I'm replaying Enderal, a total conversion for Skyrim. I found it well-made, with a gripping story, great characters, and excellent music. I got a whole bunch of mods for my next playthrough, and one adds in a journal one can write in to record thoughts, events, etc. I'll be keeping this journal up as I play, and I figured it would be fun to share it here.
Last Seed, 24th, 4E 8234
We've been walking for a good while. Left at dusk last night and it's just about midday now. Hopefully we're getting close. Had our fair share of impressive views, though. Despite the constant looming threat of hostile wildlife and bandits, it's relaxing to walk through the countryside.
I've been switching up my fighting style, relying on Alice and Blutgang mainly, and lightning at times. I'm doing everything I can to avoid using any sort of necromancy or advanced Entropy. Considering the slight trepidation Jespar gets whenever I summon anything up, that's probably the best course of action. I told him that I specialize primarily in Elementalism and only use Entropy for the familiar and the sword. Probably wise to maintain that illusion. Sure, he saved my hide, but he's still a mercenary, and there's no guarantee he won't have some hostile views towards things like necromancy.
Say what you will about him, though, he can fight like hell. Until a little while ago all I saw of his fighting was throwing knives and some skilled dagger-play. But when he gets into it the dagger's just for parrying. He uses it with a longsword, and he uses it really well. We came across a bit of a bandit keep: two towers connected by a bridge. I cleared out the cave where a few sentries were posted (it's where I'm taking a break right now. Jespar's outside). Jespar took on four of the bandits and just flowed through them. Didn't even need my help. He's a hell of a swordsman. If I didn't have a completely different combat style, I might ask him for a few pointers. As it is, he can poke holes in things and I can bash 'em in. Sounds like a fair deal.
Finally made it to Ark. The city's huge. I'm too tired to explore it tonight, though. Jespar took off to take care of some business. Hopefully he'll take long enough for me to get a few things in order. Going to head to the marketplace in the morning, see what I can get for the coin I've got. I'd say I need to find some work, but there's no shortage of odd jobs here. Made a decent amount of coin gathering eggs for this one strange Starling fellow. It was a good little exercise in patience and alacricity. Right now I'm passing a bit of time until midnight; there's apparently a troll that comes out around then, and he's menacing the countryside. Lots of fun, all-in-all.
Interesting bit of news too: apparently Tealor Arantheal's back. He's the father of Naranthzul Arantheal, the one who apparently took on and overthrew the Light-born. Tealor went against his son but ended up imprisoned for a good few decades, according to Jespar, but he recently returned to Enderal with a group of Naranthzul's Nehrimese arcanists in tow - the same arcanists who opposed him during the war. That's pretty interesting. His return shook things up in the Holy Order, and the Nehrimese mages caused quite a bit of controversy, but Tealor apparently had enough pull and influence to get them to stay. Every rumor I've heard about him paints him as a big damned hero. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet him at some point.
Anyways, the room here's pretty nice. Much more spacious than the ones in Riverville. I'm sitting around right now, waiting for the sun to go down. This city really is bustling with activity. There's just so much to do. Hopefully Jespar takes his time.
Link to Enderal. It's important to note that the writing above is based almost entirely on the story created by an extraordinarily talented group of modders. Credit is due to them, not to me. I would also be remiss to not credit Arcones for the idea of using a parchment-looking background to add some flavor.
