charlescrowe

welcome!

Thanks folks, i've had a pretty cool day.

wow! thanks for the link... i think i know what my next batch of desktop backgrounds is gonna be.

folks here are generally nicer than on other parts of the skynet. i know for a fact that folks here love to support and help each other. i think i'm re-stating the obvious here, but bring'em on down!

wow, may many many copies be sold and enjoyed. congratulations red. EDIT: congratulations is NOT spelled with a k.

Solitude at predawn was devoid of most life, the only exceptions were the ever-present hawks circling the towers, and rats scurrying to find food or shelter from their cold, merciless talons. This particular morning played host to a pair of shadows sweeping through the empty streets and alleys, familiarizing every nook and crevice the cold grey stone had to offer. Scanning rooftops and sewer grates for escape routes leading throughout the city. As dawn's light slowly turned to bright, warm rays of daylight, the citizens of the vast forest of granite trickled into the thoroughfares, growing into a hustle and bustle rivaled only by the Imperial City's market district. Raurke and Malori quietly slipped into the crowds of laborers and merchants, making towards one of the more prominent forges in the city. A willowy young Nord struggled with a bow, ineffectually trying to string the dense wood propped between his knees. "Morning lad. Is your master in?" Raurke implored. "Yeah, just let me-" the boy grunted, straining to loop the bowstring across the top limb. Malori gave a disgusted sigh and took the bow; a thick, dense piece of craftsmanship a head taller than her -obviously meant for one of the larger Nords- and hooked the lower limb against her shin. Running it be tween her legs and bending it against the back of her thigh, she quickly looped the string around the top limb and handed it back to the boy. There was a deep, bellowing laugh from the door; the forge master had come to see about the voices. "She's got ya beat, boy. Do that with the rest of'em." The jovial Redguard turned his attention to Raurke. "Name's Chul. How can I help ya?" Raurke took the man's outstretched hand. "I'm in town for a couple weeks, and I need coin. Need an extra pair of hands around the forge?" Chul scratched his head, thinking. "Dunno. Got any experience with this Nord steel? Bastards don't trust anything else. Any experience would be a far sight better than this lanky pile of bones here." He motioned to the Nord. "Worked in a shop in Anvil before the war. The work in and out of that shop ranged from Elven moonstone to the crucible steel the Skaal use. Sometimes ebony when the city guard got a new captain." Raurke bragged, weaving truth with lie. "Anvil, huh? Picked up a piece from a shop there in my traveling days. You might recognize it." Chul ducked back into the forge, followed by the clang and crash of steel hitting wood, granite, and more steel. "Right then, come on in if ya want. I'll just be a mome- ah! Found it." Chul came back, carrying his prize tenderly. It was a saber, borrowing elements from Nordic, Elven, and Ra Gada design. A long, thin blade, curved with a clipped point gleamed brightly in the morning light. "Skaal steel, but lacking the traditional engravings you'd normally see." Chul chirped proudly. Raurke took it in, instantly recognizing it's blade and ax-like knuckle bow. The clawed pommel was a more recent addition, along with a carved mahogany hilt. "Haha, that's Gleaming Moon! One of Gadget's masterworks. How did you ever manage to pry it away from that miser?" Malori edged closer, taking a closer look, smiling. Chul practically burst. "Ha, you know it then?" Chul gave Raurke a wry smile. "Ah, it was a whirlwind romance. Sadly, she seems to be calling out for adventure, and I've got a family to support here. I'll tell ya what; I'll hire you on for a couple weeks, pay your lodging and let ya have free reign of the forge. If I like your work, the Moon's yours." Chul smiled, adding "You look like the adventurous type." "We've got a deal then." Raurke beamed.

"You're kidding." Raurke said, bewildered. "With a piece like that, you just CAN'T be the only one in the game." Manan chuckled wryly. "Of course i'm not. Every thief in and out of the Thieves Guild wants this mask. Though I suspect few know of the real value of it." Raurke scoffed. "You could buy yourself an entire hold and still have enough to buy a seat on the Elder Council with the gratuitous sum you just laid out there. TWO seats even. What's the real value?" Manan looked about, scanning the dining hall carefully. "Perhaps we should discuss this in your quarters?" As if on cue, a squad of guards came in looking for some downtime after their patrols. Raurke nodded, and the pair casually headed towards the bedrooms. "Shame about that elf" one of the guardsmen spouted, lifting a mug to his heavily bearded maw. "Run straight through. Looks to be one o' them Alley-keer ye keep hearin about. Never seen such a wound from any Nord's blade I ever laid eyes on. 'Cept maybe one o' them Skaal's blades." "When've you ever seen a Skaal?" another guard retorted. "You ain't never been but a day's ride from the gates!" A third gaurd piped in mockingly; "Still, I bet our elven masters have taken a huge blow to their pride. Feel themselves immortal." "What's that look on your face, Raurke? Know somethin about that?" Manan chuckled. "Aye, It's why I've only got one eye now." ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ High above Solitude, atop the parapets of Castle Dour, Malori watched a lone hawk dive to the streets below, snatching a rat for it's breakfast. "I thought I'd find you up here." Malori lazily tilted her head back, an upside-down Raurke coming into view. "Our young friend's told me about this job he's got for us." Raurke sat next to Malori, enjoying the sunrise. Malori giggled. "How old d'you think he is? Can't be anywhere near as old as us, right?" "From what i know of man, I'd think not, my little magpie. Still, they do have a tendency to surprise the elder races." "It seems Jarl Elisef is going to be having a masquerade ball next week. Manan wants us to steal her late husband's mask. It's not going to be easy, even if we were the only ones looking to steal it. I'm guessing our best bet is when they lock it up in the Blue Palace's vault." Raurke jabbed Malori in the shoulder. "And we can't be killing anyone if we're to pin it on the Thieves guild either." Malori gave Raurke a wounded look. "Why'd you poke me? It's not like I'm a psychotic killer!" She massaged her shoulder after giving Raurke a playful swat. "I know, love. I just had to let you know. We still have to stay in the city for another week or so after we've done this job. They'll look harder for a killer than they will a thief." On their way down the tower, Raurke overheard a familiar voice from an open window. "Ah, looks like we've found the Thalmor's headquarters here in Solitude." He whispered. "... And now she's turned up dead! If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was that Breton!" "Gilgamesh. This changes NOTHING. You're to set sail for High Rock tonight. Adriane is close to taking over the Adamantine Tower, and those filthy half-breeds with it." This voice had heavy magical static, as if Gilgamesh were talking to his superior through a welkynd-powered mirror.

quoted for emphasis. it'll be frustrating at first, but once you do things a couple times, you'll start to go on instinct. the easiest mods are usually small ones that edit a weapons base damage/speed, or simple recolors. but TESA does offer a multitude of tutorials, and we're all willing to help with questions. now go forth and make us the grand mod we know you can provide us with!