10 Hearthfire, 3E426

I quite disdainfully gave Caius his notes, and he gave me my space, saying he needed time to report back to his superiors and why don't I go travel for a while and cool off.

Mistress Sadri had recommended a Temple pilgrimage to Mount Kand the last time I was in those halls, seeking to soothe my anxieties with prayer. I dared not tell her the things that dwelt in my mind, pretty sure I've committed some level of heresy just looking into these blasphemies. Like my time in prison, I just wish to put it behind me now and move forward in good faith.

I stopped by the bookseller's before I left Balmora to see if they had a copy of the book of riddles she'd mentioned. The cave I am going to is guarded by three daedra whose riddles I must answer correctly, or defeat them in battle. Not that I don't have confidence in my sword, but a wise warrior knows when it is better to avoid a fight altogether. It is just needless risk. Having not as much confidence in my mental capacities, I'm glad to have the answers handed to me for the mere cost of a book.

While I was there another tome caught my eye; "Vivec and Mephala", which I shelled out the coin to purchase as well. I didn't get the chance to read it until I settled down in Molag Mar tonight. It had the usual quotes and scripture about Mephala, Daedric Prince of murder, sex and secrets, being the Anticipation of Vivec, a sort of tie to the darker side of Lord Vivec's divine dualistic nature. However, the last paragraphs were the most intriguing.

It spoke in vague terms of the Ashlander legend that the death of Saint Nerevar according to the Temple is a lie: in their tradition, he was slain by the conspiracy of Vivec along with Almalexia and Sotha Sil. It seems nonsense to me, personally. Why would they have slain their own revered Hortator and champion? What could they possibly have gained from such needless treachery?

My pilgrimage went well. Mount Kand was a steep climb, but I am able to endure such things easily. And thank Almsivi for that book, I would have gotten every answer wrong if left to my own devices. I do not pretend to be a scholar.

Reporting in at Molag Mar, I was told that a nearby tomb had been sacrileged; the culprit none other than a Necromancer living on the coast nearby who had been simply tolerated up until he overstepped his bounds. They gave me a physical description of this Delvam Andarys and told me to "permanently take care of the situation". I more than gladly accepted, leaping upon my chance to redeem myself for committing a similar sin. Even though no one besides myself and the Orc know I did it, and I was acting under orders I could not refute, the burden is upon my own soul still... but tomorrow, redemption.


11 Hearthfire, 3E426

The 'hideout' was hardly hidden, a traditional Dunmer Velothi-style building on the coast with the curved stone walls and maroon detailing. But the creatures within made me thankful the Temple had forced me to learn at least a few spells for restoring one's strength, for the cursed, vile things could drain it before you know what was happening. Horrible constructs of flesh and splintered bone I don't care to ever see again. There were no negotiations. Andarys himself hid behind his behemoth abominations, but the man was about as easy to cut through as paper. He shall disrupt the spirits of Molag Amur's dead no more, and I feel I have paid my penance.

I took some of the fancy equipment in his little lair, which he'd done up quite expensively I might add, and sold it back in town for enough coin to buy a ring from a local enchanter with powerful healing properties- which I can confirm works very well and was worth every septim.


13 Hearthfire, 3E426

After a day of recovering and practicing the healing arts in the Temple, motivation fresh from my run-in with the Necromancer, I hit the road again, worried if I stayed too long in Molag Amur I'd get caught in another ash storm. The wind is starting to have a bit of a chill to it out in this rocky region as the seasons change, so I decided to revisit the grand city of Vivec, thinking perhaps there was more work to be had at the Temple there.

Around noon I found myself in Suran, a city I've only previously seen on my map. Doing a little shopping, I made a discovery about the moral state of that place that I don't really care to think on further... Note to self: never go into a place bearing the title "House of Earthly Delights". It did not, as I assumed, sell fruits and vegetables. Of course, I decided not to stick around after that and was on the road again.

Halfway between noon and sunset I arrived in the High Fane of Vivec, barely even tired so easy had my journey been as soon as I was out of the inhospitable Molag Amur. The Ascadian Isles are a paradise in comparison. And there I got the news that a pilgrim in the city was infected with Corprus. I related my tale about Tel Mora to the Temple Master, who explained that this woman had not reached that state yet and they did not want her killed, but wished her to voluntarily leave to go to a place called the Corprusarium.

It feels hypocritical of me to ask someone to voluntarily hand themselves over to be imprisoned, even if it is also a refuge and quarantine where she will be cared for. It was made even worse by how pleasant she seemed, one could mistake her for being entirely uninfected. But, as I am told, she will not stay that way for long, and there is nothing else that can be done. I used that compassionate personality, with a healthy dose of Temple scripture, to appeal to her better senses; she did not want to cause suffering to anyone else, and agreed to leave.

It would have made a most agreeable end to my evening, but before I turned in for the night I had another unpleasant encounter like the one in Balmora. This time it was a woman I am certain I have never seen before in my life, but somehow she knew my name.

"I am a Sleeper, one among thousands. The Sixth House is risen, and Dagoth is its glory."

So much for restful sleep.