Dram

Not to be confused with Dram Bero.

"Redguard, one way out: through me."

―Dram^[src]

Dram was a Dunmer assassin during the Second Era. He is an ally of Tiber Septim and the Empire and served under the orders of Amiel Richton on Stros M'kai. His enemies are Cyrus and the Crowns.

History[]

Dram is a believed descendant of the assassins responsible for destroying the Reman Bloodline.^[1]

Dram was first born in 2E 612 in Morrowind, but, in truth, has died and reincarnated three times over. His most recent incarnation was reborn in 2E 800, after his secret execution at the hands of the Tribunal and House Indoril. As he matured he joined the Morag Tong and began his worship of Sithis.^[1] At some point he obtained the Bow of Shadows^[2]

When Tiber Septim gained the Cyrodiilic Crown, Dram went to Cyrodiil and became one of his most trusted allies. He also trained under Tiber Septim's battlemage Zurin Arctus.^[1] During the Battle of Hunding Bay Dram shot a poisoned arrow at the Crown Prince A'Tor, killing him. After this victory on the island of Stros M'kai, the island was then put under Imperial control and Dram was assigned to kill any remaining rebels by the orders of Amiel Richton.^[3]

In 2E 864 he battled the Redguard rebel Cyrus on multiple occasions. After Cyrus retrieved N'Gasta's Amulet, he questioned and threatened Richton. After Cyrus killed three guards, he was knocked unconscious and thrown in the palace catacombs by Dram. Their last battle was on an airship floating above the island. After Cyrus defeated Amiel in combat, Amiel distracted him in his last moments. This allowed Dram to sneak up on Cyrus and hold a dagger to his throat. The manifested sword of Prince A'Tor, the Soul Sword, then flew on its own fatally stabbing Amiel and then proceeded to cut Dram in half, lengthwise.^[4]

Conversations[]

Show: Escape the Catacombs
Inside Amiel Richton's Palace: Guard: "This man insisted he deliver the amulet to you himself, milord." Richton: "A certain amount of persistence is admirable, isn't it, Dram? Very well. Your job is done. Give the amulet to one of the Guards." Cyrus: "Hold on, Governor. I have a few questions to ask you first. About a woman named Iszara." Dram: "He's no Courier." Richton: "This is not an audience, sir. You forget yourself." Cyrus: "She's been missing for a few months and people think she may be in trouble. They also say you might have something to do with it." Guard: "Milord?" Richton: "No, no. I'll handle him. I know of this Iszara, young man. Her troubles are of her own making, I'm sure. When you mix with thugs and murderers--" Cyrus: "Like I said, you might have something to do with it." Richton: "Under Imperial law, the Restless League, and this Iszara woman, a known consort and confederate of the League, are guilty of piracy, sedition, and treason, and subject to summary execution. In my capacity as Governor, such executions are my responsibility. But... This Iszara has not come to my notice, and if she has disappeared, she has done so without my help. And now, I have other pressing affairs." Cyrus: "Are you saying she was part of the Restless League?" Richton: "You are dismissed, Courier." Cyrus: "We don't seem to understand each other, Governor. Iszara is my sister and this isn't an audience, it's an interrogation. Tell me all you know or I'll give you more trouble than the League ever has." Richton: "You would threaten an Imperial Governor? Are you simple? Threaten me, and you prove yourself a traitor... And must die for it. Guards, seize that man." After defeating the three guards: Richton: "So this is the Redguard fire I've heard so much about... Young man, you've the markings of a fine swordsman... But, by your actions, you condemn yourself, and forfeit your life. Dram?" Dram: "No. Let me question this one. He is a fool... But fools can be useful." After Cyrus escapes the catacombs: Guard: "Governor! I have news of the Redguard!" Richton: "Which bloody Redguard?" Guard: "The one recently put into the catacombs, sir. The one named Cyrus. He has escaped!" Richton: "What?!" Guard: "He is nowhere to be found, sir. We are combing the streets for him now." Richton: "But escape is impossible from the catacombs? The traps and so forth, right, Dram?" Dram: "I hear you." Richton: "Thank you, guardsman. Carry on. And keep me posted." Guard leaves: Dram: "I underestimated the Redguard." Richton: "Bah! Overestimated the dungeons of our enemies, more likely! Never trust another man's deathtraps. Double the guard, immediately, and increase the patrols in town and along the waterfront. The Redguard must not find his siter." Dram: "Leave him to me."

Show: Recovering the Soul Gem
Richton: "Dead." Guard: "Aye, milord. The dragon is dead." Richton: "And he's alive." Guard: "We are not sure it was the Redguard, milord --" Richton: "Don't be stupid. That bastard sweats heroism. It could be no one else." Dram: "He has the soulgem." Richton: "Why do I pay you exactly, Dram?" Dram: "For my chilling countenance, of course." Richton: "Leave him to me, you said, and with such confident assurance. I recall being set at ease about the matter. I recall thinking: Well, now at last I can get down to the task of administering this troubled province -- but this young man continues to cause us irreparable harm when we can least endure it." Dram: "And now for the good news. Perhaps you remember the vicious group of rabble that's caused us so much trouble." Richton: "The Restless League!" Dram: "Whose hideout would have remained a mystery if a prematurely dead Redguard had never led me to it. It will take time to assemble an assault party, but I foresee no difficulties in cleaning out the whole League in one well-planned attack." Richton: "I see. The Emperor warned me never to underestimate the subtlety of your schemes, Dram. Carry on, then. I await your full report."

Show: Attack on the Palace
Guard: "The assault ship is ready, lieutenant; the men are aboard. They'll never see us coming." Dram: "I'll inform Lord Richton." An explosion is heard in the distance: Guard: "What was that?" Dram: "He's here." Inside the Palace: Guard: "They're attacking the harbor!" Richton: "Who is?!" Guard: "A mob of them, Governor! We were caught off our --" Richton: "The Redguard's behind this! I know he is!" Dram: "He's here. He must have found some new friends." Richton: "Get that Redguard. Take their leader, and they'll fall to pieces." Guard leaves the ball room: Dram: "The Dirigible is ready. Shall we begin the assault on the Restless League's hideout?" Richton: "Forget about the League, Dram! We must evacuate!" Dram: "But--" Richton: "Who do you think is attacking the harbor, man?! It's the Restless League! They're blowing up our ships! That Redguard--the one you were supposed to kill a long time ago--he's succeeded in spraking the rebellion we were sent here to repress." Dram: "We don't --" Richton: "Enough! We'll take the Dirigible and make for the mainlad! Stros M'Kai is expendable! The Redguards may have their day here, but I will return... at the head of a fleet and the Emperor's Legions." Atop the Dwemer Airship: Richton: "How remarkable. I may well be the first Imperial admiral to surrender at this altitude." Cyrus: "No surrender, Governor. You just die on your feet." Richton: "The rules of engagement state quite clearly that a losing party may yield to his opponent on the field of battle, and that the victor may, within honorable reason, determine his ransom." Cyrus: "Remind me in hell." Richton: "But where's the money in that? Or Redguard honor? I know a swordsman like you, Redguard, can't kill an unarmed man... And as a gentleman, I place myself under your protection. And as a swordsman of no little accomplishment, I congratulate you on your mastery of the longsword. And I congratulate you also on your small victory here. I have failed my Emperor and may regret surviving to face his displeasure... but..." Dram puts a knife on Cyrus' throat: Dram: "Drop the weapon." Cyrus drops the weapon and three guards appear: Cyrus: "What were those rules of engagement again?" Richton: "I'm sorry, Redguard. The rules of engagement govern the affairs of gentlemen. But you, a rebel in arms, a traitor to the Emperor, and a threat to the Emperor's peace... All you have earned is summary execution." Dram: "You die now, Redguard." Cyrus: "Do it then, because that'll be the easy part. But look down there Richton. Now there's an army that's tasted victory, and one you'll never defeat again." Richton: "No more words." Cyrus: "Richton, it's time you saw that Redguard fire you've heard so much about. You never did kill the prince, Richton. He lives." The Soul Sword starts levitating: Richton: "Gods!" (The sword kills both Richton and Dram)