Twenty years ago, Bethesda Softworks released The Elder Scrolls: Arena with many flaws and problems. While the essence and world of Tamriel was made exactly like it was within the staff's Dungeons & Dragons campaigns the game was flawed due to multiple game design changes, such as the hero being said to be General Talin Warhaft (a male warrior Nord/Breton) within the games manual, all despite that he was mentioned to be imprisoned in Oblivion and was released from it only after the player beats the game or misconceptions and inaccuracies within the culture of Tamriel.
This fanfiction is my rendition of the world of Tamriel. These are my characters and these are how I imagined events went down. These are my heroes and legends that I wish to share. This is by no means official nor 100% Lore Accurate since I have only scratched the surface of the expansive lore. I will try to release a chapter every week. This is a prologue featuring the General Talin Warhaft. In Chapter 1 I will introduce us to the actual character, so do not fret. Without further ado, let us begin this story.
Prologue
It was a dark day in White-Gold Tower. Due to recent revelations, I made it my assignment to make sure the Emperor was as safe as he should. No one was to be trusted, not even the man I put onto the job to solve this giant mess, the Prefect Ian Newkirk of the Imperial Guard. Despite all the stress put on me lately I sure do hope Ian makes it back safely with the problems solved, I however only doubt this outcome.
Jagar Tharn, the traitorous bastard of a Breton, was named Imperial Battle-Mage twenty years ago. It was to great controversy, considering the history the family had with the Empire, ever since Abnur Tharn's betrayal of the Elder Council before the days of the Third Era, however Emperor Uriel Septim VII was generous enough to accept his offer and even today he has doubts as to Tharn's betrayal. The entire tower is in a paranoid mess right now and I have firm evidence believing that Jagar Tharn plans to overthrow the Empire into his own control, his diary which details his dealings with Mehrunes Dagon the Lord of War and Destruction.
Uriel Septim was kind enough to stay in his quarters, in the top of the tower, reading his books that I gathered during the fortnight in preparation for attack. I am positive that Tharn will attack this morning, he already has entire support over his apprentices save for one, his prize student Ria Silmane. Uriel is absolute on leaving soon and I have no idea how I could distract him even then.
"Your Majesty!" yells behind the mahogany bedroom doors, one of Uriel's servants, I do not immediately recognize the voice. His knocking forces me up to unlock the door, behind which stood a young Imperial boy no older than fifteen. The boy attempts to enter so he can gain audience with the Emperor however is thwarted by my sheer size. He is struggling to get through, however he slowly gets the message I am trying to send.
"It's alright Talin," the Emperor spoke, "let the young kid speak". The boys face lights up and I am forced to let him past. As I move aside the kid began to prance his way towards the Emperor, like if he was a milk-drinker.
As he approached Uriel, who had been sitting on the side of his bed, he kneeled and presented a small note towards the Emperor to which he took from the boy's hands, "The Imperial Battle-Mage Jagar Tharn has requested an audience your majesty," relayed the Imperial boy in his thick colovian accent, "he says it is of the utmost importance to the Empire's state. He wishes that you meet him as soon as possible in his quarters".
Uriel skims through the parchment and slowly gets up off his bed, age seems to have started taking a toll on him, "I cannot ignore a message such as this Talin, no matter what suspicion".
"Your majesty!" I exclaimed, stepping forward a bit, "You cannot be serious to be in the same room as this man, after all we know".
"I intend to go with or without your support Talin, remember your place in the Imperial Legion, who do you serve?". Uriel walked past the Imperial boy, towards the bedroom door. His hand waving for me to move aside so that he may exit, I did not interfere.
The Emperor's word is final however, as he walked towards the door, I followed suit while the Imperial messenger stayed outside the bedroom door until we had walked a good distance. A long flight of stairs awaited us. Uriel took his time as I thought of ways to convince him not to return to his own room.
Something came to mind.
"Your majesty, I think there is something you should know about today." I slowly spoke. I needed a way to distract him, to somehow convince him that Jagar was an enemy.
Uriel paused and looked towards me frustrated with my insistent paranoia, some silence passed as I tried to continue, "Well then, speak!" You could hear the thunder in his voice; he was about done with all of my bitching.
Talking was never my strong point; I always left that towards my other soldiers back when I was in charge of a division in the Legion. I always had a minor fear of upsetting Uriel and it always showed. My history showed that I was the man that tested the loyalty of each of the Empire's Providences and I was feared by many of the kings and queens that led each of Tamriel's lands. I was mostly feared until age hit me, just as much as it just had recently been for the Emperor, and the Elder Council called me back into the Imperial City to lead the Guard.
Not that I do much anymore, my duties mostly call for the protection of the Elder Council while the Blades call for the protection of the Emperor however the official title and duties heavily involve the Emperor instead that of the Elder Council and as such I spend most of my time with the Emperor himself, along with his Blades. That much time with him as grown a fear of upsetting him.
I kneeled down towards him, at least best as I could on the stairway, much like the envoy and began to speak. "This morning I was too afraid of the threat of the strongest mage in Tamriel …", I took a deep breath, preparing for this confession, "Against your orders, I ordered a skilled Prefect to detain Jagar Tharn down in the Imperial Dungeons, by now he should have been in the Imperial Prison awaiting interrogation."
Uriels eyes opened wide, shocked as if he was about to burst into a firey explosion me. But then, as if the fire had suddenly calmed, he simmered down and stood there silent for a few seconds, "I think I understand where you're getting at". He spoke slowly yet softly, trying to take this all in, "What you're telling me is indeed serious, that he must have resisted arrest."
The stairwell was quiet for a few minutes, Uriel stood and thought for a few more moments until he grinned and motioned for me to stand.
"I understand you now considering all that has happened. I am upset that you went against my orders however I don't blame you for it, Tharn has much to answer for." The king put one of his hands on my shoulder to reassure me, "However despite our absolute certainty, I still must go. I will have to pray that the Nine will protect me and that you will be strong enough to do the same."
I felt as if I was about to break, the Emperor knows and he still wants to confront Tharn? My breathing increased, I was scared for the first time in years. Uriel massaged my shoulder to show that he was there for me, as if he was a close friend. Actually, in reality we were however, both Jauffre and I are the closest the Emperor has to a friend as the Emperor is mostly barred from exiting the Palace unless under diplomatic terms or in moments of emergency. We have been there for each other for such a long time.
I take a deep breath and nod my head, placing my shaking fist atop of my chest, "I will follow you into Oblivion and back sir." Uriel smiles and lifts his hand off my shoulder. We continue on.
The Battle-Mage's quarter was on the middle level floors along with the Imperial Guard's quarters and the quarters for the Ancestor Moth Priests. As we passed by, my Imperial Guard's would halt all active duties and salute, placing their own fists over their hearts and standing straight. As we pass by I motion for them all to follow suit as support. We are going to arrest Tharn.
It did not take long for us to reach Tharn's workplace, an abnormally large throne room. With a good army of Imperial Guards standing behind us, Uriel opens the doors and we both step in with the guards standing just inside the doorway. In front of the doorway was Jagar sitting on his marble thrown with a decorated staff in hand. A line or his apprentices bordered the carpet leading towards his thrown. Uriel and I both advanced, me keeping a sharp eye on the wizards standing near however none of them seemed to react. I recognize Ria Silmane among those bordering the carpet, she seems nervous and scared as I do. I wonder why she is here still, if she disagrees so much.
"It's odd that someone like you would have come with the Emperor, Talin, I know the rumors of treason have been torturing you horribly." spoke Jagar Tharn. He placed his hands on his staff and lifted himself upward, the calm expression that was once their swiftly turned into anger as he began to shout. "Why else would you steal my journal and have a childish Redguard come to arrest me! The tides have turned; I have left him in the Imperial Prison with only the rags under his armor!"
Uriel stepped forward, strong, "Don't think I will be ignorant towards this situation Tharn! I know of your resistance towards my authority!"
Jagar laughs a little, leaving behind only a grin."I will think what I want; everything that happens today is a product of YOUR doing. It was you who made me the Imperial-Battlemage and it was you who gave me the resources that allowed for me to steal this", Tharn presented his staff, with it resting on the palms of both his wrinkly hands, "This is the Staff of Chaos! A jewel of Queen Barenziah that I have stolen with the authority given to me by YOU alone and with it I will conquer this golden tower," Jagar clashes the bottom of the staff with the stone floor, generating a loud clanging noise, "I have all of its power at my disposal for a simple price, that the state of my life be bound the same as the state of this metallic staff."
Uriel is hurt by his comments, slowly stepping back to where he was. Jagar was right; Uriel had no reason to let such a controversial man lead the magical arts inside the Empire. The Elder Council had been pestering him for years to get rid of him before another event happens just like it had happen with one of Jagar's ancestors. Uriel knew he had made a very foolish mistake and now Jagar was in possession of some mythical stave of sorts.
I laxly lift my fist into the air, motioning for the guards to charge in front of me, preparing to take Jagar's life. As they position themselves, their swords and spears pointed at Tharn, the wizards move back as far as they can towards the wall away from my soldiers. What is Jagar thinking?
"With the price I have paid I have unlocked this stave's true potential, Mehrunes Dagon was kind enough to teach me this useful trick." Jagar lifted his staff with his left hand twirling it in the air and prepared his right hand as if it were to snap.
SNAP!
The crackle of his boney hand echoed throughout the room. A wave of darkness phased through the soldiers getting ready to pierce through his frail body. At first we were all confused until we began noticing one of the soldiers fall onto his knees in pain. Soon followed the others who slowly collapsed afterwards, slowly shifting into a brownish green color, what was happening?
"Mehrunes Dagon taught me how to shift mortals into Daedroth, those who originally had served Molag-Bal are now my own Imperial Guard, under my own control."
The "Daedroth" as he called them, were a giant, grayish, scaled creature. If the Argonian was an aspect of a simple small lizard, these Daedroth were the aspect of a crocodile. Uriel was completely shocked by the situation, as if he were about to throw up in sight of these Daedra that was once man. What made it worse was that now Uriel and I were defenseless; my fears have come to reality, I am going to die here today. I felt like collapsing onto the floor in front of these monsters I once called my men. They approached us, grabbing both Uriel and I by our shoulders and lifting us up above their fangs, slowly opening their mouths and leaning us in. Resistance was useless; they were way stronger than anything I had faced myself.
SNAP!
"Do not let harm come to those two!" yelled Tharn, the Daedroth cowered and waddled towards Tharn, the two that held us presented ourselves to him while the rest kneeled, "Dagon has also demanded payment for what I have taken from him, he desires these two".
What! He intends to offer us to Mehrunes Dagon? The demon of war and destruction is going to have complete control of us. We will be slaves in his domain, Dagon's Deadlands. I begin to wrestle all I can to resist the lizard holding onto me, however come with little result.
Jagar's hands motion together straight ahead of him, as if he were making a large clapping noise, then separates forming a dark red orb that grows towards the edges of his hands, "Toss them both in here; I do not want to make an enemy with the Daedric Lord, especially when I need him for control over Tamriel". Once Jagar lifted his hands away from the unbound portal to Oblivion the two Daedroth began to move closer, as we begin to see the orb up close. The red we once saw had turned into the thunder filled sky and below it was the oceans of bloody lava, daedric metallic spikes, deadly and sinister plants puffing gaseous poison, and the blood red soil covering the world that is Dagon's Deadlands, it is terrifying.
"STOP!" yelled some girl, Jagar, shocked by the alarming feminine voice, looks up and grins in his usual sinister manner.
"Well Miss Silmane I always knew you had problems with my desires but I never had the idea you would be stupid enough to object at a moment such as this"
"I-I wont allow you to go through with this … I will notify the Elder Council!" It was Ria, that Silmane girl. She probably is trembling however neither I nor Uriel can see her right now.
The sound of Tharn clapping his hands together again catches us by surprise, applauding Ria for her bravery. He then covers his face, under his dark greenish cloak and removes it again revealing the face of Uriel, "You wouldn't betray your Emperor? It would be a shame if I had to have you killed, so be an intelligent Breton and get back in your place."
Ria was scared, not to mention out-class by Jagar Tharn and she was outnumbered. There was no chance for her to win against all this. That did not stop a bolt of lighting from directly hitting Tharn, who had no chance to react to such a quick spell, and slams against the wall adjacent to his throne.
Ria's distraction does not last for long however, you can hear her loud footsteps as she makes her retreat but it is no use. Jagar stands back up and raises the staff with a giant orb of energy, some mixture between fire, ice, and lightning. The projectile is launched and you can hear Ria Silmane collapse onto the floor.
Silence.
"Daedra! Have away at her body! Make sure nothing is left of her, not one ounce of her blood is to be left stained!" orders Jagar, now the unchallenged ruler of the Empire. You can hear the monsters growl and lick their scaly lips, followed by some of their desperate running as they begin to tear into Ria.
Jagar begins to turn towards me, his shocked appearance is shortly followed by a warm smile, "Crying, are we General Warhaft?"
I am shocked; I look down to see droplets dripping from my chin. Funny I had actually thought it was blood all this time and had paid no attention to it, now I begin to feel more sorrow. I had witnessed my men that I knew and cared for turned into these monsters, I had witnessed all that I have worked for toppled over by a single fragile wizard, I had witnessed the threat of absolute torture within Mehrunes Dagon's Oblivion, and I have witnessed a young girl fight for what she though was right and then get violated by the monsters I used to call my guards. No wonder I was crying, before I was ignorant towards it now I am embracing it dearly, for I had not had such a feeling in so long. I knew I was dead and I knew I could not do anything about it besides be tortured by these events.
I nodded, "One last feeling before Oblivion" I said in reply. Jagar nodded, despite all his hatred and sinister motives he was still able to find some respect for my weak reply. Uriel was unable to keep quiet any more.
"Before you throw me in there Tharn I need to know, what are your motives for all this? Why?" the Septim blurted.
Jagar looked at Uriel in the eye for a few moments before replying, "I thought it was quite obvious. It is only but nature for anyone to seek power by any standard. That is why the man sought pride within their muscle and that is why the mer sought pride within their magic. I have only but gained power." Tharn walked back and forth, thinking of something more to add to his own reply, "But if you seek something more philosophical than that, my answer is no reason at all; just pure chaos."
His hands motion again, the Daedroth then pull us back so they could toss us into the portal that had been left standing for the past few minutes. As our bodies collide with the blood soaked dirt that is Oblivion, the portal closes. The thunder that surrounds this realm is unheard of on any providence on Tamriel. I look towards Uriel who was grasping a bit of dirt into his own hands and letting it fall, leaving a bright red stain on his palm. He was angry, but he did not know who to let his anger out on.
Here I stand, alone with a ruler in hell itself.
