Mizu
Software Developer
- Location
- Victoria, Australia
hold them shut, even as
just entered
counsel is worth, I suggest
My Older Siblings Cannot be the Dragonborn (Skyrim SI)
- Thread starter shadenight123
- Start date
Fabuzer
The Almighty
- Location
- Milan, Italy
I'm a bit disappointed. I was actually looking forward to multiple Dragonborns and their silver-tongued Imperial brother.
If she really is the Dragonborn, I don't see any point in having introduced the siblings. It doesn't help that we haven't seen them for 5 chapters and so the impact they had on the story feels diminished.
Honestly, Bleak Falls Barrow is lasting too long. You could have shortened the arc of a chapter or two by avoiding to write every single encounter they had with Draugrs.
EDIT: actually, Berry and the siblings might all be the Dragonborns. After all, Alduin did attack Helgen and Berry wasn't there.
If she really is the Dragonborn, I don't see any point in having introduced the siblings. It doesn't help that we haven't seen them for 5 chapters and so the impact they had on the story feels diminished.
Honestly, Bleak Falls Barrow is lasting too long. You could have shortened the arc of a chapter or two by avoiding to write every single encounter they had with Draugrs.
EDIT: actually, Berry and the siblings might all be the Dragonborns. After all, Alduin did attack Helgen and Berry wasn't there.
Last edited:
shadowace2400
Planeswalker Extraordinaire
- Location
- Texas
OH GOD YOU'RE RIGHT!!!!
HarakoniWarhawk
Striking from the Skies
- Location
- Holy Terra
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Shade's going to end up with a Draugr Deathlord as a friend, isn't he?
Force of unending rage and darkness sounds like a great friend for Shade.
Of course he needs a easier to say name, something that's matches Shade...
Rage Knight is a possible choice.
MooGoesCow21
Just Listen to me....
- Location
- US Washington
- Location
- Edmonton
- Pronouns
- He/Him
He has 9 siblings.
9 divines.
Gods put him on this quest.
Berry is dragonborn.
By that assumption his siblings put him on this quest, ergo they are the nine divines or something.
At least that's what I'm getting from the post.
shadowace2400
Planeswalker Extraordinaire
- Location
- Texas
Either that or the divines are poking a sibling a piece to put him on the right path.
Captain Fsteak
YOU ARE WELCOME!
- Location
- Aperture Labratories
Oh that's good to know.
The Divines have probably seen you at your weakest, Shade.
The Divines probably know what you look like naked, Shade.
One of the Divines has doubtlessly been the one bathing you and changing your diapers when you were little, Shade.
The Divines have probably seen you at your weakest, Shade.
The Divines probably know what you look like naked, Shade.
One of the Divines has doubtlessly been the one bathing you and changing your diapers when you were little, Shade.
- Location
- Elsewhere
If someone faces a "test" with absolutely no chance of success... they die.
If they die, they can't contradict you.
It's the perfect philosophy!
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Still, if they really are the Divines, I'm almost disappointed it couldn't be the Daedric Princes.
I mean, Mephala-neechan would have been glorious.
I mean, Mephala-neechan would have been glorious.
- Location
- Brazil
Well, I actually wanted to see what Dragon!Shade would do.
Science
If you're reading this, omae wa mo shindeiru.
- Location
- Killeen, TX
They always have full texts. Skyrim:Word Wall - UESPWiki
HET NOK FaaL VahLOK
DeiNMaaR DO DOVAahGOLZ
ahRK aaN FUS DO UNSLaaD
RahGOL ahRK VULOM
Here lies the guardian
Keeper of dragonstone
And a force of unending
Rage and darkness
Called it!
Mizu
Software Developer
- Location
- Victoria, Australia
Wonder if you could cast Shouts relating to darkness as well, going off lore? Would that just make a big cloud of smoke to pop into existence around the Dragonborn? Hide him in the shadows of nearby objects? Turn him invisible, like the magic spell does?
Well consider this watched.
I wonder though, that title is so misleading. The Word Wall did not give either of them a Word, so are neither the dragonborne? Is Berry's ability to read the description an indication of her being the dragonborne, or simply something she learned from her family? A true Nord who was taught the old tongue.
Really, everything is still up in the air right now. Did you plan it that way @shadenight123? If so, well done. Always a good thing to have a nice vague plot that can bend whichever way you choose and need.
I wonder though, that title is so misleading. The Word Wall did not give either of them a Word, so are neither the dragonborne? Is Berry's ability to read the description an indication of her being the dragonborne, or simply something she learned from her family? A true Nord who was taught the old tongue.
Really, everything is still up in the air right now. Did you plan it that way @shadenight123? If so, well done. Always a good thing to have a nice vague plot that can bend whichever way you choose and need.
- Location
- United States
I think the siblings are the mortal forms of the Divines. Either that or a Mix of Aedra and Daedric. Why? Because one of our siblings could be Nocturnal.
And wouldn't that be funny. Become a Nightingale only to see one of Umbra/shade's sibling dressed as Nocturnal to appear instead of Nocturnal.
Theaxofwar
Definitely not a Bunny Cat in disguise.
- Location
- Standing right behind you
"Here lies the guardian keeper of dragonstone, and a force of unending rage and darkness." ... I'm pretty sure Umbra/Shade is the force of unrelenting rage and darkness, who is somehow sent back in time and buried here. I have no proof but you must admit that Shade is a source of unrelenting rage and darkness the like of which Skyrim has never seen, especially because I'm pretty sure there is no coffee in Skyrim. This is my new headcannon and nothing can change my mind.
P.S. I just realized Shade would make a great red lantern. Can't believe I didn't realize that until now.
P.S. I just realized Shade would make a great red lantern. Can't believe I didn't realize that until now.
Laukhi
Elder Scrolls Lore Enthusiast
- Location
- United States
It would be really interesting to see some Anuic entity as an antagonist, then. Or at least a character.
Clarifying, though, Lorkhan, though a Padomaic Et'Ada, is not the same as Sithis. Lorkhan is an Aedra, while Sithis is neither Aedra nor Daedra. The only text drawing a connection between the two is Sithis, which is likely written by a cultist or some other biased source, and says that "Sithis begat Lorkhan".
Sithis is the soul of Padomay, created in response to Anu creating his own soul Anuiel, said to have occured to have both of them look at themselves from a third-person perspective. It's much easier to just describe Padomay in place of Sithis, since they are almost the same thing.
(It would not be an incorrect interpretation to say that Anuiel and Sithis were the result of dilutions of Padomay and Anu instead of this.)
Padomay is a definition of Anu's limits. If Anu can be described as "I AM", Padomay is "IS NOT". Some Et'Ada, such as Lorkhan and Sheogorath, are described as Padomaic since they are more "change" then "stasis". However, them being Padomaic means that they are not the real thing.
Sithis is the definition of everything that Anu the Dreamer isn't, and is not an Et'Ada in the formal sense of the term.
It would be far more likely for Shade to be a Shezzarine (avatar of Shor/Lorkhan) and not have a connection to Sithis specifically.
Last edited:
Science
If you're reading this, omae wa mo shindeiru.
- Location
- Killeen, TX
I meant that he might be one or the other.
Laukhi
Elder Scrolls Lore Enthusiast
- Location
- United States
Ah. Makes sense.
Generally, Padomaic forces don't exist without an Anuic force there as well, so I hold that that would be interesting to read. (Not trying to argue here).
Chapter Eleven - Bleak Falls Barrow - 18th of Last Seed 4E 201 - Umbra
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Eleven - Bleak Falls Barrow - 18th of Last Seed 4E 201 - Umbra
My body froze. My body froze as the Draugr emerged in its armor, a long pair of horns upon its helmet. Not only was the armor complete, but the large battleaxe in his hands was made of a dark material and shone with flickers of fire and ash. It was an ebony weapon. It was an enchanted ebony weapon.
The Draugr in front of us wasn't a simple Draugr Overlord. It was the highest possible level of Draugr Overlord. This guy could shout, use magic, kill and do funny things with out innards that weren't really funny, and he stood in front of us with anger clearly showing upon its face.
"Volaan, hi lost bo gut," it spoke throatily, its voice a low rumbling sound like an avalanche ready to be unleashed. "Gut ganog," it growled next.
An amulet clinked against its chest, the symbol of Akatosh resting upon it.
"Akatosh!" I exclaimed, thumping my chest. "Akatosh Sovngarde!" I had no idea what I was saying, but it was enough to give the Draugr pause.
"Akatosh lost laan hi wah drun zey wah Sovngarde?" the Draugr snorted, "Hi riig do sahlom." That last part felt like an insult. "Alduin bormah fund ni fid hi!" it unsheathed its giant ax, "Gevahzen zey folaas, uv vos nil piraan hin sil!"
I emitted a very manly scream as I watched the mass of atrophied muscles, armor and ebony weapon rush forward with deadly precision, swinging his battleaxe with a mighty roar of rage that had me glad I had already soaked my pants earlier, because I couldn't make a repeat performance of the act. The swinging came with the strength of a hurricane, even as I jumped back to avoid it. The Draugr seemed to have expected that, because he shifted his grip on his weapon and then proceeded to thrust forward the sharp spear-like tip. It hit my shield, the strength enough to send me flying literally against the Word Wall, my back impacting it as I felt the air in my lungs violently depart.
"U-Up the stairs!" I croaked out towards Berry, who stood with wide eyes. "The chain! Pull it and run!" I snapped at her. The Death Overlord turned towards her, but I pushed myself back from the wall, thumping my shield with my mace. "Your beef is with me, Draugr!" I snarled, catching the creature's attention once more. "Rage and darkness unending!? Bring it on then!"
I rushed forward, mace at the ready as I kept my eyes on the battleaxe. I just needed to clear the swing and then smash his face. It wouldn't be difficult if the Nine Divines watched over me. Though I had the feeling they were actually holding a betting pool on who would win this one-on-one fight with incredibly bad odds on me. I supposed Talos would be winning the betting pool if I actually pushed through, wouldn't he?
That was, of course, only if he actually did bet on me winning this.
I didn't have high hopes for that miracle happening either, because the Draugr actually didn't even bother dodging. My mace impacted against his breastplate, and as it dinged with a resounding crystal clear sound, the Death Lord snorted with amusement, a dark laugh escaping its mummified lips.
"Sahlo," it hissed, and then I felt it in the air. The wind gathered, the hair rose on the back of my neck, the powerful thrumming sensation came from the Draugr's throat, and within mere seconds, I closed my eyes shut and huddled behind my shield, or at least tried. "Fus Ro Dah!" the shout wasn't simply deafening. It was the strength of a mountain turned into a push. It was potential energy transformed into kinetic energy at a ratio that exceeded the laws of physics. It was like witnessing the impossible, and yet the world answered by allowing it.
I was pushed back. I was pushed back with such strength that if a freight train hit me, perhaps it would have hurt less. I felt my back and my bones all crack at the same time as I hit the wall again, my head slamming against the hard rock as darkness enveloped my vision. This wasn't how it was supposed to end.
On the plus side, I wasn't seeing Berry any longer in the room. She must have taken my counsel and ran away. I see now that this was my part in the play. I was never supposed to go further than this, then. A sarcastic and bitter chuckle left my lips as I felt my body twitch in pain. There really wasn't a way out of this situation, was there?
The Death Lord was nearing, holding on to his battleaxe with one hand, letting the blade drag across the floor. It emitted a sharp shriek as it did so, ashes and smoke lifting from the blade. Didn't they teach him that was no way of treating a blade?
"Ahkrin naalein fosoth nid," the Draugr hissed as he lifted his battleaxe.
In that moment, an arrow slammed into his throat.
He blinked, turning his blue burning eyes to the source of the attack, and there up on the stairs was Berry, clutching on to her bow and with yet another arrow ready on her string. "He owes me money!" Berry snapped, "So leave him alone!"
Berry, that sounded so Tsundere you have no idea just how Tsundere it sounded. I would comment on it, and explain to you what Tsundere means, but I currently can barely see what's in front of me, and I can't even move my limbs. I think that if I were to move my limbs, I'd probably end up dying anyway, since I vaguely remember that you shouldn't move people with broken bones, or broken spines especially.
"Fus," the Draugr spoke, and the force carried itself across the air to strike at Berry's frame, but she hastily hopped down a few stairs, letting loose another arrow which impacted, and shattered, against the Draugr's bicep. The thing's skin wasn't mummified, but hardened like leather. He was a singular block of strong armor, strong leather and hatred unending. I exhaled in disbelief at the foe in front of us.
A third arrow impacted against his battleaxe's flat side, the Draugr bringing it up to cover his face. "Motag bo," it snapped curtly, starting to walk towards her. She was going to finish her arrows shortly, and when that happened, she'd eventually tire of running away from the Draugr, while he wouldn't tire at all. The end of this battle was already obvious. Unless a miracle happened, a miracle of some sorts like the sudden arrival of my siblings, then it would be over. Even then, against such a foe I doubted that Rae or Dragnor would stand a chance.
Whoever skewed the monster-level selector, fuck you.
"Talos," I croaked out. "Tiber Septim, Hjalti...and whatever name you wish to be called," I murmured, "In my time of need...help me help you."
Nothing happened.
Fine, be that way. Just be thankful it's not my style to ask help from devils, demons or Sheogorath, because we both know they'd answer. Especially Sheogorath, I'm sure he'd love to answer me just so he can fling his Wabbajack around and make cheese out of oyster milk. No, don't ask me how that thought came into my head right now, Talos, I'm just rambling about trying to keep myself awake from the cold, dark grip of the void in which I'm going.
Something liquid fell down my throat, burning it as vision returned to my eyes. The empty bottle of pure spirit was in Berry's hands, and as she emptied and then threw it behind her, I realized the Death Overlord hadn't stopped pursuing her. She had simply ran around him, and her breathing was short and ragged. Her hand grabbed hold of my arm, and as she pulled me up, I could hear the Overlord roar and charge forward.
I pushed her behind me as I brought up the shield, the battleaxe swinging down with such brutality that it could have easily ripped my arm off, had I not used both of my hands to hold the shield up. I screamed as I smelled the metal and the wood start to burn, the shield igniting in flames as the Draugr's cerulean eyes brightly shone with triumph. Behind me, I could feel Berry's hands hold on to my back and push in turn, my voice a hoarse scream as I slammed the battleaxe aside, before thrusting the side of the shield against the Draugr's chest armor.
The undead's hand grabbed hold of my neck and with ease lifted me up, my breathing coming less before he threw me to the side like a doll, my back hitting the floor as I rolled away.
"Vogahriin los seiknu," it spoke, lifting its battleaxe for the final strike against Berry, the girl's sword in her hand, but it wouldn't withstand the blow. My shield was practically a broken mess already, but it was good enough for yet another strike.
"Paarthurnax!" I bellowed. "Paarthurnax!" my scream caught the Draugr's attention, and he turned, for the first time truly angered.
"Vax? Druv dreh hi tinvaak ok faan?" it snarled, anger boiling out of his throat. "Hi los aar do ok? Ruz Zu'u fen ni wahl daar nel fah med do hi!" it growled as it pounced towards me, the battleaxe coming down upon my shield as I screamed out in pain, the arm definitely broken, the shield shattering in half. The Draugr then pulled the weapon back up, and swung it down with the flat of the blade, making me spew out whatever it was that I had eaten in the hours prior. There was nothing but sadism and cruelty in the creature's eyes, even as I felt life seep away from my body once more.
Berry yelled as she charged, her blade coming close to hitting the Draugr's throat only for the Overlord to slap it away, and then proceed to grip at her throat, slamming her on the ground too by my side.
"Zu'u fen kuz dii tiid voth ney do hi," it hissed out, eyes ablaze.
"The Nine say..." I croaked out, catching the Draugr's attention. "Above all else...be good to one...another."
The Draugr roared and lifted with one arm his battleaxe, only for a stream of fire to engulf him whole. The fire then began to spiral downwards like a snake, burning through the leather flesh as the undead turned to face its new assailants.
"Took...your time..." I whispered, only for a pair of strong arms to drag Berry and I away from the Draugr.
"You are lucky," a growling voice that didn't belong to Dragnor spoke. "Ralvas was bored."
The green-skinned face of an orc swam in my vision for a brief instant.
"You made at the very least five mistakes in waking up from your eternal slumber," a male voice I did not recognize spoke curtly. "The first was opening your eyes. The second was grabbing your weapon. The third was taking your weapon against my younger brother. The fourth was actually hurting my younger brother. And the fifth? The fifth was that you did not take care of fire-proofing yourself."
The Draugr Overlord howled as it rushed forward, "Sharrum!" the Dunmer yelled, "We had a plan!"
The newly named Sharrum rushed off, his entire being making the ground tremble with the strength of his footsteps. The last thing I saw was the armor, a set of banded steel and thick fur, a lofty warhammer being brought to bare.
The sound of steel against steel met my ears with the resounding clangor that it brought forth, and soon the noises of battle kept rising up.
I closed my eyes and stood as still as possible. The less I moved, the better.
The noise of battle abruptly ceased as a heavy weight slammed against something hard, and as my eyes opened, I watched the upper half of the Draugr Overlord fall on the ground, its eyes burning their last as its entire body was consumed in white flames, leaving nothing behind but cinders and ashes.
"Little brother," Sharrum was the first to come back in my vision, "Are Dragnor and Rae somewhere in here?"
"No," I coughed out, swallowing as I watched the Dunmer's face come into view too. He had dark crimson eyes and a long black beard. His expression was thoughtful, and as he looked from me to Berry, he inclined his head to the side.
"You are both hurt. You came this far for a reason, what was the reason?" he asked, his voice clipped and to the point, his right hand stroking his beard.
"The wall," I muttered, "The dragonborn...Alduin."
Ralvas' eyebrows crunched up in thought, and then he exhaled. "So it's all Dragnor's fault," he concluded. "He told you some silly Nord legend and had you explore this place as a test of courage. Willow will take care of him. Who's the young Nord girl? A local?"
"Little brother made another friend," Sharrum said with a huff, perusing the large bag strung over his shoulder. "As long as this one isn't a cultist like the last one, your older brother approves. She looks tough and with nice wide hips." He grinned as he pulled out a flask, "Drink this to stand back up," he added as he uncorked it with his teeth, before thrusting it straight into my mouth.
I half-choked, but ended up standing back up in a matter of seconds even as I felt my stomach churn and twist, my insides realigning themselves as the magic did its work.
Ralvas' lips thinned as he bent to take a better look at Berry's form. "She doesn't have any markings on her skin," he continued. "Might be hiding them."
"She's a friend," I said as soon as I managed to catch my breath. "Is she hurt?"
"She is not," Ralvas said, "She is merely feigning her unconsciousness."
Berry's eyes snapped open as she hastily pushed herself back up, huffing. "Well, what was I supposed to do?" she asked, "After that orc's comment on my hips..." she warily looked at Sharrum, "That was uncalled for!"
"Feisty one, uh, like always," Sharrum grumbled. "Brother," he turned towards Ralvas, "Best we leave now and head for the nearby village. If Rae realizes our little brother isn't there because of Dragnor..."
"She might burn his hair off like that one time in the brothel of Anvil," Ralvas replied dutifully, his eyes gleaming like tiny flawless rubies. "Perhaps we can take a look at those interesting writings," he continued smoothly, walking towards the Word Wall in question. "I am sure that by tomorrow morning, Dragnor's head will be a pleasant beacon of light capable of guiding us back home safely."
"Are these your siblings?" Berry asked instead, looking at me in disbelief. "They're a Dark elf and an Orc!"
I smiled awkwardly. "My family is...quite big and varied."
"Let's just get out of here," Berry grumbled, "Up the stairs and pull the chain, right?" she continued, gesturing at the stone stairway that led up to a seemingly unassuming block of stone, if not for a chain that hung by its side.
"Well yes," I said, "but now that the threat is gone..." I continued, "Wouldn't you like some of the treasure too?"
Berry's eyes shone at the mention of the word treasure. "You did mention treasures, didn't you? Very well," she grinned. "Let's get rich."
We didn't get rich.
We walked out of there with a stone slab the size of a small table, two hundred and something gold coins and a plethora of old, broken weapons that turned to mush and dust the moment they were gripped.
Sharrum held on to the ebony battleaxe, and Berry didn't even dare say anything about it. Honestly, with the way the orc was hugging the thing, I was pretty sure he'd start calling it his beloved soon enough.
The greatest enemy of the dungeon, however, revealed itself at the very end.
I had to climb down the side of a mountain.
The snow-covered, ice-filled side of a mountain.
Needless to say it did not end well.
It did not end well at all.
My body froze. My body froze as the Draugr emerged in its armor, a long pair of horns upon its helmet. Not only was the armor complete, but the large battleaxe in his hands was made of a dark material and shone with flickers of fire and ash. It was an ebony weapon. It was an enchanted ebony weapon.
The Draugr in front of us wasn't a simple Draugr Overlord. It was the highest possible level of Draugr Overlord. This guy could shout, use magic, kill and do funny things with out innards that weren't really funny, and he stood in front of us with anger clearly showing upon its face.
"Volaan, hi lost bo gut," it spoke throatily, its voice a low rumbling sound like an avalanche ready to be unleashed. "Gut ganog," it growled next.
An amulet clinked against its chest, the symbol of Akatosh resting upon it.
"Akatosh!" I exclaimed, thumping my chest. "Akatosh Sovngarde!" I had no idea what I was saying, but it was enough to give the Draugr pause.
"Akatosh lost laan hi wah drun zey wah Sovngarde?" the Draugr snorted, "Hi riig do sahlom." That last part felt like an insult. "Alduin bormah fund ni fid hi!" it unsheathed its giant ax, "Gevahzen zey folaas, uv vos nil piraan hin sil!"
I emitted a very manly scream as I watched the mass of atrophied muscles, armor and ebony weapon rush forward with deadly precision, swinging his battleaxe with a mighty roar of rage that had me glad I had already soaked my pants earlier, because I couldn't make a repeat performance of the act. The swinging came with the strength of a hurricane, even as I jumped back to avoid it. The Draugr seemed to have expected that, because he shifted his grip on his weapon and then proceeded to thrust forward the sharp spear-like tip. It hit my shield, the strength enough to send me flying literally against the Word Wall, my back impacting it as I felt the air in my lungs violently depart.
"U-Up the stairs!" I croaked out towards Berry, who stood with wide eyes. "The chain! Pull it and run!" I snapped at her. The Death Overlord turned towards her, but I pushed myself back from the wall, thumping my shield with my mace. "Your beef is with me, Draugr!" I snarled, catching the creature's attention once more. "Rage and darkness unending!? Bring it on then!"
I rushed forward, mace at the ready as I kept my eyes on the battleaxe. I just needed to clear the swing and then smash his face. It wouldn't be difficult if the Nine Divines watched over me. Though I had the feeling they were actually holding a betting pool on who would win this one-on-one fight with incredibly bad odds on me. I supposed Talos would be winning the betting pool if I actually pushed through, wouldn't he?
That was, of course, only if he actually did bet on me winning this.
I didn't have high hopes for that miracle happening either, because the Draugr actually didn't even bother dodging. My mace impacted against his breastplate, and as it dinged with a resounding crystal clear sound, the Death Lord snorted with amusement, a dark laugh escaping its mummified lips.
"Sahlo," it hissed, and then I felt it in the air. The wind gathered, the hair rose on the back of my neck, the powerful thrumming sensation came from the Draugr's throat, and within mere seconds, I closed my eyes shut and huddled behind my shield, or at least tried. "Fus Ro Dah!" the shout wasn't simply deafening. It was the strength of a mountain turned into a push. It was potential energy transformed into kinetic energy at a ratio that exceeded the laws of physics. It was like witnessing the impossible, and yet the world answered by allowing it.
I was pushed back. I was pushed back with such strength that if a freight train hit me, perhaps it would have hurt less. I felt my back and my bones all crack at the same time as I hit the wall again, my head slamming against the hard rock as darkness enveloped my vision. This wasn't how it was supposed to end.
On the plus side, I wasn't seeing Berry any longer in the room. She must have taken my counsel and ran away. I see now that this was my part in the play. I was never supposed to go further than this, then. A sarcastic and bitter chuckle left my lips as I felt my body twitch in pain. There really wasn't a way out of this situation, was there?
The Death Lord was nearing, holding on to his battleaxe with one hand, letting the blade drag across the floor. It emitted a sharp shriek as it did so, ashes and smoke lifting from the blade. Didn't they teach him that was no way of treating a blade?
"Ahkrin naalein fosoth nid," the Draugr hissed as he lifted his battleaxe.
In that moment, an arrow slammed into his throat.
He blinked, turning his blue burning eyes to the source of the attack, and there up on the stairs was Berry, clutching on to her bow and with yet another arrow ready on her string. "He owes me money!" Berry snapped, "So leave him alone!"
Berry, that sounded so Tsundere you have no idea just how Tsundere it sounded. I would comment on it, and explain to you what Tsundere means, but I currently can barely see what's in front of me, and I can't even move my limbs. I think that if I were to move my limbs, I'd probably end up dying anyway, since I vaguely remember that you shouldn't move people with broken bones, or broken spines especially.
"Fus," the Draugr spoke, and the force carried itself across the air to strike at Berry's frame, but she hastily hopped down a few stairs, letting loose another arrow which impacted, and shattered, against the Draugr's bicep. The thing's skin wasn't mummified, but hardened like leather. He was a singular block of strong armor, strong leather and hatred unending. I exhaled in disbelief at the foe in front of us.
A third arrow impacted against his battleaxe's flat side, the Draugr bringing it up to cover his face. "Motag bo," it snapped curtly, starting to walk towards her. She was going to finish her arrows shortly, and when that happened, she'd eventually tire of running away from the Draugr, while he wouldn't tire at all. The end of this battle was already obvious. Unless a miracle happened, a miracle of some sorts like the sudden arrival of my siblings, then it would be over. Even then, against such a foe I doubted that Rae or Dragnor would stand a chance.
Whoever skewed the monster-level selector, fuck you.
"Talos," I croaked out. "Tiber Septim, Hjalti...and whatever name you wish to be called," I murmured, "In my time of need...help me help you."
Nothing happened.
Fine, be that way. Just be thankful it's not my style to ask help from devils, demons or Sheogorath, because we both know they'd answer. Especially Sheogorath, I'm sure he'd love to answer me just so he can fling his Wabbajack around and make cheese out of oyster milk. No, don't ask me how that thought came into my head right now, Talos, I'm just rambling about trying to keep myself awake from the cold, dark grip of the void in which I'm going.
Something liquid fell down my throat, burning it as vision returned to my eyes. The empty bottle of pure spirit was in Berry's hands, and as she emptied and then threw it behind her, I realized the Death Overlord hadn't stopped pursuing her. She had simply ran around him, and her breathing was short and ragged. Her hand grabbed hold of my arm, and as she pulled me up, I could hear the Overlord roar and charge forward.
I pushed her behind me as I brought up the shield, the battleaxe swinging down with such brutality that it could have easily ripped my arm off, had I not used both of my hands to hold the shield up. I screamed as I smelled the metal and the wood start to burn, the shield igniting in flames as the Draugr's cerulean eyes brightly shone with triumph. Behind me, I could feel Berry's hands hold on to my back and push in turn, my voice a hoarse scream as I slammed the battleaxe aside, before thrusting the side of the shield against the Draugr's chest armor.
The undead's hand grabbed hold of my neck and with ease lifted me up, my breathing coming less before he threw me to the side like a doll, my back hitting the floor as I rolled away.
"Vogahriin los seiknu," it spoke, lifting its battleaxe for the final strike against Berry, the girl's sword in her hand, but it wouldn't withstand the blow. My shield was practically a broken mess already, but it was good enough for yet another strike.
"Paarthurnax!" I bellowed. "Paarthurnax!" my scream caught the Draugr's attention, and he turned, for the first time truly angered.
"Vax? Druv dreh hi tinvaak ok faan?" it snarled, anger boiling out of his throat. "Hi los aar do ok? Ruz Zu'u fen ni wahl daar nel fah med do hi!" it growled as it pounced towards me, the battleaxe coming down upon my shield as I screamed out in pain, the arm definitely broken, the shield shattering in half. The Draugr then pulled the weapon back up, and swung it down with the flat of the blade, making me spew out whatever it was that I had eaten in the hours prior. There was nothing but sadism and cruelty in the creature's eyes, even as I felt life seep away from my body once more.
Berry yelled as she charged, her blade coming close to hitting the Draugr's throat only for the Overlord to slap it away, and then proceed to grip at her throat, slamming her on the ground too by my side.
"Zu'u fen kuz dii tiid voth ney do hi," it hissed out, eyes ablaze.
"The Nine say..." I croaked out, catching the Draugr's attention. "Above all else...be good to one...another."
The Draugr roared and lifted with one arm his battleaxe, only for a stream of fire to engulf him whole. The fire then began to spiral downwards like a snake, burning through the leather flesh as the undead turned to face its new assailants.
"Took...your time..." I whispered, only for a pair of strong arms to drag Berry and I away from the Draugr.
"You are lucky," a growling voice that didn't belong to Dragnor spoke. "Ralvas was bored."
The green-skinned face of an orc swam in my vision for a brief instant.
"You made at the very least five mistakes in waking up from your eternal slumber," a male voice I did not recognize spoke curtly. "The first was opening your eyes. The second was grabbing your weapon. The third was taking your weapon against my younger brother. The fourth was actually hurting my younger brother. And the fifth? The fifth was that you did not take care of fire-proofing yourself."
The Draugr Overlord howled as it rushed forward, "Sharrum!" the Dunmer yelled, "We had a plan!"
The newly named Sharrum rushed off, his entire being making the ground tremble with the strength of his footsteps. The last thing I saw was the armor, a set of banded steel and thick fur, a lofty warhammer being brought to bare.
The sound of steel against steel met my ears with the resounding clangor that it brought forth, and soon the noises of battle kept rising up.
I closed my eyes and stood as still as possible. The less I moved, the better.
The noise of battle abruptly ceased as a heavy weight slammed against something hard, and as my eyes opened, I watched the upper half of the Draugr Overlord fall on the ground, its eyes burning their last as its entire body was consumed in white flames, leaving nothing behind but cinders and ashes.
"Little brother," Sharrum was the first to come back in my vision, "Are Dragnor and Rae somewhere in here?"
"No," I coughed out, swallowing as I watched the Dunmer's face come into view too. He had dark crimson eyes and a long black beard. His expression was thoughtful, and as he looked from me to Berry, he inclined his head to the side.
"You are both hurt. You came this far for a reason, what was the reason?" he asked, his voice clipped and to the point, his right hand stroking his beard.
"The wall," I muttered, "The dragonborn...Alduin."
Ralvas' eyebrows crunched up in thought, and then he exhaled. "So it's all Dragnor's fault," he concluded. "He told you some silly Nord legend and had you explore this place as a test of courage. Willow will take care of him. Who's the young Nord girl? A local?"
"Little brother made another friend," Sharrum said with a huff, perusing the large bag strung over his shoulder. "As long as this one isn't a cultist like the last one, your older brother approves. She looks tough and with nice wide hips." He grinned as he pulled out a flask, "Drink this to stand back up," he added as he uncorked it with his teeth, before thrusting it straight into my mouth.
I half-choked, but ended up standing back up in a matter of seconds even as I felt my stomach churn and twist, my insides realigning themselves as the magic did its work.
Ralvas' lips thinned as he bent to take a better look at Berry's form. "She doesn't have any markings on her skin," he continued. "Might be hiding them."
"She's a friend," I said as soon as I managed to catch my breath. "Is she hurt?"
"She is not," Ralvas said, "She is merely feigning her unconsciousness."
Berry's eyes snapped open as she hastily pushed herself back up, huffing. "Well, what was I supposed to do?" she asked, "After that orc's comment on my hips..." she warily looked at Sharrum, "That was uncalled for!"
"Feisty one, uh, like always," Sharrum grumbled. "Brother," he turned towards Ralvas, "Best we leave now and head for the nearby village. If Rae realizes our little brother isn't there because of Dragnor..."
"She might burn his hair off like that one time in the brothel of Anvil," Ralvas replied dutifully, his eyes gleaming like tiny flawless rubies. "Perhaps we can take a look at those interesting writings," he continued smoothly, walking towards the Word Wall in question. "I am sure that by tomorrow morning, Dragnor's head will be a pleasant beacon of light capable of guiding us back home safely."
"Are these your siblings?" Berry asked instead, looking at me in disbelief. "They're a Dark elf and an Orc!"
I smiled awkwardly. "My family is...quite big and varied."
"Let's just get out of here," Berry grumbled, "Up the stairs and pull the chain, right?" she continued, gesturing at the stone stairway that led up to a seemingly unassuming block of stone, if not for a chain that hung by its side.
"Well yes," I said, "but now that the threat is gone..." I continued, "Wouldn't you like some of the treasure too?"
Berry's eyes shone at the mention of the word treasure. "You did mention treasures, didn't you? Very well," she grinned. "Let's get rich."
We didn't get rich.
We walked out of there with a stone slab the size of a small table, two hundred and something gold coins and a plethora of old, broken weapons that turned to mush and dust the moment they were gripped.
Sharrum held on to the ebony battleaxe, and Berry didn't even dare say anything about it. Honestly, with the way the orc was hugging the thing, I was pretty sure he'd start calling it his beloved soon enough.
The greatest enemy of the dungeon, however, revealed itself at the very end.
I had to climb down the side of a mountain.
The snow-covered, ice-filled side of a mountain.
Needless to say it did not end well.
It did not end well at all.
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Volaan, hi lost bo gut. Gut ganog.
Intruder, you have fly(come) far. Far enough.
Akatosh lost laan hi wah drun zey wah Sovngarde? Hi riig do sahlom. Alduin bormah fund ni fid hi! Gevahzen zey folaas, uv vos nil piraan hin sil!
Akatosh has want(asked) you to bring me to Sovngarde? You reek of weakness. Alduin's father would not send you! Prove me wrong, or able(let the) void claim your soul!
Sahlo.
Weak.
Ahkrin naalein fosoth nid.
Courage alone wherewithal no (means nothing).
Vogahriin los seiknu.
Defiance is meaningless.
Vax? Druv dreh hi tinvaak ok faan?
(The) Traitor? Why do you talk his call (speak his name)?
Hi los aar do ok? Ruz Zu'u fen ni wahl daar nel fah med do hi!
You are (a) servant of his? Then I will not build(make) this fast for like(quick for the likes) of you!
Zu'u fen kuz dii tiid voth ney do hi.
I will take my time with both of you.