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The Measure of a Woman; Serana's Tale
Topic Started: Sep 6 2017, 09:48 PM (648 Views)
Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Thank you Sis!
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Eight: The local herbs aren’t close enough

Unfortunate, because it’s a pretty long hike through the tunnels back into Skyrim.... Still, it’s far better than having to find someone to bleed! There was no way to take BannDar with me - some of the places were far too small for a horse to move through - so that limited me as to how much I could harvest and carry. Of course, herbs are light and don’t take a lot of room.

So I staked BannDar out the next day for most of the day so he could eat grasses and enjoy the weakish sunlight; that night I trekked through the Trail back into Skyrim, where I found the herbs I needed by scent and knowledge of their growing habits. My backpack was overfull by near dawn, though it still weighed very little.

Once I’d regained my current home, I slept a bit, then set about concocting the false-blood. I’d gathered herbs to make enough to keep me for a couple of moons - especially since I seemed to need less of it than I had of real blood. I determined to ride around the Bruma environs beginning the next night, and continue for as long as felt comfortable.

Then, needing something to occupy my mind, I read one of the books I’d found here and there in the cave and tunnels; it was one I’d not read before - Nerevar Moon-and-Star. Here was another whole era of fascinating history and people which happened while I slept. I marveled at the things that had occurred around Tamriel - or supposedly occurred. If you weren’t there to see it - well, you couldn’t know it was true, just from a book. At that point, I got a little grumpy: I would have been there to see it - had my mother not entombed me with an Elder Scroll.

And then I jerked myself out of that funk. She had reasons - I knew what they were. And of course, as it happened, those who could actually prevent that not-really-a-prophecy were people who didn't exist until those thousands of years had passed. Would there have been others who could have managed it? I don't know. And that's fine - it's done now.

I suppose the Divines might plan this sort of thing. Well. I hope they plan. It’s pretty bad to think about them just trusting to luck....
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Areial
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:clap: nice read! bummer about having to go so far for the herbs!
Edited by Areial, Sep 30 2017, 11:49 PM.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Thank you Sis!
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Lapuaboy
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Sere, you are really putting a personality into Serana :thumb:
I like the angst or regret of her missing milenia, but also her wisdom in not dwelling on the "what would have/should have." The "if only" mindset is something I personally have to ward against. A lot :)
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Hmph. My post went missing. /grrr

Well, a lot of the personality is from me as a teen/young woman - all water under so many bridges now. But I do remember.

I actually am really enjoying making Serana more likable, more human. And it's giving me less angst of my own to play through Dawnguard.
Edited by Serethil, Oct 1 2017, 09:39 PM.
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Kane
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She's been busy in Cyrodiil, but not too busy. Curious to see where she ends up!
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Serethil
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Well.... you sort of know if you've been reading the Twins's Tale - though not yet about how she got there! Thank you Kane!
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Kane
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Indeed! I'm catching up as we speak, er, type. I've got some free time and don't feel like playing, so I thought I'd catch up on what I can.
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Serethil
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Nine: Cyrodiil is so different from Skyrim!

It’s beautiful, truly. So is Skyrim, in a gelid, grim way - but Cyrodiil.... I would love to go so far as the Imperial City - but not as a vampire of course. Perhaps one day.... What would my travels be like with someone I loved, I wonder? Huh. What a strange thought.

I’ve been riding a circle outward from Bruma, moving at night and still mentally thanking Tiercel for the horse. BannDar is a good solid boy, and easy to care for. He doesn’t seem to have any animosity toward me - some horses shy from me. Well, once I can find a cure, that should be done with anyway.

I have picked up other rumors that may be of the same Wisewitch. Again, eavesdropping at dusk is an effective way to obtain information. I do have to be more careful in these outlying holts and cots than in Bruma, which means taking plenty of time getting settled so I can’t be easily seen.

The old woman seems to work a circle of her own around these villages and settlements - and she apparently never goes into Bruma or the Imperial City. So meandering as I’m doing is probably eventually going to turn her up. I’ll just keep it up for a while - there’s no hurry after all.

After the first couple of weeks, I went back to the Serpent’s Trail - to find more brigands had moved in. So I stalked their movements for several days and then I settled in to removing them. I was by now very good with a bow - and that made taking them out from a distance the best way to handle it. They were - not very bright: as one would die, another would run to see what was happening, and soon, all but one or two inside were dead.

I waited for middle-night, then ghosted into the main cavern area, finding one asleep and another dozing at guard. I slid up behind her, and stopping her mouth on sound, broke her neck. From behind the fire, I sent arrows into the sleeping bandit. Then I made a full trek through all the rooms and tunnels to make sure I had them all. I spent the rest of the night hauling bodies away from where I “lived”, and cleaning up bloodstains. The fact that not so long ago I would have fed from those now dead.... ugh.

The cure cannot be found soon enough for me....
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Areial
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Very nice! she is doing good.. thinking everything through!
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Serethil
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Not so much choice for her but to think. She'd be dead on sight if she wasn't careful - and thinking. Thanks Sis!
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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That does not stop people from not.. thinking.
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Serethil
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Well, true. But hey - this is MY Serana, and she's not that dumb!
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Areial
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True... I was meaning people in general.. cause. it seem's the world is filled with all kinds of.. dumb, stupid and some just plain ignorant people!
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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All too true. Which is one major reason I'd rather live in a fantasy thanks.
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Lapuaboy
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Serana the stealth assassin! :thumb:
I'm liking her story more and more; the details, her thought process, all of it! :)
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Kane
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Hmm, it's interesting to see her pondering the idea of love. She's been alone for so long.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Thank you Lappy and Kane! I like to think she's becoming a real person, really human.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Ten: Found!

I actually almost ran over the Wisewitch. At sundown I'd gone out for a ride, just to clear my head; I had let BannDar run a bit since he was needing a little more exercise lately. Just at dusk, suddenly there was a woman right in harm’s way in the middle of the road. I reined the horse to the side and pulled him up sharply, just missing her. Once he was halted fully, I dismounted and ran to the woman. “Are you all right? I am sorry. I was not expecting to find anyone out here.”

She gazed long at me. “Aye, I am fine. You are very good with the horse. You are also - a night-stalker, I believe.”

“I am. Have no fear - I do not require human blood to survive. I am looking for a wise woman I heard of in Bruma. I am what is known as a Daughter of Coldharbour - and I seek a cure for that affliction.”

“That is - strange. Most of your ilk do not wish to return to life.”

“True. But I am - strange in many ways.”

“What do you mean - that you do not need human blood?”

“My - mother - discovered how to synthesize a blood replacer, using herbs and other ingredients. She too is a Daughter of Coldharbour - though we are presently estranged.”

“Well. I am likely the woman you are seeking. Where are you staying?”

“I am living in the Serpent’s Trail; I just cleared it of brigands again a few days back.”

“Then, I will follow you there. We need to discuss - the cure. And payment for same. It is not meet to do so on the road.”

“I can take you up behind me on the horse....”

She shook her head. “I will come there after you. Look for me before middle night.”

So BannDar and I returned home to wait. I hoped the payment for the cure would be something I could afford....
Edited by Serethil, Oct 11 2017, 07:40 PM.
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