Level 1
Health: 95
Magicka: 105
Stamina: 100
Everyone was speechless. For half a minute, no one said anything; I guess it was a lot to process. I get up from the table, taking advantage of everyone's momentary shock.
Alexander: Well, I suppose I should get myself cleaned up at the river! If you need me! Please don't go looking, lest you risk seeing another dragon! Haha! We'll talk later!
I exit the inn, leaving everyone discussing and whispering what I just told them. With everything I dropped, they must be trying hard to determine if everything I said was right. Good thing too, that means I managed to make sense of everything I was explaining to them without any discrepancies, otherwise, they would've shut me down just a second after mentioning the Dragonborn.
I walk further away from the village to a private spot by the river and begin taking off my armor and placing it in my inventory. I must say, immersive or not, it's helpful to have infinite storage on me.
I decide to take a moment to look upon my reflection, since I'm half orc and half Breton I was genuinely curious to see if I looked any different. The bright annoying figure I talked with mentioned that I wouldn't look any different aside from some small details, small or not, I was too curious to know how different I might be.
As I look at the rippling water, my eyes begin to make some sense of the reflection I see, and yes it looks exactly like me, short wavy black hair, with bluish green colored eyes. But then there's the aforementioned differences that were definitely not small.
For some reason my skin went from white, to an ashy grey color, my bottom canines grew larger, not big enough to be tusks like a normal orc however, but as fangs. It looked almost like an underbite. And more importantly my build, I already figured I was taller than I originally was but this was insane. I must've been a few inches taller than an Altmer, and abundantly more muscular! I couldn't have gotten a body as fit as this in the other world even if I tried! And God knows I have!
I think back to what the figure said about how my body would mutate rapidly so I would be able to survive this world. Needless to say, I don't hate this new look.
I walk into the river and begin swimming around, washing dirt off my body before getting out. It was difficult to clean myself without the products I'm use to, I really hope one of the mods added was the one that gives soap cause damn do I miss it.
I put my armor back on and walk back to the Village, spotting Sven on the way. Well I guess it's time to start this quest. But...seeing as how I did rescue Lokir and Torolf, maybe I can try to solve this quest a little differently since i'm able to.
In the original quest I would need to essentially pick a man for Camilla Valerias, then that man will be a loyal follower to me. Faendal between the two is the clear choice, but I need as much help as I can get if I want this plan of mine to work! So I'll need Sven to like me too.
I stand in the middle of the town in deep thought until I see Camilla in front of me, walking into the Riverwood Trader, by the next minute an idea found its way into my brain.
I follow Camilla into the Riverwood Trader and listen to the argument she has with her brother. By the time Lucan finally notices me he shoos away his sister and motions his hand over to me so we could talk, I pretend to reach to my back to pull the items I got from the caverns from my inventory.
Alexander: Any chance I can sell these?
Lucan: Oh! Of course sir! Let's see what we got here, Stormcloak hero greatsword, skyforge steel great sword, some iron swords, Stormcloak hero armor, Stormcloak Capes, my oh my do you have a lot of items on you! Here's your gold.
Lucan gives me a pouch full of gold, a status screen pops up revealing the gold I have on hand and adds to my current amount which was 239, now 700. Is this even the right amount that I would get in the actual game??
(Author: I won't bother trying to be too accurate with gold since it won't matter later.)
Alexander: Thank you. So why the fight my friend? Something happen?
Lucan chuckles nervously while looking away from me, acting as if I didn't notice his "talk" with his sister.
Lucan: Well ya see, we had a bit of a break in. Nothing valuable mind you. Just an old golden ornament thats shaped like a dragons claw.
Alexander: Dragon claw eh? Well if you'd like I can get it back for you, for a small fee of course.
Lucan looks excited and shakes my hand with gratitude.
Lucan: Of course! I've got a good sum of coin I can give to you from my last shipment! Just be careful! They're over at Bleak Falls Barrow. I'll mark it on your map!
Now comes the next part of the tutorial for me, how the hell do maps work in this world?
Alexander: Uh...just a second, I'll need to find my map!
I walk away from Lucan who begins arguing with Camilla again, pretending to search through my pockets and thinking through every possible idea I can imagine on how the map works in this world. Normally I'd have to pause to view the map, but obviously I can't do that! I take a deep breath, as I reminisce the appearance of the map, I scratch my leg, and feel something strange. Reaching to my pocket I feel a piece of paper.
Alexander: You've gotta be shitting me.
I pull out the parchment to reveal the whole map of Skyrim. Corner to corner and every hold marked on the map, with Helgen and Riverwood shown as well. I bring the map to Lucan who looks at the map and marks it with a pencil on the location where Bleak Falls Barrow is.
As I grab the map I look and see the pencil mark disappears, replaced with a white marker, and now a quest window opens.
Side Quest Accepted:
The Golden Claw
Objective: Retrieve Golden Claw from Bleak Falls Barrow
Reward: Leveled amount of Gold and Camilla Valerius will become a marriage Candidate.
So thats how it works then huh? Wait...marriage candidate? Pfft, over my dead body would I marry this tease.
Speak of the Daedra, Camilla walks up to me with a smile.
Camilla: Come on, I'll show you the path to the ruins.
Alexander: Thank you milady.
We both walk out and as she and I converse, Faendal passes by us waving at Camilla and smiling, Camilla reciprocates and smiles back. Now is my chance to put the plan in motion.
Alexander: Seems you fancy the Bosmer?
Camilla looks away and chuckles.
Camilla: Well I will admit that Faendal is rather charming, and a hard worker too. But Sven has also shown great interest in me. I don't know if I can choose.
Alexander: I see, well it's none of my business but I did see Sven before, no offense, but if you're serious about marriage, Faendal might be the type for you.
"Especially since marrying Sven might mean a life where you'll have to pull your weight bringing gold for him and his mom the way he is now."
Camilla: You really think so?
Alexander: Of course. He seems to really like you, and being married to a hunter can guarantee protection. Besides, where I'm from, it's never good to keep a man waiting, lest you lose both.
Camilla: That can happen?
Alexander: Of course. Just because this is a small village doesn't mean you should take the chance.
Camilla pauses as she looks at me, I was a little nervous but then my Speech levels up again. And this time my level goes up finally to 2. Yeah I was still level 1, shut up! I didn't get much of a chance to fight back in the caves!
Camilla: Maybe your on to something. I should go for Faendal.
Alexander: Wait for the moment he approaches you, make it seem like he asked you out and go eat at the inn, it'll be great for you two to talk(and to throw Sven off my track and thinking I caused this).
Camilla: Yes, I will do just that! Oh, looks like we're at the end of the road!
I look to see the bridge in front of us.
Alexander: Looks like we are. For now I'll need to prepare so please tell your brother to wait. I need to get some things done.
Camilla: Of course! Thank you for offering your help!
As Camilla runs back to the Riverwood Trader I see her pass by Sven, both exchange pleasantries before she walks back inside the building.
Time for part 2 of the plan.
I follow Sven as he walks into the inn, entering I see him with his lute about to play Ragnar the Red. Before he could play that song I stop him.
Alexander: Friend, would you like a drink?
Sven: Hm, a drink eh? Well I can never deny such an offer.
Sven sits down on the table and I walk to Delphine, and order a drink. While I'm here, might as well buy some salt as well, could use some for alchemy.
Alexander: 2 bottles of Honningbrew mead and all the salt you have on you!
Delphine: Sure thing.
Delphine reaches to the bottom of the counter and pulls two bottles of mead and 3 bowls of salt. I was expecting less so I was pretty surprised since salt in this game was the hardest thing you could get in bulk without mods.
I take a breath and thank Delphine, only thanks she'll be getting I can tell you that. Then turn back to Sven, who waits excitedly to get his bottle like a little mommas boy.
Sven: My thanks friend! But what did I do to deserve a drink?
Alexander: Consider it an investment of sorts.
Sven: Investment? Well no matter! Bottoms up!
While Sven is guzzling down his mead I try to think about how to go about this the best way possible.
After coming up with the correct words, I take a swig.
Alexander: So, I see you and Camilla Valerius switching pleasantries earlier. I take it the two of you are familiar?
Sven: Ah Yes, Camilla, a fine lass indeed! I've had my eyes on her for a while.
Sven pauses looking slightly flushed and shoots me a glare.
Sven: I saw you talk with her, what was that about?
Alexander: Nothing I can assure you, she was showing me the way to Bleak Falls Barrow.
Sven: Ah I see.
Alexander: But why pray tell do you wish to wed with her?
Sven: She's a great woman! Beautiful and kind!
Alexander: Is that all?
Sven: Uh, well...
Sven takes the time to think of some other things to say but he spends a good minute thinking about it, until I interrupt.
Alexander: Sven, come now, surely a man such as yourself have eyes for other woman. You're a Nord after all, and a Nord deserves a strong woman whom they can write an entire book about, and better yet! Can make decisions for themself! Camilla couldn't even decide between you or Faendal if she had all the time in the world.
Sven appears annoyed by this statement.
Sven: What in oblivion are you trying to say huh??
Alexander: I'm only just saying that you should try to go after a different woman. Surely you've heard the rumors. If Camilla really did have interest then she wouldn't constantly have you and Faendal rival one another. Poor elf has work and you have a mother to care for. And besides...
I place my hand on his shoulder.
Alexander: Skyrim is a big place, why settle for someone in your town when you can find a woman that will really change your life?
Sven looks a little interested but scoffs.
Sven: Please, you maybe right about the rumors with me and Faendal, but you're certainly not right about this. I'm what most would call a milk drinker, no woman would want me, people say I'm lazy and a drunk but the truth is I'm weak, that's why I never go to the mill, I can never keep up with guys like Faendal. He does such a good job and hunts too, I'm just a useless sack of meat. Camilla's been one of the few with the willingness to put up with a loser like me when all I'm good for is singing.
"Woah, I wasn't expecting to hear Sven of all people have confidence issues. Now it makes sense. But I already have the perfect answer to this."
Alexander: Nothing is difficult if you put your mind to it. All you have to do is work hard. And adventuring is always the key.
Sven raises his eyebrow.
Alexander: Bear with me Sven. You only ever been where? Solitude right? Where else would an aspiring bard go besides the College? Come now man. Being a Bard can make you the life of the party! But to earn the respect and reverence of others, you need to actually be around for when the most incredible moments in Skyrim happen! That's where my investment comes in.
Sven starts to look more interested.
Alexander: I've got a plan for Skyrim, one revolving around the dragons, the Thalmor, and possibly the future of Tamriel. If...no, when it succeeds, my group will become heroes in the eyes of the public, you join, you can be one of those heroes. And even better, make a ballad that even the most reputable Bards will sing continuously! Even more so than Ragnar the Red!!
Sven: More popular than Ragnar the Red?? You think I can write something like that?!
"Safe bet including the bit about writing the ballad. If he was that serious as a bard then he surely would want that chance. But just in case, let's add a cherry to this sundae..."
Alexander: Not only that, but you will be able to write tales personally for the most powerful hero to ever be in Skyrim. Sven grew more intrigued by this claim, moving closer to my face with a look similar to a deer in front of headlights.
Sven: Who could this hero be??? Tullius? Ulfric?? Jarl Balgruuf?!?
I cover the sods mouth before he attracts more attention on us, gesturing to him to stay quiet before moving closer to his ear.
Alexander: You could write songs for a legendary warrior who hasn't appeared since Tiber Septim's era…the Dragonborn.
Sven back away and topples to the floor, I look over the table to find the fool on his ass with the mead I bought him spilling on the floor.
Sven: Y-you're serious?? The D—
I place my hand on Sven in a hurry so not to alert Delphine. Then whisper to him.
Alexander: Yes! I'm certain! I can't tell you who or where they are however because it is a secret. If word got around before they were ready then their life and therefore ours will be forfeit! Understand!?
Sven shakes his head nervously and I remove my hand from his mouth, then help him back on the table.
Alexander: So what'll it be Sven. Settle for a boring village life without a legacy? Or become a legend who will be able to travel and work alongside the heroes who will save Tamriel, and even find a beautiful woman whom you could create beautiful melodies with?
Sven thinks about what I say for awhile, I was beginning to get nervous that my persuasion didn't work until my speech levels up once again, after that Sven slams his hands with a wide grin facing me.
Sven: You sir have got yourself a new employee!
I meet his wide grin with mine and clasp his hand, shaking it aggressively.
Alexander: That's what I like to hear! My name is Alexander Skyfield! And be ready Sven! Because anyone under my employment must meet a strict requirement!!
Sven's grin disappears and is replaced with a confused look.
Sven: What requirements?
Alexander: To train so hard that even a troll will cower at the sight of you!