just a simple housewife

Cities of Skyrim: Windhelm

Article by Hoarder-of-Hyphens

I arrived in Windhelm quickly, suffering some minor misfortune on way in the form of bandits. What a welcome, huh? Luckily this intrepid reporter is more than a pretty face, and I was able to escape safe and sound thanks to my trusty axes. A lady should not leave home without them!

Bandit activity is apparently a big issue in Skyrim, on the rise further still due to the Civil War. No matter where you travel in Skyrim, people are talking about the war. This war being between our own Imperial Empire, and a group of rebels calling themselves the Stormcloaks, after their leader Ulfric Stormcloak, 54, who just so happens to reside In Windhelm and serve as it's Jarl. The war was caused over the White-gold concordat, which recognised that Talos was not in fact a divine but simply a man. Being that Talos was a hero to the Nords, many have revolted against this and still believe in their right to worship Talos despite it's illegality.

Upon entry of the city I met some locals engaged in an altercation. Questioning of those involved reveals that it was over the large Dark Elf, or Dunmer, presence in the city. These Dunmer live in the Gray quarter, an area provided for them by Ulfric. Many Nords feel the Dunmer intrude on their city, and that those of races other than Nordic should be denied entry. Rolf Stone-fist, 45, had this to say: "They're parasites. They're living in the city under our protection, but what do they do for us?! Nothing! The high king didn't ask before allowing them into the city, and maybe he should have."

He continued "We ought to dig a big hole, and toss all them Dark Elves and Argonians into it, let you tear each other to pieces."

Personally, I have nothing against Dark Elves and would not tear one apart, even if given this generous opportunity.

This opinion is not shared by all Nords of Windhelm of course, for they are as diverse a people as any other.

Susanna, 24, said "Many here hate the dark elves, but they seem to know so little about them. With a little more understanding I think that we'd have much in common. They certainly don't seem that bad to me."

But enough racial politics, let's discuss the city itself. Windhelm is the oldest of the cities in Skyrim, and was supposedly built by Ysgramor himself on arrival from Atmora. The names of many Nordic heroes line the walls outside the mighty Palace of Kings, a name that very adequately fits the building, which is also where Ulfric and his rebels reside.

Along with this Palace, the city also possesses an adequate tavern, Candlehearth Hall, though this reporter feels they may be watering down the mead a tad. The food was rather pleasant despite seeming simplistic. Nordic food is very rough and filling, though certainly a lot less flavourful than what I'm used to within the Imperial city.

The taverns claim to fame is the candle positioned, you guessed it, above the hearth.

"It was Lit 163 years ago by the son of a great warrior, and ain't no one knows why the candle continues to burn still! Now you gonna buy something? Otherwise, get out!" Elda Early-Dawn, innkeeper, 56.

The city also has some rather wonderful shops, dealing in all kinds of useful items from potions to fresh caught fish. Prices were also very reasonable despite the war and the effort involved in shipping.

The Gray quarter, being Dark Elf territory, was a little hostile to this Argonian, but overall I was welcomed and allowed to drink at their tavern, the New Gnisis Corner Club. The atmosphere was that of a club back on Morrowind, and was suitably cosy compared to the largeness of Candlehearth Hall. The owner, one Ambarys Rendar, 83, was appreciative of my patronage, and was willing to answer my many questions about the city. He in particular had much to say on the way Dark elves are treated:

"We are forced to live in this forgotten alley, where the guards ignore us and treat us like cattle. I tried getting his lord high mightiness Ulfric down here to see the squalor, but he couldn't find the time."

I reached out to Ulfric for comment on this, but he declined to speak to me and I was quickly shooed away by his advisors.

Okhmatdyt (Охматдит in Ukrainian is short for охорона материнства й дитинства = protection of motherhood and childhood) is known to most Ukrainians, even those who have never has children or have never been to Kyiv, as the main children treatment facility in the country.

In the morning of July the 8th, about 60% of the facility have been destroyed by a Russian missile Х-101.

As of now, it is known of at least two dead adults (one of them was a nephrologist at the hospital) and several injured children, and there still are people under the rubble (yes, including children). Lots of medical equipment has been destroyed, much of it cannot be found anywhere else in Ukraine.

The toxicology department is the most damaged one, which is also the location where children have been undergoing hemodialysis at the time of the strike. Many of the patients did not have the option of being transported to the bomb shelter promptly after the air raid alert, as they require intensive care treatment (such as kids on life support, lung ventilation, in sterile boxes etc.)

Patients are being evacuated to other hospitals around the country, rescue operation at the strike sight still underway.

In case any one of you is willing to help, I'm sharing a link to the Okhmatdyt charity fund (the page is in Ukrainian, but there are instructions for foreigners as well — please scroll until you see info in English).

I just have to add that it was a direct and deliberate strike — two other hospitals have been under attack that day as well (one in Kyiv too, and one in Dnipro).

"relationships statistically last the longest when you talk honestly together about everything, especially the difficult stuff"

and

"you are responsible for phrasing your communication in a way that connects with others, both logically and emotionally. if you do not properly frame your words for your audience, you should not be surprised when you are not understood"

and

I recently had to do 7 weeks of intensive outpatient treatment. 5 days a week. 3 hours per day.

One of the days the topic was “How to make friends!” There was literally a worksheet in the manual that was like,

So apparently Zak Snyder, not yet content with the violence he has already done to the media of film, has an animated movie coming out on Netflix in September, "Twilight of the Gods".

Based on what I can find, this lady appears to be Sigrid, and she is:

A child of the giants (hence the small stature I suppose?); and

On an epic quest for revenge; and

Various vikings and Thor are in it.

Now obviously point #1 indicates this is not anything seeking historical accuracy so I will waive my usual "why she have a woad tattoo" query, grudgingly, and instead ask where did get bike shorts, and knee high socks? What is this outfit!?

And why does she look much more scary and badass when she's NOT on a battlefield with a sword and shield?

I mean, you'd think if there was one time she'd want to actually make sure she looks protected and intimidated - it'd be the battlefield right? Particularly since she clearly kicks ass in that fight against men two to four times her size.

Also who sold her those bike shorts? Is that the real plot?

And again, the original text was a little better. Sorry!