Part 51: The Elder Updates L - Skoomurder

Skoomurder


Now that we've dealt with that Oblivion gate, it's time to take care of a few things in Cheydinhal proper.


First and foremost it's to the inn so we can sleep and level.





Is there something I can do for you?
Er...aren't you Reynald Jemane?
He...he's alive? I was told that my mother and brother never survived! This is amazing!


But please, come and see us in Chorrol. It would be wonderful for us both to be able to thank you for helping us find each other again.


...hm. Perhaps I will visit these twins some time. Perhaps I will not.


For now, I sleep.


There we go! Maybe not the most optimal level, but we got that all-important Endurance in the end.


...!


Nngh. Never get used to that.





At least I know what to do about it.


Now to see the Count.


...rrrright. Nighttime.



Just...going to rest my eyes.



Mmn.


Good morning, Count.
I'm pleased to finally meet the savior of Cheydinhal. And although the death of Farwil saddens me, I know you did the best you could.
He did not deserve to die. Not...not in there.
I realize he was trying at times, and he spoke before he thought, but he was still my son, and I adored him greatly.


Your actions are duly noted, and your reward will be in gold.
I'm sorry for your loss, milord.
I thank you for your sympathy. You're truly a noble individual. Were you able to retrieve anything from him before Oblivion took him?
Yes, his ring. Here.
Thank you. You are truly worthy of all the praise being given to you. I salute you. I'll keep the ring as a reminder of...hmm...


On second thought, you keep it. You were the last to travel with him, and I feel you deserve it as a memento of your achievement.
Pfagh. Some achievement.
I won't take no for an answer. I want you to keep it. I thank you on behalf of all the citizens of Cheydinhal. May Arkay guide you.
...milord. The daedra are planning an attack on Bruma. Worse than anything we've seen before. Please, will you lend us your aid in the defense of Bruma?
I will not forget your service to Cheydinhal. Closing the Oblivion Gate outside the city was a daring feat. I do not blame you for my son's death. He brought that upon himself, as hard as it is for a father to admit.


Thank you.


It's only going to get worse. I know it.


The Dark Brotherhood rewards me well in gold and magic items. The more of both I have in the coming days, the better.


...oh. Jump cut!


Ah, greetings. I have been waiting for you. As Vicente surely told you, your time working with him has come to an end.
Indeed.
From now on, you will receive all assignments directly from me. In fact, your next contract is available now.
And what would that be?
In the Imperial City there lives a High Elf who must be removed from existence. Finding this person may prove...challenging. Are you interested?
I am an assassin, am I not?
I knew you wouldn't be able to resist. Your target is a High Elf named Faelian. He lives somewhere in the Imperial City, and fancies long walks.
Don't we all?
Unfortunately, that's all we know. We don't know which district he calls home, which establishments he frequents, or anything about his schedule.
Hmm. I have an idea or two.
This contract will require a bit of detective work. I suggest you speak to your fellow Brothers and Sisters and see if they can offer any advice.
No need.


I can't say I do.
Phillida has dedicated his life to eradicating the Dark Brotherhood, and he becomes rather irate when our duties take us to the Imperial City. When that happens, he tends to make our lives uncomfortable. Let's not give the good captain any reason to go poking around in our affairs, hmm?
Meaning what, exactly?
If possible, do away with Faelian someplace out of the way. Definitely indoors, with no other people around. A secure location, with no witnesses. This will make it look like a simple murder.
...is it not?
Phillida will be none the wiser, and you'll receive a nice bonus. Now go, and may Sithis go with you.


Off to the Imperial City, then! Not a single Oblivion Gate on the way, thankfully.


Thoronir, do you happen to know an elf named Faelian?
Faelian, you say? Why yes, I know who he is. Rather distasteful fellow, actually. I believe he lives at the Tiber Septim Hotel.


Excellent. Thank you.
Please, return soon! It's always a pleasure to see you.


To the Talos Plaza district, then.


Side note: NEVER NOT TRAIN.


Also, some lady flipped her shit, summoned her Mythic Dawn bound armor and tried raising hell in town with her Daedroth. That sure did happen.



Yes okay, the thing.


Might you be Faelian?





Hmm. Not going to be getting anything out of him.


Excuse me. Do you know anything about that odd fellow over there?


I think I shall. Thank you.


What that poor girl sees in him I'll never no. Atraena pays for their room, their food, everything. She's quite wealthy, I believe.
Sounds like a sweet deal.
Faelian used to have money...used to be quite a gentleman, too. But that was before he took a fancy to the...you know. The skooma.
Ahhh. Of course.
Now Faelian's hardly ever here. He's off using skooma, or wandering the city looking for some, I imagine.
Terrible.
He comes back every night to be with Atraena, but only for a few hours. I swear, that High Elf is going to wind up dead if he keeps living like this.
Shame, shame...


Pfagh. People like Faelian make me sick. They do not respect the skooma. They just consume and consume and consume and AGH.

...but I still need information. His lady-friend, perhaps.


Yes, good sir? How may I help you?
Your lover. Faelian. He has a problem.
Please, I...I don't mean to get emotional, but...I feel I can trust you. I just don't know what to do about Faelian!
It's okay.
All he thinks about, all he cares about, is skooma! He was a fine young man once. But he's lost everything. His looks, his money...his self-respect.
...hmph.
I followed him a few times, to see where he goes. He walks around the city looking for skooma, and then goes to Lorkmir's house for several hours.
Oh dear.
It's in the Elven Gardens District. I think the house is deserted. That's why he goes there. So he can escape from his life and do skooma!
Dreadful!
Thank you for listening. You're a good friend. I just hope my sweet Faelian can clean himself up, or that awful skooma will be the death of him!


...he won't clean up. He never will. He's just...ugh.


I know what to do.



Faelian will come. I need but wait.



Hello, Faelian.
Hey...hey! What are...what are you...doing here? You're not my...not my friend. What...you know, what do you...want?
I want nothing more than to put you down.
But...Nah. No, I...I'm not tired. Not tired right now. I have lots of...you know...energy. The skooma! I can feel it...in my veins...
Energy? You like energy?



THEN DIE AS YOU LIVED!



...and no skooma. Damn.