Hello, it’s Destana.  I feel like I’ve been running around doing a lot of stuff recently.  Pretty much since I met Serana, I powered through working for the vampires and made them allies.  I went to Sovngarde and killed Alduin.  I solved the Companions’ problems with werewolfism and became a member of the circle.  I became a shaman of the Forsworn and saved Madanach from Cidhna Mine.  I married Ulfric and Serana and became Queen of Skyrim.  I gathered a group of rangers (Irileth, Farkas, Galmar, Aela and the Nerevarine to lead them) and a group of advisors for the court (Nazir for my shadow network, Thongvar Silver-Blood for finances and taxes, and I need to fill the other slots, taking applications!) and made Madanach the Jarl of Markarth. 

 

The Thalmor invasion is coming, and they’ve already activated some of their cells in Skyrim.  For now, the collective forces of Skyrim I can get on my side, with the rangers, have been told to patrol and keep an eye out. 

 

So far there’s no more word of Thalmor attacks.  I had stayed at Windhelm Palace of Kings for a couple days and attended court with Ulfric, but late morning of the 18th day of 30, I’d had enough.  I stood up. 

 

“Going out?” Ulfric asked.

“Yep.  You know me.  Not going to try and stop me, are you?” I asked.

“No.  I wondered how long you’d last.  The last few days were pretty amazing for me.  Most sex I’ve had in my life,” he said, “Just be careful out there.”

I nodded, stripped and put on my Forsworn clothes (since I’ve enchanted them, they’re the strongest clothes I have). 

I teleported to Volkihar Castle and found Serana, “Wanna go out with the kids and do some old-fashioned adventuring?”

She shrugged, “Sure.”

“Don’t you have a castle and a vampire regime to run?” I asked.

“Don’t you have a kingdom to run?”

“Touché.”

“It seems to be coming along fine,” Serana said, “I can take a day.  Where we headed?”

“Well, I scoured my log.  But then I thought, Rune mentioned a secret Falmer base under the Riften sewers, and she said some of them were normal looking, like Snow Elves,” I said, “I want to check it out.”

 

She nodded, and we teleported to Highreach.  The kids had been staying there for these few days.  When I rolled up to the picnic table in my functional armor, they all smiled, knowing what was happening.

“Need a new company?” Fenrir asked.

“Yep.  My old guys seem to be across the continent.  I don’t know if my summons would work because of distance or the time-dilation barrier, but also, I think it would be rude.  I hope they’re happy in Elswyer,” I said.

“Well, I’m ready for some adventure,” Damien said.

 

“On second thought,” I said, “Riften is across Skyrim.  I was asked to free a wench in a cave north of Riften.  Let’s do that on the way.

 

We teleported back to Windhelm and rode horses to the cave, near the eastern mountains.  I threw down a Call to Arms and fired an arrow to get things started.  Serana and Damien stood next to me, we all firing ranged attacks while Runa and Fenrir engaged the bandits.  The first room was easy – mostly underwater with scaffolding, with a short waterfall and a wooden path up. 

 

 

We took the path up a tunnel and looted side rooms, engaging two-abreast bandits as they noticed us.  Runa and Fenrir rolled over them and I threw down group heals occasionally.  Finally we reach a larger upper room, also mostly underwater (and the source of the water downstairs), to find a battle already in session.  Bandits vs Volkihar vampires! 

 

“These guys are really cleaning up,” I said.

“Hmm…” Serana thought, “Oh yes, I believe one of the bandits is a feral vampire and they’re scouring Skyrim for their type.”

 

But that’s not the most exciting thing that happened!  As soon as I walked in, a massive green gelatinous cube splashed down into the bandits, engulfing a couple of them. 

 

I engaged the cube with arrows while the company assisted the vamps.  They went down between all the pressure, and I finished of the cube.  I blinked at a Daedroth, and Damien said, “It’s mine.  I’m getting better at summoning.”  It vanished shortly after.

 

 

“Thanks for the help,” one of the vampires said, and they vacated. 

As I looted the bodies, I poured anything valuable or useful into my dimensional backpack to be funneled back to Skyrim’s soldiers.  I turned to the group, “What the heck was that thing?  Obviously, a slime, but I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Damien stroked his chin, “I think that might’ve been another one of the otherworldly anomalies.  Tell me, have you seen any mimics yet?  You know, the chest monsters?”

“Yeah,” I replied.

“I’ve fought one too.  I believe it could be because of the Dragon Break, but a number of other parallel worlds are interacting with our own.  Some of them are leaking items,” he gestured to Runa’s Moonlight Greatsword, “Some monsters are getting through.  The cube and the mimics are definitely of that type.  Their magicka is… different.  They may be operating under different magical guidelines than this world is.”

“Should I be worried about using this thing?” Runa asked.

“According to the mages at Winterhold, no.  But keep an eye out for more strange phenomena.”

 

“Oh, I almost forgot,” I pulled the hood off the wench’s head, “Hi.”

 

 

“We’re here to rescue you.  Probably best.  The vampires might not have given you as good a reception.  This might explain where they get all their castle wenches from,” I said.

“Hey, hey.  At your suggestion most of our blood comes from the brotherhood now,” Serana high-fived Runa, “The wenches were allowed to stay and get paid a wage, at my suggestion.  Understandably, most of them went back to their homes.  But we did find a few.”

I turned to the wench, “How’d you like to go to Riften?”

“That sounds great.”

We got out of there and made our way to the Bee and Barb, where the Inn took her in.  I walked down to the Thieves’ Guild, but there were a lot of new faces that I didn’t recognize.  Apparently, several of the leadership owned businesses in the Riften South Extension, and were just collecting spoils and revenue now.  We went deeper – killing a few random crazies and Skeevers that attacked us, but getting soundly lost for a while.  Eventually I came to a man cloaked all in black with a dark void for a face.

 

He made no move to attack, so I approached him.

“Why do you disturb me, mortal?  I’ve nothing to discuss with you,” he said.

“Trying to figure out if you’re a ghost, or just a weirdo,” I replied.

“I am Dagri’Lon, the greatest and most powerful mage who ever lived.  But that was then.  I live no more.”

“Well, you’re standing here just like me.  Is death just a word that holds no meaning to you?” I asked.

“No, you wretched fool.  Death is more than a word.  It is a cold hand of rotted flesh, hissing air as foul as a goblin’s whisper.  Life does not flow through this shell.  I am as empty as your philosophy.”

“Ooh, wordy and scathing.  Behind your cloud of meaningless insults did you mention you were a mage?” I asked.

“To call me a mage is to call the Direnni Tower a fortress, and the Red Year a fire.  It is a testament to my prowess that I exist on the mortal plane, even as my body decays in death’s hollow embrace.”

“So how old are you?” I asked, genuinely becoming interested in this person.

“I have wandered throughout Tamrial since the day of the Broken Diamond, when Queen Potema reigned in Solitude.”

“Ah, so like 800 years or something?  I always forget how long each era is.  That’s okay, I guess.  But my wife is older.  Are you a lich or something?” I asked.

“Like a fish scuttling on land you flap your gills, your feeble mind attempting to grasp what is beyond your comprehension.”

“You may be immortal but I’m… wait, I guess I am.  But I get bored easily.  Your point?”

“Lichdom is a fool’s bargain, for necromancers content spending eternity as skinless wraiths.  With sleight of hand, they control their corpse like an avatar, as their souls are bound to phylacteries.  I did not prescribe to such cheap necromancer tricks.  I sought the path to true immortality, through techniques developed by the Psijic monks.”

“Care to elaborate?” I asked.

He started talking again and Serana sidled up beside me, “Hey, so, are you going to be talking to this guy for a long time?  Not keen on being in the sewer forever.”

“Aren’t you interested?  It’s like having a book read to you,” I smirked.

“… it is even said the Psijics can move freely in time and space, projecting their spirits into the void…”

“Mom, I’m going to go take a leak,” Fenrir said, walking just around the corner.

Runa sighed, “I wish I could just do that.  Wait… the new Ebony Plate uses a skirt!”

She dashed around the corner as well.

“….my body held in stasis as time flowed around me.  I was betrayed, my spell suspending my body in a cocoon of lost time.  When my spell was interrupted, my body became trapped in slowed time…”

“So anyway!” I said, “You can project your spirit from your body as it is infinitesimally incrementally close to death.  Want to come with me?”

“Why would I want to do that?” Dagri’Lon asked.

“Well, you’re interesting.  I’m interesting.  Do you like adventure?  Cracking skulls?  I’m sure even you haven’t found all the knowledge in the multiverse.”

“Multiverse you say…?” He asked.

“My mother is talking about how neighboring parallel universes are affecting ours.  We’ve already seen a lot of anomalies,” Damien chimed in.

“Yeah, I guess down near the bottom of my to-do list is figure out how bad it is.  Also, I’m a dragonborn.  Fate seems to never leave me alone,” I said.

“You are weak, worm, and your thu’um makes you no more than a mouse with a kitten’s claws.”

“All due respect, you have no idea what I’m capable of,” I replied, “Ever killed a god?”

He blinked, “I will concede, however, that the strings of fate wrap around your wrists.”

“Sometimes I pull, sometimes they pull,” I interjected.

“Very well, ask, if you wish it.”

“Let’s go, Daggy,” I smirked.

“Do not call me Daggy,” he growled.

 

 

When the kids got back, I had Runa lead me the rest of the way to the cave entrance, where the sewers turned from stone, to cave, quickly to old dwemer construction.  We iced a group of Skeevers, and as we approached, a massive group of Falmer and Chaurus poured out of the huge double doors, which we also eradicated (on account of them being hostile).

 

“Well, they look like regular Falmer,” I sheathed my claw-and-dagger, “And this is really deep, but this could become a real problem if we let them expand into the sewers.” 

We ventured through the doors, and found…

“A snow elf?” I asked.  She looked young, maybe Runa’s age (though you never can tell with elves), wearing Chaurus gear.  She didn’t seem aggressive, but she also didn’t seem to understand what we were saying.

 

 

“Hello?” Damien asked, then he turned to me, “You know she probably doesn’t speak our language.”

“Mmm… yeah the only reason Gelebor and Vyrthur knew it was because of their interactions with other races in modern times,” Serana said.

“Well, she doesn’t seem hostile,” I commented.

“Falmer,” Dagri’Lon said, “These pathetic creatures deserve only death.  Let us clothe their pallid corpses in a cloak of flies.”

“Do not kill this one,” Damien continued to speak out loud as he looked at her, “Is it possible some of these Falmer were restored to their previous Snow Elf state?  I think I might return here if we don’t find anything promising.”

“You won’t get many answers from her, I’d guess.  Let’s keep going.  I’m not exactly an academic.  I only really understand fighting, killing, and commerce, I guess,” Runa said, then she turned to Fenrir, expecting him to agree with her, but he was busy admiring the Dwemer stone construction.  Runa sighed.  In the meantime, the Snow Elf woman had vanished into the ruins.

We pressed on, and found wave-after-wave of regular Falmer coming after us and we took up our normal group tactics. 

 

 

Dagri’Lon actually complemented Serana and Damien nicely, the three of them using conjuration and destruction to overwhelm the Falmer and supplement Fenrir and Runa.  I helped by buffing, healing and throwing out the occasional arrow, and picking all the locks.  We pretty much found the usual – dead humans, Chaurus nests, treasure.  We wiped them out.  Some days I think maybe if I could find a cure for the Falmer it would be great for them.  The Forsworn Project is a concrete goal, but this is a pipe dream.  Part of me wondered if I was meant to make first contact down there.

 

We came out and had dinner, rested at the Inn.  I told Dagri’Lon he could meet me at Highreach and I may have a job for him.  The Rangers sent me a message – a small Thalmor force outside Whiterun, so the kids and I teleported there and mounted up – searching across the countryside.  Eventually we found a small strike force and we took care of them.

 

 

The kids told me they would be in Highreach, Serana and I decided to go chill in Whiterun before we headed back. 

“So, hey, I do think I’m going to go talk to Fjotra, and the reason I asked you to hang back with me was so you would go with me,” I said, “It’s hard for me to admit when I’m wrong sometimes.”

“I’m here to support you,” Serana said.

We took a little jaunt up to Dragonreach and I found Vidnar and Balgruuf there. 

 

 

“Hey, dragonborn.  Sorry, your highness,” Vidnar said, “Could I have a word?”

“Of course,” I said.

“Well, Baalgruf and I were talking.  The Thalmor are coming, correct?” He asked, “I heard you took care of a little skirmish outside our walls.”

“Yeah, they seem to be trying to soften us up,” I replied.

“No good though.  The moment I saw you ride that dragon out of Whiterun… sorry, it’s hard to collect my thoughts.  You’re the best thing that’s happened to Skyrim in a long time.  I think you deserve a new nickname,” Vidnar said.

“What kind of nickname?” I asked.

“Stormblade is so last decade,” Baalgruf said, “Don’t worry, we’ll think of something.”

“Anyway, I was thinking… I’m old.  I’ve fought in enough battles for three lifetimes,” Vidnar said, “If the Thalmor come, I’m going to be fighting alongside you.”

“Do you think that’s wise?” I asked.

“No wiser than a queen doing it.  You’re not invincible either,” Vidnar replied, “If I am ever to have a warrior’s death, now is probably the time.”

I pursed my lips, “If you must.”

“Also, since you have some official power, would you do the honor of passing the Jarldom to Balgruuf?” Vidnar asked.

“I mean, sure,” I waved my hand, “Baalgruuf, you’re Jarl now.  Sorry, I’m using Irileth for another job.”

“It’s fine.  I’ll just use Vidnar’s staff,” Baalgruf said.

“Hey Vidnar, are you a member of the circle?”

“Not technically.  I got to that point and learned of their…” He looked over to Baalgruf, “…secret.”

“Bro, I know about the Companions,” Baalgruf said. 

“I mean, I cured myself, I could share blood with you.  But that would in many ways be much worse now,” I said, “I traded one curse for another.  Wait… I’m technically Harbinger.  Come with me.”

Vidnar and I walked to Jorrvaskr.  I swore I saw Baalgruf dancing as we walked out the big double doors.  Then he sat on his throne.

 

I threw open the doors and entered, it still being breakfast feast.

“Oh wow,” Vilkas said, “It’s the Harbinger.  You know there are only four circle members, and you took two of them for your rangers.  I’ve been here by myself.”

“Well, the circle could probably get some more members,” I said.

“But we need to share blood for that.  Be blood brothers,” Vilkas said.

“Psh.  A wise man once said, ‘Just because things are a certain way, doesn’t mean they must be.’  Translation: am I Harbinger or am I Harbinger?”

“You’re Harbinger?” Vilkas said, puzzled.

“Okay, well, we do away with the blood bond thing.  Simple.  It’s symbolic, so it shouldn’t trump actual need to expand our ranks.”

Vilkas shrugged, “Well, I guess…”

“So, it’s settled,” I looked around, “Hello everyone.  I want to make a proclamation.”

All eyes looked back at me.

“I would like to offer membership in the Circle to Vidnar Greymane, and Runa Fair-Shield,” I said, “At the next official ceremony, they will be admitted.”

“Of course, I accept,” Vidnar said.

“Of course, Runa isn’t here, but I’m sure she’d accept,” Ria said, “So what does it take to me a member of the Circle nowadays?”

“Well, I have no idea.  But Vidnar has the wisdom of many winters and I’m sure you guys can figure it out,” I replied.  There was much feasting, at breakfast.

 

“Feeling generous today, are we?” Serana asked, “Ready to go to Markarth, or are you putting it off?”

“Maybe,” I said, then I sighed, “Let’s go.”

We teleported to Markarth’s gates and found it was currently under attack from the Lost Forsworn. 

Serana readied spells to help out the guards, and I growled, “Hang on.  I have an idea.”

“Attention!  Attention!” I shouted.

“There’s a battle going on!” One of the guards shouted.

 

“KAKE!” I called, and their mammoth and giant looked at me, puzzled.  The mammoth turned towards the forsworn with an angry look in his eyes.  I walked over to him and patted his trunk, making sure he was completely docile towards me.

“EVERYBODY STOP!” I yelled.  They turned to me.

“Are you guys aware how pointless your actions are?” I yelled.

One of the Lost Forsworn yelled back, “We’ll kill you all and ~”

“FUS!” I shouted, “Listen to me.  Madanach is king of the Forsworn.  At least… I heard about 60% of them follow him.  And I made him Jarl of Markarth.  Forsworn of several tribes have been allowed to start living in the city again.  The Hagravens and their kin are independent and not trustworthy.  The western reachmen are independent of us, and then there’s you guys.  You fucking guys don’t know when to stop.  The war’s over, we won.  Or, I guess, reached a compromise.”

“Says you!  We’re not going to bow to the Nords!”

“Well, you have two options.  I have a strange power to befriend animals and monsters.  So that thing I did earlier caused your friend the Giant, and his friend, the Mammoth, to be much more of a friend for me.  And trust me, I do not plan on abusing this power.  I’m starting to take a liking to the Giants.  They don’t seem to bother anyone and they just want to tend to their flocks of Mammoths.  So, either you leave, or the Mammoth is going to crush you.  Come to the Forgotten Valley when you want to talk about treaties,” I said.

The Forsworn… quietly packed up their weapons and walked out of there.  The guards cheered and clapped. 

 

 

I patted the Mammoth again, then I looked at the Giant, “I want you to stay here and guard the gates.”

Then I yelled to the guards, “Nobody hurt these two.  They’re going to help guard the place.  They’re protected.  You can pay them in food and water.  They don’t belong to us – they’re going to be our helpers.”

 

As I walked back up the stairs to the hold, Serana was grinning a huge grin at me, “I love it when you’re in charge.”

I smiled, “I love you too, Serana.”

We casted our fly spells and floated over to the Temple of Dibella and walked inside.  Surprisingly, it was bustling with activity.  It seemed they’d opened up membership again and were spreading ministry of love in these hard times.  I approached Hamal, “Hey, how’s the new Sybil doing?”

“Oh, hey.  To be honest, I’m worried about her.  She seems like she’s being consumed by the sexual pleasure aspect of the training.  You should know we’re not just about sex – it’s also love, and charity.  Maybe it would be better if she heard it from somewhere other than just me,” Hamal said, “Show her the importance of charity.”

Senna, another priestess, happened by and said, “Yes, she’s insatiable!  Selflessness could be a good medicine for her.”

I approached Fjotra, walking around the temple completely naked.  I gestured to her to come to an alcove, away from prying ears.

“Hi.  It’s my savior.  Thank you so much for rescuing me,” she said, “Those monsters kept me in chains like an animal.”

I sighed, “There’s a lot wrong with the Forsworn.  Is it not obvious that I’m one of them, seeing my clothes?”

“I figured it was a disguise back then, it puzzled me that you were still wearing those clothes.”

“I want to tell you something.  I feel terrible about it, but I feel you need to know.”

Serana put her hand on my shoulder, trying to keep me calm.

“I’m a monster too.  The… less than moral shamans performed a rite on you that connected you with the same nature spirits than I’m connected to… do you not remember?” I asked.

She moved closer to me, “It’s a little hazy, but I remember.  Did you go through the same rites?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“I must admit, I was scared at the time.  I was just thankful to be out of there after it happened.  I wasn’t sure why you would’ve done this to me… but later I found myself meditating on it, and I came to realize… love and sex are not just the purview of the Aedra,” Fjotra replied, “Even if the path to me becoming a holy vessel of love is not the easiest, I believe I’m better for it.”

“The fact that you couldn’t consent is not okay,” I said.

She put her hand on my cheek, “It’s not like I’m going to thank you for it.  But we share a deep connection through the wolf spirit now.  And I don’t think I need to say – I need you to come see me often so I can deepen my connection further.  You owe me.”

“Uh…” I responded as she touched me, somewhat at a loss for words.

Fjotra turned to Serana, “She’s your wife, yes?  Would you mind if she helped me with exercises?”

Serana smiled, not used to seeing me flustered, “As if I could control her.”

Fjotra proceeded to have her way with me, sexually.  Then again, with Serana, who was easily tempted into it.  Then again with the both of us. 

 

 

 

We retired to Highreach later with a lot of new sexual experiences.  Fjotra had been learning a lot about pleasure.

“Do you feel better?” Serana asked.

“I dunno.  I think the Thalmor attack is making me worried.”

“What’s there to be worried about?” Serana asked, “It’s not like you to back down before a challenge.  You can conquer anyone.”

“I’m worried that people are going to die.  I’m not going to be able to protect everyone I care about.”

Serana held my face in her hands, “I don’t have any answers for you.  But I can be here for you.”

"Oh!"  Serana said abruptly, "Your eyes!"

I got up and looked in a mirror, "They're glowing white."

"Maybe... because you were a regular vampire who became a lord the last time - you started off with normal vampire eyes.  But now you have unique ones, like my family.  Because you have my blood.  Do you like having my bodily fluids inside you?" She sneered.

"That's creepy.  But also kinda hot," I smiled, "My eyes are coming in.  It's like the vampire version of baby teeth!  Do you like them?  Yours glow red, mine glow white."

"I love them," she said, "It's like you're more you than you ever were now."

I nodded, and we fell asleep.

 

 

In the morning, Damien said to me he was sensing some sort of otherworldly energy coming from around Dragon Bridge, so I figured I’d have a look.  I went over to Dragon Bridge, and visited the Inn there.  Because I can teleport everywhere, I often miss out on the roadside things and random occurrences I used to relish as a younger adventurer. 

To my surprise, I spied a man I’d never seen before in plate armor, a full helm, and a bright symbol on his chest and green on his shoulders, looking very confused.  The craftsmanship was different than I’d ever seen before.  He definitely looked like a knight.

“Hi.  You seem out of place here,” I said, “Are you from High Rock?”

“Ah, hello there.  I knew I was meant to be looking for someone here.  And I think you might just be it.  Now, I know not of your designs, but I sense something singular about you.”

“So, what’s with the big symbol on your chest?” I asked.

“My signature.  I am a warrior of the sun.  If you miss it, you must be blind!” He chuckled, “The sun is a wondrous body.  If only I could be so grossly incandescent.”

 

“Who are you, strange man?”

“I am Solaire of Astora, an adherent of the Lord of Sunlight.  I have a proposition, if you have a moment.  The way I see it, our fates appear to be intertwined.”

“What are you suggesting?” I smiled.  The man’s demeanor, muffled under his full helm was infectious. 

“What say you to engaging in some jolly cooperation?” Solaire asked, “Could this be mere chance?  Why not help one another?”

I smiled, “I’m always looking for more allies.  And I love your positive attitude.  Sure, Solaire.  I am Destana Stormblade.”

“You’ve left me with quite the impression.  I would relish a chance to assist you.  There's no telling how much longer your world and mine will remain in contact.  The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure.”

“My son and I are planning on investigating that,” I said, “He was just working out one of the biggest places the weirdness has crept through to this world.”

“Wonderful!  This pleases me greatly!”  He replied.

 

 

 

New Mods Added

 

Actual spoiler