675. Cropsford

The town of Cropsford in the Nibenay Basin of Southern Cyrodiil has been a successful farming settlement for as long as anyone can remember. Once it would provision the grand market in the Imperial City, now it primarily supplies the markets at the local castles of Alessia and Drakelowe. This despite the town being in the heart of what the goblins consider to be their territory. Two local tribes in particular seem to have grown bolder of late, skulking around the outskirts of the town seeking any opportunity to pillage unguarded food and produce. Thankfully they are not daring enough as yet to attack the town, but the leaders believe it is only a matter of time.

Despite this threat, and the menace of the risen undead from the nearby ruins of Culotte, the town has remained a relative safe haven for its people, and also remarkably unaffected by the ongoing Banners war. The leaders believe that this is thanks to the blessings of their patron Zenithar. They tell me that the god watches over them because the people of the town personify everything Zenithar stands for; cultivation, hard work, trade, and community.

Upon my arrival I am tasked with the collecting of sacks of produce from around the town ready for market, not a usual undertaking for a mercenary such as myself. Sure I consider myself strong, but farming labour requires a different type of strength that can break the backs of even the most stalwart soldier. It seems not all the villagers however, many of whom are not native to Cyrodiil, are willing to share credit for their hard work and successful harvest with a god, as I am also asked to collect the offerings to Zenithar from some reluctant villagers. I guess it can be difficult to adapt to a new society when you do not share their beliefs, especially when those beliefs require you to make a sacrifice. But people must respect the traditions of their neighbours and be prepared to make personal sacrifices for the common good of the community, even if they don’t share their beliefs. Because that is what a community is; Individuals making sacrifices for the good of the many, and then in turn they will find that the community will be willing to make sacrifices for them.

675 (j). Cropsford

S.K

674. Between the notes, my blade doth sing

The Newt Cave which lies just southeast of the town of Cropsford, was once notorious as a hidden den for smugglers. Some speculate that there is still treasure to be found deep within its darkest caverns, but one would first have to contend with a mischief of trolls and a small colony of giant bats.

Unlike the Bloodmayne Cave further to the south where, under the reign of the Spriggan Acanthia, there existed a relative peace between the various species that dwelt there, here at The Newt Cave, there are two leaders that vie for supremacy; the troll Graveltooth, and Rock Wing, a giant bat.

Thus there are tensions throughout the caverns between the two species. The atmosphere feels strained like the taunt strings of an instrument waiting to be struck. It would take a skilled bard but a short riff or a brief motif to discover just the right note to pluck to break the fibres of this tension and turn the creatures within, one upon another.

Bah, if only I weren’t so tone deaf.

S.K

673. A grievous gift

673 (a). A grievous gift

As battles rage between the Banners over the nearby bridges, it appears my only way across the Niben River may be a makeshift bridge found at the Lunar Fang docks; although it looks as though it has been rebuilt more times then the gates of Orsinium. I spy figures moving about amongst the crates upon the wharf. Obviously this dock is still very much in operation, but by whom?

I decide to chance this rickety bridge rather then risk running afoul of any Aldmeri or Ebonheart parties, but no sooner had I begun crossing then I became aware of the rather pungent musty smell of wet dogs; I am soon to discover why. Hoping to sneak past unnoticed, I stealthy approach the people working upon the wharf, but they sense my presence without first seeing me. As they turn towards me, each starts a grisly and grotesque transformation from ordinary man and mer into werewolf.

It is not often werewolf packs choose to reveal their ‘gifts’ in the open so readily. There was the Greycloak mercenaries of course, who rampaged across the central wastelands of Craglorn, and back in Glenumbra the area between Aldcroft and Camlorn was practically overrun. But most smaller werewolf packs I encounter choose to hide themselves away in caves and delves. What is most impressive about this pack at the Lunar Fang Docks is that they appear to have mastered their ‘gift’, seemingly able to transform at will. I suspect news of their talent would be very much of interest to the villagers of Kerbol’s Hollow, back in Bangkorai.

673 (h). A grievous gift

Just what this pack are doing here or who they are doing it for will alas have remain a mystery for now, for each choose to die by my blade rather then give up their secrets. They say that there is no beast more savage than a raging werewolf, and whilst that may be true, for they indeed gain in both strength and ferocity, their rage seems to cost them any natural sense of self preservation. How grievous the consequences of their ‘gift’ seem to be.

S.K

672. Nothing the dead hate more then the living?

672 (a). Nothing the dead hate more then the living

The vanquished spirits of a forgotten battle fought in another age have risen seemingly unbidden from the graveyard at Moffka’s Lament in south-eastern Cyrodiil. Perhaps it is the endless turmoil in this land that has disturbed their eternal rest. Or maybe it is the land itself that has roused them in response to the wounds it suffers from the Banners fruitless war.

These Orc and Ayleid soldiers are believed to have fallen in a battle for the nearby Fort Variela. That they were buried in the same graveyard appears to be a rare act of honour and grace by whomever the victor was. Yet as I approach they seem to have forgotten what animosity they had for each other and attack only me. Perhaps it is that they never did fight against each other, but together against a common, more deadly foe? Either that or there really is nothing the dead hate more then the living.

The spirits themselves return still dressed in the weapons and armour in which they fell. I wonder after my own death if I am to be risen again whether I too will appear as I died, or maybe I will rise as a shadowy ghost; anything but a skeleton, I don’t think I would enjoy that.

672 (g). Nothing the dead hate more then the living

S.K

671. Better to die with conviction, then to live with none

671 (a). Better to die with conviction, then to live with none

The Riverwatch tower in south-eastern Cyrodiil appears to have be abandoned, but as I ride closer I notice a robed figure trying to break down the door. Dismounting to investigate further, as I approach the tall robed figure turns towards me, and he and his cronies attack without hesitation. If I had been a passing pilgrim, a tradesman, a refugee, or any other innocent Cyrodil coming to this watchtower for aid, I would no doubt now be but a victim. Unluckily for Absolon and the rest of these Aldmeri Irregulars however, I have seen far too many winters to be caught out by their unprovoked attack.

I guess it could be my Imperial armour that triggers these rash acts of violence against me, for I seem to be getting attacked from all sides in Cyrodiil, including the scattered Imperial units. But no matter the danger, I shan’t be changing my armour just to appease others. I wear the emblem of the red diamond with pride, as a symbol of the spirit of Alessia, the virtues of Akatosh, and the oath I took to protect the Imperial Province upon joining the Legion. Others might hide their vows, I wear mine upon my chest.

S.K