Hey, guys. I decided to make a blog for a story I've had in my head for a bit. There'll be more where this came from. Anyway, I'm going to cut the crap and just show it to you. Here goes...
By: The Orange Mask
Tolfdir was excited. No, he wasn’t just excited; he was ecstatic. This could be noted from the fact that he was dashing through the courtyard. I had never seen him run, but I have to admit that he kept in good shape for a man who looked older than the arch mage. He was barely breathing heavily when he finally stopped in front of me.
“Ah, there you are!” he said, adding after another huff, “I almost forgot to give you this.” He extended out his hand, and was holding what appeared to be a simple glass ball, such as one used in scrying.
“What is it?” I wasn’t quick to judge, as Tolfdir, more often than not, had his reasons.
“This, my boy, is a scrying crystal. That much I assume you know. However, this specific one is linked to a sister crystal, which I happen to possess. If you need anything, please feel free to ask me.”
“Thanks, Tolfdir. I’ll see you when I get back.”
I stuffed the orb into my satchel, taking a book out to make room, and then I was off. Off to go study magic in the field, whether that be the Dwemer constructs scattered across the land, the frozen marshes of Hjaalmarch, or even with the various mystical creatures and daedra that walk the land of Skyrim.
Of course, this isn’t to say that I’m not prepared for the dangers ahead of me. I understand that not all creatures like humans. But I’m not exactly an ordinary mage, either. You couldn’t pick me out from a crowd of warriors. While I’m a mage and a scholar, I’m not afraid to get my hands a little dirty. Clad in thick leather, and wielding a war axe, I’m prepared for nearly anything that the Divines could throw at me.
Nearly anything. Those words are the reason I’m going through with this. I want to study the various aspects of things natural and artificial, magical and mundane, to learn more about them. My companions at the college thought me strange for wanting to do so, after taking nearly a month to travel to the college and staying only two years. But this is my desire, my passion; I wish to find something that may one day help the college and mages all over Tamriel further the study of magic in combat and elsewhere. And thanks to Tolfdir’s orb, I’ll be able to relay this information to my colleagues quickly.
“Ah, but where to start!” I exclaimed, walking off the bridge and into the town of Winterhold. The possibilities are endless; maybe I should start with something close by, such as the ice wraiths. Perhaps I could persuade the Greybeards of High Hrothgar to let me examine the power of the Thu’um. But deep inside, I already had my heart set on one thing: Labyrinthian, that place of so many mysteries and magical finds. Dangerous, to be sure, but like I said; I am prepared.
So I set off, a book in one hand, another ready to draw my axe, down the road. I had been thinking about which course I should take for months, and had finalized my plans just the night before, too excited to go to sleep. I could have cut cross country to save time, but by following the roads I could study magic in everyday life. I ran over the plan in my head again, just to be sure.
First, I will head further south to the capital city of Eastmarch, Winterhold. I have made arrangements to stay with the court wizard there, Wuunferth the Unbroken. Maybe I will be able to learn something from him.
The next leg of my journey will take me west, toward the city of Whiterun. There, Jarl Balgruuf has agreed to let me ask him questions about the dragon attacks a few years back, along with allowing me to lodge in a spare bedroom in his keep, Dragonsreach. The court mage, Farengar Secret-Fire, and the Jarl’s housecarl, Irileth, are the ones I’m really interested in, though. Irileth is one of the few people known to have helped kill a dragon. And nearly every mage I’ve talked to has heard about Farengar’s incredibly deep research into the history and study of dragons.
The Pale is next on my list of stops. I am aware of the Nightcaller Temple Incident nearly three years ago, where some priests of Vaermina were causing nightmares in the town of Dawnstare with a staff that was only known as the Skull of Corruption. Perhaps the priest that now runs the temple as a place of worship for Mara can shed some light on the details.
Finally, I will reach my destination, the decrepit remains of Labyrinthian. Who knows what secrets I may uncover in those abandoned crypts? The ancient magics of the dragon priests may yet be learned and taught.
Excited beyond compare, I looked to the mountains looming above. The sun rose up between the twin peaks. At the same time, the snow stopped, and the sun shone upon the trail. I took it as a good omen, perhaps the divines praising my labors. Of course, it could also be a mischievous daedra luring me into a false sense of safety. I’ll never know unless I try, I suppose.
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