Tales of the Dead - Contest Entry Thread

tinythinker

Dear Lady Arhe,

Greetings and divine blessings to you in your time of grief. The sudden loss of your husband last year and the cloud of confusion and suspicion hovering over the circumstances of his passing can only compound your loss, yet be assured once more that I shall continue to use my own influence to shield and support you in these troubling times. Regarding your family, word has reached me that you are now preparing to also mourn the loss of your brother Melno and his son as they have been missing for several months with no sign of their return. It is no secret that whomever is behind your husband's death would stand to gain from their untimely ends as well, especially given their status as heirs to your late husband's estate as well as his legacy.

I now confess my role in the disappearance of your dear brother and his only son and beg for your forgiveness in keeping this from you. For their protection, soon after Anders' death my personal guards escorted them to a former bandit camp that has fallen into disuse. This secrecy was vital to their security as we looked together into who is plotting against your family, and I can assure you that they are quite safe and being kept in relative comfort befitting their status and the standards to which they are accustomed. But the grief we have caused you was deemed necessary to hide our activities and provide an advantage against the schemers. I am owed and accept your loathing and outrage at the pain this has caused you.

Herus has matured much during his time away, and it seems as if he is growing every day, to Melno's great pride. They both send their most sincere tidings and warmest affection. And be assured, your anguish and confusion has not been in vain. The shadows covering the plot against your kin have been pierced, and as I write you my people are making final preparations to bring these schemes to an end. But first you must join us here for your own safety before further action is taken. Do not worry, few know of this location, and because of its prior reputation those that do know of it stay far away. Neither you nor your family will be discovered here. Of this I am supremely confident.

I have sent my most trusted servant to deliver this letter and to escort you here in secrecy. None will see you depart. I am sure you are eager to have that reunion, and you may trust me when I tell you that no one can keep Ogrush from delivering you to your destination. While news of your missing loved ones must be a shock, another surprise, which I am not at liberty to divulge, awaits you as well upon your arrival. It is no more than you, and your family, deserve.

Yours faithfully,
Bentalliolous Rov

freeofcare

It was a good day, when the leader of the leading vampire coven, the leader of the biggest werewolf pack and the leader of the best group of vampire and werewolf hunters, finally came together to try and come up with a truce to stop the bloodshed and the killing of innocents that came with this ages old feud.
So they decided to meet on neutral ground under the open air and eat while they discuss the details of an possible truce. However, the vampire leader, Victor, had other plans. He hid his best archers in a hidden cave in the mountain under wich they dined, with the intention of getting rid of 2 of his biggest rivals.
However he was not aware of the fact that there was a vampire among them who was a hunter before he was bitten, and who was still collaberating with the vampire and werewolf hunters. Therefore the leader of the hunters, Amelia, was well aware of the vampires plan and came to the dinner prepared.
On the fatefull day the dinner was to take place, the three leaders met in peace and started their dinner. The werewolf leader, Lucius, saw that both Victor and Amelia seemed nervous and he therefore expected something to happen, he had no idea however, what exactly that was, but he put all his sences on high allert.
Halfway the dinner the sences of Lucius picked something up, he smelled the vampire archers before he heared the arrows let loose from their bows. So he quickly hid under the table to avoid the arrows, right at the same time Victor did the same, to avoid being killed by his own ambush. Both where surprised to see each other there, yet they where even more surprised that they didnt hear any death screams from Amilia, or for that matter any arrows hitting the table or the ground around them.
So instead of ripping each other apart they sticked their heads from under the table to see the arrows hanging motionless in the air, with Amelia and what seemed to be a mage standing next to them. This mage seemed to have come from a hole in the ground, yet there was no time for either Victor or LUcius to think about this since Amelia and the mage imediatley attacked. The mage loosened some arrows from her magic grip, making them fly on right into the head of Victor, killing him instantly.
In the meantime Lucius had already transformed into his werewolf form and was charging at the mage, all the while avoiding Amelias dagger wich she had hidden in her boots. when Lucius arived at the mage he tore open his neck and dragged him with him into the woods. Without the mages magic to hold up the arrow however, they shot loose and punctured Amelia throwing her back in her chair.The vampire archers had long fled when they saw their leader go down from their own arrows.

xaq

Eighteen arrows to end the lives of two?

The first three did the job: two entered the eyes of the watchful one nearly simultaneously, the one who sat with his back to the fire so as to give him some vision in the darkness. The third lethal missile came for the one who sat with a jaunty arm over a short stack of books. The candlelight made them both easy enough targets where they sat at the table, about to open a bottle of wine. Three arrows were enough.

Why waste fifteen more shafts?

Their camp, their colossal table unfit for travel, their cumbersome chalices. Their provisions, crate and barrel. Their ornate texts, tales of travel penned by pretenders, by dilettante wanderers like themselves. They posted no guard. They sat with the cliffs behind and above them, with no thought to danger from the rocks above. Likely they felt safe between fire and earth, thinking the only danger came from wolf or bear.

The danger was in the leaves. The wood they carried with them did not offend, perhaps. The noise, the raw stink of foolishness that filled the camp, it earned them notice, but it did not condemn them. Their simple meal was their end. Wanting something other than cheese, cheese every day for a week, a month. They plucked grapes from the forest, and the harvest was seen by eyes in the leaves.

Eighteen grapes on a plate. Three arrows to seal the Pact, fifteen for the balance to be paid.

Preyfar

I no longer remember the date. We've been going in circles for what seems like weeks. The Breton keeps telling me we're on the right path, but after three days of walking, no food and little water I'm about to call it. There comes a time when the rocks and trees become one giant blur mashed together. So tired.

We're barely holding up.

We're making camp for the night at an abandoned campsite. It's in bad shape, but there's no other shelter. A table, a few candles and some scattered provisions. Chairs, too. It's not much, but it's a place to rest.

---

Woke up. Don't remember drifting off. Elias came back with a handful of grapes. GRAPES! No meat, just grapes. We're saved! Stalks-the-Night went out to hunt some time ago. Elias say the lizard refuses to "surrender to the wild", whatever that means. Never understood scale speak.

Found a bit of cheese after digging through the rubble. Some success, at least. It's not much, but it will last the night. I swore the old crate was empty when we first looked through it, but given how tired we were, it's not surprising we overlooked it.

---

Can't remember what day it is. Turdas? Fredas? Doesn't matter anymore. I'm so bored I don't know what to do with myself. Gorged myself with the cheese. A full stomach helps. Scales didn't return from his hunt. We decided to give him until the morning, if that shellbrain doesn't return by morning...

---

Jolted awake to the sound of rustling. Elias and I searched the area. Nothing. Probably the wind. Not leaving it to chance though. Elias is standing watch.

---

More cheese? Woke to find Elias passed out in the chair, drooling on himself. Some guard. Fool went through half the bottle of Colovian brandy before slouching off. I don't remember having this much cheese, let alone the brandy. The table's stocked full! I'm not one to complain. Keep hearing the rustling. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. There's nothing there.

---

Elias is still passed out. Can't stand the rustling. WHERE IT IS? Stalks finally showed himself. Kept urging us to go. Shellbrained fool! Go? GO? We have everything we need right here. Food, shelter. It's perfect! I'm not going to follow that scale-hided idiot back to whatever mudwallow he hatched from.

---

A butterfly landed on Elias' face. It seemed to be cleaning his lips of the cheese and brandy. I watched for what felt like hours.

I could stay here forever. I've never felt more at peace.

HouseofBlades

RIP : REST IN PIECE

Whilst travelling thought the Rift, my comrade and I came a cross an arrow sign on the road, "Rest in Piece - Free Food and Wine", pointing to a nearby clearing by the hill.
Days of travelling made us oblivious to trickery and less dubious, as we made our way to the warm idea of resting our feet and filling our bellies with warm food and ale.
The bandits of these hills, obviously got the better of us, as they not only filled our bellies with food and wine, but also with plentiful of arrows....
.....luckily it wasn't an "Arrow in the Knee"....
.......that would have been embarrasing...
.......ahahahahahah
......"Rest in Piece".....should of seen that coming a mile a way, but then again, I didn't see the arrows either..............
.......ahahaahahahah

Traveler beware !!!

SDeakin

Morndas, 23rd Morning Star 2E 582

Glad I brought this thing, got to document our search!

Sirius and I found this guy named Tolvin who said he would help us find the treasure! That guy has a good sense of humour! Pretended to be a bandit and he asked us where we were going while he tipped out our pockets, we told him we knew the location of some treasure and he stopped and told us he was joking, I suspect he thought to drop the act before we attacked him but we knew he was joking all along and we asked him to escort us, he went off into the woods for a second then returned with a bow so he could make sure we were safe!.

Today is the day my friend, we are going to make something of ourselves!

Tirdas, 24th Morning Star 2E 582

Haha, thank Arkay!

We know the exact area to dig in! We found an old run down shack and we took out a table and chairs, some food, some things to keep any treasure we find in.

This is going to be good!

Setting up camp and digging around! Tolvin keeps blowing a war horn and saying he is trying to scare away anyone who comes close but it really disturbs my writing. We are going to be very safe with this man, even if he does act a bit shady!

Middas, 25th Morning Star 2E 582

We found it! The treasure is ours!

This is more gold than any emperor or king could ever have! We packed it into crates and barrels, Tolvin kept blowing his warhorn and eventually some people arrived and he went to meet them. He says they are here to help us carry the gold back home, not sure how they will carry it too well with all those weapons but hey, we are lucky to have them!

Going to put out some cheese and wine to celebrate!

Mother always said we were thick-headed but we are going to show her! We found the treasure and even got some people to help us carry it back!

aarundel

The Deads are Silent.


2E 576 day 13, 2 years before the arcane explosion at the Imperial City.

A member of the Dark Brotherhood must follow 5 rules known as 'The Five Tenets'. If they break one, they will need to defeat "The Wrath of Sithis" to return to the Dark Brotherhood.

The five tenets are:

1. Never dishonor the Night Mother. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.
2. Never betray the Dark Brotherhood or its secrets. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.
3. Never disobey or refuse to carry out an order from a Dark Brotherhood superior. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.
4. Never steal the possessions of a Dark Brother or Dark Sister. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.
5. Never kill a Dark Brother or a Dark Sister. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis


Night Mother watch over us. Our brotherhood have executed some of the most secretive, the most dangerous and the most evil tasks in Tamriel. But this..
My name is Darius Lachance, Speaker for the Black Hand in the city of Kvatch. Few weeks ago we received a contract from a Dunmer from Daggerfall named Noveni Othran.
The task was simple.
To deliver an ivory box to an Altmer mage of Psijic Order. Two of our best agents, Berengar and Kitana were picked for the job. Whatever cult Psijic Order is,
it took us 5 days to track down this Altmer Necromancer, who went by the name of Mannimarco. No, actually the necromancer found our agents. The ivory box was delivered, but our agents never reported back. And just yesterday, one of our apprentice was killed in the tavern while tracking down Berengar and Kitana.

Until than we never could have imagined what was in that ivory box.


2E 576 day 21,

Everyone’s gone. Of all the 174 brotherhood members of kvatch branch only Tristan, Demena, Rondbar and I remain.
This will not end like this. We will find out what was the package we delivered, and why we are being hunted.
We will head to Bravil as soon as the dusk consumes the last remnants of light.


2E 576 day 27,

We are 3 days away from the guild in Bravil, and Demena is not returning from the scouting mission. The argonian has never failed to complete her task before, nor vanish like this. She would never run by herself. Where would she go? We are her only known family since she was taken in from the shadow-scales 18 years ago. Maybe we will have to detour and stop by Skingrad and seek sanctuary at the guild there.

2E 576 day 28,

We arrived in Skingrad. The high walls and the never
resting patrols in the city brought us little comfort nor
security.
I had to learn about this Mannimarco. So I stopped at the
mage’s guild for some input on this character.
Thats when I was approached by another altmer
Vanus Galerion.


We were told by this altmer the terrifying truth. The ivory box and what was inside and who this Mannimarco was. What Mannimarco and The Order of the Black Worm is up to. We had to run. The Dark Brotherhood has deliverd the Amulet of the Kings to him. What have we done! The Worm cultists and their leader, Mannimarco is trying to bring hell to Tamriel.
We have to find Varen Aquilarios and warn him of the necromancer’s plot against the world.

2E 576 day 30,

We are gaining on Bravil. There the guild have arranged a meeting with Varen Aquilarios’ contact, a redgaurd named Sai Sahan and his companion Lyris Titanborn. All we need to do is finish our late meal and leave to Bravil and warn Varen Aquilarios of Mannimarco’s betrayal.
May my 171 brothers of Dark brotherhood find their peace.


The rest of the journal is tainted in blood which has darkened by time.
They must have been ambushed while having their meal. However, according to the journal there should have been 3 corpses. However, only two remains. Whose is missing. Did the missing one betray them to the worm cult?
The empty sockets of the ever smiling skull is the only thing that knows what happened here and will remain silent forever.

hampus.jadefeldteb17_ESO

These poor bluffers tryed to steel from some bandits. But as they celebrated the bandits shot a barrage of arrows on them.

It does not necessarily have to be bandits but if you put this in the game it would be cool if a ghost from one of the poor bluffers would appear and explain what happended. That would be easyer than a book and also more fun to listen to.

(and sorry if I spelled something wrong)

Knootewoot

They starved to death because the food was made out of plastic. No way a corpse decomposes to a skeleton while the food stays fresh. And then someone came along to targer practise against the skeleton dummies.

kingnerevar

The Legend of the Gambino brothers...
This is a summary of what the locals refer to as "Death From Above"
...The Story Involves Azriku and Dunjor Gambino. Young adventures seeking fortune and fame in the land of Tamriel. The brothers pride themselves on their ability to overcome any trials they might face wile traveling. One sunny day the adventures break for a wile at a small camp site. It is not known what had brought them to this particular place, or if the camp was set up by them or another, but the eye witness accounts do tell of the horrific demise that has befallen them.
After some drunken incantations and rather unwarranted aggression towards another, the brothers were approached by a strange Khajiit woman who seemed to "hover" over the ground. The current state of the brother made this fact go un-noticed. The strange woman asked them for some cheese or grapes to help her with her travels for she had not eaten over a week. The brothers, (whom have plenty of both with them) didn't want to part with any of their food and especially didn't want to give it to a Khajiit. The woman then offered to pay for such items and in return was giving mold covered cheese and grapes that would be more appropriately called raisins. The woman was very upset by this, looked at one of the brothers with a cold and calculated glare and spoke "looks like rain" and proceeded to hover down the path. The brothers thought nothing of this as the sky was clear as ever. They proceeded to pass out where they were.
Loud crack of thunder wakes both of them and the chilling words are herd again. "looks like rain" Moments later hundreds of arrows rain down on them killing them in their place.
Now the locals have left the site intact, with the bones ominously still attached to each other hundred of years later. When any traveler comes across this place they leave fresh grapes and cheese on the table. These are offerings to the strange woman in an attempt to gain favor and aid with safe passage on their travels. The locals have never uttered the words “looks like rain” since the first tellings of the tale were told.

Venereous44

Dear Mother

I writing you to let you know that I’m with Denir and we’re fine. We’re trying to salvage Dad’s old camp with the hope that we can use this as our staging area to make our fortunes from the bounty that the surrounding forest provides. I know you warned us away from this way of life but we’re grown men now and it’s time for us to make our own way in the world. After spending a week here and experiencing the natural beauty of this place, for the first time in my life I might have some idea on why Dad rarely came home. Living this way, the peace and tranquility is hypnotic sometimes. I can almost forgive him.

Denir is getting pretty good with the bow and has to only hunt for minutes before filling our pots. This unfortunately gives him too much idle time as he refuses to assume any other role in this camp except for provider of game. You know how he can be. So all he does is practice archery all day when he could be collecting more pelts for us to sell. His latest exercise is to see how many arrows he can launch before the first one hits its target. We argue constantly now as I feel this is a useless endeavor but I think he has a fantasy of joining the military one day. Yes, he knows how you feel about that as I remind him often. How he thinks this is more important than getting us more pelts, he's never been able to say. One doesn't get paid for shooting trees.

I have to admit though, he is getting pretty good… he’s up to three arrows in the air at a time before the first one hits the target only forty paces away and he thinks he can get a dozen going by having arrows land straight down onto our fire pit. He's obsessed with this now. Again, he can't tell me how this would ever be useful.

Well, I have to let you go, Denir and I are looking forward to a relaxing night after our first batch of hooch finally matured and we're both eager to sample it before we (meaning me.. Denir will certainly disappear with his bow again) start bottling in the morning. So I promise I’ll write again soon.

Love Mullin

JohnBarard

“Look at it, Rolaf… the Eye of Argonia!”

“I’m lookin’, Svorn, I’m lookin’.”

Two Nords, seated at an abandoned table near their campfire, continued to stare, as they had for most of Morndas evening, at a small orb resting in one man’s palm.

“I just can’t believe it. Do you know what this means, Rolaf?”

“I think I have an-”

“It means we can live like Jarls the rest of our lives! This is the most prized artifact in all of Tamriel, even beyond! The Amulet of Kings itself is worthless comparatively! Why, we’ll-”

“Svorn, I get it. Honestly, though, I… don’t see the value in this.” Rolaf reached over and picked the orb off Svorn’s palm. “It looks like an ordinary stone someone polished into a sphere. Are you sure this is the Eye of Argonia?”

“Of course, Rolaf! I summoned Mephala herself, and she told me exactly where it was.”

Rolaf shook his head. “Listen, Svorn. I’m afraid you’ve been tricked here. For all we know, this might’ve been pulled off a storm atronach.”

“No, Rolaf! That’s the Eye of Argonia! There is no doubt!”

“Alright, fine.” There was silence for a moment. “So, what does it do?”

Rolaf looked up from the stone. “What?”

“I said, what does it do?”

“Well,” Rolaf faltered, “it, um… well, it’s the bloody Eye of bloody Argonia!”

“I know, but surely it has magical capabilities?”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, all legendary artifacts do. Azura’s Star holds souls; the Ring of Khajiiti makes you invisible; even the Robe of the Lich fortifies magicka while killing the wearer something fierce. Surely this stone is imbued with divine or daedric powers?”

“Hm… well, it’s an eye… from Argonia… perhaps it… lets you see Argonians?”

“We can already do that, Svorn. Did we seriously kill ten bandits, a giant, and fifty rabbits just so you could get a worthless rock that Mephala, the Daedric Prince of Lies, claims is the Eye of Argonia?”

“I see your point. But trust me, it’s the Eye. I can feel it.”

Rolaf glared at Svorn, loathing evident in his gaze. Soon, however, his muscles relaxed, and he chuckled lightly. “Svorn, you idiot.” He leaned back in his chair, sampling a cheese wedge and staring contemplatively towards Masser and Secunda. “So, what’d Mephala request in exchange for the ‘Eye’?”

“Oh, well, she told me that my adventuring days would be over, but who needs adventure when-”

A volley of arrows cut Svorn’s sentence short, as one pierced his eye, and several others forced Rolaf off his chair, leaving him in spasms on the ground. Eight men and ten women, all Dunmer, left their positions and approached the small camp.

“Well, Mephala desired we target their knees first,” one woman stated, “but this should still satisfy her writ.” She gestured to the small stone. “Take it. None must discover the Eye of Argonia.”

“Why, Knower Eldris?” one man asked.

She gave him a withering look, and walked away. The others quickly followed.

Kre

Talien’s Log
Entry 1.
I can’t believe father is making me escort this shipment of weapons to Davon’s Watch! How many times have I told father, I don’t want to be in the merchant business! I hate traveling. You have to be on constant watch for thieves and to make matters worse; I have to travel with a member of House Dres. As if the wagon sickness wasn’t going to be enough, I’ll have to listen to the incessant chatter of a stuffy bureaucrat spouting off about Culture and “truth”.
Entry 2.
Savri of House Dres isn’t half as bad as I thought he would be. He has proven to be quite a hospitable traveling companion. He is a great lover of wine and has brought many bottles. He said it was to make the ride less bumpy. Turns out, he suffers from wagon sickness as well! He’s even ordered his personal Argonian slave Dressha to cater to my needs as well as his! It’s looking like this trip to Davon’s Watch won’t be as miserable as I thought!
Entry 3.
The weather has proven to be a challenge. It’s been raining ever since we left Mournhold, causing the driver to take the road slow. Thank the Divine Three for Savri’s wine and Dressha, she’s proved to be quite the masseuse!
Entry 4.
We’ve lost a wheel and the caravan came to a crashing halt. The toll on the wagon seems to of come from all the rain. Savri has ordered Dressha and the other two Argonian slaves to set up camp. This will put us back a day. On the bright side, the rain has stopped.
It started to rain again. To pass the time Savri ordered Dressha to stop picking up the arrows that had littered the ground, and to….tend to us. She didn’t seem to happy with the order, as a matter of fact she outright refused! Savri was furious and before I could intervene, he started lashing her with his belt. Though I don’t approve of his methods, he was right to punish her. What kind of slave dishonors their family by disobeying their master?
Entry 5.
Last night was invigorating!!! Who knew Argonians where so talented with their tales! After Savri punished Dressha she became quite pleasant, and this morning all the weapons had been cleaned and packed away save a bow and some arrows still piled together. Dressha even prepared us a wonderful breakfast! These grapes are juicy and the wine so good! I feel today is going to be a wond……..

thekdsemailb14a_ESO

Anonymous.

The 1st era was unpredictable at most. Daedra, Human, and Mer (along with countless other beings) strived to gain a foothold upon the beautiful landscape. And why would they not? The land was for the taking. It was rich with ores, and gems. The landscape was riddled with yews, and hickory. The more logical of the races like the Dwemer spread themselves thin to try and harness the power of Nature by manipulation.

However, There was another force which drove the land during this time, something less easily seen, but just as real as the ores, and the trees. This force was called magic. Magic is misunderstood by many people of Tamriel, which allowed the Daedra to easily manipulate the races of the world. They created trinkets, weapons, armor, and clothing that did much more than the eye could see. However, some things were not made for protection, but for personal gain.

One of these creations was the not-so-heavy sack of endless knowledge created by Hermaeus Mora. The Prince of insatiable knowledge put everything he deemed important to him in that sack. Like many of the Daedric princes, Hermaeus was already gaining mortal followers. What Hermaeus didnt realize were that some people were just as greedy for knowledge as he was at the time.

So, one night three of his Ayleid followers cast a powerful spell on Hermaeus which bound him to a powerful soul gem, and stole Hermaeus' not-so-heavy sack, and retreated to a camp they had set nearby. There was a strange feeling buzzing between them at the camp. They knew not what to expect, except that there was indeed extremely important knowledge within the leathery parcel, and of course it was seething with magic. The mer agreed they would open the sack the following morning.

One man opened the sack after his friends had gone to sleep for the night though. He was absolutely shocked. Inside the bag was a doorway which on the front read "within these halls you will realize; Reality is fiction, and fiction can become reality." He slowly opened the door, and inside was a gigantic library. This was a place of infinite knowledge, and the Ayleid decided to show his friend, but the door was not there. He frantically ran down corridors trying to find his exit, but without any luck.

The man could not believe what was happening. Was he dreaming? He reached onto a shelf and grabbed a book and read. Much to his surprise, it was a story that sounded exactly like what was going on in his life. The last few lines ended in the tragedy of the death of 2 Ayleids. After the lines were finished a door reappeared with just the 2nd half of what it said before "fiction can become reality." He stepped out of the bag and found both of his friends killed brutally like in the story.

Hermaeus by this time had gotten himself free and met the Ayleid. Hermaeus not wasting any time cast a powerful spell on the site, allowing no one to move or destroy any part of the site, even with the most powerful of magics. The Last of the Ayleid friends was banished back into the bag. The site can still be found today. Some even say the Ayleid inside the bag still makes random events occur and he reads more and more within Hermaeus' lost Library.

Aupurn

She turned around, "How am I to see, or much less read, without any light?", her voice was agitated as her companion doused the fire.

"You aren't", he replied gruffly, roughly grabbing her by the back of her tunic, throwing her onto the dirt ground. She gasped for air as she collided with the rough surface. Her hand dashed to the dagger at her side, while he quickly drew two arrows from his quiver. He came towards her, pinning her down with his knees. She plunged the blade deep into his abdomen.

"Baelarus blood", he spit in agony, "and a dead Baelarus at that!"

These were his final words before he plunged the arrow tips into her skull, her screams breaching the quiet of the woods as she writhed in the dirt and wildly slung her now bloody dagger about, the blade catching his skin several times. He rolled off of her as the sweat dribbled down his face and chest, darkening his dirty tunic. She made no move to rise, as the trembling of her person and the rise and fall of her chest began to slow, ease, and in short time cease.

Carefully, he approached her, picking the dagger from her grip, smelling the foul tip. He could feel the poison pushing through his veins, dissuading him of his reality. Stumbling back, he raised his hand to chase away the bugs buzzing in his ear before quickly placing it down on the table as he felt himself sway.

As if by command, the whirr of arrows followed, landing across the ground. Startled, he stumbled down onto the ground, crawling underneath the table. After a moment, all was quiet. He burrowed himself further under the table, grabbing onto the leg of his chair. His lack of judgment waning, he heaved himself up and into his chair. His breaths were labored, his hands clammy, and his face pale.

Without warning, the second string of arrows were released; splintering both wood and bone. Silence engulfed the wood once more.

Eventually, the three accomplices came into view, one of them dropping his quiver as he ran up to the now dead Altmer. His fingers ran over the feathers of the arrow protruding from the elf's skull. As the remaining two approached, one pondered, "How are we to find the Dusk and Dawn with the five claw dead", the second nodded in agreement. They scoped out the area, before paging through the books and notes by the table.

"Hmm, this may be something", she cleared her throat as she read from a tattered and heavily marked page, "The Horizon of Dusk and Dawn hides itself within a darkness, penetrable by the dead and pursued by the living blood of Baelarus and those beyond that line. Burn your dead Baelarus, for their blood shall let all seethe into the Horizon's Hole", she looked up from the book and towards the dead woman on the ground.

Her tail swished vigorously, "This one has an idea..."

ZeroNeonix

Falaman's Journal:

12th of Frostfall
Elealine, my Elealine. Your eyes are like two golden coins. Your skin like the radiant sun. Why did I have to be born a peasant, or you a noblewoman? No matter. I will prove my love to you. I've traveled North, to Skyrim, to find a treasure worthy of you. Here it is said that an ancient Snow Elf tomb contains a diamond like no one has ever seen.

I enlisted the help of a Khajiit thief named Ri'ashi, and a local woodcutter named Reydorta and her sister Sofike. His sneakiness and the sisters' strength should be useful.

Ri'ashi's Journal:

12th Frostfall
Why did Khajiit agree to do this? When Falaman said he was looking for treasure, Ri'ashi thought the two of us were alone. Khajiit planned to steal the treasure for himself, but now he has hired two Nord women as well. Maybe this one will get lucky and the others will get killed by the Falmer. Khajiit heard that Falmer are blind. Ri'ashi can sneak by them easily.

Reydorta's Journal:

13th Frostfall
I met a High Elf yesterday. I don't like most snobby elves, but this one seemed different. He told me his story, how he wanted to earn the love of a woman of a higher class, and I wanted to help him. Now we're here at the Falmer tomb. I hope it's deserted.

It wasn't deserted. Falmer were everywhere. We managed to cut through many of them and hide in the inner chamber, but I swear that cat is trying to get us killed.
I don't see the treasure anywhere. There's a frost atronach roaming around below. I'd rather not have to deal with that thing. There's supposed to be some big diamond that the Falmer ruler had kept hidden here, but I see nothing of value here. Wait...

Ri'ashi's Journal:

14th Frostfall
Who would have guessed that the diamond would be hidden in the chest of the atronach? Well, thanks to the fire magic of Falaman, the frost atronach fell easily. But it also attracted the attention of the Falmer. Ri'ashi was silent and escaped while the others fought their way through. Reydorta invited us to her home to celebrate, but as we were feasting, the Falmer somehow found their way to us. Their arrows rained on our table and killed the two sisters. Ri'ashi and the elf made it out alive and visited the Mages Guild to teleport back home. Ri'ashi thought about killing the elf, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

15th Frostfall
The elf is insane! Elealine's home is a tomb! He opened her grave and put the jewel in her rotting arms. I need to get out of

[The rest of the journal is stained in blood.]

Falaman's Journal:

15th Frostfall

My Elealine, do you like your diamond? Of course, it is not as beautiful as you. We shall be together forever, my love. None but the two of us.

Campiclatchb14_ESO

“Dearest Zuletha,

Meet me in the cove south of Daggerfall in three days. We shall finally see each other. We have waited so long, and at last we will unite.

Everyone is telling me that the area is full of bandits, but it is the best place to meet. I don’t dare put you at risk. If anyone sees that I am meeting with a woman of the Pact, we will both be killed.

I suggest you wear a hood. Come in secret, and do not allow anyone to see you. I will have the area prepared for our meeting.

My love for you leaves me in anticipation of our reunion. Perhaps we shall one day be together in peace without any war in our way.

Worry not about the rumored bandits. I have no doubt that they shall go without noticing our presence.

Until I see you, stay safe.

With the truest of love,
Farren”

Moonglum83

Mother knows best
__________________

It had been a rushed affair, the family being split up and both of them being ferried away from Wayrest. She already knew that her husband and children, except for her and her eldest daughter, had been taken into custody; facing an unknown but undoubtedly terrifying fate.

As they approached the rendezvous she had to remind herself that she had done what she did, because she needed to at least ensure the safety of one of her children.

“Remember to smile Adaelinde, be polite and charming as we discussed.”
“Yes mother…”

She could already see the hate taking root in Adaelinde’s eyes, but she did not allow herself time for self-pity or doubt.

They entered a clearing with an exquisite table laden with delicacies. She knew no one would be there to greet them, it was not that kind of meeting.

She felt a slight movement in the air behind her, and then a soft and sickly sweet voice she immediately recognised poured into her ear: “It is good to see you again, Magana. So too your beautiful daughter! The Baron will be most pleased.”

“Ricard; I would say the same, but only if it actually was. Can we please get this over with, I am in no mood for your sycophantic drivel.”

“My, but she has a fierce some bite today! Is your mother always like this, or only after she has thrown her loving family into a nest of Daedroth to save her own neck?”

“How dare you! You left me no choice! I either did as you said and give the Baron what he wants or we all would have met the same fate. I did what any mother would have done!”

“No need to get upset m’lady, it will ruin that lovely face of yours. SO! Down to business!”

Ricard, a henchman with the grace of a rabid fox, lead them over to the table, proffering with a bejewelled hand the delicacies of the table whilst he recited the terms of the agreement between Magana and the Baron, through Ricard.

I, Magana Bougenet, hereby offer the hand of my eldest daughter {Adaelinde Bougenet} in exchange for the renouncement of the charges of treason against the Merchant Prince Allefred Bougenet and his family…

Before Ricard could recite his favourite parts of the contract, detailing Magana’s deceit against her husband and other children; a razor-sharp arrow hits Ricard in his left temple, searing through his head as if guided by Hircine himself. The shock of what had happened did not register as she tried to make her body move as fast as her mind was, trying to grab Adaelinde with hands that would not move. As she half-heartedly swung around, a boot met with her sternum, flinging her backwards.

The last image Magana Bougenet saw, was her daughter being dragged away by the Baron’s men. That, and the two preordained arrows that were about to end her life.

ZodiacDragon

We were a traveling group of merchants wandering thru Tam riel selling goods of all kinds but every town we came thru something would happen female women and a male child and female child would disappear in the middle of the night this group of merchants had a dark secret they were hiding the leader of our group Feyn use to have a wife and two children a daughter and a son one day on a stormy night the imperials raided our camp saying we were selling skooma the guards killed feyns son daughter and wife then left feyn to live in misery so he decided to keep all the corpses of his loved ones to one day bring them back our leader Feyn starting dabbling in necromancy and bloodmagic trying to concoct the perfect spell to bring his family back alive and unleash a army of undead never seen or heard of in history a ancient evil so every town our group went thru Feyn would steal two kids and a women and use them in his test one day we came across a ancient heavy sack when Feyn opened it he found what he thought was the final answer to perfecting his spell a dark crystal he then used this dark power to complete his ritual to his shock it worked perfectly but at a price no one knew would have to be payed he did in fact revive his dead family but he also brought back a ancient evil that existed before the Dwemer a evil so old that it has no name after the ritual was complete his family ran away after seeing this evil but me and feyn stayed to try to fight this evil to control it we were un-successful as the evil raised its hand and shouted red souls and out of the sky a portal formed and thousands of red burning arrows entered our bodies this is where we met our demise

harmin1

A miss, and yet another, My thoughts race in my mind,I contemplate whether the difficulty of the situation is worth the confusion it will cause. Decidedly if I get to watch before drifting off to my final rest, once I succeed, the humor will make up for the problematic task at hand. Another miss, sadly I have taken the life of another in this drawn out process. Just a slave, a bad one at that, perhaps it is for the best. I am sure he would have tried to stop me. And another miss, I hope no one else wanders onto the scene and causes me to accidentally add to the body count. I knew it would be difficult, but I will leave a legacy no one has likely left before, or will afterward. Another miss, I will try one last time before taking a break to let my arms rest. Who would ever imagine someone could commit suicide, with a bow!

Gingergal73

Pavio and Camena Taldus were shunned from the wealth and heritage of their well-to-do families for wedding without consent. Unaccustomed to poverty and common labor, they struggled to survive in Imperial City. They dreamed of raising children outside of the city and away from the Market District. One day while cleaning tables at the Lyonbane Inn, Camena overheard two merchants arguing while standing over and pointing at a tattered map laid across their table. She couldn’t help but eavesdrop as they discussed the possibility of large quantities of precious minerals in the isolated regions they eagerly pointed to. Camena hung on their every word as they pondered and planned where they would find enough laborers to, “rake in such vast quantities of gold.” Camena was beside herself as this may be the opportunity for she and Pavio to fulfill their dreams of a new home and family. Should she volunteer she and Pavio? Doing so was risky as it would reveal that she heard every word of their conversation. What if they were dangerous men indeed or worse, informed the inn owner of her transgression? Camena’s longing for a reprieve from scrubbing linens, tables, and being harassed by male patrons at the Lyonbane Inn took over. She approached the men carefully, refilling their tankards and asked, “Pardon my rude ear sirs, but did I hear you mention that you were seeking laborers?” The stouter of the two men glared at her and began to grumble, but the other interrupted him speaking eloquently, “And who might you be my dear?” Camena beamed. “Oh sirs, my name is Camena Taldus. It is a pleasure. I am sorry for listening to your conversation, but my husband and I wish to move away from Imperial City. If you require laborers, you will not find more eager or harder working persons than ourselves.” The more gruff man of the two got a gleam in his eye and the other grinned and introduced himself. “My name is Attelian Autrus and my partner here is Rogathe the Brash. Mi’lady, you do not look like the hard laboring type, but your enthusiasm overwhelms me. Consider yourself employees of Autrus Mining Co. Of course, we will pay you and your husband well for relocating to such an…uncivilized locale.” Without another word, Camena threw her arms around Autrus’ neck. He chuckled explaining that a ship would be departing to the new site in three days time. Camena ran home to share with Pavio, certain he could not decline such a wonderful juncture.

Without question, the two boarded ship to the “plush, free land” where they would build their new home. What Autrus and Rogathe decidedly didn’t disclose, was that their new home lie on the outskirts of Valenwood in territory overrun with violent and deadly conflicts between Bosmer and Altmer clans. As Pavio and Camena departed ship, Rogathe and Autrus shared a mischievious grin, their dark Daedra eyes gleaming with another successful venture.

Moral: The Daedra is in the details.

Kwada

May something happen to me on my journey please return this journal to my wife in Daggerfall and say it's from
Wulvan Ruddard

3t of Sun's Dawn
I left my comfortable farm behind today and set out for my journey to retrieve my families long lost challises. My wife wished that I remain by her side but we will need the money from selling them to keep the farm and her shop. I'm setting out for Skyrim according to my grandfather's journal our old family tomb must be located there and I will find it.

5th of Sun's Dawn
Fortune is with me! I walked for two days when I crossed paths with a caravan trader. He was heading to Skyrim as well to buy some animal hides. And for a small compensation I was allowed to ride with him.

8th of Sun's Dawn
Finally I'm free from that idiot! For three days I had to listen to that man and his endless stories about a so called 'Dragonborn'. As soon as we arrived in Dragon Bridge I left his car and paid him his compensation. Immediately going to the inn to drink away this heavy trip.

10th of Sun's Dawn
I hired a carriage near Solitude who was able to bring me to Whiterun. From there I had to continue my way to the family tomb on foot. But I believe I'm getting close. Only, since I left Dragon Bridge I'm not feeling entirely alone anymore. probably nothing.

11th of Sun's Dawn
I've reached my family's tomb! It's exactly like the drowning in my grandfather's book. I went on inside but couldn't find the challises yet. I decided to make a little camp here so I can take all the time I need.

12th of Sun's Dawn
I can't believe it. I've found my families challises! Now we don't have to worry about our money problems anymore! The Challises are old, but clearly valuable. I've found out something else as well, why I had forgotten most of my time in Dragon Bridge. I can remember again that I was not very amused by a few Woodelfs. But I'm not entirely sure what happened. Only that I woke up next to one in one of the rooms. I hope that nothing else happened there. But I also remember the others didn't look quite amused.

17th of Sun's Dawn
Unbelievable! How can the Divines do this to me? I'm on my way home again and now that I'm back in High Rock. Guess who I met on the road again? YES, indeed, that idiot caravan trader! just sitting there by a table in the middle of the forest. good enough for him I was tired of walking and he offered me a drink. And Drink we did!
The feeling of not being alone (except for the trader in his chair) has grown. I think he wants to say something so I will stop for today, he looks quite afraid.

HurlinMerlin

I do not know if anyone has noticed, but if that's a male skeleton laying on the ground, he appears to have what would a very painful wound for a male. Just sayin.

That will teach you to date my daughter!!

Sigtric

They never should have listened to that daft old wizard.

It was just a few days ago that the brothers from Bleakrock and I met Shalidor, and I warned them just after that those mage folk can’t be trusted, but they had gold in their eyes. A chance to plunder a mad god’s realm? Shalidor spoke in riddles about recovering some lost island and that it would require going into Sheogorath’s domain. All Grunwald and Ysgrimr heard was treasure, which Shalidor never actually mentioned.

They asked me to go along but I refused. The Cheesemonger’s Hollow in Oblivion? I had never previously heard of such a place and being wizarded off to Oblivion did not sound like anything I would enjoy or profit from. Meeting the brothers and driving them home in my cart after their little adventure though? What could be the harm in that?

I have a soft spot for those boys, they are like grandchildren to me. Years ago I took an arrow in the knee and had to give up my adventures, but I lived vicariously through both their plunders and blunders. What I would not give to try to go back and keep them from taking on this fool’s errand?

Alas, I let them go and agreed to meet them on the shore of a little secret cove where they made Shalidor agree to drop them off after their foray into Oblivion. When the time came, I was there early, sitting on a little bench and table I set out to enjoy some lunch and ale while I waited. It was not long before, from somewhere unseen the crazy old mage opened a magic doorway which spit out the brothers at a full run, carrying bags and purses full of loot. They came to a halt just before plowing over me, and dropped their bags on the table.

The brothers were arguing whether they should go back in after their bows and quivers which they had dropped in an effort to carry out more treasure when I stood up and started looking through the bags. Cheese, wine, stale bread, fruits, dried meat… all good stuff, but not a single bit of gold to be found.

Shaking my head I limped back to my wagon to get another stool.

“What… Shor’s Bones!” Grunwald wailed. “The gold has turned to cheese!”

Just then from what could only have been the Mad God Sheogorath himself, a piercing bit of cackling or otherwise insane laughter came through the portal, followed by a volley of arrows, killing the brothers on the spot.

A half a blink later Shalidor popped out of the portal just as a single arrow passed through him without harm and stuck in a tree nearby. The portal snapped shut.

“That didn’t go as planned.” Shalidor said just before some bit of sorcery transported him away leaving me to my grief and a mess to clean up.

They never should have listened to that daft old wizard.

*********************
If I may add, I decided it would be neat to make this look like a book found in the game, so I fired up gimp and had a little fun. If you'd like to see it, have a look here.

cyanbane

"Would you pass the cheese please?"

"Doctor!", audibly louder - "PASS THE CHEESE PLEASE."

"Oh yes... sorry" said the shorter haired man. Passing the bowl while obviously coming out a deep thought.

"Those Templars we passed on the road earlier, something wasn't right."

"You didn't see everything." Said the taller man.

"Did you notice anything different about the sound as they rode up?" he said as he placed the cheese on his plate next to the grapes they acquired in Skingrad.

"Well now that you mention it they did sound a slight bit noisy. More clanking."

"Correct" he said as he pulled another grape. "They were all wearing armor that didn't fit."

"Each piece" he continued "was about two sizes too big. For each rider. That armor wasn't built for them."

"Did you notice the leather that was used to wrap the horn of the first rider?"

"I did not. What about it?" said the short haired man, his right elbows perched languidly on a copy of Healer's Fieldbooks.

"It was the leather of a Snow Fox" he continued, popping another grape on his plate with his finger, as if testing the consistency "The only people with the skills to tan that animal reside North of Bleakrock. Miles from the Aldmeri. It was fresh from the tanning board - less than 2 weeks old. The salt on their boots only went about 3 hand lengths which means they had to be going through some kind of brackish water that was not too deep. Probably Brackenleaf. Which means they didn't come here by marching from Velyn Harbor, they were marching TO Velyn Harbor. No. They are walking in circles. Why? Ahh yes, they are searching. But searching for what?"

"A search party of men? In these woods. Could be anything." said the doctor.

"They were not men."

"Excuse me?"

"They were small women not used to being in full armor on horseback. Small women in recently stolen armor who traveled by boat within 2 weeks. That puts them from..."

"Winhhelm." Came the voice from the woods.

"I was going to say somewhere near the Warrior" said the tall man as he watched the woman step out of the woods.

The taller man winced, but did not blink as he stared at the approaching woman. In the flickering firelight he could see the the arrow pointed at his face, the bright copper arrow head shimmered with some kind of lackluster oil. The shaft of the arrow was perfectly straight and the feathers were of some shimmering green bird native to some far flung land he would never visit. In the middle of the fetch of feathers were some painted white. He could barely discern it in the flickering light, but he could just make the shape of an "M".

She grinned a knowing grin, knowing that he had studied the arrow.

"He sends his regards one final time, Sir Holmes" as she let go.

ruhk

Gladris-
Sorry to have left without warning, but after our rejection by the Bards College Senesil and I are more determined than ever to master our act, and will only return once we are certain that we, the Brothers Blomwil, are the best jugglers in all of Tamriel!

Cody

I would participate, but I don't know the dates and days of the elder scrolls universe:(

Sindala

Beware of Partying with Sheogorath.

You never know what his Pinatas are filled with.

Tremulous

Dear Friend and Family,

I know these past few weeks have been trying. The recent influx of these "Adventures" has put quite the damper on our business with the surrounding villages.

So to take our minds off of these crazed spell flinging, sword swinging psychopaths. I've taken it upon myself to set up a nice dinner at our favorite spot near the river. You remember the place; it's where we held up those silly Khajiit merchants.

In any case there will be cheese, wine, great company, and a possible raid on a village or two. Come down around noon and make sure to bring and coat; there is a small chance for scattered showers.

See you then!

Sincerely,
Bandit Leader Bart

P.S. Make sure to burn this after reading it, we don't want a repeat of that last time a hero found one of our letters.

smassareub17_ESO

JOURNAL of Eban Cyrr

Fredas 11 (Mid-Year)
I am so enchanted by my beautiful Mezmerella!! She is everything my wife is not! Mezmerella would never don leather armor and leave me to practice archery skills for hours on end. I think Angel-Fireshot loves her Ancient Elf bow more than she does me.

Mordas 21
I think I have finally found the perfect hidden rendezvous spot for me and my lovely Mezmerella. She is a walking vision. What did I ever see in Angel-Fireshot?

Middas 30
I have set up another meeting with my dear Mezmerella at our new love nest. I must be very careful. Angel-Fireshot is starting to look at me real funny. Almost as though she can read my mind. I am wary of looking too happy.

Tirdas 13 (Sun's Height)
Angel-Fireshot will be out practicing all day. At Last! Another tryst with my lovely Mezmerella. I brought wine and cheese and a heavy sack filled with gifts she will love. Oh, I think she is coming now. Yes. She looks like a vision of Dibella herself!! Wait...... Do I see someone following her? NO!! That can't be!!!!! ANGEL........


Moral: Coldharbor hath no fury like........