I believe it is part of the Unique Landscapes River Ethe module. One of the better looking ones, IMO.

Poor Jandaga, his ladies are always bickering, as high-strung, assertive ladies are wont to do.

Nice statue of the Dragon God of Time, depicting his duality.

The group took down 000 Liliputia and stole her glass slippers!

Some gorgeous landscapes!

Acadian: I am constantly amazed at the talent and vision of the Unique Landscapes team.

Renee: What is life without a little strife? Brain numbing boredom or idyllic peacefulness; can't decide.

20200918 two for Gweden, one for Rumple
Next morning after breakfast and attending to the morning rituals we left Rosethorn Hall, walked down to the Mages Guild Hall, and used the transportation system to quickly take us to the Universitum Arcanorum in the Imperial City.

Finding Bothiel in the lobby, we presented her with the Dwemer artifacts we recovered. Bothiel rewarded us with 3000 gold pieces, and invited us to return in a day or so to see a functioning Orrery.

“Let’s go look for Sugar.”

We crossed the bridge from the Universitum Arcanorum to the Arboretum expecting to find Sugar but she’s not around. Where could she be?

Maeva opened her magical map and laid it out before us. Chanting an incantation while she waved her hand left to right over the map, an image of the Imperial City came into view. A clockwise motion of Maeva’s hand, the image of the Imperial City zoomed to focus on the shacks just outside the docks. With a sudden clenching of her fist a red arrow appeared on the map pointing to an abandoned shack.

“She’s there!” proclaimed Maeva. “Don’t know how long she’ll stay there so we better hurry.”

As Maeva said we found Sugar the Orc sleeping in the abandoned shack. She was very happy to get her axe back. She was even happier to at the offer of work at Gweden. Sugar wasted no time in packing her things and leaving for Gweden.

Walking back inside the city walls we checked the time. High Chancellor Ocato should be in the Elder Council Chambers. After discussing the Mountain Riders and their need of an official headquarter building with High Chancellor Ocato, he saw the need and he would support the effort if we do something for him first. Find a book detailing a spell called Skull of the Mountain. Ho boy, nothing is easy.

“Skull of the Mountain,” Kaleah moaned. “I carried you down the mountain when you got the Finger, guess I’ll have to do it again.”

The Ladies ask about stopping for lunch and shopping. Not a bad idea, so off to the Merchants District we go to get a bite at the Feed Bag. After lunch we cash in our loot and when my Ladies had their shopping fix satisfied we take what coin is left to the bank.

Leaving the Imperial City through the Merchant District gate we make our way down to the lake shore. Near Sideways Cave where the lake narrows we make our crossing and continue east until we reach the Red Ring Road. Traveling south along the Red Ring Road we keep a lookout for a burned out shop.

Passing by Wellspring Cave a Dremora Kynmarcher dressed in unusual blue daedric armor steps out on to the road to block our path. In a daedric tongue, he issues a challenge.

What could this mean? Is there daedric opposition to the Stranded Light? As a diplomat of the Stranded Light is the Jandaga in danger? Or are Dremora bounty hunters being sent to capture Kaleah and return her to the realm of whichever Prince she fled?

It must be the latter. Kaleah accepting the challenge drew her sword and screamed, “Never!”

The duel was over quickly. With Kaleah victorious we continued south along the Red Ring Road.

A short while later we found the burned out ruin of the Old All Things Alchemical. A brief search and we had our clue, Silanu’s riding crop. A flimsy thing with a laughable 1 point shock damage effect; it’s more of a role play prop than anything else. It would take a year of spankings to kill someone with it.

With evidence to dispute the accusations against Silanu, what do we do with it?

Loved Maeva's 'find Sugar map spell' and how you described its use.

I'm surprised your crew went back into to the main city to go shoppping when the Goddess Store was so near down by the docks.

Habit, I never sell stuff to the associates at the Goddess Store. They're too distracting and I end up losing on the deals. Plus a couple of other reasons; 1, incase of of over zealous shopping the bank is in the Merchants District, 2 Jandaga has an interest in a couple of the shops.

Proof that this is a work of fiction. IRL the criterion for "shopping fix satisfied" is that there is no remaiining coin.

Yeah, I liked this too.

It's funny, I thought the same thing about Goddess Store, since they were down at the WF anyway. But the truth is, going in that place is never cheap, especially for female characters.

Maeva is fiery!

20200921 VH-OVB Cheydinhal Chapter House
“Ladies, what do we do now?"

Kaleah offered the Ayleid Steps, “We hardly even started researching those travel stones.”

Maeva brought up Merendin and taking care of some business there, “How about searching for the survivors of the shipwreck or even better going back to the 19 Voids in Shivering Isles to free the captured seducer.”

Kaleah bared her fangs and wrinkled her nose at that.

Pym pulls a flawless deep blue sapphire from her pouch and points in the direction of Valenwood.

“Oh yes, the active gateway we found in Noutar Emero. That place does need investigating.”

for certain, if Yesmin, Elenya, and Claire were here, I’d be told three more places to go. And of course, Vilja would want to go to the Waterfront to see the ships.

After some careful thought, Cheydinhal is close by and there are a couple of items there to be done for the Order of the Virtuous Blood. That settled we headed north.

Arriving at our Cheydinhal home we find the OVB Chapter House has been set-up in the basement. The work looks pretty good. Now all we have to do is find someone to act as both recruiting agent and trainer.

Yes, that needs to be done but for now it’s time for dinner and a relaxing evening at home. We’ll deal with finding a trainer in the morning.

Next day we began our search for a trainer. Browsing the Black Horse Courier seemed like a good place to start. Nothing of interest there except my three lovely, scowling Ladies found an article in the gossip columns and held it in front of my face to read. In big bold print, THE PSYCHADILIC CHAMPION OF CYRODIIL TAKES DEVOTED COMPANIONS SHOPPING ON THE CHEAP.

Thoroughly admonished I promised to make amends next time we’re in the Imperial City.

Back to asking around for available trainers who might be willing to work for the OVB, our first contact informed us that a mage, Bernard Rambault recently arrived from Morrowind. He’s staying at the Mages Guild. Rumors also were flying about a Telvanni agent who showed up a few days later asking for Bernard. He’s staying at Newlands Lodge.

The Mages Guild is nearby; we’ll stop there first and speak to this Bernard Rambault fellow.

Bernard Rambault has an interesting tale to tell. While in Morrowind he found a rare artifact, the Exsanguinator with some unusual properties. Unfortunately it has been stolen and he wasn’t able to show it to us.

Heading over to Newlands Lodge we spoke to Faves Andas, a Telvanni Lawman. He claims that Rambault stole the Exsanguinator, an invaluable Dwemer artifact from Golom Daeusa. Andas also claims that he has been sent to reclaim the Exsanguinator and that the only reason Rambault is still alive, is because the device was stolen from him in turn by Cheydinhal’s Orum Gang.

We sat and talked awhile about how things were going in Morrowind, Vvardenfell in particular. It was getting late so I asked, “Lawman, who became Telvanni Archmagister after I stepped down?”

Favas nearly choked on his wine when he realized who he was talking to. "I should've recognized that golden dragon on your chest," he burbled as wine dribbled down his chin. "You've changed a bit since then."

Well, nothing Faves Andas or Bernard Rambault told us gave any indication that either would be a suitable OVB candidate. The description of the Exsanguinator intrigues me though. Perhaps it would be worth pursuing.

We head back home for dinner and rest.

(Been playing Oblivion off and on now since it came out nearly 12-years ago and I have no recollection of the Orum Gang.)

'In big bold print, THE PSYCHADILIC CHAMPION OF CYRODIIL TAKES DEVOTED COMPANIONS SHOPPING ON THE CHEAP.'
- - Haha!

I recall the Orum Gang had something going on in Cheydinhall but can't remember what it was or really dealing with them. Been a long time though.

I like how all the ladies have their personalities stated in print this time.

Maeva is rather businesslike. Offers up a pointed agenda of where to go, and gives an adequate reason why.

Kahleah has fangs? Anyway, she seems sort of pushy and mildly threatening.

Pym seems shy. She's speaking through a gesture, at least. Maybe that's just a moment though. Maybe she's a terror on the battlefield. It's the shy ones who we sometimes have to watch for!





The Orum gang is triggering something, but I also have no ridea what that could be. Ah, it's a skooma-dealing ring in Cheydinhal. Perhaps something which did not get fully developed by the original team.

I've been playing Morrowind all summer but as the weather cools outside I've been getting a hankering for some OB instead. Let' s see what Joanie's up to.

Turdas, Mid-Year 13, 3rd Era 435, Middle Afternoon

Days Passed: 291

Joan of Arkay heads to Bravil, where Wenyandawik awaits, as well as another Ayleid statue. She rides upon her sturdy and reliable bay through the village of Weye. She says hallo to the fisherman who spends most of his days outside. The day is warm. She's eschewed her usual steel cuirass because of this, feeling confident enough in a dark crimson-colored blouse on this fine day.

She passes by Fanacasecul without incident, heading southeast. As she nears Fort Virtue, she sees a boar in the road, but hears another sound. A purring sort of sound, with occasional low growls. She knows that sound! Analyzing this sound any further is not an option. She spurs her bay!

A chase ensues, with the boar a slaggard, and the cougar something to fear! ... The horse moves at full gallop, and already Joan has formulated a plan. Up ahead is Vindasel, which is almost always guarded by a middle-experienced conjurer. She rushes there with the cougar just unable to catch up. As she nears the ruin, she circles its entrance, looking to see if they've posted a new sentry. And they have!

"I'm just warming up!" he shouts, casting a scamp. Egads! Things are looking up. Joan and her horse rush right by the man, and in a moment they hear he's being attacked by the beasts! "Otempa!" Joan calls as wind rushes by. She hears the cougar chomp down on the conjurer. The cat then plucks the man's shoulder out. This does not matter. Joan doesn't slow the horse's gallop until she crosses over the bridge up ahead.

The sun goes down just as she reaches Pell's Gate.

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

Paper Doll'd

Cougar Chase!

Guess the conjurer got gotten

It does look like a nice day there and I'm sure Joan is more comfy in that fashionable burgundy blouse.

Clever Joan as she outruns then outsmarts that big cat. Even getting a Two-fer out of it by getting away while letting the cat take out a conjurer.

Well that is one way to deconjure a conjurer!

Joan has a powerful ally!

With his shoulder plucked out, his conjuring days over.

20200930 VH-OVB – Lost in the Valus Mountains
Next morning we set out to learn more about this Orum Gang, a local skooma-dealing ring with Camonna Tong associations. It didn’t take us long to run into several gang members Dulfish gro-Orum, Magub gro-Orum, Oghash gra-Magul, Bazur gro-Gharz, and Borba gra-Uzgash. While most initially told us to bugger off, Borba gra-Uzgash, the owner of Borba's Goods and Stores was almost nice.

Stopping in Borba’s Goods and Stores we started a conversation with the proprietress Borba Gra-Uzgash. Barba got defensive when we wondered who could have stolen the artifact from Bernard. When pressed she let it slip that they stole the Exsanguinator for someone called Fast Eddie. Something is wrong, though. Snagamaul went to Fort Scinia to make the drop and hasn’t returned. It’s been ten days. Borba thinks Fast Eddie is trying to pull a fast one, leaving with the Exsanguinator without paying.

Fast Eddie, now that’s a name from the past. This sounds like a task he’d do for his master but double-crossing is not how I remember Fast Eddie. No matter, we will find this Fort Scinia.

Leaving Cheydinhal, Maeva’s map shows us where Fort Scinia is but we have no idea how to get there. The road we took led us through Harlan Watch. Weren’t there rumors of vampire raiding in Harlan Watch? The inhabitants had nothing to say about it.

The trail out of Harlan Watch twisted around to the east as it plunged steeply down the hillside where we discovered an abandoned campsite. A quiet coulee, a perfect spot for a short rest.

From the campsite the trail led us up hill past a two outposts on the side of Hero’s Hill before leading back down the hill. We were thoroughly lost at that point.

Our frantic zigzagging across the countryside trying to find a way to Fort Scinia had taken us who knows where. It’s dark, we’re standing knee deep in water, and giant insects are buzzing around our heads when we find the entrance to Swampy Cave.

Swampy Cave wasn’t very inviting. Cool, damp and moss covered stone gave the place a slimy feel. Plus it was filled with Trolls. That didn’t stop us from exploring the cave. It’s amazing what can be found deep in caves. Like Dry Rock Run, a smugglers hideout (Better Dungeon) we can claim as our own. The hideout even has a couple of bedrolls!

Leaving Dry Rock Run the following morning, we found ourselves standing on the banks of the Red River. Just to our left a beat up ship was moored at a small boat dock. As we approached, we could hear two sailors arguing about how to repair the ship.

“How did that thing make it this far up the river?” murmured Kaleah.

Of all people, it’s Captain Ansol of the Flying Falcon and Hewie his first mate (Better Cities).

No doubt he’s smuggling but we ask anyway, “Far from Anvil aren’t we. What are you doing here and what happened to the Falcon?”

Captain Ansol’s only comment is that he’s only doing business with Bravillians from now on.

Climbing the trail back up the steep hill passing Carbo’s Camp we’re attacked by a couple scantily clad Amazons. Where did they come from? The entrance to Doomed Mine is close by. My Ladies are eager to teach the Amazons some manners so in we go.

The fanatical Amazon Man-hunters, Man-eaters, and Raging Priestesses attack us at every turn. They seem to concentrate their efforts on my Ladies as if they were trying to them to amazonism.

With the defeat of the Amazon Wise Mother the mine became very quiet.

It is evident that the ownership of Doomed Mine has very recently been contested for by Bandits and Amazons. By the number of dead bandits strewn throughout the mine, it appears the Amazons have won the claim. Bodies of five brutally tortured bandit captives were found in a holding pen. The body of Sillen Ulran, a Nord woman bandit was discovered in a small room deep within the mine.

A busy day slogging through canyons, swamps and caves. A good loot haul, I should imagine.

I’m so pleased to hear another embrace the term ‘Bravilians’. Since Buffy hails from there, I’ve used the term for a long time.

20201006 VH-OVB Fort Naso
(All the vampire music I have and nothing quite fit the intensity of the Fort Naso battle. So what did I use for background music; Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies The Sub‐Sylvian Litanies: Kalyani, You Can’t Ever Come Down, & Moonsong Pelog)

“Wow that was no Itchycoo Park, what a trip!” said Maeva. With a smile and a wink, wink she continued. “No wonder they call it Doomed Mine. Here, while you were frisking that bandit, Sillen Ulran I found this nearby.”

The scrap of paper Maeva handed me was a warning to stay clear of a nearby fort. The bandits are aware of a vampire clan residing in Fort Naso. Could this be the clan of vampires plaguing Harlan Watch? There is only one way to find out.

The day dragged on as we strained to traverse the steep slopes of the Valus. It took nearly all morning searching before we found Fort Naso.

Sniffing the air Kaleah confirms the stench of vampire rising from the ruined fort below.

Dreading the outcome, we opened the doors of the fort and stepped into the inky darkness of Fort Naso. Oh goddess, come aid your son and daughters!

It was subtle yet the calls in the darkness beyond sent a shiver up and down the spine.
“Come die with me.
Come die with me.
Come die with me.
Come die with me.”

Calling on Twinkle to light the way we descended a couple flights of stairs without incident. Suddenly we were confronted by a gargoyle followed by a pack of by shadow wolves. Their masters cloaked with invisibility or chameleon spells then attacked in force.

Repelling the initial assault we give chase to the fleeing survivors. My Ladies chased one down a long hallway.

“I got this one,” the Jandaga shouted as he squared off with a lone vampire archer or so he thought. Really is unfortunate that he can’t see around corners. It would help prevent a lot of trouble.


What? It’s an Argonian vampire! Inconceivable.

More vampires arrive from deep within the fort and they are threatening to overwhelm us. It’s time to call for reinforcements. Responding to the call, the Sisters of Insanity go to work.

There she is, Sahida, Matriarch of Naso Clan. The dreaded vampire in the black robe threw lightning at us and took off running. Catching up to her Jandaga struck before she could take off running again. The look on Sahida’s face when she felt the heartache in Light of Dawn’s kiss was priceless.

Done, finis, terminated! Light of Dawn kisses Sahida, Matriarch of Naso Clan one last time. The Naso Clan will no longer play their sadistic vampire games on the town folk of Harlan Watch anymore.

In one of the many treasure chests we found a most unusual item, a Runeskull of Decay (MOO).

In the end we delivered the lasting cure to eleven vampires of the Naso Clan. The Light of Dawn has now feasted on 172 vampires and hungers for more.

It was beginning to get dark when we left Fort Naso and began what we thought would be a long trek before finding a suitable place to camp. Going down the mountainside was much easier and were we pleasantly surprised to find Fort Naso sat a short ways above Carbo’s Camp.

Enjoying the evening campfire, we happened to notice a strange column of light dominating the night sky. Definitely needs to be investigated. But first let’s get some sleep.

Neat how Kaleah can smell vampires.

Twinkle to light the way!

Darn invisible vampires makes sorting out their numbers troublesome!

Sisters of Insanity! What a perfect name for the pair consisting of a Dark Seducer and Golden Saint.

The vampire hunters are victorious, with a bit of help from Meridia’s (?) blade.

I wonder if Kaleah can now smell the stench of necromancy from that mysterious column of light?

Arcaian: Kaleah doesn’t actually smell the vampires themselves. It’s their lair that smells. She claims it smells like the milking barn on a dairy farm (childhood memory of an uncle’s small dairy farm). Kind of a sickening sweet combination of hay, fresh milk, and cows.

Necromancer scent, hmmm. She’s never mentioned that.

Meridia’s Blade. Yes, I like that. Light of Dawn is an Oscuro’s Oblivion Overhaul (OOO) quest item. OOO doesn’t give much history other than being held by some legendary vampire hunters, and that it may have been designed by a Telvanni enchanter. Perhaps it was given by Meridia. Never know.

Personal lore (Head Canon): in keeping with his mission to recover lost Fay artifacts the Jandaga holds that items such as Light of Dawn and his armor are of sylvan origin. He may be wrong but he doubts it.

Goodness. So Borba is connected to this skooma ring! All these years we had no idea.



I know the feeling.

I like that Amazon armor. That would be fun someday to rollplay an Amazon.

Come die with me...Uh oh.

Great action pics today. I also love that expression on Sahida's face! And the Argonian's armor is wicked. I always wonder where all these armor / clothing sets come from. That is not Goddess Store, for instance. It looks totally appropriate for a lizard.

Congrats on less vampires in the Cyrodiilic populace.

Renee: Most of the armor comes from a 2017 mod Mass Outfit Redesign. It has been updated and renamed to Vanilla Gear Redux on the Nexusmods site. My Ladies tend to wear items from the Goddess store with a few custom mods tossed in. The Silverlight variants are always in demand
Come die with me...Uh oh. – I was listening to some CDs while on the ladder painting outside windows. These two stayed with me while playing; You Can’t Ever Come Down and Moonsong: Pelog.

Arcadian: The Sisters of Insanity are always eager to help. Sometimes I think they drag a soul or two back to the Isles with them.

20201013 Dark Fissure OOO, MOO
The next morning the Jandaga told his Ladies that they were going to find the source of the strange light. His Ladies gave him the strangest look.

“You’ve been there before you know,” Kaleah informed him. “Think back on how you became arch-mage.”

“Oh! Been so long ago, I forgot. Well, we’ll go find out what’s going on anyways.”

The Ladies shrugged and followed the Jandaga up the mountain trail to the Dark Fissure cave. To their dismay there was activity at the Dark Fissure once again. A robed mage or priest was standing there casting spells at the
altar.

The Jandaga notices the skull and skeletal hands emblazoned on the chest of the mage. A Putrid Hand (OOO) Necromancer! When the necromancer noticed Jandaga and his ladies approaching, he screams wildly about no one being able to stop the Order of the Black Worm.

The aelf Maeva’s, Daughter of the Sacred Grove, natural abhorrence to necromancers took over when the Anchronite struck Jandaga with a spell. Maeva struck that idiot with such a hard blow that the follow through drove her sword into the altar.

“Take a look around. It ain't too complicated; we're messin' with Murder Incorporated!” Maeva sings out vehemently.

Taking Maeva’s warning to heart we cautiously enter the cave and veer to the left at the first junction. Meeting little resistance, just some zombies and skeleton warriors, we follow the tunnel until it eventually opens to a well appointed bed chamber. Somebody has a comfy set-up here.

Backtracking we take the other shaft which leads to the Dark Fissure Tunnels. These tunnels are more heavily populated with necromancers and their pet projects. It wasn’t long before the necromancers introduced us to their pets.

The necromancers of the Putrid Hand aren’t shy about using lightning. They along with their animated minions e.g. headless argonian skeletons, wraiths, mummies, and zombies came at us hard. They are now scattered about the tunnels looking almost as good as their bloody experiments. Good thing the necromancers were few in number.

Entering the Inner Sanctum we take the fork on the left. Something rather strange is going on. There was very little Putrid Hand activity until we reached a large chamber containing a large sacrificial altar. It was then that we were attacked by a small group of miners.

Kaleah got a little hot under the collar. That’s a lot of heat for such little collar she wears.

“Miners? Here in Dark Fissure?”

“Grave Robber faction from MOO,” Kaleah corrected me. “The Archeology Guild’s evil twin.”

Voices can be heard echoing down the tunnels. From the sound of it the grave robbers led by an artifact collector and a tomb raider are trying to negotiate business deal with the Putrid Hand.

“Not fresh enough. We paid for fresh bodies!”

“What do you mean? Any fresher they’d be the live mourners at the funeral.”

“Exactly.”

“Cost you triple. In advance.”

By the time we reached the main chamber the negotiations had broken down into a little war. The Putrid Hand and the Grave Robbers were locked in battle until we stepped in from the tunnel. That’s when both sides forgot their differences and turned their attention to us.

Took care of the two leaders of the Grave Robbers first. With the Artifact Collector and a Tomb Raider gone, all that was left was the beautiful Carla Du Vrey.

The treasured leader of the Putrid Hand did not give in easily. Pym and Maeva lay critically injured before the Jandaga and Kaleah put an end to Carla Du Vrey.

The Dark Fissure is quiet once again.

Maeva the stonecutter really dug into that altar!

Corpse miners and necrodudes – sounds like a reasonable alliance in the making. Too bad their squabbling didn’t end with them all dead. Oh well, that’s what heroes are for, right? Uh oh, Pym & Maeva needs some resto.

The corpse miners do have kind of snazzy hats though. . . .

Acadian: The hats are wearable by the PC. they even have slits for the ears. Unfortunately the hats do not show up on the companions.

20201015 VH-OVB Fort Scinia
Thinking of an evening of rest our thoughts ran to the comfy big bed we found early in the cave. It was a race for the comfy bed. Pym won leaving the rest of us to sleep on the rug. Wouldn’t have minded so much if it hadn’t been for the occasional roaming zombie. Why won’t they die?

Next morning as we were leaving we met an Orc adventurer. We wished him luck.

It was a cloudy morning when we left Dark Fissure but brightened as we made our way down the mountain. Finding a trail that traveled north-east along the mountainside, it takes us past a bridge before it turns and leads us back up into the mountains.

Higher up along the trail we pass a small lake. A tall stone outpost sits atop the bluffs overlooking the lake. The outpost looks old, wonder if it is still being used.

A stone stairway rises up the into the steep boulder strewn mountainside. By the looks of it the stairway goes straight up to the snowy peak above.

Not sure if the steps go as high as the mountain tops; they took us to Fort Scinia and that is where we stopped. Amazing how we found Fort Scinia in less than half a day after being lost for three days.

Hoping to find our old friend Fast Eddie and talk some sense into him, we entered fort Scinia. What we didn’t expect was a detachment of Skyrim Raiders; 4 warriors, 3 crusaders, and one healer.

Quietly we advanced down the entrance hall. We could hear the warriors shouting up ahead. As we approached the first large room we could see several warriors and crusaders leaving quickly at the opposite end. Something was causing a lot of excitement further inside the fort.

“Mmmm, dinnertime,” Kaleah murmured.

Hoping to avoid the Raiders, we turned down a side hall. We came to a halt at a rusty iron grate set in the floor. The grate was so rusty it looked like it would collapse if anyone stepped on it.

Going back, we follow the direction the Raiders took. We found them in a large room trying to break through a large heavy door. Forgetting all semblance of ladylike decorum, My Ladies attacked the eight Skyrim Raiders.

Leaving the Ladies to deal the Skyrim Raiders, I returned to the floor trap try to find the door from the other side. With Twinkle at my side we dropped down to the floor below. What we saw there was sickening. The corpse of Fast Eddie was strung up and hanging from the rafters like a pig in the slaughter house.

Snagamaul gro Magul was found nearby, his body showed evidence of vampire attack. Drawing Light of Dawn I rose to meet whatever comes my way, hoping there won’t be too many.

The glint of metal stuck in a skeleton caught my eye. From the bone of Gran Struthe, I retrieved the key to the crypt. Certainly this key will open the entrance to this crypt. From the sound of it my Ladies are trying to break down the door. If I hurry I can save them from getting bruises on their delicate hands.

After fighting my way past mummies, a lich, and a ghoul I rounded a corner and there she was; the vampire assassin and she has the Exsanginator.

Oh my goddess, she she’s got a banshee on her side. Maybe it was Twinkle’s light that distracted the banshee and caused it to run off for a moment into the depths of the crypt, I don’t know but whatever it was it gave me enough time to gulp a potion or two and recover enough to continue the fight with the vampire.

It’s curtains for the vampire assassin.

Managed to unlock the door and staggered out of the crypts just as the banshee was returning. The banshee followed me out much to Pym’s delight.

Exhausted, we crashed for the night. We’ll deal with the clean-up in the morning.

A busy day indeed!

Beautiful landscapes that the party hiked through to get to Fort Scinia. Well at least they now know Fast Eddie's fate.

And Twinkle to the rescue!

Murder Incorporated is ringing a bell. Hmm. Google leads me to Bruce Springsteen, along with a dozen other real-world references, such as Mafias.

I love those miners! Look at their cute little hats. Too bad they seem hostile. If I saw a group of psychadelic warriors coming my way, I'd go into GTFO mode.

I love that picture of them all fighting in Fort Scinia. Looks like something painted by Vermeer, perhaps.

ha ha that is what some of my characters do too. The rest of the party engages in some fight, so my main character goes off to whatever is next. Why not? Getting involved in the fight can sometimes lead to friendly fire. *shrugs*

Very nice, everybody crashes out at the end.

I was playing Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits CD while painting windows earlier in the day; Murder Incorporated was the last track Song kind of stuck in my head while playing, seemed to fit.
Used to do Springsteen at the karaoke bars but I don't have the shoulders for it anymore. Daga used to say "you don't just sing, you do the dances too".

20201020 VH-OVB Cheydinhal Chapter
First thing after breakfast we went looking for this Exsanginator thing that has been causing all the commotion. As I thought it was the dagger that the vampire assassin was using when we battled last night. My Ladies ooed and aaed when I held up the Exsanginator for all to see.

While rummaging through all the chests, coffins, and bodies looking for valuables down in the crypt we found a couple items that posed some serious questions. On the vampire assassin’s body was a note with orders to acquire the Exsanginator and Telvanni mageling and his Camonna Tong dogs. It was signed by V.

The order also hints at a conflict with Clan Berne over the Exsanginator. What is going on, who V, and why is the Exsanginator so important? Makes us wonder if a vampire clan war is brewing.

Looking at the bodies of Fast Eddie and Snagamaul gro Magul now has a new significance. They must be the competition the vampire assassin’s orders referred to. A torn note was found on Fast Eddie’s body instructing him to not to let the Exsanginator fall into the hands of Faves Andas or the damned… the note ended there.

Poor Fast Eddie, steadfast and loyal to the very end.

One interesting item we found in Fort Scinia was a Chest of Endless Spores (PTArtifacts). It is empty but it’s so unusual we’ll take it anyways.

After stripping the place clean, we were making our way out of Fort Scinia when we noticed the doors to an area we hadn’t touched, the Hall of Legends. Entering and exploring the Halls of Legend was quick and rather easy. A few ghost, specters and spectral knights were roaming the halls when we entered; all was quiet when we left.

Spectral Knights tend to get Kaleah rather excited and well she decided to show off. I just stood back and watched. It’s so good to hear her laugh.

At the far end of one hall we found three chests, one containing two bottles of the rare Shadowbanish Wine. We now have the six bottle of the Venerable Vintage Nerussa had asked for.

Loaded down with more than 3000pounds (?) of loot Kaleah begged that we go back to Cheydinhal. Good idea.
The trail from Fort Scinia led directly to Cheydinhal’s eastern gate. There was still plenty of time in the day to sell off the heavier stuff, weapons and armor. After a night at our Cheydinhal home we went to Borba's Goods and Stores to trade the rest of the loot.

The odd thing was Borba wasn’t one bit concerned about the loss of Snagamaul gro Magul. In fact none of the Orum Gang members showed any interest.

Now we need to decide on what to do with the Exsanginator. Bernard Rambault, Faves Andas both demand it. Both make veiled threats should they not get it. When it is made clear that only way they can have Exsanginator is if they join the OVB Cheydinhal chapter house and prove themselves worthy, they both offered to train members in a magical skill; either Alchemy (Bernard) or Destruction (Faves).

Bernard’s rather defiant attitude gave me an uneasy feeling. ”You! Grrrrr... Fine. If you give me the artifact then I will teach your friends everything I know about alchemy.”

Favas for an unexpected reason, seemed to be the more favorable of the two towards joining the order. “So that's how it is? Well... my master -has- been plotting to kill me for some time now... Very well, if you provide a place for me to conduct my research on the Exsanginator undisturbed then I will teach your minions a thing or two about destruction magic.”

Knowing a thing or two about dealing with Telvanii subordinates, we accepted Favas Andas into the Order of the Virtuous Blood, Cheydinhal Chapter. And after Kaleah gave him a look I’m more than certain he’ll behave.

A profitable day at Fort Scinia. They got the artifact Excruciator (lol) and progressed several mysteries closer to answers. And a sixth bottle of wine for Nerussa!

Hmm, something tells me if there is a vampire clan war brewing, the solution will not be so elegant as to stay out of the way and let the bloodsuckers kill each other off.

20201024 Arkved’s Tower
It’s time to leave Cheydinhal. Leaving our Cheydinhal home in Faves’ capable hands we left Cheydinhal through the south gate. Taking a direct route through the forest we made our way south toward the Imperial City. It wasn’t long before we came across a small pretty little lake with crystal clear water and a waterfall at one end, so inviting.

Pym couldn’t resist. Throwing off her gear she dove into the water for a swim. Kaleah and Maeva followed suit. Well I couldn’t let the Ladies face the terrors of the deep alone now could I.

Playtime over, we were getting dressed when I happened to notice people on the far shore. We decided to walk on over and see what was going on. Who knows maybe they wouldn’t mind sharing a campfire to cook up some lunch or dinner.

When we got there we find ourselves standing in front of Vaermina’s shrine.

Oh yes, it all comes back now. We supposed to find a black soul gem for Vaermina. How fortunate, we just happen to have a one on hand.

“My Feache, are you sure you want to do this?” Kaleah asked as she handed me a black soul gem from her pack.

“Yep, Vaermina was like putty in my hands when Elenya and I ventured through her Adense Epic Dungeon. I
really don’t see any problem.”

“Jandaga, that’s not exactly how Elenya put it to me,” countered Maeva.

Placing the black soul gem on the shrine I called out. ”Vaermina, it is I, the Jandaga. Come forth and treat with me.”

The cosmos shifted and there I was standing before the throne of the Great Daedric Prince Vaermina.

“Dear Vaermina, your shrine does not do you justice. You get more beautiful by the day.” Did she just blush or roll her eyes? I couldn’t tell, maybe both.

“You mock me creature of the Fae but you pleased me once before perhaps you will entertain me again?”
She told me what she wanted. Recover her Orb which was stolen by the wizard Arkved.

“Now, be gone gnat.”

With that I was back in Cyrodiil. “Come my Ladies, we’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard Arkved.”

Maeva consulted her map. “The tower is not far from here. It’s just on the other side of the lake.”

Not far she said, she didn’t mention the climbing hundreds of steps to get to there.

Inside Wizard Arkved’s Tower; not the most inviting place but it’s quiet… so far at least.

Arkved’s Void; OK, couldn’t Arkved just put up a ‘No Solicitors’ sign?

Arkved’s Lost Halls; a room built for giants. We wonder though how did he get this stuff in through the door?

Arkved’s Hall of Change; a Dark Welkynd Stone, best home security
device ever invented except that once activated they can’t be turned off.

Arkved’s Retreat; beginning to think Arkved has some serious issues. Just what is he retreating from?

Arkved’s Oasis; OK this is getting out of hand! I guess you could say a rock in the middle of a lava lake is an oasis.

Arkved’s Rendering Halls; now this is more like we’re used to seeing in a dungeon.

Arkved’s Death Quarters; Arkved seems to be sleeping soundly, a little too soundly.

Arkved’s Death Quarters Vaermina’s Orb; quick grab the orb and let’s get out of this madhouse.

Another door took us directly outside where we rested until the next morning. Once we were awake and ready to travel we returned the Orb to Vaermina. Our reward was Vaermina’s gratitude and her token, the Skull of Corruption. As far as it goes for the wizard Arkved, Vaermina is going to keep him screaming in his nightmare for a long, long time.

“Come my Ladies, we’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Arkved."
- - I do enjoy the lighthearted sense of humor that is evident as the Jandanga recounts his adventures.

Thanks to your screenshots, I remembered this quest and its creativity.

Latest News: I still play Oblivion, but rarely post updates. Lady Saga just left Arenthia in Valenwood, where she donated several thousand to help her friends and family back home. This is something she's been doing for years in imagination, so it's good to finally write a quest which makes her donations real.

I have also finally deemed Joan of Arkay's game unplayable on Xbox. She just gained a level (I think she's 13) and her game world is at the point which I consider too annoying to enjoy. It's bear after lion and to me the world loses its feeling of reality when the alpha predators start showing up everywhere, and ALL of them attack. Anyway, I'll eventually switch her game to PC, where the various add-ons will help bring some life and love back to her game.


Is Exsanginator part of Vampire Hunting? It does not show up in UESP so I assume so. I really do not remember much about that questline do I? Other than some of the final bits in the Imperial City.

That spore chest is wicked!

Who is Faves? He or she sounds like a servant / guard.

Whoa, Arkved is vanilla! I just UESP'd it and there's a result. That's one quest none of mine have ever done. It really gets that dark in there??? What a weird place. Is all of that vanilla?

Ah, yes. Arkved's Tower. Years since Lothran was there but a pretty fun little quest it was. Vaermina is now happy

Acadian - Thank you and you are welcome.

Renee - Yes, the Exsanginator is part of Vampire Hunting and so is Faves. They are both part of the VHOVB quest to open a chapter house in Cheydinhal. Faves is a Telvanni Lawman sent to retrieve the Exsanginator which was stolen from his master.
The Chest of Spore from the PTArtifacts mod will produce 3 mushrooms once a day. Great for alchemists.
I use a lot of hi-rez texture and lighting mods so I can't really say that the vanilla game is that dark. I would think it is pretty close .

mirocu - It was fun. So different. I don't remember doing this one before. I normally don't get involved with the daedric quests but Vaermina was in the Adense Epic Dungeon mod so I felt she had a special place in this game.

20201026 Imperial City, Wawnet, VH-OVB
Leaving Vaermina’s shrine we returned to Arkved’s Tower to get a view of the basin from the viewing platform. Nice view on a clear day.

Idyllically wandering around the ancient yew forest in a halfhearted attempt to reach the Imperial City we came across a grouping of standing stones. With a storm coming in the trees were swaying wildly in the wind (wish you could see the tress swaying in the wind) as the large stones drew us down a trail to an entrance of an ancient crypt (ulAncientYews).

No shelter from the rain here. The crypt was securely locked and a sign posted stating the place was closed until further notice by the order of Commander Adamus Phillidia. I wonder, does Phillidia have a little business on the side going on here?

Continuing westward we soon came to the Ring Road and the eastern portion of Lake Rumar. When we neared the area of the Stendarr Wayshrine we realized we’d have to walk all night to reach Weye and the Wawnet Inn. We decided to save some time by walking across the lake and cutting through the Imperial City.

Good move, Nerussa was so overjoyed to receive the Shadowbanish Wine that she made rooms available for us. Plus as Kaleah said, “we didn’t have to stay at Aleswell Cottage and put up with Vilja’s constant yammering.”

Sometimes I think Kaleah is jealous of the busty blonde Nord.

“Am not!” came a cry from down the hall.

Early the next morning as we were leaving Wawnet, Rowley Eardwulf stopped us. He made us an offer on furnishing Deepscorn. He had this creepy kind of air about him so in an effort to get rid of him quickly we bought the furnishings sight unseen and left. We may regret this later.

Back in Imperial City we checked in with the Order of the Virtuous Blood right away. Everyone was impressed with our accomplishments. During the celebrations Roland took us aside to give us two more assignments. One was near Anvil at a place called Crowhaven. Roland suggested talking to the Grey Prince since the Orc was from that area.

The other task sounded urgent. There are reports of a vampire army gathering at Wenyandawik, northwest of Bravil. Is this a sign of a coming vampire clan war or something more sinister? Either way it looks like we have some more work to do. But first let’s spend a day in the Imperial City.

After a marathon session of shopping in the Market District we went to speak to the Grey Prince. Agronak gro-Malog, the Grey Prince told us his story and offered to give us a key to Crowhaven if we would help prove his birthright. Hmmm, we have business at Crowhaven so why not help him.

Our next stop was the Universitum Arcanorum to see the Orrey. What a sight to see it was. Well worth the visit. When I activated the mechanism the power Secunda’s Brilliance came over me. Tired we spent the night in the Arch-mage’s quarters.

Having learnt my lesson, before we left the Imperial City I took My Ladies to The Goddess Store. My Ladies ran from vendor to vendor like butterflies flitting from flower to flower while I went to the magic shoppe at the other end of the wharf and then to the Bloated Float for a drink, or two or three.

Hours later when the money was all gone My Ladies picked me up (off the floor) and we left the Imperial City.

“Am not!” came a cry from down the hall.'
- -

Walking across the lake to get to Weye was a great idea.

The Orrery is pretty cool. You'll be happy to know that one can see it again in ESO.

Good to see the Jandanga learned his lesson about the Goddess Store. And to make sure that financial support for the endeavor was finite.

20201031 VH-OVB Wenyandawik
Our first stop on the way to Wenyandawik was Hercine’s shrine to turn in the unicorn horn. Hercine gave us his Savior’s Hide as a reward. It was amusing to hear Kaleah’s not entirely inappropriate reaction.

“That’s no damned use!”

We didn’t stay long and continued our journey to Wenyandawik.

Passing a wayshrine we stopped to pray as we told the fool prophet we would do. Instead of a prayer to the Nine (phfft) I opened my ancient copy of the Anuad and read the holy scripture. At the end I petitioned that Nir, Mother of All Creation awaken from her death sleep and deliver her creation from the turmoil of Man and Mer.

Oh my Nir, where are you now
Don't you care about your sons and daughters
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster.

The ghost of Whitestrake appeared to give a long misguided speech. Did he not listen to my prayers? Umaril and Whitestrake, I care not about them. Alas there was nothing I could do but listen.

The ghost pointed me to the first of his artifacts and left. Oh well, might as well go collect it for the Archeology Guild.

It was well past sunset by the time we reached Wenyandawik.

“Ooooh that smell, can't you smell that smell?” Kaleah cooed ominously. “Ooooh that smell, the smell of vampire abounds here.”

A motley crew of seven volunteers had assembled outside of Wenyandawik. Just one look was all it took for doubts about our eventual success to creep in.

Imperial Legion Sergeant Gustavus is in charge of the volunteer force. He plans to attack at 0800 hours so that we will have a full day of daylight ahead of us when the battle starts, and if needed we can retreat into the sunlight.

That strategy is sound. Vampires surely would not follow us out of Wenyandawik into the sunlight. The only thing bothers us, the inexperienced volunteers themselves.

Marcelius Varello, a Leyawiin City Guard had volunteered hoping to impress his superiors.

Dorisa Bovary, a Healer whose compassion for the sick and injured compelled her join eventho she has no experience in battlefield operations.

Ponctunius Graccus, a Vampire Hunter with a score to settle. By the look of his face it’s a big one. Kaleah thinks he’s a vampire. Then he’s a careless vampire hunter who got himself infected.

Itera Galianus, Vampire Huntress looking for excitement. Suggests we get together for additional excitement after the party. Geez, she’s just a girl who wants to have fun.

Felornya, an Altmer Mage scholar out doing fieldwork for his thesis paper. What’s he going to do take notes while the rest of us are fighting?

Shiny Scales, Argonian Blackwood Company Mercenary; thinks Argonians are immune to vampirism. Over confidence can be every bit as bad as inexperience.

Kaleah leaned in close and whispered, “We’d be better off leaving these fools here and going in now, alone.”

Just you and me? Hmmm, interesting. Let’s take a moment and think about it.

Not impressed by Hercine’s Hurcine’s Hircine’s reward, eh?

I agree in not having much interest in Umaril and Whitestrake.

Rather a conundrum at Wenyandawik. Go in with a small but known force and have good control or to go in with a larger but motley crew of inexperienced vampire hunters?

Acadian: Kaleah finds Hircine's gift to be too restrictive (I must have been dealing with his feminine aspect that day). Thanks for that I did correct the spelling along with some other additions in my personal document.

20201106 VH-OVB Q07 Pitched Battle
After thinking it over for awhile another issue we have with Sergeant Gustavus’ strategy come to mind. What’s to keep the vampires from coming out now that it is dark and attacking us first while we sleep?

The clock had not yet struck midnight when the Jandaga and his party decide to ignore Sergeant Gustavus’ order to wait until morning and entered Wenyandawik alone. With the aid of conjured reinforcements Jandaga and his band defeated nearly 30 vampires. That included the officers from left to right; Andarla the Spy, Capt Bergenhein, Commandant Veloth, General gro Urbok, Jaque the Quartermaster, and Willard the Scout.

The Light of Dawn has now absorbed over 200 vampires and has undergone a change becoming even sharper and its surface shines more brightly. The effect Light of Dawn has against vampires is now even stronger. Every strike inflicts grievous wounds. Yet its hunger is not satiated. I feel that Light of Dawn has not yet reached its full power.

We exit Wenyandawik victorious just as Sgt Gustavus is readying his command to enter Wenyandawik. Sgt Gustavus approaches and proclaims, “We have defeated the army of vampires. Those filthy scum, look what they did to my command.”

Sgt Gustavus then gives orders to dismiss and the volunteer force quickly forgets why they had gathered here. Itera Galianus seems to have forgotten about us getting together after the “party”. I guess it wasn’t exciting enough for her.

Well now we’re a bit confused. A celebration is in order but Sgt Gustavus laments some perceived devastation to his company. As the volunteers hang around chit-chatting we take a head count. Other than two nondescript guards, one from Leyawiin and one from Bravil, and a Breton woman prisoner (vampire dinner?) there were no casualties. What more could we have done?

Pym reaches in her pocket and pulls out an hour glass (where it came from I have no idea). Turning it over, the shifting sands of time take us back to just before we meet Sgt Gustavus.

Following Sgt Gustavus’ strategy we wait until Sgt Gustavus leads us into Wenyandawik. This approach makes Light of Dawn reaching 200 kills more difficult.

1st attempt: only Sergeant Gustavus and Felornya made it alive to Wenyandawik’s 1st rest area. Lesson learned: do not summon Daedra aid. Friendly fire from Sgt Gustavus’ company upsets my conjured reinforcements e.g. the Sisters of Insanity, Marky, and Elytra. It did not end well.

2nd attempt: All seven of the volunteers survived to reach Wenyandawik’s 2nd rest area. After a recovery period Sgt Gustavus leads us leads us into Wenyandawik through the southern gate. Only Sergeant Gustavus survives to reach Wenyandawik Edesel’s 1st recovery area.

3rd attempt: all survived to reach Wenyandawik Edesel’s 1st rest, only Sergeant survived final Edesel assault on vampire army officers.

4th attempt: Figured out how to tackle Edesel. After taking Wenyandawik with no losses Sgt Gustavus orders a rest to recover as normal. While the volunteers are recovering, Jandaga’s little band enters Edesel through the northern gate and attack the vampire officers. There is not much time before the rest period ends so the officers must be defeated swiftly. Once the officers are defeated there are two options.

Option one: Quickly sweep Edesel of all vampires. If this goes slowly Sgt Gustavus’ company will enter Edesel when the rest period ends. His command may incur significant casualties.

Option two: Report back to Sgt Gustavus immediately after defeating the Vampire Army Officers. Sgt Gustavus declares the vampire army defeated and leads his company out of Wenyandawik. Once the volunteers are safely outside go back into Wenyandawik to finish off the remaining vampires.

Isn’t it nice how Sgt Gustavus left all the loot for us to plunder?

In the end no matter which strategy is taken it all comes out the same the vampire army in Wenyandawik has been destroyed, and Sgt Gustavus laments the losses to his command.

Light of Dawn is very neat!

Pym has pockets? By Julianos’ little teapot, where would those be? I see the Jandanga ponders the same question. Neat how she can turn back the sands of time though.

It is clear how the mod maker expected that big fight to go. Fun how you explored differing options.

I do try to come up with a plausible reason for all my, um well I wouldn't them cheats but ah more like diversions from normal game mechanics.

Nerussa got her wine. She's so obsessed with it. Gets really sad if we don't bring her any. She might even lose Disposition over time as we keep *not* bringing her wine.

Ha ha ... Kahleah can hear Jandaga's thoughts.

I agree that Rowley is creepy. My Lawful Good Joan of Arkay visited Deepscorn out of curiosity once. And because of this she has to listen to that guy make his portentiously Evil offerings every time she visits Nerussa's inn. She can't do anything about him, either. Technically he hasn't done anything illegal. She'd be the one who'd get in trouble if she banished him with her Nine nonsense.







Ha ha ha!

Wow, you're doing Knights of the Nine too? Does Jandaga ever turn quests down? I can remember way back with my first main character, she was doing every quest offered (this was before I remembered how to Roleplay). It got to be like after awhile. My background at the time was Tomb Raider, mostly, in which the goal is to do every mission entirely, and find every secret.

I am impressed you're getting all those people (and elves, and beasts) to volunteer with Vampire Hunting. Wish I had done more of that. My character who did VH also has her own Party of Four (sometimes Five) and sometimes just this party is hard enough to manage, with friendly fire and what not.

Also impressed you lined up all those undead. Nice. That must have taken some time. The Psychedelic Party lives on!

I like to think that she can read the journal as Jandaga writes it just by the unique sound each letter makes as the stylus strokes it on the parchment.


He will not do certain daedric quests e.g. Mephala, Hermaeous Mora. Kaleah says her Feache is to pretty to do anything for Namira. Also the Dark Brotherhood is taboo Jandaga will carry a certain dagger unused forever or until he finally leaves Cyrodiil to go to Skyrim.
After buying the Deepscorn upgrades I looked them up on UESP and two of them should have known better than to buy them.
Jandaga is only doing KotN because of that fool prophet's constant ranting is driving the property values down. Also he'd like to see Dibella's cathedral active again.
Tell the truth I wish I hadn't installed KotN. Now after nearly four years I'm afraid to try and remove it.


Fireballs can move bodies around very quickly. For the fine tuning there is a ragdoll mod that allows grabbing and dragging bodies.
I have a whole folder dedicated to morgue mug shots of slain villians.

20201112 Rumple – Skull of the Mountain
“Woohoo, that wasn’t easy but oh so fun,” Maeva said as we were leaving Wenyandawik. “Felt like we redid this fight a dozen times over.”

“Whipped them, whipped them good. Loved whoopin up on the officers,” Kaleah stated as Pym nodded enthusiastically.

“Yeah so did I and to be able to watch the volunteer force march out intact felt really good too. Although we really should have had more troops here but where could we have gotten them? It sort of does seem like nobody cares about the work we are doing. But if we don't stand up and do it, the consequences to Cyrodiil could be dire and any chance of finding lost artifacts of the fae will go down right along with Cyrodiil.”

“Well, starting up the Leyawiin OVB chapter which you do still need to do, will help,” Maeva reminded.

"Yes that’s right but first we’ll go back to the IC Market District and cash in the loot."

“And while there contact Tar-Meena about the Skull of the Mountain,” Maeva injected while thumbing through her request for service log.

Ok, ok, and that’s what we did. A day at market cashing in and then we walked over to the Universitum Arcanorum Mystic Archives to speak with Tar-Meena. She really didn’t know much about Skull of the Mountain other than it is described in a book rumored to be found in Fort Horunn.

That’s back up north, hmmm. That’ll hold for a bit while we attend to some business in the south.

After a night spent in the Arch-mage’s quarters and a morning doing Arch-magey things (paper work, tons of paper work) it was early afternoon by the time we left the Imperial City. Crossing Lake Rumare we took the Red Ring Road and turned south on the Yellow Road toward Leyawiin. The weather was good but the roads were fraught with danger. Several attacks by Skyrim invaders slowed our progress. The invaders from the north were now often groups of three led by champion class warriors.

It was getting dark when we passed a young woman near the Corbolo River. She made a comment that stopped us in our tracks, “You smell of death. Been conjuring dead things?”

“No, but we’ve been fighting a lot of zombies, mummies, and vampires lately,” I replied. “Pretty girls like you shouldn’t be wandering the roads alone at night. You might get bit.”

Stopping to chat, Callia Bincal insisted that she can take care of herself. She also told us her family is trying to establish a new farmstead they named Cropsford. Her family’s hopes and dreams have been crushed due to the outbreak of a goblin war. Caught in between two warring nearby goblin tribes Callia is afraid her family is going to have to give up their dreams. It’s a sad tale.

Making no commitments she went on her way and we on ours. It was really late when we reached the Silverfish River. The Imperial Bridge Inn is just a short ways up river. Tired and hungry we turned east to spend the night at the Imperial Bridge Inn. Good food, potent drink, a nice comfy bed, and fairly well entertained listening to Imperial Legionaries tell their adventures. Baron von Munchausen would be proud at what we heard.

Please do share. That's an interesting habit you've got there.

I finish reading the latest as I'm eating lunch later...

I'm glad to hear the ladies enjoy their work. Messy stuff but somebody has to do it.

And south now, after retrofitting in the IC.

I have fond memories of Cropsford - doing their quest and watching the town grow.

20201117from Imperial Bridge Inn to Merendin
No it wasn’t the best bed ever but still we slept late the next morning. It was the noise from the late breakfast crowd that got us up and moving. The sun was high in the sky by the time we left the Imperial Bridge Inn.

The view of the Silverfish River from the Inn’s courtyard is so beautiful that I’m near tempted to make an offer to buy the place and settle down for awhile.

Kaleah put her arm around my shoulders and calmly said, “My dear Feache, you wouldn’t last a week before you’d get up leave.”

Yeah, she’s right. There’s something that drives me ever onward.

Taking the path that leads to Lover Stone we cross the Silverfish River. Instead of heading east toward the Lover Stone we continue south up the mountain where we pass the great statues and the Overgrown Spire.

When we reach the peak we stop a moment to take in the impressive view of the Nibenay Valley before descending down to the Panther River below. As we near the Panther River we come along a wilderness camp. There’s a woman in camp. I raise my hand in a friendly greeting; she yells “DIE…” something or other, and attacks. For what, I don’t know. It’s crazy how campers in the woods fight to the death to protect a barrel full of nothing but vegetables.

There’re enough tents in Black Dog Camp for everyone so why don’t we spend the night here and get some sleep. My Ladies were all for a bit of time to relax.

From Black Dog Camp we cross the Panther River and continued south through the Blackwood Forest until flashes of gleaming white stone against the dense green foliage announced the presence of an Ayleid ruin.

Soon we were standing in front of the partially hidden doorway of the Ayleid ruin Welke. There didn’t seem to be much going on in Welke other than being cursed with an army of ghostly warriors and wolves. The ghosts succumb quickly to our lightning attacks.

Welke quickly became ghostly quiet. Unimpressed Maeva commented as she often tells me, “Is that all there is? I was hoping for more.”

That was just before we entered Welke Edesel. After defeating several ghostly knights we searched the room and…

Well look what we have here, an Ayleid statue. Umbacano would be interested in this. We now have collected six statues for Umbacano.

Leaving Welke we walk along a branch of the Panther River. When the river comes to an end we continue through the jungle in a southeasterly direction until we reach Merendin, the headquarters of the Stranded Light. Everyone was glad to see us return and couldn’t wait to hear of our exploits. While our good deeds done as an agent of the Stranded Light helps to improve the organization’s reputation, Tesserayiel was mildly disappointed we had not accomplished more to directly benefit the Stranded Light.

The big Xivilai, Karashivuel was even more direct in her questioning. “Why haven’t you gone back to the 19 Voids and inform that seducer that her sister Teshekru has been freed?”

My Ladies were doubled over as if in pain as they valiantly tried to stifle their snickers as I said, “Well, um, the way Turumerin licks her lips when she looks at me kind of creeps me out.”

“Some diplomat you are.”

“Ok, ok. I’ll get a good night’s sleep and get started on it first thing in the morning.”

Wow, that is an awesome view of the Silverfish.

SubRosa is right about that awesome view of the Silverfish River. In fact all the scenery in your game is simply gorgeous!

’It’s crazy how campers in the woods fight to the death to protect a barrel full of nothing but vegetables.’
- - As Renee would say, I know, right?

And another statue for Umbacano.

No rest for the crew it seems as a Stranded Light task seems in order.

SubRosa & Acadian - Thanks you for your appreciation. All the credit goes to Bevilex for the install suggestions and to the mod authors for their beautiful creations especially the Unique Landscapes team. Turned out well and that may be one of the reasons I've stayed with this game for past 3 years.

I love this! This is probably my favorite macole quote from 2020.

Congrats on finding another Ayleid Statue.