the Withered Hand have taken control of Tu'whacca's Throne. Farvad will ask the Vestige to help light the braziers around the temple so that Tu'whacca can cleanse it of their necromancer filth.
"Satakal's Wrath, wayfarer … unless you want to wade through an army of undead, go no further. These dogs—the Withered Hand—they seized control of Tu'whacca's Throne and now they are raising the consecrated dead! How is this even possible?"
Is it because they stole the Ansei Wards?"The Ansei Wards? Stolen? There is no way … the Impervious Vault … how? This does explain how they raised the consecrated dead, though. It also explains why Tu'whacca is so angry. He speaks to me. He says the temple must be cleansed—and now!"
How do we cleanse it?"Oh … Tu'whacca will do the cleansing. We must only clear the way. If you will help me light the sacred braziers, Tu'whacca will send his Breath to help us destroy the Withered Hand and return the dead to the sand."
I will help light the braziers."For each direction the wind blows, there is a brazier. Light the first three and meet me at the west brazier. I will light that one. Then we will light the central brazier together, and soon see Uwafa and his Withered Hand destroyed."
What exactly will Tu'whacca's Breath do?"We do not know. There is no record of these defenses ever being used. All I can recall is reading that it is supposed to help cleanse the Temple and return the dead to their rest. Uncertainty is part of the fun, though, right?"
How do you know Uwafa?"This man is very dangerous. He is the leader of these Withered Hand dogs. He offered me the chance to leave peacefully …. I wanted to protect my fellow priests, but we could not surrender Tu'whacca's sacred ground without a fight."
Can you tell me more about the Temple?"Tu'whacca is the caretaker of the Far Shores. We will all visit him one day. The Throne is the final resting place of our honored ancestors. Our heroes have been buried here for centuries. It is terrible that their rest has been disturbed."
At the Western Brazier:
"You have done well, wayfarer. Tu'whacca is pleased."
Is he going to cleanse the temple now?"Very soon. It is like Tu'whacca is taking in the air and preparing to send his Breath. The Withered Hand here will soon crumble, and the particles will drift away like sand in the wind."
"I do not see the head necromancer out here; this evil man Uwafa. He must have breached Tu'whacca's sanctum. He will be in for quite a surprise when we light the final brazier."
What do you need me to do?"Tu'whacca says you will have the pleasure of killing this Uwafa … with his help, of course. First, you must light the final brazier over there, then Tu'whacca's Breath will come."
Then how do I get to Uwafa?"Uwafa has sealed himself inside the Sanctum with my priests. I fear for them, but Tu'whacca will help us. He will unseal the doors … then you can go in and kill this necromancer bastard. Are you ready to witness the power of a god, my friend?"
I'm ready whenever you are."Go now and light the final brazier. Do not fear the power of Tu'whacca. You and I, we are his champions in this."
What about the Ansei Wards?"Oh yes. We cannot forget those. If this Uwafa has them, we will soon get them back. Even with the Ansei Wards, Uwafa is no match for the strength of a god!"
Do you know the history of the wards?"Of course. All priests of Tu'whacca know such things. The Wards were forged when three Ansei gave their lives to channel their spirits into their blades. They did this so that the Wards would protect the consecrated dead."
So how is Uwafa raising the consecrated dead?"In the hands of these necromancers, the strength of the Ansei Wards is much weakened. With some magics, they might even be able to pervert the Wards' power for terrible ends. It is good that we will soon have them back."
"I am very proud. Tu'whacca says that you smote this Uwafa mightily! You recovered the Ward of Ansei Radan as well! The Temple is restored, and Alik'r is safer! Tu'whacca is pleased."
What about the other Ansei Wards?"Tu'whacca says you should not worry. He says you will find them. I can watch over The Ward of Ansei Radan for now. Tu'whacca has much faith in you, my friend. He wants me to give you this. You should be honored."
"I do not know where the other Ansei Wards have been taken, but Tu'whacca tells me that you must go east, my friend. He says that is the next step on your journey."
I will go east, but can he tell you anything more specific?"No. Tu'whacca is quiet now. He is not worried about you. He is more worried about me getting the temple cleaned up. I have a suggestion though. I think you should start your search in the city of Bergama."
Why Bergama?"There is a great scholar in Bergama. Her name is Zohreh. She knows much about the Ansei Wards. She may have the answers we seek. Wherever you go, Tu'whacca will be with you. Of that I am certain."
"It is good to see you again, my friend! Now I understand why Tu'whacca bid me to come here to HoonDing's Watch. If you are to save the Alik'r desert from the Withered Hand, there are things you must learn from the spirits of this place."
There are spirits here?"Yes. Many of them. And pilgrims come from all over Hammerfell to honor them—the heroes of our greatest wars. It is usually a quiet affair, but when one such as you arrives, spirits of friend and foe alike awaken to create a portrait of the past."
What do they want?"To teach you. If you are to be champion of the Alik'r, you must understand the spirit of this desert and its people. Tu'whacca says you must walk in the steps of our heroes, battle the spirits of the enemies they faced. Then you will understand."
Fair enough. I will fight these spirits."First, you will face the Nedic Peoples. When the Ra Gada first crashed on these shores, the Nedes were first to challenge them. Fight the Nedic soldiers' spirits. Claim their essences, and use them to summon and face their leader, Warchief Haakon."
Who were the Ra Gada?"That was the name of our Yokudan ancestors during the exodus from our ancient homeland. After Yokuda sank beneath the waves, they sailed here in search of a new home. Their coming was not peaceful. You see, the term Ra Gada means "warrior wave.""
Who were the Nedic Peoples?"The Nedic peoples were the ancient ancestors of our human kin here in Tamriel. Those who dwelled on the isle of Herne had long struggled to resist the Elves prior to the Ra Gada's arrival. Upon seeing the Yokudan sails, they took up the sword again."
I take it they lost?"They struggled mightily. We honor their bravery. But no, they fell before the Yokudan onslaught like all the others."
Are the priests returning to Tu'whacca's Throne?"Yes, my friend, albeit slowly. Not all heed Tu'whacca's words as I do. When the Withered Hand is no more, we will have much to do. All the corpses to be cleaned and dressed … Zeht's tears, we will need more Throne Keepers. Of that I am certain."
"In our fight against the Nedes, we saw the raw power of defiance. We came to respect Tamriel and its warriors. You must now battle the giant Goblinkin. The Ra Gada's long road to conquest was paved with thousands of these beasts' corpses."
I've never heard of giant Goblins."Such things are difficult to imagine, yes. In those times Goblins were mighty beasts, and their cruelty was not tempered by cowardice as it is now. Their filthy strongholds littered the sands of Hammerfell like a pox when the Ra Gada arrived."
That sounds horrible."Horrible indeed! Our Yokudan ancestors could not tolerate such a blight on their new homeland. They would suffer no rivals. And so one of their mightiest heroes, Frandar Hunding, rallied the swords of the Ra Gada to slay the beasts."
What happened to him?"Ah … Tu'whacca claimed him during one of the bloodiest battles of the campaign. But his son Divad, filled with wrath over the slaying of his father, soon rose to take command of the Ra Gada. He swore to avenge his father—no matter the cost."
Was he succesful?"The Song of Divad tells us that he and his band of Sword Singers worked their sacred forges and consulted eldritch tomes for many long years to create five great swords. With these blessed blades, the Ra Gada forever vanquished the giant Goblins."
What is my task?"Well, Tu'whacca tells me that you must do battle with the spirits of the long-dead giant Goblinkin. To what end? I do not know. But only fools doubt Tu'whacca's wisdom."
"Ironically, it was in our fight against the hideous Goblins that we came to love the desert and its simple beauty. Now you must face the proud Orc warriors of ancient Orsinium. The fight for the Orc city proved to be one of our greatest trials."
Tell me of Orsinium."It is the heart of Orcdom in Tamriel, settled at the foot of the Wrothgarian Mountains. It is a city of simple things—towering and cold. It has been razed and rebuilt countless times. The Orcs are a tenacious people."
I take it that the Yokudans were one of the conquerors?""Conquerors" is a strong word, but yes, of course they were. Ha! Our ancestors and the Bretons' laid siege to the city for thirty years before finally breaching the walls and razing the city. The Orcs proved to be fearsome adversaries."
What is my task?"You must face the ancient Orcish spectres in battle, and then summon and defeat their leader, General Theshaga. Tu'whacca says there is great wisdom to be gleaned from this."
"The swords of Yokuda were not often sheathed. Our long siege of Orsinium taught us the value of patience. Now you must face the forces of the Breton King Joile—a treacherous asp whose lust for power led to broken alliances and countless sorrows."
Who was King Joile?"He was the King of Daggerfall during the Siege of Orsinium. The embers of the Orcish hold had not even cooled before he took up arms against our ancestors—his former allies. He was slain by a heroic Sword Singer at the Battle of Bangkorai Pass."
What is my task?"You must slay the perfidious spirits of King Joile's Breton army—then King Joile himself, I suspect. Tu'whacca shall be watching."
"Joile's betrayal taught us yet another virtue: caution—wariness. We remain slow to trust, but loyal beyond measure. You have reached the summit! The Make-Way God, sees much at this height. Have you learned the greatest lesson of this place?"
Maybe. What is the lesson?"The greatest lesson of HoonDing's Watch is this: wars are fleeting, but honor is eternal. The dunes of time are ever shifting. Kings rise and fall, cities are razed and rebuilt, alliances are forged and broken. But honor, glory … legend remains."
"You have performed very well in your trials, my friend, but Tu'whacca says the spirits of this place have more to share with you."
What more do they have to share?"Your valor strikes a mighty bell! The heroes have come here themselves—Makela Leki, Derik Hallin, and both Frandar and Divad Hunding! Their spirits have come here, to meet you, to challenge you, and to teach you."
I must fight the heroes themselves now?"No. You will not cross blades. The Sword Singers were as much mages as warriors. They sought strength of body, and of mind. These spirits will speak to you. Choose your words with care though. Tu'whacca says they seek to teach … and to test."
All right. I'll speak to the heroic spirits.
After speaking with all the spirits:
"Tu'whacca tells me that the heroic spirits have returned to their slumber."
Did I pass the spirits' test?"Ha! Only Tu'whacca has such knowledge, my friend. I could barely hear you from here. Luckily, Tu'whacca has shared some of his wisdom with me."
What have you learned?"You show great wisdom with your choices, my friend. You pursue the deepest honor—that which is found in sacrifice. Your pursuit of the Withered Hand is proof of this, is it not so? Only know that caution is sometimes the enemy of progress."
Is this what I was meant to learn?"What? No. I simply thought you'd like to know what Tu'whacca thought of you. He is an excellent judge of character. No, the real lesson of these heroes is that legend always carries a price. You must be prepared to pay that toll when it comes."
"What have I done? What have I done? I have struck down one of our ancestors! I have betrayed my vows, my people, my god. Tu'whacca! How could you allow me to do this?"
Throne Keeper Farvad, are you all right?"No-no! I am not all right! Not all right at all! I have failed Tu'whacca! First I lost Ansei Radan's Ward, and then to get it back, I was forced to strike down the honored dead! Now the Ward is corrupted, and so am I!"
Surely Tu'whacca can forgive you somehow."Well, perhaps …. Tu'whacca says now that you are here, there is a way. I must cleanse the Ward, but I will need you to protect me while I do. Would you do that for me, my friend?"
Of course, but what am I protecting you from?"The dead. That witch Shiri has set them against us. They will try to stop me from cleansing the Ward, but if you will defend me, I can cleanse it. If you are ready, Tu'whacca says we should do this as soon as we can."
I'm ready. Let's do this.
Outside the central tomb:
"I am glad you caught up. I am glad you came to the necropolis in the first place. Tu'whacca says you are the one who must stop Shiri from doing this dark deed."
What dark deed? What is Shiri planning?"She is planning to resurrect her father—the necromancer Suturah. I was much younger when this man tried to turn the Alik'r into a kingdom of undeath, but I will never forget the horror, the terror. We cannot allow Suturah to return."
What makes him so dangerous?"He was the most powerful necromancer to ever walk these sands, worse than his children, I suspect. Tu'whacca warns me … Suturah will be unstoppable if he is returned from the dead. He will be a great lich, or something even more terrible."
How do we stop Shiri then?"We kill her and we retrieve the last Ansei Ward. Shiri has sealed the tomb though. Tu'whacca says two of us will have to channel the Wards we have to open the door. The other one can go in and join you in the fight. You must choose who will come."
All right. I'll make my choice.
When making your choice:
"I will join you, if you wish. I am no great warrior. I am only a humble priest, but Tu'whacca says I can be of great assistance to you in this battle. He says it is up to you to make this decision though."
How does Tu'whacca think you can help me?"I am not one inclined to inflict pain and suffering, but I am skilled in doing the opposite. Tu'whacca says this will be a very hard battle, even for you. He says it would be my duty to keep you in the fight, to keep you healed."
If Talia at-Marimah was chosen to accompany the Vestige in the fight against Shiri:
Talia at-Marimah:"Excellent. We shall put down Shiri as my father put down Suturah before."Throne Keeper Farvad:"Tu'whacca demands justice be done!"Prince Azah:"This wall will not stand before the power of an Ansei Ward."Talia at-Marimah:"It is done. Lead on."
Quotes[]
"O great Tu'whacca, Keeper of Souls! Hear the prayer of your humble servant! Your sacred grounds have been defiled! The rest of our ancestors have been disturbed! I ask you to send your sacred Breath to cleanse the Temple! And give us your blessing to destroy the defiler!" – When praying for Tu'whacca to open the doors to the sanctum
"He has given his blessing! Go into the inner sanctum and kill Uwafa!" – After Tu'whacca opens the doors to the sanctum
"Tu'whacca extends his hand! You need only enter the portal, and you will be transported back to the desert below." – After completing "Trials of the Hero"
"I will cleanse the blade. You keep them off of me!" – During "Amputating the Hand," while cleansing the Ansei Ward
"Tu'whacca says to keep it up. You are doing a good job." – During "Amputating the Hand," while cleansing the Ansei Ward
"Yes! Yes! We are close now!" – During "Amputating the Hand," while cleansing the Ansei Ward
"That's it! Just a bit more!" – During "Amputating the Hand," while cleansing the Ansei Ward
"There! It is done! Come quickly now! We must stop this woman Shiri! Meet me at the central tomb!" – After cleansing the Ansei Ward
