DarkRider

You could use the existing map markers or really any xmarker headings as your variables for where to land, that should protect players against falling from unexpected heights.

And posted! It took a bit to find my rhythm again after moving TESA, but the adventure continues!

Hours into their journey, the foyada proved more challenging than any nix hound pack and as Savior’s hooves slid on the loose slate of the cooled ash for the hundredth time since they started, P’urza dug her claws into Red’s side; quietly hissing at being jostled repeatedly. Red winced and shifted her flesh off the claw points, “Starting to feel like a pin cushion up here.” “This one feels your pain,” the Khajiit answered in what may have been her attempt at sarcasm. The lady thief sighed wryly, “This pass must have seen a lot of rain recently, it’s not usually so slick as memory serves.” “And how does your memory serve that?” Fin spoke up from behind them suddenly. Red looked further down the path where the wood elf was pointing and pulled Savior up to a stop, “Whoa....shit.” Up ahead of them, blocking the way through the ravine, was a large floating netch. From a distance it was hard to tell if it was male or female (truth be told it would be hard to discern up close too) but it wasn’t common to see cows alone and that meant a potential for trouble. “Well...they’re just like big cows right? Gentle giants they say,” she mused aloud. “This one wants to go back to the tavern,” P’urza muttered. Fin brought Rabbit up alongside Savior for a better look and she had a nip at him when he moved his snout into her face, “It’s restless,” the ranger noted the netch swaying anxiously, running its tentacles over the nearest rocks searching for something to eat. Red nodded, “It’s a wide path, if we just go slow and stay to the edge, we can get around it. It’s one cow...right?” she cocked an eyebrow at Fin. Fin shrugged, “That sounds like the sort of thing people say right before they die.” She snorted over a laugh, “Have some faith Bosmer.” Red nudged Savior forward bravely, pulling him wide to the edge of the path even though the center had been the smoothest footing by far. As they reached the netch, the air was nearly vibrating around it and the ravine felt quite a bit smaller than before. She was unconsciously holding her breath and she could feel P’urza leaning into her nervously. She felt a pit drop into her gut when the creature’s belly glow ebbed and darkened from blue to red before it rose and turned toward her. “Go!” Fin shouted. Red kicked Savior forward just as a massive tentacle swung over their heads and crashed into the ravine wall scattering rocks in every direction. Fin pulled Rabbit to the other side of the ravine, charging her behind the netch as it closed in on Red. It swung one of its back tentacles at them causing Rabbit to whinny and kick out to get away from it. The netch was certainly a bull, and by its sudden interest in throttling them it was undoubtedly mating season; a time bulls were the most dangerous and unpredictable. It pursued them with dogged persistence, throwing small trees and large boulders into the path ahead of them to trip up the horses. Red pushed Savior hard toward the daedric ruins hidden in ashlands ahead knowing it would offer their best chance at finding shelter. As she broke from the foyada the smoke blackened spires rose up as if from nothing and she soon found herself dodging through a labyrinth of stone toward the main complex. A large boulder struck a spire nearest to her and sent a rain of daedric stone pouring down on them in a hail of sparks. P’urza hissed and leapt from Savior to one of the spires, scrambling to the top and pushing a heavy stone urn down on the netch as it drew close. The beast wrapped its many arms around the spire and pulled it down with ease, causing P’urza to drop down on the other side of a stone wall from Red. “Khajiit,” Fin called, offering a hand as he rode passed, pulling P’urza up into the saddle behind him. Up ahead they could see Red vanishing into the open maw of the ruined complex. “Here! Through here!” she shouted to them as she led Savior down into the safety of the ruin’s entry hall. The passage was far too narrow for the bull netch to follow though it made a few halfhearted grabs after Fin and P’urza as they joined her. Hopping down to the ground, P’urza growled and lobbed the nearest clay pot at the netch; it rumbled when the vessel shattered across its brow and finally moved off, abandoning the chase for the moment. “That was close. Lucky thing you didn’t dull your claws on my armor,” the lady thief teased her ruffled friend quietly. “Khajiiti claws do not dull,” P’urza’s whiskers twitched in distraction, “why does this one smell eggs?” Fin drew his bow off his shoulder ready to venture deeper into the ruin’s dark tunnels, “It’s sulfur, this place has been touched by Oblivion,” he brushed a hand over the carved ruins, lifting a reddish dust on his fingertips, “...long ago it seems.” “Let’s see if there’s any part of it unplundered shall we?” Red said, leading her companions toward the heavy door guarding the entrance, “It’s not like we’ll be able to leave anytime soon.”

Nice to see you Jello! Sorry for the delay folks, I have an add coming today, just hit a little writer''s block

UPDATE: We are completely migrated to the new server and the rent is paid for a whole year so we should be set here for a while! We are still under construction as long as the hats are on the logo, we have modules to update, content to update/clean, new features to bring online etc. Please continue bearing with us, it's a lot to do!

We expect some level of permanence as on the smaller server we'll need to make sure we don't get too big. But regular participants on site, like yourself, have options to upload. You could get a paid VIP membership, or shoot me a PM to discuss becoming a Project Leader with your own forum for your projects FREE, or even become an Ambassador which is a title we reserve for fairly well known members of the wider ES community or just well known to us

If you humor me and clear it manually does that help?

Anyone experiencing this oddity needs to clear their browser cache to view the site correctly on the new server. It's just a glitch.

Site Update: We're back! Sorry for not giving you guys more notice on the server move. I mean, we knew it was coming but then the host auto shifted domains on me when I purchased the new server plan and we had to hustle to get stuff moved over to it just to get the site back up! The board and most of the modules are working. Some attachments are still in transit so some images may not render yet, they will be fixed soon. The downloads section is still in transit so many mods will NOT download yet. Give us some time to finish moving. We're bringing TESA live so those regulars who have an addiction to her can get their fix! We still have a lot of moving and cleaning to do so as long as the construction hats are on the logo you can expect some bumps! I'll post another update when Downloads are all moved over here.

Only $100 to go! If you can kick in toward the new server, please help us keep the lights on! Again, you can pledge through our sister site here: http://www.druidgameworks.com/forums/index.php?/donate/make-donation/ Just select the TESA server from the goal list before pledging!

Nice one! I’ve been brain storming some trouble for us to run into

Ive added again since everyone seems buried in the CK at the moment There’s an opening for new players to join the adventure in Balmora! If you’re not at the Tavern yet you can always join us there or along the way!

The next morning, the sun was shining in wide bands that broke through islands of dark clouds overhead yet all around the Tavern, raindrops pattered lazily on the broad leathery leaves of the coastal trees. Fin stepped out of the Tavern and into Vvardenfel, stretching his back before slipping his bow across his frame. It was a stark contrast to the cold forests of Solstheim he had left the night before. Behind the Tavern he found a stable exactly like the one hundreds of miles away in the north, and despite the impossibility, there he found Rabbit waiting for him, tossing her head happily as she munched on a pile of hay the stable hand must have given her. In the stall beside her, Red’s mount Savior was trying to get her attention, running his snout over the high wall between them and grunting in earnest. Rabbit stopped eating and whinnied sweetly when she saw her Fin, dancing happily in place when he reached over the gate to pet her. Savior bumped the back of Fin’s shoulder in annoyance and the wood elf chuckled as he pushed the gelding’s nose away. “Hey now,” he chided lightly, “don’t give up so soon, she’s particular.” “Aren’t we all?” Red chuckled as she walked in on their exchange. “All what?” P’urza asked curiously, not understanding what her Red friend was talking about. Fin opened the stall gate and stepped inside with Rabbit to brush her out and saddle her up himself. He noted the lady thief seemed set on doing the same with her horse, stable hands be damned, appreciating their bond. “This one hopes Balmora will have something sweet,” P’urza mused as she draped herself over the end wall of Savior’s stall to watch Red work. The thief laughed, “The half dozen sweet rolls you had for breakfast are wearing off already?” P’urza shrugged, “There are sweeter things than rolls.” Finished, the ranger led Rabbit out of her stall by her reins, “I’ve haven’t been to Balmora since it was rebuilt, but I’ve heard tales.” Red nodded, “Then you know to watch your back.”

Thanks mate! We’re getting there!

We’re planning to move to a cheaper server, but we have to raise $200 to do this as the cheaper server bills annually not monthly. But that $200 will keep TESA up for a whole year! So if you can kick in, we would really appreciate if! You can pledge through our sister site here: http://www.druidgameworks.com/forums/index.php?/donate/make-donation/ Just select the TESA server from the goal list before pledging!

Update: All mods that are staying have been moved, many that were orphaned with few downloads were removed. The downloads section is no longer open for uploads unless your membership is one of the colored ID groups. Next thing to go will be attachments. You can manage your attachments from the user nav. We’ll be deleting them all to clear the system so you have a couple days to download anything from your inbox that you want to keep. Once uploads are nuked, storage limits will be added to keep the bloat away!

Congrats!

It’s quite an old game, it likely doesn’t sell very well year to year now. It’s probably not that they don’t care but more than likely the money men say there’s no money there to justify putting any more attention into it. That’s fairly common in the industry overall though, studios are usually chasing the next new thing.

I’ve posted a short piece just to move us forward a bit and to show the new folks that not every add has to be a thousand words to play. Now is a good time to jump in for the next adventure!

“As long as the snows are behind us, I wouldnt mind the ride,” Fin replied finishing his meade with a satisfied sigh. He stood and put more coins on the counter than his drink was worth, “I’ll take a room for the night, and to return to for a time.” Red nodded at Fiska when the orc woman collected his coins, taking a few of her own from her purse to pay her way, “Me as well.” ”Who knows, maybe I’ll find new contracts in Balmora,” Fin added as he headed for the wide wooden stairway leading upstairs, “I’ll rejoin you in the morning. Till then thief, good rest.” Red waves with a chuckle, “I look forward to our next adventure, ranger.”

Ding dong the Troll is dead and into the Tavern come Fin and Red! My next add is posted, looking forward to seeing some new players!

Without further hesitation Fin loosed his first arrow, the daedric steel boring deep into the troll’s hide near its neck and knocking it back a step but not arresting its charge. The beast roared leaning into its massive forearms to speed up. Red braced herself and called over her shoulder, “That’s no good.” “I see,” Fin muttered as he nocked two arrows together and loosed them after the charging beast landing them deep in the beast’s chest. He nocked two more and loosed them, driving them right into the beast’s skull. This time it stumbled but it reached out to take Red down with it. The lady thief waited until the last moment before ducking under its reaching claws and sliced her blade upward across its exposed belly as she moved aside. The troll finally fell, groaned and exhaled its last snoring breath as it came to a rest in the snow. Blood seeped out from around the body and Red returned her blade to its sheathe before tucking a stray hair back behind her ear. “Well that was dramatic,” she sighed as the ranger approached to retrieve his arrows, “I suppose this is the part where I have to fight you for my freedom?” Fin shook his head with a shrug as he slipped his bow back over his shoulder, “I was paid to find you, I did my part. Your freedom is up to the Legion and…” he looked around, “they don’t seem to be here.” She nodded, “Fair enough….thanks.” she sized up the snow piled around them, “Now how do we get out of here?” The wood elf looked around for a moment as the horses returned to their sides, “There, we can cut through the wood over that ridge, it should be low enough for the horses to climb.” Red pulled herself up into Savior’s saddle, “Let’s pray this snowfall doesn’t get any worse.” --- Escaping the ridge lined goat path proved easy but the woods were overgrown and there was no clear road to follow. As the hours flew by the sky was growing darker and there was no sign nor marker to lead the pair out of the wilderness. Though the sun must have still been hanging on the horizon, the snow was falling so heavily it was like being shrouded in a premature nightfall. Rabbit’s breaths were coming in heavy snorts and her footing was slowed by the fresh snow slipping under her hooves. The Ayleid lantern on her saddle surrounded them in a blue green glow that seemed to be holding back the darkness that would otherwise swallow them. He looked over his shoulder, immediately sorry as his face was turned into the wind and snow quickly gathered in his hood, but his companion had grown quiet. Behind them Savior was following steadfastly, so close Fin could almost reach out and touch him, but Red was slumped over in the saddle motionlessly. Her cloak was drawn up over her head, her face buried against her mount, and her back was covered with heavy snow. They would be buried if they didn’t find shelter. In times of crisis, the wilderness had often come to his aid in unexpected ways, and as Fin turned his attention forward again he said a silent prayer his ancestors would send help to bring them safely out of the cold. Suddenly an eerie golden light appeared in the trees, cutting through the snow, it blinked out then reappeared a moment later lower to the ground, then again appearing closer to Rabbit’s face where it hung for a moment swirling and ebbing, causing the mare the whinny shortly in surprise. “A wisp,” Fin smiled, using his gift to connect to the creature, “we need shelter. Do you know the way?” The wisp rose and flashed a few times quickly as if answering and then flew ahead leaving a golden spray of sparks trailing behind it. Finn nudged Rabbit to follow, the little mare speeding up to an awkward canter on such unsteady ground. Following the wisp it cut through the trees along a path long buried in the snow they never would have seen, but after traveling a mile or so more lights appeared in the trees ahead. These were fire lights and as they drew closer the wisp disappeared and Fin broke through the woods and into a clearing where a heavily carved Nordling inn was standing stoically against the storm. The yard was lined with lanterns on posts which lit the way to a large stable just behind the main building. Fin slid from his saddle, grabbing the reins of both horses and dragged them into the shelter of the outbuilding. The temperature immediately climbed twenty degrees and Red groaned as she came to life under her cloak. Fin unclipped the cloak from her neck and drew it off of her, knocking several pounds of snow onto the ground. Red raised her head, feeling a welcome warmth radiating off a nearby lantern, “Did we die?” Fin nodded earnestly with a grin, “Yes, come see.” She chortled, sitting up in the saddle and watched as the wood elf led Rabbit into one of the empty stalls and started to remove her tack and his gear. They were in the middle of the high woods, she had never seen a place like this in these wilds before and part of her was reserved. But after seeing Fin’s ease and trusting his instincts she soon climbed down and settled Savior in a neighboring stall, slipping him some sugar cubes from her pocket in gratitude. When the horses were settled the two companions collected their gear and made their way back into the snow toward the inn’s heavy wooden door. It was slightly frozen in the joints and it yawned with a crack as they pushed it opened together, warmth and light enveloping them and drawing them in. As the doors closed behind them it was as though they had been teleported into a dream. A hearty fire was crackling, the aromas of various brews, stews, and pies filled their senses and the terrible winter cold was left behind them. “So…” Red ventured, “we DID die out there?”

Woot! Nice add Guru, looks like that Troll and I are going another round!