A/N: Hello there. My name is The Pineapple Express and this is basically my first shot at fan fiction. "The Age of Dragons" is my shot at portraying a more grittier and story driven version of TES V. While I do like the game a lot, I felt it's writing is a very weak point. I want to essentially rewrite the Main Quest of Skyrim, along with a few other questlines, to deliver a more immersive experience. This will be a lot different from most fan fics (Or at least the ones I've read) set in the TES universe. I felt a lot ES fan fics are essentially just some guy's playthrough that he just written down. There's nothing with that in my opinion, but I want to do something more than that.
Also, this fan fic will be AU on a lot of levels. I will not say how as to prevent spoilers, but any deviations from the vanilla will be intentional. A lot things will be added into it and some things in the game I find really stupid will either be removed or changed heavily.
But what else should you expect? Well expect a more grittier portrayal of the Skyrim Civil War that will have more depth to it. Expect a more terrifying portrayal of dragons, especially Alduin. Expect a larger scale focus. Expect a ton of political intrigue of not only the Stormcloaks and the Imperials, but other political entities across Tamriel. Yada yada.
Any reviews, positive or negative, will be greatly appreciated!
"Skagnolf, wake up." Said a familiar voice. The middle-aged nord quickly woke up to find himself in a horse-drawn cage. There must have been at least two dozen people crammed inside it as the driver, wearing an all too familiar segmented armor, rode it along with at least a few dozen other caged carriages. Surrounding this convoy were at least a hundred horsemen, also wearing the same segmented armor as the carriage driver but in boiled leather.
Skagnolf looked at the source of the voice calling him to find his old friend Ralof. Ralof was a youthful nord hailing from a small village far away.
"Ralof." Said Skagnolf. "What in Shor happened?"
Ralof sighed deeply. He looks defeated. "We have lost." He said. His defeated tone quickly turned into anger. "When it looked like we were beating those falkreath bastards, the Imperials came out of nowhere and flanked us."
Skagnolf knew that part. The combined forces of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak and Jarl Laila Lawgiver outnumbered the Falkreath forces, led by Thane Sulgar Oak-Shaper. But two full legions of the Imperials somehow remained hidden before and during much of the battle. Skagnolf himself got lost in the midst, trying to rally some of the men before he was knocked out. He patted Ralof on the shoulder. "We have lost many… Did we?" Said Skagnolf.
Ralof barely kept his cool. "Most of us Eastmarch folk were slain. We've all would have been butchered if Jarl Ulfric didn't surrender. The Jarl is all alone at the front caravan. He's all chained up and his mouth covered. I think Jarl Laila escaped but a lot of them Rift folk were slain as well, not as much as us though."
"It's only the beginning." Interrupted a voice from an elder nord. That same nord, who looks to be in his sixties with grey balding hair, looked coldly at Ralof and Skagnolf. "I don't know where they are taking us" Said the old man. "But wherever it is will be a grim end for us all."
A younger nordic woman spoke. "This can't be the end!" She shouted with fire.
"Are you denying death girl?" the old man retorted.
"You underestimate Ulfric Stormcloak." Replied the woman. "He himself has The Voice. He…"
"His voice did not help him win the battle girl." Interrupted the old man.
The woman's face began to boil. "Then why did you join this fight?" She asks.
The old man merely laughed. "You're an idealist aren't ya? Comes with your youth I guess." He eyed her. "I joined because I want to fight somethin. I don't care who's the fuckin High King. All I care about is killing my way to Sovngarde.
The two began arguing for what felt like hours to Skagnolf. Personally he finds both the elder and the woman irritating. Whoever the old man is, something is wrong with him. And the woman is too damn naïve for her own good.
"Shut up back there!" the carriage driver shouted.
Even the driver got sick of them. Skagnolf said. The two then finally have stop.
The old man however starts eyeing Skagnolf. "You there. What's your name?"
Skagnolf is confused on why the man wants to know that. "Skagnolf." He said.
The old man nodded. "Colnjar." He said. "We ought to know each other's names before they kill us all."
Not this again. Thought Skagnolf. "And how are you so sure?" He asks.
Colnjar chuckles slightly. "They will want to make an example of us." His face turned bitter. "But they will surely not grant us the honor of going to Sovngarde. They will give us an unworthy death. Shor will not welcome us to his halls." He then turned to Ralof. "Your name lad?"
Ralof grunted. "Ralof. Ralof of Riverwood."
Colnjar nodded before looking at the woman he argued with earlier. "Your name girl?" He asked. "Ysella" She angrily replied.
Colnjar then asks every single bastard in the cage their names. Skagnolf sighs as he looks out of his cage and sees the beautiful white trees of the Rift. Wherever the Imperials are taking them, it's going to be a long trip.
General Metiros Tullius observed the fortress of Helgen from the distance. It is the the Twenty-Eighth of Last Seed. It had been fifteen days since the Battle of Darkwater Crossing. This rebellion caused by Jarl Ulfric has been going on for a year. Now today it will finally end. General Tullius had been sent to this frozen shithole known as Skyrim by the Emperor himself because his predecessor proved to be too incompetent to contain the rebellion at its infancy. This whole mess started when Jarl Ulfric murdered High King Torygg Windcaller. He somehow escaped the province's capital known as Solitude and declared rebellion in the ancient city of Windhelm. He wishes to become High King. Torygg, with no heirs, left his throne to his wife Elisif. And that is the foundation of her claims for High Queen. Ulfric's claim is "legitimate" only because of bizarre nordic tradition. Because Ulfric claimed to kill Torygg in a duel. And as is their tradition, one who kills a king becomes a king. Such utter bullshit thought Tullius. Just because you can kill a lord does not mean you should be king. Plenty of good fighters in history had proven to be incompetent rulers. But it seems the nords don't understand this. Of course, there is more to this rebellion; especially matters of religion.
The general shook his head. The past four months had given him a huge headache thanks to the rebels' resilience and the failures of his predecessor. While having only one single legion and a dead king to start with is a huge setback. this person, known as General Martimus Axigius, had a shot of defeating Ulfric at Eastmarch. Yet he sustained heavy casualties and encouraged many of the nordic nobility to support Ulfric's claim. Much of the year the Fourth Legion and the Imperial loyalists were pushed back until Tullius took command and relieved Martimus of his duties. Tullius, with the help of three fresh Legions from Cyrodiil, had quickly changed the tide, causing a statemate for three months until he had conscripted enough men in Falkreath Hold to invade the Rift a month ago. This leads to today, the end of the rebellion. Tullius now hopes he can return home now but that is unlikely. He may have to ensure no further civil unrest happens after today.
The convoy catched up to him, as he was further away. He looked at the so called "usurper" that threatened the Emperor's peace. He is chained to all corners of his cage. And his mouth is covered in a steel mask due to his abilities to literally shout people to death. "The Thu'ume" Legate Rikke had called it. The general now rode in front of the convoy. Not long until the convoy finally arrived at Helgen's gates. The town belongs to Thane Oak-Shaper, who is still fighting in the Rift. And it's the closest Imperial settlement from Darkwater Crossing.
A messenger came out, wearing the dark gold armor of Falkreath soldiers. "General Tullius" he said in a thick nordic accent. "Preparations has been made. But an envoy from the Dominion embassy has just arrived today."
Tullius shuddered at the mention of the Dominion. "Very well. I will deal with this envoy." He motioned for the convoy to enter the town.
Skagnolf is quiet. After fifteen days, they seem to arrive to wherever they were going.
"We're at Helgen." said one of the Stormcloaks. Ralof merely nodded and smiled.
"Aye. I was here once before. On my way to join the fight. met a girl Yolga. Wonder if she still makes apple pie." He laughed.
"Sounds like you may have ploughed the bitch." Said Colnjar. "I would too. Need a good woman to comfort ya before ya go kill some bastards."
Ralof glanced at Colnjar in anger yet he did not reply. Maybe that old bastard is right. thought Skagnolf.
As the convoy travels through the town, more and more people stopped what they are doing and observe. Skagnolf notices many of them has a grim expression.
"This is not good at all." He said. "Aye" said Ralof.
"Then it's best we pray to the gods Ulfric has something in mind." Said Ysella, who had been oddly silent this whole journey. Skagnolf looked out of the cage again to see a father forcing his children into their house. This won't end well.
They arrive at an open yard right outside the town's longhouse, which serves as the Thane's house and has a tower next to it. Said tower is a barracks for the Thane's men. There is a massive gallow with twenty ropes aligned next to one another.
"I was right after all." Said Colnjar. "A grim end awaits us all."
Then there are around 18 strange tall people sitting on large bipedal birds. All of them save for one wore white eloquent looking armor. Though one wore dark black robes with small trims of gold. "Must be the Dominion" Said Ralof. "Maybe those bastards have something to do with it."
General Tullius halted his horse when he saw the Dominion envoy. "Here we go again." he muttered. He treaded his black stallion towards the envoy. The leader of the group slowly moved towards Tullius as well. He pulled his hood down to reveal a golden face with yellow ears as sharp as a knife.
"General Tullius." He said in a spitefully lilting voice. "I've been waiting for you. Good that we both arrived this day." He smirked.
Tullius grew irritated by the altmer's pompous tone. "Get to it. What are you here for?" He asked.
The altmer continued to smirk. "Straight to the points is it? No matter. What I am here for has much to do with your plan for Jarl Ulfric..."
The general shuddered. How did he found out? The general had planned to execute Ulfric when he captured him. Technically, he was supposed to send him to the Imperial City for trial, but Tullius feared doing so would have Ulfric break free from certain parties. Especially the Thalmor, the leading order of the Aldmeri Dominion. Tullius believes they have been trying to cause as much instability to the Empire as possible. Jarl Ulfric living would only further said instability. Ulfric must be killed as soon as possible. Ideally, he would liked to kill him back at Darkwater Crossing, but he needed witnesses to prove he is gone. Helgen was the closest settlement loyal to the Empire. And so Tullius chose this town as the grounds of Ulfric's death.
"What happens to Ulfric today is not your concern." He replied sternly. He already knows what the altmer is here to do.
"You are right." said the altmer. "But I suggest for the sake of peace, you ought to listen to what I have to say."
Is this bastard threatening war over Ulfric? thought Tullius. "Speak" He said.
"Hand Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak over to me." He said. "During his brief rebellion, he had caused certain damage against the Aldmeri Dominion. And so he has violated the White-Gold Concordat. For that reason, the Dominion desires to punish him ourselves." the altmer looked at the gallows. "Besides, killing the fool would only make a martyr out of him. The instability in the province would only get worse. We will take care of him... subtlety."
Tullius did not even considered it. He has Ulfric and he will not risk him being set free by anyone. "No. Ulfric has committed high treason against the very empire he swore to serve. He even served in the Legion once. His crimes against the Empire, against his own people, are worse than whatever petty action he took against the Dominion. Ulfric Stormcloak is to die today here in Helgan."
the altmer sneered at Tullius. "You have made a mistake general Tullius."
"I am free to make this decision. It does not violate the Concordat." Tullius retorted.
The altmer did not respond and rode off. Good riddance. he thought.
"Sir. Are we ready to begin?" Asked an Imperial officer.
Tullius nodded and motioned his men to get the prisoners off their carriages. As the men were doing that, they binded the rebels in chains in order to make the executions more "orderly". He got off of his horse and walked onto the gallows. All of the Town's people had gathered. the only thing separating them from the prisoners were the town guard. The Imperial century that escorted them stood behind the guard, watching over the prisoners. Archers were on the surrounding buildings. Escaping would be futile. The general rose his hand to silence all chatter and spoke with great authority. But he always hated speeches.
"People of Helgen! These men before you are traitors to the Empire! And the worst among them is Ulfric Stormcloak himself!" The crown instantly booed, many throwing things at the prisoners. Shouting insults at them until Tullius motioned them to be silent.
"Jarl Stormcloak is nothing but a usurper. He plotted to kill his king and succeeded. Yet he plotted to take his liege's spot, rightfully claimed by his wife! He plotted to split Skyrim from an Empire he swore sacredly to protect! But now he has failed!" The crowd cheered.
Tullius looked at Ulfric, who bravely stood in front of his men, staring straight at Tullius with no seeming fear. At least he is no coward. "Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak. You stand guilty of High Treason. You devolved Skyrim into chaos. you are responsible for the deaths of thousands! And today you will pay for your crimes! Watch as all of your men will be hanged! You will learn the consequences of your mistake! And then you shall pay the price yourself!
The crowd roared in approval. The sight of all this sickens Skagnolf. How these people support an Emperor so far he might as well be on the moons amazes him. Yet is now truly the end. But while he may die today, he will die in whatever dignity he has left. Colnjar was the first to stepped on the gallows. He even tightened the loose on his neck himself. A few followed through but when there 14 more spots on the gallow to be filled, the Imperials came to the prisoners and forced the rest to fill up. Some didn't resist, others did with no prevail. The rest couldn't help as they were blocked by more soldiers. It was not long before the nooses were tightened and all twenty were let go.
It took a while for the bodies to be cleared and more rope to be noosed. It seems they did this on purpose. Or so Skagnolf felt. More soldiers came to get more prisoners to hang. Skagnolf volunteered and went up the gallows. The hangman placed the noose on him as he waited for his death. Skagnolf never thought it would end this way. He hoped if he died in this war, it would be through battle. Not this. A part of him was nervous and scared. But he would not cower. Not in front of Jarl Ulfric.
When the next twenty hangings were ready, the Earth suddenly shook like madness The crowd grew terrified. Then fire started raining all over the town. Many people were instantly burned. When Skagnolf was about to get his noose off, he felt the gallow shake heavily, as if warped by some vortex, and began collapsing on the ground. It all went black.