Nord Refugee Character Diary - Hrisskar III
- Thread starter BIGwooly
- Start date
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
- Turdas, 31st of Evening Star, 4E 201 -
I spent the morning searching for Belrand. My efforts were fruitless.
For hours and hours I scoured the mountain, looking for any trace of him. Around mid-day I came across an unpromising scene. There were three weapons lying on the ground on a nearby trail. There was a mace, a battle-axe and a sword. The sword may have been Belrand's. I can't be certain. But regardless, I didn't find him. I'm trying not to let it depress me.
I decided to check out the entrance to the cave I found yesterday. Perhaps there would be some clues inside to help me understand the event I experienced. Unfortunately all I found inside were a lot bones, a dead bandit and a very alive wolf. After a brief fight I dispatched the wolf, then checked the bandit for valuables.
It was while doing this that I heard the unmistakeable growls and snort of a bear. It was somewhere just ahead of me in the cave. Funny how merely a sound can make your blood curdle and your stomach turn. I decided to take my leave of the cave before the bear's nose discovered me.
After spending the afternoon hiking back down to Riverwood and selling what I could, I headed back upstream to my little camp on the island. I just got done fishing for my dinner, and without thinking I caught enough to feed Belrand as well. Habits are hard to break. I think I'll save his portion aside for him in case he shows up. I know I shouldn't think like that but I can't help it. Despite his mundane humor, I did like him.
With an hour or so of daylight to spare I've decided to create a little sketch of my old camp. It's funny that I called this place home for so long. It still feels that way.
I spent the morning searching for Belrand. My efforts were fruitless.
For hours and hours I scoured the mountain, looking for any trace of him. Around mid-day I came across an unpromising scene. There were three weapons lying on the ground on a nearby trail. There was a mace, a battle-axe and a sword. The sword may have been Belrand's. I can't be certain. But regardless, I didn't find him. I'm trying not to let it depress me.
I decided to check out the entrance to the cave I found yesterday. Perhaps there would be some clues inside to help me understand the event I experienced. Unfortunately all I found inside were a lot bones, a dead bandit and a very alive wolf. After a brief fight I dispatched the wolf, then checked the bandit for valuables.
It was while doing this that I heard the unmistakeable growls and snort of a bear. It was somewhere just ahead of me in the cave. Funny how merely a sound can make your blood curdle and your stomach turn. I decided to take my leave of the cave before the bear's nose discovered me.
After spending the afternoon hiking back down to Riverwood and selling what I could, I headed back upstream to my little camp on the island. I just got done fishing for my dinner, and without thinking I caught enough to feed Belrand as well. Habits are hard to break. I think I'll save his portion aside for him in case he shows up. I know I shouldn't think like that but I can't help it. Despite his mundane humor, I did like him.
With an hour or so of daylight to spare I've decided to create a little sketch of my old camp. It's funny that I called this place home for so long. It still feels that way.
Halkin
pzzzztt
Loving this thread.
I'd only gotten to lv12 by the time I read this and it inspired me to restart using some of the rules (master difficulty, carry weight, food/sleep, generally in the spirits i.e.: no quick levelling crafting, and a few others) and am looking forward to a more enriching experience.
Keep up the great work with the journal, not something I'll be doing as I don’t have the patience but I am enjoying reading this in the mornings before work.
Safe journey!
I'd only gotten to lv12 by the time I read this and it inspired me to restart using some of the rules (master difficulty, carry weight, food/sleep, generally in the spirits i.e.: no quick levelling crafting, and a few others) and am looking forward to a more enriching experience.
Keep up the great work with the journal, not something I'll be doing as I don’t have the patience but I am enjoying reading this in the mornings before work.
Safe journey!
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
That's so awesome. I think you'll really enjoy the playstyle. Don't be afraid to drop the difficulty to Expert instead. I'm at level 13 or 14 or something (I don't pay too much attention to that, lol) and I'm starting to feel master difficulty may be too high given all of the other restrictions I play with. I kind of feel like at this point I shouldn't have to worry about dying when facing a big mudcrab, lol. Anyways, just keep that thought in mind. I'm not changing the difficulty for myself, but you may decide differently.
Anyways, thanks so much for the post and the support. It's a bit of work to write these entries up but I enjoy it too. It's really nice to know that others get some entertainment out of it as well. d;-)
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
Right on. I think things are about to get even more interesting for Hrisskar. d;-)
yeah it sounds like it i cant wait to come to work and read about it tomorrow.
Gemini Sierra
Pre-emptive Salvage Specialist
did that really happen? that's both cool and wierd at the same time.
I've enjoyed reading your story thus far and keep contimplating doing the same. I had started to but the journal got to be to much. then I just felt myself lapsing back to my old ways of picking up everything and searching everything and hoarding everything
I did manage to maintain only using one or two skills. I admit though I have trained in other skills when I find someone who will train. Then I bought a horse and from there it was down hill. lol.
I think however, I shall go back and try again. Maybe even with the journal.
Gemini Sierra
Pre-emptive Salvage Specialist
Oh and had another thought, have you considered putting this in the blogs versus a thread?
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
did that really happen? that's both cool and wierd at the same time.
I've enjoyed reading your story thus far and keep contimplating doing the same. I had started to but the journal got to be to much. then I just felt myself lapsing back to my old ways of picking up everything and searching everything and hoarding everything
I did manage to maintain only using one or two skills. I admit though I have trained in other skills when I find someone who will train. Then I bought a horse and from there it was down hill. lol.
I think however, I shall go back and try again. Maybe even with the journal.
Yeah, it really happened. I don't make anything up in the journal. That would be no fun for me. d:-)
As for sticking to the restrictions, the easiest thing to do is just really limit your carry capacity. That one restriction will really enhance the gameplay. You will find you won't have loads of gold lining your pockets to spend on training and horses and houses, etc. But hey, I also say everyone should play the game the way it's fun for THEM. So if you enjoy hoarding .. hoard away!
Oh, and regarding the blog ... I didn't even know it existed. Now I've already got it going here and there's no way I'm moving it. d;-)
prox
New Member
I've just registered to let you know i very much appreciate your effort of sharing your epic journey with us in this creative storytelling
btw. never enjoyed reading a game related AAR this much since Europa Universalis III
btw. never enjoyed reading a game related AAR this much since Europa Universalis III
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
Wow .. thank you. Thank YOU for registering just to tell me that. d;-)
Unstoppable
Lion of Peril
Yeah *sighs* I literally died to a bigger sized mudcrab, that's when I lowered the difficulty to expert.
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
Totally understandable, lol. I think my next character will be started on expert.
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
- Fredas, 1st of Morning Star, 4E 202 -
I woke early this morning after sleeping fitfully. I have much on my mind. My thoughts weigh on me like the heavy mist on the water surround my island. My thoughts are just as clear as the milky vapor as well.
Belrand didn't show up over night. I knew not to expect him, but I couldn't help myself. Sometimes hope is impossible to let go. So his fate weighs heavily on me as dawn struggles to break.
There is also the issue of my experience from yesterday. I'm in this odd place of knowing what happened but not really knowing what happened. It makes my head hurt trying to reason it out. And on a remote island in the Sea of Ghosts and ice wraith still waits for my hand to slay it. The stormcloaks wait for me. Well, they don't wait for me. They await me. And if I'm being honest with myself, I can't forget the farmer on the road near Whiterun, who I murdered in the heat of an argument about imperials and stormcloaks ... a fairly one-side argument at that. His ghost is haunting my memory.
I'm at an impasse of sorts. Too many thoughts. Too many directions for my mind and my feet to go. So I sit here instead, on my island, watching the sun burn off the remaining mist. Where do I go from here? What do I do next? Who am I, and who have I become?
This island feels like a prison today.
I woke early this morning after sleeping fitfully. I have much on my mind. My thoughts weigh on me like the heavy mist on the water surround my island. My thoughts are just as clear as the milky vapor as well.
Belrand didn't show up over night. I knew not to expect him, but I couldn't help myself. Sometimes hope is impossible to let go. So his fate weighs heavily on me as dawn struggles to break.
There is also the issue of my experience from yesterday. I'm in this odd place of knowing what happened but not really knowing what happened. It makes my head hurt trying to reason it out. And on a remote island in the Sea of Ghosts and ice wraith still waits for my hand to slay it. The stormcloaks wait for me. Well, they don't wait for me. They await me. And if I'm being honest with myself, I can't forget the farmer on the road near Whiterun, who I murdered in the heat of an argument about imperials and stormcloaks ... a fairly one-side argument at that. His ghost is haunting my memory.
I'm at an impasse of sorts. Too many thoughts. Too many directions for my mind and my feet to go. So I sit here instead, on my island, watching the sun burn off the remaining mist. Where do I go from here? What do I do next? Who am I, and who have I become?
This island feels like a prison today.
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
- Fredas, 1st of Morning Star, 4E 202 -
Funny how fortune and mood can change from dawn's light to dusk's.
Earlier this afternoon I left the island and went on a short walk. I felt like I had to do something in order to clear my head and find some direction. Sitting on the island watching the day pass wasn't giving me any inspiration.
Within a brief spell I happened upon the bodies of two men and a khajit. The khajit and one of the men were stripped naked, while the other wore fur armor and boots and was laying on top of a hide shield. Standing amongst them, pawing at the khajit's body, was the most beautiful horse I've ever seen.
It's color was of like the sky on a cloudy night, dark with ghostly blotches of gray and white. It's feet were like brilliant white boots made from snowy sabre cat hide. The steed's tail was black like a bear's fur but flowed gracefully like a waterfall. His face was painted white like a slope on one of Skyrim's peaks.
I approached him and he didn't move. The horse seemed completely comfortable with my presence. So I turned my attention to the bodies on the ground beneath him.
Upon closer inspection I determined all three were bandits, perhaps from different bands .. perhaps not. It's hard to say. If I didn't know better, though, I would guess that the horse had killed them. It seems unlikely, but it sure looked that way.
The horse itself seemed to belong to no one. I searched it but found no markings. It was very gentle and allowed me to mount it on the first attempt. What a magnificent breed. I led the horse in a short circle and it was more than happy to follow my lead. When I wanted it to halt, it halted. It seems I have gained a new companion.
I stripped the armor and boots off of the clothed bandit and took his iron mace and shield as well. With a horse to carry me back to Riverwood I could have carried more, but the other poor fool's had already been stripped clean.
After selling the armor and weapon in Riverwood I decided to browse the shopkeeper's inventory to see if there was anything new of worth to me. Nothing. So I walked outside to where I had left the horse ... and he was gone. I found him a minute later, in the garden of one of the townsfolk. Needless to say I got him out of there quickly.
I trotted him over to the blacksmith and dismounted. I figured if the shopkeeper didn't have anything new, maybe the smith would. Sure enough he did. In fact, he had a steel mace with a burning magic enchantment. Given that the mace on my hip carried the same enchantment but was made of iron, it made sense to spend the coin and upgrade my weapon. Besides, the steel mace's enchantment was nearly at full strength, whereas my iron mace was close to halfway spent.
While conducting the transaction I noticed something just over the smith's shoulder. There, in the background, was the horse .. wandering off again. I quickly finished my business and went to retrieve the horse.
I had been thinking he needed a name and now it was clear what that name should be. His name would represent the pattern on his coat. It would represent the flavor of his personality. His name would be .. Cloud. Just the clouds in the sky this horse was always on the move, always drifting away. I couldn't think of a name more fitting.
Tonight I'm going to be up all night I imagine, making sure he doesn't wander off and get into trouble. I can't do this every night, so I'm going to need to come up with a plan of some sort. Some sort of idea to keep him by my side. Maybe apples in my pocket? That could be dangerous as well I suppose.
No matter. I'll figure something out. For the time being my mind is clear and that's all that matters. I think tonight I'll do a sketch of this horse .. of Cloud. In fact, I think I'll attempt a sketch of me atop him.
Funny how fortune and mood can change from dawn's light to dusk's.
Earlier this afternoon I left the island and went on a short walk. I felt like I had to do something in order to clear my head and find some direction. Sitting on the island watching the day pass wasn't giving me any inspiration.
Within a brief spell I happened upon the bodies of two men and a khajit. The khajit and one of the men were stripped naked, while the other wore fur armor and boots and was laying on top of a hide shield. Standing amongst them, pawing at the khajit's body, was the most beautiful horse I've ever seen.
It's color was of like the sky on a cloudy night, dark with ghostly blotches of gray and white. It's feet were like brilliant white boots made from snowy sabre cat hide. The steed's tail was black like a bear's fur but flowed gracefully like a waterfall. His face was painted white like a slope on one of Skyrim's peaks.
I approached him and he didn't move. The horse seemed completely comfortable with my presence. So I turned my attention to the bodies on the ground beneath him.
Upon closer inspection I determined all three were bandits, perhaps from different bands .. perhaps not. It's hard to say. If I didn't know better, though, I would guess that the horse had killed them. It seems unlikely, but it sure looked that way.
The horse itself seemed to belong to no one. I searched it but found no markings. It was very gentle and allowed me to mount it on the first attempt. What a magnificent breed. I led the horse in a short circle and it was more than happy to follow my lead. When I wanted it to halt, it halted. It seems I have gained a new companion.
I stripped the armor and boots off of the clothed bandit and took his iron mace and shield as well. With a horse to carry me back to Riverwood I could have carried more, but the other poor fool's had already been stripped clean.
After selling the armor and weapon in Riverwood I decided to browse the shopkeeper's inventory to see if there was anything new of worth to me. Nothing. So I walked outside to where I had left the horse ... and he was gone. I found him a minute later, in the garden of one of the townsfolk. Needless to say I got him out of there quickly.
I trotted him over to the blacksmith and dismounted. I figured if the shopkeeper didn't have anything new, maybe the smith would. Sure enough he did. In fact, he had a steel mace with a burning magic enchantment. Given that the mace on my hip carried the same enchantment but was made of iron, it made sense to spend the coin and upgrade my weapon. Besides, the steel mace's enchantment was nearly at full strength, whereas my iron mace was close to halfway spent.
While conducting the transaction I noticed something just over the smith's shoulder. There, in the background, was the horse .. wandering off again. I quickly finished my business and went to retrieve the horse.
I had been thinking he needed a name and now it was clear what that name should be. His name would represent the pattern on his coat. It would represent the flavor of his personality. His name would be .. Cloud. Just the clouds in the sky this horse was always on the move, always drifting away. I couldn't think of a name more fitting.
Tonight I'm going to be up all night I imagine, making sure he doesn't wander off and get into trouble. I can't do this every night, so I'm going to need to come up with a plan of some sort. Some sort of idea to keep him by my side. Maybe apples in my pocket? That could be dangerous as well I suppose.
No matter. I'll figure something out. For the time being my mind is clear and that's all that matters. I think tonight I'll do a sketch of this horse .. of Cloud. In fact, I think I'll attempt a sketch of me atop him.
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
- Loredas, 2nd of Morning Star, 4E 202 -
A new day. A new month. A new year. A new companion. A new adventure.
As expected I didn't sleep a wink last night. Cloud was determined to wander off into the night every chance I gave him. So I arrived in Whiterun today with heavy eyelids and a bit of an attitude.
I received a bounty from the barkeep back in Riverwood. Apparently a new crew of bandits has taken up residence in the cave I cleared out near Whiterun. If I clear them out as well I earn some gold. With a general lack of direction guiding me it was easy to say yes and jump at the task.
But first, I need to stop in Whiterun and get some food for myself and Cloud, as well as catch up on some much needed sleep. There is a stable just outside of the city. I'll leave Cloud there for now and tomorrow morning we'll head out to the cave to deal with the bandits. I have to say, I'm itching to dole out some damage. Maybe I should sleep less more often.
A new day. A new month. A new year. A new companion. A new adventure.
As expected I didn't sleep a wink last night. Cloud was determined to wander off into the night every chance I gave him. So I arrived in Whiterun today with heavy eyelids and a bit of an attitude.
I received a bounty from the barkeep back in Riverwood. Apparently a new crew of bandits has taken up residence in the cave I cleared out near Whiterun. If I clear them out as well I earn some gold. With a general lack of direction guiding me it was easy to say yes and jump at the task.
But first, I need to stop in Whiterun and get some food for myself and Cloud, as well as catch up on some much needed sleep. There is a stable just outside of the city. I'll leave Cloud there for now and tomorrow morning we'll head out to the cave to deal with the bandits. I have to say, I'm itching to dole out some damage. Maybe I should sleep less more often.
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
- Sundas, 9th of Morning Star, 4E 202 -
Just when things are looking up, Skyrim has a way of knocking you down. I woke early on Sundas, had a good breakfast, then headed out to the stables to retrieve Cloud and head to the bandit cave. A boastful chap at the bar challenged me to a drinking competition on my way out. It didn't seem like an enjoyable morning activity, but now I'm thinking I should have taken him up on the offer.
I got to the stables and Cloud was gone. I can't say I'm overly surprised, but I thought maybe he'd stick around. I should have put apples in my pockets afterall.
As if to echo my mood, Skyrim's sky begins dumping rain on me. So its early in the morning, still dark, and raining on me. Wonderful.
I briefly debated calling it a day and joining the drunk at the bar. But I had to get out of this mindset. I couldn't just succumb to misfortune. My father and my grandfather wouldn't.
So instead of downing ale all morning I spent it walking in the dark wet as a mudcrab. I located the cave after a bit of confusion, and then my bad day got worse. There were three bandits inside. I took one out with a single arrow and moved to the next. He also fell to a single arrow, although I poisoned this one just to be sure of it's success. The third bandit was in the same room and I didn't want to chance a two-on-one battle.
The third bandit I was able to hit while hidden, with a poisoned arrow. She came running over with a large sword clutched in her hands. I waited, now with my poisoned mace in my hands. As she got in range I stood up to attack, but she had already seen me and her giant sword was cutting a path in the air to me. Instead of attacking I raised my shield and tried to smash her with it and disrupt the strike. It only half-worked. I was able to stagger her a bit, but only after her heavy sword slammed into my armor. I struck back with a heavy blow, then a lighter one. She returned with a vengeful swing, and suddenly I felt my vision going.
Another strike like that and I was going to be done for. I shouted at her, beating her next strike with my voice, and striking fear into her heart and mind. She fled and I gave chase, swinging like a frenzied troll. I trailed her through the cave, landing blows and missing blows. Pretty quickly we were both out of breath, and I began to realize that the fear in her was going to be dissipating shortly.
With fear in my own heart now I ran back into the cave, looking for somewhere to hide and recover my breath and my health. But there was nowhere. I was trapped like a rat, and any minute she was going to be charging down the tunnel at me, rage in her eyes and a massive sword in her hand. With nothing else to do I tried to wait motionless and poison my mace again, but she was on me too quickly.
Her first strike was all it took.
And today I awaken a defeated man, with fresh scars and a lightened coinpurse. A week has passed and a week awaits. As much as I want to just lay in bed, I won't. I'm going to overcome and bring pride to my family's name.
Just when things are looking up, Skyrim has a way of knocking you down. I woke early on Sundas, had a good breakfast, then headed out to the stables to retrieve Cloud and head to the bandit cave. A boastful chap at the bar challenged me to a drinking competition on my way out. It didn't seem like an enjoyable morning activity, but now I'm thinking I should have taken him up on the offer.
I got to the stables and Cloud was gone. I can't say I'm overly surprised, but I thought maybe he'd stick around. I should have put apples in my pockets afterall.
As if to echo my mood, Skyrim's sky begins dumping rain on me. So its early in the morning, still dark, and raining on me. Wonderful.
I briefly debated calling it a day and joining the drunk at the bar. But I had to get out of this mindset. I couldn't just succumb to misfortune. My father and my grandfather wouldn't.
So instead of downing ale all morning I spent it walking in the dark wet as a mudcrab. I located the cave after a bit of confusion, and then my bad day got worse. There were three bandits inside. I took one out with a single arrow and moved to the next. He also fell to a single arrow, although I poisoned this one just to be sure of it's success. The third bandit was in the same room and I didn't want to chance a two-on-one battle.
The third bandit I was able to hit while hidden, with a poisoned arrow. She came running over with a large sword clutched in her hands. I waited, now with my poisoned mace in my hands. As she got in range I stood up to attack, but she had already seen me and her giant sword was cutting a path in the air to me. Instead of attacking I raised my shield and tried to smash her with it and disrupt the strike. It only half-worked. I was able to stagger her a bit, but only after her heavy sword slammed into my armor. I struck back with a heavy blow, then a lighter one. She returned with a vengeful swing, and suddenly I felt my vision going.
Another strike like that and I was going to be done for. I shouted at her, beating her next strike with my voice, and striking fear into her heart and mind. She fled and I gave chase, swinging like a frenzied troll. I trailed her through the cave, landing blows and missing blows. Pretty quickly we were both out of breath, and I began to realize that the fear in her was going to be dissipating shortly.
With fear in my own heart now I ran back into the cave, looking for somewhere to hide and recover my breath and my health. But there was nowhere. I was trapped like a rat, and any minute she was going to be charging down the tunnel at me, rage in her eyes and a massive sword in her hand. With nothing else to do I tried to wait motionless and poison my mace again, but she was on me too quickly.
Her first strike was all it took.
And today I awaken a defeated man, with fresh scars and a lightened coinpurse. A week has passed and a week awaits. As much as I want to just lay in bed, I won't. I'm going to overcome and bring pride to my family's name.
BIGwooly
Well-Known Member
- Sundas, 9th of Morning Star, 4E 202 -
The Bannered Mare is alive tonight. It would seem all of Whiterun has come out to have a pint and share the fire. Although I'm keeping to myself at the bar, it's comforting to have such jovial company around me.
Not unexpectedly, it has been an eventful day. I set out early this morning for the bandit cave. It was dark and rainy, just as it was a week ago. That felt like a bad omen, but I ignored it the best I could. I was determined to be positive and persevere today.
About halfway there, where a bridge crosses a stream, I came across a breton who immediately assumed a hostile stance. Before I could take two more steps he was already launching spikes of ice at me from the palm of his hand. I immediately backpedaled away from him, taking note of the substantial armor he wore. He tried to follow by crossing the stream instead of using the bridge, and got caught temporarily in some rocks. I used this to my advantage and rushed to a knoll and hid.
He reappeared a few moments later, but couldn't find me. This left me in a quandary. I could maybe manage to sneak around the bridge, but it would take at least an hour or two and with the sun now rising it was possible I would still be spotted. Alternately, I could press an attack. But the man's heavy armor and magical abilities left me questioning my chances against him. I had just spent a full week in bed due to a worthy opponent, and I wasn't about to spend another.
After some careful consideration of my options, I chose to fight for the right to cross the bridge. The plan was to poison an arrow and land a surprise shot. This would be followed by me using the terrain to maneuver and bait the breton into using up his magika, at which point I would engage in close combat. From what I could tell he carried no weapon, other than maybe a dagger I couldn't see. As long as it wasn't enchanted with some strong magic ability, I should fair well.
Everything went mostly to plan, except for me missing with my first arrow, and for the pair of wolves I ran into while 'maneuvering'. But in the end the breton did indeed only have a dagger, and an old iron one at that. Despite his massive armor my mace bled him out.
It turns out his armor was of dwarven construction, not something I've seen before. It was somewhat more protective than my steel armor, but much heavier. I decided to try and sell it rather than keep it. Keeping it would require me to forgo wearing a helmet and gauntlets. And I've grown accustomed to protecting my head and hands.
In order to sell the dwarven armor I had to put it on, and leave behind my steel armor and my helmet and gauntlets. The plan was to head back to Whiterun, sell the armor and buy some clothes. Then head back to the dead breton and retrieve my other armor, ditch the clothes, and finish the trek to the bandit cave. Simple.
Not quite. Back in Whiterun I discovered no one was selling clothing. Even worse, given the horrible prices I was being offered for the dwarven armor, I was going to come out a loss if I sold it and bought some temporary light armor. I had no choice but to leave town with the dwarven armor. I would have to go back and retrieve my steel armor and leave the dwarven armor on the side of the road. Curse it all.
But not even that plan could go right. I returned to find the breton's body gone, and with it, my steel armor .. my gauntlets .. and my helmet. I had only been gone for an hour or two, and already someone else had come along and looted the body! I was livid, and vowed never again to leave my armor behind in order to make some extra coin. This is the second time this has happened to me, and it will be the last.
Now it was easily mid-day or beyond and I still hadn't even entered the bandit cave. I was in a huff, and feeling very much like smashing some skulls wide open. I headed straight to the cave and kicked down the old door at it's entrance. Inside I found a bandit muttering to himself and pacing back and forth. Under normal circumstances I would have dropped him silently with an arrow, or at least attempted to do so.
But today my nord blood was nearly boiling, and instead I walked right in and smashed him in the face with my mace. Before he could recover from the shock of my brutal and undisguised attack, I laid into him again, and sent his body sprawling across the dirt.
My bloodlust was not sated yet, though. I moved further into the cave, into the main room. There were two bandits here. One was walking. The other was sitting. I was ready for a fight, but not looking to die. So I poisoned an arrow with some spider blood and let it fly at the patrolling sentry. The arrow struck home through a pair of his ribs, and a second later the poison took the remainder of his life.
The kill was silent, and the bandit chief remained seated, unaware of the oblivion that was about to open upon him. I poisoned another arrow, then poisoned my mace as well. I used a paralyze concoction on the mace. The leader of this band of thugs was about to experience his own death as a spectator.
My shot with the arrow had a difficult trajectory, though. I had to shoot from within a tunnel, into the room, through a small opening and hit the villain's head. That was all that I could see of him. Not an easy shot in a dimly lit cave with about thirty paces between us. I missed the first shot.
This alerted the brute, who drew a large battle-axe from his back. This was not the bandit I encountered a week earlier. This one was potentially even more trouble. I backed into the tunnel quickly, finding a dark corner to hide in while I poisoned another arrow.
A minute later the chief was back to cooking his dinner and I launched my second attack. Another miss. Both arrows had missed just slightly to the right of the bandit's head. They had been so close they probably brushed his hair as they passed. But close was not good enough, and again I had to retreat and wait for the alert thug to give up the chase.
If I wasn't ready for blood before I was now. Having just wasted two poison potions my mood was even more foul, and I couldn't wait to start pounding my steel against my opponent.
I moved forward in the tunnel with a third arrow poisoned, and stepped into the room. I was taking a chance by entering the room, but I wasn't about to waste a third poison arrow and I was impatient for the brute's blood as well. I crept to a better position about fifteen paces from my adversary. He was intent on the scent of his meal, and oblivious to my coming wrath.
The arrow struck solid and it was time to fight. He charged at me with his axe ready for my neck. I swung a heavy blow with my mace and he managed to dodge it to my surprise. I got my shield up just in time to prevent my head from being taken off. The blow still hurt like hell and left my ears ringing.
I countered with a bash of my shield, then struck with the mace. The paralyze poison worked instantly, and I wasted no time landing blow after blow on top of his stiffened body. The poison wore off in seconds, though, and as the brigand rose I had a split-second image in my mind of him beheading me with his axe.
But I wasn't having it. I was in no mood to lose a fight today, and I bashed him with my shield again, following with another strike. He stumbled backwards and I pressed him, bashing with my shield again. Unable to gain his footing, he took several blows before I unleashed a heavy-handed monster of a swing. This staggered him again, and he dropped to a knee. I could taste his death on my lips, and with final flurry of blows I ended the fight.
As I write of this even now it makes me smile. Today I overcame adversity at every corner. Today I brought pride to my family's name.
The Bannered Mare is alive tonight. It would seem all of Whiterun has come out to have a pint and share the fire. Although I'm keeping to myself at the bar, it's comforting to have such jovial company around me.
Not unexpectedly, it has been an eventful day. I set out early this morning for the bandit cave. It was dark and rainy, just as it was a week ago. That felt like a bad omen, but I ignored it the best I could. I was determined to be positive and persevere today.
About halfway there, where a bridge crosses a stream, I came across a breton who immediately assumed a hostile stance. Before I could take two more steps he was already launching spikes of ice at me from the palm of his hand. I immediately backpedaled away from him, taking note of the substantial armor he wore. He tried to follow by crossing the stream instead of using the bridge, and got caught temporarily in some rocks. I used this to my advantage and rushed to a knoll and hid.
He reappeared a few moments later, but couldn't find me. This left me in a quandary. I could maybe manage to sneak around the bridge, but it would take at least an hour or two and with the sun now rising it was possible I would still be spotted. Alternately, I could press an attack. But the man's heavy armor and magical abilities left me questioning my chances against him. I had just spent a full week in bed due to a worthy opponent, and I wasn't about to spend another.
After some careful consideration of my options, I chose to fight for the right to cross the bridge. The plan was to poison an arrow and land a surprise shot. This would be followed by me using the terrain to maneuver and bait the breton into using up his magika, at which point I would engage in close combat. From what I could tell he carried no weapon, other than maybe a dagger I couldn't see. As long as it wasn't enchanted with some strong magic ability, I should fair well.
Everything went mostly to plan, except for me missing with my first arrow, and for the pair of wolves I ran into while 'maneuvering'. But in the end the breton did indeed only have a dagger, and an old iron one at that. Despite his massive armor my mace bled him out.
It turns out his armor was of dwarven construction, not something I've seen before. It was somewhat more protective than my steel armor, but much heavier. I decided to try and sell it rather than keep it. Keeping it would require me to forgo wearing a helmet and gauntlets. And I've grown accustomed to protecting my head and hands.
In order to sell the dwarven armor I had to put it on, and leave behind my steel armor and my helmet and gauntlets. The plan was to head back to Whiterun, sell the armor and buy some clothes. Then head back to the dead breton and retrieve my other armor, ditch the clothes, and finish the trek to the bandit cave. Simple.
Not quite. Back in Whiterun I discovered no one was selling clothing. Even worse, given the horrible prices I was being offered for the dwarven armor, I was going to come out a loss if I sold it and bought some temporary light armor. I had no choice but to leave town with the dwarven armor. I would have to go back and retrieve my steel armor and leave the dwarven armor on the side of the road. Curse it all.
But not even that plan could go right. I returned to find the breton's body gone, and with it, my steel armor .. my gauntlets .. and my helmet. I had only been gone for an hour or two, and already someone else had come along and looted the body! I was livid, and vowed never again to leave my armor behind in order to make some extra coin. This is the second time this has happened to me, and it will be the last.
Now it was easily mid-day or beyond and I still hadn't even entered the bandit cave. I was in a huff, and feeling very much like smashing some skulls wide open. I headed straight to the cave and kicked down the old door at it's entrance. Inside I found a bandit muttering to himself and pacing back and forth. Under normal circumstances I would have dropped him silently with an arrow, or at least attempted to do so.
But today my nord blood was nearly boiling, and instead I walked right in and smashed him in the face with my mace. Before he could recover from the shock of my brutal and undisguised attack, I laid into him again, and sent his body sprawling across the dirt.
My bloodlust was not sated yet, though. I moved further into the cave, into the main room. There were two bandits here. One was walking. The other was sitting. I was ready for a fight, but not looking to die. So I poisoned an arrow with some spider blood and let it fly at the patrolling sentry. The arrow struck home through a pair of his ribs, and a second later the poison took the remainder of his life.
The kill was silent, and the bandit chief remained seated, unaware of the oblivion that was about to open upon him. I poisoned another arrow, then poisoned my mace as well. I used a paralyze concoction on the mace. The leader of this band of thugs was about to experience his own death as a spectator.
My shot with the arrow had a difficult trajectory, though. I had to shoot from within a tunnel, into the room, through a small opening and hit the villain's head. That was all that I could see of him. Not an easy shot in a dimly lit cave with about thirty paces between us. I missed the first shot.
This alerted the brute, who drew a large battle-axe from his back. This was not the bandit I encountered a week earlier. This one was potentially even more trouble. I backed into the tunnel quickly, finding a dark corner to hide in while I poisoned another arrow.
A minute later the chief was back to cooking his dinner and I launched my second attack. Another miss. Both arrows had missed just slightly to the right of the bandit's head. They had been so close they probably brushed his hair as they passed. But close was not good enough, and again I had to retreat and wait for the alert thug to give up the chase.
If I wasn't ready for blood before I was now. Having just wasted two poison potions my mood was even more foul, and I couldn't wait to start pounding my steel against my opponent.
I moved forward in the tunnel with a third arrow poisoned, and stepped into the room. I was taking a chance by entering the room, but I wasn't about to waste a third poison arrow and I was impatient for the brute's blood as well. I crept to a better position about fifteen paces from my adversary. He was intent on the scent of his meal, and oblivious to my coming wrath.
The arrow struck solid and it was time to fight. He charged at me with his axe ready for my neck. I swung a heavy blow with my mace and he managed to dodge it to my surprise. I got my shield up just in time to prevent my head from being taken off. The blow still hurt like hell and left my ears ringing.
I countered with a bash of my shield, then struck with the mace. The paralyze poison worked instantly, and I wasted no time landing blow after blow on top of his stiffened body. The poison wore off in seconds, though, and as the brigand rose I had a split-second image in my mind of him beheading me with his axe.
But I wasn't having it. I was in no mood to lose a fight today, and I bashed him with my shield again, following with another strike. He stumbled backwards and I pressed him, bashing with my shield again. Unable to gain his footing, he took several blows before I unleashed a heavy-handed monster of a swing. This staggered him again, and he dropped to a knee. I could taste his death on my lips, and with final flurry of blows I ended the fight.
As I write of this even now it makes me smile. Today I overcame adversity at every corner. Today I brought pride to my family's name.
Toshiro
Member
Hrisskar is getting to be a badass...
Do I remember correctly you do not take any perks in the trees? You only level up on the skills you use?
edit: do not activate overpowered/unrealistic perks
Could you reveal which perks you have taken so far by posting a link to the perk calculater?
Do I remember correctly you do not take any perks in the trees? You only level up on the skills you use?
edit: do not activate overpowered/unrealistic perks
Could you reveal which perks you have taken so far by posting a link to the perk calculater?
