Katarina Liore, Chapter 1: The Imperial Legion

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    Entry 1

    Shipwrecked. Shipwrecked! I knew I should have listened to that fat old Bosmer when he said the ship was cursed. Our idiot captain steered us into an iceberg and sunk us! I got out safe through a hole in the hull, but it looks like no one else was so lucky. The Alik'r's neck was broken and the Thalmor Justiciar appears to have died of internal bleeding. I found one of the Orcs washed onto an iceberg when I made land. I don't know what happened to the others.

     

    The weather was bitter cold, and the water even more so; I am forever grateful to Kynareth for watching over me. I don't know how I survived the shipwreck or the subsequent journey to land. But I made it. And here I am now in Dawnstar's Windpeak Inn. My room was paid for by the Justiciar. She's not likely to need that money any longer. Neither is the Alik'r or the Orc.

     

    Rumours say that nightmares plague the people of Dawnstar every night, but I slept dead through the afternoon and night.

     

    ~

     

    Entry 2

    The locals call it the Tower of the Dawn, but after tangling with Vaermina in here, it remains branded in my mind as Nightcaller Temple forever.My second day in Skyrim, and I've brushed with the Daedra already. This is certainly an interesting land.

     

    A Priest of Mara who goes by Erandur has been staying at the Windpeak Inn, investigating the nightmares. We had a chat over breakfast, when he revealed that the nightmares were caused by a malevolent Daedric Prince, Vaermina. I don't know why he asked me along to Nightcaller Temple to aid him in ending the threat, but it turned out to be the right decision.

     

    Nightcaller Temple was filled with a strange gas called the Miasma, which slowed the body's ageing processes and put those within the temple to sleep. It also drove them insane, and we had to fight our way past mad cultists and Orcish warriors to the... bottom? The bottom of the tower.

     

    I was clad in rough clothing the entire time. Never have I been more grateful for my mother's gift of defensive magic. I did pick up a sword and shield to defend myself with from one of the Orcs. They were heavier and differently weighted than I was used to, but I made do.

     

    Part of our way was barred by a magical barrier. We bypassed it with a curious potion that allowed me to enter a trance called the Dreamstride, through which I saw the original assault on the castle through Erandur's eyes (though he was called Casimir then, and was one of the cultists of Vaermina). Two of Erandur's (Casimir's) former friends guarded the Skull of Corruption at the base of the tower. We were forced to kill them, and Erandur destroyed the Skull of Corruption.

     

    Vaermina tried to deceive me into killing Erandur as he was destroying the Skull. I didn't even consider it, but it was unsettling.

     

    I traded some of the Orcs' septims to Dawnstar's forge for a set of studded light armor. It's not very sturdy, but it will serve for now. Tomorrow, I travel west towards Solitude.

     

    Reyda's Notes:

    Any references made to this tower today reference it as Nightcaller Temple, in no small part due to Katarina's legacy, though it was, in the past, called the Tower of the Dawn. The tower, unfortunately, is in ruins.

     

    Here we see the first of very few hints at Katarina's life before coming to Skyrim. She writes of “(her) mother's gift of defensive magic”, likely referring to the Oakflesh spell and its derivatives that were highly popular defensive Alteration magics in the Fourth Era. Katarina also writes that the Orc's weapons were weighted differently than she was used to, suggesting prior experience with the sword.

     

    ~

     

    Entry 3

    Today, I passed the aftermath of a skirmish – one that the Legion lost.

     

    I feel almost dirty relieving their bodies of their weapons and shields. But I travel to Solitude now to join the Legion. I'm sure they will be welcome there.

     

    I dragged their bodies off the road and laid them neatly. I wish I could have buried them.

     

    ~

     

    Entry 4

    I have arrived in Solitude. It is a bright, cheerful city, marred slightly by the fact that someone was executed publicly almost the moment I got in. Roggvir was the guard who opened Solitude's gates and let Ulfric Stormcloak ride out unopposed after murdering High King Torygg. In a way, this whole war is his fault. Some small part of me knows that I wouldn't have this opportunity to be part of the Legion now if not for Roggvir. But that is nothing against the lives lost in the war. I am reminded of the unfortunate Legion patrol I passed yesterday.

     

    I don't look of age (and am in fact not of age, but I kept that a secret), but General Tullius (commanding the Imperial Legion in Skyrim) and Legate Rikke (his second in command, a native Nord of the land) didn't do much more than look suspiciously at me. I did come to them dressed in studded leather armor and bearing a sword. The Legate says she has a good feeling about me, and she's sent me to clear out Fort Hraggstad from bandits as an entry test. It's not standard, but I know better than to question her.

     

    Reyda's Notes:

    At the time, the age of enlistment in the Imperial Legion was 18, and Katarina was even younger than that. Later entries indicate that, even at the end of the journal, she was not yet 18, which would put her, probably, at about 16-17 at the time of this entry. Whether or not she should have done this, I leave up to you to judge for yourself.

     

    ~

     

    Entry 5

    I am officially a sworn Legionnaire. Long live the Emperor. Long live the Empire!

     

    We are to travel to Korvanjund, an old Nordic barrow. It's said to contain the Jagged Crown, the crown of an ancient Nord king, which will lend legitimacy to Jarl Elisif's claim to the throne. The Stormcloaks will probably be there ahead of us – Legate Rikke is acting on information we stole from them.

     

    My armor – Studded Imperial – fits me very well, though I've also picked up a set of robes from Radiant Raiment to travel incognito in. I suspect I will need it.

     

    Reyda's Notes:

    Readers should be aware of the Stormcloak Rebellion in Skyrim, which began in 4E 200 and ended in 4E 202. The insurrection was led by Ulfric Stormcloak, then the Jarl of Windhelm, and his housecarl, Galmar Stone-fist. Details of the war of secession are well documented in other texts. A thorough explanation is unnecessary here, but I have elected to provide details where necessary for the reader's understanding. For example, it has already been mentioned by Katarina herself in the previous entry, but the rebellion was sparked in earnest when Ulfric Stormcloak challenged High King Torygg to an honour duel and murdered him with the use of the Thu'um.

     

    ~

     

    Entry 6

    I write this in the Hall of the Vigilant, northwest of Korvanjund. It is slightly past midday. Our siege on Korvanjund last night was a success, and we retrieved the Jagged Crown.

     

    I rendezvoused with Legate Rikke and her men outside Korvanjund in the early evening, having taken (and slept in) the carriage from Katla's farm outside Solitude to Whiterun. As predicted, the Stormcloaks were there ahead of us. While the main body of our unit engaged the rebels immediately, Hadvar – my partner in arms – and I broke through their lines immediately and rushed their back line, cutting off their messengers before they could enter the barrow and call for reinforcements. We then caught them in a rudimentary pincer and put them to the sword.

     

    The barrow itself was dusty and dark. We fought past some more Stormcloak rebels and puzzled through a door that required an ebony claw to open. Then we encountered the draugr – walking dead bodies armed with ancient steel and wiry strength, whose eyes glow with an unholy blue light. I suppose I should be grateful that we had some prior warning. The Jagged Crown itself was guarded by three such fiends; incredibly, we all survived that battle.

     

    Behind them was a curved wall with strange carvings that formed words of an ancient language. According to Hadvar, similar walls are scattered throughout Skyrim – atop mountains or buried underground in old tombs like Korvanjund. He didn't know anything about the pulsing blue light that glowed around one of the words. He didn't even seem to see it, so I shut up and pretended it was a trick of my tired mind. Maybe it was. But that doesn't explain how I knew the meaning of that word, and that word alone.

     

    I can still hear it in my head. Tiid. Time. I whispered it when I went to bed last night. I think the wind whispered it with me.

     

    Glowing obelisks aren't exactly conducive to sneaking past enemy lines.

    Legate Rikke charged me with delivering the Jagged Crown to General Tullius – a lone traveller draws less attention than an armed war party. Neither do I look the part of a Legionnaire when not in armor. No doubt the rebels will attempt to have the Jagged Crown from us, and for now, anonymity is the Crown's best defense. In the dead of night, I hiked westward towards Morthal, and bandits set upon me near the Hjaalmarch border in the mountains. I dealt with them and commadeered their camp for the night, though it was closer to dawn at that point. The next morning (this morning), I discovered that the bandits had set up camp beside an ancient standing stone marked with the sign of the Lord, said to bless its children with protection. I felt rather foolish when I laid a hand on the stone and asked it for protection. When it started glowing, I panicked and ran. I didn't want to have to explain myself to the Dawnstar guardsmen.

     

    Not five minutes later, a lone wolf attacked me, scoring a lucky bite. Easy enough to heal, but that wolf showed signs of Ataxia, and I vividly remember cursing my decision not to buy a Cure Disease potion from a travelling apothecary on the road.

     

    The symptoms wouldn't set in for a while, so I continued travelling, and chanced upon the Hall of the Vigilant.

     

    The Vigil of Stendarr is an order of holy warriors dedicated to fighting the unnatural – vampires, werewolves, but mostly the Daedra. They're a no-nonsense, sombre lot, but friendly enough. Keeper Carcette, who leads the Skyrim chapter of the Vigil, offered me room and board for the night, and cured me of Ataxia.

     

    In return, I told them of how I thwarted Vaermina on my second day in Skyrim. That went over well with them. I put the Vigil in contact with Erandur. Hopefully some good will come of it.

     

    Keeper Carcette is offering training on Restoration magic soon. She's invited me to join the Vigil – both in today's training and permanently. I had to decline the second, but I think I will join that class.

     

    ~

     

    Entry 7

    I killed a man in cold blood. He was a farmer, travelling east when we crossed paths. We greeted each other, pleasantly, and he shared that he was travelling to Windhelm to join the Stormcloaks. Everything else he said was buzzing in my ears. I didn't hear it.

     

    I ran him through, dragged his corpse off the road and dumped it behind a small outcropping of rocks. Then I was sick all over him.

     

    Did I do the right thing?

     

    ~

     

    Entry 8, later that night

    Delivered the Jagged Crown to Gen. Tullius. I have been given some leave. Perhaps I shall travel to Winterhold to study magic. It is deep in rebel territory, but the Stormcloaks have yet to give me a second glance while I am out of my Legion armor. I don't look the part of a Legionnaire, and it works in my favour.

     

    The dead farmer is going to haunt my dreams tonight.

     

    Reyda's Notes:

    No one can say for certain why Katarina decided to travel to the College, though some theorise that it has to do with her mother, whom we recall gifted her with “defensive magic”.

     

    ~

     

    Entry 9

    Aerial view of the Blue Palace. What do you mean, am I a bird? Do I look like I can fly to you? Do these arms look like they have feathers?Those of us who were at Korvanjund were invited to the Blue Palace this morning, to watch General Tullius present the Jagged Crown to Jarl Elisif.

     

    Jarl Elisif is younger than I'd expected, only a small slip of a girl not much older than I, and the Jagged Crown sits uneasy on her head. She seems unhappy. I am reminded that she was widowed by Ulfric Stormcloak. It is too late to do anything now, but perhaps I will speak with her when I return from Winterhold.

     

    Last night, I dreamed of dragons. When I whispered the Word from Korvanjund, Tiid, my dreams whispered it with me.

     

    I depart for the College of Winterhold tomorrow.

     

    From the journal of
    Katarina Liore
    Imperial Legionnaire (rank Auxiliary)
    Skyrim

    circa 4E 201

    Translated by Reyda the Arcane, Scholar of History

     

    Reyda's Notes:

    The Jagged Crown is still the High King's symbol of authority in Skyrim, passed down in an unbroken line from High Queen Elisif to the current High King.

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Comments

12 Comments   |   DeltaFox and 1 other like this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  June 30, 2017
    I love the way you portray Katarina and how it's supplemented with by Reyda. The shipwreck scene at the start of your story worked really well. Well done with that.
    When are we going to see the next chapter?  
    • soly
      soly
      Sotek
      Sotek
      Sotek
      I love the way you portray Katarina and how it's supplemented with by Reyda. The shipwreck scene at the start of your story worked really well. Well done with that.
      When are we going to see the next chapter?  
        ·  June 30, 2017
      When I decide if I'll continue with the journal entry-style, or go full prose. Or both. That means after my exams.

      Thanks for reading and inquiring!
      • DeltaFox
        DeltaFox
        soly
        soly
        soly
        When I decide if I'll continue with the journal entry-style, or go full prose. Or both. That means after my exams.

        Thanks for reading and inquiring!
          ·  June 30, 2017
        My personal opinion is that the diary style works best for your story, but, then again, it is your story, so you do what you think best. :)
        • soly
          soly
          DeltaFox
          DeltaFox
          DeltaFox
          My personal opinion is that the diary style works best for your story, but, then again, it is your story, so you do what you think best. :)
            ·  July 1, 2017
          Ah, but you've yet to see the prose version. *I've* yet to see the prose version, and I'm the writer. That's because the prose version doesn't yet exist. 'Twould be hasty to make a rash decision.
          • DeltaFox
            DeltaFox
            soly
            soly
            soly
            Ah, but you've yet to see the prose version. *I've* yet to see the prose version, and I'm the writer. That's because the prose version doesn't yet exist. 'Twould be hasty to make a rash decision.
              ·  July 1, 2017
            Looking forward to it. :)
            • Sotek
              Sotek
              DeltaFox
              DeltaFox
              DeltaFox
              Looking forward to it. :)
                ·  July 1, 2017
              I'm not sure I am looking forwards to it to be honest. Time will tell the format Soly has here works and it's growing on me. It's easy to read and follow and the journal type entries breaks up the story into nice pieces. 


              I'll ho...  more
              • DeltaFox
                DeltaFox
                Sotek
                Sotek
                Sotek
                I'm not sure I am looking forwards to it to be honest. Time will tell the format Soly has here works and it's growing on me. It's easy to read and follow and the journal type entries breaks up the story into nice pieces. 


                I'll hold on and see what...  more
                  ·  July 1, 2017
                Well, he's experimenting a bit, we'll wait and see what works best. He's a talented writer and has potential. I like the diary format as well, but it's his story and way of writing after all. :D
                • soly
                  soly
                  DeltaFox
                  DeltaFox
                  DeltaFox
                  Well, he's experimenting a bit, we'll wait and see what works best. He's a talented writer and has potential. I like the diary format as well, but it's his story and way of writing after all. :D
                    ·  July 1, 2017
                  I definitely feel that a lot of characterisation, action, and description is lost in this format, though, so it's rather a double-edged sword. In the past, I've been a very "descriptive action" writer who enjoyed writing combat scenes. In a diary, that's ...  more
                  • Sotek
                    Sotek
                    soly
                    soly
                    soly
                    I definitely feel that a lot of characterisation, action, and description is lost in this format, though, so it's rather a double-edged sword. In the past, I've been a very "descriptive action" writer who enjoyed writing combat scenes. In a diary, that's ...  more
                      ·  July 1, 2017
                    With what you just said Soly, it sounds like this format is punishing you and forcing you to go against what you want to write. Do what you feel is right for you. I know you will take your time with it, just know we will be here waiting for your next chap...  more
                    • soly
                      soly
                      Sotek
                      Sotek
                      Sotek
                      With what you just said Soly, it sounds like this format is punishing you and forcing you to go against what you want to write. Do what you feel is right for you. I know you will take your time with it, just know we will be here waiting for your next chap...  more
                        ·  July 1, 2017
                      I wouldn't go so far as to say "punishing". It's *limiting*, definitely. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, though I would hazard to say that it is in this case.

                      That said, there are definitely significant drawbacks to switching formats. N...  more
  • DeltaFox
    DeltaFox   ·  June 5, 2017
    I'm guessing you're using the Live Another Life mod? Also, love the diary concept of the story, gives a different perspective on the story. Looking forward to the next entry.
    • soly
      soly
      DeltaFox
      DeltaFox
      DeltaFox
      I'm guessing you're using the Live Another Life mod? Also, love the diary concept of the story, gives a different perspective on the story. Looking forward to the next entry.
        ·  June 5, 2017
      Yeah, LAL. For some reason I keep my backstories out of Skyrim because Helgen and it's super easy to find some excuse to get thrown into that Helgen cart anyway. The downside is then that LAL doesn't really feel like it *fits*, so I picked the shipwreck i...  more