WARNING: ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPOILERS!

Unburying the Dead

With little else to do now, I thought I may as well go explore the ruin I could unlock using the key among the Deathbrand armour.
I set off for the small island where the place could be found which was not all that far from the Skaal village.

I came onto the shore on the opposite side of the island where I found a diary of someone named Saden.

Some savage creatures had slaughtered a crew of men. I could only assume they were still nearby, whatever they were.
All I could see were horkers.

Could these be the monsters mentioned?

I ignored the horkers and looked around I was surprised to met by one giant one.

The horker leader (dubbed Lord Tusk) attacked me without provocation and in that moment, the rest of his herd came to help him.

Alone, I had to defeat them all.

I wondered how anyone who wasn’t me ever survived in this country.

Around the corner at Gyldenhul Barrow, I was met by a couple of bandits who seemed to be claiming the ruin as their own.

Seeing to them swiftly, I went inside to seek out the mysteries of Deathbrand.

An already deceased adventurer in the first cavern carried on him a page from his diary.

There were two stalhrim veins embedded in coffins at either side of the room and as the note had said, I sensed that there was more to this place than just this small room.

Taking the opportunity to grab some of the rare material while I was here I uncovered a long dead draugr…

..and as I suspected, an opening to more of the ruin.


I passed through the gap and found myself in a hall full of riches.

I had never seen so much in one place. This was the sort of reward I should be getting for my services to the world. I decided to start helping myself.
As soon as I touched a gold piece, the gate behind me slammed down, closing me in.

I was trapped.
So I took all of the treasure for good measure.

My only option now was to go deeper into the ruin and look for an alternate way out.
The treasure trove opened into a huge hall.

This was the tomb of Haknir Death-Brand himself.

By his body lay his very own sword: Bloodscythe. I fancied it might make a suitable replacement for my own scimitar.

Again, touching the pirate’s property seemed to cause me problems. The ghost of Haknir rose and challenged me.


When he found that I was a match for him, he called upon his sizable ghost crew to help him.


Defending myself from all angles, the tough battle was an outstanding victory for me.

The ghost of Haknir, carried another scimitar: Soulrender, a sister to the first.

With the guardians of the barrow defeated, the way behind opened to me, allowing me freedom.
Back outside, I passed by the corpses of the horkers, where I also noticed the body of Saden himself, whom I had somehow overlooked before.

By his body was a weapon that should have helped in his situation. It showed me again that no one but me should be travelling outside of high walled areas.

I made my way back to Raven Rock where my tribe-kin rejoined me. I had wondered where he had got to.

I went to give Glover the recipe he had asked for.

As thanks he gave me the key to his house and said I could help myself to the things in the basement.
I went down to have a look.
One of the things I found was an East Empire Pendant.

More interestingly, was his unique enchanted Thieves Guild Blackguard armour.

Yet more curious was a letter revealing that he was father to Sapphire of the guild.

I took it. He had not sent it, but perhaps I would deliver it for him.

I stopped by my Solstheim home and did a little decorating.

Having run out of things to do, I decided that it might be a good idea to locate the rest of the Black Books. I recalled Neloth saying that he may know how to do so, so I started making my way to his home.
On the way, a stone’s throw from Raven Rock I met a mer muttering to himself named Ralis Sedarys.

He told me that he had been sent to find the relics of Ahzidal.

Kolbjorn Barrow was buried underneath ash beneath our feet and was home to the treasures.
He was concerned that he may never find them on his own and was looking for funding to excavate the ruin.
With my recently found wealth, I offered the money he needed: a full 1,000 gold.
Pleased to make me his partner, he informed me that he would hire some miners and begin the work. All I had to do was wait for a message from him.

I bid him farewell and went on.
Shortly afterwards I was assaulted by some Morag Tong assassins, clearly out for revenge.

The list of people who wanted me dead seemed to be growing faster than it was shrinking…

Another person I had kept waiting was near enough on the route to Neloth’s home, so I stopped by to help Tharstan with his exploration of Vahlok’s Tomb.

I entered and he came dashing towards me. I could only assume there was trouble.

It seemed that the dash was more from excitement than danger.
The first room of the tomb was a large open area, but Tharstan had not discovered a way to go any further in.

A plaque read ‘A sacrifice will bring you closer to that which you seek’.
In front of it was a pit, which I imagined could be opened.

Below the cage, burned hot flames. I deduced that the sacrifice should go here.
About the place lay a number of already dead draugr. Hopefully one of these would do. I dragged one over to the grate.

It did nothing.
I realised that the weight of the body alone would not activate the grating, so I looked about for a switch or lever.
Just by the sacrificial pit was a gate which at first I thought would be opened by solving this puzzle.

However, at either side was a place for the dragon claw keys I had found a number of across Skyrim.
I looked about some more.

Someone had left a coin purse in this unusual vantage point, but there was little else of use here.
I tried dropping one of the draugrs weapons through the gaps in the cage, but that too failed.

Feeling foolish, I found the handle on the same stand where the original clue was written.

As I had already surmised, as the body fell into the flames, the gate ahead of it did not open.
However, two other gates at either side of the hall did.


This was similar to some other ruins I had visited. One half of the claw would be on one side, the other on the other.
I went left first.
More puzzles coupled with traps.

The clue here read ‘Continue along the path, don’t tread where you’ve been.’
It seemed unusual for these ancients to use abbreviations.
The puzzle was simple. Step on each square without doing so more than once.
The path opened.
On the other side of the bars was a word wall and deadly draugr.

Their leader carried the claw piece.

The word wall had the word ‘loyal’ for a new shout ‘Battle Fury’, which would imbue my allies with extra speed.

Back through the first hall and to the other side we went to seek the other piece.
Here was another puzzle.

The clue cryptically read ‘All men must die, often by their own means’.
Below us, row upon row of coffins went further than the eye could see.

In the centre, a pillar with markings on it and a bow laid on one stand.

On the ground a couple of other weapons.

I replaced them on the stands they belonged.

Nothing happened.
I then noticed the smaller pillars around the room. Realising my mistake, I set about correctly solving the puzzle. I had to strike each small pillar with the corresponding weapon type.
First a blade.

Next magic.

Last a bow.

The next room open to me, we were faced with a similar situation as on the other side of the ruin.

I won the second half of the dragon claw key

and the word ‘Valor’ for the new shout.

We returned the entry hall and I used the keys to open the locked gate.

In here, we found another clue ‘Stay your course. To idle is to die.’
Ahead was nothing. A long drop into water below.
A handle on the stand may reveal what was to be done.

Magical platforms appeared forming a bridge allowing me to cross the water.

Not taking care to heed the warning, I stopped to look at the bridge while on it.

I did not stop long as I learned what the clue meant. The blocks of bridge did not last long and faded as quickly as they appeared, meaning I would have to keep moving in order to keep something solid below my feet.

Reaching the other end caused the bridge to reform permanently, giving me a route back, and also a way for Tharstan and my tribe-kin to follow me.

We carried on through the passage we had reached and came to another similar drop. At the bottom we could make out shades who seemed to be waiting for victims to slaughter.

The way across was the similar to before, but now the blocks disappeared faster.


Below, I dropped Kenny the Dremora to deal with the restless shades.

At the end of a series of these magic bridges, we came to a room locked by one of the doors I had seen so many of before.

This time however, my claw key did not show the combination required to unlock it.
Tharstan looked on the wall carvings to find any clues.

Fortunately he was able to decipher the symbols needed and we were able to get through.
This was it: Vahlok’s Tomb.

We walked in and I foolishly didn’t notice that almost every inch of path was covered with flame traps.

I jumped into the water, which was safer. As I did so, the Dragon Priest Vahlok rose from his coffin to face us.


He retreated to a corner where he hovered over some water, meaning that I could only use ranged attacks against him.

I was able to get in close by climbing onto the ledge beside him and could use my full melee strength against him.

Tharstan attacked from the front but was knocked into the water.

Having taken the high ground, I was able to defeat Vahlok the Jailer.

Tharstan was grateful for my assistance and gave me 1,000 gold. I had already earned my money back from my earlier investment.
The room held the last word wall for my newest shout teaching me the Dov for ‘Inspire’.

Tharstan said that he would stay and study the tomb, but he wouldn’t require me to stick around. So I said my goodbye and began heading back.
Some tribe-kin had arrived but were loitering in a corridor, clearly too late to have been any help in the fight.

It wasn’t much further to Tel Mithryn. I could finally go to meet Neloth and ask him about the books.
Before stopping I grabbed a power from the Sun Stone.

Part 39 Here
Chapter List Here

WARNING: ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPOILERS!

The Dragonborn Vs The Dragonborn

The time had come. Miraak’s rule had cost too much already and had to be put to an end.
I took out the first black book ‘Waking Dreams’ and read.

As before, I was taken into the realm of Apocrypha.

The road was the usual I had come to expect of the place. Seekers and the like attempting to block my path through the libraries.
After a while I came across an unusual book containing a verse.

It was called ‘Boneless Limbs’

It seemed to describe the tentacle creatures that filled the waters.
I wondered what use it would be as I continued.

Soon enough I found a similar book called ‘Delving Pincers’.


And another: ‘Prying Orbs’.

And one more ‘Gnashing Blades’.


I finally came to a large room in which I noticed empty book stands.

They had on them images which I imagined were connected to the tomes I had collected.

I went about placing the books in their proper places, matching the poems to the images
Doing so revealed one of the Chapter books which would take me to another area of this library.

I was transported to a Word Wall guarded by more seekers.

As I fought, I was able to learn the word it held: ‘Wyrm’: the final word for Dragon Aspect.

As the power of the word came into me, a serpentine dragon named Sahrotaar attacked.
Now was the time for me to use my newest ability: dragon taming.

With a simple shout, he ceased his attack and landed at my side ready to do my bidding.

I mounted him and had him set off for Miraak’s location. The final confrontation was near.


I tested his power on some of Apocrypha’s monsters before we made our destination.


Sahrotaar set me down on a high platform where Miraak seemed to be waiting for my arrival.

He seemed pleased with the chance to prove himself the true Dragonborn and in doing so, escape Hermaeus Mora’s servitude.
The battle begun and I was happy to show him that I was the dragon master here.
I summoned Durnehviir to aid putting the fight on even footing with one Dragonborn and two dragons on either side.

Above us circled his two loyal dragons Kruziikrel and Relonikiv.

While Durnehviir fought Miraak, Sahrotaar and I took to the skies to face off against them.
This tactic turned out to be foolish. Two dragons against one, while a dragonborn legend fought another.
Durnehviir fell and after a short time, Sahrotaar was knocked out of the sky with me upon him.
I landed safely, but was now alone against the three opponents.
I concentrated my efforts on Miraak as the dragons seemed to be happy to stay out of it.

Miraak was in Dragon Aspect form and using a number of shouts against me. I was unable to return in kind having used my energy calling for Durnehviir’s aid.
I resorted to using every other weapon at my disposal.

After beating him almost to death, he did something quite extraordinary. He pulled Kruziikrel from the sky, dead and absorbed his soul in order to regain his own strength.

The duel continued.



Miraak was almost beaten again, but destroyed his second dragon ally to regain his power.

At full strength again, it was as though the battle so far had been for nought, but now at least the fight was between the two of us.

I had beaten him down twice already, doing so a third time was tiring, but I was capable.
At the last, Miraak must have been wishing for another dragon to absorb, but instead was met by his old master Hermaeus Mora.
Displeased with the disobedience and thinking he had a new champion in me, Mora put an end to Miraak for me.

As his lifeless body fell, the souls of all the dragons he had consumed flew out of him and into me.

And should anyone question again who the Dragonborn was, I had his sword and mask to prove it.

The battle won, I approached the Black Book to learn its secrets.

This one was unlike the others. It offered me a chance to relearn things I had already learned before or change my skills if I saw fit.

I was happy with my abilities as they were so I left.

In moments I was back in the Skaal village where the people had cleared the square.

Once again I had that feeling that saving the world wasn’t as rewarding as it was cracked up to be…

Only one person came to meet me: Storn’s daughter Frea.

She was grateful that I had defeated Miraak and freed the people of Solstheim, but warned me that I should be careful not to end up on the path he went down: serving Hermaues Mora.
I wasn’t much of a fan of that idea either.

Heroically, I wondered what I should do now…

Part 38 Here
Chapter List Here

WARNING: ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPOILERS!

Beasts and The Beastly

I had to swim back to the mainland but found the shore to be a dangerous place.

Werebears were slaughtering horkers. Perhaps their way of hunting.

The trouble was, that once the hunt was over, I seemed to form the shape of a reasonable meal too…

I showed them the error of their ways by revealing my own beast blood.

Now having to wait my transformation to wear off, I went on my way towards the Skaal village.
Not far along the path, I was attacked by a madman.

A true madman to take on a werewolf barehanded.


Though, he carried another note about a Black Book.

I wondered how these men were coming across the volumes.

I passed close to the Word Wall I had previously visited where another dragon was on guard.

This one had little in common with its powerful predecessor though.

I decided to take a look at this source of Stalhrim before delivering the map to the Skaal, in case more danger presented itself.

The path fortunately took me past the place I would find Glover’s acquaintance and retrieve the stolen formula from him: Castle Karstaag Caverns.

Inside was a huge Riekling settlement.

I took a breath, preparing for the eventuality of having to slice my way through hordes of the little people.
Luckily though, the body of Esmond Tyne, the man I was searching for, lay just by the entrance.

I took the formula and left.

Shortly afterwards, I made my unconventional way to the Stalhrim source.

Travelling to the Skaal village was more eventful than I thought it would be.
I passed White Ridge Barrow, the known location of a Black Book. Priorities suggested that I go in straight away.

I entered to a horrible sight.

These bandits had clearly wanted to keep something locked inside here.
I went in and found a number of dead bandits and spiders strewn everywhere.

Among a few live beasts.


Further inside I heard the voices of survivors.
As I rushed to meet them, I found that these bandits seemed to have something terribly wrong with them and were not in the slightest pleased to see a human face.


Whatever curse was upon them seemed to lift on their deaths, though an eternity in the Soul Cairn might not be much better…

It should not have been a surprise that the ruin also held Draugr.

Strangely, the scene I had met at the barrow entrance was repeated with a minor change in detail.

On the other side of the door was a large hall in which I could make out more of the cursed bandits.

I attempted to sneak by, looking to find what was going on here, but inadvertently walked into one I had not noticed.

He alerted his allies to my presence, so the battle commenced.
I was surprised that one of their number was throwing flaming spiders at me.

Despite the distracting and blinding spider explosions, I was able to overcome my attackers.

The woman had some more of the weaponised bugs left on her person.

She, Merilar Rendas, also carried a diary.

Seemed like some madness was taking hold here.
In another chamber, I found the safety cage she had mentioned holding the dead body of whom I supposed was her partner in this.

Servos Rendas note revealed more about the project.


So, they were in fact creating these spiders using the apparatus here and the bandits were being mind controlled.

I decided to do some experiments of my own having a number of the spider pods lying about from the population here and carrying a number of gems from my travels.
An spider pod and flawless ruby gave me some Jumping Flame Spiders.

While a Flawless Emerald produced Jumping Poison Spiders.

A Flawless Sapphire imbued Frost.

Trying a few other combinations of pods, damaged pods, salt piles and gems gave more results.



I finally attempted a pod with Stalhrim, but that did nothing.

With no sign of a Mind Control Spider I left the machine, remembering I could return at any time now I knew its location and carried on searching for the Black Book I had come for.
I found a room where more of the mind controlled bandits were being kept with spiders in a form of horrific torture jail.

This barrow was proving to be quite a find as I located another Word Wall within it…

..though guarded by the Dragon Priest Dukaan.



The Word Wall showed me the Dov word for Unleash as part of a Cyclone shout.

A short way off, I finally located the Black Book and the routine began.

In The Sallow Regent, I would learn yet more secrets to use against Miraak.


It was unusually dark in this place.


I had Kenny give me a helping hand.

Together we found the book…


…which allowed me to cast spells while using less magicka.

Back to Solstheim, where I still needed to reach the Skaal village, I pressed on.

I passed a small riekling settlement, another rival tribe.
Had they attempted artwork?


They had made a home about an upturned boat patched with Dwemer machinery. It was strange, but the loot was minimal.
I found another pendant however.

Continuing on my way, I was distracted by a bloody mess outside a cave.

This was the Altar of Thrond. I did not know what Thrond was about, but I knew that I did not much like human sacrifice. (conveniently forgetting that one time I did it..)
A cave by the altar might hold clues to what was happening here.

Inside was a number of dead creatures, other sacrifices perhaps.

In the largest part of the cave I found the culprit… a hagraven.

Or three.. this made sense now.

Defeating these three hopefully ensured the safety of some maidens elsewhere. I assumed that along the line I would meet someone who might reward me for this, but I was happy to rid the world of these monsters for nothing.

On the last leg of the journey to the Skaal village I passed Miraak’s temple.
This was the last stone still corrupted by his power, so I attempted to undo it.

My shout had no effect.

Finally I was back at the Skaal village where I met Baldor at the blacksmiths.

In thanks for bringing him the map, he showed me how to forge stalhrim myself and was happy to let me use his forge. I didn’t have enough of the material to make anything, so I passed.

Before I could approach Storn, Tharstan, a local historian visiting the village approached me asking for my service.

He wished to explore a tomb belonging to someone named Vahlok and wished for someone to provide protection.
I agreed to meet him when I had time, but for now I really had much more important things to do.

I found Storn in his usual place.

Having cleansed the stones, he agreed it was time to give Herma Mora the secrets he wanted.
His daughter pleaded with him to reconsider, but he was sure that this was necessary.

He borrowed my Black Book and began to read so that he may meet the Daedric Prince.

I expected him to disappear for a while, but it did not happen as I thought.
Tentacles reached out from the book and impaled the shaman.

Hermaus Mora himself appeared and gloated over his victory.

The secrets meant little to him. Simply the fact that secrets were being kept against him was what he disliked.

Having got what he came for, he left the lifeless body of Storn at the feet of his daughter and passed on the Word I would need to defeat Miraak: Dragon.

Part 37 ‘The Dragonborn Vs The Dragonborn’ Here
Chapter List Here

WARNING: ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPOILERS!

Assassins, Hunters, Usurpers and Kidnappers

With the journal in hand I returned to Raven Rock to hand it to its rightful owner.
I managed to hand out a few more Sujamma samples.

to Bralsa Drel and Glover Mallory.

I noticed he had a Shadow Mark on his door frame.

As it turned out, he was the brother of Delvin Mallory. As a member of the guild he asked that I help him. A man named Esmond Tyne had stolen an advanced Bonemold formula from him and we wanted me to get it back.
He also asked that if I ran into Crescius Caerellius that I have him return the Ancient Nordic Pickaxe he had borrowed from him. Seeing as I was heading to his location anyway, this was easy enough to agree to.

Crescius was happy to have closure about his great grandfathers fate and gave me 750 gold in gratitude.
I then asked him about the axe and grudgingly he handed it over, saying that as a miner by trade he deserved it more than the blacksmith. I gave him my last Sujamma bottle hoping it would make him feel better.

I returned the axe to Glover, who told me that I could keep it. He didn’t really need it and wanted it back mainly to let people know that he wasn’t someone who could be taken advantage of.

As I turned to leave and make may way back to the Skaal village, Captain Veleth approached me and told me that Adril Arano needed to see me urgently.

It seemed important, but I thought I’d drop in on Geldis first and let him know I’d finished delivering his Sujamma.

He gave me 2,000 gold as thanks and I could already see that the inn was busier than it had been.

Having done this, I sought out the Second Councillor.

He informed me that he was suspicious that there may be a plot against Councillor Morvayn’s life. He believed that a member or members of the Ulen family were among the Raven Rock citizens secretly and planning to take revenge against the leader for his execution of one of their ancestors who betrayed him. He asked that I keep things secret, but I could speak to Geldis and see if he had any leads. He could be trusted.
I went directly to him.

He told me that someone had been leaving ash yams in the Ulen family tomb every night. If I could find out who it was, that might be a lead. Apparently Arano’s Redoran Guard had attempted this already, but when they were known to be watching, the culprits never showed up. My being a stranger might get around that.
I went to the tomb and hid to see what would turn up.

A womer entered.

I spoke to her. It was Tilisu Severin. She told me that she was leaving the offerings in respect as no one else in town would.

I did not press her, recalling how my investigation needed to be kept secret. Her appearance was not hard proof that she was the assassin anyhow.
I found Arano in the Retching Netch to report my findings.

He agreed that we needed hard evidence before accusing anyone, so he gave me a key to her house. I was to sneak in and find something, if there was anything.
He also told me that if I found evidence and they attacked me, I should defend myself.
I was not going to act with violence until I knew that they were guilty, so I geared myself up to sneak about.

My Aetherial Crown would come in handy here.

I told my tribe-kin to wait outside, but unfortunately the dead thrall would obey no instructions. So as I crept in and made myself invisible with the power of the crown, the cultist strode in nonchalantly.
The Severins attacked him and cut him down. I was not happy about this, but they could arguably be defending their home from an intruder. Especially as it was one of Miraak’s cultists, I could not blame them.

Until I had evidence of their treachery, I could not raise a hand.
As I searched, I found the house was quite splendid.


I poked around in chests and drawers until I found the family safe. If there were secrets, they would be here.

Success.


I had the proof Arano was wanting. I crept out unseen, having to leave my thrall behind. I had the authority now to carry out execution, but perhaps the people of Raven Rock would prefer a fair trial.

I found Arano in the Councillor’s home.

Now that we were both sure that the Severins were plotting against the leaders, Arano ordered that they be hunted down. The family had likely fled to Ashfallow Citadel, so two Redoran Guard had been sent after them. Arano asked me to join them and finish this.
I was not sure why I should be so involved but Arano insisted.
I agreed, but with the knowledge that the Severins were gone, I realised I could now go and rescue my thrall.



We marched towards the fort. On the way, I passed the dead miner again, this time realising that his accident may have been caused by drink.

I then passed the abandoned house I had seen earlier, though this time, it was not quite so abandoned.

They were Thalmor!

It had been some time since I had dealt any damage to these vile elves and I was happy to see an end to them.
Their leader carried a note.

It mentioned a smith. Perhaps this was the Baldor Iron-Shaper I had been asked to find.
Inside, I did indeed see him slumped in the corner.

He was hugely relieved at my appearance, but told me that more of the Thalmor had taken a map showing the location of a source of Stalhrim. He was not strong enough to go after them and begged that I do it. The Thalmor would be too powerful if allowed to find the Stalhrim. He did not care if the elves lived or died, simply that the map was retrieved.
Their being Thalmor meant that I would see them dead, map or not.
For now though, I needed to get to the Severins.
I passed a ruined outpost where I found another Empire Pendant.

As I reached the fort, I was assaulted by some assassins. The Redoran Guard were nowhere to be seen.


After seeing to them, I searched for my companions. They had already been killed.

They must have been taken by surprise by the number of assassins, expecting to only find the family as I had.
Inside, the family had barricaded themselves behind a number of traps and barriers which I had to avoid and deactivate before I could get to them.

Mirri Severin fell in the first wave.
Among the loot in the fort was a book.



I would have to look into Kolbjorn Barrow at some point myself and learn the secrets for myself. If it involved dragon priests, perhaps I could use it against Miraak.
In the main chamber of the fort I found Vendil and Tilisu Severin with two assassin bodyguards.

My Cultist had not made it through the traps, and my riekling had fallen back too, so I had to fight alone.


Tilisu was first to fall. Vendil however was a powerful warrior, very much a worthy match for me.

My Riekling had caught up with me at this point, so at least the odds had evened.
With a forceful effort, I ended Vendil. On his person he carried a curious key.

I wondered what it was for.

On the walk back to Raven Rock, feeling as though I was putting off the important task of dealing with Miraak for too long, I discovered another East Empire Pendant in a camp, which was home to a female reaver.

Further along the way I met a hunter.

He invited me to join he and his companions as they hunted a netch. They believed defeating one would be worthy of glory and generations of songs in their name.
I declined. Somehow, I could not bring myself to harm these peaceful creatures.
I watched as the men went after a bull.


One of the men was killed quite quickly.


Working together, the remaining three fought on..


Their combined effort brought the animal down.


The men were pleased with their victory, though sad at the passing of their friend.
I helped myself to the jelly.

I continued my short walk.
Once again I came across a pyromancer and a cryomancer in combat.
Once again, they both decided that I was a greater threat despite doing nothing to provoke them.

This time however, they were both women.

I had no choice but to kill the dangerous women before moving on.

Further on my path I was pestered by an insect I had never seen before…

..as well as a group of reavers.

Their leader carried an interesting blade, which I helped myself to.


Among their booty was another Empire Pendant..

..and some Stalhrim bracers.

I found Arano in the marketplace at Raven Rock.

He was pleased to hear the news that the threat against Morvayn was over and requested that I join him to give the leader the news.

Morvayn was especially happy that I had saved his life and in return he gave me a reward of 10,000 gold.
More importantly, he allowed me to take Severin Manor as my home on Solstheim.
I was happy to agree.
I stopped by straight away to make it my own.

After a nights rest, I set out, intending to seek out the Thalmor in the north.
Not far from Raven Rock I met a group of Cultists who seemed to be relaxing on the beach. When they saw me they went for me immediately.

At this point I realised that my own cultist follower had gone missing again.

Further north I saw the people who had been working on the Water Stone before stood about doing very little.

The woman told me that she needed to get back to her ship.

A little more along the way I found a herd of netch. Again I felt I would rather not hurt the beasts and decided to look for their jelly elsewhere.

A short way more I passed through a rival tribe of Rieklings. One of them had another of the Dibella Statues.

Finally, I reached my destination. I could see the Thalmor and readied myself for combat.

I approached them yet they showed no sign of hostility. I sheathed my weapon and spoke with the guard.

He agreed to let me speak with his leader Ancarion, but warned that any sign on trouble would mean the end of my life.

As was to be expected of a Thalmor, he was quite dismissive of my presence, walking past me as though there was no stranger on his ship.

When I grabbed his attention he spoke with the usual arrogance of his groups kind.

I told him I had come about the Stalhrim map at which point his tone became threatening.
I considered taking a tactful approach towards the situation, but these were Thalmor: undeserving of such grace.
I told them to leave or forfeit their lives.

Ancarion wisely opted to organise his men and sail away from the island. The weapon was not worth their lives.
It had been a victory over their stubbornness and perhaps they would now know not to upset the Skaal people.
I disembarked the ship and stopped.

These were Thalmor. The true villains of Skyrim’s civil war. The elves that the country should have united against. The number of atrocities in their name were countless, not to mention the crimes of this very group: kidnap, theft, torture.
I would never forgive myself for letting them walk away.

Searching their camp after ending them all I found another pendant.

Ironically, nearby was a reasonable amount of Stalhrim on a small island.


I helped myself.

Part 36 ‘Beasts and The Beastly’ Here
Chapter List Here

WARNING: ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPOILERS!

Minding the Mine

On my return to Skyrim, the ship captain Kjar asked me again to hunt down a mutinous crewman for him. He said he was hiding out in Stony Creek Cave.

I said I would if I had time.

I stepped off the boat and to my surprise found that my missing thralls were waiting for me.

I had little to do in Skyrim besides deliver the Dwarven schematic. I first went to Windstad to make some improvements.
One of which was a fish hatchery.

At Fort Dawnguard I interrupted mealtime again to deliver Sorine’s schematic for the enhanced Dwarven crossbow.

The trip to Skyrim had been quite uneventful, but I passed on running Kjar’s errand and returned directly to Solstheim.
Just off the shore of Raven Rock I noticed a little island that looked like it could be a ruin of some kind. Perhaps it held some treasure.

It wasn’t and it didn’t. But it provided a good view.

In Raven Rock I noticed one of the abandoned houses and decided to have a look for the Emberbrand.

I found a lot of the urns in here, which suggested to me that perhaps they weren’t urns, but nothing else.

In town, someone was selling them. I wished to find out what it really was.

The storekeep Fethis Alor told me about his connections to the East Empire Trading Company and how he was keen to get hold of some of the rare pendants they used to give out.
I sold him the ones I had gathered for 500 gold each.

Having just returned from the long trek to Skyrim and what with the abandoned houses in Raven Rock, I wondered if any were up for sale.
Instinctively I wandered up to the largest building in the town assuming it was the leader’s hall.
I was mistaken. This grumpy man told me that I could not enter the temple.

So I didn’t.

The Councillor, Lleril Morvayn, was actually at in the building at the foot of the temple stairs.

He had nothing to say about selling me a house.

I next visited the local inn, The Retching Netch.
Inside I spoke to Cindiri Arano.

It turned out that the rare copy of the Lusty Argonian Maid belonged to her. I gave it to her and in thanks she gave me a Circlet of Peerless Illusion. Worthless to me as I could easily make my own.

The inn was like none I had seen in Skyrim.

The barkeep, Geldis Sadri was a friendly sort.

He told me about his new brand of Sujamma and wanted me to spread the word by handing out free samples.
So! That stuff was alcohol, not the remains of dead mer.

I got to it straight away, imagining it wouldn’t take long. The first takers were:
Dreyla Alor

Mirri Severin

Fethis Alor

Garyn Ienth

and Milore Ienth who asked that I locate some netch jelly for her.

On meeting many of the locals, many had mentioned that the closing of the mine had been a huge blow to the town. I decided to have a look at it for myself and see what the problem was.

Inside the mine a couple were arguing. The old man seemed to want to explore the mine himself but the womer was trying to talk him out of it.

Crescius Caerellius great grandfather had died in the mines many years before and he believed that the East Empire Company had lied about what happened in an attempt to hide some secrets. They told him it was a rockfall, but he believed otherwise and wanted to find out.
He gave me a letter he had asking his relative to look into some ruins that had been discovered in the mine.


If he could not go in, he wanted me to look for him. He gave me the key which would unlock the way into the deepest parts of the mine. I gave him and his wife some Sujamma.

The mine was incredibly deep.

It seemed that Crescius’ great grandfather was not the only fatality here either.


Unsurprisingly, the place was infested with spiders.

I did find another pendant anyway.

I unlocked the mine gate.

Beyond it, draugr began to emerge. No wonder the place was closed for business.

There were also numerous traps.

And a little more of the strange ore.

I also found a little of the netch jelly I was after.

It wasn’t too long before I found what looked like it could be the secret.

The remains of Gratian Caerellius were here among dead draugr and his own assistant.

He was carrying with him an unusual blade.

His diary had a little to say about its power and what had happened to him.


Using the advice from the diary, I wield the blade and attempted to open the door.

Swinging the sword hard enough caused a burst of energy to spring forth.

Having the energy match the markings on the door was the secret. The doorway opened for us.

With an ethereal shout I passed through the swinging blades unharmed.

On the other side of the pendulums was a large watery room with a word wall.

We entered and were greeted by a Dragon Priest, who immediately attacked.


The mask of Zahkriisos was different to those I had seen before.

The word wall held the word ‘armour’ for Dragon Aspect.

I was surprised to also find a Black Book down here.

I opened it.

The books name was ‘The Wind of Change’ and as before I made my way through to learn its secrets.


A powerful Lurker Vindicator was the main challenge here, guarding the book here.


The book granted me the ability to cause no harm to my allies. Which seemed like a good thing.

Back in Solstheim, the passage led me to the secret entry I had found and been unable to open in Bloodskal Barrow before.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way I had lost one of my Cultist followers.

Part 35 ‘Assassins, Hunters, Usurpers and Kidnappers’ Here
Chapter List Here

Lyrics:
Blood red sky on a desert road
Gotta make my way down to Mexico
For what I did I know that it was wrong
The fire in my heart, it will never die
Everything I love will be left behind
No turning back, forever gone tonight

All my love Anastasia, Anastasia
This may be our last goodbye
You can’t save me, I am fading
Blood is on my hands tonight

All that I need is a miracle
Lawmen got me running now forever more
They’ll hunt me down until the end of time
Oh my mama, now I’ve got to go
Never love another how I’ve loved you so
I’m so afraid to leave this all behind

[2x]
All my love Anastasia, Anastasia
This may be our last goodbye
You can’t save me, I am fading
Blood is on my hands tonight

[Solo]

All my love Anastasia, Anastasia
This may be our last goodbye
You can’t save me, I am fading
Blood is on my hands tonight

Anastasia, Anastasia
For you’re all I took of life
You can’t save me, I am fading
Blood is on my hands tonight

[Solo]