Day 5: Arrival in Balmora

Finally I arrive in Balmora. I learn the people I likely want to talk to in the theives guild are located in the "south wall corner club". I also soon learn that Larrius Varro at Fort Moonmoth wishes to speak with me. Well duh, already talk to him. Guess the game assumes I took the transport instead of walking.

I also learn the person in particular I am looking for at the South Wall Corner Club is named Bacola Closcius. I'm sure this info will be important.

After some search I found Eydis Fire-Eyes of the fighter's guild who signed me up on the spot. My first mission: kill some rats for a citizen (Drarayne Thelas). What is it with killing rats in RPGs anyway? Actually I'm fairly certain this particular quest is a reference to a quest in Baldur's Gate. A lot of RPGs reference this particular quest. I'm not sure why (but then I never finished Baldur's Gate).

One citizen in Balmora mentioned the murder of someone named Ralen Hlaalo but when asked about that person I just got "who?". Every citizen since I mention that name and again all I get is "who?". Until I found the "House Hlaalu" and talked to Hlaalo's servent, Uryne Nirith. She was much more helpful with response: "yes, I'm looking for his murder. If you bring him to justice let me know." Ya, these people are REALLY helpful.

Still not sure what the House Hlaalu is all about but apparently I qualify to join. I did gather it has something to do with assasins, concentrating on ranged weapons like bows, throwing stars and throwing knives as well some magical dicsiplines. For now though I won't be joining it. One member did mention the Morag Tong. Not to be confused with the Commona Tong bad people. These Morag Tong only accept legally binding contracts called writs. Obviously these are contract killers. And I didn't even have to join to find that out.

After more wandering I find another location of assassins guild Morag Tong, this time with a character who knew more about Ralen Hlaalo: sounds like someone named Nine-Toes is the culprit and his house is in the middle row east of the river Odai.

Seems like I've been in Balmora for a really long time. A few game days anyway. But I finally find Caius Cosades. He initiates me into the "Blades", apparently a local "spook" faction for the Emperor. Upon delivery the package I recieved initially he informs me the Blades are secret and he'll have some jobs for me. He also mentions several trainers in various cities who will train me for discounted prices.

In Balmora there's Rithleen, Tyermaillin and Nine-Toes. Isn't Nine-Toes the guy who murdered the guy few talk about? Also there's Surane Leoriane in Caldera, Gildan in Ald'ruhn and Sjorvar Horse-Mouth a little west of Ald'ruhn and Elone in Arrille's Tradehouse in Seyda Neen.

I learn a lot from Caius Cosades including more specific information about joining the Imperial Legion: General Darius in Gnisis is now recruiting, the only one recruiting as a matter of fact. I also learn to become a "lay servant" for the imperial cult I'll need to travel to Ebonheart. Specically I get work from the Imperial Chapels in Ebonheart by signing up with Kaye to be a "shrine sargent". At least that's what I would like to be.

Finally I'm done with Caius Cosades and go and visit those trainers in Balmora, including this Nine-Toes guy. Seems he's also a member of Blades and says he didn't do it. Some citizens also say this, mentioning somone else seen leaving the same day of the murder.

Eydis Fire-Eyes of the fighter's guild assigned me to take care of some local egg poachers who were causing trouble in a local mine. Wasn't too hard to find the mine, nor too hard to find and kill the poachers. I took care of both without much effort.

Next Eydis Fire-Eyes has assigned me to find four Telvanni agents responsible for several disapearances at the Caldera Mines.

The four are:

Alynu Aralen
Sathasa Nerothren
Forthyna Herothran
Alveleg

I am to assassinate all four and report back to Eydis Fire-Eyes when done. My as well get started. I could teleport (or whatever) to Caldera but I'm a newbie and I need all the experience I can get. So I walk to Caldera. I leave in the evening so it soon gets dark. I decide to camp until morning. I only encounter a rat and two beasts called Alits. I tried my bow and arrow again for the rat without much success.

While in someone's house in fort moonmoth I found a book with some potion recipies:

two or more, health restore
marshmerrow
wickwheat
corkbulb root
saltrice

restore fatige:
crab meat
bread
small kwanna egg
chokeweed

cure common disease:
grave dust
green lichen

water breathing:
luminous russula
hackle-lo leaf

fire shield:
corn berry (or comberry)
sloadsoap

invisiblity:
diamond dust
bittergreen pedals