[IC] Skyrim: The secret of Thu'um

[Rune_Alchemist]

Soon, the others began to move up the mountain, following the Dark Elf up to the ruins of High Hrothgar. This was as exciting as it was fear inducing. The dragons power was certainly something to be feared, as was the power of the Thu'um. Needless to say, she wanted to learn about both as much as she possibly could. The things she could learn from either power was tantalizing, and she couldn't wait to climb the mountain and hopefully learn something from the Greybeards...if, they were still alive that is. Just as she started to take her first step up the mountain though, something else caught her attention.

A child, standing not far from where the group had previously been camped, was standing there. For a few seconds, she was at a complete loss for words. How had this child even got this far up the mountain, much less survived the avalanche or the dragon attack. More importantly what was she going to do with the kid. It wasn't like she could just ignore him. He'd likely end up getting hurt. Should she just take him with her up the mountain then? Needless to say, this was a bit of a dilemma. Honestly, she was at a bit of a loss for words. "Well, this is...odd." She finally said to the child as she walked over to him. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is up here?" She finally managed to say. "What are you even doing here? How did you even get up here?"

She wasn't angry or upset, more bewildered that a little boy was able to make it up the mountain without getting killed. Either he was very lucky, or quite skilled for his young age.

[Geoffrey Silt]

Ji reaching the top pulled his bow. But nothing was there, not anybody, the temple in ruins and the only thing left lefr, a Greybeard. He gasped, realizing he was much to late, and that he couldn't help. He closed his eyes as he listened to the man's final words, a simple nod, as the Dunmar reached the top he stood and turned.

" Isra Paleface he said. We need to find Isra Paleface. They will know what to do." he said as he sighed, and dropped his gaze to the ground. He was to late, unable to help. Nothing he could have done to save anybody. He sighed once more, drawing his bow. We need to find whoever Isra is! And quickly! he shouted putting his bow away.

He looked across the wreckage that was High Hrothgar. All of that work, just to watch a man die. He knew he himself wouldn't find anything, and stealing a bunch of dead people's stuff wasn't what he did. Slowly he began a walk towards the bottom of the mountain. He sighed, printing the name in his head. Isra Paleface. Who were they, what could they do? Better yet, how could they help.

[Ostarion]

Tarak had been caught. He was definitely too careless when it came to being discreet. He thought that remaining silent would eventually solve the problem. Although that would more than likely raise even more questions than answers. So he replied.

"Dangerous...eh, true. But it's necessary." He pointed to the top of the mountain, where High Hrothgar was located.

"I've been following the people up there. For...adventuring reasons. Not for dragons. But to become better at magic through experience." There was very little else to explain beyond that. Tarak had actually been unaware of where the group he was following was going at first. He simply followed them because it was the only group he could find at the time. Even then, he would have never expected anyone to have anything to do with dragons in this era. But after being witness to what had happened just prior to him being trapped under the snow, he was having second thoughts on his original idea.

[Rune_Alchemist]

Surani was a mix between intrigued and bewildered. Obviously, if he had followed them up the mountain and survived last night, he was obviously skilled. She also found the fact that he wanted to learn magic intriguing, and found the thought of perhaps teaching him herself very appealing. Though, that would depend on what school of magic he wanted to learn. If it was anything other than Destruction, Conjuration, or maybe a little Illusion, she wouldn't be able to teach him much. That said, she couldn't let him just keep following them without letting her companions know either. "Well, you've put me in a somewhat difficult position, kid. I wouldn't mind you coming along myself, but having you do so would probably be against my companions better judgement."

"That said," She continued "I happen to be a skilled mage myself, and wouldn't mind teaching you a few things, if they will allow you to come, if you want to." She could use this opportunity to learn more herself as well. Her first teacher, the one who taught her Destruction and Conjuration, said that teaching someone else was a learning experience in itself, and often could teach you things as well.

[Saarebas]

Tandagh still had his eyes focused on the skies and his axes tight in hand as he followed after the rest of the group that decided to head up the mountain. His mind was less on the thought of High Hrothgar being in ruins and more on the worries, and slight hope, of the dragons returning and him and the small group having to fight them. He was still lost in his thoughts of battle when he and the rest reached the ruins in time to see the Nord from before drag out a man who was already obviously marked for death. The Orc moved his attention to the man who now lied dead in the snow. Though the others were wondering what the man said, looking to the Nord and Khajiit for the answers, Tandagh had heard his words as clear as day. One of the few up sides of this curse that tainted the Orc's blood was his hearing being sharpened to that of a true predator's. But never the less the name Isra Paleface repeated in Tandagh's head a few times before the thought Now we must go through another search. made his way into his head.

[Ostarion]

Tarak was pleased with the offer, but didn't show it. "That would be great." he said. "Do you know anything about Conjuration? Illusion? Alteration?" Tarak had only recently started trying Alteration - before that he had tried Restoration for a very short while. He preferred it over Restoration as it provided utility in many forms, while Restoration simply focused on Healing and fighting specifically undead. He quickly changed the subject of conversation.

Tarak pointed towards the top of the mountain again "Those people atop the mountain - the ones who you're with. They don't exactly seem like the most...tolerant of people." He continued "Not the kind of people who would let a child accompany them. Too barbaric, which is why I was following rather than asking." He thought about trying to demonstrate his magical capabilities to them. Except it wouldn't be that impressive; any novice mage could probably work at the level he was currently at.

[Rune_Alchemist]

Surani let a faint smile cross her lips."Fortunately for you, my main skill lies in Conjuration, and I have some knowledge of Illusion." Indeed, this could be a great opportunity for various things. Coming on this adventure was turning out better and better by the second, despite the obvious risks. Now the only problem would be to convince the others to let him tag along. She wasn't sure if she could do that or not, to be perfectly honest. Talking others into things wasn't exactly her forte, but there was a first time for everything right?

"The others though will probably be harder to convince." She continued, furrowing her brow as she thought. "I suppose we should go up there first and see what's going on before we get left behind, however." And with that, she started up the mountain towards her companions, trying to come up with a way to explain why this kid would be tagging along with them. Perhaps she could say he was her apprentice? It could possibly work, after all he technically did just become her apprentice. It might help if she knew his name though. "Ah, right. It might help if I knew your name. Mine is Surani."

[Blackwolf]

Jorn closed the eyes of the old man laying still. "sovengrade awaits" he said before standing onto his feet. He looked over the group "I suppose we should find this Isra paleface" he said he was teaming with barley controlled rage, his eyes burned with a cold fury "maybe somebody In iverstead could help, if not we might make our way to whiterun, maybe the harbinger, or even eorland might know. They are both well versed and may know something" he said "we should also let Iverstead know what happened, they can give the grey beards a proper burial" With that he started to walk back down the Mountain, at this point he didn't really care weather or not he was fallowed as he moved with a purpose, and that purpose was to slay everylast dragon and return them to which ever pit oblivion they came from.

[Ostarion]

"I am Tarak Buluphont. Of House Buluphont." He paused, realizing that he would have to further explain - the house wasn't exactly well-known yet.

"We're a family of spellcasters - in Karthwasten. The original...owner...died...of illness" He slowed down on the last part of his sentence. He was aware that Ainthach was murdered, but to spread that around could result in unwanted repercussions. Tarak began to imagine the reactions of the other group members upon seeing him. The odds of being able to join were not stacked in his favour, but there was obviously something. He had managed to travel from The Reach to Ivarstead. With the help of a spellsword who died in The Rift. And he was able to use magic to an extent. By slowly practicing Alteration he believed he could become a valuable asset in almost any situation: Such as this one.

[Red Wizard]

As she stood there, speechless, a few of her companions began descending the mountain. The Greybeards, masters of the Voice, had been undone. What kind of horrors were they fighting? Did they really stand a chance against an enemy as formidable and terrifying as this? Doubt and questions, endless questions, thronged her mind. She suddenly realized that she’d drawn her sword at some point and looked at the sharp piece of metal in her hands. What could this blade, in its entire splendor, really accomplish once she stood face to face with a dragon? It became harder and harder to imagine a scenario in which she would even be able to draw blood from the scaled beasts. That was, if she ever got that close. The chances were that the dragon would simply bathe her in fire from above; or worse yet, ignore her. She watched helplessly as the Nord warrior Jorn walked away through the snow.

Then the wind suddenly changed direction. The fumes of what remained of High Hrothgar washed over her, stinking of sulfur and destruction. But there was something else as well. In the wind she heard the booming of wings beating against the wind. She turned towards the ruins slowly, every hair on her body standing up. And then she saw it. One last dragon came soaring through the sky beyond the black smoke, heading their way. Had it seen them? And if it had, could they escape? Or should they stand and face it? Some part of her knew she should call out to her companions in alarm, but she didn’t. It could very well have been fear that stayed her hand.

Before any of them had time to react the beast set itself down on the mountain above them. As it opened its maw, the cold air around it began to shiver with heat.

Aaah, fau sliin! It rumbled, Ahrk zeyda ol Zu'u lost pruvos bahlokus. Hi joor fen imzik pruzah kipraan!

The dunmer had no idea what the dragon had just said, but the tone in which it spoke was anything but reassuring. What Ulemi imagined was a smile spread on the monsters maw as it inhaled deeply. She knew what would come next and turned to her companions, shouting.

Dragon! Run!

She threw herself on the ground as the dragon exhaled, bathing the group in fire.

[Saarebas]

Tandagh was still racking his brain on what had happen. The only people that could help him reach his goal of revenge against the dragons were just stomped out as if they were mere insects by the very monsters that he wished to end. The only glimmer of hope that was still even visible among this wreckage was the name of some person that could be anywhere in Oblivion for all they knew. Needless to say the agitation that the Orc was feeling was steadily growing. Tandagh was just about to head back down the mountain when the booming voice caught his attention. Another one of the dread beast had arrived and seemed to want to give the group the same treatment as the former masters of the voice. The large mer had his axes in hand and was ready to stand his ground, but he quickly dove to the cover of a near by rock when the dragon unleashed a spout of fire from it's fanged mouth.

[Rune_Alchemist]

"Karthwasten? That's some small village in the Reach, right?" She said to Tarak. "I've never been there, but-" Before she could get in another word, there was a loud voice, shouting in some incomprehensible language. At first, she thought it was perhaps one of the Greybeards, but no, it couldn't be, could it? The voice sounded much to malicious. So...a Dragon? Well, this had just gotten interesting really fast. She'd have to try to translate whatever it said later.

As the dragon breathed hot flames on the group that was ahead of them, making most of them fall back behind cover. Thankfully, Surani and Tarak were far enough behind not to be affected by the blast. "Tarak! Dragon!" She shouted to the boy. She'd have to be careful around it. Her armor may have protected her against fire, but she still needed to be cautious. She ran ahead towards the dragon, preparing her spells as she did so. She placed her feet firmly on the ground as a cold air danced across her fingertips, forming a spike of ice. With a swift hand motion, the spike flung itself towards the dragon.

[Ostarion]

Tarak had heard Surani shout. He immidiately looked upward and witnessed a dragon breathing fire for the first time in his life. His surprise changed to a look of seriousness very quickly, realizing the immidiate danger of the situation. He searched for something to hide behind should the creature try and focus on him. At best, there were the destroyed remains of High Hrothgar, but that was out of the question. Tarak would simply have to stay extremely far backward.
He primed his own spell of Conjure Familiar, conjuring a wolf; it wouldn't do much unless the dragon landed, but even then, it's impact wouldn't be very useful. He needed to learn more offensive spells if he wanted to contribute to such battles.

[Geoffrey Silt]

As Ji walked down the hill, still dazed from what had happened, he had come close to the ruined campsite only to see the Breton, and a child. They were in the middle of speaking something about Karthwasten, when all of the sudden a loud yell. "Dragon! Run!" just after a loud rumbling noise. Ji, turning around saw a dragon coming out of nowhere, the shouting had stopped, wait, the Dunmar was still up there! Ji turned to the group as they seemed to ready themselves, Ji shouted. "I am going back for the elf! They are still up there!" he said running as fast as he could knowing that if he was hit with any flames it was over.

Drawing his bow as he rushed up the mountain, the same feeling as before when he ran up, he was much more tired, and even more mad at the fact he was running up the hill again, likely with a dragon following him. Hoping the others could deal with it while he made sure the Dunmar was okay he reached the top once more, the smell of smoke filled his nose once more, he looked over the burned ground and snow, before rushing to the elf. "Are you alright!?" he said approaching them.