General Dathieu was one of King Ranser's most trusted advisors during King Ranser's War. During his last stand, he was the one who slain him after he realized Ranser was going mad. The King, filled with anger after being betrayed by his general, returned as a vengeful skeleton and killed Dathieu for his "treason."
Interactions[]
A Traitor's Tale[]
Undead soldiers have haunted Traitor's Tor since King Ranser's War and the Vestige must assist a scholar in finding out why. The Vestige later speaks to the ghost of General Dathieu.
Dialogue[]
- A Traitor's Tale
"Lieutenant! Where in Oblivion have you been? Those damn sleep scrolls were useless against the brutes! The Orcs breached the walls, and we're down to just a few dozen men, including the King's Guard. I'm afraid it may be time to surrender."
- Do we have any other options? "King Ranser just wants us to keep fighting to the bitter end. Seems he wants to go out in a blaze of glory. Can't say I'm fond of that strategy, but the king's beyond reason. That damn mage he had gave him some fool notion he wants us to try."
- What is it that he wants us to do? "Before he vanished, Reezal-Jul told the king about this last ditch enchantment that would help us hold the tor. We're supposed to take these packets of magical powder and pour their contents into the braziers in each of the towers."
- What will that accomplish? "Kill the Orcs? I don't know. What I do know is that this is our last chance, and you're the only soldier I'd trust to even make the attempt. If it doesn't do anything, go up and tell the king. Maybe he'll realize it's time to surrender."
- All right. I have my orders then. "Go as fast as you can, Lieutenant. Until we've tried this, the king won't even talk about surrender. We have to get him to come around before it's too late."
- You think the king's gone mad? "I don't know what to think. There was a time when I would have followed King Ranser into Oblivion, but since Markwasten Moor, he hasn't been himself. It seems his hatred for Emeric has completely consumed him."
- All right. I have my orders then. "Go as fast as you can, Lieutenant. Until we've tried this, the king won't even talk about surrender. We have to get him to come around before it's too late."
- What will that accomplish? "Kill the Orcs? I don't know. What I do know is that this is our last chance, and you're the only soldier I'd trust to even make the attempt. If it doesn't do anything, go up and tell the king. Maybe he'll realize it's time to surrender."
- What is it that he wants us to do? "Before he vanished, Reezal-Jul told the king about this last ditch enchantment that would help us hold the tor. We're supposed to take these packets of magical powder and pour their contents into the braziers in each of the towers."
After having lit the braziers:
"You poured the packets into the braziers and nothing happened? That's it then. We have no choice but to surrender. Go tell the king. I'll be down here. Praying that he sees reason."
After speaking to the king:
"Well? Now that the foolish experiment with the braziers has failed, has the king come to see reason? Does he realize this fight cannot be won?"
- On the contrary. He plans to charge the Orcs' ranks. "Then he has truly gone mad. There's no reason to waste further lives defending this lost cause. The king will just have to be restrained. Have you seen Captain Taern? She and I should do this together."
- The king said he already sent orders to Captain Taern. "Damn it, and knowing her, she'll follow orders without question and get the King's Guard killed. You'll have to find Taern and convince her to stand down. If she refuses, look for that chest of sleep scrolls, and just use one to knock them all out."
- Are you going to confront the king? "Yes. It's actually probably best I go alone. At this point, I'll do whatever it takes. I'll give the king one last chance to listen to reason. But if he won't, then I'll just have to make him see things my way."
- All right. I'll go deal with the King's Guard.
- Are you going to confront the king? "Yes. It's actually probably best I go alone. At this point, I'll do whatever it takes. I'll give the king one last chance to listen to reason. But if he won't, then I'll just have to make him see things my way."
- The king said he already sent orders to Captain Taern. "Damn it, and knowing her, she'll follow orders without question and get the King's Guard killed. You'll have to find Taern and convince her to stand down. If she refuses, look for that chest of sleep scrolls, and just use one to knock them all out."
After Ranser is defeated:
"Over the years, I've questioned many times whether what I did was right. I wanted to save my soldiers' lives, but I only helped King Ranser spread his curse. Now, whether right or wrong, I am redeemed. The curse is lifted and the dead can rest."
- The undead are gone from the ruins? "Yes. They are at peace. Even King Ranser, I suppose. He was a wise and courageous king at one time, you know. I hope what happened here does not further damage his legacy. That is beyond my control, however. Goodbye, my friend, and thank you."
Conversations[]
- A Traitor's Tale
At the north tower of the past:
King Ranser: "Stop acting like a coward, Dathieu! I am your king and I will lead you to victory today."
General Dathieu: "Your Majesty, you've clearly lost your mind. I'm sorry, but you leave me no choice."
<Stabs Ranser> "It is done. No further lives need be thrown away today."
King Ranser: "Traitor! But your feeble betrayal won't stop Reezal-Jul's magic! We shall live forever, but not you. I curse you and will scatter your bones! Die, you treacherous dog!"
At the north tower, once Dathieu's skeleton is reassembled:
General Dathieu: "Ranser! You madman! It's time to finish this!" King Ranser: "I couldn't agree more. I'll shatter your bones this time, Dathieu."
Quotes[]
- "Think me Ranser, do you? No, I am not the mad king. I am his betrayer. Enter the past and hear my tale—a traitor's tale, it is." – Upon examining the skull
- "I am whole again! Meet me where I slayed the mad king. Perhaps I can finally end this horrid existence." – After returning all the bones
- "The mad king has fallen! Come, we need to talk." – After killing King Ranser
Appearances[]