In the very beginning, Prince Lhotun of Sentinel sent you an invitation letter. You arrive to the court of Sentinel, and he hires you to investigate a mysterious matter:
You see, I used to to have an older brother, ten or eleven years older than me, named (whatsisname). Whenever I ask what happened to him, I'm told a different story. Some say he got sick and died, some say he was kidnapped by the Underking. I want to know the truth. If you can find some proof of what really happened to him, I'll tell you all I know about King Lysandus.
This quest is weird from the very beginning. For starters, there's no set name for the missing prince! First time I went through the quest, his name was Maolde. On the second try, Dhictom. I take it, the game engine picks a random Redguard name for him. Most unusual.
Anyway, as you ask around, you soon learn that the prince was, according to the second most popular version, abducted by Underking. Before you can run to the netherworld, or wherever Underking supposedly resides, an agent of Underking contacts you and suggests that you investigate a certain dungeon. This dungeon, according to the quest description, also varies, but for me, on both attempts, it turned out to be Castle Faalem. If in your case it was a different castle, you're welcome to let me know.
After a thorough search of Castle Faalem, you find what seems to be the missing prince's diary. Here's the full text of it:
23 Morning Star 3E 400
Castle FaalemTwo days I was sealed within this crypt without food or water. I do not know whether hunger or poor health or one of the creatures who share this dank hole with me will kill me first -- I only know that I will soon be dead, and not even my bones with remain. My hope is that in the years that come, this letter will be read and the sad story of (whatsisname), Prince of Sentinel will be told.
I am fifteen years old at the time of this writing, and have been plagued with bad health for most of my life, to the frustration of my hearty parents. The finest healers and apothecaries in western Tamriel have labored over my every cough and fever, but while they could save my life time and time again, they could not improve my sickly constitution. In retrospect, I received little real affection from the king and queen, embarrassed as they were about begetting such a cripple as the heir of the kingdom. I cannot say I missed the love; I received much attention from the doctors, priests, and herbalists constantly at court. Certainly I was not to be the sort of warrior that King Cameron was, but one of my dearest friends, a priest of Stendarr said that I might be the first scholar-king in the history of Sentinel.
My younger sister Aubk-i was the true favorite of my parents: athletic, beautiful, and charming. It is hard to think of an uncomplimentary word for her. I am resigned to my imminent death, and yet, I would like to see her once again. For six years, Aubk-i and I were the only children of Sentinel. Eight years ago, the queen had a boy child and named him Greklith, after the ancient Redguard word for Strong King. Few speak that tongue any longer, but all the scholars and nobles of Hammerfell understood. And Greklith is a strong boy indeed -- I have never so much as seen him cough. The Queen's next child, born only a year after Greklith, had an even more ominous birthname -- Lhotun. Second Boy. Perhaps had I been less sheltered, more suspicious by nature, I might have read into these nominations. Lhotun and Greklith are common enough names in our family, I reasoned. Now I know that even then, I was disinherited -- even if it was not official yet.
For several months before Lhotun's birth and over three years afterward, I was in the throes of a very serious fever. The doctors despaired of me, but somehow and very, very gradually, I recovered. For the first time, and the last, I read an expression on my father, the King's face that was not indifference. It was disgust.
That was a fortnight ago. Three nights ago, I was seized by men I had never seen while I was having a walk. My nursemaid stood by watching placidly as I was gagged and tied and thrown roughly into a sack. I do not know how long they rode with me, but I was eventually left here. When I finally freed myself from my bonds, I found that I was alone. My wanders have gotten me nowhere. This place is filled with undead creatures that prevent me from finding any exit.
I have no hope left, but no fear either. A few regrets. Perhaps had I studied magic instead of history and science I could free myself of this place. One of my tutors told the story of the Underking, how he had placed his lifeforce in the body of a powerful being and had thus conquered all Tamriel long, long ago. Had I only had the strength of a more powerful body like that.
But I did not study magic. I studied history, so I leave this letter -- not to revenge myself, but as an historic document.
Oh well. Let the dead stay dead and let the living live on. Besides, you have a mission to carry out. Back to your employer, Prince Lhotun, you go, and your efforts are properly rewarded - he happens to know a bit about late King Lysandus:
This what I most feared. Poor (whatsisname). As I promised, here's what I've heard about Lysandus. I don't know how much of this is secret, but I trust you. Lysandus was in love with his court sorceress, a noblewoman named Medora Direnni, and during the war with us, his queen found out. They say that while her husband was gone, Queen Mynisera banished Medora from the court. My sister Aubk-i is queen now, part of the treaty to insure peace, but Mynisera still resides at Castle Daggerfall as the dowager Queen mother.
I don't know where Medora went, but I know she has an enormous castle somewhere on the Isle of Balfiera. But I also heard there is some kind of curse on her, and she can never leave. I don't know if that helps you, but that's all I know. Again, thank you for (whatsisname)'s letter. Just knowing what happened will ease my heart somewhat. Please take this (magic item) as a token of my appreciation.
You further path is clearly laid out for you... Isle of Balfiera. And Medora Direnni.
Next: Finding Medora Direnni
