#topal sea

[shandars-sorrow]

Duncori Walk is probably my favorite town in Elsweyr. Wish khajiit could buy a house here... but a tent will do just as well.

[dalishthunder]

Throw a Dart at the Map (p1)

Pairing: Nebarra/LDB (Gender Neutral Reader) Rating: Mature Words: 1131 Additional Info: Pining... Fluff and pining, Takes place after "Honor and Glory", Takes place during the Island Quest

During the Great War, there had always been a twinge of sadness when the battle ended. Whether the skirmish was won or lost, there were dead to count and name. Letters to write... and no time to mourn.

After Nebarra had begun mercenary work, that had shifted to a disappointment that his bloodlust could not be fully sated. The battle ended before he'd barely wet his blade.

And now... it was more relief. Relief and the wanting to see that furiosity and passion on your face longer. More often. It was odd to think that he'd been traveling with you for over a year now. But he wasn't about to ask you to bed just to see your expressions or passion between battles. You certainly didn't feel that way about him anyway. You were Skyrim's darling. The most eligible person in the entire province and even other parts of Tamriel....

Oh, Old Soldier...

He looked over to where you stood at the bow, cold sea air whipping all around, wreathed in the glow of the auroras above. There was something so wild and serene about it... about you.

It was the first time he'd gotten to be alone with you in probably close to a month. He wasn't even quite sure why you'd volunteered to come out here with him just to make a bit of coin.

Probably needed a break from all the pomp and circumstance.

Before he knew it, he'd made it to your side, leaning against the railing, shoulder bumping against yours as the waves rocked the ship.

You gave him a smile, eyes tired, haunting in the soft green glow, before leaning against him.

"You know..." He started after a long, long while, "We can go anywhere we want to now...."

A laugh bubbled from your throat like champagne, "We? You mean you're not sick of me yet?"

"Never said that." He almost wished you could see his grin. "But as far as traveling companions go, I supposed I could do worse. And someone needs to make sure you don't get yourself killed doing something irrationally stupid."

"That someone is Xelzaz.... For both of us."

"He does have a better head on his shoulders than most, I'll give him that."

You chuckled, and after a moment, you asked, "Where would you like to go?"

Home.

"Somewhere warm."

He wasn't quite sure if it was a good idea to bring you to the Isles. The Thalmor had started to show... interest in your activities, and bringing you into the den of serpents as it were would be unwise. No matter how certain he was that you would get along well with his brother. His parents....

Gods what a dumb turn of thought. You could absolutely not meet his parents.

Ever.

How much wine had he had already?

Not enough.

You straightened up, turning around so your back was against the railing and you could look at him. Your smile was intoxicating. "Alright. I'm down for that. I'm kind of interested in seeing the Sea of Pearl. Maybe Topal Bay?"

"Ohohoho, look who's been brushing up on geography. And here I thought I'd be able to mock you forever for being a dullard."

You gave him a halfhearted shove. "Sorry, been too busy saving the whole world to know every world detail up to your standard."

"Excuses don't look good on you, my dear Dragonborn."

You rolled your eyes. "So, it's settled then?"

"That you'd a dullard?"

"No!" You smacked him on the shoulder, and he just snickered. "That after everything's over we're setting sail for the Sea of Pearl."

His heart skipped a beat. "Yeah, it's settled. Once this whole mess has been dealt with, we're going south and getting some good wine. Something full-bodied. Actually, have you ever tried metheglin?"

You shook your head.

"We'll have to get some when we head south."

"What's it taste like?"

"It's a honey liquor. I haven't had any in ages.... There was a small town near where I grew up that made the best lemon infused metheglin. Last time I had it was the night before I was shipped off. Let me tell you the hangover while I was signing away my life to The Dominion was probably the worst one I've ever had." He let out a breathy chuckle. "I thought I was going to vomit over the poor hag's shoes." You laughed again, "You'll have to show me sometime."

"Maybe after the Sea of Pearl and Topal Bay."

"I'm holding you to it."

"I said maybe."

"Too late, you've already gotten my hopes up, Nebbadiah." Your smile was infectious, and as he realized the way he'd been leaning in, he was very, very glad for his helmet. He was sure kissing you was one of the dumbest ideas that had ever cursed his mind.

"Bad idea...."

"Oh..." Your smile faltered. "Yeah... sorry, that was a silly idea. The Thalmor don't really like me... no need to stir the pot even more by going into the heart of The Dominion...."

"On my oath, I will protect you if we ever do. Besides, if I'm going to retire on Auridon and buy a vineyard, the Thalmor had best get used to you or have a blade shoved through their gut."

It was difficult to make out in the dim green light, but he was pretty sure your cheeks flushed... or perhaps it was wishful thinking. And then you headbutted his shoulder. "What's the point of retiring if we can't relax."

We.

Yes, he was very glad for his helmet.

"Hmmm... I suppose we could settle for southern Cyrodil instead if we really have to." He drawled.

We.

Your forehead was still pressed into his armor. He was afraid if he moved, the mood would shatter; That nebulous future together fade on the wind....

"I think I want to travel a lot more before I retire."

"We've still got plenty of time left." After all, you were supposed to be the avatar of Talos or some such nonesense that the nords had made up. And as much as he liked to complain, Nebarra wasn't even technically middle aged.

"We've still gotta get Xelzaz to Highrock.... And figure out what happened to Lucifer."

He rolled his eyes, of course you'd have to bring them up while he was trying to live in some stupid little fantasy. He looked out over the horizon, spotting a small island. Someplace to dock for the night and potentially hide the boat until he needed it again.

Because as much as he'd like to believe the wine, and talk about sailing away or settling down together, he needed to live in the real world. So, reluctantly he pulled away.

"Yes, well, like I said, plenty of time."

[michael-h-art]

14 and 21 for the oc asks!

14: What animal do they fear most

Julan: Isn't really afraid of any notable animals in particular. Though as a kid he was afraid of bears, as a fair few people in the village he grew up in were attacked by them

Amber: Most large Sea Creatures, given her fear of water she's very afraid of anything large enough to pull her down into it... when her and Julan were young, they were attacked by a monster catfish while fishing, she's been afraid of the water ever since

Quarrel: Giant Poisonous Toads (gotta remember this is a fantasy sort of setting): Quarrel is fairly used to living with animals given her farm upbringing and having to deal with wolves and bears on the off occasion to protect their livestock. So it was the more absurd monsters and the like that would show up and attack their crops that spooked her. Namely a group of giant toads that kept squashing her families crops

Topal: Dogs, Without going to deep into their backstory, Topal is very afraid of large dogs mostly due to the noise they make (sensitive hearing is fun...) and other reasons that I don't wanna spoil

21: why do they get up in the morning?

I don't really have an in depth and cool answer for this, I could just say they get up to hopefully try and make a difference and help those in need... but that feels like a cop-out...

But it's also all i've got... Sorry

[satohqbanana]

Worldbuilding Wednesday prompt from @thetruearchmagos

Are there any cultures, groups, or other collections of people in your Worlds with identities or characteristics uniquely influenced by the sea? From religious beliefs to economic / social lifestyles, how have these marine influences manifested in this people's lives?

Had to put this on a separate post for (my) blog organization.

In the world of Orbis, the Iridescent Islands and the Damasqus Network are two groups of islands in opposite archipelagos.

The Iridescent Islands is quite rustic and more active at day. Markets line its white shores as boats return from fishing and ships dock full of passengers from the Metallurgen archipelago. While foreigners come and go around the beach, within the islands themselves are the locals wearing tight suits covered by colorful, billowy coats that almost match the little flags tied across houses, poles, and sign posts. The people adore long, wavy hair, and their stamina while swimming associates them with merfolk.

While the Iridescent Islands have small lighthouses, the beam that sweeps across its shores at night comes from the gigantic Tower of Topal on the shores of the mainland of the Psychedelfis archipelago. With only the moon, the stars, and the Topal beam as their guide in the darkness, the inhabitants of the Iridescent Islands would rather be indoors and enjoy a warm meal with family when the sun goes down.

The Iridescent Islands is not always a place one can call home. Due to the ongoing war between the Emerald Kingdom and the Platinum Fort, refugees flock the ports in search of asylum. Many are stranded, and the locals grow wary every day. With the backing of Kalei mages, the Island Council tries to manage the situation and resist pressure from the Emerald Kingdom's iron hand, but authorities can only do so much before the unrest turns into chaos.

Meanwhile, the Damasqus Network is a group of islands that do not have shores, but steep cliffs. Travellers must await the tide to bring them up to the vibrant communities that awaken at night. Fairs, parties, theater shows, and all sorts of entertainment draw income into the otherwise boring islands of barren trees, and periodic geyser springs. Their lively ensembles are an ode to the occasional schools of bioluminescent pods and fish that pass by the area, who they "join" by lighting bonfires along the edges of the islands.

As one's indulgence in fun can harm them, the Damasqus Network provides a plethora of options for curing and healing oneself. The best doctors of Orbis can be found among these islands, wearing black coats, thick feathers, and beaked masks - a rather unsurprising fact when a good majority of the population are vampires and wingeds.

Lately, the atmosphere has been tense. The Damasqus Network - lying between the Kingdom and the Auric Ranges where the Platinum Fort stand - is a sore eye for the generals who desire a strategic location for establishing operations. While Damasq mages are allied with the Kalei mages who have recently chosen to support Platinum Fort, the Fraterni Damasqus refuse to let their home become a war zone. While the higher ups are playing their silly games, the citizens continue to perform with the loud blasts of destructive alchemy and magic in the background, and wounded soldiers recuperate their health, their mind, and their personhood in the backstage.

[nine-blessed-hero]

Abecean Blue

Universe: TESIV: Oblivion Context: Ever since @wispstalk posted that thing about lore-friendly Enya and "Abecean Blue", that phrase has been stuck in my head. Have some mild angst with a side of metaphorical metaphysics. CW: Mild grief Words: 514

"That colour looks good on you," he'd told her once, with a soft smile. "Abecean blue is so bold, striking. Just like you."

The breeze whips the water gathering in her eyes, sending a quicksilver cascade down bronzed cheeks.

"What's Abecean?" she'd asked.  "It's not a 'what', it's a 'where'." Achille had flicked a game tile at her. She'd flicked it back, as Caroline had asked, "You don't know the Abecean Sea?"

Overhead the sun blazes in a crystal-cut sky. Sand the colour of sunset-touched snow scrunches beneath bare toes.

He, the son of a farmer, had been patient with her, foundling of Bravil. They'd brought out a map to show her where it was.

"You must have been to Anvil," Achille says, "what with the chapter house down there, Arch-Mage." She has, but, "the furthest I ventured outside the town was into the wooded dunes, to find Alawen, mistress of the Fletch."

The Tafl board is abandoned, as Achille launches into waxing lyrical about the fair golden sands which stretch for miles along the coast; the dramatic cliffs; the sole, the longfin, and the samphire grass.

The farmer's son sits with his hands folded in his lap, that soft smile creasing the corners of his eyes as he listens. At some point, he interrupts Achille's flow– The sails of the ships, he says, are as white as the gulls which nest in the dunes. The richness of the breeze is like nowhere else – not even the air in Leyawiin, where the Niben meets Topal Bay, has the same umami-fresh tang. But the water! Oh, the Abecean herself! Nowhere in Cyrodiil is like it, says the well-travelled farmer's boy. The rivers of pale snowmelt cascading down the Valus, the deep slate waters of Lake Rumare, the rusty burns across Colovia, the silver of Topal Bay... All beautiful in their own right, but none of them can compare to the richness of the Abecean. The deep indigo depths; the glittering, frosted wave-tips, where every breaking crest is a rainbow of colour; the bath-water-warm shallows of translucent azure. Swimming in the Abecean Sea, says the farmer's son, is a dream of diving through the sky.

When she licks her lips, she doesn't know which salt she tastes – that carried on the air, or that carried by her sorrow.

At the border of scrubby grass, the velvet outfit of bold, deep blue lies abandoned. Where she stands on the damp sand, the wavelets bat at her feet, like a cat with a mouse. Across the water, the undulating surface glitters, sparkling high, bright as a spriggan's laugh. A few steps deeper, and it's like stepping into a bath. The blood-warm water rises to her waist, and she takes the plunge. Over the shelf, and through the azure brightness, down into the indigo depths.

When Rhiannon rises, salt-water sluicing from her face and surrounded by the memory of Martin, she finally grasps with eyes unburdened. Sky and sea meld as one. She swims in a dream, between the above and the below; in this striking, bold, Abecean blue.

[nientedenada]

How Tiber's Septim's Pocket Guide to the Empire lied to Imperial citizens about the war with The Dominion

Originally posted on r/teslore.

After securing the human nations of Tamriel and pushing his way into Black Marsh and at least into Senchal in Elsweyr, Tiber Septim's eyes were on the Second Aldmeri Dominion. We know now that he capped his conquest of Tamriel with the defeat of Alinor via the Numidium. But the Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition, is written in 2E 864, before the deal with Morrowind or the defeat of the Dominion. It was written at a time when the future of Tamriel looked very, very different. It was written right after a major Aldmeri victory that destroyed The Third Legion, and caused Tiber Septim to give up on conquering the Dominion for a time.

None of which you'll read in that official Imperial publication, the Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition. But the clues are there in the lore to show what was most likely going on during the process of writing and publication.

Let's start withthe PGE1's version since it's the most well-known.

The Thalmor strengthened its hold on the Valenwood Nations during the foundation of the Third Empire. Savage Bosmer tribes skirmished with the Estates along the River Strid, whipped to a frenzy by their High Elven masters. With the Empire now reunified under Tiber Septim, these attacks have subsided; but encampments wait on either side of the Valenwood border, awaiting a decisive battle. On the occasions when the Elves probe the Empire's defenses, the Legions have sent them back in tatters. Indeed, the Colovians have taken to calling their enemy the "Old Mary" Dominion, for the womanly offensives of its Elven soldiers. The situation at sea, however, is another story, and the Dominion terrorizes the southern waters from the Cape of the Blue Divide to the Topal Bay[nb 3]. Their sorcery has made allies of a few Reachmen, the Maormer of Pyandonea, and, as of this writing, perhaps even the Elsweyr Confederacy. Though no formal declaration of war has been made, Tamriel is divided between the Empire and the Elder Races, and Tiber Septim has made it known to the Thalmor that he is the True Emperor of Cyrodiil, and heir to all of its former holdings. The Elves of Tamriel have yet to answer.

Or have they? In the game Redguard, we get a very interesting piece of information from the biography of Admiral Richton's Guard, Attrebus:

He was among the few who escaped the Aldmeri trap at Black Rocks-later, the remnants of the Third made up the core of the new Ruby Legion, and Attrebus spent an uneventful year on garrison duty in the Nibenay Valley.

The Third Legion, which had campaigned successfully in every corner of the Empire was destroyed by the Aldmeri Dominion. We can deduce the date of the battle from the dates given in the rest of Attrebus' biography; it happened in 2E 863, ie. just before the Pocket Guide to the Empire was published.

Compare the fate of the Third Legion to this bit

On the occasions when the Elves probe the Empire's defenses, the Legions have sent them back in tatters.

The PGE1 is suppressing the news of a major Dominion victory against the Empire.

I think it's likely the writing of this section of the Pocket Guide happened before the battle, but they went to presses with this story. There are details in the Pocket Guide itself which fit with the idea that Septim was in a harder position than the Guide lets on.

The traveler is advised to avoid the lands of the Aldmeri Dominion. Though the Thalmor have representatives at the Imperial City, and the Cyrodilic Grand Vizier Zurin Arctus is meeting with the King of Alinor, contact with the Bosmer and Altmer are often disagreeable to the common Imperial citizen. Avoid their books and magic. Wear the permitted weaponry when near their borders. If you are manly and able, apply for service in the Legions.

Don't read their books, don't talk to them, they're totally alien and incomprehensible. And [unspoken] if they do mention a victory over the Empire, they're treacherous liars.

Why was Zurin Arctus meeting with the King of Alinor? The PGE1 would suggest that he's giving the King an ultimatum, but we actually have a different version of the story which fits better with the knowledge of the Aldmeri victory over the Third. It's from The Arcturian Heresy.

I'm not going to propose we take everything The Arcturian Heresy says as truth. But we do know there are truths within it, whatever we think of the main heresy. Tiber Septim was called Hjalti Early-Beard, once, for example and he spent time in Alcaire.

Finally, the Empire can turn its eyes onto the Elves.

The Underking continues to press on Tiber Septim the need to conquer Morrowind. The Emperor is not sure that it is a wise idea. He has heard of the Tribunal's power. The Underking wants his vengeance, and reminds Tiber Septim that he is fated to conquer the Elves, even the Tribunal. Arctus advises against the move but Septim covets the Ebony in Morrowind, as he sorely needs a source of capital to rebuild Cyrodiil after 400 years of war. The Underking tells him that, with the Tribunal dead, Septim might steal the Tribunal's power and use it against the High Elves (certainly the oldest enemies of Lorkhan, predating even the Tribunal). Summerset Isle is the farthest thing from Tiber Septim's mind. Even then, he was planning to send Zurin Arctus to the King of Alinor to make peace.

Zurin Arctus' mission to Alinor - also mentioned in the PGE1 - is here explained as a peace-making mission, rather than the ultimatum the PGE1 implies it to be. The Heresy makes no mention of the Aldmeri Dominion's destruction of the Third Legion as part of the decision-making process, but the timeline makes perfect sense. Without a game-changer like Numidium, it's obvious to Tiber Septim that he can't defeat the Dominion.

Even then, of course, he was sending out people to search for Dwemer artifacts of power, as seen in Richton's searches in Redguard, but at that moment defeating Summerset was a pipe dream. He'd already lost a whole Legion to the Dominion, it was time to make peace.

Further discussion

Misticsan commented: What you propose makes a lot of sense and it does fit the timeline. It would also explain why in the Preface of the PGE1, the Dominion reader's father is said to be "one of the few on the Thalmor to oppose Andel Crodo's policy of nonintervention".

With the benefit of hindsight, yes, such policy was a mistake. However, if your theory is true, someone in 2E 864 could easily see it as a sign of confident diplomacy. The sea belongs to the Dominion, Tiber Septim has suffered a costly defeat on land, and now the Empire, for all its boasts and propaganda, is considering the idea of peace negotiations. I wouldn't blame Dominion politicians for thinking they were the ones with the upper hand.

I replied: Yes, I think YR is obviously worried that the Dominion is about to make a deal. One of their first notes is

Dangerous racialism - there shall be no accomodation as with Reman.

and throughout their overall message is "They are not acting like they want peace" and pointing out that there are powers and omens that the Dominion could be misinterpreting.

In a fun way, it's a flip of the Fourth Era pre-Great War situation!

On the accuracy of the Pocket Guide in general, I commented

The entire Pocket Guide isn't false. Bits of it are, and other bits aren't false but only represent one perspective.

In this case, the section promotes a good news version of the Legion's abilities vs. the Aldmeri Dominion, insisting that the Dominion isn't up to fighting the Legion. Right after the Dominion has literally destroyed most of a full Legion in an ambush.

The PGE1 couldn't conceal the power of the Aldmeri Navy, but it did it's best to downplay the Dominion's abilities on land. On both land and sea, Tiber Septim didn't have a chance at that point to expand further west and he knew it.

[z0urcherri]

Honest to god i would love being fucked to the tune of Star by youngscrolls on repeat. It has the mellowest melody and a perfect thrusting beat. The song is about being in love!! I don't care if it's an Elder Scrolls shitpost. It's perfect for lovemaking. Literally sing to me about how my eyes shine like the Topal Sea as you force moans out of me from the absolute amazing pounding you're giving me.

[jrchair98]

《 CYRODIIL LANDSCAPE №05: Topal Bay 》

【 TESIV: Oblivion. Previous Cyrodiil Landscapes: #1 / #2 / #3 / #4 】 ✿ 【 my links 】

[uesp]

Did You Know: Leyawiin in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion cuts off the Niben from the ocean? While maps usually depict the Niben River flowing from Lake Rumare to the Topal Bay, a land bridge completely cuts off the river at Leyawiin, denying the Imperial City and Bravil access to the open oceans.

[sbnkalny]

Did you know that lemons can be grabbed by the power within?

Yes, 😪I’m getting a tasty treat, try filling your bong with hummus and squeeze lemons into my eyes

[tastesoftamriel]

Chef Talviel, do you have any ideas for easy yet elegant meals that will please the palates of everyone on the Elder Council? Cost is no obstacle, since my new wife, who is a junior member of the Thalmor delegation to the Empire, and I have recently come into some funds left to me by a distant ancestor. She tells me that in the Summerset Isles, meals at celebrations and events for high-ranking nobility often consist of 14-course banquets of salads and soups. Yours, Aloysius Tharn of Cheydinhal

Dear Aloysius,

While it is true that 14-course menus are the norm in Summerset, it is not typical for there to only be salads and soups on offer (there are typically only three to four of each). After all, High Elves do need some substantial food if they're to endure 14 courses spent in each other's company. Anyway, without further ado, I hope that these recommendations help you find some inspiration. ~Talviel

Appetisers

Cold seaweed amouse-bouche, with sesame seeds and candied yuzu peel

Nut salad, with rucola and iceberg lettuce, and a mix of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and pecan-butter dressing

Sashimi platter, with tuna, salmon, hake, squid, and swordfish

Soups

Palate cleansing soup, with nettle and mint

Cauliflower and feta soup, with garlic croutons

Bouillabaisse, with Rumare slaughterfish, salmon, and Gold Coast clams and lobster

Fish

Seared Topal Sea marlin, with ponzu shōyu, watercress and salmon roe

Flame-kissed scallops, with brown butter, pea mousse, and West Weald parmesan

Main courses

Smoked rabbit pie, with Shetcombe Farm vegetables and fresh cream

Braised king abalone, with rehydrated scallops, oyster sauce, and Elsweyr-style greens

Stuffed peacock, with figs, pancetta, and spiced sourdough stuffing

Butternut squash and micro-herb tortellini, with brown butter sauce, pecorino, and pine nuts

Dessert

Chili-and-dark chocolate panna cotta, with hand-rolled nougat-caramel truffles and raspberry coulis

Lemon tart, with flame-kissed brandy meringue and grand cru Russafeld Heights champagne infusion

[mazurga]

Khajiiti flag at the Topal Sea base

[kagrena]

ruins

There is a ruin on an island north, far north, beyond the depths of winter: an old, crumbling temple that points towards the first forest. It is swallowed by thundering seas and winds unending, a storm without relent, and yet the temple is a place of calm where the stars no longer twinkle. It might be lost, were it not for the tides, who still remember, and whisper that it is named for clouded Ysmir. It’s a name that means nothing to you, except for steel, the beginning of a storm.

In the glittering westward seas, speckled with isles bewitched by the falling sun, where ships have fallen spell-bound beneath the waves, there’s the ruin of a fallen tower that hasn’t quite sunk. Aldmyne, the western witch, mist-made and lightning-touched, before the old song shattered and there were elves, many, she liked to unweave sails into silver thread and lace the skies with the first rains from this place. You loved her name.

You were born into a world, your mother told you, woven from corpses. Crumbling histories, the bloodied remnants of old kings, were to be your cradle. You were certainly not to fear them (you would be the fear of them). From what was rotting, flowers would bloom. The Mythic Dawn had told you more: you would weave a crown of them, by your magic. You’d flourish through the rot, through the breaking of the wheel and the building of one anew while the world devours itself. You’d be queen of the forest, and queen of the fire. 

You’d been thinking on this, wandering pleasant Cyrodiil, green and plenty Cyrodiil, strewn with all things crumbling, and the blood of others buried beneath its fields of wildflowers. This is not your inheritance. How could it be? Your mother is gone, and you have no father – he is no one, and thus, he is everyone, he is aldmer and he is atmoran and he is the old dark from which you will ascend and yet little more than a shadow cast from exactly nothing. Illusions of grandeur.

You are not named for him. Nor are you named from myth, nor a legend. You needed no queens. You’d pull your name from street signs and village notice boards and the bold lettering front of a market stall and lists of common exports from Anvil to the Illiac Bay you snatched from a shipping manifest in the third place you’d stowed away that season, you pull your name from guards’ rosters and the third most prominent wizard in the colovian highlands. You had shed your true calling, your true name – for they were words that exist for others to place you and position you and puppeteer you – after your mother was strung up. You are not Ysmir and Aldmyne. You are not Mother’s child. You are not the daughter of the dark. You are not a bold line on Topal’s star chart or a prized gem of Azura’s twilight collection.

You look now to the priest, whose eyes are searching in the night. Perhaps for  a constellation. You’re far north, now, the frost is beginning to bite and the keen eyes of a blade grandmaster cut at your back during the daylight hours, making sure that you did not stray from those clearly demarcated roads, under the steady watch of the Imperial Legion. You’d noticed the priest had kept his jaw tighter, his words terser, rarely drawn, since you’d seen the priory ablaze. The stars do not twinkle. The embers, however, are warm.

“Ysamyne,” you say to him.

It is not a name, a line predestined, prophesied, drawn up in the stars, storm’s daughter, lightning-born, but instead the remnants of things pulled from memory, pulled from the earth lost beneath the waters, wreckage, broken fables, meaningless, now, made anew. Made by you.

“Ysamyne?” he says. He looks to you, unsure. It’s almost a question.

You roll your eyes. You point at yourself with one very clear finger.

“Ysamyne Montrose.”

Perhaps you'll tell the priest, when you know him better, about Ysmir, about Aldmyne, about your terrible habit of making up nonsense, and also that you had thought it would be faintly amusing, for your second name to be the same as the guard who locked you in a cell in the first place.

For now, he gives you the best smile an exhausted man can offer. Kvatch is still smoke and ruin, even if you can no longer see it.

-----------------

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[portvalehq]

PLOT DROP 003 - A PORT VALE WINTER 

For many of the locals, once the festivities of Halloween ended, it was time to begin the preparations for the colder months - Port Vale is no stranger to snow, and though the ocean never manages to freeze over, ice and chilly winds are only of a few threats they must face as a community as the holidays draw near. The last half of December always promises a small burst of tourism, the crazy adventuring types who get out for winter break or crave a small-town setting to huddle down with their hot cocoa and projects. For those who call Port Vale home?... the peaceful falling snow overnight is far from what their lives look like behind closed doors. 

Though the unsuspecting locals were able to finally relax with Xander Blackmore’s wedding to Siobhan Waters delayed, there were more than a few souls finding plenty of other things to worry about. Word had begun to spread, slowly at first, of Siobhan’s true nature - a selkie, alleged to not be in town alone, and many feared her intentions. However, despite the shocking revelations of October, Port Vale had entered the sleepy spell that the winter months always promise. Of course, it doesn’t last long... 

ANOTHER NEW FACE ARRIVES IN TOWN

It was Thomas O’Cuilinn who the first to get the opportunity to see her - Scylla had come to shore, looking perfectly human. Her first stop? The Mermaid Museum. She may have managed to spend the entirety of her visit undetected by him; but her own surprise was what gave her away. Upon seeing Thomas, Scylla’s fingers went slack, and released their grip on an artifact she’d been inspecting closely. It fell with a crash and shattered, a priceless treasure from the depths of a shipwreck gone in a flash. “You... came back? You’re- alive?” The woman gasped out, looking almost as if she would reach out and touch him... but instead, uttered a promise to repay the cost of damages, and all but fled the building. 

Seeing the hippocampi had done nothing but inspire Scylla more to investigate this town, so different from how she remembered it - the lighthouse, still standing strong as ever, though it was obvious it had faced many a storm in the centuries that had passed. It was that; the beacon of the town, that had drawn her from the sea, and it wasn’t until later when she was safely settled in Soren Nader and Wren Salmon’s apartment, joined by Siobhan and Aylin Topal, that Scylla was able to put her next plan into motion. 

“I have a great interest in the North Star, the lighthouse,” She explained to the small group of them; those she considered her closest allies here, those of her creations which she felt she could trust. Not all of the selkies had taken as well to her gift than others; so to them, she entrusted this task. “I want to know who owns it, who owned it before them, I want to have a detailed history of the repairs, especially. I need to know... everything about it. That Moray man, I need that information, too.” 

To this, Siobhan was visibly uncomfortable, eyes darting down low, and offering nothing more than a nod - strange behavior, but they knew better than to question her with Scylla around. She promised to return in the new year, with others like them - with more tasks, too, most likely, and Scylla would be expecting reports on the mermaids, sirens, and now... the North Star Lighthouse. As she left, the woman began to lose her strength; faltering, and falling to the snowy ground. It was evening, and the shore was still quite far, so she called out to the single lone person on the street with her - hoping to catch the attention of Gemma Walker. “You! You Coral Sea girl, assist me,” Scylla demanded, reaching out with a shaky hand to be assisted to the beach. If Gemma were to ask questions, they were waved off - the siren was given only the name, Scylla, and once more; a promise of her return. She stressed that she had little time, and a return to the water was essential, but once she reached the water, it was not a tail that appeared. 

INSTEAD.... SCYLLA DISAPPEARED BELOW THE WAVES WITH NO TRACE.

A couple of days pass, and more concerning news wafts through the town’s streets; somehow able to keep ahold of secrets, yet at the same time, managing to spill them all over. Reports of illness in the sea were more frequent now, and some facts were beginning to emerge. The mermaids were suffering the most, but exposure to land seemed to help symptoms. In town, Ridley Alara and Allegra Weaving had become sick, though it was hard to tell if it was a common winter cold or the mysterious illness of Assyria - both were unwell, and showing severe cold symptoms. 

But they were not the only sirens to be up late worrying; Elistra Smith had an interesting dream the same night that Scylla was in town, though she was oblivious at the time to her presence. In the dream, there was a voice - she spoke comfortingly, in the dream, just a vague figure in the water with Elistra, in her siren form. It was calm in the sea, but dark - thick, almost, but the figure continued speaking. Elistra. I’m sorry you did not find a home here, in what I created for you all. There was a terrible mistake, and the reckoning for it is upon us all now. Even you. You may hide behind your legs, but you are seen, and you are very much needed. I have not yet faded, not entirely. Do not lose faith. If anything else, do not lose that, for I exist, and I am coming. 

Perhaps it could have been only that; a dream, and nothing more, but when Elistra awoke the next morning, her hair was wet, dripping onto her pillow, and she smelled exactly of the sea. There were kelp bits matted into her hair, and that morning, the seas were gentle and calm against the surf, as if an echo of the words spoken in the dead of night. 

IN A TOWN OF MERMAIDS, A SIGHTING OCCURS

Something about the wintertime in Port Vale inspired the imagination; if you were to study, really study, the legends and lore that created the town, you’d see a major uptick in alleged mermaid sightings, or otherwise odd occurrences, in these chilly months. For Tiago Nussbaum, it was entirely a product of wrong place, right time; a late night walk, an odd hum from the beach, and an overly curious mind brought him to the shores in the darkness. He was there; he saw it happen, the way Gemma helped Scylla into the sea; how the fragile woman had never resurfaced. At first, you could assume murder had conspired, but that wasn’t all that went noticed under his gaze - but instead, two sirens arriving to the shore, dragging themselves from the water and losing their tail before ducking off to a meeting place to speak of reports back home. Among the locals that the sirens met, Tiago knew he recognized a face somewhere in the mix - but who would believe his stories, if he was able to share them? A town where mermaid sightings are as spoken of as stray cats, but very little taken seriously... 

WINTER WAS UPON PORT VALE. AND SECRETS NEVER TAKE WELL TO THE COLD; AS HEARTS WARM, LIPS LOOSEN, AND THE CRASH OF WAVES AGAINST ROCK PROMISE THAT THE HOLIDAYS WILL BRING PLENTY MORE THAN GOOD CHEER AND JOY FOR ALL.

[kagrenacs]

Explaining the Iceberg #8

In which the theories get worse as you delve deeper. (some content is cut because it’s not appropriate/something I would want to discuss)

Coldharbour/Clockwork Tamriel: Coldharbour has many locations that resemble Tamriel, and often are outright taken from it. C0Da seems to indicate Sotha Sil’s final goals for the clockwork city is to recreate and ‘perfect’ Tamriel.

The Crimson Ship: During the Knahaten Flu, the Kothringi were hit particularly hard, and the Crimson Ship was full of refugees trying to find a new home. They were turned away at every port, until reaching Hammerfell. After being turned away once again, they sailed out to sea. Some years later, pirates found the ship full of corpses.

Storming of the citadel: Unsure of this, the wording is too general. It could possibly refer to the Morrowind Mainquest, when you take back the profane tools, A Covenant quest in Elder Scrolls Cnline, or the Main quest in Elder Scrolls Online

Altmeri formwars: Mentioned in an MK short story. Possibly a war from a previous Kalpa that involved the Dreugh

Yagrum Bagarn made the Numidium: He states he was a Tonal Architect under Kagrenac, there’s a possibility he may have worked on the Numidium as well.

Sons of Hora: Mentioned in the Nu-hatta, related to mantling. ‘this is the death children bring as son’s of Hora’. My guess is that it’s the ability of mortals (sons of Lorkhan, Hora?) to actually mantle deities and understand their limits.

Kaleidocules: ‘Leaky Creatia’  the power of creation, magical possibility 

Ayleids=Bird people: A race of unnamed bird people Topal the Pilot was said to have met on his journey across Tamriel. Since they occupy the same region as Ayleids did (although they seem to have been present before the Ayleids and subsequently died out), and since Ayleids have recurring bird motifs within their armor and art, it’s thought that these two groups may be one in the same.

Dragon Tusk: The name of the oversoul (cumulation of all aspects) of Akatosh/Auri-el ect. Is Aka or Aka-Tusk.

Lorkhan’s heart the egg of time: In Morrowind, the egg of time is a rebuttal paper to Kagrenac’s theories on the use of the tools on the heart of lorkhan.

Khajiit ??? Genetic memory: I can’t make out if that says lactable as in the infant formula for babies, or something else. 

The Prisoner: A name for all playable characters in tes, revolves around the concept of seeing past barriers formed previously (the prison) and overcoming these obstacles to change things.

82nd Crodo: Mentioned in the redguard forums, a community in Alinor.

City of Rockcreek: In Arena, there is a city called Rockpark. A glitch in town generation happened, and the palace to Rockpark was blocked off, rendering it inaccessible. In Daggerfall, the developers referenced this glitch in ‘Ius the Animal God’ But misspelled Rockpark as ‘Rockcreek’

Atmora-Aldmeris Invasion: Not quite sure what this references, my best guess is the invasion of the Atmorans and Aldmer from their respective continents to Tamriel.

1008 weapons of rapture: 1008 or 108 is usually in reference to Cyrodill (8+1 gods), in Et’Ada, Eight Aedra, Eat the Dreamer, there is mention of 1008 weapons of rapture. This could possibly refer to the Divines, the Middle Dawn that lasted 1008 years, or perhaps 1008 literal weapons.

Thalmor UFOs: Seems to have originated on the iceberg

King Harald and Talos die at 108: There goes that numerology again

Adamantia Scroll rocket: While this seems to have originated on the iceberg once again, there is a group of tes LARPers with the shared name Adamantia

Ghartoki: Mentioned in what my beloved taught me after Vivec reads a symbol on Nerevar’s palms (possibly some sigil, scars or just reading palms). Ghartok in Ehlnofey means hand, and in the sermons it’s often associated with the word Padhome, or change.

Thalmor and Jyggalag: The Altmer are orderly so they worship Jyggalag.

Motheaters: A little song mentioned in this thread https://www.imperial-library.info/content/forum-archives-unknown-posts

Klecksographic Lyg: Another iceberg original, Klecksography is the art of making art from inkblots, essentially this is just saying how lyg was created in a fancy way

Ha-Note is Mehrunes Dagon: https://www.reddit.com/r/teslore/comments/3o0uwk/nanote_dagon/ the original theory is here, TL;DR Ha-Note, a monster born from Vivec, renamed itself ‘City-Face’ and fled to Lyg. The ‘grabbers’ grabbed it, because they can’t create things of their own and said they’d build a Hope-Tower upon it’s face. In the Commentaries of Mankar Cameron, he states Mehrunes Dagon was built from hope.

Zurin Arctus=Versidue Shae: An apparently deleted theory, mentioned only in this post debunking it https://www.reddit.com/r/teslore/comments/9rs2ad/what_were_the_motives_of_versidue_shaie/

The King’s Cough: Mentioned in Sermon 29, another name for the Thu’um

The Catalyst: The driving force that starts an Enantiomorph 

Tsaescence: A tsaesci word from We ate it to become it, MK states it means it’s the Tsaesci word of “High Perception” In context, seems to mean something similar to CHIM.

Hero of Kvatch=Pelinal Whitestrake: See the Knights of the Nine DLC. (To expand further, there are many similarities between the two, force of change, knight to the emperor/empress)

Amiel Arctus: An old screen name for Michael Kirkbride

The Space Gods: Found in the last song of Pelinal and Eight Aedra Eat the Dreamer, like many things in tes, it’s Lorkhan.

Uriel V: The father of Uriel VI, tried his best to invade Akavir.

Otherkin: You are reading this on tumblr. You know what this is. MK made a lengthy forum post about how Tosh Raka hates the Otherkin for some reason.

Falmer are Hermaified: Horrible word, but there are resemblances between Hermaeus Mora’s shrines, and Falmer shrines.

Invisible Dragons: In morrowind, if you ask M’aiq about dragons, he’ll state they’re too high up to see. Or invisible

Alien Ayleids: A relic from the since deleted bethesda forums. MK wanted to have a plot twist where Ayleids were Aliens.

The insect god: Mentioned in the Adabal-a, or Morhaius’s memoirs. May be a since-retconned god, could possibly be Lorkhan due to his frequent connection with Scarabs.

Suicide Trolls: An easter egg in Oblivion, a poorly scrawled note and a troll found dead under a bridge across the bridge from Bravil.  

Arkay=Arnand the Fox=Zurin Arctus: Zurin Arctus is sometimes called Arnand the Fox (Seen in where were you when the dragon broke) Shor is also represented as the fox, which makes sense since Zurin is a Shezzarine. This connects to Arkay by Malacath/Orkey/Arkay, who is a trickster god (fox like) in Nordic pantheons. Malacath also got compared to a fox once. I never said these theories were well backed up.

Dwarf-Orc theory: referring to Dumac, who is sometimes called Dumalacath, or Dumac Dwarf-Orc, suggesting he has an orcish and dwemer parents. This also may imply there are cross cultural connections between the two groups (especially when you consider the Rourken clan having Volenfell, Malacath’s hammer.), meaning Dwemer blood could still be present within Orcish clans.

Tosh Raka: The Dragon-God of the Ka’Po’Tun. Became a dragon through unknown means (possibly through Dracocrysalis?) Hates the otherkin I guess.

A worn and weathered note: A curious note from Morrowind. https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:A_worn_and_weathered_note

TalOS: Talos is called a virus by Jubal in C0da. If you think of the Aurbis as a computer, Talos could be considered analogous to a Trojan Virus when you look at his place in the pantheon of Divines. He used the mantella to cheat-code the universe into accepting it as Lorkhan’s new heart to power the Numidium. An error occurred, and now the universe considers TalOS the new Lorkhan.

King of Worms = The Underking: Both are liches, both are undead, that’s about it. May stem from initial confusion of MK saying there were ‘multiple underkings’ when he meant there were multiple copies of the same person in the dragon break.

500 companions were dragons: the 500 mighty companions, an obscure text calls at least one of the companions a dragon, and some of the names were draconic sounding.

Dreamer can’t wake up: Straight from the mouth of MK, this might mean ‘the Godhead isn’t literal’ or it might literally mean, the universe can’t cease to be because the Godhead just stops.

[typhoonaylin]

INTRODUCING aylin topal !

character name: aylin topal

species: selkie

character title: typhoon

age & birthdate: 26 & 4 jan

gender & pronouns: cis female & she/her

birthplace: mediterranean sea

length of time in port vale: nov. 2021

occupation: housekeeper at the mermaid inn 

pinterest !

BIOGRAPHY ! 

THE OCEAN

Born in the Mediterranean Sea near Turkey, she was always a curious little pup. She found herself pushing her pod more than perhaps necessary at times because no one could really keep up with her. She was far too clever for all of them and a little too much of a risk taker. There was something about being on the edge, going too far, getting lost in the sea, venturing too close to the humans. The pod might have been right about certain things, but as long as she came home at the end of the night, what did they have to complain about? She liked to think she didn’t have a rebellious, mischievous streak in her, but the rest of the pod thought she did—and they punished her for it.

Her pod warned her about getting too close to shore, but she never listened to them. She was always clever enough to evade danger, even in the open waters. Often, she’d made it out alive from dangerous ordeals with other creatures in the ocean. If she could face those and survive, she believed she could face anything and survive. Her pod warned her one too many times not to stray close to the humans—which was how she ended up getting caught by humans that wanted her fur. She didn’t know what to do and tried to evade them, but they were too clever for even her. She was thankful though because another boat spotted her and saved her from the fate of the other seals with furs scattered on the boat. Running back to her pod, injured and scared, they didn’t feel pity for her, only told her she ought to be more careful in the future. Of course, the incident didn’t stop her from continuing to push the boundaries—she was just a bit more cautious about it.

When she was nearing the end of her life, Scylla came to the pod. After so long of being told that she was reckless and would get herself into trouble, the witch chose her. She believed, finally, that someone was seeing her for how special she truly was, and the others were all just jealous. So she followed the witch to the island, almost excited to start a new life on land, learning the ways of the humans.

ON LAND

Being a quick learner, it didn’t take her long to master the ways that were taught to her on the island. Aylin put a lot of her own twists on things though because she never wanted to do things in conventional ways. She continued to push the boundaries that Scylla set for her, but knew that this still was a gift bestowed upon her and she had to play the games by the witch’s rules in order to thrive. Aylin played the part well, and reminded herself that this was a game she just had to master. She was comfortable with life on Scylla’s island, though knew her time would eventually expire.

Aylin has a complicated relationship with being at Port Vale. On one hand, it’s a new place for her to be and explore, but on the other hand, she’s not here on her own accord and the idea that Scylla has her fur really upsets her. She didn’t have much of a difficult time adjusting to the basics of human culture, finding humans clever, like herself to a degree. Aylin doesn’t care much for the minute details of life on land though, so as long as she’s blending in, that’s good enough for her. Land feels like it’s supposed to be an adventure, but it does remind her of her own past and a complicated relationship with humans. She tries to put that aside though because she has a mission of her own, namely finding out what Scylla wants her to find out. Aylin doesn’t like the idea that she’s being used for something. She wants her fur, but she doesn’t know what price she’s willing to pay to get it back.

While Scylla might have her own plans, Aylin won’t let her time on land go to waste. She’s making her own plan and wants to build her own plan too because she won’t get caught again. Aylin keeps few privy to the plans she has been making. She knows she’s supposed to blend into the surroundings, so that’s what she has done. Aylin got a job at the Mermaid Inn as a housekeeper and mostly spends her days trying to make new friends—because one thing is for certain, that’s going to be key to her new life in Port Vale.  

PERSONALITY

Aylin would rather use her smarts rather than charm to get what she wants. She was once compared to a viper: pretty, but deadly. Aylin carefully configured her personality as a human so that it’s not exactly like she used to be when she was a seal. She’s not as trusting to people she doesn’t know and tends to believe that everyone wants something from her, but it’s really just projecting her own past onto everyone else. Sometimes, with those she’s close friends with, you can see the lively, fun-loving person she was before her fur. Aylin likes to push boundaries though. She’s never been one for rules she thinks don’t make sense and because of that she still manages to get into trouble. Aylin doesn’t care about the past—her eyes are dead set on the future, sometimes so much that she makes mistakes she could have prevented if she was paying attention to the past. She does own up to her mistakes when she makes them, even if sometimes it’s difficult to admit she was wrong. Aylin doesn’t want to admit that she’s scared, it was one thing under the protection of Scylla, but now that she’s in the human world, she’s overly cautious about everything.

She wants to be underestimated though, which is why she keeps her softer looking appearance—her almost doe-like eyes while she looks at the world. She has a fight in her that she doesn’t quite know what to do with, but above all, Aylin doesn’t want to be hurt. She hides her trauma behind curiosity, wanting to know more about those that she talks to. She doesn’t like feeling as if there are people who have a hold on her, which makes her relationship with Scylla complicated. Aylin will do what she can to help her fellow selkies, though is still cautious of any of them that have a strong tie to Scylla. She knows that clever can only get a girl so far, she’ll have to make friends, so she can only burn so many bridges.

MORE INFORMATION !

seven roles: the scholar

temperament: phlegmatic

alignment: chaotic good

enneagram: the peacemaker

myers briggs: INFT-J

zodiac: capricorn

element: earth

celtic zodiac: birch

CONNECTION IDEAS !

Faction Friends. I want to see her make strong ties to a siren, a human, and a mermaid. I know she has a connection written for a human and a siren, but I think she’s also going to need friends everywhere in order to really thrive.

Selkie Sibling. Other than Vera, I’d like to see her make friends with another selkie. Perhaps one that’s also kind of wavering on their loyalty to Scylla. I don’t think Aylin is completely ready to not do what Scylla says, but she’s cautious and that’s important to note.

Chaos Unite. Aylin’s kind of a bit chaotic at times, so it would be nice for her to make a friend that also have a bit of a wild side to them too. Someone she can go to when she wants to have a little bit of (legal) fun.

Partner in Crime. Being up for mischief always means she’s not always one to follow the rules. In her curiosity, she’s probably done and caught another person also doing something illegal. Perhaps she just caught them briefly, but whenever she wants to do something not exactly legal, she’ll go to this person.

Enemy. Obviously, Aylin isn’t exactly charming. Not in the way she could be. When she’s on a mission, she really doesn’t care who or what she hurts to get in the way. Essentially, someone she pissed off trying to get information or just in general.

psd by @chcrubs​