There are thousands of tales to be told about the snowy wastes of Skyrim. Is the disappearance of a Wood Elf just happenstance? Or is there some conspiracy behind it?
Author’s note: These tales are about some of the glitches I have experienced in-game and they are told through the eyes of my character.
Not too long ago I visited the northern province of Skryim. It was an untamed land and the people were tough as a winter’s night. I had many adventures during my time there, and among all the normality of Skyrim, very odd things kept sprouting up, enough so that it has fazed me to this day. I feel the need to share these important happenings with you, in case you ever venture out to the harsh land.
I am Peachy, a wood elf, born in a land far away from Skyrim. I went there looking for adventure and news of the other side, as most of my kin do, but what I came across surely has changed me. Upon reaching the border, I was horribly arrested for crimes I hadn’t committed, was sentenced to execution by beheading, and in a twist of events saved, by a dragon. But I’m sure you have all heard that part of my story.
A story you haven’t heard is of the strange disappearance of one of my closest friends. These are my Skyrim Tales…
These are the Skyrim Tales
Skyrim was compassionate enough to give me many friends along my travels. I battled alongside the Companions, and stole priceless family heirlooms with the Thieves’ Guild. But there was one person whom I will never forget, and, no, it’s not Lydia. That bitch stayed at my house, without my approval, and ate all my bread. No, this person is someone who I have searched to the ends of the Tamriel to find and he is still missing. His name is Faendal and he is my buddy…
During my time in Riverwood, I was lucky to find a brother-elf. Faendal wasn’t the best hunter, nor was he the most attractive male, but he reminded me of home, of the forest. We had quickly become friends after I helped him win the affection of the only courtable woman in town, and from then on we were inseparable. One of our favorite activities involved sneaking around caves and killing bandits. We always took on those jobs mostly for the hunt, the chase of it all; not to mention, it was exceptionally well paid.
An artist's rendition of my buddy Faendal
On one of our countless bandit outings, Faendal disappeared. Like, just up and left, disappeared. It was the most bizarre thing. There we were, walking down the deep, dank cavern. We heard rustling up ahead and slipped soundlessly into the shadows. I led, mostly because Faendal had a bad habit of getting stuck in doorways. After a skilled shot landed an arrow in the lead bandit’s gut, the rest of the gang ran our way. I wasn’t expecting so many to pounce, they came out of the woodworks like skeevers that had caught the scent of leftover food. Quickly and quietly, I told Feandal to stay while I retreated farther back through the rocky hallway. Another arrow sailed from my bow, hitting its target in the neck. I let more arrows loose, all of them fatally hitting their mark and in moments, the bandits were dead.
I called out to Faendal. No response. I called out again. Silence penetrated the cave, unforgiving and eerie. I wasn’t too worried, however, as Faendal liked to wander off. Whenever I lost sight of him, I’d always meet up with him at our next destination. But this time, something felt off. I pushed the negative thought from my mind and gathered up the coin from the bodies, taking note that none of those corpses were of my friend.
I finished exploring the rest of the cave and Faendal was still nowhere to be found. I made my way back to the entrance, hoping to see his smiling face, but all that greeted me was a winter’s embrace. I thought maybe, just maybe, Faendal had returned home. Without any hesitation, I headed back to Riverwood. Faendal gave me his key a while back so I let myself into his house and waited. The sun came and went over the mountain tops and still no sight of my friend. It was starting to get hopeless.
The next morning I asked around town. If anything, the townsfolk would know were Faendal was. I went to Camilla, his lady love. “Have you seen Faendal?”
“Who?” The words must have been a jest.
“Faendal!? Your boyfriend!”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know anyone by that name.”
The look on her face was pure honesty, this was no joke. I asked other villagers, the same response. It was as if Feandal never existed at all. Befuddled, I strayed from Riverwood; this was overwhelming.
The guards wouldn't look for Faendal either, even after I bribed them!
I never did see Faendal again. I would visit Riverwood every few months and nothing had changed. His house stood still, collecting dust instead of memories. I searched every town, every ruin, every bandit cove and I always left empty handed. If you’ve seen him, please, I implore you, send word my way. If just for the reason to make sure that my mind didn’t make him up.