Chapter 8 — A Daedra's Best Friend
— A Dragon's Game —
I look back on the morning while walking to The Hag's Cure in the afternoon. Senna… introducing me to the Dibellan arts was a pleasant and enlightening experience. And with Muiri… well, we didn't have a proper goodbye after we both received our penance.
I let myself in. By now, Bothela seems to recognize me, and lets me walk to the back with nothing more than a huff. I find Muiri sorting ingredients, but she smiles welcoming when she sees me.
"So, how was your penance?" She asks.
"Adventurous." I answer. "Went to Karthwasten, discovered the girl was kidnapped, went to get her back, had to fight a briarheart, and brought the girl back."
Muiri looks concerned, then almost has her eyes bulge out of her head. "You fought a briarheart?"
I nod, with a slight wince. "It was… closer than I'd wish for. But I won, and Dibella even rewarded me for the extra effort." I grin at her. "Tell me, what do you know about the Dibellan arts?" I walk over to her slowly and gently put a hand on her shoulder.
She gets an interested look on her face, then steps closer and puts her arms around me in a loose embrace. "Oh, really? Well, then I insist you show me everything…"
— A Dragon's Game —
Eromancy increased by 4 (14)!
I wake up groggily and look to the side. Muiri is still fast asleep, but wakes up when I dress myself.
"Too early…" she mumbles.
I slide over and kiss her on her brow. "I know. But I got that letter yesterday, and I got a new assignment. Whenever I pass by Markarth, I'll visit you, okay?"
She tries to pout, but it only looks adorable. "Okay, and I know."
"Goodbye for now. Perhaps it'll be weeks, perhaps a month, but I will return, okay?"
"Yeah, okay. And be careful around those bandits."
"I promise. You be careful with your potions."
"Those are not equally dangerous."
"I should be on the road."
"Yeah, goodbye. I'll get up in an hour or so."
I already paid for the room here in the Silver-Blood Inn, so I exit the city heading to the north. I have the letter in my pocket. I have no clue how the courier knew to find me, but I guess what matters is that he did.
There's a new assignment, and you are the closest Brother without one at the moment. I'm aware of your success with the request of your previous client.
I have already contacted our supplicant. The deal has been made, and regards Sebastian Lort. He's a conjurer who made his home in Rimerock burrow. I have attached a map with his location.
Be careful, and good luck. Your other siblings and I will await you at home.
Your eldest Sister.
A slightly sanitized version, for if it should fall into other hands. At least it won't be straight up evidence of who we are and what it's about.
That said, you can't quite sanitize out a name or location, so that risk has to be taken. Unless you're willing to take an hour to decode it.
I want to get home as well, though, so I'll be traveling day and night for now. I need to go almost to Karthwasten, then leave the path and instead follow the river north. Cross the other river where it joins the Karth river, then continue north until I reach the road heading towards Mor Khazgur. That's an orc stronghold settled around an orihalcum mine. There I should pass through a valley. Don't get too close to Deepwood Redoubt, but also avoid the mountains to the north there. People have been known to disappear around the ruins of Volskygge. Do take the road north there, and a dirt path should lead me to Rimerock Burrow.
I make good time during the first day and night. However, I am traveling to the north, and it slowly gets colder. I wait a few hours to swim across the small lake where the two rivers meet, before they continue as one towards Dragon Bridge.
At least I'll have the time after in the sun instead of during the night. I do cast Heat on myself a lot, to not cool down too much from the ice cold water.
I still HATE getting wet.
Alas, even shooting Firebolts at myself doesn't dry me up noticeably faster.
Believe me, I've tried.
I do continue training my Lightning Magic on the way, now that I have little else on my mind. I've done it in small bursts, but not as much as I should.
I really should stop being lazy and train all the amazing skills I got.
Lightning Magic has increased to 15!
And that gives me access to…
Lightning: Lightning Bolt
Shoots a Lighting bolt at an enemy, instantly hitting and dealing 30 damage.
Cost:
- Mana: 17
Is it as good as Firebolt or Ice Spike?
Purely based on damage, no. But Lightning hurts all the sapient races equally, isn't affected much by armor, and is just a lot cooler than Fire and Frost.
Well, perhaps not cooler than Frost Magic, but you know what I mean.
I practice it some more by throwing it at all wildlife I see. I've taken a few breaks to skin and harvest them. Yes, it slows me down, but not as much as sleeping would, and I really want to get faster at these things.
Gathering has increased to 19!
Harvesting has increased to 13!
Skinning has increased to 14!
And besides, it levels my survivor class, making me harder to kill, stronger and faster.
And after I saw what the Lotus Extract did to Nilsine, that Poison Resistance also looks alluring. Having Survivor at 12 grants me 24 Poison Resistance. Disappearing a quarter of the damage is very nice.
It's around evening on the second day of travel when I cross between the valley between Deepwood Redoubt and Volskygge. I spot some forsworn in the distance, but they ignore me. They wear a lot more furs than the ones closer to Markarth. It's definitely colder here.
It's dark as I pass Volskygge, keeping sufficient distance that I will be able to see any dangers coming. I see some fires in the distance, but I decide not to investigate.
There're no merchants here anyway, so even if they are bandits, they're much more likely to get themselves killed by forsworn or draugr than to threaten honest folk. If they just live here out in the wild, bothering nobody, then I don't think I should kill them just for that.
When I find the dirt path, the sky is faintly lightening in the south-east. This far north, the nights are short this time of the year. It's early Last Seed, after all. To think it's only been a month and a half since my caravan got attacked…
I shake myself from my thoughts. The path has crumbled onto the slope here, so a bridge of rope and wood has been made. There's a glorious view to the Sea of Ghosts in the north, here.
And if I'm lucky, Sebastian Lort will still be asleep. This is business, no need for it to be more painful than it has to be.
Also, I'm not sure if I want to fight a Conjurer in a fair fight. Could I? Probably. Do I want to? Hell no. Fair fights get people killed.
— A Dragon's Game —
I sneak into the cave opening. I cast both Chameleon and Muffle, hiding myself as well as I can. To my right, I spot a Frost Atronach, but it hasn't spotted me yet. That's something to be happy for. I hug the left wall on my way in. There's a small wooden step to a higher elevation, but I jump instead. Wood is much more likely to make sound. I continue further inside. There's a bend to the right. Around it, I see a bookcase full of books, and a few seconds later, a shape in a bed.
Ah, good. I'm here early enough.
I take a dagger out of my inventory and sneak up on the sleeping man. He's old and balding, but strangely the hair outside the bald spot is quite long.
I take careful aim and slice through his throat, meeting little resistance. His eyes shoot open, but he dies only a fraction of a second later.
Contract complete, and without too much hassle.
I hate hassle.
I stand up and search around for anything useful.
The first thing I find is a few soul gems. Even if I don't know how to use them myself, I might as well take them. Worse case, I can sell them.
Then I find a book, 2920, Hearthfire.
By reading a skill book, you have gained a new skill: Conjuration!
Well, that's… actually really great. I can't wait to get a look at it, but first I want to get somewhere safe. I turn back around the corner, and the Frost Atronach right in front of me.
I knew I'd forgotten something.
It looks like a pile of ice chunks arranged in a vaguely humanoid shape, but completely devoid of detail. It's not even human enough to be creepy.
Well, Frost aligned… use fire?
It launches what looks a lot like an Ice Storm, while I fire Firebolts at it as fast as I can.
I sprint to the side, but I don't make it in time, and lose 120 health to it. My Firebolts seem to be bothering it, though. It's trying to dodge, but it's not fast enough. I hear a loud crack coming from it, and the next moment a storm of Icicles is flying my way. I turn my head away. I feel it hitting me, but thankfully they're too light to tear me to shreds. I blindly fling a pair of Fireballs at the Atronach, so as not to present a target for it to take advantage of.
I lost another hundred health, though this hundred was a lot more painful than the first. I dare a look back and see that the Atronach seems to have difficulty maintaining its form. I barrage it with more Firebolts, and it collapses.
Well, that was far too close.
I walk towards it. For some reason, I know how to harvest from it. Is that just my higher Harvesting Skill level?
It's odd, but I'll take it.
— A Dragon's Game —
After I heal myself, I find a magnificent axe when I rummage through the rest of Rimerock Burrow. It's slightly shorter than me, making it big for a battleaxe. Its head looks almost silvery, and there's an elaborate decoration of two wolves on both axe-blades.
The Rueful Axe
A silvery axe with the depiction of two wolves on the blade.
Chop (ability from: The Rueful Axe)
Chop your enemy for 63 Slicing damage.
- Absorbs 29 stamina from damaged enemies.
- Deals 98 additional damage to werewolves.
Unless I'm fighting werewolves, it deals a bit less damage than Aegisbane, but the stamina absorption ensures I can keep chopping forever.
"Well well well, looks like someone found my axe!"
I spin around. There was a voice, slightly nasal. I still look alone.
"Hah, you won't find me here. The only reason you hear my voice is because you have my axe in your hands."
I cautiously look at the axe.
"Who are you?"
"So impolite, asking that question without volunteering your own. But very well. I am Clavicus Vile."
Reputation with Clavicus Vile reduced by 5 for being rude. (-5)
I swallow. I don't want to piss off Daedric Princes…
"Apologies, Prince. I am J'samma. I was merely taken by surprise, and no disrespect was intended."
"Hah, is that only because you have my attention now? But no matter. You see, I've wanted that axe back for a while. Go to Falkreath, and talk to the blacksmith. He's seen my dog somewhere. Bring the dog and the axe to my shrine."
Damnation, I really don't want Daedric attention on me. However, he's not really asking…
"I'll do it."
Silence greets me. Apparently, Clavicus Vile has found something else to occupy his attention?
I could ask Dibella to shield me from the Daedric Prince. She has an interest in me already.
Then again, Clavicus Vile is the Prince of Bargains. And that he started this bargain might give me an advantage.
I think I'll see where this leads. I can always go to Dibella later if it turns out he's malicious.
So, let's have a look at my other find…
Conjuration
Conjuration allows the user to connect to Oblivion, and to summon Daedra to bind them to their service.
Maximum level: 100
Class: Apprentice
Attributes per level
- Conjuration Magnitude: 2.0
- Conjuration Duration: 2.0
- Conjuration Affinity: 1.0
- Conjuration Range: 2.0
Ability gained: Summon Spectral Wolf
Conjures a level 7 spectral wolf for 120 seconds within 5.00 meters of you.
Cost:
- Mana: 200
Conjure Wolf Familiar? That sounds promising… I cast it.
Wolf Familiar
A spectral wolf summoned to help you.
Level: 7
Perks:
- Race: Wolf
Attributes (partial):
- Health: 140
- Stamina: 140
- Strength: 22.5
- Health Regeneration: 22.5
- Mana: 20
- Dexterity: 18.4
- Stamina Regeneration: 18.4
- Endurance: 14
- Charisma: 4
Abilities
Bite
- Bites the target for 26 damage.
Oh, wow. I even know instantly how the wolf is doing, much like I know about myself. That will be useful.
The wolf is a transparent shade of blue. It seems to have more Strength than Endurance, which means it'll be less of a meat shield than I'd hoped. It's got 140 Health — which means I can kill it in one hit with Aegisbane.
Even so, I feel it'd be very useful just for the numbers advantage. If I'd use it fighting a bandit I'd otherwise fight one on one, suddenly the wolf can just flank the bandit and try to hamstring him or something.
— A Dragon's Game —
I leave Rimerock Burrow and head south again. The sun is well and good up now, and I start my journey south. I try to pass by Volskygge, but this time I'm noticed by its inhabitants.
Bandits, to be exact. Always bandits, for some reason. Is it really that hard for the Jarls to hunt the scum down?
There's two archers, and two swordsmen. They don't even try to hold me up, but are shooting with sharp right away.
I summon my wolf, since my first had already dissipated. I jump into cover and peek out. Archers have a lower rate of fire than mages, so they'll careful with their shots…
I notice one and shoot a lightning bolt. I send that archer into a slight convulsion. I fire two firebolts, and follow it up by two more lightning bolts to keep him in place.
That bandit goes down, and I think dead. Meanwhile, one of the two melee fighters is testing out my wolf, slashing at it from behind his shield. My wolf tries to get around, but it doesn't look like it's getting a chance.
I cast a quick lightning bolt, giving my wolf the opening it needs.
The other is closing fast, though, and I've lost sight of the archer. I step around the bandit so that he is between me and the last location of said archer. I hope she either won't shoot, or hit her buddy.
I pull out Aegisbane, twirl it around, and hit the bandit square on his shield. The shield holds, but it pushes the bandit back a bit. While he's staggered, I shoot a lightning bolt, then follow it up with another hammer strike, this time hitting the helmet — hard.
Dazed, this bandit drops his guard, allowing me to finish him off with a blow to the face. The other one just sinks his sword in my wolf to the hilt, causing it to shimmer purple and disappear.
I cast several firebolts, and the wounded bandit goes down easily. At that moment, I feel like I'm punched in the throat, and I stagger back.
Fuck, arrow. How am I still alive with an arrow in my throat?
Health: 90/740
Not good. I summon the wolf again, commanding it to find and kill the archer. Then I step back into cover, and start healing myself. Again. I just healed myself up this morning.
I hear a female scream of pain in the distance, quickly followed by a pained yelp from my wolf.
I've pulled the arrow out and stopped the bleeding damage. Still short on health, but I should kill that archer while my distraction, the wolf, is still around.
I peek the corner, and see the movement in the bushes as the bosmer archer uses her dagger to finish off my wolf, which already has two arrow shafts in its spectral body.
I cast lightning, since it has no travel time. After four lightning bolts, she drops.
I heal up and inspect my magical skills. I've gotten some levels over the past few days…
Fire Magic - Level 37/100: Fire Magic is the art of mastering Fire, in all its forms and appearances.
Frost Magic - Level 35/100: Frost Magic deals with cold, frost and all other types of magic to do with freezing things.
Lightning Magic - Level 22/100: Lightning Magic allows the caster the raw power of the force of a thunderstorm.
Healing Magic - Level 13/100: Healing magic is all about restoring the body to its optimal form.
Making progress.
— A Dragon's Game —
I decide not to attack this bandit nest now. Losing four members should already be a bit of a blow to their operation, and I just want to get home by now. The forsworn again don't bother me, and I travel south unimpeded.
Because of my Frost Magic, I have an amazing new skill:
Frost: Freeze Water
Freeze an area with a maximum radius 6.75 of a body of liquid for 13 minutes.
Cost: Mana: 105
While not exactly free, this lets me cross the river on the way back without swimming. I follow the river to the south, until I reach the bridge of Karthwasten again, where I take the road towards Markarth. While I won't enter the city, the road is a lot safer and easier than trying to cross-country to Old Hroldan. I take a slight shortcut at Kolskeggr, which saves me half a day.
As I'm used to traveling by night and day now, I get home quite fast, on the afternoon of the fourth day over travel.
I kneel near the black pool and drink the slight amount. It dispels the illusion on the cliff side, and I enter the sanctuary.
Even though I've been gone for longer than I've stayed, I'm glad to be back.
"Hey, the black kitten is back! Yes, all the family is here again!"
"Good afternoon to you to, Cicero. It's good to be back." Even the man's insanity gives me a vague feeling of home.
"Welcome back, J'samma." Veezara stops his training at the targets. "How did it go?"
"Long story. I'll tell at dinner?"
"Looking forward to it."
I walk up the slope towards where Babette normally hangs out in her laboratory.
"Hi Babette."
"J'samma! You're back! That's great."
"Even got some ingredients. Here, have a look."
"Wow, you got Frost Salts! These are very hard to get your hands on."
"Trade you for some alchemy training?"
She pouts at me. "You know I'll teach you, regardless. It's a delight to have such a fast student."
"Take it, though. I'm not good enough yet anyway to get full use out of the more exotic ingredients."
"Thank you." In the blink of an eye, she stands in front of me, and gives me a hug.
Being a vampire, there's plenty of strength in those small arms.
I hug her back. "Everything for my favorite vampire."
"Aw, even after Hert's cooking?"
"Her cooking is amazing, but that alone doesn't make for my favorite vampire."
She pulls back. "Aw, that's sweet. And you smell different. There's a touch of a divine on you."
"Dibella made me her Agent. I'll tell you the full story at dinner."
"Wow. But she doesn't like vampires. Does that mean you like me less?"
"Dibella loathes the creation of vampires. If you'd be willingly turned or willingly made others into vampires, that might make her angry. But even those she doesn't hate enough to make me hate them to."
"I'm glad we can stay friends."
"So am I." I ruffle her hair, but she slaps my hand away with a pout.
Although as I turn to the dinner room, I spot a smile on her lips.
— A Dragon's Game —
Reputation with the Dark Brotherhood increased by 10 for a job well done and making a good story out of it.
"You should be careful." Astrid says. Dinner is done, but everyone stuck around until I finished my story.
"I know, the Daedra are not to be taken lightly. But it seems I have something he wants… so might as well see if he has something that I want."
"I won't stop you, but I do think you're overconfident. If you do it, though, then I wish you good luck."
"I'll stick around here for a few days, though. Train a little and sleep a lot. I've slept to little the past few weeks. Oh, and Festus?"
"What now?"
"Since you've been doing all sorts of complaining about my lack of imagination in combat, how about you put your effort where your mouth is and help me diversify my magic a little?"
"Fine. But I will expect excellence, young man!"
"Wouldn't have it any other way, old man."
"Hmpf."
Reputation with Festus Krex increased by 5 due to showing an interest in learning more magic and being ambitious about it.
— A Dragon's Game —
Festus is a slavedriver.
Not that I mind too much, as I'm learning a lot from him,
Your Illusion Magic has been increased by 8 (20)
Your Mind Magic has increased by 12 (15)
Your Fire Magic has increased by 5 (42)
Your Frost Magic has increased by 3 (37)
Your Lightning Magic has increased by 6 (28)
Your Conjuration has increased by 12 (12)
Your Healing Magic has increased by 5 (18)
Festus didn't teach that last one. That last one is honest work repairing myself after some sparring sessions he insisted on.
I'm still not entirely sure I got the stench of burned fur out of my pelt yet, but even Babette says she can't smell it anymore.
Even with all that, I only learned two new spells.
Lightning: Ball Lightning
Sends out a slow-traveling Ball Lightning that shocks enemies in 2.58 meters for 62 damage every second for 12 seconds.
Cost: Mana: 67
Conjuration: Conjure Flame Atronach
Conjures a level 23 flame atronach to a location in 6.20 meters for 148 seconds.
And that Flame Atronach is a LOT stronger than my wolf.
Flame Atronach
Flame Atronachs generally appear as humanoid beings made up entirely of fire. They are one of the easier daedric creatures to control, making them a favorite of Conjuration mages everywhere.
Level: 23
Perks:
- Race: Flame Atronach
Attributes (partial):
- Mana: 560
- Health: 280
- Stamina: 280
- Fire Resistance: 200
- Fire Damage: 96
- Intelligence: 56
- Fire Affinity: 46
- Dexterity: 33
- Stamina Regeneration: 33
Abilities:
- Firebolt: Shoots a small bolt of fire dealing 61 damage.
- Fire Punch: A punch with fists of solid flames dealing 77 Fire damage.
- Flame Atronach Aura: A continuous aura of flames around the Flame Atronach dealing 9 damage per second to anyone within 2.00 m.
The promise of Conjuration Magic… having an ally fight with you on demand.
I wasn't quite there yet, but one of these can deal damage. Shame they're so fragile with 280 health. And an expensive investment for 443 Mana.
And I don't know how to feel about the fact that it's better at Fire Magic than I am. Then again, that's literally anything one can do.
Ball Lightning also sounds pretty nice. Sure, it's radius and damage are lower than for Fireball and Ice Storm, but it looks like it can hit the same opponents multiple times, up to 12 for a perfect cast.
That makes it the highest damage potential spell I got, except perhaps for the Fire Atronach.
Anyway, it's time to go to Falkreath.
I leave in the morning, And I arrive around two hours before noon. A question to the gate guard leads me to the blacksmith, Lod.
"You're the blacksmith?"
"Yes, I'm Lod. Are you an adventurer?"
"Yes, I am. Why?"
"There's a dog out the west gate, but I don't have the time to catch it. Could I pay for some of your time?"
"You know, why not. It's good to do something relaxing for a while, without any bandits." Well, that's a coincidence.
"Hah, I understand that. Anyway, last I heard it was about half an hour south of the gate. Here's some fresh meat to lure it."
"Thanks. Pay on delivery, 300 gold?"
"200, and I'll give you a discount on my work?"
Well, not like I'm going to return the dog, anyway. "Fine. But I expect quality."
"Hah! I don't do anything else."
"I'll be back, then." I turn to leave.
"Good luck, traveler."
I wonder how long it'll take him to realize that I never stated any initial business I had with him.
Eh, he probably won't figure this out. He looked as if he had plenty on his mind.
Then again, so do I, but they're bigger things I can focus on one by one. And in truth, I'm probably doing this man a service not to get entangled in the affairs of Clavicus Vile by attempting to adopt the Prince's dog.
— A Dragon's Game —
I walk into the woods, heading south. It takes me about two hours before I find the dog.
"You're exactly the type of person I was looking for!"
I look around and see a dog with a hopeful gaze aimed at me.
"Did you just talk to me?"
"All this magic and a talking dog is something you're surprised by? Yes. I just talked. And am continuing to do so."
"No offense intended, but of a lot of magic I at least have some idea what it can do, and I wasn't aware daedric talking dogs were among them."
"Anyway, name is Barbas. And I have a problem I think you can help sort out. It's somewhat promising that you've already figured out that I'm daedric."
"I kind of had a hint. You see, I picked up this before." I take out the Rueful Axe and show it to him.
He paddles closer and sniffs it a few times. "Ah, the Rueful Axe. There once was the conjurer, whose daughter had taken to worshipping Hircine. He begged my master to free her from her curse. Clavicus gave him this axe."
"Does sound like the Daedric kind of humor. Anyway, when I picked it up, he spoke to me and asked me to bring this axe and you to his shrine."
"He did?! That's great! Perhaps I'll get to rejoin my master." The dog calms down quick. "Do be careful, though. Don't take any open-ended deals with my master. You see, my little problem was that I had to find a mortal to negotiate between me and my master to take me back."
"Well, let's go see if we can solve that problem of yours, and get something out of it for me as well. Where's your master's shrine?"
"Oh, that's this way, over in Haemar's Shame."
Oblivion. That was the cave full of vampires. "Does it have to be bloodsucking central?"
"Vampires, you say? There're all sorts of supplicants to Clavicus' favor."
"You think we can talk our way through?"
"Perhaps? Will probably depend on how hungry they are, though."
"Well, guess we'll find out."
And wasn't Fire Magic supposed to be good against Undead? I can summon Flame Atronach's now… not that I can sustain one for even half the time, but for little over 2 minutes in case of a heavier fight…
Could be a nice help. I got 960 Mana and 94 Regeneration. Atronach's cost 443 Mana.
I'll have to see in the moment.
— A Dragon's Game —
We travel East, towards the shrine. We sleep in Pinewatch. Nobody has disturbed the Bandit corpses, so it's very likely to be safe.
When we reach Helgen, however, our luck turns.
"I can't let you in, citizen. The imperial army is conducting an operation, so we're locked off so spies can't enter."
"But I need to travel the road to Riften!"
"I'm sorry, but you must go around the fort. Trust me, it's for your own safety."
Oblivion take these people. "Fine, I'll go around."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Understanding… pah.
Regardless, I have little choice. With Barbas on my heels, I follow the walls of the fortress for an hour, and take the road towards Riften. It's only a few minutes when we see the split towards Pale Pass, and in extension, Bruma and Cyrodiil.
While I'd certainly like to visit there sometime, right now I got something to do in Skyrim.
And besides, the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary is here. A place I'm welcome and wanted… it just feels great to have a home again.
We travel east. We spend another night in a bedroll, with Barbas mostly on top of me.
He's too powerful a Daedra to get cold, and I must admit that he's keeping me warm, which is great in this snowy environment.
I'm slightly concerned with how strong he is, but he dodges the subject like a master.
My only true comfort is that he behaves far too much like a dog to be malicious.
You might not believe it, but this cat actually likes dogs.
— A Dragon's Game —
The cave entrance isn't very welcoming — just a hold in the rock, with seemingly only darkness inside.
I enter, with Barbas following me close. I step in front of the elevated wooden platform.
"Hello?"
The Redguard aims his bow.
Well, hostility confirmed. Shame, that.
I gesture forwards with both hands, and two lightning bolts shoot out, striking the man. Two more follow, and he dies.
Spell damage increases with Intelligence, and that's increasing no matter which magic skill I train. So Lightning Bolt does 46 damage — much more than Firebolt back when I had that skill at this level.
Mana cost is only influenced by skill level, so it still costs 14 against the 12 of Firebolt. Still, Firebolt can be dodged.
I follow the path, easily finding the place where I fought that vampire last time.
There's one this time as well, and he rushes me, black cloak dramatically billowing behind him. My first Firebolt is dodged, but my next Lightning Bolt staggers him enough that the following two Firebolts hit.
It seems this one was slower than the one that was here before. Regardless, I carry on.
Next, I find another vampiric thrall — Barbas' word for it — in what looks like a storeroom. Still some blood spatter around, though.
Someone should teach these vampires to have some manners while eating.
After I dispose of the thrall, I continue on.
Two more turns, and I enter a larger room. Barbas actually manages to stay silent behind me, and I see a thrall on my left, and a vampire on my right.
The threat assessment is clear — the superhumanly fast bloodsucker is the bigger danger.
So I use a few Lightning Bolts, and after two, followed by two Firebolts, he falls.
Meanwhile, the thrall is charging me with a battleaxe.
I want to save more Mana, so I take out Aegisbane, and parry his first wild swing. I then hit him in the face as if with a jab. It doesn't do anywhere near the damage of a proper swing, but he might have recovered in time to parry a proper swing.
Barbas follows up by biting through his hamstrings, and I finish him with a proper swing of Aegisbane to the head.
That felt… really easy. Probably because it also was two against one, and I'm getting more familiar with my weapon.
There's a single passageway out of here excepting the one I came from, but it splits. I head towards the right and kill another vampire with the Lightning/Fire Bolt combination I'm really starting to like.
Searching around, I find a book called Response to Bero's Speech. There're more books, of course, but this one's special.
Your Fire Magic has increased by 1 (43)
Your Frost Magic has increased by 1 (39)
Your Lightning Magic has increased by 1 (29)
Very much appreciated… battlemage Malviser?
That's the name of the book's author, from what I can tell.
Regardless, this is a dead end, so I head back and take the other path in the fork.
Two turns later, there is a small stream at the bottom of the cave. Distracted by maintaining my footing, I'm suddenly jumped by an enormous spider.
I take out Aegisbane, but I'm bitten before I can get a swing in.
Aegisbane comes out of my inventory in one hand, and I used the other to scratch at the spiders' eyes. That causes it to stop pumping venom in my veins, and back up enough so I can deal it a good hit with Aegisbane. I hear a clear crack, but it's not dead yet.
I hit it with another bit of lightning, and Barbas jumps it, giving me enough time to wind up to crack its skull.
No, spiders don't have a skull. Whatever, front body segment?
Nah, doesn't have nearly the ring to it. Head? Exoskeleton?
Whatever, it's dead, that's the important bit.
The venom actually hurts a lot, but has already stopped damaging my health. I heal up, and continue further forwards. The venom also damaged my Stamina, but I use that far less, anyway.
I continue sneaking forwards until we arrive at the doorway to a chamber. It has a huge statue on the other end, but I count four vampires in total.
Flame Atronach time.
"Barbas?"
"What's up?"
"When we get in there, try to keep the vampires in place while me and the Atronach bombard them with magic."
"What, you going to use me as a meatshield?"
"Well, you are a daedra of unspecified power…" I grin. "But I'll be guarding the Atronach myself. Ready?"
"Yeah, sure."
Doesn't sound that reassuring, but I guess it'll have to do.
I summon the Flame Atronach at the ledge to my left, and jump towards the sole vampire on the right.
Barbas dashes through the middle, towards the two vampires by the statue.
I hit my first target with lightning, but she dodges the firebolt follow-up. I shoot another firebolt, which she dodges with much more ease as she runs towards me.
I make another gesture, not using a spell, and I see the grin on her face as she believes my Mana has run out. I ready Aegisbane and make for a strike as soon as she gets into range.
Behind me, I hear the Firebolts flying from my Atronach, but I focus on my own opponent. Just as she makes to dodge Aegisbane, I shoot another Firebolt at her, point blank. She lets out a scream of pain, but presses on, straight in two more firebolts.
She burns up with surprise on her face.
I turn to find Barbas keeping two vampires busy, while the third is ghosting towards my atronach.
It's odd, but the two trying to hit Barbas seems to miss every strike by the smallest of margins.
Well, I guess he's just cheating somehow. Anyway, he'll be fine. I nail the one making for the atronach with a Lightning Bolt, letting the Atronach follow it up with two Firebolts, taking it out.
While it's kept its distance so far, it now goes to close the distance.
It's mana might have run out?
Anyway, I stay at a distance, and toss some more Firebolts at the vampires Barbas is distracting, and before too long, they turn into ashes too.
Not even twenty seconds later, my atronach shimmers purple, and disappears back to whatever plane of Oblivion it came from.
"That went well." Barbas struts over to me.
"Indeed. Now, lets have a chat with your master."
I walk to the statue.
"Ah, I see you've followed my request to the letter. Very good. It can be so troublesome to find capable mortals." The nasal voice speaks again.
Relationship with Clavicus Vile increased by 10 for basic competency (5).
"I'm not someone who tolerates failure myself, Prince. Now, what exactly did you want all this work for?"
"Mostly the axe. Though, I can be pursuaded to let you keep it…"
Clavicus drops a dramatic pause.
"But only if you use it to kill Barbas."
"Hm, to be honest, I'd rather hear the other options. Not to insult your axe, but it's hardly something worthy of the title of Daedric Artifact, is it not?"
"Hah! Flattery. I like it. But not enough to let you hoodwink me. Very well, I can offer you my mask. In return, I get the Axe, and Barbas gets to return to me. That's the best offer I can make you."
"That already sounds like a good deal, but I've read up a bit on Daedric artifacts. You can return your mask to you at any moment you desire, so I could get stuck with nothing."
"Oh, the little mortal trying to be smart? Being all pedantic? If it gets out that I cheat on my deals, nobody will want to take them!"
"Everyone already thinks you cheat on your deals. They're just that desperate. But I'm not. How about this? You are immortal, while I'm just this 'little mortal trying to be smart', as you put it. My lifetime is like a blink of the eye for you. Would it really be that hard to hand me the mask for the rest of my life?"
"No deal. But I have to admit it's adorable that you think you can cheat me like that. Then again, it's not as if you know…"
"As if I know what?"
"All information has a price. I could tell you, but then you wouldn't get the mask at all. Otherwise, I'll lend you the mask for ten years, mortal."
I can probably figure that bit out myself. "I choose your mask." Oh, and flatter him some more. It'll at the least not make him pissed. "An emblem of your power like that has to be far more valuable than a mere bit of information about a little mortal like me, anyway."
"Hah! We'll see about that. Now, put the axe against the statue. Barbas, touch the statue."
Relationship with Clavicus Vile increased by 10 for not being a moron while negotiating, while also knowing your place (15).
I put The Rueful Axe against the statue. Barbas trots up to me.
"You did fine, lizard cat. I think you got a reasonable deal." Before I can ask him what he means, he walks to the statue, and stands under the hand of the depiction of the Daedric Prince. The blink of an eye later, and he is part of the statue.
The axe is gone, and in its place is a metal mask with two horns. I put it into my inventory for now.
I turn around and leave the shrine. Once outside, I find a place to sleep, and spend the night.
It's creepy in there, and I don't want to sleep that close to the shrine of a Daedric Prince if I can avoid it, even if he likes me slightly now.
The next day of travel takes me close to Helgen. Since I know I can't pass through anyway, I travel a little bit south. These mountains are quite beautiful, after all. I make my camp, and go to sleep.
I quite like the Mask of Clavicus Vile.
Mask of Clavicus Vile
The wearer of this mask is always in good standing amongst their peers around them. However, it's true power is to blend it, and look like whoever you are among.
Attributes:
- Charisma: 100
Perk: Shifter
You can shift into each race you know. Currently unlocked:
- Nord
- Redguard
- Breton
- Imperial
- Khajiit
- Argonian
- Orsimer
- Altmer
- Bosmer
- Dunmer
I've tried it for a little bit, and while useful, doesn't give me full control. For example, as all human races, my hair remains black and my eyes remain green. If I go Argonian, I have black scales as well. The elves vary a bit more, but follow the same theme.
This is going to be one magnificent infiltration tool.
I put it back in my inventory, and go to sleep.
— A Dragon's Game —
I wake up with a huge headache, because I'm being shaken around. I blink and raise my head from… a wooden something?
I look up. I'm in a wooden cart, with my hands bound in front of me. Opposite of me is a blond nord in stormcloak armor, and next to him a nord with short, brown hair in rags. To my right is another blond nord, this one also gagged, and wearing more expensive armor.
Around us are imperials on horses.
The stormcloak opposite of me speaks. "Hey you. You're finally awake."
