I'm thinking that the two lovelies are Sheogorath's personal attendants because they wouldn't talk to me.

You caught me cheating again.

What it is, is that my mod list has some conflicts with Ghastley's Rumple mod. Pretty sure entering the Oblivion Gate before its time just made things worse. So, I said why not break in and see what's there.


The Moody Blues, Melancholy Man

20250202 I-SL – Zendria tasks

To say we were shocked when the little rowboat sprung forward under its own power would be an understatement. Fiona, Elenya and I looked at each other and realized that whichever god was controlling the little boat our combined magic would not be enough to counter it.

Watching Archer’s Rock growing smaller and smaller as we sped across the Emean Sea, we grimly prepared to meet whatever fate had in store for us.

Dawn had broken when we were deposited near the eastern gate of a walled city sitting on a tiny island. There wasn’t much of island to speak of. The surf splashed upon the city’s stone walls where the foundation was set in the sea.

A stern-faced Golden Saint stationed at the gate greeted us with an icy stare. The way her fingers danced eagerly on the hilt of her sword concerned me. Knowing Fiona’s opinion of Golden Saints, I turned to caution Elenya and Fiona when I caught sight of someone running franticly to and fro in the shallow waters in front of the gate.

Should I send the ladies to investigate the man running around in the surf while I deal with the Golden Saint at the gate?

My question became moot when the searcher stopped his running around and came to greet us. The searcher, an Imperial, introduced himself as Longius Curio the head of the Disciples of the Moment, a newly formed Artists Guild. He had recently acquired the ruined island city of Zendria and was in the process of establishing a guild for artists here.

Longius explained that The Disciples of the Moment had started moving in when an unfortunate event occurred. His clerk was carrying a crystal that powered the gates security system when he was attacked by a large Scalon. The Scalon swallowed the clerk and the gate crystal in one gulped before disappearing in the sea. Now the gates are locked, no one can get in or out.

Longius is having a difficult time finding the Scalon. Although he believes that swallowing the Gate Crystal will prevent the Scalon from getting very far, he needs help. A glance at our gear Longius assumes that we are experienced hunters and asks for our help hunting down the Scalon. We accept.

The two city guards, an Aureal at the East Gate, which we have already met, and a Mazken at the West Gate, can’t leave their stations to help the search but they do offer some advice. The guards tell us that Scalons can breathe under water, and they can become invisible. We knew that but we politely said thanks any way.

Working on the advice received by the two city guards, we wait until the night is dark before searching the water surrounding the city. A detect life spell is a good tool for finding invisible beasts. It works even better when in the dark of night.

Retrieving the Gate Crystal from the body of the Scalon, Red Kelp, we returned it to Longius Curio. With the gates now operating properly, Longius asks if we would check on all the inhabitants of Zendria; Yan-Tissam Zainnabi, Barnard Laelippe, M’ahnise, and Thollorn.

We agreed to do that for him after we get some rest. Without an inn in Zendria we found a spot under the trees near where we found Red Kelp to throw a blanket. A star lit sky, mild temperature, and the gentle sound of waves lapping; we were sound asleep in no time.

The next morning, we entered the city. Our first impression was “Not another city building contract!”

Aside from easels set-up for the artists, the courtyard of Zendria is vacant and waterlogged. The city itself is much like every other Shivering Isles city, in that it is divided into two main camps: Dementia and Mania. The two camps barely maintain a cool but cordial relationship.

Along the western wall are two great doors. The door north of the West Gate is the entrance to the Cave of Entrophy, a Dementia aligned residence. South of the West Gate stands its counterpart, the door to the Mania aligned Chamber of Euphoria.

There is one other door of interest, a heavily chained and locked wooden door located on the east wall just north of the East Gate. Where it leads is unknown.

Speaking to the residents of both houses, we found them to be friendly and somewhat willing to talk.

M’ahnise, a female Khajiit residing in the Cave of Entrophy says, “We are free and still trapped here. As we would be trapped everywhere else. What a feat.”

Thollorn, a male Bosmer also residing in the Cave of Entrophy says, “I must confess seeing the clerk get gulped down by a Scalon was one of the most impressive sight I have ever seen. If only it had been a bit more bloody.”
Even for a resident of Dementia, this guy is really sick. Looking over a sample of his nightmarish macabre paintings gave my sweet Ladies the shivers.

Yan-Tissam Zainnabi, a Dunmer residing in the Chamber of Euphoria said, “We’re back in business, so to speak. Best news around here in a very, very long time, thanks for letting me know.”

Barnard Laelippe, a Breton also residing in the Chamber of Euphoria said, “Great news that the gates are open. Supplies were running low. Feels a lot better.”

After reporting to Longius Curio that all was well with the residents, Longius gave us the title of Aide to the Disciples of the Moment.

Being that it was getting late we went looking for a place to spend the rest of the night. My Ladies found the Cave of Entrophy too damp.

Fiona whines about her curls hanging limp and flat while Elenya cries over looking like a frizzy cotton ball.

“But isn’t that better than staticky, and fly away?” From the burn-through-to-your-soul looks, I gathered that I was wrong and would never understand.

Talking to Yan-Tissam and Barnard we found out that Barnard has lost his favorite “Golden Bush”. He believes someone stole it. We offer to help find it. How hard can it be with so few suspects? This is our first hint at faction discord in Zendria.

The artists M’ahnise and Thollorn only have insults to offer us now that we are working with the Mania will no longer speak to us. Fortunately, the Gate Guards don’t have such biases. Following their hint ‘they like to throw their trash over the walls’ we found Barnard’s Golden Brush on top of one of the roofs and returned it to him.

The hard part was finding a way to climb up to the roof. At the north end of the west wall, I found a growth of mushroom tree saplings and hydnum azurea growing on the wall that made for perfect wall climbing steps. And as with Mount Shroom, I couldn’t manage the last jump and had to use the Midas Angel Wings spell and fly to the top.

Elenya said I needed to improve my athletic and acrobatic abilities. She offered to help with training. Fiona agreed, and together they began browsing through a book of exotic exercises. I don’t know if I like this.

As Barnard was thanking us for the return of his golden brush, he mentioned that Yan-Tissam was having issues with a ghost of a Royal Boar.

Intrigued, we spoke to Yan-Tissam about the ghost. She told me about finding a key that activates the teleport pad in the Chamber of Euphoria. The pad leads to Mingling, a hidden vault, a perfect location for Yan’s art studio.

Problem is Mingling is haunted by the ghost of King Rhobar III. His kingdom was overrun by Orcs. King Rhobar, to evade the Orcs used old magic to take the shape of a willd boar. Now his ghost appears as a huge wild boar. It is no normal ghost either. Yan-Tissam claims it’s invincible; strike it, and within seconds every wound disappears. Even those done by magic. Handing me the key to the Mingling teleport pad she told us to be careful; don’t be pig food.

As we turned to leave Yan-Tissam, we could hear her mutter; “One day or another I have to have a talk with Barnard about talking with other people. Can't keep any secret. And then he's surprised that he's always sleeping alone. Oh well.”

“An "invincible ghost"? That's odd.” I spoke.

“Impossible, as my sister Claire would say,” Fiona added. “If it looks invincible, it's merely a strong enchantment holding the body in shape.”

“There is balance in all things,” Elenya reminded us. “Any enchantment worth its name can only be broken by a greater than equal force. Be it a combination of attacks or by a truly devastating blow.”

“Poor sap,” I concluded. “Starved to death in a cellar, just because he stayed too long in the shape of a boar his mind forgot how to use a teleport pad. Typical Sheogorath prey.”

Taking Yan’s key, we activated the transport pad were instantly sent to Mingling. The royal boar ghost saw us and attacked. We responded with everything we had in one concentrated attack. A blast from Fiona’s Eldrich Nightstaff along with Elenya’s and my enchanted swords overwhelmed the ghost, banishing it forever.

The reward for our efforts was Yan-Tissam Zainnabi directing us to another quest. Yan confided that Barnard was distraught over a lost painting. And didn't we hear her complaining about Barnard not keeping secrets?

She explained that during their haste to move to Zendria Barnard left his masterpiece behind. Speaking to Barnard, he tells us that he left it at the highest point in Mania. He’d go get it but according to the city guards the Shivering Isles has become too dangerous for him to travel. After watching him practice with a sword, the Ladies and I have to agree he’d never make it.

Thinking that we know the location Barnard is describing we offer to get the painting. Speaking to the two city guards helped pinpoint the location. With a good idea of where we had to go, we prepared to leave Zendria the next day.

Hmm, we have little rowboats like that in ESO that instantly take you to islands or dungeons - a nice mechanic. Wow, those Zendrites sure have a lot of tasks they want done! I do miss detect life - what a fun and handy spell effect.

Acadian: I don't use Detect Life often, but it does come in handy at time.

20250213 I-SL – Zendria, Mount Sheogorath

It was a bright sunny morning when we left Zendria to continue Fiona’s tour of the Shivering Isle. We returned to the main island by the boat that brought us to Zendria. Stepping into the boat and off we went. An instant later we stood facing Archer’s Rock.

Walking northward from Archer’s Rock we hugged the walls of The Fringe until we reached the Low Road. Continuing east on the road just passed the junction where the Overlook Road meets the Low Road there’s an interesting house Fiona might be interested in seeing. Turning south a short ways off the Low Road along the walls of The Fringe we stood at the door of Watcher’s Eye Manor.

The door was locked, needing a key that I didn’t seem to have. I knocked. From inside came the traditional universal Xivilai greeting; a loud gnashing of teeth followed by “I’ll hack you to pieces”.

“Hard to tell sometimes but I don’t think she likes you,” Fiona said. “Are you sure you’ve been here before?”

I thought I had. Doubt began to creep in.

“Only in passing,” I told her

It was late afternoon, early evening and I was hoping to be able to spend the night here but that plan changed and we headed north on the Low Road.

The trip started out alright, but it didn’t last long. Clouds rolled in and it became increasingly dark as we traveled up the Low Road. About halfway to New Sheoth, near the Hill of Suicides junction it began to rain. To make matters worse as we passed by the cemetery we were attacked by a crazed vampire (VH-OVB).

By the time we reached Runoff Camp we were tired and frustrated on top of standing there soaking wet. Elenya and Fiona were not happy. The fuse was short that I could see. Quickly I cast a mild desert wind to blow over us, drying our soaked clothing within minutes. The return of warm and dry comfort brought with it the sound of gentle voices.

Gentle, that is, until Elenya saw the locked jewelry box sitting on the table.

“You were supposed to talk to Zerreshju about that...” and that’s all it took.

You forgot to talk to Zerreshju, didn’t you? We could have had a nice warm room for the night. You did read the Black Horse Courier article about Zerreshju, didn’t you? You said it would be a romantic moonlit walk. That vampire nearly bit me! My hair hangs lifeless like a wet noodle!

On and on they went. Self-doubt was getting deeper.

What could I say? I thought I had talked Zerreshju. What happened? It was beginning to feel like a dragon-break, a rewinding of time without saving first. It’s happened before.

With my mind spinning like top, I did the only thing I could think of. Whoosh, the sound of the air rushed in to fill the void I left behind.

Using my Stranded Light version of a Mark and Recall spell, I marked Runoff Camp then used a different spell to travel to Merendin. Once there, I sought out Zerreshju to talk to her about things I should have, thought I had, already done.

Yes, Zerreshju was at one time a peacekeeper, someone who smoothed out frictions between the Mazken and Aureal, and she stopped the Daedra from harassing the mortal residents of the Shivering Isles. She also sold houses in Dementia. She still has the key to a locked parcel that was stolen from her. The parcel holds the key and deed to Watcher’s Eye Manor. If I should happen to find the parcel, the deed and key to Watcher’s Eye Manor are mine to keep.

I thanked Zerreshju and cast the Recall to return to Runoff Camp. It was mid-morning by the time I returned to Runoff Camp.

Afraid that I had left them stranded here in the realm of madness, Elenya and Fiona were overjoyed at my returned. They were really sorry about the outburst last night. Blaming it on the weather and too much time spent in the Realm of the Mad God, Elenya and Fiona treated me like royalty.

For a few moments that is.

My Ladies hung close to my side in apprehension as I produced the key Zerreshju gave me. Opening the locked jewel box, we starred in to find an ebony ring and the key to Watcher’s Eye Manor.

“I shall fall to my knees and give thanks,” Elenya said in self-grandiose tone of voice. “He does listen to us.”

Snatching up the key and ring I turned to Elenya and with mock indignation said, “Well, yes, you know, I always listen.”

There was an uncomfortable stare down moment. Maintaining the unblinking eye contact, I gave her a sly little smile. Elenya cracked and began to laugh. Fiona joined in and soon the three of us were dancing hand-in-hand around the campfire. Somewhere far, far away someone played a fiddle.

With everyone in a good mode I declared that it was time to find Barnard’s masterpiece. Up, along the mountain ridgeline we hiked. The ridgeline took us north then curled around to the west into the state of Mania. We crossed the Overlook Road and there we began the ascent to the highest point in the land.

Hours of climbing Mount Sheogorath, had us standing high above the clouds starring at the base of a massive pillar on which sat an equally massive bust of... who? Some unknown god? Perhaps, the combined nature of Sheogorath and Jyggalag? Who knows?

Looking down at the dense cloud cover Elenya commented, “That’s an awfully dense fog. Jandaga, do you think the “high” elves are having a convention down there?”

“Bunch of bogarts, didn’t pass any to us when we were down there,” Fiona said sniffing the rare air.

A couple hours later when the clouds parted, we got a good look at Barnard’s masterpiece. It was not in good shape. The delicate canvas was likely to fall apart at the slightest touch. We would have to be very careful while carrying it. best to avoid all fighting and definitely keep it dry. Barnard will be very upset if his masterpiece is destroyed.

A teleportation spell would be the safest way to transport the fragile canvas to Zendria. There’s only problem, my usual teleportation spells are not working on this mountain peak. We will have to walk down the mountain.

[After some experimentation I found that the Midas Magic Astral Gate was the only fast travel method that functioned. Of course you must have set your mark first.]

Walking down the southwestern slope of Mount Sheogorath came across The Stairway of Sheogorath. The Stairway of Sheogorath is basically a small, covered landing with stairs leading a short way down the rocky slope to a little nook with three urns. We picked up an amber matrix there.

Not far from The Stairway of Sheogorath we passed Punishment Point. Stopping to investigate we discovered a note on the body of recently executed Robert Wisnewski, condemned for attempting to grow a beard. A capitol offense for mocking Sheogorath.

Further down Mount Sheogorath we passed through Split. Split is a strange little village where there is a Manic and a Demented version of each person. We quickly passed through Split once we found out that every person in split wants someone to kill their double.

Continuing on our way down the mountains range, the terrain became less mountainous, less vertical, and easier to travel. As we passed by Knotbone Chamber and the secret entrance to Xaselm, Sanctum of Vivisection we decided it was time to turn westward toward the sea. Arriving at the shore of the little inlet that runs alongside the walls of The Fringe, we could see Archer’s Rock and the tethered boat that would take us safely to Zendria.

There were still hours left of daylight when we delivered the unfinished painting to Barnard. Barnard rewarded me with the greater power spell “Rhobar’s Revenge” (Summon Hunter, Resist Magic 10% 120 sec., Resist Normal Weapons 5% 120 sec.).

It’s getting late, I was hoping that after doing errands for the residents of Zendria someone would allow us the curtsey of bed to sleep in. There are a few empty beds available but the people here are not in a sharing mood. When asked about what we could do we’re told things may change, come back in a few days.

With the opportunity of free time, we look at each other and wonder what we should do.

Golden Saints are creepy. They always creep me out in Morrowind. So they're in SI too?

Wow, look at the night scene.



Yikes, that does sound pretty sick. My dark elf skooma dealer is going into Shivering Isles eventually. It is summer of the Year 434 in his game, which is about when I began the main quest on PS3. I'm going to roleplay the Oblivion Crisis kicks in, and he's trying to escape. But this will be my FIRST TIME in the Isles. Been playing since 2008, have never been to SI. Any advice?






I'll catch up to Jandaga's current chapter in a few...

The tour continues.

I see what you did there with the 'high elves'.

That growing a beard is deemed a capital offense surprised me until you explained it is considered mockery of Sheogorath himself! Almost as bad a wearing a cheesehat I should think.

I vaguely remember that little town of Split for many years ago.

Only Sheogorath has a beard in Oblivion. The best everyone else can hope for is a bit of ill-defined stubble, but the good news is that it isn't limited to the men. So beware anyone who introduces a mod that makes people grow beards: the fate of Robert Wisnewski awaits you!

OH NO, run from the Oblivion Crisis and step into the Greymarch!

I'm not the best one to ask for advice in the Shivering Isles. Other than a visit now and then, I haven't explored much of it or played through the main quest. I will say you must visit Dreamwalker Camp. Day or night, it's a great view from the boardwalk.

Please take pics.

This qualifies as "advice".

Yes, considering that Sheogorath created them. The Golden Saints and the Dark Seducers mirror the two sides of Sheogorath's personality, as well as that of the Shivering Isles, which is arguably the same thing. Buckle up!


Nothing is quite as it seems in the land of Sheogorath. It's like Sanguine's jokes on steroids. Be ready for anything.

Be ready for anything, yikes! It's that unpredictable an experience, phew.

Although the wizard who did the Main Quest in my head-canon was on a PS3 which fried over 10 years ago, I'm pretty sure he started the MQ some time in the Year 434. I want to say spring or summer of 434, which is where my skooma dealer's game is at. We then got the MQ done in two or three very intense in-game months. I'm the sort of gamer who like to take her time (love exploring & travel) but once Grey Wizard visited Kvatch, I had to make saving Cyrodiil a priority. No more random exploring!

I was hustling his game for two reasons: 1). I wanted to get the MQ done because Skyrim was soon to come out, and 2). By then I'd learned about the A-bomb. 💣 I'd lost a couple games to the bomb (including a main quest game), both of them somewhere around 350 hours, so I really needed to get MQ finished in Grey Wizard's game before the bomb made everything wonky.

At some point I did some research, and determined it takes about a year for the Elder Council to decide when the Fourth Era begins, starting with the end of the Oblivion Crisis. So in my head-canon for Tamriel, I've been using Sun's Height 13, 435 as the official date. My dealer is already seeing some gates (I setstage the Main Quest in all my PC games) and they're freaking him out. He's a merchant, not a brave adventurer. So this is the premise for why he leaves Cyrodiil for a while.

Does the main quest also affect SI though?

No, not at all. You can totally ignore the MQ for the purpose of avoiding the A-bomb (or just in order to run away from the daedra ).

Believe me years from now you'll glad you did. Even though I haven't seen the vanilla version in over teen years I still think it is a wonder to behold.

20250223 I-SL – Watcher’s Eye Manor

With nothing to do in Zendria what will we do with the Free time we now have? Well, we got this key to Watcher’s Eye Manor let’s go see what it looks like. Then we’ll figure out what to do next.

Zerreshju’s key opened Watcher’s Eye Manor’s door. The split-level cottage was surprisingly brightly lit and well furnished. Several paintings adorned the walls. A big rough looking Xivilai female greeted us in the universal Xivilai manner; loud gnashing of teeth followed by “I’ll hack you to pieces”.

An ever so slight vibration in the floor informed me that my Ladies' stance had stiffened with the Xivilai’s greeting.

“I don’t think she likes you,” warned Fiona.

“Tread lightly, my Jandaga,” cautioned Elenya. “But don’t back down.”

Good advice when dealing with strange Xivilai.

“How did you get past the locked door?” thundered Tandruzuk as I shouted, “What are you doing here?”

Seems there is an issue concerning ownership of Watcher’s Eye Manor. The Xivilai, Tandruzuk claims Sheogorath had granted her asylum, allowing her to live here for the past 3 centuries, as a reward for her service as spy in Mehrune’s forces. I, on the other hand, stood there with a key and deed to the manor legally acquired just days ago.

We were at an impasse, what could I do? Noticing Tandruzuk’s obvious interest in painting I did a little sidestep and asked about her collection of paintings. She happily told us a story on each painting. One in particular, the painting on the easel of a mortal dressed in monk robes giving a piggyback ride to a Daedra Seducer, had an especially interesting tale.

Tandruzuk told us, “It's a vision I've seen in my dreams. A mortal and a Daedra Seducer, and both fall in their own way. Through her sacrifice the Seducer became Aedric, mortal without the mortal man knowing. Through her teaching the mortal trancended the fate that was destined to be his. He learned enough about Daedra to defend himself and his surrounding against them. And through this everyone lost. The Seducer, because even though she made the ultimate sacrifice, she was cast away. The mortal, because his knowledge will be his undoing. The Daedra in general, because he will strengthen the Liminal Barrier. And all this caused by what was to be a single seduction, a night of pleasure. Behold the consequences.”

A former daedra worshiper defeats Mehrunes Dagon, doesn’t that story sounded familiar. Kind of puts Daedra worship in a new light.

Another interesting description was for the painting Tandruzuk called "Xivilai Lieing".

“I'm happy about this painting; that the Xivilai agreed to be painted like this,” Tandruzuk replied. “It shows how beautiful our kind can be. Some argue, like Tesserayiel, that you need to conquer the hearts of mortals. I think Kanaane is right - you only need to conquer the pants of half of them. Do these names sound familiar to you?”

“Yes, we know Tesserayiel and Kanaane.”

Then I saw what looked like the Stranded Light Reliquary sitting in front of the Seducer riding mortal painting. Tandruzuk has no idea where it came from or how to use it. The reliquary just appeared one day.

With that obvious omen, I asked, “Would you like to join the Stranded Light?”

When Tandruzuk agreed to join the Stranded Light ranks, I took the opportunity to interview her for Phintias’ article. Having learn so much about Tandruzuk already, to satisfy my curiosity I simply asked, "Had any visitors here?"

“Not in a long time.” Tandruzuk confessed. “Not before you came, not after I settled here. Well, there were people at the door, knocking and shouting to get inside. "Ow, the Scalon tries to eat me!" "Ow, the Gummite wants to skin me alive!" They didn't have any key though, and I didn't want their blood on my floor. Why are you looking like that? Don't expect me to fight against any monsters, I couldn't have saved them even if I had tried.”

Noticing that the Xivilai still had not torn me to pieces, Fiona said, “Amado Mio, I was wrong. I think she likes you.”

I nearly laughed. With a wry grin, thinking it was time to put it to the test I brought up the subject of ownership of Watcher’s Eye Manor.

The negotiation went better than I could have expected. Tandruzuk made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Knowing that I would probably be away doing whatever she accepted my ownership of the manor and offers to stay here and keep care of the place in my absence. Only thing I had to do was to not disturb her things when I was at home.

That brought a satisfactory resolution to two issues. One, I would own the manor and have a place to stay whenever I visit the Shivering Isles. Two, Tandruzuk would live here as a permanent resident house security. And as a bonus, another Stranded Light member interviewed was collected.

Elenya smiled, “There is harmony in Nature and all things are balanced in the end.”

There was a slight pause, then as she and Fiona headed upstairs to find the bed for the night, Elenya added, “And who’s to complain if the balance is tilted a bit in our favor.”

The next morning the Ladies and I used the Stranded Light Teleportation spell to send us to Merendin. Arriving in the reception hall of Merendin, we were immediately inundated with hundreds of questions. Everyone in the room wanted to hear the latest adventures of Elenya and Fiona.

As Elenya and Fiona recanted their epic saga in great prose, I began to get the feeling that something was not quite right. There standing quietly off to one side dressed in a top showing too much cleavage and a skirt way too short was a familiar face.

Heidi! You’re not supposed to be here! Why aren’t you on patrol with your bear?

Something is terribly wrong. Heidi doesn’t say a thing; she just follows me around wherever I go. This is not good. I must find a way to send Heidi back to where she belongs.

Who knew that simply discussing art could calm an Xivilai?

The ownership and arrangements for Watcher’s Eye Manor are peacefully resolved or, as Elenya put it, “There is harmony in Nature and all things are balanced in the end.”

Uh oh, Heidi without her bear? What (or who) is she going to ride?

Watcher's Eye Manor looks cozy. Probably deceiving in the long run... but yeah, "surprisingly bright and well furnished" is an apt description.

"I'll hack you to pieces!" 🧟‍♀️ And then there are... pleasant observations follow from the Field Followers. So she's not trying to hack the Jandaga to pieces?





Well that's a weird rule. "You can stay here, but don't "disturb" any of my stuff", hmm, that doesn't seem like it's going to be possible! What does she mean by disturb? Read a book? Move an armchair? Use any utensils on the premises?

Good thing is Jandaga is constantly on the move. I doubt he'll return to Watcher's Eye more than one more time.

Heidi could bugged. CM Partners are famous for just showing up unannounced, or following us even if we've never interviewed them.

Renee: Oh, Tandruzuk probably doesn’t want me to find the silk panties she has stashed away in a chest. Her tough Xivilai girl image would be ruined.

20250305 I-SL, Ocean’s Elysium

(As I looked into the Heidi issue it became obvious that attempting to close the Oblivion Gate, the Rumple mod added to the Shivering Isle, was where things broke down. By not entering the Oblivion Gate, a quick rerun of the Shivering Isles Stranded Light quests proved the game world was back to normal. Now, Heidi is back riding polar bears bare-back where she belongs. Elenya, Fiona, and I are now ready to leave Watcher’s Eye Manor.)

Elenya smiled, “There is harmony in Nature and all things are balanced in the end.”

Fiona rolled her eyes upward and countered, “I think it is the spirit in the sky that tilts the scale in our favor.”

The next morning the Ladies and I left Watcher’s Eye Manor to return to Cyrodiil. Our first stop via the Stranded Light Teleportation spell was to Mir Corrup to visit the bookstore. When I handed the Love Letter to M’kendri, she purred excitedly.

“Now I’ll be able to sell my books!”

Now why would she say that? My curiosity piqued, I asked to see her book selection. One title, Ocean’s Elysium, stood out like a beacon in the night. I bought it, tucked it away in my pack as we prepared to travel to Merendin

Back in Merendin we made the rounds describing the accomplishments of our sojourn to the Shivering Isles. Ahtize to my surprise had an interest in the Ocean’s Elysium book. Turns out the small book of riddles points to a Maormer safe house. Accidents do happen and Maormer need a secluded place to stay.

Ahtize says if we wish to find the Elysium, go right ahead. Just keep it a secret. Ahtize had a few clues for us; the entrance would be under water close to shore, the Eternal King’s name is Orgnum, and the Anticipations are Boethia, Azura, and Mephala.

We’ve run across treasure hunt riddles like this before. The first five riddles are five separate locations. The first sets the reference point ‘the center of the circle’ the White gold Tower in the center of the Imperial City. So, the prize is located near the Imperial City.

The next four riddles define targeting coordinates. Identify the location, draw lines N. S. E. W. and where the lines converge, then as they say X marks the spot. The sixth riddle would be a password needed to unlock the place of refuge.

1. A place of refuge, near the centre of the wheel. The place where everything is true.
2. Where the circle is reborn. A sparkle of life, separated from the host of its body.
3. Where the hole stands highest, a place of solace that became a place of eternal rest disturbed.
4. Where the circle is broken, one of two ruby brothers is drinking dusk's lichor. At his feet the slave-to-ruler holds court.
5. It's face touched by the midday sun, the anticipation of Nerevar's murderer withers through time.
6. Know the eternal King's name.

Riddles number four and five I assumed were clearly daedric shrines. Number four I thought pointed to Sanguine’s shrine. He is sculpted holding a large stein mug in one hand, his foot is resting on something, and he is often painted bright red. I thought I had it figured out very well and… well my Ladies didn’t agree and debate ensued.

Riddles #2 and #3 went the same way. The brainstorming session had fallen flat on its face. The lines we drew on the map were not making any sense. They were all over the place. It was time to get some expert help. Perhaps the Maormer living in Mir Corrup might know something.

Even the one riddle that we could agree on, #5 is one of the “Good Daedra”, left us bickering over which anticipation of Nerevar’s murderer is it referring to; Azura, Boethiah, or Mephala? Studying the map we decided on Mephala‘s shrine.

Before leaving for Mir Corrup, Fiona informed me that the grapes needed tending and she needed to return to Shadowcrest. Good timing, Kaleah and Pym were eager to get back out on the road and Fiona’s departure would make traveling less cumbersome. A lot less attractive though.

Arriving in Mir Corrup, we looked up the three Maormer currently living in the city.

Girovve of the Beyond the Veil pointed out that in riddle #4 “slave-to-ruler” could refer to Alessia. Yes, Fort Alessia makes more sense than the Shrine of Sanguine.

Rheed, one of the Sunken Treasure clothiers took a look at the riddles and exclaimed, “What sick mind invents this kind of torture? Bah!”

For a moment I was afraid Rheed wouldn’t help then he pointed to riddle #3 and declared that it describes Sancre Tor. So obvious now that it’s mentioned.

Duygu, Rheed’s wife and co-owner of Sunken Treasure offers her guess to Riddle #2. ”It’s about water, a lake, once part of a river but not anymore.” Lake Poppad near Vaermina’s shrine fits the bill.

That’s more than enough to tell us that this Maormer refuge is in the waters of Lake Rumare near Fort Magia.

Half a day hiking plus several hours swimming among the boulders strewn about the bottom of Lake Rumare, we found the entrance to Elysium. The door opened at the command word, “Orgnum”.

Swimming a short underwater tunnel we emerged to a large underground cavern.

Climbing out of the water, we were greeted by large female Xivilai. Noting our surprise at seeing a Xivilai in what we understood to be a Maormer sanctuary, Shiva explained that she had long ago become so disillusioned with serving Mehrunes Dagon that when she found this cave she took the opportunity to get away from the constant war. She’s been living here ever since, long before any sea elf the Maormer arrived.

“Live and let live has always been my motto,” Shiva boomed in the cavern. “No need for violence, this place is big enough for everyone passing by.”

As we toured the cave we met the “Twins”; Donajira and Donajiri. The ‘Twins’ attempt to dive back home had failed. They found that it was too far and without supplies they would not make it. They made it to shore where to their horror they discovered the roasted remains of Paoles. It wasn’t long that they found themselves on menu for the next dinner. The twins fled inland in search of Elysium through the forests of Valenwood, across the burning sands of Elsweyr to find this place.

“Oh,” Donajira said. “Did I mention that some crazy cannibals tried to eat us on our way here? Funnily the only reason for us to go on land was to find something to eat. So we had to get out of the forest and stumbled into a desert. We nearly died of thirst and dehydration. Oh and cats as big as houses hunted after us.”

Donajiri continued the narrative, “My sister and I barely survived. Now that we're here, well, it's getting better each day. Though I fear we're in for a long haul. To take those of us stranded here home, every twelve years a few sea serpent riders come along. Last time it was last year, so it will take a while until we're taken back.
The finale resident of Eylsium we met was not a stranded victim. Ornailla had come to Elysium on her own accord.

“I'm here studying old legends of the heartland,” Ornailla told us. “We have our own books in Pyandonea, but I hungered for something more exotic.”

After meeting everyone there wasn’t much else to do. No one asking for special favors or quests allowed us to relax and fall asleep. The next day we left Elysium to go to I.C. Market District.

“Feache,” Kaleah said as we walked across Lake Rumare toward the Imperial City. “Does it concern you that so many Xivilai females have joined the ranks of the Stranded Light?”

“It’s odd isn’t it,” I replied. “Perhaps the Xivilai female aspect is more easily disillusioned with serving in Mehrunes
Dagon’s constant war than the bull-headed male Xivilai. Must be the size of their horns.”

For some reason Kaleah found that hilarious. She was still laughing when we entered the Market District.

Yeah, cuz Xivali girls gotta maintain that tough image, mmm hmm, you GO girl!

Ocean's Eleven Elysium.

Wow, this riddle sounds awesome. Almost like Davinci Code. I'm actually going to try thinking about these clues. 🔍

1. sounds like an inn or a tavern, somewhere near or in the "center". And this is NOT White Gold Tower, correct? --- Hard to say. The clue is written kind of vague... like a riddle (duh!).

... But hold on. Are these clues describing vanilla locations? Or mod-added locations?

2. Where the Circle is Reborn. I'll come back to this.

3. Where the hole is highest, a place of rest that becomes a place of eternal rest. 🪦 Eternal rest... Are these locations supposed to be IN the city, or just near it? The first five riddles are five separate locations. Hmm. That clue makes me think of a graveyard.

4. Dusk's liqor? I'm lost. Sounds like Shivering Isles or something to do with an Oblivion gate. Nah, can't be. Jandaga's done with the Main Quest, right? -- Yeah I have no idea. Someplace Daedra-ish, perhaps.

Riddles number four and five I assumed were clearly daedric shrines. ---- Nice! At least I'm on the right track.

Number four I thought pointed to Sanguine’s shrine. He is sculpted holding a large stein mug in one hand, his foot is resting on something, and he is often painted bright red.

Okay, so Sanguine is drinking Dusk's liqor. 🍺 And if we're including Daedric Shrines into the equation, I don't know those well enough. My third character (Renee Gade) was able to do some of those as her PS3 game leveled out of control. After that I began substituting Minors for Majors, so that none of my console characters ever got higher than Level 8 thru 11. On PC I've got people who level well into the teens and 20s, but none of them have done the shrines.

tl;dr above paragraph: I don't know those shrines well enough!

"Must be the size of their horns"... hurr hurr!

Renee: Did you figure it out? Early on, I once did all the Daedric quests. Now I only do a select few.

20250314 I-SL - Inquiring the Light, GwedenBrohel - Red Dragon, TAS – Vanuasecul

Our first stop was to the First Edition. When we informed Phintias of our progress interviewing Stranded Light members he asked if we had interviewed everyone. I had to admit we interviewed 20 Daedra Stranded Light members but there may be one left. Unfortunately, the Xivilai female has been turned into a statue and I don’t know how to restore her. Even if I did restore her, she may not want to join I don’t know if she would want to the Stranded Light

Phintias agreed with that as he looked over the notes I had taken on each of the interviews.

“Excellent!” he exclaimed. “More than I was hoping for. Never thought it possible to get as much, uhm, confessions from those tight-lipped Daedra.”

As a reward he gave me a dark rode (nice looking but nothing special), the glowing Nightmare Stone which can be used in enchanting like a sigil stone, and the Sword of Judgment an enchanted sword forged in Yokuda. Pretty nice stuff if you ask me.

“The stone? Crazy story,” Phintias replied when I asked about glowing pearl-like stone. “There was a battle between an imperial battlemage, of course not THE imperial battlemage, and some kind of Altmer wizard just outside of my door. The stone just rolled in, and no one wanted it back. I'm no mage, so it is just a creepy piece
of stone for me.”

“The sword?” Phintias continued. “Now that’s a rare piece of craftsmanship. A blade sharp enough to cut air. It is one of three identical swords, forged in Yokuda before it sank. It is enchanted by the arts that created it, as far as I can tell. Legendary as they may be, they tend to get 'lost' if not wielded. I am no warrior, so I am not the right wielder. Considering that you know how to talk, and how to fight, you're a lot more suitable. ”

Leaving the First Edition, the Ladies’ shopping spree was interrupted before it begun, when a familiar old beggar stopped us on the street.

”Oh no, not you again,” I protested in exasperation. “What is it now?”

Bertold Selatus knew that I had uncovered the Ayleid’s secret and that I had used the information to blackmail Councillor Osciuro. After confirming my suspicions that all of the Mages Guild members that I had delivered messages to during the mapping were Ayleid Agents, Bertold told me that Osciuro and his agents are worried about the True Descendants cult. They have a task they’d like me to do for them.

He predicted the Ayleid Agents will try to force me to work for them if I insist on keeping the key. Bertold mentioned that he expects me to help him and Elsabeth in the near future. With that Bertold left as quietly as he arrived.

Shortly after the old beggar left, Watchman Mercium showed up. Once again, he delivered a message that I should meet Councillor Osciuro in the Arena district.

True to Bertold’s prediction, Councillor Osciuro wants me to infiltrate a lost ruin named Vanuasecul, to find out what plans the True Descendants have. To do that, I must first obtain a key to the lower dungeon level from Aryarie in the Bravil Mages Guild.

”My little Feache,” Kaleah said, raking her talon-like nails up and down the back of my dragonspirit armor. “It looks like our journey together leads to Bravil.”

Despite the armor’s protective enchantments, my back arched as I felt the heat of her nails.

“Could be worse,” I replied. “You could take me the Deadlands.”

“My Jandaga,” Elenya said as she and Pym picked up off the cobblestones in front of the Arena. “You really shouldn’t tease Kaleah like that.”

I was ready to leave the Imperial City until Elenya and Kaleah reminded me that High Chancellor Ocato requested we accompany Taminwe to Leyawiin. Hmm, I suppose it’s possible to take Taminwe with us. After spending so much time in the Shivering Isles, a little trip to Leyawiin would be a welcome respite.

Arriving at the Red Dragon Club in the Talos Plaza District we find a rather annoyed and impatient Taminwe. Or maybe it’s just the normal Altmer attitude as Elenya and Kaleah suggest. Who’s to say?

Taminwe is ready to go, and we take to the road right away. Cross the Talos Bridge, pass through Weye, before turning south on the Ring Road. Magnus was getting low in the sky by the time we approached the Archeology Guild Hall, where we stopped for the night.

Aster Cei, Verus, Sova, Norlene, and a few new apprentices were amazed at the wonders we described during dinner. Sova said she wasn’t too thrilled at going to the Shivering Isles but Mir Corrup; she thought would definitely be an interesting place to visit.

Verus informs me that an Archaeology Guild expedition, led by Virani, has set up camp near the age-old silver Ayleid gate in the cavern beneath Chorrol and they found a way across the lava lake. (The unfinished ‘Who’s The Daddy’ quest in BCv6.0.8 has been finished in the Better Cities v6.4.5, should I care to update.)

The next morning, I and the Ladies leave the Archeology Guild and turn south on the Green Road. When we reach Bravil we go straight to the Mages Guild to meet with Aryarie. Aryarie gave me the key needed for the lower level of Vanuasecul. Then she asked if I find for her a rare purple welkynd stone rumored to be in Vanuasecul. She offered a good reward if I do.

With the Vanuasecul key in hand it was time to leave for Leyawiin. Tired of walking and with no ship ready to depart immediately for Leyawiin we hired Gever the Stranded Light Guild Guide to send us to Leyawiin.

An effective intelligence organization has eyes and ears in every level of society. The Elder Council has learned this lesson well since the Oblivion Crisis. Our first contact upon entering Leyawiin was Rancid Ra’dirsha, a Khajiit beggar.

In hushed tones, Rancid passed on to us that Countess Alessia Caro was plotting to have her cousin (who lives in Senchal) become the next Emperor. He also mentioned something about a secret document that Countess Alessia is holding. Taking the coin we offered, the beggar silently faded into the shadows.

Taminwe and I decide to split forces. She will go to Senchal while I search Castle Leyawiin to find out more about this secret document. We plan to meet at the Five Claw Lodge in five days. Taminwe left for Senchal immediately.
Later that night when all was dark and quiet the four of us; Elenya, Kaleah, Pym, and I enter Castle Leyawiin. The lone guard stationed at the front door recognized us and snapped to attention as we passed.

“My Lord Champion and Arch-mage,” he muttered. “Since we’re friends, don’t worry. Should anyone ask, you weren’t here.”

I always carry complimentary one visit Gweden Platinum Member passes for times like this.

First, we inspected the dungeon. Finding no trace of any secret document there, we next inspected the servant’s quarters.

Passing through the dining room we enter the servants’ quarters. After some time, we head down a hallway that leads to the tower. A small bedroom sits across the hall from the tower entrance. Its door was shut. Faint noises could be heard coming from inside the closed door. Cautiously, I opened the door.

Sergius Martius drew his dagger and leaped. Dodging his attack, I opened up an avenue for my Ladies. Quicker than lightning, three swords pinned the fool to the wall. There he hung until the Ladies withdrew their swords.

In the small room we found the evidence we were looking for. Sergius Martius was forging papers that acknowledge Cassynder Veranus as the legitimate son Emperor Pelagius IV of Tamriel. This would give Countess Alessia Caro’s cousin a claim to the vacant throne. We collect the document and seal to show Taminwe when she returns.

“Since Taminwe won’t be back for a few days,” Elenya suggested. “Why don’t we use the time to tell Osciuro that we have the Vanuasecul key?”

Good idea. With a wave of my hand a recall spell transported us to the Imperial City Arboretum mark. Judging, by the time-of-day Osciuro should be in the Arena District. We hurry on over to the Arena District and found Osciuro hanging around the Merchant District gates.

Osciuro hands me instructions on how to get to Vanuasecul. Looking the instructions over, I notice there is no mention of the starting stepstone.

Noticing the puzzled look on my face Osciuro said, “If you’re wondering where to start just think why I would be standing here in this gods forsaken district. Remember just get their plans and leave. Do not let them see you and don’t kill anyone!”

Ah ha, the first stepstone is in the Arena District. Good. I’ve seen it and know where it’s at.

“Come on let’s go,” I said to the Ladies.

“My dear over eager Feache,” Kaleah cautioned. “We can’t go with you. You need to sneak in. grab the plans, and sneak back out. One person doing that undetected will be very difficult, but for a group of four, nearly impossible. It’ll be like…”

Sneakin' sally through the alley
Trying to get away clean
Sneakin' sally through the alley
Oh, when up pops the queen

Of course she’s right. I will need to prepare. This requires Phelan’s Stealth Enhanced leather kit, the Ring of Khajiiti, and Red Claw another chameleon ring to guaranty success.

Now where did I put the Ring of Khajiiti?

No way, not even close. Like I said, I probably did a few Daedric quests, but this is way back in 2008-9. For what it's worth, here are Lena's guesses. We messaged yesterday.



I shall catch up on the story later today or tomorrow. Hate when Xivilai females get turned into statues. It's like: what can ya do now?



Ha ha ha!

Wow, Sergius attacked! Didn't see that coming.

No idea where Sneakin' Sally comes from. I'm guessing it's a 60s-era boppy tune, but really no idea.

Renee: Sneakin' Sally is a Robert Palmer song

20250321 TAS – Vanuasecul

… Come on over baby
Whole lot of sneaken' goin' on
Yes, I said come on over baby
Baby, you can't go wrong
We ain't fakin'
Whole lotta sneaken' goin' on

The Ring of Khajiiti is not in my Midas Chest. Nor is it in two chests that follow us from location to location i.e. The COBL Luggage, and the Stranded Light Reliquary. It could take days searching containers stashed away at all my houses. The most likely location would be either Shadowcrest Vineyard or Benirus Manor.

With Kaleah and Pym staying at the Merchanats Inn, I left for Shadowcrest Vineyard. Fiona and I spent the rest of the day and most of the night searching through every chest, nook, and cranny to no avail. Late the next morning despite Fiona’s most tempting invitation to spend another night umm searching, I left for Benirus Manor.

Just outside the vineyard gate I turned and waved. “Dang,” I thought. “Her latest brew of bitter orange and cognac is so good. What did she call it? Grande something or other, I can’t remember.”

At Benirus Manor Claire helped me I in my search. Even though we didn’t take as many timeouts as Fiona insisted on, the search for the Ring of Khajiiti didn’t go any better. I was certain the ring was in a jewelry box in one of the bedrooms. It wasn’t. It was very late when we fell in bed and went to sleep.

The next morning, I mentioned to Claire that as much as I didn’t want to I may have to visit Deepscorn Hollow to look for the ring. Claire, with a horrified look on her face, took me by the wrist and dropped the Ring of Khajiiti in the palm of my hand.

With a concerned voice, the little trickster told me she had it in her pocket the whole time. The little blond from the valley is not as dumb as she sounds. Laughing at the trick, I grabbed her up in a long hug and kiss. I gave her the glowing Nightmare Stone to investigate and promised to bring back anything I find of interest from Vanuasecul. The next morning, I walked out on a cloud to return to the Imperial City.

Back in the Imperial City I shared a toast with my Ladies at The Merchants Inn before going to the Arena District. Finding the Arena Ayleid Stepstone, I took the first step to Vanuasecul.

Using the information Councilor Osciuro provided, I set the keys to 1101.

The stepstone took me to another junction with stepstones arranged in a circle. The instruction was a simple SE. Thinking the stepstone arrangement as points on a compass, I determined which stepstone was southeast and activated it.

Instruction for the next room was W. Similar to the previous junction, I activated the west stepstone. The step dropped me off in the pitch-black darkness of Vanuasecul. Comfortably cloaked in chameleon I stealthily crept up a flight of stairs to find myself in the midst of a True Descendants stronghold. They were everywhere.

In a panic, I cast the only invisibility spell I can master. The spell only lasts 20 seconds, so it will have to be refreshed every 15 seconds or so. Overkill maybe, but I felt much safer as I crept through Vanuasecul.

I had crept through nearly the entirety of Vanuasecul before I found the gate to Vanuasecul Nornalseli. Nornalseli was just as crowded with True Descendant Cultists as the first level if not more so. Not only that, it was much brighter making sneaking even more difficult. Fortunately avoiding the most heavily populated areas led me to the gates of Vanuasecul Ehlnadaseli.

Ehlnadaseli, no chameleon or invisibility spell would work here. Instead of True Descendant Cultists, the undead that populated Ehlnadaseli could sense my life force. Drawn to the elixir of life, the undead attacked.

I may be alone but I do have resources at my command. I called forth the Midas Angel. Together we cleared Ehlnadaseli of undead as I searched for the gates to the next level. It is fun to watch her throwing her searing ball of light at the undead creatures.

Before she departed, I asked the Angel if she was related to the Magna-ge. She just looked at me, smiled, and then rose up to the heavens. For a moment I stood there wondering where does the angel come from?
With no cultists around I decided to loot every Ayleid container I could find on this level of the dungeon. It was on this level where I found the purple welkynd stone for Aryarie.

I came across a gate back to Vanuasecul Nornalseli. There was a stepstone nearby. For a moment I was tempted to use the stepstone, but this wasn’t the stone gate I used to enter Ehlnadaseli and I had yet to find what I had come here for. I opened the stone gate and entered Nornalseli a second time.

Cloaked and invisible, I stiffened as a cultist passed within an inch of me. Waiting until he turned the corner to my left, I crept along the wall to my right. Up a flight of stairs, using a giant root I crossed from one balcony to another.

Several True Descendants had gathered to my left, I went to the right. At an arched-entryway leading to a well lit room I could see a table with papers on it. So close yet so far away. Half-a-dozen cultists milled about talking in the vicinity of the archway. Minutes went by as I waited for the crowd to disperse.

After what seemed to be an eternity, I was able to sneak through the entryway. Crouching next to the cot with the sleeping cultist, I paused. There are several cultists milling about the room. If I grab the envelope, they are liable to see me. With a prayer to the Mother of All Creation that the sleeping cultist would not wake-up, I waited.

More minutes than I care to count went by as I waited for everyone in large room to turn their backs to me. Then, with silent smoothness, I snatched the envelope off the table and backed out of the room.

Carefully avoiding True Descendant Cult members, I made my way back to the gate leading to Vanuasecul Ehlnadaseli. Re-entering Vanuasecul Ehlnadaseli, I searched for the stepstone I saw when I first passed by here. I was so relieved when I found it. I didn’t want to sneak all the way back to where I first entered.

Activating the stepstone deposited me deep in the Blackwood, right next to the Besieged Spire. There stands Captain Tertia Aurum and three guards. They’ve been sent by Councilor Osciuro to escort me back to the Imperial City. Why am I not surprised that they would know that this is where I would exit Vanuasecul.

At my insistence, we first went to Bravil to pay a visit to Aryarie at Bravil’s Mages Guild. Aryarie appreciated that I had found the purple welkynd stone for her. As a reward she taught me a spell to locate stepstones. It might prove useful.

The next day, as we walked along the Green Road, I took some time to read the letter I found in Vanuasecul. A couple of things stood out. First, was the need to find someplace called Fefandor. The writer of the letter insisted that Fefandor, its so-called machinery and anyone that dwells there be obliterated.

The second item was a bit more personal. The instructions were to find and secure the person who woke up the Ayleid Steps. He carries the key and knows where the Activator is.

I think the letter is talking about me. Should I worry?

The note ended with ominous boast, “The Ayleids will be back.”

When I arrived at the Imperial City, Councilor Osciuro was waiting for me in the Arena District. He eagerly took the letter I had retrieved from Vanuasecul and read it. His face grew stern as he exclaimed, “Not good, not good at all. Their aim is to revive the Ayleids. They must be insane!”

The way I see it there are two Ayleid groups seeking control over an Ayleid resurgence; Osciuro and his agents, v. the True Descendants.

The mention of Fefandor in the letter worries Councilor Osciuro and he asks if I would do one more thing for him. Nothing hard he promised. All I had to do was come back tomorrow at this time and escort a friend of his to Skingrad.

Hmm, haven’t heard from Taminwe. She’s still in Senchal I’ll take the time to take Kaleah and Pym shopping. I got a ton of stuff to unload.

Entering the Merchants Inn, in my excitement I loudly announced, “I’m back.”

“Good,” Velus Hosidius said, handing me a yard long receipt. “Here’s the bill.”

Okay, nice. I only know a couple Robert Palmer songs (both of them were heavy on MTV way back), isn't he Addicted to Love? Yep, sure is.

Jandaga has too much stuff, in too many containers!

"Late the next morning despite Fiona’s most tempting invitation to spend another night umm searching"

What's the "umm"? Hmm, maybe shouldn't answer in these public forums. "Timeouts?"

CLAIRE has it!!!! Ooh that trickster!

How much is the bill?

20250401 TAS – Vanuasecul, OOO – Shadows in a Struggle for Power

“Let’s just say your ladies had a very good time while you were gone,” Velus Hosidius said as he handed me a receipt that trailed on the floor.

Having been away on a mission for Councilor Osciuro I expected I’d have to settle a tab upon my return. But, I didn’t expect one quite so large. Taking the receipt to read the total, I turned to my Ladies to ask, “Just what were you thinking?”

Pym looked so vulnerable as tears welled up in her Mother of Pearl eyes. How could I hold it against her for more than a minute?

Kaleah on the other hand stood up and proudly said, “We’re worth every golden Septim.”

It would be foolish to argue that point. It’s like the question “does this make me look fat.” No matter how you answer, you’re in trouble. I left the Merchants Inn and went directly to the bank.

After taking care of the tab, we retired to the Arch-mage’s quarters for the night. Later as I watched the two sleeping, I wondered how such innocent looking creatures could rack up such a staggering amount in food and drink in such a short time. Must have been a humdinger of a party. I really wasn’t gone that long, was I?

Apparently I was. The next morning the Ladies and I went shopping I found every shop had an outstanding tab to resolve. It truly felt like was handing out more to cover their tabs than I was taking in with the loot I sold. And they stood there behind me looking oh so innocent.

The depressing shopping trip complete, we made our way to the Arena District. There we found Councilor Osciuro waiting for us. A familiar looking woman was with him.

Instantly, I recognized Elsabeth Selatuse, a member of the third faction vying for control of the Ayleid Steps. She pretended not to recognize me. Knowing that she was playing Osciuro, I played along with her.

Introducing Elsabeth Selatuse, Councilor Osciuro asked that I escort her safely to Skingrad. He fears that Elsabeth has become a target of the True Descendants.

With no word of Taminwe returning from Senchal, we figured that we’d have time to do this. Elsabeth was ready to go so we left immediately.

It wasn’t long before what should have been a nice sojourn along the Gold Road turned ugly. As we passed through Weye, a fight broke out. A guard subdued a True Descendant cult member. For the rest of the journey we were harassed by the grey robed cultists. We witnessed a couple more fights between guards and cultists occurred before we reached the borders of County Skingrad.

There between the towering stone guardians Elsabeth stopped.

“This is where we part,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“What? I get you here safely and now you’re going to just pop off without so much as a thank you?” I ranted. "I am just a puppet to you all."

“I understand how you feel,” Elsabeth said sympathetically. “However, nobody asked you to get involved. You took a key, you activated the Steps and then you teleported through the world at will. You alerted many people, and you set several big events in motion. You gave no consideration to the consequences. Now you cannot undo what has happened and what will happen. Now I must ask you to leave me here. I have to be unseen before I can travel home.”

That said, Elsabeth cast invisibility and was gone.

Elsabeth just disappeared leaving us standing in the road wondering what to do. There was a moment of stunned silence before Kaleah mentioned she’d rather stay at Benirus Manor than here in Skingrad.
Something about the dungeon at Benirus makes her feel more at ease.

Benirus Manor it is then and with a wave of the hand we were there. Claire was overjoyed to see us. Together with the young housemaid Rosalind, Claire prepared a wonderful dinner (I think she called the inn and had dinner delivered).

The following morning after breakfast, I was going over my journal when Pym silently pointed to the Shadows in a Struggle for Power entry. Kaleah pointed out that Yeleri is not far up the coast from Anvil. We passed it when on our way to Anvil from Oyster Bay.

Remembering the vision I suffered when I first tried on the Dread Helm and how the Heart of the Forest flew northwest from Nariño, I was determined to find the ruin of Yeleri.

Leaving Benirus Manor, Kaleah, Pym and I went to the wharf in hopes of catching a ship sailing north. We didn’t find a ship, but we did run into Errallius, the Maormer. Talking to Errallius, we mentioned finding Ocean Elysium.

Waiting for a ship to sail south has become very depressing. Reports of a new pirate queen raiding the South Seas, has brought shipping to the south to a virtual standstill. Tired of spending his days swimming in the Anvil harbor, Errallius is eager to go to Elysium where he can spend some time out of the water.

Pirate Queen? Remember, we left Vilja in charge of the pirate den, Dunbarrow Cove. It seems she’s made a name for herself. Pity those that frequent the Abecean Sea.

Errallius departs for Elysium, we leave Anvil to find Yeleri. Traveling north along the coast, the rooftops of the town of Oyster Bay were in sight when we noticed the white stone of an Ayleid ruin. That’s the one we’re looking for.

Yeleri is conquered. An army of twenty-four corrupted Sylvan Rangers, plus their leader Eregor lay dead in the now silent halls. The final battle in Yeleri Verasdal was brutal. Eregor and four of his captains, all cloaked with chameleon, engaged us at the foot of an alter dedicated to Molag Bal.

As it is written, Molag Bal bore witness to the battle (little good it did Eregor).

I now have all of the Dread Armor. I try it on. Looks good, but something is wrong. A cold wind blows as a vision overwhelms me. Far to the north deep within the Ayleid ruin Varastal lays a sword of great evil. It calls to me to make the Dread kit complete, I must find it.

With the demise of Eregor Molag Bal fled and Y’ffre granted me a gift of Nature (Elenya would be proud). I can now summon Y’ffre's creatures to my aid. The wild beasts will now respect me as a favorite of Y’ffre, the God of Song and Forest (it kind of works).

The "Shadows in a Struggle for Power" quest continues. Still no word from Taminwe, we leave Yeleri and head north toward Sutch.

Wait, how much was the tab though?

I'll put it this way: depending on the PC I'm with, I'll either be able to shop on autopilot without fear of running out of money, or there will be a predictably desperate rush to Bank of Cyrodiil at some point, because all the sudden.... "You do not have the funds for that transaction..." And the shoppes are about to close.



Omygosh! "The depressing shopping trip over"

Wow, Elsabeth gets in Jandaga's face, like she's all mad at him. Doesn't she understand his schedule is so packed with quests & events that there are times The Jandaga can't get it all done properly? Give the elf a break!

Wicked! That Dread armor is wicked!! Ugly, but also brutal. Like if we can put Buffy on one side of a spectrum (regarding brutality of armor), Buffy's apparel being efficient and probably also pretty, Dread Armor on Jandaga presents the opposite scenario!

Dread Sword too, fun times ahead for macole.

I see the ladies left a trail of tabs and bills all over town! The lesson it seems is to not leave them unsupervised methinks.

Yeleri yields up the last of the dread armor. Oh, wait there's a sword calling to the Jandaga as well - beware!

Vilja the Pirate Queen! There is another lady probably best not left unsupervised.

Incalculable, imagine if you will someone celebrating a successful return from exploring several Ayleid Ruins, strolled into the Merchants Inn and announced, “All day, all you can eat and drink on me.” Within hours everyone in the Imperial City is lined up on the Merchant District streets. A stage was setup in the district center for traveling troubadours like The Zombiettes & Ghouls of Broken Peach Asylum, in hopes of keeping the crowd happily entertained. Wasn’t long before every inn in the city was sending food carts to satisfy the mosh pit that the Merchant District had become. Extra guards were needed to maintain order for two days. All this cost was passed on to the Merchants Inn which passed it on to you know who.

Ha ha, okay. I've seen that Zombiettes video before, so silly!

20250412 OOO – Shadows in a Struggle for Power - Varastal

The taxing battle (some would call it an epic battle) with Eregor in Yeleri left us drained. Even the indefatigable Kaleah was moping along when we left Yeleri. Thankfully my house and vineyard, the Silver Star Estate was nearby, just outside of Sutch. We’ll be able to rest there before the journey north.

Elenya greeted us warmly, rushing enthusiastically out the door when he saw us approaching the door to the manor. There were hugs for everyone as we entered the manor.

Over dinner, Elenya updated me on the Silver Star’s financial statement. It’s that time of the year again, you know. Once the annual accounting done, she hinted that she would be ready to join us on the road again.

“The caretakers are really doing a great job,” Elenya said. “The monthly income is steady and the chest is full of gold coin, as you can see.”

“Good,” I said. “When you’re finished, bring the papers to my office at the Universitum Arcanorum in the Imperial City. I’ll be there as soon as we find this Ayleid Ruin called Varastal. Oh, and thanks for reminding me about tax season. I wonder if Tsarrina needs any help. Perhaps I should pay her a visit?”

After dinner we sat talking over a bottle or two of wine until I looked out the window. Elenya jumped up with a start when I mentioned how full and blue Secunda looked.

“Shan’t we be doing something USEFUL with this time?!” Elenya declared and stormed outside into the night.

“What’s got into her?” Kaleah, Pym, and I wondered as we got up to follow Elenya.

It was a rare Blue Secunda night. Elenya led us to the center of the vineyard. There we found a newly formed faerie ring. Motioning to us to stay outside the ring of mushrooms Elenya fixed her eyes on Secunda, whispered a chant, and stepped inside the ring. As she did, Secunda’s blue finger touched the grass in the center of the ring.

Kneeling with head bowed Elenya gently caressed the grasses touched by Secunda’s blue light. Softly she asked for a special favor.

“I, a daughter of the silvery moon, humbly beseeches for my need is great, reveal to me the whereabouts of Varastal.” she whispered. “Nature’s servant awaits.”

Sitting down outside the ring Kaleah, Pym, and I waited for the question to travel through the Root Network. Long minutes went by as Elenya rhythmically chanted Varastal.

Elenya was getting impatient. Out of frustration she unexpectantly shouted, “VARASTAL!”

Another minute passed.

“Finally!” Elenya spay. Pacing back and forth, waving her arms wildly, Elenya stomped on the circle of blue light and shouted in a whinny falsetto voice, “The bitter little horehound weed was laughing at me. Playing deaf as well as being dumb, it was.”

“Calm down Elenya,” I said trying to put her at ease. “It’s nothing to get so irritated about.”

“I NEVER GET IRRITATED! I AM THE CALMEST WOMAN IN THE WHOLE OF FAERÛN!”

Embracing Elenya tightly yet warmly, I said, “Yes, my dear little päkapikk, you are our sensible steady hand.”
Resisting the urge to mention that we were in Cyrodiil, not in Faerun, I hugged her gently until she calmed down.

Kaleah looked down at Pym and whispered, “Take note. See how skillfully she maneuvered him into giving her hugs and caresses.”

Pym grinned knowingly and nodded as she jotted down a line in a notebook titled How to Get Your Way with the Faeche Jandaga.

“Mmmm,” murmured a much calmer Elenya. “Here’s your clue to finding Varastal; east of Ninendava’s burning arch”

Two days later we stood at the doors of Varastal.

Set in the steep slope of a mountainside not far from Ninendava and a destroyed Oblivion Gate we found Varastal. Accessible only by a snow and ice-covered foot path, Varastal was easily overlooked unless you knew where to look.

Reaching out to open the ancient Ayleid my hand was shocked by an intense freeing pain. A thought comes to me that I should wear the Dread Armor.

Changing to the Dread Armor kit brought about an instant reaction. A Dread Visage overcame me. By the Mother of all Creation, this armor sickens my stomach.

As tendrils of dark smoke began to swirl around me, I fell into a dark angry corner. I could feel my personality drop. By the looks on Kaleah and Pym’s faces, I knew that they sensed it too. They may still support me but I feared they’ll abandon me when things get tight. Maintaining their undying support was going to be more difficult.

It might take a bit of luck to keep the party together and lucky is something I didn’t feel at the moment. Along with Personality, Luck also drained away from me the instant I put on the Dread Armor. But, wearing the Dread Armor was the ticket to opening Varastal’s door. The door responded to the Dread Armor and slowly opened.

Varastal is a small Ayleid ruin with two midsized rooms. Dimly lit with numerous Welkynd and Varla stones the room separated by a short corridor. After descending a rather long staircase and taking a short hallway, we enter the first of the two rooms. Two spectral warriors were there to greet us.

Now, spectral warriors are very difficult adversaries; hard to kill and have a devastating frost numbing attack. Very difficult for the inexperienced, but we’ve met these undead monstrosities before and know how to deal with them. My Ladies wasted no time in taking care of the threat.

Unfortunately, two spectral warriors was not the end of it. The last of the first two spectral warriors had barely hit the ground when five more of the freezing apparitions; three spectral warriors, a spectral reaver, and The Reaver of Ghuul Icxth came charging from the second room.

My first thought was to summon the Midas Angel, but Pym had her dancing shoes on and with a rare “Yippee” tore the floor up with the two closest spectral warriors.

Accepting the challenge Kaleah turned to face the remaining frozen ghosts. Drawing her own sword, Kaleah laughed and issued her own challenge, "Come, come kill me if you can!"

The Varastal dancehall finals had commenced.

It’s a shame that I couldn’t judge the competition. Unfortunately, I found myself facing The Reaver of Ghuul Icxth and his spectral wolf. Wielding an unusual looking sword, The Reaver of Ghuul Icxth sicced his wolf on me and blue fire in his eyes the Reaver of Ghuul Icxth advanced.

It took just a few minutes to prove The Reaver of Ghuul Icxth unworthy to carry the unusual looking sword, Icxth.

“Well,” Kaleah commented when all was quiet. “Just like The Night Lord at the end of the Vampire Hunter campaign, the Reaver of Ghuul Icxth was underwhelming to say the least.

“Yeah,” I agree while starring at the sword Ghuul had dropped. “Interesting sword though.”

Without thinking I leaned over to pick it up. It was the force off habit that caused me to flinch when I touch the ghostly sword. I stood there for a moment starring at the sword Icxth in my hand.

How? I’ve never been able to loot the spectral before. A severe freezing shock would always force me to stop looting the spectral forces. It must be the Dread Armor allowing me to touch the spectral loot. Still can’t loot the spectral bodies though. My hand just passes through them.

The Dread Armor was making sick, so I secured Icxth in my belt and started to remove the Dread Armor. A searing freezing pain tore through me.

Icxth, the spectral blade had fallen to the floor.

Bummer, how do I carry that ghostly sword? Kaleah suggested storing it in the ethereal Midas Chest.

“But you have to do it in the right order,” cautioned Elenya.

Pym made a pantomime of putting the Dread Armor on, picking up Icxth, summoning Midas Chest, storing away Icxth first and then the Dread Armor second before closing the chest.

It worked. Except for one minor detail, I’m standing there in my skivvies with three cheerleaders jumping up and down laughing like it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever seen. I may have set the record for getting into a suit of full plate armor.

With the claiming of the sword Icxth the Shadows in a Struggle for Power has come to an end.

Too weary to go outside looking for a more suitable site, we made camp near Varastal’s entrance and rested until the following morning.

More going on at that Fairy Ring than we know, methinks. Nevertheless, the location of Varastal is revealed.

Yikes, that Dread Armor doesn't sound very healthy. Some tough fighting to gain claim to Varastal. Good idea to put that sword in a magic box, then get out of that armor!

Silver Star, that's Sutch, right? Yep.

Sutch has an interesting landscape; being built on a gentle slope from the north, and from the south. Like if it rains heavily, there'd only be flooding toward the middle, where those small farms are. And that would be temporary because water would sluice off to the east (I think).

Elenya has annual accounting? As in taxes?? Jandaga mentions taxes, yep. Does the Jandaga need to file taxes too?



Jaheira, Baldur's Gate!

Anyway, Elenya's getting freaked. She NEVER GETS IRRITATED!

Whoa: päkapikk, WHAT'S that? Looks like a song.

"How to get your way with the Janadaga!" This is a funny episode. This is great too...

It might take a bit of luck to keep the party together and lucky is something I didn’t feel at the moment. Along with Personality, Luck also drained away from me the instant I put on the Dread Armor.

Yes.
every year at this time
Yes, that's the sound set I use for Elenya.

It's an Estonian word for elf. I at times have used Finnish, Estonian, or Galic words for terms of endearment for my companions.
I like that song, Armin and the children - Elf

20250428 TAS, The Road to Fefandor

With the Reaver of Ghuul Icxth dispatched, the Shadows in a Struggle for Power has come to an end. This OOO quest was interesting.

Leaving Varastal, we climbed up to the road above us and began our long walk south to the Imperial City. Walking along the road I began to notice several things. Most, not all forest animals Boars cougars, and wolves leave us alone.

Even giants pass us by peaceably.

The Gift of Nature that Y’ffre granted me for ending Eregor’s transgression must have something to do with it.
It was after midnight when we entered the gates of the Imperial City. Passing through the Arboretum on our way to the Arch-mage’s quarters, we were stopped by Captain Tertia Aurum with an urgent message to meet Councilor Osciuro in the Temple District, immediately.

Councilor Oscuiro informs us that our friends, Elsabeth and Bertold Selatus are in danger. The True Descendant cultists had been shadowing Elsabeth when we escorted her to Skingrad. Observing her leaving us when we reached Skingrad they searched there area. Finding the stepstone Elsabeth used to return home, the cultists they used it to invade Fefandor. Their intention is to destroy and kill all that they find there.

Councilor Osciuro wants me to go to the aid of Elsabeth, Bertold, and their stepson Ervvin Austel. In the process Councilor Osciuro lays out a plan to trap the cultists in Fefandor and eliminate True Descendant Cult.

It’s that time of the year, I had intended to meet with Raminus Polus to go over the yearly financial statements but now that will have to wait. In the meantime, I’ll leave orders for Raminus to have the Mages Guild yearly statements ready to submit to the Empire should I not get back by the end of the month.

On that thought, I better send messages to the Sova at the Archeology Guild, Tsarrina at Gweden Farm and Fiona at Shadowcrest Vineyard asking that they submit their financial statements to Raminus. Oh, and let’s not forget to have the Bank of Cyrodiil to prepare mine. I’ll sign them all as soon as I return from Fefandor.

Executing Councilor Osciuro’s plan, Kaleah, Pym, and I left the Temple District and went to Sideways Cave to deactivate the Steps Network. This will prevent the cultists from escaping. The Network deactivated, we returned to the Temple District.

Handing over the Network Activator room key to Councilor Osciuro, as a precaution should I fall in the next step of the plan, the Ladies and I left to meet Captain Aurum outside the east gate of Skingrad.

Kaleah, Pym, and I arrived at Skingrad’s East Gate to find Elenya talking to Captain Aurum and her company of three Imperial guards. Come to find out that Elenya had finished her audit of the Silver Star Vineyard and was heading to meet us at the university when she ran into this company of legionnaires.

Once we hook up with Captain Tertia Aurus, she led us to the stone gate of Silorn Andaseli, the rabbit hole, a secret backdoor entrance to Fefandor.

South of Skingrad, near the waterfalls overlooking the Strid, stands the ruins of Silorn Andaseli. A memory of Great grandpa describing the majestic Ayleid Bridge of Silorn that spanned the Strid River comes to me when I see the ruins of Andaseli. Great grandpa told many histories as we sat around the family’s Heart Stone (a magical stone similar to a welkynd or a varla stone) but describing the beauty of this bridge always brought tears to his eyes.

Captain Aurum’s voice shook me out of my memory. She was explaining that Fefandor is located in a volcano crater somewhere in Valenwood. Once inside Silorn Andaseli I should find a tunnel that will take me down under the river, eventually leading me to where the Selatus family is securely hidden. All I have to do is keep traveling southward when in the tunnels.

Acting as a rear guard, Captain Aurum said that she and her company will remain here to guard the entrance.

Speaking as if she expected that this was a solo mission, Capt. Aurum was surprised when Elenya, Kaleah, and Pym entered Silorn Andaseli right behind me. Before Captain Aurum could object, Kaleah pulled the door shut, locking Capt. Aurum out.

“I’ll not have that Nord spoiling our party.” Kaleah said.

“What?” I said. Sometimes I think Kaleah doesn’t like Nords or is it just Nord women? Shaking my head in bewilderment, I summoned Twinkle and we began our journey to Fefandor.

Is there a reason why most Earthlike animals leave the party alone? -- Ah, I see. The Gift of Nature.

Jandaga talks of great grandpa. Was he an adventurer too?

Kahleah locks Captain Aurum out of the ruins. Reason? She apparently doesn't like Nords, or Nord women. The Jandaga summons a will o' the wisp (I think) as they delve within. What a cliffhanger.

That Gift of Nature is a handy aura!

Trouble with being the Arch Mage is paperwork. Fortunately, Raminus is quite good at managing it.

Setting a trap for the True Descendant Cult by preventing them from fleeing Fefandor. This could work.

Silorn Andaseli sounds impressive. Slipping in the back door sounds like a good plan. Their target area is in a volcano? Yikes!

The Jandaga is used to operating with Twinkle and the ladies. Don’t need no Nord. Though. . . I wonder how big this cult in Fefandor is? Fortunately the Jandaga knows spells to summon plenty of help if he needs it.

My Ladies don't like The Gift of Nature so much. Many times, the wild beasts run past me to attack the Ladies.