#erlind ebonsong

[stormbeyondreality]

Five years after their arrival to Skyrim, Erlind sets out toward the west. Her path takes him to Dawnstar, Morthal, and finally Solitude, where they make an...attempt to settle down for a time and attend the Bards' College.

on AO3

on Toyhouse

#M speaks #M writes #Erlind Ebonsong #skyrim oc #dragonborn oc #last dragonborn #ldb #skyrim fic #skyrim #tes #tes fic #skyrim fanfiction #elder scrolls skyrim

[stormbeyondreality]

Last Line Tag Game

Rules: Post the last line of whatever you're writing (fic, original, whatever you want!)

Tagged by: @oblivions-dawn (ty friend! <3)

Tagging: @spinchboli, @nerevar-quote-and-star, @thequeenofthewinter, @avantegarda, @blossom-adventures, @fallen-chances, and whoever else would like to!

Have a paragraph!

With a deep breath, Erlind stood up again and set the ruined clothes aside. Either way, she was just sitting there without a kirtle, shift, or anything that went atop those garments, and she couldn’t just stay in her room the rest of the day. That would be boring and she had things to do anyway. Foremost? A trip to Radiant Raiment once she was presentable again.

#m speaks #m writes #erlind ebonsong

[stormbeyondreality]

When their ship crashes just off the coast of Winterhold, Erlind Madieve's life takes an unexpected turn. But he'd left High Rock, his parents, and his siblings for a reason, and this would probably turn out better than her half-baked plans anyway.

on AO3

on Toyhouse

#M speaks #M writes #Erlind Ebonsong #skyrim oc #dragonborn oc #last dragonborn #ldb #skyrim fic #skyrim #tes #tes fic #skyrim fanfiction #elder scrolls skyrim

[stormbeyondreality]

What should the topic of the first The Notes Between the Verses ficlet be?

It's going to be Erlind pre-Snowbloom, but I'm torn between a few more specific options:

I plan to write it today, so I'll take whatever the highest-picked one is in a few hours.

#m speaks #erlind ebonsong #the notes between the verses #tnbv

[stormbeyondreality]

Thanks for the WIP (whenever) Wednesday tag @fallen-chances! Have something from Ebonsong Verse 2: Mercy Mirror (aka the sequel to Snowbloom).

“I wish I’d grown up like you and knew all of this already.” Elisif started spinning her little decorative drop-spindle, only to stop the moment someone almost came in range of being hit by it. Erlind snorted, holding the door for her and a few of their other classmates. “I don’t think you’d have liked it much. Besides, I think Dean Gemane explains things better than any of the tutors or books that my father assigned my siblings and I.” “Beg your pardon, but I don’t believe I’ve seen you around anywhere here before.” A young man’s voice with a considerably more posh accent than Elisif’s floated from shortly down the hall. Erlind turned to see a small gaggle of five approaching, all dressed in fine clothing with finer stitching, led by a blond, blue-eyed Nord with a bit of well-trimmed stubble and a dog’s head embroidered on his lapel. He held out a hand. “Haldric, of Clan Hearthguard. You may know my family from the dogs we raise and train; the finest in Skyrim, if not all of Tamriel, but my mother especially gives a significant amount of coin to support institutions such as this.” Haldric waved a hand at the college around them. “If you haven’t heard of my family, you may have heard of one of my friends’-” The same hand waved again to indicate the four behind and around him. “Allow me to introduce Isobel Aerius, Cyrenil Silinor, Julienne Riscel, and Metina of Clan Silverwit, all of well-known and well-respected families in Solitude.” Haldric’s four compatriots nodded politely when he introduced them each: a brown-haired Imperial with soft features and a butterfly pin in her hairnet, a classical Altmer with his hands folded neatly and a roguish smile, a Breton even shorter than Erlind with her fiery hair bound in intricate braids, and another Nord the same height as Cyrenil, her eyes as silver as her family’s supposed wit. They all watched Erlind and Elisif more closely than Erlind would have preferred.

I tag @oblivions-dawn, @nightinngales, @nerevar-quote-and-star, @incorrectskyrimquotes, @yewphoric, annnnnnd @soupcans!

#m writes #erlind ebonsong

[stormbeyondreality]

Last Line Tag

Tagged by: @oblivions-dawn

Tagging: @nuwanders, @fallen-chances, @avantegarda, @nightinngales, @nerevar-quote-and-star, and whoever else would like to!

“I have a guess.” And Madame Stentor smiled.

(From Mercy Mirror Chapter 15)

#m speaks #m writes #erlind ebonsong

[stormbeyondreality]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ask Game

So. In the interest of not giving spoilers to people who don't want spoilers...

Erandur and Erlind's relationship - the reason for the Accidental Father Acquisition tag on the ao3 version (which I specify 'cause I also post on Toyhouse) - is very fun to me. I only kinda feel bad for what I did to Erandur last chapter and what'll happen later, but also that's kinda the perils of basically adopting the main character the same day you meet them.

But, that's not the point of this thought, though it is relevant. When Erlind is undergoing the end of Chapter 3 of Mercy Mirror, what they don't notice in the moment is the same thing that happens in-game. Vaermina - who is the one who sent the dream the previous night, fun fact - does try to talk to them and get them to kill Erandur. Of course, Erlind, being in the state they are at the time, has no clue.

Later, Erlind remembers/discovers offscreen that Vaermina tried a second time to get them to claim the Skull of Corruption for themself. I have one AU brewing related to something later - not posted so I'm not gonna talk about it here - and I do wonder how things could have turned out differently if Erlind wasn't physically incapable of even hearing Vaermina at that point.

#m speaks #erlind ebonsong

[stormbeyondreality]

WIP Wednesday

tagged by @oblivions-dawn!

tagging @yewphoric, @incorrectskyrimquotes, @nerevar-quote-and-star, @shivering-isles-cryptid, @fallen-chances and whoever else would like to share a snippet of their wip!

From Chapter 9 of Ebonsong Verse 2: Mercy Mirror -

“And your parents…ah, my apologies, I neglected to ask your name.” His smile had not yet wavered. Aha. “Erlind M-” No. “Just Erlind, if you do not mind, Headmaster. I have no ill will with my family, but I would prefer that they be left out of as many equations as is feasible.” “If you have a surname, it would be good to keep for our records, particularly should something happen to you; an illness or suchlike.” He spread one hand, palm-up, a softer edge to his smile. “To know who to contact in the event of an emergency.” “In an emergency, the person to contact would be a Dunmer priest of Mara by the name of Erandur, currently residing in Morthal. But…” Erlind held back a sigh. She didn’t truly want to escape from her family name, but if anyone were to recognise it and draw whatever conclusions from it, Solitude would be that place. “Madieve. My surname is Madieve, for your records only. If at all and when at all possible, I would prefer to be only Erlind, though as I said I have no ill will with my family. It is simply a matter of…” She wrinkled her nose trying to think of how to put it. “…independence.” Headmaster Viarmo didn’t need to know any details, she insisted to herself. “Of course.” His eyes flicked toward one side briefly and with a sinking, crawling, horrible feeling, Erlind remembered that the door was still open. Someone had to have heard that. Dammit. But Viarmo stood as if nothing was wrong, and perhaps there was nothing to worry about. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Erlind. If you would, come back tomorrow when hopefully the weather is kinder. We can discuss anything else you know and what you intend to gain from this institution then.” She put her lute away. “I will see you tomorrow, Headmaster.”

I almost thought to share what I've got of Ch11, but ehhhhhhhhh it's a nightmare sequence and I didn't wanna pinpoint content warnings right now.

#m speaks #m writes #erlind ebonsong #reminder that Erlind is they/she/he and I use they/them for them in discussion for convenience's sake only

[stormbeyondreality]

The first chapter of the rewritten Snowbloom! Don't mind the fact that it's taken me two months; games go brr and my life's been a bit of a mess.

#M speaks #M writes #Erlind Ebonsong #skyrim oc #dragonborn oc #last dragonborn #ldb #skyrim fic #skyrim #tes #tes fic #skyrim fanfiction #elder scrolls skyrim

[stormbeyondreality]

Young Erlind, as of Snowbloom! The first image is while they're working at the Frozen Hearth, the second and third are while he's studying at the College of Winterhold.

Mods involved: KS Hairdos, Obscure's College of Winterhold, IdleWheelMenu, Winter Is Coming, Wet and Cold, Goetia Animations - Magic Spell Casting, Bards Reborn Student of Song, Lute breast clipping fix, Fashions of the Fourth Era.

#M speaks #Erlind Ebonsong #skyrim oc #dragonborn oc #last dragonborn #ldb #Mal liveblogs Skyrim #skyrim #skyrim screenshot #tes #elder scrolls #modded skyrim #skyrim screenshots

[stormbeyondreality]

Chapter 2!

#M speaks #M writes #Erlind Ebonsong #skyrim oc #dragonborn oc #last dragonborn #ldb #skyrim fic #skyrim #tes #tes fic #skyrim fanfiction #elder scrolls skyrim

[stormbeyondreality]

Last lines tag game! I finally have something for this now!

Tagged by: @sylvienerevarine

Fic: Snowbloom, Chapter 2

If nothing else, they could use a cap like Dagur did. Why they hadn’t thought that before was not for them to wonder, not at this point. They were well and truly…free.

Tagging: @oblivions-dawn, @thequeenofthewinter, @nientedenada, and @nerevar-quote-and-star

#M speaks #M writes #Erlind Ebonsong

[stormbeyondreality]

Falethas fact that you probably already knew: their face paint matches Cinnmir's, their twin brother. It's a specific paint in Skyrim, alas I'll have to pull up a photo of the specific one if you're curious c:

Ooooh, interesting! How did they learn how to do it?

You get multiple facts for the price of one just 'cause.

Kaivis' face tattoo is a very particular modded facepaint that I actually had to redownload the mod for 'cause I'd forgotten which of my tattoo/bodypaint mods had it. She doesn't get it until after fleeing Chorrol, as part of the process of disguising herself.

I keep occasionally considering if I want to give Erlind a tattoo or not, but I haven't properly settled on a design or how/when they'd get it, so that remains in the ponder stew for now. However, there are certain scars that are going to change once they reach a certain point of their story. :3

#m speaks #erlind ebonsong #kaivis #oc fact exchange

[stormbeyondreality]

OC fact exchange!!

Part of the reason Jenais wears gloves all the time is because he has sensory issues, particularly with his nails (hates how drying liquids feel on his hands and nails, for example).

Do any of your OCs have sensory issues?? :3c

Erlind is sensitive to light and loud/shrill noises, in part because of being a werewolf (which means Nathari is also), but they already had that before being turned. It's one of the reasons why they learnt/figured out how to change the colour of their Magelight/Candlelight spell from the bright white it is in-game to a softer, warmer version. They also have some issues with texture, most notably with jelly-like foods.

#m speaks #erlind ebonsong #nathari #oc fact exchange

[stormbeyondreality]

9 for the LDB-specific questions!! :3

Ask Game

9. How do they feel about their position as Dragonborn? Do they embrace the role? Does it terrify them? Do they take advantage of it?

I'll answer with both of my Dragonborns, since I just added Kaivis to my pinned post.

Erlind is...resigned to their position as Dragonborn. They don't think they should have that kind of power, influence, or responsibility. But once they know that it's because of that position that they're still alive (literally; they get brought back to life a few times), they're cautiously grateful. They're sure that there's some horrible fate awaiting them, since they're well-acquainted with the stories of what happens to people favoured by gods. They'll take what joy they can get until that fate comes...unknowing that what time has in store for them is in fact a happy ending.

Kaivis, meanwhile, sees her role of Dragonborn as a way to potentially get back what she lost when she fled Chorrol. Status, respect, and maybe even a proper home. She's gotten used to the life of a traveling mercenary, and she'll say she doesn't fear whatever end the destiny will bring her. It's not like she has anyone to miss her when she's gone, so she says.

#m speaks #erlind ebonsong #kaivis

[stormbeyondreality]

3, 7, and 12 for the OC ask game

Ask Game

3. Describe a memorable childhood experience that shaped your character's personality or outlook on life

Erlind grew up rather lonely, aside from their siblings. They didn't think much of it at the time, but it did build up. Aside from that there was a point where their mother got very sick thanks to an old head injury flaring up. She did survive and was ultimately okay, but that was a terrifying time for Erlind and their siblings, on top of their father choosing that time to be more...firm about the societal expectations he had for them considering their social status.

7. How does your character handle failure or setbacks? Are they resilient or easily discouraged?

They're relatively resilient, but a lot of that is simply being too stubborn to simply let things go, and being unwilling to show when they are discouraged because they feel like they "should be able to" do...whatever it is that's challenging them. They've worked on this over the years, but still struggle quite a bit especially after they're revealed to be Dragonborn.

12. How does your character react to change or unexpected situations? Are they adaptable or resistant?

Erlind does their best to adapt to whatever comes their way, but whether or not they succeed is a different matter. They like their routine and their sameness in the same breath as they like variety and new experiences. As a Companion, there's a lot of times where they need to take things as they come simply due to the nature of the job, and they do the best they can.

#m speaks #erlind ebonsong