#estienne the prison guard

[taterdraws]

4.1 is the jailbreak patch after all, just with a wrong child

[gachagen]

I'm enjoying the dynamic that these two NPCs have because they sort of represent what people perceive the Fortress of Meropide to be, and what it actually is. Noaille treats the fortress like a prison, where as Estienne see's it for the community and town that it actually is, and while he understands that as a guard he has rules, the fortress isn't some prison meant to corral "criminals" into.

Everyone in the Fortress doesn't even seem all that sad about being there after they live there for a while as well, and some people even choose to continue to live in the Fortress after their sentencing is up.

Neuvillete even says the Fortress of Meropide is more of an actual exile for criminals than it is a holding cell, a place where criminals can go to form community and work. And that sounds "scary" until you realize a majority of the people who are "criminals" aren't murderers or robbers but just ordinary folks who broke a rule.

I have to say, I was afraid Fontaine would be weirdly pro-cop or Pro-police force, but this is a mature way of talking about prison life and how people perceive those who break the law as inherently evil beings rather than humans. It's not a story that just goes "Cops good, Criminals bad! Criminals deserve to be treated as subhuman! Police do no wrong ever! They're good for treating criminals badly!!" And I think that's refreshing, that hoyoverse decided to actually go this route with this world quest.

[libertineangel]

Introducing my first (purely) Nerevarine OC: Estienn of Northmoor

A spellsword from High Rock, Estienn would have to trust in his training and his instincts to keep him alive when shipped across Tamriel.

In the first month of the year 399, a figure whose robe bore a crest hurried through moonlit streets of Northmoor Town to the Benevolence Of Mara. They knocked on the door, and when the attendant opened it they held out a bundle of cloth within which lay a boy, merely days old; they told the attendant his name was Estienn, and to treat him well, and they left.

And treated well he was, for the Disciples of Mara did their best for the children in their care and Northmoor's Chapter was as comfortable a place for them as it could be. Estienn grew to be a clever child, and a natural leader, if not universally liked then at least trusted by his peers and often the one to speak to the adults on behalf of shyer voices, whether to bring up some concern or negotiate for a desired privilege; while an endearing trait at first, he became more of a handful at the onset of his teenage years, determined and somewhat recalcitrant in ways that noticeably rubbed off on the others.

Some of the Acolytes were a little relieved when this time was cut short, for at fourteen he was invited - though it seemed more like a request - to take on a squireship among the Duke's men-at-arms, which to many young Bretons would be a coveted opportunity and one Estienn was strongly encouraged to take up. Seeing it as the path to a more interesting future than he could otherwise hope to find, he accepted and said his goodbyes, exchanging the dormitory in the Temple for a dormitory in Northmoor Keep.

He first learned to care for weapons and armour, the proper ways to layer chain over jerkins and to secure the straps of a cuirass, and trained to march and run without exhaustion; he was diligent and hard-working, though as ever unafraid to question or speak out if he held an uncertainty or disagreement. After two years in such auxiliary service he finally began the bulk of his training - how to fight with the weapons he had become so familiar with, to move in armour and use a shield, the rudiments of the order of battle and working in formation. His training also extended to the arcane arts, from battle magic that strikes foes untouched by conventional arms to healing spells to keep himself and his comrades alive, even basic alchemy for if he ever found himself stranded in the wilds.

After three years he finally joined the ranks of Northmoor's soldiers in earnest, though they were now pledged in vassalage to the Kingdom of Daggerfall, and Estienn proved himself a competent and dependable warrior in the Duke's various land squabbles and skirmishes, not a remarkable talent but someone whom his comrades were glad to see at their side. His reputation around the barracks became such that some officers began to view him with suspicion, for he remained as strong-willed as ever and if he held any ambitions of his own he might hold some sway among the lower ranks, and so they concocted a plan to neutralise any threat he might present.

At the outbreak of the next petty conflict, he was tasked with leading a small group in the capture of a light watchtower, a perfectly common order none would think to question. However, it was not until they began their attack that it became clear it was no local guard post, but an Imperial fire-watch - a civilian structure, built and manned for public safety outside the power struggles of Breton nobility. Alarm was sounded and the Legion intervened, taking Estienn and his fellow soldiers captive for a rapid military trial at the nearest outpost. The local captain was ready to order summary execution, but Estienn managed a convincing enough plea that his orders deceived him, and so transport was arranged to take them to the Imperial Prison.

There he languished for half a decade, before he was unexpectedly ordered for transfer - nobody was either able or willing to explain, or even tell him where he was going, they simply brought him first to a carriage and then a boat, and he found himself on the island of Vvardenfell.