First Dungeon

Valga's warning was heard, but not quite internalized to Michael, two hours after that exact discussion he'd left to go locate the crypt that Valga and her group had previously failed to conquer.

He'd left Illococoo at the inn to protect the others, and promised Valga a generous reward if she kept everyone safe while he was gone. Honestly though, the way she looked at him made it clear that she didn't; think he'd ever return... He couldn't blame her with what she's experienced.

Sure, there might have been other ways to make money, but this was by far the easiest... At least, easiest for someone with Michael's skillset.

As for the crypt he was headed to? Someplace called Shriekwind Bastion. He didn't remember it from the game, so he doubted it was all that important for future events. Not like Bleak Falls Barrow or that Wind Caller tomb.

Gold and experience wasn't the only reason he was venturing here however... He also intended to see if he'd been cursed with the responsibility of being Dragonborn. Why did he say cursed? Well, if he was made Dragonborn, then that would mean he was solely responsible for killing Alduin, killing Miraak, and maybe even dealing with the vampires that'd start springing up... The Dragon Elderscroll was required for those events, and who else but the Dragonborn would possess it. Regardless, he'd find out soon enough when he runs into a Word Wall.

Shriekwind Bastion was the closest known tomb to Falkreath, sitting just north of a relatively small mountain north of the town. Two hours of jogging at a brisk pace eventually allows him to reach the front entrance.

Like most Skyrim tombs, the entrance was large, well decorated(if worn down by time), and also... Guarded...?

Michael hid behind a nearby tree while invisible, peeking his head out at the large stone entrance where a small group of skeletons were standing. That was odd, shouldn't there be Draugr standing guard instead?

Indeed, if what Valga said was true, then there shouldn't be any enemies until you got inside. Had someone set up shop here? And if so, had they already looted the place?!

"Partner, I hope you're not thinking what I think you're thinking..." Derflinger quietly asks, his distaste of undead clearly showing.

Michael shrugs, "I mean I'm not gonna beat them to undeath with my bare hands... That's where you come in."

...

"I hate you, partner."

"Whatever, just be quiet while I handle this." Michael retorts as he slowly sneaks over to the group of skeletons. Utilising Riki's teachings with a fair bit of skill... Unfortunately, such things weren't meant to be used against eye-less undead creature's who sense life directly...

"Hhaaarrhk!" one skeleton suddenly shrieks in his direction, raising its rotten-looking short sword as it charges straight towards him.

*Clank!*

*Shatter!*

Michael easily deflects the weak and flawed attack, darting forward with a punch afterwards that easily shatters its skull. Derflinger giving a thankful cheer at not being used on a corpse, this doesn't last long however.

*Crack!*

Michael Blinks forwards in between the group, slamming Derflinger through one's neck and into another's shoulder, fracturing and almost breaking said limb in half.

Needless to say, these skeletons were incredibly weak... Either the corpses used to create them were pitiful, or the Necromancer was a Novice in every sense of the word. Michael stands over the pile of bones with a disappointed expression, knowing that such weak enemies would barely contribute to his level.

Shaking his head, he moves towards the tomb and having to picklock the heavy front door to get inside. Inside was dark and damp, and Michael had relied on his knowledge of Skyrim too much and forgotten to bring a torch, luckily, whoever had set up shop here had already lit the place well enough to see what he was doing.

And guess what? More skeletons. A group of twenty all piled next to the entrance with eerie blue glow in their eye-less sockets.

"Shock, Shock." Michael casts, easily blowing most of the skeletons apart with his spell. Bones clatter to the floor, and he Blinks forwards to finish the stragglers off. With that, he turns invisible and continues through the maze-like tomb.

Draugr corpses litter the floors of the place, which was both a curse and a boon for a variety of reasons. Michael doesn't think much of it though as he stores all of their ancient weapons in his inventory, intending to sell them to the nearest merchant to see what he could get for them.

A few traps had been set up here and there, but Michael disarms them with relative ease, not forgetting to steal the Soul Gems that'd been powering some of the more magical traps. It was his first time actually holding or even seeing one, so he weighed the strangely cold gem in his hand before stowing it in his inventory, wondering just how much energy a soul was worth... Could a human soul power a city, for example?

Continuing on, Michael eventually found the intruders of the tomb. Many men and women dressed in rags with dull expressions on their faces and lifeless eyes. Their races varied, along with their equipment, but the most noticeable thing of all were the two puncture wounds on each of their necks.

Clearly, they were Vampire Thralls... Michael actually felt kind of bad for them, as he'd been under someone's control before, forced to do things against his will... But, he wasn't aware of a way to free them... Plus, even if he did, they might've been raiders or something before getting brainwashed.

He shakes his head, deciding that the best way was to put them out of their misery. He grips Derflinger tightly, sneaking up behind one of them and after a short wind up, beheads them in one blow.