Entry 35: Frost Fall 9, 3E433

I returned to Cloud Ruler Temple early this morning and filed my report with Jauffre, the Grandmaster of the Blades. My report included all of the Oblivion gates that I have closed thus far, including those that threatened the cities of Skingrad, Cheydinhal, and the Imperial City itself. I also told Jauffre about the Mythic Dawn attacks in every city that I have visited. Jauffre briefly considered this and then he charged me with eliminating spies seen at the base of the mountain on which Cloud Ruler Temple rests.

The spies were believed to be basing their operations out of nearby Bruma , so I retrieved my horse from the stable and proceeded to Bruma in plain monk robes. Upon my arrival, I went to the guard barracks located inside of Bruma’s Castle and spoke to Captain Burd, the captain of the guard. Burd said that there were no strangers in town, but one of the local citizens, a woman named Jearl, had recently returned from a trip.

Although that was not evidence to confront a person with, these were dangerous times. So, I decided to go talk with this Jearl. I waited outside of Jearl’s homestead until noon and she still did not come outside. With my suspicion of Jearl growing, I spoke with some neighbors. They revealed that Jearl always stayed inside and they believed that she had a visitor living with her.

I returned to talk to Captain Burd and presented this new evidence to him. He gave me permission to enter Jearl’s home and investigate further. Donning my Blades uniform, I picked the lock of Jearl’s home and entered.

Alarmed by my entrance, Jearl and her companion revealed their true selves as members of the Mythic Dawn. When they both lay dead, I searched the home and found a trap door to a cellar. Down there, I found the orders given to Jearl and her companion written on a scroll. The orders revealed that the Mythic Dawn would soon be opening Oblivion gates around Bruma so that they could besiege the city for a staging area to attack Cloud Ruler Temple. I quickly returned to the Blades’ fortress and gave the scroll to Jauffre. Jauffre agreed that this intelligence did not bode well for us.

I then spoke with Martin, the pro tem Emperor, who told me that although he was making progress with his studies of the Mysterium Xarxes, it was slow work. Even so, he did manage to decipher parts of the Xarxes. Martin believed that it was possible to open a portal to Mankar Camoran’s paradise and four items would be needed to do so. The first item required was the blood of a daedra lord, which could be found inside of Daedric artifacts. Martin suggested that I start with Azura’s shrine, a shrine well north of Cheydinhal.

Entry 34: Frost Fall 8, 3E433

I have arrived back at Frostcrag Spire just moments ago. Tomorrow, I must report back to Cloud Ruler Temple and resume my duties as a Blade. But before I do, let me record an important event that happened earlier today.

Northeast of the Imperial City, I entered the Ayleid ruins of Vilverin. Nearly a dozen bandits held the first level of the ruins and I soon learned that they were raiding the ruins for artifacts including Welkynd Stones. The lower levels however, were another matter.

Skeletons, zombies, wraiths, and lichs all occupied the lower levels. In one of those levels, I found another one of those Ayleid statues that Umbacano wanted. Eight statues now remained. In addition, I also found a strange glowing white stone. I removed it from its protected cage, deciding that I would need to investigate it later.

Hiding in the deepest recess of the bottom level, I found a fellow Redguard dressed in black robes bearing a red skull. Everything made since now. This man was a Necromancer. Although necromancy was not banned in Cyrodiil, it was certainly frowned upon. And for a man to unleash all those undead, he became an enemy of Arkay. And an enemy of me.

We exchanged no words.

He looked at me. I looked at him and drew my sword. As he began summoning his undead minions, I unleashed a fury of slices into my fellow countryman. As he lay dead, I read through a journal that was nearby. This man, whose name was Jalbert, was a wanted criminal in our homeland of Hammerfell. It was only fitting for a fellow Redguard to enact justice upon him, ending his wickedness. I could only hope that he stay dead.

Entry 33: Frost Fall 5, 3E433

I was approached this afternoon by Jollring, a manservant of a wealthy man who lived in Talos Plaza. Jollring informed me that his master, a High Elf named Umbacano, wished to speak with me regarding an important matter. I agreed to meet with this Umbacano and followed Jollring to the Talos Plaza.

When we arrived at Umbacano manor, I was shown upstairs. As I entered what looked like a study, my eyes rested on the very Ayleid statue that I had sold just three days ago. Umbacano informed me that he was a private collector of Ayleid antiquities and he offered to buy any more Ayleid statues that I might find for double their worth. Umbacano went on to explain that the statue was only one among a collection of ten that was believed to have been spread out all over Cyrodiil by the Ayleids themselves thousands of years ago. I agreed to keep an eye out for more of these statues during my travels and departed.

Entry 32: Frost Fall 5, 3E433

After a few hours of rest at the The All Saints Inn, I departed the Imperial City. After a few hours time, I arrived at the cabin. With my hand wrapped around the hilt of my blade, I entered. Inside, I found Roland Jenseric and immediately I took my hand off my blade. From his appearance, I could tell that Roland was not a vampire at all.

Roland went on to explain what happened the night that his girlfriend was murdered. Roland claimed that Seridur was a vampire and it was he who had fed on and murdered Relfina. After hearing this, I was shocked. I had been in the very presence of Seridur and had not noticed anything unusual about him.

I agreed to investigate Roland’s claim that Seridur was responsible for all of this, so I left the cabin and returned to the Imperial City. There I checked out a few locations that Roland had mentioned. After bribing Phintias, the proprietor of the First Edition, he told me that Seridur frequently visited a cemetery to pay his respects to a departed family member.

I asked about this cemetery and Phintias said that it was an underground cemetery located in a cave known as Memorial Cave, located to the east of the city along the shore of Lake Rumare. Leaving the city, I immediately ran there. Within an hour, I reached my destination.

Darkness had fallen now making this mission all the more dangerous. I entered the cave and found rats, several mutilated corpses, ghosts, Liches, and ten vampires. In the deepest recesses of the cave, I found Seridur waiting for me. I confronted him and he confessed to his wicked ways.

Even then, Seridur did not appear to be a vampire. And then I knew why that might have been. Many vampires are capable of being very persuasive and I may have been under his influence. But now—now I wasn’t. Now my eyes saw through the fog of lies and deceit.

Seridur made a feeble attempt to attack me, but I struck him down before the wicked High Elf even drew his sword. Seridur felt the sting of Arkay’s Spirited Will, an enchanted sword that I myself made.

With the vampires slain, I had to rest for I have again been infected with the disease Porphyric Hemophilia. Using a cure disease potion, I saved myself from the grip of vampirism. Having saved myself and cured my wounds, I returned to Roland’s cabin and informed him of Seridur’s demise.

Roland thanked me and asked that I return to meet with the Order as they wished to speak with me again. So I made my way back to the Imperial City where I met with the Order. I was made an official member of the Order and I was given an enchanted ring called the Ring of Sunfire.

Entry 31: Frost Fall 4, 3E433

Before I left the Temple District Ralsa Norvalo, a female Dunmer, approached me. She requested my help to save the citizens of the Imperial City. Although I was suspicious that this may be a trap by the Mythic Dawn, I agree nonetheless.

I entered the house as instructed and a High Elf named Seridur greeted me inside. He led me down into the basement were I joined the company of two other men. Seridur went on to explain that they were a secret order of vampire hunters known as the Order of Virtuous Blood. Arkay has smiled upon me.

The Order requested my assistance in tracking down an elusive vampire who recently murdered a woman. Apparently, this vampire lived in the Imperial City itself. Eager to become an official member of the Order, I quickly agreed to help.

The vampire in question was a man known as Roland Jenseric. I immediately went to his house, but the door was of course locked. May the gods forgive me, for I had to resort to the criminal art of lockpicking. I’m sure the gods would forgive me, for it was all in the name of justice.

The main floor held no clues that I could find. In fact, everything was consistent with a normal lifestyle. Knowing that may just be a ruse, I entered the cellar. The cellar revealed nothing that would incriminate Roland Jenseric of being a vampire. Instead, I found dozens of bottles of wine including rare vintages. In addition to the wine, I found a few bottles of the addictive drug skooma. Upstairs in the private bedroom, I found a few human skulls as well as alchemy tools. Nothing really stood out that proved Roland was a vampire at all. As I descended the stairs, I noticed a book resting on the eating table. Rather strange that I didn’t notice it earlier—

Resting on top of the book was a love letter addressed to Roland from his now murdered girlfriend. The letter mentioned a cabin where the lovers often met and I recognized the location of that cabin, for I had previously found it during one of my trips to Cheydinhal.

Entry 30: Frost Fall 2, 3E433

With but a few days left of my military furlough, I traveled back to Frostcrag Spire to unload fresh supplies and new equipment. I still had a few matters to attend to, so I watched the sunrise from the top of Frostcrag Spire before departing. The rising dawn was a truly a blessed beauty to behold.

I decided to travel to the Imperial City to ask around about the Ayleid artifact. During my journey to the central city of the empire, I found another Oblivion gate threatening the capital of Tamriel. After closing it, I realized that in total I have closed seventeen gates since the crisis began. And it seems that there is no sign of them letting up. I know that it will be up to me to save this nation of Cyrodiil. It is my destiny.

Upon arriving at the city, I went to the Market District to sell off old equipment and search for answers about my artifact. I presented the artifact to Aurenliwae inside the Mystic Emporium. She said that the statue was worthless by itself, because it was once part of a group. She offered to buy it and I agreed, for I didn’t want to be burdened by it any longer. Perhaps it will be displayed in a museum.

Leaving the store behind I went to the Temple District to visit the Temple of the One. Inside, I was surprised to find Jeelius, the Argonian prisoner whom I had freed well over two fortnights ago from the Mythic Dawn inside their secret base. Jeelius thanked me properly when he recognized me and in appreciation, he taught me new knowledge in the healing arts.

Immediately after we parted ways, two Mythic Dawn agents reveled themselves inside the Temple of the One. Such blasphemy! I killed the murdering assassins while, Jeelius ran again. Perhaps he was merely afraid or dare I say it—Jeelius is perhaps an agent himself. It seemed too obvious to be a coincidence.

If I ever see that slimy Argonian again, I will be sure to ask him.

Entry 29: Frost Fall 1, 3E433

I am a new homeowner today.

More than a full month has passed now since I gained my freedom. Having amassed a wealth over that month from looting my enemies, I decided to purchase a home in the great city of Cheydinhal. The two-story home rests just next to the statue that honors Galerion the Mystic, the founder of the Mages Guild. With plenty of money to spare, I have also fully furnished the home. It is a fine home indeed.

Entry 28: Heartfire 29, 3E433

The past few days have been spent closing more Oblivion gates around the city for a total of five thus far. With the city safe from the Oblivion threat, I decided to reenter the Barren Cave searching for any clues that I might have missed when I last searched it several days ago.

Much to my surprise, I found that the cave had been repopulated with yet more vampires! I encountered six lesser vampires before finding a matriarch vampire orc. All of them fell swiftly on my blade. Deeper in the cave I came face to face with a Dunmer patriarch.

The Dark Elf vampire opened its mouth to speak to me. “Your hatred of the mighty people of Morrowind will be your undoing Redguard.”

To this I replied, “Speak not to me, for the holy light of Arkay is here to cleanse your wicked ways!”

We did battle and I emerged the victor. Blessed be Arkay forever and ever! Amen. Amen.

Entry 27: Heartfire 26, 3E433

The past several days have been used to hone my skills, but they have proven fruitless thus far in my search to find my sister, Sierra. I decided to leave Bruma behind and return to Cheydinhal to search for more signs of vampires in the surrounding area.

Upon my arrival, I was told that an Oblivion gate had opened near the city and to make matters worse, a group of civilians had entered the gate to find a way to close it. They would likely be dead by now, but I decided that I had better enter the gate and search for any survivors.

In the Oblivion plane, I found several bodies of those fallen in battle. From the look of their steel armor, these were no mere civilians. After a few hours of following blood trails, I found two men still alive. After speaking with them, I learned that they were all that remained of a group of self-proclaimed knights known as the Knights of the Thorn.

Farwil Indarys, a Dunmer, was the son of Cheydinhal’s Count. Although he was a fool, at least the Dark Elf had some courage for he had entered this Oblivion plane. That is no small feat for a normal man. But what respect I had for this Dunmer was soon loss when he assumed to boss me around.

The two survivors followed me into the great tower all the way up to the Sigil Stone. After I removed the Sigil, we were teleported back outside the city walls. Farwil made me an honorary Knight of the Thorn, giving me a medallion sporting the group’s emblem. I knew that he had done this so that he too could be recognized as a hero. I accepted, if only to shut the Dunmer up.

The city guard told me that the Count was awaiting my presence, so I went to the city castle to meet with him. Count Andel Indarys was pleased that I saved his son and his city from the Oblivion threat. As a reward, the Count gave to me a magical enchanted longsword, known as Thornblade.

Entry 26: Heartfire 20, 3E433

Having recovered the Draconian Madstone, I returned to Bruma and checked into the Jerall View Inn. After much needed sleep, I returned to the castle. I must admit that I was tempted to keep the Draconian Madstone for myself, for the magical properties alone would aid me greatly in my crusade against the undead minions of the night.

But I am a man of my word so I turned over the amulet. Countess Carvain was thrilled to finally have the artifact in her hands. In return, the countess awarded me with a magical ring. Although it had some nice properties, the Madstone was far better. Although sacrifice is a way of life for heroes, I still felt cheated.

Afterwards, I overheard a rumor in one of Bruma’s shops that a vampire hunter had slain a vampire here within the city walls. As this matter demanded my attention, I decided to investigate this claim. My lingering hope was that somehow…someway…my sister might just be involved.

So, I went to the Lirrian home where I spoke with the lead investigator. I expressed my interest in the matter and slipped him a stipend of gold to gain his trust. He spoke quietly to me about the facts of the case, which sounded fairly convincing.

However, the widow was distraught over the loss of her husband and she vehemently refused to believe that the man she slept with was a vampire. I agreed to begin an independent investigation into the matter if only to ease the mind of the distraught widow.

And so I asked around town about this so called vampire hunter, Raynil Dralis, and I learned that he was lodging at the local tavern. With this new information in hand, I went to the tavern to speak with Raynil, but he wasn’t there. After slipping some gold to the proprietor of the tavern, Olav, he gave me the key to the room.

Inside, I found a journal with details of three men who had found an artifact together. Apparently, this artifact was too powerful for anyone of them to hold onto, so they locked it inside of a special chest that could only be opened with three keys. As each man hold onto a key, it suddenly became clear to me what had happened. Raynil had murdered his friends so that he could have their keys for himself.

With this new information in hand, I returned to the investigator and presented the new evidence to him. He was shocked to learn the truth behind this and he mustered the city guard to spread out and find Raynil. I knew that they would not find him, for he had probably already left town.

Within an hour, my prediction proved to be correct. Raynil was running. I quickly left the city in pursuit, finding him inside of a cave to the west of Bruma. I proceeded into the cave with a torch in hand. As the light glinted off of glass armor, I saw the face of Raynil Dralis.

Raynil was a Dark Elf. Leave it to a filthy Dunmer to commit such a heinous crime. As Raynil would not surrender, he attacked me and I was forced to kill him. With the three keys in hand, I opened the chest and retrieved a simple looking amulet.

Upon returning this amulet to the widow, she revealed what the amulet actually was. In reward for bringing her husband’s killer to justice, she gave me the magical amulet.