The Treasure Hunter
Player
They headed off into the countryside to look for the treasure hunter.
M’jaddah
Hello there! You are [Player Name], yes? This one is known as M’jaddah, famous treasure hunter and adventurer.
| Player Never heard of this one. M’jaddah Well… “famous” is perhaps premature. But M’jaddah will earn that title in time. Saashi sent word that you search for something very special. Something rare, and ancient. M’jaddah thinks you will be pleasantly surprised to see what he has discovered. Player You found Celemaril’s crown? | Player I know who you are. M’jaddah Saashi sent word to M’jaddah that you were coming, that you were looking for something special. She said it was something unique, and very old, yes? Player Did she, now? |
M’jaddah
M’jaddah will show you, yes?
Player
M’jaddah runs off, forcing the Blade to follow. Wolves and necromancers get in the way. Eventually, the Blade catches up to the Khajiit in some ruins far inside the forest.
M’jaddah
Please do not hurt M’jaddah! They left him no choice!
Player
Give me one good reason not to kill you.
M’jaddah
Err… M’jaddah’s adorably roguish personality?
Player
Wrong answer.
M’jaddah
Wait, M’jaddah knows where the ancient Ayleid crown is!
Player
M’jaddah better start talking, then.
M’jaddah
It is in a remote cave, guarded by one of the most terrifying monsters ever to walk Tamriel. M’jaddah swears this is the truth!
Khajiit promises to give directions if his life is spared!
Player
What about those necromancers?
M’jaddah
They knew you were coming to see M’jaddah. They have been watching you through a spy.
Player
A spy? Who is it?
M’jaddah
M’jaddah heard something about the Queen’s mage. That is all that is known, M’jaddah swears!
Player
All right, you’ll live…for now.
M’jaddah
Thank you, kind [Player Name]. M’jaddah will not forget this!
Player
The Blade returned to town, leaving M’jaddah to his own devices. Things had gotten even more complicated. As usual, Saashi greeted them by the gate.
Saashi
How did it go?
| Player I managed to get the info. Saashi Well, that is what matters, yes? | Player I walked right into a trap! Saashi This one is sorry about that. My cousin never was very… trustworthy. |
Saashi
At least now we can figure out where to go next!
Player
Also, the Queen’s mage is a necromancer spy.
Saashi
Really? We should probably warn her about that…
High Treason
Player
The Blade chose to go tell the Bloodfall Queen about the traterous Necromancer in her court. As usual, they had to defeat a wealth of undead to get to her castle.
Urzoga Gra-Batul
Ah, [Player Name]. I didn’t expect you so soon. How goes your quest?
Player
I have some…troubling news.
Urzoga Gra-Batul
It is not like you to hold out like this. Speak freely.
| Player There is a traitor in your midst. Urzoga Gra-Batul A traitor? Who would dare to betray me? Player Your mage, it seems. | Player Your mage is a necromancer. |
Urzoga Gra-Batul
Edrien?!
Edrien, what do you have to say to this accusation?
Player
Both the Blade and the Bloodfall Queen approach the nearby mage. Urzoga draws her sword in preparation.
Edrien Geornis
My queen! Don’t believe these lies! I have always been your loyal subject!
Player
Save your breath, necromancer!
Edrien Geornis
Curse you, Warrior! Curse you to Oblivion!
With that, Edrien turned and ran, escaping through a secret passage in the back wall of the castle. The player followed. Inside, they found and defeated two skeletons before turning their attention back to the mage.
Edrien Geornis
No, wait, don’t kill me! I can help you!
Player
Better make it good.
Edrien Geornis
I could tell you the secret to eternal life, how to remain healthy and strong without effort!
Player
Why don’t I just turn you over to the Queen?
Edrien Geornis
She’ll torture me!
Player
See? Maybe you can be of use after all.
Edrien Geornis
You’ll regret this, [Player Name]! The Sorcerer-king will feast on your soul!
Urzoga Gra-Batul
Thank you, [Player Name]. Once again, I am indebted to you.
This traitor will tell us everything, don’t worry. I will keep you informed of what I learn from him.
May the Divines smile upon you.
The Ayleid Crown
Player
Their duty done, the Blade headed out to recover the ancient Ayelid crown. The Blade made their way to the Lost Caverns, where it was said to reside. They defeated a variety of undead enemies, and finally found the crown resting on a dias in the deepest depths of the dungeon. They shoved it into their pack and headed back to town.
The Lost Ritual
Next, the Blade chose to pursue finding the incantation. With no good leads to go on, they chose to ask people throughout the town.
Player
I’m looking for an expert in Ayleid ritual magic.
Townsfolk
There was an old enchanter who was an expert on ancient magic, but he went into hiding after the worship of Talos was outlawed.
Townsfolk
I’m really sorry, I don’t know anything about that.
Townsfolk
Do I look like a mage?!
Townsfolk
You sound just like that daft enchanter who disappeared months ago. Probably dead by now.
Player
I’m looking for an ancient Ayleid incantation.
Girthum of the Isles
The Ayleids worshipped demons. Trying to follow in their footsteps will only lead you into darkness and despair.
You would do better to abandon such pursuits and dedicate yourself to the study of sacred texts.
Townsfolk
An old enchanter who may have been able to help used to live here, but he’s gone. Hopefully you’ll be able to find him.
Player
This enchanter sounded promising, but no one had any good leads on him. After questioning all the locals, the Blade’s last resort were the Thalmor representatives in town.
Thalmor Agent
How is your quest to defeat the Sorcerer-king going?
Player
We’re trying to find an ancient Ayleid incantation.
Thalmor Agent
Hmm. We may be able to help you on this.
I’ve learned of an old enchanter called Martin Gavinius who is an expert on ancient Ayleid magic.
He may know something of use to you.
Player
Do you know where to find him?
Thalmor Agent
I do. I want you to kill this unrepentant Talos worshiper once he’s given you what you want.
Do you have a problem with that?
| Player Nope. Thalmor Agent Excellent. Here are the directions to where he lives. Be careful, though. There’s a reason this sly old man is still alive… | Player I’ll have to think about it. Thalmor Agent Suit yourself. You know where to find me, [Player Name]… |
The Old Enchanter
Player
Without anything else to go on, the Blade accepted the Thalmor’s help and headed for the old Enchanter’s hideout.
Martin Gavinius
Have you come to kill me, Warrior?
Player
Don’t worry, I’m not an assassin.
Martin Gavinius
Isn’t it the Thalmor that sent you?
Player
Indeed, but I’m not one of them.
Player
There is a bigger threat than the Thalmor right now.
Player
I haven’t decided yet.
Martin Gavinius
What is it that you want, then?
Player
I need the incantation for an ancient Ayleid Ritual.
Martin Gavinius
Then the rumors are true. Celemaril the Great has returned.
To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure if that story was fact or legend…but I guess we have the answer now.
Player
Can you help us?
Martin Gavinius
If it really is Celemaril, then it’d be foolish *not* to help you. He’ll destroy Tamriel if given the chance.
Unfortunately, I do not have the incantation. It was lost when Celemaril’s brother passed away.
Player
Valentis? I have met his ghost…
Martin Gavinius
Interesting…you can probably get the ritual from him. Here, this will help.
It’s an amulet that will let you talk with him. It’s the best I can do.
So, you will let me live, then?
| Player Sure. Martin Gavinius May Talos guide you on your quest, kind stranger. | Player Sorry, I can’t do that. Martin Gavinius B-but you said you weren’t a murderer! Player The two fight, and Gavinius is defeated. |
Player
Equipped with the amulet to talk to the ghost to obtain the incantation, the Blade returns to town.
Thalmor Agent
Thank you for taking care of that old enchanter for me.
I trust you were able to get what you needed from him?
Player
I was.
Thalmor Agent
Good. I knew I could count on someone like you for this.
The Ghost’s Tale
Wasting no time, the Blade decided to use what they’d learned from the enchanter to speak with the ghost of Valentis. They headed down into the crypts beneath the town, fought the usual undead, and found the ghost in the burial chamber.
The Ghost of Valentis
Hear us, mortal, for we speak from beyond the veil of death.
| Player I’m listening. The Ghost of Valentis The dark enemy draws ever stronger with each passing day. Soon, he will be restored to his full potential. | Player Speak, brother of Celemaril. The Ghost of Valentis Do not utter that cursed name in my presence! My brother died when the Sorcerer-King was born. |
Player
Shulkunaak told me how to defeat him.
The Ghost of Valentis
The dragon did not tell you everything. After defeating his physical form, it is not enough to simply utter the incantation.
You must also place the Elder Scroll within a marble statue, enchanted by five Varla Stones set in its base.
Only then will the ritual be effective, and the Sorcerer-king imprisoned.
Player
I understand.
The Ghost of Valentis
Here is the incantation. May the Divines guide you.
Player
Thank you, noble spirit. We will not fail you.
They headed back to town to tell Saashi about what they had learned.
Saashi
[Player Name], you are back! This one is so relieved!
You found the ritual incantation, yes?
Player
That, and more.
Saashi
Oh? Do tell, please!
Player
We must rebuild the Founder’s statue.
Saashi
Let Saashi guess: we must put the Elder Scroll inside, yes?
Player
That, and five Varla Stones.
Saashi
This will be no easy task, Varla stones are quite rare!
Ah, no matter. [Player Name] can do it, Saashi is sure of it!
You should go talk to Junius, he’ll want to know about rebuilding the Founder’s statue…
In any case, we do not know where to look. Maybe the Bloodfall Queen got something out of that death mage?
The Founder’s Statue
Before finding the stones, the Blade wanted to rebuild the statue to house them.They spoke to the town elder to see if he had any information about what the statue used to look like.
Junius the Elder
So I understand we’ll need to rebuild the statue in the town square. I have an old scale model to use as a reference.
Finding all the marble we’ll need in the construction, that’ll be the hard part.
Player
The Blade had saved up all the Marble, Crystal, and Bronze they found on their previous adventures. After a little more questing, they had enough materials to construct the statue, and headed to the Workshop where it was expertly remade.
Player
With the town’s help, the statue was placed back where it belonged, right in front of the town hall.
Founder’s Statue
The statue of the town’s original founder, an Ayleid prince from the First Era.
Junius the Elder
It’s… It’s amazing. The statue looks better than it ever did.
Now we’ll just have to hope it will work when the time finally comes.
You know where the stones are. All you need to do now is get them back.
The Five Stones
The Varla stones were something of a mystery. The Bloodfall Queen’s emissary, Wanum, seemed as good a lead as any, so the Blade headed right for him. Luckly, the Argonian did have information.
Wanum
Good news, Warrior. The Queen sends word that the death mage finally broke and told us everything.
The necromancers’ hideout is a desecrated shrine to Mara, out near Valenwood. That’s where they’re keeping the Varla Stones.
Player
Valenwood was a long way away, but the Blade had no choice. After a lot of trekking and quite a bit of fighting, they encountered two Bosmer.
Belegond
Halt, traveler. You are entering the territory of the Valenwood, and must submit to our authority.
What brings you to our realm?
Player
I seek the lost shrine of Mara.
Belegond
We know the shrine you speak of, but someone has already taken refuge there.
Player
Necromancers?
Belegond
Aye, we believe that is the case. We did not question them, only warned them that the shrine is guarded.
They earned the right to enter through a trial by combat. It was most impressive.
Player
I need to go there too.
Player
I’m still going.
Player
I seek to thwart the plans of death mages.
Belegond
We know of whom you speak. They came here desiring to use the abandoned shrine of Mara as a refuge.
We do not refuse sanctuary, even to necromancers. We simply warned them that they would need to face the shrine’s guardians.
They did, and therefore they were allowed to stay.
Player
I need to go there too.
Belegond
We will not prevent passage there, but know that the shrine’s guardians aren’t as accommodating.
Player
Thanks for the heads-up.
Belegond
Was there something else you needed?
Player
How long have these death mages been here?
Belegond
A few months now. Over the past few months, the numbers have grown.
Player
What are the shrine’s guardians?
Belegond
The forest itself decides which guardian each intruder will face. Only the strong of heart will prevail.
Player
Where is your village?
Belegond
It is well-hidden from view. Perhaps one day we will allow you to see it, but not today.
Player
The Blade ended the conversation. They had learned enough.
Belegond
May the Green guide your steps.
Player
Before moving on into the forest’s depths, they spoke to the lady wood elf beside Belegond. Each time they initiated conversation, she had a different thing to say.
Aerwaen
Worry not–for if you fail, your body and soul will nourish the sacred trees.
The forest bears life, and the forest grants death.
I care not for necromancers, but the forest seems to have accepted them.
Strong or weak, wise or foolish. In the end, it is the forest that decides your fate.
It is not our place to question things. The forest protects us, just as we protect the forest.
Player
Satisfied, the Blade made their way into the wood. They fought off a variety of powerful enemies such as whisps and spriggans, and found each of the four elemental varla stones resting on pedestals in between three menhirs. The final stone, the Varla Stone of Light, was found in the hands of a statue of Mara, surrounded by ancient Ayleid pillars. The Blade grabbed it and headed back to town.
Saashi
Excellent! You brought back the Varla Stones!
Player
It wasn’t easy.
Saashi
That is why you are a hero, my friend!
This one thinks we have found all we need…
Wrath of the Sorcerer-King
Player
With the crown and ritual in hand, and the statue built, all that was left was to place the Varla stones in its base. The Blade did so, completing the process. Next, they waited a bit and returned to Saashi.
Saashi
[Player Name]! It is happening! The Sorcerer-King is coming!
Hordes of undead are amassing near the Arena north of town!
Saashi will be ready to begin the ritual as soon as you defeat the Sorcerer-King!
| Player It’s on! Saashi Send those demons back to Oblivion, [Player Name]! | Player I need to prepare first. Saashi Better hurry then! |
Player
The Blade checked their equipment and headed to the arena for their final showdown.
The Sorcerer King
You cannot stop me, [Player Name]…
I will reign once again, and the world will be set aflame!
Your loved ones will die, your cities will fall to dust…
And I will feast upon your soul!
Player
A long and difficult fight ensued, with the Blade coming close to death several times. Finally, they strike the fatal blow and the Lich withers and dies. The Blade, victorious, heads back to town to talk with Saashi.
Saashi
We did it! The Sorcerer-King has been defeated and bound, for a couple more millennia at least!
And then… He will be someone else’s problem. Let future heroes deal with it!
I think we have earned the right to rest a little, don’t you think?
Player
Depending on which quests the player has completed, they can either agree to rest or remind Saashi about the other problems facing the town.
| Player Those Thalmor are still nosing around town. Saashi Do you think they found out about you? Player Probably not, only you and Henrik know. Saashi Well, let us hope they leave soon… | Player We still have goblins to worry about. Saashi They are a nuisance, true, but we do not really have to worry much about them. Right? Player I suppose so. Saashi Come, now. There will *always* be goblins to worry about. Wipe them out, and still they would return… | Player We have to help rid the area of the Greencaps. Saashi Yes… What would our glorious queen do without her champion, Saashi wonders… | Player I suppose so. Saashi Glad to hear you say it! |
Saashi
You know, perhaps one day in the future another loremaster will read of our adventures, yes?
This one feels happy just thinking about it.
Player
And, just like that, the world was saved for a little while longer. The Blade was now free to deal with their other troubles.
