BigBossBalrog

Though a guy who got shived by some crazy hooded freaks might not be a good source on borders (Maybe Dales shouldn't put stock in Mede II after all...)

Tell that to poor Adamus Phillida ""It's our natural barriers that keep us safe, mostly. Mountain borders north and east, open sea to the west, and bogs and rainforest to south." But yeah, I think they were trying to be positive in a negative situation. Regardless, they know for a fact borders will do jackshit against the Dominion. I looked for some lore about parts of the Heartland the produce alot of grain, but found nothing besides the places were it grows in Oblivion. And she really dosen't want to interact with Krojun right now But yeahs, thanks for the help you two

Dales, Imperial City Late Afternoon “Bandits add complications to grain shipments, Your Majesty.” Caesia Luciana said, in a very “matter of fact” tone of voice. “Evidently.” Dales wasn’t in a good mood right now, and the annoyance was clear in her tone. “Evidently.” Caesias muttered deadpanly. Her tone was always straight to the point, and concise. The Empress glanced up with a look of “really?”, which didn’t change the Imperial woman’s expressionless face. The woman said, with her trademark scowl, “Say again the five breadbaskets of the Region.” She went beside the Empress, her hands trailing across the wooden table, across the map of the Imperial Province stretched out. “Flortam, Riverside, Meadow’s Wind, Oltoaf, and Rock’s Silence.” She recited the list from her memory. The Empress began to read from the scroll once more in her head. She reclined in her chair, putting her hand to her head. The Empress had more of a sharp mind then she gave herself credit for, but the sheer logistics behind running the country more directly, she completely underestimated. Luckily, Dales had plenty of people helping her with these matters, mentors, and advisers, Sometimes people acting like both. Caesia was one of those. As she was always saying, “The best lessons are those you learn through actual experience.” “And two of those produce a whole score of grain for the whole of the Heartland. Which makes this a problem that extends beyond less bread in our soldiers stomachs.” She sharply muttered, before adding sardonically, “Your majesty.” The Imperial woman was another retired veteran of the Great War, a common theme among her retainers. In Caesia’s case, she had been the head quartermaster for the Third for decades, a Tribune. She was strict, authoritarian, and amazing with numbers, all traits suited for a position such as that. She wore a black quilted surcoat, embroidered with gold colored thread, done in a male style, and despite being retired, she wore an Imperial longsword on her side. Her hair was done in a short bob cut style, and whilst wrinkled with age, her face had a dignified, if somewhat intimidating, aged beauty to her, marred only by the three small scars going across various parts of her forehead. She carried herself with impeccable posture, and an expressionless face, her Legion standards would not let anything else slide in her presence. Whilst her respect for the position, and her conditioning in the Legion, made her impeccable polite in her interactions with the monarch, she never let barely hidden sarcasm leave her words. She spoke her mind too, perhaps a leftover from her time as the Guard-Captain of Bruma after she retired from her commission as an Imperial Officer. Right now, Dales needed people who could tell her what she was doing wrong, rather than sycophants, who bowed to her every whims. “Attacks on both the grain caravans and villages.” Dales read from the musty looking scroll a second time in her head, which held a black broken seal depicting a ram, the seal of the Eighth Legion, “Mostly during the night, but some during day. Which indicates a particular boldness. One that doesn't sit well with the integrity of our supply trains. And my stomach..” “Focus. Your Majesty.” The older Imperial woman gripped the table tightly as she gave the Empress an annoyed glare, as her sharp gray eyes fell to the scroll in the Empress’s hands. “Supply trains aren’t the only thing we should be worried about, less grain being delivered to cities and towns is not good either, as I mentioned before…” Her eyes remained fixed, “But the Prefect's report on the bandits themselves worry me more. He described them as bold, systematic, well-organised, and numerous. These aren’t simple highwaymen. And to be frank with you, we can never have a situation like Bravil ever again. In my opinion, of course.” The report itself had been sent by a certain Prefect Alistaur Adomonous, a supply officer. Apparently, the supply caravans in his region had begun to face frequent attacks from a particularly large clan of bandit, so large in fact several villages in the same region had been raided by the same villains. They attacked in force, took all they could grab, including prisoners, and left before anyone could muster any resistance. Cold and efficient. She continued, her brow hardening, “With all the deployments happening to facilitate the invasion of the Dominion, it means less Imperial soldiers stationed to protect from issues such as banditry and thievery. War is always when vultures, figurative ones and actual corpse scroungers, decide to be opportunists. And in this cases, the Legionaries still here are being focused on the borders of the Heartland, to protect from Dominion raiders, though I doubt the common folk would see much difference between Elven and Human vagobonds raping and pillaging. Which means less patrols and safety buffers around manned forts, and the interior itself, which is now easy picking for thieves and bandits alike.” “I am not a child, Caesia.” Dales looked annoyed, “What you’ve described I already know. Bandits have always been a problem here in the post-war years, hell even before that. It would have been foolish to think my husband thinning their numbers would have much of an effect, these types of people arise during times of strife such as this. Of course the number of bandits increase during times of war. Cowards the lot of them…” Dales groaned, thinking out loud with a quiet voice, “I send my legions to scourge the dominion, to protect the people. Then bandits arise because the soldiers I sent to protect Cyrodiil, are no longer here to protect the same people! Would the Gods think it amusing as soon as I send men to deal with these villainous thieves, giant rat people invade from the sewers of the Imperial City!” “I suppose a colony of Wererats existing underneath the city wouldn’t be out of the question, your majesty. They’d fit right in around here.” Cassia muttered dryly. Dales gave her another “really?” look, as she rolled her eyes. “All i’m saying it seems whenever I move soldiers to deal with threats, more just sprout up in the place they were in before.” “We don’t have limitless armies. Perhaps an era ago we could afford to throw legionaries endlessly until a threat was dealt with, but not now. Not when we are so weak.” The Empress groaned, “What kind of Empire can’t protect its citizens from thugs springing up in its own territory…” “One that can’t keep it’s own provinces from seceding, prevent it’s last two Emperor’s from being diced by assassins. One that is made up of a single territory, along with one more that’s “tentative”. And apparently can’t make wine properly anymore…” Cassia looked downward at her glass of watered wine, and pushed it aside with an annoyed glanced. Dales groaned once again, “Not helping…” The grey haired woman coughed, “I hear alot of mumbling, but not many solutions to the problem. Does Your Majesty have any suggestions?” The young Empress rubbed her eyes, yawning. She was raised with the proper etiquette her station demanded, but she seldom forgot it unless within public view. “I suppose we could put up more bounties up in the region. There’s never a lack of sellsword and adventures trying to make a quick Septim off slicing the heads off those deviants.” “An excellent idea-” “No” Dales suddenly lifted her hand, reclining into her chair, “Better make it a bounty for bandit chiefs and their lieutenants for the proper payout, and lesser rewards for individual heads.” “Your Majesty does have a worrying fascination with severed heads of late…” The older woman muttered drolly as she began to make scribble on a piece of parchment with her hawk feathered pen, The Empress rolled her eyes, “As I was saying, this will make sure the focus is on removing the brains behind these groups. Cut off a snake's head, and the body dies with it. If we kill their leaders, the rest will slunk off to the woods.” She put her hand to her temple and began to massage it, “Have the chamberlain-” though to be honest, Dales was starting to consider the woman her unofficial clerk, -”draft instructions to as many villages, towns, forts, and cities as possible to spread the word that the crown-no, the Empress, will pay handsomely for the heads of high ranking Bandits. We’ll incentivise the population to be more brave to deal with them themselves!” She gave herself a self satisfied grin, “And how will the Empress finance this new campaign, pray tell? Especially with that expensive little trip to your beloved home city so soon.” The pit of her stomach suddenly became discomforted, and insecurities once more began to plague her mind. She snarled, “We’ll deal with one problem at a time, Cassia.” Ever since her mentors red meeting with the Elder Council, the Empress decided it was now the perfect opportunity to gather support, particularly amongst the horrified nobles of the Heartland, a group she had avoided up till now. What better place then to start at the bottom? Dales...didn’t like talking about, or even really thinking about her home countie of Sutch. Ironically, it was one of the Legion’s most valuable recruiting grounds, the Heart of Colvia, and quite possibly the most militarised part of Cyrodiil. For it had been the site of one of the largest sieges in the Great War, and the land itself was said to be stained with Imperial blood, for not many other places had suffered as much as Sutch. And from what Dales had gathered, her and her family were reviled there. There was no greater shame, then the Motierre’s to the proud defenders of Sutch. She had probably gotten a warmer reception at the Moot, then what she was marching towards. But if Dales could find support from a place that she knew despised her, she could find it anywhere. Besides...she wanted to show the people of her home territory she was not her father. And maybe, an even deeper part of her wanted to see home again, after so long… Bringing her back from her contemplation, Cassia muttered, “As you say Your Majesty. I will handle the exact numbers on what this will cost to undertake and get back to you.” She finished writing on her piece of parchment, and sealed the document with a wax sea, putting it to her side. “To your credit, the timing is certainly unfortunate. Back to our bandit issue, this will no doubt help, but it does nothing to solve the immediate problem. A particularly large, bold, and organised group of marauders attacking our supply trains.” She joked with a grin, “I suppose it would be stupid to take some of the men we have on the border, and redeploy them against the bandits…” Cassia maintained a straight face, as she spoke strictly, “The people of the Imperial Province are blessed by natural borders, we have the mountains to the North and East, open waters to the West, and wet bogs and rainforests to our south to keep them safe. We don’t need as many soldiers as one who isn’t familiar with the terrain would think to mount a proper defense of the province. One advantage that has not wavered over the centuries is the integrity of our borders are naturally enhanced. But yes.” She remained emotionless, “It would be very stupid. Perhaps the Empress could look at the actions of her predecessors to see why it is so.” Dales knew for sure, but she humored her, “Titus Mede II defended our border, he was no craven. Whatever else he was.” Dales cut her nails across the black lines across the map.” She paused, closing her eyes, “Right or wrong, his priority was to protect the Heartland at the expense of defending the rest of the Empire. Our concentration of Legions was primarily on the border of the Cyrodiil, and he intended them to stay there.” She paused, “He refused to commit real resources to the Civil War in Skyrim, and so I believe he had no intention of holding onto the rest of it. Perhap he viewed it as dead weight, that would impede our chances of success in the next Great War. I agree with his assessment, but…” Her eyes glanced to the report, “He prioritized securing us from the Elven threat Cyrodiil suffered internally from banditry and civil strife, so much so we are still in the process of recovering. With so much resources focused on protecting our border, we didn’t have enough to protect us from the threats that lurked inside our own province. In a sense, building up strength at our border was Mede’s only concern.” There must be a middle ground I am not seeing. She gave the Empress a curt nod, apparently pleased with her answer, and agreeing with it. The Colvian women's gray eyes didn’t even blink, “And your fathers?” Dales’s look immediately soured, as she gritted her teeth, “Amaund.” That bastard wasn’t my father, “...” She paused for a moment. A horrible individual and puppet yes, but perhaps there was rhyme and reason to his actions. “If you don’t believe he solely wanted the power of being the Dominion’s puppet, perhaps he viewed the Empire’s subjugation as a means to end in that regard. Protect us from the Dominion by bowing to them.” She spat, “Horseshit.” “Horseshit indeed.” A grin flashed on Cassia’s face for a single instant. “So then how will you, My Empress, deal with the situation?” “Your Majesty.” The knock on the door interrupted the young girl before she could tell her tutor the answer she was seeking. It was one of her Palace Guards, she recognized the voice. The door to her study swung open, revealing a plate armored guard. Before Dales could answer back, Caesia barked at the soldier with an authoritarian tone, and a harsh glare “Do not open the door to the Empress's study without her permission, guardsmen.” The man became flushed underneath his helmet, “Of course, Tribune. My apologies.” Most people still called Casesia by her military rank as a sign of respect, “My apologies, Your Majesty. It wont happen again." He bowed his head deeply. "Think nothing of it, Tiberius." Dales gave the soldier a kind smile, which cause the older woman to roll her eyes in her annoyance. She bite her tongue, keeping her words to herself, but she would approach the Empress later for a chat. If she wanted to truly command the respect of her troops, she needed to start being more distant, and strict with them. Love and respect can both be acquired from soldiers, but it needs to have a balance that leans towards the later. Dales paused for a moment, before asking, "What do you have to report?" "Well..." He paused for a second, clearly awkward, "An Imperial Soldier from Chorrol is requesting an audience with you, Your Majesty." Caesia's brow furrowed, as Dales adopted a confused look, "A messenger from one of the Generals?" "No Your Majesty. If he held a missive from one of the Legions, we would have brought you it immediately." He coughed, "The Legionnaire claims to have important intelligence for the Empress ears only. He-" "Did you tell him to go through proper channels? Or to leave whatever had had for the Empress in your care? Why does he need to see her directly?" Caesia interrupted the soldier, her harsh stare eyeing the the Palace Guard like a hungry eagle. The Palace Guard awkwardly rubbed his head, "He was very insistent that he needed to deliver this in person to her. He said he would only give it to the Empress, and no one else." Odd. "Can you say again, where this Legionnaire from?" Dales pondered a question "Chorrol. A Prefect of the Eighth. He said the Empress was a friend of the Legion, and that she would see him." Caesia muttered, "Highly irregular. Very irregular. Perhaps I should speak with him-" "That isn't necessary." She gave the retired Legionary. a calm look, "If this soldier has deemed it necessary to speak to me directly, then I will grant him what he seeks." Whilst she didn't say anything, the soldier didn't seemed convinced. Causing the Empress to say, "Surely protocol goes after trust in the people serving under you. He has placed his trust in me to hear him out, and I will hear him out. Tiberius, he is who he says he is, correct?" "Yes, his writ was authentic, Your Majesty." "Splendid." She gave the soldier a sympathetic look, "I am protected. By my guards, my magic, the wards of the palace, and you." The older woman's face relaxed, as she nodded her head, "Perhaps it is wise to hear him out. When a soldier comes to an officer in confidence, that that trust must be rewarded." "Good. Send the man up then." Tiberious nodded his head, "As you say, Your Majesty." He saluted and the door closed. A few minutes later, it opened again, and Tiberius allowed in a somewhat grizzled-looking bearded man who was clad in a travel-stained soldier's tunic. The broach that clasped his red cape was shaped like a tree, but aside from that and his rugged appearance, the Prefect was fairly nondescript. The man's expression was neutral when he entered, but upon laying eyes on her, he immediately dropped to one knee. "Your majesty." She gave the Imperial soldier a gracious nod of her head, "Rise, soldier. Tiberius has told me you've traveled a long way to deliver something to me. First your name, Legionnaire?" The soldier straightened. "Dunen, your majesty. Junior inspector of the Penitus Oculatus." "A Spectre. I knew something smelled of rot." Caesia mouth curled in disgust, but Dales lifted her hand. Her own eyebrows raised, but she didn't seem upset, "I was under the impression you were a Prefect from the Eighth Legion." Her icy eyes narrowed, taking in the man's features. "But I suppose only a poor agent would make himself known, and that's how you acquired that Legion writ." "You are correct, majesty. Apologies, the deception was not intended for you." He produced a leather package, sealed on the front, "I am under orders to deliver you this briefing directly, as my superior believes that following chain of command would have posed too great a risk." "What investigation would cause such a breach in protocol-" The Empress paused for a moment. Realisation hit her on the face, remembering Tiberius word's, " Reporting to Lillian Quentas, the Spymaster you mean." She scratched her chin, she suspected this was the case, "That broach you wear...you actually came from Chorrol then? Whose your commanding officer?" "Inspector Trevis Hayne, your majesty." "I'm not familiar with the name, Dunen. What was the nature of the Inspector's investigation, and what's the need for so much secrecy, even from your own organisation?" "Our assignment was to find and apprehend the killers of Sibbi Black-Briar," he answered. "But during our search, we came upon another matter that Inspector Hayne believes to be unrelated. As to the nature of this matter, I will tell your majesty, but I believe that after hearing what I have to say, you will agree that the fewer people who heard it, the better." Her eyes glanced the other people present, the Tribune and her Palace Guard. She trusted them, but the foreboding tone of the Junior Inspector made her think whatever he had to say was grave indeed. She turned her head around, "Caesia, Tiberius. Would you leave the room for a moment please?" Tiberius had a small outburst "But your majesty-" "Do not question the Empress's orders, guardsmen. Just do as your told." She didn't look too happy at the order herself, her strict, disciplinary expression particularity pronounced. But she would never question the Empress in front of other people, it wasn't her place. "We will wait outside of the study. " And without another word, or protest, Caesia marched with the Palace Guard in tow. Her eyes glared at Dunen, who waited for the door to close before he continued. "Thank you, majesty." He handed her the document. "Enclosed is Inspector Hayne's final report before departing Chorrol. In it, you will find details pertaining to our findings there, and more importantly a countryside estate owned by a Roseloe Valga." She grabbed the leather bound tome, nothing identifying it as anything more then a mundane message, with a regular blue wax seal. She drew a letter opener, and cut open the thick seal, revealing the set of binded parchment that made it's contents, with letters written in neat, black ink. Coughing, the Empress began to read its contents. Your Royal Majesty, Empress Dales Draconus, I must apologize for the circumstances of this letter's delivery. I understand that by writing to you directly and without addressing any of my superiors, I am responsible for the crime of circumventing chain of command and potentially that of committing deceit against the Crown and its higher offices. I accept whatever consequences this entails, for the gravity of what I have uncovered has forced me to place the spirit of the law higher than the letter. The following documents contain reports pertaining to my findings in County Chorrol while conducting an investigation that was at first unrelated to the matter of which I now write. Included are my own firsthand accounts as well as copies of writings retrieved from a secret wing in the manor of one Roseloe Valga (whose whereabouts are currently unknown). These accounts detail blatant practicing of the more obscure occult, including the illegal acts of human soul theft, black soul gem creation, nonconsensual necromancy, association with banned daedra (including at least one Prince), murder, possible cannibalism, and the kidnapping and mutilation of children. Even more disturbing is the implication in Valga's writings that some of these acts were performed by a group, suggesting the existence of a larger cult or coven. The report's introduction ended there. Dales quickly flipped over to the next page, and then the next, then the next. The report was long, she saw, with the Oculatus agent's own very detailed writings supplemented by entire journal entries written by the witch Valga, herself. There were even a few sketches, mostly of unfamiliar ritual symbols and the like. It would take hours to go through all of it, so Dales skimmed a little before turning to the end, where the agent concluded: I have not confirmed it at this time, but it is my concern that whoever these people are, they may have ties within the nobility besides just Roseloe Valga. It is for this reason that I am leaving three of my agents in Chorrol when I continue my current mission westward. They are already undercover, and I do not dare commit their names to writing. The courier of this report, Junior Inspector Dunen, knows them and can inform you upon delivery. It is my recommendation that they be allowed to pursue this lead in secret and unimpeded, should that course of action coincide with your royal will. It is for the same very reason that I took the precaution of contacting you directly and in secret from my superiors. For though I serve loyally under Spymaster Quintas, I am unable to rule out the possibility that her own noble family might be involved. The Valgas were once Counts and Countesses of Chorrol as well, after all. I leave this report and my recommendations to you, Your Majesty, and trust in your wisdom and judgement on the matter going forward. The report was signed 'Chief Inspector Trevis Hayne of the Penitus Oculatus'. Dales face grew paler and paler as she read on. The hue of her skin had improved ever since her...contemplation on High Hrothgar, but the contents of the report had restored it's pale, ghastly hue to her face, as if she was under thrall once more. Her lips curled into a snarl of disgust briefly, before she banished it, her features darkening as she read the final page of the report once again in her head. She was silent for a good few moments, processing what she had just read, before she finally spoke, which just rose over a barely, audible whisper, "This...this is grave tidings indeed, Junior Inspector. Ill news. I very much now understand the actions of your superior. You did well to guard this.." She paused for a moment, thinking a little detail over, Surely Inspector Hayne could have gone to someone like my husband? But he trusted her. "I know the frankness and professionalism of the ever-seeing eye, and I won't question if this darkness is even a little bit exaggeration, but it's hard to believe such dark occultism and what seems to be witchcraft could go unhindered in a place like Chorrol, a county that was known in it's past to be so rigid and orderly. And no less to emerge in such a respected highborn family. The Valgas...regardless, the report mentioned Hayne had a belief she was acting in a group. In your own experience, Junior Inspector, how far do you think this "cult" has penetrated into the nobility? It's very clear he rightfully worried about the local authorities." "I cannot say, your majesty. I helped conduct the search of Valga Estate and gather some of this information, but I haven't been briefed or had the opportunity to review it all together. Although..." He hesitated for a moment. "Well, I resorted to using back roads instead of the main one after being attacked two days outside of Chorrol. I cannot say for certain if the assailants were anything more than common bandits, but I have my suspicions. Their weapons appeared to be of fine make, and they never spoke or threatened me. Just attacked. It's possible that someone in the city knew I was leaving under cover and tried to prevent my arrival here. Our raid on the estate was no secret." "And it's even more suspicious that no news has reached the Imperial City of any of this. Rumours spread across the heartland fast, surely such a horrific story, of one of the most respected families in Chorrol, would have reached us by now. So strange... " She paused. She was already formulating a course of action. She sighed deeply, going to another topic "Your superior indicates he intended for you to carry on his investigation. However, if you were attacked, and you suspect they those who did are aligned with some higher authority within the powers of Chorrol then they already know who you are. I fear if you returned, not only would your life be in danger, an investigation would be fruitless, and much more difficult. I am of the mind you can't return to the city." The inspector bowed his head. "Your will, majesty. Though I fear for the safety of my fellows back in Chorrol. Trev- Inspector Hayne ordered three of them to remain in the city undercover and continue the investigation independently. If I was found out, then it is possible that they were too." This is worrying. Dales already had the other concerns to worry about, such as the bandit raids, and not getting stoned to death in her home city. Already the mountain of issues piling up threatened to consume the girl in stress. Perhaps it would have, a year ago. But the Empress couldn't let that hinder her any longer, not now, not as she was. Inspector Hayne had trusted her enough he went above the chain of command. She would prove that the faith he had put in his Empress was well placed. That dosen't mean she couldn't look to those around her for assistance. She quietly took in a mouthful of air, and breathed, letting her worry fall away in one fell swoop of her lungs. She spoke again, "I would defer to you on this matter on a potential replacement as an investigator, we owe it to the Inspector to see this through. I've been told the Spymaster maintains a vice grip over most of the Oculatus. This means we cannot trust any of your comrades to take up this mantle, less they inform her. Perhaps someone from the College of Whispers, or maybe even the Imperial Watch?" "Forgive me, Empress. I have no affiliations with the College of Whispers, and with respect to the Watch, they are not trained for subtlety the way we are. They can solve a crime, but I don't know any that I'd trust with spy work of this sort. Maybe..." The inspector paused. Dales got the impression that he wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to say whatever had come to his mind. "I do have contacts in the Thieves Guild. I would not use them as investigators, or even tell them what's going on, but I could get them to locate the three agents in Chorrol. If they are alive, then that means they'll have been carrying out the investigation all this time anyway. There would be no need to involve anyone else." "If that's what you think the best course of action is in the circumstances, I agree to it. Very well. You may contact your connections in the Thieves Guild, and we can go from there." "I'll see to it, your majesty. Will you be wanting future reports brought to you directly like today, or is there someone you trust that I can bring any findings to?" "Directly if you will. The crown's eyes has seemingly fallen blind on Chorrol for too long, I wish to remedy that." The inspector bowed. "Then by your leave, Empress..." She got out of her seat and offered him a legion-styled salute, "Carry on, Junior-Inspector. And thank you for bringing this to my attention. You and your superiors loyalty does you credit. We will unravel this mystery. Dismissed." The agent took his leave. No doubt his mind was already honing in on whatever next step he thought would be necessary. Such was the way the agents of the Oculatus operated, always focused on the next task, never the break that came after. On that front, Dales was beginning to relate. A second later Cassia had returned, with a look of extreme annoyance, “What was that about.” The Empress returned it, “Not now Cassia. If you wish to serve me, then do not tell a soul about the Junior Inspector’s visit. And drop the matter." If there was any defiance, or anger at being locked out of the loop, her eyes showed none, “As you say Your Majesty.” Dales sighed deeply, as she reclined into her chair, “And now to answer your question from before. What do we do about the bandits…” She rubbed her throbbing forehead, grinning “ Silly Dales. Why should I struggle to find soldiers when I have my own private army...Send for Corvus.” *** Cassia had left the Empress alone in her study, already the dying sunshine bathed the room in reddish light, twilight was soon to fall. She had double checked, and made sure her numbers accommodated what she was about to order. Her detail wouldn't have to be large anyways for the trip to ravaged Sutch, and this matter came before it. It was not too long, before she heard loud footsteps coming from outside the study. There was only one individual who's slow, thudding steps belonged to. The summoned near-giant stood before his paymaster. Lacking not in arms, the brilliant if not woefully cumbersome greatsword lay stashed in a baldric slung about his back. Though such fine a gift in arms he did bear, Corvus wore only the large well tailored heartland tunic. His guttural voice reverberated a simple, "Paymaster." The Empress had a fear that the doorway would have collapsed from his height and width, but to her relief it held firmly. Dales gave the Atmoriant a cut nod of her head, "Corvus." She paused beginning to dote something down on a scroll of parchment,, "Are you and the rest of the Bloodsworn settling into your duties in the Palace District? How goes it?" "My fellowmen enjoy the ale, it is fine quality. The duties of my fellowmen are carried out, there is nervousness among some of us... about the Dov." His face was stony as it was wretched and wrinkled. "Nafaalilargus?" She paused, "Most people are worried about the fire drake. Are Dragons especially feared in your culture?" She asked, genuinely curious, Corvus stared at Dales' face for a good long awkward moment before mustering words. "Where I hail... they are revered. I do not share... that way of thinking, anymore." His choice of words were labored and carefully chosen. Corvus was not quick to admit only he felt poorly of the Dov. That piqued her interest especially, "The Ancient Nords, or so I hear, worshiped them thousands of years ago. This hasn't changed in Roscrea?" "Paymaster Dales. A tender thing you inquire about." Was all Corvus laid in response. Dales put her hand up, with an apologetic smile, "Oh, I see i'm prying into something you'd rather not talk about. My apologies. I get a certain way when it comes to matters such as this. Back to your orders then?" She took out a map of the Imperial Province, spread it out across her desk's wooden surface, and showed it to the Giant. "Your strength and skill in arms has been made evident by the other client guard, as is your wisdom, but I wish to ask you do you have much experience leading soldiers into battle?" "Yes, yes Paymaster I do. I have commanded retinues in my lord's name, in far-east and isle-east. Am I to exercise my right of rule among the band?" "Not just in the band." She pointed to a spot on the map, "Cyrodiil has always been infested with bandits, and now with the Legion's deployments in Valenwood and Elsweyr, the problem is spilling over." Her finger trailed a circle around a part South West of the Imperial City, "I'm going to start a campaign of incentives for sellswords and adventurers to help with the problem, but the immediate threat remains. Important farming villages, grain caravans, and even a handful of our Legions supply trains have been hit by a single, large, and well-organised clan of Bandits in this region. I am going to send a combined force of Second Legion Soldiers, my Palace Guard, and Bloodsworn to find them, and eradicate them." She paused, "I wish to know if you feel you are qualified to lead such a force." "This is a large body to command, I have only fought the legion, never commanded it. But I know how it repels and how it kills. Can you say with confidence these warriors can rival Uralseptims? If these palatial guards and second warriors have even an smidgen of what I remember, I could lead them to Elvendom itself." "Uriel Septim?! You mean, Uriel Septim V?" Dales practically shouted, suddenly, "Corvus...you...you fought the Septims?! Impossible, that would make you hundreds of years old..." Her eyes briefly sparkled, but she shoved her wonder down, and regained control of herself. She coughed awkwardly, "Well our Legion's might have diminished since the time of the Septims, but only a fool would not fear facing the Imperial Legion even as it is, and the Second is widely considered the best of the best, and the cohort their general gave me is the Legion's cream of the crop. My palace guards are also all veterans." Corvus couldn't help but snort, which was much louder then his faltering ears realized. "Yes Paymaster I am wretchedly old, magicless and enemy of all Imperials." He pretended to lean in but the slightest crack of a smile betrayed him. It would appear Corvus' face wasn't etched of stone. "I will take your commission Paymaster, and lead in your ordained name." She nodded her head, having recorded from the revelation of Corvus's age quickly. They lived in strange times after all. She ignored his past quip, before saying, "Very good. I want you to choose fifty warriors among the Bloodsworn to take with you, on the parameters of the least experienced, and eager. Having such fine warriors sitting around surely pains them." She grinned, "Drills can only do so much." She took a sealed scroll from the side of her desk, which held a silver seal in the shape of a Dragon, the seal of the Empress, along with another scrolls. "This will give you a writ of royal command. You are on a mission from the Empress. The other is the report that was sent to me, which details the bandits, their attacks, and the region itself. Study it." She paused, "You shall leave tomorrow morning. Report to the front gate with your chosen Bloodsworn, and take command of the palace guard detail, and the Legionaries who will meet you there. I will make it expressively clear to the Legate in charge that you are in command." "Any questions?" "Prisoners?" Corvus asked. "Kill them all." She said simply,

WTF even is a "Bandicoot" Now that's just rude!

MGS1 had this Easter egg, there was boss named Psycho Mantis who would read the players memory card, and if you had a Crash Bandicoot save the boss would make fun of you

Ugh 2004, Warcraft 3 came out in 2002. Only platformers I really enjoyed were Mario games, was never really into them as a kid. I played horror games, fps, and RTS's.

What is that supposed to mean Warcraft 3 is one of the most influential games of it's time. It created the MOBA and tower defence genre, and is considered one of the best RTS's ever made. And I played alot when I was a kid.

Welp another one of my childhood games ruined. Apparently you can't even play the old version of the game anymore.

I've known about the cut lines for awhile, but it's cool to see it as a restored NPC. Lance does awesome work. Honestly though...meh. I like his implementation in the base game. It's way more creepy that he just vanishes and you question if he was real at all. And I don't ike that namedrop of Ebrietas so early on in the story.. If he was still in as an NPC, it would just be for some exposition.

Now Colonel's going to be telling us these dogs are Undead too!

Those dogs...ummm...just look like they have alot of skin on there bones!

Not this again Me neither

Werewolves seem to be a huge jumping the shark moment, but I thought the same about the killer hillbillies in 7, who who knows

@The Good Doctor @ColonelKillaBee Eurogamer is saying it's sources are confirming the leak/rumor is true. Next Resident Evil (the one they've been working on since 7) is going to be First Person, done like 7, and have Mutant Werewolves as the main enemies

Well if it works, who cares if there crazy, everyone's fucked up in there own way

Tamriel needs psychologists

Mila's going to kill ya'll in your sleep. Just wait.

U ARE TRIGGERING ME COLONEL

I do enjoy the awkward rom com with heaps of borderline spousal abuse and creepy children

Too bad those Stormcloak writers couldn't write us better side quests

The reason I'm hesitating is when I play these games with friends, I always end up griefing whether i'm winning or not.

It transcends shit. It's literally the most confusing narrative ever conceived by the human mind.

That's so messed up but I can't help laugh at it's absurdity.

Huh. Maybe it was with someone else. Anyway, the usual crowd was upset there head canons weren't fulfilled. The same old story playing back endlessly across the backdrop of time.