Chapter 34: The Beginning of the Journey pt11
Sovngard
Alduin watched as Odahviing and Midgarstrun ran back and forth.
"How are they adapting?" he asked Margaret, who was standing beside him.
"They've acclimated to their mortal forms surprisingly quickly" replied Walburga, who had just arrived. "Odahviing, in particular, has some difficulty comprehending modern realities, but that's likely due to his extended period of madness."
"I hope there won't be any legal issues," Alduin said with concern.
"No, my lord. But what of the others? What will their response be to your plan?" asked Walburga.
"I understand your concerns. Midgarstrun is wise and loyal, and he won't ask any unnecessary questions. He'll carefully consider my orders and even offer several options for carrying them out more effectively. But you needn't worry about our...more vocal...brethren. I'm prepared to use force if necessary" Alduin replied, silently chuckling.
"I don't anticipate any problems with dissenters. After one green-eyed thorn shredded Mirmulnir, I used her help to eliminate all the troublemakers in our pack. In Skyrim, I awakened two hundred dragons who dared to challenge the power of my voice, even though I explained their error to them multiple times. Of course, I had to awaken some of my closest kin, like Odahviing, Krosulhah, Viinturuth, and Naagliv as well. And the last trio had to be rescued from the Dragonborn's clutches, so that they wouldn't surrender their souls after death. Although I fed two hundred of my own kind to my enemy, it wasn't the first time, I still believe that this method is the best choice over the moral degradation of our pack of nearly one and a half thousand dragons."
"As you wish, my lord" Walburga replied, bowing her head.
"Midgarstrun, do you recall the principles of atronach creation?" Alduin asked the storm dragon.
"Yes, Milord. But I've never attempted to create them, as there was no need" Midgarstrun replied.
"There is a need now. After the cataclysm that destroyed the Old World, the unique elemental Daedra atronachs became extinct or degraded into simple, unintelligent spirits. And as the highest spirits that embody the natural elements, their appearance can positively affect Nirn's magical background and transform this swamp into something resembling a lake."
"To summon an atronach, a source of power is required" explained Midgarstrun.
"Previously, specific locations were used as sources of power through which the energy of Aetherius flowed" interjected Odahviing.
"Exactly" agreed Midgarstrun. "However, the energy of Aetherius is now weak and lifeless, and it won't be able to generate an atronach. Dragon priests sometimes created atronachs, but they required a great deal of their own power. I doubt that it's possible to do so now. Furthermore, we don't have any elemental salts or remains of atronachs to use as a source of power."
"But we have the salts" replied Alduin. "There are three types, to be precise. According to the standard alchemical measure that was used by mages in the past, we have around 715 measures of void salts, 820 measures of fire salts, and 600 measures of frost salts. In addition, ectoplasm can serve as the remains of an air atronach, and we have plenty of it to meet our needs."
"Ectoplasm" mused Margaret. "It's possible to create wind salts from it, but it's a very labor-intensive process."
"For the power source of frost atronachs, one of the mountains in Sovngarde will suffice" continued Alduin.
"For air atronachs, we can find a suitable cave and set up a power source. However, it's different with storm atronachs."
"With them, it's both simple and complex at the same time" added Midgarstrun. "Being the strongest among their kind, they don't need to be tethered to a power source, even if they were created artificially. However, with certain spells, they can be bound to a specific location, but I'm not familiar with them. That's the domain of the Awakened."
"Yes, the Awakened Dovah were masters at controlling restless souls and the essence of lesser Daedra" said Alduin.
"Let's focus on the frost atronachs for now. Midgarstrun, refresh our memory on the methods of creating atronachs and sources of power for them. Odahviing, stay in the mortal world for now with Kreinzulfen, I'll need you soon. Walburga, you have the most comprehensive knowledge of the mortal world, so I entrust Odahviing and Midgarstrun to you. Margaret will assist you."
"I won't let you down, my lord" said Walburga, bowing.
"Margaret, let's go. I'll give you twenty measures of frost salts. Oh, and Walburga, did you have any issues with magic?" asked Alduin.
"Yes, my lord," replied Walburga. "I had to heavily limit the flow of power to imbue the spell. Over time, this problem should go away."
"You're right, it will go away with time. I suggest you start studying basic spells from the Restoration and Alteration schools. They're much better for honing control over your power" Alduin nodded, turning to the other three Dovah.
"This applies to all of you. Once you understand how to regulate the flow of mana correctly, move on to the school of Destruction. Margaret and Midgarstrun, you shouldn't have any issues with this, but as for you, Odahviing, I wouldn't recommend using magic just yet. You were already stronger than everyone here combined, except for me. Give your body time to adjust to your metamorphosis. Trust me, it's unpleasant when the flow of mana burns your body from the inside. Wait until I'm nearby to heal you or until everyone else gets used to controlling their power."
"Understood" Odahviing said."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone