The Bloodhawk's exploits [LazyKitsune]

[Lorielle]

Name: Lilaine Valinus
Sex: Female
Age: 27
Appearance:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/658618139486978048/1001195617772650586/sample-2aae43df448bed1a90b32a1b52ecda71.jpg

Biography/personality: Trained as an Agent for the Penitus Oculatus, Lilaine studied at her organisations private library in the White Gold tower and was moulded by the Administrators for work in counter intelligence, rooting out spies and saboteurs within the Empire for the safety of the Emperor. Recruited from a young age, the organisation is the closest thing she has to a family and her loyalty to the Emperor is near unshakeable.

In time she showed herself to be skilled at infiltration and persuasion, able to use her wits, resources, or even body if necessary, to make targets lower their guard, provide intel or even be secured as assets for the Empire. Such a skillset brought her attention to the upper ranks who singled her out for an undercover operation in Skyrim. For a while now, the Penitus Oculatus had worked on establishing the reputation of a sellsword through rumours and altered reports. The mercenary known as Bloodhawk was the resulting alias that emerged from this, though with rumours unclear on the gender of the sellsword - only confirming they were an Imperial - the Penitus Oculatus were free to assign whichever of their agents they felt suited the role best. Lilaine was assigned to be sent to Skyrim and adopt the role of Bloodhawk, becoming a seemingly neutral agent that could roam the Stormcloak territories of the province and further Imperial interests from behind enemy lines.

Stats:
Strength: 4
Perception: 7
Endurance: 3
Charisma: 8
Intelligence: 7
Agility: 8
Luck: 3

Merits: Eagle-Eyed - Attacks with her bow have a +2 Bonus.
Jewel of Cyrodil - Her beautiful visage and training in seduction give her a +4 Bonus to Charisma checks to seduce targets.
Flaws: Backline Combatant - Lilaine's combat training is focused on discreet and indirect attacks, often from afar or a position of advantage. When facing down an opponent alone in melee she suffers a -4 to her attacks.
Wardrobe malfunction - What rotten luck. Enchanted items Lilaine discovers on her adventures are twice as likely to be cursed in some fashion.

The biting cold of Skyrim's northern edge. Locked in snow and Ice, with ships of all shapes and sizes having run aground or sunk by ice sheets your ship comes into port after a short voyage from your staging area in Solitude. Months of training and carefully placed rumors have set the stage for the BloodHawk, the imperial Eagle, to make their entrance into Skyrim's frigid affairs. You can hear the captain along with the helmsman shout as they finally pull into port, the hustle and bustle of people and things as no one wants to be caught away from their hearth for too long here in Dawnstar.

But your mission was clear. Acting as a sellsword you are to infiltrate Stormcloak ranks and feed information back to General Tullus to assist in the war effort. What is required at the minimum though is that at least once a month you will need to make your way to one of the various dead drop locations to update the Pentius Oculatus on your status as well as any new information you had gather. Priority information will of course need to be dropped as soon as you are safely able to to ensure the war effort continues apace.

With the stormcloaks holding firm onto their territories, what was once thought to be a simple uprising has spiraled out into a full blown civil war within the province. A protracted war could weaken the Empire further, a situation everyone within the imperial capital wishes to avoid.

For now though, you had your orders as well a few leads. Within Dawnstar itself the Jarl is a staunch supporter of Ulfric, openly and actively supporting the Usurper. He may be a good first target, though Dawnstar has little relevance to the grander war aside from its strategic reserves of minerals and foodstuffs. You can also focus on building your reputation in general, while famed in other parts of the continent, so the rumors go, the Bloodhawk will need to earn support and acclaim without drawing too much ire from the imperial forces. Your existence as an undercover agent is only known by the highest levels of command. While you arent likely to be killed on sight by imperial patrols theres only so much leeway this will grant you before you're seen as an enemy of the empire by the common soldier. A tight rope to walk but nothing a trained agent shouldnt be able to handle. As you step out of the crew quarters in which you were staying the chill hits you, its nothing like you had felt even in Solitude, this place was unbearably cold. But you didnt have much time to think about that as starting now your mission truly begins.

[Lazy Kitsune]

I pull my cloak tightly around my as I depart the ship, stepping upon the frigid shore of The Pale. The dirt beneath my feet was frozen solid, giving more of a crunch than soil ought to. I dressed in light armour, always preferring to be light on my feet than encumbered by heavy metals, so the warmth of my cloak provided needed comfort. With my bow slung over my back and dagger on my belt, I began to make my way further into the port city of Dawnstar, eager to find warm food and drink in this harsh climate, as well as work to get me going.

The last thing I wanted to do was take work directly influencing the civil war for the Stormcloaks. Any agent could join the army and work as a spy from within the rebel forces. I had to make use of the alias so carefully crafted for me. A sellsword of repute, who could work directly for figures of influence in the rebellion. The best way to get attention would be aiding the people in other tasks, things that showcase my skills and supposed loyalty, without harming the war effort. Ambushing Imperial patrols was unpalatable, but I would have no qualms with helping the people of this land with any bandits or beasts that plague their roads.

The Jarl here seemed like someone that could be in the know of the local movements of the Stormcloak forces, but to work closely with someone so staunchly in support of the traitor and murderer, Ulfric Stormcloak, was a risky move for my first approach. Though within this port there were other potential candidates to work for, pillars of the local infrastructure. Not one put two mines were worked constantly in this city. It could be worth locating one of the mine owners and working out of they had a need for a skilled mercenary. For now, I needed to make my presence known by being observed, and showing up at the inn seemed as good a way to do that as any.

[Lorielle]

The inn wasnt too far from the port itself. Walking past as sailors unloaded cargo from their hull you descend the gangplank down. Crossing over the shoveled snow that formed a rudimentary path up the hill you find yourself within view of the second largest building within Dawnstar. The Windpeak Inn. A fitting name as the biting chill rushed past you kicking up your woolen clock as you make your way past the threshhold into the softly lit interior of the inn.

A love to place with a large central hearth and rows of tables on either side of it. A tall ceiling allowing the smoke from the hearth to drift out but still retaining much of the heat. There were only a few patrons, a guard or two dressed in their pale armor. Helmets off enjoying a meal before returning to their patrols no doubt.

Behind the counter you stop a redguard woman wiping down a few tankards, though no one seems to pay you much mind. The two guardsmen turn their heads, but shrug their shoulders and return to their conversation. Considering the time of day you suspect the usual patrons are currently working the mines.

[Lazy Kitsune]

I had been given some gold to help with supplies and living costs, but for the most part I was going to have to manage the mission's funding myself through payment earned on the job. I should have septims enough for a hot meal and a bed, however, so I moved over to the bar and pulled up a stool, tapping the counter. I tilted my head, angling my ear towards the two guards without looking directly at them. Not hearing anything of concern from their reaction, I turned my attention to the redguard woman behind the counter. "Looking for a room for a few nights. Some mead too while you're at it. And anything hot to eat."

My Cyrodilic accent no doubt stuck out like a sore thumb this far north, but knowing I was from Cyrodiil wasn't an issue. In fact, hopefully it got people talking enough that it would be easier to catch someone important's attention sooner rather than later. "Don't suppose you've got any leads for work? I was just passing through, thought I might grab a bounty or two while I was here, but the place seems as dead as it is cold."

[Lorielle]

You were just close enough to pick up on a few tidbits the guards were talking about, though it seemed to be nothing too interesting. Recounting the past few days of boredom, something about dragons, but nothing you didnt find much too useful or interesting. The proprietor takes note of you as soon as you pull on the stool. Turning her attention you, her slightly aged face giving you a look over as you speak. She nods along to what you're saying. "Alright, usually about 5 septims a night i'll give you a room for 3 night for 10. The mead and a bowl of stew will be the other 5" She says nonchalantly as she puts down a tankard she had just finished cleaning in front of you.

You can hear the cork pop on a fresh bottle of honey mead and as she pours it you ask your second question. "Work huh?" She gives you a second look over. "Well you can say that again. Most of the boys and gals are off in the war. The Jarl keeps sending more and more of our young folk to the frontlines, hardly enough of them around to keep the wolves from getting our sheep. But ah, dont mind that too much." She finishes pouring your tankard full as she caps the bottle of mead again.

"I heard the guard captain, has a bounty out on some goblins, some slimey thing calling himself Morgold is leading them. They're holed up at some ruins along the main road south of here attacking traders. Think you can handle that?"

[Lazy Kitsune]

As she pours me a drink, I quickly spill out some septims onto the counter and sliding them across to the woman. I mutter my thanks and nod my head, taking the tankard from her and giving it a swig as she fills me in on the job.

"Goblins this far north? Pesky things really do get everywhere, don't they?" I say, setting my tankard back down, licking some foamy spray from the mead off my upper lip. "Should be straightforward enough. Not the most exciting job to start my journey through Skyrim in, but it'll bring some coin in for travelling." I was mostly leaning into the gruff veteran mercenary persona, but I had a genuine feeling to draw from in considering this task beneath me. Back in Cyrodiil, the task of clearing out goblin nests was usually left to the rookies in the fighters guild. To a trained agent of the Penitus Oculatus this should be trivial.

"These wolves harming your business?" I ask. "I know you told me not to mind, but if you can pay for my time, I might as well see if I can drive some of them off for you, teach the packs nearby that its too dangerous to hunt near Dawnstar."

[Lorielle]

You hear a snort come from the older woman when you mention the goblins. "They've managed to trip up the jarl's men for the past few weeks. But maybe those oafs can learn a lesson from you." You hear some shuffling from behind you, the guards most likely having heard the small snipe at their competence. "I take it you arent from Skyrim, Miss?" She leaves the question open for you to give your name, though she doesnt seem to change her attitude towards you if you dont, instead dropping a large wooden bowl in front of you.

"The stew is over the hearth, just fill up the bowl, help yourself to however much you want. And dont worry about the wolves miss." She waves her hand, "figure of speech, bet you dont have many sheep down in Cyrodil." She says with a hearty laugh.

[Lazy Kitsune]

"You'd be right. I'm from the Imperial City originally, but I've ventured all across Tamriel most my life, so I don't know if I've the right to say I'm from anywhere in particular. I go where the coin runs best, and right now Skyrim's as good a place as any for me to ply my trade." I nod and pick up the bowl, lifting from my stool to make my way towards the fire. Passing the two guards, I give them a nod as well, smiling as I pass them by. "Gentlemen." I say, stopping by the stew cooking over the hearth. Taking the ladle, I begin to scoop my bowl's worth of stew, taking a whiff of it while I do. Its nothing the Gourmet would make, but it'll keep me fed and warm.

"Heard you've been having some trouble with goblins in the area. Didn't think the things cropped up much in these parts." She says, turning to the guards while she was nearer to them. "They a recent problem, or something you've had to deal with for a while?"

[Lorielle]

"Hmph, figured you were a sellsword, well as long as you pay and dont cause trouble you're always welcome in my Inn. The name's Karita." She offers you before letting you go and tend to your grumbling belly. As you pass by the guards' table the first time, offering your greetings you just get a suspicious look from the two. The stew is at least more agreeable, taking a whiff you can smell the fish, herbs and potatoes that make up the stew. Its delightful in that warming way that makes your muscles relax after theyve been tense for too long.

On your second pass by the table the men look actively annoyed, speaking to them doesnt seem to help much. "Ye, we got goblins round these parts, normally they dont come up to the pale, the Rift gets most of em, but sometimes you get some bold fuckers." One guard says, a middle-aged gentleman with scruffy unkempt blonde hair.

"What it to you Imperial, didnt even know they let you gals hold anything other than some pampered cock let alone a bow." The second says, another scruffy blonde man, maybe slightly older than his friend, though thats maybe just due to the harsh living conditions compared to the more temperate Cyrodil.

[Lazy Kitsune]

"Pleasure to meet you, Karita, I'm Lilaine. Though I'm more well known as Bloodhawk. Bit silly, I know, but you don't catch on in the business with a nickname like 'Really Dangerous Lilly'." I smirk and shoot her a wink before heading on my way to get my food.

I nod and scoop up a spoon full of stew to slop in my mouth as they spoke, as if I were enjoying a pleasant meal with comrades rather than standing around two men that clearly didn't want me hanging around. I nodded and hmmed along through the mouthful of stew, cheeks puffed as I churned and swallowed the food in my mouth, though once the second guard spoke up, I quirked an eyebrow up at him.

"Oh? What gave you that impression?" I say, taking a very slight step towards him. I dip my spoon back into my stew and begin to slowly swirl it around. "I'm perfectly capable of handling both a cock and a weapon. Why wouldn't I be? Don't tell me Nord men can't satisfy a woman as well as they fight." I couldn't resist the teasing remark. He opened himself up to it too much to it with that little comment of his.

[Lorielle]

Karita nods in understanding when you give her your name, especially your mercenary alias. You can see her mull over the name in her head as if trying to puzzle out the veracity of it within her mind. But you're well away before you can notice her come to a certain conclusion to it.

Instead you're over at the guard's table picking on the two men as one blatantly insults you, though you throw it back around with ease as the second guardsman immediately shoots up out of his seat in response to your quip at his impotency.
"Bjorn!" The first guard shouts, obviously the cooler headed of the two, though he does give you a death glare.

"Shut it, Jvasker, listen Imperial, our women know how to hold a shield wall, but you.." his voice obviously laced with venom, an idea ticks over in his head as he smiles. "You might not be wearing their colors, but i think we're going to need to take you down to the barracks for inspection, then i can show you how Nords hold up to those limp cocks down south." Bjorn looks down at his companion waiting for approval, but he gives none.

"Im not going to stir up trouble, you wanna have fun do it yourself, just dont blame me when the captain catches you." Jvasker says picking up his sweet roll.

Bjorn hrmphs before turning back to you. "So? Imp, going to follow the rule of law you all like so much?" Giving you the option to play along, or back down. You notice from the corner of your eye Karita has taken notice, you could get some assistance from her, though who knows if she was more inclined towards the guards or her customers.

[Lazy Kitsune]

Well, for someone so ready to sling out insults, he hardly seems ready to take any himself. He got riled up easier then expected, but this could be an opportunity. Showing that I don't back down from a challenge could help earn some respect around here, just maybe not with this Bjorn specifically. I take another spoon full of my stew to mask my laughter, though a snicker is still evident on my face as I chew. "Right, and what will that prove exactly?" I ask, gesturing towards Bjorn with my spoon. "That I can make you cum? Please, like that needs to be 'inspected'."

I glance off to the side, noticing Karita had her eye on this situation. I would rather not start a fight so soon after entering her establishment. Though there might be something more fun I could do. "How about a contest?" I ask, gesturing over to the dark skinned innkeeper. "The beauty over there. Whichever one of us can talk her into bed first wins. Name your wager. Unless you're too much of a... what's that Nord expression... milk drinker?"

[Lorielle]

Bjron grits his teeth at your use of a Nordic expression, but at your counter offer for a contest only makes him more infuriated, a good bit of red creeping up his neck.

"Thats enough Bjorn, you know you wont win that one." Jvasker looks up at you, his expression stern and untrustworthy. "Be about your business Mercenary, and dont cause any trouble while you're around." The nord stands up to match his companion who got a good bit of the wind knocked out of him when he hears his friend back off. Jvasker walks around you to nudge his friend to the door. "Com'on captain's waiting, best not keep her waiting." The two grab their helmets off the table, Jvasker nods towards Karita as Bjron slams open the Inn door, leaving the place populated only by yourself, a hooded individual in the corner and Karita.

"Well, i did ask you to not cause trouble Bloodhawk, but i'll let it slide this once, those two have nothing better to do than to sit around and drink my stock dry. Come finish up, im going to need that bowl back before the miners get off shift." Karita says gesturing for you to come back to the bar.

[Lazy Kitsune]

I wave my stew spoon at them, mouth scrunched up in a failed attempt to restrict my smile as I stand there with my bowl in hand. "It was lovely meeting you both." I say, before making my way back to my stool and setting down before Karita. "Oh all I did was ask about the goblins and then offer a friendly wager. Its not my fault they were so set on making a fight out of it." I say, taking a refreshing swig from my tankard. "But I will try to keep any further tussles to outside the city walls or inside the bedroom, because you did ask nicely."

I finish up the rest of my stew, now with a better sense of what to expect from the guard around here. Once they stopped seeing me as an Imperial they should be easier to deal with, but that'll take action, not playing nice. These were Nords first and foremost; the most spiritual among them are famous for Shouting louder than anyone else.

"Thankyou for the food." I say, sliding my well polished bowl over to Karita. "Really hit the spot. If you happen to need a sellsword while I'm here, I'll give you a good deal on my services."

[Lorielle]

"We both know you're smarter than that. Oafs like them are always ready to tell a foreigner off, shoulda met them when i originally took the inn over. Thought i was running skooma for months, it was only when i banned them from coming inside they finally loosened up." Karita says with a chuckle as if remembering a fond memory. "Appreciate it miss," she says responding to your comment about playing nice.

She wipes down her bar and a few more cups, along with the table the guards were at as you finish up your hearty meal. The warmth much needed comfort after your time within the chilly hold of a ship. "You're welcome, and i doubt i'll need it, but if anyone comes around i'll be sure to give your name out." She says giving you a nod and letting you go about your business. You could start your hunt, prepare some by visiting a store, or just explore around town first. You doubt those goblins will be going anywhere within a day, but you never know.

[Lazy Kitsune]

With the meal out of the way and a room secured for the night, I bid Karita farewell and departed from the Windpeak Inn. Goblins may be simple enough, but there was no accounting for whatever other surprises I might run into while on the job. I figured it was best to stock up on supplies, namely potions to keep me fit, healthy and focused on the task. I made my way about town keeping an eye out for signs for an apothecary or alchemists shop to stop by at. Alchemy ingredients would likely be hard to come by naturally in the area given the harsh conditions, but hopefully the port kept enough supplies coming in that at least one practitioner could set up shop for the daily needs of the townsfolk.

[Lorielle]

You head back out into the windswept chill of Dawnstar, the sun hanging high above the city now. Offering a bit more comfort as you now see more villagers milling about. But you were only a short walk from an honest to go apothecary within the city. The Mortar and Pestle, a rather quaint and on the nose name of the building. Stepping inside you're met with a nicely warm room, lit by lantern and natural light rather than a large hearth, though there was a fireplace that kept the place warm. Seated at a chair behind the counter you spot the aged visage of a woman. Easily in her 80s she looks up from her book when she sees you.

"Oh my, arent you a beauty. How can ole' Frida help you today." She says, her voice spritely, though tinged with a bit of that roughness that came with how worn down she was from her many years.

[Lazy Kitsune]

I smile warmly at the old woman by the counter, letting out a contented sigh at entering the comfortable heat of the building. "Oh, well thankyou very much, Frida." I greet her cheerily, making immediate use of her offered name. "I'm Lilaine. I'm new in town, here to help with a little goblin problem. I don't suppose you've heard about it?" I walk over to stand near her at the counter, my eyes wandering across the assorted display shelves and details of the room every few seconds before returning to make eye contact with the shop's owner when talking.

"I was hoping to stock up on some health potions and was wondering what else you might have available. Do you make all your potions yourself? It must be difficult gathering all these ingredients this far north." As much as I was here to browse, making idle conversation should always be a secondary objective. The more of an impression I make, the more believable my cover becomes, even if that's just small talk with an old woman. Besides, she seemed friendly enough, so I was happy to spend some time chatting with her. Maybe there was a job or two in it for me as well, or a way I could charm her into giving me a discount.

[Lorielle]

"Oh i've heard about those goblins, nasty bunch no doubt. I can help you out certainly." She kneels under the counter and pulls out 3 small vials, filled with a thick red liquid. "Some minor healing potions, i would offer better ones, but i havent been able to retrieve the ingredients for better ones in some time." She mentions as she watches you look over the shop's wares.

"Hmm, i also have a potion of cats eye, those goblins are able to manage in the dark and unless you can see in the dark as well, you might have some trouble waving a torch around, the sneaker buggers." She chuckles as she pulls out an additional white vial. She looks thoughtfully at you when you ask about the gathering of ingredients and you see her face darken somewhat, but she is quick to push it away and return to her sunnier mood. "Oh, my husband and I used to collect materials in the spring and summer, travelling south a ways, but.. Oh he passed over to Sovergngard a few summers ago. Now i occasionally pay for any of the boys or girls in the mine to retrieve the ingredients for me. They get a break from the mine and i get some cheap ingredients." She says with a small chortle.

"Is there anything else you need miss? Since you're hunting those things, i wouldnt mind paying for a few ears, i hear they've got some strong and strange properties, though ive never worked them myself." Frida says to you as she walks back away from the counter and to her small brewing table, a large book on it sitting open as she flips through a few pages.

[Lazy Kitsune]

"Minors will do fine, I don't expect to be overexerting myself when it comes to Goblins." I say. It would be harder to afford anything too much more effective anyway. I'd rather not burn the entirety of my starting gold on this one hunt. I nod as she brings up the cats eye potion. "Smart. I'll take that too. I'd rather not give up the element of surprise when sneaking through their hovels."

"I'm sorry to hear that." I say as she brings up her husband. "Ears, huh? Little macabre, but I'll be killing them anyway. Sure I can bring some back for you if you think you can make use of them. I could also do with something to keep my energy up on the hunt. Or if you've got anything else you've cooked up that you think might be useful I'm willing to give your own creations a test drive if they might give me an edge."