Yeol Clumsy #46 - Arissa (last)

Skyrim, Middas the 3th of Evening Star, 4E201

Sofia and I continued constructing our Lakeview Manor home. We needed several journeys to Riverwood, Falkreath and Helgen to get material. Wood, at the sawmills, was rather easy to come by, but it was clear that iron for hinges and nails would become very soon problematic.

Our Lakeview Manor was getting form.

We worked from early morning until late at night. Slowly the main building was getting form. To my surprise Sofia seemed very involved and worked very hard. I would even say she had talent for building. What a surprise.

Sofia work like a horse, and she seemed to enjoy it.

No matter rain, snow or mist, we kept on. Our bodies hurt in every corner: back, hands, arms... but it was all for a good cause. We would have a sea of time to rest later.

Snow inside the house, the roof has not yet been build

The main building is finished

My astonishment was big when Sofia preferred to stay at home when I had to go to Falkreath again for supplies. This was the first time ever since we travel together that she chose to not come along. The house is affecting her.

Sofia preferred to stay at home, and continue the work here.

At Falkreath's "Dead Man's Drink", I was approached by a woman who claimed to have lost an heirloom. I accepted to look for it with her, but she tricked me. I was robed from all my money (and it was a lot!). Justice was swift when she got caught by the guards a little further on the road. I preferred to talk her free, than to see her arrested with all my money in her pockets. Arissa was her name. She was surprised by my mercy, and proposed to assist me for a while in return. I accepted Arissa's offer, in the hope to see my money back soon...

Arissa and I met, in an unusual way.

Yeol the Clumsy @  day 108, level 35

 

For the moment this tale has been suspended. The game is getting very unstable, and crashes when entering larger towns. I can't seem to get the game working again, with it's 200+ mods. One day I'll try again...

Yeol Clumsy #45 - Settling down

Skyrim, Fredas the 28th of Sun's Dusk, 4E201

Exhausted of my adventures through Sovngarde and back, I took the cart from Ivarstead back home. At Whiterun all seemed as normal, as nothing had changed. Also Lydia at Breezehome was still hanging around, taking care of the house. A brief hello I got, and she went on with her daily business.

Although I adore Breezehome and Whiterun, the house is small and rather obscure. Coming home was not the same as before. Lydia had taken her space, and she could not get along with Sofia (and vice-versa). The house is too small for the both of them. That worried me.

Coming home again at midnight

I remembered an offer of Falkreath's Jarl, many seasons ago. He offered me a piece of land, in return for a service. So, the next morning Sofia and I walked to Falkreath, to visit Jarl Siddgeir. It was an easy day, with just one ambush to deal with.

It's only now I notice that Whiterun's Gildergreen is flowering again!

Jarl Siddgeir remembered his offer, and asked if I would take care of a dragon nearby, and some robbers who are terrorizing the Hold for a long time now. I agreed, and the next day I went into the mountains south of Falkreath to deal with both of them. I first went to check out the dragon. It seemed an elder dragon, still rebelling although his master, Alduin, had been defeated. I had no choice but defend myself, and to kill the rebel.

Jarl Siddgeir at Falkreath

At Knifepoint Ridge I took care of the terrorizing robbers. They were no match for Sofia and I. We went back to Falkreath with done business. The Jarl gave me in return the deed of a plot of land nearby.

All is quiet again at Knifepoint Ridge

I went to see my newly acquired property. It was perfect. Not too cold, quiet near a lake in the forest but not too far from Riverwood. I had one strange neighbour though: seemingly a necromancer or witch. I'll have to look into that problem later.

My new property.

The same day we started to build the first part of the house. Small, but big enough to have all necessities inside. Sofia and I worked for a few days, and soon we had our first home standing.

A few days later we had our home standing.

I saw Sofia very enthousiast. She was really enjoying the construction of the house, and I saw in her eyes that she was proud and pleased with the result. I think that our wild kitten has found her nest.

Sofia seemed to like our new home

Yeol the Clumsy @  day 103, level 35

Yeol Clumsy #44 - Alduin's End in Sovngarde

Skyrim, Loredas the 22th of Sun's Dusk 4E201

Odahviing flew me far away beyond the borders of Skyrim, to Skuldafn. Here Alduin hides somewhere, he said, and had some secret passway to get to Sovngarde. I felt this was a mission without possibility of turning back. It would be Alduin or me.

Odahviing flew me to the temple of Skuldafn

Skuldafn was infested by high level draugr lords of all kinds. Progress was utterly slow. These draugr lords are beatable, but one only at the time. It took me three whole days to work my way up the temple complex.

During the fight of three days, to survive, I had to find rest and sleep, time to eat and drink...

Finally, at sight of the portal, I had to fight some kind of dragon-leech and 2 elder dragons. This battle was heavy but far easier that all the draugr lords I had to fight before. At the eve of the third day I found myself before a whirling portal which I assumed was the access to Sovngarde. Tired I took a deep breath, and dove into the spiral of light.

The portal to Sovngarde has been activated

I arrived at Sovngarde, land of the death, with above me the tornado of light that brought me here, and beneath me a valley covered in a thick mist. When I entererd the mist, I encountered fallen soldiers, looking for the way to Shor's hall of Heroes. But the mist hide a menace, they said it was Alduin devouring the freshly fallen.

Arrival at Sovngarde

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me through the thick mist, with Alduin above me. After a while I arrived at a bridge. A huge warrior Tsun guarded the bridge, but after a test by duel, I seemed worthy to cross. At Shor's Hall I encountered some heroes who were willing to aid me in opposing Alduin, clearing the mist, and attacking the God of Nothingness Gone Evil.

Shor's Hall with Tsun's bridge in front.

The battle was short. Alduin was no match to us, which I thought to be strange. Alduin is as old as time itself, and gained power and strength during many ages, even now, here in Sovngarde by devouring the souls of many heroes. I feared a long and an almost impossible battle to fight, but he lost fast, and went back into nothingness after a brief bright flash. Alduin was no more. Nirn was free of the World-Eater. My destiny had been fulfilled.

The last second of Alduin, leaving with a flash of light, going into nothingness.

Tsun had the power to send me back to Nirn, which surpised me, but I accepted. Sovngarde was not yet ready to receive me. I returned high on top of the Throat of the World, near Paarturnax and dozens of other dragons. They thanked me, and flew off. With the last efforts I had left in my body, I stumbled down to High Hrothgar. The greybeards received me with a short thank-you protocol.

Back to Nirn, received by dozens of dragons

I was deeply tired, exhausted. I felt totally emptied from every strength. I longed for a bed, a home. Just a place to rest without the burdens of the world on my shoulders...

My stumbling decent to High Hrothgar

Yeol the Clumsy @  day 97, level 34

Yeol Clumsy #43 - The Dragon Trap

Tirdas, 18th of Sun's Dusk 4E201
 
I was confused why Delphine asked me to kill Paarthurnax. I went to talk to the Greybeard Arnheirn, and also he thought it would be foolish to do so. I went to Paarthurnax himself, and told him about Delphine's order. He advised me not to kill him (duh!). Anyway, I was going to tell Delphine that I was not going to do it.

It was extremely cold at the top

Delphine had left already, the time I needed to go up and down the mountain. So I decided to go to the Blade's headquarter: Sky Heaven Temple. It was a long road, but without any hinder. I arrived at Sky Heaven Temple the next day.

Halfway between Ivarstead and Helgen, at Windmill Inn

Delphine was furious about me not complying to her orders, but after I told her that the blades serve the Dragonborn, she gave in. I'm not sure though about how trustworthy she might remain.

Delphine gives in, and accepts my authority, but for how long?

Before heading back to Whiterun, I payed a quick visit to Markarth, for some shopping. I met some miners who were looking for work, so I proposed to go and check in Helgen. On my way back to Whiterun, I had to defeat another dragon, and found an abandoned horse from a dead bandit, and drove fast and swift to Whiterun. I released the horse to go where it preferred to go.

A short shopping at Markarth

I had a brief stop at home, greeted Lydia, and asked Sophia to wait for me here. I went to Dragonreach to go see how we could trap a dragon.

Releasing a found horse... thank you, boy.

After a short talk with Jarl Balgruuf, we went outside on the grand deck behind the castle. Everybody was ready. I called Odahviing with the shout I leared from Esbern. He came. I used the shout dragonrend to make him land on the deck, and then the trap sprung. We had captured us a dragon!

Odahviing captured, but he seems very calm about it.

Odahviing seemed surprisingly calm. He talked about Alduin's irratic behaviour, and loss of repect by the other Dovah. He talked about him helping me, in return for his freedom. He talk about Alduin's hideout high in Skuldafn, and about Alduin feeding upon the souls of the dead in Sovengard.

I accepted his offer to fly me to Skuldafn on his back...

Odahviing carries me to Skuldafn, looking for Alduin...

Yeol the Clumsy @  day 93, level 32

Yeol Clumsy #42 - Endless Seasons...

Turdas, 13th of Sun's Dusk 4E201

All parties agreed to come to the peace talks at High Hrothgar. My presence was also expected, so we prepared to leave again for the Throat of the World. We (Sophia and I) departed from Solitude in the early morning.

We ran almost all day, expect for the occasion when we were attacked by a dragon, or twice during a bandit ambush. We were exhausted when arriving at Whiterun at around midnight.

Another dragon slain...

Next morning we got organized again, said goodbye to Lydia, and left for High Hrothgar, following the road by Riverwood, Helgen and Ivarstead. The climb of the 7000 steps was interrupted 3 times by ice trolls: a real infestation in this area it seems.

A new morning, Sophia and I, home at Whiterun

Half way the 7000 steps, warming up

At evening we arrived at High Hrothgar. We entered, and I asked Sophia to wait for me. At entering the main hall, my attention was immediately taken by the presence of Thalmor agents, inviting themselves to the talks. My opinion was asked, and I suggested it would be wise not to have the Thalmor at the peace talks between Stormcloaks and Imperials. They left angry and frustrated.

Peace talk at High Hrothgar

The peace talks went with lots of boiling emotions, with Ulfric in the offense, claiming Markarth. Again, I was asked to cut the cake, and I felt I had no other choice than to satisfy the Imperials with the control over The Rift, in compensation. Ulfric started again being offensive and arrogant. Esbern called upon reason. After lots of arguing about the Stormcloak's massacre at Karthwasten, they gave in by seeding Winterhold. An feeble agreement had been reached, with lots of reservation and hesitation.

But with this ceasefire, the road had been freed to develop the plan to capture a dragon, as Paarthurnax suggested. Jarl Balgruuf agreed to cooperate, and Esbern had a plan how to call a dragon.

After the peace talk, when everybody had left the room, Delphine neared me, and asked me, almost ordered me, to kill Paarthurnax, on basis of very vague suspicions of possible treachery. I did not believe my ears I had to kill one of our most valuable allies!...

Delphine asks me to kill Paarthurnax...

Yeol the Clumsy @  day 88, level 31

Yeol Clumsy #41 - Running for Peace

Morndas, 10th of Sun's Dusk 4E201

I had to set up camp outside High Hrothgar to recuperate after the exhausting fight yesterday. Paarthurnax's words still echoed in my head the next morning. "...Trap a dragon at Dragonreach and find out where Alduin resides...". It seemed a far fetched plan, but I didn't had any alternative suggestions. So I went the long way down, back to Whiterun.

Jarl Balgruuf accepted to trap a dragon in his castle.

The day after, at Whiterun, I proposed the plan to Jarl Balgruuf. He was surprised, but willing to try, as long as I could guarantee that his town would not get attacked by either force, Stormcloak or Imperial. He proposed to organize a cease fire meeting at High Hrothgar.

Passing by at Riverwood, ever peaceful and calm

So, I went back around the Troat of the World, and up the 7000 steps, to talk to the Greybeards. I arrived next day. Arngeir went in defense, and said that "he was no adventurer to capture dragons, nor a politicien to talk with quibbling warlords". But after some persuasion, he agreed. I only had to convince Ulfric and General Tallius to attend to the meeting.

The Greybeards are willing to hold the peace meeting at High Hrothgar

And thus, I ran down the mountain again, and headed to Windhelm to see if I could convince Ulfric Stormcloak. The road was easy, and I was there at evening. I met Ulfric, but I was surprised to see him gagged....(?) Anyway, after some convincing he agree to come to the peace talks.

Ulfric Stormcloak: why did he use this tissue?

After a night at Candlehearth Hall, I decided to take the northern road to Solitude. I would regret it. A large pack of white wolves had murdered out Agna's Mill. It took some effort to kill all wolves. The village is empty now. We overnighted at Dawnstar's Windpeak Inn.

Suffering from the cold at Dawnstar

Next two days were hell. A little outside Dawnstar we were attacked by heavily armed looters. I got very badly hurt, they almost killed us if it wasn't for Sofia. I used some bandages to stop the bleeding. A little further, between Stonehills and Morthal we were attacked by a frost dragon.This one was tough! It took lots of effort to get the overhand. We stayed at Morthal to recuperate.

A short but needed intermezzo at Morthal

The following day was even worse. Two (2!) Elder dragons attacked us near Dragonbridge. I think I died twice there, at least it felt that way. I got burned all over. I passed out from injuries a couple of times. Again it was Sofia who got me on my feet again. We survived, but I don't know if I can hold off these dragons much longer. I feel weak, I feel empty...

At Solitude I talked to General Tullius. He did not give a damn for Skyrim and their poeple. Only when Rikkie came in between, he gave in and agreed to go to High Hrothgar.

General Tullius did not see the point of peace talks.

I went to the Winking Skeever, to rest, and get healed after this episode of horror...

Yeol the Clumsy @  day 85, level 31

Yeol Clumsy #40 - Epic Fight with Alduin!

Tirdas, 4th of Sun's Dusk 4E201

Arriving at High Hrodgar, the Greybeards could not care less about me having the Elder Scrolls. They kept on praying and meditating, probably about the end of the world and the day of doom. I left them, and went to the Throat of the World, to talk with Paarthunax. Maybe he has a suggestion.

The Greybeards could not care less about the Elder Scrolls.

Paarthurnax sensing the Elder Scrolls

When I arrived, Paarthurnax immediately sensed the Elder Scrolls. He was impressed, and advised me to use it near the time rift. So I did...

When I started to read the Elder Scrolls, I was pulled into the rift, into the past at exactly the moment the time rift was created. The very same moment Alduin was defeated the first time. I saw it happen. I heard the shout that they used upon Alduin. I learned Dragonrend.

I saw the past, I learned the shout: Dragonrend

I returned to the present, and thought it was all done here, when suddenly Alduin himself appeared, as if called upon. He sensed my use of the Elder Scrolls, and came to get rid of me once and for all.

An epic battle began. I never have fought a dragon like Alduin. I used Dragonrend to force Alduin to land, so he became vulnerable. Paarthurnax helped me, but his effort of damaging Alduin were in vain. Only I was able to deal damage to Alduin. I shot many hundreds of arrows. We fought the entire night. I survived barely many meteor storms, flame breaths and other lethal shouts thrown at me. But finally Alduin had to give in. He admitted defeat, and flew away...

Paarthurnax can't damage Alduin

Alduin nearing his defeat

As by miracle Sofia and Lydia survived. They kept hidden behind rocks during most of the battle. They were impressed. Paarthurnax called me to him, and explained something about chasing Alduin now he's weak. To find out where he went, and if possible to capture him. It all seemed very far away. I barely listened, tired and exhausted. I stumbled down the path, heading back to High Hrodgar, hoping to find shelter and some sleep, realizing it is not all over yet...

After the epic battle: exhausted but alive

Yeol the Clumsy @ day 79, level 29