Okay, quirkbrother asked me to do this as one of the other members of the original. However, it may wind up being slow going since converting it is harder than it looks, and I have other things that need doing. Same credits, thanks to the other people in the original for playing or we wouldn't have this, thanks to Mr. Windjammer for starting it up, and know you're forgiven for disappearing, and thanks to quirkbrother for being the major plot-man after said event. To anyone else I may have forgotten, sorry, and thanks.
To quirkbrother: poke me if you think I've forgotten this.
The first two chapters will be the same as his, save a few retcons for my character and spellchecks.
The Tides of War
After the Oblivion Crisis, much reconstruction was required throughout the Broken Empire. Rebellions arose throughout the Empire but only arose to be crushed by Chancellor Ocato's iron fist of martial law. The Elder Council had concluded that Ocato was the most suitable of all prospective leaders and was therefore elected to the rule. Soon enough, though the Empire had been sent into a Golden Age, Tamriel was becoming over-crowded. And, enemies were encroaching on Tamriel's borders.
To the south of Tamriel, Pyandonea was rising, poised to strike into the heart of Cyrodiil. Its navies had reached Leyawiin and for weeks it was besieged. Because of this threat, Ocato had resolved to authorize the settlement of a completely NEW PROVINCE. The scattered ruins of Old Yokuda in the west were to be colonized, hopefully to provide an escape for the people of the Empire, should Pyandonea conquer all...
Saloman started his stroll around Port Betony or Reich Gradkeep, to find the settlers. He would be denying too many soldiers. They would HAVE to take up some other duty, because who was going to chop the wood, cut the stone, hammer the steel or boil the leather? With his train of staff, he moved quickly, picking those he could from the Guilds of Cooks, Cobblers and a couple of fellows from the Blackwood Company, whom he had contracted with a lump sum to come for their fierceness and determination. They would probably form the leaders of the labourers - masons, lumberjacks and miners.
He walked through the town casually, until he arrived at the docks, and he stood proudly with his staff on the podium, where the prospective settlers were to meet. In the distance he saw figures coming towards him, probably to join.
"Captain Windjammer?" asked Marlon, one of the main sailors.
"Yes Marlon?" replied the captain.
"Ahem. Well, we have currently a force of eighteen lumberjacks. Ten are Bretons, two Redguards, two Nords and four Orcs. There is a pre-eminent need for more miners and masons, with only thirteen of each. Of the miners there are twelve Nords and an Orc. Amongst our masons, we have seven Redguards, four Imperials and two Dunmer," he glanced down to his paper then continued, "Three cobblers, one Imperial and two Khajiit. Thirty farmers, mostly Imperials and Bretons, some Dunmer. Four scholars and loremasters, all Altmer. Of reliable shipmen and sailors, we have about seventeen for each of the three ships, mostly Dunmer, Redguards or Bretons..."
------
She crept up along the wharf, her acute green eyes hatefully aware of all the eyes following her. A Khajiit of her breed was mistrusted almost anywhere in the Empire, and Port Bretony was no different. It certainly wasn't misplaced, especially in her case - she claimed to be a game hunter, and so carried a steel spear and a set of 'leather' armor in her bag, although in truth it was a set of glass, magickally disguised, hidden in which was a pair of Ebony daggers, an Elven bow and a quiver of a dozen powerfully enchanted glass and daedric arrows.
One particular set of eyes, belonging to a human settler, a captain by the looks of him, suddenly snapped away from Berelanai a split second too late to not be noticed. She crept up to his side, and after waiting for the Redguard sailor Windjammer had refered to as Marlon to finish, asked, not unsuspiciously, "I noticed you didn't have any hunters on the list. You're going to need meat, and the pitiful number of cattle I saw you load onto your ship you'll have to keep for breeding. Is there a bed on your ship for one?"
-----
Saylo Esskia Indoril watched the prospective settlers scurry about the port, he had come from Morrowind, in order to escape the Tribunal temple. he walked to where a Khajiit was talking with two sailors, one of whom was addressed as captain. "what to say, what to say..." he mumbled under his breath, he knew that a Ex-Ordinator would be in high demand considering the ordinators extreme training, and fanatical loyalty, but he also knew that whatever he said would probably sound like a dumb sales-pitch. "well here goes nothing" he said straightening his Indoril armor
-----
Laria stood near a tree. She just had arrived from her homeland, where she had left her family to start a new life. She was a bit shy and looked around her. She knew who to find, the captain, but had no idea what he looked like. She saw a group of people near the docks. The strangers looked impressive, although she never had seen so many people in her life... She was very impressed by the Khajiit. Laria always had liked the cat-folks, because of their nice fur and great eyes. But she didn't want to draw attention, so she walked carefully towards the group. If she wanted to travel with them, she needed to find the captain.
-----
Saylo stood there, waiting for a minute or two, then in frustration of waiting for the Khajiit and Breton to stop talking asked the other sailor. "Hey, do you need any soldiers on this ship?" "Cap'n said that we would only take 'em if they could do other work." he replied. "I can do more than I can't." Saylo said shrugging "Then welcome aboard."
-----
Laria could just hear the Breton saying, "Welcome aboard." Ah, that meant she had found the man she was looking for. It seemed he was very busy with all the other people. She stood there and waited for her turn. He had seen her, so she was hoping he would talk to her as soon he was finished with the others.
-----
Fauvei looked around for a fellow Dunmer to chat with about home. He had lost much will to fight after his comrade fell during the Oblivion Crisis, and was willing to do any sort of work to clear his head. He read a passage from his favorite book, while making a silent prayer to Azura, unsure of his comrades disposition to Daedra worship. He looked around for the captain to ask about other work. in between the pages he found a note from his wife, the constant nagging and "Praise the Nine" made him sick. Azura's guidance and the hope of fortune on Yokuda was all that kept him here.
-----
Largot was walking around the docks. He knew ships, and he knew when his was outmatched. He looked at one group of people, the people who were here to go to Yokuda, and sighed. He glanced over the letter he received. It frustrated him. It had been posted that the demand for soldiers was largely filled by Blackwood company. But some good men could work as other jobs, if only for a while before their arms began to itch and their throats scratched out, begging to let loose their battle-cries. It mattered little, he could keep them under control. He went and looked for an authority figure.
It didn't take long to find one. A man who was clearly in charge of this band stood checking the lists of future settlers. He saw that he was busy, so looked for a subordinate.
"You there," he said to a man who scurried off the ship, "are you in any authority?"
"A bit. Whadda ye want?" The grizzled Imperial said.
"I have a ship of thirty men, all able to fight, most can do other things, but not as well. I want to go to Yokuda and I'll be bringing them with me. Is there anything I'll need to sign or can I just follow your tub?"
"Jes' as long as Cap'n knows about ye, I guess. We need more men and women to settle, so I doubt there'll be a problem with it as long as ye'all can work."
"Good. Tell him the Red-Fang will be following him and helping with the settlement."
He crept back to his cabin, leaving his first-mate Jarold outside in case any news was to be heard. He sat at his table and read one of the older books. Or at least he did at first, but he soon drowsed and woke in a cold sweat after a few minutes of nightmares. He started up and threw his book at a small statue. He turned and looked at the Daedric text on his wall. He visualized himself, tall, terrifying, and cruel. He hadn't chose this life of cruelty and bloodshed, but his anger at being forced into it made it seem uncannily natural.
He hoped they'd need soldiers in Yokuda or he'd go insane.
-----
Captain Windjammer suddenly realized that ALL OF THE CROWD were applicants for a spot. He sent Marlon around and a couple of others. A whole ship was accepted, a hunter and some others. Hopefully, he would be getting some farmers...
-----
Although Windjammer didn't know it, there was quite a good reason for the lack of farmers applying for the expedition. A rather sizeable caravan of them had been traveling along the beaten earth road towards Port Bretony earlier that month, a caravan which the Khajiiti hireling Berelanai had encountered. She spent almost two days with the caravan, before taking a poison from her pack and unnoticeably pouring it into the horse's water pot. A caravan of farmers with sick horses is a caravan that won't arrive to get to Akavir on time.
Berelanai wasn't worried, she had packed more than enough food to last her the full period of her contract with the Pyandoneans, and, despite her hunter image being merely a cover, felt sure she could forage and hunt in Akavir at a pinch.
Laria was nervous. When would they leave? And how long would the journey take?
Apparently the Breton captain just let the whole crowd onto his ship; Nice guy, but he should have screened them. Saylo walked onto the ship and looked around a bit, it seemed a lot bigger than it did from the outside. Saylo removed his armor and put it in his bag, along with his few possessions, he went below decks and set his sword by a hammock and lay down, he moved his headband over his eyes to block out what little light made it below decks and took a nap.
Fauvei made his way onto the boat, and set down his armor and books. He reached in his sack and realized his small statue of Azura was missing. Damn, I must've left it back at Port Telvannis, he thought. He was about to write in his journal, but decided to keep plenty of space to write down about the flora and fauna of Yokuda. this new world fascinated him, ever since he'd ran off from his temple-fearing parents he'd longed for an adventure such as this. He began to walk around on deck and took in the salty sea air.
Similairly to her fellows, Berelanai was not properly screened to be allowed on the ship. Her story would at least, she thought, help to clear her of suspicion later.
She wandered onto the deck with the crowd, and found her room. It had a pair of bunk beds, two hammocks swinging between the bunks, a small table in the centre of the room, and three footlockers at the end of each bunk. The Khajiit chose a locker, unpacked her things, thought about how one might discover her arrows and dagger, and reorganised them, this time taking one of the ebony daggers with her, still magically concealed in a scabbard on her ankle.
Berelanai returned to the main deck to be greeted by a throng of expeditioners. It seemed, despite her best efforts, the colony would have farmers. The laborer caravan she encountered earlier had but one horse untouched by the poison - a horse with which they sent a message. The Breton government, realizing the importance of this expedition, not only sent a gang of horses to aid the caravan, but also donated several dozen moderately skilled convicts as laborers to serve the colony. The Khajiit was later told she would have to share her room with five other women, including a Bosmer called Laria. Begrudgingly she returned to her room where she claimed a hammock and took a cat-nap.
-----
Largot's ship was already out a ways. Still within clear view of the port, and the other ship, just waiting out the loading of the other ship.
Largot himself sat silently in a hidden room that only he, his first mate Jarold, and his ex-slave Has-Am-Marduk, or Marduk Two-Toes the Argonian Archer, knew of. He'd built it in himself and used it for silence and the only semblance of respite he could glean. A knock on the trapdoor, the coded knock for emergencies, was quickly pounded.
The door opened. "Cap'n!" Jarold panted, "one of the slaves is mutinying! He plans to swim to shore and tell them about that time in Wayrest when ye-"
"Move." Largot grunted, and bolted up to the top deck as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Spyglass." He said, and it was duly handed to him by one of his mercs. The slave was halfway to the other ship's dock.
"Marduk." He said.
"Aye, boss?" the gruff, coarse, and slimy voice called from the crows nest.
"Kill him."
It was quick and efficient. Largot returned to his cabin and grabbed a book on the old Yokuhi writing. It killed two birds with one stone. He wasn't compromised, and Marduk's bloodlust wouldn't need it's usual "indulgence" as it would have if this hadn't happened.
"More problems?" He asked as Jarold stepped in.
"There's been a fight, Cap'n. Two men planned on mutinying. We found the second, and Marduk means to eat him. The Quartermaster said it was twelve lashes for a conspiracy. What'd we do?"
With a sigh, Largot walked out of his almost-solace and onto the chaos of the deck. He pulled Marduk off the Quartermaster before much harm was done, and said "Bring him."
One of his mercs. A quiet Orc named Argut.
"On the mast." He said, and he was shoved onto it. The Quartermaster raised his whip, but his hand was grabbed and tossed aside. Largot took his whip from his belt, reared his hand, and began his work. His eyes getting bloodshot, his white left eye nearly glowing as the blood filled it, and his mouth foaming with each stroke. At eleven he stopped. "Turn."
Argut looked at him with hate, and received his last lash across the face.
"Brig. If he tries to get out, let Marduk eat him."
"Kyeh kyeh kyeh." Marduk laughed as Argut was dragged off.
"Anyone else tries anything, I'll choke you and toss you to the sharks!" He yelled, and stalked back to his cabin, and slammed the door.
-----
Captain Windjammer walked through the ranks of people, scanning through to see if any were suspicious. Several caught his eye - a Khajiit, an Indoril and a Bosmer. He first approached the Bosmer, tapping her on the shoulder and guessed by her attire that she was a farmer.
"You Bosmer? Art thou a farmer?" he said, rapping his fingers on the table.
Laria turned around and when she looked into the eyes of the captain, she turned her head down.
"I'm a commoner, Sir... But I can do some farming too, if necessary..."
She was just told that she had to share a room with a few women. And with the Khajiit... She saw this as an opportunity to get to know her, although she didn't know what to say. She would just stay still and observe, as she always did.
Suddenly she realized that she was still talking to the captain and forgot her manners.
"I'm good with my hands, Sir, as my mother has taught me."
"Pft, so much for a lack of security screening," Saylo thought, the headband still covering his eyes. "maybe if I pretend to be sleeping, he'll go away." he heard the footsteps coming closer and knew it didn't work.
Valmir surveyed the scene with weather beaten eyes. He was looking forward to his new adventure as he had run out of places to explore in Tamriel. He was sure an alchemist of his caliber would be most appreciated in a new colony such as Yokuda. As he approached the ship he was stopped by a shady looking Nord descending from a large ship to the dock.
"State yer business"
"I wish to accompany this vessel to the Colony of Yokuda." Valmir replied in an unwavering voice.
"What use have you."
Valmir assumed he was referring to occupation as he replied shortly, "I am an Alchemist" "You'll have to ask the Cap'n if you can come aboard."
The Nord left to get more supplies leaving Valmir alone on this section of the dock. Valmir wondered where to locate the captain as he walked casually to the next ship.
Valmir tried to locate the captain for the better part of an hour finding no one of use. He was determined not to let anything stand in the way of his adventure. In frustration, he rummaged through his traveling bag and pulled out a small green vial. Draining it's contents he vanished.
Latter aboard the ship, Valmir noticed a well dressed gentleman who was questioning passengers about there skills and abilities. 'This is my chance' he though to himself as he tapped the gentleman firmly on the shoulder. About this time the effects of the potion wore off. Valmir appeared seemingly out of thin air effectively knocking the captain to the floor in surprise.
"Sir, I would appreciate the opportunity to help you settle the new Colony of Yokuda." Valmir said in a tone that demanded respect.
Saylo sat up and removed his headband, he watched as the captain questioned a Bosmer about something that he could not hear, Saylo sat there for a moment then out of the blue an Altmer appeared, "Woah!" he exclaimed losing his balance and falling of the hammock onto his back.
Having nothing to hide himself...Fauvei walked around, hoping to maybe see some familiar faces from his travels. most of the folks seemed nice enough, a shady Bosmer did seem to stand out, and a fellow Dunmer! splendid! perhaps this journey wouldn't be as unpleasant as he thought. By Sanguine, I might even have some fun on this ship he thought...
Saylo stood up and brushed himself off, trying not to make too much of a fool of himself. captain windjammer stared at him. knowing what the captain was about to ask Saylo took a deep breath and said, "Saylo Esskia Indoril, former Ordinator in the city of Vivec, currently soldier of fortune, and if your wondering what else I can do then tell me when you find out."
Berelanai awakened some hours after she laid down. She found her room to be a hive of activity, with the four convict women scurrying in and out of the cabin, stowing their meager possessions.
'How appropriate,' she whispered to herself, 'a criminal among criminals.'
She soured the room with her alert eyes, watching the convicts go about their business. Two were Breton, one Altmer and a Redguard. None particularly interesting. What was interesting, however, was the Bosmer Laria. Berelanai had been told she would be sharing the room with her, and that she was to be a farmer in Akavir, but of her she knew little else. The Bosmer's eyes were focused intently on the Khajiit. A friend, Berelanai figured, couldn't hurt her appearance in the eyes of the other settlers.
'Hello, I am Berelanai. Hunter.' Berelanai shouted across the room before leaving her hammock and sitting next to Laria.
A bit surprised by the loud voice of the Khajiit, Laria introduced herself.
"Laria, Commoner, Farmer, whatever keeps me alive..." She smiled for the first time. The journey had begun.
"Berelanai, hunter," Berelanai responded, and added jokingly, playing the true Khajiit, "jewel thief on the side." She sat down next to Laria, and, with just a little genuine interest, asked, "So, what sends you to Akavir?"
"My family isn't very rich, like most people in Tamriel," she said, with a little smile.
"When we got the letter, my parents wanted me to go. 'It is an opportunity', they say... For me it is just a chance to start my own life without their interfering." Now she smiled big with a twinkle in her eyes.
"And you? You're a hunter, aren't there enough creatures to hunt in Tamriel?"
"Certainly there are enough things to hunt in Tamriel - probably too many. But I hunt for the thrill, the chase, the adrenaline I no longer get from the prey of Tamriel. How quickly I got used to deer, trolls and crabs... They are no challenge. But Akavir is a new land - with new creatures to hunt!"
Dan Curint listened as the Khajiit and Bosmer talked to each other. He didn't know why he felt particularly drawn to these particular two people, but he felt that they be important later, as if they were meant to do something more important then they know in the colony...
He'd only felt like that a few times before. He had once personally met the Nerevarine himself, long, long ago...before the Nerevarine had conquered Dagoth Ur, he had seen him kill the Telvanni Archmagister Gothren, and in all truth, you couldn't really call it a fight.
He had truly been surprised by the way the captain had allowed anyone on the ship, including himself, who had claimed to be a scholar. If the captain had checked more carefully, he would have noticed some interesting papers from the newest head of House Telvanni...
He was suddenly awoken from his thoughts when the Bosmer girl mentioned something about hunters in Tamriel, and so he walked in, and said hello to the two people.
Captain Windjammer soon after retired to his bedroom. In the midst-of-his-sleep however, he was roused unkindly. His second-in-command and head of most of the day-to-day doings on the ship stood in front of him. "Sir?" asked the man, a middle-aged, cleanly-shaven Breton wearing a scholar's robes. "What is it, Asclepius?" replied the Captain sternly. "Are we to set out for Yokuda immediately or no?" The Captain got up, pulled on his clothes and grabbed his sword before heading to a small podium in the center of the room in which all his crew were gathered.
"All right everyone! Gather round! Roust those who are sleeping!" he called and then blew sharply on his horn. It echoed around causing most people to wince at the volume. "Gather round!"
Laria wanted to ask what kind of creatures could be found in Akavir, when they heard the voice of the captain.
"Gather round!"
They left the room and went in the direction of the voice. Laria noticed the Breton who came to them, but they couldn't talk now.
Dan walked in, and said hello. The Bosmer was about to say something, but as she opened her mouth, the captain's voice could be heard: "Gather round!" The Bosmer ran out of the room and went immediately to the captain.
Dan didn't immediately go to the captain. Not yet. First he looked around the room the Bosmer and Khajiit had just been in. He noticed a small bag hidden under the bed, and picked it up and looked inside. He saw a few diamonds and rubies in the bag. They themselves weren't very suspicious, but the bag that said 'Red Diamond Jewelry' was.
While there was no way for him to tell who in the ship had placed these there, he didn't exactly want to find out either. He just took a diamond, thinking his secrecy on the subject deserved a little payment, and ran as fast as he could to the ship's captain.
Fauvei walked towards the Cap'n, seeing a Breton slip something in his pocket. He didn't think twice about, for he felt an odd sense of security around the port. He knew he'd have to lose this or it would turn out bad, just like mother...he quickly brushed away these thoughts as he looked through his bag for his black hood, it was a bit chilly.
"Right then, ladies and gents. We are setting off from Tamriel. Firstly, just to clarify things, we are going to Yokuda, in the far west, not Akavir in the east. The only charts I have are five, which are supposedly the only five that exist, after being taken on order of the Chancellor Himself, from the Crown Archive in Stros M'kai. Secondly: According to Redguard Folklore, they were driven from Yokuda by the supposed "Breaking-of-a-Tower" now I don't consider myself an ancient loremaster, but generally for there to be a tower, there needs to be Elves. The Yokudans were driven from their homes by war with "The Left-Handed Elves." This means that we could be facing anything from Dwemer, to Maormer to Orsimer. Thirdly, stealing and other miscreant activity will not be tolerated aboard the Windjammer. Your lives belong to me, and Ocato has sealed the papers which you signed on your way in, with his own signature. I have the power to toss you overboard and end your miserable lives. Those who serve well, will be rewarded, with higher jobs when we get to Yokuda. The point of the expedition is to build houses, and fortresses, so the Elder Council may be able to escape to fight another day should White-Gold Tower be taken. Lastly, you will be taking orders from my three lieutenants - Marlon, the Redguard to my left; Asclepius, the Breton behind me; and Everard, the Altmer on my right. Those of you who actually speak Aldmeris - you may address him as Findaranto."
Saylo stood at the back of the crowd listening intently, "Who would confuse Yokuda, with Akavir?" he wondered. he also thought about what else he could do, he knew a few things about most common tasks but mostly common knowledge. "-breaking-of-a-tower" the words rang in his ears;" tower, white gold, breaking, dragon break?" Saylo thought putting the words together. "-should white gold tower be taken-" He held back a gasp as he realized the coincidence in the captains words, "if White Gold Tower falls then it has to break."