(updated March 07, 2009)

Chapter Five

27 Last Seed, 3E433 (probably sometime in the morning)

This has been the longest night of my life!  In the middle of the night, I was left to fend for myself and wandered for hours through a maze of tunnels and caves, fighting off cave rats and goblins.  Finally I stumbled upon the Emperor and his two body guards again, and they have agreed to let me join them, once I promised the Emperor that I would try to help him (although I have no idea of how I can possibly be of any help to him).  We are secretly trying to find a way out of the Imperial City through a passageway that winds through the old abandoned lower level of the Imperial Prison.  Apparently the Emperor's secret exit of the city has been leaked to a group of assassins, who have made attempts on his life at least twice so far.

I'm very fortunate that the Emperor has accepted me as an ally, especially since I'm technically still a prisoner of his empire.  We don't travel very far at all  before we run into more assassins, but the guards take care of them without much problem.  Then we come to another door that opens into a place called "The Sanctum" - which sounds very reassuring to me.  So things are looking really hopeful, until we come to an iron gate that has been locked from the inside. (Umm, shouldn't that be from "the outside", since we are the ones stuck inside, and that is the way out.)

We try a side passage, but that leads to another dead end, and several assassins are heading our way.  The two Blades command me to protect the Emperor as they run out to fight them off.  I try to defend the Emperor, but an assassin jumps out of a secret door and attacks him.  The Emperor tells me that he is dying, gives me the Amulet of Kings, and tells me to get it to Jauffre, who will get it to his last son.  I promise to do as he asks, just before another assassin attacks us.  I try to protect the Emperor but the assassin is just too much for me. The Emperor is killed and I'm really badly hurt.  he only reason that I'm still alive is because Baurus, the one surviving Blade saves my butt.  I slip into unconsciousness, expecting to follow the Emperor in death.

But, to my surprise (and great relief), I soon wake up - nearly fully recovered.  Apparently Baurus was able to heal me with a strong potion that he was saving for the Emperor.  The poor guy is completely distraught - he says they have failed completely.  I tell him that it's not as hopeless as he thinks, since the assassins didn't get the Amulet of Kings . . . the Emperor gave it to me before he died.  And I tell him everything that the Emperor told me before he died.  Baurus didn't know that the Emperor had another son, but he does know Jauffre, who he says is head of the Blades, and he tells me where to find him.  Then he tells me that this hidden passage leads to the sewers, which is the secret way out of the Imperial City.  He also tells me that there are rats and goblins down in the sewers.  Great! Just what I wanted to hear.  But he says that I look like I can handle them - and guesses that I'm an Agent.  "An Agent? No, Baurus, I'm not an agent.  I'm actually a Sorceress.  Or, rather I was one before I was kidnapped by some Imperial Guard and thrown into prison to rot.  Now I'm so out of shape, that I barely have enough Magicka to cast a little fireball."

Baurus then hands me his key to the sewer entrance and I say my final goodbye to him and to my Emperor.

I hate leaving the poor guy, as he looks completely lost.  But I also know that I must hurry out of here, before more assassins show up - as they were also after the Amulet.  So I pick up a torch and run down the secret passageway - all alone in the dark again.

I'm now running down a secret passageway of the Sanctum, although this place seems far from holy.  Imperial may not be my native tongue, but I'm pretty sure that sanctum means a holy place - a sacred place of pilgrimage.  Baurus, the Imperial Guard (and Blade) stayed behind, guarding the Emperor's body and making sure that I'm not followed.  He told me that this passageway would lead me to the entrance to the sewers, which will eventually exit to the outside.  I'm not at all fond of sewers, but they seem safer than this passageway, as I'm worried that I'll run into an assassin any minute now.  My last encounter with one was disastrous - the Emperor was killed and I nearly died as well.  If Baurus had not saved me from the assassin and healed me with a strong potion, I would be dead by now. 

Just before he died, the Emperor gave me the Amulet of Kings and I promised him that I would give it to Jauffre, a monk, who Baurus says is the Grandmaster of the Blades.  The Emperor told me the Jauffre is the only person who knows where his last son is.  I'll worry about finding Jauffre once I find my way to the outside - after I'm had a good long sleep.  I have no idea what time it is or even what day it is - but I'm pretty sure that I haven't had any sleep for a few days.  The only thing that is keeping me going is fear and the excitement of making it to the outside again.  Even so, I'm really starting to feel the exhaustion sinking in now, and I know that I don't have much more left.  But I'm certainly not going to stop here and take a nap - it's just not a safe place.  Besides, I haven't seen a bed down here - or even an old bedroll.  So I'm hoping that I will last long enough to be able to find my way to the outdoors.  Then I'll look for a bed, in some safe place where I can sleep for at least a couple of hours.

I don't have to go very far not far before the passage ends at a heavy wooden door, which is locked.  I dig out the key that Baurus gave me, unlock the door.  On the other side of the door is a small chamber, with what looks sort of like a manhole hatch in the center.  The heavy hatch opens with a loud metal groan, and I gag on the strong musty smelling odor that hits me.  I really don't want to go down there, but this is my only way out.  So I take a deep breath, step in, and climb down a rusty metal ladder into the sewers.

Goodness, sewers are always the creepiest places - they totally freak me out!  Maybe it's the dampness, or that green slime the covers everything.  Or it might be the horrid odors that I can't stand.  Whatever it is - I just know that it makes me a little sick and I want to get out of here as fast as possible.  But first I need to sit down and rest for a couple of minutes, as I'm too weak to take another step.  The air here is so heavy and it just feels so oppressive - like I can't breath or something.  I'm feeling very weak and sick down here and am really worried that I won't last long enough to make it outside.  I know that I desperately need to feel some sunshine and breathe fresh air soon.  I've been caged up and stunk underground for way too long.  I'm so exhausted that I just can't keep my eyes open and find myself nearly dozing off.  "Ok, Arwen, snap out of it and get moving - you're never going to get out of here if you fall asleep in this horrid place!"  So I force myself back up on my feet, stretch, and head deeper down into the sewers.

There are a few sewer rats and a couple of nasty goblins, but Baurus was right - they aren't too much of a problem for me.  After climbing an old slimy stairway, I notice that the air suddenly smells a little better.  Then I see what looks to be a large, bright porthole up ahead, but there's an iron gate in front of it.  This has got to be the exit out of the sewers. 

Then I  hear a hollow tapping sound coming from somewhere in the darkness behind me.  Worried that some creature is stalking me, I make a run for it, hoping that the gate won't be locked.  Frantically I grasp the iron bar, pulling back with everything I have.  And the gate makes a low creak, gives a little, and then stops.  Oh no!  The tapping sound is getting closer, but I don't even bother to look behind me into the darkness.  All my effort is focused on this stubborn iron gate.  I'm perspiring freely now (girls don't sweat - they perspire, but it sure feels like sweat) and I'm in a total panic.  So I give it one more try - grabbing hold of the rough iron gate again with my sore and now bleeding hands.  This time I put one of my feet against the slimy stone wall so that I have something solid to push against.  Again I pull back with all my strength - knowing that I'm about to collapse from exhaustion and lack of sleep.  And the gate groans and opens up a bit more.  It's only open a small amount, but it's enough for me to squeeze through - just barely (thank goodness I'm so slender).

I make a final dash for the daylight - and then I'm squinting my eyes from the bright mid-day sun, breathing in sweet smelling fresh air for the first time in months. Several butterflies are dancing in the nearby air and dragonflies are darting to and from the nearby water. And I see a couple of large birds gliding effortlessly in the warm thermals about the hills - their white feathers a bright contrast to the deep blue color of the sky.  I just stand there in the sun - completely drained - crying at the natural beauty before me.  And then I give thanks for my survival of the Imperial prison, and for finally being free again!

I'm so happy to be outdoors again!  For the first time in months I feel like my old self.  Wood Elves draw strength from nature and I can already feel my dormant magical abilities returning.  But I'm also really, really tired, and need to get some rest to get my strength back.  By the height of the sun, it must be early afternoon, and it was around 1 am when the guards entered my cell.  So I've been on the run for more than 12 straight hours - no wonder that I'm so tired!  I'm tempted to just stay right here and rest for a while, but I know that I should find a much more secluded spot.  After all, it would a shame to finally escape from prison, just to be arrested right outside of the exit from the sewers.

Not knowing which way to go, I decide to follow the shoreline toward the northwest.  The are a number of mud crabs on the shore and one of the larger ones attacks me, but a couple of my arrows take care of it - and I soon have some crab meat.  When the bank gets really steep I climb up to the top of the hill, but it's a very difficult climb for me, and I have to stop several times to catch my breath.  And then it starts raining, which makes the steep grassy hillside slippery, making my climb even more difficult. But I make it to the top - only to discover that I picked the worst possible direction . . . I'm now standing right outside the walls of the Imperial prison.  And the Imperial City itself is way too close for my comfort. 

Bummer!  I'm exhausted from the climb, and so frustrated at myself for picking the wrong direction that I just stand there crying.  Perhaps I should just give up and turn myself in - after all I do have the Amulet of Kings.

Yeah right - I'm an escaped prisoner - with the dead Emperor's Amulet. Any guard would likely kill me instantly. As I'm standing there, feeling totally sorry for myself, the rain suddenly stops and a beautiful rainbow appears.  My heart is instantly lighter and I feel like everything is somehow going to be ok.

No matter how tired I am I really need to get moving again and put some distance between me and the prison.  After all I still have these heavy iron wrist bands, which will identify me as a prisoner.  I need to find someone who can remove these things - as I'll never be truly free as long I they remain on my wrists.  At least my trip up here wasn't a total waste of my energy, because I do get a great view of my surroundings.  I'm on what appears to be a large island, only I don't see any bridges nearby.  But there is a large bridge off to the south - but it's a very long ways away.  Ok, that's not really a problem, because the water isn't all that wide here, so I can easily swim across.  Besides, I should probably stay away from bridges, until I can find a way to blend in a bit better.

Like I can actually blend with THIS hair! I mean, how many Bosmer have pinkish/purple hair?  Hey it's not my fault!  I was born with this color hair.  You didn't really believe that I chose it did you? 

Ok, I really need to come up with a plan - and fast.  First I have to get away from this city, before someone spots me and calls a guard.  Ok, so the obvious thing to do is just go back down this hill and swim across the water to those old ruins.  Wait a sec. . . . there appears to be a campfire down there.  I can't see anyone, but that doesn't mean that no one's around.  The last thing I need is to have someone see me coming from the direction of the prison.  Ok, so maybe I should head in the direction of that little dock on the other side, rather than take the direct route.  So I cautiously work my was down the hill, secure my belongings, and slip into the cold water.  It's very refreshing, even with all my clothes on, and all I can think about is how badly I need a real bath.

It's a much longer swim this way, but I try to remain underwater as much as possible, so that I won't be spotted as easily.  Luckily I make it across without anyone noticing me, but I barely escaped a very large slaughterfish.  Great.  Those horrid fish that I hated so much in Morrowind live here as well!  I guess I'll just have to be a bit more careful when swimming in the future.  Then as soon as I reach the shore a bunch of mud craps come at me from all directions, apparently figuring that I would make a pretty good lunch.  The little ones die with just one good shot, but it takes 3 arrows or so to kill the largest ones.  I didn't want to kill them, but they just kept coming at me, even when I tried backing away from them.

Then a large wolf runs down the grassy bank toward me.  Goodness!  Give me a break!  I'm totally spent after fighting off all those mud crabs - so there's no way that I could fight off a wolf right now.  So it's back into the water for me.  Hopefully that wolf won't want to swim after me - and that slaughterfish isn't down there waiting for me.  My escape plan actually works - there are no sign of any slaughterfish and the wolf soon wanders off.  So I wade back onto the shore and collapse in a heap.

Notes About MODs:

Rainbows in Tamriel: The rainbow in my screenshot is a result of this wonderful mod - there are no rainbows in vanilla Oblivion.

Realistic Fatigue: When I wrote, ". . . I climb up to the top of the hill, but it's a very difficult climb for me, and I have to stop several times to catch my breath," this was actually part of what was happening to my Bosmer in the game (or rather, my heavily modded version of the game).  In the vanilla game, your character can run all day without getting tired, even when carrying a full load (in their inventory).  Realistic Fatigue changes all that and a whole lot more.  And it really makes combat (and surviving) much more challenging.  This mod and Oblivion Wound Effects & Penalties seem to work well together . . . although the wound penalties are definitely more severe when you combine them with a fatigue mod.  But I love the realism that this mod adds . . . and I am able to survive (most of the time) . . . it just requires a lot more caution on my part.  [I'll be covering Realistic Fatigue in much more detail in later chapters.]

Denock Arrow: I always seem to end a battle with an arrow ready in my bow that I no longer need.  Up until now I shot the arrow at the ground and picked it up (when I could find it) - this mod makes removing an unneeded arrow much more realistic . . . and much easier.  This was one of those little annoying things that really bugged me, that has finally been fixed with a great little mod.

Role-Playing:

Baurus Heals Me: I wrote that the guard Baurus healed me with a strong potion after the assassin nearly killed me.  In my game I actually healed my own character - with my restoration spell.  It just would have been much better if I had been healed by the potion that was reserved for the Emperor - that would have made a great addition to the final battle with the assassins - so I just role-played that this was the way that it happened.

Sorceress Class: When I tell Baurus that I'm Sorceress, that's the part of the dungeon tutorial, where I selected my Class.  In my previous game I chose Nightblade.  But OOO makes Oblivion a lot tougher - so it's much more important to make a Custom Class, where you can pick both your Specialization along with 2 Favored Attributes, and  7 Major Skills that work the best with your character (otherwise your character will soon get creamed - and you'll get frustrated with your game.  I selected Magic as my Specialization; Willpower and Agility as my 2 Favored Attributes; and a combination of magic and combat skills (so I can survive): Alteration, Blade, Conjuration, Illusion, Light Armor, Marksman, and Mysticism.  The end result is a Wood Elf Sorceress - my very own totally unique character to play.

If you use the Race Balancing Project mod, you also have to factor in the ways the Race and Birthsigns are different from the vanilla game, when you make your selection.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each race and birthsign, so you may want to pick the skills that will help lessen your disadvantages. Ok, so this may seem a bit complex, and not something that you really want to bother with - when you just want to get out out of the tutorial dungeon and into the real game.  But, trust me . . . it really is worth your efforts.  All you really have to do is just plan ahead a bit, by deciding what your character is going to be like - and then pick the skills that will work best with the way you are going to play.

Gate to Sewers: This gate is not actually at all difficult to open - but it should be - so I just imagined that it was. 

"Wood Elves draw strength from nature": This is not part of the game, but is just more of my role-playing.  It would be cool it this had been included in Oblivion, especially since the race is described as: ". . .Bosmer reject the stiff, formal traditions of Aldmeri high culture, preferring a romantic, simple existence in harmony with the land, its wild beauty and wild creatures. . ."  My comment about feeling my dormant magical abilities returning is actually based on the game - but happened back in Chapter 4, just before I entered the sewers, when I told Baurus that I'm a Sorceress.  At that point, my character's abilities receive a huge boost when the 7 major skills that I had selected all gain 25 skill points.

Continued in Chapter 6

Getting a Few Winks