Aethalia
Well-Known Member
Hello, everyone. I am proud to announce that a collaboration between @Thesius and myself has finally borne fruit. What Dwells Below takes elements from several roleplays that both of us have worked on in the past, including What Lurks in the Durk, Nightfall, Dusk, The Lost, and Demons in the Dark.
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It is the year 213 of the fourth era. The dragons of Skyrim are gone, vanquished by the dragonborn years ago. After his duty was completed, the dragonborn too, faded into legend. With the defeat of the World-Eater, the imperials and stormcloaks that had settled on a truce for the duration of the Dragon Crisis, were back at each others throats. The war rekindled with the same savagery as before, and after seven brutal, bloody years of conflict, the war ended with Ulfric Stormcloak named the High King. The Legion retreated over the mountains, back to Cyrodiil, to regroup. The Thalmor, those that survived the purges, swiftly followed them. For a time, Skyrim enjoyed a wary peace.
However, like most things, the peace did not last. Two years after the conclusion of the war, the king was found dead at an assassins hand. The news through Skyrim into chaos once again, but this time, the empire was ready. A fully rejuvenated legion of imperials marched through the Pale Pass, and crushed the disorganized remnants of Ulfrics army. The deposed jarl of Solitude, Elisif the fair, was reseated, and declared the High Queen. General Tullius and his forces remained in Skyrim as an advisor and peacekeeper of the region. Once again, peace reigned. Helgen was rebuilt, cities expanded,and many of the old forts were manned once again.
But like Ulfrics' peace, this peace was troubled. The jarls of Windhelm, Dawnstar and Riften strained under Imperial law. Nameless things stirred in marshes of Morthal, and strange occurrences have been reported throughout the province. The legion, though concerned, is still worn out from the war. The Thalmor are more interested in rooting out Talos worshippers than tracking down missing villagers. But something must be done. To that end, couriers are dispatched to every major town and city, and messages are posted. Be they mercenaries, adventurers, and aspiring heroes, all are needed. The messages instruct those interested to meet at the Four Shields Tavern, in Dragonsbridge. Where a fresh mystery has surfaced...
Timeline
4e 201- The Dragonborn becomes known to the Grey Beards of High Hrothgar, after Helgen is destroyed by Alduin. The Greybeards and Dragonborn, with the help of a pair of retired Blades, convince the warring Stormcloaks and imperials to agree to a truce.
4E 203- Alduin is defeated. The remaining dragons are hunted down and slain. The Dragonborn, his task complete, vanishes into legend with his followers and friends, never to be seen again. The civil war begins anew.
4E 210- Ulfric Stormcloak and his rebels succeed in taking Solitude and routing the imperial forces from Skyrim. Shortly after, Ulfric is crowned the High King. Skyrim is at peace.
4E 212- The High King is slain by an unknown assassin. Skyrim is plunged back into chaos, and the imperials see their chance. A fresh legion of troops, lead by general Tullius and backed by nords loyal to the empire, march into Skyrim and in a year of vicious conflict, retake the province for the Empire. Near the end of the year, Elisif is crowned High Queen.
4E 213-Current Year- Times are troubled. Former Stormcloak sympathizers are uniting in Windhelm, Dawnstar, and Riften. Strange creatures are seen in the swamps of Morthal come nightfall. Tales of families gone made and butchering each other in isolated farmhouses are rampant. And worse, the newly rebuilt town of Helgen has apparently been abandoned overnight. Doomsayers and guard captains alike say there is something that preys upon the people of this troubled province.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is the year 213 of the fourth era. The dragons of Skyrim are gone, vanquished by the dragonborn years ago. After his duty was completed, the dragonborn too, faded into legend. With the defeat of the World-Eater, the imperials and stormcloaks that had settled on a truce for the duration of the Dragon Crisis, were back at each others throats. The war rekindled with the same savagery as before, and after seven brutal, bloody years of conflict, the war ended with Ulfric Stormcloak named the High King. The Legion retreated over the mountains, back to Cyrodiil, to regroup. The Thalmor, those that survived the purges, swiftly followed them. For a time, Skyrim enjoyed a wary peace.
However, like most things, the peace did not last. Two years after the conclusion of the war, the king was found dead at an assassins hand. The news through Skyrim into chaos once again, but this time, the empire was ready. A fully rejuvenated legion of imperials marched through the Pale Pass, and crushed the disorganized remnants of Ulfrics army. The deposed jarl of Solitude, Elisif the fair, was reseated, and declared the High Queen. General Tullius and his forces remained in Skyrim as an advisor and peacekeeper of the region. Once again, peace reigned. Helgen was rebuilt, cities expanded,and many of the old forts were manned once again.
But like Ulfrics' peace, this peace was troubled. The jarls of Windhelm, Dawnstar and Riften strained under Imperial law. Nameless things stirred in marshes of Morthal, and strange occurrences have been reported throughout the province. The legion, though concerned, is still worn out from the war. The Thalmor are more interested in rooting out Talos worshippers than tracking down missing villagers. But something must be done. To that end, couriers are dispatched to every major town and city, and messages are posted. Be they mercenaries, adventurers, and aspiring heroes, all are needed. The messages instruct those interested to meet at the Four Shields Tavern, in Dragonsbridge. Where a fresh mystery has surfaced...
Timeline
4e 201- The Dragonborn becomes known to the Grey Beards of High Hrothgar, after Helgen is destroyed by Alduin. The Greybeards and Dragonborn, with the help of a pair of retired Blades, convince the warring Stormcloaks and imperials to agree to a truce.
4E 203- Alduin is defeated. The remaining dragons are hunted down and slain. The Dragonborn, his task complete, vanishes into legend with his followers and friends, never to be seen again. The civil war begins anew.
4E 210- Ulfric Stormcloak and his rebels succeed in taking Solitude and routing the imperial forces from Skyrim. Shortly after, Ulfric is crowned the High King. Skyrim is at peace.
4E 212- The High King is slain by an unknown assassin. Skyrim is plunged back into chaos, and the imperials see their chance. A fresh legion of troops, lead by general Tullius and backed by nords loyal to the empire, march into Skyrim and in a year of vicious conflict, retake the province for the Empire. Near the end of the year, Elisif is crowned High Queen.
4E 213-Current Year- Times are troubled. Former Stormcloak sympathizers are uniting in Windhelm, Dawnstar, and Riften. Strange creatures are seen in the swamps of Morthal come nightfall. Tales of families gone made and butchering each other in isolated farmhouses are rampant. And worse, the newly rebuilt town of Helgen has apparently been abandoned overnight. Doomsayers and guard captains alike say there is something that preys upon the people of this troubled province.