Hargoth's Adventure - Day 3-4

18 Last Seed

This is a short entry, as I spent most of the day traveling. Early this morning, I was again awoken by a Dark Brotherhood Assassin. I was able to defeat him, but this was becoming annoying, so I decided to put aside my duties and bring an end to the attacks. After I slept for a few more hours.

I walked back to Balmora and then sucked it up and rode a Silt Strider back to Seyda Neen. I sold some of the second assassin's gear to Arrille, and there met Elone, a Redguard Scout and another Blade, who gave me a guide to the island. From, there, I decided to walk to Ebonheart. Passing the enormous city of Vivec, I made it to my destination.

I found Apelles on the battlements, and told him what happened. He found it hard to believe I had encountered their agents and lived, but said he'd take care of it and gave me the name of someone to talk to if I wanted to confront the Brotherhood in Mournhold. Hoping this would solve my problem, I journeyed back north. It was getting late, so I stopped in Pelagiad to sleep.

I remembered this is where Maurrie said I might find the man who robbed her, so I tracked down Nelos Onmar, who seemed to return her feelings and asked me to give her a note. I then bought a room and am now going to bed, hoping my night troubles are over.

19 Last Seed

It was nice to awake without being assaulted. I left the town, heading back towards Caldera to complete my current task. On the way, I passed another tough ruffian, this time a Dunmer. These guys are everywhere. I saw Maurrie again on the road and gave her the good news. She seemed happy and told me about a friend of hers I should visit some time. Maybe I will. I got back to Caldera, and saw a woman who looked distressed. Her name was Aeta, and her jewels were stolen by thieves. When will women in this land learn to avoid traveling unaccompanied? I agreed to help her, although I don't know when I will. I continued North and went around to the mine, looking for interlopers. They weren't hard to find. An Archer was standing guard outside one of the entrances, and he attacked me immediately. I killed him with great difficulty, and was rewarded for my troubles with a new, heavy cuirass and a shield. I prepared myself for his friends inside.

That wasn't easy either. I used both of my Nordic powers, and drank several of my potions, but I defeated three foes at once. It was my greatest battle yet. I returned to Balmora to report my success, receive the rank of Swordsman, and get some rest. I woke up feeling stronger, smarter, and lighter on my feet. Level up!

Leveling up improves things like health and lets you choose three base attributes to improve. I went with strength and agility for gameplay reasons, and intelligence because in this game you need to meet skill requirements to advance in rank in your factions. I guess I don't need to rank up in the Blades to advance the main quest, so that might have been a waste, but it's not a big deal.

Eydis gave me another job, to acquire a special code book from local thief Sottilde. I'd done minor business with her before, but she didn't seem keen to give the book. I don't trust in my ability to smooth talk, so I tried improving her opinion of me by giving her some gold. It cost me, but I got the book out of her. Eydis paid me for the trouble, but less than I spent getting it, so I wasn't too happy about it. I have a feeling the Thieves Guild won't take kindly to me anymore. Completing the quest in this way prevents you from ever joining the guild. Oh well, I didn't plan on it.

Before I could stew too much Eydis gave me another job to collect some owed money from a shop owner in Suran. I went east, past the Fields of Kummu where I escorted Nevrasa. I ran into a Bosmer named Thoronor, who was worried about his missing friend, Edras. As soon as I agreed to help look, I was attacked by two Kagouti, especially vicious thanks to being in heat. I summoned a Skeleton to help using a scroll I had gotten, and was hurt to within an inch of my life before slaying them. Close by I found Edras, who had run off to study the Kagouti and was trapped by them. I brought him back to Thoronor, and I was thanked for my troubles and rewarded with a ring that should allow me to fall far without injury. Continuing on, I passed by some lone huts and a couple plantations being worked by Argonian and Khajiiti slaves. There was another quest here I couldn't complete in the way I wanted to. Past the farms, I found Suran.

Another smallish city, but I had a bit of difficulty finding board. Before that, I found Helviane Desele in her seedy club. I was distracted by the dancers, but used my charms and a bit of gold to convince her to pay what she owed. I couldn't find an inn, so as I'm writing this, I'm about to go to sleep in some stranger's bed. I hope I don't awake in trouble with him or the law.

Hargoth's Adventure - Day 2

17 Last Seed

I was interrupted in my sleep early this morning by a loud noise. It's lucky I was, because I was then attacked by a man wearing strange armor, and if I was still asleep he surely would have killed me. I defeated him, and found a note on his corpse with orders to dispatch me. He appeared to be with a group called the Dark Brotherhood. And this is how they introduce the first expansion, Tribunal. It's a cool idea, but this played out really awkwardly. I left the door open when I went to sleep, and he was stuck behind it on the stairs. It's also strange how nearby NPCs just stand and watch you get attacked after them always coming to my aid in Oblivion.

Although I've been trained in the use of heavier armor, his gear was quite a bit sturdier than anything I currently had, so I decided to take it and sell what remained. I then fell asleep for a few more hours before waking and setting out to find Caius using Bacola's directions. On the way, I asked a guard about the Dark Brotherhood, and he told me to tell Apelles Matius about the attack, who is currently in Ebonheart. I'll do that soon, but I have other things I'm concerned with. I made it to Caius' house and met the old man, who's still pretty fit, not surprising for a Monk. After seeing the package I delivered, he inducted me into the Blades, the Emperor's secret spy network. It was by the Emperor's own will that I was set free and I am bound by duty to serve him as best I can. Before giving me any orders, Caius gave me some gold and advised me to visit fellow Blades for training and get some more experience.

I used the directions he gave me to find some local members, and they gave me advice and some items to use or sell; armor, alchemical equipment and ingredients. The armor wasn't as good as the Brotherhood gear and I don't have the brains to make sense of potion-making, so I traded them for gold. It took some time to find someone willing to buy the Moon Sugar, as most alchemists won't even deal with people who have it for legal reasons. I ended up finding a Khajiit named Ajira in the local Mages Guild chapter who took it off my hands.

While walking around, I heard a rumor about someone named Ralen Hlaalo being killed, and asking about it, I was directed to the Balmora headquarters of House Hlaalu. The Great Houses rule Morrowind, and Hlaalu is one of three with a presence in Vvardenfell. Inside the hall, I met a Dunmer named Nileno who seemed keen on having me join the House, and gave me a book including details about Council Members who I will need to meet to do so. I'd like to learn more about the Houses before committing to one, since they are fierce rivals with each other, so for now I just asked about Ralen. She asked me to find the murderer, but couldn't help me more than that. I checked what she had for sale, and it was stuff Thieves would buy. Strange woman. I kept asking around, and heard a rumor Nine-Toes was the killer. He's the Argonian Blade who gave me the Moon Sugar, so I didn't believe it was him, but went to ask him about it. He confirmed that he didn't do it. I'm normally not that trusting, but I feel as though I might as well believe a fellow Blade, because if I can't do that, then who can I believe? I went and tried to talk to the maid in Ralen's house. The doors were locked, so I had reached a dead end. I decided to see what Larrius wanted. I walked the short distance to Moonmoth Legion Fort.

Inside, I found Larrius. He mentioned an outlaw attacking people near Hla Oad I should take care of. I suspect it's the same man I avoided earlier. It is. He then told me a story about a magistrate taking bribes from criminals to reduce their sentences, and in not so many words, asked me to get rid of them. I went back to town, and asking the Thieves Guild members, I was told that the criminals in question were Carmonna Tong members who liked to hang out nearby. I went to the club and got a look at the targets, but they were many and strong looking, so I thought it best to wait until I was more prepared.

Wanting a way to improve my abilities, I decided to join the Fighters Guild, as Caius told me they're good about giving new recruits tasks that suit their skill level. I found the local Guild Hall and got recruited by Eydis Fire-Eye. She allowed me access to a chest with potions and tools to repair equipment, which I'm good at, and instructed me to kill the rats that have infested a nearby house. I quickly did so, and itching for another fight, I asked for another job as soon as I reported the first's completion. Eydis had me set out to take care of some egg poachers that were raiding a Kwama mine a little to the south. Outside, I was ambushed by a Kagouti that I think I saw following me the previous day, but I was able to kill it. I entered the mine, and fought off foragers while looking for the bandits. I ran across them one at a time, and both of them attacked on sight, so I didn't feel bad about ending their lives. I returned to Balmora for my reward. Eydis promoted me to the rank of Journeyman, and gave me another task to stop some rogue members of House Telvanni and the Thieves Guild who were causing trouble in a mine to the north. On the way there, I was assaulted by a Nix-Hound, but smote it like all the other beasts. Since it was getting late, I passed the mine and went to the town of Caldera to get some sleep.

I found the house of Surane Leoriane, another Blade, who gave me some advice. Her quarters were cramped, so I went to the local inn and bought a room for the night. Like the other Blades, Surane offers her bed for free rest, but she doesn't actually have one in her house, at least not outside the locked door downstairs. Irritating. I will now get some rest before pursuing my quest further tomorrow.

Hargoth's Adventure - Day 1

16 Last Seed (August, essentially. The Elder Scrolls calendar is pretty much like ours, except every month is 30 days.)

I woke up this morning in the bowels of a ship, with a strange man looking at me. He asked my name, and I gave it to him. I am Hargoth. That I know, but I can't remember much else. He told me there was a big storm last night and I slept right through it.

A guard came over and ordered me to follow him. I complied, and he led me upstairs to a hatch. Oh my God, the walking animation is terrible. Especially from behind, it's just impossible to take seriously. I'll try to deal. I don't know why, but I was released from prison in Cyrodiil and ordered to be brought to Morrowind, homeland of the Dark Elves, and released. I opened the hatch, stepped onto the deck, and got my first look at my new home.

It was certainly different. Seyda Neen isn't a particularly wealthy town, but it has a certain charm to it. The presence of a gigantic, insect-like creature was a little starting. Apparently they're called Silt Striders, and are used to quickly travel from place to place here. Unlike Oblivion, Morrowind has no horses and you have to pay to fast-travel. This will probably be the biggest adjustment I'll have to make. While escorting me to the Census Office, a guard made note of my proud Nord heritage. Just like Oblivion, Morrowind integrates the race/class decisions into the game pretty naturally. I decided to be a Nord because they're good at heavy combat, and that's what I'm gonna mess with first.

Before my papers are put in order, a man asked me several questions to make sure everything was correct. He correctly surmised that I have training in the ways of the Barbarian. This is one of the ways to determine your class, others are to pick from a list or make your own.

Here's my different stats and skill levels. As you can see, I purposefully chose a race and class combination that maximized my prowess in the important areas.

As I continued through the office, I spotted a dagger stabbed through a note on the table. Following the voices I've recently been hearing in my head recently (Tutorial instructions), I decided to take it, and tested my feel for it.

While passing to the final checkpoint before I was allowed out into the open, the voices spoke again, and told me to look in the nearby barrel. I found a small ring that I realized would allow me to heal myself if I needed it. What a treasure! Here's the different menus available. In the lower left my inventory, in the upper left my stats, now including things like factions I belong to and how well people know me, a map in the upper right, and any magic I can use in the lower right.

In the next room, the Captain Sellus Gravius checked my papers and said I was fine to go. Before I left, I learned a few basic facts from him to get me reoriented and he gave me instructions to deliver a message to Caius Cosades in Balmora. He recommended I take a Silt Strider to stay out of trouble, but I wanted to do a bit of exploring. Morrowind has voices for random comments on the street, but actual conversations are silent, and much... longer than Oblivion's.

This is the journal, which is quite useful, showing not only information on quests but also letting you look up what others have told you about various topics. I would have said something in character about it, but that doesn't make sense since this is supposed to be my journal.

Outside, I ran into a Wood Elf with a name very similar to mine, Fargoth! That was weird. He told me about this ring of his that was confiscated by the guards, and I had a sinking feeling that it was the one I had just found. I showed it to him, and sure enough, it was his. I wanted that ring. He was very grateful though, and told me he'd put in a good word with Arrille, High Elf owner of the local shop. It once again proved my belief that good deeds bring good rewards. He also told me about Solstheim, an island to the north. Perhaps I'll explore it some time. This is how they introduce Bloodmoon, the second expansion. I can go there now, but it would be smart to get to a higher level first. A bit later, I decided to enter the shop, and Arrille indeed greeted me with open arms. Since I'm more comfortable with a blunt instrument than a blade, I decided to buy a mace with some of the money Sellus gave me to put me on my feet. Since Arrille's disposition towards me was 80/100 and most people seem to start at 40, I assume that's the reward for returning the ring, and I assume that it resulted in better prices. After talking with a few more citizens, I set off for Balmora.

Shortly after leaving, a strange thing happened. I heard a scream coming from above, and looked up to see a curious man in a robe fall and land with a sickening thud right in front of me. He had a note with him, which explained that he had finally found the recipe for a potion that would allow him to safely travel great distances. I guess it turned out it wasn't so safe, as he was dead. Having learned as a Barbarian to get everything I can out of the land, even if that land is made up of recently alive magicians, I decide to take his three remaining potions and clothing. I probably won't drink them for a while after what I saw happen to him, but his garments were fairly valuable. I decided to move on. Before long, I encountered my first battle in these new lands... and it was with a giant rat. It didn't put up much of a fight, and I quickly dispatched it.

Further up ahead, I met another strange creature that wanted me for lunch, a large, muddy crab. I also defeated it and moved on. The road took me through another town, known as Hla Oad. It was quaint, but I was able to sell the clothes and bought a couple healing potions with the profit. I was told this was Carmonna Tong territory, which I've heard is a criminal underground run by natives, but I didn't ask too many questions. There was someone with a boat willing to take passengers, and since I'm still wary of riding inside a huge bug, I might return there next time I need to get somewhere quickly. I continued on the road to Balmora, but not before taking another look at Hla Oad.

Not far along the road, I saw a tough looking guy and he seemed like trouble. I avoided him, as I must admit to not being fully confident with my fighting ability yet. Talking to this guy triggers a quest and makes him attack you, and after he killed me a few times, I decided I wasn't ready for it yet. I continued to head north, but at some point I must have went on the wrong road, because I got lost. Eventually I crossed a bridge and met a native Pilgrim named Nevrasa, who asked me to escort her to a place called the Fields of Kummu. She showed it to me on her map, and it wasn't far off from my intended goal, so I agreed. Immediately, we were attacked by a large, flying creature. Together we defeated it, and she told me it was called a Cliff Racer. There are many strange beasts to be wary of here. While guiding her along, I met another woman, a Breton, called Maurrie. A bandit had stolen something of hers, but she didn't want it back. She asked me to find him in Pelagiad and give her a memento in the hope he will realize her feelings. I don't know when I'll ever go there, but I agreed. Who am I to stand in the way of love? I brought Nevrasa to the fields, and after she paid me for the help, I went west towards Balmora. I passed an Imperial fort on the way, and then finally arrived in the large city.

I asked the locals some questions to learn more about the area, and then made my way to an inn called the South Wall as Captain Sellus told me. There was some strange activity here as the Thieves Guild appeared to be having a meeting downstairs, but I didn't intrude. Actually I did, but the game crashed. They're rivals with the Carmonna Tong, so I'd like to avoid association for now. I traded some items I found for a bit of money, and then found the owner, Bacola Cluscius. He gave me directions to Caius Cosades' house and also told me that Larrius Varro, an Imperial Warrior in charge of the fort I passed, which apparently houses both the Imperial Legion and the Imperial Cult in the region, wanted to see me about something. I then bought a room for the night, and decided to write this before going to sleep. I'll only rest for a few hours so I can get up early tomorrow.

Introduction

This is Morroweblog. A portmanteau of Morrowind and weblog, isn't that hilarious? After spending a long time playing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and calling it my favorite game of 2006, I decided to get the prequel with the expansions and see how well it holds up. In order to make the experience more entertaining, I also decided to make a blog chronicling my time playing the game. I can't guarantee I'll stick with it, but I'm going to give it a try.

I'm going to write in character, to see how well I can do the whole "role playing" thing. I'll probably write it like a journal, with an entry recapping the last however many days since the last post. Since I'm highly likely to use more than one character (I played four in Oblivion, and joining certain factions disallows you from joining others in Morrowind), that means multiple personalities I'll have to come up with and balance, if I decide to do them all here. If it seems like certain characters might cross paths if they existed in the same game, I might end up making something up for that, we'll see. I'll add pictures too, although I can't guess how frequent or useful they'll be.

If I decide I want to make an out of character comment, I'll write it in italics. If I don't give myself this liberty then the desire to point out the game's faults could just become too great, and something bad could happen. I'll also add links to useful info if it helps explain things better.

With that out of the way, here's hoping this experiment adds to the fun of the game more than it detracts.