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Literature Text
[The story opens with a brief, mostly-dialog-free action scene that sets the tone and introduces the main character, which I've omitted because I think this second section works better as vertical slice.]
Page 13 (eight panels)
Panel 1. Establishing shot of a horse-drawn cart driven by
an Imperial soldier as it trundles down a dirt road.
Lokir, Ralof, Ulfric (who is gagged), and Sibil, a lithe,
athletically built Khajiit woman with faint tabby markings,
are inside. All of them have had their hands bound.
LOKIR
Damn you Stormcloaks. Skyrim was
fine until you came along. Empire
was nice and lazy.
Panel 2. A closer shot of the cart's occupants. Sibil
appears to be asleep.
LOKIR
If they hadn't been looking for
you, I could have stolen that horse
and been halfway to Hammerfell.
Panel 3. Sibil speaks. Her eyes remain closed. Lokir scowls
at her.
SIBIL
If they were not looking for you,
that means they were distracted,
and a distracted man is a stupid
one.
SIBIL
You simply failed to take advantage
of the situation.
LOKIR
Yeah? Well look who's talking.
You're in the cart, too, y'know.
Panel 4. Ralof addresses Sibil.
RALOF
So, you're finally awake, eh?
Panel 5. Sibil responds. She still hasn't moved her head or
opened her eyes. Ralof gives a small, somewhat smug smile;
he doesn't quite believe her.
SIBIL
I was never asleep.
RALOF
Ah. Of course.
Panel 6. Ralof continues to speak.
RALOF
What's your name, cat?
Panel 7. Sibil leans back in the cart, no longer attempting
to look asleep.
SIBIL
I am usually known as 'Khajiit
sneakthief.' You may call me that,
if you like; most Nords do, at
least when they don't think 'cat'
will suffice.
Panel 8. Ralof looks apologetic.
RALOF
Sorry. Didn't mean to offend. I
know my people aren't always the
most welcoming; it's sad to hear
some may have been quick to judge.
Page 14 (six panels)
Panel 1. Sibil shrugs.
SIBIL
To their credit, it is an accurate
enough description, even if I don't
much care for it as a name.
Panel 2. Ralof frowns a bit, looking pensive.
RALOF
So that makes two thieves. But I
thought you were captured crossing
the border...?
Panel 3. Sibil smiles grimly.
SIBIL
Yes. I am a good thief, but a lousy
immigrant.
Panel 4. The soldier driving the cart interrupts the
conversation.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER (OP)
Shut up back there!
Panel 5. Sibil turns towards Ulfric and nudges him with her
elbow.
SIBIL
Isn't that just like a soldier,
ruining our lovely conversation?
Panel 6. Ralof frowns at Sibil, cross but diplomatic.
RALOF
Watch yourself, Khajiit. You're
talking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the
true High King.
Page 15 (seven panels)
Panel 1. Lokir looks at Ulfric in shock.
LOKIR
Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm?
You're the leader of the rebellion!
Panel 2. Sibil frowns disapprovingly.
SIBIL
A rebellion lead by a man who calls
himself King?
SIBIL
Feh.
Panel 3. Lokir looks at Sibil with rising panic.
LOKIR
No, you don't understand! If
they've captured him...
LOKIR
Oh gods, where are they taking us?
Panel 4. Ralof looks up the road grimly.
RALOF
I don't know where we're going, but
Sovngarde awaits.
SIBIL
Not for me, I would hope. Eternity
is a long time to spend drinking.
Panel 5. Lokir continues to panic.
LOKIR
No... This can't be happening! This
isn't happening!
Panel 6. Lokir looks to Sibil.
LOKIR
You and me... we shouldn't be here!
It's these Stormcloaks the Empire
wants!
Panel 7. Sibil shrugs.
SIBIL
Traditionally Empires are not
terribly picky about who they
execute.
Page 16 (six panels)
Panel 1. There is a lull in the conversation. In the
distance, we see that the cart approaches a town.
Panel 2. Ralof looks to Lokir.
RALOF
Hey. What village are you from,
horse thief?
LOKIR
Why do you care?
RALOF
A Nord's last thoughts should be of
home.
Panel 3. Lokir looks down sadly, as if he is beginning to
accept the situation.
LOKIR
Rorikstead. I'm...
LOKIR
I'm from Rorikstead.
Panel 4. Ralof looks at Sibil.
RALOF
I can't speak for a
Khajiit's last thoughts,
I'm afraid. You'll have to
work those out yourself.
Panel 5. Sibil leans back.
SIBIL
I appreciate the thought,
though it does not do me
much good. I have never
shared the Nords' sense of
propriety.
SIBIL
In truth, I do not
know what a Khajiit thinks
of when she dies. Perhaps
I will find out.
SOLDIER (OP)
General Tullius, sir! The headsman
is waiting!
Panel 6. The occupants of the cart look towards General
Tullius somewhere on the road ahead.
TULLIUS
Good. Let's get this over with.
Page 17 (five panels)
Panel 1. Lokir realizes that this really is happening and
begins to panic again.
LOKIR
Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth,
Akatosh... Divines, please help me!
Panel 2. Sibil frowns.
SIBIL
I would not get your hopes up.
SIBIL
You can count on yourself, and if
you are lucky, you can count on your
friends, but I have never seen the
gods help any but themselves.
Panel 3. Ralof looks at Sibil with a bemused expression; he
doesn't know what to make of her statement.
Panel 4. Ralof decides not to question it and instead looks
ahead at Tullius.
RALOF
Look at him. General Tullius, the
military governor.
Panel 5. We see a shot of Tullius, accompanied by a small
group of Thalmor soldiers.
RALOF (OP)
And it looks like the Thalmor are
with him. Damn elves. I bet they
had something to do with this.
Page 18 (seven panels)
Panel 1. Ralof looks around as the cart enters town. Sibil
leans back and closes her eyes again.
RALOF
This is Helgen. I used to be sweet
on a girl from here. Wonder if
Vilod is still making that mead
with the juniper berries mixed in.
SIBIL
It sounds like a safe bet. Your
people do love their mead.
Panel 2. Ralof smiles. His expression is some combination
of wistful and sardonic.
RALOF
Funny...
RALOF
When I was a boy, Imperial towers
always made me feel so safe.
Panel 3. Sibil opens one eye and looks at Ralof.
SIBIL
Then you were a more fortunate
child than I. And a stupider one.
Panel 4. Ralof chuckles slightly.
RALOF
I suppose I was a fool.
Panel 5. The cart passes a house. A child sits on the porch
with his mother and father.
CHILD
Who are they, daddy? Where are they
going?
CHILD
What's wrong with that lady?
Panel 6. The father herds his son inside.
FATHER
You need to go inside now, son.
CHILD
Why? I want to watch the soldiers.
FATHER
Inside the house. Now.
Panel 7. The cart's occupants continue their journey in
silence.
CHILD (OP)
Yes, papa.
Page 19 (seven panels)
Panel 1. A female Imperial Captain barks an order at one of
her men.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Get these prisoners out of the
carts. Move it!
Panel 2. The cart begins to slow down.
LOKIR
Why are we stopping?
RALOF
Why do you think? End of the line.
Panel 3. The cart comes to a complete stop.
RALOF
Let's go. Shouldn't keep the gods
waiting for us.
Panel 4. Lokir, Ralof, Ulfric, and Sibil stand up. Sibil
flicks her tail nonchalantly.
LOKIR
No, wait! We're not rebels!
SIBIL
Not for this cause, at least.
Panel 5. Ralof looks to Lokir with disgust.
RALOF
Face your death with some courage,
thief.
Panel 6. Lokir and Ulfric step off of the cart. Sibil
addresses Ralof.
SIBIL
Bravado does well for you. I almost
believed you were not afraid.
RALOF
Is that what you think? In that
case, I could say the same for you.
Panel 7. Sibil and Ralof follow Lokir and Ulfric.
SIBIL
Not quite. We all wear our masks,
friend, but I assure you mine does
not hide fear.
Page 20 (seven panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain and Hadvar, one of her men,
stand before Ralof, Sibil, Lokir, and Ulfric.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Step towards the block when we call
your name! One at a time!
SFX/RALOF
[Sigh.]
RALOF
Empire loves their damn lists.
Panel 2. Lokir's panic has only grown in the last few
moments. He looks to Ulfric, pleading.
LOKIR
You've got to tell them! We weren't
with you! This is a mistake!
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Silence, prisoner!
Panel 3. Hadvar begins to call the names.
HADVAR
Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of
Windhelm.
Panel 4. Ulfric steps forward and walks to the chopping
block.
RALOF
It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric!
HADVAR
Ralof of Riverwood.
Panel 5. Ralof steps forward and follows Ulfric.
HADVAR
Lokir of Rorikstead.
Panel 6. Lokir finally decides to take matters into his own
hands.
LOKIR
No, I'm not a rebel! You can't do
this!
Panel 7. Lokir begins to run.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Halt!
LOKIR
You're not gonna kill me!
Page 21 (seven panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain calls out. Behind her,
Imperial archers ready their bows.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Archers!
Panel 2. The archers let their arrows fly.
Panel 3. An arrow pierces Lokir's chest.
LOKIR
Ugh!
Panel 4. The Imperial Captain turns back around. Sibil
scowls.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Anyone else feel like running?
SIBIL
Hmph.
Panel 5. Hadvar notices Sibil.
HADVAR
Wait. You there. Step forward.
Panel 6. Sibil walks up to Hadvar. She appears to be as
cool and composed as ever, but her tail is held straight
out, giving away her unease.
HADVAR
Who are you?
Panel 7. Sibil looks at Hadvar impassively.
SIBIL
Why would you want to know? It does
not matter to the headsman's axe.
Page 22 (six panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain glares at Sibil.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Just answer the question, prisoner.
Panel 2. Sibil shrugs. If we can see it, her tail returns
to a more neutral position.
SIBIL
If you insist.
SIBIL
Call me Sibil.
Panel 3. Hadvar looks to the Imperial Captain.
HADVAR
"Sybil?" Doesn't sound Khajiit.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Is that your given name, prisoner?
Panel 4. Sibil grins.
SIBIL
Of course. I gave it to myself,
just now.
Panel 5. The Imperial Captain rolls her eyes. Hadvar jots
something down while Sibil peers over at his paper.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Funny. Fortunately, it doesn't
matter so long as we have something
to write down.
SIBIL
Naturally. A dead Khajiit is a dead
Khajiit no matter what you call
her, no?
SIBIL
Oh- there's no 'y.'
Panel 6. Hadvar looks up at Sibil, confused.
HADVAR
Huh?
SIBIL
"Sibil", not "Sybil". Spell it with
two 'i's instead.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Enough!
Page 23 (six panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain holds a hand in front of
Hadvar.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Stop. Don't change it.
Panel 2. The Imperial Captain looks at Sibil.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
You're beginning to test my
patience, cat. I suggest you don't
push it any further.
SIBIL
Why? Will you kill me twice?
Panel 3. Hadvar looks at the Imperial Captain.
HADVAR
Captain, what should we do? There's
no 'Sibil' on the list.
HADVAR
Actually, I'm pretty sure there
aren't any Khajiit on the list.
Panel 4. The Imperial Captain glares at Sibil.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Forget the list. She goes to the
block.
HADVAR
Are you sure--
Panel 5. The Imperial Captain turns her glare on Hadvar.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
She goes to the block.
HADVAR
...By your orders, Captain.
Panel 6. The Imperial Captain steps back, glaring at Sibil
one last time.
SIBIL
You should be angry more often. It
looks good on you.
Page 24 (four panels)
Panel 1. Hadvar looks at Sibil.
HADVAR
I'm sorry. We'll make sure your
remains are returned to Elsweyr.
Panel 2. Sibil gives Hadvar a look of contempt tempered
with a note of pity and her ever-present undercurrent of
sarcasm.
SIBIL
You know this is wrong, and you
know you will regret it, but all
you will do is say "I'm sorry"?
SIBIL
You have a soldier's heart, friend.
Panel 3. Hadvar frowns slightly and his eyes dart off to
the side, avoiding eye contact with Sibil.
HADVAR
...Follow the captain, prisoner.
Panel 4. POV from Hadvar's perspective as Sibil begins her
walk to the block. We can see on his sheet that he has
crossed out the 'y' in "Sybil" and replaced it with an
'i.'
SIBIL
It is nice to know my corpse will
reach the homeland, though. I
always wanted to visit.
Page 25 (seven panels)
Panel 1. Sibil and the Captain walk up to the block where
the other prisoners stand with General Tullius and a
Priestess of Arkay. General Tullius addresses Ulfric.
TULLIUS
Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in
Helgen call you a hero.
Panel 2. Ulfric stands stoically, not reacting to Tullius's
speech.
TULLIUS
But a hero doesn't use a power like
the Voice to murder his king and
usurp his throne.
ULFRIC
Rrmph.
Panel 3. Tullius accuses Ulfric.
TULLIUS
You started this war, plunged
Skyrim into chaos, and now the
Empire is going to put you down,
and restore the peace!
Panel 4. Sibil smirks.
SIBIL
A military man promises peace. And
here I thought Imperials did not
have a sense of humor.
TULLIUS
Quiet, prisoner!
Panel 5. A sound rings out from somewhere in the distance.
SFX
RRAAAOOR!
HADVAR
What was that?
TULLIUS
It's nothing. Carry on.
Panel 6. The Imperial Captain salutes Tullius.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Yes, General Tullius!
Panel 7. The Captain turns to the Priestess of Arkay.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Read them their last rites.
PRIESTESS
As you wish.
Page 26 (seven panels)
Panel 1. The Priestess begins her sermons.
PRIESTESS
As we commend your souls to
Aetherius, blessings of the Eight
Divines upon you--
Panel 2. Sibil lifts her arms slightly in an attempt to
raise her hand.
SIBIL
May I ask a question?
PRIESTESS
Oh, uh... I suppose...
Panel 3. The Imperial Captain steps in.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Forget it. She's just looking to
mouth off again.
SIBIL
You're a fast learner. The pretty
ones are always smarter than you
expect.
Panel 4. The Imperial Captain turns back to the Priestess.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Skip the rites. The cat dies now.
PRIESTESS
If you insist.
Panel 5. Another sound echoes out over the town.
SFX
RRAAAOOOOR!
HADVAR
There it is again. Did you hear
that?
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
It's nothing! Ignore it!
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Get over here, cat!
Panel 6. Sibil walks up to the Imperial Captain.
SIBIL
Shouting isn't the way to get what you want, you know.
Panel 7. The Captain gets all up in Sibil's face.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Laugh it up while you still can,
Khajiit. You won't be joking for
much longer.
SIBIL
Actually, I was just thinking about
that--
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Don't even start.
Page 27 (five panels)
Panel 1. Sibil shrugs.
SIBIL
Fine, then. I will simply skip to the end.
Panel 2. Sibil kicks up towards the Captain's face,
slashing at it with the claws on her feet.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
The wh-Ugh!
Panel 3. The Captain reels back. There is a series of small
scratches on her face. Sibil ducks, narrowly avoiding a
sword swung at her head by a soldier.
Panel 4. The Captain recovers and Sibil leaps away, dodging
another attack.
Panel 5. Sibil lands and starts to run.
Page 28 (three panels)
Panel 1. The Captain, holding a hand to the scratches on
her face, calls for her archers as Sibil makes a break for
it.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Archers!
Panel 2. The Captain turns around to see why she isn't
getting a response and sees something that stops her dead
in her tracks.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Where are my--?
Panel 3. A large, black-scaled dragon sits on top of a
stone building in the center of town. Everyone, Imperial,
Stormcloak, and citizen alike, looks up at it in shock and
awe.
TULLIUS
What in Oblivion is that?
Page 13 (eight panels)
Panel 1. Establishing shot of a horse-drawn cart driven by
an Imperial soldier as it trundles down a dirt road.
Lokir, Ralof, Ulfric (who is gagged), and Sibil, a lithe,
athletically built Khajiit woman with faint tabby markings,
are inside. All of them have had their hands bound.
LOKIR
Damn you Stormcloaks. Skyrim was
fine until you came along. Empire
was nice and lazy.
Panel 2. A closer shot of the cart's occupants. Sibil
appears to be asleep.
LOKIR
If they hadn't been looking for
you, I could have stolen that horse
and been halfway to Hammerfell.
Panel 3. Sibil speaks. Her eyes remain closed. Lokir scowls
at her.
SIBIL
If they were not looking for you,
that means they were distracted,
and a distracted man is a stupid
one.
SIBIL
You simply failed to take advantage
of the situation.
LOKIR
Yeah? Well look who's talking.
You're in the cart, too, y'know.
Panel 4. Ralof addresses Sibil.
RALOF
So, you're finally awake, eh?
Panel 5. Sibil responds. She still hasn't moved her head or
opened her eyes. Ralof gives a small, somewhat smug smile;
he doesn't quite believe her.
SIBIL
I was never asleep.
RALOF
Ah. Of course.
Panel 6. Ralof continues to speak.
RALOF
What's your name, cat?
Panel 7. Sibil leans back in the cart, no longer attempting
to look asleep.
SIBIL
I am usually known as 'Khajiit
sneakthief.' You may call me that,
if you like; most Nords do, at
least when they don't think 'cat'
will suffice.
Panel 8. Ralof looks apologetic.
RALOF
Sorry. Didn't mean to offend. I
know my people aren't always the
most welcoming; it's sad to hear
some may have been quick to judge.
Page 14 (six panels)
Panel 1. Sibil shrugs.
SIBIL
To their credit, it is an accurate
enough description, even if I don't
much care for it as a name.
Panel 2. Ralof frowns a bit, looking pensive.
RALOF
So that makes two thieves. But I
thought you were captured crossing
the border...?
Panel 3. Sibil smiles grimly.
SIBIL
Yes. I am a good thief, but a lousy
immigrant.
Panel 4. The soldier driving the cart interrupts the
conversation.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER (OP)
Shut up back there!
Panel 5. Sibil turns towards Ulfric and nudges him with her
elbow.
SIBIL
Isn't that just like a soldier,
ruining our lovely conversation?
Panel 6. Ralof frowns at Sibil, cross but diplomatic.
RALOF
Watch yourself, Khajiit. You're
talking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the
true High King.
Page 15 (seven panels)
Panel 1. Lokir looks at Ulfric in shock.
LOKIR
Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm?
You're the leader of the rebellion!
Panel 2. Sibil frowns disapprovingly.
SIBIL
A rebellion lead by a man who calls
himself King?
SIBIL
Feh.
Panel 3. Lokir looks at Sibil with rising panic.
LOKIR
No, you don't understand! If
they've captured him...
LOKIR
Oh gods, where are they taking us?
Panel 4. Ralof looks up the road grimly.
RALOF
I don't know where we're going, but
Sovngarde awaits.
SIBIL
Not for me, I would hope. Eternity
is a long time to spend drinking.
Panel 5. Lokir continues to panic.
LOKIR
No... This can't be happening! This
isn't happening!
Panel 6. Lokir looks to Sibil.
LOKIR
You and me... we shouldn't be here!
It's these Stormcloaks the Empire
wants!
Panel 7. Sibil shrugs.
SIBIL
Traditionally Empires are not
terribly picky about who they
execute.
Page 16 (six panels)
Panel 1. There is a lull in the conversation. In the
distance, we see that the cart approaches a town.
Panel 2. Ralof looks to Lokir.
RALOF
Hey. What village are you from,
horse thief?
LOKIR
Why do you care?
RALOF
A Nord's last thoughts should be of
home.
Panel 3. Lokir looks down sadly, as if he is beginning to
accept the situation.
LOKIR
Rorikstead. I'm...
LOKIR
I'm from Rorikstead.
Panel 4. Ralof looks at Sibil.
RALOF
I can't speak for a
Khajiit's last thoughts,
I'm afraid. You'll have to
work those out yourself.
Panel 5. Sibil leans back.
SIBIL
I appreciate the thought,
though it does not do me
much good. I have never
shared the Nords' sense of
propriety.
SIBIL
In truth, I do not
know what a Khajiit thinks
of when she dies. Perhaps
I will find out.
SOLDIER (OP)
General Tullius, sir! The headsman
is waiting!
Panel 6. The occupants of the cart look towards General
Tullius somewhere on the road ahead.
TULLIUS
Good. Let's get this over with.
Page 17 (five panels)
Panel 1. Lokir realizes that this really is happening and
begins to panic again.
LOKIR
Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth,
Akatosh... Divines, please help me!
Panel 2. Sibil frowns.
SIBIL
I would not get your hopes up.
SIBIL
You can count on yourself, and if
you are lucky, you can count on your
friends, but I have never seen the
gods help any but themselves.
Panel 3. Ralof looks at Sibil with a bemused expression; he
doesn't know what to make of her statement.
Panel 4. Ralof decides not to question it and instead looks
ahead at Tullius.
RALOF
Look at him. General Tullius, the
military governor.
Panel 5. We see a shot of Tullius, accompanied by a small
group of Thalmor soldiers.
RALOF (OP)
And it looks like the Thalmor are
with him. Damn elves. I bet they
had something to do with this.
Page 18 (seven panels)
Panel 1. Ralof looks around as the cart enters town. Sibil
leans back and closes her eyes again.
RALOF
This is Helgen. I used to be sweet
on a girl from here. Wonder if
Vilod is still making that mead
with the juniper berries mixed in.
SIBIL
It sounds like a safe bet. Your
people do love their mead.
Panel 2. Ralof smiles. His expression is some combination
of wistful and sardonic.
RALOF
Funny...
RALOF
When I was a boy, Imperial towers
always made me feel so safe.
Panel 3. Sibil opens one eye and looks at Ralof.
SIBIL
Then you were a more fortunate
child than I. And a stupider one.
Panel 4. Ralof chuckles slightly.
RALOF
I suppose I was a fool.
Panel 5. The cart passes a house. A child sits on the porch
with his mother and father.
CHILD
Who are they, daddy? Where are they
going?
CHILD
What's wrong with that lady?
Panel 6. The father herds his son inside.
FATHER
You need to go inside now, son.
CHILD
Why? I want to watch the soldiers.
FATHER
Inside the house. Now.
Panel 7. The cart's occupants continue their journey in
silence.
CHILD (OP)
Yes, papa.
Page 19 (seven panels)
Panel 1. A female Imperial Captain barks an order at one of
her men.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Get these prisoners out of the
carts. Move it!
Panel 2. The cart begins to slow down.
LOKIR
Why are we stopping?
RALOF
Why do you think? End of the line.
Panel 3. The cart comes to a complete stop.
RALOF
Let's go. Shouldn't keep the gods
waiting for us.
Panel 4. Lokir, Ralof, Ulfric, and Sibil stand up. Sibil
flicks her tail nonchalantly.
LOKIR
No, wait! We're not rebels!
SIBIL
Not for this cause, at least.
Panel 5. Ralof looks to Lokir with disgust.
RALOF
Face your death with some courage,
thief.
Panel 6. Lokir and Ulfric step off of the cart. Sibil
addresses Ralof.
SIBIL
Bravado does well for you. I almost
believed you were not afraid.
RALOF
Is that what you think? In that
case, I could say the same for you.
Panel 7. Sibil and Ralof follow Lokir and Ulfric.
SIBIL
Not quite. We all wear our masks,
friend, but I assure you mine does
not hide fear.
Page 20 (seven panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain and Hadvar, one of her men,
stand before Ralof, Sibil, Lokir, and Ulfric.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Step towards the block when we call
your name! One at a time!
SFX/RALOF
[Sigh.]
RALOF
Empire loves their damn lists.
Panel 2. Lokir's panic has only grown in the last few
moments. He looks to Ulfric, pleading.
LOKIR
You've got to tell them! We weren't
with you! This is a mistake!
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Silence, prisoner!
Panel 3. Hadvar begins to call the names.
HADVAR
Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of
Windhelm.
Panel 4. Ulfric steps forward and walks to the chopping
block.
RALOF
It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric!
HADVAR
Ralof of Riverwood.
Panel 5. Ralof steps forward and follows Ulfric.
HADVAR
Lokir of Rorikstead.
Panel 6. Lokir finally decides to take matters into his own
hands.
LOKIR
No, I'm not a rebel! You can't do
this!
Panel 7. Lokir begins to run.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Halt!
LOKIR
You're not gonna kill me!
Page 21 (seven panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain calls out. Behind her,
Imperial archers ready their bows.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Archers!
Panel 2. The archers let their arrows fly.
Panel 3. An arrow pierces Lokir's chest.
LOKIR
Ugh!
Panel 4. The Imperial Captain turns back around. Sibil
scowls.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Anyone else feel like running?
SIBIL
Hmph.
Panel 5. Hadvar notices Sibil.
HADVAR
Wait. You there. Step forward.
Panel 6. Sibil walks up to Hadvar. She appears to be as
cool and composed as ever, but her tail is held straight
out, giving away her unease.
HADVAR
Who are you?
Panel 7. Sibil looks at Hadvar impassively.
SIBIL
Why would you want to know? It does
not matter to the headsman's axe.
Page 22 (six panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain glares at Sibil.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Just answer the question, prisoner.
Panel 2. Sibil shrugs. If we can see it, her tail returns
to a more neutral position.
SIBIL
If you insist.
SIBIL
Call me Sibil.
Panel 3. Hadvar looks to the Imperial Captain.
HADVAR
"Sybil?" Doesn't sound Khajiit.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Is that your given name, prisoner?
Panel 4. Sibil grins.
SIBIL
Of course. I gave it to myself,
just now.
Panel 5. The Imperial Captain rolls her eyes. Hadvar jots
something down while Sibil peers over at his paper.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Funny. Fortunately, it doesn't
matter so long as we have something
to write down.
SIBIL
Naturally. A dead Khajiit is a dead
Khajiit no matter what you call
her, no?
SIBIL
Oh- there's no 'y.'
Panel 6. Hadvar looks up at Sibil, confused.
HADVAR
Huh?
SIBIL
"Sibil", not "Sybil". Spell it with
two 'i's instead.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Enough!
Page 23 (six panels)
Panel 1. The Imperial Captain holds a hand in front of
Hadvar.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Stop. Don't change it.
Panel 2. The Imperial Captain looks at Sibil.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
You're beginning to test my
patience, cat. I suggest you don't
push it any further.
SIBIL
Why? Will you kill me twice?
Panel 3. Hadvar looks at the Imperial Captain.
HADVAR
Captain, what should we do? There's
no 'Sibil' on the list.
HADVAR
Actually, I'm pretty sure there
aren't any Khajiit on the list.
Panel 4. The Imperial Captain glares at Sibil.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Forget the list. She goes to the
block.
HADVAR
Are you sure--
Panel 5. The Imperial Captain turns her glare on Hadvar.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
She goes to the block.
HADVAR
...By your orders, Captain.
Panel 6. The Imperial Captain steps back, glaring at Sibil
one last time.
SIBIL
You should be angry more often. It
looks good on you.
Page 24 (four panels)
Panel 1. Hadvar looks at Sibil.
HADVAR
I'm sorry. We'll make sure your
remains are returned to Elsweyr.
Panel 2. Sibil gives Hadvar a look of contempt tempered
with a note of pity and her ever-present undercurrent of
sarcasm.
SIBIL
You know this is wrong, and you
know you will regret it, but all
you will do is say "I'm sorry"?
SIBIL
You have a soldier's heart, friend.
Panel 3. Hadvar frowns slightly and his eyes dart off to
the side, avoiding eye contact with Sibil.
HADVAR
...Follow the captain, prisoner.
Panel 4. POV from Hadvar's perspective as Sibil begins her
walk to the block. We can see on his sheet that he has
crossed out the 'y' in "Sybil" and replaced it with an
'i.'
SIBIL
It is nice to know my corpse will
reach the homeland, though. I
always wanted to visit.
Page 25 (seven panels)
Panel 1. Sibil and the Captain walk up to the block where
the other prisoners stand with General Tullius and a
Priestess of Arkay. General Tullius addresses Ulfric.
TULLIUS
Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in
Helgen call you a hero.
Panel 2. Ulfric stands stoically, not reacting to Tullius's
speech.
TULLIUS
But a hero doesn't use a power like
the Voice to murder his king and
usurp his throne.
ULFRIC
Rrmph.
Panel 3. Tullius accuses Ulfric.
TULLIUS
You started this war, plunged
Skyrim into chaos, and now the
Empire is going to put you down,
and restore the peace!
Panel 4. Sibil smirks.
SIBIL
A military man promises peace. And
here I thought Imperials did not
have a sense of humor.
TULLIUS
Quiet, prisoner!
Panel 5. A sound rings out from somewhere in the distance.
SFX
RRAAAOOR!
HADVAR
What was that?
TULLIUS
It's nothing. Carry on.
Panel 6. The Imperial Captain salutes Tullius.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Yes, General Tullius!
Panel 7. The Captain turns to the Priestess of Arkay.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Read them their last rites.
PRIESTESS
As you wish.
Page 26 (seven panels)
Panel 1. The Priestess begins her sermons.
PRIESTESS
As we commend your souls to
Aetherius, blessings of the Eight
Divines upon you--
Panel 2. Sibil lifts her arms slightly in an attempt to
raise her hand.
SIBIL
May I ask a question?
PRIESTESS
Oh, uh... I suppose...
Panel 3. The Imperial Captain steps in.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Forget it. She's just looking to
mouth off again.
SIBIL
You're a fast learner. The pretty
ones are always smarter than you
expect.
Panel 4. The Imperial Captain turns back to the Priestess.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Skip the rites. The cat dies now.
PRIESTESS
If you insist.
Panel 5. Another sound echoes out over the town.
SFX
RRAAAOOOOR!
HADVAR
There it is again. Did you hear
that?
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
It's nothing! Ignore it!
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Get over here, cat!
Panel 6. Sibil walks up to the Imperial Captain.
SIBIL
Shouting isn't the way to get what you want, you know.
Panel 7. The Captain gets all up in Sibil's face.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Laugh it up while you still can,
Khajiit. You won't be joking for
much longer.
SIBIL
Actually, I was just thinking about
that--
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Don't even start.
Page 27 (five panels)
Panel 1. Sibil shrugs.
SIBIL
Fine, then. I will simply skip to the end.
Panel 2. Sibil kicks up towards the Captain's face,
slashing at it with the claws on her feet.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
The wh-Ugh!
Panel 3. The Captain reels back. There is a series of small
scratches on her face. Sibil ducks, narrowly avoiding a
sword swung at her head by a soldier.
Panel 4. The Captain recovers and Sibil leaps away, dodging
another attack.
Panel 5. Sibil lands and starts to run.
Page 28 (three panels)
Panel 1. The Captain, holding a hand to the scratches on
her face, calls for her archers as Sibil makes a break for
it.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Archers!
Panel 2. The Captain turns around to see why she isn't
getting a response and sees something that stops her dead
in her tracks.
IMPERIAL CAPTAIN
Where are my--?
Panel 3. A large, black-scaled dragon sits on top of a
stone building in the center of town. Everyone, Imperial,
Stormcloak, and citizen alike, looks up at it in shock and
awe.
TULLIUS
What in Oblivion is that?
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I'm going to write a whole bunch of words about what exactly this is and why I wrote it, but here's the gist: this is a part of the script for an Elder Scrolls fancomic I've been writing that attempts to retell Skyrim's story in a way that would hopefully make it, well, an actual story, not just an excuse to go and kill a whole bunch of bandits and skeletons. I can't draw, though, so this is probably just going to be something that sits on my computer and never goes anywhere. Which, hey, writing is writing, and I'm glad to get this stuff down in some tangible format so it doesn't have to keep rattling around my head, but I also think it'd be really cool to turn this into an actual thing, so in the incredibly slim chance that you like what you see and are or know of an artist who might be interested in a collaboration, shoot me a message. Chances are you don't and aren't, of course, but hey, a man can dream.
So I've been playing Skyrim lately. A whole bunch of Skyrim. And I've been enjoying it, also a whole bunch. But there are certain things about it that bug me, things like how the story has a lot of cool set-ups with lacking executions and a good number of potentially really interesting, nuanced conflicts that go completely underutilized and underexplored. However, at the same time, I realize that the things that bug me about that game are kind of a natural consequence of, well, pretty much everything, from the engine to the way quests are structured to Bethesda's design ethics. If those things that I don't like were addressed, the game as a whole would by necessity become a very different beast, and while I don't know whether this theoretical other game that does all the things I feel like I want Skyrim to do would be a better or worse game on the whole, I do know it wouldn't be the same thing as what Skyrim actually is.
So this is kind of my attempt to rectify that, in what way I can, by reinterpreting the story in a different format that allows me to take those interesting set-ups and hopefully explore them with a little more depth and in interesting new ways that aren't possible within the confines of Gamebryo. I do have some form of aspirations towards making this a Thing, like with art and stuff, but unless I sit on this for the couple of years it would take me to go from "literally incapable of drawing anything" to "can draw a comic well enough that I don't completely hate the results" and still want to do it (which probably isn't gonna happen) or can find an artist to collaborate with (which is more likely but also probably isn't gonna happen), it's going to remain just kind of a weird personal project that sits on my hard drive and doesn't go anywhere but at least I got the damn thing out of my head and onto (virtual) paper.
As for why I'm sticking this up here, there's a couple of reasons, but the primary one is that I'm hoping to find out whether people's reactions are "hey, I'd be interested in this thing if it became an actual thing" or "what the fuck do you think you're even doing with this bullshit." I hope for the former, of course, but I can definitely see how this might be a time where anyone with more objectivity than myself can tell it's a bad idea, so while DA doesn't exactly have a reputation for being the best place to find out that your shit actually does stink, I'm hoping that if the idea is as weird and off-putting and hard to sell as I think it might be then the reaction will tell me that and I'll know to leave it as something I just do for myself. The other side to it, of course, is that there's always the hope I'll get a lead on an artist who might be willing to work with me on this; a highly unlikely outcome, to be sure, but like I said, a man can dream.
I'm not going to do my usual blow-by-blow explanations here, but there are two things I'd like to touch on real quick:
- There's no real established format for comic scripts like there are for movie scripts, so I used the guidelines Dark Horse Comics provides for their writers ([link]) as a basic guide.
- I'm breaking tradition by not having the title be a musical reference (instead it's a reference to one of the few race-specific lines of dialog in Skyrim). However, the name "Sibil" comes from the word "sibilant," which is itself kind of an indirect reference to a line in the Sims/Doomtree song No Homeowners ([link]).
So I've been playing Skyrim lately. A whole bunch of Skyrim. And I've been enjoying it, also a whole bunch. But there are certain things about it that bug me, things like how the story has a lot of cool set-ups with lacking executions and a good number of potentially really interesting, nuanced conflicts that go completely underutilized and underexplored. However, at the same time, I realize that the things that bug me about that game are kind of a natural consequence of, well, pretty much everything, from the engine to the way quests are structured to Bethesda's design ethics. If those things that I don't like were addressed, the game as a whole would by necessity become a very different beast, and while I don't know whether this theoretical other game that does all the things I feel like I want Skyrim to do would be a better or worse game on the whole, I do know it wouldn't be the same thing as what Skyrim actually is.
So this is kind of my attempt to rectify that, in what way I can, by reinterpreting the story in a different format that allows me to take those interesting set-ups and hopefully explore them with a little more depth and in interesting new ways that aren't possible within the confines of Gamebryo. I do have some form of aspirations towards making this a Thing, like with art and stuff, but unless I sit on this for the couple of years it would take me to go from "literally incapable of drawing anything" to "can draw a comic well enough that I don't completely hate the results" and still want to do it (which probably isn't gonna happen) or can find an artist to collaborate with (which is more likely but also probably isn't gonna happen), it's going to remain just kind of a weird personal project that sits on my hard drive and doesn't go anywhere but at least I got the damn thing out of my head and onto (virtual) paper.
As for why I'm sticking this up here, there's a couple of reasons, but the primary one is that I'm hoping to find out whether people's reactions are "hey, I'd be interested in this thing if it became an actual thing" or "what the fuck do you think you're even doing with this bullshit." I hope for the former, of course, but I can definitely see how this might be a time where anyone with more objectivity than myself can tell it's a bad idea, so while DA doesn't exactly have a reputation for being the best place to find out that your shit actually does stink, I'm hoping that if the idea is as weird and off-putting and hard to sell as I think it might be then the reaction will tell me that and I'll know to leave it as something I just do for myself. The other side to it, of course, is that there's always the hope I'll get a lead on an artist who might be willing to work with me on this; a highly unlikely outcome, to be sure, but like I said, a man can dream.
I'm not going to do my usual blow-by-blow explanations here, but there are two things I'd like to touch on real quick:
- There's no real established format for comic scripts like there are for movie scripts, so I used the guidelines Dark Horse Comics provides for their writers ([link]) as a basic guide.
- I'm breaking tradition by not having the title be a musical reference (instead it's a reference to one of the few race-specific lines of dialog in Skyrim). However, the name "Sibil" comes from the word "sibilant," which is itself kind of an indirect reference to a line in the Sims/Doomtree song No Homeowners ([link]).
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