Atreyu’s Photo Diary – Skyrim Part 11

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Monkey-_

WARNING: ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM ENDING SPOILERS!

To Fulfil a Destiny

So with the retrieved scroll and the lexicon filled with its knowledge I headed back to Septimus.
Apparently, he still didn’t have everything he needed to crack open this box of his.
He told me he needed some Dwemer blood, but seeing as they’re all extinct he would have to make do with a sample of blood from every other type of Mer instead.
It somehow became my job to collect these samples for him, so he gave me a strange device with which I could extract them.

So, I was looking for a sample each of Orc, Falmer, High Elf, Wood Elf and Dark Elf blood. Likely to be taken from unwilling victims I shouldn’t wonder.

As I began to leave an apparition came before me. Something that made me feel odd, only because I was becoming used to it.
It was Hermaeus Mora, Daedric Prince of the unknown, telling me that Septimus had become useless to him since my involvement and that once the box was opened I would take his place as Moras servant.

Having Daedric Princes demand my servitude was something I was growing increasingly tired of. My split loyalties would likely cause trouble somewhere along the line..
My hopes were that they would fight between themselves.
In this case though, I warned that I would rather not become his servant, though he was confident that I had little choice in the matter.

Anyway, at this time I had a more pressing matter to attend to. I held the Elder Scroll and it was near enough time to use it and possibly face Alduin.

I felt I should tie up some loose ends first and prepare myself for battle.

I had recieved word from Quintus Navale that he had discovered a way to mend the White Phial that I had previously brought for his master Nurelion. He simply required me to gather three ingredients that he needed. Three ingredients that required me to risk my life it would seem. Ground mammoth tusk from a giants camp, unmelting snow from the tip of the Throat of the World and a Forsworn Briarheart.

Next I stopped by Sarethi farm to deliver the samples of Crimson Nirnroot I had harvested in Blackreach.

I travelled to Riften, where outside I found the Khajit caravan gathered around a strange floating arrow.

I stopped at Honeyside, did a little decorating:

And geared myself up with improved armour and weaponry.

A full complement of Dragon Bone Armour.
The skeletons of my enemies powered by the souls of my other enemies!

It was time, I travelled to the top of the mountain where Paarthurnax awaited.

I was to read the scroll within the Time Wound.

Not that I knew how to read it, but somehow doing so revealed to me a vision of the past!

Ancient heroes, masters of Thu’um fought off dragons.

Then they discussed what was to be done about Alduin when he arrived.

The Eldest suggested use of the Elder Scroll as Paarthurnax had told me. Moments later Alduin came answering the sound of battle.

The Thu’um masters used Dragonrend to bring Alduin down from the sky, where they laid into him with weapons, further weakening him.

Finally the elder used the power of the Elder Scroll to banish Alduin from their time, unknowingly dooming our generation to share their battle.

As the vision ended, I found myself back in the present, only to discover that Alduin had noticed what was happening there.

He had no intention of allowing anyone to defeat him and stop his plans but the vision had empowered me with the Thu’um Dragonrend.

I was able to bring him down as the heroes of old had done, allowing myself, Lydia, Wheezer and even Paarthurnax to go into battle against him.

Alduin was overwhelmed.

But he told us that he could never be truly defeated and fled in order to regain his strength.

Paarthurnax said that he did not know where Alduin had gone, and that our only course of action must be to capture one of his allies who could tell us.
This would mean using Dragonsreach in Whiterun to capture a dragon.

Before that, I would have to acquire the Jarl of Whiteruns permission and help.
I found Jarl Balgruuf in the middle of a meal.

We spoke, and though he wasn’t keen on the idea, he agreed it might be necessary. But he only agreed to help on the condition that Whiterun not be threatened by war while a dragon was held captive in the city. It would be too much for him to worry about.

It was up to me to bring together the leaders of the Stormcloaks and Imperials for a truce in the face of a common enemy.
The meeting would be held at High Hrothgar, where the Greybeards could act as impartial mediators.

I chose to travel first to Windhelm to speak with Ulfric Stormcloak, but while there chose to deliver the ingredients for the White Phial first, having collected the snow while visiting Paarthurnax, collecting an already claimed briar heart from Honeyside and stealing the tusk powder on my way back.

Quintus made short work of repairing the Phial and rushed up to his master to present it to him.

Nurelion took one look at it, pleased that his lifes work was complete, rolled over and died.

Quintus offered me the Phial, with unlimited potion for strength in combat. I gladly accepted.

Next, I visited Ulfric Stormcloak. He was not pleased at the idea of speaking with General Tullius, but was even less pleased to learn that Alduin himself had returned.

I was honestly surprised that he had not heard by now, particularly having witnessed the dragon himself..

Ulfric agreed to meet at the talks and I began my journey to Solitude.

I met with General Tullius there who was planning tactical strategy with his officers.

He had no interest in peace talks until I mentioned that Ulfric had already agreed. At that he decided he might look a fool if he did not appear too.

I was glad that was simple enough.

I decided that I had dragged poor Lydia around long enough, having other intentions for her and felt now was a good time to visit Sky Haven Temple. I could leave Lydia there and inform Delphine and Esbern of my progress.

I arrived and found only J’zargo guarding the entrance.

I learned that Esbern and Delphine had left for High Hrothgar so Lydia and I journeyed there to attend the talks together.

We arrived to find the Greybeards awaiting their guests.

Somehow we made it before the Blades, who arrived shortly after us demanding they be allowed to be present at the discussion.

They were allowed entry and all present took their place at the table.

General Tullius had brought with him Jarl Elisif of Solitude, his Chief Lieutenant Legate Rikke, Jarl Balgruuf and Elenwen of the Thalmor.

Ulfric brought his second in command Galmar Stone-Fist alone.

Tension was high from the beginning as the Stormcloak representatives refused to sit at the table while Elenwen was present.
I was inclined to agree with the sentiment, and bade her to leave.

Discussion began, and both sides turned to me for advice on how to settle the arrangements.

From the outset, Ulfric demanded that Markarth be handed over to Stormcloak control.
I was pleased that Tullius was willing to negotiate and asked what I felt would be a fair trade.

I suggested Dawnstar, a port close to Solitude.

Tullius was not impressed by the suggestion and said he would prefer Riften as a better option.
I agreed with him, and Ulfric was happy with the terms.

However, Tullius then accused me of siding with the Stormcloaks claiming I was backing my friends rather than play fair.
I took exception to this remark, but held my tongue.

Tullius then proceeded to demand further trade for Markarth, asking that Winterhold also be turned over to him.

This particularly bothered me. Winterhold was my domain, as Arch-Mage of the College and Thane of the city.

My thoughts were that Riften and Markarth was fair trade enough, a city for a city.

On refusal of this, Tullius then demanded that Ulfric pay compensation for lives lost at Karthwasten. An argument broke out about what had happened at the battle.
My knowledge of the history lacking, I had to rule that the subject be left alone.

Tullius felt cheated by the agreement but grudgingly accepted. Elisif and Balgruuf seemed annoyed by him almost as much as I had been.

Happily though, the talks were over, Markarth to be given over to the Stormcloaks and Riften to the Empire.

Each party took their leave, but Delphine approached me.
She said that she had heard about Paarthurnax being alive and leading the Greybeards. She told me that as he used to be a loyal follower of Alduins that he could not be forgiven for his crimes.
She told me that I must kill him, or the Blades would offer me no more help.

I outright refused to kill the dragon. I believe in redemption and all the help he had given me to defeat Alduin was proof enough to me that he had changed his ways, never mind that he also helped the heroes of old when by teaching them the power of the Thu’um.

I was glad that I had not yet offered Lydia to Delphine to train as a Blade. It would have been a mistake.

Now, with Balgruufs permission, I could use Dragonsreach to capture Odahviing, one of Alduins closest allies.

Balgruuf and his men prepared the trap and all that was left was for me to use my Thu’um to call him.

I did so, and as expected, he answered the challenge.

We fought and tried to lure him in close. The dragon was powerful and killed four of Whiteruns soldiers before we finally subdued him.

He told me that he had been looking forward to facing me in battle, having heard of my power, but now felt humiliated to be in this trap.

He offered a bargain. His freedom in return for passage to a place that could take me to Sovngarde, where Alduin now was gaining strength.

Balgruufs court wizard hoped to keep the dragon prisoner for experiments, but I believe everyone else would be pleased to see him go.

I chose to trust the dragon, after much debate and found he was true to his word.

I bid farewell to Lydia and mounted him.

He took me to a place called Skuldafn, a ruin only accessible by air.
He let me down there, so I may find the portal on foot.

He left, and I was greeted by a welcoming party, which included a dragon, two Draugr Deathlords and a few of their followers.

My hand was forced to slay them all.

Travelling through the ruins had me face countless more Draugr Deathlords and Overlords, another dragon and a host of weaker draugr warriors.
I single handedly fought through them all. Though I summoned Flamborghini, she was shot down in an instant.

Finally I reached what looked to be the portal.

Guarded by a Dragon Priest, Nahkriin.
He fought well, but I quickly dispatched him, before taking a breath and plunging into the magical passageway.

I found myself in a strange place. Sovngarde – the afterlife.

As I wandered along the path, I was greeted by a stormcloak soldier, killed in the current war. He was searching for Shors Hall where he may enjoy his afterlife with the Nord heroes.
He feared though that Alduin had created a thick mist in the land and was using it as a cover so he could snatch any souls lost in it and take thier power to add to his own.

I agreed to escort the soldier while we both find the Hall, but Alduin found him all the same.

Just outside the Hall, I met Kodlak once more and was pleased to see him where he longed to be.

Alduin ever present circled overhead, and I feared Kodlak may be taken too. I had to hurry.

I approached the hall, still shrouded in the mist.

Outside a guard named Tsun seemed to be blocking entry to any who were unworthy.

By right of Dragonborn birth and after a sparring match to test my strength, he allowed me to pass.

Inside I was greeted by the legendary Ysgramor..

..who told me that the three old Thu’um masters, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Hakon One-Eye and Felldir the Old, the ones I had seen in my vision were waiting for me.

I went to them and without hesitation they led the charge out the door.

We used our combined Thu’um to clear the mists that Alduin had made and though he tried to replace them, we overcame him.
Alduin finally decided to face us in combat.

He fought hard, almost defeating us all, leaving the old heroes weak and fighting for life. Using Dragonrend and Marked for Death among other shouts we slowly weakened him and brought him to the ground.
Once down, he was ours. I struck the final blow and Alduin came to his end.

Tsun approached me and told me it was time for me to return to life, but I could call upon a hero from the afterlife to fight by my side in times of need.