Search the Community

Hey, it's Destana. I'm headed to Riften to find Malburn. It's First Seed, 4E 210. Been a while since I pulled off the Emperor's Assassination, and still no waves in Skyrim, though I imagine the ship made it's trip back by now carrying the body. Too bad I'm currently infertile as a vampire, because there could be a whole 'lost hidden heir' of the Emperor ala Oblivion Crisis. But I don't want to go through pregnancy again. I think I'm done having kids, even if I do get 'cured.' Currently hunting for Elder Scrolls and we have two of the three. The Dragon Scroll eludes me, but I figure it will have something to do with me fighting Alduin. I remembered I can just summon Serana and I don't need to go get her, but I figured I'd summon her straight to Riften so she didn't have to make the walk. I decided I would hit up the Bee and Barb and have a drink, though it got me thinking about Sanguine and the first time we met. I sometimes wonder what he's doing. I'm sure I could probably visit... but I think I was feeling stubborn. I summoned Serana. "Oh! I'm here now I guess!" She said, surprised, "Do your other friends ever complain about this?" "Yep. But I do pay them pretty well," I said, then I turned, "Speaking of!" Inigo had just walked into the tavern. I looked at the waning daylight and noticed it was evening. "My friend! You've actually come to me for once!" He slapped me on the back. Most people would've been giving me shit, but Inigo was generally happy to see me. Always the purest companion. "I know we've fought together a couple times, but I don't think we've ever actually been introduced. Our friend here likes to pull us out of thin air on a whim, much to my chagrin, at least. I'm Serana," she extended her hand. "Uh.. hey. So this is where vampire types relax?" He asked awkwardly. She chuckled, "Most people can't see the obvious signs of vampirism. Either they're not magically perceptive, or their eyes are blinded to the truth." "So THAT's why!!" I said loudly, "I guess it's because I'm a bit of a mage that I can tell. Or A dragonborn. Not THE dragonborn." "I would recognize your smell anywhere. And... you smell hungry," Inigo smiled sheepishly. "Interesting. I've never really been sniffed... before. I am a vampire. But not the blood-thirsty monstrous fiend you're thinking of. I don't have any interest in sucking your blood, and I doubt I will," she explained, "I eat bad people. And I don't think you're one." "Whew. I am pleased to meet you. My name is Inigo, as you may already know," he replied I'd already taken a seat at a table and invited them to join. Inigo ordered food and we sat down for a while for dinner. Serana drank a blood potion and I only drank Ale. At this point all the rampaging as a Vampire Lord had kept me pretty sated and I hadn't actually had to use my fangs in quite a while. "How does it feel? Being a vampire I mean," Inigo asked us, taking a drink. "Pretty great, actually," Serana answered. "How so?" "It just does. It's hard to explain. Perhaps it's the power. But... nevermind," she trailed off. "What is it?" Inigo asked expectantly. "Something just came to mind that I don't want to talk about." "I understand," Inigo said, taking another bite of chicken. "Hey, you milk drinkers have room for one more?" A figure asked. I looked up, and it was Sofia. "Sure," I said, "What brings you to Riften?" "What brings YOU to Riften?" She asked back, "I've been living with Inigo for a couple months." "Oh really?" I looked at him, "Where?" Inigo shifted his eyes uncomfortably, "Honeyside." First, I knitted my brow. Then I got a big smile, "Yeah, you can use it. I've been treating you guys like summoned creatures a little bit. You deserve some fringe benefits. I don't even go to my BIG house anymore. It helps not needing to sleep very much." I took a long drink of Ale, "So are you guys an item or something?" "Yes," Inigo said. "Really? Amazing!" I shouted. "Yeah," Sofia said, "I guess all that time we spent together during your campaign in the Civil War really brought us closer together. Though it took this one long enough to realize I was coming on to him. Like six years." Inigo coughed on his bite. Sofia turned to Serana, "I haven't introduced myself to you, have I? Destana keeps calling us mid-quest or mid-battle and we never get a chance to interact. I'm Sofia, but you probably already knew that. I'm quite well-known in Skyrim, but sometimes I'm not sure it's for the right reasons." "Hi," Serana said, but Sofia continued her introduction. "I see myself as an adventurer, though it's no fun without someone to witness my heroic deeds such as... well I'm sure there's probably something. I do like to get drunk, kill things and be a nuisance. What about you?" Sofia finished. "Bit of a chatterbox once you get started, aren't you? And yes, I've heard ... stories. About you. Not a lot of good ones, I would say. You sure do have a way with how you rub some people," Serana started. I smiled a greedy smile. Truth be told, I didn't like Sofia very much. She annoyed me. Bit of an airhead, and you know how much I value being a woman who actually knows what she's doing. But I'd never seen Serana be scathing like this. "Anyway, my name is Serana. Besides being a mage, like our friend here, I'm an adventurer too. It's a pleasure to meet a fellow Nord. I am one myself, but I haven't spent most of my life in Skyrim." "Well, it must be your lucky day. I know Skyrim like the back of my hand," Sofia smiled, taking it all in stride. Or, not noticing the thinly veiled insult. Serana continued, "Killing the things that threaten us would be good. Getting drunk and being a nuisance, well ... maybe. Let's just say there's a time and place for everything." I stifled a laugh, and Serana elbowed me. "So, my friend, you have finally attained full dragonborn status?" Inigo asked, "Being shouted at by old men has never been so rewarding!" I laughed out loud, looking at Serana, "See, this is why I bring this guy. To be honest, I'm only going to do it to a certain point right now. Then, well... maybe you'll see. So, I know these two are from here but why did you come to Skyrim, Inigo?" "Well, that's a long story. I guess, I was an orphan, saved by a soldier. My brother and I were adopted by a pair of assassins. I guess the orphanage doesn't do a background check," he chuckled. "Where were you born?" "Elswyer." "Well, duh. I guess I don't know much about Elswyer. I have been thinking that would be the first place I visit if things get too hot up here. Metaphorically, with the Emperor's death and all." "It is a beautiful place," he replied. "Maker, haven't you heard?" Someone asked. I turned around to find the Innkeeper, Keerava. "Heard what?" I asked. "The Emperor died in Skyrim almost two months ago. The Imperials were clamoring for war. When it came time for the Elder Council to make a decision about it, they kept splitting votes. Finally, somebody got mad about it," Keerava said, "There's a bandit leader, Ariel Sethius. He had a lot of bandit groups working for him, maybe even some here in Skyrim. They started calling him the bandit king a couple years ago, operating out of the lands around Bruma. He saw an opportunity. In the confusion of not having a functioning government, he has laid siege to the Imperial City. Some say the Thalmor are involved in disrupting Imperial supply lines. So they're losing, badly." "Holy shit, are you saying Cyrodiil might fall?" I asked. "I'm not sure what the assassins expected," the bard in the revealing blue dress said, "If the Thalmor are making this happen, I bet they're going to ally with the new Bandit King if they take Cyrodiil and then, Skyrim's next. And we'll have the Aldmeri Empire ruling all of Tamriel." I paused there for a minute. What have I done? I could feel a cold sweat forming on me. Gods, I need to do something about this. I should go to Cyrodiil and personally deal with this problem. But what about the dragons, and the vampires?! Velvet Acid Talos, how does Tamriel have so many problems right now? No, I paused, I need to deal with the dragons first. Skyrim is in no shape to defend against that kind of attack with dragons beating at their backs. "Well, what brought YOU to Skyrim in the first place?" Serana asked, snapping me back to our conversation. I answered, "Chaos back home. Looking for a way to make a living. Oh, and I was stranded here with no money and no way to get back." "Ever think of going back? You know, sail the high seas?" Serana asked. "I was a sailor. And I wouldn't mind going on some nautical adventures with you. Eventually I think I'll go back to Hammerfell. For a visit, at least," I sighed. We continued that conversation til the early morning, and when I walked outside (sun be damned)... another dragon was attacking. I looked down at the purple dress I was still wearing. "Well, there's already a couple of blood stains, I guess," I sighed. The crew jumped in and with the guards we took it down. I wasn't feeling much like a DKO this time, so I fully absorbed the dragon soul and prevented it. I was ready for a little sleep and a real drink, maybe. I meant blood, not ale. And I promised the guys we'd go on a proper adventure soon. "I'll see you," Sofia said, "As much as I know none of you like me, except Inigo, but he's good to everyone. I think I'm valuable." I frowned, "Just because you annoy me doesn't mean I don't appreciate your company. We all need people that keep us on our toes. And I usually can't anticipate what you're going to do next. And Inigo, he's the glue. What say we go out dungeon crawling tomorrow? I feel like one might be coming up soon in this Blades-Dragonborn business I'm stuck in." "Of course," Inigo said, "The Stormblade Company shall ride again!" I slept until that afternoon, then I decided I would leave Serana in the Inn and go to the sewers alone due to it being a tight squeeze. I got back in my armor, of course. I decided I would pass through the guild. It was lively, full of people today. As soon as I walked up to the bar, I heard a shout, "What are you doing, friend?" And a blade being drawn. Then another. When I caught sight of him, he was dead, and Dirge was laughing. He picked up a note from the man's corpse after ransacking the pockets, "Figures. The Thalmor sent this guy here for you. I figured he was a little fishy." Vekel added, "Maybe they thought we wouldn't notice because we've added so many recruits down here." "Don't say I never did anything for you," Dirge smirked. "Oi! Did I miss all the fun?" Delvin walked in, "How you doin, boss?" "Yep, sorry," Vex laughed, sitting at the bar, not having even having moved from her spot. "How's everybody doing?" I asked, but I didn't pause for them to respond, "The Thalmor are looking for a guy hiding in the Ratway. So keep your eyes out. I'm more inclined to get there first." "Yeah, I spotted a couple," Vekel said. "Ok, I'm off," I said. "Wait!" Vex said, "We were waiting for them to die to the traps in the Ratway before we looted their bodies. And while we wait, I've got a request." "Request?" "Yeah. You were the guild's cumdump right?" Vex asked. "I don't really have time right now," I responded. "I know, you're important. We won't take up much of your time. I just wanted to watch you get pounded," Vex smiled devilishly, "Let our traps do their work. Your target will be fine." "Well, okay...I guess," I said, and men surrounded me and picked me up, carrying me off to the Cistern, Vex following. "This is motivated by love, hon," Vex said, "We're all some of the richest people in Skyrim now. Even the castoff scraps you fence here from time to time are worth a king's ransom. We know you like a good fucking, so we're giving it to you." They set me down, and lovingly started to strip themselves and me. Etienne was sitting on one of the beds across the cistern, wide-eyed. He was probably thinking he didn't know what he signed up for. Sapphire walked in, but it seemed like she only wanted to watch. Delvin, Niruin, Cynric, Rune, Thrynn and Vipir were all gathered around me now. Brynjolf slowly walked in, in his Nightingale armor. He stripped down, and the guys got in line. It seemed this time it was going to be one at a time instead of in groups like last time. "Hey boss," he said as he stepped behind me. I bent over, accepting him, and said in between thrusts, "You know, I was coming here to kill the Thalmor, but I guess this is a nice way to take my mind off things." He got faster and I said, "I've been meaning to talk to you about turning over guild...master." "We can talk about it after this, lass," he grunted, finishing in me, "Or are you skilled enough to talk about this while being fucked?" I nodded. Next, Delvin. "Sure you're okay doing this, right in front of your fiancee?" I asked him, looking at Vex. Vex shrugged, "I don't mind." He used the piledriver method. When he was done, Delvin said, "Who do you nominate to take guild master next?" Next was Cynric, who lifted me off the ground and I took the hint, wrapping my legs around him. "I think it should be Brynjolf. Even if he doesn't want it," I said. Then Cynric finished. "Maybe it should be Delvin or Vex, lass," Brynjolf said. Niruin motioned for me to get on my knees, and I did. "Alright. Maybe we should take a vo~" I started, but Niruin stuffed his dick in my mouth, and started to fuck it. "I second the call to vo~*cough* *gag*" Delvin chuckled, "I vote for Vex." Vex said, "Am I allowed to vote for myself?" As soon as the dick pulled out of my throat I said, "I don't care." "Ok. I vote for Delvin," Vex said, mixing it up. "I vote for Brynjolf," I said. Rune gently pushed me to the ground and entered me, prone. "You guys are being really aggressive today," I said. "Vex said that's how you like it!" Rune said, pounding. Brynjolf said, "I vote for Delvin." Tonilia shouted from the edge of the area, "You guys almost let me miss the show. I vote for Vex." "Hmm... who else... gets a vote... these days?" I asked. "We had a few council meetings between your visits," Delvin said. "Did you..." I started, and Rune came on my back. Then Thrynn bent me over backwards. Before he could get in my mouth, I said, "Did you decide to do this in a meeting?" Then he entered and it was all gags. "Yes, actually," Vex said, "You know, this might seem mean-spirited, but I remember you volunteered for this job." "Karliah isn't here," Brynjolf said, "Who's that leave?" Thrynn came in my mouth, and I came up for air. "I vote for Brynjolf," Vekel the man said. He'd been watching from the doorway. "That leaves me!" Vipir the Fleet said, and he meant both that it was his turn to fuck me and his turn to vote. He entered and finished in what seemed like no time. Then he said, "It's nice being the tie-breaker. Brynjolf." I smiled awkwardly, "Alright. I'm going to go check those traps now." "Yeah, he pays us to bring him food now and then, and to leave him be. Strange old coot," Vekel said. "Oh, by the way," Vex said, "The whole council gets a cut, so this doesn't change much about your position here." "Well, thanks for the thorough fucking, I guess. Probably not the best time, but I'll live with it." "Oh, so I guess Brynjolf is the new guild leader!" Delvin shouted, "See you later, Destana." I rinsed off and threw my armor back on, moving to the warrens. There were three dead Thalmor, and another one messing with a tripwire. He finally got it loose and dodged the trap of two spiked balls, only to have my arrow in his back. I made my way past an imperial soldier talking to himself, and a chef talking about cooking (down in the sewers, ew). Then I found a door with a slit. I knocked. The slit opened, "Go away!" "Esburn? Open the door, I'm a friend," I replied. "No, that's not me. I'm not that one," he said. "Delphine sent me." "Delphine? So she led you to me like a rat in a trap?" "She said, remeber the 30th of Frostfall," I said. "So it's true then. You'd better come in before they find us," he opened the door. But, it took a couple minutes with his multiple locks. I stepped in and he shut the door behind me. He was an old, tired looking man. "So Delphine's still keeping up the fight? Hasn't she realized it's hopeless?" He asked. "Why?" "Alduin has returned, just as prophesied. He will devour the world, and it will end." "I'm pretty sick of prophecies," I said, "So far I make my own destiny. Also, I'm dragonborn." "Then there is still hope! Take me to Delphine," Esburn said. Just.. let me gather my things. "Now we're talking." He ran around for a minute before I said, "Esburn. The Thalmor are in the sewers. Granted, not very good ones. But if they start taking this seriously, you could get hurt. Let's go." "Now, now, can't leave secrets for them," he said, and then, "Done. Let's run." We stepped out to find a detachment that had walked in after us, but I was being stealthy out of the gate. "Who's there?" the wizard said, and I shot him in the chest. Esburn threw up a fire cloak and engaged the other two with spells while I snuck up on the third and slit his throat with my sword. I popped a lock (I'd had to jump down when I came in) and made my way back to the Flagon. "Bye you guys, see you next time!" I shouted, and went up the hatch that led outside Riften. I summoned Serana and we traveled back to Riverwood on our magic horses. This time, I used Shadowmere. "Delphine! It's good to see you," Esburn said as we entered. "Good to see you too, old friend," she said, "Orgnar, hold down the bar a minute." She led us downstairs to her secret room. "So I assume you've heard?" Delphine asked. "Yes. Dragonborn. This changes everything. There's still hope," he started to dig through his pack, "Where is it... ah yes." He pulled out a book, 'Annals of the Dragonguard.' "Sky Haven Temple. This is where they built Alduin's Wall. All the accumulated dragon knowledge passed down by the blades. Unfortunately, the location was lost to time," Esburn explained. "I've never heard of it. How can this help us?" I asked. "It will tell us, if there is a way, how to stop Alduin. And I've found it. It should be hidden in the Reach," Esburn replied. "I know the area of the Reach you're talking about. Karthspire might lead us there," Delphine said. "Alright, a lead," I said, "Meet you there." I walked up to Orgnar and paid to rent a room and have a nap. While I was laying down, Delphine said, "Orgnar, the Inn is yours. I'm most likely never coming back here." "Well now. Didn't expect that," Orgnar replied, "Good luck with whatever you're doing." "Farewell, friend." I got in a power nap and headed north to the Dawnstar Sanctuary. I knew I could beat them there on my horse. They were on foot. And of course, when we passed through Dawnstar. A guy attacked me - right in front of the guards, and he was put down quickly. He was carrying a journal, his name was Fenrick. Trying to find sacrifices for Molag Bal so he cure for vampirism. Okay, well, whatever. And guess what! ANOTHER DRAGON ATTACK! With the guards' help, it got shot down. I casted Doom Draw to get to it and slashed with my sword as the guards arrowed it again. Getting tired of dragons, I headed over to the sanctuary. I left Serana outside and walked in. Runa was powwowing with some of the new recruits when I walked down the stairs to the common area. Hey Listener, you too busy to go on a little adventure with your mom? Runa smiled, "I was wondering when you were coming back. Did you see our new recruits?" "Yeah, a Forsworn woman (Averna). And there's a man in a chef's hat and mismatched armor (Stabby). Got some new ones in the traditional armor though. They look decent enough. Are you sure you don't need my help recruiting?" I asked, "Oh hey! It's you!" "Destana!" The jester screamed and hugged me. It was Cicero. "Yeah, I let her back in. Actually, we do need your help soon. Since Astrid's gone, we need somebody to do the whole thing in the shack. And I don't think I'm up to that level of charisma yet," Runa said. "Alright. Want to come with me for a little while?" "I dunno, I'm pretty busy," Runa said. "C'mon! Probably be fun. Get away from all this for a while. Let Babette and Nazir handle it for a few days," I pleaded. "Alright," she acquiesced. We walked outside and I noticed how cold it was. "Hey," I said. "Hey," Serana replied. "Who's this?" They both kind-of said in unison, then smiled. "This is my daughter, Runa Fair-Shield," I replied. "Runa, this is Serana. She's a princess. I'm helping her out for a little while," I explained. "Helping her, huh?" Runa smirked, elbowing me. "Gods, am I that obvious?" I asked, "Well, anyway, we're going to Karthspire to find an ancient temple to get more information about Alduin." "You're finally dealing with the prophecy, eh? Is it just a dungeon crawl though?" She asked. "That's not all. It's a surprise," I replied. We got on horses and headed to the Reach, and I swear I beat Delphine and Esburn there. I didn't know what to expect in here, but I decided I would roll deep and summoned Inigo, Sofia and Shirley right before we approached. Along with me, Runa, Serana, Delphine and Esburn, that would made 8. DEEP. Shirley had upgraded her armor to ebony. "I've gotta stay spry in my old age," she chuckled. "Gods, I was just enjoying a nice mead," Sofia said, "I would kill to finish that mead." She was wearing new armor too. Actual armor from the UNP Store. "Well, there's one thing we agree on," Serana said, "Alcohol. Especially craft-brewed mead." "I love it!" Sofia said. "I'm starting to salivate..." Serana said. "Hey. I got you a present when we were at UNP. A set of robes, gauntlets and boots. And a crown," I took them out and Serana put them on. "These look beautiful!" She said. Time for combat! And when we rolled up... yet another dragon attack, though it was also attacking the Forsworn, so I guess it wasn't all bad. A lot of Forsworn. With mages and warriors. I knew that I was right to bring the posse. We fought through them, some of them retreating. This looked like a main settlement for Forsworn. Anyway, we made our way into a cave and fought some more, then found a puzzle with three spinning pillars. While Esburn talked about the symbols, I just spun them until they worked. There was no confirmation/trap so there was no danger in failure. The next room looked like a huge stone checkerboard with symbols on each pad. I motioned for everyone to stop. "Wait!" Esburn said, "Don't step anywhere." "I just..." I sighed, "I have a light step, so I'm going to walk across these and deactivate the trap." I walked forward and Sofia started to inch forward behind me. A fireball blasted her back on her butt. Only once though, before I was able to pull the chain. I sighed again, "You gotta listen if you're going to dungeon crawl with me." We stepped into a courtyard with a giant head. Esburn said, "It looks like it has a blood seal. Probably your blood, Dragonborn." "Fine," I cut my palm and squeezed a bit of blood onto the circle. The head backed away and we were able to get inside. My companions and I rushed forward, finding an old meeting call with vaulted stone ceilings. Esburn made his way in and started to look at the giant carving on the wall at the back of the hall. "Amazing, isn't it?" He marveled. "Just tell me how to kill Alduin," I said flatly. "Hold on, let me find the right panel," he replied. I waited for a few minutes, in which my group started to walk around. Sofia broke the silence, like she couldn't stand there being quiet, "Everybody in Skyrim has such dirty minds, you know?" "Well, everything you say tends to be overtly sexual," Serana quipped back, "More power to you for being yourself, but maybe you shouldn't say whatever comes to your mind sometimes." "Okay...okay," Sofia said back. "Looks like, Alduin was defeated by a shout," Esburn said. "Well, I know who would know about it, if anyone. The Greybeards," I said. "But first... this place is perfect," I said, turning to the group, "I have something I've been thinking about for a while now. You guys are free to stay or go. Except for Runa, Delphine and Serana. I'm going to be using this hall for something. Something big." "What?" Delphine said, "We just got this place back. What do you want to use it for?" "Well. This is neutral ground, and we've cleared a path to safely get here," I cleared my throat, pausing for effect. "I'm going to call the Moot."

Hey, it's me, Destana. After a year of making the Thieves' Guild great, learning to play Lute better, slaying dragons, raiding forts and 'persuading' them to join the Stormcloaks, attending magic college and having Damien, my son (with a couple months off before and a week off after for me), Ulfric and the gang were ready to raid Solitude. I decided I would leave Damien with Iona and Sanguine. He didn't want to get involved this time. Something about meddling in the affairs of mortals far too much. (Honestly, I think he was getting bored of Skyrim). So I brought the regular crew: Inigo, Sofia, Vilja and Shirley. I want to say it was an epic battle. It was, of course. Ultimately, General Tullius fell like so many of his men before him. It all came down to him and his main guard. When she said she would fight to the last breath, I had been behind her and slit her throat before the boys could lay into her. Then Tullius. Ulfric nodded to me, "Do you want to do the honors?" Part of me thought there might have been too much killing these past few months, but I was still on my high horse about doing whatever I wanted. "Do it. I want a clean death," Tullius said, "The harshness of Skyrim has a way of carving a man down to his true self." "Damn. This man speaks truth," I said back. I took out a dagger and stabbed him. We walked out into the courtyard and presented the General's body to the amassed people, including Jarl Elisif the Fair. Galmar shouted, "I present to you, Ulfric Stormcloak, hero of the people, liberator and High King of Skyrim! "I am indeed Ulfric Stormcloak, and at my side the woman we know as Stormblade, and the world knows as the Dragonborn," Ulfric said. "Velvet Acid Talos," I muttered, but I held my tongue because I didn't want to interrupt his speech. "And indeed, there are many that call us heroes. But it is all of you who are the true heroes! It was you who fought a dying Empire who sunk its claws into our land, trying to drag us down with it. It was you who fought the Thalmor and their puppets who would have us deny our gods and our heritage. It was you who fought your kin who didn't understand our cause, who weren't willing to pay the price of our freedom. But more than that, it was you who fought for Skyrim, for our right to fight our own battles... to return to our glory and traditions, to determine our own future!" Ulfric continued, "And it is for these reasons that I cannot accept the mantle of 'High King.' Not until the Moot declares that title should adorn my shoulders will I accept it. "I would swear my fealty to you, Jarl Ulfric!" Elisif shouted back. "You, of course, will remain Jarl of Solitude," Ulfric reponded. He paused, then continued, "A great darkness is growing, and soon we will be called to fight it, on these shores or abroad. The Aldmeri Dominion may have defeated the Empire, but it has not...defeated... Skyrim!" He walked over to us as the crowd cheered. "I told you not to call me Dragonborn. It's a silly legend," I said. "Even so, Stormblade, it's our legend," Galmar said. "So when are you going to be High King? What does it take for the moot to meet?" "Now, I wait," Ulfric replied. "Smart call, Ulfric," Galmar nodded, "Letting Elisir keep her life. You will be High King some day." "Damn, it was nice having you on this one, Ulfric. Your shouts are almost as good as mine," I smirked. "Because you're dragonborn, you cheater," Ulfric replied, "Took me ten years to learn Unrelenting Force." I chuckled, "Maybe you should join my team in the field someday. Maybe it's combat experience that made me so damn good." Ulfric and Galmar laughed. I counted up my dragon souls in my head. Nine. I only have basic shouts though, as I hadn't looked for any more word walls. We retired to Windhelm. I hung out at the Palace of Kings for a few hours, reveling with the Stormcloaks and my group. But it was a sad revel this day. I knew this campaign was at an end. They would stay here, though some would scatter to occupy the holds and keep them from falling back into Imperial rule, and I had my own business to conduct. Of course, I had one more night with Ulfric for the road, as I knew it might be a while until I saw him again. I'm strange like that. I think I like having sex with important and exotic people. Part of me says it's because of the novelty. Part of me has a roll of parchment in my pocket and I'm checking off important men (and women) as they come along. I returned to Riften, to find Sanguine on one of his 'business trips.' I cuddled my baby through the night. In the morning, I gathered together my group. Sitting at the table in Honeyside, I said, "You guys. This last year has been awesome. And we never thought of a name for our group." "How about the Dragon..." "Don't you say it too, Sofia," I growled. Inigo added, "Fusrodorians!" "The Fighting Mongooses," Vilja said. "How about the Stormblade Sentry?" Sofia asked. "Damn. For once you said something smart, Sofia. Okay. I'll allow it," I said. "Thanks... hey wait!" She started. I tossed a fat sack of coins on the table, "This is your final paycheck." "But why? You need us!" Sofia said. Sofia was kind of annoying, and she never shut up. But she was good in a fight, and really good looking, so I let it slide most of the time. "I definitely don't. But I WILL miss you," I replied, "There's no reason for me to roll around with a huge company for the time being. I promise I'll come call on you again someday." "You know, we never did my quest," Vilja said. "Stick around. I'll pay you to look after Damien. I promise I will help you with it someday," I smiled. To be honest, Vilja and I had never really connected. Maybe it was her vacant eyes and responses that made no godsdamn sense. "I will see you again, friend, I know it. I'll be hanging out in the Riften prison," Inigo said. "Again with the prison. You know I'm thane here. And Whiterun. We have more than enough money to buy the vacant house in Whiterun and put you up there." Shirley nodded, "I expected this day would come. Especially with your new baby. You deserve a vacation." Shirley had always been like a grandma to me. And extremely durable to boot. I said goodbye to them and they all went their separate ways. I told Sanguine later that I'd be going it alone for a little while. He was okay with that, which I figured. He always seemed to be the last one in combat. Immortality has it's drawbacks too I guess. Though, maybe he'd just revive in Oblivion? "You know, you're right. Although we might not see each other again if I die," he explained when I asked him, "It can take days. Or decades. Or centuries." Vacation? Fat chance. But I was still thinking about where I would go and what I would do. The Dark Brotherhood didn't seem like they needed me for now. The Thieves' Guild was great again and they seemed not to need me anymore (all I had left to do at this point was to turn in the Skeleton Key, which I was considering because I'm such a nice person). I could investigate the Orb for the mages... Ultimately I decided to do a couple of low-impact jobs to get myself back in the solo-adventuring mood. I would need to modify my fighting style if I was going to go it alone. I thought on my skills, and my fallbacks were utter mastery of archery, stealth and lockpicking and my mid-level skill at pickpocketing, one-handed weapons, light armor and shields. But now I was a mage too. Illusion was probably my best skill, being good enough to bend minds and make myself invisible (adept+). My destruction was adept at best. Allies don't like you blowing them up with your enemies. Conjuration: adept at best, as I usually had enough real meat shields to tank for me. Restoration was fairly high, seeing as how I spent a lot of time patching up allies. Alteration was a side skill, and I only had enough for mild conveniences. And enchanting... what the heck is enchanting? I'd never spent much time on any of the crafting professions for the same reason Vikings never learned to farm - I usually take such things from my enemies. The first thing I did was explore the tunnels around the Ragged Flagon. Seemed like a light warmup now that I was... let's say 'unburdened' by pregnancy. Mostly rats and stray vampires. I kept my distance and burned/shot them from afar. But what intrigued me was the reports of ghosts I'd heard about when I first started here. I delved deeper into the tunnels and found that there were actually ghosts down there. I made them double dead. There was a sword there I snagged - Dawnfang. So I finally got a replacement for Dragon's Oath. Then as I was reading my quest log in the Flagon later that evening, I noticed I have a note about some bandits stealing the Armor of the Crusaders. I went to get it and blew them up. Amateurs don't deserve such nice armor. Let me tell you, it looks hideous on me. I kept the body piece, with the Nightingale Gloves and Boots. Helmet? Are there invisible helmets anywhere? I went with a Circlet of Archery or Destruction for now. Then I returned the Skeleton Key. I returned to my baby and did things mothers do with their babies. In the morning, I returned to the Flagon. Brynjolf said he wanted to see me, now that I finally returned it. "So you've finally decided to return the thing that was cursing us to begin with," Brynjolf smirked as I approached. "Nocturnal and I had an arrangement," I said, which may or may not have been a lie. I mean, I did pray to her sometimes when I was about to steal things, and I kept praying to her to tell her I was going to return it when the guild reached this point. And now I'd fulfilled my end of the bargain. Brynjolf continued, "Well, my friend... the time's come to make it official. It's time to become our Guild Master. Don't worry, I promise this will be short and sweet. If you'll just meet us in the center of the cistern room, we can begin." I walked to the center of the cistern and all the many members of the guild surrounded me. The inner circle, Vex, Delvin, Karliah and Brynjolf were in the inner ring, with everyone else in the outer ring. Brynjolf started, "Look, I've never been good at these things, so I'm just going to keep it short. Being Guild Master means more than just getting a cut of all the loot, it's about being a leader and keeping this rabble in order. With that in mind, I propose that the position of Guild Master should be yours. Delvin?" "Agreed." "Vex?" "Sure, why not," she replied. "Karliah?" Brynjolf continued. "Absolutely." "Everyone is in agreement, so all I can do now is name you Guild Master and wish you good fortune and long life," Brynjolf smiled. He handed me a key and a necklace while Tonilia stepped up to hand me Guild Master's armor, "And..." "And?" "And we have a little treat set up for you," he continued. "Treat?" I smiled, not sure if they were about to all knife me in the back or give me a chest of gold. But when all of them started to take their clothes off, it became clear what was going on. "You're the cumdump, right?" Vex snickered. "One last go-around before we have to call you boss," Delvin smiled at me. I instinctively pulled my armor off, "You know that position is still going to be okay by me, right?" That was a long day. I don't know if you know this, but because of my 'vigorous' recruitment (and of course, a lot by some of the higher ups) the guild has over thirty members. And they all got their turn. Afterward, I felt like I needed a bath, possibly a Skooma, and a priest. I retired to Honeysideto snuggle up with Sanguine after a thorough scrubbing. And... it'd been a few days since I'd seen him so we had sex too. But in the morning. With all that, I took a few days before I went adventuring again. I talked to Brynjolf and we decided he was going to be the front man. I was more the planning guy who collected earnings. I think I'd stolen everything possible from Skyrim - at this point the Ragged Flagon was much less ragged, and was lit up with opulence, with fence shops like a black market. Though, it was still in the sewers. Speaking of priests, I decided I would go get Mara's blessing after that display. You can't be too careful. Maybe go figure out what is with the Dibellan Priestesses at some point. I walked into the church to find nobody there, so I sat and waited, realizing I'd gotten up early in the morning. "Ah, greetings Thane," Dinya smiled, tidying up around the shrine. "What's that altar there?" "He calls himself Dudestia. A small, cult following. Apparently, not one of the big divines. More like a friend of Mara, I guess," Dinya said, "Have you met our new priests?" I shook my head. "One of them is from Nyhus, along the Cyrodiil border. Have you ever been to Cyrodiil?" I shook my head again, "Can't say I have. I've been thinking about getting away for a while. I certainly have the money to take a trip to Cyrodiil, or Elswyer. Maybe just a jaunt to Bruma." "What about Hammerfell?" She asked, turning to me. "Hmm..." I thought, "Maybe someday. But there's not really anything for me there now." I looked up at the sun, and down at my now leaking boobs. "Blah. Time to nurse again. Damien's probably up by now. Sorry, gotta go," I stood and walked towards the door. "Beautiful motherhood," she said, "I look forward to our next meeting." I opened the door. "Oh, and congratulations!" Dinya said as I was leaving. I froze, then turned around. She didn't know I was Thieves' Guild Master. She probably didn't know I was one of the leaders of the Stormcloak rebellion. I mean... I had Damien nearly a month ago. Maybe it was that? "Congratulations for what?" I asked finally. "Oh, you don't know?" She asked. I blinked, "I must be in some kind of deja vu level of Oblivion. Is this really happening again?" Dinya blinked, "It seems as though it is. You're pregnant again." "...Shut up. You're not serious," I'm sure my face contorted into something that looked like rage, but then I calmed and turned to look at her. I walked back over, "Okay. Okay. Could you do the test, and just like before..." "You want to know who the father is?" Dinya asked. ".....Yes," I said, a little embarrassed, though I don't really know why. She closed her eyes, and focused for a few seconds, "Ulfric Stormcloak." I pursed my lips, stood, and started to walk out. I turned back towards her, said nothing, then walked out. "Congratulations!" Maramal emerged from the back just in time to shout. I guess he'd been eavesdropping. "Shut the fuck..." The door slammed that'd been shutting behind me. I took a deep breath. I wondered how Sanguine was going to take this. I imagined, probably alright. One of the byproducts of so much debauchery was children. I walked in to Honeyside and sat at the dining table. Sanguine emerged from whatever he'd been doing downstairs and handed me Damien, which I popped on my boob. "Hey, can I tell you something disturbing and somewhat incriminating?" "Dear, you are a criminal. And I assure you I cannot be disturbed," he sat down opposite me. "I'm pregnant again," I said. "I figured it'd happen sooner or later, because we never use protection. So damning," he chuckled. "It's not yours," I said. He looked at me silently for a few seconds, then he smiled again, "I was just pausing so you'd get the worst anxiety about my answer." He laughed, "I also figured that would happen too." "Not mad, are you?" He took my hands, "We both entered into this knowing the other wasn't going to be exclusive. Why the hell would I be mad? Would it surprise you to know I've fucked probably over a million people in my time?" "Just how old are you, anyway?" "I dunno. What is time, even? If you want to get technical, I'm et'Ada, a spirit who has been around since the beginning. I vaguely remember the First Era, the Merethic, Dawn and before. Though understanding and reality wasn't what it now is," Sanguine replied. "That's a very cerebral answer," I smiled. I knew he wouldn't be mad. It did make me feel small, though. I always knew I was merely a blip in the infinity of his immortality. This made me sad. But, after I thought about it, it made me feel a little happier. The most beautiful flower only blooms for a short time. "Hey, you asked," he smiled, "Are you going to be just as rough on yourself during this pregnancy as the last time?" "I think," I started, "I'm going to check out what's going on with Helgen. But that's it. I'll keep attending classes and getting better with magic." "Say, dear," Sanguine said. "Yes?" "This might sound out of left field." "What is it?" "Do you want to adopt a child?" "Well... why?" "There's a young girl down at Honorhall that's been there since adoptions started. I walk around town sometimes and I notice her, looking sad. Almost all the original orphans from when you murdered that old crone have already been adopted. What do you think?" "I think..." I was going to say he doesn't always think his decisions through. But then instead I said, "Alright, sure. Iona, think you can take care of another couple kids?" Iona stepped in, "I am your sword AND your shield." Sanguine and I looked at each other. Crippling social anxiety makes her say random phrases? "I think, also, we should find a bigger house," Sanguine put his feet up on the table. I nodded, taking a couple of Skyrim Guidebooks off the shelves and flipping through them on the table. "Says here there's a plot available in northern Skyrim," I said, "That's right next to that abandoned shack the Dark Brotherhood kidnapped me in. Could provide easy access when I start working with them again." "What hold?" Sanguine asked. "Ugh," I cringed, "Solitude. I HATE Solitude. But the location is so good. It's right next to the Sea of Ghosts. And we can design it. Ugh... Solitude. I guess I'll work on that. But that will be all for this pregnancy. Maybe if I figure out a better telekinesis spell I can help build it without moving a muscle." Sanguine laughed. I guess I was going to Solitude to do some more 'public service.' But first I would stop off in Windhelm to break the news to Ulfric. I technically could marry two people, due to the new Tenets of Dudestia, but I didn't really want to marry Ulfric. Our relationship was more casual than that. We were friends; war buddies. The sex was convenient. When I arrived, he was brooding on his throne, and I was thinking on what I would say. It'd only been weeks since I saw him, and he seemed not to have made a single move; politically or otherwise, but it seemed like it'd been a while for me. I stood in the doorway, thinking about what was going to happen.

Hey, it's me, Destana. At this point, I'd been living in Skyrim for about four months, and it was right around Saturnalia and the turning of the new year to 2E 202. I turned 19 back in Last Seed (I know, I'm younger than you might think on account of my mad skills). Last time Ulfric Stormcloak sent me to deliver an axe to Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun. I was accompanied by an entourage of Inigo, Vilja, Sofia and Shirley. I'd been to Whiterun previously (even recently, infact to contact Vilja). But when I approached, the gates were closed on account of dragon attacks. "Dragons?" I asked incredulously, "Aren't they extinct? Or like... mythological?" "Sorry, no passage into the gates," the guard returned. "I have an important message from Ulfric Stormcloak for the Jarl. I believe it is a challenge. Or an ultimatum," I raised the axe. "The Jarl will want to hear this," the guard opened the gate. I went straight to the Jarl. "Hold! What makes you think you can interrupt us during an important council meeting?" Jarl Balgruuf said. "I have an urgent message from Ulfric Stormcloak." "I'm sure he told you it was very urgent," Balgruf said, "Save it. We're having a council meeting about the recent dragon attack on Helgen." "I... think Ulfric was there," I said. Balgruf stroked his chin for a moment, studying me, "On second thought, you may be able to help me. Would you do me a favor while you're here? Let's talk to my court wizard." I jogged into the adjoining room. Farengar Secret-Fire nodded to me and said, "What do you need, traveler?" "The Jarl said you needed help with something." "Well I'm very busy, I don't think I do." "Be careful, you're about to step on your own Shock Rune," I joked. Farengar jumped, then he smiled, "I see you're a mage as well. What did you say you needed?" Jarl Balgruuf stepped in behind me now, "Use her for your project." "I see. I have an errand. And by errand I mean a ruin that holds information about the dragons. Bleak Falls Barrow," Farengar replied, "Think you're up for it?" "Easy," I bought a couple spell tomes from him and then turned to the Jarl. "Ulfric wanted me to deliver this axe, by the way," I said. "The man is persistent. I'll give you your answer after you've dealt with this matter," he replied. I sighed, getting on the road to the Barrow. I think I'd been there before, but all these ruins are kinda the same. Nope, not been there. I'm going to stop trying to guess, these ruins all look the same. There were a mix of bandits trying to raid the tomb, but they felt like we were their competition so they had to die after they attacked us. A giant spider, a man wrapped up in webbing with a golden claw. He ran, but the draugr got him and I put him down with my crossbow before he could be ripped apart by the undead. And I claimed the puzzle claw. We continued on past a hallway with blades. I just ran through and activated the pull chain so nobody else had to endanger themselves. We plowed through this time, even more than before. If there was a measure of the level of evil power of a place - this one seemed very low. A couple puzzles, like nord ruins do, and another word wall. This one was, "Fus." Wait wait wait... Fus! I'd heard that word. I stood there, brain firing on all dwemer cylinders for a moment, thinking, 'Fus. That's the thing the draugr keep shouting at us when they blow us back. Are these word rune things some kind of words of power? Wait... Ulfric supposedly shouted the High King to death or something. And I keep seeing these walls and they're reacting to me.' I also picked up a Gem that talked to me, revealing herself as Merida. I slid it into my pack to sell it later. And... the Dragonstone! I brought it back to Farengar. He was speaking with a woman named Delphine. He turned to me, "A cut above the usual brutes the Jarl sends my way. That is where your job ends and mine begins, friend. My friend here is the one who knew where to find it." "How?" "Don't worry yourself about that," she replied, not looking up at me from the Dragonstone. "Farengar! Adventurers!" Irileth, the Jarl's housecarl bustled in, "There are reports of a dragon attack!" "This will be perfect for my research if we can down it!" Farengar smiled. I smiled too. I wanted to see one of these things in action. See if they were really real. Irileth went to the Jarl on the raised area above the mead hall. He was talking with a guard. "My Jarl, I saw a dragon circling over head near the Western Watchtower. I ran for my life. I thought it was going to kill me." "Good work son, dragon hunting is no one-man job. You may have saved Whiterun if we can kill it outside," Balgruuf turned to us, "Friends, Irileth, take some guards and go hunt that dragon. It cannot make it to the city!" I nodded, getting a little excited now. "Oh and if you do this for me I'll let you purchase property within the hold." I blinked. Damn. If I'd known it would be that easy I wouldn't have wasted my time in Riften, though I was much more invested in the Thieves' Guild. I can with my company onto the field near the Western Watchtower. As we passed the stables, Sofia said, "Did I just hear correctly? The Jarl wants you to go fight a dragon? You're not seriously considering it are you?" "Sofia, you can see how fast I'm sprinting, right. I'm what you call an adrenaline junkie. I routinely put myself in deadly situations," I had a big grin on my face. "If you look around here, you will often find butterflies," Vilja said from behind us. "Shor's bones, Vilja. Eyes on the prize!" I shouted back as we neared it. Hmm, no dragon nearby. I poked my head into the tower, which was now half-collapsed and on fire. As I came out, Irileth was just arriving with the men. "Where's this beast?" She asked. I shrugged. The guard who'd spotted it originally shouted, "Oh gods! Here it comes!" I hit amidst the rubble as it glided past. Everyone else was already firing arrows. I pulled out my crossbow and silently trained a bolt at it. I could feel my heart racing. The rush was palpable. After a dozen arrows shooting it, it landed right near me. I shot it in the neck. Vilja jumped on its back and was slashing. I drew my sword and faced the thing directly with shield up. It went down surprisingly fast between the dozen of us. It slumped over, dead, allowing an eerie calm after the rush of terror the dragon brought with it. I stepped up to the dragon to poke at it. Then... something strange happened. I felt a rush of power, not unlike that power at the word walls. The dragon's magic, or spirit, or force drained the flesh from it's bones and surrounded me. I could feel that chanting again just like the word walls. It surrounded me, soaking into my very bones. "WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?" I shouted. The calm returned. I could feel some sort of power within me. When I opened my mouth to ask if anybody knew what just happened, it came out as, "FUS!" A bunch of the guards fell over. "My gods, I'm sorry!" I said, "What did I just do?" "That was a shout!" One of the guards said, "You must be truly dragonborn!" "Dragonwhat?" I asked. "You're dragonborn. You absorbed the dragon's power," another guard said. "Whatborn?" I asked. "You can shout now, you couldn't before right? The only explanation is that you're dragonborn." "...whatwhat?" I asked. "I don't know about any of that. I do know that's a dead dragon. We know we can kill them now. Just... go talk to the Jarl," Irileth said. As I walked through Whiterun with my entourage, I could hear more shouting. I looked up to find no dragons - I'd noticed when the dragon breathed fire he spoke words just like I'd done when I said 'FUS.' "Huh," I shrugged. Must be nothing. I approached the Jarl again. "What happened?" He asked. "The dragon is dead, but so's the watchtower. Something weird happened when I approached it. I absorbed some sort of power from the dragon and now it's just bones," I explained. "So it's true. The greybeards are summoning you." "Who?" I asked. "Masters of the way of the voice. Shouts," he explained. "If you are dragonborn, then you owe it to Skyrim to go talk to them," Hrongar said, a warrior standing off to the side. I stared daggers at Hrongar, "I don't owe Skyrim shit. If anything, it owes me quite a lot. And I imagine that debt is not going to go out of the red anytime soon." "What do the greybeards want with her?" Aventus asked. A woman from his court. "It's for them to know," the Jarl replied, "Even if you don't believe in our legends, you should go see them." I gritted my teeth, "Okay. But the only reason I'm going to see them is because I've seen what these shouts can do. But, hey, the reason I came here. Will you take the damn axe?" After a few moments of discussion, he returned the axe, "Give this to Ulfric. He has my answer." Then he turned to his scribe, "Get me a pen and some parchment. We're going to tell General Tullius what our conditions are for allowing his Legionnaires into this city." I sighed. Well that was bad news. I decided I would take that trek to High Hrothgar before I returned to Windhelm. We slept at the Inn, and I played, not knowing if and when I would be allowed back into the city since I was a Stormcloak. Then we set off. It was a long and grueling climb, and when I reached the front door, the old men were waiting for us. "So the Dragonborn appears," Arngeir said. He seemed to be in charge. "I'm answering a call. I'm not sure about this whole dragonborn business," I folded my arms. "We will test if you truly have the gift," he said back, "Let me taste of your voice." "That is seriously one of the strangest things anyone has ever said to me," I replied, "And I'm not really sure how I did it." I thought about it for a few seconds, then let out a, "FUS!" "Welcome, dragonborn. We will do our best to help you fulfill your destiny." I squinted at him, "Destiny, huh? What's my destiny?" "Whatever you choose." Oh. I'd thought he was going to say it was my destiny to save the world, to slay the dark lord... in accordance with the prophecy or whatever. I shook my head. Those sorts of stories always annoyed me. Anybody with sound mind and a strong back can do anything if they put their mind to it. "We will teach you the second word of Unrelenting Force - Ro," Arngeir said. Another greybeard spoke the word and the burning runes appeared on the floor. As with the word walls, the knowledge streamed into me. "Normally years of practice allows someone to use shouts. As a dragonborn, you can absorb a dragon's knowledge and power directly and fuel your shouts. It took you moments to master what it took many a lifetime," Arngeir said. "Now, demonstrate your Thu'um," he continued. "FUS -- RO!" I shouted. It blew Vilja and Sofia off their feet. I said, "Seriously guys, you should probably stay out of my way while I'm doing this." Arngeir and the others walked towards the courtyard and I followed. Sofia mused, "I can't imagine being a greybeard. Having to sit in silence all day. I couldn't do it." "Clearly," I said, telling the others to stand back while we do this shouting business in the courtyard. "I will teach you a new shout," Arngeir said, and another of the greybeards repeated the process. This was 'WULD,' the Whirlwind Sprint. The greybeard who'd gifted me the shout then said, "WULD!" And ran through a gate almost faster than my eyes could see. "Now you," Arngeir said. I raised an eyebrow. I turned toward the gate and it opened again. "WULD," I said, passing through the gate harmlessly. This one would be useful for trapped hallways. "What's next?" I smirked. "Next you must recover the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller," Arngeir replied. "Ah, here we go," I smiled, tired from the last couple days of song-and-dance Balgruuf and now these guys were putting me through. "I'll go get the horn..." "Thank you, dragonborn," Arngeir said. "....eventually. When I get around to it," I explained, "Thanks for clarifying for me what all the word walls are about. I've already found several. Thanks for the new powers. I'll take that, but you can keep the destiny. I may or may not be a dragonborn or whatever. But I choose what my destiny is. Me. There's been a lot of talk of what I owe Nirn or Skyrim, or whatever. But the world is pretty much shit. I wouldn't give a shit if it gets burned to the ground. So I'm going to go back to Ulfric Stormcloak and let him know his civil war is on. And when and if I decide to come back here, its going to be because I want to. Are we clear?" I could see the looks of distain on their face, but I didn't care. "C'mon guys," I said. As we were walking out of there, Inigo said, "That seemed a little harsh." "Yeah," I said, "Probably. I'm tired of being forced to do things I don't want to do. I have priorities. Me and mine." And we traveled back to Windhelm. I put the axe on the table. Ulfric shook his head, and Galmar smiled. "We're going to hit them where it hurts," Galmar said. "Make preparations. I want you there on the battlefield, Destana, on the front lines," Ulfric said, and I nodded. That obstinate pig-headed Jarl would get what was coming to him. We went back to Whiterun. While we mustered up, I got wise and stripped off my Nightingale armor as Galmar talked, putting on robes and a circlet of destruction I'd picked up from the college. I readied Elemental Bolt on my offhand and drew my sword. I casted Rally and charged with the Stormcloaks as we stormed the gates. This time, I blew down the barricades and archers with explosive magic. When we finally reached the hold, the Jarl fought a good fight but surrendered before he and Irileth were killed. It was hard to fight someone who'd I'd fought beside only days before. And there were many deaths. I silently pledged to study restoration to see if there was a spell that would bring the recently dead back to life. "You would fight the Empire?" Balgruuf asked, "Now I know why the Greymanes weren't on the wall today." "We are the blood of the empire, and if it were ours, we would be able to worship whoever we damn well please," Vignar Greymane responded, "We should be fighting the elves, not bending knee to them." "Yeah, screw the Thalmor. They destroyed Hammerfell too!" I shouted. "Tell me, how many of those dead men out there once called you friend?" Balgruuf shouted. "Enough! All of you!" Galmar shouted, "There is a burning city out there that needs a government." Vignar took control as Jarl. It pains me, because Balgruuf was one of the good ones. I returned to Windhelm to report. That was the start of our war. I'm going to skim over a little bit. The next nine months gets a little tedious. The things to know are: - The Stormcloaks had the Jagged Crown and the Civil War was just beginning. I became instrumental in this conflict. At first, I was a shock trooper, bringing an eclectic cadre of sellswords to the mix to bolster the Stormcloaks' troops. Then I stood shoulder to shoulder with Galmar in deployment of troops when they realized just how valuable I was. These attacks were seldom - once every few weeks. Usually they were Imperial forts, usually near a hold. And for some reason, no reinforcements ever came from down south. Was the Empire really spread that thin? - After I took a hold with the Stormcloaks, I would play the Inn as a bard, and stay in the Inn before returning to Riften. But see the next bullet - - A few weeks back I took down Mercer Frey (with a little help from a few friends). As I was traveling around with my group, I was doing oddjobs for Vex and Delvin (which I would talk to them until they gave me the *right* jobs, winning us contacts in every major city. When my group would retire to the Inn after a raid, I would stay up and rob the place blind, returning to the guild the spoils after I took a cut of the plunder for my group. - In the morning after each raid I served as the go-between for the men and Ulfric, bringing him news of our victories. I often visited him after hours, and often shared his bed with him. I mean, I was pregnant and in control of my body. Why not? - Despite the College of Winterhold dealing with the Orb problem, they started up regular classes again. I would attend them between the raids - I was trying to master at least some magic. Besides just being cool and generally good for grouping, I thought about what could be GREAT if I ever went to prison again. If I'm stripped of all weapons and armor, well, I can still melt faces with Destruction. I can still bend minds with Illusion (or straight-up go invisible and walk out). I can pick locks without a lockpick with Alternation. I can summon meat shields or summon my own weapons with Conjuration. Infinite possibilities. - Dragons were returning to Skyrim. One bit of 'public service' I deigned to perform, if I was truly dragonborn, was to defend holds as they were attacked by dragons. During this few months I must've killed a dozen dragons (again, with help from my group), and they were getting worse. Most of them led to a dragon kill orgy. I mostly kept to interacting with my group, and each hold's guards usually had a dogpile with each other and the warriors involved. I think we might've started to get a reputation. - Last but certainly not least, I was pregnant with Sanguine's (the daedric lord of debauchery and now my husband) baby. Now a thane of Riften (probably because of all the 'public service' I did), I was spending all my off time with Sanguine and Iona in Honeyside while I continued to get bigger. You might say I was a very busy woman during this period. The nine months of my pregnancy rolled by in a hurry and my baby boy was born just a few days before my 20th birthday. Given the circumstances, I named him Damien. I wasn't sure if he was going to come out red and spiny or looking relatively human. But he was brown, with brown eyes and my near-white eyes. I wasn't sure what to think of this - or if he would manifest demonic powers later, but he was beautiful and perfect. I will let you know now - over the next few years his skin lightened to very pale, along with his hair. He looked Nordic, though he still had my eyes. One last note: on a dare, I got my first (semi-)consensual tattoo. I was drunk, the men and I were at an Inn after a raid, and somebody... I think it might have been Rolof bet me he could drink more than me. In this case, he won. And surprisingly, he didn't demand I have sex with him or something else. He told me I was a true Nord in spirit, having almost bested a Stormcloak warrior and I had to get something to commemorate. I got two axes across my stomach. The boys approved. "What are those tally marks?" One of them asked. "Don't ask. I don't want to talk about it. And yes, it is permanent, just like these," I said, pointing to the axes. They were better than most the Nords out there. Things like this made me want to stay with the Stormcloaks and see this through. This was near the end of the Civil War. Ulfric and Galmar and the men were gearing up for the Empire's final bastion: Solitude. With a grin, I volunteered to head the charge. Because, godsdamn I hate Solitude.

Hey, it's Destana again. Last time I traveled around Skyrim and tied up a lot of loose ends. But this is a special occasion. Now that I established an actual home, I returned to the bedroll under the Honningbrew Meadery and slept there. I was taken to Sanguine's realm, as before. "If it isn't my adherent," he looked up from whipping a young lady, "What brings you here?" I approached him, pulling away the Nightingale armor around my collar. Sanguine blinked, "You're bold. Look at you, wearing an Amulet of Mara. Interested in me, are you?" "What do you say?" I asked, "You're immortal, right? It'll only be until my death do us part. At the very least, come with me to Nirn. You don't get out enough." Sanguine's smile grew slowly, "Do you know what you're asking?" I smiled, "I do." He chuckled, waving his hands, and the realm around us dematerialized. We were standing next to his statue in the caves. Him, in a blue toga in his full daedric form instead of armor. "Are you sure you'd be interested in a life together?" Sanguine asked, "You are interesting company. More than interesting." "I'd be more than interested," I replied. He grinned again, "All of Skyrim... All of Nirn better get ready to stand the fuck aside then." He chuckled like a low rumble. "Let's go to Riften. That's where the chapel is." "Sure. Sure they'll accept a red man like myself?" He asked, then he added, "Well actually, they'll see Sam. I'll meet you there." I stopped off and got a wedding dress, then I made my way to Riften. It wasn't a big ceremony. Up until this point I haven't made my life the type that puts down roots or keeps friends that have an established place in the world. Even this wedding ceremony wasn't exactly normal. I'm sure the Sam disguise looked acceptable and normal, and Sanguine looked good in his blue robes that offset his red daedric skin, that's not what I mean. I mean monogamy was not in our blood. I most certainly was going to continue doing whatever I wanted with my body, and I'm certain he would do the same. This ceremony was a declaration of love, not of ownership. I walked into the ceremony in my red and white wedding dress, looking beautiful. Maramal made a lot of declarations, but I wasn't really listening. "Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?" He asked at the end. "I do." "And you?" "I do," Sanguine replied. We kissed, and that was that. Maramal gave us rings. "It's a simple ceremony, but it'll do. You're here. That's what is important," Sanguine said as we walked out. "Now, let's go to Honeyside. I just bought it," I smiled, "It may not be up to your normal standards, but, it's what I have for now." "I'd be honored," Sanguine replied, and we went to my house in Riften. Obviously our honeymoon was no different from when we first met. We fucked each other's brains out for four solid days. Iona supplied us with regular food and water. Eventually, though, he learned that I was pregnant. "You know I would've been there for the child whether or not this (marriage) happened, right?" He asked. "I'm not into taking people's decisions away from them," I replied, "If you want to be a father, then that's your choice." After about a week, I decided I was not going to quit adventuring yet. "How'd you like to come with me?" I asked. "Come with you? On your adventures?" He asked. "Yeah. I've been thinking I'm putting myself in far too many dangerous situations. There's a civil war brewing without the bodies to get it off the ground. I need to go catch Mercer before he gets out of Skyrim and is gone forever. There's a lot to do. So I've decided I'm going to start... not an army. An adventuring company? I learned some basic Restoration and Illusion that augments allies, and I think some meat shields would do me good," I pontificated. I had been thinking back to all the possible companions offering their services that I'd seen or heard of in my travels. A number of names came to mind, but I decided I would narrow it down to only a few, and try to maintain some semblance of balance. I would be the back guy, the thief, and perhaps a healing type. Cue the montage music. - I would need at least one more melee fighter. I handed Sanguine the Dragon's Oath as part of our initial planning phase for this. I would wield the Nightingale Blade and daggers for now (if needed). He of course told me he had centuries of combat experience. But he decided for today he was going to sit out the recruiting, "My, this place is atrocious. I'm going to clean up in here." - I needed one or two ranged attackers. After asking around, I realized there was a strange man in the Riften Jail I'd passed on one of my first days in Riften. Somebody in jail was murderhobo/unattached enough for me. I approached the cell. "Thank the gods! You've finally come to kill me!" "Uh... what?" I asked. "My friend, do you not remember me?" ".....What?" I asked again. "I have wronged you terribly. I must insist that you kill me now, even if your memory is a little fuzzy," he said. "Wait... what is your name?" "I am called Inigo the Brave." "Please, instead of me killing you, how about you take a period of service with me?" I asked. He shrugged, "I think I can agree to that." "But wait, you're in prison. Just let me talk to the Jarl. I'm a thane here." "My friend, I can leave anytime. The guards insist I've done nothing wrong, but they told me I could live in this empty jail cell if I paid them a handsome price," Inigo explained. I smiled, chuckling, "You're a strange cat, Inigo. Any good with a sword? Bows even?" "I do a little of that. And I sneak," he replied. "Good. You can have a spot on my team," I said, then I led him to Honeyside. Sanguine and Iona were sitting at the dinner table. "My love, I cooked you a meal," Sanguine said. "There's no human flesh in here is there?" I asked, half-jokingly. "Just a meat pie. Beef. Not human meat," Sanguine said, "You know I value consent. I'd only serve you human meat if you want it." I pursed my lips, storing that information in the vault. "This is really good," Iona was enjoying a piece already. "I am, unfortunately, without equipment," Inigo said. "And naked," I added, then I walked over to my chest. I grabbed my Elven Armor, from back when I started my journey. Then I tossed it to him and he put it on, "Looks good on you." - Then I remembered that woman, a bard and alchemist, who'd been hanging out in the Bannered Mare. I traveled there, leaving Sanguine at home and just taking Inigo to get her. As I approached, she said, "Have you by any chance seen a goodfornothing Nord?" "No." "He and his friend stole something precious to me, and I need to find them before they do something I'll regret." "This is starting to sound like a quest. I hope a short one, because I'm kind of a quest junkie," I took out my log, flipping through it, "And the quest log is getting awfully heavy." "Will you help?" She asked. "Yeah, I'll help. Do you want to be a part of my burgeoning fighting force if I help you?" I asked, "Of course, I'll have to interview your skills when we get to that point." "Uh.. sure," she replied. We headed to the outskirts of Whiterun. - My next recruit kind fell into my lap. By which, I mean... it was an accident, not that she sat in my lap or anything... That comes later. We'd headed to the Whiterun stables to ride over and find those guys who'd taken Vilja's bottle. And... there was a naked woman there just lying unconscious in the stables. Curious (and... wow, she's really hot. Even more than me!!) I decided I would approach. I poked her with my boot. "Oh hey, it's you," her eyes blinked open, "Oh, I mean, I've never met you before. It's not like I've been following you around or something." "On second thought..." I turned. "Wait... I'm injured! Yeah, injured. I might die if you leave me here. Let me come with you." "You look fine to me," I said. Very fine. "Ok, if you let me come with you, I'll make it worth you while." "I guess I could use more backup," I said. "Yeah, and I'm strong and good-looking too!" "And modest," I smirked, "But if you're so strong why do you need my help? And where are your clothes?" "I... have no idea," she folded her arms. But not to hide her nakedness. She seemed to have no problem with that. She continued, "My name is Sofia, by the way." "I'm going to have to give you some armor. Then we're going to help this one get her thing back," I pointed to Vilja. I handed her the Stormcloak Armor. I wasn't going to use it. Maybe I could find her something better later. We walked over to the Meadery, which is where the Vilja's thugs were discussing her bottle. "Is it possible to turn into a donkey if you're cursed?" The big one asked the smaller one. "So you guys stole from a defenseless woman and now you're cursed," I said, "I can take that cursed bottle off your hands, if you like." "Please, take it!" The big one said, handing it to me. Vilja smiled, "That was easy. I guess an explanation is in order. My grandmother ..." I started to zone out during this explanation. "...Morrowind... " I'm not usually rude, but my quest log was already getting really full. "...Eldergleam Sanctuary..." "Wait, I think I've been there!" I said. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that was true. But whatever, I offered to go with her there. But first, I was going to take care of rounding out this group! - I still needed a tank. I asked around and looked at my quest log at the hundreds of things I'd written down I picked up over the months here. One note in particular pointed me to a battle-hardened old woman named Shirley who was a veteran of the Great War. THE Great War. The one with the White-Gold Concordant. Heavily armored, two handed weapons. Lots of battle experience. She'd be perfect. She'd been living alone for a number of years at a house in the mountains. Let me tell you, it was not an easy climb. I walked into her house, my entourage already getting somewhat large. She was sitting there in her living room, wearing a purple old dress. "Afternoon travelers, what brings you out here to the boonies?" "I heard you have a lot of experience. I'm forming a fighting force," I said. "Oh sure, sure. I've forgotten more things about war and combat than most people know," Shirley said. I thought she might take a little convincing, so I added, "I'm a pretty good adventurer, but these days, I need protection. See..." I looked down at my stomach. "I understand, honey," she said. "Of course, everybody gets a cut of the spoils," I explained. "Problem is, a nasty group of bandits made off with my sword and bow." I smiled, "Now that's a quest I can get behind. I'll be back." It was close. We were on a mountain, so I casted slow fall and jumped down, running the plains to Silent Moons Camp. With Inigo, Sofia, Vilja and myself, we decimated the bandits there. As we overcame them I grabbed the best pieces off each bandit, grabbing an elven shield for Inigo, a bandit shield, boots and gloves for Sofia, and a full suit of Nordic Plate armor. When we returned, Shirley clapped me on the back. Half war hero, half grandma. She grabbed some steel plate armor, laying it out orderly in front of her. Then she turned, pulling off the purple dress (still in underwear). And man... grandma was jacked! Despite being old, she was covered in muscle and scars! "Wow!" One of the group said. "I try to stay in shape," the old lady chuckled. I stopped her from suiting up, taking out the Nordic Plate, "Here, think of it as an advance. The Bandit Chief was wearing it." "Pretty neat fringe benefits!" She chuckled. Then I handed held out her enchanted greatsword and her bow covered in leaves and vines. "Ready," she said. "Now for the final piece we're going to go get find Mercer Frey. Think of this as your test run. To the victor goes the spoils." We traveled to Riften, it having been a couple days of travel gathering this group. I walked into Honeyside again with my entourage. Sanguine was waiting there, "You have quite the group. About to go on adventure?" "Yeah. We're going to ... Irk... whatever, a ruin. There are two more waiting for me there so I think I'm going to leave you and Iona here for this one," I explained. "Me coming was an option?" Iona asked. "Just have a bite to eat and I'll be waiting," Sanguine smiled, "Oh, and I may have some business to take care of from time to time in Oblivion, so don't expect me to be here 24 hours a day." "Of course, you're an important man." I dipped into my camping skills and constructed a four person tent and bedrolls and set it up for them, as there weren't enough beds for everyone. We set out for ... the ruin in the morning, fighting some bandits at the entrance, then finding more dead inside. Brynjolf and Karliah were waiting for me just past them. To be honest, we steamrolled the dungeon. I kept Rally up on the group and hung back with bow (and crossbow) while they did the dirty work. We got to the end of the Falmer and Dwemer tech and found Mercer prying the eyes of the Falmer out of a giant snow elf statue. "You can't get the drop on me, Karliah!" Mercer turned to find me, Brynjolf, Karliah, Inigo, Sofia, Vilja, and Shirley waiting for him. A storm of arrows before he turned invisible. "Trying to escape?" I shouted, "You were a fool to think we weren't going to bring backup. If the rest of the guild weren't a bunch of sneakthieves who avoid combat I'd've brought them too." One of the arrows somebody'd hit him with was sticking out of his invisible body and he stuck out like a sore thumb. I snuck while Sofia and Brynjolf engaged him and I started to lay into him from the back. I got the feeling this was meant to be a duel, but we trounced him. Justice/Revenge is a bitch. The place filled up with water but we got out of there. "Damn guys, that was a rousing success," I said. I turned to Karliah, "I'm going to take the Skeleton Key back now, but I have a couple stops to make first." Of course, secretly, I kept that thing for a WHILE. I still had a Thieves' Guild to make great again. "I'll be back at the guild, lass," Brynjolf said. "Of course," I turned to my guys, "You guys did great. I'm going to divvy out the spoils when we get back to Riften. How about a bonus job? We're actually only a short walk from it." We headed to Korvanjund. Time to get Ulfric his damn crown. "So you finally arrived," Galmar turned, "Oh." "I brought some friends," I smirked, "We're going to steamroll this place." "Damn imperials are trying to get in. I wonder if it's the same reason we are. No matter. Ready to kick some Imperial ass?" Galmar asked. "Hell yeah, brother!" I shouted, casting Rally on the whole group. We stormed the Draugr-filled ruin to find Imperial Soldiers there ahead of us. And the draugr seemed strong and more numerous that I would've expected. At the end, we had the Jagged Crown. We returned to Windhelm to deliver it to Ulfric Stormcloak. I found him in his bedchamber. "Damn, the old bear was right!" Ulfric sat up in his bed, "I need you to deliver this axe to Jarl Baalgruf of Whiterun. He'll know what it means." I smirked. "Is there a Ms. Stormcloak?" I asked "No, why do you ask?" He asked back. I was on a high from all that violence, so I acted on it. I'm fairly certain Sanguine has been watching me throughout. I decided I would take a detour to Riften to pick him up, though, before I went to Whiterun.