Prologue
In the days following the Battle of Blackreach, word spread of the Skyrim army's victory over the Falmer hordes. Those who took part were seen as heroes. Songs written about the battle itself.
Rumors spread like wildfire regarding the cause, outcome and events that played out, but there was no disputing many of the facts and truths revealed from the war itself.
Two Jarls, Siddgeir of Falkreath and Erikur of Solitude, had been arrested and branded as traitors of the state in their connection to the perpetrators of the war.
Laila Law-Giver, Igmund and Balgruuf the Greater….The Jarls of Riften, Markarth and Whiterun…Had perished over the course of the war.
High Queen Elisif…..Assassinated by the Dark Brotherhood.
Three cities brought to the very brink of destruction.
And worst of all…..The Emperor of Cyrodiil himself had been a co-conspirator in the planning and executing of the war with the Falmer.
He had gone mad with power and closed off all borders and trade routes in and out of Cyrodiil. Security had been ramped up and any who spoke out against him had been imprisoned or put to the headsman's axe.
Dark days had fallen upon the nation of Cyrodiil.
Four months later
General Tullius stood across the table from Falk Firebeard whose gaze was focused on the documents and maps in front of him.
"What have you to report General?"
Tullius cleared his throat before beginning.
"As of now, the rebuilding process is in full swing. Builders are working around the clock to get this done as smoothly, quickly and efficiently as possible. Within the next few months, they say they can be largely finished and have civilians moving back to the cities. Markarth should be ready sooner rather than later. Much of their work is just cleaning up the remainder of the damage done to the stonework and sealing of the entrances to the tunnels beneath the city. They have largely cleared them out of any remaining Falmer that still lingered."
Falk nodded.
"And of the new settlement developments?"
"Thus far, we have Blackthorn in the Rift, Vandia in Falkreath and Seapoint in Haafingar. Settlers have already moved in and begun setting up shop there. Within the new few weeks, they should be settled in and ready to go."
Falk placed a new document in front of him and looked at it.
"What of the remaining Falmer?"
"Our soldiers are currently combing over each of the four ruins interconnecting with access to Blackreach and have, according to our numbers, seventy five percent of the Falmer that reside there. A special operations team coordinated by myself, Legate Admand and Tolfdir of the College of Winterhold, has entered the Forgotten Vale to remove any Falmer that Gelebor may have stationed there. The canyons are vast and may take some time to fully search and comb over. Lots of caves, nooks and crannies where these creatures can hide. But I can assure you, we will get every last one of them."
Falk nodded, bringing forth another document.
"The situation regarding city Jarls is still underway. Brunwulf Free-Winter of Windhelm, Brina Merilis of Dawnstar, Idgrod the Younger of Morthal and Kraldar of Winterhold all retain their seats as Jarl. Vignar Gray-Mane is to be Jarl of Whiterun. Proventus Avennici will serve as Steward, Farengar as Court Wizard and Olfina Gray-Mane as Housecarl. For Markarth, Garvey is to be Jarl. An unconventional choice, but these are unconventional times. Garvey is one of the people and knows the people. Urzoga gra-Shugurz will serve as Housecarl and Ogmund as Steward. As for Riften…..That is a delicate situation. There were little to no survivors to speak of. As of now, I have not decided on a Jarl for the city. For the time being, Blackthorn shall serve as the center of the Rift. Randolph shall serve as Jarl, Zylon as Court Wizard, Grace as Steward and Jade as Housecarl. Scouts have already been sent out to inform them as well as the citizens as to the changes. In two days' time, citizens from throughout Skyrim will converge here and celebrate the victory at Blackreach." Firebeard informed the General.
Tullius nodded before turning to another document.
"What is to be done regarding…..the situation in Cyrodiil?" He hesitantly asked.
Falk sighed, running a hand down his face as the dreaded question of Cyrodiil and its current predicament came up once more.
"For the time being, we must unfortunately wait it out. We have only just come back from the brink of destruction. Making any sort of moves against Emperor Motierre now would only undo all of the progress we have made and only further bring pain and suffering to the people of Cyrodiil. And such a call to war is not my call to make. I only act as High King until a Moot is officially convened. With that being said, the process is taking much longer than I had anticipated as there are very few if any who have made any sort of declaration as a candidate for the position. Many are still fearful and afraid in large part due to the circumstances surrounding Elisif's untimely and unfortunate murder. They fear that should they step up, they too will suffer a similar fate. I have done what I can to put their minds at ease, but doubts still run through their minds. It will not be easy to convince them it is safe enough or even worth it to vie for the position. Some have suggested I take it myself, but I have no desire to sit upon the throne of Skyrim. It is not an envious position sure, but my reasons are in spite of that. It would seem like a power play and a circumvention of Skyrim's traditions and laws should I just assume the role past the state of interim I am in now. The role of High King belongs to someone selected by the people. It should not be given to a man who was simply handed the position in a time of war when a leader was needed and he happened to be the next highest ranked official within the Keep."
Falk then turned to look at Tullius.
"Perhaps if they hear from you, the man who led Skyrim to victory at the Battle of Blackreach, it would put enough of them at ease for some to start coming forward as candidates for the Moot. I am sure hearing it from you would make a huge difference. Please General….At least consider it. We need a High King or Queen now more than ever, especially with everything going on in Cyrodiil right now. We need someone to lead us in spite of that and in opposition to that. Will you at least think about it?"
Tullius leaned backed and mulled it over in his mind.
Skyrim did need a leader, but was he the best man to do the convincing? He was a man of action and a man of war. He was no politician. He may give speeches before a battle began, but he was no word wizard by far. However, perhaps it would be beneficial for him to at least try and put the minds of the people at ease. At least maybe they would at least consider putting forth their names to the Moot.
"Alright Falk. I'll do it if only to just get the process started and help ease their minds. I just want them to know that I will not and should not be considered a candidate for the Moot. I am a soldier first and foremost and my priority is the defense of Skyrim and its people. I am no politician nor do I have the desire to be. My role is best served in the position I hold now. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Understood General. I will send an escort with you. Can't be too careful these days. The roads are still dangerous despite everything that has happened. There may be less Falmer than there was before, but those are not the only threats that Skyrim houses. Bears, wolves, necromancers, bandits…..Just be careful out there General."
Tullius nodded.
"I will certainly try my best."
"May the Divines watch over you General Tullius."
"And may they do the same for you as well Falk."
Firebeard smiled before returning his gaze to the map as Tullius turned away and began to head out the door.
Now….It was time to play the role of pacifist and negotiator….Skyrim needed a ruler. And perhaps he could convince someone to do it. Or maybe not. But he had to at least try…..That's all he could do.
And so the first chapter to the sequel of my prior story, Skyrim: The Falmer War is here. It was largely dedicated to updating the situation in Skyrim post-Falmer War and set up the political situation going forward as well as give an update on where the Falmer stand in the post-war Skyrim.
Much has changed to the state of Skyrim. New Jarls have been selected to lead their holds as well as those who will protect and assist them in the new roles.
New settlements have been established. Major cities in the process of rebuilding.
However, many still fear taking the role of High King or Queen following the death of High Queen Elisif at the hands of the Dark Brotherhood.
Cyrodiil's situation has only gotten worse since the end of the Falmer War with Emperor Motierre's madness worsening. Borders and routes in and out have been effectively shut down. It's people oppressed and suffering.
New questions are raised.
Who, if anyone who step up to put for their name into the Moot to decide a new High King or Queen? Can General Tullius convince anyone to do so? Will Falk Firebeard stick to his own moral code regarding the situation or will he change his mind and throw his own name into the mix?