Skyrim - From Riften to Ivarstead

Following the road heading north-west from Riften, a spy a building amongst the tree line. From a distance, it is a quaint place, but as I approach, two mercenaries attack me. They seem less than keen on me knowing the whereabouts of this place. After a tit-for-tat exchange of arrows, I put them both to sleep. Searching one of them turns up a key for a building called Black Briar Lodge - I'm guessing that's the name of this place.

I enter the building without knocking - after the welcoming committee outside, the time for good manners is over. I sneak through the entrance hall, a difficult job at best when wearing heavy armour. To prove my point, one of the mercenaries hears me and comes running into the hallway with his warhammer.

In the ensuring kerfuffle, I use Dwarf Cold to stab the hoodlum through the chest, but the noise attracts the rest of his crew. The dance of death I weave with these ne'er-do-wells is almost balletic in its beauty. And though battered and bruised, by the end of it I am victorious.

I have a look around the now empty rooms of the lodge for things to loot, but there isn't much of worth other than a few pieces of food to nab. I leave the place and get back on the road.

A mine is my next port of call - I can almost hear my pickaxe's eagerness for some fresh iron. Other than a couple of bandits, its a rather non-descript place. My opinion is further validated when I find a note on a table, saying that the mine is deplete and unworkable.

Disappointed, I walk back out into the light and fresh air. Walking further along the road, I spot a cave entrance surrounded by bones. I choose not to enter, not due to fear, but more due to the unknown. I can't' go losing myself in caves - there are people out there that require my help.

After a quick stop back at Riften to pick up some more potions (why else would anyone go there?), I head back to Ivarstead to fix the heart of a young lady there. Upon my arrival, I am greeted by Faedal! He doesn't say where he has been, and I don't ask - it is just great to have him back.

I approach the women with the love woes. Her name is Fastred, and she is annoyed that her parents won't let her marry the man she loves so that she can move away with him. I speak with her mother about it - according to her, Fastred was "in love with" another chap only a couple of weeks before. I chat with this man, who just happens to be my good friend Klimmeck.

He still loves Fastred, so I tell him to tell her that. It appears I am somewhat the cupid, as soon they are both declaring their undying love for each other. Another job well done.

Skyrim - Riften, the dodgiest place in Skyrim

I wander around Riften, taking in the local views. It is a dingy town, with little of note. Even the inhabitants don't seem particularly happy about things, definitely fed up. I decide to get away from the negativity, go and sit in a temple. The only one in Riften is the Temple of Mara.

Mara is the goddess of love and compassion. Many people drag themselves to temples such as this when they are feeling sick, as they know they'll be treated well. I say this, because on every altar, I see a person laying and moaning. And not in a good way.

The priestess asks if I'd like to perform a task for Mara. Being the good-natured adventurer that I am, I of course agree. She says that Mara has heard a woman in Ivarstead praying for help in her relationship, and that help will be me. I add it to my list of things to do.

As I exit the temple, another man approaches me for assistance - I must look like the caring type. He introduces himself as Louise Letrush, and asks that I speak with another person called Sibbi Black Briar about a business deal gone bad. It involves a horse. I'm beginning to think that this has something to do with gambling and organised crime. Matters aren't helped by Sibbi currently residing in prison. Again, it goes on the list for dealing with another day.

I leave Riften behind for a while; it is a horrible place. Why anyone would want to visit here, let alone live here is beyond me. I just thank the gods that I managed to make it out of the place alive and in one piece. And that's saying something considering the dark holes and near-death experiences I've faced recently.

From the road out of Riften, I stumble across some standing stones. Rather than allowing me to pick one permanent blessing from a variety of blessings, this one only allows a single choice, but a powerful one - temporary but extended invisibility. I am tempted by this, very tempted as any man would be.

I turn away from the standing stones, content with the warrior blessing I already carry. As I round a large rock, something amazing greets my eyes - a fire atronach! This flaming daedra instantly starts throwing fire balls at me, not the best start. My mother always told me that fire and ice don't mix, so I throw back some ice magic. The atronach doesn't last long under the avalanche and succumbs, depositing a large chunk of fire salts onto the snowy earth. I am reminded of someone asking me for fire salts, that they need them for their furnace or something. I place the salts into my bag and carry on exploring.

I follow the road east until I am unable to walk any further - my way is barred by a large wall, the edge of the known world for Skyrim. I'll have to follow a different route, in this case headed west.

Skyrim - To Riften

I head towards the river, noticing a waterwheel in the distance. I have no idea what this place will be, but I hope to be able to sell more of the loot which I picked up in the fort. The village is small, barely two homes and the aforementioned industrial unit. A young boy tells me it is called Heartwood Mill. He also tells me a sad story of how his dad vanished into the wild, how his mum hates him for leaving, and of how lonely he is.

I decide to play a game of tag with him, and we run around the village together, hiding around corners and jumping out at each other. It is a welcome respite from the hours of death I've faced recently, and return to simpler times.

I leave quite soon, there aren't any shops here. I follow the river, aiming for the large town of Riften. On my way, I pass yet another fort, this one called Falder's Tooth. Archers pepper me with shots, but I will come back for them another time.

I also pass a large estate built out on a small island in the river. I approach the gates, but they will not let me in. No amount of talking seems to gain me access, and the shores of the island are too steep for me to climb up. I abandon my attempt, and move on towards Riften.

Reaching the south gate of the town, the guards here will also let me in. Maybe its my hours on the road, maybe its the thick sheen of recently spilt blood on me... The guard then explains that they are having issues with the Thieves Guild, and the only access to the town is via the north gate. It takes me a while to work my way around to the north side, and when I do get there, I have yet more issues in trying to get into the town.

The first guard steps up to me, and says that there is a fee for entry. Remembering the references to the guild from the south gate, I bring him up short. "This is a ruse" I tell him, and he instantly buckles under my withering gaze. "Alright, alright, I'll let you in. Just don't tell my captain!" I aim to do just that, if I can find him.

Riften is a confusing town. Anything of note is built up from the canals that run in from the river, but I'm told not go down to what is know as the "Ratway", as that's where the guild live. I'll give them a wide bearth for now, big up the Collider name around the town so they know I'm about.

As I approach the market, a bearded man approaches, asks me to help him out. My tired legs say no, but my helpful heart says yes. He walks back to his stall, and brings an audience together of the other stall owners, declaring that he has a magic potion for sale. Meanwhile, I work my way around to another stall, pick the lock to a safe box, and retrieve a ring from inside. I then place this ring in the pocket of another stall owner.

No one turns around, and I am initially impressed with my new-found talent. Yet I also know that I have just done something wrong. Yes, I've been walking around this land murdering and butchering bandits and animals with wanton abandon, but these were all generally bad people - I know not the politics of this town. I will have to make this up to myself.