The Mystery of Silent Moons Camp

I’m unexpectedly writing tonight from Silent Moons Camp. I started the day unsure of what to do. Yesterday I killed a dragon and rumors are flying around Whiterun that I’m some kind of Dragonborn. These sages called Greybeards summoned me to High Hrothgar which is several days journey to the top of the highest peak in Skyrim. It honestly seems too daunting. I had originally come to Whiterun to deliver a message and run errands, but the dragon’s attack really interrupted my plans of a simple trip to the city. Anyway, I decided I’d stick around Whiterun and try to understand my role as Thane a bit more. I needed to confer with my appointed housecarl, Lydia.

Breakfast with the Housecarl

The thought of having such a servant makes me slightly uncomfortable, but Lydia seems honest and loyal to Whiterun and thus to me as her thane. We spoke this morning for a long time and she offered to accompany me on my errands. I reluctantly accepted, but she came in handy. We spoke with Proventus about purchasing a home in Whiterun, which I felt would be proper for a thane, but the price tag on property was much too high. This provided me a proper goal. I asked Proventus if the city had any paying work I could do and he let me know there were bandits holing up in some ruins known as Silent Moons Camp. So my quest for septims is what brought me out here.

Business Over Breakfast

I’ve never considered myself a bounty hunter or a mercenary, but my experiences in Skyrim are proving that if I set my mind to it, I’m capable of these feats. I tucked the bounty note Proventus had given me in with my belongings - which were quite heavy and overflowing my satchels, I might add - and headed into the city to see if I could take care of some of those errands I had come to do originally. As I was leaving Dragonsreach, however, the Court Wizard, Farengar, caught my eye and I decided he and I should speak.

He was condescending as usual, but offered me some advice on studying magic in Winterhold at the College there. I told him I was most interested in my ability to conjure a spirit wolf companion and he pointed me to some books in his collection. There was a spellbook detailing the summoning of a spectral, magical blade to battle with and another to raise the dead. I stared at the second book for a long time, and Farengar assured me that necromancy was only one side of conjuration. Still, it felt wrong. I bought the book on binding a blade as well as one called Candlelight which would light up dark rooms - something I sought earlier last week. As I was leaving his office, Farengar asked me if I would deliver some salts to the town alchemist, Arcadia. I agreed since I was curious about alchemy.

Lydia and I stopped for lunch on our way to Arcadia’s apothecary where I spent a long time reading through the spellbooks and getting a fundamental understanding of how to cast the two spells. I wanted to test them out, but the center of town was not really the time or place. After getting the basics of the spells down, we delviered the salts. I stopped in at the the local merchant, the local blacksmith - who asked me to deliver something up to her father Proventus - and the local hunt shop where I unloaded quite a bit of merchandise I’d been collecting. I still only had 2000 of the 5000 septims I needed to buy a house in Whiterun. Silent Moons Camp was still calling.

Crafting in Whiterun

I sent Lydia to deliver the sword to Proventus while I worked a few hours on the smelter, turning all that ore I’d dug up around Riverwood into ingots that I could later work into weapons and armor. I decided to see if I could craft myself a better pair of boots before heading out for adventure. Even though my hide boots were dear to me after so many days in those blasted footwraps, I replaced them with actual leather. I thought about working on some other weapons or armor to trade away since I had so much raw iron, but I needed more leather for the bindings. Since I couldn’t make any thing else, I was ready to investigate the bandit’s camp and maybe do some hunting en route. Defeating bandits was becoming a regular part of my life in Skyrim, and Skyrim never seemed to have a lack of bandits.

I spot my first mammoth!
I slay dragons, but I'm scared of mammoths.

It was somewhere around 3pm when I set out from Whtierun for Silver Moons Camp. I tested out my new spells with excellent results and summoned my wolf companion to help me hunt. Unfortunately, the first elk I came across the wolf just stood there while the elk ran off. He’s not much of a hunting companion, but at least he’s a good distraction in a fight. It wasn’t too long before Silent Moons Camp came into sight and I began my approach. The camp itself appeared to be dug into a decent sized hill, so I decided once again to take the high road. I came in over the crest of the hill looking down into the camp expecting to see bandits going about their business. That’s when things got unusual.

There was nothing stirring in Silent Moons Camp. I couldn’t find a single person. I thought perhaps they were out on a raid, but I could see smoke rising off their cooking fire on the north edge of the camp. Someone must have been here not too long ago. I edged around the camp, and climbed up on some rocks. It’s there I spotted a dead body lying down in the center of the camp. From where I was standing I couldn’t tell if it was a bandit or some hostage they had dragged in here, but I had a suspicion it was one of the bandits. I started to edge closer to the body to get a better look when I was distracted by the sounds of metal striking metal - rhythmically. Someone was using a forge nearby.

The Mysterious Corpse at Silent Moon Camp

I turned my attention to the crest of the hill, where the largest structure was built into the ground. The sounds were coming from there, so abandoning the mysterious dead body, I headed up into the rocks to see if I could get a better look at the ironworker. I carefully, silently made my way up the rocks and saw the domed ceiling of the rock building built into the hill. I hoped that the top was open to the sky as it was clearly where the forge was located, and so I climbed up carefully onto the roof and edged my way closer to the peak. I was right. It was open. I could see the man inside working on a sword. He didn’t see me or hear me over his loud work. Was this the bandit leader I’d been sent after? I was so unsure. I didn’t want to kill an innocent man.

The Roof of the Lunar Forge

I edged around the open circle to get a better look at the man and that’s when things took a turn for the worse. I accidentally knocked some rubble loose and my hiding spot was discovered. The man immediately shouted at me and lightning streaked from his fingers and knocked me backward. I nearly fell from the roof, but I readied myself for my attack. I summoned my wolf, who dove into the forge area and began attacking the wizard-blacksmith. I fired arrows that all missed and the wizard disappeared into the ruins after dispelling my magic wolf. I watched and waited, but the wizard did not return to the forge. I thought he may try to get me up on the roof so I began to watch the perimeter for his flanking attack. He didn’t come.

I went to the edge of the roof to look down and find the wizard ready to shock me again - it’s an odd sensation that I didn’t wish to relive quite so soon. After the pain subsided, I sent arrows after the wizard, but he just ran down the stone steps into the camp. I assumed he’d wake his allies to come to his defense but no such attack came.

I cautiously dropped down to the stone steps and wandered into the camp armed with my bow. I proceeded slowly, because I was afraid I was walking into some kind of ambush. No attack came. I saw there were a lot more dead bodies in the camp than I had seen previously. They were all bandits - and one mudcrab. I laughed briefly at the thought of one mudcrab killing all six bandits before the wizard himself had to come down and stop its rampage. It was not likely, but I could see no other explanation. I found no traces of bears or giants or mammoths rampaging through the camp. The only other explanation I could venture was that another bounty hunter had come before me - or the wizard himself was a bounty hunter. I did not know.

The Remains of the Bandits at Silent Moons Camp

I saw a door leading into a stone structure and thought the wizard had hidden himself away inside. I summoned my wolf back to my side and entered the dwelling. As I entered I was nervous because I heard talking. I thought the wizard had fled inside, but the voices did not sound right - they weren’t discussing me. They seemed oblivious to the carnage outside. They either didn’t know, or had done it themselves and thus weren’t concerned. I wasn’t sure how to proceed. I pushed toward the hallway where the voices were coming and was spotted. The fight ensued and I met one squarely. My magical blade summoned instantly to my hand, I plunged it through the bandit’s chest - my wolf quickly defeated the bandit’s ally. Then we were alone.

Summoned Sword Saves Our Skins

I scoured the entire camp and found no trace of the wizard I fought in the forge. He has long fled. I did find that the forge is known as the Lunar Forge and the wizard was likely trying to make Lunar Weapons - an enchanted weapon that draws its strength from the moon. It was an interesting prospect and one I may pursue in the future in order to make money, but tonight I just needed a place to sleep. I don’t know what I will tell Proventus of this adventure. I defeated a single bandit, but I certainly did not find the organizer. I suspect it was the wizard and he’s beyond my reach now. Tomorrow I’ll have to carry all I can from this camp back to town in order to sell it - and hopefully find or buy some leather so I can start producing more weapons and armors to sell in Whiterun.

Cozy, isn't it? 

- Genjo, the Breton

23rd of Last Seed, 4E 201

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The OOC Corner - Reader's Poll & Author's Notes

I apologize for the month-long hiatus to any loyal readers/followers. Hopefully, I will be more consistent and able to update shortly after the polls end from here on out. Please forgive me! Last adventure's poll ended in a 3-way tie. It really derailed my creative process, and then this blog just slipped to the side-lines for a bit. I decided to go my own way and make my own goal of buying the home in Whiterun before having any grander adventures.

Mods I'm running:

• Arrowsmith v3b
• Dynamic Merchants
• Im's More Complex Needs
• Camping
• Realistic Lighting
• Fixed Followers Lite
• Realistic Thunder

I haven't changed anything here. I added a "Fishing" mod but it's not running for Genjo (yet) as I see no real need for him to fish. It would have been handy for his poor-man's life in Riverwood, but now that he's moderately successful, I don't see him taking any fishing trips in the near future.

Now on to the poll!

Should Genjo work on his archery? 
Should Genjo learn to smith steel weapons and armor?
Should Genjo work on his conjuration?
Should Genjo work on his stealth?

What skill should Genjo pursue?

Genjo the Dragonslayer

22nd Last Seed, 4E 201

Faendal, Bosmer
Riverwood


Dear Faendal,

When you receive this letter, only a day will have passed since I last spoke with you. I wanted to apologize to you for declining your offer to accompany me to Whiterun. I really could have used your bow by my side today - and what a day I've had. You are my closest companion in Skyrim and so I wanted you to hear this from me before you hear it from anyone else. Late this afternoon, I was asked by the Jarl of Whiterun to assist in defeating a dragon which was attacking a western tower. Using my wits and your extensive training in archery, I was able to slay the monster. I was not alone, of course. The Jarl's housecarl was with me and a small detachment of city guards. They were key in distracting and wearing the beast down, but when it came to the last moments of life and death, it was certainly I who slayed the thing. The guards whisper that I am ... a Dragonborn. The term is unfamiliar to me, but apparently it is of great significance among the Nords. No doubt you will come to hear of this in the coming days and I wanted you to hear from me first. Please pass on my story to Camilla, too. She is another great friend to me and this will give you an ample reason to talk to her, no?

Lucan proudly displaying his claw.

After we returned the Golden Claw to the Riverwood Trader, I last saw you as I was leaving Riverwood to come to Whiterun and speak with the Jarl Balgruuf the Greater. No doubt the detachment of soldiers he has sent to Riverwood to reinforce you against further dragon attacks has already arrived ahead of this letter.We parted ways on the bridge as I had decided I needed some time alone to reflect on the events of our adventure. I'm sure you recall during our two large encounters I was not only able to summon a spectral wolf to my aid, but later shoot flames from my fingertips into the open arms of the undead overlord. You may have guessed by my reaction, but neither of these things did I expect. I wanted to spend some time alone in the wilderness seeing if I could harness these abilities without the accompanying near-death experience.

Ghost-Wolf 1; Real-Wolf 0

I found a quiet spot along the river and spent several hours in meditation. I decided to focus on the summoning spell rather than divide my efforts. After much meditating and trying to recreate the thoughts, feelings and actions I went through - I was able to summon the wolf with moderate success! I wanted to continue to work on the fire spell, but I had wasted a lot of time already and decided it was better to get to Whiterun.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize killing creatures minding their own business was my civic duty...

I saw my first giant and gave him a wide berth. He seemed to be contemplating his existence farther downstream. I'm not sure how hostile these things are, but this one seemed pretty harmless. Still, after I'd left him behind I heard the sounds of battle and when I discovered the scene I was chastised by a painted woman for my cowardice. Apparently the giant had been killed by a group called the Companions? This Aela told me if I was worth my weight as a warrior I would not have fled the giant, but instead tested my skills against it. I'm not sure I agreed with her, but I am curious about the Companions. She told me to inquire at Jororvaskr in Whiterun.

Lunch in the Wind District

At the time, I thought this would be the height of adventure today. I approached Whiterun with news of Helgen and was allowed entry. I thought I'd spend the day exploring the city, buying and selling what goods were available. I overheard the local blacksmith saying she was overworked and thought I could maybe lend a hand if I had time. I hoped I could begin my life in Skyrim here as a trader and merchant. I hoped there would be no more need for rushing into dungeons to recover stolen artifacts. I was quite content for a simpler life, but that is not how things turned out, I must say.

When I met with the Jarl of Whiterun, everything changed. You remember that carved stone we found in Bleak Falls Barrow? That Draugr Overlord clutched it as it attempted to destroy us. I'm sure you remember. That stone is apparently a Dragonstone that the Jarl and his court wizard, Farengar, had been hoping to recover. I'm not sure of its significance, but Farengar was delighted to see that I had it in my position and had assumed it was buried deep in the barrow. He'd been trying to think of a way to get it out of there without actually risking his own neck. What a wizard, eh? Anyway, I can only think that it was fate that brought me to Jarl Balgruuf on this day with the Dragonstone in hand. The guards and soldiers of Whiterun would now have me believe it is because I am a creature of destiny, that I am a Dragonborn.

You want me to do what now?

I wanted to ask Farengar about summoning when he was done telling me how monumental this Dragonstone would prove in their study of the dragons and their return to Skyrim, but our conversation was interrupted by the urgent news from the Dunmer housecarl, Irileth sent us up to the war room to meet with Jarl  Balgruuf yet again that day. A guard had come from the western tower with news that it was under attack from a dragon. Irileth was quickly dispatched. Farengar was sent to study to the Dragonstone I'd brought, and the Jarl pleaded with me to assist Irileth. He explained that I was the only one among them who had seen a dragon before and so I was the most knowledgeable in all of Whiterun on their movements and abilities. It goes without saying that I did not feel like an expert on dragons at the time, but the Jarl was right in saying I had more experience than any others.

Genjo, the Hunter

I thought briefly my encounter with Aela on the way into the city, who told me that if I were a true warrior I would have sought to test myself. I knew without much more thought that I would help however I could. Jarl Balgruuf provided me with a suit of leather armor in my size which was greatly appreciated. I changed into my armor, and gripped the ancient Nord bow we recovered in the Bleak Falls Barrow and rushed after Irileth to help brief the guard and repel this dragon. The people of Whiterun were depending on us.

The Long Run to the Tower

The run out to the western tower was exhilarating. I was scared beyond belief. I don't remember what words of encouragement were said. I don't remember what info I provided on the movements and habits of the dragon of Helgen. All I remember is feeling alive. I was about to face this most powerful of foes. I was about to prove my worth as a warrior.

All was quiet at the western tower when we arrived, but it did not remain so for long. The dragon returned with a vengeance. My first instincts were to keep close to the tower. I could fire upon the monster and duck into the cover of shelter the stone provided. Irileth and the guards were another story. They encircled the perimeter and were able to confuse and distract the dragon by attacking it from all sides. The world was engulfed in chaos and dragonfire. I saw a man swallowed whole and another tossed like a ragdoll into the air with just a powerful shout from the dragon - a shout much like the draugr overlord used to toss me into the wall during our battle. I provided as much cover as I could from the entryway of the tower.

Genjo, the Tower Defender

The battle soon began to rage behind the tower and my options were to run out into the open or climb to the top - both options exposed me to that deadly breath of fire from the circling dragon. I chose to rush out into the open, firing upon the beast whenever it was still or dropped to the ground. I was invigorated by Irileth's display of heroics. She would truly make the Jarl and her people proud. As the dragon flew, she filled it with arrows. As the dragon crawled along the ground, shouting and breathing fire, she drew her sword and hacked at its rough hide. She was truly fearless and through her display I felt filled with determination.

Only one of us walks away from this showdown.

We made our final stand on the road leading to Whiterun. The dragon landed on the cobblestone to face off against Irileth. I saw him shout and her body get tossed nearly a hundred feet away. I rushed in from the dragon's left side raining arrows into his wing and neck. I did not know if any guards remained standing at the time, but it surely felt like all the rage of the dragon now turned upon me. I saw Irileth pick herself up and ready herself, but she was now far away. I never faltered and I never backed down. I poured arrow after arrow into the dragon's face as it crawled along the ground toward me. I felt it's hot breath as flames danced all around me. We nearly killed each other - in its final throws I was engulfed in flames and if not for the quick actions of a nearby guard, I would have perhaps been consumed by the fire.

As the flames were extinguished, however, I saw that I still stood and the dragon did not. Then another unexpected thing happened. The dragon began to melt and burn away - it's flesh and scales being consumed by some unearthly power and in the blink of an eye a powerful blast of energy filled my entire being. The guard says I absorbed the dragons power and urged me to test his theory. He urged me to use the word of power I learned in Bleak Falls Barrow - the one glowing upon the stone that only I could see. It burned in my mind and danced on my tongue. The word poured out of my mouth and with a powerful gust of energy the guard was pushed back several feet. It was then that he and his surviving troop proclaimed me a Dragonborn.

What is happening to it?

What is happening to me?

I do not understand how this could be, but I'm left with an uneasy feeling. If these claims are true, if I am the Dragonborn and absorbed the dragon's power, if destiny has brought me here to Whiterun to slay the dragon, could it also be true that I am personally the reason the dragons have returned? Have they come for me? Have I brought this horror to Skyrim? I do not know, but I have been summoned by the Greybeards to High Hrothgar. To Jarl Balgruuf this is all the evidence he needs to proclaim me Dragonborn. He says no one can refuse the summons and that if I am Dragonborn the Greybeards will help me understand my new powers over the Thu'um, the Dragon Shouts. Just yesterday I was astounded that I could summon wolves and flames, and today I am forced to accept that I may be even more powerful than a magical adept - I may have unlocked the power of dragons themselves. I do not know what to do, my friend.

Proclaimed Thane of Whiterun!

The Jarl of Whiterun was so thrilled that I defeated the dragon, he named me Thane of Whiterun and has permitted me to own property here. He gave me a Greatsword of Dismay as a symbol of my office and appointed me my own housecarl, named Lydia. I met with her briefly and she explained to me the great honor of being named Thane and that her duties as housecarl were more or less as a glorified bodyguard and attendant. Perhaps someday soon I can invite you to my home here in Whiterun, but I feel there is much I do not understand about myself and my new responsibilities as Thane or as Dragonborn.

I hope all is well in Riverwood and you and Camilla are well. Perhaps we will see each other again soon, or perhaps I will journey up the mountains to High Hrothgar. I do not yet know. Either way, I will try to write again soon.

Your friend,
- Genjo, the Dragonslayer

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The OOC Corner - Reader's Poll & Author's Notes

This was truly not the adventure I planned, but it was quite the adventure. I had hoped I could speak with Farengar about Conjuration and instead he stole the Dragonstone from me and spawned Mirmulnir. I accidentally passed a threshold of no return and I briefly thought about how Genjo would react to this situation. I think he acted accordingly and as a player I really needed to pass this at some point in order for dragons to spawn in the wild. Playing it safe is only fun when the game is constantly thrusting you into dangerous situations you need to avoid or engage. So Mirmulnir needed to be defeated, but where Genjo goes from here is up to the readers.

Mods I'm running:

• Arrowsmith v3b
• Dynamic Merchants
• Im's More Complex Needs
• Camping
• Realistic Lighting
• Fixed Followers Lite
• Realistic Thunder

I discarded "Craftable Arrows" for "Arrowsmith" which I think is slightly more realistic than the mod I was using before as it not only requires wood and metal, but feathers. I thought I may give it a try and haven't had a chance to explore it (no need for arrows) but it seemed slightly more complex (realistic) than the previous mod I was using to create arrows.

I added the "Fixed Followers" mod in order to keep my followers leveling with me and fixing some bugs and glitches that will make them more realistic in the long run rather than buggy and weak. I also added "Realistic Thunder" which mostly changes the sound files for rain and thunder but not much else. That's just a benefit for me as I love rain and thunderstorms so much.

Now on to the poll!

Should Genjo head to High Hrothgar to learn more about being Dragonborn?
Should Genjo stick around Whiterun and investigate the Companions?
Should Genjo learn more about his magical talent?

What path should Genjo pursue?