BALMORA
Caius Cosades
:Orders:
"I have your report, and I'll make copies of your notes from Huleeya and the 'Progress of Truth.' Give me time to read and digest all this. In the meantime, I'm promoting you to Journeyman. You're doing good work. And here are 200 drakes. Go out and treat yourself to a new pair of shoes. And go do some jobs for the guilds, or other freelance work, just to keep your cover story current. Or get some training. Then, when you're fit and rested, come back, and I'll have new orders for you."
Faern Sargtlin
(go to the guilds of Balmora, and have some fun with them)
(go back to Cosades' house)
Caius Cosades
:Orders:
"We need an Ashlander informant. I have heard of a fellow in Ald'ruhn named Hassour Zainsubani, an Ashlander who left the Wastes to become a wealthy trader. They say the Ashlanders like to give and receive presents. Take these 100 drakes. Find out what Zainsubani likes, and get him a gift. Then give him the gift, and see if he will tell you about the Ashlanders and the Nerevarine cult. Then report back to me."
:Hassour Zainsubani:
"Hassour Zainsubani is an Ashlander who left the Wastes to become a wealthy trader in Ald'ruhn. I'm not sure where to find him, but I'd try the Ald Skar Inn in Ald'ruhn first. That's a more respectable place than The Rat in the Pot or the Council Club."
Faern Sargtlin
(go to Balmora Silt Strider port and buy passage to Ald'ruhn)
ALD'RUHN
Navam Veran
"Good day, stranger. Welcome to Ald'ruhn. I'm the local caravaner, and I can tell you about silt strider travel if you'll tell me your destination. Are you new to Ald'ruhn, I would be happy to tell you about local services, or help you find someone in particular. Is there a specific place in Ald'ruhn you're looking for?"
:Ald'ruhn:
"Ald'ruhn is the district seat of House Redoran, and a large settlement. Most citizens are Dunmer, most are House Redoran members or followers. The Redoran Council chambers and Redoran manors are up north inside the shell of an ancient extinct giant crab. Most of the cornerclubs, merchants, and guildhalls are on the southwest and central part of town. Ald'ruhn Temple is to the east. Fort Buckmoth, the Legion garrison, is south of town, outside the town wall."
:someone in particular:
"All six Redoran councilors, Brara Morvayn, Hlaren Ramoran, Athyn Sarethi, Garisa Llethri, Miner Arobar, and Bolvyn Venim, live in the Manor District. Edwinna Elbert is Mages Guild steward, Percius Mercius is Fighters Guild steward. Old Methal Seran is an eminent Temple priest and scholar. Raesa Pullia is commandant of Fort Buckmoth, but Imsin the Dreamer is the chapter steward. The Redguard Hean is priest of the Imperial cult. Find Goren Andarys, guild steward of the Morag Tong, in the Manor District."
:specific place:
"The Redoran Council, the Redoran Noble Manors, and fine merchants are in the Manor District, all inside an ancient Emperor Crab shell known as Skar. The Temple is to the east, the Rat in the Pot cornerclub and the Mages Guild and Fighters Guild to the south, and the Ald Skar Inn to the west, near West Gate and the silt strider port. Through the South Gate, behind the Mages Guild, look for Fort Buckmoth and the Imperial cult altar. Roads lead south through Caldera to Balmora and north to Gnisis and Maar Gan. The road to Balmora swings northwest and curves around until it heads south again. Between here and Balmora are many side paths; watch for signposts, or you'll get lost. Silt strider service goes to Balmora, Gnisis, Khuul, and Maar Gan. Guild guides at the Mages Guild teleport you to Balmora, Vivec, Caldera, and Sadrith Mora for a fee. Gnaar Mok is a LONG hard walk west to the coast and then south; there are no marked routes."
Faern Sargtlin
(go to Ald Skar Inn)
Hassour Zainsubani
"I am Hassour Zainsubani, Faern Sargtlin. May you bless and be blessed. I do not wish to be rude, but if you have business, speak it, for I am at leisure, and would prefer to be alone with my thoughts."
:business:
"I see. You wish to learn of Ashlanders from me. And what is it that you wish to learn?"
Faern Sargtlin
"What are their gift-giving customs?"
Hassour Zainsubani
:business:
"A curious question. A gift is a sign of courtesy among strangers, and affection among friends. Among strangers, a thoughtful gift is a sign that you are cautious, and considerate, and aware of the other's wants and needs. Such is particularly useful for traders and travelers. Among friends, it is a private thing, and subtle, with great risks, for the test of the gift is how well it is tailored to the receiver."
:thoughtful gift:
"I understand. You wish to give me a suitable gift, but you do not know me well enough to choose such a gift, or you cannot find or afford a gift you know to be suitable for me. Well. Let us take your earnest thought and effort as a token of your gift. You have behaved courteously, and I am inclined to help you. What would you wish to know about the Ashlanders and the Nerevarine cult?"
:Ashlanders:
"There is too much to tell. Here. Take these notes. I've written here what you should know about the Ashlanders and the Nerevarine cult. But most of all, if you are visiting a camp, there are things you should know about courtesy and challenges among the Ashlanders. And, since you ask about the Nerevarine cult, perhaps you'll be interested in my views on the Ashlanders and foreigners, because a guiding passion of the Nerevarine cult is their hatred of foreigners."
Faern Sargtlin
(retrieve "Zainsubani's Notes")
Hassour Zainsubani
:life as a trader:
I am too old to travel, now, to risk the beasts and bitter blights of the Wastes. Now I sit here warm and savor my imported Cyrodilic brandy, while my adventurous son, Hannat Zainsubani, assists me in my trade, seeking out sources of fine ebony, and fetching them at fine prices.
:Hannat Zainsubani:
I wonder at my son -- he has been so long away, without a word to his father, surely he wishes me to die of worry, so he may inherit this fine brandy. He has proposed to chart the rarely visited ancient underground complex at Mamaea, west of Red Mountain; if you should chance to see him in your travels, chide him, and tell him an old man longs for news of his son-and-heir.
:courtesy:
"Ashlanders may challenge a stranger who enters a yurt without invitation. Customs differ with different tribes, but leave when requested, and you may be forgiven. Be particularly careful about ashkhans -- tribal chiefs -- and wise women -- tribal seers and counselors. Some are welcoming, some are hostile. Be courteous, and leave if requested. If offended, they may attack."
:challenges:
"When challenged for sport, it is acceptable to decline. When challenged for honor, it is shameful to decline. Honor challenges come from offense given in speech or action, or may represent customary formal challenges of status or ritual."
:Ashlanders and foreigners:
"Most Ashlanders wish all foreigners and their false gods could be driven from Morrowind. At very least, Ashlanders wish the foreign devils would leave them in peace. Ashlanders think it shameful to attack unarmed persons, but they will kill without hesitation an armed person who offends them or their clan laws. No Ashlander is fool enough to make war against the Empire. However, if such a war might be won, many Ashlanders might cheerfully give their lives to win such a war."
:Nerevarine cult:
"They worship the Great Ashkhan and Hortator, Nerevar Moon-and-Star, who in ages past destroyed the evil, godless dwarves and banished the treacherous Dagoth Ur and his foul hosts beneath Red Mountain. The cult is of small consequence in Ashlander worship, and only among the Urshilaku do its followers have any influence. Others Ashlanders tribes share the sentiments of the cult, but regard the Nerevarine prophecies with suspicion and skepticism."
:Ashlander worship:
"All Ashlanders in a tribe, young and small, are born into the Ancestor cult of their clan. The Nerevarine cult is different, though; it is a very small cult, with only a few wise women with the gift of prophecy, and a few holy warrior-heroes who guard and protect the seers. Sul-Matuul, Ashkhan of the Urshilaku, is the Warrior-Protector of the cult, and Nibani Maesa, also of the Urshilaku, is the Oracle-Seer of the cult."
:Urshilaku:
"The Urshilaku are the Ashlanders of the northern Ashlands and the West Gash, in the northwest of Vvardenfell. Ashkhan Sul-Matuul is their chief, a brave and respected war leader, and Warrior-Protector of the Nerevarine cult. The Urshilaku camp moves with the herds, but usually lies close to the Sea of Ghosts."
:Urshilaku camp:
"The Urshilaku camp moves with the herds, but usually lies close to the Sea of Ghosts, north of the village of Maar Gan, on the northern coast of Vvardenfell."
:Nerevarine prophecies:
"I have heard it said that prophecies foretell the return of a reincarnated Nerevar, who shall drive the foreigners from the Ashlands and who shall cast down the false gods of the Temple, and restore the true worships of the Ancestors. It is a dream that would appeal to every Ashlander, but it is thought but a silly ancient legend, and little more, by many Ashlanders - myself included."
Faern Sargtlin
(find some inn, sleep and get a strange dream)
In my dreams, a tall figure in a golden mask spoke to me. "Lord Nerevar Indoril, Hai Resdaynia! Long forgotten, forged anew! Three belied you, three betrayed you! One you betrayed was three times true! Lord Voryn Dagoth, Dagoth Ur, steadfast liegeman, faithful friend, bids you come and climb Red Mountain! Beneath Red Mountain, once again, break your bonds, shed cursed skin, and purge the n'wah from Morrowind!"
Hassour Zainsubani
:disturbing dreams:
"That is most peculiar. Perhaps you know that Ashlanders believe that prophecies may sometimes come in the form of verses or songs -- or perhaps that only such prophecies linger in the mind and spirit where they may be retrieved and examined. But this dream of verse... it is most disturbing."
:dream of verse:
"Even I can reason this for you. The Sharmat Dagoth Ur invites you to visit him at Red Mountain. He offers to change you, to give you power, and enlist you in driving the n'wah from Morrowind. "N'wah" means "foreigner" or "slave." I think this is a harmful vision often given to Ashlanders who are tested in the highlands beneath Red Mountain. But you are called, by name, Lord Nerevar. If you know of the Nerevarine cult, then surely you can understand the significance."
Faern Sargtlin
(go to Ald'ruhn Silt Strider port and buy passage to Balmora)
(go back to Cosades' house)
BALMORA
Caius Cosades
:Orders:
"Thanks for your report. But keep Zainsubani's notes on the Ashlanders. You'll need them. I'm promoting you, and sending you to the Urshilaku camp to speak with Sul-Matuul and Nibani Maesa. But before you go, I think it may be time to tell you what's going on."
"The Emperor and his advisors think you have the appearance of meeting the conditions of the Nerevarine prophecies. That's why you were pulled out of prison on his Majesty's authority and sent to me. So you could satisfy the conditions of the Nerevarine prophecies and become the Nerevarine. Here. This is a decoded copy of the coded package you gave me when you arrived. Read it later. It should explain everything."
"As you'll see in the decoded message, the Emperor and his counselors say you have the 'appearance' of satisfying the conditions of the prophecy. Do you REALLY satisfy the prophecy? Are you REALLY the prophesied Nerevarine? At first, I thought we were just supposed to create a persuasive impostor. Now I don't know what to think. But I am sure of one thing. This is not just primitive superstition, and we will treat it seriously, just as his Majesty commands."
"So. Zainsubani says Sul-Matuul and Nibani Maesa at Urshilaku camp are the heads of the Nerevarine cult. So I'm sending you to speak with them. Tell them your story, and have them test you against the Nerevarine prophecies. As heads of the Nerevarine cult, they can best judge whether you satisfy the prophecies. When you've spoken with them, report back to me. Here's 200 drakes for expenses. And pick up essential supplies at Fort Moonmoth."
Faern Sargtlin
(retrieve "decoded package")
Caius Cosades
:essential supplies:
"Before you go to Urshilaku camp, see Somutis Vunnis and Crulius Pontanian at Fort Moonmoth. I've asked them to put aside some potions and scrolls for you. Courtesy of the Emperor. In particular, you'll want the cure potions; I hear the blight is very bad up north. And use the Divine Intervention scroll if you find you're over your head. It will get you safe to an Imperial cult shrine, where you can heal, refit, and try again."
:Fort Moonmoth:
"Fort Moonmoth is the Imperial Legions garrison southeast of Balmora, just outside of town. General Larrius Varro is the commandant, and Radd Hard-Heart is the Chapter Steward. The Chapter Steward is the fellow to talk to if you were thinking of enlisting. Crulius Pontanian, an enchanter, is the Imperial agent. Between the Imperial Legions and Imperial cult staff, they have about a dozen service providers out there."
Faern Sargtlin
(go to Fort Moonmoth)
MOONMOTH LEGION FORT
Somutis Vunnis
"I don't think we've been introduced, outlander. I'm Somutis Vunnis. How can I help you?"
:essential supplies:
"Yes. Caius said a friend was heading into the backcountry, and would need some potions. I've given you cures and fortifies. There's no charge. But, if you'll take my advice, and you can afford it, stock up on the cures. There's are no Imperial cult cure altars north of Ald'ruhn; the one at Gnisis is far to the west. And we've heard many recent reports of diseased creatures and blighted creatures in the northern wilds."
Faern Sargtlin
(retrieve 2 Potion of Cure Common Disease, 2 Potion of Cure Blight Disease, 1 Cheap Potion of Fortify Health, 1 Cheap Potion of Fortify Strength and 1 Cheap Potion of Fortify Speed)
Somutis Vunnis
:Imperial cult:
"The Imperial cult combines the worship of the Aedra Akatosh, Dibella, Arkay, Zenithar, Mara, Stendarr, Kynareth, and Julianos, with worship of the divine god-hero Tiber Septim, founder and patron of the Empire."
:Akatosh:
"Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time, is the chief deity of the Nine Divines. Akatosh is generally considered to be the first of the Gods to form in the Beginning Place; after his establishment, other spirits found the process of being easier and the various pantheons of the world emerged. Akatosh is the ultimate God of the Cyrodilic Empire, where he embodies the qualities of endurance, invincibility, and everlasting legitimacy."
:Dibella:
"Dibella, the Goddess of Beauty, is the most popular god of the Nine Divines. In Cyrodiil, she has nearly a dozen different cults, some devoted to women, some to artists and aesthetics, and others to erotic instruction."
:Arkay:
"Arkay, God of the Cycle of Life and Death, is the deity associated with burials and funeral rites, and is responsible for the progression of the seasons. His priests are staunch opponents of necromancy and all forms of the undead."
:Zenithar:
"Zenithar, Trader God, and Patron of Work and Commerce, is the deity of wealth, labor, commerce, and communication. His priests have shown that the way to peace and prosperity is through earnest work and honest profit, not through war and bloodshed."
:Mara:
"Mara, Goddess of Love, is the Mother-Goddess, patron of the bountiful earth, and source of mortal compassion and understanding. She is associated with Nir of the 'Anuad', the female principle of the cosmos that gave birth to creation."
:Stendarr:
"Stendarr, God of Justice and Mercy, is the patron of righteous might and merciful forbearance. He is the inspiration of magistrates and rulers, the patron of the Imperial Legions, and the comfort of the law-abiding citizen."
:Kynareth:
"Kynareth, Goddess of Air, is the deity of the heavens, the winds, the elements, and the unseen spirits of the air. Patron of sailors and travelers, Kynareth is invoked for auspicious stars at birth and for good fortune in daily life."
:Julianos:
"Julianos, God of Wisdom and Logic, is the deity of literature, law, history, sorcery, enchantment, and alchemy. Monastic orders founded by Tiber Septim and dedicated to Julianos are the keepers of the Elder Scrolls."
:Tiber Septim:
"Tiber Septim, Talos, the Dragonborn, Heir to the Seat of Sundered Kings, is the greatest hero-god of Mankind, and worshipped as the protector and patron of just rulership and civil society. Tiber Septim conquered all of Tamriel and ushered in the Third Era and the Third Empire. In his aspect of Ysmir, 'Dragon of the North,' Tiber Septim is also invoked as the patron of questing heroes."
:healing altar:
"You may pray at Imperial cult healing altars and receive blessings which cure common and blight diseases, cure poisons, and restore attributes. Non-members pay 25 drakes. Newer members pay 10 drakes, while higher-ranking members receive blessings free. Healing altars are found in: Vivec Foreign Quarter; Wolverine Hall in Sadrith Mora; Fort Buckmoth; Fort Moonmoth; Fort Pelagiad; Fort Darius; Ald'ruhn Guild of Mages, and Imperial Chapels in Ebonheart."
Crulius Pontanian
"I don't think we've been introduced, outlander. I'm Crulius Pontanian. How can I help you?"
:essential supplies:
"You're Faern Sargtlin? Caius said you'd come by. I've chosen from my best scroll stocks. I don't know your preferences or situation, but Blessings and Barriers always come in handy. Purity of Body sets you up amazingly in a fight. And, of course, Divine Intervention gets you safe to an Imperial cult shrine when all else fails. Here. They're paid for. Now, I don't know your budget, but you might also want to browse my selection for scrolls to suit your own personal style."
Faern Sargtlin
(retrieve 1 Scroll of Divine Intervention, 1 Scroll of The Second Barrier, 1 Scroll of Warrior's Blessing and 2 Scroll of Purity of Body)
(go to Balmora Silt Strider port, buy passage, and manage to reach Urshilaku Camp)
