Chapter 14
Darkness. Darkness is all I see, feel, experience for gods know how long. The last thing I remember is being engulfed in dragon flame. Light eventually pierces the darkness and I move towards it only to throw myself back into the void as the light replays my final moments around me.
"Please Thane. Moric, wake up." A voice calls out to me, a voice familiar and comforting. I can't fully place it as I feel groggy, like I've drunk too much and suddenly stand up. I look over as the voice calls again, coming from the light but again, I stay in the shadows not wanting to remember.
"Son. Son can you hear me." A new voice calls out to me. Even more comforting as the last. I follow its source towards the light but stay in the shadows, not strong enough am I to recount the horrors that nearly ended me, so I drift through the void once more, shutting down.
"Son, hold on." I move around slowly and notice a tendril of light, flowing into the darkness and resting right by me. "Please son, come back." I try to push it back but once I connect with it my world of darkness is lit up, the light that I avoided is still in the distance, brighter than everything else. "About time." An all too familiar voice soothes over me.
A ball of light splits off from my memories and settles near me, gaining form to look like an older man, with a dragons tail and wings. "Hello son. It's been a while." "Dad." I say groggily. "You've been out of it for quite a while now, you need to wake up." "No, I cant. Not if I have to see that again." "Yes, you nearly died. But if you stay here for any longer then you will die. Many of your friends haven't healed you for you to give up. Your body is healed now, it's time for your spirit to return. Alduin is in Sovngarde, each day the civil war rages on means more souls for him to feed on and get stronger. You must find and trap a dragon loyal to Alduin in Whiterun using the ancient trap." Energy flows forth and as I absorb it I learn the name of a dragon. Odahviing. "You have some time before he becomes too strong, believe it or not, the battle at the time wound weakened him severely. Now go, return to the world, find more shouts and get stronger so once you face him again you can win."
Akatosh disappears and I'm left to stare at the energy of memories. I don't know how long I float there but I brace myself and connect with them. Pain engulfs my soul and I want to cry out but before I can the whitespace disappears and I'm staring at a stone ceiling. I look to my side and see an empty chair, I pull my blanket to the side and notice the scars. Alduin's teeth pockmarked across my chest, a light burn scar across my chest and now my entire right arm and nearly left leg. I rise carefully out of bed, fighting the aching muscles that haven't moved for however long I've been out.
I walk out further into the monastery and find Lydia gathering some food, she turns around with a plate of dried fish, vegetables and an apple in her hand only to drop it as she sees me standing. I give her a tired smile. "I'm back." Tears well up as she makes her way over to me and hugs me. "Yeah, I missed you too." My legs suddenly give out and I nearly collapse but she holds me up and we go back to my room. Laying down back in the bed I ask her how long I've been. Staying silent for too long I ask again. "How long Lydia?" She stays quiet for a few moments more. "6 months."
I cant even voice my shock, my eyes simply go wide, and I lay back to process the information. "You were all but dead. Alduin's flame burnt you to black in some places, his teeth nearly severed you in half and almost pierced your heart, his tail shattered every bone in your chest. It's simply a miracle, your mage armour definitely helped protect you, and that ward, while weak definitely took some of the blow. The Greybeards, Master Colette and I healed you in turns, I sent a letter that her healing arts were needed to help one of the Greybeards. Only her and Master Tolfdir know of your condition. Delphine sent a letter as well, looking for you because she nor anyone else have heard from you in half a year. That was a week ago when I got the letter, I sent one back yesterday that she should come here if she wants answers. Master Arngeir wasn't happy about that, but I managed to talk him down, promised him that Delphine was only here to see you and then she's gone. No mention of Paarthurnax at all, they don't trust that she wont try to find a way to take him out and drag you up there, so you absorb his soul."
I give Lydia a small smile, "thanks, you're the best." I let out a deep sigh. "While I was out, I was floating in this black space, probably the Void. Wasn't long before a light showed up in the distance, I touched it for a moment, but I fell back. I had to because the light was the memory of that fight." I shudder, wrapping myself in the blanket more. "I drew back and let myself fade, even after hearing your voice begging me to come back, I wanted to let go but something in me was hanging on." Tears start flowing slowly as I look at Lydia. "I was fully prepared to let myself fade away and let everyone die because I was too cowardly to face them. I'm sorry Lydia." As I cry into the blanket Lydia grabs my hands and squeezes tight.
I look up to see her smiling and she hugs me. "You're not a coward, anyone would be terrified to face those memories. But you did what a lot of people might not have done. You came back, you survived injuries that would have killed most people. I seen your heart beating through your wounds for Talos's sake. You were healed and you're back. Moric, you are the strongest and smartest person I know. I'm not just talking about in skill and power, it's also about spirit and mind as well. So believe me when I say this. You are no coward, we will get through this and beat Alduin, together." I look at her and say "together" as well.
The next week is spent training and meditating, getting back into fighting shape, regaining muscle memory for blade and spell and training with the greybeards to keep my mind calm and clear. I head back up to see Paarthurnax and he's happy to know that I'm alright and is sorry that he couldn't do more to help. "It's alright, we all did our best. Alduin was just too strong, but next time I face him I'll beat him." I'm put to the test pretty quickly as a dragon starts attacking Ivarstead, Lydia and I race down and with some slight hesitation I manage to beat the beast and claim its soul. Taking its bones and scales I say to Lydia. "I have a few of these, when we leave tomorrow I want to stop off at Whiterun." "Selling them for coin? The Khajiit caravans will be here by the time we leave why not sell them off then?" "Oh no not coin, something different and it's a surprise." I give her a wink. Once back up at high Hrothgar it's near dinner time when the doors echo from a knock and a middle-aged Breton woman walks in, Delphine, at the sight of her Master Arngeir's mood sours. They glare at each other before Lydia pulls Delphine aside and takes her out to the courtyard where I'm practicing a dual wield ethereal blade style on a summon from Master Borri. "Thane, she's here." Dodging a thrust from a staff the ghost wields I slash its neck and run the other blade through its chest making it fade from existence, I let my blades fade as well before turning to face Delphine.
Her eyes widen in shock as she looks at me, noticing that I've lost weight and muscle and more scars. "Delphine." "Dragonborn, you look like shit. No offense." The glare Lydia gives her feels like it could cut through solid stone, but I laugh off the remark. "Yeah, shoulda seen me six months ago. I fought Alduin you know. That's why I look like this, he nearly killed me. Been in a coma up until last week, no one thought I'd wake from it but ta'da here I am." "Did you kill him?" is all Delphine asks with some hesitation, like she already knows the answer is no.
"Nope, but I will. I need to find more shouts and I've still got some other stuff that I need to do before I fight that lizard. Don't worry, I got time to mess around before I face him again." We talk some more before dinner, and I train with both Lydia and Delphine in the courtyard before bed. At first light Master Arngeir hands me some parchment, written on it is locations of words of power that the greybeards have sensed through meditations. After thanking them, we take our leave and head down the mountain. We rest for a little bit at Ivarstead after our descent, I give Sunstar a brush and hug. Lydia tells me Master Colette rode him here but didn't want to go back with her. Lydia started to come down to the village every few days to check in on him. As Delphine readies her horse she turns back to us. "Dragonborn, a word." "What's up?" "In private."
"She looks at Lydia before looking back at me. "Whatever you have to say Delphine can and will be said with Lydia present." Delphine looks annoyed at me for not going along with her. "Fine." She grows serious without hesitation. "We know about Paarthurnax." Lydia stiffens and moves her hand to her blade, but I put my hand up to stay her. "Yeah, so? All he does is meditate and sit in seclusion on the Throat of the World. He's also helped me out with Alduin."
"That's fine. We had need of his help but now, we don't. It's long past time that he pays for his crimes that he committed while serving as the right hand of Alduin. Those atrocities are so heinous they are remembered still to this day by the Blades." Lydia still has her hand on her hilt, staring daggers into Delphine. I let out a small chuckle before answering her. "Remembered by two Blades. No one else." I notice Temba and Klimek walk past and call out to them. "Temba, Klimek. You two wouldn't know about a dragon by the name of Paarthurnax would you?" Klimek apologises. "Sorry Dragonborn, can't say that I have. I didn't even know dragons had names." "Me neither." Temba says with annoyance. "Frankly I don't care enough as long as they don't burn down my trees that I use for the mill."
They walk off and I grin at Delphine. "See that, they don't remember. You'd think if Paarthurnax was as bad as you say then the common folk would have it passed down from generation to generation. But I only ever hear about Alduin, and if Paarthurnax was Alduin's right hand man then that means it was thousands of years ago. Which means no one living today was touched by his actions. You know what he has been doing? He's been atoning for his crimes ever since Alduin was banished into the time stream. Meditating, keeping watch and waiting for his return." "He is still a dragon and as Dragonborn it is your duty to end the dragon threat." "You're right Delphine, it is my duty to end the dragon threat. Paarthurnax isn't a threat, so you don't need to worry. I let my grin drop and replace it with seriousness. "You are not to touch a single scale on his head, otherwise I will shout the temple down, with you and Esbern inside. Or I deactivate the blood seal and lock you in. Do you understand Delphine. Parrthurnax is off limits." We glare at each other for a minute before she relents. "Fine, you win Dragonborn." "Good, because if you behave yourself I'll find a way to start sending recruits your way."
Hers and Lydia's eyes widen in surprise. "You promise?" "I promise, Delphine. But. We turn the Blades away from dragon hunting. That's my job. The new Blades will become Dominion hunters. How does that sound?" Her shocked look turns to a sadistic smile. "Fighting the Thalmor, now that's something I can get behind. A couple of the Reachmen have decided to join as Blades but more recruits are always welcomed." "Good. Besides you wouldn't be able to get up to see Paarthurnax anyway, three different fully powered shouts only known to the speaker of the greybeards and I, and good luck getting either of us to teach you." delphine goes back to glaring at me for a few moments before mounting her horse. "Don't be a stranger" Delphine calls out as she rides off.
"You can take your hand off your sword now Lyds." She lets her hand fall to her side slowly. "How did she know about Paarthurnax? I promise I didn't say anything." "Don't worry I believe you. Didn't you see all those books when we first visited Sky Haven? That's how Delphine knows, a book is probably there that detailed what the dragons did and Paarthurnax was probably written in. Hopefully she bought that lie that I told her of needing three different shouts, in any case get a room for the night. I'm gonna head back up and let Arngeir know better to be safe than sorry."
Arngeir isn't happy with the knowledge of Delphine knowing about Paarthurnax but he's thankful for the lie I told, and promises to keep an eye out in case she does show up. I head up to see Paarthurnax as well to warn him. "Thank you, Dovahkiin. I may have devoted my life to peace but if I must, I will still defend myself." I get back down to Ivarstead by nightfall and at first light the next day we mount Sunstar and head off to Whiterun.
No trouble follows us on the roads or in the skies during the days of travel and we remain unmolested during the journey. Back at Whiterun I get Lydia to check in on our investments while I go see Eorlund Grey-Mane. "So can you do it?" I ask the old smith. "Aye, I can but I'll need some time. And money, a job like this doesn't come cheap, even if you are Dragonborn." "I wouldn't dream of ripping you off Eorlund. I would pay you even if you said this was free." We clasp hands and I head back to Breezehome. Lydia shows me the pile of bounties that have piled up in my absence and I mark the closest ones to complete.
We spend the next week clearing out bandit hideouts, necromancer shrines, animal dens and a dragon nest. The necromancer shrines were the hardest only because the dragon was a simple frosty. At least the shrines gave some high-quality soul gems and a spell to summon a dozen low level skeletons.
After helping to clear Whiterun Hold of the bounties we go to Ancient's Ascent in Falkreath Hold to search for the first word of power in the list Arngeir gave me. The dragon falls quickly because of some injuries it's already received, and I use its soul to unlock Raan, the first word of the Animal Allegiance shout. The next place isn't too far away, riding over to Shriekwind Bastion we fight some vampires and skeletons. Even the Master Vampires doesn't stand a chance with us using Dawnbreaker. I learn the second word to Elemental Fury, Grah. We find Toor, the second word to the Fire Breath shout at Sunderstone Gorge after clearing the mages that made camp there.
The second last word on Arngeir's list turns out to be Drem, a part of the Kyne's Peace shout. We find it after clearing the place called Rannveig's Fast of some psychotic mage that killed travellers and enslaved their spirits. The last shout on the list is located in Winterhold at a location called Ironbind Barrow. I'll go get that shout after I get hold of Azura's Star. After resting for the night we are off.
Ilinalta's deep is a crumbling ruined fortress falling into a lake, the priestess of Azura's words come floating back. "You must go to a fortress, endangered by water, yet untouched by it". We cross a small bridge and through the roof of a fallen tower, on the inside a skeleton is shackled up. Possibly a warning to others to not tread lightly. I summon my bound Ebonyflesh and Bound Armour for protection and draw my Akaviri blade. I use Aura Whisper to locate a dozen bodies in front of us, using muffle we both move quietly and take out a mage going through some books, his skeleton summon crumbles as its master dies. The other mages in the next room don't put up much of a fight as they are suddenly set alight with my Fire Breath shout, the two that do manage to live through the flame and try to heal themselves don't get much done as I push my blade through their chests.
The ingredients and potions in this place will be greatly used, gems will go a decent way in building my wealth and the enchanted weapons and armour will fetch some nice coin as those enchantments aren't really strong but coin is coin. One mage further in summons a Dremora and even though I gut her, the Dremora doesn't disappear back to Oblivion. "I honor my master by destroying you." It screams out and rushes at us with its massive Daedric Greatsword. Dodging it I summon a storm and frost Atronach as Lydia shoots off some ice spikes to slow it down. I get behind the Daedra as frosty beats it down and I swipe at its back with my Akaviri blade, separating its armour like skin and watching black blood flow out. It roars and swings its Greatsword through frosty, shattering him but at the same time a hole is blown through both its chest and half its head is disintegrated from the continuous barrage of lightning bolts both Lydia and my storm Atronach threw at it. It unfortunately disappears back to Oblivion weapon included.
The last mage blasts us with a continuous frost wave from both a staff and his own magics. We summon our strongest wards to defend us but even those break from his attacks. I summon two frost Atronachs to deal with him, but he summons an oversized ice wraith that dances around my giants and shatters them with ease. We back step through the hallway and wait for him to come out, the ice wraith follows but is melted from a fireball barrage. He steps out into the open and as he sends a wall of frost towards us I shout "WULD." Using the sudden rush of speed to power through the frost attack and use Dragonbane to sweep his head off his shoulders.
We take a moment to replenish our magicka and health before climbing the stairs to a room filled with skeletons lying on the ground and one propped up in a chair, at the base of the chair is a translucent star made of crystal with a crack running from one end to the other. "This must be it." I say as I pick it up. I can sense the magic leaking out of the crack and I swear I can hear whispering from it. I toss it into the rift, and we make our way back outside to ride back to Winterhold.
We would have made it to Winterhold in three days, but a certain group of genocidal elves decided to accuse Lydia of being Talos worshipper while we set up camp for the night. The Thalmor don't last long as Lydia is able cut the hands off the Justiciar before he can use any magic, his head was next to be removed. His three guards go down just as quick. My Akaviri blade slices through their armour like a knife through butter. Lydia goes through the boss elf's belongings and hands me some papers he was carrying and a daggers hilt that stinks of Daedric magic.
Be on the lookout for a Breton man called Moric Travern, also known by other names such as Moric Dragonborn or Arch-Mage Travern. He is an enemy to the Thalmor, and has actively disrupted our activities and caused great harm. If spotted, you are to destroy him with extreme hatred.
Be advised, he is extremely dangerous, and quite able to defend himself. If caught by local authorities, we are unable to offer you any assistance.
For the glory of the Aldmeri Dominion!
"Extreme hatred huh, at least they acknowledge that I'm a threat. But it doesn't seem like they realised who I am. They probably just wanted to fill their quota of Talos worshippers." The other note is a big problem.
"You are to make your way to the port city of Dawnstar. An Imperial man by the name of Silus Vesuius has opened a small museum dedicated to the Mythic Dawn cult. Imperial records show that he had family that were once part of the group, one of them were part of the teams that ended the lives of the Septim heirs. Rumours suggest he has knowledge of the location of Mehrunes Razor, the Daedric artifact of Mehrunes Dagon. Legends and rumours say that it has an enchantment that enables the wielder to be able to kill even if the wound is a mere scratch. Possession of this artifact is of great importance as it will move the schedule of one of our plans up. Proceed with caution and use disguises, The Pale is Stormcloak territory. If captured we will not be able to help."
E.
Dear FE. We have made contact with the Imperial Silus Vesuius. He believed our lie that we are simple treasure hunters looking to make some quick coin. He has told us that groups were dedicated to wiping out all traces of his cult and scattered Mehrunes Razor. Through some contacts unknown to us at this time he located the whereabouts of the three pieces of the Razor. The first piece of the razor is the hilt, in a small village named Morthal in Hjaalmarch. This is an Imperial leaned Hold, as such we will have unmatched access to homes. The human who hides the hilt is named Jorgen, we will procced as though we are rooting out Talos worship to avoid the real reason of our visit.
We have taken possession of the hilt. The village gave us no problems, but I recommend a second visit as the body language of some of the villagers suggested they are hiding something, most likely items of the false god Talos. The second location is an Orcish bandit camp called Cracked Tusk Keep in Falkreath Hold, they are in possession of the blade portion of the artifact. The owner is an Orc by the name of Ghunzul, I would request additional support to cull the beasts.
The third piece of the artifact is said to be the pommel. He has told us it is located at Dead Crone Rock in the mountains of the Reach. I highly recommend a strike force as the holder of the pommel is a Forsworn aligned Hagraven by the name of Drascua. They are not to be underestimated as they have deep magicka pools and an inborn resistance to magic due to their Breton heritage.
I await your reply FE.
Justiciar Chamoth.
"Holy shit. Change of plans, again. It wont take long before they realise these guys are dead. Once they do, they'll send out a bigger squad to finish this job. We can't let the Thalmor have a Daedric artifact, especially one that nearly destroyed the world." "Well lucky for us we already have one piece of it, and we know where the other two are." We talk for a bit more into the night before sleeping.
We make it to Cracked Tusk Keep by midday and are forced to fight back against the Orcs. The leader, Ghunzul use his own inborn rage power once we reach him after getting passed his bandit friends. I'm thrown into a wall by the Orc leader and taken out of the fight as I heal my broken ribs. The fight switches over to who can get angrier more as each blow raises their power more and more. Lydia gets a lucky shot in and kicks Ghunzul's, shattering it. When he falls, Lydia grabs his head and repeatedly slams it into the ground until it's a paste.
I shoot off a calm spell before guiding Lydia out of the room and heal her. "Once we finish this its back to Winterhold and finding out a way to keep you front and centre while your power is active." "Thank you, I was worried you'd have forgotten." "Forget about you, only sometimes." I joke with her. We gather up the shattered Daedric blade and the piles of gems and gold the bandits managed to plunder before leaving for the Reach.
The travel there is uneventful except for a Thalmor patrol guiding two Nord prisoners. Blade and spell to their backs and the patrol goes down. I give the freed men some gold before they take off for Windhelm with some new elven weapons. A Reachmen camp is what greets us when we get to Dead Crone Rock, just like Karthspire archers pop up out of their hiding spots and point their weapons at us. "State your business or leave now before you have more holes than a few moments ago." "I mean your people no harm. My name is Moric Dragonborn, I wish to speak with Matriarch Drascua." The Reachmen are shocked for a moment, possibly because I called their leader Matriarch, or I knew her name, but they regain their composure quickly. The Briarheart sends a runner off, and we wait, weapons still pointed at us. Ten minutes later the runner comes back and whispers something to the Briarheart. A moment later he waves his hand, and all arrows are put back in their quivers.
"Follow me. Try anything and this entire camp will slaughter you and string you up." The Briarheart warns. "Wouldn't dream of it." I promise him. We are taken to the Matriarchs tent instead of to the Reachwoman herself. From the glimpse I got of her, she is performing some ritual at a word wall. We are kept waiting for nearly an hour before she slips through behind us. "Now, now. How is it that the famous Dragonborn knows of my name?" I give her a short bow before speaking. "Matriarch Drascua, I wont lie." I pull the Thalmor documents out of the rift and hand them to her. Silence for a few moments before she puts the paper down.
She keeps her expression neutral as she speaks. "I thank you for keeping the Thalmor from coming here with a squad and wiping us out, but I must ask. What is it you want, young Dragonborn. If you wanted to simply keep the weapon away from the Thalmor you could've kept the hilt. They wouldn't have known, and even if they did send another team to Silus, he'd send them back out on the same path and they'd end up wasting resources on a lost cause. But you've also brought the broken blade with you." "We don't have the broken blade with us." Lydia lies to no avail.
"Don't try to fool me, dear. I can sense the Daedric magic coming from him, it's too strong to only be from the hilt. So Dragonborn, I'll ask you again. What is it you want?" I give her a small smile before answering her. "I want the pommel. I want to reforge the dagger but use it against the dominion. I don't think Dagon would take kindly to me keeping the hilt all to myself for too long before he reclaimed it and let it loose on the world once again. I'm just making sure it's not used to topple an empire again."
She stands there for a few moments in quiet contemplation before going to the back of her tent, facing the stone wall and waving her hand. The wall shimmers for a moment before a small hole appears. She pushes two fingers in and pulls out a piece of leather, she walks back over and places it in my hands. "We Reachmen aren't very trusting to outsiders, but Matriarch Dricceva sent word you were coming and to be trusted. That woman has never been wrong with her sight, she is unmatched when it comes to seeing the unknown. Now we must pack up and leave, the Dominion may have sent out a new squad and they would be going the same path. If we stay here and they do come, we will be slaughtered."
"Where will you go then?" "We will find an empty redoubt. There are plenty of those throughout the Reach." She strides out of the tent and calls down to the rest of the camp. "Everyone, take your tents down. The Dominion may be on their way, we leave by nightfall." The camp becomes a flurry of activity with Reachmen taking down tents and wrapping any personal belongings into leather sacks. "Take the pieces back to Dawnstar, Silus would be the only one to know how to reforge it. Be careful."
I stop by the word wall and learn RU, the second word to the Dismay shout before we take off. We get back to Dawnstar a few days later, luckily without running into any Thalmor. It's already near midnight by the time we enter the port city, so we decide to stay at the inn instead of disturbing Silus. As we walk into the inn a small crowd of people are trying to talk to a Dunmer priest. A priest of Mara if the amulet around his neck is any indication.
"It's a curse! It has to be." A woman says to the priest. "Irgnir, get a hold of yourself. They're just dreams. Please tell her, Erandur." Erandur looks around the room before speaking. "Listen to Fruki everyone. She's correct that these are just dreams and nothing out of the ordinary." "But Erandur, it's the same dream. Over and over again, you really think this is normal. It's evil I tell you."
There's a small murmur of agreement before Fruki speaks up. "She does speak the truth, Erandur. You keep telling us no harm will follow us from these dreams, but they must be an omen of some kind." The barkeep tells everyone to be quiet and let Erandur speak, otherwise nothing will get done. "Everyone please." Erandur proclaims. "I'm doing what I can to end these nightmares. In the meantime, all I ask is for you to remain strong and put your trust in lady Mara."
The people seem to accept the priests words and start to disperse to leave or sit down and finish their drinks. We make our way over to the barkeep and pay for some food, drink as well as the room for the night. I learn some dragon nest locations, a bounty for a giant that's been sighted too close to Dawnstar and about Silus's museum. Apparently not many of the towns people are fond of Silus, especially now that he has opened the museum. Jarl Skald the Elder doesn't seem to mind him, probably because the museum is dedicated to a group that nearly toppled the Empire. After sitting by the fire for a bit we retire for the night.
"Alduin's eyes are boring into mine, his flame roasting my skin, teeth piercing flesh and breaking bones. His bone chilling roar fills my mind. I'm running across the snow-covered ground as he chases me. I dodge trees and rocks, barely dodging his jaws. The trees and rocks don't slow the dragon god down as he crashes through them with ease. As I'm running I see people impaled on tree branches, burned to a crisp on boulders or a combination of the two. I stop as I hear a scream and see Lydia jump from the trees and swing her sword at his head, only for it to shatter.
She's knocked off and set aflame, skin melting, and her screams send me to my knees as I cry. "I'd still be alive, if you were strong enough. It's your fault I'm like this. You're a failure, you're no hero."
An otherworldly laugh fills my mind as I wake, I roll out of bed and use a bucket from under the bed to throw up. I'm sitting in the corner of the room, holding the bucket for ages before I set fire and destroy the mess I made. I make my way out to the common room and sit at the bar, ordering a mead. "Nightmare?" the bar keep asks. "Yeah, how long ago did I retire to my room?" He stays silent as he thinks. "About two hours I'd say, new record though." He says without any humour.
"I know Erandur, that priest of Mara." He points to the back corner of the inn, where the Dunmer is praying silently. "He says he's trying to help but it just feels like it's gotten worse. These nightmares have been plaguing us for weeks now, I don't know how much longer we can take this." I down the rest of the mead quickly and walk over to him. Once I get closer I pick up a small scent of magic from Oblivion, his praying to Mara seems to be lessening the hold of the Oblivion magic but it doesn't get rid of it entirely.
"Daedra troubles?" I whisper the question as I take a chair and sit down next to him. He jumps slightly, prayers interrupted as a look of worry washes over his face. "How did you know?" "Moric Dragonborn, Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold at your service." He looks at me for a few moments for speaking. "Yes, you are correct. These problems are caused by Daedra, a Daedric prince actually." He says grimly. "Which Daedra we talking about?"
He takes a breath before speaking. "Vaermina, the Daedric prince of dreams and nightmares. She resides in a strange realm known as Quagmire... a nightmarish land where reality shifts upon itself in seemingly impossible ways. From her citadel at the centre, she reaches forth to collect our memories, leaving nothing in return apart from visions of horror and despair." "Why, What does she do with our memories?" "Who can say? Perhaps she collects them for display like works of art in a nonsensical art gallery. Whatever the case may be, her intentions are far from benevolent." "Well then, what's the plan?"
"I need to return to the source of the problem, to Nightcaller Temple. Perhaps you'd be willing to assist me in that regard?" "Yeah I can hel… wait." The word 'return' sticks and sends my thoughts racing. "Did you say return? You've been there before?" His eyes widen in alarm and dart around the room. "I've already said too much. If anyone overhears what we're saying, it could start a panic. I would simply ask that you trust me and help me end Dawnstar's nightmares."
I let out a small breath before answering him. "Sure, I'll help you. Won't be the first Daedra that I've had dealings with." I say as I stand up. Erandur looks at me with caution, "What other Daedra have you had dealings with?" "I'll tell you on the way, let me grab my housecarl and we'll be off." I walk over to Lydia's room, knocking lightly and opening the door. I see her tossing and turning, I give her a shake to wake her up, but she doesn't. I shake her more roughly but still nothing and that's when I start panicking. "Erandur, get over here. She won't wake." Erandur races over and removes my hands to stop me from trying to wake her. "Leave her, trying to wake those that are in the presence of Vaermina isn't wise. They can only wake through their own will or when let go. We must put a stop to her at the temple, only then your friend may wake."
It only takes half an hour to get to the temple, three frost trolls are standing guard but some Fireballs sent through their hearts puts them down before they can react to us. "There's a small shrine to Mara I established inside the tower's entry hall." Erandur explains. "I was hoping to seek spiritual guidance from her. Perhaps my prayers were answered and your reason for stumbling across Dawnstar is more than a mere coincidence." I say nothing as I open the door to the temple.
A ruined speaking area is what I come to see as I enter. I notice the small statue to Mara in the centre and a nightmarish effigy carved into the wall behind. "Must be Vaermina" I think to myself. "Before we enter the main chamber, I must warn you about the dangers that could be lurking within." Erandur begins. "Years ago, this temple was raided by an orc war party seeking revenge... they were also being plagued by nightmares, just like the people of Dawnstar." "Were they successful?" "No. Knowing they could never defeat the orcs, the priests of Vaermina released what they call "The Miasma," putting everyone to sleep."
"Let me guess, once we go in, this Miasma will lose it's effect and they'll start to wake up." "That is my fear, yes." "What's its purpose?" "The Miasma was created by the priests of Vaermina for their rituals. It's a gas that places the affected in a deep sleep. Because the rituals would last for months or even years, the Miasma was designed to slow down the aging process." "Huh, being asleep for that long can't be without consequences." "Sadly, yes. The longer an individual is exposed to the Miasma, the more the mind can become damaged. Those who've been under the effect of it for extended periods of time have been known to lose their minds entirely. In some cases, a few never awoke at all."
"Let's hope that's what happened to everyone." I say summoning bound armour and drawing my Akaviri sword. Erandur walks over to the effigy and uses some hand signs before pushing some purple magic into it. Nothing happens for a few seconds until it glows purple and becomes intangible. We both walk through and look down in the centre of the temple to a staff being protected by a magical barrier. "Behold the Skull of Corruption, the source of Dawnstar's woes. We must reach the inner sanctum and destroy it. Come, there's no time to lose." We walk down some stairs and see two Orcs on the ground sleeping. They wake up as we get closer and charge at us but a lightning bolt through ones chest and blade separating the others head from his body ends the threat.
Just behind them is a door way blocked off by a magical barrier, I push my hand against it to try and get through, but I'm pushed back with a shock. I send a lightning bolt, but it just breaks against it. "Damn it. The priests must have activated this barrier when the Miasma was released."
"Looks difficult to breach." I say while I examine the barrier. "Impossible actually. Hmm, I wonder..." He looks at it for a few moments before continuing. "There may be a way to bypass the barrier, but I must check the library and confirm it can be done."
"Alright you seem to know a bit too much as a priest of Mara. Come clean." "I suppose there's no point in concealing the truth any longer." He sighs in resignation. "My knowledge of this temple comes from personal experience. I was a priest of Vaermina for a time. But when the orcs invaded the temple, I fled. I left my brothers and sisters here to die. I've spent the last few decades living in regret and seeking redemption from Mara. And by Her Benevolence, I will right my wrongs."
"Well then, lets get moving." Erandur nods. "I still have my key to the library in case it's locked." "So what's the deal with the staff? How's it effecting Dawnstar? "Lore holds that the Skull of Corruption holds a constant hunger for the memories of others. The Skull has been out of touch for so long, I fear it's gained the ability to reach out on its own and try to feed. What it does with these memories is just conjecture and an argument for scholars and historians to this very day." "Well it can stay as an argument." "I agree."
We go back up stairs to a door off to the side that Erandur unlocks, coming into the library. A mage and an Orc start waking up but are put back down by Erandur's fireball and my lightning bolt. "Barring any more interruptions, perhaps we can locate the information we need." "What am I looking for?" "We're looking for a book of alchemical recipes called "The Dreamstride. The tome bears the likeness of Vaermina on the cover. It should be here somewhere."
"This library used to be filled with arcane volumes. Now look at it; almost everything's been burned." He says sadly, looking around. "I hope the tome we need is still intact." I find the book under a pile of old and burned ones unscathed a few minutes later. "Found it." "Let me take a look... Mara be praised! There is a way past the barrier to the inner sanctum. It involves a recipe for a liquid known as Vaermina's Torpor." "Some kind of potion?" "Yes. The Torpor grants an ability the priests of Vaermina called 'The Dreamstride' using dreams to travel distances in the real world."
"Bullshit." "I assure you, the Dreamstride is well known in Vaerminian Lore. Sadly, I have yet to see it function in person." My eyes widen in alarm. "Woah, woah. You haven't seen it used? So I'm your little test subject?" "As a sworn priest of Mara, the elixir won't work for me. The Torpor will only work for Priests of Vaermina, or the unaffiliated." I let out a snort. "Convenient." "I will not lie to you, there is some risk involved. The last time the Torpor was imbibed could have been decades ago. But I swear upon Lady Mara that I will do everything within my power to prevent any harm from befalling you. All my research points to this is the exact liquid the priests would drink. The only question I have in my mind is whether you will be granted The Dreamstride. Otherwise, the worst that could happen is a bad aftertaste. I swear upon Lady Mara that I would never let any harm befall you."
I pull open the rift and let an amulet of Akatosh fall in my hand, switching out my Talos Amulet, I let off a silent prayer to father and feel a small tingle through my body as I put it around my neck. "Where can we find the Torpor then?" "If memory serves right there is a laboratory in the east wing. If we proceed there, we should be able to locate a sample." "Lets go." We move through the temple, coming across skeletons of people who were put to sleep long ago and never woke and others who have survived and try to raise magic or blade against us. Erandur is nearly gutted as an Orc wakes behind him and he cant react in time. I shoot two ice spikes through his chest and use his own axe that he dropped to cut him in half before quickly healing Erandur.
We find an alchemy room with some more priests and orcs but manage to put them down with little difficulty. "Now that they've been dealt with, we need to find the Torpor." "What am I looking for?" I ask. "It should be in a tall bottle, very similar to a potion. It's liquid would be a very dark colour. I'll begin searching up here. Whatever ingredients you come across, you can take. I have no use for them." Erandur ends up finding the bottle as I pocket some ingredients like void salts and ectoplasm, even a Daedra heart is found in a small container.
"I found it" he calls out. "What will this feel like?" I ask him cautiously. "You'll be viewing the memory of another through your own eyes and with your own body. Those around you will perceive you as normal and you will find the words you utter may not be your own. Thanks to all of these odd principles, there is quite a lot of debate as to whether this is really a dream or just the machinations of Vaermina." I take the bottle as he hands it to me and look at it, I can sense the magic radiating from it. "How will I know when to wake up?" "I will watch over you as you slumber to ensure your safety. If I deduce anything is amiss, I will use my arts to bring you back. Otherwise, I am uncertain what will end your Dreamstride. Perhaps when Vaermina's curious appetite has been filled. Now, drink."
I sigh deeply and send another silent prayer to Akatosh, I receive another small tingle that runs through my body. Opening the bottle I down the surprisingly sweet liquid and everything goes black. Light fills my vision as I come to, back into the temple with a Dunmer and Nord standing in purple robes in front of me.
"The Orcs have breached the inner sanctum, Brother Veren." The Nord says. "We must hold." Brother Veren declares. "We can't allow the skull to fall into the beasts hands." "But… no more than a handful of us remain, brother." The Nord says sadly, reflecting on his found family slain by Orc invaders. "Then we have no choice. The Miasma must be released." Veren says bravely. The Nord's eyes widen in surprise. "The Miasma? But brother…" "We have no alternative. It's the will of Vaermina." Veren turns to me, or whoever's memories I'm viewing. "And what about you, Brother Casimir? Are you prepared to serve the will of Vaermina?"
"I've made my peace. I'm ready." I say in a voice that's not my own but sounds familiar. "Brother Casimir, you must activate the barrier and release the Miasma. Let nothing stop you." Brother Veren commands. Turning back to the Nord, Veren explains the next step. "Brother Thorek, we must remain here and guard the Skull with our lives if necessary." "Agreed. To the death." Thorek grimly declares. "Then let it be done." Brother Veren places a hand on my hosts and Thorek's shoulder. "Farewell, my brothers." "Farewell." We both say.
I suddenly take off running, unable to stop. As I run I witness priests and Orcs fighting and dying. I suddenly drop as an arrow whizzes past my head, raising a ward to block another. The Orc is about to fire a third shot before he drops his bow and draws his axe to attack a closer priest who begins to attack him. I eventually make it to where the barrier is, I place a black soul gem in a receptacle and then pull the chain. As I pull the chain I'm pulled away from the vision and suddenly I'm back, in control of my own body and behind the barrier. I fall to my knees and throw up, and sit there for a minute till I feel ready to get to my knees.
"It... it worked." Erandur says happily. "Mara be praised! You vanished after drinking the Torpor and materialized on the other side. I have never seen anything quite like it." "I never want to experience that again." I say as I take the soul gem out of the receptacle and drop the barrier. "How I envy you. I can only imagine the excitement of seeing history through the eyes of another! Sadly, I am resigned to just reading of its wonders through my research of the Skull." "Yeah, very wonderous." I say sarcastically. "Let's just keep going." "Indeed. My reverence for Vaermina's machinations should not take precedence over our mission. My apologies. The inner sanctum lies ahead. We must reach the Skull and put an end to Dawnstar's troubles. Lead on, my friend."
We push forward, taking down more Orcs and priests until we come to the inner sanctum, the staff is now above us on the raised platform. We walk closer but are stopped by brothers Veren and Thorek who have woken and raise hands filled with lightning towards us. "Wait... Veren... Thorek... you're alive!" Erandur exclaims with happiness. "No thanks to you, Casimir." Veren says with disgust. I look next to me as I realise I was looking through Erandur's eyes. "I no longer use that name. I'm Erandur, Priest of Mara." He says proudly. "You're a traitor. You left us to die and then ran before the Miasma took you." Thorek says with rage.
"No. I... I was scared. I wasn't ready to sleep." Erandur cries with panic raising. "Enough of your lies! I can't allow you to destroy the Skull, Priest of Mara." Veren spits as he says Mara. "Then you leave us no choice!" Erandur relents.
Twin bolts shoot at both of us but break against our wards. Veren summons a Storm Atronach but is immediately sent back to Oblivion by Erandur using Banish Daedra. Thorek charges at me with a Bound Battle-axe and nearly cleaves me on the first wing. I draw Dragonbane and slice off an arm and swing across his stomach, as his guts start falling out his Nordic Rage activates. His muscles in his remaining arm bulge and he drops the spectral axe. He moves to grab me but I back step and then swing my blade into his arm hoping to take the other off only to just pierce the skin and have it stuck there. He kicks me and I'm sent flying a few feet away and I raise a Greater Ward as he bears down and strikes. Veren and Erandur send lightning and fire bolts toward each other only to be blocked by wards. Veren decides to summon two Bound swords and tries to get close to Erandur but is pinned to the wall by multiple ice spikes. "I'll see you in Oblivion." Veren curses, summoning a ball of lightning in his unpinned hand. Erandur quickly snuffs it out by zapping a hole through Veren's face. He turns to Thorek and sends a lightning bolt to him, only to leave a small burn mark on his shoulder.
Thorek turns to Erandur and starts to slowly walk toward him, tanking lightning bolts as he becomes stronger with rage. I get to my feet and rush forward, putting both hands on Thorek's back and using Transmute. Thorek stops moving and turns to grab me but is stopped as his rage starts dissipating. By the time he comes to his senses, he is halfway transformed. A few seconds of screaming and cursing later, all that is left is a statue of pure silver. I tip him over and watch it shatter into small chunks. We stand there in silence for a minute as we heal each other before Erandur speaks. "I... knew Veren and Thorek. They were my friends. Is this punishment for my past? Is it Mara's will to torment me so?" "It could have been Vaermina's will, acting through them. It's not your fault, we had no choice.
"You're right. First, an incantation to remove the barrier." He walks up the platform to face the barrier. "I call upon you, Lady Mara! The Skull hungers. It yearns for memories and leaves nightmares in its wake. Grant me the power to break through this barrier and to send the Skull to the depths of Oblivion!" Bright white magic engulfs Erandur's hands and slams against the barrier, the sound reminds me of metal against metal as it slams against the barrier, cracking and breaking it a few minutes later. He then continues sending his magic into the staff. "He's deceiving you." Vaermina declares. "When the ritual's complete, the Skull will be free and then Erandur will turn on you. Quickly! Kill him now. Kill him and claim the Skull for your own! Vaermina commands you!"
"I don't think I will, but if he does try anything I'll kill him, but I doubt he will. So how about you shut the fuck up and go back to oblivion." Vaermina continues to rage at me before turning her attention to Erandur as her staff starts to crack. "I WILL CLAIM BOTH YOUR SOULS, YOU INSOLATE MORTALS, JUST YOU WAIT." She cries as her staff shatters and a portal opens up to absorb the pieces. Erandur stands for a few moments longer before dropping to his knees and sitting down. "Forgive me if I don't appear relieved... this temple has taken its toll on me."
"It's fine, are you going to be all right though?" "In time, I believe I will." "So we're done, then?" I ask. "Yes. The Skull has been destroyed and Dawnstar is safe." I let out a breath. "Good." "Being a humble servant of Mara, I have little in the way of coin to compensate you, but perhaps I can offer you something better... companionship, as a travelling companion. As you are keenly aware, I am quite formidable in destruction magic and as an agent of Lady Mara I am very proficient in the healing arts." Erandur offers. "I've constructed a meagre shrine to Mara in the antechamber where we entered. My intention was to spend the rest of my years here, burying the past and praying for forgiveness. But instead, I wish to offer my services to you. If you ever wish to journey with me, I'll be here."
"Thanks for the offer, I'll keep it under consideration." I say sincerely as we shake hands. We both leave the temple to head back to Dawnstar. I head back to the inn to check in on Lydia, while Erandur checks on the rest of the townspeople. I knock on Lydia's door. "Yeah, I'm up." A tired voice says from behind the door. My heart slows down as I open the door to see Lydia sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing her eyes and looking annoyed.
"How're you feeling?" I ask. "Like shit, I got a dose of those nightmares everyone's been talking about. What time is it?" "Still a few hours till dawn. Get back to sleep if you can." I tell her as I yawn. "Why are you up then?" "I just went with Erandur, the Priest of Mara to destroy a Daedric artifact that was the source of the nightmares." Lydia's eyes widen in disbelief. "Bullshit. Why didn't you wake me then?" "Daedric Prince had a hold of you. According to Erandur, trying to wake you wasn't recommended, so it was either wait until Vaermina got bored or you woke up on your own." "Or third option. You decide to screw over a Daedric prince, destroy her artifact and remove her influence over the town."
"Third option sounded so much more fun." I say with smile. "Of course it did." She sighs and rolls her eyes. "Wake me for breakfast." She says tiredly as she gets back into bed. "Don't go on more adventures without me." "No promises." I tease her. I close her door and go back to my own room to get some sleep before seeing Silus.
Authors note.
The skull of corruption isn't an item I use all that often, so I decide to sacrifice it on most playthroughs. And while my dragonborn might be a tad power hungry, he's not that power hungry. See yall next chapter