- For other uses, see Prophet.
- "Hear me, o people of Cyrodiil! Look well upon the Chapel of Dibella. Look at the faces of the dead. This is your future. Evil has returned, and the Nine need a champion!"
- ―The Prophet[src]
The Prophet is an Imperial who arrives in Anvil after the Chapel of Dibella is attacked and everybody inside is killed. While the City Guard has no idea how the killers got in and out without being seen, the Prophet believes that they were the minions of Umaril the Unfeathered. The Prophet spends all day outside the chapel calling for a champion who can find and recover the Relics of the Crusader and stop Umaril.
Interactions
Pilgrimage
After the attack on the chapel, rumors will spread about the attack and the strange prophet who started speaking across from the temple. During the day, the Prophet can be found doing his sermon and at night can be found sleeping on a cot nearby. He is willing to give more information about the battle between Umaril the Unfeathered and Pelinal Whitestrake. Claiming that Umaril's spirit has returned and is seeking revenge on the Gods, he will explain that in order to stop him the "Eight and one" (the original Eight Divines and Talos "the ascended") need a champion who can gather their relics and fight the incoming doom.
If the Hero offers to take on the quest, he will have different responses based on how his question is answered:
I will quest for the relics: "You would quest for the holy panoply of Pelinal Whitestrake? The legendary Relics that have been sought by mighty warriors throughout the ages? Are you a worthy knight?"
- Yes, I am a worthy knight.
- "Then I'm sure you will have no trouble finding the Relics on your own. You clearly need no aid from man or god. Why do you come to me for aid, worthy knight?"
- Yes, I am the Hero of Kvatch
- "Well then, "Hail, Hero of Kvatch!" Let me add one more voice to the neverending chorus of praise. I'm sure one of your many devotees will able to guide you on your way to find the Crusader's Relics."
- Yes, I am the Champion of Cyrodiil
- "And never let anyone forget it, Champion! I salute you. This small matter of the Crusader's Relics should be a trifle for a legend such as yourself"
- Yes, I am the Fighter's Guildmaster
- "I apologize for even asking the question, most esteemed Master. Please, do not allow me to interrupt your quest for the Relics."
- Yes, I am the Archmage.
- "And a worthy successor to Hannibal Traven, I have no doubt. I'm sure your arcane arts will locate the lost Relics for you in no time."
- No. I serve Sithis
- "Indeed. And yet you would seek the holy Relics? The gods will find you an interesting plaything, I have no doubt."
- Not unless the Gray Fox is a knight
- "An honest thief? I'll leave it to the priests of Zenithar to debate that paradox with you."
- No. I have no claim to fame" (if the player has any infamy)
- "Let the gods be the judge of that. I cannot see into men's hearts. I see only their words and deeds."
- "No, I have no claim to fame" (if the player has no infamy but does have fame)
- "A humble heart is a good starting point. The gods will decide if you are worthy to seek the Relics."
- "No, I have no claim to fame" (if the player has neither infamy nor fame)
- "Perhaps, perhaps not. What men value is not always what the gods look for in a champion."
If told no, that they are not a worthy knight, he will grant permission to take the pilgrimage. He will give the Hero a Wayshrines Map and tell them he needs to pray at each of the wayshrines of the Divines.
The Blessing of Talos
After the Sword of the Crusader has been cleansed, and all the relics have been recovered, the Prophet will show up at the Priory of the Nine and start speaking to the Knights of the Nine. When the Divine crusader arrives the Prophet will bless them with the Blessing of Talos, and will explain that Pelinal failed to kill Umaril because Umaril's soul escaped into Oblivion where Pelinal could not reach him. With the blessing of Talos, the Crusader can follow Umaril and kill his soul and defeat him forever.
Anvil
The following is the full speech of the Prophet in Anvil.
- "Hear me, o people of Cyrodiil! Look well upon the Chapel of Dibella. Look at the faces of the dead. This is your future. Evil has returned, and the Nine need a champion! Is there no one who would stand for the Nine? Now Mara's children cry out from beyond the grave for vengeance! How many more must die at Umaril's hand? I AM CYRODIIL COME, he said, Old Reman, born from the earth that IS Al-Esh, and yet he would scorn this country now! Repent! I say again, REPENT! The blood of Dibella's slaughtered acolytes cries out for vengeance. Vengeance! Who will take up this holy crusade? Love and Mercy! Do you still think me mad? Who shall next fall to Umaril's bloody revenge? The Eight And One require a champion, a Divine Crusader reborn. Pelinal Whitestrake once struck down the enemies of man and god. Who will now reclaim his Relics and fight again for the true faith? There are loremasters among you, heads so heavy with learning that you cannot raise your eyes to the heavens to see the truth there written! Cut eight-wise he was, Pelinal the Blamer, champion of Men, and though dispersed he left us a warning! Heed it! Umaril is returned, as was foretold by the head of Pelinal to the Bull of Kyne in those days of old Cyrodiil. Who will walk the Pilgrim's Way, as did the questing knights of old? The blood tide rises! Will no one take up this holy crusade? Will no one walk the ancient Pilgrim's Way? Oh unhappy Tamriel! Where is your Divine Crusader, in these latter days of petty strife and lesser men? Umaril -- yes, your children know that name if you do not. The Dread Castellan of fearful legend. Did you think him a myth? Or dead? Have you not heard the Abadal-a [sic]? Spoke Peninal [sic]: "Beware, Morihaus, beware! With the foresight of death I know now that my foe yet lives, bitter knowledge to take to my grave..." "Better that I had died believing myself the victor. Although cast beyond the doors of night, he will return.""Be vigilant! I can no longer shield the host of Men from Umaril's retribution." Thus spake Pelinal in the hour of his death. The Unfeathered has come during the Breaking of Gates! His golden-wickedness will hold fast against all arms except those of his ancient foe, the Whitestrake! The gate, once open, cares not who passeth through. Our ancient enemy has returned, from the deeps of time, to exact his revenge upon the gods. The gods, the Eight Attendants of Saint Pelinal when he smote down Umaril the Unfeathered... Are there no ears to hear the warnings? Are there no eyes to witness the Wheel's breaking? The Eight and One favor only the righteous! And too few of you remain! The Thief has found the lock that he cannot break! The Warrior, the foe that cannot fall! The Wizard, an incantation that takes not to his tongue! Truly this is the Age of the Serpent and the Void that follows! The Guardians have fallen and no one remains to watch their charges, and all the heavens are now banquet for the Princes of Misrule! And Talos said to the Arctus, "Let us join as one to fortify this throne, this land, these people, each one glorious under heaven!" Would you not do the same, children of Cyrodiil? No, you would not! This is plain! You looked away when the fires flickered, and now act lost that they are gone! Only death remains for Tamriel! Death and oblivion! "That all the Interplay is one flea of assertion on a wolf of naught." It is by these heresies that you fall from grace! Shame on you, people of Cyrodiil, and more shame for the children that you give freely to the mouth of Destruction! The Al-Esh is near! Mother of the Empire! She weeps for fallen Cyrod and all her children that call it home for truly she is the mother to us all! Citizens, the Queen of Stars asks you: where is her issue? Where are the men who can walk in her steps? In whose blood has the dragon taken purchase? Alessia! Reman! Talos! They cry for blood akin to theirs to rekindle the dragonpact! Citizens, take to your knives! Are there no ears to hear the warnings? Are there no eyes to witness the Wheel's breaking? You pore over your dusty tomes of lore. You study ancient genealogies and bloodlines. Look you to blood for truth? There is truth in blood, but it is not the truth that you seek! The truth is written in the blood of the innocent, there in the Chapel of Love! Can you not read the ancient runes? "As oiobala Umarile, Ehlnada racuvar!" A curse and a threat to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear! Are there are any among you who still understand the ancient tongue? "By the eternal power of Umaril, the mortal gods shall be cast down." Who will match the deeds of Sir Amiel and his companions when they smote the Wyrm of Elenglynn to recover the Cuirass of the Crusader? Think on this -- what happened here is only the beginning."
- ―The Prophet[src]
Trivia
- The Blessing of Talos could be used as proof that Talos did become one of the Divines.
- The Prophet had dialogue about the Hero being the Grand Champion of the Arena, but was removed from the final game.
- After Umaril the Unfeathered has been defeated, the Prophet will leave and is never seen again.
- Due to some of his dialog and the fact that he gives the Blessing of Talos, it is speculated that he may be an Avatar of Talos, such as the one who also appeared in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.