The waves roar as they crash into the side of the imperial ship they had chartered to take them to the island of Vvardenfell, Morrowind. The center of politics in all of Morrowind and lead by the Tribunal, who were responsible for Azura’s wrath that led to the Chimer race being cursed and becoming the Dunmer everyone is familiar with to this very day.
3rd Era, 427.
This is the very era and year that the Elder Scrolls Morrowind takes place. Nero had managed to find out after questioning some merchants while they explored Dawnstar back in Skyrim. Due to each of their unique talents Nero and Deva made good time in traveling from northern Skyrim to Andotrhen and charter a ship to Seyda Neen.
Luckily the two made it in time and were able to ferry a ride on an imperial ship transporting prisoners to elsewhere. They made a good name for themselves working as adventurers in the city of Andortrhen and were hired as extra security on the voyage.
After discretely questioning the crew and taking a brief glimpse at the prisoners the two were happy to find that this very ship is the one that will drop off the reincarnation of Indoril Nerevar, the soon to be Nerevarine themselves. The only problem is they don’t know which prisoner will be the one.
Of all the prisoners on board there are 4 Dunmer, 3 Khajiit, 2 Breton, 1 Argonian, 3 Bosmer, 2 Redguard, 3 Altmer, 5 Imperial, 4 Nords, 1 Orc.
28 prisoners to choose from and nowhere for Nero and Deva to choose from. Nero suspects on of the Dunmer to be the potential Nerevarine and Deva is in agreement, so the two of them would keep watch on them and see if they can identify the one in question. After all the two has plans on helping the Nerevarine fulfill their destiny and recruit them to Avalon once fate no longer has a hand in their futures. So instead of going on a voyage to Akavir like many legends suspect, they will recruit them into their world and join them as they venture beyond the Stargate into other worlds.
There is only so much these two can do and see on their own and it would be oh so lonely to do this alone with them two only. So they are adamant in recruiting the Nerevarine and anyone else they find interesting into their world and train them into a force to be reckoned with.
...
Nero can be found at the head of the ship sitting with his legs crossed, deep into a session of meditation as he often does when he had some down time and taking a break from magical research or brewing. He is reinforcing his mind with Occlumency so that if he ever encountered beings more powerful than him in the mind arts, he will be able to protect his secrets and protect himself against other influences.
Beings such as Daedric Lords are easily able to affect mortal beings, as most of them have never developed a resistance to influences that infect their minds. Stronger and more willful mortals are more difficult to affect, but when a master of the School of Illusions surpasses their willpower, then they can bend their minds to their will. Enraging them, pacifying them, distorting their views rendering the mage invisible. These are all powerful techniques in Nirn that affect the mind.
But those are merely scratching the surface of the mind arts.
Nero, while they were resting one day on the way to Morrowind, had used the Imperius Curse on a bandit who tried to rob them, and ordered him to turn on his comrades which led to a bloody royale rumble between the bandits. Mind arts are powerful and the Imperius Curse falls under that same category.
Hell none of the so called Unforgivable Curses are truly dark and evil, at least that is not what they were originally created for.
Imperius was a curse created as a form of covert infiltration and intel gathering, Cruciatus was created for Torture and interrogation without destroying the body. The Killing Curse was created to be a painless and merciful form of execution. Which would be more merciful? Having your soul ripped out and devoured by a dark creature with no chance at entering the reincarnation cycles, having your body ripped to shreds on a molecular level with you being aware the whole time, or a simple instant bolt with no pain?
Point being, civilization and politics had led to certain spells and curses being labeled and their original purposes being twisted in the passage of time.
Inside Nero’s mindscape a massive library can be found. Multiple floors with endless amount of books. There are shelves full of books for his memories, some for the knowledge he had accumulated throughout both of his life during his years of education, others meant for his research which are protected behind some sturdy barriers.
At the center of the library’s first floor is a lounge with numerous tables and sofas. There is also a desk with a computer on it that happens to be Nero’s most elaborate security for his deepest of secrets and access to his subconsciousness. As long as no one can figure out how to access the computer, which is password protected, they will never find his most deepest secret or even affect him subconsciously with certain spells or magical suggestions.
Around his mind is large town engulfed in an endless shroud of mist that Nero had taken as inspiration from the Konami game, Silent Hill. The mist confuses and leads intruders astray which can leads to a number of traps and surprises. Some deadly, some headache inducing, all with the purpose of protecting his library. Occasionally Nero will allow some stray thoughts and false memories to drift through the mist to confuse or give the intruder the illusion of cracking Nero’s elaborate mind.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
If they cannot make it to the library in one piece, then they cannot see what he truly has within his head. A perfect mental defense.
No daedric Princes, or average wizard from the Wizardry World would every figure it out. Those from the modern magical world would ever consider studying modern muggle technology to figure out how to access his computer.
Deva approaches Nero and sits down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder and sighs. Above the seagulls can be seen and heard chirping, searching for an easy meal either from the seas or left from the sailors on the ship below them.
Opening his eyes Nero looks at his wife and smiles. Giving her a peck on her cheek, “Still no luck my goddess?”
“No,” Deva shakes her head, “I just cannot tell which one would be our likely target.”
“Well, don’t stress yourself over it Deva.” Said Nero reassuringly, “even if we don’t find out who the Nerevarine is before disembarking. We will when we reach Seyda Neen. It won’t be too late to help them out then.”
“True. How goes the Occlumency?” Deva asks.
“Hm, pretty good. I just finished placing a large number of traps, decoys, stray thoughts, and false memories within the mist. I dare say that even the best Legilimens such as Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Snape would have to spend hours to even come close to my real library.”
Deva nods with a grin, “Wicked! This should protect you from the Daedric Princes. I don’t want the Mad God turning my husband into a madman!”
“I would be more worried about the Goddess of Betrayal and Dark Plots trying to get us to murder each other.” Nero adds.
“Her too,” agreed Deva, “for me Molag Bal ravaging me and turning me into an abomination like the Vampire Lords would be worse. The only one ravaging me is Nero!”
“Ok, carrying on...” Nero interrupts her, “with my progress in Occlumency and your EMS, our minds should be far more advanced and secure to a majority of the natives of Nirn. But we can never let our guards down even just a little. Powerful we may be, but not quite omnipotent just yet. The knowledge in our heads will make us prime targets to Hermaeus Mora himself. So I would suggest you keep your guard up unless you prefer meeting the tentacles.”
“I understand love.”
A voice from the ship’s crows nest can be heard yelling, “Land ho! Seyda Neen is in sight!”
Nero stands up and stretches his stiffness out and turns to watch the approaching landmass, “Vvardenfell at last!”
“Ohh! So many sidequests and adventures to be had.” Said Deva in utmost excitement, “dungeons to explore, treasures to be found, magics to learn, friends to be made! Sooo exciting!”
Nero chuckles at his adventurous wife and cannot help but agree with her excitement. This is a world he had explored just once before from beyond a mere computer screen. Now they two of them can explore it in person with real living and breathing people and creatures. This world has truly become a real sandbox for Nero and Deva and has numerous things for them to learn and explore. Their main goal for this trip to Vvardenfell is to help the Nerevarine fulfill their destiny and recruit them, but these things never truly follow a straight line in the end.
...
The ship pulls into the docks of Seyda Neen shortly after coming into view. Upon disembarking Nero and Deva stand off to the side and watch as things play out. Surprisingly there are 3 people being dropped off here. A young Dunmer girl whose age isn’t much too different from Nero and Deva, an Nord male of about 25 years of age, and a surprisingly cheery looking Khajiit male.
“This is... not what I expected.” A perplexed Nero said.
Deva just shrugs, “Can’t expect everything to play out how it does in the game now can you? This is reality after all.”
“I... admit that I did not take reality in consideration. But who can blame me?”
The guard waiting on the dock escorts the prisoners to the Census and Excise Office. Casting a disillusion charm on himself, Nero quietly sneaks in after them with everyone being non-the-wiser.
Inside he watches as the Nord and Khajiit are ferried off towards another reception while the Dark Elf girl is greeted by another. Finding it strange that she is to be greeted separately Nero chose to observe her instead of the others.
“Ahh yes, we’ve been expecting you.” The old man greeting her says. If Nero recalls correctly his name was Socucius Ergalla. The man continues,” You’ll have to be recorded before you’re officially released. There are a few was we can do this, and the choice is yours.”
Nero listened as the old man, Socucius Ergalla asks the girl many questions about herself, this including her specialization and skills. Surprisingly she has the perfect skill set and training to be a Spellsword. A warrior who wields both spell and blades. A pretty balanced play styles if this were the actual game. Then it comes down to her name...
Vuri R’en.
Socucius continues to talk about her birthsign next which happens to be under the Mage sign which boosts her natural magic. After asking a few more questions he gives the papers to the Dunmer girl and tells her to pass them to the captain.
‘This is proceeding much like the game, ‘ said Nero inwardly. He proceeds to follow her through the next room until she comes to meet the captain, Sellus Gravius himself and introduces herself by passing her papers to the man.
Taking the paper he thanks Vuri, “Thank you. Word of your arrival only reached me recently. I am Sellus Gravius. But my background is not important. I’m here to welcome you to Morrowind.”
He looks over the papers and nods.
“I am a Knight Errant of the Imperial Legion,” said Sellus, “I don’t know why you were released from prison and shipped here. But your authorization comes directly from Emperor Uriel Septim VII himself. And I don’t need to know any more than that. When you leave this office, you are a free woman. But before you leave, I have instructions on your duties. Instructions from the Emperor. So pay careful attention.”
“The emperor?” Vuri asks in confusion.
Sellus nods, “Yes. According to my instructions, he personally authorized your release from prison and your delivery here. It’s all very mysterious. But that’s the way the empire works. Silence. Secrecy. Let not the left hand know what the right hand is doing.”
“I see.” She considers his words before asking another question, “what of my duties?”
Sellus hands Vuri a package. She examines it briefly before storing it away in a bag.
“This package came with the news of your arrival. You are to take it to Caius Cosades, in the town of Balmora. Go to the South Wall Cornerclub, and ask for him — They’ll know where to find him. Serve him as you would serve the emperor himself,” said Sellus before handing an envelop to Vuri, “I also have a letter for you, and a disbursal to your name.”
Nero steps out of the building and meets back up with Deva who is contently watching a Stilt Strider just outside of town.
“They are wrapping up.” Said Nero, “You were right, it was the Dunmer girl. Her name is Vuri R’en. She will be leaving soon to report to Caius Cosades in Balmora. Wonder how we will get enough for the Stilt Strider?”
Deva giggles, “of course I was right! Ever one of the older Dunmer looked way too damn old for the task of being the Nerevarine. The sexy, dark-skinned busty dark elf was the obvious choice!” She reaches into the sleeves of her outfit and produces a small purse. “I snuck in and stole Fargoth’s ring back and he gave us some money. Plenty enough for a ride.”
“Not bad,” Nero was impressed with her initiative at this point. First side quest done already and a good name to them already.
“What info did you get for our gal?” Deva asks.
“Other than her name, she is only 16 years old. She was born in the capital and her crime ended up being castrating the son of her father’s enemy who tried to force her to marry him.” Explained Nero with a cringe, “the man’s father was very very rich and she was imprisoned.”
Deva shrugs, “probably for the best since she got off easy thanks to the prophecy.”
“Eh.... not how I would put it but I guess your right there. Just save the world from Dagoth Ur and the Tribunal and call it even.” Nero looks around and thinks about it for a minute and smiles, “what do you say we put our adventurer skills to the test once we introduce ourselves to Vuri and build up our reputation?”
“I say hells-to-the-yeahs!”