City Encounters Part 1:The humans

Let's begin with the first time (there is a first time for everything) when I got to know that danger not only lurks in dungeons. I admit I was a newbie then, just one day or two after escaping Privateer's Hold: I was wandering around, strolling through the outskirts of a village at night. I assure you I was doing nothing more than minding my own business, when I felt a deep pain in my left shoulder: I had been hit, and the arrow was still there, reminding me of my unwatchfulness. I gave a look around me, trying to find my enemy; it was very dark, and, to make things more difficult, the place was full of trees. I tried not to stay still, but in the meanwhile I heard missiles flying around me: my opponent was very quick and sly, but at last I caught a glimpse of him among the vegetation. I made for him as fast as I could, and he succeeded in hitting me once again in my left leg, but then I was standing right in front of him and there was no match: he tried to draw a short sword, but my Dai-Katana (I always use a Dai-Katana) was already unsheathed, so I easily cut him off. Looking his carryings I understood I had killed a Bard. What a shame! I always liked that kind of guys, but, anyway, it had been him who looked for the fight, and for this reason deserved this fate...

Something like that happened to me other three times, each one worthy of being remembered, for they were all similar but each one was unique. For example, one of them occurred in broad daylight, when I found, standing carelessly still in the middle of a town, a common burglar; though I was not invisible at the time (in fact, I usually am) he didn't see me at all, so I was able to sneak behind him and backstabbing him (therefore improving my ability as well), but what really flabbergasted me is that, although the city was full of people, none of them seemed to notice anything, nor the city guards tried to stop me...

* Writer's note: sadly, at times it happens in real life too *

I had another encounter of this kind with an archer: I was simply coming out of a tavern when I was hit in my back: I turned around and soon saw the aggressor, for, unfortunately for him, he was standing in a well lit zone. I ran towards him before he could reload, and forced him to a melee. The archer defended himself very well (he also succeeded in striking me a couple of times), but at last he lay dead at my feet, and when I began searching the body, I found the reason of his unusual melee weapon prowess: he was carrying a "dwarven claymore of fireballs", no less. Now I consider it to be nothing more than a trinket, but at the time I was quite inexperienced and that blade helped me in many a quest against the most dangerous monsters.

*Writer's note: it seems that in DF monsters do not use their equipment; in game terms it's a shame (I hope Morrowind will be more consistent), but in this case I was lucky: at the time when I encountered him, the archer could have easily blasted me away with a single fireball!!! *

The last experience I had was with a Nightblade: after getting an errand from the Fighters Guild, I went out of the building and got on my horse, ready to leave for the dungeon I had to explore. At the same time I heard a "stonk" very close to me: arrows!!! Fortunately, the first one had hit the door (maybe my dodging skill was getting better), so I quickly dismounted and gave a look around: there he (well, this time she) was, not very far from me. I slided left, putting the Fighter Guild's tower between us. I decided to rely only on my skills (I could have easily used an invisibility spell, but I liked this sort of "cat and mouse" game), so stealthily I began moving towards her, making a great loop around and always sheltering myself with buildings and houses. She was unaware of my presence until I stood right behind her, but even then that accursed Nightblade was far from harmless: in but a moment she cast a spell (a lightning I think, I'm not sure about it) that stroke me on my chest; I staggered back, coughing, but I hastily reminded of the situation and, forgetting the pain, I hit, thrusting my blade forward, and another couple of slashes closed the matter... With blood still in my mouth, I started collecting my reward. Well, if all these stories taught me a lesson, it's that in Daggerfall there is no safe place, for cut-throats and assassins lurk everywhere: you've always to watch your back!