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.