Runil's Dark Past is an unfinished quest in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The quest is unfinished and was never implemented into the game and cannot be started by normal means. Some of Runil's friends believe that he is bothered by something and ask the Dragonborn to help find out what it is.
Objectives[]
- Talk to Runil
- Tell Runil's secret or keep his secret safe
Walkthrough[]
Some of Runil's friends—Indara Caerellia, Mathies, and Kust—tell the Dragonborn that Runil has been very troubled lately and ask the Dragonborn to find out what is bothering Runil. The Dragonborn must go and talk to him, who will then reveal that he used to be a Thalmor wizard. The Dragonborn can then choose between promising not to tell anyone, or telling his friends.
Dialogue[]
Some of your friends feel you're troubled. "Burying the past is much harder than burying remains. I'm... I'm afraid of what you will think of me if I tell you about the things I've done."
- Go on. "Although I have not practiced in a long time I was once a wizard. Even when I was young my magic was undeniably powerful. It was that power that brought me to the attention of the Thalmor. In the Summerset Isles it is a great honor to be chosen to serve the Thalmor."
- The Thalmor? "They are the governing council of the Aldmeri Dominion. They lead us to attack the Empire and forced the Empire to agree to stop worshiping Talos. It was during the war with the Empire that I was at the height of my power. As a Thalmor battlemage I laid waste the enemy. Men, women, children, no one was spared my wrath. I destroyed whole villages."
- And you're afraid your friends will find out? "I dream about those days still. Except I'm not me. I can see myself there and I try to stop what I know is going to happen but... Many of the Empire's troops were Nords at that point. Some of them could even have been from around here."
- Your secret is safe with me. "Thank you. May Arkay bless you. I won't forget this."
- And you're afraid your friends will find out? "I dream about those days still. Except I'm not me. I can see myself there and I try to stop what I know is going to happen but... Many of the Empire's troops were Nords at that point. Some of them could even have been from around here."
- The Thalmor? "They are the governing council of the Aldmeri Dominion. They lead us to attack the Empire and forced the Empire to agree to stop worshiping Talos. It was during the war with the Empire that I was at the height of my power. As a Thalmor battlemage I laid waste the enemy. Men, women, children, no one was spared my wrath. I destroyed whole villages."
Alternatively, if instead of choosing to tell Runil "Your secret is safe with me" and going to any of his friends:
Runil was one of the Thalmor during the war... "I knew he was troubled, but one of the Thalmor? I wish I could say I did not believe it. Thank you for telling me."
Trivia[]
- The journal stages for the quest were never completed, and do not include any information or a way to complete the quest.
- All stages for this quest are empty and there are no objectives.