Cold-Blooded Log 6: Bought the Horse, Earned the Target
Difficulty: Survival Mode
Platform: Steam Deck
Build: Argonian Mage
Follower: Lydia
Today’s goal is simple. I want a horse. Walking everywhere in Skyrim feels like a personal attack,
and I’m tired of arriving late, cold, and already annoyed.
The problem is gold. I’m roughly 200 septims short.
Fortunately, I’ve got a bounty, which means it’s time to earn my transport the traditional way:
clearing out bandits who made poor life choices.
White River Watch: A Field Test
On the way to Valtheim Towers, I pass White River Watch and decide it’s a good opportunity
to test my newest ally: the Flame Atronach.
The verdict is immediate. Between the Atronach and Lydia, the place clears itself.
I mostly supervise and loot.
The bandit leader doesn’t just die — he gets launched halfway down the mountain.
Gravity remains the most reliable damage source in Skyrim.
I find what looks like better armour for Lydia and a few extra weapons.
No idea if she’ll use them. I give options.
By the time the cave is empty, I’ve earned enough gold for a horse.
I still have a bounty to finish, but the pressure is off.
Bad Ideas and Standing Stones
I mountain-goat my way down the terrain instead of taking a sensible route.
This goes about as well as expected.
Another cave appears. Inside: trolls.
I let Lydia and the Atronach try.
I immediately retreat.
Some fights are warnings.
I find the Ritual Stone and briefly consider switching,
but I stick with the Mage Stone.
Consistency wins.
Valtheim Towers and an Unwanted Introduction
Valtheim Towers goes down without too much trouble.
On the way back to Whiterun, I meet my first other Argonian.
He tries to kill me.
A note on his body explains why:
the Dark Brotherhood has taken a contract on me.
I make a mental note to look into this later.
Preferably before they succeed.
The Horse, Finally
At the stables, I buy my horse.
No name yet.
I’m hoping inspiration strikes before tragedy does.
I collect my bounty reward, speak to Farengar about new spells,
and take a room at the Bannered Mare.
I also pick up another bounty at Silent Moon Camp.
It can wait.
Tomorrow’s priority is clear:
retrieving Nettlebane.
Log Summary
- Flame Atronach tested and confirmed effective
- White River Watch cleared
- Valtheim Towers bounty completed
- Dark Brotherhood contract discovered
- Horse purchased
- Next bounty deliberately postponed
Continue the Journey
Cold-Blooded Log 5 |
Cold-Blooded Log 6 |
Cold-Blooded Log 7
Survivor Incognito 