“Of Storms And Half Light” – from Remastered Version of Beyond Skyrim Bruma – All rights for this audio belong to Daniel Ran
“Skyrim lies king less and bleeding. From the Jerall mountains will come a hero. She will ride with the echoes of her past calling forward when dragons return. She will rise to face the meeting of her destiny, not alone, but with one who hails from Helgen on the day that legends live again, and the world eater threatens all of Tamriel. “
The area and town of Riverwood had been inhabited since the Merethic Era, also known the time before when the Dragons and their cult ruled over much of the events of that time.
In its early days , sometime before the second era 582, the inhabitants of Riverwood feuded with another Nordic clan. Riverwood was a large settlement in those days during the Imperial Simulacrum, a time when Jagar Tharn, an Imperial Battlemage betrayed and secretly imprisoned Emperor Uriel Septim VII and used illusion magic to masquerade as the Emperor for a decade.
During this time there were many battles; The Five Year War, Arnesian War, War of the Blue Divide, The War of the Bend'r-mahk, and Invasion of the Battlespire.
This period ended with the Eternal Champion defeated Jagar Tharn in the imperial Palace labyrinths, restoring the rightful Emperor to the throne, thus ushering in a period known as the Restoration.
There was much history that transpired between Riverwood, the Nimalten City, Black Moor, Oakwood, Whiterun, and the Imperial City during that time. In time, Riverwood would become abandoned though until the Forth Era when a lumber mill was built on the banks of the river. a surviving member of the Blades named Delphine would open up an Inn named the Sleeping Giant as she fled the Thalmor assassins back in Cyrodiil.
In 4E 201, Riverwood was led by a local woman named Gerdur, whose family had built the lumber mill. Jarl Balgruuf the Greater of Whiterun tried to stay neutral during the new war between the Empire and the Stormcloaks.
It was during this time that Alduin, the World Eater would return, the "Last Dragonborn" came into existence because of Alduin's return predicted in the Prophecy of the Dragonborn. Also Delphine would depart Riverwood to re-establish the Blades as history and prophecy together were moving events of great import across the lands.
It is here that the story of the Child of Destiny comes into its beginning and two unlikely people find themselves thrown together in what would become an story unlike any other full of destiny.
The adventurer approached the boat, prepared to head back to the hunter’s camp while scanning around the lake’s edges near the camp. They wanted to ensure there was no threatening activity from possible Thalmor or Imperial Scouts. They leaped into the canoe and made their way out onto the lake towards the hunter’s camp.
When they arrived at the hunter’s camp it was empty. Hedren likely had gone into Riverwood as he had told Rose, the other hunters were off somewhere on the next hunt stocking up to sell so they could get supplies in for the cooler season yet to come.
The adventurer made their way up towards the three standing stones that stood timeless on the rocky outcrop above where they stood looking at the hunter camp below. Beyond the blessing stones would be the road into Riverwood. Beginning their journey up the trail, paused, thought to themself, “What Alibi should I use with the Thalmor? Maybe none, just see where it goes.”
Arriving at the stones and the road, nothing could be heard other than the normal sounds of the woodlands and mountains surrounding this area. Still worried about what to do about Thalmor but instinctively felt something would come to them at the time.
As the adventurer made the way to the road, walked along its path a while and closed the distance to Riverwood, pausing near one of the falls where the waters would tumble, the mist would rise, and the White River finally settle down as it neared Riverwood. Thinking to themself, “What am I going to do about the Thalmor if they’re hanging around town and decide to cause trouble? “
Smiling to themself thinking, “Maybe I’ll shake them up a bit by throwing something their way they won’t expect, a little touch of aggression. That will make the Justiciar take pause and consider the outcomes. It was worth a gamble they thought to themself.”
Standing there looking ahead, they saw the large Elk across the river. Contemplating, “that would be a good prize for any of the hunters around the camp. Too bad none of them are around to take advantage of it. An Elk that size could put meat on the table for a whole family through the winter months.”
Continuing towards the town of Riverwood and whatever fate had in store for them there. Of course, they thought, “I would prefer that it is an uneventful trip, I purchase the supplies needed, learn what I can about why they are here and get back to the camp. Rose would be needing the supplies if they hoped to save that injured girl.”
“There they were they thought, is that a poster nailed to the wall there?” With that the adventurer continued forward and the Justiciar stepped forward once they approached them.
“Stop! What is it you are doing in this town?” The adventurer stepped closer and gave a cynical response with a crooked smile, “I could ask you the same thing! What are the Thalmor doing in this quiet little town of Riverwood so far from the embassy up near Solitude, the capital city of Skyrim?”
This did give the Justiciar pause, and he thought, “Just who is this that step forward instead of back when the Thalmor questions?” He considers how to respond, “Have you seen the girl shown on this poster?”
The adventurer responded, “No, is it not obvious I have just arrived here? How is that I am supposed to have seen her and who is she anyway that her mere presence somewhere requires so many soldiers and a Justiciar?”
The Justiciar thought briefly, “I think I’ll continue forward; doesn’t appear to be any immediate threat. Although, he observed that armor is not an ordinary Nord crafted cuirass. The detail and craftsman that forged this is no ordinary smithy. “He then responded to this person, “She is a dangerous criminal, as you can see if you can read? There is a sizable reward available for anyone helping to locate her in such a way to allow us to capture her.”
The adventurer responded quickly, “Your tone and insult does you no favors, Justiciar. A single girl requires a company of highly trained Dominion soldiers, an Imperial Scout, and his dogs, with a Justiciar?”
The Justiciar spate back, “She is a wanted criminal for murder, she is extremely dangerous, and I would caution you if you were to come upon her in your travels. If you see her let us know. Oh, one precautionary tale, anyone caught helping her will be summarily executed and their family sent to Valenwood, to the ports of the slavers. Move along now.”
The adventurer said no more but stepped towards the poster to inspect it closely.
