A/N Hello everyone, welcome to my first fanfic. I came up with the idea after playing many hours of Skyrim, Inquisition and Total War. I thought to myself how would both worlds fare against each other. Could my Dragonborn beat my inquisitor in a game of war? So here is the beginning of the story. I would very much appreciate any criticisms that would help with the story going forward. I need to know if an A in English means anything.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Elder Scrolls Series or the Dragon Age Series.
Elder Scrolls belongs to Bethesda and Dragon Age belongs to Bioware
Chapter 1: The Meeting
Deezara sat patiently as he looked around the chamber of the Elder Council. As commander of the forces of Black Marsh, he only had a mind for tactics and strategy; not for the schemes and tricks of politicians all hoping to curry as much favor with the Emperor. But when the Emperor calls for a meeting of all the heads of the Imperial government, Deezara could not resist. To meet such a great and powerful man would be the greatest honor he could hope for. As a child, Deezara heard stories of the great Emperor's ascent to unite all of Tamriel into an empire so great that some say that might rival Tiber Septim.
A disgraced son of Daggerfall nobles, the Emperor forged his own path by learning of his destiny in Skyrim. He was the Dragonborn, the prophesied savior with the soul of a dragon. He waged war against Alduin, crossing the veil himself to the Nord afterlife striking down Alduin and absorbing his power and cementing himself as leader of the dragons.
But even then, as Deezara's mother told him, the Dragonborn continued to use his power to destroy the first Dragonborn, Miraak, and the Vampire Lord, Harkon. With no more challenges to his claim, the Dragonborn forged his own future and united Tamriel with his vampire, Serana, hundreds of companions and fifty dragons. Now he rules the new Dragon Empire as Emperor alongside the Empress Serana.
That was a hundred years ago and many say neither he nor the Empress has aged since that day.
Deezara wondered how they could achieve that when suddenly the chamber fell silent. His gills shot up as he and all the councilors and officers watched the entrance open. The air became dense and Deezara found it hard to breathe a bit even though his gills. As he adjusted to the change in the chamber, his gaze turned towards the source of the change.
Two individuals, who wore long black cloaks, with magicka pouring out and overflowing with power. There stood the Dragonborn, not looking a day over 30. Framed with short midnight hair, his face was covered with a nicely-trimmed beard of the same color. Next to the Emperor stood his wife, a woman with ebony hair that flowed over her shoulders, with pristine cheekbones that accentuated her green eyes that invigorated life in Deezara's very soul.
"My friends," the Emperor said, his voice shaking Deezara out of his gaze.
It was a loud and commanding voice, a voice that instinctively had every council member and general to drop to one knee and bow perhaps more so out of fear than respect Deezara felt as he did so instinctively too.
"Rise friends," the Emperor said, again with such power as if everyone's movements were controlled to move as if it were as natural to breathe. "High Chancellor Rutris, I trust you to have the most recent status on my Empire?" he asked.
The heads of every councilor and general turned towards Rutris. The Redoran Dunmer was quick to compose herself as she signaled for advisors to bring her a clipboard.
"Of course, your Imperial Majesty," Rutris said, holding her board up to read aloud. "The empire has never been more prosperous under your reign than ever before. Our economy has grown by 4% since last year, many Dwemer technologies have been reversed engineered and both commoners and nobles alike are firmly united behind your rule. But forgive my asking... why did you call for all of us here for a simple report?"
Members of the Elder Council looked confused among each other, fearing the Emperor's response. The generals showed the same worry but the whole room's attention turned as the Empress spoke up.
"My husband," the Empress began slowly, "has called this meeting in order to evaluate the next steps we must take in order to secure the future of the Empire. More importantly, it is to determine whether we are truly ready to take on such an endeavor for our future."
"My Empress, what is this endeavor you speak of?" Rutris asked.
The Emperor stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Why, it is a test of course! A test that will determine if our Empire still has the power to project our influence. As of this moment, I declare a new expeditionary force to take across the Eltheric Ocean. In three months, 250,000 soldiers will depart with me along with every high ranking general and member of my inner circle."
"But your Majesty!?" Rutris exclaimed as other councilors tried processing this sudden information. "That's nearly three-quarters of our entire army! Surely you do not require such a large force. A smaller one would do especially if you intend to send an army to lands that might not even exist."
The Empress turned her gaze towards the council to address their concerns. "Which is why, while my husband is away commanding our forces, I shall stay here to rule in his stead. For the time being."
As she paused, her attention turned to the High Chancellor.
"And as for what land lies ahead, your Emperor has found such a place for our armies to land. It is called Thedas, a land so divided among its people that we fear they have already sealed their doom. But by the grace of my husband and the Empire, it will find lasting peace and prosperity as our new provinces."
"But my lady," Rutris stammered. "Not to doubt the Emperor's words but why should we intervene in another continent's troubles? Surely the citizens of the Empire carry more importance and weight than some barbarians across the ocean."
The Emperor, ignoring Rutris suggestion, strolled over to Deezara. The Argonian general had hardly paid attention to the words discussed as hie eyes were enamored on the Emperor the moment he came in. And as the Emperor approached closer to him, Deezara couldn't help his tail sloop down in awe of the Emperor's presence.
"General Deezara, tell me. If I never came to power, would you be friends with a Dunmer or a Khajiit for that matter? Would you even understand each other?" the Emperor questioned.
Deezara was surprised that the Emperor had asked him such a question. Of course, he was friends with a Dunmer and knew many Khajiit. But as Deezara looked upon the Emperor, he knew the Emperor was asking for more than a simple answer. He felt afraid to answer but knew deep down that it would be an honor to help his Emperor with his decision.
Deezara stood tall to his Emperor. "Your Imperial Majesty, I would most certainly not be friends with either race. The Dunmer had enslaved my people for so long and the Khajiit saw us as inferior. In our history, our people have never held such high praise for each other were it not for you. You have not only changed our relations with each other but now Tamriel no longer views us as simple beasts but great warriors, loyal to their friends."
Deezara suddenly took a knee and bowed before the Emperor and spoke with renewed vigor and loudly exclaimed for all to hear. "Lord Dovahkiin, you could have ignored the problems as previous empires have. You could have allowed the hatred between the Dunmer and Argonians to continue and the Empire would still exist. But I know you are a great man, one that could never allow injustices to continue no matter far away or little they were. My Emperor, it would be my honor to lead Argonia on this endeavor to rid Thedas of injustice."
A grin fell upon the Emperor's face, a grin of pride in the general's answer. Rutris could have sworn she heard a chuckle as the Emperor threw his arms out to his sides.
"Well done, general. Truly you have the gift to discern a person's true nature," The Emperor said, turning his gaze to his entire court. "Councilors, Generals, Serana. As your Emperor it is has been my duty to stamp out injustice wherever it hides, no matter how far it is. My goal has always been to create a stronger, more united society but in order to do so, I must bring justice. The crimes Thedas has committed can no longer be tolerated and its people no longer capable of fixing it. You should all know by now that nothing is out of my reach."
"Now then High Chancellor," the Empress said, "does that answer your question? I trust your objection has been withdrawn."
"I…" Rutris began, the Empress's eyes bored into her very soul, and she fell silent.
"Good," the Empress said, "then prepare the navy. We have three months to prepare and your Emperor and I would be very disappointed if you failed your duties."
Deezara looked on as Rutris's body shivered at the Empress's words and a slight gulp escaped from her throat. "At once, my Empress," Rutris bowed, signaling for everyone else to follow suit.
"This is a great day for us all, Rutris," the Emperor said, "Soon we will bring a war-torn land to heel and its people will know lasting peace. And they will know just as Tamriel knew, those that defy me will cling to their petty lives and false gods and find none, but me."
Without so much as in the blink of the eye, the Emperor and Empress disappeared, as if they never even entered the chamber. Deezara looked around the chamber and the mood in the room livened up a bit. With a loud cough from Rutris, he turned his attention to the High Chancellor.
"You all heard our Majesties' commands," Rutris said, straightening herself up into a stern tone. "Councilors, I expect you all to direct your provinces to procure the necessary materials for the expedition. Generals, the same with the soldiers. This meeting is adjourned."
With that, the room began to crowd out and all participants left to return to their home provinces. But Deezara stayed put in place, staring back to where the Emperor entered. A large grin emerged, his sharp teeth bared out as he marched out. Finally, a chance to serve his Emperor. And this Thedas, whatever it was, will fall to the Empire. For his glory and the Emperor. Deezara would make sure that they know of the Emperor's wrath.