Writing Request/Review Thread for Claims

Place where in-game literature is written and developed.

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Writing Request/Review Thread for Claims

Post by Nanu »

Writing Request/Review Thread for Claims
For all your claim-based writing needs; we'll keep them here for tidyness' sake.

Okay guys, since we've been getting a bit of an influx of claim-specific book and journal requests, I thought it would be a great time for another sticky in your favorite forum! If you wish for a book to be made, please request it in this format:
  • Title of Book: (Whatever you need; if it's generic, say so and I'll call it something like Dusty Journal)
    Author of Book: (The name of the author, feel free to use the [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/?p=modding_data/ngen]Name Generator[/url])
    Type of Book: (Journal, Paper, Missive, or what have you)
    Content of Book Needed: (Scrawlings, Boring reports, whatever)
    [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=17521]The Book's Xui Decimal[/url] (You can use [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=17523]my program[/url] for this)
    Link to Quest, Exterior, or Interior Claim
I would prefer if you actually wrote the thing yourself, however. If you did that, then just post the content of anything you write here along with the formatting and I'll take a look at it. Most of the reason for this is that claim specific books are no longer included in BoT, as it would only be used once anyway. They are now just included with your claim. If you're writing a book that goes in more than one place or is of special significance (think Mysterium Xarxes) you need to post it in it's own thread as usual. Otherwise, this is the perfect place for it.
Last edited by Nanu on Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Nanu »

List of Current Requests

Books for the Old Ebonheart Castle
Thrignar Fraxix wrote:As you may or may not know, I am making OE castle. This castle keeps records for the entire province. (at least the imperial shit.) At the top of the tower is a place where classified documents are kept. I can't write them because I don't know enough. I would very much appreciate having a book, or a few books written following these criteria:

Author is a high level imperial agent. Think about what a high level imperial agent would logically know.
These books are written up until the day the player steps off the boat, so while they can mention the player, they should say nothing of his/her accomplishments in MW.
They can not suck (I reserve the right to refuse any work submitted for this purpose)
There has to be a reason for them to be classified.

Post the books in this thread. Discussion can take place here too.

Don't mention the blades. If the player is mentioned it can only be as a prisoner passing through the castle. (And I find it hard to believe that this could be done and still warrant classification, or without sucking) Also: Damn, I lost my discussion tag!
Read and Post responses to Thrignar Fraxix's request [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=20092]HERE[/url].

A Journal of a Madman
Faalen wrote:I'm currently working on one of the Telvanni Master quests, and I need a bit of literature from a more skilled writer than myself. To put it simply, what I need is the journal of an incredibly smart Dunmer Daedra-worshipper who has gradually gone quite mad. There will also be at least two associated riddles, preferably of the fairly-hard-to-figure-out category. Rather than detail all of it here, I'm posting a link to my claim thread; all of the relevant information is contained therein. If you're interested in writing this material, please read the quest outline and subsequent posts. The things I'd like written should be apparent. Please post here or PM me with any questions about what is needed specifically. Thanks in advance!

This link will start you at the final quest outline:
[url]http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=19605&start=87[/url]
A Book on Necromancy
pacificmorrowind wrote:I need a book:
here is the description of the quest that I need it for:
BG4: At this point, the player has to have made a choice between Eldale and Gernak. The player must travel to Sagea and get an old book from the Necromancer in there.(This prevents undead from attacking the bearer, has a decent turn undead charm, and allows him to converse with those who are able to) However, just as the player is talking to them, a bunch of legionaires arrive. The player can either help to fend them off or turn on the necromancer and come back to get the item after they've left (disable on CellChanged) (This one's a bit too simple, so if somebody could come up with an idea to spice it up, that'd be great.)

I was thinking maybe a basic treatise on how to command undead. I don't actually care what the name, until someone of can make it I will use a blank dummy book, and I will use the same CS ID for the new book, so all I need is the text, I can put it in the CS.

thanks;
Pacific Morrowind
Last edited by Nanu on Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by redsrock »

A Journal of a Madman
I'm trying to finish up a personal project of mine, but once I'm finished I'll try and work on this. I think I could do it.

EDIT: Nevermind, I can't do this. Sorry.
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Post by Hemitheon »

I just need this reviewed for content. It's the current work of Horatio Gargonath:

<DIV ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Magic Cards"><BR>
City of Magic<BR>
by Horatio Gargonath<BR>
<BR>
Commissioned by His Lordship, Prince Ebel<BR>
<BR>
<DIV ALIGN="LEFT"><BR>
Dramatis Personae<BR>
<BR>
Rufio Draconis: Imperial pauper<BR>
Velara Indoril: Dunmer noblewoman<BR>
Dro'Khaj: Khajiiti slave of Neril Sevuro<BR>
Neril Sevuro: Grand Ascendant of House Indoril<BR>
Nethran Sevuro: son of Neril Sevuro engaged to Velara Indoril<BR>
Drusila Draconis: Imperial noblewoman and sister of Rufio<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Act I, Scene i: Plaza Brindisi Dorom<BR>
<BR>
Synopsis: Rufio Draconis has recently been disinherited by his father Traviro Draconis because he refused to marry Lassinia Flavonia. While walking with his sister Drusila, Rufio spies the Dunmer noble, Velara Indoril.<BR>
<BR>
Act I, Scene ii<BR>
<BR>
Synopsis: Rufio drinks the flin his sister has brought and becomes intoxicated. While roaming the avenues, Rufio meets a slave hiding in the alley. He is covered in severe lashes and shows signs of abuse. Rufio befriends him and offers him some flin to ease the pain. They become friends. Dro'Khaj confides in Rufio that his master is none other than Neril Sevuro. Rufio also learns that Dro'Khaj was beaten by his master's son Nethran Sevuro who has recently become engaged to a young noblewoman named Velara Indoril. Rufio has no clue that this noblewoman is the woman he saw earlier.<BR>
<BR>
Act II, Scene i: Velothril Avenue<BR>
<BR>
Synopsis: Rufio plots with Dro'Khaj to drive Nethran Sevuro from Mournhold. While aiding Dro'Khaj, the Khajiit points out Velara Indoril. Dumbstruck, Rufio becomes jealous and plots to murder Nethran Sevuro.<BR>
<BR>
Act II, Scene ii<BR>
<BR>
Synopsis: Rufio makes a deal with Dro'Khaj. He will provide two vials of skooma to the slave if he promises to bring Velara Indoril to the Temple District. Dro'Khaj tricks Velara Indoril into believing they are going to meet the priest who will marry her. Rufio, dresses in priestly robes and paints his face blue. Rufio introduces himself to Velara Indoril as Saryon Dralor, a new priest from Vivec. Velara tells the priest in secret that she does not wish to marry Nethran Sevuro. The marriage has been arranged in order to keep Velara's family from becoming financially ruined. Rufio promises to help her, only after kissing her. He explains that the kiss is a sign that Almalexia, the Dunmer Mother goddess, approves of her defiance.<BR>
<BR>
Act III, Scene i: The Grand Ascendant's Cloister<BR>
<BR>
Synopsis: Rufio disguises himself once again and is introduced to Neril Sevuro. Sevuro almost discovers the ruse. Dro'Khaj, however, appears and bows before Rufio, thanking him for seeing Velara Indoril though he was quite busy. Sevuro's distrust is assuaged. Rufio explains that in order for such a marriage to take place, Nethran Sevuro must prove himself worthy of the Goddess' grace. Nethran Sevuro enters and agrees to any trial or task. Rufio informs him of a special relic lost during the Battle of Red Mountain. Nethran Sevuro must retrieve Kagrenac's Tools from Red Mountain. Neril Sevuro refuses to agree to this. Rufio insists and demonstrates Almalexia's displeasure. Unbeknownst to House Sevuro, the slaves have all agreed to aid Dro'Khaj who has promised them skooma. They all cover their bodies with red marks, feigning pestilence. Dro'Khaj enters and begs Neril Sevuro for help. Rufio makes the marks vanish, claiming divine intervention. Neril Sevuro, a superstitious man agrees to the challenge and sends him son to Red Mountain with two escorts: the House Indoril Champion and Dro'Khaj, Nethran's personal servant.<BR>
<BR>
Act III, Scene ii:<BR>
<BR>
Neril Sevuro has gone to the Temple to pray. Velara Indoril arrives to meet her fiancee. Rufio once again appears, dressed in Nethran Sevuro's robes. He befriends her and kisses her passionately before the throne of House Indoril. Velara admits her passion for Rufio. They leave stage right towards the bedroom.<BR>
<BR>
Act IV, Scene i:Temple District<BR>
<BR>
Rufio arrives to meet Velara. The sun is beating down on everyone. Rufio's face paint begins to melt away revealing his Imperial skin. Velara Indoril is shocked. Rufio then notices Velara's face melting. Her false ears fall off. Velara is in fact an Imperial noblewoman. Rufio confesses he only did it because he had instantly fallen in love with her. Velara admits that she only did it because her family had disinherited her. She reveals her true name: Lassinia Flavonia. Instead of returning to their families, they agree to wander the streets of Almalexia, free to love one another until the end of their days.<BR>
<BR>
Epilogue: Temple District<BR>
<BR>
Neril Sevuro enters the Temple District and discovers the happy couple. He praises their love and mourns the death of his son. Dro'Khaj and the rest of the slaves trail behind him mocking him and praising the death of Nethran Sevuro.<BR>
<BR>
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Post by pacificmorrowind »

Well I rescued my hard drive, so I am continuing with modding Q75! but I need that necromancy book noted above. So if someone could write that soon that would be great.
Pacific Morrowind
(I'll probably be posting a WIP with a placeholder for that this evening).
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Post by Hemitheon »

I would love to write it. Could you tell me what it does and what it contains?
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Post by pacificmorrowind »

I was thinking maybe a basic treatise on how to command undead. I don't actually care what the name is.All I need is the text, I can put it in the CS.
That would be great.
Pacific Morrowind
ps. did you do the interiors for the Telvanni Library?
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Post by Nanu »

Hemi, your synopsis of the play is good.
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Post by Hemitheon »

@ Nanu: fab thanks

@pm: the Telvanni Lib int. was done before I was even a member of TR. I can't remember who did it.
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Post by Hemitheon »

Here you go. A journal for your quest. Notice his name is an anagram for Endless Ruin. In truth that isn't his name it is a warning. Checked.

Journal of Sdensel Irun

I have come upon it: the secrets to the command of the undead. Late in the night, I crept into Lord Morin's estate, deep in Telvanni country. The horrors I have found therein would shock a lesser man. The walls were painted with gore, festooned with corpses and mortal entrails. I tried desperately to hide myself in the darkness that covered his lair, yet Lord Morin's throng came upon me quickly.

For three days I have remained in this cell. I am starving slowly, without food or water. A servitor of Thalas Morin has come to me, mocking my condition and throwing scraps of Dunmer flesh into my cage. May the gods forgive my frailties. I had no choice but to feed upon the remnants of other elves.

This night, Lord Morin came to me and unlocked the cell. He apologized for the lateness of his welcome. He had other matters to attend to. He brought me from my misery and robed me in scarlet clothes, exquisite and finely embroidered.

I was brought before other necromancers whose names now escape me. They gathered that night for some great festival or party; I sat as honored guest. Lord Morin introduced me as one of the greatest thieves in all Telvannis. Though I smiled, I was fearful. No doubt they intended on using me for some abominable purpose. Throughout the feast, I carefully sought a way out of my misery. To my astonishment and horror, the door which I had entered from was no longer there. The many windows had vanished. We were all there, together in a single prison which could not be undone.

The feast broke apart, many of the necromancers and wizards simply vanished when tired. By the end of the night (or day, one could not tell,) only Lord Morin and I remained. He sat beside me and stroked my thigh. I shivered under his cold, probing touch. He asked me the reason for my earlier intrusion into his domain. I told him all I could tell. I sought a book which could command the undead. He laughed. This dialogue I will remember forever:

"So you seek to control the undead, Spellcaster? There are many ways one may control spiritual servitors bound in flesh. Take heed and pay close attention. There once existed a tome bound in mortal flesh, written by the scribes of Xarses. For centuries its wisdom remained within Apocrypha until a Telvanni lord shattered the seal of that place and stole away the dusty book. You sit beside that Dunmer whose mind could withstand the ultimate knowledge kept secret from the waking world. Is this what you seek? To become enlightened? To become master of death? Only one mortal may keep this knowledge. It is passed down from thief to thief, murderer to murderer."

"I seek the knowledge to confine death and to control its hosts."

"Then a single kiss is all it takes. Take from my mouth the wisdom of eternity. This knowledge Haymon Camoran knew. This secret Baron Othrok knew. This wisdom Lord Morin knows. A single kiss and you may have it."

I leaned towards him and kissed his lips still stained with human blood. The knowledge therein contained was more than I ever could imagine, the knowledge of books long perished, the secrets of men and mer lost to time. Within his mind I witnessed the foul arts of Ashirozh, the immortal arts of HELH, the undead science of Nauas. Therein was contained the wisdom I sought. A single kiss from such an abominable creature was the doorway to utter knowledge. I opened my eyes unto his eyes, whirling with hatred and madness, swimming with demonic ecstasy. I cried out, "It is enough! No more!"

His voice whispered in my mind, "You sought secrets and secrets you will have in abundance."

I could not pry my lips from his. The taste was decadently sweet but bitter and sour at the same time. He seemed to drain my body of life, replacing it with rage and bitter immortality.

He fell back upon his chair and smiled. "Thank you, Rinoa Drethim. You have knowledge and I have death. Rejoice, thief! Spend your immortality wisely."


[The remaining pages are scribbled over with obscure passages and unknown glyphs and sigils. Something catches the corner of your eye.]

I need more paper. There is no more room on the walls to write upon. There is not an inch left upon my skin that I have not scrawled over. Thank the gods for the margins of this old book.

The Secret Operations of Nauas
or
To bind the Undead to You or Your Command.

Write upon paper or parchment the sacred symbols contained herein with mortal blood:

[You see a strange set of codes and Daedric glyphs]

Wear these words upon your breast, hidden or open. When the undead come before you whether by conjuration or by fortune, they will harken to the secret words uttered by secret spirits of the Court of Blood and Flesh. No matter the strength or power of undead, they will show obeisance and let you pass before them unscathed for they know the wisdom contained herein is the sacred name of Death.

To Dismiss the Undead from You or Your Command.

Take the paper or parchment scrawled with holy words and unwrite the pages. Take your ritual dagger and motion over the glyphs in reverse from end to beginning. It there is not time for such rituals, simply take your dagger and stab the page. Know, however, that upon doing this, blood will issue from the page and will stain your spirit with abomination. Then on, any who are attuned to the spiritual realm will see you for what you have become.
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Post by Haplo »

Xui'al checked this? And unwrite isn't really a word...
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Post by Nanu »

[url=http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Unwrite&r=66]Unwrite[/url] [url=http://www.onelook.com/?other=web1913&w=Unwrite]is[/url] [url=http://machaut.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/WEBSTER.sh?WORD=unwrite]a[/url] [url=http://www.freedictionary.org/?Query=unwrite]word[/url], albeit obscure. It fits seeing the text it goes with.

You know Xui didn't touch it. He last logged in [url=http://www.tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3820]a week and half ago.[/url] If you actually have something to critique, I welcome your judgment and insight.
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Post by Haplo »

I'm just wondering why it says it was reviewed by lichs when I didn't review it and Xui'al didn't either, apparently.
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Post by Faalen »

My request can be removed from the post up top. I wrote the thing myself, and I have no idea why I was initially opposed to the idea; it took all of 20 minutes. It's just some simple journal excerpts:

<DIV ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Magic Cards"><BR>
[Most of the journal is illegible, but there are a few passages that can be deciphered.]<BR>
<BR>
...so everyone is now accounted for. We leave the city tonight to find a suitable place to begin our studies, where the Temple cannot...<BR>
<BR>
...might find Ansura-Heramas. We must limit our travels to Pseudographia, and leave the cave behind. We cannot risk...<BR>
<BR>
...a camp on Gahvan Isle. It is a good location for our rituals, and there is a plentiful supply of subjects from the Telvanni city to the south of...<BR>
<BR>
...from the shadows. Ildos says he follows us, and we must move to stay in the light of...<BR>
<BR>
...for the eastern shore. It still seeks us, and Ildos worries. It must not shed darkness on...<BR>
<BR>
...golden masks. Twelve at least, seemed much more. Bildammu killed two and three killed Bildammu. They call him dishonorable, what are they? Take from him his...<BR>
<BR>
...our place of safety. One must close it, one must leave. He will do it if he must. He must keep the shadows in the light, the enlightened out of sight. Yes, he will give himself for...<BR>
<BR>
...is wise it may enter. He has made it so. Enchanted is the gateway, so those who sense will see. Who would guess it? His name is the key...<BR>
<BR>
...west to the wizard’s harbor. He will hide there if it doesn’t catch him. It is still...<BR>
<BR>
...IT HAS FOUND HIM!<BR>
<BR>
[The remaining pages are blank.]<BR>
<BR>
Last edited by Faalen on Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Q1-77-Tel current progress:
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Post by Haplo »

Pseudographa?
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Post by Hemitheon »

That's the name I chose for the Pocket Realm, akin to Apocrypha.

EDIT: Just realized that I mispelled it. It's Pseudographia. Apocrypha are works that are hidden away. Pseudographia are works that are wrongfully attributed to someone else, in this case Hermaeus Mora.
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Post by Faalen »

That's good to know. I'll get right on changing that. Fortunately, the word only appears in a few places in the work I've done so far, so fixing it should be a snap. Now, if I had gotten to the point where I had the relevant cells referenced in scripts, I might be a bit more annoyed. :-P

No biggy. Previous post edited for spelling.
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Post by Hemitheon »

Ok I need books and such for i1-72-tel. What Im looking for are prayers and occult mumbo-jumbo devoted to Molag Bal. If you need inspiration, check out int. claim. I'll be posting a WIP in a few minutes.

Here's a definite one:

Title: Orisons to the Fire Stone
Author: Anon.
Content: praises to Molag Bal; maybea blend of old lore and new stuff.
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Post by immortal_pigs »

Also for the Molag Bal Interior:

Title: The Raping of Vivec
Author: Heceril
Content: Details the story of how Molag Bal seduced Vivec, and how one of them (don't know which) birthed horrid monstrosities that roam the Molag Amur(?). One of them being the Dreugh.

Next to that it should be explained how this is a symbol of Molag Bal's dominance and rape of the Tribunal Temple.

It should be written like a bible, though in this case "Our Lord" would be Molag Bal.


(Looks like a scroll thingy like guide to Ald'Ruhn)
Title: Vvardenfell Shrines to Molag Bal
Author: Suleri Toboryn
Content: Briefly describes the location and some basic information on the shrines to Molag Bal on Vvardenfell.
Here's the list (taken from UESP wiki).

Ashalmawia â€â€￾ A shrine to Molag Bal just east of Ald Velothi.
Bal Ur â€â€￾ A shrine to Molag Bal north of Suran.
Esutanamus â€â€￾ A shrine to Molag Bal south of Tel Mora.
Kushtashpi â€â€￾ A shrine to Molag Bal nestled in the high hills to the northwest of the Ahemmusa Camp.
Ramimilk â€â€￾ A shrine to Molag Bal southeast of Ald'ruhn.
Tusenend â€â€￾ A shrine to Molag Bal southeast of the Erabenimsun Camp.
Yansirramus â€â€￾ An island shrine to Molag Bal southwest of Tel Aruhn.
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Post by Chin Music »

Molag Bal is one hell of a nasty dude. It's difficult to imagine what anyone who follows him would actually be like, considering that they are rational enough to have writings/teachings.

In any case, the event of Vivec's "rape" is frequently referenced and described in the 36 Lessons of Vivec. Most notably, sermons 12 and 14.

Sermon 12:

As the Hortator pondered the first lesson of ruling kings, Vivec wandered into the Mourning Hold and found that Ayem was with a pair of lovers. Seht had divided himself again. Vivec then leapt through into their likenesses to observe, but he gained no secrets that he did not already know. He left a few of his own behind to make the journey worthwhile.

Then Vivec left the capital of Veloth and wandered far into the ash. He found a span of badlands to practice his giant-form. He made of his feet a less dense material than the divine to keep from falling waist-deep into the earth. At this point the First Corner of the House of Troubles, the Prince Molag Bal, made his presence known.

Vivec looked on the King of Rape and said:

'How very beautiful you are, that you do not join us.'

And Molag Bal crushed the warrior-poet's feet, which were not invulnerable, and had legions cleave them off. Mighty fires from the Beginning Place were brought like nets to hold Vivec and he let them.

'I would prefer,' he said, 'some kind of ceremony if we are to be married.'

And the legions that took the feet were summoned again and ordered to begin a banquet. Pomegranates sprang from the badlands and tents were raised. A throng of Velothi mystics came, reading the passages of the severed feet on the ground and weeping until the scriptures were wet.

'We must love each other briefly,' Vivec said, 'if at all. I am needed to counsel the Hortator in more important matters because the Dwemeri high priests stir up trouble. You may have my head for an hour.'

Molag Bal rose up and extended six arms to show his worth. They were decorated in runes of seduction and its reverse. They were decorated in the annotated calendars of longer worlds. When he spoke, mating monsters fell out.

'Where must it go?' he said.

'I told you,' Vivec said, 'I am meant to be the teacher of the king of the earth. AE ALTADOON GHARTOK PADHOME.'

With these magic words, the King of Rape added another: 'CHIM,' which is the secret syllable of royalty.

Vivec had what he needed from the Daedroth and so married him that day. In the hour that Bal had his head, the King of Rape asked for proof of love.

Vivec spoke two poems to show him such, but only the first is known:

I'm not sure just how much glass it took to make your hair
Twice as much, I am sure, as the oceans have to share
Hell, my sweet, is a fiction written by those who tell the truth
My mouth is skilled at lying and its alibi a tooth

The sons and daughters of Vivec and Molag Bal number in the thousands. The name of the mightiest is a string of power: GULGA MOR JIL HYAET AE HOOM.

The ending of the words is ALMSIVI.


Sermon 14:
Vivec lay with Molag Bal for eighty days and eight, though headless. In that time, the Prince placed the warrior-poet's feet back and filled them with the blood of Daedra. In this way Vivec's giant-form remained forever harmless to good earth. The Pomegranate Banquet brought many spirits back from the dead so that the sons and daughters of the union had much to eat besides fruit.

The Duke of Scamps came while the banquet was still underway, and Molag Bal looked on the seven pennants with anger. The King of Rape had become necessary and therefore troubled for the rest of time. His legions and Kh-Utta's fell into open war, but the children of Molag Bal and Vivec were too elaborate in power and form.

The Duke of Scamps therefore became a lesser thing, as did all his own children. Molag Bal said to them: 'You are the sons of liars, dogs, and wolf-headed women.' They have been useless to summon ever since.

The holy one returned at last, Vehk, golden with wisdom. His head found its body had been tenderly used. He mentioned this to Molag Bal, who told him that he should thank the Barons of Move Like This, 'For I have yet to learn how to refine my rapture. My love is accidentally shaped like a spear.'

So Vivec, who had a grain of Ayem's mercy, set about to teach Molag Bal in the ways of belly-magic. They took their spears out and compared them. Vivec bit new words onto the King of Rape's so that it might give more than ruin to the uninitiated. This has since become a forbidden ritual, though people still practice it in secret.

Here is why: The Velothi and demons and monsters that were watching all took out their own spears. There was much biting and the earth became wet. And this was the last laugh of Molag Bal:

'Watch as the earth shall crack, heavy with so much power, that should have been forever unalike!'

Then that stretch of badlands that had been the site of the marriage fragmented and threw fire. And a race that is no more but that was terrible at the time to behold came forth. Born of the biters, that is all they did, and they ran amok across the lands of Veloth and even to the shores of Red Mountain.

But Vivec made of his spear a more terrible thing, from a secret he had bitten off from the King of Rape. And so he sent Molag Bal tumbling into the crack of the biters and swore forever that he would not deem the King beautiful ever again.

Vivec wept as he slew all those around him with his terrible new spear. He named it MUATRA, which is Milk Taker, and even the Chimeri mystics knew his fury. Anyone struck by Vivec at this time turned barren and withered into bone shapes. The path of bones became a sentence for the stars to read, and the heavens have never known children since. Vivec hunted down the biters one by one, and all their progeny, and he killed them all by means of the Nine Apertures, and the wise still hide theirs from Muatra.

The ending of the words is ALMSIVI.


The books are extremely vague and filled with metaphors and euphemisms. It's difficult to gain much of a sense of what supposedly happened. And even then I'm not sure I want to. Of course the Molag Bal version would be much more inclined in the Prince's favour (As an example, it would probably say that Vivec was simply powerless under Molag Bal's influence, rather than Molag Bal using charm magic to seduce him, which is what I gather what happened by Vivec's account).
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Post by immortal_pigs »

You can read the character bio's if you want to know.:P
The reasonings of the cult's membership are explained in the Codex of Molag Bal which was made by Theo I think.

Since the Deadra are the Princes of Change, one of the prime goals of the cult is to bring about change. They want to "change" the current authorities and bring about a New World Order, one in which Molag Bal is supreme.

I agree that those Sermons are difficult to follow, but I think you have the right idea about what the book should be like. Basically the same kind of metaphorical ramblings which would only make sense to the ingame author (Heceril) or people that know a lot about Lore.

Edit:
If anyone plans on making the book, please add a lot of contradiction with the two Sermons.

Finished:

Kushtashpi
The first shrine that I visited during my travels. Kushtashpi lies far north and along the shores of the Grazelands, where the dome gazes over the sea with majestic grace. The shrine is modest and lies at the end of a long winding tunnel. Here I offered an emerald to our Lord.

Yansirramus
Travel far west from Tel Aruhn, across the treacherous sea, and you shall find Yansirramus on the last island before reaching the shore. With the calm waters surrounding it, it almost feels as if the sea itself fears the might of our Lord. The shrine itself is of modest sized. Here I offered Lord Bal the only possession I had at the time, a silver blade.

Esutanamus
Swim north from Yansirramus until you reach the land. Then travel north-eastward across the lands until you reach the shore again. Swim to the large Island that dominates the landscape, and you will find Esutanamus, Overseer of the Grazelands. Within the shrine there are two halls, travel through the first hall to reach the statue of our Lord. I offered Lord Bal a pearl I had taken from the sea. Only our Lord is deservant of such beauty.

Tusenend
There are two routes to reach Tusenend, the haven of our Lord's offspring, which lies in the Molag Amur. I chose to show my loyalty through taking the long route. One must depart from the fortress of the weak, Molag Mar. Travel north-eastward and let Lord Bal guide you through the middle passageway. From hereon, continue forward, do not fear our Lord's offspring which rapes these lands, and turn to the right at the final end of the route to find Tusenend. The shrine consists of a single main hall, in which our Lord's dominance provides a welcome haven. I offered Lord Bal a diamond taken from an Ordinator's corpse.

Bal Ur
Bal Ur, ancient fortress of Lord Bal, which lies north of the Hlaalu settlement of Suran. Cross the mountains to gaze upon his citadel of the southern Molag Amur. Enter the fortress and you shall find a large two story complex, though no altar to our Lord. To find his statue, you must find the door to the underground. The underground tunnels are long and perilous, but within time you shall find Lord Bal's majestic throne. Underneath the statue of our Lord, I placed my most coveted piece of protection, a glass helmet. One need not have mortal armor when one is protected by something far greater, the blessing of our Lord.

Ramimilk
Travel to the Redoran city of Ald'ruhn, then travel directly south. You shall find a fortress of our Imperial foes. Travel south-westward from thereon, and you shall find Ramimilk, Lord Bal's jewel of the Ashlands. Enter the shrine and you shall swiftly gaze upon our Lord's statue. At the alter of Lord Bal I sacrificed an Imperial with a glass blade, his screams of agony became rythms of beauty in the hall of our Lord.

Ashalmawia
The final shrine I visited on my travels, our Lord's manor of the West Gash, Ashalmawia. Ashalmawia lies to the east of the Redoran settlement of Ald Velothi. Upon entry one shall quickly be greeted by Lord Bal and should find his manor a welcoming haven. Go through the left doorway, travel down the stairs, and you shall discover the sunken vaults of Molag Bal's manor. At the shrine I surrendered a steel claymore to our Lord's guidance, and thereby concluded my travels on Vvardenfell.
Last edited by immortal_pigs on Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Adanorcil »

Content: Details the story of how Molag Bal seduced Vivec, and how one of them (don't know which) birthed horrid monstrosities that roam the Molag Amur(?). One of them being the Dreugh.
The problem with that is these monsters in the Sermons aren't just freak creatures that could be killed for three levels of experience. The Sermons are the history of Morrowind as Vivec wrote it, and it deals with him and those he loved. The monsters are sometimes hardly tangible and correspond to emotions, more than anything:

Vivec said, 'I brought you here because I knew the mightiest of my issue would succumb to Muatra without argument, if only I gave him consolation first.'

Nerevar looked at Vivec for a long time.

Vivec understood. 'Say the words, Hortator.'

Nerevar said, 'Now I am the mightiest of your children.'
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Post by Gez »

immortal_pigs wrote:Finished:
Get rid of the "thou shalt" and other ye olde englishe forms, no other text ever uses them; and keep in mind that "Ald-ruhn" is actually named "Ald'ruhn" in all books, dialogue, and other texts. Only the cell name is "Ald-ruhn" for some reason (maybe the landscape modder at Bethesda didn't know the engine supported apostrophes in cell names); and cell names aren't lore since they're pure gameplay, not anything actually from the world.
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Post by immortal_pigs »

So Nerevar is the son of Vivec and Molag Bal? I'll confess up front that I'm a fool when it comes to this kind of Lore. All I "know" is that Lore dicates that the Dreugh were born from Vivec and Molag Bal. But the point of the book is simply to tell that tale through the eyes of a cultist of Molag Bal, rather then through the eyes of Vivec.

In effect, this book would provide a "contradiction" to the Lore provided by the Sermons. But the book isn't really about being right, it would be about showing the nastyness of Molag Bal and the foulness of his followers.

@ Gez: Done.
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Post by Hemitheon »

@ immortal_pigs: that's a start but it's too mundane. It needs more mumbo-jumbo. Add some occult stuff, some bizarre crap. Cultists don't read journals, magazines, and novels. They read tomes, grimoires, and manuscripts.
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Post by immortal_pigs »

It was actually intended to be mundane, basically just a travel guide to all Vvardenfell Molag Bal ruins in a somewhat formal writing style. The guide would be ment to be of a little added roleplaying value so the player can think something like "Wow this guy supposedly went to all the Molag Bal shrines in Vvardenfell, the cult really knows a lot about Molag Bal."

Then again, if you really think it would be better to make it into more of an occult and bizarre text then I'll see what I can do.
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Post by Hemitheon »

The problem I saw with it is this:

What are the capitals of Egypt, France, UK, Germany, US, and Mexico? (Cairo, Paris, London, Berlin, Washington D.C., la Ciudad de Mexico)

You'll know the answers because you've been taught them. That's how cultists would know them. A good cultist, like a well-educated person, would recognize the shrine names in an instant without the need of reminders. Mind you, by adding more occult stuff, this could be a guide being written by Heceril for new cult members.
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Post by gro-Dhal »

Adanorcil wrote:The problem with that is these monsters in the Sermons aren't just freak creatures that could be killed for three levels of experience. The Sermons are the history of Morrowind as Vivec wrote it, and it deals with him and those he loved. The monsters are sometimes hardly tangible and correspond to emotions, more than anything
Rather than telling the same story from a different perspective, i'd be more inclined to tell a different story containing some of the same elements. Just to confuse things a bit. I'd like to write about Vivec being crippled and then healed by Molag Bal, but i'm not sure I could totally pull it off.
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Post by Chin Music »

Molag Bal is a Daedra who spreads discord and strife among mortals. The mortals who follow him are not likely to be in any way mentally balanced or stable. Not totally primitive or bestial, still having some semblance of humanity, I'm thinking heavy drug users, feverish meditation, pain rituals, that sort of thing.

An account of a cultists travel to all the shrines could take on the form of ANYTHING and probably should. It doesn't necessarily have to make sense.

A few ideas of mine were to write about his travel through the shrines as if he were travelling through the body of Molag Bal. Perhaps based on the approximate shape of the shrines; For example a long, winding hallway could be described as being in his throat or intestine.

Another idea is that the cultist could recount his travels as though he were actually travelling through the world of Coldharbour and not of Nirn. This would be good as a dilapidated replica of the world is unique to Molag Bal, and would be interesting to read.
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Post by immortal_pigs »

@ Chin Music
Your idea sounds good to me, so please go ahead. :)
The idea of travelling through Coldharbour should be a separate book, though.
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Post by Adanorcil »

So Nerevar is the son of Vivec and Molag Bal? I'll confess up front that I'm a fool when it comes to this kind of Lore. All I "know" is that Lore dicates that the Dreugh were born from Vivec and Molag Bal.
Nerevar isn't the son of Molag Bal or Vivec. (In fact, we don't know his lineage at all.) The Dreugh weren't born from either Vivec or Bal either. They were around for ages, and all current lore suggests they even predate the elves. He did, however, spawn the Ruddy Man, a carapace/image of Molag Bal, who was the least complicated (read: the most tangible) of all of the monsters.
Rather than telling the same story from a different perspective, i'd be more inclined to tell a different story containing some of the same elements. Just to confuse things a bit. I'd like to write about Vivec being crippled and then healed by Molag Bal, but i'm not sure I could totally pull it off.
Sorry, I don't really understand how this relates to what I said.
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Post by Chin Music »

immortal_pigs wrote:@ Chin Music
Your idea sounds good to me, so please go ahead. :)
The idea of travelling through Coldharbour should be a separate book, though.
He wouldn't actually be travelling through Coldharbour, it would just be written as though he was, with the "vision" trance of Coldharbour induced by some kind of drug-fuelled meditation. These are occult writings after all, they're allowed to be filled with biases, metaphors and gibberish.

EDIT: Here's what I've got on the shrine guides. As you'll notice, very different, even in format.

By scarred bare foot I made my way,
Through the spikes and sludges of His domain,
Toward the cold stone bodies of His grace,
That He might know my name.

In the shadow of Red Mountain,
West of the gate of ghosts,
The mouth of the King devours unwary mortals.
His teeth chew the ashen landscape,
Ramimilk

North 'cross flat green fields of beasts,
Where ghostly sea meets shore,
Downward winds the Rape King's throat,
Kushtashpi

In the great bay of spires, westward,
An island shrine girt by sea of acid,
The stomach of our Lord,
Yansirramus

North of the stomach, and east,
Watching over the slime-green fields,
Two halls make His lungs,
Esutanamus

His intenstines twist and contort,
Where the Gash bleeds into the sea.
Follow the north shore and look inland to find,
Ashalmawia.

Molag Amur, the mountains of ash,
Rise around His loins.
A hidden nook of the most eastern ashpile,
Tusenend

By the mouth of the Nabia, on banks of ash,
His ancient fortress descends.

The blood of the earth runs hot,
Spitting at the Lord's glory.
This land has known His rapture.

The fiery bowels of the Rape-King,
Spare no mortal His molestation,
In His citadel of Bal Ur.


This is by no means final.
Last edited by Chin Music on Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by immortal_pigs »

Very nice. :)
Though it takes away the entire purpose of a clear and 'formal' travel guide, it does add a lot more flavor.

There is no problem with your view on Molag Bal, but that's not exactly the way the cult is being implemented at TR. There will be rituals, though.

An important point I need to stress is that the TR cult of Molag Bal is completely separate from any other MB cults. As is stated in the codex written by Theo, they have no connection with the Vvardenfel shrines. So the cultists wouldn't actually know the names of the shrines by heart as Hemitheon said.

I'm starting to think a Coldharbour book would be a very nice addition as well. It could simply be named "Coldharbour" and provide a similar metaphorical musing on the realm like what is written in your guide to the shrines. Or it could also be like a 'travel' in the place via trance as you say. It doesn't need to be too large, but ingame it'd probably be a fat book.
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Post by gro-Dhal »

Adanorcil wrote: Sorry, I don't really understand how this relates to what I said.
Whoops, I think I quoted you by accident
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Post by Chin Music »

immortal_pigs wrote:Very nice. :)
Though it takes away the entire purpose of a clear and 'formal' travel guide, it does add a lot more flavor.
I was kind of thinking that flavour was what we were going for. A clear travel guide might make sense from the perspective of an initiate cultist who wanted to make pilgrimage to all the shrines, but to the player preachy occult mumbo-jumbo makes an equal amount of sense and is more interesting to read. With the paper map, for the most part you can usually pinpoint the shrines even by the vague directions.

With the formal guide, you can kind of imagine this warped, depraved Molag Bal cultist wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt, thick, black sunglasses and a camera around his neck. Standing in the middle of Molag Mar puzzling over his too-big scroll and stopping a passerby to ask how they might find Tusenend.
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Post by Nanu »

Chin Music wrote: With the formal guide, you can kind of imagine this warped, depraved Molag Bal cultist wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt, thick, black sunglasses and a camera around his neck. Standing in the middle of Molag Mar puzzling over his too-big scroll and stopping a passerby to ask how they might find Tusenend
Thanks for one of the better visualizations I've seen in a while. For the purpose of a guide to the shrines, I like the obscure better myself. If you'd like to submit your guide to BoT, immpigs, I'll see if we can find some Dunmer in Hammerfell that would have such a copy.
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Post by immortal_pigs »

Go ahead. :)
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Post by Hemitheon »

OK. I took Chin's stuff and used it for the Orisons. I took the COdex Molag Bal which IP left in the int. claim and decided to chop it up. It's way too long. The official codex will be: (I revised and g/s checked it):

<DIV ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Magic Cards"><BR>
The Codex of Molag Bal<BR>
<DIV ALIGN="LEFT"><BR><BR>
The very essence of existence is transience and transformation. There is nothing eternal and solid in the fluid chaos of the Aurbis. Life and death, growth and decay, pleasure and pain are just two sides of the same coin. What one loses, another gain. Where one eats, another is eaten. When one dies, another is born. That is the true essence of life.

There is nothing as petty and unstable as the lives of the mortals. Their lives do not last longer than their last breaths, vanishing like a dream.<BR>
<BR>
Life of the individual means nothing; there is no purpose in it.<BR>
<BR>
But mortals are unwilling to accept the truth that their lives are just one moment in the never-ending, pulsating cycle of life and death-that they are nothing but an almost unrecognizable stage in the life of a much greater whole. They pray for what belongs to gods alone, unable to grasp true essence of the Being from their limited perspective.<BR>
<BR>
Tribe, house, nation, empire-nothing but mortal fabrications, veiling the fact that there is nothing eternal in the finite mortal arena. Life is worth only as much as it can spur growth in other life. Most humans are no more than the flesh they possess and deserve to be dealt with in a manner befitting their usefulness.<BR>
<BR>
Lifting the Veil<BR>
<BR>
We who have uncovered this illusion, we who can see the naked truth with all its consequences, we worshipers of Molag Bal, detest ignorance! Our Lord is he who reveals the true nature of the universe. Toward him, we direct our prayers. For him, we perform the ritual sacrifices. In his name, we praise. May he grant his powers to those who worship him with obedience and zeal.-powers to control the flow of the life, powers to enslave, dominate, and transform. His will is with those faithful to him. His is the power to forge new beings in shapes of beauty and might. He can disturb. He can spoil structures of stagnation that weak beings have created to protect themselves. When these structures are ruined and torn down, the true nature of mortals is finally revealed. <BR>
<BR>
We rejoice in the strength our Lord has granted us-that we might promote his cause in this world. Serve him well and you will share in his might.<BR>
<BR>
Do not hesitate to unbalance the old world order represented by such institutions as the Tribunal Temple, Dunmer Houses or the Empire of traitors and rogues, for such acts are pleasing in the eye of our Lord. Extortion, blackmail, slander, intrigues and plotting will confuse our enemies and break apart the fragile bonds that bind them. Then they will be no more than puppets in hands of our Lord, who shall render them unto you for your faithful service, that you might find amusement in them.<BR>
<BR>
We are also invited to help our Lord with his great task of creation. Our purpose is to promote new life from the old. False structures of stagnation must be torn down just to make ready the coming world. New creatures must be made upon corpses of the old. Souls of worthless mortals must be captured, controlled and used to nourish more worthy and sophisticated beings.<BR>
<BR>
We are the worshippers of Molag Bal. His is the true key to the gates of eternity.<BR>
<BR>
The Keys to the Kingdom of Bal<BR>
<BR>
Anyone with adequate experience in conjuration and skill with blunt weapons ,who is keen on our ideals and is interested in their promotion, can join one of our covens at the shrines of our Lord. Before being admitted to a coven, the initiate will have to contact an Invoker of the cult and pass through the full apprenticeship, being a member of the outer circle of servants. Hopefuls will begin at the initiation stage, in which the initiate accepts the position of a slave, wearing slave bracers and serving his master invoker without question. Only after a time of steadfast devotion will advancement and admittance to one of our shrines be considered.<BR>
<BR>
Know now that not all the shrines are maintained by members of our order. Some of them are abandoned; some are inhabited by mad servants of our Lord and wild creatures; some have been besieged and destroyed by our enemies. Do not attempt to seek out a shrine occupied by our coven yourself! Entry into a shrine before you have been proven worthy will only leave you adorning the claws of bewildered daedra for your impertinence. Our covens are usualy well hidden from the curious eyes of inquisitive champions of decadence, and their position is revealed to those more trusted servants of the cult only.<BR>
If you will serve your master Invoker faithfully, in time he will grant you knowledge of other cult members and covens and direct you to the shrines where they operate.<BR>


Other portions of that document will be used elsewhere: in letters from the priests to the worshippers, and extra books like the rules. Too much info in one book will be too much for the player. Especially if that book takes up 6 d/s pages in Word.
Last edited by Hemitheon on Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Bloodthirsty Crustacean »

Hemitheon wrote:What one loses, another gain.
Ya missed a spot. :P

Sounds good, I like it. I agree about the length.

(It is worth noting, though, that a lot of what is currently in the Codex contradicts with what we 'now know' about the cult, and will need some fixing up, including possibly 'Lifting the Veil', and probably some of what you intend to use in other places.)

Particularly, the stuff about "other covens".
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Post by Chin Music »

Damn, that's written really well. I would almost be inclined to give it to certain ordinary NPCs, perhaps as like a secret, hidden book in a rare bookshop or hidden carefully in the house of an otherwise normal NPC.

I assume what BC means is that the particular sect of cultists the player deals with in the game are not going to have any affiliation with other "normal" cultists and so their codex shouldn't really mention them, is that right?

Does this particular sect have a name?

(oh and just as an aside I fixed up a few punctuation mistakes in my guide up there)
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