Morrowind Role Play

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Lander thought the sight of the robed figure on the road shouting at Imperials was a comical one, and certainly unexpected. The Altmer mage (it was safe to assume that's what he was) was glaring daggers at the guards and it was apparent that they had arrived in the middle of an argument.

Lander had the sneaking suspicion the the man was also a Telvanni.

 

Chirra just stared in amazement at the Altmer with ears thrust forward. What in the world had caused the normally controlled Imperial Guard to be tossing pebbles at a mage? It was like a bad play, a farce.

Oh well, better to not get involved so she headed to the main entrance of the Fort.

 

Astarel joined Chirra in staring. She'd certainly seen a few strange sights since leaving home, but this one was still worthy of note. This kind of behaviour seemed unusual for her kin and the Imperial soldiers both, and the rocks...it looked painful as well as embarassing.

"Excuse me," she said, walking up to the other Altmer and offering him something he'd managed to drop in his tumble. "Are those soldiers bothering you? They seemed quite friendly to our folk when I've encountered them..."

 

"Friendly?!" Publumwe barked, accepting the object and stowing it in a guar-hide pouch at his waist. He looked over the fellow Altmer and understanding dawned on his face as he nodded. "I've no doubt they were, and I've no doubt why it was, either. Their kind only have three goals in their pathetic lives; to eat, to kill, and to reproduce." He looked her in the eye. "And as for the last objective...well, to such as them, the soiling of higher blood is a victory."

 

Oh no, not this can of worms again, thought Astarel. You'd be in a position to complain if the Imperials' delusions of grandeur begin to rival our own?

"I'm not sure if you're referring to the Imperials as a people or to the Cyrodiil army in particular," she retorted somewhat coldly, "But if you mean the former, then it seems you're falling prey to a rather erroneous generalisation that you couldn't possibly hope to empirically validate in a single lifetime, even one so long as ours.

"However, it certainly does look like these specific guardsmen were spoiling for a fight, though I'd be curious to know why."

 

Publumwe raised his eyebrow and sniffed. "I referred only to this particular batch of louts. However, the Imperial race is generally barbaric, and their Legion is the epitome of that characteristic. I have no need to validate those facts, as you yourself purport that both statements are generalisations. As with any generalisation, there will be exceptions. Some Imperials can control their baser instincts and make quite intelligent individuals. But it is a rarity."

"As for the source of their pugnacity," he said frigidly, with a slight cast of distaste to his lips, "I suggest you ask them, if you really find it so difficult to divine yourself."

 

"Davion, let us proceed to find out about this bit of work that might be available and let those of the higher species sort out their altercations." With that Chirra continued into the Fort. A guard directed them to the back and down a flight of stairs.

"Davion, I think you should speak to this Imperial. Why does he need freelance people? The Imperial soldiers have the reputation of being the best fighters in Tamriel." Chirra dropped behind Davion as they went down the stairs.

 

"Now that is an odd outlook for an Altmer. Normaly you would find that sort of attitude from one of my people, not one of the "High" elves. Genraly such a reserved race."

"Such a strange man" thought Lander "He would definately be welcomed into the Great Houses with that attitude. What's strange is the Imperials normaly couldn't care one way or the other about what people thought about them. He must have insulted them quiet badly."

 

"Heh heh, I wouldn't mind putting that reputation to the test someday. But anyway, I'm not sure why they're looking. The person I talked to didn't mention why they needed freelancers, only that they needed them. Maybe they're busy elsewhere and can't spare anyone right now."

When they got to the bottom of the stairs, Davion saw a man in fancy looking armor sitting at a desk, reading a thick book. He looked up as the group approached him and said, "Yes? Can I help bayou?"

"Uhm, yes, I hope so. We heard that someone here was looking for people for a freelance job."

"That would be me. I am Captain Larrius. Normally the Imperial Legion wouldn't need to hire people like you, but lately our resources been stretched very thin due to reports of Corprus monsters between here and Suran. We've already lost several soldiers out there, and we can't spare anyone for other problems, like the bandits on the way up to Red Mountain. If you can sort this little bandit problem out, you will all have my gratitude and 500 drakes each."

 

Chirra nodded, "No problem. We're headed up to Red Mountain and would be honored to help out the Imperial Legion for 500 drakes each. Do you have any idea how many and roughly from where they operated?"

"Reports indicate at least 6 with 1 or more mages. They are about half way between here and Red Mountain but they move around looking for pilgrims. They may avoid you if they think you are seasoned fighters."

"I've a tattered robe I can wear over my armor. If I can persuade my companions to look properly apprehensive we should pass for pilgrims being escorted by this warrior." She nods in Davion's direction.

Davion and Chirra return to the others and explain the situation. Chirra studies the Telvanni Altmer a bit and just shakes her head.

 

Astarel shrugged. "It's not out of our way, and it probably wouldn't hurt to not have them around if we get back from the ruins battered. Not to mention we can probably take them, but genuine pilgrims might not do as well, and if the Legion is too short-handed to defend them at the minute... I think it's a good idea," she nodded, ignoring her snide kinsman.

It was nice to see one of us again, but it reminds me of all the reasons why I left Summurset Isle in the first place. When I have more to agree on with a Dunmer and Telvanni of all things than I do with one of my people... She shrugged it off. No matter. Business first, brooding later - if at all, she admonished herself and let the thoughts go.

 

Chirra lead the way as they headed to the Red Mountain, scouting for danger. They all kept a lookout for the bandits as well as other potential problems. The day was hot and dusty which was normal for the area. Except for a few cliff racers and other animals all was quiet.

 

Davion took a swig from a waterskin to get the dust out of his throat. As he was putting the skin back on his belt, he heard rocks tumbling down behind him. Spinning around and pulling out his sword, he saw two people with drawn swords and evil smirks on their faces, as well as a robed woman standing behind them.

"Oh great, bandits!" he exclaimed, as if he wasn't expecting them. "Get your religious butts out of here while I deal with these guys!"

 

Just as Davion called out Chirra saw three figures in front of them one slightly behind the other two was obviously a mage. Without hesitation she sprang forward dodging the two in front and leaped for the mage landing on him with claws extended. He threw up his staff to ward her off thereby disrupting a spell he had started. Her claws ripped down his face and into his throat. A back kick trust off a warrior coming to the mage's aid. The battle was on.

 

Lander threw what apprered to be a ball of fire at at one of the attackers. The Bandit, a Dunmer, mearly shruged off the effects of the fire... but the lightning effects Lander had hidden in the spell ended the man in seconds.

With one oponent down Lander looked for the other two Rogues.

 

Swiftly disembowling the mage Chirra lashes out at a warrior and manages to avoid a spear thrust from another. She doesn't have time to check what is happening behind her and hopes the others are alright. She can hear the fight and felt the heat of the fire burst from one of the magic users.

She feints a slash left and with the right takes out a sizable piece of the spear man. The warrior has a claymore so she dances around him trying to get in position for a back leap but he moves quickly. It's amazing how fast some big guys can be.

 

From her position a step behind Chirra, Astarel froze for a second as the fight unfolded around her in a matter of seconds. When she'd regained her bearings, the Khajiit was struggling with a brute of a man carrying a sword almost as tall as she was, and there was another figure carrying a spear trying to get under her friend's guard.

Damn. Let's even the odds a bit, she thought, focusing her mind; when she blinked a remembered image of arcane runes flared briefly behind her eyes, then she gestured with her hands and lightning flared out from them to strike the claymore-wielding man squarely in the back. He didn't fall, but he slowed considerably, and the acrid scent of seared flesh pervaded her nostrils.

Unfortunately, it seemed that her magical display had attracted the attention of the spearman. At least he's off Chirra, she thought as his head snapped around and he began to focus on her. She began to walk away, considering whether another offensive spell on the spearman would finish him off or if she should cast a shielding spell on herself instead.

 

Aurianne entered combat with her usual battle cry... "Whee!" Naturally this distracted the sword-wielding warrior for a moment, but that wasn't her target. The spearman, concentrating on Astarel and never seeing her coming or hearing her silent footsteps, was taken completely by surprise by the hugging tackle from behind.

The wind knocked out of him by the fall, the spearman started to struggle to his feet after Aurianne rolled off him, but was "accidentally" kicked in the head and knocked unconscious. I'm going to have to apologize to him when he wakes up, Aurianne thought.

 

Lander dodged a sword thrust from a Redgard and backed away from the man to regain his balence. This gave him the opertunity to observe the rest of the fight which was, he thought, rather one sided.

"Your not going to live through this you know" He said to his attacker. The man looked around, saw the bodies of his friends and, looking scared out of his mind, ran.
"No...I dont think so" mutered Lander under his breath, and pointed a finger at the retreating man's back. A small ball of red energy flew out of the appendge and struck the man in the small of the back, ignoreing the rusty iron armour he wore compleatly. A gasp and he fell dead, drained of life.

"Next up?" asked Lander.

 

Chirra is having a problem with the big guy wielding the claymore. He moves very fast and she can't get past his guard. She moves back away from him and he lunges at her. She leaps to the side but still can't reach him with her claws. As fast as he moves she can't look around to see what is happening. She tries maneuvering him around a bit. As she leaps to the side she lands on a rock that is loose and it throws her off balance. She falls and the big guy swings his sword barely missing her. He pulls back for another lunge while she tries to regain her feet.