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Grim Tales - Staff and Key - Fenrir Unbound Book III - Chapter 10
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59 comments
I liked the description of Grim's passage through the Ice tunnel. It was sad as it was formed from Fenrirs trapped presence and yet beautiful at the same time.
So now he has the staff and the key, but time is of the essence as some dipshit is messing with the eye....hmmmm... wonder who that could be!
Can't wait!!!
I can understand Erik's worry about Grim losing himself, becoming almost a fearsome force of nature; he does seem to be showing more of his father's and grandfather's side lately. I imagine it must be hard to shift back from that kind of wild power. Still, if anyone can keep Grim anchored in the mortal realm, it's probably Erik.
I like Avrein's reaction when hearing about Grim's dragon voices, not to mention his thoughts while seeing Grim and Erik together in beast form -- and seeing them change back from it.
I hadn't noticed earlier that Erik now has a Nordic greatsword (from Dragonborn); it suits him well! Ditto for Grim and Avrein and their blades.
Anyway, nicely done, both pics and story!
The one thing that normally keeps Grim grounded, besides Erik and Wolfgar, is nature. He is a very basic guy which is why power has not corrupted him - for the most part it doesn't offer up anything that he wants. What power he does have, which is considerable, he does his best to use responsibly.
But part of the problem now is that it is nature that is calling to him - his own and the world of Nirn itself. On top of that Wolfgar is going with them as they are joining together and sinking into the natural world as a nature diety. So in this case the grounding factor is making things easier to lose himself.
Avrein is not sure what he wants at the moment as he is a bit conflicted. While a scholar he is also a warrior (although he tends to enjoy the strategy and tactical aspects the most) and hence I am sure he can see the usefulness of the beast blood. For all his powerful magic sometimes tooth and claw is the best defense or offense
As for the rest ... well we shall see soon enough as I start work on Chapter 12 tonight.
all the best and long may it continue
If it isn't that then next time I am in-game will double check. I recently updated everyone with new armor and weapons so my memory is a tad hazy one what I settled on.
The three characters and their interactions are very well done and rich, and Avrein who feels the third wheel, is really interesting. He really is a very good character, misled by a part that feels sexual attraction for the two, and the other by the aims the he pursued. Nice also its issue on lycanthropy. In truth I find lycanthropy, disappointing in Skyrim, because it seems reduced to a kind of superpower, which one uses at command. Personally I love the way as the mod "Moonlight Tales" changes it, which return to the lunar phases at least in part the domain on transformation. The werewolf in these phases, despite Monlight tales does not do it, should require the player to kill to appease his ferocity and his desire to hunt.
Lycanthropy is a curse, which can become a blessing through a path, where the werewolf, learns to accept the animal side that inhabits the human and replenishes the lost bond with him. For Avrein could also be a possible development, which was opposed by him who prefers the study and magic, because, after all, would make it more complete and complex personality. Avrein basically is a character who is very attracted to carnality, sex and physical impulses rather mixed with magic, which in effect are possible salvation from his leaden cloak of thalmor ideology. His gaze towards his companions is also the vision of another possible world and his desire for it. The defect of Avrein as a character is that he does not seems at times, too an altmer, missing a little of the arrogance that characterizes his race, and that sometimes, it should emerge a little more.
Grandiose battles, and very impressive meeting with Fenrir. About this figure is surprising to find that in Norse myth, Fenrir assumes the role in skyrim is done by Alduin. In your novel, you may weld the narrative, more to the Norse myth, thus retaining the scenery from the impending end of time, but thus released from Skyrim and its lore.
The only thing I did not like is the music, you have chosen, mind you, is beautiful, but has the disadvantage that it is too used. But it is my fault because my mind associated it with Tolkien and his cinematic interpretation. Too childish for my recent taste.
A great job and you have to be proud of it.
So what I wanted to explain is the werewolf thing, which wasn't very filled out in Skyrim (at least I felt it got the short-end of the stick compared to vampires). Moonlight Tales is an awesome mod by the way. Now when it comes to werewolves who are the traditional cursed version I agree - both on the ferocity and the use of MT. However Grim (and company) are not werewolves.
I use the term "werewolf" as a convenience in the stories because not everyone has read past stories and because I don't want to have to explain what I am going to explain now in every story. I have touched upon it a few times in past stories and comments but it is an easy thing to miss. In other words I am using the term because it is something everyone can easily recognize and relate to ... and it is partially accurate.
Grim is not cursed (or blessed) with Lycanthropy. He IS part wolf. Fenrir is a Wolf who can take human form if he likes. Grim was born part wolf, with wolf DNA, and that is a core part of him. He could never be cured of it anymore than a human could be cured of being human. He is Lycan in modern terms but more than that as he is also part divine. When he takes on wolf form (and he can transform into a 100% wolf as well as the more common were-beast form) there is no uncontrolled blood-lust or unnatural urge to kill ... anymore than a creature of the wilds has such things. Sure wolves can be fierce and vicious but in general wolfs are pack animals with a lot of traits humans would apply a "good" label to. Grim has had to fight his animal side, which is at odds with civilization, and has sometimes become over-come with blood-lust in battle (something two of my stories touched on when he lost control). However in general he has control over the form and there is no hunger for blood and killing. In one epic 5 chapter story I had him confront his blood-rage and come to terms with his animal side. He still struggles but now he accepts and understands it better.
Now Erik, Avrein, and to a lesser degree Arnbjron, are all his "wolves" in that he shared his blood with them all and gave them the blessing of Fenrir (or as the case may be the Blessing of Grim-Fenrir). But this is not a disease of the blood. Erik could never wound another person and pass on his werewolf form or abilities. It is not like Hircines disease. Even if someone stole Grim's blood it would do nothing without the proper ritual and blessing that activates it. It is part divine and is given to those who show great courage, strength of will, and honor. In some ways it is the opposite of Hircines more blood thirsty version. Fenrir's "wolves" are guardians of nature and man. They are a force for good.
Anyhow hope that explains the difference. You should know by now I am not really a dark writer like you, Jess, Basstos, and Liadys :-) and I say that with all due respect as I really enjoy dark writing - I just don't happen to write it as much myself.
I tried to play a "real" werewolf in Skyrim. Kveldulf was a prototype of Grim who was one of those - tormented by the kills he did as he fought to control it. It got to dark and I stopped enjoying the game completely. I simply had no desire to play him and so I deleted him. But then playing a dark game is different than writing dark in some ways and for this medium I am writing about a game I am playing.
In regards to Avrein - he was more arrogant in the beginning of my stories when he was more the enemy. He is part human as well and buried many emotions growing up. When that damn broke I think it took away some of his arrogance. However you are correct that I have forgotten to show that more - he has been a bit soft. A failing on my part as sometimes I am not good about remembering all the details in a characters personality when I write them. It is one thing I admire about other people's work - they do a good job of keeping each character unique.
It is funny you mention the music as that is what delayed my story by almost two hours. The song I had planned didn't fit ... and so I spent hours on Pandora and Youtube looking for songs.
My first choice was this song, Florence + The Machine: "Breath of Life" as I LOVE her voice - it is simply AMAZING!!! Gives me chills.
The problem it was too epic, too good, for this story. I have it saved for the right time. Anyhow after listening to an endless chain of music I finally opted for something more generic and fantasy like. It was also a long piece so it fit the long story well.
Anyhow thanks again for the feedback. I will try to remember it, like I do all your feedback, and continue to work on character development.
The mask of sexuality, of course, is used to break the censorship of his part elf. This trick works on the moment, but its part elven should then return later overbearing. Progress and regression, the psyche of Avrein is a place of a battle, but psychological in nature but also especially political. Always remember the lesson of Plato, the psyche reflects what in a great extent is the social and political dimension. Avrein is struggling against the ideology that has shaped his mind to reach the freedom to become himself.
n his mind you measure the success or failure of a political project domain by a tyrannical regime. Even Adolf Hitler in his bunker surrounded and in defeat, he dreamed that his people not to surrender but were annihilated to the last, to establish that the defeat could not fade the divinity of its ideology. Ideology is divine because it is proclaimed as the truth, and then it is claimed eternal. ideology is Chim... Forgery, love is Chim!
As for Florence, i simply love her and her music. Of course maybe it was too epic and also a little short. I agree.
P.S. Florence is Chim!
You really made me smile, as well, with the Florence is CHIM. I think I agree!
Fantastic work as always Grim!