Silus Vesuius

"Wrong or right, the Mythic Dawn changed Tamriel's history. They deserve study."

―Silus Vesuius^[src]

Silus Vesuius is an Imperial Mythic Dawn fanatic, scholar, and historical expert. He seems to take a particular interest in Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedric Prince worshipped by the Mythic Dawn during the Oblivion Crisis. He is also proud of his family's involvement in the cult, despite it ending the Septim Dynasty and very nearly bringing about the end of the world.

Location

He lives in Dawnstar, where he operates a museum inside his home that features a number of Mythic Dawn artifacts in locked display cases.

Notable items

Mythic Dawn Robes – bestow a 75% faster Magicka regeneration effect upon the wearer.
Mythic Dawn Gloves
Mythic Dawn Boots
All four tomes of Mythic Dawn Commentaries
Mehrunes' Razor's scabbard
Static page from the Mysterium Xarxes

Interactions

Pieces of the Past

Silus Vesuius asks that the fragments of Mehrunes' Razor be retrieved.

Dialogue

Show: Pieces of the Past
At the Silus Vesuius's House: "And here comes my first visitor. The Museum of the Mythic Dawn is open, friend!" Museum of the Mythic Dawn? "Yes. My collection of artifacts from a group that toppled an Empire. Why don't you come in? You can browse the displays, and we can talk." What was that argument about? "Never mind that. Madena is a good woman, but I have my own reasons for opening this museum, and I'm not changing my mind. I have a collection of artifacts from the group that toppled an Empire. Their importance in history cannot be forgotten. Why don't you come in? You can browse the displays, and we can talk." A courier gave me this invitation. "And here you are. Good. Come in, browse the display, and let's talk." "I have a job you look perfect for." Sounds good. "Let's talk inside." Not interested. "Your loss, but if you change your mind, I'll be here. Once inside: "Feel free to look around. Come talk to me when you're ready to discuss that job I mentioned. The tapestries here and outside were found in hideouts where members of the Mythic Dawn would meet and plot. The cult's greatest accomplishment was the assassination of the Septim Dynasty and the opening of the Oblivion Gates." At the Mythic Dawn clothing: "Those robes were worn during the Mythic Dawn's secret meetings, where they plotted to bring the Daedra Mehrunes Dagon into Tamriel. Each bolt of yarn used to make the robe was colored with a dye made from sacrificial blood." At what remains of the Mysterium Xarxes: "That burned paper is all that remains of the fabled Mysterium Xarxes. The blasphemous book written by Mehrunes Dagon himself. It's said that Mankar Camoran used the book to open a portal to a Paradise where all his followers would live forever." At the scabbard of Mehrunes' Razor: "Ah, yes. That scabbard. Notice the insignia? An Oblivion Gate. A key symbol of Mehrunes Dagon, the patron Daedra of the Mythic Dawn." At the Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes: "The Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes were written by the Mythic Dawn cult leader, Mankar Camoran. He promised a paradise awaited his followers when they died, that they would be reborn by Mehrunes Dagon's side." When approached: "Did you have any questions about the museum, or would you rather talk business?" Let's talk about this job you want done. "A little history, first. After the Oblivion Crisis, a number of groups cropped up dedicated to wiping out the remnants of the Mythic Dawn. One of these groups found Mehrunes' Razor, the artifact of Dagon. They split it into three fragments and pledged to keep them apart forever. That was almost 150 years ago, and the pieces are still being held by the descendants of the group. And they're right here, in Skyrim." You want me to get those fragments? "At least two of them, Ghunzul and Drascua, are dangerous marauders. And the third owner, Jorgen, I only know he lives in Morthal. Here are my notes about them. I'll gladly pay you for getting the pieces any way you can. No questions asked." I want to know more about the Razor. "The Razor is Mehrunes Dagon's personal artifact. It has always heralded bloody change and carnage. It's held many names: Dagger of the Final Wounds, Bane of the Righteous, the Kingslayer. The Mythic Dawn worshipped Dagon as a god. Having his Razor would be invaluable to my collection." Stop right there. I'm not interested. "Fine. I can't force you to help me, but the offer is open." Why did you open this museum? "It's no secret that my family were once members of the Mythic Dawn. One of my forefathers was even chosen to assassinate Uriel Septim himself. We hid from our past for years, became tradesmen, people of coin and influence. But I realized that the Mythic Dawn's importance -- our importance -- to history cannot be denied. I'll see everyone in Tamriel remember that for a moment, we held the fate of the world in our hands, for good or ill." So what is this Mythic Dawn cult? "They were worshippers of Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedric Lord of Destruction and Change. The Mythic Dawn killed Uriel Septim VII and his heirs, triggering the events that lead to the Oblivion Crisis, when the Daedra invaded Tamriel. All that remains of the infamous cult, I've gathered in my museum." Who is Mehrunes Dagon? "Ah, an excellent question. Mehrunes Dagon is the Daedric Lord of Change, Destruction, and Ambition. Dagon's Mythic Dawn cult killed the Septim Dynasty and opened the Oblivion Gates into Tamriel. They called it the Oblivion Crisis." "Good luck finding the fragments." After obtaining the first piece: "What is it? Do you have one of the Razor fragments?" I have the blade shards of Mehrunes' Razor. "Look at them. The legendary sharpness of a daedric weapon. Marvelous. And here's your payment for the shards. We just need the hilt and the pommel now." The hilt of Mehrunes' Razor, as promised. "Did you try the grip? Isn't it eerie how it seems to mold itself into your hand? Here's your gold. We just need the pommel and the shards of the blade now." Here's the pommel stone of Mehrunes' Razor. "Our master crafstmen are nothing compared to the perfection of the Daedra. Look at how it shines. Here's your gold, as promised. We just need the shards of the blade and the hilt, now." After obtaining two pieces, lacking the pommel: "What is it? Do you have one of the Razor fragments?" I have the blade shards of Mehrunes' Razor. "Look at them. The legendary sharpness of a daedric weapon. Marvelous. And here's your payment for the shards." The hilt of Mehrunes' Razor, as promised. "Did you try the grip? Isn't it eerie how it seems to mold itself into your hand? Here's your gold." "There's only the pommel left to collect. Exciting, isn't it?" After obtaining two pieces, lacking the hilt: "What is it? Do you have one of the Razor fragments?" I have the blade shards of Mehrunes' Razor. "Look at them. The legendary sharpness of a daedric weapon. Marvelous. And here's your payment for the shards." Here's the pommel stone of Mehrunes' Razor. "Our master crafstmen are nothing compared to the perfection of the Daedra. Look at how it shines. Here's your gold, as promised." "There's only the hilt left to collect. Exciting, isn't it?" After obtaining two pieces, lacking the shards: "What is it? Do you have one of the Razor fragments?" The hilt of Mehrunes' Razor, as promised. "Did you try the grip? Isn't it eerie how it seems to mold itself into your hand? Here's your gold." Here's the pommel stone of Mehrunes' Razor. "Our master crafstmen are nothing compared to the perfection of the Daedra. Look at how it shines. Here's your gold, as promised." "There's only the shards left to collect. Exciting, isn't it?" After obtaining the third piece: "What is it? Do you have one of the Razor fragments?" I have the blade shards of Mehrunes' Razor. "Look at them. The legendary sharpness of a daedric weapon. Marvelous. And here's your payment for the shards." The hilt of Mehrunes' Razor, as promised. "Did you try the grip? Isn't it eerie how it seems to mold itself into your hand? Here's your gold." Here's the pommel stone of Mehrunes' Razor. "Our master crafstmen are nothing compared to the perfection of the Daedra. Look at how it shines. Here's your gold, as promised." I have all the pieces of the Razor. "All at once! You're efficient. I like that. Here's your reward." "Finally, all the pieces of Mehrunes' Razor are in my hands. It's time I let you in on something. There's a fourth piece. That scabbard in the display case. Built to house the Razor. And there's more. I know how to put all the pieces together. We just need to take them to Dagon's shrine and contact the Lord of Change directly." You think Dagon will repair the Razor? "Ever since I was a boy, I felt this strange sense of destiny surrounding the Mythic Dawn cult, and now I know what it is. Don't you see? Fate has led you to me and to the pieces. Dagon has to answer our call. We're so close. I'll meet you at the shrine." This sounds like a terrible idea... "You don't want to be part of history? Fine. I'll be at the shrine if you change your mind." At the Dagon Shrine: "Good. You're here. I'll place the pieces on the altar, and Dagon should speak to us. Let me put the pieces on the altar. We'll see if Mehrunes Dagon can still be reached." "Mehrunes Dagon, the Lord of Change, we have brought your Razor to you. We beg you, please bring the blade's full glory to Tamriel again!" "It's not working. Why don't you give it a try? Just put your hands on the altar." "Try puting your hands on the altar. Maybe Mehrunes Dagon will speak to you." After speaking to Mehrunes Dagon: "Wait. Wait. Don't kill me. There's another way. I can take the pieces back to my museum. Seal them in a display case. You get a generous amount of gold, I get to complete my collection, and nobody has to die." Dagon has spoken. "Fine. I'm not dying without a fight!" Fine. Get out of here. "Thank you. Here's your gold. I'll make a run for it back to Dawnstar." "Run for it!"

Conversations

The Museum

Madena: "Your ancestors wouldn't want this, Silus!"
Silus: "Why should I hide from it? This is my family's legacy!"
Madena: "It's the past! Dead oaths on dead lips. Let it stay there."
Silus: "The museum is opening, Madena."

Quotes

"I'll just be tending the museum if you need me."
"My family were in the Mythic Dawn. My museum is our legacy."
"Scholars from around the world will come here one day."
"The museum is doing well. I haven't told anyone about the... incident with the Razor." – If spared
"Good to see you in my museum again. I owe you my life." – If spared
"I never thought all I would want is peace and quiet, but I think our adventure scared me straight." – If spared

Trivia

Silus claims to be the descendant of one of the Mythic Dawn Agents who were sent to kill Uriel Septim VII in the Imperial City Sewers, which triggered the Oblivion Crisis.
If Silus dies after telling the Dragonborn to run away at Mehrunes' shrine, a courier may show up with an inheritance of 90 and a letter from Jarl Skald the Elder (or Brina Merilis if the Imperials have taken over the Pale) informing the Dragonborn of Silus' death.
Silus bears resemblance to Silus from one of Bethesda's other games Fallout: New Vegas. Both characters have similar facial features and wear red uniforms.
Like several other characters, his body does not disappear when killed.
If the Dragonborn kills Silus inside his museum and steals the artifacts inside, they may be attacked by hired thugs carrying a contract from Silus.
Editor IDs suggest that Silus was originally going to be named Valmir, though that name was actually given to an unrelated character.
If resurrected with Dead Thrall, multiple copies of his Mythic Dawn Robes can be obtained.

Appearances

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim