David Wik
Member
Day 166—Fredas 30th of Morning Star
I decided to leave Frost at Lakeview while Mjoll and I made the trek out to Markarth. The Reach is such a beautiful place, so full of Her bounty, that I could not bear the thought of watching it simply slide by on horseback. I knew we had crossed into the Reach when I found a young man and his horse embroiled in a battle with a small group of Forsworn. I rushed to heal the man of his wounds while Mjoll, imbued with strength from my magic, battled and killed the attackers.
The man, it turned out, was a peddler who told me that the Forsworn had been strangling supply and trade routes throughout the Reach. I assured him that I would kill every one of the heathens that crossed my path. I understand that the Forsworn believe themselves to be the rightful inhabitants of the Reach, and perhaps this is correct, but attacking and murdering innocent merchants is not the logical course of action in such a situation.
Near Markarth I overheard a pair of Miners speaking to their employer about a place called Kolskeggr Mine which the Forsworn had apparently invaded. I could see Mjoll's massive shoulders slouch as she sighed. She knew before I spoke that we would be backtracking to rid the mine of Forsworn. I don't think Mjoll understands why I bear such malice for the savages but that is only because she does not know my history.
She was even more displeased when, upon reaching the mine, I shifted. There were but a handful of Forsworn in the tunnels and routing the invaders took no more than half an hour. I noticed that Mjoll did not join in the battle as I leapt from Forsworn to Forsworn, tearing tendons and rending flesh. In retrospect I should probably have warned Mjoll about my... alternate skill set. Lust for Forsworn blood had clouded my judgement.
Mjoll did not speak of my transformation but I noticed she began to lag further behind than usual. True, in the mountainous Reach I tend to scale cliffs and swim down Rivers rather than follow the roads. I know Mjoll's armor makes it difficult for her to keep pace with me but even when I sat and waited for her to catch up I noticed she would approach me warily. Truly, the Werewolves of Skyrim must be terrible and mindless beasts if all I've met are so horrified of Lycanthropy. I have half a mind to track down the perpetuators of this fear and kill them myself.
I delivered the contract from Bolli to Klepper at the sleepery. Mjoll said that she wanted to return to Riften, that there was still much that needed to be done there. I told her that there were still some things I wanted to take care of in Markarth so we headed to the Elder's hut where I visited with my old friend, Calcemo. I spoke to Calcemo about some of the Dwemer ruins I'd visited recently and he was more than happy to take notes on my stories.
When Calcemo told me of a lost expedition into Nchuand-Zel, the Dwemer ruin beneath Markarth, I jumped at the chance to explore it and look for the misplaced men. Mjoll reiterated her desire to return to Riften but I ignored her complaints. As we picked our way through Nchuand-Zel, I kept my eyes open for sapphires but found none. What I did find were the members of the expedition scattered throughout the ruined Dwemer village along with a massive number of Falmer.
It seems that, recently, the Falmer had been mounting vicious assaults against the Dwemer automatons. Since the automatons were the only things keeping the Falmer from invading Markarth it seemed in poor taste to systematically dismantle any automatons I found. Make no mistake, that's exactly what I did, but at least I managed to battle back the tide of Falmer and reactivate the remaining security systems left in place by the Dwemer.
Satisfied that Markarth was safe, Mjoll and I left the ruin and returned to Calcemo with the news. He was intrigued by the prospect of an intelligent plan for invasion being mounted by the Falmer but finally admitted he was glad it had been halted. He gave me a large sum of gold and then we spoke a while about his recent courtship with Faleen. He divulged that they were engaged to be married in only a few weeks' time.
I returned to the mine near Markarth and reported that Kolskeggr was clear of all Forsworn. A Manmer named Pavo thanked me for my work and allowed Mjoll and I to sleep in the workers' quarters. In the morning Mjoll and I woke and, amidst more of her requests to return to Riften, headed to Solitude. Mjoll's mood seemed to improve once we reached the capitol of Skyrim and she told me a story about how she and her mother used to visit.
While I was visiting the Solitude witch to see if she had any new spells, I overheard a conversation about a cave from which strange sounds and lights had been emanating. I offered to check out the disturbance and, much to Mjoll's chagrin, headed out immediately. The cave is called Wolfskull cave and I wondered if it might be related to the Wolves painted on the shield of every Warrior in the city.
Wolfskull cave was home to an unwelcome mix of necromancers and frustratingly durable Draugr. Mjoll, with my support, took on the necromancers while I used arcane sunlight and fire to quell the Draugr that accompanied them. I must admit that Mjoll and I made an excellent team and we cleansed the cave without much trouble. The acoustics within Wolfskull were such that I could easily hear a cabal of necromancers performing some dark ritual as I traveled. The chance to observe a necromantic ritual was exciting. I knew most of what any necromancer knows but I had seen almost none of it in actual practice. As much as My Elder had cautioned me that to even look upon such a ritual was to give a piece of your soul to those performing it, I could not stem my curiosity.
We came to a tower built of stone on top of which a circle of necromancers, revealed by my Detect Life spell, were summoning forth a being named Potema. I recognize her name from a series of books though I admit I have only skimmed them. I am missing a few volumes and would be loathe to read a series without having all the titles. I only know that she was once the queen of Solitude and eventually turned to Necromancy to maintain her flagging power.
Mjoll's plan, the Nord she is, was to run up the winding staircase and engage all hostiles simultaneously. I think she realized a little too late what having me charge into overwhelming odds would entail. I watched the Lioness grip the haft of her axe and flex her tree-like arms. I have to note here that our approaches to battle are very different, as I imagine the difference between any Warrior and Acolyte would be. She spends the time before battle stamping her feet and spitting slurs at an enemy that cannot yet hear her. She does everything in her power to raise her heart rate before descending on her foes like a maelstrom of iron.
My preparation for battle usually involves long, slow and deep breaths meant to calm my body and clear my mind while I formulate plans and strategies. Even when I call upon the form of The Wolf, I strike tactically. I charge archers on the edge of the field, ensuring I have a large area in which to maneuver. I save slow but powerful Warriors for last, using the free space to dodge and strike in short, but effective, outbursts of brutality. The Wolf himself does not use these tactics, he fights like Mjoll. He howls and beats his chest and claws the air before running directly into the center of his foes, rarely leaving anything behind but a tempest of arterial spray.
I knew Mjoll would charge ahead of me and my Detect Dead spell showed that all on the platform above us were living, breathing humans. While her Nordic blood may grant her a resistance to the Ice Magic favored by necromancers, we had already come across a few who favored Shock Magic. She has no resistance to electricity. Mjoll insisted again that we charge immediately, before they finished their ritual. I decided to abide her this once.
I called forth the form of The Wolf and knocked Mjoll out of my path as I charged up the stairs. I heard her cry out in pain as she fell backward down the steps but I knew she would be alright. She needed to understand why I approach things in such a calm and level-headed way. I had to show her the alternative.
The necromancers were so surprised at my arrival in Lupine form that the first two I slaughtered only stood there as my teeth found their vitals. The remaining four managed to shake off the paralyzing fear with which my sudden appearance had infected them. Mjoll crested the stairs, axe in hand, but stood inactive and only watched. I crushed heads against stone and tore organs out of torsos. I snapped necks with jaws and opened throats with fangs. All told, it took me less than two minutes to end the ritual which the necromancers had been performing.
I reverted and checked the altar for a spell book or scroll. I wanted to see exactly which ritual the coven had been attempting. I had no luck in that endeavor and so Mjoll and I left Wolfskull to report back to the steward of the Solitude Elder. Mjoll was silent during the entire journey. For my part, I was thrilled to have thwarted such an unholy plan and glad for the chance to see some necromancers pay the price for their blasphemy.
I spoke to Falk Firebeard, the steward, and explained what had happened at Wolfskull. The mention of the name Potema turned a strong-voiced man into a whimpering boy as he thanked me for the service I had provided. As I turned to leave, the Solitude Elder beckoned to me. When I approached she cast her eyes nervously around the room and lowered her voice. Elisif asked me to deliver a memento of her husband to a shrine of Talos, citing that something similar had already been done in the name of the Divines.
I reminded her that Talos worship was illegal but she insisted it was only to grant her husband's wishes. When I asked her directly if she worshipped Talos she only replied that it was illegal. I knew that, unlike what the rebels said, not all Imperials were Thalmor puppets. This simple exchange reinforced my belief that the Imperial Legion was only gathering the strength they would need to oust the dominion. The rebels were disrupting that plan, though they could not see it.
Since Skyrim politics are not my domain, I decided to carry out the task for the Solitude Elder. I took a winding route from Solitude to the Talos shrine. It was located quite some distance away, near Whiterun, but I did not want to take the chance that some malcontent would follow me in order to persecute the Elder. When my spells and senses told me that I was not followed, I approached the shrine and placed the horn of the late High King Torygg upon it.
Talos made no show of himself. No ethereal words of thanks or mystical energies came forth from the altar. I suppose that is to be expected when an altar is built with no God behind it. I knew that I would need to return to Solitude to tell Elisif that her deed was done but I did not want to raise suspicions by returning so soon after our clandestine conversation.
Instead I decided to head to Morthal to obtain the deed for a plot of land out in the swamp. I had just enough money to cover the cost and figured I might as well lighten my pocket. After the deed was mine, I spoke to the man who had been assigned as my Housecarl. I explained to him that I already had a Housecarl but he insisted that he was sworn to guard me and my Hjaalmarch property.
I arrived at the plot of land and was immediately impressed. I do love the raw Nature present in the swamp. The scent of decomposition is a familiar one and I have drawn comfort from it since I was but a child. I like that the wide open space surrounding my land is blanketed in snow and thus affords no opportunity for ambushes. From here I can actually see the Blue Palace of Solitude. Oddly, a sight which would have filled me with disgust only a few months ago now brings comfort. I know my allies, the Imperial Legion are close at hand.
At first, I believed myself to be fortunate to have a woman such as Mjoll by my side to help build my new hut. I am no Hutsmith, though I do have a mind well-suited for architecture. I cannot lift a beam on my own let alone the wall of a hut. I am dexterous but I dare not endanger my hands swinging a hammer anywhere near them. They are too vital to both my spell and potioncraft. I started to rummage through the supplies I found left at the site by the Morthal Elder's men when Mjoll told me that we should be out in Skyrim, fighting. Nords.
The Lioness was unsatisfied with my apparent lack of compassion for the people of Riften and insisted that we head back to the downtrodden hole of a village to help them. I reminded her that Riften would still be a den of filth in a week or so when construction on my hut was completed but that did not seem to assuage her desire to leave. We were at an impass and I told her to go back to Riften on her own.
Truthfully I think that watching my bloody dance atop the altar in Wolfskull made Mjoll reconsider our partnership. Though she knew from our adventures in the Reach that I carried The Wolf inside of me, I don't think it really sank in until she saw the carnage I inflicted at Wolfskull. Mjoll is a good-hearted woman but I think she has been in Riften too long and has forgotten how savage everything outside of village walls can be; must be, for survival.
The Wolf's day is coming, two of them together in fact, and so I have decided to remain here in the swamp until they have passed. I have enlisted the aid of my Housecarl, Valdimar, in building my hut here. He is older than Mjoll but seems physically capable and enthusiastic about serving his Thane. I explained to him early on that I have no need of servants, only allies, but I do not think he is yet used to the idea. He still will not call me by my name, insisting on formalities I have long grown tired of.
Earlier today, as Valdimar and I began collecting clay and stone for the foundation of my hut, I was approached by a courier. It seems Falk has news regarding the ritual of Potema which I interrupted. Once Valdimar have finished construction I will head back to Solitude to speak with Falk. From the urgency in his script, I can tell that the news he has for me is unpleasant so I am in no rush whatsoever to receive it.
I decided to leave Frost at Lakeview while Mjoll and I made the trek out to Markarth. The Reach is such a beautiful place, so full of Her bounty, that I could not bear the thought of watching it simply slide by on horseback. I knew we had crossed into the Reach when I found a young man and his horse embroiled in a battle with a small group of Forsworn. I rushed to heal the man of his wounds while Mjoll, imbued with strength from my magic, battled and killed the attackers.
The man, it turned out, was a peddler who told me that the Forsworn had been strangling supply and trade routes throughout the Reach. I assured him that I would kill every one of the heathens that crossed my path. I understand that the Forsworn believe themselves to be the rightful inhabitants of the Reach, and perhaps this is correct, but attacking and murdering innocent merchants is not the logical course of action in such a situation.
Near Markarth I overheard a pair of Miners speaking to their employer about a place called Kolskeggr Mine which the Forsworn had apparently invaded. I could see Mjoll's massive shoulders slouch as she sighed. She knew before I spoke that we would be backtracking to rid the mine of Forsworn. I don't think Mjoll understands why I bear such malice for the savages but that is only because she does not know my history.
She was even more displeased when, upon reaching the mine, I shifted. There were but a handful of Forsworn in the tunnels and routing the invaders took no more than half an hour. I noticed that Mjoll did not join in the battle as I leapt from Forsworn to Forsworn, tearing tendons and rending flesh. In retrospect I should probably have warned Mjoll about my... alternate skill set. Lust for Forsworn blood had clouded my judgement.
Mjoll did not speak of my transformation but I noticed she began to lag further behind than usual. True, in the mountainous Reach I tend to scale cliffs and swim down Rivers rather than follow the roads. I know Mjoll's armor makes it difficult for her to keep pace with me but even when I sat and waited for her to catch up I noticed she would approach me warily. Truly, the Werewolves of Skyrim must be terrible and mindless beasts if all I've met are so horrified of Lycanthropy. I have half a mind to track down the perpetuators of this fear and kill them myself.
I delivered the contract from Bolli to Klepper at the sleepery. Mjoll said that she wanted to return to Riften, that there was still much that needed to be done there. I told her that there were still some things I wanted to take care of in Markarth so we headed to the Elder's hut where I visited with my old friend, Calcemo. I spoke to Calcemo about some of the Dwemer ruins I'd visited recently and he was more than happy to take notes on my stories.
When Calcemo told me of a lost expedition into Nchuand-Zel, the Dwemer ruin beneath Markarth, I jumped at the chance to explore it and look for the misplaced men. Mjoll reiterated her desire to return to Riften but I ignored her complaints. As we picked our way through Nchuand-Zel, I kept my eyes open for sapphires but found none. What I did find were the members of the expedition scattered throughout the ruined Dwemer village along with a massive number of Falmer.
It seems that, recently, the Falmer had been mounting vicious assaults against the Dwemer automatons. Since the automatons were the only things keeping the Falmer from invading Markarth it seemed in poor taste to systematically dismantle any automatons I found. Make no mistake, that's exactly what I did, but at least I managed to battle back the tide of Falmer and reactivate the remaining security systems left in place by the Dwemer.
Satisfied that Markarth was safe, Mjoll and I left the ruin and returned to Calcemo with the news. He was intrigued by the prospect of an intelligent plan for invasion being mounted by the Falmer but finally admitted he was glad it had been halted. He gave me a large sum of gold and then we spoke a while about his recent courtship with Faleen. He divulged that they were engaged to be married in only a few weeks' time.
I returned to the mine near Markarth and reported that Kolskeggr was clear of all Forsworn. A Manmer named Pavo thanked me for my work and allowed Mjoll and I to sleep in the workers' quarters. In the morning Mjoll and I woke and, amidst more of her requests to return to Riften, headed to Solitude. Mjoll's mood seemed to improve once we reached the capitol of Skyrim and she told me a story about how she and her mother used to visit.
While I was visiting the Solitude witch to see if she had any new spells, I overheard a conversation about a cave from which strange sounds and lights had been emanating. I offered to check out the disturbance and, much to Mjoll's chagrin, headed out immediately. The cave is called Wolfskull cave and I wondered if it might be related to the Wolves painted on the shield of every Warrior in the city.
Wolfskull cave was home to an unwelcome mix of necromancers and frustratingly durable Draugr. Mjoll, with my support, took on the necromancers while I used arcane sunlight and fire to quell the Draugr that accompanied them. I must admit that Mjoll and I made an excellent team and we cleansed the cave without much trouble. The acoustics within Wolfskull were such that I could easily hear a cabal of necromancers performing some dark ritual as I traveled. The chance to observe a necromantic ritual was exciting. I knew most of what any necromancer knows but I had seen almost none of it in actual practice. As much as My Elder had cautioned me that to even look upon such a ritual was to give a piece of your soul to those performing it, I could not stem my curiosity.
We came to a tower built of stone on top of which a circle of necromancers, revealed by my Detect Life spell, were summoning forth a being named Potema. I recognize her name from a series of books though I admit I have only skimmed them. I am missing a few volumes and would be loathe to read a series without having all the titles. I only know that she was once the queen of Solitude and eventually turned to Necromancy to maintain her flagging power.
Mjoll's plan, the Nord she is, was to run up the winding staircase and engage all hostiles simultaneously. I think she realized a little too late what having me charge into overwhelming odds would entail. I watched the Lioness grip the haft of her axe and flex her tree-like arms. I have to note here that our approaches to battle are very different, as I imagine the difference between any Warrior and Acolyte would be. She spends the time before battle stamping her feet and spitting slurs at an enemy that cannot yet hear her. She does everything in her power to raise her heart rate before descending on her foes like a maelstrom of iron.
My preparation for battle usually involves long, slow and deep breaths meant to calm my body and clear my mind while I formulate plans and strategies. Even when I call upon the form of The Wolf, I strike tactically. I charge archers on the edge of the field, ensuring I have a large area in which to maneuver. I save slow but powerful Warriors for last, using the free space to dodge and strike in short, but effective, outbursts of brutality. The Wolf himself does not use these tactics, he fights like Mjoll. He howls and beats his chest and claws the air before running directly into the center of his foes, rarely leaving anything behind but a tempest of arterial spray.
I knew Mjoll would charge ahead of me and my Detect Dead spell showed that all on the platform above us were living, breathing humans. While her Nordic blood may grant her a resistance to the Ice Magic favored by necromancers, we had already come across a few who favored Shock Magic. She has no resistance to electricity. Mjoll insisted again that we charge immediately, before they finished their ritual. I decided to abide her this once.
I called forth the form of The Wolf and knocked Mjoll out of my path as I charged up the stairs. I heard her cry out in pain as she fell backward down the steps but I knew she would be alright. She needed to understand why I approach things in such a calm and level-headed way. I had to show her the alternative.
The necromancers were so surprised at my arrival in Lupine form that the first two I slaughtered only stood there as my teeth found their vitals. The remaining four managed to shake off the paralyzing fear with which my sudden appearance had infected them. Mjoll crested the stairs, axe in hand, but stood inactive and only watched. I crushed heads against stone and tore organs out of torsos. I snapped necks with jaws and opened throats with fangs. All told, it took me less than two minutes to end the ritual which the necromancers had been performing.
I reverted and checked the altar for a spell book or scroll. I wanted to see exactly which ritual the coven had been attempting. I had no luck in that endeavor and so Mjoll and I left Wolfskull to report back to the steward of the Solitude Elder. Mjoll was silent during the entire journey. For my part, I was thrilled to have thwarted such an unholy plan and glad for the chance to see some necromancers pay the price for their blasphemy.
I spoke to Falk Firebeard, the steward, and explained what had happened at Wolfskull. The mention of the name Potema turned a strong-voiced man into a whimpering boy as he thanked me for the service I had provided. As I turned to leave, the Solitude Elder beckoned to me. When I approached she cast her eyes nervously around the room and lowered her voice. Elisif asked me to deliver a memento of her husband to a shrine of Talos, citing that something similar had already been done in the name of the Divines.
I reminded her that Talos worship was illegal but she insisted it was only to grant her husband's wishes. When I asked her directly if she worshipped Talos she only replied that it was illegal. I knew that, unlike what the rebels said, not all Imperials were Thalmor puppets. This simple exchange reinforced my belief that the Imperial Legion was only gathering the strength they would need to oust the dominion. The rebels were disrupting that plan, though they could not see it.
Since Skyrim politics are not my domain, I decided to carry out the task for the Solitude Elder. I took a winding route from Solitude to the Talos shrine. It was located quite some distance away, near Whiterun, but I did not want to take the chance that some malcontent would follow me in order to persecute the Elder. When my spells and senses told me that I was not followed, I approached the shrine and placed the horn of the late High King Torygg upon it.
Talos made no show of himself. No ethereal words of thanks or mystical energies came forth from the altar. I suppose that is to be expected when an altar is built with no God behind it. I knew that I would need to return to Solitude to tell Elisif that her deed was done but I did not want to raise suspicions by returning so soon after our clandestine conversation.
Instead I decided to head to Morthal to obtain the deed for a plot of land out in the swamp. I had just enough money to cover the cost and figured I might as well lighten my pocket. After the deed was mine, I spoke to the man who had been assigned as my Housecarl. I explained to him that I already had a Housecarl but he insisted that he was sworn to guard me and my Hjaalmarch property.
I arrived at the plot of land and was immediately impressed. I do love the raw Nature present in the swamp. The scent of decomposition is a familiar one and I have drawn comfort from it since I was but a child. I like that the wide open space surrounding my land is blanketed in snow and thus affords no opportunity for ambushes. From here I can actually see the Blue Palace of Solitude. Oddly, a sight which would have filled me with disgust only a few months ago now brings comfort. I know my allies, the Imperial Legion are close at hand.
At first, I believed myself to be fortunate to have a woman such as Mjoll by my side to help build my new hut. I am no Hutsmith, though I do have a mind well-suited for architecture. I cannot lift a beam on my own let alone the wall of a hut. I am dexterous but I dare not endanger my hands swinging a hammer anywhere near them. They are too vital to both my spell and potioncraft. I started to rummage through the supplies I found left at the site by the Morthal Elder's men when Mjoll told me that we should be out in Skyrim, fighting. Nords.
The Lioness was unsatisfied with my apparent lack of compassion for the people of Riften and insisted that we head back to the downtrodden hole of a village to help them. I reminded her that Riften would still be a den of filth in a week or so when construction on my hut was completed but that did not seem to assuage her desire to leave. We were at an impass and I told her to go back to Riften on her own.
Truthfully I think that watching my bloody dance atop the altar in Wolfskull made Mjoll reconsider our partnership. Though she knew from our adventures in the Reach that I carried The Wolf inside of me, I don't think it really sank in until she saw the carnage I inflicted at Wolfskull. Mjoll is a good-hearted woman but I think she has been in Riften too long and has forgotten how savage everything outside of village walls can be; must be, for survival.
The Wolf's day is coming, two of them together in fact, and so I have decided to remain here in the swamp until they have passed. I have enlisted the aid of my Housecarl, Valdimar, in building my hut here. He is older than Mjoll but seems physically capable and enthusiastic about serving his Thane. I explained to him early on that I have no need of servants, only allies, but I do not think he is yet used to the idea. He still will not call me by my name, insisting on formalities I have long grown tired of.
Earlier today, as Valdimar and I began collecting clay and stone for the foundation of my hut, I was approached by a courier. It seems Falk has news regarding the ritual of Potema which I interrupted. Once Valdimar have finished construction I will head back to Solitude to speak with Falk. From the urgency in his script, I can tell that the news he has for me is unpleasant so I am in no rush whatsoever to receive it.