MOURNHOLD, ROYAL PALACE
Tienius Delitian
:Temple informant:
“We need a source of information inside Almalexia’s Temple. There are rumors of discontent in the Temple. Go to Almalexia’s Temple. Look for someone discontented. Listen sympathetically. And find out whether the Temple is willing to accept King Helseth — or whether the Temple plans to act against him.”
Faern Sargtlin
(Ask whether King Helseth is a loyal supporter of the Temple.)
Tienius Delitian
:Temple informant:
“King Helseth joined the Temple when he arrived in Morrowind years ago. But the Temple is the enemy of the Empire, and King Helseth is an Imperial in every sense of the word. Now — will you help us find a Temple informant who can tell us whether the Temple is willing to accept King Helseth — or whether the Temple plans to act against him?”
Faern Sargtlin
“I’ll take care of it.”
Tienius Delitian
:Temple informant:
“Good. Find a Temple informant, then report to me if you find out whether the Temple is willing to accept King Helseth — or whether the Temple plans to act against him.”
Faern Sargtlin
(go to Mournhold, Temple)
MOURNHOLD, TEMPLE
Mehra Helas
“Give to the Temple, and receive the blessings of Almalexia.”
:blessings of Almalexia:
“Our wealth dies with us, my child, but our good deeds outlive us all. Would you care to make a donation to the Temple, and receive the blessings of the Lady of Mercy?”
Faern Sargtlin
“What’s Almalexia going to do with this money?”
Mehra Helas
:blessings of Almalexia:
“Almalexia watches over all Her children — the sick, the needy, the poor. Well… not actually in person. She used to… in person, you know. But She’s made no public appearance for years, so the Temple takes care of Her children for Her. That’s what the money goes for, child.”
Faern Sargtlin
“Here’s five gold for the Temple, mehra.”
Mehra Helas
:blessings of Almalexia:
“Thank you, my child.”
:Lady of Mercy:
“Almalexia’s the Mother of us all, healer and protector. Always has been. I suppose She doesn’t seem that way now. It’s the war with Dagoth Ur. It’s hard for all of us. She’s had to change — to toughen Herself and Her followers. It’s true that sometimes dissenters disappear when they question Her doctrines. The Hands of Almalexia are more like inquisitors than knights of loving mercy. And Mournhold doesn’t feel much like the City of Love any more. But hard times demand hard gods.”
:Hands of Almalexia:
“They’re Almalexia’s personal guards, body and soul, scimitar and armor fortified by divine enchantments, pledged to honor and protect and serve Almalexia in all ways. They used to spend much of their time punishing criminals and protecting the people. Now they spend all their time protecting Almalexia. I suppose that’s right. But it makes me uneasy. Sends the wrong signal. Vengeful might, rather than vigilant mercy.”
:no public appearance:
“You know about Almsivi, the Living Gods of our Temple? Gods, but at the same time, living folks like you and me. Almalexia, the Lady of Mercy, walked the streets of Mournhold Herself, healed the sick, fed the poor — gave them clothes from Her own hand. The same with Lord Vivec. Then, ten years ago, about the time of the Ghostfence, They stopped appearing in public — needed all Almsivi’s power for the Ghostfence, They said. High priests still talk with Them, but we don’t see Them.”
:Living Gods:
“Almalexia and Vivec have always been among us — our fathers and forefathers to many generations — living and speaking gods and ancestors, guardians and heroes. Sotha Sil… He’s the Father of Mysteries, and always kept to himself, but long ago even He used to appear now and then. That’s the difference between the Temple and the Western faiths. We have gods who were once mortals. They understand what it is like to live, eat, sleep, suffer, worry… and to fear death.”
:discontent in the Temple:
“Lord Vivec has forgiven the Dissident priests and welcomed them back into the Temple. There are still many disagreements, and problems to be worked out. But things are not as bad as they used to be.”
Faern Sargtlin
(enter the Temple)
(meet Galsa Andrano)
Galsa Andrano
“The Nerevarine… here in Mournhold. Very interesting.”
:discontent in the Temple:
“I am a faithful believer…. but Almalexia makes me uneasy. For the last 50 years, the Tribunal stopped walking among us, stopped listening and speaking with us. This worried me, and made me sad. Were our gods abandoning us? Were they growing weak? But since Almalexia has lately come among us again, I feel more worry, not less. Her face glows brightly with hope and power, but her words seem dark and bitter.”
Faern Sargtlin
Mention Mehra Milo and the Dissident Priests.
Galsa Andrano
:discontent in the Temple:
“You are a friend of Mehra Milo? Then I can speak freely. Helseth has murdered King Llethan and stolen his crown. It does not matter that King Llethan was a fool. He was OUR fool. So long as the puppet king was a joke, we all could laugh and ignore him. Helseth is not a fool, and no one is laughing. If Helseth seeks in earnest to be king, then Almalexia and the Temple are sworn in earnest to destroy him.”
:Dissident Priests:
“The Dissident priests dispute Temple doctrine. They challenge the purity and divinity of the Tribunal, suggesting their powers are sorcerous, not divine. They also condemn the arbitrary power of the Ordinators, and accuse the Temple hierarchy of self-interest and corruption. The Dissident Priests are outlawed and persecuted by the Temple.”
Faern Sargtlin
(go back to Tienius Delitian)
MOURNHOLD, ROYAL PALACE
Tienius Delitian
:official matter:
“Have you discovered a Temple informant?”
:Temple informant:
“Galsa Andrano speaks her mind, and, from what you say, sounds sincere. You handled her well. The Temple seems to recognize that King Helseth will not be content to be a puppet like King Llethan, and plans to act against us. Very good work, Faern Sargtlin. The king will hear of your loyal service. Now you can help us with another matter. King Helseth is concerned about possible disloyalty among the Guards.”
