The Vigil of Stendarr

Mehrunes' Razor

Something of Note…

Obviously, writing a story set in a world such as an RPG (The Elder Scrolls in this case) can be a difficult thing, seeing as the world is built depending on your actions: Does the Dragonborn side with the vampires or the Dawnguard? Do the Imperials or the Stormcloaks win the war? Does the Dragonborn actually go after Alduin, or does he decide to become a master thief/assassin and never thinks about Helgen again as he spends his nights with his wife and kids? DOES ALISTAIR BECOME KING?!

...As this is the case, I have thought up a brilliant solution. I call this solution "Fuck it". (Pardon my language, cover your eyes kids.) That's right. This is practically an alternate reality. There are no Stormcloaks, and as such they won't ever be mentioned further, save perhaps if I start another part with one of these. There also is no Dragonborn as we know it. But the story of that will become clear in time.

Allow me some time to set up the world for you all. The Aldmeri Dominion is still one of the most powerful nations in Tamriel, if not the most powerful. The only problem facing them is Elsweyr's war for independance. Their control over the Bosmer in Valenwood is still strong. The Empire, on the other hand, has lost much power and land. Hammerfell and High Rock are bound in a series of alliances and treaties, mostly to protect themselves from the Empire and Dominion. Black Marsh is independent, and no one has been able to conquer them due to the harsh fighting conditions and terrain of the lands. Morrowind is independent, though constantly embroiled in civil wars and other internal conflicts. Skyrim is still firmly in the hands of the Empire. Cyrodiil is still quite strong, even without their Nord allies. The war between the Empire and Dominion ended in a white peace 10 years ago. As such, neither have recovered enough to warrant planning another war. As a side note, I mean it when I say there was a white peace. There was no White-Gold Concordant.

In the last of my long-winded explanations, the Vigil of Stendarr is an order of warriors in service to one of the many gods in the Elder Scrolls world, Stendarr, god of righteous might and merciful forbearance. He is viewed primarily as protector of the weak. This is exactly what the Vigil is, as they constantly battle monsters and Deadra, protecting the innocent and weak of Tamriel wherever they can. And now…

Chapter 1: Introductions

As the lone elf sat…

As the lone elf sat, reading for probably the sixth time the same page of A Dance in Fire, a soft wind blew. This is what it looked like to the average student at the College of Winterhold. Here, he was looked at less as a Dunmer, which were typically either hated or feared in Skyrim, and more as a friend. The Khajiit he had considered his brother since his days as a child in Riften, Jo'Raska, had become a very prominent mage here. Naturally his friendship with him already permitted him the politeness of the students. Now, however, they likely accepted him for what he was doing rather than for his knowing someone. For the sixth time now, his eyes scanned the walkway that ran from the village of Winterhold to the college. He wasn't on edge, but he was growing annoyed. How long was he expected to wait anyhow? At last, he spotted a person making the cross. Even if he couldn't recognize the traditional robes of the Vigil, the reptilian tail prompted the elf to rise.

The Argonian had traveled quite a ways from Markarth to the College on business. The Vigil had granted him a small leave, and he gladly had taken advantage of it. However, their calling upon him likely meant serious trouble. He had read the briefing letter exactly twice, once for all the details on the mission, and once for all the details on his partner: Galeven Nuledri. An interesting Dark Elf, with a long and successful history of vampire-hunting. Surely one of the more interesting people he'd been ordered to work with.

The mission was a direct request from the Archmage of the College, which certainly inspired an air of importance about the thing. According to the Archmage's letter, there had been three raids on Winterhold in the past month. The assailants were mentioned frequently, but only ever as "beasts". No more information on them was given. This refusal to give more on the subject led the Vigil to, fairly enough, assess that magic was involved, and most likely so was the College. So they decided to send two of their most accomplished monster-slayers to fulfill the request. Galeven Nuledri, the Dark Elf vampire hunter, and Renmar Delahar, the Argonian whose bow could fell a giant with one well-placed shot. Whatever kind of beast dared threaten Winterhold would be swiftly dealt with by these two. However, the Vigil was well aware that the two of them were… The odd ones, to say the least, of their order. No amount of praying would keep them from somehow making fools of themselves. Regardless, they were capable in combat, and had accomplished some incredible feats to earn them the respect they did have.

And so, Renmar ascended the final few stairs of the crossing. He was rather eager to meet this Galeven. As per custom, despite his new partner's experience, the lizard was fully intent upon establishing himself as the leader of this expedition. It wasn't a true necessity, but rather a luxury. Should his partner agree to the terms, Renmar could surely earn himself a notable larger share of the loot, or at the least the glory. As Galeven approached, Renmar's script for asserting his dominance was already being rehearsed in his head.

"Excuse me sir, I am looking for a colleague of mine. His name is Galeven Nuledri. Are you he?" His voice was hushed, and had a slight rasp to it.

Galeven tucked away his book into his travel-pack. "Indeed, I am. So then you are Renmar, no?"

Renmar nodded. "Yes. Now before we receive any briefing, or go into any combat, let me make one thing clear. I am a marksman of the highest quality. If you get in my way, and this can mean literally, so take note, you will be hurt. I am in charge here. I have more experience, more knowledge of this place, and most certainly more value. I-"

To show his seriousness, he had thrown his foot down. Before doing so, Renmar had forgotten that he hadn't yet left the stairs. His foot narrowly missed the step, and he lost his balance, tumbling. He had most certainly realized where he had been standing now. His hood was thrown back as he tumbled, revealing the bright green scales and their faint orange patterning. The patterns make a vague smiley face on his forehead. All Galeven could think about was how absurd it was that this was the giant slayer he had heard so much of. He goes to help the Argonian to his feet, stifling a laugh as he does so.

"Of course, of course sir. You are, after all, the giant slayer. How could one such as I live up to the reputation that precedes you? Oh, I know." Galeven drew one of the war-axes from his side. Around its handle were bindings, decorated with a small collection of fangs. Sixteen to be exact. "Each of these has been taken from a vampire lord, shortly preceding their untimely demise. Do you know how hard it is to take one of these before the bastards turn to dust?"

Renmar clambered to his feet. "Oh please. I can stand on my own! Honestly…" He picked up one of the arrows that fell from his quiver as he fell. It had a faint red glow about it. Clearly, thought Renmar, that chance for dominance is most certainly blown.

Before any more is said between the two, Galeven motions toward a student by the doors. He stands there waving the two over. They quickly cross the courtyard, exchanging greetings with the young Khajiit mage.

Galeven smiled, shaking his hand."Jo, it's been far too long since our last meeting. How's the school treated you?" The last time they had met, Jo'Raska and other magi had helped the Vigil fend a small horde of undead away from Dawnstar. That had been four months back.

"Ah yes, things are going rather well." Jo'Raska spoke softly, his accent strong. Even growing up in Riften, he stayed true to his cultural heritage. "Save for some of the recent activity below. But of course, that is why you are here, no? The Archmage has ordered me to accompany you, as he knew the Vigil hadn't sent a mage. I do hope the matter is resolved quickly, I am doing some incredibly important research."

The group spent the morning discussing their mission. The creatures would come down from the nearby mountains, snatch up civilians, and disappear. Whenever the College went to help, the monsters fled, so they hadn't been properly identified. Nevertheless, the Archmage felt he knew the place the beasts resided. The tallest within its respective range, Mount Anthor had always been a place of evil. Legend had it that it was used long ago as the den for the dragon Numinex. Due to its dark and shrouded past, there had been a string of cult activity, among other evils. The Vigil had reportedly scaled the mountain and cleared the temple at its peak no less than five decades ago.

Renmar spoke up. "The Archmage is sure these things come from Mount Anthor? You know, there are other mountains in the range."

"Yes, but you see, with the history that mountain has, and its strong connection to past evils, the Archmage simply sees it best that we investigate there first. Besides, it is the easiest of those mountains to climb." Jo'Raska smiled a little.

So they agreed that they would make way to Mount Anthor. However, it would be foolish to begin their journey without first stocking up on supplies. Therefore, the three climbed aboard a carriage, bound for Fort Kastav, at the foot of the mountains. The Imperial garrison there was friendly with the Vigil (as most right-minded people are). The fort had also fallen under attack from the creatures as of recent, so this would be an excellent opportunity to learn more about their adversaries.

An hour before night fell, the carriage came to a halt in the fort's courtyard. Training drills were being held all around, and evidently around the clock, as the soldiers seemed exhausted. The men on the walls looked down with pity, surely feeling quite lucky they aren't in their comrades' shoes. The legate in charge came to welcome them.

"Welcome, Vigilants. We hope you were not troubled during your transportation?" The legate was a tall man, and a pure blooded Imperial from the heartland of Cyrodil. His heavy armor gleamed in the waning light of the sun, as Masser began its steady rise opposite it. "That is, we hope for everyone's sake. The creatures attack only at night. We know this from experience. They carried off some good men in their last attack. I pray to the Nine they're dead, for I don't dare imagine what they might go through…" He fell silent briefly. "Anyway, if you were attacked, that would mean they're getting bolder. That's all I meant."

Renmar answered the man, as Galeven's eye seemed quickly drawn to something else. "No, we had a very relaxing ride. No worries sir, I understand your concern. With luck, and the blessings of the Divines, we'll have this whole mess cleaned up soon enough. Now, since we'll be waiting until nightfall… Where do you keep your ale?"

As the two discussed the fort's alcohol storage, Galeven found himself following another person behind a small pile of boxes. Within them were plentiful supplies: Bread, carrots, cabbages, various potions, a sharpening stone, and twenty-five more arrows for Renmar. However, Galeven was too preoccupied to fully register this, as he turned the corner straight into a familiar face…

End Chapter 1

Subsequent chapters in the works will be added upon completion & revision. All critique and feedback is encouraged.