h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Made myself another new character (once I start creating another one, and another one it's usually a sign that I've played a game too long and will soon switch to another) - a blond Nord woman, a fighter, a valkyria.

I don't think I've ever played a female Nord before, because I can't remember a character being regarded with so much interest from the male NPCs before.

For starters, that pesky elf in the jail was practically drooling over Freya. He didn't say one nasty thing except for the finishing 'you're going to die in here'.

And in Anvil, one of the male Fighters' Guild members just told me 'have you seen the latest addition to the Figthers' Guild? Quite something, don't you think?'

'I like what I see'

Said by Lathon, the squire of Sir Roderic. I wish I could slap him for being so impertinent!

Hmmm... roughly 1½ year since I last played Oblivion - and yet, I keep returning to it...

At first, I had indeed intended to bring the amulet to Jeoffrey, but the more I thought about it, the more hesitant I became.

As Baurus himself had said 'what makes you think help will get here before more of those b*st*rds?'. What if more assassins had showed up while he was guarding the emperor's body? What if he had been killed?

My absence would surely have been noticed by now and, if Baurus had been killed, I'm sure the absence of my body among the others would also be noted.

No, I had better search for Baurus to make sure he was still alive before delivering the amulet, or I would surely be suspected of having partaken in the killings.

Jauffre, blast it - tried to remember the spelling from memory.

I've checked every inn, tavern and store in the entire city, the Arena, the prison and even inside the Imperial City Palace (boy, is that high chancellor Ocato a grumpy one, or what?) and still no sign of Baurus.

I even returned to the sewers, but the way back had been sealed off.

The odd thing is that I haven't even once come across any Blades inside the city - and none of the city guards seem to know anything about them. The emperor's personal body guard - and no one has heard of them?

And this cursed Amulet of Kings! I've tried to put it away in a safe place, but as soon as my fingers touch it, it is as if the amulet takes control. I just can't put it down! And Baurus was right - I can't wear it either, which means I'm obviously not even distantly related to the emperor.

Still no sign of Baurus nor any Blades, in fact.

Today, I acted upon a deed that was among my belongings, to a place called Frostcrag Spire, not far from Bruma.

And what an amazing place it is! A bit bare to be sure, but according to the tome that I found right inside the front door, I should be able to return the place to its former glory with the help of some items that have been kept safe by Aurelinwae, whom I'm well acquinted with, so that shouldn't be any problem.

On the second floor, outside the tower on a sort of balcony, I found portals to all the mage guild halls (except for the Arcane University itself) but the one leading to Kvatch doesn't function, oddly enough... I wonder how come?

Actually, Baurus seems to be stuck with guarding the emperor's body until my character hands in the Amulet of Kings - which she has no intention to do, obviously.

I had expected to pootle around minding my own business, but quests just keep piling up even though I've abandonned the main quest line (for now). Busy, busy, busy.

Explored a new (to me) cave today; Sideways Cave, on the same island as the Imperial City. Ayleid ruins inside, blast it - expecting to spring a trap at 'any time now'.

Dozens of skeletal remains, and now the second perfectly preserved body of an unlucky explorer - this must mean others have tried to explore this place not long ago. I don't like this one bit. Imps everywhere, and two trolls so far.

I've reached a room with a stone throne in the middle - dare I try to seat myself? Or is it another one of those infamous Ayleid traps?

The Jemane brothers are driving me crazy!

I thought I'd help them reclaim their home. Well, after I had killed off all the ogres surrounding it, I expected them to simply return there and get a life.

But oh no, not them - they're expecting me to babysit them all the way to their home. Ain't happening. But they keep following me doggedly, apparently hoping I'll get so fed up with their presence that I'll cave in.

Ain't happening.

Once in a while, I manage to shake them off - but it doesn't last long.

*sighs*

Oh well, at least they make a good diversion when I run into beasts, monsters and undeads...

I think I remember that one... an old farm?

That's the Odiil brothers, whose father s out (had to look up the name).

The Jemane brothers are twins, and each thought the other was dead until I reunited them. Pretty good followers (can fight but can't die, but pass out if they take too much damage) but they're also a bit buggy - they'll follow when I've told them to stay, and stay when I've told them to follow.

Not to mention falling off narrow ledges, getting stuck in traps etc.

Oh - due to a few crashes, that specific character of mine seems to have lost not only all lockpicking spells, but also all fire damage spells! And she can't learn them anew - I've tried buying, learning and using the console commands - she's just unable to get any of them back.

With that kind of progress, I'm thinking my enjoyment of playing Oblivion might end rather sooner than usual.

*starts yet another new character*

'Sick and tired, tired and sick. And perhaps a little drunk. Off you go.'

Oh, so that's why I keep travelling northeast rather than southwest!

Does my new character need the Jemane brothers to help out with things?

when it comes to the Odiil brothers, definitely - otherwise at least one of them will get killed.

I wonder if I should have a second go at being a again? Googled the other day for PC vampire games, didn't find any recent ones despite the current hype in literature as well as films.

How odd - my latest character came upon a deserted guard horse, quickly mounted and rode off - just as she spotted the owner approaching, probably after fighting a bandit or beast.

And this horse stays put! A stolen horse, that doesn't wander off the moment my character dismounts! I don't think I've ever come across that before.

And because of that, there are now deserted horses outside the gate of each city I pay a visit.

Oh, and my current character seems to have caught Porphyric Hemophilia. Which means she will soon start transforming into a . Oh goodie, I've always enjoyed the encounters with Count Hassildor

http://www.elderscrolls.com/skyrim/

Funny, the way some old folklore has been woven into the Oblivion game - I find this *cough* Wiki article quite interesting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springheel_jack

Can't help talking to the corteous orch in Skingrad every time I see him - I love the way he finishes with 'have a good day now' in the friendliest tone possible.

Orchs shouldn't be like that - I find 'get out of my way before I rip your arms off' to be more natural.

I wonder if he's homosexual?

Hmmm... trying how to remember how to murder someone and get away with it - got the Grey Cowl so ready to join the Dark Brotherhood.

Bought a white steed, armoured it - and now it's gone! Even used the console commands trying to locate it - gone. Bugger - I think it might have slipped down a steep slope into the water and drowned.