Children of Akatosh Notes
Jun. 19th, 2018 05:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aftanithOriginal Children of Akatosh Idea
This is a trilogy, but the plot I really want to get to is the third installment.
1) Skyrim canon. Alduin dies at the Dragonborn's hand, but she does not absorb his soul. This worries her.
2) Noncanon. The Dragonborn leads the dragons into war against the Thalmor. They are victorious, but she is killed.
3) Noncanon. The Dragonborn goes not to Sovengarde or a Daedra's afterlife. She goes to the afterlife of Akatosh, where the dragons go upon their death (unless the dragon's soul was absorbed by a Dragonborn). And she, the Last Dragonborn, finds herself locked in the fortress at the heart of the realm with none other than Alduin, the Firstborn of Akatosh.
They don't recognize one another at first; he perceives her as a female dragon, and she perceives him as a Dremora-esque humanoid. When they realize one another's identities, they're far from pleased... and more than a little confused by the difference in perception. In any case, though, it would seem Akatosh has something in mind for his two most honored children.
Old Simple Outline
The Hero of Skyrim (Female Nord)
Arc #1: The Last Dragonborn
Arc #2: The Reunification of Skyrim
Arc #3: The Jagged Crown*
Arc #4: The Thane of Falkreath
Arc #5: The Secret of the Reach
Arc #6: The Mists of Morthal
Arc #7: The Dream of Dawnstar
Arc #8: The Eye of Magnus
Arc #9: The Shame of Windhelm**
Arc #10: The Rats of the Rift***
Arc #11: The Rebirth of Helgen****
Arc #12: The Tyranny of the Sun
Arc #13: The First Dragonborn
Arc #14: The Madmen of the Reach
Arc #15: The Pariah Folk
Arc #Y: The Aldmeri Dominion
Arc #Z: The Children of Akatosh
*Balgruuf's court plots (presumably without his knowledge) to have him declared High King instead of Elisif (a plot which, like Ulfric's war, is slyly encouraged by the Thalmor). May lead to DB's first interactions with the Thieves' Guild (trying to steal the Jagged Crown) and the Dark Brotherhood (presumably trying to assassinate Elisif). Should incorporate any Whiterun and Solitude quests not covered in the previous installments.
**This will include the Dark Brotherhood plotline. (I dunno if the DB is intended to still be the Listener if s/he chooses to eradicate the Dark Brotherhood instead of joining, but for the purposes of this story, she is.)
***This will involve DB and Mjoll taking down the Guild. (Perhaps DB infiltrates?) Jarl Maven will be unseated and imprisoned in Castle Dour, while the throne will be given to former Jarl Laila's surviving son. If DB doesn't infiltrate (and perhaps even if she does), Mercer will succeed in killing Karliah and robbing the guild.
****This includes the Companions questline, the end of which will see DB cured of her lycanthropy.
Old Slightly-More-In-depth Outline
#1: The Last Dragonborn
Alduin is technically the love interest
Malene/Odaviing subtext begins
siding with Greybeards over Blades
adopt Lucia & buy Breezehome
become Thane of Whiterun
#2: The Reunification of Skyrim
Ulfric attempts to court Malene
Malene adopts Sophie (Breezehome)
#3: The Jagged Crown
become Thane of Solitude
buy & move to Proudspire Manor
adopt Blaise (Proudspire Manor)
possible Mal/Elisif subtext
#4: The Thane of Falkreath
Malene/Siddgeir relationship begins
become Thane of Falkreath
#5: The Secret of the Reach
A Night to Remember
Mal/Sanguine hedonism arc
No One Escapes Cidhna Mine
Malene drunkenly fucks a Thalmor
become Thane of Markarth
#6: The Mists of Morthal
become Thane of Morthal
#7: The Dream of Dawnstar
adopt Alesan (Proudspire Manor)
become Thane of Dawnstar
#8: The Eye of Magnus
heavy Mal/Ancano foe yay
become Archmage of the College
become Thane of Winterhold
#9: The Shame of Windhelm
adopt Aventus (Proudspire Manor)
become Thane of Windhelm
destroy the Dark Brotherhood
#10: The Rats of the Rift
disband the Thieves' Guild
become Thane of Riften
#11: The Rebirth of Helgen
rebuild Helgen (in Falkreath)
#12: The Tyranny of the Sun
Mal/Serana subtext + jealous Lydia
destroy Hakon's clan
befriend Durnehviir & Gelebor
Serana v. Erandur tension re: vampire
Odaviing jealous of Durnehviir
#13: The Madmen of the Reach
attack on Rorikstead (Sissel & dad die)
adopt Britte, cue angst arc
#X: The First Dragonborn
gain allegiance of Raven Rock & Skaal
#Y: The Aldmeri Dominion
call back to #5 re: Mal/Thalmor
Mal marries Emperor Titus Mede II
Mal sacrifices her life in the end
#Z: The Children of Akatosh
Mal's soul was claimed by Akatosh
Mal/Alduin endgame
Old List of Mal's Companions
#1: The Last Dragonborn
Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
#2: The Reunification of Skyrim
Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
#3: The Jagged Crown
Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
#4: The Thane of Falkreath
Main: Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
Newbie: Rayya
#5: The Secret of the Reach
Primary: Malene, Rayya
Secondary: Hjoromir, Lydia
Newbie: Argis
#6: The Mists of Morthal
Main: Malene, Lydia
Secondary: Hjoromir, Rayya, Argis
Newbie: Valdimar
#7: The Dream of Dawnstar
Main: Malene, Lydia, Rayya
Secondary: Hjoromir, Argis, Valdimar
Newbie: Erandur, Gregor, Kharjo
#8: The Eye of Magnus
Main: Malene, Lydia, Erandur, Kharjo
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya
Newbie: Aranea
#9: The Shame of Windhelm
Main: Malene, Lydia, Kharjo
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Calder
#10: The Rats of the Rift
Main: Malene, Lydia, Kharjo
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Iona, Mjoll
#11: The Rebirth of Helgen
Main: Malene, Lydia, Kharjo, Mjoll
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Aerin
#12: The Tyranny of the Sun
Main: Malene, Lydia
Messenger: Hjoromir
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Serana
#13: The Madmen of the Reach
Main: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Messenger: Hjoromir
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Illia
#14: The Pariah Folk
Core: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea, Illia
Newbie: Borgakh
#X: The First Dragonborn
Core: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin, Borgakh
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea, Illia
#Y: The Aldmeri Dominion
Core: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin, Borgakh
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea, Illia
#Z: The Children of Akatosh
The Order of the Dov
Malene Soul-Eater, Dovahkiin
Paarthurnax, Dovah
Odahviing, Dovah
Durnehviir, Dovah
Lydia, Lieutenant
Serana, Lieutenant & Ambassador to Vampires
Harrold, Steward
Jenassa, Warden of Whiterun
Rayya, Warden of Falkreath
Argis, Warden of the Reach
Valdimar, Warden of Hjaalmarch
Gregor, Warden of the Pale
Calder, Warden of Windhelm
Iona, Warden of the Rift
Kharjo, Ambassador to the Khajiit
Borgakh, Ambassador to the Orsimer
Erandur, Mage
Aranea Ienth, Mage
Mjoll & Aerin, Warriors
Illia, Mage
Marcurio, Mage
INPC Characters
I find myself giving serious thought to whether of not I want to include INPC characters in Children of Akatosh. The more I play INPC, the more I realize that a majority of the "interesting NPCs" operate under a completely different tone than Skyrim proper. So far, the only ones who fit the tone enough for me to consider using them are Hjoromir and Erevan, and I find myself reconsidering whether even they belong.
I have no real qualms, I suppose, with removing Erevan from the story. He's only really important as a way to emphasize Ulfric and Windhelm's racism and therefore isn't a particularly necessary character outside of The High King AU.
Hjoromir is another story. I like him. He's great comic relief, honestly, and I find myself rather unwilling to give him up. However, it's not going to make a ton of sense if he's the only INPC I use (though I was considering preserving the slavery quest line of INPC and its Khajiit NPC....).
However, my current plan makes Hjoromir a huge part of the story. He's second only to Mal in terms of screen time and introduced even before Lydia. I genuinely want to use him. However, using one INPC and no others might be a dealbreaker for both INPC fans and those unfamiliar with the mod.
Then again... I suppose I have to decide if I give a shit.
As for Erevan... I don't know, I kind of like the guy, and until Rayya shows up, he's the only non-Nord member of the party, which is obviously quite an important role. *sigh* I suppose that on the one hand, I should just write whatever the fuck I want to write, everyone else be damned... but I don't know if it's really the best course of action.
Mal's Love Interests
Lovers
- Siddgeir (ongoing)
- unnamed Thalmor soldier (once)
- that Imperial soldier who shares a voice with Fenris (occasional?)
- Etienne Rarnis (occasional?)
- Marcurio (ongoing)
- Titus Mede II (married)
- Alduin (endgame)
Unrequited (Implied or Confirmed)
- Elisif > Mal
- Cicero > Mal
- Mal > Erandur
- Thalmor!OC > Mal (possibly requited?)
- Borgakh > Mal
Rejected
- Ulfric (Mal rejects him)
- Balgruuf (mutual rejection)
UST
- Lydia
- Serana
- Odaviing
Foe Yay
- Ancano
- Alduin
Potential AU Note 11/13/15
So, I'm reading what may or may not be the only "Dragonrend makes Alduin human" story anyone ever bothered to actually finish* (and I've not read the end yet, so even that might be wrong)... and I'm pretty into the concept, if not the execution. The author tried a bit too hard to humanize him, which kinda kills the appeal for me (what's the point of a dragon demigod if he acts just like a human?), but it's a concept I could easily tweak to suit my own needs.
Now, I'm into Mal/Alduin as a pairing, but this isn't how I plan to have it manifest; in Children of Akatosh, they don't "get together" in any sense of the word until after they're both dead.
But I already have a "Stormcloaks win" Mal/Ulfric AU planned, not to mention an "Alduin wins" Mal/Alduin AU and a "Mal's captures by the Dominion" AU (plus some other stuff, potentially). A "human Alduin" Mal/Alduin AU would just be another on a long list of nonsense.
If I went for it, it'd be a much darker story than these other human!Alduin stories. It's likely be a protagonist journey to villain story, or else it would be about both Mal and Alduin going grey to more or less meet in the middle; I'll have no redemption here, thank you very much. That's the opposite of fun.
ETA: lol, it actually isn't finished. WIP for nearly four years and fifty four chapters long, but unsatisfying and unfinished. Boo.
* https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7872360/1/Dragonrend
Fight Styles
- Malene is kind of a jack-of-all-trades; she normally favors the bow, but she's melee until Lydia joins up.
- Jenassa is a ranger (and she's training Harrold).
- Lydia is a one-handed melee warrior.
The High King of Skyrim Idea
So... I've been operating under the assumption that THKoS involves Ulfric marrying Malene by force/blackmail in order to strengthen his claim to the throne/crown... but what if that's not how it works out? Defeating the Empire and marrying the Dragonborn certainly makes him the best candidate for High King...
...except for the Dragonborn herself, who, honestly, has a pretty good claim to Titus Mede II's throne.
It'd be funny as shit if I switched it up and made Mal the titular High King instead. Just imagining the look on Ulfric's face is fucking wonderful.
Note December 2015
I have an old file lying around that calls Mal's company "the Order of the Dov", but I'm thinking of different possibilities at the moment. The Dragonguard, possibly, or perhaps simply the Blades? Maybe something else I haven't come up with yet?
And while I have plenty of characters for the Order's ranks, I don't have a base of operations. I've been thinking of Blackreach, but I fear that might not be feasible; the place is overrun by Falmer, after all, and it kind of seems like asking for trouble. Helgen's another possibility, but I've been thinking of an alternate possibility for that (a harmonic interracial settlement). Perhaps the Order simply takes over various abandoned fortresses and other bandit hideouts across Skyrim? Starting with the one near Whiterun?
Perhaps there's a running gag that while Elisif is High King, Malene is quickly becoming known as Skyrim's Queen.
Update 3/16/2016
Wait, shit, I was totally misremembering. Elisif is actually going to be High Queen; there's no "She's the King" going on here, and I'm disappointed.
Mal Has a Bit of a Thalmor Fetish
Ondolemar's two lackeys are going to be named Vandalion and Falindil. I haven't decided (and don't really care) which Mal fucks in The Secret of the Reach.
Note, though, that she will have no romantic/sexual relationship or subtext with Ondolemar, if only because he's Erith's love interest. Their relationship should be restricted instead to very unlikely friendship.
Ancano, however, is a different story. While Erith's crush on him is completely unrequited, the tension between him and Mal is off the charts. They're political enemies, they don't trust each other, and they don't exactly get along... and yet they both have more than a passing interest in the idea of fucking the other into submission. In fact, they very nearly act upon their lust, but are interrupted by one of the other mages. It is of note that by this point, Mal has already slept with one of Ondolemar's lackeys.
Note March 17, 2016
I've been playing with Rumarin for the past few days of my Malene mega-run, and I'm a bit surprised by how much I actually like him! I'm glad I wasn't playing with him back when I was still considering Mal-Lydia-Hjoromir-Erevan to be my original party; because I don't think I would've made the decision to cut INPC characters from my lineup if I'd had him in the mix. He's actually kind of perfect for Malene, and it's really throwing me off; I find myself giving serious consideration to rewriting her arc. There's something to be said for having him as a love interest, and the balance between him and Marcurio, who more or less plays the exact same role of "snarky love interest", would actually be really interesting as opposed to redundant, as I briefly feared.
Meanwhile, I've also picked up a few other followers. One is Noster Eagle-Eye; I was thinking that in CoA, Malene can hire him to be a trainer for her men? The other is a new INPC character, Daenlyn Oakhollow, and while I'm not head over heels for him, I'm totally inspired to base a character upon him. I already have a Bosmer OC, Cylfina, but she's a mage at the college and not part of the Order, and while the game itself has a Bosmer archer, Faendal is actually just as bad as Sven (though I didn't realize it in my first play-through), and I'm not into him as part of the Order. So instead of Daenlyn, I'd like to create a Bosmer archer character that's more grounded and serious than Cylfina but less bard-and-nature-y than Daenlyn; I'm not 100% on his personality yet, but I think he should be young and rather carefree to contrast with Jenassa's personality.
I plan to look at some of the other beggars in the game and see if I can do anything with them; Silda the Unseen, at the very least, should be recruited.
March 21, 2016
A month or two ago, I began a short draft of Children of Akatosh, totalling around three thousands words. I paused in that effort because I wasn't entirely secure in the way my portrayal of Malene was manifesting, and I attribute that in no small part to my uncertainty regarding her backstory. In that short draft, I had her down as someone who had been living outside of society for some time, but it was having the effect of making her more naive than just temporarily out of touch with proper Skyrim society.
Instead of having her be a lone survivor of the wilderness, however, I have an alternate idea. Moderately inspired by the Brotherhood without Banners from Game of Thrones, I'm thinking that perhaps Malene was part of a group of (as she refers to them) "not-bandits" that lived in the Aspen forests of the Rift. (By not-bandits, she means that they only ever broke the law in order to get food.)
The entire group was killed shortly before Mal got caught up in the Imperial ambush to catch the Stormcloaks.
Children of Akatosh OCs
Cylfina is a sex-crazy Bosmer apprentice at the College of Winterhold.
Harrold, aka Harry, is an overeager young man from Riverwood or Whiterun who Mal hires as her personal assistant, mostly just to throw the guy a bone and to lighten her swiftly increasing list of things to carry.
Arterion is an Altmer Thalmor operative who develops a fascination with Mal. He's torn between two mindsets: A, that she's essentially the new Talos and needs to be wiped out of history before they have another Nord hero-god to contend with, and B, that she's actually a demigoddess aspect or child of Akatosh/Auri-El, like Alduin is/was. And as his obsession grows, he starts pressing Ondolemar and the soldier she drunkenly slept with for details about her... and then starts trying to convince Elenwen that he should be sent to Mal as an adviser (a la Ancano to Savos).
Erith Aurelia & Malene Soul-Eater
I'm still giving serious consideration to the idea of making Erith a supporting character in Malene story. I'm not sure how much I like the idea, but I also don't really like the idea of Erith being Dragonborn. She's kind of a letdown after the pure awesome of Malene, honestly.
The biggest problem, of course, (bigger even than the shift in dynamic between Mal and Ancano that's necessary if Erith exists at the College) is that there's going to be a huge shift to Ondolemar's plot line if I decide to add Erith to Malene's universe.
Minor Plot Points
Mal invests in Skyrim businesses including (but not definitely limited to) Revyn Sadri's store, Sadri's Used Wares.
Mal has a lot in common with Aela the Huntress, though I don't think Aela ever joins the Order (or Mal the Companions, though that's more up in the air).
Planning Followers
Harrold is a stand-in for INPC's Hjoromir. He is Mal's very first companion, and he's part of her standard entourage for quite a long time. Eventually, though, he becomes steward of the Order of the Dov and retires from adventuring into that more managerial position.
Jenassa is the second person to join Malene on her journey, and, like Harrold, she remains with Mal for quite a long time. Eventually, though, they do separate; Jen becomes part of the Order, obviously, but possibly moves on to leading her own expeditions? Or, considering her penchant for both stealth and murder, she might be drafted into the new Dark Brotherhood? (At the very least, she would probably play a devil's advocate role during the Listener arc.)
Lydia is Malene's first housecarl and the third member of Mal's original entourage. Unlike Harrold and Jenassa, however, Mal and Lydia never stop adventuring together (except perhaps for minor missions).
Aerin & Mjoll the Lioness | Their primary role in the story should be as companions during the Disband the Thieves guild (original) plotline.
Aranea Ienth & Erandur | These two are mostly relevant during and immediately after their personal quests. I would, however, like them to interact... 'cause I kind of ship it?
Borgakh the Steel Heart | She needs to be introduced during some kind of plot or subplot that requires visiting the Orc stronghold(s), and it makes the most sense if her greatest relevancy is during an Orc-centric plotline. However, she should travel with Mal for some time before she chooses to vouch for Mal to any other stronghold orcs. (There should also be some super obvious ship tease for Borgakh/Malene.)
Daelyn Oakhollow (stand-in) - ranger
Illia | It would make the most sense to introduce Illia during the Forsworn arc. She's caught up in the Hagravens of the Reach, so she could be an invaluable asset on that front.
Jordis the Sword-Maiden is Mal's Solitude housecarl, and as such, she's tasked with defending Malene's various adopted children.
Kharjo can join at any point after encountering his caravan; the only requirement is that Alduin must already be defeated. However, I don't really have any ideas for what his plot should be! Something to do with the caravans, perhaps? Ooh, or something to do with the racist laws about not letting Khajiit into the cities? (I'm also thinking of shipping Kharjo/Ysolda.)
Marcurio presumably joins up with Mal during the Riften quests and becomes her primary love interest. He may or may not oust Siddgeir from that role, which has fun potential for when Mal shows back up in Falkreath with Marc in tow. (I may or may not introduce Rumarin in a similar role and play Marc and Rumarin off one another...?)
Rayya & Valdimar are Mal's housecarls in Falkreath and Hjaalmarch, respectively. They will either be stationed as guards at Mal's homesteads in their respective holds or commanders in the Order.
Erik the Slayer joins sometime after Mal stops in Rorikstead for the second time (the first time, she pays for Erik's armor but doesn't recruit him). However, I might have him join the Companions?
Most Important Relationships
The Last Dragonborn: Alduin
* friendship with Lydia & Hjoromir expy
* adoption of Lucia
* friendship with Paarthurnax
* friendship with Balgruuf
* alliance with Odahviing
* rivalry/antagonism with Alduin
The Reunification of Skyrim: Ulfric
* friendship with Lydia & Hjoromir expy
* motherhood of Lucia and Sophie
* romance/friendship with Erevan expy
* alliance > friendship with Odahviing
* friendship with Balgruuf
* conflicted feelings toward Ulfric
* camaraderie with Rikke, Tullius, and Hadvar
The Jagged Crown: Elisif
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
* friendship/subtext with Elisif
* friendship with Rikke & Tullius
* friendship with Balgruuf
The Will of Dragons: Odahviing
* friendship with Paarthurnax & Odie
* antagonism with Alduin wannabe
* foreshadowing re: Mal/Alduin
The Shame of Windhelm: Brunwulf
* friendship w/ Brunwulf Free-Winter
* adoption of Aventus
* relationship with Erevan expy
The Children of Sithis: Cicero
* antagonism/subtext with Cicero
* grudge > peace with Babette
* friendship with Erandur
The Thane of Falkreath: Siddgeir
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
* sexual relationship with Siddgeir
* friendship with Hadvar (and Ralof?)
The Secret of the Reach: Ondolemar
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
* sexual relationship with Sanguine
* friendship with Ondolemar
The Mists of Morthal
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
The Dream of Dawnstar: Erandur
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, & Alesan
* friendship with Erandur
The Eye of Magnus: Ancano
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, & Alesan
* antagonism/subtext with Ancano
* friendship with Brelyna, J'zargo, & Onmund (plus Nirya and Cylfina)
The Shame of Windhelm: Cicero
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, & Alesan
* friendship w/ Brunwulf Free-Winter
* complex relationship with Cicero and Babette
The Rats of the Rift: Aventus
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, & Aventus
* friendship w/ Mjoll the Lioness
The Tyranny of the Sun: Serana
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, & Aventus
* friendship/subtext with Serana
* friendship with Durnehviir
* friendship > subtext with Odahviing
The Madmen of the Reach: Illia
* friendship with Lydia & Serana
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, Aventus, & Britte
The Pariah Folk
* friendship with Lydia & Serana
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, Aventus, & Britte
* friendship/subtext with Borgakh
The First Dragonborn
* friendship with Lydia & Serana
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, Aventus, & Britte
* partnership/subtext with Neloth
* antagonism/subtext with Miraak & Hermaeus Mora
11/11/17
So, someone just posted a new prompt to the Skyrim kmeme to the effect of "give me a super subby Thalmor", and, uh, I'm contemplating coloring Mal/Art with that brush. He's obsessed with her right from the start, after all, so it's no stretch to turn that obsession to outright worship once their relationship starts up; in fact, it falls right in line with what I've already decided about his religious qualms regarding her identity as a Talos figure and the presumed chosen one of Akatosh/Auri-El.
The Elves of the Deep*
The story begins when Malene and her company discover Frostflow Lighthouse, where the Falmer have risen to the surface and slaughtered a family. It sets Mal down the road of trying to combat the Falmer threat and will likely involve a return to Blackreach and reunion with Gelebor. Should the company attempt to create a base in Blackreach, a system of warning should be implemented. All individuals must at all times carry a horn and a Scroll of Flares. Should they come across any Falmer, their first priority is to blow the warning horn. Second priority is to set off their flare so the others can find them and assist. Meanwhile, there is also an escape plan in place; everyone is assigned to different emergency exits, whether it be lifts that take them directly to the surface or, less fortunately, Dwemer ruins they'll have to brave. Should it become necessary to use this escape plan, a disaster bell will sound throughout Blackreach.
*though it occurs to me now that Falmer actually means snow elves; the Dwemer are the deep elves.
Note: These need new titles as part of their transition from fanfics to original stories.
Maybe the series title can be Godborne?
The Last Dragonborn -> Children of the Gods
The Reunification of Skyrim -> A Goddess Goes to War (Civil War)
The Jagged Crown -> She Who Wears the Crown (Succession Crisis)
The Thane of Falkreath / The Will of Dragons -> Untitled Demigod/Demon Uprising
The Shame of Windhelm / The Children of Sithis -> Inside the Hearts of Men (Assassins Guild & Institutionalized Racism)
The Rats of the Rift -> Untitled Thieves Guild
The Eye of Magnus -> Untitled Wizard College
The Secret of the Reach -> Untitled Forsworn Conspiracy
The Mists of Morthal -> Untitled Vampires in Morthal
The Dream of Dawnstar -> Untitled Dawnstar Dreams
The Elves of the Deep -> Untitled Dwarven Ruins
The Tyranny of the Sun -> Untitled Dawnguard
The Madmen of the Reach -> Untitled Forsworn Uprising
The Pariah Folk -> Untitled Orc Rights
The First Dragonborn -> Untitled First Godborne
Children of Akatosh -> Untitled Endgame???
Godborne Malene/Alduin Note
After Malene "kills" Alduin, she's under the impression that he's, you know, dead. But he's not; he's harbored inside her, imprisoned within her mind. She only realizes this when he begins to manifest in her dreams; he explains that the Goddess intended her to be his punishment. She left messages for him within Mal's mind, outlining for him what's going to happen now. He's furious to realize that their Mother created Malene specifically for him in more ways that one; rather than simply being his reckoning, she's also his intended mate. He despises everything about that supposed eventuality, but Mal thinks his wrath is pure revenge. Later, though, he adjusts to the idea; he's been watching her, and once the immediate bitterness of his defeat begins to fade, he begrudgingly admits that if his Mother were to create a mate for him, that hypothetical Godborne would be a lot like Malene.
Children of the Gods
~ Malene discovers that she is the prophecied last of the Godborne. She's more or less a goddess herself, though still mostly mortal; her primary power at this point is that unlike regular mortals, she is capable of truly killing other gods and demons. And she's the archnemesis of the first Childe of the Gods, a dragonlike demonic deity based on Alduin who happens to be nicknamed the Destroyer and will someday be the Bringer of the Apocalypse; she was born specifically to prevent him from conquering the world during her lifetime, but she is also intended to become not just his nemesis and foil but eventually his partner, as well, once she grows into her role as a death goddess (and he recovers from his not-quite-fatal defeat at her hands).
- Mal's support during this story is: an eager but useless non-warrior dude named Harrold who absolutely hero-worships her from the moment he sets eyes on her; an unnamed shield maiden based on Lydia; and a sexy dark elf assassin (based on Jenassa) who's absolutely not DTF.
- Alduin is the Firstborn Godchilde, by far the most powerful of the Godborne, and was created to be the End. He is the Destroyer, the God of Destruction, the Bringer of the End of the World. But these days, he'd rather conquer and rule the world than destroy it; he'd rather enslave the humans than end their cycle. And their Mother, the Lifegiver and the Goddess of Destiny and Creation knew that inevitability from the moment of his birth; so, right at the start of his plan to conquer all, She created her final Childe, Malene. Born mortal, Malene is intended to complement Alduin as much as to irk him. She begins her life as human; he despises humanity. Her primary purpose is (as far as anyone knows) to kill him permanently (though she's really more meant to put him in timeout for a while).
"I long knew that the time had come for a warrior to sit upon our kingdom's throne. Only now do I understand that it was never to be me."
Opening
Note! So the opening of Skyrim involves being a prisoner, but the opening of children of the Gods is going to be a battle. All of the same characters are going to be there. Malene is going to be there, as is General Tullius, Hadvar, Ralof or whatever his name is, Ulfric, etcetera. I'm going to preserve the original opening that I had planned for the Skyrim series. That idea was that the backstory of Malene getting arrested is that she had been part of like a sort of Outlaw band that ended up getting slaughtered. It kind of sets up the idea that she's used to being in a big group of people, and it helps set up the idea that she would gather a bunch of followers to form her own new replacement group.
So basically what I'm saying is the first chapter should be a battle scene. It's very in media res and introduces the Civil War conflict right away. And of course the chapter ends with the arrival of the first Godborne character who will be taking the place of Alduin in the story.
Malene is a tall woman with long black hair; sharp, attractive features; and very pale skin. She wears heavy, dark makeup around her blue eyes, and keeps her hair in a long, thick braid.
My Hero of Kvatch
I want my Hero of Kvatch (Korra?) to be the ancestor of my Last Dragonborn (Malene), which ~should~ end up making Malene an unknown/unknowing descendant of the Septim dynasty (via Martin).
Now, let's get into the more important stuff. The driving force behind Oblivion is the Mythic Dawn cult, which believes that Tamriel is actually just another Daedric Princedom, this one belonging to Lorkhan (aka Shor, god of mortals). https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Mythic_Dawn#Theology
Now, Tiber Septim is believed to have been a Shezarrine, aka a mortal incarnation of the Missing God, Lorkhan. (Hence why the Mythic Dawn wanted to wipe out his bloodline.) I had already been toying with the idea of Malene as something similar to a Shezarrine (an aspect or avatar of Lorkhan or perhaps an aspect or avatar of Lorkhan ~and~ Akatosh) and making her the descendant of the last one would be an interesting addition there.
So.... what I'm getting at is that Malene as the Last Dragonborn is an aspect/avatar/whatever of Lorkhan, making her (in the Mythic Dawn's view of things) an aspect of the Daedric Prince that "owns" Tamriel.
There's a potential endgame here of having Tamriel recognized as a Daedric Princedom (part of Oblivion???) with Malene rising to Daedric rule???
Alternately, things could go in the more Malene/Alduin as Lorkhan/Akatosh and look at the way that would play out for the Thalmor (trying to unmake Lorkhan's creation of Mundus by erasing the previous Shezarrine raised to godhood, Talos).
There's also some kind of nonsense going on about Alduin being an aspect of Akatosh being an aspect of Aka being an aspect of something called Anu & Lorkhan being an aspect of Sithis being an aspect of something called Padomay, with Anu and Padomay being the two halves of something called the Godhead.
So, um. Maybe see if there's something there? https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/User_blog:Pelinal_Whitestrake/About_Aka,_Lorkhan_and_broken_Windows
Mal as Royalty
Empress Solaria Shorine, also called Malene Soul-Eater, Lady Stormcrown, and Ysmir
The Skyrim story should lead up to the war with the Dominion. I want it to be reminiscent of ME3 & Inquisition by the end; the Dragonborn holds the fate of the world in her hands, and she is not just a hero but a commander bringing together the forces of the world in the fight against the elven supremacists.
The first story, of course, is the main quest plotline of Skyrim, dealing with Malene's discovery of her destiny as the Dragonborn, the birth of the Order of Dov, and the defeat of the World-Eater.
Mal's Imperial titles, as modeled after Daenerys Stormborn's, are as followed:
Solaria Stormcrown of the Dynasty Shorine, First of Her Lineage, Dragonborn Empress of Tamriel, Devourer of the Dov, Dragon of the North, and Savior of Mundus
(Additional titles not recognized in Cyrodiil include Soul-Eater, Lady Stormcrown, Ysmir, and her actual given name, Malene.)
This is a trilogy, but the plot I really want to get to is the third installment.
1) Skyrim canon. Alduin dies at the Dragonborn's hand, but she does not absorb his soul. This worries her.
2) Noncanon. The Dragonborn leads the dragons into war against the Thalmor. They are victorious, but she is killed.
3) Noncanon. The Dragonborn goes not to Sovengarde or a Daedra's afterlife. She goes to the afterlife of Akatosh, where the dragons go upon their death (unless the dragon's soul was absorbed by a Dragonborn). And she, the Last Dragonborn, finds herself locked in the fortress at the heart of the realm with none other than Alduin, the Firstborn of Akatosh.
They don't recognize one another at first; he perceives her as a female dragon, and she perceives him as a Dremora-esque humanoid. When they realize one another's identities, they're far from pleased... and more than a little confused by the difference in perception. In any case, though, it would seem Akatosh has something in mind for his two most honored children.
Old Simple Outline
The Hero of Skyrim (Female Nord)
Arc #1: The Last Dragonborn
Arc #2: The Reunification of Skyrim
Arc #3: The Jagged Crown*
Arc #4: The Thane of Falkreath
Arc #5: The Secret of the Reach
Arc #6: The Mists of Morthal
Arc #7: The Dream of Dawnstar
Arc #8: The Eye of Magnus
Arc #9: The Shame of Windhelm**
Arc #10: The Rats of the Rift***
Arc #11: The Rebirth of Helgen****
Arc #12: The Tyranny of the Sun
Arc #13: The First Dragonborn
Arc #14: The Madmen of the Reach
Arc #15: The Pariah Folk
Arc #Y: The Aldmeri Dominion
Arc #Z: The Children of Akatosh
*Balgruuf's court plots (presumably without his knowledge) to have him declared High King instead of Elisif (a plot which, like Ulfric's war, is slyly encouraged by the Thalmor). May lead to DB's first interactions with the Thieves' Guild (trying to steal the Jagged Crown) and the Dark Brotherhood (presumably trying to assassinate Elisif). Should incorporate any Whiterun and Solitude quests not covered in the previous installments.
**This will include the Dark Brotherhood plotline. (I dunno if the DB is intended to still be the Listener if s/he chooses to eradicate the Dark Brotherhood instead of joining, but for the purposes of this story, she is.)
***This will involve DB and Mjoll taking down the Guild. (Perhaps DB infiltrates?) Jarl Maven will be unseated and imprisoned in Castle Dour, while the throne will be given to former Jarl Laila's surviving son. If DB doesn't infiltrate (and perhaps even if she does), Mercer will succeed in killing Karliah and robbing the guild.
****This includes the Companions questline, the end of which will see DB cured of her lycanthropy.
Old Slightly-More-In-depth Outline
#1: The Last Dragonborn
Alduin is technically the love interest
Malene/Odaviing subtext begins
siding with Greybeards over Blades
adopt Lucia & buy Breezehome
become Thane of Whiterun
#2: The Reunification of Skyrim
Ulfric attempts to court Malene
Malene adopts Sophie (Breezehome)
#3: The Jagged Crown
become Thane of Solitude
buy & move to Proudspire Manor
adopt Blaise (Proudspire Manor)
possible Mal/Elisif subtext
#4: The Thane of Falkreath
Malene/Siddgeir relationship begins
become Thane of Falkreath
#5: The Secret of the Reach
A Night to Remember
Mal/Sanguine hedonism arc
No One Escapes Cidhna Mine
Malene drunkenly fucks a Thalmor
become Thane of Markarth
#6: The Mists of Morthal
become Thane of Morthal
#7: The Dream of Dawnstar
adopt Alesan (Proudspire Manor)
become Thane of Dawnstar
#8: The Eye of Magnus
heavy Mal/Ancano foe yay
become Archmage of the College
become Thane of Winterhold
#9: The Shame of Windhelm
adopt Aventus (Proudspire Manor)
become Thane of Windhelm
destroy the Dark Brotherhood
#10: The Rats of the Rift
disband the Thieves' Guild
become Thane of Riften
#11: The Rebirth of Helgen
rebuild Helgen (in Falkreath)
#12: The Tyranny of the Sun
Mal/Serana subtext + jealous Lydia
destroy Hakon's clan
befriend Durnehviir & Gelebor
Serana v. Erandur tension re: vampire
Odaviing jealous of Durnehviir
#13: The Madmen of the Reach
attack on Rorikstead (Sissel & dad die)
adopt Britte, cue angst arc
#X: The First Dragonborn
gain allegiance of Raven Rock & Skaal
#Y: The Aldmeri Dominion
call back to #5 re: Mal/Thalmor
Mal marries Emperor Titus Mede II
Mal sacrifices her life in the end
#Z: The Children of Akatosh
Mal's soul was claimed by Akatosh
Mal/Alduin endgame
Old List of Mal's Companions
#1: The Last Dragonborn
Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
#2: The Reunification of Skyrim
Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
#3: The Jagged Crown
Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
#4: The Thane of Falkreath
Main: Malene, Lydia, Hjoromir
Newbie: Rayya
#5: The Secret of the Reach
Primary: Malene, Rayya
Secondary: Hjoromir, Lydia
Newbie: Argis
#6: The Mists of Morthal
Main: Malene, Lydia
Secondary: Hjoromir, Rayya, Argis
Newbie: Valdimar
#7: The Dream of Dawnstar
Main: Malene, Lydia, Rayya
Secondary: Hjoromir, Argis, Valdimar
Newbie: Erandur, Gregor, Kharjo
#8: The Eye of Magnus
Main: Malene, Lydia, Erandur, Kharjo
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya
Newbie: Aranea
#9: The Shame of Windhelm
Main: Malene, Lydia, Kharjo
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Calder
#10: The Rats of the Rift
Main: Malene, Lydia, Kharjo
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Iona, Mjoll
#11: The Rebirth of Helgen
Main: Malene, Lydia, Kharjo, Mjoll
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Aerin
#12: The Tyranny of the Sun
Main: Malene, Lydia
Messenger: Hjoromir
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Serana
#13: The Madmen of the Reach
Main: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Messenger: Hjoromir
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea
Newbie: Illia
#14: The Pariah Folk
Core: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea, Illia
Newbie: Borgakh
#X: The First Dragonborn
Core: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin, Borgakh
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea, Illia
#Y: The Aldmeri Dominion
Core: Malene, Lydia, Serana
Warrior: Kharjo, Mjoll, Aerin, Borgakh
Messenger: Hjoromir
Guard: Argis, Valdimar, Gregor, Rayya, Calder, Iona
Mage: Erandur, Aranea, Illia
#Z: The Children of Akatosh
The Order of the Dov
Malene Soul-Eater, Dovahkiin
Paarthurnax, Dovah
Odahviing, Dovah
Durnehviir, Dovah
Lydia, Lieutenant
Serana, Lieutenant & Ambassador to Vampires
Harrold, Steward
Jenassa, Warden of Whiterun
Rayya, Warden of Falkreath
Argis, Warden of the Reach
Valdimar, Warden of Hjaalmarch
Gregor, Warden of the Pale
Calder, Warden of Windhelm
Iona, Warden of the Rift
Kharjo, Ambassador to the Khajiit
Borgakh, Ambassador to the Orsimer
Erandur, Mage
Aranea Ienth, Mage
Mjoll & Aerin, Warriors
Illia, Mage
Marcurio, Mage
INPC Characters
I find myself giving serious thought to whether of not I want to include INPC characters in Children of Akatosh. The more I play INPC, the more I realize that a majority of the "interesting NPCs" operate under a completely different tone than Skyrim proper. So far, the only ones who fit the tone enough for me to consider using them are Hjoromir and Erevan, and I find myself reconsidering whether even they belong.
I have no real qualms, I suppose, with removing Erevan from the story. He's only really important as a way to emphasize Ulfric and Windhelm's racism and therefore isn't a particularly necessary character outside of The High King AU.
Hjoromir is another story. I like him. He's great comic relief, honestly, and I find myself rather unwilling to give him up. However, it's not going to make a ton of sense if he's the only INPC I use (though I was considering preserving the slavery quest line of INPC and its Khajiit NPC....).
However, my current plan makes Hjoromir a huge part of the story. He's second only to Mal in terms of screen time and introduced even before Lydia. I genuinely want to use him. However, using one INPC and no others might be a dealbreaker for both INPC fans and those unfamiliar with the mod.
Then again... I suppose I have to decide if I give a shit.
As for Erevan... I don't know, I kind of like the guy, and until Rayya shows up, he's the only non-Nord member of the party, which is obviously quite an important role. *sigh* I suppose that on the one hand, I should just write whatever the fuck I want to write, everyone else be damned... but I don't know if it's really the best course of action.
Mal's Love Interests
Lovers
- Siddgeir (ongoing)
- unnamed Thalmor soldier (once)
- that Imperial soldier who shares a voice with Fenris (occasional?)
- Etienne Rarnis (occasional?)
- Marcurio (ongoing)
- Titus Mede II (married)
- Alduin (endgame)
Unrequited (Implied or Confirmed)
- Elisif > Mal
- Cicero > Mal
- Mal > Erandur
- Thalmor!OC > Mal (possibly requited?)
- Borgakh > Mal
Rejected
- Ulfric (Mal rejects him)
- Balgruuf (mutual rejection)
UST
- Lydia
- Serana
- Odaviing
Foe Yay
- Ancano
- Alduin
Potential AU Note 11/13/15
So, I'm reading what may or may not be the only "Dragonrend makes Alduin human" story anyone ever bothered to actually finish* (and I've not read the end yet, so even that might be wrong)... and I'm pretty into the concept, if not the execution. The author tried a bit too hard to humanize him, which kinda kills the appeal for me (what's the point of a dragon demigod if he acts just like a human?), but it's a concept I could easily tweak to suit my own needs.
Now, I'm into Mal/Alduin as a pairing, but this isn't how I plan to have it manifest; in Children of Akatosh, they don't "get together" in any sense of the word until after they're both dead.
But I already have a "Stormcloaks win" Mal/Ulfric AU planned, not to mention an "Alduin wins" Mal/Alduin AU and a "Mal's captures by the Dominion" AU (plus some other stuff, potentially). A "human Alduin" Mal/Alduin AU would just be another on a long list of nonsense.
If I went for it, it'd be a much darker story than these other human!Alduin stories. It's likely be a protagonist journey to villain story, or else it would be about both Mal and Alduin going grey to more or less meet in the middle; I'll have no redemption here, thank you very much. That's the opposite of fun.
ETA: lol, it actually isn't finished. WIP for nearly four years and fifty four chapters long, but unsatisfying and unfinished. Boo.
* https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7872360/1/Dragonrend
Fight Styles
- Malene is kind of a jack-of-all-trades; she normally favors the bow, but she's melee until Lydia joins up.
- Jenassa is a ranger (and she's training Harrold).
- Lydia is a one-handed melee warrior.
The High King of Skyrim Idea
So... I've been operating under the assumption that THKoS involves Ulfric marrying Malene by force/blackmail in order to strengthen his claim to the throne/crown... but what if that's not how it works out? Defeating the Empire and marrying the Dragonborn certainly makes him the best candidate for High King...
...except for the Dragonborn herself, who, honestly, has a pretty good claim to Titus Mede II's throne.
It'd be funny as shit if I switched it up and made Mal the titular High King instead. Just imagining the look on Ulfric's face is fucking wonderful.
Note December 2015
I have an old file lying around that calls Mal's company "the Order of the Dov", but I'm thinking of different possibilities at the moment. The Dragonguard, possibly, or perhaps simply the Blades? Maybe something else I haven't come up with yet?
And while I have plenty of characters for the Order's ranks, I don't have a base of operations. I've been thinking of Blackreach, but I fear that might not be feasible; the place is overrun by Falmer, after all, and it kind of seems like asking for trouble. Helgen's another possibility, but I've been thinking of an alternate possibility for that (a harmonic interracial settlement). Perhaps the Order simply takes over various abandoned fortresses and other bandit hideouts across Skyrim? Starting with the one near Whiterun?
Perhaps there's a running gag that while Elisif is High King, Malene is quickly becoming known as Skyrim's Queen.
Update 3/16/2016
Wait, shit, I was totally misremembering. Elisif is actually going to be High Queen; there's no "She's the King" going on here, and I'm disappointed.
Mal Has a Bit of a Thalmor Fetish
Ondolemar's two lackeys are going to be named Vandalion and Falindil. I haven't decided (and don't really care) which Mal fucks in The Secret of the Reach.
Note, though, that she will have no romantic/sexual relationship or subtext with Ondolemar, if only because he's Erith's love interest. Their relationship should be restricted instead to very unlikely friendship.
Ancano, however, is a different story. While Erith's crush on him is completely unrequited, the tension between him and Mal is off the charts. They're political enemies, they don't trust each other, and they don't exactly get along... and yet they both have more than a passing interest in the idea of fucking the other into submission. In fact, they very nearly act upon their lust, but are interrupted by one of the other mages. It is of note that by this point, Mal has already slept with one of Ondolemar's lackeys.
Note March 17, 2016
I've been playing with Rumarin for the past few days of my Malene mega-run, and I'm a bit surprised by how much I actually like him! I'm glad I wasn't playing with him back when I was still considering Mal-Lydia-Hjoromir-Erevan to be my original party; because I don't think I would've made the decision to cut INPC characters from my lineup if I'd had him in the mix. He's actually kind of perfect for Malene, and it's really throwing me off; I find myself giving serious consideration to rewriting her arc. There's something to be said for having him as a love interest, and the balance between him and Marcurio, who more or less plays the exact same role of "snarky love interest", would actually be really interesting as opposed to redundant, as I briefly feared.
Meanwhile, I've also picked up a few other followers. One is Noster Eagle-Eye; I was thinking that in CoA, Malene can hire him to be a trainer for her men? The other is a new INPC character, Daenlyn Oakhollow, and while I'm not head over heels for him, I'm totally inspired to base a character upon him. I already have a Bosmer OC, Cylfina, but she's a mage at the college and not part of the Order, and while the game itself has a Bosmer archer, Faendal is actually just as bad as Sven (though I didn't realize it in my first play-through), and I'm not into him as part of the Order. So instead of Daenlyn, I'd like to create a Bosmer archer character that's more grounded and serious than Cylfina but less bard-and-nature-y than Daenlyn; I'm not 100% on his personality yet, but I think he should be young and rather carefree to contrast with Jenassa's personality.
I plan to look at some of the other beggars in the game and see if I can do anything with them; Silda the Unseen, at the very least, should be recruited.
March 21, 2016
A month or two ago, I began a short draft of Children of Akatosh, totalling around three thousands words. I paused in that effort because I wasn't entirely secure in the way my portrayal of Malene was manifesting, and I attribute that in no small part to my uncertainty regarding her backstory. In that short draft, I had her down as someone who had been living outside of society for some time, but it was having the effect of making her more naive than just temporarily out of touch with proper Skyrim society.
Instead of having her be a lone survivor of the wilderness, however, I have an alternate idea. Moderately inspired by the Brotherhood without Banners from Game of Thrones, I'm thinking that perhaps Malene was part of a group of (as she refers to them) "not-bandits" that lived in the Aspen forests of the Rift. (By not-bandits, she means that they only ever broke the law in order to get food.)
The entire group was killed shortly before Mal got caught up in the Imperial ambush to catch the Stormcloaks.
Children of Akatosh OCs
Cylfina is a sex-crazy Bosmer apprentice at the College of Winterhold.
Harrold, aka Harry, is an overeager young man from Riverwood or Whiterun who Mal hires as her personal assistant, mostly just to throw the guy a bone and to lighten her swiftly increasing list of things to carry.
Arterion is an Altmer Thalmor operative who develops a fascination with Mal. He's torn between two mindsets: A, that she's essentially the new Talos and needs to be wiped out of history before they have another Nord hero-god to contend with, and B, that she's actually a demigoddess aspect or child of Akatosh/Auri-El, like Alduin is/was. And as his obsession grows, he starts pressing Ondolemar and the soldier she drunkenly slept with for details about her... and then starts trying to convince Elenwen that he should be sent to Mal as an adviser (a la Ancano to Savos).
Erith Aurelia & Malene Soul-Eater
I'm still giving serious consideration to the idea of making Erith a supporting character in Malene story. I'm not sure how much I like the idea, but I also don't really like the idea of Erith being Dragonborn. She's kind of a letdown after the pure awesome of Malene, honestly.
The biggest problem, of course, (bigger even than the shift in dynamic between Mal and Ancano that's necessary if Erith exists at the College) is that there's going to be a huge shift to Ondolemar's plot line if I decide to add Erith to Malene's universe.
Minor Plot Points
Mal invests in Skyrim businesses including (but not definitely limited to) Revyn Sadri's store, Sadri's Used Wares.
Mal has a lot in common with Aela the Huntress, though I don't think Aela ever joins the Order (or Mal the Companions, though that's more up in the air).
Planning Followers
Harrold is a stand-in for INPC's Hjoromir. He is Mal's very first companion, and he's part of her standard entourage for quite a long time. Eventually, though, he becomes steward of the Order of the Dov and retires from adventuring into that more managerial position.
Jenassa is the second person to join Malene on her journey, and, like Harrold, she remains with Mal for quite a long time. Eventually, though, they do separate; Jen becomes part of the Order, obviously, but possibly moves on to leading her own expeditions? Or, considering her penchant for both stealth and murder, she might be drafted into the new Dark Brotherhood? (At the very least, she would probably play a devil's advocate role during the Listener arc.)
Lydia is Malene's first housecarl and the third member of Mal's original entourage. Unlike Harrold and Jenassa, however, Mal and Lydia never stop adventuring together (except perhaps for minor missions).
Aerin & Mjoll the Lioness | Their primary role in the story should be as companions during the Disband the Thieves guild (original) plotline.
Aranea Ienth & Erandur | These two are mostly relevant during and immediately after their personal quests. I would, however, like them to interact... 'cause I kind of ship it?
Borgakh the Steel Heart | She needs to be introduced during some kind of plot or subplot that requires visiting the Orc stronghold(s), and it makes the most sense if her greatest relevancy is during an Orc-centric plotline. However, she should travel with Mal for some time before she chooses to vouch for Mal to any other stronghold orcs. (There should also be some super obvious ship tease for Borgakh/Malene.)
Daelyn Oakhollow (stand-in) - ranger
Illia | It would make the most sense to introduce Illia during the Forsworn arc. She's caught up in the Hagravens of the Reach, so she could be an invaluable asset on that front.
Jordis the Sword-Maiden is Mal's Solitude housecarl, and as such, she's tasked with defending Malene's various adopted children.
Kharjo can join at any point after encountering his caravan; the only requirement is that Alduin must already be defeated. However, I don't really have any ideas for what his plot should be! Something to do with the caravans, perhaps? Ooh, or something to do with the racist laws about not letting Khajiit into the cities? (I'm also thinking of shipping Kharjo/Ysolda.)
Marcurio presumably joins up with Mal during the Riften quests and becomes her primary love interest. He may or may not oust Siddgeir from that role, which has fun potential for when Mal shows back up in Falkreath with Marc in tow. (I may or may not introduce Rumarin in a similar role and play Marc and Rumarin off one another...?)
Rayya & Valdimar are Mal's housecarls in Falkreath and Hjaalmarch, respectively. They will either be stationed as guards at Mal's homesteads in their respective holds or commanders in the Order.
Erik the Slayer joins sometime after Mal stops in Rorikstead for the second time (the first time, she pays for Erik's armor but doesn't recruit him). However, I might have him join the Companions?
Most Important Relationships
The Last Dragonborn: Alduin
* friendship with Lydia & Hjoromir expy
* adoption of Lucia
* friendship with Paarthurnax
* friendship with Balgruuf
* alliance with Odahviing
* rivalry/antagonism with Alduin
The Reunification of Skyrim: Ulfric
* friendship with Lydia & Hjoromir expy
* motherhood of Lucia and Sophie
* romance/friendship with Erevan expy
* alliance > friendship with Odahviing
* friendship with Balgruuf
* conflicted feelings toward Ulfric
* camaraderie with Rikke, Tullius, and Hadvar
The Jagged Crown: Elisif
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
* friendship/subtext with Elisif
* friendship with Rikke & Tullius
* friendship with Balgruuf
The Will of Dragons: Odahviing
* friendship with Paarthurnax & Odie
* antagonism with Alduin wannabe
* foreshadowing re: Mal/Alduin
The Shame of Windhelm: Brunwulf
* friendship w/ Brunwulf Free-Winter
* adoption of Aventus
* relationship with Erevan expy
The Children of Sithis: Cicero
* antagonism/subtext with Cicero
* grudge > peace with Babette
* friendship with Erandur
The Thane of Falkreath: Siddgeir
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
* sexual relationship with Siddgeir
* friendship with Hadvar (and Ralof?)
The Secret of the Reach: Ondolemar
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
* sexual relationship with Sanguine
* friendship with Ondolemar
The Mists of Morthal
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, & Blaise
The Dream of Dawnstar: Erandur
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, & Alesan
* friendship with Erandur
The Eye of Magnus: Ancano
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, & Alesan
* antagonism/subtext with Ancano
* friendship with Brelyna, J'zargo, & Onmund (plus Nirya and Cylfina)
The Shame of Windhelm: Cicero
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, & Alesan
* friendship w/ Brunwulf Free-Winter
* complex relationship with Cicero and Babette
The Rats of the Rift: Aventus
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, & Aventus
* friendship w/ Mjoll the Lioness
The Tyranny of the Sun: Serana
* friendship with Lydia
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, & Aventus
* friendship/subtext with Serana
* friendship with Durnehviir
* friendship > subtext with Odahviing
The Madmen of the Reach: Illia
* friendship with Lydia & Serana
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, Aventus, & Britte
The Pariah Folk
* friendship with Lydia & Serana
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, Aventus, & Britte
* friendship/subtext with Borgakh
The First Dragonborn
* friendship with Lydia & Serana
* motherhood of Lucia, Sophie, Blaise, Alesan, Aventus, & Britte
* partnership/subtext with Neloth
* antagonism/subtext with Miraak & Hermaeus Mora
11/11/17
So, someone just posted a new prompt to the Skyrim kmeme to the effect of "give me a super subby Thalmor", and, uh, I'm contemplating coloring Mal/Art with that brush. He's obsessed with her right from the start, after all, so it's no stretch to turn that obsession to outright worship once their relationship starts up; in fact, it falls right in line with what I've already decided about his religious qualms regarding her identity as a Talos figure and the presumed chosen one of Akatosh/Auri-El.
The Elves of the Deep*
The story begins when Malene and her company discover Frostflow Lighthouse, where the Falmer have risen to the surface and slaughtered a family. It sets Mal down the road of trying to combat the Falmer threat and will likely involve a return to Blackreach and reunion with Gelebor. Should the company attempt to create a base in Blackreach, a system of warning should be implemented. All individuals must at all times carry a horn and a Scroll of Flares. Should they come across any Falmer, their first priority is to blow the warning horn. Second priority is to set off their flare so the others can find them and assist. Meanwhile, there is also an escape plan in place; everyone is assigned to different emergency exits, whether it be lifts that take them directly to the surface or, less fortunately, Dwemer ruins they'll have to brave. Should it become necessary to use this escape plan, a disaster bell will sound throughout Blackreach.
*though it occurs to me now that Falmer actually means snow elves; the Dwemer are the deep elves.
Note: These need new titles as part of their transition from fanfics to original stories.
Maybe the series title can be Godborne?
The Last Dragonborn -> Children of the Gods
The Reunification of Skyrim -> A Goddess Goes to War (Civil War)
The Jagged Crown -> She Who Wears the Crown (Succession Crisis)
The Thane of Falkreath / The Will of Dragons -> Untitled Demigod/Demon Uprising
The Shame of Windhelm / The Children of Sithis -> Inside the Hearts of Men (Assassins Guild & Institutionalized Racism)
The Rats of the Rift -> Untitled Thieves Guild
The Eye of Magnus -> Untitled Wizard College
The Secret of the Reach -> Untitled Forsworn Conspiracy
The Mists of Morthal -> Untitled Vampires in Morthal
The Dream of Dawnstar -> Untitled Dawnstar Dreams
The Elves of the Deep -> Untitled Dwarven Ruins
The Tyranny of the Sun -> Untitled Dawnguard
The Madmen of the Reach -> Untitled Forsworn Uprising
The Pariah Folk -> Untitled Orc Rights
The First Dragonborn -> Untitled First Godborne
Children of Akatosh -> Untitled Endgame???
Godborne Malene/Alduin Note
After Malene "kills" Alduin, she's under the impression that he's, you know, dead. But he's not; he's harbored inside her, imprisoned within her mind. She only realizes this when he begins to manifest in her dreams; he explains that the Goddess intended her to be his punishment. She left messages for him within Mal's mind, outlining for him what's going to happen now. He's furious to realize that their Mother created Malene specifically for him in more ways that one; rather than simply being his reckoning, she's also his intended mate. He despises everything about that supposed eventuality, but Mal thinks his wrath is pure revenge. Later, though, he adjusts to the idea; he's been watching her, and once the immediate bitterness of his defeat begins to fade, he begrudgingly admits that if his Mother were to create a mate for him, that hypothetical Godborne would be a lot like Malene.
Children of the Gods
~ Malene discovers that she is the prophecied last of the Godborne. She's more or less a goddess herself, though still mostly mortal; her primary power at this point is that unlike regular mortals, she is capable of truly killing other gods and demons. And she's the archnemesis of the first Childe of the Gods, a dragonlike demonic deity based on Alduin who happens to be nicknamed the Destroyer and will someday be the Bringer of the Apocalypse; she was born specifically to prevent him from conquering the world during her lifetime, but she is also intended to become not just his nemesis and foil but eventually his partner, as well, once she grows into her role as a death goddess (and he recovers from his not-quite-fatal defeat at her hands).
- Mal's support during this story is: an eager but useless non-warrior dude named Harrold who absolutely hero-worships her from the moment he sets eyes on her; an unnamed shield maiden based on Lydia; and a sexy dark elf assassin (based on Jenassa) who's absolutely not DTF.
- Alduin is the Firstborn Godchilde, by far the most powerful of the Godborne, and was created to be the End. He is the Destroyer, the God of Destruction, the Bringer of the End of the World. But these days, he'd rather conquer and rule the world than destroy it; he'd rather enslave the humans than end their cycle. And their Mother, the Lifegiver and the Goddess of Destiny and Creation knew that inevitability from the moment of his birth; so, right at the start of his plan to conquer all, She created her final Childe, Malene. Born mortal, Malene is intended to complement Alduin as much as to irk him. She begins her life as human; he despises humanity. Her primary purpose is (as far as anyone knows) to kill him permanently (though she's really more meant to put him in timeout for a while).
"I long knew that the time had come for a warrior to sit upon our kingdom's throne. Only now do I understand that it was never to be me."
Opening
Note! So the opening of Skyrim involves being a prisoner, but the opening of children of the Gods is going to be a battle. All of the same characters are going to be there. Malene is going to be there, as is General Tullius, Hadvar, Ralof or whatever his name is, Ulfric, etcetera. I'm going to preserve the original opening that I had planned for the Skyrim series. That idea was that the backstory of Malene getting arrested is that she had been part of like a sort of Outlaw band that ended up getting slaughtered. It kind of sets up the idea that she's used to being in a big group of people, and it helps set up the idea that she would gather a bunch of followers to form her own new replacement group.
So basically what I'm saying is the first chapter should be a battle scene. It's very in media res and introduces the Civil War conflict right away. And of course the chapter ends with the arrival of the first Godborne character who will be taking the place of Alduin in the story.
Malene is a tall woman with long black hair; sharp, attractive features; and very pale skin. She wears heavy, dark makeup around her blue eyes, and keeps her hair in a long, thick braid.
My Hero of Kvatch
I want my Hero of Kvatch (Korra?) to be the ancestor of my Last Dragonborn (Malene), which ~should~ end up making Malene an unknown/unknowing descendant of the Septim dynasty (via Martin).
Now, let's get into the more important stuff. The driving force behind Oblivion is the Mythic Dawn cult, which believes that Tamriel is actually just another Daedric Princedom, this one belonging to Lorkhan (aka Shor, god of mortals). https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Mythic_Dawn#Theology
Now, Tiber Septim is believed to have been a Shezarrine, aka a mortal incarnation of the Missing God, Lorkhan. (Hence why the Mythic Dawn wanted to wipe out his bloodline.) I had already been toying with the idea of Malene as something similar to a Shezarrine (an aspect or avatar of Lorkhan or perhaps an aspect or avatar of Lorkhan ~and~ Akatosh) and making her the descendant of the last one would be an interesting addition there.
So.... what I'm getting at is that Malene as the Last Dragonborn is an aspect/avatar/whatever of Lorkhan, making her (in the Mythic Dawn's view of things) an aspect of the Daedric Prince that "owns" Tamriel.
There's a potential endgame here of having Tamriel recognized as a Daedric Princedom (part of Oblivion???) with Malene rising to Daedric rule???
Alternately, things could go in the more Malene/Alduin as Lorkhan/Akatosh and look at the way that would play out for the Thalmor (trying to unmake Lorkhan's creation of Mundus by erasing the previous Shezarrine raised to godhood, Talos).
There's also some kind of nonsense going on about Alduin being an aspect of Akatosh being an aspect of Aka being an aspect of something called Anu & Lorkhan being an aspect of Sithis being an aspect of something called Padomay, with Anu and Padomay being the two halves of something called the Godhead.
So, um. Maybe see if there's something there? https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/User_blog:Pelinal_Whitestrake/About_Aka,_Lorkhan_and_broken_Windows
Mal as Royalty
Empress Solaria Shorine, also called Malene Soul-Eater, Lady Stormcrown, and Ysmir
The Skyrim story should lead up to the war with the Dominion. I want it to be reminiscent of ME3 & Inquisition by the end; the Dragonborn holds the fate of the world in her hands, and she is not just a hero but a commander bringing together the forces of the world in the fight against the elven supremacists.
The first story, of course, is the main quest plotline of Skyrim, dealing with Malene's discovery of her destiny as the Dragonborn, the birth of the Order of Dov, and the defeat of the World-Eater.
Mal's Imperial titles, as modeled after Daenerys Stormborn's, are as followed:
Solaria Stormcrown of the Dynasty Shorine, First of Her Lineage, Dragonborn Empress of Tamriel, Devourer of the Dov, Dragon of the North, and Savior of Mundus
(Additional titles not recognized in Cyrodiil include Soul-Eater, Lady Stormcrown, Ysmir, and her actual given name, Malene.)
