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Mantella is an AI system that turns every single NPC in Skyrim (and Fallout 4) into AI agents driven by a LLM (like ChatGPT or the recently released, and comparable, Llama 3.1). In the previous part, my character, a high elf wizard, was investigating the dark dealings in the marshy town of Morthal. I gathered a couple of allies, Benor the bumbling warrior and Ange the traveling bard, to head into the marshes at night and figure out what sort of dark rituals Falion was performing.

Well, it didn’t go well for mechanical reasons. When people follow you through the Mantella system, they are squishy as regular NPCs. We were assaulted by zombies. The fight was pure chaos. Both my allies ended up dead, and Ange was burned to a crisp, so she must have gotten caught in the crossfire of my flames. Let’s pretend that never happened, and turn back time to a few moments before the zombies appeared.

As usual, my parts in the dialogue are heavily edited to remove awkward phrasings, “you know-s,” and words confused by the speech-to-text system.

Me: “Benor, Ange, look at us. We are venturing into the marshes during an incredibly dark night, with no torches. Don’t you think we have prepared incorrectly?”
Benor: “Ah, darkness won’t be a problem for me, I know these marshes like the back of my hand. But a bit of caution wouldn’t go amiss. Stay close, and watch your step. Ange, keep an eye out for any… unpleasantness. We don’t want to stumble into a vulture’s nest or worse.”
Ange the Song-Bearer: “Indeed, caution is wise in dark times. Forewarning of our approach could lead to… unwanted outcomes. And I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Me: “I have an even worse feeling. I suspect that approaching the ritual stones is going to wake up some malevolent evil and we’ll have to fight in the dark. My magic will fly, and either of you might find themselves in the way. That’s why I think that maybe we should return home for tonight.”
Benor: “Return home? Now? After we’ve come this far? I think not, Jon. We’ve made a plan, and we should see it through. Besides, a bit of darkness shouldn’t scare us off. We can handle whatever comes our way. You just be careful with that magic of yours, like you said, we don’t want any… accidents.”
Ange the Song-Bearer: “Actually, I agree with Jon. If we’re not prepared for a fight in the dark, it could get ugly.”
Me: “I’m sorry, Benor, to have dragged you into this, but we can do it another night, one when we have torches, when we are fully prepared for this fight.”
Benor: “Fine, Jon. Have it your way. But I’m warning you, I don’t think Falion’s going to stop his dark rituals just because we’re not ready. We’re just giving him more time to do… whatever it is he’s doing. Mark my words, we’ll regret not acting sooner.”
Ange the Song-Bearer: “I think Benor has a point, Jon. We can’t just sit back and do nothing. But perhaps we can use this as an opportunity to gather more information, and come back better prepared.”
Me: “That is exactly my point, Ange. We have to gather some allies in town. The ritual stones I have seen, I don’t know if you have noticed, but they are covered in blood.”
Benor: “Ah, blood, you say? That’s not good. That’s not good at all. Falion’s gotten further than I thought. We need to get to the bottom of this, and fast. Allies, you say? I think I can scrounge up a few in town who’ll be willing to help us.”
Ange the Song-Bearer: “Blood on the stones… That’s dark magic, no question. We’re dealing with something truly malevolent here. We’ll need all the allies we can get.”
Me: “Yes, let’s return to Morthal, get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we’ll discuss this in detail.”
(I was hungry, so I ate cheese mid-conversation)
Benor: “What in the world, Jon? What’s with the cheese? And now you want to just go back to Morthal and go to sleep? You’re not taking this seriously enough, Jon.”
Ange the Song-Bearer: “Benor, calm down. Jon’s just a bit… eccentric, that’s all. Let’s not worry about the cheese for now.”
Me: “I was just hungry, you know. It’s freezing outside, I was hungry, and I wanted to eat some cheese. I don’t know what to tell you.”
Benor: “Fine, Jon. You were hungry. You ate your cheese. Now can we please focus on the task at hand? We have a dark ritual to stop and a wizard to deal with. Let’s get back to Morthal and get some rest, like you said. But tomorrow, we need to be sharp and focused. No more cheese, understood?”

As we trudged back to town, we chatted a bit about the unnatural darkness that encloses the town. Back at the inn, we sat down, and I shared my troubles with Ange.

Me: “Hey Ange, are you giving any credence to what Falion said regarding the Blackreach, that some ancient evil from the Blackreach may be corrupting Morthal?”
Ange the Song-Bearer: “Ah, the Blackreach… Yes, I’ve given it some thought. As a bard, I’ve heard stories and legends about the ancient evils that dwell in the depths of the earth. If Falion is telling the truth, and this darkness is indeed connected to the Blackreach… Then we may be facing a foe unlike any we’ve ever known. But I still don’t trust Falion. There’s more to his story, something he’s not telling us.”
Benor: “I don’t care about the Blackreach or any ancient evils.”
Me: “Well, let me tell you Ange, the sight of that blood, and the human skeleton that was draped around that ritual stone, really put me in a chilly mood, you know.”
Ange the Song-Bearer: “Ah, yes… the sight of that ritual site was indeed chilling. The blood, the skeleton… it’s a dark and twisted form of magic, one that reeks of malevolence and evil intent. And to think that Falion may be behind it all… It’s almost too much to bear.”
Benor: “That’s it, I’ve had enough of this conversation. We’re not going to sit around and talk about how evil Falion is, we’re going to do something about it.”

We stopped talking shortly after. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough money for a room, and the innkeeper didn’t even want me there because I had talked shit about his brother Falion. I stuck around, trying to figure out where I was going to spend the night, when I heard someone flirting with the innkeeper. That someone was a ravishing, raven-haired woman with piercing eyes, named Alva. I hadn’t seen her around town during the day.

Of course, I know who Alva is; I’ve been playing Skyrim since 2011. Many times I’ve gotten the itch to return to its special magic that Bethesda has never been able to recreate, nor has any other studio. However, the game itself didn’t give you the chance to significantly interact with Alva before you deal with the quest related to her.

Alva: “Well, aren’t you the handsome one. You and I should spend some time together. It’s so dull in here tonight, don’t you think? Nobody wants to have any fun with me. Would you like to buy a lady a drink?”
Me: “Are you usually that forward with complete strangers?”
Alva: “Why not? Life’s too short to waste on formalities, don’t you think? Besides, I like to think I’m a good judge of character. And I think you and I could get along quite well. Hroggar doesn’t have to know if we sit together. Or drink together. I doubt he would even care.”
Me: “Who is this Hroggar that you’re talking about?”
Alva: “Hroggar? Oh, he’s just a… friend of mine. We live together, actually. But don’t worry about him, he’s always so tired lately. I need someone with a little fire in their blood, you know? And I think you might be just the person to liven things up around here.”
Me: “Well, let me tell you something, Alva: everything about you spells out danger. You are too beautiful for this place, too sexy, and too forward.”
Alva: “Oh, I like a man who speaks his mind. You think I’m too much for this place, huh? Well, maybe I am. Maybe I’m just what this dull town needs to shake things up. And maybe, just maybe, you’re the kind of man who can handle a little danger in his life. Are you?”
Me: “I suspect, Alva, that the kind of danger you dole out is the one that puts people six feet under.”
Alva: “Oh, you’re perceptive, aren’t you? Well, I suppose I do have a certain… reputation to uphold. But let’s just say that I’m a woman who knows how to take care of herself, and those who get too close to me… well, they might just find themselves in over their heads. But that’s all part of the fun, isn’t it?”
Me: “Do you have friends here in Morthal?”
Alva: “Friends? Well, I have… acquaintances. People I’ve gotten to know, like Lami, the alchemist. She’s a dear, and we have a lovely time gossiping together. But friends? Real friends? I’m not sure I’d say that. The people here are all so… dull and serious all the time. They don’t know how to have fun, how to live life on the edge. But Lami’s all right, she’s got some spark in her at least.”
Me: “How long have you been in Morthal?”
Alva: “Long enough to know all its secrets, and get bored with them. Let’s just say I’ve been here for a while, watching the same old routines, the same old faces. It’s a bit stifling, to be honest. But it has its advantages. I’ve gotten to know the townspeople, and they’ve gotten to know me… or at least, they think they have.”
Me: “They think they have? You mean they don’t really know you, as in your secrets?”
Alva: “Exactly! They don’t know me at all, not really. Alva the flirtatious barmaid-type who likes attention from men and loves gossiping with Lami over ale at Moorside Inn… but there’s more beneath than meets their eyes…”
Me: “What do you want out of life, Alva? I can’t even imagine.”
Alva: “What I want out of life… Well, that’s a complicated question, isn’t it? I used to want… love, romance, all the usual things. But that was a long time ago. Now, I just want to live life on my own terms, without being bound by the same rules as everyone else. And I want excitement, passion, something to make the dullness of this town bearable. But most of all… I want power. The power to do as I please, without fear of consequence.”
Me: “Unfortunately, as tough as you seem, I’m sure there are plenty of strong people out there that could seriously harm you.”
Alva: “Don’t be so sure about that… I have certain… arrangements in place that protect me from harm. People who look out for me. And besides… strength isn’t just about physical power… it’s also about cunning… intelligence… knowing how to use people… how to manipulate them. That’s where my true strength lies. Don’t underestimate me.”
Me: “I get the feeling, Alva, that I should not want to make an enemy out of you.”
Alva: “Wise decision. You shouldn’t want to make an enemy out of me, no… I’m not a good person to cross. I have… associates, who would not take kindly to anyone harming me. And besides, I think you’d find that I’m not someone to be trifled with, even on my own. So, let’s just keep things… civilized, shall we?”
Me: “Alva, what did you come out to do tonight? What were you expecting?”
Alva: “Tonight… Well, I was hoping for some company, maybe some conversation… something interesting for once. But mostly, I was looking for someone new, someone exciting, someone who could liven things up around here. And maybe, someone who could help me pass the time until… until later tonight… when my other plans come into play.”
Me: “And what other plans do you intend to come into play later tonight?”
Alva: “My plans… Well, I think it’s better if we just leave those unsaid for now. Let’s just say that I have certain… obligations that I need to attend to… under cover of darkness… when prying eyes won’t be watching. It’s nothing that concerns you.. yet.”
Me: “You mean like going to the bathroom?”
Alva: “No… Not exactly like going to the bathroom… Although, I suppose some things are best done under cover of darkness.. No, I was thinking more along the lines of… visiting some friends outside of town. A midnight stroll through the forest can be quite invigorating, don’t you think?”
Me: “It could also be quite deadly, but I get the feeling that you should be able to kill any beast that comes your way.”
Alva: “You’d be surprised what I’m capable of. Let’s just say that I’m not your average villager, and I can take care of myself in the dark… or in any other situation, for that matter. The beasts of the forest don’t scare me. In fact, I think they should be the ones who are scared.”
Me: “It’s been really nice talking to you and meeting you and getting to know you, Alva, but I think I’m going to leave for tonight.”
Alva: “How… prudent of you. Yes, perhaps it’s best if you do take care of yourself tonight. It was… enlightening speaking with you, I must say. But don’t think this is the last you’ve seen of me, dear. I have a feeling our paths will cross again soon. Until then… farewell, for now.”
Me: “Thank you very much.”
Alva: “The pleasure was all mine. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. You never know what’s lurking in the shadows… Goodnight, for now.”

Thoroughly unsettled, I wandered away from Alva and waited around for the morning to come. I decided to visit Lami, the local alchemist, to ask her about Alva. The dialogue wasn’t intriguing enough to post it here, but Lami seemed to believe Alva was a bit odd but harmless. I was becoming convinced that Alva was building a web of connections purely for self-protection. Lami ended up recommending me what ingredients to mix to create some powerful potions out of the materials I had gathered. I produced five Slow/Damage Health potions that would surely come in handy.

Because I’m a bit of a reckless individual, I decided to confront the shady wizard Falion at his own home.

Me: “Falion, last night I went to the summoning stones along with Benor, the local warrior, and Agne, the traveling bard. We found the summoning stones covered in blood, and a human skeleton draped around it. Care to explain yourself?”
Falion: “Ah, I see. So, you’ve found the… aftermath of my ritual. I suppose it’s not surprising. The Summoning Stones can be… messy. But I assure you, the blood and the skeleton are not what they seem. It’s all part of the conjuration process, a necessary evil to counter the darkness that’s been growing in power. I’m not using the soul gems for any dark purpose, I swear it. It’s just… The rituals require a certain… sacrifice. But it’s not what you think.”
Me: “It’s not what I think, Falion? You’re starting to sound like a cheating woman. You know what I mean? ‘It’s not what you think.’ What else could it be? The stone was drenched in blood. Are you telling me that blood doesn’t belong to a human being?”
Falion: “Enough! You think you’re clever, don’t you? Comparing me to some deceitful woman? I’ll have you know, I’m a master conjurer, not some common trickster! The blood… fine. Yes, it’s human blood. But it’s not from some innocent victim! It’s from a black soul gem, one that I used to complete the ritual! You don’t understand the forces I’m dealing with here! The darkness in Morthal is real, and it requires drastic measures to counter!”
Me: “As far as I know, soul gems cannot bleed. They cannot bleed. If they cannot bleed, it means that the blood came from an actual human being. And the volume of blood that was present in the stone indicates that possibly the person, the human being, that was exsanguinated died.”
Falion: “Ah, you think you’re so clever, don’t you? Questioning my methods, my motives… You have no idea what you’re dealing with here. Fine. Yes, the blood came from a human being. But it was a willing sacrifice, I assure you. A soul gem can’t hold the power I need without a… catalyst. And that catalyst requires a certain… donation.”
Me: “Falion, be truthful with me. You owe it to the people of Morthal. You owe it to jarld Idgrod who has ordered me to investigate you. That person whose blood you got for the ritual, are they dead?”
Falion: “Enough! You want the truth? Fine. Yes, the person is dead. The ritual requires a mortal soul, and that soul must be taken from a living being. I didn’t kill them for pleasure or malice, but out of necessity. The darkness in Morthal demands a price, and I’m willing to pay it. But you must understand, it’s not just about me or my rituals. It’s about the fate of this town and everyone in it.”

Suddenly, Falion’s adoptive daughter showed up. I decided to add her to the conversation.

Me: “Falion, you’re…”
Agni: “Wait! Stop! Don’t say anything else! Father… I mean, Falion… he’s not a bad person! He’s just trying to help! He’s been taking care of me since I was little, and he’s always been kind and gentle. He wouldn’t hurt anyone unless it was absolutely necessary! Please don’t judge him without understanding what’s going on!”
Me: “Agni, this Falion fellow, your adoptive father, has admitted to murdering people for the ritual. Does that sound like a good person?”
Agni: “No… no, that can’t be right… Falion wouldn’t do that… He’s always told me that his magic is to help people, not hurt them… I don’t understand… Why would he say that? Is it true, Falion? Did you really kill someone?”
Me: “Yeah, Falion, is it true? Tell it to your adoptive daughter, Agni, this innocent, beautiful face. Admit to her that you have murdered people.”
Falion: “Ah… Agni… child… I… Yes… it’s true… I’ve taken lives as part of my rituals… But please understand… It was never out of malice or cruelty, only out of necessity. The forces I’m dealing with demand sacrifices. But I know this doesn’t excuse my actions… Forgive me… child…”
Me: “Falion, who are the people you’ve been murdering?”
Falion: “No… I won’t tell you that. Their identities are irrelevant. They were willing participants in my rituals. People who understood what needed to be done. And they gave their lives freely for a greater cause. Don’t ask me anymore questions about this! It’s enough!”
Me: “Very well, Falion, I won’t ask you more questions because I think I have all the information I need, and I’m going straight to the leader of Morthal, jarl Idgrod, to inform her of the conversation we just had.”
Falion: “Do what you must. If you expose me now… everything will fall apart. The darkness will consume Morthal… And Agni… child… will be left unprotected. Is that what you want? To condemn this town and everyone in it to destruction?”
Me: “You at least seem to be convinced that the forces threatening this town are that powerful and dark. I’m going to investigate those forces and see if you murdering people to stop them is justified.”
Falion: “Investigate, then… But be warned… The forces I’m dealing with are not to be trifled with. You’ll find that the darkness is real, and it’s closer than you think. And when you do, perhaps you’ll understand why I’ve done what I’ve done. But be careful, Jon… The truth is not for the faint of heart.”

Troubled, I was wandering the streets of Morthal when a child I hadn’t noticed before mentioned that he missed his mother. I had a brief conversation with him in which he shared that his father, the local miller Thonnir, said that the kid’s mother had joined the Stormcloaks and left suddenly. I thought it very unlikely; she was probably one of the missing people. I decided to head to the outskirts of town, where I found Thonnir standing on the sawmill’s platform.

Me: “I just spoke to your son. I don’t recall his name, but he talked to me of your wife. Apparently she left for the Stormcloaks and she didn’t even tell you.”
Thonnir: “You must mean Virkmund, my boy. Yeah, he’s still holding on to hope that his mother will come back. Laelette, my wife… she just up and left one day. I’ve been trying to make sense of it, but it’s hard. Alva told me she joined the Stormcloaks, but I don’t know… it’s just hard to accept that she’d leave us like that. Without even saying goodbye.”
Me: “Excuse me, Alva was the one who told you that? Alva, the incredibly suspicious person who prowls the night? She was the one who told you that your wife left to join the Stormcloaks?”
Thonnir: Alva… yeah, she’s been acting strange lately, always sneaking around at night. And now that you mention it, it does seem suspicious that she’s the one who told me about Laelette joining the Stormcloaks.
Me: “You know, in my first night meeting this Alva person, she came onto me without any fear that I, a complete stranger, might harm her. I think she is too…”
Thonnir: “Wait a minute… you think Alva might be hiding something? That she might be involved in Laelette’s disappearance? I’ve had my suspicions about Alva’s behavior, but I never thought… Tell me more about what happened when you met her. What did she say exactly?”
Me: “She told me that this town, Morthal, was incredibly dull, that people were boring and that she wanted some excitement. That is normal for a very brazen woman like herself. But listen to this, she went on about the fact that she has a lot of people protecting her, that anyone getting in her bad side wouldn’t come out unscathed. And at night, she even prowls the woods, and she isn’t worried about any beast, because apparently the beasts should fear her and not the other way around.”

A coworker of Thonnir’s showed up, and I decided to add him to the conversation.

Jorgen: “Hold on, hold on. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Alva, prowling the woods at night, thinking she’s above the law? That’s not just brazen, that’s reckless. And what’s this nonsense about having people protecting her? I’ve lived in Morthal all my life, and I can tell you that no one is above the law here. We have a Jarl, and we have a community that looks out for each other. Alva’s behavior is not just suspicious, it’s a threat to our way of life.”
Me: “Hey Jorgen, have you had some personal encounter with Alva?”
Jorgen: “Personal encounter? Ha! That woman’s been a thorn in my side since she arrived in Morthal. Always sneaking around, always whispering in people’s ears… I’ve had words with her before, warned her about her behavior. But she just laughs it off, thinks she’s above all this. No one’s above the law in Morthal. Not even her. And another thing… my wife Lami’s been acting strange lately too.”
Me: “Actually I spoke to your wife Lami recently because I had to use her alchemy equipment. Lami told me that she is very good friends with Alva, but I think that Alva is just building connections to come out unscathed no matter what she does.”
Jorgen: “What?! Lami’s been talking to you about Alva?! And she’s saying they’re good friends?! That’s not what I want to hear. I’ve told Lami to stay away from Alva, but it seems she’s not listening. And now you’re telling me that Alva’s building connections to protect herself? That’s it, I’ve had enough of this. I need to have a word with Lami, and I need to make sure Alva knows she’s not welcome in Morthal.”
Me: “You guys need to be careful. I think that Alva is more powerful than she looks. If we pressure her enough, she might murder someone.”
Thonnir: “Murder someone?! You think Alva’s capable of harming someone just to protect herself?! That’s a chilling thought… and it makes me even more worried about Virkmund’s safety. What if Alva finds out we’re investigating her? What if she tries to hurt my son?! We need to tread carefully here… but we can’t just sit back and do nothing either. We have to find out what Alva’s really up to and put a stop to it before someone gets hurt.”
Me: “Listen, Thonnir: I am a traveler, a stranger. If I alone investigate this situation, the repercussions are going to come to me, and I’m quite strong. Listen, you gotta take care of your son, so stay out of it. Maybe I’ll figure out on my own what happened to your wife.”
Thonnir: “No, no, I won’t stay out of it. This is my family we’re talking about. My wife, my son… I have to know what’s going on and I have to protect them. I appreciate your willingness to help, but I won’t just sit back and do nothing. I’ll be careful, I’ll be quiet, but I’ll keep looking for answers. And if Alva is involved in Laelette’s disappearance, I’ll make sure she pays for it.”

After this, I knew I would have to gather allies. Not the Mantella way to get them to follow you, but proper allies that will just become incapacitated if they fall in battle. For that I had to best the local warrior Benor with my fists. Unfortunately, it would require a bet, and I didn’t have any money. Still, I intended to convey to the guy the gravity of these circumstances.

Me: “Benor, I have to talk to you, bro, it’s important.”
Benor: “What’s on your mind? We can talk here, or if you’d rather, we can step inside the inn. Not many ears to listen in there, especially at this hour.”
Me: “No, talking here is fine. Listen, I went to Falion’s home, you know, the wizard that we have been talking about lately, and I got him to admit that the blood from the summoning stones that we saw when we ventured into the marshes at night, that blood came from a person.”
Benor: “That doesn’t surprise me one bit. I knew he was hiding something dark. Using human blood for his rituals… that’s just wrong. What else did he say? Did he admit to what’s been going on in Morthal?”
Me: “Benor, I think you haven’t understood properly yet. Yes, that blood is from a human person, but Falion also admitted that he murdered people for the rituals.”
Benor: “Murder? By the gods… I knew he was trouble, but I didn’t think it was that bad. We have to do something about this, and fast. We can’t just let him keep killing people for his dark magic. I’ll talk to Gorm, see if we can get some of the other townspeople on our side. We need to put a stop to this, and we need to do it now.”
Me: “Very well, Benor. I’m going to try to figure out if I can learn more about the supposed dark forces that are threatening this town.”
Benor: “Be careful who you talk to. Not everyone around here can be trusted anymore. If you’re looking for information on these dark forces, you might want try talking Alva. She seems like she knows more than she lets on. But watch yourself around her too. She’s got ties with Hroggar… and I don’t trust him one bit.”
Me: “Actually, I did talk to Alva last night, and the impression I got is that she’s a predator. You know, I am a complete stranger in this town and she came onto me very easily as if she had no fear that anyone might harm her. That’s the impression I got from her. I think she’s a predator, and maybe she’s responsible for some of the darkness in town as well.”
Benor: “I’m not surprised to hear that. I’ve always thought she was trouble. The way she’s been carrying on with Hroggar, and now she’s making a move on you… She’s got no shame, that one. And you’re right, it’s like she’s got no fear of anyone or anything. That’s not normal behavior, especially not in a town like Morthal where everyone knows each other’s business. I think you’re right to be suspicious of her. We should definitely keep an eye on her, see if we can dig up any more information about what she’s really after.”
Me: “This is quite the mess we have gotten ourselves into. Let’s be very careful, Benor, and save this town.”

We were interrupted by a local kid, one of the jarl’s relatives, who is a bit touched in the head. Benor and I decided to part ways for now.

As for me, I gathered my gear, coated my short sword with a Slow/Damage Health potion, and broke into Alva’s home. I was immediately confronted by Hroggar, who attacked me and promptly fell to the poison. I had killed Alva’s intimate partner. Looking around, I found a book about vampirism, and once I broke into the cellar, I found a coffin and two dozen bottles of human blood.

I intended to confront Alva in a public place, and I knew she hangs out at the local inn at night.

Alva: “Well met! It’s so nice to have some company here at this late hour… 2 in the morning can be such a lonely time, don’t you think? Come sit with me and let’s have some fun… what brings you out tonight?”
Me: “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Alva, exactly the person I was looking for.”
Alva: “Oh? And what could you possibly want with me? I’m flattered that I’m on your mind… especially at this hour of night when most people are tucked away in their beds… or should be anyway. What do you say we get some drinks and discuss what’s on your mind?”
Me: “I will absolutely discuss what’s on my mind, Alva, because it concerns you.”
Alva: “Intriguing… I do love being the center of attention… Please, by all means, tell me more. What could possibly concern me? Don’t be shy… I can take it…”
Me: “Do you know Thonnir, the fellow that works at the mill in the outskirts of town?”
Alva: “Thonnir… yes, I know him. He’s a bit of a quiet one, isn’t he? Keeps to himself mostly… But I’ve seen him around, of course. Morthal’s a small town, after all. What about Thonnir? What’s he got to do with anything?”
Me: “Thonnir’s wife, her name is Laelette. Do you remember Laelette?”
Alva: “Laelette… yes, I remember her… She was a lovely woman, wasn’t she? We were… acquaintances, I suppose… I recall she left town rather suddenly, didn’t she? Ran off to join the Stormcloaks, or so I heard…”
Me: “So you heard, huh?”
Alva: “Well… that’s what people said, anyway. But I’m sure you’re not here to discuss rumors and gossip. You’re getting at something, aren’t you? Something about Laelette… and me?”
Me: “Yes, you know, Thonnir, the fellow who works at the mill, said that the source for the knowledge that his wife Laelette joined the Stormcloaks was you, Alva. You were the one who told Thonnir that his wife Laelette had joined the Stormcloaks. Nobody else had the notion that Laelette had joined the Stormcloaks. Why would Laelette, Thonnir’s wife, come to you to instead of her own family?”
Alva: “Thonnir… poor, dear Thonnir… He’s so… trusting, isn’t he? And why would Laelette come to me, you ask? Well, perhaps it’s because we were… close, Laelette and I… We shared certain… interests, shall we say. But I assure you, I was simply passing on the information she gave me. I had no reason to doubt her, after all. Why would I lie to Thonnir?”
Me: “You would lie to Thonnir the same way you lie to everyone else in town.”
Alva: “How dare you! You think you can just come in here and accuse me of lying? You don’t know anything about me or my relationships with the people in this town. But I suppose you think you’re clever, don’t you? Trying to catch me in some kind of trap. Well, let me tell you something, dear… I’m not so easily caught.”
Me: “Alva, the jig is up.”
Alva: “It seems our little chat has come to an end… for now. Don’t think this is over between us… not by any means. You’d do well to remember your place around here.”
Me: “Oh no, no, no, our chat is not over, Alva. You see, I was clever enough to lockpick my way into your home.”
Alva: “You dare break into my home?! How dare you! You’ll pay for this intrusion! Get out! Get out now before things get ugly! You shouldn’t have done this! Now you’ll see what happens when you cross me!”
Me: “Do you know who I found inside your home? That certain thrall of yours named Hroggar, who proceeded to attack me, and now he’s dead.”
Alva: “No! Hroggar! You’ve killed him! You fool! He was mine! Under my control! Now he’s gone because of your meddling! You’ll pay for this! Oh yes! You’ll pay dearly! Get ready for your own death!”
Me: “Yes, and I walked down to your cellar where I found the coffin where you sleep, and your stash of human blood. I have it on me right now, you know? The human blood, I have it right here.”
Alva: “You think you can threaten me with that?! You think you can use my own… sustenance against me?! You’re no match for me! I’ll show you what it means to cross a vampire! Come, try to use it against me! Try to use my own blood against me! I’ll show you the true meaning of power!”
Me: “Alva, I know you’ve been preying on the people on this town of Morthal for years, that you have caused plenty of people’s disappearances, as well as possibly Laelette’s, and now jarl Idgrod will know as well. You will have nowhere to hide in this town.”
Alva: “You dare to expose me?! You think you can threaten me with the Jarl’s knowledge?! You’re no match for me! I’ve lived for centuries, feeding on the blood of the innocent! You think you can stop me?! I’ll show you what it means to cross a vampire! You’ll be the next to disappear! And as for the Jarl, I’ll make sure she’s the first to fall! You’ve sealed your own fate, mortal! Prepare to meet your maker!”
Me: “Alva, I know you’re powerful, but you’re not as powerful as to be able to defeat everyone in this town if they attack you at once. Now you’re like a cornered beast, you know it.”
Alva: “You think you’ve cornered me?! You think you’ve got me trapped?! Well, perhaps you’re right… perhaps I am a cornered beast… But you know what happens when a beast is cornered?! It becomes more vicious! More deadly! And I will not go down without a fight! I will not be taken down by the likes of you! I’ll show you all what it means to cross a vampire!”
Me: “Listen, Alva. I’m going to give you a chance to just leave town. Get away from Morthal and continue your centuries-old life somewhere else. Leave the people of Morthal alone.”
Alva: “You think I’d just leave?! Abandon my home?! My hunting grounds?! The people of Morthal are mine! They’re my prey! My sustenance! And Movarth… my master… he won’t let me just leave. He has plans for this town… plans that involve me. No… I won’t leave Morthal until every last drop of blood has been drained from its veins!”
Me: “Movarth? Who is this Movarth you’re speaking of? Is he your master?”
Alva: “Movarth Piquine… My master… My creator… The one who gave me eternal life. He’s an ancient one… A powerful vampire lord who has lived for centuries. And I am bound to him by blood and loyalty. He’s the one who sent me to Morthal… to prepare the way for him. And soon he will come here himself. And when he does… all of Morthal will tremble before us!”
Me: “Where is Movarth located? Where is his den, his nest, or whatever you damn bloodsuckers call it? Where is he hiding?”
Alva: “You dare to ask about Movarth’s lair?! You think I’d betray my master’s trust?! But I’ll tell you… I’ll tell you because it won’t matter. You’ll never leave Morthal alive. Movarth’s lair is to the northeast of here… A cave system, hidden deep in the mountains. That’s where he waits… That’s where he plots… And as for what he’s hiding… Ha! You’ll find out soon enough.”
Me: “So what do you intend to do now, Alva?”
Alva: “Now that you’ve discovered my true nature… Now that you’ve threatened to expose me to the Jarl and the people of Morthal… I have no choice but to silence you… permanently. You’re a threat to my existence, and to Movarth’s plans… and threats must be eliminated. So, I’ll do what I do best… I’ll take care of you… once and for all. Prepare to meet your maker, mortal!”
Me: “Well, game on, Alva. I’m going to gather strength, gather allies, to take you down.”
Alva: “We’ll see about that! You think gathering allies will help?! Ha! No one can stop me! No one can stop Movarth! We’ll crush anyone who dares oppose us! Bring them on! Bring all your little friends together and watch them fall before us like sheep before wolves! You may gather strength but we will always be stronger! Enough talk! Let us end this now!”
Me: “Alva, there are far fewer vampires than there are humans, than there are elves, than there are any of us who aren’t filthy bloodsuckers. We’re going to take you down.”
Alva: “How dare you! You think you can insult me like that?! You think you can call me a filthy bloodsucker and get away with it?! I’ll show you what it means to cross a vampire! I’ll show you what it means to insult one of the most powerful creatures in Tamriel! You’re no match for me! You’re just a pathetic mortal, and you’ll pay for your insolence! Come, try to take me down! Try to take on the forces of darkness!”