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Grim Tales - Saarthal Bound - Fenrir Unbound Book III - Chapter 9 P1
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Grim Tales - Saarthal Bound - Fenrir Unbound Book III - Chapter 9 P1
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EDIT: And Part two has been published. I am wiped and need some rest but will check back in soon and catch up with everybody.
Great work!
The only vague one is the familiar taking on wolf form so I can let you know that it has to do with Fenrir's influence.
I like how you worked the Psijic monk into the story, changing his dialogue slightly to fit; I was wondering what role he'd play. Your take on Tolfdir seems rather fitting, too. And Miraak's cultists are a nice reminder of what else is at stake (whether you planned them or not; I suspect they just happened to be out there on your playthrough*).
I also like how Avrein and and Grim have been sizing each other up this whole time, learning more about each other. Avrein seems to know quite a bit now about Grim's connection to nature, and how being indoors and underground weakens that. An interesting bit with Avrein's familiars, too.
Anyway, nicely done, both pics and story!
And I know what you mean about unconscious thought, in your comment to Jess. Plenty of my story ideas keep percolating in the background when I'm not actively writing. Indeed, from time to time I've thought about what Andil will do when he gets to Winterhold and Saarthal, and this story is only stoking that further.
Now on to the next; I have to see what they do with the Eye.
* That's one thing I've liked about storytelling here. The fact that you don't control everything in your game can add some nice random plot elements to a story.
The cultists just show up ... way to often actually ... so I worked them in. Less because they were cultists and more because I wanted Avrein and Grim to fight together - as a bonding experience. It it had not been random cultists it would have been something less glamorous like ice wraiths.
Thalmor have a lot of information on Grim but not these details. Avrein is a smart cookie though and he knows how to put things together. His familiar is being influenced a bit by Fenrir and Grim (unconsciously) and adapting to some need it senses deep inside of Avrein.
Interesting to have Miraak’s cultists show up at the beginning of this tale. I wonder if that was intended or you happened upon them in game and decided to add them into the story. With all that’s going on I didn’t expect the whiff of the Dragonborn quest line to be added to the mix! Nice tug on the memory that when Grim absorbs a dragon’s soul he still hears the soul in his head from time to time. I’d forgotten that point (which incidentally was one of the first things that really drew me into your tales – such a unique take on the whole swallowing dragon souls thing).
Av and Grim’s conversation about ‘lasses’ was cute when they first entered Sarthaal (had to grin when Grim asked if Av wanted some ‘real meat’). Grim can be so insensitive sometimes!
Nice tie is with the Psijic order and Alfrun and all of Grim’s past histories. Sometimes I think you must have a mind-map on your wall at home to keep everything straight! A bit of a tense moment between Av and Grim as Av spoke about the Altmer’s views on the order. I wondered in that moment as Grim looked intently at Av whether he suspected Av’s connections with the Thalmor…
Another ‘telling’ moment into Av’s psyche was the summoning of his familiar… and Grim noticing that it took on the form of a wolf. Av’s confused reaction really highlights the turmoil in his soul where Grim is concerned. Turmoil that I suspect is going to come to a head as the Eye of Magnus makes its first appearance…
Side note: what are the two awesomely wicked looking daggers Grim’s holding in that shot near the end of the story? Those are freaking amazing!
Off to the next chapter…
The armor was like that. Avrein is a bit of a metro-sexual (I think many of the Altmer are) so of course he focuses on looking just right (although not to the extreme Domina does). Grim could care less as long as it is functional. What you wear often reflects some of your personality after all. So I thought it was a good thing to add to the story.
As you know when you have so many things in the air to juggle can be hard. I do keep notes of little things so I am sure to remember them as they are there for a reason. The dragon souls have their own little plot line I have worked out from A to Z and they are something that do make an appearence now and then because of it. Funny you should mention the main quest (game one) as the events in the next few chapters will provide a good chance for Grim to get back into it.
Grim has not suspected any connections to Avrein being an actual Thalmor but he also knows you can't trust everyone. Little flags like that make him nervous - Avrein is an Altmer, he did fight in the Great Wars, and he is strong. It was more Grim wondering if Avrein might approve of the Thalmor or have leanings their way. Grim isn't stupid but the Thalmor have shown almost no interest in him for a long time (which they did 100% on purpose) and so he isn't as hyper-aware as he should be.
Avreins familiar is tiny little plot line relating to the my chapter called "The Hawk and The Wolf" and dual nature of Avrein's existence. Earth and Sky, Mer and Human, Thalmor and Fenrir, Logic and Emotion, Domina and Grim, etc.
Those daggers are pretty epic - they are the Shiverblades. I dislike many of the higher level daggers and Grim will not use enchanted weapons so he likes these. One of those little mods that never got any exposure sadly. Might be because the blades are very pristine looking (not worn) and shiney but hey Grim takes good care of his weapons
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/39830/?
When Grim ass Avrein if wanted some ‘real meat I laughed right out loud and though oh there is our Grim true to himself, he does not hold back and so much part of why I love his char so much. He is what he is, a man's man, sometimes sweet but sometimes the no holds barred type of guy. I love it when he just lets himself be him and does not worry what the stuffy people around him think of him change that.
This was a very interesting part of your story and I enjoyed the conversations and look at a little inside of each man as they traveled.
Awesome shots and very interested to see what happens next, have a very bad feeling all will not go well now they have found the eye. I also wonder if Avrein may have to make a choice sooner then he thought on where he stands in his life.
On to read the next part.
I see Grim and Avrein as the "odd couple" yet they both seem to find enough common ground to like each other.
Oh that interaction between Grim and Avrein as they quite judge each other by simply looking at their armor, it was quite priceless ! So Grim's good mood is contagious when he find himself out in the open
Grim's crude (but funny) comment about Avrein orientation made me have the most epic face palm ever, that and laugh pretty hard. He sure didn't put the white gloves on that one ! ...Avrein also almost messed up with mentioning Erik there...good safe on his part !
Those two sure do make an usual team even if they seem to make quite a deadly pair. Tolfdir, that old man is surely something !
Well i'm curious for next part ! So i shall finish my comment on the second part !
Amazing job dear ! beautiful images !
I worked on that conversation for weeks - most of it in my head while out and about. The best parts I wrote down in notes and then finally put it all together last night. Scary that I probably have more "imaginary" conversations in my head with my characters for stories than I have with real people :p Still it seems to help make them more solid personalities and I enjoy doing it.
I am always nervous about any crude comments but Grim is a little bit of the stereotypical "mans man" and while very kind and generous he still has his crude side (which I sometimes try to highlight in some of his talks with Erik). I know not to mainstream but I write about what I feel and so in it went.
Nothing wrong with him being a little crude and direct, makes for some really funny moments. If it was some kind of game..i think just for that particular one, Grim just scored a point because Avrein had absolutely no come back for it lol. It was very entertaining...I don't really see why you would be nervous about such things ? Think they might be seen as out of place ? It's just part of Grim's personality, he wouldn't be himself if he didn't make those kind of comments every now and then !
You should keep on writing what you feel, gives the story a way more personal touch. Which makes for very enjoyable read
I think that is why I was pulled to Nexus so easy. To have found others that also feel a bond with this game and all it allows us. I think that is why I love to read all the stories so much, to see what others have found in the minds. As this is what it is a piece of our inner most minds that part that allows us to believe that even as an adult we can role play as we did as children with our Barbie and Ken's . Our farm sets, and robots making up stories and sitting on the floor for hours talking to our toys.
I think that is why we are pulled to some other chars and feel anger or sadness over the loss of one of them, or the feeling that rush though us as we read of something good that happens to them.
I have had a friend or so she called herself say to me. "The time to be a child and allow myself to pretend as with that game you play, really being an adult is letting go of that silly need to pretend." I felt sorry for her for a few moments that she had lost that enjoyment that imagenation brings you but I also knew right then that I hoped I never lose that need to enjoy the moments of getting lose in my Ambrosia as if being an adult means I must forget to enjoy life then I will stay a kid lol and I am well very glad to laugh to myself as my lovely blue hair Ambrosia jumps up sword out and in my mind I hear those words, what is more fun then being a child for even a few moments and playing with my toys...........
Sorry off topic but your conversation reminded me how sometimes others look at each of us who enjoy games and wonder why we waste our time on a GAME and I wonder how they have forgotten how much fun it is.
Anyway imagination, make-believe, dreams ... that is what gives humans distinction. With-out them how could we have anything we have in life? Imagination is not just fantasy stories - it is thinking up how to design a new building, making a scientific theory, etc. It all comes into play.
No wonder children are usually more happy, even in bad situations, then adults if adults feel they need to give up the need to pretend. Life would be pretty horrible in many ways if we didn't have our imaginations ... I certainly have no plans on letting mine fade from disuse :-)
I liked the intensity in the way you depicted that battle among the drifting snow, those fiery foes sent after Grim as if to test them as Avrein observed. Avrein shows a bit of that honorable side of him in thinking that he would fight to protect him even without the orders of his sister, knowing his life had been saved by him. I like how you alluded to that appearance of Miraak, those voice of the dragon's souls speaking that warning in his mind. Seems Avrein is not doing quite as good a job at hiding his thoughts, his words betraying some bitterness in not choosing his own fate, his thoughts still conflicted. I like how Grim teased him a little among the ruins, a little revenge for those slightly offending words of his, seems he managed to get to Avrein there, making those cheeks of his blush.
Grim certainly is not one fond of riddles, unfortunately that is the way in which that Psijic monk decided to share his warning, interesting how he is a familiar face in his life with connection to his mother and he, intriguing how he was one that helped him them long ago. I like the details you added about the mystery of the Psijic order, their existence so unsure since the disappearance of their island. Seems that the eye of magnus awaits ahead as does quite a bit of danger I sense, now on to the next part
I really enjoyed the banter between the two. Grim is shy but less so in nature. Plus he feels he owes Avrein a little conversation since Avrein was nice enough to be friendly towards him at the college (not knowing, of course, the why of it). Also keeping in mind they are traveling decent distance and most of the time they are quiet .... but not much I can write about in that case.
I did do some research on the order (there is a lot of it) and did my best to properly represent them. Nerien may have been a touch to personal for one of the monks but nothing he did was in conflict with his order so I believe he is still in good standing.
Thanks very much for reading and giving some feedback!
I liked how almost peacefully the story has started, sometimes the most daring and epic adventures can start this way, but things tend to heat up rather quickly. I love the dynamic Avrein and Grim have, very fascinating to watch the interactions of such different individuals. Their thoughts about each other armors and in turn their personalities was very interesting and also amusing, especially Grim's thought about Avrein polish his armor every night to look handsome.
The fight they had with cultists was quite intense, apparently those brain washed bastards know about Grim's weakness and I wonder who told them about it... Miraak or Hermaeus Mora decided to take some action? Or maybe there is another explanation to this, but Avrein and Grim sure make a great team! The bear coming to aid Grim was very mice touch and once reminded me of connection Grim shares with Kynareth...
Then Avrein kinda screwed up things when they came to Saarthal, clearly his remark about Erik has caused Grim's annoyance, this his very crude but also funny notion about Avrein's certain preferences. He should know better then trying to inquire about Grim's private life so bluntly, since Avrein almost exposed himself and I doubt Grim did not find it strange...
The expedition in your take looked very exiting, while in game I've found it as one of most boring quests ever. Toldfir and his remarks were quite amusing and he sure s not as daft as others think of him!
Psijic monk appearance and especially his words about justice were very intriguing. I was as confused as Grim, but for me it was like, Grim's fate is in his own hands, while Psijic Order will observe the situation...
The finding of the Eye of Magnus was very interesting to read from Avrein's perspective, somehow after recent events I am not surprised that he wanted this artifact be destroyed, so he would not have to face choice and to see the world literally burn, if his fanatical sister will get her hands on both Grim and Eye at the same time. I guess for Avrein it will be very tough trial and most probably a matter of choice that might change everything...
Looking forward to rad the continuation and thank you very much for sharing your awesome work!
I see Avrein as a bit conscious about his appearance and style, wanting to fit that image of the sophisticated Altmer. It also gives him a sense of control over things if he can control his own little bubble of existence.
I spent many afternoons walking the dog in the woods and carrying out these conversations (in all 4 parts actually) in my head and going over them multiple times as I tried to get a feel of how, and what, they might talk about. It is always different in writing as everything you write down tends to have some meaning or purpose - unlike real conversation which is often pretty random and free flowing. It has to be a bit more focused in a story (or movie or game) although not always of course.
As for the cultists - both Miraak and Mora have some interest in following Grim and unfortunately a few of his enemies know of his weakness and sometimes word gets out. That is why he spends a lot of time working on his tolerance levels to fire.
Avrein was hmmm a bit dissapointed I think when Grim confirmed that he was taken. That was why he got a bit sullen and quiet ... and forgot himself for a moment. However his relationship with Grim is something I have already plotted out in detail so will have to wait and see where these chapters take it.
I think you summed up the Orders view point. In reading up on them I found they are over all a benevolent Order even towards humans. They focus on good and do what they can to reduce evil. Overall I think Grim has some respect for them even if they do seem to meddle ... but then apparently so does anything with power.
Part of Avrein wants to go back to life before everything changed. But another part, a new part, finds it exciting and more satisfying. He is just afraid of change. He needs to talk to the Psijics more - they are all about embracing change - it is one of their major tenants. You are also correct - there are going to be a couple of big choices coming in the next two chapters.
Thanks again for the comment and support, I always look forward to hearing from you!
Now to scroll up and read it!
Edit:
Excellent! But now I feel incredibly troubled about what will happen. I really liked the part where Avrein considers the shape of his familiar, it taking upon the shape of a wolf as he started knowing Grim.