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 glad they're reunited now. I mean, how can I not be happy for them when they're so happy to be together? Like, I know they're siblings who have known each other forever and are 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 one another, if you know what I'm saying. No more debts, just favors.
Karim suggested it might be a good idea for Kanna to travel with me more sometime in the future. Seeing him live and travel with a young girl who shares an obvious resemblance to him might 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 her beloved brother.
After Karim, the first person I visited was my boss, who luckily didn't fuss about my unexplained absence. Caius just said that it was good to see me again and told me he has figured out where to go next from here regarding my little investigation. He has a grand total of three informants for me to interview this time, all of who I can find in Vivec City. Questions are the same as before and concern the Sixth House, Nerevarine, and the Nerevarine cult. I'll get to that as soon as I can.
He also insisted on "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 of 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 with freeing a prisoner from Fort Pelagiad who just happens to be a fellow up-and-coming youngster in the Guild. They call him New-Shoes Bragor, and he was arrested recently after trying to smuggle Moon Sugar into Balmora, or something like that. Honestly, it's more of a personal request on Habasi's part than an actual job since she feels responsible for getting him in hot water, but that makes little difference to me, as I'm getting paid all the same. Habasi has a cunning plan that should guarantee success, so this mission shouldn't be too dangerous. Pelagiad is an Imperial-owned town down the road to Vivec, so I'll stop by gladly.
I also decided it was 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 Argonian slave labor, and Indoril being the ultra-orthodox, ultra-conservative protectors of the Temple doctrine. Neither House has ground here in Vvardenfell, but considering that Vivec City is a holy city, a place of residence for the Lord Vivec of the Tribunal himself, the Temple Ordinators trained by Indoril tend to guard the city.
Hlaalu is the most imperialized of the Great Houses. Although they welcome their Imperial overlords, laws, and bureaucracy, they're also viewed by the broader public - especially the other Houses - as dishonest and corrupt. 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 respect law, order, and most importantly of all, honor. They regard themselves as the defenders of Morrowind, and while they are vocal supporters of an independent Morrowind, they consider the Empire important allies and see the Legion as warriors worthy of their respect. They're also very loyal to the Tribunal Temple and are, generally speaking, considered just as conservative as Dres and Indoril are. 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. Telvanni most certainly seems 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?
Last and probably least, that tall man in a golden mask with three glowing red 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 the air like a ghostly figure, with my own naked, inanimate body resting in the middle of a stone table surrounded by candles. He spoke to me, but I don't really remember what he said. I reached out to touch my own body, which caused me to return to it and 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. When I asked her what was wrong, she said that she had been robbed of her belongings and raped to top it off. "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 into 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 proof and told me to give it to that man.
I found the man at the Halfway Tavern. His name is Nelos Onmar, and 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 then?" 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 attacking me…" I said as I glanced at 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, and warned that a crime committed against me wouldn't go unnoticed by them.
"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 ask that Imperial lady to help me with freeing New-Shoes Bragor, but thought that Nelos could help me instead. I suggested this to him and said that if he could help me, then maybe he could have fun with me. I told him that the general merchant here smuggles illegal Dwemer artifacts, and that I also happened to know there's an Orcish guard in this city who takes bribes to overlook these crimes. I needed to blackmail her and use the knowledge of her corruption as leverage to get my mate out of jail. Oh, and I also needed 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 shop was closed for the night with most of the city asleep, so infiltrating the local general store through the balcony was child's play. We found some big Dwemer contraption, and Nelos carried it outside. We then took it to the castle for the corrupt guard to see, and she crumbled like a house of cards. New-Shoes Bragor is now out of jail, and I will get a payment from Habasi as soon as 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.
Getting naked and spreading my legs for him felt a little embarrassing at first, especially as he insisted on doing me in a missionary position, but once I got over myself and allowed him to stick it in, all of my worries just melted away. He gave me some of that same rough love he had shown 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 method of negotiation to top it off. Besides, I like being desired and lusted over. There aren't too many men out there who find girls as young as me attractive, so to know that there are at least some who do makes me feel good about myself. Nelos also said he'd seek out that crazy Breton tomorrow, 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 massive 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'd heard in the past. I was standing in front of him, and he was touching me with his hand lovingly stroking my cheek. I tried to respond, and 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, but the next thing I remember was having sex with him. I was riding him with my body moving 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 a bad night of sleep… Maybe I'll nap for a few more hours before I power through the remaining twenty or so miles to complete my journey.
Hearthfire, 29th, 3E 427
I'm finally at Vivec City, the capital of Vvardernfell and the largest city on this island. Mind you, it's not the capital of the whole Morrowind, just this island, but let me just say: Good grief, this city is damn big!
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 saying some really nasty things about him, saying that his kind have no place here, saying that filthy lizards belong in the swamp, things like that. At the same time, to contradict their previous comments, they weren't letting him leave the tavern.
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 there was no way we could talk at the inn. We absolutely needed to be in private.
He's an assassin of the Morag Tong, so not exactly afraid of dying here being a trained killer himself, but he didn'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. His idea was for me to try to distract the thugs or perhaps get them to stop harassing him, so he could leave in peace. I could then follow him to the bookstore nearby, where we could have our talk, and we could both be going on with our day.
This simple plan ended with disastrous results.
I was acting probably a little bit more childish than I usually would, as the word "bully" doesn't tend to work on adults as well as "racist" does, but I didn't really want to anger them either. Regardless, I thought it would be easy for me to convince them by appealing to sympathy and telling them that it's wrong to bully. 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 were going 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 at the innkeeper, hoping he would do something to help me, like call the guards to defend me or something! It wasn't to be, as he pretended 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 punishment for getting in their way.
They pinned me down on the bed, pushing my hands down hard to prevent me from using them. They forcefully undressed my shirt before cuffing my hands to the bedframe, and I felt the enchantment in them run through my body, burning my magicka up. These are the same kinds of enchantments they use on slaves and prisoners to prevent any and all use of magic, so I could do absolutely nothing from that point onward.
Then they pulled my pants down along with my panties, leaving me naked. The first man pushed himself between my legs, forcing them apart with his body. His grey cock rubbed against my dry slit, and I begged him 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 we care", they asked me. Teary-eyed and freaked out I may have been, but I tried to smile anyway, promising I'd be a good girl and do anything they wanted.
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, always trying to control and command others like we own the whole world, and talked about how here in Morrowind, my "pure" 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 into my throat. With two fistfuls of my hair, he called me a slave and told me to suck it like I meant it, all while the other thug kept clapping against my butt 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 they would be 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 things went down. Even Huleeya was more concerned about the entire thing than I was, at one point even wondering if he would ever see me again.
As for the information I got from him, he doesn't know anything about the Sixth House, which I suppose is fine since that dude at the Fighters Guild already told me a lot about them. As for the Nerevarine prophecy, while he admits his understanding of the subject is limited, his explanations paint Nerevar of the old and the Ashlanders who long for his return in a much more positive light.
"Lord Indoril Nerevar", as he was called, used to be a great hero in his days. Thousands of years ago, in the early First Era Morrowind, he supposedly united the nomadic Ashlander tribes and the civilized great Houses, families, and clans of Dunmer under one banner with the Dwemer in the alliance of the First Council to drive the western Nords away from Morrowind in the so-called "War of Succession", and bringing about an era of peace and prosperity in the newly-independent Morrowind.
Supposedly, even though this land knew peace for over a hundred years, it wouldn't last forever. Relations soured for reasons Huleeya doesn't know about, leading to the War of the First Council between the Dunmer and the Dwemer. He provided me with some notes, and to quote them directly: "Nerevar pledged upon his great Ring of the Ancestors, One-Clan-Under-Moon-and-Star, to honor the ways of the Spirits and rights of the Land, and all the Tribes joined the House People to fight a great battle at Red Mountain." According to him, the Ashlanders believe that even though the Dwemer were defeated, the power-hungry khans of the Great Houses slew Nerevar in secret, and, setting themselves up as gods, neglected Nerevar's promises to the Tribes. "But it is said that Nerevar will come again with his ring, and cast down the false gods, and by the power of his ring will make good his promises to the Tribes, to honor the Spirits and drive the outsiders from the land."
As for the modern-day Ashlanders, Huleeya talks of their persecution as heretics and outlaws as well, but for what it's worth, to quote his own texts again: "The return of a reincarnated Nerevar represents a longed-for and largely romanticized Golden Age of Nerevar's Peace, when the nomadic tribes enjoyed equality with the settled Dunmer, and before the Dunmer people had, for the most part, abandoned traditional ancestor worship for the autocratic theocracy of the Tribunal Temple."
This is all very interesting, and even though it does raise him up to be a hero in these lands, I still see the similarities to what I've heard previously as well. I guess one man's hero is always another man's villain, or something like that. Still, there's no way for me to know for sure how much of this is true, at least not yet. I don't have any personal stake in this fight either because, as 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.
That also kinda makes me wonder, why am I collecting information about all this anyway? Because they're considered to be enemies of the Empire or something? Caius hasn't actually told me yet. Is it because he doesn't trust me? Well, if he doesn't, hopefully, he will in time.
Anyway… I've done enough for today. I'm pooped beyond reason from travel and dying to lie 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 for 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 Steward of the Ald'ruhn guildhall, as she's somewhat of an expert 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. Would it have hurt for him to just be honest and say it straight? Whatever. If this is how it's going to be, I'll just leave without a task.
Hearthfire, 30th, 3E 427
I was only given rough directions on how to find my next interviewee, so I didn't have an easy time. Her name is Addhiranirr, and she just happened to be aligned with the Thieves Guild. Luckily I managed to learn she was in hiding in the underworks due to some Imperial tax-collector being on the lookout for her.
When I finally found her, I explained to her that I was a friend, her colleague 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 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 me questions, saying that he was 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. I'll have you fired from - "
"Alright, alright, miss", he frantically said, finally interrupting my barrage of idle threats. "I believe you. I apologize for doubting your word. 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 empty-handed, 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 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 and described the whole prophecy as "fuzzy tales for little kitties", so fair to say she doesn't believe in those tales either, but being connected to the Thieves Guild and the underworld, she knows a lot about smuggling. According to her, the Sixth House got its claws deep in this business. She doesn't know what these Sixth House cultists are 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, and that's just the beginning of the list. Legal products like alcohol and weapons also get smuggled a lot, mainly to avoid paying taxes and tariffs. That's a whole lot of stuff moving through the underground market!
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 wicked heresy and are punishable as such. Promoting the subject in an academic setting is frowned upon, and believing in these prophecies means getting thrown in jail to be "corrected". The Nerevarine cult, which has risen from within the Ashlander tribes, believes in these prophecies. "The Temple does NOT like opposing opinions", or so she says, but I already knew that. Sort of. Huleeya's notes also made that pretty clear.
Still, despite the suppression of these so-called "illegal opinions", some even push these ideas outside the Nerevarine cult, as evidenced by her willingness to speak to me about these subjects. She specifically mentioned some "Dissident Priests" who have defected from the Temple due to being persecuted. She admits to feeling very sympathetic towards them, saying she has read many texts regarding this prophecy herself and that the content of these texts and books worry her.
Then, she went on to talk about other beliefs these cultists and dissidents possess, namely their belief in the living gods of Tribunal being false gods, which hadn't been elaborated to me before my discussion with her. She has read some studies regarding this theory, and they seem to suggest their powers could be sorcerous in nature, akin to those of Dagoth Ur. Where these powers originate from, she's not sure.
I also finally learned who this Dagoth Ur is. In short, he's some really evil, immortal being, the 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 the "he-who-must-not-be-named" kind of evil character in the Dunmeri lore.
Lastly, to learn more about these dissident priests and their beliefs, she also urged me to find a book called Progress of Truth if I wanted to know 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 in a familiar bookstore. Cost me a good week's paycheck, but I'm sure Caius will reimburse me.
Now, I'll stay here for another night. 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 thrilled with my progress but insisted on studying the materials I gave him. He needs a lot of time to actually read the book I gave him and the other notes too. He told me to take well-deserved time off and come visit him in about a week or two. He'll have a new assignment ready for me by then.
I decided to spend the night with Karim and Kanna, out of which the former is doing work locally, and the latter is still 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.