Thank you all.

Riften

Shonta Quassan in the Earth Forge

The weapon in front of him is the so called Prismatic Staff, that deals a considerable amount of damage to daedra or undead. Now Shonta wields two staves, the enchanted fire staff that he uses in regular combat and the Prismatic Staff, when he knows that he's going up against daedra or undead.

Four heroes

...although the proper title should be three heroes. Those that've been through the questline will understand why.

Posing

Quite convenient that there was some space between Viveka and Hallfrida, so Shonta Quassan could step in.

500 Companions

...but not all of them came, it seems.

Dolmen

Now I don't know whether the giant at the end of the Rift questline glitched or whatever happened but the fight was over way quickly than expected. Since it was supposed to be a boss fight, something probably went wrong, because the giant just kept walking / stomping around but didn't fight anymore after his health dropped to 50%. So the final battle was fairly anticlimatic. *shrugs*

Cool pics from ESOland. Especially the army of the dead and the Stargate.

Riften architecture is really neat.

Buffy grew to quite like Merric at-Aswala. Straightforward, noble, strong and not bad to look at.

Wow, your Posing shot really does look posed!

500 Companions is a great shot.

Sometimes these are my favorite types of fights! I remember when White Wizard confronted the final boss at the end of the Mages College questline, that boss also got stuck & glitched. My wizard was able to simply pwn him much more easily with his sooper dooper magic.

Shonta's so awesome. And I was wondering if he still has his salamander and still uses magical staffs (or is it staves?), so these pics answered those questions.

@SubRosa - Mannimarco was sucked into that dolmen and that was the end of his presenece in Tamriel for a few hundred years.

@Acadian - Shonta Quassan also likes and respects Merric. I'll avoid spoilers, but he deserves to become *whatever happens to him at the end of the Fighters Guild questline*.

@Renee - yes, his flaming Salamander will stay at his side forever. Just like Shonta will stick to staves forever.

From Skyrim...

...to Alik'r Desert...

...and to Daggerfall. It was really crowded!

Argonian in the province of Bretons

More nice shots of Shonta's game. As you are traveling around, I'm thinking to myself how much I like each zone you are visiting. More and more, I realize how much I like every single original alliance zone. Each seems to have its own magical feel and wonderful music.

An Argonian in the providence of Bretons make sense to me. Why shouldn't the best swimmers in the land come up to High Rock for the boisterous Fishing Day celebration normally held the 30th of Second Seed.

Thank you both.

My least favorite province so far is Stonefalls although it's probably right in that province where I've spent the most time, that is, clocked the most hours. But the province has some cold feel to it and neither me nor Shonta like it. I also never truly liked its capital city Davon's Watch.

Wear a mask, keep distance and talk to Azura

Lich down, Shonta up

Streets of Stormhaven

Ogre World Boss in the air

Stormie down

White bear down

This particular world boss - the white bear - is one of those that Shonta Quassan and me never managed to beat when I played ESO for the first time, about a year ago. Beating it on solo was impossible and I've never ran into any other players that I could team up with. Well, in 2021, Shonta Quassan is much more powerful and managed to bring down the bear on his own, but it was a difficult fight.

A beautiful shot of early morning in Stormhaven!

Shonta's pretty handy vs world bosses!

Thank you, Acadian.

It's peaceful in the Rift

And on Stirk as well

Not for long, though

Shonta Quassan, the savior of Stirk

"Buffy? Of course I know her. Why do you ask?"

We will all go together

Cold in Coldharbour

"They said that you can jump safely from up above. It'll be fun, they said."

"Whoa, and they were right!"

Uh-oh. . . Stirk – I know what that means. Leave it to Shonta to sort things out.

Hey, Buffy knows that queen!

We will all go in together. . . but arriving all together is not guaranteed. . . .

As depressing and gloomy as Coldharbour is, Buffy quite enjoyed most everything about it while there.

Wow, I remember that jump!

I don't know where those places are, but those are some very cool pics.

Thank you both.

Despite its dreariness, I also like Coldharbour, it's actually one of my favorite zones. Maybe because it's so different than others.

After helping Argonians in the realm of Molag Bal...

...solving riddles and talking to sexy vampires...

...it was time for the ritual that allowed Shonta Quassan to face Molag Bal himself!

The God of Schemes thought that he'd crush the little Argonian with ease...

...but there was more to the blue Argonian than meets the eye!

Instead, Molag Bal fell to pieces and was now actually only slightly larger than Shonta!

Surprisingly, the mighty Daedric God didn't turn out to be a particularly dangerous enemy...

...and it wasn't long when Shonta beheaded him with Meridia's sword!

Cleansing light fulfilled Coldharbour and Shonta could finally retrieve his soul!

Meridia, the Hero of Tamriel and Molag Loser

After a long time Shonta Quassan finally returned home

A fabulous collection of shots from Shonta's time in Coldharbour. That final run up from the Companions' ritual until the end of Molag Bal is epic. I like to think that Akatosh's armor and Meridia's sword did much of the work.

That ritual to sacrifice one of the companions did not make Buffy happy. She asked about the perfectly elegant solution of going back to the squirming Mannimarco and sacrificing him. And Tharn couldn't explain why that wasn't possible (grrr). So Buffy suggested sacrificing Tharn - but had to agree that if he was the only one who knew how to perform the ritual. . . .

We accidentally released Mannimarco! *facepalm* Shonta was done talking to him, then I moved the cursor around and obviously clicked on the keyboard command by mistake just as the cursor hovered over the "Release Mannimarco" stone. And whoop - he was released! If this weren't ESO, I'd reload immediately but now I like to think that it's Shonta who's partially responsible for Mannimarco's deeds in Oblivion / Cyrodiil, because he freed him.

I wonder what happens if one sacrifices Sai or Lyris - don't these two play important roles in DLCs that follow? In any case, we sacrificed Vanus but I don't know whether he also appears later on again or not.

Vanus does reappear later a couple minor times but only as a ghost - so he is the 'best' choice. Both Sai and Lyris appear in later quests and it is explained because of . . . magic.

My thanks to Shonta for releasing Mannimarco. Scourg Barrow is my favorite place to visit in Daggerfall.
Great pictures too.

I've always assumed that when you defeat Molag Bal, Mannimarco is an unintended beneficiary of the "release of souls". Perhaps Varen/Lyris/Sai are, too.

I'm glad that if you decide to sacrifice Lyris or Sai, that they return, regardless of the explanation behind.



Thank you! I wonder if the place that you mention, also exists in ESO? Shonta Quassan was to Daggerfall only once for a very short time, so I don't know the answer.

"When one has his soul back, the best adventures yet await."

By Shonta Quassan, the Hero of Tamriel and the Champion of Fighters Guild

Return to Shadowfen

Dressed for swamps

Norg-Tzel, the forbidden island

Following the path

Where's Lara Croft?

Meant to be taken

Lizard in Lilmoth

Looking good

Power of sky shards

Lopov-ed while floating

Where's Indiana Jones?

Forbidden magic

Shonta is raiding a tomb in the forbidden zone!

That is a cool skull with glowing eyes.

I really like his skin. It's so shiny, it almost looks like mirrored in some pictures. Shonta also has a scaly friend to travel with, it looks like. Is that some other gamer, or an NPC?

That does look like a tomb for Lara Croft to climb all over, looking for secrets.

I just discovered if I copy/paste .jpg at the end of all these Imgur pics, the actual picture will show up on screen, instead of Imgur's website in the background.

The new Blackwood chapter, released this month, introduces companions.

Nice shots, Lopov! Buffy loved Murkmire - both the zone itself and the full main questline there.

@SubRosa - it were even better if we could completely disable menus, so the arrow wouldn't point at the skull. But I don't think that it's possible even if I switched to some other quest, the arrow would remain there, only the color would change.

@Renee & Pseron - that's a NPC that accompanies you during the quest. I haven't yet touched Blackwood and probably won't do it anytime soon, I have lots of other content to do first because I want to complete stuff in chronological order.

@Acadian - so far we also like Murkmire, there's some special feel to the zone, it reminds me of Point Lookout in Fallout 3 to an extent. I also like it that it's much less crowded with other players compared to any other zone that we've been to.

We, that is Shonta Quassan and me, are really in love with everything what Murkmire has to offer. The music is superb as is the atmosphere, the characters and quests. We actually got lost a few times in the swamps and needed to refer to the map to get back on the trail.

Shadowscale

One night in Murkmire

Another night in Murkmire

Where is Cinncinatus?

"By the Hist, we're on the bank! Get down from the counter!"

Xukas & Shonta Quassan

Nice weather, nice view

Stranger among Argonians

The tomb of the hero

Argonian magic

I made Shonta Quassan slightly more muscular and removed the body paint. Adventuring hardened him, so it makes sense that he got some muscles.

Another thing about...don't read if you haven't completed the MQ in Murkmire yet unless you don't care about spoilers...

I think Cincannatus is in Ohio... *badum-tiss!*

The tomb of the hero looks really cool.

That is a cool, glowy, Argonian magic stick.

Some great shots Lopov! Murkire really is a lovely little area.


Ciri has been in Stonefalls today, accompanied by trusty companion Mirri. Ciri and Mirri

Lopov, Buffy's with Shonta on loving just about everything in Murkmire.

hazmick, great to see Ciri and Mirri!

Shadowscale's has nice head-horns. Careful with that comb...

Yeah, Murkmire looks incredible, especially with all the mist in that one picture. I'd hate to get lost there... and I'm usually a gamer who doesn't mind getting lost in wilderness. Shonta seems like he'd be at home with the place.

hazmik: Is Ciri riding a guar?


I know, I thought of this too.

@SubRosa - unfortunately Cincy wasn't around. But Shonta Quassan still has apples from his Argonian friend from Lilmoth.

@hazmick - beautiful pic! It shows the regional contrast that I've up until now only found in Stonefalls.

@Acadian - for the 100th time, we love everything in Murkmire as well. I like its German name - Trübmoor as well.

@Renee - Murkmire really is incredible and there are a lot of interesting unmarked places to explore as well.

---

In case you haven't completed the Murkmire MQ, I'd recommend not checking the pics unless you don't mind being potentially spoiled by seeing some end-quest content.

Argonian magic - one, two, three!

Visions to come

On opposing sides

The forgotten village

Nexus door

Ayleid magic

Varla stone

Battle

"Careful, that you don't drop it!"

Dreams or reality?

Rest in peace, heroine

More fabulous pictures - and some very well captured action shots!

I think what Buffy liked so much about the main quest in Murkmire is that she really did feel like just another member of a team - not 'The Chosen ONE' as is the case in quite a few quest lines. Buffy surprised herself by growing very close to Jasik-Orn over the course of the quest line.

Lopov, your Dreams or Reality pic is makes me think twice about wanting to play ES Online. It really looks like it would be an exciting place to explore.

A few recent glitches

I told you those clothes were too tight!

Subterranean Homesick Blues

Talk to Mirri, ... any Mirri.

What a funny collection of shots, ghastley. They do indeed have some bugs to work out regarding the companion quests.

@Acadian - indeed, being a part of a team was a very memorable experience. I'm rarely sentimental when it comes to events in computer games but deciding whether to Xukas or Jaxsik almost brought a tear to my eye. How did Buffy decide at that point?

Also, in Murkmire I encountered for the first time in ESO the boss (not the world boss) that killed us multiple times before we figured out how to battle it. It was the creature that needs to be killed at the end of the Path of the Lily.

@macole - I'd recommend trying it out. Before ESO I thought that I'd never try MMO but I don't regret that I decided to give ESO a try. With ESO+ membership activated the experience is even better.

Though I have multiple characters in other games, in ESO I stick to Shonta Quassan all the time. I did have two minor / side characters but ESO is the only game so far where I don't have troubles sticking to one character only. Considering how many adventures still await us, it's very unlikely that I'll create someone new. I will, however, at some point create an evil-oriented character to go through the Dark Brotherhood questline because Shonta won't touch that one. I did the same for the Thieves Guild questline.

@ghastley - too tight clothes aren't always a bad thing but in that case they obviously are!

Who is this Mirri that everyone seems to talk about these days?

---

Peace in Murkmire

Stibbons in troubles - again

Concert

Dominus Fatum

Tree of life

Nice outfit

Dangerous roots

Our adventures in Murkmire are coming to an end, so it's time for a new outfit. Instead of a traditional Argonian outfit, Shonta Quassan now wears a custom-painted Bright-Throat outfit combined with pieces from Ysgramor's and Stendarr's armor.

New looks

Mirri is a companion added by the Blackwood expansion.

When you wakeup late and rush to get out of the house sometimes you get things out of order. Too proud to admit your error, just insist its the latest fashion in chainmail bikini armor.

More wonderful shots of Murkmire *nostalgic happy sigh*. Peace in Murkmire is really beautiful.

After growing so close to Jaxsik-Orrn, Buffy did choose her to help the Root Whisper tribe prosper. Buffy had truly grown to understand that Jaxsik-Orrn embraced death as long as it was noble. Besides, just as part of Jaxsik-Orrn's pal Tsojei traveled with her, a physical part of Jaxsik-Orrn now travels with Buffy. Some would consider that morbid or gruesome, but Buffy understands and embraces it.

Until next time, Murkmire!

"Trying to imitate me?"

The vision

Somewhere in the Shivering Isles

Stranger in Vvardenfell

By Azura!

Up the stairs

View from the above

His floating majesty

Welcome to VivecLand! That is quite a view from the top of the palace looking out over Red Mountain.

I agree, the view is spectacular. From what we've explored so far, Vvardenfell is another nice region to explore and quest.

Red Mountain

Naryu, Shonta and the ghost of the lost brother

Morag Tong at work

This girl's on fire

"It'll be alright."

Nice screens and I remember that quest with Naryu.

I found the zone to be a bit frustrating to navigate (like Wrothgar with its 'cliff-blocking'). The bigger challenge Buffy had was trying to avoid disliking Dunmer with their dismissive/superior manner. She enjoyed being called Beeko ever so much more than n'wah or outlander. . . .

After some exploring I totally get what you mean with navigational problems. Quests are very interesting, however, and compared to other regions there are a lot more unmarked locations on the map, especially Daedric shrines. Shonta Quassan also misses being called "Beeko".

As much as Shonta likes Vvardenfell, he still prefers spending nights in his magical pocket snowglobe. After a good sleep he's then ready for adventuring on Vvardenfell.

"Want a bite?"

The Scarlet Judge is back...

...now he even sports a blue tail!

The legend lives on

Relaxing

Rainbow

More fun pix from MW. We did enjoy the Scarlet Judge quests. I was so hoping you'd show us what the judge looks like with a tail!

Wow, so that's where he goes to sleep? Now that's certainly not the Hilton, is it?

I love his magical staff.

A magical pocket snowglobe! Now that's what I call a splendid portable tent.

@Acadian - the Scarlet Judge can't hide his identity anymore, because of the tail.

@Renee - his magical snowglobe is even better than Hilton.

@macole - thanks, Shonta likes his home too. One of these days I'll make his home a public area for Chorrolites, so anyone will be able to visit it and maybe even run into Shonta.

---

Meeting of the staves

Ashlander customs

Argonian among Dark Elves

The Lady of Dawn and Dusk

Restoring his strength - a glimpse into Shonta Quassan's bedroom in his magical pocket snowglobe. He's regaining his vitality thanks to the (fairly crown-expensive) Ayleid well.

There will be lava

The Lizard of Dawn and Dusk

Working with Azura and the Ashlanders! Some great shots of MW and a nice glimpse into Shonta's pocket snowglobe realm.

Buffy's new fave music box is 'Dancing Among the Flowers Fine'. Here's what it sounds like: YouTubeAudio.

And here's Buffy in the Snugpod dancing to it: Screenshot.