A Lasting Winter [Quest]

Text of the Quest:

One of the legendary resting places of the Walking City of Falinesti, is buzzing with activity. It seems has begun an excavation. Brelor seems very concerned with General Endares plans. I should speak with him and learn why.

Tasks

Talk to Brelor

Brelor: Frost trolls. Why did they have to go and stir up frost trolls?
Hero: What frost trolls?
Brelor: The Walking City of Falinesti used to spend its winters here. Since then, the Falinesti Faithful come on pilgrimage to pray for its return. But Dominion soldiers pressed the pilgrims into service. They made them dig. Well, they dug up frost trolls.
Hero: Why would Dominion soldiers do that?
Brelor: General Endare ordered them to find Rajhin's Mantle. She believes it's under the Falinesti Winter Site. But Rajhin's Mantle is the relic of a trickster god. She doesn't comprehend the dangers. It must be kept out of General Endare's hands!
Hero: I can help you do that.
Brelor: I'll take any help you can offer. General Endare has a reputation for being incredibly thorough, whether on the battlefield or off. If the rumors are correct and Rajhin's Mantle is truly here, she will find it. Unless we were to find it first.
Hero: Why don't you want General Endare to find it?
Brelor: I'm concerned about its misuse. Unless you're prepared to handle them correctly, relics such as these can ... corrode you. I would tell General Endare myself, but I don't trust her intentions. Not after she pressed these pilgrims into service.
Hero: Queen Ayrenn needs Rajhin's Mantle for her ratification ceremony.
Brelor: Then she's in luck! I served the Eight Divines before joining the Mages Guild. I know what must be done to safely transport a relic such as Rajhin's Mantle. We'll just need to find it before General Endare does.
Hero: Where should we start looking?
Brelor: The Falinesti Faithful believe the Welkynd stones hold the memories of the Walking City. Earlier, I heard soldiers speaking of the same stones. If you can see me past the frost trolls, perhaps we can see what the stones have to do with Rajhin's Mantle.
Hero: If it's called Rajhin's Mantle, what do you know of Rajhin?
Brelor: Rajhin is a Khajiit trickster god, also worshipped by thieves and deceivers. The Khajiit swap tales of Rajhin's greatest pranks. It is said his Seven Shadows do his bidding throughout Tamriel.
Hero: Seven Shadows?
Brelor: Yes, each Shadow reflects a different aspect of Rajhin's personality and power. This could be a convenient metaphor, actual living shadows, or something else entirely.
Hero: How does Rajhin's Mantle connect to the Walking City?
Brelor: I have a theory ... but until I can support it, speculation is less than useless. Perhaps the Welkynd stones will reveal more.
Hero: Tell me about General Endare.
Brelor: A famous High Elf general... or infamous, depending on who you ask. Her Jade Dragoons are well respected, but she has an aggressive reputation. The last I heard, she was in Haven.
Hero: Why would General Endare be looking for Rajhin's Mantle?
Brelor: A very good question, which raises another. Rajhin's Mantle is a Khajiit legend. Why does she seek it out in Grahtwood, the home of the Wood Elf king? What could have brought it to the Falinesti Winter Site?
Hero: Why are you afraid of frost trolls?
Brelor: Arms as tall as a person, an endless hunger, and jaws that can snap off a horse's leg in a single bite. Why am I afraid of frost trolls? The real question is, why aren't you?

Brelor: General Endare was certain she'd find Rajhin's Mantle beneath the Falinesti Winter Site. She made the Falinesti Faithful dig for that frozen vault. It seems they have uncovered it. And it would certainly explain the frost trolls.
Hero: How can we find Rajhin's Mantle before General Endare?
Brelor: Perhaps Cirtor can help. The Falinesti Faithful aren't led by anyone, but after the soldiers arrived he worked to keep tempers calm. He may know where to find the vault.
Hero: Where do we find Cirtor?
Brelor: Last I saw, he was in an encampment near the dig site. Mostly Falinesti Faithful, with a handful of soldiers. We should avoid the site itself—the frost trolls are down there.
Hero: What can you tell me about the Falinesti Faithful?
Brelor: They're peaceful sorts. Most believe their faith will one day draw the Walking City back from wherever it disappeared.
Hero: How would they do that?
Brelor: You'd be better off asking them to explain their own delusion. I've noted it's not a religious experience for everybody. Some use the annual pilgrimage to hold a revel in Falinesti's honor. Any excuse to celebrate.

Cirtor: You travel with Brelor? He has proven himself a friend to the Falinesti Faithful. There are questions written upon your faces. What is it you seek?
Hero: I'm looking for Rajhin's Mantle.
Cirtor: As was General Endare. When our digging revealed existing tunnels, she pulled us back to our camp before taking her soldiers to the dig site below. Then the frost trolls emerged from the caves. They slaughtered most soldiers left behind.
Hero: Do you know where General Endare went?
Cirtor: We were already at our camp. I know she led soldiers into one of the caves, but not which one. Take care, should you seek her out. You'll need to descend into the dig site.
Hero: Did General Endare enslave the Falinesti Faithful?
Cirtor: She pressed us into service in the search for Rajhin's Mantle. Initially, their treatment was harsh. But I spoke with her directly and proposed she take a lighter approach. In return, I would convince the Falinesti Faithful to assist her efforts.
Hero: Did she agree to that?
Cirtor: Yes, she saw the wisdom in my words. A reasonable request earned a reasonable response. A true shame the rest of Tamriel doesn't work like that.

Nairume: Are you another soldier, come to loose trolls upon the Valenwood?
Hero: You sound like Lady Nairume, but why are you made of ice?
Nairume: How can so many know my name after all these years? Yes, I am Nairume. I hoped to stem the tide of frost trolls by sealing their egress, but ice is the only form I may take beyond the walls of my prison. Tell me why you are here.
Hero: I'm looking for Rajhin's Mantle.
Nairume: You are not the first. General Endare broke through to my prison in search of the same. I will aid you in seeking Rajhin's Mantle, but only if you swear to free me.
Hero: Why do you need my help?
Nairume: Rajhin's Mantle is the key to my prison beneath the Falinesti Winter Site. If I but touch its hem, it will steal all my hatred for Rajhin's Shadow and fill the void with love. I'll make lute strings of his innards, first. Only another may safely free me. A cruel and spiteful jest.
Hero: Why is it a cruel jest? Just tell me where to go.
Nairume: To show me I was powerless in his clutches. Worse, to kindle hope my husband would come to free me ... then smother that hope with his continued absence. But Rajhin's Shadow knows nothing of love. I did not waver, not once.
Hero: Where do I go to find Rajhin's Mantle?
Nairume: There is another cave, sealed by a frost-covered door. It leads to my prison. If you swear to free me, I will allow you inside to speak of Rajhin's Mantle.
Hero: Why are you angry at General Endare?
Nairume: I was delighted to speak with another after so long. But once inside, she ignored me entirely. Then in her haste to find Rajhin's Mantle, she loosed the frost trolls.
Hero: What happened to her soldiers?
Nairume: Rajhin's Shadow suspended them in my prison to guard against invaders. It seems they had never before supped on the flesh of Men or Mer. But once they did, it was a terrible frenzy.
Hero: How long have you been imprisoned?
Nairume: General Endare spoke of it being the "Second Era." It seems I was trapped here in the First.
Hero: Why are you angry with General Endare?
Nairume: I was delighted to speak with another after so long. But once inside, she ignored me entirely. Then in her haste to find Rajhin's Mantle, she loosed the frost trolls.
Hero: What happened to her soldiers?
Nairume: Rajhin's Shadow suspended them in my prison to guard against invaders. It seems they had never before supped on the flesh of Men or Mer. But once they did, it was a terrible frenzy.
Hero: How long have you been imprisoned?
Nairume: General Endare spoke of it being the "Second Era." It seems I was trapped here in the First.
Hero: Why are you angry with General Endare?
Nairume: I was delighted to speak with another after so long. But once inside, she ignored me entirely. Then in her haste to find Rajhin's Mantle, she loosed the frost trolls.
Hero: What happened to her soldiers?
Nairume: Rajhin's Shadow suspended them in my prison to guard against invaders. It seems they had never before supped on the flesh of Men or Mer. But once they did, it was a terrible frenzy.
Hero: I swear to free you.

Nairume: My prison holds me in complete solitude for centuries, yet two visitors arrive on the same day. But we have little time. General Endare has pushed deeper into the prison.
Hero: How should we proceed?
Nairume: Take this ring ... it's my wedding band. It's the one thing I hold dear in this wretched place. Should you bring it to the inner vault, I can join you in icy form. I'll warn you of the dangers and aid you against them.
Hero: What if General Endare has Rajhin's Mantle? Are you asking me to fight a Dominion general?
Nairume: You swore you would free me! Forgive me. The promise of freedom ruins my manners. You should do what you must, and what you are willing. I will not press you to betray who you are, not on my account.
Hero: How can you help me within the inner vault?
Nairume: I was no mage when Rajhin's Shadow first stole me from Falinesti, but I've studied every inch of this icy prison. With effort, I learned to sap away its energy. It's what allows me to form the icy construct, as we first met.
Hero: Can your construct help me within the inner vault?
Nairume: Direct my wedding band at any foe. I can use it as a focus to freeze your enemies for a short time.
Hero: What do you know about Rajhin's Mantle?
Nairume: Very little, unfortunately. It may be a divine piece of the god Rajhin, gifted to his Shadow. Why he would squander it upon me is beyond my comprehension.
Hero: Why would General Endare want it?
Nairume: Why would anyone want a piece of a trickster god? The answer is usually power. But for what purpose, I cannot say.
Hero: I'm ready to go.
Nairume: I've been trapped here torso long.To feel the sun upon my face again ... just to think of its indulgence.

General Endare: Who are you? And why are you dragging that frost witch behind you? Out with it.
Hero: I'm here for Rajhin's Mantle.
General Endare: You? I'm a decorated general of the Aldmeri Dominion, a hero to my people. Who better qualified to wield the power of a god?
Hero: Queen Ayrenn needs it for her ratification ceremony.
General Endare: But... I found Rajhin's Mantle. Why should Queen Ayrenn be the one to wear it? I've been fighting since before she was born!
Hero: [Intimidate] Rajhin's Mantle is controlling you. You're a Dominion general—snap out of it!
General Endare: I ... you're right. We were overrun, i thought to use its power to slay our foes, but I couldn't stop. I killed my own soldiers! I can feel it, bringing my shadow to life. You must stop me, no matter the cost!
Hero: All right. I'll do as you ask.
General Endare: No! You're trying to trick me. Trick the trickster god ... ha! I can see through your lies. I won't give it to you, or anyone! You'll fall to Rajhin's Shadow!

Nairume: I can't believe my eyes. You hold it in your hands! Now, to break my bonds from this horrid prison.
Hero: How can I free you?
Nairume: Removing Rajhin's Mantle from the inner vault weakened the magic of the prison. Now you must break it, once and for all!
Hero: What do I need to do?
Nairume: Rajhin's Mantle is a slippery thing, especially with enchantments that bind its bearer. Place it upon the brazier at the heart of this room and it will smother the curse upon me. Have no fear—the relic will come to no harm.
Hero: All right. I'll break the curse.
Nairume: Soon I'll leave this place and return to my home. I'd nearly lost all hope.

Nairume: He took the Walking City? He took my home? Or is this another of his lies?
Hero: What will you do?
Nairume: What else can I do but seek my home? But everything is so different now. General Endare mentioned an "Aldmeri Dominion," yet I don't know what that means. Without someone to guide me, I may as well prostrate myself before Rajhin's Shadow.
Hero: Why not ask Brelor? He told me about Rajhin's Mantle.
Nairume: Truly? Then I must find this Brelor and see what he knows of Falinesti. I should seek him out. And see the sky again, with my own eyes.
Hero: All right.

Brelor: Forgive me for stating the obvious, but you're alive! We heard some terrible noises in the caves below. What happened?
Hero: I have Rajhin's Mantle.
Brelor: And you freed Lady Nairume! She's quite agreeable, and could prove to be a living repository of knowledge regarding the Walking City. I hope General Endare didn't give you any trouble.
Hero: Rajhin's Mantle drove her mad. I had to kill her.
Brelor: I see. I don't know why she did all of this, but she was once a hero. I can't imagine her soldiers will take it well. But as you see, such relics are dangerous. I can deliver it to the Elden Root Mages Guild where its powers can be contained.
Hero: Queen Ayrenn needs it for her ratification ceremony.
Brelor: I'll alert the Altmer Embassy when I've returned to Elden Root. Once I have it at the Mages Guild, I'll see if I can discern a safer way to handle it during her ratification ceremony.
Hero: All right. Here it is.
Brelor: Excellent. I can't bear to think of the outcome had you not been here. But no matter. Lady Nairume and I will return to Elden Root as soon as it's safe.
Hero: Complete Quest.