Pre-quest, hellos if met at inn

Oh, uh…hey.

Need something?

Don’t mind me. Just here on business.

(Found at night, rummaging through wizard’s supplies, interrupted by player)

Oh! Damn. Um…I know what this looks like, but I’m not a thief. I’m just…browsing, is all.

What are you browsing for?
Oh thank the divines, you believe me. I’m actually looking for a tome.
No use bothering with the details, it’s obviously not here.

That’s exactly what a thief would say.
Yeah, you got me there. But here’s the thing. It’s what an honest person would say too. And therein lies the paradox.
Lucky for you, I don’t want to steal something, I wanna read something. A tome, to be exact.

Why browse when you can steal?
True, but the guards might not take kindly to that sort of thing. Or any sort of thing, for that matter. They’ve got a bit of a god complex.
Someone should really tell them “guards” and “gods” have different spellings.
Anyways, I don’t need to steal this tome. I just need to read it. Problem is, this mage doesn’t have it.

Maybe I can help?
I doubt it. Not unless you can turn back time to when this mage had better books. You can’t do that, can you? Never mind. Stupid question.

You obviously need to look harder. Wuunferth has everything.
Everything except the one thing I need. (Sigh) Story of my life.

(talking to self)
I guess I’ll have to try another mage. Ugh, list is getting smaller though. Like, disappearing Dwemer small.
I might be better off trying a necromancer’s guild. This is more of a conjuration skillset anyway.

(To player)
Hm…what about you? Know any necromancers?

I might know a few.
Great! Because I’m completely out of ideas. Plus it’ll help if we look together.

No idea.
Eh, that’s okay. I’ll just follow the trail of zombies. I might still need your help though, if you’re game.

Do I look like someone who would know any?
I don’t know. Looks can be deceiving. Believe me, I know. But if you can fight, you might be helpful anyway, if you wanna travel together.

Yes, as a matter of fact I do. My neighbor Francis, for one.
Francis…Francis…is he the one with the weird thing for dead cats? No, that was Torveld. He could pass for a Francis though.
Well, if you can lead me to him, I’ll be glad to tag along.

Do College mages count? They seem like they’re into that stuff.
They do, don’t they. But nope, most of them wouldn’t know a dead body from a live one. We need a mage who owns a shovel.
Maybe if we travel together, we can find one. You know what they say, four eyes are better than two. Or is it three heads are better than legs? Eh, you get what I mean.

I’d like to know more about you. What’s your story?
Yeah, I don’t know if I’m ready to tell you that quite yet. Besides, only vampires like it when you pour your heart out, right?
Which makes me wonder…

Oh damn…you’re a vampire, aren’t you. Please don’t drink me.

Have you ever stolen anything before?
Nope. First time. Guess you can tell I’m kind of desperate. But I swear, I wouldn’t have gone that far if this wasn’t important.

What’s so special about this tome?
It can change people, simple as that. And if anyone needs changing, it’s babies. Also, me.

Follow me
All right. Let’s find us a book!
Right behind ya.
Let’s go.

Dismiss
All right. I’ll meet you at the cave then.

Wait
Okay. Don’t be long.
Waiting.

Follow
Back in action.

Trade
Here’s what I got.
Okay.
Yessir.
Yes ma’am.

Hellos
Yeah?
We heading out?
Whatcha need?
Got spells to raise hell.
Magic is just an explosion you keep in your pocket.

Quest Idle
Hey, fair warning. Necromancers…they can be real clingy – spells, dead pets, ex-wives – same rules apply.
So if we find one of their caves, we’ll probably have to go in hands waggling. You know the deal.

enter cave.

This looks like the cave. It’s got the right vibe. Let’s hope it has the right spell.

in the library

Well, if I were a book, this is where I’d sleep. I’m gonna take a look at these beds, er, bookshelves. Which is a bed for books. You get what I mean.

player finds spell tome is burnt/ruined

By the Divines..no…
And this was the last copy. Which means any hope that I had to fix things is gone.

What’s so important about this book?
You don’t understand. You can’t.
You don’t know what’s it like to look in the mirror every day and see someone else. To want to tear off your skin because it hurts to be inside it.
You weren’t born wrong. You’re you.

I’m not sure I follow. Help me understand.
It’s hard to explain. People like me, every day we suffer.

You’re a college mage. There are starving Orcs who would kill to have your problems.
That’s what people always say. I’m lucky. But the truth is, every day I hurt.

I am definitely me. Any other brilliant observations?
You’re don’t get it. But I never expected you to understand.

That’s crazy talk. You are who you were born as.
I was confused at first too. How could I not be me?
But once I realized the truth, well…I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.
But that all came with a catch.

You’re right. I should’ve been more empathetic to what you’re going through.
It’s not your fault. People don’t get it. They talk about it, but they don’t really get it. How can they?

Believe me, I know exactly what that’s like.
Do you? So many people tell me they know, but I’ve never met anyone who really, really does.

From the moment I wake up to the time I go to sleep it’s a struggle.
And I’m left wondering if today’s going to be the day I say to hell with this world and everyone in it.
Right now, the only thing that keeps me going is the chance I might find it – a spell, an illusion…something to make me whole.
That’s what this book was. A chance to be me. The real me, and not the shell of a person you see before you. And now…it’s gone.

 

What is it that’s happening to you? What’s wrong?
Everything. My face, my body…it’s all wrong. You, you were born a man, and maybe the Gods got that right. Most of the time they do.

You, you were born a woman, and maybe the Gods got that right. Most of the time they do.

In my case, they messed up. Big time. And if they aren’t going to fix their mistake, then I am. But I can’t do this alone.

You’re going to have to. This is a waste of time. I’m done.
Figures. Everyone I’ve ever known has bailed on me. Why should you be any different.
If you don’t mind I’d like a moment alone.

if player re-engages

Everything is so wrong. It’s just all wrong…

You are who you are. Deal with it.
I have. For so many years I have. And I don’t know if I can any more. So please, just…leave me be.

***

I wasn’t born this way either. I know exactly what you’re going through.
I’m sorry…I should’ve realized…
All this time, I was just focused on me, and you’ve been going through the same thing. I feel like an idiot trying to explain it to you.
Well, in that case, I can’t quit. Not now that we’re in this together.

All right Terynne, think! There’s got to be a way. We still have the tome, we just need a way to fix it!

I know how you feel. I’m the same way.
(repeat)

Please don’t give up. I’m here, I understand, and I want to help. 
Thanks. Not everyone does. Some don’t even try. But I’m glad you do. It means a lot.
(Deep Breath, getting composed after tearing up)
But yeah, I guess that’s enough emotional breakdowns for one lifetime. I mean, I’ve come this far, there’s no way I’m giving up now.

We can’t stop now. Necromancers don’t quit just because someone dies.
I don’t know any more. The book’s in tatters. (pause) But maybe…
(gradually going from sad to excited)
…there’s a way to bring it back!
I mean, it’s like you said. If necromancers can bring back the dead, who’s to say we can’t bring back one measly little book! You’re a genius!

Let’s look around for something that can repair flesh! But not human flesh, book flesh! Like the kind of spell that will bring trees back to life and stuff!

I think this is the part where I give you a rousing speech and you think up an idea.
(repeat)

I mean, if necromancers can bring back the dead, who’s to say we can’t bring back one measly little book!
Oh gods, it happened just like you said it would! You’re a genius!

player gets book/tree healing potion/spell

Yes! This is just what I’m looking for. Add a little clairvoyance to fill in the blanks and presto change-o! One restored spell tome!

We can probably even use this altar to do the spell! Not like ol’ necro-boy here is using it anymore. Give me a second to set it up.

(Humming to self)

Okay, that should do it! I’m warning you though, this is going to be dangerous. So before I try this, I just wanna say one thing.
Every moment of my life I felt trapped. Like I was suffocating in my own skin. All I want, all I’ve ever wanted, is a chance to breathe.
Thank you for giving it to me.

You’re welcome. I was glad to help.
Aw…man, you’re the best. But no hugs until after we’re done. No point celebrating until we cross the finish line.

Aren’t you scared of what might happen?
I’m terrified. But dying doesn’t scare me. Living the rest of my life this way, does.
I guess all that’s left now is to cast the spell.

I’m not big on talking, so let’s just get on with it.
Heh, well, I guess we’ll just have to hug it out instead. Because what you did for me might change my life. Literally.
So you’ll always be a friend in my book. Let’s hope I live to return the favor.

Stop it, you’re making me blush.
If you’re blushing now, wait till you see the real me. Prepare to be wowed.

If it’s dangerous, let me try it first.
No, you’ve done so much for me already. This is a risk I’m willing to take. But I couldn’t live with the guilt if you died in my place. 
So please, let me play the hero, just this once.

 

Here goes.

Spell casting (latin)

Daedra, curator of silenti, sino phasmatis venire contra mihi!
Aedra, radix quod causa of vita, adeo suffragium mihi in meus negotium!

Gods! Guardians of life and death, hear my plea! Grant me the flesh my soul desires, and give my spirit peace!

spell hits her

By the gods! It worked! (goes to mirror)
Look at me! I’m…I’m…(breaks down)

Are you gonna be okay?
I’m sorry…I…thank you. Thank you so much.

How do you feel?
I feel like me. The real me. No, I just don’t “feel” like it. I am me! And I couldn’t have done it without you.

I like the old you better.
Ha, well, I hate to disappoint you, but that wasn’t me. That person was never supposed to be.

Don’t thank me, thank the necromancers we killed.
Ha, should we give them names? Seems a shame to just call them Necromancer A and Necromancer B. How about Nekky and Mancy? Sounds about right.

I’m glad. I know this was important to you.
I appreciate it. Not everybody gets it, you know? Some people would hear my story and just assume I was messed up, or crazy. You didn’t.

Can I try the spell out myself?
Sure! I think it’s safe. I mean, so far I haven’t had any bugs crawling out of my nose. Or hairs. Not sure which is worse.
Anyways, here’s the tome. It takes a bit of magicka, and it kind of tickles, but other than that, I think it works!

So what now?
Now? I don’t know. It’s like changing boots to a size that fits you.
I’ve spent all my time thinking about how sore my feet were, I’ve never bothered to think about trying to walk.
Guess I’ll just take it one step at a time, and see where it takes me.

Hellos
Wow, is this what I really sound like? I’m gonna have to get used to the pitch. Voice in my head still sounds the same though.
It’s kind of like if you had the hiccups for a long time, and then they suddenly vanish.
It’s not that you miss ’em, it’s just, different.

I’d like to travel again someday, but for now I’m just gonna take it easy. 

Hey, if it isn’t my bestest pal in all of Tamriel.

I think I’m gonna learn how to perfect this spell, see if I can’t help others like me.