Baurus is a Redguard knight in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and was the youngest member of the Blades during the last years of the Third Era. He was a key figure in the Oblivion Crisis and a member of the guard set to protect to Uriel Septim VII in 3E 433 during the assassination of the Septim family. Though he failed to prevent the Emperor's death, Baurus would later gain a chance to rectify his failure when Uriel's last surviving heir, Martin Septim, was discovered. Working with the eponymous Hero of Kvatch, Baurus would uncover the identity of the Order of the Mythic Dawn, and would fight alongside Martin and the Hero during the Battle of Bruma as well as the Battle of the Imperial City.
Background[]
Early life[]
Baurus' origins are unknown. At some point, he joined the Blades, the Emperor's personal bodyguards. He was trained at Cloud Ruler Temple, the fortress of the Blades, a place he came to know as home. In the later days of his service, he was appointed to the personal guard of Emperor Uriel Septim VII.
Uriel Septim VII's death[]
- "We're the Emperor's bodyguards. Our job is to get him out of situations like this. Although I admit, things are not going according to plan."
- ―Baurus[src]
In 3E 433, the Order of the Mythic Dawn began their assassination campaign on the royal family, a beginning to their plans to allow the Daedra to invade Tamriel. After the deaths of the emperor's three sons, it was decided that Uriel should be placed under the immediate protection of the Blades. Baurus was a part of the group that would spirit the emperor away from the Imperial City, along with fellow Blade Glenroy and led by Captain Renault. They were to take a secret escape route through the Imperial Prison and out of the City and lead the emperor to Cloud Ruler Temple.
In the prison, the group encountered their first obstacle, but far from their greatest. The cell that housed the escape route was not empty, as it was supposed to be, but occupied by a prisoner. Renault and Glenroy deftly pushed the prisoner aside, but the emperor, having foreseen the events to come, recognized the prisoner as a key figure and bade him to accompany the group. As they proceeded, Baurus showed a trace more sympathy to the prisoner than his Blades counterparts, but remained detached from the individual's fate.
The attempt at secretly orchestrating the emperor's escape had failed, though. In the passage, they were ambushed by Mythic Dawn assassins in a series of skirmishes, during which Captain Renault was killed and Glenroy took point. For a time they were split from the prisoner, but when he appeared again, the emperor, in a clear expression of trust, ordered that he not be killed, despite Glenroy's belief that the prisoner might be an assassin. In light of this, Baurus was lighter and more open with the prisoner.
The group proceeded into the Sanctum, which housed the route to the sewers and escape. There, they were trapped and ambushed once again by the Mythic Dawn. Leaving the emperor under the prisoner's protection, Baurus and Glenroy went to fight off the assassins. Glenroy and Baurus succeeded in killing off the would-be killers (however, sometimes Glenroy may also be killed). But it amounted to little; as the Blades had been occupied fighting off the Mythic Dawn, an assassin had entered through a secret way and killed the emperor before the prisoner could prevent it.
Baurus, examining the Emperor's body.
Baurus, upon seeing the Emperor's dead body, was devastated. He swiftly noticed, however, that the Amulet of Kings was not present on Uriel's body. The prisoner, possessing the Amulet, explained that the emperor had given it to him, and told him to take it to Jauffre and find the remaining heir. If Baurus was skeptical of this, he did not show it, placing faith in the trust the emperor had shown in the prisoner. Baurus promptly informed the prisoner where to find Jauffre, the Grandmaster of the Blades, and gave the prisoner the key to leave the sewers. Baurus himself stayed behind to guard the emperor's body and the prisoner's route.
The Mythic Dawn[]
- "The assassins who killed the Emperor were part of a daedric cult known as the Mythic Dawn. Apparently worship the Daedra Lord Mehrunes Dagon. I've been tracking their agents in the Imperial City. I guess they noticed."
- ―Baurus[src]
Baurus presumably met with the Imperial Watch following the emperor's murder, leaving the cleanup in the Sanctum to them. Baurus immediately began tracking down leads on the assassins, succeeding where the Watch failed in discovering the identity of the Mythic Dawn cult. After he relayed this information to Cloud Ruler Temple, Baurus was sent assistance in his hunt—none other than the prisoner. Following the events in the prison, the prisoner had delivered the Amulet to Jauffre and found the emperor's illegitimate heir, Martin Septim. Shortly after the Battle of Kvatch, the official start of the Oblivion Crisis, the Hero met Baurus at Luther Broad's Boarding House in the Imperial City. By this time, the Mythic Dawn had realized Baurus was tracking them, and had in turn set their own agent, Astav Wirich, to track him.
Upon the Hero's arrival, Baurus, knowing that Wirich would follow, ordered the Hero to trail them both into the basement of Luther Broad's. The Hero did so, and the two of them summarily defeated Wirich. The Hero then informed Baurus of all that had taken place prior to their meeting, including the loss of the Amulet of Kings to the Mythic Dawn. Though Baurus was worried by this news, he was overjoyed to hear that Martin was alive, swearing to bring him to the throne. From the body of the Dawn agent, they recovered the first book of the Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes, the secret writings of the cult. Baurus recognized this as a lead, and informed the Hero that a scholar at the Arcane University, Tar-Meena, would be able to shed more light on the Daedric cult.
Baurus attends the meeting with "the Sponsor."
The Hero went on to investigate, while Baurus returned to Luther Broad's. A short while later, the Hero returned, now in possession of two more volumes of the Commentaries, as well as a way to obtain the fourth and final volume in a meeting with a Mythic Dawn recruiter. Baurus, who knew the route through the sewers to the meeting place, led the Hero there. The two of them together took on Mythic Dawn lieutenant, Raven Camoran, and two agents in a quick skirmish, killing all three and recovering the final book. After this, Baurus left the Hero to continue the investigation into the Mythic Dawn's location, while he himself returned to Cloud Ruler Temple.
Guarding Martin[]
Upon returning to the Temple, Baurus immediately took up a post as Martin Septim's personal bodyguard, never leaving the heir's side. Feeling remorse for having let Uriel Septim die under his watch, Baurus dedicated himself to keeping Martin alive. He would be present for all the meetings between Martin and the Hero, who eventually returned to Cloud Ruler after having successfully raided the Mythic Dawn's secret shrine to their Daedra Lord, Mehrunes Dagon, whose Daedra were now attacking all of Tamriel due to the Dawn's emptying of the Imperial throne. The Hero failed to recover the Amulet of Kings, which was taken by Mythic Dawn leader Mankar Camoran, but did retrieve the Mysterium Xarxes itself, which would allow Martin to open a portal to Camoran's otherworldly Paradise.
In gratitude for the Hero's aid in the Imperial City, Baurus taught the Hero a series of Blades fighting techniques during their time at Cloud Ruler Temple. Over time, the Hero was successful in recovering all the items necessary for Martin's Paradise ritual. The final item however, a Great Sigil Stone, required a major risk—the opening of a Great Oblivion Gate near the city of Bruma. The Mythic Dawn were already planning to open the Gate, and Martin himself was to lead the Defense of Bruma. Though both Jauffre and the Hero argued against this, Martin was firm in his determination, and thus so was Baurus in his resolve to protect the soon-to-be-emperor.
Fighting in the crisis[]
- "Come on! We have to protect Martin until he can light the Dragonfires in the Temple!"
- ―Baurus[src]
Baurus accompanied Martin, Jauffre, and the Hero to the War Council with Bruma Countess Narina Carvain, where the final plans were laid for the battle. Then Baurus, Martin, Jauffre, the Hero, and Guard Captain Burd led the army the Hero had assembled to the battlefield, where the first of the preliminary Oblivion Gates was already open. Baurus and Jauffre took up positions higher up on the dip, and Baurus watched as Martin gave a stirring speech to the assembled forces of Cyrodiil; then the first of the Daedra emerged from the Gate and the fight was on.
Baurus with Martin in the Great Chapel of Talos.
The Second Battle of Bruma was one of the largest conflicts of the Oblivion Crisis. Baurus, for his part, was one of the most impassioned fighters, slaying Daedra with a great ferocity, yet never straying too far from Martin. When the Great Gate at last opened, the Hero charged inside, intent upon reaching the Sigil Stone before the Daedric Siege Crawler could emerge to destroy Bruma, as it had Kvatch. Baurus and the others held the line while the Hero traversed the plane of Oblivion and breached the Daedric defenses, recovering the Stone and destroying the Great Gate, as well as the Siege Crawler, winning the battle.
Baurus returned to Cloud Ruler Temple along with Martin and Jauffre, and was present to see Martin open the portal to Camoran's Paradise and to watch the Hero enter that realm; Baurus felt a bit of resentment that he could not be there as well, bringing about the end of the Mythic Dawn. While the Hero fought Mankar Camoran at the seat of his power, Martin sent Baurus to the Imperial City to inform High Chancellor Ocato of events, as well as Martin's claim to the throne. Baurus met up with Martin, Jauffre, and the Hero when they arrived in the City, once again bearing the Amulet of Kings. Baurus remained outside the Palace as Martin met with Ocato, and thus he was one of the first to encounter the Daedra as they launched their assault on the Imperial City, one final gambit to stop Martin from ascending to the throne and lighting the mystical Dragonfires, sealing the Gates of Oblivion.
Baurus fought to keep Martin alive during the Battle of the Imperial City, going with him from the Palace District to the Temple District, where the Imperial forces came in contact with their greatest foe to date—Mehrunes Dagon himself. The Daedric Prince of Destruction's appearance was an indication that the barriers between Tamriel and Oblivion were now entirely gone, and that lighting the Dragonfires would do nothing now. Martin and the Hero pressed on anyway, and Baurus watched as they entered the Temple of the One—and marveled as, moments later, a vast flaming dragon burst from the Temple to battle Dagon one-on-one. In that great duel, the Daedra Lord was defeated and cast back into Oblivion, ending the Oblivion Crisis; the great dragon turned to stone. Shortly after this, Baurus learned that the dragon had been Martin, giving his life to stop Dagon and the Daedra.
After the Crisis[]
- "Martin couldn't have done it without you. I count you among the greatest heroes of the Blades. To think we'd end up here, after such a beginning! Sending an escaped prisoner off with the Amulet of Kings... But I never doubted you, my friend. Emperor Uriel, he had the vision of the Dragonborn. He saw something in you. And he was right."
- ―Baurus[src]
Baurus, although Martin had died, was glad to have served him, calling him one of the greatest emperors the Blades had ever protected. Baurus also paid tribute to the Hero of Kvatch, who had witnessed firsthand the duel between the two titans, and who was now to be proclaimed the Champion of Cyrodiil due to their service as Martin's own champion. Baurus congratulated the Hero, marveling at how their adventure had started with sending an escapee off with the Amulet of Kings. After the battle, Baurus returned to Cloud Ruler Temple. His fate following these events is unknown.
Personality[]
- "What I know is that he sacrificed himself to save us all. As a Blade, I'm proud to have served such a master, if only for a short while."
- ―Baurus on Martin Septim after his sacrifice[src]
Baurus was an extremely loyal Blade, serving the Emperors with a fierce dedication. The death of Uriel was a severe blow to him, and he felt greatly that he had failed in his duty, in some ways blaming himself alone. He saw Martin as a chance to redeem himself, and thus swore to protect Martin at all costs. In that time, Baurus came to regard Martin even more highly than he had the man's father. Where he had expressed immense sorrow at Uriel's passing, he was joyous after Martin's, feeling honored to have served so great a master.
Due to their role in the Emperor's death, Baurus had a deep-seated hatred of the Mythic Dawn. He expressed satisfaction at any misfortune that befell them. While he never shirked his duty, Baurus did express regret at not being able to pursue them along with the Hero, and he congratulated the Hero after Mankar Camoran's death, saying that he wished he could have been there as well. In terms of the Hero, Baurus felt a great friendship with them, teaching them fighting moves as well as expressing honor to have fought beside them. By the end of the Oblivion Crisis, the two were extremely comfortable with each other, and astonished at how their relationship had begun.
Baurus was a skilled Blade, both with his Akaviri Katana and, to some degree, magic, as he often employed a healing spell in battle.
Interactions[]
Tutorial[]
Baurus is among the Blades escorting Uriel Septim VII and will instruct the Hero of Kvatch not to follow them after encountering the first group assassins. When the Hero regroups with the Emperor and his Blades, Baurus will give them a torch if they do not have one equipped.
Deliver the Amulet[]
After the Emperor is assassinated, Baurus will instruct the Hero to leave the sewers and make for Weynon Priory with the Amulet of Kings while he guards the Emperor's body and ensures they are not followed.
The Path of Dawn[]
Baurus assists the Hero in tracking down leads on the Mythic Dawn, directing them to Tar Meena and the Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes. After retriving the third volume, Baurus accompanies the Hero into the sewers to attend a meeting with "the Sponsor." During the meeting and at all points after, it is possible for Baurus to die. If he survives, he will return to Cloud Ruler Temple to guard Martin Septim.
Defense of Bruma[]
Baurus will accompany Martin to Bruma and then to the battlefield where he will fight against the Daedra. Due to the many enemies present, Baurus can easily die before or during the assault on the Great Gate. If he survived, he will return to Cloud Ruler Temple to resume guarding Martin.
Light the Dragonfires[]
If Baurus is alive, he will be present in Green Emperor Way before the Imperial Palace, having informed the Elder Council of Marin's impending arrival. When Martin arrives, Baurus will greet him and remain outside the Palace. As the attack against the city begins, Baurus will be among the guards fighting the Daedra outside. He he then will accompany Martin to the Temple District and fight against the Daedra there. If Baurus survived, he will return to Cloud Ruler Temple.
Dialogue[]
| Show: Tutorial |
|---|
| In the Imperial Prison:
"You may as well make yourself useful. Here, carry this torch and stick close."
"Stick close and let us do our job, and you'll be all right." After the death of the Emperor: "We've failed. I've... failed. The Blades are sworn to protect the Emperor, and now he and all his heirs are dead. The Amulet, where's the Amulet of Kings? It wasn't on the Emperor's body."
After picking a class: "I thought so. A few (If a similar class is picked: "I wasn't far off. In any case,") rats and goblins won't give you any trouble."
If Renault's Akaviri Katana is recovered: "By the way, thanks for recovering Captain Renault's sword. I'll see that it is given a place of honor in the halls of the Blades." If Glenroy's Akaviri Katana is recovered: "By the way, thanks for recovering Glenroy's sword. I'll see that it is given a place of honor in the halls of the Blades." If both Akaviri Katanas are recovered: "By the way, thanks for recovering my comrades' swords. I'll see that they are given a place of honor in the halls of the Blades." If approached again: "You need to get out of here. There's no telling who will come first, the Blades or more assassins."
"Be seeing you." When trying to search the Emperor's body: "Leave the Emperor in peace." |
| Show: The Path of Dawn |
|---|
| Inside Luther Broad's Boarding House:
"Sit down. Don't say anything. Just do what I say." When sitting down: "Listen. I'm going to get up in a minute and walk out of here. That guy in the corner behind me will follow me. You follow him."
If approached after Baurus stands up: "I told you to stay back and keep an eye on the guy who was watching me." After killing Astav Wirich: "Search his body. I'll keep an eye out, in case any of his friends are nearby." Upon obtaining the Mythic Dawn Commentaries 1: "Good work. I am glad to see you, by the way. You just caught me at a bad time."
"I hope you learn something from Tar-Meena about that book. This might just be the break we need." If Baurus was told about the Amulet and Martin prior:
If approached again: "Aren't you supposed to be going to see Tar-Meena? I have plenty of leads of my own to track down, don't worry." After obtaining Volume Three of the Commentaries: "You're not easy to get a hold of. What have you found out?"
"Follow me. I know how to get to the part of the sewers where we need to meet the Sponsor." If approached again: "I know the part of the sewers you were talking about. Follow me, I'll show you." When arriving at the right part of the sewers: "Alright. The room with the table is just through this door. I always wondered who put it there. I happen to know that if you go up the stairs there, you can get a vantage point on the meeting room. I think I'd better be the one to handle the meeting. You'll be my backup. Keep watch from above in case of trouble."
"Make it quick. The longer we spend down here, the more chance we have of being discovered." If told the Hero if was not ready yet: "So here's the plan. I'll meet with the Sponsor, while you cover me from the upper gallery. What do you think?"
After defeating Raven Camoran and the Mythic Dawn Guards: "That's three more that won't be reporting back to their Master." After picking up the Fourth book: "Now that you have all four books, you should be able to handle things from here. I'm going to Cloud Ruler Temple. My place is at Martin's side." When approached at Cloud Ruler Temple: "I never had time to properly thank you for your help back in the Imperial City. I wouldn't have made it back here if it weren't for you. Now that we have a free moment, I thought you might be able to use some tricks I've picked up fighting with the Blades over the years. Nobody who hasn't trained with the Blades will know these moves, so you should find them useful. See, when they swing at your sidearm, you twist your wrist like this... exactly! You're a natural at this. Let me show you another one..."
|
| Show: Light the Dragonfires |
|---|
| Outside the Imperial Palace:
"Good to see you again. I told Martin that Mankar Camoran was no match for you."
After speaking to Ocato: "Come on! We have to protect Martin until he can light the Dragonfires in the Temple!" After Dagon is defeated: "Martin couldn't have done it without you. I count you among the greatest heroes of the Blades. To think we'd end up here, after such a beginning! Sending an escaped prisoner off with the Amulet of Kings... But I never doubted you, my friend. Emperor Uriel, he had the vision of the Dragonborn. He saw something in you. And he was right."
|
Conversations[]
- Tutorial
Renault: "Baurus! Lock that door behind us!" Baurus: "Yessir." Uriel Septim: "My sons... they're dead, aren't they?" Renault: "We don't know that, Sire. The messenger only said they were attacked." Uriel Septim: "No, they're dead. I know it." Renault: "My job right now is to get you to safety." Uriel Septim: "I know this place ... The prison?" Renault: "What's this prisoner doing here? This cell is supposed to be off-limits." Glenroy: "Usual mix-up with the Watch, I ..." Renault: "Never mind, get that gate open. Stand back, prisoner. We won't hesitate to kill you if you get in our way." Glenroy: "You! Prisoner! Stand aside! Over by the window. Stay out of the way, and you won't get hurt."
After moving to the window:
Baurus: "No sign of pursuit, sir." Renault: "Good, let's go. We're not out of this yet." Glenroy: "Stay put, prisoner." Uriel Septim: "You (To the Hero of Kvatch)... I've seen you..."
After talking to the Emperor:
Renault: "Please, sire, we must keep moving. Better not close this one. There's no way to open it from the other side." Baurus: "Looks like this is your (To the Hero of Kvatch) lucky day. Just stay out of our way."
While going through the ruins:
Renault: "Close up left! Protect the Emperor!" Glenroy: "The captain's down!"
After the fight:
Baurus: "Are you all right, sire? We're clear, for now." Uriel Septim: "Captain Renault?" Baurus: "She's dead. I'm sorry, sire, but we have to keep moving." Glenroy: "How could they be waiting for us here?" Baurus: "Don't know. But it's too late to go back now. Don't worry, sire, we will get you out of here." Glenroy: "They won't be the first to underestimate the Blades. I'll take point. let's move." Baurus: "You stay here, prisoner. Don't try to follow us."
When the Hero finds the Emperor again:
Glenroy: "We should find a defensible spot and protect the Emperor until help arrives." Baurus: "Help? What makes you help will get here before more of those bastards? We need to get the Emperor out of here." Glenroy: "Here they come again!"
After the fight:
Baurus: "I think that was all of them. Let me take a look around." Uriel Septim: "Have you seen the prisoner?" Glenroy: "Do you think he followed us? How could he?"
After Baurus walked around the room:
Glenroy: "Sire, we have to go now." Uriel Septim: "Not yet. Let me rest a moment longer." Glenroy: "Your Majesty, we need to keep moving." Uriel Septim: "Not yet. Let me rest a moment longer." Glenroy: "Please, sire. We can't stay here. We have to go." Uriel Septim: "Not yet. Let me rest a moment longer."
When the Hero appears:
Glenroy: "Dammit, it's that prisoner again! Kill him, he might be working with the assassins." Uriel Septim: "No. He is not one of them. He can help us. He must help us." Glenroy: "As you wish, sire." Uriel Septim: "Come closer, I'd prefer not to have to shout."
After entering The Sanctum:
Glenroy: "Hold up. I don't like this, let me take a look." Glenroy: "Looks clear, come on, we're almost through to the sewers."
When arriving at the gate:
Glenroy: "Dammit! The gate is barred from the other side! A trap!" Baurus: "What about that side passage back there?" Glenroy: "Worth a try. let's go!"
At the side passage:
Baurus: "It's a dead end. What's your call, sir?" Glenroy: "I don't know. I don't see any good options here."
When the first gate closes:
Glenroy: "They're behind us! Wait here, sire." Baurus: "Wait here with the Emperor. Guard him with your life." Glenroy: "For the Emperor!" Baurus: "For the Emperor!"
- Light the Dragonfires
Baurus: "Sire, Chancellor Ocato is expecting you. He had word of your arrival in the capital." Martin Septim: "Very well. Let's finish this."
Quotes[]
- "For the Empire!" – When fighting.
- "If you want to help, get back and protect the emperor!"
- "Die, you scum!"
- "I wish I could have helped you deal with the rest of those Mythic Dawn bastards. But it seems you did all right on your own." – After "Dagon Shrine"
- "I look forward to fighting by your side again." – During "Defense of Bruma"
- "I was honored to fight by your side again." – After "Defense of Bruma"
Trivia[]
- Baurus is one of the first characters to be met in the game, and follows all the way to the end.
- It is actually possible for Baurus to die anytime after the "The Path of Dawn" quest, starting with the fight in the sewers. Depending on the player's level, it is possible that he will die either in the Battle of Bruma, or the final battle in the Imperial City, along with Jauffre. To hear all of his dialogue throughout the questline, the player must make an active effort to keep him alive.
- Baurus appears in The Elder Scrolls Legends: Jaws of Oblivion as the subject of the card Emperor's Attendant.