The Sinister Tale That Will Haunt Skyrim Fans Forever
A chilling medieval tale intertwining darkness and history, Black Death grips Skyrim fans with its sinister quest, leaving them spellbound until its haunting and unexpected climax
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Despite the enchantment of Western fantasy, it remains rooted in the medieval era, where the majority of the population suffers greatly, even amidst the presence of elves, dwarves, and wizards. Removing the magic from this equation leaves behind a harsh reality of violence and death. In contrast, the Elder Scrolls series presents a universe where limitless possibilities exist. On the other hand, Black Knight portrays a world that reflects a grim reality where almost nothing desirable exists.
How can one best describe the tone of Skyrim? The term "epic" frequently comes to mind. It embodies a classical fantasy narrative reminiscent of works by Tolkien or Martin. However, despite the mystical nature of the tale, it commences with the fated hero being somberly escorted towards a brutal execution. Furthermore, the narrative unfolds in a realm doomed to be obliterated by a dragon. Perhaps the tone is not solely filled with exhilarating adventures and jests about "taking an arrow to the knee".
What is Black Death about?
In the year 1348, Europe is ravaged by the bubonic plague, known as the Black Death, which has claimed the lives of countless individuals. This catastrophic event has brought about significant changes in society. The church, in particular, has undergone a transformation, attributing the illness to either the devil's work or divine punishment. Our story follows the journey of Osmund, a monk, who harbors a forbidden love for a beautiful woman named Averill. Feeling trapped by the circumstances, Osmund turns to prayer, seeking a way to escape his monastery. Fate intervenes when a formidable knight, Ulric, and his group of warriors, comprising of Wolfstan, Griff, Dalywag, Mold, Ivo, and Swire, seek Osmund's guidance through the forest. They are on their way to a secluded village rumored to be untouched by the plague but ruled by a necromancer. Osmund agrees to lead them to the village in order to capture the necromancer and bring her to justice.
However, it becomes clear to Osmund that the men he has joined forces with are ruthless agents acting on behalf of the church. Witnessing the execution of a woman on dubious charges, Ulric ostensibly frees her before swiftly taking her life. Although Ulric speaks of mercy, his actions reveal a dark reality. Osmund contemplates abandoning the knights, but in his search for Averill in the forest, he only finds her clothes stained with blood. Osmund himself is attacked by bandits, resulting in the deaths of Griff and Ivo as they defend him. Overwhelmed with loss and lacking purpose, Osmund reluctantly guides Ulric to the necromancer's village. Together, the monk and the knights face insurmountable challenges, exploring the realm of supernatural possibilities and ultimately being forced to choose between their faith and their lives.
How is Black Death like Skyrim?
How does Black Death end?
A Bleaker World: Black Death and the Absence of Magic in SkyrimImagine a version of Skyrim stripped of its fantastical elements - the non-human creatures, dragons, and monsters that add charm and excitement to the game. Now, envision a realm where all magic is either dubious or outright fake. In this desolate landscape, there is no chosen savior to fend off impending doom. Instead, the end of the world looms over everyone in a far less captivating manner. This bleak setting is precisely where Black Death unfolds, positioning itself as one of the most nihilistic action films ever created.
Within this world, fleeting moments of happiness exist but remain meticulously concealed from both the church and the plague. These two overwhelming forces suffocate any fleeting traces of joy. The faithless are portrayed as vile, vicious monsters, mercilessly slaughtering those who dare to oppose them. Meanwhile, the faithful endure short, sorrowful lives where they are compelled to resort to comparable acts of violence. It is a somber surrender to the void of nihilism, offering death as the sole means of escape.
This depiction of Black Death draws eerie parallels to a playthrough of Skyrim devoid of magic, where the player, devoid of investment in non-playable characters, embraces a path of indiscriminate butchery. Indeed, the narrative of Black Death resigns itself to an unrelenting experience of suffering, with no characters exempt from the consequences.
The journey of Black Death is a lengthy one, eventually leading Osmund and the knights to the village where they encounter the necromancer Langiva and her second-in-command Hob. Hob warmly receives the knights, but secretly drugs them as they mingle in town. Osmund observes Langiva conducting a ritual with Averill's lifeless body that seemingly resurrects her. Later, the knights awaken to find themselves confined in a pit, surrounded by armed guards. Langiva presents them with a choice - renounce their predetermined destiny or face death. Hob arbitrarily selects Dalywag as the first victim, who refuses to convert and consequently meets his demise. Swire, on the other hand, surrenders and promises to abandon Christianity, only to be swiftly killed by the villagers. Langiva rescues Osmund from the pit, taking him to Averill, and proposes a life with his beloved if he abandons his faith. Osmund discovers Averill in a distressed state and, out of compassion, mercifully ends her suffering.
Ulric, the next victim, undergoes a brutal torture session tied to horses before his execution. He reveals to the villagers that he carries the plague, potentially infecting them all. As Ulric is torn apart, Osmund seizes the opportunity to wound Langiva and provide Wolfstan and Mold with a hidden knife. The knights break free from their restraints and engage in a violent conflict with the villagers. Despite Hob's efforts resulting in Mold's death, Wolfstan manages to capture Hob. Meanwhile, Osmund pursues Langiva, who confesses that she is not a necromancer. She had discovered Averill wounded, drugged her, and deceptively acted as if she had resurrected her. In response, Osmund killed her, leaving no room for intervention. Overwhelmed, the monk falls to his knees, allowing Langiva to escape. The village is eventually engulfed by the plague, surviving for as long as it could due to its isolation from the mainland. Wolfstan brings Hob back to the church, technically fulfilling his mission of capturing a necromancer. Having lost everything he held dear, Osmund takes up the sword in the name of God and dedicates his life to pursuing Langiva and killing any woman who reminds him of her.
Black Death resembles the life of a minor character in a Game of Thrones tale, devoid of power, enjoyment, fulfillment, and with violence serving as a purposeless act. Fans of Skyrim who desired a story where every character meets a gruesome demise or transforms into a monster will find Black Death appealing. It delivers a visually impressive experience comparable to the bubonic plague, albeit with cool sword fights.
