#tharstan

[wintercearig12]

I have been having some thoughts about how TES VI is going to tie up the story of the LDB. In particular, I was thinking about Tharstan in the Skaal Village. He was there during the events of the Dragonborn DLC, as he wanted to write another book on the Skaal people.

So, I am wondering whether this book in TES VI may be how the fate of the LDB is revealed to us. In Oblivion we can hear dialogue from NPCs discussing the rumour that the Nerevarine had gone to Akavir, and Sheogorath's dialogue in Skyrim confirms that he was the HoK. It is very likely that the LDB will end up in Apocrypha, as this would be a neat way to 'get rid' of someone so powerful, and Bethesda clearly prefers that their protagonists disappear. This book would be a good account for the LDB's end, particularly as Tharstan would have been vaguely aware of what was going on. He was present when Storn died, and Hermaeus Mora appeared. In fact, he even makes this comment during the killing scene: "By the gods... I've never seen anything like it... I, uh... I don't think this will go in my book."

This of course suggests that he won't write about these events, but, maybe he'll change his mind, after all he does seem to take some interest in the dragon priests; guiding you around Vahlok's tomb, and reading the inscriptions of what happened between Vahlok and Miraak. Also, Storn's death in itself is significant, completing the Skaal's prediciton/prophecy that Hermaeus Mora would one day win their secrets. As Tharstan is writing a book about the Skaal and their history, their traditions, why wouldn't he write about this?

[doblehkiin]

So I have an OC to share if you're interested!

I have a dragonborn called Ludmila, a Skaal woman with profound deafness. I have a lot of HCs about how the Skaal culture differs from mainland Nords, so she only learned to read/write common when Tharstan arrived and she became sorta a pupil of his. When Miraak's activities start, she feels she can't do much and hopes Storn will be able to protect them or get to the bottom of it. She goes to sleep one night, and next thing she knows, she's 'waking up' in a prison cell in Windhelm with someone trying (and failing bc she can't fucking hear him) to interrogate her bc a ship of her and a handful of other cultists docked in Windhelm. Wuunferth deems her not a threat after a few days, but she can't go back bc word has gotten around and no one wants to take 'cursed' passengers back to their 'shitty, cursed' island. When they can't go back, most of the handful of cultists sorta go their own ways, but Ludmila wants to try and figure out what happened so maybe, when she's able to find a crew willing to take her, she'll return with an idea on how to help her people. Wuunferth arranges for her to be taken, with her weird mask, to Winterhold to be further studied and questioned by his former colleagues. Adventures in Winterhold, and Skyrim, ensue.

I LOVE THIS!!! Dude skaal ocs feel kinda rare i love when i see them. also a HOH oc is good good shit. i love that. that's such a interesting and unique way to start the route into skyrim adventures too, not just from skyrim or wandered in, but was actually forced by events in the story to be there at all.

i also love the first real kick off being going to winterhold. i know it's not common but i love winterhold and the college is one of my fav if not fav guilds. i think they're neat.

it also makes for a nice wrap around story, a character from solstheim, going to skyrim and then coming back in the dlc to finish business, instead of it being a new area to explore, it's going home to them.

[vokriid]

forgot to include the first puzzle that says “A sacrifice will bring you closer to that which you seek.”

uh, damn, Vahlok. you wanna tell us about any sacrifices or hard choices you had to make during your life??? you wanna tell why, exactly, you feel so determined to keep going forward and not look back? any old regrets, buddy? anyone you miss who died?

[saturniandragon]

More Onion headlines + Skyrim because this blog needs content.

[miraak-cultist]

Lmao it really does me wonder whether they were somewhat testing Tharstan when he got go the village for the first time. Did the Skaals think he had been a daedra because of his will to study their culture? I'd love to see that!

the fact that Hermaeus Mora just chucks Watchlings out into Nirn to gather information and not one of them ever succeeded in getting the secrets of the Skaal is just… really fucking funny?

A seemingly ordinary mortal walks into the village and expresses an interest in the Skaal’s culture only for the Shaman to chase them off with a broom, drag them out by the ankle, or straight up lie to this disguised daedra’s face whenever they ask anything.

[rainbowdragoncomics]

.............

[ms-katonic-of-tamriel]

Prodigal Dragonborn AU

What if Lucien had made a sensible decision, exercised some judgement and hired Teldryn instead of some ex-reavers?

Well, his and Miraak’s relationship is a bit less intense because he has someone else there to talk to about things.  He realises Miraak is interested a lot sooner because he has Teldryn there to ask all the ‘is this normal??’ questions to.  Teldryn thinks this is hilarious but does answer as honestly and helpfully as he can.

Teldryn will claim he’s there because Lucien is paying him but it soon becomes obvious Teldryn is platonically very fond of Lucien and is keeping him out of trouble as much because Lucien dying would hurt as for the money.

Teldryn is less certain about Miraak but they do agree on keeping Lucien out of trouble, even if Miraak does look down on him a bit for being just the hired help whereas he’s there because he wants to be.

The dynamic is also affected by Miraak resurrecting and seeing not Lucien being attacked by bandits but Lucien and Teldryn arguing over a map, clearly lost.  They’re the ones who have to help Miraak and while Lucien is happy to help, Teldryn is a bit warier about a man who was literally buried alive and that was not a new grave, sera.  He also knows the voice but he’s not sure from where.

Miraak doesn’t get the Saviik name, because he wasn’t the saviour here.  Lucien tries several Nordic names out to see if any of them sound familiar.  He hits on Svaknir and some part of Miraak likes that one.

They rescue the Skaal smith.  Lucien doesn’t kill a Thalmor on the beach, because Teldryn gets there first.  But when they first hear Miraak’s name, Teldryn starts to think things, and on hearing the story, he realises and wastes little time confronting Miraak.  Who is very remorseful and offers his head, with only the condition Teldryn take care of Lucien.  Lucien freaks out and talks everyone down, and Teldryn eventually agrees that perhaps having died once already is enough punishment and seeing as Miraak’s sorry and won’t do it again, maybe he can overlook it for now.

They’re not sure where to go next, but Miraak’s depressed and unhappy over being who he is, so after helping Tharstan out, they decide to get him off Solstheim and go see the Greybeards for advice.  Windhelm goes a lot more smoothly because Lucien’s never alone and Teldryn is very good at handling Rolff Stone-Fist.  No one is arrested and Ulfric is none the wiser.  Rayya notices the three of them, vaguely recognises Lucien but thinks nothing of it until Cicero arrives the next day.  She’s able to tell him High Hrothgar was mentioned, is the Nord a pilgrim then?

Cicero reunites with Melinda early and they both go after Miraak, and the reunion happens a lot sooner.  Miraak is about as reasonable as he was in the main version, but Lucien and Teldryn act as peacemakers and Melinda finally agrees to spare Miraak.  She’s secretly pleased to find him on a better path, and escorts him to meet the Greybeards, who are surprised to see the First return but pleased to hear he’s found the path of wisdom.  Odahviing is less than pleased to see him, but Paarthurnax is delighted and Tinvaak Ensues.

Afterwards, Miraak still isn’t sure what to do, and it’s Melinda who suggests the College.  Questline happens!  So does the trip to the Reach!  And Lucien doesn’t lie about the mask because they all go to Jorrvaskr first and Melinda returns all Miraak’s things personally.  Breakup averted, although the relationship takes longer to get going.  They’re not really a couple until Labyrinthian because Lucien’s too nervous to do anything.  Miraak also wears the mask rather more, although not when relaxing of an evening or at the College.

No visions because Aranea never joins up... unless Teldryn fancies visiting the Shrine of course, but even then, with no Cicero or Melinda to make introductions, it’s less likely she’ll follow.

Labyrinthian involves the three of them plus the apprentices as well.  Everyone makes it.  But Morokei can tell Miraak is fond of Lucien, still targets him.  Miraak loses it and slaughters Morokei, Teldryn pushes Lucien out of the way and takes most of the damage.  Miraak is able to heal him and Lucien both, and Lucien wonders why Morokei went for him, everyone else present was more of a threat, despite all the training.  Miraak at this confesses he’s in love with Lucien - this is a surprise to no one but Lucien himself.  They’d talked things over a bit but Lucien hadn’t been ready for anything.  He’s still not but realising the true depths of Miraak’s feelings does get him thinking.  After defeating Ancano they talk and Lucien decides he could learn a lot from Miraak, and he’s very fond of him and loves being in his company, but an actual relationship with anyone is scary.  But he wants to write Miraak’s life story, maybe a song, he’s been making notes already!  Could they... just spend time together?  Just the two of them?  Also Miraak gives the best hugs, could they do more of that.

Miraak is fine with all that, and then they notice Teldryn’s off paying his respects at the Shrine of Azura again, he does that an awful lot, Lucien hadn’t known he was that religious.  Miraak suspects it isn’t the goddess he’s after.

Anyway, they settle in at the College and while the Jarl is a problem, no siege materialises.  Ulfric can’t spare the troops, and Galmar’s still alive.  Still, the unauthorised research dragon does result in Grim coming north with a few reinforcements.  Just to keep an eye on things.  And see the research dragon.  Grim smooths things over with the Jarl and gets to meet the dragon, and while Miraak is no Stormcloak, he gets on with Grim.  Later finding out he’s really an Imperial is no surprise.

Morrigan still comes north but gets in to the College with no trouble this time.  The Forsworn are camped out at Snowveil Sanctum rather than the shrine.  Madanach gets a tour of the College, even meets Grim, and is the first to learn he’s an Imperial spy when Grim attempts to involve him in the war.  Madanach is surprised but says he’ll think about it... if Grim can get Tullius to meet him on neutral ish ground.  Miraak is involved at this point as a respected arbiter and agrees.  The secret meeting will happen at Labyrinthian. 

Dumzbthar still happens.  Miraak triples Lucien’s knowledge in about five minutes, and Lucien still finds this incredibly arousing but doesn’t have the nerve to say anything.  The cult were still able to work out Miraak had left with Lucien and might return to Dumzbthar.  Teldryn’s less than pleased to see them all, but Miraak’s delighted.  The actual visit is much the same, except Hahvulon’s not really Lucien’s bodyguard because Teldryn has that job.  Lucien asks Teldryn if he wants to leave, he must owe him more cash by this point, but Teldryn says no, he’s sticking around.

Miraak nearly dies.  Lucien is heartbroken and realises then he loves Miraak too.  When Miraak wakes, it’s to Lucien holding his hand and telling him how worried he was, and it’s clear Lucien was truly distressed at the thought of losing Miraak.  They’ve been on a few dates at this point, and regularly have dinner together, and Miraak’s kissed Lucien’s hand, cuddled him and kissed his forehead, but nothing else.  Until now when Miraak reaches up for Lucien and kisses him gently on the lips and tells him it’s all right, he’s here, and won’t die on him, not this time.  Lucien returns the kiss, all nerves forgotten and the two of them are a couple from that moment on.

Lucien writes to his parents and requests Grigio, and while he’s not actually living in the quarters, Miraak gets him a key and agrees he can store his things in here if he likes.

Lucien does tell Miraak about Dumzbthar, because he could already tell Miraak was of like mind, and the Dwemer research kicks off.

Lyra and Davidicus still come.  They still bring Grigio.  They arrive at the College with no trouble, and everyone loves the cat.  Miraak persuades them to stay for a bit.

Melinda still ends up as Jarl, and the Ebony Blade still ends up in Ulfric’s hands.  Miraak isn’t Jarl but his involvement with the Secret Labyrinthian conference impresses Tullius.  Lyra and Melinda both also come, Melinda because why not invite the new Jarl of the neutral hold, and because Lyra’s Legion connections are too good to waste.

Kraldar likely ends up as Jarl of Winterhold rather than Miraak, but it makes little difference, Kraldar is a bit in awe of the dynamic new Archmage and lets Miraak mostly do as he pleases, including inviting Nirnologists over from Cyrodiil, building a Tinvaakaan for the dragons, and aiding in rebuilding the entire town in the style of the Ancient Nords, complete with Temple of Jhunal.

Teldryn decides to stick around in Winterhold instead, just to keep an eye on Lucien and help if Lucien has any more sentient Dwemer ruins he’d like to explore.  Miraak gets him a house in town, and it’s no surprise when Aranea moves in with him.

From there, I believe the ending’s much the same, but I’ve not written this part yet so will remain quiet.  A lot changes!  But a lot doesn’t.

I do like the slow-burn romance, but the plot seems a little less exciting somehow.  Less conflict due to Teldryn being the Voice of Reason all the time.  No Dramatic Rescue with a submarine, or the Flaviuses getting taken prisoner.

It’s a perfectly good story and could have worked... but I also rather like the version I’m actually writing.

[obsidianshadow]

Tharstan: These runes right here say that Miraak was a traitor

Me, using the Miraak follower mod: Don't be fucking rude

[neomacaught]

( There are platforms surrounding Neoma with carvings above them. One of them is of a sword. She picks up a Sword, balances it on the platform, holding it in line with the carving. It falls over and clatters on a stone floor. Nothing happens. Neoma stares at the fallen sword, then nods. ) 

Neoma: There goes my attempt to figure out the puzzle.

Erandur and Tharstan: