The Soggy Journal of Robina Blackheart

• Posted by Lazy January 14, 2014 - 983 views

  This is a journal (or what's left of one) belonging to Robina Blackheart, my current character in Skyrim. It documents her experiences prior to arriving in Skyrim. This is my first composition to be published in TSB so, constructive criticism and suggestions are highly appreciated. Enjoy!

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  4E 201, Loredas, 5^th of Sun’s Height

  I’ve decided that I’ve had enough of Cyrodiil and am going on a journey to my mother’s and great-grandmother’s homeland, Skyrim. I’ve never felt right at home here anyway. Something about the overly moderate air and the normality of Cyrodiil just bites me the wrong way. I don’t think I’m cut out for the boring, repetitive and tedious lifestyle my parents have. I was born to explore, to see sights unseen and delve deeper into the mysteries of the world. I want to be just like my great-grandmother, Olviana, the Hero of Kvatch. I’ve heard stories of her from mother when I was just a little girl, of how she slain over 200 daedra during the Oblivion Crisis, depraved almost the entire population of The Imperial City of their riches and saved Tamriel from the grasp of Mehrunes Dagon. Now, it’s my turn to make my mark on history.

  It took a lot of convincing, though, for my parents to actually allow me to go. They started lecturing me about how dangerous Skyrim was for a girl like me and how there was a rebellion in effect there. Finally, they gave me their blessings to go. Mother gave a silver medallion that used to belonged to great-grandmother. It was given to her by grandmother and now it’s mine, so I “won’t forget where I belong”. Father gave me a thousand septims and his old steel sword that he used during the Great War. He said it killed dozens of elves back in the day, but he prays that I’ll never have to use it. I’m now on a carriage headed for Anvil, where I’ll board the Skinny Horker, a ship sailing to Dawnstar. As I see my childhood house in the distance, I hope this isn’t the last time I see it.

  4E 201, Morndas, 7^th of Sun’s Height

  After quite a long and rough journey, I’ve finally made it into Anvil. Although it is but a stepping stone in my grand adventure, merely being here gives me a sense of accomplishment. I never expected Anvil to be this big, though. I could’ve gotten lost in it for days! Luckily, I found an inn and rested there to relax after the quite unpleasant trip. The ship bound for Dawnstar, the Skinny Horker, leaves at dusk so I’ve plenty time to kill. With my septims, I bought a map of Skyrim, a few potions and a spellbook on healing.

  Mother suggested that, once I arrive in Skyrim, I should head to Riverwood. There, she says, lies a cabin that belonged to Okiir, an old friend of the family. However, the map said that Riverwood is very far away from Dawnstar. No matter, what’s an adventure without hardships anyway? Speaking of ships, it’s almost sunset. I’d better get to the docks and board the Horker. I’ve never really been on a boat before, so I really don’t know what to expect from the journey. Father said that sea-travel was really stressful, but I think he’s exaggerating. What’s the worst that could happen?

  4E 201, Tirdas, 8^th of Sun’s Height

  HE WASN’T EXAGGERATING. This is the worst experience I’ve ever had! I feel like everything inside me is being churned in a mill! Not unrare that I would throw up after mealtime. What’s more, the ship’s in terrible shape! The wood looks old and weathered, the food always tastes like it’s a week old (it probably is) and the beds are practically made of stone! I suppose this is merely a taste of what difficulties await me in Skyrim, so I need to get used to my new way of life, quick.

  At least the crew and some of the other passengers made this hell of an adventure somewhat bearable. The crew are all made up of burly, imposing men, but they seem nice. The captain, Xaverius Drakins, is an old and very kind-hearted Breton. Among the passengers, there is a Redguard named Rabah. He says he is a member of the Alik’r, an elite mercenary group. There’s also a High Elf by name of Anthril, a Thalmor agent by the looks of his robes. From what I’ve heard from Father about them, they didn’t seem like pleasant people to be around. He told me once that those people wouldn’t hesitate to kill a Talos worshipper, like him, but he was nice to me, so I returned the favor. Kept asking me if I worshipped Talos, though. Very annoying. I’m not one, true, but people should be free to worship whoever they please.

  One of the stranger denizens of the Horker is a Khajiit named Dro’Tomash. Unlike many other khajiits, he was a warrior. He carried with him a massive battleaxe that looked bigger than me. How he managed to get that in here still baffles me. Some of the passengers were worried that he was a killer with a bounty, trying to run away from Cyrodiil. I’ll admit, I’m worried too. I don’t him to end my adventure when it’s only just begun. By the Eight, I hope Dawnstar isn’t very far away. I miss land already.

  4E 201, Middas, 30^th of Sun’s Height

  We’re laying over in Rihad for a spell. I was relieved to be returning to land. Rihad was an “interesting” city, to say the least. The buildings had domes and large decorative sails on them, so they kind of looked like ships in the distance. And by the Divines, the climate! It’s like a stove in here! I constantly had to cover my face with a cloth to avoid getting blasted by sand. But the inhabitants are the best part. The Redguards have a  unique spirit of independence and freedom in them. That said, some of them walk naked. Naked. The sight of a clotheless Redguard is unpleasant, trust me. Almost made me long for the sea. They have very nice swords, though, I’ll give them that.

  Those “scimitars”, as they’re called apparently, look like they’re able to cut through flesh like butter. I spent some of my septims to buy one. Could be plenty useful in Skyrim. Still at least a day for the crew to restock for the journey and repair any damage that the ship’s taken, so I’m taking a rest in a small tavern next to the harbor. Skyrim can’t be too far by now.

  4E 201, Loredas, 2^nd of Last Seed

  Back into the sea, I guess. The ship passed the island of Stros M’Kai today. The island is very beautiful. Tall palm trees dot the pristine beaches and I could just smell the tropical aura radiating from the small island. Why couldn’t we have stopped there instead of crummy Rihad? Anyway, in about a few hours, we’ll have reached High Rock, the final province before Skyrim. The captain said that we should be expecting some storms now that we’re approaching the Sea of Ghosts. Pity we couldn’t have time to stop by in Daggerfall. I’d very much like to go there. I should stop writing for now. The constant rocking of the ship does not make ideal conditions for writing. Makes the seasickness even worse.

  4E 201, Sundas, 17^th of Last Seed

  What a storm we’ve run into! Thunder and lightning striking the mast, rogue waves hitting the ship continuously, crewmen running all over the deck, it’s a chaotic scene! Captain Drakins kept assuring us that the Horker would stand up to it, but I highly doubt it. Passengers are already praying to the Divines for salvation. I now see why Mother and Father were so reluctant to let me go. They knew the dangers I could and would face. This might be my last journal entry before my demise, so I better make it count. Mother, Father, I do not regret leaving you but I mourn at not being able to come back and tell you all about my journey. Shor, Mara, Akatosh, all you Divines up there, thanks for setting me on this path. It was fun while it lasted.