"Greetings to you, wanderer. Why have you come to our village?"
Tharsten Heart-Fang"Heart-Fang is the leader of our people. You will find him in the Greathall during most hours. He is the oldest of the Skaal people, and his prowess in battle is legendary. He is quick to anger and quick to judge, so take care with him."
restore the power of the Skaal"Heart-Fang wishes for you to do this, does he? Then I will assist you. There is a ritual that must be completed. On Solstheim, you will find six Standing Stones, each representing one of the six gifts of the All-Maker. At each of these Stones, a ritual must be completed . Once the Ritual of the Gifts is complete, the Oneness should be restored."
Oneness"There is a careful balance that lies in all things of this world. The animals, the trees, even the rocks and the winds. It is a harmony that the Skaal draw power from, by the grace of the All-Maker, He who gave us these gifts. When this balance is upset, our power is lessened."
Ritual of the Gifts"It would be too much for any not of the Skaal to remember. Here, take this. It will explain the rituals and guide you on your way. This book may be of some use to you as well. If you are to remain with the Skaal, you should understand our believes."
If approached again:
"You were to perform the Ritual of the Gifts. I hope your way has been easy."
Ritual of the Gifts"You may return to me once it is completed. I will aid you in any way I can. I see a light in you, Nerevarine (Player name). I believe you can be of value to our people. Good luck to you."
After completing the ritual:
"You were to perform the Ritual of the Gifts. I hope your way has been easy."
Ritual of the Gifts"I can tell that the Ritual is completed. The Oneness once again flows through the land. Can you hear it in the trees? Do you feel the humming of the living land? It is a good thing you have done here, Nerevarine (Player name)."
Oneness"There is a careful balance that lies in all things of this world. The animals, the trees, even the rocks and the winds. It is a harmony that the Skaal draw power from, by the grace of the All-Maker, He who gave us these gifts. When this balance is upset, our power is lessened."
"Ah...you've arrived. These are strange times, my friend. I am unsure what magic is being worked to cause such a disturbance on the lake, but you were sent here to prove your strength."
disturbance on the lake"Fire from water, flame through ice. Strange indeed. Heart-Fang believes that a Draugr Lord who lives beneath the lake is the source of this, but I am not certain. I fear that this could be a sign of the Bloodmoon Prophecy, though I pray to the All-Maker that this is no so."
draugr"Once, they were warriors much like the Skaal. Trapped and hungry on this island, they feasted on the flesh of their fallen comrades, which is a crime against nature. The All-Maker cursed them with undeath, forever doomed to walk the land in search of more of the flesh of man to consume."
Bloodmoon Prophecy"It is an ancient prophecy, one that I hope is but a myth. It tells of a time when the moon above will turn blood red, and the wolves that walk like men will walk the land. The prophecy tells of other signs that precede the Bloodmoon, but they are not all easily interpreted. Let us speak about this at anotehr time. For now, you are to prove your strength."
prove your strength"Heart-Fang has sent you here to show your strength, your ability to survive in the harshest of conditions. Beneath that lake there are a series of ice acaves. In one of those caves, you will find Aesliip, a Draugr Lord. Heart-Fang believes he is the one responsible for the disturbance in the lake."
Aesliip"From what I have read in the histories, Aesliip was once a powerful mage who delved in necromancy. As a result of these dark magics, he was made a draugr, but he retains much of his immense power. You are to kill this creature, and perhaps end this madness. Take care with this task, Nerevarine (Player name). This situation seems odd to me."
If approached again:
"What of Aesliip, my friend? You were sent to kill the powerful draugr and prove your strength to the Skaal."
Aesliip"You are to kill Aesliip, my friend. Beware, though."
After returning from Aesliip's lair:
"What of Aesliip, my friend? You were sent to kill the powerful draugr and prove your strength to the Skaal."
Aesliip"So he is defeated. It seems there was more to that creature than any of us had imagined. You have done well, Nerevarine (Player name). I, for one, would be proud to call you Skaal. Return now to the Skaal vilalge. I will meet you there in a while. There are matters I must attend to."
Aesliip"There is nothing more to say about the creature."
disturbance on the lake"The flame still burns, though Aesliip is dead. I am not surprised. There is more at work here than just the magic of one mage. There are greater things on the winds."
Bloodmoon Prophecy"I have no desire to speak loudly of this ancient legend. Who knows what the ancestors learned about the coming of the Bloodmoon. For now, let us watch and wait, and let the All-Maker protect us."
If approached again:
"Travel back to the Skaal village. I will meet you there soon. You have done well here."
"I've only just arrived, and to this horror. It is good you were here to protect these people."
protect these people"You have done well by the Skaal. My worst fears have been realized, Nerevarine (Player name). These creatures are werewolves, as you surely know. This is not a good omen for our village. And I have more troubling news. I have used my magic to detect any of the infection these beasts leave in their wake. You, my friend, have been infected."
been infected"The infection seems innocent enough. Some weakness, perhaps. Sometimes the effects are hardly noticeable. However, in three days' time, the victim will become a werewolf himself. It is a fate I would not wish upon my greatest foe. During these three days, though, a simple Cure Disease spell can stop the infection. I beg you to do this. Until then, I fear I cannot allow you to be a part of our community, perhaps infecting others. When you have been cured, I hope you will return to us again."
If approached again:
"I know you have been infected by these werewolves. Have you taken care of this problem?"
been infected"Please, my friend. Cure this disease. We of the Skaal wish you only good things."
After curing the disease:
"I know you have been infected by these werewolves. Have you taken care of this problem?"
been infected"Ahhhh...I no longer sense the infection in you. I am happy for you, and for the Skaal as well. You have proven to be a valuable member of this community you have been true to our people, and the Skaal name you Blodskaal, a blood friend to our people. You will be given a home here, Rigmor Halfhand's former residence, in which you may rest. Also, it has been decided that you will take part in the Ristaag, an important Skaal ceremony."
Rigmor Halfhand"It seems Rigmor has made a mistake. It is a shame to see so clever a man fall to such a level. There is no knowing what might drive a man to such a foolish action. I only hope that his spirit finds rest in this life or the next."
After becoming a werewolf:
"I sense the shadow of the beast is upon you, Nerevarine (Player name). The Skaal have nothing to say to you while you live with such a curse."
"Greetings, Blodskaal. You and I must speak of the Ristaag."
Ristaag"A ceremony of blessing and cleansing that we Skaal perform only very rarely. These are frightening times, my friend. There have been ominous portents, and they concern me. Heart-Fang is missing, and I fear that the All-Maker does not breathe freely on the Skaal this day. The ceremony must be completed, but first I will need you to retrieve the Totem of Clawn and Fang."
Totem of Clawn and Fang"It is a powerful artifact, very sacred to the Skaal people. It is used to call to us powerful beasts that are used in the Ristaag. It was stolen many years ago, and we of the Skaal were foolish enough to believe it would not again be needed. I have learned that it may be found in the Tombs of Skaalara, to the east and a bit south of here. Please, return the Totem."
Ristaag"The time has almost come. We perform the ceremony in order to please the All-Maker."
please the All-Maker"That is the purpose of the Ristaag, a ritual hunt we Skaal perform in times of great need. It is done to please the All-Maker, to show him our gratitude for the gifts he has given us."
After retrieving the Totem:
"You were to retrieve the Totem of Claw and Fang, a dangerous mission indeed. Have you been succesful?"
Totem of Claw and Fang"You have found the Totem! This is good news. Please, take this as a token of my thanks. I hope that your efforts have not left you too drained, as there is still much to be done. For your efforts, I will share with you some knowledge. The Skaal have the ability to summon wolves to fight by our sides. You, too, now possess this ability. The Ristaag must now be performed."
Ristaag"You have been of great service to the Skaal, and it seems right that you take part in the ceremony. Meet at nightfall with Rolf Long-Tooth, one of our Skaal hunters. You will find him by the western shores of Lake Fjalding. He will tell you more about the Ristaag and the part you will play in it."
If approached again:
"You were to assist in performing the Ristaag. Have you been successful?"
Ristaag"Speak with Rolf Long-Tooth at nightfall on the western shores of Lake Fjalding. He will tell you more about the Ristaag and the part you will play in it."
Upon completion of the Ristaag:
"You were to assist in performing the Ristaag. Have you been successful?"
Ristaag"You have completed the Ristaag, but you do not have the heart. Quickly, Nerevarine (Player name)...you must return the heart to me by daybreak!"
When returning with the heart:
"You were to assist in performing the Ristaag. Have you been successful?"
Ristaag"You have the heart! You have done well, as the Skaal have come to expect of you. Your efforts are not unappreciated. Allow me to teach you more of the Skaal magic. The ritual I teach you now will allow you to summon a bear to your side to aid you in battle. You have earned this, Blodskaal. Now, I fear we must speak more of the ominous signs that have appeared on the island."
Ristaag"The Ristaag is complete. The All-Maker will be pleased."
"Thanks to your help, the Ristaag is complete, yet there have been ominous signs reported on the island."
ominous signs"There have been many, though I've been reluctant to speak of them. The coming of the werewolves, the fire on the lake...and now I've been told that the northern shores are the scene of a massacre. Many horkers are dead. The shores are littered with corpses, and the death of the horkers has not been explained. All these things are suggested in the Bloodmoon Prophecy."
death of the horkers"We must find out what has happened. Perhaps this is a sign of prophecy, perhaps not. I prefer to think that it is the work of mortals. I would have you travel to Castle Karstaag, and confirm my suspicions."
Castle Karstaag"It is a castle made of ice on the northwest part of Solstheim. There lives the frost giant Karstaag. The Skaal have lived in peace with the monster for many years, but we have heard nothing from the giant for some time. This slaught could be the workings of the Rieklings who serve him. Go there and find out what you can. You will not be allowed in the main entrance, but we have recently discovered an entrance in the waters north of the castle. Good luck to you, Blodskaal."
Bloodmoon Prophecy"It is an ancient Skaal legend that tells of the time before time, when a demon god would walk the land. It is told there are signs that precede the Bloodmoon, and I fear that we have been witness to some of these signs. Perhaps we will speak more about this later, but I hope we will not have to. First, I would like you to investigate the death of the horkers."
If approached again:
"Have you learned more about the death of the horkers yet, or the involvement of Karstaag and his Riekling minions?"
death of the horkers"As I said, I would like you to visit Castle Karstaag to investigate this tragedy."
Castle Karstaag"You should visit the frost giant's castle and see if you can find any information o nthe death of the horkers. Enter through the underwater caves to the north of the castle."
When returning from Castle Karstaag:
"Have you learned more about the death of the horkers yet, or the involvement of Karstaag and his Riekling minions?"
death of the horkers"I feared as much. Even those creatures could not have caused such carnage. This is a bad sign, Nerevarine (Player name), and I fear we have not yet seen the worst. Take this. From what I hear of those grahl, it will be a valuable aid to you. Perhaps it will keep you safe during the troubled times ahead. Now, I fear we must speak more about the Bloodmoon Prophecy."
"Thanks to your help, the Ristaag is complete, yet there have been ominous signs reported on the island."
ominous signs"There are many, and I fear they relate to the Bloodmoon Prophecy."
Bloodmoon Prophecy"It is time we spoke of this. The legend tells of a time that occurs once in each era, when a demon god will walk the land in the company of his Hounds, creatures of terrible might. He is The Hunter, and his coming is preceded by three signs. I had prayed that I had misread the signs, misunderstood the prophecy, but I am sure it is not so."
three signs"The first tells of Fire From the Eye of Glass. This we have seen on Lake Fjalding, though I had hoped it was the mere magic of the draugr lord. Next, the prophecy tells us of the Tide of Woe. Even now, our shores are lined with the corpses of the horkers, dead for a reason we cannot fathom. Finally, the prophecy tells us of the Bloodmoon, when the young moon itself runs red with the blood of the Hunter's prey. Look to the skies, Blodskaal. The third sign is upon us. Now we wait for the Hunter's Game."
Hunter's Game"According to legend, it varies from era to era. Our Grandfathers' Grandfathers tell of a time when the Hunter and his Hounds preyed upon entire tribes of men. Taken to the Hunting Ground, the men were hunted by the Hounds. The ones that died were the lucky--the survivors faced the Hunter himself. In another era, the Hunter took only a single man as his Prey. It is said if the Prey can last through the Bloodmoon, the Hunter returns to his demon realm for another era. We have only to await the Hunter's plan."
Hunter's plan"There is little to be done until he lets it be known to us. Certainly it will not be long. I fear for our people, Blodskaal. There is little I can do to protect them in these times. I have only to pray to the All-Maker that he watches over us and keeps us from the Hunter's grasp."
If approached again:
"I fear the time of the Bloodmoon Prophecy is upon us. The Skaal must be constantly on guard."
Hunter's Game"It remains to be seen what the Game shall be. As always, it follows the Hunter's Plan, but there is no way for us to know what this will bring. Gather your strength, Blodskaal. It may be needed in the coming days."
Hunter's plan"We must wait and see. I only pray to the All-Maker that we are not all a part of this plan."
After finishing the Hunt:
"The Bloodmoon Prophecy is no more, and the Skaal live on. The time of Tharsten Heart-Fang is passed, but the Skaal will remember him as a once-great warrior who has fallen."
Bloodmoon Prophecy"The prophecy is ended. The werewolves dwindle in numbers, the fire in the lake is no more, and the horkers have begun to return to the island. You will be honored among the Skaal for the part you played in this, Nerevarine (Player name)."
Tharsten Heart-Fang"I have heard whispers on the wind of the fate of Heart-Fang. He had been tempted by dark magic and was corrupted by it. I can only hope that our next leader does not suffer the same fate. As for who that leader will be...only time will tell. You would be a good leader, I think, Nerevarine (Player name), but you are not Skaal-born. While you will be remembered with honor, you cannot leader. For now, I will guide the Skaal, until a time when the All-Maker lets it be known who will carry the mantle."
