By Gods' Jest

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

By Gods' Jest: a Skyrim after action report

So after three years since the release of Skyrim, I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. Inspired by Judicator of Elysium, The Hunter of Blunders and The Tralan Chronicles (to which this AAR's layout is a homage), I've decided to embark upon this fun little side project.

Upon the Western Frontier
1. Crossing the Karth
2. Ritual

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

Crossing the Karth
_________________

Auxiliary. What a foul term. Sei didn’t like it. She also didn’t particularly like the Nord bow slung across her back and the equally vulgar sword of the same stock affixed to her waist. No fine weaponry for the auxiliary, he said, lucky to get any Imperial armour at all, he said. That stuck-up Nord blacksmith; Sei was positive that it was because of her skin colour. If you weren’t as white as the snow on the ground, you just knew you weren’t going to get good treatment.

A dishevelled looking orc glanced at her as she walked breezily through the sawmill; the spires of Solitude casting a grim shadow over the banks of the Karth River besides them, blotting out the morning sun overhead. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she kept her stride and marched into the river, swimming against the weak current as her feet finally left the ground.

Elite of the elite, Tullius had said, unparalleled among Legionaries. Fat chance of that. All the humans got nice comfy beds, safe garrison postings, a fine wage as well no doubt. When the dunmer enlists? Nope, out into the wilds with you; go kill some bandits far away in the mountains were you can’t be seen disgracing the Legion’s uniform. ‘Infiltration and espionage specialist’. How could that not be racist?

Still muttering to herself bitterly as she finally touched upon the eastern shore, she caught sight of a glint beneath a rocky outcrop to the south. A fire. Crouching behind a nearby rock, she pulled out her bow and tried to get a better view of what troubles were stirring in the shadows of Solitude. Eventually, a figure came into view, carrying wood from some nearby trees. He wore a fur-skin pelt and jagged features. A Nord, that was for sure. Friend or foe though?

After wading across a small tributary stream that separated her from the encampment, Sei manoeuvred herself atop the rocks above, gaining a vantage point over the Nord. Still unsure of the nature of her quary, Sei took a glance around the camp below. Other than the campfire, there were a few rough beds, as well as a wooden crate filled with books, food and trinkets. Weighing up the possibilities in her mind, Sei eventually decided that this Nord was probably a bandit.

With a shrug, she decided to get on with the job she had been assigned. Slinging an arrow into her bow, she took aim. With the Nord’s head squarely in her sights, she made her first kill as a member of the Imperial Legion.

Sighing, she stood tall and prepared to examine the body. However, before she could jump down into the campsite, a rough voice came screaming from among the rocks. Suddenly, a tall, powerful woman erupted into view, carrying a battleaxe and clad in heavy fur-rimmed iron plate. Slightly taken aback, Sei dropped her bow and unsheathed the pathetic sword at her side. Dodging a few swings of the axe, she let the woman force her down the rocky slope, waiting for an opening. Finally, infuriated at the nimbleness of her prey no doubt, the Nord woman swung too wildly and too heavily. Sei pounced, jamming her sword into the bottom of the other woman’s neck and down into her heart.

Satisfied that she had done enough to keep the Empire safe for another day, Sei took a seat by the fire and tried to dry her wet clothes.

[Merchant of Venice]

You seem to be pumping out AARs and stories like some sort of writing machine, a good start, the screenshots were nicely taken, and Sei seems like a different type of protagonist. A bit sassy, good to see a female protagonist.

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

You seem to be pumping out AARs and stories like some sort of writing machine, a good start, the screenshots were nicely taken, and Sei seems like a different type of protagonist. A bit sassy, good to see a female protagonist.

Maybe because it's the last few days of the holidays, maybe because I don't want to do CQ work As I say, I picked up Skyrim the other day and was pretty blown away. After playing through a few hours, I realized that the adventures I was having would be ideal for an AAR. So that's what I did

[McScottish]

I feel you, bro! Every time I play Skyrim I get the same feeling, and pretty much live vicariously through my characters. Was thinking of doing a non-TW AAR when I got back, but it's a hard toss-up between the likes of CK2, Skyrim, a Star Trek mod for SoaSE and couple of others. Ah, the life of an unemployed wannabe writer.

+Rep for you, sir, and an excellent start.

[Merchant of Venice]

Yeah I've always wanted to do a Skyrim AAR as well, especially after reading Swaeft's The Astray Apprentice but sadly I only have it on PS3 but I one day I really do, there is just so many different possibilities you can do, especially with all the mods out there.

Also, looking back at the first post is there a reason why everything is left centred or is that just my computer?

[McScottish]

Out of interest, and because my eyesight is so poor, is Sei a Dunmer (Dark Elf)? She looks like one, but I cannae really tell.

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

Yeah I've always wanted to do a Skyrim AAR as well, especially after reading Swaeft's The Astray Apprentice but sadly I only have it on PS3 but I one day I really do, there is just so many different possibilities you can do, especially with all the mods out there.

Also, looking back at the first post is there a reason why everything is left centred or is that just my computer?

It's a homage to Katsumoto's The Tralan Chronicles, a Skyrim AAR with a similar layout which really inspired me. I really liked the layout of that AAR, so I wanted to stea...pay tribute to it

Out of interest, and because my eyesight is so poor, is Sei a Dunmer (Dark Elf)? She looks like one, but I cannae really tell.

She is indeed. When I tried to roll a human character, they always looked kind of weird.

[Lugotorix]

I received Skyrim: Legendary Edition as a gift for the holidays. I might grow a travelers beard while playing it, I've been so eager to try it out on my new rig.

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

If you can get it running on ultra graphics, I'm very envious! Even after upgrading my laptop, it's still a bit clunky with games But yeah, very easy to get lost on your own adventures in Skyrim

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

Ritual
_________________

Sei’s peace was disturbed a short while later by a strange humming sound. Initially, she tried to ignore it, thinking it just the dull howl of the trees or the wingless flutter of insects. Yet it grew more and more distracting as she warmed herself by the fire.

After some time, the hum became a song and Sei’s elfish ears perked up. However, it was singing in no tongue she could comprehend. Intrigued, yet still annoyed, she picked up her bow and headed east, away from the mercifully peaceful river.

As she negotiated the rocks that pierced the riverside, a pair of high stone arches swam into view. Beneath them stood a figure clad in black robe. It was from this worrisome individual that the singing emanated. Knowing trouble when she saw it, Sei readied her bow and crouched low, advancing forward upon whatever occult happenings were ahead.

The black clad figure – a woman in transpired – suddenly ceased her chanting as she caught sight of Sei approaching. With a shout, the strange woman seized a dagger from within her robes and charged forward.

Sei aimed her bow and sent an arrow flying toward the woman. However, despite hitting her target in the shoulder, Sei’s opponent continued to advance. The cultist raised her free hand, sending lighting spewing forth through the air.

As pain coursed through her, Sei began to reconsider her life choices. However, she felt it more prudent first to not actually die, so she sent another arrow flying toward the woman. This time, it embedded itself in the mage’s neck, ending her instantly.

Brushing herself down, Sei nudged the woman’s corpse with the toe of her boot. Better to be safe than sorry. After she had stripped the corpse of anything useful – a single unintelligible book –, Sei wandered over to the stone circle, where a young maiden lay dead, surrounded by noxious candles.

Sei knew not what dark magics would have transpired there, had she not intervened, yet she knew she had rid Tamriel of something wicked indeed.

[Merchant of Venice]

My dream one day is to run skyrim with one of those beautiful ENBs, god they make that game look beautiful.

As pain coursed through her, Sei began to reconsider her life choices. However, she felt it more prudent first to not actually die, so she sent another arrow flying toward the woman.

I chuckled a bit when I read this, reminiscent of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy of which I'm reading currently.

[Asdrubaal]

A necromancer of the intelligent kind, interesting, mine always end up yolo charging me, maybe its due to playing in normal difficulty, this AAR is looking great.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

I thought if I'm reading a story of yours I should read an AAR as well.

Great start, and (as always) great writing. Although could I request no indentation in the next update? It feels weird reading it like that.

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

My dream one day is to run skyrim with one of those beautiful ENBs, god they make that game look beautiful.

I chuckled a bit when I read this, reminiscent of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy of which I'm reading currently.

I'm liking the tongue in cheek style, again very reminiscent of some of the older Skyrim AARs here. It suits a fun, none too serious little side project like this though I feel.

A necromancer of the intelligent kind, interesting, mine always end up yolo charging me, maybe its due to playing in normal difficulty, this AAR is looking great.

She did yolo charge me At one point I think she got stuck behind a rock though, which made things easier. Needless to say I reloaded quite a lot to get good screenshots.

I thought if I'm reading a story of yours I should read an AAR as well.

Great start, and (as always) great writing. Although could I request no indentation in the next update? It feels weird reading it like that.

Psst, read the other one...

Aww I getcha though. I wanted to have a mess around with the layout at some point anyway, to make it a bit more my own. Many thanks for the kind words. I hope I can repay the favour soon

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

I'll need more time to catch up with that one.

A bit of indention would be fine I guess if you want your own spin, but on my screen it appears halfway across the post area. And is that a hint to go and write something?

[Hitai de Bodemloze]

I'll need more time to catch up with that one.

A bit of indention would be fine I guess if you want your own spin, but on my screen it appears halfway across the post area. And is that a hint to go and write something?

Always with the excuses No rush mate, in your own time, but that is my main project

Hardly my spin, I stole someone else's layout Will do some messing around with it all next week or something.

And we're past the point of hints, get to it old man

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

I've been entering TotW weekly, don't be too harsh on me.