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R.I.P. neildarkstar. Haven will miss you dearly.
| Tiercel's Peregrinations | |
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| Topic Started: Jan 10 2017, 09:00 PM (4,151 Views) | |
| Serethil | Apr 22 2017, 11:42 PM Post #701 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks guys! You don't know how.... hard it was to write that with Neloth's voice in my mind.... |
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Apr 23 2017, 12:45 AM Post #702 |
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Jarl
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Oh lordie, Neloth is right, and even made sense!! :rofl: That was super Sis!! No doubt, Neloth won't be the only one to chastise her either! |
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| Serethil | Apr 23 2017, 09:17 AM Post #703 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks Sis! Yep - I actually hadn't forgotten about Meridia, but I wasn't sure how I was going to work back around to that. Neloth was perfect for it! |
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| Serethil | Apr 23 2017, 08:28 PM Post #704 |
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Et'Ada
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87 - I bet Meridia’s going to turn me inside out. I wouldn’t let Melki come along - I was at fault here, and I didn’t want a prince’s spite flowing over onto him. I think - he was fine with it. I know he wore that worried frown, but he seemed so firmly back into his horse-handler mode as I rode out that I knew he didn’t really want to follow any more far-afield forays. Now, I might not blame him - but I wasn’t built that way. Which brought up another point: Var had to be stay-at-home; being the High King meant he really couldn’t just kite off to nowhere because his wife was bored.... Well - we’d cross that river if we ever got to it. I stayed out of Solitude, riding around to Dragonsbridge and then back to the road up to the old statue. There was a troll to kill on the way, and a spriggan with a bear. You’d think these roads were in the wilderness instead of a main way between a large city and a nearby town! You’d also think the guard patrols would take care of it.... but you’d be wrong of course. Grumbling already, I wound my way up to Meridia’s huge statue. Tying Vigilant in a patch of grass, I headed up the stairs, thinking irreverently that really, the statue was so big it almost obviated the need for a temple. Unfortunately, it appears that Meridia can read thoughts if it chooses. “So. You promise me a boon, you take your own sweet time getting here, and then you think derogatory things about my statue and temple. You are certainly not the kind of person I expect the Ravensdaughter to produce. It must be your mother’s influence - all her people are.... common. It’s no wonder she was easy prey for Molag Bal.” I flushed red, then went white. “I’m sorry I got sidetracked. But leave off slanging my family!” My hands were balled into fists, and if I could have figured out how to hit this prince, and make it count, I would have. “Well. At least you’re loyal. In one direction anyway. Regardless, I find that the things you have been dealing with are.... fairly extraordinary. Oh no. Don’t relax. That just means that you’ll have to do more to placate me than you might have before I got to know you better.” I slanted a glance up at the almost unbearable brightness where the statue’s head should have been. Trying very hard to keep my thoughts from being known, I simply bowed my head a bit, waiting. “Hmm. You learn quickly. Well, instead of sending you on a never-ending quest to obtain snow-roses for the Ethereal Varirs - to keep them from Azura of course - I believe I will say that you need to establish a shrine of my worship on that damned and blasted island where you’ve lately been. “And further, I require you to discuss something similar with Azura. We are tired of being ignored by those heathens on Solstheim.” I tried to pick my jaw up off the dirt. I didn’t have much luck with it. Holy hells. How was I.... “I don’t know. It’s your problem to figure out. Perhaps you should have been a bit - more - perspicacious about attending to the boon you owe me.” “Lady. I may not have the time necessary to produce shrines on Solstheim!” “What? You can’t do without your male for long enough?” Then it was silent for some moments. “Oh. Bal. Well, we’ll make sure he harms none while you’re busy about the shrines. Will that do?” I admit, I was less than politic. “It will have to, I suppose. Yes, I know I should have come here first. But....” My mind was seething - and the fury I felt was entirely at myself. “Ah. You are a bit unusual, human. Most of your kind would blame me, even though they brought this on themselves by inaction after a promise to me. You, instead, are angry only with yourself, while you try to think out how to do what I’ve asked. “Well, you are rather unexpected. So I will give you a small - nudge, I suppose. Or hint. Neither I nor Azura require a huge shrine in populated places. “Go now. Do. Or do not. You will be judged accordingly.” The silence was, once more, deafening. |
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| neildarkstar | Apr 23 2017, 08:36 PM Post #705 |
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Overlord
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Oops... I think I had a job interview that went like that once... ;) :thumb: |
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Apr 23 2017, 08:37 PM Post #706 |
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Jarl
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Hells, it's another of those 'oh shit' moments!! At least Meridia sees Tier is being harder on herself than she might. Maybe her Prince-ness will take that into consideration? *snort* Wow! Well done! |
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| Serethil | Apr 23 2017, 08:40 PM Post #707 |
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Et'Ada
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*giggling* Yeah.... me too! Thanks neil! Thanks Sis! The one thing I can say with perfect truth about Tier - is that she's just like me. I never blame someone else for my own failings.... Mostly, my girls ARE me - just in a different world. |
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| Areial | Apr 23 2017, 10:31 PM Post #708 |
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Et'Ada
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Ouch.... well soonest started...soonest done... |
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| Serethil | Apr 23 2017, 10:37 PM Post #709 |
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Et'Ada
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Yep. Thanks sis! |
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| Kane | Apr 24 2017, 09:05 AM Post #710 |
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Overlord
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Shrines for the lords? Seems odd that Azura doesn't already have one on Solstheim... |
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| Serethil | Apr 24 2017, 09:15 AM Post #711 |
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Et'Ada
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I thought there was one, but couldn't find it. However, as far as plot goes, doesn't really matter. Maybe there was one in 4E 210 or whenever.... Did some more digging - it's inside the temple in Raven Rock. I've never been in there - that stuck up old priest pissed me off to begin with, so I never even opened the door.... Edited by Serethil, Apr 24 2017, 06:41 PM.
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| Serethil | Apr 24 2017, 08:49 PM Post #712 |
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Et'Ada
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88 - Yes. Wasn’t fun. And now.... ....I can wonder, privately, why Azura’s shrine in the Temple in Raven Rock isn’t enough? Well.... maybe because she’d rather have one outdoors - I don’t know. And I’m NOT ASKING. It took me a few days of easy riding to get out to Azura’s huge statue and shrine, southeast of Winterhold. Since g’ma’s friend Aranea “retired” from Azura’s service, there hadn’t as far as I was aware, been a shrine votary there. So I was a bit startled to see a figure atop the construction below the statue. Ground-tying Vigilant, I mounted the stairs. As I reached the last step at the top just before the altar, a grim-faced Dunmer turned to face me. He snarled “What do you want?” Ah. Hmm. Something odd here.... “I’ve been instructed to present myself to Azura, to assure her I will be doing as she wishes.” That seemed safe enough. Or not. “Get you hence, Nord. You have no business here!” I stood there, mouth agape. Then I bowed briefly, and headed back down the stairs. This was extremely odd. So I thought ‘Hmm. Perhaps I’ll just go to Solstheim and see if I can do a bit of communing with Azura in the Temple....’ I headed for Windhelm then, to get the Northern Maiden. It was a family enterprise by this time - g’ma remembered Gjalund Salt-Sage from her own travels; his son Gjalund was now the captain, but the old man still sailed aboard. I talked to him some while we sailed. Interesting old man.... “And where’s yon pretty boy ye had along time afore last? Ye lookin’ fer a better deal, girl?” I waggled my brows at him. “You offering?” He went red, and muttered “Nah nah. One was enough.” I understood that to mean “one wife”. Anyway, we chatted amiably after, for the two days (due to rough weather) that the voyage consumed. As I disembarked in Raven Rock Gjalund the Younger murmured “Hope Da wasn’t doing anything to upset you....” I smiled. “Not at all. I enjoy him. Don’t worry!” I settled into the same room in the Netch that Melki and I had taken before. For the rest of the first day, and all of the second, I slept, I ate, I did NOT relax my guard - and nothing happened. On the third day, I wandered into the Temple. Instead of the nasty-minded priest described by g’ma there was a young Dunmer woman. I bowed and asked “Where may I find the shrine of Azura?” She looked at me strangely. “Come this way, sera. I will show you.” I followed her into an alcove with an engraved standing-stone, a few candles, and some offerings - a bit of gold, some yams, a couple of the ubiquitous scathecraw growing in the basin. I nodded thanks, and knelt. A bare place for such a prince, I thought. I opened my mind, showing what I intended to do. ‘So, how interesting.” Azura’s voice was.... almost girlish though certainly not sweet. “My sib Meridia seeks to send an unlikely handmaiden - as part of her own dudgeon that you hadn’t done her boon.” There was a frosty silence. As an “oh shit” moment - well, it was probably the worst I’d ever experienced. So Azura would refuse me, to spite Meridia.... But suddenly a warm glow, almost an aura, surrounded me. And in a moment, it resolved itself into Meridia’s bright orb. ‘Sister. I thought only to free you from this confined place, to give you the airs and lights of the north of this island. Do not, please, rail about the head of this human. She will do as bid, whether you approve or not. ‘Do you not, though, want freedom from this - temple alcove?” Again silence, though warmer somehow. Then.... ‘Ah. And are you entirely selfless in this?’ I had the feeling that the conversation was going on over me and without me. Some while later - and I had no idea just how long that “while” had been, I found myself included again in the princes’ dialog. Azura finally said - for my ears anyway - “Well, then, human - where do you think to build me a shrine better than this one?” I hoped for inspiration.... and found it. “On the highest peak on this island - as close to the sun and moons and stars as may be. I’m - not precisely sure - which peak that is. But I will undertake to find it - and there put a shrine which will be open to air, and light, storm, and calm - for any who can come to it in hope and need and love.” The silence this time was not deafening - it was warm and loving and approving. I almost fainted. Meridia hummed a little laugh. “And for me, child?” “I will set your shrine on the opposite side of that tallest peak from Azura. I will face it to the rising sun, and I will retrieve Dawnbreaker from her resting place, form an unbreakable home for her, and her Will shall shine over this sad island, along with your own. Perhaps - this island will be - happier - in future years.” There was a huge clap of thunder, and somehow I knew that these two princes had - at least for this time - made compact and agreement. And that I had leave to do as I had thought to make their shrines fit them. Then both spoke into my heart. ‘Child. You are worthy. Set the beginnings in place. But do not spend too long. Things work against you in your home. We believe you will do as you have bound to us. But.... you should go home before many days have passed.’ By the time I no longer felt their Presences, I was wrung out. The priestess had appeared at my side at some point. She looked at me with awe in her eyes.... “Lady. You spoke with....” her gesture encompassed Azura’s shrine - and more. “I felt another as well....” “Meridia. It’s - complicated.” “I will not ask now. But if in the future you are able to tell me....” “Ah! Yes. When - things - are completed.... I will tell you all. And you may set pilgrims on the paths.” She nodded wisely. “I know god-touched when I see. Be you welcome here any time, sera.” “I’m - just - Tier. And you?” She slanted me an odd glance. “You are the first to ask my name.... in long and long....” Pausing in thought, she laughed finally, not really laughter, just discomfort. “How odd. I - can’t - remember who I was.” And then her face crumpled in a travesty of shame. There was that warm and loving glow again. ‘You will from hence be Tarethi Azurmerdi. We gift it to you. You too are worthy.’ Tarethi, new-named by two of the only princes considered “good”, dissolved into tears. Meridia spoke into my mind once more. ‘She was.... “donated” to this temple by parents who had wished a son. Needless to say, her mother was barren thereafter.” Oh dear. ‘But - she was likely only doing as the husband insisted....’ ‘Child.... WHY are you so able to make me stop and think?’ There was a lot of crossness there. I dropped my chin. ‘Well. I’m not sorry. We are only human. You’re a lot more than that. AND you are mostly benevolent as regard humans. As is Azura.’ She sighed. ‘Tiercel Ravenwing. I’ve never had dealings with such an.... inconvenient human!’ Long long pause, while I waited to see if I lived over this. ‘Well. You’re not wrong. But you don’t need to worry further about that. You need to clear a path up Frykte Peak and the two areas for our shrines. And then you need to go home.’ I was slightly startled to realize Meridia had told me which place. As it faded from cognizance, I heard a final thought ‘Well. We try not to ask the totally impossible.’ |
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| Areial | Apr 25 2017, 12:33 AM Post #713 |
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Et'Ada
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Oh...very nice! Ladies must stick together... errr or something along those lines! |
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| Kane | Apr 25 2017, 08:23 AM Post #714 |
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Overlord
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Good thing you have a horse. The four peaks are almost impossible to scale without one! |
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| neildarkstar | Apr 25 2017, 08:32 AM Post #715 |
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Overlord
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:clap: |
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| Serethil | Apr 25 2017, 09:32 AM Post #716 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks y'all! Well, Tier (and with Var's help probably - eventually) will have to make an easier path up - because the point is not to put these shrines in some totally inaccessible place obviously.... As for Tarethi - she just popped into my head from nowhere. |
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Apr 25 2017, 05:40 PM Post #717 |
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Jarl
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Perfectly carried out Sis! I loved the interactions, and yes, it was an inspired moment for Tarethi. :clap: |
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| Serethil | Apr 25 2017, 05:50 PM Post #718 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks, Sis! You do realize I still don't know where this is going.... |
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Apr 25 2017, 06:04 PM Post #719 |
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Jarl
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I know, but I'm enjoying the journey with you! LOL |
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| Serethil | Apr 25 2017, 06:46 PM Post #720 |
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Et'Ada
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89 - Well, as a mountain to climb, this one’s a right bitch! Frykte Peak climbs high above an old dragon wall - the locals call it Saering’s Watch. Wonder if that was the name of the dragon that was supposedly there? As for getting up to the highest part, well.... we’ll see. Definitely have to do some “fixing” in order for worshipers to get up I think. Hmm. Probably can hire some miners to do some fitting and shoring, to keep an actual path in place - which looks like being a problem! I spent a day just getting about half the way up the least steep side of the mountain. And then I spent the most part of the next day working out how to crawl up to near the high point. I had to use my pick and hammer to make foot and finger holds, and it wasn’t easy! Yes, I was going to have to hire miners and they were going to have to cantilever supports to hold a decent-sized path of solid boards. The next morning, I hauled my very worn body back up to near the summit, and looked about for the positions for the shrines. I’d brought an amulet of each prince with me - and when I found a perfect east-facing niche, I placed Meridia’s amulet in it, tapping a rock-staple in to keep it from blowing away. Yes.... it’s very windy this high on a mountain. Uncomfortably so - I didn’t stand upright. For one thing, there really wasn’t enough semi-flat space to do so, and for another.... well, it’s just a DAMNED long way down! After I finished up with Meridia’s amulet, I inched around to face west, and then turned back to the peak. On this side was a little overhang above a flattish rock. And there I placed Azura’s amulet. And then, I hurried myself off the peak - at least I wanted to - but I also had to go slowly, so slowly, because.... it IS a long way down. And then I slept for a full day. After that, I headed home, the words of the princes causing me some definite unquiet. Var and Melki were waiting in the Hall when I entered. I was seriously uneasy as I asked “What’s happened?” They both stepped forward, putting their arms around me, one on each side. Mel’s voice shook as he whispered “Bal had Movarth take g’ma.” |
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