Sundas 23rd of the Last Seed, 4E 201

I didn't sleep very well again last night. The same dream I have before, fire, my father, but this time there was a hooded man. I couldn't see his face, he was more of an outline.

Sundas 23rd of the Last Seed, 4E 201

I decided that it was best that I find a guide, someone who knew the way though the South Pass. After asking around a Mer called Faendal agreed to show me the way which passed though Helgen.

Sundas 23rd of the Last Seed, 4E 201

As we approached to the top of a incline in the road there was another dark figure. Was he waiting for me? What should I do? He hasn't spotted me so I could take him down with a quick bow. But what if he was an innocent? What if he wasn't? I unsheathed my blade and told Faendal to be ready. One person against three, I liked the odds. As we approached it was another Khajiit, but he looked different, he wasn't an Assassin. But as I was about to holster my sword he drew his weapon and charged for us. Faendal and I both drew our bows and took him down. I searched the body to find Skooma, he was obviously an addict out of his mind.

As we approached Helgen I could smell the smouldering wood and the burnt corpses. I opened the gate not knowing what I might find. A city in ruins, the smell didn't prepare me enough for what I found. Dead bodies still producing heat after a week. I have never seen anything like this before. My father told of the city of Kvatch and it's destruction during the Oblivion Crisis. How do you rebuild from something like this? The town had been taken over by a gang of lawless bandits. I normally try and stay away from combat, especially when I'm outnumbered. But a rage took over, I thought about all the people that died here. The women, the children. I escaped, I can avenge the dead with my bow and blade. 


I left Helgen with blood on my clothes and a scar on my soul. I had killed them, no killed is the wrong word. Butchered them, I butchered them all. No words were spoken between Faendal and myself for the rest of the day. Not until we came to an abandoned shack on the other side of the mountain pass. He told me that he took me as far as he could and in the morning he would head back to Riverwood.


The Shack used to belong to an Alchemist, he had been growing a wide range of different plants. A lot of these were still here. I knew I wouldn't sleep so I made potions till the early hours. 

Loredas 22nd of the Last Seed, 4E 201

I woke to a clear and beautiful morning. Whiterun was waking up and the fresh smell of the meats filled the dawn's air.Whiterun was a grand city, the biggest in Skyrim and the central trading post for the country. Before I continued on my journey I needed some supplies. My first call was the alchemy shop, I needed just a few ingredients so some Wheat added to my Butterfly Wings and Blue Mountain Flowers would make a tasty little health potion. I got talking to the store owner, Arcadia. She was form Cyrodill too and asked where I was from, I didn't want to use the family name as I didn't want to draw any unwanted attention to my self. I dodged the question and asked where she was from, she dodged the question also and we both left it at that. I brought some fresh meat from one of the stalls for Grey and myself, a treat for breakfast.

I decided to take the South Pass just as Sinmir suggested, to get to Shor's Stone I would be passing through Riften which was a few days journey. It seemed like a good idea to stock up on some more arrows so my next stop was the Drunken Huntsman. The owner of the store was a spritely little Wood Elf called Elrindir and sold me some good quality steel arrows. The plan was to spend the night in Riverwood and see if there were any guides that would take me to the South Pass. But before that I must have a pint of Honninbrew Mead. As the golden nectar passed over my lips I could taste all those subtle spices and layering textures to make this rich deep mead. This was truly the drink of the Gods.

Shortly after leaving and ascending the hill to start the long winding road back to Riverwood I was met by a figure standing at the top of the incline. He started to make his was towards me, this didn't feel right and as his speed grow haste I knew. I drew my sword and I was locked in a battle against a very skilled Khajiit Assassin. His use of a duel daggers and cat like reflections were more than a match for my sword skills. It was only a matter of time before he defeated me in battle, but I weren't going without a fight. Every attack was met by the blocking powers of this formidable foe. But Just I saw the end coming Grey leapt on to the arm of the Assassin which distracted him momentarily. It gave me enough time to wound the Khajiit and knock him to the floor. He begged me for mercy but I had none to give. I ran my sword though his body and he was dead. I searched the body to find a note,

"As instructed, you are to eliminate Ertius Colollius by any means necessary. The Black Sacrament has been performed - somebody wants this poor fool dead.

We've already received payment for the contract. Failure is not an option.

- Astrid" 


Had my father's enemies found me? Were they looking for my brother too?  Am I being hunted? All I had was a name, Astrid. I didn't know who he was or where to find him, but I would. After I find my brother, we'll hunt down those trying to kill us. 

Fredas 21st of the Last Seed, 4E 201

I could see Whiterun in the distance, it sat on top of a hill looking down on the land below. The size of the city was evident by the surrounding farms. Walking alone the cobbled path I came across the famous Honninbrew Meadery, (I must stop for a drink there before I leave). Past the stables were the khajiit caravans, I better keep an eye on my coin purse.

I got to Whiterun it was late in the day but I was itching to find out if my brother passed though here. Whiterun felt like the capital of Skyrim, a central trading post. I would spend a day or so here and trade with some of the locals but my first port of call was the Temple of Kynareth. I spoke with the priestess Danica. She told me that the best person to talk to was Andrus the priest of Arklay at the Hall of the Dead.

He was an old Nord and he smelt of old cloth and he obviously hasn't gone outside for sometime. He was a sweet old man and gave up the information I was after willingly.

"Yes I remember your brother, he was lost and in search of something. He didn't know what it was but he was determined to find it. He stayed here for a few weeks helping me tend to the dead. He was a sweet boy who indulged an old man. He said he would head west to a mining village, Shor's Stone, there were reports of an illness taking hold and he had to help".

I stayed at the Inn that night and had a nice cooked meal. After a few drinks I got speaking to one of the locals, Sinmir warned me that the path west was dangerous and a lot of travelers were attacked by bandits. So he recommended I take the south pass through the mountains.    

Turdas 20th of the Last Seed, 4E 201

I awoke to a stiff neck and a rumbling stomach, those past few nights in a warm bed and cooked food had made soft. As I stretched I could feel the bones in my back and neck click. I woke Grey up and we had some food before we headed back to Falkreath.

It was the middle of the afternoon by the time I got back to Falkreath. I was hungry and tired but had no time to rest, I wanted to speak to Runil about my brother. When I handed him his journal he asked me if I read it and I replied "Yes" and no more was said about the diary. I had done what Runil had asked and I now wanted to know if he knew my brother.

            "I in fact did meet your brother in Riverwood and he came to Falkreath with me. I knew who you were when you came and asked me about him, he spoke of you and what you were doing in Morrowind. He wanted to follow in your footsteps and after he fell out with your father he decided to come to Skyrim. We did our work here for awhile before he decided to leave north. I asked him where he was going but he didn't know. I told him to go through Whiterun and stay at the Temple of Kynareth as they would give him food and shelter".

So Whiterun is where I'll go next, I will speak to the priests at the Temple of Kynareth and hope they have information on my brother. But tonight I'll stay here and head out in the morning.

Middas 19th of the Last Seed, 4E 201

As the cave got deeper the air got thicker, I could hear the sound of a brutish Orc clanging about. There was something different about this one, he seemed stronger than the bandits I've encountered. I told Grey to wait and I went forth to tackle this Orc. As I was walking towards him with my sword at the ready I found myself shouting something about this Orc's parents being related. He was not amused and said he'd enjoy killing me, and I believed he would so best not give him the opportunity to. We found ourselves trading blows our swords locked in combat. There wasn't much room to move in the narrow part of the cave making combat difficult for the both of us. While we locked in a stand off, our swords pressed up against each other I drew my dagger and thrust it deep into his neck. He fell to the ground in a pool of his blood. I fell to my knees, hands shaking, not because of the adrenaline but because of my arms were hurting, this Orc was strong.

I barely had time to catch my breath when I herd the voice of a woman in trouble. I followed the voice and I find a Dunmer caught in a spiders web. I could tell by the skull on her robes that she practiced necromancy. I wanted to leave her to her fate but before I cut her down I said she'd better not try anything or I'd run her through with my blade. She replied "I couldn't even if I wanted to". I cut her down and she explained that this cave was a hide out for a gang of Spellswords and she had joined them so she could practice her necromancy in peace. When I asked why she was left for dead she told me she left for Riften so she could find her daughter who was in a orphanage, but by the time she got there she was gone. So returned and she had a curse put on her which prevented her from casting magic. I felt sorry for her even tough she was a necromancer, she was looking for someone and I could relate. She wanted to leave but I said traveling in these conditions at night would be suicide but she didn't listen and she left. I on the other hand decided to stay in the cave until morning so I made camp and settled down for the night.

Middas 19th of the Last Seed, 4E 201

Our journey for the lost journal continued high into the mountains. The air was becoming thinner and more crisp on my lungs. I had to take it slower as it was harder for me to catch my breath as I was still not used to such cold. I spent most of my childhood growing up on the West Weald. We had our own vineyard and I'd worked on them during the hotter months. I'd give anything to be back there now, instead of climbing up the side of this mountain in the freezing cold. I swear if Runil doesn't tell me what I need to know I don't think the Gods will ever forgive me for what I'll do to him.

The night was upon us by the we got to the cave, there was a guard at he entrance and he was casting magic on him self. I don't like magic and I don't like fighting enemies that use it but a quick bow to the torso and they go down like everyone else.

The cave was cold and wet and water seeped thought the cracks, the way the light caught it was almost magical. A sharp gust of wind caught me off guard and took the breath right out of me but never-the -less I carried on deeper into the unknown cave. There was a big wooden gate, it had only recently been built and I was just about to open it when I noticed magic. It was some sort of rune, I remember seeing Mage's using them in Morrowind at the camps. I almost blew my self up, how was I going to get past this?

I grabbed the dead bandit at the entrance of the cave and dragged him to the gate, I gave my self a minute as dragging a dead body though a cave is a lot harder than it sounds. Now I wasn't proud of what I did next but given the circumstances I had no choice. I tossed the bandit into the rune thus exploding the gate and the bandit. The doors blew open and the element of surprise was lost. The noise must have echoed through the cave alerting everyone to my presence. A group of three bandits came to investigate so I unsheathed my sword. My new companion shot off like he was going for a bone attacking one bandit. The other bandit confused just stood there leaving me to take care of the third. I made light work of him and then his friend and my new dog took care of the other.

My new friend proved himself in battle and I needed to give the mutt a name. Grey, I shall call him Grey. He seemed to like it and it suited him well. Now we must carry on and find that journal.

Middas 19th of the Last Seed, 4E 201

I woke with a sweat from the dream, I only remember bits of what it was about but I clearly remember fire and my father. He told me to find my brother and bring him home and that is exactly what I intend to do. I could smell the freshly cooked bread slide under my door and the crackling of eggs on the open fire. I got dressed and entered the main bar and the Landlady Valga was hard at work cooking breakfast. She offered me some it took me on a second to answer. Two fried eggs, Salmon Steak, Tomatoes and bread. The breakfasts are always my favorite part of staying in an Inn. I brought some apples and some Venison Stew for my journey ahead, but before I left this weird little town I had to pay the blacksmith a visit.

Lod was the local blacksmith and he was already hard at work on this damp foggy morning. I asked if I could use his Grindstone for my sword. It took me back to when I was young on the Estate. We had a blacksmith, he was an old Legionnaire who smithed for the Empire. I think he and my father served together. He taught me the value of a good blade and how to reinforce your armour. It's weird how something so insignificant can take you back to your childhood. Lod reminded me of our blacksmith, his loyalty to his fellow soldier.

It was late morning as I left Falkreath as I walked along the cobbled road I realised that there is a natural beauty to this land. The mountains, the trees everything works harmoniously creating this spectacular scene. I had been traveling for a shot while when I noticed a wooden bridge up ahead. It was a bandit ambush site and they were fighting Thalmor agents. The only thing I hate more than Bandits are the Thalmor. So decided to leave them to it and hoped they'd kill each other but the Thalmor made light work of them. I decided to stay at the side of the road for a while and wait for the Thalmor to leave.

My father once said that Thalmor were the worst thing to happen to the Empire since Titus Mede II. After the war he became very political and in doing so he made a lot of powerful enemies. I remember we used to go to the Imperial City and we'd march at the White Gold Tower. He said the Empire needed to stay united and drive the Thalmor back to Alinor.

I continued on my journey and I still had a long way to go. I could hear a skirmish between some animals. There was a dog fighting off two wolves so I drew my bow and took aim and took down one of the wolves. I approached the dog who seemed friendly enough, I could see no clear owner and a companion would be nice.