Two in one day? No wai! Yes wai! Thanks to my wonderful girlfriend who helped me crank this out :)

23rd of Last Seed 4E 201

I approached a peculiar door at the end of the chamber with circular patterns on it. I saw the last mural and recognized it instantly - Talos. I keep thinking back to how old this temple was, and this only increased that wonder.

I inspected the door, and found another puzzle. The golden claw had three prods on it and the door had three holes, but on the claw were also markings. I had to turn some of the rings on the door to properly get the claw to fit.

Turning the rings on the door was incredibly taxing, as if the machinery behind the door would break at the slightest movement.

As I arranged them in the right order I put the claw in and turned it like a key, then pulled it out. The door shook and slowly fell down, and I moved on, entering a large chamber. What struck me was a giant stone...A semi-circle wall that seemed to compel me to move closer with the sound of chanting. There was strange writing carved into the stone, and it seemed to burn brightly with a blue fire. It darkened my vision until nothing came into my sight aside from the carvings.

As I came to touch it, a word flooded into my mind - an alien word. I didn't have time to think about it for very long, as my brain re-asserted dominance over my body.

"Fus Ro Dah!" is what I heard as I was forced against the wall. I turned myself around just in time to avoid getting hit by the sword of a large Draugr. I fought back, despite his large strength and strange ability to push me back with mere words.

I saw an opening after parrying a blow - taking it, I broke his knee cap and then his skull.

My crime had been trespassing to retrieve the dragonstone, and the Draugr had only wanted to be left alone in peace. I put the king back in his casket – it was the most I could do for them.

I left the chamber by a secret exit way, but before leaving the mountain I came across a pedestal with skull on it. This must have been someone close to the king, as it was decorated with several flowers retrieved from the mountain...I left with a smile as I learned that the flowers were still alive.

My eyes were blinded from the bright light, and I had to cover them and allow them adjust for a bit. It had turned day, and I realized that I had been in that place for a whole night. The cold snow that greeted me was much more pleasant than the damp air had been in that labyrinth of caves and traps. I thought about immediately travelling to Whiterun, but despite my occasional stops to rest, I was still exhausted.

Whiterun could wait, I wanted to get to know the populace of Riverwood now that I had the free time to. I decided to check out the trader, see what stocks he had that I could use, however I seemed to have arrived at an inopportune time. I overheard an argument between the owner and his sister - apparently they were the original owners of the golden claw. Lucan, the owner, immediately traded his sour look for one of relief as I pulled it out of my pack. I told him about the bandits in Bleak Falls Barrow and he thanked me with a nice sum of gold, as well as a nice discount on his store.

I saw he had spellbooks on sale and I thought – in a rare moment of childish glee, I will admit – it would be cool if I could shoot a little bit of fire from my hand, and reasoned that it would help make setting up camp fires a lot easier.

I went out of the store to see that a few raiding bandits were attacking the town. I assisted the guards in defeating them, and began travelling to Whiterun.

I met the Wood Elf from before when I arrived in the city - apparently on his own adventures he had seen me go into Bleak Falls Barrow. He thought I would end up dead in there, and seeing me alive surprised him. He then taught me something very very handy - apparently Moonstone ingots can be made by smelting Iron and Steel ingots together.

I thanked him for this knowledge and with his help crafted some Elven armor for future adventures. I sadly didn't have any Quicksilver ingots to make any Elven weapons, however he promised he'd show me how to make them if I ran into him again with Quicksilver on hand - but for now, I'm sitting in the Bannered Mare wearing beautiful and strong Elven armor. You won’t hear any complaints from me in regards to protection for a long while.

I love you, and I hope I haven’t concerned you with what has happened so far. You have no reason to worry – your prayers and replies have assisted me in having the will to continue. If you someday decide to brave the cold, I will show you around Skyrim.

-Wuulfräd

Sorry about the delay (Not that anyone cares or actually follows this :P). A multitude of different games took my time away from skyrim and I had to replay sections to find myself where I was in the story and most importantly Wuulfräd's story.

22nd of Last Seed 4E 201

As evening approached, I left the city to hunt. It'd get me some needed exercise, since I feel so restless whenever I'm in Whiterun. Something always had to be done when I was on my trial of solitude, whether it was hunt for food, cut wood, fend off wolves... I was never out of things to do. I’m sure you understand, my love – your father was very much the same. I wonder how he’s doing?

As I was scouring the land, I came across what looked like two mages having a magic duel. I approached cautiously to figure out if this was a friendly spellcasting contest or if it was a fight for their lives, but as I got a better viewpoint, the picture was much clearer - these two were set to kill.

One was firing ice magic while the other relied on fire. As the battle unfolded the fire mage fell and the ice mage took the advantage, freezing her solid...then looked at me.

As the mage came closer, readying another attack, I saw that it was a female.

I tried stopping her, but she would have none of it.

I had to defend myself. I have never harmed a woman before, let alone killed one, and I made it quick and painless. I walked over to the corpse of the fire mage and noticed that it was also a female. Fighting over a loved one, perhaps? The things people do out of jealousy can be astounding.

I buried them far away from each other, it seeming right at the time.

Night had fallen as I stumbled upon a Giant’s camp...I had never dreamed I'd see an actual giant. I carefully and slowly approached it, not wanting to give off the impression that I was here to attack. Although I was rebuffed, a giant waved his club in a manner that suggested I should leave. I decided to heed his warning without a second thought.

I was told as a boy that Giants are ancient Nords who evolved differently from us. Tales told that they had an amazing skill in battle and their strength was legendary. If Giants truly are the old Nords, I would believe it.

As I make my way up this mountain, I see I am nearing Bleak Falls Barrow. I remember what the Jarl's mage had told me, and I am preparing carefully for what may be ahead.

The snow fall is heavy and I can't see very far, although to cease your worrying, I am warm. I have padded my leather armor with pelts on the inside. Part of me wishes I had made a helmet, but now is not the time for that sort of thinking. I will rest for a while, and then continue.

-Wuulfräd

From here on out I will have a standardized name, dumb of me to name the blog titles different :P, sorry this took so long too. I didn't get much skyrim playing done. Here's a small two day stint. Next time it'll hopefully be bigger. (Also figured out that I should never post blog posts on IE, it messes up the formatting :P)

20th of Last Seed, 4E 201

Dear Beloved,

When I awoke, I left the inn and stumbled across a couple who were arguing. Hearing snippets of the conversation, I learned that something was lost. I spoke to the man out of sympathy, and he explained that bandits had stolen his father’s sword. I assured him that if I came across it, I would return it to him.

I decided to visit Gerdur and Ralof once again. I killed two wolves on my way to Riverwood – I suppose hunting must have taken a back-seat to the political issues. I know you would find it strange how violent they have become. Still, their pelts are useful.

When I arrived in Riverwood, I spoke with Ralof and his sister about the war and what they thought was the reason for worship of Talos being banned, and decided to do some menial woodcutting for Gerdur and Hod in the lumbermill. Have to keep my strength up, almost every day in my trial of solitude involved chopping firewood.

I went to the smithy, and learned the blacksmith’s name was Alvar. He taught me how to work a forge, commenting that I was a natural at it and that he should consider hiring me as his assistance.

I waved off his praise and thanked him for his lessons. I made my own comfortable. It felt good to pick up something as useful as this now that I am no longer alone. I smelted down the old scavenged armor and made my own comfortable studded leather armour, it fits me much better than what I had picked up in Helgen. I said my goodbyes and made my way back to Whiterun, nightfall quickly approaching upon the horizon.

The moon had risen her pale face accompanied by the stars again, and I paid for another night of rest in the Bannered Mare.

21st of Last Seed, 4E 201

Dear Beloved,

As I left my room for another day, I met a travelling Wood Elf. He seemed friendly enough, and noticing the way I had made my own equipment, offered to teach me Elven Smithing. Honoured, I took up his offer immediately and paid attention to his every word.

He was an interesting person. I told him about you - your respects to nature and what you do for a living, he enjoyed in particular. He remarked that he would enjoy your company. He chuckled and added that I didn’t have to pay for my lessons, which I found very generous considering there's a war going on and smiths must be a very busy occupation.

He left as quickly as he came into my life, and as I sit here writing, I ponder where it is he will go next. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, but I thought you would enjoy the idea that an Elf complimented you.

Love,

Wuulfräd

Part 2!

Middas, 19th of Last Seed 4E 201

Dear Beloved,

Today I left Riverwood, saying goodbye to Ralof and Gerdur, thanking them for their hospitality. A detail I forgot to mention to you is that after living in my personal solitude for so long, I have become a bit of a hoarder. My pack was already full of Imperial apparel and weaponry, although none of it is going to waste – I can smelt it down to acquire even better pieces for survival.

I followed the road and climbed to the top of a hill – the view was outstanding. I could see the entirety of Whiterun from where I perched, and – especially after being alone for so long – it looked beautiful. I was longing for more social interaction. Sometimes I just wish I could be with you instead.

My peace was very shortlived, however, as I spotted a Nordic prisoner in the capture of an Imperial patrol group. I approached them about what they were doing, and upon receiving the cold shoulder, felt heavy sympathy for the captive. His plea invoked a rage inside me that was still burning from the incident in Helgen. Forgive me, beloved, but I confess to killing the Imperials - I had to free that man. I placed their bodies at the side of the road in the proper nord burial manner.

He thanked me and I offered him some armour and a sword I had on my person before parting ways. I kept travelling towards Whiterun.

Outside of the town, there was a Khajiit trading camp. I thought about stopping to chat with them, but decided against it. I had to unload my pack before I did any socialising. The sight of them all, however, reminded me of you and your family. I wonder how your trades are doing?

When I arrived at the gates of Whiterun, the guards refused to let me in. I explained the situation in Riverwood, and they gave way, telling me to see the Jarl at Dragonsreach as soon as possible. Hearing quick snippets from certain coversations as I walked, I can piece together that there are some arguments going on between two clans of the town – the Battle-Born and Grey-Manes; that the Imperials are in desperate need of weaponry; and that the worship of Talos was banned. Now I'm not a religious man, but I believe everybody should have the right to practice whatever they believe in. This new Emperor doesn't sound like an Emperor to me, just another puppet. Suddenly I am glad that your family remains in Elsewyr.

With Whiterun’s size, I realized that if I spent all of my time eavesdropping I would not be able to alert the Jarl of Gerdur’s worries before sundown.

I hurried to Dragonsreach, and was stopped by the Housecarl. She was a Dark Elf, which surprised me. Either way I explained to both her and the Jarl that Riverwood may in fact be in danger after the dragon attack in Helgen. Jarl Baalgruf – as I learned was his name – thanked me for the information, and was most surprised by my honesty in telling him that I was captured and ready to be executed. Though he cared not why, which may come to my advantage later. He introduced me to his court magician, whose great interest in dragons deemed me necessary to find a Dragonstone for him.

I left Dragonsreach and was greeted by the night sky. I looked around town for an inn, and rented a room for the evening.

As I lay in this bed, sheltered by the roof of the Bannered Mare, I can only think of you and pray your opinion of me has not changed with the knowledge of the bad things I have done. I was only doing what I thought was right. I hope you understand.

Love,

Wuulfräd

Well, here it is finally. I promised I would write about my journey and exploits in Skyrim if I won it from the kind @sideshow .I didn't want any other big games in the way when I was playing skyrim so I had to go and finish ME 1 and 2.

Been also kinda putting it off because I am an absolutely terrible writer, but lo. My girlfriend Danielle came to the rescue and helped me write it, and so I have decided to make it in a "mail to beloved" format. As a tribute to her.

Without further ado. Here is Wuulfräd <lastnameWorkInProgress>'s journey back home, to Skyrim!

18th of Last Seed, 4E201

My dearest love,

I am writing this letter to let you know I am back in Skyrim. I've passed the trial of solitude, though if my father found out that I already had you he would probably send me to Morrowind to work for the Dunmer.

However in coming back I had to pass through a trial by fire. As I was entering the land an Imperial war party took me prisoner, confiscated all my belongings and promptly knocked me out for even asking what my crime was.

I was startled awake by the bumpy ride, I tried to move my hands but those bindings were tighter than... Well, I couldn't move them. As I shook my head to get my bearings another unfortunate soul spoke to me. Through back and forth conversation between him and another unlucky prisoner, I learned that I was sharing a cart-ride with a horse thief, Lokir; and a Jarl with one of his personal guards, Ulfric Stormcloak. The name was familiar in my head, but all I could unearth from my head is that he was the Jarl of Windhelm.

Apparently they – that is, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, leader of an ongoing rebellion against the empire and the follower of his called Ralof - were headed south of Eastmarch. What they were going to do I never got to find out.

We arrived in Helgen and, as much as I hate to alarm you, it was figuratively and literally the end of the line for us all. A female Imperial captain called out the names of the prisoners from a list. The horse thief tried to run upon being called out, but was shot down with arrows. My turn came and the Nord imperial who held the list looked puzzled as my name wasn't on it.

The Imperial captain was very eager to put me in the same group as the stormcloaks though, and my mind thought about escaping - but the corpse of the horse thief reminded me that I wouldn't get far.

The Nord imperial looked at me solemnly and tried to cheer me up by saying “at least you'll be dying in your homeland”.

This is not how I remember my land.

Another prisoner went to the block before me - he died with more honor than any man I had seen before. When my turn came - as I was pushed down with my head rested on the block - I thought I was going to die without seeing your face again…

And then, a dragon attacked. It made the earth tremble with its force as it let out a mighty roar, taking into the skies and attacking us all with flames, sometimes grabbing victims in its large jaws, either devouring them or throwing them to the ground again.

In the chaos, I regrouped with Ralof, the rebel from before. He assisted me in escaping, taking me to the Keep, leading me to the caves below.

I had to kill some of those damned Imperial bastards. I hate to admit it, in case you think of me as some heartless murderer, but I feel no remorse for them. All I wanted to do was leave. I still feel great pleasure in having wiped the smug look off of the captain that seemed more than eager to send me to the block.

There was certainly more than Imperials in those caves. There were goddamned spiders, unnaturally large and venomous; asking villagers, I learned they are Frostbite Spiders. You probably know of them better than I, my dear – you were always the one who took a greater interest in wildlife.

There was also a bear. She was a large beauty, and Ralof’s rather wise idea to avoid her for the time being was one I heeded without hesitation; I was too exhausted to fight such a large creature.

Past the bear was the exit to daylight, and as we travelled down the road, I asked Ralof to inform me of the recent going-ons. Since living in solitude, it seems I have missed a lot of changes. So much can happen in five years, apparently.

In a quiet little town of Riverwood, I met the rebel’s sister, Gerdur. She mentioned that I could stay in her home as long as I needed, and to feel free to eat some of her food as she passed me the key.

Whether it was caused by my abrupt capture, or the fact I almost lost my own life to the Imperials – I feel compelled to help the Stormcloaks, my love. These people seem to need all the help they can get, and I am not about to sit here and let more innocents die for what they believe in.

My apologies for such a long letter, but you did say to tell you everything I could. I will think about you in my travels to come.

-Wuulfräd

Edit: Kinda forgot to mention, My character is a nord.