No.11- The Mount Anthur Dragon (Dragon 2)

Mt. Anthor- Dragon Over There (click image)

Happy New Year! One thing about Skyrim Maps, mostly they leave you guessing about the best way to cross the mountains, good for adventure, bad if you are in a hurry. Fortunately I'm usually in a sight-seeing mode. (Besides the map that comes with the Skyrim package, Elderscrolls Wiki has an excellent interactive map.) In our general trek West, we decided to detour South to check out The Shrine of Azura, but got a bit lost and ended up at Mount Anthor a peak to the South West of Azura and the home of another kind of shrine, guarded by a dragon.

Winterhold to Azura

When we got close, I noticed a dragon circling over head and before long it asserted its territorial nature by attacking! I spawned my trusty Fire Atronach who lobbed fireballs, while Lydia gave me special feelings by standing out in the open, daring the dragon to eat her. Using a more conservative strategy, I shot arrows while hiding behind a big rock.

Dead Dragon No.2

Toasted

Finally the dragon crashed down dead and I got that good dragon-soul rush. Inexplicably, a side effect made me really appreciate Lydia's shapely figure and how she could make rugged armor move.

Offering Table Plus

Sweeping an old smelly skeleton off a nearby offering table, I unrolled my bedding and well, Lydia and I set off our own fireworks! That's my excuse for not exploring this area thoroughly.  Normally I do, but that day, I lost some focus in that joy-of-living afterglow.

Afterwards, I managed to remember The Shrine of Azara, a Daedric Shrine. Eventually we found it and met Priestess Aranea Lenith. She said she saw me in dream/vision or something along those lines and suggested I go look for a Daedric Artifact. It seems like where ever I go as a Dragonborn, people rely on me. Despite the wind whipped cold, we stopped for lunch to enjoy this mountaintop view.

Shrine of Azura

My adoring companion (in the background)

Departing Azura we headed South, but half way down the mountain, while reading my Vacationer's Guide to Skyrim, there was mention of a Word Wall at Mt. Anthur! DARN, that's what those steps were for! We had to head back up, the price for not staying focused on mission. I should stop mixing pleasure with business, but it's so fun. ;)

Dragon Fighting Research Note: The last dragon breathed frost. I need to check if Fire Atronach's can fight effectively against a fire breathing dragon? Next time at the College I should check to see if a Storm Atronach spell is learnable. Frost Atronach's have no ranged attack. Storm A's shoot lightning.

No.10- Hardly Worth Mentioning Passion & Some Drama In One Entry!

Passion only takes one so far especially after exhausting oneself dungeon crawling. Late the following morning, I untangled myself from Lydia and took a quick shower. I did not appreciate her version of pillow talk, "I am sworn to carry your burdens", hmm. I ran it through my mind several times: does she like me for me, my money, or my up and coming stature?? After all, she was assigned to me. Where does duty end and affection start? Am I just another notch on her Thane-serving belt? I'll think about that later. I have business to attend to.

Just Think Invigorating!

After hitting the Jorrvaskr breakfast buffet, we decided that I was carrying too much alchemy crap, so whipping out my magic book, we fast traveled to *The College of Winterhold and a blizzard. Oh, yeah, that's the norm around here. :-\  If you remember way back, I collected some stolen books out of Fellglow Keep, so first stop was the Arcanaeum, the College's Library and fussy attendant Urag gro-Shrub. This may have broken the ice with the old curmudgeon as he gave me some great skill-raising reading.

*My designated alchemy-crap storage location is the barrel in my room at the College.

This is where things got messy. Suddenly that Thalmor-asshole Arcano appeared and told me that Quaranir  a representative of the Psjic Order was in the College just to speak to me?! This jerk ordered me to follow him and as soon as we were done conversing, Quaranir would be ejected from college grounds. This guy Arcano is just an adviser? I'm having serious doubts about supporting the Imperials at this point, but I don't want the Thalmor making a play for Skyrim either. Damn!

Meeting with Quaranir

In the Arch Mage's quarters I came face to face with Quaranir and something very strange happened. He spoke to me in a telepathic manner, telling me it was all up to me to fetch the Staff of Magnus and to speak to The Augir of Dunlain (who lives down in a hole under the College). Reality shifted and Arcano was in my face asking what had just happened?? I said "beats me". He cursed and threatened me, but I played innocent. At this point I'm sensing that the Arch Mage is a pawn and not a total imbecile. When opportunities presented themselves (Arcano not present) he gave me encouragement.

Something told me that Arcano is going to end up on the receiving end of a boot in the arse and wondering if I am the one to give it to him? However in a duel that day, I could of been the one with a boot in my arse...

Mysterious Hand in Mysterious Midden

Enough with imagining boots inserted in dark spaces. After a quick go at the Enchanting and Alchemy stations, I stored my stuff and decided it was time to take the tour of the North. There were many quests beconing me including saving Thorald Grey-Mane. I'm not the most organized person and looking down through my long list, I have a quest to check out the Shrine of Azura, I think I got from the Frozen Hearth Inn in Winterhold. The Shrine was relatively close by, although on top of another frick'n mountain!

No.9- Werewolf? There Wolf!

Jorrvaskr

The Companions is the substitute Fighter's Guild in Skyrim although I don't think there is an Arena. Their headquarters is called Jorrvaskr, located in Whiterun. So how do they compete? In any case, they don't seem to have a leader. This could be an opportunity for a new member, namely me.

Dustman's Cairn

After spending the night at Jorrvaskr, a prominent member of the Circle (high level members of the Guild) named Farkas had something on his mind. That something was Wuuthrad the mythical battle axe belonging to Ysgramor, the founder of the Companions. They desire to reforge Wuuthrad, but there is a fragment missing and it's located in Dustman's Cairn. Before I could become a full fledged member of the Companions, my trial was to retrieve it. To witness my skills and dedication, Farkas butted-in taking Lydia's place for this quest.

True to its name Dustman's Cairn was a pile of rocks with the added bonus of a hole in the middle. Meeting him there, we descended the circular steps and through a doorway. Before I could spit, I noticed we were not alone. Pretty soon, (hey, sneaking only takes you so far) we were discovered and attacked by a group of Silver Hands, famed Skyrim Werewolf hunters who are not friendly to the uninvited. There was this nifty lever on the wall and... doh, I got myself locked in a cell with bars when a bunch of them leaped upon us! Well, they mostly leaped on Farkas. My chagrin turned to shock when Farkas transformed into the Silver Hands favorite prey, a werewolf, except this time the prey became the predator!

Dustman's Cairn Combat

Werewolf (over there see?)

I just stood there with my mouth hanging open. Afterwards, with Silver Hands strewn about helter skelter, he looked me in the eye and asked, "Did I scare you?". "Absolutely not...", I gulped. With a subtle grin, Farkas explained that members of the Circle are endowed with wolf's blood or a blessing of some kind. I don't know, it was hard to focus as he explained and I waited for fur to sprout on his rippling muscles. "Quite a blessing", I remarked, but I thought it's a questionable blessing.

Moving ahead to the final chamber lined with upright tombs, we found the fragment and were immediately attacked by draugrs who left and right, started popping out. It was a great opportunity to raise my combat skills! I was thankful Farkas did not get furry on me and hog all the action. Back at Jorrvaskr, the Companions got into a circle, made a speech, welcomed me to their special organization, then told me to make myself useful!

Companion Guild Welcome!

Now that Farkas was back home in Jorrvaskr, he had other things on his mind, so I ran up to the Whiterun big house to fetch and embrace my lovely Lydia. "I missed you" she said in that slightly too official voice of hers. I left so much loot laying around in Dustman's Cairn, I decided a second sweep was needed. However, I ended up carrying so much, we went back to Whiterun so I could dump my collected ores. I'm using a chest in the Companions Guild for this. I carry a pick with me and augment my salary with ore collecting/ingot making. Being the magic oriented person that I am, I've not decided if black smithing is a worth while endeavor. After unloading loot, I climbed into bed for some well needed rest, but alas that was not to be when Lydia climbed in beside me...

No.8- On Top of the World and Back Down Again

Masters of The Voice, Dragon Word Lesson

Merry Christmas, greetings from Skyrim! Once inside of High Hrothgar, I was greeted by the Brothers, Master of the Voice. The first thing they wanted was for me to prove I was Dragon born. I used my Force Shout and they were happy although did not really show it. While standing out in a blizzard, my teeth chattering, they were nice enough to show me a second word, Whirlwind Sprint, but I thought I'd have to kill another Dragon to use that? Looks like this is a free Shout courtesy of the Greybeards. When out and about, I would need the Dragon spirits, from dead dragons to utilize new Dragon Shouts on my own... After I had proven my abilities with the Brothers, they told me to go find a particular Horn. This seemed like a good way to make progress learning new and amazing skills so I agreed.

But before I could quest any more, I felt it necessary to locate my lost companion, (missing since the last blog entry), so pulling out my secret spell book (known as the Console; Check this Skyrim Q&D Guide), I transported myself and I found my dear Lydia below the snow line, looking out over a vista on the path up to High Hrothgar. Maybe eventually she would have caught up with me? But I got tired of waiting.

Now that I had her, instead of following the long boring path back down to normal elevations, for fun, with visions of bloody pulps of flesh hurtling down the mountain side, in the Kamikaze spirit, we decided to exit High Hrothgar, hang a hard right, and cut straight down the Whiterun side of the mountain! Yeah Baby! The route was steep and treacherous but then I faced a dilemma, the prospect of once again being separated from my cohort for an undetermined time.  Knowing this girl could not jump, my secret spell book provided the answer again. I located a spell to summon her to me, which worked perfectly as I made my way down between the crags of rock, one slip resulting in a long terrifying fall. Lord knows, I needed her help when we ran into some saber tooth mountain lions!

Ressurection Stone Combat

Back down in the White River Valley, we came across a Stormcloak camp. They made it clear they were no friends of the Imperials. I was glad to have postponed my alignment decision. Across a road was a Resurrection Stone mound. Upon approach, a couple of hostile but underpowered, necromancer Mages assaulted us. I whipped out my Fire Atonach, Lyddy launched herself at one of them, and the other tried to flee, but alas I thumped her terminally. The Resurrection Stone if activated would give me the power to resurrect dead bodies to fight for me once a day. It just did not seem worth it. I preferred the current blessing I had which improved my Mage abilities.

It was getting dark so we decided to head across the river to Whiterun and a bed in the Companions' Guild House. I may have forgotten to mention it, but I am a probationary member of Companions' Guild, not to be confused with a Follower, like Lydia who is also a Housecarl,  In Skyrim, the Companions' Guild is the equivalent of the Fighters' Guild from Cryodiil.

No.7- Books & Beards

Fellglow Keep

Departing Whiterun Lydia and I treked to the NE along the White River, were we angled North away from the river to discover Fellglow Keep. Fire Mages were roaming the premises. Lydia and I defeated them and their Fire Atonarchs. The main door of this crumbling fortification was locked. We discovered a back door by the West Tower. Descending into the dudgeon we came upon a vampire target-practice range with vampires in hanging cages and then jail cells. The vampires were not very friendly calling us "meat". I let one out and it skedaddled away.  The former mage apprentice Orthorn (the book stealer) was locked up and begged us for help. Having not much of a choice, he elected to follow us while we retrieved the books from the leader of this Mage faction called The Caller. She was pissed we'd been killing off her helpers. It should be noted that all fatalities resulted from us defending ourselves. Demanding the books, she offered up a trade, the books for Orthorn, but my good nature got the better of me so instead we attacked and killed her and two Fire Atronachs, then scooped up the books to be retuned to the College. Orthorn high-tailed it out of there promising to return to the College, but I won't hold my breath.

Ninjas

Emerging out of Fellglow Keep into darkness, there was a Dragon flying around but after my dragon-fighting performance at the Whiterun Tower I was not keen to engage. 

Valtheim Towers

Staying low, we headed East along the North side of the White River discovering a bridge with two tall towers, Valtheim Towers to be exact. The view looking down upon them was breathtaking. Bandits were in control until we showed up. Before heading back to Winterhold I felt compelled to seak the Greybeards out in their mountain hideaway. Crossing the river we moved East along the road circling around the large mountain on the South side of the White River, to the SE, climbing up away from the road to higher elevations were we came to a large crevas with a spectacular waterfall, the first of many.

Headed to High Hrothgar Crevace

A quick check of my magic map indicated we must get across. While I pondered our situation, thinking we'd have to head back down to get across, Lydia spotted a large tree laying across the gap and of all things there was a bandit hanging out on it daring us to pass! After booting him off the side, we found a path that kept going up, up, and more up.  It was beautiful but where to now? Jumping down an embankment and crossing the waterfall river, I lost track of my companion, as companions can't jump very well and she disappeared, I assume to find another way across.  I figured maybe poorly that she would catch up with me.

Iverstad Base Camp

The path took me up past breathtaking vistas until I arrived at Ivarstead, a quaint little mountain village. Two peasants on the bridge were talking about the 7000 steps to the Monestary of the Grey Beards. One of them had supplies and since I was going there anyway, I volunteered to take them with me.

It's up There!

Holy smokes, unbelievable, this climb was far from over but at least there were steps, kinda. I stopped counting when I hit a thousand steps or so.

Beautiful View

These Beard Guys live on top of a frick'n big ass mountain. I looked around nervously, where was Lydia? It was taking her a very long time to catch up. Ascending the upper mountain I killed a large spider and several snow wolves and met several pilgrims. I climbed right into a howling gale and had a close enounter with a mountain troll. I stood for a moment at the top of the world and enjoyed the view. Finally rounding a corner I stood in front of High Hothgar, the home of the Greybeards. I cooled my heals (literally) for a bit waiting on my companion but she was a no show. Nervously I walked up the steps and entered the home of the Masters of the Voice.

Top of The World

High Hrothgar

No.6- My First Inept Dragon Fight Lands an Important Position

Whiterun Palace

Gerdy and I fast traveled back to Whiterun. I looked further into the Battleborn-Greymane feud and discovered that Fraila Gray-Mane's son Thorald was being held prisoner by the Battleborn. I persuaded Thorald's brother Avulstein to cool his heals while Gerdy and I went to fetch him, but when I looked on the map, sheesh! Northwatch Keep is just as far out in the boonies as Winterhold. I'll freeze my butt off after I've taken care of more important tasks. Now seemed like a good time to hand over the Dragonstone to Balgruuf The Greater. He and his Mage were grateful. Just about then a dragon attacked!

Mirmulnir The Now Dead Dragon

Gerdy and I followed a group out to the West Watch Tower. My lack of expertise fighting dragons showed, up to the top of the tower, then back down I ran multiple times, had my bow out, but I don't think I hit it once. The next moment it was dead and a big surprise, something happened to me. I absorbed the essence of the dragon's soul, and was told I was Dragonborn or had Dragon Breath, something like that! Now I could use a Dragon Shout based on the Dragon Word I learned back in Bleak Barrow Falls! Not only was my Force breath powerful, it also smelled a bit of garlic, just enough to set foes off balance.  I was advised to seek out the Greybeards, masters of The Voice, who live somewhere East of Whiterun. I wondered how would their breaths smell?

Lydia

Back at Dragonsreach (the palace in Whiterun), I guess mostly because of my Dragon Speak abilities (not my fighting ability), Balgruuf was impressed enough, and over the objections of his advisers promoted me to Thane. I mean, what did I do? But it was an honor and a thrill especially because to my surprise, I was awarded my very own Housecarl, the lovely Lydia. She looks better in real life than the picture, trust me. Having Lydia to snuggle up to by a camp fire in the wilderness was a big promotion. Sorry Gerd (my current companion), it was time to shove off. To her credit, she accepted the parting graciously.

I asked Lydia if she was ready? With a talent for ass kissing, she replied "Yes your greatness!" And out into the wilds of Skyrim we went! Now my path was clear- off to Fellglow Keep to find Orthorn and those stolen books, then to the East, South East to find the Greybeards and Part 2 of my destiny. Part 1 was  becoming the head-honcho Mage of Skyrim, and Part 3 was to do my part saving the Realm, although I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around who I should support. Whichever choice, hopefully it involves kicking some Thalmor buttocks.

No.5- Skyrim, A Brief History & The Big Picture

I was lucky enough to sit down with an aged Tamriel Historian who was kind enough to give me a big picture view of Skyrim. Skyrim is the Northern region of Tamriel, a continent found on the the planet Nirn. Lets not dwell on that. The Imperials and especially the Nords call Tamriel home. The history of Tamriel has been explored in the Elder Scrolls illuminated by the living histories of Morrowind and Cryodiil. The latest chapter is Skyrim, the location in which I am currently adventuring.

Sometime long ago the Imperials and Thalmor waged war during a time before modern day Skyrim known as the Great War. Both sides called for an end to the fighting under the condition the Empire ban all Talos worship, among other things, as conceded in the treaty known as the White-Gold Concordat.

Stormcloak @uesp.net

In Skyrim, The Stormcloaks a group of resident Nords led by Ulfric Stormcloak, the Jarl of Windhelm are fighting for Talos worship.  The Stormcloak Rebellion is in full swing. But it is not that simple by a long shot. The Thalmor are Elf supremacists sworn to stamping out Talos worship and are in Skyrim, with the Empire's acquiescence, busy rounding up dissident worshipers.

As a High Elf trying to get by, it appears there are no simple "good" or "bad" choices, just compromises. On one hand Imperials tried to execute me when I first arrived in Skyrim. In addition the atmosphere is one of oppression with the Empire having outlawed the worship of Talos, and apparently are allowing the Thalmor to cheerfully kill those caught worshiping Talos. Complicating the situation is the rumor that the Thalmor have designs on taking over the entire realm.

On the other hand there are the Stormcloaks led by the great Ulfric, who comes across as an overly egotistical zealot, appearing to condone racism against the elves and anyone who is not a Nord. So who should I support? It is a pick-your-poison situation. The Stormcloaks are wreaking havoc on the Empire and if successful, could easily lead to a Thalmor invasion. For lack of a better comparison, think Hitler and Poland.

Considering I came close to being executed by the Imperials, my knee jerk reaction is "screw the Empire"! However the big picture conventional wisdom says that the Imperials are humanities best hope against the oppressive Thalmori dominion. So do I pick the underdogs, who tend not to like anyone but nords,  while making things easy for the zealot, domineering elves (Thalmor), or go with the struggling empire? Lol! I must think about it. :)

No.4- Undergraduate Studies at the College of the FAR FAR Frigid North

College of Winterhold

Walking boldly up the steps of The College of Winterhold I was met by Faralda, a High Elf Wizard like myself, although if there was any kinship, it was lacking on the surface. She wanted to know who I was and what I wanted. "I want to make a career out of Magicka", I told her. Not impressed as a demonstration of my Mage abilities, she asked me to conjure up a Fire Atonach. Uh, well, I did not know that one. For 30 gold she offered to teach me and voila, I conjured a pretty atonach. "All righty then" she responded and sent me on my way to meet the College's Arch Mage, Savos Aren. In the process of getting signed up for Mage studies I met the heavy weights, Master Wizard Mirabelle Ervine, the Thanor advisor, Ancano (weasel), and my Mage instructor Tolfdir. I was shown my quarters and then we launched immediately into an initial lesson where I was taught how to "ward" attack spells directed at me (keep them at bay).

In my first day at the College, I spoke with another apprentice Elf who told me  Winterhold used to be much larger bustling place, but at some point in the past (I'm foggy on the dates), fears about magicka wielders had an adverse effect on the economy of the town reducing it to its sad state today. For the information, I allowed this nice lass to practice spells on me and what a thrill! Among other things I learned how it felt to be turned into a horse and a cow! I think this was an accident and fortunately she was able to bring me back to a normal state. I discovered and was disappointed that there is no Spell Casting crafting at the College. In Cryodiil I loved those custom spells. :(

Saarthal

There was no time to mope before Tolfdir insisted the apprentice mages follow him to  an ancient Nordic burial site called Saarthal. Walking out over the snowy landscape we noticed several dead soldiers and then killed a bear. I wonder if the bear was responsible or could it be something else? Saarthal- snowy and cold on the outside, but comparatively toasty and warm on the inside. Descending into Saarthal we first spent our time searching for magical artifacts, but then it got exciting when it was me who discovered the secret passage! And it was me who saw a vision of an apparition named Nerien who gave me a warning about the events I had set in motion! What events? It's not my fault is it? And he finished by telling me that the Psijic Order believes in me! Who? Anyway, I hoped that confidence was well placed...

Tolfdir and I ventured forward entering the chamber of Jyrik Gauldurson discovering a large 10' glowing orb. When confronted by Jyrik himself, we had to fight and kill him. Tolfdir is old but he was the one who figured out that attacking orb was the key to defeating the cursing Jyrik. And afterward, in his aged way he was excited about this orb and sent me back to the College to tell the Arch Mage.

However, Arch Mage Aren appeared very ho hum about the news and sent me down to the Arcanaeum to look for books about it. There I discovered that a former student named Orthorn stole some books which could include important info about the orb. So off I went to search for stolen books. You can run but you can't hide very well in Skyrim as evidenced when the destination, Fellglow Keep (the location of the missing books) appeared on my magical map, and it was close to Whiterun. I needed to head back there anyway and hand over the Dragon Stone I had collected from Bleak Falls Barrow.

No.3- The Great Winterhold Trek

The trek was "great" as in "long" although we did have a little excitement along the way... Did I mention I'm a Mage? Yeah, well that's why we were hoofing it to The College of Winterhold. That's the substitue for the Mage's Guild where they teach you how to zap, fry, and freeze ornery critters and people with your finger tips. BTW, it's about time I start inserting some of my own magic generated images. Here is a shot of me and Gerdy prior to leaving Whiterun. Expect lots more of my own images.

Gerdy & Me

Walking up the White River Valley, with the sun shining down upon us, Gerdy and I enjoyed  the pleasant vistas, blue skies, large rocky mountains, which are in abundance in Skyrim, with snows and frosty mists blowing off their summits. Down in the valley the temperatures were pleasant.  Because of my interest in alchemy, we spent some time gathering purple lavender, white tundra cotton, thistles, butterflies, and other assorted items. The butterflies flitting here and there were more of a challenge but we caught several.

Tasting adventure, I decided to cut over the mountains. This was my first Skyrim mountain climbing experience and was immediately reminded that going up always means colder and we ascended into a blizzard with greatly reduced visibility. Coming down the far side of the mountain we  stumbled upon a giant's camp and his pet mammoth. Based on my understanding that Giants are hostile, as in liking to make a soup out of people's bones, we decided to turn the oaf into a big pin cushion. Fortunately, Gerdy and I were up on a steep incline. From this position using our bows we filled them full of arrows until they expired. Too stupid to even run away. Should I have checked to see if he was friendly before hand? Hmm, maybe next time. Afterwards we looted their bodies and the camp. Coming across a mountain lake and river, instead of climbing the next mountain, I decide to follow it East to Windhelm. On the way there a prisoner party walked by. Was this the Thalmar rounding up Talos worshippers? Next time, I might intervene.

Windhelm

We crossed the bridge into Windhelm and my first impression, it was stone cold and not very friendly. A couple of Nords were hassling a Dark Elf. I'm sensitive to elf issues, so I spoke with her briefly and then decided the best plan for now was forge on to Winterhold. Windhelm was put on my "to-do" list. We continued North out of Windhelm, circling to the North West. On the edge of the North Eastern Sea, the landscape turned into bleak and stormy tundra with packs of wolves. We fought off several groups on the way there.

College of Winterhold

The College of Winterhold towers could be seen from a distance, but when we arrived, the town turned out to be just a little hole in the wall. I wondered how this College ended up in the middle of no where? As I walked into town, I reflected this is such a long journey I don't know how often I'll be making it (versus Quick Travel).

No.2- North To Whiterun

After the destruction of Helgen and upon the urging of Alvor, prominent citizen of Riverwood, I headed North to Whiterun to meet with the Jarl and request dragon protection for Riverwood.

The Bannered Mare

First I stopped in the local pub, the Bannered Mare for a brew where I had the pleasure of pummeling a persistent suitor who had been bothering a good lady street merchant with a booth near by. I mean, I did not want to pummel him, but he did not take kindly to my verbal "butt out" so he got a whoop'n. I turned around only to bump into a boisterous warrior woman named Uthgerd the Unbroken. She had a chip on her shoulder and was eager to fight. What the heck, I challenged Gerdy to a wagered fight and then proceeded to beat the snot out of her too. Not only did I win 100 gold, but afterwards she was eager to go questing with me.

While in Whiterun I could not help but overhear the rumblings of the Battleborn-Greymain feud. I took some initial steps to sort that out, but decided to deal with it later. After meeting the Jar, his resident Mage sent me back to Bleak Falls Barrow to retrieve a Dragon Stone, an artifact which shows the locations of all Dragon Mounds. The problem is that dragons are popping out of Dragon Mounds and terrorizing the countryside so this would be a great artifact to grab.

However before I got any more involved in the main story, and before I handed over the Dragon Stone, I decided to focus on my  Mage skills and with Gerdy in tow, headed out the gate and North, way way North over the mountains, into the Tundra and the College of Winterhold.

No.1- Skyrim The Begining

I arrived in Skyrim as a High Elf, named Lilgalad, minding her own business (I'm a guy btw, this is called fantasy roll playing) who is suddenly rounded up by Imperials and accused of being a Stormcloak sympathizer, and taken to the town of Helgen to be executed! Huh? What is really annoying is although they realize I am not on their list of rebels, the Imperial Captain still says, "tough shit, off with her head"! Well war and rebellion brings out the worst in people doesn't it? Anyone who has played may know the story of the Stormcloak rebellion, fighting the Empire for independence, along with the Thalmor, Elvin supremacists who are in Skyrim to exert their influence and could be behind the scenes stirring the pot. Honestly my knee jerk reaction after they tried to kill me was to hell with the Empire! But maybe I should not be so hasty. Should I blame the entire Empire for one bad apple?

Fortunately my execution was disrupted by a dragon attack on the town. As survivors scattered, I followed Hadvar, a decent sort although an Imperial soldier as we escaped the town and made our way down to Riverwood where I met his Uncle and Aunt, Alvor and Sigrid. They are decent sorts too. Maybe I can bring myself to forgive the Empire for trying to execute me.

Lilgalad- Before Makeup

While in Riverwood, I met Lucan Valerius, owner of the Riverwood Traders who told me he was robbed of a Golden Claw and wanted to know if I would venture forth to Bleak Falls Barrow (although technically I was not on that quest yet) and retrieve the item for him. "Sure thing!" I volunteered.

As I headed up the mountain, fought several bandits and reflected that there sure is a lot of snow in Skyrim. Entering my first dungeon I was impressed by how pretty caves look in Skyrim as compared to Oblvion. I ran the cave and cleared it out, retrieving the Claw for Mr. Valerius, and found my first Word Wall, learning the first word (Fus= Force) of a Dragon Shout. Now, what's a Dragon Shout?? Little did I know that the main quest would be sending me back to this location in the near future...

(to be continued)

Disclaimer: For this post I've used images culled from the net. Eventually I'll put my own.