Online:Cut Content/Main Quest

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The Main Quest went through some changes during initial development. The original version of the main quest involved re-assembling the Staff of Chaos. A large amount of documentation is found at the Imperial Library.

Some visited locations included Balfiera (map), Lake Canulus Refuge (map), and the Vaults of Genim (map).

Main Quest v1

• The Exclusive Vaults of Gemin

"Of course! And because of your actions here, they will never find the magic weapon Chancellor Tharn wants.
That's good news for the Covenant—and possibly for all of Tamriel. Why, we're heroes! Heh heh."

The Staff of Towers

"There are many objects of Divine origin scattered throughout Tamriel with which one might recharge something as powerful as the Amulet of Kings. The difficulty is determining which is the safest and most logical to utilize."

"<<1>> believes the energies of the Crystal Tower can be tapped by the Balac, and will partially return the staff to its former power. The anchor of the Crystal Tower is called Crystal-like-Law; its energies tie the tower to Nirn."

"You say you are willing. Then let your journey begin. The towers await, their stones laid within. The Balac will be drawn to them, as the light is drawn to the dawn."

"The power to restore the Balac lies within the Anchor Towers of Tamriel. Each tower is laid upon a singular stone, its essence and foundation, the connection to Nirn. Find the stones, one to each tower, and bolster the Balac upon their energies."

"Do not travel by land to the towers! It is out of the question. The Balac is too precious, and there are many dangers out in the world. Seek the Mages Guild I say, for they are allies still, and know much of the magics of teleportation."

"The Anchor Towers await - Adamantine, Crystal, Red Mountain. Through they alone can the Balac be restored. Ask now of each tower, and I will tell what I may know."

"Find first the Zero Stone, at the heart of Adamantine Tower. In the halls above and dungeons below Clan Direnni rules. They will despise your intrusion, and guard the Zero Stone ferociously. But you must find it, tap its power, tap its power."

"The Zero Stone will restore the staff. It was laid by the gods themselves, back before the dawn.It's so simple! And yet... I fear the journey will be anything but."

"Your friends in the Daggerfall Covenant would gladly send you to Balfiera Island. They always need more reinforcements for their war. Just ask for a battlemaster in one of your alliance cities."

"In the light of the scrolls, through the veil of permeation, I saw three steps to the end."

"First there is an island of war: the place called Balfiera. You must go there to begin."

"Second: the tower, the one called Adamantine. You must get inside. Through depths and darkness you go, downwards, never up."

"And last, the Zero Stone, the core and foundation. Place the staff upon the stone. Its eternal surface connects to Nirn, to recharge and renew."

Quest stages:

I am inside the Adamantine Tower. Now I must find a way to the Zero Stone and imbue the Balac with its power.

"Charge the Balac within the Adamantine Tower"

"Charge the Balac within the Crystal Tower"

"Charge the Balac within Red Mountain"

"Charge the Balac to the Zero Stone"

"Charge the Balac to Crystal-like-Law"

The Final Battle at Adamantine Tower

Abnur Tharn betrayed us. Lyris went after him, but …

"The what reveals the where. It is Balfiera Island a rock upon the Iliac Bay. The bickering factions of Tamrial vie for its control. An endless arena of war. The battlemasters of the Daggerfall Covenant will readily send you there to die."

"To Balfiera, the island of war - to Adamantine, the tower's depths - to the foundation the Zero Stone! Upon that timeless stone the staff must be charged."

"There is but one tower on that island - the one named Adamantine. Enter the tower,but go down, not up. In those ancient depths, in the dungeons far below, you will find the foundation - the Zero Stone. It alone can restore the Staff of Towers."

"And last— the Zero Stone— the core and foundation. Place the staff upon the stone. Its eternal surface connects to Nirn, to recharge and renew."

"I hear it! The Zero Stone echoes from within the staff. You have succeeded. We are one step closer to life, one step further from annihilation."

Quest stages:

The Prophet has opened a portal to Balfiera Isle and the Adamantine Tower. I will be bringing the Amulet of Kings with me.

I must descend into the depths below the tower and locate the Zero Stone, a massive source of Divine power from the Dawn Era.

Abnur Tharn is here, speaking to his Legion soldiers through a magical projection. I should have words with him.

There is a path leading down not far from here. Abnur Tharn's soldiers and Worm Cult agents stand between me and the Zero Stone.

I've entered into some kind of ancient Ayleid observatory built up around the tower spire. I need to find my way through.

I've reached the Seal of the Stars. I must determine the configuration of constellations that will allow me through.

The way is open. The Zero Stone awaits.

The last of Abnur Tharn's minions stand in my way, hoping to delay me while the Imperial gorges himself on the energy of the Zero Stone.

Abnur Tharn has turned Lyris Titanborn into an undying servant and has set her against me. I must defeat them both to get to the Zero Stone.

Lyris Titanborn is dead, and Abnur Tharn's own demise is little penance for his crime. It is time to empower the Amulet of Kings and find my way, unerringly, to my soul.

I am in some kind of vision. The Amulet is attuning itself to my soul's location.

I will now be able to find my way to wherever my soul is kept, no matter who possesses it. The Prophet has appeared in the flesh through one of his portals. I should speak with him.

The Prophet has asked me to set and light Lyris's funeral pyre.

Lyris has been laid to rest, and her spirit will find its way to the Nord afterlife in Sovngarde. I should finish my business with the Prophet so we can return to the Harborage and prepare for our final task.

I have entered a twisting descent into the world's heart. The only way forward is down.

I've safely returned to Gudrun's Retreat. I should speak to the Prophet and tell him what transpired beneath the Adamantine Tower.

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The Vaults of Gemin

QUEST: The Exclusive Vaults of Gemin

• Soldier of Gemin
• Ranger of Gemin
• Gemin
• Corrupted Soldier of Gemin
• The Exclusive Vaults of Gemin
• The Vaults of Gemin
• The Vaults of Gemin
• The Vaults of Gemin
• A Prize From The Vaults
• You've saved us out here. Lord Gemin will be very happy to hear about this.
• I have been given a large golden key and told that it opens one of the main vaults, from which I can select one of Gemin's treasures.
• I have been given a silver key that unlocks matching treasure within the Vaults of Gemin.
• I have been given a silver key that unlocks matching treasure within the Vaults of Gemin.
• I have been given a silver key that unlocks matching treasure within the Vaults of Gemin.
• I have been given an iron key that opens a wooden box, bound in bronze.

Reskard's men managed to close one of the portals from which the invaders are attacking. However, they were left weak and spread out and enemies overwhelmed them and cut them off from the main force. He wants me to clear out intruders in the garden.

• Commander Viskel has enlisted my aid in driving back the invaders pouring from the portals and report back to Gemin if successful.
• I have helped turn away the invaders and should speak with Gemin.

After clearing out the invaders in the garden, Captain Reskard asked me to report to Commander Viskel, who is holding off invaders by the main portal just beyond the gardens.

• We must protect Master Gemin and his guests! Prepare yourselves!
• They have broken through! Master Gemin, I am... sorry...
• We can hold them here for now! Follow my rangers and help Captain Meladrek!
• Captain Skaldrex needs help! Follow my rangers to him!
• We need help at the main portal! Fall back when you can!
• All is lost! I am slain! Fall back! Fall back!
• The heavy vault door swings open silently with Gemin's golden key.
• The treasure chest opens easily with the silver key given to you by Gemin.
• The treasure chest opens easily with the silver key given to you by Gemin.
• The treasure chest opens easily with the silver key given to you by Gemin.
• The wooden box opens with a creak to Gemin's iron key.
• The treasure chest opens easily with the silver key given to you by Gemin.
• Return to Gemin
• Talk to Josaja
• Master Gemin's hot springs are divine, but they're missing something ... or someone ....\n\nPerhaps you could keep us company?
• Master Gemin's hot springs are divine, but they're missing something ... or someone ....\n\nPerhaps you could keep us company?
• Master Gemin's hot springs are divine, but they're missing something ... or someone ....\n\nPerhaps you could keep us company?
• Master Gemin's hot springs are divine, but they're missing something … or someone ….\n\nPerhaps you could keep us company?
• Master Gemin's hot springs are divine, but they're missing something ... or someone .... \n\nPerhaps you could keep us company?
• Test Gemin Keep
• Vaults of Gemin
• QUEST: Protect Captain Meladrek
• QUEST: Protect Captain Meladrek
• QUEST: Protect Captain Skaldrex
• QUEST: Protect Captain Skaldrex
• QUEST: Protect Commander Viskel
• QUEST: Protect Commander Viskel
• QUEST: The Exclusive Vaults of Gemin
• QUEST: The Vaults of Gemin
• QUEST: The Vaults of Gemin
• QUEST: The Vaults of Gemin
• QUEST: A Prize From The Vaults
• I have succeeded in protecting both Gemin's estate and all of his highest ranking servants.
• Gemin's estate is safe and his servants have suffered only minor losses.
• Gemin's estate is safe and his servants have suffered only minor losses.
• Gemin's estate is safe and his servants have suffered only minor losses.
• Gemin's estate is safe, and the lord of the manor himself has offered me a reward.
• The fabled Vaults of Gemin are vast treasure troves underneath an old mansion. The master of the house may be long dead, but that's not {keeping from [sic] throwing a truly epic party.
• Gemin's estate is safe and his servants have suffered only minor losses.

I don't care about Lyris, I just want my soul back.

This is Abnur Tharn, the chancellor of the Elder Council. Formerly, anyway.

It was not there. Tharn claims that Mannimarco has been keeping it with him.

Abnur Tharn

Abnur Tharn originally posed as the villain for the Staff of Towers arc.

These raw quest stages are present in the text file for Update 7:

• "Enter the Portal"
• "Descend into the Ruins"
• "Talk to Abnur Tharn"
• "Enter the Twisting Stair"
• "Navigate the Ayleid Observatory"
• "Deal with the Researcher"
• "Open the Seal of the Stars"
• "Continue Down the Twisting Stair"
• "Reach the Zero Stone"
• "Defeat Abnur Tharn and Lyris Titanborn"
• "Empower the Amulet of Kings"
• "Learn the Location of Your Soul"
• "Talk to the Prophet"
• "Lay Lyris Titanborn to Rest"
• "Descend the Twisting Stair"
• "Triggered Entrance Event"
• "Trigger Tharn Theater"

Main Quest v2

The first rendition of the main quest was rewritten entirely at one point. It largely resembles the final product, but much extraneous dialogue was cut, and large swaths were once again rewritten before release.

The details can be read in full here.

Main Quest v3

This section contains a brief summary of Deprecated content.

Soul Shriven in Coldharbour

This version of Soul Shriven in Coldharbour was live until Update 6. The Prophet was initially the first one to greet the player, and Er-Jaseen was the one to free you. Both these roles were later taken up by Lyris Titanborn after Update 6, with the following dialogue being removed:

"Slowly, now. You've been through an ordeal. Take a few moments to collect yourself."

What's happening? Who are you?

"Like you, I am a prisoner in this place, yet so much more.
I am the past and future both. I am despair and hope. The tapestry we weave is a complex one. You cannot hope to see its pattern in its entirety. Not yet."

What do you want from me?

"You must rescue me. And I, in turn, must rescue you. You must escape this cell, take up arms and protect yourself. Then, find Lyris Titanborn."

Lyris Titanborn? Who is that? I don't understand ….

The rest of the Prophet's involvement in the quest can be read here. Er-Jaseen's deprecated dialogue is also listed on his page.

Lyris was first encountered as you entered the Bleeding Forge. Her dialogue can be found here.

The quest progresses largely the same as in the current patch with a few differences. A Skeletal Cryomancer and Pyromancer were summoned as you entered the Anchor Mooring. When you approached the base of the Anchor, Molag Bal would summon the Anchor Guardian.

Quest Stages:

Main Quest
Finishes Quest	Journal Entry
	I awoke to a strange voice in some kind of prison cell. I should try to find a way out. Objective:
	A lizard-man, an Argonian, unlocked my cell and told me to escape. I should get out of my cell and see where I am. Objective:
	I need to find a weapon. There are some swords on a table nearby. I should take one of them and arm myself with it. Objective:
	I found a weapon in what looks like a slave workshop. I should leave the prison and find a way out of this place. Objective:
	Molag Bal commands me to return to my cell. I should destroy the skeleton he's sent to capture me. Objective:
	Another skeleton has emerged from the ground. I should destroy it. Objective:
	I destroyed the skeleton, but there may be more ahead. I should continue to search for an escape route. Objective:
	A Nord woman has entered the Bleeding Forge. I should talk to her. Objective:
	It looks like I've found a companion with a common cause. We're both searching for the Prophet. Lyris said the Ashen Mines are the way to go. We should head that direction. Objective:
	We've entered a new area. I should see what Lyris knows. Objective:
	It looks like we're going to have to fight our way out of this place and to the Tower of Eyes. Objective:

The Wailing Prison

These raw quest stages are present in the text files for Update 7:

• "Talk to Lyris"
• "Talk to Lyris at the Wailing Prison"
• "Enter the Wailing Prison"
• "Help Inalarr"
• "Help Galynne"
• "Help Hazim"
• "Find and Free the Prophet"
• "Reach the Dark Anchor"
• "Protect the Prophet"
• "Talk to the Prophet"
• "Enter the Outflow Tunnels"
• "Find a Means to Enter the Socket Chamber"
• "Kill the Eye of Molag Bal"
• "Ascend into the Rectory"
• "Open the First Cache"
• "Find the Worm Cult Leader"
• "Find the Armory Key"
• "Find the Escaped Slaves"
• "Trigger the Rockslide"
• "Free Soul Shriven Slaves"
• "Ignore the Slaves"
• "Help the Slaves"
• "Talk to Galynne"
• "Cause a Rockslide"
• "Talk to Galynne"
• "Talk to Lyris"
• "Escape the Slave Pits"
• "Find the Armory Key"
• "Unlock Armory Cellars"
• "Talk to Cadwell"
• "Enter the Rectory"
• "Kill the Eyes of Molag Bal"
• "Escape via Outflow"
• "Talk to Cadwell"
• "Escape the Slave Pits"

Undetermined

115740052, 0, 11258, 13587975, "I'll stay here this time. Good luck, small one."'

115740052, 0, 11259, 13588023, "These are the Haunted Halls of the Worm Cult."

115740052, 0, 11260, 13588069, "When we get to the top we'll know if our soul gems are here."

115740052, 0, 11261, 13588130, "The Archivist has appalling taste in interior decoration."

115740052, 0, 11262, 13588188, "This place is massive. Molag Bal has been collecting souls for eons."

115740052, 0, 11263, 13588257, "Do you hear that? Sounds like chanting."

115740052, 0, 11264, 13588297, "They're doing something with the soul gems in there."

115740052, 0, 11280, 13589173, "You have my soul, what more can you want?"

115740052, 0, 11281, 13589215, "Service in torment, slave."