Lycan

 

bound, captured by trolls who intend to eat him

Grawwrrr….

Hragngh?

Hey, do you guys mind killing me first?
It’s kind of rude to eat someone when they’re still begging for their life.

(player clicks on Lycan)

Hey.

Hey yourself.
Nice to meet you. Now that we’re friends, do you think you might want to kill these trolls?

That’s all you have to say? “Hey?”
Well, it’s hard to really be talkative considering I’m about to be soup.
Okay, that’s a lie. I’m terrible at talking in general. The trolls are just a convenient excuse.

You seem pretty calm all things considered.
Well, I can’t say this is how I imagined dying. But who really does that anyway. Seems morbid.

Well, that was a fun conversation. Have a great day.
I’ll try. Also, do you mind killing the trolls on your way out?

How did you get in this situation?
Honestly? I don’t know. I was crossing the river for some reason, when this mudcrab jumped at me.
So I killed the mudcrab, and next thing you know, these trolls come out of nowhere, huffing and puffing.
I think the mudcrab was their pet or something. That or their god. Can’t really tell from where I’m sitting.

(alt) Can’t really tell from where I’m standing.

 

Do you have a plan for escape?
You mean, besides you killing the trolls?
Well, see that knapsack to my right? There’s a “raise zombie” tome inside.
I’m not sure why I brought it with me, but maybe you can use it.
Raise that mudcrab, and they just might think it’s still alive.

 

I’ll try raising the mudcrab.
I like it. Just be sure to untie me quickly when you’re done. We’ve got about a minute before the mudcrab dies.
I imagine they’ll be mighty angry to see their pal go belly up a second time.

 

I could just kill the trolls.
Yeah, that’d be ideal. Although I’m kind of worried about getting hit in the crossfire.
If one of those trolls comes charging at me, I can’t exactly move out of the way.
How about you free me first and give me a weapon.

All right, here’s what I got.
Thanks. Preferably a bow if you got one.

Let me think about it.
Sure. Take all the time you want. I’ll be here. Marinating.

Why don’t I just free you and we’ll kill the trolls together?
I guess that might work. Do you have a weapon I could use?

 

(trolls fooled)

It looks like they bought it. Now free me and let’s go before that mudcrab turns to ash.

Or we could just wait here for the mudcrab to die. That’ll be interesting.

(if trolls persuaded)
Huh, looks like you convinced them. I didn’t know people could speak troll.
Although you might want to free me before they change their mind.

(if trolls killed)

Good work. Remind me to never get on your bad side.

(if spoken to before exiting)

Let’s get out of here.

 

 

Thanks for getting me out of there. Appreciate it. Really.
I’ve got to ask though. Have we met before?

 

You mean you don’t know?
Yeah, I hate to admit it, but I don’t.

No, we haven’t.
Oh, that’s a relief. I was worried I’d have to fake it.

Why, do I look familiar?
No, and that’s what worries me. Because if we have met, you should.

Yes, I’m your long lost cousin, Lican. 
You aren’t a Wood Elf though. I suppose you could be from my father’s side.

I suppose we could be related. Don’t see the resemblance though.

 

Do you have trouble remembering things?
Yeah. I’ve been this way since…well, since as long as I can remember.
It’s not everything, mind you. Certain things don’t go away.
So next time we eat it’s not like I’m going to just forget how to use a fork.
The pointy end goes in your hand, right? That’s a joke.

 

Do you remember reading a note from Ylldi?
Oh, right! Ylldi. We should go help her.

What’s Ylldi up to?
Same as always. Trying to find a ferry token so she can get off this island.

Are you two friends?
In the same way a hoarvor and its bloodmeal are friends.
No, I’m kidding. She’s fine. Just drinks too many stamina potions for my liking.
It’s like a bee on skooma. No telling what it’s doing or why you’re getting stung.

Why go south? What’s she looking for there?
Supposedly there was a Stranded who tried to leave the island long ago.
Nobody knows if she actually did it. The reality is she probably died a horrible death. Probably the same thing will happen to us.
But at least then we’ll know just how horrible. That’s something.

 

Okay, let’s go find her.
Great. Best if you lead though. I’m not good with directions.

Go find her yourself.
Seems like it’d be easier if we went together, but all right.

(later on, if player ends up joining him in search, but Lycan forgets who they are)
Oh, are you trying to get through here too? Maybe we can work together.

What are your thoughts on the religion here?
Well, Ylldra’s basically a tenth divine as far as people here are concerned.
She made the laws, saved the village, probably slew a dragon while she was at it.
Who knows how much it really happened. Best you can do is read the old books and find your own truth.
I’m not as much of a cynic about it as Ylldi though. Ylldra’s teachings have been good for the village, as far as I can tell.

Faith is important. 
For me, I don’t know if it’s faith so much as the practical wisdom it teaches you.
The blessings don’t hurt either. Quite the opposite really, they stop the hurt.

I’m surprised. I thought you’d be less pious.
I’m full of surprises. But mostly blood and bones.

As long as you worship the true Divines.
Ah right. Is it eight or nine? Ylldra’s more of a proxy anyway. Worshiping her is just more efficient.

I’m a Daedra worshiper myself.
I guess we’re both heathens then. Good to know.

All religion is nonsense.
Then you and Ylldi will get along. Although I don’t know if she doesn’t believe in the gods so much as she resents them.

 

Careful, the fog here makes recovery tough. It’s like the rattles, if rattles had wings and a rotten aftertaste.

There’s actually a trick to dealing with the fog, believe it or not. You pray at the Shrine of Ylldra.

If Lycan met first, you find her overlooking the ocean

Will you look at that view. And they say the ocean doesn’t even exist on this end of the island.
Looks pretty good to me.

 

Ylldi.

Lycan! It’s about time you got here! I’ve met mudcrabs who move faster than you.

 

Please don’t mention mudcrabs.

 

Why? Don’t like talking about family? But lucky for you, you had help.

 

Player talks to Ylldi, who gives them a key. They enter a cottage 

Well, this place is a mess. But I’m guessing what we need isn’t out in the open anyway.
There’s probably a hidden area somewhere. Maybe a secret lever to a secret room to a secret journal.
Let’s just hope there’s a secret worth learning, and not say, a collection of erotic corpse fiction.

Well, then we’d be in your house.

They solve the puzzle by burning a religious book

That worked! We just had to prove we weren’t part of the cult of Ylldra.

Cult or not, I’m pretty sure burning books makes us the bad guys.

Hey, I don’t like it either, but there was no other way. Sometimes you just got to hold your nose.

 

 

(if YLLDI ROUTE DONE FIRST, Lycan saved at the end)

Hey yourself.
Nice to meet you. Thanks for killing those trolls. I guess that makes us friends.

That’s all you have to say? “Hey?”
Well, it’s hard to really be talkative considering I was almost soup.

Well, that was a fun conversation. Have a great day.
I’ll try. Also, do you mind loosening these bonds?

Glad to see your sarcasm hasn’t left you. Let me get those binds. And you’re welcome, by the way.

Thank you, to your friend. He seemed to be doing all the work.

(alt) She seemed to be doing all the work.

You did wave your sword around a bit though. If I didn’t know better it almost looked like you were fighting.

Says the Elf who got nabbed by trolls. While you were here getting seasoned, we actually found a lead.

If it’s for one of your adventures, I’d almost prefer being food.

Suit yourself, I’ve got a new minion, right here.

I pray for your soul, Stranded.

Anyways, we’ve got a lot to discuss.

Congratulations, you’re one of Ylldi’s minions now.
You should head back to the Elder and tell him we’re not dead. I’m sure he’ll be saddened by the news.

 

Player enters home (it’s empty save a wine bottle Ylldi left as a gift)

Ylldi warned me this place was a mess. Now I see she was actually being kind.
Perhaps we were better off gifting you a hammer.

I could stay at your place.
You mean my tent? But it’s only got one bed.
Unless you mean…well, that’s a tempting offer. Very tempting. Not the gentleman thing to do though.
I guess I could sleep on the grass. Or the inn.

Yeah, there’s no way I’m sleeping here.
No sane person would.

That place doesn’t need a hammer, it needs a miracle.
Probably. Sadly we couldn’t muster one up in time. I blame Ylldi.

It’s got its charm. 
I admire your positivity, even though I question your honesty.
You’ll probably be more comfortable staying at the inn.
Maybe that’s what this is. A complicated scheme to boost the inn’s income. What a scandal.

Oh right, speaking of which. That’s why I came here. Ylldi wants to meet at the inn tomorrow.
So, unless you have anything else to ask me, I’d get some sleep.

I want to talk to you about something.
Fair enough.

(if not spoken to at house)
Thanks for the housewarming gift.
You’re welcome. Although after seeing your place, we probably should’ve given you a hammer.

 

 

Where did you learn to use a bow?
I taught myself, hunting game in the wild. Starvation is a strong motivator.
That isn’t to say there wasn’t some natural talent involved.
If my life depended on making a quilt, you’d be talking to a skeleton right now.

That’s a shame. I befriended you specifically for your quilting skills.
Then I’m afraid you have chosen poorly. But if I start training now, maybe I can still make “acquaintance.”
I figure a blanket full of holes would be good enough to earn that distinction, but I’ll let you be the judge.

You never know. You might be a great quilter.
Yes, there are talents we all have that are more or less untapped.
But if I found I was good at something, I’d be obliged to do it more often.
As such, I find the prospect of being a great quilter extremely terrifying.

Technically, you’re half a skeleton already.
Yes, somewhere underneath all this flesh and blood is an undead monster, waiting to get out.
Well, he’s just going to have to wait.

Now I’m trying to imagine a scenario where your life does depend on it.
I’m sure one exists. There are plenty of wealthy nobles out there with too much time on their hands.
In their boredom they demand the entire village make quilts and the losers get put to death.
Not so much humorous as it is tragic.

Well, I’m glad you’re here among the living.
Likewise. You’re definitely a better conversation partner than most.
If you were to lose your tongue in tragic quilting competition, I might actually remember it long enough to mourn the loss.

Talking to a skeleton would be more lively than talking to you.
Point taken. Ylldi often says I lack energy. I just assumed I was normal and she was insane.
But perhaps there’s a middle ground between us. Unfortunately, I lack the energy to find it.

 

Why don’t you have a home yourself?
Well, your sprawling manor aside, there are only so many viable living spaces.
And I don’t mind sleeping outdoors. Keeps me sharp.

Sharp, cold, and extremely lonely.
You might have a point. Guess I’ll need to find someone to fix the cold and lonely part.

That’s all.
All right.

Okay, I guess it’s your turn. What’s your story?

I was nearly executed at Helgen. Then a dragon attacked.
Interesting. That explains how you escaped. It doesn’t explain how a mythological beast suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
But I suppose I don’t really know much about the mainland.

Anyways, thanks for the chat. I don’t find many people in the village worth talking to. You’re the exception.

I’m the Dragonborn.
I’ve heard of the legend. You can shout, from what I understand.
That would be a useful thing to have if you’re ever kidnapped by trolls.

I’m an assassin with the Brotherhood.
I did notice your movements are fairly elegant. There’s a precision that assassins have that’s hard to replicate.
It makes a little more sense now given your background.

I’m with the Thieves Guild.
Don’t tell Inska that. In fact, don’t tell anyone. Ylldi might be okay with it, but only because she’s the mischievous type.
Plus, she likes you.

I joined the Companions.
I’ve heard rumors about the Companions. Probably best not to repeat them here.
Well, the bad ones anyway. The good ones feel free to howl them as often as you like.

I’m a bard. 
That’s good to hear. I find music relaxing. Nature sounds and wood instruments in particular.

I’ve lived a simple life adventuring.
Simple is good. Sounds a lot like my life, minus the adventure. But I find adventure to be overrated.

My life has been one harrowing episode after another.
That sounds exhausting. I’m tired just thinking about it.

How did you come to the island?
That’s too far back for me to know. You might be better off asking something more recent, like what I had for breakfast.

Okay, what did you have for breakfast?
Nothing. I don’t really eat breakfast. I’m more of a lunch person.

I don’t care about your eating habits.
It would be strange if you did. I’d begin to wonder if you were secretly my mother. There’d be no way to know for sure.

Is that tough, not knowing your own past?
Well, I just make up memories to fill in the gaps.
It’s actually pretty impressive that eight-year old me slew so many dragons. Bare-handed, of course.

I know what you had for breakfast, I watched you eat it.
Oh right. I guess I forgot that part too.

 

Meet at the inn, talk progresses

Well, the source it’s referring to could be the divide. It may be dry now, but the Dead River flowed at one time.
And based on the older maps we have here, there used to be a canyon behind it, which given its shape could be the dragon’s head.

Where did the passage lead to?

Well, there are no maps of Ylldra’s time. 
But based on the descriptions in the stories, I’d venture it would go straight to Hjarskygge. The Heart’s Shade.

Interesting.

What? Is that supposed to mean something?

You need to learn more of the island’s history. Hjarskygge is where the dark sorcerer Nifram was sealed away after Saint Ylldra’s death.
The village had been blind to his schemes, but her sacrifice awoke them from his spell.
Having lost his control of the people, the coward fled to the ruins of Hjarskygge, to raise an army of the dead.
But rather than fight the mage, Ylldra’s charges sealed the passage between them, forever damning the sorcerer to a coffin of his own making.

That’s not far from my camp. I feel like I’ve been there before. There was a door of some kind…

 

(if Lycan left behind)

Don’t worry about me. I’ll pass the time, somehow.

(if Lycan taken as follower, scenes with other villagers)

Scene with Ferryman
I wouldn’t bring that Wood Elf near the docks. He’s a bad swimmer.

I can’t remember if that’s true. So I can’t really say you’re wrong.

I’m just saying, if you drown again, don’t expect me to save you.

I’ll keep that in mind.

No you won’t. And that’s the problem.

Scene with Brenlen

Why does your friend live outside the village? Does he not like us?

She should be. My friend here is a vast improvement.

Knowing Ylldi, I don’t doubt that. 

Scene with Mojari

 

Ah, it’s you! And you’ve brought a guest! Lycan, was it not?

Sorry, have we met?

Yes, we have. You are Ylldi’s friend, if this one recalls correctly. The one she bosses around.

Yeah, that would be me.

Scene with Dastri

Oh, are you friends with the Wood Elf? Why does he live outside the village? Does he not like us?

I like the village plenty.

Then why don’t you stay here?

Well, I suppose it’s the difference between having a bug in a jar, and one crawl up your leg.

Ew, but bugs are gross!

Gross, and potentially poisonous. Best to keep us behind the glass.

Scene with Riksanne

It’s nice to see Lycan with someone other than Ylldi.

I agree. For once I’m not being yelled at.

Right? She should appreciate you more.

I tell her that every day.

Well, we shouldn’t gossip, but the things they say about her, I wonder sometimes…

To be fair, I’m the one usually saying them.

Scene with Neimos

Scene with Rolggi

Scene with Olfar

You two shouldn’t hang out with Ylldi. She’s up to no good.

I’m aware of that.

Then why are you helping her?

I wish I knew.

Well, don’t get my sister involved in your nonsense. Just get off the island and leave the rest of us be.

Scene with Shurzub

Scene with Akshei

(background question on Hjarskygge)

What are your thoughts on Hjarskygge?
Typically anything connected to Ylldra is very well documented.
It’s curious that this ruin seems to be omitted from the stories, despite being within a stone’s throw of the village.
Maybe the woman at the inn was right. There’s something in there that is clearly taboo.

What do you think we’ll find inside the ruins?
If Ylldi had her way, it’d be a giant fountain spitting out ferry tokens.
Anything short of that will probably be a huge disappointment.

Kurikki mentioned the sorcerer Nifram is buried there.
Ah, right, I forgot that bit. Nifram, the betrayer of Ylldra. An ancient evil. That would qualify as something worth sealing.
And we’re going to open it. Clearly we’re the villains in this story.

There was talk at the inn of it being a tomb. 
I suppose there was. 

The Captain mentioned Nifram gave her the claw.
That would contradict what the alchemist said.
Then again, the alchemist isn’t trying to sail her ship off a mountain top. I’d believe her over the captain.

 

(if Lycan taken to ruins)

Hjarskygge should be on the other side of that door. From what I gather, it’s a combination lock.

It’s unclear though, whether it’s meant to keep us out.

Or keep something else in.
If you believe the woman from the inn, a powerful sorcerer.
Although to be fair, she looked rather weak. “Powerful” could mean anything to a woman like that.

It’s definitely meant to keep me out. I’m a notorious grave defiler.
I won’t ask what you mean by “defile.” Some things are best left unsaid.
I do think this sorcerer is long dead though.

Either way, we’ll find a way to open it. We just need a dragon claw.
As long as it’s not from an actual dragon, that seems doable.
I have to admit, I am curious what this sorcerer looks like after all these years.

 

Especially if he’s been breathing this air.
Speaking of which. You look a little dizzy. Are you all right?

(player passes out)

You’re up. I’ve got good news and bad news.
The good news is, our captors aren’t trolls.
The bad news is, trolls might be smarter.

Quiet you two, the bosun’s about to speak.

(horn blows)

That’s the signal. Take the guests to the Captain.

It’s time.

(opens cage)

Follow me.

I couldn’t help but notice you took my friend’s gear but not mine.

The Captain says you’re already half naked. Not much point to go any further.

Fair enough.

By the way, your fellow man called us guests.
I’d think a guest would be free to come and go as he pleases.

You’ll be able to go. After you speak with the Captain.

And what kind of person is our Captain?

The Captain is the captain.

I can’t argue with that logic. So who are you people, where are you from?

Doesn’t matter where we’re from. Only where we’re going.

And where is that?

Up. We go up.

Again, I find that impossible to dispute.

We’re here. Up the stairs, both of you.

(Scene with Captain)

You are standing on the deck of an airship.
Once construction is complete, we will have our strongest warriors push the ship off the mountain.
At which point we will raise the sails and take flight over the fog.

That’s not flying, that’s falling.

(captain tells player they want a ship wheel to fly off the mountain)

Quest Comment

There must be a reason they haven’t retrieved the wheel themselves. Granted, reason doesn’t seem to be their strong suit.

Passage Idle
Somehow this passage is colder than the mountain. I regret my choice in attire.

Scene outside 

I think I know where we are. We could take this boat back to the village, but Ylldi will be angry if we don’t get that claw.
And getting that for her is the least we can do.

Why are you so keen on helping Ylldi?
It’s complicated. For some reason, I feel like I owe her.

What about you? Do you want to leave this island?
I don’t know. But Ylldi does, and for some reason I feel like I owe her.
There’s a memory I have, that I can’t quite seem to grasp. Something important that happened when we were children.
If I could remember what it was, I could probably free myself of the guilt.
Until then, it’s an unspoken burden neither of us can put into words.

In any case, there’s no point talking about it here. Let’s go find that wheel.

This must be the ship, because the wheel’s missing. That’s usually how it goes.
We can check inside, but it’s probably just more disappointment.

It seems the prisoners here were sacrificed to something. Not sure what.
Wood Elves too. I guess that explains why there’s so many on the Captain’s crew.
Maybe a guard took pity on their ancestors and let them go. Either way, it’s not a wheel. Perhaps we should head back topside.

(walk out, see a dragon, kill dragon)

By Ylldra…was that a dragon?

(find ship wheel)

I guess that’s why the captain didn’t want to send their crew. To be fair, I probably would’ve done the same.
Well, we got the wheel. Let’s go back and trade it for the claw.

(get claw, captain wishes them luck)

I don’t believe in luck. Bad luck maybe, but good luck? Never heard of it. Still, thanks.

(if player clicks)

Ylldi will want to know we found the claw. I probably wouldn’t mention the dragon or she’ll be mad she missed it.

(Return)

By the gods, where have you two been? I was about to head over to the cave myself when I saw your boat pull up.

I’m surprised you were willing to wait as long as you did. I trust no one else noticed we were gone?

Of course not. Unlike you, I’m actually a decent liar.

True. You would think being around you I’d pick up a few things. Instead all I have is baggage.
And you’re welcome, by the way.

What? Does that mean you found a way in?
(to player) Tell me you found a way in!

(player says yes)

I’d like to rest a bit.

Rest? I’ve been sitting here twiddling my thumbs and my toes for gods know how long, listening to Brenlen talk about chopping wood.
If I rest any more I just might lose my mind.
I’m heading there now. Are you coming or not?

All right. I suppose I can rest when I’m dead. Which judging by your impatience, should be very soon.

(Sarcastic) Ha-ha.

if Ylldi recruited version

You’re back. I was starting to worry. No, worry’s the wrong word. I was starting to sweat.
Because if you died I’d get the blame.

As you should. It’s not my fault you’re a terrible liar.

True. You would think being around you I’d pick up a few things. Instead all I have is baggage.
But jokes aside, did you find a way in?

We found a way in. 
Ylldra’s blessings. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.
Normally, I’d suggest you rest for a night before heading to the ruins, but chances are Ylldi won’t agree.

What if I said “no”?
I might count Ylldra’s blessings that this adventure is over, but judging by our partner’s visible excitement, chances are that isn’t the case.

We have the dragon claw. It’ll let us inside Hjarskygge. And we’re going there now.

I was afraid you’d say that.

You may be afraid, but fear isn’t in my vocabulary.

Along with a thousand other words, but fine. I guess we’ll all meet at the ruins.

Passage to ruins

This passage is perfect for an ambush. I suppose the only question is, who are we ambushing, and why?

 

Waterfall exterior

Looks like ships have crashed here too. At least they got to see the view before they drowned to death.

 

(enter ruins)

And we’re in.

The air seems to have cleared up a bit.

Yeah, although it’s still a little thick.

Of greater concern might be the voices.

Voices? Stop it, you’re creeping me out.

 

(Enter ruins)

Is it me, or does this place remind you of the village?

The aspens do look familiar. The more pertinent question is, how do they grow without sunlight?

Okay, now you’re really creeping me out.

(way is blocked)

Looks like the way forward is blocked off.

Your observations are astute as always.

Hey, I just like spelling it out, okay? Helps get my thoughts in order.

(if player said they can’t read)
Hey, our partner here can’t even read. Some things need to be explained.

(Read Note on Puzzle #1)

I see the owl, and we can swivel these pillars to find the eagle. I’m not sure where the snail comes in though.

The pieces seem to be laid out like a clock. Time may be part of the puzzle.

Fifty gold says I figure it out before you.

A hundred says neither of us figure it out before him.
A hundred says neither of us figure it out before her.

Well, there’s no way I’m winning that. I was just planning on repeating what he said anyway.
I was just planning on repeating what she said anyway.

(Solve Puzzle)

Good work! Let’s move on to the next one.

(Read Note on Puzzle #2)

It’s a little quiet in this place, don’t you think? Almost…too quiet.

There’s no such thing as too quiet. At that point it’s just silence.

Sure, sure. But what if it was…too silent?

Ugh.

(Solve puzzle 2)

That should do it. Let’s go.

(Enter boss room)

Be ready. There’s a large room up ahead.

You think it’s Nifram’s tomb?

Better his than ours.

(see Ylldra’s tomb)
By the gods, was that Ylldra?

It can’t be. Her body was pristine.

( dungeon rumbles)
Did you guys feel that? Tell me you felt that.

It seems the Draugr are awake. And the ruins might be crumbling.

(everything collapsing)

Then let’s kill them and get out of here!

(ruins collapsing)

Now might not be the best time to chat.

(get out of the ruins)

Uh…I’m about to ask a really dumb question, so maybe you’ll laugh but…what in Oblivion just happened?

It seems we just destroyed the sacred tomb of Ylldra.

Hey, we didn’t do a damn thing. That place collapsed on its own.

The village might not see it that way.

Regardless, it looks like we’ve set something in motion. Probably something bad.

I agree. Something feels different.
And I have little doubt who they’ll point the finger at.

You’re just imagining things. We’re fine. Everything is fine.
“Fine” must mean something different on the mainland. Something people say when their hair’s on fire. Because this feels more like that.

If so, no one has to know it was us.
True, although I can’t imagine it’d take a genius to figure out.

That’s a good point. Before we head back to the village, we should at least get our stories straight.

Good idea. My alibi is simple. This is all your fault.
Very funny. Look, this isn’t the first time I’ve messed up, and I’ve found that the worst thing you can do is say anything.
Let the village just go about their day, praying to an empty coffin.

I plan on telling everyone the truth.
Well, I can’t say I agree, but it’s not like I can stop you either.
Besides, we technically didn’t do anything wrong. Things just started going bad on their own.

It’s better to say nothing. No one knows this ruin even existed.
I agree completely. As far as anyone knows, Ylldra’s corpse is safely rotting in that coffin on the hill.
Speaking of which, was that really Ylldra? She seemed to fade away when you got close.

I’m not sure.
Yeah, hard to tell what happened given all that was going on, but I have a theory.
This might sound crazy, but it almost seemed like it absorbed something, the way a soul gem does.
Which means you could have Ylldra’s soul in your hand there.

I think something happened with this pendant.
The one we found in the cottage? That can’t be a coincidence.

The pendant seems to be filled, like a soul gem.
Does that mean you’re carrying around Saint Ylldra’s soul?
That’s uh…not information we should be sharing freely, with anyone.

Ugh, that complicates things, big time. But it’s still knowledge that doesn’t extend past the three of us.

True. It could be we’re overthinking the whole thing.

Exactly! At the end of the day, nothing happened to the village, so no one’s the wiser. They probably didn’t even notice we were gone.

 

(player sees ghosts walking about town )

Ghosts. I’ve been saying we’re the villains and nothing that has happened so far has convinced me otherwise.

(After Elder and townsfolk argue over why ghosts are in town, you visit the Elder’s house, and are told to drink from scrying pool to see the past, but needs a talisman)

Is there anything here that belonged to her?

(they realize pendant belonged to her, now the party has everything they need, meeting over)

I’m curious to see what happens when you drink from that pool. If you don’t keel over and die, I might join you.

(in cave where pool is)

This place has some bad vibes. I’ve got enough shivers up my spine to freeze a mammoth.

Those aren’t shivers. They’re obviously spiders.

Stop it, I’m already scared, I don’t need to be disgusted too.

(If clicked again)
This must be the pool. Unless it’s that dirty water behind it. But I’d try drinking from the pool first.

(player drinks, nothing seemingly happens)

I don’t feel anything. Do you?

Just sick, from drinking this moldy cave water.

Maybe we need to drink more.

You can drink more. I’m going to vomit all over the Elder’s shoes. Maybe then he’ll tell us how to get this thing working.

Well, as long as you don’t ask him about the magic words.

(Ylldi, while trying to leave, sees entrance has changed to a tree root tunnel)

Uh…something tells me we won’t be needing them.

What happened?

The entrance. It’s changed somehow.

(enter Hethena’s mind)

Where are we?

If my guess is right, still at the well.

So what, we’re like, dreaming?

Yeah. But it’s not our dream. It’s Elder Hethena’s.

Well, the way forward’s blocked again. Let’s see what’s behind door number one.

(Hello/player clicks on them)

After you.

(first memory)

Interesting that these memories still exist in some form. It’s as if they too have a ghost.

(second memory)

Whatever we find in that last memory, hopefully we wake up.

(watches vision)

Are you okay? It seems we all saw the same thing. Three memories, the last one in the inn.
But Ylldi and I woke up before you did. Was your vision any different?

In my vision the bard spoke to me.
That seems…unusual. What did he say?

He wants to meet at the top of the hill. Near Ylldra’s shrine.
He must’ve been talking to someone else. The events we saw happened decades ago.

He asked me to bring the pendant.
Hm. That seems to go beyond coincidence.

He looked me in the eye and responded to me.
Hm, that would definitely mean he could hear you.

The events you saw, maybe. I saw something else.
That’s possible. The vision we saw ended before yours.
But we don’t know if this bard is even still alive, let alone if he meant then or now.

I disagree. I think he wants to meet now. In this time.

How can you be sure?

Because it’s the same damn bard. The one that plays at the inn.

The bard at the inn? What’s his name?

I…I don’t know. But he’s got the same face. I recognized it immediately.

This seems strange. How can we not know the name of the village bard? There’s only a handful of people even in this village.

 

 

This whole thing makes me uneasy. If he met you back then, this bard’s been waiting a long time for this meeting. That’s a long time to plan a trap.

 

(Time is stopped, bard tells player he wants them to sacrifice Lycan or Ylldi to save the island)

Hey! Who are you? Where’d you come from?

(bard teleports out)

I’m not sure what happened just now. But it feels like something did happen.

It seems the bard is Nifram.
Nifram? Why does that name sound familiar?
Oh right, the sorcerer. I’m proud of myself for remembering.

Nothing happened. You’re imagining things. 
Yeah. Maybe I am. Maybe I just imagined that strange monk disappearing into nothing.
I guess I’ve got a healthy imagination.

Time froze. Nifram and I painted your face. It was fun.
I’m glad you can keep your sense of humor in a time like this.
As for Nifram, that name sounds familiar for some reason.

 

Well, what did he say?

He says I have to sacrifice someone to give the ghosts back their bodies.
Just as Ylldra did, I presume. Well, that makes things easy.

It doesn’t matter. I’m not taking his deal.
I thought you’d say as much. Still, I wouldn’t make any decisions just yet.

You should check on Ylldi. She might want to come with us.

What about you?
I’ll meet you at the house. But I’m going to stop by the scrying pool first. There’s something I need to see.

Check on Ylldi. I’ll meet you both at the house.

Scene

Lycan. I was wondering when you’d rear your ugly head.

Ylldi.

What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

It’s nothing.

Then let’s go! I’m ready to meet this bard and tell him what’s what.

What are your thoughts on this bard?

What are your thoughts on Nifram?
Given I saw him for less than a second, normally I’d say he didn’t leave much of an impression.
But given the history of this island, I’d say a second was enough.
Is it true that he loved Ylldra? That he still loves her? Strange how the stories never mention that.
But I suppose a villain isn’t painted with such a soft brush.

I’d say he loves her.
Admirable that he’s stuck with it for so long. I hope someday I can do the same.

He’s lying.
Maybe. But I’m not sure what the motive would be if he was.
Unless he thinks we actually have the authority to rewrite history. Because we don’t.

I think he just wants what’s best for the island.
Well, there’s a quote about good intentions. I’d repeat it, but I don’t want to ruin the surprise.

I don’t know.
I’m not sure it matters, I suppose. Villain or hero, that’s for others to decide. We just need to do what we think is right.

(reach portal)

What is that thing?

Looks like some kind of portal.

So what, we step in, and come out somewhere else? How do we know that doesn’t take us to the moon?

We don’t.

Well, I guess there’s only one question left then. Which moon.

(reach 2nd portal)

This doesn’t look like Masser or Secunda.

I’m just glad there’s ground under our feet. I half expected to be freefalling into Mojari’s shack. Where to next?

There’s another portal up ahead.

I’ve never seen anything like it. Do you think Nifram built all this?

Unlikely. It seems a lot of the ruins on this island predate Saint Ylldra.
But it does seem like he’s managed to make use of it.

Pretty impressive. If I had a portal, I’d just use it to dump my trash. But this one looks like it’s taking us to a much holier place.

(reach island)
This looks like a decent spot to take a break.

We don’t know anything about this place. There’s no guarantee it’s safe.

That’s never stopped me before.

Fair enough.

 

(to player)
What do you think? Should we stop, or keep moving?

Let’s rest up a bit.
Okay. We can talk more when you wake up.

We keep moving.
All right. But it might be smart to make camp here. It’ll give everyone time to rest. Up to you though.

 

Hey.

Hey yourself.
Hope you had a good nap.

That’s all you can say at a time like this? Hey?
Yeah, pretty much.

Ready to do this?
Yeah, I’m ready. Mentally and physically. Spiritually? Maybe.

But I suppose given the circumstances, I should say something more…substantial. So here goes.
I don’t have many people in my life. When you have a memory like mine, it’s hard to form relationships that matter.
But the good thing about it is, when I do remember a person, I know it’s more than just a fleeting impression.
They’re someone important.
I guess what I’m saying is, I’m glad to have met you. And I’m glad I’ll remember you. For all that’s worth.

I’ll remember you too.
Thank you. I feel better now that I’ve got that off my chest. Now let’s go finish this.

Stop it, you’re making me blush.
I apologize. I’ll try and be a bigger jerk next time. But yeah, I’m ready, so let’s go.

I’ll probably forget you in a day or so.
Ouch. Now that I know how it feels, I should really stop saying that to people. But yeah, I’m ready, so let’s go.

Wait, who are you again?
(this is a repeat line)

 

(reach temple, where player is asked to choose a companion to sacrifice to save the village, Lycan or Ylldi

Lycan offers himself up)

Wait. Before you make your decision, I’d like to say something.
I don’t have a lot of ties. No one would miss me if I’m gone.
That’s why I think you should sacrifice me.

 

That’s not true. I’d miss you.
I know. And truth is, if it were you making the sacrifice, there’s no way I’d allow it. I guess it’s just easier to play the hero.

Don’t say that. No one is sacrificing anyone.
I’m glad you feel that way. But I’m letting you know right now, I’m willing.

I was going to do that anyway.
Thank you. It’ll make things a lot easier if we’re all on the same page.

Thank you for doing this.
No problem. It’s the least I can do, given what’s at stake.

 

 

Stop it. There is no way I’m letting you do that. And why? What’s the point?

From what I understand, it would save the village.

Screw the village! It had its time. You still have yours.

Ylldi…

It doesn’t matter. It’s selfish, and not your choice to make.
So get those thoughts out of your head, right now!
If anyone’s going to shed blood, it’s him.

(after some dialogue with Ylldi, if Lycan sacrifice option chosen)

This isn’t fair. I’m not ready to say goodbye.

It’s all right Ylldi. We’ve already said goodbye once. Or have you forgot the time you broke my bow, and I said I’d never speak to you again?

Ha, you remember that?

I do. And I remember the months you spent trying to fix it.

I never did get the string right.

But you made our friendship right. You gave us more time than we ever had a right to. And I’m forever grateful.
Let me help the village, and give them the same.

Lycan…

I’m ready. What do you need from me?

All you need to do is touch the altar.

Understood.

(lycan gets attached to sacrificial pillar)

Wait, stop! You don’t need to do this!

I’m sorry, but it’s already done.

(in this ending, Lycan dies, becomes new Saint)

 

(alt ending: if battle option chosen, after big bad is dead)

Is it over? Tell me it’s over.

It’s over.

See, now I think you’re just saying that because I told you too.

You could always poke him to see if he gets up.

He’s an evil necromancer who can literally stop time. (to player) As the strongest one here, I think you should poke him.

(conversation, then another scene)

Thank you, by the way, for talking me out of that. The whole sacrificing myself thing.

It’s what I’ve been doing all my life, hasn’t it? Wasn’t going to stop now.

I’m worried though. What do you think this means for the village?

I haven’t thought about it, to be honest. I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

 

Scene 3 back on the island

It’s so quiet.

Too quiet.

Not funny, Lycan. Also, is it me, or is the fog gone?

Normally it’s you. But this seems to be an exception. Do you think this means we can leave the island?

Man, wouldn’t that be something. But I’m not getting my hopes up just yet. Let’s head to the docks and see.

(at docks)

All right! So Lycan, you ready to sail the Sea of Ghosts?

Don’t say ghosts.

Oh come on, if anything, you should be used to them by now. So put on your big boy tunic and let’s go.

Ylldi, wait.

What? What’s wrong?

There’s something you need to know. When we left Hjarskygge, I got some of my memory back.
Except there was one memory that kept alluding me.
So I went back to the scrying pool to find it. And even then part of me refused to believe it.
But now that we’re here, I know it’s true.

I don’t understand. What memory?

The day your mother left.
(steps away/pauses to gather himself)
It rained that night. So hard the village could barely hear you crying.
But I heard you. I ran to the shrine, picked you up and rushed you to the alchemist. But by the time I got there, you already had a fever.
They said a normal child wouldn’t have lasted the night.
Still, you hung on for another week. You had so much fight, even then.

Lycan, you’re scaring me.

What you didn’t know was that I was sick too. My heart was failing. The alchemist told me I needed a replacement.
In the end, they said they would give me yours.

Wait, are you saying I’m…

I didn’t know how to deal with the guilt. It wasn’t fair that my life was dependent on you dying.
So I wandered into the fog, and prayed to Ylldra to save you. But she didn’t really save you, did she. She just made me forget.
And so you died, and gave me your heart, so I could live.
Ylldi, I would do anything to swap places with you. But I can’t. So I guess what I’m saying is, it’s time to say goodbye.

Lycan, what’s happening…

I just want to say, thank you. Not just for saving my life, but for the time we had, even after death.
Goodbye my friend, we’ll meet again soon.

(ylldi fades into a ghost)

 

(to player)

I…I remember everything now. Ylldi died.
Everyone in the village had someone they lost. She was mine.

How could this be?
This island seems to be, in some ways, an illusion. We see what we want to see.
But the truth is, she’s gone. She always has been.

I can’t believe that just happened.
It’s hard to wrap your head around. But this island seems to be, in some ways, an illusion. We see what we want to see.

I suspected as much from the start.
It might be for the best you didn’t tell me. Even if I made the sacrifice, she would’ve been forced to stay here.
At least now, she has peace. Hopefully I won’t forget that. Or her.

Wait, Ylldi’s dead?
On this island, you can never be sure. But yes, I think so. Just like all the others.
Ylldi’s gone. She always has been.

Is there a way to bring her back?
I think part of me wanted to. That’s why I offered myself as a sacrifice. I wanted to make amends.
But she’s gone now. The only thing we can do now is remember her, and let go.

I won’t forget her.
I’m happy you got to know her. She really did think the world of you.

I’m sorry for your loss.
Our loss. She really did think the world of you.
And even had she got on that boat, and her world got bigger, I don’t think it would’ve compared.

I’m in shock. I need a moment to process what just happened.
I understand. It’s different for me. In a way, I’ve had decades to process it, and that’s softened the blow.
But even then it’s hard.

If she needs a heart, I have Ylldra’s.
Hm…I wonder if that would work. She died long ago, but…I’ve seen stranger things.
I’ll take the heart for now. Maybe there is a way to bring her back, but I’m inclined to let her rest.

 

What will you do now?
I don’t know if I’m ready to leave, just yet. I’m sure the town will have a memorial service of some kind.
But that’s never been my thing. I don’t think Ylldi would want one anyway.
How do you think we should honor her?

Honor her by seeing the world.
That was something she always dreamed of. I guess at some point, her dreams became mine.
I suppose it’s time to think about my own dreams, and what I should do next.

Build her a shrine.
Good idea. I might do that, although she’d probably hate the idea.
Still, it’s time I start making my own decisions, and think about what I want to do.

Do whatever you think is best.
True, best not to come to a rash decision.
While that’s probably something she would do, I need to be me.
That’s something I need to figure out, I think, now that she’s gone.

I’m sorry, I can’t right now. I can’t talk about her like she’s dead.
I understand. It’s probably best not to come to a rash decision anyway.

You could travel with me.
I’d like that. Someday. But I’d probably just follow you around, like I did with her.
It’s time I took my own path. And when that’s done, if your offer still stands, I’d be happy to be a minion again.
Maybe that’s how I’ll honor her. And you.

I wish you well, wherever life takes you.
And you as well. I don’t know where life will take me next, but I hope our paths cross again.
I’ve learned a lot just being around you. You’ve made me a better warrior, and hopefully, a better friend.
Thank you for being a friend to me. And to her.

Yeah, good luck with that.
Ha, I’ll take any luck I can get. Even the sarcastic kind.
Still, I’ve learned a lot from you, and not just how to make a snide remark. I would call you a friend, but you’d probably call that a lie.
So thank you for being a teacher to me. And to her.

 

Have a safe journey. You don’t want to wake up back here. Only dead people do that. I’d rather you not be one of them.

 

Hellos

Hm?
Yeah?
Need something, stranded?
What is it?
Goodbye.
All right then.
Farewell.
Safe travels.

By Ylldra’s wisdom.
May Ylldra watch over you.

 

Affinity Dialogue

There were a lot of Bosmer in Captain Rodore’s crew.
There were.

(alternate) So Ylldi tells me.

Would you ever consider joining them?
No. Their values don’t align with mine. Specifically, the flying off a mountain thing they so readily espouse.
I should probably thank whoever it was that swapped their child with one of Ylldra’s flock.

Is it possible you’re from there originally?
Me, personally? No. But it’s likely my ancestors share a common thread.

Swapped?
If you believe the legends, Ylldra swapped one of the village’s Stranded with a Bosmer child from the ark.
It was a way of brokering peace between the tribes.
That line of hostages supposedly leads to me. And look at me now. A hostage to this day.

You and me both.
I warned you, Ylldi can be quite persuasive. Next thing you know, you’re me. Too exhausted to say no.

You’re free to do your own thing.
I know. I’m also free to make my own ale. But buying a pint at the tavern seems like it’d be easier.

Being a hostage is not so bad. Ylldi keeps us fed, and our working days are done.
Does Ylldi feed you? I don’t even get a fork to hold the wrong way.

 

Affinity 2

By the way, I was wondering. If say, you find a way back to the mainland. It won’t be long before you forget this place.
And before we forget each other.

I won’t forget you or my time here.
Thanks. It’s important to me that you don’t.
Because while I may not remember my past, that doesn’t mean I don’t have one.
My past lives on in your mind, and others.

I promise to remember you if you’ll do the same.
I’ll do my best. Which is admittedly not very good, but hopefully you can make up for my deficit.

Don’t worry about it. We’re like ships passing in the night.
Yeah, but maybe these memories can find a spot on your crew.

I’ve forgotten you already. Who are you again?
I deserve that. Hopefully you’re just making a joke.

Why bring this up now?
With all this talk about life and death, I got to thinking about how fragile relationships really are.
I guess what I’m saying is, I enjoy your company.
I don’t want our friendship to be that. Fragile. I want it to be solid enough that I remember, even when you’re gone.

Don’t worry. We’re solid.
That’s good to know. I’ll do my best to keep it that way.

I’m glad you shared that with me.
No problem. And I realize this isn’t exactly the best time. But when is.

We have a working relationship. It’s not personal.
I understand. I forget a lot of things, including boundaries. I’ll work on that.

I want our relationship to be something more than friends.
I’d like that. Maybe when this is all over, we’ll have time to make it happen.

 

 

 

Generic Follower Commands
All right.
Understood.
Got it.
Lead on.
I’m right behind you.
I’m ready. Let’s go.
What do you need?
Name it.
No problem.
I’m on it.
Sure.
Mm-hm.
Okay.
Still need something?
I’ll be here.
I’ll keep an eye out.

I’ve got your back.
Sounds good.

Additional Idles
This mill’s seen better days. It’s not far from the village either. Just goes to show how spooked people are of crossing the river.

Something about this place feels…old. No, not old. Timeless.

Location

Can you hear those skulls talking?
I’m not sure how to answer that, so I won’t.

 

Combat Grunts – Doesn’t have to match text, just a handful of the various noises)
Attack Grunts (example: Hyah!, Hrrgh! Yeagh!)
Getting Hit (example: Ungh! Agh! Gah!)
Power Attack (example: Eyaaaargh!)