Sundas, Sun's Dusk 14

The journey to Dimhollow Crypt is slow-moving. Paranoia grips our every move, and every sound seems to be that of dragons' wings. Serana however, remains undaunted and we have begun to take our cue from her. She has handily dispatched every foe we have come across with terrifying powers and ferocity. By her own admission, her abilities pale in comparison to the one we seek to wake, and I admit, this does little to put me at ease. She remains adamant that he will help us, and I fear he will only rule over us. The legends we have found frequently contradict each other, some call him a peerless hero of noble barring and a kind heart, while others describe him as a ruthless monster, slaughtering dozens or hundreds with raw power and skill. Serana claims him to be both yet neither and says that he has lived millennia, frequently changing his identity to avoid conflict with those who would hunt him and his kind, or their kind rather, as Serana claims that he is indeed a vampire as well, though the old man scoffs and howls at this claiming his longevity is due to his draconic heritage rather than such a vicious condition. To be candid, I don't care which. The thought of a nigh-immortal being with equally unlimited power terrifies me.

Serana insisted on taking the southern route through the mountains of the Pale and the forests of Falkreath. We must move by night until we encounter some of the Dragon Cult so Serana can feed and currently we have holed up in an old cave system that she claims was once a Daedric Shrine to Clavicus Vile. I admit, while her power and nature concern me, her levelheadedness is comforting. She regales us with tales of her adventures with the "Dragonborn" as she calls him, some of which are simply impossible to believe. She claims he can tame and ride dragons and level forests. I genuinely believe he can free us from the dragons' rule, whether he will or not remains to be seen. For our sake, he must help us. Dusk approaches and we'll be moving soon.

Morndas, Sun's Dusk 15

We may be able to move with more haste now. Serana told us of her plan to have us stop for the day at an old iron mine she knew of, not knowing or not caring that the Dragon Cult controls all such mines. It worked in our favor as she found many cultists within and around the mine. We've freed ten more from the Cult's grasp and Serana fed upon the overseers. It was terrifying to see her in true combat, launching bolts of lightning, and shards of ice and, raising the fallen to wreak havoc. Never in my life have I seen such power! To manifest and control the elements themselves is astonishing! Thankfully, she retreated to privacy to feed, I don't think the men could have handled that sight. No stories tonight, and the men are reluctant to sleep, likely fearing nightmares of the battle. I can't say I blame them, though I reserve my fear for our true prize. After witnessing her power, I can't even fathom how powerful the Dragonborn must be. If we keep to Serana's plan, we should reach Dimhollow by Fredas. She says he will not be happy to be roused from his slumber and will be very skeptical though once he hears of dragons any reluctance will vanish, replaced by a sense of duty and that any frustration from being woken will be thoroughly vented upon the dragons. I hope she is right.

Tirdas, Sun's Dusk 16

It would seem that Serana's powers are capable of more than just offense. We reached a river that we needed to cross to continue our journey. As we prepared to swim across, she began to simply freeze the river, I had to cross it before any of the men would risk the plunge. She seemed to take offense at their hesitance. I don't blame them. The closest we've come to magic is the power the dragon's use. I still can't believe that magic is real! Simply writing that is baffling. She plans to take us through a dungeon that cuts through the mountains and should save us quite a bit of time. We're to wait at the entrance as she fights her way through. It seems that she senses the men's fear and looks to avoid adding to it.

It doesn't take her long to clear the dungeon, but we opt to settle in until nightfall. This next leg of the journey will be the most dangerous by far. We'll have to take an open path straight through open plains to an old burial cairn. I am not looking forward to it. Depending on how quickly we can move we may be able to make it to Labyrinthian before resting. The old stone should hold, even against Dragon Fire and the path Serana plans to take should have us avoid the open air.

Middas, Sun's Dusk 17

We made it! Serana even managed to make a dragon flee! I've never felt such joy at the sight of a dragon! About six of us had made it across the plains with a seventh about halfway across when we heard the roar. Serana told us to run as fast as we could as she summoned a skeletal horse and rode with all speed to face the dragon launching lighting bolts and shards of ice as she rode. We could mimic the method she used should we need to fight any more of them in the future. She traced its path as it flew through the sky, and she must have wounded it because it turned tail and flew off over the horizon as we made it to the other side of the clearing. The cheers of the men could've woken the dead! The mood around the camp is incredible as Serana regales us with more tales of their exploits and the men listen anxiously. I wager we'll sleep better tonight than we have in years! Two days to go.

Turdas, Sun's Dawn 18

I can scarcely believe how massive Labyrinthian is! What a sight it must have been in its prime. It's eerie how quiet it is. The sound of the brazier's lighting is nearly deafening. We were greeted by a truly marvelous sight as we entered the second room. A dead dragon. Most of us have never seen one up close and the smallest bone weighs as much as a full-grown man. Serana says the Dragonborn killed this one early in his journey and that it was undead when he fought it. She told us that he suspected that a powerful Archmage had bound it to this place as extra security. What a battle it must have been, and I secretly find myself hoping to witness one for myself. This place must have been sealed well, ancient skeletons litter the ground, some with shattered bones, and others with arrows still lodged between the ribs. I'm almost giddy with anticipation and wish to see the Dragonborn's skill firsthand. At the end of the dungeon, we find an ancient stone wall with arcane writing carved into it and Serana explains that this is the source of his power. The wall is carved using magic and a Dragonborn can absorb that knowledge. She pointed out a specific word, "Tiid" or "Time" in the dragon tongue, apparently, the Dragonborn can slow time itself with his power! Could that be how he was able to kill so many? We'll soon find out, come this time tomorrow, the Dragonborn himself should be in our company.

Fredas, Sun's Dawn 19

This is it. Dimhollow Crypt.

"Make sure you watch your step, he's a master at setting traps. Tripwires, raised or odd-looking stones, oil patches, metal holes in walls and flooring, all of these can be traps, and knowing him, they'll be pretty nasty ones." Serana says as she throws a small lever.

"Why would the Dragon King choose such an ordinary place as this for his slumber?" The old man asks.

"That's the exact reason. From the outside, no one would ever suspect this place. In fact, when he first found me here, this place had been undiscovered for centuries. Besides, it's not as small as you think. You'll see."

We travel deeper into the dark, the torches providing just enough light to move forward. Serana leads, her vampiric eyes piercing the darkness in ways we can't. Stone statues line the corridor and Serana watches them closely. Any attempt to speak is quickly hushed as she focuses on spotting anything amiss. Eventually, we come to a large open hallway and Serana stops dead in her tracks.

"Shit! That's not good."

"What is it?" I ask softly.

"Traps. Dozens of them. Spikes, pendulums, activators, and even a couple of flame traps. This is not going to be easy. I might be able to disarm some of them, but it looks like others were set to activate in response to being disarmed. He always was impossibly good at this."

"Options?"

"Well, I can think of two. You're not going to like either of them."

"We've come this far. We can't turn back now!" one of the men says.

"The spike and flame traps are going to be easy. Cut the wire and wait for it to end. The pendulums are going to have to be navigated with careful timing, he probably made the blades himself which means they'll still be sharp enough to cleave you in two. The real problem is the activators. He rigged some of the traps to the gargoyles and I have no idea how many of them will wake up when that happens. Could be one, or two, or it could be all of them. One or two I can handle, but there's twenty in this hall, twenty-five if the ones back in that room wake up too." She explains, pointing out each trap and wire.

"Wait a moment. You mean to tell me that these statues are… Alive?" I ask, "That's…"

"Not good, I know. And yes, they are alive. Though how he summoned this many of them, I couldn't tell you. At most I can summon two or three of them. They're powerful, vicious, and unrelenting. They'll show no mercy, not even to me. Well, fortune favors the bold. Here goes nothing." She says as a small, ethereal, glowing orb appears in the palm of her hand.

"What are you doing!?"

Too late. A skeleton appears in front of her and runs out into the hallway. Clicks, snaps, and groans echo throughout the hall as the skeleton triggers every trap. The entire hall comes to life, braziers roar to life with a crimson flame draping the room in an ominous glow. Spikes erupt from the ground and walls with terrifying speed, massive pendulums swing in wide arcs, and entire swathes of the floor ignite with flame. All of that pales in comparison to the sight and sound of the stone creatures roaring to life. From the far end of the hall, they spring to life, erupting from the stone, massive claws glowing red or blue. They lumber towards us, unfazed by the flame, and easily avoiding the pendulums.

"Stop!" Serana commands, holding her hand out.

The creatures don't listen and Serana takes a half step forward.

"I said…"

Her voice is deafening as she speaks in an ancient tongue, the word shakes the entire room, and the Gargoyles stop instantly and return to their posts. The pendulums begin to slow and Serana drops to her knees.

"What… What was that!?" I ask as I help her to stand

"That was Daedric. It's the only language they know." Her voice is grating, and she holds her throat as she talks as if it's the only way she could speak. "We can pass now."

We press on, ever wary of the gargoyles. A faint yellow-orange glow envelops Serana as we walk, and I don't dare break the silence to ask what it is. Our pace slows suddenly and Serana looks around carefully.

"More Traps?"

"No. It's just… He's really changed this place around. These passages weren't here before. It was pretty much a straight shot last time I was here. I'm not entirely sure which way to go." She says her voice back to normal if a little softer.

"Well, you said two of these passages weren't here before, so why don't we take the one that was here. For someone that's centuries-old, you sure do complicate things." The old man says snidely.

"You don't know him." She responds with a glare, "I wouldn't put it past him to have diverted the old path into a pitfall of something. Or worse. He was… very paranoid when he was making these plans. Constant dead-end trails and pointless clues that lead nowhere."

"No need to tell us that. I was beginning to doubt he even existed. It took us over five years to find you." I say as I step between the vampire and the old man. "Maybe send another skeleton down the old path and see what happens? I'd rather not risk any unknowns unless there's no other choice."

"Fine." She says as she summons another skeleton.

A few moments later the skeleton returns and collapses into nothing at our feet.

"Is that a good sign?"

"Hmph! He put the new paths in as a distraction. Tricky bastard."

Beyond the hallway, the room opens up into a massive, vaulted ceiling with ornate stonework and a stone lectern in the center of the room. Carved deep into the stone reads, "To whoever reads this, be aware. You tread where you should not and risk much for nothing. No treasure awaits you here, no fame or glory. Only a painful demise. If you choose to continue, know that you will face many challenges and you will be disappointed. Turn back now, or risk destruction."

"He should have put this back before the gargoyles! Arrogant, little…"

She marches forward and opens the gate. To our surprise, there are people down below, each one bathed in a pale blue glow, moving swiftly along the parapets and walkways, some carrying books and scrolls, while others are armed with shields and bows.

"I can't believe it!" She says softly, "I can't believe he did this. This is horrible!"

"What? What is it?"

"He's bound All these people! He Killed all these people!"

There're dozens of them, some in simple clothing and others in heavy plate armor. Serana leaps over the stone railing and lands with a soft, barely audible thud before racing off towards the center of the massive cathedral.

"Wait! Serana! How are we supposed to get down?"

She doesn't answer, too enraged to hear me. Unfortunately, the guards do hear me, they draw their swords in unison before running towards the staircase below.

"Halt!" one yells as they approach, "Who dares enter this place?" Its voice is cold, otherworldly.

"Wait! Please, we surrender! Serana brought us here, she's a companion of the Dragonborn, she ran ahead. Please, if you take us there, she'll vouch for us, I swear it!"

"Lady Serana is welcome. Guests of Lady Serana are welcome. If you are lying, you will not live long enough to regret it." It says mincingly

"That's quite enough of that, Aldus. Stand down."

The specter sheathes its blade immediately and stands at attention as a man makes his way up the stairs.

"Apologies for Aldus, he can be rather… blunt." The man says, his gray-brown skin and glowing yellow eyes clashing with his crimson mane, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Garan Marethi, Lord Wolf's Chief Advisor. You mentioned you were accompanied by Lady Serana, let us see if we can catch up to her."

Led by Garan, we make our way towards the center of the cathedral.

"This place is massive!" one of the men says under his breath.

"Ah, yes. Lord Wolf is rather proud of it. In its prime, traders and merchants from all corners of Tamriel made shipments here. This was millennia ago, mind you, back during the late fourth and fifth eras. Oh, please endeavor not to impede the ghosts. It has a rather nasty habit of enraging them and they can be rather fearsome when provoked."

"The Fourth Era! This place has been here that long?"

"Late fourth era." He corrects, "Castle Volkihar was rather too public for Lord Wolf's liking, so he commissioned this place to be improved. It wasn't until the seventh era or so that he sealed it off. We weren't quite sure why he did so until some time later and by then, I was the only one left."

This place is huge, easily the size of a city. We could probably use this place to hide from the dragons.

"Here we are. Lord Wolf will likely be waiting for you. Try not to anger him and be sure to show respect. He may no longer be a king, but here he is still our master."

I push open the heavy metal door and I'm nearly blinded by the light from within. Braziers line the room, each with a small, polished mirror fastened above them reflecting the light. The walls are lined with carvings depicting various scenes, some have a man in heavy armor standing against armies, others show a hooded man crouching behind a wall, another shows a man in a mask with a bow drawn. His life in stone, for all to remember. About halfway into the room, I notice a massive throne facing away from the room, the glow of a fireplace casting a steep shadow.

"Centuries I have slumbered. And now, after all this time, someone finally comes. Who are these people you've brought, Serana? And why should I care?"

"They need your help. You know I wouldn't have brought them here otherwise."

"What problem could they possibly have that would require my abilities?"

"Maybe you should ask them yourself. I'm not your messenger."

"I have missed you Serana. Very well. Step forward. Who are you?"

"My Lord, my name is Grayson Volk, and I come to you for aid. For years we have searched for you, hoping that you could free us. Please, my Lord, we have nothing to offer, but we need your help."

"Grayson Volk, you expect me to free you." He lets out a bitter laugh that sends chills down my spine, "Why should I free you, hmm? What reason do I have to intervene?" He asks as he rounds the corner.

His silhouette engulfs the room. He's exactly as the old man described him, tall, broad-shouldered, long silver hair, and gleaming crimson eyes. I'm speechless as I look upon him, he possesses a regal bearing, his eyes piercing deep into my soul. He radiates power in a way I didn't think was possible.

"The ones that enslave us. You've fought them before. We need you to help us because you're the only one who can. Please, free us from the Dragons."

Now that the prologue is out of the way, I feel I should give you a bit of a warning. This is NOT going to follow the game. The premise, the various guilds, the setting, all that jazz will be there, but I'm not going in order of DLC release, Magic is going to be very different from the game, I'll be pulling in spells and abilities from as many of the Elder Scrolls games as needed. As mentioned previously, I took inspiration from MANY different Mods. I also removed limitations found in the game that were unnecessary in a book/story format. So, if you want cookie-cutter, by the game, "canon" then this is probably not for you. If that doesn't bother you, then, by all means, I look forward to seeing you next month!

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy - Gravix