Chapter 6: Vivec City and the Morag Tong

Heartfire 6 (Day 22)

The road to Vivec was fairly long but most of it was not unfamiliar to me. I had traveled the route to Pelagiad several times and had once passed by Vivec on my way to Ebonheart. I was attacked several times by various creatures while on the road but none of them proved to be dangerous and I made quite good time, alternately running and walking as had become my custom. I briefly considered stopping at the tavern in Pelagiad as I passed by but in the end continued on my way and so made quite good time.

The Foreign Quarter, as seen when approaching Vivec City

As I came near the city of Vivec, I first passed through a large herd of netch hovering in the air. A farmhouse was nearby and I wondered if they were being bred for their hides or if they simply congregated in the area but I declined to take the time to find out. Instead, I continued along the road and soon found myself facing the first of the great Cantons of Vivec.

Even to one such as myself from the heart of the Empire, Vivec stands as an extraordinary achievement. I paused for several moments and stared at the enormous structure before me; it's windowless walls soaring imposingly above me in the late afternoon sunlight. I could see some of the other cantons beyond it, separated from one another by canals and connected on several levels by bridges. I had not appreciated the size of the city until that moment and I briefly despaired of finding those I sought within that maze of people and masonry. But after a moment I once again found my resolve and crossed the bridge to the Foreign Quarter, the first of the Cantons of Vivec.

Nearby I saw a gondolier with his boat, ready to carry me or other passengers through the canals of Vivec to the other cantons. He greeted me as I approached and introduced himself as Devas Irano. He laughed, saying that he could tell it was my first visit to Vivec by the expression on my face. He assured me that he and the others who lived there also found the city confusing from time to time and offered to describe the city to me.

He told me that Vivec was divided into seven great structures known as Cantons. The cantons were built by the Temple and were rented out to the inhabitants of each. The canton in which we were standing was known as the Foreign Quarter and provided services and housing for outlanders such as myself. Here I could find taverns, shops and the Mage and Fighter Guilds.

The three Great Houses, Hlaalu, Redoran and Telvani, each maintained one of the cantons as their own and each provided services for that House and lodging for their members or retainers. Finally, the inhabitants of Vivec itself had their own lodging and services within St. Delyn and St. Olms cantons.

The Cantons of Vivec

Competitions and gladiatorial combats were a popular pastime and the Arena Canton was devoted to these games. Then there was the Temple Canton, home to the four orders of the Temple Ordinators; the Order of the Watch, the Order of War, the Order of Doctrine and Ordination and the Inquisition. The Temple Canton also housed the great library of Vivec in its Hall of Wisdom and above it floated the Hall of Justice.

The final canton was the Palace of Vivec, abode of the mortal form of the god/hero Lord Vivec; the warrior poet of the three deities who comprised the Almsivi, the divine patrons of the Tribunal Temple. Beneath the Place lay the Puzzle Canal, a place of worship and testing for questing heroes hoping to gain Vivec's favor.

After he had finished explaining the layout of the city, I asked Irano what he could tell me of current events in Vivec. He became more serious and a frightened expression appeared on his face. He mentioned that there had been several murders recently within the city. Five outlanders and two Ordinators had been found with their throats slit and the locals were worried that an evil sorcerer or vampire was loose in the city. He mentioned that the Office of the Watch was looking for volunteers to help find the perpetrator and said, somewhat dismissively, that he thought the Office was afraid to risk its own Ordinators on the case.

Seeing a possible opening, I asked if he thought the Morag Tong could be involved. He dismissed the idea, saying that the people he knew who were associated with the Morag Tong were usually found hanging around the lower levels of the Arena canton. Most of the murders had taken place in the Foreign Quarter, leading him to believe it was an outlander doing the killings.

Having gained some idea as to where I should be looking for the Morag Tong I asked Irano if he would take me to the Arena Canton. He readily agreed and, as we traveled, he continued to tell me about the city. I learned little more of interest except when he, with some disgust, told me that Jobasha, the owner of a rare books store in the Foreign Quarter, was an abolitionist and wondered why the Ordinators had not thrown her out of the city.

Reaching the Arena canton he dropped me off and left in search of his next fare. I wandered briefly before finding a ramp which led me to a higher level of the canton. There, I found an entrance which let me into the lower Waistworks of the Arena. After wandering a bit more I found a flight of stairs leading to the Arena Canalworks.

A lone Ordinator guard was wandering the canalworks and he stopped long enough to tell me to watch myself before continuing his rounds. I ignored him and started searching the area. I quickly found a door labeled "Arena Storage" and, when the guard was not around, slipped inside.

I was almost immediately attacked by several large rats, a few of which seemed to be diseased, but I was able to defeat them easily. I then began to search the dozens of crates and other containers in the room. I found a good number of weapons and pieces of armor though none of them matched the quality of what I was already carrying. I debated taking a few to sell but eventually decided to leave them where they were and to come back for them later if necessary. I also found a few drakes, which I did take, as well as some other miscellaneous items.

One thing I did find of interest was a book titledChance's Follywhich I found lying on a crate. It told the story of a thief who had an unfortunately end to her career but some of the advice it contained on Security seemed sound and I made a mental note of several points.

Near the book was a door which was both locked and trapped. I was a bit surprised by this but I was able to defeat both and entered the next room where I was attacked by another rat. The room also contained several more crates, one of which proved to contain a set of enchanted arrows.

I was about to leave the room when I noticed a trap door in the floor. Upon examination, I discovered that it too was both locked and trapped. I smiled inwardly as a suspicion in my mind was beginning to turn into confidence and I set about disarming the trap and picking the lock. Opening the door, I found a ladder descending to a well lighted and maintained corridor. My suspicions confirmed, I dropped into the corridor and followed the sound of voices I heard in the distance.

I did not attempt to be stealthy as I proceeded down the corridor and I left my weapons in their scabbards, though ready at hand. I felt confident that the people I would meet here were quite aware of my approach and that if they had not wanted me to be here then I would never have passed the first door.

My suspicions were proven to be correct as I stepped into a large room containing several people. An orc standing nearby looked at me with mild curiosity while another person standing further back indicated another hallway. I allowed a slight smile to come to my face and, trying to display a confidence I did not totally feel, followed the indicated direction.

Eno Hlaalu - Morag Tong Grandmaster

The passageway led through several other rooms and finally to a bedroom where I was met by a Dunmer who seemed to be waiting on me. I realized who he was at once and was certain that there was no need for me to introduce myself to him. He was Eno Hlaalu, the Grandmaster of the Morag Tong. He confirmed this, as he smiled and bid me welcome. "We have been watching you", he said, "and we are pleased. One of your exceptional talents cannot go unmastered." He paused, and his next words were more of a command than a request. "Join us."

While part of me was irritated by his commanding tone I again found myself inwardly pleased that I had been noticed by the Tong. I was beginning to come to the attention of the various factions operating in Morrowind. While previously I would have shunned such attention I now found myself almost welcoming it. Since arriving on Vvardenfell I had felt as if I was a pawn in someone's game but now I was becoming more than that. I still did not know all of the rules of the game I was playing in or who was directing them but now I no longer felt a simple pawn. I was becoming someone worthy of attention and notice and soon would start following my own destiny, whatever it may be, instead of the one someone else had chosen for me.

Hlaalu had continued speaking while I thought and I suddenly realized that he was giving me instructions. He had apparently assumed my desire to join his guild without question and had already named me a "Probationer". To prove my worth, he told me, it would be necessary for me to complete an initial assignment for them. It was merely a formality in my case he assured me, but necessary as it was one of the rules of the guild.

He desired me to execute Feruren Oran who I could find in the Elven Nations Corner Club. The club was located on the Plaza level of the Hlaalu Canton. Why Oran had to die he did not say and I knew enough of the way the Morag Tong worked to know that I did not need to know. Someone had decided that Oran needed to die and they had paid the Morag Tong to be the instrument of that decision. The Tong, in turn, had reviewed the request, found it acceptable and accepted the assignment. Now, it was my turn to carry that assignment out. While I was still somewhat troubled by the thought of an unnecessary death I told myself that I was simply the tool being used and was no more responsible for Oran's upcoming death than was the sword I carried.

I assured Grandmaster Hlaalu that I would carry out the assignment immediately and he presented me with the official writ for Oran's execution. I would need this to present to the guards if they became aware of my involvement so as to prove that I was not merely some random thug or murderer. With a final nod, I tucked the writ into my pack and left the room.

The other members of the Tong watched as I passed through, apparently waiting for me to prove myself with my first task before accepting me as one of their own. I left through the trap door and, after slaying a few more rats that had found their way into the storage area, I returned to the canalworks and left the Arena.

After orientating myself I realized that the Hlaalu canton was relatively nearby. I simply walked along the wide walkways along the sides of the cantons until I reached Hlaalu then found a ramp upwards to the plaza level.

The plaza was a large, open level and I was pleased to find the Elven Nations Corner Club quite nearby. I entered and, after a brief search, found Feruren Oran in a lower room.

Oran seemed to know why I was there as he cast a frightened glance around as I entered. The other patrons also seemed to know what was happening as they stepped away from him and left him alone in the center of the room. I started to speak but realized that I really had nothing to say to him. I looked around at the curious onlookers then, with a shrug, pulled my jinkblade and attacked.

Oran tried to fight back but the second swing of my jinkblade paralyzed him. I switched to my longsword and killed him before the spell wore off.

I knelt down to search the body, aware of the eyes of the others in the room on me as I did so. I found nothing of interest and was about to stand up when I heard a cry of alarm from the steps. Looking up, I briefly saw someone staring at me before they turned and ran off again. Seconds later, I heard alarm cries throughout the room upstairs and realized that someone had called for the guard.

Standing up, I left without a backwards glance. I heard a brief flurry of conversation start up behind me as I climbed the stairs which was matched by a sudden cessation of voices in the main room as I entered. I glanced over at the bartender, who was watching me with uncertain eyes. "Sorry about the mess." I said with a slight smirk as I left the Corner Club.

Outside, I heard more cries and saw several house guards running in my direction. I ignored them and, unhurriedly but with purpose, left the plaza. Outside, I crossed the bridge to the next canton and headed back for the lower waistworks of the Arena.

I had just reached the entryway when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It spun me around and I found myself face to face with an angry Ordinator. One hand on his mace, he told me to come with him or there would be trouble.

Displaying more calm than I felt I reached into my belt pouch and produced the Writ for Feruren Oran that the Grandmaster had given me. The Ordinator watched with suspicion but took the writ and glanced at it once then stopped and looked through it more carefully.

After a few seconds he looked back up at me with an annoyed expression. I was not sure if he was angry with me for being involved in the execution or if he was angry with himself for having chased down a member of the Morag Tong involved in a sanctioned execution. Or, perhaps, he was annoyed at me for killing Oran in front of witnesses. At any rate, he turned and waved some gesture to another pair of Ordinators who were approaching from the distance. They stopped and, after conferring among themselves for a few seconds, turned and departed the other way.

The Ordinator who had stopped me gave a final look at the Writ before grudgingly admitting that my paperwork was in order. With a final annoyed glance he turned and walked away, leaving me standing by the Arena entrance.

As soon as he departed I suddenly felt unsteady and realized that my heart had been racing the entire time and that I was covered in a cold sweat. I lowered my head and took several deep breaths to try and calm myself. I had not totally known what to expect and had not been certain that the Writ would protect me completely until the Ordinator had left. The fear of returning to prison had suddenly struck me again and I cursed myself briefly for putting myself into the position I had. I had to remind myself that the Morag Tong operated openly and legitimately in Morrowind and that I was in no danger as long as I followed their rules. Still, it was several minutes before I was able to move and enter the Arena.

I found my way to the Canalworks and into the storage area without incident. I passed the Ordinator guard in the Canalworks again and this time he nodded a greeting as I did so. It occurred to me that he was probably in the pay of the Morag Tong, watching the Canalworks and making note of who entered the area. Anyone the Tong did not want approaching their hidden guildhall would probably have been intercepted by him and sent on their way.

Which meant, I suddenly realized, that the Tong had been keeping me under observation as Eno Hlaalu had implied. I wondered again how many factions were observing my actions here and for what purpose I had been released from prison. My paranoia surfaced once again and I looked around for unseen watchers but the only person I saw was the lone Ordinator on patrol here, now studiously ignoring my actions. I sighed. I was never happy dealing with situations like this and still had no clear idea as to how to proceed. I decided that all I could do would be to continue improving myself and gain what allies I could. To this end, I entered the storage area and returned to the hidden Morag Tong guildhall.

Grandmaster Hlaalu was pleased when I arrived and congratulated me on my success. He told me I was now a full member of the Morag Tong and immediately offered several Writs. I accepted his praise without comment and asked how I could next serve the Tong.

He immediately launched into a description of the two Writs. The first was for Toris Saren who I would be able to find in Saren Manor, located on the Plaza level of the Redoran Canton there in Vivec. The other was for Odaishah Yasalmibaal. He would be harder to find as he was hiding on an island somewhere northwest of Tel Fyr. He was probably hiding in his hut, or "yurt" as they are known to the Ashlanders.

Hlaalu watched me carefully as I took both writs and I assured him that I would return when they had been carried out. With a nod of dismissal he turned back to his work and I left his chambers.

Back in the main room of the guildhall I was approached by several other members of the Tong, all welcoming me into their number. Most returned to their duties but one of them, Taros Dral, pulled me to one side and asked if I could help him with a sensitive matter. Remembering my earlier resolution to gain what allies I could I offered my help.

Dral led me to one side of the hall where a Daedric shine to Mephala stood and explained the situation to me. It seems that Balyn Omarel, a high-ranking member of the Morag Tong, had been performing executions on his own. Mephala herself had learned of this and wanted an example made of Omarel. Dral gave me several bittergreen petals that had been treated with poison and told me to place them in Omarel's cookpot in his home in Balmora. Once I had done so, I was to return to him and report my success.

My feelings of paranoia sprang up for the second time in as many hours as I realized that now one of the Daedra was observing my actions. I questioned the wisdom of getting involved in this matter but I also realized that I was now too far involved to back out, lest I find some treated herbs in my cookpot. So, trying not to let my apprehension show, I accepted the petals and told Dral I would return soon.

Placing the petals safely in my pouch where I would not attempt to use them myself by accident I left the guildhall. As I expected, several rats attacked me as I exited the hidden area but I killed them without any problems. Nodding to the Ordinator outside, I climbed the stairs back to the Waistworks and exited the canton.

Outside, I consulted my map and noticed that Tel Fyr, to which I would have to travel in order to locate Odaishah Yasalmibaal, was on the eastern coast of Vvardenfell near Sadrith Mora. It seemed as if everyone was trying to get me to travel to that faraway town; first the Thieves Guild and now the Morag Tong. I sighed again. At least Toris Saren was here in Vivec. Checking my equipment, I headed for the Redoran Canton.

Finding my way to the plaza level I quickly located Saren manor and stepped inside. There were several people within but none of them paid more than a curious glance at me as I passed through the rooms and halls of the manor in search of Toris Saren. I wondered at this for a while. In my homeland, entering someone's home uninvited would be a cause for attack. Here in Morrowind no one seemed to mind as long as the visitor did not attempt to take any items belonging to the home's owner. I even heard the occasional comment of "tourist" from some of the Dunmer I passed.

I shook my head. I could wander around in anyone's home without them paying any particular attention to me, even the manors and estates of the leaders of the Great Houses. On the other hand, entering a random cave in the wilderness would provoke an immediate attack from any smugglers or bandits hiding within. It was certainly a strange set of circumstances but one which made my tasks much easier.

Or, at least, should have made my task easier. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate Toris Saren! I located his wife but not him. I was about to give up on my task when I noticed a trap door set in the floor in the corner of one room. Everyone was paying their usual lack of attention to me so I opened it and descended.

Below was another set of rooms and I set about exploring them. I was rewarded a few seconds later when I entered a bedroom and found Toris Saren standing there, apparently waiting for my arrival.

Saren made no comment as I entered and closed the door behind me but I noticed that he had dropped his hand to a short blade he was wearing. I believe he knew why I was there however for when I drew my jinkblade he drew his own weapon and gave me a slight salute with it before dropping into a fighting crouch. I returned his salute with a nod then lashed out with the blade.

My first swing connected with him and I saw his sudden intake of breath but he managed to resist the paralyze charge and continued his attack. His return stroke caught me in the arm and I flinched backwards from the magickal discharge as it hit. He too had an enchanted blade and I realized that our combat may be more evenly matched than I had at first thought.

Or perhaps not. My second swing connected again and this time the paralyzation charge took hold, freezing him in position. I quickly switched to my longsword and ran him through. He fell to the ground without a sound.

I briefly searched the body and located the weapon he had been using. It was a wild shardblade, a short glass sword enchanted to release an electrical discharge on anyone it hit. I added it to my own selection of weapons then, finding nothing else, disposed of the corpse. No one seemed to have heard anything and I exited back to the main hall. I found another exit on this level which led to the Waistworks and quickly left the canton.

It was night outside and I began to make my way through Vivec and towards the shoreline. I had gotten as far as the Foreign Quarter when I decided that I was not looking forward to the long walk to Balmora at night. So, I entered the plaza and found the Mage's Guild. There, I paid a small fee to the Guild Guide and had myself teleported directly to Balmora.

I left the Balmora Guild slightly disoriented from the effects of the instant transport. Shaking my head to clear it, I made my way through town to the Nerano Manor. Everything inside was as I had left it and I collapsed into the bed. I was asleep almost instantly.

Heartfire 8 (Day 24)

I awoke the next morning to find the sky overcast and a slight fog hanging over Balmora. Nonetheless, I gathered my equipment together and set out.

Locating Balyn Omarel's home turned out to not be a problem; it was in the extreme northeastern corner of Balmora and was actually quite near the bed and basket where Caius Cosades lived. Balyn Omarel himself was wandering around in front of his house and I quickly realized that I would not be able to get through the front door without being seen.

Walking around behind the house I noticed it backed up against Caius Cosades' home. A flight of stairs led to a patio on the roof of Cosades' house and from there I could look across to Omarel's. There, I could see a trap door and it was a simple matter to leap across the small gap between the two buildings. The trap door was locked but I was able to pick it fairly easily and let myself inside.

I looked around the small, one-room apartment and was relieved that Omarel was nowhere to be seen. I quickly located the cookpot near the front door and placed the treated bittergreen petals in it. I then left the house the same way I had entered.

Once again on the roof, I again jumped the gap and climbed down the steps to the street. As I did, I thought once again about the reason I was here in Balmora in the first place. Stopping briefly at the bottom of the steps I decided that it was time to start finding out what all of this was about. Turning to my left, I took a few steps and entered the home of Caius Cosades.