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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, lovingly crafted enchanted weapons for his beloved murderers. He suggested to the new member of his adventurer’s band that her scars wouldn’t matter in the dark. The Frostpeak Stalkers prepared themselves to clear out a monsters’ den nearby.

As we headed to the nearest bridge to cross the river, I looked over my shoulder only to see a whole bunch of dangerous-looking people coming toward me. Ah, that was my team.

Jon: “I’ve suddenly realized that there’s a lot of people in our adventurer’s band.”
Jenassa: “You’re right, our numbers have grown. It’s a good thing, though. More people means more skills and strengths to draw from. It makes us more versatile.”
Jon: “Certainly, Jenassa, but doesn’t that mean that we’ll have to get ourselves another home, for future members of the band to live in?”
Jenassa: “That’s a possibility. We could look into getting a larger place, or maybe even a second property. It’s something to consider as our group expands. But for now, let’s focus on the task at hand. Those beasts won’t kill themselves.”
Jon: “Is there a limit to how many people we should hire for our band of adventurers, the Frostpeak Stalkers?”
Jenassa: “There isn’t a hard limit, but we need to make sure we can manage the group effectively. Too many people and it becomes difficult to coordinate, and we might not be able to provide for everyone. We should be selective about who we bring in, making sure they’re a good fit and bring useful skills to the table.”

On the opposite side of the river, the road followed an ascending slope. Near the top, we spotted a curious sight: a Khajiit man wearing the clothes of a Colovian or Cyrodiilic merchant, just standing around as if waiting for something.

Jon: “Oh, a Khajiit traveler, and he looks pretty fancy in those clothes. What is your name, sir?”
M’aiq the Liar: “This one is called M’aiq. What does the elf think of M’aiq’s clothes? They are not from this land, but they are good for walking many steps.”
Jon: “You look like some kind of fancy foreign merchant.”
M’aiq the Liar: “M’aiq is not a merchant, no. He walks the land and learns its secrets. Not all secrets are for sharing, though. Some are for keeping.”
Jon: “Oh, I love secrets that are for keeping. How about you share some with me?”
M’aiq the Liar: “M’aiq keeps his secrets close, like a warm fur on a cold night. It seems that life in Windhelm’s been challenging lately. But enough about that, have you finished the matter regarding the shipment of Honningbrew Mead? I need you to go to Whiterun as soon as possible and fix this.”
Jon: “You may be confusing me with someone else. My group had a run-in with the Honningbrew Meadery, but only because we had to intimidate one of its employers. I don’t know anything about a shipment.”
M’aiq the Liar: “Ah, many adventurers have business in Whiterun, it seems. M’aiq has heard of your exploits, yes. But M’aiq has traveled far and wide and knows the taste of many meads. Perhaps your group will find more trouble in Whiterun, or perhaps you will find other things to occupy your time.”
Jon: “I have always wanted to ask this of a Khajiit: is it a bother when more human-looking people ask you to pet your fur?”
M’aiq the Liar: “Some wish to touch M’aiq’s fur, yes. It is soft and warm, like the coat of a saber cat. But M’aiq is not a pet. M’aiq walks on two legs and speaks like any man or mer. Do not treat M’aiq like an animal, for M’aiq has feelings too.”
Jon: “But my feelings when caressing Khajiit fur would be of joy. That is a good feeling to spread in the world.”
M’aiq the Liar: “M’aiq understands the desire for joy, yes. But there are other ways to find joy than to treat a Khajiit like a housecat. M’aiq has traveled far and seen many things, and knows that some joys are better shared with respect. Respect is a treasure worth more than gold, and M’aiq has much of it to give.”
Jon: “Hey, the rest of my band of adventurers, don’t you think that M’aiq’s fur looks very soft and appetizing?”
Jenassa: “His fur looks soft, sure, but I wouldn’t call it appetizing. It’s pretty impressive, actually. Makes me wonder what it’d be like to have a coat like that in the colder parts of Skyrim.”
Uthgerd: “I don’t care about how soft his fur is. What matters is how well he can hold his own in a fight.”
Sapphire: “I’ve seen far stranger things in my travels. Though, I must admit, it does look rather comfortable.”
Fastred: “It looks very warm and soft. I bet it keeps him cozy during the cold Skyrim nights.”
Jon: “Oh, I don’t like how you said that, Fastred. It sounded like you would love to have a Khajiit keeping you all warm and cozy at night.”
Fastred: “Oh, no, I didn’t mean it like that! I was just commenting on how warm and soft his fur must be, that’s all. I’m perfectly happy with my current sleeping arrangements, thank you very much.”
Jon: “Well, M’aiq, you sound like a very cultured person and someone with plenty of stories to tell. I would like you to come along with us, the Frostpeak Stalkers, on our adventurers, but I fear that if we keep adding people to it daily, we’ll need a hold of our own to house our members.”
M’aiq the Liar: “M’aiq appreciates the offer, but M’aiq walks his own path. It is not for M’aiq to join a group and stay in one place. Skyrim has many roads, and M’aiq has many steps to walk on them. But perhaps our paths will cross again someday.”
Jon: “I look forward to it, M’aiq. It is always a sort of joy, a way to brighten one’s day, to come across a Khajiit. It may be because of the fur and the funny way of speaking.”
M’aiq the Liar: “M’aiq has learned many things in his travels, and has developed his own way of speaking. It is good that it brings joy to others. May your roads be clear and your heart be light, until we meet again.”

We reached Graywinter Watch. It looked like any normal, somewhat hidden cave. When we entered, we realized that the cave was peculiar, in the sense that it housed trolls. They were at the moment busy attacking a few bandits that must have wandered in.

Jon: “The jarl wasn’t joking about this place being trouble.”
Jenassa: “Steady your bow! These beasts won’t go down easily.”

I relied on the Staff of Hasedoki to knock back the trolls, then on the Staff of Lightning to fry them from the inside. They didn’t last very long, and by the end, all the bandits were dead as well.

Jon: “Well, today I learned that trolls can die. This pile of ash used to be a troll. I didn’t see what turned it into ash.”
Sapphire: “That was too close for comfort. We need to be more prepared next time.”
Jon: “There are a whole bunch of skulls strewn about, likely of travelers and nearby villagers that these trolls have eaten over the years. So we’ve done a good deed today. You can all pat yourselves on the back; we have done a service to the Whiterun hold.”
Uthgerd: “Aye, a job well done. These creatures won’t be bothering anyone anymore.”
Jon: “By the way, Uthgerd, I’m sorry for hitting you with the Staff of Hasedoki. I saw you rolling due to the knockback effect of the enchantment. Not going to lie, for a moment I thought you were a troll.”
Uthgerd: “Watch it next time, or you’ll have more than trolls to worry about.”

As we walked back home, I strayed aside for a moment to pick up alchemical ingredients, and a bandit archer spotted me. Before I knew it, he was trying to shot arrows through me. Two more bandits charged down the slope toward us. A terrible decision on their part.

Jon: “Now that these bandits lie dead, do you want us to proceed further, go on a bandit raid for no fucking reason?”
Ria: “You really know how to show a girl a good time, don’t you, Jon? I’m in. Sounds like just the thing to get the blood pumping.”
Jenassa: “Count me in. I never pass up a chance to put my skills to use. Crazy, every one of you. But I guess that’s why we’re in this together. What about you, Sapphire? Think you can keep up?”
Sapphire: “Keep up? Please, I’ll be leading the charge. Just try not to get in my way. And Jon… Don’t get any ideas about sneaking off with the loot. We split it evenly.”
Uthgerd: “Hah! Let him try. I’ll make sure everything’s divided fair and square. Speaking of which, what’s the plan once we’re inside? I’m all for a good fight, but we should have some idea of what we’re doing.”
Jon: “Well, the spell called Ghostwalk allows me to go invisible for a while, so I’ll just scout ahead, come across some enemy, then return back to you all. I’ve also found a scroll that places a fire rune on the ground. It will explode if any enemy comes close, so we may be able to lay a trap as well.”
Zora Fair-Child: “Fire runes? Now that’s a plan I can get behind. Nothing like a little explosion and chaos to keep things interesting.”
Fastred: “I… I’ve never seen a fire rune before. This should be something. Just let us know what you find, Jon. We’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”
Jon: “Well, let’s head inside, my warriors, and have some fun. What’s life without a little murder?”
Ria: “I’m liking your spirit, Jon. Lead the way.”
Jenassa: “Keep your guard up. Bandits are one thing, but there could be anything lurking in these mountains. I don’t plan on dying today.”
Sapphire: “Time to show these bandits what the Frostpeak Stalkers are made of.”
Uthgerd: “Hear, hear! Let’s give ’em hell!”

As soon as we entered the hideout, we encountered a man seated at a desk. He greeted us casually as if we were some bandits, and we quickly realized that the man was blind.

Jon: “Sir, hello! My name is Bandit McBanditperson. Are you having a fine day?”
Ulfr: “What do you want? I don’t have time for idle chatter. And the name’s Ulfr, not sir.”
Jon: “I just want to know how you’re doing. There are terrible afternoons and there are joyous afternoons, sir Ulfr, and I just wished to know which of the two you were having.”
Ulfr: “My days are all the same, stuck in this cave, unable to see a thing.”
Jon: “You do not sound very happy about being blind.”
Ulfr: “Would you be? It’s a curse, not being able to see. But I make do in my own way.”
Jon: “Well, I suppose that when you’re a bandit and you already do unsavory things, it’s better not to see what your hands are doing, right?”
Ulfr: “Abandoned? Who says I was abandoned? I chose this life. And I don’t need eyes to know what I’m doing.”

Some Redguard bandit, one of those with curved swords, was heading out when he realized we weren’t bandits, and he thought that he could take on a whole bunch of adventurers by himself.

Jon: “Never mind that little scuffle, sir. Someone wasn’t happy about our presence here.”
Ulfr: “What was that commotion? Are we under attack?”
Jon: “Oh, you know, just a wandering traveler who thought that this cave was safe, a place to take shelter. We bandits put him down like the dog he was.”
Ulfr: “Damn travelers, always causing trouble.”
Jon: “Yes, how dare they enter a random cave to take shelter from the weather, and not realize that the place had been taken over by a bunch of bandits.”
Ulfr: “Sarcasm. How original. Look, if you’re not here to cause trouble, then state your business or leave. I don’t have time for idle chatter.”
Jon: “My purpose here is to slaughter the rest of the bandits, steal their loot, then go home and have sex with one or more of my beautiful companions.”
Ulfr: “You think you can just waltz in here and take what you want? Over my dead body!”

After we walked over the blind bandit’s dead body, we proceeded first carefully and then like a tsunami through the rest of the bandit hideout. Once we reached its top, a sort of balcony in the mountain face, by the time the bandit chief realized what was happening, we had blasted him with magic and hacked him apart. I looted him of his valuables, including his armor and clothes, and tossed his naked body down the side of the mountain. His dick flapped in the wind until his entire self vanished in the darkness.

We returned home, stored the loot, then celebrated with good food and drinks. After things settled down, I approached our Companions member Ria.

Jon: “Ria, I need to have an important conversation with you.”
Ria: “Oh, what is it, Jon? You know you can tell me anything.”
Jon: “With all the love in my heart, I have crafted a weapon for you. I shall hand it over.”
Ria: “For me? Jon, you didn’t have to do this! This is incredible. I can feel the care you put into crafting it. Thank you.”

Jon: “Actually Ria, that isn’t all.”
Ria: “There’s more? Jon, what else have you got up your sleeve?”
Jon: “I intend to enchant this steel maul with one of the enchantments that I have learned recently.”
Ria: “Wow, Jon, that’s… that’s a big deal. You’d do that for me? I’m honored. Really, I am.”
Jon: “Of course I will do it for you, Ria, because you have been a strong, loyal, and noble-hearted warrior of our band of adventurers, and I love having you around.”
Ria: “Jon, this means so much to me. I promise to wield this weapon with pride and honor, just like you’ve shown me. Thank you.”
Jon: “I’m going to let you choose what enchantment to imbue in the weapon.”

I proceeded to list all the enchantments I had learned recently by destroying some of our enchanted gear.

Ria: “Wow, that’s quite the list! You’ve really been honing your craft, haven’t you? I think… I think the Frost Damage enchantment would be perfect. Can’t let my name, Ria, be associated with anything less than icy.”
Jon: “Very well, a Frost Damage enchantment it is. Please brainstorm fitting names for an enchanted steel maul.”
Ria: “Hmm, a name for my new weapon? How about Frostbite’s Fang? It’s got a nice ring to it, and it ties in with the Frost Damage enchantment. What do you think, Jon?”
Jon: “I absolutely love it. I’m going to put together the enchanted weapon for you right now.”
Ria: “I can’t wait to see it in action. Thank you again, Jon. This means more to me than you know.”

It took me less than thirty minutes to finish the job.

Jon: “Here it is, Ria, your new enchanted weapon. A steel maul with the following enchantment: ‘Target takes 19 points of frost damage to health and stamina.’ I present Frostbite’s Fang to your beautiful hands.”
Ria: “I love it! This is perfect, Jon. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll make sure to put it to good use, fighting alongside you and the rest of our companions.”
Jon: “Thank you for being here with me, and with the rest of the Frostpeak Stalkers. Thank you for being my friend.”
Ria: “You know I’ll always be here for you and the team. Through thick and thin, we’re in this together. Thank you for everything, Jon.”

Next morning, I approached Ria, Uthgerd and Fastred for a little talk.

Jon: “Hey, I intend to visit Dragonsreach to collect the reward for having killed those trolls at Graywinter Watch. I wanted you two to come with me because you’re the most honorable and well-respected local members of our group. In the case of Fastred, well, I just wanted her to come because she may have a good time.”
Uthgerd: “Sounds like another adventure. I’m in.”
Jon: “Not much of an adventure, I’m afraid. Just reporting to the jarl regarding our exploits, and receiving a reward.”
Ria: “Sounds easy enough. I’m ready when you are.”
Jon: “How about you, Fastred? Are you looking forward to coming along with us?”
Fastred: “Oh, I’m definitely coming! It’ll be great to visit, even if we’re just reporting to the jarl.”
Jon: “Just be careful with the locals, Fastred. The men will want to snatch you up.”
Fastred: “Thanks for the warning, Jon. I’ll be sure to stay close to you and the others. I can handle myself, but it’s good to know you’re looking out for me.”