The Harborage

This Quest is part of the Main Story.

Objectives
The Prophet: ''There you are. Do not panic, only you can see me. Come, we have to talk.''

Dialogue with The Prophet
'''There you are, Vestige. We must speak at once.'''
 * Hello, Prophet.
 * Listen well. I have located a safe harbor from which we might plan our course of action. You must meet me there.
 * Where is this safe harbor?
 * I woke upon a sandy shore &mdash; a stretch of beach outside of a bustling city of Elves. Vulkhel Guard.
 * The Harborage is in a seaside cave, outside the city. It is there that you will find me.
 * I'll come at once.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.

The Prophet: ''I hear familiar footfalls. Come closer, Vestige.''

Dialogue with The Prophet
'''Welcome to the Harborage, Vestige. This is as comfortable a home as an old dried-up husk like myself could hope for.'''
 * How did you find it?
 * Despite my blindness… nay, because of it... my other senses seem to have heightened. This place had the right smell about it.
 * When you first appeared to me in Coldharbour, you spoke of my destiny.
 * Indeed. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. Without an understanding of where we are bound, every road will get us nowhere.
 * Before we truly understand our destination, we must speak of the past.
 * A history lesson?
 * Of a sort. I invite you to enter my mind and walk with me through visions of the past, that you may understand the events that brought us to this time, this moment.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.

The Prophet: Follow me, Vestige, and learn of the events that precipitated our current crisis. The Prophet: My part of the story began when I awoke on the steps of the Abbey of the Moth Priests, with no memory of my prior life. The Prophet: The Moth Priests took pity upon me and brought me into their fold, I was weak and near death. The Prophet: It was there that I first set eyes upon the Elder Scrolls, and devoted my life to their study. The Prophet: The Scrolls allowed me to glimpse the very fabric of reality, but each profound insight dimmed my vision and eventually left me permanently blinded to the light of the world.

'''The prophecies of the Elder Scrolls are a fluid, living thing. They are not fixed. At many points throughout history, the actions of heroic mortals have rewritten them.'''
 * What does that have to do with me?
 * I only know that you are important, Vestige. The Scrolls revealed to me that your destiny is intertwined with that of the Five Companions.
 * Who are the Five Companions?
 * The Five Companions were a band of adventurers who sought out an ancient artifact called The Amulet of Kings. They hoped to use this artifact to persuade Akatosh, the Dragon God, to accept their leader as one of the Dragonborn.
 * Dragonborn?
 * (A} The Dragonborn are mortals destined for greatness, with the blood of the Dragons in their veins.
 * It is said that only a true Dragonborn can ignite the Eternal Dragonfires in the Imperial City.
 * Who was this leader? Go to (B}
 * Go on. Go to (C}
 * Goodbye.
 * Who was their leader?
 * (B} Varen Aquilarios, the son of a Colovian duke, who led a rebellion against the Emperor Leovic and took the crown himself.
 * Alas, Varen was not truly Dragonborn, as those who sit upon the Ruby Throne must be, in accordance with tradition.
 * Dragonborn? Go to (A}
 * Go on.
 * (C} You have already heard enough babbling from this old, blind fool. It is time you met the Five Companions yourself, and witnessed their fate.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.

The Prophet: The first companion, Lyris Titanborn, daughter of giants, was the mightiest warrior in the service of the Emperor. The Prophet: Next, Abnur Tharn, a powerful sorcerer and Grand Chancellor to the Imperial Elder Council. The Prophet: The Redguard sword master Sai Sahan, leader of the Imperial Dragonguard. The Prophet: The Imperial Emperor, Varen Aquilarios, who attempted to light the Dragonfires and failed. The Prophet: ''And finally, Mannimarco the traitor. The King of Worms. A powerful necromancer, and your executioner.''

Dialogue with The Prophet
These were the Five Companions, who set out from the Imperial City on an epic quest to recover the lost Amulet of Kings.
 * How could the Amulet of Kings turn Varen into one of the Dragonborn?
 * Mannimarco convinced Varen that the amulet could be used to perform a ritual that would rekindle the Dragonfires. He claimed this would please Akatosh and entice him to adopt Varen as one of the Dragonborn.
 * Why did Varen want to be Dragonborn?
 * By tradition, only the Dragonborn can lay claim to the Ruby Throne and rule as the one, true Emperor by divine right.
 * Varen conquered Cyrodiil and took the throne, but unless he became Dragonborn, he feared he'd always be thought of as a pretender.
 * Tell me about the other companions.
 * (A} Each of the Five Companions were chosen for their skill and courage, and each was given a special role to perform in the party.
 * Who would you like to know more about?


 * (B} You've already met Lyris. She is a Nord warrior from the frozen lands of Skyrim, to the north. It is said that her family lineage contains the blood of Giants. Varen chose her for her strength and her loyalty, to be his personal bodyguard.
 * Tell me about Sai Sahan. Go to (C}
 * Tell me about Abnur Tharn. Go to (D}
 * I've heard enough about these three. What about Mannimarco. Go to (E}
 * Goodbye.
 * Tell me about Sai Sahan.
 * (C} Sai Sahan came from a long line of Redguard swordmaster nobles. He was the leader of the Dragonguard, the security detail of Varen and the Elder Council. While Lyris was Varen's bodyguard, Sai was charged with protecting the entire group.
 * Tell me about Lyris Titanborn. Go to (B}
 * Tell me about Abnur Tharn. Go to (D}
 * I've heard enough about these three. What about Mannimarco. Go to (E}
 * Goodbye.
 * Tell me about Abnur Tharn.
 * (D} The Tharns are one of the most influential families in Cyrodill. Abnur, their patriarch, is the leader of the Elder Council, a powerful battlemage and a shrewd politician. With his counsel, Varen was able to seize the Imperial throne, years before.
 * Tell me about Sai Sahan.
 * Tell me about Lyris Titanborn. Go to (B}
 * I've heard enough about these three. What about Mannimarco. Go to (E}
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Tell me about Minimarco.
 * (E} Mannimarco the traitor. The great enemy. The most powerful necromancer this word has ever known. His Worm Cult infiltrates and corrupts every corner of Tamriel. It was he who convinced Varen to perform the ritual you are about to witness.
 * What happened when they performed the ritual?
 * Disaster. War and pestilence. A world brought to its knees.
 * Now watch, and see how one man's arrogance brought about the greatest threat our world has ever known.
 * Goodbye.
 * Tell me about the other companions. Go to (A}
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.

Varen Aquilarios: ''There it is. The Dragonfire brazier. Mannimarco, you're certain this will work?'' Mannimarco: ''It will work, my liege. The Amulet of Kings will rekindle the Dragonfires, and ensure your rightful place as Emperor. You have my word.'' Lyris Titanborn: ItIt'd [sic] better work, Mannimarco, or you'll find your neck at the business end of my axe. Abnur Tharn: ''My Lord, I wonder if you'd muzzle your half-giant pet? She really is annoying.'' Sai Sahan: ''Enough, both of you! We are here to ensure My Lord's rightful claim to the Ruby Throne.'' Varen Aquilarios: ''Abnur, begin the ritual. I have a destiny to fulfill.'' Varen Aquilarios: ''By the lighting of the Dragonfires, I claim my rightful lineage! By the fires of creation, let me be reborn! By the will of Akatosh, I proclaim myself... Dragonborn!'' Mannimarco: ''Varen Aquilarios, you are no heir to Alessia! You will pay for your sacrilege! The veil between Tamriel and Oblivion tears and splits asunder!'' Abnur Tharn: ''What's happening? The sky is opening up! This is bad! This is very bad!'' Varen Aquilarios: ''This isn't supposed to happen! What's the meaning of this? Mannimarco, what have you done?'' Mannimarco: ''Gullible fools! The veil between Oblivion and this world has been torn! My master, Molag Bal, is free to claim Tamriel for his own!'' Varen Aquilarios: ''Akatosh! Forgive me! Have mercy on our souls!''

Dialogue with The Prophet
The ritual tore the veil between Norn and Oblivion, allowing Mannimarco to begin stealing sould his master needed to power the Dark Anchors and initiate the Planemeld.
 * What went wrong?
 * Akatosh gave Alessia the Amulet of Kings as a symbol of his covenant with Nirn. So long as the Amulet remained in the care of Alessia's heirs, and the Dragonfires remained lit, Tamriel would be protected from the Dadra.
 * What happened next.
 * Mannimarco tricked Varen into breaking the covenant, and the veil between Oblivion and Nirn was torn. The Elder Scrolls named this event the Soulburst. It gave Molag Bal the opportunity to disconnect the souls of Nirn from their hosts.
 * What happened to the other Companions?
 * Varen was lost. In the chaos of the moment, Sai Sahan took the Amulet of Kings and fled. Lyris was captured by Mannimarco and delivered to Coldharbour, the realm of Molag Bal.
 * What about Abnur Tharn and Mannimarco?
 * Tharn remains Chancellor of the Elder Council, and his daughter Clivia rules as Empress regent. But the true power remains in the hands of Mannimarco and his Worm Cult.
 * How did you end up in Coldharbour?
 * When I discovered the truth about the Five Companions, I made subtle inquiries. But apparently, not subtle enough. Mannimarco got word of my interest and abducted me. He took me to Coldharbour, where I remained a prisoner until you freed me.
 * They saw you as a threat?
 * The truth is always a threat to evil men. Mannimarco feared thet I would reveal his treachery, and if knowledge of Nirn's vulnerability were to become known, it could threaten his master's schemes, Molag Bal does not favor loose ends.
 * Walk with me.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.

The Prophet: ''Long ago it was written&mdash;so long as the Amulet of Kings was borne by Alessia's heirs, Tamriel would be protected from the forces of Oblivion. But the Soulburst tore the veil between worlds, and gave Molag Bal the opportunity he desired.'' The Prophet: ''Molag Bal's Dark Anchors pierce the torn veil, and seek to draw Nirn into the depths of Coldharbour. These terrible engines of destruction have been appearing all throughout Tamriel.'' The Prophet: ''If the Lord of Brutality and Domination is successful, he will merge our world and his own in a terrible Planemeld. Few will survive the ordeal, and those that do will be enslaved for all eternity.''

Dialogue with The Prophet
'''And so,it falls to us, Vestige. We must stop Molag Bal and his Dark Anchors, or our world is doomed.''' '''And now, history seems to have caught up with us. Shall we return to the Harborage?'''
 * Yes. I'm ready to go back.
 * As you say.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.

Dialogue with The Prophet
'''And so it begins. The remainder of the story has yet to be written. It is your story, now.'''
 * You've given me a lot to think about.
 * And there is so much to do. But know this: you will not walk this path alone.
 * What's our next move?
 * We must growin strength, and in numbers. You will need more than the company of an old blind man to alter the course of hstory.
 * We must assemble our own group of companions. The first, you have already met.
 * Lyris Titanborn?
 * Lyris sacrificed her own freedom to allow us to escape. She remains a prisoner in Coldharbour. I must determine her precise location if we are to mount a rescue. That will take time.
 * What should I do in the meantime?
 * Mannimarco's agent weave a web of lies and deceit. They pit the races of tamriel against one another and divert their attention from the real threat.
 * Seek out these agents wherever they can be found, and expose their lies.
 * I'll do what I can.
 * (A} Forgive me. Bringing you into my mind seems to have taken quite a toll on me. I must rest.
 * I will contact you when the time is right. Until then, walk in the light Vestige.
 * Complete Quest.
 * Never mind.
 * (B} We must right the wrongs of history and heal the soul of our world. Are you ready to meet your destiny, Vestige
 * I'm ready/ Go to (A}
 * Goodbye. Go to (B}
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.
 * Goodbye.

Dialogue with The Prophet
'''Leave me now. I must rest and meditate. I will contact you when the time is right.'''
 * Goodbye.