Chapter 3
Laaneth
It’s said Sotha Sil, the god of this place, died centuries ago. But the machines he built may still be active. Stay alert.
From here, they can go to one of two places: The Ventral Terminus or the Halls of Regulation.
The Ventral Terminus
Laaneth
Watch your step. There could be traps in the area.
Player
The player must “defeat” a series of traps to proceed through this section of the city.
Laaneth
That was close. Come on. If the rest of this place is this dangerous, there’s no telling what danger Swims may be in.
The Halls of Regulation
Kellen
Much of the once-great city lay empty and eerily silent. But within the Halls of Regulation, they heard the sinister sound of gears whirring to life.
Player
They battle it out against a series of automata in the shapes of both animals and humans.
Laaneth
Remarkable! Those creatures were putting themselves together. If all the machines can do that, there’s no telling what we’ll find here.
Brass Fortress Market Square
Laaneth
Is that… by Azura, it is! After all these centuries… there are still people down there! They must be the last of Sotha Sil’s worshippers. Careful, I think they see us.
Galyn
Look, there — More outlanders! To arms, friends! Defend the city!”
Player
Though they do not wish to fight the worshippers, the player defends themselves and eventually subdues Sotha Sil’s cultists.
Laaneth
Peace! We mean you no harm.
Galyn
We thought you were with the other outlanders. They raided our settlement, and stole our most precious artifact: A star crystal containing Sotha Sil’s last memory.
Laaneth
Other outlanders… He must mean the treasure hunters you fought with. Maybe they have Swims. Which way did they go?
Galyn
That way, into the Mire Mechanica. Please, return our relic.
Mire Mechanica
Player
The two of them head to the Mire, where they find the treasure hunters and Swims.
Aldora
Well, well. If it isn’t the fool we got the ring from. Come for your friend?
Laaneth
Swims!
Aldora
There’s a hefty bounty on this Argonian’s head. But tell you what: Throw down your weapons, and promise to leave us to plunder in peace, and you can have him.
They must choose between attacking the group outright or disarming them.
Disarm
Aldora
Wise choice. Although, it’s just occurred to me: Why don’t we just kill you now and take our captive back?
Attack
Laaneth
Trust you? Not likely. We’ll get him back the hard way.
Player
The player defeats the treasure hunters.
Laaneth
They’re running. Now if only we knew what they’ve done with the cultists’ memory star.
Swims
You mean this memory star? I stashed it away when they thought I was unconscious.
Laaneth
You’re a wonder. Let’s take a look at it.
The Last Stand
Upon activating the star, the player is transported into the memory of Sotha Sil.
Sotha Sil
This day has appeared in all my simulations. The end. My dear friend Almalexia has come to kill me. Now, everything depends on my calculations being correct. My machines need 22 minutes to seal the Chamber of Lorkhan. So that’s how long I must live.
Almalexia
Your time has come, Sotha Sil! All these years you’ve looked down on me. Have you any last words?
Player
Inhabiting the god’s memories, the player must stay alive for one game turn. To do so, they complete a puzzle.
Almalexia
Why are you silent? What are you hiding?! Speak, curse you.
Fine then. Die, old friend. Fall before the one true god!
Sotha Sil
I have done it. I die, but what is death? A natural function. The chamber is sealed, the work begun. It will take approximately 207 years, but what is that? A rounding error.
The new Heart of Lorkhan will be completed. And it will power my city for all eternity.
The Heart, Revealed
Laaneth
The Heart of Lorkhan! Azura protect us.
Swims-at-Night
What are you talking about?
Laaneth
The Heart of Lorkhan is one of the most powerful and dangerous artifacts in history. It’s what Sotha Sil and the others used to become gods.
Dagoth Ur nearly used it to take over Tamriel – before the Nerevarine destroyed it. But if this memory is true…
Then somehow, somewhere in this city, the machines have built a new one.
Chapter 4
A new map, displaying the interior of the Clockwork City, appears.
The heart cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. We have to find it before the treasure hunters do.
If we can find more of these memory stars, maybe we can puzzle out where it is.
Player
The player must locate and complete five locations to obtain more memory stars: the Cogitum Centralis (followed by Red Mountain) and the Apprentice (which is followed by the Hall of Conveyance and then the Betrayal).
Cogitum Centralis
Laaneth
Amazing. This entire chamber appears to be a machine of breathtaking complexity.
Swims-at-Night
So are those automatons that look ready to kill us.
Player
They defeat the various Cogwork Constructs that guard this hall.
Laaneth
Look, in the gears of the machine — another memory star!
The Red Mountain
Sotha Sil
A dark day. Our annual pilgrimage to the Heart of Lorkhan ended in disaster. It was only through a cunning trick that we escaped with our lives.
Dagoth Ur
Behold, arrogant tribunal! The power of the Heart flows through me and my minions. We are the gods now, growing stronger as you grow weaker. It is time to pay for your betrayal!
Player
In the memory of Sotha Sil, the player defeats Dagoth Ur.
Dagoth Ur
You think you have won? I still hold the Heart. Escape while you can, Sotha Sil. I am patient. My victory will come.
Sotha Sil
I have learned. The Heart is too important. A backup must be created. But where to store such a thing? I shall build a new chamber, beyond the Inner Curiosity.
Laaneth
That’s it. That’s where the heart must be!
The Apprentice
Sotha Sil
I have had so many apprentices over the years. But I believe the man I met today has the potential to rival them all.
Mecinar
Great Sotha Sil. Have I not shown I have the skills to enter the Halls of Contemplation?
Sotha Sil
You show much promise, Mecinar. Solve this last riddle, and I shall admit you.
Player
As Sotha Sil’s apprentice, the player solves the puzzle and defeats the god.
Sotha Sil
The apprentice possesses a dangerous intellect. But to suppress such a mind would be a sin against potential, and a sin against Sotha Sil.
Hall of Conveyance
Roving Freebooter
Look, it’s those meddlers. Let’s see if we can slow them down.
Hall of Conveyance
(Gears grinding)
Swims-at-Night
Do you feel that? The floor — it’s moving!
Player
The Freebooter attacks the player. Their battle is complicated by the Hall’s ever-moving floor. Eventually, the looter is defeated.
Laaneth
This way — I think I see another memory star.
The Betrayal
Sotha Sil
There was always a 47% chance that Mecinar would seek my power. But he has done far worse.
Today I found his… test subjects. Acolytes modified against their will, merged with beasts through steel and sorcery. Beautiful in their way. But abominable. There was only one thing to be done.
Mecinar
You would condemn me? Hypocrite! Fraud! This is what you strive for — The creation of the perfect life form!
Sotha Sil
You have misunderstood me, Mecinar
Player
As Sotha Sil, the player fights and beats his former apprentice.
Sotha Sil
I cast Mecinar out of the city. Now, I must rework the enchantments that seal the Chamber of Lorkhan — to ones that Mecinar could never break.
Laaneth
There! I think I can see enough of the new enchantments in this memory to determine how to unravel them! Now we just need to find the chamber.
The Inner Curiosity
Laaneth
Yes, this is the place — I can see the contours of the enchantment. But it’s going to take tremendous power to break it. Perhaps the machinery here can help.
Swims-at-Night
Whatever you’re going to do, do it fast; the defenses are stirring.
Player
As Laaneth works, the player uses the Waiting Generators to give her more magicka. They are attacked by a Dwarven Colossus, but manage to kill it. Once the creature is down, they hear a voice.
Mysterious Figure
At last! Once again you have led me to my quarry. My old master ensured I could never break those seals.
Mecinar
Thankfully you have done it for me!
Laaneth
It’s Mecinar — the apprentice from Sotha Sil’s memories!
Mecinar
Yes. And it’s about time you witnessed my true power!
Mecinar Triumphant
Mecinar
For centuries I have prepared for this moment, crafting myself into a tool that could absorb this power. Now at last, godhood is mine!
And your services are no longer required!
