Skyrim: Legacy of the Voklkihar Vampires

The Forsworn Insurrection

Sahrotaar made it to Castle Volkihar and then Alester and Serana dropped off of him. With his task finished, he flew back to the Throat of the World.

When they went inside, Valerica reported. "Alester, Vingalmo and Orthgolf are discussing the topic of Jarls as per your request in a letter sent by a courier. They are discussing it in Harkon's chambers."

Alester nodded to his mother in law and they walked to Harkon's chambers, now considered his when he found his two elders debating. He cleared his throat to announce his presence and they both looked at him.

Vingalmo started first. "My lord, I have my 'visiting advisors' study the Jarls of Skyrim as per your request. While some of them are worthy, others are questionable."

Orthgolf added. "There is also the matter of the Forsworn milord. My spies report to me that they are still attacking travelers and causing trouble around the Reach."

Alester rubbed his forehead for a while then said. "I'll deal with the Forsworn myself. I'll make an offer to their leader who owes me a life debt for saving him from a Silver-Blood assassination attempt as well as that breakout from Cidhna Mine. What's your analysis on the Jarls?"

Vingalmo grabbed two parchments then read out. "The Jarl of Whiterun is Balgruuf the Greater. He is neutral at first but then he sided with the Imperials. What are your orders regarding him?"

Alester made a dismissive gesture. "That man is tough and a respectable Nord plus he knew his way around the court. Leave him be. What of the others?"

Vingalmo said. "There is also Laila Law-Giver, Jarl of Riften."

Orthgolf scoffed and said. "That hole is corrupt and their court equally so. The Jarl there is nothing more than a puppet to the true leader that is Maven Black-Briar."

Vingalmo grimly nodded. "For once I agree with you. What are your orders, Lord Alester?"

Alester paced around while his lover looked at him with worry. As much as he would prefer Maven to be removed, she is an invaluable ally to the Thieves Guild. However, he can stem the corruption just a tad bit. He ordered his advisor. "Have your 'visiting advisors' 'push' Laila to open her eyes towards the plight of the people. Have her be resistant to Maven's demands and kill any of her troubleshooters outside of Riften."

Vingalmo nodded and said. "I'll relay your orders after this is done my lord." Then he asked. "I have also studied about Windhelm and Solitude. What are your orders regarding them?"

Alester didn't bat an eyelash at it as he replied. "Leave them be. They're no threat to us."

"I have studied the minor holds: Falkreach, Morthal and Dawnstar. I have analyzed their Jarls and found them less to my liking. One is a Stormcloak fanatic, the other is an Imperial sympathizer and in my eyes, he's too inexperienced to lead a Hold. My spies have confirmed that Imperials secretly plotted to have his uncle who I believe is still fit to be Jarl despite his age and replaced him with his nephew. As for Morthal, the family leading it has magic running in their blood and the people generally distrust her for allowing a wizard named Falion into their home and she doesn't bother with their problems." Vingalmo explained in great detail.

Alester frowned and said. "For Morthal, I'll let you you both in on a secret: Mors discovered a plot to take over the Hold by a vampire named Movarth and use it as a blood farm of sorts. He killed Movarth and became Thane because of it."

Orthgolf asked. "What are your orders my lord?"

Alester looked at Orthgolf and ordered him. "Go to Movarth's lair and kill any survivors that Mors didn't kill. As for the Hold, leave it alone." He smirked at the Nord. "As for you, I'll let you keep the one known as Alva as your concubine."

Orthgolf shivered in pleasure and beamed at him. "I'll bring a group of vampires with me after this discussion is done my lord. My thanks for this gift, you made me one happy elder."

Serana laughed while Vingalmo scowled while mumbling something like 'lucky dog'. Then he asked. "What of Dawnstar?"

Alester spaced out for a bit. He knew that Dawnstar is where the Dark Brotherhood is hiding. He knew the people there and said. "I believe that the Jarl there should be replaced with a more reasonable and rational person."

Vingalmo nodded in agreement. "Skald the Elder is an idiot spouting his Stormcloak dogma. He blindly worships Ulfric like he's some sort of god and expects everyone in his Hold to do the same. I believe that Brina Merilis is more suitable to be Jarl than that fool. Even though, she is a retired Imperial, she has a good head on her shoulders and knows what's best for Dawnstar."

Alester nodded then ordered. "Perform the Black Sacrament and meet up with the Dark Brotherhood outside of their own sanctuary near Dawnstar. Have them kill Skald and frame his servant for the murder."

"I'll see to it at once then I'll have my 'advisors' 'persuade' the people to encourage Brina Merilis as Jarl in his stead." Vingalmo replied with Alester nodding.

Serana piped in. "What of Winterhold?"

Alester looked at Serana briefly then said. "Good question. It really is of little consequence but I want the Jarl there removed."

Vingalmo raised an eyebrow at that and said. "By removed, you mean eliminated?"

Alester nodded then said. "Having him killed isn't going to be enough because I know that he has a wife and a son who he feeds his negative opinion on magic users on. Vingalmo, see if you can exile them from Winterhold and remove them using your spies. As much as I hate doing this to the child, he can serve as your thrall." Serana noticed that he voice sounded heavy, meaning that he didn't like this at all.

Vingalmo didn't seem to care and liked the thought of having a servant that is his and his alone. "I will gladly do this order after our discussion my lord. It'll supply the Thrallmaster with two more thralls and me a servant."

"One last thing about Winterhold: If you do actually remove Korir from his position as Jarl and enslave his family, DO NOT implicate the College. I do not need to have my school's reputation to be lower than it already is." Alester warned.

Vingalmo nodded in understanding. "As you wish, I'll have my agents do it with utmost discretion."

Alester said. "Very well. This discussion is over and you have your duties to fulfill. I trust you both know what to do regarding the Holds?" They both nodded then he dismissed them.

Alester and Serana walked to Valerica where he said to her. "I and Serana will be heading to the Reach to convince an old friend of mine to ally himself with the rest of Skyrim. You will hold the court in my absence."

Valerica nodded then said. "Good journeys, my daughter and my would-be son in law." She watched them leave the castle and saw Orthgolf and Vingalmo making preparations.

They went to Druadach Redoubt where Alester announced his intention to the Forsworn Guards outside though he had Serana Calmed them down when they attacked Shadowmere.

The royal couple were escorted by Kaie and she reported to the King in Rags. "Madanach, your friend wishes to speak to you."

The Forsworn King beamed at Alester as he stood up from his chair, reading his book and shook Alester's hand. "My friend from Cidhna Mine. Hello. What brings you to this dreadful cave?"

Alester decided to get straight to the point. "I have a plan that will satisfy the Forsworn Madanach. It's time for you to pay off your life debt. Do you have the entire Reachmen under your command?"

Madanach shrugged as he said. "The Forsworn are split but I can call them and unify them to arms if need be. What's the plan?"

"I want you to assault Markarth and wipe out the Silver-Blood family. Kill any guard standing in your way and rule over the Reach."

Madanach rubbed his beard and said. "Good plan but lacks detail. What do you got?"

"I can request a host of vampires to enslave half of the guards into vampires and start a civil war against the real ones. When the signal is given. You will have your brethren assault Markarth and claim the Reach as yours."

Madanach liked the idea but isn't naive enough to take it as he mused. "I'm guessing there's a catch there."

Alester nodded. "In exchange for your...hostile takeover of Markarth and control of the Reach, you must recognize Mors Westford as High King."

Kaie complained. "You do realize that he has to answer to a NORD and a High King at that in the end right?"

Alester merely countered. "Everyone, including Ulfric Stormcloak, has to answer to Mors in the end. Haafingar, Whiterun, Hjaalmarch, the Rift, the Pale, Falkreach and Winterhold have to answer to the High King that is Mors. The Reach is part of Skyrim and is no different from the other holds."

Madanach frowned as he crossed his arms. "Any other conditions?"

"You will be allowed to practice your religions and cultures without harassment from Imperials and Nords but you and your leaders must treat the people fairly and firmly. You are allowed to worship your own gods, even Daedra but under no circumstances are you to do your blood sacrifices and communing with Daedra nor will you force anyone to do so. If you truly want to bring peace to the Reach, you need to agree to these conditions. Some may be offended but I assure you that they are fair for your kind. I'll ask the High King to speak for you and your people and I'm sure that as long as you treat the people, regardless of their race, fairly, he will recognize you as Jarl of the Reach and will turn a blind eye to your traditions and your old ways." Alester put out his hand.

Madanach looked at it for a long time then took it. He shook Alester's hand to this agreement and said. "Had it been anyone else asking this, I would've froze them and become sacrifices to Hagravens. As much as I don't like the idea in answering to a Nord High King, I desire peace and if it means sacrificing the lives of the Silver-Blood family, so be it. I will accept this agreement. Just fulfill yours."

Alester replied. "I'm a man of my word Madanach, I maybe a vampire but I aid my allies and pay off my debts."

Alester turned to his lover and said. "Serana, contact your mother and have her give you a handful of vampires. Go to Markarth at night and turn any sleeping Guards to vampires. When the sun rises, take this bow.." he gave her Auriel's Bow, in his possession all along. "And fire a Bloodcursed Arrow at the sun. That will be your signal to the Forsworn. There you will order the infected guards to kill the uninfected ones and help Madanach take over Markarth."

Serana nodded then left the cave.

As for Alester and Madanach, they have gathered all of the tribes of the Forsworn into Druadach Redoubt where Madanach began his speech.

"Today, today..we have been given an offering from our friend from Cidhna Mine what we always wished to have: all of the Reach. Our Nord oppressors have been lavishing in their power for too long. Most of them view us as animals and uncivilized peoples but today, we will have our own civilizations! No longer will we wait behind barred doors and camps in the hills! No longer will our vengeance for our brothers and sisters be denied! Even the enemy's gods themselves will tremble before our wrath! Our kingdom of the Reach will be ours once again! If you will join me!" Cheers erupted and Madanach continued.

"We will march on to the city of Markarth! Kill the Silver-Bloods who have been draining the mines with the blood, sweat and tears of our people! We will kill any Nord that dares stand against the true people of the Reach! The Empire and the Stormcloaks will not stop us like they did before and this time we will succeed! We are the Forsworn and the Reachmen! It is time for us to retake our rightful place in Skyrim!" Madanach announced to the tribes and they roared in approvals.

"The Forsworn will retake what is rightfully ours!" Forsworn tribes boomed as one.

Beside Madanach, Alester kept his hands behind his back and smiled.

(With Serana)

Serana requested via a group of vampires from her mother and Valerica answered. A Volkihar Master Vampire, a Nightmaster Vampire and two Nightlord Vampires. Of course her mother brought her nothing but the best.

The five vampires infiltrated Markarth and secretly enthralled the guards at the stables. They went inside the city and went inside the towers to find multiple guards sleeping. They bit some of them on the necks and left half of those alone. They also went to another tower and but half of the guards. As for the Silver-Blood guards, the vampires secretly used Rout to lower their bravery and making them useless as warriors.

With that out of the way they blended into society and waited till morning. It was 8 in the morning where Serana and her escort found their blood boiling in the sun. Serana saw it and fired Auriel's Bow at the sun, causing it to explode in darkness.

She and the vampires discreetly told everyone to head inside their homes and wait it out.

(With Alester and Madanach)

Madanach is riding on a horse Alester bought for him back at Markarth stables while Alester rode on Shadowmere behind them all of the Forsworn folllowing them. The army of Reachmen were so married that you could see them for miles. It seemed quiet for the most part aside from the occasional animal but nothing much.

The sun suddenly turned black and semi-darkness occurred.

"Looks like my love did her job right." Alester said while he smirked.

"So what does this mean?" Madanach asked, looking at the man wearing Dragonscale armor.

"It means that she and her escort has enthralled half of the guards and when you march inside the city, they'll turn on the real ones."

Madanach liked that. "And turns the odds to our favor. Well played."

Madanach and Alester jumped off their horses after they arrived at the stables. One guard tried to shoot Madanach with a bow only to have his back shot by his partner who is a vampire.

Madanach had the pleasure of kicking the gates of Markarth open and when the guards tried to attack him and the Forsworn army attacking him, they were instantly stabbed or shot by arrows in the back by vampiric guards.

For the Silver-Bloods, they cowered and trembled but nevertheless tried to attack the Forsworn. Needless to say, the Forsworn easily massacred them and shattered their weak bravado easily. What few survivors left were hunted down by the former prisoners of Cidhna Mine.

While half of the army went inside Cidhna Mine to kill the guards there. Madanach and his entourage went inside Understone Keep. The guards attempted to kill him but the Forsworn army easily cut them down. Faleen stood too and tried to attack only to be knocked out by a blow to the head.

Jarl Igmund stood up from his throne and unsheathed his sword and shield. Although his uncle Raerek tried to dissuade him from going to battle, he wanted to avenge his father by killing some of the Forsworn.

Igmund shouted to Madanach. "I wish to challenge you to a single match! I win and you will die by hands while the rest of your kind watches as they die too. You win, and I will die and Markarth is yours."

Madanach made a vicious grin then replied. "I accept."

Raerak asked with worry. "My Jarl, is it wise to do that? I'm not sure you have a chance against this one."

Igmund said confidently. "This is our chance to rid Markarth of his tyranny uncle. I will not waste this opportunity." He told Madanach. "I just need a minute to change into my armor then we can start."

Madanach's grin never left him. "Go ahead. I'll be enchanting my weapons while you're at it."

Igmund got himself a full set of Steel Armor while Madanach enchanted his Forsworn armor set along with his swords using Alester's Black Soul Gems.

The two readied at the entrance of the Understone Keep with Forsworn and Calcelmo plus the cooks, one blacksmith and the steward watching.

Igmund struck first as he swung his sword but Madanach easily evaded it. Madanach hit Igmund's shield and absorbed the stamina from Igmund. Igmund bashed Madanach and tried to hit him but Madanach dodged them and countered with a slash to the leg.

Igmund evaded Madanach's next attack and slashed the king in the back. Madanach hit Igmund's shield with the tip of his sword, causing Igmund to stumble. Igmund bashed Madanach away and tried to hit him with his sword but Madanach evaded it and stepped on Igmund's foot. Igmund managed to punch Madanach in the face with his sword arm in anger. Madanach pulled himself back and Igmund knocked him down but Madanach avoided his sword strikes and pull himself up quickly.

Madanach dodged Igmund's swings and performed a Dual Flurry at the man. Igmund blocked them all but he felt weak and sluggish for some reason. He walked back but he tripped on a rock that made him stumble and fall on his back.

"Get up." Madanach demanded as he readied his two swords. "I won't let a stone take my victory!"

Igmund did so and charged at Madanach and tried to him with fury. One of the wild gashes hit Madanach's arm but it didn't bother the Forsworn King. Madanach hit Igmund's shield with his sword and leeched the health off of him. Igmund tried another swing but Madanach evaded and slashed his chest, leeching the stamina off of him. Igmund bashed him away and swing sluggishly at him.

Madanach easily dodged the predictably easy swings as he disarmed Igmund of his sword. Igmund used up all of his energy to push Madanach back, fall back a bit then performed a shield charge at Madanach.

Instead of moving out of the way, Madanach braced himself and let Igmund knock him down. He saw Igmund on top of him and prepared to ram his shield down on his head. Madanach used that to grip his swords tighter and impale Igmund's sides with his swords just as the man prepared to slam the tips of the shield down at Madanach's head.

Madanach pushed the dying Igmund off of him and then pulled out one of his swords off of him then finally finished the Jarl off with it by stabbing him in the chest.

Within a minute, the Forsworn cheered.

However, Raerak grew mad seeing his nephew died like his father before him. He grabbed his Iron Dagger and charged at Madanach.

Only to be impaled by Icy Spears by other Forsworn before the old man even made it five feet.

Madanach smiled at his victory and walked towards the Mournful Throne where Alester and Serana waited for him. He sat on it and declared. "At long last, Markarth is finally ours! The Reach finally belongs to the Forsworn and it shall be long as I live! We have defeated those Nord wretches and took back our lands from them! We shall build a prosperous and mighty empire that will last for the ages!"

Alester said. "I guess I should call you Jarl Madanach now. I had the other Forsworn capture the Silver-Blood family and bring them to you."

Madanach nodded to Alester and said. "Excellent. Tell them to bring them here."

Thongvor, Thonar and Betrid Silver-Bloods all walked bound to the footsteps of the Mournful Throne as Madanach drawled while slouching on his seat. "What a cruel twist of fate this has been isn't it Thonar. You prevented my execution and used me as a weapon against your enemies. Now I decide your fates."

Thongvor spat. "You are nothing but a beast who goes around murdering innocent people! Your people are nothing more than savages who go out of their way to kill decent people just looking to make a living!" Then he got punched in the jaw by Borkul the Beast.

Madanach paid it no mind as he announced. "For your crimes against the people your bother had murdered on his personal vendetta for power and selfishness. I intend to rule the Reach with a firm but fair hand, unlike your people who oppresses my people."

He looked at Thongvor. "Your sentence is death by beheading and your head being placed on Markarth's walls as a warning." He looked at Thonar and his wife and said in a malicious way. "You will watch as your wife is being violated by my men. After that, I'll have them gouge out your eyes and work in the mines until your death."

Thonar and Betrid paled at that and the entire family was sent away to Cidhna Mine to be punished.

Serana commented. "That's rather cruel."

Alester added. "Even by my standards."

Madanach merely laughed as he asked. "Do I detect a hint of pity from you Vampire? Do you seriously care about that man after he framed you for murder?"

Alester shrugged. "Guess I don't." Then he stood in front of Madanach. "I'll be leaving now Jarl Madanach. I'll be sure to inform the High King to recognize you as Jarl of Markarth."

Madanach replied. "Be sure to put in a good word for me. I intend to be everything a noble is and maybe more."

Alester made a respectful bow then said. "Rule well, Madanach. May you have long life, have a family and many children in the future." Then he left with Serana.

Alester had his lover Serana inform Mors that the Forsworn has taken over Markarth and by extension the Reach. Mors went in personally to inspect and was surprised to find crimes in the Reach to be non-existent. He also found that the mines outside Markarth as well as the farms to be safer and guarded by Forsworn, not to oppress but to protect. He also saw that supply routes as well as caravan runs are safer because of the Forsworn. So safe that you will only find an animal looking to kill you and nothing else.

He went inside the city and found that the people are feeling more relaxed and happy despite Forsworn guards. He asked around and they confirmed that it was Madanach who is the current Jarl and he went inside Understone Keep. He found Madanach sitting on the Mournful Throne, head up high but not too high to be considered arrogant. The man has Borkul the Beast as his Housecarl with Uraccen serving as his Steward.

Madanach acted polite and civil as any Jarl should do and happily explained his rule in Markarth and the Reach as a whole. The man told the Dragonborn that he made sure that the people are treated fairly and sent his Forsworn to maintain order. He also added that the Forsworn are worshipping the old gods as well as the Daedra and have their own culture but they will not force anyone to worship if they don't wish to. Madanach said that any inhumane practice the Reachmen had made is banned. He assures the High King that while his people are Breton born, they will treat Nords well as long as they don't make warlike moves on them.

Thongvor's head on top of Markarth's walls proved that.

Mors is impressed by this and Madanach credited Alester for this...insurrection. Mors named Madanach the Jarl of Markarth and recognized his authority over the Reach. He wished Madanach a long rule then he left.

Madanach sat back on the Mournful Throne with a satisfied smile on his face. His ambition, goal and objective rolled in one is finished and he mused to himself:

"Jarl Madanach: King of the Reach. A better title than my previous one."