Private Discerning the Transmundane

[The Phantom]

Chapter 1: Come My Champion

"Go now, find the Elder Scroll, deep in the bowels of Blackreach. The two objects, one edged, one round shall open the path through Alftand." The Mage exclaimed, a tone of unearthly insanity to his voice "And know that our master will be watching. You can do it for Septimus knows you can succeed!" The other man in the cavern conversing with Septimus was tall and with good posture. The expression on his face showed his respect for the incessant wizard, that is to say none. The tall man was dressed in long flowing robes with an obviously dark demeanour, his hair jet black and well kept, his eyes were a piercing blue but recently a few black spots had appeared on the whites. The Dark Mage picked up his staff which was propped against the wall for most of the conversation prior and said dully "Very well then, the Elder Scroll will be in my possession soon and then III mean WE... will open the cursed lockbox." And with that he left Septimus' Outpost, beginning the long trek to his manor house east of the Thalmor Embassy given to him by the Thalmor themselves.

2 Days Later

As the Dark Mage entered his manor he sat down contemplating how he should approach the situation. He knew even with all his power he couldn't do it on his own, he needed a team. There were others. Others whom he viewed as almost his equals, known only by their reputation. He knew some of them were from the peasantry and others were more..... Un-savoury characters but they were his best chance of getting through Blackreach and he needed the Scroll. The Book. The knowledge. The power. He decided to compose a series of letters, each addressed to a renowned hero or "villain" some where harder to track down than others. He wrote a specific letter for each of them and gave it to his courier.
____________________________________________________________________________________

The man now referred to only in myth dubbed "The Timeless One" was walking the roads when he happened along a dying man. The man revealed himself to be a courier working for a very rich noble and pleaded the Timeless One for assistance. The Timeless One grabbed the courier and used his powers to see the Couriers point of death, that time was now. He shook his head "Remember the name Cronus in Aetherius, and know that he gave you a quick death." He then took his scythe off his back and impaled the Courier, absorbing his life energy and causing the corpse to age rapidly. Cronus pushed the late Courier off the blade, feeling refreshed. Taking the Couriers satchel; he opened it and read the letters one by one, these interested him very much. He felt like he had a purpose again. Cronus decided to take the Couriers place and deliver the letters personally, under the guise of being the Courier. On his way he read the last letter.

"Dear Anwrise Harr

You were very tough to track down so if you could please hear me out. I am recruiting a team of skilled adventurers. The best of the best to go through a Dwemer ruin known as Alftand. This ruin holds to gateway to the fabled "Blackreach" deep within. The long lost capital city of the Dwarves, home to a very valuable treasure. An Elder Scroll. Now don't disregard this and go searching on your own, you won't be able to make it to Blackreach without my key. I need your.... skills on my team, a Mage skilled in the arts of Black Magic, especially a vampire would be an extreme asset to the team. We may be able to teach each other a thing or two about the Dark Arts? I do hope you consider my request, the rewards will be bountiful and the glory, known for time immemorial. Meet at Alftand.

Yours Sincerely, Vahlok Cairn"

 

[Anwrise888]

Hahaha, one of the witches at the table laughed. Oh Anwrise tell us again about the part were you plucked out the nords eyes has he begged for his life. Well I tricked him with a illusion spell, so that he saw his sleeping brother as a druager. I let him free of my spell as soon as he was finished killing his brother with a wood cutting axe. As soon as he saw me the coward begged not to die. So I plucked out his eyes and.... What is it forsworn. A pair of forsworn Briarhearts brought a strange looking old man in old black robes in. This old man says he has letter for "The Cold One". (A title Anwrise picked up from those that fear and respect him.) Said one of the Briarhearts. The forsworn warrior pulled out the letter and was about to hand it to hand it over. Anwrise grabbed the letter with telekinesis and started reading it.
"Dear Anwrise Harr

You were very tough to track down so if you could please hear me out. I am recruiting a team of skilled adventurers. The best of the best to go through a Dwemer ruin known as Alftand. This ruin holds to gateway to the fabled "Blackreach" deep within. The long lost capital city of the Dwarves, home to a very valuable treasure. An Elder Scroll. Now don't disregard this and go searching on your own, you won't be able to make it to Blackreach without my key. I need your.... skills on my team, a Mage skilled in the arts of Black Magic, especially a vampire would be an extreme asset to the team. We may be able to teach each other a thing or two about the Dark Arts? I do hope you consider my request, the rewards will be bountiful and the glory, known for time immemorial. Meet at Alftand.

Yours Sincerely, Vahlok Cairn"

 

[Sqeagy]

A hammer was pounding on a piece of metal. Ashley was in the middle of making an Steel sword for a mercenary in training, having just finished the man's armor. The man was very anxious to get his sword., seeing as how he impatient he was, asking every minute if the armor was done. "Okay! Now it's done." Ashley said. She walked back into the shop, presenting it to the man. He took a few practice swings on a mannequin. "It's a very sharp blade. Beautiful work." He said. He handed Ashley the money for the new sword and left, seemingly happy with it. "That's nothing. You want to talk about sharp, I'll show you sharp." Ashley said as she walked back outside. She took out a Stalhrim sword, her own blade which she named Starfang, and took one slash at the same mannequin, cutting it in half. As the one part went high into the air, she grabbed a Stalhrim bow and Arrow from her desk and after loading the arrow, shot it into the ruined mannequin's head. Ashley put her sword and bow on the table and began to sweep the straw off the ground when the door opened up inside her store. Ashley put down the broom and walked back into the main room. "Welcome to my shop. What can I do for you?" Ashley said, as she turned around.

A man in black robes entered the room, bringing a cold wind in with him. He was escorted by one of the Whiterun guards. "Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt. But this man said he has a letter for "The Ice Warrior", and he walked here." The man in black took out a letter and threw it, making it land right in front of Ashley on the desk. She opened the letter and read it in her head.

Dear Ashley Rittle,

I am glad you were on of the easiest to find. The stories of your heroic deeds all over Skyrim are told all over, from Markarth to Riften. I find myself in need of assistance from a team of skilled warriors for an expedition of sorts. Hearing about your skills in Archery, I sought you out, hoping you would join this crew. We would be traveling to an old ruin called Alftand. In this ruin is a doorway to fabled Blackreach, capital of the Dwarves. Inside the ancient city is a treasure beyond anyone's wildest imagination. An Elder Scroll. I hope you agree to join us on this quest. The reward for finding such an item would be immensely large, and you would be known forever, your name forever carved in history. Attached to the letter is the location of the ruin. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely yours, Vahlok Cairn.

Ashley looked up from the letter, seeing both the guard and the strange man in black gone. "Looks like I have some packing to do." She wrote her own note to her husband and daughter, alerting them that she would be gone for some time. She locked the shop doors and walked upstairs. Ashley opened up a wardrobe, containing a set of Stalhrim armor. Ashley smiled, remembering all the times she wore this armor in combat. She quickly changed into the armor and went downstairs, grabbing the sword and bow on her desk. She grabbed as many arrows she could fit in her arrow bag, and packed a lot of Stalhrim to make more arrows on her journey. Ashley, now finally back to her old self, walked outside the city limits and mounted her horse. "C'mon boy. Hyah!" She said, as she took off, making her way to the ruins.

 

[Captain Nagisus]

Shakes-Many-Trees stood at the peak of one of the mountains outside the Dwarven ruin he had been sent to. The air was frigid and crisp, and the wind felt like paper, slapping him on the cheek over and over. Sticking out his tongue, Shakes smelled nothing but the snow-laden rocks. His tailcoat billowed in the wind. He stared down the slope with a look of determinedness, before taking his letter out of his jacket pocket and flicking through it. He looked back down the steep rock face to see an odd ruin. Shakes took a small bit of bark from his pocket and chewing it thoroughly before seeing how far he could spit it.

Shakes took his breastplate and spear from his back and placed the armour on the ground. He put both feet on the plate and used his spear as a rudder. The harsh winds slammed against his face and snow blasted upwards from the force of the armour sailing down the mountain.
"WHY HAVE I NEVER TRIED THIS BEFORE? WOO-HOO-HOOOOOO!"

Five minutes later, Shakes was in a snowy pile at the base of the mountain.
"Worth it."

 

[Uskyldig]

The able-bodied Dunmer rolled his finger tips across the taple in a soft repetitive rhythm whilst he read the document set on the table. His flagon had run dry so he gestured the barman over with the hand he'd been drumming a beat with. Very good service, he thought, as he was presented with another beverage almost instantly. Parting with a few gold coins and a grateful nod, Endryn returned to the letter he had been delivered, taking a moment to catch up with what he'd already read.​

The aforementioned letter was printed on fair quality parchment, it looked impressive as a roll, tied with a strip of expensive leather. Days had passed before Endryn even bothered to give the delivery a second look, but when he had he decided to do his light reading somewhere other than a bedroll. He made his way through the Gray Quarter, dragging himself up the last few steps to the cornerclub sluggishly.​

Night before last, Endryn had found himself on the end of a skooma pipe, sharing it with a local working girl. An on and off addict, relapse was a word common in the conjurer's vocabulary, and he had now been given an incentive to remain in sobriety in the form of this letter. So here he was, the dark corner of an even darker bar, having to borrow a candle in an effort to read the scripture set before him. Whilst working around the market, trading off a few pelts he'd obtained in the waking hours of the morning, a hesitant courier was snooping around until he'd noticed Endryn, heavily clad in suitable steel armor. No words were exchanged between the two, only the passing of the letter. Straight away this should've been a bad omen, though if it was it wouldn't be heeded with the Dunmer now scanning the letter from left to right.​

It was an invitation, sent by a one Vahlok Cairn, and in its starting paragraphs detailed a campaign of discovery, noting a few significant locations before delving into the difficulty of the expedition. Describing Endryn as a notable sellsword, he chuckled at the admiration of the sender and resumed reading, for the admiration would soon stop. This Vahlok Cairn avoided sensitivity when commenting on Endryn's past and present addiction, reminding him thoroughly that if he were to take the job he would need to remain sober for its duration. A few hours passed, and after a few more readings of this well written letter, Endryn decided to give his new employer the good news, as soon as he found him.​

 

[Anwrise888]

Within the depths of Hag End, Anwrise awoke from his sleep. Next him lay the naked sleeping form of one the witchs from last night. Anwrise healed the fang marks on her neck with a minor spell. Anwrise than strolled to the Hags End overlook. Rereading the letter, Anwrised remembered that Alftand was one of the many entrances to Blackreach. Anwrise preparing himself for a "teleportation spell off fast travel". A spell that only some of the most powerful of magica users can cast. As Anwrise cast the spell he thought of the location he wanted to go to in great detail, of snow,mountains,ruins and of Blackreach. Because a mistake in a teleportation spell could make you end up in solid rock or falling from the sky. Anwrise felt himself be pulled through existance with great speed. A conjured portal opened up six feet above the snowy ground as Anwrise leaped through and landed on his feet.
Anwrise pulled out a enchanted map out of his demensional pocket, in order to check his location. Satisfied that this was the right location. Anwrise walked to the ruined entrance and waited

 

[The Phantom]

Vahlok had decided to head on inside the ruins, or at least scout the entrance. As far as he could tell he was in a strange glacial cave system. He assumed that it would lead into Alftand itself and then into Blackreach. He returned outside and saw Anwrise already waiting.
"Ah. Anwrise "The Cold One" I a pleased to finally meet you. You are almost an urban myth. It is an honour... Even if you are a.... Well, cursed. Anyway, I have taken the liberty of exploring part of the ruins and can lead the first part. We just have to wait for the others I have invited to show up. Then we shall get started." He extended his hand for Anwrise to shake, a keg of blood in his other hand.

 

[Anwrise888]

Ah you must be Vahlok Cairn. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have also been to this place before many decades ago. BlackReach hides many secrets. Said Anwrise with a toothy grin, as he also smelled blood coming from the keg in Vahloks hand. Anwrise would have to test the keg later for any unpleasant spells or poisons later.

 

[Sid]

Forgarth was reading the letter for the umpteenth time.
"Archangel,
You have been the hardest of all to find. You have only ever been recorded in folklore. And if you receive this letter you know that I need you. I am venturing to Aftland, and then into Blackreach. I am led to believe that you know the way. If you would join us, please do. Now I have said all I need to.
Yours Sincerely, Vahlok Cairn."
Forgarth finished the letter the letter and tucked it into his armour. He turned around clutching the book even harder. An Orc burst out onto the roof shouting "Stop! That's My Book!" Urag gro-Shub was not made for work like this. "Actually I believe its my writings on Aftland and Blackreach," it was then that the rest of the College of Winterhold decided to joint them on the roof, "Now," he said, moving towards the edge of the roof, "I'd love to stay and chat but I've got a meeting. See you next time." He opened his harms as though to embrace them, and fell back, cloak billowing around them. But he never hit the bottom, instead up flew a falcon. The majestic bird then veered off in the direction of Aftland, soaring on the winds.

 

[Captain Nagisus]

Shakes-Many-Trees managed to pull himself up, out of the snow, and put his armour back on. Spitting the water which had melted into his mouth into the snow, he got up and went to look for a way in. After some climbing, digging and searching, he found the way in. Approaching a small ledge, he saw a wooden bridge leading into an icy cavern.

Shakes jumped down to the bridge - but almost smashed through it. Luckily he grabbed onto another board as the wood splintered beneath his weight. He quickly ran into the cave, to see two people talking.
"So, which one of you hired me, and which one of you do I need to kill?" he said, drawing his spear.

 

[Sqeagy]

Ashley continued to ride forward to Alftand. She had been riding nonstop for four hours, feeding her horse hay from a bag on the side of the saddle. As Ashley was continuing, she passed a sign that was falling into ruin, but was still readable. "Snowpoint Beacon huh? That's a bandit camp. I still have time to make it to Alftand." Fortunately for Ashley, Snowpoint Beacon was in the same direction as Alftand. As she approached the Bandit camp, a man could be heard shouting from the top to his comrades that a person was approaching. Four bandits came through the gate, two with bows, one with a sword and the other with two axes. Ashley grinned as she put on her shield and took out her sword. She got into a crouching position with her feet on the saddle of the horse. Ashley then pulled back on the horse's reins, causing it stop in place and sending Ash somersaulting over the horse and landing on her feet. She ran forward, parrying the first man's sword with her own sword, then bashed him with her shield, knocking him out. The second man ran forward, clashing his axes onto Ashley's shield. Before he could break through the shield, Ashley swept the man's legs out from under him, making the bandit fall down, where Ashley proceeded to stab him in the stomach. Before she could admire her handiwork, an arrow whizzed pass her face, giving her a nice sized cut on the side of her face. That's what I get for not wearing a helmet. Ashley thought to herself.



The archers loaded more arrows and started firing, but Ashley managed to fall back behind a rock to take cover. She sheathed her sword and put her shield on her back, and pulled out her bow. Ashley loaded an arrow and let it fire, right into one of the archers knee causing him to fall down. How's that for an arrow in the knee. Ashley thought to herself. When the other archer leaned down to help him, Ashley let another arrow go, hitting the second archer directly in the head. She took out a third arrow and finished off the injured archer, then scavenged the arrows she used and put them back in her bag, then returned to her horse and took off. After a half hour she reached the entrance to Alftand. When she reached the bridge, she saw an Argonian walk in, almost destroying the bridge. Ashley shook her head as she walked around the hole and entered the cave 2 minutes after the Argonian.

 

[The Phantom]

Vahlok grinned as the Argonian entered with a bravado bordering on arrogance. He raised his hand in a halting gesture and spoke as though to a child "Oh no. I hired you but you needn't kill either of us. You did read the letter, correct? I explained this was an expedition and I'm recruiting a tea...." Just then Ashley entered behind the Argonian and Vahlok's grin turned to a self-assured sly, smirk. He raised his arms in a welcoming gesture to the group "Ah, please enter all of you. I am very pleased to see that so many of you accepted my invitation. This is rather reassuring, I bet that we could take out Blackreach with just us here. However I believe we shall wait until the others arrive. Then I shall discuss my master-plan with you all. I quite planned this in terms of people. Me and Anwrise were to be the brains and Mages of this operation. You brutes are the muscle of this operation. Any objections?" He said, not realising he may have offended people in the group.

 

[Sqeagy]

Ashley walked forward and sat down on a rock. "I guess we have no choice but to wait." She took out her sword, the enchantment on it making it glow. "So.....who are you guys then?" She said, pointing at Shakes-Many-Trees and Anwrise.

 

[Sid]

Before any of the others could answer, the sound of rock grinding metal filled the camp site. Archangel stepped into the clearing, sharpening his giant bronze khopesh on a whetstone. He looked around the campsite with disgust. His eyes centred on the person so obviously in charge. "Vahlok Cairn," he said eyes boring into the Nord, studying him "You have called for me. Many know not of me. So I shall introduce myself, I am Archangel the Watcher to men, Gisa Tuarlle to Mer, Ri-Droja to Khajiit and Stares-through-Time to Argonians." Then his eyes centred on the Elf, "Anwrise Harr, a noble deed you are doing, for one so low."

 

[The Phantom]

Vahlok decided to intercept, sensing that Forgarth's comment could ascend to something far more drastic. He stood in front of Anwrise "Yes. Rather commendable wouldn't you say Forgarth? I believe you two are about the same age. That means that you should both have experience in this field, although I suggest you two keep your distance rom each other. You are both commendable souls...." The Dark Mage began before turning to Anwrise "Metaphorically speaking of course, due to your lack of a soul. Now allow me to introduce you all!" Turning to the group, his face seemed to light up enthusiastically "Well then, this is Anwrise Harr an 800 year old vampire with in-depth knowledge of the dark arts, an excellent mind nicknamed "The Watcher". Our newest arrival is Forgarth or his self-proclaimed nickname "The Watcher" about as old as Harr, skilled more in combat however, than in magic and the mind. There is also the charming Ashley Rittle nicknamed "The Ice Warrior", a brilliant fighter and archer. Last but not least of those arrived is our quiet friend, Shakes-Many-Trees, a ferocious and honourable spearmen."

A sly grin filled Vahlok's face as he looked upon his growing team of elites, the smug look he wore was rather sinister and off-putting to most people. But not them. A group of murderers, adventurers, wizards, dark mages, accursed and champions. In his eye they were all one in the same, killers. They wouldn't hesitate to end the life of another being, desensitised to death and horror, able to do things no others could. Able to make the decisions no-one else can. Vahlok was rather pleased with himself, more than usual at least "Let's not forget we still have a few to arrive. Dar'ja, an ambiguous feline assassin. My Thalmor friend Aerinir, who may or may not show up. And finally Endryn Nevosi, a great Dunmer warrior. Now that bother is all out the way, we need to find some way to pass the time. So.. Anyone up for some witty banter?"

 

[Uskyldig]

Not being too used to the cold, Endryn made sure to line his plate. He did so with a lot of care before taking off towards the precisely noted Alftand ruin, the directions were strangely enough written from the exact inn he was staying. Impressive if nothing else, Endryn thought. His pack consisted of a fair medley of potions and poisons, and within the mix he had stashed a couple of bottles of skooma, just in case he had to give in to his urges. He had hoped his disdain for sobriety would not be noticed though of course, which is why they found themselves amongst the more healthy concoctions.​

​

The trip was shorter than expected, thankfully the stately Dunmer staved off his addiction which removed a lot of groggy resting and misdirection. He inhaled clean air for more than twenty four hours which was an impressive feat in itself, the reward being the sight of the ruin as he approached it. Lowering his hood as he approached the threshold, he left a hand towards his shoulder as to softly anticipate the handle of his battleaxe. This cautious behaviour was brought on by the crowd of voices he could hear on the other side of the entrance which he would soon be in view of as he crushed the snow beneath his boots, a noise found far from subtle. His silence would hopefully not be too pretentious, though Endryn was never one for the first word.​

 

[Anwrise888]

I say we prepare for what our future roles in this "adveture" and in combat will be. I have a ancient map of Blackreach. I can also make any enchantment or potion any of you will need. We will be fighting falmer and many dwemer machines. We should all be able to handle these pathetic enemies with ease. If you can not handle it. Then do not expect me to even give you the decency of looting your worthless corpse.

 

[Anwrise888]

Before any of the others could answer, the sound of rock grinding metal filled the camp site. Archangel stepped into the clearing, sharpening his giant bronze khopesh on a whetstone. He looked around the campsite with disgust. His eyes centred on the person so obviously in charge. "Vahlok Cairn," he said eyes boring into the Nord, studying him "You have called for me. Many know not of me. So I shall introduce myself, I am Archangel the Watcher to men, Gisa Tuarlle to Mer, Ri-Droja to Khajiit and Stares-through-Time to Argonians." Then his eyes centred on the Elf, "Anwrise Harr, a noble deed you are doing, for one so low."

You are one to know so much yet so little. Low.. high... in the end all directions meet. As for what you all think of me... your opinions are as of dirt and air.

 

[D_A]

Dar'Ja was sitting at the Back of an inn in Windhelm, when a strange man in a black hood came up to him a and gave him a letter. The Theifs Guild again? Dar'Ja thought to himself. The man gave him the letter, looked around, as if he was checking nobody saw and left in a hurry. But this time it was from somebody named Vaholk Cairn. He scanned the letter, it said something about a place called Afland, which is the gate to a place called Blackreach. He has heard of Afland before, how it was once part of a Dwemer city filled with many deadly Dwemer machine's. BlackReach he recognized but wasn't totally sure if he was thinking about the right thing.


Dar'Ja had reached his stash of stolen Armour and weapons that was hidden in the cold mountains behind Windhelm. He gathered his main supplies, and weapons that he knew how to use. He got his Dwarven Dagger, his Eleven bow with a his steel arrows, and his steel sword. He put on his leather Armour and then left to this place Afland.


Once he was inside he saw about 6 people. Some darker looking character's than the other's. As he let himself be noticed from the shadows, he saw that a Nord, that had a vampiric look to him, noticed Dar'Ja first. Dar'Ja held his hand on his dagger, tail twitching Dar'Ja spoke to the Vampiric Nord "What does the one called, Vaholk want? I am here....I am Dar'Ja" Dar'Ja couldn't believe what he was doing. He never took this approach he never just announced himself, but this time, something was telling him that it was alright.

 

[The Phantom]

Vahlok stepped forward "Ah. Here we are. Speaking of our assassin. Everyone I do believe this is Dar'ja, master assassin and thief. Good day, Dar'ja. I am Vahlok Cairn and I shall be leading our expedition. Given who you are however, I want you to know this. If you are caught stealing from any one of us..... Well then, I shall kill you." He then turned to the group "And I expect you all to do the same. Now that that's out of the way. Sit down Dar'ja, we are just waiting for a few others to show up before venturing into the ruins and beginning our..... "quest" as you types call it."

(Just short posts like this until the others arrive.)