an ordinary (but belted tunic

6:36 PM
Dyan phor a'Cauz was known to wear the best armors on the market as she travelled, but she would walk around the towns of Cyrodiil literally wearing ragged clothing, and barefoot as well. It was her way of showing her abilities at servitude to the ways of The Nine. Dyan was a champion of Cyrodiil's people.

Lord Haaf-Mersey wants this as well. He wants to be recognized as some sort of saviour to the people, and tomorrow he will start his quest, by heading to the "old fort near Riften".

The main difference between the Lord and Dyan (so far) is while Dyan would wear a poor person's clothes in towns, Haaf-Mersey refuses to follow suit here. As he walks around Riften in the dying afternoon light, he does so wearing an ordinary belted tunic; just another visitor. He feels that wearing some ragged robes might draw unwanted attention.

Cyrodiil's civilized areas were reputed as being safe 200 years ago; wheras Skyrim's are often unpredictable.

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Morndas, 8:21 AM
Lord Haaf-Mersy travels with his new partner Marcurio. The two so far have accomplished a bandit raid at Broken Helm Hollow, and also cleared the undead of Forelhost Cairn. Marcurio is proving to be an arrogant but talented companion. Haaf-Mersey has found the guy to be rather impatient and crude, but the wizard had also saved Haaf-Mersey life several times so far.

As Haaf-Mersey walks, today he wears some Ancient Nord armor pieces: helmet, suit, and gauntlets. These pieces look dark and barbaric; not exactly the shiny steel Haaf-Mersey usually wears. Dyan phor a'Cauz was not only a Paladin and a servant to her people, she was also a collector of rare and ancient armors & weapons. This is something the Lord also wants to become.

8:37 am
Lord Haaf-Mersey and Marcurio pass a group of Imperial soldiers. They've got a prisoner who is probably a Nord. Haaf-Mersey initially struggled with this when he was new to Skyrim: which side is "right" to choose? Imperials or Stormcloks?

He has chosen not to make a choice. In the eyes of The Nine, technically the Stormcloaks have a right to bear witness to their established way of life. But should Haaf-Mersey just start attacking every Imperial he sees because of this? This is a moral dilemma he's faced, and has not yet seen guidance properly, towards any sort of direct answer.

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Days 57 thru 59
Lord Haaf-Mersey spends a few days at the Dawnguard's headquarters. He becomes a member of the Dawnguard, and is given an assignment to meet a Vigilant of Stendarr at Dinhollow Crypt, which is near the village of Dawnstar, a place he has not been to, yet. He is looking forward to doing all of this, yet is eager to travel back to Falkreath first, where he will purchase some land, build a house, and save a little girl who lost her parents.

Has LHM met any Thalmor with prisoners yet? Skyrim Jerric has stayed out of the Stormcloak and Legion business, but he freed the first Thalmor prisoner he met. It was a sudden decision prompted by his gut rather than careful consideration. (Unsurprisingly.)

I got Skyrim Jerric out to play this weekend while I was waiting for what promised to be a vexing phone call. His game has no dragons and no Dawnguard, so it feels like a vacation. Jerric had just enough time to get into a drinking contest. Now he needs to make a bunch of apologies. Somewhere along the road he lost the dog, but Darnand (Marcurio) is thankfully still with him. His head hurts. His stomach is empty. And he can’t shake the feeling that he’s met that Sam somewhere before…

He has walked by a group of Thalmor, but they were not hostile, so both sides pretty much ignored each other. I happen to know Thammore can suddenly turn aggressive, though. Out of nowhere. They've attacked several of my past characters, unprovoked.

Tonight I am with Haaf-Mersey once again. Finally building the house & getting into Hearthfire, after all this time. Marcurio is there too, but he's proved to be more of a "helper". Haaf-Mersey told Marcurio to do some rock-mining, and he said something like

"Nope, can't do that. Sorry".

Marcurio pretty much holds a torch, and keeps an eye out for any sort of enemies nearby. In this part of Falkreath it is unlikely an enemy will show up, though.

I wonder what Lydia has to say about being told to mine...

Lord Haaf-Mersey

Level: 19
Days Passed: 68

Locations Discovered: 46
Dungeons Cleared: 18
Hours Slept: 539
Hours Waited: 443

Gold Found: 26,603

Skill Increases: 190

People Killed: 222
Animals Killed: 73
Creatures killed: 1
Undead Killed: 103
Daedra Killed: 2
Favorite Spell : Candlelight

Tribal Orc Bounty: 2040
Total Lifetime Bounty: 2,116
Fines Paid: 76
Times Jailed: 0
Days Jailed: 0
Items Stolen: 5
Assaults: 4

As we can see, the Lord has slipped a few times, but overall has been much cleaner than some of my previous characters.

He also got that huge orc bounty after visiting one of their camps. He searched (but did not loot) a dead orc body ... never attacked anybody, it's the orcs who attacked him! Halfway thru the fight, the orcs stopped and showed a truce with Haaf-Mersey, but then one of the orcs mumbled something about praying to Malakath, one of the 16 Daedric Princes. This was all the Lord needed to hear. He attacked and decimated some of the orc population there, but stopped when several orcs took shelter, hiding away from this fearsome holy knight!

As Haaf-Mersey travels towards Whiterun, it is oddly cold. Snow falls from the sky, something he has not seen before here in Falkreath Hold.

But he feels good because Marcurio travels with him. Marcurio has proven to be a very talented wizard; matter of fact, he saved Haaf-Mersey just a day before from a couple of Thalmor Justicar elves. Haaf-Mersey feels so confident in the man, he walks the road only wearing regular townsclothings, and his trusty Iron Boots of Minor Stamina on his feet. He carries a golden dwarven mace for a weapon, and does not even brandish a shield.

He and Marcurio have built a nice small house on the property he's bought (Lakeview Manor), and as Haaf-Mersey walks back to Whiterun, he is eager to see if the little girl in green is still in the village. Is she still there? Or has she been murdered .... by vampires?

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Sundas, 9:30 AM

"That's good iron you got there, citizen. Iron .... strong and true!" says a guard.

Lord Haaf-Mersey has just arrived in Cyrodiil. He spent the night n the Bannered Mare, and is now off to spend the day in worship of Talos,. Worshipping Talos is tricky. Here in Whiterun there is no Chapel. But there is still an idol to lay one's hands upon, as well as a master priest, who gives sermons on Talos day and night.

But this is not the only reason Haaf-Mersey is in Whiterun.

"You're the best! Can you be my father?"

It's the infamous girl in green; the one who truely has melted this holy warrior's heart.

"Your father .... I can never be. For thine true father has pased. But embraceth the mighty Nine, and perhaps Akatosh can become your true father!".

"Mister ... could you spare a coin?" she asks, ignoring his sermon.

"I can do much better, girl. I can take you in. I have, as fact of matter, just purchased property over the hills in Falkreath Hold. You can come and live with me if you so desire".

"Really? Do you .. do you have a place I could live?" the girl is grungy, her face has visible dirt upon it.

dammit .... the game doesn't give me the option of adopting her yet! I guess the house needs to be bigger".

"I do. If you do not mind sharing a room with me".

"Ahhh well....thanks anyways, I suppose", she says, walking away sadly.

"But the house shall be bigger soon! Wait! WAIT!!!" he gestures after her dramatically.

Haaf-Mersey wants to adopt Lucia, but instead spends his Sundas in front of Whiterun's Talos Priest, getting screamed at about the plight of the Nords, the Imperials, and the evil Thalmor, as drizzly rain falls from the sky.

Me: [i]ARRGH! @L+*#)

Lord Haaf-Mersey
Level: 19

Days Passsed: 79

The Lord has spent several days building a Great Hall addition to his Small House. The work could be going by a lot slower than it has been, but Marcurio actually has been of some help: using his powers of telekinisis* to move the large pine logs around, while Haaf-Mersey cuts and also fits these logs into place more properly. Marcurio is also able to move larger pieces of quarried stone here and there.

* RP stuff

The Lord is anxious to save a little girl. Last time he was in Whiterun, 3 more townspeople were murdered (seriously, this is starting to freak me out). Time is pressing; he must eventually Dimhollow Cave to assist the Dawnguard. But first ... the house must be finished. Haaf-Mersey is obsessed with saving the Whiterun Girl in Green for some reason.

===============================================================================

Loredas, 5:04 AM, 8th of Sun's Dusk

Days Passed: 83

FINALLY the bulk of the house is completed. Lord Haaf-Mersey also builds lots of furniture pieces, containers, and wall decor. The house has two beds (one is a single for the Girl in Green), several dressers, a weapons rack, barrels, dinette set .... the list goes on and on.

"I have thee to thank, Sir Marcurio. For all of thine help".

"Divines smile on you, friend".

Haaf-Mersey leaves Marcurio behind, while he jumps on his horse, and rides off to Whiterun.

What the hell is happening in Whiterun? Were they murdered by vampires?

Um.....spoiler alert. Don't highlight the rest of this post unless you want to be spoiled.

That's the downside of Dawnguard. It introduces new questlines, new creatures, new weapons, new armor, the best NPC follower ever (and so on ...) but your favorite NPC might get murdered. Vampire attacks can put a serious dent into a town's population.

It's very edgy, and very unlike Cyrodiil/3rd era, and sadly I'm not fully used to it yet.

Ugh, sorry to hear about the casualties. That (spoiler situation) does bring danger back to the night. And to the day sometimes too, unfortunately.

Yes, that is a common complaint I see about Dawnguard. Bethesda seems to have made the dlc for the sole purpose of killing off all of the NPCs in the world. Because it makes the game so much more fun that way. I do not think that is really a spoiler. More like an important warning to anyone who might be tempted to buy it!

the main problem is they always send a Master vampire in the towns, and a pack of Hell Hounds on the outside. These are very advanced-level creatures for an unarmed (sometimes a fully-armed) townsperson to handle. If something weaker showed up, the NPCs would stand more of a chance.

I'm hoping as the questline progresses that the vamp attacks eventually stop. I enjoyed the spontaneity of them at first, and I do still enjoy them if my character can jump in and help. The part I don't like is the fact that these random attacks are kinda like what happens in the rest of TES: they can happen at any time, even if our character is not there.

So in Whiterun, I've lost a couple stablehands. Meh, I can deal. Then I lost the Redguard who runs the outside forge area at Warmaidens, and that DID really bum me out. I like her. So did Haaf-Mersey.

Loredas, 3:33 PM, 8th of Sun's Dusk

Days Passed: 83

Lord Haaf-Mersey is back in Whiterun, and tomorrow is Sundas. He does some buying and selling before settling in at the Bannered Mare. He no longer stays in Jorrvaskr, now that he has quit the Companions, and Gunter Son of Talos stays in the Companion's hall (Gunter eventually became the Companion leader, Lol).

Haaf-Mnersey has a quick meal before going back outside. He grabs an apple right off of a table in full view of everybody, but they now trust this holy knight, so nobody raises a fuss*.

* I discovered long ago that if you chop wood outside the Bannered Mare and then sell it to the Innkeeper, everything inside the Bannered Mare becomes okay to touch, pick up, eat ....whatever! It's as if the ladies who run the place start to know our characters have become mainstays, and they allow us to act freely.

Unfortunately, this is where tonight's story ends, folks. Hearthfire is still saying there "isn't enough room" for Lucia, the Girl in Green. WTF? the place is huge now! There's plenty of room for her. *sigh* There are two beds at the manor now, and lord knows how many containers! I must be missing something, dangit.

Maybe it considers the fact that Marcurio is an active follower. He is staying at the Manor, and perhaps a third bed will have to be constructed (plus dressers, barrels, etc. for that room).

Renee, I can give you a hint about the house if you like, but I’m keeping quiet in case you want LHM to figure it out. I think his frustration and growing urgency to get that kid off the streets is a neat part of his character.

Skyrim Jerric and Darnand (Marcurio) made a discovery when they returned to their temporary home. Here’s their version. Anyone care to guess what happened?

*

Kyne painted the sky over Whiterun with a glorious tundra sunset. Darnand walked through the city gate, Jerric at his side. Their latest adventure had taken them across the province and back again. It was good to be… well not exactly home, but close enough. Smoke rose from the chimney of their rented house. Uthgerd must have heard they were nearly back and started a fire for them.

As soon as he stepped into the cottage, something seemed amiss.

Jerric noticed it, too. “Those carrots,” he said.

A few things had been moved. A wine bottle. Leeks knocked to the floor. Darnand sucked in a breath. “My books!”

A quick inventory of his desk showed that the contents were intact, though the surface was not as he had left it. Jerric was executing a similar rummage through the junk cupboard. “All here,” he called.

Darnand checked the alchemy drawers. Everything was still arranged according to the Nord’s method of organization. Alchemy Necklace first, followed by Bear Claws, Canis Root, Dwarven Gauntlets of Minor Alchemy, and then Ectoplasm. He had no doubt that if they ever found the Ring of Pure Mixtures, Jerric would file it between the Pine Thrush Eggs and the Sabre Cat Teeth. It occurred to him that his friend might be messing with him.

Jerric flipped a chest open with a bang. “Oh,” he said. “Uh…”

Darnand felt the blood leave his face. “The soul gems?”

“Gone.”

“By the Nine! We’ve been robbed!”

“Burgled,” said Jerric. “This was just a break-in. Robbery is what that Dunmer tried to do out on the road. You know, the one with the little iron sword.”

“You are correct.” Darnand pinched the bridge of his nose. He had hidden two black soul gems in that chest. Only the gods knew when he would be able to get his hands on another one. Actually he hoped that the gods hadn’t noticed.

“Don’t sound so surprised,” Jerric said. “I’ve been right before.” He opened the lid of the food barrel, then dropped to his knees. “Nooooo! One hundred thirty two portions of salt, all gone! Those swine thieving motherless dog-humping—”

Darnand needed to see inside the chest. Just to be sure. “I wonder if they went upstairs,” he said.

Jerric took the steps in a leap. “My old armor is here. And the spares. And those boots and gauntlets that you won’t wear. Ah, hells! The weapons are all gone!”

The enchanting supply chest was not quite empty. Darnand picked up a handful of coins. “Someone has a sense of humor. They left us five Septims.”

“They left thirteen in the weapons chest,” Jerric howled. “If I find whoever did this, I’m going to wear their bowels like a cape!”

Darnand tried to suppress that image. It was no surprise that the thieves had left behind the scraps of iron and hide that Jerric referred to as armor, but the weapons represented a loss. “I have our best staves on me,” he reminded his friend.

Jerric hopped back down to the ground floor with a crash. “It’s lucky I’m wearing my enchanted plate. Truth be told, I don’t really remember what I had in that chest. Still I guess we should inform the Guard. And get right to drinking away our sorrow. Over our lost… stuff.”

Darnand could stand a hot meal, a comfortable chair, and a bottle of wine in any order. He reviewed Jerric’s appearance. Greasy braids, blood spatter dried across his nose, and hands black with things unmentionable. No need to delay for washing. He might just be the best groomed Nord in Whiterun. “Jorrvaskr or the Mare?”

“The Mare,” said Jerric. “Sinmir will want to hear about the burglary, and we should speak to our landlord. And I have something I’d like to give Ysolda.” He opened the door and stood aside with a grin. “Say, do you suppose those ingots will still be in the Marmaiden’s barrel?”

Heh, That confused me...is that a glitch? All the stuff getting moved around? It's good to have Jerric back by the way!


Oh, and NO HINTS! I'm gonna figure this Hearthfire thing out if I have to! I'm trying very hard not to have a cheat and look on UESP. Every time I've ever cheated in the past (especially with Tomb Raider games), I always get this regretful sort of feeling .... like I feel stupid that I couldn't figure it out on my own! :facepalm: It also always feels 10X more rewarding once I get it right.

From what I have read on the other forum, the attacks are supposed to stop once you finish the DG questline. But in many people's games they never do, and the cities all turn into ghost towns.

Jerric “rented” Uthgerd’s house (got her as a follower, took key, gave gold, parted ways), and I know that not all of the containers are safe. I still used them since the guys are back in Whiterun every couple of days. (And it was hard to explain why they shouldn't use a barrel and two perfectly good chests.)

They were gone for a while this time, and Uthgerd’s house reset. Actually I think Whiterun reset. They lost everything out of the enchanting chest, weapons chest, and food barrel. When he realized that his tomato and salt collection was gone, the Nord nearly wept. He seriously had 132 salts in there. I remember seeing the number the last time he nipped over to Amren’s house to do some cooking.

Alright, I think I know what's going on. The Girl in Green (Lucia) must be Whiterun-only. Like I would have to buy the Whiterun house for her to move in. If that's the case .... guess Haaf-Mersey won't be adopting her. There's no way in hell I'm introducing the MQ (dragons) into his game. hamster cave dragons!



Well that sounds promising! (not)



Well that sucks. But at least you made a cool RP moment out of the incident..

That is not it. Flavia built the house outside of Falkreath, and adopted Lucia (from Whiterun).

Okay I give up. I am desperate now, and cannot bear another second without knowlege that Lucia is safe.. What is the answer I seek? For I refuse to visit UESP.net, but from a friend, I can gather such information.

She needs a bed and a specific container built before she can move in. It’s the small beds and I think the small dresser upstairs in the Main Hall, it doesn’t have to be the bedroom wing. Has LHM built any dressers in the room with the small beds?

Dang I was so close! Ahrrrgh!!!! *bangs head*
Thanks though. I think if I hadn't asked, I would have just given up.

He has built a several dressers and 2 beds and lots of random things...I actually don't remember. I'll have to go to Falkreath in a few and find out.

~thanks again.

No problem! This is a great place for a specific answer without big spoilers attached.

Good luck with the building!

Yah it worked! Lord Haaf-Mersey built every container and furniture piece he possibly could. Rode his horse back to Whiterun and Lucia is pleased to move in. I was hoping she would become a follower, but that's not the case, she's going to meet her "father" back at Lackview Manor.

But it's Sundas. which means LHM is spending the entire day sitting in front of the Talos priest in Whiterun, getting yelled at again. Silly man. I enjoy his ritual....it's kinda cool having a character who actually pays attention to what day it is. But I also roll my eyes at his Sundas ritual!

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Tirdas, 4:41 AM, 18th of Sun's Dusk, 4th Era Year 201

Days Passed: 93

Level: 20

'Tis early in the morning. Lord Haaf-Mersey arises from a bed in the second story of his manor house.

"Only a true Lord should own such a house", he says, and catches himself.

Dyan phor a'Cauz, the Paladin who saved Cyrodiil from the wrath of Umaril 200 years ago, would never have said such a thing. She was known to have had several properties, though: including a cheap shack on the Imperial City waterfront, and a former skooma hideout (Greyland) near Leyawiin. Her third and final home was a middling-class dwelling in Bruma.

Overall, she never showed her wealth overtly. All her homes (like her townsclothings) were shabby and lacked the typical touches commonly found in the homes of others, despite the fact that Dyan wound up being quite wealthy during her adventuring days. But even without the wealth, it was known that none of her homes were decorated extravagantly, or with a woman's touch.

Lord Haaf-Mersey realizes he's nothing like his mentor. He will never be like her, not entirely.

"Faith, is one thing. But I cannot subscribe towards Dyan in every single way".

He plans to become wealthy, like a true lord. He shall own horses, he shall own land. And he shall build the biggest house in Falkreath hold! All of this is final.

"Be-sides, Dyan: you never did take in a small child as a refugee, in all your days".

This makes Haaf-Mersey feel .... not quite as guilty for this extravagance of a home he is building.

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4:59 AM

clomp clomp clomp....

Haaf-Mersey hears footsteps below, despite this late hour. He is relieved to find it is only Lucia, the Girl in Green from Whiterun.

"Paaa!" she says as he emerges from above, wearing hide armor and boots.

"How fares thee, little girl? I am not thine father, but 'tis okay if you want to make-pretend. You knoweth it is late of hour. Perhaps thee might see thine self off to rest?"

"Awww come on!" she complains, wanting to stay up a litte longer.

"Well...okay", Haaf-Mersey gives in (I do this with my own daughter too! sigh )

"You're the best!"

But it only takes a few minutes. Lucia wanders around her new home a little more, and then walks upstairs to crash on a double bed.

I am fascinated with Lucia. Haaf-Mersey tends to follow her around a bit, and it's really just because I am curious about every little thing she might do around the house. It's not quite Sims, but I plan on really going all-out with Hearthfire, buying everything possible for the manor. Mostly because I want to see if Lucia interacts with stuff, the way the PCs and NPCs do in Sims.

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6:30 AM
Lord Haaf-Mersey quietly leaves the house, to make a journey to Riften. He leaves a note for Lucia, and says prayer to Mara that Lucia will be safe. He hopes that she will not get bored. But things must be done. There are vampire attacks going on in the world of Skyrim, and his calling has been heard.

But before going to Dimhollow Cave, he must go back to Riften. Marcurio had probably decided to wander back there after Haaf-Mersey's long absense, and Haaf-Mersey needs Marcurio. He needs the man, for he fears that he will not be able to take on Dimhollow alone.

I am in the process of creating a new character, folks. Her first name is Sharon, can't think of a last name though....I'm looking for that perfect last name.

Sharon Myself

Sharon Mymoney...

It'll come to me. It always does. It'll be a flash of inspiration, too. She's evil, but in a different way than Skank. She's an Imperial, and she was also a member of Skank's original group of Necromancers, the one that got divided up by a couple holy knights.

But for now...

Turdas, 1:16 PM, 4th of Evening Star, 4E 201

Lord Haaf-Mersey

Level: 22
Days Pased: 109
Hours Slept : 847
Hours Waited: 803

Gold Found: 38,933
Chests Looted: 392

Skilll Increase: 241
Food Eaten: 591
Books Read: 58
DG Quests Completed: 1
Quests Completed: 7
Misc Objts Completed: 49

Spells Learned: 11
Favorite Spell: Candlelight

Items Stolen: 5
Assaults: 4
Murders: 5
Horses Stolen: 1

I don't get the Assaults and Murders, and the stolen horse. I can't see where these stats might have occured. In any event, I am proud of "Items Stolen" at just 5. That's the lowest of all my characters so far in Skyrim!

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"I thinketh I shall head to this College in Winterhold, mayhap. Have heard the place can teach many a thing of and about magics."

Marcurio says nothing. He merely stands in the shadows. The two men are in the manor house they built together, known as Lakeview. Lucia is around somewhere, too.

"Come hither, my friend! Why stand thee over there?", Haaf-Mersey calls.

"What do you need"? asks the master wizard. He starts walking towards the large rectangular dinner table.

"I said" ...Haaf-Mersey rolls his eyes. "I thinketh I shalt be going to Winterhold. To learn those sorts of spells I think will be necessary for our trip to Dimhollow".

"I'll just be here, then".

"NO!" Haaf-Mersey grows impatient. As boastful and skilled as his new companion could be, Marcurio was a little short in the head during everyday life. "I want you to come with me. I shall need you with me. I cannot make this journey alone. I have heard such tales of even stronger spiders, and stronger enemies upwards to the north end of Skyrim".

"Is that an Amulet of Mara? I'm surprised you haven't been spoken for."

The Lord is stunned. He did not expect the topic of conversation to be changed so fast. And... Marcurio is interested in him as a partner? Since when?

"Well, I guess I should not be of surprise, my friend Marcurio. I do have the attraction of Mara. But my love is my faith. I serve only the Nine, and shalt not betrothe myself before my time has passed".

Haaf-Mersey reaches up to take his jewelry off. He forgot he had been wearing Mara's Amulet all weekend, an effort to see if anybody in Falkreath would be interested in him. But he isn't about to tell Marcurio this.

"I liketh thee", says Marcurio, trying to let his friend down easily, "but I answer only to a calling from on high. This is the path of the Righteous, and of the Nine. I answer only the Nine's call". This is a lie, but a necessary one. He does want to meet somebody for his new manor house. Marcurio is not the one, though.

"I'll just be here, then" Marcurio repeats, while Haaf-Mersey goes in the other room to palm his face.

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6:18 PM
For tonight, the Lord decides he's going to build an Apiary, hopefully it'll attract the hawk that flies up above. He initially think that this is what the structure is for, but as he delves deeper into his project, he learns "apiary" is just a fancy Skyrim word for "beehive".

He feels bad about leaving Lucia alone all the time, and is devoted to keeping her occupied while he is gone. This is partially why he's been making beehives, and furniture, and shelves. He wants her to not be bored while he is gone. But he must go. He has to go. It's his calling.

Lucia seems to know how to handle herself though", he tries to reassure himself. She has a certain smarts about the streets; how else could she have survived in Whiterun for so long by herself? Just a few days before, Haaf-Mersey had been surprised by a trio of bandits, who attacked him right in front of Lucia. She had run off and hid somewhere, which was the right thing to do.

"She shall knoweth what to do", he tries to re-assure himself. "She knoweth where to hide" he says. He knows this, because he and she had played hide 'n' seek several times now. She is good at hiding.

(seriously, I couldn't find her one of the times he's played hns)

He builds and builds, the project takes the rest of the night. and he uses the rest of the lumber delivered from the town of Falkreath. Hopefully this project will be yet another thing to keep his girl busy.

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Loredas, 5:09 Am

Lord Haaf-Mersey and Mercurio had arisen early. It took several hours for the Lord to prepare for his journey; lots of his things are located all over his new manor. He has not come up with a system to properly organize it all!

There's so many barrels .....chests .....satchels....drawers...knapsacks.... It's more than he'll ever need!

He had decorated Lucias room with dozens of mountain flowers while she slept. Hopefully these flowers will cheer her, once she realizes her adult friend has departed for a long while.

As Haaf-Mersey and Marcurio leave their manor house, it is still dark outside. As they pass Pinewatch, the cottage just beside their property, they spy a man ... probably a dark elf, quickly go inside the place.

"'Tis a mystery, this man who lives in Pinewatch".

they have just spotted Khahkhayre!

It must be raining in Maryland then...

I bet those assaults and murders are from fighting bandits or other NPC-type opponents. Often the ES games decide to interpret you fighting them as a crime, even when it is not. I just ignore those stats.

How about Sharon Car'in? Oh wait, with an evil character that will not do. How about Sharon Th'pain?

I love you, SubRosa. Haa haa you're cracking me up with those names! Thanks I needed some new inspiration

Here's the thing. This morning I was lying in bed, not wanting to get up (typical me), and I kept thinking about her. She wants to be created. I can tell. And I kept getting all these ideas of what she's gonna do. I know her name is Sharon. So I start obesssing over last names.

Now here's the really freaky part. I get my kid off, go to work, and the first thing I hear when I get to work is somemthing like this:

"....and when they were sharin' the pot...."

A co-worker of mine was talking about the game last nite (Ravens vs. Steelers) and she was also talking about a football pool, and how some folks doubled up on certain bets...I don't know much about football.... But that's how I knew I was on the right track.

Sharon the Pot wouldn't work, but know what I meean? It was weird that my friend said that.

That is typical me as well! I never want to get out of bed in the morning. Once and a while I call in sick to work just because I don't want to get up.

I am the same way with character ideas too. They just get stuck in my head, and after a while I just have to play them. I tend to do my best thinking when I am in bed in fact. It is when I am half-awake, half-asleep, that my best inspirations come to me. That and in the bathtub. I think because my unconscious mind is still in full gear, and my conscious mind has not quite 'woken up' yet. So that is when I get those lightbulb going off moments.

Oh yea...I am like 10X more creative in that half-awake / half-asleep period. I've recited poetry...really good intricate poetry in that state of mind. It is not really "me" reciting the poetry, it's like a higher version of me. Or maybe it's a nearby spirit.

What I mean to say is when I'm fully awake, I can't write or recite poetry at all. I've tried. :shrug: I've also had visions in that state of mind. I'll see a what looks like a photographic moment, and I'm not talking about dreams...it's like I'll see these visions with my eyes, behind closed lids. Know what I mean? The visions often involve people I don't know, in the middle of doing something. I'll see them in full detail, yet I'll have no idea what to make of this.

I've always assumed that this is how psychics do their work. They get these same sorts of visions as I do, only they are able to make sense of them, and then tell people what is going to happen in the future (or whatever.) To me, they're just really pretty, or dramatic photographic moments that I have in bed, and wonder about for awhile, until I forget what the vision was.

You are spot on. Magic is the domain of the unconscious mind, not the conscious. It is all about intuition and feeling. That is why you get those feelings and visions when you are only half awake. Using magic is all about altering your state of consciousness, because you have to get down to the Lower Self, or unconscious mind, to make it work. There is a lot more about it here for anyone who cares to look.

Poor Marcurio. He had a wardrobe malfunction some time ago in Jerric's game. Here's the link, in case viewing the goods might change LHM's mind. (Don't worry, not all of the goods are on display. )

Oh, and I forgot Sharon. Sharon de Bowl?

In continuation to my last post on the 'Today in Skyrim' thread, after a few more bounty missions for the Jarl in Whiterun, Kendra has FINALLY decided to move on to another city! Uthgerd decided not to go with her, which is a shame because they were a badass combo.

Kendra is now in Riften, and the journey there was delightful. We found a small and hidden Talos shrine, which Kendra loved as she is still a heavily devout to Talos. We found some springs, including a wuite sad sight of a giant mourning the loss of one of his mammoths (has anybody else seen this?)

Anywho once in Riften Kendra was drawn to a Redguard man being harrassed for money by a woman named Sapphire. Kendra NEVER gets involved in other peoples problems, but somehow decided she needed to resolve the issue, which she did.

Currently Kendra is doing bounty missions for the Jarl of Riften. Old habits, eh?

I remember that Talos shrine, nestled into the side of a little cliff, with a small lake in front of it. I found that with my character Ulfdis. I know the poor giant as well. Bendis found that one.

There it is! I love finding little Talos shrines all around Skyrim (the statues I mean, not the little buff giving shrines. Haha)

Kendra felt so bad for the Giant. I've always wondered whether it had some kind of Easter Eggy referance, but even if it doesn't I thought it was an awesome touch. It kinda adds realism, how the Giant almost seems heartbroken. Kendra will make sure to leave a few flowers for the BFG for respect should she pass him again.

Just a short writeup for Lord Haaf-Mersey tonight. He got to the College, but they barely offer any spells which he doesn't already know. His 3 schools of magic use are Alteration, Restoration, and Illusion. He picked up a ward spell for free from Tolfdir. He also got Ironflesh from the man, and Rally from the Illusion trainer. The Restoration trainer doesn't offer anything new for him (besides a more powerful ward spell), so he brought all this money to Winterhold (over 3,000 gold) for nothing! I was really hoping for a more powerful Turn Undead spell from her at least. Nope.

He wound up getting some Restoration and Illusion training. Restoration levels up really slowly (kinda like it did in Oblivion) even though Haaf-Mersey uses it constantly, so he took a couple lessons from the Restoration woman.

He heard about an expedition to suss out some place called Sarthaal, but he has no interest in it. A lot of students went to the place, but Haaf-Mersey is eager to get to Dimholllow Crypt (plus, I've already been to Sarthaal like 4 times now with other characters! )



I think I have! It's quite touching.



I love bounty missions for bandits, too. I was so psyched a year ago when I got Skyrim; I had a Nord fighter who kept doing Whiterun bounty missions ..... over and over again. Eventually, they want us to kill giants, though. That was a bummer. I don't wanna kill a giant.

Giants? I very much doubt Kendra would even attempt to fight a giant, no matter what amount of money she may get! Haha

Anyway, Kendra has been doing bounty missions in Riften. Also she heard a rumour of disruptions coming from the ratways. She decided to investigate and found it had been inhabited by a lot of hostile guys who didn't like her being there.

She fought her way through the ratways and found something very beneficial to her; a pair of gloves which add to hand-to-hand damage!

Kendra's weapon of choice is a strange one. She almost always fights hand to hand, but when she doesn't or things get too hairy she fights with a two handed sword.

Now she is learning a bit about enchanting to get the enchantment removed from the leather gloves and onto her nordic ones.

I did have one character who took down a giant once for a bounty mission, but she (Crystal Beth) is a wizard. She could aim spells at this giant from a safe distance. I don't see how a fighter or close-combat sort like my crusader could do it.

Plus like I said, I just don't want to fight giants. They're so cool to just watch, as they peacefully mosey about. I've occasionally seen a giant walk straight through some of the farms around Whiterun, and walk by farmers, too. I remember wondering if the giant would attack the farmers, but they pretty much ignore them. I think they only attack if we get too close to their camps or mammoths.

I had a character in the past (Crystal Beth again) who once was practicing spells and she put a Calm spell on a mammoth. It wound up being kinda funny .... the mammoth eventually followed her all the way to Windhelm. It was MAD! It would not give up! Good thing she had her horse at the time. I think she eventually had to cast Fear on it, so it would run away. Then she went into Windhelm as normal.



Lord Haaf-Mersey has decided he's going to attempt to "cleanse" the Ratways of wrongdoers, whenever he gets back to Riften. He's literally going to walk into the place announce they need to "give in to The Nine". And (of course) they will attack him! That'll be fun.

I've noticed this and thought this, too. Giants do seem very peaceful. When you approach them they give you a warning glare, but that's it. If found they only attack if I attack a mammoth or if the mammoth gets startled. I think that the people of Skyrim just have a negative opinion of them for no rel reason; seeing them all as a threat rather than the ones that are.


I think i read about this when browsing through one of these threads! That is hilarious! I've never had anything crazy like that happen to me! haha.

Well I've actually discovered there is a perk which adds additional damage to hand to hand with the Heavy Armour skill tree! She'd always used Heavy gloves as obviously they would pack a better punch, but we'd never noticed this awesome perk before.

I'M BACK! Oh dear, I've been away for so long!
Short story is my boyfriend proposed and he took me on a surprise trip to his parents house in Spain. The trip lasted a long time, but it was amazing!

Anyway I have yet to get back to playing Skyrim, but I'm excited to share some of Jessika's journey with you again (although I might need to restart)

But I see you have all been up to a lot since I've been away! And welcome Heather! Kendra sounds like an interesting character. I can't wait to read more about her adventures!