DarkRider

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!

And my post is up! Sorry it took so long I was writing from baby jail

In the high north of Solstheim… Finwëdwyn Caranthir crouched low to the snow and passed his palm over the ever shifting surface, watching the subtle changes in light as his shadow drifted over unseen traces of footprints left in the ice. This mark was more clever than most, her footfalls light, crossing on stone where she could to avoid leaving tracks. Only a few feet ahead he picked up her trail again. She’d had a mount waiting for her among the trees, the horse’s heavy steps would be easier to follow. “Come on now, Elf,” the Legion Captain Eron barked from his saddle, “bloody snow. I’m freezing to death. I thought you said this ranger knew how to track,” he grumbled to the sergeant beside him. Sergeant Macen shrugged, “The men say he can find anything, anywhere, even trails long dead.” The captain snorted doubtfully, “This had better be worth the gold we paid is all I can say. If we don’t retrieve the package that devil woman snitched we’ll all hang for it.” Fin sighed listening to them argue as he drew Rabbit closer by the reins held in his hand. The little mare nudged his shoulder and he brushed the lightly falling snow from her face before pulling himself back up in the saddle. “What say you Fin? We have a target?” Macen called, pulling his own horse’s head up. The wood elf nodded once, “There is a trail, this way, we should move quickly,” he said, pushing Rabbit into a swift canter. He leaned low over her neck, keeping his eye on the tracks and any traces in the underbrush the other horse may have left as they made their way into thicker woods. There was no way to overtake their quarry quietly, the legionnaires thundered behind him like a coming storm. Suddenly a form darted onto the path just ahead of them in a spray of loose snow. It was a cloaked woman, set atop a black and white dappled gelding, red hair flying in the wind like a flag. She must have been camping nearby and heard their approach, like a bird flushed from its hiding place. Her mount was galloping at speed to save his rider from the enemy and Fin pushed Rabbit to pick up the pace, hearing the soldiers drawing swords and kicking their horses into the fray. The woman was deft in her saddle, weaving between the trees effortlessly. After only a mile, Fin glanced over his shoulder and saw their path and pace had separated several of the soldiers off the chase. By her surety, the woman knew the terrain well, and Fin started to sense she was leading them somewhere. She turned her horse sharply down into the ravine of a river long dried, filled with snow and rock. As she passed under a fallen tree she reached out with a small knife and cut a line. A branch swung just over his head, but Fin was sitting so low to Rabbit it passed over him and struck the first two soldiers following him. Once he cleared the log, he drove Rabbit up out of the ravine to ride alongside, keeping pace with the red haired woman from above. Another of the soldiers lost his balance and fell from his mount attempting to follow Fin, but the three remaining managed to escape the ravine and any other traps the thief had laying in wait on that course. “Gods they have a ranger with them,” the woman hissed to her mount, “come on boy, let’s see how they do with heights,” she turned him up out the other side of the ravine and up a narrow goat pass which led into the tree lined hills. The snow picked up, growing thicker and falling faster. She hated the cold, but in the moment her adrenaline was keeping her warm enough. As she reached the top of the first hill she could see the elven ranger still leading the Legion riders, a distinctly Ayleid lantern on his saddle glowed with the iridescent light of a welkynd stone, giving them a guide through the heavy snow. She sighed, she had hoped the brewing blizzard would have scared them off, but these seemed more determined than imperial soldiers she’d encountered before. She pressed further up the goat pass, “Time to disappear, Savior.” At the top of the next rise the path ended on a cliff face and the only way forward was a narrow wooden bridge the Nords had suspended for herding goats across to the other meadow. It was the sort of crossing that would give most horses pause, but the little gelding and his lithe rider trotted across in a practiced ballet; Savior’s hooves almost tapping out a cadence. On the other side, the path resumed and the red haired woman laughed, her mount tossing his head playfully, both certain the chase was over as they vanished into the snowfall. As they reached the height of the path the soldiers had overtaken Fin, charging in for the arrest, and as the two lead horses reached the bridge they reared up in terror, haphazardly leapt in the air as if trying against their own nature to obey but falling back against the snow. One crushed his rider, scrambled to his feet, bucking and screaming as he ran passed Fin heading down the path. The other knocked his rider out cold against a tree before wandering and bucking into the safety of a clearing; Macen was slumped over in his saddle limply. Only Captain Eron managed to pull his horse to a stop in time to avoid being thrown. “You go over first Elf,” he growled at Fin as if the ranger were to blame for their foul luck. Fin eyed the bridge for a moment, patted Rabbit’s neck, then slid out of the saddle, taking her by the reins and leading her onto the pass. The mare snorted nervously as she stumbled a bit to meet hoof to wood, her ears pricked to and fro, but she followed her Fin across the narrow bridge bravely. When they reached the other side, Eron dismounted and led his horse across in turn, the heavy bay seemed encouraged by Rabbit’s successful crossing. Back in the saddle they resumed their pursuit, riding hard to make up lost time, and heading back down into the valley. As they caught up to the thief at the bottom of the hill, rocky crags around them on all sides of a path that was only slightly wider than before, she was waiting, still seated on her horse but facing them. Eron pulled his horse to a stop suspiciously. “What is she waiting for?” “Us,” Fin answered simply, but his attention wasn’t on the thief. He scanned their surroundings and patted Rabbit again when she whinnied softly. Her feet danced beneath him even though he had brought her to a stop; something was making her nervous. Fin took a deep breath, the cold biting his lungs, but he caught the scent of death on the wind, “we must not linger here.” Eron frowned, “That witch has brought down or scattered all of my men, I’m not riding into another one of her bloody traps. You go on then if you’re so sure.” Before Fin could respond the legion captain and his mount both cried out, their voices smothered by the roaring of an ice troll as they were thrown off the trail. Rabbit reared up, almost throwing Fin, and forcing him to stand in the stirrups to stay with her. “RIDE!” the woman shouted as Fin turned his mare’s head and kicked her into a gallop toward the waiting thief.

I'm writing right now, should be done soon!

50 years works for me I think we could encounter the odd dragon. They're obviously not rampaging now that Alduin is defeated but I'd say they could easily exist in Morrowind.

In the events of Dragonborn the Red Mountain had only recently erupted, it's long enough after that for the island to have recovered. So Oblivion crisis and Alduin are past events in the present. Skyrim Tavern was about 50 years after Oblivion Tavern, so maybe about 40 or so years after the events in Skyrim?

Okay so my new character sheet is up, I created a new wood elf character and replaced Sett with Fin CLICK Starting my intro post now!

I found the frame image I used when making my framed character images for my sheets so if anyone wants to use it, you're welcome to! TitleFrame.psd

So I cant find Sett's full sheet and it feels traitory to rewrite him so working on a new character, probably similar to my Skyrim character.

I don't think she needs her own sheet but you could list more about her in your main character's sheet under additional info or something. Sounds fun!

Does the dog actually talk? Like a sentient animal?

A limerick, inspired by the den of thieves...ahem Limerick of Nicking There once was a poor man from Whiterun Who thought to pick pockets was quite fun. But once a pocket was picked The world enticed him to nick Now he woes that he’ll never be quite done

Added the "in play" characters to the OP here, I'll try to keep up. Welcome Jaxius, nice to have newcomers join in! Really nice add, you've done some RP before? My only suggestion for this game would be to make your adds 3rd person as in "Jaxius felt..." instead of 1st person "I felt..." just for consistency since the other entries are 3rd person. Looking forward to learning more about the vampire's quest!

Great entrance for P’urza! Especially liked the poofy fur

Welcome! We only start a new volume in a tale when the current volume reaches 200 posts and is locked. You can continue the Skyrim Tale in the current volume You don't need to quote posts when you add, just add your bit, and make sure you aren't referencing characters who are already somewhere else. Most of these games are a little dusty now, but we're just starting a new game set in Morrowind if you want to stop in and say hello, new folks are welcome!

My sheet is mostly posted, I used it as a template at some point and overwrote a few details. I think the complete version is on my other rig so I'll look for it in the morning EDIT: Apparently TESA thinks 14 replies on a thread is a HOT topic!

Little friendly thief competition. There's a sheet for Red in the Skyrim bin I think

Fin Type: Main Player Character Character Name: Finwëdwyn Caranthir of Valenwood Age: 132 Race: Wood Elf Occupation: Ranger Guardian Stone: The Steed Alignment: Neutral Mount: Rabbit, a white pinto mare with black and brown streaking Physical Attributes: Of average height and weight for a wood elf, Fin has medium blonde hair that is drawn back into a ponytail. He wears a short beard and goatee and his face is adorned with light blue tattoos. He has several small scars collected from his years of taming the wilds of Tamriel. He has a proud noble brow, with dark green eyes, and a light/clear complexion. Fin typically sports a hodgepodge collection of armor, mixing pieces from his Blades uniform with various ranger elements. Weapons: Fin carries a traditional Akaviri katana, but his primary weapon is an ebony bow with a quiver of daedric arrows he collected during the Oblivion crisis. Backstory: When asked about his past, Fin would say "Before the Blades I was nothing." and he would mean that quite literally. He was found wounded and half dead in the mountains north of Bruma in Cyrodiil where he rescued by a group of Blades and taken to Cloud Ruler Temple to be saved. When he recovered, his only memory was his name, but when the Blades discovered his skills at tracking and archery and recruited him into their order. He sometimes has nightmarish dreams that seem to be broken memories of his past but the visions mean nothing to him. During the Oblivion crisis, Fin served in the Imperial guard, scouting for the contingent charged with protecting the crown prince Geldall Septim. When the Blades were betrayed from within their own order and the Septims murdered, many left the order, Fin among them. He joined up with the Legion, contracting out his services as a ranger, which has taken his from one land to the next; always on the hunt. Personality: Fin's personality can be somewhat reserved though he does enjoy a warm mug of ale and some joviality. He's observant, thoughtful, and intuitive. His years of experience translate into an air of wisdom, but he can sometimes fall short of real wisdom due to the brashness his people are known for. Fin exudes calm and confidence making him an advantageous ally in any battle. Special Powers/Weaknesses: Fin has uncanny tracking skills and the ability to calm animals, sometimes even rallying wild things to his aid. Additional Images:

Actual Grond? I think he's moving mods and deleting old galleries? He may join us at some point, his character is a fixture in the game though.

Hard to imagine any incarnation of the tavern without Grond sleeping in a chair

Secondary player characters are extra characters with the same writer. So you have a main character, and if you add a second character later it would be a secondary character, unless you retire your main character and create a new main character. Some of us occasionally have multiple characters in play I have written the opening story for the Morrowind Tales so the game has officially begun! To join in, say Hello here, post your character sheet in the character thread, and hop in!

We use FISKA as a template. Just copy/place, change your colors, and replace the info with your character's info.