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The False Revanchism of the Maormer

Author: 
Hadendril of Skywatch

The ages old conflict between Altmer and Maormer has raged so continuously, and so long, that it is easy to come under the impression that it is a complicated struggle. Built, layer upon layer, century upon century, of two-sided wrongs and reprisals. This is a fallacy of the most harmful order. It grants a hint of legitimacy to deprivations that deserve none. The Maormer have never held claim over the Isles of Summerset, and gods willing, they never shall.

I fear the fallibility we have developed in our fall from Aldmeri grace has led to the common misconception that we are close siblings to those who dwell in Pyandonea, but the truth of the matter is that we are far distant cousins with only a shred of common ancestry. This welcome revelation comes from previously untranslated Aldmeri tapestries within the Crystal Tower. The unmitigated truth revealed at last, after painstaking study, speaks not of a common plight of reluctant migration and tragic diaspora, but a tale of treachery and exile.

The blood the Maormer spill has always been in the name of greed and hungry ambition. Their corrupt "king," Orgnum, thought to usurp our ancient homeland of Aldmeris from its rightful rulers, just as he seeks to steal Summerset from us. The Maormer are a despicable people who do not deserve the guilt of conscience some have afforded them for too long. Any debate on the matter is closed, the Maormer apologists are silenced, and the prosecution of war against the Pyandoneans should be carried out without remorse.

The Scaled Elves

Author: 
Marin Laroix

Sailors are known for their stories. Tall tales of faraway places, great beasts, vast treasures, beautiful temptresses, and storms that could end the world. Many take these claims with a healthy dose of skepticism, but not all the legends you hear are pure fantasy. Away from the relative calm of the Iliac Bay the sea can harbor some truly frightening things. Among them are the Maormer leviathans.

If you've never seen a Sea Elf, they're strange, but unremarkable. Similar to High Elves in build, their skin is the color of ocean spray and their eyes pale. Most wouldn't give them a second glance if not for their elaborate tattoos and their vicious demeanor. The ones their kind call leviathans, however, they'll make your blood run as cold as their own.

The spawn of some unholy and sorcerous coupling of Sea Elf and Sea Serpent, these giants stand a head and a half over the most towering of Nords when they draw themselves to their full height. A rare sight since these Elves mostly carry themselves in a beastly posture, bent and arced like a snake ready to strike. When they do make their move, they don't so much stride as slither along in an uneven predatory lope—like they're unused to both land and legs.

The first time I laid eyes on one in the flesh, she was clambering up the hull of my ship like a centipede—weaving back and forth as she effortlessly glided up the slippery boards. The way the light glittered off her blue scales was almost beautiful, but her dead, white eyes were as impassive as a shark's and her grin as mirthless.

I doubled over in fright as she shot over the starboard railing. She was on me in an instant, pinning me to the deck with her great size, ready to strike me down with a killing blow, or so I thought. Instead, she regarded me with a chilling dispassion and I froze like a mouse that's locked eyes with a snake. I was both captivated and terrified. It was the popping of her jaw stretching out of place to swallow me that finally snapped me out of my shock and gave me the sense to struggle.

I was no match for the leviathan's strength, but I managed to wrest a hand free and drive it into the back of her throat. The gout of flame she choked on put an end to her perverse existence, but the mark she left on me I'll carry until the end of my days. If you should ever see the scaled Elves lurking below the waves, my prayers go with you.

A Sailor's Guide to Sea Elves

Author: 
Virillda of the Silver-Sails

Whether you are a recruit for the Royal Navy, or merely taking a voyage into open waters, you will want to know something of the Maormer before you have the misfortune of spotting their ships on the horizon. This guide will help prepare you for the day that you inevitably do. Take heed of that as my first lesson: if you spend any amount of time on sea or shore, you will cross paths with Sea Elves.

As their name suggests, the Sea Elves are at home on the water. They are so able at plying the waves that a Maormer ship can remain at sea indefinitely, so long as it is sea-worthy. The Maormer take full advantage of that fact when raiding our trade vessels, or ambushing our fleets. Never pursue a retreating Sea Elf vessel, even if you think they are hobbled. They will bait you into thinking you can catch them, but make no mistake: Sea Elf cutters are faster than any ship in our fleet. Soon you will find yourself lured out into the open ocean, unable to safely retreat, while they circle you like sharks. Your food stores will dwindle, and once you are finally too weak to put up a fight, the Maormer will swoop in to slaughter you. It is a cowardly, but effective tactic.

Secondly, never flee a Sea Elf vessel unless you can see land. Even then, do so with great care. It is not a matter of if the Maormer will overtake you, it is when. The best course of action when confronted by Maormer ships is to stand and fight. At least then you have some hope of coming out ahead. Sea Elf fleets are most often composed of small, agile vessels well-suited to quick hit-and-run engagements. Bloody their noses quickly and you may drive them off before they are committed to their attack.

When fighting the Maormer, their ballistae are the least of your troubles. They can turn the seas themselves against you. Any ship larger than a sloop is sure to have at least one of their Sea Mages beneath its sails, conjuring wind and storm to toss you about like a toy boat. Every effort should be made to neutralize Maormer Sea Mages as quickly as possible. If the waves have not yet done you in, the Sea Elves will sic their beasts on you. Maormer breed and train a variety of marine predators to bolster their ranks. From winged reef vipers that can leap high out of the water and onto your deck, to sea serpents large enough to capsize a warship. In either case, keep moving at a steady clip and the creatures will have difficulty reaching you before they tire.

As for the Maormer themselves, do not let their deceptive tactics fool you. Sea Elves are vicious combatants who want nothing more than to spill Altmer blood. If they manage to board your vessel, you will have a hard fight on your hands. Maormer are exceptionally steady on their feet in even the roughest waters, and nimbler than an acrobat at traversing a ship's rigging. As you might imagine, well-trained and armored marines are the best defense against boarding, but if you find yourself in the melee you will need to assume a formation that will protect your flanks. Sea Elf raiders prefer enveloping tactics that quickly overwhelm a scattered enemy.

There is only so much to be learned from a guide alone, but I hope that this knowledge has better prepared you for the day when your life depends on it. Phynaster guide your sails.

ESO - Alinor and Ayarene

Author: 
Anonymous

The Maormer, stationed on Sunhold Isle, are catapulting corpses onto Altmeri garrisons.

"Day and night the Maormer bombard our Blessed Isle with their mundane machinery. For munitions, they use diseased corpses - a tactic most foul! I ask you to infiltrate Sunhold, destroy the Siege Engines, and slay the Engineers who maintain them."

"Despite the efforts to contain them, the  plagues of the Maormer continue to afflict the Nereids along the Liriel River to the east. If more of the Noxious Nereids were slain, our problems would decrease."

"In a stroke, you have severely weakened the Maormer bombardments. High Kinlord Maldarawo has noted your deeds, and bids you to the Isquer Kinhouse. Travel safely, Numinous. You have stung the Maormer deeply, and they will want revenge."

"You've taken the head of Rahoeri, the commander of the Maormer siege camp on Sunhold Island. Battlereeve Tariella at the Harmonium Fortress along the south shore of Isque would be glad news of his demise."

"The Maormer recently unloaded supplies onto the docks of Sunhold. Infiltrate the island, burn those crates and destroy their weapon racks. We'll see how eager they are to attack once their supplies run low!"

"Isque could use your support. The Maormer have taken Sunhold, an island to the south, and are spreading north. Take this road east, beyond the Stonewake, to the Tersicor Collegium, and speak to Melodian Fiannalor."

"Maormer siege engines are tossing diseased undead into the Orchestrated Gardens to the south. This pestilence must be purified by flames. Slay the Contagious Cadavers,  then use this Scorching Scepter to burn their remains."

"The Nereids of the Liriel River were infected by the Catagious Cadavers Maomer siege engines hurled into Isque. I slew some of the Nereids infected by the Maormer corpses. Hopefully this will prevent further spread of the disease."

"The Maormer siege engines on Sunhold Island are devastating our lands. I could use the aid of a Numinous: even if killed, you can return to report."

"The Nereid matriarch Thoe was driven mad by the Maormer plagues affecting her people. After a fierce battle,I've taken her head. Melodian Liriondion at the Isque Kinhouse, who orchestrates the Nereid cullings, would wish to know of this."

"This is a temple to beauty. You can imagine my distress that the Maormer send zombies up the Liriel River to defile the Fane. I should like three barricades erected in the southwest river, that the dead may not lay their claws upon my priestesses."

 

Varlines are magica conduits that stretch through the region. The Altmer use Varla Lenses to siphon magica from them for defense and other purposes.

"The Maormer attack disrupted the Varlines, damaging our Varla Lens. Vartisan Ameralee is learned in these matters. It would be helpful if you could make an inquiry with her. She has taken the damaged Lens up to the Imagerie, to the east."

"The Varlines to Alinor and Isque have both been restored! I have no doubt the Maormer will soon be ejected from our shores."

"As you must know, the Altmer are a race of studious and isolated people - Vartisans doubly so.The disruption the Maormer have wrought on the Varlines has pushed some of the less stable Altmer over the edge. Hainen is among these unfortunates."

"It is a tumultuous hour for the Altmer. Contact with the Ascendants is severed and the Varlines are wavering. We must hold fast to our traditions, and weather the storm."

"The Varlines aren't flickering here - they're down! Maormer spies have stolen the Isque Varla Stone and taken it to their strongpoint on Sunhold Island.  Feeling ambitious? Then help the Isquers recover that stone before their defenses give way."

"To be a Vartisan without a Varline is a very lonely existence. Normally its essence fills me and now I feel... nothing."

"It is a magical focus, chiseled from the glass of a fallen star. The Lenses channel the magicka of the stars into our Varlines. Through the Varlines, magicka flows to Kinhouses and monuments throughout Summerset."

"Our Mistress came for the book "Vartisans and Varlines." It was written by Hainen over the course of 200 years. Chapter XLVII covers the repair of Varla Lenses. It is critical that we recover the book from the library in Hainen's Sanctum!"

"Velanya told me that one of the items needed to repair the Var Lens was a chapter from the tome "Varlines and Vartisans." The book sprang to life when I touched it! After subduing it, I was able to rip the relevant pages out."

"Vartisan Ameralee can be found at the southern entrance of the Imagerie. I've recovered Chapter XLVII of the book "Varlines and Vartisans." The information within should allow Ameralee to repair the Var Lens."

"A crystal, made of meteoric glass. Varla Lenses direct and focus the energy of the Varlines. The Varlines are streams of magicka drawn from the stars.They flow across the land, powering various works of magic."

"Our Varla Lens was stolen by a Maormer spy, but with Meteoric Glass we can craft a magic weapon to recover it.  Search north of here for sky-fallen meteorites and collect Meteoric Glass. The blasted Discarnates may also have some."

"The magicka of the Varlines sustains the Aquiferi Elementals. The Varlines' malfunction has enraged them. Dispatch them, collect their Piths, and bury these in the Fissures from whence they came."

"Our Varla Lens is currently in use at the Tessellated Shores, bolstering the defenses there. However the Lens is now needed here to restore the Varlines.Vartisan Taarifil is charged with its care; deliver him this requisition and bring me the Lens."

“It is well that the Varlines have been restored. Perhaps now they will send more healers to aid me.”

"With the Varla Lens missing, the lines of power connecting this Kinship to the Orrery have gone down. Were the Varlines to be restored, I could transport you to the Orrery swiftly and safely."

"Some of us are more sensitive to disturbances in the Varlines. My mother is among those."

"Without the Varlines the simplest of tasks, such as binding spirits of Discarnates into servitude, becomes nearly impossible."

"Vartisans are skilled practitioners of the art of maintaining the Varlines passing through Tamvir, Varlines which keep the Altmer magic flowing strong."

"Hainen was undoubtedly the most talented Vartisan in all of Summerset. He was among those... unbalanced by the disruption of the Varlines.\n\nHis genius persists. Now puts it to the more dubious purposes."

"Though I have studied the Varlines, those rivers of Magicka that flow across our land, I have much yet to learn. For instance, can a damaged Varla Lens truly be repaired?"

"It will be a mere trifle for me to speed you along your way, now that the power of the Varlines has been restored. When you are ready, I will instantly transport you to Verdant Grove Tower, which lies but a short stroll away from Teriskor Kinhouse."

"Naturally, since they employ Varla Lenses of my own design. The Sea Elves know that if they disrupt the magicka-flow of our Varlines, Altmer magicka-based society will come apart at the seams."

"Our ancestors built these defenses several centuries ago. The lines of stone channel the power of the Varlines to enhance our protective magics."

"With the Varline to Alinor restored, we may catch up on the latest court gossip."

 

The Oyinaam is a magical bell that uses tones to drive off the Maormer.

"The Oyinaam near the Liriel River to the east create a harsh music that repels the Maormer. Alas, the line is under assault by Incendiary Zombies! Make haste to the east and report to an Oyinaam Conductor."

"Well done. We cannot stop the Maormer from sending zombies the  up the Liriel. But upon Old Ehlnofey, I shall be damned if I allow them to make a hole in the Oyinaam line."

"I shall despatch enchanters to replace the downed Oyinaam, but the Maormer are sure to try again. Are you willing to do likewise?"

"The Oyinaam are works of Isquer sound-magic. They turn in the currents of the Varlines, and as they move, emit a noise noxious and terrible to the ears of Maormer. Others could explain better than I: my strengths lie in the School of Destruction."

"The Varlines power the Oyinaam, which play a music the vile Maormer cannot abide. The melodious sounds weaken their bodies as well as their minds. 'Tis astonishing such beasts respond to music at all...."

"The Bell has been blessed according to the Kinlord's desires. The Isquer Kinship has a new weapon with which to fight the Maormer."

"Isque is not unfamiliar with your exploits, Optimate - and we are a Kinship in distress.  In ages past my people created weapons of sound to fend off the Maormer. Obtaining a Blessed Bell would allow us to reclaim Sunhold and our Varla Lens."

 

The Orrery takes up a part of the sky of Alinor. By syncing the model planets with their divine counterparts, the Altmer draw magica from the heavens. Each constellation has an Exemplar who represents it, and each planet is attuned to a Skyharker. When the Maormer attacked, they threw the planet Auri-el from the sky and replaced it with Orgnavar, a necromantic totem planet created with the assistance of the Sload.

"The Orrery draws magicka from the sky and delivers it across the Varlines to Summerset. To do this the model planets must sync up with the celestial spheres."

"In addition to model planets, the Orrery is also home to living embodiments of the constellations called Exemplars. The Thief, The Mage,and The Warrior Exemplars protect the other constellations - they are the Guardians."

"The Maormer added an intruder planet to our Orrery. We must discover it purpose."

"Nirn is restored, yet the Orrery is incomplete. The planet Auri-El was knocked from the sky by the hateful Maormer. I would ask more of you, fine <<1>>."

"I require assistance divining the purpose of Orgnavar. The Exemplars are avatars of the Orrery constellations. Visit them and infuse this Welkynd Stone with their power. Speak first with the Lover; her shrine is southwest of here."

"A Fragment of Orgnavar landed on the hillside to the northeast after the planet collided with Auri-El. It is enraging the Discarnates.  Destroy it and bring me the debris. I want to examine this Maormer-made planet."

""Orgnavar." A vile name. Only the egomaniacal leader of the Maormer would dare name a planet after himself."

"All of Summerset draws magicka from the Orrery. The Orrery harnesses the celestial magic from the sky by mimicking the positions and motions of the planets with model planets. The Skyharkers are the guardians of the Orrery."

"Skyharkers maintain the Orrery. To keep the Orrery's model planets in sync with the actual celestial spheres each of us forms a mental bond with one of the models. The Prime Skyharker forms a bond with all of the model planets at once."

"After completing our apprenticeship each Skyharker is assigned a model planet with which we commune, forming a mental bond. The Prime Skyharker is bound to the Orrery as a whole - mentally connected to every model planet."

"Each Exemplar you speak to can tell you where to go next. You need only ask. After The Lady,you will choose one of several Exemplars to visit. Pick whichever most appeals to you; all can aid our cause."

"You need to ask a total of four to bind their essence into the Welkyn Stone."

"The Ritual or The Lord could assist. Go to whichever you most desire. The Lord is a stong yet stern master. The Ritual is wise, but distant."

"The Tower, The Shadow, or The Steed could aid your cause. The Tower can see that which is hidden,while the Shadow is itself hidden. The Steed is swift and sure."

"The Lady. The Apprentice. Lady endures. Boring. Nice person. But dull. Apprentice has great magic. Good! Falls quick to magic. Bad!"

"Your last stop could be either The Lady or The Apprentice. The Lady is charming and stoic, while The Apprentice has great affinity for magicka."

"Vartisan Urselor said something destroyed The Atronach - one of the Orrery's Exemplars. Atronach Rubble is scattered to the south of the Kinhouse."

"I must speak to Skyharker Nureva,who waits within the Syldarim Kinhouse, about the vision I witnessed of the Sload inside of Orgnavar."

"Are the Sload in league with the Maormer, or was this a coincidental raid? Kinlord Langdruun must be told of this development. Would you report to him at the Felballin Kinhouse? I will continue my investigations here."

"Interesting. This is not Maormer work at all - Orgnavar is an infernal device of Sload design. After further study, I could create an infernal device of my own. Not that I would..."

"A Numinous in my Kinhouse. How delectable. Would you lend your hand to my cause? I am now in possession of the damaged Auri-El Welkynd stone, which was knocked from our skies by the Maormer invaders."

"Using the Welkyn Stone, I was able to summon a vision of the orchestrator of the Orrery's problems - a Sload! I must question this creature's apparition to try and figure out its intentions."

"So! Confirmation at last that the Maormer have  enlisted the Sload as allies. The orbiting Orgnavar must be some sort of vile Necromantic focus! This only makes its removal all the more urgent."

"Orgnavar is a planet created by the traitorous Maormer.  They have named it after their seemingly immortal and self proclaimed king, Orgnum. It is said that he was a Aldmeri noble that rebelled and was exiled along with his followers to Pyandonea."

"Orgnavar was placed in the sky by the Maormer. Nureva wants me to divine its purpose, and asked me to seek out the Exemplars of constellations around the Orrery, in order to power my divination."

"The Maormer will overwhelm the Orrery any day now. Soldiers are bred to throw their lives away on the battlefield, not Skyharkers."

"The Syldarim of The Orrery have sent an Emissary bearing a message of unity. I am grateful for your deeds, Numinous."

"I am unable to focus.... Orgnavar blocks my attempt to harmonize with the planet Xarxes."

"I was able to see Orgnavar for a moment. It appears to be composed of similar material to our own planets. In the moments I was able to see it... I felt a presence. As if something, someone, was inside the planet."

"In the sky directly above the Orrery whirl planet models which replicate their celestial counterparts. The Moarmer smote the Auri-El model from the sky and replaced it with their own foul Orgnavar!"

"You hold a gnarled metal pole engraved with Maormer symbols. Since it came from inside the Serpent, Vartisan Urselor may be interested in this strange artifact."

"A Maormer Snake-Wizard's staff! You found this within the Serpent? I think we can assume this staff is all that remains of the Sea Elf sorcerer who corrupted our Serpent Exemplar. Apparently his control of the Serpent was short-lived - as was he!"

"When the Maormer launched their initial attack, The Serpent, one of our Constellation Exemplars, slithered from its cave, coiled around the kinhouse, and swallowed the model planet Nirn.  Nirn is our Varla Lens!"
"The Orrery's central planet Nirn is powered by this Varla Lens. Use the lens on the miniature orrery in the Kinhouse and Nirn will rise again. Once you have relaunched Nirn, speak with Kinlady Genivra."

"With Auri-El fallen, the Varlines remain inconstant and the impostor planet stays a threat. Auri-El must be restored! To do so, we shall first recover the Welkynd Stone of Auri-El. I have sent Vartisan Treyfellin to the crash site. Meet him there."

"With the Greater Welkynd Stone which powered Auri-El, our Vartisans may be able to restore the fallen planet back to its rightful place."

"Could I break my bond with my model planet, I would have left the Orrery already."

"I defended Vartisan Treyfellin as he recovered the Greater Welkynd Stone from the core of Auri-El. This will enable the Syldarim to replace the downed planet."

"The Maormer set up Spellfire Pillars to the southwest of the Thief's shrine. These Pillars fired magic upon the Orrery and are recharging before a second attack."

"The Maormer Incendiaries use Fire Salt to torment the Orrery. The Thief informs me they hold these in boxes inside large tents to the southwest."

"We have done it! Auri-El has been returned to the sky of the Orrery, and the Maormer planet Orgnavar has been destroyed, along with its Sload artificer."

"The Syldarim of The Orrery have sent an Emissary bearing a message of unity. I am grateful for your deeds, Numinous."

"The Kinlord of Isque sent you here? I am... unsurprised. Lord Maldarawo has little respect for the Skyharkers. Doubtless he assumes we are napping when we lie back to observe the Empyrean Lights."

"This coast was a serene retreat where scholars contemplated the stars and planets as they wheeled above the horizon. Now the sands teem with shambling corpses!"

"Despite the failing of the Varlines and the rise of Orgnavar, trade yet flows through Orrery."

 

In order to place Auri-El back in the sky, a new protective ring had to be forged.

"In order to forge a new protective ring for Auri-El's Welkynd Stone, Master Metalwright Sinderon will have to recreate the Ancestral Labor of Phynaster. The process is dangerous, requiring the assistance of someone more durable than an apprentice."

"Ah. Indeed. Obviously the Ancestral Labor of Phynaster must be recreated. In three catacombs there sits three pieces of an ancient and powerful relic, the Shattered Crown. Recover these and return them here."

"Steady yourself, Numinous. The Crown Pieces must be placed at exact intervals. At my signal, use a Channeling Pedestal to secure one of the Crown Pieces. I would normally have my apprentice assist me,but the process can be... hazardous."

"Such a wondrous artifact, to be fractured so imperfectly... The Shattered Crown contains great power - a power we will now harness and channel into my forge. When you are ready, the Ancestral Labor of Phynaster may begin."

"The pieces of the Shattered Crown are kept in three Aldmeri crypts spread throughout Dusk. One lies half sunken along the bay.One sits deep beneath the Maze of Obliquity.One stands high above the Tesselated Shores."

"Once you have recovered the pieces of the crown I ask that you take them to Talrien the Archivist, who toils within the bowels of the Umbral Tower. The building sits on a lone island along the southern edge of the bay. You may go now."

"Deep within the Umbral Tower,Talrien studies the histories of Summerset. He should be able to provide guidance in forging Auri-El's new protective magics. The Umbral Tower can be found on an island immediately south of the Scintilla Kinhouse."

"Now Auri-El shall have all the protection of Phynaster's Ring! It would take the power of a god himself to strike it from the sky again. You do well for our people, and have my sincerest thanks."

"Aha! There can be no doubt, you are Phynaster reborn! A job well done, Numinous."

The fall of Auri-el drove the chief Skyharker mad, and blinded many others, turning them into Starblind.

"Suuniqwe was the Prime Skyharker of the Orrery - she oversaw the Skyharkers and kept the model planets aligned with their celestial counterparts.  During the Maormer attack, after Auri-El was thrown down from the sky, she disappeared."

"No. She was leading the Skyharkers in defending the Orrery when suddenly she began screaming... and was gone. The sky went black,then was full of fire, and Auri-El came crashing down."

"The former Prime Skyharker, Suuniqwe, has become deranged and is now leading the Starblind Altmer. Her former student, Skyharker Vilmo, cannot reason with her, as she continues to view him as a subordinate."

"It was horrible. When Orgnavar replaced Auri-El, the Skyharkers bound to Auri-El wailed hideously and tore at their eyes... they became the Starblind. Then Prime Skyharker Suuniqwe disappeared! Skyharker Vilmo is the new Prime Skyharker."

"Maslir, a rival of mine, became a Starblind. He was clearly weak willed. The Orrery is better without such frail Skyharkers."

"Listen carefully. Deliver this book to Skyharker Vilmo. It contains my notes of my… discoveries beyond this plane. Simply handling it will be dangerous. You must be quick, for your own safety. Tell me when you are ready."

"This book... it burns. Suuniqwe wants me to deliver it to Skyharker Vilmo,back at the Apprentice's shrine."

"The journal Suuniqwe gave me burns at my touch, and seems to be whispering strange things to me... Suuniqwe wants me to deliver it to Skyharker Vilmo, back at the Apprentice's Shrine."

"I am glad you destroyed her journal. No doubt it was this that turned the Skyharkers into the Starblind. I escaped a similar fate thanks to you. Perhaps only the destruction of Orgnavar will cure her madness."

The Maormer built a ship, named the Landbreaker, capable of sailing through the earth. The rift it created in its journey to ram the Crystal Tower is called the Stonewake.

"The Maormer are gaining ground. Travel east to the Verdant Grove Tower, on the edge of the Stonewake, and speak to Battlereeve Heldarmo. I am confident you will add to your burgeoning legend!"

"The Landbreaker was a massive ship the Maormer sent to destroy the Crystal Tower.  Our mages destroyed it short of its goal, but it left a scar in the earth we call The Stonewake."

"A rend in the very earth, carved by a Maormer ship called the Landbreaker. Foul leeches brought up from the depths of the sea prowl the Stonewake, and Maomer Scouts lurk in ambush."

"Sorceress Andria must continue to levitate the Verdant Grove Tower, undermined by the passage of Landbreaker. Her energy wanes and she seeks to recharge it with Dawnshards from the Stonewake."

"They wished to destroy our blessed Crystal Tower. However the arrogant Maormer underestimated the power of the mages there, who were able to destroy the ship just short of its intended target."

The Crystal Tower
"The Wise of the Crystal Tower overcame the Landbreaker's advance, but what of the undead that flood our shores?"

"The system of inter-evocative hermetic harmonic resonance we still use today was developed during the construction of the Crystal Tower!"

"They sought to destroy our blessed Crystal Tower. Arrogance clouded their judgement. Thee Tower's mages prevented the ship from reaching its target."

"The Sapiarch of Astronomy at the Crystal Tower has nearly always been a Syldarim. Genivra, now High Kinlady of the Syldarim, held that position herself before the Ascendance of the previous High Kinlady."

"A Sapiarch is one of the Wise, the recognized authority in a given area of knowledge. For example, Lilia is Sapiarch of Alchemy."

"Waystones are actually crafted crystal vials that are completely sealed. Inside is a swirling of magic that always points to the Crystal Tower in Summerset. The Altmer create them so that they can navigate regardless of the weather or time of day."

 

There is a Sload in the Pearl Islands, in the south-western corner of the region.

"I have fashioned a device capable of luring a Sload. I require Fulgurite - sand fused by lightning - to power it. Dig them out of the Scorched Sands along the beach. And beware: Mudcrabs seem to prefer Scorched Sands for their nests."

"I fear a Sload lurks offshore, raising drowned sailors as Zombies - most abominable! Investigate the shallows around the Pearls; if you find Larva Sacs, it will confirm the presence of Sload. Destroy the Larva Sacs around The Pearls."

"Telenger informed me there are Imago Plinths on each of the Pearl Islands. I need to use the Sload Inveigler on one to summon the Sload."

"I must place the Sload Lure on the Sun Column in the ruins on the furthest island of the Pearls. The Lure will draw out the Sload that I must slay."

"I have slain the Sload menacing Varyllis. Telenger waits for news of my success on the bluff above the Deadsands."

"You found Larva Sacs? It is as I feared.  If a Sload is nigh, it is allied with the Maormer - and must be dealt with."

The Varyllis Magico-Library

"The Varyllis Magico-Library lost its books when they came alive during the Varline disruption. Optimate Iandil has asked me to capture the books and return them to their bookshelves on the ground floor of the Library tower."

"An archival tower in the southeast of Varyllis. Many of our oldest tomes are stored within. The written word has power in Summerset. When the Varlines were disrupted, many books took on a semblance of life,and attacked the librarians."

"What is a library without books? Just a dull building. When the Varlines flickered our books became animated and fled their shelves! Defeat the Animated Books in and around this tower, collect them, and return them to their shelves. They're overdue!"

"With the Varlines awry, our own magic books are a danger to us. I fear my mother was attacked."

"Words have power, Optimate. With Altmer books, that is literal truth, not mere poetic license. The disruption of the Varlines has corrupted magical objects. Animated books were once common manuscripts on which powerful incantations were scribed."

The Scintillants, in Dusk, are expert smiths

"It is fortunate that the Scintillants of Dusk are skilled in vulgar art of forging. They have need of weapons with Maormer landings on two shores."

"From time immemorial Scintillants have been revered as masters of metalcraft. This forge is the instrument of our greatness. Through it, we channel the celestial energies of the Firmament into items both magical and mundane."

"We Scintillants hold precision to be the greatest virtue,and prefer clean geometries: lines, angles, planes."

"The Scintillants' Varla Lens was stolen by the Maormer. A Vartisan at the Tessellated Shores believes we can track the thief and recover the Lens."

Altmeri society and politics

"And honor it is, according to the Queen. By her decree, all Numinous are awarded the status of Optimate, with access to the Mulberry and Turquoise districts of Alinor."

"Title and social status are of supreme importance to the Altmer! The Queen has granted all Numinous the noble title of "Optimate" - an honor indeed! You need defer to no one of lower status than a Kinlord."

"Beneath the Queen are the Kinlords and Kinladies. Next come Optimates, then Exultants, then commoners such as guards and artisans. The Ousters are pariahs, Altmer who have left or been banished from their Kinships. I pretend not to see them."

"Aren't Ousters forbidden from the Kinholds?"

"I'm an Ouster - you really should pretend not to see me, Optimate. But you're not quite like the others, are you?"

"Each great Kinhouse is home to an extended family of Altmer, a Kinship. For example, to the east of here is the Isquer Kinhouse, home of the Isquer Kinship. Kinlord Maldarawo, head of the Isquers, is the leading Altmer of his region."

"I have convicned Optimate Illira not to end her life. She has rejoined her daughter, Exultant Elleste at the Felballin Kinhouse."

"The Numinous are to report to Queen Ayrenn for a Royal Fete. Proceed to the Immaculate Tabernacle in the Turquoise district."

"Isque is holding its own against the Maormer, but its Varla Lens is missing. Kinlord Maldarawo will want it restored. Maldarawo is Ayarynne's sharpest critic, if not the most influencial. The only things stiffer than his neck are his compositions!"

"The Crystal Tower, on a mountain east of Alinor, is home to the Wise, the leading Altmer in all areas of arcane knowledge. They are called the Sapiarchs, and they wield great influence with the Queen and with the Kinlords."

"Family is everything to the Altmer. Each is a member of an extended clan group called a Kinship, and owes allegiance to a Kinlady or Kinlord. All the members of a Kinship live together in a great home called a Kinhouse."

"A Battlereeve is a commander in the Altmer military. Only warriors who have served Summerset for at least four centuries may be appointed Battlereeves. Many a Maormer has met his end on the edge of my blade."

"This is the Felballin Kinhouse - the seat of High kinlord Langdruun's power. You may find shops, places of manufacture, and rooms to stay the night. These days most visit to learn the progress of our war against the Maormer, and assist as they may."

"Astraela is a steel fist in a velvet glove in a block of ice, but her affection for her people is sincere. There are Maormer invading from the south and the east. At the very least, I expect you shall have to throw them back into the sea."

"Our young Queen may amuse herself by moving pieces on her chessboard, but my Kinship will not be her willing pawn. Aid my people. Rid our shores of Maormer, and recover our Varla Lens. Only then shall I consider Ayarynne's petition."

"I have met with Queen Ayrenn after gaining my Alinor medallion. She wishes the Numinous to aid the High Elves against the Maormer."

"It is a symbol. A token that a Kinlord offers during votes in council. Giving it to Ayarynne would indicate that Langdruun will support her policy on the Heartlands."

"Queen Ayarynne wants me to unite the land under her banner and has commanded me to report to High Kinlord Langdruum in Varyllis, south of Alinor."
"After my successes against the Maormer at Sunhold, High Kinlord Maldarawo summoned me to his Kinhouse. As I have reduced the threat to his people, he has agreed to support High Queen Ayarynne's policies."

"News of our success here will soon reach Alinor. You should return there and seek audience with Queen Ayarynne."

"Our sky is restored. Your service to the Syldarim cannot go unrewarded, <<1>>. Though it galls me to admit, I must also reward Ayarynne for sending you. Her faith in the Numinous was... not incorrect. You may have the Syldarim Baton of Fidelity."

"High Kinlord Maldarawo of Isque sent me on to Orrery. The Maormer have devastated the magickal construct that gives the region its name. There is much work to be done."

"An impressive treasure, my stalwart <<1>>, and proof that the Maormer are driven forth. I will grant my Baton of Fidelity. I would not have you carry this artifact overland. Speak to Vartisan Guyeron oustide about an alternate travel arrangement."

"Since I must, I welcome you to Alinor, and to the opportunity to serve your Blood-Kin. My sister the Queen believes you Numinous may be of use in repelling the Maormer. Perhaps. She awaits you within."

"Just so. Once again, the accursed Maormer invade our southern shores. And yet the Queen thinks we can intervene on the continent when the Home Isles are under attack! Folly."

"The Maormer ravage our shores, yet I must keep our legions committed in Tamriel. Will you aid the southern Kinships, and bring the Kinlords under Our banner? Canonreeve Lefalto will assist you. Meet him at Felballin Kinhouse, south of Alinor."

"I believe you know why we are here; Queen Ayrenn requires High Kinlady Astraela's Baton of Fidelity. Astraela will be the most difficult to persuade. There are Maormer invasions on two coasts of Dusk. Her people are hard-pressed."

"I feel my hearth-brother Rolperil's spirit has passed to the stars - but I shall rest at ease knowing that the foul Maormer's numbers have been reduced.  Fivefold greatness and esteem be upon thee, <<1>>."

"Well met, noble Numinous! May Xarxes, God of Ancestry and Secrets, commemorate you! In this hour the Altmer need your aid."

"Cannonreeve Lefalto can be found within the Felballin Kinhouse in Varyllis, I should make contact with him for more information on how to advance the Queen's goals."

"It is solely by the grace of Auri-El that we have survived this long. The Varlines flicker and sap our power. We look to the Queen for guidance, but she seeks the counsel of lesser mer. I fear for our future."

"Queen Ayrenn wants the Kinlords of Summerset united under her banner. She ordered me to the Felballin Kinhouse in Varyllis, where I aided High Kinlord Langdruum by restoring the Varlines."

"Queen Ayrenn wants the Kinlords of Summerset united under her banner. At the Kinhouse in Isque, I aided High Kinlord Maldarawo by recovering a Varla Lens."

"Queen Ayrenn wants the Kinlords of Summerset united under her banner. At the Kinhouse in Orrery, I aided High Kinlady Genivra by raising the downed model planet representing Nirn."

"Queen Ayrenn wants the Kinlords of Summerset united under her banner. At the Kinhouse in Dusk, I gained High Kinlady Astraela's support by assisting her Kinship with the reforging of Auri-El."

"You doubtless will continue your journey east to convince the Kin of Orrery to support Ayrenn's policy. I will not wish you fortune. You must prove the rightness of the course through deeds. Speak to Vartisan Urselor at the Syldarim Kinhouse."

The Ascendants are the honored ancestors of the Altmer. They were trapped in the Umbral Tower.

"Here we can commune with Ascendants, our ancestor spirits. We do so with the Pyxides of Ashes but the spirits have been trapped within them! I believe a Numinous' touch will free them. Use the Pyxides in this tower - but beware the spirits' anger!"

"It is a blessing to know the Ascendants are once more at peace.  I can only speculate that their imprisonment was somehow related to whatever strange magic has brought the Numinous among us."

"I have been asked to free the trapped souls from their reliquaries in the Umbral Tower by using the Pyxides of Ashes. The Umbral Tower is located south of the Scintilla Kinhouse."

"I have freed the Ascendants in the Umbral Tower for Talrien by using the Pyxides of Ashes."

The Orchestrated Gardens

"I should talk to High Kinlord Maldarawo in the Isquer Kinhouse northeast of the Orchestrated Gardens. He will want to know about the Maormer that I discovered."

"The Orchestrated Gardens are carefully arranged to play melodies as one walks through. Alas, its beauty has been marred by the Maormer assault."

"Without the constant supply of magic from the Varlines we will have to tend to the gardens... by hand."

"The growth has been trimmed away, just in time for the Imago inspector. The Varlines grace us with the power to maintain our marvels."

 

The Imago Series are statues representing the perfection of the Altmer

"The Imagerie is for all mer to learn and admire the perfection of the Altmer forms."

"You will find them all over Varyllis. The largest is the Imagerie, to the east of the Felballin Kinhouse.  Alas, many of our Imago Serries lie in disarray due to the depredations of the Maormer."

"This Imagerie is the pride of the Kinlord. Ponder its patterns, appreciate its artifice, and feel solace."

"The serries are but a shadow of the majesty of the Imagerie, yet they are all a part of the celebration of the perfect form of the Altmer."

"Very astute. As a rule, Intricants maintain Imago Serries spread across Varyllis, but the Imagerie is Langdruun's crown jewel. He would not trust it to any but me, and I am still close enough to the Kinhouse to respond quickly if the need arises."

"The Imagerie is the largest of the Felballin Imago Serries. An Imago Serry consists of statues of Altmer arranged in patterns that symbolize the perfection of the Altmer form."

"I feel no anger towards him. Long ago he was my mentor. All I know of tending the Varlines comes of his wisdom.\n\nI do not know why he sought to create an Imago Serry by turning living people to stone. I only know that I... regret his passing."

 

“Numinous” is/was a term used to refer to the Soulshriven. In this draft of the questline, people were very aware of your ability to return from the dead, as well as there being hundreds of people like you.

"Oh joy. Another Numinous, sent by the great Queen Ayarynne to save us all from the terrible Maormer invaders. You should go, before I faint from excitement."

"I suspect you are a Numinous, and should therefore report to the Queen at the Immaculate Tabernacle. State your name and condition."

"I see you, Numinous. Your soul is of Mundus and of Coldharbour. I can rejoin your soul to your body in Mundus, but there is a cost..."

"You could ask other Numinous, I suppose. But... perhaps there is another way. Talrien the Archivist possesses a singular item which may aid you. Seek him in the depths of the Umbral Tower, which lies in the bay to the east."

"Be stationary a moment as the Surveilling Aura ascertains your composition. The process is rarely fatal.  ...Ah! You are, in fact, one of the Numinous."

"We could play a riddle game, you could silence Mara's Singing Cats, or you could demonstrate your Numinous ability to cheat death."

"Die.  I will place you in a perilous location and watch you end your life. If you are a Numinous and the stories are true, return to me after you have cheated death."

"I have agreed to demonstrate my Numinous ability to return from death. Hosoth teleported me to the tallest bridge above the Fane of Breath. If the fall does not end my life, I must die another way to appease Hosoth."

Maormer, their battle tactics, and the forces against them

"The Maormer have the annoying ability to make themselves invisible. They use an Irradiant Jewel to see each another. I need you to travel north, to the Landbreaker, and retrieve one of these jewels from the spyglass on its bow."

"The time has come to test this Jewel - I expect you will discover a horde of Maormer Scouts lurking south, down Stonewake. Go there and use the Irradiant Jewel. Slay any Maormer Scouts you find."

"Maormer Stormwitches defile these shores, ravaging our defenses and accursing our Blessed Isle. They destroy the very Imbued Stones in their Quo-Plinths!  It is no injustice to slay such villains; their effrontery merits only death."

"Maormer Stormwitches mar and maim our Tesselated Magicka Grid! Take these Imbued Stones and place them on the Quo-Plinths. That will singe their undergarments!"

"The Maormer set up Spellfire Pillars in their camps to the southwest. These were used to fire magic upon the Orrery and are recharging for a second attack. I need you to deactivate them."

"Ere the Maormer arrived, these seas flowed with harmonious balance. Now the waters are polluted by a vile, writhing presence, wretched Serpents that bend to the will of Maormer magic. A Serpent's Heart would make a fine trophy, don't you think?"

"Did you notice the Maormer flagship offshore? From its decks, their Commanders plot our downfall. Rolantae tells me she can spirit you aboard to strike at their leadership. Speak to her at the defensive battery just to the southeast."

"I noticed this Medallion around the neck of a Maormer Marine slain on the southern beach of Dusk. It commemorates a raid against the Altmer. Collecting several for display as trophies may improve the morale of Battlereeve Artulion's soldiers."

"Heed me now, <<1>>. Though my blade was swift, these foul Maormer have defeated me. My breath draws short; soon it shall join the breeze. I have a final wish - slay one Maormer for each of the centuries of my life, now cut short!"

"I was able to find out the plans of the Maormer and defeated both Admirial Khamisin and Orgnum's protege, Nedir. I should return to Captain Vial'en and let him know what happened."

"I know this Maormer! Many a time I have seen him across the field of battle. This is the head of Rahoeri, the commander of the enemy forces on Sunhold. Truly you have granted us an unforseen boon. It is only fitting that I should reward you."

"The Maormer that occupy Sunhold are on the end of a long supply line from Pyandonea. They will have to send a ship far across the ocean to replace what you have destroyed."

"Already, I sense a wavering in the Maormer's momentum. The long stalemate will finally end - we will drive them from our shores! You have my sincere gratitude, Numinous. Few could steal Nocturnal's cloak in such bold fashion."

"Declaen sent you with the Opalescence? You do a greater deed than you think. We apply this toxin to our soldiers' blades. Maormer have little resistance to Opalescence. Nothing like the Gem Spiders exists on their home islands of Pyandonea."

"The Maormer were trying to scale the cliffs south of the Orchestrated Gardens?  And you managed to get a copy of their Battle Plans? Extraordinary! The Queen was right to send you."

"I put five Earth Atronachs out of their Maormer-induced misery, burying their souls in Mundus Fissures, thus giving them the peace they desired."

"By slaying the Maormer that invaded Sunhold Island I have granted the final request of Harmonium Guard Rolperil, hearth-brother of Battlereeve Tariella."

"Battlereeve Artulion asked me to help train one of his young soldiers. With the boy at my side, we slew many Maormer on their sourthern beachead in Dusk. Afterwards, Artulion had another task that required my attention."

"Battlereeve Artulion asked me to board the Maormer Flagship and slay one of their commanders. With the help of the Sorcercess Rolantae, I was able to complete his mission, throwing the Maormer in southern Dusk into confusion."

"This one is no air-huffing Sea Elf! Tender your question to King Orgnum of the Maormer - if you can find him."

"Contemptible mer, they seek only to destroy the beauty and grace that we have created on this Blessed Isle. Stories say that the Maormer seek revenge for wrongs done them in aeons past, but why should the Altmer be held responsible for that?"

"The Maormer brought Giant Sea Serpents from their homeland of Pyandonea. The beasts pollute the sea to the east."

"Maormer from the vessels offshore seek a beachhead in southern Dusk. The Altmer contest this, but the fighting is vicious. Battlereeve Artulion is worried about his new recruits. Few have stood in battle before."

"I was returning from the Lady's shrine, where I defended her soul gem from Maormer, to find another group of them attacking mine. I was able to keep them away, but they wounded me. Would you check on my soul gem while I rest? It is inside my shrine."

Discarnates and Aquifi are Daedric servants magically bound and used to do manual labor

"The Discarnates? They probably went rogue - there was another flicker in the Varlines, so I imagine their binding spells came undone. Watch out for them: they may want revenge for having been pressed into our service."

"The Forge's Discarnates went Rogue when the Varlines flickered. They stole Scintillated Ores from the Forge, then fled into the Maze of Obliquity to the north."

"The Rogue Discarnates stole the smithing tools from Apprentice Braefurn when they escaped during the disturbance in the Varlines. He has tasked me with recovering them because he is "too busy.""

"The Aquiferi Elementals ravage the land they should cultivate. What a revolting waste!"

"Exultant Ecclea thanked me for burying the Aquiferi Piths. The foundation of Summerset was strengthened as a result."

"Just as the Discarnates concern themselves with the upkeep of Altmer designs aboveground, Aquiferi Elementals maintain Summerset from below - routing waterflow and pushing up nutrients.  Perfection demands diligence!"

"The Varlines drive and control the Aquiferi Elementals. When they malfunctioned some of these Elementals to the southeast of the Felballin Kinhouse surfaced and now ravage the land."

"Rogue Discarnates are a nuisance in life, but yield a bounty in death - Daedric Soul Gems. Slay Rogue Discarnates then use this wand on their bodies and each corpse will render up a Daedric Soul Gem. Bring them to me."

"To steal Ores from our hallowed forge when they have no use for them - have the Rogue Discarnates no shame? The treacherous creatures fled north into the Maze. Take Scintillated Ore from the Discarnates- and do not be lenient with them."

"Those Rogue Discarnates stole my tools when they fled to the Maze of Obliquity. I'd go after them,

"The Discarnates that harvest the pomegranates from our orchards have become Rogues. Battlereeve Heldarmo dearly loves his pomegrantes! It would be convenient if you could occupy the Discarnates while I pick some before they spoil."

"With the great Varline network down we are unable to sustain the magical defenses. There is so little magic that even the Servitor Discarnates have gotten loose of their magical binds."

"The Mage is eager to examine the debris I brought him, though now the Rogue Discarnates may be re-bound so that he can no longer harvest their Daedric Soul Gems."

"The Priestess Vendialara asked Melodian Liriondion of the Isque Kinhouse for Isque Roses. Liriondion sent Discarnates, but a tremor in the Varline caused them to become rogues; they attacked the roses instead. I cut and delivered the blossoms."

"I have heard that the waves of undead are even reaching some of the southern Serries. I worry for our Intricants. Especially Liralen, since he has naught but Discarnates to protect him. They have become less reliable as of late."

"I am one of the fishers of Sunhold. Every dawn, my discarnates would cast nets into the sea. When the Maormer invaded, I managed to escape and take shelter here. Others were not so fortunate. Now the Pallid Devils sleep in my very bed."

"Melodian Liriondion sent Discarnates to deliver Isque Roses to the priestesses at the Fane of Breath. They never arrived. Those flowers are needed for an important ritual."

Other

"An auspicious meeting, and no mistake! I seek to elicit aid from the populace, and here I find a Numinous geared for battle.  What say you - would you slay Maormer this day? Speak with Battlereeve Artulion, at the beach west of Dusk."

"The Grid hums once again with eldritch power! This alone will not clear the Maormer dregs from our shore, but it slows the Maormer advance . Thank you, Numinous."

"The Aetherius is simply the first layer. I have seen outside the Aetherius."
"The Maormer are not without some skills of note. Their master shipwrights designed a vessel with the ability to pass through land as if it were ocean."

"The Harmonium Fortress is our bulwark against the foul Maormer that invaded Sunhold Island to the south. It is only the Oyinaam along our coast that keep the Pallid Devils at bay. They find the music of the towers most unpleasant."

"Our most skilled warriors and mages have transferred to the Harmonium Fortress, our southern stronghold against the Maormer. If I were able to return from Coldharbour after death like a Numinous, I would be more valuable to Battlereeve Tariella."

"We followed lights. Shore lights, we thought, marking a safe route through a horrible black fog. It blotted out the very stars above! All we could see were the lights. Turns out the Maormer lit them, drawing us closer in till we ran aground."

"The Mundus is a plane apart and yet surrounded by Oblivion. It was architected by Magnus from the vision of Lorkhan. It is where you were born and where you live this incarnation of your life,  Numinous."

"Priestess Ahlotica at the Fane of Breath asked me to find the missing book "Psalms of Old Ehnolfey." Unfortunately, another young priestess found it first, and was driven mad by it. I was forced to defend myself from her crazed assaults."

"Keeping the Verdant Grove Tower aloft is weary work. I would be most appreciative if you collected Dawnshards from the Nodules in and around the Stonewake. Bring them to me, and their energy will recharge my magicka."

"Have you seen those horrid statues in Varyllis? As if cold stone could match the peerless majesty of Isquer music!"

"While walking through the orchards of Varyllis, I met Dehiria. I protected her from Rogue Discarnates as she wandered through the trees, selecting the choicest pomegranates for Battlereeve Heldarmo."

"Kinlord Langdruun of Varyllis is a patron of Imagoform -  the art of sculpting and arranging statuary in pleasing patterns. It is not unlike the creation of flower gardens in other lands. We call our sculpture gardens Imago Serries."

"Apparently swarms of undead have been swarming up from the water's edge at the Deadsands, in the southwest region of Varyllis. Langdruun has asked me to speak with his emissary there, a man named Telenger."

"Battlereeve Heldarmo praised me as a friend of Varyllis. He said Isque could use my support against the Maormer, who have claimed an island called Sunhold to the south and are spreading north."

"I have a task I cannot complete. The Stars advise against it!  Crab Carapaces from the Prodigious Mudcrabs found to the northeast make fine armor. Would you collect and deliver them to Vartisan Urselor at the Syldarim Kinhouse to the east?"

"<Forged in the ancient Crystal Tower in Summerset, this magical blade was a gift from Auriel to one of his most powerful battlemages.>"

"The Kirin are often praised by the Altmer as embodying all that we hold dear. To kill one of these majestic creatures would be a crime but if it is the only way then I cannot fault you. They are seen north of the Maze of Obliquity."

"Never will you experience a more harmonious sense of space than within the Maze of Obliquity. It was designed nearly twelve centuries ago by the Optimate Corbusano, one of the Scintilla Kinship's greatest progenitors."

"Exultant Elleste fears that due to the death of her brother, her mother, Optimate Illira, is considering suicide. Illira was last seen heading south to the Pearls."

"The lines of your face present a most symmetrical aspect, Optimate. Truly you are one blessed by Mara!"

"The Altmer Choir vanished just before they were supposed to perform for the Kinlord. There is however, an odd ...warbling... coming from the bridge to the northwest of the Isquer Kinhouse, a location the choir normally chose for their recitals."

"Not all of them. Only Mara's blessed cats. They are tended to at the Fane of Breath, the temple complex that lies north of the Isque Kinhouse. Ask me not how they sing. The priestesses do not speak of the matter. Perhaps it is a sacred mystery."

"We are renowned across Tamriel for our arts of music. The finest instruments and the most majestic symphonies issue from this very Kinhouse. We have moved stones to tears, and struck birds to silence with shame."

"The Starglass must be instilled with magicka from the Sky-Well, then delivered to Vartisan Lalathal in the Isquer Kinhouse to the east."

Zakhin's Many Heroes Questions

Author: 
The Unveiled Azadiyeh

August 1st, 2014

I was reading the book Glinting Talons, but the numerous references to light and the sun seemed out of place, given what we know about Tava being the Yokudan version of Kynareth. I was reminded of a discussion that mentioned a possible relationship between Merida and Kyne. Due to Meridia's position among the Ayleids and their cultural identification with birds and feathers, I was wondering if the book Glinting Talons purposefully drew parallels between these deities, thus making Tava the ‘missing link,’ so to speak. – Phil W.

The Unveiled Azadiyeh says: “Be not misled, O Phil, by the confused misunderstandings of the Tamrielics, whose minds are clouded by blood and darkness. Tava, as spirit of the air and goddess of weather, has dominion over all elements of sun and storm, save only for the stars, which belong to Ruptga (may praises ever follow his name). Kyne and Kynareth are but her shadows, images seen dimly through the dust of Cyrodiil and the snow of Skyrim. Of course, it is praiseworthy for the Nedelings and Nordlings to worship the gods in any manner, even if their understanding is faulty and misguided. We can but hope that they come to the True Way before Satakal returns to take us all.

As for Meridia, speak not the name of a daemon in consanguinity with that of a god. She is an intruder from beyond Mundus, and no part of our world. Go, O Phil, contemplate your mistake, and step no more upon the Path of Error.

I read somewhere that the Maormer ruler King Orgnum is said to be ‘the Serpent God of the Satakal.’ What does this mean for Yokudan mythology and history? We know the Maormer are obsessed with serpents, and Redguards are, too. Maybe there's a link between the Left-Handed Elves and the Maormer? – MareloRyan

The Unveiled Azadiyeh says: “It may be as you say, Marelo at-Ryan, for your words waft the aroma of wisdom, but as to their Full-Truth, I am unable to aver it. We speak no more of the Left-Handed Elves (may curses follow them into the Eight Abysses), for to recall their abominations but darkens our days—and who can say how many each of us shall have before Tu’whacca beckons us, save that they will be too few?

As for the Maormer, whatever their burden of association with the Sinistral Mer, they come not north of Stros M’Kai, for our fearless sea-warriors have taught them to keep well clear of the shores of Hammerfell. Orgnum, their so-called ‘Immortal Monarch,’ will find he is not so deathless at the coming of the true Satakal (may it be long from today, inevitable though it is).

Are there any other somewhat isolated Redguard communities like the Ash'abah? I also have another question, what is the official name of the nomads of Alik'r? Are they just called the Alik'r? – WaywardSwordsman

The Unveiled Azadiyeh says: “The Ash’abah, though an unclean tribe of pariahs, nonetheless perform a function blessed by Tu’whacca, and they have sibling-tribes in southern Hammerfell as well. I have heard tell of a wayward tribe of Redguards far in the chilly north known only as the Horsemen, but this may be merely legend. Then, of course, there are the Exiled Sun-Eaters of Numaneh, but to tell their tale is forbidden.”

Stormreeve Neidir's Orders

Author: 
Stormreeve Neidir

Commander,

Our ritual on Tempest Island is progressing as planned. We need the denizens of Tamriel distracted so that our plan can come to fruition. This task falls to you, for you do it best. Attack, raid, and pillage as you see fit. Scatter our enemies, and leave them in disarray.

When our spell is complete, and we've crushed the kingdoms of Tamriel, you will be remembered for your sacrifice and your body returned to the sea of eternal slumber.

— Stormreeve Neidir

The Maormer of Pyandonea

Author: 
Anonymous

Entry 543, Atlas Notes, Imperial Geographical Society

It was once believed that the Maormer of Pyandonea were originally exiles from the Summerset Isles, but while it is likely they came from similar Aldmeri ancestors, they certainly did not come from Summerset. Translations of tapestries in the Crystal Tower tell the tale of a far older separation. The Maormer likely differentiated from the ancient Aldmer not in Summerset, but in their original homeland of Aldmeris.

Orgnum, their leader and self-styled "King," according to the legend was a phenomenally wealthy Aldmeri nobleman, who used his fortune to finance a rebellion against the powers of the land. He and his followers were banished for this to a place separated from Aldmeris by an impenetrable mist, Pyandonea, "The Mist-Veiled Isles." This exile proved so effective that the followers of Orgnum never again disturbed their former countrymen. The new Aldmeri homeland of Summerset, however, was not so lucky.

For much of Summerset's history, the Maormer have launched attacks against their cousins of Old Ehlnofey. Every one of these battles has been led by Orgnum himself, who it seems is not only immortal but grows more youthful by the century. No historian, to the knowledge of the staff of the Imperial Geographic Society, has counted the number of wars and strategems employed against Summerset, but somehow each has proved, no matter how ingenious, an ultimate failure.

One attack in particular is worthy of mention as it gives us our only glimpse into the actual landscape of Pyandonea. In the year 2E 486, a small Maormeri fleet was sighted off the coast of Alinor, and King Hidellith ordered his navy to give chase. The navy followed the ships through uncharted waters, into an ambush near Pyandonea itself. Most of the Altmeri navy was destroyed, but a single warship returned to Summerset to describe the land as a "sea jungle." Massive plateaus spilling over with vegetation form mazes around valleys of ocean. Waving tendrils of kelp trap all but the Maormer's own ships, and provide a well-camouflaged home for the sea serpents that are Orgnum's guards and occasional mounts. Mist storms spill over the land, further disorienting one's views. That even one ship survived the visit is a testament to the maritime genius of the Altmer.

Fang of the Sea Vipers

Author: 
Telenger the Artificer

At the request of Her Majesty's advisor Nuulehtel I have compiled this brief accounting of the Maormer of Pyandonea, known commonly as Sea Elves. Read, now, and let the light of knowledge free you of your fear.

Their ancient history is well known across the Dominion, and not worth recounting in detail here. Suffice to say that the arch-mage known as "King" Orgnum has long led the outcasts of the shrouded isle. He uses foul spells, rituals and sacrifices to continually renew his youth and vigor.

Other rumors you have heard are true, as well. The rituals of Orgnum allow the Maormer to control sea serpents. Some have mastered the art of riding the beasts among the waves, while larger and less docile beasts swim in support of their largest fleets.

The fleet that now threatens Auridon, we have learned, calls itself the Sea Viper. Recent events in the Three Banners War have driven the Vipers into the seas around Auridon and the mainland. The opportunistic Maormer now seek their own victories in the war between the alliances.

The First Auridon Marines, the Dominion Navy, and others now stand ready to halt the advance of the Maormer. If you see signs of the Vipers, report them at once to your Canonreeve or the nearest Dominion officer.

Eagles, know that the viper will not take our nest. Be wary, but have courage.

Ayleid Cities of Valenwood

Author: 
Homfrey

An Excerpt

Written by the Esteemed Historian Homfrey at the University of Gwylim, 2E 455

Being a Survey of the Triumphant Settlement of the Heartland High Elves in the Southern Regions

…At this point, we should mention the remarkable cities of Ceyatatar, and the Ayleid settlement beneath what is now modern Bravil. These cities, along with the Valenwood cities of Haven, Woodhearth, and Silvenar, all flourished as a result of increased trade after the establishment of the great White-Gold Tower in what is now the heart of Cyrodiil.

Of note in particular is the university and libraries at nearby Elden Root. The Ayleids there built their city in and around what is called the Elden Tree or the First Tree, believed by many to be the tree that seeded all of Valenwood.

Both Haven and Woodhearth were destroyed utterly by the sieging Maormer, who cared little for the advanced and enlightened ways of the Valenwood Aldmer. Marching inland, they plundered not only the Elden Root enclave, but also the Great Tree itself. What villainous tribe would injure and pillage such magnificence?

It is possible that the Maormer had broken the Aldmer traditions of racial purity and intermingled with indigenous, bestial tribes of Pyandonea. This would explain their savagery and lack of regard for the greatness of mainland Elven culture.

The Chosen People of Aldmeris

Author: 
Sealord Malleroth

By Sealord Malleroth Of Pyandonea

Many still believe that the Maormer race of Pyandonea diverged from the racial line of the Altmer when they were exiled from Summerset Isle as criminals. This is the great, traitorous lie of the Altmer!

Translations of tapestries in the Crystal Tower reveal that the great Maormer race is directly descended from the purest strain of our Aldmeri ancestors. We certainly did not come from Summerset, but originated in our ancestral homeland of Aldmeris.

The Altmer themselves are a mongrel race. They are the abomination that drove our great leader Orgnum to lead our people through the impenetrable mists to our haven of Pyandonea.

For centuries, we have marshaled our forces in preparation for our triumphant return. Summerset is ours, by our right of birth as the one true Aldmeri race. All trace of the inferior Altmer race and their mongrel blood must be wiped from the face of Tamriel!

Our time has come! Arise, Maormer! Take your place as the rightful heirs to the Aldmeri Legacy!