Kiin
Foreword: This story is set in Tamriel in a futuristic steampunk dystopia where the Dwemer return and take over the continent. This story will have two protagonists, one an Imperial prostitute and the other a Snow Elf princess. The Imperial will be paired with a Nord male gladiator. The Snow Elf's pairing will remain a mystery. This story is not in any way, shape, or form related to my other fics.
Summary: In the Sixth Era, the Dwemer have returned and forged an oppressive regime, subjugating all of Tamriel, led by a mysterious Dark Lord known as the Ivory One. In the Imperial City, the puppet-Emperor hosts brutal contests to distract the masses while an unlikely heroine – an Imperial prostitute is cast into the deadly games as the Ivory One finalizes its plans for Tamriel and beyond.
Disclaimer: The Elder Scrolls belongs to Bethesda Game Studios.
Warnings: Violence & Gore, Sexual Themes, Drug & Alcohol Use, Harsh Language.
Amaranth
~ Dedicated to Zane & Sheyaun ~
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A long time ago, after the Third Empire defeated the Stormcloaks, and the Last Dragonborn, Sasha Kroum had liberated Skyrim then disappeared. The Heroine of Hammerfell, Farha Khadija united the provinces and led the Second Great War against the Aldmeri Dominion with the help of her husband, Emperor Al-Thuban. After the Dominion was defeated, she left to search for the sunken land of Yokuda and like the Dragonborn before her, she too faded into the mists of history.
As a result, the Fourth Era ended in the year 205 and the Fifth Era began. All was well under the Al-Thuban Dynasty, no wars broke out for Tamriel was still healing from the Second Great War and many tired from battle, wishing for harmony instead. It seemed as if the continent was finally heading towards a golden age of peace and prosperity… Well, that was at least until it emerged.
In the deepest depths of hell, where even the Daedric Princes feared to go, a Dark Lord was born. An entity of pure hate and malice, after the very soul of Nirn itself. It called itself the Ivory One, and it found and brought the Dwemer back to Tamriel. The Dwemer worshipped this mysterious entity and together they took control of the still wounded Empire. Tamriel was then promptly subjugated by the new Dwemeri-Imperial regime which called itself the Ivory Empire or the Fourth Empire. The Ivory One did not rule from the throne however, preferring secrecy, it elected puppet-Emperors and empresses to rule in its stead. Rebellions were quickly stamped out and the rest of the Fifth Era passed in a blur, lasting only a hundred years in total, as the Ivory Empire ruled with an iron-fist. The Sixth Era dawned in brass and technological marvel as a thousand years of puppet emperors and empresses came and went.
Now, for the very first time in Tamriel's history, a series of gladiatorial games called 'the Blood Trials' are being held in the Colosseum of the Imperial City under the watchful eye of his majesty, Emperor Caesar Tiberias and High Chancellor Arkus Hasom. While the Ivory One watches from the shadows, putting the final touches on its plans for Tamriel and beyond.
17th of Last Seed, 6th Era 1000
Calm, tranquil water cleansed Arisha's hands under the Dwarven sink. She washed her face next, relishing in the feeling of the cool liquid running over her cheekbones. Her gaze lingered on her appearance in the mirror; sun-kissed skin, cascading, long dark-brown hair that fell to her chest with coffee-colored eyes that matched her locks in their shade, a full face over an athletic body. She was an Imperial hailing from the Nibenay Basin, freshly twenty-five years old.
Arisha dried her hands and turned, spotting the Colovian man she'd been sleeping with. He was still asleep. His look was built and bald. Best not to wake him, he's already paid. She also just didn't feel like quenching his thirst should he wake up craving more. - Arisha put her clothes on and exited the bedroom, heading deeper into the brothel. She'd been doing this work for about seven years. She needed some way to make an income in this bleak world. Arisha wasn't a mage, thief, or warrior but she did quite enjoy academia and reading in her spare time. But climbing the academic ladder didn't intrigue her as she had a feeling that the knowledge taught by the Ivory Empire was largely propaganda and whitewashed events of history, stained with praises to the Ivory One.
But what can I do about it? Arisha huffed.
The brothel called Mephala's Embrace was a shabbier, smaller building tucked away in the corner of Bruma, out of sight. One of the few buildings made out of wood in the town. Arisha preferred it that way as she didn't enjoy attracting attention to herself.
"Madam," Arisha called to her boss, a buxom, middle-aged Nord named Thorunn Sarkin. "I'm going to the market."
"Just be back before the evening. I hear Emperor Tiberias' men are in town." Thorunn was counting the coins collected from last night's earnings.
"Of course, madam." Arisha waltzed through the door, drawing her cloak over herself.
She saw her old orphanage, Gloryhall, on her walk near the Kagrenac Vehrak Academy of Magic. Arisha was told as a child that she'd been born in Cheydinhal but was left as a baby on the doorstep of Gloryhall in Bruma for some reason. Once she'd turned eighteen and made enough money, she'd visited the Nibenese city but found nothing that would help her track her parents. Returning to Bruma after that, she let the search go. If they didn't want her, why should she chase after them. She refused to be a beggar.
The city of Bruma was comprised of white-marble huts lodged into the terrain with Dwemer-metal reinforcements. Dwarven spheres patrolled the streets, serving as guards. She passed by the local wiseman, Paral Ibindranath, a Dwarf who'd been outcasted by his people for his outlandish takes and indulgence in smoking nirnroot. He was kind unlike the Dwarves that served in the Empire.
"Hey, Paral, any wisdom for today?" Arisha flicked him a mal.
It was strange, the Ivory One ruled over Tamriel, well that was if the being was real, that is. There was whispered speculation that the Dark Lord was a falsehood concocted by the Empire to keep their subjects fearful and in line. Since the Ivory One had not made a public appearance since the Fifth Era and everyone who was alive back then was now long dead, even the oldest Dwarves and Altmer, so even that couldn't be confirmed. Arisha personally believed the entity was real though, and that terrified her to her core. - The currency they used were called mal. White coins with a broad circle of crimson in the center, within that circle was a sharp, white skull with red, demonic horns and eyes – the symbol of the Ivory Empire. The words: 'Only the Strong Survive' encircling it on the edges in the white margin. The back and front were the same too. The odd part was worship of the Nine Divines was allowed. They were even taught about the Divines in their schooling. Although they were also taught that the Ivory One was greater than the Nine Divines and the Daedric Princes.
I wonder if the Ivory One is a Daedric Prince? That question was one that even her former teachers didn't know the answer to. Suffice it to say, there was a lot of secrecy surrounding the Dark Lord.
"He who understands the secrets of the truth becomes vaster than the vast heaven." Paral smoked his pipe full of nirnroot.
Arisha smiled bemusedly but nodded and walked on. A handsome Redguard staggered past her as she ascended the hill towards the market. She had seen him around a lot but was always too shy to ask his name. He had never set foot in Mephala's Embrace either, which only deepened her appreciation of him. The Hammerfell native stepped into the Chapel of Saint Martin, disappearing behind the door. Arisha was half-tempted to go inside but thought better of it, striding away.
She could see a massive blimp in the sky as she stopped by the market stalls which were wooden stands placed around a small area next to the chapel. Arisha waved at the High Elf, Egata Kalevala who was managing the food stand, a layout of fresh sandwiches placed there. The blimp, however, was twirling above the clouds over the city; a marvel of Dwemer technology.
"Hey, how's it going, Egata?" Arisha placed a few mal in her jar, picking up a sandwich.
"Arisha, my dear. It's so lovely to see you! Sit, break bread with me. I even have some of that elven coffee you enjoy." Egata laid a blanket over a table next to her stand and the two women sat down.
Not many in the snowy city treated her too well, especially when they learned of her profession. But Egata wasn't one of them.
The High Elf placed a few apricots, dates, and prunes on the table for them as they dug into their brunch. "So, did you hear the Emperor's soldiers are in town. Elder Councilor Mervath is with them. They're looking throughout the province for an Imperial to represent Cyrodiil in the games that are happening over in the Imperial City. Why they haven't asked Juliek the Ophis is beyond me."
They must want one person native to each province to represent them in the games. Juliek's our best bet at winning.
"Why are they hosting games?" Arisha chewed on her food. It was cheese, lettuce, and meat between two pieces of flatbread. "Doesn't Emperor Caesar like to parade himself in the arena as a gladiator? I've heard despite the fact that he's forty, he's quite the skilled combatant. No one's yet to beat him in a fight."
"The only ones who stood a chance at defeating him in combat were the Nord warrior-tribe from Kalgrad. But they're all dead now that Caesar burned down and destroyed their village in a surprise attack. I heard Caesar and his men slaughtered them all, including the women." Egata played with a prune. "He must've felt threatened by them is my guess. But to answer your question, I'm not sure. Maybe Caesar is bored. He's calling the games, 'the Blood Trials'."
I wonder why Tamriel hasn't hosted any games before this?
Arisha's heart mellowed at the thought of innocent people being killed. She knew a fair bit about the Velothi Nords of Kalgrad from her reading. Their village, 'Kalgrad' was located in the Velothi Mountains between Windhelm and Riften, and that they were a culture of fighters, including the women. From what she knew, they were quite devout in their worship of Akatosh, the Dragon-god, and that they didn't look like your typical blond-haired Nord. She'd never seen them, so she didn't know for sure.
The Redguard man from before passed by them, for a moment their eyes met, and he smiled slightly before continuing. Arisha's gaze lingered after him until she shook her head free.
Egata smirked. "His name's Ali Yunis."
Arisha blushed but ignored the Summerset native, finishing her food and coffee. After they cleaned up, Arisha said her goodbyes and set off. I think I'll go for a walk before returning to the brothel. She quite enjoyed the countryside and occasionally picking flowers.
Arisha stepped up past the Jerall View Inn and strolled across the cobblestone road. – Up ahead she saw Emperor Caesar's men on a stage in front of Count Nchulthumz' domed castle. The stage was new, as she had not seen it there before. A chill ran down her spine at the sight of the soldiers outfitted in dwarven armor with the skull insignia of the Empire blazoned upon them. The soldiers were comprised of all the main races on Tamriel, though primarily Imperial and Dwemer. One of the Elder Councilors, a Dwarf named Mervath Kulzoran, was shouting about, trailing to and fro across the platform as Count Sind Nchulthumz waited nearby on a fancy chair. Mervath was known to be on the… eccentric side.
"As you should all know by now, the Blood Trials are being held in the Imperial City," Mervath boomed. "And one individual is being selected from each province to represent their country. The Emperor Caesar Tiberias has decided that someone from Bruma will fight for Cyrodiil! Who among you?"
Bruma is known for its Colovian combatants, Arisha assumed that must've been the reason their city had been singled out. The Imperials who lived here in the cold were thicker skinned than their brethren in other parts of the province. - Many warriors amongst the crowd stepped forward as Arisha lingered on the outskirts of the throng. She knew some of them as they'd been customers of her services, a few of which she'd see regularly such as Drusus Nero and Augustus Avaris. Two men who were foaming at the teeth to participate in the Blood Trials.
Ali stood up, raising his sword. "I would like to volunteer!"
Mervath flicked his thumb. "Sorry, Redguard, we are only accepting people native to this province. A Redguard has already been selected on behalf of Hammerfell."
Ali sighed and sheathed his blade. He crossed over to her, staring at the floor. Arisha froze as the Redguard approached her despite the fact his hazel eyes weren't looking at her. The man bumped into her, and she stumbled forward.
"Excuse me, miss, I'm so sorry," Ali said.
"You're an Imperial, yes?" Mervath's steel-grey eyes landed on Arisha, interrupting her interaction with Ali. The bearded Dwarf pointed his long finger at her. "You, who are you?"
Arisha's heart beat against her chest but before she could back away, one of the men who knew her, Augustus shouted, "she's a bloody harlot! She can't fight!"
Ali and Arisha exchanged glances and the Redguard frowned, walking off. Arisha's shoulders slumped with defeat.
"A lady of the night… How interesting." Mervath stroked his illustrious beard. "What is your name?"
"Arisha, sir." Arisha swallowed hard. She had no desire to take part in the bloodthirsty trials the Emperor was putting on. "Arisha Cortea."
"Very well, Arisha. You shall represent Cyrodiil!" Mervath laughed manically. "Oh yes, oh yes indeed! This shall be quite fun!"
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A/N: If you want something to read while this story updates, check out my previous elder scrolls fics. But again, they are completely unrelated to this. Also, a few retcons. Dragons are six-limbed rather than four-limbed like in game and a few others that I won't spoil. At the beginning of each chapter, I will be posting one quote from different philosophers, poets, or a random religious text that relates to the story in some way. Lastly, if you search The Aurielian Serenade on Spotify, you can find the music playlist for this fic. Please leave a review.