-----Azazel-----
Hah. It seems things won't be that easy. Still, I'm curious as to what Lilu's plan for Raynare and her team is. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, I really should investigate where that damn Sacred Gear Extractor fucked off to. It's pretty concerning that one of those, along with the instruction manual for the "extraction ritual" just went missing all of a sudden.
Oh well, I'm sure it'll turn up eventually.
-----Lilu Flauros-----
The MageIllusion (Supreme- 100)[Novice Illusion-Cast Novice level Illusion spells for half magicka. ]
[Illusion Dual Casting- Dual casting an Illusion spell overcharges the effects into an even more powerful version.]
[Animage- Illusion spells now work on higher level animals (+8 levels).]
[Apprentice Illusion- Cast Apprentice level Illusion spells for half magicka.]
[Hypnotic Gaze- Calm spells now work on higher level opponents (+8 levels).]
[Kindred Mage- All Illusion spells work on higher level people (+10 levels).]
[Adept Illusion- Cast Adept level Illusion spells for half magicka.]
[Aspect of Terror- Fear spells work on higher level opponents (+10 levels).]
[Quiet Casting- All spells cast from any school of magic are silent to others.]
[Rage- Frenzy spells work on higher level opponents (+12 levels).]
[Expert Illusion- Cast Expert level Illusion spells for half magicka.]
[Master of the Mind- Illusion spells work on undead, daedra and automatons.]
[Master Illusion- Cast Master level Illusion spells for half magicka.]
Conjuration (Supreme- 100)[Novice Conjuration- Cast Novice level Conjuration spells for half magicka]
[Conjuration Dual Casting- Dual casting a Conjuration spell overcharges the effects into a longer lasting version]
[Mystic Binding- Bound weapons do more damage]
[Apprentice Conjuration- Cast Apprentice level Conjuration spells for half magicka]
[Summoner II- Can summon Atronachs, raise undead or Dremora Lords three times as far away]
[Soul Stealer- Bound weapons cast Soul Trap on targets]
[Necromancy- Greater duration for reanimated undead]
[Atromancy- Double duration for conjured Atronachs and Dremora Lords]
[Oblivion Binding- Bound weapons will banish summoned creatures and turn raised ones]
[Adept Conjuration- Cast Adept level Conjuration spells for half magicka]
[Dark Souls- Reanimated undead have 100 points more health]
[Expert Conjuration- Cast Expert level Conjuration spells for half magicka]
[Elemental Potency- Conjured Atronachs are 50% more powerful]
[Twin Souls- The player can have two conjured creatures]
[Master Conjuration- Cast Master level Conjuration spells for half magicka]
Destruction (Apprentice- 40)[Novice Destruction- Cast Novice level Destruction spells for half magicka]
[Destruction Dual Casting- Dual casting a Destruction spell overcharges the effects into an even more powerful version]
[Apprentice Destruction- Cast Apprentice level Destruction spells for half magicka]
[Augmented Flames I- Fire spells do 25% more damage (Affects all fire weapon enchantments, not just self-enchanted ones.)]
[Augmented Frost I- Frost spells do 25% more damage (Affects all frost weapon enchantments, not just self-enchanted ones.)]
[Augmented Shock I- Shock spells do 25% more damage (Affects all shock weapon enchantments, not just self-enchanted ones.)]
[Impact- Most destruction spells will stagger an opponent when dual cast]
Restoration (Supreme- 100)[Novice Restoration- Cast Novice level Restoration spells for half magicka]
[Restoration Dual Casting- Dual casting a Restoration spell overcharges the effects into an even more powerful version]
[Regeneration- Healing spells cure 50% more]
[Apprentice Restoration- Cast Apprentice level Restoration spells for half magicka]
[Recovery I- Magicka regenerates 25% faster]
[Respite- Healing spells also restore stamina]
[Adept Restoration- Cast Adept level Restoration spells for half magicka]
[Ward Absorb- Wards that are cast absorb 25% of magicka that hits them. See also: The Atronach Stone or Dragonskin and Atronach perk, as they combine with this for easily reaching 100% spell absorption.]
[Necromage- All spells are more effective against undead]
[Expert Restoration- Cast Expert level Restoration spells for half magicka]
[Avoid Death- Once a day, heals 250 points automatically if the caster falls below 10% health (possible to get 400 heath regenerated when stacked with Sailor's Repose and the Regeneration perk)]
[Master Restoration- Cast Master level Restoration spells for half magicka]
Alteration (Adept- 70)[Novice Alteration- Cast Novice level Alteration spells for half magicka]
[Alteration Dual Casting- Dual casting an Alteration spell overcharges the effects into an even more powerful version]
[Apprentice Alteration- Cast Apprentice level Alteration spells for half magicka]
[Mage Armor III- Protection spells like Stoneflesh are twice as strong if not wearing armor (+0.5 per additional rank)]
[Magic Resistance III- Blocks 30% of a spells effect. Magic resistance does not stop friendly spells from affecting the caster.]
[Adept Alteration- Cast Adept level Alteration spells for half magicka]
[Stability- Alteration spells have greater duration (+50%)]
Enchanting (Apprentice- 30)[Enchanter II- New enchantments are 40% stronger]
[Soul Squeezer- Soul gems provide extra magicka for recharging]
[Fire Enchanter- Fire enchantments on weapons and armor are 25% stronger]
The WarriorSmithing (Apprentice- 30)[Steel Smithing- Can create steel armor and weapons at forges, and improve them twice as much. Bonemold armor can be created with Steel Smithing]
[Elven Smithing- Can create Elven armor and weapons at forges, and improve them twice as much. Chitin armor can be created with Elven Smithing]
[Dwarven Smithing- Can create Dwarven armor and weapons at forges, and improve them twice as much.]
Heavy Armor (Apprentice- 30)[Juggernaut II- Increases armor rating for Heavy Armor by 40%.]
[Fists of Steel- Unarmed attacks with Heavy Armor gauntlets do their armor rating in extra damage. An extra damage only affects their base armor. Other effects and enchantments that affect unarmed damage stack with this perk.]
[Well Fitted- 25% Armor bonus if wearing all Heavy Armor: head, chest, hands, feet.]
Block (Apprentice- 35)[Shield Wall II- Blocking is 25% more effective]
[Deflect Arrows- Arrows that hit the shield do no damage]
[Quick Reflexes- Time slows down if you are blocking during an enemy's power attack]
[Power Bash- Able to do a power bash]
Two-Handed (Supreme- 100)[Barbarian V- Two-Handed weapons do 100% more damage[
[Champion's Stance- Power attacks with two-handed weapons cost 25% less stamina]
[Limbsplitter III- Attacks with battle axes cause extra bleeding damage]
[Deep Wounds III- Attacks with greatswords have a 20% chance of doing critical damage]
[Skull Crusher III- Attacks with warhammers ignore 75% of armor]
[Devastating Blow- Standing power attacks do 25% bonus damage with a chance to decapitate your enemies]
[Great Critical Charge- Can do a two-handed power attack while sprinting that does double critical damage]
[Sweep- Sideways power attacks with two-handed weapons hit all targets in front of you]
[Warmaster- Backwards power attack has a 25% chance to paralyze the target]
One-Handed (Supreme- 100)[Armsman V- One-handed weapons do 100% more damage]
[Fighting Stance- Power attacks with one-handed weapons cost 25% less stamina]
[Hack and Slash III- Attacks with war axes cause extra bleeding damage]
[Bonebreaker III- Attacks with maces ignore 75% of armor, this includes the armor provided by flesh spells and wards.]
[Bladesman III- Attacks with swords have a 20% chance of doing critical damage (does not apply to daggers)]
[Dual Flurry II- Dual wielding attacks are 35% faster]
[Savage Strike- Standing power attacks do 25% bonus damage with a chance to decapitate your enemies]
[Critical Charge- Can do a one-handed power attack while sprinting that does double critical damage]
[Dual Savagery- Dual wielding power attacks do 50% bonus damage]
[Paralyzing Strike- Backwards power attack has a 25% chance to paralyze the target]
Archery (Supreme- 100)[Overdraw V- Bows do 100% more damage]
[Eagle Eye- Pressing Block while aiming will zoom in your view]
[Critical Shot III- 20% chance of a critical hit that does an extra 75% critical damage]
[Steady Hand II- Zooming in with a bow slows time by 50%]
[Power Shot- Arrows stagger all but the largest opponents 50% of the time]
[Hunter's Discipline- Recover twice as many arrows from dead bodies]
[Ranger- Able to move faster with a drawn bow]
[Quick Shot- Can draw a bow 30% faster]
[Bullseye- 15% chance of paralyzing the target for a few seconds]
The ThiefLight Armor (Apprentice- 35)[Agile Defender II- Increase armor rating for Light Armor by 40%]
[Custom Fit- 25% armor bonus if wearing all Light Armor: head, chest, hands, feet]
Sneak (Apprentice- 40)[Stealth III- You are 30% harder to detect when sneaking]
[Muffled Movement- Noise from armor is reduced by 50%]
[Backstab- Sneak attacks with one-handed weapons now do six times damage. This bonus stacks with the Shrouded Gloves enchantment, giving 12 times normal damage. It can also apply to the Berserker Rage power, offering 12 times normal damage, or 24 times normal damage with both Shrouded Gloves and the race power active.]
[Light Foot- You won't trigger pressure plates]
[Deadly Aim- Sneak attacks with bows now do three times damage. Can apply to the Berserker Rage power, offering 6 times normal damage.]
Lockpicking (Supreme- 100)[Novice Locks- Novice locks are much easier to pick]
[Apprentice Locks- Apprentice locks are much easier to pick]
[Quick Hands- Able to pick locks without being noticed]
[Wax Key- Automatically gives you a copy of a picked lock's key if it has one]
[Adept Locks- Adept locks are much easier to pick]
[Golden Touch- Find more gold in chests]
[Treasure Hunter- 50% greater chance of finding special treasure]
[Expert Locks- Expert locks are much easier to pick]
[Locksmith- Pick starts close to the lock opening position]
[Unbreakable- Lockpicks never break]
[Master Locks- Master locks are much easier to pick]
Pickpocket (Apprentice- 30)[Light Fingers II- Pickpocketing bonus of 40%. Item weight and value reduce pickpocketing odds]
[Night Thief- +25% chance to pickpocket if the target is asleep]
Speech (Supreme- 100)[Haggling V- Buying and selling prices are 30% better]
[Allure- 10% better prices with the opposite sex]
[Bribery- Can bribe guards to ignore crimes]
[Merchant- Can sell any type of item to any kind of merchant]
[Persuasion- Persuasion attempts are 30% easier]
[Investor- Can invest 500 gold with a shopkeeper to increase their available gold permanently]
[Intimidation- Intimidation is twice as successful]
[Fence- Can barter stolen goods with any merchant the Dragonborn has invested in]
[Master Trader- Every merchant in the world gains 1000 gold for bartering]
Alchemy (Supreme- 100)[Alchemist V- Potions and poisons are 100% stronger.]
[Physician- Potions you mix that restore health or stamina are 25% more powerful.]
[Poisoner- Poisons you mix are 25% more effective.]
[Benefactor- Potions you mix with beneficial effects have an additional 25% greater magnitude.]
[Experimenter III- Eating an ingredient reveals all four effects.]
[Concentrated Poison- Poisons applied to weapons last for twice as many hits.]
[Green Thumb- Two ingredients are gathered from any static harvest-able object - be it plant, fungi, hanging fish or meat, egg clusters, etc. Known exception: Nirnroot (has only 1 root).]
[Snakeblood- 50% resistance to all poisons.]
[Purity- All negative effects are removed from created potions while all positive effects are removed from created poisons.]
Looking over my current gains from the Skyrim Skill Trees, I frown in annoyance. I can't help but feel that I'm missing out on the full potential of what can be achieved here without maxing them all out, but that would take a lot of time. I have a lot of idea's that I wish to take advantage of, but the problem is that most of them involve Enchanting, which is currently low-leveled.
I'm also faced with multiple problems. While I was able to accrue a couple thousand souls while grinding for Vampire Lord and Werewolf, I'm uncertain if the artificial Soul Gems I kinda brute-forced into existence will properly apply for the purposes of the Enchantment Skill. Granted I kind of wanted to use those souls for Necromancy, but I'm willing to mess around.
My biggest stop-gap is that I don't know how to forge proper Soul Gems, nor is there a recipe in the shop that tells me how to do so. It seems that the only source of "real" Soul Gems I have is buying them, which I'm reluctant to do because Grand and Black Soul Gems are fucking expensive.
If I may interject Master, I believe I saw a possible solution to your current conundrum within your memories. Can you not participate in a Trial of Enchanting or something similar? Or better yet, could you not return to the Nemesis Trial you started before?Vritra? How exactly does the Vampire Lord Nemesis Trial help me become a master enchanter?
If you can access Castle Vokihar, you may be able to use the Soul Cairn portal to have access to all of the Souls you'll ever need for the purposes of enchanting. I believe that Serana's mother had an enchanting table in her little zone guarded by Durnehviir. As for a supply of Soul Gems, perhaps try to acquire The Black Star?Hmm, there's an idea...
I would caution you Champion. While the Dragon's plan is sound, my Sister Azura will not take kindly to this course of action, and your status as my Champion will only protect you from her wrath so far.Yeah, I was kind of worried about that. Wait a second, couldn't I use The Skeleton Key to purify The Black Star once I'm done with it?
Hmm, it is possible in theory. If you make your intentions known and with my support, she may allow it. But she will expect you to honor your bargain, or else.I can work with that. Sara? Load up the Nemesis Trial.
Now Reentering: Vampire Lord Nemesis Trial!
Notice: Due to the massive growth in your Skills since you last entered the Trial, new options are available. You can either continue the generated instance from where you left off, or you could enable "Scaled Difficulty".
Scaled Difficulty will essentially simulate the passage of time to bring the enemies within the Trial closer to a level of difficulty that would pose a problem for your current self. Naturally, the rewards obtained from this will be greater than simply loading back in from your previous checkpoint.
Fuck. I really just want to fly through the enchanting thing, but better loot is better loot. Sara, enable Scaled Difficulty.
Scaled Difficulty Enabled!
Calculating Simulated Scenario!
Calculation Complete!
Summary: It has been some time since the emergence of a new Altmer Vampire Lord. The foul creature has eluded discovery for a considerable amount of time, but Hircine was getting bored and snitched to The Companions that a "worthy Hunt" was lurking about. Naturally, this news made its way to the Dawnguard and Ulric Lightbringer who quickly deduced the oracle to signify a new Vampire Lord was amassing power in the shadows.
Some time has passed since then as the Vampire Lord, Lilu Flauros, was eventually discovered by a squad of Dawnguard while Lilu was exploring the remnants of Dimhollow Crypt. Naturally, the fucking idiots got killed because fighting a Vampire Lord indoors and surrounded by dormant Gargoyles is such a good idea... But they still managed to convey the message.
With that in mind, a large scale hunt for the elusive Lilu Flauros began all across Skyrim. The Dawnguard were mighty indeed, but Lilu Flauros always seemed to be one step ahead of them. He always seemed to have a new trick up his sleeve. In time, his name became synonymous with the word "Terror" in the hearts of children, a bedtime story that parents would tell their children of, claiming that if they didn't behave or do their chores, then Lilu Flauros would come in the night and drain them dry.
Having been humiliated with the sheer tenacity and cleverness of Lilu Flauros, Ulric Lightbringer beseeched Hircine for aid in his hunt. Hircine had also become somewhat annoyed with Lilu Flauros as he became convinced that Molag Bal was playing favorites and cheating somehow. So Hircine decided to "level the playing field" by bestowing a new series of blessings upon the Werewolves hunting Lilu.
This new blessing basically gave all Werewolves participating in the Hunt the equivalent of [Mage Armor III], [Atronach] Perk, and permanent Ebonyflesh. Also Dawnguard Werewolves can now use a special type of Werewolf Armor, similar to Troll Armor for the Armored Trolls, that carries the effects of Dawnguard Armor, but can be used in Werewolf Form. Also, Hircine's Blessing does NOT consider Werewolf Armor to count against Mage Armor.
...
...
...
What the actual fuck is this fucking bullshit?!
I agree. This seems extremely out of character for Hircine to go to such lengths for ONE Vampire Lord.Whatever. Azura's Shrine? Here I come!
"Hey you, High Elf! Come here and submit yourself to inspection!"
Yeah... No. Conjuring a Bone Colossus to provide cover for me, I transform into my Vampire Lord Form and summon some Gargoyles to help me out.
"It's him! It's the Vampire Lord!" Shouts one of the guards.
"Cleanse him in holy fire!" Shouts another. Meanwhile, I execute my secret technique. "Nigerundayo!" I shout as I abuse the fuck out of [Bats] Night Power to get the fuck out of there. I'm not here to fight anyone, I just want to be an enchanter.
...
After about 3-4 days of running away from my problems responsibly, I finally reach Azura's Shrine. Thankfully, the lady who gives the quest is here and allows me to initiate the quest to purge the asshole from Azura's Star. Obviously, I take the Renegade option and choose to take The Black Star instead.
Rather than deal with the stuck up Dunmer bitch, I decide to summon Arvak and ride nonstop until I reach the western reaches of Skyrim. From there, I find the boat that will take me to Castle Volkihar, but I don't take it. I'm pretty sure that the Dawnguard likely keeps a close eye on the ruins of Castle Volkihar and likely anticipated that I'd come their sooner or later.
Therefore, I choose to take advantage of the fact that I've got the Argonian Waterbreathing Trait and swim my way to Castle Volkihar. Taking a look through the water, I see that my suspicions were well founded as the dock and bridge are crawling with Dawnguard. Swimming around towards the back of the castle, I find the hidden entrance that Serana tells the player about.
Making my way through the sewers of Castle Volkihar, I eventually make my way towards Valerica's garden, which remains in disrepair, then open the secret path that leads to her laboratory/workshop. Eventually, I succeed in making my way to the hidden workshop and find the note detailing the ingredients and ritual needed to open the portal to the Soul Cairn.
...
Entering the Soul Cairn is definitely an experience that feels rather unique. Oh well, I'm here now. With The Black Star in hand, I go forth to seek out the Soul Fissures. It doesn't take me long to find one, but then I run into a slight problem. Apparently The Black Star can't be filled by Soul Fissures.
This is bullshit and I refuse to be denied my rightful cheese!
Congratulations Master! You have successfully used [The Skeleton Key] to unlock the restriction forbidding [The Black Star] from being filled by Soul Fissures in the Soul Cairn!Damn straight I did. Now then, where is- Ah, there's the fortress with Valerica. Making my way over there, I'm surprised to say the least. Not only is Valerica still here, but so is Serana?! What the fuck?!
"Who are you Stranger?! Another of Harkon's lackeys come to fulfill that asinine prophecy and snatch the Elder Scroll?!" Shouts the woman that I'm pretty sure is Valerica, if only because I know what Serana looks like and she hasn't said anything yet.
Also, this is weird. Harkon and co. got got a while ago according to the scenario generator, and Ulric already HAS Auriel's Bow. But didn't they need Serana's Elder Scroll for that? Actually, where is her Elder Scroll?
"Mother, I get the distinct impression that this particular individual wasn't sent by Father, or else he'd likely be here himself. Who are you and how did you find this place?"
"My name is Lilu Flauros, and Lord Harkon, along with the rest of the Volkihar Clan, have been dead for some time. The Dawnguard, spearheaded by Ulric Lightbringer, have undergone a mass-resurgence and purged the Volkihar Vampires, and pretty much every other Vampire as well, from the face of Skyrim."
Serana seems absolutely floored with the revelation of Harkon's death. Makes sense, he may have been an asshole, but she still loved him. Valerica on the other hand seems extremely skeptical of my information.
"The Dawnguard? That group of Vigilant thugs? How in the plane's of Oblivion did they manage to become strong enough to wipe out the Volkihar Clan exactly?"
"Ulric Lightbringer is a Champion of Hircine, and wields Dawnbreaker and Spellbreaker. Also he got his hands on Auriel's Bow at some point."
That seems to stop Valerica cold as her eyes widen in what seems to be a mixture of incredulity, and fear.
I don't blame her, Dawnbreaker and Auriel's Bow are some of the most potent anti-Vampire weapons in the game.
"That's- That's absurd! The Dawnguard are an offshoot of the Vigilants of Stendarr! They should hate Lycanthropes just as much as they hate Vampires!" Shouts Valerica.
"Apparently, Ulric Lightbringer is an excellent orator and managed to convince them that the threat of the Vampire Lords was too great to waste time dealing with little hangups like Lycanthropy. In fact, he somehow managed to get Lycanthropy legalized for soldiers of the Dawnguard."
Valerica seems to be absolutely floored with the notion that the Dawnguard's now filled with Werewolves, but ultimately nods her head in acceptance of the facts. Thank you Speech 100.
"In that case, why have you come? Surely it cannot be for the Bow, or the Prophecy." Asks Serana.
"Well, mostly I came here to have access to a steady supply of Souls to practice Enchanting."
Both Serana and Valerica look at me as if I'd just grown a second head. "You risked your life to come all of this way, not for the Prophecy, not for the Elder Scrolls, not to strike a bargain with the Ideal Masters in exchange for powerful Undead, but to have a steady supply of Souls so you could practice Enchanting?" Asks Valerica.
"Yes?"
"You're serious?" Asks Serana.
"Yes."
"You do know that you need Soul Gems for that, and they aren't exactly lying around, weird as that seems. So what's your plan for that?" Asks Valerica. I respond by pulling out The Black Star.
Serana looks at it with a look of idle curiosity, Valerica on the other hand seems like she's about to have a panic attack. "Is that Azura's Star?! How did you get your hands on that, and what in Oblivion did you do to it?!"
"In order. Yes it is. Followed a prophecy from a priestess of Azura at her Shrine. And gave it to a guy who figured out how to corrupt it to take Black Souls."
Valerica looks at me as though I've lost my mind. Serana seems impressed with my audacity to willingly and knowingly corrupt a Daedric Artifact for my own ends.
"So, you wouldn't happen to have an Enchantment Table I could borrow, do you?"
-----Ulric Lightbringer-----
-----Fort Dawnguard-----
This damned Lilu Flauros is getting on my last nerve. "A 'worthy Hunt'." That's what the oracle said. But this? This is just absurd. How is ONE measly Vampire Lord giving us this. MUCH. TROUBLE?!
Hah. I suppose it's not all bad. The more the prey struggles and puts up a fight, the greater the reward that Lord Hircine shall bestow upon me.
"Excuse me milord. I come bearing news." One of my personal couriers says. I gesture for him to continue.
"A few minutes ago, a Dunmer approached the front gate and requested to see you. She claims to have knowledge of Lilu Flauros's recent movements and possible whereabouts."
A Priestess of Azura? This ought to be interesting. I nod for the courier to invite this Priestess in so I can hear her out. Perhaps this is a sign from Lord Hircine?
"Greetings Lord Lightbringer. My name is Aranea Ienith, a Priestess in service to the Lady of Twilight. Recently, the Vampire Lord known as Lilu Flauros visited the Shrine of Azura here in Skyrim. I had been anticipating their arrival due to a prophecy shown to me by Lady Azura that indicated that Lilu Flauros was to be her Champion by returning something precious."
"It turned out that the condition for becoming her Champion was nothing else than finding Azura's Star and returning it to the Shrine to be repaired and purified of the corruption inflicted upon it by certain Necromancer's in their misguided pursuit of Immortality. While Lilu Flauros succeeded in purging the corrupted souls from the Star, he ultimately allowed his greed to cloud his destiny. He turned to an Elven enchanter who performed foul magicks that corrupted the Star. Then he absconded with The Black Star with the intention of using its profane powers for his own ends." Concludes Aranea Ienith.
"That certainly doesn't sound good. What exactly can this 'Black Star' do that makes it so dangerous?" I ask.
"It is the mightiest Soul Gem this world has ever seen. In its pure state, it can hold any Soul, even Grand Souls. But now that it's been defiled, it functions much like a Black Soul Gem. What makes it truly dangerous is the fact that unlike most Soul Gems that crumble to dust upon having their energy drawn out, Azura's Star and The Black Star can be emptied and refilled any number of times."
Oh. Oh that's bad. That is really, really bad. I'm not well versed in the arts of Necromancy or Enchanting, but having what amounts to an infinite Soul Gem to use for whatever dark purpose someone who is versed in those particular arts could conceive is NOT something I want to experience.
"I see. The Black Star must be retrieved and purified before Lilu Flauros can use it for whatever fell purpose he undoubtedly has in store for it. Did the Twilight Lady see fit to grace you with a prophecy regarding his whereabouts?"
"She did. 'An island of death found where the Light goes to die. Bleeding stones and forgotten halls shall lead thee to the court of ruination. The moon shall be your guide to the dwelling of darkness. The path to the land of the dead shall appear.'"
An island of death where the Light goes to die? Hmm, the sun? The sun descends in the west, so an island to the west? An island of death? Castle Volkihar. It has to be.
Bleeding stones and forgotten halls shall lead thee to the court of ruination? The stones were definitely steeped in blood which reinforces my assumption of it being Castle Volkihar. Forgotten halls? Well, there were sections of the castle in disrepair that were never fully explored.
No idea what court of ruination or the moon guiding us to the dwelling of darkness is supposed to mean. And that last part about the path to the land of the dead sounds very unsettling to me.
I suppose there's only one choice though. We need to go to Castle Volkihar and figure out what the fuck Lilu's up to before it's too late.