 |
The Story of DaggerfallThe Third Prince of Sentinel
In the very beginning, Prince Lhotun of Sentinel sent you an invitation
letter. You arrive to the court of Sentinel, and he hires you to investigate
a mysterious matter:
|
You see, I used to
to have an older brother, ten or eleven years older
than me, named (whatsisname). Whenever I ask what happened
to him, I'm told a different story. Some say he got
sick and died, some say he was kidnapped by the
Underking. I want to know the truth. If you can find
some proof of what really happened to him, I'll tell
you all I know about King Lysandus.
|
This quest is weird from the very beginning. For starters,
there's no set name for the missing prince! First time I went through
the quest, his name was Maolde. On the second try, Dhictom. I take it,
the game engine picks a random Redguard name for him. Most unusual.
Anyway, as you ask around, you soon learn that the prince was, according to the
second most popular version, abducted by Underking. Before you can run to the netherworld,
or wherever Underking supposedly resides, an agent of Underking contacts you
and suggests that you investigate a certain dungeon. This dungeon, according to the
quest description, also varies, but for me, on both attempts,
it turned out to be Castle Faalem. If in your case it was
a different castle, you're welcome to let me know.
After a thorough search of Castle Faalem, you find what seems to be the missing prince's
diary. Here's the full text of it:
23 Morning Star 3E 400
Castle Faalem
Two days I was sealed within this crypt without food or
water. I do not know whether hunger or poor health or
one of the creatures who share this dank hole with me
will kill me first -- I only know that I will soon be
dead, and not even my bones with remain. My hope is that
in the years that come, this letter will be read and the
sad story of (whatsisname), Prince of Sentinel will be told.
I am fifteen years old at the time of this writing, and
have been plagued with bad health for most of my life,
to the frustration of my hearty parents. The finest
healers and apothecaries in western Tamriel have labored
over my every cough and fever, but while they could save
my life time and time again, they could not improve my
sickly constitution. In retrospect, I received little
real affection from the king and queen, embarrassed as
they were about begetting such a cripple as the heir of
the kingdom. I cannot say I missed the love; I received
much attention from the doctors, priests, and herbalists
constantly at court. Certainly I was not to be the sort
of warrior that King Cameron was, but one of my dearest
friends, a priest of Stendarr said that I might be the
first scholar-king in the history of Sentinel.
My younger sister Aubk-i was the true favorite of my
parents: athletic, beautiful, and charming. It is hard to
think of an uncomplimentary word for her. I am resigned
to my imminent death, and yet, I would like to see her
once again. For six years, Aubk-i and I were the only
children of Sentinel. Eight years ago, the queen had a
boy child and named him Greklith, after the ancient
Redguard word for Strong King. Few speak that tongue
any longer, but all the scholars and nobles of Hammerfell
understood. And Greklith is a strong boy indeed -- I have
never so much as seen him cough. The Queen's next child,
born only a year after Greklith, had an even more ominous
birthname -- Lhotun. Second Boy. Perhaps had I been less
sheltered, more suspicious by nature, I might have read
into these nominations. Lhotun and Greklith are common
enough names in our family, I reasoned. Now I know that
even then, I was disinherited -- even if it was
not official yet.
For several months before Lhotun's birth and over three
years afterward, I was in the throes of a very serious
fever. The doctors despaired of me, but somehow and very,
very gradually, I recovered. For the first time, and the
last, I read an expression on my father, the King's face
that was not indifference. It was disgust.
That was a fortnight ago. Three nights ago, I was seized
by men I had never seen while I was having a walk. My
nursemaid stood by watching placidly as I was gagged
and tied and thrown roughly into a sack. I do not know
how long they rode with me, but I was eventually left
here. When I finally freed myself from my bonds, I found
that I was alone. My wanders have gotten me nowhere.
This place is filled with undead creatures that prevent
me from finding any exit.
I have no hope left, but no fear either. A few regrets.
Perhaps had I studied magic instead of history and
science I could free myself of this place. One of my
tutors told the story of the Underking, how he had
placed his lifeforce in the body of a powerful being
and had thus conquered all Tamriel long, long ago.
Had I only had the strength of a more powerful body
like that.
But I did not study magic. I studied history, so I
leave this letter -- not to revenge myself, but as
an historic document.
|
Oh well. Let the dead stay dead and let the living live on. Besides,
you have a mission to carry out. Back to your employer, Prince Lhotun,
you go, and your efforts are properly rewarded - he happens to know a bit
about late King Lysandus:
This what I most feared. Poor (whatsisname). As I
promised, here's what I've heard about
Lysandus. I don't know how much of this is
secret, but I trust you. Lysandus was in love
with his court sorceress, a noblewoman named
Medora Direnni, and during the war with us,
his queen found out. They say that while her
husband was gone, Queen Mynisera banished
Medora from the court. My sister Aubk-i is
queen now, part of the treaty to insure peace,
but Mynisera still resides at Castle Daggerfall
as the dowager Queen mother.
I don't know where Medora went, but I know
she has an enormous castle somewhere on the
Isle of Balfiera. But I also heard there is
some kind of curse on her, and she can never
leave. I don't know if that helps you, but
that's all I know. Again, thank you for
(whatsisname)'s letter. Just knowing what happened
will ease my heart somewhat. Please take this
(magic item) as a token of my appreciation.
|
You further path is clearly laid out for you... Isle of Balfiera. And
Medora Direnni.
Next:
Finding Medora Direnni.
Next:
The painting from Wayrest.
|
|
