Post by Immortal Swine on Jun 3, 2009 14:24:03 GMT -5
Valenwood, as a jungle, was home to quite some interesting creatures. "Before man or mer came to Valenwood, it was home to a salmagundi of creatures and strange civilizations. Centaurs, hippogriffs, satyrs, minotaurs, giants, basilisks, fairy folk, hydra, and intelligent apes all flourished there before the first Aldmeri stepped onto its shores." Like all Elves, the Aldmer had to adapt to their environment, and they became the present day Bosmer. For the support of Y'ffre, in helping them adapt, the Bosmer promised not to harm the forest, or any of its creatures. The first king of Valenwood, who started the Camoran Dynasty, was King Eplear. For centuries, the Bosmer were obedient if not particularly loyal subject of the Cyrodilic Empire. At the fall of the Cyrodilic Empire in 2E 430, the Camorans attempted to reinstate their authority over the other kingdoms, but culturally each had drifted too far away to be united. Without any other greater power to rein in their ambitions, they began to war against one another, the Khajiit to the east, and the Colovians to the north. Valenwood ate away at itself, and offered no resistance to the coastal encroachments of the Maormer of Pyandonea. It took another outside force to reunify Valenwood: the home of the ancient Bosmer, Summerset Isle.
The unified elven kingdom of Valenwood and Summerset, the Aldmeri Dominion, was the most stable power in Tamriel until the coming of Tiber Septim. The new government of Valenwood was called the Thalmor, a congress of Bosmeri chieftains and Altmeri diplomats. While not particularly popular, the Thalmor proved better than the chaos of the previous years, and endured until Tiber Septim's armies swept it away.
Wisely, the Emperor allowed Valenwood to keep some of the symbols of her independence, such as the tribal councils and a figurehead Camoran king. For two hundred and fifty years, Valenwood was at peace. The War of the Isle and the War of the Red Diamond, which ravaged other parts of the Empire, left it unscathed. The Empire used the province as it saw fit, and neglected it otherwise. Gradually, the Bosmer began to grow resentful of an authority which seemed increasingly alien - perfect breeding ground for the horror which was to follow.
In the year 249 of the Third Era, a pretender to the ancient throne of the Camorans appeared, and with Undead and Daedric allies, stormed across Valenwood, destroying all who stood against him. The Bosmer were slow to unite against the threat, many too terrified to stand against the Camoran Usurper and some delighted that they were being freed, however violently, from the perceived yoke of the Empire. This minority grew as the Usurper's power did, and once he had consolidated his power in Valenwood, he turned his attentions northward. It took nearly two decades of tyranny before Valenwood found the strength to shrug off Haymon Camoran's rule. When he lost his seat of power, the Usurper's conquests in Colovia and Hammerfell rose in revolt, and his army was destroyed in the Iliac Bay between Hammerfell and High Rock in 3E 267.
The Valenwood the Usurper left behind was a broken land. No longer trusting the Empire or Summerset for support, or its local leaders for guidance, the Bosmer have become more and more isolationist in temperament. The people began leaving the cities, preferring life in the forests, returning to their earliest traditions. It is not surprising that when the province showed sign of weakness, its rapacious neighbors chose to attack.
Geography: The best way to describe Valenwood is in A Pocket Guide to the Empire, which describes it as "A sea of endless green, a maze of foliage with half-hidden cities growing like blooms from a flower, the home of the Bosmer is Tamriel's garden."One unusual feature of Valenwood is its gigantic, migratory trees that can contain entire cities. Falinesti in particular is a mile-high tree holding an entire city in its branches that was described in A Dance in Fire. Falinesti used to migrate south in the winter, but for unknown reasons it has recently stopped walking.
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Summerset Isles, Eight weeks before the invasion of Camoran upon Valenwood.
Raven stood watching the waves crash upon the rocks. The ocean was rough and the seas wrestless but that night was the night of departure. The water touched the sandy beach and hit Raven`s boots. She sighed, waiting impatiently for Draken and the rest of the clan. It was a dozen of them, members of the Vladmir and the clan made by them. Raven and Draken where leading the small assault on Summerset Isles, a perilous task for a few ancient relics that where found in the ruins and groves of the large island. The Altmer did not allow the Vladmirs to get the ancient books and relics, they said it was sacred and it was not to be tainted by the darkness of vampires. Offcourse it all ended in bloodshed. Draken and the rest stole the relics at night and Raven awaited impatiently for them at the shores. Raven crossed her arms and just waited, the two planetary masses known as Masser and Secunda, illuminated the shores and the water. The crabs and mollusks started to eat away at the dead Altmers that layed on the beach shore. Raven killed them all and held their large ship at the bay. Their ship was destroyed after the argument between the ancient family and the Altmer, forcing them to stay weeks in that wretched place. They where imprisoned but eventually escaped. Draken and the rest planned for a great theft upon the great library and archives in the capital of Alinor, the ultimate heist and escape plan. Slaughtering all of the Altmer was the orgininal plan but there where too many of them. Raven started to walk around back and forth, annoyed at the delay.
Draken ran as fast as he could, he could see the dark image of Raven waiting on the shore, the large ship was anchored at the bay. "Hurry hurry! they are getting closer!". Draken shouted to the group, about 12 of them all had large bags and sacks on their backs and crates in their hands. All of the ancient archives and trinkets and treasures where inside of them. Behind the clan was Altmer warriors, they carried large spears and short swords, they chased them, shouting hateful words in their language.
"Get the ship ready!!". Draken shouted to Raven.
Raven grinned and sprinted to the ship`s hull. The waves started pulling the ship back into the water. Raven and another clan member pulled the anchor up and the large ship started to float in the water. Draken let the clan run past him with the crates and sacks full of loot. He pulled out his ancient Katana and went on a defensive position to hold off the Altmer warriors, giving enough time for Raven and the clan to get away.
The Altmer threw the spear in the air. Draken gasped as the large stick flew in the air, heading down towards him. He jumped out of the way before it could hit him. He ran towards the two closest Altmer, thrusting his sword forward, he impaled one of the Altmer in the chest, while he kicked the other one in the face, giving him time to pull out his sword and strike down the Altmer. Draken glanced back and saw the clan loading the goods into the cargo hold of the ship. Now it was time to run. Draken picked up the pace and ran away from the angered Almers and their weapons. He ran away as quickly as possible, the archers pulled back the bows and releasing a volley of arrows at him.
Raven was on the ship, watching Draken and seeing if he was strong enough. "Draken!". she shouted to him. Draken turned around just in time to see the arrows hit him on the leg and then on his chest. Draken clenched his teeth in pain. "AH!.." he said as he fell to the sands. Raven eyes widened in shock, seeing her brother fall. Raven jumped down from the ship to the shore. Raven grabbed her bow and arrow and ran at him. Raven snarled at the approaching Altmer. She raised her bow and shot an arrow, missing one. She pulled two arrows and held them together in her bow. The pulled it back and smirked as she shots fired. Hitting one Altmer down to the sand. One of the warriors ran past Draken and advanced towards Raven. She saw him and ran towards him with unbelivable anger, she pickid up the spear that was stuck on the sand and jumped in the air with it, impaling the Altmer in the chest. Draken pulled the arrow from his leg and then the one from his chest. "Grr". he said silently as the arrow was pulled. More warriors came, alot of them. He had to retreat now. Draken stabbed the Altmer under the chin with the broken arrow and then he shoved him backwards, tripping the other warriors. Draken stumbled to run but he managed to.
Raven saw her brother getting up and ran towards the ship, with him running behind her and behind him more warriors. The ship was already sailing away. Raven dived into the water and swam under it. Draken jumped in as well, the salt water burning his wounds. He kept on swimming despite the pain. Raven got close to the ship and climbed the ladder and got to the deck, all soaking wet. Draken followed behind her and looked around. The clan members stood there silent for two seconds untl they all started cheering and shouting. Quest accomplished.
Draken sighed and walked over to the clan. "Brothers and sisters. We have claimed our victory and our prized. Tonight we shall dine as a celebration, your courage and bravery is well rewarded". He said to them. Opening a large chest, filled with gold and precious stones, under them was a large book with many spells and secrets. It closed the chest, these was only to be seen by the high coucil men. No one was authorized to read them for unkown reasons. Marcus took the wheel and sailed for Hammerfell, the homelands of the Red guards. The night was young but very rough and roudy, the waves bashing against the ship`s side. All the clan members ran downstairs to feed on the Altmer prisoners they kidnapped.
Draken stood at the deck, watching Summerset isle dissapear, the large crystal tower vanishing. They had worked hard for the past few years. A vacation would be great. Draken rubbed his chin and looked at Raven. She was flipping the gold coin and playing with the rings she just found. "We need a break...I was thinking Valenwood..we could find more treasure there! and re-supply. Do you want to go?"
Raven sighed. "I am not in the mood of a vacation..we have a job to do, and an assignment to complete and we already have gone half way. We cannot take a bloody detour and risk these items being stolen or lost! father would be infuriated! and I am not going back to that d*** prison again!". She blarted loudly.
Draken laughed and hugged her. "Dont worry sis, it will all be alright. I promise nothing will get in the way and I promise I wont let father chain you again". He said.
Raven thought for a moment. She looked at him with a frown and then turned to the ocean. She turned to Marcus who was sailing. "marcus...set our course for Valenwood!." She said.
Draken smiled and rubbed his sisters hair, messing it all up. She pulled her head away from him, laughing a little bit. "You owe me!". She said to him. Marcus looked at Raven and Draken. "May I inquire as hy we are heading to Valenwood?". He asked, raising an eyebrow. Draken smiled at him. "You might!".
Raven leaned over at Draken and rested her arm on his shoulder. "We would get a greater reward if we simply get more items for us and the family back in Black Marsh! and it will be fun dont you think? We have never been to Valenwood at all. Word is there are only savages there! we can take them prisoner, feed on them or kill them. It wont matter at all, it is uncivilized." Draken told him.
Raven rolled her eyes to Draken. "I dont know about you but I am getting tired of all these tropics and oceans! I say we should go to Cyrodiil, its much better and if you like the ocean so much, stay in the coast." She said.
"It shall be done". Marcus said, looking at his compass and turning around.
Draken went downstairs to the dining room of the ship. Everyone was feeding savagely upon the prisoners. "Are you always this messy?". He asked the clan. "Haha, wont you join us Draken? I saved this one for you!". Verona said. Draken grinned and sat at the table, away from her. "Why, you have my thanks". he said jokingly to her. Verona was a red haired imperial pureblood was was infatuated with Draken, she really liked him. Verona got up, and sat next him, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Tonight we can have a large fest! a party and a celebration!". She said. "Me & you can go elsewhere on the ship". She whispered to him. Draken nodded and touched the tip of her chin, he stared into her pale face and gazed at her red eyes. "Maybe later". He said, standing up from the table. "I have set a new course...we are going to Valenwood! I will explain more as we get there, enjoy your meal and have a delicious night!". He joked and left the dining area and headed for his quarters. The clan started speaking amongst themselves, whispering and talking. Raven crossed her legs and sat there. Verona got up and sat next to her. "Raven, I think he hates me". She said to her. Raven laughed a little and hugged Verona. "I dont think so, I know my brother, he just takes getting use to! in due time you will be with him, worry not." She said, winking at her. Verona smiled faintly and thanked her.
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The clan fed and drank all night. Draken stood in the edge of the ship, watching the raging seas, it began to storm heavilly. "The storms are getting worse my lord!". Said Marcus.
Draken smiled. "It is nothing we cant handle Marcus, keep sailing!". He said, leaning over the ship`s edge. Suddenly something was caught in his view, a black figure slithering underwater, then it vanished. Draken sighed, it was just a hallucination. Verona walked behind Draken and hugged him from behind, then she leaned next to him and offered him a bottle of blood. "We will arrive in the morning..last thing you want it to turn to ash once we reach their shores". She said, giving it to him and smiling. Draken gladly accepted and drank the bottle. Verona stared at him for awhile, gazing at him. He turned to face her. Draken was about to speak until she leaned over and kissed him passionetly. Draken then kissed her back and caressed her red hair. All of the sudden there was a large humming low roar coming from under the ship. Draken stopped kissing her and looked down to the waves. Nothing. The sky was black, only to be illuminated by lightning, the waves where rough and it was raining. "What was that?". He asked her. Verona shrugged. "I really dont know...it must of been th--". She paused before the entire ship rocked violenly. Verona nearly fell over until Draken grabbed her. Marcus fell over the wheel and the ship turned around. The clan members ran upstairs to the deck, Raven pushed everyone out of the way. "Marcus! what happened!?". Raven demanded. "Princess! im afraid the tides wont allow us to make port before nightfall!". He said, bowing down slightly behind the wheel. EVeryone around watching closely as the storm boomed and roared. Raven frowned and walked to the side of the ship. "I am sorry Marcus, I do not know much about the tides, can you explain this to me?". She asked, calmly. Marucs nodded. "Offcourse your highness". He said, shaking a little. Raven glanced put her arms behind her back and watched the waves crash upon one another. "Do the tides command this ship?". She asked him, with a little bit of firmness in her voice.
Marcus started to stutter and shake. "I --Im afraid I dont understand". Marcus said.
Raven frowned and kept looking straight. "You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in...DO THE TIDES COMMAND THIS SHIP!?". She said loudly with a firm loud voice.
Marcus kept his calm now and did not show any hostility just submission. "No princess..". He said looking at her.
Raven grinned. "And if I where to have you thrown overboard would the tides think twice before smashing you against the rocky shore?". She asked him with a sinister tone.
Marcus froze and stood there..then he finall spoke. "No..princess".
Raven smirked and started caressing her hair, and stroking the sides. "Well then, you should worry less about the tides who already made their mind about killing you and worry about me who is still mowing it over!!". She exclaimed angrily.
Everyone was silent until the strange sound was heard again. Verona ran to Draken and hugged him firmly. Then suddenly there was a huge splash!! Draken turned around and gasped, his eyes widened...he could not believe it. Raven turned around to see what everyone gasped about..she could not help but walk back a little..startled. It was a large Sea Dragon! the beast had fierce red eyes and black scaly skin. The Sea Dragon roared loudly, water spat from his mouth, his breath smelled like a thousand rotten corpses. The Dragon dove forward and broke the side of the ship. Everyone screamed, Raven almost fell over but held onto the wheel. "Blasted sea lizard!". She said loudly, looking in the water to find it. The Sea Dragon rose again from the ocean and roared. Raven shot lighting at it, trying to kill it but the creature just got angrier. It dove again under water, its tail swirling in the air and then finally got closer to impact the ship. "Watch the Tail!". Marcus warned as the tail crushed him on the deck. Raven was speechless, she was now angrier than ever...Marcus died and there was no way they can command the ship without a good sailor.
Draken held Verona in his arms, as the ship started to sink. He kissed her once more. "I love you!, I may have not shown it but I always did! I...I--". He paused as the Draon rose again and finally plunged its body down to the ship. The ship broke in half and the clan flew all over the place. Draken and Verona and Raven fell in the water. Raven started to shoke on salt water, she spat it out with disgust. She could not see anything, the storm was violent and the Dragon still there.
Verona saw a floating piece of wood. She swam there as quickly as possible to hold on. Draken grabed her arm and held it tightly. "No! stay with me!". He told her. She shook her head."We need it!". She said, pulling her arm away and swimming to it. Draken tried to get to her but the tides kept holding him back. Raven growled and sweared as the ship sank with all the treasures and books..all that work for absolutelty nothing!. Raven swam to Draken and held on to him. Raven looked around for the clan members but they where no where to be seen. She then glimpes Verona aboard a wooden plate. "Come on!!". Raven shouted to Verona. "Im trying!". Verona shouted, the salt water flowing in her mouth as she tried to stay afloat.
The Sea Dragon rose from the depths and growled, its red eyes staring down at Verona. The Sea Dragon opened his mouth and roared loudly, he dove again and picked Verona with its teeth and tossed her in the air. Draken and Raven where horrified as they saw Verona scream while being thrown in the air and then falling right into the Dragon`s mouth!. Draken clenched his fist and gritted his teeth..the pain and anguish was unbearable. The Sea Dragon swam closer and closer, his fin cutting the water. Raven shouted in anger and she extended her hand, waiting for it to get closer. The Sea Dragon opened its mouth and its teeth bared. Raven bared her teeth and used both of her hands to use a lightning spell. The lightning bolt flashed from her finger tips to the creatures gaping mouth. Draken shielded his eyes from the brightness. The creature shouted and moaned painfully as Raven kept electrocuting it. The Beast finally dropped to the water and sank down below. Draken could not believe it, the love of his life was gone..forever gone..he shouted loudly in pain and anger. Raven stood there, embracing him so they would not seperate. Then a large wave came, it was gargantuan and majestic as well. It came crashing down upon the two, crushing them with tons of water.
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Draken opened his eyes, it burned badly, they where full of sand and the taste of seawater was in his mouth. All Draken could see was feet..a pair of feet all around him, he did not bother to look up and fainted again.
Raven coughed out salt water and a mixture of blood. Her hair was messy, her clothes tattered and her clan all killed most likely. Raven took a deep breath and coughed again as she fainted. The Bosmer fishermen picked her and Draken up and took them to the local village for treatment.