No.30- A Sham Of A Skyrim Marriage

"Hey there good look'n!"

 Role playing, means pretending you're someone you are not- yup... A life of adventure- yup... A different gender if desired- yup!... The savior of the realm- Big YUP!... You can get married and have a relationship- *Loud buzzer sound*, Nope!

Lilgalad & Lydia

The state of personal relationships in Skyrim are entirely imaginary, as I have suggested in the early entries of this journal with Lydia, but since they took the time to create an institution called marriage, I had a hope there might be something more, something a little fun and worthwhile, a spouse and some advantages for having a spouse- affection, love, (even if it is imagined) sex, sharing a bed, a hot breakfast, etc. Kids? Hmm, have to think about that. The realistic informed part of me knew most of the above was not to be. It's just not in the dialog, but come on, there should be something more than just a meal and an extra rest benefit from sleeping in close proximity with your "love" who you hardly knew, which is not all it could be by a long shot!

How about some interesting dialog options? Or some quests, like run into town to buy some supplies? Or a spouse quest chain which includes intrigue, you have to help her out of a jam that includes one or two affection animations and some flirting?

The sad truth is something called marriage does exist in Skyrim, but it's mostly a meaningless institution, a matter of doing someone a favor, or not, flash a "I'm available" necklace and apparently the eligible ones are so hard up, forget the small talk, if stopped on the street they will ask, "You're interested in me?"  And if the answer is "yes", they are ready to get hitched in an instant and it does not matter what gender. But maybe I'm seeing it through the prism of being a desirable Dragonborn, EVERYONE wants to marry me! This could go to my head! ;)

There is a long list of eligible people advertised in the "Skyrim Personals". I'm roll-playing a female elf so first stop was to check out the bachelors. The ones who own property are limited and what a sorry looking lot they are- old, worn out fuddy-duddys There are a couple of beef cake Nords out there (Argis The Bulwark in Markarth, Balimund of Riften, and Sorex Vinius, who runs the Winking Skeever in Solitude for example) with no property, no desirable property, or they are living in a pub/inn.

In contrast there are some attractive women who own property and/or are merchants such as Ysolda in Whiterun, (merchant and owns a house) and Sylgja, with the help of the Cover Girl Mod, could be the prettiest female in Skyrim and owns a house in the mining town of Shor's Stone. The problem with Ysolda is that in Whiterun, I've all ready acquired quite nice accommodations, my own suite in fact at the Companion's Guild so I was hoping to find someone with a house and/or business in another city. It's called being Skyrim pragmatic!

So let me tell you a marriage story. One day I was passing through the town of Shor's Stone on my first trip to Riften and there she was, an incredible beauty, on a par if not better than Lydia, (who is un-marriageable). However as a Housecarl to my Thane, Lydia shares my life, my fights, my imagined snuggle times, and is a good companion as far as companions are allowed to be.

Slygja

Anyway, Slygja was a true vision. I engaged her in talk, finding out she is a strong independent lady miner at the Red Belly Mine, not 100' from her house. I had no idea how independent she really was. She asked me if I could deliver a package to her Dad in a nearby town. I did and she was grateful. That is the sum total of our interaction.

A couple days later I came back to Shor's Stone wearing the "I'm Looking For Love" Amulet of Mara on my neck and right to the point, she says to me, "seeing as how life is short, live it to the fullest", was I interested in her?

"Sure" I gulped and she came back with "So it's settled! Go make arrangements for the ceremony!"

"I...ok" I replied, the image of a honeymoon flashed in my head, a second companion to share my life with, a house thrown in, all the while knowing I had a Redo Spell (game save) in my pocket! This was well worth the risk. I looked at Lydia, expecting "I don't like the looks of this!", but she had no comment and did not seem to be bothered. In fact she seemed to approve of Sly.

You Could of Left the Pick Axe at Home

I hustled back to The Temple of Mara in Riften, made the arrangements and was told to come back the next day for the ceremony, which Lydia and I did. At the ceremony, there she was, Sly in her standard mining gear and her pick axe hung on her belt. Without any talk or demonstrative displays of affection we stood there as the Priest said the special words, and we were hitched. But before he even finished talking, Sly made an about face and without a word, casually walked out!

Arms Crossed- What Do You Want?

 "Where you going, honey?" I shouted. Bursting through the doors of the Temple into the sunlight, she was gone. We fast traveled to Shor's Stone and I tried her house. The door was locked.  I went looking for her in the mine and found her working. When I engaged her in conversation, she did call me "her love", but other than deciding we could live in her house for now, she had work to do, end of conversation. So I waited and became frustrated with the passage of time. I knew, but I should have known, this girl LIVES in the mine.

The real problem was my expectations of something in so-called marriage that resembled friendship. She finally came home, entered her house, then emerged to sit by the public fire pit and chat with the other town folk as she probably has her entire life, not even bothering to tell them she got married or introducing me, the new gal hanging out. The townsfolk were oblivious or did not not care either. This honey moon was getting off to a lousy start. I was able to get her to fix me a meal, but the best was yet to come.

At bed time, I finally could get into her house, which is nothing fancy, but it's a house, one of my marriage parameters. I eyed the full size bed with anticipation, but without a tour, without some normal honeymoon chit chat, without any words about getting settled, not even a "good night", she walked to the bed and laid down in her grubby mining clothes, *including* the mining pick and fell asleep! Why did I suddenly imagine a pick between my eyes?

Disappointed!

You Can't Sleep When Being Asked to Leave! (Click pic)

Ok, so I went to the other side of the bed and tried to lay down but got a message, "You can't sleep when being asked to leave!", GAHH! Now maybe it would be better if I invited her to a house I own and sleep in the same bed with her, even if I kept my hands to myself? Could she be happy if I took her away from her town, her life, and her mine, not that she showed any more emotions than the rocks she quarries?

Sigh! It was time for plan B.  I pulled out my Redo Spell and pushed the button whisking me and Lydia back to the pre-Sly marriage point. This particular experiment in marriage Skyrim style is over. I can always go back to Sly if I change my mind, but for now I'll seek out a merchant, living in town to hook up with. I might have the perfect candidate, but I'll reveal that later.

Here is the point. I have imagined some personal interactions in my journal entries, but when Skyrim allows something called marriage, I expect a little more, or why bother? For the rest benefit of sleeping in proximity of a spouse, it seems to be a chore, especially when they are asking you to leave, but maybe I just don't know how to be Skyrim married?

No.29- In Service of God and King

After infiltrating the Thalmore Embassy tea party, Lydia and I fast traveled to Riverwood to give the news to Delphine (The Blade) relating to documents I found revealing the Thalmor are not behind Skyrim Dragons, but were frantically looking for someone named Esbern. Delphine knew him as a member of the Blades hiding out in Riften. What did he know? Unknown, but we needed to find him before the Thalmor did! However, I had promised a God, Meridia, I would guide her beacon, while cleansing the Temple of Kilkreath of undead, dark spirits and the mage called Malkoran and it's not good to keep a God waiting...

Shrine of Meridia

We fast traveled to Meridia's Shrine, the tall angel-like statue that sits on a hill NW of Solitude. (Fast travel is so convenient when you are pressed for time.) The shrine sits on top of the Temple. We ran around and down to the entrance. The temple started out with sporadic encounters, nothing too hard until the end. The beacon I had previously set at the base of the statue shined a beam of light into the Temple. Inside there were multiple reflectors to guide the beam, but they all had to be adjusted. This is what I did while fighting off undead.

Guiding the Beacon

 On the way, I learned a couple of things about Lydia. First of all she is not very observant. A string was stretched across the walkway. I gingerly stepped over it, and due to the mechanics of the game I was not allowed to say, "hey look out!" She tripped the wire walking right into swinging blades. Ouch! Fortunately she is one tough lady and survived, as always. Secondly I let her hold The Staff of Magnus (that I had previously acquired) and found she was quite handy with it!

Malkoran @ UESP.net

In the final chamber we met Malkoran, the mage responsible for defiling the temple. This was a difficult fight, really undermining any superior feelings I might of had being the Arch Mage and all that goes with it. I hate being the victim one shot kills and this bad boy mage was able to reach out and fatally touch me, and did. Thank goodness for "redos"! The fight involved a lot of running around frantically avoiding his line of fire, while I slowly eliminated all of his dark spirit helpers.

Dark Spirits

 I lost track of Lydia, who when beaten down, usually collapses but survives. The outcome looked bleak, until I remembered a Frost Atronach scroll I was carrying in my Skyrim backpack. Crossing my fingers I invoked the scroll and the big eight foot tall blue hunk of ice came to life and immediately set to kicking the crap out of the unfortunate mage. All that was left for me to do was finish him off.

Me In My Ugly Mask With A New Best Friend

 After this fight, learning how to create a Frost Atronach was placed at the top of my list of professional skills to obtain. Scrolls are good for only one conjure. I needed to learn the spell so I could repeated rely on this animated ice cube assistant.

Korvanjund Assault Team

 My next date was with Legate Rikke and the Legionaries to secure The Jagged Crown before the Stormcloaks could get their hands on it in Korvanjund. I wish I could say "Tell me again?", because the importance of this crown has eluded me other than the Empire does not want Ulfric, leader of the Stormcloaks to have it for it's symbolic importance, whatever that might be. Korvanjund sits half way between Whiterun and Winterhold in the middle of a beautiful pine forest, this time of the year, frosted by Winter. Large majestic mountains frame the setting with mists blowing off their saw tooth peaks. Yes, beautiful on the outside, dark and dangerous on the inside.

Imperials vs Stormcloaks

Instead of the standard round hole in the ground, Korvanjund has a more complex approach made more complicated by the Stormcloak rebels who were guarding it. The going was relatively easy though as this was the largest posse I've  grouped with adventuring in Skyrim. Rikke, her band of Imperial Soldiers, myself, Lydia, and Sparky proceeded through various rooms fighting small groups of Stormcloaks, then through Korvanjund Halls, where we were jumped by a pack of Draugrs. That was really no problem.

Non-Cooperative Death Lord

The Jagged Crown @UESP.net

 It was in the Korvanjun Crypt that we cam across a lifeless Draugr Deathlord wearing the Jagged Crown in question. For the life of me I did not see what was so important, as it resembled the jaw of a strange creature full of teeth. The encounter took on a new dimension when the Deathlord and two Draugr Scourges came to life and had the nerve not to hand it over! A melee ensued, but with so many Imperial Soldiers and the Iron Maiden Rikke, we prevailed. I was given the crown to take back to General Tullius, head Imperial Officer in Solitude. After all of this, I've heard I could take this crown to Ulfric if I wanted to join the Stormcloaks , hey hey... naw, I've made my decision!

No.28- Brotherhood and Blood (Dragon 11)

Falkreath Dragon

 If you recall, in a previous entry I murdered the Headmistress of the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften on behalf of an unhappy orphan. This was despite my better judgment and morals, sigh, but I wanted access to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, for a Dragon Word, and the execution of this contract would get their attention. It did!

Astrid- Dark Brotherhood

The next time I fell asleep, I don't know how they managed it but I awoke in a one room cabin, the prisoner of a hot ninja chick named Astrid and three people on their knees, blindfolded. As explained to me, the Dark Brotherhood of Skyrim handles assassination contracts and I had horned in on their action. However Astrid was not all bad. She gave me a chance to payback my debt to the Brotherhood by killing one of her prisoners, a sellsword, an assassin, and a bitch of a housewife, all who had contracts on them. I talked to each of them. The assassin was a murderer, I was a murderer, but I rationalized this guy was without redemption. He oozed sleaziness so I figured I was doing the general populace of Skyrim a favor and more importantly I needed the password to get into the Santuary, so...  Astrid was satisfied with my actions and invited me into their brotherhood, which I accepted.

Dragon Slayer Elite

Heading for the Brotherhood Sanctuary, we stopped in Falkreach just long enough to gain another dragon notch, then headed west to the Brotherhood's cave. Lydia waited outside as I was introduced to the Brothers and Sisters. I got my Dragon Word, picked up some contracts, got a restless night's sleep pondering death for hire, and decided to put this part of my new life on hold to take care of the more pressing problem in the realm, dragons and the Thalmor.  Just to let you know, getting that third word, did not turn me into Superwoman. Murder is not my thing and I am haunted by the death of Headmistress, but I've come to far to go back and fix it. May the Gods forgive me, if they pay attention to those sorts of things.

What next? First I wanted to become a proper member of the Legion. The Stormcloaks have some valid issues with the Empire, but I view the Thalmor and Aldmeri Dominion as a far greater threat. It is too bad I see no way to resolve the Stormcloak Rebellion in a peaceful manner, not as long as Talos worship is outlawed.

Fort Hraggstad

Getting an early start, I fetched Lydia and we headed for Fort Hraggstad to clean up the bandit scum hanging out there, my ticket to admission in the Legion. It was not much of a challenge.

Calling the Wolf Queen

Fun Fight'n

Then as part of a favor to the Jarl of Solitude (The Man Who Cried Wolf Quest), we dove into Wolf Skull Cave to find a castle built inside a cave. Very cool, but I would not want to live there. We snuck into a large cavern with bright swirling blue lights converging on the highest tower of this subterranean castle. Fighting out way up to the top, we killed a group of Necromancers involved in some kind of a ritual to bind the spirit of Queen Potema, the Wolf Queen. The blue light vanished when the last mage was killed and we got outta there without catching any diseases!

Shrine of Meridia

On the way back to Solitude, I had not forgotten about this orb thingy (a lot of those in Skyrim) I have been carrying and stopped at the Shrine of Meridia located West of Solitude to hand over her beacon. There I got to speak to Meridia herself, a God that appeared as a ball of light in the sky! In fact I was yanked up into the sky for the conversation by my lapels. It woulda been a great view, if I was not worried about getting down! Meridia had a task for me to accomplish, clean out the undead in her temple and kill the Necromancer Malkoran who defiled her special place. There are Necromancers all over Skyrim it seems. While looking down, I did not have to reminding myself that "yes" was the right answer. I told her, "Soon, very soon". That reply was good enough and I was set down and allowed to continue on my way.

The Iron Maiden

Back in Solitude, I checked in with the General and Legate Rikke to report Fort Hraggstad was cleared out. To join the Legion, I said an oath and then was invited to help fetch a Jagged Crown, something they did not want Ulfric, the head of the Stormcloak Rebellion to have. Now aligned to the Empire, my next visit to Dragonsreach could be an interesting one. Would they know?

Blue Palace, Solitude @ESWikia

But before leaving Solitude, I reported in to the Blue Palace that the Wolf Skull Cave had been cleared out and I had prevented the Wolf Queen's soul from being bound. I assume that means regain flesh and blood status? Frankly I don't know much about it other than the Falk Firebeard, The Jarl of Solitude's Steward was very relieved that I had succeeded.

Prince of Madness, Sheogorath

During a previous visit to Solitude, I met Dervenin, who appeared to be a "mad beggar" roaming the streets, who had asked me if I could find his master in a forbidden wing of the Blue Palace. Who was I to ask what was he doing in a forbidden wing of the palace, and it was a quest, so why the heck not? After finishing the Wolf Skull Cave quest I was able to twist Mr. Firebeard's arm and he gave me permission. I had no idea I was going to pop into someone's mind (Pelagius III) coming face to face with the always entertaining Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. Quite a funny guy who I met in the Shivering Isles of Cryodiil. However, I'll warn you, his brand of humor can wear on you. To make a longish story short, I helped Pelagius with some mental issues and then graciously was released by Sheogorath back to Skyrim, thank the Nine, or is it The Eight now? I might have become as mad as Sheog if I had been forced to stay there too long.

After this we proceeded over to The Winking Skeever, Solitude's Pub to meet my contact (Malborn) to get into the Thalmor Embassy bash and spy on them, fun! I had to give him the weapons I wanted him to sneak in, then I met Delphine who gave me some party clothes. Boarding a wagon, I waved to Lydia (who could not come) and  was off on an infiltration mission. The Thalmor Embassy is up on top of a mountain NW of Solitude.

The Thalmor Embassy

At the party, I met Elenwen, Skyrim's Thalmor Ambassador. We exchanged pleasantries, but I had work to do. Speaking with my contact Maldorn, I talked a drunk guy into making a spectacle of himself. During the diversion, Malborn snuck me through the kitchen into the Embassy, to search of evidence the Thalmore were involved in Skyrim dragons. Malborn had packed my stuff in a trunk.

Equipping myself, I started by sneaking, but not having the patience, it quickly became apparent  fighting would be easier, especially since I did not know the layout. Chalk it up to sub-par intel. I was able to take out small groups of Thalmor guards without alerting the entire Embassy and I located several documents relating to dragons. I rescued Malborn and we made a quick exit out a trap door into a cavern below the embassy. Maybe he had a death wish, because the fool insisted on fighting a cave troll and was slain despite my best efforts to save him. After the third attempt to save him, I gave up.

Now that I had a moment, I broke out the purloined documents and was surprised that Delphine's  theory of the Thalmor-dragon connection was wrong! The Thalmor did not have a clue about why dragons were popping up in Skyrim. They were looking for someone named Esbern. Grabbing Lydia, we headed back to Riverwood to give Delphine the news.

No.27- Redrum in Riften, Smack Down At The College!

Grelod, A Befitting Name (middle)

My promise to eliminate Grelod The Kind, the Orphanage Supervisor weighed on my mind. We left Windhelm for Riften and the Orphanage. For this quest, I left Lydia outside, walked in and listened. Grelod, The Kind was far from it, although I saw no evidence of physical torture. But, what a bee-ach! I told her I saw her little runaway and she gleefully threatened to "get" him. Kids surrounded me begging for help. Although I reassure you I'm not like this in real life, I followed her into her office closing the door behind me. The last words out of her mouth were "I'm not afraid of you!" After the deed was done, the doors burst open, the orphans poured into the office, appraised the scene and they cheered! The newly promoted orphanage supervisor ran around in a panic as I quickly took my exit, scooping up Lydia outside.

Riften's Temple of Mara (Love)

Stepping next door into Riften's Temple of Mara, I turned in the first part of the marriage quest, the Book of Love and quickly continued on, finishing the quest by helping a couple in Markarth connect, then out in the central plains of Skyrim I assisted a pair of lost ghosts (a couple while alive) find each other. I was now an eligible bachelorette, if I could survive oncoming events at the College with Arcano, the jack-booted Thalmor thug.

Arriving in Winterhold, I thought having the Black Star would be good to possess, so I stopped at the Frozen Hearth Inn and met with Nelacar to take care of the crazy mage living in Azura's Star. Agreeing to enter the Star, I gave Lydia a pat, as he told me to hold still "this might feel funny".

Inside Azura's Star

The world reeled and I ended up on a narrow path in a blue crystal landscape. Coming face to face with Maylen Varen, few words were exchanged before he and his three helpers attacked me. At first, this encounter seemed very challenging, but hiding behind a large crystal, I summoned Sparky and allowed her to gather aggro while I assisted with Marked for Death and Flames. The helpers went down 1,2,3.

Sneaking down the path, I rounded a corner and found Varen contemplating his existence, or something like that.  My usual guerrilla tactics worked well. As he collapsed, the world spun and I found myself standing back at the Frozen Hearth with Lydia holding my arm. "There ya go" Nelacar commented. "The Star is clean. You took part in an important examination into a Daedric artifact" as he handed the Black Star to me. Now I could collect human souls, but should I? To enchant items I needed souls, but really taking the time to think about it put me into a moral dilemma. Is it  inherently evil to collect souls? Ironically in the College fight coming up, I did not use the Black Star.

Tolfdir "What should we do?"

From the frying pan into the fire, we rushed from the Inn up to the College next door. The surviving resident mages were huddled around the entrance ringing their hands. Tolfdir told me that Mirabelle (Senior College Mage) had not made it which boiled my blood. Whipping out the Staff of Magnus (which I had acquired in the Labyrinthian) I used it to break a magical barrier that surrounded the main structure of the College. With Lydia and Tolfdir following, we rushed into the Hall of Enchantment to find Arcano feeding the Eye of Magnus magical energy.

Arcano Reckoning

I used the Staff to suck enough magical energy away from the Eye to make Arcano vulnerable. Pummeling him with Marked for Death and electricity, in an extended fight with the help of Tolfdir, Lydia, and Sparky, we defeated this pain in the ass Elf. If we could only rid the rest of Skyrim of the meddling Thalmor Elves.

Quaranir of the Psijic Order (middle)

Arcano After

I asked Tolfdir, "what now?" He told me to speak to Quaranir who had magically appeared by the Eye. Quaranir, was the member of the Psijic Order who came to me in a vision while investigating Saarthal, the ruin near the College where the Eye of Magnus was originally discovered. He told me "good job, but the eye is too unstable and we will take custody of it for now". Him and other members of the Psijic Order disappeared along with the Eye. Tolfdir decreed that I was the best person to take on the role of Arch Mage at the College of Winterhold handing over the key to the former Arch Mage's quarters and the magically attuned Archmage Robe!

Nice Quarters at the College...

I ran right up to check out my new living quarters, very nice. Wow, but at L24, honestly I did't feel like I'm experienced enough to be the Archmage. I'll just have to see how it goes.  Not much time for relaxation, as I still have lots to do in Skyrim.