dear_mun | (no subject)

[strum]

♪ Oh embattled king, harried in your own land
Where your enemies lay a heavy hand
But their defense budget is scrimping;
Staying ahead's not hard
Even for a mere bard-
All of the guards are limping ♪

[Glaaaaaaaaaaare.]

My men may have been injured in combat, but I assure you, the best healers in Skyrim have tended to their wounds and they are as fit as ever.

[strum]

♪ If that's so, I won't deride their know-how
Those healers must be experts in joints by now ♪

Be careful with your next stanza, bard. Ulfric Stormcloak is not known for his patience.

Perhaps time standing still isn't quite the right word for it.

More like mundanes are moving through time like moving through a road. You can always go back to the previous city. Meaning you'll go right back to the point you were taken from.

Regardless of how it is explained, these... 'muns' are an affront to lord Akatosh.

[Have a suspicious glance. He doesn't much care for jesters, and right now that's all he knows about you.]

Have you ever thought that Akatosh just let this happen?

The gods are moveable just like any other being. There's some purpose for you waiting here, probably.

It still feels... wrong.

...Who are you? I've not seen your face within Windhelm.

Oh why should I just outright tell you? But I will let you know this Ulfric, I am on your side.

Also I WILL give you a hint. You know my name but not my face.

[Have a puzzled look.]

You speak in riddles, friend. Unfortunately, the cryptic has never been my strong point.

Oh well I'll give you a big hint. I invented music.

[It takes Ulfric a few moments of thought before he remembers a tome his mother made him read when he came of age and was named the heir to Windhelm's throne.]

Sheogorath...?

There we go! I knew you would get it.

Then I am afraid we have little to talk about. I do not consort with Daedra, let alone the Madgod.

If it makes you feel any better I am not technically a Daedra. I just took his spot during the Oblivion crisis.

[He sees no harm in spilling the beans like this.]

You live in Oblivion, and have done so since the last age, and are not Aedra in origin.

I would call that a Daedra.

I was a mortal once. Someone you actually owe your very existence to. I understand disliking the origins of my power but you are not a man of questions. That much is clear.

It is also becoming clear that you are only a SLIGHTLY lesser evil than the empire.

I do not mean any offense. I simply must look after the interests of my people first.

Tis a dark time when I am forced to turn my blade on the Empire I served in the Great War. I bled, killed, and watched my brothers die for the Empire! And what was our reward? Our traditions, our very way of life was ripped from us! Say what you will about my methods or stance regarding the other races, but my fight is to secure a home for all Nords, where we can worship Talos in peace.

If the Thalmor would have its way, the Nords would be the only race in Tamriel that did not have a place they could call their ancestral home.

What if you were to win? What would you do with the other races? Force them to leave or to suffer under racism?

Or would you make Skyrim a haven for culture? Truly it is the spice of the world.

They would not be forced to leave. As I said, I hold no animosity toward the other races - save for perhaps the Altmer - and will take no action to force them out of Skyrim. However, I would also strike down laws that contradict the tradition of the Nords that the Aldmeri Dominion forced on us.

However, that is not my primary concern is reading Skyrim to face the wrath of the Dominion when they inevitably attempt to conquer us as they did the Empire. Once that threat has been dealt with, then I can turn my attention to more domestic affairs.

It's something that-...oh, I see Sheogorath got here first.

*The Khajiit's tone is terse, his ears are back, and the tip of his tail is swishing slowly. In perhaps more recognizable body language, his fists are balled at his side, his eyes are narrowed, and his shoulders are slightly hunched. His syntax and accent aren't of Elsweyr, more like Cyrodiil - as much as a Khajiit can speak in a Cyrodiilic accent.*

[Having spent more time in Cyrodiil than he'd have liked during the war, he picks up on the accent as well as the body language. As such, his hand rests on the hilt of his blade, ready to draw at a moment's notice.]

...Sheogorath? The Daedric prince of madness? I believe he may have touched you more than you realize, cat.

*His ears slowly perk up again, confusion showing up on his face beneath the aggression.*

Why do you say that? He did answer your question.

*Ulfric would be right, though - this Dragonborn is too comfortable with the fourth wall after so many conversations with Sheogorath here on Dear Mun.*

I see only a man - albeit an oddly dressed one. I have heard tales of those who encountered the Daedra lord before, and he seems to have a penchant for the dramatic. I assume that should he reveal himself, he would make sure the object of his amusement knew just who he was.

Not always. I've met him both here and on my own adventures, and he never revealed himself until I asked.

*He'd say something about how he'd expect such a narrow mind to see dramatics in such a limited way, but Ma'sud has been biting his tongue this way all his life. He's not going to stop now, because he won't be called the aggressor here - not over something that isn't even the topic of conversation. Not when he'd have no advantage to speak of.*

Then I advise you now to watch your words and your tone with me, cat. Your race, accent, and the Daedric influence you admit to have had both here and in Skyrim all work against you.

Perhaps I was misguided about your intentions if someone's race can guide your opinion of them.

You don't even realize you're speaking to the Dragon-born.

Skyrim is the home of the Nords. It always has been, and always will should my cause triumph. I do not hold animosity toward the other races, however the Kahjiit in particular have a bit of a reputation in Skyrim. Deserved or not, it is something I must consider in my dealings.

Then what of the reputation of Nords? It is a common conception that Nords are violent brutes. Should I seek out a Nord every time someone is murdered?

If the suspects were Nord or Breton and magic was not used, then yes I would lean more toward suspecting the Nord. We all have our reputations and must live with the lenses through which we are seen; Man, Mer, Aedra, and Daedra alike.

*And there go the ears again, flattened so quickly his piercings clink against one another. There's the slightest hitch in his breath as he holds air in his throat. His tone comes out somewhat strained, since he's speaking without letting all his air go. His eyes betray both anger and fear. He's never done well with threats that can see him, but he's seen a few organized battles, and this, at least, has hardened him somewhat. Ulfric's managed, you see, to hit too close to a sensitive point with him.*

I don't have any 'influence'. I've never done anything for him that I chose to do. But how kind of you to tell me what is already obvious from visiting your city.

[Ulfric, by contrast remains as cool and collected as ever. His combat experience, training with the Greybeards, and grooming as a Jarl has given him more than enough experience dealing with threats in a calculating manner.]

I apologize for my lack of acceptance of your story, but the Daedra have a reputation for twisting the souls of men and mer alike. Furthermore, I cannot dictate the actions of every subject in my city and do not condone open racism, but that is nigh impossible to enforce.

However, with the times being what they are, and the traditional relationship your people have had with the Empire does not help your case in the eyes of many.

*The thing is, Ma'sud isn't even sure he himself is a threat, or threat enough. It's why he seems to be equal parts afraid and angry.*

But the worst of it isn't open. I'm not talking about insults or encounters on the street. I mean an entire portion of your population, living in squalor and having nothing in common but their race.

[Ulfric narrows his eyes slightly, more in annoyance than anything.]

What you are encountering is the result of hundreds of years of culture. I can do nothing to dictate the thoughts and actions of those residing in my city, especially in the face of such long-held beliefs. I could have easily turned the Dunmer away when they fled Morrowind, and in fact many of my subjects would have preferred to see that. However, knowing what it is like to be without a homeland, I allowed them to stay.

But the quality of their refuge is your prime concern of course. What was I to do, then? Oust Clan Shatter-Shield from their ancestral homes and force them into poverty because refugees wanted a certain standard of living?

I am Jarl of Windhelm and my responsibilities are to the citizens of Windhelm first. The fact that so many were forced to flee Morrowind is a tragedy, but in the face of such circumstance, charity has its limits. Were it possible, I would gladly see the refugees in my city restored to their homes and wealth. However, I cannot take from those who live within my city like a common thief.

But none of the other walled cities have this problem. Windhelm is the only city where I've seen a slum so desolate. The other Jarls seem to be doing just fine to me.

The other Jarls don't have the same population to deal with as I do. Windhelm was the first city on the road out of Morrowind. Many chose to stay. I gave what I could to provide shelter, and those who were unhappy with the conditions moved on to the other holds.

I do not force them to stay in the Grey Quarter, and not all do.

*Something isn't sitting right, still, but Ma'sud isn't sociologically-savvy enough to figure it out.*

Many of them feel something could be done. And, once again, considering I haven't seen those conditions in any other city, I wonder if they're right.

They need not defy Akatosh - though they would willingly do so. Unslaad staadnau naal tiid. Not all are bound by time as mortals are.

[And he draws his blade instinctively, assuming a fighting stance.]

...You can talk...? I know the Greybeards refer to the Way of the Voice as the 'dragon tongue' but... I assumed that was a metaphor...

[Totally missing the point, but... A TALKING DRAGON! Galmor would kill him if he started the fun without him.]

Metaphor? No. It was the tongue of the dov for ages before it was taught to joorre.

[He doesn't seem impressed by the sword though. This - this is why you dropped out of Greybeard training.]

Drem, konahrik. I was brought here by curiosity, not the urge for battle. Dahmaan Thu'um. I have heard the echo of your Voice before, I think.

[He sheathes the blade, bowing slightly.]

I apologize. Your kind doesn't normally have conversations with mine. The last time I had a close encounter with a dragon was at Helgen, and I barely escaped with my life.

When I was a boy, I traversed the 7000 steps and studied with the Greybeards until I received word of my father's death and that I was needed in Windhelm.

For someone who claims to despise the Thalmor, as much as I've seen from this mundane's various unfinished dealings with you, you are not so different from them.

I do not go into the homes of civilians and drag them through the streets for the alleged worship of a god. Let alone condemn the worship of a god that has had such a historic impact on all of Tamriel. I do not go into the lands of others and tell them that they will be put to the axe for the simple following of their time-honored traditions.

I know not who you are, but you have not made the best of impressions by comparing me to those faithless dogs.

There is the slight matter of the Reach, now isn't there.

You'll have to be more specific. There were many matters in the Reach, and still are, not the least of which being the betrayal of the militia.

And what of the Reachmen, hm? Didn't you assist in ripping their land and in many cases their rights from them? Where are they now, I wonder. Ah, that's right. Living in the wilderness, desperate to cling to the last vestiges of their heritage.

...why does that sound so familiar...?

The Bretons are natives of High Rock, not Skyrim. Before the Nords, the Dwemer lived in the Reach. They no longer walk Tamriel and have given up any claim over the land. Skyrim and all of her holds belong to the Nords and always have. I know not where the Forsworn get their ideas, but they were delusional to lay claim to the Reach. Their Briarhearts use unholy magic to augment their power, only detracting from the legitimacy of their cause.

And instead of consolidating with the Empire against the Dominion, you tear what is left of that Empire apart out of selfishness and bigotry. Tell me--how are the Dunmer refugees in your city doing? If an outsider were to walk the streets, it might detract from the legitimacy of your cause.

I know your mind, Ulfric Stormcloak. More than you can know. You are afraid. Afraid of the Dominion, so you shut yourself up in your palace and try to convince yourself that war is the only option.

Deep inside you know that if you hadn't done what you did in the Reach, worship of your god would not be so brutally banned.

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OMGLOL

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Sheogorath bothers ALL the Skyrim characters.

xD I wouldn't feel like a true Nord if I wasn't bothered by a Daedra. ;3

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*really needs to import his Kefka muse... these two would get along great*

That would be interesting, I'm waiting for someone to play Sanguine personally xD

Oh lord I loved his quest in Skyrim. Drinking contest ftw.

It's even better in Oblivion

I'll look forward to it.

Casting a spell in at a stuffy noble party to make all their clothes disappear, very fun

lol Epic. If only I could use that spell IRL.

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Hope this is alright but he just had to say something about this

S'allright with me. :3

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really needs to import his Kefka muse... these two would get along great