The Imperial Library

Liann

Liann's Journal I've entered Xedilian. I should now begin locating the Focus Crystals that link the Resonator of Judgment with the rest of the dungeon.

(Go to Xedilian. The place is infested with Grummite. Defeat the Grummite Shaman. Retrieve his magical staff. Retrieve the first Focus Crystal)

Liann's Journal I've discovered the first of the three Focus Crystals. It was affixed to the top of a Grummite Shaman's Crystal Staff. I think they are using the crystals as a power source for their weapons. Now that I've removed it from the staff, I should place the Focus Crystal in its Judgment Nexus to continue.

(Find the Judgment Nexus, and place it on top of the Judgment Nexus. The focus crystal transmits an electrical energy to the Judgment Nexus. Find other two Focus Crystals and put them in appropriate Judgment Nexus)

Liann's Journal I've placed the third and final Focus Crystal into its Judgment Nexus. The path to the Resonator of Judgment itself is now clear. My next task should be to attune the Resonator by using the Attenuator of Judgment that Sheogorath provided me.

(Locate the Resonator of Judgment and attune it with the Attenuator of Judgment given by Sheogorath. Soon the energy flow again, and Xedilian works again)

(Satisfied, find the way to exit the building, and found the teleportation platform. Step on the platform, but instead of transporting to the outside, the platform transport to the chamber of Kiliban Nyrandil)

Kiliban Nyrandil

Finally, Lord Sheogorath has sent someone to assist me! But where are my manners? Ahem... must get into my professional tone... ahem... Welcome to Xedilian, I'm the dungeon caretaker, Kiliban Nyrandil.

Liann

Tell me about this place.

Kiliban Nyrandil

A wonder of engineering, is it not? Xedilian is the ultimate test of mettle for the foolhardy adventurer that dares trespass into the Shivering Isles. What they don't know is that they're being drawn to their doom, courtesy of the Resonator of Judgment.

Liann

Interesting, tell me more.

Kiliban Nyrandil

Ever since that wretched Gatekeeper was made, Xedilian became redundant. It fell into disrepair and was eventually all but forgotten. After only a few years passed, the Grummites began moving in. Ghastly things! They mistook the Focus Crystals for some sort of religious symbols, and removed them from their rightful places. This rendered the Resonator inert and Xedilian completely useless. Luckily, you came along and placed Xedilian back into operation.

Liann

Enough. How do I get out of here?

Kiliban Nyrandil

Yes, yes. I tend to ramble; you'll have to forgive me. If you have the Attenuator, then Sheogorath must have sent you. Xedilian would normally have sent you back to the entrance when you stepped on the pad in the Resonator Chamber. Since you're up here, I can only surmise that adventurers are already entering the dungeon as we speak.

Liann

Why do I have to deal with this?

Kiliban Nyrandil

I'm afraid until the adventurers are dealt with, Xedilian will keep you here. Even I can't will its doors to open. To put it bluntly, you're stuck here for the moment. No disrespect intended.

Liann

What should I do?

Kiliban Nyrandil

The only thing we can do is let the adventurers complete a cycle through here. I'll be glad to help. I assume Sheogorath gave you the Manual of Xedilian. You can consult it for more information, or I can provide instructions.

Liann

Ask about "Resonator of Judgment"

Kiliban Nyrandil

The Resonator works by drawing adventurers to itself with a sort of magical "siren's call". Sheogorath uses the Resonator to find the "cream of the crop" as he calls them; the best of the worst to populate the Isles. Quite clever, eh?

Liann

Ask about "Chamber"

Kiliban Nyrandil

This first chamber is the Chamber of the Gnarl. At the touch of a button, you can cause a large group of tiny Gnarls to appear and attack the adventurers. Or, if you're feeling merciful, we can have the group terrorized by a seemingly lowly Gnarl that instantly grows to twice their size! The hallucinogenic spore gas we release into the chamber will help lull the victims into believing the creature means to kill them. Don't worry, its bark is far worse than its bite. Hahaha!

Liann

Ask about "Instructions"

Kiliban Nyrandil

As the adventurers make their way through Xedilian's chambers, they will encounter choices that you make in these control platforms. All you need to do is decide what becomes of the adventurers. Will you drive them insane or will you pull the life from their bodies?

Liann

How do I make the choices?

Kiliban Nyrandil

Simple. Wait until the adventurers are in position, and then press a button! If they survived, they will proceed to the next chamber, and so on. It's really quite ingenious!

Liann

How do I know when I'm done?

Kiliban Nyrandil

You'll know you're done when they lie dead on the ground, or they are out of their minds. Of course, any of their possessions you wish to keep are yours for the taking. I'll make sure you get them when you're done.

Liann

Do you handle the cleanup?

Kiliban Nyrandil

Well, the dead will be disposed of, have no fear. That's my job. Those that are lucky enough to merely go insane will be granted a place in the Shivering Isles as a permanent resident.

Liann

Explain the choices I'm making.

Kiliban Nyrandil

Each chamber presents two options. When you push the appropriate button, an event will unfold for the adventurers to experience. One is physically harmful... usually lethal traps or creatures... something relished by the residents of Dementia. The other choice is more mental. They are designed to make the adventurers lose their grip on reality, much like the residents of Mania. Of course, the introduction of spore gas with the Mania choices helps as well.

Liann

That's enough information.

Kiliban Nyrandil

As you wish.

Liann's Journal I've met Kiliban Nyrandil inside one of the many observation rooms of Xedilian. It also appears that Xedilian has its first visitors, a group of adventurers. It's up to me to decide whether to allow Xedilian to kill them or drive them insane.

Liann

(Go to the right position, see the adventures enter the chamber)

Grommok gro-Barak

...now keep your weapons ready and watch your backs. Do what I say, and we might just get outta' here alive.

Liann

(Press the Mania button)

(They see the gnarl)

Grommok gro-Barak

Awwww.... ain't it cute! What in Oblivion is that thing? Hahahaha!

Lewin Tilwald

THIS is one of the "horrid guardians" of which the stories spoke?

(Smoke rise)

Syndelius Gatharian

Be careful. There may be more to this creature than meets the eye.

(The gnarl is starting to grow)

Grommok gro-Barak

What a joke! Let's be rid of this thing and continue on our way.

Syndelius Gatharian

Are my eyes playing tricks, or is the creature growing?

(The gnarl size grows to twice the size of the adventures)

Lewin Tilwald

By the gods! When will it stop? It could devour us whole!

Syndelius Gatharian

Run for your lives!

Grommok gro-Barak

Get back here, you cowards! Something's not right....

(The gnarl disappears)

Syndelius Gatharian

All this time it was merely an illusion, how clever.

Grommok gro-Barak

Wait... what's wrong with Lewin?

Lewin Tilwald

...ma-makes no sense...should be d-dead...what...who...

Syndelius Gatharian

I think this place got to him... perhaps we should leave.

Grommok gro-Barak

No. We'll pick him up on the way out. He must fend for himself.

(Both Grommok gro-Barak and Syndelius Gatharian left, leaving confused Lewin Tilwald behind)

Liann's Journal I've unleashed the Giant Gnarl on the adventurers in Xedilian. With the threat of what he perceived as certain death knocking at his door, Lewin the Rogue has gone insane. I should make my way to the next observation room and choose how the adventurers will encounter their next obstacle.

Kiliban Nyrandil

Hehe. Watching them run from the Giant Gnarl gets me every time. Another chamber, another victim to eliminate. Hurry, the anticipation is overwhelming!

Liann

(Step on the teleport platform. Transported to another chamber)

Kiliban Nyrandil

What can I assist you with?

Liann

Ask about "Chamber"

Kiliban Nyrandil

The second chamber of Xedilian is the Chamber of Avarice. The adventurers will have to overcome their feelings of greed as they set their eyes upon the huge piles of treasure locked behind that gate. You may choose to spring a fire trap and cause them great harm as they stand before the gate. Or, you can fill the chamber with hundreds of keys and watch them frantically search for the correct one. Always a crowd pleaser.

Liann

Go the right position, see the adventures enter the chamber)

Grommok gro-Barak

Look! Haha! I told you! Treasure! Let's have at it, Syndelius.

(They come, approaching a locked cell with all kind of treasures)

Liann

(Press the Mania button)

Grommok gro-Barak

Blast! The cage is locked.

Syndelius Gatharian

Grommok, be careful! This looks too good to be true.

Grommok gro-Barak

If only Lewin were here... he could get us through this in no time.

Syndelius Gatharian

We'll have to fend for ourselves. Do you think you can pry the door open?

Grommok gro-Barak

Forget it! This is obviously a trick! Let's get out of here.

Syndelius Gatharian

To be so close, and yet so far. If only we had the key! Wait.. do you hear something?

(Thousands and thousands of keys rain down to the chamber)

Syndelius Gatharian

Look! Keys! One of them must open the gate! We're rich!

(He runs to the keys, searching the correct key)

Grommok gro-Barak

Let's get out of here, Syndelius. This is obviously a trick to waste our time!

Syndelius Gatharian

I'll know it when I see it! Yes... it must be here!

Grommok gro-Barak

They're all fake! Just come with me now!

Syndelius Gatharian

...find it... yes... I must find the key... rich beyond all my dreams... hehehe

Grommok gro-Barak

Bah! Suit yourself!

(He left the chamber)

Syndelius Gatharian

Must find the key! Must find the key!

Liann's Journal I've caused Syndelius the Mage to go insane by pouring hundreds of keys on the ground which convinced him that one of them opened the gate to the huge treasure pile. All that remains now is the leader of the group, Grommok. I should make my way to the last observation room and choose how the stubborn Orc will encounter his final obstacle.

Kiliban Nyrandil

Too bad none of those keys fit the lock... hahahaha! Last chamber... this should be entertaining.

Liann

(Proceed to the next chamber)

Kiliban Nyrandil

I see Lord Sheogorath chose wisely when he selected you to liberate Xedilian. Now, how may I continue to assist you?

Liann

Chamber

Kiliban Nyrandil

The third chamber of Xedilian is the Chamber of Anathema. Its contents are designed to make sure its the final encounter. The adventurers will be subject to horrors beyond their imagination... visions of repugnance, death, and malevolence reside in this room. If you wish to bring ruin to your victims, you may choose to animate some of the corpses and watch as they satiate their hunger. Or, we can create the illusion of the adventurer dying and his spirit rising from his corpse. Good fun to be had for all! Then, just as suddenly as we kill him, we revive the adventurer. There are few minds that can stand this type of torture.

Liann

(Go the right position, see the last adventure enters the chamber)

Grommok gro-Barak

Steady, Grommok... steady. You've been through worse before. What more could this place possibly throw at you?

Liann

(Press the Mania button)

Grommok gro-Barak

This place is giving me the creeps.

(He falls. His spirit rises)

WHAT!? How in Oblivion can I be dead? This is impossible! Nothing killed me! I didn't even get a chance to fight! No chance to defend myself? No chance for battle? Why? Impossible! This is impossible... Grommok has never lost a fight! Never!

(He kneels, he is utterly shocked)

No! This is all wrong! This isn't how it's supposed to be!

Liann's Journal By making Grommok think that he actually died and became a ghost, I've driven him insane. Now that all of the adventurers have been dealt with, I should speak to Kiliban.

Kiliban Nyrandil

You've made short work of the intruders. Sheogorath should be proud to have such an efficient apprentice. Now, if you'll step on the last teleporter pad, I will meet you in the reception chamber so we can recover your earnings.

Liann's Journal Kiliban Nyrandil has told me to meet him in Xedilian's reception chamber where I can recover the defeated adventurer's gear. I should use the final transport pad and make my way there now.

Liann

(Step on the teleporter and teleported to the reception chamber)

Kiliban Nyrandil

As is the tradition, you are to be awarded a focus crystal as a token of your fine work. I'll have it sent to the palace and placed in the main hall, if you wish to take a look at it.

Liann

You spoke of earnings?

Kiliban Nyrandil

Oh, yes... of course. It seems a most unusual weapon was recovered from the Orc warrior, Grommok. Never seen anything like it, but perhaps his journal can give you some useful information. Beyond that, take whatever else you need from the recovery chest... you've earned it! You're free to go at any time of course, just up that hallway. Good luck to you!

Liann

(Retrieve the sword Dawnfang and Grommok's Journal. Open the Recovery Chest and take everything valuable and helpful in them)

Liann's Journal I've received some items and gold from Kiliban Nyrandil that had belonged to the adventurers. I can now safely report back to Sheogorath that Xedilian is in full operation.

(In the way to the entrance of Xedilian, three strange-armored warriors attack. Defeat them)

Liann's Journal Before exiting Xedilian, I was attacked by three unusual beings in equally strange armor. I should ask Kiliban if he knows anything about them.

Kiliban Nyrandil

That was quite a battle. I hope you are uninjured.

Liann

What were those beings?

Kiliban Nyrandil

You've not heard the legends? How could that be? Those "beings" as you call them aren't beings at all. They are the soulless abominations known as the Knights of Order. Their attraction to the Resonator isn't surprising; it was built from one of the obelisks that dot the Isles they seem to have an affinity for. You must proceed to Sheogorath at once and tell him the Knights have returned! Quickly now... go!

Liann's Journal Kiliban explained the identity of the strange beings, calling them Knights of Order. He seemed very dismayed and wishes me to hasten to Sheogorath and report their presence.

Liann

(Exit from Xedilian to report back to Sheogorath)