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R.I.P. neildarkstar. Haven will miss you dearly.
| Return to Hammerfell | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 16 2016, 08:04 PM (371 Views) | |
| neildarkstar | Dec 7 2016, 02:50 PM Post #61 |
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Overlord
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Yeah, me too... that was long before cell phones, and though I did have a 35mm, it wasn't often used during that time period. It's hard to carry a wife, 4 kids, groceries, and a camera bag on a motorcycle... |
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| Serethil | Dec 7 2016, 05:33 PM Post #62 |
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Et'Ada
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Oh LORDY. |
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| Areial | Dec 7 2016, 05:40 PM Post #63 |
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Et'Ada
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Pffft that's when you just carry the camera... and wifey can drive the kids.... |
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| Serethil | Dec 7 2016, 06:44 PM Post #64 |
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Et'Ada
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Nine - Letting Go: “Tan. Come with me, I need to talk to you.” He eyed me very warily - as if afraid.... Well, he’d soon know. He followed after me, a bit slowly and reluctantly. “Siara. I know you don’t want me to go. But....” “I don’t. But I’m not your parent or your keeper. And as Selalla reminded me, most folk of Hammerfell would count you already a man. So.” I unstrapped a rug that lay to one side of camp, near one of the wagons. Tan’s eyes bugged as I retrieved the bow and arrows from their hiding place, and turning to him, thrust them toward him. “These were my grandda’s. I can use a bow, and not badly. But I prefer a lighter one, so - please, take this and the arrows, and return to us with them and a whole skin.” “I - those should go to Dendi, Siara! I can’t take something of your family.” “You can. Because you’re as much family here as I am - neither of us are Alf’agar born. Dendi is, yes - but it’s years yet before he can draw this bow. I’ve watched you - you’ll be better with it than I ever was. Her name is Desert Witch.” He put out his hands and accepted her and her brood of spikily nasty arrows. “Thank you. I will have that care - for myself, and for the bow.” He bowed gracefully, and instead of leaving, continued “So you know, I kept myself in food and so on in Riften by thieving. I’m better at stealthy living, than at being a warrior. A bow’s a good weapon from stealth though - this will help to keep me.... safer.” I nodded. “Good. Be safe as you may, and come back to us. Don’t be too long....” “As to that, I don’t know how long the journey may be, but I do know that it starts a day from Markarth, to the southeast of that city. So I will return to Falkreath first, to get the carriage into the Reach. I have a map....” He showed me a copy of the one Anki had been drawing. “That’s good. Take night meal with us, and then you could leave early in the morning.” “I’ll eat, yes - but I’ll head for Falkreath after. It will be safer in the dark, truly. Better for sneaking past danger.” “Just - be careful then....” I touched his shoulder gently and walked back into camp; shortly I saw that he’d set up a target and was doing very well already with Desert Witch. I was glad I’d had the thought. Andur, Selalla and Anki walked up to watch as well. “He’s good with that bow!” Anki said in surprise. Selalla smiled. “Yes. It was a weapon he could use from the dark and sneaking - so he told me.” Shaking my head, I muttered, “He’s still just a boy. But at least Grandda’s bow will help to keep him safer.” Andur draped an arm around my shoulders and guided me out to see Dendi learning to gallop on Bonto, without falling off (since he had no stirrups). My heart though far from light over Tankot leaving us at least was able to let me enjoy watching my small son as he balanced precariously. At least it wasn’t the trot! |
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| Areial | Dec 7 2016, 07:09 PM Post #65 |
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Et'Ada
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Very good read... each should do as they are fit to do... a plow horse set to a fence may pass it, but the fence may not be there to hold in the cows. |
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| Serethil | Dec 7 2016, 07:15 PM Post #66 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks! I put up the first bit of Tankot just now.... I'll stick a link in my sig with the others. |
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Dec 7 2016, 07:22 PM Post #67 |
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Jarl
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Oh, he's going to be wonderful to watch Sere, and I've no doubt Siara's nerves will wear at her over him too! Now I have to link over to him... :hugs: |
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| Serethil | Dec 7 2016, 07:23 PM Post #68 |
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Et'Ada
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I put his link in my sig.... |
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| monkeyemoness | Dec 8 2016, 08:17 PM Post #69 |
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Thane
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Hoo boy, will this be new territory for you? Playing a male child? On a more serious note, it'll be interesting to see yet another mod I haven't played, especially from a different perspective than we've gotten so far. |
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| Serethil | Dec 8 2016, 08:27 PM Post #70 |
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Et'Ada
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Heh. Actually, I took that perfectly seriously - and yes, it's very new territory, not only because male, but "pretend" child. I did look at some of the playable kid mods, but.... this is a one-off most likely, so I just decided to "fake" it. And of course, I'm having to tweak the way I'm writing, because except for the "thief" aspect there's a bunch of it that's not going to be germane to Tan's story/playthrough - since the point is to insert the Alf'agar family into the Alik'r without starting a desert war. In fact, Tan was a thief before I decided to run the Gray Cowl mod with him.... and the fact of this mod's existence makes putting the family into the desert a pretty perfect setup. I think the biggest issue I'm running into is that I've got others poking at me to write them, but the family and all aren't done yet.... Edited by Serethil, Dec 8 2016, 08:32 PM.
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| Serethil | Jan 7 2017, 10:31 PM Post #71 |
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Et'Ada
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Ten - Ingathering: We settled to camp life, all too readily. Then again, we were at bottom desert nomads. We gathered and hunted, not planting since it wasn’t likely we’d be here to harvest. At least, we hoped we wouldn’t be here to harvest.... Not to mention there really wasn’t any arable land! The women who had some ability with fabric and stitching made and repaired clothing; Anki and I repaired armor and heavier gear. The men hunted. The children gathered - and played. All in all, we were happy. We would be happier with all our folk together, including Tan - and Deni, eventually. I hoped she’d want to be with the family - but when she was grown, and a full mage.... and if Elgial had his way.... well, time would tell. So we settled to waiting. And - I felt new life stirring in me again. Oh how I wished this child to be born in the Alik’r! I got through the early weeks, sick as usual, though not as deeply so with this one. I thought it was a girl.... Selalla, smiling her mother goddess smile, agreed. I’d finally explained about Lucia and Kyne, and the matriarch was very pleased. “We’ve not had a priestess in so long; it will be a wonder and a blessing!” I was glad for her approval; with Deni not here, Lucia was just enough “outsider” to not have real friends now - and the other girls were either older or younger. Selalla looked at me and grinned. “Send her to me for schooling in the things outside Kyne’s duties. The goddess of course will look after that.” A good thought, and when I put it to Lucia, she was delighted. “Oh that will be wonderful! There is so much I need to learn before we go home....” “Home?” “To Hammerfell, of course!” And she skipped away to talk to Selalla about times and such. * * * And then, one day just past mid-winter, and a nice enough day at that, someone rode into the camp on one of the Falkreath stable hacks. I almost fell over - it was Tan! Bronzed to a sheen that had to mean desert, taller, broader, and - almost a man now. I ran for Andur and Selalla, and told anyone I saw on the way. Soon we’d all gathered around him. No one said a word. Finally Selalla, sending a somewhat scornful glance around at us, said “So then?” I smiled. Well, it was her place as matriarch, after all! “We have a place in the desert. There is a village with room for all, and a Fort for protection from some of the desert’s surprises. There is a way to and from Skyrim - it is like the Travel Room in the Castle, though - more primitive. Will you follow?” “We will. And our thanks to you. But we cannot take animals and wagons through a travel room....” Andur and Arnem had their heads together. “We’ll bring the horses and wagons if you can give us a map.” Tan shook his head. “There’s no way in that the wagons and horses can use.” Then he got an odd look on his face. “Wait. I think I know a way - I’ll have to go back and talk to the people at the Fort - it’s where the travel portal is.” I stepped forward. “You’ll eat first surely?” And then he threw himself at me - ah, not so old after all.... He came near to breaking ribs, he hugged me so hard. I touched his cheek gently. “You are a man Tankot. I should never have worried.” A tear tracked down his cheek following my fingers. “I was happy you cared enough to worry, Siara. I didn’t want you to, but I was happy....” He brushed the tears away, and then hugged me more gently, then went to everyone in the family with a hug and a bow. And when he came to Lucia, she looked into his eyes as he did hers - and I felt something sing along my nerves and into my heart. Finally he bowed to Selalla, giving her pride of place. “And you Lady, I most deeply reverence. You gave me this life.... and I am happy to return the favor.” Fed and clean, Tan left us again to return to Ben Erai - the Fort and village. The name sang in my heart - a true desert name, I could hardly wait to see it. And then we waited a few more days before Tan returned; with him was a stranger, desert-clad, tall and comely. If I hadn’t Andur already.... Tan asked Selalla to call the family for council. Once that was done, he stood and introduced the stranger. “This is Arenar Esdrecus - he is one of those who call Ben Erai home. He is having the portal building walls taken down so that we can move the wagons and horses into the desert. There is no other access - besides the way I entered to begin with - and we could not take the horses and wagons that way either.” His face darkened with a frown; I wondered what had happened to him “going that way”.... But I had to accept he might never say.... So in a shorter time than I had thought, we were on the move again. And when we entered the strange portal (opened by some spell Tan had learned), it was to exit into the heat and shimmer of a desert we all knew as home instantly. We all blinked into the light, the heat waves, and the plantings of familiar vegetables near where we stood. A woman in Imperial armor moved into sight. Selalla paced toward her, bowing and saying “I am the matriarch of family Alf’agar, Selalla. Our family is my children, their spouses and children, and others who have pledged to us. We thank you for accepting us, and will do anything necessary in exchange for a life in Ben Erai.” The lady bowed in return. “I am Lady Syloria Peleu. I am the scion of those who came here two centuries ago to wait upon - Tankot Desertborn.” So. Tan had taken - or been given - a name. I considered that a good thing! The two older women went inside the Fort to talk, and the rest of us set out to look over the Fort and the village. We would need to find homes - it seemed there were many empty. And we would need to bring through seeds and such from Skyrim. And my daughter would be born in the Alik’r. I caught a glimpse of Anki talking animatedly to Arenar Esdrecus. Well now.... that would be an interesting pairing. And a seal of our own rebirth in the desert if it came to fruition.... Just at that point in my ruminations, Elgial tapped my arm. “Siara? I - um.... I need to go back to Skyrim....” My brows climbed my forehead. “Why then? Do you not like it here?” “Oh - that’s not it! It’s warmer than I’m used to, but I do like it. But - someone has to let the metal folk at the Castle know what’s going on, and Deni....” Ah. Well, as for my metal monsters, I’d already sent them a note by courier. But still, it was good of Elgial to think of it - even as a hedge when what he really wanted was to go to Deni. So I didn’t say anything other than “Eh, you’re a man grown. You must needs do as you feel you should, after all! Take what you need of course, horse or horse and wagon, whatever. We’re good for it. I’m not sure about a courier into and out of here, so perhaps we can just have one of the children drop by the portal once a day or so - if you have something to tell us, just write a note and run it through the portal. Oh, has Tan shown you the spell?” “Ayah - first thing, so that those who can learn it can operate the thing for others who can’t. Smart man, he is!” His tone was admiring - but then, he wasn’t all that much older than Tan was! So in a few days, Elgial went back to Skyrim. I wondered what Deni would have to say to him.... well, I’d likely know eventually.... We settled into becoming part of Ben Erai, and part of this corner of the desert. We met people, and we offered assistance where we could. We traded with them for things they didn’t have, in exchange for things we didn’t have. We became - happy. We became - settled nomads of the Alik’r. Our daughter was born on a day of wind and sand - and I named her Shamal. Something in my heart knew that I would have no more children. Her birth was not harder than Dendi’s - but I bled and it would not stop. Lucia tried what she knew, but nothing helped. Finally Tan left hurriedly, and returned some while later with Danica, the Kyne temple votary from Whiterun. She sent that deep warm healing green light into me, and eventually, the bleeding ceased. But I knew - and so did she - that there would be no more children of my body. When I told Andur and Selalla, both of them simply held me to their hearts. Then Shamal stirred, and sought the breast, and my world was righted again. I might not give actual birth again, but I would still be able to mother those who were abandoned. The first of those was, of all things, a desert cheetah. Now, I had intended to go back to the desert outskirts eventually, to get some of the small cats to domesticate. They were so good at taking care of rodents and snakes.... but this little fellow would be too, I knew. So I didn’t put the smaller cat expedition in place for the time. Goshal was small of course when he came, and I put him into Shamal’s bed so they’d have the company and body-warmth and sounds. At some point he’d be too large to sleep with her - we’d deal with that when it got to the point. So our lives rounded to their fullnesses over the years. * * * I’ve somehow become the matriarch.... Selalla went to the goddess’s long home, and no one could agree on anyone to take over - other than me. So here I am, trying to take the place of a woman I came to love more than I had my own mother. Even when she exasperated me.... But I have Anki and Arenar to help me, and their children to learn from my own for they’re a bit younger; and Andur, who has never reproached me for not being able to give him more children (as well as still being my lover in all ways); Tan and Lucia, and their small boy, at this age so much like Dendi was; and Deni - who married Elgial far too young, but has managed marriage and motherhood with a grace I wish I’d had! Life is quite.... perfect. Finally. Edited by Serethil, Jan 9 2017, 10:39 AM.
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Jan 7 2017, 11:11 PM Post #72 |
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Jarl
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That was perfect Sere, an emotionally comforting ending, and yet a beginning too. Life goes on. Thank you! |
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| Serethil | Jan 7 2017, 11:29 PM Post #73 |
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Et'Ada
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Yep. Life - is a river. It is added to by other little streams and larger waters. And the blessing of it all is - there's no end.... "Ride ride the carousel and reach for the golden ring - never to finish but begin again, life is a circular thing." [Not sure who that's from, a friend sent it to me after a.... heartbreaking thing....] and "I love you until a circle stops!" from my then 7 year old younger granddaughter.... |
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| Areial | Jan 8 2017, 01:26 AM Post #74 |
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Et'Ada
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Beautiful ending that leave's room for more thought, for growth of others. |
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| Serethil | Jan 8 2017, 10:15 AM Post #75 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks Areial! Yeah, you never know when someone else will have the urge to poke me about a tale.... |
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| Rick | Jan 9 2017, 06:33 AM Post #76 |
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Jarl
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Aw Sere, that moved me deeply. What a fabulously warming finale. Everything in its place. Just beautiful <sniff> :rose: |
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| Kane | Jan 9 2017, 08:47 AM Post #77 |
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Overlord
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I will miss reading about the Alf'agar's, but I'm glad they settled in to a happy life. :aww: |
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| Serethil | Jan 9 2017, 10:33 AM Post #78 |
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Et'Ada
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Thank you both! Yep, this was one of those things where I just wrote what she told me.... I miss them already - and yes, I could have written them forever.... but sometimes that's not a good thing.... In essence, Siara and Verinne were much alike, though their upbringings and challenges weren't identical, nor their cultures. It will be interesting (and more valuable to me as a writer) to go in a different direction eventually. Edited by Serethil, Jan 9 2017, 10:34 AM.
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| Areial | Jan 9 2017, 11:04 AM Post #79 |
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Et'Ada
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Actually I have always loved stories that don't give an "end".. I can then imagine how their lives go on, adventures they may have. It's one of the reason's mine "end" the way they do. To me IF I have done my characters right, the reader will wonder what Akemmi is up to or Ailynn... and perhaps think of their own story. |
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| monkeyemoness | Feb 20 2017, 07:37 AM Post #80 |
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Thane
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Once again, the story ended sooner than expected, but truth be told I don't feel like there was much left unanswered. The Princes were thwarted, cure was found and they found a new home. A satisfying ending. |
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