This archival work is dedicated to Loranna Pyrel, who passed away in early 2023. Rest in peace, friend. — Rock |
Book Information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Source: | Elder Scrolls Forum | ||
Archived Link: | lorannarp.pbworks.com | ||
Book Date: | 3E 428 | ||
Writer(s): | Ted Peterson | ||
Publication Date: | November 2004 | ||
Up | Loranna's RP | ||
Prev. | Noble Seamstress' Spotted Owl |
Next | The Evening Star Parade |
Trail of Frozen Tears
Trail of Frozen Tears was the fifth campaign of the Loranna's RP series.
This page exists only to record the posts of Tedders, who was the only developer to participate in the roleplay. Not all concepts presented are original to Tedders' posts, as replies are built off of replies, and the original concepts of other roleplayers are frequently referenced in his content. For proper citation context, consult the archived forum threads.
Sheogorath
Thunder rumbles in the heavens.
Sheogorath
The sky turns white with a blast of lightning, and the rain begins. Gentle rain.
Sheogorath
The wind picks up to almost a human cry, whipping the rain around in a dance.
Sheogorath
The trees bend. The rain feels like spears. The cry of the wind has turned into a roar. Shutters are being tied tight. Prayers being said in hovel and palace. This is no mere storm, it smells of calamity.
Sheogorath
"I'm heading down to the cellar," the barkeep says. "Help yourself. Be honorable and leave the money you owe on the counter."
With that, he hurries off.
Sheogorath
To all who are experiencing the storm, there are words that are irresistible that ride in on the rain and thunder, and they say, very kindly, "Do it. Let it hatch."
Throughout the region, each denizen hears it, and interprets it differently. But each person acts.
Sheogorath
Lightning strike after lightning stike lights up the sky. Old rivals are settling scores they thought were behind them; people who had resisted are now finding love in one another's arms, huddled in their storm cellars; and, ominous cyclonical clouds, black as death, circle still overhead, as if looking for a target to strike.
Sheogorath
A shrill, piercing sound rattles the foundation, and for an instant, all are blinded within. A bolt of lightning has actually struck the building. A sheet of flames spills through the masonry and the woodwork where the lightning touched ...
Let it hatch.
Sheogorath
The rain might fight the fire, but the storm's wind only fuels it. It leaps from joist to joist, until blue flames are licking the roof beams.
Hatch.
Sheogorath
An explosion down below. Screams. A cask of brandy has caught fire in the cellar. Flames are encircling the building from without and within.
Sheogorath
Almost as an answered prayer, the storm begins to die, drifting to visit the next region south-eastward ... but the building is still on fire.
Sheogorath
Any minds pushed to extremes by the storms are now released ... Unless, of course, your mind has been pushed past the point where it can ... comfortably call home. In which case, though the storm has ended, the chaos within you rages on.
Sheogorath
"Of course not," chuckles Sheogorath, turning his attention elsewhere for the time being.
Sheogorath
An elderly scribe runs in from the book stacks in the back; 'Oh dear, they're at it again ...'
He sees the two women. 'Oh, sorry, are you the libromancers?'
Sheogorath
"Wrong place, the story of my life," the old man says with a cough. 'Sorry to interrupt your conversation. I was expecting someone else who could interpret this Elder -- thing that we've had for some time. A libromancer, you know, a book mage. One of the moth priests.'
Sheogorath
"Weeks ago," the old man sniffed. 'So I was told. It is a most extraordinary thing, I suppose that's what drew them out.'
Sheogorath
"I will,' says the old man. 'Sorry to disturb.'
He goes back to the back stacks of the library.
On Allie's words, he comes back, 'Yes, very extraordinary. Would you like to know your future?'
Sheogorath
'That's the thing,' the old man laughs. 'I'm no precognicient. The thing told me my future, or perhaps not, but ... Well, if you're intersted, come back to the back stacks and I'll show you.'
The old man goes back into the recesses of the library.
Sheogorath
The old man pulls a scroll off the stacks, and looks around to make sure no one's looking.
'I don't know how long this has been here in this library,' he says. 'But a couple months ago, I was cleaning up, and I cut myself, and ...'
The old man takes a small knife out of his pocket. With a sigh, he drag it across his arm, bringing up a trickle of blood.
He dribbles the blood on a scroll that seems to be blank.
'You have to wait and see.'
Sheogorath
'Hmm,' said the old man, as he looks at the scroll and the words that appear on it. 'My future has changed ... And not in a good way ... Oh, dear ... Perhaps I shouldn't have shown you this.'
Sheogorath
'You're sure, you want to know?' he asks. 'The truth is not always nice.'
Sheogorath
The blood strikes the scroll, and sizzles on impact.
The old man watches as the blood rolls over the blank surface, finding its way into forming word.
'You will slay what you love the most.'
'You will die giving birth to your child.'
'You will die and never die.'
Sheogorath
A strange prophecy ... like mine,' says the old man. 'That is why I called for the libromancer. You aren't by any chance .. expectant, are you?'
Sheogorath
'The scroll needs your blood for the prophecy.'
Sheogorath
'Well,' the old man says. 'I wouldn't worry. You have years ahead of you before you have to worry about that. Perhaps it isn't even your first child birth, but your last?'
Sheogorath
'Not very much blood,' the old man says. 'That means not very many words. But let's see.'
Slowly, words form ...
Sheogorath
'bite'
'drown'
'madness'
'war'
Sheogorath
The last drop slowly forms th word: 'Love.'
Sheogorath
'You give it more blood, and it tells you more truth.'
The scribe shakes his head. 'But my truth has changed. Since this morning, when last I checked. A daedra has it in mind to kill me now. Within the day.'
Sheogorath
'I don't know what the difference is,' says the old man, picking up his scroll. 'If a daedra wants you dead, then you will die. Sorry. I should go. I shouldn't have troubled you.'
He walks further into the library stackjs.
Sheogorath
The old man closes his eyes and drops to the ground, his lips moving, forming words ...
Sheogorath
'Not lain with a man,' he murmurs, as breath leaves his body. 'but you are with child. Loranna is pregnant.'
Sheogorath
'You will have love,' the old man gasps, looking at Allie. Then, looking at loranna, he dies.
Sheogorath
Ot tup eht eslaf dog no lairt
Si nosaer, dna ton nosaert
Tub rof slatrom ot egduj eht enivid
Neve fi no reH ym noinipo sedivid
Si eht yrev tsehgieh fo ssendam
Hcihw I nac ekamnu sa ti si edam.
Sheogorath
Did she not say she would answer charges as Azura?
If this travesty happens, there will be drama, and comedy of the very, very blackest kind.
Sheogorath
ooc: Oh no. I say she said what she said. And there will be no order in the court, and hell to pay.
Sheogorath
Ooc (I don't really want to speak in rhymes and riddles): Queen Elysana has, over the years, become one of the most powerful rulers in Tamriel. Wayrest has spread its reach, and she is a tyrant of the first order. Still, she cannot command a trial of a Daedra Prince by the Princes of Oblivion. Ciel arrested Loranna, and that is where – in my opinion – we begin.
Now when we get closer to the session, we can discuss the particulars. I am not even certain Elysana wants a trial. Ciel may have outstepped his authority by suggesting that, and she may be in an awkward position herself. I haven't given it much thought, but what would she gain by finding Loranna guilty or not guilty? Does she think she is really going to try Azura? The Queen is not absolutely insane. Lots of questions to be answered, and I think it will be fun to explore them.
Sheogorath
Ooc; Hold on. You're talking about holding the trial in Morrowind? One of Wayrest's guards arrests Loranna in Skyrim and they've agreed to hold the trial in Morrowind? How was that agreed to?
edit ... oh, maybe it's craftier than I thought. Morrowind is run by Elysana's despised stepbrother and former rival Helseth. If the trial is held there, she will be killing two birds.
Sheogorath
ooc -- Well, like I said above, it's so crazy it might just work ... But is crazy. Like a criminal in Arkansas surrendering on the understanding he'll be tried in Rangoon.
Sheogorath
Sheogorath lazily opens one eye: "The mad one?"
He lazily closes it, and opens the other one, and goes back to sleep, murmuring, "I'll cure that insanity anon ..."
Sheogorath
A bridle appears at Celezar's feet.
Sheogorath
ooc to Loranna: I'm actually signing off for a couple days for TG myself. Have yourself a good one.
ooc to Celezar: Probably need to come up with some peculiar powers for the Bridled Joy Of Sheogorath. Something next to useless, but fun to play with ...
ooc to all: Have yourselves a crazy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it.