» Mon May 07, 2012 10:54 am I'm also not that much of an expert in TES lore, so if you see any inconsistencies with canon feel free to point them out.
Name: Charon Andavel
Race: Dunmer
Age: whatever the Dunmer psychological and physical equivalent for a 25-year-old human is
Main proficiencies: One-handed swords, blocking, Destruction and Restoration magic, heavy armor, and smithing.
Charon Andavel, the Sword of the North, Champion of Skyrim, Spawn and Slayer of Dragons, was born in Cheydinhal to Camas and Dalyne Andavel.
Camas' story
Spoiler
Camas, a Redguard, used to be a soldier in the Imperial Legion. When his commanding officer was ordered, during a skirmish with the Thalmor, to have his unit storm a considerably larger enemy outpost to create a diversion, Camas saw it was a suicide
mission and decided to desert. He worked as a mercenary for a while before deciding to settle down in Cheydinhal to be a weaponsmith, a skill he had picked up in his early years and had often practiced in the army.
A proud man, quite smart despite being unlearned, he loved to test his own abilities and push himself to the limit, especially in a fight- he did not approve of unnecessary deaths, however.
In Cheydinhal, he met Dalyne.
mission and decided to desert. He worked as a mercenary for a while before deciding to settle down in Cheydinhal to be a weaponsmith, a skill he had picked up in his early years and had often practiced in the army.
A proud man, quite smart despite being unlearned, he loved to test his own abilities and push himself to the limit, especially in a fight- he did not approve of unnecessary deaths, however.
In Cheydinhal, he met Dalyne.
Dalyne's story
Spoiler
Dalyne Andavel, a Dunmer, was the daughter of merchant Oderan Andavel, who was in turn the offspring of a member of a lesser branch of House Indoril who was exiled from Vvardenfell along with the rest of his House, officially on charges of impiety and
youth-corrupting: the real reason was their outspoken opposition of slavery.
Dalyne did not inherit her father's longing for Morrowind, preferring instead to focus on what opportunities the present offered, while still feeling a certain attachment to Dunmer traditions. A clever, wild, attractive woman, she lived off of her father's small fortune for quite a while,
refusing to find a job or get married and traveling far and wide around Cyrodiil, always living in luxury. When she grew bored of her careless lifestyle, she settled down in Cheydinhal, hoping that her father would find a suitable match for her. Shortly after, she met Camas.
Dalyne Andavel, a Dunmer, was the daughter of merchant Oderan Andavel, who was in turn the offspring of a member of a lesser branch of House Indoril who was exiled from Vvardenfell along with the rest of his House, officially on charges of impiety and
youth-corrupting: the real reason was their outspoken opposition of slavery.
Dalyne did not inherit her father's longing for Morrowind, preferring instead to focus on what opportunities the present offered, while still feeling a certain attachment to Dunmer traditions. A clever, wild, attractive woman, she lived off of her father's small fortune for quite a while,
refusing to find a job or get married and traveling far and wide around Cyrodiil, always living in luxury. When she grew bored of her careless lifestyle, she settled down in Cheydinhal, hoping that her father would find a suitable match for her. Shortly after, she met Camas.
Childhood
Spoiler
The two quickly fell in love, and when Dalyne was found to be with child they wed. The child, in accordance with the laws of nature in Nirn, was a Dunmer: thus they agreed to give him a Redguard name, lest he forget his heritage.
Charon grew up to be a bookish, somewhat shy child: he loved to read tales and legends and spent a great deal of time with Dalyne's younger brother, Farvyn, a scholar of the magic arts, who noticed that the child had quite an inclination for wizardry and
showed him the fundaments of spellcasting. Dalyne did not find any fault with her son's scholarly inclination, but Camas, even if he still loved Charon dearly, was rather dismayed to see his son turn to a practice he deemed inferior to physical combat.
In the meantime, the couple were finding themselves quite changed by parenthood: they both shed their prideful, wild natures and became more kindly and soft-spoken, while still retaining a spark of their former fierceness. They both believed the boy
needed to be raised according to their respective cultures, and often argued about it, but they quickly managed to find a suitable medium. Charon grew up with equal Redguard and Dunmer influences.
The two quickly fell in love, and when Dalyne was found to be with child they wed. The child, in accordance with the laws of nature in Nirn, was a Dunmer: thus they agreed to give him a Redguard name, lest he forget his heritage.
Charon grew up to be a bookish, somewhat shy child: he loved to read tales and legends and spent a great deal of time with Dalyne's younger brother, Farvyn, a scholar of the magic arts, who noticed that the child had quite an inclination for wizardry and
showed him the fundaments of spellcasting. Dalyne did not find any fault with her son's scholarly inclination, but Camas, even if he still loved Charon dearly, was rather dismayed to see his son turn to a practice he deemed inferior to physical combat.
In the meantime, the couple were finding themselves quite changed by parenthood: they both shed their prideful, wild natures and became more kindly and soft-spoken, while still retaining a spark of their former fierceness. They both believed the boy
needed to be raised according to their respective cultures, and often argued about it, but they quickly managed to find a suitable medium. Charon grew up with equal Redguard and Dunmer influences.
Adolescence
Spoiler
After entering adolescence, Charon changed too: he lost much of his awkwardness and started to prioritize swordsmanship over magic training. He quickly proved to be a far more impressive swordsman than mage, and Camas, who did not consider the local
Fighters' Guild to be good enough for his son and whose own fighting skills were beginning to decay from lack of practice, invested a great deal of money to give Charon a suitable trainer: he found one in Agarnir Long-Arm, a Nord who had recently arrived in
Cheydinhal. Rumored to have been a member of the High King of Skyrim's personal guard, Agarnir trained the young Dunmer to be proficient in the use of one-handed blades and able to fight in heavy armor. He and Charon quickly grew to like each other:
the old man was impressed by the boy's natural talent and willingness to learn, and Charon was fascinated by the many stories Agarnir told about his past life and his homeland, Skyrim. In the meantime, the young Dunmer continued his magic training with
Farvyn and other mages, if not as extensively as before: he preferred to specialize in harnessing the forces of nature to harm his enemies and using magic to heal wounds, as he thought that other types of spells would not do him much good as a fighter.
Despite his newfound love of fighting, Charon was still quite interested in books: Dalyne showed him the many ancient texts his great-grandfather had taken away from Morrowind, and the boy quickly drifted away from his Redguard heritage to immerse
himself in Dunmer culture. His relationship with Camas remained one of mutual respect and affection, but the two never formed a strong father-son bond. Charon felt far greater loyalty toward Agarnir, Dalyne, and a friend he had recently made: an Altmer
boy, son of the local alchemist. His name was Faelian. The two young elves found they had a lot in common, and Charon, perhaps for the first time in his life, found a true friend. They often spent hours talking about their dreams and what they would do in their
future lives: both boys were fascinated by the tales of gallant knights and their accomplishments, and it seemed to them that the greatest life one could live was one spent roaming the land, righting wrongs and discovering great treasures.
After entering adolescence, Charon changed too: he lost much of his awkwardness and started to prioritize swordsmanship over magic training. He quickly proved to be a far more impressive swordsman than mage, and Camas, who did not consider the local
Fighters' Guild to be good enough for his son and whose own fighting skills were beginning to decay from lack of practice, invested a great deal of money to give Charon a suitable trainer: he found one in Agarnir Long-Arm, a Nord who had recently arrived in
Cheydinhal. Rumored to have been a member of the High King of Skyrim's personal guard, Agarnir trained the young Dunmer to be proficient in the use of one-handed blades and able to fight in heavy armor. He and Charon quickly grew to like each other:
the old man was impressed by the boy's natural talent and willingness to learn, and Charon was fascinated by the many stories Agarnir told about his past life and his homeland, Skyrim. In the meantime, the young Dunmer continued his magic training with
Farvyn and other mages, if not as extensively as before: he preferred to specialize in harnessing the forces of nature to harm his enemies and using magic to heal wounds, as he thought that other types of spells would not do him much good as a fighter.
Despite his newfound love of fighting, Charon was still quite interested in books: Dalyne showed him the many ancient texts his great-grandfather had taken away from Morrowind, and the boy quickly drifted away from his Redguard heritage to immerse
himself in Dunmer culture. His relationship with Camas remained one of mutual respect and affection, but the two never formed a strong father-son bond. Charon felt far greater loyalty toward Agarnir, Dalyne, and a friend he had recently made: an Altmer
boy, son of the local alchemist. His name was Faelian. The two young elves found they had a lot in common, and Charon, perhaps for the first time in his life, found a true friend. They often spent hours talking about their dreams and what they would do in their
future lives: both boys were fascinated by the tales of gallant knights and their accomplishments, and it seemed to them that the greatest life one could live was one spent roaming the land, righting wrongs and discovering great treasures.
Early advlthood
Spoiler
Years passed, one after another. Agarnir declared that Charon was on the verge of becoming a better swordsman than his master, and left the city after bidding his apprentice farewell. Charon joined the Fighters' Guild, and quickly rose to fame thanks to his
unparalleled skill in wielding sword and spell. Shortly after, an illness claimed Camas' life: he had at least lived long enough to see his son obtain glory in fighting. His death was a bad blow for Charon and Dalyne: not just emotionally, but economically as well.
Camas' smithing had been a steadfast source of monetary income for the whole family: now all that they had to feed themselves were Charon's tournament winnings and the meagre remains of what Dalyne had inherited from her father. Charon himself knew
that something needed to be done: his Dunmer nature was starting to show, turning him from a brilliant, careless adolescent into a solemn, contemplative, well-spoken young man.
In the meantime Faelian, Charon's friend, had become an accomplished alchemist and enchanter, even traveling around Cyrodiil to learn new arts and sell his magical wares: his cunning, ambitious nature allowed him to quickly develop a considerable world-
savviness and an impressive ability in charming and persuading people. When he learned of Charon's economical problems, he told his longtime friend about an idea he said he had been entertaining for a while: becoming bounty hunters. Combining the
Altmer's people skills and the Dunmer's combat prowess, they could go far. Charon was conflicted about killing other people for coin, but eventually accepted.
Years passed, one after another. Agarnir declared that Charon was on the verge of becoming a better swordsman than his master, and left the city after bidding his apprentice farewell. Charon joined the Fighters' Guild, and quickly rose to fame thanks to his
unparalleled skill in wielding sword and spell. Shortly after, an illness claimed Camas' life: he had at least lived long enough to see his son obtain glory in fighting. His death was a bad blow for Charon and Dalyne: not just emotionally, but economically as well.
Camas' smithing had been a steadfast source of monetary income for the whole family: now all that they had to feed themselves were Charon's tournament winnings and the meagre remains of what Dalyne had inherited from her father. Charon himself knew
that something needed to be done: his Dunmer nature was starting to show, turning him from a brilliant, careless adolescent into a solemn, contemplative, well-spoken young man.
In the meantime Faelian, Charon's friend, had become an accomplished alchemist and enchanter, even traveling around Cyrodiil to learn new arts and sell his magical wares: his cunning, ambitious nature allowed him to quickly develop a considerable world-
savviness and an impressive ability in charming and persuading people. When he learned of Charon's economical problems, he told his longtime friend about an idea he said he had been entertaining for a while: becoming bounty hunters. Combining the
Altmer's people skills and the Dunmer's combat prowess, they could go far. Charon was conflicted about killing other people for coin, but eventually accepted.
The Unwavering and the Brotherhood
Spoiler
The two elves decided to call themselves the Unwavering of Cheydinhal. They pooled together the gold they had to arm themselves and find a headquarters. They resolved to always remember that they were different from the Dark Brotherhood and the other
shadier organizations, and to never accept contracts that required them to harm innocents. Charon preferred to leave the role of commander to Faelian, who nonetheless always asked for his friend's advice.
They couldn't compete with the Fighters' Guild, which was still the major player in the field despite the dwindling power of the Guild's main backer, the Empire, but their lower prices allowed them to earn the favor of the common people, and after they
completed a few contracts (killing bandits, rescuing kidnapped maidens - Charon was fairly amazed to discover how close the job was to his childhood dreams), their name began to grow in power. Soon, Charon resolved his family's financial troubles entirely.
Things were going extremely well... until one day, Faelian decided to investigate the rumors that the Count of Cheydinhal was in fact a member of the Dark Brotherhood.
Even though no one actually talked about it, everyone knew that Brotherhood was present in Cheydinhal, and everyone knew that they were powerful, very powerful. If someone worth killing got killed inside the walls of Cheydinhal, chances were the
Brotherhood was involved. The Imperial Legion could do nothing against them, and the last commander to try and investigate had been found decapitated in a gutter.
Charon objected to his friend's intent, saying that they had no contract, and the company was too small to get involved in such matters, no matter how just it seemed to do so. Faelian insisted, but so did Charon. In the end, Faelian confessed something: he was
not the alchemist's son. His real parents had been murdered by the Dark Brotherhood when he was a child, for reasons he never found out, and the alchemist had taken him in out of pity. Charon was shocked that Faelian had kept it a secret for so long, but
nonetheless he expressed compassion and earnestly joined his friend in his hunt for the Brotherhood. The two elves started poking around, asking questions, trying to lay low.
One day, they were contacted by a hooded envoy who told them to be outside a certain inn that night to receive information about the Brotherhood. Despite both having serious suspicions, they decided to attend the meeting.
Outside the inn, they were ambushed by the Brotherhood. There were three of them: Charon slew the first two with ease, but the third managed to stab Faelian with a poisoned dagger before the Dunmer could kill her. "The Count sends his regards", she
breathed, as Charon pulled his sword out of her stomach. The effects of the poison quickly started to show: Faelian began to retch blood and his knees went out from under him. Charon had to carry the delirious Altmer over his shoulder to a healer, but it was
too late. Devastated by the death of his friend, Charon suddenly thought of something terrible, and realized his troubles were not over yet.
He ran to his mother's house as fast as he possibly could, but it was too late: the building's door was smashed to splinters, and his mother lay in a pool of blood in the dining room. As he cradled her in his arms, she whispered a few dying words to him.
"Too late... Charon, my son... so proud of you... live and avenge me".
The next morning, Charon put on his best suit of armor, sharpened his sword and went to request an audience with the Count.
shadier organizations, and to never accept contracts that required them to harm innocents. Charon preferred to leave the role of commander to Faelian, who nonetheless always asked for his friend's advice.
They couldn't compete with the Fighters' Guild, which was still the major player in the field despite the dwindling power of the Guild's main backer, the Empire, but their lower prices allowed them to earn the favor of the common people, and after they
completed a few contracts (killing bandits, rescuing kidnapped maidens - Charon was fairly amazed to discover how close the job was to his childhood dreams), their name began to grow in power. Soon, Charon resolved his family's financial troubles entirely.
Things were going extremely well... until one day, Faelian decided to investigate the rumors that the Count of Cheydinhal was in fact a member of the Dark Brotherhood.
Even though no one actually talked about it, everyone knew that Brotherhood was present in Cheydinhal, and everyone knew that they were powerful, very powerful. If someone worth killing got killed inside the walls of Cheydinhal, chances were the
Brotherhood was involved. The Imperial Legion could do nothing against them, and the last commander to try and investigate had been found decapitated in a gutter.
Charon objected to his friend's intent, saying that they had no contract, and the company was too small to get involved in such matters, no matter how just it seemed to do so. Faelian insisted, but so did Charon. In the end, Faelian confessed something: he was
not the alchemist's son. His real parents had been murdered by the Dark Brotherhood when he was a child, for reasons he never found out, and the alchemist had taken him in out of pity. Charon was shocked that Faelian had kept it a secret for so long, but
nonetheless he expressed compassion and earnestly joined his friend in his hunt for the Brotherhood. The two elves started poking around, asking questions, trying to lay low.
One day, they were contacted by a hooded envoy who told them to be outside a certain inn that night to receive information about the Brotherhood. Despite both having serious suspicions, they decided to attend the meeting.
Outside the inn, they were ambushed by the Brotherhood. There were three of them: Charon slew the first two with ease, but the third managed to stab Faelian with a poisoned dagger before the Dunmer could kill her. "The Count sends his regards", she
breathed, as Charon pulled his sword out of her stomach. The effects of the poison quickly started to show: Faelian began to retch blood and his knees went out from under him. Charon had to carry the delirious Altmer over his shoulder to a healer, but it was
too late. Devastated by the death of his friend, Charon suddenly thought of something terrible, and realized his troubles were not over yet.
He ran to his mother's house as fast as he possibly could, but it was too late: the building's door was smashed to splinters, and his mother lay in a pool of blood in the dining room. As he cradled her in his arms, she whispered a few dying words to him.
"Too late... Charon, my son... so proud of you... live and avenge me".
The next morning, Charon put on his best suit of armor, sharpened his sword and went to request an audience with the Count.
Revenge
Spoiler
The chaos was heard from as far as five miles. In the other cities, people believed that Castle Cheydinhal had been attacked by raiders, or possibly destroyed by an earthquake. People in Cheydinhal were too busy running away to wonder what could have
caused the mayhem. The Imperial Legion patrol who arrived found most rooms empty, except for the room where the Count heard out his subjects. This particular room contained eleven corpses. Ten of these were later recognized by the citizens of Cheydinhal
as members of the Count's court that were rumored to be associated with the Dark Brotherhood. The eleventh was too badly burned to be identifiable, but the garments it wore indicated that it had almost certainly been the Count. Later, people reported
witnessing an armored and hooded figure, presumably a Dunmer, whom no one had been quite brave enough to stop for questioning, walk away from the castle.
The chaos was heard from as far as five miles. In the other cities, people believed that Castle Cheydinhal had been attacked by raiders, or possibly destroyed by an earthquake. People in Cheydinhal were too busy running away to wonder what could have
caused the mayhem. The Imperial Legion patrol who arrived found most rooms empty, except for the room where the Count heard out his subjects. This particular room contained eleven corpses. Ten of these were later recognized by the citizens of Cheydinhal
as members of the Count's court that were rumored to be associated with the Dark Brotherhood. The eleventh was too badly burned to be identifiable, but the garments it wore indicated that it had almost certainly been the Count. Later, people reported
witnessing an armored and hooded figure, presumably a Dunmer, whom no one had been quite brave enough to stop for questioning, walk away from the castle.
Prelude to Skyrim
The elf keeps away from roads and cities. Each day and each night, he knows he's marked. Accused of the murder of ten respectable noblemen and the Count of Cheydinhal, he needs to get away. Far away, where neither Imperial law, old and feeble yet still
merciless when such grave crimes are concerned, nor the long black arm of the Dark Brotherhood can get a hold of him. He's guilty of those murders, and he knows it. But guilt is for lesser men. Those deaths were just, and whenever he starts to think he might
have lost himself, the thought of the faces of his mother and his friend is enough to convince him that he walks the right path. There's a fine line between justice and revenge, a voice whispers in the back of his head. But how can justice be mistaken for revenge
when only the guilty are harmed?
The elf sleeps in the dark woods. He feeds on fruits, and on whatever animals he can catch. Sometimes, when he gets too close to civilization, they find him. Hooded men come out of the darkness and try to kill him, with blade and spell and arrow. He cuts them down.
The elf walks in a straight line. He needs to find a place, a place far far away. He thinks of his father's people in the desert. He thinks of his mother's people in the volcanic wasteland. Neither of those sounds too appealing.
And one night, when he's about to stop his walking until the sun rises again, he sees a border ahead of him, lined with guards. The air is cold and dry. He knows this place, he knows it without ever having seen it before. He knows it from his mentor's stories, stories of barbarian heroes, tall and strong and grim, who used, in times of old, to brave the frozen heights he sees in the distance. Upon the heights they grappled with dragons, their souls bristling with the power of words ancient and terrible.
Skyrim, the echo of a raucous Nord voice whispers from the recesses of memory. And suddenly the elf knows. He knows this is the place for him. He knows this is where his story will be written. He knows this is where he will be reborn in fire. This is Skyrim.
The elf walks up to a guard post. A guttural voice addresses him. "You approach the border of Skyrim. State your business", the voice says in a bored tone.
The elf stops existing. After many weeks, many miles, many fights, many nights spent on cold hard ground, what stands before the guard post is once again Charon Andavel, friendless and orphaned and destined for greatness. Probably more of Charon Andavel than there has ever been before. Charon smiles softly. He is free. He is all-knowing.
"I would like to give myself over to justice for the murder of the Count of Cheydinhal and ten respectable members of his court."
If you've actually bothered to read this far down, you have my thanks. Hope you've enjoyed the tale.
Author's Note: the "enlightenment" that Charon experiences at the border fades away quickly once he's brought to prison. He maintains the certainty that his destiny will be fulfilled in Skyrim, but otherwise he's much the same person that he was before his run-in with the Brotherhood. I'm not sure about his in-game affiliation: he's probably going to avoid picking sides, but he might go over to the Stormcloaks if they turn out to be decent beings who are concerned about the safety of the common people. It's unlikely he'll support the Empire.
