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[Reudh]

After a few hours walk, we come across what appears to be an empty town. I can almost sense people here, but I can't see them.

I deem it a 'pointless waste of time' and we skip past it. No point wasting hours trying to find out why there are invisible people around. We head out of the town, and come across this bandit camp in ayleid ruins. More ayleid ruins. Not gonna bother, but the bandits ought to be lootable. I drop my warhammer and old claymore for a new claymore I got from the ghost's ectoplasm. Shiny, silver, and ABLE TO HIT UNDEAD!

He's mine.

Seconds after the Argonian bandit goes down, Ruin runs up to me with blood all over him and a grin on his herpetine face.

You have performed many great deeds of late, having had a pivotal hand at shaping Tamriel's destiny. When you die - and let's face, it, you will die, sooner or later - you will be remembered throughout history for your actions. The same cannot be said for me. When I die, a few people may recall my name and they may or may not pass it onto their children. But sooner or later, I will be forgotten in the minds of Tamriel's populace, and thus shall cease to exist within history's pages. But you, my friend, you will live forever.
You are immortalised by your actions,  because of the fact that everyone who lives has ultimately been shaped by them. What do you think, knowing that fact?

Err, to my knowledge, I haven't done anything interesting or world-saving.

One day, you will.

Well, I'd rather settle down and live a normal life.

Perhaps you would, at that. Yet, the history books are full of heroes that so befit your own profile. The "accidental heroes" that don't become involved by choice, yet wear the mantle when fate deems it necessary. Exactly like you. You know the ones I mean...
The peasant boy that defeats a daemonic horde, the tavern whore that uncovers a grand conspiracy to kill the King or Emperor...

The haunted Argonian Battlemage that overcomes the adversity of his upbringing to bring about a new age of...

Where are you going with this?

I have been thinking about how a hero, such as yourself, is remembered throughout history. How your memory lives on even though you don't. Perhaps I am faced with my own mortality, and even though I know that I will eventually die, I want to find some way to keep my memory alive. Through actions, could I one day be an integral part of history? Could I live on forever in the hearts of Tamriel's citizens? Can I shape Tamriel's future as an accidental hero? One whose adverse upbringing ultimately serves to contrast the final character, the one who saves the day, like you have, time and bloody time again? Perhaps the future is uncertain, and none but the Elder Scrolls themselves can predict it. Do you know what I see? I have a choice:
"Two roads diverged in yellow wood, and sorry that I could not travel both. And be one traveller, long I stood, and looked down as far as I could, to where it bent in the undergrowth."

I stand at the crossroads, my friend. I have a choice. The choice I make will result in the consequences I bear. Yet no matter how hard I look, I cannot see the outcome of either. Light or dark, good or evil. Shades of grey. All are but means to an end. I believe this, as good and evil are only a means to an end when it comes to carving your place in history. But whether I am capable of following that philosophy, I don't know. At the end of the day, should fate choose to give you a chance to become an accidental hero, all you can do is heed the call... and let your morals decide whether it is good, evil or shades of grey that dictate whether you earn your place in renown.... or in infamy.

We should get moving, I feel like some exercise.

My goodness, Ruin talks a lot. I'm beginning to wonder when we'll get more screentime.

[Reudh]

We leave the town and are almost instantly attacked by a hill giant. These things, though humanoid and moderately intelligent, are just viewed as thugs to be killed. We gang up on it and kill it. It had some nice gems on it.

Another day has passed, another fell creature falls to my blade, and another page in the book of Life is dusted and turned. Will slaying the odd monster make me a hero? I doubt it. But at least I am on the road to shaping my own future, rather than being guided solely by it! I alluded to you before that I was facing a choice in my existence, and that choice was causing me great concern. Now that it has been made, it is like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders and the shackles removed from my ankles. At last I am free to make my own path in this world.

What choice was that?

I made a choice pertaining to precisely what I wanted to be as an individual in Tamriel. I made a choice to define myself in the manner that I want, rather than what my society (past or present) wants. And within my mind, I created the criteria that adequately describes the definition by which I shall judge myself.

How do you define yourself?

Please don't take offense to this, my friends, but I don't really think it necessary to tell you. Oh come now, don't look so hurt. There is a reason to my actions.
Impressions and opinions are everything in most societies, and if I ever want to be accepted, I need to be seen in the light that I want to be seen in.
However, because of my lack of experience at wearing my persona on my sleeve for all the world to see... it is quite likely I will present the wrong image. You, being my only friends and travelling companions, will ultimately be the most accurate test I could ask for. You will see me for what I am, through our conversations and through my mannerisms, and will judge me based on that. If your judgement of who I am matches who I want to be, then I know that I have accomplished all that I set out to be. I will have defined myself as someone who has made a difference.
I will do what is needed to shape Tamriel in the manner that befits my image of perfection, in spite of my dark past. Hopefully, through these actions, I can be remembered as a hero, of one kind or another.
I feel the need to be remembered for this reason:
A farmer lives out his life as he sees best, and dies in the knowledge that he lived a good life. Yet, no one remembers him. I know that my life is drawing to a close, but in this point in time I will not have the luxury of dying knowing I have lived a good life. My own negativity will prevent me from thinking of myself as heroic, but if I know society remembers me that way, then I can rest easy. I want to immortalise myself and be remembered for my deeds, not my past. If I were to die today, the only memories people will have of me will be my evil past. Can you understand that?

Your actions outweigh your past.

In the minds of society, yes, that is it exactly. Regardless of whether my actions are in line with my past, opposing it, or somewhere in between... I want it to be ME who defines the manner in which people see me. And from there, I will ultimately find acceptance, one way or another. It pleases me to know that you are able to understand my thoughts so perfectly. Truly, Kira, I have never come across one such as you. It gives me hope that I will be someday something of a hero.

Is that all that matters to you?

No, not at all. I can think of several things that are far more important than such idealistic notions like becoming an 'accidental hero'. But from my perspective, it is the first step on the reintegration into society. The way Tamriel perceives me will be born of tolerance, then acceptance, and then finally appreciation. They will tolerate my presence, accept who I am, and appreciate what I bring to society, regardless of my alignment. Consider it the light at the end of the tunnel, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It is the reward at the end of a long and dusty road. Perhaps this is something we should discuss later, if you don't mind.

What seems like weeks later, we arrive at the entrance to the Kvatch Road. A nord and an orc look distinctly displeased, but before I can ask them what's wrong, a panicking high elf runs up to me and the group.

[Eric Blank]

The only clear option is to stab the elf in the back when nobody's looking.

Looking good so far.

[Reudh]

Come on! Run while there's still time! The guard still holds the road, but it's only a matter of time before they're overwhelmed!

Run? from what?

Gods blood, you don't know do you? Daedra overran Kvatch last night! There were glowing portals outside the walls! Gates to Oblivion itself! There was a huge creature... something out of a nightmare... came over the walls... blasting fire. They swarmed around it... killing...

The whole city surely can't be destroyed.

Go and see for yourself! Kvatch is a smoking ruin! We're all that's left, do you understand me? EVERYONE ELSE IS DEAD!

How did you escape, then?

It was Savlian Matius... some of the other guards... helped us escape... they cut their way out, right out the city gates...
Savlian says they can hold the road. No... no.. I don't believe him. Nothing can stop them! If you'd seen it, you'd know.
I'm getting out of here before it's too late! Run while you can!

He then flees faster than I've seen a high elf run, before being mauled by a roaming wolf and runs screaming back towards us. We save him. He flees again. Continuing up the road, we see a depressed looking man who introduces himself as the Primate of Kvatch.

Hope is gone. The imperial line is dead. The covenant is broken. The Enemy has won.

Well, isn't he just a boatload of sunshine?

Thou art a devil for mocking me. Leave a withered old man to his imminent death.

The old man sniffs once, then casts a spell. I can identify it as belonging to the Illusion school. Probably a Dispel.

Be silent, black-hooded wretch.

...! Mmmmph! Mmmpmh. MMMPH!

I guess it was Silence. Nid-Britt casts a similar-looking spell on the Primate.

Suffer in your jocks, Snummy! And you, Chimpanzee or Primate or whatever, enjoy the same.

Mmmmph. Mmmph!

You wouldn't---- MMphphp! MMMPHHHHHH!

It'll wear off soon, Snumatias... It's a weak spell, cast by a weak human. But oh, joy! It's funny to hear you try to speak.

Mrrrrrrrprhhhhhh...

We continue past the apopleptic primate up the hill, and as we do the sky turns all ominous and frightening. Thunder can be heard.

Terrifying stuff. I almost turn tail and run... but I see the determined faces of Snumatias, Nid-Britt and Ruin, and continue on.

[Reudh]

Coming to the top of the hill, we see four guardsmen fighting daedra of all kinds. Naturally, we rush in to help. As the last daedra goes down, the head of the guards rushes over to us.

What are you doing here? I thought I ordered civilians to stay at the camp.... wait a second, none of you are civilians, are you? I'm Captain Savlian Matius. You must be an adventuring party! We could use four more capable hands.

What happened?

I do believe we now have the chance to be accidental heroes. This is what I was talking about, Kira.

It was too much, too fast. We were overwhelmed. Couldn't even get everyone out. There are still people trapped.

We'll do what we can.

Err... ah, to break the siege, I need you to get rid of that portal. It leads to Oblivion, but you look like a capable group. I sent twelve men in there, and none have returned, I'm sad to say. But you seem to have more combat experience than anyone here, so if you could go into the portal and shut it down, then that will save the lot of us. It's a fine deed you'll do.

...Very well.
I turn to Snumatias, Nid-Britt and Ruin.
You three stay here and help the guards. I'll shut it down alone.

Though it pains me to leave your side, it is your wish. I have no choice but to acquiesce. I also have no wish to go into Oblivion. It is the stuff of nightmares.

Neither Nid-Britt or I can enter these portals. We'd gladly follow you, but for Mehrunes' Claws that would steal us away. Don't worry, you wouldn't be affected by it.

What are you two? Are you human or some manner of daedra?

All in good time, Miss Anduil. You'll find out when we deem that you find it out.

Well, in I go.

[Reudh]

Truly a hellish place. As the gate finishes warping me, I arrive and the first thing I see is a charred body, along with what appears to be a guard fighting some minor daedra.

I rush up to him, and help. This silver claymore is far too heavy.

Thank the Nine! I thought I'd never see another friendly face! The others... taken... they were taken to the tower!

It's alright. What's going on?

Captain Matius sent us in to try and close the gate. We were ambushed, trapped, and picked off. I managed to escape, but the others are strewn across that bridge. They took Menien off to the big tower! You've got to save him! I'm getting out of here!

Hang on, Matius needs your help. He and four others, along with three of my companions are defending the gate.

The barricade holds? I thought I was the last one alive. Alright, I'll try to get out of here and let the Captain know what's happening.

Goodbye, guard. Be careful.
He has already left. As I watch him leave, a few scamps run up to me and start swatting at my ankles. They are easily dispatched. Is this the worst Oblivion has to offer?

I continue onwards. It is dead silent here. You can't hear anything until it is right upon you.

The sky here is like nothing I've ever seen. I feel no air, and yet I can breathe. I feel no heat from the convection of the lava, but instead it is deathly cold and only exertion keeps me from shivering.

Another scamp falls easily to my claymore.

Well, it appears that this place is inhabited by not just scamps. I check the body, and though it has armor on it I can't seem to prise it off. It does have arrows and a bow, but that's useless to anyone in my party. To the body's left, there is a door, and a big tower; probably the one the guard mentioned. Well, I guess I'll go inside.

More scamps. This place is piddlingly defended. I assume that firey thing in the centre is important.

It's still very cold in here. My bones are aching and I am not even old.

Aha, a live one!

They're devilishly quick and strong, and by gum those maces hurt.

What I assume is a mage runs to avenge his fallen brother. I back away, knowing that I'll be fried in this armor, and there's no room to dodge. So, I draw the mage out into the open, then ambush him. The mage can't really stand up to many hits. I rifle through their possessions, when...

...Kira... take their hearts... take their hearts... they were too weak to face you and as the victor, it is your right...

take the hearts...


take their hearts...

What is this? Get away! I wouldn't do such a thing, I am no monster!

take their hearts.... they will make you strong...

take their hearts...


cut their hearts out of their chests and consume their vitae...

No! I will not ever do such a thing...

My resolve steadily weakens. I crouch over a fallen dremora, get out a boot-knife and attempt to cut into his chest. With the other hand, I try to stop it from doing so.

Get off me!

I remember that I have Mara's Gift, and so I cast it. A blue light fills the area around me, and I feel refreshed and restored. The desire to cut the dremora's hearts out disappears, thankfully.

Ah... blessed of the Aedra and the Earthbones... This is my dominion of Oblivion. They have no power here. But I shall let you pass unfettered. Destroy the gate and you are only paying homage to me...

[Reudh]

I don't know what that was, but it terrified me. Maybe that was "Mehrunes' Claws" that Snumatias mentioned. Maybe that was Mehrunes Dagon speaking straight to me. He knows I'm here, he's aware... why does he not destroy me? "Destroy the gate and you only pay homage to me?"
He's the Daedric Prince of Destruction... so destroying this section of Oblivion pays homage to him.


I care not. I will destroy it.

I can only guess this firey thing is a part I must destroy. Oh well, continuing on.

I do not like this at all. Too high up...

I think I see an Imperial and a Dremora up there. It must be Menien, that captured guard. I prepare for a fight and stride confidently.

You should not be here, mortal! Your blood is forfeit, your flesh is mine!

I backpedal a bit, then hit him with a sweeping strike from my claymore, which knocks him off the ramp and down a few storeys. That looked like it hurt.

I walk back upstairs, winded from the battle, to talk to the whimpering Imperial.

Are you alright? How do I release you?

Quickly, quickly! There's no time! You must get to the top of the large tower! The Sigil Keep, they call it. That's what keeps the gate open!
Find the sigil stone. Remove it, and the gate will close! The keeper has the key, you must get the key! There are no locks to free me, but I beseech you, hurry!

I have to travel down several ramps before I finally find the dead dremora's body. On it, he has the key, which I take, and a skull with inscriptions all over it, brimming with power.

[post finishes here because gotta sleep]