Blackwood

Online:Arbitrator Gavos Douar

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Arbitrator Gavos Douar
Location Zenithar's Abbey Adytum, The Great Chapel of Zenithar
Race Breton Gender Male
Reaction Friendly
Arbitrator Gavos Douar

Arbitrator Gavos Douar is a Breton who was in charge of the bazaar of Zenithar's Abbey. The stories say that he became corrupted by greed and power and was leading the abbey into ruin before he was overthrown. Among his crimes, it was said that he stole the Golden Anvil, a holy relic that belonged to Zenithar's Abbey.

Related Quests[edit]

Quest-Related Events[edit]

The Golden Anvil[edit]

During the quest you will accompany Daluion into Zenithar's Abbey, to find the resting place of Golden Anvil. During this search, you will learn that Gavos Douar was sealed inside the abbey's adytum and that is the most likely place the anvil was hidden. While looking for the trade-ministers' sigil keys to unlock the adytum, you will also find documents which suggest that the rebellion against the arbitrator was not so clean cut and noble as the stories claim.

Once you have the three sigil keys, you and Daluion unlock the door and enter the adytum. Once inside, you see the Golden Anvil at the other end of the room in a terrible state of disrepair:

Daluion: "Is that …? No, this can't be the Golden Anvil, can it?"
<Daluion approaches the anvil and an old man hobbles into sight and answers his question.>
Arbitrator Gavos Douar: "It was abandoned to the hardships of time, as I was, but the anvil's sparkle began to fade well before the abbey's fall. I should have worked harder."
Daluion: "It can't be. Are you … Gavos Douar? It's been nearly—how are you alive?"
Daluion: "This is all too much. Talk to Gavos, please. I must attend to the holy relic."

Gavos Douar is indeed alive and you talk to him to listen to his story:

"It seems I've finally paid my penance to Zenithar for letting this glorious place crumble. Oh, so many years, alone. But I never gave up."
How did you survive being imprisoned in here?
"Honest toil. Zenithar provides to those who work. Just as the seal kept out the war that raged between the trade-ministers, the cracks let in the rain, and the roach, and the rays of the sun. These were my wages for care of the anvil, and prayer."
What happened to the Golden Anvil?
"I barely recognize it myself. Pitted and corroded beyond repair. I did my best to preserve it. Not nearly enough. Its glow began to fade as the abbey became corrupted by avarice, opulence, and depravity, so I hid it away before anyone took notice."
They claimed you stole it for yourself.
"I know. I had no defense against their wealth and their poisoned words. The harder I fought to curb their ambitions, the more I became their common enemy. Once I was gone though, they were free to fight among themselves. They tore this place apart."
I should discuss this with Daluion.

If you speak with Gavos again before Daluion, he is prepared to face judgement:

"Your friend seems shocked to see me. How long has it been, I wonder? Many, many years, but I can only count them by feeling the lines on my face.
If the priest of Zenithar has come to pass judgement or absolution, please let him do so quickly."

Daluion will have been listening to Gavos's story and believes him, and the priest has an idea of how to begin the restoration of the anvil. Daluion will have you pray with him to Zenithar and dedicate your hard work and toil(i.e the quest) to the Divine.

As Daluion prayers to Zenithar, Gavos will kneel before the anvil. When you touch the anvil to make your offering, your hand will glow with a golden light. There is then a flash of bright white light that covers the screen. When the light fades, the Golden Anvil will be glowing with its own light once more:

Daluion: "The anvil! Zen's light shines brightly once more!"
Arbitrator Gavos Douar: "Trade be. My work here is finally done."

Arbitrator Gavos Douar is ready to leave this place, you can follow Daluion and Gavos outside:

Arbitrator Gavos Douar: "Now, all I ask for in return is to see the open sky."
Daluion: "You have earned that much and more. I'll get the door for you."

Once outside, Gavos Douar and Daluion will be waiting for you on the road leading to the river. You can ask Gavos about himself and what happened to the Golden Anvil:

"It's good to feel the sun through more than a crack in the roof. I could savor it for hours, but Zenithar would think me indolent."
Tell me about yourself.
"Oh, I'm no one. I was the arbitrator of Zenithar's Abbey long, long ago. It was my duty to resolve disputes and ensure the safety of the bazaar. I failed, and so this place lies in ruin, but if others wish to learn from my mistakes, I'll oblige."
Why blame yourself? The trade-ministers caused all this.
"There were good people here. I was the one who was supposed to protect them from the unscrupulous few, but I wasn't wise enough to outwit them. If I'd had more to offer than platitudes perhaps the others would have stood by me. Only Zenithar knows."
What was happening to the Golden Anvil?
"It was just returning to what it once was. A simple source of labor for the blacksmith who founded the abbey. Legend held that Zenithar's blessing transformed it. Well before my time. When I became arbitrator it was already radiant, one of a kind."
What caused it to fade?
"I suspect as greed took hold of the bazaar, Zenithar lost his faith in us. I hid it away so as not to cause panic, but I think that may have been my greatest mistake. He was trying to show his disapproval and I silenced it. That was my crime."

After speaking to Daluion and completing the quest, you can talk to Gavos:

"I knew I would be free one day. Zenithar exacts his price, but never more than what is owed. With his forgiveness, perhaps now I can earn a modest living for the twilight of my years."
Tell me about yourself. (Duplicate of Above)
What was happening to the Golden Anvil? (Duplicate of Above)

As you leave the pair, you can overhear their conversation:

Daluion: "I'd like you to accompany me to the Resolutions of Zenithar, Gavos. Your story is one we should all hear."
Arbitrator Gavos Douar: "If this old man still has use left in him, it's Zenithar's to command."

Heroes of Blackwood[edit]

If you rescued him from Zenithar's Abbey, Gavos will attend the celebrations in Gideon along with Daluion:

"Fortunes shine upon you, blessed laborer. I will pray daily for your success."

Dialogue[edit]

Leyawiin[edit]

After freeing him from the abbey's Adytum, he can later be met in The Great Chapel of Zenithar in Leyawiin:

"It feels good to pray at Zenithar's altar once again. Though, I admit it feels too decadent. After decades of praying on the bare floors of the adytum, I fear I'll never be able to rise from a padded pew.
I keep you and Daluion in my daily prayers."

Belkarth[edit]

Arbitrator Gavos Douar in Belkarth

Arbitrator Gavos Douar can be encountered together with Daluion at Belkarth Festival Grounds during Zeal of Zenithar provided The Golden Anvil was completed. You can talk to him:

"I never thought I'd see a sight like this again. Laborers from all of Tamriel, trading their wares and sharing their stories.
This is what the Abbey was like, before it fell."
How is the Abbey?
"The reconstructions are well underway. With our work and Zenithar's favor, it'll be restored. The anvil hasn't lost its glow, I pray that our labors please Zenithar."
What are you and Daluion doing here?
"Penance for my mistakes. I am to spread the word of the Abbey and the Golden Anvil's restoration.
Daluion and the rest of the Resolutions believe that the festival will lighten my spirits. Remind me of the joys that toil brings."
Is it working? Is the festival making you happy?
"Watching these artisans interact reminds me of the golden days in Zenithar's delight. But happy memories are accompanied by sad ones. After so many years in the darkness, this is almost too much to bear.
I will not waste this opportunity."