Dringoth is a spirit living within the Skeleton of a Bosmer. He can be found in Bone Orchard, a large cemetery in the southern area of Grahtwood, Valenwood. He will request for the Vestige to help find and save his skeletal friends. This will then initiate a quest, Keeper of Bones.
Background[]
Dringoth was an Ehlnofey who inhabited Valenwood between the Dawn and Merethic Eras, alongside other Ehlnofey like Goradir and Olphras. Dringoth convinced the others to take refuge with the Bosmer during their journey, to which they agreed. The Bosmer, frightened by the ever-changing forms of the Ehlnofey, cursed them and broke their bodies apart while they were sleeping, preventing them from dying. For his foolishness, the other Ehlnofey exiled Dringoth to inhabit an Elvish skeleton and remain awake while they slept.
Interactions[]
Keeper of Bones[]
The Vestige will find a talking skull on the ground north of the Southpoint Wayshrine. Dringoth will say that Worm Cultists are creating undead in the Orchard. The Vestige will need to tie Dringoth's skull to their belt and find the rest of him scattered across the Orchard.
Dialogue[]
- Keeper of Bones
At the start of the quest:
"Wonderful! Thought I'd be yapping here for eternity. Blasted Wormies only have eyes for the empty ones. Very well, tie me to your belt and we can get started. No time to lose!"
- What are you talking about? And how can you talk? "How can you breathe? You just do, without thinking much about it. It's the same with me and talking, or Worm Cultists digging up old bones. Didn't ask if they belonged to anyone, did they? The Wormies just started making skeletons."
- The Worm Cult is creating undead here? "Yes! Pieces of me are all over the place. It's rather disconcerting! I'm probably not the first skeleton you've had to reassemble, and I doubt I'll be the last. But once I'm walking again, we can figure out what the Wormies want with the Bone Orchard. Deal?"
- All right. I'll get your bones back from the Worm Cult.
- The Worm Cult is creating undead here? "Yes! Pieces of me are all over the place. It's rather disconcerting! I'm probably not the first skeleton you've had to reassemble, and I doubt I'll be the last. But once I'm walking again, we can figure out what the Wormies want with the Bone Orchard. Deal?"
After finding all his bones:
"You have no idea how good this feels! To be whole again, and walk with my own two legs. To have legs at all!"
- What's next? "Next? Oh, you mean the Wormies! Can't leave them here, digging up bones that dig up bones."
- Do you know why they're digging? "No idea! That's why we'll need to investigate, yes? That's the thing for us, investigations all around! Their biggest dig site is nearby. Hard to miss it, really! Unless you're one to miss a hole in the ground."
- All right, let's go. "Charging off like Fildenir Blood-Drunk, eh? Don't expect me to lend a hand. Perhaps a rib will do? Point it at any Wormie skeleton and I'll have it fighting at your side! No, it's no trouble, you can thank me later. Onward to the dig site!"
- Do you know why they're digging? "No idea! That's why we'll need to investigate, yes? That's the thing for us, investigations all around! Their biggest dig site is nearby. Hard to miss it, really! Unless you're one to miss a hole in the ground."
After he speaks with Goradir:
"The Wormies must be here for what's under the Barrowbough. With enough of the little skeletons, they'll be able to dig up the big ones. I knew I shouldn't have said anything to that Ethruin fellow."
- Who? What did you tell him? "The Wormie leader. Told him he'd have no use for the big bones in the ground with the Barrowbough to keep them sleeping. But if he digs up the Barrowbough's roots, he'll kill it. Then he can build giant Wormie skeletons to stomp around."
- How can we stop him? "There are others like Goradir sleeping beneath the Barrowbough. If they knew what the Wormies wanted, they'd help! But we can't get there without Spinner Amariel's help, and she's not too happy with me."
- Where can we find Spinner Amariel? "She's up on the ridge overlooking the Bone Orchard. Maybe I shouldn't go with you? No, that's silly, I'm sure she'll be happy to see me! But just to be prudent, I'll let you do the talking."
- What's the Barrowbough? "You didn't notice it? The enormous tree in the middle of the Bone Orchard? Nobody takes a moment to look up these days. All this beauty directly above you and you're staring straight at the dirt. Typical."
- How can we stop him? "There are others like Goradir sleeping beneath the Barrowbough. If they knew what the Wormies wanted, they'd help! But we can't get there without Spinner Amariel's help, and she's not too happy with me."
After defeating the worm cult, if he was exiled:
"Can't say I'll miss throwing back wave after wave of Wormies and their bony minions. But now I have a chance to see the world! Meet new and interesting people! Only now I won't accidentally smash everything in my path. Rather embarrassing, that."
- What will you do now? "See the world, I expect. Folks may not take kindly to chattering Elf bones, but it's better than stomping everything to jelly, eh? "
After defeating the worm cult, if Olphras was persuaded:
"Quite the brawl, eh? If that doesn't strike terror into the heart of the Wormies, I don't know what will!"
- What's next? "We've taken them down a notch! The more bones they send us, the more we'll have to fight them. Bet the Wormies never thought they'd be on the other end of it, eh?"
After completing the quest, if Olphras was persuaded:
"Suppose you'll be moving on, then. You should come visit, tell us tales of your travels. We're a lot alike, you and I!"
- What will you do now? "Oh, kick around here, I expect. Catch up with old friends. Scare a pilgrim or two. All this dirt … it's rather dull, isn't it? The Wormies were the most exciting thing in ages!"
- You miss them? "No! No, no, no … well, a bit, in that impending doom sort of way. The Wormies mixed things up! Even got old Olphras kicking around again. And I met you, so it wasn't all bad. I should really send them a letter."
- A letter? To the Worm Cult? ""Dear Wormies! Thanks for the excitement. Sorry about that Ethruin fellow, but he was a bit of a bastard, wasn't he? Perhaps we should catch up over some deathbell tea. Signed, Dringoth." Do you think they'll write back?"
- I can't say for certain. "That seals it, then! Now to find some vellum … hot wax … a quill, definitely a quill. I saw some ink up in Spinner Amariel's cave. She'll let me borrow some, I'm sure of it!"
- A letter? To the Worm Cult? ""Dear Wormies! Thanks for the excitement. Sorry about that Ethruin fellow, but he was a bit of a bastard, wasn't he? Perhaps we should catch up over some deathbell tea. Signed, Dringoth." Do you think they'll write back?"
- You miss them? "No! No, no, no … well, a bit, in that impending doom sort of way. The Wormies mixed things up! Even got old Olphras kicking around again. And I met you, so it wasn't all bad. I should really send them a letter."
Conversations[]
At the dig site:
Dringoth: "Goradir! Goradir, what have they done? Goradir: "What does it look like? They dug up my barrow!" Dringoth: "What? Why?" Goradir: "Wouldn't stop asking about the roots." Dringoth: "The roots? Why would they care about the …. Oh no." Goradir: "Told them they were asking for trouble, but did they listen? Went right to the Barrowbough. Idiots." Dringoth: "Hey, friend! Listen, we have a problem."
At Spinner Amariel's residence:
Dringoth: "Spinner Amariel! We need your help. It's an emergency!" Spinner Amariel: "Dringoth! Who put you back together? Are you to blame for these Worm Cultists?" Dringoth: "Not at all! Well, not exactly. I'll let my friend fill you in."
At the entrance to the Heart of the Barrowbough:
Nirenan: "Who disturbs the Heart of the Barrowbough?" Dringoth: "Nirenan, enough with the theatrics. You need to let us in!" Nirenan: "Dringoth? What are you doing here? Who is with you? And why are there intruders in the roots of the Barrowbough? Dringoth, what have you done?" Dringoth: "Nothing! I'm trying to help!" Nirenan: "Once again you bring us suffering. Banishment is too good for you, this time."
Upon reaching Olphras:
Olphras: "Dringoth! You were banished, yet you dare return?" Dringoth: "Olphras, listen to me! We're in danger. Necromancers are trying to kill the Barrowbough!" Olphras: "You warn of danger. Dringoth, who leveled nations with his girth! Your restlessness trapped us here in the first place!" Dringoth: "There are a vast number of Elf bones in the Bone Orchard. If we all use them together, we can drive out the invader!" Olphras: "Together? Since when have you done anything that wasn't for yourself? Once more you bring danger upon us, then beg for our help to end it. No longer! You'll remain beneath the Barrowbough until the world forgets you!" Dringoth: "Olphras, wait!"
Quotes[]
| Quote | Condition |
|---|---|
| "Ah, quite the view from up here. I meant the landscape—don't get any ideas." | When one puts him on their belt |
| "Alright, let's find the rest of me. Try searching the Wormie Camp, knocking some skeletons around until I get sought out." | Arriving at the Worm Cult Camp |
| "Hahaha! That tickles." | When looting skeletons |
| "Look at all the dirt on my bones! I used to bathe weekly to keep myself presentable." | |
| "My pelvis is filthy! What did these Wormies do—use it as shovel?" | |
| "Efficient little nitwits. Could be a part of me in every skeleton here!" | |
| "That was my femur! Wait, no, my femur bends to the left. Carry on!" | |
| "Ah, that's the last one. Quickly, now! Drop my pieces on the ground and I'll put myself back together." | Upon finding all his bones |
| "They're already inside. If we're lucky, they haven't made it to the heart of the Barrowbough." | Upon entering the Barrowbough |