No.36- Back in Skyrim Action

It's been a long rest since Sept 2012. My New Years resolution was to get back to Skyrim and save the day...

Paarthrunax Awaits (click to enlarge)

Having acquired an Elder Scroll that would aid me in the defeat of Alduin, Lydia and I hoofed our way up to The Throat of the World, usually a perpetual blizzard, but that day it was nice, and where Paarthrunax was waiting for us.

A Vision

Paarthurnax is the former side kick of Alduin, the World Eater, Nordic God of Destruction, bad dragon extraordinaire. To refresh your memory, skip back to entry No.34- Paarthurnax Who? Paarthurnax did not think the mortal plane should be destroyed, turned on Alduin, and became the leader of the Grey Breards, wielders of the Voice. Through the Elder Scroll, I saw a vision and learned a Dragon Shout which would help me defeat Alduin.

And as soon as I learned this Shout, Alduin himself appeared and launched into a hellacious fight. My new Shout served to ground Alduin for periods of time so we could kick some snot out of him (don't slip on the dragon snot), but when the advantage was ours and victory close at hand, somehow he was able to flee! ...but to where?

Got something for ya...

Through Paarthurnax, I discovered the palace at Whiterun called Dragonsreach, had once been used to catch a dragon, who might know where to find Alduin. The process consisted of learning a new Dragon Shout that calls the dragon. Seems like there is a Dragon Shout for every convenience. I want one that will get a dragon to bring home dinner and do the dishes!  The second step was talking the Jarl of Whiterun  into turning his meager palace into a dragon trap!

Kilt dragons? I've stopped counting.

I was up for the challenge and promptly headed for Whiterun!  Instead of fast travel we decided to take the mountain path down to Iverstad, and suprise, suprise, a dragon was circling the town. I think they are following me around... After a quick fight with the help of the locals, we headed North around the mountain and then West for Whiterun.

Return to Whiterun

Jorrvaskr- Home Sweet Home

Arriving in the wee morning hours, we stopped by Jorrvaskr to freshen up in my private suite and visit with our comrades, The Companions. It's always fun rousting the lads and lasses with the furry tendency, early in the morning by kicking their beds! They tend to snap, lol. 

I try hard to take a bath at least once a week, but I don't claim I'm 100% successful. At a week, I'm pretty ripe and perfume can take me only so far. Sometimes, I wonder if the Companions ever bathe? Remaining un-bathed is just not condusive to "snuggle time", hence I've never sought out A Companion boy friend.

Unfortunately, Skyrim most of the time is not suitable for bathing in the rivers and lakes, just too darn cold. And I've never been a fan of green lake water for bathing, too many little wiggly things and the clear water springs are always frigid. The trick is securing a tub. I keep a big iron, 2 person job locked up, which is filled with heated water off the fire. What better motivation to take a bath? As far as the others, who are less observant of bathing rituals, after a while I don't smell them so much.

Anyway, a quick breakfast feast, some good gossip, and before long it was time to head up to Dragonsreach.

Arm Twisting

The Jarl was surprised by the notion of using Dragonreach to trap a dragon, but resisted my suggestion because he could not afford to be distracted from the conflict in Skyrim. When I mentioned "World Eater", he shook himself and insisted that I organize a truce between the Imperials and the Stormcloaks, so he would not worry about being attacked (by Stormcloaks, since he had allied himself to the Imperials), while helping me catch a dragon. He believed that the Imperials would honor a council convened by the Greybeards at High Hrothgar, and it was up to me to convince them to host, and for General Tullius to appear.

Trivia: If you were into Battlestar Gallactica, you may recognize General Tullius's voice as actor Michael Hogan (Colonel Saul Tigh).

Imperial-Stormcloak Truce @ http://www.uesp.net/

Running to the far reaches of Skyrim, to meet with General Tullius and Ulfric Stormcloak (separately of course), I succeeded and all of the participants endured a long journey arriving at High Hrothgar to convene negotiations, including The Blades and Elenwen, the Thalmore Representative. I am no fan of the Thalmore and agreed with Ulfric Stormcloak, that she should leave. She complied with angry words and stomped out. The less the Thalmore know the better.

With some wrangling and some exchanges in occupied territory, we got a truce hammered out, and I got what I needed to catch a dragon in Dragonsreach. The downside of this meeting was when Delphine of The Blades insisted that Paarthurnax pay with his life for his past role as a bad dragon. As a Dragonborn, I had mixed feelings and failed to commit to her position. I'm not on speaking terms with The Blades for now.

Skyrim Tip: See this MacRumors Skyrim Quick and Dirty Guide for tips on how to accomplish in-game things. Yes, Mac users enjoy PC Games! :)