And here we are again. Taking a moment from the Knight-Cleric, I couldn't hold back my desire to make this next one. This build is yet another of Curse Never Dying's fantastic builds, in collaboration with Raidriar: Riften's Most Wanted. It WAS going to be Curse Never Dying's "The Samurai", but someone "politely" convinced me to try this build first. Politely. And there was no knife anywhere, nor were their threats of Frostbite Spiders in my home at any given time. <.< >.> <.< Anyways, like The Samurai, I could already see the lore for my char, and then the ideas just kept pouring in from there. So without further ado. I bring you...
Garrick's life started in the slums. He had a love for gold and riches even while young, stealing and hoarding anything and everything he could for sake of survival and "shiny things". As a child, he could swindle other children of their belongings, at least until their parents caught him. At age 17, he met a friend, Randall, whose father was an alchemist. Though him, he learned a few tricks in alchemy, of which he took incredibly well to, and in turn he taught him the value of gold and jewelry. Together, they decided they would leave Skyrim and head down to Cyrodiil, where they would open a successful Alchemy Shop. At the ages of 20 and 21, Garrick and Randall set off to Cyrodiil.
It didn't work out as well as the two of them hoped. Randall hadn't finished his training, therefore his potions and poisons were of suboptimal quality and better Alchemists would always steal his business. Sometimes his potions would have negative side effects, and his poisons positive ones. This lead to the two of them returning the money, which wasn't always easy to do since Randall would sometimes spend said money too soon. With funds running scarce, the two had to find another means of income. That's when Garrick ran into the drug trade. Producing and selling narcotics, particularly Skooma, was within the range of the two men's capabilities.
By the time Garrick was 24, he was already knee-deep in the drug trade. The both of them had become more proficient in alchemy because of it, gaining more and more clients and customers. Thanks to this, the gold just came rolling in. Garrick, naturally, felt he had things made. Randall, however, was not satisfied. He wanted more, more than what was safe. It didn't help that the sudden boon of their Alchemy Shop clashed greatly with their drug trade; as they became more popular, it became harder to hide the latter from the populace. Randall didn't care and, having become drunk on the riches, he spent his gold as lavishly as he could, even going so far as to get addicted to his own product. Garrick was greedy as well, but he was also smart, so he knew where this would head.
He was too late to do anything about it, however, and a suit of guards came one day asking questions and holding an investigation into their shop. While Randall was good at lying, deep down he was terrified. Becoming addicted to both money and drugs, he wasn't prepared to get thrown into jail so soon. So he decided to hatch a plan to betray Garrick and escape by himself. He had all of his common clients whom knew his face killed off and tried his hardest to erase any trace of existence of him in the drug trade. When the guards came one day, he sold out his partner and feigned ignorance to the whole plan. Garrick managed to flee and escape the guards, only to sneak into Randall's home in the dead of night to put a dagger in his heart as he slept. He couldn't keep him from waking, however, and the two fought to the death, with Randall giving Garrick's trademark scar.
After killing him, he fled the night, prepared with a backup plan just in case things got sticky. He'd prepared a few supplies he'd hidden in a specific location, snuck onto the nearest caravan headed for anywhere else but here, and prepared to start a new life somewhere else. Unfortunately, Randall had sabotaged a good deal of his escape by killing the caravan driver that was supposed to smuggle him out, Because of this, all he could do was flee to the wilds. For many months he was on the run, stealing anything he could for money he could sell later and killing off anyone who got in his way. He'd fallen to little more than a bandit, and became known as "Garrick the Scar", and was infamous in many a land in Tamriel. Little did he know that his final stop would be right back in the land he'd left, with his infamy extending to there as well.
Journal Entry No. 1 - 4E 201, 17th of Last Seed, Sundas
Found a journal in this mine I raided. Figure I'll just chronicle my success story if I ever decide to make a book about it. It'll never happen but hey, ya never know. Raided a bandit camp and this mine. Found me a nice treasure map. Hopefully it'll have a good haul in it. It's located in Riverwood.
Killed off this weird old voodoo woman. The locals should thank me with some gold. I'll be usin her home while she's "away". Cozy little cot. Downstairs could use a bit of cleaning though.
Goddamned vampires attacked me outta nowhere. Guess that's what I get for searching for the treasure in the dead of night. One of them infected me. Gotta find some cure soon, otherwise I'll REALLY start getting used to the night.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 2 - 4E 201, 18th of Last Seed, Morndas
I'm not even gonna believe me when I say I just had one HELL of a dive into this random cave. Thought I could find something worth selling or some ingredients for alchemy. Instead what do I find? Some dead guys and ghosts. I mean I found some ingredients, yea. I also got these two staves. They look like they could be worth a pretty penny.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 3 - 4E 201, 19th of Last Seed, Tirdas
Found a pair of lovers dead in the middle of the wilderness. Sucks for them, but it gave me an idea. Used their clothing to craft a disguise that'll let me walk right into towns and such. This is good, cuz otherwise I can't sell all the loot I got. Also I should be able to get some information. I need to hurry up and get some connections and settle somewhere.
Woke up to the sound of screaming. I come out of this one inn just to find a ghost just wandering the place. Sure enough, I got the heck outta there. The innkeeper did give me some good info though.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 4 - 4E 201, 22nd of Last Seed, Fredas
I shouldn'tve pissed off that Giant and Mammoths. But what are you gonna do when a bunch of armored thugs show up to "teach you a lesson"? Ok so I killed and stole a bit but hey, what are ya gonna do when you're wanted? But that doesn't matter. By the nine I found some sweet sweet gold here. This stuff called Sleeping Tree Sap. I tried a little bit and boy was I tripping for a good while. I thi [the rest of the entry is cut off from when he had to run, as he was ambushed by a duo of Sabre Cats whilst hiding in Bloated Man Grotto from the Giant and the Mammoths.]
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 5 - 4E 201, 23rd of Last Seed, Loredas
I'm sick of the wilds. I'm sick of Sabre Cats, Giants, Mammoths, all of it. And I swear to the gods if I see another wolf on the wilds I'm going to bleed it to death. I should have enough gold, and I got this Sleeping Tree Sap. I need to take everything I've collected and get ahead in life already. But first Ima find the punk that sent those thugs at me. Then I'll bleed THEM to death!
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 6 - 4E 201, 26th of Last Seed, Tirdas
Best way for a bandit to get goods? Raid other bandits. Thank the gods these idiots are idiots. Always just swinging their weapons. Ain't got no sense of brains in any of em. Got tons of gold, found tons of valuables, and I even got this nice Iron War Axe of Shocks. Things are startin to look up for me.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 7 - 4E 201, 27th of Last Seed, Middas
This confirms it. My luck is REALLY getting better. Ran into some bandit hideout trying to get out of the rain. Walked out with a major haul and a nice new axe. The Orcs really know how to make brutal looking weapons. Think I'll keep this one for a while.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 8 - 4E 201, 29th of Last Seed, Fredas
This is it. This is my big break! I just walked into Riften, and they got a family called the Black-Briars. Apparently they run the place, and they got ties to the Thieves Guild that's also here too. If I can get into the Thieves Guild and onto Maven's good side I'll be all set. I'll get a piece of the pie and, if I play my cards right, I could be running the show myself. Problem is this dude named Maul says the Thieves Guild's been hittin a rough patch as of late. I'm sure my expertise with sales can help out though.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 9 - 4E 201, 30th of Last Seed, Loredas
And here I am. A member of the Thieves Guild. wasn't even that hard. Just had to shake some idiots that been holding out of their money. Now I got a fancy new uniform, a bit of social status in Riften even if it's bad, and I even got a place to sleep.
Yea. I think I can do this. Bash a few skulls in. Deal with some loose ends. Get me some good connections. Yea, I think I can make it to the top in here. Just gotta slowly claw my way up. Take some missions and get really famous. If I can get Maven at my back I'll be untouchable. Watch out world. Garrick the Scar's risin' to the top!
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 10 - 4E 201, 15th of Hearthfire, Morndas
So I run into this Argonian in Solitude. Says he has a get-rich-quick scheme that involves me wreckin some ship called the Icerunner. Not to hard. I do it. I put out the lighthouse. I'm ready for my cut of the spoils. But then I get there, and wouldn't ya know it? He decides to have his pretty little bitch stab me in the back. So I tracked the scaly little son of a bitch back to his hideout and put my axe into all of their skulls. I wish I had the time to skin that slimy bastard but I was kinda busy wit another job. Oh well, jokes on them, I managed to walk away with 100% of the spoils.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 11 - 4E 201, 17th of Hearthfire, Middas
Praise Zenithar! I've hit the big time I just know it! Been practicing my alchemy and boy oh boy. I think I've found something pretty good! Gotta remember the recipe: Garlic, Nordic Barnacles, and Salmon Roe. That last one's hard to come by, but all I need is a fish hatchery. I also found a few other potions and poisons I can either use or sell All I know is ima need someone strong to take down all those Giants.
I bet Randall's turning in his grave right about now. I'm about to launch myself into one of the best drug trades ever and he's dead. Now all I gotta do is rise through the ranks of the Thieves Guild and I can get more funding!
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 12 - 4E 201, 21st of Hearthfire, Sundas
Did a bit a inspecting of the local holds. Think I've found a good place to get started. I'll head down to Morthal and buy me a homestead. I'll do all this in secret, at least until I get to higher ground.
The guys in the Thieves Guild are starting to respect me more. Even Vex's silver tongue is startin to fade away. Probably cuz of all these extra jobs I been takin. Little do they know I'm bout to set up my own little drug trade base of operations in the meanwhile.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 13 - 4E 201, 22nd of Hearthfire, Morndas
Walk into Morthal to find out it's got a bit a trouble. Apparently some fool's home burned down along with his wife and kid. Then he moves in with some other broad the day after. Sounds like foul play, and the whole town feels like the whole thing is cursed. Like I said, just some foul play. Bet if I fix this problem the Jarl will be grateful to me. Might even pay me some gold on top of it. Can never have too much of that.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 14 - 4E 201, 23rd of Hearthfire, Tirdas
Who would've guess it was vampires! Dude was thralled or something by one vampire vixen, and this other vampire burned down his home. Turns out the other one's a complete moron. I put her down right quick. Killed the dude too when he came attacking me when I broke into his house.
Then the Jarl sets out some men to fight the vampires, but it turns out they're a bunch a wusses. Ran before they got in the cave. Perfect. I'll have to do it if I wanna get on her good side, but first I'll need some extra muscle.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 15 - 4E 201, 24th of Hearthfire, Middas
Just talked to the steward. I'm now the proud owner of a nice piece of land that's just close enough to a lake that I can breed more Salmon. The "extra muscle" I hired is lookin good too. He's a big brute and he'll do anything so long as gold and fights are in good supply. Now the two of us just gotta get to work on this place.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 16 - 4E 201, 1st of Frostfall, Middas
Just now noticed how out in the open my damn drug outpost is. Some random bandit or whatnot could just walk right in and take whatever they want. Granted there's not much to steal but still, can't be too careful. I asked the Jarl about handin me an able-bodied guardsman or two. She tells me I gotta be a thane for her to do that. Guess I'm Mr. Helpful today...
Hell, maybe I'll find one on my own.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 17 - 4E 201, 3rd of Frostfall, Fredas
Things are startin to look up for the Guild, thanks to me. They just got two special requests, one in Windhelm and one in Solitude. Delvin says if we get this jobs in, we could be seein some good connections, which means quite a bit of coin rollin in. Obviously, I'm gonna be the one who gets on their good side. This'll make it easier for me to reach leadership status.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 18 - 4E 201, 9th of Frostfall, Turdas
So I walk into Markarth and this random dude bodies some dame in broad daylight. Then some dude hands me the letter I "drop". I'm like "alright, lets see where this goes" and the guy wants me to get dirt on this whole situation involving the Forsworn in Markarth. Said he'll pay good money. Oh he definitely did, I mean until the guards "quieted" him. Then those bastards through me in
Then Thonar Silver-Blood, the most influential guy in Markarth, has me thrown in Cidhna Mine! All because the Forsworn killed his wife. I didn't have nothin to do with it, an I figure he's just mad cuz his wife's dead. But I knew that guy Madanach had to die. After all, If it's no longer a good deal, then the deal is off. Slit his throat in the mines and escaped by myself. Who says no one escapes Cidhna Mine?
I think I've found me a powerful ally. Maybe get some good ores and stuff. Gonna do a bit of investigating around Markarth. If things go well, I could get into the jewelry business. Hell, maybe the weapons and armor business too..
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 19 - 4E 201, 10th of Frostfall, Fredas
Got some more "special requests" from Delvin. Looks like things really are pickin up. Got a job in Whiterun and Markarth next. That'll be the last of the major holds, then we just gotta work back on Riften with our new connections and bam. In the meanwhile, I'll need to be looking towards funding my drug trade.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 20 - 4E 201, 13th of Frostfall, Morndas
Zenithar's blessing I've hit another gold mine. Literally! So I'm helping to clean up the rest of these Forsworn and whatnot, so I help these guys from Left Hand Mine who say that Kolskeggr Mine got overrun by a bunch of em. So I go in, clean house, and what do I find? a gold mine! Do they never mine in here or what?! Naturally, I helped myself to as much as I could carry. I even made a sweet deal with the owner of the mine. Gonna get the coin flowing fast. I'm definitely getting into the metal industry now.
One of the Orcs in Left Hand said he'd send word to the Orc Strongholds that I'm to be trusted. Didn't even know those existed. Or did I forget? Anyways, this is perfect. Just what I need for my drug house; another burly man to guard it and get supplies for it. He's pointed me to the nearest one, Dushnikh Yal. Maybe I'll head down there. Maybe I'll walk out with a good extra set of hands. Maybe I'll be one step closer.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 21 - 4E 201, 21st of Frostfall, Tirdas
First off, decided to deck my boy Stenvar in some better equipment. Give him a helmet and stuff. Couldn't find one with horns but eh. Also found myself a nice shield. Got spikes on it for some extra hurtin. I also got a big burly Orc for my drug trade outpost. That, plus the guard that the Jarl gave me, should keep my base safe for now.
But that's besides the point. We got a problem. I just got word that there's some drug trade hidden out in Riften. Now if I learned anything from the first drug trade business, it's that competitors is bad for it. So I figure me and the big guy gonna pay the place a visit sometime soon.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 22 - 4E 201, 22nd of Frostfall, Middas
Tonilia's got a sweet deal in store. If we make a deal with the Khajiit Caravans that travel around Skyrim, we can get a reliable way to transport goods around the whole province. For me, that means an easier way to sell off my narcotics to addicts and well-payers, and possibly other things.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 23 - 4E 201, 23rd of Frostfall, Turdas
Apparently this Wood Elf guy who runs a mansion called Goldenglow just cut out on the deal. Now that's not good for the Guild, so I've been set to rough him up. Burn 3 of the beehives there, clean the place out, usual thuggish job.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 24 - 4E 201, 2rd of Sun's Dusk, Sundas
Someone's tryin to screw with our business now that it's gettin stronger. It's up to me and my boy to show em the error of their ways. So now I gotta beat the crap outta this Argonian named Gulum-Ei for helpin whomever's tryin to screw with us. I think I can convince him. I could also use him for possible oversea shipments, since, as Brynjolf put it, "He has his hand in the East Empire Company's pie."
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 25 - 4E 201, 5th of Sun's Dusk, Middas
That damn lizard thought he could play me for a fool, but leavin a wake of bodies behind certainly changed his tune. Apparently this person's called Karliah. Apparently she's the one who killed the original Guildmaster. Now she wants to kill Mercer so that there won't be anyone in her way.
Mercer says to meet me at Snow Veil Sanctum to kill er. Says I gotta get ready. Well I got a few things I gotta take care of, but after that, I'll be goin on a hunt.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 26 - 4E 201, 16th of Sun's Dusk, Sundas
It's just like Randall all over again. Mercer betrayed me. He tried to have me killed. What's more, apparently he's the one who killed the previous Guildmaster a few years ago! He pinned it on Karliah and she's been on the run for years. Now Mercer's gone and I gotta talk to some guy named Enthir to decode the previous Guildmaster's journal.
This better not take too long, cuz I got a dagger with Mercer's ass on it. I swear I'm not gonna just kill him. I'll skin his ass alive! He'll pray to every Aedra and Daedra he possibly can before I'm done with him!
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 27 - 4E 201, 20th of Sun's Dusk, Turdas
So now I know where he is and I've apparently got the power I need to kill him, and all it cost was my soul. But at this point I could care less. On top of killing Mercer I might be able to get richer. I'm still furious, but my inner greed is beginning to show itself. Brynjolf says Mercer's going after the Eyes of the Falmer. If he gets those he'll be set for life. If I could get rich off of those eyes, I could finally fully fund my drug operation.
But I'll worry about that after I have Mercer's head.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 28 - 4E 201, 24th of Sun's Dusk, Morndas
I've done it. After slaying Mercer and returning the Skeleton Key, I've set everything right. Now I can take my place as Guild Master. Under my control, This place will see a level of respect and fear it'll never see in any other life.
The first thing I gotta do is finish getting my drug cartel up and going. But before that, Delvin says that I might want to expand my horizons a bit. He's recommended Raven Rock on Solstheim. Apparently his brother works over there, and could be of assistance.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 29 - 4E 201, 27th of Sun's Dusk, Turdas
That goddamn Delvin! Raven Rock's as dry as a desert, and looks like one too. East Empire Company just up and fled from that place when the Dunmer showed up. Now there's almost no work to be found. Couldn'tve found a drier place to get rich quick.
I'm not leavin' empty handed though. Delvin's brother did set me up with some pretty nice armor. And I got some good Nordic armor for my boy Stenvar too. I guess I'll do some more explorin' or something. Gotta be something of wealth in this dead-ass town.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 30 - 4E 201, 28th of Sun's Dusk, Fredas
I dunno what I got myself into. I listen to this ol' geezer. Says there's a secret in that dried up mine that could put Raven Rock back on the map or something. So I'm thinkin' "If he's right, I'm gettin' me a piece of that action." So I go check it out for him. By the Divines that was almost a stupid idea. Draugr all over the place, way stronger than anything I fought. Then I get to this pool and a Goddamn floatin undead mage shows up.
And THEN, I find this weird book and get sucked into some apoclyphwhatever it's called by something called Hermaeus Mora. Believe me I don't wanna go back there anytime soon. It was full of monsters I'd never seen before. I went to the end of it and found this huge book. I opened it up, and if filled my head with some smarts. Yea I'm not goin' back in there. At least not yet.
But the good news is I got the mines reopened again. Raven Rock's feelin' indebted to me. Feels good. Think I can actually get something out of this hot n' cold land. But first I'll have to head back to Skyrim and get back to work on my drug cartel, and maybe work out a bit.
~Garrick
Journal Entry No. 31 - 4E 201, 18th of Evening Star, Turdas
Life's been treatin' me well. Had to deal with a couple of pirates but now I'm on very good terms with the East Empire Company. This should make smuggling overseas miles better, even with Gulum-Ei's assistance.
Now I got a problem to deal with. I need some people taken care of, but I don't want my name or face involved with any of em. Also I got a lot of work dealing with the drug trade so I ain't got time anymore to silence people. I can't just ask the Thieves Guild either, since murder ain't their thing. I could contact the Dark Brotherhood, but I prefer my own personal assassin.
I was talkin to this Dunmer in the Thieves Guild, Ravyn Imyan, and he says he can hook me up with an old pal of his in the Morag Tong that defected. Adairan Norvayn I think his name was. Said he was by far the best assassin the group had. Guess I'll be the judge of that.
~Garrick
