Skyrim Real Roleplay - Thalen Tweel

Middas 27th Last Seed Continued

I climb the last remaining staircase up to the gigantic double iron doors. They are ornately engraved, and must weigh several tons each. Despite being thousands of years old, they still open effortlessly and almost silently. Another wonder of the ancient Nords.

Several gaping holes in the ceiling let teh roaring wind and a few shafts of light in. On the other end of the entry hall I can see here the bandits set up camp. A few of them are still there.

My footsteps still silent, I creep forward, staying out of the light. Even at this distance, I can touch their minds, and force them to my will. They begin battling, and I advance. In moments the battle is over, and the smell of charred meat fills the air.

Searching their camp, I turn up a pair of elven boots, and a magic scroll. The heading says "Bane of the Undead" in very old script. glancing over the formulae on the parchment, it seems this powerful incantation will repel all but the strongest undead, and set them afire. This is sure to come in handy eventually.

I follow the only path left that isn't caved in, which leads to a small chamber. A bandit is inside, but he doesn't seem to see or hear me. Instead, he moves towards a lever set in the center of the chamber and pulls it. Immediately, the man is peppered with darts from every direction. An iron gate blocks the only other way out of the room.

Already knowing what to expect, I line up the animals on the pillars, and pull the lever. The ancient iron gate draws upwards into the ceiling, opening the way further in.

The next area is filled with cobwebs. As I enter, my boots must've scuffed the stone floor. A man calls out several names, assuming I'm one of them. I don't reply that his friends are all dead. He says finally that he needs help.

The voice bellows out of a room up ahead, just past a doorway sealed off by a thick net of spider web. The strands are each very thick and there are several layers of them.

I silently curse my "Imperial luck." These spiders in Skyrim are almost as bad as the damn ice wraiths. Their poison is potent enough to kill a man in a few seconds.

...and this day was going so well up until now.
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Remember: IamI3rian told ya
Blank spaces... the anti spoiler tag. [___________________]

Middas 27th Last Seed Continued

I burn my way through the webbing... giant spider eggs bigger than the ones I saw under Helgen sit in clusters against the walls. I take a deep breath and head into the large open room.

I see it dropping down before the screaming man, and his warnings come too late. The king of frostbite spiders, bigger than a horse drops slowly from the ceiling on a silken dropline.

It lands on the floor, silent as a whisper. My shields in place, I waste no time hitting it hard. Its huge fangs dripping some vile green venom, it creeps ever closer to me across the floor.

Sweating, I continue to splash the creature with my orange tinged fire magics. Two of its legs dangle lifelessly, either from the impact of my bolts, or the burns.

It's close now and rears up, ready to impale me with those nasty looking fangs, each as long as my arm. One more double shot of Magefire and it collapses in a heap on the stone floor.

"Don't just leave me here, by Arkay..." Gods I think I just might. The arachnid abomination hasn't even stopped twitching yet, and this bandit is screaming to be cut down. I spend a moment collecting the eggs, just to make him squirm.

Several cocooned husks litter the floor. Looks like my new "friend" is only still alive because the spider wasn't hungry.

"Cut me down before anything else shows up."
"Where's the golden claw you stole from Lucan?"
"He sent you? Uh... yes! The claw, the markings, the door, the hall of stories, I know how they all fit together."

I don't trust the bandit at all, but even if he had the claw he couldn't very well give it to me right now. I take Frost Fang out, and cut through the webs securing him in place.

"You fool, why should I share the treasure with anyone?"

He takes off at a full sprint. In no shape to follow that quickly, I try to keep up.

Looking around, he seems to have run straight into a draugr crypt. No fool, I slow down, and prepare myself. I'll catch up with this thief later. Almost in response to my thought, I hear the unmistakable growling of a zombie.

I back up to the ramp which led here, and see it. At the very end, one of the ancient Nords is getting up. I prepare to repel it, but I wait til it's a bit closer. As it recoils from the magic, I use a simple gout of Magefire to burn it to the ground.

Another rounds the corner, this one with an axe and shield. I turn the moster the same way, and switch focus. Two bolts in the back, and it slides face first into a support pillar. I light a torch, to maintain my reserves and look around.

There's a body near a rune painted trapstone. Looks like a spiked wall trap.

Another zombie must've heard me or seen the torch. I jog backwards down the hallway, but it catches me in a stream of frost. I duck behind the support beam, stepping over the dead draugr there, and ready my ward, and an energy bolt.

I step back out, left arm extended and project my energy out into the ward. It absorbs the next jet of frost, and I release an energy bolt into the monster, hopefully draining away it's magicka.

The corpse swings its axe at me futilely, unlike the thief I move faster than the zombies.

It rushes me with another stream, and I release a third energy bolt. It appears drained. In a surprising burst of speed, it slams the axehead into the ribs on my left side. I cough out some blood, droplets of which cover the beasts face, and let fly another bolt. I change my focus, and concentrate on knitting the wound in my side.

As I slowly withdraw, I fling two more bolts at it. The sparks play over its body as it slumps to the ground. Perhaps the bolts drained the magics that kept it "alive?"

No matter, I need to track down this bandit.
---
Remember: IamI3rian told ya
German women's beach volleyball team is hot.

Middas 27th Last Seed Continued

Torch in hand, and very hungry I figure this is a good spot for dinner. A single rabbit haunch, a small wedge of goat cheese and a quick swig of Alto are all I have time for. I don't want to stumble around here after a feast either.

I step over the trapstone, and who do I see? My "friend" Arvel sprawled out on the floor, in a pool of blood. Looks like I wasn't the one who awakened the powerful zombie. His journal explains how to use the claw to unlock the door in the hall of stories. No wonder that's all the bandits took. In his pack, right next to the journal is the golden claw.

Now to find Master Farengar's ancient tablet.

Several zombies awaken as I head down the stone steps just past Arvel's corpse. The battle was a blur, I was struck in the right shoulder by an arrow, before I repelled the first of the draugr. I followed it back up the steps, roasting the thing with a gout of Magefire. Two more come at me from down the steps, and I retreat down the corridor past the trapstone.

Two bolts down the hallway, but I missed the closest of them. The living body was launched through the air with the impact of the spikewall trap. Just as I'd hoped. One of my bolts must've struck the other, following behind as I never found it. I did however discover during the chaos, that it's possible to focus the magicka from both of my hands into a single more powerful blast of Magefire. It drains more of my reserves than hurling two separate shots, but this larger ball of flame is more destructive too (level up add magicka, Dual Cast Destruction).

In an old chest tucked away in the rear of this section of the barrow, I find a very powerful scroll. Reading it, creates a "Guardian Circle" around me, which not only will repel undead but will also knit my wounds automatically as long as I remain inside the circle. A truly wondrous power, if I were to learn to create the effect myself.

Up ahead, the hallway narrows into almost a long doorway. As I approach, several razor sharp blades pendulum out from the walls, back and forth. I pause a moment and consider the best way through.
---
Remember: IamI3rian told ya
German women's beach volleyball team is hot.

Middas 27th Last Seed Continued

Careful timing is all it takes. There is in fact, enough room for me to fit between the swinging blades. Hanging from a wall on the other side, is a chain, which deactivates the trap.

Down another set of stone steps, I see a draugr resting in an alcove. Ready for it to awaken, it does. A few quick blasts and it's destroyed.

To my right, I can see that some flammable oil has pooled in a section of the barrow which partially collapsed. I concentrate, and focus on setting a warding rune right in the middle of the oil. I use both hands to inscribe the pattern. The light, or the sound of the inscription, awakens a draugr down the hall. Proud of my self, I confidently stand back to watch, without even bothering with my shields. Over it's shoulder I see more of them, just before it steps on the rune. The explosion kills it instantly, and the one behind it falls too.

I had not counted on another of the creatures, a stronger one, walking right through the burning oil. It raises it's hand, and a frost jet shoots forth, numbing my muscles. I retreat slowly back up the steps, as it continues to freeze my bones.

I stumble back around the corner, and finally I'm out of the blast. I change focus, and project my ward. It comes around the corner, releasing it's magic into my magic. The ward holds, and I fire a few Magefire bolts at it. The heat feels so good on my face. It crumples to the ground, but I can hear another one stomping it's dead, bare feet up the steps. I charge a double blast of Magefire, and stand ready.

It comes around the corner, and I release my hold on the magic. The creature is blasted back into a wall, and collapses. Perhaps I could learn to use the force of these impacts to my advantage? I focus inward and heal my frostburns.

Torch in hand, I head further into the ruins, which open out into a system of natural caves.
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Remember: IamI3rian told ya
German women's beach volleyball team is hot.

Tru_To_The_Game posted...

I'm impressed with how you're keeping your character in mind as you describe his trials in the barrow. It makes it easy to stay lost in the moment. Excellent job.

Thank you sir, though I'm not sure what your specifically referring to. = )

BHAALER posted...

Dat fiction... Seriously, this is turning into a great blend of storytelling and action. Between Thalen and the Olaf: Rags to Riches videos, I feel encouraged to play TES games a bit differently from now on. The focus should be on authenticity and character development, not "power gaming."

First, thanks man. It's not my fault about the action though. Thalen apparently wants a hands on education in human anatomy. = ) In other news, I'm going to post a skills/present build when I load up in a few minutes. Just so people know what's his present situation.

Second... it's a LOT more fun playing the focus, when you write it down, and tell the story. At least for me.

If I wasn't doing this RRP, I'd imagine I'd be playing Thalen quite a bit differently. Like sprinting for example. = )

Also, it's nearly gotten to the point where eating isn't fun anymore. I dunno, maybe I need to just get some more exotic foods together. Thalen seems to be eating a lot of the same foods.

Needs more veggies. = )
---
Remember: IamI3rian told ya
Got a new mouse. No mouse wheel. = ( At least it works,

Middas 27th Last Seed Continued

I dart between the blades of this trap as swiftly as the last, deactivating it with a similar chain. From a coffin just inside the next room, a draugr begins to stir, throwing the lid off and climbing out. It's destroyed very quickly by my magics.

Across the room, another draugr wielding a greatsword climbs down a set of wooden stairs from a level above. I see more of the flammable oil on the floor, but instead I direct my bolts into the zombie's chest, killing it. I weave my protections, as I hear another walking corpse; but I don't see it.

Just as I spot it on the landing above, I hear a sharp twang followed by an odd clicking sound... much closer. Instantly, I realize it fired at me, and the arrow grazed the left side of my scalp, deflecting off my skull. Not really injured, my blood flows quickly from long, straight cut.

I change focus, and begin knitting the gash closed while returning with a blast of my Magefire. As the thing shambles down the stairs it releases another shaft, which buries itself in my left shoulder. That will have to wait, since the head wound is really starting to gush. Time slows, and a certain clarity sets over me. Deftly, i flick my wrist and an orange tinged fire bolt slams into the corpse's chest, hurling it backwards sprawling across the floor [kill cam]. I finish closing my wounds, and look around as the arrow shaft is forced from my shoulder onto the ancient floor.

Ever deeper into the barrow I head, in search of this tablet for Farengar. Up the wooden stairs, across a small footbridge... down a hallway, this place is much larger than it appeared from the outside.

Eventually I come to what can only be the hall of stories. I stop to study the petroglyph reliefs on the walls. They appear to depict the life cycle of a man, who seems very important. I believe him to be a leader of some kind, he's shown standing more than twice as tall as the others in each scene.

The first of the stones shows him surrounded by brids, perhaps an indication of his peaceful nature. As they progress, and the man ages the depictions get more and more warlike. He's shown alongside dragons, and wielding a generous amount of Magefire as a very old man. Perhaps he was an ancient high king of Skyrim.

I unlock the door's simple combination using the golden claw revealing a long stone staircase. A small corridor at the top opens out into a large natural cave. As I step inside, a colony of bats flaps past me, and back into the barrow probably startled by my torch. I put it out, since the cave is naturally lit by the moonlight shining in from a large opening in the roof of the cavern. A waterfall cascades down the cave wall, and a small underground stream collects. Crossing the stream is a small stone footbridge. The light from the roof falls almost perfectly on a wall which stretches nearly halfway to the top of the chamber. It's covered with the same type of runes I've seen on the other ancient, magical walls. This must be the power Arvel mentioned, before I cut him down from the webbing.

I must find a way to unlock the power of the voice, this Thu'um, as Ulfric called it.
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Remember: IamI3rian told ya
I'm old enough to have dialed a rotary phone... = (

Tru_To_The_Game posted...

Mainly how you keep his injured ankle in mind. It does change how he reacts, like running after Arvel.

Ah... gotcha. It's VERY tough not sprinting. Not in combat, I've got that down, but actually jogging from place to place is plenty of motivation to get better at healing. = )

It's better than being dead though, as they say.

philcheesesteak posted...

Nice description of the Barrow! My guy just entered Bleak Falls too. I need to update him!

But as always, love the battle scenes, love the extra "gore" you put in. Keep it up!

= ) Gore seems to be Thalen's specialty. I just wish it was someone else's for once.

Yeah... we're all converging on the barrow it seems. It's great seeing how each of the characters perceives it, since it is after all the same place.

Silent_Snake666 posted...

Sill lovin it IamI3rian

Thanks man. So am I. = )
---
Remember: IamI3rian told ya
I'm old enough to have dialed a rotary phone... = (

Middas 27th Last Seed Continued

As expected, I hear the chanting in my mind as I approach the Nordic masonry. Again, the blinding blur, but this time "Fus." Force. I'm still unsure how I know this.

As I turn from the wall I notice a large stone coffin, and beside it a grand chest. This must be where the ancient king was interred. Hopefully Farengar's "source" was right, and the tablet is in the chest.

I make a move for it and SLAM! The lid of the coffin is thrown aside by dead arms. The ancient king awakens to stop me from obtaining the stone tablet. I"ll just have to "kill" him again.

Now I'm certain these walls and ancient magics are connected. As I toss overcharged Magefire at it, the dead king shouts "Fus" at me... and the same magical force knocks me backwards. I plant my ankle on the stairs as I step back, and a flash of white light blinds me. I fall backwards down all four and land hard on the ground. My Magesense tells me my ankle is still held together, but the pain reminds me I'm not master healer.

I change my focus, as I'm sprawled out on the landing. Master Modena in Dawnstar would be proud, if she could see me. I concentrate, and begin to summon the flames I need, and to shape them. It's not as difficult as I though it would be, the process is quite natural once it's begun. In just a few scant moments, the fires coalesce into the form of a fire golem. I stand up, and regain my footing. Sore as it is, my ankle will still support my weight, but I'm not going anywhere fast.

The creature takes the bait, and lunges with it's sword at the atronach. I switch focus... energy bolts. While less damaging, they should stop this creature from giving me any more surprises.

A rapid succession of them play off the creature's chest and sword. Feeling drained, I draw out the Skull of Vaermina. Silently, I call out to her for aid in destroying this foul guardian. I cross around behind the coffin to line up a shot, and the abomination taunts me banging its sword against its shield. I blast it with the Skull's power, and it responds by slashing my arm. My magics absorb most of the impact, but I'm hurt more than just the slash would indicate.

Seeing the king's decaying body falling apart, I switch focus. As I do, the golem hurls some of its own Magefire against the monstrosity.

It turns to me, and stares into my eyes with the pinpoints of light that make up it's own. It opens it's mouth again, and shouts another word I recognize "Zun," the word for weapon. This time instead of a wave of force directed at me, the rancid corpse's magic rips the skull from my grasp.

I must find it. Frantically, I search the floor of the cave. I hear the golem slicing into the king's armor with its burning claws, and I think I even hear the zombie collapse.

Still scanning the floor as I walk, my heart leaps. Only a few meters from where I stand rests Vaermina's gift to me. I charge over and wrap my fingers around it. The magics maintaining the golem's form collapse, but I barely notice. Instead I'm inspecting the skull for any damage. It appears intact.

Relieved, I realize my arm is still bleeding, as I see my crimson blood flowing across my hand, and onto the shaft. Absently, I heal the slash while wiping the cool, metal clean.

I check the ancient king's body, and it was guarding the tablet. I take it, along with the enchanted sword it wielded against me. An aura I recognize surrounds the blade, it will cause frost burns on impact. The large chest contains a sword, Dwemer make by the metal. I scan the magic and the runes inscribed on it. Magefire for sure. I'll study this to learn the secret of constructing my own similar weapons.

A long wooden staff painted red and topped with a crystal also rests in the chest. [cont]
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Remember: IamI3rian told ya
I'm old enough to have dialed a rotary phone... = (

Middas 27th Last Seed Continued

...the crystal appears enchanted as well, attuned to the workings of the mind. I believe this staff will instill paranoia on the very weak minded. The aura isn't strong, I'll hold onto this I think. Perhaps it can help me unlock the secrets of the mind.

Off to Riverwood. I've got a reward to collect, and from what I can see of Masser, it's around 9:00pm.

[EDIT:] The trip back is uneventful. A wolf pack or two, and I met a hunter who bought the pelts.

I head inside the trader's shop at around 11:00pm. Lucan's so overjoyed to get the golden claw back, he hands a pouch stuffed with 600 septims. He also offers me his copies of "Songs of the Return, Vols. 2, 7, 19 & 56". Supremely kind of him. After a long session of haggling, I manage to afford some apprentice robes, also enchanted with magicka to fuel my spells of destruction.

At the Sleeping Giant, Orgnar tells me the inkeeper, Delphine is out. I can't rent a room, but he won't kick me out if I want to sleep by the fire, in a chair or on a bench. I decline. On the way into town, I saw a small campsite just outside of town. It was unoccupied, and I'd rather sleep under the stars than crumpled up in a hard wooden chair. I collapse onto the bedroll, and immediately fall asleep. This was a longer day than I realized.

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Remember: IamI3rian told ya
I'm old enough to have dialed a rotary phone... = (

CrazyBritBoy posted...

As a budding author, I could learn a few things! XD

Keep it up!

Means a lot man, thanks. = D
---
Remember: IamI3rian told ya
I'm old enough to have dialed a rotary phone... = (

Sabram posted...

still tracking this. im taking notes on your writing style to help with the RRP im working on.

I wonder if anyone has done a FO3 or NV RRP yet.

In that case here's a free tip. Use less commas. : )

Seriously, I use too many, and before I post I always go back and delete a bunch. I still post too many. My English teachers are ashamed of me. = (

Anyway, that's very cool of you to say and I thank you for reading.
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Remember: IamI3rian told ya
Penguin journey, junior mints. Moviefone, evil prince.