Well hello there! It's a fine day with you around.

"The Wolf of Riften" is a coconut grab-bag of a story that was inspired by my in-game Blacksmith's ongoing Sisyphean attempts to lead a normal life in a world that is anything but. Surviving the perils of Skyrim will always come second to raising his two daughters who, he will openly admit, have him wrapped around their clever little fingers. His eldest is a teenager who just discovered that young men are interesting and there is a certain master pick-pocket who might be worth investigating.

What is a single stressed-out father to do? Aside from panic and wield really big axe?

In this case, all Fel can do is his best while the odds are stacked against him because just about everyone either wants something from him or is trying to kill him. How is one person supposed to succeed against such impossible odds?

I have no idea. Not a single clue.

So when his heart does get stolen by a certain green-eyed Prince of the Thieves, Felnore's already chaotic world gets utterly blindsided. The whole cartoon ACME anvil to the old noggin routine. Little does our big-hearted Papa Wolf know that in the far-reaching shadows of Riften he is no longer the hunter, but the hunted.

So much for wanting the simple life, am I right?

(Fel can be a bit dense sometimes. Just going to point that out now.)

Moral of the story: To catch a wolf is easy. To tame a wolf is a real battle of wills. To raise two girls in a city full of thieves and heartbreakers, now that is a father's worst nightmare.

No wonder Felnore went grey at twenty-five. It's the stress. I honestly pity any young bucks who dare come knocking on Felnore's door. I really do.

They don't stand a chance.

Felnore doesn't have a shotgun. Felnore doesn't need a shotgun. Felnore is the shotgun.

Go Dads of Skyrim! Warrior Dork Dads FTW!

***UPDATE: I recently had the privilege of meeting Felnore's face claim and it was beyond surreal. He IS Felnore, down to the down-to-earth Dad vibes, the mannerisms, the deep gravelly growl, a stare that would cause a dragon to nope out of a fight and the majestic silver mane of magnificence. AND THAT EPIC BEARD! I kid you not, Ulfric Stormcloak would weep in envy. Needless to say the inspiration behind this story has launched itself into the stratosphere. Buckle up folks because this is going to be freaking intense.

So grab a plate of sweet rolls, pour some spiced wine, get cozy, and enjoy the story.

Happy Reading!

Full Story Summary

Book One of the Wolf of the Rift saga

After an attack by Stormcloak army endangers the lives of his two daughters, Felnore Greymane throws down his axe and walks out on The Circle. He is through with the Companions of Jorrvaskr, the people he trusted to keep his family safe, and makes the hard decision to leave Whiterun for good.

However, a wolf without a pack is as good as dead in the wilds of the Nine Holds. The agents of the Silver Hand, werewolf hunters who know who and what he is, are determined to make a profit off his hide. And they are just one of the many on-going threats that stalk his shadow.

With the civil war between the Imperials and the Stormcloaks escalating to dangerous proportions, Felnore has no choice but to uproot his family and make the journey east to Riften city. Joined by his sword-for-hire Jenassa, a Dark Elf with an incredible talent for scathing remarks, Felnore is forced to lead them into the unknown where their path will eventually be crossed with that of the Thieves Guild.

Little does anyone know that the fate of all will come to rest on the edge of a thief's knife. A deadly ebony throwing dagger wielded by a green-eyed master of the art of stealth and deception, the Prince of Thieves himself.

Main Character Cast List

(Because it is impossible for me to write a story without kitting the whole thing out with a fantasy cast list)

Felnore Greymane
The Grey Wolf of the Rift
Werewolf/ Blacksmith / Father / Nord
Age: 44
Actor: Ron Jack Foley

Brynjolf
Prince of Thieves / Nord
Age: 39
Actor: Josh Hartnett

Jenassa
Sword-For-Hire / Dunmer
Age: 259
Actress: Zoe Saldana

Biance Greymane
Daughter / Nord
Age: 11 and a half
Actress: Kiernan Shipka

Jonna Vassaria Greymane
Adopted Daughter / Imperial
Age: 15
Actress: Piper Curda

Aturos Vasfa
Squire / Redguard
Age: 16
Actor: Suraj Sharma

Raido
Felnore's War Horse / Sassiest Horse in Skyrim
Actor: John Cena

The Thieves Guild Cast List

Mercer Frey
Leader of the Thieves Guild / Nord
Age: 53
Actor: Jerome Flynn

Delvin Mallory
Guild Master-At-Arms / Nord
Age: 40
Actor: Jason Statham

Vex
Professional Thief / ?
Age: She'll never tell
Actor: Charlize Theron

Tonilla
Professional Thief / Guild Fence / Redguard
Age: 20
Actor: Letitia Wright

Sapphire
Professional Thief / Nord
Age: 29
Actor: Katie McGrath

Cynric Endell
Professional Thief / Jail Breaker / Breton
Age: 42
Actor: Jemaine Clement

Niruin
Professional Thief / Master Archer / Bosmer
Age: 55
Actor: Tommy Flanagan

Rune
Professional Thief / Guild Cinnamon Roll / Imperial
Age: 35
Actor: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Thrynn
Professional Thief / Reformed Bandit / Nord
Age: 40
Actor: Jensen Ackles

Vipir the Fleet
Professional Thief / Master PickPocket / Nord
Age: 22
Actor: Cole Sprouse

Vekel the Man
Barkeep of the Ragged Flagon / Nord-Bosmer
Age: 40
Actor: Taika Waititi

Dirge
Bouncer of the Ragged Flagon / Nord
Age: 58
Actor: Adam Baldwin

Karliah
Nightingale / Former Thief / Dunmer
Age: 197
Actor: Deepika Padukone

Galathil
The Face Sculptor / Bosmer
Age: Unknown
Actor: Helen Mirren