JoS/Kanna/7th Journal - Trip to Vivec

Hearthfire, 27th, 3E 427

Retrieving Kanna from Cyrodiil wasn't as difficult a job as I feared it would be, as I spent most of it traveling. I'm so happy she's reunited with Karim now, but my happiness was nothing in comparison to what they were feeling when they met. Like, I know they're siblings who have known each other forever, and that they're the only family they have left, but I had no idea they missed each other that much. Makes me jealous of them… I kind of wish I still had family left…

I felt like I owed that to Karim for all he did to me when we first met, but now he says he owes me… I think we should just drop the whole thing of "owing" each other and just do what we can to help each other, if you know what I'm saying. No debts, just favors.

Karim suggested that it might be a good idea for Kanna to travel with me more sometime in the future, as seeing him live and travel with a young girl who shares obvious resemblance to him is going to make things dangerous for both of them, considering that she's on the run, and that the Legion is on both of their cases in different ways. I suppose that's a good idea, as I would love to spend more time with her as well, but for now, it'll have to wait. We could obviously help each other out a lot, but me and him, we both have a feeling she's not up to going on an adventure with me just yet, not when she wants to be with his beloved brother.

After Karim, the first person I visited was my boss, who luckily didn't make a fuss about my unexplained absence. Caius just said that it was good to see me again and started going on about another task he has for me. He has a grand total of three informants for me to interview this time, all of who I can find in Vivec City. I'll get to that as soon as I can.

He also insisted in "using" me. That cramped little bed used to feel so small, way too small for two people, but I'm starting to get used to it, even though I don't sleep with him as often as I used to. Is it weird for me to enjoy it?

Visiting the guilds for any work I could get my hands on was also on my bucket list. Mages Guild had some grievances about unsanctioned training going on in the South Wall Cornerclub, which just goes to show how much they want to control magic, how and where it's taught and so on. I managed to convince the Argonian to stop his training… Or rather, to be a little bit more careful about it in the future, or else he would get in trouble. Let's just say, we came to a mutual understanding, and Ranis paid me for the job she thought I completed as requested.

Habasi gave me some work as well. First I had to "steal" some valuable vintage Brandy from a recently deceased Dunmeri nobleman here in Balmora. I used steal in quotation marks, because can you really steal from a dead man? I suppose inheritance is still a thing, or maybe it counts as looting… Whatever, it didn't belong to me, that's for sure. There's a lot talk on the streets about the murder, so I guess he was murdered, but by whom? Doesn't matter to me as long as my life isn't in danger.

The other job Habasi gave me requires some traveling, and I've been tasked on freeing a prisoner kept in Fort Pelagiad. Habasi had a nice little plan for me regarding how to succeed with this, and according to her, this mission shouldn't be too dangerous. Pelagiad just so happens to be on the road to Vivec, so I'll stop by gladly.

I also decided it's high time for me to study and learn about the Great Houses. There are five of them, with only three having territories on this island. House Indoril and Dres are more prominent on the mainland, with Dres mostly occupying the southern marshlands where they grow their farms and their plantations using slave labor, and Indoril being the ultra orthodox, ultra conservative protectors of the Temple doctrine. Neither has no ground here in Vvardenfell as well, but considering that Vivec City is considered a holy city, a place of residence for the Lord Vivec of the Tribunal, the Ordinators trained by Indoril tend to guard the city.

Hlaalu is the most imperialized of the great houses. Although they welcome their Imperial overlords, their laws and their bureaucracy, they're also viewed by the broader public - especially the other houses - as dishonest and corrupt. Money tends to do that to people… Not that I'm criticizing them. I don't like the bureaucratic side of Empire all that much, but I respect the hustle. It has made them money, so can I really criticize them all that much? All in all, while I can see the perks of allying with them, joining them doesn't sound too interesting to me.

Redoran is a house of warriors that respects law, order, and most importantly of all, honor. They consider themselves defenders of Morrowind, and while they are vocal supporters of an independent Morrowind, they do consider the Empire their allies, and see the Legion as warriors worthy of their respect. They're also very loyal to the Tribunal Temple, second only to Indoril. Needless to say, this organization doesn't interest or even fit me.

Lastly, there's the Telvanni, the house I've already written about once: secluded, isolationist mages who settle the north-eastern regions of Morrowind, valuing the pursuit of arcane arts above everything else. They're seen as hostile towards other Great Houses, as well as the Empire, but based on what I've learned, it feels like a bit of a mischaracterization, as they really, really just want to be left alone to their own communities and research.

The Telvanni most certainly seem like the House that would suit me the best, perhaps even more so than the Mages Guild. I'm not sure if it will be possible for me to be part of these two organizations at once, but I guess I could at least try? I'll have to think about it at least.

Last and probably also the least, that tall man in a golden mask with three red glowing eyes appeared to me in my dream again. This is the second time already. It was a strange one as I found myself floating in air as a ghostly figure, with my own naked, inanimate body laying in the middle of a stone table surrounded by candles. He spoke to me something, but I don't really remember what. I reached out to touch my own body, which caused me to return to it, and for it to sit up slowly. When I opened my eyes, I was awake, and the dream had ended. I still don't know what to make of these weird dreams with that weird man who I've never even seen appearing from out of nowhere…

Regardless, I'll be traveling alone for a while and visit Vivec City for that assignment Caius gave me.

Hearthfire, 28th, 3E 427

On the way to Vivec, walking the lakeside towards Pelagiad, I came across a woman in the wild in what I thought was clear distress. She was a Breton of noble birth, but her clothes had been tattered and torn, and she was just sitting there on the roadside. Curiously, when I went to ask her what was wrong, she said that she had been robbed out of her belongings, and raped to top it off too. A handsome Dunmer, as she described her attacker, just left the scene not too long ago.

Here's where it gets interesting. This woman isn't seeking justice, or even to have her wealth returned. All she was going on about was that Dunmer, how hot he was, how handsome he was, his muscles, his commanding presence, his rough, deep voice and eyes like red velvet… I was looking at a woman in love, a woman who insisted on me helping find this man. She had seen that man walking towards Pelagiad, but something about the whole thing still felt off. Why wasn't she going after him instead? Was she shy? Was I going to be scammed or led to a trap? I didn't really know what was going on, but as there was no harm in looking around, I promised to help. She gave me a glove as a proof, and told me to give it to that man.

Then I found the man: Nelos Onmar. Yeah, he's handsome alright. Didn't look like a bandit to me, but I offered him the glove anyway. He was so surprised when I dropped him the news, and he thought he was being pranked too. "Is this a trap?" he asked.

"N-no, I'm serious", I insisted, "and just as confused as you are."

"Are you not scared though?" he asked, smiling as his eyes ran up and down my body from my tight-fit pants to my crop-top and light leathery garments. "You know I'm a thief, and you know I'm a rapist."

"Well, I'm not sure if my allies at the Thieves Guild would appreciate a rogue thief hurting me…" I said as I glanced towards an Imperial woman sitting at a nearby table. She hadn't noticed me, but I knew she was with the Guild. Habasi told me so. I glanced back at Nelos and whispered that he'd be surprised at how many members we have all over Morrowind, even here in Pelagiad.

"That's a pity", he said, "as I would've loved to bed you."

It's rare to meet men who are this open about their sexual advances, but then again, this guy IS a literal rapist, so I suppose it's to be expected. However, since he was a thief himself and interested in me, I thought I could maybe use my charm on him to have him help me a little.

I was supposed to talk to that Imperial lady for help regarding that little job of freeing that prisoner, but thought that Nelos could help me instead. I suggested this to him, and said that if he could help me, then maybe we could have a little bit of fun. I told him that the general merchant here smuggles illegal Dwemer artifacts, and that I also happen to know that the there's a guard in this city who takes bribes to overlook these crimes. I need to blackmail him and use the knowledge of his crimes as leverage to get my mate out from the jail. Oh, and I also need some muscle. You know, because I'm kind of small, and kind of weak. I'm not fit to carry heavy dwarven junk.

He took my offer, and so we waited for the night and went to work. The shops closed for the night, most of the city was asleep, and we infiltrated the local general store through balcony. We found some big Dwemer contraption, and Nelos carried it outside. We took it then to the castle for the corrupt guard to see, and he crumbled like a house of cards. The prisoner is out from the jail, and I get a payment from Habasi when she finds out. Wonderful!

As for my end of the bargain, I followed Nelos to his rented room and gave him exactly what he wanted. Granted, it didn't take much effort on my part since all he wanted was to fuck some preteen Altmer pussy, an activity I'm okay with partaking in every now and then. He gave me some of that same rough love he had showed that crazy noblewoman on the road, except he didn't have to force it on me. His penis was pretty damn big, and he was also good in bed, so I was beginning to see where that Breton was coming from when she said she's in love.

I know I probably shouldn't do it with strangers like that, as it's risky, maybe even dangerous depending on who I get myself sexually involved with, but I'm beginning to like the idea of sleeping around a little. What's the harm, anyway? Sex is great! It feels good, and it's an easy and cheap way of negotiation to top it off. Nelos also said he'd seek out that crazy Breton tomorrow as well, as he obviously seems to trust me now.

This marks the halfway point of my journey, as tomorrow I'll reach Vivec City. It'll be my first time there, so I'm excited. I've heard it's a really big and really confusing city, but I'll manage. I hope.

Hearthfire, 29th, 3E 427

I saw yet another weird dream.

That man was talking to me in a language I could not understand, or even begin to comprehend. It was completely alien to anything I've heard in the past. I was standing in front of me and he was touching me, with his hand lovingly stroking my cheek. I tried to respond, I tried to move, but I couldn't do anything. I was completely still. It was like I was under his spell, and I was feeling a strange sense of euphoria in my body too. I'm not quite sure what happened directly after that though, but the next thing I remember was me having sex with him. I was riding him, on top of him, as my body moved completely on its own. He continued talking, but I still couldn't understand a word. I'm not sure when it started, or when it even ended: all I know is that when I woke up, that's all I could remember of the dream.

I think I've got to get my shit together already, as I really have no idea what to make of all of this… Moreover, I really want to get to Vivec City, but I'm just too damn tired after bad night of sleep… Maybe I'll nap for few more hours before I just ride a Silt Strider to complete my journey.

Hearthfire, 29th, 3E 427

I'm finally at Vivec City, the capitol of Vvardernfell and the largest city on this island. Mind you, it's not the capitol of whole Morrowind, just this island, but let me just say: Good grief, this city is so damn big, and so damn confusing, but I think I'm starting to get hang of it, at least after checking the map some dozen times. Every canton follows the same pattern and there are banners too, so if you learn one's layout, you shouldn't lose your way. That's at least how it works in the theory… Maybe I'll still get lost.

Luckily, I didn't have to venture beyond the first canton, "the Foreign Quarter", to find my first target. I got to the Black Shalk Cornerclub, where I found Huleeya ,the Argonian I was looking for, being harassed by three Dunmer. They were really nasty things about him, saying that his kind have no place here, saying that filthy lizards belongs in the swamp, things like that. It took me a while to even get to talk to him, but he recognized me as a friend. However, after I told him my business, he said that there's no way we can talk at the inn. We need, absolutely NEED to be in private.

He's obviously gotten himself in a nasty situation. He's an assassin of the Morag Tong, so not exactly afraid of dying here being a trained killer himself, but he doesn't want to tarnish his righteous blade with the blood of some racist fools. I can respect that as someone who also prefers to solve things without violence. Killing them would only lead to even bigger problems. His idea was for me to try to distract there thugs, or perhaps try to get them to stop harassing him, so he could leave in peace. I could then follow him to the bookstore nearby where we could talk in peace, and we could both be going on with our day.

This simple plan ended with disastrous results.

I thought that it would be easy for me to convince them by appealing to sympathy, telling them that it's wrong to bully. I was acting probably a little bit more childish than I normally would, as the word "bully" doesn't tend to work on adults as well as "racist" or "harassment" does, but I didn't really want to anger them either. Didn't matter what I said in the end, as these three men took me for a damn fool, and took me as their target for harassment instead. I quickly and regrettably learned that I wasn't just dealing with some misguided citizens that could maybe take a little bit of friendly advice from their fellow mer. They said that they want to teach me some manners instead.

I tried to defend myself with magic, but I could do nothing against three grown-up men. They apprehended me and took me to the room that they had rented. I stared the innkeeper down hoping he at least would do something to help me, call the guards to defend me or something! It wasn't to be, as he just pretended as if I didn't even exist. He was complicit in the crime that was unfolding.

As for Huleeya? Well, to skip a little to the future, he tried to get help, but the Ordinators didn't believe him or care enough to investigate the situation. My fate was sealed: those three men raped me as the punishment for getting in their way.

Then they pulled my pants down along with my panties, leaving me naked. First of them pushed himself between my legs, forcing them apart with his legs. His grey cock rubbed against by dry slit and I was begging at them to not force it in. I know the pain of dry insertion, and I was pleading for them to at least not go along with it. Why would they care, they asked me. Teary eyed and freaked out I may have been, but I tried to smile anyway, promising that I'd be a good girl and do anything they want.

His condition for me was pretty simple, as he wanted me to say something really humiliating. He told me what to say, and I spoke it out loud. "I love being raped by big grey cocks", I said, and was spared from feeling pain. He was more than happy to begin by fingering me with his middle finger, although that raging boner was absolutely begging for penetration.

At first, it was just him thrusting himself into me, all while berating me racially. He called me a typical, spoiled High Elf, always thinking of herself as superior to others, always trying to control and command others like we own the whole world, and talked about how here in Morrowind my noble bloodline won't stop me from being just another n'wah. "And what kind of High Elf are you anyway?" he then asked, while pinching my clit, forcing me to moan and cry out uncontrollably. "Aren't you supposed to have piss-colored skin? You're pale like some kind of hairless monkey."

None of those insults wouldn't have been so humiliating had it not been for the fact that he made me cum, all while cumming inside me himself. Sadly for me, that was just half of the story.

The other two thugs came for me at the same time, with the first mounting me from behind and the second forcing his cock between my lips and poking it towards my throat. With two fistfuls of my hair, he called me a slave and told me to suck it like I mean it, all white the other thug kept clapping my butt with his hips hard. This continued for an uncomfortably long time, but I was obedient throughout the whole thing, and despite not wanting to sully my tongue with his seed, I took all of his cum into my mouth. I was afraid he was going to hurt me badly otherwise.

After that, they let me go, having had their fun, promising they won't "bully" that lizard again. However, they said that they're glad to bully me again, and laughed as I left the inn feeling defeated. I couldn't even be sad or depressed about the whole thing, I was just annoyed that this is how the things went down. Even Huleeya was more concerned about the whole thing that I was, at one point even wondering if he was even going to see me again.

As for information I got from him, he doesn't know anything about any Sixth House, which I suppose is fine, since that orc at the Mages Guild already told me about them. As for the Nerevarine prophecy, his explanation painted Nerevar of the old as well as the Ashlanders who long for his return in a much positive light.

"Lord Indoril Nerevar" as he is called used to be a great hero in his days. He united the tribes and the civilized clans, being the great Houses of the time, in the ancient days to fight against the "Deep Elves" and the outlanders, defeating the former once and for all, and driving the latter away from their lands. Based on my understanding, the Deep Elves refer to Dwemer, while the outlanders probably refer to the Nords who ruled over a large Empire around that time in the history. Huleeya also talked about the persecution the Ashlanders face by the Temple, who consider them heretics, and about how they claim that Nerevar, despite being a hero, was actually eventually betrayed and murdered by the Temple.

This is all very interesting and quite different from what I've heard so far, and given that this information came from persecuted minority member of this land, I'm willing to take his explanation a little bit more seriously. Still, there's no way for me to know for sure, at least not yet. I don't have any personal stake in this fight either, because like I have written down before, I'm just doing this for work. Even these notes are for Caius so he can read my unbiased perspective and view on the whole situation.

Anyway… I've done enough for today. I'm pooped beyond reason, and just dying to lay down for the night. Mages Guild has quarters here, so I could sleep there. To touch a little on that, they sadly didn't have any real work for me. Everyone pointed me towards the Arch-Mage, who in turn doesn't look like a serious person at all. Thebonius is his name, and his task to me was to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the Dwarves.

…He's not actually expecting me to solve that, right?

He said I should talk to Edwinna, who's the stewart of the Ald'ruhn guildhall, as she's somewhat of an expect on the topic of the Dwarves, but to be honest, I think he was just trying to get rid of me as he doesn't have any real work for me. Have it your way then.

Hearthfire, 30th, 3E 427

I was only given rough directions on how to find my next interviewee, so I didn't have easy time. Her name is Addhiranirr, and she just happened to be aligned with the Thieves Guild. Luckily I managed to learn that she's in hiding in the underworks due to some Imperial tax-collector being on a lookout for her.

When I finally found her, I explained to her that I'm a friend, her fellow in the Thieves Guild, and sent by Caius Cosades to interview her on an unrelated mission. She in turn owes a lot in taxes to the Empire, but she's not interested in paying, not that she could afford it at the moment anyway. She was complaining about sugar being so damn expensive here in Morrowind. Her condition for talking to me about what I wanted to talk about was getting the officer off her trail.

Great, off to work.

While walking around the St. Olms canton, I was finally approached by an important looking agent of the Census office who wanted to ask questions of me, saying that he's looking for his good friend Addhiranirr. Well, this was my guy. I had a clear plan in my mind about how to get rid of him, and lied about her recently taking a boat to the mainland. He didn't believe me.

"Miss, you are a bad liar. You know that, right?"

I feigned outrage. "How rude. I was just trying to be helpful."

"Is this supposed to be some kid's prank? Are you wasting my time? Because if you are, you might need to be taught some manners."

"Sir, you're the one who came to me asking questions, and I'm simply telling you what I know. The woman you're looking for is not in Vivec anymore."

"That's a lie and you know it. Everyone knows she's been living here for years."

I crossed my arms, put on my best bitch-face and raised my voice a little. "You're being very rude right now. Why would you accuse me of lying, especially after coming to me asking questions in the first place? What would I even gain? Do you not know who I am?" I just kept talking, bombarding him with questions. I wasn't going to let him get a word in. "I'll have you know that I'm an Operative with the Blades", that's a lie, I'm not that high ranking yet, "and I will not be disrespected by a mere tax collector like yourself."

"Alright, alright, miss. I believe you. I was just testing you, seeing if you would crack. So, you don't think I will find her?"

"That's what I've been telling you!" I shouted, trying to sound even more pissed off. "How many more times do I have to say it!?"

He sighed deeply. "Alright. I-I'm sorry for offending you, miss. I hate to leave emptyhanded, but I can't waste time here any longer. I need to move on."

And he called me a bad liar. The audacity.

With that out of the way, I returned to Addhiranirr, telling her that the agent should be off her tail now. She thanked me, but said that she'll be keeping a low profile for now just in case any more could be coming her way. Then, it was time to talk.

Addhiranirr doesn't know about Nerevarine, said she doesn't care either, but being connected to the Thieves Guild and the underworld, she knows a lot about smuggling. According to her, the Sixth House got their claws deep in this business. She doesn't know what exactly these Sixth House cultists could be smuggling, but it's probably not too hard to imagine, considering all the things that go through the underworld. The Empire doesn't allow the trade of Skooma, Moon Sugar, Ebony ore, raw Malachite, Dwemer artifacts or slaves for example. Legal products like alcohol and weapons also get smuggled a lot, mostly in the interest of avoiding taxes.

It's not as much information as I got yesterday, but this information should satisfy Caius, especially since it confirms that this once-thought-to-be-dead House is very much alive and kicking.

Finally, I visited the Temple library, and received the last piece of information from a woman named Mehra Milo. No funny business this time, she was very open from the get go, although she didn't want to talk under the watchful eyes of the Ordinators.

According to her, the Temple worships Lord Indoril Nerevar as a saint and a hero, but the prophecies of his reincarnation are considered heresy so foul that seriously promoting the subject and believing in it means likely getting thrown into the jail to be punished. Lashes of the whip will likely be the least painful part of the ordeal. The Temple does NOT like opposing opinions, or so she says. The Nerevarine cult believes in these prophecies, and claims the living gods of Tribunal are false gods. She talked about some "dissident priests" who have defected from the Temple due to being persecuted, a group of scholars who have similar beliefs, which is why she knows so much. She's read many texts regarding this subject, and the content of these texts and books worry her.

I asked her, if the Tribunal are not gods, then where they get their powers from? She said she's not sure, but suggested that their powers could be sorcerous in nature, akin to those of Dagoth Ur. I also finally learned who this Dagoth Ur is. In short, he's some really evil, immortal being, a source of all evil in Morrowind and the ancient enemy of Dunmer. Apart from that, there wasn't really anything for her to tell me about him. He's just evil, and everyone agrees. Nobody likes to talk about him, or even mention his name. He's like "he-who-must-not-be-named" kind of evil character in the Dunmeri lore.

Lastly, to find out more about these dissident priests and their beliefs, she also urged me to find a book called Progress of Truth if I wanted to learn more. The problem? We're talking about an illegal book banned by the Tribunal Temple, so getting hands on it is difficult.

…Or so she thought. I found it from a familiar bookstore. Now, I'll stay here for another. I've had a long day after all, and I've got no energy to travel back to Balmora right away.

Frostfall, 1st, 3E 427

Caius was very happy with the progress I had made, but insisted on studying the materials I had given him. He needs some time to actually read the book I gave him, read other notes too, and think before giving me his next assignment, so he told me to take a well-deserved day off and come visit him in about a week or two.

I decided to spend the night with Karim and Kanna, out of which the former is doing work locally, and the latter is keeping low profile. I suppose it's understandable she needs time to relax, considering she has only settled on this island. Maybe next time we meet we will do something fun together?

This reunion will just be temporary though, as I've got a long road ahead of me visiting Sadrith Mora. Yeah, I'm finally going to join up with the Telvanni, I've made up my mind. I hope it'll work out well in the end, as I really don't want to travel to the other side of Vvardenfell just to waste time.

• 8th Journal - Mistress Therana - (By Aliya)