PLAYERS

Have marked the one known group joining up so far with green above, once we here from Seminks character about taking a fourth or staying as three etc will adjust.. will use other colors for other groups as well when they start forming. As it sits right now there are three groups of four possible.

** Group #01
** Group #02
** Group #03

Malchik - as - Esquisite
Race: Altmer Female
Class: DM
Cyborg16 - as - Semink
Race: Khajiit Male
Class: Archer
Povuholo - as - Bradas
Race: Dunmer Male
Class: Wizard
Thread_Whisperer - as - Trebbits
Race: Breton Male
Class: Adventurer
nielsmajere - as - Tiramir
Race: Breton Male
Class: Wizard/mage (I guess)
Darak Shadowblade - as - Darak
Race: Dunmer Male
Class: Swordsman
BonesNofoa - as - Marissa
Race: Dunmer Female
Class: Cleric
Taehl - as - Fadril
Race: Dunmer Male
Class: Akaviri Swordsman
Adanorcil - as - Adanorcil
Race: Altmeri Male
Class: Psijics
Jhaerlyn - as - Rhyll
Race: Altmer + Dunmer Male
Class: Swordsman
mordredK - as - Mordred
Race: Dunmer Male
Class: Magic user ??
Dreamer7 - as - Yuliya
Race: Imperial Female
Class: mage ??
Dreadlord 55 - as - Ulandur
Race: Altmer Male
Class: Battle mage

So far.......

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+++++ From Original Thread +++++
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[quote][Posted by: Malchik]
Rumours have reached all parts of the Empire. A rift to Oblivion has opened in the province of Cyrodiil and monsters are pouring through causing destruction and death. The Imperial guard is hard stretched to contain the outbreak and need all the help they can get. Enquiries at your local town hall, tavern or village gossip will give you the following information.

A little way outside Kvatch, in a ruined abbey of some grandeur, the Altmer mage Esquisite has found her laboratory a similar collection point. She has not chosen this. She is by nature a loner and extremely arrogant but like it or not fate has chosen her and she must help such magic users who come her way and of course any others who end up there by chance.

Each potential candidate to help in the fight must first be interviewed by the leader they choose to report to. They must initially explain who they are, why they want to help, why they chose that particular starting point and what they think they can do to help. This should be the first post made by each player. Within the post must be made clear; your name, race, gender, age, skills, armoury (magic or otherwise) and costume. A description of a historical feat of daring to convince the 'leader' that you are suitable would not go amiss but they will get bored if you give them a story the length of War and Peace and throw you out.

Once you have made your first post please interact with others who join up until you are advised of your departure time to the front. This will not be for a day or two as each leader will want to teleport a group rather than individuals. Teleporting forces one by one could be too dangerous. Who knows what they will be facing? If you are there alone, have a look round and describe (as you see it) the tavern, the abbey ruin or the mountain scenery.

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Posted by: Cyborg16
[NOTE: I wrote this before the above post was posted. I think it can still fit if Esquisite's laboratory was hidden under the ruins (my initial assumption) and not too many people were present there.]

Anyone with a good view over the abbey --- and a sharp eye; say one of the birds flying overhead --- would, perhaps, be able to make out a thin figure darting quickly from one wall to the next. Anyone watching closely would notice that this figure wasn't necessarily keeping to the darkest areas under the shadows of half-standing walls, but was rather keeping to one side of the walls, every so often stopping to listen and scan the old, broken rubble of the abbey; his eyes stopping for longer on the more overgrown or shadowed areas. Thus any such observer with a moderate degree of intelligence, of which there were none that could be seen, would deduce that this Kajiit was afraid of being followed, and was either looking for a place to hide or looking for some hidden object.

Semink, this Kajiit, had until recently been working at one of the farms near to Kvatch as a labourer. His recent employer, or master as the servants called him, was a mean Imperial, and despite slavery having been abolished in the Empire, treated his farm labourers little better than slaves. Indeed, another of his servants who had been watching over the "masters" flocks, who had been unfortunate enough to have lost an animal for an unknown reason, had been whipped severely and left without water or food for a couple of days as a "lesson". Thus it was that when Semink had recently been watching his "masters" flocks, when a large pack of wolves, hungry from the little food available at this time of year, had attacked the flock killing several of the animals before Semink could drive them off, Semink had run off into the forests for fear of being killed by his master.

Since then, Semink had been running for his life, and was hungry, having decided not to risk being found while hunting deer. So, when travelling through a patch of forest far enough from Kvatch for there to be few people about, he had spied an abandoned-looking hut, he had cautiously approached, and no one being visible, had entered the hut to search for food. It immediately became apparent that the hut had been used in the last few days, by a large male Nord from the smell, and thus Semink had not dared stay for more than a few seconds. However, before snatching a slightly stale loaf of bread and a lump of dried meat, Semink noticed a note fixed to the wall. Semink did not read it all, but read the phrases "gone to abbey", "mage will teleport", "warriors wanted". After leaving the hut, Semink thought over these phrases and deduced that there was likely a mage who had a laboratory at an abbey, and was looking for warriors.

The next day, after travelling further from Kvatch, Semink had spied some ruins, and quickly realised they must be the abbey mentioned in the note. Curious, he came nearer. Just then he was surprised to hear, from the general direction of Kvatch and the hut he had found the note in, a horse cantering in his direction. Instantly Semink had an unjustified hunch that someone was after him, and, guessing from the note that somewhere in this ruin was the mage's laboratory, decided to seek it out with the hope that he might be able to hide there and, if he was lucky, be teleported away from the Kvatch area by the mage.

He decided later that maybe this was an unwise decision, and resolved not to make such rash decisions in the future. But this was only after he'd met Esquisite.

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Posted by: Povuholo
An old wizard was travelling by horse towards Kvatch. When he arrived there, he went into a shop. A few minutes later, his pockets seem slightly heavier, as if they were filled with potions. The wizard was dressed in a black robe which looked very clean, almost unrealistic, how clean it was. He was also wearing shoes which were of the same material, which were just as clean as the robe. The wizard didn't talk, so only by looking at his face you could see he was a Dark Elf.

Except for a robe filled with potions and scrolls, shoes and a horse, a wand was the only thing this wizard seemed to have. This wand was covered with daedric symbols, although it wasn't a daedric wand. It had a magic glow, coming from a blue crystal on the top of it. It was obvious that this wizard had been practising the arcane arts for years and years already. He looked capable of casting spells of any school of magic.

The wizard's name is Bradas Sorethi. He is a shy, yet wise wizard. While wandering along the dirty roads in the city of Kvatch it looked like he was thinking about something very hard. He had no intention of getting involved into anything and he only talked to mages, to exchange tips and spells. If he did talk to anyone else, he would do that if it was absolutely necessarily to talk.

It was pure luck, or bad luck, that Bradas Sorethi overheared a conversation between two Orcs talking about how a group of mages was gathering at a ruin just outside Kvatch. Hoping for some kind of wizard convention, Bradas Sorethi got back on his horse and went there.

There were more people around, although they weren't recognisable. They could be both mage, thief, warrior, or anything in between. There was someone sneaking around, watching everybody, trying not to be seen. The person looked like a Khajiit, but Bradas Sorethi wasn't sure about that. As he, or she, noticed that Bradas Sorethi was watching him or her, he quickly ran away.

The abbey looked like a ruin indeed. Although there were stairs in a corner, leading down, to an underground cavern. Bradas Sorethi was about to go downstairs. He heard people mixing things and talking there. That would be a laboratory then, Bradas Sorethi explained to himself. Before he could go down, an Altmer female, called Esquisite came to him. She was obviously a mage, so Bradas Sorethi had no trouble with talking to her.

After a quick conversation Bradas Sorethi found out what was going on. This wasn't a wizard convention. This was about a rift opened somewhere in the imperial city, spawning terrible monsters. This seemed like a good chance to learn more about Oblivion, because there are only a few people who have been in Oblivion, and even fewer who lived to tell. Although Bradas Sorethi wasn't the person who would like to fight in teams, or fight at all, he did have enough experience in the arcane arts to do so. Travelling with this group would probably be his only chance to get into Oblivion and reveal it's dark secrets..

Bradas Sorethi totally forgot about the laboratory, since something more interesting came to his mind now. He climbed up a rock, sit down on the edge and started thinking....

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Posted by: Thread_Whisperer
His map rustled in his hands as he tried to hold it open to figure out where he had ended up. Before he could get it straight and steady enough to read however, the winds tore the parchment from it's own worn corners leaving him standing there with only two small fragments in each hand. Trebbits eyes simply followed the flitting paper as it lifted and swirled and vanished into the dark. Holding his small travel lantern in his teeth still he let out a small curse under his breath.

He knew what he was going to do was risky enough without the constant blunders he seemed always to be a part of. Impersonating a great hero in order to raise ones own stature just seemed like a good idea to him, and worth the efforts. If things continued as they always seemed to for the barely nineteen year old Breton however, it would be a short trip. Trebbits had studied the fine crafts of illusion for a long time though and had the utmost confidence in his ability to pull off the fraud. Once he had been accepted to face the hordes that were rumored to be threatening the very Empire itself he could drop the illusion and stand for himself, this had settled in his mind as he had made his way to the old abbey outside Kvatch.

He hoped that the stories he had heard about Esquisite were true, and that she would be to distracted, with having people in her space, to notice or even look for trickery on the part of those seeking to become fighters for the cause. His thoughts regained themselves and he let go of the last pieces of the map and took the lantern from his mouth. Adjusting his grey cloak and shifting his left arm to once again take hold of his staff that had been tucked between his elbow and ribs, he continued down the small trail he had been following, his padded leather boots kicking up small swirls of dust with each step only to be carried away like his map had been.

In short order Trebbits happened upon some ruins, stones lay about shattered walls and behind those rose the brken remains of what must have once been the grand abbey. Somewhere within this ruin he new he would find Esquisite. He began fumbling his way through the outer wall rubble and went to the left side of the ancient structure. Halfway down he came to what had obviously once been a small tower and as he climbed down from the stones that had collected between the tower and the wall he found himself looking at a gate in the wall with a single guard standing on the outside of the wall looking right back at him. His thoughts for a moment were confused as to why this guard would be standing outside the wall and gate when clearly the abbey was inside them and the broken walls were of no purpose. But even as he thought these things he saw a very faint shimmer, Illusion! of course the labratory he was seeking was being hidden outside the abbey by illusion, using the abbey's presence as a distraction to would be visitors. His confidence restored Trebbits made sure his own illusion was firmly in place and approached the small gate.

"What is your business with the the abbey?" inquired the guard.
"My name is Sentri Thoresson, I have traveled from the far reaches of the Morrowind Province where I have most recently been known for aiding the great Gerun, a warrior of the Imperial Army who had dealings with the Nerevarine to whom I was also of service. My business is merely to provide now my services to the great Esquisite as her humble servant of magic in fighting the hordes that come from Oblivion!" he lied. A small trickle of sweat slowly traversed the hair on the back of his neck as he awaited a response from the Guard.

Before the lying Trebbits could get an answer he felt an odd sensation as if it had all happened before and he was going through the motions again. And sure enough he found he had already met Esquisite. He could recall exactly what she said to him too. Strange the workings of this mage. She had to be very powerful. But he had to explain himself to her just like the other two he was with.

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Posted by: Malchik
-|| RPG UPDATE ONE ||-

Trebbits, Semink, Bradas

You are all three teleported into the laboratory where Esquisite is looking at you with a jaundiced eye.

"Of course you don't all see the same things! I didn't create all those illusion spells to fool people for no reason! Goodness me what a rag-bag lot you are! Well, don't just stand there open mouthed. What can you do for me that you want me to let you in?"

She looks at each in turn. To Trebbits she says; "Some minor skills maybe. Or are you hiding something?" To Semink, with a sigh "Khajiit do not use magic. So what exactly will you be able to do?" Finally she looks at Bradas. "I think I have heard of you. The Wizard who avoids trouble at all costs. Much help you will be in this crisis."

She shakes her head. "Well perhaps fate has chosen you as it seems to have chosen me. But I need to hear from your own lips something you have done that will make me feel you can help."

She looks at Semink. "It doesn't have to be anything involving bravery. Cleverness is just as important here."

Each of you knows they must make a case for inclusion in her party.

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Posted by: nielsmajere
Tiramir's thin fingers ran over the laboratories stone door, feeling the soft murmur of arcane power etched into the granite, before he knocked. Waiting but a moment for an answer, it swung open, revealing a lithe Altmer staring down a long nose at him. With a look that would curdle milk she demanded, "Now what is a Breton novice doing outside my laboratory at this time of night?"
Drawing himself up, as he placidly smoothed the creases on his robes, Tiramir bowed low, if not merely to hide his sneer. "Forgiving my untimely arrival Mage Esquisite, but I am here in reference to the Oblivion rifts. I found this news... fascinating, and I was hoping to investigate." Frowning, Esquisite scoffed "And what makes you think I shall enlist in the aid of you. I am in no need of an apprentice." Gently forcing his way through the door Tiramir smothered his angry retort, "begging your pardon, but my experiences and skills are far past that of an apprentice. Perhaps you have heard of the quelling of the Telvanni rogues in Vvanderfell - an act I was responsible for." Shutting the stone portal with a wave of her hand, the doors ominous groan echoed through the expansive lab. Beakers containing various Daedra parts and bizarre plants lined the shelves. A sniveling Scamp shuffled inside its cage from the dark corner. So she has a familiar... Tiramir smiled pathetic hag. "No, I am not aware of your imaginative tales, Breton, nor do I think these stories you weave would entertain the most gullible of children." Quelling his fury, Tiramir strolled amongst the shelves and desks. His black velvet robe collected no dust as it glided over the cold stone floor, but as he approached one of the stands the night blue opal at his chest throbbed. Gazing down upon the pedestal he saw an innocuous leather bound tome sitting there complacently. "You’d best not touch that, lest you wish to have a Dremora ripping out your heart," the elf called. Hovering his hand a hairs breadth from the cover, he sensed the coursing powers of Conjuration held within. "Yes Altmer, I am very interested in this investigation..."

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Posted by: Cyborg16
Semink, still feeling nervous, found it rather a shock to find himself suddenly along with others in what was clearly a mage's laboratory. His nervous response was to run, but he curbed it just in time.

After listening to Esquisite's short introduction, he starts to think.

She created illusions... for what purpose? Was she guiding me here? It didn't sound like she wanted me... but she could be hiding something...

He realises that now he's here, he can't just leave. Aside from the fact that these are mages, it sounds like he could be useful.
"I guess, since you're all mages, you probably already know how I got here, so I don't need to explain that. But if you're wanting to attack the daedra, you'll need to know what you're up against. Mages can fight powerfully, but even so, don't you need to know what spells to prepare? I know you could just use illusion to do some scouting, but it would take you some time. I can be fast and stealthy, and I have good ears and a good nose, which are sometimes better than your detection spells, because I don't need to stop to concentrate.

I don't pretend to be a better scout than you all the time, but I think we could work well as a team; you could cast invisibility on me if necessary. But overall I think I can be quite useful.

As for some clever tricks, when I was young, little more than a kitten, one of my tribe's scouts reported that some Imperial warriors were on their way to attack my tribe. I didn't fight that day, but while our warriors were preparing for a combat, I and several other young Kajiit went and made some traps on the route the Imperials were coming along. Two of the traps I designed and made with another Kajiit caught and wounded an Imperial.

I'm also good at hunting deer and other animals; I can hunt with a bow or with traps, and occasionally I've killed deer by sneaking up and pouncing, which is not an easy thing to do since they're usually alert and run fast.

I also managed to put a rope across a river once without getting wet. *Grins* First, I tied a monkey's fist knot in the end of the rope with a stone inside to make a lump on the end of a good size. Then I climbed some trees to get as far over the river as possible and threw the end of the rope at a branch on the other side in a way that the rope wound round the branch and the weighted end held it there. Then after tying the other end I crawled across the rope (that was scary because I can't swim wery well and don't much like getting wet) and tied the other end properly for other people.

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Posted by: Povuholo
Bradas was about to ask Esquisite how that illusion spell worked, but changed his mind remembering her temper.

While Esquisite walked away Bradas started to think what he had gotten himself into. Although he isn’t that talkative, he couldn’t resist whispering "What’s with her?" to Trebbits. Esquisite turned around looking slightly angry. Then she walked up the stairs, out of the laboratory. Did she hear that?

Bradas started to look around the laboratory. What is this Esquisite hiding for them? Why is she using illusion spells to hide the laboratory? What's her story in this? Hundreds of questions fly through Bradas his head.

Since they still had time to kill before they would leave, Bradas and the others started looking around the laboratory, which looked different to each one of them.

Bradas saw a dark laboratory, with apparatus spread in the different rooms. Ingredients were nicely sorted out in jars, and the potions were sorted in two chests: poisonous potions and restore potions. The poisonous potions chest seemed to be full, while the restore potions chest was nearly empty. To kill some time Bradas started to make some potions which could be useful in the future with his own ingredients. Every now and then he looked up to see what the others were doing, but he was concentrating on the apparatus to much to really notice anything.

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Posted by: Darak Shadowblade
[OOC: English is not my first language; this is somewhat the sequel of a story I wrote a long time ago and you can find it here http://shadowblades.tripod.com/Darak_17.htm and here http://shadowblades.tripod.com/Darak_18.htm ]

Darak awoke, sweating. A nightmare! He hadn't experienced such dreams since a long, long time. And this one was very vivid: he had seen many bizarre and frightening creatures during his previous voyages, but this was nothing like it: horny, scaled demons that bore no resemblance with humans at all, blood dripping from their claws, human limbs still lingering in their fangs... they were swarming through the woods and plains of Cyrodiil, killing and destroying everything in their path!

He was still shaking when he realized there was something else... in fact, there wasn't: the barrier! That accursed forcefield that had been helding him captive for many a year... he could sense its presence no longer! Darak stood in the middle of the cavern that had been his home and prison, his mouth agape in wonder. His gilded cage: everything he wanted, everything but freedom. But now...
He rushed towards the entrance and he was out. He was right: the barrier was no more... but why? No, it was no time to stop and think: he had to act as quickly as he could, run away before his jailer could come back. He dressed, put some food in his purses and grabbed his old faithful sword. A minute later he was out again, in the heart of Dragontail Mountain, a scenic dale with a crystalline lake glimmering in the light of stars and moons.
He paused, pondering the direction, but the answer came by itself: a voice in his head, like a message for those mind keen enough to receive it. "Quick, brave soul! We need you in Cyrodiil! Tell me your name so that I may teleport you here". What a stroke of luck: he was looking for a way to flee as fast as he could, and here it was!
"Darak" he answered without further thinking.
Then there was a flash of bright light and everything became unnaturally white.

After a moment he was able to see once again. He carefully inspected the surroundings: several high libraries and shelves were lined by ruined walls, overrun here and there by thick vines. Everything here smelled old, from dusty books to murky alchemy ingredients, from the carved ceiling to... that borious Altmer behind the desk!

Darak's face twisted in an expression of plain dislike, and so did his host.
The Altmer stood up from his chair, his velvet robe embroidered with gold floating around her, pacing slowly towards him.
"My arcane summoning didn't work as I expected, I reckon", she started, looking arrogantly at Darak.
"Don't worry: I'll be on my way at once!" Darak replied spinning on his heels.
He took two steps... and then he could no longer move. The Altmer walked around him in circles, her lips curved in a malicious grin.
"There, there... a Dunmer. I cannot imagine a single reason why my ritual would summon someone with the likes of you. Magic sometimes is unpredictable... but it never fails, as you are now experiencing... when used by a skillful wizard, of course. So, what puzzles me is why are you here. You've got some basic instruction in magic, a mere student, I guess. But even your race might hide some potential. I already know your name, but I want more informations. Speak up!" she paused and then stared at him, the smile on her face widening "Oh, I'm sorry: you can't! Let me release your mouth and let's see if your answers please me."

Darak took a difficult breath: it was like he had a boulder on his chest; he eyed at the Altmer, until she walked behind his back. He'd rather tell her nothing, but considering the undoubted powers of the wizard, this could prove fatal. Reluctantly he did as he was asked, trying not to give away crucial information about himself.
"I am Darak Shadowblade, a Dunmer from Morrowind. I'm skilled both with blades and magic, though I've been unable to practice both for a long time and now I am a bit... rusty. I've been away for a while and I've got nothing but myself and what I'm carrying."
"I see: that certainly suits one of your race" said the Altmer appearing from behind his left shoulder, "And what were you doing in Dragontail Mountain then?"
Darak did not answer.
"Indulge my inquisitiveness and I might free you, Dunmer."
"I... encountered a dragon."
"Nonsense! There are no dragons in Tamriel!"
"Believe what you will. I just hope you'll be able to tell it yourself, when you meet it."
"Hold your tongue, arrogant punk. Now I will free you, but I order you to behave yourself. Others have responded to the calling and I must attend to them. You will wait out of this room until I call you again."
Then the Altmer snapped his fingers and Darak was able to move again: he inspired deeply and, without looking at the wizard, strode out of the chamber, trying to appear more confident than he actually was.

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Posted by: Malchik
-|| RPG UPDATE TWO ||-

All would be defenders against the invaders from Oblivion suddenly hear a strange voice in their heads.

For you to be selected to help you must tell the leaders of one specific event in your past that demonstrates your effectiveness. One or two have done this must most are relying on displays of skill and power. We do not doubt your abilities as individuals but we seriously question your ability to be part of a team. So choose your example wisely. Each of you will at some point in your lives have been forced to fight with others or to help others even if only for the sake of mutual survival. You do not have to like your comrades but you will have to trust them as they must know they can trust you in return.

Those selected will move on in two to three days time. So tell your stories and talk to your companions. Learn what it is about them that you can support and show them why they should support you. Train with them if they will let you. Drink with them if they are of a mind to drink. This must be a team and you must show you can be part of it."

Those with Fygge can see he is as eager to be moving on as you are but the words make sense. You are all strangers to each other. You have a little time to change that and realise that to go with others and to succeed you must learn of them. And somehow you know you will become very famous if you succeed.

Fairgoth has something about her that inspires such devotion in any she looks at that you cannot but do as she asks. Talk to your companions, tell them and her your bravest tales. You will do it for her and if she chooses you you will succeed! And somehow you know you will become very rich if you succeed.

In the ruined abbey, slowly each of you realises that nothing of what you see is actually there and you all see different things. Does the mage Esquisite really exist? All you can be certain of is that your companions are real. But something very powerful is assessing you carefully. You have been told to learn of your companions and let them learn of you. Somehow you know that immense power can become yours if you succeed.

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Posted by: Thread_Whisperer
His mind slowly wrapped around the words coming from the woman standing before him and two others, one an average sized Khajiit and the other a dark elf in clothing even darker. Trebbits listened as the Khajiit introduced himself to the lady first, and realized that she had first addressed him but seeing the pause Semink had been ready to fill the gap in time. Trebbits was grateful for this and would have to remember to thank the Khajiit for his quick mind in covering the lapse Trebbits had made.

Seminks story was brief but it held some interesting and albeit useful information, a trapper and skilled Bowman that could provide well for them should they wind up in a situation where they would not have the pleasure of civilized foods. But there was more then the skills he mentioned, of this Trebbits was certain, and one had been displayed even now. He was quick of mind and caught detail of things that Trebbits himself had missed. Yes indeed He must make sure to befriend this Khajiit regardless of the outcome of this 'interview'

Now his mind was clear of the brief fog that had clouded it but before he could give a response to Esquisite the old dark elf began talking even as Semink was forming the last word of his story. "What's with her," the dark elf asked Trebbits?

But again before Trebbits could even respond to the elf this arrogant or senile old man began to grab items from the counters and hauled out ingredients from his pack to begin mixing potions. Now Trebbits hadn't been alive long this is true, but in his neck of the woods you didn't just stroll into someplace and begin using things in it as though they were your own. What nerve. The man was either very skilled to support his confidence in his actions or very senile, of which Trebbit could not be certain, but he would definitely have to keep an eye on this one.

Trebbits turned back to Esquisite, "I apologize for my delay and hope you can forgive me, It was a long night of travel for me in coming to this place and the suddenness and strangeness of my immediate situation simply left me a little off balance." Was that a faint shimmer? Trebbits had been looking into the eyes of Esquisite to make sure his illusioned mask was not slipping, if they saw he was merely a teenager he would never be able to pull off the Sentri Thoresson act he had started. But as he had watched her eyes there had been an ever so quick flutter between seeing her there and not, he was almost certain of it. Indeed Illusion had been used outside the confines of this place there was even better chance it was still in place within. If this were true he was sunk for surely one of this kind of power would see through his much lower class illusion of looking as he did.

"Please let me also apologize for trying such trickery as I have on one such as yourself. I am not who I said I was at your gate as I am sure you well know." He must have looked like a fool to the others because he no longer spoke to the form in front of him but instead slowly turned while speaking and looked in a more upward direction. "Please forgive my feeble attempt Mistress Esquisite, but you see I am seeking my own story for my life yet none will give me this chance to make it what I wish it to be. My father thinks me a fool for spending time with magic, my mother wished herself a girl child and has always treated me as her wish. I have met many people who sought their own stories and indeed have I helped a few of them to gain what they sought."

He stopped turning in place and looked to the other two in the room with him, and continued. "I am sure that each of us who have come to you have individual skills that as you have said are mundane in themselves and very likely of little use to you when viewed on their own merits, but if I may be so bold as to say that even in the world of magic it is always true that the more powerful one wishes to make a potion or spell the more one must put into it. So I humbly submit that you are correct in assessing us as you have but give us a chance to show you our true power when combined properly into the potion you wish to make for your attack on the hordes. Let us have time to share with each other those things that make us unique and in turn can be combined to make us something formidable as well."

He wasn't sure why but he felt compelled to get down on one knee, and drop his head forward when he finished with, "I, Trebbits of Kaldravndal, though I may not have ever done anything you would know about, humbly request your considerations not only for myself but to be combined with those of Semink and the old elf, so that together we can help you write your glory chapter of your life's tale."

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Posted by: Povuholo
Bradas Sorethi is not the person you can fool with an illusion spell. Although he did not know what everything looked like normally, he did know that this was an illusion. How far all this was an illusion, was still unknown for him. The only people he could trust are the ones that arrived here like him. Bradas was forced to get out of his shy character and start talking. They had to work together as a team, or everything would go wrong.

Bradas went outside the laboratory, and placed a purple stone on the ground. This was a memory stone, anyone who touches it can either deposit one of their stories in it, or hear the one of someone else. Bradas used a complicated spell so only the companions would be able to touch the stone. .

And so, after placing the stone and done the accessing isues, Bradas touched the stone and started whispering one of his stories.

"What day it was, i don't recall. But i was walking along Tel Fyr, a telvanni tower in morrowind. These things look like oversized mushrooms. A famous wizard was known to be inside, so i visited him. Knowing he is a collector of dwemer items, i brought him a bag of dwemer coins. However, he refused those. "If you really want to learn something from me" Divayth Fyr said, "You will have to help me with my study for the cure of corprus"

And so i went inside the Corprusarium, a cavern full of corprus victims, a terrible disease spread by Dagoth Ur, a villian not important in this story. I started by investigating corprus weepings, which is sort of the "flesh" of corprus beasts. I examined it, and knew that it would drain your Fatigue and Willpower, and strangely enough fortify your Luck and restore your Health. Couldn't hold myself from smiling while thinking "corprus beasts are lucky".

I made a potion which did exactly the opposite of the previously mentioned effects. I made two of them, i gave one to a corprus beast and i kept myself. The corprus beast rotten flesh seemed to get slightly less, so i think it was effective. I went back to Divayth Fyr and told him my findings. He was impressed. "Although this is not the complete medicine, it's certainly going to help me finding it." Divayth Fyr said.

A few months later, i went back to Tel Fyr. Divayth Fyr told me that the potion he developed worked one this one person, but that it didn't work at anyone else. But he was very happy that it worked one someone. So he learned me a very special spell, which i might share with you later. And so i had helped the old wizard with the corprus cure, although i don't think he told anyone that someone helped him."

And so the story was deposited into the stone. It would only be a matter of time before the others would do the same. With a complicated spell Bradas made sure that Esquisite would not hear the part of the special spell, only the companions could hear that. There are a few things you shouldn't tell to everybody, in this case it telling a tempered female of who's intentions are unknown the unique spell he had learned. Before Bradas left he placed a note next to the stone, to explain what it was.

Now Esquisite could listen to the story while Bradas was talking calmy, something he would not be able to do in front of her, being... well.. her. This could make it easier for others as well, and they could learn something about each other, except for Esquisite knowing all about us and we still find each other strangers.

_______________________________________________________________

Posted by: Thread_Whisperer

Once again just as he had done before, the dark elf began moving around and muttering under his breath before Trebbits had even completed his speech to the would be leader of their future if fortune shined on them at least. This time though the elf was not speaking to anyone particularly but instead had busied himself yet again with some object on a counter. He had also scrawled out something on a parchment and left it beside what appeared to be some stone that had a glow about it. Trebbits got up from his knee and looked to the old elf, what on earth was this guy thinking. Right about that time the dark one looked directly at him and made a small motion as if to say come look at this.

Trebbits decided long ago that curiosity was something he would embrace regardless of the cost it often came with and so went over to where the man stood. He picked up the note that had been written down and read it over.

After reading it he set the note back down and again looked to the old man, that from the signature on the note went by the name Bradas. So he knew this was an illusion, that must be why he had no trouble making himself at home with the equipment in the lab. No sense wasting time playing a game if you knew the deck was stacked. Smart guy. Indeed the plea Trebbits had made was beginning to make more and more sense even to him and he could not hide the fact that he was excited they would indeed be chosen.

"I appreciate your concerns Bradas, but youth grants me the boon of being straight forward and though part of me does agree with your thinking of caution, the other part... the stronger part, simply throws caution to the wind in hopes of finding my true path of life. Thus far this practice has treated me well and I hope that it will treat me well this time also. So thank you for the opportunity of a cautious step but as you already know I have passed it by."

Trebbits turned to Semink, "Since my truth is revealed might I also thank you for trying to cover for me when I was asked to respond by the illusion of Esquisite and did not. Many thanx for supporting me even while you did not know me. I owe you a favor in kind." Trebbits nodded thoughtfully to the Khajiit and then took some more time to look around the room trying hard to spy what was and was not illusion in this strange place.

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Posted by: BonesNofoa
She hadn't liked it, not one bit.

It was 2 days ago when Father Greland the had come to her with a task. Marissa Kea'rol bowed deeply as the elder informed her of the rumors in the Imperial City. Gates to Oblivion he said, or was it Oblivion Gates that the cryer had said? He shook his head disregarding the fact. "Men were dying by the legions and the destruction would only spread if something wasn't done." "But Father" she protested, "Surely there are more experienced healers than her." She had only been at the church for 3 seasons since returning from her pilgramage to Marrowind. She was not eager to set out again so soon. "Im afraid there is still that skyracer flu still ravaging the village and Dougl'as was much needed here." She soon found herself that night on a trade caravan bound towards Imperial City. Father Greland had given her everything in the temple's coffer as well as several potions. She still had her bow and quiver she had brought back to Crydill, but all of her arrows were gone. She'd lost them all in the woods while practicing, something she did when she was bored or angry. Right now she wished she had some.

She sat in the back with the wagons supplies and trade goods. The notice Greland had given her was splayed out infront of her as she read it for the 20th time. 3 Leaders where gathering heroes to help with the gates. A Nord, a Altermer Mage, and a Altmer. She bit her lip as she thought of the possibilities.

Walking into into a camp of Mercenaries didn't sound like a good idea to her. She just couldn't trust anyone that did things solely for money. Besides Nords, and especially Nordic Mercenaries weren't too keen on having women in the ranks. She thought it might be more interesting that way, but disregarded the thought.

She had heard the name Esquisite before of course. A female wizard that very much liked the solitude of her labratory. There were rumors of course that she experimented on men that wandered into her dungeon. Of course the tale had painted her as a striveled up old hag, with finger nails like daggers. But no one questioned her endowment with the arcane arts.

She had never been to 'The Drunken Alit' and wondered why gather at a tavern. The notice had mentioned criminals and riff-raff as the major attendies. She'd probably end up getting herself killed or worse raped by some drunken guarface who couldn't take no for an answer.

Marissa wasn't a spectacular beauty, but she still managed to turn some heads when she walked down a street. Her hair was black and shoulder length, it framed her slender face. Her eyes where the color of blood, she hated that. Marissa had seen alot of it, especially in Marrowind. She wore a cream colored clergy robe that had long since faded to some version of yellow. The robe was frayed at the bottom and exposed her dark grey legs. A pair of worn dirt stained shoes fit snuggly about her feet. Underneath the robe she wore a blue shirt which may have been at one point of fine quality. It still held it's minor armor enchantment though. Deep inside her robe a ring resided, one in which she did not wear. It was not magical in any way, nore did it fetch some fancy price. But it did be long to him, she clutched at the pocket now. It had been in Marrowind when he had given it to her. The wagon stopped suddenly, throwing her back into reality. She turned and saw two Breland's holding crossbows. They were very near Kvatch and the first guard asked if they were here for the summons. The driver laughed bitterly and said "I'd sooner tangle with my ex-wife than wander anywhere near those gates."

Marissa jumped down from the wagon and fetched her things quickly from the back. She thanked the driver as she walked pasted him and stopped a few feet short of the first guard. "I am here to serve Crydill" she said a little nervous of the crossbows. They looked at her skeptively, and the second guard noticed her empty quiver. He leaned over and wispered to the first. "I used them, had to kill some bandits on the way here." She lied. The wagon was moving past them now, the driver still laughing uproariously. Although still doubtful the two sentries let her pass, she wandered towards the temple. It must have been a beautiful site when it was still standing she mused. Time and war had done there jobs well though, now it was barely recognizable. All around her the sounds of preperation were going on. Metal armor clanging, swords being sharpened, and wizards pouring over there books. If it weren't for this gate business she might have mistaken this for a fair, or competition going on. She continued up the knoll and several Dunmer and Altmers passed her discussing a particular form of fireball that was usefull against trolls and goblinoids. As she neared the temple she noticed several symbols on a coblestone near the stairway leading down. It was of her order, she sighed again at the loss.

OOC
Marissa Krea'Rol
Female
Dunmer
42 Years old
Cleric
Items -
320 Septim
2 Healing Potions
1 Cure Major Fatigue
1 Regular Restore Strength
1 Shirt with Armor Enchantment - Leather Armor Equivilent AC
1 Longbow - No Arrows
2 Flasks of Water, 5 small parcels of food, 1 knife, 2 candles, several sheets of paper and ink.
1 Set of extra travelling clothes
1 ring - Non-Magical, of no value except to her.

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Posted by: Povuholo
After some thinking Bradas came to the conclusion Trebbits was right.

"Why be careful? Even if the illusion spell here is casted by Esquisite, what is the worst thing she can do? After we go in Oblivion, she will turn against us?Then it would still be one against... With how many are we here anyway? I should have more contact with everyone.. Information can be placed inside the memory stone, so if i check it regularly i should get to know everyone a bit. "

Bradas sneaked behind a rock and there started to practise the spell he was taught by Divayth Fyr. Illusion isn't his best school of magic and the spell is very complicated. But in the situation they are going to be in, it's bound to come in handy.


CONTINUED>>>

Two things TW!

(1) It's spelt "The Abbey" with an e! You've done it a lot so I presume it isn't a typo!

(2) None of the quotes worked!

<<<CONTINUED

Posted by: Thread_Whisperer

Trebbits had taken in some of the rooms decor and when concentrating very hard could see flickers in almost all that was there. This began his thought process, and he came to a conclusion of something that at last made a great deal of sense. Thinking he would share the information with Bradas and Semink he turned round to look for them only to find that Semink appeared to be the only one there. Now his thoughts again got mixed up and then yet another easy solution presented itself.

"Semink, I think I have figured out why the illusions are in place." Trebbits waited while Semink turned his attention from what he was doing to him. "I think the stories of Esquisite must in fact be true that she much prefers solitude to having large throngs of people around her and so she has created individual instances where she can keep the numbers she is dealing with down a little and walk among them unnoticed listening to them as they meet first with one or two of each other and then later will bring them together as a group to address them at once with the decision she finally makes for her party to venture to the rifts."

Trebbits saw Semink was taking a breath to speak but quickly added, "For example I think maybe you and I were the only ones in this room and that Bradas may have actually been Esquisite in disguise, take for example this stone into which we can whisper our stories so she could review them later, and of course no Bradas in the room with us now, just you and I. What do you think good sir? Possible?" Trebbits was smiling ear to ear thinking he had figured out what was really going on, then remembered how quickly Semink had thought to cover for his earlier delay in response. "Of course I am but a youth with a wild imagination so perhaps you know better what might be happening?"

Trebbits was truly excited now at what was happening and he would surely have to remember the details of this for his journals that he kept of all the interesting stories he cam across. Perhaps he could even get Semink to browse his stories sometime when they were in a better position to do so and not left standing in the dank lab room... or wherever they actually were.


________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Cyborg16
OOC: a lot of posts here. I'm hoping the reason for this is that it's Sunday, because I doubt I'll be making more than about two posts a day during the week (lectures and work)

In reply to Trebbits, Semink said:
"Sorry I didn't answer you earlier. I wasn't intentionally covering for you, but I'm glad I helped. As for the Illusions in this place, I can see that this laboratory is a fairly dark place. However, it doesn't look like normal darkness to me... my Kajiit eyes could normally see well in this level of light, but here I can't. Besides that, I can't, like you, see what are illusions and what are not. I guessed there might be some illusions in this place, but not that everything was an illusion.
"As for whether Bradas or Esquisite or even you are real I cannot be sure. You, however, I think I will choose to trust, because you seem to have nothing to hide. As for Bradas, he smells real, unlike Esquisite."

One thing that most illusions didn't hide --- most likely because most mages didn't have Kajiit noses --- was smell. Ever since arriving in this laboratory, Semink had been able to smell what smelled like, well, this was his best description:
A large number of people of many races; many sweating bodies; a burning smell from furnices; the smell of fresh meats being dried and salted for preservation; smells of baking; and many more besides.

Telling this to Trebbits, he agreed that much of Trebbits theory was probably right.
"I don't know how much trust we can put in anyone, but I suggest we work as a team. As mysterious as Bradas is, I suggest we give him a reasonable amount of trust unless he gives us reason not to.
"Now, shall we head out of this laboratory and see if this illusion still prevents us seeing anyone else? I could do with a bow and some arrows myself, and, who knows, you might find a useful magical item. Since I came with no money I hope they'll equip any chosen adventurers for free."

Semink started towards the exit of this laboratory...

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Posted by: Malchik
OOC> For those who don't know, I am off line at certain times of day usually 1 am UK time when I crash until 9 am when I get to work and from 5.30 pm when I leave the office until I have free time at home - any time between 7 and 11 pm. So if you PM me and get no response, check the time. However please ask your questions in the clarification thread Dark0ne set up for that purpose if possible as then everyone can see the reply.

On Topic

-|| RPG Update 3 ||-

As some have by now realised very powerful beings are working behind the scenes. Fygge, Fairgoth and Esquisite have been given powers that cannot be natural. Fygge seems invulnerable, Fairgoth a being anyone would die for, Esquisite a woman of such mystery that you cannot be in her vicinity without wanting to know more about her world and those around her.

By chance the three 'leaders' choose the same moment to speak to those who are crowding around them.

"You who have come here willing to sacrifice your lives to save our world know this. You will not need to worry about food or drink until you are at the rift. I will give you 24 hours warning of when you will leave to enable you to decide what to take. We have a limited selection of weapons and armour for those who may need them. These you will be told about later and though they are not fancy they will at least serve. In the meantime if any can help to train, offer your services. Any who need to train, take advantage. No money is needed as we will ask no fee for the supplies we have in return. But do not attempt to abuse our hospitality with gluttony or drunkenness."

The speeches then vary slightly from one to the next.

Fygge says: "We have fair weapons and good armour but nothing magical. We have some magic users here. If you need ingredients or potions you will have to forage for them or perhaps trade between you. This area of the empire is unusual in that most plants and minerals can be found near by. Fighters, there is ample space to get fit in the jousting arena, we have horses did you not know? There are archery targets, practise dummies and practise swords for those who need the adrenalin of human contact to feel the siren song of action in your heads and hearts. Choose companions. You will never learn of everyone. And prepare. Sleeping is an important part of being ready. Do not forget to sleep!"

Fairgoth says: "We were not made to share and work together apart from one or two exceptions I can see. But today we must understand. The laws of potentates and patriachs may mean nothing to us. But we must learn a new kind of honour. Honour to ourselves. I will have light armour, weapons and cloaks available to any who need them, some potions also mainly healing and poison but there will be a limited number. You may need to trade among yourselves. And try to match skills in small bands of three or four. Cyrodiil city has shops that stock most of what you need. If you need to 'acquire' such merchandise do not kill the innocent. What we take is ultimately for their protection so it has a certain 'legitimacy' but taking their lives is against what we are fighting for. Find your friends, see what you need, stock up as you can."

Esquisite says: "Magic users and others, I have no love for bothersome humanity but I also know that I have no purpose without it. However introverted we have grown we must turn outward, to each other, share what we can however hard we find it. I will provide basic leather armour and staffs to those who need them. I have at your disposal all necessary equipment and ingredients to let you make potions but do not be profligate. You will not be able to carry so many. I have also a few scrolls but you will be limited there too when the time comes. Match those with you to ensure your skills are complementary. And sometimes, where no spell can work, the ability to sneak or fight may be of great value. You will not need sleep of course. I have sufficient restorative potions here but please do not forget to eat. I know just how engrossing research can become. You have your tasks."

They all then end with the same words. "When you reach the rift, there are sure to be others with different skills. If you are missing any now the chance will surely come later. Make the best use of the next two days that you can. We will not speak to you again until we are ready to equip you."

And suddenly the leaders are not there to speak to. But they are watching you. You can be sure of that. You have your orders. Can you carry them out?

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: BonesNofoa
Marissa took her first steps down the stairway into the complete darkness of the abbey. She could not say how many sets led her down, or in which direction eventually came out. She ended up in a dark labratory with several characters in discussion. She had never met them before but she could sense that each of them had an intertwinning fate, maybe she was just hungry. She bowed to them as she entered "I am Marissa," she said. "May i join you?"

She stepped around the tables filled with magical scrolls and potions and joined the Khajiit and dark figure which she was not sure what race. It was when she stepped around the table she spied the note and a gem sitting on the ground. She took care to not to step to near the gentlemen for fear of seeming inpolite. She stayed a respectful distance away and attempted to make conversation.

"I am from North of Kvatch, i work in a small village as a healer in the church." She had been nervously playing with a tweed of her hair.

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Taehl
The forests north-east of Kvatch were at peace, quiet. Fadril Indala calmly ventured through them, at one with the birdsong and the trees. The balance of the forest swam through his veins, and his balance flowed in the streams and floated with the wind.

As he walked, at times he wondered how many others could were capable of feeling as he did when he slept on a grassy knoll, blanketed only by the slowly dancing stars. Sometimes he reflected on how his life's devotion was so in tune with nature. He frequently contemplated on how the wind and the water could be the world's finest katana and wakazashi; the water slower and more powerful, the wind quick, subtle, and unpredictable, and the two combined flow in harmony, attacking the land. And the land itself, the world's greatest force of defense. As the wind and water always seek to erode it, it flows with their blows, reshaping itself to take no harm.

Fadril was a student of all of this. Of peaceful balance; of the strong, healthy trees, growing grandly but not protesting when it was time for their existence to end; of the methodical, enduring stars, both inconspicuous and profound, but always infallible; of the wind and water, two balanced and separate forces acting in concert; and of the land, indomitable because it effortlessly evades that which attacks it.

Though for all his devotion and training, he was, as are we all, still a student. His devotion to his art had inspired him to quest to Cryodiil, to expand his fighting skills by slaying monsters, and to practice his compassion by saving the innocents that would otherwise be preyed upon.

His footsteps were as light as the wind through the trees as he pursued his dedication.

__________


That night, as he lay amongst long, sweet grasses and patches of small flowers that had yet to bloom, he recalled the day when he had set upon this quest...


It had been a good day. He had honorably defeated another student under the watchful eyes of Master Arendu. Fadril had sheathed his sword, a liquid movement that he had practiced an uncountable number of times, and helped the other student from where he had fallen, half on and half off the mat.The other student, Dalam Ilnith, had respectable skill, but had made the mistake of throwing himself off-balance with a blow that he had thought would end the duel. Fadril had kicked Dalam's foot out from underneath him before the strike was complete, and Delam fell before his sword could connect with Fadril's exposed side.

Delam stood, sheathed his sword with an identical grace, and the two students bowed deeply to each other, victor and vanquished both feeling satisfied.

“Gah-jo,” Master Arendu had said, and in unison they straightened, and then bowed to their Instructor. “Si-jok. Delam, do you know your mistake?”

The students straightened again. “Yes, sir. I had tried to predict what direction the battle would take. I will return home and reflect upon how I caused my defeat.”

“It is a lesson to learn well,” Master Arendu told him. “Fadril, please come over and speak with me.”

Fadril had walked to the Master as Delam turned and headed for the door, put his shoes back on, and left.

“Yes, Master?” Fadril was eager to hear his Instructor tell him what mistakes he had made.

“My gifted student Fadril, please sit with me,” the Master closed his eyes and Fadril sat down. “You have finally learned one of the most difficult lessons. What is it?”

“Master, I have learned that the outcome of a battle is unimportant, and that thoughts of victory or defeat only cloud one's perception of the battle. This is why I won.”

“Very good,” the Master paused for several minutes. “I think you have learned all that you can here.” He said it with neither pride nor remorse.

“What can I do to further my skills, Master?”

The master was silent for a time. “I am sure that you have heard the rumors of the trouble in Cryodiil. If not, ask any bard.”

“I have heard this rumor, Master.”

“I think that you would benefit most from seeking out the trouble and doing what you can.”

It was Fadril's turn for a moment of thought. “Is there anything I can do for you before I leave, Master?”

The Master smiled. “My student, the only match for your heart is your skill with the blade. I will be fine, and I have great hopes for you.”

Fadril stood and bowed again. As he bowed, he said “Master, it was a great honor to be your student.”


Fadril thought of this, and of other events in his life, other lessons learned, under the combined light of the stars, Masser, and Secunda.

__________


The next day, as he was checking his Chitin armor and steel blades, he commented to himself (in a particularly noninterested manner that had helped him to win that last sparring match) that within this day he should reach an old, abandoned abbey in Kvatch. Some would say that shunning the roads and walking directly from Kragenmoor to Kvatch is foolish, but Fadril found it refreshing.

Upon reaching the abbey, which seemed to him to be very nearly reclaimed by nature, he sat in the shadow of a crumbling wall and waited for someone to come so he could join, or at least attempt to join, the group going to Cryodiil.

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Thread_Whisperer
Semink finally responded to Trebbits thoughts, "Sorry I didn't answer you earlier. I wasn't intentionally covering for you, but I'm glad I helped. As for the Illusions in this place, I can see that this laboratory is a fairly dark place. However, it doesn't look like normal darkness to me... my Khajiit eyes could normally see well in this level of light, but here I can't. Besides that, I can't, like you, see what are illusions and what are not. I guessed there might be some illusions in this place, but not that everything was an illusion. As for whether Bradas or Esquisite or even you are real I cannot be sure. You, however, I think I will choose to trust, because you seem to have nothing to hide. As for Bradas, he smells real, unlike Esquisite."

Trebbits assessment of the Khajiit Semink, his mind was sharp and his logic sound, He was definitely some one to befriend and Trebbits intended on doing just that.

Semink continued his thoughts, "I don't know how much trust we can put in anyone, but I suggest we work as a team. As mysterious as Bradas is, I suggest we give him a reasonable amount of trust unless he gives us reason not to. Now, shall we head out of this laboratory and see if this illusion still prevents us seeing anyone else? I could do with a bow and some arrows myself, and, who knows, you might find a useful magical item. Since I came with no money I hope they'll equip any chosen adventurers for free."

There was the logic yet again, Trebbits was pleased he had assumed correctly about Semink. After they had done some more looking around the facility where they now found themselves he would definitely share some of his stories with him, and would also inquire about including Seminks story in his current journal of events.

They both headed for the door but before either got to it someone else came through it. She bowed to them as she entered "I am Marissa," she said. "May I join you?"

Trebbits was a bit surprised but it didn't show, and he was sure Semink had likely smelled the new comer before she had opened the door since he appeared to show no surprise at all. Trebbits introduced himself to the new comer as she made her way around the tables looking over them a little as she did, then she came to a stop and looked at them again stating, "I am from North of Kvatch, I work in a small village as a healer in the church." while fiddling with her hair.

Trebbits shared his information, including his story of how he had been brought into the current room with the others and his revealing to Esquisite, before he could hear her reply however the call of nature was upon him and so he excused himself, letting Semink, and now Marissa, know he would let them share their stories with each other but would be right back and would find them if they went searching the rest of the building.

Trebbits was winding his way through the halls and chambers, He had the fortune of finding either an illusionary or real guard that gave him the directions to the real entrance and proceeded with some haste. Finally back in the open air Trebbits realized that the time he had known it to be was somehow not the time it currently was, 'powerful forces at work indeed,' he thought. His excitement rising with each minute passing. He had seen many others on his way up here and realized that all of them had experienced their meeting with Esquisite in their own unique fashion. 'This is someone I could definitely learn from or at the very least get an amazing story out of to tell later.'

He was undoing his belt around one of the darker shadowed areas, his brain still over riding his senses but before he embarrassed himself completely he heard a sigh come from just the other side of the leaning pillar. Quickly dropping his cloak back over his lower half he moved around to see who was there. Sitting quietly with what appeared to be a very peaceful expression sat a man. Taking a moment and clearing his throat to let the man know he was there, Trebbits introduced himself, "Greetings traveler I am Trebbits of Kaldravndal. Might I ask if you are just passing through or have come to meet with the great Esquisite?"


*OOC Some Info on me and my character /OOC*

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: nielsmajere

The Daedric ruins scrawled upon the parchment before Tiramir, glowed with ethereal power, as the mage read softly to himself the letters, "Oht-Geth-Roht-Iya-Meht... Ogrim". Taking out another parchment, he began to copy out the intricate letters of magic. "You, Breton." Tiramir whirled around to face the Altmer woman, but as he turned he noticed a shift in the room, as of a web being pulled taught. What sorcery is this? "Mage, I was asking you what you thought you were doing with that scroll!" Nodding his head in apology he replied, "Please Esquisite, I was merely making additional copies as preparation for our journey. I have a reputation of sorts for summoning, part of the reason I aided the Telvanni in their... aggressive excursions." Eyeing him once more, a shimmer of approval passed over her face. "Oh very well, but this reminds me. You seemed to take a great deal of interest in my books the other night. To what extent do your teachings in the arts of Conjuration go?" A sharp scrutiny entered her eyes, and Tiramir felt himself being weighed. "My experiences are many, but my mastery of the art is not fully complete. However, I have a great deal of interest concerning the planes of oblivion, and after my many studies, it would be a chance of a lifetime to experience it first hand. "Well whatever you might be contemplating in that High Rock head of yours, I suggest that in the mean time you converse with your fellow adventurers. You might find you all have something in common..." and with that the aloof Altmer strolled out of the room.

For a moment longer Tiramir thought What was that I felt earlier. Has she woven an enchantment in to this abbey? Has she crafted some illusionary masterpiece to fool us all, and what does she hope to hide? Rising from his chair he left the room, and began to stroll down the hallway to the study. A muffled *poof* followed by a stream of putrid smoke from the door to his left, marked the unfortunate home of a potion gone awry. Continuing through the halls he found the study at last. Lounging in chairs sat heroes of all origins, and as he sat opposite a Darkelf with his nose in a book, he could not help but smile at the chance to meet a fellow student.

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Malchik
RPG UPDATE 4

As you are taking stock of your surroundings each group becomes aware of new arrivals. In the Camp there is a well-armoured Orc with two Nord spearmen. In the Drunken Alit it is a Khajiit in scruffy clothes with two Breton low-lifes. In the Abbey it is another Altmer mage, with two Argonian acolytes. The events unfold in the same way in all three locations. Those leading the trio demand to speak to whoever is running the camp to offer their service. When there is no immediate response from Fygge, Fairgoth or Esquisite they repeat their demands in voices that shake the ground.

This time Fygge, Fairgoth and Esquisite do appear. More than ever you can sense there is something other-worldly about them.

The same words come from their mouths. "Does Mehrunes Dagon believe he can stop us with MINIONS?" Their voices too sound in the ears like the roar of water at a cascade in full flood.

The visitors, their disguises now serving no purpose, throw off the inhabited bodies like used clothes. Blood and organs rain down on all those in the vicinity. The leader of each trio, a creature of a nightmare, launches directly into an attack on one of the three in charge of the would be defenders of the Empire. And those leaders do not flinch from accepting the combat. The other two are more lowly creatures, atronachs. They draw weapons and turn to keep you from joining in the conflict. There is a strange and evil aura emanating from the battle, pushing you backwards. You are all as if frozen; still as statues unable to do more than observe. Suddenly the attackers and the attacked are gone. Someone had concealed them from your sight so that you cannot see how the battle proceeds. The atronachs remain, looking a little confused by the sudden disappearance of their masters. Your ability to move returns.

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Darak Shadowblade
[OOC: I'm trying to stay as much in-synch as I can, but I can't post more than once a day - and Wednesday I don't think I will be able to post at all; anyway I assumed these events were taking place just after my first post, because all the meetings with Esquisite of the other characters mentioned here sholud have occurred earlier. And I hope Semink won't mind for attributing him those hissing sounds... Well, as I could see some people weren't happy about letting me write so much speech for their char: from now on I'll promise I'll limit that, but in this case for me it just made no sense to introduce my char to the others without actual responses. BTW, could the master please post a quick summary, i.e. who is who and who is where? Thank you ]

Darak slammed the door as he walked out of the study.
He found himself in a sort of waiting room, lit by torches hanging from the walls, where other people were loitering.
They all looked at him, in order to study the newcomer.
The first to talk was a Kahjiit, his voice a snarling sound: "A new guessst... But, how ssstrange: we didn't sssee you come in."
"I... er... got in through the back door", Darak babbled.
Although he tried not to show it, inside he was still shaking for the previous encounter; moreover, he wasn't used to be among people any longer and he felt like everybody was staring at him with a gaze that would pierce his flesh.
A human (a Breton, he thought) addressed him: "Esquisite meeting you too?"
"Terrible, actually" Darak replied, and paused.
The Breton exchanged looks with the others and, barely repressing a laughter, explained him: "Maybe you misunderstood me: Esquisite is the name of our host, that Altmer magician in the next room; she seemed to be very experienced in illusion spells... and very good in manipulating people as well, as I see it"
Darak gave him a puzzled looked as the Breton went on.
"Anyway, it seems that we gathered here for a purpose, a mission of some sort against an uprising, unspeakable evil. But whether this be true or not is yet to be ascertained, as well as the very identity of our kind guest."
"Kind, you say?", Darak bursted "A pompous brat, I'd call her, with a nasty inclination for magic tricks!"
"I would mind my tongue if I were you"

The voice came from a dark corner, where a robed figure was sitting still.
"Undoubtedly our host has some means to listen to our conversation."
With the corner of his eye Darak noticed the Kahjiit and the Breton exchanging a quick, almost umperceivable sidelong glance.
The other person in the room, a human woman, probably Breton as well, intervened: "Excuse me, fellows, but we are forgetting our manners. We didn't even introduce ourselves.", then she turned towards Darak "Pardon me. I am Marissa and I am a healer."
Darak was still a bit uneasy, but answered "My name is Darak Shadowblade"
"That does not sound Dunmer at all; the surname, at least" once again it was the deep, baritonal tone of the person hiding in shadows.
"How come you are so familiar with Dunmer names?" Darak demanded.
"Because I happen to be one. I am Bradas Sorethi, and this is all you need to know about me."
"You Dark Elves appear all so secretive to me:" the Breton male intervened, "I've been in Morrowind so long, but I don't understand you and I think I never will. But enough of this: I am Trebbits and I am here to put my magic at Esquisite's disposal"
"And I am Sssemink the Kahjiit."
"So, Darak, where do you come from?" the man named Trebbits continued, "Your clothes seem... well, out of date, you know. I have never seen a coat like yours before"
Before Darak could speak, Marissa explained "It's an Anticlere surcoat, but the design is very old, some decades at least"
"Well, I've been... away for a while..." Darak muttered.
"This sssmells no good. The Dunmer hasss many sssecrets."
"Come on, Semink: our new comrade is just a bit shy. And, since Esquisite keeps us here waiting, he has all the time to tell us about himself." Sentri winked at Darak, but this made him even more uneasy than before.
"I may have the time, but I don't have the will!"
"As I sssaid: we can't trussst him. He is a loner."

With a sudden movement, Darak unsheathed his sword. A loud metallic ringing echoed in the room. Trebbits and Semink, who where close by, jumped backwards, the Breton assuming a defensive posture, the Kahjiit snarling and baring his claws.
But Darak stood still, the blade held vertically in front of him.
"I once was one of the proud Crimson Blades. We had our keep in the Iliac Bay and from there we protected the innocents and helped those in need. Such a long time has passed since then. I don't know what happened to my friends, but most of them are long dead, or so I presume. My fate has been different, but my creed has not changed: I will stand against evil, if this is what we will be asked to do."

Darak sheathed back his blade.
A clapping sound came from a corner, breaking the silence.
"What a dramatic display! What a skilled actor!" Bradas Sorethi mocked him "But magniloquent speeches will not help you against demons..."
"I know many ways to hurt them, don't worry." Darak boasted
"I just need to get back in shape." he added in his mind "If only there was enough time..."

[footnote: I was writing this post before the RPG Update 4; I will deal with those events as soon as I can]

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Povuholo
<OOC> Darak Shadowblade, maybe you should try not to make other characters speak too much, because i don't think Bradas would mock to someone (mock to someone, mock someone, what is it?), although i'm not sure yet. Ofcourse this wasn't that bad, just a few lines, but i rather not have you let my character talk. I don't know how others feel about this, but that is not my business. Anyway, happy roleplaying </OOC>

Esquisite.. gone. She just was there, and now she is gone. Who was that? This went through the mind of Bradas when they dissapeared. It took him a few seconds to realise that there was still an atronach in front of him, confused, but still wielding a weapon. With a quick move Bradas tackled one of the atronachs with the staff, and shot a few fire balls on it. It looked like someone else got the other one already.

"What in the name of the nine divines just happened?! Bradas said.

What should we do now? Our leader is gone, probably in Oblivion by now, and she never told us where the rift was. At least, not to me. So... do we stay here and wait for more people and then hope to stumble upon the gate or what?" The shyness of Bradas seemed to have dissapeared. Waiting for someone to answer his question, he sat down.

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Cyborg16
While guessing that the demons had not been as they had at first appeared from the moment they arrived (by their sudden arrival, strange movements and smell), Semink was still surprised when they tossed of their fleshy surprises and made their sudden attack. Not being able to move at the moment they attacked, Semink had no chance to run or hide in preparation for a sneak attack, but did have the time to plan his next move. The nearest atronach being a fire atronach, Semink choose not to directly attack it but instead threw his stolen dagger with a skilled flick to distract the atronach and give his companions some extra time. Then, remembering the chest of poisonous potions Bradas had discovered in the lab, he scurried over to pick one out. Not knowing much alchemy, he was unable to identify potions quickly and so just took the nearest potion. Taking careful aim, he tossed the potion at one of the atronachs.

OOC: feel free to specify what this effect is if your posting on this battle

Not having another weapon handy, and feeling that throwing another potion was probably unnecessary, Semink waited until the fight was over and then retrieved his dagger.

He decided to ask Esquisite for some light armour and a bow when she was ready to equip the team.

________________________________________________________________

Posted by: Adanorcil
/OOC: Sorry I enter this late, I only got a mail -notifying me of this event- a few hours ago. I'd still like to join in though, I hope nobody minds. (I think I have read the relevant previous posts.)

P.S. I'm not a native speaker of English, but I can express myself sufficiently./

Adanorcil wiped a few strains of hair from his face. It helped little since the pouring rain completely obscured the road ahead of him. Back in Artaeum, someone had knocked at his door in the middle of the night. Half sleeping, he had attended an urgent meeting of the higher councillors of Artaeum. Master il-Anselma had stormed into the discussion hall. The Psijics needed little explanation.

"The Emperor has been assassinated, it's started."


For the last four days now, he had been traveling. First, by boat from the Isle of Artaeum to the city of Dusk and then to the mainland, lifting along the coast until he reached Anvil. The whole city had been in turmoil, anxiously awaiting the "invasion wave" that -according to bartenders and streetcorner prophets- was bound to destroy all of the Empire. From a whole lot of apocalyptic gossip, he had managed to distill a few directions towards a ruined abbey near Kvatch, where a few mages were gathered.

His assignment had been to gain information concerning the recent events and inform the Order (which was his usual role among the Psijics), so he figured that Kvatch was the place to be. Regardless of his 568 Altmeri years, he was still a magical force to be reckoned with, having that small edge over the more offensive sorcerers who kept all their eggs in the basket of Destruction magic.


Adanorcil saw the vague contours of stone pillars and walls at his right and stopped his horse. Wringing his hair with one hand, he lead his horse towards the ruins and attached the reins to a nearby trea. Cautiously (he didn't like the idea of venturing into an ominous ruin all by himself, with a potential host of Daedra not very far away) he walked through what seemed like the remnants of some great arch.

Glancing over the rubble, he saw nothing but a few trees, bushes and stone, which came as quite a disappointment to him. (Though inside, he didn't like admitting that it also meant a bit of a relief.) With his immediate objective gone, he sat down on a toppled buttress to collect his thoughts and to think of what to do next.

/ooc: I hope I can still join with the rest of the group this way./

Thanx darkone fixing spellings... and no idea why quotes aren't quoting....

Ok think I got most of the abby abbey issue set for my brain now LOL and hope this thread will help folks out that are part of the Abbey story line.

All the very best, will catch up in a couple hours,

TW

Just to try and keep track: I believe this is the current situation:

Bradas single-handedly attacked one of the atronachs (see next post)
Semink, Marissa attacked the other atronach and were aided by Fadril when he arrived with Trebbits.
Tiramir just entered the room.
Darak froze during the fight.
Adanorcil was still outside, having not yet met the group. (He could perhaps follow Trebbits and Fadril in, but that's just my suggestion).

i've done a small change, since the atronachs were supposed to dissapear unaffected. The atronach wasn't dead, or even damaged. When Esquisite appeared, it stood up and dissapeared. Bradas was shocked that he didn't see that it was dead, and knew that it could've killed him since he turned it's back on it.

I put my character sheet in the main OOC thread ... I'm going to join in the Abbey after reading update 5

Sounds good Jhaerlyn Please be sure to see where we all are at currently as well... since Adanorcil is to my knowledge still outside perhaps you two could meet first and then come in to meet the rest of us in the Abbey already.


Also I finally got something posted in the story thread very glad to see we are all getting back on to a targeted timeline and such! very cool.

All the best

TW

Jhaerlyn, if you want to join in, I'm sure you'll be welcome. I suggest you let your character come down to the lab and find our group, unless someone is kind enough to come out and find your character and Adanorcil's. Maybe you could wander down, and start exploring the large lab until you meet some friendly-looking adventurers
Thanks to Thread_Whisperer, all the posts you need to read through are on this page.

Update of the characters at the Abbey

Semink, Trebbits and Bradas have decided to form a group. They are still looking for another member to their party.

As for the rest, we'll have to wait till their authors (of the characters) are able to post. We have:
Tiramir (mage of some type I think)
Marissa (healer and archer)
Fadril (samauri-style fighter)
Darak (swordsman and illusionist)

Pov & T_Whisp: I think we should wait for these four to form a group rather than just pick the best for our group.

I left room for Bradas to respond to my question by leaving anything specific out of what he may ask Trebbits to enchant for him. I also tried to leave room to be approached by anyone else in the room by not stating that Trebbits left the room at all yet. So if anyone else wishes to approach Trebbits please feel free to do so. I may not be able to respond to any one for about 8 hours or so but MIGHT be able to in that time if need be.

Very excited about how the story is shaping up now! A pleasure to be with some very skilled and very willing team posters for our little Abbey. We're off and running on a single line at last! good job everybody!

TW



PS... I am using the url tags to make links for my OOC comments so if you see a yellow OOC in my postings click on it and it will bring you to my Out Of Character commentary that pertains to that posting. I do this simply to try and keep the thread as clean as possible for the judges reviewing the postings etc since OOC is to my understanding not something being judged, but I dont know so .. again is just the way I am doing it and wanted to be sure everyone understood what and why etc

in case you wanted to do likewise but weren't sure how.. you can get the link to a post by clicking the number of the post at the top right of it such as this is Post #10 if you click the 10 a little window comes up with the link that goes directly to that post. Then put that link in a url tag like this...



Just thought I would pass that on. Again all the best

TW

Yes, it seems to be going well. Sorry if I've been a little too authoritive with suggesting what everyone should do. I think I'll wait for other peoples posts now. I'll hopefully check back in a couple of hours or so, but after that I won't be around till at least 12 tomarrow I think, so Semink will just help out with any (reasonable) thing you ask him to do (i.e. I don't mind if you set Semink doing some little job until I next post).

Edit: Just read your post. Not much I can say to it I think!! But again, if you want to do things differently, please don't take what I have said as any more than suggestions.

Also, thanks for the above info from your edit. I didn't know what OOC stood for before... despite using it.

Oh definately and I am not even sure that four will be our limit I have put out the question a little in my latest posting to the story in hopes it would be picked up on by Malchik so that he can better clarify if we are truly limited to four members or if we could actually end up with the whole group etc....

And I tried also to make sure Trebbits was merely suggesting, though I think he is rather attached to Semink already and will likely follow wherever Semink ends up regardless LOL He admires and envy's him all at once so poor Semink is kind of stuck with him unless powers that be interfere ...*looks around suspiciously*... But yes by all means Group formation is not set in stone and was meant to be Trebbits wild thoughts of random chance thrown out for Semink and Bradas to hear before Trebbits forgot what they were

and I will add in the names of the players and link them as they join up in my first posting here when I have a chance thanx for updating the current locations of characters Cyborg! much appreciate that!

Ok gotta run for at least a while.

TW

SPS: No worries on my above edit glad it was helpful

I was a bit unsure about the number thing as well, but since there were 7-9 characters at the time didn't think it would be much of a problem (assuming 5 would be allowed if necessary). Now, if everyone who joins stays with us, we might even have three groups from the Abbey.

A bit of advice for newcomers: try to read through the above posts concerning the characters at the abbey if possible. For a quick overview of a character, some of us have posted such in the relevant off-topic thread.

One thing both Jhaerlyn and mordredK assumed wrongly was that our characters were outside among the ruins of the abbey. Instead, at least in my mind (as I've been playing), we're all in a room of Esquisite's large laboratory hidden beneath the abbey. Since there are many people outside also, you may find your way in to the lab easily, but you will then have to look around to find our characters. mordredK, I don't think you can assume you could just sneak up on all of us like that, since however good your character is at sneaking it makes the assumption that none of us are better at detection (and in addition that there was sufficient cover to sneak up by).

To fit your characters in could you please edit your posts at least a little to say that your characters found your way down into the lab and found our characters?

Please, please, don't be offended by this or consider me a DM, but please try to keep things making sense.

Fate smiles on me at least for the moment, went in to get ready to do some real life needs and found out it was being taken care of...

I agree on Cyborg's thoughts. Myself and Fadril had been outside the abbey but came back in right as the fight was ending and caught the Update #5 events. To my knowledge at that time, Adanorcil, Jhaerlyn, and mordredK would have still been outside. Since I too saw the Update #4 and #5 events taking place in one of the hidden rooms of the abbey.




::ALSO::

To new comers and already active posters for the Abbey. PLEASE PLEASE don't misunderstand my suggestions and comments as being ones of "hey I am better then you at this" I in NO way mean for them to be that way. I simply share what I know and expect others to share what they know so that I may learn about them and offer what I know to others so they can learn about me as well. I in no way think "It's my way or no way" at all what-so-ever, because even if my way works for me it assuredly will NOT work for everyone. It is but one of many many ways to do something and it is offered only as a suggestion so that if it does work for someone else I have been able to help them, just as if they offer something that works better for me then how I currently do things they have helped me. So please know I am not trying to force or take command of anything. I am here only to share and enjoy a good story.

Just wanted to get that out there.

It wasn't so much that we were .. .outside... as I think that anyplace that is in ruins, is going to have broken things to hide in ... but you are right ...I only read the updates and a smattering of what you all have written to ... paint the picture of what it looks like on the inside ... I'll read more carefully I guess and go by what you "firsters" described the room as ...

I'm sorry if you mis understood me ok here ot goes as I will add in the initial thread
--------------------------------
Mordred heard a group of people by a abbey and descided to play it safe.
he chameleoned himself just as he did a thousand times and headed to the group.
as he came closer he saw a guy (later knowing it was trebit) walking in to the abbey.
Mordred followd him and listned to the conversation following up
after a while he decided to make his entrance and stopped to sustain his chameleon.
--------------------------------
I hope this is to your expectations

Firsters... LOLOLOL

Thanx very much appreciate that and by all means we have not completely described our surroundings so definatelly feel free to elaborate on them and such. I think so far we have all tried to just add little bits of what things look like which has been working very well to in the end bring about a clear picture and has been one of the things I have been very admiring of for our group. So far none have given a "this is how EVERYTHING looks kind of posting and that is great because of the illusionary surroundings we are in it allows for a very elaborate compilation of what each sees.

So yes because our group has been like this it is actually even more important to read the entire postings of everyone thus far to better see how things are going. It is one of the things I think gets forgotten about in many Online RP adventures is that it is not just about how well one writes, but also about how well one reads that makes for great overall RP Stories. Just a shared thought from my experiences is all.



mordredK: Sounds great that helps me a lot to better place your character into the enviornment. Many thanx.

Jhaerlyn: Yes your edit too is better thank you very much for taking the time to make the changes for the group!

Povuholo: Just read yours as well and was thinking that perhaps you had missed where Jhaerlyn's character had addressed you, since he was so kind to go back could you maybe edit into your latest some acknoledgement to his characters approach as well as a bit of mordredK's character appearing...


LOL ok yeah yeah I'll just shut up. Have been very lucky in the past with having some time between postings of players. Things get crazy when everyone is posting at the same time gotta love coincidence LOLOL We'll get it ironed out I am sure Good bunch of folks that are so far working great together, truly an honor to be a part of it.

gunna back off a bit, but if anyone wishes to know my thoughts ALWAYS feel free to ask here or via PM etc

Yes, certainly been a lot of postings in the last few hours. It's been fun...

Maybe I'll continue RP'ing after this, but hopefully at a slower pace

I'm going to bed soon, so see you all later.

Btw on Friday I'm going home from Uni. At home my family have pay-as-you-go dial-up (also I can use my grandad's broadband, but obviously I won't be using it all the time), so probably from Thursday onwards I won't be making very many posts; most likely I'll only be doing so once or at most twice per day and probably not for more than about an hour (perhaps longer if my grandad doesn't mind --- he usually doesn't use his computer in the evening).

It was merely something I thought you could use if you were going to be away it would allow your character to be "missing" from the story for a little while, while he gathered supplies in town and when he returned could tell or not tell how he came to have some items or couldn't get others etc.

Also I am not sure with what freedom we have to "find what we need" within the abbey itself so left an opening for Malchik to say what we could find and what we would not find in the area.

That's the only reasons I mentioned the trip to town

**OOC From This Post

I have tried to blend further what has happened thus far and left open for Bradas to speak with the two new comers about telling their tales to the ghosts or to a stone like we used etc. This way the two 'newers' can post now simply saying something like Bradas told them briefly about the need to tell their stories etc etc and that he then excused himself to go outside or something like that. MERELY THOUGHTS

Anyway hope this is ok and all

TW

Current Players...
Malchik - as - Esquisite (Altmer) Female
Cyborg16 - as - Semink (Khajiit) Male
Povuholo - as - Bradas (Dunmer) Male
Thread_Whisperer - as - Trebbits (Breton) Male
nielsmajere - as - Tiramir (Breton) Male
Darak Shadowblade - as - Darak (Dunmer) Male
BonesNofoa - as - Marissa (Dunmer) Female
Taehl - as - Fadril (???) Male
Adanorcil - as - Adanorcil (Altmeri) Male
Jhaerlyn - as - Rhyll (Altmer + Dunmer) Male
mordredK - as - Mordred (Dunmer) Male

Story locations as I know them to be right now:

Bradas has made some brief comments to the two new comers, Mordred and Rhyll about telling their tales to the ghosts and right after this Bradas went outside (could meet up with the one remaining character that is outside still to my knowledge which is Adanorcil

The other members of the group are all still in the one room where Update #5 took place.

Anyone who has NOT given their "Here is what I have done to be worthy" speach to Esquisite can now give their story to the ghosts that are visable in the room now according to Update #5 Or the Ghosts can simply over hear it as you tell it to characters in the room so far etc...

Hope this kinda helps somebody besides me LOL

Sorry about the fight, i am still new to this.

So far i have read the sequence of events go like this.

Atroachs dissappear after a short skuffle.
We start discussing the events that had just transpired.
2 Ghosts appear to help the leader collect our daring stories.

No worries at all. I think even us long time players are discovering that this kind of RP with multiple people posting so close together gets crazy from time to time. So we're all learning something as we go I think.

But if we continue to work together like we have been now,I think we will at least have a great time and story regardless of if one of the Abbey folks wins the competition or not etc. And really that's the fun part of the RP is the joint success of the final story in my book, though hey I wouldn't mind a free Oblivion and I know none of you would turn it down either even if all of us would end up buying a copy SOMEDAY or not LOL... but anyway I just hope we all enjoy the story in the proccess of giving our best for the competition.

Your summary is pretty well placed