Twilight Magnolia

Well, I started playing MW again. As usual, I didn't really get into
the game until I started writing down the character's story. I guess
writing it down helps me focus and role play. Here it is:


Twilght Magnolia

16 Last Seed

Today, I was released from a prison ship at the port village of Seyda
Neen in Morrowind. I don't recall anything before that. Nothing.
They say my name is Twilight Magnolia, and that I am tasked by the
Emperor Uriel Septim to carry a package to Balmora. But this name is
unfamiliar, and I find it hard to believe that the emperor would even
notice someone dressed in the rags I wear. I have decided to write
down what I discover, as I fear that my memory loss may be magical,
and may keep siphoning things from my mind.

I spent the day hunting mudcrabs for food. Along the way, I found the
body of a tax collector. Between the gold on the body and the reward
for tracking down the murderer, I have a small stash between me and
starvation. I have bought a chitin bow and cuirass, and have found
two daggers. The heft of the daggers is familiar, as is the draw of
the bow. I have hunted before, and often. But the feel of those
weapons and the way to move soft and silent towards a prey is all that
is familiar. When someone suggested I grill meat instead of eat raw
crabs, I was at a complete loss for how to do that. So I have hunted,
but maybe not for food.

17 Last Seed

As I read through my notes, I find that I do remember yesterday. Just
not all the days before yesterday. I went over to the cave
Addamasartus as several people told me smugglers were hold up there
and I could earn some gold taking care of them. I crept inside and
saw three dark elves talking around a fire. I crept out, unseen. I
can tell you why the guards are doing nothing about the smugglers:
the guards want to be alive tomorrow.

Then I decided to hunt some crabmeat, and maybe look for Mentor's
Ring--which is rumored to be lost in a tomb nearby. I found the
ring. And got brown rot from some bonewalker in the tomb. Did I
mention that no one in town sells torches or candles? It is bloody
dark in those tombs. I have the ring. But it is of little use to me
right now So I headed out of town to see if I can find a healer.

The siltstrider took me to Balmora, where I got cured of the brown rot
at the altar in the Temple. I decided to join the Temple, as they
give a discount for healing if you are a member. Joining also helped
me get better prices on the healing spells I bought there. No one at
the Temple could help me with my memory, however.

When leaving the Temple, I was attacked by a footpad. He was easily
dispatched, in part because the townsfolk helped me out. Or maybe it
was the guards. It was getting dark, and hard to see. He had a nice
magic spear and a Dwemer pitcher which I sold to a Khajiit trader who
had a shop nearby. By the time I found that Caius fellow and
delivered the Emperor's package, it was dark Very dark. Somehow I
found my way back across town to the Fighter's Guild. They had beds
available if I joined up. I was tired, and the deal sounded good. I
think Caius thinks that I have joined his Emperor's Blades. Well,
since my first 'mission' was to go develope a cover with some other
guilds, I suppose that might not have been a mistake. Joining up so
many guilds leaves me feeling a little nervous. I should be hunkering
down, staying out of sight. At least, I think I should. . Anyway,
at least I have a warm bed for the night.

18 Last Seed

I had noticed that the spear that footpad used did not seem so
comfortable to me as I carried it around. So I decided to pay Flaenia
to teach me a little about spear fighting. One never knows when one
will need to wield the weapons of a downed enemy. Hmm, I am certain
of that thought--though I have no memory before of taking an
opponent's weapon. Anyway, training took all day.

In my bed, I was attacked by a Dumner dressed in fine black armor.
Armor I have made my own, by the way. It is high quality armor, light
and strong enough to stop a blade.

19 Last Seed

I sold some of the dark armor and got money to train in long sword.
By day's end, I was getting respectable at it. And I felt a need to
meditate upon my skills. Which meant that I was promptly attacked by
another of those assassins in dark armor. Hmm, maybe the first time
was not an accident. I suspect the assassins are linked to my memory
loss. Or, rather, that they are both part of some....plot or
something. Anyway, I got another fine set of armor to sell.

20 Last Seed

After resting the night, I went to the Mage's Guild to see if they
could help counter my loss of memory. I had no luck. But I did join
them just in case that would make them more inclined to help me. It
did get me access to their equipment chest and a bit better
treatement. But no one had heard of any magic loss of memory, or any
cure for it. At least I have a good bit of gold from selling all the
assassins' gear. I bribed merchants quite freely throughout the
town. Lots of people warned me vampires in the sewers, and some said
that I should go talk to some Las...Laz...somebody at Fort Moonmoth.
They say the Cult is at the Fort. Maybe they have a healer who can
help me.

Anyway, I spent much of the day looking around town. Clagius had an
interesting assortment of toolkits--but no craft looked familiar to
me. No craft beyond knifework and bowwork, anyway. Dralasa had some
cooking gear. I was at a loss for how to use it. And it was heavy.
So I did not buy any. Ra'Virr had some nice enchanted weapons and
some rings of traveling that I covet. Meldor had some fine Adamantium
armor. Wayne had a Dwemer short sword with a paralyze spell, which I
bought. Wayne and Meldor are where I sell the arms and armor of
assassins and footpads. Thorek also buys arms and armor, but has less
gold to barter with. Dorisa had a book on Basic Cooking, which I also
bought. Now I understand a bit more about grilling meat. Nalcarya of
White Haven had many fine potions and ingredients. I bought a few
potions and, the gods only know why, a mortar and pestle that I have
no idea how to use. Milie had some nice clothing and Mercedes some
nice jewelry, but all seemed too expensive for me just now. The Morag
Tong have a headquarters in town, but would not deal with nonmembers.
They did tell me that they were the sworn enemies of the Dark
Brotherhood assassins attacking me, and to see Eno Hlaalu in Vivec if
I wished to join. Nileno Dorvayn at Hlaalu Manor sold me some very
nice lock picks and probes. As I left the upper plaza, I was attacked
by a footpad. I quickly ran near a guard and let him dispatch the
fellow. In the distance, I heard another fight. I had to search
quite a while to find the second body (third if you count the one
still in the street from earlier). When I finally found it, I also
found some kind of 'Return Marker' skull. But it did not function.
Which, as I pause to actually THINK about it, was probably a very good
thing indeed. One of the footpads had a black mask that I quite
like. Those masks the Dark Brotherhood wears are hideous.

I finished out the day doing a few errands for guilds. Once again, my
rest was disturbed. At least when I sell this stuff I'll be able to
buy that Dome Home. I like to travel light, so it would be nice to
have someplace to put my cookbook, mortar that I don't know how to
use, and other stuff I seem to be accumulating. I should just sell
this junk and be done with it.

21 Last Seed

Although the Mage's Guild was unable to help me find my memories, they
did have a task for me--gathering mushrooms. I suppose I can do that
next time I go hunting. I went to Fort Moonmoth. But although I
offered to join the Cult, they, too, were unable to find my memories.
As I now had several errands to the south, I headed off to Pelagiad.
They gave me a book; just what I need. Maybe the pages will be good
for starting a fire on a cold night.

Speaking of books, I found that Public Library everyone is talking
about. They gave me a list of books they want. The list might also be
good for starting a fire on a cold night. The Bookmaster also wanted
Tarhiel's journal. Hmm, where did I sell that book? It must have
been either in Seyda Neen or Balmora, as I have not been anyplace
else. Not anyplace else that I can remember, anyway.

In Pelagiad I also bought some better clothes from Mebestian. Which
reminded me that I was still carrying around that lady's glove. After
a bit of searching, I found Maurrie's bandit love and gave him her
message. I hope she knows what she is getting into. In the same
tavern where I found the thief Nelos, I also found Ahnassi, a charming
Khajiit. She gave me several gifts. In return, she has asked me to
help her fend off one of the Camona Tong who is harassing her--one
Daren Adryn, a Dark Elf in Gnaar Mok. I suppose she is using me, but
I find her quite charming. And I am already more than fed up with
poor treatment by Camona Tong members. How exactly is one supposed to
reply to someone who threatens to slay one in one's sleep? At least
if someone DOES attack you in your sleep, you can just kill them and
sell their bloody armor.

I headed on to Seyda Neen as the night grew dark. I needed a torch to
light the way by the time I got to town. Alas, Arrille's Tradehouse
was not where I'd sold Tarheil's Journal. That fellow Nuccius had
left town, so I unlocked the door to his house and spent the night
there. No one attacked me, so perhaps the assassins have lost my
trail. Or lost interest in me.

22 Last Seed

When I woke up, I wandered around a bit collecting all those mushrooms
Ajira wanted. Then I headed over to the nearby village of
Haldenshore. Thieves have been running amok there. In the tavern,
after a scuffle, I met up with Sharp Claw Jinlor, who wanted a friend--
Banalz or something like that--freed from slavers in Addamasartus. I
said I'd help, but I know I am no match right now for taking on three
cutthroats at once. Jinlor also gave me a hint about connecting up
with the thieves. Those idiots need to quiet down a bit or the
Imperials will escalate. After that, it didn't take long to find
Zerdon Nelfin. It turns out he has been organizing a ruckus on
purpose. Sigh. Where am I going to get 5000 gold to cool his group
down?

After taking the silt strider back to Balmora, I started looking for
Tarheil's things. I found his journal at Ra'Virr's. Then I ducked
into the Mage's Guild to give those mushrooms to Ajira before I ate
the Hyper Facia. After searching everyplace to sell scrolls in
Balmora, I finally found the scrolls of Icarian Flight at Ilen's at
the Temple. I spent a while buying and selling items, trying to
scrape up 5000 gold. By then, it was getting dark, so I spent the
night in Balmora. It was uneventful. For once.

23 Last Seed

Long before dawn, I woke. I bought some torches so I could see enough
to follow a trail and headed off to Pelagiad. The Bookmaster Korima
was glad to get Tarheil's Journal, but sorry to hear he was dead.
Korima did not want the scrolls of flight. Wise of him, probably. He
gave me an interesting pair of reading glasses in return for my help.
I was quite pleased as I headed off to Seyda Neen. I almost forgot to
pick Ajira's flowers. Then it started raining. It rained all the way
to Haldenshore; I hope Leila didn't mind her manuscript getting wet.
It rained all the way to Seyda Neen.

After buying Zenithor's House, I of course went inside. I found a
book that captivated me: Varieties of Faith. I believe it is
tremendously important. But I cannot say why as it is mostly a just a
summary of various religious ramblings. Nevertheless, I will take it
back to my Dome Home. It is the closest thing I've found to something
that triggers a memory of the life lost to me. I also found rats in
the house. I managed to capture three souls. My very first soul
capture ever. At least, that I remember. I can't say it was
profitable as I used up several bottles of Restore Magicka in the
effort. Nevertheless, I am pleased. Maybe now that Zerdon has the
house he covets, he will be more circumspect.

I decided to go to Ebonheart to investigate those Dark Brotherhood
assassins. And to check out houses for sale. It rained most of the
way to Ebonheart. It was dark when I arrived, so I stopped at the
Eight Fishes to rent a room. An argonian there told me that the
Lord's Mail had been stolen. Then I headed up to the castle. I was
told I could get transport to Mournhold to seek out the Dark
Brotherhood. As it was rather late and sounded rather dangerous, I
put that on my list of things-that-won't-get-done-for-a-long-while.
Then I looked into Houses. I bought one in Seyda Neen, as I expect
I'll need to check in on Zerdon every now and then to make sure he is
not causing too much trouble. I suppose it is just a shack. Hmm,
since it was sold as a shack, maybe it is just some sticks leaned
against a tree. Anyway, by the time I'd gotten a little more
information on the Lord's Mail and collected a few jobs at the
Imperial Cult, it was pitch black out and I was exhausted. I ended up
just bunking down with the Cultists.

24 Last Seed

In the morning, I cast Alsmivi Intervention to go to the Temple south
of Vivec. Actually, I spent most of my magic trying to cast the
spell, then finally did cast it. I wanted to check out the furniture
shop in St. Delyn that I'd heard about as my shack was supposed to be
unfurnished. The prices seemed reasonable, but the stuff was very
heavy. A simple hammock weighed about 25. I'll have to come back
when I'm more lightly loaded. And stronger.

Nothing in Vivec looked familiar. Indeed, the tall, isolated cantons
looked marvelous strange. I doubted I'd find anything here to jog my
memory. So I headed to the Foreign Quarter, where the guilds were.
There, I bought a few candles, some sugar, some salt, and priced some
fancy arrows. I did a little business with a nice Khajiit Baissa just
to throw some business her way. I find I am very comfortable with the
Khajiit I meet. Perhaps I have worked with them in the past? Or
lived among them? Perhaps they are comfortable with me too, for
several people I've met have mentioned to me that Jobasha is an
abolitionist--and slavery is not a light topic here in this unhallowed
land.

When I got to the Plaza, I was attacked, and not by some nameless
footpad or assassin, but by someone named Adoi Dannic. No guards came
to help, and I found the wisdom of lugging around that Dwemer
shortsword of paralyzing and all those healing potions. It was a
tough fight. Through most of it, I kept getting the annoying urge to
go meditate. To top off annoyances, some lady stepped in front of me
just as I offed Adoi. Of course I knicked her. She went wild and
started pummeling on me. I had to run to a guard for help. Then the
guard had the nerve to fine ME 40 gold. I was the one who was
attacked! I was the one who was pummeled by an idiot. Hmm, I suppose
I was also the only one with gold to pay a fine. Hmfpf.

I took Guild Transport to Balmora so I could stash some stuff. Upon
leaving the Mage's Guild, I was promptly attacked by a footpad with a
sword taller than I am. Fortunately, I had just had Galbedir enchant
my silver dagger with Bound Dagger on Strike. Also, fortunately, this
time the guards helped out and a Hlaalu Archer nailed the miscreant.

28 Last Seed,

I took a few days off to rest up and to train some in medium and heavy
armor to build up my endurance and longsword to build up my strength.
I had to meditate again. For a seoncd time I chose luck when I could
not get good improvement in other skills. What exactly does it mean
to feel one is "level 4?" Hmm. Right now it feels pretty weak and
vulnerable. At least now I should be able to carry a hammock, or even
a bed, to that shack.

To lighten up on those healing potions the Cult wanted me to deliver,
I headed to Gnisis to dump them off and collect some muck. I thought
maybe I could get some extra muck and then go to the Fields of Kummu.
The Dumner seem to have noticed I'm doing errands for the Imperial
factions, so I'm thinking maybe it is a good time to do some
pilgrimages for the Temple. Not to mention that the pilgrimages seems
a bit scattered, which would give me a chance to see more of the
countryside. To maybe see something that would jog my memory.

Somehow taking care of muck at Gnisis took up the whole day. Well,
part if the day was taken up by meeting Constance. She seems a bit
young and in need of help. Besides, what harm could it do to spend a
little gold getting her a dagger and a bow? How much trouble can one
Bosmer be?

I took the siltstrider back to Balmora and spent the night in the Dome
Home.

29 Last Seed

At dawn, Constance and I headed for the Fields of Kummu. It started
raining. It rained all the way to the shrine. To my surprise, giving
muck at the shrine actually yielded a blessing. To my delight, the
blessing was a feather effect that lasted quite a while. I spent most
of my magic trying to Almsivi, and finally succeed. We ended up in
Balmora. I ran to the Mage's Guild and headed to Vivec and that
Furniture shop. With a 100 point feather, I could actually carry some
furniture! I bought a hammock, a crate, a barrel, a firepit, some
fire and a paper lantern for the ceiling. Then we ran to Seyda Neen,
all the while with me hoping everything would fit in what must surely
be a small shack. We were nrearly there when three footpads
attacked. Without Constance beside me, I might have died. But we
prevailed. However, outside of Seyda Neen, we ran into three more
footpads. Did the guards help us? No. This time, we nearly died.
Constance used up most of the healing potions I had given her fighting
an orc with powerful magic while I took on the two with blades.
Still, we were the ones who walked away.

I am quite pleased with the shack. But it is just as well I did not
buy that table as it is a tight fit as it is. I bought some cooking
gear from Arrille, but the flame in the firepit seems a bit too far
away for meat to grill properly. So I had to settle for raw rat
meat. But we got to eat off the silver plate and cup and pitcher that
the footpads carried.

All in all, not a bad day. Except it is raining again. At least the
roof does not leak and the fire is warm.

***************
Mods discussed:

Haldenshore
The Underground
MCA (Morrowind Comes Alive)
More Enemies (MCA addon)
Constance
RealFurniture
Houses for Sale
Nom (Necessities of Morrowind)
MCA-Nom Patch
Morrowind Crafting
Dome Home
Public Library

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