Fire On The Mountain (A Skyrim Quest)

Do'azda's Character Sheet
Name: Do'azda Khrimnin
Race: Khajiit (Suthay-Raht)
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Profession: Shaman
Appearance/Description: She stands at a normal height for a Suthay-raht, that is to say, shorter than most men or mer, but not by too much. Her fur is a warm, rich orange, paler around her muzzle and down her neck, and her eyes are startlingly yellow. Her hair is braided, with rings that jangle faintly when she turns her head too fast. Her robes are basic, and worn from age, but have been fastidiously cleaned.
Level: 7
XP: 0/120

Alchemy: 25
Alteration: 5
Archery: 5
Block: 6
Conjuration: 40
Destruction: 5
Enchanting: 5
Heavy Armor: 5
Illusion: 35
Light Armor: 20
Lock Picking: 1
One-Handed: 21
Pickpocket: 5
Restoration: 15
Smithing: 1
Sneak: 20
Speech: 27
Survival: 13
Two-Handed: 5

They say it kills cats - Do'azda has few restraints on her inquisitive nature, asking whatever questions occur to her, paying little attention to whether this may be considered rude. Whatever else, at least Do'azda never finds herself regretting her failure to ask about something.

Dancing the night away - Do'azda is a fine dancer in the Elsweyr style, where dances are not the slow, ritualised partnering of the Altmer, but instead are a whirling piece of performance art, with the dancer's emotions informing the dance more than any practiced steps. Do'azda can feel the music in her bones, and can dance to only a drumbeat.

In the shadow of the moon - Do'azda was blessed even as she began her journey to become a shaman. A priestess of Azurah, the Mistress of Dusk and Dawn, favoured daughter of Fadomai, received a vision. Azurah's light shines favourable upon her.

Tangled Tails--Do'azda has had flings before, "Tangled Tails" as the euphemism goes, and she's willing to engage in casual relationships or 'one-night marriages' if the opportunity arises.

Racial Perks--

Claws--She has very wicked claws indeed.
Darksight--She can see incredibly well in the dark.

Skill Perks--

Conjuring Efficiency (10): Do'zada knows how to be careful with her Magicka without losing any power when she's Conjuring, and can use such magic more freely and easier when fighting or in other circumstances. (Cojuration)

Mystic Binding (20): Do'azda gains skill at creating bound weapons of magic, so that she is never without her arms no matter what. She also becomes more skilled at creating bound objects of all types, and begins to study that which might allow one to bind a soul into a gem. (Conjuration)

Haggling 1 (0): Everything in Skyrim is far more expensive, and so Do'azda should probably try to figure out how to make do with what little gold she has. (Speech)

Insight (20): One of the key elements of persuasion is knowing what would convince someone. Do'azda now knows how to evaluate what kinds of arguments and reasoning would convince different people if she spends enough time to get a feeling for how they think. (Speech)

Agile Defender (10): Armor is often hard to get used to, so figuring out how to move with light armor so as to reduce how bad a hit is is something you can only learn by doing… and Do'azda has begun to 'do.' (Light Armour)

Rahjin Perks

Laughter-Silvered Wings (Level 5): A flying companion does not simply owe its speed to its physical form, but the strength of its spirit, and so it tends to be faster and more manuverable than its terrestrial version, harder to hit, and a greater predator of the sky.

(Next at Level 8)

Blur - Do'azda knows a spell to obscure her features at a distance, to render her indistinguishable from another Khajiit. Up close, it is almost pathetically ineffective, however.
Clairvoyance - Do'azda is granted flashes of insight into the path to her goal by Azurah - the Goddess of Dawn and Dusk sees much of the land.
Conjure Animal - Do'azda reaches onto Hircine's hunting ground and recalls the imprint of an animal which perished nearby to fight by her side
Conjure Axe - Do'azda can create a hatchet from pure magic. It is too cumbersome for effective use in combat, but for cutting wood, it is more than adequate
Bound Dagger--As she has learned how to better summon such things, she has figured out how to use a Bound Dagger.
Courage - Do'azda uses magic to inspire in another the will to fight, though currently only to instill confidence in victory, not to cause conflict where none exists.
Summon Familiar - Do'azda reaches into her own soul to bring forth her familiar, the falcon Rajhin. No mere shade, Rajhin remains with her until slain and can do far more than just fight, but cannot be summoned for a day and a night thereafter if killed.
Fear - This spell pulls from the mind a fear that the target has, and creates from this the feeling of fear.
Distraction - Creates sounds and sights on the edge of perception. Sights and sounds determined by the caster.
Healing Wounds - The caster uses their magicka to seal the wounds of the target. All healing occurs in a single burst.
Conjure Flame Atronach - Do'azda can call forth a spirit of Infernace, a being of fire, constrained in a form of iron.
Flames - Do'azda can release a gout of fire from her palm, directly setting alight her foe, though only for so long as she feeds magicka to the fire.
Lesser Ward - Do'azda can use her magic to create a shield of magical energy, blocking low level magical attacks, reducing high level magical attacks and mitigating the damage of physical attacks.

Do'azda can make...

Potion of Minor Healing - Bruises fade, cuts close, aching muscles relax, this potion provides a little relief from injuries. The first potion a young shaman will learn to brew.
Potion of Suppress Disease - A potion which will suppress the symptoms of a disease for several days; oftentimes long enough for the body to get the cold or flu from its system. More serious or outright magical diseases will return with a vengeance once the potion's effects wear out, but it is a useful potion to know how to craft.

FUS - Force
WULD - Whirlwind

FUS DAH--Force Push


Gold Septim (365)
Trail Rations (x4)
Fine Rations
A very nice dress for casual-formal occasions.
A lovely dress in the gothic style, with an enchantment of illusory power woven into it.
Iron Axe--An iron axe of low quality.
Steel Axe - A steel axe of decent quality
Iron Dagger--An iron dagger of mediocre quality.
Mage Robes--Increase magical regeneration, but provides little protection, discouraging getting up close and personal.
Leather Armor--Comfortable, lightweight armor, it counteracts the discouragement from getting up close, though as an extra layer it means it can get extra hot.
Lunar Steel War Axe--An Axe which can, in the light of the moon, drink in the life-force of its victims and use it to restore that of its weilder.
Steel Dagger (x2)--A well-worn but very useful steel dagger.
Alchemical Kit--A very fine kit for the creation of potions. One careful owner.
Stormcloak Token--A token from Ulfric Stormcloak himself...
Underclothes--You know.
One Powerful Enchanted Sword (Rusted)--A sword of unknown value, it has a rather potent and interesting enchantment attached to it.

Spell Tome: Illumination--A spell tome is a sort of book that can fully teach you a new spell, but it is destroyed in the process. For such a minor spell it is probably only a few hours of reading to fully learn. This allows Do'azda to create a light in the darkness... less useful for a Khajiit, but still a spell of value.
Spell Tome: Thieves Vision--A spell tome is a sort of book that can fully teach you a new spell, but it is destroyed in the process. For such a minor spell, it is probably only a few hours of reading to fully learn. This simple spell gives one slightly better night vision… but is also notable for being able to see writing hidden by weak illusions, and thus is commonly used by thieves trying to read the secret messages of other thieves.
Spell Tome: Turn Undead--A spell tome is a sort of book that can fully teach you a new spell, but it is destroyed in the process. A spell of moderate difficulty, it will take several nights of reading to learn it. A spell technically of the "Restoration" school, which puts fear into nearby undead. When cast powerfully, burns them most terribly.
Spell Tome: Sparks--A spell tome is a sort of book that can fully teach you a new spell, but it is destroyed in the process. For such a minor spell, it is probably only a few hours of reading to fully learn. Allows a mage to fire sparks of arcane lightning, sapping the magicka reserves of the target whilst also burning through their flesh.
3 Doses of Frostbite Venom in Magicka bottles--Toxic and acidic to living flesh, it has little effect on the glass bottle.
Healing Potion

Troll Fat, other ingredients
100 Septims
3 gems of good quality.
Troll Hide
Troll Skull
Troll Eyes x3
Troll Claws

A Handy Guide to Lockpicks: A book that should teach Do'azda all she wants to know about Lockpicks, and more. Each read will give +1 to Lockpicking, and it can be read thrice to wring out all possible knowledge from it. (2/3 reads remaining)
Journal of a Potema Loyalist: A journal of some historical merit, belonging to one of Potema's most loyal supporters in her early years.
 
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[X] Plan Fight The Mountain

Greybeards hate her! Khajiit woman learns to speak fluent dragontongue in less than month using this one weird trick! Learn the truth now!
 
[+] Plan: We really need to start being serious here:
-[+] [Classes] Theology - Do'azda shall attend such classes.
-[+] [Classes] Theology - Do'azda shall attend such classes.
-[+] [Classes] Theology - Do'azda shall attend such classes.

I'm a bit to tired to do plan-thinking atm, but I do know that I'll only be voting for plans that have:
[] [Social] It has been a few days - what is Bathes-In-Steel up to? It cannot be ideal, waiting in a castle high in the mountains of Skyrim.

Seriously, it would be one thing if we knew she had other people to chat with or stuff to be getting on with, but as it is Bathes-In-Steel looks to be very isolated.
 
[X] plan: purple turnip taling a bath with el comandante

[X] Plan Understand The Mountain
 
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[X] Plan Fight The Mountain

Great chapter, showing us the burgeoning relationships Do'azda is forging with her classmates, fences gradually mending and all that. Liked the insight into Nord mythos and world building of the Dragontongue too!

It takes Do'azda a moment to concede that she has no choice other than the library for the lesson.
This is some real, 'I'm afraid we'll need to use... Math,' energy, here.

She doesn't know how those without fur manage it, but she wonders if perhaps that is a secret hidden reason for the beards.
Practical and stylish!

"Is that truly the Dragonborn?"

"Few are the Khajit that wear a fake beard."

"And you, Argonian? Your kind have no hair! Why is there a beard tied to your head?"

Bathes-in-Steel reached up to stroke her fingers through the long beard, tied to her head with a length of string, mimicking the motions she'd seen those who lied about the number of stairs make, simply asking, "How else would I wear a beard, then?" Truly, the ways of the Dragonborn were mysterious. That, and Do'azda was making her carry the extras. Why she needed so many was beyond Bathes-in-Steel. One for every occasion, perhaps?

Learned a new word, thanks for teaching it to me!

Elder Scrolls names continue to be both silly and/or amazing.

Tiber Septim went to Sancre Tor, where he had fought and lost to gain all, and would fight and win to lose all.
This is such a terrific turn of phrase here.

I feel as though errors I might make through laziness or lapses in thought… Do not come?"
Thu'um, powered by Grammerly.

prosperity blooming like flowers in the aftermath of a volcano
Another evoking bit of imagery, well done, seriously.
 
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[X] Plan Understand The Mountain
-[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
-[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
-[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
-[X] [Social] Your fellow apprentices come in two types. The first is those that are traditionally Greybeards, earnest young men who are working hard to grow old, and who have cause to resent you… but might yet be made allies, and haven't truly been spoken to yet.

As much as she may not want to, at some point Do'azda is going to have to bite her tail and talk to some Nords. It's far better that it happen here, in a closed academic environment, than out in the wild with half a dozen Stormcloaks and drawn swords. She didn't want it, but she's ended up as some sort of Nordic religious figure. By understanding the Nords, Do'azda would be able to better represent the interests of Skyrim's Khajiit in her dealings with them.

If nothing else, I can't help but feel she may be giving the Nordic students of High Hrothgar a bit of an existential crisis. Their legendary hero may have arrived in their time of need, but she's a talking cat and she's been avoiding them since she arrived. The Nords may lack any understanding of how a Shaman serves their community, but an argument could be made that, as the Dragonborn, Do'azda has a responsibility to approach the Nords like she approached the Khajiit of Little Elsweyr. If nothing else, their poetry would be greatly improved by some wisdom from warm sands.
 
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[X] Plan Understand The Mountain
-[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
-[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
-[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
-[X] [Social] Your fellow apprentices come in two types. The first is those that are traditionally Greybeards, earnest young men who are working hard to grow old, and who have cause to resent you… but might yet be made allies, and haven't truly been spoken to yet.
 
I kinda like the idea of continuing the 'its not about you' dragonborn/nord relationship we have going.
 
[X] Plan Fight The Mountain
-[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
-[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
-[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
-[X] [Social] It has been a few days - what is Bathes-In-Steel up to? It cannot be ideal, waiting in a castle high in the mountains of Skyrim.
 
[X] Plan Fight The Mountain
-[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
-[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
-[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
-[X] [Social] It has been a few days - what is Bathes-In-Steel up to? It cannot be ideal, waiting in a castle high in the mountains of Skyrim.
 
I kinda like the idea of continuing the 'its not about you' dragonborn/nord relationship we have going.
Then we should have gone to the College of Winterhold. By coming to High Hrothgar, we've at least partially bought into this Nord myth, but we haven't even tried to speak to the Nordic students. At some point they're going to go from dismissing Do'azda to hating her for dismissing them.

Not to mention that we aren't the only game in town. Ulfric Stormcloak may well still think he's the real dragonborn, and if the only alternative refuses to even talk to them then a lot of Nords are going to believe him over Do'azda. Especially if rumours start filtering down from High Hrothgar about how we came there, called Shor a chump and turned our whiskers up at the Greybeards. Which could make things difficult when most of our current objectives are in Eastern Skyrim, where Khajiit may not even be allowed past the city gates.
 
Vote Closed
Adhoc vote count started by The Laurent on Nov 29, 2023 at 9:08 AM, finished with 20 posts and 14 votes.

  • [X] Plan Fight The Mountain
    -[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
    -[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
    -[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
    -[X] [Social] It has been a few days - what is Bathes-In-Steel up to? It cannot be ideal, waiting in a castle high in the mountains of Skyrim.
    [X] Plan Understand The Mountain
    -[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
    -[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
    -[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
    -[X] [Social] Your fellow apprentices come in two types. The first is those that are traditionally Greybeards, earnest young men who are working hard to grow old, and who have cause to resent you… but might yet be made allies, and haven't truly been spoken to yet.
    [X] plan: purple turnip taling a bath with el comandante
    [X] [Classes] History - As a newcomer to Skyrim, history would be very welcome, though what they'll tell her is uncertain, and will likely also include history of the Greybeards… and information about the conflict she'll face.
    [X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
    [X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
    [X] [Social] The Greybeards talk not much at all, out loud, but they train the apprentices and can be found. Speak to them… whether of destiny or simply the weather.
 
Seems pretty conclusive. We'll start on the update.
Scheduled vote count started by veteranMortal on Nov 21, 2023 at 8:28 AM, finished with 21 posts and 14 votes.

  • [X] Plan Fight The Mountain
    -[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
    -[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
    -[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
    -[X] [Social] It has been a few days - what is Bathes-In-Steel up to? It cannot be ideal, waiting in a castle high in the mountains of Skyrim.
    [X] Plan Understand The Mountain
    -[X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
    -[X] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and surely combined, they will be more than the sum of their parts?
    -[X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
    -[X] [Social] Your fellow apprentices come in two types. The first is those that are traditionally Greybeards, earnest young men who are working hard to grow old, and who have cause to resent you… but might yet be made allies, and haven't truly been spoken to yet.
    [X] plan: purple turnip taling a bath with el comandante
    [X] [Classes] History - As a newcomer to Skyrim, history would be very welcome, though what they'll tell her is uncertain, and will likely also include history of the Greybeards… and information about the conflict she'll face.
    [X] [Classes] Philosophy - The Greybeards apparently are going to begin a larger project, now that practicality and theory have both been covered lightly. Now is the time for more depth and breadth.
    [X] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has learnt enough of Survival to know she has great need to know more of how one survives this cold and hard land.
    [X] [Social] The Greybeards talk not much at all, out loud, but they train the apprentices and can be found. Speak to them… whether of destiny or simply the weather.
 
Just read it all, really fun story. Only just started Skyrim as a Breton Mage, but this makes me long for my Khajit sneak thief again
 
Azura's Star after this, maybe? Nelacar is such a weird character, and I'm curious how he's going to be written.
 
False Havens
False Havens

Do'azda wakes with a stretching yawn, tail batting at the bed, shoulder aching because it seems that she slept as if she were trying to tackle the bed into submission, driving herself into it in some unseen dream. She remembers fear, and uncertainty. She thinks she is dreaming of a fight, but she cannot remember anything more than that. The more she thinks about it, the less she can remember it.

This is the point, of course. She turns to look towards Bathes-In-Steel, only to find her already up and moving through what seems to be exercises. She is oddly silent for all of that, and when Do'azda blinks at her she stops and turns to face Do'azda, blinking back.

"How have you been, Bathes-In-Steel?"

"I remember, I told you I cannot return to Black Marsh?" Bathes-In-Steel replies, seemingly unrelated.

"This one recalls, yes. You were given a task you could not complete?"

Bathes-In-Steel nods, "Yes. I was set to hunt an aberrant creation of the Hist. A cosmological misstep. I had given up, but here, people come from all over, and so I can ask if they have heard anything of murders, or of strange cults with blood sacrifices. Such things ought to spread rumours, but there are too many rumours, too much noise. A Nord tells me of a mill where itinerant workers go missing by Lake Ilnalta, another mentions a serial killer in Windhelm, and to hear those of Markarth tell it, half the city lives in terror of one savage cult or another."

"Skyrim is a troubled land," Do'azda agrees, "Seeking a specific trouble amongst many is like looking for a pinch of moon sugar in a sandstorm. But this one would like to know - what do you seek, specifically?"

Bathes-In-Steel only hesitates for a heartbeat, but by the way her tail stills and her eyes go blank, Do'azda can sense a tension running through her like a drab bowstring. "Long ago, when the Dunmer yet plagued our people, raiding the Black Marsh and seizing our children to sell into bondage, there was a foul guild of murderous Dunmer - the Morag Tong - who worshipped Mephala, the goddess of murder. With her blessing and patronage, they could - and did - slaughter any amongst our people who began to orchestrate resistance to their slavers."

Do'azda nods. The same occurs in Elsweyr - Aldmeri kill teams hunt down and massacre potential resistance leaders, seeking to nip in the bud movements which might otherwise threaten their rule.

"The Hist was beginning to grow despairing, until a member of a rival guild contacted a Hist-Dooka on the fringes of Black Marsh, and the Hist learnt that this 'Dark Brotherhood' served Sithis, and were staunch rivals of the Morag Tong"

"They served Sithis?" Do'azda says, "The Ever-Hungry Void? The doom of all who live in the world?"

"Yes," Bathes-In-Steel says shortly, "Though Sithis was also that from which all sprouted, and the Hist recalled this more than other facts of its nature."

Do'azda hums. The Hist would not be the first entity to make a deal without proper consideration, to be sure, and indeed, perhaps the Hist was wise enough to not lose in such a deal. Perhaps.

"Through the Dark Brotherhood, the Hist spoke with Sithis, and a deal was formed. The Hist would allow Sithis to touch some eggs, and those Saxhleel born of the eggs would be supreme killers, easily the match of the Morag Tong."

"And what did Sithis get?" Do'azda asks, and Bathes-In-Steel grimaces.

"The Shadowscales, the Saxhleel touched by the Void. Sithis ate their souls and left a Void in their space. The Hist considered this a worthwhile trade, for Saxhleel live only by the Hist's grace, and so these Shadowscales were not so great a threat."

This is beginning to resemble an apocryphal tale of why one does not bargain with certain entities, but Do'azda stays quiet, gestures for Bathes-In-Steel to continue.

"For centuries, the deal was good, and as the Shadowscales grew, the Morag Tong was forced to devote more time and energy to their missions in Black Marsh. The Shadow War, this was how we spoke of it. And it seemed to be working, until one day, a patrol without any Shadowscales seized one of the Morag Tong, who was brought to a Hist-Dooka, and they revealed the truth; the Morag Tong, too, worshipped Sithis."

Do'azda frowns, the shape of this becoming clear. "Sithis set one cult of his upon another, to compel the Hist to allow the Void into some Argonians?"

"Just so," Bathes-In-Steel replies, "And so the Hist seeks to destroy the Shadowscales, who have increased in number and influence over the course of the Shadow War. And they do not die. They are severed from the Hist, but they have no soul to wither without the Hist. And perhaps by chance, the Oblivion Crisis draws the Hist's attention. Perhaps a dozen Shadowscales escape in the Chaos, and some of them steal eggs."

"And it is one of these which you hunt?" Do'azda asks.

"The last," Bathes-In-Steel replies, "The last egg to hatch, thick with the Void. It will no doubt have joined the Dark Brotherhood. It was tracked to Skyrim before slaying the Saxhleel who pursued it, and I was sent to hunt it down."

"And this shadowscale is part of a murderous cult still, you think?"

"Nothing but the Dark Brotherhood could hide it - a shadowscale aches for murder."

"This one supposes we shall need to seek out this Dark Brotherhood once we are finished on High Hrothgar," Do'azda says, and Bathes-In-Steel smiles, or perhaps bares her teeth. "But before that - this one was hoping to spend some time with you this evening? We could…"

Choose an activity to do with Bathes-In-Steel this evening:

[] [Friendship] Explore the far reaches of the Temple, and find somewhere for them to hang out where they'll be alone for once, far from the eyes of the nords and the greybeards.
[] [Friendship] Find one of High Hrothgar's warm, deep places, where they might recall their homelands.
[] [Friendship] Find a sparring field, and spar for a while. Crossing steel with a friend is a fine way to spend an evening.
[] [Friendship] Talk to some of the Greybeards. It is now time to start spreading the doctrine of accurately counting the number of Steps on this accursed mountain!
[] [Friendship] There is already a gathering that Bathes-In-Steel could join, and that is the tutoring sessions with language Do'azda was already working in. Perhaps another person will be more company?
***​

The courtyard is set out as it was last time Do'azda had a lesson on Unrelenting Force, straw-sheathed pylons of wood dotted around, rimes of frost cling to the base of each pylon.

It is the same students from Do'azda's last class on this Shout - Katroniah is still the only one she recognises - and the same old Greybeard limps to the front of the class, his hands gnarled claws of arthritis, Master Einarth leans on a stick, looking far more worn out than the previous lesson.

His assistant stands next to the old man, his face carefully blank.

The Greybeard grumbles something under his breath - Do'azda sidles over, and catches half-coherent phrases; "Far too early," and "Arngeir never teaches in the mornings."

The assistant scowls minutely. "Master Einarth says; welcome to another lesson on the Unrelenting Force Shout. Should you require assistance, please talk to the lay-brother, who will speak with me. Otherwise, continue to practice FUS RO, and I will be instructing the Dragonborn."

Master Einarth looks mutinously at the lay-brother's back when the man finishes talking, and limps over to Do'azda as the class as a whole begins to practice their Shouts, rocking the pylons, frost steaming off them.

The Greybeard gestures to Do'azda and murmurs something quiet to the Lay-Brother.

"Master Einarth says; try to combine Fus and Dah, Dragonborn." The Lay-Brother says, "And then he will tell you what you must change to do it properly."

"FUS," Do'azda Shouts, "DAH!"

The first Shout works, but the second is just a word, yelled without anything behind it. It feels wrong, as though the two Shouts resist flowing one into the other.

Master Einarth furrows his brow, and whispers to the Lay-Brother for a long time while, leaving Do'azda shifting her weight, listening to the other students Shouting away, her breath misting in the air.

"Master Einarth says; you are misconceiving the Shout. It is not possible to Shout twice so quickly. You must not think of Fus and Dah as separate Shouts, separate manifestations of your will on reality. Even a dragon cannot change the world twice in a single breath - it is not a matter of power, but of application. The power gathered is spent on the first Shout. The two words do not combine easily - they lack the necessary balance between the raw force and the desire to repel your target. So the Shout you are learning today is unwieldy, but is needed before you learn how to balance the elements. Imagine the words of this Shout not as two Shouts, but one Shout which shifts emphasis in the midpoint of the Shout. First you are Forcing away your foes in general, and then you are singling out a single foe, driving them back from you, pushing them away." The Lay-Brother says, then glances at Master Einarth, who nods solemnly.

"This one," Do'azda begins dubiously, "Will try."

It takes almost the rest of the lesson for her to understand her conception of this; the force she creates needs to repel, to push away whoever she targets. Not merely a force that flows out of her and happens to imbalance and throw off her foes, but a force that is targeted, a force that wants to throw them off.

"FUS DAH" She shouts. The Shout comes out as two waves of force, the second one hiding in the wake of the first, right on its heels. The effect is pronounced - on the pylon she targets, the second wave resonates with the first, escalates the effect and sends it toppling, straw flying everywhere.

She frowns a little. What is the point? No one she could Shout at like this is going to obligingly fall down after politely allowing themselves to continue to wobble after the first word.

But this is what her lessons are for, she supposes. Perhaps next class, she will learn the utility.

Master Einarth fixes her with a slightly gimlet eye as she leaves the courtyard.

***​

The philosophy class was just a little odd. It was odd in that it wasn't odd. He spent the time talking about comparative systems about the way that you could follow a Way, of the Voice or anything else, and turn away from everything it means, the way that all can fall short before the eyes of the Gods, and the way that politics involves hard decisions and sometimes decisions that violate ethics. He asks each student questions, treating neither Do'azda, Ingne, or the non-Nords any differently. They are asked about the same number of questions, and she cannot help but think between this discussion of violence and exigencies and the realities of violence and make-do that she's seen outside, and thought about…

When it's time for the class to end, he keeps them just a little longer, pacing for a moment before he turns to face them.

The philosophy teacher looks around at the class, "So what we will be working on from now for the next month are reading two different works of philosophy, one Cyrodilic, and one by a Redguard poet-philosopher and warrior, who I believe you'll find to be of some interest. I'll be assigning the books, and there should be enough copies. Everyone can leave. Except… Do'azda, please stay with me for a moment, I promise you will not be late to anything."

Everyone files out, whispering, as she sits there and considers the man. He seems enthusiastic enough, made in the same mold as every other Greybeard here, physically. The little differences only seem to highlight the ways they're the same. She knows that plenty of humans couldn't tell a Khajiit apart except by the different 'types' of them. So she decides she will remember that, by the standards of this place, he is kind.

He is not going to be attacking her, or even insulting her. Probably.

"I have a different assignment for you," he says. "I want you to find a society. It can be a town, a village, or a significant part of a city. Or it can be an organization, like I suppose the Imperial Legion, the Stormcloaks… whoever else. And I would like you to learn what they say their main ethical system is, what works or teachings they say drive them, and then what actually drives them… or doesn't. And write a report on it."

Do'azda blinks, "Is she expected to do so on the Greybeards? She is currently on the mountain."

"This is an assignment that I believe you can begin before too long," he says, calmly. And she realizes: oh.

It is an assignment, and it is a warning. She looks at him, staring at her gravely, a frown half-hidden by his beard, and she considers it for a moment, tilting her head. "Do'azda has not even been here a week."

"Well, it will not be today, and probably not tomorrow, but they are arguing that you… already know much of the non-Voice lessons, and that you have already learned much of the way of Shouts already," he says, his voice as blank and unreadable as a field of snow. She's sure that there's a way to it, a way to look at a snow-capped forest and see a path through and a thousand interesting things. But she does not have this, and so she has to guess that he's telling her for a reason.

"Do'azda wonders if there are others less… politic," she says after a moment. "Among the Shamans, there are often many words of praise and softening to go with each similar decision."

"Ah, I see," he says, and he looks like he does. "It would be rude to ask if this has happened to you before?"

"Not… truly. She was regarded as a good student, though not a great one," Do'azda confesses, in the spirit of honesty that is being displayed. "But she does not know the discussions behind the decision to send her north."

"Oh?" he asks, and now his eyes are wide. "You were selected, gossip says, to be the Shaman of Whiterun?"

"Yes," she says, and then takes a breath, tail flicking. "Considering the weather and distance, there is… a reason that it was left empty for years."

He looks as if he almost cannot believe it, and she understands that she is fully understood, that going up to Skyrim, far from an honor as it is to be called up on the mountain, was a hazard posting and one that necessitated a great deal of hardship and suffering even before one gets into all that has happened, or indeed the part where she almost died by execution.

He is realizing a world where Skyrim is the back end of nowhere, and even worse, the cold back end of nowhere. In this case he cannot even blame it on any cosmopolitan snobbishness, city-dwelling pride or anything like that. She sees him absorb it and nod, "I can see what you mean. So why were you selected? I… perhaps think there is fate, then, considering you are the Dragonborn. A Doom-Driven Hero. But if the Shamans had known that… so why do you think they did it?"

"Do'azda thinks it is just that. They needed someone good at the position, but they did not want to risk anyone great. The previous Shaman, he made enemies and sided with…" she trails off, shaking her head. It's not his struggle. "There's evidence that he was not a very good Shaman. So they do not want to merely send a problem, but nor…" she shrugs.

"I see," he says, and she thinks he does. "If I don't see you again, I wish you the best of luck… but I have a feeling that luck will not be involved, one way or the other."

She has to admit, he's probably right.

Luck matters less than… the everything out there.

***​

The good news is, some things do not change. The survival instructor doesn't look at her with anything but the same assessing squint he uses for the other students as they tramp out into the icy wilds around High Hrothgar. "Today, we will be considering something very simple: can you survive a night up here?" He looks around at the assembled group. "If there wasn't this little temple to protect your sorry selves, would you last even a single day? The time will come when you'll either be roaming the mountain or, more likely, you'll all go back to mommy and daddy, who if they're any sensible sorts will leave you to survive on your own rather than taking in a failure. An' if that happens, you'll remember lessons on how to survive, or you won't. So you'll be building shelters, an' then you'll spend the night out here in them."

Do'azda swallows, looks around. Trees do not grow this high up the mountain, and she doubts he will be revealing any neat little piles of wood and leaves for demonstration purposes.

Some of her fellow students are complaining, but the instructor pays them no mind as they cluster around him, clearing a patch of snow and laying out some kindling and firewood from his pack.

One boy, a nord, has found a crack in the rock face he can just about squeeze himself into, whilst others are setting off - in search, Do'azda suspects, of the cave the instructor used in their last lesson.

She remembers, in their last lesson, that he told them how to find shelter so high up. How to make shelter so high up.

She pulls her dagger out, clumsy with the cold, and begins to carve the snow.

Meltwater from the snow soaks her hands a little, and she nicks her finger on the dagger more than once, but by the time the instructor rises with a groan of effort from his dying campfire, she has a little crawl space ensconced in snowy blocks, surrounded by a pockmarked snowbank where she has carved her blocks.

"Dead, dead, dead, dead," The instructor's tone is grave as he points to each of the students who spent their time complaining to him, "The mountain doesn't rightly care if the challenge it sets is unfair. Meet the challenge, or it will kill you."

One of them opens his mouth to complain further; a warning look from the instructor and a jab in the side from one of the other "dead" students puts pay to that.

The boy in the crevice is next, and the instructor looks at him, dispassionate. "Y'ain't gonna sleep comfortably up there, but given your robes can keep the worst of the rock's cold from sapping your warmth… you'll live."

Do'azda is next, and she tries not to stiffen at his attention.

"Solidly done, if a little risky - you don't want to be cutting snow with a little dagger like that, time is life on the mountain, don't go wasting it - but I hope you aren't too attached to your fingers. Carving snow without gloves means they get soaked, and wet is frostbitten." He pauses, looks around, "Next time, you'd be better to cut snow all from one place - the hole you leave when you pull the snow out can provide the walls of your shelter."

Do'azda considers this as she pulls herself from the shelter to follow in his wake like the other students, but she doesn't really understand what he meant until they reach the next student, who has done just that - by only cutting the snow from one large hole, he hasn't needed to cut nearly so much to make a space he can lie in, the blocks only forming a season.

"You'll live," The instructor growls. "Not your first time on a mountainside, is it?"

"Nossir," The nord says smartly, standing rigid, "Served in the Valus campaigns against the goblin warbands, learnt how this is done, sir."

The instructor grunts. "Messy business."

They walk in silence for a while after that, boots crunching in the snow, until they reach the cave. Do'azda stumbles a little as she follows the instructor in, the relative warmth making her legs almost give out.

There's three Nords in the cave, all looking rather pleased with themselves; they're clearly convinced they have the best shelter of anyone.

"Oh, boys." The instructor says, "Caves are good shelters, that's what you're thinking?"

He pauses as though waiting for a response, but as soon as one of them opens his mouth, he interrupts.

"You aren't wrong. Caves are excellent shelters. Tell me, boys, can you kill an ice wraith? Can you kill, oh, maybe 6 ice wraiths?" He smiles grimly, "No?"

"But, we checked!" One of them protests, "We checked the cave, and it's empty!"

"Of course it's empty, whelp," The instructor's tone is almost scornful, "Ice Wraiths hunt all day, and only return to their nest when the night grows so bleak and chill that their very animating spirit would freeze. Never sleep in a cave, or you'll awaken dead after whatever already lives there has returned and started to eat you."

They look nauseated, pale and sick, and Do'azda feels a little worried, too. She's getting cold, and the sun isn't even down; he said she would survive, but lose fingers? She flexes her hands unconsciously.

"Almost all of you," The instructor booms, "Must concede that were you dropped into the wilderness, you would die or be maimed. The mountain is cruel, and unfair. You need to know how to survive her, build shelter from a storm and do so without hurting yourselves. If I hadn't been lying about you staying out tonight, you'd mostly be good as dead. Now get inside before any of you lose a finger."

Survival +2

Do'azda has one assured day of study remaining, the 11th. Choose her three classes:

[-] [Classes] Theology - Do'azda has been informed she may no longer attend such classes.
[] [Classes] History - As a newcomer to Skyrim, history would be very welcome, though what they'll tell her is uncertain, and will likely also include history of the Greybeards… and information about the conflict she'll face.
[-] [Classes] Philosophy - There is no more for Do'azda to do in this class.
[] [Classes] Unrelenting Force - The first shout taught. Do'azda knows the first and third words, and has combined them, but to what end?
[-] [Classes] Whirlwind Sprint - There is no more Do'azda can learn in this class at present.
[-] [Classes] The Dragontongue - Do'azda no longer has need for these classes.
[] [Classes] Survival - Do'azda has reached a level of minimal competency at survival. There is still more to learn.

Do'azda has a slot for socialising, too. Pick one:

[] [Social] The Greybeards talk not much at all, out loud, but they train the apprentices and can be found. Speak to them… whether of destiny or simply the weather.
[] [Social] Your fellow apprentices come in two types. The first is those that are traditionally Greybeards, earnest young men who are working hard to grow old, and who have cause to resent you… but might yet be made allies, and haven't truly been spoken to yet.
[] [Social] Your fellow apprentices who are… more outcast have been in part met, but she can always introduce herself to more of them, and deepen acquaintance with those who stand at the outside edges.
[] [Social] High Hrothgar is a large castle, still ripe for exploration even after first blush, and Do'azda is just the one to do it. Who knows, maybe you'll meet someone unexpected?


VM AN: Not really a choice on lessons any more. Any thoughts about the Shadowscale?

TL AN: Holidays are a rough time. I contributed some of this, and did most of the philosophy section, but VM really stepped up here!
 
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