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Here are the most recent entries from the journal of Ria, member of the Frostpeak Stalkers:

Ah, you want to know more about what’s been going on with me? Name’s Ria, if you didn’t already catch that, and yeah, I’m with The Companions. It’s been my dream since I was little, running around Whiterun with a wooden sword, pretending I was fighting alongside Ysgramor himself. And now, here I am, living that dream, fighting alongside my Shield-Siblings in Jorrvaskr. We’re more than just warriors: we’re family. Walking in the footsteps of legends like Kodlak and Skjor, it’s a feeling like no other.

But you know, it’s not all glory and tales of victory. Recently, something happened that I can’t quite shake. So, there I was, ready to head out for some training in Jorrvaskr’s courtyard, when this Altmer named Jon comes up to me. He wasn’t alone: had a bard with him, Ange, and Uthgerd the Unbroken. You’ve probably heard of Uthgerd, right? The one who got kicked out of The Companions after a practice bout went wrong. Anyway, Jon had this wild plan: forming his own band of adventurers to take on bandits, delve into monster dens, conquer ancient ruins. It sounded like just the kind of challenge I live for, so I said yes.

But here’s the thing… our first outing together didn’t go as planned. We were deep in some bandit hideout, the kind of place that smells like sweat and blood, fighting in these cramped, narrow corridors. You could barely swing your sword without hitting the walls. Ange, the bard, she was right there with us, trusting in Alva and Jon, trying to hold her own. And then, just like that, she was gone. Killed by some filthy bandit. One moment she was there, the next… just gone.

I’ve been training with The Companions for years, and I’ve seen my fair share of bloodshed, but losing an ally like that? It never gets easier. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, hardened or something. But no, it still hits deep. It’s a harsh reminder that the life of a warrior isn’t just about glory: it’s about loss, too. But the way I see it, the only way to honor those we lose is to keep fighting, to stay strong for the ones still standing. So, I’m pushing forward, for Ange, for my Shield-Siblings, for all of us. That’s the life I chose, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, how about you? Had any close calls lately? I guess that’s just the way of things here in Skyrim: fight, survive, and keep moving forward. Maybe we’ll make legends out of ourselves yet, huh?

Let me tell you about this wild outing we just had. So, Jon, that Altmer who’s got more guts than sense sometimes, rounded up the usual crew, and off we went. We ended up scaling a mountain and, wouldn’t you know it, found ourselves at the entrance to Bleak Falls Barrow. Now, if you know anything about Skyrim, you know that place is crawling with all sorts of nasty things, but Jon? He’s all about the thrill, and honestly, so am I. I mean, what better way to test your mettle than taking on an ancient ruin?

We fought our way through the place, slicing through a dozen bandits like they were nothing. But it didn’t stop there. Oh no, we had to deal with draugr, those undead nightmares. We even dealt with a giant spider that nearly had me rethinking the whole adventure. But we kept going, solving puzzles and dodging traps like we were born for it.

Now, here’s where Jon really showed his stuff. There were these traps, swinging blades that could cut a person in half. We were all hesitating, trying to figure out how to get past without losing a limb, and what does Jon do? He just runs straight through them, dodging like a madman, and pulls the lever to stop the blades. He put himself on the line just to keep us safe. I’ve got to admit, I was impressed. He’s more than just talk, that’s for sure.

Then came the big fight, the draugr overlord. That thing was a real beast, nearly had me on my knees more than once. And at one point, I was down, out of breath, and about to be finished off by the draugr’s massive sword. But Jon, that crazy Altmer, saved my skin with a spell that knocked the thing back just in time. I’ve never been so glad to have a mage on my side.

After we took down the overlord, we split the loot. And let me tell you, Jon has a way of lightening the mood. He found this ridiculous-looking magical circlet and just slapped it on, strutting around like he was some kind of fancy lord. Uthgerd and I couldn’t stop laughing. That’s what I love about these adventures: the fighting’s tough, but the banter and the bond we share? That’s what it’s all about. Even if they’re not Shield-Siblings from Jorrvaskr, they’re still my team, and I’m already itching for our next adventure. There’s nothing quite like it.

Speaking of our little group, Jon decided we needed a proper name, something to call ourselves instead of just “that adventurer’s band.” So, he gathered us all (Uthgerd, Alva, Jenassa, and me) to throw around ideas. After plenty of suggestions, including some real idiotic ones from Jon, we finally settled on “Frostpeak Stalkers.” I love the name. It’s got this ring to it that just makes you feel like it commands respect, maybe even a little fear.

It’s more than just a name, though. It feels like family, like what I’ve got with The Companions. I’m part of the Frostpeak Stalkers now, too, and I’d put my life on the line for them just the same. When someone mentions the Frostpeak Stalkers in a tavern tale or some bard sings about us, I’ll be grinning, thinking, “I was there.” And you know what? If I ever fall in battle with the Stalkers, I think I’d be okay with it. Dying for your friends, for your family… it’s not a bad way to go.

But here’s the part that really shook me up. We’d just cleared out this ancient ruin near Helgen, feeling pretty good about ourselves, when we got ambushed by a wispmother. Now, if you’ve never seen one of these things, count yourself lucky. A vortex of cold, swirling energies that can freeze the blood in your veins, with the form of a ghostly woman. The thing overwhelmed us. I was down, out cold before I even knew what hit me. When I came to, I saw Jon, exhausted and looking more troubled than I’ve ever seen him. Turns out, while I was lying there unconscious, Jon fought the wispmother alone for what felt like an eternity. He told us it took him about five minutes to defeat it, but he nearly died himself. Knowing that, while I was defenseless, he was out there fighting tirelessly just to keep us alive… It made me realize how close I came to not making it out of there.

I’ve always known this life isn’t easy, but that moment? It drove home just how much we rely on each other. The bond we share, the trust we put in one another… it’s everything. Jon’s got guts, I’ll give him that. And now, more than ever, I know I’d put my life on the line for him, for all of them. We’re not just some ragtag group of adventurers. We’re the Frostpeak Stalkers, and we’ve got each other’s backs, no matter what. And if someday they sing songs about us, well, that’s just a bonus. For now, I’m just glad we’re all still standing.

So there we were, the Frostpeak Stalkers, just taking a breather at Ivarstead’s inn after a long day of adventuring. You know the kind of place: quiet, out-of-the-way, with the same faces day in and day out. We’re sitting around, swapping stories and having a good laugh, when Jon, our fearless Altmer leader, notices this local guy, red hair, early twenties, glaring daggers at him from across the room. Turns out, his name’s Bassianus Axius, but we didn’t know that at the time. Jon, being Jon, isn’t one to let something like that slide, so he calls the guy out, asking what’s got his breeches in a twist.

Bassianus, though, he’s not exactly polite about it. In fact, he’s downright disrespectful, spitting out something snide before whipping out a knife. Can you believe it? The fool actually thought he could take on Jon, an Altmer who’s survived more than his fair share of battles. Before the guy could make a move, though, Uthgerd and Jenassa had already knocked the fight out of him. Poor fool didn’t even know what hit him.

Now, here’s where things took a turn I didn’t see coming. Instead of letting the guy crawl back into whatever hole he came from, Jon decides to dig a little deeper. He asks Bassianus what’s got him so bitter. At first, the guy’s too stunned to speak, but then it all comes pouring out: how he’s been stuck in this backwater town, always dreaming of becoming an adventurer, but never seeing a way out. He’s in love with this girl, Fastred, but her father thinks he’s a worthless layabout and wants her to stay and work on the family farm. Bassianus, he just wanted something more, but life had other plans.

Jon, being the big-hearted fool that he is, offers Bassianus a spot with us. Can you imagine? A trainee in the Frostpeak Stalkers. And just like that, Bassianus lights up like a torch in the night. The kid practically jumps at the chance. But Jon doesn’t stop there. He goes over to talk to Fastred’s father, convincing the old man that Bassianus isn’t some good-for-nothing anymore. He’s a member of a renowned band of adventurers, and Fastred? She’s coming with us, too. The father didn’t like it one bit, but what could he do? With Jon’s silver tongue and our intimidating presence, he had no choice but to let them go.

So now, Bassianus and Fastred are the newest members of the Frostpeak Stalkers. Jenassa finds the whole thing amusing, though she’s a bit wary of the trouble they might bring. Me? I can’t help but feel a bit sad for how many folks out there never get a chance to fight for what they really want. They end up stuck in places like Ivarstead, growing old and bitter, all because they never had the opportunity to chase their dreams.

I was lucky, you know? I got into the Companions as a kid. They trained me, shaped me into who I am today. And now, with the Frostpeak Stalkers, we’ve given Bassianus and Fastred that same chance. A couple of young folks, full of fire and love, now fighting for their place in the world. It’s moments like these that remind me why I do this, why I keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. Because everyone deserves a shot at living their dream, and if we can help make that happen, then we’re doing something right.

Ah, there’s something else I’ve got to tell you, something that happened not too long ago that still has me grinning like a fool. So, one morning, I’m just lounging around in our little headquarters, you know, thinking about the next adventure, when Jon, our fearless Altmer leader, walks up to me. But he’s not just strolling over for a chat; he’s got this look in his eye, like he’s been cooking up something special.

Turns out, he had been. Jon hands me this steel maul, not just any old weapon, but one he’d forged and sharpened himself, just for me. Now, I’m more of a sword girl usually, always liked the feel of a Skyforge blade in my hand, but there was something about this maul that felt… right. It wasn’t just the craftsmanship, though that was top-notch. It was the fact that Jon made it for me, that he wanted to rely on my strength. That really hit me, you know?

And then, as if that wasn’t enough, Jon goes and says he’s planning to enchant it with whatever enchantment I want, as long as he knows the spell. Can you believe it? The guy’s always looking out for his team, making sure we’re equipped with the best. So I thought about it, and I decided on Frost Damage. There’s something about the cold that just gets under your skin, makes you think twice about messing with whoever’s wielding it. Plus, it felt like the perfect match for the name I had in mind: Frostbite’s Fang. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Jon didn’t waste any time. He took the maul, muttered some words I didn’t quite catch, and bam, it was done. When he handed it back to me, that steel maul had this icy aura, almost like it was breathing cold air. I was almost overwhelmed, to be honest. This wasn’t just a weapon; it was a symbol of how much Jon and the rest of the Stalkers trusted me, believed in my strength. And you can bet your last septim that I’ll do everything I can to live up to that.

So now, every time I heft Frostbite’s Fang, I’m reminded of the bond we share, of the trust Jon put in me. I’m more determined than ever to support Jon and the Frostpeak Stalkers, through thick and thin, no matter what we face. We’ve been through some tough times, lost some good people along the way, but with this weapon in my hands, I feel like we can take on anything. And I’ll make sure to honor the confidence they’ve put in me, every step of the way.

You know, when you’ve got a weapon like this, forged and enchanted by someone who believes in you, it’s not just about the battles you fight. It’s about the people you’re fighting for. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.