Now To The Dark Brotherhood

 After visiting with the little boy to tell him that the job was done there was still plenty of daylight left, yet not enough to set out into the wilderness so I decided to spend the rest of the day wandering around town. I came across the butcher's murder. With the help of the town guards I was able to figure out that it was most probably the castle's mage, a necromancer, who had been butchering the women in search for body parts. I informed the guards and they swarmed the castle for the mage.

The investigation took all night, much to my dismay, so I actually ended up spending two days in Windhelm when I only intended a quick one.

The mages room was suspiciously very necromancer-like and all evidence pointed to him being guilty..

However the more he talked to defend himself the more innocent he sounded. In the end he was hauled away to prison and I was left wondering if we had the right man.

That night I went to sleep in the Windhelm inn. I woke up the next morning in the familiar abandoned shack with Astrid greeting me.

I was asked, as usual, to kill one of the three hooded victims posed near by on their knees. One was khajiit so I spared his life, just for being khajiit. I respect khajiits, I have khajiit blood in me myself. The other two were killed.

With that job done Astrid accepted me into the dark brotherhood and left. I peeked outside to find it was in the middle of the night, not even early morning so I tucked myself into the near by dirty bed and slept until dawn.

The air was cool and crisp, I was as far north as I could possibly be. I happily spent a few moments exploring around the abandoned shack picking deathbell and nightshade flowers, and harvesting some slaughterfish eggs and what not. I was chased back to the shack twice by near by animals. I was beginning to wonder if I could make it away from the shack alive. By the time I was able to sneak away from the shack and begin my treck to the nearest town, Morthal, it was already mid afternoon.

I spent some time in the little town of Morthal collecting the town flowers and plants, selling some loot. By the time I was finished it was dusk and so I retired at the local inn.

The next morning I was energized and ready to head south toward the dark brotherhood sanctuary that Astrid had told me to find! I was in a happy mood and stepped outside... almost bumping into about four men! They just looked at me and said in a gruff voice "we're here to teach you a lesson!" wha?... Suddenly they began attacking! I ran for my life!

 I streaked accross town nearly knocking people over. None of the guards defended me! Just barely dodging hits from an axe I ducked into the nearest building in search for shelter! They appeared inside behind me! Shoot! They can come into buildings too! I hastily streaked out after making a short mess of the local alchemy shop and ran around town like a chicken with my head cut off! I had no idea where to go, what to do.. my health by now was getting dangerously low from axe swings as the men chased me! The lower my health bar got the more my heart beat and I thought I was a goner!

Then I saw it, a cart on the other side of town! I didn't know where it was going and didn't care, I ran up to the driver, payed him some gold and told him to take me to the nearest town! I then hopped into the back and just barely made it out alive! The cart saved my life.

 You can see the men down there just at the nearest steps staring at my getaway.

When the town and the men were out of sight and I was far enough away that they couldn't come chasing after me I tapped on the shoulder of my driver and asked him to stop the cart because I wanted to get out here. He just shrugged, thinking i'm a bit crazy and stopped the cart. I hopped out, feeling much better now, and got my stuff in order before setting off through the woods.

I found the trail south through the Hjaalmarch mountains and ste down the road, but it wasn't long before I was confronted by two sabrecats and a spider. I began to rethink my glorious decision to hop out and hoof it alone! Knowing i'm in no current condition to try and take on three creatures by myself I streaked off down the road at high gear! I was chased for quite a while before the giant ruins of the labyrinthian came into view! Thankfully the creatures had stopped chasing me up to here.. but forward is the only direction I could go now and I gulped, knowing how dangerous the Labyrinthian is. Several giant frost strolls dwell in there.. and I had to make it through somehow and out the other side.

I crouched down low and prepared myself for the best sneaking I could possibly do. I snuck, snuck, snuck.. almost halfway through.. i'm doing good.. then suddenly from nowhere a huge lumbering frost troll starts comming at me! My eyes grow wide and I gasp, immediately whirling around to run the opposite direction! Desperate for any kind of shelter or protection I immediately veer toward the walls of the Labyrinthian and find a door. These doors lead into the much more dangerous insides of the labyrinthian so I knew making this decision may be the last bad decision I ever make.. but I had no choice. I dove in and slammed the door shut behind me!

I waited for a long time, over 5 real life minutes for my health to come back up from a dangerously low level and my stamina to regenerate. I also needed a lot of time to wait for the frost troll outside to forget about me..When I eventually did cautiously tiptoe back outside I was happy to find that he had indeed. I successfully snuck further through the labyrinthian, sticking close to the stone walls and fallen pillars of the ruins until the exit was in sight! I nearly leapt for joy when I saw it! Then.. there in front of me were two more frost trolls blocking the way. There was nothing to hide me in sight, I knew the only way past would be through them. I took a deep breath, braced myself on my toes, then darted forward, sprinting as fast as possible past the two frost trolls!

Happily, my stamina held out just long enough for me to escape them, and come out on the other side of the retched ruins. I nearly fell to the ground and kissed it in relief. That was a nightmare.

After a little bit of walking I was finally descending out of the mountains and the snow was disappearing. The icy climate gave way to the warm, hospitable warmer ones and the sun was setting. I was over half way to my destination with not far to go, but it was already getting night and there's no way I could travel at night, not being able to see the dangerous monsters that wanted to eat me. (I could barely escape them during the day.. let alone at night!) I stopped to set up camp and activated my sleeping roll only to have a message tell me I can't sleep when there are creatures near by. Wha? I looked around and didn't see anything, so I tried again. Still, can't sleep with creatures near by.. I was beginning to wonder if my game was just being testy when suddenly I was attacked by two skamps! I was taken by surprise and furiously swung my warhammer at them! My health was over half gone by the time I finally got them both killed and I was spent and breathing heavily. Geeze game.. all I wanted to do was sleep for the night!

Eventually I did get to sleep and the next morning I continued my way mostly unhindered to the sanctuary.

My new "armor". Hopefully it'll keep me hidden easier.

 I got my next contracts, who to kill and spent the night in the sanctuary, the first place I felt safe in a long time. I was so cozy in there it was hard to get myself the courage to leave the safety and warmth of the sanctuary, but, I must do it.

My next destination is Ivarstead. I snuck the whole way as usual, to avoid as many creatures as possible.

 When I arrived in Falkreath on the way, just to have a quick rest and sell my old armor I still hadn't gotten used to my new dragon shoutting ability that I picked up in the sanctuary and accidentally used my shout on three innocent people in their graveyard. Oops n.n; But don't worry, I revived them after they died. I then got this letter though... totally unexpected!

Eh? probably directions to some big dragon to kill or something..

First Dark Brotherhood Job

 Kill Grelad the kind. That was my task. Easy peasy. She was giving her usual speech when I walked in. I patiently waited for her to finish, then followed her into the back room and closed the door. I only wish I had a more appealing weapon to do it with..

The children were overjoyed!

I then retired to the local inn for the night. I spoke with the argonian who seemed to be "second in command" and who was sweeping. He told me that he was smitten with the argonian innkeeper behind the bar. It was a romantic story. I then explored all of the rooms and found one that must have been his.

 That is romantic.

I was also asked in Riften to get some ore for the local alchemist. The next morning I set out for the long journey back up the road to Windhelm and stopped at the small mining town on the way to collect the ore.

The road is danerous. There are diseases out there!

So I was doing well just sneaking down the road for a few hours when far ahead of me I was lucky enough to spot what I thought was a khajiit bandit laying in wait for me. There was a second danger near by, a sabrecat! I decided to get around them the long way and instead of taking the road I climbed up over the hill. I took the opportunity while up on the rocks to get a good look at my sorroundings. Not only was there a bandit waiting for me.. but 3 sabrecats! I can barely defeat one, let alone three.. and what's worse i'm sorrounding! I'm save while I'm up on the rocks, but I can't get down without getting attacked by either the bandit (which would attract the first sabrecat for sure) or the two sabrecats to my left!

 With no other choice I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and jumped down to take out the bandit first! I was shocked to find it's no bandit at all.. but a dark brotherhood member!

 Someone had gotten mad at me (probably the hunters whose horse I stole?) and asked the dark brotherhood to kill me.. As I read it I grew angry, crinkling the paper in my hand in the anger and growled through my teeth. "I'm your future listener you azz! ASTRID!" I haven't even met her yet and she's already pizzing me off..

I then hopped back up onto the rocks and down the opposite side, wedging my back against the cliff side to prevent sneak attacks and killed the remaining two sabrecats with effort.

With the recent events that just happened I was on edge sneaking down the road, and let out a great sigh of relief when I saw more imperials leading a prisoner. I would be safe if I traveled with them, for if anything were to attack they'd be the distraction while I could make my get away! I don't need to be fast, I just need to be faster than them!

I was grateful for my decision when something did attack. A daedroth attacked and while it was taking out the imperials and stormcloak prisoner I streaked off down the road like a scardy rabbit!

Riften Is A Tough City

 Immediately upon walking down the mean streets of Riften, right after entering the city, I was stopped by a rough looking fellow named Maul. Ok.. I just barged into the city slamming the gates shut behind me, breathing heavily, heavily disheveled and appearing extremely shaken and like i've just seen the end of the world... do I LOOK like I want more trouble?!

I wasn't in the mood to play whatever he's getting at.

Well, I was pretty dirty.. I just traveled on the road for two days without a bath, sweating and diving into the dirt multiple times..

 I was about to take that as an offense, when I realized with a glance down at myself: yeah, I do look pretty stupid.. (My armor doesn't match, I'm dirty and disheveled and if this were reality my armor would probably be all dinged up.

I took a stroll through the market place selling what little loot I had and finding a buyer for my dragon bones and scales.

 aaanndd.......?


He then offered to give me a job stealing something in return for some coin.

 I steal for the dark brotherhood, not for thieves... Idiot..

I found my good, old friend Madesi. He told me all about his wonderful jewelry, how it's all hand made by him, and the only of it's kind left. Everything he says is true and I love his jewelry. I offered to help him find his amethysts.

 

Alright, now off to business.

Dragon Bullies

My path took me from Windhelm all the way to Riften. The journey takes forever without a steed to ride on (I'm REALLY looking forward to Shadowmere!) and it's crazy treacherous! Most of the way went as normal with the occasional attack by a lion, tiger or skeever, avoiding daedras and sneaking past bandits. There is a little inn on the way to Riften and I stopped there for a quick rest and to replenish my wits. When I exited the building a swooping sound along with a huge crash that rocked the building drew my attention upward and what did I see but a dragon! Oh no! Not again! I whined to myself. With my heart racing in my chest I stepped back against the wood of the building, hiding under the roof here while watching all of the people running around outside shouting and soldiers pointing arrows up at it. I waited for what seemed like forever for the people to kill the dragon for me.. but it became obvious none of them lacked the skill that I (the dragonborn) am supposed to have when it comes to killing dragons. With a defeated sigh I turned around and walked back into the inn. I slept for the night.

The next morning I awoke all bright and cheery and stepped outside to take in the sunny day only to find the dragon still there... really? Knowing it won't most likely leave any time soon if it stayed over night I took a deep breath such as one does before leaping into the deep end, and then ran for it! Thankfully the dragon was too busy with the inn's crew to pay attention to the fleeing khajeet down the road.

A few minutes later I saw the dragon right above me! I thought it was there to attack me.. and then it fell down to the ground right behind me lifelessly.. I skidded to a stop and looked at it in befuddlement, wondering what killed it.. Okaayy.. I walked over and collected it's bones and some scales to sell later. That my friends, is how I got my first dragon soul..

 Not long down the road I came accross yet another dragon, I was only thankful this one was busy attacking a giant camp. I watched the giant run away from the dragon and not return.


On a post in front of the camp was this note:

I guess I had stood around reading the note for too long because then the dragon was attacking me! I streaked off with it hot on my tail and I was no match for the speed of it's giant wings, it easily kept up with me! I kept ducking beneath overhanging cliffsides and into shadows, but nothing hid me! I died.

I reloaded my save and tried again, this time not stopping to read the note... but to no avail. The dragon spotted me and the chase was on again. I was killed. A third, and even fourth load of the save game proved no better. In eastmarch there is practically no ground cover to hide me, no trees, no caves, just all flat, volcanic ground! I was about to give up when I found not far from the giant camp a hunters camp!

 I chatted with them to see if they knew anything about the near by giant or dragon.. but they didn't know anything. Then I spotted a couple of their horses near by. I got an idea! I really didn't like the idea of stealing other people's horses because they never stay with you and it creates a bounty.. but I had no choice if I wanted to survive!

I hopped on one much to the screaming protests of the hunters and streaked off on it, barreling past several sabrecats (that had also had a hand in killing me) and the dragon!

I didn't look back. I rode all the way to riften.

I wasn't in the mood to play "toll"

And when I finally entered the city gates I fell back against the door thankfully, breathing heavily and feeling like I never wanted to leave!

Off To The Dark Brotherhood

I woke the next morning and chatted a few npc's up. I noticed my complexion has somehow seemed to get paler, but once I saw what I look like pale I didn't mind. I may even look better this way.

On the way out of the city I realized I still had some crappy armor and arrows from the imperial guards that were chasing me earlier. I had pickpocked them all first, removing their protection and weapons, with the hope that when they got hostile they would not be able to use them. The game cheated by the way..somehow they magically manifested weapons to chase me with. Anyhow..I dropped them in the middle of the street on the way to the city gates. A guard stopped me.

Then he asked if he made himself clear when I carelessly didn't reply. "Have I made myself clear?"

Tsk.. Knowing i'm still too weak to go up against him I paid him the measly 50 gold.

Geeze. I didn't know you could get fined for littering in Skyrim.


The world of Skyrim is tough:

 Even children bully.

When finished with my time in Whiterun I began my long journey to Windhelm. The travel was rough. I was attacked by many animals. I decided to travel the whole way in sneak mode with the hopes it would help me remain undetected by as many animals as possible while raising my sneak skill.

For the first time in my incarnation I met M'aiq the liar on the road! I thought hey! This is a great opportunity to practice my pickpocketing skills!

I pockpocketed M'aiq the liar. My skooma. >.>

I was stopped by bandits.

 I'm lucky i'm puny!

I also met the orc waiting for a good death and had a little talk with him. I deduced from our chat that I am not yet strong enough to provide him with a good death. He, however, provided me with a good death in the process of finding this out. I continued on my journey only to be ambushed by a group of really strong animals on the other side of the bridge and came STREAKING back across fleeing for my life yelling "Help me orc! Help me orc! Help me orc!"! He saved my life that day. (I know, I know.. after having already taken it once...)

I died a couple more times on the road to Windhelm, it was very frustrating. I seemed to be attacked by a very dangerous animal every few steps and it was nearly impossible to stay alive! Once a hunger surprised me from around a big boulder and began chasing me down the road. I was running for my life, and it was swinging at me as I ran depleting my health with each swing. It soon became apparent I couldn't run fast enough to stay out of it's reach! In a last ditch attempt to stay alive I veered a sharp right and lept off the side of a cliff into a river down below. It fled after me but lost me in the rapids as I took shelter in the fast moving currents against the side of a larger cliff face, in the shadows the setting sun cast.

By the time Windhelm came into view I was SO thankful to see it I could nearly have kissed the ground! The sun was already set and the weather was chilling me to the bone. I rushed toward the glowing lights of the stable, thankful to still be alive!

On my way accross the big bridge to the city gates one of the guards in passing mentioned this to me.

 I'm on my way!

It was very dark when I entered the city and I decided it may be best to continue tomorrow. I paused first to listen to a skirmish going on.

The next morning I entered the abandoned house to the sound of the voice of the boy. I calmly ascended the steps to the upstairs where he is located and approached him from behind. I was silent, so it was a surprise for him to see me standing there. I answered his prayers. My next stop is to Riften to kill the mean lady at the orphanage. I cursed Astrid's name as I left the house. The reason the black sacraments aren't getting answered is because Astrid has abandoned the night mother, stupid fool. I'm always the one who has to go do things right.