Entry 5: Last Seed 30, 3E433

My hands are trembling with exhaustion as I write this entry from inside of the Chapel of Akatosh at Kvatch, or what is left of it anyway. I have been awake for over twenty-four hours now and I must rest. But before I do, I must record the events that have transpired over the longest day of my life.

I awoke yesterday around 6:00 AM and watched the sunrise. As the sun climbed above the distant mountaintops, I prayed to Akatosh thanking him for this glorious day. After breakfast, I continued west along the Gold Road towards Kvatch. As I turned north on the only road leading up to Kvatch, a High Elf ran past me, screaming. He quickly turned around and I stopped to talk to him. His name was Hirtel and he began talking so fast that it was hard to comprehend what he was saying. He urged me to turn and run with him, but I ignored him.

Onward I traveled until I came across an encampment of civilians right in the middle of the road. Their faces were glum, their clothes darkened with soot, and I no longer the sparkles in their eyes that I saw several years ago during my last visit. After dismounting my horse, I spoke with everyone, listening to their stories of how they survived the night. Their tales sounded too far-fetched to believe, but I would be a believer soon enough. Further up the road, I found a distraught monk who had lost all faith in the gods. I asked him about Martin, but he was not certain if he made it out alive.

As I proceeded up the winding road, a rolling thunder reverberated through the air. And then, all of a sudden, the sky began turning red as blood. By the Nines, what was happening? I hastened my pace, drawing my blade as I ran. The closer that I came to reaching the summit of the plateau that Kvatch was built upon, I noticed that the trees had all been scorched with fire. I doubled my efforts and began sprinting up the winding road.

Something awful had happened here and I cursed myself for having rested last night instead of traveling all the way to Kvatch. Overcome with grief, I knew that had I arrived at Kvatch in time, I might very well have died. But then again, I may not have and Kvatch just might have been saved.

At last, I reached the summit and my eye immediately fell upon a large flaming red portal that stood before the gate of Kvatch. Screams awoke me from my fixed gaze and I realized that I was standing still. Suddenly, battle cries reached my ears and I saw that soldiers were engaged in a battle with demons coming out of the cursed portal. I ran forward to join the battle, but by the time I reached it, the soldiers had put down the demonic daedra.

Savlian Matius, the captain of the guard, quickly explained what had happened. He informed me that Martin might yet still be alive for survivors had barricaded themselves inside of the Chapel of Akatosh. I wanted to run past the portal and find Martin, but I knew that the gods wanted me to help the soldiers. So, I volunteered my services and Savlian Matius, although doubtful, ordered me to go into the portal and help his men find a way to close it.

Slowly, I walked up to the gate, said a prayer and entered.

Immense heat greeted me as I reappeared in the demonic plane of Oblivion. The plane of Oblivion was as dreadful as the evil that I have been fighting. Vast oceans of bubbling lava surrounded the hardened lava rock island that I now stood upon. Plumes of ash and smoke rose into the air in the distance and I had to ask myself if I was taking my crusade a little too far.

Looking over my shoulder, I could see Savlian Matius and his men continuing to hold the line. I began to walk forward, but nearly tripped over a charred corpse. This was apparently one of the Kvatch soldiers. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I drew my blade and ran forth to join a soldier I saw ahead of me.

Hend Venius informed me that the others had been taken captive and were likely being held in one of the many towers that loomed in the red sky before us. We formulated a plan and began searching for the other soldiers. Together we fought and killed daedric scamps, clearing our way to a tower. A mine surprised us and exploded, knocking us backwards. I rose to my feet, but Hend Venius did not. He was dead.

After saying a brief prayer over his body, I took up his sword and shield, and entered the tower. I climbed up the spiraling ramp, killed another scamp, and activated a switch. A great rumble came from outside and I exited the tower to find a pair of large black gates had opened. In between them, I found the remaining Kvatch soldiers. All of them were dead.

Leaving the fallen soldiers behind, I entered the great tower. Inside, I navigated through dark confining halls, avoiding traps, and killing Dremora as I searched for any other survivors. I finally found one in an adjoining tower. Menien Goneld was trapped inside of a cage and I could not find a way to release him. He urged me to leave him behind and close the gate. I did not want to leave this man behind, but I had to for the good of others.

And so I pressed on and after nearly six hours, I finally reached the top of the great tower. Atop of a pillar of fire, a strange round stone rested. I reached out, careful not to get burned, and removed it. A deafening roar forced me to cover my ears and I fell to my knees, clutching the stone against my armor. Suddenly, a bright white light enveloped me and I closed my eyes, thinking that I was about to die. Abruptly, the air shifted and I opened my eyes and saw that I was back at the base of the portal outside of Kvatch. As I turned and looked behind me, the Oblivion portal vanished.

I approached Savlian Matius and explained what had happened. He voiced his appreciation and asked me to help him lead a counter attack in an attempt to retake what was left of the city. My body was weary and I knew that I should have rested, but I agreed nonetheless. Together, we charged the city gates with the other soldiers following us. Inside, Daedra swarmed us, abandoning their attempts to break down the chapel doors.

We fought them off and entered the Chapel of Akatosh. Inside, a few soldiers and about eight frightened civilians welcomed us. Frantically, I scanned their faces looking for Brother Martin. I had no idea what he looked like, but I was certain that I could identify a priest. And just then, I did. My eyes rested on a man wearing the robes of a priest. Slowly I approached him and removed my helmet. I asked if he was Brother Martin and he confirmed that he was. Thank the Nines that he was safe. I explained to him the events that were now in motion and how we were both involved. Although Martin was skeptical, he agreed to accompany me back to Weynon Priory.

Savlian Matius was readying a plan to storm the castle, but he knew that I was in dire need of rest. So here I am now in the Chapel of Akatosh with yet another dilemma. After witnessing Uriel Septim’s assassination, I would not leave Martin’s side. Castle Kvatch still needed to be retaken and I promised Savlian that I would help. It would seem that Martin would be coming with us.

Entry 4: Last Seed 29, 3E433

It is now 2:00 AM as I am writing this entry at a camp along the Gold Road. Many events have transpired since my last entry. The following is an overview of what happened earlier this day.

Brother Maborel allowed me use of his painted horse to speed me on my journey to Kvatch. So, I traveled south, deciding to face the dangers of the wild lands for it was faster than traveling along the roads. Shortly after I had begun my journey, I found the Wayshrine of Dibella. I cupped my hand, dipped it into the water, and drank. The cool water sent waves of refreshing warmth throughout my body. And then, I looked south and saw the ruins of an old fort.

A voice beckoned me to enter. Remounting my horse, I approached the old fort, which was once known as Fort Carmala. Outside of the doors, two corpses were pinned to the wall. That was all the invitation that I needed. Arkay demanded that such sacrilege be eliminated and as his holy warrior, I was happy to oblige. Pushing open the large wooden double doors, I entered Fort Carmala.

It wasn’t long before evil revealed itself. From the shadows, a vampire attacked me. Then and there, all of my hatred towards these foul creatures was unleashed. Unsheathing my steel claymore, I quickly killed the attacking the vampire. With a torch in hand, I meticulously traveled through the catacombs killing lesser vampires, rats, and even reanimated skeletons as I progressed deeper into the fort, looking for their maker.

In the final room, fire pits illuminated several coffins. A feminine voice spoke as I descended the stairs.

“I know what you are seeking Redguard,” the vampire matriarch said stepping into the soft orange light. “For I know what darkness lies deep in your heart.”

To this I replied, “There is no darkness. Only the holy light of Arkay!”

The Dark Elf vampire laughed, bared its fangs, and attacked me. I engaged in battle with it, calling upon my adrenaline rush once more. I quickly overpowered the vampire, gaining the advantage. This vampire was far stronger and took more damage then her young underlings. But in the end, it would not be enough. When at last it was over, I stood over the dead vampire and wiped its dark blood from my hands and face. Thankfully, my natural resistance to disease spared me from contracting the disease. Blessed be Arkay and his divine plan for my holy crusade against evil.

When I exited the fort, it was now evening and the stars were shining in the heavens above me. I continued south for almost an hour until I came across a large stone encircled by several smaller stones. Dismounting my horse, I approached the strange stone to investigate. The stone stood perhaps ten feet tall with glowing red hieroglyphics carved into it. Cautiously, I placed my hand on it, but nothing happened.

Remounting my horse, I continued southwest and within a mere five minutes I came across not one, but two more such stones. The first one was very similar to the other one, with glowing red hieroglyphics. Again, I touched the stone and again, nothing happened. I walked over to the other stone, just a few meters away and I immediately noticed that this stone was different. This particular stone had glowing green hieroglyphics carved into them and the symbols were different. I placed my hand on this stone, thinking that nothing would happen. Instead, the stone was warm to the touch. As I sensed evil radiating from this stone, I was suddenly enveloped with a yellow shroud of light. A sharp pain coarsed through my body and I quickly pulled my hand away and in it, appeared a bloodied claymore. And my iron armor was replaced with a blood red armor that appeared as twisted as the stone was evil. Try as I might, the armor would not budge.

After I remounted my horse, the sword suddenly vanished! What magic was this? I reminded myself that I would have to investigate these strange stones at a later date. For now, I had an oath to fulfill.

Entry 3: Last Seed 28, 3E433

I am writing this entry inside of the Weynon Priory Chapel. It is nearly 2:00 PM now as I prepare to debark for the distant city of Kvatch. It would seem that the Nine Divines had called upon me and I have no choice but to please the gods. Let me explain.

At Wawnet Inn, I awoke screaming from a nightmare in a cold sweat. I realized that I was holding an iron dagger in my right hand. A knock came at the door and I assured the Inn Keeper that I was okay. It was nearly 1:00 AM now and I realized that I had overslept. I quickly gathered my things and put my iron armor on. As I was departing the Inn, an Imperial Legion Soldier looked suspiciously at me and I could not really blame him for that. Evil was spreading and it would seem that news of the royal assassination was spreading fast.

Cold rain pounded down on me as I proceeded west along the road towards my destination. Along the road, I was attacked by bandits and a highwayman, all seeking to murder and then rob me. These wicked crimes did not go unpunished and those criminals paid with their lives. I entered nearby Fort Ash, seeking the bandits’ hideout. How could I have been so wrong?

Fort Ash was overrun with goblins! I managed to dispatch them, but only just. Had it not been for Mara’s Gift, a powerful healing spell blessed to me by my birthsign, I would surely have died. I will need to be more careful from now on. Thankfully, I could feel my skills slowly returning and strength was returning to my limbs.

I arrived at Weynon Priory around 11:30 AM and was greeted by Brother Piner. He informed me that Jauffre was inside of the Priory house. Inside, I spoke with Brother Jauffre at great lengths about what had happened. I turned over the Amulet of Kings as the Emperor had asked of me and Jauffre informed me of Uriel’s last heir, a monk priest named Martin. As the Grandmaster of the Blades, Jauffre was privy to sensitive information and apparently the last remaining heir, was the illegitimate son of Uriel Septim.

As my fate was already entwined with these events, I agreed to go to Kvatch and escort Martin back to Weynon Priory. Once our conversation had ended, I rested for a few hours, meditating on what I had learned. And so it seemed that my search for my vampire sister would have to wait for now, for I had grave matters to attend to. Even though I had my own problems, the nation of Cyrodiil was in dire need of heroes.

Entry 2: Last Seed 27, 3E433

Arkay has found favor with me for by the grace of the gods I am free. I am writing this journal entry now at Wawnet Inn, just outside of the Imperial City. It is now about 1:30 in the afternoon and I am enjoying some Surille Brothers Vintage 415 wine, cheese, and mutton. My hands are still trembling after the long night. As I reflect now on what transpired, I ordered my second bottle of wine.

The night was like any other. I was alone in my small cell with nothing but my thoughts and the scattered bones in the corner. That silence was broken when the Dunmer across from my cell began ranting once again. Valen Dreth, who has become a madman from serving so much time behind these dungeon walls, would likely die in his cell from the slow decay of time.

When the Dunmer was finally done, I heard the sounds of several footsteps descending the stairs nearby. It was hard to see who stood behind the Imperial guard, but I counted three others. Two others were wearing the same decorative armor that only a select few were honored to have. I knew them as the Blades. And behind them stood a elderly man wearing decorative robes, whose face I recognized as the ruler of Tamriel.

The guards ordered me to stand away from the cell door and I obliged them. The guards entered my cell and parted, making way for Emperor Uriel Septim himself! I kneeled before him, showing him the respect that he deserved. Emperor Septim looked upon me with recognition in his face and then he began speaking to me. As I rose, he went on to explain how his sons were assassinated that very night and how he has narrowly escaped an assassination attempt himself. Now his personal bodyguards, the Blades, were leading him out of the Imperial City.

It would seem that the Nine Divines have smiled on me for the escape route led through my cell. After a secret passage opened in my cell, I followed the Emperor and his entourage of bodyguards. As we proceeded through the subterranean structure of the Imperial Prison, assassins ambushed us. Captain Renault was the first to fall and I immediately took up her Akaviri katana to assist in the battle. As the remaining Blades killed the assassins, I took it upon myself to protect the Emperor. I knew then that I was destined to be involved in the events that were transpiring.

In all of the confusion, I became separated from the Emperor and his blades. I continued on my own through the substructure, where I faced common rats, goblins, and even a filthy zombie. Evil still lurked in the shadows and I suddenly found myself taking up the role that I had once served. My skills were not as strong as they had once been, but time would change that.

Finally, I found the exit from the substructure and I managed to rejoin Emperor Uriel Septim and his Blades. After we fended off several more attackers, we found ourselves cornered in a dead end room. Baurus and Glenroy went out into the adjoining room to fend off yet more assassins, while I protected the Emperor. The Emperor quickly explained that events were now in motion that could not be stopped. He seemed to know that the time of this death was near.

He took off a shining red amulet from his neck and gave it to me. He ordered me to take the Amulet of Kings, a magic jewel that only those born of the Septim bloodline may wear, to the distant Weynon Priory where I would find the Grandmaster of the Blades, a man known as Jauffre. Before I could vow my allegiance to the Emperor, an assassin sprang forth from the shadows and killed him right before me. I felt the anger swell within me once more and I called upon my adrenaline rush. With but a single blow of the katana, I killed the assassin. Shaking, I kneeled before the Emperor’s body and swore an oath to do as he commanded me.

Baurus retuned, blood gleaming on his sword. Tears trickled from his eyes as he looked down upon the man whom he swore to protect. I retrieved Glenroy’s Akaviri katana and returned it, along with Captain Renault’s sword, to Barus. After speaking with Baurus about the Emperor’s last words, I proceeded through the sewers out into the free air.

I covered my eyes as the sun shined down upon the lake before me. I kneeled and kissed the ground, thanking Arkay for allowing me to continue in his service. Before setting out for Weynon Priory, I retuned to the Imperial City to sell off some equipment that I had earlier found. After acquiring a few spells and a select few other purchases, I left the Imperial City a few hundred gold Septims richer. After traveling across the long bridge connecting the Imperial City Island with the mainland of Cyrodiil, I stopped at an Inn for food and rest.

So now here I am, a holy man on a mission. I must succeed, for the only other option is death.

Entry 1: Last Seed 26, 3E433

My name is Jovani Hammerlund and I am a Paladin in service of Arkay. As I sit in my prison cell, I am writing this journal in hopes that my efforts won’t be forgotten, that they won’t be in vain. If it is Arkay’s will that I die in here, then so be it, but by the grace of the gods, I pray for salvation and forgiveness. Alas, my prayers have gone unanswered for far too many nights now. Too many to remember.

My tribulations continue as the nights grow longer with each passing day, especially with that dreadful Dunmer in the cell across from mine. The Dunmer’s constant callings stir a rising anger within me. It is an anger that I have not seen in sometime, nor do I wish to see it again, for it is an anger that haunts me to this day. But I may have to call upon that anger if I am to succeed in my mission, Arkay willing.

Now I must briefly explain how I came to be imprisoned within these dungeon walls of the Imperial City. It is not everyday that you will see a holy man serving time in prison this much is true. But I was not always a holy man. Once I had blood on my hands…

I was born in the nearby land of Hammerfell, the homeland of the Redguards. Although I was born a natural fighter, I was also blessed with being born under the stars of the Ritual. My parents did all that they could to hide my unique nature, but it would not be enough. You must understand that Redguards are natural born fighters and those who are born under the strange stars with magic tendencies are frowned upon. To avoid the public humiliation, my parents took me to see my great grandfather Jaleel, an old yet powerful mage, who lived in the northern lands of Cyrodiil.

I was but a small boy when I first met Jaleel. He took a liking to me immediately. He assured my parents that I was unique and that I was destined for great things, hence my unusual birthsign. Reluctantly, my parents left me in the care of Jaleel with whom I lived until I became a young man. Most of this time was spent at our home in Bruma, but occasionally I was allowed to accompany my great grandfather to the Frostcrag Spire, his secret lair in the mountains nearby.

It was during one of these visits that a courier arrived carrying distressful news from home. My father reported that my older sister, Sierra, had been infected with Porphyric Hemophilia, otherwise known as the vampire disease. Jaleel worked tirelessly for hours while he brewed up a potion that would cure the cursed disease before it could take its hold on Sierra. Once he was done, I used the magic portal to travel to the Mages Guild in the great city of Kvatch. From there, I traveled for over two days by horse northwest across the plains of the Gold Coast.

Having evaded wild lions, bears, and even a Minotaur, I chartered a ferry to cross the Brena River. After another hour had passed, I had retuned to my homeland, Hammerfell. Nightfall had fallen across the land by the time I returned home to Rihad. Once I entered my parents’ home, a creature immediately set upon me. Pulling my dagger from its sheath, I tried to stab the creature, but it knocked my dagger away and easily pinned me to the floor.

As I looked up into the strange red eyes of a vampire who now inhabited my sister’s body, I called upon the Blessed Word to turn the vampire away from me. The vampire sprang back and hissed its fangs at me. Then it spoke to me in a familiar voice.

“Forgive me Jovani,” Sierra had said. “But the thirst was too great.”

And with those words, my undead sister fled before I could do anything. Immediately I searched the home for the rest of my family. And found them I did. As I crept down into the dark cellar, I heard some strange noises. Lighting a nearby torch, the horror of what I saw was fully illuminated. Apparently, my sister had turned my parents and they were now feeding on the blood of my younger brother. I was overcome with a deep sorrow, followed by a rising anger. I knew what had to be done. And I did it.

I called upon my inner adrenaline rush and pulled my dagger free. With a brute force that I have never displayed, I buried the dagger into my father’s heart and then my mothers. When they lay dead, free from their acursed disease if only in spirit, I cradled my dying brother in my arms and swore vengeance upon the dark evil that has brought this doom to our family. After my brother took his last breath, I took the torch and began setting house on fire. I went room by room burning everything. Outside, I watched as the fire consumed my birth home.

As the horse burned, I dropped down to my knees. Then and there, I swore my allegiance to Arkay to root out all manners of evil by becoming a Paladin. And so, I set out upon my quest, immediately returning to Cyrodiil. I began searching for my vampire sister, combing through various caves and stopping at various camps listening to various rumors. My investigation led me to a skooma den located in Bravil, where I learned that Sierra had recently visited. Shortly after my arrival, the Imperial Legion raided the den.

Although I was cleared of drug charges, I was however arrested on suspicion of murder of my entire family back in Hammerfell. Without any evidence to prove my story, I was imprisoned. And so, here I still am after serving more than two years in this prison cell. As far as I know, my vampiric sister is still out there hiding in the darkness, feeding on the blood of the innocent and spreading the vile disease. Evil still lurks in the shadows and someone must stop it. Arkay willing, I will be that man.