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The Story of DaggerfallThe Totem of Tiber Septim
Before you can decide what to do with the whole heap of news about Numidium and
the Totem and everything, lady Brisienna, the resident push-you-around, appears
on the horizon. She summons you to some tavern in a godforsaken town, and demands -
you got it - the Totem!
Qwerty, I'm glad you could meet
me here. The Blades and your emperor need
you again. You may or may not be aware
that the Totem of Tiber Septim has been
found. For a brief time Lord Woodborne of
Wayrest had it. Where he got it from is
still a mystery. The Blades mounted an
assault upon Woodborne Hall to retrieve
it. Although the Hall fell, many of our
number fell with it.
We sacked the Woodborne Hall, but the
Totem was gone. I have reason to believe
that Gothryd has the Totem. The Blades no
longer have the men to mount an assault
on Castle Daggerfall. You have shown
yourself to be quite adept at getting in
and out of these places. Would go into
Castle Daggerfall and retrieve the Totem
of Tiber Septim?
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When you agree, she gives you a more specific direction:
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I knew I could count on you Qwerty.
The Totem is most likely in the Daggerfall
treasury. It is a huge room, quite
unmistakable. I am leaving in a couple
of days. I shall send word to you where
you can meet me after you get the Totem.
Should you succeed, the Emperor has
instructed me to gift you with
an artifact of great power and renown.
(Reward artifact)!
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Beating castle Daggerfall is rather easy. Barely overcoming the temptation to kill
off some of the most annoying inhabitants of the castle, you retrieve the Totem.
Suddenly it turns out that either the Totem has a mind of its own, or you need
some mental healer's attention right away. A voice in your head speaks to you:
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"You are Qwerty. You are my new
host. Know this now and resolutely. You are not
worthy to carry the Totem of Tiber Septim. Only
those of his blood line may carry me. I will
give you a year and a day to accomplish this."
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OBTW, earlier someone stated that only people of
royal blood may possess the Totem. Obviously, the Totem thinks otherwise.
Now imagine for a second how mightily will those NOT of Tiber Septim's lineage
be screwed when and if they get the Totem and the Totem gives them this kind of response!
"Sorry, King Gothryd, you're no good. Access denied, honey."
Actually not. Obviously, the anonymous "Friend" was right and Totem
is just being a bitch. If you give it to someone obviously NOT of Tiber Septim's blood -
like Gortwog - it will work just as well. Or maybe Gortwog et al. have a
descendant of Tiber Septim at their disposal, just in case.
And guess what, there's already a whole line for the damn thing.
Sentinel wants it:
Qwerty,
You are on a quest to retrieve the Totem of
Tiber Septim. Do not deny it. My spies have
confirmed this. The Totem is not for commoners,
and you cannot use it. Bring the Totem to me
and I will pay you 100,000 gold pieces.
It is a king's ransom by any measure.
You should be warned, neither Wayrest nor
Daggerfall are loyal to the throne. I am the
only regent on the Iliac Bay that can be trusted.
The others will only use it to destroy me.
Akorithi
Queen of Sentinel
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And Wayrest wants it!
Noble Qwerty,
My ears have picked up rumors that you are
searching for the Totem of Tiber Septim. I
too have hunted for this wondrous artifact
for many years. Should you find it, I would
pay you a healthy ransom, enough to buy your
own ship. I will match or exceed any price
that Gothryd or Akorithi might offer. Never
forget your real friends.
King Eadwyre,
of Wayrest
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Gortwog wants it too!
Qwerty,
You are not orcish. How could you possibly
understand what it is like? My people are
treated like barbarians. Slaughtered upon
sight. Is it so unusual that we respond in
kind? Violence begets violence.
I aspire to raise my race from the mire. I
will bring them to equal standing with the
other races of Tamriel. To do this I must
have the Totem of Tiber Septim. I will not
insult you by promises that no blood will
be shed. I do swear by my crown and by my
heirs I shall not attempt to hold sway
beyond the borders of Orsinium. My goal is
not to conquer Tamriel, but to create the
orcish homeland. I am in possession of an
artifact that I am sure you would want to
possess. It is yours if you but give me
the Totem of Tiber Septim.
-- Gortwog, Warlord and King
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King of Worms is in the game as well...
Qwerty,
You will soon have the Totem of Tiber Septim
in your hands. It is forseen in the stars,
and I have read them. Know you this. All of
mortal stature are filled with pride and greed.
To give the Totem to any of them is to let
loose mortal vanity upon this world. They will
destroy the very thing they covet.
I have no earthly desires. I have no mortal
pride, no petty greed. Only one such as I
can wield the Totem safely, for I would take
it into the Aetherius and leave behind this
earthly shell. So long as the Totem exists,
it is a danger to all on Tamriel. Bring me
the Totem and I will safeguard the world.
I will not offer you gold or gems. I will
offer you what only I can give. Fame. Your
reputation throughout Tamriel will soar.
Lord of the Necromancers,
King of the Worms
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Underking claims it was his from the very beginning:
Qwerty,
Centuries ago, Tiber Septim ruled the land
and forged an empire with great Numidium. The
secret of Numidium's power lies in its heart,
carried within the Mantella. It is the heart
of Tiber Septim's battlemage. It is my heart. It
is my Mantella. It is my Totem. It belongs to
me, and to none other.
I have won and lost an empire. I have no desire
to tamper further with mortal affairs. I have in
my possession (another artifact), one of the
world's greatest artifacts. You may have it in
in exchange for the Totem.
My most loyal agent will await your arrival in
(temple) of (city), at (province).
Underking
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Lady Brisienna thinks you should play loyal for a minute or two:
Qwerty,
If you are reading this, you must have gotten
the Totem and escaped from the dungeons of
Castle Daggerfall. I am in (place),
of (city) at (province).
Bring the Totem there as soon as possible.
-- Lady Brisienna
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And needless to say, the ones in charge of Daggerfall would be
happy if you gave them the Totem back. But what's the point of stealing it in
the first place, then?
And you once again think your work is done. Not so.
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The unmistakable voice of Nulfaga speaks
softly in your head, "I see that the Totem
has found its way into the hands of someone
with royal blood. I think it is time you
paid me another visit here in Shedungent
Qwerty. Your work is not yet done."
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Next: Mantella.
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