(updated March 07, 2009)

Chapter Nine

Last Seed 29, 3E433 (mid day)

What a difference a couple of days makes!  Two days ago I was still stuck in the Imperial basement, trying to find my way out. And the Emperor was still alive.  So much has happened since then, but I'm still not in the best of shape - physically or financially.  I spent two months wasting away in prison, and all I have (including my clothing) is what I have scavenged, and the items that I got from trading with Relian. But traveling merchants don't carry all that much. 

I slept in an actual bed last night . . . in a inn called Newlands (although it was a bit run down) and I slept in very late, since I was totally exhausted.  I still haven't caught up on my sleep, but I am feeling a bit more energized today.  Oh, I also had a sit-down-at-a-table hot meal last night (very late last night . . . more of a midnight snack . . . only a very large one).  And I was finally able to purchase a bar of soap this morning (people were beginning to avoid me) and found a nice (but chilly) secluded pool to bathe in.  Since there wasn't much left for breakfast, I took a short hike outside the city walls in search of some berries, although I didn't find a single berry, so I'm still hungry.

Oh, I nearly forgot . . . On my walk I came upon sort of a little village called, umm . . . Harlum's Watch.

I guess it was more of a hamlet than a village - just four small thatched roof homes, with only four residents. All four seemed to live alone in each house, and all were of difference races. Maybe it's some sort of a commune or something - as they seem to share a single garden. I could easily have gotten some food out of their small garden, but it just didn't seem right ripping up some carrots. I mean, they did seem rather poor . . . not that they were dressed all that poorly, but their homes were really shabby.  And I did offer to buy some food from them, but no one was willing to sell me any.

Ok, where was I . . . Oh yeah, I was telling you how I still haven't had a thing for breakfast. And my stomach isn't at all happy about that!  But it's going to have to wait just a little longer. I'm stopping in to see the smith at the March Rider, before the wrong person notices that I have these wrist irons on, and figures out that I'm an escaped prisoner.

[Is it just me, or are these things . . . like really obvious?]

The March Rider is down by the river, across from the Chapel, and the door is unlocked so I walk in. The woman behind the counter says that she is Terlia Viducia, the smith, and she asks what she can do for me today. Looking around first to make sure that one else is in the shop, I tell her that Relian told me to come here.  Then I hold up both my wrists, exposing the heavy wrist irons, securely fastened there. Terlia says that she can easily remove them for me, and leads me into her work area in the back of the shop.  In no time at all I'm rid of those annoying things, and I'm now finally feel free for the first time since I was arrested. 

She asks me if I need anything else, looking at my shoddy outfit and at my old rusty iron bow.  I tell her that I could really use some better clothing and a better made bow.  Terlia shows me a very nice Elven bow - but it sells for nearly 1700 gold, which is more than I can afford.  Ok, now about my outfit. Since this is a smith's shop, my only choices are armored clothing.  Which is just as well, as I need to be more practical than fashionable at the moment.  Heavy armor is just so boxy and . . . it's really way too heavy for me, even if I could afford it.  Walking with all that weight would be hard enough for me - running in it would be impossible.  Running is very important to me, because it often allows me to avoid unnecessary combat completely. I'll stick with light armor - which means fur (at least this is all Terlia has for sale right now).  And I was really hoping to at least be able to trade in my old rough leather cuirass for a new leather cuirass.  But I am able to buy new fur boots and new fur greaves (to replace my worn out ones).  (Picture jeans, only these are like a heavy, really fuzzy pair of jeans.)  After getting changed, I thank Terlia for all her help and promise to come back when I have more to trade.

Right next door is Mach-Na's Books, so I stop in there next.  Mach-Na is an Argonian (the reptilian race), who are generally quite reserved - but most seem to enjoy talking with me. Probably because I enjoy talking with them (but, then again, I enjoy talking with everyone - actually I just enjoy talking).  Ok, so maybe I do talk a bit much. Whatever.  Anyhoo, I enter the bookstore, walk over to the counter, and immediately start chatting with Mach-Na.  I tell him that I'm new to the area, and that I'm looking for a good map of Cyrodiil.(I'm pretty sure Mach-Na is a "he" . . . but I'm not really very good at telling the male Argonians from the females.)  Mach-Na rubs his chin, excuses himself and waddles up the nearby stairs.

He soon returns with folded piece of oiled leather, which he unfolds on the counter - giving me his big Argonian grin.  This is clearly an Elven map . . . and it's gorgeous!  Mach-Na notices the impression that the map makes on me (I never was any good at hiding my feelings), and says that I can have the map, if I can give him a book that he doesn't currently have in his store.  I take a quick look around the bookstore, and see that there are books everywhere.  This is going to be a real challenge! But then I notice that there are many duplicates of the same volumes.  There aren't really all that many different books here.

No wonder he wants a new book. The poor guy is likely bored out of his mind, with nothing new to read all day.  And then I remember that I had picked up a book from the bandit camp, shortly after leaving the sewers.  The book I found is called "Immortal Blood", which is book about vampires.  I hand the book over to Mach-Na and he carefully takes it like it's the most valuable thing in the world.  And then he thanks me with a bow, and hands me the Elven map! 

He really seems to be happy that I gave him a new (to him) book, because he starts talking up a storm, telling me all about Cheydinhal and about the way that the Dark Elves and the Imperials hate each other.  He also tells me that no one trusts Count Cheydinhal, who's real name is Andel Indarys (a Dark Elf).  He's originally of House Hlaalu in Morrowind, and he came to power very suddenly and very suspiciously.  Mach-Na tells me that the recent death of the Count's wife, Lady Llathasa Indarys, was also very suspicious.  This was supposed to be a brief stop, but catching up on the local gossip could keep me out of trouble later on.  It's always best to know who is trustworthy and who isn't - and who holds the local power and who advises them.  We chat a bit more and say our goodbyes. Just before I walk out of the bookstore, I turn and notice Mach-Na, gently stroking the cover of his "new" book, and his eyes are full of tears.

Directly across the street is Borba's Goods and Stores, which is the shop that I stopped in briefly earlier today . . . just to buy some soap.  I figure that I might as well make that my next stop, but I do hope that  Borba is more pleasant to me now (since I bathe and all.  Apparently Orcs have a very sensitive sense of smell, and I was a bit ripe before I had any soap to clean up with).

But Borba surprises me and turns out to be very friendly.  She assumes that I'm an adventurer (probably because of the way that I'm dressed, in armor and all).  I ask if she has a compass, and she says that she might have one "under here somewhere".  And then she rummages under the counter, muttering and growling a bit (while I try to hold my giggles in).  Borba finally emerges, with an old, but still working, compass.  She tells me that she's a retired adventurer and that she used this compass for many years.  She says that she no longer has use for it, because she's too old to go out crawling through mines and caves. And then she gives me her compass as a gift.  All she asks for is my promise that I will never sell it - I must pass it on to another "adventurer".  "Sure, I'll be happy to make that promise. Thank you sooo much Borba!"  She shows me how to use the compass with my new map, and even points out where the nearby ruins and mines are.  I spend a long time in her shop taking with her, and then we do a bit of trading. I trade all my unnecessary goods, including a few extra potions, and I stock up on some provisions - mostly food.  Oh, and I buy a couple of inexpensive outfits and a couple of pairs of comfortable shoes.  Borba lets me use an upstairs room to change into one of my new outfits.

It's sooo good to finally be clean and in normal clothes and comfy shoes again. I actually feel elfish again!

Once outside again, I walk back down the street, toward the West Gate (where I first entered town last night).  I am finally going to have some breakfast.  Although I guess it's much too late in the day now to call this breakfast.  Ok, so I'll have brunch, or lunch, or whatever you want to call it  . . . but I'm going to splurge and have a real sit down meal at the fancy inn. 

The Cheydinhal Bridge Inn is diagonally across the street from Borba's, so it's a very short walk.  As soon as I walk through the door, I can see that this is a very nice place.  Right in front of me is a large stone fireplace, with a roaring fire, warming up the morning's chill.  Fine silver serving ware is on a highly polished table by the stairs. And fresh flowers are in several pottery vases.  The only thing out of place are all the bottles of ale, beer, and wine on the counter and on several tables.  (Apparently the help hasn't cleaned up after last night's celebrations yet - this much have been a hopping place!)  It looks like I'm the only customer in here at the moment - am I early, or late? I'll really be bummed if I'm too late. Well, I might as well go over and ask that Imperial behind the counter if I'm too late for breakfast.  She tells me that her name is Mariana Ancharia, the owner - and she'll be happy to get me some breakfast.  Whoohoo, I'm starving!  The menu isn't nearly as large as I was hoping for, but it has way more than what Newlands was offering.  I was planning on having a nice big omelet or perhaps some pancakes, but I have to settle for sweet cakes and a pear. 

[The women in Cheydinhal seem to love the same felt dress - which is exactly why I didn't buy one.]

While I'm eating, Mariana tells me all the latest news in Cheydinhal.  Of course, the biggest news is the murder of the Emperor, and that he died without leaving an heir.  People are very upset, as this sort of thing has never happened before and no one's knows how this might turn out.  She tells me that everyone's assuming the worst - that Tamriel is in for some very difficult times.  The other news is about Rythe Lythandas, the famous artist who lives in here. She asks me if I had heard of him.  I told her that I had read in the Guide to Cheydinhal that he is one of the most noted artists in all of Cyrodiil.  Marianna says that he and his wife, Tivela have a large home here, near the river, which also serves as his studio.  Rythe has been missing for a few days and his wife is very upset and full of grief about his mysterious disappearance.  I ask her what was so mysterious about his disappearance, and she just says that I'll have to ask Tivela.  Ok, I just might do that, but the guy probably just out having an affair or something . . . you know how artists can be.  And I really don't want to get involved with family issues - especially when the guy is so famous and I'm new here. 

By the time my very late, and very leisurely brunch is over it is late afternoon and clouds have moved in.  It looks like we're in for a storm, so I think I'll hang around the city, rather than go off exploring.  I'll save the adventuring for tomorrow.  So I spend the rest of the afternoon adding to my collection of ingredients.  There's a surprising variety of plants growing in this city, and I'm guessing that it's ok to pick them, since no one seems to mind.  Once I'm done collecting, I find an outdoor table where I keep myself busy mixing potions until it starts raining.  Then I dash across town to Newlands, as the downpour begins.

Dervera is in the main room as usual, so I try to pay  for another night's stay.  But she still insists that I've already paid her. Again I try to explain that I only paid for last night." But she won't let me pay her. Whatever.  No wonder this place is getting run down . . . the woman just doesn't have much business sense at all.  Well, even though it's still early, I'm going to bed.  "Night everyone.  And do try to keep it down a bit, so I can actually sleep."

Notes About MODs:

Elven Map Redux: I don't actually trade my book for an Elven map at the bookstore - that and the compass that Borba gave me are just more of my role-playing.  The map itself is real, and I do use it in the game.  It is just a map texture replacer MOD that I like the look of (click on the link for a screenshot).  There's also now a version (a separate mod) for Shivering Isles.

TNR All Races Final: If you are not using this MOD, you may have noticed that many of the NPC's in my game don't look the same as the ones in your game.  This MOD changes the appearance to 1,237 NPC's.  Some are prettier or more handsome, some are older, some are more fearsome, some are uglier, and there's a more noticeable difference now between the races.  There's also an add-on for Shivering Isles.

Bathing Mod - Borba doesn't actually show me her latest inventory item, but a was able to buy a bar of soap from her.  And I did need to use it, as I had not been able to bathe in the three game days that I've been paying - since you need soap to bathe (just swimming doesn't count - you need to use soap while swimming). My Personality had already dropped 10 points - which means that people liked me a little less (which was beginning to affect their willingness to trade with me). 

You can set up this MOD two different ways (I'm using the 2nd option, because that seems a bit more realistic):
      1.) Personality bonus for taking a bath.
      2.) Personality penalties for not taking one.

Living Economy: First of all, each merchant has various amounts of gold . . . which is a good thing, because it's realistic.  But in vanilla Oblivion this amount doesn't decrease, even after they buy something from me.  For example, if Borba has 500 gold, and she gives me 300 gold for my items - at the end of the transaction, she still has 500 gold left.  What's with that!   The other thing is that everyone offers me the same amount for things (as long as my disposition is about the same with the merchants).  For instance, shouldn't Terlia at the March Rider be willing to give me a better deal on buying and selling weapons and armor than Borba?  And when I stop by Mach-Na's Books to sell a book, I don't get any more gold there than what Borba offered me for it.   What every happened to competition and the free market?  It's like the prices of all goods are fixed. 

Living Economy fixes this. If you sell an item for 400 gold, the merchant's gold will go down by 400 gold and vice versa. And all the NPC's now have a Mercantile skill which is the main factor in how much gold they have - but different merchant types will have different base gold values.

I'm also using the Living Economy - Items.esp, which adds dynamic prices to all the items in game, adding a supply & demand system, and makes it worthwhile to trade at different shops and in different cities, where demand for an item might be higher.

Plus I'm using the optional Cutthroat Merchants.esp which makes merchant more difficult to batter with - making it worthwhile to work on your mercantile skill.

Animated Window Lighting System and Chimneys:  I briefly covered this mod's exterior window lighting effects in the last chapter, but the newest version add something entirely new, which is pretty cool.  In the Harlum's Watch screenshot, at the beginning of this chapter, you may have noticed the smoke coming out of all the chimneys.  In the vanilla game, none of the chimneys ever smoke.  Currently, with this mod, the chimneys always send up smoke, but there are tentative plans to script this.  BTW: I saw no drop at all in FPS with the addition of smoking chimneys.

Role-Playing:

Locked Doors: One of the things that I really like about Oblivion is the way the NPCs now follow a daily schedule.  Shops really do have hours that the are open, and when they are closed the doors are locked.  But the doors don't instantly open at specific times - apparently the shopkeeper has to actually arrive first.  I'm guessing that their schedules send them to work, but (like people in the real world) they don't always make it there on time. 

NPCs Move Around: This is partially due to what I wrote above about them following schedule, but they also move around based on where my character is.  For instance, if I'm in a shop and go upstairs, the NPC follows me (trying to keep me in sight).  I guess that they don't trust their customers - for good reasons, after the way that we ripped them off in Morrowind.  All the NPCs also travel between the indoors and the outdoors, and you can actually see them leave their homes and other buildings (although the exterior doors still don't actually open - the NPCs just sort of beam right through them).

Armor: In Morrowind there were four armor choices: Heavy, Medium, Light, and Unarmored.  In Oblivion there's just two choices: Heavy or Light.  What's with that?  Does this seem a bit skimpy to anyone else besides me?  I just don't get the reasons behind this.  I mean, isn't Oblivion supposed to be the sequel to Morrowind?  On Bethesda's Oblivion Overview Page it even states: "... Oblivion is another leap forward in role-playing ..."  To make a sequel which actually has less than the original, seems more like a leap backwards to me.  Sorry for ranting; but I ALWAYS used Unarmored in Morrowind  . . . and I miss it . . . a lot.  Now I'm stuck having to wear this ugly leather armor - which is most unflattering! (Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul and BAB Adventuress Body both add a great deal of armor to the game, although I haven't actually found any yet . . . but I've only been playing for three game days, so I haven't visited hardly any shops yet.)

Sitting Down:  One of the really cool things that Oblivion added (the Morrowind doesn't have) is the ability to sit down.  You still can't just sit down anywhere, as it only works on certain objects (like stool, chairs, benches, and church pews).  And it does have a couple of bugs: often sitting down sends items on the table flying - and the first person view doesn't change from what your standing up view was.  So it's not perfect: but I sill love this added feature.  (The first person sitting view bug was one of the many bugs fixed by the Unofficial Oblivion Patch)

Wrist Irons: why is it that the game allows you to just remove them totally by yourself - when they are riveted to your wrists?

continued in chapter 10

Off on an Adventure