The Lightless Remnant [Quest]

Text of the Quest:

The Lightless Remnant Weve taken control of the Shrouded Pass and the way to the Doomcrag is open. The time has come to make our final assault and reach Montclair and the cursed relic known as the Lightless Remnant. Verandis has ordered the troops to remain here and guard the rear, and he wants me to deliver these orders to Countess Tamrith and Baron Dorell.

Tasks

Talk to Baron Dorell Talk to Countess Tamrith

Count Verandis Ravenwatch: I fear that Montclair will have a surprise or two waiting for us within the Doomcrag. I suddenly have the feeling that bringing an army up here was a terrible mistake.
Hero: A mistake? What are you talking about?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Never mind that now. We must reach the Lightless Remnant and end this madness. Tell the troops to remain here. They need to make sure none of Montclair's soldiers follow us up into the Doomcrag.
Hero: You had us bring the troops all the way up here just to stand guard?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Do not question me! If my orders aren't followed to the letter, Montclair will defeat us and Rivenspire will be lost! Talk to Countess Tamrith and Baron Dorell. Tell them what I have said. Then meet me at the bridge that leads to the Doomcrag.
Hero: All right. I'll pass on your order to Dorell and Tamrith.

Baron Alard Dorell: What word, my friend? Is Verandis ready for the troops to ascend the Doomcrag?
Hero: Verandis has ordered the troops to remain here and guard our flank.
Baron Alard Dorell: Remain behind? And deny them the glory of being there when we achieve victory? Never! When Verandis starts his march to the top of the Doomcrag, we will be with him every step of the way.
Hero: Verandis is worried about Montclair's forces regrouping behind us.
Baron Alard Dorell: I'll leave enough soldiers to protect our flank. But our best soldiers are coming with me. Tell the Count that we're coming with him—whether he likes it or not.

Countess Eselde Tamrith: Do you believe that man? And to think, I thought him to be dashing and heroic! But enough of such matters. You aren't here to discuss my personal life. Tell me, what news from Count Ravenwatch? Are we ready to march against Montclair?
Hero: Verandis wants the troops to stay here and guard our flank.
Countess Eselde Tamrith: And as a little girl I wanted a pet guar I could decorate with ribbons and call Penelope. But we don't always get what we want. Especially in war. The Light has guided us this far. It is not done with us yet.
Hero: So you're not going to do as Verandis asks?
Countess Eselde Tamrith: I thought I made that clear. The Count has been an invaluable ally, but he is not in charge of this expedition. My troops have served us well. They deserve to see this through to the end. Tell the Count that we're going with him to Doomcrag.

Wynaldia: Turn back now. And take the other mortals with you. Your flesh and blood is too fragile to withstand the power of the cursed relic.
Hero: Why do you try to stop us, spirit?
Wynaldia: We only seek to save you from the fate that befell us so very long ago. This place is cursed. Tainted by a terrible power that has grown corrupted and impure. We do not wish to see you succumb to its vile touch.
Hero: Explain yourself, spirit.
Wynaldia: When we came to this land, many eons ago, we brought with us a powerful relic to help us tame its wilderness and allow us to survive.
Hero: The Lightless Remnant?
Wynaldia: It was originally Lattanya—the Light of Life. Forged by our greatest sorcerers, it helped plants grow and healed illnesses. It helped us bring life to this barren wilderness.
Hero: What happened to change that?
Wynaldia: We were attacked by the savages that dwelled here before us. It was a brutal fight, and much blood was spilled. Many died on both sides of the conflict. Blood and death tainted the Light of Life. The relic ... changed.
Hero: The relic was cursed?
Wynaldia: It became Abagandra—the Lightless Remnant, a beacon of death. Moreover, when the vampire touched it, the corruption intensified. Became more potent. If the relic is destroyed, the blood-curse will flow unhindered throughout the land.

Count Verandis Ravenwatch: I trust you have spoken to Tamrith and Dorell. Are the soldiers standing guard at the second portal?
Hero: Tamrith and Dorell won't wait. They want to see this through to the end.
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: The fools! I just wish I would have realized our mistake before we made it this far.
Hero: You mentioned that before. What mistake did we make?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: I didn't think. Didn't realize that our proximity to the Remnant would be our undoing. The Remnant feeds off life. Devours it. Not only will Gwendis and I be susceptible to its lure, but the soldiers—they're just more fodder for the blood-curse.
Hero: I can try to make them see reason.
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: No. It's too late for that now. We have to move forward and hope we're not overwhelmed by our own forces. But if any of them turn into bloodfiends, I promise to end their suffering as quickly as possible.

Count Verandis Ravenwatch: I never should have brought everyone here. I should have handled this on my own. You're in danger as well. Montclair will eventually try to use you against me.
Hero: Where did he take the others?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Montclair has never left the Remnant chamber. He was able to defeat us by working through a projection! I assume he's teleported Gwendis and the others to his side.
Hero: So how do we stop Montclair?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: I am still connected to the one who turned me. The answer to our problem rests with him. If we're going to defeat Montclair, you must trust me this one last time. I will not betray you.
Hero: The one who turned you?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: We can discuss that later. For now, we need to reach Gwendis before the Remnant corrupts her and she feasts upon the others. Head upstairs and I'll follow right behind you.
Hero: Let's go find Gwendis and the others.
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: I can feel them. Gwendis, Tamrith, and Dorell are still alive. But I can also feel Gwendis' hunger. She won't be able to hold back much longer. We must be ready to do whatever is necessary. Let's go.

Count Verandis Ravenwatch: If we don't get Gwendis out of there soon, those restraints will break and she'll feed on the nobles.
Hero: What's going on here?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Montclair has constructed a blood ward to imprison Gwendis and the others. The Remnant. It's proximity is playing havoc with Gwendis1 hunger. The urge to feed is stronger in her than ever.
Hero: What about these statues? What are they doing?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: He's using Ayleid magic to increase the power of the ward. I'll do my best to dispel it, but I think we'll need to destroy the statues if I'm going to have any chance to succeed. You must protect me while I attempt to unravel the spell.
Hero: Protect you? From what?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Montclair will strike when I'm distracted. You must keep me safe or we'll never reach Gwendis in time. One more thing. Watch for an opportunity to destroy the statues. As long as they power the ward, my efforts will be less effective. Are you ready?
Hero: I'm ready.

Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Rivenspire needs Tamrith and Dorell. They cannot be allowed to perish here. I need to help get them to safety before I join you up above.
Hero: I thought Skordo and Darien would take care of that?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: They will, with my help. Besides, I can't face Montclair just yet. There are preparations I must make to ensure our success. But time grows short and you must distract Montclair to give me the time I need for my preparations.
Hero: I don't understand.
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: If Montclair dies while connected to the Remnant, the relic breaks and unleashes its curse upon Rivenspire. No one would be safe from the bloodfiend plague. We need to stop Montclair, but we need to do so in a way that doesn't doom Rivenspire.
Hero: And how do we do that?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: That, my friend, is what I still need to work out. And while I do that, I need you to keep Montclair busy. You have done more than I ever hoped, my friend, and I am proud to have fought beside you. Now go. We both have jobs left to do.

Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Time is against us, my friend. I must remove the Remnant from this place before it's too late. I... I need you to do something for me first, though.
Hero: What do you need?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Adusa ... my oldest, most trusted ally. Tell her that House Ravenwatch is hers now. She must carry on our work ... continue to train Gwendis ... and any others who need her help.
Hero: I don't understand. Why are you talking like this?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: Because I need to take this relic out of this realm. It needs to be transported to a place where it can't do any harm. I have made a deal with my master. Molag Bal has agreed to take me and the relic to Coldharbour.
Hero: You're giving the Lightless Remnant to Molag Bal?
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: It is the only way to make certain that Rivenspire is saved. Molag Bal will take the relic into his realm. Rivenspire, all of Nirn, will be safe.
Hero: There must be another way.
Count Verandis Ravenwatch: The deal has already been made. It's either this or allow everyone to turn into the very fiends we worked so hard to save them from. There is no other way. Tell Gwendis that I will miss her. She was always so full of... life. Farewell, my friend.

Darien Gautier: You actually survived the destruction of the Doomcrag? That's ... remarkable. I mean, I've seen you do some amazing things. I'll never forget our adventures in Glenumbra. But to walk out of a collapsed mountain? That's really impressive.
Hero: Verandis teleported me to safety at the last moment.
Darien Gautier: That persnickety vampire really came through in the end. He was a good man ... for a vampire, I mean. We won the day, and that's what matters. The people of Rivenspire are safe now.
Hero: I see you managed to get everyone out of there.
Darien Gautier: Just barely. We made it out right before the damned mountain came crashing down. I still don't know what kind of magic you did up there to defeat Montclair, but remind me never to get on your bad side.
Hero: We should get back to Shornhelm.
Darien Gautier: Before we go, you need to talk to Gwendis. She's not taking this well. I even tried my sad face. It usually works, but she almost bit my head off. Anyway, we'll see you back in Shornhelm.

Gwendis: He's really gone, isn't he? The mighty Verandis. I hate this! I really hate it!
Hero: He sacrificed himself to save us all.
Gwendis: Sacrificed? Like in dead? What do you mean he sacrificed himself?
Hero: He took the Lightless Remnant to Coldharbour. It was the only way. Goodbye.
Gwendis: No! Why'd you let him do that? Do you know how hard he worked to distance himself from the Prince? If Verandis is still alive, the Prince won't give him up easily. But why did he leave me here? I would have ... I should have gone with him.
Hero: Verandis wouldn't have wanted that.
Gwendis: How do you know what he wanted? He was everything to me! Why didn't he tell me what he was planning? Why didn't he let me help him?
Hero: He did what he set out to do. He saved Rivenspire.
Gwendis: Saved us? It doesn't feel like I was saved. But Verandis always carried a great weight on his shoulders. Maybe that's been lifted from him now. I can only hope, right?
Hero: It's time to go, Gwendis.
Gwendis: Before we go, take this. Verandis gave it to me, but I can't keep it. You helped him so much. You should have it. You helped the man I cared about... the man I loved. And you were with him to the end. This belongs to you.
Hero: Complete Quest.