Shadows of Darkest Soul (An Elder Scrolls RP)

[Zephyr2011]

Kriak near Kogoruhn

 

Kriak heard Lecauro's call to watch his back but as he had just turned his face he felt the warm glow of a raging inferno sieze his would-be-foe in its hellish grip. Although the woodsman was ready, the commander was far quicker and had completely incinerated the warrior. Kriak spat at the corpse as he strode towards Lecuaro. Despite the legionnare's best efforts, much of the flames had spread to Kriak. Kriak's skin though, was completely impervious to flames and had drank in every ounce of magica energy it could net from the ethereal inferno.

 

The woodsman noticed a few ashlanders fleeing from the carnage and quickly turned on his heel and threw his dagger deftly with one hand and launched another of his blue and black fireballs at the other. The dagger whirled through the air, whistling as it went, and burried itself up to the hilt in the unprotected base of one of the fleeing ashlander's necks. The other ashlander was engulfed by the blue flame and screamed in an agony he had never known from fire.

 

Kriak strode over to the corpse with his dagger and withdrew it from the body and walked over to the gathering of the others around the two 'prisoners.' Kriak was exhausted from his efforts but he could feel the tiny droplets of blood slowly filtering the energies of the shamen into him. Shadow magic was an immensely costly investment but it payed dividends. Large ones at that. The slain would supplement his naturally high healing and recovery rate enough that when next he would need his energy he would have it again, but presently his limbs shook slightly from the effort he had exerted, but it was getting easier. He was getting back in the saddle. A year ago that all would have taken him a soul to muster, now it only exhausted him slightly. He was returning to his prime...and possibly beyond.

 

Kriak squatted down next to the prisoners staring deep into their eyes, he knew that his little magic was what truly made them quiver and he was more than prepared to use it for leverage. He summoned a small black-blue fireball and twirled it between the fingers in his right hand as he stared the prisoners down, daring them to lie or withhold information from his comrades. Kriak had never been good at proper interrogations but he had been present at a great deal of them, and his prescence often helped expediate the lengthy process of extracting information.

[darkedge42392]

Adrynn Indarys, to Kogoruhn

 

Adrynn tossed his prisoner to the ground near the gathering group, his red eyes hard as rubies. He sheathed his Daedric Katana and crossed his arms over his chest. He glanced down to Kriak, who was already staring soul deep into Cauis's prisoner. This wouldn't take long at all.

 

Adrynn kicked his prisoner. "You better start talking, Ashlander."

[AurianaValoria1]

Velanya Therys, Ashlands, To the Urshilaku Camp

 

"They're a group of mercenaries from Elsweyr," the legionnaire explained, "I ran into them there, and in Black Marsh as well. They aren't known for their...tact. Let's put it this way: there isn't a job that they won't take."

 

She began searching the mercenary for anything of use, but could find nothing. She sighed, "They've also set up shop back home in Cyrodiil and are giving the honorable Fighters' Guild a run for their money. They aren't picky as long as the pay is good. And if they're allied with the likes of our enemies, then they must be getting paid very, very well."

 

 

Caius Cosades, Ashlands, To Kogoruhn

 

The Spymaster glimpsed the brand on the khajiit's breastplate, and that alone told him quite a lot.

 

"Lecuaro...these mercs are Blackwood Company."

Edited December 11, 2011 by AurianaValoria1

[SoulofChrysamere]

Lecuaro Sulnair Marczon - To Kogoruhn

 

 

 

"These mercs are Blackwood Company." Caius's simple comment resounded inside of Lecuaro's ears. He had been suspecting that mercenary groups were being hired by the Ashlander army, but he thought the groups would be made up of rogue Telvanni or Hlaalu, or the less than honorable of Redoran, along with the usual ragtag assortment of outlaws and bandits. In a rare instance, Lecuaro was slightly surprised if only for a bit. Of course after processing for a few seconds, he could see why the Blackwood Company might be here. He had spent a brief stint down in the Cyrodiilic city of Leyawiin near the Elsweyr border and another short stint in the actual province of Elsweyr. All throughout that time, he had seen and interacted with several Blackwood Company members and chapterhouses. He quickly learned their motto. "No job is too big or too small as long as the payment is large enough." The Ashlanders must've raked together quite a sizable sum of coin in order for those moneygrubbers to come all the way out there.

 

 

"Blackwood Company, eh? No wonder they moved so slowly...can't imagine fighting with a purse as big as a breastplate strapped to me." Lecuaro said half-jokingly. "Whoever greased their palms must've pulled together a huge amount of money in order for them to come all the way up here."

==========================================================================================================================================

 

Serrabinashiah Masseribalit - To The Urshilaku Camp

 

 

Serra's heart sank at Velanya's words. "So first my own people become vicious rebels...and now they hire outlanders from two provinces away to come and help kill the few of us friendly ones left. And all of you too." She said sadly as she sat on a rock, tears welling up in her eyes.

Edited December 28, 2011 by SoulofChrysamere

[AurianaValoria1]

Faeryn Sethandas, Vivec, High Fane

 

The Ordinator rematerialized just outside of the Vivec temple, nearly toppling the priestess at the top of the stairs, who just happened to be standing right where Faeryn's Mark had been placed. He quickly took her by the shoulders to keep her from falling, "Oh, I'm sorry, Danso!"

 

The priestess put her hand to her heart, "By the Three, Faeryn, put that Mark somewhere else! You almost gave me a heart seizure!"

 

He gave her an apologetic pat on the back before turning and approaching the eastern entrance of the High Fane. The Ordinator on duty sidestepped smoothly out of the way, "Sethandas."

 

"Veles," Faeryn simply nodded in response. He then opened the door, taking a deep breath before entering. He was trying to formulate how he would present his new-found information to the Archcanon...without sounding completely and utterly insane.

 

 

Velanya Therys, Ashlands, To the Urshilaku Camp

 

Serra's tearful gaze made Velanya's own eyes sting with emotion. She carefully approached the scout, kneeling in front of the rock and looking up at her. She took Serra's hands in her own, "That may be so...but there's still a marked difference between those sellswords and your people. The Urshilaku who left the camp to join our enemy were doing what they thought was right. You know that. The Blackwood Company...they couldn't care less about right and wrong."

 

She gently squeezed the scout's hands, "Your people have been misled, Serra. And we're going to prove that to them. We're going to show them who their true enemies are...and then we're going to bring our foes to justice...together."

 

Velanya looked over her shoulder, in the direction they had been traveling, "But we need to hurry. We have to see who's left at the camp and the state of their condition. Before anything else, they need our help."

[SoulofChrysamere]

Serrabinashiah Masseribalit - To The Urshilaku Camp

 

The experienced Ashlander scout dried her tears somewhat at Velanya's kind and heartfelt words. She was right, of course. The Urshilaku were deceived, and they needed to enlighten them. Serra looked Velanya in the eyes and squeezed her hand tightly as she stood up.

 

"You're right...there'll be time for grieving later. C'mon, this way." She said.

Edited December 28, 2011 by SoulofChrysamere

[AurianaValoria1]

Faeryn Sethandas, Vivec High Fane, Saryoni's Office

 

"...threat could destroy Floodgate and Ghostgate. We cannot allow that to happen, Your Grace, for the sake of all of Vvardenfell."

 

As Faeryn finished his hurried speech, he watched the Archcanon intently. The old priest leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped behind his head, deep red eyes staring off into space. For a long while, Saryoni was silent. Faeryn shifted uneasily, the silence in the chamber deafening.

 

"Berel Sala will never agree to it," Saryoni said, finally, "you know that."

 

"I do," Faeryn replied simply, "which is why I propose we not tell him."

 

The Archcanon raised an eyebrow, "You want to send at least a half-dozen Ordinators to both Fort Floodgate and Ghostgate without consulting their commander? How, pray tell, are you going to accomplish this?"

 

"There are quite of few men - and even a couple of women - in Sala's ranks who would go with me voluntarily...this I know. All I have to do is ask. And all Sala needs to know is that I have the confidence of Lord Vivec," Faeryn explained.

 

Saryoni chuckled, "Using your position as Hand...you get your way and rub salt in Sala's wounds, to boot. You are a clever one indeed, Sethandas."

 

The Archcanon then leaned forward, his fingertips together, "Well. If that is what you want to do, I shall not stop you. I trust your word, Faeryn. And if that means I must put my faith in the Imperials for the sake of our people, so be it. If this threat is indeed as real as your friend describes, then action must be taken. Hesitation will cost lives."

 

Saryoni pulled some parchment from his desk, uncorking a bottle of ink, "I shall write a correspondence to Gavis Dren and Fedris Hler. Mournhold needs to prepare to offer reinforcements if necessary..." he paused, his lips thinning.

 

"...and to welcome refugees."

 

 

Velanya Therys, Ashlands, To the Urshilaku Camp

 

The legionnaire walked silently behind the scout, scanning the horizon as she went. Her thoughts fell upon Adrynn as she walked, and she worried for him. Velanya knew that Kogoruhn was a house of horrors under the best of circumstances, and she couldn't imagine what it had become in the past few months.

 

She also thought of Faeryn, the wily young Ordinator she'd met so many years previous, when she'd first been stationed on Vvardenfell. He had helped her with a serial murder investigation that had spanned both Ebonheart and Vivec. They were distrustful of each other at first. But, in the end, they had fought back-to-back against vampiric cultists of Molag Bal. Afterwards, they became steadfast friends...an enigma to both their respective organizations. Eventually, they went their separate ways - she to Pelagiad and then Buckmoth, he to side of the Nerevarine himself.

 

Velanya wondered if he was coming, as she asked...she hoped she could meet him back at Floodgate, hoped that he didn't think her crazy. It would be nice to exchange stories over a few drinks. It could be just like old times, if only for a few moments. Her heart lightened at the good memories...

 

Suddenly, the Urshilaku Camp came into view behind the distant dunes, and the weight of the current situation came crashing back down upon her shoulders.

Edited December 30, 2011 by AurianaValoria1

[SoulofChrysamere]

Serrabinashiah Masseribalit - To The Urshilaku Camp

 

 

 

Lumps formed in Serra's throat and her stomach began to sink as she and Velanya entered the Urshilaku camp. The effects of the war were immediately evident. There were considerably less people, and many of the dwellings seemed to be abandoned. Goods and items were strewn all about, contrary to the typical orderly Urshilaku attitude toward their materials. It appeared that even the Urshilaku weren't immune to the type of dismal lethargy this new conflict had instilled in so many. The remaining Ashlanders suspiciously eyed their two new visitors. Serra saw recognition in their faces as she returned their stares, but her new affiliation with the Imperial Legion had caused some of her colleagues to feel pangs of betrayal...it was evident in their countenances. She knew that Velanya, not even being an Ashlander in the first place and also being a legionnaire, would be on even thinner ice.

[AurianaValoria1]

Nibani Maesa, Urshilaku Camp

 

The wise woman had dipped inside her yurt momentarily to store the small, dry trama root thorns she had just plucked from a nearby shrub. She sighed at the paltry amount, dusted her hands, then returned outside.

 

She gasped audibly. There was Serrabinashiah, meeting the glares of her kinsmen with matched confidence. And with her stood another Dunmer woman, wearing what appeared to be an armored robe of Zainab craft. Her blood-red hair was neatly kept, and there was a flash of silver where her polished boots peeked from under the hem of the robe.

 

But what struck the wise woman the most was the tattoo...the black dragon, with the woman's burgundy eye at its heart.

 

Nibani Maesa was filled with a strength she forgot she had. She took a deep breath and then addressed the young scout.

 

"Serrabinashiah Masseribalit. You have returned to us. I would ask that you sound your kagouti horn, if you still have it with you."

 

She prayed to Azura that the scout still had the horn. It was an alarm...its deep call would bring all of the remaining Urshilaku out from their yurts - and the wise woman needed everyone to hear what was going to be said.

 

 

Velanya Therys, Urshilaku Camp

 

The legionnaire met each Ashlander's gaze with her own, unafraid of their piercing stares. Most of them were women of all ages. There were a few children and only one or two old men. All of them were skin and bones.

 

Suddenly, one of them spoke. Velanya fixed her eyes to this one, an elderly woman in tattered rags, the braids of her silver hair lank. But she spoke with a strong voice that belied her frail exterior, in almost perfect Cyrodiilic. After the woman spoke to Serra, she glanced to Velanya and offered a wry smile, her dim eyes sparkling with a newly ignited fire. Velanya felt herself smile back.

[SoulofChrysamere]

Serrabinashiah Masseribalit - To The Urshilaku Camp

 

 

 

Serra looked at the old, weathered kagouti horn she had strapped to her waist. Indeed, she forgot that it was there most of the time. It was the only piece of home she had taken with her when she had left the Urshilaku camp in the months before the current fiasco started. For many years, she had only been a lowly commoner, receiving what instruction her unusually free-spirited husband could offer in the handling of the bow and blade. Ever since his untimely death at the hands of unknown aggressors a couple of years ago though, she'd been forced to train herself in the little free time she had. When she defected to Fort Floodgate shortly after the current crisis started to unfold, she was forced to train and hone her skills to a professional level seeing as her hunting trips with her husband had evolved into vital reconnaissance missions for the Imperials. Not many of the other males approved of her unorthodox vocation, but her spouse's high status and rank among them was enough for them to keep their tongues...Nibani Maesa's chastisements helped as well. This truly was a time of change. The Ashlanders couldn't hope to continue to survive by clinging to their timeless traditions. Vvardenfell, nay, all of Morrowind and even Tamriel itself was morphing, and the Ashlander peoples had to find their new place just like everyone else. Their chauvinistic men needed to learn a great truth as well. Women are just as capable of fighting as they were; the Urshilakuans had seen that firsthand with Serra. She could still see the uncertain looks focused on her, dressed in traditional chitin armor but bearing a bow, arrows, and a blade of steel. She was becoming a mongrel...a product of both her natural Ashlander heritage and of her recent exposure to the Imperial battle culture.

 

 

Serra took the horn and blew into it loudly. The sound reverberated all throughout what remained of the camp, and the non-present emerged from their makeshift tents. Serra could only speculate about what Nibani's words would be. The ways of the wise women had always seemed strange to her.