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Zainab Tribe

Author: 
Xan

ZAINAB CAMP

Zaba

"Come closer. Let me see you. Yes. I think it is you. The one they talk about. The outlander who claims he fulfills the Nerevarine prophecies. You should talk to Ashkhan Kaushad."

:Nerevarine prophecies:
"We heard rumors. Some outlander says he is the Nerevarine. So you are that outlander? What do you say to that, eh?"

Faern Sargtlin

Tell my story and show my proofs.

Zaba

:Nerevarine prophecies:
"Hmm. Is that all true? That is a very interesting ring. It is part of the story of Nerevar, the ring Moon-and-Star, that none may wear but Nerevar himself. You should talk to Ashkhan Kaushad. The ashkhan is very curious about this outlander who claims to be the Nerevarine."

:Ashkhan Kaushad:
"He is the mightiest champion and greatest ashkhan of all the Ashlander tribes. A very great man. You should talk to him. He is a very curious man, always speaking with traders and travelers about the news of the world. Go ahead. Our great chief does not stand on ceremony. You may enter his yurt, if you are clean and courteous."

Faern Sargtlin

(enter Ashkhan's Yurt)

Kaushad

"So. You are Faern Sargtlin. The outlander who claims to fulfill the Nerevarine prophecies. You are welcome to our hospitality, outlander. But you must tell us... how can an outlander be the Nerevarine?"

:Nerevarine prophecies:
"Yes. We know of the prophecies. We know there are many prophecies, all of them mysterious and obscure. Our wise woman, Sonummu Zabamat, has told her chief all about these prophecies, and given her interpretations. 'A certain day to uncertain parents.' 'The Curse-of-Flesh before him flies.' 'In caverns dark Azura's eye sees, and makes to shine the moon and star.' Standard prophet-talk. Voices and verses. Very interesting. But... true? Who can tell."

:Nerevarine:
"We have heard the rumors. We know you to be the outlander who claims to fulfill the Nerevarine prophecies. But teach us, Faern Sargtlin... how could an outlander be the Nerevarine?"

Faern Sargtlin

Tell your story, show your proofs, and ask to be named Nerevarine.

Kaushad

:Nerevarine:
"Ho, ho! Excuse me. Do not think me rude. But seriously. Do you believe this story yourself? I mean no offense, but you must admit, you are an outlander, and completely ignorant of our ways. How could you ever be our war leader? What sensible ashkhan would ever choose you to lead the tribes? Ho, ho."

Faern Sargtlin

Ask Kaushad to set you a task.

Kaushad

:Nerevarine:
"Very well. A vampire named Calvario has taken refuge in nearby Nerano Ancestral Tomb. If you are as worthy as you say you are, it should be a small matter for you to dispose of this vampire. There. You have your task. Now perhaps you would leave me in peace for a bit?"

:Calvario:
"He's a vampire. A young one, but quite dangerous, of course. As I'm sure an adventurer of your wide experience would know. Probably driven out of his lair by older, more powerful vampires. I would never offer advice to someone of your reputation. But perhaps a visit to the potionmakers and enchanters of Tel Vos and Tel Mora might be in order. I don't use them myself, but they say potions and scrolls can be quite handy in a tight spot."

:vampires:
"Vampires are monsters that feed on humanoid blood. Once they were human like you and me, but they get the blood disease from another vampire, and they become vampires themselves. That's why they still exist. Everyone hates them, yet no one wants to come near one. But doesn't prophecy say the Nerevarine has nothing to fear from disease? So you have nothing to worry about, I'm sure."

:Nerano Ancestral Tomb:
"Nerano Ancestral Tomb is to the north. But you are a stranger, and may get lost. Listen. Go west from our camp until you reach the mountains, then turn north and follow the mountains, keeping them on your left. When you pass the ruins of Nchuleft, keep your eyes to the east, looking for an entrance flanked by two trees on the western slope of a hill in the center of the Grazelands. That will be Nerano Ancestral Tomb."

Faern Sargtlin

(find the Nerano Ancestral Tomb)
(slay Calvario the vampire)
(go back to Kaushad)

Kaushad

"Welcome, outlander."

:Nerevarine:
"Well. So you killed the vampire Calvario? Ahem. Well. I will be happy to acknowledge you as Zainab Nerevarine. But... it is customary for one seeking an honor from the Ashkhan to offer the Ashkhan a generous gift as a mark of respect. Because you are an outlander, and do not know our customs, I will do you the great favor of naming the gift I wish to receive -- a high-born Telvanni bride -- a pretty one, plump, with big hips to bring me many sons."

"Where will you find a high-born Telvanni bride? That is simple. You should visit high-born Telvanni lords and inform them that Ashkhan Kaushad of the Lordly Zainab would do them the honor of making their daughter his bride. Surely many Telvanni lords would be honored to receive such an offer. Consider carefully the many daughters offered and choose for me the finest. Take counsel with my wise woman, Sonummu Zabamat. She knows my mind well in such matters."

:Telvanni bride:
"There are preparations to make for my marriage, but everything will be ready when you return with my high-born Telvanni bride."

Faern Sargtlin

(go to Tel Vos)

TEL VOS

Faern Sargtlin

(meet Aryon)

Aryon

"What brings the Telvanni Hortator here?"

:Telvanni bride:
"Hmm. Well. No one can say you are too conventional. No. On careful reflection, I believe that a marriage of a Telvanni noble to an Ashlander ashkhan is impossible for all known definitions of possible. [Chuckle.] Sorry. Didn't mean to... [Chuckle.] Well.... You must admit, it does sound a rather silly idea, doesn't it?"

Faern Sargtlin

(go to Tel Mora)

TEL MORA

Faern Sargtlin

(meet Dratha)

Dratha

"So you've returned! Our Hortator! What do you want?"

:Telvanni bride:
"Thank you. I don't think I realized that, after a long life like mine, I might ever hear something as stupid and offensive as that. If I had, I would have prepared more carefully -- perhaps by burning you to a crisp before you could speak. I believe you will leave now."

Faern Sargtlin

(go to Sadrith Mora)

SADRITH MORA

Faern Sargtlin

(meet Neloth)

Neloth

"You again! What do you want this time?"

:Telvanni bride:
"That is completely stupid. Remarkably stupid. You must shut up more often."

Faern Sargtlin

(go to Tel Branora)

TEL BRANORA

Faern Sargtlin

(meet Therana)

Therana

"Are you here to show me that thing you did? Or did you want to feed the spiders?"

:Telvanni bride:
"That's lovely, dear, but I don't think so. I have so much to do around here. Besides, I'm already married. I'm fairly sure. Avos. Or Aven. I think. Little fellow. He's around here somewhere. Some sort of magic thing. Quite funny, actually. Did I tell you? About how easy it is to get those caretellian coordinates mixed up? Oh, dear... really quite a laugh. Quite funny. Yes, indeed. Ehr.... What were we talking about?"

Faern Sargtlin

(go back to Zainab Camp)

ZAINAB CAMP

(meet the Wise Woman)

Sonummu Zabamat

"I am Sonummu Zabamat, wise woman of the Zainab. Do you come for my services, or my counsel?"

:Services:
"I sell potions and spells, charms and marvels. And I can teach some of what I know, if you can pay."

:Counsel:
"Kaushad wants a Telvanni bride, eh? No high-born Telvanni would wed an Ashlander. But I have a plan. Go to my friend, Savile Imayn, slavemistress of the Festival Slave Market in Tel Aruhn, and tell her you need a pretty Dunmer slave to pose as a Telvanni lady. Then Savile Imayn will tell you what clothes to buy, and will dress her like a high-born Telvanni. Then escort the pretty slave to Zainab camp and present her to Ashkhan Kaushad as a high-born Telvanni bride. He won't know the difference."

:Savile Imayn:
"Savile Imayn is the Slavemistress of the Festival Slave Market in Tel Aruhn. The market is on the northwest side of the village; that's where you'll find her."

:Tel Aruhn:
"Tel Aruhn is the wizard's tower and village of the Telvanni Archmagister Gothren. Let me mark it on your map. Travel crosscountry to the southeast until you reach the water. Tel Aruhn is on an island in Zafirbel Bay, a long swim from shore. From the Dunmer Stronghold Indoranyon, go south. From Sadrith Mora, Tel Aruhn is due west. From Tel Fyr, Tel Aruhn is north. Here's another landmark. Thiralas Ancestral Tomb is on the mainland, near the bay. Tel Aruhn is the second island southeast from this tomb."

Faern Sargtlin

(go to Tel Aruhn)

TEL ARUHN

Faern Sargtlin

(find Savile Imayn)

Savile Imayn

"Welcome, Faern Sargtlin, to the Festival Slave Market, the finest slaves in Vvardenfell! I'm Savile Imayn, and I know we have the slave for you. Are you looking for standard household slaves, Faern Sargtlin, or are you looking for something special?"

:something special:
"You need a slave to pose as a high-born Telvanni lady? Sweet Alma, that Sonummu Zabamat and her cunning plans.... I do have the slave you want, Falura Llervu, a pretty Dunmer girl. But first you must get an exquisite shirt, an exquisite skirt, and exquisite shoes, to dress her in. Go get these exquisite clothes and bring them to me, and then we will discuss a price for her."

:exquisite clothes:
"Where can you get exquisite clothes? Tel Mora, Elegnan the Clothier -- she has some VERY nice things. See these clothes I'm wearing? Exquisite shirt? Exquisite skirt? Exquisite shoes? I bought them at her shop. Maybe you should try her. When you have the exquisite clothes, we can talk about the 'something special' you are looking for."

Faern Sargtlin

(go to procure those exquisite clothes)

Savile Imayn

"Welcome back, Faern Sargtlin. Let me know if you see something you want."

:something special:
"Good. These clothes are perfect. Hold onto them. You'll give them to her when you've bought her. But I need a little more time to coach Falura Llervu to play the part of a high-born Telvanni lady. I know just the thing we need! Go get a bottle of Telvanni Bug musk perfume! Try Bildren Areleth the Apothecary here in Tel Aruhn or Jolda the Apothecary in Tel Mora. That will make Falura Llervu completely irresistible! Go! Hurry!"

Faern Sargtlin

(go to procure the Telvanni Bug Musk)

Savile Imayn

:something special:
"You have the Telvanni Bug Musk? Excellent. No, don't give it to me. You'll give it to her when you have bought her. Now. Let me tell you my price. For this superb specimen, skillfully coached to play her part in your little scheme, I am pleased to accept from you the modest sum of 1200 drakes. And I only offer you this special price out of my friendship for Sonummu Zabamat."

Faern Sargtlin

"I'll give you 600 drakes."

Savile Imayn

:something special:
"Sweet Alma. I hope I don't encounter another trader as sharp as you, or I'll end up paying YOU for my goods. But I'll accept your offer, and thank you for your custom. Now, here's the key to her cage. I've removed her slave bracers. When you're ready, you should speak to Falura Llervu, give her the presents -- the exquisite clothes and Telvanni Bug Musk -- and explain to her that she is to follow you back to Zainab camp to meet her future husband, Ashkhan Kaushad."

Faern Sargtlin

(open Falura Llervu's cage and talk to her)

Falura Llervu

[Falura Llervu looks down at the ground waiting for you to speak.]

:Falura Llervu:
"Yes, sera. Falura Llervu of Velothis Haven, daughter of Andrano Llervu, lord of Tel Llervu, pleased to make your acquaintance. See? Savile Imayn has taught me well. I shall BE a high-born Telvanni lady, and no one will know the difference. Just like a lady."

"I admit, I am a little anxious about marrying an Ashlander, even an Ashlander chief, but anything is better than being a slave, and I am very tough and smart, and determined to make the best of my chances. But Savile Imayn said you wanted to give me something. Some presents...."

Faern Sargtlin

(give those exquisite clothes and Telvanni Bug Musk)

Falura Llervu

:some presents:
"Oh, sera! These clothes! They are divine! Such a perfume! Only the very rich can afford this! I shall do everything I can to please you and my new master... that is, my gracious lord and husband-to-be. Come! I am so excited, I cannot wait! Let us travel together to Zainab camp and meet this Zainab lord."

:Nerevarine:
"You are the Nerevarine? But... you are an outlander. How can that be? Such wonders in the world. Before, I was a slave; now I am a companion of the Nerevarine and the bride of a Zainab chief."

:travel together:
"Are we ready to travel together to Zainab camp? Do not worry if we must cross water, for I am an excellent swimmer. But take care to protect me from wild beasts and bandits, for I have not learned any of the arts of war. I do know a few spells, but they the spells of a household slave, and will probably be of little use if we are in danger. So. Shall we go now?"

Faern Sargtlin

"Yes, please accompany me to Zainab camp."

Falura Llervu

:travel together:
"Very well, Faern Sargtlin. Now you and I will travel together. When we have arrived in the ashkhan's yurt at Zainab camp, we will speak further about my new bridegroom."

Faern Sargtlin

(go with Falura Llervu to Zainab Camp)

ZAINAB CAMP

Faern Sargtlin

(enter Ashkhan's Yurt)

Falura Llervu

"Yes, yes, sera. Yes, we are here safely. And this fine man, he is to be my bridegroom?"

:my bridegroom:
"He is very distinguished-looking, isn't he? A bit severe, perhaps, but the lines on his face, there, show that he likes to smile. Oh, sera. I think I will be very happy."

Faern Sargtlin

(talk to Kaushad)

Kaushad

"Greetings, outlander. Have you returned with my Telvanni bride?"

:Telvanni bride:
"This is my new bride? I am very pleased with your gift, Faern Sargtlin... though she is not so generous in the hips as I would like. I promise to make her a happy bride, and to do her honor as a high-born Telvanni lady. And, as I have said, I will now name you Zainab Nerevarine, War Leader of the Zainab, and Protector of the People. I must also give you the Zainab Thong, an enchanted heirloom of the tribe, which shall be a sign to all Dunmer that the Zainab have named you Nerevarine."

Faern Sargtlin

(receive Thong of Zainab)
(talk to Falura Llervu)

Falura Llervu

"Yes, thank you, sera. He is a very fine man, and I am very happy."

:my bridegroom:
"Thank you, sera. I am very pleased with Ashkhan Kaushad. He is good-looking, clever, and rich, although a bit full of himself, like all men. Thank you for being my matchmaker and benefactor, and I hope you will return to visit when I have brought many fine sons and daughters to Ashkhan Kaushad."

Faern Sargtlin

(talk to Kaushad)

Kaushad

"Welcome, Faern Sargtlin. Ashkhan Kaushad is always ready to listen."

:Telvanni bride:
[whispering] "Psst! Outlander! Do not think me such a fool. Of course I realize you have tricked me. I do not mind. In fact, I think you are very clever to hoodwink the chief of the Zainab, and I think that maybe a clever Nerevarine is not such a bad thing at all. Besides, now I am MUCH happier with this fine young woman than I would have been with a stuck-up Telvanni lady. And here is a little gift. From me. Perhaps when you wear it, you will think of Falura Llervu and me."

Faern Sargtlin

(receive Ashkhan's Wedding Gift)
(go meet Wise Woman)

Sonummu Zabamat

"How can I help you, Nerevarine?"

:Counsel:
"Hah. You do not need my counsel, Nerevarine. But I will give you the words of my dream. 'When the Nerevarine goes to Red Mountain to face Dagoth Ur, he carries the hearts of his kin with him.' Whose hearts? Whose kin? Who knows? Who knows who speaks in my dreams?"