This may be little more than old parchment bound with leather and twine, but it is the first material possession I have ever owned.
My name is Adarise Salvel. I am a Dunmer, a Dark Elf, and I was born in a prison. But that is not what I wish to waste ink writing on these pages about. Today, I am going home, or so I am told. They are taking me to the land of my people. Why? Perhaps they needed the cell I was using? I do not openly question my good fortune.
The ship pitches much and makes me ill but cannot dampen my spirits. They are saying land is near, so I will wait it out.
16 Last Seed, 3E426
I settle down for the night on a roll on a hard floor, but I do so as a free woman so I am not discouraged.
Seyda Neen is the name of the town I have been released into. 'Swamp Fever capital' to the locals. Mudcrabs, mushrooms, and swamp as far as I can see, and yet while this is miserable to most, the air here is sweet to me.
It would seem my freedom does not come without some small condition. The Imperials are hard bargainers. I am to deliver a package to a town called Balmora; inquiring about this place around Seyda Neen earned me a set of written directions. The general consensus seems to be that I should hire a silt-strider, a sort of great insect they use for transport, but I am down to my last few coins after purchasing a sensible weapon and a few pieces of iron for myself.
I am too curious about this place not to explore anyway. It will have to wait, however, as I plan to do a few odd jobs for some extra coin before setting out for Balmora. The Imperials did not give me a deadline.
17 Last Seed, 3E426
It is only today I find myself wondering what has become of Jiub. We were not exactly friends, but he was a fellow Dunmer, made sufficient conversation on the prison boat and woke me from the nightmare I had on the way. It would not seem he was released into Seyda Neen with me... I wonder if he was released at all? I do not even know his crime.
The Imperial Legion guards in the settlement, upon seeing me wearing armor and carrying my frugal sword, made sure to let me know their organization is recruiting. I say nothing; surely they will forgive my lack of eagerness to join the ranks of those that held me in a cell my whole life over the crimes of the ones who birthed me.
Speaking of the armor, this shoddy iron requires more upkeep than predicted and yet was all I could afford, and it took much haggling to get the local tradesman Arille to sell me the materials to repair it. Nevermind that it was damaged while taking care of local smugglers. No no, merchant, don't do me any favors, it isn't as if I'm keeping you in business.
I took to the road in the afternoon, little coin in my purse but enough to get by. Even though the locals warned me of many dangers on the road, I encountered naught but a large insect or two- I am told they are called scribs, and they gave me no trouble. Tonight I stay in a very Imperial settlement, Pelagiad, confident that I shall see Balmora tomorrow with no problem.
I've been asking around in this half-fortress, half-settlement, out of sheer curiosity. The Legion built this place to guard the roads, they say, but it's become farmland for colonists from Cyrodiil and retired soldiers alike. Imperials everywhere.
If nothing else, they have brought their finery and sense of taste with them. I was able to buy a fine silken skirt adorned with golden stars to wear over my shoddy armor pieces- I feel it gives me a sense of class.
The murmurs in the tavern are alight with talk of some prophecy that has the local religion in an upset. This, however, is something I do not understand very well yet- if I come across one of these 'Tribunal temples' eventually, I shall have them explain it to me. The only Gods I am familiar with are the Nine, and I cannot say that I am on the best of terms with them.