Traveling to Skyrim

Chapter 15: Hermaeus Mora

*Travis POV*

I wracked my brain for how we could get to Sovngarde. We were back in Riften, Suzannah's in-game husband also trying to give us some background on what Sovngarde was.

" Legend has it that the afterlife of Sovngarde is, believed by Nordic culture, to be a divine covenant between the Deity Lorkhan, or Shor, and the descendants of the wandering Ehlnofey, who fought at Shor's side in the Dawn Era. Most commonly seen are the Atmorans, and their own descendants, the Nords. This ancient belief holds that those men, who are linked by ancestry to the Ehlnofey, upon death find their souls judged not by how they lived, but how they died. Hence, the souls of Mortals that have fallen in battle or die fighting for their beliefs, are given passage to the afterlife of Sovngarde per Shor's decree, where in Lorkhan's own image they earn a place in Sovngarde's Hall Of Valor, among the fallen heroes of men."

When Balimund finished, Lindsey and I stared at him in wonder, while Brooke looked amazed at the knowledge.

"We need to, in essence, either die a warrior's death, or find this 'Shor' then?" Balimund nodded and Brooke hung her head.

"We need to find the temple of Shor, or at least something like that." I said, turning to Lydia. "Know of any place like that?"

"I'm not sure. We need a map of Skyrim for me to be able to tell you where it could be. One with all the locations on it preferably."

"Suzannah gave us all maps like that. Brooke, you search the West, Lindsey the East. I'll take the north and Timius you look in the South." I said, and Brooke looked at me incredulously.

"You want us to travel all around Skyrim?? ALONE??" She asked him, her voice almost becoming shrill.

"What? No! Look at the map you dingus." he said, chuckling and rolling his eyes.

"After many tense, silent moments, Lindsey sighed and rubbed her temples, frustrated at finding nothing. Soon after, Timius, Brooke and I also finished, each of us not finding anything.

"Not much is known of Shor." Balimund suddenly said. "But the Nords are your best bet for information. Maybe the Talos Barker in Whiterun can tell you something?"

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Preparations to leave for Whiterun were almost done, but we decided to get upgrades for our weapons and armor. Brooke kept her armor about the same, adding Dragon plates here and there. Her swords she added enchantments that would restore her health while draining her enemies. I went to a local mage and acquired more powerful versions of the firebolt and lightning bolt spells, so that most enemies would be dead after one shot. I managed to gather the materials needed to get Dramora armor, with Balimund crafting it for me. Lindsey changed out her sword for two Daedric war axes, making her one of the most deadly in our group. Her armor was Steel Dragon plated armor, with deadly spikes emerging here and there. Timius got an upgrade of Glass Armor, with an Elven Bow that was enchanted with lightning, his arrow of choice being glass arrows. All of our gauntlets were Dragon plated, our helmets (if any) were also outfitted with Dragon scales. Lindsey's war axes held opposing enchantments, with one having cold and poisoning, the other having fire and drain health. With everyone loaded up with plenty of food, gold, and potions, we were ready to leave. Bidding goodbye to Balimund, we decided to rent a carriage as it would be faster and more convenient. Five hours later, we arrived at Whiterun and began our trek to find the Talos Barker. However, when asked he seemed to know nothing of Shor. He told us the only way to obtain information that has been lost to man was to find and speak to Hermaeus Mora, the knowledge hoarder. Lydia chose that moment to state that Suzannah had a few Black Books at her residence in Windhelm. We once again readied for a long carriage ride to the freezing city.

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*Suzannah's POV*

Traveling around the small area that I had landed in that wasn't shrouded in most, I looked through every possession that was on me, trying to find a way out. Skimming through my books, I found the Black Book I always carried, Waking Dreams.

"Well, nothing else is working.." I muttered to myself, before opening the book. All too soon the chains that seemed to jump out of the book wrapped around the corners of my mind, before giving a light squeeze. I was then 'transported' to Apocrypha, realm of knowledge. The green haze that surrounded everything, the only black water that held unspeakable creatures and the structures made from books greeted me. God's how I hated this place, with Lurkers and Seekers around every corner.

"Herma-Mora, I demand an audience with you!" At first nothing happened, and I began to feel foolish until a rumbling started and toppled over several book structures.

"So you finally visit.. Sakaji.. or what is your true name?"

"Hermaeus, I need you to help me get to my friends. I will give you any knowledge you desire."

"Any knowledge you say? I greatly desire to know do your realm. In exchange, I will deliver a message to the woman who is going to travel here in search of information on Shor." I pondered on what to say before nodding and allowing Hermaeus to feast on our world's knowledge.