The Elder Scrolls: Ascension [IC]

[Greater Corea]

The Empire, Skyrim, Haafingar Hold
Solitude

---

Tiberius stands to attention near the walls of Castle Dour shield resting on his foot and rubbing his hands to try to somehow ward off the cold. While this was certainly no place for a Legate he had agreed to fill in for one of his best men who needed to leave for Markarth to attend a funeral for his father. While at the time it didn't seem too bad Tiberius had forgotten that he had spent his Auxiliary days in the Imperial City, significantly warmer than the harsh weathers of Northern Skyrim.
Tiberius looks up at the sky to see the eagles flying around as usual, lately their numbers had grown. He rubs his hands together and breaths into his cupped hands to keep them warm in Solitude's harsh weather. In the distance a young legionnaire runs towards him and when he eventually reaches Tiberius he gives a smart salute, the legionnaire is a young nord, barely out of his teens.
"What is it Auxiliary?" Tiberius asks still rubbing his hands together.

"Legate, I was told to inform you the guard duty is changing. Your shift is over."

"Great, thanks." Tiberius responds patting the Auxiliary's shoulder before getting ready to leave.

"Sir, may I ask a question?" The Auxiliary asks as Tiberius starts walking.

Tiberius stops, "What is it?" He asks.

"Is the Imperial City as beautiful as they say? I overheard some of the Praetors talking about the city like it was a place for the gods themselves."

Tiberius smiles, memories of the warm peaceful days came flooding back to him. He nods before talking, "That it is, the city is beautiful. Nothing on Mundus can compare to it's beauty, I lived there most my life and nothing like it exists. If you thought Solitude was big you've experienced nothing yet. Thousands of people live in the Imperial City, all of them with different lives and stories...It's just so overwhelming but then again, for the capital of our Empire it is to be expected."

The Auxiliary listens eyes widened, "More than a thousand people? I wish I could visit."

"Perhaps one day I'll take you, what's your name Auxiliary?"

"Jorik War-Forge sir."

"I'll be remembering you Auxiliary, best of luck." Tiberius says patting his shoulder once more before leaving.

After he places his shield at the foot of his bed in the barracks Tiberius makes his way to the Winking Skeever, a very old inn that had served Imperial legionnaires for at least a century. Stepping inside he immediately feels the warmth of the inn and smiles as he starts to warm up. He purchases a bottle of spiced wine and then goes to join a group of legionnaires relaxing around a table. As he approaches the men stand up and salute.

"Legate!" They exclaim almost simultaneously hand in a fist and on their chests.

"At ease legionnaires." Tiberius says taking a stool and sitting himself down at the head of the table.

"How goes the day Legate?" One of the Legionnaires asks before taking a drink from his tankard.

"Fine Hod, I see you are all enjoying what appears to be... mead?" Tiberius says before releasing the cork from the bottle with his teeth.

"Aye, why don't you take a drink Legate?" one of the other Legionnaires asks offering a tankard of mead.

"I'll stick to spiced wine thanks, legionnaire. I don't understand what you enjoy out of that pig swill." Tiberius responds smiling before taking a swig from the bottle.

The legionnaire smiles but Tiberius realises something is wrong. "What's wrong Jorn? You always come up with some witty response to my jokes." Tiberius says.

"We... Well, we've been discussing a matter that is most worrying, Hod will fill you in sir." Jorn says scratching his rough beard.

Hod, a nord sporting a blond mustache leans in and starts talking, "I've heard rumours of war Legate, a Breton was telling of news from the Imperial City. The Thalmor are preparing an assault for sure." Hod whispers. "If I'm honest, I can't wait for war to happen if it means I can get to kill those damned Thalmor.

Tiberius looks around before he talks, "The Thalmor have eyes and ears everywhere Hod, I'd suggest keeping rumours to yourself." Tiberius pauses and then lowers his voice. "But what you say is plausible. Something is wrong, recent movements of the Thalmor have changed."

"Are you sure Legate? The White-Gold Concordat ended hostilities." One of the younger Legionnaires asks nervously. "Why would the Thalmor attack?"

"I don't know why Legionnaire but what I do know is that if it does happen it will be a war on a scale never before seen on Mundus. A war that will perhaps mean no future wars. Who knows? Perhaps it will bring an end to the Thalmor, or perhaps it will bring an end to the Empire..." Tiberius says trailing off before taking a swig from his bottle. Noting he hadn't had anything to eat since morning rations, Tiberius proceeds to take out his dagger to cut a wedge of goat's cheese and takes a piece of bread. He chews his meal thinking of what the future may bring, perhaps his prediction has wrong and the Thalmor would not attack the Empire... Only time would tell.

[Asyir]

Sir Aulus Cassius Atieus, Grandmaster of the Nine
The White-Gold Tower, The Imperial City
Cyrodiil 4E 307

Sir Aulus bowed as he approached the throne of the emperor, whom bore the crusader relics as he sat upon the Ruby Throne. Sir Aulus moved towards the edge of the stairs that led up to the grand seat, and knelled atop one knee in knightly fashion. He looked up to the emperor, and showed his signet ring of the Order of the Nine. Then he repeated the oath five of his predecessors spoke to the Cardes Emperors.

"I, Sir Aulus Cassius Atieus, The Grandmaster of the Order of the Nine and the wielder of Chrysamere, hereby swear my fealty to the wielder of the relics of Pelinal, Remaunus Cardes, the third of his name. The Order of the Nine will serve faithfully and dutifully. We will follow our code of duty and honor. We will not tarnish the name of the Empire. We will not harm the peasants, we will not harm the people. We will serve in whatever way you require, and lead legions to war if we must. In the name of the Nine Divines, I swear this oath. Should I fail, may death claim me and bring ruin to the Order. Hail the Divine Crusader! Hail Remaunus Cardes! Hail the Nine!"

All of the other eight knights were also upon one knee, bowing to the emperor.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Ja'sari
Falkreath Hold
Skyrim, The Empire

---

Ja'sari rushed into battle as soon as the runes where cast. She rushed past the line of her allies, sword out, ready to slice, and went straight for the undead. Ja'sari casted some fairly advanced Fury spells, to turn the Draugr against each other.

She was careful to avoid the ones that where being targeted by ranged attacks as she closed in. She came upon one with the fury of a sandstorm, not giving it a chance to block, or move away.

[Ralnis]

Volkilhar Castle,
Haafingar Hold, Skyrim, The Empire

The Castle itself was abandoned and was in ruins but some of the undead were already trying to restore some of it by the whims of their masters. The Pale Confederation, as it was now called, was already working on getting the former Vampire castle as a center of operations for their necromancers in Skyrim and hopefully for allies across the continent. The news from the agents that the Vigil had started to set up outpost in their territory and have been making patrols.

Potema had waited long enough for the other two to gather allies, she wanted to fight these Stendarr fanatics wherever they were, but Yamir said that they weren't ready yet for a full-on attack against the Vigil. It didn't stop her from wanting to try and cleanse the lands of the Vigil. Her agents had spotted their outpost near Dragon Bridge, Fort Hraggstad. She was going to send some of her lesser soldiers and a good chunk of the horde to deal with them. It would be the first battle they will have to do in a war for Skryim in general.

[The Intergalactic Russian Empire]

Vorid Ursine
Blackreach, The Pale
Skyrim, the Empire

Vorid tilted her head to the ground, observing the fine-cut stone as Thorvald granted her mercy. But her moment of rest was soon gone, for it was clear that the Falmer were making their presence known. The Nord girl was awfully curious as to how Marcus' army was handling the situation. "Right behind you, sir!" Vorid proclaimed as she drew out her bow, with plenty of arrows on her back to spare. The sounds of battle echoed throughout the cavernous city, and surely, her mind and body were calling out to join the fray. It was as if Vorid had never been a mercenary prior to joining the Skycrown's cause. From the corner of her eye, she could see a Falmer archer, already pulling back his arrow in Thorvald's direction. In the blink of an eye, Vorid drew a steel arrow from her quiver and pulled the string back with all her might. Upon letting go, she could see that her target had been hit. The arrow passed through the Falmer's heart, and soon enough, it collapsed from the spiral ramp which were common in Dwemer cities.

Thorvald Frost-Shield
Blackreach, the Pale
Skyrim, the Empire

The soldiers' large pikes were able to keep the Falmer at a distance from them, but the archers were still doing some damage. Thorvald ran in with his sword and shield and began cutting his way through the Falmer while trying to not get skewered by a pike. An arrow whizzed by Thorvald's head "We need to take out the archers!" one of the halberdiers shouted "Thanks for the advice, commander obvious!" Thorvald sighed and looked around, his eyes locked on Vorid with her bow "Vorid! Take out the archers!"

[South Sutalia]

Vorid Ursine
Blackreach, The Pale
Skyrim, The Empire

"Already on it, sir!" Vorid shouted as she unleashed a volley of arrows into the enemy archers. Several of the projectiles landed against the stone walls, missing their target completely. The poison from the chaurus, while cured, had inflicted the Nord girl with vision significantly worse than before. Vorid could see Falmer soldiers emerging from their loathsome huts, sword and shield in hand, fighting Thorvald's men along a wall of pikes. Vorid continued to fire arrow after arrow, landing multiple shots into the more heavily-armored combatants. She turned her attention back to the archers, which were giving the main force plenty of trouble. "May the gods have mercy on you, friends." Vorid quipped before firing an arrow into the face of a Falmer wretch right before he could pull his bowstring. Out from the corner of her eye, she beheld a Falmer Warmonger approaching the battlefield, ready to send the Skycrown regiment to Sovngarde.

[The NAR]

Marcus Augustus
Blackreach, the Pale
Province of Skyrim, the Empire

---

Stepping over piles of corpses, the smell of rotting flesh, the sound of dying moans was something that nobody should ever become accustomed to. But when all one knows is the burdens that come with death, it becomes as normal as breathing. Marcus sat still on an old Dwarven bench in the market, looking out at his men as they hurried around, dragging bodies, setting up defenses, preparing a permanent fortification. Marcus hated the downtime, for it was when had nothing to do but reflect on the past. Years as a Thief, even more as a soldier, fighting for the Empire, and now he sat as a traitor in the eyes of many. He prayed the plan worked out, because if it didn't, all hope of redemption is lost...

[Glasgia]

Northwatch Keep, Haafingar,
Skyrim

"Looking for work I suppose. I've enough money to travel for some short time, longer if I take the odd job." Thalin considered the idea. He was good with animals and a proficient hunter, at least by Nord standards. He might never reach the levels of his Bosmer kin, but he could learn from them and teach them what they didn't know. Working with the dogs would surely be a new concept, perhaps one he could introduce. He turned to collect his things, taking what little he had laid out, and carefully placing them back into the backpack. He threw the hounds a slab of meat and looked back towards Valiaya again, ready.

[Hastiaka]

Eldenroot, Valenwood
Grahtwood, Aldmeri Dominion
Preparations for the Elden Root Summit

---

It was all rather odd for a preparation. Why would a commander place her best and elite cohorts in the frontlines? It would be suicide! But this commander is not just an ordinary commander, she may not be the best but she isn't certainly the worst. The preparations were intense as hundreds of staffs were manning various facilities and jobs. Elden Root was a massive city with a massive tree and outside the tree were the various merchant shoppes and the Altmer Embassy; the Headquarters of the Aldmeri Dominion in Grahtwood. ''Lord Elandir Deroth! Lord High Chancellor of the Aldmeri Congress! Praise be Akatosh!'' the town crier announced as he and his personal cohorts arrive at the town center. The Aldmeri Congress is the alternative to the Thalmor High Council, in the Aldmeri Congress, at least twenty representatives from each state of the Dominion are elected and there are at least sixty seats in the Congress. The King of the Aldmeri Dominion is the highest figurehead and next to him is the Chancellor of the Aldmeri Congress, this pseudo-democracy is one of the newest reforms of the Fourth Aldmeri Dominion.

''Lord Deroth! Welcome to my humble city of Elden Root.'' the town elder said to him. Elandir Deroth is an old man like the King. Perhaps, he's fifty years short, he's just as decisive and wise as his king. ''Do you know that an old man named Hiemskir or Hemiskr? I forgot, was planted by the Thalmor to hate Talos. Reverse psychology at it's finest.'' he chatted. ''Interesting... when was this?'' the Chancellor interrupted, ''a hundred years ago.'' then they continued on walking towards the great tree of Elden Root.

''The Aldmeri Dominion will meet its counterpart, its rebels and other parties. I must make sure that our King will get what he wants out of this occasion, he wants you to treat guests like gods and respect their men. Meanwhile, I shall personally write to all Dominion Officers abroad to report their status.''

Office of the Central Administration

---

Elden Root, Valenwood

Officers abroad,

I personally command all of you to report your status to me and to the Office of the Peacekeepers. Submit to me your locations and supply checks so that we can immediately file these into the archives. I need all of you to submit to the Central Administration as our constitution MANDATES!

Signed,
Chancellor Elandir Deroth

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

Esthael Cardes
Falkreath Hold
Skyrim, The Empire

---

As the group started fighting the Draugr that appeared, so too did Esthael contribute her part by launching several fireballs into the direction of the undead Nords. Once the last of them fell on the floor, this time proper dead, she sheathed her sword and picked up her torch from where she'd dropped it in order to cast spells, before starting to have a look around the place. "Hmm, nothing of interest here..." The Breton told the others, shaking her head as she walked back towards the hallway she'd come from. She looked towards the large door at the end of the hallway. Surely that would be where all the interesting things could be found!

Valiaya Gaethore
Northwatch Keep
Skyrim, The Empire

---

"Hmm, seems like you've got your plans all set up, then. That's a good thing." At least he isn't that dumb. "Come, let's go wait for that ship to arrive." Valiaya motioned for the Bosmer to follow, and walked out of the keep, climbing upon one of the fort's crumbled walls, waiting until the ship that would take them to Valenwood arrived. As the ship began unloading it's cargo, she walked towards it and climbed on board, moving towards the captain, making sure that the man in charge of the ship would be going to the homeland of the Bosmer. Upon finding that he would indeed be doing so, she gave a nod towards Thalin - it would be safe to get aboard. With that done, she began to put down her things in the ship's cargo hold, making sure that she remembered where they'd been put. There was a long journey that lay ahead of them...

The Imperial City

---

"Rise." The Emperor motioned with a hand for the knights to rise as he himself stood up from the Ruby Throne. "From your presence and oath here I take that the previous Grandmaster has, sadly, passed away. The Empire has suffered a terrible loss with his death, although I may hope that you will live up to your former master's deeds..."

Fort Hraggstad

Fort Hraggstad had been cleared of the bandits that had once made it their home, and it was now filled with members of the Vigil of Stendarr, new recruits and veterans alike. The walls had been reinforced, and the Fortress itself had been fixed up as well, cleared of any dead bodies, and everything but the prison cells occupied now once more. Guards patrolled both the walls and the surrounding area, with a good overview of the snowy landscape from the fortress walls and towers.

[Ralnis]

Fort Hraggstad,
Haafinger Hold, Skyrim, The Empire

The Pale Confederation itself was starting the first move in the war. A horde of over 280 undead and vampires were making their way to the Vigil Fort. The Fort itself was a medium-size fort that was used by the Vigil very early but it seemed that they didn't know what the "ancient evil" was or where, until now. The Vigil had around 100 or so troops, armed with crossbows and steel weapons, it would be a fight that would had to take many risk. Exposing themselves was one of them.

The Two moons were starting to rise up in the sky as a few Vampires made their way to the lowest section of the wall and sneak-climbed while the rest of the undead army was waiting out of range of the crossbows and the eyesight of the Vigil, at least they hope, hiding an army of 200 undead that were a bit stupid. The Vampires themselves started to sneak around the wall before the moonlight would hit them so that they would get the gate opened for the rest of their horde to come in and be able to kill the Vigil. It was a rush against time as the Vigil would probably notice the undead against them but if they can pull it off, then they may win a small victory against the Vigil.

[Asyir]

Sir Aulus Cassius Atieus, Grandmaster of the Nine
The White-Gold Tower, The Imperial City
Cyrodiil, 4E 307

"Yes, it is rather unfortunate that he fell. But alas he fell in an honorable battle. We were waylaid by undead within the Black Marsh, and only three of us survived," Aulus responded, rising along with the other knights. Sir Pelvyn, the previous grandmaster, led the knights for well over thirty years, meeting his death in battle at the age of seventy. He was the longest lived master in the Order's History. "I would've arrived sooner, but I had other matters more pressing, and I'm sure you did as well sire. I have rebuilt the Order somewhat over the past several months in preparation for... War, I assume. What news come from the elves these days?"

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

Fort Hraggstad

---

The vampires would manage to sneak in as they hid from the moonlight, making their way towards the gatehouse. Before they could open the gates, however, the fort burst into activity - apparently, one of the guards on duty had noticed the moonlight shining on an undead apparition, and had alarmed his fellows. Vigilants began moving towards the walls and towers and, unfortunately for the vampires, towards the gatehouse as well...

The Imperial City

---

"The Elves are in a civil war nowadays, although they seem to be taking control rather quickly. A more.. moderate man has aspirations of leading them nowadays. In the end, it matters not. The Aldmeri Dominion stands in the way of a reunification of the Empire of old, and as such is directly opposed to us. We shall strike soon. Very soon. In fact, now that you are here, there is someone you might want to meet..." The Emperor turned to one of his guards for a moment. "Send for the Maormer, right away." As the guard ran off, Remaunes looked back towards Aulus. "An unexpected ally against the Dominion, if you like..."

[Asyir]

Fort Hraggstad

---

The vampires would manage to sneak in as they hid from the moonlight, making their way towards the gatehouse. Before they could open the gates, however, the fort burst into activity - apparently, one of the guards on duty had noticed the moonlight shining on an undead apparition, and had alarmed his fellows. Vigilants began moving towards the walls and towers and, unfortunately for the vampires, towards the gatehouse as well...

The Imperial City

---

"The Elves are in a civil war nowadays, although they seem to be taking control rather quickly. A more.. moderate man has aspirations of leading them nowadays. In the end, it matters not. The Aldmeri Dominion stands in the way of a reunification of the Empire of old, and as such is directly opposed to us. We shall strike soon. Very soon. In fact, now that you are here, there is someone you might want to meet..." The Emperor turned to one of his guards for a moment. "Send for the Maormer, right away." As the guard ran off, Remaunes looked back towards Aulus. "An unexpected ally against the Dominion, if you like..."

"Ah. So the elves fight themselves and let an upstart with a lack of ambition and willpower take over. These elves are more foolish then I previously thought. It is high time the empire of old is united once more", Aulus responded to the Emperor. Aulus was intrigued by the fact that the Emperor spoke of the Maormer. It was to Aulus's knowledge they were defeated in the third era, and their fleets reduced to smoldering ashes. "The Maormer? Their fleets were destroyed were they not?"

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

The Imperial City

---

"They do indeed. Their leader came to me as a diplomat, and told me of his plans. I am relatively confident that he to this day thinks that the Empire will support him and his coup. We will, of course, not." The Emperor gave a short nod. "The Maormer fleets were lost hundreds of years ago during the War of the Isle. I believe they have now been rebuilt. Not long ago, the heir to the Maormer king came to me, looking for a cure to a disease that was afflicting her father. In an act of kindness, I let her access the Imperial Library. When she returned to her homeland, however, her father had already died. The Maormer want revenge on the Altmer of the Summerset Isles, and who would I be to deny an ally against the Dominion? I do not believe that the Maormer have any intention to take land here on Tamriel, and if they do they shall suffer for it."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Ja'sari
Falkreath Hold
Skyrim, The Empire

---

Even though Esthael said there was nothing of interest, Ja'sari took another look around. She just wanted to be sure that they collected all the loot they could. She took a quick look, and didn't find much of value. The urns in the room where mostly empty or had things of no value. She sighed quietly and got back to the group.

Ja'sari looked at Esthael, then to the door, and back to Esthael.

"Ja'sari is guessing that Esthael wants to see what's behind that door." Ja'sari said, "Ja'sari says, we open the door as well."

---

Elanea
White-Gold Tower, Imperial City
Cyrodiil, The Empire

---

Elanea was spending her time wandering outside of the tower, her guard close by. She wandered the graveyard that surrounded it, reading the tombstones and crypt inscriptions. She was curious about the fact that a graveyard surrounded the Empire's centre of government. Elanea looked back to the Maormeri palace. It wasn't surrounded by a graveyard, it was surrounded by more life. But then again, a city wasn't built around the Maormeri palace.

She was brought out of her day dream when one of the Emperor's guards came to her. Apparently the Emperor was summoning her.

She made her way into the Tower, her guard following near her. She was wearing her normal dress, so she wasn't really wearing anything. As she walked into the throne room, she smiled hoping that nothing was wrong. She then saw another man.

She came to a stop and bowed, "You called for me." She said as she rose.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

The Imperial City

---

"I did." The Emperor nodded. "I would like you to meet this man, Sir Aulus Cassius Atieus, Grandmaster of the the Nine, whom has just made his way here, to the Imperial City." He turned his face towards the knight. "Likewise, I would have you meet Queen Elanea of the Maormer and Pyandonea, our ally in this upcoming war against the Dominion."

Esthael Cardes
Falkreath Hold
Skyrim, The Empire

---

"Damn right I do!" Esthael eagerly stepped forwards, gasping as she heard a click underneath her right foot. Before she could respond, she was pulled back and onto the ground, landing on a suit of Legion armor with a loud, clattering noise as a gash of fire flew over where she stood mere moments ago. As the fire stopped, the Breton stood up, breathing heavily as she quickly thanked Cullagia, before turning her attention back to the door. "Right, let's try that again.."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Elanea
White-Gold Tower, Imperial City
Cyrodiil, The Empire

---

Elanea turned to face the man. She looked at the man, and smiled an apologetic smile.

"I apologize. To be honest.... I don't know what to think. I don't know enough about the orders of knights in this Empire to act accordingly." She said before pointing to her clothing, "I also apologize for my current appearance if it has any effect on you, I prefer to dress in what I find comfortable, as such, I don't wear fancy clothes, except on special occasions." Elanea then walked towards him, "Sir Aulus Cassius Atieus, nice name. If you don't mind.... Can you tell me about your order of knights?"

---

Ja'sari
Falkreath Hold
Skyrim, The Empire

---

Ja'sari crouched down and looked at the floor. She looked at it before standing up and smiling. She began to walk to the door, not worrying about setting of the traps. Her foot touched the place where Esthael walked. But Ja'sari didn't trigger the trap. Her step was to light to trigger the trap. She came up to the door and looked back at Esthael and smiled.

"Light footed. That's what Ja'sari is. Trap triggers are no big deal for her." Ja'sari said, "She recommends you walk around it."

[Asyir]

Elanea
White-Gold Tower, Imperial City
Cyrodiil, The Empire

---

Elanea turned to face the man. She looked at the man, and smiled an apologetic smile.

"I apologize. To be honest.... I don't know what to think. I don't know enough about the orders of knights in this Empire to act accordingly." She said before pointing to her clothing, "I also apologize for my current appearance if it has any effect on you, I prefer to dress in what I find comfortable, as such, I don't wear fancy clothes, except on special occasions." Elanea then walked towards him, "Sir Aulus Cassius Atieus, nice name. If you don't mind.... Can you tell me about your order of knights?"

Sir Aulus Cassius Atieus, Grandmaster of the Nine
The White-Gold Tower, the Imperial City
Cryodiil 4E 307

"You have not wronged me in anyway, my lady, there is no need to apologize. As for your clothing... Such thoughts I once would possess... Are non existent." Sir Aulus responded in a soft and gentle tone. The young knight bowed deeply, as a sign of respect to her status as a queen. In truth, Aulus hid his surprise towards towards the magnificence of the Maormer woman. He had never seen anything like her in his short, yet storied, life. "Our order serves the Nine in both mind and body. We devout our life to the cause of justice and honor, and strike down those whom seek to harm the innocent. These eight knights beside me each serve one of the Gods. Together we are the Knights of the Nine, the most elite of our order."

Then with a hint of pride Aulus continued on, "There are more knights then us however. We are a large order, with nine other sub-orders, each representing one of the Nine. We vote and elect our knights of these sub-orders to serve in the actual Knights of the Nine. The system is rather complicating, especially to an outsider of our order, but it suits us. In truth, the whole order maybe has a hundred knights. We also of course swear our undying loyalty to the Emperor, whom as you can see, wields the Crusader Relics of old. There is much more, but, I imagine the rest would be rather drool."

"In truth my lady, I am more interested in.... Well.... You. I have not had the pleasure to met, nor speak, to a Maormer. All I know about your people is from my books. Is it true a skilled Maormer mage can create a hurricane?"

[Zanera]

Neven Alswin
Bleakwind Bluff

Neven arrived back on Tamriel and found himself during a snowfall, with a soft, freezing wind. Trollcock, why did he have to be transported back during this terrible weather? He heard the crackle of a fire outside the old, decrepit tower, and walked outside to find a large bonfire, probably kept alive by the dremora. His bear was laying next to the fire, and the food and other equipment was laying next to him. Might as well wait for it to pass over, the snow here was not so bad. It would let him think about what to do next.

Neven shivered whenever the cold wind penetrated the sphere of warmth of the fire, but other than that, he was well for most of the time. Ok, so, since Whiterun is in between me and Fort Skycrown, I could go there to see if any mason could possibly agree to begin work on a Daedric Prince shrine. Sanguine wasn't exactly the 'Kill everything!' type, but the Nords are superstitious. Annoyingly superstitious. And sometimes racist. Anyway anyway, I'll ask around, see if there is a mason. If there isn't one, then I leave. If there is, I try to get him to do the job. Who can resist the god of merriment? At Fort Skycrown...I'll think that through after Whiterun, thought Neven.

By the time Neven stopped thinking about this and other things, the snowfall had stopped and so Neven awoke the bear. It was grumpy, but it got up without incident. Neven put the things on the bear, in then drew out the Sanguine Rose. He did his best to hide the staff with the sacks on the bear. It definitely wasn't going to win any awards, but it was good enough. Neven hopped on in then steered the bear to Whiterun.

[Ralnis]

Fort Hraggstad

---

The vampires would manage to sneak in as they hid from the moonlight, making their way towards the gatehouse. Before they could open the gates, however, the fort burst into activity - apparently, one of the guards on duty had noticed the moonlight shining on an undead apparition, and had alarmed his fellows. Vigilants began moving towards the walls and towers and, unfortunately for the vampires, towards the gatehouse as well...

The Vampires started to move with an unearthly speed as the Vigilants moved towards the gatehouse. They were trying to rush as the Vigilants started to climb and they had to kick them off while they run. One was able to dodge the Vigilants to kick down the door of the gatehouse, only to be met with more Vigilants. The Vampires started to rush at the aid of their own kind to fight the Vigilants. The Vampires combined their melee and spells to try and kill them as they didn't have time to waste on the Vigilants and they managed to beat them back with some cuts and some fatigue but they started to pull the lever and get the gates down as the undead horde swarmed inside the fort.

However, the Vigilants that were on them closed in at a fast pace that the vampires couldn't get out of the gatehouse, so they stood their ground as a sacrifice when the undead army charges. One Vampire before they came upon them burned the controls of the gate controls so when they died then the Vigilants won't be able to try and stop the horde from pouring in the Fort. After that was done, they got their weapons and even magic spells to effect the Vigilants in some desperate attempt to infect the Vigilants that will kill them but they knew that the final embrace will allow the rest to chase out Stendarr from the Hold for the time being.

[Cainesland]

The blue glow of the two shards of aetherium glowed in the palms of Guiding songbird. Snow hurled down on the tents as they camped outside the third dwemer ruin. A lantern illuminated the tent as well as the grunts and cussing illuminated the very real displeasure of his men. While it was true that they needed to get into the dwemer ruins for shelter, it was also true that they needed the tents while they travelled through the snowy northern province that rimed the sky.

Guiding songbird looked upon his journal. It's leathery sheepskin pages brightly lit by the caged flame overhead. The ink tipped eagle feather began to scrawl across the page as songbird directed. The symphony of words soon concluded producing a letter to the count of skingrad.

Dear count of skingrad.

I have recently founded a bank. I hereby seek your assistance in its expansion. I would like your help in establishing a presence in your city.

I can assure you that this venture would not only benefit yourself but your citizens as well. You will see an explosion of commerce take place because of the readily available loans available. The increased trade will benifit yourself directly becouse of the generated taxes. Your nobility and common folk alike would also be able to store their Septims in a most secure fashion.

Please reply at your earliest convenience.

Yours truly

Singing songbird;
Founder of Commonwealth Plywood;
Lord of Battlehorn castle;
Commander of the Golden knights

Songbird looked it over before sealing the letter within an envelope and handing it to a courier. Not long after his men had taken down his tent and with all supplies packed they forged ahead into the dwemer ruin.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Elanea
White-Gold Tower, Imperial City
Cyrodiil, The Empire

---

Elanea raised her eyebrow, "Doesn't seem to complicated. Rather interesting, the Nine Divines. I don't know much about them, but, I have read a bit. So, each of you knights represent one of the Divines."

She then smiled, "Yes, that is true. A skilled Maormeri Mage can create a hurricane. We Maormer are unmatched in our control of storm magic. The Altmer are naturally skilled in magic, well so are the Maormer, just not as much. Unlike the Altmer, we Maormer have talent in use of weapons other than magic." She then smiled a little larger, "Not to mention our superiority on the sea. The only time our fleet has been defeated was during the War of the Isle. We could have taken the Imperial Fleet, and the Altmer... What destroyed us though was the Psijics. If it wasn't for them, my father would have successfully won the war at sea." she paused, "Now on land is a different story. The Maormer army is honestly not that strong."

She looked to Aulus, "Any more questions? I am happy to answer them."

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

Esthael Cardes
Falkreath Hold
Skyrim, The Empire

---

"No fair!" Esthael complained as she walked forwards, careful to avoid the pressure plate that would trigger the trap. The doors behind the firetrap were, despite their size, surprisingly easy to open, revealing a large chamber behind it, a throne with a body sitting on it at its end. Esthael couldn't see where the ceiling was, and concluded that it would have to be located very high up. She felt a breath of fresh air brush against her skin. "...fresh air? That must mean there's an exit somewhere, right?" The Breton whispered, trying to remain a bit more quiet. She took her sword from its scabbard. "Right, I guess the dead guy over there isn't actually dead..."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Ja'sari
Falkreath Hold
Skyrim, The Empire

---

Ja'sari followed Esthael through the door. She felt the tinge of a cool air, of fresh Skyrim mountain air, in on her face. She looked around the room, examining the walls to both sides, the entrance they came through, the ceiling. Her eyes ended their journey as they came to see the throne and it's occupant. She pulled her sword out as well.

"Esthael would be right to assume that." Ja'sari said very quietly, "Ja'sari is willing to bet that the throne guy has some friends in this room as well. Be careful."