MOURNHOLD, TEMPLE
Almalexia
"Greetings, my dearest servant. You were to forge the blade of Nerevar once again."
:forge the blade:
"The blade is reforged! Our time has almost arrived. There is but one obstacle that stands in our way, though it pains me to believe it is so. Sotha Sil. I cannot count the times I have fought by the Magician's side. It was he who stood with me the day I fought in Mournhold and banished Mehrunes Dagon to the depths of Oblivion. It was Sotha Sil who was able to delve the mysteries of Kagrenac's tools, and raise me to my rightful station. Now, though, the Tinkerer has become unstable."
:unstable:
"Once, Sotha Sil was like we are, the Lord Vivec and I. He spent time among these mortals, instructing them, counseling them, protecting them from harm. He may have loved them more than any of us, though I know not why. It has been many years since any have seen the Sorcerer, though. Many more since he took initiates into his service. I believe he grew weary of mortal imperfections, and retired to his Clockwork City, where he reshapes life, and some say the very world, into an image he finds pleasing."
:Clockwork City:
"His lair is as puzzling as the mind of the Sorcerer himself. Ever-moving, ever-changing, its levers and gears responding to its master's will alone. It is here he performs his profane experiments, aided by his magic and tainted by his madness."
:his madness:
"I have suspected for some time that the Lord Sotha Sil had entered Sheogorath's realm. His visits have been more and more infrequent, and punctuated by violent fits of anger. He began to speak of the fall of the Tribunal and the return of the Old Gods. But Sotha Sil is not a Seer; he is a Maker. He shapes the Here and the Now, while only I have been privy to what is to come. I know this...he is no longer the man he once was."
:man he once was:
"He is completely mad. It was his creations, these Fabricants, that attacked my city. This once great man is now a danger to Mournhold and to all of Morrowind. He must be stopped, Faern Sargtlin."
:must be stopped:
"I believe it is your calling to stop Sotha Sil's mad schemings. I do not know that he can be reasoned with, Faern Sargtlin, but it is possible. If he cannot be, you must end his life. Though the idea saddens me, it is best for Morrowind...and it is best for him, as well. You have the power to do this. The Trueflame can kill a god, if wielded by one of noble intent. Steel yourself, Faern Sargtlin, and do what must be done. I will send you to his Clockwork City now, if you are prepared. Good luck, Nerevarine."
Faern Sargtlin
"I need time to prepare."
Almalexia
:must be stopped:
"There is not time to waste. Make your preparations quickly."
Faern Sargtlin
(go purchase some equipment, rest and heal)
(go back to Almalexia)
Almalexia
"It is time for you to go, Faern Sargtlin. Sotha Sil must be stopped."
:must be stopped:
"Are you prepared now to stop Sotha Sil and take your place amongst the gods?"
Faern Sargtlin
"I am prepared to go."
Almalexia
:must be stopped:
"Then I shall send you now. Do what you must, Nerevarine."
Faern Sargtlin
(teleported to Clockwork City of Sotha Sil)
SOTHA SIL, OUTER FLOODED HALLS
Faern Sargtlin
(arrive in Sotha Sil Clockwork City)
(fight the way to Dome of Sotha Sil)
SOTHA SIL, DOME OF SOTHA SIL
Faern Sargtlin
(find that Sotha Sil is hanged on his own contraptions, dead)
(shocked and try to find a way home, and...)
(Almalexia in her battle mask shows up)
Almalexia
"Nerevarine. Here it ends. This Clockwork City was to be your death. You were to be my greatest martyr! The heroic Nerevarine, sacrificing all to protect Morrowind from the mad Sotha Sil. But you live! You live!
Fear not. I will tell the tale myself when this is done. I will tell my people how with your dying breath you proclaimed your devotion to me, the one true god. Your death will end this prophecy and unite my people again under one god, one faith, one rule by my divine law. The puppet king will lay down his arms and bow to my will. Those who do not yield will be destroyed.
The Mazed Band has allowed me to travel to this place. Here, I slew Sotha Sil. Here, I summoned the Fabricants to attack Mournhold. I will be the savior of my people! I alone will be their salvation!
None may stand in my way. Not you, and certainly not Vivec. He is a poet, a fool. I will deal with him when I have finished with you. And Sotha Sil...he always thought himself our better, shunning us, locking himself in this hole. He spoke not a word as he died. Not a whisper. Even in death, he mocked me with his silence! But I think you will scream, mortal. For now, you face the one true god."
Faern Sargtlin
(a terrible battle starts)
(exchanging blows, eventually Almalexia is defeated)
(search her lifeless body, and find Barilzar's Mazed Band and her blade Hopesfire)
(use the Mazed Band to travel out of Clockwork City, however...)
(...some powerful force interrupt the Mazed Band)
(arrive in Mournhold, High Chapel)
(get out of the temple and suddenly Daedra Prince Azura shows up)
Azura
"You have done well, mortal. The death of Almalexia is a boon for all of Morrowind, though it may take time for this to be understood. She would have betrayed the Dunmer as surely as she betrayed all those she loved. This was her curse, and this was her undoing.
Weep not for Sotha Sil. He shed his mortality long ago, and I am certain his death was no small relief to him. These gods lived with the burden of a power no mortal was meant to possess.
Your work in Morrowind is not finished, Nerevarine. Vivec still lives, but I believe his time grows short. Protect my people. Defend these lands. The skies of Mournhold are clear once again. Let these people suffer no longer. Now go, mortal. Embrace your destiny, and go with my blessing. "
Faern Sargtlin
(go to Royal Palace)
King Hlaalu Helseth
"I have been hearing many stories about you, Faern Sargtlin. And about the goddess. In fact, I've been hearing stories about a great deal of strange happenings in my city. I sent you to learn more about the attacks. I will assume that the rumors I have heard relate to that."
:learn more about the attacks:
"The attacks were Almalexia's doing? And now you say that both she and Sotha Sil lie dead in the Clockwork City? She murders Sotha Sil, and then tries to kill you as well. Astounding! I believe your tale, Faern Sargtlin, but do not expect my people to be so accepting of it. You will find it is not so easy to kill these gods in the hearts and minds of their followers. It will take time, but this will be a new era for Morrowind, and I will lead them into it. You have done well, my friend. You have my gratitude."
Faern Sargtlin
(receive a full set of the armor of Royal Guards)
(go talk to Barenziah)
Barenziah
"I understand you've been to the Clockwork City, and you alone returned. You've consorted with gods, what can this Queen do for you?"
:Almalexia:
"I understand you have told my son of the death of the goddess and the passing of Sotha Sil. Keep this information close, Faern Sargtlin. The people of Morrowind will need time to accept what has happened. Until then, continue to watch over them."
Faern Sargtlin
(try once more to activate the Mazed Band and select Vivec as destination)
VIVEC, HIGH FANE
Faern Sargtlin
(arrive in High Fane)
(go to Palace of Vivec)
VIVEC, PALACE OF VIVEC
Vivec
"The blight is gone, and we have survived. Now we must dedicate ourselves to rebuilding the Temple. And you must dedicate yourself to your responsibilities as Protector of Morrowind."
:Almalexia:
"We don't communicate. Without the Heart, our divine powers must diminish. She takes her divinity very seriously, and the loss weighs heavily on her. She tends to brood, and I fear she will do herself and others harm."
Faern Sargtlin
"I see...."
Vivec
:Almalexia:
[Studies you carefully.] "I see you know something that you choose not to say. That's your right. And perhaps I do not have to be a prophet to imagine what it is that you do not say, Nerevarine."
Faern Sargtlin
"I found Sotha Sil dead, and killed Almalexia."
Vivec
:Almalexia:
"That is very sad. I presume she killed Sotha Sil. I thought she might harm me. And I presume she tried to kill you, Nerevarine. It is all very sad. But death comes to all mortals -- and we are all mortal now. In time, death will come to me, Nerevarine -- perhaps even at your hands. It is futile to deny one's fate. But, nonetheless, I'm afraid I find it all very, very sad that it should end this way, something that began in such glory and noble promise."
