Online:Cut Content/Main Quest v2

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The first rendition of the main quest was rewritten entirely at one point. This "version 2" of the main quest largely resembles the final product of the present day, but much extraneous dialogue was either cut, changed, or repurposed, and large swaths were once again rewritten before release.

Soul Shriven in Coldharbour

Journal text: To escape from Coldharbour, the Prophet opened a portal and told me to jump through. No telling where I'll end up.

Are you Lyris Titanborn?

You are the Prophet that Lyris told me about?

Yes. This is our chance.

The Harborage

Journal text: The Prophet has sought me out across great distance and wishes me to travel to a hidden harborage in the wilderness.

You would have seen a vision of the Prophet being arrested by Mannimarco's agents during this quest, presumably after he mentions it.

?: "You have been accused of disseminating illicit materials that are an affront to Imperial law. Arrest him!"

The Prophet: "I've done no wrong. I merely studied the ancient texts. Is that a crime worthy of an Imperial prison?"

?: "Don't worry, old man. You're not going to an Imperial prison. We have a very special place in mind for you."

Two NPCs, Brother Antoinie and an Ancestor Moth Priest, are located in the files for Update 1 near content related to this quest.

Wailing Prison Concurrent Quest NPCs

"Khajiit and many others thank you. Escape will be easier if they cannot see where we have gone.
You have much to do. Lyris will be waiting for you, yes? Hunt well."

"Vivec's spear, it will! Thank you, muthsera. We'll make sure they can't clear it out so easily.
I hope you and Lyris can make it out of this pit. With any luck, we'll see you again on the other side."

Daughter of Giants

Journal text :The Prophet asked me to brave the dangers of Coldharbour once again to rescue our comrade, Lyris Titanborn, from the slave pits.

The Prophet's dialogue was a bit different from the final product. Notably, the Black Forge was where black soul gems were crafted instead of weapons.

"Fate brings us together again, as I foretold..
Lyris sacrificed herself to enable our escape from Coldharbour, and I feared her lost. But I see in dream visions that, though enslaved, she survives. We can rescue her."

"I have seen her. She works a terrible forge where Black Soul Gems are crafted to fuel Molag Bal's conquest of Tamriel.
By the power of my dream vision I shall open a gate to Coldharbour, so you can return there. Go. Rescue Lyris."

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

The Prophet would have taken a much more active role in guiding you through the Forge, with more emphasis being put on the Prophet's mental link with the Prince than in the final release. Molag Bal would have eventually seen through the Prophet's gambit and set a pursuer on your trail, forcing you to flee.

The Prophet: "Molag Bal is strong—but for the moment, his gaze is on me. Find Lyris, and quickly."

The Prophet: "The Black Forge is ahead, but the way is barred.
Hurry—I cannot keep his eyes off you for long."

The Prophet: "That crystal is entrancing Lyris. You must break the spell!"

The Prophet: "He suspects. I cannot hold his attention any longer. I shall open a rift in Oblivion ahead. Run!"

Molag Bal: "You! Your interference will cost you your flesh as well as your soul."

After your escape from Coldharbour, you would have spoken to the Prophet much like you do in the live version of the quest.

"^(?)"

Molag Bal knew we were there.

"It was difficult to stave off his attention as long as I did.
With Lyris safe, we can enjoy a brief respite while we plan our next move. When the dream visions speak again, I shall call to you."

I should have expected to see you here. What have you done with Lyris?

The Update 1 text file contains dialogue from an early draft of this quest. Lyris Titanborn was an alcoholic before she met Sai Sahan. You would have interacted with her and a manifestation of a man from her past named Nogrond, who encouraged her destructive habits. You would have also seen Sai Sahan in this scene.

Lyris! The Prophet sent me to get you out of here.

Lyris, are you all right?

Let's leave now. We can't wait any longer.

I'm here to help Lyris. Who are you?

"Nogrond! Noggy, to my friends. And Lyris is my friend.
This pious sand crawler wants her to throw away our friendship as though it meant nothing. So, my Lyris enjoyed a drink now and again. Where's the harm in that?"

"What do I want? I want to toast our health and good fortune! I want her to remember the good times, and carry them with her. Maybe make the hard times easier to bear.
Let her take a drink. Remind her that life's too short to be taken so seriously!"

You would have had the chance to speak to the vision of Sai Sahan.

"I am an echo of the man she knows. I seek only to help her.
This drunken Nord was an undisciplined mess. He did nothing but encourage her to get drunk and act out. He is the very worst part of her personality."

"Perhaps, as you see her now. But she was not always thus. She eventually put aside the bottle and learned to take pride in herself.
She is beautiful, strong, and brave. Nogrond only saw her as a playmate, to share his debauchery."

These lines are meshed between the dialogue referring to Nogrond. It's unclear who they belong to, but it may be a vision of Lyris in a drunken stupor.

"Yes… Yeeess!!"

"I… I forrrgot..!"

"Noooooo… neeevaarrrrr!"

"Thaaank youuuuuuu!"

The conversation with Lyris' father was also rewritten slightly.

Gjalder: "Lyris? Is this true, child?"

Lyris Titanborn: "You were always so cold. So distant. My mother died giving me life. It was my fault! I should never have been born!"

Gjalder: "Lyris, look at me. The blood of giants flows through my veins. Your mother was a Nord. I gave her my seed without thought for her safety. That's why she died. Not because of you, child. Because of me!"

Between these next lines, there are notes from the developer reminding whoever was adjusting the dialogue to delete the next line:

115740052`0`18107`5813608`DEPRECATE

115740052`0`18108`12710288`DEPRECATE
Gjalder: "You wanted to fight injustice. To see the world. I was afraid to let go, though I knew I must. Look at you now. You're a fine woman and a noble warrior. You will do great things. I didn't often say it, but I've always loved you."

Lyris Titanborn: "I thought you blamed me. You … you couldn't even look at me, Papa!"

Gjalder: "Do you not see? When I looked at you, I saw her face. I loved her, child. Just as I love you—more than life itself. We cannot change the past, nor should we cling to it. You must not let these feelings haunt you. Let them go. Let me go."

Lyris Titanborn: "I love you too, Papa. Rest now. Be at peace."

Lyris Titanborn: "He's gone. Come on, let's get out of here."

Lyris would have weighed in on the visions you saw in the previous sections.

"That's an easier choice. Nogrond and I had a lot of fun, but he wasn't good for me. When I crawled into that bottle, I nearly drowned.
Sai Sahan taught me patience, caution, and responsibility. Without him, I'd have been just another mercenary."

"I did. And I think I'm supposed to choose. But, it's not like it was with my father. I never made this choice in life. I knew one, then the other. And in each case, I was a different person."

There is what appears to be test text nestled among the dialogue pertaining to the "choice" Lyris mentions during this quest:

"Do you like chocolate?"

"So you DO like chocolate!"

"Oh… :("

Castle of the Worm

Journal text: The Prophet has asked me to enter Oblivion and infiltrate Mannimarco's fortress, the Castle of the Worm. This forsaken place is where the black soul gems are taken for some nefarious purpose. I might be able to find my own soul gem there.

The Halls of Torment

Journal text: The Prophet has bade me to return to the Harborage.

The Valley of Blades

Journal text: '

Shadow of Sancre Tor

The method of reaching the Amulet of Kings was slightly different, involving the use of crystal keys instead of just praying at the two shrines.

Lyris Titanborn: "Take all the time you need. I'll keep watch. If there's anything I can do, just name it.

?: "I was afraid you were going to say that.

?: "Don't speak so soon. There's no telling what's lying in wait for us here."

Sai Sahan: "The altar is on the far side, but to reach it, the drawbridge must be lowered."

Lyris Titanborn: "You did it! The bridge is down!"

Mannimarco: "You really are starting to annoy me. Kill them!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Are we ready to finish this, old friend?"

Sai Sahan: "We have only to get the Amulet. Take your crystal and place it in the receptacle, on my mark."

Sai Sahan: "Place the crystal now, Lyris!"

Sai Sahan: "The crystals are in place. Use the ring to open the door!"

One of Mannimarco's lines used to be slightly different.

Sai Sahan: "The Amulet of Kings is under the protection of Stendarr's ward! It will never be yours!"

Mannimarco: "The Aedra? They are absent parents for this forsaken world. Do you think they really care about you?"

Lyris Titanborn: "You're insane if you think you can betray the God of Schemes!"

Abnur Tharn: "Molag Bal won't stand for this treachery! You know how he handles those who betray him."

The interaction before the final confrontation was also different:

?: "There it is! The Amulet of Kings!"

Mannimarco: "You're too late, old friend. This place is already slipping into Coldharbour. The Amulet of Kings is mine!"

?: "Show yourself, worm! Face us! Or are you a coward?"

Mannimarco: "How can I refuse such a humble request? The Amulet of Kings is mine! I am the new God of Schemes! And yours will be the first soul I tear apart!"

God of Schemes

In one draft, it appears Meridia was supposed to speak with you and the surviving Companions alongside Cadwell following your return from the Colored Rooms.

If Lyris was sacrificed:

Sai Sahan: "How have we returned? The last thing I remember was being overwhelmed!"

Cadwell: "Right. Sorry about that. I called in a bit of help to pull you out of there. I do hope I didn't overstep my bounds."

Varen Aquilarios: "He is gone! Molag Bal no longer touches my mind! I'm finally free of him!"

Sai Sahan: "My Lord Varen, are you injured?"

Varen Aquilarios: "I'm fine, Sai. But where is Tharn? I do not hear his steps or his breath."

Cadwell: "He vanished. Ran off, I think. And he took the amulet you chaps found, with him."

Sai Sahan: "I cannot believe Snow Lily is gone. Why did she do it, My Lord?"

Cadwell: "Here now, my good man! Lyris Titanborn is a hero! She gave her life for a noble cause!"

Varen Aquilarios: "Sir Cadwell is right, Sai. We will all mourn her, but it was her choice. Her sacrifice to make."

Sai Sahan: "I cannot believe she is really gone."

Meridia: "Do not despair, Sai Sahan, son of Yokuda. Lyris Titanborn's sacrifice brought about the salvation of your world."

Sai Sahan: "Who comes here? Which Daedric Prince is this?"

Meridia: "You know me as Meridia. I appear to you in a form you can understand, but I cannot stay long.
This page of history is concluded, but there are many more chapters to be written. I must leave you now, but will be watching."

If Sai was sacrificed:

Varen Aquilarios: "The scents of the Harborage fill the air. But what happened? How did we return? Lyris? Lyris, are you there?"

Cadwell: "Not to worry, not to worry! Lyris is fit as a fiddle, and you all seem quite intact, as well."

Lyris Titanborn: "I'm here, sire. But where's Tharn?"

Cadwell: "He vanished. Ran off, I think. And he took the amulet you chaps found, with him."

Lyris Titanborn: "That bastard! Sai died for that Amulet!"

Varen Aquilarios: "The Amulet's power is expended for generations to come. It will be of no use to him, now."

Varen Aquilarios: "Things feel different. Molag Bal's hold on my mind has been lifted. I am finally free of him!"

Meridia: "You are free indeed, Varen Aquilarios. Free of the calamity your hubris brought upon this world. Free of the Daedric Prince, Molag Bal."

Meridia: "I am the one you call Meridia. I appear to you in a form you can understand, but I cannot stay long.
This page of history is concluded, but there are many more chapters to be written. I must leave you now, but will be watching."

If Varen was sacrificed:

Lyris Titanborn: "What … what happened? How did we get here? I remember being overwhelmed, but then …."

Cadwell: "Right. Sorry about that. I called in a bit of help to pull you out of there. I do hope I didn't overstep my bounds."

Sai Sahan: "Snow Lily, I …."

Lyris Titanborn: "I know, Sai. It's over. It's all over."

Cadwell: "Well then! Happy endings all around! Smashing! Who's got the brandy?"

Sai Sahan: "Wait, where is Tharn? Did he survive?"

Cadwell: "He vanished. Ran off, I think. And he took the amulet you chaps found, with him."

Meridia: "Your questions are many, but there is little time to answer them all. Your companion knows the truth of things."

Cadwell: "Ah! Radiant Meridia! So good to see you again, my lady. Truly!"

Meridia: "Yes, you know me as Meridia. I appear to you in a form you can understand, but I cannot stay long.
This page of history is concluded, but there are many more chapters to be written. I must leave you now, but will be watching."

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."