The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Story of Octavian

Powers of the Undead

I woke up at sunset, and lifted the lid easily off the coffin. I could still feel the warm life of the Khajiit murderer flowing through me, but it was weaker than it was the night before.

I heard Hassildor's coffin open up behind me, and its occupant rise. I yawned and prepared myself for another night.

We left the castle at seven o'clock and came down to the seedy part of town. I took an Imperial that night, a man whose crimes and the deaths he caused are too numerous to write into one story. I also cought on to Hassildor's fondness for Orc blood. I myself preferred the Khajiit so far.

My lifestyle was very different now. Although I kept my bravado and general sociability, I used more subtlety and exageration in my movements and speech.

That, and I now slept in a coffin and drank blood.

On this night Hassildor wanted to show me just how drastic the change to my strength and speed was. He knew of a cave filled with bandits to the near east of Skingrad, so off we went.

The Blood Ring Bandits, as they called themselves, had been a plague to Skingrad for years. I was supposed to go and wipe them out in one night, a feat which the town's own guardsmen could not do since they first started the occupation of the cave six years before.

"Hey, Janus," I asked, "If we are strong enough to deal with these people, why haven't you already done it?"

Hassildor replied, "I may be a vampire, but I'm also a Count. I can't be going around showing off my abilities. You aren't a high political figure yet, so if you do it the stir will be almost entirely positive."

"Alright, but I'd better not get killed in there. If I do I'm coming back to haunt you." I said, jokingly.

"Very funny. I need to go back to the castle. Get me the leader alive, do as you will with the rest. Best destroy any bodies you decide to feed on, in case of an investigation."

"Gotcha. See you at dinner."

Janus left for his castle as I reached the cave mouth. I went in past two threatening signs, and drew my new sword. It was time to break it in with blood.

I entered into a large cavern where three were seated dividing plunder over a fresh corpse. I flung myself at them, and two were dead before there was any reaction. The third lost his head halfway though his draw. I proceeded down a narrow tunnel, and came upon a lone Orc in steel armor. I could tell he had comitted horrible atrocities, my mind dissecting his far faster than that first night. I decided to see what Janus liked so much about Orc blood.

I sped behind him and sank my fangs in. His blood was simmilar in taste more to an Imperial than Khajiit, but there was a uniqueness to the flavor, distinct from either of the others. And it was frothy, a bit too frothy in my opinion, like beer where I preferred wine, but it was good nonetheless. Apparently Janus had preffered beer, and this reminded him of his old favorite drink.

After letting the life settle in, a little odd with the frothiness of it, I burned the body and continued on to a smaller cavern filled with priceless treasures from eras long gone. In the middle of it all was three men, the one in the middle a tall, strongly built Nord, richly adorned with treasures, and beside him were two Altemer Battlemages, clearly bodyguards from their less elaborate decoration. I decided the best course of action, then sprung.

I steathily walked upwards, until the wall ended and the ceiling began, then I began to walk on that, using all my willpower not to laugh with glee at the extent of my powers. I strode upside-down on the cavern ceiling to above a large pile of treasure. I reached out with my mind and pulled a sword out from the pile, it was beautifullyadorned but not much use in a fight. I let it drop and land with a loud clang upon the stone floor.

My plan unfolded perfectly. The Nord sent one of his bodyguards to investigate, and I dropped down behind him.

"Boo," I whispered before I knocked him unconcious.

The other bodyguard was perturbed by the sound, and he, too left the leader. I gave him a simmilar treatment, then proceeded to take the leader, fully awake and aware, with me to the castle along with the two knocked-out Altmer bodyguards.

I placed the Nord in the custody of the Town Guard, who instantly gave me the utmost respect at my achievement. I then retrieved the bodyguards and scaled the wall to Janus' study.

I flipped them and myself into the window and smiled. "I told you I'd see you at dinner." I said.

Janus laughed and said, "You, Octavian, are a genius! Now, after our meal tell me the details."

Altmer blood became an instant classic. It tasted very high-class, like a vintage wine from the Second Era, with a slightly spicy aftertaste. Delicious. One of my favorites.

After I had told my tale, Janus seemed impressed. "You walked on the wall, did you? That's impressive. Usually it takes a century to be able to do that. M'Razzar must have given you far too much, enough to sustain me for days, and not made any other vampires since…"

"Since what?" I asked.

"I'll tell you some other time. You will have to go out in the day, today."

"What? Why?"

"You are the one who caught the leader of the Blood Ring Bandits. Most people don't know we can go out in the day. So you will get fame and good repute while also dispelling any rumors. This will also be your lesson on why we are weakened in direct sunlight."