JoS/Henriette/35th Journal - Vampires of Hjaalmarch

Midyear, 15th, 4E 203

Morthal is still just as damp and small as it was when I first visited it. Some things never change, especially in the middle of a swamp. I've never gotten a chance to meet Falion, so I didn't really even know where to find him, but luckily the locals know him very well. In the inn for example people kept going about how he's an evil sorcerer and a necromancer who probably eats human hearts and fucks little babies. Yes, seriously, those are all accusations they levied against him. Anyway, he seems alright to me. The accusations of him being a necromancer stem from him being a master of Conjuration magic.

Things got a little bit confusing between us when it was time to stop exchanging pleasantries and talk business.

I talked to him about wanting to remove a daedric curse, and he linked that to my Vampirism, saying he can't blame me for wanting to be mortal again. Apparently that really is something he can cure, kind of crazy when you think about it. After all, Vampires are undead, so to bring undead back to life would kind of be like resurrection…? Or no…? I mean, you're not bringing back a soul from the afterlife or anything like that… The whole thing confuses me…

Since that was not it, I tried to explain to him that it's a different curse I'm looking a cure for, and then, THEN, before I could explain that what I meant, his gaze turned towards a faint glow on my stomach. "Oh, so you mean that then…"

"Well, no…" I blurted out, with a shaky voice. Now things were just getting awkward, because he knows that this is the mark of Sanguine. He must now think I'm in his service or something… Well, technically I am in his good graces, but I had little say in joining his little hedonistic cult. Not that I care either way. I've grown to like this little tattoo, and Sanguine is chill too. Only after then I was able to FINALLY tell him what happened between me and Clavicus Vile.

That complicated things a whole lot more. Removing daedric curses from mortals is somewhat of his specialty, but removing a curse bestowed upon me by the daedric prince of bargains is not as simple as offering a soul to him. Sure, Clavicus Vile loves mortal souls just as much as the prince next to him, but he's also very unpredictable, arguably as much as even Sheogorath. However, if I were to offer him something that he really wants, then it would be a whole different story.

"I'm going to help you", he said. "But first, you're gonna help me.

He explained that there's been an incident here in the town recently, something about a burned down house. Most people seem to agree that it was intentional, but nobody knows for sure who is the culprit. The people here are very superstitious and on the edge already, so some suspect Falion had something to do with that. Jarl doesn't suspect Falion so he's not in legal trouble, but what he fears is mob justice, and especially what could happen to her adopted daughter Agni. She seems like a nice little girl by the way, although she seemed afraid of me for some reason. She must've overheard Falion and me talking about me being a Vampire. Poor little thing… I'm not gonna bite her, y'know…

Falion has a suspect of his own, and he's not alone in that either. Falion thinks that Hroggar, the Nord who used to live in that house is behind this. It's all just so suspicious to him, how he could move on so fast from his wife and daughter dying and going on to indulge himself in a new lover, the lovely and beautiful Alva of the Moorside Inn. Falion is almost certain that this isn't merely a coincidence.

In short, Falion wants to clean his own name, and wants me to investigate the true culprit behind this horrendous crime. I promised to do the best I can, and do some detective work.

With Sofia and Serana deciding to rest for the day, I decided to stay up for a while longer, even though the sun was starting to get on my skin. I didn't find anything interesting from the blackened, wooden wreckage, but I did get into a little bit of trouble. You see, someone was following me throughout the day, a Nord that goes by the name Benor. This handsome young stud caught me off guard, like really did. Completely enamored I didn't realize I was in danger and let him pin me against a wall. He started interrogating me, but he didn't seem like he was gonna hurt me.

He's an mercenary of sorts, but not really an adventurer, does odd jobs in the area, prides himself in being the best fighter in all of Morthal, even better than any of those milkdrinkers who dare to call themselves town guards. I don't doubt him for a second. I mean, with that physique… He's one juicy, meaty beast! It'd take at least five bobbleheaded guards to take him down!

Anyway, he's been hired to do his own investigation by the jarl, who in turn has hired him to clear Hroggar's name. Basically, we both have the same goal, but different hires, and different targets. He couldn't understand why I was working for Falion, wondering if I'm being tricked by him or something. I told him that we both just want to find the truth, so shouldn't that be what's important here? Luckily, with that, I managed to convince him to work together.

Benor told me that he's been seeing someone coming here on some nights, someone really suspicious, which is why he was on the guard here. He thought I was with her. Anyway, since she didn't appear this night, we're going to have to wait for the next night. Fine by me, as I was getting tired anyway. I'll meet him after sunset.

End of Current Content