Walking to Skingrad, I make my way through Hackdirt. It's right on the way. Nothing much here, may be too early in the morning.

 

I dodge a couple oblivion gates so that I can try to tackle Bleak Flats Cave for my mage's guild quest from the first time I was in Skingrad. Let's say that the Clanfear Runts are tough ... this is the third time I've seen them and they're not easy.

 

Inside Bleak Flats Cave, I prepare myself for the deranged zombies I know to be here. At least 3-4. I slaughter them one by one making my way through the cave. This is the place to pick up cairn bollette caps if you need them. I work my way around to find Erthor and end up leveling up to 7 while fighting zombies. Much Destruction and Restoration with a little Blade thrown in when the Magicka wanes to finish them off. By this time, I've applied my sigil stone to my silver sword, creating a magical Shocking Silver Sword which almost doesn't last through the cave. It's expensive to recharge! I take a nap on Erthor's bed in the cave and then lead him back to Skingrad, killing a rat on the way.

 

I drop him off at the Mage's guild and get my "Fame" from the leader. She's got some good spells to buy, but I'm not high enough to get them yet. I check out the alchemist and he gives me a quest to get more nirnroot, saying it's extremely rare, but that he'll give me a discount on the potion it makes -- supposed to make exploring caves better. We'll see.

 

Time to meet the town and see what's up. I plan to visit the Fighter's guild while I'm here to see if they have any contracts and see what else I can to do make some money. I really need to recharge my new magical sword and I'd like to pick up some new armor and a spell of some sort.

So, I make my way to Chorrol. I ride the horse on the road. Kill a couple bandits, chat with some troopers, pick some foliage and arrive in Chorrol late in the evening. I leave my horse in a stable on the road before I get there so I can explore a little on foot. I enter the city and run around a bit to get the feel of the land and then make my way to the Mage's guid for a nite of sleep.

 

Next morning, I try to meet the folks, do some trading at the shops and see if there's any opportunities in the neighborhood.The Mage's guild gives me a quest to find out what Earana is up to. Earana wants me to go to Cloud Top and find some book. The guild wants me to get the book, but keep it away from Earana. Some old guy in the bar wants me to help his sons kill some creatures at his farm, but he's old and can't help them himself. There's also this guy in the bar who says there is someone impersonating him in Cheydenhal. I also find a NIRNROOT that the alchemist at the guild says I should check with the alchemist in Skingrad. While I'm here, I join the fighters guild.

 

When I go to the castle, they ask me to solve the mystery of the stolen painting.

 

First thing next morning, I go to Odill's farm to see what the creatures are. Turns out they're ogres. 3 waves of tough ogres. I'm unable to keep the sons alive, but I do manage to kill all the ogres. Not worth it in my opinion. Perhaps if I was able to keep them alive, there might have been a reward.

 

Next, I investigate the stolen painting. Not too difficult.

 

I decide to handle the Cloud Top quest and make my way up the hill -- at night. It get's steep and I'm not on the road. There's an oblivion gate and some daedra that are tough and I stumble into a fort that is infested with conjurers. I go into the fort and there's an interesting puzzle and some traps, but I kill the next two conjurers and loot their hideout. Leaving the difficult part unexplored. I may try to get back when I have some patience for the puzzle (levers and gates). Since I'm beaten up and loaded with loot, I go back to Chorrol to recharge and try again in the daylight. Kill another Conjurer and some wolves on the way back to town.

 

Next morning, early, I make my way up the road to Cloud Top and retrieve the book from a charred body. I return the book to the guild, killing a couple wolves and a bandit on the way. I sell any loot and "check out" of town, ready to leave in the morning to make my way to Skingrad. I decide to leave my horse outside the north gate of Chorrol and walk to Skingrad to enjoy the scenery and explore a bit.

So, 18 days since I escaped prison and I've already saved Kvatch. Now it's time to get to know Bruma. I decide to walk around in the daylight and talk to anyone around. Seems like there's some vampire hunter I should meet. There's a few skill trainers about (speech, and one other I don't recall). The local mage guild is kinda lame - no spells available except for theft (which I'm not into). Can't join the fighters guild here either - this town is a real backwater. I check the loot at the few stores around and don't see anything worth buying.

 

I fall into this vampire hunter quest and begin to investigate. The head investigator is no Grissom, but he wants me out of his crime scene. I suppose this is the time to figure out that minigame to get a favorable impression with him. After a few tries, I get it figured out. This will make the bargaining easier later in the game I think. After charming him a bit, he let's me investigate the crime scene and even talk to the widow. However, he won't let me look at the dead guy. I poke around the basement and look around, but I'm unwilling to open the locked cabinets or otherwise break the law. There's a dead body in the basement, but no real hints. Guess I need to go find the vampire hunter who killed the guy upstairs. By the sounds of the rumors, he must be at the bar/hotel, but I've been there and haven't seen him. Perhaps I need to rent a room and see if he shows up.

 

While I'm poking about, I stumble into some scam where the husband is in jail and the wife is looking for their loot. I decide to help the wife steal the loot from the husband, but the wife get's killed and I get double-crossed by the jailer who I have to kill. However, I end up with the money for myself. It's evening again and I am on my way back to the inn to see if I can find the vampire hunter ... maybe I'll prowl around at night and see if he comes after me. Apparently the vampire he killed was supposed to have been preying on the homeless - I'll shadow one and see if anything happens.