My name is Bronwen Legiano. I’ve never kept a journal before, but after what happened to me today I feel like I need to. I swear I’m not mad. This is exactly what happened and I know it sounds like a fairy tale but it’s all true.

  I’ll be honest; I’m from the Imperial City. I admit I was running from the law, but I swear I acted in defense of my friend, Drusilla. The man I was sweet-talking caught her trying to pick his pocket, and immediately put a knife to her throat. He wasn’t the only one with a dagger up his sleeve, but I didn’t kill him. I hurt him, but there was only a little bit of blood on my blade and he was feeling plenty fine enough to follow us for a bit until he was able to get the attention of the Watch.

  We laid low at the docks until we could bribe our way onto some boats. Then we split our stash and parted ways. She went south, I went north, and I thought Skyrim would be far enough away that I wouldn’t have to worry about any more Imperial guards, but I was so wrong. Late last night I was captured by the Imperial Army while I tried to cross the border.

  There were soldiers everywhere! I’d heard there was some “civil unrest” in Skyrim, but that it wasn’t that serious. “Nothing to worry about,” the heralds said, “Just some upstart peasants.”

  Bullshit. There’s a whole damn WAR going on up here and hardly anyone knows about it. They accused me of being a spy for the Stormcloaks and when I couldn’t give them any information – Kind of hard to do that when I literally had no idea what a Stormcloak was at the time – They tossed me on a wagon with a bunch of other prisoners. I was so exhausted from running and being interrogated all night that I fell asleep as soon as the wagon started moving.

  When I woke up, another prisoner, Ralof, filled me in. We weren’t far from a place called Helgen. He’s a Stormcloak, a rebel fighting to free Skyrim from the Empire. I don’t know if that’s a smart idea – I don’t like the Emperor any more than the next cutpurse – but I do know that he’s pretty good at keeping the coins flowing.

  Bah - That’s a Skyrim problem. I’m just a girl looking to fill my bag with enough Septims to do as I like. It’s got nothing to do with me!

  Anyway, Ulfric Stormcloak, apparently the true king of Skyrim (?) was also there, bound as we were, but he was wearing a gag, which was strange. He must be one hell of an orator, if they had to keep him gagged like that! Or maybe he’s got an Imperial back in his bloodline? I know I can calm angry people and animals when need be. Maybe that talent sticks for a few generations?

  Who knows? There was another man in the cart, too, named Lokir. He was a horse thief from some place called Rorikstead.

  We didn’t have time to talk more; we got to the gates of Helgen, It looked more like a fort than a town to me. There were a few children running around, but not much in the way of houses. Mostly there were some tall towers and a keep.

  The place was swarming with soldiers, and lots of prisoners. There was also a chopping block and a hooded man with a huge axe standing next to it. Lokir started to panic and was babbling prayers. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, but I figured my fake sob story of escaping a terrible husband would work on General Tullius, the man running the fort. (Ralof named him earlier)

  We got off the wagon, and Lokir’s nerves got the best of him. He tried to bolt, but the soldiers filled him full of arrows before he got very far. Ralof, on the other hand, was as cool as the wind. He hardly seemed bothered!

  I thought I was free when the soldier keeping track of us mentioned to his superior that my name wasn’t on the list. I was even starting to feel a bit smug about it until that skeever-faced hag of a captain or lieutenant or whatever she was said to line me up anyway! (I took care of her later.)

  They had a priest say prayers for us, but one of the rebels was defiant to the last and stepped forward, saying he hadn’t got all day and to get on with it. He put his head on the block and was mocking the headsman even as the axe came down. I didn’t catch what he said, because I heard a strange roaring sound in the distance. Ralof seemed proud of his comrade, though.

  They called me up next, and Ralof apologized that I’d gotten mixed up in this. I set my head on the block and heard the roaring again, along with a rushing sound like wind, but it was closer, and I looked up…

  I swear by all the Divines that I’m telling the truth. Everyone else saw it, too.

  A DRAGON!

  I saw it fly, then circle back to land on the tower, right above where we were all gathered. It roared again, but it didn’t sound like an animal’s roar.

  Again, I swear I am not mad. I’m tired from… EVERYTHING but I have all my wits.

  The dragon spoke. I couldn’t understand it, but it sure as hell sounded like words to me. And once it was done, the sky went dark and the clouds swirled over it and Ralof was shouting for me to get up and run.

  I followed him into a tower. There were some other Stormcloaks hiding in there, too. We ran up the steps, and had to jump onto the roof of the burning house next door. It took me a few tries – I was still tied up and thatch is slippery – but I eventually got it and managed to find my way to Ralof again.

  We got into the keep and got me untied. One of his men was there, dead. He told me to take what I could and handed me an axe. I’d never worn armor before or swung an axe, but I’m glad he took a second to show me because then a bunch of soldiers burst in, including that wench from earlier! I’d never killed anyone before – Hell, I’m a city girl, I’ve only had to kill my own food a handful of times – but sinking that axe into her face was more than a little satisfying.

  I took all her stuff, including the key we needed, and we set off through the lower levels. We found more soldiers along the way, but also more Stormcloaks! We even raided the stores, and found a torture chamber.

  Those bastards. You didn’t have to be a scholar to figure out how those tools were used. Disgusting.

  We fought our way out, and even though we got separated from the others by a cave-in, I’m pretty sure they got out just fine. It was mayhem up top, and we took care of all the soldiers inside. I’m no tactical genius, but there were plenty of places for the others to hide out and shoot anyone who came after them. That’s if anyone was fool enough to hang around!

  Anyway, I followed Ralof out of the keep, but right before we left we fought a whole nest of these horrible giant spiders called Frostbite Spiders! UGH. I set them on fire, which surprised Ralof. I heard before that Nords don’t trust magic, and that seems to hold true. He nearly walked into the fire several times! At least he’s just as creeped out by them as I am. Didn’t stop me from gathering some venom and spider eggs, though. I’ve always been a bit of an alchemy nut. The others used to tease me for it. Comes in handy, though!

  When we got out, he suggested that I join the Stormcloaks.

  I told him I’d think about it.

  So we made our way here, to Riverwood. We passed three strange standing stones on the way. I could sense magic, OLD magic, and Ralof said that they could change my star sign!

  Well, not my actual birthday obviously, but the special skills I get from it. I tried the one with the carving of the Thief – couldn’t hurt – and there were some sparkly lights, but that’s it. I don’t feel any different, but who knows? Maybe it’ll work, or maybe it’s just a pretty light show. Either way, it was interesting. He said the others were around, so I can always change it back to the Lovers if I want.

  We also ran into some wolves – It gets dark quick here in Skyrim; early, too – after sunset, but those were easy enough to take care of. I made sure to take as much stuff as I could, too. I’ll need to find a place to sell it all tomorrow.

  Ralof pointed out some creepy-looking ruins on the mountain overlooking the town. Bleak Falls Barrow, he said, and it’s where we both saw the dragon flying off towards. We didn’t see it land, but still – Knowing that it’s Out There and that it went That Way is bad enough.

  When we got here, we found Ralof’s sister, Gerdur. She called her husband, Hod, over so Ralof could tell them what happened but their son, Frodnar, ran up. He was eager to hear war stories and it’s clear he looks up to his uncle. Gerdur got him to give us some privacy by sending him on a little mission – Watch the road to Helgen to make sure no one comes looking for us.

  She’s a shrewd one, I can tell.

  Ralof told them how he and his detail were with Ulfric on their way to Darkwater Crossing (no idea where that is) when they were ambushed. He’s convinced the army knew they were coming. It was too perfect. I’m inclined to agree. Everyone knows that the Emperor has spies all over Cyrodiil – Why not here? He then told them about Helgen, and how I came to tag along.

  Gerdur’s glad we’re safe, but she’s rightly concerned about the dragon. She gave me a key to her house, and said that I was welcome to stay here as long as I like, and to take what supplies I need. She even gave me this journal and a little writing kit. Ralof scoffed at the idea of a journal, but the boy was excited and made me promise to let him read it sometime in the future.

  All Gerdur asked in return was for me to go to Whiterun and ask the Jarl for help protecting the town from the dragon. Riverwood is named for her mill, and while she doesn’t say so, I have the feeling that she’s in change around here.

  And there we have it. I woke up late, almost got my head chopped off, almost got set on fire by a dragon, almost got eaten by a dragon, killed a bunch of soldiers, committed treason (probably?), stole a lot of stuff, fought giant spiders, escaped prison, got magicked by rocks, fought wolves, and drank two bottles of wine in a stranger’s house as I write this.

  I know - I just admitted to MANY crimes that I ABSOLUTELY committed, but if you’re reading this, I’m probably dead, in prison (again – HA!) or I trust you enough to know that you won’t rat me out.

  I’ll write more tomorrow, assuming I don’t get arrested for just existing.

  Good gods, I need a bath.

  I woke up and I ache all over but worse – I smell like a bucket of mudcrab shells and fish heads that got left out in the sun.

  That would be the blood, I guess. I didn’t sleep in my armor, but I know I’ve got… Stuff in my hair. I was too tired to clean up much last night, so I’ll have to ask Gerdur where the bath house is.

  -------------

  There’s no bath house.

  Not just in Riverwood, but… In all of Skyrim. Bath houses aren’t a thing here. She said there were hot springs in places, but that’s it. You either bathe somewhere outside – the water has little bits of ICE in it – or you bathe in a little wooden tub with water you heat over the fire.

  Luckily, she took pity on me and kicked the boys out while we took turns with the tub. She was intrigued by the idea of bath houses, though. Hopefully I convinced her to build one.

  At least now I’m presentable enough to sell off the loot I gathered and get myself something to eat. I don’t want to impose on Gerdur any more than I have to. I’m sure I can get some real clothes and some warm gear to keep out the chill. She offered me some of hers, but I assured her that I had plenty to trade for my own. Besides, I’m not built for this climate. I’m sure the thin cloak she offered me is enough for her, but it felt like a bedsheet to me.

  ------------

  So… Today was eventful! I’m writing this from somewhere on the mountain on my way to Bleak Falls Barrow.

  When I left the house I found a dead body wearing fancy clothes laying the street. People seemed understandably shocked, but for the most part left it alone. I took everything I could off the poor man and headed to the blacksmith.

  His name is Alvor, and we made some small talk while we traded. Nice guy, if a bit rough; he offered me the use of his forge should I need it. He explained to me that Gerdur’s family founded the town a long time ago.

  Once I was outfitted, I went to the Sleeping Giant Inn for some food. The lady who ran it (I assumed) was yelling at the barkeep about the ale going stale. Guess what I did not order.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  I just bought an apple, instead. I asked about the alchemy table in the corner and Orgnar, the barkeep, said I could use it so long as I picked up after myself. Told me a little weed and blisterwort makes a healing potion! I’ll have to try that out.

  There’s not much growing wild in the City, so while I’ve always been interested in alchemy, I haven’t had much chance to actually try out ingredients or make potions. I’ve been trying my best to grab whatever ingredients I can get my hands on since I escaped. Now that I could actually make something out of them…

  Let’s just say that alchemy’s not for the squeamish. Good thing I’ve got a cast iron stomach! Years of eating the “Forever Stew” growing up saw to that. Thank you, Miss Agrippina. You taught me not to be picky, and you’re why I ate a spider egg, along with a lot of other things, with my breakfast.

  After I made as many potions as I could, I chatted with Orgnar a bit more. He said that there was a little kid in Windhelm trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood! Why would a kid want to hire an assassin? Did a bully steal his sweetroll?

  I asked him about magic and he told me about the College of Winterhold. True to form, he scoffed about magic blowing up the place.

  Why do they only think of magic as something that explodes? I learned how to use Flames as a child, but I mostly just used it in the kitchen. Using it in the streets will get you arrested, so I’ve not had any real practice with it until I got here.

  Oh, before I forget, I picked up a copy of Sparks, so I learned that one and I can do a bit of lightning damage, now!

  Anyway, the lady's name is Delphine. She seems suspicious of me. I can't blame her. An Imperial asking about magic after what happened at Helgen? She’s another sharp one. She’d already heard about Ulfric’s escape, and is convinced the war will get worse.

  I left to go unload the rest of my loot at the Riverwood Trader, and walked in on an argument. The shopkeep and his sister, Imperials, were arguing about a recent break-in. She wanted to recover what was stolen, but he said it wasn’t safe.

  The man, Lucan, told me that the thieves made off with only one thing: a figure of a dragon’s claw made from solid gold! He offered a reward for its return, so I agreed to help get it back.

  I know, I should be getting to Whiterun to talk to the jarl, but cities are expensive and I know I don’t have enough money to find a decent room once I get there.

  We made our deals, and the sister, Camilla pointed out the way to Bleak Falls Barrow, where they believe the bandits are hiding.

  Yes, the same way the dragon went.

  I sold off the potions I’d made, but I wanted more, so I took some time to gather ingredients. I ran into a wood elf named Faendal. He made no secret of his dislike for Sven. Sven’s been sweet-talking his crush, Camilla. According to Faendel, Sven’s a lazy, self-styled bard who slacks off in his work at the mill a lot.

  Faendal asked me for help wooing Camilla, and while I normally don’t like getting mixed up in relationship drama like this, I couldn’t help myself. Faendal wants me to give Camilla a fake letter from “Sven” that he wrote, so of course I said yes.

  I mean, can you blame me? It’s just too juicy, like the trashy street plays the buskers put on during lunch back home.

  I ran into Sven later at the Inn while I was making potions. He’s actually not half bad at music. Not half good, either. He’s got that annoying, cocky attitude that you see a lot in bards. It’s like being overconfident and boastful about your skills is a requirement.

  I was tempted to show him the letter from Faendal, but then he started talking about Camilla like she already “belonged” to him. She “just has to realize it.”

  Gross.

  Faendal talks about Camilla like she controls the stars. I mean, she’s got fire in her, I give her that – Willing to haul her ass up here all alone and fight off who knows how many bandits to get back the claw for her brother?

  I’ve met three women so far in Skyrim, and even though Camilla’s an Imperial, this place must grow them different.

  I’ll give her the letter when I return with the claw. She deserves better than Sven.

  I told Gerdur I was going to help out the Valerius siblings, so she gave me a waterskin and more food. She understood my motive, too. It was wise to get better equipped and fuller pockets before setting out. She’s not too confident about the Jarl, though. He's in over his head and trying to stay neutral, but that won’t last long.

  After that, I started on my way up. A wolf came at me, but I set it on fire, then cleaved its skull open as soon as it got in range. I’ve never done anything like that on my own before, and it was like time slowed down. I didn’t even have to think. I just – Killed it.

  Not far past the wolf I found a little tower on the side of the path. The snow got heavier, and I saw two men. I approached unarmed, hoping they were friendly, but one man drew his weapons as soon as he noticed me.

  So, I backed off. I could have probably snuck past them, but it was getting late and I needed to rest and find shelter. He put his weapons away and I decided to try the bow I’d picked up. He was too far for my flames to work, anyway.

  You can’t really practice archery in the streets, not unless you find an empty alley. I’ve never fired a bow before, but as it turns out, I’m not too shabby at it! The first guy went down easy, but he didn’t have a bow. The second one did, but I put my last arrow into his brain.

  I guess all those nights playing darts paid off!

  I took what I could – Found a knapsack on one, which is a godsend because I couldn’t afford the big backpack in town – and went into the tower. It was pretty sparse, and I thought I was safe until I ran into another man at the very top!

  I’d smartly switched to my axe and flames earlier, just in case, but - Why do they run right into the fire? It’s fueled by magicka but it’s still REAL FIRE. I axed him as soon as he got in range, just like I did the wolf.

  I found a decent amount of food in the tower, along with some gold and a warm fur cloak. There was even a chest up top, but they hadn’t bothered to lock it.

  I’ve set up camp inside the top level. It’s a small tent, but it should do well enough.

  Time for sleep.

  I have made a grave tactical error. The leather tent kept me dry, but it did next to nothing for the cold. That wouldn't be a problem, except I didn't grab firewood or an axe good for chopping wood when I was in town. Luckily, I have soup - eating as I write - but I'm going to freeze to death if I don't get out of the weather. There’s a bend in the road not far from the tower. I’ll take a peek and if I see the Barrow, I’ll head there. If not, I go back to Riverwood and gear up properly.

  -------

  It would be nice if I could go a few days without horrible monsters trying to kill me or ancient mysteries coming to light.

  That’s not too much to ask, is it?

  Right now I’ve set up my bedroll by a large gate somewhere hopefully at in the bottom of Bleak Falls Barrow. It’s a bit early for sleep, but this feels like as safe a place as any to pass the night, and it gives me time to write and relax. Besides, there’s a lit brazier here, and it’s actually sort of cozy. In it’s own way.

  First off, I’ve found the golden dragon’s claw, but it’s really more like a foot. I mean, it has toes and everything. There are claws on the foot, but it’s clearly not just a claw. Nothing like I expected, but it doesn’t matter. Lucan can call it whatever he likes once I get paid.

  Well, like I said before, I decided to take a look around the bend in the road, and the Barrow was right there! There were three bandits outside, but they gave me some trouble because I was just too cold to do much.

  Is it too morbid of me to say that I briefly considered burning the bodies to warm myself up? Does that make me mad? Or is that just how a person’s mind goes when they’re desperate?

  I wanted to explore more out there, but as I said, I was freezing. I could barely open the door, I was shaking so hard.

  Inside, I first saw a bunch of dead skeevers surrounding two dead bandits, and then I noticed a campfire! There were live two bandits at the fire, a man and a woman. They were arguing about an elf who I assumed hired them. He’d gone ahead of them and she was worried that she wouldn’t get her share of the pay.

  I want to say that I normally fight fair, but let’s face it: I don’t. I’ll cheat and use every advantage I have. I was still shivering, so I poisoned my bow and hoped for the best. I managed to kill them, but not before they got a few good hits in.

  I warmed up, then looted everything I could find and stored what I didn’t want to carry in a chest that probably used to belong to the bandits. I’ll come back for the goods later.

  There was a stairway going down into the Barrow, so down I went. Yes, I looted urns, but it’s not like they’re using it. There were a lot of skeevers, embalming tools and scraps of linen for wrapping bodies, too. I don’t know why that surprised me. It is a barrow, after all.

  What did surprise me was the poison dart trap. I was creeping down the stairs towards an open chamber when I saw a bandit in the room ahead. He pulled a lever on the floor in front of a portcullis that blocked the way ahead. I heard the darts go off, and he died almost instantly.

  I mean, it makes sense that the high-status people would be buried deeper underground with lots of treasure, so I shouldn’t be surprised at the traps, but still… They’re still active after who knows how many centuries?!

  Are all ancient Nord barrows are like this?

  In the room with the portcullis, there were two massive stone faces on the wall, with another one fallen onto the floor. Each one had an animal symbol in its mouth. There were three spinning columns to my left, each side decorated with a different animal.

  It was clearly a lock, and those heads had the key in their mouths.

  Here’s one of the heads, and the symbols from the columns:

  How witless was that guy? A child could have figured that out. And why have such a horrible trap when the solution is so obvious? A well-made lock and a solid door would do a better job, I think.

  I spun the columns to match the animals in the mouths of the stone faces - Snake, Snake, Whale – and pulled the lever.

  I admit I was still ready to jump out of the way of any poison darts. The gate opened, and I went through. There was another lever that closed the portcullis behind me. I found a handy book titled “Thief” in the next room, along with a few other things.

  Other than a few skeevers, it was pretty quiet until I got to an area covered in cobwebs. As I was burning my way through them, I heard a man yelling for help. I stepped into a large chamber (cave?) that was covered in cobwebs, like that place under Helgen, and the biggest spider I’ve ever seen in my life dropped down from the ceiling.

  That thing was easily bigger than a draft horse, and I ran back the way I’d came. The room had two archways leading into it, both smaller than the spider. There was no way it could fit through to get me, and one of the archways was conveniently covered in a lattice of thick roots that I could throw fire through!

  It took a while, and I did get poisoned a bit, but I eventually wore it down to where I could finish it off with my axe. I glimpsed the yelling man once or twice. He was at the far end of the chamber, trapped in webs and screaming himself hoarse. It was distracting, to say the least.

  The man, a Dunmer, said his name was Arvel the Swift, and that he knew the secret of the claw and how it “worked”. He said he’d show me if I cut him down. I was tempted to kill him and then just take the claw, but I cut him down.

  I would say that I should have killed him, but it didn’t make much difference in the end. Like I thought, he jeered at me and bolted deeper into the Barrow as soon as he was free. I followed him, and upon rounding a corner I heard a creaking, crashing sound, then a familiar scream.

  Silence did not follow. There were shuffling footsteps and this barking, cough (?) like air in an old bellows. I peeked around the corner, and saw a dead warrior with glowing blue eyes walking around Arvel’s body, carrying a drawn sword. The room it was in had open niches cut into the walls, and most of them held bodies. Some were just bones, and some were wrapped. Most were bare, but there were a few with armor and weapons.

  The undead warrior hadn’t noticed me, so I shot it.

  Now, I’ve heard of the dead rising, but I’ve never seen it before. I used to believe, like everyone I’ve ever talked to about it, that the dead can only rise while under the control of another person. They’re zombies, and they can’t think or make decisions. They just do as they’re told, like evil puppets.

  As soon as my bow made a sound, the armored dead woke up and got out of their little alcoves like they were getting out of bed.

  By the Eight, I actually felt my blood run cold. I always thought that was just an expression.

  I managed to kill them, I think. Will they get back up later on? Were they truly dead to begin with? They were pretty rotten, so I’m sure they were people who died, but how are they still guarding their tombs? It was only those with weapons, so maybe that’s just… How they were? Are their souls just sleeping and waiting to be called to fight? Is it just their Will left behind in their bones? Am I going to find some powerful Necromancer on the other side of this door tomorrow?

  I shouldn’t be thinking about that so soon before bed. I’ll give myself nightmares!

  So – Arvel. Once I “killed” the zombies, I went over to his body. He was in a heap near a large, spiked gate, not far from a VERY suspicious-looking carved stone in the floor. Clearly another trap.

  He was fast, but not too swift.

  He had the claw, and a journal. His journal said that the claw wasn’t just a decoration, like Lucan had thought. It was a key, and that I needed to find the “Hall of Stories” to use it. I looked over the “claw” and saw a bear, a moth, and an owl on the bottom of the foot.

  Here’s the “Golden Dragon Claw” and the markings on the bottom.

  See what I mean? It’s not a Claw, it’s a Foot. Yes, Golden Dragon Claw sounds very mystical and exciting, like that “Hall of Stories” in Arvel’s journal, but it’s still a foot.

  These markings look like the ones on the spinning column locks from before. There’s probably another set of those and more poison darts up ahead. At least whoever made the lock for this key had the good sense to not put the key in carvings almost as tall as I am.

  Now, I could have turned around right then and there, gone back down the mountain, and returned the foot to Lucan and gotten my reward, but Arvel’s journal made me curious.

  Well, that and the idea of more loot. Hopefully I’ll find some behind whatever door this foot unlocks.

  Which brings me to here. Not much to tell other than fighting more zombies. Some of them did use magic, though. I had no idea anything undead that wasn’t a vampire or a lich could use magic! Is there something in the water here in Skyrim?!

  I also found a trap between rooms that was less of a trap and more… A barrier? There was a short hallway that had three blades on pendulums in it, swinging at even intervals. They weren’t triggered by anything that I could see. I heard them moving before I got to them, and they weren’t going that fast. It was kind of easy to step through and avoid them.

  Is it really a trap? It wasn’t hard to get through, so maybe it’s just there to scare people off?

  There was a pull chain beside the door once I got through, and it stopped the blades.

  If the undead down here can fight and use magic. I’m sure they can use a door or a chain like this. It won’t stop them. This is to keep out people like me.

  What’s down here? What am I going to find tomorrow?