Rastislav

Arc 4 Chapter XXXI: Kilkreath Temple (Part 2)

The atmosphere of the temple is eerie to say the least, I felt as if the shadows themselves were trying to beckon me into their embrace... permanently.

I thought I would have to deal with the uncomfortable feeling the entire time inside, but Meridia came through quickly and a beam of sacred light shot through the darkness, cleansing the feeling and revealing the temple's marbled halls.

It would have been beautiful, had the entrance not been almost buried in desiccated bodies of wh...

Arc 4 Chapter XXX: Kilkreath Temple (Part 1)

(General pov)

"Why me..."

Davos groans as their little group makes its way up the mountain toward the temple sitting upon its peak.

"Oh come now Davos" Reyvin says cheerfully "Even the brat isn't complaining."

Marco merely grunts, having no energy to respond.

"You two really should get out more." Sybille adds while giggling coquettishly.

"How are you not tired?" Davos glares at her. One might think it is because she is a woman, but no, she really just looks...

Arc 4 Chapter XXIX: Gathering a Party

I blinked my tired eyes open and winced in pain, mage or not pissing off an Orc is never a good idea... Even my healing was taking its time to kick in. The worst part of it all was explaining to Davos and Sybille just why exactly I came back to the tower looking like I tried to seduce a troll.

Well, at least I looked somewhat presentable after a good night's rest.

After freshening up I made my way to the office of Falk Firebeard to inform him of Savos' visit.

Upon nearing it...

Arc 4 Chapter XXVIII: Research

I found the Daedric section of the library without much issue, really it was impossible to miss as there were massive glowing warning signs spelling out in no uncertain terms that everyone touching the books contained within does so on their own responsibility, with the usual warnings of what dealing with Daedra results in.

The books containing information on Meridia were bound in mesmerizingly glowing silver and gold, I quickly found the two I needed and got to work.

The first bo...

Arc 4 Chapter XXVII: Back to Winterhold

It took a good three days of focusing on my work for my paranoia and twitchiness to die down after that event. I knew Azura was going to show up at some point and make some outrageous demand from me, even if she somehow wasn't a proud and vain Prince she had an 'excuse' to make a demand so she would do it.

I just hoped she would be kind enough to wait until I was ready for whatever she wanted... And make no mistake, I would likely have to accept her demands as denying her would just pai...

Arc 4 Chapter XXVI: Court Mage and Preparations

(Reyvin's pov)

The banquet went on without any further mishaps. Honestly, I was surprised by Erikur's lack of subtlety, a small part of me hoped he would be some hidden mastermind just because a brat in power annoys me more than him possibly being a true threat.

My evening spent with Sybille was altogether quite pleasant, we had a lot to talk about when it came to magic, and she was obviously interested in doing more than talking by the end of the banquet. We left for the wizard's...

Arc 4 Chapter XXV: Banquet

As we approached the palace Marco kept getting progressively more nervous, suspiciously so after a point.

"Why so twitchy Marco, you wanted by the crown or something?" I ask teasingly.

He stops for a second "Wha-" and quickly shakes his head "Of course not!"

"Then why do you look like you are about to start shaking like a leaf?"

He shifts uncomfortably "You see the thing is..." he starts and then says loudly and dramatically "We really should hurry up, you could be lat...

Arc 4 Chapter XXIV: Marco

We leave the Bard's College and head toward the less extravagant part of the upper city.

"So, Mark was it?" I ask my new punching b- *Cough* follower, damn well knowing it wasn't.

"It's Marco!" The very annoyed young Altmer exclaims with a red face.

"Riiiiight" I drawl "So Maro would you care to recommend some of the interesting sites in the city while we walk?"

"It's -Never mind." He sighs "I am guessing you have already been to the palace?"

I nod "Yes, it was q...

Chapter XXIII: Bards

It took me an uncomfortable amount of time to convince the supremely enthusiastic High King that no, he cannot rush off to hunt random ass reachmen right now.

After calming down and realizing just how foolish he may have looked to a new important subject he made some excuses and left with his now very smug guard, the stoic man even gave me a grateful smile before he left...

Now finished with that... enlightening meeting I left for the city to finally start exploring.

My firs...

Arc 4 Chapter XXII: Torygg

I walk down the stairs while humming one of those tunes you can't ever remember the name of but they still get stuck in your head anyway. I knock on the servant quarter's door a couple of times and after a minute I hear grumbling on the other end.

Not long after a tired and disheveled looking Davos opens the door and lightly glares at me "Couldn't wait a tiny bit longer boss?"

I give him a cheery smile "Come Davos, where is your sense of adventure? We are in the greatest city of S...

Arc 4 Chapter XXI: Vampires

Sybille gives me a long blank stare "And why, prey tell would I tell you anything about that?"

"Because I asked nicely?" I smile cheekily.

She scoffs "If you want to study vampirism I am sure there are many tomes back in Winterhold that would more than satisfy your childish curiosity."

I wave her off "Ah, but that wouldn't be coming straight from the source now, would it? It would be mostly interpretations and conclusions, nothing concrete."

She doesn't seem moved by m...

Arc 4 Chapter XX: Court

I enter the throne room of the Blue Palace only to be completely ignored by everyone but the king and his guard who eye me for a bit, but don't otherwise react. The rest are still busy shouting at each other at an ever increasing volume. I am starting to understand why the greybeards might have decided to withdraw the voice from their people...

I note a hint of recognition on the king's face so he must want to see how I will behave. Surprisingly prudent for the 'boy king'.

Taking ...

Arc 4 Chapter XIX: Solitude

Following our scuffle in Rorikstead, Davos and I spent the next two weeks in relatively peaceful travel. I say relatively because no matter where one finds themselves in Skyrim, getting jumped by starving wolves is a constant of life.

At least they weren't cliff racers...

The settlements we passed on our way north were mostly just smaller fortified homesteads or mining villages in the hills. They were all far more welcoming than their eastern cousins, clearly showing us the dispar...

Arc 4 Chapter XVIII: Shadow over Rorikstead (Part 5/finale)

I feel like a flashbang just went off in front of my face, combined with the sudden expulsion of so much Magicka I almost pass out on the spot. Thankfully I have been through a similar experience so many times at this point that I manage to pull out a potion on reflex and own it in one long swig.

A wave of relief hits me and I lay down on the ground with a contented sigh.

"Wha- what in oblivion was that?" I hear the pained voice of Adar to my left.

"The spell or the demon?" ...

Arc 4 Chapter XVII: Shadow over Rorikstead (Part 4)

A short search leads me toward a very worried and panicked looking Lokir.

He is looking around frantically, practically shivering, and the moment he spots me he lets out a long sigh of relief.

I place a finger over my mouth and signal him to follow me.

We make our way to the gate where in one of the dark corners Irilleth and three of her colleagues wait for us in full combat gear.

I take a moment to look at the housecarls. Two are tall Nord men, one with grey hair yet ...

Arc 4 Chapter XVI: Shadow over Rorikstead (Part 3)

(General pov)

A Dunmer shrouded in light armor and a hooded cloak skulks through the streets of the now quiet town of Rorikstead, the rings of muffling and stealth bought from his employer for a pittance ensuring he isn't seen or heard by any who might still be awake at this hour.

He approaches an unassuming house in a corner just below the wooden palisade and notices a dim light coming from inside.

Slowly, he tiptoes closer to the window and starts hearing a quiet conversat...

Arc 4 Chapter XV: Shadow over Rorikstead (Part 2)

We all take a minute to gather ourselves before approaching the closed gates of the small town.

While I walk I get a notification.

[Quest issued: Resolve the mystery of Rorikstead][Reward: Minor Nord Paragon trait]

Very useful in the future. Not like I really needed all that much motivation after Mephala indicated that this would help me, but any bit extra is nice.

One of the armored housecarls yells "Open the gates, the Jarl approaches!"

There is some movement b...

Arc 4 Chapter XIV: Shadow over Rorikstead (Part 1)

The Jarl took a deep breath and asked pleadingly "Reyvin, by all of the gods please tell me you are jesting. I will pretend I heard nothing if you do."

My firm stare is answer enough and he nods gravely. He goes to say something, but I interrupt him with a wave and indicate that we should speak in private.

He seems to understand and quickly calls over Irileth and Hrongar to his carriage, while Davos and I follow him.

After we take our seats Balgruuf forces down his discomfor...

Discord's done.

You should all have been auto-invited but in case you haven't here is a link (it will last for a month)

https://discord.gg/fNU5wZs98

Arc 4 Chapter XIII: Rorikstead

We spent a good portion of the evening retelling how we met and faced the raider clan, I did learn that they called themselves the Home-shorn when Hrongar namedropped them after I showed them the savior's last stand. Apparently, the enchanted suit of armor was known as Home-shorn's rampart to most people.

It is rather odd that it would have two names, but maybe my identification only shows either the original or true name of things...

The name implied some kind of tragic backstory...

Arc 4 Chapter XII: Rising Reputation

When Durrak finally calmed down from his embarrassment fueled berserk rage, we got to the most important part of any dungeon delve: Looting anything not nailed down.

We found the usual valuables and some enchanted weapons. Unfortunately, said weapons were of the user-fueled variety making them far less valuable than a properly done enchantment.

As we were walking down the massive platform at the entrance Durrak asked hesitantly "You think you could maybe enchant my spear?"

I...

Arc 4 Chapter XI: Bleak Falls (part 2)

"Ugh" I grunt as I push the headless body off myself.

Durrak finally reaches me "What the hell happened here?"

"I fucked around and found out apparently" I shrug and shake my head "I really should tone it down with the arrogance."

Davos also approaches "You doing alright boss?" He asks looking over the greatsword still sticking out of my shoulder.

I wordlessly pull it out and chug down a potion of regeneration from the white phial, immediately feeling my wound closing ...

Arc 4 Chapter X: Bleak Falls (part 1)

Once the next day arrived we moved out as quickly as was possible, I didn't want to tempt Delphine to possibly follow us up the mountain and prove to be a further annoyance.

As we start walking up the mountain next to Riverwood, Davos asks "What was that all about boss?"

I sigh "That 'innkeeper'" I say with audible quotations "Is someone very dangerous. Having her snooping around our business is never a good thing."

"Just how dangerous are we talking here?"

"The 'it's ...

Arc 4 Chapter IX: Companions, Traders and Innkeepers

Our return to Jorrvaskr was met with great celebration by the regular companions, and with great trepidation by the circle.

After the usual great proclamations following a successful quest one might expect when returning to an order of rowdy warriors, we were quickly led toward the Harbinger's rooms.

We all took our seats and I looked at those present. There were five more circle members than I remembered from the game, but that was to be expected after all the changes I noticed i...

Arc 4 Chapter VIII: Dustman's Cairn

While I wait for Davos to find a way to set Durrak free I recount the story of how I got here to my orcish friend.

When I arrive at the part where I guessed where he was going, he raises an eyebrow "You always seem to know more than you let on."

"Those of my house are said to see more than others are able to." I respond with a mysterious smile.

He grunts "That didn't really give me any answers."

"If I wanted to give you answers I would have Durrak, do keep up." I say i...

Arc 4 Chapter VII: Jorrvaskr

(Before meeting Durrak, Reyvin's pov)

Our march to Whiterun was mostly peaceful, with only a couple of hungry wolves bothering us with expected results. I tried some wolf meat out of shear curiosity, and let me tell you: It's shit.

We spent our nights either camping out near the road or resting at an inn, once more visiting that small out-of-the-way place with the reclusive and talented cook.

Because I reserved my inventory for more important things I had to lug around a lar...

Arc 4 Chapter VI: A Companion's quest

After carefully setting up the crime scene and making sure Davos got the handwriting right we left the shop through a side window just in case and headed for the corner club to get some drinks in celebration.

In the meantime, I poured the most powerful potion of regeneration I had on me into the white phial. Just because I might not use it personally there was no reason not to earn some extra cash for basically no effort.

We greeted the owner, took our seats, and ordered some hear...

Arc 4 Chapter V: The White Phial (part 3)

We returned to Windhelm just as the gates were about to be closed for the night.

The gate guard tried to be an annoyance again, but my patience was wearing thin after a long day of fighting and scrounging through a stinky tomb, so a quick application of the fear spell had us entering the city while leaving behind the irritating Nord with soiled pants.

We made a beeline toward the White Phial shop and met Quintius who was just about to close the shop for the day.

"Is master N...

Arc 4: Chapter IV: The White Phial (part 2)

The smell of the tomb was stale, to say the least. The place probably didn't get a lot of air for thousands of years at this point and it showed, although it surprisingly smelled more of long-evaporated oils and smoke than it did of rotten corpses.

[Quest issued: Attain the complete white phial][Reward: Drinking from the phial will have a stronger effect]

Free buffs? Sign me the hell up!

As we descended the stairway leading below I turn to Davos and ask "You know how to acti...

Arc 4 Chapter III: White Phial (part 1)

As we are walking the still quiet streets of Windhelm my new... helper, yes let us go with helper, speaks up "So 'temp. boss' what exactly are we doing?"

I yawn "Well, the first thing I am doing is getting some sleep"

He lets out an annoyed grunt making me snicker.

After a bit more walking I say "I am going to be visiting the alchemist on the market square in an attempt to obtain his life's work, you can just follow me around or something I really don't need your more specia...