Private [ROF] Rise of the Falmer

[Geel-Kajin]

Geel saw the whole thing unravel before him, and was amazed. Melee managed to subdue Rale? She's much stronger than I gave her credit for... He skidded to a halt, the talons on his feet ripping up winter moss and old bracken hidden underneath the crisp snow. He decided to at least contain the situation the most he could, placing himself directly between the angered Rale and Emberlynn, firebolts surging in his hands. He wondered whether it was truly right of him to be helping one considered an atrocity and freak, instead of aiding Rale in taking her down. But he felt for Emberlynn, and really wanted to cure her while he had the chance.

Eyes locked on Rale, he hissed "there's no way you are getting past me, soft skin."

 

[skyrimbeast]

Vorman beast-blood was curious, he had a strange feeling about this man, the type of familiar feeling. He thought that maybe he was heading to the same place to do the same thing and maybe this man knew more than he appealed. "He asked if I had any idea of what happened to the jarl, the jarl of Dawnstar who died suspiciously, what if he's heading there to invesigate and what if he knows about the falmer, not just heared of them but knows about them".
"Well, I obviously know that he died, and I also know that he got murdered, but otherwise no, I dont have any idea who killed him, but that's a reason why I'm heading there". Replied the mutt curiously, he tried to figure out what exactly this man is doing and why he's also heading to Dawnstar. "Do you know anything that I haven't mentioned about his suspicious death?" He asked just wondering if he knew more than he seemed to.

 

[Skyrimosity]

"Only that it'll pay a good bit of gold to find out what really happened!" Edwyn said, chuckling a bit at the thought of bringing the Jarl back to life and then killing the guards with his help. Nah, better not start any murderous rampages. Still, the Nord/Wood Elf said something about a group. I hope its not another group of Nords going Breton hunting. Attempting to reach out to the Nord-Wood Elf, Edwyn says "I bet you're insulted a lot for being not fully Nord and not fully Wood Elf. You won't have that trouble with me. I'm often insulted for being a mage, and being a necromancer doesn't help with the insults. True, we are similar. Friends?"

 

[skyrimbeast]

"True, I do get insulted all of the time but not usually well, barely ever by the Wood elves, it's always those nords though not all nords are like that........Well, by that I mean my father really he's a thane of Riften." He replied and he was starting to feel comfortable with this Breton. "And I'm sorry to hear about you getting insulted for being a Breton and a necromancer, also to finish this in a positive note, tell me more about you maybe what you can do being a necromancer and all?" He asked trying to turn this into a happy chat.

 

[Gemini Sierra]

[Blackreach - War Quarters]
The Prince had fallen asleep at the desk, books were scattered all over the desktop and the Shadowmaster hesitated for a moment fearing retribution for waking the Snow Prince. He backed out of the office and closed the door, then pounded extra hard on it before stepping through again. The Snow Prince had awoke to the pounding he thought, but actually he had heard the door close and waited.

"Did you find the other patrol and what news have you of those adventures?"
"Sire, the patrol was wiped out by the very adventurers you seek. They were brutal, even strung one of the soldiers up by his feet to let the blood drain out. Must've been some kind of ritual. The more interesting part though is that those adventurers seem to be fighting. There were two humans going at each other with swords and just as I was about to return, an Elf raced in and tackled one of the two fighting... I didn't stay to watch though because I wanted to report about the patrol."
"You've done well Shadowmaster. They must be having problems deciding what to do and are fighting. I've read the humans settle disagreements with fights and the winner becomes the leader."
He paused and looked at the books on the desk. "You've proven capable, go back out and take a small squad with you. Shadow the group and find out where they go next. While your at it, send another Shadowmaster to Hjaalmarch and that Thalmor embassy. Have them find a Thalmor warrior of my heigth and build and kill him, but don't get any of its blood on the armor. I need the armor for something. Now go."
The Shadowmaster bowed and left. He went over to the Debate Hall and found another of his kind and told him what the Snow Prince wanted. They looked at each other for a moment, shrugged and then went on their ways to do their tasks.

 

[Derath_farseer]

Einarr looked around into the forest, He heard embers voice but before he could say any thing she was gone. His shoulders sagged he wasted his chance. He turned away and made his way back to the tavern, Where Geel was blocking rales way, Things seemed off every one seemed tense.
"Geel what happened? Einarr looks at ever one around in turn he felt confused.

 

[Geel-Kajin]

Geel twisted his head round, and saw Einarr finally return to the scene. "Nothing yet, but this soft skin here needs to be taught a lesson. He tried attacking Emberlynn!" Geel hoped that EInarr would join their side instead of Rale's on this, but the tension in the group was so high he had no chance of predicting the other's thought. Muscles clenched in the chilly air, he dared not speak no more for fear of breaking the false calmness on the surface of the group.

 

[OriginOfAbsolution]

Emberlynn should have seen it coming. How could she have been so stupid to come out in the open like that... Right toward Rale! For a stupid rabbit!

Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion as he charged her. She didn't even have enough time to draw her sword. The hot sun beat down upon her, making her skin sting and her head feel light, woozy. She was going to die. And, given everything that had happened, she probably deserved it.

As these dark thoughts crossed her mind, however, a savior appeared, throwing Rale to the ground. Melee? Emberlynn barely has time to register. What's happened when Geel appears, followed closely by Einarr.

For one wild moment, she readies herself for an attack. But wait... We're they actually... Helping her? Defending her? How could they, after what she had become?

"I..." She tries to speak, to think of something to say. They were all looking at her, almost expectantly. What could she say? "Thanks." She says stupidly, suddenly overwhelmed by shame. What must they think of her?

Every second she stood there, her discomfort grew... Both physically and mentally. She had to get away

"I... I should go." She mutters, backing away a few steps. Her eyes search around for the tiny white rabbit. After risking her neck for the damned thing, there was no way she was leaving without it.

Finally she spots it laying next to a very angry Rale, nuzzling against him lovingly. Stupid animal... "Do you have a death wish, furball?" She mutters. "Come on!".

((Worst post ever? Probably. But I have a headache and am writing this on my phone. Haha.))

 

[Skyrimosity]

Delighted to finally be able to speak of himself, Edwyn prepares his story."Well, I am a very powerful necromancer, I'd even say I'm the best in Skyrim. I don't even carry any weapons, all my weapons are pure magic. Magic can cut a body in half, burning through flesh very easily." Edwyn then prepared a bound sword in his right hand to demonstrate to his companion. "Haha! Quick and simple, yet highly effective" Edwyn then throws the sword at a passing elk, and the sword cuts straight through the creature."The only downside is that the sword has no effect on on Dwarven and Orcish armors... or chaurus. I would, however, not be a necromancer if not for my most infamous trick!" Edwyn prepares a dead thrall spell in his hands, showing it to Vorman."This is the most powerful spell in all of Conjuration. Only a true master of the school has the ability to use it. This spell allows me to bring strong enemies back from the dead until they fall in battle. It works on Nords, Redguards, seemingly anything that walks on two feet! It is a reliable spell! But, I see that as the cowards way out." Edwyn lets the spell disappear before Vormans eyes."I prefer to use the magic sword as my main weapon. I only raise the dead to prevent me from becoming one!" Edwyn gets a serious look on his face, eyes glaring at the man who is seemingly entranced by the enormous display of power."What's your story, then?"

 

[Gemini Sierra]

[Skyrim - somewhere outside of Dawnstar down the road]

Carriage drive: Hey back there, keep your magic to yourself before you destroy the carriage!

 

[Skyrimosity]

Edwyn to Carriage Driver: "If I wanted to destroy this carriage, I could've blown you to the top of the Throat of the World. Now silence yourself or you'll have no head to talk with!" No wonder I have no friends...
(OOC: just to be clear, italics are Edwyn's thoughts)

 

[Gemini Sierra]

((italics work))

Carriage Driver: under his breath, "Bloody mages thinking they can push us commoners around.

 

[skyrimbeast]

"Well me, I'm not much of a talker but more of a do'er. Anyway, I know no more than a skeever about magic but I know much about sneak and archery and if I need to I can unleash a powerful............Well that's not important. I am actually a lover of animals and can communicate with them through body language. I have an Ebony dagger and a wooden bow hand crafted by my father when I was a young boy lost in an overwhelming world, he gave it to me to defend myself in the dangerous Rift wilds." Vorman said as he pulled out his wooden bow and shot a small bucket on the side of the road. "My favourite skills are the ability to lockpick and pickpocket very well." And he pickpocketed a silver garnet ring from the driver. "Here, have this as a small gift from me, oh it looks like we're almost there." Vorman said in excitment as he stood up looking over the carriage.

 

[Geel-Kajin]

Geel watches as the little animal hops towards Rale. He used to think that the animal would be better dead, or somewhere in his stomach. That is, until Einarr restored his sight. He kept telling himself it was because he could see what an adorable creature it was that he could not bear to harm it, but deep inside it was because he had a change of heart. After what he had been through... It was as if a lock in his heart had been opened, and he was free. Before this, he felt nothing but fear, guilt and anger. Now, he felt things he had never felt before. Empathy, kindness, hope. Geel wasn't sure exactly what it was, but he felt safer now.

"Do you have a death wish furball? Come on!" Geel's thoughts are returned to the situation at hand, and he says "Emberlynn, we don't care what you are. You've been a friend before you changed, and an even better one after that. Despite what some of us thought of you..." making a purposeful look at Rale, he paused before continuing. "You still came to help us in the battle. For that, I thank you."

 

[Gemini Sierra]

{Filling in for Rale hope I do him justice}

Rale stood up and glared at Melee about to yell at her for interfering in his fight with the vampire. A fluffy ball of white fur nearly tripped him as it rubbed up against his legs.
"what the hell..."
"that can't possibly be the same rabbit from the cave? why in oblivion is it following me?"
He almost forgot about Emberlynn as he stooped to pet the rabbit, until she muttered, "Do you have a death wish, furball? Come on!"
He picked up his sword and turned on Emberlynn, but now there was three of them against him, between him and the vampire wench. "Where'd that kid come from, he wasn't here a moment ago?"
Rale looked at Geel and couldn't believe what he was hearing and with a a voice full of hatred shouted, "What in Oblivion do you mean about not caring what she is? She's turned vampire! Look at her! She can't stand being in the sunlight! It's time to strike! Put her down while she's weak, before she can feed again! Before she feeds on us!"
He started to step through the group aligned in front of him... a squeak caught his attention and he looked down. The rabbit stood up on its hind legs and waved a front paw at him. He was about to kick the rabbit, lifting his booted foot back a little, but then he looked into the rabbits eyes and stopped. There was something familiar there... he couldn't believe he was being stopped by a rabbit.
The rabbit dropped back on all fours and ran over to Emberlynn and circled her feet a few times before stopping in front of her too.
Rale couldn't believe it... everyone was against him, or had left... Geminus had taken all the loot and went back to the tavern like he didn't care anymore about the rest of the group... Alistar and Geel had left him there on the side of the road bleeding, to go help some old guy that fell into the road further down and were now dragging him in a sack... no one cared about him...
"Fine! Protect the vampire, I don't care, it's your throats she'll suck on, not mine. If that spoiled rich kid of a vampire wench comes near me I'll cut off her head and mount it on a spike!"
He turned and started to head for the tavern but stopped...
"Where did Geminus get to, I need to get this wound healed up and where's all the coins he took of those Falmer??" He kicked the head of a near by Falmer.

 

[Melee]

Melee straightened up and dusted her hands off, her gaze still lingering on Emberlynn. She seemed incredibly uncomfortable, and couldn't even bring herself to say anything or even look at them. She instead looked at the ground, producing a mumbled "Thanks" as she takes a few shuffled steps back toward the forest.

Before Melee can say anything to her, Rale draws her attention as he vehemently shouts at Geel, who was standing protectively in front of Emberlynn. She frowns as he yells about striking her down while she's weak, before she could feed on them. Melee can only shake her head. "I agree with you, Geel." She turns to Emberlynn, folding her arms. "Emberlynn, we don't care that you're a vampire. We want you to stay with us, so we can help you however we can. Whether that means curing you or not." She smiles softly as she says this, hoping that Emberlynn will at least be able to understand how most of the group still feels about her.

Suddenly, Melee sees Rale moving his foot to kick the rabbit out of the corner of her eye. As she turns to him, she notices that he's stopped mid-kick and slowly brought his foot back down. Wondering what could have possibly caused him to stop, she notices that his gaze is fixated on the rabbit, and there's an expression on his face that she hasn't noticed with him before. What is that look on his face? Confusion? Recognition? Whatever it is, it's strange, especially since it looks like it came from the rabbit. A second later Rale is back to his usual self, and the anger is apparent on his face as he yells some nonsense about what he thought of Emberlynn and what he would do if she came near him.

Melee sighs as he continues to yell about Gem, his wound, and the coins he found on the Falmer. He certainly does like to complain, doesn't he? she thought as she pulled the pouch full of coins off of her belt and holds it in her palm. "Gem is gone. The Order called him back to Cyrodiil, so he probably won't be returning. The coins he gathered are in this pouch, to be distributed evenly amongst the group, preferably once everyone's a little calmer." She refastened the pouch to her belt and folded her arms, sighing quietly. "If you'd like, I can take a look at your shoulder and heal it. It should just take a minute."

 

[Gemini Sierra]

Rale looked at Melee as if she had just turned into a hagraven... "What do you mean he's gone, not returning? He left without even saying good-bye. That damned skeever butt dragged us here from the cave and... "
<<squeek>>
"What!!! " he hissed as he picked up the rabbit as if he had every intention of ripping its head off, but the rabbit looked at him and licked his fingers. Rale just stood there, confused, but he moved the rabbit so that it was cradled in his arms and the rabbit rubbed its head against his hands trying to get him to pet it.
He sat down on a near by rock and petted the rabbit. He didn't know what to do... he put his hand in his satchel and fingered the contract to kill Valthor... he wanted to do that, but he also didn't care about it anymore... besides, after the fight Valthor seems to have disappeared... like his friend Geminus... if you could consider the skeever butt of a coward that ran away as a friend... he absent mindedly pulled a carrot that he stashed earlier from his satchel and held it for the rabbit.
He didn't know what to do... he wanted to run away... leave these people and the quest behind... but he was drawn to it for some reason.
He looked back at Melee who was standing a few feet away from him... "I'm sorry... heal me please." He looked down at the rabbit which was nibbling on the carrot.... then back to Melee, the others far enough away that he didn't think they'd hear him... he started out in a low voice...
"I don't know what to do anymore... all my life I've been a silent killer... never working with anyone and never staying long in anyone place... I want to do this last contract I have, part of the reason I was in Whiterun when we crossed paths... but.... now... I just don't know... Like Ember over there... part of me just wants to rip her to shreds, rid the world of a monster... but she's so young and maybe she deserves a chance... a chance I never really got..."
His voice trailed off and he stared at the rabbit.

To the other others, standing much further away... it would have seemed he was on the verge of a breakdown...

---------------

The carriage that was seen down the road had been slowly approaching, the driver wary of the people in the road and the bodies of the Falmer laying about the road. He worked the carriage to one side of the road avoiding the bodies and came to a stop at the foot of the path leading to Nightgate Inn. He hoped he might be able to pick up som of the people standing around as added fare since all he was carrying this trip was mail to be delivered to the towns and cities to the west.

 

[Skyrimosity]

"Ah, thank you very much for the ring. I have connections at the college who can enchant this ring with very powerful magic." Edwyn reaches into his backpack, seemingly weightless with only 3 items in it. "Here, I want you to have this. I went through quite a tale to get this useless thing" Edwyn gives Vorman a mace with strange symbols. "I'm sure you are aware of the Dwemer ruins throughout Skyrim? I went exploring through one many years ago and found this mace sitting on a table with some research notes. I left the ruins after I found some dead scientists so I didn't get to research more. I assume it was made by the Dwemer themselves. I have no use of it, so please, take it." Edwyn stands to look toward Dawnstar. "Ah, we shall be there within the hour. If you don't mind friend, I will try to rest and save up my energy.

 

[Melee]

Melee couldn't quite believe what she was hearing or seeing. She glanced around at the other members of the group,slowly moving her feet in Rale's direction, unsure of whether he was being sincere in what he said or not, or whether he was even sane right now. It certainly did sound as though he was about to break down at any second, but even in the short time Melee had known him, she didn't think that was likely to happen. Still, the fact that the words "I'm sorry" had come out of his mouth without the word "not" between them was incredibly surprising, and she thought she would almost be trying to hide a smile right now if he didn't seem so dejected. He really likes that bunny, she thought as she moved closer, noticing the way he was almost cradling the little white fuzzball in his arms. That thing has a strange effect on him.

She reached Rale and knelt in front of him, readying a healing spell in her right hand. As he was looking down at the rabbit, she turned around and looked toward Geel and Emberlynn, an incredulous look on her face, as if she was asking, "Is this really happening, or am I dreaming?" Then she shrugged and held her hand up to Rale's shoulder, watching as the skin around the cut seemed to wrap it up as it healed. After a minute there was only a faint pale line marking where he had been wounded, as well as a tear in his outfit. "You should be fine now. It wasn't too bad of an injury."

With that Melee stood up, turning around and running toward the carriage she saw parked near the path leading up to the inn. She came to a stop next to it just as the driver was coming out of the inn, finishing a piece of chicken he had been eating. He finished chewing as he stood next to her, holding up a hand until he was done to signal his readiness to talk. After a few seconds of him just staring at her, Melee took that opportunity to assume he would answer her questions. "My friends and I are seeking passage to Dawnstar, if that's where you're headed. We've got plenty of coin amongst us to cover the cost, but there are quite a few of us. 6 or 7, possibly." She said the last statement as she glanced in the carriage; it looked like there was only enough room for four people.

The carriage driver nodded, rubbing his chin as he thought. "Well someone can come up front with me if they don't mind, or there's another bench like the one on front, but on the back of the carriage. Or, if you're the more adventurous type, I suppose you could even climb on the roof." He laughed to himself, then looked back up at Melee. "But I can get you to Dawnstar, not a problem. I'll be taking off in about 10 minutes," he said as he pulled himself onto the driver's bench.

Melee smiled, thanking him as she felt a hand tap her shoulder. "Excuse me, but I've got a letter addressed to you, I believe." She turned around, and saw a short man holding a letter out to her. He had a satchel around his shoulder, similar to the courier who had given Gem his letter, but without the insignia. "Don't remember the guy's name, just said that this had to be given to you as quickly as possible. So here it is." She took the letter from him, thanking him and giving him a few coins for his service. And almost as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone the next second.

Opening the letter, Melee sees that it's a message from Gem about a change in his travel plans. She quickly skimmed over it, mostly seeing the part about his plans to meet them in Dawnstar; he said he would be there for the next few days. Melee folded the letter up, placing it in the small satchel around her waist. Looks like he decided to come back after all. I wonder what made him do that. I hope nothing's wrong. Whatever it is, we've really got to get moving to Dawnstar now. She cinched up her satchel, walking towards the rest of the group. At that instant, she saw Emberlynn sink to the ground, almost as if she were falling asleep. She quickened her pace and ran the rest of the way, stopping just short of Emberlynn and Geel, kneeling down on the ground, looking up at him worriedly. "What happened?"

((I hope this is ok, I wrote this right before I'm heading to bed so I think I kind of rushed the last paragraph. xD But oh well.))

 

[OriginOfAbsolution]

"Emberlynn, we don't care what you are.”

"We don't care that you're a vampire.”

We don’t care.

Emberlynn just stares as her tired mind tries to process the words. They don’t care? Didn’t they understand what she was? How dangerous it would be to have her with them? She should have been grateful of her friends' loyalty, their faith in her. Instead, all she can do is marvel at their stupidity.

Of course, the moment these words are out of their mouths, Rale goes on a tirade about what an abomination she is, how they should use this chance to take her down… For once, she almost finds herself agreeing with him. After all, she was a monster now. Wasn’t she?

Wow, I must really be out of it. She thinks to herself as she watches Rale start to walk away angrily, Melee following close behind. Agreeing with him… hah! But he’s right, isn’t he? I’m horrible. I’m a monster. I should hate myself… She remembers how she had first felt when her body and mind began to change. I used to. But something changed… Well, I did… Her thoughts are becoming strangely jumbled now, and it somehow seems as though her mind is moving incredibly fast and achingly slow at the same time. Her lethargy is finally taking over. Emberlynn’s body sways slightly, though she remains standing in one spot.


Her eyes feeling heavy and her skin still stinging unpleasantly, she turns toward the Argonian, shrugging her shoulders slowly. “I’m… sorry. About everything. I…”

Suddenly, the world turns sideways as Emberlynn slumps over onto the ground. She’s not unconscious, but she simply suddenly found her legs too weak to stand. Her lack of sleep, the stress of the battle, the damned sun beating down on her… It was too much.

“I need... sleep.” Emberlynn mutters, not even sure if Geel or Einarr can still hear her. But was more than that. She needed to get out of the sun. And she needed… No. It was too shameful to think about that. Not right now. I can hold out a little longer. She tells herself, her weary mind remembering the previous day’s encounter with the bandits. That should have been enough to last… But the sweet smell of the mysterious old man's blood is carried to her on the breeze, and she feels a dry aching in the back of her throat.

Out of the corner of her eye, she can just barely make out the tiny white rabbit, cuddled up in a distressed-looking Rale's arms. All this, and the stupid thing still goes running back to that bastard? Even through her weariness, the word "wabbajack" echoes in the back of her mind. She would get to the bottom of this madness, somehow.

"And tell the furball it still owes me an explanation..."