Imperial Officer #2 COMPLETE

MAKE SURE TO HAVE AUDIO RECORDINGS SET FOR MONO, NOT STEREO
SPLIT EACH INDIVIDUAL LINE INTO ITS OWN FILE
KEEP QUALITY CLEAN AND CLEAR THROUGHOUT
HAVE THE AUDIO BE AS LOUD AS YOU CAN MAKE IT WITHOUT AUDIBLE CLICKING OR NOISE

COMMENTS IN BRACKETS {} ARE SPOKEN/DONE BY THE PLAYER
COMMENTS IN BRACKETS [] IS WHAT THE PLAYER IS DOING OR WHERE THEY ARE

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[Scene where Officer sees player as he prepares for an assault]

So you made it here then, very well, we'll soon be cutting a path through these barbarians and taking back that post. Get ready.




{Kegor from Evermore has assigned me in collecting reports from the outposts, I assume you have such a document?}

I'm an Imperial, do you really need to ask if I've kept up with my end of bureaucracy?

Here you go, with the caveat of added paper work being sent over in the coming days - so we may be seeing more of each other.

[Player comes across conversation between officer and the regional Imperial commander; Drugo]

They should have sent a better stock of Bretons to overtake this outpost. I swear that I can recognize some from the Exiles we've rounded up.

Don't hold your breath, it's a fools hope - the time for our departure seems to quite tentative, do we have any confirmation for our release?

Speak for yourself, I've yearned for a good nights sleep for a decade now. I just hope Skyrim doesn't harbor the same hostility, the same corruption, that fills this realm.

Don't get my hopes up too much, such hope is akin to sin through this realm - bringing swift punishment.

{Things seem to be taking a turn for the better, finally. Is there anything else you may need help with?}

Funny you should say that, though I wish the sentiment behind my plea shared that levity. Do you remember the woman we rescued here? The one forced upon by the Orcs.

{Since you put it so repugnantly, I do.}

Sometimes the invocation of the unpleasant is the best way to force engagement with a topic.

{Or to quickly make one disengage}

Yet the one before me isn't so squeamish, if your feats across this land are any indication.

Well, The woman: Denize, has vanished - leaving little trace for where she went. She was being tended to by the field nurse, but must have slipped out during the night.

My first suspicion is that of her unborn child, she repressed the trauma from her capture, but I could see the despair simmering beneath her strained smile.

The nurse told me of Denize's fascination with this local myth, a witch who was known to perform dark rituals and the like.

So my fear is that Denize has fled into the wilds in search of that Witch, probably in an attempt to deprive herself of that child. Such actions betray a shattered mind.

{I'll see if I can find her}

The imperials are supposed to protect, govern their subjects and see them suffer no harm, as long as they obeyed. Yet our stay here has put that pledge to the fire.

If we can have one small victory, to do one thing right - it would be this. I wish I could send my own but we've scant bodies to spare.

Good luck, for what it's worth and bring her back alive.

{Denize is indeed with the witch, she was too stubborn to see reason and return. I'm to bring Ingredients for the witch to perform an abortion.}

Sounds grizzly, and very dangerous. Does she really have all her faculties together I wonder?... What were these ingredients?

{Deathbell, ectoplasm and Nirnroot.}

Deathbel- Wait, By allesia's majesty that's a damn recipe for poison, one of the first things we learned avoid on the field.

This really shouldn't be your burden, but that hideous brew will certainly be the death of her, even with a whiff. I implore you knight, bring her back.

{I told her that she can have passage to Cyrodiil, It's the only way she can live in peace with the child.}

I really wish you wouldn't make promises on my behalf, but thank you nonetheless. We'll see to it that she can make it out with us - as you may know, there are preparations to vacate the garrison. We're moving east to Skyrim.

We don't have many accolades since our detachment came here, but the prevention of another small tragedy can help me sleep easier at night.

And as we are mortal, we can't sustain ourselves on gratitude alone. Take this as a reward, I hope it makes up for this ordeal.

{Sorry Officer, the Witch lived up to her reputation and had killed Denize.}

..........I really don't know why I got my hopes up, this rancid hole spells nothing but doom for all that have the misfortune to wander here.

Was there no hint that the witch was conspiring to bereave her of life? Why were you so ready to trust someone who dabbles in dark magic?

{I just wanted to appease Denize in her wishes.}

You saw how distraught she was, she was not in the state of mind to be making such brash choices - *sigh* but ultimately it was her choice, who am I to rob someone of their agency.

The product of all the hate that has found a haven in the Reach - she wouldn't have gone to such desperate lengths if her child didn't carry that incredible stigma that hinders every Orc.

{Maybe she didn't want to raise an illegitimate child of rape?}

Yes of course, forgive me. It's too often that bureaucracy warps what is a very simple and personal matter. I just had the hope that It could have turned out differently.

She never deserved this - neither did you, this burden should have been mine to bare.

{Trust me, I wanted to help of my own volition.}

The reach needs more people like you, keep on with that altruistic streak and maybe others will follow suit.

{Why would the orcs do this?}

Since we've lost contact with many of our orc consorts, having been cut off from the enclaves - their motives are ultimately left to what we can infer.

Looking at where they strike and when, it seems not to be out of some savage streak - rather they're distracting us from something.

{How do you know this?}

In every instance when we find ourselves combating these vandals, a whole slew of refugees will be seen making their way through the crags of the reach - following this hidden route to some unknown.

We've sent scouts to tail them, yet we haven't retrieved anything valuable in terms of where the orcs are going, or who's organizing them. We were foolish to underestimate the Orc's cunning.

{And you don't think the orcs are just trying to conquer?}

Even a dullard can see how fruitless their violence has been up to now - I sincerely believe they're being sent on forlorn missions, with no hope of survival. There's a grander scheme at play here, we just have to uncover it.

{What will we be facing?}

From the scouts assessments; Orc capabilities range from small artillery - arrows and such, to the main bulk of their arsenal - which are the blunt weapons stolen from the sacked depot within Deepcrag.

Reports have spoken of them fostering great hounds, so avoid these beasts if you want to keep your limbs from rotting  - their incisors are known to be coated in the foulest fluids.

Apart from that, standard affair - we'll break through their ranks in closed formation, shields raised. The knights will deal with the larger orcs as we strike at the archers.

{What will I expect with this witch?}

Having spent many days with nary a peep in the reach, I've divulged in some research - to best prepare against the more dangerous folk in this realm.

Of prominence are the witches, who are known to steer the witchmen to greater ends, creating archaic military structures which see themselves as lieutenants.

With their hagraven superiors becoming something akin to generals, whether through birthright or practical utility.

Given such responsibility, these witches are commonly trained in arts that can command authority - mostly these are the offensive magics they employ.

Which mostly take the form of the ice sorcery you may have seen, to other more sinister invocations that smack of ancient arts.

{But what about this specific witch?}

Her name is Zenalata; supposedly. She seldom travels from her lair and is known to make trespassers vanish if they stray too close, however some are granted the "privilege" of her presence.

For whatever reason, we're not sure. I wouldn't be surprised if such "fortunate" agents are being weaved into a grander plot by the witch - if there's ever a person you shouldn't trust, it's a witch.

Just be careful within her domain - don't make the mistake of so many others in underestimating her. Enticing words and promises of power have many fall to her schemes.

We don't want to see your shriveled head added to her savage gallery.

{What will you do now?}

Attempt to piece together and rebuild this fractured outpost with the help of the garrison to the east, and try to root any remaining radical.

But between you and me, I wish I wasn't even here in the first place, the situation in the reach is quite frankly hopeless.

[Random dialogue]

Keep messing around and you'll get us all killed.

These barbarians are viscous, but simple, use your wits to your advantage.

Keep close, a scattered formation is easily penetrable.

Gods, look how fast these orcs have built over the ruins. I can see why the bretons fear them so much.

Look at the brutality laid upon these poor souls, I doubt they've ever faced a force so fierce.

We'll stay here and take care of her, make sure she doesn't do anything irrational. Head back to drugo to complete your contract.

[Misc Dialogue]

[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER STEALING]
Thief, the empire will deliver you to justice!

[NPC DYING WORDS]
I make my sacrifice...
Ahhh......
For the emperor...

[NPC REACTS TO FRIENDS DEATH]
Fiend, you'll pay dearly for that!
Murderer!

[NPC ATTACKED]
Taking hits!
Ugh!
Delinquent!
Reman steer me!
Agh!
Fool!

[NPC BLOCKING ATTACKS]
Bad technique!
Out skilled!

[NPC BLEEDING OUT, ON KNEES]
Stendarr ... give me strength.
My duty for the empire... Must go on...

[NPC ATTACKING PLAYER/ENEMY]
Feel the wrath of Reman.
Straight for the throat.
Savage!
Feel the brunt of the empire!
Not enough skill.
Your mistake.
Orc savage!
Traitor to the cause!
Another Nord fool for the blade.
Foul thing, back to oblivion with you!
Vile creature!
Thieving cat.
Enemies in sight, hold fast!
Your last mistake.
Gods... The stench.

[NPC REACTS TO CORPSE]
Murderers don't evade justice for long, we'll find who did this.

[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER SWINGING WEAPON]
Sloppy technique, you're bound to hurt an ally.

[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER SPELLS]
Ah a mage, the bretons will like you.
A fine spell indeed.

[PLAYER SHOVES NPC]
Subject, watch yourself!
Ugh.

[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER SHOUT]
Dragonborn?! I am honored to be in your presence.

[NPC REACTS TO FIGHTING BETWEEN TWO OTHER ACTORS]
Halt this violence at once!

[NPC SAYS GOODBYE]
Vale. (Vah-ley)
Serve the empire.
Go with Grace.

[NPC SAYS HELLO]
Out with it.
Ave. (Ah-vey)
Citizen.
Doing your part for the empire?
What on nirn happened in Arnima? Blood red skies and haunting shrieks. Can't wait to get out of here.
Great work at the outpost, you've found an ally in the empire.
Keep moving and stay focused.

[NPC HORRIFIED]
What is this place?!
What in oblivion!


[NPC SEES HOSTILE]
Targets spotted! Engage!
Time to strike!

[NPC LOOKING FOR HOSTILE]
You can't hide forever fool, we will find you.











[PLANS FOR FURTHER DALOGUE]

{Officer can talk about previous dealings with Orcs, bretons relationship with orcs and possible solutions offered by empire to solve race relations, yet have failed}

{Officer can give brief about danger you'll face when assaulting the orc camp, but is hurried about it as he doesn't want to delay}

{Officer should warn you about what the witch is about, and any potential help you can recieve - whether through men or spells}