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Siara N'Gola: Siara's Song
Topic Started: Jun 27 2016, 09:43 PM (4,197 Views)
Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Siara N'Gola 51:

After coffee, my heart seemed calmer (not the normal reaction - but I had been so frightened and frantic....) Andur scrubbed some snow over his face and neck. It was a good idea - the sweat of fear had caked and now itched. We were warmer - it was late evening, the sun just going down. I heard running water nearby - that was good. We could refill our waterskins. We kicked snow and dirt over the tiny fire, and hoisted our packs, heading down the mountain - there was almost a road ahead, though it was long since anything had used it; there were no tracks of any kind.

My jaw dropped, almost unhinging, as we turned with the road around a boulder that seemed half the mountain: below us, in an embayment, was a huge building; there were two “wings” around a central plaza, and one of the wings was crowned with a monstrous secondary building that looked to be all of glass!

“Andur, have you ever seen the like? Oh, can it be possible there will be people here who can help us get home?”

“Lady - this is beyond anything I’ve ever seen anywhere - not even Sentinel holds such a wonder! We must hope for assistance from whoever inhabits this - palace....”

Palace.

Posted Image.

Yes, I thought that an apt word. We stopped at the stream which flowed out from a waterfall - the running water I’d heard - to wash a bit better than with handfuls of snow, and to fill waterskins. Then we headed down the slope toward a probable gate.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as we approached the area: there was.... a golden figure seemingly of some sort of metal behind the gate. As we approached slowly, the figure suddenly spoke! “Hello. Please come in.”

The voice was.... mechanical. Like a.... falsified man. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go in. But Andur just followed the figure as it moved away when the gate had fully opened. So I went along as well, though this was... disturbing.

“I am Lahar. I am - the caretaker - I suppose. You will need to talk to Lamashtu. Follow me to her, please.” He - well, if Lamashtu was a “she” then I supposed Lahar was male - led us into the palace (it was dark, and he apologized for the state of it saying they had been the only ones there for many many years) and up a fantastical staircase which curved upward in two “arms”.

“Once you have gone to meet Lamashtu, I will - light the lamps and make the rooms ready.”

My fingers were shaking. Of all the things that could have happened, that one of the inhabitants was a - metal man - was totally out of my reckoning. The woman’s name was similar in flavor - was she metal also?

Yes. She was. And while she welcomed us.... she also told us there was no way to leave. Tears flooded my eyes and I slumped near where she stood on the roof of one of the wings. Andur knelt beside me as Lahar approached.

“I have made the rooms ready, and put some cleaning into process. Please, follow me, you shall have Ludwig’s rooms.”

Who was Ludwig? I hadn’t seen any evidence of anyone other than these two metal - monstrosities....

The rooms were - very unusual, and probably originally very sumptuous. Now though, even though this Lahar had said he’d started cleaning, they were rather - dusty and unkempt. But my eyes started from my head at one of them - it was.... a whole room given over to - bathing. And other not-so-clean body functions it seemed. My cheeks were even darker when I figured out what the odd “appliance” was for. Andur just shook his head.

The bath though - now that I would enjoy! Assuming the metal monstrosities weren’t around to watch....

The water filled the tub, and turning a different handle provided a gentle rain from above. The water wasn’t very warm, but then since winding up in Skyrim I’d seldom had a warm bath, so I was no worse off. Better in fact, since clean....

Andur made his own ablutions, and then again spread his bedroll against the door of the suite of rooms. I of course took the bed. There was no arguing with him about it, even though this bed was huge and had he chosen to sleep there as well as I, we’d have been hard put to knock against each other in the night. But he made no move toward the bed, and I finally settled into it - after shaking out some of the dust. Ages of dust, it seemed....

I wondered what odd tale we’d fallen into. I was afraid - we’d never get out....
Edited by Serethil, Aug 21 2016, 10:00 PM.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Wow, this is not giving out good vibes!! Great to read, and gave me the shivers!
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Heh. Fortunately for my heart, the rest of this, while very strange and quite unreal (from a Skyrim or Hammerfell standpoint) is not the sort of horrific terror that's gone before. If it had been - I'd never have got through the mod.
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Rick
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How did Lahar know they were trapped there? The exit sealing landslide was much earlier. Its still spooky.


Its weird seeing recognisable Skyrim assets being redeployed.

Eg. Clearly the railings from the Thalmor embassy recoloured. But whole items are re-used....
Edited by Rick, Aug 21 2016, 10:26 PM.
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Serethil
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Not Lahar, Lamashtu. She heard the mountain as it imploded.... well, Lahar did as well, but he's not - quite - the same. You'll see, later.

The major problem here is that I don't really remember all the dialog very well. I know what happened, and what needed doing.... but I don't have the actual quest dialog stuff unless I reload Siara's saved games from that playthrough (which are not in the current save game list - I cut those and saved them to a backup folder).
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Areial
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Very nice read and even without looking at the picture I could "see" the palace.
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Kane
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What a quest! Siara held it together and made it, though! :faint:
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Serethil
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Lahar and Lamashtu both mention later on, btw, that they thought the egress into Skyrim had fallen and was impassable a very long time back - of course, they couldn't know a landslide had uncovered the tunnels again.
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Grits
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Oh good grief, I was nearly shrieking just reading about the skulls and under-ice woman! Andurs’s reaction to Siara’s extreme regret over leading them to what looks like an inescapable situation was just perfect. Indeed, after surviving that, what else would they be saving the coffee for?

Those buildings look very cool, especially the glass-topped one. I love the way Siara described Lahar as a “falsified man.” Brilliant! The regard between Siara and Andurs is lovely to see, especially in these very weird circumstances.
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Serethil
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Eh, I suppose it's pretty apparent that the only logical "love-interest" for Siara will be Andurs. He's.... too much a gentleman (Redguard-style....) to make advances at this point....

I'm working on a bit of family stuff back home, but due to my problems earlier it will have to wait until tomorrow.
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Serethil
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Siara and Family 52:

Selalla sat down slowly, trying not to slop her coffee. She’d had a letter from Elgial - the courier’s eyes had been round as saucers as he looked around the former bandit post. She unfolded it to read again:

Madam, I greet you. I am well. I saw Andur and Siara the day after I arrived here in Kynesgrove. They have left the horses here under the care of one Roggi Knot-beard, and have paid for a fortnight for me at the inn, as well as leaving me the gold for another like space of time. They are bound into some new ruin uncovered by a landslide - which they believe will be very lucrative.

I am lessoning with the mage here who takes care that the mine does not fall on the miners’ heads, which seems to me to be a very good sort of thing to learn, considering. She does not charge me coin, as I can help her with the mine now.

I do miss everyone - it had been so long since I felt part of a family, or even able to go out of doors in daylight. But I do think that I must stay until either Andur and Siara return, or the second fortnight’s inn stay is done. You must advise me by return courier if you have other thoughts.

In love and care, Elgial Olfarno now of Family Alf’agar


Selalla sighed. She wished her son and his mate (well, she was - though neither of them seemed aware as yet) were not.... somewhere that none could meet them to discuss.... issues.

Because - there were issues. The Jarl of this Hold had sent a message by courier that they must show some rebuilding efforts soon - as if it had been YEARS they’d held here already! - the which it had not of course, being weeks only. And they had done some rebuilding - there were now solid houses where before had been only shanty type lean-tos, And some shoring up had been done of the mine, though full workings must wait until gold was available to hire qualified miners to open new stopes.

Ankeddi squatted beside her, and Selalla reached a hand to her shoulder. “So, then. What’s toward this day?”

“I think I will go talk to this Jarl. He’s young. I can distract him. Perhaps he will have somewhat for me to do, to remove his thoughts from us while Andur and Siara are getting gold for our endeavors. I will see if Denira will go with me, pillion - I’ve seen her do that with Siara. A child should keep him from being.... importunate. Is this a good thing, then, Mama?”

Selalla smiled at her youngest. “Oh aye. We must keep wolves from the doors somehow. Do be careful though, sweet. Men in this country - well, they’re not like men at home....”

Ankeddi grinned. No.... they were decidedly not. But her mother didn’t need chapter and verse - just acknowledgment. And that was what she gave, then looked up Deni and suggested a trip into Falkreath, to talk to the importunate Jarl. Before very long, they were riding out the gate.
Edited by Serethil, Aug 23 2016, 08:52 PM.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Oh that weasel Siddgeir!! :glare:

Nice thinking, to distract said weasel! And I do like knowing what is happening with the family while Siara and Andur are busy! Great read Sere!
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Rick
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Yeah....what Andra said :)
But WE know Siddgeir is not to be trusted...he turned on the bandits afterall.
My guess...he wants kpr made into a nice little village for free...then he can evict the family and sell it..or rent out the properties.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Siddy needs to DIAF. Slimy creep - I swear he's Belethor's twin.... I think you're right Rick!

Thanks sis and Rick.... I really should have done a family update a while back....
Edited by Serethil, Aug 23 2016, 08:55 PM.
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Serethil
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Siara 53:

Morning came. Of course it always does.... but - in such a strange place, and with no way at present apparent to return to Skyrim - I might be forgiven I for doubting that it would, I think.

We washed in the room with the bath and - somehow - running water in a washbasin as well. Now THAT I would pay a fortune to understand - and be able to duplicate at the Ridge.... Hauling water for so many was a serious chore. And with that thought, my eyes filled and overflowed. I missed them all - they were now my only family, and I was far from where they were. Well, so was Andur, who was really of the family.

He rested his hand on my shoulder. “Do not cry Lady. We will be home eventually.” I wondered how he knew my thoughts...

We met Lahar in the kitchen, where he offered food. We at a bit, then I began questioning why we could not go back to Skyrim - and the metal man explained that they (he and Lamashtu) had thought the way we arrived here was closed off from Skyrim for centuries; and that the mountains around this small open area were too steep to climb from this side. He advised that we talk again to his female counterpart.

So we climbed back to the roof where she stood. It seemed she didn’t go much of anywhere.... An odd “life” if life it was.... I asked her if there was any way we could go back to Skyrim. She seemed to fall into thought.

Finally, she looked toward me and said “Well, if you really insist to leave, you can use the travel room. Talk to Lahar.” She turned away, seemingly irritated (thought it’s very difficult to read emotion on a metal face....)

So we trooped back down to find Lahar, who this time was tacking up a notice on a door, something about the “Work Room” being closed due to fumes....

“Lahar, Lamashtu said to have you show us the travel room, as the only possible way to return to Skyrim.”

“Did she. But it’s not working. It hasn’t worked. For a long time. Come with me. I will show you.”

Reaching the room in the basement, I noted a map of Skyrim, marked with Holds and their cities. Lahar said, “Enter the vestibule of the portal. You will see.”

So we did. And - nothing happened.

Lahar almost shrugged. “Most of the machines around the Castle are no longer working. There was a large movement of the earth - perhaps something from Red Mountain. The steam system that works the machines here in the Castle was ruptured below in the cavern of Nurndural. I tried to repair it. But my siblings attacked me. So I had to return above. And Lamashtu took the key and refused to let me go back.”

Hmmm. “Well. Could we repair the system?” And Andur said.... “Siblings?”

Lahar explained a bit more. They were all known as the Gilded. There had been many of them. But most of those still remaining had - changed. Become.... wild. Those had attacked him. “If you wish to attempt repairs, you will need to talk to Lamashtu to get the key to the Mausoleum - that is where you can access Nurndural.

“There are about ten sections of pipe that will need to be replaced. You can find such repair sections around the various areas in the cavern. Or if you are capable, you can descend to the lowest level where you will find a smelter and forge, and make the repair sections yourself. It is what I had intended, but I could not fight well enough to defeat my siblings. You will need to be - careful. The Gilded below are.... not like Lamashtu and me....”

So we climbed to the roof again, and explained what Lahar had said. Lamashtu handed over the key - she seemed almost resigned to us leaving. She pointed toward one of the sheer mountain faces - where we saw a door.

“That is the Mausoleum. You can access Nurndural from within it since you now have the key.”

That seemed a clear dismissal. We descended into the Castle again, and not seeing Lahar, we went on out to the courtyard, then around to the right to find the Mausoleum door.
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Areial
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Nice, seem's like Lahar and Lamashtu are lonely...but are helping them to get out anyway... perhaps a bit reluctantly.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Yes, lonely they do seem to me too, but it also seems like they aren't doing anything about it. I can feel Siara's stress and tension...I just want them to get out of there! Thank goodness for Andur!
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Serethil
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Siara's Song 54 - Family:

Ankeddi kept herself from beheading Jarl Siddgeir. Barely. She was thinking about retribution though.... and he should be very careful.... Bringing Deni had been an inspired idea, as it was obvious that she would need to return home with the girl very shortly.

‘Perhaps I could.... just perforate a kidney. Nah, then. There are too many others herein. It will have to wait. Eventually, I will kill him.’ There was finality in her thought. She knew she would relieve Falkreath of its Jarl before too long. Anyone else raised to the high seat would likely be much better anyway.

They shopped a bit at the one merchant, and then she talked to the blacksmith - who wanted a dog, a loyal companion. She hadn’t seen a dog, but told the man she’d keep an eye out. Perhaps she could find him a pup. And - now there was a thought! Deni could use a dog, or a cat, or a rabbit, or.... almost anything. Something to care for, to keep her mind off of Siara....

Ankeddi tucked that thought back - it would need discussion with her mother. Selalla might not think it worthwhile, or she might think it a very good thing. But it should not be mentioned to Denira until a determination was made.

As they headed back for the Ridge, Denira giggled suddenly. “I thought you were going to kill the Jarl.”

Oh gods. This girl.... she was far too clever. “No - or at least not at that point.” Ankeddi was careful to treat the girl as an adult - it was obvious that she knew what was what. “Eventually - I will probably have to do so. You understand what he was.... asking - well, ordering - from me?”

“Ayah. You were to lay with him, and he would pay you - by not bothering Selalla about the Ridge and the works, and the taxes.” Ankeddi was well taken-aback. This child.... was no child at all, mindwise....

Deni said nothing more for a few moments, then continued “But you are no whore to spread your legs for that piece of dog’s leavings. Yes. You will kill him. We will all be safer once you have done so. But - we must plan so that no one knows who did it....”

Ankeddi almost fell off the mare. “Well, you have certainly thought things through, Denira. Where came you by this sort of - knowing?” She felt the small arms stiffen about her middle and winced mentally - obviously not the right question to ask.

“My - ma - she whored when she couldn’t steal enough.” A small hiccup might have been an aborted sob. Anki was very sorry this whole thing had come up.

“Deni. You do not - carry any blame for the things your mother did to survive. You know that, don’t you?”

“Aye. Siara explained. It was.... when she had to kill ma because.... well, you know what happened....”

Oh yes - they all did. Poor child. And Siara - what a horrible thing to carry responsibility for.... But at least she and Deni were family now. Or would be.... if Siara ever returned home....

The gloom of that thought lessened as they rode into the Ridge. They dismounted, and Deni took the mare, Benica, off to groom and feed. Ankeddi went to her mother; they needed to talk - and then they’d need to have a family meeting after the children were in bed.

Except.... Deni should be included, Anki thought. That girl is as adult in many ways as I am....
Edited by Serethil, Aug 25 2016, 08:10 PM.
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Areial
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OMG...gentlemen, sorry but ... ..drunk..paralyze potion...chains and a gelding knife....and that's to good for him. very nice update!
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Ankeddi has the right of it, about both Siddgeir AND Deni. Castration would be too good for him...

Great update Sis!
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