Chapter 7: The Initial Blades Missions

Heartfire 8 (Day 24)

Caius Cosades gives me my first orders

Cosades welcomed me warmly as I entered his home and I returned his greeting. He did not mention anything of my actions over the last few weeks, though I am sure that he was aware of them, nor did he comment on my weapons or armor. Instead, he asked if I was ready to start work and I indicated that I was.

Pleasantries out of the way, he told me that he had been assigned by the Emperor to the task of finding out all he could about the "Nerevarine Prophecies" and the "Sixth House". I was to be his assistant in the investigation. All he knew was that the Nerevarine Prophecies stated that an orphan and outcast who was born "on a certain day to uncertain parents" would unite the diverse Dunmer tribes and drive the invaders from Morrowind. Since Morrowind was a province of the Empire and many of the Dunmer regarded the Imperials as invaders the interest of the Emperor was obvious.

Cosades said he had managed to uncover the names of several persons who might be able to provide more information on the Prophecies. The first, who he wished me to interview, was Hasphat Antabolis of the Balmora Fighters' Guild. He warned me that Antabolis would probably ask me to do something for him before he would answer any of my questions.

Until that mention I had wondered why Cosades had wanted me to do such a simple task, especially considering that I knew of at least three Blades agents in Balmora myself. Now I realized that he had wanted someone who would be able to perform the task that Antabolis, and probably his other contacts as well, would ask for in exchange for the information. I was not involved in any other Blade activities and could be spared. In addition, I thought wryly, he probably considered me more expendable than his normal agents and so would not be concerned if the task involved more danger than he would normally wish to place his own people in.

I suddenly realized that Cosades was still speaking with me and came out of my thoughts in time to hear him ask if I had any questions. I indicated that I did not and he waved dismissal before turning back to some paperwork. I hesitated a moment then nodded a goodbye and left. Outside, I quickly made my way across the river to the Fighters' Guild and stepped inside. After a brief search I located Antabolis in the downstairs area.

Hasphat Antabolis

I introduced myself and told him what questions I had. He was pleasant and indicated that he had been expecting someone from Cosades to come talk with him and also confirmed what Cosades had suspected by asking if I would do a small task for him in exchange for the information. Not having much of a choice, I agreed.

Antabolis told me that he had an interest in the Dwemer and asked if I could recover an artifact from the nearby Dwemer ruins of Arkngthand. He was specifically looking for a "Dwemer Puzzle Box" and had information that said there should be one inside. If I would retrieve the puzzle box for him he would give me what information he could on the Nerevarine Prophecies.

Since I had explored the Arkngthand ruins fairly carefully earlier, I strained my memory to try and remember if I had found any such item. I could not and was somewhat discouraged as I thought I had explored the ruins fairly carefully. Still, it seemed as if I had no choice in the matter and so I reluctantly told Antabolis that I would return with the box. I took my leave of him and left the Guild.

I knew the way to Arkngthand easily and so left Balmora via the northern gate and, crossing the headwaters of the river, made my way towards the Moonmoth Legion Fort and the Dwemer bridge crossing the Foyada Mamaea. As I passed the fort I remembered the task Legion Champion Varro had asked me to perform and sighed. It seemed as if everyone on Vvardenfell had some task they wanted me to perform.

I reached the entrance to Arkngthand without incident save several attacks by cliff racers who were seemingly becoming more numerous and belligerent. I noticed that one or two seemed to be diseased and wondered if that was the cause of their aggression while thanking my Redguard heritage for the resistance to disease it gave me. I entered the ruin through the hemispherical doors.

Unlike my last visit to Arkngthand I met no opposition and began my explorations. I went through each room carefully, opening every chest and container I could find, looking on every shelf and even looking under and behind every piece of the strange Dwemer machinery. However, no matter where I searched I could find no evidence of the puzzle box that Antabolis wanted. Eventually I found myself standing beside the collapsed bridge I had discovered earlier, the one which had crossed the lava flow which now blocked passage into the deeper parts of the ruin. I could see a chamber beyond the flow and it occurred to me with a sinking feeling that the item I sought might be on the other side of the lava. With a sigh I realized that I would not be able to get there without Magickal assistance and turned to make my way back to Balmora in hopes of finding a Rising Force potion.

I had made my way back to the main chamber and was about to climb the collapsed debris up to the level of the entrance when I noticed something. I could see the metal bridge that led to the entrance above me but I now noticed a second platform just below it. Looking around, I saw another pile of debris that appeared to lead to it and I realized that there was a part of the ruin that I had yet to explore.

Picking my way up the debris I soon found myself in an unexplored part of the ruin where a door led to an area known as the "Cells of the Hollow Hand". Opening it, I was startled as one of the bandits like those I had encountered earlier attacked me.

Having had no opposition to my explorations for so long his initial attack caught me by surprise. I cursed myself as I fumbled for my weapons and he managed to land several serious blows on me before I was able to draw my sword and retaliate. However, once I did I found that I was more than a match for my surprise opponent and I was able to turn the tables and defeat him in short order.

As I knelt to search the body I cursed myself repeatedly for allowing myself to become complacent and resolved to keep my weapons closer at hand the next time. I found nothing of interest on the body except for a handful of Dwemer artifacts and so disposed of it after searching through them.

Dwemer Puzzle Box

I then searched the room and was quickly rewarded by finding the puzzle box Antabolis had wanted lying on a shelf. I tucked it into my pack and, after a last look around, made my way back out and down the debris pile. I then returned to the upper level and to the outside.

I had been in the ruins for many hours and it was the dark of night as I exited. A cliff racer had apparently been roosting on the top of the ruin and it attacked me almost as soon as I stepped outside. Fortunately, after my last surprise I had kept my sword in hand and I was able to slay it almost as soon as it was on me. I then started my way back to Balmora.

Heartfire 9 (Day 25)

Dawn was appearing in the east as I made my way back to town and the first rays of the sun met me as I found myself back at the entrance to the Fighters' Guild. I briefly considered waiting until later but went on inside anyway.

Fortunately Antabolis seemed to be an early riser and I found him waiting downstairs where I had last seen him. He seemed quite pleased as I approached and he became quite excited when I presented him with the puzzle box. He examined it for a few minutes then placed it aside and asked what I wanted to know.

I asked what he knew of the Nerevarine Prophecy and he told me that the Ashlanders, the nomadic Dunmer tribes, believe that a reborn Nerevar will return to unite the Dunmer against the outlander invaders and restore the ancient Dark Elven nation. Nerevar, he told me, was a legendary hero and a saint of the Temple. However, the Temple denies the Prophecy and persecutes as heretics anyone who believes in the Nerevar. He then suggested that I talk to Sharn gra-Muzgob for more information.

I then asked about the Sixth House and was told that the Sixth House was House Dagoth, another of the great Dunmer houses. House Dagoth was a traitorous house which was destroyed in the War of the First Council. It was led by Dagoth Ur; the evil, immortal enemy of the Tribunal Temple. The Temple blames Dagoth Ur and his hosts for all of the evils that beset the Dunmer and Morrowind. Dagoth Ur, it is said, dwells somewhere beneath Red Mountain.

Antabolis said this was all he knew but suggested that I search for several books which contained more information. He suggested that I read The War of the First Council, Saint Nerevar, Nerevar Moon and Star and The Real Nerevar.

Antabolis turned back to examining the puzzle box I had brought him. I started to take my leave then thought that I could perhaps learn something from him that may be of use. Professing an interest in the Dwemer, I asked what he knew of them. I could tell by his expression that he was more than willing to talk of his hobby and he immediately launched into a description of Dwemer lore.

"Dwemer", he told me, was derived from the word "Dwarven" which meant "Deep-Delving". The Dwemer got their name because they built most of their cities underground. They had disappeared long ago, before Imperial written records. Oral accounts among the Dunmer said that they were destroyed by the gods for profane practices and impieties. All that was really known is that House Dwemer was one of the original great houses and that their clanstead was known as Kogoruhn.

Vvardenfell was covered with Dwemer ruins of which Arkngthand was one. The largest were Mzuleft, in the Shegorad region, and Nchuleftingth, where there was an Imperial Archaeological expedition. Antabolis admitted an interest in history, saying "When we understand the events that occur to us, the events become history. Otherwise, we're all just dumb animals trying to get out of the cold."

I started to take my leave from him but I noticed him looking at me strangely as if he wanted to say something but wasn't sure if he should. Struck by an idea, I passed a few coins to him in thanks for his time. This seemed to improve his disposition enough that he suddenly stopped me and, pulling out a piece of paper, started to scribble something down.

He mentioned the archaeological expedition at Nchuleftingth again and said that he knew the Imperial researchers in charge; Senilias Cadiusus and his daughter Pania. They were at Nchuleftingth looking for a key to translating the ancient Dwemer language. He had continued writing as he spoke and, finishing with a flourish, handed the paper to me. This, he told me, was a letter of introduction. If I ever found myself near Nchuleftingth he suggested that I stop and speak with Cadiusus and give him the letter. As someone else interested in the Dwemer it was possible that they would have some work for me.

Thanking him again, I left. As I made my way back towards Cosades home to make my report I thought about what I had been told. I was starting to understand more why the Emperor wanted to find out what he could about the Prophecies and the Sixth House. What I did not know, and still could not understand, is why the Emperor had chosen me to be the one to do the investigation. I kept coming back to the same conclusion; the investigation would at some point become dangerous and the Emperor did not want to risk one of his own Blades on it. As a former prisoner, I was expendable. The thought did nothing to improve my mood.

Deep in thought, I did not notice the approaching figure until he literally ran into me. I recognized him as Rararyn Radarys, one of the Balmoran locals, and started to apologize but he grabbed my arm and, pulling me close, began whispering urgently into my face.

Rararyn Radarys

"I am a sleeper!" he said urgently. "One among thousands! Dagoth Ur calls; you cannot deny your lord. The Sixth House has risen and Dagoth is its glory!"

I was startled and wondered if he knew of my investigation. Most likely, I thought. Neither Antabolis nor I had attempted to keep our conversation in the Fighter's Guild secret so more that a few people probably knew that I was asking about the Sixth House. I tried to disengage myself from Belaal and to calm him down but he merely became more insistent.

"Dagoth Ur", he said insistently, "Lord father of the mountain. He sleeps, but when he wakes we shall rise from our dreams and sweep the land clear of n'wah. Why have you denied him? As Lord Dagoth has said, 'All shall greet him as flesh, or as dust.'"

"You wish to know of the Sixth House?" he asked suddenly. "The Sixth House, the sleeping house, House Dagoth, the house of Lord Dagoth. The true house, the one house to welcome all true Dunmer and drive the n'wah from our land."

Radarys suddenly pushed me away and started to walk away. He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly turned back and shouted at me. "The day of reckoning is at hand!" he yelled. "Take what you can and leave, for when Lord Dagoth comes this will be no place for you!"

I stood, somewhat shaken, and watched him walk away. Obviously he knew of my investigations and was not happy with them. I wondered who else knew and once again it occurred to me that everyone seemed to know what was going on except me! In frustration, I turned and headed for the Eight Plates.

Entering the tavern I went straight to the bar and ordered a drink which I immediately tossed back. I ordered another and drank it more slowly as I thought over my situation. I recognized Belaal's comments to me as a threat and I found some grim satisfaction in the thought that my suspicions as to why the Emperor had selected me to become involved in this investigation had been correct. Now, I had to decide what I should do next.

I sat there for some time, slowly nursing my drink. Several of the patrons attempted to strike up a conversation with me but I ignored them and apparently they eventually decided to leave me alone.

In the end, I decided that I had no choice but to continue with the investigation. I was already noticed by Dagoth Ur and his followers. As long as I continued working for Cosades and the Blades I should be able to expect some level of support from the various Imperial factions. On the other hand, if I suddenly stopped then they may withdraw what little protection they could provide and would not notice if the Sixth House supporters suddenly decided to eliminate someone who had learned too much about them. Besides, I had learned long before that knowledge could be a weapon of great value. Knowledge of the Sixth House could help me protect myself from them and the resources of the Blades could help me gain that knowledge. At least Cosades seemed to know who to talk to.

The bartender had come up to me to offer another drink and remained standing there after I had accepted it. I suddenly noticed that I was alone at the bar and realized that she was probably a bit bored. Partially to distract myself from my recent thoughts I asked if she had any information on current events and she seemed more than happy to have someone to talk to.

Things were about normal, she told me. The Great Houses hated each other and were constantly fighting; thefts, murders, assassinations and secret raids were all part of their daily life. Meanwhile, the Temple was trying to kill off a rebellious faction known as the Dissident Priests and a secret cult of some type was killing Imperial citizens.

"Of course," she added, "the real problem is the Blight."

For some reason her last sentence struck me as quite funny and she stared at me as I broke into laughter. I tried to explain the incongruity of worrying over a disease after talking about routine killing, murder and assassination but she didn't seem to appreciate the humor. Still, I found my laughter to be very therapeutic and left the bar in much higher spirits than I entered.

I made my way to Cosades' home and told him what I had discovered from Antabolis. He took careful notes, stopping my explanation now and then to ask a few guided questions about what I had discovered and accepted the notes I gave him. After I was done he thought for a few seconds then suggested that I go speak to Shaun gra-Muzgob in the Mage's Guild as Antabolis had suggested. He would start putting the notes I gave him together into a report to send to the Emperor. I nodded and started to leave. As I did, Cosades stopped me briefly to warn that gra-Muzgob would probably want me to do something for her as well. I shrugged in acknowledgment as he turned back to his notes.

The Mage's Guild was located next to the Fighter's Guild and I found my way in with no trouble. I asked a few of the wizards standing around and was quickly directed to a lower level where I found gra-Muzgob. I approached and introduced myself but she quickly cut me off, saying that she knew nothing of Necromancy and for me to stop asking about it.

Sharn gra-Muzgob

I was confused and wondered what she meant and asked as much. She looked at me in confusion for a moment then quickly changed the subject, saying I must have misunderstood her. She then asked me of my business.

I looked at her as she struggled to keep an innocent expression on her face and had to struggle not to laugh myself. I thought about pressing her but in the end decided that I needed her help and so asked what she knew about the Nerevarine Prophecies and the Sixth House.

She seemed startled by my change of topic but thought for a moment then, in an oddly calculating voice, said that she could give me some information if I was willing to do something for her. Without pausing to see if I would agree she started to outline her request.

Her request was simple. She was in the process of some research and in order to continue she needed a skull. Not just any skull, however. She wanted the skull of Llewle Andrano who was interred in the Andrano Ancestral Tomb. If I would bring her the skull then she would tell me all she knew of the Nerevarine.

I started to ask if she needed the skull for Necromantic purposes but something in her expression made me avoid that question. Instead, I asked if she could tell me anything about the tomb. I remembered passing by it during my earlier travels, it was off the side of the road near Pelagiad, but did not know anything about the inside. She admitted that there were probably several guardians within the tomb and offered me several scrolls and a small enchanted blade to protect myself. Looking at them I did not think they would be of much use to me but I accepted them anyway.

gra-Muzgob turned back to other tasks and I left quietly. Since I knew the location of the tomb I did not hesitate and immediately set out from Balmora along the south road. Crossing the bridge, I headed southeast past the Moonmoth fort and along the road towards Pelagiad.

I had few problems along the road other than a surprise attack by a kaghouti near the fork to Pelagiad and I soon found myself at the entrance. Here I hesitated, as I was slightly uncomfortable at the thought of raiding a tomb. I was surprised at my uneasiness and tried to tell myself that it was no different than my earlier explorations of the bandit and smuggler caves but this did little to settle my thoughts. With a deep breath, I drew my sword and stepped inside.

I paused a moment to allow my eyes to adjust to the darkness but before they were able to do so I sensed more then saw a figure loom up before me and instinctively ducked to avoid a blow to my head. I lashed out with my sword and was rewarded with a loud crack as it found its target.

As my sight began to adjust I was horrified at first to see that I was facing an animated skeleton. A second skeleton stood near the back of the room, armed with a bow and firing shots in my direction. I nearly froze in panic but my Redguard instincts took over and I lunged into the fray.

I was able to defeat the first skeleton but by then several of the arrows from the second had found their target and I was bleeding profusely. With a cry, I charged across the chamber towards it, dodging its arrows as I did so. It attempted to back away from me but I was able to trap it against one corner of the room. At close range its bow was almost useless and I was able to defeat it without further injury to myself.

The skeletal archer collapsed in a pile of bones and I stood over it for several moments, breathing heavily. Then, I pulled one of my healing potions and downed it before searching the bodies.

The archer carried an iron longbow and several arrows, which I added to my own collection of weapons. I also took some bonemeal which was left behind, knowing that I could sell it to the alchemists back in town. The first skeleton had been armed with an iron shortsword but, as it did not measure up to any of the weapons I was already carrying, I left it behind.

As I searched, I came across another body lying on the floor of the chamber. This appeared to be another adventurer like myself and I was briefly disturbed by the thought that I could have joined him there. However, searching the body revealed that he was much less well equipped than I was and after finding nothing further of interest I disposed of the body along with those of the skeletons. I briefly wondered if the poor adventurer had been a previous explorer sent out by gra-Muzgob. I suspected it was possible, given what I had seen of her.

Having recovered my breath I continued deeper into the tomb. I encountered another skeletal warrior but this time I was ready for it and was able to defeat it without problems. This one I left lying in the corridor and continued onward.

Eventually I found myself outside a door deep within the tomb. I had explored the rest of the tomb and felt confident that the skull I was searching for was inside. However, the sounds I heard coming from within eroded my confidence somewhat. Still, I had no choice but to press onward and so, weapon ready, I swung open the door.

A bonewalker charged out and attacked. I was somewhat prepared and managed to get a few blows off but they seemed to have little if any effect on the revenant attacking me. I suddenly remembered that many undead could not be affected by non-enchanted weapons and, dodging its blows, I quickly exchanged my longsword for the Sword of White Woe.

Returning to the offensive, I was rewarded by seeing the bonewalker fall back as the aura of magicka from the sword flared around it. We fought for a while and I received more than my share of injury but in the end it was the bonewalker which fell. My own injuries turned out to be relatively minor and I quickly turned my attention to searching the chamber.

The Skull of Llevule Andrano

As I had suspected, the skull of Llevule Andrano was lying in a Dunmer burial circle near the back of the tomb. I hesitated a moment before picking it up, expecting another attack as I did so, but nothing happened. After a look around I carefully placed the skull into my pack and headed for the exit.

I emerged to find that night had fallen and a heavy rain had begun. Pulling my cloak more tightly around myself, I hurried along the now muddy trail back towards Balmora.

Balmora was dark with only the torches of the wandering guards lighting the night. I nodded to one as I passed and he responded with a snarled "keep moving". Ignoring him, I continued on to the Mage's Guild and paused for a moment within the entrance to shake off the rain before continuing to the lower level.

Shaun gra-Muzgob was still around even at this late hour and her eyes lit up as I opened my pack and presented her with the skull. She stared at it for some time, whispering under her breath at it as if she was speaking to it. Perhaps she was... I still had my suspicions of her necromantic activities. It almost seemed as if she had forgotten my presence as she ignored me for several minutes. Finally, I cleared my throat and she looked up in surprise. She recovered quickly though and asked what it was I wanted to know.

I asked what she knew of the Nerevarine Prophecies and she responded that Nerevar was a first age hero for the Dunmer; a great general and leader. It was he who helped form the first council and united the Dunmer tribes against the foreign invaders who were aided by traitors from House Dagoth. He triumphed over his enemies at Red Mountain but was himself slain in the battle.

Nerevar, she said, united the tribes by swearing to honor ancient Ashlander traditions and land rights on Vvardenfell and that they presented him with a ring known as "One-Clan-Under-Moon-and-Star". All of this, she said, came from the most common version of the Nerevarine Prophecies, a book known as The Stranger.

Since so much of the Nerevarine Prophecies seemed connected with the Ashlanders I asked if she knew any more about them. She said that Ashlander culture honored dreamers, visionaries and prophets. Unlike the Tribunal Temple and the western cults, which regard them as superstition. Among the Ashlanders wise women interpret dreams and pass them on to future generations.

Her words affected me though I tried not to let it show in my face. I accepted some notes she gave me to pass on to Cosades and quietly made my leave. I am not certain that she noticed my departure as she had resumed her whispered conversation with the skull. Deep in thought, I returned to the main level of the Guild and stepped back out into the rain-slick streets of Balmora.

As I made my way to Cosades' home I thought about what gra-Muzgob had said. For some reason her comments about dreams had disturbed me. I had never attached any importance to my dreams, seeing them only as a nighttime distraction. The only ones which had ever mattered to me were the ones in which I felt I saw my mother, lost so long ago, and my father whom I never knew. That was, until the few dreams I had experienced lately; the one ending with "You have been chosen" most especially. I felt that this was significant though I did not know why.

Cosades seemed to have been waiting for me as he was standing by the door as I entered. I handed him the notes I had collected and waited as he read through them. He carefully looked them over, asking me a few questions from time to time to clear up certain points. Then, satisfied, he smiled and clapped me on the shoulder, thanking me for my work. He also said that he was promoting me to the rank of Apprentice within the Blades.

The rank sounded less impressive than he intended I am certain but I thanked him and asked what my next task would be. He surprised me by saying that he needed to think about what I had already given him for a bit and suggested that I take some time out and check back with him later. He also said that I might consider some training in the meantime.

Once again I was annoyed by the suggestion that my skills were less than acceptable. "Apprentice" indeed! Still, I knew better than to confront him over it and I nodded a goodbye to him and stepped out into the Balmora night. I slowly walked back to Nerano manor while considering my options.

Since I had time on my hands again I decided I may as well follow up on the Thieves' Guild openings I had been given. Since my next Morag Tong writ was for someone on the eastern coast of Vvardenfell I decided that I would follow up on Aengoth's suggestion and go talk to Big Helende in Sadrith Mora.

But that could wait for tomorrow. It was late and I was still sore from the fights in the Andrano Tomb. Feeling more tired than I should, I entered the manor, climbed upstairs and fell into bed.

My sleep was not undisturbed. Perhaps it was my encounter with Llandras Belaal, the "sleeper". Perhaps it was Shaun gra-Muzgob's tales of how the Ashlanders revered dreamers. Or maybe it was just my nerves after my tomb raid earlier in the day. Whatever the cause, I had a disturbing dream.

A tall figure with a golden mask led me among the dead as if we were at a wedding celebration. I heard many voices but none of the figures around me seemed to be speaking. I strained to breathe but could not. The tall figure spoke to the figures as he passed, laughing and joking with them as if they were alive, but none of them made a reply. I tried to cry out but without being able to draw a breath I could not. I struggled to breathe then suddenly woke myself up with a scream that I was amazed did not attract the guards.

I sat in bed for a long time, breathing heavily and waiting for the pounding of my heart to stop. I somehow knew that the dream was significant but I did not know what it meant. Once again I had the feeling of being watched, as if I was a pawn in a game I did not quite understand. It was long before I was able to return to sleep and even then I found myself awakening frequently and looking about the room as if I expected to see a silent, masked figure standing there. Finally, I slipped back into a deep sleep from which I did not awaken until dawn.