NOVPUB
Chapter 482 - XCIX: Meeting The Skaal
The house offers belated praise to ones B P and Shes Got The Jack for their most enlightened life decisions in supporting our future efforts.
Rejoice menials! For the soup shall flow in abundance on this day!
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(Reyvin's POV)
My head bobs left to right as I whistle an old tavern tune I heard somewhere, the large metal boat (you never know when you might need one!) below me cutting through the calm sea with enchanted surety.
A perfect moment to enjoy the mist-covered vista that are the shores of northern Solstheim.
'Would make a delectable painting as well.' My mind supplies.
Naturally some people just couldn't let me have my moment.
"We are sailing about like fools why exactly?" Neloth's annoyed voice interrupts my enjoyment.
"Because, you old fart" I slowly turn to face him and the rest of my group "I don't often get to just sit back and let my mind wonder." I tilt my head "That and we need to wait for the others to finish their work anyway."
"Feh" He scoffs "Isn't enough for you that you dragged me out of my home and spat on my work, and now you want to waste my time as well?"
"Spat on your work?" I quirk an eyebrow "Why, Master Neloth, I do believe the one spitting on your 'work' is none other than yourself." I grin as he frowns "In fact, when I saw a beyond centuries old elf calling that lexicon repaired I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry."
"Indeed, grandson, indeed." Savos nods along 'sagely' "Though I must admit I was a bit disappointed that you didn't give the good Master here a chance to try his hand, it would have been quite entertaining if he were to try and use the repaired work and have it malfunction on him due to the damage being tonal instead of structural."
We both snort as he finishes speaking.
"All my hate." Neloth glares "You have it."
"And what an honor it is." I offer an overly elaborate bow before noticing Marwyn leaning forward as he observes the shoreline "Anything of note?" I ask him.
I feel him startle even as his body doesn't flinch "There appears to be some kind of camp, Nords by the looks of it but different to what you described the Skaal as, seems like the camp is far too large for their number as well."
"Off hunting or something more sinister?" Savos posits.
"Could be anything." I shrug as I do a quick scan, noting that they are all under the vague influence of the fuckery currently going on "Enthralled it would seem."
Just as I finish speaking I feel a very distant and very faint wave of power shimmer from somewhere within the island, the familiar touch of Akatosh, or more accurately his child.
And just like that I feel the fog lift from the minds of the Nords, their confusion slowly turning to horror "We can check on them later, they look to have more than enough food as it is."
"Good." Neloth scoffs to hide his relief "I was expecting another damned detour."
I smirk at him, causing him to narrow his eyes "Don't tempt me."
He looks like he wants to rip me a new one, but wisely he keeps his mouth shut.
A shame that.
We continue our little boating trip northwards, passing by an island that held what looked to be a rather large barrow of some prominent Nord and then moving westwards toward a nice spot I scanned near our destination.
As we stood on solid ground, Neloth and Marwyn both wobbling about a bit more than I'd have expected, a sudden sense of smug satisfaction assailed me out of nowhere.
Probably nothing, I am sure.
---
The Skaal village was not that hard to find once we disembarked, as even without my sight one would have to be blind, deaf, and retarded at the same time not to notice the giant shimmering white pillar of light made up of mysticism aligned Magicka.
Calling it a village seemed something of a misnomer however, as the place was more akin to a small town in truth, even if they lacked fortifications beyond good positioning and sturdy looking homes.
'Live with nature my grey ass' I scoff 'Fucking tree huggers'
The place was eerily empty as we approached, the only sign of life being the trio of magi currently kneeling around the pillar of light and channeling their meager reserves into it in an admittedly consistent and skillful manner.
Only one man, an old whitebeard, seemed to be idle, if one could call overlooking the trio to be idling that is. He noticed our approach and tensed with worry, momentarily seeming to reach for his magic even as he observed us.
He proved himself not to be an addled idiot when he ever so slowly lowered his arms and let his magic return to stillness, approaching us with careful steps as he did "Ho there travelers."
But then he pauses and his eyes narrow as he notices Neloth "Master Neloth, I believe our previous talks made my stance on your aims rather clear."
"Oh trust me you bumbling buffoon, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't forced to" The Telvanni retorts sharply while pointing his thumb at me "Direct your questions at this one."
"Now, now, Neloth. No need to get prissy with me." I chuckle and face the man "You are the local Shaman, correct?"
"Elder Shaman" He corrects patiently "Storn Crag-Strider is my name."
"An honor and a pleasure" I smile and incline my head slightly "I myself am Reyvin Dagoth, Great Lord of House Dagoth, Hortator of Morrowind, and Prince Consort of the Tamrielic Empire."
Neloth scoffs.
Storn on the other hand blinks rapidly, a mixture of panic and confusion emanating from him before he forcibly calms himself and nods back "Mighty titles all..."
"Indeed" I smirk "And while you might feel the need to contest the fact this island" I lean in "In its entirety lies within my domain twice over, and the current state of affairs is less than acceptable."
"So you are here to try and fix things?" He asks, skipping over the whole 'you don't truly rule us' spiel and wisely focusing on the present "I will admit I doubted there would be much help from the mainland if any but if one of the Slayers of Alduin offers aid, it is aid I will gladly accept."
"Heard about that did you?" I quirk an eyebrow.
He reflexively looks over his charges before turning back to me "Aye, hard not to even in these parts, especially with a scholar from Skyrim staying with us recently." He sighs "Not that he was spared the ailment of the land."
"Ah yes" I confirm "The whole Miraak cult kerfuffle."
"Aye" He frowns "You are informed then?"
"First Dragonborn, mind control, temples built for island wide ritual, said Dragonborn being Mora's pegging bitch." I nod "I am quite aware of the state of things."
"Pegging bitch?" I barely hear him mutter before shaking his head "That is good, I had started losing hope and even sent my daughter to the Temple of Miraak to try and find a way forward but an elf of your renown must have some way to help us?"
"Most likely." I nod "To the nearby stone then?"
He is just about to agree before he pauses "Did you pass the temple by any chance?"
"Concerned for your daughter?" I ask and he nods "Don't worry, my wife should be dealing with that side of things."
"Pardon me but" He frowns "Your wife?"
"The current Dragonborn" I smirk and the poor man deflates with relief.
"Good" He mutters to himself "That is... yes, good." He straightens his back "Follow me then, I will show you to the stone."
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It takes us barely five minutes of walking to reach the place, and what we found was both impressive and disturbing.
Hundreds of Skaal all working nearly without pause, only stopping to refuel and let their bodies rest the bare minimum (I will give Miraak this, at least the fool didn't fall down the 'work them to death' rabbit hole) the imposing foundation of a tower forming around them.
That just would not do.
"Prepare to extract those closest to the stone." I order and my companions all ready themselves "Storn, I will leave the explaining to you after we are done."
"A toil I will be more than happy to undertake." He nods firmly.
Thus having ensured my protection from curious yapping, I summon forth my divinity for the first time in a while and am shrouded in a cloak of grey flame, the land below me transforming into simmering ash as my form ever so slightly distorted beneath my armor.
I could feel the power seeping through the nascent temple turn its gaze at me but it was already too late for it to react as I strike out with my hand and cover the entire thing in flame.
The Skaal stumble as the influence is ripped from their minds and I feel both Savos and Neloth begin telekinetically dragging them from the stone itself, while Akulakhan rushes forward to ward those who are too slow to move.
In mere seconds, the entire structure sans the stone itself disintegrates into ashes, the power within them rending asunder with them and dissipating safely into the air as pure Magicka instead of returning to its origin.
A bit forward of me to announce my presence so soon but Mora would have to be an idiot not to know of my approach the moment I stepped foot on the island and likely before.
The now boiling once-ink bursts up and a heavily wounded and emaciated looking Lurker comes forth.
Naturally this is when Scorch decides to summon himself and screech "Dibs!" Before slamming into the poor fucker and ripping him apart with beak and claw.
The poor fuckers who were just liberated must be thinking they are on a trip because the sight of a fiery bird radiating life and joy nomming on some eldrich horror eyes is something that boggled even my brain.
Storn gives me a very long look at what just transpired before wordlessly moving to help and guide his people away.
Dusting my hands of I turn back to my group and am nearly taken aback with the sheer fucking greed in Neloth's eyes "Oi!" I clap my hands in front of his face "My eyes are up here."
He flinches away, blinking his mind into focus and frowning "What are you?"
"Your lord and master." I answer bluntly and for the first time I don't see him bristle at the information "Now stop gawking and help ensure no one dies to an accident."
He stares at me for a long while before ever so slowly nodding "Very well." And walking off.
Savos waits for him to leave fully before muttering "He is going to do all he can to find the 'source' of your power now, I hope you realize."
"The poor fool can try." I scoff "So long as he remains useful."
"Very practical." Marwyn speaks up "Though I too am quite curious. That wasn't any kind of Magicka I ever felt."
"I will tell you when you are an archmage." I grin at him, totally inflecting it as if I said 'I will tell you when you are older' instead.
His skull twists into a scowl before he scoffs and walks off, flipping me the bird as he did.
"Oof" I place a hand on my heart "It seems he has a bone to pick with me now."
Savos pauses utterly before turning to me with a manic grin "At least he has grown a bit of a spine."
I sigh dramatically "Too bad he seems too rattled to see his own progress."
Savos offers his sage nod once more "Showing him a better way will be a joint effort."
We stare at each other for a long moment after that... and then break out into a fit of childish giggles that slowly turn into ominous cackling the more people start giving us looks.
By the time we calmed down we were on the receiving end of some very confused and mildly disturbed stares.
Poor tree huggers, couldn't even partake of such a fun little branch of humor.
Another giggle leaves me, just slightly more ominous than before, and they all promptly disperse.
Heh.
-----
A few hours later we are all back in the village, my little group having elected to remain outside while Storn dealt with all the confusion and disorder.
Not that we only wanted to give them space as I had detected our fellow band of adventurers hours ago, all three of them safe and sound and with an extra in tow, and approaching us from the southwest.
They soon came into view, and I saw both Minthara and Serana walking with a near-skip to their step while poor Nerevar (who seemed covered in far too much blood) lightly tugged at the shellshocked Nord woman beside him.
I wonder what had them so merry...
Well except for the Skaal girl, she looked like she had seen some shit.
All the more fun for me!
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THE MACHINE HUNGERS FOR MORE!
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