"My... What big teeth you have!"
The first steps are always the hardest...
I made my way through the wilderness on foot, following well beaten paths and cobblestone roads that stretched between the great cities. Glancing at my map, I could see that Fort Dawnguard was a long journey into the East, across mountains and through swamps. Peering over the map down to my well warn boots, I could see that perhaps buying a horse would be the first thing I should do. This might also help me with the little problem I am having with the local wildlife that seems to enjoy attacking me...
North it was then, towards Whiterun Stables. It wasn't too long of a trek, with the sun bearing down on me, I followed a stream that led me around a mountainside until I could make out a great valley. Ahead of me nestled between mountains, was a hill on top of which rested Whiterun, a large walled city surrounded by an assortment of farms. What drew my attention however, as I made my way towards the city, was the fight taking place in one of the farmsteads.
"Is... Is that a giant?!" I proclaimed perhaps a little too loudly.
The giant stopped its attack and turned towards me, its grim expression turning to anger. This thing was as tall as a pine! A solitary guard decided to attack the beast, perhaps in a vain attempt to defend my life. Stepping over the freshly pummeled body of the guard's friend, it swung its club in long slow arc and struck the guard, sending him careening past me into the forest behind us. Then it lowered its gaze upon me. I brandished my little woodcutter axe, gripping the hilt tightly. Perhaps out of fear more than anything else. It was about to charge when I heard a scream from behind it, followed by the distinct sound of arrows whizzing through the air. The beast screamed in pain as arrows struck its back. There were others! It turned towards them, swinging its club. HAHA! A distraction!
With adrenaline still coursing through my veins, I charged towards the giant, waving my axe impotently in the air. Letting out a whimpering battle cry, I struck at the beast's back and then kept swinging. My eyes closed shut waiting for the inevitable thump of a club that would send me flying off into the atmosphere. Yet, I heard the beast grumble and moan. Opening my eyes, I saw it collapse in a heap in front of me. VICTORY! I have slain the giant! Call me Rognar giant's bane! I AM MIGHTIEST OF AL-
The limp body of the giant collapsed, revealing a forest of arrows sticking out of its chest. Glancing up from the slain giant, I could see a small group of warriors lowering their bows and approach me. Slightly deflated, yet still convinced that I had at least landed the killing blow I greeted mysaviors compatriots, returning my little woodcutter axe to my side. I discovered them to be warriors of the Companions, a sacred order of fighters who took on jobs, righting wrongs, killing troublesome beasts and collecting a good profit along the way. As luck would have it, my display of bravery in taking on the giant seemed the sway the opinion of at least one of them, offering me a spot in the companions if I so wished.
Knowing that my true goal was to join the Dawnguard for revenge, I bid them farewell and good tidings. I had no time for heroics, dragons or such other nonsense. My drive for adventure was purely that of vengeance for the slaying of my people in Riverwood. Coughing slightly, I made my way towards the stables. Once again someone commented on me looking rather pale or ill. Huh... Strange. Maybe I had lost all color from my face when I saw the giant for the first time? Regardless, I headed to the stable owner. Time to buy my steed!
North it was then, towards Whiterun Stables. It wasn't too long of a trek, with the sun bearing down on me, I followed a stream that led me around a mountainside until I could make out a great valley. Ahead of me nestled between mountains, was a hill on top of which rested Whiterun, a large walled city surrounded by an assortment of farms. What drew my attention however, as I made my way towards the city, was the fight taking place in one of the farmsteads.
"Fore!"
The giant stopped its attack and turned towards me, its grim expression turning to anger. This thing was as tall as a pine! A solitary guard decided to attack the beast, perhaps in a vain attempt to defend my life. Stepping over the freshly pummeled body of the guard's friend, it swung its club in long slow arc and struck the guard, sending him careening past me into the forest behind us. Then it lowered its gaze upon me. I brandished my little woodcutter axe, gripping the hilt tightly. Perhaps out of fear more than anything else. It was about to charge when I heard a scream from behind it, followed by the distinct sound of arrows whizzing through the air. The beast screamed in pain as arrows struck its back. There were others! It turned towards them, swinging its club. HAHA! A distraction!
With adrenaline still coursing through my veins, I charged towards the giant, waving my axe impotently in the air. Letting out a whimpering battle cry, I struck at the beast's back and then kept swinging. My eyes closed shut waiting for the inevitable thump of a club that would send me flying off into the atmosphere. Yet, I heard the beast grumble and moan. Opening my eyes, I saw it collapse in a heap in front of me. VICTORY! I have slain the giant! Call me Rognar giant's bane! I AM MIGHTIEST OF AL-
The limp body of the giant collapsed, revealing a forest of arrows sticking out of its chest. Glancing up from the slain giant, I could see a small group of warriors lowering their bows and approach me. Slightly deflated, yet still convinced that I had at least landed the killing blow I greeted my
Knowing that my true goal was to join the Dawnguard for revenge, I bid them farewell and good tidings. I had no time for heroics, dragons or such other nonsense. My drive for adventure was purely that of vengeance for the slaying of my people in Riverwood. Coughing slightly, I made my way towards the stables. Once again someone commented on me looking rather pale or ill. Huh... Strange. Maybe I had lost all color from my face when I saw the giant for the first time? Regardless, I headed to the stable owner. Time to buy my steed!
"Looking for a horse?"
"How much?!!" I squealed. 1000 gold pieces. ONE THOUSAND. This wasn't happening...
I stepped into the shade from the bright sun, trying to rack my brain. I had only 230 in my pocket. Cutting wood wasn't really a high paying job. It was more of a community support thing. Damn... How could I make that sort of... cash. Then it dawned upon me. The companions! I could join them, rough up some people and get paid! Hell, I might as well learn some fighting skills while I'm at it as well, all the better when I join the Dawnguard. I turned back to the stable owner and leaned in real close.
"I'll be back." I muttered and walked off into Whiterun. Okay, that may have come off a bit more sinister than I had hoped. Hopefully the cost of the horse won't be doubled by the time I get back.
Whiterun was a large sprawling city. Well, as sprawling as one could be, being walled in and on top of a hill. I made my way to Jorvaskr, the hall of the companions and pledged myself to their aid. After a brief fist fight where I pummeled one of the companions into submissions (A lot of tavern fights in Riverwood.) I fixed a sword and returned a shield before being tasked with my first quest! A bear was harassing a local farm, I was to go and kill it, bringing peace and prosperity back to their farmstead.
The Companions. Making heroism sexy. Also killing lots of bears.
I decided to rest after my long day. I took lodging at the nearby Horse and Mare tavern, and laid my head down on the pillow. Drifting off, I was suddenly accosted by red flashes and a strange thirst in the evening... Wait... WAIT...
My mind started to race. I had been feeling this way for a few days now. Feeling rather ill, looking pale, yet by night time the feeling had usually faded. Especially today when the sun... was so bright? Oh dear god...
I shot up out of bed, a cold sweat forming on my brow. The vampire attack. I had been struck by one of them, but didn't pay any mind... By the gods, I was turning into a vampire! The very thing I had sworn to destroy! What foul joke had the gods played on me?!
I tried to steady my nerves, touching the tips of my teeth with my tongue to see if they were sharp. Nothing yet. Or was there? Oh man... Okay... I could figure this out. These companions seemed like open folk. I'm sure I could stay among them as my affliction progressed. But the Dawnguard would never allow me to enter... Not anymore. I had to find a cure. A way to rid myself of this... Evil. For my Vengeance!
The following day, I took off early before anyone woke up. I would handle this quest quickly, get my money and continue in hopes of finding my cure. I made my way to the farmstead where the bear had decided to barricade itself inside the house. Ignoring what the farmers said, I kicked down the door and waylaid the bear, striking at the animal with my new companion sword. It was short work, and a small payment. I knew then that I would have to make due with my predicament until I had accrued enough money to buy my steed.This would be my life for the next few weeks... Well it was, until I turned into a werewolf.
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