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Grim Tales - A Princely Favor - Champion of Fenrir Book IV - Chapter 3
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Grim Tales - A Princely Favor - Champion of Fenrir Book IV – Chapter 3
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48 comments
A wonderful bit, too, with Grim reconnecting with Fenrir, feeling his presence in the land and sharing it with Erik. I think that may be my favorite part in this chapter.
And it makes sense that Arkay would be understanding about working with Serena. Ditto for Meridia. As I think was mentioned, things are rarely black-and-white with the undead, and some (like Serena or Sybille) are not so evil.*
In any case, nicely done, both pics and story! I'm glad to finally (if belatedly) be getting back into this.
* I imagine my own unwilling vampire Aenar would understand more than a little of this. Despite his unliving status, he's received Arkay's blessing a few times. And while I don't think he ever did Meridia's quest, he's probably retained more than enough of his humanity for her to let him, thanks in part to his dragon blood. (I imagine the irony of a vampire becoming her champion rather than Molag's could help as well.
Not as much from Meridia. It is clear she is a Paladin type and actually pretty black and white. I went against lore having her give Grim a nod with Serana although I think she did it unwillingly and made it clear she wasn't happy about it. Arkay is more about rooting out those who make undead primarily and sending those cursed to freedom.
Personally, I'm very happy to see Akrioh in Your story. Been holding this fellow very dearly since he was published on the Nexus
Keep it up!
i thank you for sharing
Always a pleasure to read your stories and see your shots. Excellent job.
First, the mood in Jorrvaskr. Whether it was the moody music or the shots with the look of despair still lingering in their eyes (shout out to Mizz and his fabulous Companions Mod too), you nailed it. I could almost FEEL the despair still lingering in the place. Nice touch that two of the Companions lost their lives to Despair (not going to name names?) - adds a sharp edge of reality to Despair's carnage and rampage through Jorrvaskr to get to Aela.
It is always a pleasure to see / read your Hircine when he pops up. I love how he still manages to instil worry (or caution) in Erik and I was cracking up at Grim's advice - "just remember they could kill you in a heartbeat, and for no reason, so best to just move past that and go with your instinct." er, not the most helpful advice Grim! Poor Erik, I had to feel sorry for him as he cowered before the Alpha. Still, I suspect Hircine enjoys playing with Erik!
Nice touch with having Grim seek out both Arkay and Meridia to get their respective 'blessings' on his teaming up with Serana. I'm super keen to see what meridia's jazzed up Dawnbreaker will do (no doubt in your epic finale). Nice to have a little hint of Garm in your tale too (and the mentions of Kyn and Sannedia were nice).
I started the piece of music for the middle section of the tale and thought you must've linked the wrong piece in until I started reading about the freedom and joy Grim was taking in hunting in his wolf form with his pack. Feeling that bond with nature just filling him up (and seeping into Erik as they touched). Then it all fell into place and had me kind of choked up a little; it was such a beautiful scene and I suspect went far towards healing the souls of these two (three) who have endured so much hurt recently. I get a feeling that this must be how you feel when you take Grim (real Grim) out into the wilds for his walks?
And then... ending it with the close-up and personal Despair herself in all her cruel glory, leading Aela around like a sack of wheat and daring Bal's wrath by TASTING her... and oh boy, what did she find. Equal parts pain and pleasure from that blood. The mystery of Aela's blood deepens. She's SO got to be Hircine's love child!!
And now she (Despair) knows Grim is coming... it's about to get nasty. Man she's one tough cookie... I wonder if Grim will have met his match in Despair? A lesser Daedra is definitely going to be a difficult one to best...
And who is this mysterious elf in the last shot with either an epic scar or some very snazzy warpaint? A potential new ally methinks? Hmm, nice...
Fantastic as usual hon and I'm looking forward to the next...
I decided to not name any of the companions who died as it leaves things open for cross-over stories and also provides me more flexibility for future stories with the companions. In general this takes place a while after Kodlak died in Dannee's world. The two who died are just newer companions - so I could have made up some names for them but it would not have meant anything since they were just "generic" companions.
I suspect Grim is just pragmatic in that the Princes will do what they do - so in return you do your best to adapt or fight. On the other hand Grim has become a bit more blase towards them do to his upbringing and familiarity so ... aye not really good advice for Erik. Erik is a bit more of the follower/submissive type so Hircines "aura" tends to really overwhelm him. Luckily Hircine doesn't want to totally alienate Grim so he treats Erik ok. For that matter he wants Erik as a champion (and that will be another story with some cool twists I have planned) so he is good with Erik overall.
Glad you enjoyed the music - I had a very hard time placing the song. If I put it to late then it would overlap with Despair (which would be odd) but to far back and it would not make sense as you noted. In the end I tried to find some place where Grim was feeling safe (with Hircine and Erik) so that it might set the tone for the little romantic/love exchange between him and Erik. I really wanted the song in there somewhere! Me and Grim (dog) are very close and when I can find a place to walk alone with him then I do feel much more connected to nature versus civilization and all the stuff it brings with it.
I am still getting to know how Despair is so adjusted things just a little - in general she would never curse or go against Molag - she is totally bound to his will as that is how he made her. She may muse over him keeping secrets but will assume he had his reasons. But sometimes she does have to make her own decisions on what she can do and in this case having a sip of blood did not cause Aela harm so was within the frame work of her directives from Molag. Big mystery on her blood though as you saw
The elf at the end is Akrioh, Hunter of the Undead (mod by JesusOden) and in Grim's world a member of the Dawnguard. He may be joining forces with the team. Despair is Daedra, not undead, but there will be plenty of undead servants and followers so he might be a good addition.
Thanks again for the nice comment!
I always enjoy when you talk how how connect Grim feels to the earth and world around him, you tell it with such feeling its easy to know you have that connection with the outdoors as well and as a lot of your personal shots are of you and Grimwolf oh did I get that right lol....... you can tell that you enjoy it being outside as much and Erik and Grim do in your stories.
I love how your shots and stories told of the carnage at Jorrvaskr and yet did not reveal the names of those dead, giving the scene more meaning as the reader will wonder who if it was one of their favorite chars here who has been killed by Despair.
What amazing shots of Despair and love how you told of the tasting of the blood, pain and pleasure such emotions so close together and tied. I did wonder for a few moments how Despair dared to taste her blood without permission from her lord but did read in one of your comments that she does have free will also so made much more sense then.
Amazing shots and I am so enjoying these chapters. Wonderful work as always Jon, cant wait for the next chapter!
You got it right although it is a little confusing - my dog is Grimwolf and my character is Grimulfr - same thing actually just different spelling. I do enjoy being outside although I think if I liked it as much as Grim I wouldn't be on the computer so much lol. I am a bit more in between. Then again I do IT for a living and live in more populated area. If I was a Ranger living in the deep north I expect it might be different.
I am really intrigued how so many people have different reasons why I didn't mention who was killed. Jess thought I might have left it a mystery on purpose; Nataly figured it was for cross-over stories (which is my own reason); Mizzog thought he had missed it but had expected it; and you thought it was to give the scene more meaning to the reader (which I admit is one of my favorite reasons so far - lot better than my own).
In regards to Despair (who I am checking in regulary with Liadys to make sure I stay fairly close to her personality) I think Molag has to give her some free will otherwise it would cripple her actions as uncovered situations would leave her with no directions. So as long as she does no real harm to Aela she has some leeway. For that matter it may be even be considered a reward from Molag for kidnapping her.
Many thanks for the follow up comment, much appreciated!
It was wise of Grim to give Vilkas and Farkas a role to play in their mission to rescue Aela, to give them a chance to mend their wounded pride, seems he is heading the wise words of Hircine in his argument with Erik in the Drunken Huntsman. I liked those hints of other tales you mentioned, with Arkay speaking of Kynthia and Garm being away at the side of the playful Sannedia. It is fortunate for Grim that Meridia was quite reasonable considering he was working alongside Serana but I guess the possibility of a blow struck against her shadowy sibling was too good to pass up for her. Was amusing how Grim joked about Meridia liking him for his reverent attitude, poking a little fun at himself, a healthy thing for one to do occasionally.
One can see how important Aela is to Hircine in the way he is taking extra care in watching over Grim and Erik though part of it is also out of his fondness for them. Was wonderful the way you described that returning influence of Fenrir, the subtlety of his presence, his breath in the wind and his voice in the sound of the water. Seems quite the experience that way Grim can share his feeling so directly with Erik, makes for quite the connection between them, was quite a touching moment among the urgency of that chase.
Despair seemed in a worse mood than usual, seems she does not like being held back from having her kind of twisted fun with Aela, not able to punish her for having struck her. One certainly knows she is a servant in Molag with the smells she finds sweet. With the caution she has learned to use she may be an even more dangerous foe though it seems she still was not cautious enough around Aela, that claw drawing her blood, the huntress certainly has a strong will to fight. Molag has left Despair with a lot to ponder with the way he keeps his schemes from even his trusted servant. I am certainly intrigued about what exactly Molag plans, fantastic work on this chapter, Jonathan
On Despairs power leaving a mark - Exactly! She is not of this world at all. She is dark and corrupt like her master. It is only natural that the very world of Nirn would rebel against her presence - constantly seeking to expel her unnatural taint. She is clearly not welcome among the the living world of Nature. This she burns and corrupts everything she touches. Wolfgar, being very close to nature, has his own sixth sense when it comes to detecting unnatural entities.
Lol okay one commment made me laugh although it shows great wisdom - those who enjoy causing pain in others almost never enjoy getting it themselves (except for the true sadist/masochist types). The golden rule does not apply to evil.
Whenever it seems natural, and appropriate, I like to add in mention of other people's stories. I suspect I might sneak in something on Edrelle or Honey Stripes at some point but it will be when the timing is right. One reason Garm came up is because Arkay's temple in Whiterun is where Garm lives and I always have him in my game even if Grim is always with Wolfgar. I just like knowing Garm is around watching after the spirits of the dead and protecting them. Should Grim ever die I want to know Garm will be there to guide him to Hircine's realm safely.
Glad you liked Grims connection with nature. He could only share it for a few heartbeats with Erik, his divine power being to weak, but it was enough to show Erik what he experiences. In regards to Hircine being fond of them ... well some of that is self-interest. I believe Hircine still wants Erik to be his Champion and Grim ... well Grim is destined to be a semi-god at some point and Hircine gets a lot of "points" for being the one to train him. Still I suspect it is a bit more than that even if he would never say so.
Despair has not underestimated Aela it is more that she doesn't know who she really is. For that matter there is some question if Aela even knows that answer. Hircine knows ... and somehow Molag knows as that is why he has taken her and you can be sure it won't be anything good!
Thanks again for the comment!
That glowing sword looks really cool!