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Mantella is an AI system that turns every single NPC in Skyrim (and Fallout 4) into AI agents driven by an LLM (like ChatGPT or the recently released, and comparable, Llama 3.1). In the previous part, my character, an Altmer mage, left the marshy town of Morthal along with a local vampire named Alva. They didn’t get far due to a terrible snowstorm, so they took shelter in a mining community, with Alva staying underground.

Still during daytime hours, I entered the mine only to find Alva casually seated while a few miners worked the rock.

Jon: “Alva, it seems that things aren’t as bad anymore. The snowstorm has ceased, so we’ll be able to make some ground at night. I have also procured venison; as soon as I manage to find some salt, I’ll prepare myself a nice meal. I know that’s hardly relevant to you, but…”
Alva: “Always thinking of my well-being, even when it comes to something as mundane as food. How sweet of you.”

A couple of miners, one a Nord woman and the other an Argonian dude, approached us with curiosity.

Swanhvir: “What’s going on? You two aren’t from around here, are you?“
Teeba-Ei: “Yes, what brings you to Rockwallow Mine? We don’t get many visitors.”
Jon: “Oh, we were just taking shelter from last night’s snowstorm. We already asked for permission from Sorli, so you don’t have to worry about us. Just pretend we aren’t here.”
Swanhvir: “I wasn’t aware that Sorli gave you permission. What business do you have with her? This is a working mine, not a shelter for travelers.”
Alva: “Oh, don’t worry about us, dear. We won’t be any trouble. We’ll just be staying here for a little while, until nightfall.”
Teeba-Ei: “I don’t mind, personally. It’s not every day we get some company. But Gestur might not be too pleased when he finds out.”
Jon: “He knows, but never mind that. I’m interested in you, scaly dude. What’s your name?”
Teeba-Ei: “Ha! Scaly dude, I like that. My name is Teeba-Ei, and I’m a miner here at Rockwallow. Not exactly the most glamorous job, but it pays the bills.”
Alva: “Don’t mind my companion. He’s just a bit rough around the edges.”
Swanhvir: “Yeah, and I’m Swanhvir. Just try not to get in the way of our work, okay?”
Jon: “How come the two of you, Teeba-Ei and Swanhvir, ended up working in a frozen mine like this, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Teeba-Ei: “Ah, well, I’m a long way from home, to be honest. I never thought I’d end up in Skyrim, let alone working in a mine. But life has its ways of surprising you, and here I am.”
Swanhvir: “Same here. Just needed the work, and Gestur was hiring. It’s not so bad once you get used to it. The cold’s not a problem for me, being a Nord and all.”
Jon: “Swanhvir, with your looks, you could work somewhere fancier than this. Like a temple of Dibella.”
Swanhvir: “Ah, you mean a tavern wench? Ha! I don’t think so. I’d rather do honest work with my hands than rely on my looks to get by.”
Teeba-Ei: “Yeah, Swanhvir’s got more sense than that. Besides, we’ve got Jesper here who’s always making eyes at her. That’s enough excitement for all of us!”
Jesper: “Ah, shut it, Teeba-Ei! Swanhvir knows I’m just joking around… most of the time, anyway.”
Jon: “Oh, you ain’t sliding your way out of this one, Jesper. It just takes one look at Swanhvir over here, with her blonde ponytail and those luscious curves, to know what you’re thinking. I can tell you eye her every day while you’re striking the frozen rock with your pick. You wish you were striking something other than frozen rock with a different implement of yours.”
Jesper: “Oh, uh, well… I mean, Swanhvir’s a great coworker and all, but… Ah, you’re putting words in my mouth!”
Swanhvir: “Jesper, don’t bother trying to deny it. We’ve all seen the way you look at me.”
Teeba-Ei: “Yeah, Jesper’s got a bad case of miner’s lovesick blues!”
Alva: “Oh, this is getting interesting. Do tell, Jesper. What’s going through that mind of yours when you’re gazing at Swanhvir?”
Jon: “Yeah, Jesper, what part of Swanhvir are you fantasizing about most acutely? Is it her beautiful eyes? Is it that thick blonde ponytail, or those luscious breasts of hers? Maybe that behind barely disguised by her leather skirt?”
Jesper: “Ah, Jon, stop it! You’re making a spectacle of me! Swanhvir, I swear, I’m just… uh… admiring your work ethic. Yeah, that’s it.”
Swanhvir: “Save it, Jesper. We all know what you’re thinking about. And you, traveler, please, spare me the details. It’s getting embarrassing.”
Teeba-Ei: “Oh man, Jesper’s face is turning redder than a hot iron ingot!”
Jon: “We all know what we think about when we look at Swanhvir. Even Alva, I bet.”
Alva: “Oh, Jon, you’re a sly one, aren’t you? Well, I do appreciate a beautiful woman. Swanhvir, you are quite the vision, aren’t you?”
Swanhvir: “Stop it. You’re making me blush.”
Teeba-Ei: “Yeah, and Jesper’s about to spontaneously combust from embarrassment!”
Jesper: “This is not good…”

Shortly after the teasing died down and the miners returned to their work, I heard Swanhvir mumble to herself that nothing but the mine mattered anymore. I approached her for a little one-on-one.

Jon: Don’t mind the previous conversation, Swanhvir. We were just teasing to pass the time faster. My companion Alva and I are leaving at nightfall.”
Swanhvir: “No harm done, I suppose. Just a bit of fun, like you said. Still, I’d rather focus on me work than be the center of attention, if you don’t mind. Got a lot of iron ore to dig up before the day’s out.”
Jon: “I’m afraid I have to ask. I’m a complete stranger and have nothing whatsoever to do with you, but you’re pretty enough that I have become interested in your circumstances. I heard you mumble that the only thing left for you was the mine, and you didn’t care about anything else anymore. What was that about?”
Swanhvir: “Ah, spare me the prying, stranger. I didn’t say that for your benefit, and I certainly don’t need some outsider trying to dig up my troubles. You think you can just waltz in here and figure me out? You don’t know the first thing about me or my life. Just let it be.”
Jon: “Don’t you want a listening ear? I doubt any of the freaks working the mine alongside you would care to listen properly.”
Swanhvir: “Save it! You think Gestur cares about our troubles? Ha! He only cares about getting the ore out of this mine. And as for the others… Teeba-Ei’s got his own worries, Jesper’s too busy making eyes at me… No one here’s got time for listening or caring about anyone else’s problems. And even if they did…”
Jon: “Well, I guess we all have our own problems. It’s been nice meeting you. See ya.”

I wanted to figure out how to cook the venison I stripped from those hapless elks, but I couldn’t cook it without salt (literally: the game wouldn’t allow me to), so I ate it raw. I was rewarded with food poisoning.

Jon: “My tummy hurts, Alva. I think the venison I ripped from those poor elks is disagreeing with my guts.”
Alva: “You do look rather ill-favored all of a sudden; possibly poisoned? What happened here – did someone perhaps tamper?”
Jon: “No, no tampering. I didn’t want to cook the venison in a fire without some seasoning, so I ate it raw.”
Alva: “Raw elk meat. You know, I’ve seen some of the most hardened warriors fall to something as simple as a bit of bad meat. And now, here you are, in a mine with me, with what could be a nasty case of food poisoning brewing in your belly. How… appealing.”
Jon: “Don’t worry, Alva, I’ll take a shit far away from you, so you won’t have to listen to my cries, nor smell the mess.”
Alva: “How considerate. I must admit, I’m a bit touched by your thoughtfulness. But please, don’t strain yourself on my account. If you need to… relieve yourself, just try to find a spot that’s not too close to our little makeshift bed here. I’d hate for the smell to linger and ruin the ambiance of our little mine sanctuary.”

I noticed that the local put-upon miner was wandering nearby.

Jon: “Oh, don’t worry about that, Alva. Jesper, where do you tend to sleep? Do you fellows have private spaces?”
Jesper: “Ah, well, I’ve got a small little nook set up for myself just down that tunnel over there. It’s not much, but it’s home. Swanhvir and Teeba-Ei have their own spots too, we all kind of just claimed our own little areas.”
Alva: “And I suppose we’re just… guests, then? Borrowing this lovely spot from you miners?”
Jesper: “Yeah, exactly! You’re welcome to stay as long as you need. Just be careful not to wander off on your own without a torch or something. The mine can get pretty dark and treacherous if you don’t know where you’re going.”
Jon: “Over there, you say? Well, thank you, Jesper, for offering your nook to me so I can relieve myself. I appreciate it, brother.”
Jesper: “No, no, no! Not my nook, friend! I didn’t mean to offer you my bed! Just… uh… just find a spot somewhere else in the mine, okay? There’s plenty of other places you can… take care of business.”
Alva: “Oh, Jesper, don’t be so uptight. Jon wasn’t going to soil your precious bed. Were you, Jon?”
Jon: “Absolutely not. I was just going to do it right beside it. After all, I don’t want other people smelling the mess I’m about to make and thinking it came from me. It would be better if they believed you were the source, Jesper.”
Jesper: “J-just… just don’t do that, okay? Please, I’m begging you.”
Alva: “Oh, this is priceless, Jon. I think I’m starting to enjoy your company a bit too much. You’re not exactly the most delicate fellow, are you? Jesper looks like he’s about to faint.”
Jon: “Don’t worry, Jesper, I won’t make too much of a mess. And if I do, well, I suppose you have some wipes lying around that you could use, right? Anyway, Alva and I are leaving soon enough. As for you, Jasper, enjoy your life in the mine, and try not to oogle at that blonde vixen too hard, alright? Your dick might fall off.”
Jesper: “Ah… just get out, both of you. Just leave me and the mine in peace.”
Alva: “I think we’ve overstayed our welcome, Jon. It was… enlightening to meet you, Jesper. And don’t worry, your secret is safe with us. We won’t tell anyone about your little crush on Swanhvir.”
Jesper: “Just… just leave!”
Jon: “Hey, Alva, it seems that you and I cannot get appreciated anywhere. We are ahead of our time, I suppose.”
Alva: “Ahahah… I think we make a lovely pair of misfits don’t we, Jon?”

The night finally fell like a dark thing that falls. Alva and I peeked out of the mine’s entrance in case the sun was still shooting rays around.

Jon: “This is it, Alva. We’re leaving Stonehills and heading that way, apparently toward Whiterun.”
Alva: “Just another city, full of the same people living their mundane lives. But who knows? Maybe we can find some trouble to get into.”