Chapter 2
Chapter 2
In the end there can only be one choice if only because of the copious amount of time I've spent exploring that world. As I confirm my choice I fall unconscious and when I come to I hear the same words I've heard countless times before.
"Hey, you you're finally awake, you were trying to cross the border right? walked right into that imperial ambush same as us and that thief over there."
Said thief turns to me and Ralof "damn you Stormcloaks Skyrim was fine until you came along, Empire was nice and lazy if they hadn't been looking for you I could have stolen that horse and been halfway to Hammerfell!" Then he looks straight at me and starts going on about how we shouldn't be here but I ignore him he'll be dead soon anyways, plus I've heard the starting dialogue about a million times so I'm not missing anything. My biggest advantage in this world is my future knowledge assuming the game didn't make any massive changes, as I'm musing to myself I see Helgen in the distance and I don't know if its just bigger in person or if this is a change the game made but Helgen is positively massive. Once we make it through the gate I also notice that there are a lot more guards and stormcloaks then there were in the game. Things proceed the same way the do In the game it just takes longer because there are more people, Lokir still tries to make a run for it when he is called and he's still turned into a pincushion by imperial archers, Ulfric and Tullius have their little stand off and eventually I'm called to the chopping block. Just as I'm about to be beheaded Alduin shows up right on cue and I use (observe) on him just to see what I'm up against.
Name: Alduin, The First Born
Race: Divine Dragon
HP: 250,000
MP: 150,000
SP: 250,000
Strength: 2000
Dexterity: 600
Endurance: 2500
Intelligence: 1500
Wisdom: 900
Charisma: 400
Luck: 1000
Thoughts about you: You are beneath notice
"well fuck." I'm not going anywhere near that any time soon, I have just long enough to think that before Alduin shouts and everything goes to shit. All of a sudden there are small flaming meteors falling from the sky like rain, smashing structures and killing stormcloaks and imperials alike. I stand back up from the block and immediately book it to the tower were Ulfric is and I rush up the stairs stopping just short of the place where some stormcloak is trying to clear some rubble, this doesn't prove to be a wise move as Alduin's head crashes through the nearby wall and proceeds to char broil the stormcloak before flying off. After witnessing that brutal display I make the jump over to the inn and sprint to where I know Hadvar is then I follow him as we make our way to the keep. Once we get there Ralof shows up and starts arguing with Hadvar but I just ignore them and run straight to the door I know Hadvar will go to, after I make it inside I take a look around me and notice another difference from the game and that is that this barracks, like everything else is much bigger and unlike in the game there are rows of weapons and armor of all kinds.
New quest, Unbound
Description: Alduin is destroying Helgen giving you a chance to escape the chopping block
Objective: Successfully survive Helgen
Rewards: ???
Okay so I guess quests are actually going to be a thing well its not like I had any intentions of die again anyways, also what is taking Hadvar so long I need to get out of these binds, after a few minutes pass I realize that he's not coming so I start to look for a way to free my hands. I go through a few options in my head before coming to the obvious solution I just put the rope into my inventory, then I go over to the weapons and armor to get geared up, I decide to go with a set of studded imperial armor so I don't hinder my movement as much I also grab a imperial sword and bow along with a quiver of arrows. I also create some new proficiency's for my new weapons.
New Proficiency Created (Swordsmanship) Level 1/100
Measures the users ability to fight with any weapon that can be classified as a sword
congratulations you know which end of the sword to stab with
Attacks with swords deal slightly more damage
New Proficiency Created (Archery) Level 1/100
Measures the users ability to use any type of bow
you can now operate a bow without hurting yourself, most of the time
Attacks with a bow are slightly more accurate and deal lightly more damage
New Proficiency Created (Light Armor Mastery) Level 1/100
Measures the users ability to fight in light armor
you can now use light armor without it being a total detriment to you
Physical damage is slightly reduced when wearing light armor
The descriptions are a little snarky for my taste but this suites my purposes just fine. I also need to test if my inventory has a limit, I mean sure it looked unlimited back in the void but what if there's a weight limit or something so I stuff everything of value I can find in this room into my inventory.
Imperial Sword x 19 Added
Imperial Bow x 20 Added
Imperial Spear x 20 added
Iron Arrow x 400 Added
Imperial Heavy armor set x 20 Added
Imperial Light armor set x 20 Added
Helgen guard's key Added
200 Gold Added
I won't use most of this but these items still make for good merchant fodder, anyways its time to get a move on so I leave the barracks and unlock the next door with the key, there are two stormcloaks holed up in here one standing and the other sitting on some rubble. The first thing I do is use observe.
Stormcloak Grunt
Race: Human
HP: 120
SP: 120
Strength: 6
Dexterity: 5
Endurance: 6
Intelligence: 4
Wisdom: 5
Charisma: 5
Luck: 5
Thoughts about you: You're a just another imperial dog
As soon as they see me clad in imperial gear they immediately start reaching for their weapons so I cast (Flash of light) which luckily seems to blind both of them, then I follow it up with a (Firebolt) to the sitting ones face causing him to scream is agony while I draw my sword and rush the standing one running her through I twist my sword and yank it out and slash her again this time with a (Power Strike) and she falls over dead, by this time the other one has stood up and taken a swing at me with his battle axe which I narrowly dodge out of the way of before he can reset his stance I get inside his reach and use (Flurry of Blows) with my sword which hits twice, killing him. I feel like I should be more upset that I just killed two people but I don't, I give silent thanks to (Gamers Mind) for saving me from that hassle.
I get a notification letting me know that several skills and proficiency's leveled up as I loot the two corpses and make my way down the stairs to the store room. This time I try the stealthy approach I quietly open the door, pull out a bow and draw an arrow and fire it at one of the stormcloaks standing near a storage barrel, I aim for the back of his head but it hits his upper back, he still dies and I get a notice telling me that I just scored a sneak attack. Of course once my arrow hits the stormcloak falls and starts yelling and the other one sees me and grabs his war hammer and sprints at me, I don't have time to draw another arrow so I drop my bow and draw my sword and by the time I do that he's right in front of me doing a wide arcing swing which I'm able to duck under getting behind him cut into his back with a (Power Strike). He grunts in pain as he continues his swing bringing it around in a 360, I try to twist out of the way but the hammer catches me I the shoulder dealing 60 damage and causing me to drop my sword and fall to the ground then he goes for a overhead strike trying to bring the hammer down on my head but I roll out of the way and spring back up and I grab his neck with both hands and cast (Shocking Grasp) until I run out of MP.
Well now that that's over with I put my bow back into my inventory and resheath my sworn then I step over the charred body and start looting the store room, I find a few potions, some alchemy ingredients and some rations. "I don't know if I need to eat because of (Gamers Body) but I better take it all just in case.
Minor Health Potion x 10 Added
Minor Stamina Potion x 10 Added
Minor Mana Potion x 5 Added
Imperial Rations x 20 Added
Salt Pile x 5 Added
Garlic x 5 Added
Elves Ear x 5 Added
Pine Thrush Egg x 5 Added
Getting all these potions and ingredients reminds me I to make the crafting skills.
New Proficiency Created (Alchemy) Level 1/100
Measures the users ability to create and use all different kinds of potions and poisons
you know how the basics of the alchemical art and can make simple potions and poisons
you can make minor potions and poisons
New Proficiency Created (Enchanting) Level 1/100
Measures the users ability to imbue mundane matter with magic
you can use your limited knowledge of enchanting to make minor magical items
and you can disenchant minor magic items to learn how to replicate their effects
New Proficiency Created (Smithing) Level 1/100
Measures the users ability to work to shape metals and other materials into mundane items
You know the basics of working the forge and shaping metal
You can craft Items from low tier materials
"Now that's more like it," after gathering up everything in the store room I leave through the other door and sneak down the stairs to the torture room with my bow out. The torturer and his assistant are trying to fight off three stormcloaks I can't see two of them but one of them has their back turned while attacking the old torturer with a axe, I quickly shoot an arrow at him and it ends up hitting the back of his leg and he falls to his knees and the torturer slits his throat with his dagger and starts casting lightning magic at the other two stormcloaks. By the time I put my bow away, draw my sword and get down there its basically already over the torturer has electrocuted one stormcloak and the assistant is currently bashing the other stormcloak's face in with his mace.
The torturer turns to me with a sly grin on his wrinkled face, "that was some nice shooting these boys seemed a little upset at how we have been entertaining their comrades."
Since Hadvar isn't with me I decide to steal his lines "don't you know what's going on? A dragon is attacking Helgen."
"A dragon? Please. Don't make up nonsense. Although, come to think of it, I did hear some odd noises coming from over there."
"You two should come with me we need to get out of here."
At this the torturer's grin turns into a sneer "you have no authority over me, boy."
I already know the torturer won't come with me so I turn to his assistant "what about you, do you want to die hear as well."
"Forget the old man I'll come with you" he says grabbing a shield off of the wall as I pick up some lockpicks and create an new proficiency so I can open the cell with the dead mage, it takes a few tries and I lose a couple picks but I manage to get the cell door open and collect the mana potions, the robes and the spell book which I immediately use.
New Proficiency Created (Lockpicking) Level 2/100
Measures the users ability to pick locks and use lock smithing tools
you understand how basic locks work and what their weaknesses are
You have a slightly higher chance of opening locks
New Skill Added (Sparks) Level 1/100
Fire continuous small arcs of lighting from you hand
Does INT/2 lightning damage per second
Costs 40 MP per second
Minor mana potion x 2 Added
Novice mage robes Added
So it looks like spell books still work they just create a new skill when they're used. the torturer doesn't look particularly happy about my looting but he doesn't argue he just sarcastically says "sure take all my things, please" I just nod and make my way to the next room with the assistant trailing behind me. I know that there is a relatively big fight coming up so I feel the need to prepare a bit, my biggest worry is that we'll be overwhelmed so I'd like to offset their numbers advantage as much as possible so I make a new skill.
New Skill Created (Summon Spirit Wolf) Level 1/100
You summon a spectral wolf to you side to fight for and obey you
Power of the summoned creature is determined by INT
The wolf remains until it is destroyed or until INT minutes have passed
Costs 100 MP
New Proficiency Added (Summoning) Level 1/100
Measures the users ability to magically summon creatures and objects
As a novice you have only just begun to tap into the potential of you summons
your summons are slightly more powerful
Satisfied with my new creations the assistant and I crouch low and sneak our way to the next room as we approach I take a look around and see five stormcloaks in total one a ways in front of us across a small bridge, two more off to the right down some stairs and two more archers way in the back. I pull out my bow and take a shot at one of the archers, luckily I score a critical hit as my arrow goes straight through his neck killing him then I put my bow away, draw my sword and step out into the room and let out a war cry once they all look over at me I cast (flash of light) which seems to blind the remaining archer and one of the stormcloaks down the stairs, I follow it up with my new skill (summon spirit wolf) I feel a strange mental connection with it like I can give it orders telepathically so I rush down the stairs and my wolf follows behind me and lunges at the unblinded stormcloak while I go for the vulnerable one, I use (power strike) and (flurry of blows) together slashing him across the chest and stabbing him through the leg and he collapses screaming and clutching his wounds just in time for me to see the assistant clash with the stormcloak on the bridge and feel my summon being destroyed as its hacked apart be the other stormcloak's greatsword, I turn to face the greatsword wielding stormcloak just in time to dodge backwards out of the way of his swing and cast (sparks) which unexpectedly fries him I think about yelling unlimited power but suppress that desire, I guess my wolf did more damage than I thought it would I turn back in time to see the assistant catch an arrow with his face which unfortunately kills him, at least he was able to batter his stormcloak to death I see the final archer start to take aim at me with his bow but I cast (flash of light) which blinds him again causing his shot to go wide and miss which gives me enough time to get back up the stairs and across the bridge so I can let off a (firebolt) at the oil which is conveniently spread all over the floor, this causes a huge conflagration which roasts the archer alive.
Level Up!
I end up bringing DEX and END to 15 and I put my spare point into strength, after closing the leveling menu I take a moment to collect myself and I'm get my bearings then I go around the room and loot everyone before I bring down the drawbridge and cross it, of course a soon as I make it across there is a great rumbling from above and the ceiling collapses blocking my way back. I thank game logic for not having that happen while I was in the other room as I proceed onwards going off into the side passage to get the extra gold and health potion before I go into the room that is suppose to have frostbite spiders in it which it does, only they're already dead it looks like they were all smashed by a blunt weapon I loot the frostbite venom and spider eggs and move on. As soon as I enter the next room I am imminently greeted with the sounds of combat so I crouch and start sneaking over to where the abandoned cart is and peer out past it and I see the bear which is suppose to be there and a giant of a man wearing a stormcloak officer uniform which very much isn't so obviously I use (observe) on him.
Thrag, The Stone Breaker
Race: Human
HP: 500
Strength: 20
Dexterity: 14
Endurance: 18
Intelligence: 6
Wisdom: 7
Charisma: 8
Luck: 10
Thoughts about you: Hasn't noticed you
I have enough time to read his stats before the bear's skull is caved in, this guy seems like he is going to be the last roadblock for me to get out of here, he is using what looks like two one handed hammers that are connected by a chain this is the most powerful enemy I've seen besides Alduin so I'll need every advantage I can get, I bring out my bow and apply some frostbite venom to my sword and two of my arrows since that seems like that is about the number of shots I can get off at this distance. "Well its time to start this thing," I fire my first shot which hits him in the back doing sneak attack damage, he turns around and spots me. "Time to die you faithless imperial bastard!" he says as he charges at me with a feral grin on his face, I fire my second shot which seems to be on target but Thrag smacks the arrow out of the air with one of his hammers so I put my bow away and cast (flash of light) which against all odds actually works but it doesn't stop his charge, I get out of the way and make some distance I manage to shoot two (firebolts) at him, summon my spirit wolf and pull out my sword, by this point his blindness has worn off and gotten back into melee range, he swings at me a few times but I'm able to dodge just barely as my wolf comes up behind him and bites down on his leg trying to drag him down he is distracted momentarily as he swings one of his hammers down to dispel the wolf but this gives me an opening which I use combining (power strike) and (flurry of blows) taking out a chunk of his health but this doesn't seem to slow him down at all as his next swing connects sending me flying back and knocking the wind out of me he rushes over and prepares to bring both of his hammers down but he suddenly slump over and falls back dead from poison.
I regain my breath and stand back up "well it wasn't clean but a wins a win," I go back to the cart grabbing the coin purse and the wine inside of it as well as the bear pelt for smithing later and then loot Thrag getting his weapons.
Stone Breaker Hammers added
Deals 20 plus STR physical damage
chains can magically extend INT feet
targets that fail a STR check are knocked back
Quest, Unbound completed, Level Up
Rewards: Crafting Function, 500 gold, 10 credits
The hammers are just a direct upgrade for me so I equip them imminently then I activate the crafting function and get this message.
Welcome to the crafting function gamer with this you can do most types of crafting internally within the game interface
Warning: more advanced types of crafting may not be available
Well that defiantly will come in handy but the only thing on my mind right now is getting out of this god forsaken cave.