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| Letting faith lead the way...; (open) | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 30 2011, 04:09 AM (178 Views) | |
| Alasse Dorthonion | Dec 30 2011, 04:09 AM Post #1 |
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It had been at least a day or two since she left Mournhold, but the young Altmer was feeling a touch homesick. Sure she wasn't exactly welcomed in the city due to her race, but she pitied them nonetheless, considering that was one of the aspects of the Nine Divines, the religion she now wore the robes for and was requested to head south to spread the word for. There was some dirt on the bottom of the pure-white robes, but she didn't mind it at all; for she was more concerned with getting over the next few hills and across the border of the Black Marshes...and decide where to go from there. While Alasse was still 'young' in terms of age and experience, her compassion seemed to grow with each new day. Several times now she had stopped and offered some of her rations to those in need, even escorted a few people to safer havens in a process, and protected them while healing their injuries along the way. Traveling was a bit safer in numbers, but sometimes even one person could slide 'under the radar'. Some of the magic she learned helped out as well, and had gotten even better during the course of her journey, even teaching a few basics to those that wanted to learn. Each time she saw someone smile due to her charitable actions, that made her feel all the more certain that joining the Cult was the best thing that happened. Seeing the small post for the border of the Marshes in the distance, Alasse jogged toward it and stated her purpose, that the Cult in Mournhold had given her permission to come here and help spread the word of the Nine as well as lend possible assistance if need be. The guards nodded and opened the gates, admitting the lone Altmer woman into the unknown. Using the staff given to her by her friend Firileia to help navigate a safe path through some of the swamplands, the brunette found a route leading to what looked like the main road, and a sign pointing directions to the closer landmarks and larger cities. "Hmm...Stormhold, Gideon, Helstrom, or Thorn...which direction to head down." Either way, there was a chance at possibly establishing a small shrine of sorts dedicated to the Nine, and an equal chance of having someone share the same interest she had when first learning about the Divines...but then again, since this was the land of the Argonians - a race she only seen a few of - would someone like her be welcome there, or possible be shunned like the Dunmer did in Mournhold? No matter what, I must hold compassion in my heart, and press on regardless... Alasse thought to herself, finding a boulder to climb up on and take a break, reaching into the knapsack for a strip of dried meat and a wedge of cheese. Nibbling on them while glancing at the paths ahead, the choices were debated again, and wondered if there was someone she could speak up about getting a better idea on the area, and a possible starting point. |
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| lmr | Dec 31 2011, 04:23 AM Post #2 |
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Sadene Andalara had to admit she was a little tired. This walking was a little… much. She’d taken the Mages Guild guide’s services to get as far as Thorn, and from there she’d had to take to the roads, which was hardly pleasing for her. She hated many things about Black Marsh, and transportation was one of them. She’d had to hike up her robes and wear netch leather boots to prevent the pervasive mud from the abysmal roads from ruining a perfectly good set of clothing. Then there was the horrid undergrowth of vines and ferns oozing out onto the muddy trails that were only loosely marked by signs. Really the effort it took to make it to Tear was almost prohibitive. She’d have to see about setting up teleportation service across provincial lines, but the Census and Excise Office was terrible about that sort of thing. How typically Imperial, needing a finger in every pot. They simply couldn’t leave well enough alone and let provinces handle things themselves. Luckily her native Morrowind was surprisingly good at telling them exactly where to put their stifling regulations. At heart, Sadene was still an Indoril. You could take the girl out of Almalexia, but you couldn’t take the Almalexia out of the girl. Yes, she was proud to be a minor noble in Great House Indoril. It gave her name just a little respect, and it gave her a fair amount of pride to be truthful, pride in her background and her upbringing. Yes, she was the black sheep of the family, but in the Andalara family even a black sheep could only be so dark. She’d make her grandfather proud in her own way she was sure. Yes, the Mages Guild certainly wasn’t what her family expected when their daughter could have been a priest for the Tribunal Temple. They would have preferred that by far, but what she did was still important, and she’d grown to be quite the important person in fact. Head of the Mages Guild in Black Marsh, and Master Wizard. People knew her name, even if they didn’t know her by sight. Hell, she was a part of the rumor mill in the province. Mostly in Soulrest most likely, and probably not among the Argonians nearly as much as the foreigners. The Guild was by and large a foreign affair after all. It would do her good to get out of Black Marsh and into the relative hominess of Tear for a week, and surely the damned border crossing couldn’t be that much further… The Dunmer mage turned a corner in the road and a boulder came into sight, and perched atop of it… An elf. About the same height as she was, with brown hair. At first glance it was hard to tell if she was a Bosmer or an Altmer. The extremely short height made her think Bosmer, but the gold tinge to the skin suggested Altmer. The white robe suggested she had unusual fashion taste. Or she was part of some lunatic fringe cult. Either way, there was just one boulder, and she was sick of walking. Sadene nodded neutrally to the woman and sat at the other end of the boulder from the woman and calmly asked her a pressing question. “How far is it to the border?” |
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| Alasse Dorthonion | Dec 31 2011, 11:43 PM Post #3 |
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Every so often, her gaze drifted back to the signs not far from her location, still debating on what route to head down. Perhaps she should just wait and let the Nine tell her where to go; the elder priests at the shrine didn't give her a specific place to go, just toward the Marshes and spread the word of the Nine Divines to those that wished to hear. No doubt she would be hated for such, and there was also little doubt that she could quite run into some Dunmer that would look at her strange, considering she was first off an Altmer (therefore outsider), and if they found out she turned from the Tribunal to some 'Imperial cult', that would make things even worse. So here she was, an Altmer of modest birth, wearing the robes depicting the symbols of the Nine, sitting on a rock in a place she had never been to, and barely only twenty years of age. Most would think it near suicide to even leave the city at that age, much less stepping outside the lands where they were born...but it didn't matter. She couldn't remain in Mournhold for long, especially with the other citizens looking at her as if she grew a third eye or an extra limb most of the time...even if she did know them for some time. But remembering the teachings of the gods helped to temper her patience and acceptance of others, regardless of their race. While she was sitting there trying to decide where to go, someone had turned the corner, which caught Alasse's attention. Turning her head toward the source of movement, her deep blue eyes widened at the site or the individual...a Dunmer. Oh no... Was the first thought in her head, seeing the official-looking rich robes, and upon the figure coming closer, the somewhat unpleasant look on the dark elf's face. If they had found out, they no doubt would have sent more, or at least avoid me altogether, so I just need to calm down...take it easy. She thought to herself, returning the gesture before moving over a bit to give the stranger more room on the rock. She had half a mind to offer some food to the stranger, but then the question came out about where the border was. Thinking back the way she came, and where 'here' was in relation to some of the other locations, the Altmer turned to address the newcomer in a respectful tone. "Which direction are you heading, my lady? If you are heading toward Morrowwind, and to Mournhold, due north is your path..." Here she pointed to the road from where she came. "...Just follow that path and the border is not far. If Cyrodiil be your destination, then about north by west is the path to take, toward Gideon I believe. I only entered this area myself, and am a bit unfamiliar as far as where places are." She blushed a bit, wishing she could have been more help, but perhaps she could in a way. Breaking off a piece of cheese, she handed it over to the Dunmer. "Would you care for some food? I have some extra supplies I can share, plus an extra waterskin full of fresh water." |
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| lmr | Jan 1 2012, 01:49 AM Post #4 |
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Sadene raised one rather shapely eyebrow and pulled a lock of raven hair off her face as the Elf before her proceeded to act in an almost absurdly formal manner, and then gave her directions to Cyrodil as well… They were maybe a few miles from Morrowind, and dozens from Cyrodil. She really had to wonder why the woman would weight the option that a Dunmer was waltzing into Cyrodil on the road to Morrowind. But maybe she was just judging the woman a little harshly. She did say she was new to the area, and that could mean her ignorance was purely an accident. Yes, that was likely it. Sadene’s almost-glowing red eyes softened a little. And the woman even offered her food. Of course she couldn’t accept it. She even said so, politely but firmly. “I’m sorry, but a woman of my position has to take certain precautions. I have a few enemies in this province, and for all I know you could be an assassin here to poison me. So I will understandably have to decline your offer.” Sadene reached into the satchel she was wearing over her shoulder and produced a piece of bread of her own to nibble on, as well as a flask of water. She pulled off a piece of bread and chewed on it as she contemplated heading on her way. No, she’d give it a little while longer. “Perhaps,” She said, “I could help you with directions. Where are you headed in Black Marsh? And what brings you to this Almsivi-forsaken place?“ |
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| Alasse Dorthonion | Jan 1 2012, 05:33 AM Post #5 |
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Well, maybe it was a bit presumptuous to offer the woman directions to another place, but it was perhaps better just in case they were truly lost and didn't know where to go. But to end up declining the offer of food due to the fact this woman believed her to be an assassin...how could one dressed in white and carrying a mace and a staff be considered a killer, even in disguise? It hurt her feelings a little, considering even if her life depended on it, the Altmer couldn't even bring herself to kill the possible assailant for fear it would be a sin against the gods...but realizing that this was a powerful woman, especially to be wearing such robes made her realize that sometimes one could be a bit suspicious, albeit an unwarranted suspicion in her case. "I understand your concern, but believe me when I say that I swear by any gods above that I am no assassin. For one, I doubt I would have a perfect disguise as a woman of faith, and a healer to boot. And two, I would never even consider raising a hand in offense to anyone, even if I am offended by what they have done or said." Alasse answered, still smiling a bit as she nibbled on her own rations. "Besides, I am not one to poison my own food, when I have shared my rations with other people along the way." Perhaps this would lower the other's guard a bit, but the young woman doubted it, considering the choice of words that the Dunmer used. But what surprised her was that she made the offer to give directions in this area, to which Alasse had to look back at the signpost, the question on where to go once more sliding into the forefront of her mind. What worried her was if she revealed her purpose, would the Dunmer shun her as the others she grew up around in Mournhold? Or worse yet, if Alasse said that she served the Nine - instead of the Tribunal as her choice of using Almsivi-forsaken to describe the swampy lands they were near - how would she react? Debating her choice of words without completely exposing her real reason - although the robes were evident enough as to that, the Altmeri woman once more faced the Dunmer woman and spoke softly in reply, deciding to chance speaking the truth. "I was sent by the priests of the Nine to try and set up a shrine in this land, for those that wish to hear the words of the Divines. I have no set destination in mind, which is why I have stopped here to debate my choices. If you serve the Tribunal, then I will not force the belief of the Nine upon you; in fact, I respect your beliefs." Maybe saying that would help create a mutual understanding of each other, and from there... Best take this one step at a time, and don't rush things or force anything. For all I know, she co old be a harmless traveler like myself...but if she thinks me an assassin in disguise...I best be careful. As much as she would rather not want to even consider possibly trying to defend herself, Alasse started recalling the spell to summon a being of flame from the realms of Oblivion, one of the few spells in the Conjuration school she was taught how to cast. Mostly all she knew were spells of healing and a few enchantments with soul gems, but that was the extent of her magical knowledge...so if this woman was as powerful as she assumed...even with the conjuration the Altmer would be no match. |
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| lmr | Jan 2 2012, 07:05 PM Post #6 |
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Sadene Andalara’s right eyes twitched at the very mention of the Imperial Cult’s ‘nine divines’ as they were called. Damned Imperial religion, popping up everywhere. Why did people even follow their belief in mystical beings when they had living Gods in the Tribunal? Thank Almsivi it had such a tiny following in her native Morrowind. “I,” She began venomously, “Am a faithful and true Dunmer, and I follow the blessed teachings of Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec. And if you expect any help from me in spreading your… cult… then you can forget those delusions promptly. Good day.” The petite Dunmer woman slid down off the rock and onto the somewhat muddy road again, orienting herself down the path she’d been heading and starting off again. She really should have just stayed put in Morrowind, or quit the Guild in favor of the Tribunal Temple the way her parents wanted. Then she wouldn’t be in such a hostile area dealing with Imperial bureaucracy, Imperial religion, and Imperial foolishness. A week in the Dunmer bastion of Tear would do her good, and let her reconnect with her people and her traditions. And that would be worthwhile. |
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| Alasse Dorthonion | Jan 2 2012, 09:44 PM Post #7 |
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For a moment, suspense hung in the air until the Dunmer woman spoke once more, filling her voice with utter disgust for the Nine. That reaction caused Alasse to cringe and look away, immediately regretting having mentioned the 'mission' to bring the Nine to the marshes, but to be outright accused of trying to force her beliefs onto the woman even when the Altmeri said she wasn't...that caused the brunette to fall silent for some time before lifting her head to watch the other leave. It was probably a good thing I did not mention that I used to believe in the Tribunal...living or not, no one wants to serve a being of wrath if something goes wrong. And technically, the Nine did have their 'living' deity in Tiber Septim - Talos - when stories proclaim that the former Emperor ascended to the heavens to be seated alongside the other Eight. While the Nine Divines was looked at as a 'cult' now, that was why people like her were going around and setting up small shrines of their own, in case people did want to hear about the Nine. And to be honest, didn't all religions start as a 'cult' of some sort before gaining enough followers to make it a land-wide religion? Alasse sighed, biting her lip to prevent herself from saying anything that would possibly anger this woman further. Recalling her final words, the Altmeri woman merely murmured, "But I am not a Dunmer...and I had already stated that I was not going to force my beliefs onto you. But even with those words, may the Nine bless and keep you safe in your travels..." And the Tribunal as well for good measure. She thought to herself, finishing the last of her meager meal and slid off of the rock, ultimately deciding to head toward the closest city of Stormhold, but decided to move at a slower pace to rethink her words. |
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