The Mysterious Tome is found in the depths of The Vile Manse, through which Hermaeus Mora appears and tasks the Vestige with retrieving Oghma Infinium.
Hermaeus Mora has foreseen a threat to both the mortal realm and Apocrypha, and has sent his servant Leramil the Wise to get the Vestige's help in thwarting it.
Hermaeus Mora has tasked the Vestige and Leramil the Wise with stopping Torvesard from freeing Ithelia. It later turns out that Ithelia was already free.
Dialogue[]
Sunken Knowledge
"So you are the one the tides of fate carried here to stop this transgression. I had watched this pathetic spirit's attempt to avoid her fate with some amusement … but I knew it would eventually have to come to an end."
Why didn't you just stop her yourself?"Where would be the fun in that? The individual yarns of fate do not concern me. It is the tapestry they weave that I watch and record. All threads, even yours, only make up a small part of the whole."
So you know my fate?"I do. I can see your future … and your past. The yarn of your life is interesting, perhaps even amusing, one might say. It's spun from a strong thread, to be sure, but all threads will eventually run out."
Can you tell me anything about my future?"No."
Why did you summon your followers here?"I did no such thing. Like moths to flame, my followers are simply drawn to dark mysteries, and this one was simply irresistible for them. It's a wonder more of them didn't die."
You don't care whether your followers live or die?"No. Why would I?"
If there's nothing more, then I will go."Yes. That is what you will do. First though, I have something for you. A gift, you might say."
Is this gift something I actually want?"Whether you want it or not is irrelevant. I like to reward those who amuse me, and this is your reward. You will take it."
After the quest:
"Do you dare to ask more of me?"
I wish to leave this shrine.
The Flooded Grove
At his statue:
"I am Hermaeus-Mora[sic] [Do not change this to Hermaeus Mora. This misspelled word is how it appears in-game.]. The riddle unsolvable. The door unopenable. The book unreadable. The question unanswerable. I wonder if you understand why you're here."
I'm here to bind the Daedra."You will bind the Daedra, but you do not yet know what tendril of fate and fortune brought you into my grove, into this ruined reflection of my library."
What do you mean?"In due time. As to the Daedra, their magicka powers the wards that protect my library, but binding them here is no small task. It requires a foundation of souls, each of different blood, from my servants in Tamriel."
What happened to them?"The intruders who broke the wards above unwittingly loosed the bindings here below. Four of the souls broke free. In their confusion, they wander these halls seeking escape. Subdue them to restore the seal. I will reward your faithful service."
What happened to Saromir?"Ayleid crystals impart memories directly to the reader. Overuse leads to a problem of capacity for most mortals."
I may help you, but I'm not your servant."Willing or unwilling, all who strive to grow in skill and scope are my servants."
After slaying the Altmer, Khajiit and Imperial souls:
"Three servants reunited to their master. Only one remains."
Where is the fourth soul?"A conundrum. The Bosmer soul escaped Ilmyris. We require a replacement. Saromir, my caretaker, satisfies all requirements. Kill him and bring his soul to me."
And if I refuse to kill him?"One will die whether you refuse or not. Put the mad priest out of his misery or I will choose another. Be assured, you will find that choice … less than optimal."
Fine. I'll kill Saromir."A considered choice. Go tell Saromir his fate."
"The ritual is complete, and the Daedra of Ilmyris guard their very prison. Orthenir is caretaker now, until another comes to take his place."
You promised to reward my service."My memory is as unerring as my word. In the crystal behind you rests knowledge you did not know you sought. Others have killed for such wisdom."
After seeing the memory:
"One by one, Naemon and Pelidil exposed my servants to the crystals, until their mortal minds cracked and groaned under the strain."
Why? What were they looking for?"What else? Power. They called it the Heart of Valenwood, but no matter what it's called, it means the same thing."
What is the Heart of Valenwood?"You have not yet earned that knowledge, which Naemon and Pelidil took by force. They went to Hectahame. Where you go is your choice, but I will be watching."
And so the Infinium becomes mine again. As it always does.\n\nYou performed well against Graccus."
Where is the Oghma Infinium?"Safely returned to its home in Apocrypha. I would not risk you against its secrets. But I will not leave you empty-handed."
After completing the quest:
"You have proven most useful, unlike most mortals before you."
What are these ruins?"These ruins under the manse vile are the remains of a city of Mer twice forgotten. Here, the children of Auri-El trifled with knowledge that was beyond them. The dirt swallowed them. Their descendants tried to rebuild, but then came Graccus."
You said the Oghma Infinium would be mine."You were told what you needed to hear to become effective. You should cherish the gift you have been given. It is a leaf from Apocrypha. Only delectable knowledge will you find within its pages."
What did Graccus want from you?"He sought the power to end some petty conflict of Men and Mer above, but his want is irrelevant. Graccus showed promise when he glimpsed the Infinium and survived its cosmic ululation. But he ultimately proved mundane."
The Seeker's Archive
"I am the answer to all questions and the question behind every answer. No need to introduce yourself. Your name is already recorded in my realm of Apocrypha."
You know who I am?"I know everything. You have come to my shrine because the stars have fallen to Tamriel. You want to know how to defeat them."
Yes. Can you tell me how to defeat the Celestials?"I can. But knowledge must never be given freely. A price must be paid. Part of the cost was bringing my servant Ibrula back to me. But you will pay much more if you want to learn all that I know about the Celestials."
I'll pay your price, whatever it is."Then listen closely, as I will not repeat myself. The Celestial Warrior's army of Anka-Ra was created centuries ago by the Yokudan general, Tarish-Zi. He came to me to learn how to bind his army to him—even in death. I granted his wish."
Why did you do that?"His offering pleased me. He built the temple above this shrine and promised that his army would defend it. The Anka-Ra have risen, which means Tarish-Zi has risen as well. They are bound to him. To defeat them, you must defeat him."
How do I do that?"All I have told you is all you have earned. If you wish to know more, you must become my eyes and ears in Craglorn. You must bring me fresh knowledge to feast upon."
What do you mean?"I hunger for lost bits of lore. I thirst for new knowledge to add to my coffers. Bring your offerings to me. If I find them acceptable, I will return their worth in the knowledge you seek."
Gem of the Stars
"If you would receive knowledge, you must give knowledge in return. What have you brought me, Seeker?"
I found this blackened gem inside a Dwemer orrery. but I can't read the writing."I find this offering to be acceptable. Inside the gem, you can see the celestial bodies in their courses. The text says the constellations are gods. They can be brought to earth using stones carved from Aetherium. Make of that what you will."
Strange Lexicon
"Knowledge for knowledge. That is my price. What have you brought me, Seeker?"
I found this Dwemer lexicon in Rkhardahrk."The Dwemer knew things you cannot even dream. Here is your reward: the Celestials are bound to this realm by their Apex stones. These stones were constructed using knowledge stolen from the Dwemer. To defeat the Celestials, you must find the stones."
Message Unknown
"You enter my temple once more, Seeker. What knowledge have you brought me?"
I found these letters carved into a stone in Zalgaz's Den. What do they mean?"A death, and an unrequited love. Sentimental, and unimportant. But you have fulfilled your part of the bargain, so here is mine: there is a man who can help you defeat the Anka-Ra. His name is Titus Valerius, but he is not of this time."
Eye of Fate
"I foresaw that you were the one mortal in all of Nirn to aid us. I also saw you die at the traitor's hands. Many, many times. I am pleased with this version of events. That the traitor Dralys has fallen and the glyphics are secure. Very pleased."
You knew Dralys was a traitor?"I know a great many things, mortal. What may be, what will be, what will never come to pass. It is … my nature. I saw that you would reveal the reason for Dralys's betrayal, but I only caught a glimpse of our true enemy."
You mean the Dusksabers?"The vampires? No, they are merely hired blades working for another ambitious mortal. I refer to the new patrons that Dralys chose over me. The Daedric Princes he pledged himself to. He died before I could pull their identities from his mind."
So why did you lead us to this shrine, Hermaeus Mora?"Because this shrine is one of the few places on Nirn where I may manifest. Where I may communicate freely for a short while. As Leramil explained, I require your assistance. Help save Apocrypha and you will also preserve Nirn."
How do I help save Apocrypha and Nirn?"First, we must enter into an agreement. A contract that binds us for the duration of this threat. It also guarantees that I will do nothing to harm you, your interests, or the mortal realm. You are the chosen of fate. Now bring forth the glyphics."
I'll use the glyphics."Bring forth the three glyphics and activate their power, mortal. They will call into being the agreement that will bind us and ensure that this is neither a trick nor a coercion. You will help preserve Apocrypha and thereby safeguard Nirn."
You don't look like any Daedric Prince I've ever seen. What are you exactly?"I am the mystery at the end of existence. The first secret whispered at the dawn of creation. I am the guardian of the unseen and the question unanswerable. I hold the knowledge forbidden and untangle the threads of fate. I am … the One Who Knows."
Tell me about Apocrypha."I created and rule over Apocrypha, my endless repository of knowledge in the vastness of Oblivion. Every secret known to mortal and immortal resides here, as well as many known only to me. It is a realm of fate, time, and wisdom."
How will saving Apocrypha preserve Nirn?"Many realms of Oblivion have a relationship to the mortal world. Some believe that Nirn is a reflection of the Daedric realms, or that the Daedric realms are an echo of Nirn. Regardless, Apocrypha and Nirn share a powerful connection."
And that means?"If my enemies succeed and damage or destroy Apocrypha, the resulting ripples of fate will unravel the mortal world. In short, Nirn will cease to exist. You must help me to prevent that fate from coming to fruition."
If I sign this contract, what exactly am I agreeing to?"Exactly what Leramil told you. You shall render what aid is required to preserve the course of fate and keep Apocrypha safe, thereby protecting Nirn. Moreover, the contract specifies that I will not force you to act against your own best interests."
Prisoner of Fate
In the Shrine of Inevitable Secrets:
"Torvesard proves surprisingly resourceful. I created this gate to admit none but the mortal vessels of my allies to Apocrypha. Yet the relic of Boethiah he carries deceived my defenses. A clever ploy."
Where did Torvesard go?"Torvesard has breached the Mythos, the heart of my realm. Twice before he found his way to a glyphic holding part of the secret he seeks. Only one part remains sealed. You must stop him from reaching the Glyphic of Shattered Reflections."
How? The gate is closed and we don't have any Boethiah, Azura, or Mephala relics."I created this gate and I command it still. Behold! This portal is opened and will take you where Torvesard has gone. What happens next is in your hands. I dare not interfere with fate more than I have."
What do you mean, you dare not interfere?"You are the chosen of fate. This task is appointed to you. Not by me, but by the demands of causality and consequence. If I try to stop Torvesard, I will fail. You, however, always have a chance. That is the nature of mortals. Now go!"
After finding Ithelia's prison empty:
"I am called the Master of the Tides of Fate. I perceive everything that may come to pass. Yet I cannot select the outcomes I prefer. Choice and chance determine which possibility actually occurs. Such as this one. Ithelia is free."
You said that if Torvesard succeeded, reality would end. Were you wrong?"I did not lie, chosen of fate. Nor was I mistaken. I told you what you needed to know to avert catastrophe, and catastrophe has been averted … for now. The outcome I foresaw will still come to pass. It is only a matter of time."
How did Ithelia escape?"This spire was never Ithelia's prison—being forgotten was. The moment Torvesard finally remembered his Prince, its power to hold Ithelia began to wane. Now new paths form before us. Some lead to survival, others destruction."
What can we do to avoid destruction?"A question that we all must ponder. Ithelia and her ilk are Unseen. I cannot perceive their actions. Nor can I share what I surmise lest I unduly affect the course of events. Take counsel with Leramil the Wise. And wait for a new path to open."
Fine. I'll talk to Leramil te Wise.
Conversations[]
The Waking Dreamer
Graccus:"No! I've waited for so long! You won't stop me!"Hermaeus Mora:"The knowledge is there. All you must do is take it."Graccus:"I am Mora's champion. I'll destroy any challenger!"
The Seeker's Archive
Ibrula:"Prince of Fate, Lord of Secrets. Your Seeker, Ibrula, has returned to you."Hermaeus Mora:"Approach me, Seeker."Ibrula:"Your offering, my lord. A relic from the Dragontail mountains, covered in runes of an unknown language."Hermaeus Mora:"Your gift is accepted. Tell your companions to approach me."Ibrula:"Hermaeus Mora wants to speak with you. Approach his statue."
Eye of Fate
Hermaeus Mora:"The deal is done, just as fate foresaw. Leramil will explain the rest. Now I must take my leave."Leramil the Wise:"We can talk back in the Dune outskirts, proxy."
Prisoner of Fate
In the Shrine of Inevitable Secrets:
Torvesard:"Boethiah's blade led me to this portal. The path to the Mythos, Apocrypha's heart. Only those bearing the essence of Azura, Boethiah, or Mephala can access this portal. The gate recognizes Boethiah's blade. Now I can return to the Mythos and find my Prince at last!"Leramil the Wise:"A permanent portal to the Mythos? I did not know such a thing existed."Hermaeus Mora:"Chosen of fate, hold. We must speak."Leramil the Wise:"The One Who Knows is here! Speak with him, proxy."
At the final glyphic:
Torvesard:"The last glyphic and the final secret. I must know what happened to Prince Ithelia!"
<Torvesard activates the glyphic>
Hermaeus Mora:"We defeated Prince Ithelia. Now we must all forget our victory."Priest Dandera Helas:"Forget? Why should I forget how I took this mortal shell and tracked Ithelia with my Skein?"Acolyte Dugikh:"Azura and I did our part with these vessels of flesh. And the Lamp and Abolisher."Adept Rakzzin-jo:"Listen, my fellow Princes. The Lord of Fate is right. Imprison Ithelia in your Mythos, Mora. Then erase all memory of her existence."Torvesard:"Imprisoned by cowards? Abandoned by betrayers? But I remember! And I know how to free my Prince!"
"Such an interesting mortal." – While progressing through Ilmyris
"Your assistance might be just what I require." – While progressing through Ilmyris
The Waking Dreamer
"So another comes seeking Hermaeus Mora. Perhaps you will prove greater than Graccus. He holds the Oghma Infinium, the beginning of knowledge. Yours if you slay him. He waits in the caves below." – Upon reading the Mysterious Tome
"Down, in the ruins of the swallowed city. That is where you will find Graccus and the Oghma Infinium. Prove yourself his better and take it." – After dropping down the hole
Eye of Fate
"Every possibility coalesces into this moment. Come, mortal. Speak with the One Who Knows." – In the Shrine of the Golden Eye, after retrieving the glyphics
Prisoner of Fate
"A fate forged the moment Torvesard opened the first glyphic and began to remember. Return to the Mythos Vault, mortal. We must speak." – After speaking with Torvesard in Ithelia's prison
Though he claims to not care whether his followers live or die, The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn reveals he had swept in and rescued Miraak from being killed by Vahlok, though his motives might not have been altruistic.
