Syl (Shivering Isles)

For other uses, see Syl.

"The Duchess of Dementia. Ever wary, ever worried. A prisoner in her own House, in a way. And a delightful conversationalist, really."

―Sheogorath^[src]

Syl is a Bosmer noble, Duchess of Dementia. She is highly paranoid and suspects everyone around her of plotting to kill her and take her place on the throne of Dementia.

Attire

Syl's low-cut formal gown is decorated with slaughterfish. When the Ritual of Dementia has started, she will change into Dark Seducer Armor and wield her unique warhammer, Nerveshatter.

Relationships

Syl is feared and hated by her subjects. Most worry that her paranoia may lead her to act rashly and kill or torture them. Many of them want her dead because of her ongoing relationship with Thadon.

The only two she seems to trust most are Anya Herrick and Kithlan, though while both of them serve and protect her, they fear her and her paranoid behavior.

Interactions

The Lady of Paranoia

After restarting Xedilian, Lord Sheogorath will ask that the Hero learn more about both Thadon's court of Mania and Syl's court of Dementia. She will ask the Hero look into the current threat on her life. She will assign Herdir to help and allow them to proceed as they see fit.

Ritual of Accession

After relighting The Cold Flame of Agnon, Sheogorath will ask his champion to replace either the Duke of Mania or the Duchess of Dementia. If the Champion decides to replace Syl, they will need to follow tradition and assassinate Syl and take her heart. It should be noted that once the Hero finds Syl she will attack on sight wielding her hammer Nerveshatter.

If Thadon is picked to be replaced, Syl will become outraged to see Thadon killed and will join the Forces of Order.

The Roots of Madness

If Syl was not killed and replaced as Duchess, she will be found leading the Forces of Order underneath the throne room in the fountainhead. She will need to be killed to stop Order from overtaking.

Dialogue

Show: The Lady of Paranoia
Inside New Sheoth Palace: "I see you there. What?" "Why do you approach the Duchess of Dementia? Do you seek death?" I was told to find you. "You're the one the Madgod sent, aren't you? Then you're safe for now. Speak to no one unless I instruct you to. None of them can be trusted. Do you hear me? None! Surrounded by traitors and spies, I am. Always, always. They watch and wait, eager to slip a knife into my spine when I'm not looking." Who's spying on you? "Could be all of them. Every last one. None can be trusted. But they'll never take me down. Never! I'll see them all rotting in shallow graves before I let my guard down! You... you will help me. Yes, yes. You will be most useful." Why not just have them all killed? "That's exactly what they'd be expecting. They'll have replacements lined up, and then there could be even more of them surrounding me. No, no. Too easy a fate for them. That's why you're going to help me. You're going to find them, force their hands. Put them to the screws." How can I help? "You're going to find out who knows. You're going to learn who keeps their secrets, who conspires against me. You will be my Grand Inquisitor. Expose the conspirators, and they will be punished, I assure you. Find out who keeps secrets, and what they are. Speak with Herdir. He will help you. Do you understand what is required of you? If no one is found, you will be held responsible." Help you? I don't think so. "No? Have you seen my torture chamber? Because that's where you'll wind up if you don't agree to assist me. Think on it." I'm sorry. Excuse me. "Leave here at once. You've no business being here!" If refused to help: "I trust you have reconsidered your position. Are you now ready to help me?" If approached after being named Grand Inquisitor: "What do you want?" Conspiracy "Find those who plot against me. Bring them to me so I might make an example of them." Rumors "The Gatekeeper's been killed. This is only the first step; they'll be coming for me next." "I'm watching you." After confronting Muurine: "What news do you have to report, Inquisitor? Have you found who is responsible?" Muurine was behind it. "Is that so? I shall have her brought to the torture chamber at once. Meet me there shortly." If approached again: "We shall speak when we've reached the chamber." After Muurine's death: "You see now what happens when those who oppose me fail, which they always do. I am pleased with your work, Inquisitor. As a token of my appreciation, I shall spare your life, and make you a Courtier of Dementia. In addition, accept this bow. May your enemies fear you and never know from where or with what enchantment you shall strike."

Show: The Roots of Madness
Inside The Fountainhead: "Why did you come here? Why do you still do the bidding of that prattling fool? When I swore allegiance to Jyggalag, my eyes were opened. I saw who my true enemies were for the first time. Order's time has come. The Greymarch is upon you." During combat: "I hoped you would come. Now you shall pay for my brother's death." "So, the bloody-handed Duke (Or "Duchess") comes to claim another victim! You may find me rather harder to kill than poor, innocent Thadon. To think that I trusted you. You! Sheogorath's pet. That used to be me, so blinded by my suspicions that I could not see the truth of my own situation. But no more. No more! If only I had seen it sooner. Thadon might stand here next to me, to help usher in the rule of Order to this benighted realm! Instead, he is dead, at your hand. And Sheogorath's command! What harm had he ever done to you? The means justify the ends, is that it? Then you will appreciate my new master's methods. Jyggalag is coming. He cannot be stopped. He will rule this land, and all our delusions will be stripped away. None too soon. We have lived too long as the playthings of the Madgod. Now, taste the power of the true Lord of this realm!" "Where is Sheogorath now? He has abandoned you, as he did me." "My Lord Jyggalag will never be turned aside by the likes of you, fool!" "Jyggalag will reward me well for your death!"

Penalty of Muurine

"You've confessed to attempting to kill me, I understand. The penalty for this treachery is death, and is to be carried out immediately."

Conversations

Duke of Mania

Syl: "Wait! I must speak! The Ritual must not be completed!"
Sheogorath: "Syl! You dare interrupt Me? Only I interrupt Me. Like just then. I'm speaking with someone. We'll talk later. Or not. When is later, exactly? Not now, I'm sure of that. Guards, I think Syl forgot how to use the door. Kindly show her out. Before I forget myself."
Syl: "Thadon... dead? You've done this. It was you all along!"
Sheogorath: "Hold your tongue, little Duchess, or I'll tear it from your mouth."
Syl: "Replacing Thadon with this... outsider? This is how it ends. I should have seen this coming."
Sheogorath: "Calm yourself, Syl. You're making my teeth itch. You still hold your office. I suggest you see to your duties."
Syl: "No! I see what's going on. I should have seen it before. You conspire to destroy us all! You're a fool if you think I'll allow this to happen."
Sheogorath: "Fool? Visionary! Change is in the air, Syl. Breathe it deep! Bathe in its scent! Bottle it up. Save some for later."
Syl: "Order stands at our door. They've taken the Fringe! Did you even know? Do you care? And you speak of "change"?"
Sheogorath: "Change will preserve us! It is the lifeblood of the Isles. It will move mountains! It will mount movements!"
Syl: "No. I can't do this. There has to be a way out. A way to escape."
Sheogorath: "Then go, Syl. Return to your quarters. Before I send you back in pieces."
Syl: "Yes! That's what I'll do. I'll go. The enemy of my enemy. Order is the key. I'll keep them close."
Sheogorath: "No! Let her go!"
Syl: "This is not over, Madgod. I give myself to Jyggalag. As a Priest of Order, I'll be safe. Your empire will crumble before the armies of Order."

Quotes

"I expect results, Inquisitor, and I expect them soon."
"What do you want, Inquisitor?"