(continued from part 1)
Episode 47, part 2: Chatter, boatless imperials and an explanation for 'marks.'
You sit on the stairs and chat with your voices. Looking up you can see the sun just beginning to fall behind the fortified parapet of Wolverine Hall's upper floor.
If you plan to travel before nightfall, it would be best to leave soon.
lets get a simple and cheap fire spell like fireball so we can make our own bottles.
Maybe get a cheap summoning spell?
:
"I don't know any spellschools. I can see magicka, I can channel it...but I'd need to learn the destruction school for bottle making, and conjuration for summoning. Also, making bottles with fireball sounds unwise to me."Our alchemy sucks.
:
"Well, I'm only going to get better if I practice. But practicing isn't really an option right now because I still don't have a full set of alchemy tools. There's the set in the hallway of the Ald'rhun Mage Guild, but last time I used those I ended up recall-swapped into a dungeon. I guess I could move them. Five feet in any direction would probably be enough to put me out of the mark location, but do we really want to be using SexyWithers' alchemy tools and have her materialize in front of us? That could happen, and I could see it ending badly. I mean...we can do that if it comes to it, but it's not a long term solution. And I suppose I could learn a few more effects by eating raw materials like I've been doing, but that won't really get us anywhere. If we really want to improve my alchemy, we'll need to get a full set of tools, and that means having a place to put them since there's no way I can carry them all around. Either rent a room, or clear out a tomb or something. And then just get a whole bunch of ingredients."I don't recall there being a potions-per-day limit, though. In fact, I
remember Michael mentioning that he can apparently pee at will now.
:
"Yeah, pretty sure once I have tools and a place to work, getting ingredients will be the only bottleneck."willing to sell us stuff for 100% value rather than 200%, but that'd probably annoy her. So your estimates based on 1 gp reagents may turn into 1.3 or 1.5 gp reagents instead, which can have a rather significant impact on those calculations.
:
"...meh, I kind of feel like if we're really needing to compute decimals values of gold coins over time in order to efficiently save seconds on potion duration...I just have to think we're going about the whole thing wrong. I mean, seriously, what was it you guys said about this being hobo simulator?"a game of Hobo: the Malingering.
unemployment simulator.
:
"...yeah, that was it. I've been here for what, six weeks now? What are we doing wrong here that after all that time I still need to spend half a day getting price quotes and trying to cut deals just to get a couple minutes worth of water walking? There has to be a better way to go about this."Also, look into joining house Telvanni, because why not?
The possibility of joining House Telvani shall not be on the table until we are already somewhat powerful.
I agree it shouldn't be something we do now.
:
"...ok. I guess I'll wait on that."tell Caius about the future of the empire, and how he can improve it.
Warning: Massive amounts of lore on the Oblivion crisis in this spoiler.
The Oblivion Crisis needs to happen.
:
"Well, if that's the case then we might have already messed things up pretty bad. Remember we gave Vivec a huge info dump when we first got here. The Mystic Dawn, the Emperor being assassinated, the Bloodmoon Prophecy, the Oblivion Crisis, the fall of Baar Dau, Almalexia going insane...we told him a whole bunch of stuff about the future and he's probably in a better position to alter history than Caius. In fact, we even told him specifically that he'd disappear, so he has personal incentive to make sure some of that stuff doesn't happen. Is this a problem?"
"Come to think of it, after that conversation Vivec had one of his priests act on some sort of contingency based on new information then teleported out. Is it possible that we were the source of the new information? What has Vivec been doing for the past month and a half?"If it's a rowboat (2 oars), you hold an oar in each hand and pump your arms, moving the boat forward on the push and preparing the next stroke on the pull (forward facing rowing.) To turn, row only the oar on the side you wish to turn towards. You sit facing forward, if you're doing this on your own.
It it's a paddleboat (1 paddle), you literally pull the boat through the water using broom-like motions with the paddle, alternating sides of the boat. To turn, paddle repeatedly on one side. You should be in a kneeling position.
You can also push off the bottom with a long pole, but that's best done from a standing position, which requires practice on the water, and it's probably too deep here.
Michael, can you hear these boating instructions?
:
"Well, yes. Although...your description is kind of...I mean...rowing a boat is not rocket science. I'm pretty sure I could figure it out without a detailed description. But the only boats I've seen here are sailboats, and those were way bigger than I think would be realistic to row or push with a pole."see if we can get any from the legion.
:
"I guess I could ask, but I don't understand what the benefit of a boat is supposed to be. Water walking potions were cheap. Though I suppose I'd have to buy a bunch of them since they only last 15 seconds. I'm pretty sure I can run with me just me a lot faster than I can drag me plus a boat through the water. Or there's that swift swim/water breathing at the Mage Guild. That was 3 minutes for 156 gold. Or if it really comes to it...I can just swim without any potions or scrolls at all. Covering the distance isn't really the problem here. The problems are first, cliff racers and slaughterfish. A boat solves the slaughterfish problem but not the cliff racers. But water walking has the same problem: even if I had a stack of infintie water walking potions, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to outrun them. The second problem is navigating. Remember I don't have an overview map and I'm looking at this exclusively from a first-person point of view. And it's foggy. I know that Tel Fyr is southwest of Sadrith Mora, but I don't even know which direction is southwest. I mean, yes I kind of know which direction has to be roughly southwestish because I recognize the landmarks. I know the layout of Sadrith Mora. But just heading out blind onto the water...my best guess is likely to be plus or minus 15 degrees and with low visibility from the fog I could probably get within 1000 feet of Tel Fyr and not even realize it. The trip is basically water with nondescript rocks.""Though I suppose if I'm in a boat then I don't need to worry about potions wearing off. Ok, sure. Let's ask."You walk down the stairs...
Acrobatics skill is now 31...and approach a Legionnaire.
:
"Excuse me?":
"Yes, citizen?"Interesting that he called you 'citizen' and not 'Legionnaire.' Does he not know, or does he know and he's just trying to avoid blowing your cover?
:
"I'm presently on detached duty in service to the Emperor. I need to get to Tel Fyr. Do you by chance have any boats I could borrow? Even a rowboat"The guard looks thoughtful for a moment.
:
"No, none. We have no need for them. You might try to find a ferry captain at the docks to take you, but Tel Fyr is restricted without approval from the Telvanni council. If this is official business, could you ask them?"Hmm. Maybe you could try talking to them. The ferry would be both safer and cheaper than your other options. But there isn't any reason for the Council to approve your visit. You'd certainly need some reason more compelling than to try to talk a high ranking Mage Guild member with corprus out of taking a potion that might either cure or kill her. Whether she dies and rids them of a Mage Guild wizard, or lives and therefore advances the art of medicine, either way they'd probably be happy with the result.
:
"...suppose Council permission wasn't an option?"He nods.
:
"In that case I advise you either to fly or water walk.":
"I don't suppose I could requisition potions from you?":
"No, our local depot is very limited. We maintain only a token presence here. I suggest speaking with any of the Mage Guild or Cult alchemists inside Wolverine Hall.":
"Speaking of which, why so few Legionnaires here? This is a major town.":
"We're all still on alert due to the genocide at Khuul, and there are other settlements in greater need of protection. The Telvanni are very good at maintaining order."Hmm. Khuul, right. Kind of forgot about that. And it's probably true that this town is one of the last places in need of Legion protection. Even as a player in-game you're pretty sure nobody really likes to mess with the Telvanni. Here where ncs aren't confined to their rooms and unable to open doors, if a hostile force presented itself, Master Neloth, his personal guard and retainers plus half a dozen Council Mouths are all within a minute or two away. That actually brings up a good question though: In the game there comes a point where you can pretty much kill anything. Even naked and unarmed it's possible to punch npcs like Archmagister Gothren or Divayth Fyr to death once your skills get high enough. Is it like that here too? Or are "powerful" npcs actually powerful? You vaguely remember Strillian comment during Legion training that there are wizards who can solo entire armies. Was that hyperbole or was it literally true? You personally witnessed Fast Eddie grinding spell training and from what you saw he'd been doing it for at least days, possibly weeks. Just how tough is a Telvanni magelord in this world?
I'm liking the "ask the Legion for help, maybe official business" angle. Dunno how eager a
heavily armored Legionnaire is going to be to try to take a swim with us, but it's worth a shot.
:
"One last question for you: suppose I get transport arrangements in order. Would you or another guard be willing to provide an escort?"He frowns at that.
:
"Much as this town isn't in need of protection, I will not abandon my post without either orders or a very good reason. A very good reason, especially to enter a restricted area in violation of local laws. Detached duty or no, I do outrank you, recruit."Pretty much the answer you expected. You thank the guard for his time and move on.
Get papers and Mark.
You head to the Gateway Inn and approach the Innkeeper.
:
"Hello, are you Anger...Angerheld..?": "
Angaradhel, yes. What can I do for you?"You notice that his voice is a bit less gravelly than most male dunmer you've spoken with.
:
"I was told to see you for Hospitality Papers.":
"Ahh, yes of course. For how long will you be staying in Sadrith Mora?":
"Umm, I was hoping to leave before nightfall. I just want to buy some potions. But I'll probably come back again at some point.":
"How about a standard 30 day business visa, then?":
"I'm sure that will be plenty, yes.":
"Will you be buying only, or selling goods also?":
"Probably both.":
"Do you intend to import any of the following: dwemer artifacts, preserved corpses, moon sugar, skooma or walnuts?"Walnuts?
:
"No, none of those.":
"Will you be engaged in the buying, selling, or transport of slaves?":
"...erm, probably not. I don't think so. But that's legal, isn't it? I passed the slave pen earlier.":
"Yes, but there's an extra 5 gold surcharge for the slave-handling endorsement.":
"Really? Huh. No, I hadn't planned on slaves...I don't think, anyway. If I change my mind later can I get it added?":
"Yes. Though there's an additional 5 gold fee for adding an endorsement to an already-issued visa.":
"So 5 now, or 10 later. Ok, how about put it on, just in case.":
"Slave handling endorsement...check. Finally, are you presently, have you ever been, or do you intend to ever become a covert operative, spy, or secret agent of any Vvardenfell Greathouse or foreign government?"Now is probably not the best time to admit to being a Blades Operative.
:
"...umm...no?":
"Very good. Just give me a moment, and...here you go. That will be 30 gold please."You hand him the coins and he hands you the paperwork. After accepting it he casually waves his hand and a bolt of dark blue light bursts from his hand into your face.
:
"Gahh!!! What did you do?!?!"It doesn't hurt at all, in fact you can't even feel it, but with your new magic vision you can see a tiny patch of blue pulsating inside your head.
:
"Get it off!!!!":
"Sera, please calm down."You don't think you're injured, but there's now a blue spot in your vision that wasn't there before. Well, not in your vision, exactly. It's more like, inside you?
:
"What did you do?":
"I simply gave you the Hospitality Mark you asked for. You're approved for business transactions within Sadrith Mora."It takes a moment for that to sink in.
:
"Mark?":
"Yes, so any merchant can see that you are properly licensed. ":
"Isn't that what the papers are for?":
"Well, yes, but only in the event that your mark is lost. Papers are very easily forged.:
"So, what exactly did you do?"He frowns at the question.
:
"I gave you a simple Telvanni Hospitality mark. It's no different from your others.":
"What others?":
"For example I see that you're a Mage Guild Associate."He points to a spot on your forehead. You close your eyes and focus on your light-aura. It takes a moment, but you think you see the spot he means. With your eyes closed, everything kind of looks like the Matrix. Except that everything is made of magic light instead of computer code.
:
"The green?":
"Yes, that's it."Has that been there all along? It was a small motion he made with his hand. It's possible the other factions similarly marked you when you joined and you just never noticed because you couldn't see magicka the in same way you do now.
:
"What other marks do I have?"He raises an eyebrow in apparent bewilderment that you would ask this.
:
"Well, I see that you're in the Legion, though I don't recognize your rank designation. And that yellow mark is an Imperial Fighter's guild mark, one of the lower ranks I believe. And these two here...hmm. I don't recognize those. And of course, here I can see that you recently ran afoul of the guard for a minor offense that was paid in full.":
"So anyone can know all this just by looking at me?":
"Of course." He pauses.
"Well, not anyone. Anyone with any magical training can see the marks if they look, but seeing isn't the same as knowing what they mean. I recognize the Telvanni and imperial Mage Guild marks because I work with them so often, but the others I'm less sure of. But if you'll excuse me, I need to file your paperwork."This might bear further investigation. Was this part of that last week of Legion training that you missed out on? Or maybe they didn't bother teaching you about this because you had no magic training? Would it be possible to impersonate someone important, say...a guild head, just by getting a proper mark? Actually, it's probably not that simple. Edwinna and Eydis both entered your name into a book when you joined the Mage and Fighter's guilds, and Angaradhel gave you hardcopy just now too. If somebody walked in and claimed to own the place they'd probably check. Come to think of it, while the Telvanni guard that was following you earlier said you lacked a mark...he
did ask for papers before trying to arrest you. So they're probably not stupid about this. And everyone at Wolverine Hall seemed to know Clover by name. It's probably difficult to impersonate anyone very important. But this is probably something Caius would know about. He is a spymaster, after all.
You close your eyes and stare in Angaradhel's direction while he fiddles with some paperwork. It's...yes. You can see the light that composes his being. It's difficult to make out since your eyelids are made of light too and they kind of get in the way. Plus of course the sun is streaming a constant, overwhelming barrage of magicka through the building and into the ground beneath your feet. There's a lot of light everywhere and you have to really focus to not be distracted by it all. You focus in on his head, and...there! He has a couple marks just like yours...well, not exactly like yours. One is blue, one is...red? No, two are red. And there's another couple that might be marks or just background...body. It's difficult to tell. You don't recognize what his marks mean, but if you look carefully enough, you can more or less see them.
Level 7
Health 58/59
Magick 69/69
Armor rating: 4
27.1 Strength (20)
34.9 Speed (30)
37.0 Agility (30)
39.9 Endurance (30)
42.4 Intelligence (40)
40.0 Willpower (40)
44.4 Personality (40)
56.0 Luck (50)
Numbers in parenthesis are starting values
31 Acrobatics (0)
22 Athletics (5)
7 Armorer (0)
6 Block (0)
7 Heavy Armor (0)
5 Medium Armor (0)
21 Light armor (0)
9 Unarmored (0)
5 Blunt Weapon
12 Hand to Hand
5 Longblade
6 Shortblade
8 Spear
7 Alchemy (0)
5 Enchanting (0)
21 Speechcraft (10)
11 Mercantile (0)
* Cruel Viperblade
* Chitin shield
* Colovian fur "helm"
* Chitin left + right gauntlets
* Chitin greaves
* Chitin cuirass
* Chitin left + right pauldrons
* Chitin boots
* Combat belt
* Commoner's shirt
* Commoner's pants
* Interior coinpurse, containing:
* 2 Standard restore health potions
* lockpick
Backpack (Worn)
Main compartment:
* Tennis shoes
* A strange note that reads 'Remember, we are watching you.'
* Letter of introduction from Ranis Athrys
* Sadrith Mora Hospitality papers
* Yellow notepad with 54 pages left
* 1 pen
* "20% cooler" Rainbow Dash t-shirt,
* Denim pants
* a cellphone and wallet with picture ID and $30 in cash
* 1 divine intervention scroll
* 2 lesser soulgems (empty)
* 29 Whickwheat
Small compartment
* 281 gold
* 8 empty bottle
* 2 Ampoule Pod
* 1 Black Anther
* 18 Bonemeal(?)
* 1 bread
* 7 bungler's bane
* 5 Chokeweed
* 3 Corkbulb
* 1 kwama cuttle
* 25 Heather
* 3 hypha facia
* 11 luminous russula
* 4 Racer Plume
* 1 Rat Meat
* 8 saltrice
* 1 Scamp Skin
* 2 Stoneflower petals(?)
* 5 spore pod
* 6 violet coprinus
Blades, Novice
Imperial Legion, Recruit
Fighter's Guild, Associate (1 quest completed)
Mage Guild, Associate
Registered Sadrith Mora business visa, with slave-handling endorsement
* Steel tanto, with scabbard and carrying straps
* Imperial steel Cuirass
* Apprentice mortar and pestle
Alit Hide [1]Resist Poison
Ash yam [1]Restore personality
Ampoule Pod [1]Restore speed
Black Anther [1]Resist poison
Black lichen [1]Drain Health
Bread [1]Restore Fatigue
Bungler's Bane [1]Drain agility
Chokeweed [1]Drain health
Coda Flower [1]Restore luck
Comberry [1]Drain health
Corkbulb Root [1]Restore luck
Crab Meat [1]Restore fatigue
Gravedust [1]Burden
Green Lichen [1]Night Eye
Heather [1]Poison
Hound Meat [1]Poison
Hypha facia [1]Drain speed
Kresh fiber [1]Cure common disease
Kwama cuttle [1]Restore health
Large kwama egg [1]Restore fatigue
Luminous russ. [1]Paralysis
Marshmerrow [1]Resist common disease
Muck [1]Poison
Racer plume [1]Levitate
Rat meat [1]Poison
Roobrush [1]Restore intelligence
Saltrice [1]Restore endurance
Scale [1]Swift swim
Scathecraw [1]Paralyze
Spore pod [1]Paralysis
Stoneflower petal [1]Fortify health
Sm. Kwama Egg [1]Restore Fatigue
Violet coprinus [1]Water Walking
Whickwheat [1]Cure paralysis
Willow Anther [1]Water Breathing
What do you do?