OOM: Arkngthand, 8 First Seed, 3E 428

[moonandstar]

They emerge from the bar onto an ancient bridge, made of a metal that Ibani won't be able to identify - but clearly the work of an advanced and accomplished civilization. It bridges the foyada, high and deep on each side.

They won't have time to admire it, however. Because there's a bald Imperial in an iron cuirass standing at the other side of the bridge. He conjures a skeleton warrior, who charges toward them as its master launches bolts of lightning at them.

Comments

[moonandstar]

"Very unfriendly indeed," Garyn says. "The first time I came to Balmora, I was nearly jumped for asking where the South Wall Cornerclub was...right outside the Council Club, which is where we'll be hitting."

They walk down the street together. The architecture shouldn't be entirely unfamiliar, depending on how much time Ibani has spent on the Outer Rim. Only one sun on this world, though.

[last_kallig]

"Useful, for our purposes. I'm glad you didn't get jumped, then."

"There's a familiar feeling to the architecture here; not a copy but an echo of things I've seen before."

[moonandstar]

"Ah. So the cities in your universe aren't all two thousand feet tall, are they?"

[last_kallig]

Ibani chuckles softly. "Not all, no. The big cities can be like that, on important planets. But the Outer Rim is less settled, poorer too, so places are built on a smaller scale."

[moonandstar]

Garyn chuckles. "I'd have guessed as much, but still. I suppose we're near the far end of the Empire here, too."

They emerge from the end of the last building to the riverside and begin crossing the bridge over the Odai. At this hour, the setting sun sparkles over the river, and some of the workers are beginning to return home. Though of course, a busy river port never truly sleeps.

As they near the other side of the bridge, however, a Dunmer, wild-eyed with gray hair, scrambles toward them and grabs hold of Garyn's sleeve.

"The Sixth House is risen, and Lord Dagoth is its glory!"

He hasn't raised his hands yet, but it is clear he is not altogether well.

[last_kallig]

When the man grabs Garyn's sleeve, Ibani's hackles rise. There is something WRONG about him, something that makes her afraid for Garyn, that she should not let whatever it is touch Garyn. "Let go of him," It is not a request, it's a bare half step from open violence.

This is not typical Ibani behavior.

[moonandstar]

Garyn yanks his sleeve away from the robed man, who continues to stare a hole through him.

"Beneath Red Mountain, Lord Dagoth sleeps. But when he wakes, we all shall rise, and the dust will blow away. Serve your Lord, Dagoth Ur, and his Sleeping House!"

He continues to walk toward the two of them, even as they move past him across the bridge.

"The true House, the one House to welcome all true Dunmer, and drive the n'wah from our land. Rejoice, and join us! Come to Red Mountain, and prepare the way for his coming!"

Garyn holds Ibani's hand and walks more quickly, hoping he does not follow too closely.

[last_kallig]

"There's more than madness in him. Something WRONG is in him, something dangerous."

Ibani keeps up with Garyn, though part of her senses are keeping an 'eye' on that man.

[moonandstar]

The robed man does not follow them any closer, but leaves them with some chilling parting words.

"Dagoth Ur calls you, Garyn Balvadares, and you cannot deny your lord!"

He grasps Ibani's hand more tightly and hurries to the other side of the bridge.

He speaks quietly. "Would you believe the Sixth House is one of the cults I'm meant to investigate?"

[last_kallig]

"And THERE'S the catch," Ibani replies, bitter, sharp. "Oh, I'd believe it."

"And if there isn't an innocent reason for that man to know your name, I'd say THEY'RE investigating you already."

[moonandstar]

"I don't believe there's an entirely mundane explanation for this," Garyn says. "Dark magic is at work in this cult. That man's mind was not his own."

In the meantime, Garyn flags down a passing guard and directs him toward the man.

[last_kallig]

"Dagoth Ur using him, perhaps. Left a part of himself in the man, like what we found on Athiss."

Which isn't a comparison she really WANTS to consider, but it's there.

[moonandstar]

"I'd rather not have to find out, but I suspect I shall anyway."

Garyn reaches for his pack.

"Perhaps I ought to bring the cube to the informant before we do anything else. He'll be along the way."

[last_kallig]

"I'm sure WE shall," Ibani replies. She squeezes his hand gently.

"Best to complete one task before starting another that could get messy," she agrees.

[moonandstar]

"I might be more comfortable if you cloaked us as we enter the Fighters Guild," Garyn says. "To avoid being recognized by the wrong people."

[last_kallig]

"Certainly," Ibani replies. She remember how Garyn left the Fighter's Guild here. "Should anyone have a fatal accident while we're there?"

In Ibani's mind, this is a perfectly logical question. Save time, a trip, kill an asshole, etc.

[moonandstar]

"One bloodbath at a time, darling."

He shares a smirk with her before they slip inside the Guildhall.

[last_kallig]

"Fair enough." She's smirking too. They slip in when someone else was opening the door, easiest that way.

"Let me know when you want me to take it down, or you'll give our collector quite the start when you make contact with him."

[moonandstar]

"Past the stairway landing should do," Garyn says, turning sideways to avoid Eydis Fire-Eye in the hall.

[last_kallig]

Ibani may be committing everyone they run into in here to memory, just in case.

They pass the landing and she drops the cloak. "Not the worst place I've ever seen, but I suppose they must be getting SOMETHING out of their employer."

[moonandstar]

"That would depend on how long they've actually been involved with them," Garyn says. "This is one of the few settlements on Vvardenfell that actually predates the Empire."

They round a corner into a large room with a padded floor, and training dummies in each corner. Seated and stretching in a corner of the room is a burly Imperial - not the sort one would take for a scholar. He stands and rolls his shoulders before turning to face them.

"Ah, Balvadares. You've brought a friend this time, I see."

"And your puzzle box."

He does him the courtesy of handing him the priceless ancient artifact rather than tossing it to him.

[last_kallig]

"Interesting. I wonder how the Guild acquired the building."

Ibani is absolutely prepared to snap the Imperial's neck at a moment's notice with the Force. She ALSO doesn't introduce herself.

[moonandstar]

Hasphat raises an eyebrow at Ibani but doesn't press her. She's not here to talk; no point in wasting both their time.

He accepts the box and nods, apparently satisfied.

"Perfect. Just what I was looking for. Now..."

He fishes through a sling of scrolls tucked under his shoulder and pulls out some notes.

"House Dagoth is the Sixth House, the 'lost' Sixth House. In the First Age, House Dagoth betrayed the other Great Houses during the War of the First Council, and was destroyed for their treason. Their House head Dagoth Ur is widely considered a demon according to local belief, one whom only the Tribunal can keep at bay.

"Nonetheless, I've heard something about a secret cult worshipping Dagoth Ur. The idea is that the Tribunal are false gods who have betrayed Morrowind to the Imperials. The cult claims to be the new embodiment of this extinct House, and plans to overthrow the Temple and drive the Empire from Morrowind. The cult is outlawed by the Temple, the Great Houses, and the Empire, and I doubt it's very popular. But there have been people having bad dreams about it, or so it's been whispered. I've also heard there's some connection with smuggling... that they smuggle goods, or hire smugglers, or something like that.

"I'll also give you some notes to give to Caius, which summarize what I've told you in a little more detail, and recommend some Sixth House references he should read."

Garyn accepts the notes as they're handed to them.

"And what of this Nerevarine cult?"

Hasphat frowns slightly. "Ah, yes. The Ashlanders believe a reborn Nerevar will unite the Dunmer against the outlander invaders and restore the ancient Dark Elven nation. Nerevar, as I'm sure you're aware, is a legendary hero and saint of the Temple, but the Temple denies the prophecy, and persecutes heretics who believe in the Nerevarine. Tell Caius that Sharn gra-Muzgob would be a better person to ask about the native faiths and superstitions."

[last_kallig]

Oh yes, DEFINITELY reminding her of Athiss. GRAND.

The mention of the word Nerevarine feels....important. It would be nice if the Force were clearer about these things.

[moonandstar]

Garyn nods and slips the papers into his pack.

"Thank you, Antabolis. That will be are."

"Do send Caius my regards!"