Yeol Clumsy #21 - From Markarth to Whiterun

Sundas, 21st of Heartfire 4E201

I was surprised to find in Markarth's Jarl Madanach a cultured and well educated person. But he seemed tired. We talked, and in brief he said: "Forsworn are too few. For ages we lived with nature. Law of nature became our own. Scattered through-out the land we lived in tribes. New men came with new rules. Most of my people do not understand them. My reign will be short. We are too few able to understand. We are just too few..."

I left with a sadness for the King. I had to return to Whiterun, and to report to Jarl Balgruuf about Tullius. I hoped to receive better notice from Windhelm.

I ran almost all the way. It was cold, so I warmed up, and had a soup at Old Hroldan Inn. I passed Half-Moon Mill, where the miller's wife, Hert, was weirldy too hospitally, and stopped by at the Riverwood's Trader to sell some collected junk.

Old Hroldan Inn

Hert at Half-Moon Mill

I arrived late that evening home, in Whiterun. Lydia had, in my absence furnished and decorated Breezehome. It is functional. Lydia seemed eager to know my first impression. She did a good job.

Breezehome decorated by Lydia

Next morning I visited the Jarl. News from Windhelm was also disapointing: Ulfric was too fixated upon war and total dominance of Skyrim... Fools! Both of them. But Jarl Balgruuf had one more suggestion for me, concerning the appearances of the dragons...

Meeting with Jarl Balgruuf

 Yeol the Clumsy @ day 35, level 18

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Yeol Clumsy #19 - What happened at Markarth? (part1)

 Loredas, 20th of Hearthfire 4E201

Since General Tullius couldn't be bothered by the dragon menace, I decided to inform Jarl Elisif. She showed concern, and ordered to reinforce the guard's presence in all hold's settlements. But Jarl Elisif told me that she was worried about the situation at Markarth. Forsworns revolted, and there was no news for about a week. She asked me if I would check upon the status there.

Meeting with Jarl Elisif

I overnighted at the Winking Skeever Inn, and left Solitude at early morning. It was a rainy day, cold, so I consumed a warm soup Dragonbridge Inn. We continued the road a little later.

And then it happenend! A dragon roared from far above. I tried to hide, but in vain. The dragon headed straight at me: a Blood Dragon! I ran left and right, hid behind rocks, and shot meanwhile maybe a hundred arrows at the beast. Sofia got hit by the dragon's flames, many times, and crumbled. After a battle of several hours, the dragon died. I did the impossible, I was the victorer in a fight against a dragon. Again a strange cloud of energy left the dragon upon it's last breath.

The battle was long and hard, but the dragon finally died

I took care of Sofia and banded her wounds. She's tough! It was late, and we ran to Karthwasten, to find shelter in form of an inn. But alas, there was none, and we had to set up camp for the night.

Karthwasten

It was clear that we had entered the Reach. Two times a gang of Forsworn attacked us. I don't know why. We're no treat to them. A little further we arrived at Markarth. Many people where outside the wall, mainly Nords. They were agitated, and were calling for revolt or something. I did not understand what was happening.

Markarth

I entered the city. The atmosphere was tense. Streets were empty, but traces of battle covered the cobble stones. I entered Understone Keep, and then suddenly, all made sense. The new Jarl of Markarth was King Madanach of the Forsworn!

the Forsworn King Madanach, now Jarl of Markarth

Yeol the Clumsy @ day 34, level 18 

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Yeol Clumsy #18b - Patroller of Whiterun - Message for Tullius 2

Turdas, 18th of Heartfire 4E201

It was still dark when we left the Frostfruit inn at Rorikstead. The region is crawling with sabre cats. We had to kill a few before arriving at a first hold-up point, at a crossroad with a bait. The four outlaws will not bother travellers any more.

Leaving Frostfruit Inn very early morning

Robber's Gorge a little further was exactly what I expected: robbers jumping at one's throat when not paying the toll. Sofia asked if she could go and play with these boys. I set her loose.

I arrowed down the archers on the bridge, while Sofia ran into the camp. I was unprepared when a sabre cat attacked me suddenly in the back, but dealt with it swiftly.

Robber's Gorge

We passed a cart with a farmer's couple killed, apparently attacked by falmers. I felt really pity for them. I'm surprised though, that these falmers roamed in open air. I'm to investigate this later. We passed Dragonbridge without halting, because it was getting late afternoon, and Solitude was still a few hours away.

Dragonbridge

At Solitude, we immediately went to Castle Dour, to deliver the message to General Tullius. He read the letter, and started laughing: "Dragons hey!?", and went on "Tell your... eh...Jarl, that as long as that traitor of a Stormcloak walks the Skyrim earth, there will be no cease fire! And tell your weak Jarl that it's time he starts fighting this riff-raff... or else...". He stepped away, and started talking tactics to his adjudant.

I left Castle Dour, and went looking for a warm place for the night to stay.

General Tullius and me at Castle Dour (Solitude)

Yeol the Clumsy @ day day 32, level 17

Yeol Clumsy #18a - Patroller of Whiterun - Message for Tullius 1

Middas, 17th of Heartfire 4E201

Lydia urgently needs to get in touch with her feminine side. I proposed her to spend some time furnishing and decoration, with nice clothing and flower beds, socializing and money spending. I left her my house and my savings for the next couple of days...

Lydia received a challenge from me...

I left for Solitude. The road was ... interesting. First half of the road I travelled with three Thalmor soldiers. I killed the wolves, a sabre cat and a wandering necromancer. They stood and watched. But once we crossed another Stormcloak-Imperial battlefield, they jumped into the brawl. I had no intention to choose side so I sneaked by.

The rest of the road was rather uneventful. The most remarkable was the sight of a cow, with some kind of ritual patterns painted all over it. A giant followed the cow on a distance.

A ritual cow? ... and a giant behind the pole.

At late afternoon we arrived at Rorikstead. It's still as I remember it from long ago. I'll overnight at the inn, and pursue the road for Solitude tomorrow...

Rorikstead, seen from the old tower of Old-Rorikstead.

Yeol the Clumsy @ day 31, level 17

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Yeol Clumsy #17 - Dragon sighted at the Western Tower

Morndas 15th of Heartfire 4E201

Every able man and woman was called to Dragonreach. The Jarl mobilized all who dared to go and fight a dragon sighted at the Western Tower. I went also, frightened but curious to see the mythical beast.

At the tower the dragon was already attacking the guards. I started to pull arrows as fast as I could; lots of them I poisoned. I ran left and right to stay clear from the huge flame jets the dragon threw upon us. It was a long fight, and many died. After several hours, the dragon crumbled when I hew it with my sword in it's side. A huge cloud of energy escaped the dragon's dead corps, as a deep final sigh. As I stood closest, it hit me most, like a hot, thundering blow.

The dragon fell, after many hours of battle.

The victory was great. All were joyed by the final victory. But the Jarl was worried. He send Hrongar to Windhelm, and me to Solitude with a letter. He told us that a more important war is up hand: a war that could end Time all together, and that we need to unite.

Jarl Balgruuf send us with a letter to Windhelm and Solitude

The Jarl thanks me for my contribution against the dragon, and offered me Lydia as housecarl. I bought a house, so she could "carl" it for me. Sofia and Lydia don't get along well, I noticed...

My new home in Whiterun: Breezehome.

Yeol the Clumsy @ day 29, level 17

Yeol Clumsy #16 - A Day Off

Sundas 14th of Heartfire 4E201

At Whiterun, after having returned from Riften, I decided to take a day off to arrange stuff, sell all the junk... you know. At The Bannered Mare, Sofia agreed to hang around with me again. She got bored, and longed for a little action on the road. For a moment I thought she liked me, but that was just a moment.

Sofia agreed to hang around together for a few days.

I went to Riverwood by the mountain pass and Bleak Falls Tower. Bandits were occupying it again. ....not any longer. In Riverwood I fixed some armour and weaponry, and stayed at the Sleeping Giant Inn. The day after I planned to check upon Valtheim Towers again (to get the loot I forgot). Halfway I encountered a stange old Orc, who looked for a honorable death. I permitted him to challenge me... I buried him next to his trophies.

We buried Old Orc, he died honorably.

A mere two days after I had cleared Valtheim Towers, another gang of outlaws occupied it. I made them clear that the road between Whiterun and Riften had to be robber free! After hefty argumentation, including some steel, they left the premises in a "soully" manner. Sofia seemed somehow enjoying the action.

A rainy stay at Riverwood.

Tomorrow I'll report to the Jarl...

Yeol the Clumsy @ day 28, level 17

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Yeol Clumsy #15 - Patroller of Whiterun - Road from Riften

Fridas, 12th of Heartfire 4E201

Duty calls, and so I packed again for the road back to Whiterun. I left Riften early morning. The road went passed Shor's Stone and further down into Darkwater valley. A few robbers, wildlife... the road was cleared easily. Late afternoon I arrived at Darkwater Crossing with its thermal lakes. Next time I have to invite Sofia.

A thermal bath alone... next time I'll invite Sofia.

At Darkwater Crossing around the campfire with the locals.

Next morning I was packed to hit the road, when an argonian clamped on to me; if I would please help him with a trapped fellow named Derkeethus. Judging the name I assumed it was his brother. He let me to a suspicious cave with door. We entered, it was dark. Almost immediately we were attacked by strange creatures. I never had seen falmers before. We went deeper down, killed another few falmers when suddenly Derkeethus thanked me, and went outside. I followed him. I tried to talk to him again, but except a "thank you", he kept quiet. I never saw his brother though.

Inside the Falmer cave, rescuing an argonian.

Next morning I left Darkwater Crossing, and was ready to travel the second part of the road to Whiterun. Two groups of robbers, spiders, bears and wolves... the usual until I arrived at a strange structure, infected by heavily armed bandits. About five of them started to charge me. I fled into the mountains, and started to pick the scum off from above, one by one. Almost funny to see them panic, running around not knowing what's happening. An hour later they were no more.

Picking off bandits at Valtheim Towers

I arrived late that evening at Whiterun. The road to Riften has been cleared for all travellers and merchants to use safely.

Yeol the Clumsy @ day 26, level 14

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