Part IV: Marandus

By Nilas Arobar, Son of Miner Arobar

It’s only been two days since we left Ald’ruhn on the journey out to Marandus, but it feels like so much longer as the anticipation courses through my veins! I can’t help but be excited even though the Master of Trials says that the Trials are a harrowing experience that can break even the greatest of men, but I know that I won’t be broken by them. This is my destiny! How could I possibly be defeated by them when everything in my life has been building up to this point? But perhaps he’s right and that I shouldn’t be so eager, for after all, a Redoran maintains a sense of gravity in all things and is deliberate in all actions, but I can’t help the excitement—for the first time in my life, my father is going to be proud of me when I return from them and the Master of Trials returns and hears from the Underpriest that I did it—that I earned my place in the House as a true Redoran! He’ll finally tell me that I’ve earned his respect and my place in the House—the Three only know how much I look forward to that moment. It’s all I’ve really ever wanted. I’ve always just wanted him to, for once, tell me he’s proud of me, and he finally will be when I come home having earned my place in the House.

I have to remember to that I need to thank Uncle Athyn at my initiation ceremony, because this wouldn’t be possible without him. My father would’ve never sponsored me and I know because I asked him about it once. He told me I’d fail and prove not only to him or myself, but to the entire house that I wasn’t fit to bear our crest. He doesn’t get it though. It’s not about having the respect of my peers or anything like that—it’s about doing something more with my life. I mean, look at Gandosa, she could’ve probably talked Serjo Oran into marrying her despite his doubts, but she didn’t. She could just loiter about the Manor all day now that she’s failed to live up to Father’s expectations of her, but no, she’s always out doing something to help our people. She organizes food drives, she spends time teaching the poor, she just—does things—not because she has to, but because she wants to, because she cares and that’s why I want to be Redoran. It’s not just about Father finally looking at me and realizing I’m not a complete imbecile; it’s also about giving something back to my people. Father doesn’t get that though. I Tmean, I’ve heard the stories of before Gandosa and I were born about how he used to be a great warrior and how he fought at the Battle of Tel Uvirith, but now, he just seems so concerned with his reputation and his standing in the community—he just doesn’t get it. I get why he cares about the respect of his people, but sometimes I think that’s all he cares about. I just wish he realized that I’m not the failure that he thinks I am—I have so much to offer and I just hope he realizes that someday and I hope this is what makes him realize it.

I should focus though; we’re only a day’s walk from Marandus and the Master of Trials tells me that when we get there, he will leave me and only return for the Underpriest’s report on my performance if I survive. I just wish I knew what to expect. I’ve heard the story of Marandus a thousand times just as everyone who grows up in Redoran territory has. It was a Redoran stronghold that was overrun by the Dwemer and their constructs and it was there that the ancient warriors fought to the death to hold off the Dwemer invaders from taking the stronghold, because Lord Nerevar had told them that he would return to use it as a staging ground for a major offensive against Galom Daeus. Though they lost control of the stronghold, when Lord Nerevar returned with his full army, they avenged their fallen comrades and it is said that to this day, the Ancient Redorans stand watch over Marandus in death as they did in life.

A part of me is anxious to walk amongst the spirits of some of the greatest men and women to ever live, but I know that I will prove myself to them and that I will earn my place within their house. As they sacrificed for our people thousands of years ago, I too will sacrifice for our people, for a Redoran’s life is sacrifice and I will be Redoran, for it is my destiny and who am I to spit in the eye of Lady Azura?

May I walk with the blessings of ALMSIVI as I undergo the Trials and may the Ancient Redorans who sacrificed everything for their honor recognize me as a kindred spirit.

-Nilas Arobar, Redoran Aspirant