Riel Stories Epic

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 11.1[39]

Of Burning Deaths

 

Olisha carefully explored the old chamber with the oddly disturbing, but non threatening feel, to it. While there was a good deal of junk, and semijunk, that hoblin workers took away to put in an empty room to be sorted through, there were chests, trunks and boxes with more useful items.

 

There were some very old family almanacs of those who had lived in the Shades before they became the Shades; according to the almanacs the area was a very peaceful and prosperous one. It was nothing like the Shades at all. Yet even in the almanacs, tucked away at the back of each book, were small articles that hinted that there were growing troubles in the area. One article strongly hinted that an evil influence was seeping out of the Dark Temple Zone. Notes, tucked into each almanac, stated that all of the families had died in the amazing quick Red Splash Plague that had swept through that part of the Undercity.

 

One other tome was a badly written, haphazard journal of the day to day events of the Red Splash Plague. After wading through it twice, Olisha was getting more concerned about implications behind the Case of the Burning Deaths. The Journal writer only gave initials of HHJ as if fearing to disclose his, or her, full name. One good reason for this was that in the journal were a number of angry statement attacking the Empire, the Imperium, the Emperor, for not caring enough about what was happening in the area effected by the mysterious plague. Such could easily be seen as treasonous statements by the Imperium.

 

She found a whole trunk of cleaned, pressed, folded and carefully wrapped uniforms of a kind she had never seen before. In Common Cyrodilic were the words Plague Worker on the front and back along with emblem badges on the shoulders. There were hats to go with the uniforms. In the same trunk were simple hand written booklets with basic instructions on how to deal with more sick or even dying plague victims. The booklets warned that when victims did die they burned away quickly and could harm anybody touching their bodies.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 11.2[40]

Of Burning Death

There were some books on the history of the area before the Shades but none mentioned the plague, almost as if it had never existed, except there were gaps and inconsistencies in those works as if they had been censured in a heavy handed manner. Then she found a small mistake, made by somebody that had done some of the censuring, that spoke much; it was a signature but also the official mark by somebody serving the Imperial Information Office; it was an open secret that they carried out the censorship for the Imperium. Olisha doubted that either official mark or signature, were supposed to be there.

So the Empire was involved with dealing with the plague but also in trying to cover it up!

What was the real nature of the 'plague' that it caused people's bodies to burn away even as they died? Was it really a plague as such? Mages, and psykers, had long ago discovered very tiny organisms were responsible for sickness be they bacteria or viruses or of other kinds. That was one reason cleanliness, even sterility, became very important with healing and hospitals. So what was behind the plague? Was it natural or supernatural or magical in nature?

She went on searching the chamber and found a three big crates of exotic weapons, being carefully sealed. They had standard enough handles but the spikeswords had spikes made of very expensive, uncommon, silverwood. Silverwood was amazingly effective in destroying various dark supernatural entities along with vampires, werewolves and a fair few others. The crates held a fortune, in goldworth, of silverwood.

Olisha knew he was there, of course, as the young mageborn Slayer man came to stand at the door in black leather armor. Clearly he assumed that he had been too stealthy for her and that he would take her by surprise. He spoke with a sneer in his voice. "Of course you will pass all such valuables over to the Slayers Guild Elders, along with that which you got from the Guardians. I think that you should leave this place and allow real Guild Slayers to do real Slayer work."

Olisha whirled and threw the small knife. It stuck into Tedrog's body and he cried out as he fell back against the door frame. She scowled. "Get out or I will kill you. Hurry now! You are dishonorable and with out respect. Drop my knife!"

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 11.3[41]

Of Burning Deaths

 

Tedrog pulled the knife out of his chest and dropped it to the floor, his body already healing with the amazing speed common to magefolk. "Nasty!" He grinned as he wiped his pale face. "The Slayers Guild Elders have decided to make some changes to the Slayers Guild. You, and your brother, are outed as are all non-mageborn Slayers. It is a decision that is long overdue."

 

Olisha turned even as she slipped to her feet, noting that the other Slayer was sweating strangely and was oddly flushed of face. Such symptoms were known to her people and were far from welcome. Tedrog had always been noted as unreliable, skittish of behavior with odd mood swings including bouts of aggression. Only his strong magefolk family, and political connections, had stopped him from getting into any real trouble. He was 'twisted' since birth, was effected by the mageborn curse as linked to the Nameless Enemy itself.

 

Now he grinned. "To be outed is to die!" His hand flew towards his favored weapon, a spin-knife, but as amazingly quick as he was he died as a throwing-star struck his throat and as an angry Fighters Guild guard thrust a longsword into the Slayer from behind.

 

One Fighters Guild mercenary was dying but Olisha saved his life. Others had been pushed back as Tedrog had used mageborn magic on them, being non lethal but nasty. She had to help heal the other guards and the others who had encountered the intruder. Luckily Samsal showed up and was soon assisting.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67

[Robert55]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :pirate:

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

Zero 3.1[42]

Of the Orbis Observing

 

The Orbis observed the Hero Demidivines waking from sleep in their own bedrooms and as they slowly came to full awareness they were tended by household nymphs with much efficiency. Though they looked like almost petite young women, that many might assume were sweetly harmless, the nymphs were very dangerous. It was no accident that 100 of them served the Demidivines through the established household.

 

The Orbis observed increasing skirmishes between swarms of bonekynes and others; they attacked MythicDawners, MythicFist Soldiers, goblinfolk, wildfolk of many kinds (such as imps and trolls), tribal humans and Imperial Citizens along with yet others. The Imperium only learned of very few of these conflicts.

 

The Orbis observed the increasing number of 'burning deaths' in the Shades of the Imperiarna Undercity, along with other activities there.

 

The Orbis observed the sudden, mysterious, appearance of a teen-adult woman in Imperiarna. Her name was Willow and she was albino in appearance except that her eyes were golden brown as was her hair. She wore pants, a shirt, and other typical outdoor gear for a Common Cyrodilin but on each finger was a silvery ring with an odd golden symbol. On her back was a very large backpack that looked far too big, too heavy, for her to carry. In her right hand she held a wooden quarterstaff capped both ends in silvery metal with odd golden symbols.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 12.1[43]

Of Burning Deaths

 

Willow walked through the great big walled off Imperial Commercial Sector with its one, or even two, level shops, offices and other commercial enterprises. There were some government offices, some smaller warehouses and such as small fire-fighter outposts, public hand-pumps with their wells, many grand statues along with much else. Everybody kind of noted Willow was there, many being cheered up and some being frightened, but none quite remembered her.

 

Now and then somebody would go through a testing-transformation, would shimmer softly. About half would vanish after shimmering softly blue, green or yellow-white. Others remained but were transformed, more youthful, being enhanced mind-body-spirit. They would hurry off as if they were seeking to carry out urgent tasks, were following instructions as given to them.

 

When she made her way past a row of beggars, every single one of them suddenly had a wooden bowl of vegetable broth, a small loaf of multigrain bread and a bottle of cordial water. The beggars were rejuvenated and wore better looking, cleaner clothes and footwear. Their sleeping mats and other items were also improved. When two thugs strode over to steal the 'prizes' both shimmered blue and vanished, being sent to the blue ice realms of hell.

 

She sat in a small garden courtyard, meditating quietly with crossed legs and floated just above the ground. Around her the plants bloomed, the health of other life forms improved and gentle shivers went through the ground.

 

After a while a twisted nature elemental drifted, ghost like, up out of the ground. It had been changed from existing in a city first constructed by the Grand Aldmer and others that had been long forgotten, some for very good reasons.

 

The great majority of folks did not know that there had been the Grand Aldmer and the Common Aldmer that had appeared later; it was the Common Aldmer who had caused the rise of the Ayleid, the Dwemer and many other Mer but that was after the Grand Aldmer had vanished. The Grand Aldmer had created the WhiteGold Tower and many other sections of the Grand Imperial City and not the Ayleid as most believed; the Ayleid had built Aldmer like structures in centuries following the vanishing of the Grand Aldmer and then the Common Aldmer.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 12.2[44]

Of Burning Deaths

 

The twisted nature elemental spoke as if partly confused. "They came, those who are both alive and yet alive, born and reborn, they being called the mageborn. Two centuries ago, as humans foolishly measure time, the unnatural mageborn came to this city and were drawn to settle down in the Imperiarna Undercity. They can not help do what their hidden unnatural side would have them do though other mageborn remain settled in other parts of Cyrodiil, most are now here. The 'twisting' becomes increasingly effective amongst them though the stronger ones are also arising that would resist such."

 

"Just before the mageborn came here there was the Red Splash Plague that arose in the Shades (of the Imperiarna Undercity). It was no mere plague of virus or bacteria or other natural microlifeform; it was the influence of the Nameless Enemy of all life. Too many mortals, now dwelling in the Shades, are infested though outwardly they live normal lives and are not aware of what lies inside them. The Septum Empire needed to have no quarantine for all of the infested are drawn to live inside the Shades and none are comfortable in sunlight while basic tests can reveal their true 'nature'."

 

Willow nodded slowly. "It was Empress Amiel Septum II who ruled from the Dragonthrone when the Red Splash Plague was active. I was here during the plague, that was no plague, but you forget that for you mind is sullied. I will rejuvenate you; your time has come to depart from here, your promise having been done. You will go to Sanctumus, the natural sanctuary world, and be at peace."

 

The nature elemental shimmered and was once more 'untwisted' and untainted by dwelling in a city. It 'spoke' now with a greater clarity. "I thank you but before I depart I have a warning to give you. It is more than the infested that are a threat in the Shades. There are the 'burning deaths' and the rise of bonekynes that appear to be traveling to other parts of Tamriel but also dark, living-dead entities undertaking some kind of conspiracy."

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 12.3[45]

Of Burning Deaths

 

Willow nodded. "I know of them, can 'sense' these followers of the Nameless Enemy that are often known as the necrofane as ruled by the Necrolords. They are the Necrotrinia, the Living-Death Empire. They use bonekynes because, though weaker than their living-dead minions, the bonekynes have more resistance to sunshine and other threats that the necrofane are quite vulnerable to. You have more to say."

 

The nature elemental responded. "The undead, the dead, the unlifen, the livingfane are restless as are the living in the Shades but the effects are slowly, but steadily, sweeping across the Undercity. There is more to this but it is beyond me."

 

Willow smiled. "Go to Sanctumus, where many have already been sent, and be at peace."

 

The nature elemental vanished away with an impression of joy and relief.

 

Willow sighed, knowing that there was a limit to how much she could intervene into what was happening and just what she could do. She decided that the small courtyard would be her temporary home while she remained there. It was not long before the first hungry, stray cat came into the courtyard to receive some healing, some nurturing, some fussing over before it was sent to Sanctumus.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 13.1[46]

Of Burning Deaths

 

The healers, and healermages, were busy tending to three burn victims with special healing magics and healing-potions meant for such injuries. They would live but would need healing for at least a month. As for burn scars, that would depend on if anybody would treat such for them.

 

The three battlemages crouched as they examined the burned remains of the very small red bone-platelet creature that had ignited one of the three wooden barrels of high-burn oil, causing them to suddenly explode in a most horrific manner. The two human, and one human-orc hybrid, workers with the cart of barrels had been taken completely by surprise.

 

An craggy old man stood close to them, in a typical fisherman coat, and shook his head. "Bonekyne flamebug. I heard a story from a drunken sailor who came into Anvil Harbor as part of the crew of a big trader sailship from the Friendlies Archipelago. He did not have much to say on the matter except that flamebugs burned down a large island harbor, destroying wooden jetties and many ships. Over 100 lives were lost and over 12,000 in goldworth."

 

Aisha looked up at him. "What island?"

 

The man shrugged. "Liberty Island that lies between Tamriel and the Friendlies Archipelago. Nobody knew were the bugs came from and the drunken sailor had no idea where the name came from either except that there were other kinds of 'bonekynes' other than the flamebugs. I have nothing more to say."

 

Aisha looked down to her purse, to get some coins for the man to pay him for his information, but when she looked up he was gone as if vanished into the crowds. The markets had quickly gone back to its normal routine of buying and selling, bartering and entertaining. She shrugged it off and made some notes in a small notebook but had soon forgotten about the old man.

 

It was a new threat to the Shades, and beyond, being a very serious one. The question was how had the small creature gotten as far as the Hubs that was so far from the Dark Temple Zone where bigger 'versions' of such creatures had been sighted.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 13.2[47]

Of Burning Deaths

 

Aisha, Trento and Vaish observed as the Shades Sheriffs Office people took away the remains of the dead flamebug, after carefully putting it into a bag. They were angry that their request to have the remains had been abruptly, even arrogantly, ignored.

 

Deputy Sheriff Reggina had shown some regret but the Shades High Sheriff had given strict orders on the subject; he did not trust the Slayers Guild and had little interest in any real cooperation with them. Ancient mageborn feuds were expressing themselves yet again.

 

The three paused to have some coffee, an uncommon drink made from imported beans from some obscure islands known as the Friendlies Archipelago. They also consumed sweet butter-biscuits and dried fruit. Coffee was a fairly favoured beverage of magefolk and so it was sold in the Hub Markets. They sat in a semi-enclosed tent cafe dotted with big flower-pot bushes of dark green leaves.

 

Aisha spoke after sipping some coffee, a taste picked up from working with mageborn. "The flamebug got into the markets somehow. It was on the cart, with the high-burn oil, when it caused the explosion. Where does high-burn oil come from? All I know is that it is highly combustible and quite uncommon."

 

Trento snorted. "It comes from the Shades, from some kind of big bubbling red-black pool of the stuff that is quite close to the Dark Temple Zone. From what I remember, one of the big Imperial Guilds has some kind of imperial monopoly in collecting, transporting, refining and selling it but I can not remember which one."

 

Aisha bit her lip for a moment before speaking again. "Did either of you see any emblems on the barrels that did not explode for some reason?"

 

Vaish frowned softly. "The Imperial Alchemists Guild. They could be the ones with the monopoly on high-burn oil. Corrupt, greedy lot they are along with their cousins of some other Imperial Guilds including our Imperial Slayers Guild."

Edited February 4, 2014 by Maharg67