Horustair Dialogue #2 COMPLETE NEED QUEST EDITS

MAKE SURE TO HAVE AUDIO RECORDINGS SET FOR MONO, NOT STEREO
SPLIT EACH INDIVIDUAL LINE INTO ITS OWN FILE
KEEP QUALITY CLEAN AND CLEAR THROUGHOUT
HAVE THE AUDIO BE AS LOUD AS YOU CAN MAKE IT WITHOUT AUDIBLE CLICKING OR NOISE

COMMENTS IN BRACKETS {} ARE SPOKEN/DONE BY THE PLAYER
COMMENTS IN BRACKETS [] IS WHAT THE PLAYER IS DOING OR WHERE THEY ARE

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Horustair
Loyal and prides himself on honor
Honest to a fault
Tries to adhere to stereotypical character of a knight
Good nature takes precedence over loyalty to kingdom when he starts seeing corruption of kingdom firsthand (when Sigmayne knighting criminals like Lowland Reavers, Sek and Mek)
30-40 years old
Tall and strong, doesn’t abuse power
Goodness is often taken advantage of, quite naive

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[Scene within town, Lord of town is confronted about bad behavior. Lord murders other lord who Horustair was guarding]

Bastard! Don't let him run!

We have no time for this, you're just delaying the inevitable.

Sek, stand aside! Do you want this town to become a gauntlet for that insane lord?

What abyssal sorcery is this?!

[Scene where Horustair and player survive Oblivion invasion]

You made it! By the gods I didn't believe you'd conquer that evil. Those creatures just collapsed as soon as you came through, how did you do it?

Of course, I can't... We can't thank you enough for the perils you've been through. I'll make sure that you two will be knighted for this triumph.

A rest well earned, but your friend here may still have some energy. Head into the King's Hall, and your knighthood will be immediately awarded.

[Scene where player is knighted, Horustair is clapping for player]

I hope you don't disappoint.

{Do you have further need of my services?}

A bounty has come through straight from the Council, they're in need of a Knights skills for this case, have a look.

{I've rescued the citizen.}

Your feats are inspiring to say the least, here, a reward most deserved.

{Would you have need of a Knights skills?}

Congratulations on the Knighthood, I just heard that you took the oath. There is a matter pertaining to Azra's Crossing, just west of this city.

Making the most of your new credentials I see? I hope you've finished with the celebrations as we've a most urgent matter that needs addressing.

Apparent nefarious dealings are taking place within the mine, and I would like to see these rumors put to rest. Would you mind lending your aid?

There lies a village called Azra's Crossing, at the western border of our kingdom. Reports note that nefarious dealings are being conducted within the mines there.

So leading from your query, this small investigation should suffice to answer. We'll put these rumors to rest by attending those mines in person.

So what say you knight? Ready to show your skills?

{If it helps the Kingdom, then I will assist.}

For sure, with every threat that's quelled, the Kingdom gains strength. You will make a great Knight at this rate.

Be sure to meet me at the bridge that connects us to the village, the Aventuriers will be there to help if things turn sour.

{Maybe another time.}

I would like the dwelling investigated soon, so if you plan on reconsidering, then be fast about it. The plague waits for no man.

{Some noble bore the affliction, and was selling medicine to the villagers.}

We've had a run in with opportunists before, those that exploit the meek for personal gain.

{He also turned violent, I had to defend myself - so now he lays dead}

The commotion was hard to ignore, managed to alert the entire village.

I stayed outside to make sure no others entered the mine, or any left. I'm sure you did the right thing in there.

So I readied myself for the worst, seeing to it that no others entered that mine - or any left it. I'm sure there was little option for recourse.

Take this for your help, I'll inform the court of possible contraband smuggling and corruption within the nobility.

{Why are noble persons here anyway?}

Noble's seldom see themselves free of scandal - this is just one of many. Wherever there's the prospect of riches, they'll be seen near.

Right, mind my tongue - not wise to besmirch those of higher authority.

Have this for your help, I'll inform the court of possible contraband smuggling. Maybe they'll pay closer attention to their wealthy friends.



{Nothing was found within the mines, I think they go inside to stay warm...}

Strange, why not just take shelter within their homes? Must be these wretched vines blocking access inside.

This plague has really taken a toll on this village - as you searched inside I took notice of all these sickly roots.

I was thinking, if you left the plague untouched in an area, that this is the result.

{I saw nothing like this in my journeys east}

We've employed the most stringent precautions within the Reach. Purgation units are on constant rotation to burn even the slither of affliction.

Yet sickly stragglers manage to elude even these measures. Surely spreading this pox even further.

{Anything else we can do?}

Never a day goes by that's free of work - but for now, we're settled here.

I'm more than grateful you came, Kegor will hear of your fine work. If your achievements remain consistent, I may soon have an equal.


[Horustair confronts another guard, asking him to lower a draw bridge to an afflicted village]

At ease. Have you seen any activity within Azra?

Make sure to cover our rears incase things go awry, and don't be afraid to turn your hands against us if the worst comes to pass.

Lower the drawbridge, we're proceeding.

[Horustair confronts afflicted woman, woman refuses Horustair entry to the village]

As citizens under the protection of Evermore, you're still subject to our laws. We're investigating the mines.

Do you wish to see your welfare worsen? Cooperate and we'll see this village relieved of its suffering - Refuse us, and you'll earn the King's Wrath.

Seems they're not listening, get inside the mines, I'll draw their attention outside. I think they're going to turn violent.



{You're a knight?}

Does the armour betray my rank? And you, an aspiring Squire?

{No, I was just curious. What does a knight do then?}

Oh that's unfortunate, but on second thoughts - your form does strike an assertive cord...

How unfortunate, yet with a closer look, I see someone with higher ambitions.

Knight's are the right arm of your king's rule, meting out justice on the unbecoming, to enforce order within the kingdom's borders and to retain our reputation within the Province.

Well, knights like I at least - can't say the same for those who most recently received the title.

{What do you mean?}

Lest I let too much slip from my tongue that it warms to treason - Knighthoods aren't what they seem within this kingdom, in contrast to its venerated rank throughout the rest of High Rock.

My umbrage tempts the wrath of my peers, I shall be measured. Knighthood in Evermore doesn't share the same veneration as its found throughout other kingdoms.

For how could it? When that class is made up of men with the deepest shadows covering for the blackest deeds.

To feel shame for your class, to doubt in the knight's purpose..

..I've let slip too much. I will not slander what the god's have blessed me with. I will uphold the honour of my peers.

To never sully the name of my brethren, *sigh* That is the knight's oath.

Reprobates and criminals - ugh, no I can't. I wouldn't dare slander those I'm sworn to protect.

To never sully the name of my brethren, no matter how deserving they are of scorn. *Sigh* That is the knight's oath.

{Tragic to see what's happened, do you need help in alleviating the suffering here.}

Tragedy doesn't begin to describe the evil etched into the scenery, this kingdom seems to have gasped its last breath - I digress, there are rumours of an Orc contingent within the bog hellbent on seeing the souls on this bridge suffer further indignity.

Tragedy? No, this is criminal - tragedy is to be laid at the inevitable. We had ample chance to avoid this fate, so much warning.

{You're angry at the Kingdom itself?}

Only a fool would cast his fury at the abstraction that was Evermore, my blame goes towards certain individuals. Dragging our honor through the mud like a pig to slaughter.

The fool hates the image, with ours being that banner and royal blood. My ire is cast toward the men who reigned, dragging the rest of us to the pits.

{Never knew you harboured such resentment}

No sense in wearing your hatred, it'll make you all the more appetizing for those who seek your ruin.

Yet I shouldn't sit here sulking, calamity beckons and we need strength..

Say, are you familiar with the fate of Mados?

{Yes vividly, what about him?}

It seems that this realm is regurgitating those same awful events all over again, however, we have hope that this time those shamans can be culled before their hideous magic reaches its penultimate form.

The reach is keen to repeat history, those same dreadful events that led to Mados' undoing are taking shape again.

Vengeful orcs, insidious shamans, walls where the helpless can only look on as doom falls.

{Tell me where they are and I'll deal with them.}

The Reach is dense with the mad, it's hard to recover any valuable information down there. Searching for them could take days.

Word is they've come home to roost - in the very same place where calamity fell upon grey belmor all those years ago. I'll give you the general whereabouts on your map.

I don't want to find you in the same state that mados had suffered - so I implore you to abandon any arrogance and to adopt caution. We have no idea what you'll face out there.

{Knight to knight, how corrupt are the nobility?}

What gave you the idea that I'd be privy to that information?

{You seem to be one of the more honest people I've met around here.}

You may be a knight, but you are fresh within the ranks, still a stranger to many here. Best to avoid controversy so early in your career.

And to make enemies of the nobility have barely gotten to know them?

Veterans who've boasted accolades numbering in the hundreds can still see their reputation brought to nothing. It doesn't take much either, one mispoken word toward the nobility, and your fate is sealed.

Having said all this, I didn't answer your question did I? Well, my warning was not denial.



A knight you may be, but you are still fresh within the ranks, being a stranger to many in the kingdom. It's best to avoid controversy so early in your career.

Especially against such an established class.

Knights who've boasted medals to fill halls, can still see their reputations dragged through the mud by offending some irritable noble.

However, I am not denying the case for corruption. In fact the problem pervades even the higher echelons of our society.

{Have we tried ousting these corrupt nobles?}

That's a rabbit hole you wished you never delved, you may find yourself collecting dirt on very powerful people.

You may happen on discoveries too dark for anyone to keep to themself. Then, your loyalty falters, and you wonder why you serve such people at all.

*Sigh* I know that road too well.

Now that is a rabbit hole you shant descend, you may find yourself collecting dirt against the royal family itself if you're not cautious. And at that point, why bother serving the kingdom at all?

{How did you become a knight?}

Ha, how often I've heard that. For one, it wasn't easy, I assure you.

A lifetime of service and exceptional feats should prove enough for the title, yet It was never a matter of conscious effort for me.

An entire legacy of knighthood is from where I hail, I am but the latest in that long tradition. There weas no other road except that blazed by my forefathers.

I was knighted when I had just turned 30, for my service in the Illiac conflict which saw our great kingdom against Wayrest.

Commanding the second retinue of pikemen into their lands, seizing points of logistical interest and other requistions.

The first line of offence was penetrated at the northern flank, it was us who secured the rear and stalled the encirclement that wayrest had banked on.

For that feat, my return to Evermore was celebrated with the promise of this most extolled rank.

Wish I could tell you that I was grateful for it, yet after hearing of who else had shared in my reward.

A family profession, earned by each father before me - and I will do so in turn with my son. Though if you're talking about specifics - my knighthood was earned on the dawn of my 30th, for my deployment against Wayrest.

I had commanded the second retinue of men into their lands, seizing points of logistical interest and capturing farmsteads for food.

And with my return I was decorated for valor, gaining that most extolled rank after the last medal had pinned my vest.

The elation from such ceremony was short lived however, as upon learning of who else was knighted on that very same day..


{Who?}

A twisted man, dark in all his being. Taking lead of the Ustase, in which he's taught much. Now they rival him in cruelty, maybe even more.

He is a baffling character; no history we could trace, and no discernible motive for his service.

Knighthood had come to mean nothing on the day he claimed it, "earned" through the evil he made Wayrest suffer. Serfs numbering in the hundreds, unrecognizable, strewn across their abodes.

We were sure it was the witchmen, no one of civil society could be capable of the scenes we witnessed.

But the Witchmen took pride in their savagery, marking their victims in whatever effigies or symbols their shrewd minds froths up. And they were never deft enough to elude us for long.

It was only through the patience and keen eyes of our scouts did we discover who was truly responsible.

{The Ustase I guess?}

Yes, the black hounds of Evermore. The kingdom's shame.

We brought their attrocities to the attention of the court, they trialed some, and excused many others. The leader himself, faced no punishment.

As I told you, he was rewarded. I saw through it all, this behaviour would be our standard. Evermore was to be terror for High Rock.

Wayrest was left in cinders, a storm of smoke so thick it gave pause to men miles away. You'd never see anything quite like what they did to that city.

As close to Oblivion as I could imagine, sunset staine with red fire - it was demonic.

Yet all was not lost, King Uther had fled, bringing wayrest with him.

A mad figure who now leads the Ustase; Prethathor, a name I've never heard him speak himself. A truly confusing subject with no history, and worse still, no apparent motives for what he does.

The inscrutable figure who now leads the Ustase; Prethathor, a name never evoked by himself. A truly baffling case study; no history, and worse still, no motive for his service.

He had "earned" his knighthood from the evil he meted out against the unarmed serfs of Wayrest, such scenes of carnage and blood that we were sure witchmen had raided moments before our arrival.

He was bestowed knighthood from the heinous acts dispensed upon the serfdom of Wayrest - scenes of black carnage, sadism so cruel that we had mistaken the culprits for Witchmen.

Though briefings had made us aware of who undertook this barbarity. Indeed this sick art was too fine a craft for a savage - it took a particularly ghastly intelligence for what we saw.

Most confounding of all was their intention, they wanted it to appear as a witchman attack.


Then we learned it wasn't witchmen at all, this sadism was too fine an art for a savage - it took a particularly ghastly intelligence to create the scenes we saw. Funny thing is, I think their intention was to have it appear as a witchmen attack.

The cruelty didn't stop there, it continued upon Wayrest's walls - infernal hounds in the shape of men, ejecting incendiary venom upon anything in sight.

You've surely come across them by now, "dealing" with our sick.

And that concludes the tragedy of Wayrest... At least the king escaped the slaughter.

These ustase had set the entire city ablaze, with their mad hounds of fire ejecting incendiary venom upon anything in sight.

At least their king had escaped the slaughter...

{The king survived, how do you know this?}

Ah.... Well we never saw to his body, even with Sigmayne ordering a full scouring of the city after its ruin. Many have come to us since, claiming to have seen Uther.

Though such a bounty would collect a very high reward, attracting many a swindler.



Oh, slip of the tongue, I thought this was common knowledge by now. We had not been able to recover the body and had received rumors of his sighting. Forgive any assumptions I had made.

*Ahem* (Nervous) slip of the tongue, thought this was common knowledge by now. We never retrieved Uther's body and had received numerous witness reports of his sighting.

Forgive any assertion, I simply misspoke.

{So do you have a manor within Evermore?}

If only, the city hasn't seen a vacant property save Greenmore in years - nobility from all kingdom's have flocked to Evermore, seeing great potential in our burgeoning capital.

With enough time, even Daggerfall may quake at the wealth our Kingdom covets. Yet our native folk will find themselves forever distant from that prosperity.



{So where do you live?}

A guarded secret friend, I'll just say that it's very far from the troubles here. Built with the help of my wife.. and a few carpenters. The wife tells me its the envy of all her friends.

I hope it is, I wouldn't have gone through the effort otherwise.

But Evermore has called me on until further notice, And I've recieved no update for when I can return home. Recent events will most likely extend my stay here.

Let's pray that the Reach can finally turn itself around, the only way we'll have peace.


My manor is deep within the Gavaudons, far from the bustle of the capital - a hamlet built partly with my own hands and partly by my wife's. She now tends to our vineyard, it's an idyllic escape that I hope to soon see again.

But I've been called here on permanent notice, what with this unending chaos - let's hope fortune smiles on us soon and we can all go home.


{What happened within the town while we were in that realm?}

A nightmare without equal, swallowing the Reach entirely - as if we were being yanked to one of the many hells.

A nightmare without equal seemed to have swallowed the land into its bloodied belly - it looked like the town itself was being yanked straight into another world.

We hurried the people to any shelter that wasn't blocked by rubble, and it was only the Inn that was free. The missionary aided us with his magic, with us forming a wall to stem the horror.

It was looking bleak, and I had made my peace - we all did. These creatures just kept coming, there was no way we could hold.

Then the ghoulish shrieks ceased at once, collapsing in their silence. That's when you came.

Mara's mercy, too many of us were taken, we should have done more.

Making sure that these fiends wouldn't return, we gathered what was left of them onto the pyres, ridding them from this world for good.

May stendarr collect their ash and deliver righteous punishment.



We funneled the civilians down the road and hurried them to the Inn. The missionary had provided his arcane support, warding off the encroaching terror.

The rest of us had made our peace with the world and put on a forlorn defense outside - the threat was overwhelming and we were almost slain to the last.

Yet that's when your daring party had fell back into our reality.

And at that moment, the agents of dismay collapsed - we had gathered their stinking corpses upon the fires, hoping to erase their stench from our world for good.

[Horustair and player is interrupted by a guard, guard tells Horustair about Orc approaching bridge. Horustair is tense about Orc motives]

Hope you have a good reason for interupting.

Pray tell, what is the problem?

Calm yourself, what's causing this panic?

Shamans?! Not again, let's see what they intend to do.

Shamans?! Do the Orcs dare to repeat their crimes?

Orc! State your motives lest you fall to a rain of arrows.

Orc! State your intentions or be punished for your trespass.

What could you possibly offer us, Orc? Your kind has done its damage.

Quiet.

What do you want Orc?

Come clear with your agenda, Orc.

You take us for fools Orc? How do we know you're telling the truth?

Fear has not made fools of us Orc, tell us why we should believe you?

Damn, we really can't stake the lives here on a hope that he's lying.

Friend, you have proven yourself in many ways in your brief career. Please, sate our insecurities and find out if this Orc speaks truth.

Knight, you have given much to us already, but we beg that you prevail over one last evil.

Succeed where Mados had failed, do not repeat the mistakes of the past.


[Player approaches bridge with Orcs following]

Knight! Is this some twisted jest or have you turned cloak?

{Neither, I made a deal with the Orcs...}

A deal with savages who've raped their way through our kingdom?! Are you mad? Have the shamans put you under their spell?

{Horustair listen, they just want passage, towards their home. If we allow this then we wont be under threat from any further shaman rituals.}

And you've bought into their agenda without prying further? I have to ask again, are you mad?

Forgetting that knight, the people here will not take well to seeing Orcs walking among them. This cannot stand!

{We'll have put away our wrath for a moment if we wish to live for tomorrow, we don't know what could happen if we turn on them now.}

I have tolerated much in this corrupted system but it all pales to this.

Knight, I say this with utmost sincerity, if any of them even flinches towards one of ours. We'll put them all down where they stand.

With you joining them in death. Are we clear?

{Crystal.}

Go, and be quick about it. Lest we have a change of heart.

{The shamans have been dealt with, there was a lot of resistance.}

I shouldn't have sent you into that den of wolves alone, forgive me. Able bodied soldiers are hard to come by up here, so I hope you can understand.

You've proven to be a far brave soul than I. Sigmayne knighted many wretches in his reign, but you stood alone, against them all.

{And yourself too, Horustair.}

No, I have my sins. Crimes that will be laid bare when Uther comes our way. I disgraced the banner for morality. I am no knight.

{What do you mean Horustiar? Explain!}

In short time, for now, enjoy the safety your heroic actions have secured.

And with your triumph, our survival. I'll make sure to tell those taking refuge here about your feats, so that your heroism isn't forgotten.

You are a knight - even when the system, which endowed you with that title, has long since crumbled.

{Thank you, I do my best.}

I know. The people are soon to ride out for Cyrodil, with others heading to Skyrim. Skyrim was your homeland was it not?

{No, I was just around there before my arrival here.}

Then I'm sure you're familiar with the land, the route there will be far safer with you on the roads.

{Yes, It is}

Everyone has to return home eventually, only with cruel fate is that path taken from us. Have skyrim hear the lesson of Evermore, have them know the consequence of greed.

I will stay, my inability to prevent this carnage cannot go unpunished. My penance will be found here. Fixing the Reach.


As you've shown on this dreadful day - the people are soon to ride out for Cyrodiil and Skyrim. So if you're looking to travel east in the immediate future, now's your chance.

Yet we can always use another blade here for when this rabble is pacified - and those kingdoms of the west trigger their inevitable expansion onto this fractured land.

At least they can be coerced into seeing reason, unlike those descending upon each other in that swamp. Let's hope my diplomacy skills haven't waned.

{Horustair, I had to bring the Orcs over the bridge. Who knew what other tricks they had in store?}

You gambled with the lives here Knight, all it took was for their shamans to play foul on your agreement. Yet you staked your hope on an Orcs word.

{They just want to return home}

Don't we all - yet circumstance has precluded that option. Many up here see you as a traitor Knight, in cohorts with Orcs. And with this most recent stunt, would you blame them?

Don't we all? Yet home has been destroyed, and there is no one down there seeking to rebuild what is lost. Popular opinion here is that the Orcs are to blame

So popular opinion would now have you a traitor. I know you, Knight. But the others do not. You are no traitor, but simply too forgiving.

Eschewing further violence and having not shared the same thirst for revenge against the Orc. Noble. For that I commend you.

But you must return to Skyrim immediately.


Though I see differently, you eschewed further violence - a noble goal. For that I cannot condemn you, but I insist that you return to Skyrim.

{Why? I want to stay and help}

I've already stated why, the guards lack discipline as it is - to see someone who abetted Orcs among their ranks will only worsen cohesion. Forgive me knight, we still need our principles.

I've given you the reason, discipline is lacking here, tensions cannot be higher. To see a traitor who abetted the Orcs, never having been punished.

It is too much. Your presence risks more disobedience.

{I will go then.}

Your good nature will be put to better use in a better place with better people.

Goodbye, knight.


[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER STEALING]
Brainless criminal, I'll cut those hands off!

[NPC DYING WORDS]
Mara..Take me..
No.....
I've failed...

[NPC REACTS TO FRIENDS DEATH]
Causalities!
You'll bleed for that.

[NPC ATTACKED]
Ugh.. big mistake!
Oof!
Get back!
Stendarr, shield me.
Agh!

[NPC BLOCKING ATTACKS]
Is that all?
It'll take more than that.

[NPC BLEEDING OUT, ON KNEES]
Stendarr ... give me strength.
It can't end like this...

[NPC ATTACKING PLAYER/ENEMY]
A dance of steel.
Cretin!
You've earned my wrath!
Make your peace.
Weak technique.
Savage spawn.
Another dead nord.
Foul creature.
Banish this demon.
Thieving cat.
Eyes forward, we have enemies.
Time to meet your end.
Gods... The stench.
Guard up, prepare for blood.



[NPC REACTS TO CORPSE]
We'll bring the killer to justice, that is my promise.

[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER SWINGING WEAPON]
Keep that weapon away from me.

[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER SPELLS]
Real fancy.
Who you trying to impress?

[PLAYER SHOVES NPC]
Mind yourself!
Ugh!

[NPC REACTS TO PLAYER SHOUT]
That wasn't a nord's drunken rumor then? Shouting really does exist.

[NPC watches other people fighting]
We'll not tolerate this disorder!

[NPC SAYS GOODBYE]
Stay clean, knight.
Keep your wits about you.
We'll talk again.

[NPC SAYS HELLO]
What's on your mind?
Need something?
Don't dally.
Let's focus.
Aren't you busy with something?
Blessings to you, Knight.
In need of aid, knight?

[NPC HORRIFIED]
What is this place?!
What in oblivion!


[NPC SEES HOSTILE]
Time to strike!
We have hostiles.

[NPC LOOKING FOR HOSTILE]
Can't hide for long, I've got time in abundance.



[PLANS FOR EXTRA DIALOGUE]

{Horustair shows dissatisfaction with council and corruption after his quest, talks about odius activities to get kingdom powerful.}

{How Horustair became a knight, his duties throughout the kingdom. Laments boring paperwork/beuracracy, tells you of Greenmore manor and where horustair currently resides. Horustair has a manor outside of Evermore but has been recalled due to heightened activity with witchmen and mortifayne}

{Horustair gives hints to working with Elaine and his knowledge of wayrest plot}

{Talk to Horustair about what happened in Arnima while you were in scuttling void, say that civilians holed up in Inn, that the demons all collapsed in an instant when the portal closed.}