Fredas, 12^th Evening Star, 4E 201

A good night’s sleep did wonders, and I was no longer fatigued. I chatted with Rigmor via Mara’s Rings whilst eating a humongous serving of bacon, sausages, and eggs. After I finished, the children were amused by my appetite and appreciated a Thu’um-enhanced belch.

Meeko demanded to accompany me, so he was part of the day’s squad along with Inigo, Khao, Dhali and Shiva.

• Inigo: If a Daedric Prince made this disease, can it be cured?
• Khao: Yes, Inigo. To affect mortals and be transmitted between them, the disease must obey the laws of nature.
• Dhali: Those laws were put in place at Convention and cannot be altered by Daedric Princes.
• Inigo: Haven’t some plagues killed half of Tamriel’s population?
• Dhali: Yes, because finding a cure or adequate protection takes time. Meanwhile, the death toll can be very high if a plague spreads quickly.
• Wulf: I think any consecrated Shrine of The Nine will cure it.
• Inigo: Why don’t Afflicted in High Rock visit a temple?
• Wulf: I do not know, Inigo. I was told the priests in Evermore and their worship of The Nine are odd.
• Shiva: Sometimes, plague carriers are quarantined and cannot reach a temple.
• Wulf: We shall know more when we enter Evermore.
• Khao: A cure that can be administered without Afflicted having to travel is preferred. That would reduce the spread of the disease and quicken its eradication.
• Inigo: What do you need to start working on a cure?
• Wulf: Afflicted transmit the disease via their breath and the green sputum they regurgitate. However, they may not be the only methods of transmission.
• Khao: We need to gather samples of their blood, sputum, and tissue. If there are other forms of transmission, such as plants, then samples of them would also be helpful.
• Meeko: Woof?
• Wulf: No, I do not know what species are immune.
• Inigo: Ha! We do not even know what your species is, my fellow fleabag.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Inigo: Hey, I do not suffer from a stupid disease, and you have an enviable collection of fleas.
• Shiva: Do you think the Vigilants will know about a commune of Peryite worshippers?
• Wulf: I hope they do. Otherwise, we will have to do an old-fashioned investigation.
• Shiva: Oh, no! That would be terrible!
• Inigo: Ahh, what is involved in this terrible old-fashioned investigation?
• Shiva: We visit taverns, ply locals with booze and hope they provide clues.
• Dhali: Sometimes, tavern talk is beneficial.
• Shiva: You must be trained in fake booze consumption to be an effective gossip gatherer.
• Khao: It must look like you are getting tipsy while you remain sober.
• Meeko: Woof?
• Wulf: No, Meeko, we will never forget that one time you got drunk. I have no idea what you had eaten that day, but the copious piles of vomit were so foul they caused a chain reaction.
• Khao: Nobody could clean them up without adding to the mess!
• Inigo: Couldn’t you use some spells to eliminate them?
• Wulf: Meeko had a better solution.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Inigo: You ate your vomit?
• Khao: And everybody else’s!
• Dhali: Remember that the next time he licks your face.
• Meeko: Grrr!
• Dhali: Yes, we groom down there with our tongues, so we should not judge your natural talents harshly.
• Wulf: I think I will stick to hot baths.
• Meeko: Woof?
• Shiva: I also think Wulf is jealous of our agility and long tongues.
• Wulf: Ahh….no!
• Meeko: Woof!
• Wulf: Excuse me, but ‘Yeah, Right. Pffft!’ is Rigmor’s catchphrase.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Wulf: It is not better than ‘ALBATROSS!’ you mangy mutt!

Meeko did an impressive impersonation of a person sniggering as I cast Teleport.

The sniggering impression turned to growls as we came out of the ether. Bandits were attacking Hall of the Vigilant!

Keeper Carcette was atop a rocky outcrop firing a crossbow. Meeko ran to her aid while Inigo and the others fired their bows.

Huskies came running along with several Vigilants.

By the time I reached Carcette, her assailant was dead. The deceased was a Stormcloak Battlemage. They did not have many, as Nords traditionally dislike magic. Plus, most mages were too wise to follow Ulfric.

Carcette said, “They have been probing our defences for the last few days. This one cast a fireball at me. Luckily, you put dweomer on my armour.”

“She must have recognised you as the leader.”

“I know our numbers have been reduced, but do they think they can take our headquarters?”

“They are probably the remnants of the large bandit gang we kicked out of Fort Dunstad. The idiots kept trying to take it back from the Legion garrison. There cannot be many of them left.”

Meeko growled and then told us of danger.

• Meeko: WOOF!
• Wulf: Excuse me, Keeper. Meeko saw another bandit run behind a rock. He is probably a scout.
• Inigo: There are some more scum approaching the gates.
• Wulf: We will talk to the one behind the rock.
• Carcette: And we shall dissuade the others.

Sounds of skirmish erupted behind us as we ran towards the hiding bandit.

My friends watched as the startled bandit realised too late that I was upon him. His head rolled, and then we ran to help the Vigilants.

Vigilants of Stendarr, well, the ones in Skyrim, are not the most skilled warriors but are far better than the bandits. They had cut down half a dozen before we helped eliminate the last two.

Carcette ordered her Vigil to burn the bodies before they attract predators. Then, she waited for me to approach.

• Wulf: Greetings again, Keeper Carcette.
• Carcette: Protocols?
• Wulf: Yes, when members of your Vigil are within earshot.
• Carcette: Oh, then hello again, Lord Welkynd.
• Wulf: What do you know of the recent problems in Solitude and Morthal?
• Carcette: Vayu visited and told me what occurred. I am glad to see you have recovered.
• Inigo: Wulf is notoriously hard to kill. I am Inigo, by the way.
• Carcette: Also known as The Blue Flea Palace.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Inigo: That is not an apt nickname, Meeko.
• Carcette: I am glad to make your acquaintance, Inigo the Brave.
• Inigo: Oh, so you know my other nicknames.
• Carcette: Most of them cannot be said in polite company.
• Inigo: They were invented by the naturally jealous.
• Khao: Skooma must have severely scrambled your brain if you think any other Dragonguard is jealous.
• Shiva: Behave, children, before I give you an unarmed combat lesson.
• Carcette: Vayu said Riften is where the next Oblivion Gate might open.
• Wulf: That is the most likely of three places marked on a map I found.
• Carcette: Two days ago, a patrol of four Vigilants was ambushed by five Dremora near Boulderfall Cave. Three Vigilants were swiftly killed, and the fourth staggered to Fort Greenwall and died. They only managed to bring down one of the Daedra before the enemy abandoned the skirmish and ran towards Riften.
• Wulf: Logically, it is a coincidence they were in The Rift. The map showed the Oblivion Gate to the east of Riften and nowhere near where that encounter occurred. If we get the chance, we shall investigate.
• Carcette: I take it this is not a social call.
• Wulf: A plague is sweeping through parts of High Rock. We think Lord Peryite is its creator.
• Khao: We believe a commune of Peryite worshippers in Skyrim may be infected with the plague.
• Carcette: We were investigating the possibility of a Peryite commune. We knew nothing about a plague. A Vigilant was prepared to go undercover. However, he was one of many killed fighting Mythic Dawn cultists the other week. That task has been put aside until we receive our replacements from Cyrodiil.
• Wulf: What can you tell me about the commune?
• Carcette: Nothing. A Khajiiti called Kesh the Clean camps near the Peryite shrine. He does not hide his worship of Peryite.
• Wulf: Lord Peryite is not part of the Khajiiti pantheon.
• Carcette: When asked what we should do about Kesh, I recommended we gain his trust.
• Inigo: What would you have done if you found the commune?
• Carcette: Nothing but keep a close watch on their activities. Even before Lord Welkynd visited us, I was changing the ways of this Vigil.
• Wulf: I know where Lord Peryite’s shrine is. We shall visit Kesh.
• Carcette: Has the plague reached Skyrim?
• Dhali: We know of at least one plague carrier in Skyrim during the recent dragon war. They are called Afflicted, and he said he was a pilgrim returning to High Rock. He also said that Lord Peryite blessed him so he cannot die from the plague.
• Wulf: If we find a commune containing plague carriers, we can start working towards protection and cure.
• Carcette: Why does Peryite inflict such things on mortals? He has no desire to conquer Nirn or enslave us.
• Wulf: Like all Daedric Princes, his behaviour was imprinted upon him at the beginning of this kalpa. Some argue that his plagues are essential in preventing an overpopulation of mortals that would decimate plant and animal life.
• Carcette: Was he responsible for The Thrassian Plague?
• Khao: Lord Peryite boasts of his diseases but has never taken credit for The Thrassian Plague.
• Wulf: That was a Sload invention without a Dark Lord’s input.
• Carcette: Your unredacted journal mentions encountering a Sload in Elsweyr. From your description, they are as vile as the histories tell us.
• Wulf: Its personality and appearance was so bad that it made Inigo look good.
• Inigo: My friend, is this Pick on Inigo Day?
• Wulf: What makes you ask that?
• Dhali: It seems like a typical day to me.
• Woof: Woof!
• Inigo: Yes, Meeko, I am a milk drinker.
• Wulf: Thank you for the information, Keeper Carcette. Hopefully, I can visit soon and tackle some of the tasks put on hold.
• Carcette: That would be appreciated. We are thin in numbers, and losing more of my people to those Dremora was another blow.

We teleported to Karthwasten, which is reasonably close to Peryite’s shrine.

A confrontation between the mine owner and some thugs was underway, so we listened in.

• Ainethach: Atar, I want you sellswords out of my mine.
• Atar: Watch your tongue, native. We will leave when we are sure there are no Forsworn here.
• Ainethach: Oh, and when would that be, I wonder? When I sell my land to the Silver Bloods?
• Atar: Ainethach, the Silver Bloods have made you a generous offer for this pile of dirt. I suggest you take it.
• Thug One: Yeah, take the offer or else.
• Ainethach: Or else what? Harm me, and there will be problems with Forsworn.
• Thug Two: Ooh, that is scary.

The Silver Blood mercenaries swaggered toward the mine as if they were people to be admired.

I approached Ainethach and noticed a Markarth guard watching us.

• Wulf: Greetings, Ainethach san Lagadec. I am Lord Welkynd, and these are The Dragonguard.
• Ainethach: It has been a long time since my tribal name was used. Welcome, Lord Welkynd and Dragonguard.
• Wulf: I have endeavoured to remember the names of important people in Skyrim. This town and mine are essential, and so is its leader.
• Ainethach: Can I assist you with something, Thane Welkynd?
• Wulf: We were passing through. It seems you are having difficulty with the Silver Bloods.
• Ainethach:  Robbery is what it is. The Silver Bloods are trying to muscle in on my land. Forsworn attack other mines, and suddenly, these sellswords show up to ‘help’ protect this one.
• Wulf: I thought Markarth guards would protect you.
• Ainethach: Most of them work for the Silver Bloods. Atar told them to return to Markarth, which they did.
• Dhali: So, they will not allow you to work the mine in case it gets attacked by Forlorn, yet you are a Reachman.
• Shiva: They could have been extra support for the guards, not replace them.
• Ainethach: I am one of the few native sons of The Reach who owns some land. It does not make me very popular.
• Shiva: I noticed Atar used ‘native’ in a derogatory way.
• Wulf: And now they openly extort you.
• Ainethach: Yes. The thugs will not let anyone work until I sell the mine to the Silver Bloods.
• Wulf: The Silver Bloods think they are powerful. They will inevitably clash with somebody who does have power.
• Inigo: You might as well get the first punch in, my friend.
• Wulf: Ainethach, we will talk some sense into Atar and send him scurrying to the Silver Bloods.
• Ainethach: You can try, but I would keep your sword arm ready.
• Khao: He would attack The Dragonborn?
• Ainethach: He is stupid, but perhaps not that stupid.

Atar was doing his ‘I am tough’ swagger, so we did not have to hurry to catch up with him.

I tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned with attitude.

He snarled, “The mine is closed. Get lost.”

“The only person who has the right to close the mine is its owner, Ainethach. He wants it open.”

“Helping out Ainethach, huh? Give me a reason not to plunge a dagger in your chest.”

Atar was taken aback by the spontaneous and genuine laughter the threat triggered.

Just as the laughter was dying down, Meeko trotted over and pissed on Atar’s leg. That meant I had to wait another thirty seconds for a break in the laughs and chortles.

The not-so-arrogant Atar looked around, but his minions had wisely retreated inside the mine.

I told Atar, “I am Lord Welkynd, The Dragonborn. These are some of The Dragonguard. I am a Thane of The Reach, and you dared to threaten me. So, give me a reason not to plunge my sword in your chest.”

“What? By the Eight, I did not recognise you!”

I used my Thu’um with enough power to make rocks fall from nearby cliffs.

“THERE ARE NINE DIVINES!”

Atar flinched.

I growled, “I am leaving your head attached so you can deliver a message to Thonar and Thongvor. I will recite my warning, and you will repeat it to me, word for word. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Thane.”

“Tell them this. The next time I discover a member of their family breaking the law, I will arrest them and put them on trial. They will not be arraigned in their gaol but in Solitude’s. Now, repeat the message.”

With some prompting, the frightened sellsword finally got the message correct after several tries.

I told Atar, “I am going to speak to Ainethach. If I do not see you and your men leaving Karthwasten within five minutes, my mercy ends, and we shall slaughter all of you.”

As Atar rushed into the mine to gather his men, we strolled to Ainethach.

• Wulf: Atar and his men will no longer be a problem.
• Inigo: My friend politely asked them to leave.
• Ainethach: That will not be the last we hear from the Silver Bloods, but at least we can return to work. Thank you. You have done a good thing for me and my workers.
• Dhali: Lord Welkynd will arrest members of that family if they continue to flaunt the law. They will not bother you again.
• Wulf: I will speak to Jarl Elisif, soon-to-be High Queen Elisif, about the corruption in Markarth. She will have the guards of Markarth investigated by The Penitus Oculatus.
• Dhali: It will be easy to discover the corrupt guards.
• Ainethach: You will make an enemy of the Silver Bloods.
• Wulf: I have gods and many powerful mortals as enemies. The Silver Bloods are not much of a threat.
• Khao: It seems Ulfric Stormcloak’s prejudices live on.
• Ainethach: Yes, indeed they do. My family has owned Karthwasten for generations. It is rare for anyone in The Reach who is not a Nord to do so. Nords think I am working for the Forsworn.
• Khao: And what about the Forsworn?
• Ainethach: My family has demonstrated many times that we do not aid the racists. Nor do we condone the violence of those seeking the return of our lands. We are neutral. One side recognises that. The other does not.

Shiva said, “They are leaving, Wulf.”

I turned and watched Atar and his men shuffle out of Karthwasten with only a glance my way.

We then headed towards Peryite’s shrine.

It was steep terrain, and I discovered, even with my armour’s dweomer, that I fatigued quickly. My feeling of wellness in the morning was likely optimism triumphing over realism.

I heard,  “Maaa!” and turned to find a pack goat had been following me.

Inigo laughed and said, “He has been following you since Karthwasten. He must work in the mines as well.”

I explained to the goat that he could not come with us and continued towards the shrine, goat-free.

We did not use the more accessible and popular trail, so Kesh was surprised by our arrival.

However, he soon recovered as we approached.

• Kesh: Ah, wanderers, yes? No? Pilgrims, perhaps? Have you come to commune with Peryite, Taskmaster, and blighted Lord?
• Wulf: You are Kesh the Clean?
• Kesh: Yes, this one is Kesh the Clean.
• Inigo: Pew! I think that is a bit of a misnomer!
• Wulf: Tell me about Lord Peryite.
• Kesh: He is the pus in the wound. Proper ones curl their noses, but pus drinks foul humours and restores the blood. I worship Peryite because sometimes the world can only be cleansed by disease.
• Khao: Pus in the wound? Is he talking about Apple Cabbage Stew?
• Shiva: If Lydia heard you say that, she might not give you a serve next time she makes it.
• Khao: Then I beg you to tell her what I said!
• Wulf: Kesh the Slightly Soiled, I want to speak to Lord Peryite.
• Kesh: Not everyone has the stomach required to entreat my Lord. But Kesh likes you, friend. There is a way Peryite may speak to us who will take Him in. If you wish to commune with Him, we must create the incense.
• Wulf: Give me the list of ingredients.
• Kesh: Fetch for me a deathbell flower, one silver ingot, a flawless ruby, and some vampire dust.
• Khao: That concoction will create a mild dizzy feeling and nothing more.
• Wulf: Yes, I know, but let us play the game if that is what is needed.
• Kesh: So yes, return with the ingredients. Then I will show you how to talk to Peryite.
• Wulf: I have everything here. Wait a minute.

It took me only a short time to retrieve the reagents from my Journal Case. Kesh was not immune to the automatic reaction of seeing somebody reach into a four-dimensional container. He stood with his mouth open and stared at the artefact.

I said, “Come, Kesh. I have all the ingredients.”

“You do? Let Kesh have them, and he will make a good fume.”

We approached a Dwemer cauldron in front of Peryite’s shrine. The Dark Lord sometimes took the form of a dragon.

Many skulls of people and animals adorned the foot of the shrine. There was also a green root like many I have seen in Oblivion.

Kesh stood on an old wooden box and put the ingredients into the cauldron. The silver ingot and flawless ruby did nothing. The deathbell flower being crushed with the vampire dust created a green gas.

Kesh said, “That should do. Now, you must inhale deeply.”

“But that gas looks like the one around Inigo’s underwear draw!”

“Do you wish to converse with Peryite or not?”

“Yes, of course. But Kesh, you really should think about changing sides. Temples of The Nine use higher quality boxes. Plus, they have walls and ceilings.”

I inhaled a tiny bit of the gas. Not because it would do anything with the dweomer on my armour or my dragon blood. It smelled terrible, but I had to play along with the theatrics.

I felt the familiar probing of my mind. Unlike other gods, Peryite did not need to be told he could not penetrate my barriers. He realised he could not speak to me telepathically.

A voice more disgusting than the gas came from Peryite’s avatar. A giant, transparent rat!

• Peryite: That is good. Breathe deep, mortal. I would have you hear me well, so let these vapours fill your lungs.
• Wulf: The vapours are a sham. Let us continue and pretend I let the vapours fill my lungs.
• Peryite: Are you afraid of being poisoned? You would be no more poisoned than a fool after too much wine.
• Wulf: I am a mage and alchemist. I know the vapour does nothing but make the inhaler dizzy.
• Peryite: Very well. I have watched you for some time, you know. Your decisions intrigue me, and I wonder if you are a proper agent for a task of mine.
• Wulf: Please, cut the crap! You know nothing about me or what I have done on Nirn. You are not omnipotent. As for being a proper agent, tell me the task, and we shall find out.
• Dhali: Yet another Dark Lord who speaks bullshit.
• Peryite: I sent a blessing to Nirn, a wasting plague that infected a scattering of Breton villages. One of my monks, the elf Orchendor, was sent to gather these Afflicted. He shepherded them into Bthardamz for me but has since lost his way. I will not stand for betrayal. I want you to go to Bthardamz and Kill Orchendor in my name.
• Wulf: I will enter Bthardamz for my reasons. I will judge Orchendor according to the laws of The Imperial Empire. His punishment will be at my discretion.
• Peryite: The elf must die. Either carry out my will or do not. You are not the only mortal agent I could choose.
• Wulf: What a load of bullshit! You are powerless to stop Orchendor, so you need mortal agents. You have no power within Mundus.
• Inigo: My friend, I bet you are the only person who has spoken to Peryite via this cauldron in months.
• Wulf: Lord Peryite, I am the Champion of The Divines, Boethia, Meridia, Azura, Sheogorath, Hermaeus Mora and Malacath. Yet, I am not an agent for any of them, and they cannot command me. I am leaving now as this is boring.
• Peryite: I have not released you!
• Dhali: Yet Wulf walks away using mortal free will. Amazing!
• Wulf: How disappointing. I was hoping to see his dragon avatar, and instead, I got a rat.

We approached Kesh.

• Wulf: Kesh, what can you tell me about Orchendor?
• Kesh: Orchendor? Kesh knew him. He is an overseer and a shepherd. He gathers Afflicted and contains the festering wound.
• Khao: So Orchendor is a linen bandage! How interesting!
• Shiva: Khao, your puns are as bad as Wulf’s.
• Kesh: Orchendor and his Afflicted are meant to stand ready, awaiting Peryite’s command to cover the world with his Blessing.
• Inigo: But Orchendor has been a naughty boy, and now the mighty Peryite needs a mortal to paddle his backside.
• Shiva: Okay, now I have this vision of Wulf bending Orchendor over his knees.
• Wulf: We shall be back soon, Kesh. Do not forget to collect the silver ingot and flawless ruby from the cauldron!
• Kesh: Kesh is wondering why Peryite spoke to you aloud.
• Wulf: I have a barrier on my mind that gods cannot penetrate.
• Kesh: And you are the champion of many gods.
• Wulf: Yes, and some of them hate me!
• Dhali: How far is it to Bthardamz?
• Wulf: Not far and mostly downhill.
• Khao: This is good because we can tell you are tired.

We disposed of some bandits approaching Kesh’s camp.

Then, I pointed to our destination.

When we reached Bthardamz, we discussed my plan.

• Wulf: We do not know enough about these people. Therefore, I am hesitant to kill them.
• Khao: It would aid our quest for a cure and protection if we had live Afflicted at our disposal.
• Wulf: Yes, but I would never condone experimenting on a person unless they agree to do so.
• Inigo: My friend, could you get infected?
• Wulf: My dragon blood protects me against infection.
• Inigo: But you do not know if Khajiiti or Ka’Po’Tun are immune.
• Wulf: No, I do not, and that is why I shall travel through Bthardamz alone.
• Dhali: Wulf can travel undetected. If he needs us, he can summon us.
• Shiva: That sounds like a sensible plan.
• Wulf: I want to know more about Orchendor and Afflicted before deciding what to do.
• Khao: Perhaps you can gather samples whilst inside. Many plagues in the past had several methods of transmission.
• Wulf: Hopefully, we can learn more about its transmission methods. I doubt it is only by breath and mucus.
• Inigo: I cannot smell or hear any external guards.
• Meeko: Woof!
• Inigo: And neither can Meeko, who thinks his senses are better than mine. I feel pity for the poor, delusional fool.
• Wulf: Let us keep going till we know Afflicted are nearby. Then, I will proceed solo.

We entered several rooms before encountering one full of Dwemer barrels containing a green liquid. Some had spilt, but all emitted a pungent gas.

I ordered everybody out.

• Wulf: Well, there is another method of transmission.
• Shiva: Do they regurgitate into those barrels?
• Wulf: I do not know. Perhaps they can manufacture that green stuff.
• Khao: I wonder if it is the same as what they spew. If so, it seems that Dwemer metal resists corrosion.
• Inigo: Too bad if that is the case, and they have lots of Dwemer Automatons to deal with.
• Wulf: Sometimes, the Dwemer Automatons are not automatically enabled.
• Shiva: It would be easy to spread the plague using those barrels.
• Dhali: They could hide them amongst other cargo and transport them by sea or land.
• Wulf: They could catapult them into cities or pour the green gunk into the waterways.
• Meeko: Woof?
• Wulf: Yes, it is feasible they chose a Dwemer ruin for access to the barrels. They may also have used Dwemer machines to aid in the manufacture of the green goo. These are things I hope to find out.
• Dhali: What happens if Afflicted try to leave?
• Wulf: Meeko and Inigo, please search for other exits. Afflicted are to be warned that they are quarantined and deadly force will be used if they try to leave.
• Inigo: What if there are other exits?
• Wulf: Khao, if there are other exits, summon Vayu. He is to organise squads for each exit.
• Inigo: My friend, what do you know of Bthardamz?
• Wulf: It is probably the largest Dwemer ruin in Skyrim. Its purpose is unknown and has been stripped of artefacts over the centuries. Orchendor would have found it abandoned without any archaeologists to bother him.
• Dhali: We have our instructions, Wulf. Off you go.
• Wulf: Yes, master, your wish is my command.

I entered Bthardamz and then cast Shroudwalk. Dweomer on my armour makes me silent, so I am undetectable unless somebody uses Heat Vision.

I collected samples of the green gunk.

The first Afflicted I encountered was asleep.

Heat Vision showed she was running a high fever.

Her aura showed the illness within.

I could hear a voice in an adjoining room and listened,

“Are you asleep? I know you cannot hear me, brother. I do not like what we have become. We have been here so long,  and what do we have to show for it? Orchendor promised a place where we would be accepted and taken care of. He promised Peryite would always be present and comfort us in our suffering. Forgive me for saying this, brother, but I have not felt Peryite’s presence. I want out. I want to leave this place. I long for the fresh air of The Reach. This place only makes us sicker. But who am I kidding? I know you would not let me leave, brother. You truly believe in Orchendor and his promises. I know this place will eventually kill us. I have come to accept that. But I will always regret that day I introduced you to Orchendor.”

Orchendor may not be the saviour that Afflicted thought he was.

Near the sleeping Afflicted, I found a letter. It read,

“Beloved Duphraime,

I know you thought me a fool not to leave Cul Aloue with you and the others, but I couldn’t abandon our children to the wasting sickness. However, whatever horrible fates you may have guessed for us are probably far from the truth of what has happened.

I am sending this letter hoping to soothe a worried mind.

A week after you left with the rest of the healthy folk, I patrolled the low wall by foot. Even our poor Kelter had taken the illness and was unfit to ride. I prayed that no bandits would be foolish enough to risk infection for our trifling goods. Then, outlined against the pyre light of the day’s last, I saw a long figure marching towards the village.

The stranger was a Summerset elf who introduced himself as Orchendor, and with him came a change in destiny for the folk of Cul Aloue.

Orchendor walked among our people without fear of the wasting sickness that had taken root in the marrow of every remaining villager, myself included by now. For days, he ate and spoke with us, learning each name. He calmed the folk in a way my lying prayers could not. Spirits became cheerful that days before awaited bleakly in the death’s parlour.

Orchendor assembled us then, crowding the villagers into Cullete’s barn, she being the most badly stricken at that time and unable to move without being carried.

The good elf then gave us tidings that none could have guessed. He claimed the sickness was not a curse on our village, as we were sure it had been. Instead, Orchendor insisted, it was a boon, a beacon which drew him to us. He told us that he served the Daedric Prince Peryite.

I know what you are thinking. Yes, we burned Dina and Lucas not three years before. Cul Aloue would never suffer the heresies of a Daedra Worshipper in our midst. Yet, we did. Not only that, but we raptly heard what he had to say. Maybe you think we were too sick, too weak, but we were not.

Orchendor apologised for our dead, saying he came with all haste to Cul Aloue. None had perished since his arrival, though several seemed on the brink in the hours before. He wanted to take us to a new home where we could live out our days worshipping Peryite as his chosen, his Afflicted.

Nobody refused. Some were carried in carts and litter, but all made the trek with Orchendor across the border into Skyrim, leaving Cul Aloue an empty, haunted place.

We have since lived in a refuge, the ruins of an ancient Dwarven city where other Afflicted live with us. Many of them have similar tales to that of Cul Aloue. Our divine infection binds us together. Though you could say we are all sick, the effects of the sickness no longer diminish us but give us strength. We heal ourselves with liquors and tinctures that other men would call poison.

Orchendor keeps us safe here, by the blessing of our Prince Peryite. I am now an Apostle of the Afflicted, tasked to disseminate the teachings of Peryite to our Afflicted.

And so, sweet Duphraime, the spirit of Cul Aloue lives on. I will never blame you for abandoning us that day, now long past. In truth, I am saddened that Peryite did not likewise choose you to awake with these oozing lungs. Peryite preserve you, dear husband, and know your children are well.”

Desperate people were offered salvation. It does not matter that the one offering salvation also created the plague. When a horrible, protracted death is the inevitable outcome, the creator of the plague can be forgiven if it means living.

The letter says a mother brought her children to Bthardamz. For their sake, I hope the adults do not try to break out of whatever blockade is established.

The letter also suggested that the plague struck Cul Aloue ‘long past.’ How long ago is that? It is not discernable.

I can accept the desperate aligning themselves with Lord Peryite. However, it is another thing to spread the plague knowingly. That is, to me, a failure of morality that is unacceptable, and I would not hesitate to kill such people.

Bthardamz is big and very empty. After travelling for over an hour, I had only encountered half a dozen Afflicted.

Then I encountered three Afflicted praying to Peryite.

• Afflicted Female One: Peryite, heed our call if you deem us worthy. Our leader, Orchendor, has led us here, and for that, we are thankful. He has shown us that our suffering is not a punishment but a blessing.
• Afflicted Male: Yes, a blessing. We have sought your guidance for many months but have not heard from you. If we fail to please you, give us a sign so that we may understand why.
• Afflicted Female Two: Yes, a sign. We are lost without your guidance. On the ninth of Rain’s Hand, our prayers went unanswered, yet here we stand, not faltering in our belief that soon you will show yourself to us.
• Afflicted Male: Yes, show yourself to us. Until that day, we will continue to devote our lives to you and suffer for you.
• Afflicted Female One: Yes, suffer for you.

Afflicted suffer, even if the disease does not kill them. I see no sense in that. Many argue that Peryite protects the entirety of Nirn by preventing overpopulation. Even if that is acceptable, the suffering inflicted via the various plagues is unnecessary. There are sleeping sicknesses where people die unconscious and unaware of their illness. Why not use that type of disease rather than one that causes long and great suffering?

When I walked close to the shrine where the three Afflicted prayed, I sensed Peryite’s presence. Why does he need me to deal with Orchendor? He did not even answer their prayers on his summoning day when he could have instructed them to kill the rebel Mer.

The green roots I saw at the base of Peryite’s shrine were abundant throughout Bthardamz. I gathered samples for analysis.

I came upon two dead Afflicted. Their wounds suggested they had triggered a Dwemer Blade Trap. It seems Bthardamz’s defences are active.

I heard a Dwemer Spectre whining about its fate.

Lightening eliminated it.

A Dwemer Automaton appeared and could track me via body heat. I quickly destroyed it.

Later, I came upon a confrontation between two Afflicted. One was subservient to the other.

• Afflicted One: I am sorry to wake you, my Brother. I have a request from Orchendor.
• Afflicted Two: Yes, what is it?
• Afflicted One: He requests more barrels of ichor to be delivered to the Arcanex tomorrow.
• Afflicted Two: This is the reason you wake me? I already have Orchendor’s request taken care of.
• Afflicted One: I am sorry, my Brother.
• Afflicted Two: Now leave me to my sleep. My strength and patience are waning.
• Afflicted One: Yes, my Brother. Forgive me. May the blessing of Peryite be with you.
• Afflicted Two: Yes, yes, as with you. Now be off.

The subservient Afflicted walked away with a grim look on his face. I would not be surprised if he slit the other Afflicted’s throat while he slept.

An Arcanex is an area of a Dwemer building where their Tonal Architects and mages did their work.

When the grumpy Afflicted lay down to resume his sleep, I entered and looked around.

I found a note. It seemed to be torn out of a journal, and it read,

“Orchendor has made his home in the Aerdrome. He has also foolishly found a way to turn on the Dwemer Automatons. They are not needed for defence and are killing any Afflicted they encounter. Luckily, they do not wander far, so, with caution, can be avoided.

When I asked why he turned them on, he said it was not for protection. He thought they might aid him in communing with our Blighted Lord. The shrine is still active, so if Peryite wanted to speak to him, he would do so.

I think Orchendor has offended Peryite, which is why this commune has not heard from the Blighted Lord. I would gladly try and kill Orchendor if that were Peryite’s desire. However, it would be suicide, for he is one of the most powerful mages on Nirn.”

The Aerdrome should be the highest part of Bthardamz. Therefore, I decided to keep heading upward, hoping to encounter Orchendor finally. I also doubt Orchendor is as powerful a mage as the note-writer thinks.

I would become visible if a fight with Dwemer Automatons involved lots of spellcasting. Nobody came to investigate the sounds of battle. I assume they were instructed to stay away from specific areas, and if other Afflicted stumbled upon Dwemer Automatons, then it was too bad for them.

After every skirmish, I cast Shroudwalk again.

I detest Dwemer ruins. They are monotonous both in layout and decoration. The lack of logical layout and signage heightens my distaste. They are giant mazes! As I have expressed before, I am not fond of mazes.

I was despairing of finding anything useful when I came upon a familiar plant in a pool of what Afflicted call ‘ichor.’

I made my way to it and examined it.

It was the same species as can be found throughout Aurane’s gardens. I saw the same plant in abundance in Shivering Isles. This plant had been altered so that when its pods opened, they released ichor, not seeds. The pods on unmodified plants open once a year. It seems this version must open its pods often.

I collected samples from various parts of the plant.

I continued my upward journey and was soon many stories above the plant.

Dwemer Automaton encounters became more common as I climbed.

I entered a large room that had several of the altered plants. It also had a variant of the green vines with pods growing from them.

On a hunch, I hit the pods with a spell. They emitted puffs of fine mist, which I thought may contain the plague.

When I found some pods within easy reach, I prepared a jar and poked one of them. When it emitted the mist, I scooped some into the jar and sealed it. I repeated this three times, as that was the number of pods I could reach. Hopefully, enough of the mist was captured inside the three jars for analysis.

I do not know how large Bthardamz is, but I thought I must be getting close to its summit when I encountered Afflicted battling Dwemer Automatons.

The Afflicted did not spray their enemies with a green acidic spray. As we surmised, Dwemer Metal may be impervious to it. Instead, they fought with spells and swords.

I did not intervene, for that would have revealed my presence.

When the last Afflicted died, I quickly moved on before being attacked by the Heat Vision-equipped automatons.

Up, up, up I went.

I switched to using my bow to be quieter during the frequent melees.

I entered a large room with many walkways. The green vines and altered plants were in great numbers. Many Dwemer Spectres and Automatons patrolled the area. I quickly eliminated them.

I entered an area of more complex Dwemer machinery, which I hoped was a sign I was approaching the Aerdrome.

Not long after, I found Orchendor.

I made myself visible and approached with weapons sheathed.

I said, “Orchendor, I assume. I am Lord Welkynd, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines.”

“What are you doing? You are not supposed to be here! Ah, yes, I see it now. The Daedric Lord sent you, didn’t he?”

“Lord Peryite asked me to kill you, which I could have done quite easily without you ever seeing me. However, I told him I would decide your fate, not him. So, let us talk.”

“I hated dealing with him! I hated having to answer to him! Oh, it took years… But I earned my way to the top.”

“Frankly, I am not interested in your petty squabbles with Lord Peryite. This plague is killing innocents in High Rock, and I intend to find a cure and stop it.”

“Finally, I am in charge now. Ah yes, so much power! And you know what? It is all mine.”

“So, your concern for Afflicted was fake. Do you have any regrets for what has happened to those innocents?”

“What is done is done. I do not regret it one bit.”

“And what do you propose to do with this power? Why have you rebelled against Lord Peryite?”

“That is none of your business!”

“Oh, I am afraid it is. Unless you have been living in a hole or an isolated Dwemer Ruin, you would know I am the mortal champion of many gods, both Aedra and Daedra. I protect all mortals, even megalomaniac morons such as yourself. Your Magicka reserves are quite impressive, but still a fraction of mine. I have confronted gods, so your powers pose no threat to me. Answer my questions, Orchendor, or I will truss you up and place you in a cell till you cooperate.”

“Think of how much gold that rich nobles will toss my way when the threat of this plague is before them!”

“So, you are just another turd who thinks to swindle a Daedric Prince for his selfish scheme. Surrender and live, Orchendor.”

“You dare challenge me? Ha, ha, ha. Last mistake!”

“I defeated Alduin and thousands of others in combat. Don’t die a fool, Orchendor. Lord Peryite will not be pleased when your soul reaches The Pit. I offer you a chance at redemption. Take it!”

Instead of attacking with Destruction spells, Orchendor wasted time casting portals. He hoped to confuse me by vanishing and reappearing elsewhere.

I sighed and hit him with Unrelenting Force.

Orchendor screamed as he turned to ash. His portals died with him.

There was nothing of use within the ashes. I was sick of Bthardamz and weary beyond words.

I looked for a nearby exit and discovered a Dwemer Lift.

It took me to an exit different from the one we entered. It was barred, so it could not be opened from the outside. I lifted the bar and exited.

 Meeko greeted me.

The Dragonguard soon joined us.

• Wulf: Are there any other exits?
• Inigo: No, my friend. This one and the front door are the only ones. This door was locked, but we took no chances.
• Dhali: We have guarded this door. Vayu’s squad guard the other.
• Wulf: Orchendor wanted to use the plague to extort Tamriel’s leaders. He is now a pile of ash.
• Khao: Did you discover anything of use?
• Wulf: Yes, they use modified plants to create that green sludge. There are other plants with seedpods that spread the plague via fine mist. I have lots of samples.
• Shiva: Did you have to kill any Afflicted?
• Wulf: No. However, Orchendor had enabled the Dwemer defences. Traps and Dwemer Automatons are killing Afflicted.
• Dhali: What is next?
• Wulf: I will talk to Vayu and then chat with Lord Peryite.

I summoned Vayu, who appeared within seconds.

• Vayu: Greetings, my exhausted friend.
• Wulf: Yes, I am tired. It seems the trip through The Void damaged me more than I thought.
• Vayu: This is not the most pleasant place to guard, so please tell me we can go home.
• Wulf: I am afraid not. There are dozens of Afflicted inside Bthardamz. Until Legionnaires arrive, we must guard it.
• Vayu: Okay, we shall get a full report once you have rested.
• Wulf: Which squad will replace this mangy lot?
• Vayu: Celestine’s.
• Inigo: We are not mangy!
• Vayu: Scruffy?
• Inigo: No!
• Wulf: Shabby?
• Inigo: No!
• Vayu: Unkempt?
• Meeko: Woof!
• Inigo: Yes, Meeko, that is a more accurate description. We reek of unkemptness.
• Vayu: Perhaps Lady Kynareth has sent this rain to cleanse your unkemptness?
• Wulf: I killed the leader of this commune. However, I harmed no other Afflicted. Their biggest problem is Dwemer Automatons. I think I destroyed most of them.
• Vayu: Until we know more about the disease, we cannot risk entering to exterminate the machines.
• Wulf: Yes, that is why I travelled solo.
• Vayu: Okay, as one of your physicians and Shaman, I order you to go home and sleep.
• Wulf: First, we shall visit Lord Peryite’s shrine and chat. That will not take long.
• Vayu: Khao told me you and Peryite were chatting amiably like old friends.
• Wulf: He is just another lying Dark Lord who thinks all mortals are stupid.
• Vayu: I wonder if he will name you champion?
• Wulf: Oh, I will be so upset if he does not!
• Meeko: Woof?
• Dhali: Yes, Wulf’s cynicism increases with his fatigue.

We teleported to Kesh’s camp, and I approached the cauldron.

I did not inhale the fumes, but Peryite responded as if I had.

• Peryite: Very well done, mortal. All things are in their order, and Orchendor roams The Pits. His betrayal will be punished, and your obedience will be rewarded.
• Wulf: And I thought Meridia and Hermaeus Mora were annoying. I went to Bthardamz for reasons you cannot fathom and not because you asked me to. I killed Orchendor because he attacked me, not because you wanted him dead. Now I am concerned about the Afflicted he falsely lured to that place.
• Peryite: Did you leave any alive? The Afflicted are mere vessels for my Blessing. It will spread to others through their touch and my own. Another Overseer will replace Orchendor when the time comes. For now, all is cleansed and ordered.
• Wulf: I did not kill a single Afflicted. Their fate is not yours to decide. We shall find and offer a cure to those you have abandoned. You did not bother to answer their prayers, and most will quickly return to worshipping their previous gods.
• Peryite: Do not anger me, mortal!
• Wulf: Stop trying to intimidate me! You had no idea what was happening in Bthardamz, yet claim omnipotence. You pretend to be all-powerful yet rely on mortals to enact your plans on Nirn. You do not know who I am and cannot influence me. I never destroy shrines of Daedric Princes, for I defend religious freedom. However, this cauldron is not a shrine but a means of trapping weaker mortals such as Kesh. Therefore, it must be destroyed.

I cast Inferno, and the cauldron shattered.

I stood before the angry Khajiiti.

He hissed, “You dare defy and insult Peryite!”

“You can still worship him, Kesh. I did not harm his shrine.”

“You must die for your blasphemy!”

“Do not draw your swords. Be sensible and live.”

Kesh snarled and drew his swords.

A bear marked by Kynareth rushed over and attacked Kesh. Kyne’s Peace was in effect, so it defended me against a threat.

As Kesh fought valiantly but without a chance of victory, we stood back and let the bear do its work.

Inigo asked, “My friend, is Lady Kynareth upset with Kesh?”

“She does not like Lord Peryite. He uses winds and wildlife to spread his plagues. Kesh drawing swords on me was the final insult. However, the bear is defending me due to Kyne’s Peace.”

“If he defeats the bear, will you let him live?”

“What do you think?”

“Yes, my friend, if he does not attack you, we shall walk away and let him live.”

“After we have cured any wounds that he sustained.”

“Yes, of course. That is what Lord Welkynd would do.”

A few seconds later, Kesh fell after a mighty paw swipe connected with his midriff.

He staggered to his feet and ran, but the bear followed and delivered a killing blow.

The bear had no intention of feasting on Kesh and strolled away.

Shiva searched Kesh and handed me his journal.

I read the relevant section out loud.

“Kesh was right to come here. This one is smart always to trust his Lord Peryite. The new Blessing brewing at Bthardamz will bring natural order as it spreads through this frozen land. Kesh will witness the plague from here!

Yet, this one wonders. Why is Orchendor taking so long to release the Afflicted? This one must commune with The Lord of Blight and ask.”

I told my friends, “Kesh will be granted a better afterlife in The Pits than Orchendor. It seems Skyrim was the primary target of the plague. High Rock is collateral damage. Let us get dry and warm at home, shall we?”

When we teleported into Aurane, my Akaviri friends headed for the kitchen with Meeko.

However, Inigo started to cough and groaned. I turned to him.

I asked, “Are you okay?”

“I think Peryite left his mark on me. I am unwell. But do not worry. I am sure I will be all right.”

“Inigo, you are now a plague carrier. Also, Afflicted turn red with black splotches. I have no idea what colour a blue Khajiiti would turn.”

“Blue and red makes brown. I would look like a furry turd!”

“Well, you already smell like one, so that would be fitting.”

Inigo tried to laugh but was racked by coughs with a disturbing gurgle.

I told him, “We shall visit The Temple of The Divines in Solitude. You must hold your breath when I start casting the teleport spell. Run to Lady Mara’s shrine. It is the first on the left after we appear out of the ether. Touch it, and see if The Divines can cure the disease. Just nod if you understand.”

Inigo nodded.

As I started the incantation, Inigo took a deep breath.

When we appeared out of the ether, Inigo ran towards Mara’s shrine, deftly avoiding bowling anybody over.

I ran at a more sedate pace due to fatigue. Still, I arrived in time to witness the cure.

Inigo tentatively reached out and touched Lady Mara’s shrine.

He was engulfed in the familiar light I associate with Lady Mara.

Even before the light faded, he turned and approached me.

He said, “That felt amazing, my friend.”

“Yes, it is different than when a mage cures you.”

“My throat is no longer painful, and I can breathe properly again.”

“I am glad it worked.”

“The Divines are on my side. Ha! Take that, Peryite! I win. Hehe.”

“It was brave of you to volunteer.”

“Huh? What did I volunteer to do, my friend.”

“Inigo the Brave proved that Khajiiti are not immune to the plague. He also showed that shrines of The Nine can cure it.”

“You would say that falsehood in your journal?”

“Your bravery will be proven when you generously donate blood, urine, and tissue samples. They can be used to determine if even a brief hosting of the disease changes a person’s body.”

“Ahh, blood and urine do not take bravery to provide. But tissue samples?”

“Do not worry, Inigo. We shall use a very sharp knife and only need a few inches from various parts of your body. The groin area is usually the best place to harvest the flesh.”

“Haha, very funny.”

“No, Inigo, it is not funny, and I am not joking.”

“Oh!”

“Let us return to Aurane before the others empty our larder.”

After teleporting, Inigo rushed to join the others. I staggered past Merlin, who watched me with a worried expression.

For the first time since breakfast, Rigmor spoke via Mara’s Rings.

“Wulf, I have felt your tiredness grow during the day. Sleep, my Guardian, and tell me of your travels tomorrow.”

“I love you, Ivanitchy Ramsbottom.”

Rigmor’s amusement and love were transmitted via the rings. They were the cure I needed to overcome the lingering effects of The Void. Oh, and time might also be needed.