Skyrim:Erandur

Erandur, once known as Casimir, is a Dark Elf priest of Mara investigating the nightmares plaguing Dawnstar.  While investigating, you will be directed to Erandur, who is also looking into the problem. This will start the quest Waking Nightmare. 

He wears a set of hooded monk robes with a pair of boots. He carries a leveled mace of the best possible quality and two leveled potions of healing. He also carries a torch, a belted tunic and the key to Nightcaller Temple. He relies on three spells, specifically Lesser Ward, Firebolt, and Flames, though he also uses his mace. 

 
Related Quests
 

Quest-Related Events
Waking Nightmare
Erandur can be found in the taproom of Windpeak Inn, busily reassuring the town's residents to trust in Mara:

Irgnir: ''"It's a curse! It has to be! I've got to get out of this town." 
Fruki: "Irgnir, get a hold of yourself. They're just dreams. Please tell her, Erandur." 
Erandur: "Listen to your friend, Fruki. They are just dreams, my dear. I assure you that it is quite normal." 
Irgnir: "It's the same dream over and over again. You think that's normal? It's evil I tell you!" 
Fruki: "Erandur, she has a point. You keep telling us no harm will follow these dreams, but they must be an omen." 
Thoring: "Give him a chance to speak. He's trying to help us." 
Erandur: "Everyone, please. I'm doing what I can to end these nightmares. In the meantime all I ask is you remain strong and put your trust in Lady Mara." 
Irgnir: "I... I will. Thank you..."

When spoken to directly:
:"What troubles you, my son?"
:What's wrong with everyone around here?
:"The entire town is being plagued by horrible nightmares. They're in serious danger but I'm afraid there's little I can do about it." 

You then have three options to pick from:


Any option leads to:
:What's your plan?
:"I need to return to the source of the problem, to Nightcaller Temple. Perhaps you'd be willing to assist me in that regard?"
:What do you mean, "return"? You've been there?
:"I've already said too much. If anyone overhears what we're saying, it could start a panic. I would simply ask that you trust me and help me end Dawnstar's nightmares."



If you reject helping him:
:Sorry, I can't.
:"I understand. If you should change your mind, I'll be here."

Once you accept the quest you can ask him about Vaermina:
:Who is the Daedric Lord Vaermina?
:"Vaermina resides in a strange realm known as  ... a nightmarish land where reality shifts upon itself in seemingly impossible ways. From her citadel at the center, she reaches forth to collect our memories, leaving nothing in return apart from visions of horror and despair."
:What does she do with the memories?
:"Who can say? Perhaps she collects them for display like works of art in a nonsensical art gallery. Whatever the case may be, her intentions are far from benevolent."

Walking to the Temple
thumb|right|Erandur warns you of the dangers before entering
While walking towards Nightcaller Temple, Erandur will talk about the temple and the priests who lived there: 
:"The tower on that hill is our destination. People around here call it the Tower of the Dawn. I'm not familiar with the tower's history, but it was deserted for quite a long time before Nightcaller Temple was established inside. When the temple was active the priests would rarely be seen in Dawnstar. They preferred to live a solitary existence. The temple's been abandoned for decades now. Ironic isn't it... a ruin within a ruin? There's a small shrine to Mara I established inside the tower's entry hall. I was hoping to seek spiritual guidance from Her. Perhaps my prayers were answered and your reason for stumbling across Dawnstar is more than a mere coincidence. Follow me, it's this way. It feels good to finally have a chance to help these people. Helplessly watching them suffer's been difficult." 

Before entering, he will inform you of the dangers you are about to face: 
:"Years ago, this temple was raided by an orc war party seeking revenge... they were being plagued by nightmares just like the people of Dawnstar." 
:Were they successful?
:"No. Knowing they could never defeat the orcs, the priests of Vaermina released what they call "The Miasma," putting everyone to sleep." 
:Why is it dangerous if they're asleep?
:"I'm concerned that when this place is unsealed, the Miasma will dissipate and they'll awaken; both orcs and priests alike."
:What does the Miasma do?
:"The Miasma was created by the priests of Vaermina for their rituals. It's a gas that places the affected in a deep sleep. Because the rituals would last for months or even years, the Miasma was designed to slow down the aging process." 
:Is the gas dangerous?
:"Sadly, yes. The longer an individual is exposed to the Miasma, the more the mind can become damaged. Those who've been under the effect of it for extended periods of time have been known to lose their minds entirely. In some cases, a few never awoke at all."

Nightcaller Temple
thumb|right|Erandur opens the way
When you enter Nightcaller Temple Erandur will walk to the back of the room and cast a spell on the back wall: 
:"Give me just a moment, and I'll have this open." 

Once inside, he will say: 
:"Now I can show you the source of the nightmares. Over here. 
Veren: "We must hold. We can't allow the Skull to fall into their hands." 
Veren: "Then we have no choice. The Miasma must be released." 
Veren: "We have no alternative. It's the will of Vaermina. And what about you, Brother Casimir? Are you prepared to serve the will of Vaermina?" 
Veren: "Then it's decided. Brother Casimir, you must activate the barrier and release the Miasma. Let nothing stop you. Brother Thorek, we must remain here and guard this Skull with our lives if necessary." 
Veren: "Then let it be done. Farewell, my brothers!" 
Veren: "No thanks to you, Casimir." 
Veren: "You're a traitor. You left us to die and then ran before the Miasma took you." 
Veren: "Enough of your lies! I can't allow you to destroy the Skull, Priest of Mara." 
Erandur (Casimir): "Then you leave me no choice!"

After defeating Veren and Thorek, Erandur will say: 
:"I... knew Veren and Thorek. They were my friends. Is this punishment for my past? Is it Mara's will to torment me so?" 

You can say:

thumb|right|Erandur calls upon the power of Mara
He will then continue: 
:"It's time. The Skull must be destroyed. If you'll stand back, I'll perform the ritual granted to me by Lady Mara."

As he approaches the Skull of Corruption he will seek the help of Mara, chanting:
:"I call upon you, Lady Mara! The Skull hungers. It yearns for memories and leaves nightmares in its wake. Grant me the power to break through this barrier and to send the Skull to the depths of Oblivion!" 

As he is calling for help from Mara, Vaermina will speak into your mind, trying to persuade you to kill Erandur before he destroys the Skull of Corruption. If you let Erandur live and destroy the Skull of Corruption, he will remark: 
:"Forgive me if I don't appear relieved... this temple has taken its toll on me." 

When approached again, he will reveal Nightcaller Temple to be his new home and offer his assistance as a follower as reward: 
:"I'd constructed a meager shrine to Mara in the antechamber where we entered. My intention was to spend the rest of my years here, burying the past and praying for forgiveness. But instead, I wish to offer my services to you. If you ever wish to journey with me, I'll be here."

Follower Dialogue


Notes
The Skull of Corruption is part of the Oblivion Walker achievement. Allowing Erandur to destroy it will make you unable to achieve this, unless you obtain two Daedric Artifacts from the quest Ill Met By Moonlight. 
If you let Erandur live, he can be recruited as a follower and as a member of the Blades.
He is one of the few followers that will comment on the area you are in at the moment.
Despite being a self-proclaimed priest of Mara, Erandur will still invoke Azura's name in combat dialogue like any other Dunmer. Additionally, Erandur does have combat lines referencing Mara ("For Lady Mara!", etc.), but these lines are only heard during the Waking Nightmare quest. It is more likely leaving dialogue mentioning Azura out was an oversight during game development, as Erandur's demeanor when speaking of his devotion to Mara, as well as his mention of having set up a shrine to Mara in Nightcaller Temple, strongly implies he is telling the truth about his Divine conversion.
Due to his robes taking up both his head and body slots, he will not equip body armor except when given a helmet or circlet, or if he is inducted to be a Blade.

Bugs
:See also 
 
A good way to avoid this from happening is to dismiss him at the Temple.