Legal Stuff: Copyright 2007. This document CANNOT be sold for a profit. If you reproduce this or give it to someone OR put this anywhere on the internet, either give credit to Alexander G. Blake(On the internet known as Renodin) or keep my signature at the bottom. There are two signatures at the bottom, and at least one must be present when this document is put anywhere on the internet, reproduced, or given to someone FOR FREE. If you were sold this document, then the person who sold it to you is breaking the law. Sue them.
Other Stuff: The main character is a Dunmer (or Dark Elf as newbies call it) named Theral Gemni. He is born under the sign of the Tower. His class is a custom class called a Freelancer. For those of you who are just looking for a type of character to make in Morrowind, I'll list his skills.
Majors: Long Blade, Mysticism, Destruction, Light Armor, Alchemy
Minors: Short Blade, Marksman, Conjuration, Sneak, Block
Specialized in: Stealth
Favorite Attributes: Intelligence, Agility
His face looks like the seventh one you can choose.(With the default face being number 1) His hair is either the sixteenth or the fifteenth. He is 29 years old, and likes long walks on the beach. Not really that last thing.
Chapter 1-- Release from Prison
"Each event is proceded by prophecy, but without the hero, there is no event." -Zurin Arctus, the Underking
In the waning years of third era of Tamriel, a prisoner born on a certain day to uncertain parents was sent, under guard, without explanation, to Morrowind, ignorant of the role he was to play in that nation's history.
Theral never had a hard time sleeping on a boat, like some people do. But yet, he couldn't get to sleep and he was feeling sea sick. Suddenly, it seemed like he had dozed off to sleep, when he saw himself walking through a desterted wasteland. Everywhere he saw himself walk, it was always night time. In the sky, he could always see a moon and a star. Something about that seemed very familiar. The visions ended, and he could here a voice speak to him.
"They have taken you from the imperial city's prison." A female voice said. "First by carriage, and now by boat. To the east; to Morrowind. Fear not , for I am watchful. You have been chosen." The voice faded, and Theral soon fell asleep.
He could sense a storm going on, but he didn't want to wake up. Just as he tried to get back to sleep, someone gently grabbed him and tried to wake him. "Wake up." He said. "Were here." He said again. Theral slowly arose from his hammok. He looked around him and saw Jiub, another prisoner that the Imperials threw on the ship. "Not even last night's storm could wake you. I heard them say we've reached Morrowind, I'm sure they'll let us go!" Jiub said, obviously excited.
"What are you in for?" Theral asked Jiub. "I robbed a mine and beat up a few miners. So, they said if I like mines so much, they'll send me to Morrowind to work in Egg Mines." Jiub answered. "Something's not quite right with this country if they get eggs from the ground." He added. Theral began to say what he did, but Jiub interupted. "Quiet! Here comes the guard!" He said as an Imperial guard walked down some stairs.
"This is where you get off, Theral. Come with me. Jiub, you are being sent to Molag Mar a few miles east of here. That is where you'll be mining. Just sit and be quiet." The guard commanded. Theral followed him through the ship and up the steps. They arrived at a hatch that went on deck. The guard pointed at it. "Get yourself on deck and lets keep this as civil as possible." The guard commanded, almost threatingly. Theral walked on deck, where a Redguard gave further orders. "This is where they want you. Head down to the dock and he'll show you to the Cencus office." He said. He wasn't as rude as the last guard. Theral walked down and was greeted by yet another Imperial Guard.
"You've finally arrived, and I'll record that you are from Cyrodill. Come with me to the Cencus office." The guard said. As they walked along the dock, the guard gave him some old advice that Theral had heard from several different people back in Cyrodill. He told him not to steal, or kill, unless in self defense. Don't invade people's privacy. If they lock something then they don't want you in it. He also said to be nice and friendly or else people won't like him. They arrived at the door to a big building, and Theral looked back to see the ship sailing off. "Head on in." The guard said. Theral walked in, and a guard on the inside locked the door behind him. He walked up to a Breton man behind a desk.
"Ah, yes, we've been expecting you. You'll have to be recorded before you're officially released. Please fill out the paper work." The Breton said as he handed some papers to Theral. He filled out his name, age, star sign, and all the skills he was good with so they could give him a job if he needed one. He handed the papers to the Breton. He started reading them and mumbling to himself. "Very good, but I forgot to ask what you did to be put in prison." He said. "I killed someone so I could have their house." Theral answered. "I am 29, and I was put in jail at the age of 20." Theral added. The Breton stamped the papers. "Show your papers to the captain when you exit to get your release fee." He said, handing the papers to Theral. The Breton snapped his fingers. "I almost forgot! The Emporer himself sent this book for you. It is in very nice condition, and has almost one thousand empty pages. I'm guessing it's a journal. He said you would need it." He said, handing the big book to Theral. It had a pen attached to it. The Breton also handed him a bag to hold stuff in. Theral thought for a moment, and realized he wouldn't have much money. "Can I get a job now?" he asked. "No, because I hear you have a small task that needs to be taken care of in the next couple of days anyway. The captain will tell you the details. And besides, your skills don't match the requirements for any of the open jobs here in Seyda Neen, which are few. But you may be able to find some part time work here before you leave. Just walk around and ask some people if they need anything done." The Breton said. Theral left the room. "Oh, and take anything you need from the dining room in there! We don't need much of it!" The Breton said as Theral was leaving.
Theral walked into the dining room and saw the door to the next building. He looked around the room for something he may need. He saw some knives and daggers, but they wouldn't protect him very well. He took some Flin and a lockpick. He saw a nice ring on the table, and he took that as well. He also took some bread and ate a chunk of it. He went out the door to the next building and saw the captain. He was wearing very nice armor.
"Show me your papers." He said. Theral took out the papers and gave them to the guard. "Good. Now here is 100 septims. This money should buy you a weapon and get you some food for the next week or two. Make sure you have 20 or 30 left over to take the Silt Strider, or giant bug as some outlanders call it, to the town of Balmora. When you get there, deliver this package to a man named Caius Cosades. Do what he says from then on. The package is in code, and very protected. If we see that you opened it, you will be sent back to prison. And if this package isn't delivered within 1 week, you'll be sent back to prison. Before you leave Seyda Neen, look around town for some small jobs you can do. You will get some extra money and reputation. Now leave, because I have some important matters to attend to." The guard said, handing Theral a package and a small sack of coins.
"So I'm just being released to be some form of paper boy?" Theral asked. "I do not know why the emporer let you go, nor do I want to. But, if he ended your 30 year sentence in only 9 years, there must be something more important to do other than delivering a few pieces of paper. Now go!" The guard said again. Theral walked out the door and into the small town of Seyda Neen. The commoners were looking at him, and they started to talk to eachother while pointing at Theral. He walked up to a small Bosmer.
"Do you know where I can get some work around here?" Theral asked, trying to sound polite. "I don't have time to speak with you, outlander. Those damn Imperials stole my ring and I'm trying to find it." The Bosmer replied. Theral thought for a moment and pulled the ring he found in the office out of his bag. "Was it this ring? I found it in the Cencus office." Theral said. The Bosmer looked happy and took the ring.
"Thank you, outlander. My name is Fargoth. You've helped me a lot, because this ring is a family heirloom. My friend, Arrile, is the owner of the Tradehouse here in Seyda Neen. He'll be happy to see you since you've helped me, and you'll most likely get a discount." Fargoth said. If what Fargoth said was true, then the Imperials were worse than he thought. He thought about it as he walked to Arrile's Tradehouse that Fargoth pointed out.
He walked into the store. He saw some stairs leading up to a different room, a bar with a drunken Argonian sitting at it, and behind the bar was a proud looking Altmer. That must be Arrile. Theral thought. He walked up to the counter. "You must be Theral my friend Fargoth talked about. You are the only new person here in town, so you are Theral, am I correct?" Arrile asked.Theral nodded. "Well, you can look on the shelves to see my wares, and you can ask me any questions you have about Seyda Neen." Arriles said.
"Is there any place where I can get some part time work here?" Theral asked. "Well, this is the only place that offers services here in town, and there are no job openings. I have people fishing and brewing up ale in Caldera. If you are very good in a certain skill you can go upstairs and offer training with the other people, but that is a full time job. I did hear that Hrisskar upstairs had some work, but I also heard him say he wants to steal from Fargoth, so I wouldn't do it. I heard that the taxman, Processus Vitallis, was murdered. The Cencus office is offering a 500 gold reward to whoever brings the killer to justice. There is also a smuggler's cave near the Silt Strider that has some criminals in it. The guards SAY they are going to take care of it, but they don't really care. If you think you are tough enough, you might do that. There is no reward for it, but you could loot and sell some of their stuff to me, or another shopkeeper in another town. Other than that, no." Arrile said. Then he remembered something. "Wait, I do have one thing that needs to be completed, and I'll give you 150 drakes if you complete it." Arrile said. Theral started to listen. "What?" He asked. "One of my fisherman recently got killed by a pack of Dreugh. So, I am running low on Slaughterfish Scales. I need them so I can ship them to Vivec, where people forge weapons and armor from it. If you could go into the water can catch me 10 Slaughterfish, I'll give you the money. Just remember: Slaughterfish fight. They will attempt to kill you. And avoid Dreughs, unless you are tough enough to fight them." Arrile said. Theral was about to go to the shore, but first he bought an iron longsword.
When Theral arrived to the shore, there were a few people fishing. The ones that were fishing were only catching small slaughterfish. Theral needed to catch normal ones, so he swam into the water. There were a few other people doing the same. He swam no more than 15 feet away from the shore when he felt something bite his foot. He looked down and saw a Slaughterfish latched onto his foot! He was not very skilled in swimming, so he swam a bit closer to the shore. He grabbed onto the tail of it and carefully took it off. He then went back to shore. He placed it on the sand and it tried to flop back to the water. Theral pulled out his new sword and sliced off it's head. Then he put the dead fish in his bag. After about 20 minutes, he caught ten fish and went back to Arrile's Tradehouse.
"Thank you for catching these fish for me. Soon, my nephew will be here from Dagon Fel and he'll be the new fisherman. Here is your 150 drakes." Arriles thanked Theral, giving him the money. He wanted a little more money, so he investigated the murder of Processus Vitallis. He asked Fargoth, but he didn't know anything about it. He asked an Altmer named Eldafire. She said she thought she saw someone carrying a dead body through the water and to some trees and rocks on a nearby island. So, he took out his sword and walked to the only island he could see. There were some mudcrabs, but he just ignored them. He looked around, and saw some trees and rocks. There were flies all around it, so something there was dead. He walked around the rocks and saw the corpse of an Imperial! He looked to see what the corpse had. It had 200 septims, which Theral took, and it had a Tax record. It was obviously Processus. An Imperial, huh? He deserved it, most likely. He thought. He went back to town. He asked some other people if Processus knew anybody. A few people said he had often been seen with the owner of the Light House. Theral went there next.
He walked into the Light House, and saw a woman sitting in a chair. "Did you know Processus Vitallis?" He asked.
"Yes, do you know what happened to him?" She asked eagerly. "I found his corpse over on an island, by some trees and rocks." Theral answered. The lady started to cry. "Did he have a ring on him? I remember he always had a ring with him, and I need something to remember him by." She asked. "No, all he had was a tax record, his clothes, and some money. The killer probably took the ring, but he probably would of taken the money as well. I saw what looked like a dagger wound in his throat, so he had to have been murdered. Do you know who would have done this?" Theral asked. "He and Foryn Gilnith, a young Dunmer who lives in a shack behind Arrile's Tradehouse, would always argue together, but I don't think a mere arguement would have lead this far!" She answered. She started to cry harder, and she put her head in her hands. "I'll go find out who killed him, and I'll bring him to justice." Theral said as he left.
He wandered over to Foryn Gilnith's shack and walked in, without knocking.
"What are you doing here! You're trespassing! Get out before I call the guards!" Foryn snapped. Theral completely ignored him. "Do you know Processus Vitallis?' He asked Foryn. "Of course I knew him! I killed him! The bastard deserved it too! He was always making us poor people overpay on our taxes, and he would pocket the extra that he took! He would always show off his new jewlry and other fancy things that he bought with our hard earned gold! So, I slit the dog's throat, and through him out in the wilderness, leaving all his evil money with him! I did take his ring, however, as a war trophy. So, are you going to take that demon's side or are you going to stand up for what's right?" Foryn told Theral. He had to think about it. He swore he would bring the killer to justice, but he also thinks all Imperials, especially Processus, deserved to die. He decided to keep his promise.
"Sorry, Foryn Gilnith, but that is no excuse for murder. You could have told his boss what he had been doing. Are you going to turn yourself in or..."Theral started to say, but he was interrupted. "Oh, you damn outlanders are all the same! You think doing this is going to make yourself seem like a good person! I'll spill your blood and through your body next to Processus's!" Foryn said, pulling out a dagger. Theral pulled out his sword. Foryn thrusted Theral in the leg, not hurting him much. Theral slashed Foryn from the face down his chest, severly wounding him. He fell onto his knees, writhing in agony. Theral hated to see people suffer, but this person needed to be killed. "I hate to see you in pain. I will end your life quickly!" He said pulling up his sword. "Never!" Foryn yelled, quickly stabbing Theral in the foot! Theral accidently dropped his sword, but the blade stabbed through Foryn's back, killing him. He took his sword and Processus's ring. He went back to the Light House.
"I killed Foryn Gilnith and got back Processus's ring." Theral told the lady, giving her the ring. "Thank you. This is all I have left to remember him by. Here, take these two healing potions. Processus usually took a couple of them when he left. If only he did this time..."She said. about to cry again. Theral took the potions and went to the Cencus office for the reward. He talked to th Breton who gave him his release papers.
"It's a shame he had to die. He was a good man. Anyway, here is the 500 gold reward. It's nice to see some people are still loyal to the emporer." The breton said. It was getting late, so Theral went to Arrile's Tradehouse and rented a room for the night for 5 gold. Before he went to bed, he wrote in his journal of all that he had done. The next day, he was going to go to the smuggler's cave that Arrile told him about.
Theral woke up the next morning, and ate some bread for breakfest. He also drank the flin he took from the office. He went to the Silt Strider, and looked around near it for a cave. It wasn't hard or long before he found it. He walked inside. On the inside, he saw a Dunmer woman sitting by a campfire, eating meat. He walked down there, and she turned to see him. She got up and pulled a dagger out from her belt. "Die, fetcher!" She screamed as she charged at him. Theral pulled his sword from the sheath that came with it and dodged her swing. He thrusted her with his sword in her stomach. "Stupid!" She yelled. She grabbed some a bucket near her and hit Theral in the face with it. He was stunned and lost balance, but he did not fall over. He swung his sword randomly while he was dizzy, and luckily cut the bandit in the face. She fell into the camp fire. Theral grabbed a flask of water on the bench she was sitting on and put the fire out. He was still stunned after the fight, so he sat down and let his vision re-focus. "What's going on in there?" Someone shouted. Theral could hear foot steps nearby, so he had to hide. There was a small row boat that was flipped upside down near the fire, so he hid under it. There was moon sugar and skooma under it, but he ignored it. He could see two feet walking around. He heard the voice of a male Dunmer gasp. Obviously, he saw the dead lady. "Someone has found us!" He excalimed. Theral readied his sword. He crawled out from under the boat. The Dunmer was wearing a ragged brown robe. He was walking toward the gate. Theral Ran up behind him and stabbed him through the back! The Dunmer yelled in pain. "AHCK! Someone come help!" That was all the Dunmer said before he died. Theral could sense that more people were in there.
Theral opened the gate and saw two paths. He took one that was left of him. He went up some stairs and found another gate. This one was locked. There were three slaves on the inside. One of them went over to the gate. "The one with the throwing stars has the key! Go find key, help us!" The Argonian said. Theral walked back down the stairs and went on the other pathway. He saw a small cave openening, with a lady standing in front of it. "How does it feel to know death is near?" She shouted. She started to throw throwing stars at Theral, but he dodged them with ease. While still dodging them, he ran up at her with his sword. One star hit him in his arm, but it was Chitin, and not doing much damage to it. He got up to her and slashed through her chest, killing her. On a crate near her was a key. Theral took it and went back down to the gate.
As he was unlocking the gate, someone grabbed his shoulder. He turned around, only to see a Dunmer male in steel armor, with an axe attached to his belt. "Trying to free the slaves? I don't think so." His dry, raspy voice said as he pulled out his axe. Theral slashed him with his sword, but the steel armor deflected it. The Dunmer swung his axe down at Theral, but he ran out of the way. Theral had not cast a spell ever since he first went to prison, but he thought he might be able to cast a fireball. He tried to conjure a fireball in his hands and... He succeeded, for the first time in 9 years! He through the ball at the Dunmer's face, causing him to stumble a bit. The smoke and some ash went in his eyes, so he took a flask of water out of a pouch on his side. As he did that, Theral ran and slammed up against the man, knocking him down the steps. Before he could get up, Theral jumped down and ran the sword through his chest, killing him. He searched the man's corpse and took 30 gold. He then opened the gate and freed all the slaves. He followed them out of the cave. He didn't want to search for loot, because someone else may be in there.
He drank one of his health potions to heal his wounds, and then he went to the Silt Strider. He paid about 20 gold and was taken to Balmora.
END OF CHAPTER 1
Afternotes: Some of this stuff was almost word for word, but I added some stuff. The drunken argonian, a job you could do for Arrile, and an extra guy in the cave near Seyda Neen. Foryn Gilnith originally fought with his hands, but I changed that, because he wouldn't be able to murder an Imperial Tax Man with his fists with him escaping. So, write a review and tell me parts you liked and parts you didn't like. Don't start insulting it, but people still do anyway. I will either start working on the next chapter tonight or tomorrow, but it may not be released for a few days.
2007-06-22 Alexander G. Blake(Renodin) Alexander G. Blake(Renodin)