Elder Scrolls Oblivion: The Tale of Vasilis Aquila, Part 2

Assassination!

BLACK HORSE COURIER SPECIAL EDITION!
EMPEROR AND HEIRS ASSASSINATED!

Elder Council Named as Regents!

Emperor Uriel Septim VII is dead, at the age of 87, having ruled Tamriel for 65 years. He was killed by assassins unknown. At the same time, in separate locations, the late emperor's three sons and heirs (Crown Prince Geldall, 56; Prince Enman, 55; Prince Ebel, 53] were slain by other assassins. An investigation into the identity and motives of the assassins is under way, but the Elder Council, Imperial Guard, and Blades Guard have forbidden the publication of reports and rumors concerning the event until further notice.

By ancient precedent, the Elder Council rules the empire until a new emperor is crowned. No direct heirs survive, and the council has proposed no list of candidates. Chancellor Ocato, Imperial Battlemage, speaking for the Elder Council, presented an appeal to the empire's citizens for calm, and asked that the people remember the Emperor, his sons, and the Elder Council in their prayers.

The Journal of Vasilis Aquila, 28 of Last Seed, 3E 433

Yesterday was probably the most extraordinary events in my life. I was awoken by the bastard in the cell opposite, banging on his cell door and shouting insults. However, I soon heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and voices. Four people came into view, three of them Blades, and with them the Emperor Uriel himself! As I stood in awe at what I saw, I was ordered away from the door. Of course I complied and rushed backwards. The Blades went to march straight through my cell but as the emperor walked past he looked at me, and stopped.

He told me that he had seen me in a dream, and unbelievably that I was destined to be a saviour of the Empire! However, there was little time for talk, and I was to follow the emperor and his guards. However, along the way we were attacked by mysterious, red cloaked assassins. The Captain Renault was killed by these. Unarmed, I retrieved her sword. I was here forced go my own route, and travelled through the caverns beneath the imperial city, being occasionally attacked by goblins, which were easily dispatched. I soon joined up again with the emperor, but it was not long before we were again ambushed. I was tasked with guarding the emperor while Baurus and his collegue attempted to kill the assassins. The emperor seemed aware of his impending doom, and charged with me the Amulet of Kings, and that I must "Stand against the Prince of Destruction and his Mortal Servants. Find Jauffre!" Seconds later an assassin appeared and with a swift stab struck the emperor through his heart, and he fell to the ground. In awe I could do little but block the assassins' attack on me before Baurus returned and slew him. Baurus then demanded the Emperors last words before he let me go with his blessing, and I escaped from the sewers out into the Imperial Isle.

Lost in what had just happened, I walked slowly to the top of the pathway that leads into the Market District. I wandered around the Imperial City for sometime, buying several books on the history of the Empire and of the Amulet of Kings in First Edition. I also looked around Palace area and the Temple, making a prayer to Akatosh.

Visiting the arena, I bet some of my few coins left on a match, although I won, I realised I had little cash. I went down into the bloodworks and joined up. The man, Owyn, did not seem to keen on me, but I proved him wrong by winning my first match. After a short rest I took part in my second match, winning by a hair, my shield spell winning me the match.

By now it was reasonably late, and I wandered into the Elven Gardens district and bought a bed at the King and Queen tavern. The bar was full of people talking about the emperors murder, but I simply sat in the corner with an ale reading about the Amulet of Kings. It seems I am sat now with an amulet containing blood of Akatosh himself in my pocket. I am awestruck and partially reluctant to give it up to a monk at Weynon Priory.

Waking this morning, I dressed myself and decided on a run to clear my thoughts. I ran from the King and Queen tavern, around the Palace several times while the sun rose, before running through the Talos Plaza. Here, as I ran I saw a man running towards me, dagger drawn. I stopped running and dodged his first attack by sidestepping. An Imperial Warder saw this and drew her bow, her first striking the mugger in the leg. I drew my own sword and parried the muggers next attack. I swiftly kicked him once in the stomach and he recoiled, and was struck in the back by a second arrow. Falling to his knees, I killed him with a strike through his chest. I thanked the guard, and dragged the body from beside the statue to behind some crates. I took his belongings and continued back to the King and Queen tavern, walking. I sit on my bed here now, ready for another day of adventure in the city.

Elder Scrolls Oblivion: The Tale of Vasilis Aquila, Part 1

The Journal of Vasilis Aquila, 26 of Last Seed, 3E 433

Today is the sixth day since my imprisonment, and time passes very slowly without occupation or distraction. I tried to ease the boredom through meditation, although my lack of skill prevents any progress. My father, Maelius Aquila, introduced me to its virtues during my journey to Morrowind in the Year 427 of the Third Era. I travelled there with him, a captain of the Imperial Guard, as he fulfilled his duties to the emperor.

He was stationed at Pelagiad, a quaint Imperial village, and presided over the garrison there during what has become known as the “Morrowind Incident” in the wider world. In fact several times the Nerevarine visited the town, and I was lucky enough to see him on various occasions, and once I even spoke to him. The Nerevarine was travelling north from Vivec to Ghostgate, before his final confrontation of Dagoth Ur and his Ash Vampires. He rested in the village this night, and entered the town garrison. He spoke to my father, asking for permission to rest in the soldiers quarters. My father of course agreed, knowing of the mans dire and seemingly suicidal quest owing to the news of the time and various artifacts on his person: the Star of Azura, Chrysamere, and of course the marks of the Nerevarine and Hortator, highest among these of course the Wraithguard, created by the Dwemer, and the fabled ring, Moon-and-Star, which none but Nerevar Incarnate can wear.

That night the Nerevarine stayed with my father, his troops and I in the quarters. He related the reason behind his request to stay here, that he was frequently attacked by servants of the demon, and that to stay in an inn would be to invite death upon its occupants. Of course he felt and it was generally agreed that he was right to have stayed here. The Incarnate also told us of Dagoth Ur's plans which he had learnt from the god Vivec. These ultimately included driving the Empire apart, through conquest and false religion based on the “Second Numidium”, a giant inanimate being he was constructing using the Heart of Lorkhan in the centre of Red Mountain.

Again, the situation seemed dire, but the Nerevarine was resolute, firm and confident in his ability. He knew that he was the only one able to stop the progress of Dagoth Ur, with the Tribunal severely weakened, the Daedra uncaring, and the Emperor fragile after his imprisonment years earlier. I, a boy of 16, asked him for advice, and he told me: “Never stop or give in. Tasks are always possible, just look for another way.”

He left the following morning, boosted by supplies from the garrison stores, and within days he had completely and utterly vanquished his enemy, and banished the blight from Morrowind. Although I have not seen him since, I am constantly reminded of his words, and during my time in Vvardenfell I trained feverishly so I could aid Tamriel as he did.

My father and I returned to Cyrodiil last year, and recently my father has been moved to High Rock, but I have stayed here, in my home land. All of my ancestors were born around Chorrol, back to Decius Aquila, a captain to Talos during his conquests.

However, during a journey from Chorrol to the Imperial City, I was confronted by a highwayman. I swiftly sliced his hand from his arm without thinking, and of course in Cyrodiilic law this means I am the criminal, as I attacked first.

My possessions were taken from me, and I was sentenced to a year of imprisonment, the lightest punishment I could be given.

So here I am, imprisoned with common criminals, without hope of release.

N - The game, not the letter.

I discovered N several years ago when PCG put it on their disc and set a challenge to complete a certain level (01-00 ¬_¬) as quickly as possible. Which I lost at miserably.

But anyway it got me into a game which I now love, and have probably spent more hours with it than with any other game - except perhaps Morrowind...

The graphics are minimalist to say the least, but it doesn't make a difference, and adds to the games beauty. Jumping around as a pink ninja avoiding "puppys" never gets old. It really gets the adrenaline going as well. When you near the end of a level which you've been trying and dying on for around an hour, and you accidently jump into a mine you'll feel like shooting yourself. And when you finally reach the end, heart pumping away, you'll probably jump off your seat and start screaming for joy.

Oh, and this game is pissing difficult. There are 9 columns of levels, and I've completed only four of them in all of this time. But you get a different flavour for your ninja when you manage it. Which is well worth it. And it nicks your life. I think I'm addicted to it. Every time I load up I just idly click on the icon and play a few levels without purpose.

So, as is the tradition when reviewing games, I'll give this a score:

92%

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Right, well

Yes I'm jumping on the bandwagon, everybody else seems to have one so...
But anyway this is going to primarily about games: mods, reviews, stories etc etc
So...read away...