Dragonborn Gothic 1 - World-Eater
Part 2
Road. Skyrim.
Not long after getting my badly needed armour, it wouldn't do to remain dressed as a Stormcloak if I encountered an Imperial patrol, as well as supplies for the trip ahead, I set off for Whiterun. I had a new steel sword on my belt, having been convinced by the blacksmith and my new warrior skills to use it, and I'd even tucked a dagger into a boot. Also I had what I hoped was a decent bow slung over my shoulder along with a small quiver of deadly looking arrows.
This had all cost me a lot, my pouch of holding now only held a fur cape and some food, which was cold meat, bread, cheese, and a bottle of mead. Two healing potions, which were all I'd been able to afford as gold gained from trading for my loot and personal items, hadn't gone as far as I would have liked, were also in the pouch of holding. Which was just an awesome thing to own.
All of that, along with the iron armour I was now wearing, weighed me down not nearly as much as it should have, and I didn't think that me touching the warrior stone could account for this. Something else had changed within me. I had to wonder if my soul had become that of a dragons, it would explain a lot, and I did wonder if I'd become less human than I used to be.
Well if anyone had an answers to my questions it would be the Greybeards, so I had best get the ball rolling and start with the main quest. If I was the Dragonborn then I had a long road ahead of me, both figuratively and the literal sense, and much depended on my success, which was a bit of a downer.
At least the scenery was quite beautiful, and the road ahead seemed clear, which would make the long journey ahead more pleasant, and it would be a long walk as Whiterun was actually miles from Riverwood. Skyrim was after all a whole country and as such it was a big place, far larger than the video game version, and more highly populated as well if Riverwood was any indication.
I didn't how large it was as the map I'd brought didn't give me an idea of the scale involved, I'd have a better idea of the distances involved once I'd worked from Riverwood to Whiterun as while they were close together on the map there was still a little gap between them on the map.
At least the road followed the river, sometimes it was right alongside the water, which meant it was highly unlikely that I'd get lost since I'd been assured by a few of the locals that if I followed the water I'd see the city. Hopefully I'd get there before sunset as I knew Skyrim well enough to understand that I did not want to get lost and end up wandering around aimlessly in the woods in the day time nevermind in the dark.
As it turned out the dangers of this wild land found me even without me wandering off into the wilderness. Along the way I was ambushed by two wolves, who'd been hiding in the brush. I froze for just a second and then drew my new sword, the handle of which felt good and solid in my hand. I knew the the blade was sharp I'd seen it being sharpened so it should serve me well.
The beasts seemed starved to me, and while they eyed me with caution, hunger drove them I could just tell so they would soon attack, but these canines were much more cautious than the pair I'd met yesterday. I'd not been alone back then, so I should be more vulnerable this time, yet the furry creatures waited a little while before they attacked.
I knew that there was no sense in running, even without all the armour weighing me down they could easily catch me. My only chance to survive was to hold my ground and either slay or the beasts or at least to convince them to go find some food elsewhere.
With an impressive leap the larger of the two wolves went for my throat, which was more vulnerable than the rest of my body, however the teeth never found my flesh as I swung my new blade with all the strength I could muster. Which somehow resulted in the beast impacting my shoulder and knocking me to the ground.
I quickly got back to my feet, and that proved to the correct thing to do as the other wolf tried to bite down on my leg, had I remained still it could have sunk its teeth in. I wore Branded Iron Armour, which didn't protect my legs as well as other parts as the armour's boots only went so high.
The boots did serve me well when it came to kicking. I struck the feral creature in the nose, and when it yelped in pain I used that moment slash with my sword a few times which ended the life of this enemy. Leaving me still breathing, which meant that I could enjoy my victory.
Once that I was done there were a few moments spent wondering if I should attempt to harvest the bad dogs for their pelts, but I lacked the skill for such a thing, and I had no desire to touch any corpses. I'd just have to acquire gold some other way.
Before long I got moving again, and despite keeping needing to keep an eye for attack I did take in some more of the scenery, and I made good time to the city. I even passed by a squad of Imperials who were escorting what I guessed to be a capture Stormcloak, which was something I ignored as I felt no loyalty to the Stormcloaks as a whole just because one of them had helped me out.
I got to a bend in the road and after that I found that ahead of was the the city of Whiterun. It was a walled town that had been built on a rocky hill, so it looked as if was rising high above the plains that surrounded the settlement. Which made the city a lot easier to find, and that was good for me.
While the city, which wasn't much of a city compared to where I came from, was still quite some distance away, and the details were indistinct, it was still an impressive sight, if only because I realised now that I was actually looking at Whiterun. Not for the first time I had to stop and take a moment to remind myself that I'd somehow found my way to a magical fantasy land.
What made this even more cool was the fact that I had magical powers. Okay so right now all I could do was make some sparks fly out my finger tips, but I knew that should I survive long enough, and somehow kill dragons, that I'd be able to do so much more.
After taking in the sights for a while I got moving once again and discovered the land around Whiterun happened to be devoted to farming. A lot of farming in fact, it went on for miles, and I walked through a lot of it as the city wasn't as close as I'd first thought.
I saw rows of cabbages and other stuff that I could, and sometimes couldn't, identify. I'd never been a countryside kind of person, not counting day trips, however I'd spent time on allotments and I'd worked in my mother's vegetable garden enough to know some of what was getting grown around here.
Before long I found something far more interesting to look than cabbages. In one of the fields three warriors were fighting against a giant. An actual giant, not just a big human either, it was most certainly not human even if it was humanoid.
Aside from the World-Eater this was the first time I'd seen a non-human sentient life form, and Alduin hadn't exactly given me time to look him over. My memories of playing the game reminded me that there was an elf living in Riverwood, I'd just not seen him.
This creature it towered over the human warriors, it was at least twice their height, maybe three times, and it was waving a club around that must be eight feet long. It was also blue, and had an impressive amount of facial hair, and a loincloth. Making it look like an overgrown and very cold caveman.
As I watched the fight I saw one of the humans, who I knew to really be a werewolf, take a blow from the club and get sent flying back at least ten feet. Which wasn't so surprising as they were suppose to be incredibly strong creatures. I'd hate too get close to one.
The other warriors kept up their attacks, preventing the giant from following up on its successful strike, but it was apparent that they were having to work hard to avoid losing the fight. I knew that I should help, if only to make the Companions, which were the Fighter's Guild of Skyrim in some sense, more kindly inclined towards me. I was going to need allies if I had any hopes of surviving for long in this amazing and savage land.
Despite the fact that my emotions had been somewhat off recently my hands trembled slightly as I fitted an arrow to the bowstring, and pulled it back. I didn't know if this was fear or excitement behind the unsteadiness, either way I had to struggle to calm my body.
Until now I'd only ever fired a bow at a stationary and very much not living target, lucky for me the giant wasn't moving around that much and it was big enough that I was reasonably confident that I'd manage to hit it. Whether or not the arrow would achieve anything was another matter. Still I took aim, as best I could, and released the projectile.
As soon as the arrow struck the target I reached into my quiver, extracted another arrow, and quickly lined up another shot. This felt oddly natural I wondered if I was somehow channelling the spirit of some long dead ancestor who'd been a Welsh archer.
When the first arrow had hit the giant roared, but it was only when the second arrow struck true that it turned to face me. Which was not a good thing I told myself as I reached for a third arrow. The third time better be the charm when it came to these arrows.
I was pulling back the string of my bow as the giant began to stride toward me, its long legs easily eating up the distance between us. It was terrifying how something so big could also be so fast
When my third hit higher and seemed to sink in deeper into the giant's body it actually stopped the large humanoid in its tracks. The giant halted, pulled the arrow out of its body, and then advanced on me again. I'd barely slowed it down.
At this point I felt like turning and running, some animal part of me greatly desired that, but in the struggle between fight and flight the fight part somehow won. So inside of running into the nearby woods, which might have made a good hiding place I nocked a fourth arrow and fired it. An action that result in nothing more than the huge humanoid stopping again in order to pull out the arrow.
What saved my life was that the giant's two brief halts had given one of the Companions, a big dark haired guy, a chance to catch up. A sword swung, slashing across the back of the giant's legs, staggered the creature as it tried to turn around.
Then an arrow struck the big ass blue due in the neck, either a lucky shot or one aimed with far more precision than I could manage. Yet still it wasn't enough, the massive caveman simply would not die, and it seemed to be determined to kill us all.
The arrow that I'd been about to let loose as my last desperate act was now set free, and hit the giant in the shoulder, and the big blue guy didn't react. I'd used my five arrows, and none of them had cheap, and all I'd gotten in exchange for them was to upset a creature that I could have avoided fighting if I'd just minded my own damn business.
This was when the warrior who had been knocked down a little while earlier charged back into the fight. He took a mighty swing at the giant's legs and one leg buckled. The giant toppled and the two sword-wielders fell on it with blades swinging. Their attacks had all the style and grace of crazy men with axes, but credit where credit was due, they got the job done.
I was left standing there, trying to calm myself as the adrenaline began to wear off. I suddenly felt very tired and hungry, despite have slept surprisingly well last night, and had eaten just this morning.
While I got myself under control the female werewolf came over to either kill me for interfering or to thank me for aiding in battle, I had no idea which. With some so called honourable warrior types the difference between helping and getting in the way could mean thanks or a sword in the gut.
As she closer I noticed that she wore armour that was mainly brown leather but with large steel shoulder-plates and wrist guards, with a few smaller pieces of steel armour as well. Her leather skirt ended well above her knees, which was enticing, and she had three diagonal stripes of war-paint all the way across her face. The overall effect was to make her quite an intimidating figure, as well as somewhat sexy.
"You handle yourself well," the woman said, in approving tones.
Then something weird happened, and given my life lately that was really saying something, the woman leaned in and sniffed me. I knew she was a werewolf, but still this was odd behaviour.
"You should come to Jorrvaskr with us" she then said.
Soon the man with the two-handed sword joined us. He sure was a big fella, six feet tall at least, and he looked as if armour could barely contain his massive form.
"You look strong," he stated "Aela is right, you should join the Companions".
I might do that, I could sure do with the help if I was going to be facing dragons.
"We are brothers and sisters in honour," Aela told me "We show up to sort out problem if the coin is good enough. I believe you would fit in well".
I didn't know why, they were all clearly superior fighters to me, I'd distracted and annoyed the giant, nothing more.
"Let me think about it" I requested.
Since I didn't have the knowledge of the technology necessary to bring about an Industrial Revolution, and then the Information Age, that meant that my jobs skills were mostly useless in this realm of existence. I did have some retail experience, that combined with my ability to read and write, which weren't common skills in pre-industrial societies, could get me a job at a store, but what was the point of living in a fantasy land if it ended in me getting a nine to five job? Besides I might the sole hope for this world, although for the sake of the people it might be better if the Dragonborn was just running a little late and was just now entering Skyrim.
"I have to deliver a message to the Jarl before I can do anything else" I said.
That was my priority because it not only did it mean that I would be following the main quest line, which I had clear memories of, it also meant that I would be doing what I'd promised to do, and a man was only as good as his word. Besides if I did end up doing merc work for a living it would be good to be known as someone who did the work he promised that he would do.
"When you have done that, come to Jorrvaskr and see Kodlak Whitemane," the big man said, as he wiped the blade of his two handed sword with a cloth. "If he thinks you are worthy you will be in. I shall speak for you".
Well I might have saved his life by distracting the giant. If he believed that then it would explain his offer to speak for me.
"For now, though, I think you deserve a share of the coin for this job" the big man added.
Money was of the good.
"You're right, Farkas," said Aela.
She put a hand into a pouch, pulled out a leather purse, that was nearly as big as the pouch, suggesting that it was bigger on the inside, and tipped some coins into her other hand.
"Here," she said, offering the money to me "A fourth share of what we are to be paid. Seems fair".
I thanked her.
"Speaking of pay," said the other male Companion, "we should go and collect what we are owed from Pelagia",
Yes it was time to part ways. I did have a job to do.
"And I need to get to the Jarl" I said,
The two male werewolves left, but Aela did not leave.
"I'll leave the boys to collect the pay" she said "I'll come back to Whiterun with you and show where we Companions make our home".
Whatever her interest in me was I didn't have time to dwell on it, but I couldn't help liking how she paid me attention. However I had a job to do, so I got walking.
Taking the path toward the city led me past some stables, and a stationary cart that looked just like the one in which I had ridden to my execution in. Beyond that, on the other side of the path, was a little encampment of dome-shaped tents, possibly they were yurts of some sort, it didn't really matter. It happened to be the occupants of the tents who interest
"Khajiit has wares" one of the cat people said, in a voice that was very human but seemed to have a little purr in it "if you have coin?".
While it was incredible to see real life cat people, now wasn't the time for shopping, however I would return later just to get a closer look.
"I have an errand to run right now, but perhaps I'll have a chance to browse your goods later" I replied.
Aela didn't get too close to the cat people. Which amused me as she was partly canine and they were human shaped cats.
"May your road lead you to warm sands," it said.
Which I assumed was a blessing of sort.
"And yours too," I said.
The outer wall of the city lay just past that little encampment. Banners depicting a highly stylized horse's head hung from the wall and guards patrolled the ramparts. Two guards stood in front of the gates. And as I approached one of them stepped forward before addressing me.
"Halt!" he ordered.
He wore armour in the same style as that of the Stormcloaks but covered by a light brown tabard instead of a blue gambeson. His face was entirely hidden by a helmet, but it didn't seem to muffle his voice too much.
"The city is closed to strangers while there are dragons about" I was informed.
This didn't stop them from letting Aela in, but she lived within the city.
"I came to tell the Jarl about the dragon attack on Helgen" I let the guard know "Also I have a message from the people of Riverwood, they are asking for aid in defending their village".
The guard didn't need to spend much time thinking about letting me in or not.
"I'll let you in, the Jarl will want to know about this," he said "Make your way up to Dragonsreach, at the highest level of the city, and ask for an audience".
Once I got inside the city I took in the sites. Right next to the front gates was a blacksmith who offered me her services. This blacksmith was a woman, which wasn't so odd in this land, however on my world during the medieval period of history this would be strange. Gender equality didn't seem to be much of an issue here. However advertising seemed to be as the blacksmith again tried to get me to buy something from her store.
"I don't need anything like that at the moment," I told the lady "I need to get to Dragonsreach".
Upon hearing this the blacksmith smiled.
"As it happens I have made a sword as a gift for Jarl Balgruuf the Greater. It's a surprise, and I don't know if he'll even accept it, but could you take the sword to my father I'd be grateful" she requested "He's Proventus Avenicci The Jarl's steward up at Dragonsreach. He'll know the right time to present it to the Jarl. As you are going up there anyway".
Seemed odd to trust something like this to a stranger, but Aela was again standing with me so that might have something to with it, or maybe I just looked to be the honest type.
"Sure" I said.
I was going that way so there seemed to no reason to refuse her request.
"Thank you," the blacksmith said, as she handed me the two handed weapon.
I made my way through the streets and soon came across a large market square that was bordered by shops and an inn, which I was sure I'd be staying at tonight as the day was quickly disappearing as nighttime approached.
The market was already closing down despite the number of people still wandering around. I imagined that with the city there wasn't much commerce taking place. Plus it might not be safe to be on the streets at night even with the high walls and guards. I remembered well that there were vampires in this world, but I'd worry about them later.
Once I was beyond the stores I ascended a flight of steps and found a dead tree, which was surrounded by seating somewhat resembling park benches. To one side of the park was an extensive residential district and to the other side was a much more unusual feature. A large building stood atop a rise and it appeared to have a roof constructed out of an inverted Viking ship. It even had the rows of round shields on the sides.
"That is our mead hall" Aela told me as she began walking towards the building "Perhaps we shall meet again inside its walls".
I said nothing to her and focused my attention on the statue, which was the image of a warrior who wore a winged helmet, he was stabbing down with a sword at a coiled, serpentine creature. A shrine to Talos, he had been a dragonborn hadn't he. I struggled to remember.
Stood in front of the statue was a man in robes, who was waving his arms, and ranting in the manner of a street preacher. No-one paid him the slightest bit of attention. He might have been one of those people who hung around yelling at people with a 'the end is nigh' signs. Ironically the end was nigh.
Straight ahead was a path that led to even more steps, several flights of them in fact, and I while giving my feet a moment to rest, I noted the water cascading down in a series of mini-waterfalls to each side of the steps and emptying into two large ornamental pools. The overall effect was quite beautiful.
Some guards once again tried to deny me entry when I finally made it to Dragonsreach, while allowing the people they knew to pass freely. Once I explained why I was here they let me pass without trouble, and I headed to far side of the great hall, which was where the Jarl could be found.
As I got closer to the local lord I saw that a dark skinned woman who wore a set of leather armour and had taken out her sword. However really got my attention was how alien this woman looked, she was an elf, what the locals would call a Dark Elf, and what I thought of as a Drow.
"What is the meaning of this interruption?" the Drow asked demanded to know "The Jarl is not be disturbed".
For the third time I had to explain to someone why I wanted to see the Jarl.
"Well, that explains why the guards let you in," said the Drow as she sheathed her sword. "Come with me. The Jarl will want to speak to you personally".
With that she led me towards the throne. I saw the Jarl, he was a middle aged in terms of years, but lean and tough looking. Which made sense as in a warrior society you needed to remain physically strong if you wanted to rule. His clothes were trimmed with gold cloth, a fur cape was spread over his shoulders, and a circlet of gold set with jewels sat on his brow.
He lounged on his throne, looking far more relaxed than he should given all that was going on, I figured that he hiding his true emotions and projecting a causal aura so as not to let people know just how worried he really felt. If so then I was about to deal with a shrewd man.
"Were you at Helgen?" the Jarl asked me "Did you see this dragon with your own eyes?".
Oh boy had I. Really it was a small miracle that I wasn't being plagued with nightmares after what I'd seen.
"I did, my lord" was what I said in reply.
While I had no idea how to address a man of his rank I figured that I'd been polite enough.
"Tell me what happened" the local leader commanded of me.
I took a deep breath before starting.
"The Imperials were about to execute Ulfric Stormcloak," I told the VIP, purposely failing to mention why I'd been there "and then the dragon attacked. It was a large black beast, and nothing seemed to hurt it. It killed a lot of people and set fire to most of the buildings. I doubt much of the place is still standing. I managed to escape the dragon with some help and make my way to Riverwood. Which is calling for aid. I was sent to request that help from you as well to tell you about the dragon attack".
Once I was finished the Jarl turned to the man who was his advisor and steward if I remember correctly. He also the man I'd come to deliver the two handed sword to, but that could wait.
"Hear that, Proventus? What do you say now? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls against a dragon?" he asked.
The Drow spoke before Proventus could reply.
"My lord," she said "we should send troops at once. Riverwood is in the most immediate danger. If that dragon is lurking in the mountains".
Proventus tried to oppose that idea, giving some political reason that really didn't matter given that the world was ending, and thankfully the ruler overruled him.
"Enough!" the Jarl snapped. "I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people. Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once".
Well that was my task done. Now I had to worry about getting that tablet from the barrow.
"Yes, my Jarl," the Drow said
She quickly headed out the door.
"In that case, if you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties," said Proventus, somewhat stiffly.
The Jarl assented to this.
"Uh, excuse me, sir,"I said, as Proventus was turning to leave. "I was asked to deliver something to you by your daughter".
I would need every coin I could get so I best get the tip now.
"From Adrianne? Ah, yes, I know what it must be," Proventus said. "Come this way."
He stopped a little distance from the throne platform and accepted the sword from me. Which I'd been carrying this entire time, and it was not light in weight.
"I'll present it to the Jarl at another time, when he's feeling more agreeable," he said in a low voice.
Then in a more normal voice he spoke again.
"Thank you. Here, take these few coin" he said next "for services rendered".
The tip was only a few small coins, but I knew that these few coins could mean the difference between a meal and starvation at some point.
After the Jaral called me over and asked me my name. I used the name Gothic as I knew that this man wouldn't care if the Imperials had me on list of people who should have had their heads removed at Helgan. Besides my real name didn't make me sound like someone who was going to do anything heroic.
"There is another thing you could do for me. Suitable, perhaps, for someone of your talents" said the Jarl "Come with me to see Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into what we thought were just rumours of dragons. Now that we know that they are real his work is of the utmost importance".
I followed the noble to a room that was just off to the side. This Farengar fellow had a nice set up, a couple of desks, lots of books on the shelves that lined the room. As well alchemy equipment, what I knew to be vital equipment for enchanting, and some other stuff. I even noticed a crystal ball, and wondered if they worked in this world.
"Farengar," said the Jarl, "I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and give him the details"
Without another word the lord of this land turned and went back to the main hall. Seemed odd to me that I was being given this vital task, and that me wonder if the Jarl was under the impression that the tablet of dragon burial sites didn't exist. There would be sense sending valuable troops on an expedition if he didn't believe there was any point.
"So the Jarl thinks you can be of use to me?" the wizard said. "Oh, yes, he must be referring to my research into the dragons. Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me. Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into an old Nordic ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there".
I didn't say anything, I didn't need to. Farengar was happy to keep talking.
"When we received reports that a dragon had been sighted I began consulting my sources," the wizard said. "I learned of a certain stone tablet, said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow; a 'Dragonstone' that holds a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find the tablet, which is no doubt in the main chamber and bring it to me. Simplicity itself".
No surprises here. Everything was proceeding as I'd expected, and while this might seem like a good thing there was a downside, as if I was the Dragonborn I could become super powerful, it also meant that the fate of this entire world rested upon me, which was not ideal for me as I was not the hero type.
"I'll either return with the tablet or I'll be dead" I told the mage.
A moment later I was heading out of the castle, and down into to the marketplace. I knew that I would have time to dine at the tavern this evening and for a quick bit of shopping before I left in the morning. I could do with finding some enchanted items to help me fight better, or at maybe more spell books.
I wouldn't be able to stay long as I wanted to return to Riverwood before nightfall tomorrow so that I seek some help. I had a feeling that I couldn't do this alone.