Yeolynn the Archivist part 10 - Faendal for the Gildergreen

Skyrim, Turdas the 4th of Heartfire, 4E201

The Gildergreen is the big dead tree in Whiterun. When I spoke with the priestess of Kynareth, Danica Pure-Spring, she told me that the tree can be revived, but the tool needed is in possession of a hagraven near Helgen.

The Gildergreen at Whiterun

I thought is might be an interesting project for the Museum, and that our botanist, the bosmer Faendal might help me with it. So we went together to investigate.

When we arrived with the hagraven camp in sight, Faendal immediatly stormed head on the four witches and the hagraven. Intimidated, they reacted hostile, and Faendal received the entire magic load of destructive spells upon him. He fell... he died...

Faendal fell

I could not other then go into a stealthy approach, hidden between the trees, and behind the rocks. I picked them off one by one with my bow. Faendal was foolish, but his dead will not be in vain, the Gildergreen will blossem again. Finally the hagraven fell by my stealthy arrows. I found the tool to revive the tree.

The hagraven is no more

I buried Faendal, and went to his house to place all his belongings, but then I realized... he had no relatives, no family. His house is empty, nobody is there to care, nobody to mourn.

I buried Faendal

Faendal's home... empty

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 15, level 9

Yeolynn the Archivist part 09 - Valtheim Towers

Skyrim, Morndas the 1st of Heartfire, 4E201

I received many complaints about the road east to Riften. Visitors spoke of bandits and toll money. So I went investigating. Sofia joined me immediatly, out of boredom at the Museum. When we arrived at Valtheim Towers, bandits asked to pay toll to pass. I said I just wanted to talk with them, but that was no option. They attacked without further due.

Valtheim Towers are cleared from bandits.

Sofia is a beast. She wiped out half of the bandits in no time. The other bandits I shot down with my bow. Since when am I so brutal to kill as a sniper in the night? Anyway, the Towers were cleared, and the road to Riften was safe again. That's the most important.

Arriving at idylic Riverwood

Afterwards I went to Riverwood to see how I could arrange a deal about the Golden Claw. I would like to buy it somehow. I met a woman called Cerwiden, who asked if she could join me for the road back down to Whiterun. I agreed, and invited her to stay at the Museum.

Cerwiden asked to join me back to Whiterun

When we arrived at the Museum, Sofia was gone. She prefered to linger on the roads of Whiterun, teasing men.

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 15, level 9

Yeolynn the Archivist part 08 - Warhammer of Embers

Skyrim, Loredas the 30th of Last Seed, 4E201

I picked up a rumour, don't remember where from, that a mighty warhammer called "the Iron Warhammer of Ember" would be kept away at Redoran's Retreat. But this place is not know to be very hospitable. A small bandit gang appears to have taken the Retreat as their hiding. But nevertheless, I am curious if I could convince them to trade or sell it to me.

The reception at Redoran's Retreat was not very pleasant. A guard dog attacked me, and I had no choice then to kill the raging animal. Mad for the loss of his dig, one of the bandits attacked me too. He took the fight too lightly, and fell wounded by my sword on the floor.

There is the boss, sitting at the fire... "...HELLO THERE!"

I went deeper inside, and saw the leader of the gang sitting and staring at the fire. I announced myself. Surprised to see me, he attacked. But I was prepared. I don't understand why these people are not ready to talk.

What happened with that half-nake woman?

I found the hammer, but when returning, and passing Whiterun, I saw a half naked girl sleeping in the hay. I woke her. Sofia was her name, and she seemed lost. She asked if she could come with me. I agreed, but once at the Museum, she thought it was all very boring, and that we had to go on "adventure" together, and making fun of the stupid males of our race. I told her that I was taking my duty as archivist serious, and that there would be no "adventuring" from my part.

The interiour of my quarter is getting warmer and brighter.

Sofia is bored, and wants to go outside, on adventure...

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 13, level 8

Yeolynn the Archivist part 07 - Mysterious Request

Skyrim, Turdas the 28th of Last Seed, 4E201

I receive a strange request from a messenger: if I would go and talk with a certain Jannus Markus about Helgen and the Dragon. I seemed one of the only survivors, and he needed me for some important information. Seen the seemingly urge and importance, I decided to go to Falkreath.

Meeting Jannus Markus at Falkreath

Late in the evening I arrived, and found this mysterious person. But now his request seemed of another nature; to arrange a meeting with his long lost friend "Val" in Helgen. I surprisingly accepted.

The next day I found this "Val" person in Helgen, and also he agreed, so I brought Jannus to Val (again to Falkreath and back). Old friends were united, they planned about rebuilding Helgen. My job was done, I left.

Two long lost friend united

In Riverwood I looked for Faendal the bosmer. I suggested he would take care of all botanical matters of the Museum: to catalog Skyrim's flora and fauna. He agreed without hesitation (better then chopping wood all day, I presume). So he joined me while returning to the Museum.

Faendal becomes the Museum's botanist.

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 11, level 8

Yeolynn the Archivist part 06 - Looking for Museum Guards

Skyrim, Morndas the 25th of First Seed, 4E201

Today I went looking south for any potential danger, and did not find anything except a troll cave. I barely can handle wolves, so trolls are totally out of the question for me to take on alone. I need to get help. Also, I would like to have someone guarding the Museum while I'm out. So I went to Whiterun, to ask the Jarl if he could spare a guard or two.

Whiterun at night

The Jarl had dragon worries, and can't spare any gaurds

Dragon matters seemed more urgent, and the Jarl already send out his spare guards to protect villages, like to Riverwood. I had to find another sollution.

In the Bannered Mare I met Uthgerd. She had an unfortunate incident with the Companions (killed accidently a worrior boy) , and they threw her out. She aggreed to work for me, and to protect the Museum.

Uthgred aggreed to help and protect the Museum

And finally I managed to unlock the archive room of the Museum. It is dark, huge and empty. I will have a major task with the collection of books and documents. But now at least I know what I have to do.

The archive room of the Museum... empty.

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 8, level7

Yeolynn the Archivist part 05 - Taking Care of Security

Skyrim, Loredas the 23rd of Last Seed, 4E201

I intended to go to Whiterun, shopping, but when I set foot out the door, I was attacked by a wolf, again. That reminded me of an important aspect of running the museum: security of visitors. So I went looking for any threat in the immediate vicinity. A roaming pack of 3 wolves was swiftly dealed with.

In the back yard of the museum I noticed a Ritual Stone. I would have asked the necromancer gently to perform his rituals somewhere else, but alas, he did not like the proposal. I had no choice to defend myself against his abrupt offence of magical nature. He has flirted with death a little to close, I guess.

This necromancer is flirting with death a little too close.

Nearby I noticed also a Stormcloak camp, but I do not see any problem with their presence, in the contrary. But also nearby, the banditcamp know as White River Watch was a real menace for visitors, myself and the museum's content. I had to try and do something to convince them to move along. Unfortunatly they were not very interested in my plea. Except for the boss, who surrendered, all gang members seem to be dead now... how strange.

This Stormcloak camp is good to have close.

At this robbers camp "White River Watch" it's very peaceful now.

Tomorrow I have to take a look for any threat south of the museum. But that's another day. It's dark now, I'm tired...

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 6, level 6

Yeolynn the Archivist part 04 - Grim, Dark and Moist

Skyrim, Fredas the 22nd of Last Seed, 4E201

Today I decided it was time to visit "my" Museum, and see how it looks. It has been closed for the last decenia. So, proudly equiped with my first artifact (the Claw), I left Riverwood.

The road should not be too difficult, but a pack of three wolves made the trip a little less easy than expected. After having dealed with them, the descent to Whiterun valley went swift. Before noon I saw the grand city standing in the valley. I did not enter Whiterun, but went on.

a view over Whiterun valley

A little later, after again having dealed with a pair of wolves, I arrived at the Museum. It seemed intact, with the strong metal door still locked and sealed. Amazing seen the amount of wandering bands of thiefs, robbers and looters these days of war and chaos Ulfric Stormcloak brought upon Skyrim.

Voila, "my" Museum of Skyrim!

Inside all was empty, dark, grim and moist. But it seemed exactly as it was the day when it was abandonned. I could enter the curator's living quarters, but the museum itself was still closed behind a locked door. I hope I can find a key here somewhere.

First task: bring life and light to this place. As it is too depressing now...

Dark, empty and depressing... I need to bring light and life to this place.

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 5, level 5

Yeolynn the Archivist part 03 - The Claw

Skyrim, Turdas the 21st of Last Seed, 4E201

Greed makes you stupid. Since I heard about the claw, I could not set my mind off of it. I used the rest of the day at Riverwood, to prepare for a long dungeon crawl; food, firewood, water, sword sharpenened and lots of arrows. Faendal agreed to join me, although I saw doubt in his eyes. We left early morning at dark, and arrived at Bleak Falls Burrow during the late morning. Scattered bandits outside attacked us without warning. All but one (who surrendered) died by our arrows.

Bleal Falls Burrow, without looters...

Inside were a few more looters, but now we had the advantage of the surpise. They were dealed with swiftly. But no Claw. As feared, we had to enter the burrow deeper down to go look for it. We fought skeevers, skeletons and many draugers. But Faendal is not the same underground. He is a man of the woods and the light, so severly wounded, I permit him to go home, and get healed.

Alone, I went deeper and deeper inside the mountain. I found the Claw, and I found it's purpose: it's a key to open a sealed door. Beyond I discovered a burial temple, guarded by some drauger lord. I dispatched it, and learned a "word" from a stone. No idea what this all means.

After two day of crawling I came out of the Burrow alive, with the Claw. It's mine, and it's my first unique piece for the Museum. I'm tired, I 'm exhausted, I was stupid. I need to rest...

The sacret burial temple with the "word".

Got out of the Burrow, with the Claw.

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 1, level 5

Yeolynn the Archivist part 02 - Same old, same old ... Riverwood.

Skyrim, Tirdas the 19th of Last Seed, 4E201

The day at Riverwood went as always. At the trader I heard about a stolen artifact (which I really would like to have for the Museum), traded some junk and put my nose in a lover's quarrel. I chopped some wood, and bought food for the next days at the Inn. The village is quiet and peaceful, totally deconnnected from the harsh world of Skyrim, with it's wars, bandit rule, Vampiris infestations and the recent dragon menace. In Riverwood it's "nice" living.

At the Riverwood Trader...

In the afternoon I went up the mountain to investigate the area of Bleak Falls Barrow, the place where the stolen artifact might be found. I hired the small bosmer Faendal to assist me to find the place.

Talking with Faendal

When we came at a ruined tower, bandits attacked us. It was snowing badly. I was cold. I had no other choice then to defend myself. I hid, but managed with my bow to arrow down one of the three vilans. Faendal seems to have less problem killing people. But when the fight was over, I was surprise how little emotion I had about having killed that one bandit. Am I the monster?...

Bandits at the tower are all dead.

We went back to Riverwood, dismissed Faendal, and slept the night in a warm bed.

Yeolynn the Archivist@ day 2, level 0

Yeolynn the Archivist part 01 - An Off-Day

Skyrim, Sundas the 17th of Last Seed, 4E201

Today was one of those off-days. You know, a day when you return to your home land after a year of study abroad, while crossing the border, you are accidently got caught in an ambush, imprisonned and sentences to death for threason. A day, while you're laying with your head on the block, a dragon appears and shakes the earth, burns an entire village to the ground and saves your neck.

I'm next...

Saved by the dragon.

And in the choas of dragon fire and meteor storms, you find a helping hand from the guard who captured you, to escape through deep underground tunnels, killing half an army of Stormcloak rebels. And when you finally arrived at his home village, and get invited into his house, your feel hungry, thristy and exhausted, as if you lived through an entire world war in one day. This was such a day.

Gaurd Hadvar leads the way to his village.

A warm reception and long talks.

I came to Skyrim to begin my new job: Archivist of Skyrim, appointed by the late High King himself. He, my uncle, offered me this job, to study Skyrim's art, culture and history, and to reinstate the old abandonned and plundered Museum of Whiterun. I will receive no pay, no aid, no subsidies. Ofcourse I agreed immediatly, and accepted this unique offer... in the name of science and knowledge.

Yeolynn the Archivist @ day 0, level 1

Yeolius Coardus #4 - Running my Socks off

The Jagged Crown seems an important symbol for claiming the throne of Skyrim, and Legate Rikke asked me to join the group that will try to obtain it before the Stormcloaks do. She asked me to meet her at Korvanjund, the bural place of King Borgas, last wearer of the Crown. But surprisingly, I'm left to cross Skyrim alone. We are not traveling in formation, not even together. What kind of army is this?

...staying the nigth at the Frostfruit Inn...

So I ran almost all the way, but stopped at the Frostfruit Inn at Rorikstead for a short overnight. The next day I continued my cross country run. I was attacked by some bandits, by an assassin wearing a lettre ordering my execution (why, I do not know), and by a few packs of wolves.

At the Thirsty Mammoth I saw for the first time real Giants. They seem peacefull creatures, and walked slowly passed me, with their hurd of cows.

... the Thirsty Mammoth....

... giants with their hurd...

At Whiterun I stopped for more proviant, and continued the same day my run towards the meeting place. Although I ran all the way, Rikke and her men were already there, waiting for me. How did they arrive before me? ...hmmm...never mind. She began immediately to give instructions about the assault of the Temple of Korvanjund...

... a quick pitstop at Whiterun...

... Legate Rikke and her men waiting for me...

> to be continued

Yeolius Coardus #3 - Joining the Legion

Arrived at Solitude, I went straight to castle Dour to try and enlist into the Legion. Soldiers pointed me to General Tullius, which I found discussing Stormcloak strategies with a Legate Rikke. They saw me. Rikke began ranting about me begin different, a lot of blabla about her "guts" telling her so, and to test me by clearing a fort from bandits. It eluded me totally why I would be so "special", and why they did not sent real soldiers to get rid of those bandits. What was this all about? I didn't knew whether I should be glad or worried not being enlisted as anybody else.

...Legate Rikke gives me instructions...

I received the coordinates, and the orders to return once Fort Hraggstad had been cleared. After some hesitation decided to have at least a look. So I left the same morning, up into the hills.

An hour later I arrived at the fort. I spotted several bandits keeping watch upon the wall. I tried to get close to try and talk with them (what was I thinking?), but they attacked me the moment they spotted me. (duh)

... the walls and courtyard of Fort Hraggstad have been cleared...

I ran away, and hid behind a rock. And then, one by one I lured them, shot them or singled them out. One on one those bandits did not seem very strong and able. I managed to clear the court, the walls and finally also the inside of the fort. It took almost all night to get it done, but at the end I was victorious: Yeolius Coardus - Bandits of Hraggstad: 10 - 0. Game over.

... Fort Hraggstad is done, returning to Solitude...

I went back to Solitude, and reported back to Legate Rikke. She was not really impressed, but thanked me. General Tullius took my oath, I received Legion's armour set, and got the next instructions. Again something special concerning a Crown or something. I was too tired to pay much attention...

...I'm a Legionair!...

 >next

Yeolius Coardus #2 - Raining on the Road to Solitude

The afternoon at Riverwood I did some chores to gain some money for a bed, and food for the road ahead. I slept well although the bard kept on singing all night! The next morning it poured cats and dogs, but I was decided: the road to go was west.

...just left Riverwood during a grey, rainy morning...

Not far from Riverwood a first pack of wolves of maybe six attacked me. A ran upon a rock and swang wild my father's old sword. Finally half of them started to flee. The others I managed to kill before.

I went on, but at Half Moon Mill I was attacked by a bear. Again I ran, jumped over the river, but got attacked by a wolf. The bear jumped upon the carriage driver, while I killed the wolf. From far I arrowed the bear until it fled. The driver, wounded, thanked me for saving his life. At the small town of Northkeep I stayed the night.

...another rainy morning at Northkeep...

The next day it continued to pour.  I left early. The road until Rorikstead was quiet, very quite. It seemed the day after a big battle. Countless bodies of fallen soldiers were laying spread out over grassy plains. Many thoughts crossed my mind when passing through these killing fields. At the inn at Rorikstead I halted for a warm lunch.

...rain at Rorikstead...

The next part of the road was horrible. I was ambushed by four bandits, but managed to run away, up hill onto the rocks above, and took them off one by one. I killed a human, but I had no other choice then to defend myself.

I continued the road accompanied by three passing merchants. Half an hour further though, we were asked to pay for toll at "Robber's Gorge". I did not had the money, and they attacked us. Again I ran away, behind a rock, and started to arrow down the robbers. The merchants had also looked for cover somewhere. Surprisingly I managed to take out the robbers, and ran passed their camp. The roads of Skyrim are deadly dangerous these days.

...still raining at Dragon Bridge...

But the rest of the road was quite again. Night was falling slowly when I reached Dragon Bridge. I stayed the night, and the next day it was a short dry walk to Solitude. I made it! I made it alive!

...arrived at Solitude with the weather clearing up...

> next

Yeolius Coardus #1 - I'm Not a Coward!

At Cyrodiil, for all the time I can remember, they called me a coward. I call it being prudent, but they don't see it that way. All my childhood I had to face the mockery of the other children. Even my parents seemed so often ashamed of me, I could see it in their eyes. And thus I decided to show all that I'm not a coward! I want them to be proud of me. I'm going to join Skyrim's Imperial forces, the great army once created by Talos himself, to defend Tamriel from chaos and destruction. And I will return with honor and glory.

...arrived at Riften, heading for Solitude...

So, last week, in my fathers old rusty iron armour and armed with his old sword, I left home. My friend accompanied me until the Skyrim's borders at the Silgrad Pass. There he left me on my own, to find my way from Riften to Solitude. It's still a long road ahead, but I'm convinced I will make it. What danger might there be, while well staying on the road?

...traveling with my future battle brothers...

I was lucky to encounter a couple of Imperial soldiers heading the same  direction as I did. But at the mountain pass between Ivarstead and Helgen they got amushed by Stomcloak rebels. The fight was bitter. I slipped through, and rather shocked I continued my way.

... Helgen was destroyed, a strange giant bird rose up from the debris...

When I arrived at Helgen, the town was destroyed, laying in ashes, burning, and out of the debris rose a giant birdlike creature, and flew off south. The road west to Falkreath was obstructed by the burning houses, and I had to descent south to Riverwood, to regain the parallel road in westerly direction..

...detour by Riverwood, an idyllic place in a rough world...

Just before arriving at Riverwood, three wolves attacked me. Alone I did not had other choice than to fight for my life. I swang and hacked my sword. I got bitten and wounded, but one by one they fled. I survived my first fight.

> next