The Errant Souls Archive
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Always Read the Fine Print by paraparadigm
Fandoms: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Elder Scrolls
21 Jul 2021
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Summary
Vera's world ended not with a bang, but with a whimper: the year is 2095, the world in the throes of late-stage climate change. The Earth will keep going, the humans - not so much. As it turns out, the apocalypse is contagious: either that, or she has spectacularly bad luck. Waking up naked on a bloody altar isn't the best introduction to a new place, but you make do with what life hands you. After a rocky start, Vera finds herself in Markarth, trying to make a new home for herself amidst the violence, corruption, and Thalmor zealotry. But just when things are finally settling down - as much as they can in the city of blood and silver - a Nord and a Dunmer roll into town with the mother of all bad deals. Always read the fine print.
This series starts about a year before the events of the game and will continue through the timeline and the DLCs. This fic is the first installment. Canon-compliant(ish), but skews towards a lot of original content. Narration is in 3rd person limited; the protagonist is not the Dragonborn.
Please note: content warnings applied to individual chapters.
With deep gratitude to efmrider and polymorphic for their keen beta-ing eyes and supportSeries
- Part 1 of The Errant Souls Archive
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Gathering Souls by paraparadigm, polymorphic
Fandoms: Elder Scrolls, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
09 Nov 2023
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Summary
Skyrim founders in the wake of a shattered empire, and there are those who would split it more—patriots, profiteers, and warmongers fresh out of jobs. With competing ambitions growing more costly to bear, some say the land is ripe for a hero. But who should it be? No one can agree.
In the year 4E 201, it’s up to a band of misfits—a Blade without a Septim, a priestess without a temple, an outlander without a soul, and a sellsword without a choice—to stop the world from careening off its axis. The Wheel turns, but with souls serving as the favored currency between mortals and the planes, one gets caught in the spokes.
Series
- Part 2 of The Errant Souls Archive
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When the Aedra speak, one has little choice but to listen.
A series of one-shots following the early life of the Sybil of Dibella (or my interpretation of her in Always Read the Fine Print)
Series
- Part 3 of The Errant Souls Archive
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Faendal of Riverwood serves a slightly bitter tea.
(A small story featuring one very good, very single egg who's determined to be in love. Loosely based on events in the Errant Souls Archive series, including Always Read the Fine Print and Gathering Souls, but this spinoff is just for giggles and it's mostly standalone.)
Series
- Part 4 of The Errant Souls Archive
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Runil chronicles the summer of 4E 201, a very fateful year.
Series
- Part 5 of The Errant Souls Archive
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Nirn’s Misbegotten Things by polymorphic for paraparadigm
Fandoms: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Elder Scrolls
30 Sep 2023
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Summary
That Which Called Itself a Dremora surveyed the night with satisfaction. Poppet always found him the very best snacks.
Series
- Part 6 of The Errant Souls Archive
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A Thing of Chaos by paraparadigm for Queen_of_the_Winter
Fandoms: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
02 Oct 2023
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Summary
"It is the easiest job she’s taken in a long while, and the hardest. No blood but the tree’s is spilled. It glows violet in its vial, and calls—slithers beneath her tongue like a lover’s caress, an anticipation of taste, a tase of poison. It is not for the likes of her, and yet…"
Based on a prompt fill about mammoth cheese, which went in an unexpected direction.
Series
- Part 7 of The Errant Souls Archive
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"A Temple of Dibella needs a Sybil, or so it is said, from the scalding sands of Hammerfell to the festering fens of Black Marsh and everywhere in between. The Temple in the city of stone is no different, yet similarity left unquestioned leads to lies by omission. M’aiq knows this well. It is said that the Sybil of Dibella communes directly with her Divine, and in so doing guides her flock. But how does one commune with that which is present only in its absence? M’aiq suspects prevarication, though he would never question the veracity of needfulness, and thus a truth remains: a Temple of Dibella needs a Sybil."
Series
- Part 8 of The Errant Souls Archive
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Tender Unto Righteous Men by polymorphic for paraparadigm
Fandoms: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
30 Nov 2023
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Summary
Institutions are changing after the Oblivion Crisis, and the Thieves Guild is no exception. After a job gone wrong, Angela finds herself on notice with the Grey Fox. She thought she’d get off easy until she learned just who it was they assigned to babysit her.
A rush of wings stirs the air, and a glossy black feather floats on the wind. Helvius should not be alive, but somehow he is—and he knows who to thank.
Series
- Part 9 of The Errant Souls Archive
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The More Familiar Corruptions by paraparadigm for polymorphic
Fandoms: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Elder Scrolls
21 Nov 2023
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Summary
"'Doesn’t mean fuck, Kas.'
Maybe not. Maybe this particular discrepancy in the inventory logs the Elder Council filed away for the mice to feast on is just a drunken scribble, just an inky smudge. Nothing to do with the number of confiscated soul gems being victimized by creative arithmetic. An honest to Gods mistake, as they say—or as someone will say, no doubt. Except that the look on her face tells him otherwise."
Series
- Part 10 of The Errant Souls Archive