Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Tales Of Skyrim Episode VII: “Bandit, Bacon, Bazinga “

A week passed, our heros were camped at ‘The Lord Stone’ which is situated on the side of a snow covered mountain close to the northern region of Skyrim. Darkwater was sat tending to a small campfire that was crackling in the middle of them. Lydia was busy sharpening her blade and Barbas sat with his head on his paws looking out into the dark night sky.

Barbas – ‘What I’d give for a skeever tail right now!’

Lydia- ‘What I’d give for some homemade stew!’

DW- ‘Guys, c’mon were almost there, I’m sure of it’

Lydia- ‘Oh? Like you were sure 2 days ago, when in fact we had been walking around the same smegging mountain for 15 hours!’

DW- ‘I was following Barbas’

Barbas- ‘I was behind you’

Lydia- ‘You were following an elk!’

DW- ‘it was dark! I didn’t see the antlers’

Lydia- ‘I would have even forgiven that if you would have bloody shot the thing when you realised, it would have fed us for another week!’

DW- ‘It took me by surprise’

Lydia- ‘…It looked at you, ….you screamed mummy, ran behind me…it bolted!’

Barbas- ‘wait!’

Lydia and Darkwater both surveyed the campsite.
DW- ‘Do you hear something?, smell something?’

Barbas- ‘no…’

They both sat in silence looking at Barbas, waiting.

Barbas- ‘I just wanted you guys to shut up about that fucking Elk for five minutes..’

The trio hunkered down, knowing they were going to sleep with empty stomachs again.

….

Darkwater woke to the sound of rummaging.

DW- ‘Barbas, quit is…I’m telling you, I’m not hiding any food’

He opened an eye to see a hide covered figure holding his knapsack with one hand and with gold in his other. The figure sprinted….bandit!

DW- ‘Guys, get up, theif!’

The Bandit took off over a small hill between two connecting rocks. Lydia and Darkwater began chase but Barbas was already on his heels. He sunk his teeth deep into the Bandits calf. The bandit immediately pivoted and landed a blow to Barbas’ temple with the butt of his sword.

Barbas- ‘fucker!’

The Bandit got a little bit ahead where two other bandits were waiting they all headed towards the slope down the other side of the hill but at that point Lydia and Barbas were on them all . Darkwater conjured his bow, took a few shots but was hesitant and missed each time as Barbas and Lyd were in close combat with all of them. As Lydia and Barbas took out most of them, One bandit managed to fight them both off and made another attempt to run, at that point he was in the clearing.

Lydia – ‘Ducky, take the shot!’
Darkwater took a breath and loosed his purple arrow a good 50 feet which just connected as he was about to drop out of sight down the hill.

DW- ‘BAZINGA!’

Lydia and Barbas both looked at him.

Barbas- ‘ …“bazinga?”’

DW- ‘what? I felt like I needed a cool catchphrase’

Lydia- ‘I’d just stick to crying for you mummy if I were you’

Lydia went through the Bandits items, and  got their gold back while Darkwater went back to grab everyones stuff from the camp. When Darkwater return Lydia was crouched by Barbas behind a rock.

Lydia – ‘pst get down!’
She whispered

Darkwater joined them by the rock. There at the base of this small mountain they could see the circle of the top of a dungeon.

Lydia- ‘that has got to be Ustengrav’

Next to this entrance was a small camp. Presumably where the bandits came from and where they were desperately trying to get back to. They could make out 3 figures down there around a campfire and what looked like a few bodies scattered about.

Barbas – ‘It doesn’t look like that was their camp originally, are we taking them out?’

DW- ‘ Maybe we should try and sneak by them?’

Barbas – ‘They have food’

DW- ‘it is our sworn duty to avenge the fallen!’

Lydia – ‘ it really isnt’

Barbas- ‘…I smell bacon…’

Lydia – ‘We must destroy these thieving bandits whom have committed a heinous crime!’

Barbas – ‘How chivalrous…’

The Sun was not fully up, and a cloud filled sky provided many shadows surrounding the camp site. The bandits were all stood around the fire tucking into a breakfast of Bacon, Cheese and sweetrolls. As one bandit took a mouthful of cheese Lydias armored figure silently strided up behind him, pulled his head back and slit his throat. At the very same time Barbas made a leap into the second Bandit’s back which sent him into the fire. As he rolled off the fire The dog pounced on his chest and ripped a chunk of flesh from his neck.

This whole time the third Bandit had stopped eating with a mouthful of pork and was surprised enough to not to be able to react.

Bandit – ‘fuc…fuck…’

A shout ‘WULD’, heard from the shadows and a split second later Darkwater was upon him. Before the third bandit had even realised there was a dagger buried in his chest. He dropped to the floor, spat out his mouthful of bacon and slumped over the second bandits bleeding corpse.

DW – ‘…Bazinga!’

Lydia and Barbas look at Darkwater

DW- ‘ What?...I thought it might grow’

Our heros have made it to Ustengrav and after a thorough search through the camp, were a little bit richer and a lot fuller. How will they deal with Ustengravs dark passages? We will find out soon.

Friday, 20 October 2017

Tales From Skyrim Episode VI: ’The Old Ball and Chain’
Once our travellers reached the bottom of the mountain they popped back into Ivarstead for one more night, stocked up on provisions, freaked Wilhelm the barkeep out a few more times with Barbas’ passive aggressive threats and headed out at first light
The walk across Skyrim was long and arduous as ‘the powers that be’ have decided to stop fast travelling (they hate me right now). They passed a few dungeons but decided to just make a note of them to avoid getting too distracted.
When they eventually reached the opening and Whiterun came into full view it was agreed by all that a stop off and recuperation was in order.
We join our trio entering Whiterun as evening is drawing in and the heavens begin to open. Adrienne Avenicci is busy smacking metal against metal at Warmaidens and a couple of local kids are being called in by their parents as the rain gets heavier. Barbas runs off ahead towards the inns.
Darkwater- ‘that dog loves a drink. Right, I’m going to go get my blade sharpened’
Lydia eyes narrow.
Lydia- ‘you don’t have a blade and your bow is magical’
Darkwater- ‘Well erm, I’m thinking of taking up a two-handed weapon and I need some advice’
Lydia- ‘You do realise Adrienne is married ‘
DW- ‘yes, what of it’
Lydia- ‘and you realise that her husband once punched a pig in half?’
Dw- ‘yeah right’
Lydia – ‘Limpy Pete told me’
DW- ‘Yeah but Limpy Pete says that dogs can’t look up’
Lydia- ‘They Cant’
DW- ‘You’ll believe anything’
Lydia- ‘Right, I’m off to find the wife’
Lydia walks off to the west where the majority of the residential houses are.
Darkwater draws himself up appearing to add an extra 30lb to his upper body. As he walks over he notices she is banging prison Iron together. A pile of Iron balls on chains are by her feet.
DW- ‘Hey Adrienne’
Adrienne- ‘Oh hey….muckwalker wasn’t it?’
DW- ‘n-no’
Adrienne- ‘what can I do for you me old Mucka?’
Dw- ‘I’m just wondering if you fancy a drink over at Honningbrew Meadery?’
Adrienne- ‘ahem, no’
She replied in the same way a doctor tells loved once there is nothing they can do.
Adrienne- ‘there are plenty of lovely ladies that I’m sure…’
Darkwater chuckled to himself.
DW- ‘Well, this is embarrassing’
Adrienne- ‘Don’t be embarrassed.’
DW- ‘No, I mean for you…I don’t know how to say this but….I’m kind of a big deal around here…People KNOW me’
Adrienne- ‘that nice for you’
She continues to bang a cuff into shape attached to a chain and weight.
DW- ‘I’m just going to say it…I can’t hide it any longer…I am Dragonborn’
Suddenly a gloved hand with enough leather to recreate a cow slapped down on his shoulder
Ulfberth War-Bear – ‘hmm, I wonder, Adi, if Dragonborns have wings hidden in their arm sockets?’
DW- ‘I can assure you, we don’t’
Ulfberth War-Bear – ‘Well I’m curious to find out’
Ulfberth spun Darkwater to face him and started to pull both of his arms outwards. His face a mixture of excitement and anger.
He didnt get far before his face was pelted with rocks
Ria – ‘the Jarl is going to be pissed if you turn the only Dragonborn into a living breadstick.
Lydia and Ria stand to the side ready with more rocks. Ulfberth regarded them for a second, then tooks a long hard look at Darkwater.
Ulfberth- ‘Don’t speak to her again’
He released his grip.
Darkwater brushed himself off.
DW- ‘No problem Teddy Bear’
Ulfberth storms back into the house with Adrienne in tow.
Ria- ‘I see what you mean Lyd, he’s a bit of a knob’ed’
Lydia- ‘Ducky, Lunas made us food c’mon, bring Barbas’
DW- ‘Where is Barbas?’
Lydia- ‘not sure, maybe he’ll turn up later.
Darkwater enjoyed a delicious dinner that Lydia’s wife, Ria made for them but Barbas did not show up. Darkwater thanked them both for saving his arms and headed to the inn’s and then Breezehome, no Barbas to be found.
The next morning Darkwater was awoken by knocking at the door.
Lydia- ‘We’ve got to go, grab your stuff now!’
DW- ‘Easy lyd its like….7am. whats the dillio?’
Lydia- ‘Cicero’
DW- ‘Gesundheit!’
Lydia- ‘No, he’s this creepy mad jester, Hes got Barbas! He took off in his Wagon last night!
The Pair headed out and north to see if they could catch it up. They get as far as Loreius’ Farm when they find the Wagon. With a broken wheel.
Lydia – ‘It’s facing back to whiterun?’
Cicero- ‘Ohh goody goody, some help, my wagon wheel came off, curse you wagon wheel. Maybe my new friends can help?...he he yessss help!? Ah haha haha hahahahha’
Lydia and Darkwater look at each other.
Dw – *whispers* ‘This guy is nuts’
Lydia- *whispers* ‘I think he’s pretty dangerous, some connection to assassins , I say we try and make this process as simple as possible’
Darkwater peeked into the cart to see Barbas, conscious with his neck strapped to a Ball and Chain.
Lydia- ‘Cicero’
Circero – ‘Yes my manish female friend?’
Lydia- ‘Didn’t I see you leaving Whiterun last night? Why are you heading back’
Cicero- ‘ Ahahaha very perceptive, but none of your business’
Darkwater- ‘Where did you get the dog from?’
Cicero- ‘ ahaha, A dog is a dog is a dog licks his Butt, But this one is more much more than a Mutt’
Lydia- ‘pretty poem, Okay we will help you’
Cicero – ‘You will!? Oh goody goody my friends I thank you’
Barbas- ‘What did he just call me!?’
Lydia- ‘IF you give us the dog’
Cicero- ‘…Why Would you want this dog’
DW- ‘Your pretty poem made him sound appealing’
Cicero- ‘NO DEAL’
Just then two imperial guards appear in the distance walking towards the four of them.
Lydia- ‘How about, you give us the dog, we get your wheel back on, and we won’t tell these nice guards that you have kidnapped this mutt from his owner?’
Barbas- ‘you have no right to use that word, that is OUR word!’
Cicero looked down at the floor for a few seconds.
Cicero- ‘Fine, deal’
DW- ‘Great!’
Cicero- ‘I won’t….forget this’Cicero’s voice had suddenly become very serious.
Lydia helped get the wheel back on and assured the guards that no help was needed while Darkwater released Barbas from his cage.
Barbas – ‘The thalmor-fucker used magic to knock me out…I think I might eat him’
DW- ‘Be cool Barbas, there is more to this guy than meets the eye, I’m sure you will get your chance.’
Cicero went on his way and the adventurers turned to face north.
Lydia – ‘Ducky, Barbas, we need to trudge on. We still have a long way to go.’
DW- ‘Hold up, im gonna pop to Loreius’ Farm, see if he’ll let me use his facilities, your mrs’ cooking has gone right through me, How bout you Barbas, need to go?’
Barbas- ‘Naw, I left Cicero a present in his driver’s seat’
*in the distance* ‘noooo, that mutt, that mutt, got crap on my butt!’...Reunited, the adventures head north to Ustengrav


Tales From Skyrim Episode V: “7,001 A Step Odyssey”: Part 2/2.
*Step, step, step, step*
On and on and on
*step, step, step, step*
They just kept on going. At least Barbas had reverted to counting in his head.
At this point, the party were all exhausted, but according to some of the pilgrims they had met on the way up, they did not have much further to go. They encountered a few more beasts on their travels but Lydia had decided to help this time and as such, light work was made of them.
DW- ‘Look!’
Finally High Hrothgar
DW - ‘it looks deserted’
Lydia- ‘It almost is, there are only 5 Grey Beards as far as I’ve been told’
DW- ‘What do they do all day?’
Lydia- ‘Shout at each other I guess’
DW- ‘sounds like your parents, Lyd’
Darkwater started to grin and elbow her in the ribs
Dw- ‘Eh? …..eh?’
Lydia- ‘Not, only do you not know my parents,I don’t know my parents’
Barbas- ‘I thought I knew my parents, turns out we all look the same though…oh by the way’
Dw- ‘What?’
Barbas- ‘I lost count’
The trio enter the heavy doored building where they meet with the Greybeards and Darkwater learned what he was born to learn…that a mixture of toll fat and lavender are what keep their beards so shiny and manageable. That sort of knowledge is power.
After resting up for a day as honoured guests of High Hrothgar. We find our adventurers packing their kit at the steps of the castle. Lydia knelt by a bush picking more snowberries and collecting them in the concave of her shield. Although she enjoys harvesting ingredients to increase her alchemy, the look on her face was that of annoyance.
DW- ‘c’mon, Lyd, I’m sorry okay? It won’t happen again’
Darkwater gives Barbas a quick look and grin.
Barbas- ‘hey….Do it again’
DW - ‘heh, no’
Barbas- ‘Go on, one more time’
Lydia- ‘I’m warning you’
She says without looking up
Barbas- ‘Do it Ducky!’
DW - ‘FUS RO!!!’
Lydia falls sideways into a hedge of snowberries
Barbas- ‘Bullseye!’
Lydia struggles back up to her feet, upends her snowberries collected in her shield and wields it with two hands like someone is about to get hurt with it.
Barbas- ‘Quick, Duck, Shout at her’
DW - ‘I can’t, it has to charge’
Barbas- ‘Whirlwind Sprint?’
(if Barbas could show it, it would be a look of despair)
DW - ‘IT HAS TO CHAR….’ Donk!
Darkwater woke to find Lydia eating an apple with Barbas sitting at the steps next to her. But Darkwater’s mouth was gagged.
Lydia- ‘The greybeards are not teaching you these shouts to fuck me off, however, if you continue, you will spend the rest of your life struggling to pee let alone shout.
DW - *muffled*
Lydia then swiped the gag off.
DW - ‘I don’t know what that means
Lydia pointed her sword to Darkwater’s oblivion regions
DW - ‘got it, got it’
Darkwater sits up and wipes his shoulders.
DW- ‘Anyway, where we going again?’
Lydia- ‘well seeing as this is YOUR quest I figured you would remember’
DW- ‘Well YOU figured wrong’
Lydia- ‘Barbas, care to update?’
Barbas- ‘Go get a horn from the other side of Skyrim, bring it back.’
DW- ‘Why is it always the other side’
Lydia- ‘Because the Devine Zenithar hates you’
They Kit themselves up and the Trio finally Head off back down the mountain to travel across the tundra and into the snowy rocks of northern Skyrim.
What challenges will they face?
Maybe some? Maybe none? Maybe they will skip around the plains of whiterun trying to catch sodding butterflies, who knows…..well you will….i’ll probably tell you at some point.
***I just want to see a huge thank you to Sarah Stoll for producing the below artwork for me in a matter of hours, what an amazing talent. she really brought the images in my head to light for this story today, Again you are a star!!!!!***
Tales from Skyrim Episode V: “7,001: A Step Odyssey” Part 1 of 2
After a long walk *fast travel* The group arrived at Ivarstead, the base of the path to High Hrothgar.
It was time for them to put their feet up, have a drink and a sleep at the Inn, Lydia agreed as it was pitch black and it would be better to tackle the mountain at first light.
They walked into the Tavern, a simple little place with a few people a nice central firepit and one random asleep on the floor. (make sure we get a picture of that).
DW- ‘now this is my kind of establishment’
Lydia- ‘I wouldn’t recommend getting drunk, Duckwater’



DW- ‘Darkwater’
Lydia- ‘sorry, Fuckwater was that?’
DW- ‘….Duckwater is fine’
Lydia- ‘Anyway “ducky”, as I say, don’t get like Rugman on the floor over there, we’re leaving at 6am’
DW- ‘Theres a 6am?’
Lydia- ‘I’m getting a room’
Lydia walked off to speak to a lady that appeared to run the room and board of the place. Lydia pointed at me and handed the lady some coins. She walked off with the lady and I took a seat with Barbas.
Barman- ‘sorry pal, your dog needs to go outside’
Barbas- ‘how about 2 pints and I won’t bite your junk while you sleep tonight?’
Barman Wilhelm, looked at me with a puzzled expression and then realised it wasn’t me that said it.
If dogs could somehow show expression, I would go as far as to say Barbas gave Wilhelm a very evil grin.
Wilhelm- ‘Did he just talk?’
DW- ‘Do YOU think my dog just talked?’
Wilhelm- ‘Well, I…’
DW- ‘you may or may not have heard my dog say something, but what I would say is that if you DID hear my dog say something, I would take whatever he said very VERY seriously’
Barbas tilted his head and studied Wilhelm.
Wilhelm- ‘here you go fellas, 2 pints. First 2 are on the house....as you lady friend just paid twice the going rate for your rooms!’
Wilhelm poured some black-brier into a small wooden bowl and put it down by Barbas. He turned and walks back to the bar
Barbas- ‘Fantastic service’
Wilhelm stopped, started to turn around for another look and then thought better of it.
The rest of the night was a bit of a blur, but duckwa...darkwater was woken by the sound of Lydia kicking his bed.
Only took a few minutes to make himself look beautiful and he was ready to tackle the 7,000 steps.
As the morning sun attacked the midday sky, he had ascended what felt like 3,000 steps but as Barbas was painstaking counting every single sodding step it was quickly discovered that they had climbed a mere 300 steps. Although at this relatively low altitude the wind was already blowing a gale and the snow wasn’t falling as much as it was orbiting the trio and the surrounding rocks.
Barbas: “Three hundred and thirty four, Three hundred and thirty five”
DW- *huff*…*huff* “are there” *huff* “actually” *huff* “7,000 steps?*
Lydia- ‘I doubt it, but’ sounds like your dog will be able to tell us’
Barbas- ‘Three Hundred and Fourty…I’m not his dog…three Hundred and Fourty One’
Lydia- ‘I suggest we stop for a breather’
DW- ‘done’
He dropped to the floor.
Lydia,- ‘there are a lot of snowberries about, I think I’ll grab some’
After a few minutes Darkwater got back up to his feet.
Looking down he could see nothing but white and a few tree tops. Looking to the path ahead he saw more steps and….something. It looked a bit like a snow covered rock rolling around. He began to walk off ahead a bit…the rock was moving….and it was getting bigger. Almost like it was running towards them…
DW- ‘BEAR’
Lydia- ‘huh?’
DW- ‘BIG “FUCK OFF” SNOW BEAR
Lydia- ‘right?, shoot it’
Lydia barely looked up from her snowberries whilst she said this and all in this time I was looking down struggling to get my Bound conjured.
DW- ‘c’mon, c’mon, c’mon….aaaaand BOUND BOW’
He looked up….no bear.
He looked to the side and there next to him is Barbas chomping into the neck of this once snarling white death tank. He lifts up his head to regard Darkwater.
Barbas- ‘Figured you needed help’
DW- ‘Thanks buddy’
He turned to Lydia who has still to lift her head from picking snowberries
DW- ‘Feel free to jump in and protect me at any time’
Lydia- ‘You looked like you had it’
DW- ‘” I Had It!?” the only thing I had was last night’s black-brier run down my inside leg!’
Lydia- ‘hey, but look, Ducky, you levelled up without even loosing an arrow’
DW- *mimics lydia in a high voice* ‘hey look you levelled up without even miniminimeh, I’m so smart and right all the time’
Lydia- ‘Okay lets move out, I want to get up there before sunset’
Onward and upward our adventurers go. What do the Greybeards have in store for Darkwater and are their beards as grey and manageable as scholars have mused? We’ll find out soon enough.


Tales From Skyrim Epiosde IV: “I love Lydia from my nipple to my tibia”
So after deciding to abandon the Clavicus mission for now in order to keep Barbas by his side. They duo decided to pop back to Breezehome for a siesta and a sweet roll.
Upon getting back Darkwater opened the door to find someone lurking by his fire.
DW –‘ da fuck, man!?’
*She turns around*
DW – ‘Woman!’
Woman – ‘I’m Lydia, your Housecarl.’
DW– ‘Yes it is my house but my name is not Carl, its DARKWATER….’
Lydia – ‘literally, you are a moron and that’s the worst name I’ve ever heard’
DW- ‘Ouch’
Lydia – ‘Anyway, you killed a Dragon and apparently saved Whiterun, though from what I saw, you stood well back and shot a few iron arrows at its wings’
DW- ‘I WAS A LEVEL 3!’
Lydia- ‘regardless, apparently now I’m here to serve you’
DW-‘ …hey hey’ 
Darkwater grinned.
Lydia grabbed him by the breastplate and pulled him to her face.
Lydia- ‘listen Duckwater I honestly don’t give a shit who you are, and I’d rather not follow you, however this is my job, I’m here to protect’
DW – ‘erm, its Darkwa….ow ow ow the metal is pinching my nipple’
Lydia – ‘I’ll make sure no harm comes to you’
Lydia released him and Darkwater tended to his ouchy nipple. Lydia pulled up some chairs and hey both sit by the fire.
Lydia – ‘anyway, what did the greybeards say?’
DW- ‘huh?’
Lydia- ‘after you killed the dragon, they summoned you right?...the loud noise in the sky?’
DW- ‘oh I thought that was weird, but how was I to know it was for me?, I mean it didn’t say “Dear Darkwater, we request you presence at our annual shindig, please bring alto-wine”’
Lydia- ‘right, so what have you done since?’
DW- ‘stuff…’
Lydia- ‘….stuff….do you think we shou..’
Darkwater interrupted her by standing tall and proud like he had just come up with an amazing Idea all by himself.
DW – ‘Lydia! I have made a decision, we are to travel to see the Greybeards you and I’
Lydia- *sighs* ‘fine’
Barbas *muffled* ‘and me’
Lydia- ‘whos that?’
DW – ‘that’s Barbas’
Darkwater opened the door and Barbas came bounding in. He sat at Lydias feet and looked up at her.
Barbas- ‘yay, me!’
Lydia stared at Barbas while he licked his junk
Lydia - ‘he talks’
Barbas- ‘I also kill, even when I’m not asked to’
DW- ‘don’t worry about him, we won’t get in our way…’
So the new trio head out with our hero taking the lead, They could be described as looking 'shit hot'. Darkwater swung open Whiterun’s front gates and took a confident step forwards only to stop by the second ste.
DW- 'hmmm'.
He turned to Lydia.
DW- ‘Where do the greybeards live? Is it close? cuz I’m not big on walking'
Lydia stared at me for a good 5 mins after that question. It seems now that she is beginning to lose confidence in this Dragonborn.
Lydia- ‘Okay, look ahead.’
DW– ‘Oh god, its all the way over to the base of that mountain?’
Lydia- ‘No,….you see that mountain?’
DW- ‘Yeah?’
Lydia- ‘okay, now looks to the left of that, you see that bigger mountain?’
DW- ‘Y-yes?’
Lydia- ‘you see how its dark and covered in shadow from a bigger third one?’
DW- ‘the one that doesn’t have a peak because of the clouds?’
Lydia- ‘waaaaaaaaaaaaay up there’
Barbas – ‘I’m out’
DW – ‘what?’
Barbas ‘dunzo, I don’t care what happens to me with Clavicus, I’m out, if I could wipe my hands without smacking my chin on the floor I would!’
DW- ‘Barbas, unfortunately you are bound to me until our mission is complete’
Barbas- ‘well you can shove your mission right up your’
DW– ‘Barbas?’
Barbas- ‘Yes?’
DW- ‘…..heel’
Barbas- ‘ugh, thats low you thalmor-fucker'
The three companions walked in the direction of the throat of the world to seek the Greybeards. Will Lydia stay loyal? Will Barbas Stay out the way? (I think we all know the answer to that) We’ll find out soon.

Tales From Skyrim Episode III: Barbas, the start of a rueful friendship.
After making a few parts of his house which has been named for him (‘Lakeview Manor’, though at this point it feels like 'Lakeview cupbord). Darkwater decided to revisit Falkreath as a guard mentioned something about a dog whilst Colin (Jarl of Falkreath) was sending him off on ‘Project rape or be raped’.
So our main dovahkiin returned back to Falkreath and spoke to the blacksmith Lod who says something along the lines of
Lod- ‘had a dog, lost a dog, want a dog, walk 5 paces out of the road there and get my dog as I’m far too fucking lazy to walk that far myself’
Darkwater– ‘I don’t think your heart is in it, Rod’
Lod- ‘LOD’
Darkwater - ‘yeah….Lod….that’s a name’
So Darkwater set off and literally walked out of Falkreath a few paces to see a dog sitting outside…like…literally If Rod just poked his head round the corner he would see the dog and the mission would be done. In fact maybe he could just shout to…
"You are exactly what I was looking for”,
Darkwater -….
Dog- ….*tilts head*
Darkwater-….
Dog- *pants*
So anyway he just needs to bring this dog home I assu..
Dog- “You see, my name is Barbas. And I have a problem I think you can help sort out."
Darkwater- “Okay you talk….I’m not sure why that’s weird it just is…I mean I’ve survived a dragon attack, I can conjure up a camp looking purple arrow shooty thing, ive outrun a Giant using people as hurdles and raided some Spunky mineshaft for Colin….so I guess….yeah why the hell not, you can talk….and that’s…that’s just fine”
Barbas- "My master and I had a bit of a falling out. We got into an argument and it got rather... heated."
DW – ‘okay but why do you sound like Danny DeVito?’
Barbas – “He's kicked me out until I find someone who can settle our disagreement. That's where you come in."
DW – “I feel like we are talking at each other rather than with each other so I’m just going to go along with this”
So they gets to talking and it turns out thisdog wants to go to a cave that our adventurer has already cleared…nice….could have this wrapped up in a matter of seconds
*Fast travel*
He arrives at the cave, no Barbas…no worries. Hes got 4 legs, he can run over, it’s not far.
Darkwater makes his way through the various corpses that he littered this cave with a few days ago until he gets to the Statue of this dude Clavicus Vile…oh there Barbas Wagging his lil Brooklyn tail.
He walks up to the statue and essentially a voice that I can only describe as a cross between RuPaul and Gordon Ramsey comes through telling him what a bad dog he was and how If Darkwater and Barbas go off and get an axe for him, he will reunite with the dog 
DW- 'Okey dokey….hopefully its in fast travelling distance'
Barbas- 'Nope its far off to the north west….almost as opposite as possible and I haven’t been that way yet'
The closest they can fast travel to is Whiterun goddamit. Well this is what he signed up for..
They spend a night at Whiterun (due to a bug in the game I can’t speed up time normally right now I have to sleep and do it like that…)
So they get some sleep in my cobwebby Breezehome (I understand why they call it Breezehome now fucking drafty lil shit shack)
Our hero woke up the next day refreshed, ate a sweetroll and headed out…no Barbas to be found, but the small amount of travelling Darkwater has done with him tells him he will turn up somewhere….
DW- 'oh there he is...why does he look so happy all the time?'
Barbas – ‘ I Killed a child and ate its hands’
DW- “that’s great lets go…’
They head off west down the road, Barbas is happy running around barking at, what I can only imagine is Dark Matter as they can’t see anything but he’s adamant its there.
They come across a Fort, 
DW- 'looks pretty well protected….oh wait…there is a bunch of mannequins on sticks up there...Barbas where are you going? I don’t think we should go in there’
Barbas- “woof”
DW- ‘Right, suddenly you are a normal dog?....dick’
Straight away bandits start piling out but Barbas is fighting them and not getting killed.…Darkwater decided to sit and watch out of morbid curiosity (I mean he got himself into this mess) he seems invincible....curious?
Our Adventurer loosed a few arrows from further back until the fort was cleared and him and Barbas enjoyed an afternoon of looting dead peoples pockets.
They were just about to take a load off at the steps of a tower and enjoy another sweetroll (apparently 5 sweetroll a day keeps the werewolves at bay) when Darkwater suffers a blow to the back to the back of the head.
Dw - 'ouch…that,kind of hurt a bit'
One Bandit Outlaw that didn’t wanna make himself known earlier. Bit tougher than the others too, He tooks a few  bound bow arrows (this arrow isn’t as ‘Golden Gun’ as I thought) and a couple of bites from his new Canine Companion and the dude goes down like a sack of shit.
DW- ‘this has been a fun afternoon Barbas, I get the impression if I complete this mission we wouldn’t be able to do this anymore.
Barbas- ‘woof’
DW– ‘I think I might keep you around for a bit’
Barbas- ‘woof’
DW- ‘This could be the start of a beautiful friendship’
Barbas- ‘woof!’
DW- ‘woof indeed Barbas, Woof indeed…’
Tales From Skyrim Episode II: "Cruella Devoid of Conciousness"
Darkwater decided he wanted to build a house, no more of this scurrying around in a cobwebby Breezehome that he couldn't be arsed to improve.
He a letter from his main man the Jarl of Falkreath, Unfortunately, he couldnt remember his name so he decided to go with Colin. It read something like ‘Hey, I like you, you like me…lets be friends I have some land you can buy etc etc etc…your friend - Colin’
So Darkwater journeyed over to him and he’s was all like ‘you need to prove yourself’ (jeez Colin, trust issues much?)
He wanted our hero to kill some bandit leader…no name…just bandit leader.
So he headed straight over there and bandits just started going nuts at him. He wasnt sure what he did wrong but they definately wanted him dead.
A few bound arrows in peoples faces (and many more in the trees behind) and everyone appeared dead…
Darkwater- ‘guys, I know I should have asked this earlier but which one goes by the name of ‘Bandit Leader’?
No response (apparently death makes people uncooperative).
There was no little drummer boy in his ears to tell him that he killed the main man so our hero decided it was best to have a look around.
Darwater- 'Oooh a mineshaft'
He opened the door, slowly made his was down and there was a guy dressed like a fucking cross between Cruella de Vil and Conan. Big white fluffy Cape on, a horny helmet but no trousers like our adventurer was entering his sordid fuck bunker
Darkwater stood still ...this guy just has his arms cross and looked direct at our hero…Darkwater was convinced that he was easily visible but this guy just stood and stared. 
Bandit Leader- *stares*
Darkwater- ‘I’m just gonna get me old bow out here..’
BL - *stares*
Darkwater- ‘and put mr arrow with mrs string’
BL- *stares*
Darkwater– ‘aaaannnd…’
*THUD*
BL - *dies*
BLOM! (drummer boy)
Darkwater - 'Okay that was easy…. Back to Colin'
Back in Falkreath
DW – ‘Done and done, can I buy this soddin..’
Colin – ‘well done I hereby declare you..’
DW – ‘Don’t care’
Colin – ‘thane of..’
DW – ‘Don’t care…’
Colin- ‘…speak to my steward about buying some property’
DW  ‘Thanks Colin, its been….magical’
As Missions go it was pretty easy. I mean was he asleep?our man didnt know….All Ihe knew was that he looked fabulous in his white Cape!
Tales from Skyrim Episode I: "The Phantom (Bow) Menace"
Darkwater stumbled upon a Giant camp 'Blizzard Rest', one single Giant + newly obtained 'Bound Bow' meant there was no way he wasnt going to take a pot shot at him to see how powerful it was.... He immediately regreted this decision and quickly decide that the Damage + the time it takes between arrows was not enough compared to how quickly the giant was advancing on him so its a turn and run scenario....which way? well whiterun is the closest place.
As he was running, he glanced back to see that the giant was slowly gaining on him, it didnt even seem to be bothered about the purple glowing arrow in its temple....Darkwater noticed an imperial guard on patrol up the road.
Darkwater- 'help i'm being persuade by a giant!;
Guard- 'stand back, have at you, you colossal wanke'....squish!'
The Giants foot came crashing down on him...'.thanks guard your death has bought me all of 5 seconds', thought Darkwater.
Lorius Farm was in sight....'should probably not head this way. there are kids. I will go around'. As he made it to the other side of him, the Giant was almost in swinging distance!
Another Guard
Darkwater - 'Help, Guard I'm being pursued by a Giant...totally unprovoked guvnor, promise!'
Guard ' Stand aside adventurer, finally...time to make my family proud. NOW I, ROJAN ONCE A PATHETIC SOLDIER, NOW ABOUT TO BE A HERO REMEMBERED THROUGH THE AGES.. , FEEL MY BLADE YOU TITANIC FUC...' squish
'Awesome, another 5 seconds in the bag', 
Darkwater - 'thanks Roger your name will not be forgotten...'
Up ahead a tower came into view, Whitewatch tower...plenty of guards there....oh...and bandits having a battle with them it seemed.
Darkwater ran up to the fight
Darkwater - 'erm guys'
Bandit - 'stay there, we will deal with you once we have killed and looted these imperial bastards!'
Darkwater - but there's..
Bandit - 'fine, i'll deal with you firs....oh'
Nothing like a giant to bring all men together to fight shoulder to shoulder....especially while our adventurer hid in the tower watching from a window...the giant managed to kill everyone with a few swings of his bat...leaving him with the smallest amount of health left....'okay...one more shot should do it.'
VICTORY! Our "hero" single-handedly dealt with a giant while at level 10. time to loot 
Darkwater - '....6 gold...and....a toe?'
Well, on the bright side there were plenty of bandits and soldiers to loot and an unoccupied giant camp further down the road....all in all a positive day in Skyrim.