Opening of the 5th Era Part 1
Assembling the Party Chapter 1: Inn keeping Shenanigans
The normal hustle and bustle that accompanied the Imperial Marketplace during the day was replaced with the peaceful quiet of the night. All the shops are locked up and not a torch is lit save for those of the inns all of which are packed with travelers near and far laying their weary heads to rest. All, but one of those inns anyway.
The Moon and Star inn. An old rickety place that creaked practically everywhere from the worse for where sign hanging outside the place, the door's hinges to the wooden floor and stairs. Cobwebs and moldy spots littered the roof. The various tables chairs, shelves, and bar counter were all splintered thanks to their old age and the disregard of their owner, An old cranky Dark elf named Wyndelius.
Wyndelius was shorter then most of his kind ranking at about 5'4. However he did posses his kind's ash gray skin and menacing red eyes. His graying hair was tied back in a short pony tail and his face was covered in wrinkles. Between his looks, disposition, and foreign accent he always seemed to be in a bad mood.
The old Dunmeri bar keep would be closing up shop by now if he wasn't preoccupied by the one and only customer he had all day who has` a proposition.
This man sits on one of the half-a-dozen bar stools, decked head to toe in rugged steel armor with a shining sword. It's handle gold encrusted with a large red ruby and round steel shield with a large spike in the middle both of which slung over his back. His helmet currently off and resting on the counter revealing his face. He has unkempt short jet black hair, brown piercing eyes, sharp nose, chiseled chin, he was unshaven, with scruff around his lips and cheeks. He was matted with dirt in places and its safe to say he hasn't cleaned up in a while.
"Wyndel if I told you why I'm asking then you wouldn't want to help me," spoke his guest.
"And if you don't tell me I won't help you for sure Septimus," Retorted Wyndelius with a flare of annoyance.
The now identified Septimus huffs and responds, "You make a strong argument."
"Well come on I ain't got all night," Wyndelius commanded.
"OK vampires..," Septimus tried to explain before Wyndelius cut him off.
"No."
"I told you wouldn't want to help," Septimus said.
"No you told me after that mess in Black Light you wouldn't ever get me involved with those blood suckers again," Wyndelius exclaimed.
"Look I know I'm asking a lot I just need you to help me find some people," Septimus quickly explained hoping to win Wyndelius's confidence back.
"What do you mean 'help you find some people'," Wyndelius asked his visitor peaking his curiosity.
Septimus audibly sighs, "The jobs big and I can't do it alone," he piped up.
Wyndelius narrows his eyes," You've been a lone wolf since the day I met you, the situation must be world endin if your willin to recruit," He joked, but with a touch of concern.
"I won't lie the situations pretty dire. The remnants of the Volkihar clan have reemerged and have been moving swiftly throughout the provinces trying to get in contact with the other clans and guess what it worked," Septimus explained pulling out a rolled up piece parchment.
"What's on it," Wyndelius asked.
Septimus unrolled and faced the parchment towards Wyndelius before explaining," Envoys of each clan as well as a full escort for each one are headed for an Aylied ruin up in the northern woods of Cyrodiil and I would like to say. This… Has… Never… Happened before!," He finished placing emphasis on the last couple words.
"Very well spare me the rest of the details I'm trusting you on this and I'll help you however I can, but wouldn't this information be best left in the hands of the someone like the Dawngaurd," Wyndelius responded.
"No they still think I'm crazy and no one else will believe me. And thanks Wyndel I know this isn't easy," Septimus spoke with answered with concern.
"Ha Ha They never did trust you," Wyndelius teased. Septimus continued again. "Thanks, as for the people I'm looking for. I'm gonna need a cleric one that can both heal and repel the undead, Someone who can track things and know their way around the forest. A Bosmeri ranger would be best, A powerful Mage or Wizard the vampires in attendance aren't short on mystics so I want to be prepared, and a skilled illusionist basically someone who can detect magically concealed passageways or traps. Vampires always have a few tricks up there sleeves. Oh and make sure they can handle themselves I don't want to have to baby sit," Septimus finished.
Wyndelius remained silent for a few moments while Septimus explained then an uncharacteristic smile spread across his face smiled," OK your ranger and Mage are conveniently in the same place a quaint little village called New Wood in the West Weald I'll mark it on my map in a minute and as for your illusionist he resides in the capital of Elsweyr's northern kingdom (Insert Name) Ask around for ," Wyndelius finished in kind.
"Thanks man your a life saver.. but wait you didn't mention the Cleric," Septimus asked puzzled.
Another uncharacteristic smile spread across Wyndelius's face," As luck would have it he's right below..."
Boom!
A large explosion sounded from below shaking the entire inn right down to its foundation. Immediately proceeding this were rapid pacing footsteps racing from below Septimus's and Wyndelius's feet to the other side of the inn. Then said footsteps raced up from the sound of it, stairs.
Just then the door burst open bringing a cloud of steam and smoke into the main room. Immediately following this was a scrawny Breton. About as tall as Septimus. Brown unkempt messy hair, Holy white robes, and he was fairly pale. As if the situation wasn't strange enough he was wearing goggles and casting a frost spell into the basement.
The frost trail from his hands ceased and he looked up to the barkeep and his visitor.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wyndelius my experiment just… kinda… backfired," the Breton spoke up, but began to trail of as he noticed Septimus. "Oh hello," He greeted sheepishly waving his hand.
Septimus turned back to Wyndelius," Hell no," Septimus stated flatly.
"I'm sorry you need a Cleric and I need him outta my place, he's been driving all my customers away," Wyndelius stated shooting a glare at the Breton.
"Fuck that what did I say about no babysitting and the only thing that looks remotely Cleric about him are his robes, seriously how do you know this guy is a priest and not some skooma addict," the visitor asked.
"Trust me I've known this boy for a long time and he's a damn good healer plus he spends a lot of time in ancient crypts so he ought to know a thing or two about fighting the undead." Wyndelius explained through a chuckle to sooth the concerns of his visitor.
"Are you telling me 'that' is the best you got," Septimus said harsh fully, pointing directly at the Breton.
"What the heck does that mean," the Breton retorted, but he was just ignored. "He's going with you and that's final unless you know another cleric willing to face vampires."
"Whoa, vampires," the Breton exclaimed, but like before he was ignored.
"Look at him were facing undead abominations who are stronger and faster then normal men or mer… you could probably kick his ass in a fight."
"Heh yeah he's kind of wimp, but the lads sharp just keep him in back and he'll be fine,"
"Do I get a say in this."
"No," Both the innkeeper and his visitor stated in unison.
The Breton sighs, again going unnoticed.
"I'm serious though were taking a massive collection of vampires in an ancient Aylied ruin," the visitor added.
The Breton perks up an,"Aylied ruin, are you serious I'll go pack my things!," the Breton exclaims running back downstairs.
"See and the boy's willing, your out of options take him or leave him," Wyndelius stated.
"Fine… I hope the rest of your contacts aren't this odd," Septimus responded begrudgingly.
"You don't know the half of it," Wyndelius answered quietly.
Septimus looked at the innkeeper quizzically," What?"
"I mean goodbye and good luck my boy!," He exclaimed in an attempt to distract Septimus,"now be a dear and go make sure that little shit doesn't set another thing on fire."
"Very well," He responded scooting his stool back from the counter before proceeding down the basement stairs.
The basement of this "fine" establishment was littered with spare furniture, tools, barrels filled with flammable liquids be it lap oil or alcohol, and other useless junk all of it shoved to the far end of the room. The closest side of the room to the door unlike the top dusty half was somewhat neat and orderly, Save for the recent burn marks, charred metal fragments, and crumpled or burned pieces of paper that littered the floor.
The previously unknown Breton was in and around his makeshift work space packing various bits and bobs into his large leather pack.
"OK gears and gyros check, Atherium wand check, Experimental bolts check, Aylied stones, Ancient texts check, Magical scrolls check, Spell tome check, Holy text check, and Crossbow," the hyperactive man finished reaching under a cloth pulling from it a bright and shiny crossbow.
The weapon was far more advanced than any steel laden wood crossbow Septimus used. Going by it's ornamentation, complexity of it's design, and gold like coloring, He'd say Dwarven.
"So are you a collector of sorts," Septimus questioned trying to get a hold on the curious individual in front of him.
"No I fancy myself an inventor, But it's like Wyndelius said In addition to that I'm a Cleric," the Breton explained.
"Yeah how did someone with such curiosities become a servant of the eight," Septimus asked.
"Well it's a long and boring tale, but I was forced into it," the Breton said.
"OK I won't pry further, but earlier you seemed to be concerned about the vampires I mentioned what made you change your mind, did it have something to do with being in an Aylied ruin," Septimus asked again remembering the odd clerics response to the sudden involvement of an Aylied ruin.
"Yeah I've never had a chance to explore a genuine Aylied ruin before their always crawling with undead guardians and besides their will be others coming with us," the Breton explained.
"Your right… Wait how did you know that," Septimus asked.
"I heard from down hear," the Breton stopped to pick up a nearby shovel. He then continues while poking the roof of the basement," These floors aren't that thick. "In fact that's how my experiment blew up in my face I got to absorbed in your conversation, I sparked something then BOOM!," Septimus exclaimed pointing to his eyebrows which were singed missing a majority of the hair with only a few slivers of hair here and their.
"Wow what a ringing endorsement, You do realize your not doing a good job of convincing me your up to the task," Septimus said beginning to get agitated over the Breton's constant ramblings.
The Breton Stands up straight and brings his hand into a salute,"Cirges Mebestion, Cleric of the Eight, Scholar, and Inventor at your service," The now identified Cirges spoke with confidence.
"OK I get it, normally I wouldn't trust someone I just met, but Wyndelius has never steered me wrong before," Septimus stated, but another truth to the matter was that Cirges seemed right like he could be trusted.
"Thanks Septimus I promise I'll do my part." Cirges spoke confidently.
"Alright get your shit together and meet me upstairs," Septimus said suddenly taking a commanding tone.
"Yes Sir," Cirges responded giving another salute as Septimus walked upstairs.
Septimus walked back into the inns main floor. To see Wyndelius finishing his last mug.
"So you lads all set," Wyndelius said to Septimus when he came into view.
"I suppose, He wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but he seems competent enough and willing," Septimus responded.
"Oh he'll get the job done. He may not be all…," Wyndelius brings his index finger and points it to the side of his head and spins it in place," up here, but he's reliable.
"I hope your right, Oh forgot to ask can you get me a mug of mead," Septimus asked sitting himself at the bar and placing several coins on the counter.
"Just as I finish washing them," Wyndelius said annoyed.
"Just get me a damn drink," Septimus said flatly.
After several minutes Cirges emerged from the Inn's basement Carrying a large leather pack filled to the brim. It almost seemed to much for him to carry, but he lifted it around no problem with only the occasional stumbling.
"Alright that's everything I'm ready to go," Cirges spoke up.
"Well were off, It's been good seeing you again Wyndelius and really thanks for everything." Septimus said rising from his bar stool.
"Hold on lads one more thing," Wyndelius stopped them both and motion towards Cirges,"Hand me your map. Cirges obliges him and pulls out his map out from his pack. He unfurls it and places the map on the counter. Wyndelius pulls out a dagger causing Cirges to flinch and then proceeded to stab the map. Leaving a mark just above Elsweyr.
"This is the village that my Mage and Ranger reside in. It's a quaint little place It's not quite on the map yet. You are to head there pick up those nancies then head straight for Dune in Elsweyr, there you can find your illusionist," Wyndelius explained.
"Thanks again for all your help," Septimus said again.
Cirges took his map, rolling it back up and placing it into his pack," I owe you thanks as well Wyndelius you've tolerated all my quirks and provided me bed and board for almost nothing and as a show of gratitude," Cirges stopped short and pulled out a sizable bag of gold and placing it on the bar counter.
Wyndelius quickly opened the bag and began examining the modest amount of gold," Thanks lad, you may have set many fires and driven away all my customers, but I truly have appreciated the time we shared," Wyndelius concluded.
"Yeah, I… did to," Cirges responded unsure of what to say remembering all the insults and yelling.
"All right let's hit the road," Septimus stated.
And thus are would be heroes ventured forth to gather fellow warriors to stop the great evil that loomed over head, but little did they know they were being watched.
Author's Note: Sorry to my first responders. I failed to space the Fic. before posting, but here you go. Spaced and slightly edited. Read the second author's note in the next section for the rest of my message.