Let's Play: Emary Silvan 1: the Itinerant Pilgrim
I decided that, since my second playthrough of Morrowind would be much more focused than my first, I should turn it into an old-fashioned let's play. The general goal will be outlined within. There may be some screenshots but don't expect too many. I am using a few mods, most notably Tamriel Rebuilt and Beautiful Cities of Morrowind as well as a few others that aren't as relevant. With that let's let the let's play begin!
My arrival in Morrowind was unceremonious, though ironic. In a twist of fate what had begun as an attempt to cross the border into Morrowind without paying a toll ended with the men of the Empire releasing me here on their own, seemingly to act as a currior of all things. I told the officer at the Census and Excise Office that I would… eventually. In truth the way I got here matters little except for the fact that I have finally arrived in this eastern land of Ash and Faith.
All my life I have been fascinated with the divine, but not in the way of the lay priest. No, my parents discovered that quickly enough when I was brought to the local cleric of the Nine. The fact that I asked questions didn't perturb them, in fact they welcomed and encouraged my curious nature, what unsettled them was my fascination with the deeper inner-workings of divinity and what, exactly, made a god. I know of the Monomyth, of the mingled blood of Anu and Padomay giving birth to all things, but that explanation is so… easy. Fanciful almost. It cannot be that simple.
Questions of this nature, they said, would be better served in the Mage's Guild, and I suppose they would. But I have no intent to preform conjuring for coin or taste for slaving over lengthy papers for funding. Instead I have chose the path of the pilgrim, or I suppose it has chosen me.
Two years ago an old man came to Wayrest, where I was serving as a minor functionary in the Temple of Mara (and most decidedly not in the way you are imagining). He said he was a pilgrim, an itinerant on the long and winding path of divinity. At once I was struck with a calling of purpose, and spent the next hours talking with the kindly old man.
He told me of what he had seen, the shrines and temples yes, but also places of natural wonder, peoples of all races and all creeds, and the majesty of gods unknown to those in the West. What intrigued me most was a description of one of the living gods of Morrowind, Vivec, in his last known public appearance nearly half a century ago. A look of awe crossed his face even at the memory of that time. He described Vivec, resplendent and head wreathed in flame, having appeared suddenly and without warning in the city of Necrom where the then-young pilgrim had arrived as part of a merchant convoy. All around were enraptured by his presence, Temple faithful falling to their knees as the living god strode into the mortuary temple.
His story rose questions in me, burning questions. Foremost of this was this: was this true divinity? A sufficiently powerful Illusionist with knowledge of Mark and Recall could do the same. But what of the other stories of their power, of their ability to Intervene for their faithful like the Divines? I knew my questions could not be answered if I remained in the city of my birth.
So at the first opportunity I left Wayrest and my old life behind to become a pilgrim. My ultimate destination was in the East, but I first made the normal routes through Sancre Tor and the like, where I spoke with many of the wise (not all of whom were priests), to build a baseline of knowledge before embarking on my ultimate quest. This was not an easy life, but I picked up some skills along the way to help me manage. Unfortunately convincing members of the border patrol that I was simply a pilgrim who could not afford their toll, and simply wished to pass by without trouble, was not one of them.
But now my imprisonment is over and at last I am in Morrowind, the Isle of Vvardenfell in particular. This is fortunate as it houses the temple-city where the god of my interest resides, Vivec. Incidentally the city is also named Vivec, though this causes less confusion than you would think.
In Seyda Neen I purchased arms and provisions from the local tradehouse (where I helped a local Nord recover some treasure to fund my pilgrimage). I prefer not to wear armor, but the land is wild and so a breastplate of the local chitin armor should do me good. I also purchased a spear for fending off beasts, some clothes better than the rags my clothes had become during my stint in the Imperial prison, and a few spells as well.
After that I purchased passage on a local beast of burden, a kind of giant insect called a silt strider. They are horrible things who the Dunmer hollow out the insides of and poke at the supple flesh of with large sticks to steer. My destination appeared on the horizon as the silt strider smoothly stepped over the landscape, Vivec. My pilgrimage had begun.
So what do you think? This is my first time writing this kind of thing so any feedback is appreciated. Updates will be sporadic and whenever I feel like it. I'll try to link all of the entries together if I can.
Posted Sep 28, 2026, 4:34 AM UTC