#marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal

[the-tharns-speak]

Hello! How was your Saturalia? I spent mine feasting with Dorian and his family again this year - Marcus

I spent the holidays rather concerned. As a family we have agreed that the situation is too hectic on all fronts to get the traditional New Life gathering dinner, so we merely exchanged Saturnalia cards.

Not a single one of the ones I have received were poisoned. I have not slept properly for a week.

#the mystery answered #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal #tharn family

[your-uncle-sheogorath]

Are you the Daedric Prince who makes people go mad with guilt, or is that someone else? If it's you... PLEASE, WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE IT STOP?! - Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal

I could make it stop... But would I?

[tastesoftamriel]

I've read the letter someone sent in about mealtime etiquette in Tamriel long ago, and I think I understand it, but are there any mnemonics or memory aids for foreigners to remember what fork goes with what dish in High Rock? - Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal, traveling merchant

I wouldn't know as I am not Breton and grew up in Plankside in Riften. Most of the time I am cooking rather than eating with the nobility (I prefer being hunched around the fire in the servants' quarters munching bread and cheese with my bare hands personally). ~Talviel

#Asks

[volumina-vetustiora]

Dear sir,

First, congratulations on the fine primer you wrote! I've read the first lesson, and I *think* I understand it.

Could you explain the difference between the different types of declensions in Old Cyrodiilic? What is the genitive as opposed to the accusative or the nominative? Or the dative?

If that is too difficult, what do the different parts of the Imperial naming system mean? What is the difference between a cognomen and a second last name, as some of the people I know, and I myself, have? My own family name is Tiberius, since I am descended from a general who was rewarded by Emperor Tiber Septim with County Cheydinhal for his loyalty (I have a neighbor who would beg to differ) - although the only holdings I have to my name are my ancestral tomb and a dilapidated vineyard some ways out of Cheydinhal; the rest are purely ceremonial, with the Indarys clan of Dark Elves holding the title now. I also took my mother's (Quintus, the male version of Quinta) in honor of her after her death.

In thanks for your help, I am sending you an inkwell and set of fine goosefeather quills.

Sincerely,

Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal, traveling merchant

@marcusmerchantrycolumn

Dear M. Tiberius,

Thank you for your kind words about my primer. I am glad to see it has sparked interest in Old Cyrodiilic in the younger generations. I thank you also greatly for the inkwell and quills - I shall endeavour to be careful with them, as I write rather vigorously and have been known to break quills in the past. Thank you thirdly for your questions, which I shall attempt to answer in this letter.

Old Cyrodiilic has six noun cases, with remnants of an older seventh case which was already out of use in the language's golden age. The way in which a word displays these cases depends on its declension and gender. The six main cases are the nominative, vocative, accusative, genitive, dative, and ablative. Their meanings are as follows:

Nominative

The subject of the sentence: the performer of the main verb, or its recipient if the verb is passive. The nominative is used as the default form of a noun in dictionaries.

Vocative

Used when calling to someone or using their name when speaking to them directly. The vocative is only differentiated from the nominative in the second declension: for example, if I were talking to you in Old Cyrodiilic, I would address you as 'Marce Tiberi Quinte'.

Accusative

The object of the sentence: that which the main verb acts upon. The accusative is also used with certain prepositions, and denotes length of time in time phrases.

Genetive

Indicates possession: a noun in the genetive is the possessor of another noun in the sentence. It can also be used to show the qualities something has or the material it is made of, or to show the group something is from. A handful of verbs have their object in the genitive rather than the accusative.

Dative

A difficult case to describe. Perhaps best expressed as the indirect object of the verb, affected by the outcome but not directly acted upon - however, several verbs have their direct object in the dative.

Ablative

The ablative has a wide range of uses in Old Cyrodiilic. It is used for the performer of a passive verb, and for the means or instrument with which an action is carried out. It is also used with certain prepositions, and in time phrases it denotes a particular point in time. A couple of verbs have their object in the ablative.

The vestigial seventh case is the locative, which was used to express location. Only a few words in Old Cyrodiilic still use the locative, its function having been mostly absorbed by the ablative.

As for your question about names, the old Imperial naming system is followed much less strictly these days, but your own is a good example of a three part name. Your first name (praenomen), Marcus, was no doubt given to you by your parents when you were born. Your second name, Tiberius, is, as you said, your family name (nomen gentilicium) which all members of your family (gens Tiberia) share, in its masculine or feminine form. The third name (cognomen) was originally something like a nickname, used to differentiate members of the same family who also had the same first name, or it was bestowed as an honorary title - cognomina have since become more hereditary and complex. Your own choice of adopting your mother's name as a cognomen is greatly admirable, may I add.

#the elder scrolls #latin #grammar #marcus' merchantry column #ask response #tes #elder scrolls #languages

[cyrodiilproblems]

Dear sir,

I am writing to you from 200 years later in the 4th Era. I'm not sure if this "sending a message back in time" thing will work (it's an experiment done by a friend of mine), but if it does, let me add another Cyrodiil problem: we are basically under Thalmor rule and they have banned the worship of Talos as a Divine. If they wanted an angry populace, that's what they got, because it took decades and many executions and imprisonments for us to accept their demands.

I'm frankly not sure how to make light of such a serious problem in the vein of what you write. I'm sure you will be able to.

You will be pleased to know, though, that the Daedric shrine problem is no more, 2 centuries on. As far as I know.

Yours,

Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal, traveling merchant

Dear M.T. Quintus,

I do not know how this letter reached us but we will assume that an Elder Scroll was involved, or copious amounts of brandy. Your visions of the future suggest the latter. The Emperor may have fallen but suggesting that we will fall to the Thalmor is absolutely unrealistic. Just this week the Black Horse Courier assured us that, contrary to popular belief, the Elder Council has an excellent hold on matters. And they should know, after all the Black Horse Courier is funded by the Elder Council.

Banning Talos worship is also ludicrous. How can you ban a thought, an idea? We all tried that after the Lusty Argonian Maid came out, and not one of us has managed to erase it from our minds.

While your letter is initially concerning, we have but two things to say about it. One, that the events you speak of are almost impossible. And two, that we humans shall all be dead in two hundred years, so we don't have to worry about it anyway. I hope that is reassuring.

Yours in earnest,

Cyrodiil Problems

#cyrodiil problems #oblivion #skyrim

[honored-worm-king]

You should be dead! You should have been killed by the Champion of Cyrodiil! What are you doing here?! - Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal @marcusmerchantrycolumn

I “should have been dead” many times over by this point in my life, and yet, here I am, filled with spite and refusing to die.

But to more directly answer your question, and to summarize recent events: I managed to claw my way back out of Coldharbour after being quite unceremoniously dragged down for eternal torture. I believe the ending of the Planemeld, and Molag Bal’s subsequent temporary weakening, provided the window I needed to make my escape.

As to what I am doing here and now specifically: drinking tea, and writing.

#c: Mannimarco #Audiences With the Worm King

[otvlanga]

🔼

Dear Meallana or Lord Neloth, would you be interested in buying some of my goods? I'm in Raven Rock right now. I am willing to offer a 50% discount on the netch jelly I've collected.

If you do come here, please ignore the destruction you see everywhere. The local Dunmer are in the process of rebuilding. There should be no more dragon attacks considering my friend has defeated the dragon that burned down half the town and absorbed its soul.

Yours,

Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal, traveling merchant

Dear Marcus,

Luckily, I stumbled upon this letter before Drovas did. I hope you have traveled safe and well! Welcome to Solstheim. The most joyous and blessed wasteland on Nirn.

In all seriousness, your offer is received most appreciatively, as I have quite recently found a need for a few netch jelly samples. You see, Neloth and I are working on a new spell formula, and we've been meaning to study the paralyzing affects that netch jelly seems to inflict when consumed. It may prove to be useful for our experiments. I'm glad I won't have to go hunting on the coast myself, it's such a tedious task, and I'd rather not kill such docile creatures.

Mondas morning, I'll send Talvas to go pick up the netch jelly, and perhaps some other supplies. Unfortunately, neither Neloth or I can make the journey at the moment -- it's quite a far journey and if I travel off schedule, it'll disrupt quite a few plans. Perhaps next time you're in town, I'll be able to drop in to catch up. Do say hello to Geldis for me, if you stop by the Retching Netch – remember to try some of his wonderful drinks if you do. He may have those Cliffracer cocktails that I asked Talen-Jei to ship over from Riften – it’s a personal favorite that I’d highly recommend.

Wishing you safe travels and good business.

Best regards,

Meallana, House Telvanni

#oc: meallana #skyrim #tes #asks

[nerecar]

How do the Imperials of Rimmen take to the heat? Do they resemble Redguards? I can't imagine how it must be in a sunny desert land! - Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal, from the Fourth Era

Depends on where they came from. We had some from Bravil and Leyawiin over recently. I think they found the dryer air to be quite refreshing.

Newcomers from the north need a bit of time to aclimate though. You usually recognize them by their bright red skin before they get used to the sun intensity and figure out that walking without sleeves might feel nice but will just burn you after 5 minutes.

I didn't have much more luck. And the same can be said about anyone with light furless skin. Bretons and Bosmer too.

Also - shade is a false friend. You may think the cool shade of a tree offers you protection. Let me tell you it does not. Unless the shade is cast by something very solid like a wall or a roof you will still burn up after a while.

#the amount of sunburns I got is far from funny #i looked like a cooked mudcrab in my first three months here #you get used to it eventually

[the-tharns-speak]

Do they have illusion mages who cheat people out of hard-earned money for healing in your time? I just got scammed. - Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal

Yes, those happen too. But since we are technically still in war with each other and everyone else, it is much easier to take justice into your own hands and get away with the consequences.

#the mystery answered #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal

[the-tharns-speak]

Why is there a flap over Second Era trousers? I have... contacts... who are interested in recreating those historical styles. - Marcus

I am not entirely sure where it originally came from, though I think it is originally from the High Rock area. In Cyrodill teh fashion spreaded during Durcorach's reign. The false pocket flap gives the semblance of sensible "trousers with pockets" style, while the wearer - a Reachman - doesn't have to bother himself with pockets which he isn't used to having.

#the mystery answered #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal #fashion

[the-tharns-speak]

Happy New Life festival! - Marcus

Thank you, Marcus.

I hope that you managed to spend the celebrations to your liking.

#the mystery answered #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal

[the-tharns-speak]

Update on the quack healer issue: I threatened to cut off his arm and asked him how he would like it if I used an illusion spell to make him feel like he had his arm back. He apologized for tricking me. Then I asked him to do the same thing again for my legs. I have less pain now in the one that’s missing. - Marcus Tiberius Quintus of Cheydinhal

I don’t know, Marcus. The lack of actual performed vengeance… it is less catharitic that it should be.

#the mystery answered #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal

[the-tharns-speak]

Hello again! Forgive me if this is too personal but you lost an eye, correct? How was the recovery like? Did you ever get used to it? And do you still miss it? I’ve only lost a foot, not an eye, however I still haven’t adjusted to it. - Marcus

I did lose an eye.

Honestly, depth perception has been rather an issue since then. I mostly spend my time in a familiar enough surroundings, but every so often the stairs or even whole rooms catch me off-guard. It has been responsible for some fireball-related accidents.

I am being told that the fact that I even made it out of the sick bed makes the healers hopeful that in time the eye will recover. It is not completely gone; it can still tell daytime from pitch blackness.

Worse than that, however, is the way people look when they think I am not paying attention. Like they are not sure whether they should be sick or sorry at the sight of it. Hence the eye-patch; it covers most of the scarring and the eye, so people stare less.

#the mystery answered #injury #the rule of the imperial magus body #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal

[the-tharns-speak]

Is there anything about yourself you dislike or would change? - Marcus

I’d like to be three centimetres taller and a century younger.

#the mystery answered #c: abnur tharn #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal

[the-tharns-speak]

Did you know the Dunmer make a spice blend that’s supposed to arouse one’s senses? Maybe I should get some for… amorous pursuits (I can’t take this longing anymore!) - Marcus

I am very much aware. Just use it in moderation; while lethal overdose is nigh impossible, taking too much is… a very unpleasant experience for everyone included.

#the mystery answered #c: abnur tharn #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal #lovely memories of Quinta here

[the-tharns-speak]

How can I use a rich person's tub? What favors do they want? - Marcus

In theory if you stink enough, someone should just get you to a tub just so they wouldn’t have to deal with your aroma.

Look, Marcus, I don’t know everything. This has never really been a problem I’d have to deal with.

#the mystery answered #marcus tiberius quintus of cheydinhal #a bar of soap and a river can get you a long way too