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charlescrowe

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    Tavern Tales: Skyrim, Volume One (Legend)

    in Tavern Tales - Skyrim

    Posted

         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.

    Tavern Tales: Skyrim, Volume One (Legend)

    in Tavern Tales - Skyrim

    Posted

    "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.

    what is needed to create mods?

    in Skyrim Mods

    Posted

    ..and patience. It is easy to get frustrated starting out but once you get the hang of it, it can be great fun

    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!

    Tavern Tales: Skyrim, Volume One (Legend)

    in Tavern Tales - Skyrim

    Posted

    Ruarke spent the walk to Solitude in a daze, only sobering up enough to check themselves into their room at the Winking Skeever. Seeing his reflection triggered something deep within, mentally exhausting the Breton, and giving his body need for rest for the first time in almost a century. Too tired to do anything else, he sent Malori off to find Manan, then collapsed heavily on the bed.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A cool breeze blew in from over Lake Rumare; late spring in Cyrodiil was turning pleasant, the first signs of a warm summer chasing away the cool air of earlier in the season. Raurke looked around, smiling, chasing after his sister while they traveled with their parents to their favorite spot on the southern shore. Ahead, Serenity was now talking to a friendly looking Nord about their day out as a family. As they caught up, the Nord snatched Serenity up, signalling to his accomplices in the trees. "Your money, or your lives!" he shouted, an arrow thudding at Raurke's father's feet to punctuate the threat.

    "You can have it; just let her go." Argus Duskshadow spat, reaching to his belt to untie his coin purse. "Hera, yours too."

    Raurke's parents walked slowly to the Nord, purses held in front of them. Once he had them, he let Serenity go, then yelled to his cohorts. "All right boys, no witnesses!" Cackling, six more bandits came out from the trees, all well armed. Argus closed the distance between him and the Nord, grabbing the man's shortsword and plunging it in his back. A battlecry came from one of the bandits as four of them rushed in; it wasn't long before Argus and Hera had brought down another two bandits, but they were outnumbered and worried for their children.

    The two bandits who hung back loosed arrows, one catching Argus in the arm and leaving him open as another bandit lunged. Hera screamed as her husband's lifeblood stained her dress. Enraged, she drove her dagger into the bandit's neck only to be brought down herself by a second volley of arrows.

    Terrified, Raurke grabbed the cowering Serenity's hand and ran. One singular thought ran through his head as he pulled his sister along; 'Find a Legionnaire!' Serenity screamed, and a one-eyed man was ahead of them. "Run, children. I'll hold them off!" he shouted, blade in hand and firing off bolts of brilliant blue lightning.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The dream faded as Raurke was aware of Malori wiping his brow, holding his head in her lap. Soothing him with a soft whisper, she wiped his forehead again with a clean rag. "You're safe, my Raven." Raurke slipped quietly into a peaceful rest.

    Thieves guild marks?

    in Skyrim Gaming

    Posted

    Yes that's what I'm saying. Hey I pickpocket every bandit I possibly can. Especially when doing a bounty. Bandits are fair game, then again... I could pickpocket gold from everyone including guards.. but with their 6 gold a week pay... I let them be.

    i think they actually make more, but after physical therapy, Pension payments and retirement funding, it's ~6 drakes.

    Places To Go, Things To See.... Cheese to eat!

    in Skyrim Gaming

    Posted

    quite personally, an expansion on the dragon priest masks and bromjunar would be pretty cool. perhaps see more of skyrim in the age of dragons. or extended lycanthropy. the way it's done in skyrim is a little disappointing after bloodmoon. i mean... if we're gonna be able to turn into a werewolf at will, why not change it to a lesser power and add the ability to revert to normal at will too?

    Tavern Tales: Skyrim, Volume One (Legend)

    in Tavern Tales - Skyrim

    Posted

    The sun felt unusually warm (for Skyrim.) on Raurke's skin as he dozed. Manan's dry lagh and the subdued giggle of Malori brought him back to wakefullness as they pulled into Dragonbridge. "What say we stop for a bite?" Raurke chimed, hopping off the wagon to walk briskly beside it. Manan smirked, then rubbed his stomach in agreement. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Might give you a good chance to disguise yourselves as normal folk."

    The trio pulled off the road onto a small lot to unhitch the horses, leading them to the stable, then Malori and Raurke changed into more casual clothes behind the wagon. Before Raurke came back around, he willed a light illusion around himself to make him less memorable; he didn't want to leave his targets recognizing him to chance. Leaving all but thier coin purses and a dagger or two with the wagon, they headed up to the tavern.

    ______________________________________

    The Four Shields Inn was a cozy place, inviting for the most part, save for a surly female Altmer dressed in Thalmor garb with her hood down. Were she not a psychotic zealot, Raurke might have found himself attracted, if only fleetingly. The other patrons; a smattering of nords punctuated by the odd Imperial or Redgaurd, were cahtting amicably in pairs

    and threesomes. Raurke and his group quietly took a free table near a corner and were promptly approached by a serving maid.

    Having placed their orders, Manan, Malori, and Raurke waited, conversing lightly. "You ok, lad?" Manan whispered. "You've been staring at that woman pretty intently." Raurke blinked and turned his attention to Manan. "I don't know if you've noticed, but that's one of the folks who sold us." "Aye, so she is." Manan quickly took a second look. "We'd better eat and get out sharpish." "You, maybe. I've got business with her." Raurke whispered, palming a steel dagger quietly. "Finish eating, and we'll meet you just outside Solitude."

    ________________________

    Fed, Raurke and Malori made their goodbyes with Manan, grabbing their swords and leaving the rest of their gear with the old man. They'd decided to rent a room and watch Aramel to see if her partner was around, but by the first watch of the evening it was apparent that Gilgamesh had likely gone to the Thalmor headquarters in Solitude.

    There was something strange about the couple in the corner, Aramel thought, though she pushed the notion away after the Bosmer woman giggled lustily. She'd pay her bill, then head on to Solitude after Gilgamesh. Casually, Aramel got up, palmed a few coins into the hand of the lowly Nord barkeep's hand and walked out. Half an hour outside of Dragonbridge, Aramel's senses heightened as she heard a twig snap, then she was tackled and dragged into the woods by some beastly thing.

    As she came to, Aramel struggled for breath; someone was sitting on her chest. "Where's the other one?" a gravelly, distorted voice echoed through the night. "The other what?" Aramel groaned, her vision clearing to reveal the Bosmer from the inn sitting on her chest and the Breton standing behind her. "Your partner. The wizard." the Breton barked. "He's in Solitude, filthy human." Aramel spat, wrenching an arm free from between her side and the Bosmer's thigh to send a lightning bolt at the Breton's face.

    Raurke fell backward, howling in pain and clutching his right eye; black blood seeping between his fingers. Malori brought her fist down on the Altmer's face, stunning her, then got up to help Raurke to his feet. Senses dulled by pain, Raurke drew his saber and parried Aramel's mace clumsily; she'd recovered faster than he'd thought. Raurke bit back his pain and took a slice at his prey, the thin blade of his saber batted away easily by the heavy elven mace.

    Aramel smiled in the darkness and swung her mace again, breaking the Breton's saber as he tried to parry again. As she pulled back for a third swing, her vision faded and a searing pain entered her back. The gleaming silver blade of a scimitar jutted through her chest, then retreated as she slumped to the ground, a bloody lifeless shell.

    __________________________________

    Daylight found Raurke and Malori in the stable of a farm just south of Solitude. Raurke, having discarded his ruined saber, held the blade of one of Malori's scimitars to his face. He grimaced, finding himself short one eye; though it had already regenerated and scarred over, he knew he'd never be able to see out of it again. Malori giggled darkly. "You've been saying a change of appearance was needed anyway, my Raven."

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