From the desk of Valtire Leythen, reviewed by Aestaril Leythen
"I'm writing a recap on the assignment we tackled last night, since I suppose we do this. I'm not used to paper work or this level or formality and professionalism... But I shall try my best.
Our contract was to remove an unwanted spirit from the home of some Altmer nobles, they offered us good pay and this seems like a great way to get our name out there. We met up in the Investigations building, as was specified in my note. Aestaril held onto my arm as we waited for the others to trickle in. One by one, they showed.
First, Asif; I'll admit I was surprised to see this one I had figured he was mostly interested in Expeditions works. He shows kindness, but also an intelligence and curiosity.
Svetla Ice-Maiden, and as her name suggests, she has a tongue that bites like the wind on an especially cold winters night. I believe she mentioned the College of Winterhold? We are truly blessed to have someone with such creditals.
Bakes-With-Cinnamon, my ever beloved scale friend! He has a personality as warm and sweet as the treats he makes, I am always glad to have him around.
The quiet one from the wedding also joined us, Ina. She brought her friend Corin who we also met at our wedding. Ina seems sweet and shy, I believe her to have a good heart from what little she was able to articulate to us. Corin is a mysterious one as well, clad in all black and apparently sharing my affinity for masks.
Lastly, Ascela, the mad Altmer woman came bolting into the Investigations building... Asking all sorts of questions about the crying that I couldn't possibly know the answer to. My husband doesn't seem to like this one, but I find her ability to think outside of the box useful and intriguing.
I opened the portal to the manor where the spirit was said to be, immediately confronted by a sour looking Altmer noble by the name of Viara, covered from head to toe in gold. It seemed even her skin might be made out of gold. Viara told us a little bit about the ghost, but for someone who wanted her visitor gone, she didn't really seem keen on sharing too much. Asif, Bakes and Ascela were eager to go inside and start poking about, while myself, Aestaril, Corin and Ina stayed back for a bit. Svetla has been the most useful in speaking to Viara...
Upon entering the house, we looked around. A massive manor, Altmer motif decorating the home. One family could hardly need that many fireplaces, right? The home consisted of what seemed like a lounging area, some tables and seats scattered throughout the hallways. A kitchen area with a dining room off to the side to the right, as well as what looked to be a small and cramped servants quarters hidden behind some ivy. To the left, another sitting area with two throne looking seats and an entrance to their library. Everyone clambered up the stairs to the direction of the sobbing, astonished at the pile of gold left haphazardly laying on the floor. I would not be surprised if some people had robbed the family, nor would I much care, either.
This is where we made contact with a friendly salamander. Screams and Ascela bonded immediately. She certainly has a way with animals. It's unfortunate the salamander was just that... A pet salamander. Svetla cast a scrying magic, trying to better narrow down where the spirit was. I believe she must have found something, as she led us forward through a doorway and into another hallway. Behind us, a bathing area and some dressers, ahead of us, a long hallway with more sitting areas, a desk, and three doors. I don't quite recall who stepped through the correct door first, but soon we were outside on a balcony, infront us stood the spectral woman still weeping into her hands.
Sinawe, she says her name was. A maid to the family of this manor, or rather a maid to their parents before they moved out. She told a very incomplete story of abuse, fear, and eventual murder. She has been haunting one of the family's mines, the place where she had been murdered, as she was having trouble passing on. Recently an evil entity also made a home out of the mine, causing her to flee. Unable to be anywhere other than the mine and the manor, she relucantly returned to the manor. Asif, Bakes and Svetla were especially useful to extracting this information. These three seem to be the most gifted with their words. Bakes tried to step closer to the spirit, though Svetla reached out to stop him, uncertain of the danger level of the spirit.
The next step, was removing the spirit from the manor. Ascela brought up perhaps relocating her into Ascela's home, but this proved futile as the spirit was unable to leave the manor and or mine without being bound to something first. It's a shame this resolution didn't turn out, I would have very much liked it and it would have allowed for more indepth questioning of the woman. Soon, mention of soul trapping the woman started swirlling around in the air. I'm no necromancer, so I have little to no idea how soul gems work... Though I must admit it seemed like a bad idea. Corin stepped forward, offering to do the deed and saying she had a soul gem. I have no reason not to trust this woman and she spoke with conviction. Corin says she can release the spirit and leave her unharmed. I pray that she did not lie to us. Asif tried to step in front of Corin, distrustful, but the spirit walked past him and towards her to accept her fate.
