Stories, tales and poems: Five years on...

  • It makes perfect sense to me that a site that was called 'The Skyrim Blog' would include the opportunity for people to blog. And the switch to Ning in October 2011 opened up that possibility - with the chance for every single member of the site to have their own individual blog to record their stories and experiences in Elder Scrolls (and now Fallout)

    And so it is that, from humble beginnings with Charlie and Piper Jo, The Story Corner (later 'Tamriel Tales' and 'Wasteland Tales') evolved into the most wonderful repository of creativity and endeavour that it has become. Thanks to Sotek for putting together this tribute.

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    As no doubt everyone would have noticed, Tamriel Vault is now in its fifth year and we, members of the blog are celebrating its birthday on the 1st of April 2016. Now, I thought about delving deep within a multitude of various blogs and poems which have been added to the vast array of content within Tamriel Vault in the purpose of showcasing some different pieces throughout the Vault’s life when a thought occurred to me.

    Who is the most important member of Tamriel Vault?

    No doubt we owe a great debt of thanks to Paul who first created it. Hircine knows where so many fortunate souls would have ended up. Maybe Todd, who took the reins and led us through thick and thin. You could argue it’s the EC council Hosts who I am one of. We govern the various groups and (hopefully) we make the Admins tasks easier.

    In fact I came to one possible answer… It’s the members. You who create blogs, art and character builds. It’s you who make Tamriel Vault what it is. It don’t matter who stands at the top or who aids them, without the members, the Tamriel Vault is just an empty husk.

    So with this in mind I decided to stand aside and ask some members to dive in and let them speak for themselves. This is a small collection of blog posts posted throughout the existence of the Vault and the members’ thoughts and feelings on them. I hope you all enjoy the journey through the last five years of Tamriel Tales.

    Sotek Loyal Hound Of Hircine

    2012

    Teineeva

     

    The Breton Farm Girl from Cyrodiil by Eviltrain

     

    I was rather shocked when of all the people he could turn to, our beloved big bad wolf of the blogs came to me (among 5 other people) and asked me to write an article about what I would call an artefact. And after a short discussion I accepted his quest. The fact that the sun was shining bright in the sky and the empty bottle of delicious cider at my side probably didn’t help, but well, what can you do about it? I was to find a blog from the ancestral year 2012 (I wasn’t part of the site yet at the time, hell I’m not even sure I owned a copy of Skyrim yet) and write a short article about it. Guess what, I went overboard!

    So there I was, trying to find my way through the old “the skyrim blog archives” from 2012. I quickly discovered that in 2012 it was a dark time of disorganization and different archiving systems and tags. True horror, it’s like trying to open a dwemer door with a Nordic dragon claw. Not the easiest thing around I’ll assure you. But after looking around I finally found a blog, which had started in my target year, picked a random chapter and I started to read it, as you do.

    The story was interesting, the writing style was more than decent and the grammar used was pretty good. So I soldiered on. The chapter I had opened portrayed the character’s take on the first part, with Fastred and her lovers, from the Book of Mara questline. And throughout the text a growing feeling of gloom, an ominous feeling of approaching death, appeared, clasped itself onto me and remained until the twist. It was one of those twists that you read and you’re asking yourself; what the F*** did I just read? How is that possible? And all you can think of is back threading hoping to find where it came from, if there was any logical explanation to all of this. I like that. Sure it was probably caused by the fact that I went in blind, but that's just how I work: Improvisation is key.

    Reading this chapter intrigued me so much that I went to hell and back trying to find the TOC, which as it so happens wasn’t called a TOC yet due to the 2012 archive system being prehistoric or something, anyway when I found it, I was utterly disappointed.

    Of all the random chapters I could pick (and this blog had quite a few of them) I had to pick the last one ever written. Torture is what it was, I just hooked myself onto this story, the subtle details the writer had left behind to ease in the twist, and hell even the character. I wanted to know more.

    So I plan on doing exactly that, I’ll read the preceding chapters and make my way to that last twist. I hope I won’t be alone in my endeavor, so please feel free to join in on the fun. Maybe some of you might get inspired by this strange blog from the depths of 2012, perhaps one of you might be inspired enough to find out what happens next.

    2013

    Exuro

     

    The Eye of the Wind by Kyrielle

     

    I couldn’t decide on one story to cover, so I did two! One pulled from the depths of the archives and was actually the story that brought me to this site; the other is fresh and still going. What draws me into a story is usually strong character development, vivid sequences, and a creative twist or expansion to the TES universe. Both these stories have those qualities in spades.

    The first is The Eye of the Wind and the follow up The Longest Road by Kyrielle. The tale was started in 2012 and completed in 2013. The story strikes hard right off the bat with a scene of some soldiers prodding a Bosmer child, curious to see if she’ll eat her fallen father in the prologue. This is a story that doesn’t flinch from the darker aspects of humanity, but keeps enough humor to lighten the read. Not only that, the whole plot is expanded from a relatively small quest: The White Phial in an original way. So, whether it’s Yffre, Briahearts, a Bosmer/Argonian love story, or one of the most unique mechanics for a Dragonborn soul I have read; this story delivers… and it’s filled with so many great screenshots!

    2014

    Lyall

     

    Last breath by Garthar the Old

     

    Last Breath was a fun poem (To read, though it’s rather sad) talking about how the war is affecting the Nords. It talks a lot about Kyne, to whom the poem is addressed. It uses the more formal language of thou and thee and all that, but doesn’t overdo it, so you can actually read it! It speaks of betrayal and war, talking about how Kyne has forsaken both him and the other Nords, and asking why they must fight, why she allows such horrors to go unpunished, other than stroking the flames of the fire that is this war. It speaks of how this man, dying in other Nords’ blood, says he can find no rest when his “beloved homeland is burning”. It talks about how far he went for Skyrim, before he closes his eyes and bids farewell, presumably to Kyne since the poem is addressed to her, though since she is the creator of the Nords this does not make much sense, as she would see him in the halls of Sovngarde. Perhaps what he speaks about his soul cannot reset is true, and he’s saying goodbye to everything he knows and loves, including Kyne. Whatever the case, it’s a very sad, and very good poem!

    2015

    Justiciar Thorien

     

    Straag Rod by Lissette

     

    From the very first words I've read, Straag Rod has won my endless love which only grows and intensifies with every new chapter (and there are so, so many of those awesome chapters, and oh so many more yet to come...), for it is a story of the most breathtaking beauty and the true Altmeri spirit. The path of its main character, Aelberon of Dusk, the knight-paladin of Auri-El, an honorable and kind soul, begins shortly before the Oblivion Crisis and leads him through centuries, across all of Tamriel to meet his destiny in Skyrim. It is a path full of adventures both funny and sad, unexpected twists and fateful encounters, friendships and betrayals, heartwrenching pain and warm sparks of joy along the way. It is a story of faith, honor and hope that withstand all the darkness and trials of the world, though sometimes this Old Mer is just being too good for his own good. You will need a lot of free time when you read Straag Rod, because once you start reading it's impossible to stop, and beware, for it is quite addictive and once you read it, you are bound to be waiting for new chapters like Christmas gifts. Life will never be the same, guarantee.

    2016

    Exuro

     

    Legends of the Skaal by SpottedFawn

     

    This story takes us to the frozen island of Solstheim. On January 1st, 2016 SpottedFawn posted the first chapter of Legends of the Skaal. The first part has been finished and she is hard at work (or better be *shakes fist*) on the second. I would describe the story as a clash of ideologies; and this is true on multiple levels. On a personal level, there are the two brothers at the heart of story: the older who loves his small village life, but is at odds with accepting what he is; and the younger who feels trapped in such isolation and seeks glory. They are often (constantly) at odds, but there is no doubt their bond runs deep and they will always come through for one another in the end. Then on a cultural level, family ties bring the conflict in Skyrim to their doorstep and the brothers are thrown into a world at stark odds with the nature-bound life they knew. I hadn’t thought much about the Skaal before, but the way she brings life to their lore, leaves me wanting more.

     

    There we have it, a selection of blogs and poems posted during the last five years. Each one has been brought to you by a few of our members for you all to enjoy. Maybe there are a few jewels you know of, hidden deep within Tamriel Vault. Have a look when you have a few moments. You never know what you may find.

    Maybe you’ll find that one special piece which opens your eyes and heart to a world of werewolves, dragons, vampires and dreams…

    Sotek Loyal Hound Of Hircine

Comments

8 Comments
  • The Wing
    The Wing   ·  April 5, 2016
    This was fantastically written, you guys! I agree with Idesto; very clever way of showing off TT with some of the best pieces of writing here, and getting eloquent readers (and writers themselves!) to be the sponsors. 
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  April 4, 2016
    Yay its up! Glad I interpreted your story correctly SF, that would have been awkward otherwise... I'm looking forward to your new stuff! I have a feeling May is going to be flooded with stories
    I remember reading the Breton Farm Girl story a long ti...  more
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  April 4, 2016
    You all honor me with your comments but it’s like I said.
    It’s the members who write, read, create and draw. It’s you who make Tamriel Vault what it is, regardless as to what group it's ultimately for. I’m going to take this moment to thank every me...  more
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  April 4, 2016
    As if I didn't already have enough in my reading list, and now you lot have made me add to it!
    Seriously, this is a great idea, typically Sotekly democratic and inclusive, well written all round and a great showcase for our group 
  • SpottedFawn
    SpottedFawn   ·  April 4, 2016
    Oh my gosh, this was such a nice thing to wake up to! Thank you for the spotlight, Sotek, and thank you Exuro for summing Frost Moon up perfectly. I just want to shake you by the shoulders and say "You get it! You get what the story's about!" Don't worry ...  more
  • Lyall
    Lyall   ·  April 4, 2016
    I really liked doing this, and seeing how others did theirs! 
    Why did no one do a poem but me? I'm lonely 
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  April 4, 2016
    I agree, this was great, Sotek. I am learning so much by watching you do stuff like this.  What a great teacher to have as I learn my way through the hosting process. 
  • Edana
    Edana   ·  April 4, 2016
    This is such a cool and novel approach! I love that you asked group members about the work of other members and their impressions of it. What a fantastic way to spotlight some of these works. Well done, Sotek!