An Ascadian Autumn

[ascadian_rose]

The autumn season has come to Vvardenfell, and because of changes in the weather that were caused by the Big Stink (which was mentioned in previous entries) we now have what many call a "true autumn". The leaves have changed from green to lovely shades of copper and gold. The air also has a crisp and clean feel to it. Of course the tall mushrooms haven't changed as much as the trees, but even they give off the feel of being about to go to sleep for the coming winter season.

One drawback with the changes in Vvardenfell's weather is how it affects our physical systems. Many of us are more susceptible to catching colds or even the flu. For the reason the healers developed a vaccine and have advised residents to come by get one. Since Neldor and I are both used to living in a warm climate we decided it may not be a bad idea to go into town and be vaccinated. My appointment was in the morning and his was in the afternoon.

Following the morning chores around the farm I saddled Gloria and the two of us headed toward town. Riding felt even more pleasant the usual. The changes in the leaf colors almost made me feel as though I was seeing the Ascadian Isles for the first time. Even Gloria seemed to be enjoying the autumn weather. She held her head high and raised her feet high as we trotted along the road.



There is one place we have to pass on our way to town that makes me feel uneasy; a medium sized manor that belongs to the Ravenwatch household. The "family" consists of two male Altmers, a female Bosmer, and a female Khajiit. Admittedly all four seem like very nice people but the reason for my wariness is that they are vampires.



So why are these neighbors not being driven out? Because so far there has been no trouble with them. I myself met the patriarch of the household, Verandis Ravenwatch, when I had gone into town to deliver the day's garden produce to the grocer's. Verandis told me that he knew my great grandparents Glorawen and Andravan. That was a peculiar experience; to speak to someone who did not merely know of them, but knew them. In fact his whole household knew them, thought highly of them and had fought alongside them.

According to Vernadis, the Ravenwatch vampires never ever take blood from an unwilling donor. They are also willing to sustain themselves on a newly discovered plant called Plasma Fruit, which Neldor and I quickly planted in our garden when we learned that vampires had joined out community.

In spite of Verandis' assurance and the fact that no one has been killed or turned into a thrall, I still feel uneasy any time I have to go by Ravenwatch manor. One does not immediately get over a lifetime of being taught that all vampires are nothing more than evil blood-sucking monsters.

Since today was a business day, the roads through town were quiet when Gloria and I reached the healing center. The children were all at the school and our neighbors were at their respective places of employment. Mers such as our Altmer friend Aryc of Silvervale was within the town hall going over policies and proposals regarding the best ways to allow our community to continue to prosper.

Within the Pelagiad Science and Lore center, scholarly and magically inclined people such Ashara Dagoth and her father Master Aryon were at work with magical experiments. In fact, Ashara has been doing a series of tests on the Khajiit known as RiData. He is one of the skooma-heads who blew up Neloth's and Gilvoth's bean silos. As long as we have known him, all he ever says is, "Moooooon sugarrrrr". No matter what you say to him, that is the only response RiData gives. Ashara thinks she may know of a way to repair his mind and get him to behave like a normal Khajiit. I wish Ashara luck and success. Not only would RiData have his life back, but Pelagiad would have one less trouble-maker (Apparently his co-hort, a Breton named Erandre, is a hopeless case).

At the healing center one of the healers took me into an examination room and administered the vaccine. I had thought I would be given a potion to drink, but instead the vaccine was giving in the form of a shot. I wasn't crazy about that at all and my arm is still hurting. In fact I am wondering if it would have been better to just skip the vaccine and use a Cure potion if either Neldor or I became sick. Oh well. The healers were trained at the Temple of Azura, so I'm sure they know what they're doing. Wincing a bit from the soreness in my arm, I got back up on Gloria's back and we went on our way.



By the time we reached Rosewood (the name of our home and farm), Neldor had already left for his appointment at the healing center so Gloria and I continued toward the southwestern wilderness where Y'ffe's Grove park and campground is located. The park looked beautiful before but it is breathtaking now with the leaves changing colors. After checking the privies to make sure everything was in working order, we slowly rode along the dirt paths and enjoyed the scenery. There were a couple of other people enjoying the park as well. Our Altmer friend Vallisara was reading on a park bench while her beautiful horse Brandy grazed nearby. I also saw Traveling New Woman, an Argonian Altmer, admiring the nature themed statues that had been placed here and there among the trees.



The campground side of the park was also doing well. Dagoth Endus seems to be a semi-permanent resident there, preferring to sleep off the effects of Ancient Dagoth Braandy within a solitary tent rather than within the house that he shares with his brothers Odros, Tureynul and Gilvoth.



So far I'm really liking the "true autumn season", though we have been warned by those who have more experience with such weather that the rainy days will feel particularly cold. It's said that it's a cold that goes "right to your bones" and people will want to spend those days indoors and near a lit fireplace.

The rainy days will not likely be so pleasant, but I for one will enjoy the clear autumn days while they last. With the Tales & Tallows season approaching it will soon by time to unpack and put up the decorations. Not to mention carving the pumpkins that we grew in our garden. And of course pumpkin pies need to be baked for the Rose Garden Bakery.

With the conclusion of this entry I plan to go back outside with a memory crystal and capture images of the scenery with its "true autumn" coloration so that I may recreate the scenes with paint on canvas. After all, what sort of artist would I be if I allowed such an opportunity to pass by?

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