Merlinus' Writing Showcase

[Merlinus]

Hi everyone. I've been doing research on alchemy in TES for some time now and decided to finally put something down on paper to see if I can help with the TR project. I got the idea for this book series from "The Alchemist's Formulary" in Morrowind which was the only thing that came close to an in-game recipe book for alchemists. This particular book is geared towards the novice alchemist in Cyrodiil (TES4) but I would definitely be willing to write some for new ingredients that appear in Hammerfell, Stirk, and Mainland Morrowind.

This book is "Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil, Volume I", with Volumes II, III, and IV following for the apprentice, journeyman, and expert alchemist respectively. Of course, the later volumes have more complex potions for more seasoned characters. Let me know what you guys think about this recipe book concept before I go further with it. I have a few other ideas including a sort of "combinations to avoid" book (perfect for assassins making poisons) and books about rare ingredients and potions. I also thought about bringing to life the Imperial Alchemy Symposium, which is only mentioned once in Oblivion. So here is some content from the first book.

-- -- --

Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil, Volume I

By Falco Amatius, Master Alchemist


Volume I - Novice Alchemy

Welcome to the first volume of Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil. This volume contains recipes for common potions that are ideal for the novice alchemist. First and foremost, the budding alchemist will require four separate tools to create effective potions. These include a mortar and pestle, a calcinator, an alembic, and a retort. Once the mortar and pestle has been acquired, ingredient mixing may begin.

To create a potion that will restore fatigue, mix equal parts of two of the following ingredients. Fruits and vegetables compatible for this recipe include carrots, corns, leeks, lettuces, onions, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, tomatoes, apples, blackberries, grapes, oranges, pears, strawberries, and watermelons. Other alternatives include meats, specifically beef and ham, flour, wheat, bread, pastries, and cheese. The majority of these ingredients are found in all major cities making this potion very easy to create and excellent for practice. Be warned that certain combinations may result in a drink that tastes as awful as a chunk of rat meat.

Certain meats have restorative properties if mixed in the proper manner. To create a potion that will restore health, combine a fine slice of venison from the cyrodiilic deer with a slice of wild boar meat. Deer are often hunted for their pelts and can be found grazing in the northern regions of Cyrodiil. Boars can be a fierce adversary and should be avoided unless accompanied by an expert hunter. It may be wiser to barter with local merchants for boar meat.

Many long-forgotten ruins in Cyrodiil have become infested with hordes of sickly creatures and undead hosts. While these places can be an excellent source for treasure, they are often the resting place of diseases and plagues a century old. A potion of resist disease made from garlic and bergamot seeds is prized by the cautious adventurer embarking on a journey into the depths of these ancient ruins. Garlic can be harvested from garlic clusters found in kitchens across Cyrodiil. Bergamot seeds are harvested from the wild bergamot, a long-stemmed green plant topped with a single pink flower. The bergamot is found on the western shores of Niben Bay and in northern regions of the Great Forest.

Combining flax seeds and steel-blue entoloma Caps will yield a potion of restore magicka that is convenient for spell casters. Flax seeds are harvested from the flax plant found in the West Weald region. This small collection of flowers varies from red to blue to yellow in color. Steel-blue entoloma caps are collected from the steel blue entoloma, a small bluish mushroom with light brown patches found growing around logs and trees in the Great Forest. Rare but equally effective substitutes to these ingredients are bog beacon asco caps from the yellow bog beacon plant, native to the Blackwood region, and the powerful but dangerously acquired void salts from the remains of banished storm atronachs.

Some ingredients will yield other primary properties that can be used to mix potions with different effects, but should always be combined with caution. With practice comes the ability to identify the secondary property of some ingredients. Once this has been achieved, the apprentice alchemist should read Volume II in this series for a list of more complex potions.

-- -- --

Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil, Volume II

By Falco Amatius, Master Alchemist


Volume II - Apprentice Alchemy

Welcome to the second volume of Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil. This volume contains recipes for complex potions that are suited for the apprentice alchemist who can identify the secondary property of most ingredients. Alchemists that have practiced using Volume I of this series will likely be in possession of the tools needed to perform alchemical experiments. It is strongly suggested that the apprentice alchemist acquire a mortar and pestle, calcinator, alembic, and retort more suited to their level of skill in order to create more powerful potions. With the proper equipment, the following recipes will create potions that are both useful and lucrative.

There is no better way for the average adventurer to cure disease than to use a strong blood cleanser. A simple potion that will rid the body of disease is produced from mandrake roots mixed with elf cup caps. The mandrake root has strong properties that help cleanse the blood and is most easily acquired from the mandrake plant in the Colovian Highlands. The elf cup cap can be cut from elf cup mushrooms that grow in the West Weald. One ingredient may also be substituted for a claw from the lesser daedra known as the clannfear. Clannfear claws are a rare ingredient and can come at a hefty cost in gold or blood.

The ability to increase ones vision in the dark is very rare amongst men and mer. The Khajiit of Elsweyr are the only natives of Tamriel born with the gift of night-eye, which has led many non-Khajiit alchemists to find ways to replicate this wondrous ability. The simplest way to create an effective potion of night-eye is to blend equal portions of carrots and viper’s bugloss leaves. The carrot is grown domestically across Cyrodiil and can be found in the kitchens and gardens of towns and cities. Viper’s bugloss leaves are pulled from the viper’s bugloss, a tall plant with blue and purple flowers that is abundant in the Great Forest and parts of the West Weald. Alternatively, although very difficult to acquire, daedroth teeth and spider daedra silk will also produce the effects of night-eye.

Those with unpleasant personalities will often find ways to make themselves more attractive in an effort to manipulate others. Spells and magical items are always a possibility, but there also exists a potion that will fortify personality. Mixing troll fat and imp gall creates a tonic that will give the most repulsive Orc in Orsinium the charm of a prince. Imp gall is obtained from the corpses of ruin-littering imps; mere nuisances in the eyes of a seasoned adventurer. Troll fat is extracted from the body of the cyrodiilic troll, a creature that can be a handful for an experienced Imperial Legion patrol. Note that troll fats from other regions have different properties and will not yield the same results.

Adventurers unwilling to carry a torch in the dark can find a potion of light particularly useful. When applied to the skin, this potion will emit a greenish glow that illuminates the darkest dungeons. To create this glowing substance, mix milk thistle seeds with an equal portion of watermelon. Milk thistle seeds are harvested from the milk thistle, a plant with faded green leaves and a large purple flower found primarily in the harsh climates of the Jerall and Valus mountains. Watermelon is grown domestically in Cyrodiil and is commonly found in towns and cities. Either can be substituted for glow dust, a residue acquired from the will-o-the-wisps found lurking in dungeons and in parts of the Blackwood swamp. Glow dust is a rare substance that is also used in higher level alchemy and should be used sparingly.

Circulating through the bloodstream, poisons can cause numerous ailments from draining magicka to decimating personality. A simple antidote from a mix of ginseng and strawberries will cure poison instantly and can even save the recipient from certain death. Ginseng has a strong property that will quickly counteract poison and is harvested from the three-flowered, red or yellow ginseng plant growing in the Nibenay Valley and Gold Coast regions. The strawberry, picked from white-flowered strawberry bushes, grows in towns and cities across Cyrodiil and in the wilds of the West Weald. Redwort flowers also have the ability to counteract poisons but are a much rarer find. They are harvested from the domica redwort, a small plant with a large red flower found sparsely in the West Weald.

Some ingredients will yield other secondary properties that can be used to mix potions with different effects, but should always be combined with caution. With practice comes the ability to identify a third property in some ingredients. Once this has been achieved, the journeyman alchemist should read Volume III in this series for a list of recipes that are increasingly rare and rewarding.

-- -- --

Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil, Volume III

By Falco Amatius, Master Alchemist


Volume III - Journeyman Alchemy

Welcome to the third volume of Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil. This volume contains recipes for intricate potions that are suited for the journeyman alchemist who can identify the third property of most ingredients. Alchemists that have practiced using Volumes I and II of this series will likely be in possession of the tools needed to perform alchemical experiments. It is strongly suggested that the journeyman alchemist acquire a mortar and pestle, calcinator, alembic, and retort more suited to their level of skill in order to create more powerful potions. With the proper equipment, the following recipes will create strong potions with advanced effects.

Those brave enough to swim alongside slaughterfish will surely benefit from a potion of water breathing. Whether the prize lies in a small lake or at the bottom of Niben Bay, the ability to breathe underwater can be a lifesaver. To produce an effective potion of water breathing, blend white seed pods with an equal portion of onions. White seed pods are harvested from the goldenrod, a green plant with golden tips found along the Gold Coast. Onions are commonly served with meals and are found in every major city in Cyrodiil. Either ingredient can be replaced with a sample of dreugh wax, a substance coating the shells of land dreughs living in the Blackwood swamp. Land dreughs, nicknamed “Billiesâ€Â￾ by the farmers of Cyrodiil, are rare and powerful creatures that should be approached with extreme caution.

Those less practiced in the school of alteration can gain a great advantage by drinking a potion that allows them to walk on water. Often the best method of escape when threatened near a body of water, a potion of water walking is brewed from a combination of stinkhorn caps and tiger lily nectar. Stinkhorn caps are cut from the Blackwood region’s stinkhorn, a root-like plant with a white base and three red fingers protruding from the top. Tiger lily nectar is extracted from the tiger lily and lily of the valley plants, which are abundant in the Great Forest and Gold Coast regions. The tiger lily hosts a large flower with orange petals while the lily of the valley hosts several white, bell-shaped flowers. Alternatively, grapes can be combined with either ingredient to produce the same effect. Grapes are grown domestically in the famous vineyards of Skingrad.

When charging into battle, a potion of health fortification can be the difference between life and death. To create a potion that will fortify health, mix somnalius frond with either mort flesh, mutton, or boar meat. Somnalius frond is harvested from the somnalius, a green herb with a yellowish bulb at its center that is abundant in the Great Forest. Sheep are domestic animals and can be found roaming in farmer’s fields all over Cyrodiil, while boars are hunted in the wild and can be dangerous adversaries, especially in groups. Rotting corpses, animated or not, will almost always contain a sufficient piece of mort flesh, but can be difficult to find due to the recent ban on necromancy.

Protection from the cold is a necessity for adventurers who find themselves battling mages with frost spells. While the Nords of Skyrim have developed a natural resistance to the cold, the southern races of Tamriel will find a frost shield potion particularly useful. Created from the hidden properties of garlic and morning glory root pulp, a potion of frost shield is easy to make in large quantities. Garlic is picked from common garlic clusters found in kitchens and cellars across Cyrodiil. Morning glory root pulp is harvested from poisonous morning glory vines, hosting blue or purple flowers that grow abundantly on rocks and structures in the West Weald and Heartland regions.

The ability to see energy around living objects is a remarkable effect related to the school of mysticism. The detect life spell is used by many spell casters and can also be an effect of enchanted items and potions. To create a potion of detect life, combine rat meat with bread, oranges, tomatoes, or onions. Rats live in the filthier areas of Cyrodiil and are otherwise useless, making detect life potions an excellent reason to dispose of them. Bread, oranges, tomatoes, and onions are common ingredients found in every major city in Cyrodiil.

Some ingredients will yield other properties that can be used to mix potions with different effects, but should always be combined with caution. With practice comes the ability to identify a fourth and final property in some ingredients. Once this has been achieved, the expert alchemist should read Volume IV, the final volume in this series, for a list of recipes that produce some of the most powerful effects known to spell casters.

-- -- --

Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil, Volume IV

By Falco Amatius, Master Alchemist


Volume IV - Expert Alchemy

Welcome to the fourth and final volume of Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil. This volume contains recipes for powerful potions that are suited for the expert alchemist who can identify all four properties of most ingredients. Alchemists that have practiced using Volumes I, II, and III of this series will likely be in possession of the tools needed to perform alchemical experiments. It is strongly suggested that the expert alchemist acquire a mortar and pestle, calcinator, alembic, and retort more suited to their level of skill in order to create stronger potions. With the proper equipment, the following recipes will produce potions with some of the most powerful effects known to spell casters.

Some of the greatest thieves and assassins that walk the lands of Tamriel were born under the sign of the Shadow, granting them the power to vanish once every sunset. Powerful illusionists can match this exceptional ability, but are forever reliant on their magicka reserves to make a quick escape. From the alchemist’s perspective, a potion of invisibility brewed from motherwort sprigs and aloe vera leaves is the only way to assuredly vanish in the face of danger. Mortherwort sprig is harvested from the motherwort, a tall green plant with small white flowers growing in the forested regions of Cyrodiil. Aloe vera leaves are harvested from the aloe vera, a tall plant with three large yellow bulbs found primarily near the Gold Coast.

Those who are afflicted by a spell, poison, or ability causing paralysis will fall to the ground and remain defenceless for the duration of the effect. While paralysis itself does not damage health, it can last long enough for the enemy to perform a swift execution. Combining viper’s bugloss leaves and milk thistle seeds will create a potion of cure paralysis that instantly purges the condition. Viper’s bugloss leaves are pulled from the viper’s bugloss, a tall plant with blue and purple flowers that is abundant in the Great Forest and parts of the West Weald. Milk thistle seeds are harvested from the milk thistle, a plant with faded green leaves and a large purple flower found primarily in the harsh climates of the Jerall and Valus mountains. Imp gall, a substance extracted from the bodies of dead imps, can be used as an alternative. The ability to cure paralysis can save the life of even the most seasoned adventurer and is prized by many.

Spell casters with the ability to fortify magicka can render themselves nearly invincible by increasing the capacity of their magicka pool. Healers, battlemages, and sorcerers are only some of the many spell casters that can reap the benefits of a strong potion of fortify magicka. An essence of magicka fortification is found in columbine root pulp harvested from the columbine, a small plant from the West Weald hosting three red, bell-shaped flowers. The root pulp is most easily blended with ginseng or nightshade. Ginseng is harvested from the three-flowered, red or yellow ginseng plant growing in the Nibenay Valley and Gold Coast regions. Nightshade is harvested from the nightshade plant, a tall, poisonous plant with green leaves and small purple flowers growing in the West Weald. Ectoplasm, water hyacinth nectar, and void salts are also compatible with this recipe, but are much rarer than ginseng and nightshade.

Adventurers with the ability to reflect damage will make melee opponents flinch at every opportunity to injure, for fear of sharing the pain inflicted. A potion of reflect damage made from flour and strawberries will grant the recipient protection from non-enchanted weapons, while sending a portion of the damage back to the attacker. The potion will also grant a secondary effect that restores fatigue. Flour and strawberries, easily acquired from towns and cities in Cyrodiil, make a reflect damage potion one of the most powerful, easily created potions that is highly sought by adventurers engaging in melee combat.

There is no greater bane to enemy spell casters than a potion of reflect spell. Adventurers in possession of these powerful potions can bring down the most formidable destruction mages of Tamriel, creating a chance that their most destructive spells will be reflected against them. Cinnabar polypore yellow cap and glow dust are the only two ingredients in Cyrodiil that can be combined to create a potion of reflect spell. Cinnabar polypore yellow cap is acquired from the yellow variant of the cinnabar polypore, a rare mushroom that grows primarily on trees in the West Weald. Note that the red variant of cinnabar polypore has different alchemical properties and will not yield the same effect. Glow dust is a residue acquired from the will-o-the-wisps found lurking in dungeons and in parts of the Blackwood swamp.

Some ingredients will yield other properties that can be used to mix potions with different effects, but should always be combined with caution. Practice and perfection becomes research and experimentation when the expert alchemist becomes a master, having gained enough knowledge to create potions with the primary properties of single ingredients. Once this has been achieved, the master alchemist can begin experimenting with different ingredients to create potions with multiple effects. Blade-wielding adventurer or studious scholar, the master alchemist has the power to harness the most powerful effects from every school of magic in a small glass bottle. This concludes the final volume of Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil.

-- -- --

End of Series


--------------------------------------

-Anonymous Journal Entries-

A blood-stained journal

(the first half of this journal is missing)

14th of Hearthfire, 3E 428

Earlier today I was assaulted by two Khajiit bandits who demanded I hand over my staff and jewellery. They must have assumed I was a healer because they ran towards me, shoulder to shoulder, in an attempt to bring me to the ground. I dismissed them with a quick fireball spell, but not before one of them struck me with a throwing knife. I managed to bandage my arm with some of their clothing, but I am losing daylight and will need to get some rest. Hopefully those were the only bandits in the area, or I might wake up in a tree with a noose around my neck.

15th of Hearthfire, 3E 428

I didn’t get much rest last night. I awoke to a maniacal laughter, followed by screams of terror that seemed to come from an ethereal blue light a fair distance away. I have spent most of today searching the area for any remnants of last night‘s events. I found a trail of blood near a small cave, but no hard evidence yet. I will camp in this area tonight to see if the events repeat themselves.

16th of Hearthfire, 3E 428

By the Nine! I witnessed the suicide of an insane bosmer! He came running out of a bright blue portal, stabbing himself repeatedly with a silver dagger while yelling obscenities. That was almost too much for me to bare, but my curiosity has peaked and I will have to investigate his corpse. Could this be a great discovery waiting to happen? A gate to a realm outside of Tamriel? If the portal remains, I will attempt to enter it in the name of research! My knowledge in conjuration should be sufficient to keep me out of danger. What could possibly go wrong?

18th of Hearthfire, 3E 428

FINALLY! The voice has ceased to speak. It mocks me, tells me of grim events, brings fear into my mind. This realm cannot be real, no, it has to be a dream. I remember entering the blue portal, which brought me into a small room with a short breton sitting at a table. He spoke to me, told me I had entered the realm of the daedra Sheogorath, and asked me if I truly wished to proceed with my journey. In an unconscious state of mind, I nodded, causing everything around me to vanish in an instant. I find myself naked on a lonely road, stripped of all possessions except for this journal, a quill, and some ink. I want this nightmare to end…

22nd of Hearthfire, 3E 428

This incessant nightmare has gone from bad to worse. I must truly be in the realm of Sheogorath, the Madhouse, which would explain the powers that overtook the bosmer the other night. Yesterday I was attacked by a group of primitive, amphibious humanoids with the intelligence of a rat. Although they seemed believable enough, I’ve never seen them on Tamriel. The attackers consisted of an archer, a warrior, and a shaman with a small pet. I made quick work of them, but the shaman managed to escape into some ancient ruins to the south. I'm not following it in there, who knows what sort of mad creations sleep in the depths of the dungeon. I will set up camp tonight and make use of the supplies the creatures were carrying. At least they carried some garments I can cover myself with.

23rd of Hearthfire, 3E 428

It seems as though the gods have forsaken me. Last night I was driven out of my camp by another group of creatures. Their numbers were greater, so I fled into the dark hoping I could outrun them. When I looked back to see if I had lost them, I tripped over a large root and hit my head on a rock. I woke up this morning with a gash on my head and a splitting headache. I can see some ramshackle houses near a body of water in the distance. Maybe there are civilized races living here that can help me return to Tamriel.

26th of Hearthfire, 3E 428

I am staying at an inn called “The Wastrel’s Purseâ€Â￾ in the village of Passwall. The residents here are tamrielic in appearance, yet different, to say the least. I’ve had several conversations with a redguard by the name of Shelden, who claims he is the mayor of Passwall. Every time I ask him a question, he mentions an individual called the Gatekeeper who lives east of the village. Apparently, I must convince this Gatekeeper to let me through the gate he is guarding or I will be stuck in this realm forever. I would hate for these poor souls to see what happens to the Gatekeeper if he won’t let me pass.

1st of Frostfall, 3E 428

I’VE HAD IT! Yesterday I was forced to cast a silence spell on Shelden because he wouldn’t stop singing to me. I did it discretely, and I don’t think he has enough sanity left to realise that he is now voiceless. Unfortunately, I’m starting to hear voices in my head again. They laugh, they sing, they cry… I can’t take this any longer, I have to find a way back to Tamriel. In the morning I will confront that weakling Gatekeeper and demand passage back to Tamriel. If he refuses to be diplomatic, I will have no choice but to strike him down with a few destruction spells. With the evidence I’m bringing back from this realm, I’m sure to receive a good recommendation from the Mages Guild. I can see the Arcane University already!

(The rest of the blood-stained pages contain nothing more than obscure drawings and senseless phrases)

-- -- --

Notes:

-The owner of the journal is never identified, but is obviously some sort of mage or spell caster.

-The journal hints that the original owner is an associate in the Mages Guild, highly sure of himself/herself, and someone who wants to be recognized in the guild.

-The location is a mystery, but the portal found by the author leads to the Shivering Isles.

-This happens just after the events of Morrowind, but some time before the Greymarch. (From playing the expansion, I assume the residents of Passwall, especially Shelden, have been there for some time)

-Those who have played Shivering Isles will know that the author never leaves The Fringe.

-In the expansion, the portal is still open to go back to Cyrodiil after you accept to enter the Isles. From the contents of the journal, one can assume that Sheogorath closed the portal after the mage entered. A silly prank maybe?

- The amphibious humanoids are the Grummites, and the ancient ruin is Xeddefen along the road to Passwall.

- The voices in the author's head are Sheogorath at the first instance, but madness setting in by the time of the final entry.

- Whether the mage was killed by the Gatekeeper (obviously not knowing the strength and size of the monster), or that the mage became insane, one can conclude that someone touched with madness wrote in the rest of the journal.

I ended the journal before the mage heads off to speak with the Gatekeeper to leave something for the reader to think about. Is this mage still alive? Or is it his/her blood on the journal? Nanette Don is a sorceress, maybe it was her journal? How did it get to where the reader found it?

[Nanu]

The player saw a book like this once in Morrowind, and I used it a bit myself. Adds a bit of flavor to the game, I think. Before you go on, you should probably read all the links in my signature.

I'll look over the actual content of the book when I have the time to verify everything. As of now the writing looks to be okay at a skim.

[Haplo]

One thing that would be an issue, should this get cleared for addition to TR, is the author's name. Merlinus is a bit of an obvious throwback to Merlin.

[Monkey Man]

One thing that would be an issue, should this get cleared for addition to TR, is the author's name. Merlinus is a bit of an obvious throwback to Merlin.

In the other direction, don't Morrowind and Oblivion always have some of those throwbacks, and by the way in some versions of King Arthur's stories Merlin is named Merlinus for example, Jane Yolen,s Sword of the Rightful King.

[Merlinus]

One thing that would be an issue, should this get cleared for addition to TR, is the author's name. Merlinus is a bit of an obvious throwback to Merlin.

This did cross my mind but when you look at all the Imperial names they are definitely Roman in nature. Merlinus is the actual romanization of Merlin so I figured since the character is an Imperial this might fit in. If it causes a problem with lore in the end I have no problem changing it.

[Thrignar Fraxix]

[img]http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b94/ThrignarFraxix/Fire_Emblem_7_Merlinus_Portrait.png[/img]?

(read the file name)

[Haplo]

words

Yes, I won't get into how much shit the Morrowind devs stole from somewhere else because they are lazy and stealing thieves, but "Merlin" is a bit much. It'd be like having a Knight of the Imperial Dragon sitting around named Lancelot.

[Merlinus]

If the name Merlinus doesn't fit how about Falco Amatius, random name but sounds neat. No matter to me I'll leave it up to you guys.

[Haplo]

The name's really not that important, it can be decided at the last moment if necessary. We'll wait for Nanu to come take a closer look at the actual contents.

[jonarus_drakus]

The only things i noticed that seemed at all 'off' were that:
A: You used the term 'energy drink' at the start of the paragraph on restore fatigue potions. Strikes me that the usage is a little too 'modern' considering the context of the game.

B: You bring up shepards pie as an ingredient at one point, which (as best i can tell) is only available via the maid Eyja (?) once you have bought the manor in Skingrad (and hired Eyja to work for you obviously). While i expect it would be a popular meal (Haplo, this is you field as i recall), it is a rather rare/obscure ingredient in game terms.

[Merlinus]

The only things i noticed that seemed at all 'off' were that:
A: You used the term 'energy drink' at the start of the paragraph on restore fatigue potions. Strikes me that the usage is a little too 'modern' considering the context of the game.

B: You bring up shepards pie as an ingredient at one point, which (as best i can tell) is only available via the maid Eyja (?) once you have bought the manor in Skingrad (and hired Eyja to work for you obviously). While i expect it would be a popular meal (Haplo, this is you field as i recall), it is a rather rare/obscure ingredient in game terms.

Great points! At a second glance I do agree that the term "energy drink" might be too modern. Although a restore fatigue potion is in fact just that maybe we can come up with another name.

As far as the shepherd's pie, I used it because there is no other way for Novice Alchemy (only seeing the primary effect) to make a Cure Disease potion without killing Clannfear. Just making the book a bit more realistic for roleplaying purposes as the shepherd's pie (in reality corn, beef, potatoes, cheese) would be made at home while the clannfear claws would require annihilating an oblivion gate. So if we are talking "gameplay" I could easily put Cure Disease in the Volume II (apprentice level) book. However, if we are talking "roleplaying" I think the shepherd's pie fits well.

[Nanu]

We're talking gameplay. Do you have the rest of these written?

[Merlinus]

Yep, they're written up but I didn't proofread them yet so give me a few days and I will post the next 3 one by one under the original post.

[Merlinus]

I've added Volume II of the Alchemical Studies in Cyrodiil series, geared for Apprentice Alchemists.

Also, changes to Volume I:

-Removed the term "energy drink" and replaced it with the gameplay accurate "restore fatigue" (thanks jonarus_drakus)

-Removed the Cure Disease recipe and transferred it to Volume II so that the elf cup cap can be used instead of the much-too-rare shepherd's pie (thanks jonarus_drakus)

Let me know what you guys think of Volume II and thanks for the feedback. I'm reviewing Volumes III and IV, they're on the way.

[jonarus_drakus]

I can understand the desire to keep your 'own name' on your work, but as is it doesn't fit (for reasons that have been given by others). I suggest you have a look at our name generator, and use it to find a suitable 'second name' to expand your tag name into a full name (wether Melinus becomes the first name or last name is of course up to you. "Melinus Actus" as an example).

I personaly look forward to the rest of the series, its sounds quite useful!

[Merlinus]

I can understand the desire to keep your 'own name' on your work

I would be more than happy to change my name to whatever it needs to be to fit. I actually suggested Falco Amatius a few posts up

[Merlinus]

I've added Volume III for journeyman alchemists. I should be able to finish Volume IV by next week.

Also changed the author's name to Falco Amatius. Took Falco from Bloodmoon and Amatius from the name generator so I hope that works. I think it sounds pretty good... any thoughts?

[jonarus_drakus]

Sounds like an apropriately studius name, so perfect for a proffesional alchemist.

Cant wait to see volume IV!

[Merlinus]

Added Volume IV for expert alchemists, the last volume of the series.

As I mentioned in my first post, I would be more than happy to write more alchemy info books about SI ingredients, flora and fauna for specific areas, mainland morrowind, hammerfell, etc. Let me know if you guys like the format/contents and if I should continue with other books.

jonarus-drakus, thanks again for the feedback on the first few volumes. Brought some good changes. Hope you enjoy volume IV!

[jonarus_drakus]

All very good work! Quite extensive array of knowledge there. On a (somewhat) personal note that i would have great deal of interest in a volume on 'poisons'. I even have a few 'unique' poisons that i have created myself... I would be happy to share them if you are interested...

[Merlinus]

I even have a few 'unique' poisons that i have created myself... I would be happy to share them if you are interested...

I'm sure they will be great additions to the poison recipe book! Post them or send them over in a PM and I'll definitely add them to the volume.

[Four Greyhounds]

this is pretty cool, you're a very good writer. i'd like to go to school to become a writer myself. keep up the good work!

[Nanu]

Okay, here's the deal. I've let this showcase sit around because most of the time when I promote for writing alone, the writer scampers off because L&W moves at the speed of a retarded guar on moon sugar.

Since you're still around, I assume you still desire promotion, which is awesome because I really like your writing. So, can you write anything other than a potion book?

I mean ANYTHING based in the ES universe, really. Do that and I'll recommend you, seriously. We could use some life in Lit.

[jonarus_drakus]

Suggested combinations for poisons... hmm, how about my personal favorite, I call it "Dead Mans Blood" (If you saw the first series of 'Supernatural' you might know what im talking about). Its a wonderful multi-effect poison that any novice can mix up:

Combine any two of: Rat meat, mort flesh, or Bonemeal (basicaly were going for the 'damage fatigue' primary effect here)

With any two of: Spiddal Stick, Wisp Stalk Caps, Stinkhorn, Harada (basicaly were going for the 'damage Health' primary effect here)

> I'm pretty sure you could come up with a more comprehensive list of ingredients that meet the requirements than i can.


Another favorite of mine is one i call 'Bloodfire Venom' it requires two 'damage health' ingredients and both Fire Salts and Steel Blue Entoloma Cap (which i think both have fire damage as thier primary effect - or secondary at most in the case of the Entoloma).
The best thing about this one is that the fire damage effect can be quite easily replaced with a frost damage effect (with frost salts and Milk Thistle Seeds), a varient that i refer to as 'Bloodfreeze Venom'.

I could probably come up with more, but hopefully i have at least given you some inspiration on the subject.

PS: Unique names for multi-effect potions/poisons is a little 'habit' of mine, makes them sound much more 'special' than simply being named for thier primary effect.

[Merlinus]

Okay, here's the deal. I've let this showcase sit around because most of the time when I promote for writing alone, the writer scampers off because L&W moves at the speed of a retarded guar on moon sugar.

Since you're still around, I assume you still desire promotion, which is awesome because I really like your writing. So, can you write anything other than a potion book?

I mean ANYTHING based in the ES universe, really. Do that and I'll recommend you, seriously. We could use some life in Lit.

Thanks for the great feedback, I'm glad to hear you all like the potion books!

Nanu, I will definitely take you up on the offer for a recommendation. I write professionally in RL and I find this a great place to let loose and write about ES stuff, which I truly enjoy I've been following TR for a few years now and I'm really glad I can finally contribute to the amazing effort you guys are making. You can begin the promotion process whenever you see fit as I intend to stick around for the project. So what's a good topic/book type that the project needs right now? Historical account, fictional short story, journals, quest support books? Let me know and I will get started on something! You guys are a lot more knowledgeable in the ES than I am at this point, so would TIL be the best place to do research on a topic?

jonarus_drakus, those poisons sound cool! I will add them to the poison book as I keep writing alchemy books by Falco Amatius. Thanks, and let me know your character name/race/class so he/she can be mentioned in the book

[jonarus_drakus]

jonarus_drakus, those poisons sound cool! I will add them to the poison book as I keep writing alchemy books by Falco Amatius. Thanks, and let me know your character name/race/class so he/she can be mentioned in the book

WOO! Recognician! Nahhh, whatever. I generaly play Combat chars, but i have a alchemy spesific char too.

Her name is Ylonda Ravena, Imerial, class: custom Rogue. I role-play her as a seductress/poisoner ('Black Widow'). I dont really have a 'big' history for her, but if it helps I'll come up with more...

I'll let you get back to work (and so i can too).

JD

[Nanu]

Read TIL until you find something interesting and write on it. I've found that writing is a lot more enjoyable when you're interested in the subject matter.

You can always look at the Lit forum stickies and see what we need.

Good luck and happy writing!

[Merlinus]

Hi folks!

I've created a little journal that relates to the Shivering Isles. I wrote it in a fashion that allows the reader to assume the entries are written by a scholarly person, but that it is not a published book. For example, shorter sentences and a variance in structure and punctuation from entry to entry makes it seem like the person is writing directly from thought, but the language used and the absence of spelling mistakes allows the reader to assume the author is educated. I find this writing fashion makes it a believable journal. If you guys prefer journals to be grammatically perfect like an essay or information book let me know and I will adjust the style.

I did some research on Sheogorath on TIL, but let me know if something I wrote is impossible from a lore perspective. I am working on a few other things also and am throwing them out here as I go. Let me know your thoughts.

[jonarus_drakus]

The style you have used is one that i am a big fan of, most of my own writing has been writen in a similar fashion (you wont find it on Tr though, my Lore knowledge is too lacking for me to be able to do so with any confidence).
The point being, that your 'journal' had the exact effect that you (apparently) intended, and thats a win in my book, though touched by Sheogorath as i am, perhaps we should wait for Nanu's opinion before cracking open the champas...

[Nanu]

Excellent, maybe with this recommendation you can help bring back L&W for this project.

Welcome to the team! You're just one of two people that I've ever recommended based on Lit, so congratulations there. If you'd like to learn to use the CS and post up something in here, we'd be delighted to see that.

Just post up the alchemy books in L&W and I'll give them a tedious review. Do what you want with the journal, I seriously doubt the project could use something THAT unique.

I'll add you to the writer's group and get an Admin to give you your title and actually promote you. Again, congrats!

[Haplo]

Member Promoted for literature.

[Kiteflyer61]

Congradulations Merlinus! Welcome to the team.

[jonarus_drakus]

Velcom to ze salt mines Comrade!

[Katze]

I'm certainly impressed, it's incredibly rare that someone gets promoted for literature alone. Keep in mind that you should still make it a mission of yours to learn another discipline related to TR, such as interiors, exteriors, modeling or quests, as being multi-talented is a sought-after skill here. Anyway, congrats on the promotion!!

[Nanu]

Just move your stuff to L&W, and I'd like to second what Cathartis.

[Merlinus]

Thanks everyone!! Glad to be a part of L&W and the whole TR team

Nanu, thanks for the recommendation! I will post the alchemy books in the writing section. I would love to learn how to use the CS, would you guys be able to give me some tips on how to start learning it?

With regards to learning another discipline, I'm not much of a computer person so learning how to model and do interiors/exteriors and the like would require some heavy training! However, I wouldn't mind helping with creating quest scenarios and literature to support quests. So maybe that's something I can look at second to L&W.

Once again, really happy to have the opportunity to help with this awesome project!


Edit: Since you say the journal entries probably won't be of use to the project I won't bother posting them in L&W. But, if anyone wants to use them for something related to Sheogorath let me know and go for it!

[Kiteflyer61]

From what I've seen of your writing so far I'd say you would make a very good quest writer. As far as the CS goes it's pretty easy once you get the basics down. There are a lot of good tutorials on the main page and you can ask all the questions you need to. One of the best things about the TR team is that they share their knowledge freely.

[Bloodthirsty Crustacean]

Creating quest plans would be greatly appreciated, just so you know. It would really be very helpful.