Act I, Part XXI: A Meeting with a God By Gandosa Arobar, Daughter of Miner Arobar Ald’ruhn has always been a place with a lot of people coming and going, so many so that nobody really notices when someone not born here comes or goes—it’s just that there are so many people moving about that it’d really be impossible to keep track, but there was a man who caught my attention a few days ago. Normally I don’t much notice the outsiders, but this one I did. He carried himself with a dignified grace—a sense of purpose—but yet he seemed invisible to everyone around him as if he was a phantom. At first I thought nothing of this ‘phantom’ as he were until I returned my quarters within the Union Hall and found him there waiting for me. He was tall with penetrating red eyes and a voice that flowed like honey, not like the rasp of most Dunmeri men from Morrowind. I wanted to call someone, but I couldn’t. I went to scream and no noise came out. I tried to open the door and it would not budge. I tried to slam on it, and it was silent. He had an amused smirk as all of this transpired and even laughed at me. “Dearest darling, I only wish to take a few moments of your time—after all—you did ask for it. Actually, if I recall correctly, you swore your fealty in this life and the next.” I stiffened at those words and I could tell he could see the look of horror wash over my face. His smirk widened as I stood there silently for what felt like an eternity. “I—” He stood there for a moment, his smirk turning into a scowl briefly before recessing into a frown as he spoke. “What, Child? You prayed to me because you knew that unlike those dogs that have taken m—our place in the eyes of your people, I would answer. Did you not want me to answer?” “I—” “I have watched how you serve the people so diligently, so faithfully, and I must say, I admire your commitment because this is the natural end of that commitment, don’t you think? This is what happens when good people obey: They get left to rot and it takes a person like you who is willing to do anything to save them to restore the natural order.” “You’re right—you’re absolutely right, Lord Boethiah.” “Of course I am, Darling, and that’s why I’ve come to offer you the key to your people’s salvation.” “What—what is it, Lord Boethiah?” “A pendant and guidance to a place forever marred by a tragedy that can never be forgotten, no matter how much they may wish to erase it from history.” “Where is this place and what are you even talking about? What tragedy?” “I speak of a place called Kogoruhn. Long lost is it to most, but I can feel your soul being called to it. The Great Houses existed before the Battle of Kogoruhn, and if the people of Kogoruhn had just been complacent, they would have lived full, somewhat happy lives. It truly is a tragedy though how Hlaalu, Redoran, Telvanni, Indoril, and Dres stood united in their massacre of these people for daring to speak out against them and the Great House system. It’s—a pity, really.” “What do you mean they spoke out against it?” He shook his head and stared at the ground for a moment, before finally speaking, “They were people just like the Egg Miners who believed that there could be a future where everybody was equal—where there would be no division between the Aristocracy of the Great Houses and the lowborn, and they were killed for that. Each and every one of them was murdered in cold blood for believing in a future where everyone could be equal. For fighting for the exact same future you’re fighting for right now.” “I—I—" “Be calm, Darling. I made the mistake of abandoning them once, but you, you are my redemption and you will be the Avenger of Kogoruhn. You will realize their dream of a world where all are held equal under the Law and there is no division between Redoran and Lowborn or any other house and commoner, just people, and that is why I am here.” “Because—” “Because your heart beats for justice. Your entire life you have fought injustices at every turn within your sphere of influence and now I ask of you, will you be my champion and destroy the greatest injustice of all: The Injustice of Inequality?” “I—I—” “We will see, Gandosa. Tell no one of what it is you are to do, for if anyone finds out, they’ll kill you. This is your moment, the one I know you’ve been waiting for your whole life, and I know you won’t fail me as I did those people all those years ago.” I stood there in a stunned silence as he got up and walked towards me, fading with every step until he was gone entirely before he reached me and I didn’t know what to say or do or really think. I still don’t. I’m sitting here thinking it over and all make sense! The Houses would never allow someone to threaten their authority and if I lead these people to war with the House as it stands, they’ll die, but I know Boethiah wouldn’t lead me astray—I know that Kogoruhn will have the answers I seek! It has to! It just has to! And when I do come back from Kogoruhn, we will march on the Council and we will seize this city, and the next, and the next, until all of the Great Houses have been left in ruin just as they did to these people. There will be justice for Kogoruhn! There will be justice! -Gandosa Arobar, Avenger of Kogoruhn