Want to Become Part of House Telvanni?
Outsiders learning of the rabid isolationist and outlander-hating temperament of House Telvanni wizards often assume it would be impossible to obtain positions in service to House Telvanni.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
For example, since the Telvanni vigorously defend the right to own slaves, and since they keep many Argonian and Khajiit as slaves, many Argonians and Khajiit assume they would not be accepted for service with House Telvanni.
Not true. Telvanni accept all races as candidates for membership.
And, since the Telvanni are ruled by wizard-lord nobles, many assume they accept only candidates of the highest intelligence and willpower.
Not true. Telvanni accept candidates of modest intelligence and willpower.
It is true that advancement in Telvanni ranks depends on high intelligence and willpower, and that candidates proficient in the arts of magic -- especially Mysticism, Conjuration, Illusion, Alteration, Destruction, and Enchanting -- can expect to advance faster and higher in the ranks.
But adventurers of all races and abilities who apply to Telvanni Mouths at the Telvanni Council Hall in Sadrith Mora for acceptance in House Telvanni can expect a cordial welcome.
(Telvanni Councilors do not serve on their house councils in person. Instead, they are represented by a 'Mouth', a trusted subordinate in residence at the Council Hall, acting on his patron's behalf, receiving messengers from their patrons and casting their patron's votes in Council affairs.)
The truth is that House Telvanni wizard-lords depend on loyal, well-paid, skilled retainers for most services. Though House Telvanni does recruit from their own lower classes, they must go outside their house to hire the craftsmen and specialists they need. And since for political reasons House Telvanni has chosen to reduce its reliance on Redoran mercenaries for protection and security, it has been forced to turn to Western mercenaries for guards and agents.
Promotion in the ranks of House Telvanni, however, is very difficult for outsiders. Most disconcerting for some potential candidates is House Telvanni's casual acceptance of murder and assassination of rivals as a means to advancement. Those reluctant to prove their worthiness by killing off the competition, and those uncomfortable about competing in such a ruthless atmosphere, might better employ their time and efforts in the Mages Guild.
15th of Sun's Dusk, 4E 203
He extended his mind, breaching the barrier between the planes, wandering into Oblivion. The sulfur and ash assailed his nostrils, his face felt the heat and his eyes were blinded by all the lava around him. He saw towers black as darkness in the distance, with fire burning inside them and he felt their hunger. The whole plane was hungry, vengeful. It was angry, because it was locked away, forever.
He then extended his arm and his fingers dipped into the hot lava. And they were searching through the creatia, looking for suitable subject. He needed one that was almost reborn, but only almost. A vestige that is nearly ready to power an animus, but still not complete. Something weaker, something-
Here you are.
There it was, in the sea of creatia among all the vestiges, slowly crawling towards the shore to be reborn again. He reached towards it and grabbed it by a neck that wasn't really there yet and pulled. The world spun around him and all the lava and heat was replaced by ash and cold. He sent the vestige forward, into the earth, molding the ash around it and-
Then the vestige slipped, returning back where it came from. “Damn it!” he cursed.
"Why are you out here?” sounded a feminine voice from behind and he turned around to see a dark skinned Dunmer woman walking out of the steward's house. “Aren't you supposed to be in the tower assisting Master Neloth?”
Talvas shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "If you must know, I'm trying to get this Ash Guardian spell to work. Now let me concentrate. Besides, shouldn't you be worrying about the damage to the tower?" After he said that he immediately regretted it when he saw Varona frown. She didn't deserve that, it was just him getting frustrated with the spell not working.
"Master Neloth has tasked Elynea with repairing the tower,” she hissed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why aren't you doing this in the lab, where it would be safer for all of us?"
Talvas grimaced and his eyes were trying to focus on anything but Varona. When she got angry it usually didn't end up well. “The, uh... the lab is too small. Also, I need the ashy soil. Master Neloth knows what I'm doing. No need to bother him about it though. He's quite busy at the moment.”
She snorted. “Sure, I believe you. It's on your head if something goes wrong.” She then smiled and surprised him by stepping closer to him and kissing him on the cheek. “Just let me get back inside first,” she chuckled and hurried inside, with Talvas watching her swing in her hips, his focus already lost. Damn… How is one supposed to understand women? But he had to admit, Varona was great. She was the steward of Tel Mithryn and she did know how to run things around these parts. She does know how to run your things… Talvas thought and then shook his head. With thoughts like that you will hardly be able to crack the spell.
When Varona disappeared in her house Talvas sighed and sat down on the sidewalk leading to the tower. The material under him seemed to protest against that and he snorted. As if mushrooms could protest against anything. While he was completely aware that what he was sitting on was basically a mushroom the material didn't exactly correspond to that - it acted more like wood, being hard and durable, not slimy and soft like most mushrooms were.
The door to Varona's house opened and she walked out. “I thought you were going to hide, V,” Talvas murmured and she shook her head.
“That was because I thought you were going to practice more,” she replied and sat next to him. “But apparently, you're not.” She then leaned her head on his shoulder and he sighed. She must have noticed it when she asked with worry in her voice: “Something's troubling you?”
“Yes,” he said. “The spell. Master Neloth makes it look so easy but I can't get it to work.”
“Ah, yes. The spell,” she mumbled. “It's always some spell with you.”
He shifted his shoulder so that she would have to look at him and he looked back at her. “And is that wrong? I'm Master Neloth's apprentice. One day I'll become a full-fledged Telvanni wizard, finally prove to my family that there are other ways. Why are you so upset?”
She shook her head and pulled her knees under her chin. “It's just...spells are all you talk about, Talvas. When was the last time you asked me how my day was or something like that? Oh, and if you don't talk about spells you come to say what everything I should fetch for Neloth or you.”
Talvas lips curled in disapproval, but he had to admit she wasn't entirely wrong. He leaned closer and kissed her on her forehead. “I'm sorry. You're right. It's just...I'm a Telvanni apprentice and you are Tel Mithryn's steward-”
“So are you saying I'm something less?” she barked and Talvas raised his hands and waved with them in disapproval.
“No, no. That's not what I was trying to say. We are both busy, we both have our responsibilities.” He then chuckled. “And you know I wouldn't know what to do without you the next time I get turned into icicle.” That made her laugh and shook her head in disbelief.
“I don't understand how you can just let him experiment on you,” Varona murmured and shuddered. His arm wrapped around her shoulder and he lightly shook her.
“You know why. Neloth is a master wizard of the House Telvanni. I've already learned more from him than I would have in twice the time at the College of Winterhold.”
“And suffered twice as much,” she added and he grimaced. She wasn't completely wrong - again - but this was home now, for almost fifteen years. He survived Neloth, so how bad could it become? But he knew what Varona was talking about. Idari… he thought, the image of a Dunmer woman with constant frown on her beautiful face lingering in his mind…When she died it was Varona who brought him back from that dark place he buried himself in. She was there for him and he - What exactly are my feelings for her? One of these days, Talvas, you'll have to make a decision on that. What's more important? Varona or magic? He knew that one day he would have to choose and he dreaded that day because he knew what would be his choice and how it could hurt someone…
If Idari was still alive he knew he wouldn't have to choose, he would be able to pursue both his relationship with her and magic at the same time. Because she was the same as him. Her image haunted him in his sleep, but each night they were becoming more blurry, replaced by some strange face - well, not a face, more like a mask, like pale gold. How long will it take until she becomes nothing but a blurred face in distance? How long will it take until she disappears for good? He didn't want to know.
“What's that?” Varona suddenly asked, pulling him out of his thoughts. He looked at her and followed her gaze towards the hill in the distance. He squinted and then he saw it. A figure was walking towards the tower, a figure in ragged brown cloak with grey and light blue clothes underneath it.
Talvas stood up as well as Varona and they both watched the figure draw closer. It was nearly dusk, very few would be brave enough to venture towards Tel Mithryn during that time - Solstheim was a dangerous place, more so during night. The reduced visibility could hide any Ash Hopper, Ash Spawn or Spriggans twice as much than during day. Talvas shook his head because his mind wandered off and instead he focused on the newcomer. As he drew closer, Talvas recognized that under that hood and scarf were two red eyes and for a second he believed they were the eyes of a Dunmer, but as the figure neared Tel Mithryn he recognized that the skin wasn't grey but green. An Orc? He looks like a vagabond. Bandit? Reaver?
Varona took a step forward when the Orc approached the tower, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked at the naturally grown houses. “That's far enough,” she barked, her voice cold and careful. "We don't get many visitors. Is there something you need?"
The Orc barely noticed her, his bewilderment of Tel Mithryn literally taking away the attention he should be paying to Varona. She didn't like to be ignored. The Orc shook his head almost like if he remembered someone asked him a question and he looked at Talvas and Varona. “Lookin' for Telvanni. I guess I'm at the right place but…” he let the words trail off and looked around again. Then he leaned closer. “Please tell me I'm not dreamin'. I mean...these are damn 'shrooms!”
Talvas exchanged amused looks with Varona. Not many people from other corners of Tamriel ever saw a Telvanni settlement.
“Yes, this is Tel Mithryn, home of Master Neloth,” the steward explained. "In Morrowind, the Telvanni grow buildings from special fungus spores. Master Neloth grew one here to be his home. Don't ask me how."
“Hm, yeah, I read about that,” the Orc nodded, deep in thought. Then he frowned at Varona and scratched his black goatee. “So ya are Neloth's apprentice?”
“I am,” Talvas coughed which earned him a look from Varona and he grimaced. “But you still haven't stated your business here, outlander.”
“Outlander,” the Orc chuckled. “I quite like that, better than ‘green-skin’ or ‘pig’. Has much nicer ring to it. Anyway, I'm here to see Neloth, to see if he is lookin' for an apprentice.”
“Apprentice?” Talvas chortled and scratched his ear, trying to suppress his laughter. An Orc hoping to become an apprentice of Telvanni magister? Now that's a first. “I sincerely doubt that, but I won't stop you from trying. Master Neloth is in the tower,” he said and pointed at the tallest building behind him.
The Orc grimaced and passed between Talvas and Varona. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, matey.” He then took a first step on the sidewalk and tried it few times with his foot. “Hm, hope this 'shroom doesn't eat me or somethin'.”
Both Dunmer watched him enter the tower and as soon as the door closed Talvas looked at Varona with raised eyebrows and smirk. “‘Matey’?”
She just shrugged. “Don't look at me. Do I look like an expert on Orcs to you?” She then chuckled. “What do you think? Will he figure out he has to use levitation to get to the top of the tower?”
Talvas shook his head. “Doubt it. But do you want to bet?”
Grulmar walked through the door and as soon as he closed them a big frown appeared on his face. “What the tusk is this?” He entered a room barely two steps wide and long, with literally nothing in it, just the same brown-green walls and floor. Then he looked up and saw the room was leading up, most likely directly to the top of the tower. Shit… He then remembered one book about Telvanni he read some time ago and cursed again. They don't use stairs, they use levitation. Tuskin' lazy morons!
He was literally walking all day, his feet full of blisters, ash everywhere, even in his underwear and he had to run from damn Ash Spawn, Spriggans with their arses on fire and damn bugs hopping around like damn rabbits being poked by staff of shock. Overall, it wasn't really a great day and now that I've finally gotten here I'm supposed to climb all the tuskin' way up there? Tuskin' Dunmer!
Those two outside must have a good laugh now, he thought. Especially that guy. Neloth's apprentice, my arse. The chick looked more capable than him, but really Grulmar, that guy was wearing long brown robes in comparison to her normal clothin'. Ya should be more observant. He sighed and looked up, the muscle under his right eye twitching. Alright, I get it that someone who can't use Levitation isn't worth Telvanni's time but where the tusk is one supposed to learn levitation these days?! Grulmar shook his head, feeling the anger rising to his head, the blood pumping faster through his veins. Fine! The wall looked like a nightmare for climbing but Grulmar scaled worse.
His eyes scanned the shaft - it pretty much was a shaft and looked for all possible holds. It should be possible. He took few steps back and took a deep breath. I'll show ya, ya tuskin' Telvanni. He charged forward, running against the wall and then two steps up the wall before pushing off and jumping to the other side of the shaft, grabbing one of the strange growths. Luckily, it was able to carry his weight and he took another deep breath before pushing himself off to reach another hold.
And so it continued for Malacath knows how long, his climb slowing with each hold he reached. His muscles were beginning to shake and he had to stop and employ few muscle exercises to relax them a little so he would be able to continue. Plus, ya don't wanna fall down. It's not exactly low. It would definitely earn ya broken legs. Or neck if you'd go for headlong dive…
And then he finally reached the top, puffing like Shiny after eating one too many apple pies, just lying on the ground and trying to relax his muscles. He had his eyes closed and when he finally opened them there was a bald Dunmer standing over him, his red eyes watching him with amusement.
“Are you a thief?” the Dunmer asked with a smirk. “If so, then I dare say not really good one. I thought they should be more inconspicuous.”
Grulmar frowned and managed to get his shaking arms under him and get up on his feet, with the Dunmer still watching him. “Neloth I assume,” Grulmar murmured and looked around the top of the tower. It looked more like laboratory combined with a library than anything else, with books, vials and all kinds of magickal assortments lying about, almost as if tossed away in boredom. There were another two small rooms on each side of the laboratory, closed behind doors made out of the same material as the rest of the tower.
The Dunmer in brown robes with the Telvanni emblem in golden colors on his chest frowned. “Master Neloth,” he corrected Grulmar with annoyance. “I'm still a Mage Lord of the Great House Telvanni so I will be adressed properly.”
Grulmar stared at him for a second, trying to come up with some clever remark but he got nothing. Well, this is Telvanni after all. If Galar is any indication, they don't have much of a sense for humour. But their ego on the other hand… He shook his head and slightly nodded. “That's why I'm here, Master Neloth. There are rumors ya are the most powerful Telvanni alive. The great Mage Lord of Solstheim.”
Raised eyebrows and tiny smile smile were Neloth's answers at first, but then he chuckled. “Is that so? Well, then you've heard right, Orc. I am the most powerful Telvanni alive.” Grulmar was about to speak, but Neloth stopped him with a raised hand. “Alive. Hmm. Is there someone more powerful than me who is dead?” He then shook his head. “No, probably not. So remember this: I am the most powerful Telvanni alive or dead.”
“That…” Grulmar started and then cleared his throat. “That's absolutely right, Master Neloth. Both alive and dead, my mistake.”
“Yes, yes,” the Telvanni waved his hand disdainfully. “I am busy. So what do you want, Orc?”
Grulmar took a deep breath. Let's hope ya won't regret this. “I would like to become yer apprentice.”
“I already have an apprentice,” Neloth replied, frowning. “At least I think I have an apprentice. I haven't seen him around for at least few hours. If he hasn’t managed to blow himself up in the past two hours, yes, I still have an apprentice. Which reminds me that I would like some canis root tea. Would you tell Varona I want one on your way out?”
Grulmar was tempted to shake his head, but he suppressed it. Just another crazy. Ya have dealt with enough crazies. “Then what about a second apprentice?”
“What use would I have for a second apprentice? The one I have now is perfectly fine for my experiments.”
“I've heard that the number of apprentices makes a more powerful wizard,” Grulmar peeped though he was thinking about the word experiments. What the tusk have ya got yerself into this time, Grulmar? “Beside, what if the experiments go wrong? Wouldn't ya need another apprentice then?”
The Telvanni scratched his beard. “You are a persistent one,” he muttered. “It annoys me. Do you see this?” he suddenly pointed at the wall that looked like it was covered by blisters. “The tower is sick. My mycologist was supposed to repair it but does it look like it's repaired to you?”
“Looks like it's goin' to vommit anytime now,” Grulmar murmured and the Telvanni shot him a look.
“That was a rhetorical question. Does your kind understand what a rhetorical question is? I hope so. So the tower is not repaired, which means that my mycologist is doing lousy work. Are we understanding each other?” Neloth then pointed at the shaft leading down. “And tell Varona I want my canis root tea!” With that he dismissed Grulmar with a wave of his hand and went to the room in the back, the door opening before him on their own volition and then closing again.
Grulmar looked around and sighed. Well done, Grulmar. Ya have just been promoted to a errand boy. Congratulations… He released another sigh and his hand reached into his sack, pulling out a rope. He began tying it around the handrail. Seriously, Grulmar. What did ya expect from Telvanni? They're all bat-shit crazy, why should this one be different? He started climbing down, his arms still little bit weak from before and so he made it quick, his feet heavily thudding on the floor as he landed. He wiped his hands and opened the door outside. Worth it or not worth it, that's the question.
He walked out of the tower and then down the sidewalk, noticing the slowly approaching darkness as the light was retreating. There was that Dunmer apprentice standing in the middle of Tel Mithryn's ‘yard’, casting some spell on the ground. And what's this about? He felt the magicka, he felt the Dunmer breaching the barriers of Oblivion and frowned. Another damn summoner…
“Why it isn't working?!” the Dunmer growled, casting the spell one more time, purple magic impregnating the ground and this time, something really happened. The ash began to mould itself into a shape of man, but in just few second it became much bigger than any man, its appearance being that of an atronach than a man. “Yes! It worked!” the Dunmer shouted and the atronach turned to him.
“Uh-oh,” Grulmar peeped and then the creature released a gust of ash from its hand in the Dunmer's direction. He quickly blocked it with his ward. The stream of dust wasn't stopping and Grulmar grimaced when he saw the atronach getting closer to the apprentice. Hmm. If that thin' kills him then the apprentice's spot is empty, right? So...maybe I should just watch? So he stood there, just watching, not really sure what he should do. Just when he was about to make his decision, the atronach suddenly crumbled to dust of its own volition and the Dunmer dropped his ward. Little bit unstable, isn’t it?
Grulmar clapped as he walked towards him. “Great work, matey. Really good job. I'm almost tempted to call ya ‘Mess Version Two’ but I guess I'll just go with ‘Messup’. Are all Telvanni like ya and that bitch Maryon?”
The Dunmer frowned at him. “Let me guess. Master Neloth kicked you out.”
The Orc smirked at that, not really surprised at the animosity dripping off the Dunmer's tongue. “Quite the contrary. I'm supposed to fix the tower and then I'm an apprentice. Guess ya are not so special. Master -” he began and stopped himself, frowning. There's no way I'm callin' him that when he's not around. Come on, Grulmar, think. Ah, yes. “Master Ego mentioned myco-something. Any idea who that is, matey?”
“Master Ego?” the Dunmer raised his eyebrows and then chuckled. “Hehehe, don't let him catch you saying that.” He then sighed and extended his arm. “I'm sorry for my behavior, I didn't really mean it. It was just a really rough day. I'm Talvas Fathryon.”
Grulmar narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Nobody treated him like that and then suddenly switch to much more pleasant behavior. Maybe it was really rough day or maybe it was a ruse. Oh, well, who cares? The only asshole around here is ya, Grulmar, so just take what ya get. He clasped his hand with the Dunmer's. “Grulmar.”
“The mycologist,” Talvas said and pointed to Grulmar's right, at the mushroom house, “is Eleyne and lives right there. The other two houses belong to Varona, the steward, and Ulves, the cook. If you really intend to stay then go talk with Eleyne, she has an available bed there and she would accept any help with repairing the tower.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Grulmar murmured and headed towards the mycologist's house, but then stopped and turned back to Talvas. “Alright, I'll play. Why the sudden change of attitude?” The Dunmer raised his eyebrows in surprise, probably not expecting such blunt question and then he shrugged.
“It can get quite solitary out here, so having someone to discuss magic is always nice,” Talvas murmured, scratching his head. “Plus...you're still alive, which means Neloth considers you at least useful or amusing, so...I'm grateful I don't have to scrape you off the tower's walls.”
Grulmar's eyes nearly popped out but the quickly regained his posture. “Lovely,” he rambled. “Thanks, I guess.” With that he headed towards Eleyne's house and shook his head in disbelief. Who paints his walls with newcomer's blood anyway? Crazies! Those do that. Ya are so deep in shit again, Grulmar. As if Vanish and Chalk weren't enough, now ya have Master Ego… Ya are such an idiot sometimes. Why don't ya just take yer legs on yer shoulder and run?
He scratched his goatee. Because ya know ya should be here, learnin' magic. Gainin' power, because ya will need it one day.
Comments
Grulmar really gets the Telvanni mentality already